The meeting would soon begin. Apolline had tried one last time to change the mind of the British magical government, but in vain. Even with the expert help of Noémie Daulaine, the Minister of Magic had held his ground on Myosotis. So it was with great frustration that Apolline and Noémie flew towards the Verte-feuille council chamber. They were already bringing bad news, they couldn't afford not to be there on time.
No matter how many times Apolline had the chance to see the ancient council chamber, the sight never ceased to amaze her. Chamber was not the word she would have chosen for such a structure, but she assumed that it was so called more because of its function than its appearance. In the midst of the thickly forested mountains of the Vosges, stood a tree surpassing in height all others by far. At the top of its canopy stood a large round hall of thick, artistically woven branches forming a dozen or so pillars meeting to form a high dome. No walls closed off the room, offering free access from the sky and a sense of freedom.
She and Noémie glided on one of the rising hot air currents before finally landing softly on one of the circles of braided branches around the dome. Noémie, probably for comfort, transformed immediately, her wings resorbing in her back. Without further ado, she crossed the circle of pillars to enter the dome itself. The ceiling of the dome was so high that she could almost fly under it. The golden light of the afternoon sun filtered through the leaves and branches forming the cupola, giving the whole building a magical atmosphere. As far as she knew, the Verte-feuille tree that had given its name to the council had been created by a ritual conducted by the Veela coven of the Franks a little over a millennium ago as a refuge for their people and a symbol of power and eternity. So far, the tree and the council chamber had fulfilled this mission perfectly.
In the centre of the room was a large round table made up of branches wrapped around each other, around which today's meeting would be held. Against one of the pillars was the Flocks' clock. The ancient mechanism of wood and stone was enchanted so that each of its twelve hands representing one of the Flocks subject to the council would indicate the condition of each of them. Even after all her years on the council, Apolline never failed to be impressed by the artefact.
Almost everyone was already there. Marine Malpasset, the actual president of the council was already sitting on her branch, her silver wings folded behind her back, as she was filing various documents. As they approached she raised her head and gave them a warm smile and they exchanged the usual greetings. The three elders were sitting on their cushions drinking their customary herbal tea and chatting about the latest gossip from their respective flocks. They both sat down next to each other in their customary places and greeted the other members of the council.
Apolline could not hold back a slight sigh, all the auras of the other veelas present reasoned with hers, the general mood of the assembly becoming immediately clear to her. Boredom in some members, excitement in others, but all had a certain amount of anxiety.
Finally, after a few minutes, the last two council members landed before hurrying in and greeting everyone, apologising for their delay.
As usual, Marine began the meeting by announcing the agenda. This time there was nothing special apart from the usual report from each of them. Sandrine Malbois, in charge of economic affairs, began, nothing special, apart from the resumption of all their expired contracts. Apolline listened to the rest with a distracted ear, the only news really worthy of interest in this session being the announcement of Camille Beffroine, one of the smallest Veela with multicoloured plumage that Apolline knows. She, being the health officer, announced that the black feather epidemic that had affected the Belleforte flock had finally been brought under control and that Jeanne Flumine, in charge of the cults, announced the excellent news that Jasmine and Eva Malbois, as well as Liza Delmaciel, had successfully passed the rite of flame communion! At this news the council could not contain their joy, tonight would be a celebration.
Finally, it was their turn. She in foreign affairs and Noémie in external liaison had always reported together. Their respective posts were close enough to require close collaboration. Their report was the most mixed of all. True, the Holy Roman Empire had finally bowed to pressure from the Grand Alliance, the Scandinavian clan assembly and Hymgaabal and had finally agreed to tighten its laws against the abuse of "magical creatures", leading to the release of a dozen Veela from illegal forced prostitution rings. But the Republic of Genoa, as always, remained intransigent and still refused to recognise the Veela as intelligent beings.
Once they had finished their report, Marine Malpasset spoke up. "What about the Myosotis Potter case?" All the other council members, visibly tired from the already long session, straightened up. It was no wonder. Myosotis Potter was one of the hottest topics in the European Veela community. The High Court of Hymgaabal had even had to intervene to calm down some of the flocks eager for a swift retribution in violence against the British government. At a time when the European Veela were just beginning to recover their bad reputation after having sided largely with Grindelwald in the last great war, an attack on Britain would have been one of the worst things to do.
However, the Veela community was far from appeased by this. To have a young Veela raised out of a Flock was a crime in itself. But that the Veela was abused and was a Taïvaalta made it unbearable and unforgivable for many. The Hymgaabal court and the Veela councils of Europe, who had already been deeply resentful of magical Britain since the Dunwich slaughter and other state atrocities, saw their hatred reinforced by these recent events. Unfortunately for the British government and the old inbred noble families tainting these lands, the Veela were patient, and retribution would come.
Apolline took a deep breath. Noémie might be brave, but the young Veela Silvae did not yet have the shoulders to face the council with this kind of news. Noemie gave her a grateful look as Apolline stood up to speak.
"I am sorry to inform you that the British Minister of Magic refuses to change his position on the matter. He insists that Myosotis, as a National Heroine, must spend at least a year at Hogwarts before she can be offered the choice of joining Beaubaton or any other Grand Alliance or Scandinavian clan assembly magical school."
At this statement, a multitude of cries of outrage rose from the assembly. Many of the younger members could not hold back their transformation, their human voices replaced by angry shrieks and songs of rage. Just as the assembly was about to degenerate, Marine Malpasset stood up on the table and snapped her fingers, as a blinding flash of light accompanied by a thunderous roar sounded. Apolline reopened her eyes, which had reflexively closed, to see all her colleagues unmoving, their gaze fixed on the president. She was perfectly calm, her face devoid of expression, only her hand shrouded in scarlet flames, her large silver wings deployed and her agitated aura betraying her exasperation. "Well, now that everyone has come to their senses, we can resume. Apolline, please continue."
Apolline cleared her throat, trying to regain the attention of the members of the assembly who were taking their places around the table, many of them blushing with shame. The three elders who had momentarily ceased their activities to observe the scene with amusement turned away again.
"In spite of the inflexible position of the British, we still managed to reach a compromise. Twice during this year, Myosotis Potter will be allowed to visit Beaubaton in the Grand Alliance. And at the end of it, the choice will be brought to her." She said as calmly as possible.
"That's not good enough! She should have joined a flock by now!" shouted Lisa Plumis, a Veela with short red hair, one of the tallest and most muscular women Apolline knew. Her temperament was as flamboyant as her plumage and hair. Many others nodded their assent.
