Champagne Supernova [Harry Potter next gen]

2.

Corrine specifically awoke early so as to avoid the morning drama experienced the day before. 

Dominique had awoken Corrine in a panic, desperately seeking advice on how, specifically, to accessorise her uniform for the first day of school. Confused, Corrine had asked if it was a difficult decision between the pair of flat, cute booties and the killing-spree polished heels.

Dom had simply nodded and agreed that, yes, she should have known that heels were always the best option. Corrine had cringed as she pulled on her own old converse sneakers with her uniform.

So, on this second day of school, Corrine had specifically woken early to go down to the hall and eat without fuss, bustle or miscommunication. She had befriended the girls in her dormitory, mainly Dominique who was too loud to handle, Evelyn who was brutally honest ("Dominique, she was talking about the boots, like any sane person"), and Rose who was quietly witty and sharp.

She shuffled through the large double doors into the hall, which was fairly cold despite the warm September weather and surveyed the tables. There was only three other people in the hall, plus a single yawning teacher who seemed to regret agreeing to take early morning breakfast duty for the term.

Corrine wandered past the two third-year Hufflepuffs and settled herself at the Gryffindor table, allowing her a good view across the room with her back to one of the hard stone walls.

As she smothered her toast in jam, Corrine observed the last member of the sparse hall. The boy had soft, dark hair falling over his eyes as his head bent down over a book. His slender fingers absently stirred his tea, and he seemed relaxed and confident. Corrine was instantly fascinated.

Eventually she finished eating, still amazed at the quantity of food the school produced for them, and no longer having an excuse to remain, packed up her last minute homework parchment and quills, and wandered out of the hall. She returned back to the dorms, realising she should probably adjust her uniform, which was done up with mismatched button-holes and socks of different colours.

~~

Rose returned to their dormitory at about the same time as Corrine.

"Hey!" She called, seeing the taller girl climbing into the common room ahead of her.

Corrine turned around, surprised, "Oh, good morning." She surveyed Rose's mud-stained legs and tousled hair, "What have you been up to?"

Rose shrugged awkwardly, "I was just doing some... flying."

Corrine nodded, "Like, on a broomstick?"

Rose's eyebrows furrowed, "Duh."

Corrine laughed, "I don't know how to ride. We don't play quidditch in China."

Rose giggled, "Really? I thought everywhere did!"

Corrine shook her head, "So are you on the Gryffindor quidditch team?"

Rose paused as the girls passed the large fireplace in the common room,

"Well... not exactly. I want to be, but I've never tried out before. Quidditch is a big thing in my family, and my cousin is the Gryffindor captain. So I really don't want to embarrass myself, because he'll never stop teasing me. Everyone expects me to be exactly like my mother, and she never played quidditch, so..." Rose shrugged.

Corrine frowned, "I'm sure you're really good, Rose. We're not our parents, and even if they make fun of you a bit, I'm sure you'd regret it if you don't try out."

Rose smiled, "Thanks, Corrine," her cheeks flushed slightly, "Plus there's this really cute boy on one of the other quidditch teams..."

Corrine giggled, "Oooh, Rose!" and Rose nudged her with her elbow as they entered the dormitory.