To The Attention of Solo

Cool morning air filtered through the flat, chilling the home quicker than the sun pouring in could warm it. After having spent so much time away, the place had needed a good airing out overnight. Best to do it now and enjoy the fresh air before the weather eventually turned once autumn settled in.

Coming home again always felt a little strange. For one, Illowy had yet to quite be able to feel like it was her home yet. Despite this being her technical address for the last year, she'd hardly spent any time in it. Perhaps a week or two at the most before she and Ruby were flitting off on their next grand adventure. She'd never established a reali routine here yet. She didn't really know her neighbors or the fastest path to the shops or what takeaway places were open the latest near here. This place had always just seemed like a stop over. No different than any other place.

Off in the other room, the music player hummed low. Some old Muggle cabaret singer she'd learned about in Berlin. The warm whisky tenor of her voice made for a romantical way to go about one's morning. Laying lazily on the top of the fridge, Killian watched his mistress, chin supported by the corner of the appliance while his front legs hung over and his tail swept softly over the side. Illowy, herself, was perched on the countertop, with a pipping cuppa in hand as she read the Daily Prophet, hair still a mess and in her night clothes.

Usually by now, she'd be dressed and ready to run off to some bistro breakfast or to some appointment to explore a library or learn about some collection of oddities; but not in London. At least, not today. Today had been dedicated to being slow. The most exciting thing she planned on for today was perhaps a trip for groceries and a brisk run before it got too warm out.

Then came a tapping at the window, tearing the young witch's attention from her paper. She hopped down and in peaking into the front room, she saw an owl waiting with a letter. Now, typically she wasn't one to get worked up about letters, but it had been so long since she'd personally received them. When she was out of town, her landlady typically did her the kindness of collecting her mail so that Illowy could marathon her responses when she come home before running off again. Really there were only a handful of people it could have been from; her mother (they'd not been on speaking terms since she moved to London), or perhaps her father (even less appealing), she kept contact with her Matthew as he was often the one she deemed most important to respond to as quickly as she could. On more than one occasion had she instructed her landlady to get into contact with her immediately if she were to receive a letter from her little brother. Really, she ought to consider writing to Bridget to try to get her set up with one of those muggle call devices. With as often as she found herself out of reach by owl, it seemed like it might just be prudent to have one.

There was only one other reason she might be receiving a letter, and that was the real reason she felt her nerves get all jittery as she opened the window to the owl, giving the creature a small treat before retrieving her letter. The bird promptly flew off once it's mission had been completed. All she needed was a glimpse of the seal on the back of the letter to know what it was about. In bright red, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's seal glinted in the morning sunlight. This would be the letter to change her entire life trajectory.

Carefully, she broke the seal with shaky hands and started reading:

To the attention of Illowy S. Magnard,

We are pleased to inform you that after reviewing your Hogwarts transcripts and upon completing your mandatory background checks and finding all in order, that you have been accepted into the Auror Training Program.

The rest of your onboarding information regarding the program will be sent in due course, along with a list of items advised for the program. All mandatory training materials and uniforms will be provided and sent in addition to the onboarding information.

Be advised that the first day of training is set for the 1st of September 2026. You will report to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at 0700 to Room 206. Please arrive in uniform and with all materials listed and all documents completed prior to arrival.

Should you have any questions prior to your first day of training, please contact the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

Illowy's mouth felt dry as she read over the parchment once, maybe even thrice more. Distantly, she was aware of Killian mewing and rubbing himself against her ankles.

She'd actually gotten in. She was actually accepted.

Logically, she knew there shouldn't have been a reason she wouldn't have gotten in. This is what she had worked so hard for in school in the first place. This had always been the plan and the main goal. Sure, she'd put it off a year, and she didn't regret a moment of getting to meet strange and wonderful people while running off into the sunset with her girlfriend. This last year had been the best year of her life. But now, it was time for real life to begin, and the clock towards it had started ticking the moment she'd sent in her application.

Part of her mourned that freedom she'd had this last year, knowing all the work she'd put in learning about strange magical items and long forgotten history was going to have to go on the backburner. Part of her would mourn far less time getting to be with Ruby and enjoying being young and free. But this had always been the plan from the beginning. This was what she'd always worked so hard for, to be of use to a greater cause. So that she could become stronger to be able to protect those who couldn't protect themselves; and so she could protect the people she loved the most.

Emotions cycled and rampaged through her faster then she could name them, but by the time they finally simmered down, one stood out above all: Pride.

In a most un-Magnard like fashion, she squealed, startling Killian into running off before she started hopping around the room, "I got in! I got in!" she cheered herself, excitement finally taking over above all else.

This was going to be a great thing. She could feel it in her bones.