Maddie rolled her eyes at Aggie, but her smile was teasing. Ater and Cassie were adorable, it was undeniable.

She didn't answer Ater's question, but she threw him a hopeful smile. She had no idea what she should expect Hogwarts to look like; she just hoped that she would like it. She was going to be staying there for a full year before she would be able to get a job or a play of her own to stay. She wished she could stay with her father, but she had accepted that that was not really a possibility.

Maddie followed Aggie off the carriage, but didn't immediately look to the castle. Instead, she focused her immediate attention on the thestral that had led their carriage. She hugged his neck again and thanks him for getting them safely to the castle. The thestral didn't quite seem to know what to do with himself. He snorted happily and Maddie released him.

And then she saw the castle.

The breath left her as she took two, slow steps forward, her mouth hanging open in a quiet undignified fashion.