Change of Heart

Fate's Unveiling

Anticipation gnawed at me, its grip intensifying with every passing second. Dark blotches loomed large, swirling through the room as I anxiously tugged at my shirt collar. Breathing became a struggle, each gasp of air a precious victory. My heart pounded in my ears, overpowering the train's blaring horn and the excited murmurs from neighboring compartments. Fists clenched, my palms grew clammy, and sweat slicked my skin as the train came to a gradual halt. The leather seats slipped beneath my grip, a testament to my building unease. At long last, the journey's end was upon me.

My legs wobbled like jelly the moment I Oi stood, blood rushing to my feet. With a determined grip on the door handle, sensation returned, allowing me to exit the compartment and merge into the sea of first years flooding the platform. A familiar figure caught my peripheral vision – my brother, standing tall amidst a cluster of emerald robes at the platform's peak. Navigating the bustling crowd, I elbowed my way through, dragging Elara's bird cage, careful not to snag anyone's robes. As I pressed forward, mistaking an obstacle for a wall, I found myself unexpectedly halted.

As I glanced up, I found myself meeting the gaze of a half-giant. His colossal coat, woven from thick animal fur, cascaded over his towering eight-foot frame, capable of doubling as an excellent tent. His features were partially obscured by an unkempt, scruffy beard and tangled, brown bangs, yet nothing could hide his rosy cheeks and pleased grin. His palm alone was as large as my face, his fingers capable of wrapping around my head. His skin was coarse, punctuated by small scabs, yet a sense of warmth radiated from them as he gripped one of the few platform light sources. "Sir, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," I offered my apology, bowing my head and flowing with the crowd's movement in the direction he indicated, my sight of Ludovic slipping away.

After a ten-minute trek along a dirt path, we reached a wooden pier lined with boats. Eagerly, they bobbed up and down, ready to welcome us. "All right, six a' boat!" the half-giant's voice boomed, prompting the boats to fill up rapidly with enthusiastic first years. The excitement in the air was almost suffocating, but I shifted my focus to the dark water, appreciating the delicate glimmers dancing across its surface from the boat stationed far down the pier.

However, a hushed murmur of voices yanked me from my reverie, and three exuberant smiles greeted me at the boat's edge. "Do you mind if we join you?" one of the girls gathered her courage to ask. Her eyes widened in anticipation of my response. I nodded and shifted towards the stern of the boat, making room for them to come aboard. The girl's eyes held an allure as captivating as the deep Mediterranean Sea, especially when she sat bathed in the moon's gentle glow. Her mesmerizing blue gaze contrasted splendidly against her olive complexion and flowed seamlessly with her silky brown hair cascading over her shoulders. Freckles adorned her nose and cheeks like constellations, drawing attention to the faint scar just above her upper lip.

"Hello," she beamed, her voice full of warmth. "I'm Rachel Alger, and these are my friends, Thomas Bardot and Scarlett Colby." Her finger extended subtly towards the two figures beside her. Although they remained somewhat in the shadow, their distinct features still managed to emerge. Among them, Thomas Bardot shone with a vibrant energy, his brown eyes sparkling even in the dim light, reminiscent of stars against the night sky. His afro was a well-maintained sphere, a deep darkness that mirrored the waters below, giving his hair a mesmerizing volume. In stark contrast, Scarlett Colby exuded a serene air, her eyes as pale as winter icicles that dangled from rooftops. Her hair, an ashy blonde akin to the sand that graced Brighton's beaches, was elegantly drawn back into a ponytail, held by two neatly woven braids.

"I'm Olympia, Olympia Warwick," I said curtly, my smile forced as I extended my hand to all three passengers. Their smiles widened, their enthusiasm grating on my nerves, and I found myself shaking hands more forcefully with Scarlett. Just then, the boat began to move, its gentle swaying irritating my already frayed patience. As we glided across the water, I reluctantly directed my gaze to the far end of the lake, where a grand castle crowned a hill, flanked by imposing towers. The courtyard was awash in torchlight, and tiny dots of yellow outlined the castle's grandeur. While everyone else seemed captivated by the spectacle, I could feel a knot of discomfort twisting in my stomach, making me increasingly ill at ease.