His Dearest and The Prank

Writing to his sister was a bittersweet task for Solace. Kiyone, his dearest little sister, was spoiled and adorable in the way only younger siblings could be. Solace doted on her fiercely, and every time he wrote, it was almost as if he were trying to make up for being away. He often found himself reminiscing about their shared moments of mischief and laughter, which made the task of writing to her both easier and harder at once.

---

**Dearest Kiyone,**

**I hope you are not getting into too much trouble without me. I can already imagine you running circles around everyone at home, charming the socks off anyone who crosses your path. Don't forget to save a few pranks for me when I return; I wouldn't want you to have all the fun without your most deserving older brother to share it with.**

**I've been here at Hogwarts for only a short while, but I must say, I miss your little mischief-making smile already. The Sorting Hat decided I'd be a Hufflepuff. Yes, I know—I'm as shocked as you are. It seems the Hat believes I have a lot of loyalty and a bit too much patience for my own good. But I'll make the most of it, of course. After all, there are many ways to influence a situation, and I do love a good challenge.**

**The feast was quite the event! It wasn't quite as fun without you there, of course, but I'm doing my best to enjoy it. The food was heavenly. I'm not sure how you'll feel about the sheer amount of puddings on offer, but I think you would have eaten your way through every single one of them. You'd have made the most of the Hogwarts' food. I don't know if you remember, but that one time you ate an entire cake while I was asleep? Yes, well... Hogwarts doesn't disappoint when it comes to desserts.**

**As for the people here, there are many, but no one quite compares to you yet. Everyone has their little quirks and personalities, but none have the spark of you—no one has that perfect balance of sweetness and troublemaking that makes you... well, you. I haven't quite figured out how to deal with all the new faces, but I'll let you know if anything happens worth mentioning.**

**Oh, and I almost forgot—did I ever tell you about the common room? It's filled with plants, and while I'm not sure that's your thing, I thought I'd mention it anyway. I'll admit, the smell of it all is calming, but I still miss the mess you'd make of the garden back home. I suppose I'll have to fill the void with a little mischief of my own. If I find the right opportunity, I'll get one of these plants to sprout exactly the way I want them to—just to keep things interesting.**

**I'll be back soon enough, and I know that by the time I return, you'll have a million new stories to tell me. Make sure you save a little trouble for when I get back; I have a feeling I'm going to need some serious training when I return.**

**Until then, give Mother my love and don't cause too much chaos. Well, maybe just enough to keep everyone on their toes. You know the rules.**

**With all my affection and far more patience than you know,**

**Solace**

---

As Solace set his quill down, he let out a small chuckle, already imagining Kiyone's reaction. He knew she'd appreciate his playful teasing. There was something comforting about writing to her—his sister was his constant source of joy, and her carefree nature always made him smile. He sealed the letter and placed it on the side for later delivery. It wasn't long before he'd receive a letter back from her, no doubt filled with mischievous stories and playful admonitions.

He had to admit, writing to Kiyone was the easiest. She never asked for more than he could give, and her letters were always filled with warmth, something Solace secretly cherished more than he would ever let on.

---

The morning sun had just started to stretch its golden fingers through the large windows of the Hufflepuff dormitory. Solace, having been up for a while now, glanced over at the still, peaceful faces of his roommates. The room was still heavy with the kind of quiet that only a group of young witches and wizards could share in the early hours—before the world awoke and life resumed its familiar hum.

Solace couldn't let the moment slip by without a little fun. There was something about the tranquility of the room that made it feel... stifling. A prank, then—nothing serious, just a small burst of chaos to bring a little excitement to the first full morning at Hogwarts.

He'd spent the last week getting to know a few choice spells, testing his skills in quiet corners of the library. One such spell, a harmless charm, had caught his eye. It wasn't too flashy, but it was perfect for waking up a room full of grumpy first-years who hadn't quite gotten the hang of the excitement Hogwarts promised.

With a mischievous glint in his golden eyes, Solace stood from his desk, stretching out his long limbs as he turned toward his roommates' beds. His first target was Finnian. The boy was lying on his back, one arm draped over his face like a shield against the light creeping into the room. Solace silently stepped toward him, flicking his wand with a quiet mutter.

"Venti Fumos."

