Hi, everybody, it's me Michael, here! My "true" fics are now out of their hiatus though I will have no definite update schedule. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO IS STILL READING, FAVORING, AND FOLLOWING THESE STORIES AFTER SUCH A LONG DELAY! MUCH LOVE FROM ARIZONA TO ALL OF YOU!

Later that evening, as the thirteen members of the Circle of Eighteen who would be attending Hogwarts during the 2021-2022 academic year, that being Devon, Hugo, James, Albus, Fred, Gordon, Pamela, Rose, Roxanne, Courtney, Stephanie, Samantha, and Lily were sitting at the Gryffindor table waiting for the Welcoming Feast, Lily noticed a sad and lonely looking boy sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table.

Lily, feeling suddenly worried and concerned, got up out of her seat and approached the boy.

Upon approaching the boy, Lily saw up close that he had tears in his eyes. She also saw that he wasn't fully a boy. He was human from his head down to where the top of a human's legs should end. But, instead of human legs and feet, he had what appeared to be the body and legs of a golden retriever dog.

Lily strongly suspected that this boy was a first year as his size and height were average for a first year and Lily had never seen him before. He had golden brown hair and brown eyes.

Cautiously approaching the tear stricken boy, Lily asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

The boy, almost desperate for someone to vent to, spilled out, "A f-few m-months ago, I attempted to become an animagus. The process went horribly wrong. As there is no way to undo the damage, I must now live my life as part human and part dog."

"You don't have to share with me why you were trying to become an animagus at such a young age, but is there anything in particular that's bothering you?"

"Y-yes, " said the boy uncomfortably, "I'm n-not g-going to be a-able to make or have friends at Hogwarts now. No one is going to want to be friends with someone who is in such a pitiable condition as me. On Platform Nine and Three Quarters and on the Hogwarts Express, people were mockingly referring to me as "Bark Boy."

"What year are you in and what's your name?" Lily asked the boy kindly.

"I'm a first year and my name is Aaron Starr," answered the boy matter of factly.

"Aaron," said Lily warmly, "I am a part of a friendship group known as the Circle of Eighteen. Thirteen people in the Circle of Eighteen are currently Hogwarts students, three are muggles, one is currently a student at the Ultimate University of Wizarding Healing, and one is employed as a Potions Maker for the Ultimate University of Wizarding Healing. We always all meet up as a complete group on the last Saturday of every month. Aaron, I would like to invite you to be part of my friendship circle. I should note that one member of the Circle of Eighteen is in fact a first year Gryffindor this year and while she is fiercely loyal to the Circle of Eighteen, I have advised her to make some friends in her own year. This could be a great opportunity for both you and her."

Aaron noticed the warmth in Lily's voice and the two sets of brown eyes met each other.

"Let me introduce you to the members of the Circle of Eighteen who are currently attending Hogwarts," said Lily kindly.

His tears subsiding and his feeling of hope rising, Aaron got up and followed Lily to where Devon, Hugo, James, Albus, Fred, Gordon, Pamela, Rose, Roxanne, Courtney, Stephanie, and Samantha were all sitting.

Lily explained Aaron and his circumstances to Devon, Hugo, James, Albus, Fred, Gordon, Pamela, Rose, Roxanne, Courtney, Stephanie, and Samantha and introduced Aaron to them.

Quickly accepting Aaron, Devon, Hugo, James, Albus, Fred, Gordon, Pamela, Rose, Roxanne, Courtney, Stephanie, and Samantha all exchanged handshakes with Aaron and told him about the years they were in.

"So," said Lily clearly, "I'm sure you're all eager to welcome Aaron into our circle. However, as Aaron and Courtney are in the same year as Gryffindor first years this year, I think our most immediate priority should be a one on one introduction between Aaron and Courtney. Aaron, Courtney, why don't you two have a one on one chat before the Welcoming Feast begins? Keep it simple and try to stay away from more emotional topics for this first conversation."

Aaron and Courtney nodded.

"Hey, Aaron?" asked Courtney in a friendly voice, "Which subject are you most looking forward to starting?"

"Care of Magical Creatures!" answered Aaron in the most confident voice they had let heard from Aaron, whose spirts had lifted quickly after his first encounter with Lily, "I've always loved animals and my recent mishap and subsequent condition have done nothing to quell that!"

"Any particular creatures you're interested in, Aaron?" inquired Courtney.

"I couldn't pick just one, " smiled Aaron, "I just love animals. And I love plants too, so Herbology is a good one for me as well."

"Plants, animals, you just love all forms of life, don't you Aaron?" smiled Courtney.

"Absolutely, " said Aaron sincerely, "What subjects are you most looking forward to starting?"

"I don't yet know where my academic interests lie, " replied Courtney honestly, "But I love watching Quidditch and since this is James's last year of eligibility to be the Quidditch commentator, I'm going to try out for the position of Quidditch Commentator next year."

"Cool!" grinned Aaron.

"Hey, Aaron, " said Courtney genuinely, "Don't worry about your physical condition. We're behind you 100% and we will happily accept you as our friend as you are."

Lily smiled, this was exactly the type of interaction that she wanted Courtney and Aaron to have.

Lily inwardly smiled at the thoughts of Courtney quickly making a friend in her own year and of Aaron being accepted into their circle no matter his physical condition.

This first conversation between Aaron and Courtney was cut shorter than Lily would have liked because Headmistress Kirke had stood at the staff table and was preparing to speak, but one thing was certain to Lily.

Eighteen had become nineteen.