Maglins and the Infinite Quest

51

Pipher Green

The summer went by quite quickly and very little happened apart from Lucy's party and getting to see my friends from Maglins again. I passed my days by reading and writing and spending weekends with my parents.

I spent some time with Lucy a few more times and one day Frankie came to my house to check on me as I hadn't sent a letter in a few days. He got the same tour of my house as what Lucy got.

My parents were enjoying me hanging out with my friends. They were just happy I was trying to keep myself happy.

Some nights when I was either bored or couldn't sleep, I would pick up the story I wrote of Anna and I and read it. That caused all the memories, emotions, and thoughts to flood over me.

I just wish there was something I could do.

I was reading through books like crazy as I had very little to do, finishing around fifteen or so in only a few months.

My stories had also progressed as I finished a few short stories and have been working on a bit of a longer one. I had also decided to play around with creating poems which definitely was difficult but gave me something to do.

A few weeks before the first day of school, September 13th, I began studying old material and getting all of my supplies ready.

My orb from the past two years went with me as well as a new applewood wand that my mom and I had bought.

I had gotten another previously but it turned out to not be the right one for me.

I had also gotten a new backpack as well as new robes, shoes, and other clothing. The robes I wore at Wixtons hung in my closet as a memory of a time that I'm thankful I'm out of.

Packing my bags for my third year at Maglins school of magic.

I did just as I had done the last two years, my parents brought me to the school and dropped me off, even if they had to miss work for it. It meant the world to me.

Being back at Maglins felt like a new feeling though it wasn't at all. Walking into the corridors felt magical as it's been months since I've last been here.

Once I went into the castle, Frankie greeted me and showed me to our suite we would be staying in this year. It was a six bed suite and I even managed to convince Lucy to share it with us.

It took a good bit of convincing though.

By the time I arrived, everybody was already in the suite so they all greeted me. Frankie showed me to my room which was a short staircase above the common area and kitchen area.

The room was cozy and had two desks, two beds, and two dressers. Lucy stood beside her bed, unpacking her belongings.

We exchanged a hug, "Haven't seen you here in forever,"

"I know, it feels weird to be back," I laughed, "I see you've already chosen your side of the room,"

She laughed, "I left you the side of the room with the bookshelf so you can display your array of writing trophies,"

"You know me all too well," We both laughed together before I began unpacking.

Her side of the room looked well put together by the end of the night while mine still needed a bit of work. Her's was color coordinated with most of her things being either green, pink, or white. I began to feel bad because most of my belongings were not color coordinated and it would throw off the aesthetic she was going for.

Oh well.

After all the hard work of unpacking, the six of us went to our common space where Lucy and Charlotte cooked us all dinner.

"What's your class schedule looking like Pipher?" Lucy asked from the small kitchen.

"I have enriched history, enriched wand 3, PE, enriched maths, and then lunch,"

"You're an overachiever, no need to brag," Charlotte chimed.

We all laughed in response.

"And then I have Astronomy and Medicine studies at the end of the day,"

"Soon enough we're gonna have to address you as Doctor Green," Lucy said.

"Unless the whole writing thing falls through," Vin added, "You mentioned wanting to be an author,"

"I do, I just," I paused, "I don't quite know which I like more, writing or science,"

"You still have a few years to pick, you know," Lucy commented.

It was nice to see how everybody was adjusting to seeing Lucy as I don't believe anybody has talked to her prior to this.

We continued to talk as the food was cooking and once that was done, we ate and continued talking, just less frequently.

The end of the night rapidly arrived as we had gotten caught up with talking. Frankie and Charlotte went to their room followed by Lucy and I, and lastly Vin and Catherine.

Before falling asleep, Lucy and I talked to each other from opposite sides of the room.

"All of your friends are really nice," She said.

"You fit in well with us, and dinner was amazing,"

"Anytime, I like cooking," She began, "Especially from scratch, that's the way my mom taught me,"

"You're gonna have to teach me sometime," I laughed.

"Did you set your alarm for six am?" She asked.

"Unfortunately," I responded defeatedly.

We both laughed.

"In the morning I'm bringing food from the dining hall up for us all if you'd like to join me," She said.

"Sure, just let me know a few minutes in advance,"

"How are you feeling about seeing all the first years tomorrow at the feast?" She asked.

"About the same as last year, not overly excited but also not dreading it, besides, your sister is the only first year that I know," I thought, "Except for Charles's younger sister,"

As the conversation faded, we began to drift off to sleep, unwilling to bother each other by saying anything more.

***

The morning came and Lucy woke me up before my alarm was scheduled so we could get breakfast for everybody. The dining hall was very empty at such an early hour, allowing us to get our food quite quickly before bringing it upstairs.

The first day of school was long and in every class I got weird looks or people asking why I was suspended and then reaccepted. It got annoying to have to answer them all.

My new professors are very nice and I have a good feeling about this year.

As always, the first day of classes is full of first years getting lost in the hallways and asking where certain classes are. I didn't mind showing them but it did become funny when they were wandering in hallways with no classrooms and only dormitories.

I even saw Lewis West in the hall, this time he was in his second year so he didn't need any help navigating. I'd say he's become an expert.

Two of my classes were with Professor Zella and one was with Professor Mella, the professors that were most involved with the situation that took place last year. It was odd to see them both again, acting as professionally as they could.

After Spells 3, Prof Zella asked to speak to me after class, "It's nice to see you back here after all that's happened," She spoke kindly, "If you ever need anything, I'm here for you along with your other professors,"

"Thank you," I responded, trying my best to show just how appreciative I was.

That night we had the beginning of the year feast where first years were formally welcomed to the school and everybody celebrated by eating a lot.

All six of us sat together as we listened to the same speech the headmaster has given for the past who knows how many years.