We'll Never Fade (Aria)

[Deleted]

Jan. 6, 2025

Mazie was almost bursting with excitement as she was lead from the Headmaster's Office. She was finally here! Finally in Hogwarts, where all her friends from Ilvermorny were. She'd just been sorted into Gryffindor. Mazie didn't really know what that meant, other than the fact that it was her "house", like Thunderbird, she assumed. That was all good. Hopefully lots of her friends would be in that house. People like Jack and Aria, people she relied on during other years. 

The professor guiding her led her to the entrance to the castle, then through some huge wooden doors where four tables lined the room. Okay. She glanced up to the professor, not sure where she should sit. The professor gestured to one where lots of students had red and gold scarves and such on. Okay, this must be the Gryffindor one. She smiled and nodded, making her way to the table easily when she saw a familiar figure sitting there. 

She moved closer to the girl, sliding into the empty space beside her. "Hey, long time no see," she whispered with a grin, tapping the girl's shoulder lightly with her finger. "Ya miss me?" She better have. Mazie and Aria had known one another for years. Mazie would definitely be offended if her friend hadn't missed her, and if she didn't show at least some excitement at seeing her now. Okay, so she wouldn't be offended. Not really. She'd just tease Aria for ages if that happened.

@jazz

[Deleted]

Aria looked up, startled. For a moment she blanked before she brightened excitedly.

"Mazie! I didn't think your parents would let you out of their sights after what happened to Ilvermorny... not that I would ever blame them. Mom's a No-Maj and she didn't want me to lose me. But she thought it best I accept the offer to come here so I could continue my education and see my friends. I miss mom but... I missed my friends too."

Aria gave a warm look as Mazie sat down with her. She hadn't expected Mazie to come. After all, the attack on Ilvermorny had terrified a lot of parents. Not every student from Ilvermorny was here. Some straggled in like Mazie but ultimately, the fear kept a lot away. Aria didn't blame them. Everyone was lucky that no one was hurt. It had been summer when it happened.

Aria smiled warmly to her now fellow Housemate. "From Thunderbird to Gryffindor. How did that transition go for you? It was a bit weird for me."

Aria had brought her cat, Luna, to Hogwarts with her. The cat was probably hunting somewhere for her dinner. A calm happiness filled Aria to know another familiar face had come to Hogwarts.

"Hey Mazie? What classes do you look forward to the most? The professors here are different from the ones we know. I look forward to the challenge of feeling out a new professor."

Aria grinned wickedly. She had some mischief planning in her head. Oh she was going to do something nice for Mazie now that she was here! Maybe they might even share the same dorm! It would be good to see her more often than they had at Ilvermorny. Looking around, Aria saw ghosts milling about and talking with various students. And of course students from both schools mingled and chatted excitedly.

"I'm really glad you're here. I missed you!"

Aria hugged her friend happily.

@mazie

[Deleted]

Her friend definitely looked surprised when Mazie greeted her, but the surprise was shortlived. Aria burst out into surprised speaking, explaining how she didn't think that Mazie would be here after what happened at Ilvermorny. Mazie laughed and nodded as her friend spoke. After she finished, Mazie answered, "I didn't think they'd ever let me leave either, but Lee came to my rescue and convinced them to let me come." Really, she owed her sister a ton for helping her get out of the house. 

Mazie shrugged when Aria asked about the transition. "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. I have only been a Gryffindor for about five minutes. Ask me in a week about the transition," she chuckled. "I am glad to see that you're in the house with me. At least I'll have some friends nearby." Obviously not Jack. If he was on this table, she would have spotted him. He must be in a different house, darn it all. 

Aria started to ask about the classes Mazie was looking forward to and she thought a moment. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration. I heard they have a dueling one here. That should be cool." She made a face, "My class will be whoever gives the smallest amount of homework." Mazie was a good student, adept when it came to learning magic and performing spells and charms and whatnot. However, when it came to any reading or writing assignments, her focus went out the window. 

She grinned, hugging Aria when the girl leaned over. "I missed you too! Being here is definitely way better than being stuck at home!" Mazie sighed happily. This semester was bound to be at least a bit better than the last. 

@jazz

[Deleted]

Aria grinned to Mazie. It definitely was great that she was here and not at home! After what happened, Aria wasn't surprised to hear that parents didn't want their kids leaving their sights. Her own mother was the same way but also sent her away because it was safer. Aria could do magic but her mother could not. Aria grinned to her the newest Gryffindor.

