Addyson was finally alone and she was enjoying it.

At home, she always felt like everything she did- she did with her siblings. They had always been a trio and now... They were separated into different houses. Avalon in Gryffindor (very fitting), Taliesin in Hufflepuff (also fitting), and herself in Ravenclaw. Being in different houses was a welcoming reminder that they were all different. In the past, she felt as if others clumped her with her triplets calling them all the same. At least, at Hogwarts (still an odd name for a school), she wouldn't have people constantly confuse her and her sister as they were identical... While she enjoyed the independence, there was a tiny - no, miniscule feeling of longing for Avalon's brightness and Taliesin's calmness. But Addyson would never tell them that. At least, Castamere (their beloved cat) would find and keep her company.

She wiggled her toes in the water, enjoying the peace and quiet. "I should have brought some bread," she spoke to no one in particular. Maybe the ducks could speak back?

Squuuuuuueeeee! There was a duck pond! Her big brother has told her many many things about his first year at Hogwarts but for some unknown reason never once had the boy mentioned a duck pond. Really she didn't understand why he hadn't told her. Like why keep it a secret? Perhaps... Maaaaaayyyybe, it had something to do with the way she reacted to ducks. No, she wasn't at all afraid of them, it was in fact very very much the exact opposite.

This first year LOVED them! So much so that she even has a stuffed plushis of one up in her dorm sat on her bed. She may also have a much small plush one that she also carried around in the pocket of her robes. Ducks were fabulous!

So one could only imagine Gabby's utter surprise as she came across the pond during one of her exploration walks out on the grounds. There was a LOUD squeal of pure delight, bouncing on her toes and clapping of her hands. This girl was beyond thrilled! Hopefully none of the little duckies were startled too much... Because oops!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

Squuuuuuueeeee! There was a duck pond! Her big brother has told her many many things about his first year at Hogwarts but for some unknown reason never once had the boy mentioned a duck pond. Really she didn't understand why he hadn't told her. Like why keep it a secret? Perhaps... Maaaaaayyyybe, it had something to do with the way she reacted to ducks. No, she wasn't at all afraid of them, it was in fact very very much the exact opposite.

This first year LOVED them! So much so that she even has a stuffed plushis of one up in her dorm sat on her bed. She may also have a much small plush one that she also carried around in the pocket of her robes. Ducks were fabulous!

So one could only imagine Gabby's utter surprise as she came across the pond during one of her exploration walks out on the grounds. There was a LOUD squeal of pure delight, bouncing on her toes and clapping of her hands. This girl was beyond thrilled! Hopefully none of the little duckies were startled too much... Because oops!

Bria skipped across the lush green grass of the Hogwarts grounds, her vibrant red scarf trailing behind her like a banner in the crisp autumn breeze. The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden rays across the trees whose leaves were beginning to turn shades of amber and crimson. The air was sharp but sweet, filled with the scent of damp earth and wood smoke from distant chimneys. The house elves must be busy preparing for dinner already!

She hummed happily to herself, her boots crunching over the fallen leaves as she made her way toward the duck pond. The sound of quacking and the occasional splash of water reached her ears long before she could see the water. She had been eager to come here all morning, her heart light with excitement as she rounded a bend in the path. The pond came into view, shimmering beneath the golden afternoon light, and Bria quickened her pace to a near sprint. A group of ducks swam lazily near the edge, their feathers a mix of brown and white, bobbing in the gentle ripples. A few of them were waddling along the muddy banks, flapping their wings and quacking loudly, as if to greet her. Bria’s laughter bubbled up as she clapped her hands together, delighted by the response. “I knew you’d be in a good mood today!” she called out, her voice full of affection and laced with laughter.

Bria’s laughter was cut short by a high-pitched squeal that seemed to come from nowhere. The Gryffindor turned, startled at first, but her expression softened pretty much immediately. A girl, no older than Bria herself surely, was bouncing on her toes, clapping her hands excitedly. Her wide eyes were fixed on the ducks, who, admittedly, did seem a little taken aback by the noise but Bria’s heart swelled with an immediate sense of camaraderie nonetheless. “You like ducks too?” Bria asked, her voice bright and inviting, completely unbothered by the fact that the girl had probably startled every feathered friend within a mile radius. Very relatable, honestly. Bria had been THAT kid plenty of times and at least ducks were more mellow than hippogriffs. "I mean, I GET it. They're fantastic. I mean, just look at them!”

