Incipimus Iterum

Florence James & Open.

⚠ none.

Quiet Contemplations

The Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts stands tall and proud, with its windows offering a breathtaking view of the castle grounds and the starry sky above. But tonight, the atmosphere is different. The normally peaceful and serene tower is alive with the sounds of music and laughter, and the air is thick with the scent of sweat and alcohol.

The enchanted candles that normally cast a gentle glow over the tower have been extinguished, replaced by flickering torches that cast long shadows across the room. The decorations are sparse, but the atmosphere is lively nonetheless. The tables are scattered with empty bottles and half-eaten snacks, and students huddle together in small groups, trying to be heard above the revelry. The music blares from a battered old record player in one corner, drowning out the sounds of the night sky outside.

This is one of the many unsanctioned student parties that seem to be cropping up as the school year draws to an end. The seventh years who are readying themselves to go out in the world, making the most of their last couple of months at Hogwarts. The atmosphere is charged with excitement and just a hint of danger, with some students nervously glancing over their shoulders to make sure they aren't caught by a teacher or a prefect. In reality, if any of them truly believes that their quietening charms are enough to keep the Headmaster from knowing what's going on in his school? They do not know Albus Dumbledore at all.

Despite the risks, the students are determined to have a good time. Some dance wildly, their bodies moving to the beat of the music, while others sit on the floor, sharing stories and passing around a bottle of firewhiskey. The Astronomy Tower has become a secret hideaway for these rebellious students, a place where they can let loose and forget about the rules and regulations that govern their lives at Hogwarts. Or the increasing number of concerning reports that grace the pages of the Daily Prophet, in a world they will soon be thrust into.