[center][color=9e005d][h1]Demetria Graves[/h1][/color][/center] Once the Sorting was over, the tables suddenly filled with all kinds of different foods. It was the moment Demi had been waiting for the whole day: the Start of Term Feast. Her blue eyes shone with excitement and her mouth watered at the sight and scent of so many delicacies. Without wasting time, Demi dug in. She indulged herself with a tender, juicy steak, a slice of turkey, mashed potatoes and French fries. Of course, she left some room for dessert: slices of chocolate and carrot cake. It was only after she was full beyond belief that she took a deep breath and looked around. Her eyes wandered to the Hufflepuff table, where she saw Mircus animatedly talking to some girl Demi had never seen before. She sighed in bliss, admiring his handsome features, before taking a quick peek at the Slytherin table. Her eyes landed just on Julian Wolf's face, and Demi quickly turned back to her table. Even after a couple of months, she still felt a sting inside her at the sight of him. Thankfully, she was distracted from giving what had happened further thought by the new headmistress taking the stand. Demi scowled at the sight of the woman. She didn't give off the happy, compassionate aura the past headmaster had, but seemed to emit bad vibes instead. It was something the young student couldn't quite put her finger on, but made her feel on edge, like she needed to thread with extreme caution around her. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who seemed to think so. [color=fff79a]"Demi, she scares me..." whispered Stella in her ear.[/color] [color=fff79a]"Me too."[/color] Demi heard Nyra say. When Demi turned to look at the girls, their frightened expressions made her heart ache. She gave their hands a soft squeeze. [color=9e005d]"She scares me too, girls. But as long as you keep in line and follow the rules, there's no reason to have any kind of contact with her."[/color] No sooner had these words left her mouth that she heard the other students begin to clap. When Demi, Stella and Nyra looked at the stand, their headmistress was nowhere in sight and their fellow classmates had began to leave. The speech had been shorter than a blink of the eye, and absolutely meaningless. [color=0072bc]"Some speech, huh?"[/color] Luke commented as the got up from their seats. Demi could only nod, distracted by Mircus walking to their table and calling his sister over. She turned around to talk to Luke, not wanting to seem like an eavesdropper. When she turned back to look at him again, Nyra was walking back to where the rest of the first yeard were gathered and Mircus thanked her under his breath before leaving with the new girl. Demi felt a blush creep up her cheeks, and small butterflies in her stomach. It was crazy how the simplest action from that young man could make her feel so... Hell, she couldn't even explain how she felt. She hadn't even noticed that Luke and her had started to make their way to the common room until she heard him say [color=0072bc]"Hello, Earth to Demi?"[/color] Demi looked at him, shaking her head a little to compose herself. [color=9e005d]"Sorry, Luke. Just got a little distracted."[/color] Her brother's eyes were squinted in suspicion. [color=0072bc]"I saw that, you know. I saw the way your face nearly turned scarlet and how a little smile was on your lips when he talked to you. You sure there's nothing going on, D.R.?"[/color] Demi rolled her eyes in annoyance. [color=0072bc]"No, Luke. And if something was going on, I'd tell you if you weren't so overprotective."[/color] That wasn't entirely true, of course. But Demi wasn't about to have a sudden inspiration to be entirely honest with her brother. Some things were better kept locked away. Without having exchanged any more words, they arrived at the Fat Lady's painting, who was wearing a spectacular Victorian gown and her hair up in a flawless chignon. [color=f6989d]"Password?"[/color] she asked them in a serene voice. [color=9e005d]"Leo Fortis Spectatosque,"[/color] said Demi in a clear voice. The Fat Lady's portrait swung open. [color=f6989d]"Welcome back,"[/color] she told them as they stepped inside. The siblings managed to say a thank you before it closed behind them. The common room looked just the same: with its comfortable couches and armchairs, blazing fireplace, house banners hanging from the ceiling, and the table next to the window that gave a spectacular view of the grounds. It was empty, meaning that everyone was now tired, full and had gone straight to bed. Luke turned to his sister. [color=0072bc]"Alright, kid. I'm off to bed. I'm tired as hell."[/color] He gave her a kiss on the forehead and ruffled her hair. [color=0072bc]"I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast, okay?"[/color] Demi gave Luke a hug. [color=9e005d]"Okay. I'll go to bed later. Gonna write a letter to Dad and Kaden to let them know we got here safely. And sorry for snapping at you earlier," [/color] she apologized. Luke simply shrugged. [color=0072bc]"That's okay, you're forgiven. Good night, sis."[/color] And with that, Luke went up the stairs and out of sight. Demi walked to the table and conveniently found a blank piece of parchment, ink and a feather neatly placed on the table. She sat down, took the quill in her right hand, and began to write in a neat, curvy print: [color=9e005d][i]My dearest Dad and Kaden, Luke and I made it safely to Hogwarts. The feast was incredible as always, and you can bet I'm totally stuffed and happy at the moment. Headmistress Reynolds gives me the creeps and a bad vibe, but hopefully that's just me being paranoid and not something to worry about. I can't wait to start practice and whipping up potions to keep my mind busy. I'm debating whenever it's worth it or not to sneak out and take a quick fly across the grounds, but seeing as I don't know how the new security system works, I'll save the trip for later. It hasn't even been a day, but I already miss you two. Though I love Hogwarts and being with my friends, I'd much rather be at home with my family. Take lots of care, okay? Especially you, Kaden. That Auror work can be extremely dangerous, and I'd be devastated if something happened to you. Not that I don't trust you and your knowledge, but I worry about you. You too, Dad. Stay away from the salty foods to keep that hypertension under control. I can't wait to see you loves in Christmas. Lots of love forever, Demi P.S.: Left the all the laundry clean and in their respective rooms, drawers and closets. You're welcome! XOXO[/i][/color] She neatly folded the letter, placed it in an envelope and sealed it with a drop of candle wax. It was as if she and Calliope were in sync, because when she walked up the stairs in the direction of her bed, the little brown owl already stood waiting for her in the window ledge. Demi smiled and softly pet Calliope. [color=9e005d]"You and I have the best connection ever, don't we, Callie?"[/color] The owl chirped happily, and Demi placed the letter in her beak. [color=9e005d]"Take this to Dad and Luke. I know it's a long way, but you know you can expect a real treat when you come back, just like always."[/color] Calliope batted her wings as a sign of approval, then flew out the window to begin her journey to Rhode Island. Demi changed to her pajamas and slid inside the bed's warm covers. Sighing happily once more, she closed her eyes and fell asleep before she could think about anything.