"And remember, you're History review package is due next week at the end of class!"
Caspian stuffed his quickly filling notebook into his bag. He would've never called himself an eager learner, but everything was so interestingly different.
Take Alchemy for example. Alchemy here encompasses the mixing of all forms of matter and breaking them down into their base elements. He could apply some of what he learned from potions with great effect.
But on the other hand, Botany was nothing like herbology. While the principle of planting a seed in the dirt, watering it, and giving it sunshine, was the same, everything else was mind-numbingly different. When called upon to quickly name what vegetation was used in a cure for nightshade, he automatically said Shrivel Fruit and Dittany. Much to everyone's utter bafflement.
Apparently, there's no such thing as Shrivel Fruit and Dittany.
English was the same to his relief. However, he had to brush up on his muggle literature if he wanted to keep up. Social studies was also extremely fascinating. He liked learning about the nuances of outcasts and how they're treated. Turns out, they have a whole branch of government dedicated to them. It was like the Ministry, but this branch worked in tandem with the muggle one. The muggle government taking precedent. Seems like Outcasts weren't a separate race with their own laws. But rather a group of misfits that must adhere to the muggle world.
He shared History II - the class he was just leaving - with Xavier. However, his roommate seldom spoke to him the entire time, only asking about what he and Wednesday had spoken about that morning. Caspian swears he was borderline obsessed with her.
He didn't mind though, he was enraptured with the lecture. Caspian couldn't have said the same back at Hogwarts. He was glad Neveromore's history professor was at least alive and not a literal snoozing ghost. It was interesting to learn about the many differences in the history of this 'other world'. Caspian decided it was the most apt description for his current situation.
He came to realize there was always something…off. Even for things he thought he knew, like Werewolves and Vampires. Here, they have pretty similar principles and functions. But there was always an odd quirk he didn't remember learning about. Something that would make him do a double-take. He'd have to bring a whole separate binder for those moments.
"Huh…" Caspian stood stumped in the middle of the hall.
He took his nose out of his timetable. He had finally admitted he was lost.
Sighing, he shoved the paper into his pocket, ambling around for a school directory. Looks like he was going to be late.
Suddenly, his eyes caught a streak of blond. "Sinclair!"
The girl spun on her heel, looking for the voice that called her name. A flash of familiarity crossed her face, then dread, then embarrassment which she promptly squashed with a bright smile.
"New guy!" She beamed, skipping over to him. "What's up?"
"Umm," Caspian muttered sheepishly, unfurling his crumpled timetable. "I'm kinda lost…"
He was a bit taken aback when the girl suddenly leaned in to take a glance. Her caramel fruity scent swiftly invaded his senses like an aftershock of a stunning spell.
Caspian blinked his shock away but didn't pull back. "I need to go to Room 401, Werewolf Anatomy, with-"
"Mr. Fitts?" She gazed up at him with her brilliant green eyes. "That's my next class! Wow, you really are lost, you couldn't have wandered any further if you tried."
Caspian smiled awkwardly, shrugging.
Enid grinned before her face contorted in horror. She immediately clutched at his arm. "I mean it's your first day! So it makes sense sorr-"
"No harm done." He flashed her an easygoing smile.
He was amused by just how expressive she got and how quickly she could switch between looks.
Enid gazed at him for a moment before bouncing on her heels, her hair doing the same. "Right… Fitts is chill, he understands his class is crazy far from the rest of civilization so we won't be marked late. Shall we?"
Enid let go of his arm, making a swooping gesture.
Caspian gestured back. "Lead the way."
"So how are you liking Nevermore so far Caspian?" She immediately asked when they started walking.
Caspian let his name linger in the air a bit. He decided he liked the way it sounded on her lips.
"It's fascinating." He admitted. "I can honestly say I've enjoyed each of my classes so far. Though, I imagine that won't last long."
Enid glanced at him worriedly. "I pray you didn't take witchcraft and sorcery."
At Caspian's slow nod, she whimpered. "At least we can suffer together."
Caspian gulped in solidarity. He was nervous for that class for entirely different reasons.
Enid lit back up from her momentary deflation. "What about the vibes yknow? The kids in this school can be…a bit much at times. I hope you weren't left alone in your classes?"
Caspian didn't experience many run-ins with other students. Other than the whispers and stares that is. He hopes the news of his arrival will die down sooner rather than later.
