30 Apr 2020, 19:02
Involuntary Friendships
Dealla had been barely able to sleep last night, but it was in no way noticeable from the incredible amounts of energy she exuded as she stepped into the red and black Hogwarts Express for the first time in her life.
Her parents had taken her onto the platform, both of them this time, although it had taken some convincing from Alexandra to get Jonathan to come along. You worry too much, her mom had said. They'll find out anyway, and she'll be fine. Do you really want to keep them from sending your daughter off to Hogwarts for the first time?
So they had taken the trip to London again, all three of them, and it meant more to Dealla than she was ready to admit. She'd shaken both of them off as soon as they had reached the platform, and they'd let her go with an indulging smile. There would probably be some regrets later, she was vaguely aware of that, for not saying goodbye properly, some homesickness when she lay in bed that night, or the next, but for now? The electrifying excitement burning in the pit of her stomach drowned out almost everything else. After all, she had been looking forward to this for years.
Dee did look back, just once, right after she had manhandled her trunk into the train by herself with more force than grace, because her father had known she wouldn't want him to help. She stood in the door for a long second, looking at where her parents were standing, together, despite everything, and knew she'd remember this sight for a long time.
But, alas! There were much more important things to think about now! She had to find a place to sit, and someone to talk to about all of this, or she would probably go crazy before she'd even set foot into Hogwarts. Optimally, she would find both at once.
Dragging her trunk through the train while dodging groups of other students who were standing together and talking about their summer holidays, she glanced into the compartments left and right. Most were already filled with people, some were still empty, neither of which was what she wanted.
There had to be... Wait, why was this compartment closed? None of the others were, not even the ones where every seat was already taken.
Intrigued, she grabbed the handle of the sliding door and pushed it open, almost expecting a group of upperclassmen who had wanted privacy to throw her right back out again. But no - it was almost empty, there was only one single girl sitting there, on one of the seats right next to window, a first year like herself from the looks of it.
Well. No one should be alone on their first trip to Hogwarts!
Without even asking, she towed her trunk inside and closed the door behind her, before turning back around with a flourish. "Hi, these seats are still empty, right?" she asked, while already plopping down on one of the cushions. "I'm Dealla Prince, but please, please just call me Dee. Who are you?"
@Ileen Knight
Her parents had taken her onto the platform, both of them this time, although it had taken some convincing from Alexandra to get Jonathan to come along. You worry too much, her mom had said. They'll find out anyway, and she'll be fine. Do you really want to keep them from sending your daughter off to Hogwarts for the first time?
So they had taken the trip to London again, all three of them, and it meant more to Dealla than she was ready to admit. She'd shaken both of them off as soon as they had reached the platform, and they'd let her go with an indulging smile. There would probably be some regrets later, she was vaguely aware of that, for not saying goodbye properly, some homesickness when she lay in bed that night, or the next, but for now? The electrifying excitement burning in the pit of her stomach drowned out almost everything else. After all, she had been looking forward to this for years.
Dee did look back, just once, right after she had manhandled her trunk into the train by herself with more force than grace, because her father had known she wouldn't want him to help. She stood in the door for a long second, looking at where her parents were standing, together, despite everything, and knew she'd remember this sight for a long time.
But, alas! There were much more important things to think about now! She had to find a place to sit, and someone to talk to about all of this, or she would probably go crazy before she'd even set foot into Hogwarts. Optimally, she would find both at once.
Dragging her trunk through the train while dodging groups of other students who were standing together and talking about their summer holidays, she glanced into the compartments left and right. Most were already filled with people, some were still empty, neither of which was what she wanted.
There had to be... Wait, why was this compartment closed? None of the others were, not even the ones where every seat was already taken.
Intrigued, she grabbed the handle of the sliding door and pushed it open, almost expecting a group of upperclassmen who had wanted privacy to throw her right back out again. But no - it was almost empty, there was only one single girl sitting there, on one of the seats right next to window, a first year like herself from the looks of it.
Well. No one should be alone on their first trip to Hogwarts!
Without even asking, she towed her trunk inside and closed the door behind her, before turning back around with a flourish. "Hi, these seats are still empty, right?" she asked, while already plopping down on one of the cushions. "I'm Dealla Prince, but please, please just call me Dee. Who are you?"
@Ileen Knight
Last edited by Dealla Prince on 20 Jun 2020, 23:27, edited 3 times in total.