"I have met Myosotis personally, and if there is one thing I can assure you, it is that this chick needs structure. Trying to force her into a flock too quickly, however fair it may seem, will not be good for her."
"We all know the interest you have in this matter Apolline." Said Amber Belleforte. A young veela, slim of small size with dark eyes. "You are almost guaranteed to win a Taïvaalta for the Flock Delacour. Don't take that chance away from the others."
"Belleforte, Plumis! That's not the point. Calm down." Said Marine coldly. "We've already agreed that in a case like Myosotis Potter's, the safest course of action would be to let her bond naturally with the flock that met her first. The question is what the council will do until they can welcome her into a flock. From what I know, Myosotis Potter is supposed to have a weekly meeting with a Veela healer and regular contact with another Veela closer to her age on a regular basis throughout the year. Is this the case?"
"That's right, Marine." Apolline confirmed, nodding her head.
"Well, given that the Hymgaabal court and the other councils have given us responsibility for Myosotis' case, what action do you suggest we take?
"We must prepare her for her upcoming entry into a flock. I think it is essential to introduce her to our traditions and the basic aspects of our culture. To let the girl arrive in a flock without any knowledge would risk alienating her from her sisters and making her life difficult." Jeanne said.
"And how do you propose we do that?"
"I would suggest regular classes with a competent Veela in this matter."
At this Apolline raised an eyebrow and spoke up. "I agree with the idea, but the method, while certainly the most desirable, does not seem to me to be the most suitable."
"What do you mean?" Jeanne asked with a frown, her aura visibly agitated.
"Firstly, the British magical government refuses to let Myosotis interact with any more of us on a regular basis than she already does. Secondly, I've met the child, she's lived on her own for many years and is extremely independent. A formal course would only make her reject the subject. I suggest instead passing on books for her to read whenever she wants on her own terms."
Jeanne looked for a moment as if she would debate the suggestion, but ended up tilting her head in approval.
"Does anyone have any objections?" Marine asked in a loud voice. When only silence answered she nodded. "Good. Anything else?"
"Yes!" Camille said with audible concern in her voice and in her aura. "How can we make sure that Hogwarts is able to know what a young Taïvaalta of Myo's age needs? Ash baths, diet, exercise, specific care in case of accidents and all the other basics?"
"As far as comfort is concerned, there's nothing we can do, but I'm sure Myosotis will take care of herself. She has lived alone for a long time after all. For the care, Isabelle has made herself available at all times in case of emergency." Apolline said in a reassuring tone.
"That's not enough!" Camille hissed. "We can't leave her alone like that among those brutes!"
Apolline rolled her eyes. "Myosotis has already passed her flame communion. She's an adult in our laws. She will know how to defend herself." The room that a few seconds ago was filled with murmurs was as if frozen, the silence hitting her like a heavy leaden mantle. All eyes were fixed on her. The elders had stood up and approached the table. The expressions varied from surprise to fury to disbelief.
"And you didn't think it necessary to inform us of this, Apolline? Marine asked in a low voice.
Apolline buried her face in her hands, she was certain that the council was already aware of this. Given the reactions of the Veela community even in the absence of this information, she had to choose her next words carefully, because what she was going to say could decide the future of the entire magical Europe.
oOOOo
The Hogwarts Express was starting up. Hermione, alone in her little cabin could feel the power of the steam engine she had read was one of the great British prides of magical engineering, slowly awakening from its slumber and beginning to pull the twenty or so heavy red carriages. Her gaze wandered to platform nine three quarters of King's cross. A crowd of parents, cousins, siblings, of the other young wixens on board were waving towards the train, some smiling, some with teary eyes, often both.
Hermione sighed, her parents being muggles, she had to say goodbye to them in the muggle part of King's cross. They would never see the big red steam engine spewing streams of white smoke. They would never see all the other parents, and children leaving their families for months on end. They would never be a part of the world that was now their daughter's reality. When she would return during the holidays, they would not have time to understand what she would surely try to tell them about her classes. Even less so as she would be forbidden to demonstrate her magic to them.
Hermione loved her parents. Despite the strangeness that had followed her throughout her childhood, her parents had always loved and comforted her. She shuddered at the thought of how she would have grown up had she had the misfortune to be born into a religious family. Her mother had passed on her love of books and her insatiable curiosity. Her father, his moral code and perseverance in her areas of interest. When he discovered that their daughter was a witch, he was not surprised. It was for him the long awaited explanation of the strange phenomena that had surrounded her throughout her childhood. Her father had even joked that so far he had bet that Hermione was a Jedi.
Her parents had accompanied her in her discovery of the magical world, her regular visits to Diagon Alley and the other magical places in London. And for that, Hermione hated this feeling, not being able to see her parents on the platform. Didn't they have a right to access the magical world despite the secrecy by the very fact of having given birth to a witch? Hermione suspected that in other families integration was not so simple, but in her case, didn't her parents have the right to say goodbye to their daughter like the parents of all the other wizards on the train? This injustice made her feel sick.
From what she had read in 'Hogwarts, a History' the castle in which she would be studying this new world for the next seven years had a vast and well-stocked library. She would find some type of potion or magic that didn't require the internal magic of the wizard to be achieved, one that she could explain to her parents... Hermione looked away from the slowly receding platform and opened one of the books she had brought along for reading on the journey.
'Encyclopedia of European Humanoid Magical Beings' was its title. She had read it before but wanted to re-read a certain section to compare it with what she had read in another book. Hermione remembered it like it was yesterday, that magical moment in the bookshop in Diagon Alley. The moment she met an angel.
She and her parents had spent the whole day in Diagon, browsing through the various bookshops together to build up a collection of books about the magical world and to help her learn about this new world. During this day, Hermione had met all sorts of people. Good, friendly, open-minded people who were willing to help her and her parents, but unfortunately not everyone was. It was not uncommon for some people to look at her and her family with contempt. A surly old man with a hooked nose and mottled skin had closed the door of his shop in their faces and growled something like mugblud or something... Asking a well-dressed wizard for help in finding their way around had also been rewarded with a mocking look before the man went on his way without even deigning to answer. And those were just two examples of bad encounters among many.