"I had Xavier in History so that was cool and I have you in Werewo-"
Caspian clamped his mouth, surprised at his own words. Did he just include this girl in his list of people he could turn to? This was the first time they actually spoke. Caspian side-eyed Enid for a reaction. To her credit, she either didn't care or was very good at keeping things hidden as she continued to hum patiently. After further reflection, Caspian realized he felt an immediate ease with her in a way he hadn't felt in a long while. Maybe it was her bubbly and kind nature that lowered his defences. Or her refreshing disregard for personal space that disarmed him.
"I believe you're forgetting someone…" Enid quirked a knowing brow, pulling him from his thoughts. "Botany ring a bell?"
"Oh…" Caspian cocked his head indifferently. "I guess I had Wednesday Addam's."
He wouldn't call the 'Wednesday experience' a beacon of trust though. His mind went back to Botany. Caspian thought he was doing a good job of throwing her off his scent but she suddenly demanded a real story. He quickly decided that the only way to fool someone as observant as her was to give her exactly what she wanted.
A real story.
A real story framed as a dream. Caspian had to admit, it was pretty ingenuous if he could say so himself. He was proud of that one and fought the urge to outwardly gloat. But he couldn't allow himself to celebrate too quickly. He wasn't exactly sure what he would've done with a seething Wednesday if the teacher hadn't ended things.
"I saw her beeline for you at breakfast today. You guys are like…The talk of the school. Our two most…" Enid hesitated. "Popular students sharing a breakfast together? How exciting!"
He was pretty sure she wanted to say polarizing.
Caspian chuckled wryly. "Really? Then the school needs more action I suppose."
"Trust me," Enid shuddered dramatically. "I think we've had enough action to last a lifetime."
Caspian snorted. "Oh believe me I know, Xavier filled me in. How are you guys still open by the way?"
"Beats me." Enid shrugged. "Why did you still choose to go here?"
Caspian stiffened defensively, but his posture relaxed at her innocent eyes. It's ok, this wasn't Botany. "No other choice."
Enid nodded in understanding as a comfortable silence befell them. They climbed a few flights of stairs, weaving around huddled groups of students.
"So…" She said in a tone that sounded way too scandalous for his liking. "What did you guys talk about?"
Caspian side-eyed her, remembering what this girl does in her free time. "I don't think that's any of your business Sinclair."
Enid frowned a bit when she caught his knowing look."You're right," She sighed before nodding brilliantly. "I guess I'll just have to coax it off Wednesday myself. I can be a very persistent roommate."
"You're roommates with Addams?" Caspian stopped walking.
Enid grinned over her shoulder. "Can you believe it?"
"No." He said flatly, catching up to her. "I actually can't, you guys are violently different."
Caspian couldn't imagine them even being in the same room together without some sort of reaction going off. Enid was all colorful and bright. Wednesday was a void of melodramatic despair. How did that work?
"Me neither at times but like they say, opposites attract." Enid giggled, smacking her lips. "So, what do you think of her and trust me, I won't be mad. She's my roommate and I love her to death but, I'm not blind to her high-key red-flag behaviors."
He didn't respond right away, weighing his options. On one hand, he can lie and tell her that she is a great person. On the other, he can tell the truth as gently as possible. He doesn't want to make enemies after all. But looking at Enid's expectant face right now, he knew he didn't want to start off their relationship with a lie.
Caspian drew in a pensive breath. "Wednesday? She's…how should I put it..."
"Shy? Gives off serial killer vibes? Sadistic? Emo? Too blunt for her own good?"
Caspian blinked in surprise, taking in her words. "Yeah...all those in spades… but I was going for intrusive."
"Wednesday, intrusive?" Enid pouted. "That just means she's taken an interest in you."
"I don't know if I like being of interest to Wednesday Addams," Caspian muttered grimly.
Enid waved him off with a small smile.
"Half the time you end up as friends. The other half…" Her face twisted in pain. "I don't think you have to worry about that. Trust me, at this point, I'm kind of a Wednesday-oligist."
"I think Xavier might have something to say about that."
Enid's eyes widened as she clutched her books. "Oh my god, you noticed it too! I mean yeah of course you did you're his roommate. He probably talks about her a lot? What does he say? Is it true he has a sketch pad full of little drawings of her?"
Caspian rolled his eyes. "I don't like gossiping about others. Especially if it could end up front-page material for a certain blog. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?"
At his knowing look, Enid blanched, shrinking. "It's nothing personal," She mumbled. "Take it as a right of passage."
"More like a form of social hazing." Caspian threw back, eyeing her with mild disdain.
