Starlight// FW

Beginning

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Sawyer Foster loved rules. She craved the structure of the law, the security of knowing what was to be done. Her uniform was always put on perfectly, her black hair always in a tight ponytail at the top of her head, which could often be seen swinging back and forth and she walked from class to class. Her bright blue eyes were always lined perfectly, her nails painted a neutral color.

Fred Weasley loved chaos. He lived for the look of shock in someone's eyes, the smile that formed on their lips, the laughter in their voice. He was rarely seen apart from his twin brother, George, and he wouldn't have it any other way. He frequented detention, and never donned his uniform except when absolutely necessary.

There were very few people that were more different than Sawyer Foster and Fred Weasley. However, how easy is it to find common ground? How easy is it to get along? How easy is it to fall in love?

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The prefects badge gleamed beautifully, the blue and silver perfectly balancing each other out. It looked so regal pressed against the deep black fabric of the robes. The symbolism of the historic importance of that badge far preceded the tiny metal object pinned on robes. It represented so much, it represented the basis of Hogwarts itself. The foundation in which the greatest wizarding school in the world was built.

"It's rubbish that you aren't a prefect with me", a voice broke me out of my thoughts. My eyes shot up to the boy across from me at the Ravenclaw table. "Oh", I let out, blushing deeply, feeling caught, "It's really fine". It was not fine. I had spent years trying to keep my reputation as shiny as the stupid prefect's badge. The badge I didn't get. It had gone to Penelope Clearwater, who was a good enough candidate. Not as good as me thought, I thought bitterly.

When I heard that Roger Davis had been awarded the male prefect position I was excited for him, but it somewhat added insult to injury as he was one of my best friends. I put a smile on my face and looked at him, "Plus I'm so proud of you that it makes up for any disappointment". He smiled at me. Sitting next to him was my other best friend, Hazel Pepperton. She was very pretty and very smart. Her long hair was in braids that fell to her mid back. Her deep brown skin and light brown eyes complimented each other well.

She was very creative, and less logically minded than many Ravenclaws, choosing to think that creativity was the greatest form of knowledge. I took a deep breath and a moment to calm down. I hadn't noticed how tense my shoulders had gotten. So what if I wasn't the prefect? There would be a chance to be one next year after Penelope graduated. Being back at Hogwarts was something I had been waiting for since the moment I left, and seeing my two friends sitting here made it all the better. 

With this in mind, I allowed myself to fall back into conversation with Roger and Hazel. We discussed what we had done over the summer, our plans for the school year, and many other topics all while enjoying the magnificent feast displayed in front of us. The truth was that I was happy. Happier now that I had been all summer at home with my father's neck constantly craning over me. I wasn't paying attention to what the headmaster was saying, at least until a loud cry rang out from the students around me.

"What's going on?", I hissed to Hazel. Her mouth was hanging open, "Have you not been paying attention?", Hazel laughed, her mouth slightly open. "The Triwizard tournament!", called Roger, cutting Hazel off before she could explain further. "What's that?", I said, unaware of what the fuss was about. The two redhead twins from Gryffindor seemed to be the most riled up about the situation, what were their names again? Frank and Grant? No, that wasn't it.

I turned my attention back to Dumbledore and listened, unable to help getting excited as he described the death defying tasks and eternal glory that came along with the tournament. As we made our way back to the Ravenclaw common room after the feast, all our uniforms fitting a bit tighter than usual, we chatted animatedly about the not so usual beginning to the year.

"First years, please don't stray!", called Roger, "I understand that the castle is new and exciting but you will have plenty of time to explore!". Penelope Clearwater stood at the back of the line of small, nervous looking Ravenclaw first years, herding them towards the west tower where our common room sat at the top of a large spiral staircase.

"So, are you going to enter?", Hazel said excitedly. I shook my head, my signature ponytail swinging back and forth. "I can't, I'm not 17 yet, remember", I said as we neared the common room, "Plus, I don't think I would even if I could, I'm much more of a watcher than a doer". Hazel nodded in agreement, then after a moment, "I think I might". My eyes widened, "Are you sure? It seems kind of scary".

We reached the door, the brass knocker springing to life, spitting out a riddle. Roger began to explain how one got into the common room, then asked if anyone wanted to volunteer to solve the riddle. A timid first year raised their hand and quietly said the answer, causing the door to swing open. "Very good!", smiled Roger, and they blushed further. We began to file in and Hazel continued, "I mean, it could be scary but what's life without a little fun". I rolled my eyes, "Safe, long, many other things".

"Boring, uneventful, many other things", she mocked. I couldn't help but laugh, "Okay, okay I get your point", I said, sitting down on the familiar silk couch in the middle of the common room. I watched the first years eyes fill with stars as they took in the room around them, and remembered what it was like the first time I set foot in the ethereal room. The ceilings were high, fading into a life-like depiction of the constellations, which was very helpful when you were taking Astronomy.

The walls were lined with every book imaginable, from school books to fiction to biographies. A large statute of Rowena Ravenclaw stood by one of the windows, seeming to watch over us. The fire always burned blue, making the entire room glow as if lit up by starlight. Satin lounging couches were sprinkled around the room, small poofs of various shades of blue scattered around them. To put it simply, it was home.