My first modded playthrough since after I got all the achievments! Been a lot of fun so far, especially with my completionist mindset finally lulled to sleep.
I gave myself the rule that I wasn't allowed to Time Skip (with a mod) unless I was in my Common Room (to mimic sleep... and to get some use out of actually going there). Ended up stuck outside and climbed a mountain while waiting the night out so that I could go to Hogsmeade. (Didn't want to try and sneak in after curfew cause the Prefects scare the hell out of me) Nice view. Would recommend. Had to take some pics at the top :D
Speaking of mods, modded has been a very different experience so far. I drag a companion with me everywhere I go, and even though they don't really do much, just having them there makes my imagination run wild and makes it all the more enjoyable.
For example, after the flying lesson, when Everett tells us to buy a broom, I immediately summoned him and decided that he was now showing me to the shop. Alas, we took a quick detour in the castle and it was as I was running past Garreth bombastic Weasley that I went "Hold on... Doesn't Garreth's quest take us to Hogsmeade?"
What followed was me being ECSTATIC that Everett actually joined us in the secret-but-not-short-shortcut. My first playthrough I had kinda just, rushed through it, but this time I had a blast. I kept falling down into the water accidentally and would lose my shit when I came to shore and would see Everett absoultely booking it to "check" in on me. I also just roleplayed some conversations between the MC and Everett throughout. (Everett is now scared of frogs. 100% not my fault)
The whole experience was what really sold me on how nice it is not to go at it solo all the time, and how nice modded is. My whole perception of the MC went from "manipulative psychopath" to "guy who will laugh after falling into water" and "will drop a frog down your shirt." Not being alone 90% of the time gives you time to flesh out the MC more in your mind - and their friendships. I adore this lil guy more than I ever loved my first MC, and I thought I loved that guy!
The rest of my playthrough has been similar si far. Truly a 10/10 experience.
(Sorry for the impromptu diary entry. Enjoy my mountain climbing pic)