Haven

The diamonds shone brightly in the night sky; brighter were the faces of young children filled with curiosity and anticipation, waiting to capture the essence of the magical world from its core.

Students scattered around the stations, some waiting for their friends, young children parting ways to unite later in the castle.

A group of teenagers stood together, saying their goodbyes and 'see you soon's to their younger friends. They all had smiles on their face.

"If you're really really lucky, like Sirius here, you'll be able to share same house as the great James Potter" James grinned. "Honestly, I wish both of you would be there."

"I will do anything to stay away from you Mr. Potter, you're a bad influence." Amara chuckled.

"House doesn't stop us from enjoying each other's company, right?" Regulus questioned, glancing at his brother.

"Of course. I would just appreciate it if I could be in the same house as my brother, we could spend more time together. Anyways, we ought to go. See you soon, brother." Sirius pulled Regulus into a warm embrace.

"We should leave or we will miss the carriage. Well, Hagrid is running a bit late I assume, oh speaking of him, there he is, long live. Well then, see you soon. " Remus smiled and rushed.

Sirius gave a soft smile to Amara and left with his friends. Regulus and her stayed and a giant showed up, with a big smile and glimmering eyes.

"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here! 'ello' there. S'rry for de delay" The giant introduced himself and was addressing the first year's.

Amara felt a gentle tap on her shoulder as she was listening to the ground keeper and found her brother smiling at her.

"You're aren't nervous, are you? You do look a bit tensed." Eilam accused.

"A bit overwhelmed, I will get over it. Can't wait for the sorting. Do you want to say something like wanting to spend quality time with your sister and how you wish for your sister to be in the same house as you are? You know I'll be there." Amara chuckled.

"What? Ofcourse not. Don't worry about the sorting. Mother and father have gave enough of those.
I got plenty of that. Yours must be worse because of a certain heir of a noble household. The sorting hat knows where you belong. Don't stress it. You know we will see each other everyday."

" I know where I belong, we will be seeing each other a lot then. I'll be haunting you. " Amara grinned.

"Oh whatever. Now hush! go join the others. Have a great time, you will remember it for the rest of your time, you should make it a happy, good memory." With that he left and joined others waiting for him.

Amara ran on to reclaim her position next to Regulus as he gave her a smile and they walked together through a narrow path through complete darkness. It looked as if the darkness parted ways for the path.

"Let me guess, a speech about how wonderful it would be to have you in his house? It might be a older sibling thing." Regulus guessed with a smile.

No he did not, infact he looked quite disinterested of the idea.

She just smiled.             

"Yeh'll get ye firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec, 'bout now!" The giant merried.

They reached the magnificent lake full on it's glory. The water was decorated with silver light and little diamonds. The water rested royally, letting the young audience to marvel at her easing beauty and beyond the dark velvety waters stood the Hogwarts castle proudly with it's heads high, full on it's glory, the magic inviting the young children who seeks it's wisdom.

The moment stopped as hearts of the young students began racing as their journey was about to begin; the picture engraved into their minds, capturing every essence of the moment. Sounds of amusement and delight echoed through the atmosphere.

Amara wanted to cry, suddenly overwhelmed by the excitement and mostly by the beauty of that significant core memory. It was time, the beginning of a new era. The next step and perhaps the most important step towards her life as a magical being.

She stepped on the wooden vehicle gracefully and sat near her friend, holding her class from sinking in overwhelming emotions.

Soon two more joined the duo, a boy who looked younger and smaller for their age whom Amara recognized as the son of Barty Crouch and a sun kissed girl who had starry doe eyes with a wide smile plastered on her face. The duo greeted both with a smile.

"Hi! I'm Nila Indumukhi. Nice meeting both of you. Having a magical day, all of you?" The girl began, breaking the awkward silence.

"Oh yes, such a marvelous day and Merlin! the castle, it's magnificent. Nice meeting you, Nila. I'm Amara Fawley. Oh woahh-" Amara was cut short as the boat began it's journey, the sudden unexpected movement shaking her.

"Careful there Amara. You don't want to drown in your first day, do you?" Regulus chuckled and he held Amara's shoulders firmly.

"Certainly not in my to do lists. Thank you." Amara smiled thankfully.

"Oh well, I'm Regulus Black. Nice meeting you." Regulus gave the new comers a warm smile.

