27 Mar 2018, 05:53
Colds hands, warm hearts
Snow had fallen rather late in the year, but Hogwarts had numbed Ben's surprise towards anything strange. If it wasn't magical, it sure felt that way. It was the perfect snowfall. The powder was wet as one might expect in spring on the highlands, and it was deep enough to form snowmen, have snowball fights, make forts, or lose yourself in a snow angel. Ben grew up loving the occasional snowstorm so this was pure magical joy to the young Ravenclaw. Part of him wished he had an iPhone to snap a photo to send his parents. It was later in the year now and he started to miss them slightly. Despite the magical adventure with amazing people, he still wanted to see his family come summertime.
One person made everything at Hogwarts better. Even his struggles were fun when she was around. Ben was happy despite the crazy new life he was living. Bloom's companionship was something he would easily treasure the rest of his life no matter how things ended up down the road. The eleven year old Scottish lad didn't think too far ahead, but he didn't want to be apart. Their short relationship thus far had changed him, in good ways and perhaps in bad ways as well.
"This is great!" Ben stated simply, his excitement showing as the two exited the castle onto the snowy grounds. "Have you ever seen such a perfect snow?"
Ben's grin stretched across his face as he turned to look at Bloom. His thick jacket was on for the first time all year and he looked a bit silly in it. It was most certainly a bit too big for him but he knew no spells, if they existed, to fix that. The first thing he did when they hit the snow was to pick up a handful of snow, compact it into a ball, and toss it ahead of them into nothingness. It was moist, compact-able snow just as Ben thought.
"It's beautiful out here..," he trailed off, offering his hand to Bloom so they could walk while holding hands. "Thanks for coming out with me."
I hope she isn't too upset about me stepping down... It was our biggest time together. Maybe this date will make up for it.
Part of the reason for the date to the frozen lake was to explain himself. The other part was, the two had not had a proper date since they got together. It had been patrols, hospital wing visits, and classes. Not exactly romantic, but Hogwarts didn't have the movies or anything to go to for such a thing. This was as good as it could get. Not that he could complain about how nice it was. He was truly struck by the beauty and perfection of the recent snowstorm.
One person made everything at Hogwarts better. Even his struggles were fun when she was around. Ben was happy despite the crazy new life he was living. Bloom's companionship was something he would easily treasure the rest of his life no matter how things ended up down the road. The eleven year old Scottish lad didn't think too far ahead, but he didn't want to be apart. Their short relationship thus far had changed him, in good ways and perhaps in bad ways as well.
"This is great!" Ben stated simply, his excitement showing as the two exited the castle onto the snowy grounds. "Have you ever seen such a perfect snow?"
Ben's grin stretched across his face as he turned to look at Bloom. His thick jacket was on for the first time all year and he looked a bit silly in it. It was most certainly a bit too big for him but he knew no spells, if they existed, to fix that. The first thing he did when they hit the snow was to pick up a handful of snow, compact it into a ball, and toss it ahead of them into nothingness. It was moist, compact-able snow just as Ben thought.
"It's beautiful out here..," he trailed off, offering his hand to Bloom so they could walk while holding hands. "Thanks for coming out with me."
I hope she isn't too upset about me stepping down... It was our biggest time together. Maybe this date will make up for it.
Part of the reason for the date to the frozen lake was to explain himself. The other part was, the two had not had a proper date since they got together. It had been patrols, hospital wing visits, and classes. Not exactly romantic, but Hogwarts didn't have the movies or anything to go to for such a thing. This was as good as it could get. Not that he could complain about how nice it was. He was truly struck by the beauty and perfection of the recent snowstorm.
Ben Eckenrode -https://www.hogwarts.io/viewtopic.php?f=169&t=381
27 Mar 2018, 06:38
Colds hands, warm hearts
It was something special to have some time with Ben. Typically, the two would often just be with each other during their rounds at night, and never was there a time they could be together and get to know each other from a different perspective. When Ben had asked Bloom to join him on an outing, Bloom was excited.