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar."
2 May 2020, 10:28
Involuntary Friendships
Ileen sat at the window of the compartment she had chosen and watched with fascination the mass of wizards and witches who crowded onto the platform outside. Still, she tried to ignore the sting she felt when she saw parents embracing their children with pride and longing before they got on the train. Not that her parents were not proud, and of course they would miss her, but they were just not here. Ileen bit her lip and wondered whether she was more angry or sad.
This morning, her parents had brought her to the platform very early. They had kissed her, embraced her and assured her that Hogwarts was the best school in the world and that she for sure would make friends there. They had waited until she had found a compartment and waved at them from the window. And then, they had left. That had been the moment when Ileen had shut the door of the compartment.
She knew that they were trying to protect her. For her, Hogwarts was supposed to be a fresh start. If the parents of other children wouldn't see her parents, they just wouldn't bring up the topic and like this it was very likely that the kids didn’t even know the rumors about the family Knight - since it had been a long time ago and not that important, really.
She sighed. A part of her was very grateful for this opportunity, but another part, the defiant part, wanted them to know and to just deal with it. And a part, one that she tried very hard to ignore, was really, really nervous.
The sound of the door interrupted her brooding. Ileen winced and turned. Her heart was pounding. This was the moment she had been afraid of and longed for - equally.
A girl, probably not older than herself, whirled sweepingly in through the door before closing it behind her. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and her blue eyes sparkled, as she introduced herself and took a seat without asking.
Ileen felt a little run over. This girl was... weird. Obviously, she didn't know what a shut door meant, or she knew it and was just ignoring it. Ileen felt the illogical urge to grin and even if she would deny it, she was kind of relieved that someone had ignored the closed door.
"Hi, Dee. I'm Ileen." A crooked smile stole onto her lips. "You seem to have a lot of energy." She said it rather dryly and tried to conceal how much she was fascinated by the girl's behavior.
This morning, her parents had brought her to the platform very early. They had kissed her, embraced her and assured her that Hogwarts was the best school in the world and that she for sure would make friends there. They had waited until she had found a compartment and waved at them from the window. And then, they had left. That had been the moment when Ileen had shut the door of the compartment.
She knew that they were trying to protect her. For her, Hogwarts was supposed to be a fresh start. If the parents of other children wouldn't see her parents, they just wouldn't bring up the topic and like this it was very likely that the kids didn’t even know the rumors about the family Knight - since it had been a long time ago and not that important, really.
She sighed. A part of her was very grateful for this opportunity, but another part, the defiant part, wanted them to know and to just deal with it. And a part, one that she tried very hard to ignore, was really, really nervous.
The sound of the door interrupted her brooding. Ileen winced and turned. Her heart was pounding. This was the moment she had been afraid of and longed for - equally.
A girl, probably not older than herself, whirled sweepingly in through the door before closing it behind her. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and her blue eyes sparkled, as she introduced herself and took a seat without asking.
Ileen felt a little run over. This girl was... weird. Obviously, she didn't know what a shut door meant, or she knew it and was just ignoring it. Ileen felt the illogical urge to grin and even if she would deny it, she was kind of relieved that someone had ignored the closed door.
"Hi, Dee. I'm Ileen." A crooked smile stole onto her lips. "You seem to have a lot of energy." She said it rather dryly and tried to conceal how much she was fascinated by the girl's behavior.
"Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light."
3 May 2020, 15:02
Involuntary Friendships
Dee laughed at that remark, not bothered in the slightest. "I do, don't I?" she asked and grinned. "But I mean - one of us has to, right? What are you doing, sitting here all alone on your first ride to Hogwarts?" She paused, squinting slightly at the girl across from her. "You are a first year, aren't you?"
Ileen at least didn't look any older than Dealla herself, and if she were already in her second year, she would be sitting with her friends and house mates, wouldn't she? The thought of not making any friends in an entire year seemed completely impossible to her.
Dee looked at her seriously. "Are you hiding from someone?" she asked, mock-worried, before relaxing again. "But why would you? We're going to Hogwarts! We have every reason to be excited, and none to be hiding."
Bouncing on her seat a little, Dealla looked out the windows. Her parents had left, although the train was not yet moving - it was still two minutes until 11 o'clock - and for a second, she felt a small pang. It would have been nice to see them waving as the train rolled out from the platform, but she shook it off a second later. She knew that it was just because her dad didn't want to draw his family's attention to her, although she didn't share his worries.
