Periwinkle had been dreaming of this moment ever since her sister, Thora, had described it to her in vivid detail. Autumn at Hogwarts was said to be nothing short of magical, and Peri, with her boundless curiosity and love for the season, couldn’t wait to explore. The crisp air, the golden leaves, and the promise of adventure made her heart flutter with excitement.

Her first destination was the stone bridge. Thora had always raved about it, especially in winter when it was cloaked in snow, but Peri was certain it would be just as enchanting in autumn. With a bounce in her step, she made her way down the first-floor corridor, the hem of her robes swishing lightly as she walked. She reached the door at the end and pushed it open, and there it was—the bridge.

Peri gasped softly. It was more beautiful than she could have imagined. The ancient stones seemed to glow under the soft autumn sunlight, and the wind danced playfully around her, carrying with it the scent of pine and fallen leaves. She stepped onto the bridge, her dark brown eyes wide with wonder, taking in every detail.

As she walked towards the middle, she paused to lean against the side and look out over the Black Lake. The water shimmered like liquid obsidian, reflecting the fiery hues of the trees that framed its edges. In the distance, she could just make out the viaduct, its arches standing tall and proud against the backdrop of rugged mountains. It all felt like a scene from a storybook—a land untouched by time.

“This is so beautiful,” Peri whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. She let her eyes wander to the mountains that surrounded the school, their peaks dusted with the faintest hint of snow. The landscape seemed endless, a perfect blend of wildness and serenity.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the cool wind kiss her cheeks and tousle her dark hair. It was a feeling of pure joy—a sense of belonging to something much bigger than herself. She couldn’t wait to tell Thora how right she had been about this spot. But as much as she loved hearing her sister’s stories, Peri knew this was something words could never fully capture. It was a feeling that had to be experienced.

With a deep breath, Peri opened her eyes again and smiled brightly. This was only the beginning of her Hogwarts adventure. There were so many places left to explore, so many secrets waiting to be uncovered. But for now, she decided to linger a little longer on the bridge, soaking in every moment of its magic.

Autumn had never felt so perfect.

Alaric stepped onto the bridge, blinking against the autumn sunlight as the wind tugged at his robes. His gaze drifted across the scene before him, the Black Lake shimmering below and the trees along its edge ablaze with color. He let out a soft, impressed hum.

Then he spotted Peri leaning casually on the side, her dark hair shifting slightly in the breeze. He hesitated for a moment before walking closer, keeping a bit of space between them.

“Didn’t think anyone else would be out here this early” he remarked, his tone light but casual. He leaned against the stone railing with his arms crossed, eyes fixed on the lake. “It’s... something else, isn’t it”

The wind picked up again, and Alaric instinctively pulled his robes tighter around himself. “I wasn’t expecting it to be this cold” he added, more to himself than to her. After a brief pause, he glanced sideways at her. “So... how does this compare to Ilvermorny? Bet their bridges aren’t half this dramatic”

He didn’t wait long for a reply before straightening up slightly. “Feels like the sort of place you’d want to stop for a bit... at least until your nose freezes” he added with a faint smile. “Still, I’m guessing there’s a lot more to see” His tone wasn’t exactly an invitation, but there was a quiet openness to the comment, as if to say she was welcome to share more or not, as she pleased.

Periwinkle stood on the stone bridge, her gaze drifting over the rolling Scottish hills that surrounded Hogwarts. The crisp autumn air carried with it the scent of pine and a faint chill, but Peri didn’t mind. She pulled her green and silver Slytherin scarf a little tighter, the soft fabric shielding her from the brisk wind. The view was breathtaking, and though Ilvermorny had its own charm, there was something undeniably magical about this place. She heard the creak of the door behind her and turned, her long brown hair whipping around in the wind. Alaric stepped onto the bridge.

"Oh hey!" Peri greeted him with a warm smile. "My sister told me this was her favorite spot at Hogwarts. She said I had to visit it first before finding my own favorite place." She laughed softly, realizing she was rambling. "But honestly, I can see why she loved it here. It’s so peaceful."


The wind picked up again, tugging at her scarf. Peri grinned and gestured to it. "I came prepared! Thora warned me it might be cold and windy, so I made sure to bundle up."

Peri nodded, her thoughts drifting back to Ilvermorny. "You know, Ilvermorny is beautiful too, but it’s more subdued. Less… dramatic than Hogwarts," she said with a giggle. "Don’t get me wrong, I love it there, but this place? It’s like stepping into a storybook."