Dressed in her uniform, she added thick black stockings to keep her legs warm and a thick winters coat that she bought in Diagon Alley thanks to her parents. Unfortunately, her parents were unable to afford a lot, so her multiple uniforms are her only outfits at Hogwarts. The add-ons were a gift from her father to wish her luck as Bloom was the first of his children to go to Hogwarts, where he went when he was younger. In a way, she was glad to be Prefect as she not only earned scholarship, but job currency as well. It was a perfect opportunity for her to save up for anything she wanted.
Bundling up in the thick coat, Bloom held Ben's warm hand. Her brown eyes smiling at the perfectly crisp, white snow that was in front of them. She slight leaned against Ben, her other hand holding his arm. "It's beautiful," she confirmed. Bloom remembered her snowy days at home. During the first falls of snow, Bloom and her family would be out to enjoy the weather. Snowball fights, snowman making and even an attempt of making an igloo would fill up their day. It was the first time Bloom was experiencing snow romantically.
The surprise outing from Ben made Bloom happy. Since he stepped down from Prefect, she had not seen him often. Their schedules were a bit messed up during the weekday. She was excited to have that special time with him, especially after everything that happened with Reid in the potions room. She needed to remind herself that Ben is the one that is truly for her.
"I wouldn't miss a chance to be with you," she smiled, squeezing his hand and arm. "What are we doing out here?" she asked, wondering what he had planned for them on their outing.
Dressed in her uniform, she added thick black stockings to keep her legs warm and a thick winters coat that she bought in Diagon Alley thanks to her parents. Unfortunately, her parents were unable to afford a lot, so her multiple uniforms are her only outfits at Hogwarts. The add-ons were a gift from her father to wish her luck as Bloom was the first of his children to go to Hogwarts, where he went when he was younger. In a way, she was glad to be Prefect as she not only earned scholarship, but job currency as well. It was a perfect opportunity for her to save up for anything she wanted.
Bundling up in the thick coat, Bloom held Ben's warm hand. Her brown eyes smiling at the perfectly crisp, white snow that was in front of them. She slight leaned against Ben, her other hand holding his arm. "It's beautiful," she confirmed. Bloom remembered her snowy days at home. During the first falls of snow, Bloom and her family would be out to enjoy the weather. Snowball fights, snowman making and even an attempt of making an igloo would fill up their day. It was the first time Bloom was experiencing snow romantically.
The surprise outing from Ben made Bloom happy. Since he stepped down from Prefect, she had not seen him often. Their schedules were a bit messed up during the weekday. She was excited to have that special time with him, especially after everything that happened with Reid in the potions room. She needed to remind herself that Ben is the one that is truly for her.
"I wouldn't miss a chance to be with you," she smiled, squeezing his hand and arm. "What are we doing out here?" she asked, wondering what he had planned for them on their outing.
Stamina - 10| Evasion - 11| Strength - 10| Wisdom - 11| ArcPower - 10 | Accuracy - 11
28 Mar 2018, 06:05
Colds hands, warm hearts
Ben smiled as the pair moved out into the snow further. He guided Bloom in the general direction of the lake but took his time going along. The pair truly had not spent time together as mentioned so he wanted to savor it, for now. The ex-prefect wanted to explain himself to Bloom because he was nearly certain she had not been told why. At least she had not said anything about it yet.
"I wanted to spend time with you, that's what we're doing." His smile turned to a smirk after he spoke, teasing his girlfriend. "Did you hear why I stepped down?"
The probing question would help determine if she knew, if she was mad, and what he should say next. Though from first view she seemed happy so he was not extremely worried. Things had been weird between them lately though so it was hard to tell for sure. There was still tension with Reid, and he knew she was still good friends with him. Too good of friends for his taste even. He was trying to be better than that but his eleven year old brain didn't always cooperate nor did his heart.
Bloom, I stepped down for you... he thought to himself, wondering if it was fully the correct choice to do. If they stayed together at least in the short term it felt right, but Ben knew relationships didn't always last. How long did they need to be a couple for it to be worth losing Prefect? One day? One year? He wasn't sure if he would be bitter later or not but he had acted on emotion.