Not surprisingly, Hermione had been in a rather sour mood in the library that afternoon. When someone had walked up to her by surprise and scared her, she had been ready to let her anger out and take it out on the person who had startled her. But once she took the time to look at who she was dealing with, all her anger evaporated. Lovely big green eyes, pink lips, alabaster skin, long black hair, a slim and athletic figure, big dark blue wings with iridescent reflections. The first word that came to mind to describe the creature was an angel. She had looked a little younger than she was and was excited to meet her. The adorable little angel had seemed to be a bit in the clouds at the time, introducing herself before appearing even more excited and joyful than before when she discovered that Hermione was a muggleborn. In all her time at Diagon Alley, no one had been that nice to her. Even better, the little angel had brought her a book and explained more about the magical world in a few words than all her conversations with other wizards put together!
Myosotis, overly talkative, excited, airheaded, or all three, had taken a moment before she had clicked and answered her question by explaining that she was a veela, before their time was interrupted by her mother calling her. Usually Hermione tended to find these characteristics annoying in someone, but in the angel she had just found it adorable.
As was her habit with anything that was a mystery to her, Hermione had researched. She had looked up many books about magical beings and the Veela in particular.
What she had discovered had thrown her into a world of confusion. Sure, the fact that in all the books she had consulted the chapters about the Veela began with the ominous phrase: 'Little is known about the Veela. But little did not mean nothing. And in its short passages, the information was shocking. The first book she had read about the Veela was called 'Magical Beings of the Occident'. In it, the Veela were described as flying monsters who seduced men with their deceptive beauty and evil aura to steal their precious seed before taking their true form as a monstrous bird-woman hybrid and killing them by vomiting fire on them. The illustration accompanying the single page of the book dedicated to the Veela was of a deformed bird with cartoonish female legs. Nothing she had read in that book bore any resemblance to the angel of the library.
Fortunately, the other books she had consulted after coming across such nonsense had been more illuminating. Even if the books on the subject had the unfortunate tendency to contradict each other. For some, the Veela were ordinary-looking women of great beauty with a magical aura capable of fascinating or even controlling men. In others they could grow wings. In others, the normal form of a Veela was that of a bird that could occasionally transform into a human. One book explained that the Veela were the origin of the Christian angel myths, the next said that they had inspired the succubi...
After scouring the libraries of Diagon alley in search of answers for her new obsession with the angel of the library, Hermione had come to a few conclusions. Firstly, the wizards knew almost nothing about the Veela. Secondly, what little they did know boiled down to: the Veela are beautiful, have something to do with fire and birds, and have some kind of mind magic, that was all... Thirdly, half of the authors of those books were racist nutters! Seriously! In one of them it was explicitly written that the Veela's function was to serve as sex slaves for powerful, manly wizards! She had had to ask her mother what that meant and had been outraged to learn it. The very idea that someone as lovely as Myosotis could be treated like that was absolutely revolting. Her mother had been as shocked as she was and had taken her to her room for a long, strange and awkward discussion about sexuality before spending the evening muttering about stupid, retarded wizards. The next day, Hermione had to promise to continue her non-magical education on the side so that she could easily leave if she didn't like magical society any more. Hermione doubted that would ever happen, but her mother was almost always right, and Hermione took pride in being seen as a good girl by her mother.
Hermione reread the veela passage in that book once more before slapping the cover again with a long, desperate sigh. Before embarking on this Veela research, Hermione had trusted books almost blindly. After all, who would make the effort to write something fake in a non-fiction setting? But now... After all the nonsense and contradictions she had come across, Hermione didn't know what to think.
From what she understood, Myosotis would be at Hogwarts this year with her. Frankly, she was looking forward to seeing her angel again. She put her encyclopaedia of creatures in her bag and took out the Atlas of Magical Europe that Myosotis had recommended. It was a fascinating book. She never thought that magical geography and muggle geography could be so different. The book even talked about nations that decided to hide completely after the terrible status war. How this was possible, she didn't know, but she couldn't wait to find out. She continued reading, her thoughts wandering involuntarily from time to time to large green eyes and iridescent feathers.
oOOOo
His shelves were already full, but Dumbledore didn't care. He had brought back some shiny, exciting new magical trinkets from his latest escapades and it was his duty to display them proudly on his office shelves. He had finally regained some of his usual cheerfulness. He had narrowly avoided a crisis. He'd had to tarnish Lily Potter's reputation a little by explaining that he'd discovered that she'd used her Veela powers to seduce James Potter and was well aware of what she'd give birth to, and had put powerful spells in place to hide Myosotis' nature from the world. Every time he met Severus' eyes he felt as if the Potions Master only wanted to see him suffer a long and painful death, but hey, he didn't have much of a choice to save his reputation. Myosotis's first year at Hogwarts would probably be a bit more difficult because of what he had 'revealed' about Lily, but then again, a bit of adversity wouldn't hurt to shape his little heroine.
He would have a hard time this year, the Philosopher's Stone plan was now too far advanced to be abandoned, and Myosotis might want to leave Hogwarts by the end of the school year, but he had faith. Hogwarts as a school had a certain magnetism about it, and he doubted that a child as lost in the wider world as Myosotis would easily detach herself from the first real, stable anchor she was offered.
From his perch, Fawks glared at him. Perhaps it was because he had been the unwilling witness of his nocturnal activities the night before... How could the Phoenix be such a prude? Had his former master died a virgin? Well, never mind, it wasn't as if Fawks had a choice of being by his side or not now.
He sat down behind his desk, put his feet up on the table before popping a lemon drop into his mouth. He was as anxious as he was apprehensive about Myosotis Potter's arrival on the Hogwarts Express in a few hours... This year will be complicated. Why on earth was the Grand Alliance and the Veela community making such a big deal about one Veela with no family lost in Britain. It just didn't make sense.
oOOOo
Myo was high in the sky, her flames draped around her and Luna like a cloak protecting them from the cold and wind of the altitude. They had been flying towards Hogwarts for just over an hour, and already they could see the tallest towers of the great castle. Luna had taken her role as guide to heart during the flight and held the enchanted map tightly in her hands, showing Myo the way. This combination had proved effective, as they had arrived at their destination twice as fast as the time Myo had gone alone, at night, to follow the owl bringing her and Luna's letter.
From the sky, the castle was impressive. It reminded her of a stone giant crowned with three dozen towers, sitting on the edge of the cliff. The mountains surrounding the valley were high and steep. Their slopes were covered with short grass and bare rocks eroded by rain and wind. On the other side of the vast black lake lay a wide forest whose thick foliage masked the ground. The place was truly magnificent, but the aura, the impression the castle made on her was far less warm and welcoming than her tower. If only in terms of size, the building was terribly intimidating.
"Now that we've arrived, what do you want us to do until the others arrive?" Myo asked.
"Let's explore the hills, the lake and the forest! Luna replied enthusiastically, a bright smile on her face.