A soft, silvery mist began to rise from Finnian's bed, harmless but odd in its ethereal shimmer. Slowly, it started to grow and coalesce, turning into a glittering cloud that floated just above the bed. It wasn't the biggest cloud, but its soft, golden glow had a magical allure to it. The prank had worked—just enough to make his roommate notice.

Solace barely had time to retreat to his corner when Finnian began to stir. The boy groaned, muttering something about "bloody mornings" before shifting under the cloud. The mist swirled around his head as he tried to brush it away, but it only seemed to follow him, flickering with golden sparks like a strange cloud of fireflies.

Finnian groaned, squinting against the persistent mist that clung to him like a mischievous poltergeist. His skepticism towards magic was reinforced by moments like these—unpredictable and uncontrollable. He swatted at the mist, his sarcasm already bubbling to the surface.

"Merlin's beard," he cursed under his breath, swatting again at the cloud. "Who did this?"

He glanced around the room, his eyes finally landing on Solace, who stood against the wall, a mischievous smile barely contained. Finnian's first impression of Solace from their initial meeting flashed in his mind—a boy with an air of mystery and a penchant for mischief. Now, it seemed, that impression was spot on.

"Solace?" Finnian's voice was tinged with annoyance. He turned, his usually stoic expression faltering for a second as he realized who was watching.

Solace raised an eyebrow, his smile barely contained. "It's nothing, really. Just a little something to start the day."

As Finnian tried to sit up, the cloud remained stubbornly floating above him, following his every movement. "It's sparkling, Solace. You've turned my bed into a fairy garden."

Solace's grin only widened. "Fairies are far too nice to be involved in this, I assure you."

Just then, Ellie burst into the room, her expression a mix of amusement and mild confusion. She'd clearly heard the commotion from the hallway and decided it was time to investigate. Her presence was like a breath of fresh air, light and lively, with her signature playful energy rolling off her in waves.

Ellie's curiosity was piqued the moment she heard the commotion. Bursting into the dormitory, she took in the scene with wide-eyed delight. Her first impression of Solace, from their meeting on the train, had been that of a charming trickster with a knack for stirring things up. Today, he was living up to that reputation.

"What happened in here?" she asked, eyeing the glittering cloud surrounding Finnian with a mix of curiosity and delight.

"Solace happened," Finnian muttered, still trying to clear the mist away. "This was his doing."

Ellie's laugh was light and full of mischief. "I should've guessed. Only Solace would turn the dorm into a glitter storm before breakfast."

With a flourish of her own, Ellie walked over to Solace's bed and leaned in conspiratorially. "Alright, Solace. Is this a one-time thing or should we expect some wild antics throughout the year?"

Solace smirked, tilting his head. "We'll see, won't we?"

Ellie chuckled, eyeing Finnian's cloud before moving on to the next victim. "So, how long until he realizes he's trapped in his own bed?"

Finnian's expression darkened, though it was clear he wasn't truly angry—just bemused and perhaps a bit out of his element. "I'll get you for this," he warned, though the glint in his eyes betrayed his words.

Solace leaned back against the wall, satisfied with the mischief he'd caused. He'd heard about the Hufflepuff first-year pranks, and he'd been curious to try his own version. Turns out, a bit of glittering magic was all it took to get the ball rolling.

Before Finnian could respond, Marlowe's voice broke through the noise. Marlowe had been the only one not yet disturbed by the prank. He was sitting up on his bed, watching the scene unfold with a quiet, inscrutable expression. As the cloud continued to dance around Finnian's head, Marlowe raised an eyebrow, his face unreadable.

Marlowe observed the unfolding chaos with a calm detachment, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. His first impression of Solace, formed during their initial meeting in the common room, was of someone unpredictable and fascinating—qualities that both intrigued and concerned him.

"Is this going to be a regular occurrence, Solace?" Marlowe asked, the edge in his voice smooth but biting, as always. "You've already transformed the entire dormitory into a circus."

Solace caught the challenge in Marlowe's words. He could never quite tell if Marlowe was genuinely bothered or just playing along. "Why? Does it bother you?" he asked lightly, a glimmer of mischief in his tone.

Marlowe didn't flinch, his gaze steady. "Not at all. I just don't like surprises... especially the loud ones."

Finnian, now resigned to his glittery fate, snorted. "Oh, I'm sure Marlowe's favorite thing in the world is a quiet, orderly morning. No fun allowed."

