<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"><div style="text-align: center;">August 25th, 2018</div></span></span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><div style="text-align: center;">King's Cross Station</div></span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF00FF"><div style="text-align: center;">Bernice Carmody Kerry</div></span></span></span><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;">Hogwarts Express. The sight of it, despite not being the first time, always made Bernice feel excited and happy. It was one of her fondest memories. Hogwarts had always been a second home, and very important parts of her life were tied to the school. She had met her beloved husband there. And two of her closest friends - Tiernan and Alex. And of course, she had learned that she was not strange, and that magic was something normal and good, to be used to help others. <br/><br/>Getting hired to teach, and to head her House, had been a great honor. And Bernice valued it highly, doing her best to be a good teacher, head of House, and counselor. It was a good life, after all. The school was safe, the students were learning, and everything was doing well, so far.<br/><br/>Not noticing Tiernan’s presence, the woman was still busy saying her farewells to her husband. Holding one of his hands and caressing the man’s face, the woman spoke softly to him. After some recommendations from side to side, and promises to write soon, the couple kissed lovingly and Bernice watched as Jonas made his way back to the regular part of the station. After some moments still watching the wall, she finally made her way into the train.<br/><br/>As per usual, the woman passed the occupied cabins greeting anyone she saw with a ‘good morning’, and stopping to engage in a quick talk should they prove receptive. She knew exactly which one she would take. The one Tiernan did, as she had full intention to fill the trip to the castle by catching up with her friend.</div><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Hogwarts</span></span></div><br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000FF">Angus Peters McAllister</span></div></span><br/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;">While the teachers prepared to reach the school, where they would have the next week or so to prepare everything for the beginning of the classes, the Headmaster and a few members of the staff - such as Alexander and Miss Carey, the young librarian - were already in the school grounds. <br/><br/>Headmaster McAllister knew his reasons to be there were that Hogwarts was the closest thing he had to a home. As for Alexander and Athanasia, he wasn’t so sure. The girl had mentioned something about being an orphan, though, and that was probably why she spent so much time in there. As for Alexander, Angus knew he had his parents, but he seemed to feel more comfortable in there, sometimes. Not that he minded, there was nothing he could complain about in having the staffers who felt safer in there stay around. Nothing bad could come of it, after all.<br/><br/>With these thoughts in mind, and humming softly, the man left his office. He stopped by the empty Hospital Wing, making sure everything seemed to be in order. Then, stopped by the library to say hello to Miss Carey, who, as usual, had her nose buried in a book.<br/><br/>As he made his way out to take a stroll outside, the man passed by Alexander. Noticing he didn’t seem in the best of moods, the Headmaster acknowledged the other man with a nod and a serious “good morning”. He knew better than to try and engage Alexander when he… didn’t seem like himself.<br/><br/>Making a mental note to check on the groundskeeper later on, the Headmaster finally stepped outside, breathing in some fresh air. The school year would start soon. And hopefully, it would be one more peaceful year, for everyone.</div>