"I knew you were going to say that," laughed Myo.
"Oh look! There's a cabin with a vegetable garden over there! We can start by checking that out!
Seeing no objection, Myo gave a big flap of her wing before gliding towards the big hut lost in the hills, not far from the edge of the forest. Myo landed gently a few metres from the door. She and Luna looked at each other for a moment before shrugging their shoulders. The hut was pretty, but there was nothing special about it. They walked to the lake, taking care to go well around a large willow that was particularly lively for a tree. Luna spent the rest of the way passionately explaining that some old trees growing on ley lines could sometimes gain a form of consciousness, and that the willow in question seemed particularly upset about something.
Once they reached the lake, Myo stretched her talons for a moment, as they had become sore, not being made to walk for so long. Luna meanwhile gave a small shout of joy as she pointed to the calm surface of the lake and explained that some Vulwans were bathing. Myo had no idea what they were, but before she could ask, Luna had stripped off her clothes and taken a dip in the lake and started swimming breaststroke. A little tired after the long flight, Myo sat back and enjoyed the sun against her feathers while watching Luna play in the water with something she couldn't quite see.
A few minutes later, Luna emerged from the water shivering and Myo felt her flames appear to warm and dry Luna before she could think of doing so. Myo, fed up with walking on her talons, took Luna for a flight around the lake. From the sky, she and Luna saw the huge shape of what Luna claimed was a kraken drifting near the surface. While Luna was surprised to see a Kraken in the lake and theorised about the possibility of a water tunnel connecting the lake to the sea, Myo spotted a small island covered in rocks and short grass not far from the forest shore. They landed gently and sat down on one of the large flat rocks, looking out over the vast calm waters and the large chaotic shape of the castle. After a long time spent chatting about things (the vulwans turned out to be bluish transparent creatures, vaguely humanoid and very playful according to Luna), Luna's belly rumbled and she blushed, embarrassed.
Myo immediately took off and flew over the lake, after a few minutes of looking, she spotted the silvery bodies of a school of fish just below the surface. Undaunted, Myo raked the surface of the water with her talons and managed to grab two long, scaly bodies. Satisfied with her catch she returned to the island. There she roasted in her flames what Luna informed her were Arctic char before they began to eat them. The waters of the lake seemed to have plenty of fish, and the surrounding moors and mountains seemed a good place to hunt... Myo was reassured that she wouldn't starve in Hogwarts. She still wondered how the other students were going to feed themselves if, like Luna, they found themselves unable to hunt or fish. In Luna's case, it was simple, Myo would be there to feed her, but for the others... well, it was none of her business.
As she and Luna were enjoying their char, which had turned out to be particularly delicious, they heard a loud voice calling from the shore. Surprised, Luna almost dropped her fish and Myo immediately put her guard up.
"Hey, kids!"
shouted a very tall, hairy and gnarly man from the shore. From what Myo could see from this distance, he was wearing rustic clothes, had a large crossbow on his shoulder, and had a huge dog sitting quietly beside him. He was waving at them.
"Are you all right?" he shouted at them. Myo glanced at Luna, who had just finished her fish and had quickly buried the bone before placing a small stone on top of the backfilled hole.
"Should I come and get you?" The man shouted again.
Luna watched him for a moment and said. "We shouldn't keep the big man waiting. He'll be worried. Maybe he thinks we're stuck on the island."
"You're right. Are you coming?" Myo spread her arms and wings and Luna immediately came to curl up against her with obvious pleasure. She took off and in a few wingbeats crossed the arm of water to land a few meters from the big man. The latter was staring at them with wide eyes while his huge hound went to hide behind his master, yapping. Myo could not contain her smirk at the big dog's reaction. The beast was wise to recognize a predator for what it is. " Oh, by Melin Bollocks, a veela," exclaimed the man. "I've never seen one before."
Myo, a little shaken by the cheerfull man, merely smiled at him and said. "Hello sir. My name is Myosotis."
"And I'm Luna," said her friend, without breaking away from her, obviously intimidated by the man's size.
The man slapped his face before shaking his head and giving them a huge smile. "Hello, you two. I'm really sorry. That was super rude. My name is Hagrid. I'm the keeper of the keys and grounds of Hogwarts. Wait... Myosotis... Potter?"
Myo cocked her head slightly to the side and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, that's right."
"By Merlin's beard! I read the articles in the paper. You know, I knew your parents! Good, brave people. I can't believe Lily did what she did... well, it's not your fault. What the hell are you two doing here anyway? The train isn't supposed to arrive for hours!"
"We flew in from home, so we got here early." Myo said merrily.
"Yes, and the place is really beautiful, I even got to play with the vulwan!"
Hagrid began to nod before frowning and stroking his beard. "Vulwan ? How did you find the castle? It's not on any map?" he asked.
Myo couldn't reveal that she had a magical map that did just that. If Hagrid wanted the same, he would have to find out for himself. Only Luna had the right to know. "I have an excellent sense of direction." Myo said with conviction.
Hagrid's eyes lit up as if he had just been offered the key to a great mystery. "I see." He said thoughtfully. "It must be quite exceptional. Come on, no one is allowed in the forest, I'll walk you to my hut. Would you like some tea?" Luna seemed particularly enthusiastic about the idea of tea, and Myo was quite keen on it too, so they nodded quickly. And then if the big man turned out to be dangerous, she could just burn him.
On the way, during a silence after a conversation about the edible mushrooms of the forest, Myo asked. "I think Lily is my mother's name... you said she did something bad earlier? What is it?" Myo didn't feel particularly close to any missing mother, but she was curious nonetheless.
Hagrid's face darkened. "Mr. Dumbledore has been publicly attacked for not looking after you properly when you were younger, as you are a veela, and therefore not suited to living with muggles at all. He explained that he thought you were human because of a plan Lily had. He said that she had used her veela powers to seduce James, your father, and get his money. But that she had to hide the fact that she was a veela. Because if she didn't, your father's pureblood family wouldn't accept her. So she hid your nature after you were born, so that James wouldn't suspect. I can't quite believe it, that doesn't sound like the Lily I knew. But if Dumbledore says so... it must be true. A great man Dumbledore."
Myosotis frowned, from the little she knew of her species' culture, leaving the flock was just not something that was done, like ever... it didn't make sense that her mother knew that she was a veela without being connected to a flock, or seeking to join one. What she felt in the presence of other veela was too wonderful for anyone to willingly cut themselves off from. The only reason she hadn't joined Beaubaton this year was that the government people wanted her to spend a year at Hogwarts for some reason she couldn't understand. From the doubtful look Luna had just given Hagrid, her friend seemed to share her opinion.