"So!" Dee turned back towards the brown-haired girl with renewed vigour. "What house do you think you will get sorted into? I think I will be in Slytherin - it was my dad's house, and I just think I fit there. Slytherin sounds awesome. I just hope I don't end up in Gryffindor." She made a face at Ileen, and grinned. "No offense in case you're from a family of Gryffindors. I'm sure there are some cool Gryffindors. Probably. They just seem so... thick-headed, you know?" She knew that her parents had told her not to have prejudices against any house, they certainly didn't care where she got sorted, but Gryffindor was still waaaay at the bottom of her wish-list. It just sounded like too much testosterone and people fighting for fun.
Dee sighed, finally letting go of a bit of her nervous energy, and relaxed back into her seat. She tugged on one of her light brown, wavy strands of her, and cocked her head slightly to one side. "I'm sorry if you didn't like my bursting in here," she said sincerely. "But I do think no one should be alone on their first ride to Hogwarts. You need someone to share the experience with, don't you think? So you know later that it was real, because you went through it together."
Ileen at least didn't look any older than Dealla herself, and if she were already in her second year, she would be sitting with her friends and house mates, wouldn't she? The thought of not making any friends in an entire year seemed completely impossible to her.
Dee looked at her seriously. "Are you hiding from someone?" she asked, mock-worried, before relaxing again. "But why would you? We're going to Hogwarts! We have every reason to be excited, and none to be hiding."
Bouncing on her seat a little, Dealla looked out the windows. Her parents had left, although the train was not yet moving - it was still two minutes until 11 o'clock - and for a second, she felt a small pang. It would have been nice to see them waving as the train rolled out from the platform, but she shook it off a second later. She knew that it was just because her dad didn't want to draw his family's attention to her, although she didn't share his worries.
"So!" Dee turned back towards the brown-haired girl with renewed vigour. "What house do you think you will get sorted into? I think I will be in Slytherin - it was my dad's house, and I just think I fit there. Slytherin sounds awesome. I just hope I don't end up in Gryffindor." She made a face at Ileen, and grinned. "No offense in case you're from a family of Gryffindors. I'm sure there are some cool Gryffindors. Probably. They just seem so... thick-headed, you know?" She knew that her parents had told her not to have prejudices against any house, they certainly didn't care where she got sorted, but Gryffindor was still waaaay at the bottom of her wish-list. It just sounded like too much testosterone and people fighting for fun.
Dee sighed, finally letting go of a bit of her nervous energy, and relaxed back into her seat. She tugged on one of her light brown, wavy strands of her, and cocked her head slightly to one side. "I'm sorry if you didn't like my bursting in here," she said sincerely. "But I do think no one should be alone on their first ride to Hogwarts. You need someone to share the experience with, don't you think? So you know later that it was real, because you went through it together."
Last edited by Dealla Prince on 4 May 2020, 19:26, edited 1 time in total.
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar."
4 May 2020, 19:15
Involuntary Friendships
Ileen responded with a little smile. "Fair enough. And yes, this is my first year at Hogwarts as well." As she pondered the girl's allegations she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. "And I'm not hiding!"
To her annoyance she began to stutter. Great start! Really impressive, Ileen! If you talk like this, everyone will think you are insecure - or worse that they are right about you! "It's...it's just that I don't know anyone yet", she defended herself even though the girl already negated that thought by herself. "And I am excited. But I normally prefer to keep my feelings to myself." She grinned. "Furthermore - before you barged in here there was no one to share my feelings with." She paused. "Lucky me, I guess." She tried to say it in a sarcastic tone, but actually, she really was lucky. The ride to Hogwarts would have been long and boring without company. But she was not ready to admit that yet.
Ileen watched Dee glancing out of the window. Is she searching for her parents? Are they waiting outside for the train to leave? With this picture in front of her inner eye, Ileen thought about her own parents. Even if she did not want to admit it, she suddenly wished very much that her parents had been waiting for her - no matter what. Angrily she blinked away the rising tears. She wouldn't cry. She was not a sad six year old. They did it because it is for the best. And they are not gone forever.
She focused on Dee again and wondered what her parents were like. Were they wizards or muggle-born? She had never heard the name 'Prince' before, but that didn't have to mean anything. She didn't know a lot of wizard family names.
