Stumbling in the dark

The moss was felt wonderful on her skin—cool, gentle, welcoming. Shiral was walking through the forbidden forest barefoot again. Some thought the witch was a little crazy for that, but the grass was soft and the moss was spongy like the best carpet in the world. Today she had gone out to clear her mind. She was planning a trip to Italy soon and she needed a chance to breathe. Being in the forest provided that chance. The plants were her friends. The Ravenclaw had always felt a connection to the flora of the world around her. It was likely due to her parents’ profession as herbologists. She had traveled the world with them as a child and grown to love the plants that surrounded her. Even with all that travel though—Shiral had never been to Italy.

As she went around introducing herself to the new growth and enjoying the sunlight as it streamed through the leaves in the high canopy, the redhead considered everything that might happen in Italy. There were bound to be new things to explore, but the part that was most exciting was getting to see Silas’ world. There was still so much about the Italian that she didn’t know. He was gorgeous, brilliant, talented, and kind—what more could she ask for? Well, it was time for her to see the place he spoke of so fondly. It was just that the thought of it…of seeing his world…it struck just the tiniest bit of panic into the teenager’s heart.

So today was all about finding peace amongst friends. The trees whispered to her on the breeze, the flowers tickled her legs and the smell of fresh earth filled her heart. A walk through the woods was similar to meditation. Unfortunately, meditation could sometimes lead to a very drowsy witch. In this case, the forest floor was inviting and the sun was beginning to set. Dreams of Italy floated through Shiral’s mind as she lay down on the cushioned earth. Nearby a stream sung her a lullaby—sweeter than any voice she had ever had the pleasure of hearing. Nature was lulling her to sleep and Shiral was too tired to fight it.

Mortifying

(If you have any questions about what is going on, please see>> Unfamiliar voices in my head)
Whether or not to leave the dorms was an issue for Shiral. If she left the dorm, other people had to see her in Silas’ body. The witch had to consider not only the embarrassment of walking out into Hogwarts like this, but Silas’ reputation. She was certainly not Silas and was not entirely convinced that she could act like him. Beyond even that, she couldn’t figure out how to make this body speak in ENGLISH! She didn’t even know if what she was saying in Italian was what she meant to say in English. This only solidified her decision to learn Italian. If she was going to be spending more time with Silas she had to learn to understand his native tongue.

Still wrapped up in the sheet, she scurried out of the bathroom and plopped down on Silas’ bed. It was warm and soft and she blushed behind well-tanned skin to think of how comfortable his bed was. The young woman could only hope that his complexion would hide that blush. She pulled the blanket up around herself and tried to think of where Silas would keep his clothes. How was she going to get dressed? The worst part was that she actually knew most of the boys in this dorm. Would they recognize her behavior?

If I may have Italy

The train ride had been pleasant enough. Shiral was lucky enough to be one of those people who could fall asleep just about anywhere. After awaking from her nap in the reclining seat of the train, she sat up and stretched. They were only about five minutes from Rome Central Terminal. It was nice and cool on the train, air conditioning wasn’t uncommon on European trains as far as Shiral knew. Still, it was summer in Italy and the Ravenclaw figured it wasn’t going to be quite so comfortable once she stepped out of the doors to the train. Not that it mattered. Dressed in a white tank top and a cotton, light blue shirt that reached just past her knees, the heat wasn’t likely to bother her too greatly. She reached back and tied up her hair with a white ribbon before standing to grab her baggage. Shiral traveled light, it was just two carry on bags, one small duffle bag and a backpack. In her free hand she held a dark blue water bottle and she took a sip before heading to the doors.

The station was huge, and the inside was just a little bit frightening. There was no checked luggage for the Ravenclaw to worry about, but she wasn’t entirely sure where to meet Dante. So there, in Rome central terminal stood a very confused red headed Londoner with a bag in one hand, a backpack on her back, and a half empty water bottle being held onto as if it could save her life. Where was Dante? Well she couldn’t just stand around on the platform all day could she? There was a boy to find and an Italy to experience! This was going to be the best summer the girl had experienced since starting at Hogwarts (quite possibly the best summer since her existence!)

Stepping out with a bravery previously unknown to the young witch, Shiral hurried across the platform and into the station. While she originally thought that the large Italian boy she had agreed to spend the summer with wouldn’t be so difficult to spot—she was quickly proven wrong by the fact that while he stood out so much in Hogwarts, he apparently did not quite do the same in Rome Central station. He had to be somewhere right?

Growing affection

It isn't stolen from the greenhouses. Why would you suggest such a thing?

First love, double take.

People were annoying. Shiral didn’t normally hold this opinion, but tonight she just didn’t want to deal with the frustrating customer who just didn’t like the price of Shiral’s gloves. They were just gloves! The man tried haggle the witch down. “Sir…” she had tried to explain what felt like a million times. “My prices are exactly as they show on the shelf.” It had taken over two hours, (a full hour and a half after her normal closing) to finally end up with the man leaving… not purchasing a thing. The shop keeper’s heart sunk into her stomach when he left with the words “I’ll ask my wife and come back in tomorrow.” She almost considered closing shop for the next day.

As soon as the man left the shop, the redhead’s wand flicked out and the door was locked. She ran up the stairs and quickly changed into her dress. Tonight was special for Shiral. The witch didn’t often go out and take time to enjoy the world, but she had been holding these tickets for the past five months. If there was any kind of music the woman loved, it was violin. When the former Ravenclaw had seen the information for a violin concert in New York, she jumped at it. The only time she ever wore dresses was when there was a special occasion. The shiny tan/crème colored silk dropped just above the knees with a bit of bunching at the bottom hem. The sleeves were the ¾ length with bunching right at the elbow to create a slight flare coming down the forearm. Finally, the whole piece was covered in black lace that ended just above the bunching on the hem and arms. It fit her beautifully and all Shiral needed to do was slip on a pair of shiny black pumps and grab her little black clutch. A jacket wouldn’t’ be necessary. The concert was indoors and she couldn’t imagine getting too cold inside. With a soft *pop* the witch was in New York and running into the theatre.

The show had already started. The red head could have cursed the man who held her behind in the shop. Shiral practically threw her tickets at the box office worker and burst through the doors at the back of the theatre. It wasn’t until she had stepped inside and let her heart open up to those tones that Shiral realized just how special a night this was. Danta Spadafora… Silas “Dante” Hawthorne…had taken his mother’s name… She couldn’t move. All the woman could do was stand at the top of the theatre’s long walkway and stare as the violin filled the air around her. With two breathless words, Shiral summed up her feelings. “Ygdrassil…Dante?”