A/N: It's been a while, but this collection continues to march on. Some day, it will be complete; of that, I am sure. As always, I don't own the Potterverse.
kaajhuab - (n.) the first light that melts away the morning mist; "light fog" [hmong]
There was nothing quite like the mountain air early in the morning. That's why we started doing this, after all. If there was a better place in all of the world to find peace, I've never heard of it.
While waiting for the rest of her friends to arrive, Padma once again marveled at the view of the old castle from the nearby mountaintop. Discovered by Cho almost entirely by accident during a rogue Snitch flight, this part of the Highlands was perfect for hosting their morning yoga sessions. It often proved a bit chilly before the morning sun rose over the land, but the official start time was just after sunrise to account for that. Padma, though, liked to arrive early and watch the warming rays roll across the hills and valleys before alighting upon the castle in the distance. It never ceased to be breathtaking, and she felt privileged to see it every day.
She heard a light thump behind her, and turned to see her friend Luna rolling her mat out next to Padma's. Of all the members of the Flock, Luna was the only other one who sometimes joined her pre-sunrise. Then again, given the rest of their friend group had farther to travel to arrive, it was logical for them to wait until dawn had broken to Apparate to the hillside. Cho, Su, and Penny would be Flooing to Hogsmeade from London, where there would meet Lisa at the Three Broomsticks for breakfast and a short broom flight out to join the class. While all of them were capable of Apparating directly, taking brooms allowed for extra chatting time that instant transport just didn't provide.
Occasionally, Luna would join the rest of the Flock for breakfast, but just as often came straight to the hillside to watch the sunrise with Padma. Something of an odd duck among ravens, Luna was the one who had gathered the Flock together, finding common interests and hopes among her dormmates, and building a support system that lasted beyond their Hogwarts years. She rarely suggested activities for their group outings, but was always willing to come along without complaint. The morning yoga class had been her idea, and one Padma was very glad to take up.
A brief smile was all the greeting they needed, as they stood together to watch the early morning rays creep slowly across the countryside.