Oh, joy.

OWL exams towards the end of his fifth year and Ary was not looking forward to them, no matter how good he had been told he was at academics. All that endless studying… it was going to take away from him spending time with the creatures. He vaguely wondered if Aunty Hady would mind if he camped out a the barns to study. At least he would still be among the beloved creatures.

“There doesn’t seem to be any staff changes,” the fifth year said to Bry and Jan. This was good news for he rather liked the present lineup of staffers. Not to mention, since he knew them and vice versa, it would be that much easier to approach them for clarification on topics he wasn’t that clear on. Yep, this ambitious Slytherin was determined to have Os at his OWLs. A very difficult feat to achieve but not impossible.

Today was the day! The moment I’ve been waiting for! My heart was racing as I dashed toward the Slytherin table, my dark brown curls bouncing wildly with every step. My fringe kept tickling my eyelashes, but I didn’t care—I was too excited to even notice properly. Was this real life? Someone pinch me!

The Great Hall was even more magical than I imagined. The floating candles, the enchanted ceiling, the buzz of chatter—it was like stepping into a dream. But this wasn’t a dream. This was my fresh start, my chance to be the best version of myself.That being said, I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. Trusting people has never been easy for me. Family drama has a way of making you put up walls, you know? But something about this place felt different. I told myself, *Periwinkle, this is the beginning of something amazing. Stay positive!*

When I reached the Slytherin table, I froze for a moment. There were students everywhere—laughing, chatting, eating—but I didn’t know a single soul yet. Where should I sit? What if I picked the wrong spot? My mind raced as I scanned the sea of green-and-silver ties. But then I reminded myself: this is where I belong. This is my house, my people. I took a deep breath and decided to just go for it. After all, every friendship starts with a simple hello, right?

As she slid into her seat, Peri paused for a moment, taking it all in—the long rows of students, the floating candles, and the enchanted ceiling mimicking the stormy skies outside. Then, with a deep breath and a bright smile, she chirped out a cheerful "HELLO!" Her greeting wasn’t loud, but her soft scottish accent carried a warmly along the table.

Sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures—a friendly hello, a genuine smile—that make Hogwarts feel like home. And today, Peri’s simple act did just that.

Alaric had been quietly observing the table, trying to get a feel for the dynamics of his new house. The stormy ceiling above mirrored his swirling thoughts—excitement, curiosity, and just a hint of apprehension. He wasn’t entirely sure how to start a conversation, but he knew he’d have to figure it out quickly. This was Hogwarts, after all, and he had plans to make an impression.

Then came the cheerful "HELLO!" from a few seats away. The voice, bright and tinged with a Scottish accent, stood out against the hum of chatter. Alaric turned his head to see the source—a girl with wild dark brown curls and an open, welcoming smile. She seemed confident, though her eyes had a spark of curiosity that mirrored his own.

He hesitated for only a moment before speaking up. “Hello,” he replied, his tone polite but carrying a hint of curiosity. “It’s my first night here. Everything’s… bigger than I expected. Even the candles.” He gestured upward toward the enchanted ceiling, as if to emphasize his point.

Glancing at her again, he ventured cautiously, “You look like you’ve been here a while. Aren’t you supposed to be used to the Great Hall by now? Or is it always this overwhelming?” His question carried an innocent, self-deprecating humor, paired with a tentative smile.

“I’m Alaric, by the way,” he added, shifting slightly in his seat. “Just trying to figure out where everything fits… including me.” His words were earnest, a quiet attempt to connect, though there was a flicker of curiosity in his gaze as he awaited her response. Something about her didn’t quite match his expectations, and he found himself wondering just what her story might be.

It still feels like a dream. My siblings always told me how magical this place was, but honestly, they didn’t even come close to describing how amazing it truly is. The castle, the moving staircases, the enchanted ceilings—every corner feels alive with wonder. I’ve only been here for a night, and I already know this is going to be my happy place.