They quickly arrived at the hut and sat down on some logs outside. Myo didn't want to go inside. She would feel very cramped in there, and she didn't want to think about the dursleys and the shed again. Hagrid had gone inside to make tea, while Myo massaged her poor, aching talons after so much walking.
"I don't like Dumbledore." Luna stated confidently.
"We haven't met him yet." Myo remarked.
"Maybe, but he's saying some obviously false and nasty things about your mum."
Luna's declaration of support warmed her heart so much that she grabbed her to hug her between her wings. Luna sighed with satisfaction as she settled into Myo's lap. "He can't be all bad, can he? The big man seems to admire him a lot..."
"Maybe, but I don't like him," Luna replied, pouting and snuggling closer to her.
"Okay, we'll be careful with him." They didn't have time to argue any longer before Hagrid returned with a pot of tea and three cups, and began to pelt Myo with questions. Luckily, Luna was there to change the subject when Hagrid asked uncomfortable things, seriously, no, Myo had no idea if she could lay eggs! What kind of question was that? Hagrid was scaring her a bit...
oOOOo
Night had fallen. After the very strange tea with Hagrid, the weird and slightly scary giant, Myo and Luna had moved to the roof of the highest tower in the castle to enjoy the view. They stayed there for the rest of the afternoon chatting and sunbathing. In the evening, when, as Hagrid had told them, a long red train arrived at the village station a mile or two from the castle, they climbed down from the tower and sat on a branch of a large tree near the entrance to the castle, waiting for the other students to arrive in the small barks. Hagrid had told them that it was traditional for first years to arrive by boat, while the other students took carriages to the castle, but that since they were already there, they could just wait for the boats by the main gate if they wanted. As neither Myo nor Luna wanted to go sailing, they chose the second option.
It wasn't long before a long procession of grey wooden carriages pulled by skeletal black winged horses arrived in the wide square in front of the gate. "Thestrals," Luna murmured in fascination. For once, it was a kind of magical animal that Myo also knew.
"Aren't you supposed to have seen someone die so you can see them?" She asked.
Luna shook her head no. "It's a misconception and a simplification. To see a Thestral you don't have to have seen someone die. Otherwise this disguise technique wouldn't really work. Everyone sees someone die at some point in their life."
"So how?" Myo questioned, her burning curiosity piqued.
"Mama explained that in order to see the Thestral, one must have understood and internalized the concept of death and mortality and its consequences in all its aspects. To have accepted and understood it as an aspect of life and the world. Someone who has seen many people die is not necessarily able to see them. Others have never had to see anyone die to be able to do so. One night, a long time ago, before we went to sleep, Mum and I were talking about the Thestrals, the dark lords and all the horrible things people can do to each other. That night, she told me that despite what he did, she didn't think the dark lord was someone who could see the Thestrals, and that' it was the main reason she found him so terrifying. »
Luna's voice was light and gentle, as if carried by the soft night wind of that late summer, as the carriages glided along the road below them, their silence disturbed only by the cheerful voices coming from within them. Myo leaned her head against Luna's shoulder and let her gaze drift back to the lake and the twenty or so points of light gliding across the black water.
Luna's words were still echoing in her head, and a sort of deep melancholy took hold of her. As dozens of young wizards emerged from the carriages, Myo held Luna tighter. The two of them, hidden in the darkness of the evening, perched high on their branches, invisible to the world, stood still against each other, watching the crowd of small boats slowly approaching.
A few minutes later, Hagrid, followed by a group of children about the same age as them, appeared at the top of the stairs leading up from the lake. They both looked at each other and nodded, the time had come. For the first time all day, Myo felt apprehension settle in her stomach. She took Luna in her arms, and together they glided silently to the ground to land just behind the group of young witches and wizards.
Being at the back of the group, no one noticed them as they entered the castle. Myo recognised the strange little blond boy who had run off like a pathetic little bunny rabbit when he saw her at the Diagon Alley clothier's shop. A smile played on her lips and she made the sign of silence by placing a finger on her lips and pointing at the blond boy. Luna simply looked puzzled but nodded.
On either side of the blond boy stood boys who could have easily passed for Hagrid's children had they been hairier. They were all staring into the corridor, at the walls, at the moving paintings and tapestry. A stern-looking lady was leading their little group. It was then that Myo put her plan into action. With a grin on her face, she tapped the blond boy on the shoulder and held out her hand. He turned around and frowned with a look of deep outrage. "What the..." His eyes landed on her, widening in surprise before they rose to the sky and he collapsed to the ground heavily. Myo was confused, why on earth had he suddenly fallen asleep? Was it an illness? Luna at her side looked just as confused.
Their attention drawn by the thud of the boy's body collapsing to the ground, the rest of the children turned to them and the stern lady's gaze fell on the event. A young girl with black hair and a snub nose gave a small cry of fear before literally jumping into the arms of another boy, all the others stared at her either with surprise or fear. Oh, Hermione was at the front of the group. Myo smiled and waved at her. She returned it shyly. The green-clad, stern-looking lady approached the group in long strides. "What's going on here? she said in a loud voice. Her eyes fell on the body of the sleeping blond boy. She immediately crouched down, pulled out her wand and whispered a few spells while waving it. A moment later she turned to the snub-nosed girl and the two young giants and said in a clear voice. "Mr. Malfoy just fainted. It's nothing serious. I've already called our nurse, one night of sleep and he should be fine.
She looked at Myo who looked back at her. "Miss Potter, please explain to me what just happened.
"She attacked Draco!" The snub-nosed girl shouted. The two half trolls nodded approvingly without really seeming to understand.
"Miss Parkinson, please let Miss Potter speak." Said the lady in a stern voice.
"We met in Diagon Alley at the cloth weaver's shop." Myo began, pointing to the fainting body of the blond man. "When I showed up he started shouting strange and incomprehensible things before running out of the shop. Having failed to greet him properly the first time, I got his attention by patting him on the shoulder, but when he turned around he fell asleep." She finished by blinking her big innocent green eyes like she did at the Tonks when she asked Andy if she could have a second peach. Myo had certainly wanted to scare the blonde rabbit a little, but not so much as to make him sleep... Or was he playing dead?
"I see. Said the lady with a deep sigh. "I suppose these things can happen. "I would ask you in the future to be more considerate of young Mr. Malfoy's great sensitivity, Miss Potter."
