"You are an Alinac....that means you have power, ambition and the capacity to change the world. But a name is only a name, Leila, unless you make it something."
Two young rivals are headed into a war they know will change them forever. The question...
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Meredith and Leila laughed, cuddling closer for warmth as they watched the sun rise over the black lake. Despite not getting much sleep the previous night, they both woke up early to uphold their yearly tradition. The early autumn sun shone down on the waters, scattering its ethereal glow across the horizon.
"I'll never get tired of this view" Meredith sighed, resting her head on Leila's shoulder. Leila hummed in agreement, devouring the landscape with her eyes - allowing a snapshot to commit itself to her memory.
Each year, without fail, the girls would find themselves here the morning of September 2nd. It was their spot, their sanctuary and their good luck charm to follow them into the incoming school year. While youth and innocence still clouded their minds, they promised to make one wish each year. Something to hold onto.
"So, what's your wish this year Mer?" Leila whispered, closing her eyes as the sun bathed her face in warmth.
"I wish for this is the year I finally get McKinnon to talk to me...or not talk for that matter, just.. look, glance, acknowledge....per chance" Meredith chuckled slightly, Leila rolling her eyes. The girl had been obsessed with the Gryffindor half-blood for months now. Leila didn't know why her best friend was so determined to sell herself short.
"Well I wish...I hope that this year doesn't change us." Leila said. Meredith pulled away, looking at her. "Sorry, mood killer" She laughed self-consciously.
"Nothing will change this, Leila. What's going through that cunning little mind of yours?" She inquired gently, as Leila turned to face her.
"I don't know, I just have a feeling....so that's my wish" Leila responded, putting her hand out with her pinky raised. It was the truth. She couldn't name the nagging feeling in the back of her mind but knew this would be the year... for what, who knows?
"Then I take back my wish, McKinnon can wait." Meredith smiled, raising her own pinkie. "I wish we stay friends, forever."
The girls linked their fingers, resting their foreheads together, before submerging their joined hand in the water. The icy bite of the lake overwhelmed them, but they held strong, cementing their wishes into the universe.
"Cmon, let's go get breakfast." Meredith smiled, breaking their link and pulling her friend up from the grass. As the sun rose to its throne in the sky, watching the girls make their way up to the castle, the universe smiled in return.
---
As the pair had picked different NEWTS, Leila was headed off to Charms for her first lesson of the school year and Meredith to Muggle Studies. Leila despised the subject, constantly complaining to Meredith that they did not need their studies tainted by such a waste of time.
She was running slightly late from breakfast, and so by the time she reached the old classroom there weren't many seats left. Choosing the best of a bad bunch, she headed to the third row of benches and wedged herself beside a familiar Gryffindor. She didn't even look at him, just began setting her items out in the desk in perfect order, running her hand over the various nicks and etchings into the ancient wood.
