Two is better than one ((tag: Conrad))
by Kellen Mormont
The feast, and consequently first day back, seemed like it took weeks to get through. Kellen was glad to be back though; away from his step brother, back with his friend, and finally able to practice magic again. He was glad he’d been able to catch up with Farrah at the feast, and go over everything from summers to his biggest fear. She was amazing, and Kellen was a little sad when he had to part ways with her. Not that he wouldn’t see her tomorrow or anything. As he entered his new second year dormitory, he noticed a second trunk in the room, which was curious considering he was the only Aladren boy in his year. He supposed it wasn’t impossible that someone else transferred into his year.
Kellen set about unpacking, and noticed a package his mom must have slipped into his trunk. He pulled it out and plopped himself down on the nearest bed as he unwrapped it. There was a note attached, but inside were carob chip cookies (no doubt from Mrs. Bailey next door, as his mom was a potioneer and not a baker) and a packet of caramels. The caramels, he knew, were infused with draught of peace potion to help with his anxiety. He tucked those back into his trunk and helped himself to a cookie as he unfolded the letter.
Kell, I know you’ve had a rough summer, but I want you to know that no matter what happens, I have your back. I love you so much, and am so proud of the man you are becoming! Stay strong, and know that I am only an owl away if you need me. I’ll see you soon for Christmas! Study hard. I love you to the moon! Mom
Kellen blinked hard to try and keep the tears back. He wondered what his mother would have thought about the display he’d made in MARS. He sighed and stuffed the note into his trunk as well. He’d have to write her about it later, but he already had an idea of what she was going to say. His mother was nothing, if not supportive. The second year took another bite of cookie and set the rest of the package on his bed as he turned his attention back to unpacking. He jumped slightly when the door to the room open, and he quickly turned to see who it was.
“Oh, hi, you must be my new roommate.” He said, wiping his face with the back of his hand to clear it of any remaining crumbs. “I’m Kellen, nice to meet you.”
5Kellen MormontTwo is better than one ((tag: Conrad))341Kellen Mormont15
His first day at Sonora had already ended. Conrad was now proud Aladren, but there had been the slight inconvenience of him being the only new blue boy in his year… as far as he knew, that was. Conrad was a bit scared of being in a house without housemates his own age, after all, being in a boarding school meant he would have had to share his room. No such luck. He couldnt room with girls. The new Aladren didn't know how to take this turn of events, but he had to put his best face on. He was at Sonora! He was out of Florida about to embark in the most exciting thing he had ever done - sad to think his most exciting adventure was school.
Conrad followed his new head of house, Professor Pye, towards the Aladren common room and dutifully made mental notes about how to reach his new living quarters. It was easy enough. The eleven-year old curiously looked around and smiled at his new surroundings. He could see people of every age coming and going around the room. The instructions given by Professor Pye were easy to remember and kind of logical. He didn't foresee any issues in the future.
However, when Conrad went looking for his room he got a surprise. He thought he would be sleeping by himself, but when he found his new room he saw that the room contained another bed with someone's luggage, and a boy unpacking his stuff. Conrad was a bit taken aback, but quickly got himself back together.
“Hi,” he said a bit quietly. “I thought I would be sleeping by myself,” He stated a bit more loudly. The blonde walked towards where his things were placed and sat on the bed contemplating the room. His day´s adrenaline had already subsided and he was exhausted.
“Sorry,” he apologized as soon as his brain realized the other boy had introduced himself. “I am Conrad Helms.” The eleven-year old smiled at Kellen. “Its very nice to meet you, Kellen.”
Conrad got out of his bed with a slight jump. He needed to unpack, but he was oh so tired BUT he needed his pjs to go to bed. The blonde opened his trunk and looked for what he needed for tonight and tomorrow. He could unpack another day.
“So, what can you tell me about Sonora?” he asked his new roommate while continued looking for the essentials.
Kellen wasn’t quite sure how to respond when Conrad said he’d thought he’d have the room to himself. Did he not want a roommate? He supposed that was a possibility, up until this moment, he hadn’t really thought about sharing a room either, but he didn’t hate the idea. It wasn’t illogical to assume that someone who had had their own room for 11 years wouldn’t be keen to share. Not that he knew anything about the other boy other than his name. It was more likely, however, that Conrad noticed he was the only blue boy at the Aladren table, so naturally, one would assume they’d have their own room. That had to have been the case. Kellen’s tired brain was over complicating things, he was sure of it.