The new girl, Nila, unlike the other two who have seen the other boy a couple times from MOM meet ups, looked at him expecting to introduce him and it didn't took long for him to notice.

"Oh I'm Barty Crouch, uh junior, it's Bartemius but everyone calls me Barty. Uh I'm feeling a bit under the weather." The boy introduced awkwardly. It looked like the first day nerves to Amara and she could relate.

"Probably just homesickness, we all understand. My mother and I travels a lot, so change is just a second nature to me, takes a lot to shake that up. Well, I do miss my mother a lot. But look at that! That's our first step to the future right there, imagine all the wonderful things we could experience. I met a second year, Mary McDonald, she was chill, the whole gang was honestly. She was telling me all the wonderful stories about her experiences last year." Nila exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Or we all could absolutely die in here. The forbidden forest and there's various creatures just down the lake. Who knows what this ancient castle holds? Maybe the monster of Slytherin might be hungry, particularly hungry this year. Well, we don't need a monster to kill us, we all are doing it ourselves. Can't trust no one else but ourselves in this age, right?" Barty spat, his eyes peering into the soul of the new girl.

"Hogwarts is as safe as we can get, considering odd occurrences happening throughout the country, at least that's what I heard." Nila replied.

"Word of advice, don't believe anything you hear. Albus Dumbledore has a taste for chaos and heroes. Another word of advice, don't be a hero." Barty mumbled, coldness embracing his voice.

The fellow scions of the sacred 28 were fast to catch up on the issue. He was mourning someone close but Nila looked lost, a lot of questions piling up on her mind yet not spitting it out as she caught Amara's eyes.

They all collectively started to admire the castle looking down on them as the journey as soon to be cut short.

"Do you have any siblings?" Nila tried to break the awkwardness which filled the atmosphere, which was the rubbing salt on wound situation.

Amara would have preferred the awkward silence than this inappropriate question.

"I have an older brother, Eilam Fawley, fifth-year, he is a Slytherin Prefect."

"HEAD'S DOWN." Hagrid roared as they neared a fall of ivys. Soon they were carried through a dark tunnel.

"Oh wait! we're here." Nila's face brightened as they neared the land.

The children exited the boat, one by one, and joined the larger flock of first-years led by the 'more excited than first-years' groundkeeper.

Amara and Regulus walked faster as to get in the front of the crowd.

"A lot of talking, that one. I feel bad for him." Amara stated.

"Losing someone must be hard. Being brave and fighting isn't worth the all pain it causes family. But we will have to choose soon, I know we have to, I heard a lot of conversations past months."

"We are kids and I would rather enjoy being free of this burden of choices as long as I can. Oh finally, I was getting tired of these stairs."

They reached the giant oak door and the groundkeeper knocked on the door three times to open the doorway to new beginnings.

Soon the first years entered the dazzling hall, which stirred another round of sounds of amusement. The twinkle in the young children's eyes out shone the stars up about their heads, where the roofing was supposed to be.

They followed Professor McGonagall, who now replaced Hagrid and led the little ones into the school of magic and splendidly that it added to her presence.
Sterness and bravery glowed in her eyes. She had 'not the one to mess with' written in her forehead. 'Fire' was the word that dominated Amara's mind as she met the deputy headmistress.

"I would be really amused too, if I hadn't visited the room of galaxy in Italy. It definitely is a lovely view." A girl commented in a rather bored voice.

"Margaret, we get it, you would rather be in Italy and you're stuck with us, how unfortunate. Now can you shut it, for Merlin's sake."

"Don't be rude. I don't have a filter. I can't help it. "

"More like you don't have a common sense for what to say at proper time, we heard you properly the first time and next time AND THE NEXT ONE-"

Many shushed the girl who looked like she was about to blow and a hand wrapped around her, calming her down.
"Not worth it." The boy whispered.

Minerva drawed the attention back to the main event as she placed a four-legged stool in front of them, on the top a patched ancient hat with formed a mouth-like rip and began to sang an odd, merry song about Hogwarts houses and itself. The hall bursted into cheers as the song was finished.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a parchment.
"When I call you name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." She said. "Abbott, Aurelia."

"SLYTHERIN." The sorting hat roared.