On my very first night, something amazing happened—I started making a friend! A boy named Alaric struck up a conversation with me, and it felt so nice to talk to someone who’s also figuring things out here. "It’s my first night too, I just transferred from Ilvermorny. Hogwarts is so much more enchanting than I expected." We were both sitting there, soaking in the magic of it all, when he started talking to me. I could tell we were both a little nervous but also really excited about what’s ahead.

Don’t get me wrong, Ilvermorny was wonderful, but Hogwarts? Hogwarts is on another level. Just walking through the halls feels like stepping into a storybook. “The best advice that I was ever given was by an older student. Keep your head up and stay positive—everything will work out.” It’s simple advice, but it’s gotten me through so much, and I hope it helps him too. "It's very nice to meet you, Alaric." her tone was very sweet and friendly.

"Oh, by the way, my name’s Periwinkle, but everyone calls me Peri. I’m still figuring out where I belong here—who my people will be—but that’s part of the excitement, right? It’s like starting a new chapter in a book where anything can happen."

I already feel like this place is going to be home. The warmth of the Great Hall, the laughter echoing in the corridors, and even the ghosts floating around (yes, ghosts!) make it feel so welcoming. And knowing that I’ve already met someone like Alaric makes me even more hopeful for what’s to come.

Here’s to new beginnings, new friendships, and all the magic that Hogwarts has in store for me!

Alaric leaned forward slightly, his curiosity evident as Periwinkle - Peri mentioned Ilvermorny. “You transferred from Ilvermorny?” he asked, his tone carrying genuine interest. “I’ve read about it here and there—stuff about the houses and its location, but books don’t really tell you what it’s like to live and study there. How was it? Is it as grand as they say? I mean, compared to Hogwarts, of course.”

He hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing his next words. “If it’s not too personal, why did you transfer? Did you want the change, or was it something unexpected?” His gray eyes flicked to hers, his tone curious but respectful. “I imagine it must be a bit of an adjustment—different people, different traditions—but it sounds like you’re handling it pretty well. Much better than I’d manage, probably.”

He glanced around the Great Hall, the enchanted ceiling still casting its stormy glow. “Then again, it’s hard not to feel a bit enchanted by this place, isn’t it? It’s like every corner has its own bit of magic waiting to surprise you.” He gestured to the floating candles. “Even those—they’re simple enough, but they still catch you off guard in the best way.”

Alaric offered her a small smile. “I guess being new here has its perks, though. You get to see it all with fresh eyes, right? Still, I bet you’ve got stories from Ilvermorny that would make even this place seem ordinary. What was the best part about it? Or the most different?”

He stopped himself there, realizing he’d peppered her with enough questions for the moment. “Sorry,” he added with a faint chuckle. “I didn’t mean to ask a million things all at once. It’s just… not every day you meet someone with a whole other magical school’s worth of experience.”

Periwinkle’s eyes sparkled as she spoke, her excitement bubbling over like a freshly brewed potion. “Yes, I did transfer!” she said with a bright smile, her Scottish accent lilting through her words. She hadn’t expected anyone to be curious about Ilvermorny, the American wizarding school, but it was a pleasant surprise. “Ilvermorny was grand, truly. But Hogwarts—it’s like stepping into a fairytale! The castle feels alive, doesn’t it? At Ilvermorny, everything was so serene and calm, but here… it’s like magic is woven into every stone.”

She paused for a moment, her thoughts flitting between her two magical homes. Though Hogwarts had always been her dream, Ilvermorny held a special place in her heart. “I’ll have to compare them properly once I’ve explored the castle more,” she added with a grin. “But so far, Hogwarts is enchanting in its own way.”

Periwinkle felt a warm glow of appreciation at his interest. She knew the next question was inevitable, and she was ready—or at least mostly ready. “Why did I transfer?” she echoed thoughtfully, her smile softening. “Well, that’s a bit of a tale. I’m from a massive family—chaotic and dramatic, to say the least! When I was ten, my older sister Thora became my guardian. She’d just started working for the Magical Congress in America and asked if I’d be okay attending Ilvermorny when the time came. I said yes, though I always hoped I’d make it to Hogwarts one day.”

