unknown

Chapter 1

Lucy Hawthorne had carefully crafted a vision for her sixth year at Hogwarts, one she imagined would be both uncomplicated and fulfilling. With the majestic castle rising around her, she pictured herself thriving in its enchanting halls.

Her plan was straightforward yet ambitious: she was determined to immerse herself fully in her studies, poring over thick tomes in the library filled with the scent of aged parchment and ink. She longed to keep her grades high, ensuring that her efforts would pay off in the end. When she wasn't buried in her books, she found solace in the greenhouses, where vibrant plants cascaded from shelves and the earthy scent of soil combined with the sweetness of flowers. It was there that she felt most at home, often losing track of time as she nurtured her favorite herbs and flowers.

Baking with the house elves in the bustling kitchen was another cherished escape. She adored sneaking away from her routine to whip up cakes and pastries, giggling with the elves as flour filled the air and warm aromas wafted through the corridors. Each treat was a small victory, a momentary respite from the pressures of her academic life.

Most importantly, she needed to survive the grueling Potions lessons taught by the often intimidating Professor Snape, whose sharp gaze seemed to miss nothing and whose expectations were always set impossibly high. The thought of navigating his intricate lessons filled her with a mix of dread and determination. Ultimately, her goal was clear: she wanted to don her graduation robes and leave Hogwarts with glowing recommendations and a sense of accomplishment.

Adventure was not on her radar; it felt too chaotic and unpredictable. Love, on the other hand, seemed like something out of a fairytale, wonderful but ultimately unattainable and not on her agenda.

So, when her phone vibrated on the wooden desk beside her with a message from an unknown number on that gloomy Thursday night, the rain pattering softly against the window, she hesitated, her finger hovering over the screen. The temptation to ignore the message was strong, but something, a flicker of curiosity, held her still.

UNKNOWN

| are you awake?

LUCY

| i think you have the wrong number :)

UNKNOWN

| ...

| i don't think i do.

LUCY

| i'm pretty sure i'd remember giving my number to someone 😭

UNKNOWN

| maybe.

| but i don't remember asking for it either.

Lucy couldn't suppress the smile that spread across her face as she read the message on her screen. There was something delightfully amusing about the sender's words, a playful tone that sparked her curiosity. She leaned back in her chair, the soft light from her desk lamp illuminating the cozy room around her, and felt her heart lift at the thought of interacting with someone who could bring a moment of joy to her day. Gathering her thoughts, she tapped her fingers lightly against the keyboard, contemplating how best to respond to this charming stranger who had caught her attention.