Solace, never one to shy away from playful banter, raised his hands in mock surrender. "It's all in good fun, I promise."

Ellie grinned, watching the playful exchanges unfold. "You know, I think Finnian's really taking this well," she teased. "I was expecting him to throw a fit, but all he's done is argue with the cloud."

Finnian gave her a dry look. "I'm not going to give up. Just wait."

Marlowe stood up, fixing his robes with the typical grace that made everything about him seem deliberate, even in moments like this. "As much as I enjoy watching your antics," he said, turning to Solace, "I think it's time we get ready for breakfast. We don't want to be late, do we?"

"Agreed," Solace said, still with a faint smile. He caught the hint of a challenge in Marlowe's words and wasn't about to back down. "But next time, I'll make sure you're not so quick to dismiss my magic."

Ellie, with her endless curiosity, couldn't help but admire Solace's ability to stir things up. From their first encounter on the train, she had sensed there was more to him than met the eye. Now, watching him interact with Finnian and Marlowe, she saw the layers of his personality begin to unfold. She leaned back, her eyes twinkling with amusement, already thinking of ways to join in on the fun.

Finnian, still battling the cloud of glitter, couldn't help but laugh despite himself. His initial skepticism about Solace's mischievous nature had given way to a reluctant admiration. As much as he hated to admit it, there was something undeniably charming about the way Solace brought a touch of chaos to their otherwise orderly lives. He grumbled one last time, but his eyes held a hint of a smile.

Marlowe, always the quiet observer, continued to watch Solace with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. Solace's unpredictable nature intrigued him, but he knew better than to let his guard down completely. As the others prepared for the day, Marlowe resolved to keep a close eye on Solace—after all, one could never be too careful.

---

As the glittering cloud above Finnian's bed continued to swirl, Solace's eyes gleamed with a glint of further mischief. He had already teased Finnian, but Marlowe—always so poised, so controlled—was the true target of his morning's fun.

Solace's lips curled into a sly smile. "Oh, but I can't leave out the best for last," he muttered to himself, almost too quietly for anyone to hear. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he cast another spell, a quieter charm this time—one that would be harder to notice at first.

The room was filled with the sound of murmurs and laughter, but Solace's attention remained fixed on Marlowe.

Marlowe, who had been calmly adjusting his robes, turned just in time to catch Solace's mischievous gaze. "You didn't," Marlowe warned, his voice low and almost too serene. But Solace was already one step ahead.

As Marlowe reached for his wand to adjust his uniform, his robes—a symbol of his always-perfect appearance—fluttered, shifting in an unnatural way. The fabric creased in odd patterns, making it appear as though his robes had suddenly sprouted tiny pockets of air, inflating and deflating with a life of their own.

Marlowe paused mid-motion, looking down at the strange billowing effect, his usual calm slipping ever so slightly. For just a moment, his eyebrows furrowed, the only indication that the prank had landed.

"Solace," Marlowe said slowly, his eyes narrowing with cool amusement. "Really?"

Solace's grin only widened. "You didn't think I'd leave you out of the fun, did you?"

Marlowe gave him a look that could freeze water. "I suppose I should thank you for the... personal touch, but I've been through worse."

Finnian, still wrestling with the glowing cloud around him, couldn't resist adding, "Oh, Marlowe, you're just too perfect for this. The robes look like they're... trying to escape you."

Ellie's laugh rang out in the room. "I'd say Marlowe has met his match! Solace, you really know how to make an entrance."

Marlowe's robes slowly settled down, returning to their usual sharp lines as he performed a quick counter-charm. But even he couldn't help the faint twitch of a smile that crept onto his lips. It was a tight smile, controlled, as if even in the face of Solace's antics, he was unwilling to admit defeat.

"Well played," Marlowe said with a nod, his voice betraying a hint of grudging respect. "I won't be forgetting this anytime soon."

Solace's laughter echoed lightly through the room. "I wouldn't expect you to," he said with a wink. "It's only just begun."

The room, now alive with laughter and chatter, began to stir with the hustle of a new day. Solace watched his friends with a sense of satisfaction. The prank had served its purpose, breaking the morning's tranquility and setting the tone for their time at Hogwarts. As they filed out of the dormitory, ready to face whatever the day held, one thing was certain—life at Hogwarts was about to get a lot more interesting.