Introductions
Laurel
Her heart was pounding in her chest, threatening to beat out of her ribcage. She was nervous, how could she not be? She’d never been to a proper school, much less a wizarding one. Her entire education had been within the confines of a Christian orphanage. Was wizarding school like a muggle one? Did they teach the basic subjects like maths and language? She hoped she wouldn’t have to study the bible again. She always struggled with memorizing the verses, and she really didn’t want a slap on the hand with a cane.
Laurel gazed into the full length mirror, smoothing her small, bony hands over the fabric of her uniform. Much like everything else she wore, the clothes hung off of her skeletal frame, appearing a few sizes too large. Her skirt draped loosely down her calves, and she was thankful that it almost covered how small she really was. She just hoped that no one pointed out her hollow cheeks and thin fingers. It would be much too easy to become a target. She was all too aware that she looked like she’d recently risen from the dead.
Most of her roommates had already left the room for the morning, leaving Laurel to dress by herself and gather her bearings. She had managed to gather the white-blonde locks of her hair into a loose braid down her back, her fingers struggling with the ache in her joints from the cold of life in the dungeons. She sighed heavily, slipping on the emerald-embossed black robe and pulling it around her before grabbing her wand and making her way down to the common room.
The difference between night and day was far more obvious than she had expected. The common room was bustling with life, students of various ages wandering around in groups and sitting alone with a book in their laps. The light that filtered in from the windows up against the lake cast an ethereal blue glow across the green room, the cold stone not appearing nearly as eerie in the daylight.
Laurel didn’t realize she’d just been standing there looking out across the room until she was forced from her thoughts by the sudden rush of two smaller students running past her. She took in a deep breath and descended the metal stairs, glancing around as some of her housemates whispered and stared, their eyes tracking her every move across the space.
She had been instructed by Professor Weasley to introduce herself to the people she’d be spending the next three years in close proximity to. That it would do her some good to make friends where she could, as no child should spend their days in a brand new world all alone. She’d been wandering a bit too close to a table where two students were playing chess, a kind she’d never before seen where the pieces moved across the board without being touched. She’d been so entranced that she hadn’t noticed the girl at the end stand up and address her.
Imelda Reyes. Supposed master of broom flying, as she called herself. She seemed a bit too proud for Laurel’s tastes, and yet… maybe she could learn a thing or two from the dark haired girl. It didn’t take long for the girl to dismiss herself, citing that she wanted to get some flying practice in before classes started. Imelda left, waving to her before leaving her once again to meander across the room of unfamiliar teenagers.
None seemed too welcoming, which unfortunately put Laurel off a bit. She strayed toward the fireplace, spotting the chestnut haired boy from the night before as he paced, a rather large tome open in his hands. He had been staring at her the night before… perhaps she’d do best to introduce herself. He glanced up, lifting one eyebrow in curiosity at her cautious approach before snapping the book shut and placing it on a nearby table.
“Can I help you?” His eyes seemed to light up when their gazes met, a smirk forming across his features. “Ah! You’re the new fifth year! Sebastian Sallow, at your service.” He bowed slightly, swinging his arms out to either side. “Welcome to Slytherin!”
“Thank you.” Her voice came out a bit more hoarse than she would have liked, and she made sure to clear her throat before speaking again. “Laurel, Laurel Blake.” She held out her small hand, surprised at the force with which he gripped it, the warmth of his own hand seeping into her cold fingers and easing the ache in her knuckles.
“Interesting way to arrive for your first day, what with a Ministry escort and a dragon attack.” His dark eyes regarded her in a way that felt a bit like he was sizing her up, and she couldn’t help gripping onto the end of her braid, swirling the hair between her fingers. “Dreadful way to go, poor fellow. Glad you arrived in one piece though.”
“Thank you. Again. It was… quite exhilarating if I’m being completely honest. I had no idea dragons were even a real thing until yesterday.” Laurel’s fingers tightened around the end of her braid, gripping it fiercely as he raised his eyebrows at her, his smirk growing a bit wider. “If you don’t mind my asking, what book were you reading?” She gestured to the large tone he had set aside, taking in its large, leather cover and aged bindings.
“A spell book I picked up. Has a few interesting things, but not quite what I was looking for.” Sebastian shrugged his shoulders, glancing at the book. “I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough, but not every spell you may need can be found in our assigned textbooks.”
“Are you saying some spells aren’t taught at Hogwarts?” Laurel tilted her head, her braid swaying to the side with it. “Which ones?”
“Seems I may have met a kindred spirit.” Sebastian looked her up and down with a small laugh. “That, my dear, is a conversation for another time. In the meantime, I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine. I’m sure he’d be interested in hearing all about the new fifth year. Come.”
Sebastian all but grabbed her as he steered her in the direction of the large windows she’d seen on her way in. She peered around his shoulder, feeling her heart stutter in her chest as they approached the pale, blond boy from the night before. He was snickering at a pair of first years peering out the window into the lake.
“Picking on the first years again, Ominis?” Sebastian spoke long before they had approached the boy, his head tilting in their direction, his eyes unmoving.
“Ah, Sebastian. I was wondering where you’d wandered off to. Is someone with you?” The sandy-blond haired boy held an air of sophistication in his tone. He was leaned against the pillar, his arms crossed over his chest, pale fingers glinting with the rings that adorned them. His hair was swept back, away from his face, eyes never lifting from where they were aimed right between them.
“Yes. This is Laurel. Figured I’d come introduce you two.” Sebastian gestured between the two of them.
“Based on all the chatter when you entered the common room, I’d wager a guess that you’re the new fifth year. I’m Ominis. Ominis Gaunt.” The pale boy gestured to himself, pushing off the wall behind him.
“Nice to meet you, Ominis. Laurel Blake.” She held out one hand, shooting a glare at Sebastian as he snickered.
Ominis simply sighed, tilting his head in the direction of the brunet to her side. “She’s doing it, isn’t she?”
Sebastian reached one hand out, lowering her arm as he fought to contain his laughter. “Won’t do you much good, Blake. Ominis here is blind.”
“Oh.” She felt her face flush with color as she looked at him, noticing the way his blue eyes seemed misted over. The distinct, near lack of pupils should have been her first clue. “M-my sincerest apologies, I-I hadn’t realized…”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. It’s a common mistake.” Ominis pulled out his wand, the tip igniting in a red, blinking glare. “Do let me know if I can be of any help as you navigate your first days here.” He tilted his head in her direction, his unseeing gaze falling just over her shoulder. “Though I doubt you’ll need it.”
“It was nice to meet you, Laurel. Perhaps we’ll have some classes together.” Sebastian waved at her, his smile beaming brightly as he and the blond walked away. Low whispers were shared between the two boys as the brunet continued to peer over his shoulder at her. This was going to be an interesting first day.