A soft thud echoed through the upper floor of Flourish and Blotts as Seraphina Vale clumsily placed a towering stack of books on the nearest table to the window. The book tower wobbled and then two books clattered to the floor beside a well-worn chair. she muttered something under her breath that might have been "Honestly..." as she bent to pick them up, her shoulder-length blonde hair falling into her face.
It had taken her nearly fifteen minutes to make her way through the bustling ground floor, she held her increasingly crumpled school list in one hand navigating past staff with levitating carts and impatient parents. She had already collected The Book of Spells, Magical Drafts and Potions, and, because she could not resist, An Illustrated Guide to Wand Lore, which was not on the list.
Seraphina brushed the dust off her skirt and glanced at the sunny alcove she had chosen, but then she stopped. Someone else was already there.
A girl, who looked about her age, was sitting between two shelves with her knees tucked to her chest and with her nose buried in a thick, violet-bound book. Seraphina recognised that particular kind of stillness - the kind that only true readers had. The kind that wrapped around you until the real world faded into whispers.
Seraphina hesitated. Then, in a far gentler motion than her previous flustered scramble, she lowered herself to the floor opposite the girl, sitting just far enough away not to intrude.
"I think that one's got the chapter on mist-blooming silver thistle," she said softly, nodding towards the book in the other girl’s lap. "I read it last spring. My brother made me memorise it. He said I couldn’t join him for wandwork practice in the garden unless I knew which plants bite back."
She offered a small, crooked smile — unsure, but hopeful.
"I’m Seraphina. You’re not hiding from the Transfiguration aisle, are you?" Her voice carried the trace of a laugh, but not unkindly.
For a moment, the dust swirled between them like sleepy snow, catching golden flecks of sunlight.
Seraphina pulled her knees up to her chest and played with a strand of her blonde hair - one of her nervous tics.
“Are you starting at Hogwarts this year, too?” she asked. Her voice was soft, hopeful and slightly nervous, as if the answer mattered more than she wanted to admit.

-----

Dad

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Pa

Andrea

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Interacting with @Majata Rain | @Seraphina Vale Mentioning @Maisie Gemmell | @Avis Greymond	Date - 04/08/25
WC 915/200	Color Legend - Mylo | Thoughts

A soft chime filled the air followed by the chatter of people who had already entered into the shop that Mylo was currently walking into, a decently sized list of books that they had to get for their next school year already in hand ready to browse the many books available to them.

The next sound that filled the air was not unexpected as it was the same reaction Mylo themselves had had, although part of it, and for a different reason.

"OMG!" A voice next to Mylo piped up, this was the same reaction they had had. "IT'S A CAT!!" They hadn't had this part of the reaction though. Andrea had begged their parents to come with Mylo and his parents, just like she had done last year although last year she hadn't been allowed to come along as she already had an appointment that day.

This time though she had been allowed to tag along, and she was starry eyed every single second she'd had her eyes open, although it seemed like the cat had trumped everything else she had seen that day which earned her a small chuckle from Mylo and their parents also seemed quite amused by the turn of events. Especially as Andrea apparently didn't shut up about magic at home, not that Mylo blamed her as they too were still absolutely mesmerised by the world they had found themselves in.

"Okay, how about you go and start looking for the books you need for this year and we'll keep an eye out on Andrea. God knows she needs a minimum of 4 on her at all times in a place like this." Mylo's dad suggested, mumbling the last bit under his breath and earning himself an elbow to his side from his husband, although he also knew that James wasn't wrong. Andrea seemed to have a knack for disappearing as many small - don't actually call her that to her face, she will fight you and has a surprisingly high chance of winning no matter what you think - children have.

Looking back over to his younger sister Mylo winced as he saw her trying to bat the flying books out of the air, seemingly having taken over some of the mannerisms of the cat she had been petting, and reread the list of books they needed to find.

Most they could find with relative ease, as they just had to remember where they had gotten their books from the previous years and look for the next year up, although a few times he got tripped up when misremembering and walking down an isle that he had been down previously but for recreational reading. Although Maisie and Avis would probably look at them weirdly if the two of them found out they thought 'A history of dragonhide gloves' was recreational reading, knowing that likely wouldn't fall under their 'fun' category.

Having gotten down to the Herbology section of his list, they hadn't actually gotten that far down but it was still down the list, Mylo made his way to where they remembered getting their Herbology books last year, happy to see that when they got to the section he had indeed remembered correctly.

Letting their eyes drift over the covers of the books before them, also slightly wanting to run their fingers over said covers as there was something so relaxing about that but knowing that in shops that was considered rude, Mylo searched for the ones he needed in the meantime also cataloguing the ones they found interesting as he might be able to find those in the Hogwarts library. At this point he had amassed a list of books that was nearly twice as long as the one they had come in with, again not something to show to Maisie or Avis, but hadn't quite found the Herbology books they were looking for.

