Where's my oscar for acting like I'm not falling apart ¦ AJ

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Early September 2026

When the Ministry had sold the idea of a year overseas to the parents and leftover students of the now crumble castle, it had originally sounded pretty good. Transport would be covered, school supplies would be subsidised and it was a chance to go abroad; something Rían likely wouldn't get to do otherwise. When his parents (his mother) had signed him up, Rían had been actually sort of excited about the whole thing. Well, the pros had been wonderful, for the whole of five minutes before all the cons started to cross his mind. But it was too late, and as his Mam had said, there was no way he was being home-schooled with his Da there. Given the choice America seemed the best option.

It had been barely a week so far, and things weren't getting any better.

Everything was different and strange and he hated pretty much all of it. Right down to the ridiculous dining hall. It was set up like something he'd seen before on the telley, something out of a High School. It was all so...American. Blech. Worst of all her had just about depleted his stocks of tea and his Mam wouldn't be sending him anymore for another week or so. Solemnly he looked down to his mug, this would be his House Elf contacts in the Hogwarts Kitchen would have been helpful. He had tried to ration them out, but he was down to his last few and if that hadn't made him feel awful he wasn't sure what could be worse. And that was before he had even got started on the difference in classes and general cultural differences. So simple was the task of having to go up and actually get your breakfast in a queue, he really missed the lazy ways of Hogwarts.

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Atticus had been completely gutted at the news that he'd have to return to Ilvermorny. He had loved Hogwarts, felt truly himself there, and hadn't been judged for being quiet and bookish. Ravenclaw fit him so much better than Thunderbird did. But with Hogwarts gone, all of the Ilvermorny kids were forced to return to their school in the mountains of Massachusetts. Atticus had tried pleading and leveraging with his parents, but they insisted he return to finish his schooling in America. That meant two more years! And Eli got to stay in Britain whilst he was trapped in the past.

Needless to say, Atticus was not pleased. He had withdrawn into himself more than usual. The first week had crawled by, and Atticus had sat in the back of the classroom, keeping to himself even though he listened raptly to the lectures. There was more lecturing than practical magic here, Atticus had forgotten. Taking notes was not quite as exciting, but at least they had practical periods as well. He just wished he could have a time turner and flip it one way or the other so he could go back to Hogwarts, even if this time he knew his time was numbered.

Atticus slumped into the dining hall and collapsed into a chair. He glanced up at the person next to him, and realised that it was someone he actually recognised and didn't resent for dragging him back here to Ilvermorny. "Oh, hi Rían," said Atticus, his voice cracking over the boy's name. He peered into his former housemate's mug. "I think you're out of leaf water."

@rian

[Deleted]

His adjustment period had only gotten rougher as he realised all they had at breakfast was coffee and a variety of fruity soupy teas. None of his prized Irish breakfast tea, and it was becoming impossible to source. This was truly awful. Clutching on to his mug that held the dregs for dear life, he sighed quietly. This really was the pits.

In his ditch of depression he had hardly even noticed that someone had taken the seat directly beside him. Raising an eyebrow lazily he gave Atticus a sideways look. "Oh, it's you" He drawled slowly, half yawning. "Hi." he added, forcing himself to be polite. He had to remind himself that as much as he was pissed off with the world, AJ hadn't actually done anything to contribute to any of it. Sure he was American and this was his original depraved school, but really he seemed as down to be back at it as Rían was to be here.

In a moment of silent reprimand he scolded himself and decided he would make an effort. Atticus was never the worst of his dormmates. He had actually been pretty ok. Maybe he would be his thread of survival at this godforsaken school. With a nod, he frowned and gave the other student a more direct look.

"I know" sighing quietly, he reached up to rub his eyes and set down the mug on the table in front of them. Without his constant fix of tea, he was on such a go slow he was almost sloth like. All gangly limbs, and big eyes. Slow moving and expressions pretty much non-existent just like the lazy creatures. "I've had to ration out what I do have left for now. My Mam is only going to send me a supply once a month"

@atticus

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Rían always had a standoffish air about him. Atticus had long since learned this, and also appreciated it. His housemate - friend? Maybe? - didn’t find the need to talk incessantly, to jabber on about useless things. If Rían wanted to say something, it was likely to be something meaningful. He clutched his mug like it was a lifeline, looking devastated at the little amount of boiled leaf water that remained in the mug.

Further positives about Rían included that he seemed just as unhappy about having to come to Ilvermorny as Atticus. Atticus had never imagined he’d love a place more than his original magic school, but there was something entirely special about Hogwarts. Rían said nothing for a long while, which suited Atticus perfectly fine. He served himself a plate and munched thoughtfully on a bit of bread. Atticus commented idly that he was running low on tea, and Rían lamented that he had to ration out his tea as his mum would only send him supplies once a month. ”What a travesty!” said Atticus with a frown. ”Can’t you get them anywhere else? Maybe another friend could send you some too.” Atticus made a mental note to ask Eli if he could send over some tea. ”What’s your favourite kind? he asked suddenly.

@rian