A Legacy of Pain: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 9: Sister's Keeper

This chapter takes place a little bit before and concurrently with the last.

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Annabeth

Annabeth groaned as her elder sister fussed over her; making sure that the golden blonde first year hadn't forgotten anything on the train. "Okay, looks like you have everything." Lizzy grinned as she took a step back to look over the younger witch yet again before looking around at the other first years who were handing their trunks off to the groundskeeper, who in turn handed them off to someone to take to the castle. "Now remember, don't rock the boat and be careful not to fall in. The lake gets pretty cold this time of year and we wouldn't want you getting sick."

It was touching how much her big sister cared for and doted on her; yet at the same time it was frustrating because the young witch wanted to join the rest of the first years right away. Annabeth puffed out her cheeks and rolled her emerald eyes. "Lizzy, I knoooow. You already went over this on the train multiple times. I'll be careful, promise!" She giggled as Lizzy leaned in to press her lips to her forehead. Out of the corner of her eye the young witch noticed Nyxia waiting for her off to the side, away from the other first years, and wondered why she hadn't joined them yet.

"My apologies, I just want to make sure you have a good first night at the castle." Lizzy leaned in once more to straighten her plain black school robes before letting go and stepping back. "Okay, I won't keep you any longer. Be good and listen to Groundskeeper MacDougal. I shall see you in the Great Hall." The older witch beamed down at her with a somewhat nervous look in her eyes.

Seeing that look in her sister's eyes and knowing that Lizzy was about to leave suddenly made everything feel much more real. She had finally joined her sister at school and would be able to see her all year; yet even this close there would still be distance between them. Surging forward; Annabeth wrapped her arms around Lizzy in a tight hug and buried her face into the Ravenclaw robes the taller witch wore. "I will be. I love you Lizzy." She whispered in a quiet voice filled with emotion.

The elder witch wore a brief expression of shock before hugging the golden haired young witch tenderly in return while rubbing her back. "And I love you as well my little sundrop." Pulling away, Lizzy beamed down at Annabeth affectionately. "See you soon."

Annabeth grinned at her sister while holding back tears before turning away from her to join the rest of the first years. After handing her trunk and Minerva's cage to the tall and burly red haired and bearded wizard who seemed to be the groundskeeper; she quickly made her way over to her friend. "Nyxie! We're finally here!" She giggled as she practically skipped up to the pale blonde with the unique mismatched grey and green eyes she found fascinating. "I can't wait to get sorted, it all sounded so magical when Lizzy described it. I just know I'll be in Ravenclaw like my sister!"

Nyxia wore a reserved expression upon her lips when Annabeth first approached her, yet the longer she spoke the more her friend's expression began to lighten. "Yes we are. I'm glad we can go together on the way to the castle, Annie." The witch with straight hair replied with a soft smile as she nervously wrung her hands together. "I hope the sorting ceremony goes well...." Nyxie trailed off as if she had more to say yet had thought better of it.

She was curious about what the other girl had wanted to say, but didn't press further since she had seen Lizzy act similarly and grow worse when pressed. Instead Annabeth just kept her smile wide as she reached out to take both of her friend's hands in her own. "I'm certain it will! It all sounds so magical, and if that hat has been doing this for centuries then it must be good at it!" She giggled, soon giving the other witch's hands a friendly squeeze. "I hope we get into the same house together, Nyxie. It would be so fun to share a room. And then we could both be in the same house as Lizzy!"