Oh me, oh my! 😳 Oops!

Where had this other girl come from?! Had she been here the entire time and I. Gabby's excitement she hadn't noticed? The thought was very much plausible seeing as to how the other young girl was much closer to the ducks than she herself was. Hopefully the ducks.. and the girl give her for her loudness.

"Yes, I love them! I didn't realize anyone else was here though, sorry if I startled you." Her dark eyes moved between the girl to the ducks. "Sorry duckies. I'll try not to be so loud." It was only right that she apologized to them as well. This was their home after all.

At least it didn't appear that she had scared any of the ducks off. And the girl didn't seem at all angry or upset with her. "Right?! How can you not like them. The waddle and fly and swim! They're just the cutest!" Gabriella giggled. "Do you have a favorite one? I'm Gabby by the way." Can't forget to introduce herself!

Bria chuckled, her smile warm and welcoming as she waved off Gabby's apology. "Oh, no worries at all! Honestly, I get it. I get just as loud when I'm around them sometimes too - maybe even louder." She laughed again, her voice light. As Gabby apologized to the ducks, Bria couldn't help but admire how considerate she was and quickly added, "Yeah, they’re probably used to the noise considering this IS Hogwarts and there always seems to be something or another going on, but it’s really sweet of you to apologize to them. They definitely appreciate it. This is their home, after all."

Her gaze flicked from Gabby to the ducks, her eyes sparkling with affection. "And I totally agree! They’re just so adorable. The way they waddle around like they own the place, or how they flap their wings like they’re the kings of the pond - it's impossible not to love them!" Though she had met a handful of people who took great issue with things that could fly or anything that happened to have feathers. Bria couldn't quite understand why anyone could feel such a way, but that didn't mean she couldn't also be empathetic.

Bria took a few steps closer to her fellow duck enthusiasts, squatting down to get a better look at the ducks. "As for a favorite... Oh, that's tough!" She sighed dramatically, as if it were the hardest question in the world. And, honestly, in this moment is certainly felt that way! Bria crouched low by the edge of the pond, her eyes scanning the flock of Pekin ducks that had gathered near the water's edge. They were beautiful—each one with its soft, snow-white feathers gleaming in the autumn sunlight, the gentle ripples of the pond reflecting in their beady, curious eyes. There was the one with a little tuft of feathers on its head, looking more regal than ANY duck had the right to be. It waddled with an air of dignity, and Bria imagined it must be the oldest or wisest of the group. But then there was another, a perfectly round little duck, its body so plump and its waddle so endearing that Bria couldn’t help but giggle as it stumbled on to the bank. That one had such a joyful energy, always moving in quick little bursts, like it was constantly in a rush to experience everything. Bria sighed softly, leaning back on her hands as she flopped on to the grass entirely at last. How could she POSSIBLY choose? Every duck had something special about it...something that made it irreplaceable in its own way. Some were full of spunk, others calm and serene, but all of them were amazing. Bria paused, giving Gabby a sheepish grin. "I can't choose!" she laughed, tossing her head and shaking her blonde hair free from the loose fastenings that had been keeping it out of her face. She was pretty sure she finally understood the faces dad and mum made whenever she asked them if they liked her or Emrys better.

"Oh! Ever so nice to meet you, Gabby. I’m Bria!"

As usual, Phoebe needed to think. Her preference was to do it alone, but alone was hard in a huge castle like this one. That was a not-insignificant part of why, after more than four years at Hogwarts, she was considering homeschooling. With the vision of her garden and of her very own room, and with the walls of Hogwarts seeming to close in on her, it was harder and harder to find reasons to like this school.

The duck pond, though... that was a nice place. Phoebe loved the nearby rocks and plants, and she loved the peace and brain-quiet (despite the loud ducks), and she loved the ducks most of all. She escaped the castle once again today with the intention of committing the ducks to memory. There was a small part of her that wanted to believe that a duck could remember her, but she wasn't sure if that was possible.

"Seeds and lettuce are much better for ducks than bread is," Phoebe said aloud to the voice and the back of the person that came into view as she approached the pond. She hadn't intended to say it, and she hadn't intended to get involved in a conversation right now... and yet, here she was.