"I wanted to spend time with you, that's what we're doing." His smile turned to a smirk after he spoke, teasing his girlfriend. "Did you hear why I stepped down?"
The probing question would help determine if she knew, if she was mad, and what he should say next. Though from first view she seemed happy so he was not extremely worried. Things had been weird between them lately though so it was hard to tell for sure. There was still tension with Reid, and he knew she was still good friends with him. Too good of friends for his taste even. He was trying to be better than that but his eleven year old brain didn't always cooperate nor did his heart.
Bloom, I stepped down for you... he thought to himself, wondering if it was fully the correct choice to do. If they stayed together at least in the short term it felt right, but Ben knew relationships didn't always last. How long did they need to be a couple for it to be worth losing Prefect? One day? One year? He wasn't sure if he would be bitter later or not but he had acted on emotion.
Ben Eckenrode -https://www.hogwarts.io/viewtopic.php?f=169&t=381
28 Mar 2018, 06:43
Colds hands, warm hearts
The question finally came up. Bloom remembered the night where she was notified that Ben was to step down as Prefect and she was to work with another Ravenclaw first year by the name of Reed Wesley. The worst part of it all, was that his name. It could have been any other name in the book, but it had to be the one that matched her hidden uncontrollable crush.
"No, I wasn't told why you left. I was just told you stepped down and the same night I did rounds with Reed Wesley," she answered. What was the reason as to why he stepped down? Did the professors find out that they were dating and wanted to separate them? But why choose him to step down and not her? What made her so special? Was it because she was in need of the scholarship? Bloom's mind would not stop with the questions.
"It's not because we're dating, is it?" she asked, the specific question echoing in her mind the most. That would have to be the only reason as to why they were not working together. It has to be, she thought. Looking a bit sad, she waited for his answer.
"No, I wasn't told why you left. I was just told you stepped down and the same night I did rounds with Reed Wesley," she answered. What was the reason as to why he stepped down? Did the professors find out that they were dating and wanted to separate them? But why choose him to step down and not her? What made her so special? Was it because she was in need of the scholarship? Bloom's mind would not stop with the questions.
"It's not because we're dating, is it?" she asked, the specific question echoing in her mind the most. That would have to be the only reason as to why they were not working together. It has to be, she thought. Looking a bit sad, she waited for his answer.
Stamina - 10| Evasion - 11| Strength - 10| Wisdom - 11| ArcPower - 10 | Accuracy - 11
28 Mar 2018, 07:03
Colds hands, warm hearts
It seemed Bloom did not have the exact answer, but she opened with a question aimed right for the heart. He had no intention of lying to her. Ben swallowed hard when she said it, not expecting the hard honest question so quickly. He couldn't even look her directly in the eyes as he spoke. Luckily, he kept them walking so it didn't seem like he was avoiding her. In truth he had been approached by a teacher just the other day who apparently was in charge of Ravenclaw prefects. Blevins he thought her name was maybe.
"To be honest, Bloom..," he trailed off at first, fighting back emotions. "It is. We were reported and a teacher asked me about it... our head of house? She said I shouldn't be dating my fellow prefect especially at our age..."
Ben stared off into the snowy distance, looking to the frozen lake. He felt cold inside now, but Bloom's hand still felt like a comforting warmth pulling him closer. Hopefully he would get over this soon. It wasn't that he got reported that upset him the most. It was who did the reporting. The Professor told him the Head Boy had reported the inappropriate relationship. Why would his friend betray him like this? Did they have a thing going too? Was he jealous? Was it just duty?
Was it really him at all? I don't know...
"Instead of breaking us up or making you step down, I did." he added on after a moment. "You seem to really enjoy the role and I didn't want to take it from you when you're better at it. And I obviously didn't want to split up."
I don't want to split up, right? If she is with Reid what do I do?