“I was a little surprised too, but this works out. It’s kind of lonely having a huge room with so many beds all to yourself.” Kellen said with a shrug as he crossed the room to where Conrad was un packing. “Do you want a cookie? They’re carob chip...my mom is vegan. They aren’t bad though, I swear.” He asked, offer the younger boy the plate his mom had packed for him.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Conrad.” Kellen sat on the vacant bed next to Conrad’s and considered his question. He had only been at Sonora for half a term longer than the first year, so he wasn’t sure how much wisdom he actually had to impress upon him. “Well, Sonora has a great library.” He said with a slight smile. He’d spent a lot of time there last year, and he predicted that would be a trend that continued as he aged.
“Sonora has a lot to offer, if you’re into clubs and social type things. Overall, the people are pretty nice. There are obviously some who aren’t, but the numbers aren’t in their favor. The professors are all pretty cool. Though I can’t vouch for Professor Ammon, not that it’ll matter for a few years anyway.” He took another bite of cookie and chewed thoughtfully.
“The MARS rooms are worth checking out. I can’t say much about the gardens, but I hear they are neat too. What kind of stuff are you into?” Kellen asked, hoping that gauging the boy’s interests would help him explain more about Sonora. He was surprised by just how talkative he was feeling that particular evening. Usually he was the weird, quiet kid in the corner with a book, but there was something strangely energizing about this situation. Maybe it was because he felt like he needed to take Conrad under his wing. He wasn’t sure how much the younger boy would appreciate being his padawan, but Kellen was trying to be helpful. Besides, if he was going to share a room with Conrad, they may as well be on good terms.
The New Aladren looked at Kellen and his curious looking cookies, “No, thank you. I had a very large meal.” Conrad excused himself after hearing about vegan cookies. His mother had gone through a vegan phase and he couldn't really stomach anything vegan. It was so different than what he was used to eating. He preferred to stick to his own dietary needs and likes. The blonde yawned as he continued to fish out the things he would need for tomorrow. He was really tired. Conrad placed his pjs on his bed and sat down looking at Kellen.
The older boy started talking about he could expect from his new school. He smiled at the mention of the library, but even when Conrad loved learning and reading, he wanted to focus on being social. He had never been surrounded by so many people around his age, and that was amazing and daunting at the same time. Conrad wanted friends, Conrad wanted a normal childhood.
The Floridian took mental notes about the Professors and MARS rooms making sure to check them out when he had time. He had no idea what those rooms were supposed to do, maybe something awesome. Conrad smiled at Kellen.
“Sonora seems to have a lot to offer,” he proclaimed quite happy about the school he attended. Conrad yawned again and made himself comfortable in his own bed. The boy was laying down with his head looking at Kellen.
“I like reading, and I also like sports,” he answered the question directed at him. “My brothers and I used to play a lot of Quidditch back at our state, but we rarely played with other children,” he explained to the other boy. “We rarely left our state in Florida, at all.” he finished a little bit embarrassed.
“Do you like Quidditch?” Conrad returned the question. He wanted to know how the magical sport was organized at the school. He would need to think about joining the team, or maybe waiting until next year after he got used to his new life. ANd what a grand life he would make for himself at Sonora. His father had told him that he had everything in his hands to make this experience a very fruitful one.
Kellen shrugged off the fact that Conrad didn’t want any of his cookies. Sure, they were a little unconventional, but they really weren’t that bad. Besides, this just meant there would be more for him, and it couldn’t be said that he didn’t offer. He nodded in agreement when the younger boy mentioned that Sonora had a lot to offer. It really did, even if Kellen didn’t always take advantage. He wasn’t the most social of beings, so he was sure the school had things to offer in that respect as well, but he couldn’t really speak on them.
A smirk crossed Kellen’s lips when his roommate mentioned that he liked to read. That was a good sign, even though Conrad also revealed himself to be a sports fan, he was glad that they’d have something to talk about. “I’ve never really been an active follower of Quidditch. Or participant really, but that’s cool that you are. Maybe next year you should try out for the Aladren team.” He said, trying to be supportive of his roommate.
“I’m more of a book worm. Reading, studying, and then reading comics and stuff as well. So you’re from Florida, eh? I’ve never been, but I’ve heard it’s really humid there. And you have swamps and alligators.” Kellen didn’t have a vast amount of knowledge when it came to the state, but it seemed like crazy stuff always went down in Florida. They also supposedly had some pretty cool theme parks down there, but after reading about a muggle boy getting eaten by an alligator at the beach in Disneyland, Kellen was certain he never wanted to visit.
“How many brothers do you have?” He asked, as he helped himself to yet another cookie. “I’m an only child. Well...I guess technically I have a half brother and half sister. We don’t really claim each other though.” Kellen added, he was sure that it sounded a little...well...strange, but it was the truth. He preferred not to think about his life at his father’s house.
5KellenGlad we seem to be on the same page341Kellen05