The Threads That Bind Us

Chapter 1

Fidelity Gardner had never wanted anything more than to love and be loved. She yearned for a romantic and beautiful connection that would remain a special secret between just the two of them. Over the years, she'd had numerous crushes but never any romances.

In her free time, Fidelity found solace between the pages of books, immersing herself in the kind of romances she longed to experience. Fidelity would soon be starting her seventh and final year at Hogwarts, and she had still never been kissed. The thought of being possibly the only one in her year who had never been kissed made her slightly embarrassed. However, she was determined to save her first kiss for someone truly special. Who that special someone might be, she wasn't sure yet. No one had swept her off her feet or even asked her out. She hoped that she would have her first kiss before she left school.

Fidelity was an introvert and found it difficult to put herself out there, though she generally got along well with people. Her best friend was Ava Gillman, a Gryffindor. While Fidelity was friends with many in her house and year, she devoted most of her energy to Ava, with whom she had been close since their first year. She also spent a lot of time with her and Ava's mutual friends whom she also cared for.

Fidelity was pretty. Some days she believed it and others she didn't. But even when she couldn't see it, others could. She had hip-length, wavy, golden-brown hair with blonde highlights and copper undertones. Her eyes were a mix of dark blue, gray, and green. She generally thought of herself as having blue eyes, but some days she questioned whether they were more green than blue. And some days she questioned if they were just gray. Either way, they were her father's eyes. At 5'3", she wished she were taller. She had fair skin dotted with many freckles. Fidelity had a soft jawline, very pink lips, and rosy cheeks. Her slightly asymmetrical ears and face were hardly noticeable, yet her insecurities sometimes overshadowed her beauty.

Although Fidelity thought none of the boys at school were interested in her, a few actually had crushes on her. While she didn't pay much attention to the Slytherin boys, she noticed the rest.

There were only a couple of weeks until Fidelity returned to school at Hogwarts, and she was looking forward to it. She knew this year would be stressful with her N.E.W.T.s coming up at the end of the school year, but she knew it would be hard to leave Hogwarts when the year was over. After all, she saw Hogwarts as a second home.

Fidelity sat at her bedroom desk, lost in thought about all the good and bad things she had to look forward to in the coming school year. She had to remind herself what she was doing. She was finishing up the last of her homework assigned for the summer holidays. Just as she dipped her quill in ink, a tap on the window caught her attention. A barn owl she didn't recognize perched outside. She opened the window and let the owl in. It extended its leg, offering an envelope before flying away.

Opening the letter, Fidelity saw it was her school supply list from Hogwarts. The items were what she had expected: standard books and supplies similar to previous years.

Aspiring to become a Magizoologist, Fidelity needed N.E.W.T.s in Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, and Transfiguration. She was relieved to have passed all her O.W.L.s with Outstanding or Exceeds Expectations.

Fidelity stood up and went to her bedroom door on the second floor. She opened it and leaned through the doorway. "Mum! Dad!" she called.

"Yes?" Her dad, Hank, responded from the kitchen.

"I just received my list of school supplies. I need to stop by Diagon Alley."

"Okay!" her mum, Vanessa, replied from the kitchen as well. "You should meet up with Ava and do your shopping together."

"Good idea. How's Friday?"

"Sure!"

Vanessa was a tall, thin witch with glasses and short, blonde, curly hair. Hank was of average height and build, with thick brown hair. Vanessa had vibrant, light blue eyes, while Hank had dark blue/gray/green eyes, the same as his youngest daughter's.

Fidelity returned to her desk, pulled out a clean bit of parchment, and began to write:

Hey Ava,

I was wondering if you'd like to meet up on Friday at Diagon Alley to do our school shopping. Let me know soon!

Fidi

Fidelity folded up her finished note and took it with her downstairs. She found her tawny owl, Stella, sitting in an open windowsill. She attached the letter to Stella's leg and told her where to deliver it. Stella gave Fidelity an affectionate nip on the finger and flew out the open window.