Leo Ashborne

Backstory

I grew up in a small, quiet village in Ireland, right on the edge of an old forest so ancient the trees feel like they’re watching you. I was raised by my great-aunt Brigid—a retired curse-breaker with a wooden leg and a laugh that could knock books off shelves. My parents were magical naturalists, always off studying creatures in wild, hidden places. They vanished during an expedition to the Faerie Isles when I was just a baby. All they left behind was a strange glowing locket that’s never opened, no matter what spell I try.

Magic’s always been a part of my life. I accidentally lit the chimney with a sneeze once, and when a banshee showed up in our field, I sang to it until it fell asleep. Aunt Brigid wasn’t even surprised. When my Hogwarts letter arrived, it didn’t come by owl like everyone else’s. Instead, a raven made of smoke and starlight dropped it onto my bed. Brigid just chuckled, handed me my dad’s wand, and told me it was about time.

Now I’m at Hogwarts—and it’s incredible. The castle feels alive, and sometimes I think it’s whispering to me. I’ve already found a few hidden staircases, and once, I swear I saw a suit of armor bow at me. Mallow, my puffskein, never leaves my side and seems to know when something’s about to happen. He won’t sleep in the dormitory and growls at certain portraits, which is a little unnerving, honestly.

I don’t know what’s ahead, but I can feel something big waiting—something connected to my parents, the locket, maybe even this school. All I know is, I’m ready. I’m Leo Ashbourne, Gryffindor first-year. Let’s do this.