This question at least was answered as Dee told her about her dream house at Hogwarts. So her parents were for sure wizards. Was that a good or a bad thing?
Listening to the girl’s arguments, Ileen dealt with her own preferences. It wasn't the first time she thought about the Sorting ceremony. Where would she fit in?
In that moment Dee interrupted her thoughts with her worries ending up in Gryffindor. Ileen couldn't resist the urge to grin. "No worries. There are no Gryffindors in my family at all. Both of my parents were in Slytherin so I won't infect you with a bad brave attitude." She snorted. "Do you really think the Hogwarts house is so important?"
When the train finally started driving, Ileen watched all the families at the platform. Some children ran next to the Hogwarts Express to see their older siblings as long as possible before the train went into a curve and the station was no longer visible.
She wondered if Dee had younger siblings. Or maybe older ones? No, that was unlikely. In that case, she would be with them, right? For sure she would know other children already to share the ride with.
When Dee apologized Ileen slipped around uncomfortably in her seat. Was it that obvious that she hadn’t been expecting company? If she denied it, it could be even more weird.
"Thanks for saving me and my memories", she joked dryly. "Where are your friends? Did you choose to save lonely people like me instead of joining your group?" She couldn't help it. Talking to Dee was... different. And easy. She smiled. With her sparkling emotions, she had indeed enough excitement for the both of them. And even though she fought back, it was contagious.
To her annoyance she began to stutter. Great start! Really impressive, Ileen! If you talk like this, everyone will think you are insecure - or worse that they are right about you! "It's...it's just that I don't know anyone yet", she defended herself even though the girl already negated that thought by herself. "And I am excited. But I normally prefer to keep my feelings to myself." She grinned. "Furthermore - before you barged in here there was no one to share my feelings with." She paused. "Lucky me, I guess." She tried to say it in a sarcastic tone, but actually, she really was lucky. The ride to Hogwarts would have been long and boring without company. But she was not ready to admit that yet.
Ileen watched Dee glancing out of the window. Is she searching for her parents? Are they waiting outside for the train to leave? With this picture in front of her inner eye, Ileen thought about her own parents. Even if she did not want to admit it, she suddenly wished very much that her parents had been waiting for her - no matter what. Angrily she blinked away the rising tears. She wouldn't cry. She was not a sad six year old. They did it because it is for the best. And they are not gone forever.
She focused on Dee again and wondered what her parents were like. Were they wizards or muggle-born? She had never heard the name 'Prince' before, but that didn't have to mean anything. She didn't know a lot of wizard family names.
This question at least was answered as Dee told her about her dream house at Hogwarts. So her parents were for sure wizards. Was that a good or a bad thing?
Listening to the girl’s arguments, Ileen dealt with her own preferences. It wasn't the first time she thought about the Sorting ceremony. Where would she fit in?
In that moment Dee interrupted her thoughts with her worries ending up in Gryffindor. Ileen couldn't resist the urge to grin. "No worries. There are no Gryffindors in my family at all. Both of my parents were in Slytherin so I won't infect you with a bad brave attitude." She snorted. "Do you really think the Hogwarts house is so important?"
When the train finally started driving, Ileen watched all the families at the platform. Some children ran next to the Hogwarts Express to see their older siblings as long as possible before the train went into a curve and the station was no longer visible.
She wondered if Dee had younger siblings. Or maybe older ones? No, that was unlikely. In that case, she would be with them, right? For sure she would know other children already to share the ride with.
When Dee apologized Ileen slipped around uncomfortably in her seat. Was it that obvious that she hadn’t been expecting company? If she denied it, it could be even more weird.
"Thanks for saving me and my memories", she joked dryly. "Where are your friends? Did you choose to save lonely people like me instead of joining your group?" She couldn't help it. Talking to Dee was... different. And easy. She smiled. With her sparkling emotions, she had indeed enough excitement for the both of them. And even though she fought back, it was contagious.
Last edited by Ileen Knight on 5 May 2020, 21:39, edited 1 time in total.
"Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light."
