how I got there
backstory:
Ever since Aerilyn was 5 she had lived in a household full of love. Mrs. Diggory took her in after her parents died. Aeri doesn’t remember what happened the last time she saw her parents. Some say it is caused by all the trauma she has gone through, others say she was obliviated. Whatever the reason is, it doesn’t change the fact that it happened. and there is no way to change that. There is no way to travel back in time. Even if there was, she probably wouldn’t go back. That is not because she didn’t love her parents, it’s just cause she loves the way her life is right now. Although it may sound a little selfish. She is happy that she can call Diggory's house her home. She is happy that she has parents that love her, even if they are her adoptive mom and dad.
She is happy that she has Cedric, they wouldn’t know each other otherwise. They wouldn’t have a reason to, why would the golden boy of Hufflepuff want to meet the Slytherin royal? But it is a good thing they have met each other, they do have some things in common like quidditch, where they are both exceptional quidditch players, both are good at school, both love spending time in the fresh air. And they are the best of friends. And to be true Aeri had a crush on him when she was 7 but that’s now long forgotten from both sides.
Cedric was around 2 years older than her, she dreaded the time when he would leave to Hogwarts, when she would stay home alone. When the moment finally came, and she was waving goodbye to her, at the time, only friend, she noticed a small girl, the same age, crying and running after the train. That was exactly how she met her bestie Laguna Kendra Misty. Thanks to some higher power the Diggory's were old friends with the Misty's, and their son, Anthony, was also leaving for Hogwarts. As the two families reunited at the station, the only obvious thing to do was continue their discussion somewhere more private. After spending just one day together, the two girls knew, their lives would continue to interfere from then on.
{first year}
1991, september 1st (Aerilyn's pov)
Running through the wall at the platform 9 ¾ would usually feel scary for the first years. but that wasn’t the case for me. I could already see the imaginary finish line, the taste of win already on my tongue. Only a few feets away... arms wrapped around me and ‘carefully’ threw me out of the way, winning our race. Cedric was laughing at me so I, of course, smacked him on the head. I did that for 2 reasons. 1st I knew that he wouldn’t hit me back. 2nd I just felt like it.
While we were waiting for Mr. Diggory, Anthony and Laguna approached us.
“thank Merlin you are here. this little splash is annoying the shit out of me” the boy opened the conversation. Cedric slapped the boy for saying think like that in front of the girls. which made both of them chuckle slightly.
“I missed you.” I said with a slight bit of amusement lingering in my voice. I wrapped them both in a tight hug before Anthony could protest.
“Cedric, take care of her for us, will you?” came a deeper voice from Amos, who had just reached us.
Cedric looked at me with a warm smile on his face. “Of course. Although i’m not sure if I can chase away all the boys.” He couldn’t help but tease.
“Yeah, because I’m the one the boys go after.” I said in a low voice so only my friends could hear. Cedric went red which made the 3 of us laugh again.
“We should get going, the train will be leaving soon.” He changed the subject and went to hug his father goodbye. Before Aerilyn could escape, she was trapped in the arms of her adoptive father.
"Oh I'm gonna miss you Aerie, the house is gonna be so empty without you. Don't get into any trouble, and make some new friends. Be careful. Okay? And I know you will take care of Cedric, you always do."
"Of course I will, to all of that. I'm gonna miss you too, take care of mom. I will be back for Christmas." I hugged him back before running onto the train, I was the last one to board, since everyone left me there.
And since they did that, I didn't feel bad when I looked for a compartment to sit and hopefully make some new friends. It didn't take long and I came across one, with two boys seated inside. They looked friendly enough so I knocked onto the sliding door.
"Excuse me, can I sit here?" They looked like they could be my age, one with glasses and dark hair, and the other, with orange shiny hair and freckles.
They took a moment to respond, both enchanted by me. "Yeah, sure." The ginger finally said.
"Thanks" I murmured and sat down quietly next to the one who spoke up, he seemed nicer. "Don't I know you from somewhere, you look familiar." She asks him.
"No, I don't think so. I think I would remember you." He blushed after the second part. Which I found rather cute.
"Anyway, I'm Harry, Harry Potter." The other boy interrupts. "And you are?"
"Oh, my bad, my name is Aerilyn Emrys." I say confidently.
"Bloody hell, Emrys?? Like Merlin?" Now it was my time to get flustered. “I’m Ron Weasley.”
“Nice to meet you, Ron.” Our eyes met and both of our faces turned a little red.
“ahem ahem” the boy opposite to me interrupted our little moment
“So which house are you hoping to get sorted into.” I tried to make a conversation. The time flew by and we were finally at our destination.
“There you are. I almost thought that you didn’t get on the train.” Lagy greeted me when I took the first step to my new life.
“I almost didn’t, and it was not my fault, you left me there.” I replied as we started walking towards the half giant that was calling for all the first years.
“Oh come on, Aerie, you are not mad at me are you?” I didn’t reply to that. “I got you a chocolate frog.” that caught my attention, and I snapped the sweet out of her hand. “So are we okay?” she asked, still a little worried. We didn’t fight a lot, and even when we did it never lasted long.
“of course, you know chocolate is my weakness.” We laughed as Hagrid, the half giant, led us towards the boats that were waiting for us.
Sounds of aww could be heard from all the boats as the castle came into view. It was majestic, not even all that Cedric said about it could explain the feeling of seeing Hogwarts for the first time.
An older woman, which I later learned was professor McGonnagal, led us through the long corridors until we stopped in front of a big door, that led to the great hall where the sorting would take place.
