Crystal Skies
August arrived with a warm breeze, but the warmth did little to soothe the cold reality of Miruna's impending departure. Each day brought her closer to September 8th, the day she would leave for Crystalline Peak School of Arcane Mastery—a place that promised her a fresh start, even if the circumstances were… far from ideal.
In the solitude of her tower room, Miruna found an old chest hidden in the corner of the hidden library, covered in dust and cobwebs. The chest was a deep, rich blue, with silvery white accents that had dulled with age. It was large, and as she ran her fingers over it, she felt strange patterns of ridges over the surface of it.
*It’s beautiful*, she thought, examining the intricate details.
*Looks like it’s seen better days*, Aero noted, perched on her shoulder. *But there’s something special about it, don’t you think?*
*Yes*, she replied, reaching deep inside her to where she knew her magic waited. She focused her energy, sending a cleansing spell over the chest, and watched as the dust and grime melted away. Underneath, the silvery accents gleamed like pearl, a startling contrast to the dark blue surface. She noticed that the ridges that had been on it were sequences of runes and carvings, probably from the last over of the chest.
*It’s more than just a chest*, she realized. *There’s magic in it.*
*Undetectable Extension Charms, quite useful, but also quite illegal without ministy permission*, Aero noted, fluttering down to inspect the chest more closely. *It’s got plenty of room inside, more than you’ll ever need.*
Miruna opened the chest, peering inside. The space seemed to stretch endlessly, far beyond what the exterior suggested. It was a marvel of magical craftsmanship, a chest that could hold an entire wardrobe and then some. But as she looked at her meager belongings, she felt a pang of inadequacy. She had so little to fill it with.
The clothes she had scavenged from the hidden library were old-fashioned, the kind of garments one might find in history books—long, flowing dresses and robes that hadn’t seen the light of day in decades, if not centuries. They were beautiful in their own way, but Miruna knew they would make her stand out, and not in a good way.
*I’ll look ridiculous*, she thought, a wave of insecurity washing over her.
*You’ll look unique*, Aero countered, his voice gentle. *Besides, it’s not about what you wear. It’s about who you are. And you, Miruna, are stronger than you think.*
*Maybe*, she replied, folding her clothes carefully and placing them in the chest. *But it would be nice to fit in for once.*
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by the sound of footsteps. Miruna tensed as Harry’s voice echoed up the stairs.
“Miruna, are you up here? Of course you are, where else would you be,” he called, a smirk evident in his tone.
Hurrying to her tower room, she braced herself, knowing what was coming. Harry had been relentless since the day she received her letter from Crystalline Peak, taking every opportunity to remind her of how she didn’t belong.
“Still packing for that reject school, are you?” he sneered as he appeared in the doorway, his eyes narrowing at the sight of her trunk. “I can’t believe they actually let you in. Must be desperate for students.”
Miruna didn’t respond, focusing instead on arranging her things in the chest. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her react.
“Oh, that’s right,” Harry continued, leaning against the doorframe with a mocking grin. “You’re not good enough for Hogwarts, so they had to send you somewhere else. Figures. I mean, who would want a one-legged, stunted witch in their school?”
She clenched her fists, biting back the retort that was on the tip of her tongue. She knew better than to engage with him.
Harry’s grin widened as he noticed the tension in her shoulders. “Don’t worry, Miruna. I’ll be having the time of my life at Hogwarts while you’re off pretending to be a witch. Maybe they’ll teach you some parlor tricks to go along with your little missing leg.”
“Go away, Harry,” she finally said, her voice low and steady, though her heart pounded in her chest.
He chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. “Fine, I’m off anyway. Mum and Dad are taking me to Diagon Alley to get all my new supplies. Top quality, of course. Only the best for me.” He paused, letting his words sink in before adding, “Shame they didn’t bother with you. Guess they figured it wasn’t worth it.”
Miruna kept her back to him, refusing to let him see the hurt his words caused. Harry lingered for a moment longer before finally leaving, his laughter echoing through the stairwell as he descended.
Once she was sure he was gone, Miruna allowed herself to relax, the tension leaving her body in a rush. Walking back to the hidden room, she sat down on the edge of the daybed, staring at the chest, the words he had thrown at her still ringing in her ears.
*He’s just trying to get under your skin*, Aero said softly, fluttering over to perch on her shoulder. *Don’t let him. He’s not worth it.*
*I know*, she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. *But it still hurts.*
⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙
The day Harry left for Hogwarts, her parents were in high spirits. They had spent hours out in Diagon Alley, buying Harry everything he needed for the new school year—new robes, a top-of-the-line broomstick, the latest books, and even a new pet owl. Miruna had watched them leave that morning with a mixture of longing and bitterness. They hadn’t even considered taking her along, not that she had expected them to.