As the sorting continued, it was Regulus' turn. He suddenly squeezed Amara's hands and walked towards the Sorting hat.
Couple of seconds of complete silence later, he gave into a soft smile as he was sorted into the house of serpents and was welcomed with applause.

His eyes traveled towards the Gryfindor table as he left towards Slytherin table. He was welcomed warmly. Rosier grinned, welcoming him.

Amara peeped towards the Gryfindoor table and found Sirius with James' hands around him as he admired the table.

Suddenly Amara felt a strange sensation creeping up in her head. A sensation of sudden levitation for strange reasons. Lightheaded. The nervousness was really getting into her, though nothing should be going wrong at the moment.
She shook her head and continued watching the sorting and soon the deputy headmistress called out her name.

Amara took a deep breath and stepped forward for her sorting.

"Oh dear" the ancient voice chucked.
"don't be nervous, there's a lot going on in your mind, you will get used to it. Hogwarts is a home to dramatic occurrences. What you experiences exceeds the beauty expressed with words. "

"I figured that much already."

"Well let's see. Try hard. A quench for fun. You have those given values somewhere in mind, though the foundations are strong, it is shattering a bit. You have those in-built values fit for a serpent but let's see...

An odd sense of duty towards family, not odd at all, though it is odd that many students feels this way at this age. You would put family over yourself and selfless courage is there. I know you will find the right warmth and lessons you need in your right house, you will grow into a courageous witch in-"

-------

Reality crashed into the trance like moment, making it bleed. Breathes started to suffocate Amara; Fate swooning her into air and dropping her off from the high. Shattered pieces of perfect moment pierced through her foot as she walked forward.

A sense of betrayal threatened to escape from her eyes, which she desperately tried to hide.
She felt like she had been betrayed and have betrayed her family.

Everything pointed at this moment suddenly, warning her of the wrong twist of moment.

The crimson wearing crowd suddenly applauded, welcoming the new member of house warmly. Shivers took over, Amara stared into the future as she took steps forward like a little kid. Another student was called to be sorted.

A hand pulled her to an empty space in the gryffindor table. Another smiling face welcoming her warmly.

"Are you okay Amara? You look just out of a murder scene. You can sit here. "

The girl chucked softly and tapped her own head as she recognized the visible confusion on Amara's face.

"You must not recognize me, you can't be blamed, well, we have met before I'm Heather, Evermore, we met like 2 days ago. I'm a Gryfindoor Prefect. Nice meeting you, again."

"I remember." was all Amara could give at the moment and she stared into the future again with tired eyes.
Heather took the message and continued to chat with her friends and left Amara alone though she could still feel the eyes on her.

As if she was hit by thunder, she snapped back partially into the reality and searched for a pair of disappointed eyes among the Slytherins. As she finally found her brother, the look on his face was not disappointment but rather a face of relief.

Ofcourse he was happy, he did not want me there for some twisted reason.

Eilam sent a smile full of satisfaction and warmth across the table for her sister and she looked down. By his side was Regulus, with 'betrayed' written on his face.

"Where do you think you're going gentlemen? Any exclusive shows you want to put on for us? " Heather stopped a group of teenagers who stood near her.

"Nowhere Ms. Evermore. We wanted to join our friend, Amara here. Can you make some space for us?" James said casually.

"You made it. Now you can experience the gryffindor parties first hand." Sirius chuckled dryly. Amara just stared at him.

"Don't worry, you will fit right in, we'll make sure you have the best time.
Don't be gloomy, this is such a wonderful day and you should be cherishing every moment of it. You said Gryffindor is fascinating, you should be glad and you're not alone, Amara can you please say something?! " Sirius exclaimed.

"This ws not meant to—"

Then again the table started to applause another member joined them. It was the girl from the boat, Nila.

"You will be fine. Believe me when I say, I know how you feel. "

"Tell me, would you rather have me or Regulus in here? I know the answer to that."

"Shhh. I'm not gonna talk to you for a little bit. After the feast. Now now headmaster's about to speak."

The new-comers and old students alike looked up to hear the speech by the wise old headmaster, first years looked up expectantly, only to have their curiosity bubble to be bursted by one of the silliest speech in history. The great hall bursted into cheers.

"Is this normal around here?" A voice questioned.

"You'll get used to it."

