The Art of Magical Mayhem

Brave and Bold

December 1934

"Star~"

...separate the digits of thirty-six, multiply them together to get... eighteen- then divide by four point five...

"Star-"

...resulting in four—four, the three-sided pyramid; death, order, stability. So by that result, the most likely answer would be...

"Star!"

"Yeah, yeah- I heard you the first time! Let me finish this problem first-"

I could almost hear Anemone roll her eyes.

Nearly spilling ink over the desk in my haste, I circled "Option B: Fire spontaneously erupts in the centre of the table, but there will be a water source nearby."

Anemone sighed and cast a silent tempus. Two glowing lines resembling clock hands settled themselves on the desk. They vanished with another flick of Anemone's wand. "Star, class is nearly over. Pack your bags or we'll end up being late to lunch... again!"

"You just want to get your hands on the Ravenclaws' peaches-"

"Ew, Star! Don't say it like that!"

"Not you too! I get enough indecent jabs from the boys!"

Anemone laughed. "I was kidding- no need to get so uptight about it..."

The bell chimed, echoing loudly through the walls. I covered my ears.

"I bet Ilvermorny has a more bearable bell than this," I muttered bitterly, finally taking my hands off my ears.

"Stop daydreaming about Ilvermorny and dream about lunch instead, because lunch is now and you still haven't packed!"

"Alright, alright!"

I shoved my parchment into the bag, tightly lidded inkpot following soon after.

"Are you going home for the holidays, Anemone?" I asked as we entered the bustling hallway. A paper bird darted past my head, ringing laughter following close after it.

"Of course! I do miss the kneazle, despite her being the greatest grump in the household."

"What about Moray? I heard he's staying."

"Moray can wait! He won't... disappear in the span of two weeks y'know?" Anemone somehow still managed to look hesitant.

I snorted. "No, he won't. But you could try wooing him when you two are all alone in the Ravenclaw common room..."

"Star!" Anemone said, aghast.

"Annaliese!" called a completely different voice, almost getting lost in the chaos of the lunch rush. I turned towards it.

Oh no, not again...

Vanessa Emmerson appeared next to me so suddenly I had to wonder if she'd apparated there.

"There you are! Why don't you sit with me at the Gryffs today?"

I shook my head. "With a bunch of second-years? Hell no- my housemates would poke fun at me for days!"

"So? They're just a bunch of sli- they're just- does it matter? Aren't you lot all about networking or whatever?"

Anemone suddenly spoke up. "Well you have fun in the lions' den, Star. Those peaches wait for no mage!" And then she left. Like a traitor.

I watched—dismayed—as she waltzed away, no doubt to pester Moray.

"Fine! Just this once. There goes all my dignity..." I muttered. Sitting with the Gryffindors... honestly...