Her voice grew warmer as she continued. “I grew up in Scotland—this is home for me. Even when we were in America, Thora made sure we never forgot our traditions. But we adopted some American ones too! Thanksgiving was her favorite; she absolutely adored the food.” Periwinkle laughed lightly, remembering her sister’s enthusiasm for pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce. “She still misses it, you know.”

At Alaric’s curious expression, she leaned in conspiratorially. “The best part of Ilvermorny? The nature! The school is surrounded by forests and mountains—it’s breathtaking. And the magical creatures! Well… from a safe distance, of course,” she added with a laugh. “I loved sitting outside to study or write in my journal. It was peaceful, like the world slowed down for you.”

Her excitement bubbled over again as she looked around the Great Hall. “I hope Hogwarts has its own magic like that. I’m sure it does—I can already feel it.”

When Alaric apologized for asking so many questions, Periwinkle shook her head quickly, her smile widening. “Don’t apologize! I love it! It’s so refreshing when someone actually wants to get to know you.” Her voice softened as she added, “It makes everything feel a little less daunting.”

For Periwinkle, this new chapter at Hogwarts felt like the start of an incredible adventure—and she couldn’t wait to see where it would lead her next.

Alaric’s gray eyes widened as he listened, leaning forward slightly, his curiosity plain on his face. He smiled when Periwinkle mentioned Ilvermorny.

“Wow, Ilvermorny sounds amazing,” he said, his voice laced with wonder. “Forests and mountains? That sounds like something out of one of those adventure books! Did you ever see anything really cool in the forest? Like magical creatures or hidden ruins or something?”

When she talked about her sister and her move back to Scotland, he nodded thoughtfully. “That’s really nice of your sister to take care of you like that. It must be fun to live somewhere with so many traditions. Thanksgiving sounds cool too! What’s your favorite part about it?” he asked, his enthusiasm clear.

At the mention of Hogwarts feeling alive, Alaric grinned and gestured around the Great Hall. “I know what you mean. I mean, the moving staircases alone make it feel like it’s got a mind of its own! I haven’t figured out how anyone doesn’t get lost yet. Do you think there are any secret passageways?”

He paused for a moment before adding, “It’s cool having someone here who knows a bit more about magic schools and stuff. You’ve probably got all sorts of stories, and I bet Hogwarts will give you a ton more. It’s nice having someone to talk to who’s still figuring things out too.”

His grin widened slightly. “And if you ever find something magical or cool in the castle, promise you’ll tell me about it, okay?”

“I haven’t seen any ruins, sadly,” she said, her voice soft with thought. “I think there are some around here, but I’m not sure.” Her eyes sparkled as she continued, “The one creature that truly stood out to me, though, was the Wampus. I only saw one once, but it was unforgettable. Did you know Ilvermorny even named a house after them? They’re such powerful and mysterious creatures.”

She paused, letting the memory wash over her. The Wampus had moved with an almost otherworldly grace, its luminous eyes holding secrets of the wild.Peri sighed, a smile spreading across her face. “There’s something about being out here, surrounded by all this untamed beauty. The mountains and forests feel so comforting, like they’re alive and watching over us.”

Her voice softened as she spoke, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "My sister is the best. She’s taken care of me for so long, and honestly, I don’t think I’d have the strength to do the same if I were in her shoes." There was a flicker of admiration in her eyes, a quiet acknowledgment of her sister’s resilience.

Her gaze shifted as she continued, her tone brightening. "My favorite memories are about family—being together. My older half-siblings would come over for Thanksgiving, and it was always the best time. They’re amazing, you know? They’ve taught me so much over the years." Her words carried warmth, a deep affection for the people who shaped her. She tilted her head slightly, curiosity lighting up her expression. "What about you? Do you have any family traditions?" She leaned forward just a little, genuinely interested in his answer. There was something comforting about sharing these small, personal pieces of life—like weaving two stories together, one thread at a time.

