Letters Home

Solace sat back in his chair, quill in hand, the words flowing easily as he wrote to his mother. The early morning light filtered through the window, casting soft shadows over the page as he carefully formed each letter. His mother, Adalia Antigonus, was strong-willed and fiercely protective, and he could already feel the familiar weight of her concerns through the ink on the page.

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Dear Mother,

I trust this letter finds you well. I've arrived at Hogwarts without incident, and to my great amusement, I was sorted into Hufflepuff—a house that, while not the most glamorous, seems to suit my nature quite perfectly. It's a place for those who value hard work and loyalty, which I suppose aligns with my own tendencies. Still, I do wonder if I wouldn't have fared better in one of the other houses. Perhaps even Slytherin, for a touch of ambition. But, I digress. The Hat's choice, after all, is final.

The Sorting ceremony was, as you can imagine, a spectacle. The weight of the house choices hung in the air, and yet when the Hat called out "Hufflepuff," I couldn't help but feel that it had chosen me for reasons I'm still trying to decipher. Perhaps it's the latent wisdom of the house, the comfort of its simplicity, or maybe something more. Time will tell, I suppose.

As for my adventures thus far, I've encountered a few interesting people. On the train, I had the chance to meet Harry Potter—yes, that Harry Potter. The fame surrounding him is almost... overwhelming. I can't say I was particularly impressed by the boy himself; he seems ordinary enough when you strip away the legends. But perhaps that's just me—there's always more beneath the surface than people tend to notice, wouldn't you agree?

I also had the pleasure of meeting a certain girl in Slytherin—Selena Thornfield. She's... a mystery. Cold and aloof, she carries herself with the kind of grace that's almost unsettling. But I'm not so easily deterred. We'll see if I can't break through that frosty exterior eventually. For now, she remains an enigma.

The feast last night was as grand as I imagined. The selection of food was enough to make anyone lose their composure, though I made sure to keep mine in check—more than a few desserts crossed my plate, though I suspect I could have eaten my weight in pastries alone. It was a fitting introduction to Hogwarts' renowned culinary offerings.

The castle itself is everything I'd hoped for—magnificent in both its scale and its mystery. Hallways stretch out endlessly, like an intricate maze, and the magic in the air is palpable. But I find comfort in the smaller things—the plants in the common room, the familiar smell of tea brewing in the kitchens, the quiet before the storm of daily activities begins.

Please don't worry about me. I'm doing well here. Hogwarts is full of opportunity, and I'm keen to make the most of it. But, as you know, I take my time with these things—always observing, always waiting for the right moment. I'm in no rush.

Give my love to Aunt Talia and Kiyone. I miss you all dearly, and I'll write to them soon. I look forward to sharing more of my experiences in the coming weeks.

Yours,

Solace

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He paused, re-reading the letter. It wasn't as warm or effusive as his mother would like, but it was enough to reassure her. He sealed it with a flick of his wand, the familiar weight of her concerns pressing on him even as the distance between them grew. The letter was now ready to be sent off, but he had little desire to rush. There was still time before the day began in earnest.

As he set the letter aside, his golden eyes flicked toward the still-sleeping dormitory. Soon enough, his roommates would be waking up, and the quiet of the morning would be replaced with the hustle of another day at Hogwarts. But for now, there was nothing but calm.

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Solace's quill moved with a quicker, more playful rhythm this time as he wrote to his aunt, Talia Blackthorn. Unlike his mother, Talia's responses were filled with humor and mischief, often causing him to laugh aloud as he read them. He had to be careful to match her energy—she was, after all, a master of wit and wordplay.

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Dear Aunt Talia,

I trust you are not causing too much trouble back home. Though, I'm certain that wherever you are, trouble is never far behind. I write to you now, not out of necessity, but because I know you'll be expecting an update on my progress here at Hogwarts. And, of course, because I need to keep you entertained during your undoubtedly charming escapades.

Hogwarts has proven to be everything I expected and more—especially the food. You would have delighted in the endless varieties of puddings last night. You'd have sworn you'd died and gone to heaven, with each bite more indulgent than the last. It was a grand introduction to the life I now lead: a constant battle between trying to fit into my robes and trying to resist the temptation of desserts.

As for the sorting ceremony, well... I was placed into Hufflepuff. Yes, you heard that right—Hufflepuff. No doubt you'll say I'm too clever for such a humble house, but you and I both know that the Sorting Hat doesn't make mistakes. Or at least, it didn't in my case. Though I did entertain the notion of Slytherin for a moment, I suppose Hufflepuff suits me—quiet, unassuming, and always in the background. You'd probably find it amusing, though it's a bit too cozy for my taste.

I did encounter some interesting characters—Harry Potter himself, for one. I imagine you'd be eager to hear about him. He's just as ordinary as I expected, though, aside from the history that seems to follow him wherever he goes. He sat with me on the train, and while the rumors of his fame were certainly exaggerated, I can't deny that he's... notable in a way that makes people uncomfortable. It's the whole legend around him that makes people forget he's just a boy. Typical, really.

I also met a certain girl, Selena Thornfield. She's in Slytherin. Cold, calculating, and rather difficult to pin down. I wouldn't be surprised if you told me she's already planning her path to world domination, though I suspect she's more about the art of manipulation than grand schemes. I plan to keep an eye on her—just to see how she operates. It'll be... interesting, to say the least.

And now, for my favorite part: the common room. It's full of plants—fitting, right? A Hufflepuff's paradise. I suspect you'd find it incredibly relaxing, though I've made sure not to get too comfortable. There's plenty of time for that later. I don't intend to let these first few weeks go to waste.

I'm sure I'm missing something important, but I trust you'll forgive my shortness. It's the first few days, after all. I'll have much more to report when the days ahead unfold. And, knowing you, you'll be waiting with bated breath to hear it.

Until then, do try not to cause too much chaos, and please send my regards to everyone back home. I'm sure they'll be relieved to hear I've survived the sorting without too much trouble.

With much affection and a fair amount of sarcasm,

Solace

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Solace paused again, grinning to himself. His aunt was sure to appreciate the humor, and she'd most likely write back with even more amusing tales of whatever mischief she had gotten up to. He sealed the letter and set it aside to send, feeling the familiar warmth of affection for his aunt. She was the one person who could always make him laugh, no matter the situation.

It felt good to write these letters—despite his inclination for detachment, his family had a way of keeping him grounded, reminding him of the world outside Hogwarts. Still, he couldn't help but feel an undercurrent of something more... a nagging sensation that this year, something significant was going to happen.