"Yes, ma'am." Said Myosotis in her most serious tone. A woman of about the same age as Andy came walking quickly from the opposite corridor. With a wave of her wand and a few words she lifted the blond boy's body into the air before quickly introducing herself as the castle nurse and then quickly leaving, muttering something about the incredible ability of kids to get hurt even before the year started.
Once the shock wore off, almost all the other students moved away from her and Luna, fear obvious in their eyes. Only a few seemed unaffected, some even rolling their eyes at the completely exaggerated reactions of others. Frankly, Myo didn't understand what they could possibly be afraid of. She hadn't even called her flames! And she didn't intend to eat them. One of the young boys, obviously braver than the others, approached her and held out his hand before introducing himself as Neville Longbottom. Myo and Luna introduced themselves in turn. Neville occasionally glanced at her talons, wings, or the feathers covering her arms, but made no comment, merely pouncing on their shared interest in plants. Which, although Myo was more interested in their gustatory aspects, Luna in their aesthetic aspects, and Neville in their magical properties, was very interesting.
The girl Myo remembered from the Diagon Alley library gave them uncertain and anxious looks, and seemed reluctant to approach, but unfortunately, just as she seemed to muster up the courage, they came to a large double door that opened wide into a vast hall.
Myo's eyes instantly focused on the sky above. The stars were beautiful and her wings tingled with anticipation of a night flight. It was only a few seconds later that the voice of the stern-looking lady standing next to a stool with an old hat on top drew her out of her admiration and she noticed the rest of the room.
Four parallel tables running the length of the great hall were filled with young wizards, all taller and bigger than her. She couldn't help but feel threatened and cling to Luna, especially as all their eyes were on her. She wanted to yell at them to look away. Myo felt crushed, she had only one desire, to flee from all these looks, to fly away and take Luna with her away from all these people. She felt like she was back at the vile Quidditch match. At least she wasn't glued to other people here, but they were all staring at her with expressions she couldn't make out and whispering to each other in an incomprehensible hubbub. The sensation was horrible. The feathers on her wings and arms had ruffled, her flames were on the verge of emerging to protect her.
Fortunately, the severe witch clapped her hands together with a thunderous sound and all eyes turned to her instead of Myo. She was finally able to catch her breath, which she hadn't realised she'd lost. Luna was standing next to her, staring at her with a worried look.
"Please show some respect for our new students! Show some respect for Hogwarts!" the witch shouted. When the silence was over, she continued. "Right, when I call your name, you will put the hat on your head and sit on the stool. I
begin: Abbot, Hannah!"
A young blonde girl stepped forward from the row and sat nervously on the stool and placed the hat on her head. A mouth opened in the fabric and a few seconds later the hat screamed. "HUFFLEPUFF!" The girl stood up, handed the hat to the lady before running to the table of students with yellow-trimmed robes.
Myo, calmer now that all eyes were off her, turned to Luna. "I feel like I missed something the lady said earlier when I was thinking about how to mess with the blond boy..."
Luna chuckled before looking at her with amusement. "The lady, her name is Professor Mcgonagall. The hat is magical, it can think and it puts us in houses... haven't you been listening to the song?" she whispered.
Myo looked down. "No, I was busy trying not to run away when everyone was looking at me with strange faces.
Luna took his hand in hers and squeezed it, giving him a reassuring look. "Don't worry, I'm here."
Myo nodded, feeling a little better. Wait... a thinking hat!? Myo suddenly felt filled with excitement. She hadn't really thought about it before, but talking to a thinking object sounded exciting! How could a hat think? Her previous fears were replaced by a wave of excitement. She couldn't wait to put the hat on her head and see what the artefact would do. Soon it was Hermione's turn to be called. Myo met her eyes momentarily before the other girl walked to the stool. About thirty seconds later, the hat announced Gryffindor.
There weren't many people left in the group when the mushroom fan Neville was called and after five long minutes, he too was placed in Gryffindor. Luna was called almost immediately afterwards and Myo had to fight herself to let Luna go. Once alone, she felt exposed, weak, naked in the face of the stares that were gradually turning on her. She tried to focus on Luna to keep herself from panicking, but it was a difficult task. Luna was quickly placed in Ravenclaw, and Myo could only wait for this to be over so she could get back to Luna, go flying or something, away from all these people and eyes. The snub-nosed girl whose name had been mentioned earlier but whom Myo had forgotten and who hadn't stopped looking at her and scowling was finally called and placed in Slytherin.
Then, finally, it was her turn. Myo stepped forward, the hall silent, all eyes on her. Only the characteristic clatter of her talons against the floor disturbed the stillness. Myo's gaze was on the hat, trying desperately to ignore everything else, to focus on her anticipation of meeting a thinking cap!
However, while Myo was still three metres from the stool, the hat turned towards her, the brow bone-like fold of the leather frowning, it screamed; "RAVENCLAW" before Myo could even put it on her head. She clenched her jaw and fists, trying to hold back a tear of shock and disappointment. She hadn't even been able to get the hat on her head. At least she was now in the same house as Luna. No sooner had the hat called out her home than the great hall was filled with murmurs and a few muffled laughs. Myo walked with her head held high to where Luna was sitting at the end of the table. Luna was waiting for her, a big smile on her face as she tapped a seat on the bench next to her. Myo sat down with a sigh. "I so wanted to talk to the hat..."
As the sorting ended, she and Luna chatted in hushed tones, her friend happy to have her in the same house, but also saddened that Myo didn't get a chance to talk to the hat. According to Luna, he had a lot of interesting stories about cabinet tops. The other members of the house had left one or two places between Myo and Luna, and them. Most of them seemed curious, some of the older students even taking out notebooks to write things down, but none of them dared to approach.
Soon the sorting was over, and a man with a long white beard and flaming red robes edged in blue rose from his seat at a long table at which the adults Myo assumed were their teachers were sitting. "Welcome to Hogwarts for the newcomers, and welcome back to the rest of you, and let's hope the two months away from our walls hasn't completely emptied your minds of all forms of knowledge. Since an empty stomach is often accompanied by an inattentive mind, I'll say three words before we sit down to eat. Grabouset Nitwit, chataîgne. Bon appétit!" He clapped his hands again and absurd amounts of food appeared on the table. (it answered the question of what would eat the other student's) The hall filled with the sound of cutlery clattering against plates and a multitude of animated discussions.
Myo didn't even look at the dishes, all of which were far too fatty for her taste, and preferred to load her plate with fruit, almonds and a piece of visibly steamed fish. She preferred to eat things she had gathered or hunted herself, but it would be a shame to waste the food that had been graciously offered to her. As usual, she quickly passed her plate through her flames, before offering to do the same for Luna, who as usual refused. Two visibly older boys had their eyes glued to her plate. She looked at her fish with a frown. There was nothing wrong with it... She shrugged and decided that the boys were just weird.