Periwinkle's twirled her hair with her finger "Can you imagine?" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "Secret passageways! Hidden rooms! Oh, I bet there are sooooo many! This place is ancient, like, seriously ancient. Just think of all the wizards and witches who’ve been here before us, leaving behind their secrets, their stories!"

She practically bounced in her seat, her mind racing with possibilities. "What if there’s a hidden library filled with forbidden spells? Or a room that leads to a treasure trove of magical artifacts? Oh! What if there’s a tunnel that takes you straight to Hogsmeade without anyone knowing?!" Periwinkle clapped her hands together, her grin stretching ear to ear. "This castle has seen so much—duels, adventures, mysteries! There’s just *got* to be secret spots everywhere. I bet even the walls are hiding something." She leaned in conspiratorially, whispering to Alaric, "We *have* to find them. Imagine the stories we could uncover!"

Peri’s dark brown eyes sparkled as she spoke, her energy contagious. “I don’t know as much as I’d like to about magic,” she admitted, her hands gesturing animatedly, “but my sister? Oh, she’s a total genius when it comes to that stuff. She’s a Ravenclaw—like, the epitome of Ravenclaw—so you can imagine how ridiculously smart she is. If we ever get stuck, I can just write to her. She always has the answers!”

Her excitement bubbled over as she switched gears. “But you know what? Stories are my thing! I’ve got so many ideas swirling in my head, I can barely keep up. Someday, I’m going to be a writer—like, a real one! I haven’t decided yet if I’ll write epic fiction or dive into journalism, uncovering the world’s secrets. Maybe I’ll do both! Why not, right? The world’s full of possibilities!” She leaned forward, her enthusiasm lighting up the room. “Imagine it—bookshelves lined with my stories, people reading my words on their morning commute or curled up by the fire. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Ugh, I can’t wait!” Her grin was unstoppable, her dreams as vivid as the stars she hoped to reach.

Periwinkle’s eyes widened as she grinned at Alaric. “I promise, you’ll be the very first person I tell if I see anything amazing!” she said, practically bouncing on her toes. The castle was full of secrets, and Periwinkle had always loved the idea of uncovering them. Hidden passageways, forgotten treasures, or maybe even a mysterious creature lurking in the shadows—it was all so thrilling to imagine.

The castle seemed to hum with potential, as if it too was waiting for its secrets to be uncovered. Periwinkle felt a buzz of energy in her chest. This was going to be the start of something incredible—she just knew it!

Maddox went over to the Slytherin table, and made sure to sit away from all the chattery ones. Which was hard because everyone was chatting to some degree, but he made sure it was a relatively quiet section. He was getting rather peckish and wanted some food, but none was on the table at the moment. Instead he closed his eyes and focused on keeping his mind quiet, both from his own thoughts and other people's. Jane had taught him a lot about meditation, and it was a good method when he was getting overwhelmed to close off his mind. He wished he could close off his ears, too, but alas, one could only do so much.

Calliope was having the time of her life in the Great Hall, but her excitement was manifesting in the most peculiar way. Well, peculiar to anyone who was not familiar with her tendencies anyway...which was the majority of her peers at this point in time. The long Slytherin table, with its polished wood, taunted her as she tried to settle down. She couldn’t decide where she wanted to sit. No matter which spot she tried, it just didn’t feel right. Her restless energy had her up and down again and again, drumming along the top of the table with her fingertips, testing the acoustics of each spot. Thock, thock, thock.

She'd try a seat toward the middle, thock, thock, thock, thockthock, only to frown slightly and push herself up to move again. Perhaps closer to the edge would be better, she thought, squeezing past a couple of other students deep in some conversation or another. Thock, thock, thock. thockthock, thock, thockthock. Another round of drumming, her fingers searching for that perfect resonance and once again finding disappointment. Her face lit up every time she found a particularly satisfying thrum. "Ah, this is it!" she would whisper to herself, plopping down, only to spring up seconds later, convinced the next seat might be just slightly more ideal for her rhythmic needs.

