Chapter 1
Stepping out of the main building, a wave of nostalgia for Ilvermorny washed over me. It had been my sanctuary, school, and home for many years. A place where I found comfort in the warmth of friends and the wisdom of teachers, away from the weight of my parents' expectations.
"Evans, are you ready for the ride?" Questioned the headmistress
"Ready as I will ever be," I replied to her.
I am taking a carriage that has threstrals pulling it. It would take a couple of hours before we arrive at my cousin Lily's house, considering she lives in the UK. It is August, and I have been staying at Ilvermonry since the beginning of summer break. I finally got all the details, and everything worked out with my aunt and uncle, along with transferring everything to the same school as my cousin. I grabbed my owl and let her go with one last letter to Lily, letting her know I was leaving. Getting into the carriage, the headmistress followed after me. As my guardian, she decided it would be best for her to accompany me. We sat in silence for a little bit until I felt something wiggling around in my hair.
"It looks like you have a little friend with you," the headmistress said while looking at my moving hair.
My hair wasn't short but also not long. I had a shaggy mullet, so it was longer in the back. Moving the hair, I noticed that the bow-truckle I had saved from one of my friend's cats was all tangled in the longer bits of my hair.
"Can I keep this cutie?" I question the headmistress
She chuckled a little
"I suppose it looks rather attached to you anyway." She pointed out
Grabbing the bowtruckle after untangling it, I sat it on my lap.
"Do you have a name?" I questioned the creature.
It looked at me for a second as if dumbfounded. I let out a little giggle at this.
"I dub thee Nali," I told it.
The headmistress just chuckled a little at me. While the creature just stared at me.
"Telling by the skin, I believe this bowtruckle is a girl." The headmistress told me
I nodded at her. I was observing Nali as she messed with the hole in my pants. Nali eventually got bored, climbed up my sleeve, and laid on my shoulder.
" What about my wand?" I questioned
"Olivanders will do just fine, dear." She told me
Reaching into my trunk and grabbing my book, I read that until we finally arrived at my cousin's house.
"We are here." The headmistress announced
I felt the bumps as we landed. Grabbing everything, I got out of the carriage. Lily was waiting for me at the end of the driveway. She walked over to me and grabbed my trunk.
"Well, Headmistress, this is where we part; thank you for everything you have done for me, especially this summer. I appreciated everything." I
thanked her
"Not a problem, my dear; if you ever change your mind, reach out. Ilvermorny always looks out for its students, past and present." She told me
"Of course." I smiled at her
She closed the door to the carriage before it took off again.
"Lily! How are you?" I asked as I turned toward Lily
She balanced the trunk so it wouldn't fall over and rushed towards me, engulfing me in the biggest hug. I could feel wetness on my shoulder, and I knew she was crying. I immediately wrapped my arms around her, patting her back and rubbing circles on it.
"Hey now, don't cry. I need to see the beautiful green eyes of my favorite cousin." I told her
I could hear sniffles coming from her before she let go. We walked back toward my trunk and grabbed it before heading into the house. My aunt and uncle were sitting in the living room. My aunt was the first to get up. She did the same thing and brought me into a big mom-type hug, and it felt like a relief. She knew I needed this.
"Our home is yours; you will never find yourself without it." My uncle told me
" I appreciate it, and thank you so much for welcoming me into your house after all that happened with my parents," I told them.
They both nodded at me. Lily grabbed my arm and dragged me up the stairs to the bedroom we would share.