Myo let her gaze drift over all the tables, when suddenly her eyes met Nym's. Nym waved her hand, to which Myo responded, brfore Myo could stend up and go talk to her. Nym took out a piece of paper on which she wrote, then touched it with her wand. The paper folded and flew into her hands. On it was written: "Tomorrow, 6am, by the lake." Myo smiled and passed the paper to Luna. Perhaps Nym wanted privacy to talk. As a fourth year, she was bound to tell teach them things about the school and it's grounds.
In the middle of the meal, she was surprised to see a tall, slender, blonde girl with dark blue eyes and a slender face sitting across from her and Luna.
Myo was quite surprised, because from what she understood, people here did not like the veela very much, or were afraid of her. At least for the majority. The girl held out her hand with a smile. Myo shook it with an eyebrow raised. "Good evening, my name is Penelope, Penelope Clearwater. I'm a prefect of Ravenclaw."
"I'm Luna, and this is Myosotis." Said Luna with a big smile.
"It's a pleasure to have you two in our house, I wanted to welcome you."
"Thank you." Said Myo, a little puzzled by where this exchange was leading.
"That's normal. Right, I wanted to tell you that within the house, you shouldn't have too much trouble." She said, staring at Myo.
"Problems?"
"A lot of wizards are arseholes when it comes to their opinions on magical creatures. If you've been around Diagon at all, you've probably noticed. A lot of people are afraid or prejudiced. Personally, I think it makes no sense to react like that... magic exists, so potentially anything is possible, right?"
Myo and Luna nodded at the same time. "That's the great thing about magic! From what I've read, almost anything is possible. If we can't do something, it' just that we haven't found a method yet!" Myo said excitedly.
"Exactly, but we're getting off the subject. I wanted to warn you, tell you to be careful. Here in Ravenclaw it should be fine. Right now they're mostly intimidated or curious. Of course there are assholes like everywhere else, but being a veela shouldn't be too much of a problem. If you are bothered, don't hesitate to come to me and I'll give the jerks a hard time. If it goes too far, I'm sure our head of house Flitwick will be happy to help you. And that goes for you too, Luna!" she said with a smile.
"Thank you Miss..." hesitated Myo.
"Call me Penelope, and no, no thanks, it's normal. Oh yes, be especially careful with the Slytherin, they have mostly students from old pureblood families who are racist to the core! Honestly..."
"What about the other houses?" Myo was really starting to get worried about her attendance at Hogwarts as Penelope seemed to find it necessary to warn her like this. She had grasped the idea that many people didn't like feathers, but still! Some of the looks she had received earlier had made her fear for her safety.
"For Hufflepuff it's a 50/50 chance. Either a majority of them are racist against the veela, and then, out of loyalty, the whole house will line up behind the majority, or they like you and it's the other way around, or they won't give a damn and leave you alone for the most part. Personally, I think the last option is the most likely. For Gryffindor, it's case by case. It's the house of 'heroes' and 'independents' you won't get a general feeling there. You can find the worst as well as the best there. When in doubt, beware of them."
"I see... and you think they'll be back to normal soon? The other Ravenclaws? They've been looking at me and Luna funny ever since the meal started." Myo asked, frowning and glancing at the rest of the table where several heads turned away quickly.
Penelope chuckled. "I think they're just curious. You know, it's really not common to come across someone with wings and talons for legs in this country."
"I see... From what I understand, there were other Veelas here a long time ago, but they've all left..."
Penelope nodded slowly. "By the way, I saw you grilling your fish in blue flames earlier... is it true what they say? Can you make flames appear at will? And why flare up something that's already cooked?"
The discussion then moved more fluidly onto much lighter ground. Myo explained that yes, she could make a fire, and that it was natural for her to always put her food in the flames before eating and that Andy had theorised that this was to ensure that any diseases and parasites were killed. The discussion then drifted to cooking and hunting methods, with Luna getting fully involved as soon as the subject of yoghurt and fresh fruit came up. As the discussion progressed one of the boys from earlier, a tall, dark-skinned boy who turned out to be named Michael Norwan, tried to join them at first tentatively before getting lost with them in theories of the uses of yoghurt in potions... Myo wondered how the discussion had come to be about this in the first place, but was having too much fun to question it.
When all the food magically disappeared and Dumbledore stood up to speak again, Myo was surprised at how much her discussion with Luna, Penelope and Michael had occupied her mind to the point of forgetting how unpleasant and anxiety-inducing her situation in this great hall full of potentially hostile people was.
"Well, now that all stomachs are filled and minds are available, I have a few announcements to make. Firstly, as the name suggests, the forbidden forest on the other side of the lake is forbidden. Secondly, as a necessary reminder, it is forbidden to consume or cause someone to consume a potion without the approval of Professor Snape, and or Madam Pomfrey and the explicit consent of the person you are giving it to. I do not want a repeat of the 1766 incident. Secondly, it is forbidden to cast spells in the corridors on your classmates, and it is necessary that our transfiguration teacher Madam McGonagall in the case of a transfiguration and Mr Flitwick in the case of a charm have judged your mastery of the said spell to be satisfactory. For all other school rules, please refer to Mr. Filch here or to the school rules available in the library. I would also like to announce that the corridor on the third floor in front of the portrait of the very noble and respectable Jert de Valousie is forbidden under painful death. Finally, I would like to say that for the first time in three hundred years, Hogwart's officially welcomes a Veela, in this case Miss Myosotis Potter. Anyone attempting to target her for her nature will be severely punished and I ask you to welcome her with all due respect and courtesy. With that, good night, and sleep well! Classes begin tomorrow!
At Dumbledore's last words, Myo heard a number of sniggers from the Slytherin table. She didn't like being singled out like that by Dumbledore, but if it made her feel safer... Well, it only intensified her fears. How much did people hate feathers to need this kind of announcement to get them to leave her alone?
Dumbledore's speech now over, all the students stood up from the tables, various young wizards and witches that Myo assumed were prefects calling the first years since that was what Penelope was doing. "First years! Follow me! I'll lead you to our common room and dormitories!" She was shouting.
