A large, two story orphanage sits perched in a quaint village located in the Scottish highlands, inside, Inside this building sits Seren Mairwen, rocking back and forward on a creaky old chair staring blankly at a piece of parchment.
A familiar crest stares back like punchline to a joke already known.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock of wizengamot,
Supreme Mugwump, President of the International Confederation of Wizards
Dear Miss Mairwen
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonigal
.
It was an acceptance letter from Hogwarts.
"I KNEW IT!!" I shout excitedly, before hurriedly covering my mouth.
The walls here were thin and frail, and Mrs. Mairwen was old and didn't appreciate loud noises, I'd broken her rules enough times to be aware of the fate that awaited those who who disrespected her. I shivered just thinking about it.
Luckily everyone seems to invested in their own miracles to mind the machinations of one unruly girl.
"Breakfast Is Ready!"
Startling me out of my thoughts a loud voice bellows out from a pipe in the wall. It was Mrs. Mairwen's. these pipes had long existed, even before Mrs. Mairwen had ever step foot here. This building was originally a nobles manor before it was repurposed into an orphanage. the pipes were used in order to call for servants. Though with how we get put to work I wouldn't raise use much above them.
I chuckle to myself briefly. I know Mrs. Mairwen cares for us otherwise why would she choose to spend her retirement like this. She was, at least to me, a true parent. Better that any "real" ones could do.
I glance at myself in the mirror.
looking back at me stands a girl, eleven years of age. Her hair a pleasant black. Her eyes large and mismatched, one a pretty shade of turquoise, the other, amber and shines like it could capture sunlight. I slip on a pair of plain black glasses and sigh deeply. "At least my looks stand out in this life."
Without another moment to waste, I quickly rush downstairs without a single glance back. Dallying any longer would cost me my portion of breakfast.
.
I take my place between two children of similar age. They were my first friends in this world and I truly appreciate the time that we've spent together. I glance to my right, there sits a larger boy with beady black eyes, his name was kaiser. When I first met him I thought that he was noble from the way he carries himself. always eyes ahead, straight back.
Taking notice of my arrival he glances at me briefly, nods and slides me a plate of food.
"Oh hey, when did you get here?"
And then there's this idiot. Callisto. I feel my forehead twitch as I turn my head. Same bright smile he wears every day, I can never get a read on this guy. his hair blond shines with the radiance of the sun, too blinding for a night owl, couch rotter like me. And... he happens to be annoyingly handsome. If someone were to be a protagonist, it would definitely be him... Though, In this world that position seems to already been taken.
Completely ignoring my silence he continues.
"Sooo~, did you guys get accepted into Hogwarts."
Kaiser nods. I can always count on him to do that.
Looking at the overly excited expression that sits on Callisto's face, all my plans to tease him fade away as if purged by his great light. instead following Kaisers lead I resolve myself to answer with a singular curt nod.
"THATS GREAT!" he yells. A glare from a caretaker across the room shuts him up briefly.
"The black quill society gets to stay together for seven more years." That name sends a visible repulse down my spine. this "black quill society" thing was a name he made up, by himself, because of the fact that we're the only three to compete In a literacy competition.
I take a couple deep breaths to steady myself, before bringing a strained smile to my face.
"That's great Callisto."
He tilts his head slightly to the side before responding, his eyes flicker with something deeper.
"why are you looking at me like that Seren, do you need to go to the bathroom?"
I swear this idiot is doing it on purpose!
"Huuuu"
I let out a Shakey breath. First I get my school supplies, then I bash this guys skull in.