Soon the magnificent hall was filled with welcoming aroma of Hogwarts food.
Some barely touched the food, some were swimming in it.

"What's wrong Maggie? Is it his food not delicious for you? Not as tasty as it is in Italy?" Another whispered, snickering.

"No Mariyam, the fact that I have to spend my years with you in the same house is an appetite killer."

Kinds of children together in a school full of magic. Many realities crashing together, creating a more beautiful reality by squeezing the essence of magic all into one, some were displeased by the reality, having to come out of their safe corner.

The time ticked away as Amara immersed herself in her thoughts. Soon it was time to leave the hall into their respective houses. Sounds of cheers and whispers filled the hall as the new students were readying themselves to follow the prefect into their house, their new home.

Amara stood up, ready to leave, only to be stopped by Ms. Evermore with a smile.

"I assume you would miss the first view of your dorm and common room with your new mates?"

"Is there anything else we are supposed to be doing?"

"Wanna see your brother?"

Amara looked at Heather with a glimmering eyes.

"I'll take that as a yes. Wait a sec." And Heather ran.

What to say? What to say? What to say? A lot to ask....

Heather came in a swift.
"Had to excuse myself off the duty. I just know, I'm gonna have my ears full tonight. Now follow me."

She took Amara's hands and hurried her out of the hall to somewhere, to her brother.

Amara was having the same feeling of lightheadedness as they neared an empty corner. The path did not seem to end. Feeling of familiarity took over reality and she moved as Heather led her.

"Eilam's secret place. You're sneaking out on your first day! Pretty fun. Exciting, isn't it?"

"You're a Prefect."

"Duh. More previleges." Heather laughed.

And they stopped as they neared a portrait of a gorgeous young lady.
"He isn't here yet, dear. He must be running late." The portrait chuckled. "Who is this pretty flower with you?"

"It's Fal's sister, Amara."

"Now that will be an easy name to remember." She chuckled.

Amara stared at the portrait, scanning each and every corner of the picture.

The young women looked as lively as a portrait can get. She was adorned with simple jewellery, mostly pearls and a sky silk gown hugged her with love. Her eyes were divine, her smiles were those which could heal a broken heart. She was a perfect work of the time. Her artist must have loved her a lot.

The portrait lady was sitting in a roof top, Amara judged. A sudden jolt of shifting reality strucked her; A feeling of sudden apparition taking over.

A clear midnight sky with a carpet of stars peeping down. Scents of butterfly lilies danced in the air, telling stories of love.
The pleasant feeling reflected in the face of the lady sitting with a healing welcoming smile. 

"The hospital wing dear. You fainted. The first day must have been overwhelming and tiring. Nothing a good night's sleep can't fix. Good thing two prefects were near to assist you." A kind voice spoke.

"Want to rest here? It'll be peaceful around here. Or you can go to your dorm, It's fine." The women asked.

"I want to stay her for the night please. Thank you. "

I won't go there. For the night atleast.

"Of course you can. I'll prefer that actually. Here, drink this." She handed a cup of potion to her. "For the good night's sleep. It's so lucky that there's no official classes tomorrow. You have plenty of time to rest and explore the castle."
"I think they're waiting for you outside. Should I call them in or? "

"Yes please."

Madame Pomfrey smiled and left and came back with her brother.

"Don't take too long." With that, മാഡം Pomfrey left.

"Well, are you alright?"

"As fine as I can be. Look, I'm so sorry-"

"Stop apologizing for... what are you even apologizing for? I wanted to meet you because you looked like your soul left the world.  Don't worry about our parents, I will be writing to them as soon as possible. We will figure something out before christmas."

Amara just stared. Eilam pulled her into an embrace.

"You knew something about this happening, didn't you? That's why you were acting weird all this summer?"

"How was I supposed to know? Future is not a book available freely at the library. There are some reasons, I don't want to be overwhelming you with stuff." Eilam answered carefully.

"Look, I want the best for you. I think you will be full of grace in Gryffindor. You're not alone either. You've already got friends there, you have got help. You have what you need right there. You have to live upto it's potential and if you need me, I'm here, you can come for me anytime you want, Heather will be a great help, she is such a sweetheart. "

"You have friends."

"Duh. Why do you seem surprised?"

"A wide variety of those."

"I don't know what you mean by that. And that's not important. "

"I can't do this, Eilam. I—I don't know."