"To be honest, Bloom..," he trailed off at first, fighting back emotions. "It is. We were reported and a teacher asked me about it... our head of house? She said I shouldn't be dating my fellow prefect especially at our age..."
Ben stared off into the snowy distance, looking to the frozen lake. He felt cold inside now, but Bloom's hand still felt like a comforting warmth pulling him closer. Hopefully he would get over this soon. It wasn't that he got reported that upset him the most. It was who did the reporting. The Professor told him the Head Boy had reported the inappropriate relationship. Why would his friend betray him like this? Did they have a thing going too? Was he jealous? Was it just duty?
Was it really him at all? I don't know...
"Instead of breaking us up or making you step down, I did." he added on after a moment. "You seem to really enjoy the role and I didn't want to take it from you when you're better at it. And I obviously didn't want to split up."
I don't want to split up, right? If she is with Reid what do I do?
Ben Eckenrode -https://www.hogwarts.io/viewtopic.php?f=169&t=381
28 Mar 2018, 07:29
Colds hands, warm hearts
Walking down a path in the snow, Bloom felt saddened. She had guessed right. His reason for stepping down was involuntary and it was because they were together. Bloom stopped in her tracks, hoping that Ben would do the same and looked at her boyfriend. Her eyes became glassier than usual. She was both disappointed and saddened that the same time. How could this have happened? They were so careful about how they were together. Who would have said something?
"But we were careful... We didn't show any sign that we were dating in public," she said with irritation. Was it when she was in the Hospital Wing? Did the nurse say something that went back to their Head of House when they spent that little amount of time together? Bloom wanted to scream.
Who could it be? she cried to herself.
His reasoning touched Bloom's heart. She was thankful that he sacrificed himself, but she was still saddened that it had to come to his conclusion. As a side, he also made sure to do whatever it took for them to be together. Bloom couldn't help but to have a few tears fall from her eyes. Her cheeks, trailed with the tears began to feel cold from the winter cold. She took her free hand that was holding against his arm and wiped her face.
Even though he had done all of this, where did that leave her? Was she on watch now by the Head of House? Her saddness began to turn to anger. She wanted to know who outed them out.
"Do you know who told Professor Blevins?" she asked, wondering if Ben knew the answer to the question.
"But we were careful... We didn't show any sign that we were dating in public," she said with irritation. Was it when she was in the Hospital Wing? Did the nurse say something that went back to their Head of House when they spent that little amount of time together? Bloom wanted to scream.
Who could it be? she cried to herself.
His reasoning touched Bloom's heart. She was thankful that he sacrificed himself, but she was still saddened that it had to come to his conclusion. As a side, he also made sure to do whatever it took for them to be together. Bloom couldn't help but to have a few tears fall from her eyes. Her cheeks, trailed with the tears began to feel cold from the winter cold. She took her free hand that was holding against his arm and wiped her face.
Even though he had done all of this, where did that leave her? Was she on watch now by the Head of House? Her saddness began to turn to anger. She wanted to know who outed them out.
"Do you know who told Professor Blevins?" she asked, wondering if Ben knew the answer to the question.
Stamina - 10| Evasion - 11| Strength - 10| Wisdom - 11| ArcPower - 10 | Accuracy - 11
28 Mar 2018, 07:42
Colds hands, warm hearts
A chill went through Ben's spine when she stopped and turned to him. Was she upset with him? He briefly freaked out until she seemed mad at the situation not him. Still cautious, Ben stopped with her and looked her in the eyes finally. His own tears he had been fighting trying to escape as well. He hated crying, it wasn't manly at all. Bloom made him happy but she sure could take away his man card, as his dad would say.
"We were... but..," he paused, debating internally what to do. "We were spotted. It's okay though. I will be fine. You will too, right?"
Ben tried to force a smile, and it mostly worked. His insides were twisting as he considered what to tell Bloom. Did he tell the truth about Reid reporting them? That would ruin either their relationship, Reid and Bloom's relationship, or both. Did he hold the info hostage and use it against them? That seemed petty and Ben did not like the sounds of that, but it crossed his mind. What if Reid didn't do it and he said it? That would be pain for nothing. Ben just did not know what to do, so he didn't answer the question. Not at first, anyways.