Her laughter bubbled up again as she thought of her sister. "I still don’t understand how Thora would come out here all the time to read. She said it was her favorite thing to do, but honestly, how could she concentrate with all this wind? Maybe it’s a Ravenclaw thing," she said with a shrug, her smile never fading.

"Well," she said, turning to Alaric with a grin, "I guess I’ll have to keep exploring to find my own special spot. But for now, this one’s pretty perfect."

As the two stood there, sharing stories and laughter against the backdrop of Hogwarts’ enchanting scenery, Peri couldn’t help but feel grateful for this new chapter in her life. Scotland might be windy and cold, but it was also full of wonder—and that was more than enough for her.

Alaric stepped further onto the bridge, the wind catching his robes as he listened to Peri. He returned her smile with a small one of his own, though it was more thoughtful than wide.

“Your sister sounds like she really knew her way around the castle,” he said, leaning lightly against the stone railing. “I didn’t know reading spots were such a big deal... but I can see why they’d pick this one.” He cast a glance at the landscape again, eyes flicking over the hills and lake. The whole scene looked like something out of a painting, wild and vivid.

Alaric’s smile shifted as he listened, and when Peri mentioned her sister reading in the wind, he let out a soft laugh. “Maybe it is a Ravenclaw thing. My mum’s a Ravenclaw too, and she has this balcony at home where she loves to read, even when the wind’s blowing like mad.” He shook his head with a fond expression. “I tried it once... couldn’t even keep the pages still long enough to finish a sentence.”

At her mention of finding her own special spot, he nodded thoughtfully. “I get that. There’s something about having a place that’s yours, even in a place as big as this.” His gaze drifted back over the lake before turning to her again, his expression open but calm.

“I hope this isn’t the last time we’ll be out here.” His voice was steady but sincere, with a touch of hopefulness. “Seems like the kind of spot worth coming back to.”

He rocked slightly on his heels, hands still tucked into his pockets. “So... if you could pick, what sort of spot would it be? Something quiet like this? Or somewhere a bit more hidden?” His curiosity showed in the way he tilted his head slightly, genuinely interested in her answer as he kept his gaze on the horizon.

Periwinkle’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed out at the shimmering lake. The sunlight danced across the surface, making it look like a sea of diamonds. "I can't believe how perfect this place is," she said, her voice filled with wonder. "It's like Hogwarts has its own little treasure chest of secret spots just waiting to be found."

She spun around to face Alaric, her robes swirling dramatically. "You know, I always thought finding the right spot was going to take forever, but this—this feels like a start!" Her grin widened as she planted her hands on her hips. "And you're totally invited to join me whenever I settle on one. After all, you're my first friend here, and friends share cool spots, right?"

The wind teased at her hair, and she laughed. "Although, let’s be real—reading in the wind? That’s definitely a Ravenclaw superpower. I mean, how do they even do it? The pages are all flapping everywhere! Me? I’d rather write. Writing spots are my thing. Somewhere cozy, where the wind can’t steal my quill or my thoughts."

She turned back toward the lake, her gaze thoughtful now. "This place is amazing for now, but when winter comes..." She shivered dramatically for effect, wrapping her arms around herself. "Brrr! I’ll need something warmer. Maybe a hidden nook in the castle? Somewhere secret and quiet, where I can write without freezing my fingers off. A spot that feels like it’s just mine."

Periwinkle twirled again, her energy infectious. "But for now, this lake is calling my name. Look at it! It’s practically begging me to sit down and start scribbling away." She giggled. "This won’t be the last time I’m out here, that’s for sure. This place is too perfect to ignore."

She glanced back at her friend with a mischievous grin. "So, what do you think? Ready to help me scout out the best writing and winter spots in all of Hogwarts? This is going to be an adventure!"

Alaric watched as Peri spun and laughed, her excitement filling the space around them. He couldn’t help but grin at her energy—it was infectious in the way that made everything feel a little brighter. He shifted slightly, leaning against the stone railing as she spoke.

Her declaration about friendship made him chuckle quietly. “First friend, huh?” He gave a small nod, looking thoughtful. “Alright, deal. We’ll find all the best spots—hidden, quiet, and everything in between.”

“The lake’s definitely a good choice,” he said, nodding toward the shimmering water. “Quiet, a great view... and less likely to have someone bursting in with a load of books like in the library.” He gave a small grin.