"Tell me, what is wrong with Gryffindor? That they admit muggleborns? or it is that it's filled with people like Potter? Or do you simply hate it because your family hates it for some twisted reason? You know, others hate to be in Slytherin because apparently you-know-who and most of his followers once belonged there. Do you think it's fair?

Godric Gryffindor was one of the greatest wizards of all time. He was the master of one of the greatest magic. You will do great in there. Headmaster Dumbledore belonged there."

"I promised Regulus that we'll explore the castle together. And what will he think? I didn't do this on purpose. I won't face him."

"You are just a dumb child. He's your friend. He sure won't mind you being in a different house."

"Mr. Fawley, you should get going. It's getting late and your sister is getting drowsier. She's gonna have a  bad headache if she doesn't get good sleep. You don't want that for your migraines either."  Madame Pomfrey intervened their ongoing conversation.

"I'll get going. Wait! I almost forgot!" Eilam exclaimed. He was looking for something in his backpack and took a silver package and handed it to her smiling.

Amara took the present with a smile blooming on her face. She love presents. "Oh Merlin! Thank you! What is it- is it a book? Looks like a book!"

"It's a start-of-Hogwarts present! Open it and figure it out for yourself! I am definitely not going to miss your reaction!"

"Mr. Fawley?" Madame Pomfrey  reminded him of the time again.

"It won't take a while. Amara, open it!"

"It's a book, I guessed it. And oh? OH Wait! What- How. EILAM." Amara quickly hugged her brother tightly.
It was a book. Amelia Dawn's. A yet to be released.

"Suppose you like it."

"I absolutely love it?! Thank you so much! How did you- how?"

"I have influences. Oh wait! Open the book!" He asked, grinning.

"AN AUTOGRAPH. I love you. Really. How does it feel to be the best brother ever!" Amara cried.

"Feel pretty awesome and it comes pretty easy, having a great sister and all. I missed you. Now we can see each other every day again!" Eilam hugged her again. "All I had was this one." He showed a pretty necklace.

"Oh you still wear this." Amara laughed. "It was a silly gift and the earrings?"

"I still have them. I should leave now. Get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Amara. Goodbye Madame Poppy."

"Good night Eilam." Poppy smiled.

With that Eilam left, leaving Amara alone.

"Rest well dear. I should get going now."

It didn't take a lot for sleeping to catch her, given the calming draught.

"You're here. Let's go then, I'm getting tired, myself. Good thing we're prefects now, isn't it? We don't have to fear the ol' Filch. Ah It hits different, walking through Hogwarts at night, freely."

"You'll be a bad influence on my sister."

"What are you trying to imply? I'm a model prefect! Well, how is she?"

"She's fine. Getting tensed for nothing, you know about being casted into Gryffindor and such."

"You pureblood and their dramatic arses. Is this a genetic thing? "

"Look who's talking." He laughed.

The conversation continued as they walked towards the Gryffindor tower.

"I really think we need portals to get us through the castle. I mean, why aren't we doing this?"

"I'm really tired, I'm not having your genius talk right now Fawley. Well we're here."

"Finally. I prefer the dungeons ugh. I can come in, right? "

"PASSWORD" The portrait lady asked. "You are getting in, right? You bunch are ruining my beauty sleep. Can I get the password quicky?"

"Close your ears idiot. I don't want our password to leak." Ms. Evermore told the Slytherin prefect.

"You know I'll figure it out soon idiot. Tomorrow night's the pa-" Heather cut him off suddenly before he can finish the sentence, glancing at the portrait.

"You're nosy! Get out!"

"Fine." He closed his ears. "Can't hear you now!"

"Thanks Fal."

Eilam shook his head whispering 'can't hear' again.

"Good night. You should leave now. I'm going. "

"Fine. Couldn't let me in, can you?"

"For what? Go sleep you git. Even the fat lady's getting tired of your arse."

"You bet I am." The portrait huffed.

"Fal, I'll tell Calla about tonight. Don't worry." Heather assured.

"What would I do without you, Ever." Fal gave her a cheeky smile.

"Remember, your treat, next Hogsmeade."

"You guys suck."

"Over a humble treat, Mr. Sacred 28? Price will be hearing about this one."

"I'm leaving. I'm having a headache."