If I forget to answer the second question... maybe she will forget? No... I have to tell her... AGH!
"Well, she didn't give a name." he started, almost backing out of telling her. "She simply said it was the Head Boy... which... well... is Reid... isn't it?"
"We were... but..," he paused, debating internally what to do. "We were spotted. It's okay though. I will be fine. You will too, right?"
Ben tried to force a smile, and it mostly worked. His insides were twisting as he considered what to tell Bloom. Did he tell the truth about Reid reporting them? That would ruin either their relationship, Reid and Bloom's relationship, or both. Did he hold the info hostage and use it against them? That seemed petty and Ben did not like the sounds of that, but it crossed his mind. What if Reid didn't do it and he said it? That would be pain for nothing. Ben just did not know what to do, so he didn't answer the question. Not at first, anyways.
If I forget to answer the second question... maybe she will forget? No... I have to tell her... AGH!
"Well, she didn't give a name." he started, almost backing out of telling her. "She simply said it was the Head Boy... which... well... is Reid... isn't it?"
Ben Eckenrode -https://www.hogwarts.io/viewtopic.php?f=169&t=381
28 Mar 2018, 08:01
Colds hands, warm hearts
The whites of her chocolate brown eyes expanded. She was beyond shocked that the news of their relationship was outed by none other than Reid Kovacs. Bloom did not know what to feel. Should she be sad? Mad? Frustrated? Her emotions were running high with what she would do the next time she saw him.
Without realizing it, Bloom was squeezing Ben's hand. She was staring off into space, looking ahead and just thinking about why he would so such a thing? What was his reasoning to share her relationship with Ben? She always found him to be so nice and caring-- one of the many reasons why she had a crush on him from the beginning. But now? He was terrible.
"I can't believe he would do that," she muttered to herself, loud enough for Ben to hear. She was out of words. "He knew how important you were to me. Why would he do that?" she asked, her mind racing as to why Reid would open his mouth and make her life miserable. What Ben and Bloom had was special: to be patrolling together with the feeling that they were on top of the world.
Bloom looked back at Ben, nodding. "I'll be fine, sure, but I find this unfair. Who is he to tell a professor about our business?" Bloom paused after her question. Unless..., she began her thoughts.
What if he truly did like her? What if he did not know how to show it and the way for him to keep her for himself was to rat them out like this? That could only be the reason, right? she thought, but why would he go to such lengths? Couldn't he just tell me he liked me?
Without realizing it, Bloom was squeezing Ben's hand. She was staring off into space, looking ahead and just thinking about why he would so such a thing? What was his reasoning to share her relationship with Ben? She always found him to be so nice and caring-- one of the many reasons why she had a crush on him from the beginning. But now? He was terrible.
"I can't believe he would do that," she muttered to herself, loud enough for Ben to hear. She was out of words. "He knew how important you were to me. Why would he do that?" she asked, her mind racing as to why Reid would open his mouth and make her life miserable. What Ben and Bloom had was special: to be patrolling together with the feeling that they were on top of the world.
Bloom looked back at Ben, nodding. "I'll be fine, sure, but I find this unfair. Who is he to tell a professor about our business?" Bloom paused after her question. Unless..., she began her thoughts.
What if he truly did like her? What if he did not know how to show it and the way for him to keep her for himself was to rat them out like this? That could only be the reason, right? she thought, but why would he go to such lengths? Couldn't he just tell me he liked me?
Stamina - 10| Evasion - 11| Strength - 10| Wisdom - 11| ArcPower - 10 | Accuracy - 11
29 Mar 2018, 16:15
Colds hands, warm hearts
A slight cringe crossed Ben's face when Bloom squeezed his hand just a bit too hard. She was obviously upset, but for what? Ben suspected there were lingering feelings and her reaction didn't seem to help him much. He had not seen or heard of anything beyond Bloom's own word, and he wanted to trust her, but he saw Reid around her too often to be content. His doubts were spinning inside his brain but Ben kept an outward appearance of stability for now.