He wasn't really angry or even annoyed at her. He frankly didn't care. All her gossip - the ones Xavier cared to inform him about anyway - was plain wrong. In Caspian's situation, it actually benefitted him that she was cluttering the rumor mill with outlandish misinformation.
He gazed the girl down disapprovingly as she trained her eyes on her shoes. Like a scornful puppy caught doing something bad. What he wasn't prepared for, however, was how quickly he was about to forgive her. He's finding out that he can't stay mad at her for long if ever. He didn't know what to do with that revelation.
"How bout this Sinclair." Caspian sighed, still shocked he was even considering this for a girl he just met. "I just so happen to have a knack for Witchcraft and Sorcery. So if you stop writing articles about me or my friends, I'll help you pass the class. Sound like a deal?"
Enid immediately perked up, making giddy-sounding eeks. "You will never hear a peep from me again! Let's make it official!"
She stuck a manicured pinky out, and Caspian only stared at it blankly.
"It's a pinkie promise? Y'know..." Enid said slowly, eyeing him funny. "Where we promise…with our Pinkies?"
Caspian shook his head. "Of course."
He jutted his finger out, staring at it before tentatively bringing it up to her's. He almost pulled back when she eagerly wrapped her little finger tightly around his.
"There," Enid clicked her tongue. "It's written in stone."
Caspian couldn't help but snort, tearing his hand away. "Where I come from, those are called Unbreakable Vows."
They entered the east wing of the school, the sounds of their feet on stone echoing through the empty hall.
"So..." Enid began in a lower tone, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's tradition around here to throw a big party after the first week of classes. It's called The Bash. Think of it as a way to welcome in the new term. There'll be music, snacks, and drinks of course." She added the last part like it was a deal breaker. "You should come, it's a good way to meet people. The teachers obvi don't know so you'd have to be extra careful when sneaking out."
"Unsanctioned after-hours student-led events…" He flashed her his cheekiest of grins. "Count me in."
"Perfect!" Enid's fist pumped the air. "Just DM me on Insta and I'll send you the deets."
"I don't have an" Caspian sampled the strange word on his tongue. "Insta."
"Oh…" Enid blinked, pulling her hand back. "Snap? twitter? Tik-tok?
At the continued shake of his head, Enid made a face. "Geez, I can see why Wednesday likes you! You both are complete cave people!"
Caspian didn't know what he should say to being compared to 'cave people' but he stayed silent. He knew what a phone was and the basics of muggle technology. Like cars and televisions and whatnot. But that was about it. Social media and the internet were an entirely different branch of muggle studies he could take in his 6th year.
Enid huffed, as if not having a social media was the most inconvenient thing ever. "Alright, just ask Xavier then, he knows."
Caspian nodded as he held the door to Werewolf Anatomy open for her. The Bash sounded fun. And Weems said 16 was too young to drink.
Werewolf anatomy class was half Caspian listening to the lecture and half Enid re-explaining everything to him. In Defense against the Dark arts, Werewolves were only briefly touched upon. He never knew there was enough content to fill a whole curriculum.
He also found out that Enid is a werewolf herself. He liked talking to Enid. It was easy and her energy was infectious. She was a bit…over dramatic at times but he found himself admiring her peppy attitude more than he cringed at it. They bounced off each other well. Enid would say something absurdly bubbly and he'd balance it out with a dry remark. There was never a dull moment or lull in conversation with her.
"What's your next class?" She asked, waiting patiently as he tucked his papers in his folder.
"Fencing with Coach Vlad."
"Looks like you share that with me too." She winked at him.
Caspian's chest fluttered suddenly. "Lucky me."
They went their separate ways for lunch. Caspian met up with Xavier in the quad where they finally spoke about something other than Wednesday Addams. He promised to show Caspian his art studio when he got the chance. Xavier apparently has his own secret shed in the far corners of the grounds. He ate his lunch while he watched Xavier ignore his to paint a mural of a raven. Then, to Caspian's utter shock, he brought the sketch to life, the bird resting on his awaiting shoulder.
He guesses that's why Xavier was enrolled in Nevermore.
Caspian left him early to scout out the gym, making a quick pit stop by his dorm to grab his fencing gear. But when he got to the fitness wing, his eyes marveled at it all. It was mind-numbingly extensive. Rows upon rows of machines he couldn't even dream of, targeting muscles he didn't even know he had. When he got back to Hogwarts, he's petitioning for a basic phys. ed course and gym facilities. They were grossly overdue for one.
