Dinner passed in a haze of sound and motion.

Elara ate quietly, tucked between Susan and Justin, nodding when spoken to, giving the occasional small smile, but not quite engaging. Not like before. Not like earlier that day when she'd groaned into her arms about her social doom. This version of Elara was something different.

Cool.
Collected.
Untouchable.

As the first years began to filter out of the Great Hall, her Hufflepuff friends lingered near the doors, waiting for her. When she finally stood, there was a brief pause among them—just a flicker of silence—as they noticed the way she held herself. The calm, poised way she walked. The way she seemed unbothered by the whispers that still trailed in her wake like ghosts.

Zacharias, naturally, was the first to break the silence.

"So, are we just not talking about how you suddenly turned into an elegant shadow of mystery and might?" he said as they crossed into the torchlit corridors, the group falling into a loose cluster around her.

Justin snorted. "Yeah, I was going to say—should we be bowing or something?"

Sally-Anne elbowed him gently. "Don't tease. You alright, Elara?"

Elara gave them a glance, soft and unreadable all at once. "I'm fine," she said, her voice calm and quiet but firm.

Zacharias narrowed his eyes. "Uh-huh. That's not suspicious at all. You went from 'kill me now' at lunch to 'I walk like I own every corridor I step into.' It's giving Dark Lady origins. Not that I'm complaining, mind. It's verycinematic."

Wayne looked genuinely concerned. "Seriously though… did something happen?"

Elara paused at a staircase landing, the soft sounds of their footsteps echoing behind them.

She turned to face them.

And for a second, that unreadable mask remained.

But then she sighed.

A slow, breathy exhale that seemed to melt something inside her—her shoulders lowered, her posture softened, and that blank, impenetrable look faded away. She smiled, just barely, but it was real this time. Familiar.

And then came the soft admission.

"…Sorry," she murmured. "That version of me isn't really for you lot. That's just... what I do. When everything's too much."

They blinked, surprised by the shift.

"I call it my default mode," she added, a quiet laugh escaping. "It's like—I convince myself I'm untouchable. So the anxiety can't reach me."

Hannah reached over and gently squeezed her arm. "We get it."

"I don't mind the quiet version of you," Wayne said kindly. "But I like this one better."

Elara gave him a grateful look.

Zacharias, arms crossed and expression far too smug, nodded sagely. "So basically… youdogo full Dark Lady when anxious."

"Oh my god," Elara groaned, but she was laughing now, burying her face in her hands.

Justin grinned. "I'm just glad the real you's back."

"Yeah," Susan added. "We like her."

"Even when she explodes golden ivy and breaks every wand law known to wizardkind?" Elara teased.

"Especially then," Ernie deadpanned.

As the barrel entrance came into view Elara felt something warm settle in her chest.

She had shifted.

And now, she could unshift.

Just like that.

Because she wasn't alone - not anymore. This wasn't like the muggle world where she had no one but herself, and maybe it was time she remembered that.

The Hufflepuff common room was a sanctuary of soft golden light and earthy comfort. Warm honey hues glowed from enchanted sconces on the walls, and the circular space smelled faintly of wildflowers, rain-damp soil, and something sweet—like spiced pumpkin scones or warm vanilla bread.

Elara stepped inside with the others. The room was lively but calm. A few older years lounged in reading nooks or played wizard chess near the windows, and soft music played from an old wireless radio someone had enchanted to hum gentle background tunes. The fire crackled invitingly.

Elara sank into a huge overstuffed sofa with a relieved sigh, tucking her legs up beneath her and resting her head back against the cushions. Her friends followed suit—Hannah sat cross-legged on the rug beside her, Susan and Ernie took the armchairs, and the rest draped themselves across the mismatched furniture like they'd all done this a hundred times before.

Zacharias kicked off his shoes with a grunt and sprawled out dramatically. "Okay but can we all agree—first day? Absolute chaos."

"Total madness," Susan said.

"Agreed," Justin added. "I nearly fell asleep in Transfiguration. I think Professor McGonagall saw me. I might be dead."