Thus, off she went further along the table towards a fellow first year whom she had been standing near at some point or another while waiting for her turn with the Sorting Hat. Or maybe it had been on the docks waiting for a boat...or even on the boat ride over itself? She hadn't exactly made conversation with anyone due to holding a quiet concert for one in her mind and her walking symphony demanded excellence. The house table itself had become her personal stage, and it seemed no place along the long, dark wood would be quite right until she could find the perfect balance between comfort and sound. "YES!" she barked, fingers and palms drumming vigorously over this latest spot for a couple more moments before sitting down...and this time she did not find herself needing to get back up. "Hey, sup," she grinned to the boy she had almost sat on in her percussion pursuits. Pursuit that did not cease simply because she had found the best bit of wood, by the way.

Maddox could hear the drumming of seats before the girl was even halfway to him. He knew this must be that girl—the one who constantly had some song in her head. Drumming her little fingers along to it. Maddox had found that quite grating during the boat ride, because yes, it was the boat ride where they were sat next to each other. The whole time. Unfortunately. While he was trying to meditate, all he could think was Let her find somewhere just past me. Or before me, even better. Just not right—

And then she was next to him and exclaiming, causing him to stiffen up his shoulders. He popped one eye open and examined her as she continued the infernal thock thock thocking on the seat, and now he feared there was no escape. Maddox had to shift in the seat so that she didn't plop down right on top of him. He stared at her while she greeted him, his expression cool and glassy despite the annoyance he felt. "Hi. Stop," he said, glancing at her fingers so she'd know what he was talking about, because he very well thought this was someone who would not even think twice about the racket she was making. And then he tacked on a "Please," because then it wouldn't be as rude, and he also felt like this girl may be someone who was quick to anger. He usually wouldn't care so much about the tapping, but in this moment he wanted some peace and quiet. Or as much as he could get, given the current circumstances. And this girl was the opposite—noisy on the outside and the inside.

Alaric’s gray eyes widened as Peri spoke, her excitement drawing him in like a magnet. He couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm.

“A Wampus? That’s incredible!” he said, his voice full of awe. “I’ve read about them! They’re supposed to be super fast and nearly impossible to outsmart, right? Seeing one in real life must’ve been amazing. Way cooler than anything I’ve ever seen.”

He leaned in a bit when she asked about family traditions, his expression softening. “My family’s not really big on huge celebrations. My mum and I used to make this big breakfast on special days—like birthdays or the first day of summer holidays. She’d make pancakes shaped like magical creatures. I always asked for a phoenix.” A small, fond smile crossed his face. “I think it was her way of reminding me to be resilient—phoenixes always rise back up, no matter what happens.”

He shifted slightly in his seat as Peri went on about hidden rooms and passageways, and a flicker of excitement replaced his initial nervousness. “Oh, I’m sure there are tons of secret places here! I mean, the castle’s ancient. If there’s not at least one hidden treasure room or secret tunnel to Hogsmeade, I’ll be really disappointed.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially, “We’ve definitely got to explore. It wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t.”

When she mentioned her sister, Alaric nodded, his gray eyes thoughtful. “She sounds brilliant! Having a Ravenclaw for a sister must be handy. If she’s half as clever as you make her sound, we’ll never get stuck.” He paused, then added, “But… you sound pretty clever yourself. You’ve already got all these stories swirling around in your head—it’s kind of impressive.”

His grin widened as she talked about becoming a writer. “That sounds amazing! People reading your books all over the world, passing them to friends, waiting for the next one—you’d be a legend! I’d definitely read everything you wrote.” He hesitated for a moment before leaning forward slightly. “What kind of stories do you like most? Epic adventures, mysteries, or something else? I bet you could write something incredible about Hogwarts once we find all the hidden stuff.”

When she promised to tell him if she found anything amazing, Alaric nodded, his smile more genuine now. “Deal! And I’ll do the same.” There was a warmth in his tone now, as if the initial cautiousness between them had melted away.

“This place really does feel like it’s waiting for us, doesn’t it?” he said, glancing up at the enchanted ceiling, his voice quieter but full of excitement. “We’ve only just started, but I already know it’s going to be unforgettable.”