Aria eyelids twitch as she feels the sun baking her skin through the window, she forces one eye open and then the next. Taking a deep breathe in Aria remains lying in bed staring at the little dust particles floating in the stream of sunlight. She inhales again and the scent of mint and musk enters her nostrils, averting her gaze downwards Aria spots the grey jumper laid over her, that boy memories of last night comes flooding back and Aria fights to stifle back a sob. I'm so stupid Aria keeps saying to herself.
A light rap on the door pulls Aria back into reality, rubbing her eyes on the edge of the blanket as she stands walking over to the door. 'Who… whose there?' Aria asks in a shaky voice, heart pounding with fear of what might be her impending doom.
'Aria dear, it's me… Remus.' Outside Remus waits a moment for Aria to respond, when he's met with silence he inquires again. 'Aria… can I come in please? We have to leave.' On the other side of the door Aria pulls on the blonde strangers jumper and lifts the latch allowing her mother's friend entry. Growing up Aria had come to think of Remus as an uncle, the fun uncle, you know the one that only comes to visits during holidays baring the most intriguing presents? That was what Aria had always thought of him as, just that and not her legal guardian. Nonetheless here they were in Aria's room standing in awkward silence unsure of how to go about further developing their relationship now that Aria's mother wasn't there to fill in the blanks. 'Ah… you know we leave today, you know… for your first day? Did I tell you I worked there two years ago? Yes well that was then, the school is excellent of course, it's where I met your mother…' at the mention of her mother Aria wipes her eyes to get rid of any tears, surprised to find there were none. Maybe I've used them all up. Remus noted the slightly puffy eyes as sign of Aria having cried a lot most likely for her mother and did not want to push her into conversation if that is not what she wished. Instead he tapped his wrist which Aria noticed lacked a watch but she nodded anyway understanding the universal sign as to hurry up. Remus said no more but gave her a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder before retreating back into the hallway.
Ten minutes later Remus hears three heavy thuds, averting his gaze up he sees Aria looking fresh faced and struggling to drag her case down the staircase. Whipping his wand out he assists her by shrinking her luggage. Smiling in appreciation Aria slips her belongings into her pocket as a pang of hurt floods her body at the notion that everything she owns is now small enough to fit in her pocket. She felt like a nomad, a women without a home, forced to carry the burden of her life and little belongings with her. Still, she trudges forward knowing her mother was a nomad for much of her post Hogwarts life, which would explain why Aria never knew her father, she just knew his name was James. Aria has snuck into her mother's room once, seeking some galleons to buy some sweets but instead stumbled across a letter detailing that the 'night' they shared was all a mistake, asking her mother's forgiveness because he couldn't honour her or the baby she now carried, begging that Aria's mother never disclosed his identity as Aria's father. Scrunching her nose up at the memory Aria meets Remus at the bottom of the stair case. 'Ready to go?' Aria asks in the most cheerful tone she could muster inwardly cringing at how fake she sounded.
'Yes dear.' Remus replies beaming down at Aria, guiding her along to a more open part of the inn, once there he apparated the two to Hogmeade where Aria got her first real glimpse of the castle. It was magnificent, tall and strong and slightly foreboding in all its medieval glory.
The trek leading up to the castle was an enjoyable trip that consisted of lush views of forestry and a quaint little town. However the good nature of the trip was short lived as the entrance to the castle became clearer, looming over Aria's petite body. 'Right well this is where I'll have to leave you.' Remus says interrupting the comfortable silence they were both enjoying. Then without any warning Remus bundles Aria up into a tight hug, speaking into her hair he says in a hushed tone 'I know I'm leaving you here but I'm not leaving you. I'll always be there for you, as your home or as your family. Always remember that.' Nodding against his chest in agreement she inhales sharply squeezing her eyes shut not wanting to forget this feeling, this feeling of having a family. It had felt so long, so very long since she had witnessed her mother taken from her when in reality it had only been around a four months since that retched day. A man covered in a black cloak had banged on the door demanding entry. Her mother must have expected this dark figure because wordlessly she had grabbed Aria by the wrist and shoved her into a cabinet, not wanting the stranger to be aware of Aria's presence. The cloaked man had entered the small house wordlessly and uttered those words… those disgusting words that the mere mention of send Aria spiralling into a state of utter pain and remorse. Avada kadavra
Taking a step back from Aria another women stands before her. Dressed in a crushed red velvet gown she peers down at Aria, gold framed spectacles barely hanging onto the bridge of her nose. 'I am professor McGonagall dear, and I will be your transfiguration teacher this year. But before that, you must meet the headmaster.' Ushering Aria inside she looks over her shoulder once more to see Remus smiling and waving, one hand in his pocket, his casual demeanour carried into everything he does.
The entrance to the headmaster's office was nothing short of enchanting. Stepping onto the first step under the Gryffindor's wing McGonagall says clearly 'Liquorice whip.' Suddenly the stair case jolts into life sending Aria stumbling forward trying to steady her footing. Approaching the door to the office Aria gulps down the lump in her throat but hears clearly 'don't worry Harry, I'm sure she will warm up to you in no time, she is after all your, ah… it would appear she has arrived.' Suddenly the door swings open and Aria stumbles in over the threshold, embarrassed beyond compare her cheeks flush a bright red that the headmaster seems to find humorous. Still chuckling slightly with one hand he beckons Aria forward 'come child, sit, sit by Harry there, he'll be your guide and friend whilst you adjust to life at Hogwarts.' Taking a seat beside the boy Aria gives him a slight awkward wave as he nods in return. 'Now to come to the matter of sorting, I understand you have been home schooled for the past five years however whilst here you gain a second family, your Hogwarts family. Normally we would place the sorting hat on your head but you are an exceptional case where due to the unforeseen circumstances of the previous four months of your life I have deemed it would be just if you resided with the house of Gryffindor.' Trying to remain her composure at the mention of her mother Aria simply nods, not trying to give way to any emotion.
Seeing that Harry had stood Aria stands with him, with once last nod of farewell directed to Dumbledore Aria follows Harry out of the office. 'So uh, I guess I'll show you to your dorm, you'll probably want to settle in… if you have any questions just ask.' Harry says reassuringly. Not wanting to engage in another conversation Aria nods and starts walking meaning for Harry to take the lead and guide her.
Much to her disappointment the dormitories were not single rooms and instead she found herself sharing a room with several other girls all of whom seemed friendly enough, but friends were not what Aria was wanting at that moment in time, instead she just wanted her mother, or Remus… or possibly that boy… how she would kill to see that boy, to thank him or just even see him again Aria felt desperate. Instead, she put on the jumper he had left behind, crawled into her four poster bed and slept beneath the covers in a cocoon of wishful thinking and longingness.