"Imagine being Elara though," Ernie said with a grin. "You got personally serenaded by the Sorting Hat and made a wand explode like a flowering plant. On yourfirst day."

"Not explode," Elara corrected lazily. "Bloomed. Very different vibe."

Zacharias snorted. "Sure. Bloomed. Like a magical firework of golden ivy. No big deal."

Elara rolled her eyes and hid her face in a nearby cushion.

"Oh come on," Hannah giggled. "It was kind of amazing. The way your wand lit up—and the way you handled the professors? You weresocomposed."

"Too composed," Wayne added. "Like… weirdly composed. No offense."

"None taken," Elara said, voice muffled in the cushion. Then she peeked up. "Honestly? I'm just glad I didn't cry in front of them."

Susan reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "You've got us now."

And somehow, that single sentence grounded her more than anything else had all day.

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the kind that only settles between people who trust each other.

Later that evening, the Hufflepuff common room had thinned out. Most of the students had gone to bed, the fire had dimmed to a soft, sleepy glow, and the enchanted ceiling above flickered with the reflection of stars somewhere beyond the earth.

Elara sat curled up on a cushioned window seat, legs drawn close, Sage nestled beside her like a purring shadow. Her journal was balanced on her knees, and in her lap sat something far rarer—Ollivander's personal journal.

A gift. A tool. A mystery.
She hadn't dared open it in front of the professors. Not since study period.

But now?

Now it felt like the only thing grounding her.

She gently flipped it open to the latest page, her own looping handwriting trailing beneath Ollivander's neat, spidery script. Her eyes moved over the notes she'd already made about her own wand—the twelve woods, the fused core, the ivy-like flourish when it bonded.

Still impossible. Still hers.

But tonight, her thoughts turned elsewhere.

Harry.
She thought back to the moment in Ollivander's shop, barely over a month ago. Elara had been standing beside Hagrid, still overwhelmed by the musty scent of wand boxes, the dizzying array of energy in the air… and then Harry had turned to grin at her, holding up a simple wand like it was something enchanted by destiny itself.

"The wood is Holly,"he'd said, holding the wand out for Elara to see,"with a phoenix feather core."
She wrote that down now, flipping to a blank page. Her quill scratched gently against the parchment:

Harry Potter
Wand: 11", holly wood, phoenix feather core
Wand characteristics: Rare core. Courageous. Deep loyalty. Tends to align with those destined for greatness. Holly is associated with protection and overcoming anger or impulsiveness.
Interpretation: Deep inner strength. Strong sense of purpose. May struggle with temper or emotional burden, but chooses light consistently. Naturally draws others to him. Likely intuitive but grounded. Destiny-tied.

Her brows furrowed thoughtfully. That seemed right. Harry wasn't just brave—hefeltthings deeply. That was obvious, even from a distance.

Ron.
The memory tugged her lips into a tired smile.

She could still hear him on the train, voice muffled by a mouthful of sweets, waving his wand clumsily at his rat.
"Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow—turn this stupid fat rat yellow!"

It hadn't worked, of course. But shehadclocked the wand when he pulled it out.

Ron Weasley
Wand: 12", ash wood, unicorn hair core (hand-me-down)
Wand characteristics: Loyal, dependable, sometimes stubborn. Ash wood pairs best with someone who is true to themselves and unwilling to be swayed easily. Unicorn hair favors consistency and tends to bond deeply with one owner—making it less effective as a hand-me-down.
Interpretation: Sensitive beneath the surface. Anchored in loyalty. May feel outshined, but there's deep value in his presence. Has untapped potential that's waiting for the right moment or bond.

Her heart squeezed a little. Ron had looked so eager to prove himself. She wondered if his wand ever truly listened to him—or if it still longed for his brother's grip.

Hermione.
That memory was sharp and clear—the girl bursting into their train compartment with frizzy hair and a bossy tone, fixing Harry's glasses like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Oculus Reparo!"

