The Schedule
Vi woke early the next morning, which was rare for her. She glanced at the clock on the wall of her dormitory and groaned. She knew it was no use trying to go back to sleep as she had to be up soon anyway. In the bed beside hers, Caitlyn was still curled up under her blankets, her breathing slow and steady. The other three girls were sleeping soundly as well. Vi considered trying to fall back asleep but quickly gave up, the bubbling anxiety in her gut making it impossible.
Instead, she quietly slipped out of bed and made her way into the bathroom to get ready. Try as she might, she could not get that damn hat to look good and resigned herself to looking foolish for the next seven years of her life. At least everyone else would be wearing them too.
When she emerged from the bathroom, Caitlyn was sitting up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“You’re up early,” Caitlyn mumbled, voice thick with sleep.
Vi shrugged, grabbing her robes. “Couldn’t sleep. Figured I might as well get moving.”
Caitlyn stretched before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “Nervous?”
Vi scoffed. “Nah.”
Caitlyn gave her a pointed look.
“Okay, maybe a little,” Vi admitted, rubbing the back of her neck.
Caitlyn smirked but didn’t push it further. “Wait for me. I’ll come down with you.”
Vi flopped onto her stomach on her bed and waited while Caitlyn got dressed, watching as she somehow managed to make even the standard-issue uniform look polished. When they were both ready, they made their way down to the Great Hall together.
At breakfast, they found their seats at the Gryffindor table, Vi poking at a piece of toast while Caitlyn poured herself a cup of tea. There were only a handful of students up this early, the hall unusually quiet.
Professor McGonagall approached them.
“Ah, Miss Lanes. Miss Kiramman. An early start for your first day, I see?”
“Yes, I—well, I couldn’t sleep,” Vi admitted sheepishly.
“That is not uncommon, but do take care of yourself,” the professor said sternly. Vi knew it wasn’t a suggestion.
“Yes, Professor,” Vi replied. “I will.”
“Good. Here are your course schedules.” Professor McGonagall handed them each a scroll of parchment. “Do let me know if you have any questions.”
“Thank you, Professor,” Caitlyn said politely, while Vi gave a quick nod of thanks.
As soon as McGonagall moved on, Vi unrolled her schedule and took a peek.
“Early start, eh?” Claggor remarked lightly as he and Mylo took their seats across from Vi and Caitlyn.
“Yeah, couldn’t sleep, I guess. Just easier to get up at that point,” Vi deflected lightly. Truthfully, she was terrified.
“What do we have today?” Mylo mumbled through a mouthful of eggs.
“Charms with the Ravenclaws, then Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs before lunch. Then after lunch we have Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Ravenclaws again, and Astronomy at midnight with all the first years,” Caitlyn recited, reading her own schedule.
“Ugh, that’s a lot of time with the know-it-alls,” Mylo groaned.