The wind tugged at his sleeves, and he pulled his arms into his robes with a slight shiver. “Just don’t forget to bring gloves when winter shows up,” he added lightly. “And maybe cocoa. Cocoa fixes everything.”

He paused, his gaze drifting back over the lake. “So, is this the spot? Or are we still keeping our options open?” His tone was curious but steady, as though ready to follow wherever her plans led next.

Periwinkle's excitement bubbled over as she bounced on her toes, her grin as wide as the horizon. "Seriously? That's amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a melody of pure joy. The idea of being friends with him felt like the start of something magical, though she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

The crisp autumn air swirled around her, carrying the faint scent of fallen leaves and distant fireplaces. Peri adjusted her scarf, her cheeks rosy from both the chill and her enthusiasm. "You know," she began, her thoughts tumbling out like a waterfall, "you're totally right about bookish people. Once they get their hands on a few good books, they can be so loud about it! My sister's like that—always ranting about characters or crying over endings. It's kind of hilarious."

Peri felt a warm glow in her chest. She loved moments like this—easy, lighthearted conversations that made the world seem brighter. She turned her attention back to the stone bridge they were standing on, its weathered surface cool beneath her fingers. The lake stretched out before them, its surface shimmering like liquid glass under the soft afternoon sun.

"Now that you mentioned it," she said, her voice softening as she gazed out at the water, "this spot is nice, but it’s not *the* spot." She leaned against the bridge thoughtfully, her eyes following the ripples on the lake. "It’s close though, don’t you think? Like we’re almost there."

Peri giggled suddenly, her breath puffing in the cold air like tiny clouds. "I was just thinking," she added with a twinkle in her eye, "with winter coming, we should totally get hot cocoa after this. I mean, is there anything better than steaming hot chocolate on a chilly day? I don’t think so!"

The idea made her giddy, and she clapped her hands together for emphasis. "But first," she said, spinning around dramatically to face him, "we’ve got some serious exploring to do! The perfect spot is out there somewhere, and we’re not stopping until we find it."

Her determination was infectious, and together they set off down the path, their laughter echoing through the crisp air. The world felt alive with possibility, and Periwinkle couldn’t help but feel that this was just the beginning of something wonderful.

Alaric couldn’t help but smile at Peri’s boundless energy. Her excitement was like the wind that whipped around them, impossible to ignore and strangely invigorating. He tugged his robes a little tighter against the chill, though it didn’t do much to block the wind.

“You’re right about the cocoa,” he said with a small grin. “It’s basically a Hogwarts essential. If we don’t find the perfect spot today, at least we’ll know where to warm up after.”

Her mention of her sister made him chuckle softly. “Your sister sounds a bit like my mum. She can talk for hours about books, especially the endings, like the characters are old friends. Honestly, I get it though. Some stories do feel like that, don’t they?” He smiled thoughtfully, tapping the stone railing with his fingers. “I wouldn’t say I’m as much of a bookworm as her, but I do like getting lost in a good story.”

As Peri leaned on the bridge and talked about finding the spot, Alaric tilted his head slightly, following her gaze to the shimmering lake. “Close, yeah,” he echoed, his voice quieter now, as if not to disturb the calm of the moment. “But there’s always something even better waiting, isn’t there? We just have to keep looking.”

When she spun dramatically and declared their mission, he couldn’t suppress a short laugh, the sound carried off by the wind. “Alright, alright. I’m with you. Let’s find this spot of yours before we freeze out here.” He shoved his hands deeper into his robe pockets and took a step forward, glancing over his shoulder at her.

“Lead the way, Peri. Just don’t forget to save enough energy for that cocoa.” His tone was lighthearted but steady, the kind of comment that made it clear he was happy to tag along for the adventure without overcomplicating it. As they started walking, he let her laughter fill the air between them, content to enjoy the moment for what it was—simple and full of possibility.

Periwinkle’s thoughts raced like a whirlwind, her mind buzzing with countless ideas and possibilities. She couldn’t help but feel a bubbling excitement coursing through her veins. There was so much to think about, so much to do, and she could barely keep up with herself!

She turned to her Alaric with a wide grin. “You know,” she said, her voice practically sparkling with energy, “it’s so true! I bet everyone here drinks hot cocoa to stay warm. And extra blankets? Oh, absolutely! It’s like a winter survival kit, isn’t it?”

