"she's always preferred sunrises
over sunsets...
she likes beginnings."
– butterflies rising

"Kira." Ava called across the empty hall, filled by none other than herself and Kira.

Kira turned around to face Ava. She smiled once she saw who had called her. "Morning Ava! Quite a lovely morning, don't you think?" Kira whispered cheerily.

Ava rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Of course. If you count being up at 4:00am on a Saturday morning, lovely."

Kira grinned, "Glad you agree! Now hurry yourself, we'll miss the sunrise." She whipped around and set off towards the castle grounds. Ava begrudgingly followed closely behind. She knew not to question Kira as she would not be getting any reasonable answers from her.

Kira and Ava stood side by side watching as the sun rose from behind the mountains situated behind Hogwarts. The sun rose from the mountain side and disappeared behind the trees of the Forbidden Forest every day.

Not once has Kira missed it.

The birds started their daily morning song, while the animals and creatures surrounding the school awoke from their slumber. The slight wind rustled the leaves of the trees and nothing else was heard but the steady breathing of the two girls and nature's beauty.

Kira stood with a smile on her face, content as she watched the sunset. Ava smiled softly to herself at the sight of her best friend so happy.

Kira rarely smiled in public. She only ever allowed small smiles as greetings to passing learners and professors. The infamous pureblood smile. Polite and welcoming, yet cold and powerful. It was taught to every respected pureblood from a young age.

Ava knew that Kira was a very private person. Kira knew she was selfish. She didn't let anyone in besides Ava, and of course Irene. Her brothers were still too young to talk to about most things.

Ava believed that Kira, as selfish as she may seem, was actually a very caring person. She proved this in the way she helped and supported Ava through everything and the way she cared for her brothers, especially Thomas when he started his first year.

Very rarely did Kira ever smile a true smile, and seeing her so happy made Ava even happier. Yes Kira did smile when it was just them, she laughed and joked and had fun, but now, it was something so small that made her happy, something so little. Something she would not dare show in public.

The bustling sound of students wandering the corridors before heading to breakfast could be heard from all over the castle. Ava had long gone back to the dorms after the sun had risen.

Kira, however, chose to explore the castle once again. She discovered a secret passageway leading to Honeydukes in Hogsmeade, one she had somehow missed. She did not think she would ever have found another passageway but the castle kept proving her wrong.

Kira chose a shortcut as her route to the Great Hall. This allowed her an extra 10 minutes of breakfast.

Ava sat in her usual spot at the Ravenclaw table waiting for her best friend to arrive. Shortly after, Kira walked through the doors and strolled down the walkways between the tables. She glanced at those around her and she took in her surroundings. Her gaze finally laid upon Ava. She sat down across from her and dished up her breakfast.

After a while the owls burst in with their weekly mail. Kira's eyes searched the sea of owls for her family's own one. Her search proved fruitless.

Ava groaned slightly in complaint as she read through her letter. Kira looked up to see a panicking Ava.

"Ava, are you okay?" Kira asked gently.

Ava looked up from her letter and nodded slightly. Kira reached forward and puts her hand over Ava's forearm. She raised her eyebrow slightly in question, as she tried to get Ava to talk to her.

Kira grabbed some tea from across the table and poured herself and Ava a cup of warm tea.

Kira handed her the tea, "Drink, it'll help."

Ava nodded slowly and took a sip.

Kira worried greatly for her friend. She wanted to know what was causing Ava such distress. She hated the feeling of being useless in a situation. She hated not knowing what was going on.

After what seemed like hours, Ava finally spoke. "My parents are planning an arranged marriage for me," she choked out.

Kira gasped out. She knew how much this affected Ava. She definitely did not want to be married off herself, but to be married off to someone you could never fall in love with would be torture. Ava could never fall in love with whoever her parents arranged for her to be with. For surely they would be a man.

And she was not heterosexual.

Ava came to the realization late into their fourth year. She had never felt attracted to any males, but rather to a few girls.

Kira supported her wholeheartedly. Of course it took a while to get used to though, she was new to different sexualities. Her parents made sure to keep her well away from that. That did not stop her from trying to learn all about it and help her best friend in any way she could.

This is when Kira first started to notice that her parents teachings were not always the best. Yes, maybe the manners, lessons of etiquette, and endless teachings of French were quite useful, but being taught to put others beneath you because of their partner or sexual preference was wrong.

Kira took Ava in her arms and held her tight. "It'll be okay Ava. Maybe you can tell them? They might understand." Kira muttered reassurances. She has never been good at comforting people despite her best interests.

Ava pulled away. She had tears in her eyes as she spoke. "Kira! You know how my parents are! They aren't going to accept me. I know that and I have accepted it." Her voice got quieter as she spoke until it was merely a whisper, "they want me to marry Rhys Avery."

No. They couldn't. Ava deserves far better than a cruel person like him. He will never allow her to be who she is, they barely get along as it is.

"Ava you'll be okay. You're strong and I believe in you. I know that you will be okay. Avery may be a foul excuse for a human but he wouldn't harm you or out you. It'll put a stain in his reputation too, and I know he's not as stupid as he looks." Kira spoke.

Ava giggled through her tears. "You're right. He's far worse." She grinned and wiped her eyes. Her eyes were bloodshot and red from all the crying.

Kira chuckled. Her best friend would be okay. Or Merlin help the poor fool who tries to prevent that.

She looked at her best friend. Her second sister. Her one source of happiness on the darkest of days. Her encouragement to keep going when she thinks she can no longer go any further.

No one loved Kira as fiercely as Ava did, and Kira would be damned if anyone loved Ava more than her.

The two girls sat together, in their dorm room, chatting happily. They chose to sit together on one bed as they talked about boys and girls, books and school, and even Hogwarts latest gossip. Who knew Lily Evans would ever start talking to James Potter like a normal person? Kira expected it but not so soon into the year.

Ava leaned against her pillows and sighed. Kira looked up at her, expecting her to say something.

Finally, she did. "I'm hungry." She said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

Kira rolled her eyes and laughed. Of course she was. Ava could eat a whale with how hungry she always was.

"You always are." Kira smiled fondly at her and handed her a bar of chocolate.

Ava grinned a thanks and ate the chocolate. Kira continued reading. Though she was not concerned with what was happening in the book.

Her parents have still not written to her. Her brother has not mentioned anything either.
She will have to write to her sister and ask if she has heard anything from them, she thought.

Kira shook her thoughts away. She was worrying too much. They would write when they could.

She just hoped it would be soon.

She decided that she will write to her sister if they have not replied by tomorrow. For her brother's sake of course. The poor boy has been worrying himself sick because he has not heard from them.

There is always a routine within the Rose household and now that it has been broken it has caused some worry, and not just for Thomas. Kira herself has been anxiously awaiting their reply. She hoped it was nothing serious and they merely forgot or did not receive the letter.

Though she knew deep down, her mother would never forget to write.

She did not let it bother her and quickly fell back into the routine of speaking to Ava to distract herself.