“So it's true, then. What they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.” a searten blonde with hair almost as white as my own, cut through the little chatter of excited first years. He didn’t notice me yet and continued. “This is Egan, and Blaise. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy.”
the redhead I spent the whole ride talking to snickered. Draco turned to glare at him. “Think my name's funny, do you? Well, no need to ask yours. Red hair, and a hand-me-down-robe? You must be a Weasley.” I didn’t really like the way he talked to my newest friends so I decided to finally interfere. I went towards the arrogant boy and wrapped him in a hug. He was a little stiff before he realized who I was, but wrapped his arms around me at the sight of my iconic white locks. “Aerilyn, I missed you.” Draco and I haven’t seen each other for over 2 years. it was good to finally meet my childhood best friend.
" ohhhhh - Draco I missed you too, sooooo much" I tightened the grip between the two of us for a few seconds And then let go with a gentle smile on my face.
"Wait what?" a confused, slightly angry voice of Ron ripped my ears, " where-, h-how do you know each other? Did you just ... hug Him?" the last word left his mouth as if it was a curse, something disgusting.
And just like that, he managed to destroy any friendship we may have had. Rage filled my body, my hair started changing color from snowy white, to midnight black. I was born with a special ability, metamorphmagus, which allowed me to change my appearance. I never really learned how to control it. And the reason for that may have been my, slight, inability to control my emotions.
Draco of course noticed the beginning of a change so he turned me back to face him. “Aerie look at me.” My stumberness of course kicked in and I refused to let him help me. He cupped my face in his hand and turned my head to meet his eyes. “Just breathe. C'mon look, the ceremony is about to start!" as on command, professor McGonnagal came out of the door and motioned for us to follow her.
As we walked through the tables full of students, all eyes were on us, every house was curious about where the youngest would be sorted. I myself was hoping to get into Slytherin or Ravenclaw.
The older woman quickly explained to us how the Sorting worked, and the long ceremony began. I found myself getting kind of bored of just watching unknown faces turn up, in joy or an occasional frown, at the old hat’s judgment.
I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly, I heard my name. Slowly, with a little fear in my eyes and shaking legs, I walked to the chair, trying to ignore all those stares and eyes piercing my body. I sat down on the uncomfortable chair and the professor put the sorting hat right on me.
"well well, young Emrys, such a heartbreaking life, you're not the only one here with such a tragic past. So what do we have here ... hmmm, I see I see.. hufflepuff is the last thing I'd sort you in, and yes, you are brave and courageous but nah, you won't be happy in Gryffindor ... you wouldn’t fit there, and even though you're smart, wise and clever enough to be in Ravenclaw, trust me girl, your natural habitat, and a place made right for you is SLYTHERIN!!" I felt so relieved that I was sorted into one of my preferred houses. Huge stone fell off my heart. With a tiny smile melting on my face I went to sit down next to my new house-mates somewhere in the middle of the table. Another wave of stress out of nowhere, heated my body. What if Draco won't be sorted to Slytherin? and even worse…. What if I won't find any friends? Stressed, playing with my already sweaty fingers I saw the tips of my hair turning into orangey-yellowish. "Girl calm for the Merlin down! Control your stupid emotions!" I kept yelling at myself in my head. While I was pointlessly staring at a spot on the wall, most of the other first years got sorted, and now there was only one left. "FUEGO………….. SLYTHERIN!"
Time jump to 4rd year.
Since Laguna was sorted into Ravenclaw we didn’t really spend that much time together. Especially throughout the school year when we were both caught up in school work and all our free time was spent in our house. We would still spend some time together during summer breaks but it just wasn't the same anymore.
The same thing happened to Cedric and me. We became kind of distante. He was always with his golden friends who everyone loved, and I didn’t want to be in a way of his happiness. So I stopped trying to hold our friendship. I could handle that, I would be okay with that. What really hurt me was that he didn't even notice.
Eventually, all my childhood friends left. Well not all, when the two people closest to me left, Draco and I became tighter than ever. I spent most of my breaks in the Malfoy manor, Lucius and NArcissa actually gave me my own room. The room was absolutely beautiful, it was just the way I would have decorated it. The manor became a place where I felt welcomed. Cissa together with Lucius became the closest thing I ever had to mommy and daddy.
Besides becoming a part of the Malfoys family, ignoring my childhood friends and all the school work...I met one person that became my best friend. Egan Seraphim Fuego. I could tell him anything. We could talk for hours and never disagree. Not to mention all the fun memories we had already made. We were both on the quidditch team, both chasers, and our skills with flying had always came to use sneaking out.
Speaking of sneaking out, all the Gryffindors have come to hate me. All except the twins, they appreciated some pranks I pulled myself but I wouldn’t call us friends. Ron hasn’t said a word to me from day one, I would find Harry staring at me at meals or classes, I can’t decide if it was cute or creepy, he never said anything about it.
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jump to the end of year 4
This year went by faster than ever before. It may have been affected by the fact that no one tried to kill Potter. Finally we had a normal year. or whatever comes closest to having a that in a wizarding school.
I spent most of my time buried in books or on a quidditch pitch. I was hoping to become a prefect next year.
The few times I was not thinking about the future, were spent in my friend group. which actually changed a little. Draco stopped spending time with me for some reason, and always became awkward when I came around.
I started talking to Laguna again, and we both realised how much we missed each other. With Laguna, came another new member...Zaltana Hyacinth LeRocher. She was a student in Beauxbatons but transferred when her parents decided they needed a change.
Together the four of us were planning on becoming the royalty of the school next year. No one could stand between us.