Turning round the corner to see if they had more luck on the other shelf Mylo immediately clocked the girl sitting on the floor, next thing they clocked was that she wasn't just sitting down looking at the bottom shelf, she was actually talking to someone who had wedged themselves between the bookshelves.

The sight brought back some of their own memories of being overwhelmed on their first day and having to find a place to calm down, and although it might not be the same situation he would feel worse if he didn't go and check to see if everything was okay.

Putting down their books, with a little note that these weren't to be put back, so that he had their hands free just on the of chance he needed them Mylo calmly made his way over to the two students, or at least he assumed they were students as the one he could see seemed around that age but you could never be certain.

Getting closer to them he could start to see more of the girl who had decided to sit down between the shelves, seeing an open book on her lap and noting that the situation might not be as dire as he had originally thought which was a relief. Although you could never be sure as Mylo couldn't count the amount of times they had hidden their feelings from others.

Looking between the two students Mylo tried to make sure that his face didn't betray as much of the concern they had originally been harbouring. "Um, hey. Is everything okay?"

ABILITIES | STATS
Perfectionist | Wandmaker [Dragonheart, Elm wood] | Calming presence
sta • 8 | eva • 7 | str • 5 | wis • 10 | arc • 7 | acc • 8

Code by Ara Villa

Majata Rain
Ravenclaw • First Year • Age 11

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Current Scene Information

Location:	|	Time:	|	Mood:	|	With:	|	Mentions:
Flourish and Blotts	|	August 4th	|	Nervous, excited and maybe a little bit curious	|	@Seraphina Vale @Mylo Atkins	|	N/A

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Majata startled slightly at the voice, her fingers tightening around the edges of the book in her lap. She hadn’t heard anyone approach — too lost in the curling script and delicate ink illustrations of silver thistle and moon-touched mosses. Slowly, she lifted her head, brown, purple, and blue-colored curls brushing her cheeks and falling down off her shoulder, where they had been resting before she had moved. Her gaze flicked up toward the girl now sitting across from her.

“Oh,” she said, blinking once, then again. “Um… really? I haven’t gotten that far yet, but—” Her voice came out smaller than she’d intended, the words tumbling gently like a handful of pebbles into a stream. “Mist-blooming silver thistle sounds like it would have... very sharp opinions.”

It was meant to be a joke, and a shy smile ghosted across her lips — almost unsure whether it would land. But something about the other girl’s crooked grin helped her shoulders ease just a little, as if someone had turned the volume of the world down a notch.

“I’m Majata,” she offered finally, her voice still quiet but steadier now. “And… I’m not exactly hiding from Transfiguration. Just… maybe letting it wait a bit.”

She paused, then tucked a loose curl behind her ear. Her gaze lingered briefly on the swirling dust in the sunlight between them, as if the soft golden light might help her untangle the strange knot in her chest — the one that had been sitting there since her parents told her she wouldn't be able to bring Luna with her this year. They were worried she would spend all her free time with Luna instead of getting to know her housemates and might stay isolated. They probably weren't wrong, if she was honest. She spent more time with her cat than with the few friends she bothered to keep in their small town.

“Yes! I will be starting as a first year at Hogwarts in September,” she added, her excitement seeming to push away some of her nervousness.

She felt herself rambling — the way she sometimes did when she was nervous. As if she were racing to explain herself before anyone had the chance to frown or walk away.

“I mean— I haven’t been inside Hogwarts yet, obviously. But I’ve read about it. Loads. Not just the big books, but stories, and journals, and... essays and things. There’s one about the Founders that i found so interes—” She stopped herself. “Sorry. I ramble when I’m... overwhelmed.”

Her eyes flicked between Seraphina and the older boy now approaching. She sat up a little straighter, the book still open on her lap but forgotten for the moment. He looked calm, older. Maybe he was a Hogwarts student as well? If he was, he most likely wouldn’t be a first year. At least, she didn’t think he would be. He looked too old for first year. But looks could be deceiving.

Majata shook her head gently, her voice soft. “I’m okay. Just… reading.” Her fingers tapped lightly on the page. “I like the quiet up here. Downstairs felt like everyone was talking over each other.” She gestured to Seraphina casually. “She was nice enough to join me here on the floor.” She didn’t know why, but she felt a little less nervous. “We were just talking about how we’re both starting Hogwarts this year. Are you going to Hogwarts too?” she asked curiously, tilting her head.