But Elara remembered the wand, too. Sleek and elegant. Mahogany, if she wasn't mistaken. Ten and three-quarter inches.

Hermione Granger
Wand: 10", vine wood, dragon heartstring core
Wand characteristics: Intelligent, driven, and intense. Vine wood favors those who seek knowledge and growth. Dragon heartstring offers power and strong magic—but it can be temperamental, favoring those with ambition and passion.
Interpretation: Exceptionally clever. High expectations for herself and others. May struggle with failure or vulnerability. Strong-willed, perfectionistic, but with a good heart. Natural leader.

Elara's quill hovered for a second before she added a note in the corner:

Likely feels safest in control.

She sighed, leaning her head back against the cool glass behind her. The three of them—Harry, Ron, Hermione. Each so different. Each with a wand that told a story Elara could understand better than words.

And what didherwand say?

Made for . The most perfect match Ollivander had ever seen.

And yet…

It was too much. Too soon. Tooseen.

She glanced down at the journal again, her own notes dancing between Ollivander's calligraphy. She ran her fingers over a drawing of her wand—dark and light woods twining together, spiraling in natural harmony.

Twelve woods.
Unicorn core.
Perfectly balanced.
And yet still a storm.

Her breath fogged the glass.

There was still so much to learn.

And maybe—just maybe—this was how she'd find the answers.

Elara didn't remember falling asleep.

One moment, her head rested on the couch cushion in the common room, Ollivander's journal still open in her lap. The next… everything had gonequiet.

But not the kind of quiet that brought peace.

This quiet wastoostill. Heavy. As if sound itself had been drained from the air—like echoes swallowed by mist.

She found herself standing in a forest unlike any she'd ever seen. The trees were tall and twisted—slender trunks like whitewashed bone, branches curling upward like reaching hands. The ground was soft with moss that glowed faintly gold beneath her feet, pulsing in time with someunseen heartbeat.

The air shimmered, thick and luminous like honey. It smelled of rain and old parchment, and every breath felt slow, suspended. The world was still.

She looked up, and hanging from every tree and every branch—weremasks.

Hundreds of them.

They swayed gently, though there was no wind. Some were carved from pale wood, others sculpted from bone, metal, or cracked porcelain. Each one was different. Each onewatched her.

Some bore her face—distorted, exaggerated versions. One grinned with too many teeth. Another wept endlessly, streaked with painted tears. One was blank, smooth and cold. Others didn't look like her at all—strangers, beasts, or shapes she couldn't name.

Whispers began.

Not around her—within.

The masks murmured in her voice. Or voices that sounded almost like hers, shifting in pitch and tone like echoes underwater. She couldn't make out the words overlapping in a chorus of fragments. And she couldn't look away.

She reached out, compelled.

Her fingers brushed the porcelain mask shaped into a soft, almost motherly smile. For a moment, she saw herself in it—a version of Elara that looked... gentle. Loved.

Itcrumbledin her hands.

Dust slipped through her fingers.

Behind it, another mask had been hiding. Blank. Smooth. Featureless.

Her breath caught.

The moss beneath her feet pulsed faster now.

She turned slowly and began to walk, drawn forward by a tug in her chest. The masks whispered louder now, though their words still eluded her. The air thickened with every step, pressing against her skin like each droplet of water contained an ocean.

Then the forest opened.

In the center of a clearing stood a mirror—tall, rimmed in twisted branches that wept sap like golden tears.

She stepped in front of it, but when she looked into it...

Her reflection had no face.

Justglowing goldeyeswhere her own should be.

"Elaraaaaaaaa…"

She startled.

The voice coiled down from the branches above—silken and teasing, with a tremble of madness.

Peeves.

He hung upside-down from a branch that hadn't been there a moment ago, his striped trousers flapping like flags in a wind she couldn't feel. His eyes glowed faintly pink, and his smile was just a littletoowide—grinning like a nightmare.

"What do you call a girl who can't choose a face?"he giggled, spiraling around himself in midair.
"A puzzle? A poison? A pretty disgrace?"