"Hogwarts isn't all that different from Ilvermorny but at the same time it is. Our routines will mostly remain the same so it will do wonders for those of us probably wondering what we're going to do. Of course Hogwarts is a different layout so that's going to be fun."

Aria teased Mazie playfully. She was glad Lee had helped convince their parents to send Mazie to Hogwarts. Another familiar face in the same House would help even more. Aria was eating the meal on her plate, pondering.

"So what are you looking forward to doing first? They have a place called Hogsmeade that Third Years and above can go to on certain weekends. I'm looking forward to getting permission to go. It sounds interesting!"

Her light brown hair hung over her shoulders as she looked to her friend warmly. Things were looking up. She was glad that the parents of the children who were here from Ilvermorny let their kids come. Sure everything was scary about what was happening but shielding the children wasn't going to help them in the long run. Aria was glad her mother suggested she accept coming to Hogwarts and continue her education. It would leave her mother vulnerable but Aria wouldn't be cooped up and depressed either.

The relationship between mother and daughter was a strong one despite Aria's mom being a No-Maj. Aria had always been careful when being around her mother. She knew the statute of secrecy well enough to know that while her mother knew of magic, didn't mean she could witness it. It sucked because Aria would break it in a heartbeat to save her mother if she needed to.

"Hey Mazie? What's your take on what happened at Ilvermorny over the summer?"

@mazie

[Deleted]

Mazie nodded as Aria started to explain that Ilvermorny and Hogwarts weren't too different. She smiled, "So have you figured out the layout of the castle during the past few months?" Mazie asked curiously. She was definitely jealous of her friends that had months more than she did to explore the castle. She'd only been here for an hour or so, but she already knew she liked it here. 

Aria started asking what Mazie was looking forward to and she shrugged, "I'm not sure ... exploring? You know me, I just want to get to know this place. That Hogsmeade place sounds cool too." Being able to leave school for a little bit was always a good thing. It sounded like it would be fun, which Mazie definitely considered an advantage. Especially if she could hang out with whoever she wanted while she was there. 

She grimaced when Aria asked what she thought about the attack at Ilvermorny. "I think that whoever did it deserves to be punished," she said, a definite hint of anger in her voice. "Why attack a school?" She thought for a moment, "Though I also think it pointed out some definite weaknesses of our school. Like keeping our wands there. I think that was a major loss and I hope it's something they change when Ilvermorny opens again." Not that Mazie would have any say in that, but it was still what she thought. 

@jazz

[Deleted]

"Hogwarts is HUGE! And their moving staircases makes things even more interesting and frustrating." Aria snickered as she said that.

"Let's say you're trying to get to the fifth floor and then the stairs move and you're in the dungeons. So many twists and turns."

There was a hint of mischief in Aria's tone. She couldn't wait for Mazie to get lost. Not that she wanted her friend lost, but it was a good experience to learn the school and see things that even Aria hadn't seen yet! Hogwarts was a mysterious place in its own right and Aria hoped to see it all.

Aria nodded, frown on her face.

"One would think the future of all witches and wizards were important that schools would be left alone but noooooooooooooooooooooo. Obviously they make it seem they want magic to die out."

Aria lowered her voice. "Mazie. They call No-Majs, Muggles here. I think it rolls off better."

Aria took a bite of Shepherd's Pie and moaned in delight. The food was pretty good too!

@mazie

[Deleted]

Mazie focused on Aria's words with distinct interest as she explained about the staircases. They sounded fascinating. Part of Mazie wanted to stand up right then and go find a staircase somewhere. Then again, this food was great, so she shouldn't quite leave yet ... but that didn't mean she wasn't tempted. "It sounds like a lot of fun! I can't wait to go exploring," Mazie answered, a distinct twinkle of anticipation in her eyes. 

Aria spoke about people wanting magic to die out and Mazie shook her head, "Or they just want to weaken anyone that might oppose them. Or they're not thinking about what they're doing. People like that are so concerned about their own agenda that they often don't realize what they're doing." At least, that's how Mazie saw it after all her conversations with her sister, who chased all the bad people. 

She nodded slowly, "Muggles, eh? I think I can get used to calling them that. It's a little less obvious too, don't you think." She ate a bite of food, glancing around the hall as she did so. Mazie chuckled, "This place is so cool." There was absolutely no denying that. 

@jazz