Reducio

Character Stats

Stamina	|	Evasion	|	Strength	|	Wisdom	|	Arcane Power	|	Accuracy
3	|	6	|	3	|	9	|	7	|	7

Comments, Important Information & Notes:
Word Count: 578
Spells and Abilities: None for the moment
Notes: Trying out a new posting template i made, the first in most likely over 10 years. Let me know if you have any comments/like it! constructive criticism welcomed!
Info: For her thoughts. For when she "Speaks"

Seraphina blinked at the new voice, her fingers still looped loosely around her knees. She hadn't heard him approach, and her pulse jumped. The soft thud of books settling somewhere down the aisle must have masked his footsteps. She tilted her head up and caught sight of the boy, viewing him with cautious, polite curiosity. He looked slightly older, though she wasn't sure by how much.

"Oh, yes. Everything's all right," she said softly, her voice low enough so it wouldn't carry through the quiet alcove. She brushed a strand of blonde hair back behind her ear. When Majata mentioned she liked the quiet up here, Seraphina nodded her head in agreement and added: "Yeah, it's just to much going on down stairs. It's quite overwhelming." Her mouth tugged into the faintest crooked smile, because she suspected he would understand.

When Majata mentioned Hogwarts Seraphina nodded in agreement. " We were just talking about that. First years, both of us," she added, her voice carrying a hint of excitement under her nerves. "I was just about to ask her if she'd read the chapter on whispering heather. Apperently it only grows if you speak to it politely. My brother swears it's true."

Her gaze drifted towards the Herbology section, then back at the boy. "You look like you know your way around these shelves," she said, sounding a little sheepish. "Are you a Hogwarts student too?"

As she spoke, she shifted slightly, and the motion sent tiny dust motes spinning through the golden light. There was something strangely comforting about the three of them being tucked away in this quiet corner. It was as if the world had slowed down for a moment.

"I don't mind sharing the space if you want to sit down" she offered at last, her voice tinged with shyness and hope. Making friends had never been her strong suit, but maybe Hogwarts would be the place where that could change.

-----

Dad

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Pa

Andrea

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Interacting with @Majata Rain | @Seraphina Vale	Date - 04/08/25
WC 607/200	Color Legend - Mylo | Thoughts

As the two kids on the floor explained what was going on Mylo's concern slowly left their body, happy that neither seemed to be in any form of trouble or in need of help. They knew exactly how the girls felt though as it was very overwhelming downstairs with students and parents alike filling the isles in search of books for the upcoming school year.

"Yeah, I get that. It's quite busy downstairs and it doesn't help that the sound carries through the isles. It nearly sounds like they decided to put an amplifying spell on the shop." They tried joking, hoping to ease any tension that might still be lingering - likely more within Mylo themselves than the other two.

As the two continued talking their suspicions that they were students were confirmed, as they mentioned joining Hogwarts as first years after the holidays. It brought Mylo back to their own experience being a first year, it was nerve wracking to say the least but it seemed like one of them probably had more information that he did as she mention her brother talking about a plant Mylo themselves hadn't heard of before, and now felt a need to know more about, meaning that he likely had gone to Hogwarts himself and had hopefully been able to prepare his little sister. It was something Mylo was trying to do himself with Andrea, hoping that she would feel more comfortable than he was his first year if she joined the school as well.

As both students aimed the same question at Mylo he realised he hadn't introduced himself, which they immediately rectified.

"Oh, yeah I'm going to be a third year after the holiday. I'm Mylo Atkins by the way, one of the Ravenclaw prefects. So if you ever need anything feel free to come up to me at any point during the day no matter what's going on." He mentioned, noting that although the two would be told who their prefects were after the sorting ceremony it couldn't hurt for them to know someone beforehand as anything could happen during the time before the feast, and Mylo knew he would've felt more comfortable going up to someone they had already met once before than a complete stranger no matter who they were. "You guys?" He asked knowing that he couldn't keep calling them 'the students' or 'the girls' in his head and that it was just a matter of it being polite to ask people for their names.

As one of them offered him a spot on the floor Mylo finally noticed they had been standing the whole time, looking down at the others which was starting to be a bit weird especially if the conversation continued. And although they knew that their family was probably preoccupied with Andrea downstairs they weren't sure how long that would last, not that she would mind staying here a bit longer while Mylo looked for the last few of his books, so he decided that he might as well talk a bit longer and took a seat next to the others, making sure not to block the path of anybody who needed to get past them.

"Sure thanks, though I'm not sure how long it will be before my little sister comes up to tell me I need to get going because she wants to go get ice cream or something, so I might need to leave in a few minutes or I might have a while before she's had enough of any mischief she's trying to cause downstairs." He chuckled, hoping she wasn't getting herself into too much trouble.

ABILITIES | STATS
Perfectionist | Wandmaker [Dragonheart, Elm wood] | Calming presence
sta • 8 | eva • 7 | str • 5 | wis • 10 | arc • 7 | acc • 8

Code by Ara Villa