Starlit Connections

I stood by the tower's window, gazing at the endless night sky. My purple hair shimmered faintly in the moonlight, but I barely noticed. The stars seemed so impossibly far away, yet they tugged at something deep inside me—a longing I couldn't quite explain. This was my refuge, my private space, away from the noisy halls of Hogwarts and the classmates who might never truly understand me. Here, with the sky stretching out forever, I found a strange kind of comfort. The constancy of the stars grounded me in a way nothing else could.

My mind drifted, as it often did, to my mother's story about the waiting star. Tonight, it felt different, though. For a moment, I let myself believe it wasn't just a tale. Maybe it was a sign—a promise that someday, I'd find my place in this magical world, just like the stars belonged in the sky. But right now? It still felt impossibly out of reach. I couldn't help but feel like an outsider—like I didn't quite fit here.

The stillness of the tower was suddenly interrupted by soft footsteps. I didn't turn, but I already knew who it was. Solace had a way of knowing when something was off with me. He stepped into view, holding a plate of food that smelled warm and inviting.

"You didn't come for dinner," he said, his voice casual, though his eyes betrayed his concern. "Not that I don't appreciate the stars as company, but you've got to eat, Elara."

His presence was like a steadying breeze, grounding and warm. Solace had this effortless way of being there for me without making me feel like I owed him something. I glanced at him, unsure of what to say, but grateful all the same.

He set the plate down on the ledge beside me. "You can't get anywhere on an empty stomach. Or, well, you could, but it wouldn't be as fun," he added with a grin.

I looked at the food, then back at the stars. "I'm fine," I murmured, though I wasn't sure I believed it.

"The stars won't feed you," he teased gently, leaning against the window. His voice held a quiet insistence, though, as if he was claiming this moment for my own good.

I didn't respond right away, but I felt something shift in me. Solace's presence had a way of making me feel seen—not in a way that felt invasive or overwhelming, but in a way that reminded me I wasn't as alone as I thought.

After a while, I let out a soft breath and spoke, more to myself than to him. "I used to wonder why I liked the stars so much," I admitted. "Before all this." I gestured vaguely at the castle surrounding us, at the world I was still struggling to call mine.

"And now?" he asked, his voice softer, almost curious.

"I don't know," I said honestly. "They've always felt real to me... but now, I wonder if I'm just someone passing through. Like I'm not really meant to be here."

He was quiet for a moment, his gaze steady and thoughtful. When he finally spoke, his words settled over me like a balm. "The stars are real, Elara. They're just waiting for you to reach them. And you don't need to be anyone else to get there. You're enough, just as you are."

I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that until he said it. I looked at him, searching for the pity I usually dreaded, but it wasn't there. What I saw instead was... understanding. Something deeper, something steady.

When Solace finally left, after a playful reminder about his own neglected dinner, I stayed by the window, staring at the stars. But this time, I felt different. I reached out, my fingers brushing the cool stone ledge, and let my thoughts wander.

As I stared, something strange happened. One of the stars seemed to glow brighter, its light reaching out as if to touch me. My breath caught. It wasn't my imagination—there was a faint, swirling light at my fingertips. It was soft, delicate, but it was real.

For the first time in a long while, I felt... connected. The moon cast its gentle glow over me, and for a fleeting moment, I didn't feel out of place. I felt like I belonged.

Later, as I headed back to my dorm, the warmth of that moment stayed with me. I didn't know what the spark of magic I'd felt meant, but I was certain it had something to do with the stars, the moon, and my place in this world.

When I fell asleep, I held onto the quiet promise that had taken root in my heart. The waiting star wasn't just a story. It was real, and it was calling to me. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn't as lost as I'd thought.