He cackled and hurled something toward her—it spun through the air like a knife. She caught it on instinct.

Her wand.

Only it wassplit down the center. The edges still glowed faintly with gold light, like a wound that hadn't finished bleeding.

The forest around her began to blur. The trees pulsed in and out of existence, like blinking eyes. The moss shriveled under her feet.

Peeves' laughter shattered like glass.

Suddenly,blackness.

Then—

The smoke cleared and she was sitting.

Stone beneath her. Cold. Damp.

The walls around her were those of a dungeon, though the torches flickered too slowly, casting shadows that didn't quite line up with the objects that cast them.

She sat at her desk in the Potions classroom.

Snape was there.

So were the other students.

Or… they should've been.

She turned her head, and her breath stopped.

Every student had turned toward her. But they hadno eyes.

Just blank skin where they should have been watching.

The cauldron at the front of the room began to boil, thick golden smoke curling out of it like ribbon. But it wasn't smoke. It wasmemory.

Scenes played out in the steam: her birth parents' silhouettes, Ollivander's shop, the golden ivy from earlier that day.

Snape turned toward her. His eyes, unreadable and deep as ink, locked onto hers. He was the only one with eyes, and it made his gaze all the more intense. As if he was always watching her. As if he alone could always see through her.

The blackboard behind him had changed.

It now read in looping, elegant script:

"What is your true form?"

She reached for her wand.

It lay on her desk again, mended. Whole.

She opened her mouth to answer the question.

Instead, golden ivy spilled out of her mouth, curling into the air like smoke.

Darkness fell again.

The kind that made your ears ring.

Elara was on the stool again from the Sorting Ceremony—but the Great Hall was gone.

Now, she sat in avoid.

A black, endless space with no floor, no ceiling. Just her and the stool. Floating.

House crests hovered around her, turning slowly—Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff. Gryffindor. Slytherin. But they flickered, unstable, blinking in and out of focus like stars on the verge of death.

The Sorting Hat sat heavy on her head once more. Its voice sounded far away, like it was underwater, distant and ancient.

"You think the choice is made…"it murmured,"…but the Sorting never ends."

She looked up at the floating crests. They danced like fireflies, glowing and fading. The serpent hissed. The lion snarled. The eagle screamed. The badger only stared.

She tried to stand, to speak—but her legs wouldn't move.

When she opened her mouth, more golden ivy unfurled from her throat.

It curled upward into the darkness, vanishing like thread pulled into some unseen loom.

The hat's voice hummed again.

"One day, even the mask will forget who wears it."

Then, like flipping a page, the world changed again—the void peeling away without warning.

Now she stood in a glade—lush, twilight-kissed.

In the air before her floated her wand.

It turned slowly, glowing gold, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. Then, gently, it split open.

Not into splinters.

But intolight.

Inside were threads of memory—her mother's laugh, her father's whisper, her own younger hands outstretched toward the unknown. Each fragment shimmered, suspended in magic.

The wand fell to the ground.

And from the shards,rootsbegan to grow.

They spiraled outwards, thick and living. The roots pushed into the moss and twisted upward into a tree—tall, elegant, and ancient beyond time. Its bark was dark as ink and veined with gold.

Around its base curledfour creatures: a lion, a serpent, an eagle, and a badger. Each with gleaming, intelligent eyes. Each watching her silently.

Above her, the leaves shimmered with strange runes, each glowing briefly before fading.

She stepped forward.

The earth breathed beneath her.

Her wand—reborn from the roots—glowed faintly at the base of the tree.

And in that moment…

She knew she was dreaming.

But it didn't matter.

Because something here—something deep—wastrue.

She suddenly woke with a sharp inhale.

The warmth of the Hufflepuff common room returned all at once, as if crashing back into her body. The low fire crackled. Someone laughed softly across the room.

Sage was curled beside her, blinking up with sleepy eyes.

And in her lap, Ollivander's journal remained open.

The golden ivy was gone.

But its echo still curled in her mind.