"I don't know, I've been spinning it in my head ever since I found out..." Ben squeezed her hand back finally, hoping to be comforting if that was even possible. "The logical part of me wants to say it's a mistake, but... I'm not sure."
A mistake.. or... he wants her for himself.
"I for one won't let it ruin us." his confidence was fake, and the tone likely still a bit dry. "Shall we keep going?"
The question was not meant as a deep relationship continuance question. He really did mean to keep walking through the snow but in context he realized the possible double meaning. Hopefully she said yes either way. Ben did not want to let this change hurt him more than it already had so far. A day in the beautiful snow with Bloom could still be wonderful. This was just getting the ugly out first.
"I don't know, I've been spinning it in my head ever since I found out..." Ben squeezed her hand back finally, hoping to be comforting if that was even possible. "The logical part of me wants to say it's a mistake, but... I'm not sure."
A mistake.. or... he wants her for himself.
"I for one won't let it ruin us." his confidence was fake, and the tone likely still a bit dry. "Shall we keep going?"
The question was not meant as a deep relationship continuance question. He really did mean to keep walking through the snow but in context he realized the possible double meaning. Hopefully she said yes either way. Ben did not want to let this change hurt him more than it already had so far. A day in the beautiful snow with Bloom could still be wonderful. This was just getting the ugly out first.
Ben Eckenrode -https://www.hogwarts.io/viewtopic.php?f=169&t=381
29 Mar 2018, 19:19
Colds hands, warm hearts
Extremely peeved, she needed to pretend that it was not bothering her anymore. She was here on a date with Ben. For the first time, when Reid was in the picture, she was not feeling any butterflies in her stomach. Just frustration.
Breathing in and out, her hand holding Ben's relaxed. She was unsure of how tight she was squeezing his hand from her emotions. She looked at Ben and smiled, her brunette hair, waving in the cold wind. Won't let him ruin us? What was happening? Was there more to Reid that Ben knew of? Bloom's butterflies were slowly coming back at the thought of Reid, but she held them back. No, Reid doesn't like me. But here, Bloom... Here is something who does," she persuaded herself. She was right.
"Nothing can ruin us," she said, moving forward when he had asked them to. Luckily to Ben, she did not catch on to the double meaning of his phrase. She automatically knew that it was about moving down the path, enjoying their time together. Bloom felt as though their time together so far was silent. She wanted to break the silence.
"How were the Quidditch Try-Outs?" she asked, wondering what position he got on the team, let alone if he even got in. "I was thinking about trying out, but I'd fall off my broom and not make the team. I'm already standing out as Prefect... I'd rather not stand out as the Prefect who can't ride a broom," she joked, though very honest in her reason as to why she did not try out.
Breathing in and out, her hand holding Ben's relaxed. She was unsure of how tight she was squeezing his hand from her emotions. She looked at Ben and smiled, her brunette hair, waving in the cold wind. Won't let him ruin us? What was happening? Was there more to Reid that Ben knew of? Bloom's butterflies were slowly coming back at the thought of Reid, but she held them back. No, Reid doesn't like me. But here, Bloom... Here is something who does," she persuaded herself. She was right.
"Nothing can ruin us," she said, moving forward when he had asked them to. Luckily to Ben, she did not catch on to the double meaning of his phrase. She automatically knew that it was about moving down the path, enjoying their time together. Bloom felt as though their time together so far was silent. She wanted to break the silence.
"How were the Quidditch Try-Outs?" she asked, wondering what position he got on the team, let alone if he even got in. "I was thinking about trying out, but I'd fall off my broom and not make the team. I'm already standing out as Prefect... I'd rather not stand out as the Prefect who can't ride a broom," she joked, though very honest in her reason as to why she did not try out.
Stamina - 10| Evasion - 11| Strength - 10| Wisdom - 11| ArcPower - 10 | Accuracy - 11