Dormitories? The rooms where people sleep together? Myo liked to be alone or with Luna, but especially safe so she could sleep well! How was she going to manage in a dormitory? She thought as she followed Penelope alongside Luna.
oOOOo
After a long walk through cold stone corridors and uncomfortably narrow staircases under the gaze of countless paintings and portraits, the group came to a heavy black oak door rimmed with iron, featuring a silver knocker carved in the shape of a raven's head so finely fashioned that Myo could believe it to be alive.
"So, children, this is the entrance door to our common room. Unlike the other houses, we don't have a password, but must answer a riddle to get in. If you get stuck outside because you can't solve it, don't panic, someone, often a prefect or senior pupil, regularly opens it from the inside to make sure no one is stuck outside. Don't get into the habit of waiting instead of thinking though, we only open the door every hour."
With these words Penelope walked towards the door. When she came within a metre, the raven head's eyes lit up and it spoke. "What can go through a window without ever breaking it?"
Myo loved mysteries, and therefore began to think.
No sooner had the riddle been posed than silence fell on the group, Penelope obviously pondering a possible answer. "Sorry, that one, the knocker never did it for me... One minute please..."
Could it be the wind? No, that's stupid... cold or hot? It could... but is it really going through?
It was then that a voice in the group shouted. "Ask the freak bird, let us know if the creature is more than an animal!"
"Who said that?" Penelope shouted. Myo was thankfully too focused to pay attention to the event around her. She looked around the hallway for a moment to see what might be referred to by that term, but seeing no strange birds, she just kept thinking. Suddenly, the moonlight came through the hallway window and Myo had an epiphany. "The light!" she shouted with joy and excitement at finally being able to interact with a possibly thinking object.
"Good answer." Croaked the raven head, and the door opened. Myo happily snapped out of her thoughts and looked around in surprise. Luna was looking at her with her usual peaceful smile and dreamy eyes of when she was getting really tired, but the strangest thing was everyone else. They were staring at her. Penelope had obviously grabbed a young boy by the collar of his robe to lift him off the ground for some reason that completely escaped her. "The door is open." Said Myo pointing to the obvious, not understanding what had happened.
"Right." Penelope said, stifling a small laugh. "I think you have the answer to your question Mr Douglass. Tomorrow we'll go to Flitwick's, I'm sure he'll have an enlightened opinion on what you just said."
The small group then entered what Myo could only describe as the interior of a hollow tower about ten metres high before reaching the ceiling. At the back of the room was a large fireplace with a crackling fire, and in front of it, numerous tables and chairs were scattered alone or in small groups. Everything was in shades of blue and bronze, rather soft to the eye. On the seats, many older students seemed to be busy reading or chatting in low voices. But above all, what immediately caught her eyes was that all the walls up to the ceiling were covered with shelves overflowing with books. Ladders, stairs, railings and wooden walkways criss-crossed the empty space of the tower, giving access to every corner of the library, like a labyrinthine spider's web.
"Welcome to the common room." Penelope says. Here you can work, talk and read to your heart's content, as long as you don't disturb anyone. If you want to do something noisy, learn to create silence spells, or ask an older wizard or prefect to help you. Girls, follow me, Jeff take care of the boys."
Penelope led them to a small door between two bookcases opening onto a spiral staircase. Myo hated them! She had trouble getting through with her wings, and really didn't feel stable on her talons in such cramped spaces. After a while, they came to a small door opening on the left. "This is the first years' dormitory." Penelope said, inviting them in. It was a round room with five large four-poster beds, one for each of them, Myo assumed. Next to each was a desk, a chest and a seat. Other than that, the room was empty. Six large arched windows opened to the outside, and from where she stood, Myo could only see the stars and the moon reflected in the lake far below.
"The door in the corner opens into your bathroom, where you will find several showers and a bathtub. Do you have any questions?" Myo shook her head no, she was really getting tired and wondering how she was going to sleep with people she didn't trust in the same room, but she suspected Penelope wouldn't have an answer to that particular question. "
"Nothing? Well, in that case, good night girls, sleep well, classes start tomorrow!" With that, Penelope left the room, waving at them before closing the door. The prefect's departure gave way to a strange, awkward silence. Myo looked at the three other girls who had joined Ravenclaw with her, and whose names she had completely forgotten to try and remember. A tall, dark-skinned brunette with violet eyes was staring at her, frowning, and next to her, another with long black hair and a particularly bored look was admiring her nails. What purpose such an action could have, Myo did not know. The third, a small girl with ashen eyes and hair, smiled at her, to which Myo returned. "Good evening, I think it would be good to introduce ourselves, my name is Elvetia Morelle," said the ash-haired girl, holding out her hand. "Myosotis Potter, I like your hair." Myo said with a smile, the girl's hair had a colour that reminded her of the happiness of countless hours spent bathing in her ash pile in her tower. The girl blushed and muttered a small thank you.
Luna stepped forward and shook her hand. "I am Luna Lovegood. Don't mind what Myo says, she says almost anything that comes into her head sometimes," she said with her characteristic air of tranquility. At this, Elvetia laughed, "It's okay, it was a nice comment. Which bed do you want to take, Myosotis? Can I call you Myosotis?"
"Yes, of course. But about the bed I..." She was cut off by the sound of the tall girl with the violet eyes clearing her throat. "She doesn't belong in our room!" she exclaimed, pointing at Myo.
" What the hell is wrong with you talking about someone like that!?" snarled Elvetia, but Myo spoke at the same time as her, completely failing to notice the intense contempt in the other student words. "Exactly, I can't sleep with people I don't know well anyway! I'm going to find a place to sleep somewhere else, I spotted a potential spot earlier!" Myo said rather relived that the the violet eyed girl understood her so quickly.
"Myosotis, don't listen to her, you can stay with us..." said Elvetia. But Myo was too excited to have found such an excellent agreement with her classmates so easily to pay attention to the sadness in Elvetia's eyes, nor to the completely bewildered look on the violet-eyed girl's face. "Do you want to sleep with me Luna or do you prefer this room?" Myo asked.
"With you!" Said Luna immediately, as she bounced on her heels.
"Perfect!" Said Myo with a huge smile. She was lucky to have fallen in with such understanding house mates. She should think about asking the girl with the violet eyes her name, she seemed awfully nice. Not as nice as Elvetia, but still. She grabbed some pillows and blankets from one of the beds and stuffed them into her flight bag, before grabbing Luna and jumping out a window. Maybe this year would turn out better than she had feared after all.
oOOOo
In the Ravenclaws' first-year dormitory, three girls stood staring at each other, dumbfounded. After several minutes of standing by a window left wide open and letting in the late Scottish summer wind, a single word escaped the lips of a tall purple-eyed girl. "What?"
