Petal

6

There wasn't much to do until everyone arrives so I decided to walk around the castle to kill some time. Aleksi decided to join me this time and I've been following her around for a while. I don't know how she knows the castle or where she's going, but she knows somehow. The castle is massive and there is no way I will be able to explore it all today but we have been to maybe half already. The stairs are going to be the hardest part for me, I hate heights and I always feel like I'm going to fall off, Aleksi seems to have no problem with them. The paintings are my favorite, they all have so many stories to tell and love to talk about anything, I think they're lonely. I would be too if I was stuck on a wall surrounded by other paintings for years. But they don't seem to mind.

We turn a corner to head back down when I notice Aleksi has stopped and is staring infront of us, I continue to go around when I run right into someone. I look up to see Snape, right infront of me.

"I.. I'm so sorry professor I say, I didn't see you there."

"Yes.. well why don't we watch where we are going next time we decide to... explore... shall we." He says so slowly I wonder if he will ever be done.

"Yes professor." I say back as I walk around him.

"And Ms. Blair..." he pauses as he turns back to me.

"Let's not make a habit of walking around at night, it can be dangerous here, and there's no telling what Karkaroff would do if you were...injured, under our watch." He finishes

I stare at him not sure what to say, should I deny being out altogether? He already seems to know I was out already. I just nod at him and he turns and walks off, his long cape flowing behind him.

We head back down to the dungeons, I need to get ready for tonight and I don't want to run into Snape again. I was told I have to wear my new uniform for the dinner tonight. Which is fine, I don't have any other clothes I could wear anyways. Maybe I can go back to that town soon and shop for new clothes. Maybe I'll find some friends who want to come with me?

"Are you nervous to meet the other companions tonight?" I ask Aleksi, who just looks at me

"I'm nervous" I say to her, "mostly about having to learn all new things. They don't have dueling, or a training class here. And I'm going to make a fool of myself in herbology. Why do I need to learn about plants?" I finish hoping I can make friends soon so I don't have to keep talking to a cat, who doesn't even respond.

I put on my uniform and look at myself in the mirror. It's different than my other one, my other one had many more layers to keep me warm. But I don't hate this one.

I soon hear noises and talking out in the common room. I think the other students are finally here. I stay in my room a bit longer just waiting for the noise to die down and decide to head out and see what there is to do now. Dinner should be ready soon and I'm starving, realizing I've been too busy worrying about tonight that I haven't eaten today. I open my door and walk into the common room. There are students everywhere, some sitting and talking to each other, some leaving and some coming in. No one is paying me any attention, I guess they don't even realize I'm completely new here. I leave the common room and head out side, when I see people gathered at one of the windows. I decide to head over there to see what everyone is looking at. There are too many people gathered to really see anything.

"What are we looking at?" I ask another student next to me.

"The other schools are coming." He says
Suddenly I see a carriage flying in the sky, with horses pulling it. It starts to land while the students watch in amazement. Then I suddenly see a boat in the water. Drumstrang. They're here, Viktor is here. The boat comes out of the water and sails right towards the castle. Everyone is talking about the ship and the carriage. After some time of staring out at the other schools, the students walk off, headed towards the dining hall to get ready for the feast. I make my way to the window after most people have walked off. I look out to see the ship again, I don't miss that stupid boat. I get chills down my spine when I remember what happened last time I was on that ship.