A light giggle escaped her lips as she thought about her sister. “My sister,” she began, shaking her head fondly, “she’s quite the character. I love her to bits, but sometimes she just doesn’t stop talking about whatever book she’s reading. She gets so into it, you’d think she was living in the story herself!” Periwinkle laughed again, the sound bright and full of affection.

Periwinkle felt a warm glow of camaraderie. “Of course,” she continued, her eyes sparkling with determination, “there’s always something better out there, something new to discover. That’s what makes it all so exciting, isn’t it?”

But then she paused, her expression growing thoughtful as a new wave of ideas flooded her mind. “The real question is,” she said, leaning forward with an eager glint in her eyes, “where do we start looking next?”

Her heart raced at the thought of the endless possibilities awaiting them. The world was vast and brimming with mysteries to uncover, and Periwinkle couldn’t wait to dive in headfirst. Whatever lay ahead, she knew one thing for certain—it was going to be an adventure worth remembering!

Alaric listened as Peri’s thoughts spilled out like an uncontainable river, her enthusiasm filling the air between them. He shifted his weight slightly, tucking his hands into his robe pockets as the wind picked up again.

“A winter survival kit sounds about right,” he said with a small smile. “Hot cocoa and extra blankets are probably going to be my best friends soon enough, especially if it gets any colder out here.”

Her mention of her sister made him chuckle softly. “Your sister sounds a bit like my mum. She talks about books the same way, like she’s lived every word of the story. Honestly, I kind of get it. Some books are hard to leave behind once you’ve finished them.”

When she spoke about always discovering something new, he nodded thoughtfully, glancing out over the shimmering lake. “That’s what makes a place like this so interesting, isn’t it? No matter how much you explore, there’s always something more waiting to be found.”

At her eager question, he tilted his head slightly, considering it for a moment. “Where to start?” he repeated, his tone thoughtful. “Well, we’ve got the whole castle and grounds, so it’s not like we’re going to run out of options anytime soon. But maybe we keep it simple and start right here on the first floor.”

He tapped a finger lightly on the stone railing as an idea struck him. “What about the portraits?” he suggested, his gray eyes sparking with curiosity. “I’ve heard some of them love to chat if you catch them in the right mood. They’ve probably seen all sorts of hidden corners and passages over the years. Maybe they can point us in the right direction.”

Alaric glanced toward the end of the bridge, where the corridor stretched out, lined with frames and moving figures. “We can ask a few questions, see what they know. It might save us wandering around aimlessly... or at least give us a good story while we’re at it.” His tone was steady but carried a hint of quiet excitement at the idea.

“What do you think? Worth a shot?” he added, ready to follow through if she agreed.

Periwinkle beamed as she leaned over the edge of the stone bridge, her breath visible in the crisp, chilly air. Alaric’s mention of a winter survival kit had sparked something in her, and her brown eyes practically glowed with enthusiasm.

“Wait, hear me out!” she exclaimed, spinning around to face him. “We could totally make our own kits and sell them to other students! Not to sound greedy or anything, but think about it—scarves, hot cocoa, hand warmers. People would love it!”

“And you know,” she added with a grin, “maybe Ravenclaws like us are all the same—always hungry for knowledge and stories. Imagine what we could learn while doing this!”

She glanced around the castle grounds, her excitement bubbling over. “Let’s start on the first floor! It’s already freezing, so it’s perfect timing. Oh! And the portraits! They must know so much about Hogwarts’ history—they’d have endless stories to share.”

Her grin widened as she clapped her hands together. “This is going to be amazing! Let’s do it!” Without waiting for a reply, Periwinkle dashed toward the castle doors, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Alaric’s grin widened as Peri dashed ahead, her excitement practically crackling in the air around them. He felt a spark of energy himself, the idea of both an adventure and a clever plan brewing in his mind.

“Alright, I’m in!” he called after her, his steps quickening as he caught up. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing it properly. We’ll need the best supplies, the best spots, and obviously, the best intel—starting with the portraits.”

The thought of what they could uncover made his pulse quicken. Hogwarts was filled with untold secrets, and if this little venture led them to even one hidden discovery, it would be worth every step.

As they passed through the castle doors, warmth wrapped around them, a stark contrast to the crisp air outside. Alaric glanced at Peri with a knowing smirk.

“Let’s make this the best winter kit Hogwarts has ever seen,” he said, his tone filled with determination. “And maybe, just maybe, we’ll learn something even better along the way.”

With that, he matched her pace, ready to dive headfirst into whatever came next.