/amore sfumato/ ✔️

i

The day had not been easy for the girl. She was just as lost as Harry when he was introduced to the wizarding world, except unlike Harry, she had to take in everything within 24 hours. She was familiar with magic, but she had always kept it a secret from the world, exactly like what her parents told her to do. It was overwhelming to learn that the power she had to keep from the public's eyes is not as special and rare as she thought it was. After going through a lot in a day, she started reconsidering her life before, had everything been a lie?

"Two from the bottom, middle of the second row," she recited Professor Sprout told her, pointing at the barrels. She had only met Professor Sprout, who gave her an indescribably warm welcome, and Professor Dumbledore, who introduced her to Professor Sprout. She was also instructed to look for Penny Haywood, who could help her poor lost soul.

As the barrel moved, she cautiously stepped into the warmly-lit room, eyes scanning the mahogany room. She was so caught up in the interior that she didn't realise she was standing on the entrance, gaping like a fool. Once she snapped into reality, she realised that everyone was goggling at her, making her feel inevitably uneasy.

"Er... hello, I'm looking for Penny Haywood, does anyone know how I can get to her?" she asked nervously, highly conscious of the eyes watching her every move like a hawk.

It was only then when a blonde-haired girl with sky-blue eyes approached her, reaching out her hands, and smiled at her, "Hi, you must be the transferee! I'm Penny Haywood, the head girl."

"Hi Penny, I'm Celyn, Celyn Alicia. It's nice to meet you," the transferee greeted Haywood back awkwardly, still self-conscious, as eyes never left her.

Noticing the discomfort in Celyn, Penny looked back to see that everyone was still staring at her, "Mind your business, guys," she told everyone off, and as if there was a switch, chatters erupted, immediately warming the room, giving it a homely feel.

"Don't mind them, they're just a little shock that a new student is arriving at this time. New students normally come in the morning, introduced to the whole school in the Great Hall. I'm pretty sure you will be doing that at breakfast tomorrow. All you need right now is a rest. I'll show you to your bed," she assured the now less tensed transferee.

Celyn followed Penny obediently like a lost dog.

"You'll be sleeping here as long as you are in Hogwarts, and it seems like you already had a long day, so I won't be bothering you anymore. Should you need any help, I'll be downstairs in the common room. Oh, and one more," Haywood said, eyeing their surroundings carefully, "Go to the fifth floor, and go behind four doors to the left of a statue, and say 'Mandrakes'. You're not allowed there, but because I thought you could really fancy a nice warm bath, I'll let you in only this once. Make sure you don't get caught," she whispered.

Celyn quietly tip-toed out of the common room, not daring to make any voice, afraid to get caught. The hallways were dark and cold, only dimly-lit by the torches hanging by the walls, very much different from what was like when she just arrived a few hours ago. She did contemplate on not going, but she thought that it would be very rude to turn down such an offer given by the only person who had not looked at her like a freak. Her heart rammed against her ribcage, thumping loudly, she was certain anyone could hear it from a mile away. Drops of sweat started to form as she continued her way to the prefect bathroom, feet cold from the marbled floor. She had taken her shoes off, worried that it would make too much noise. She froze as her breath quickened when she heard footsteps coming and the meows of a cat. She held her breath, quietly crouching down, hiding behind the statue of Boris the Bewildered, hoping to remain hidden. Her eyes were wide open, highly alert, while her heart rose up to her throat.