When they returned, they didn't acknowledge her, too caught up in Harry’s exciting departure. Miruna stayed in her tower, listening to the sounds of laughter and chatter from below, the sounds of a family that she hadn't felt a part of for years.
It’s just a few more days, she reminded herself as she closed the lid on her chest. Then I’ll be gone, and I won’t have to deal with them anymore.
⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙
The morning of September 7th arrived, and with it came another delivery. A sleek black owl swooped through the open window of her tower room, dropping an ornate box on her bed before flying off into the misty dawn. The box was similar in design to the one that had contained her letter of acceptance, but this one was smaller and even more exquisite, made of the same deep blue and pearlescent accents as her chest.
Miruna hesitated for a moment before opening the box, her breath catching as she saw what lay inside. A delicate silver necklace with a crystal pendant, shimmering like liquid ice, rested on a bed of velvet. Alongside the necklace was a note, written in the same elegant script as the previous letters:
Dear Miruna,
We hope this letter finds you well. Enclosed is an enchanted necklace that will serve as your portkey to the departure point for Crystalline Peak School of Arcane Mastery. The portkey will transport you to the Grand Dock, a secluded location off the coast of the United Kingdom, where you will board the vessel that will carry you to the school.
The portkey will activate at exactly 08:00 on September 8th. Please ensure that you are ready and in possession of your belongings by this time. The journey will be swift, and you will arrive directly at the dock where our grand crystal ship, The Celestial Horizon, will be waiting to welcome you.
We look forward to your arrival and to the magical journey ahead.
Sincerely,
The Admissions Office
Crystalline Peak School of Arcane Mastery
Miruna ran her fingers over the necklace, feeling the warmth of the crystal against her skin. It was beautiful, and the thought of what it represented filled her with a mix of excitement and anxiety. She slipped the necklace around her neck, the pendant resting just below her collarbone, and a sense of calm washed over her.
Tomorrow, she thought, touching the crystal lightly. Tomorrow, everything changes.
The rest of the day passed in a haze of final preparations. Miruna double-checked her trunk, ensuring she hadn’t forgotten anything important, though there wasn’t much to forget. She didn’t have a wand, and the few books she owned were outdated. The only personal items she had were the small pouch of gemstones and the enchanted compass she had found years ago.
Not exactly well-equipped, she thought with a hint of bitterness. But it’s better than nothing.
*You’ll be fine*, Aero assured her, noticing her worried state. *Crystalline Peak will have everything you need. You’ll see.*
That night, sleep eluded her. She lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of the new life awaiting her. Every creak of the old tower, every whisper of the wind outside seemed to echo her own restless anticipation.
*Just a few more hours*, Aero murmured from his perch by the window. *You’ll be off on a new adventure before you know it.*
⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙
The dawn of September 8th arrived with a chill in the air, the kind that signaled the coming of autumn. Miruna dressed in her old-fashioned clothes, feeling out of place but determined to make the best of it. She glanced around her tower room one last time, her heart heavy with a strange mix of sadness and relief.
Goodbye, she thought, closing the door behind her and dragging her trunk to the center of the room. I won’t miss this place.
At exactly 08:00, she felt a sudden tug behind her navel, the unmistakable sensation of the portkey activating. The room blurred around her, and with a rush of wind and light, she was yanked forward, leaving her tower and everything she had known behind with only her trunk clutched in her hand.
⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙
When the world stopped spinning, Miruna found herself standing on a dock, the salty breeze of the sea filling her lungs. The dock was vast, stretching out into the ocean, and at its far end was a sight that took her breath away—The Celestial Horizon. The ship was magnificent, its entire structure appearing to be made of crystal, glittering in the early morning light. There were lifhts coming from the porthole in the sides, shining brightly. It was like something out of a dream, a vessel of pure magic.
Around her, other students were arriving, each appearing with the same sudden jolt as they materialized on the dock. There was an excited buzz in the air as they all took in the sight before them, the grandeur of the ship, the promise of the unknown.
A deep, resonant voice echoed from the ship, amplified by magic. “All students, please board The Celestial Horizon. You have 30 minutes before we set sail. Welcome aboard.”
Miruna felt her heart swell with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This was it—the beginning of her new life. She tightened her grip on her trunk and started toward the ship, her steps echoing on the wooden planks of the dock.
*This is it, Miruna*, Aero whispered in her mind, his excitement mirroring her own. *This is where our story truly begins.*
Miruna nodded, determination hardening her resolve. It’s time to move forward, she thought, stepping onto the gangway and crossing over onto the crystal ship.