His day got better when he caught Enid on her way to fencing. They chatted animatedly about Enid's werewolf life. That was another thing he liked. She could go on and on about herself without even knowing it. It wasn't in a self-conceited type of way. At least he didn't get those vibes from her that is. It just sounded like she genuinely enjoyed connecting to people.
Caspian found out she was a late bloomer and her family was about to send her to a conversion camp. Apparently a big no-no. But luckily enough, she ended up phasing the last term. But unluckily for her, she had to fight off a Hyde right after. Now, Caspian doesn't know what a Hyde was, but from context clues, it didn't sound like anything to trifle with.
"Were you scared?" He asked.
Enid scoffed incredulously. "Was I- OF COURSE I was scared! It all happened so fast that I barely remember any of it. It was a blur up until I was being dragged across mushy disgusting leaves."
"You're very brave Sinclair," Caspian said honestly.
He's been on enough adventures around Hogwarts with various companions of differing houses to know what real bravery looked like. You'd be surprised by the amount of spineless Gryffindors he'd encountered.
Enid snorted. "I dunno If I'd go as far as to say that-"
"Well, I would. A Hydes no laughing matter, you did good."
He turned, giving her a once over. Enid ducked her head shyly, exposing her flushing face.
Caspian couldn't help but feel heat rise to his cheeks as well. He didn't mean to make her do that exactly. He was legitimately impressed. But now that the cards are on the table...
"You know," Caspian cleared his throat, an idea forming in his head. "I've never seen a werewolf in person before...Is it even possible?"
Enid nodded once. "When we're expected to wolf out, we head to the Lupen cages."
Enid turned to face him when Caspian didn't respond. Her eyes widened a bit at his silent implication. "Oh no! Trust me, you probably wouldn't wanna watch. A lot of teeth action."
Caspian bobbed one shoulder. "You'd be surprised what I can handle."
"Oh," Enid let out an airy laugh. " I don't doubt it."
His eyes narrowed playfully. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means I think you're pretty cute..." Enid abruptly stopped, shutting her eyes alarmed. "I MEAN, for a new guy you pretty cute-COOL...for a new gu-" She cracked one eye open, staring at him desperately. "um...I...have a boyfriend?"
Before Caspian could even try to respond, she suddenly smacked her hand against her mouth in horror, looking like she just accidentally walloped him in the face.
He can only imagine he gave her the most flummoxed look because she visibly shrunk right before his eyes. He was honestly worried she was seconds away from heaving up today's lunch. The awkwardness was begging for some release so Caspian cleared his throat mercifully.
"Umm," he bit his lip, still processing the information. "Thanks, and..." He knitted his brows, staring down at her dubiously. "I guess...congratulations?..."
"Hey, Enid!"
Caspian looked up and they were somehow in the fencing room. Its large windows cast a warm light on the various designated sparring zones. He watched as one of the cap-wearing kids sauntered towards them.
"AJAX!" Enid screamed bloody marry, causing Caspian to jump.
He could only watch as Ajax pecked her on her pale cheek.
Ajax cocked his head."You ok?"
"I'm fine!" Enid cried in a a not-so fine manner.
Ajax looked perplexed, but his mouth went a gape when he caught sight of Caspian awkwardly standing there."Woah! You're the new kid who pummelled that car of normies!"
Caspian eyed Ajax's hand slithering behind Enid's rigid form, coming to a rest on her shoulder.
"I'm guessing you get your information from her." Caspian nodded plainly to the girl who somehow got paler.
"Ajax this is Caspian," She gestured stiffly between them, not daring to meet either of their eyes. "Caspian, this is Ajax ...my boyfriend." She said shakily.
"Wait so you didn't pummel a car full of normies in town?" Ajax asked waving his fencing mask around.
Caspian strained a smile. "Pleasure meeting you too. And No I didn't. I just got wrongfully arrested."
"Oh…" The Gorgon boy did nothing to hide his disappointment. "I-I mean that's pretty badass still? Y'know…Wrongful arrest…It's like, halfway there right-"
"Ajax!" Enid shrieked, clutching his collar. "We need to get ready, I'll see you on the field." She untangled from his arms.
"You sure you ok? It looks like you've just seen-"
"I'm fine! I think I just had some bad meat at lunch. " She spun on her heel and practically ran to the change room.
Caspian excused himself to do the same. That was Enid Sinclair. He thought all was going well until, well the end. When she declared he was... Caspian couldn't help but smile stupidly to himself before he quashed it with a frown. Enid was clearly taken, there'd be none of that.
He entered the changing room but unbeknownst to him, two deep brown eyes were monitoring him the entire time.