5 May 2020, 21:11
Involuntary Friendships
Dee grinned at Ileen's response to her teasing but let it drop very quickly. Needling someone about obviously sensitive topics, even if she didn't mean any harm, was not the best way to make friends - she had learned that by experience. "Yes, lucky you," she emphasized. "I think you could have had much worse luck with your traveling companion, don't you? Plus, I talk enough for the both of us, so I can guarantee we won't have awkward silences. I think we'll get along splendidly. Of course, you can share your feelings if you want to. And you're very welcome, I'm always open to saving people in need." Dealla made a dramatic half bow before dropping onto the seat cushions and staring at the ceiling.
"I don't have any friends, yet," she admitted, not really bothered by the situation. It would change soon enough. "There weren't any wizard kids our age back home, or really many wizards at all, so all of my friends are Muggles, and not here for very obvious reasons. And I don't have any siblings that would already be here, so I really don't know anyone, either. Not that I'd want to hang out with them if I did. Better to find my own place, you know?" She scrunched up her nose and then sat back up abruptly to throw another bright smile at Ileen, her piercing blue eyes sparkling with honest excitement. "So, you're sort of rescuing me too, how about that?"
Feeling a bit restless, Dee kicked off her shoes and pulled her legs up on the seat, then started to fiddle with a loose thread on her sleeve. "All Slytherins, huh?" she asked, immediately intrigued, and eyed Ileen closely. If they both got into Slytherin, she would already have her first friend there. "What's that like? Is your whole family like, super ambitious and proud? How about your grandparents? Slytherins, too? I think my dad's whole family was in Slytherin, but I'm not really sure, and my mum was a Hufflepuff. She loved it, though, so I guess it wouldn't be too bad, either, and my dad says that my mum being a Hufflepuff changed his entire life."
Dee shuffled around a bit, trying to find a more comfortable position, and settled on crossing her legs, her hands folded together. "And, well, no. I don't really think the House is that important. My parents say all Houses are great, and that I'll be happy wherever I get sorted, but still." She smiled slyly. "I'm allowed to have favorites, right?"
"I don't have any friends, yet," she admitted, not really bothered by the situation. It would change soon enough. "There weren't any wizard kids our age back home, or really many wizards at all, so all of my friends are Muggles, and not here for very obvious reasons. And I don't have any siblings that would already be here, so I really don't know anyone, either. Not that I'd want to hang out with them if I did. Better to find my own place, you know?" She scrunched up her nose and then sat back up abruptly to throw another bright smile at Ileen, her piercing blue eyes sparkling with honest excitement. "So, you're sort of rescuing me too, how about that?"
Feeling a bit restless, Dee kicked off her shoes and pulled her legs up on the seat, then started to fiddle with a loose thread on her sleeve. "All Slytherins, huh?" she asked, immediately intrigued, and eyed Ileen closely. If they both got into Slytherin, she would already have her first friend there. "What's that like? Is your whole family like, super ambitious and proud? How about your grandparents? Slytherins, too? I think my dad's whole family was in Slytherin, but I'm not really sure, and my mum was a Hufflepuff. She loved it, though, so I guess it wouldn't be too bad, either, and my dad says that my mum being a Hufflepuff changed his entire life."
Dee shuffled around a bit, trying to find a more comfortable position, and settled on crossing her legs, her hands folded together. "And, well, no. I don't really think the House is that important. My parents say all Houses are great, and that I'll be happy wherever I get sorted, but still." She smiled slyly. "I'm allowed to have favorites, right?"
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar."
13 May 2020, 21:41
Involuntary Friendships
Ileen raised an eyebrow and giggled. She giggled. “Yeah, you definitely talk enough for the both of us," she agreed. The smile stayed on her face. Dee was funny. And the part that really amused Ileen was that she wasn’t even sure if the girl was funny on purpose.
And she was right. It could be much worse. Yes - Dee talked a lot, but that was something Ileen actually liked. She was more the listening person anyways - she preferred the passive part in communications - especially if she didn’t know the other person.
“Indeed. Lucky me. Thank you for your mercy. Also for preventing awkward silence. That was my biggest concern.” Ileen grinned, imitated the dramatic bow in a mocking way and giggled again. What was wrong with her?
“And sharing my feelings is not really my thing. By telling you this I already said too much about them.” The weak attempt to formulate this in a funny way ended in a lame, almost melancholic smile.
“But I’m happy to help. Even if I’m not actively pushing it as you do, rescuing someone still counts if you just happen to be in the right place at the right time, right?” she hurried to continue. Thinking about that, she felt her heart warming. Dee didn’t know it but it was the first time in years that someone besides her parents had said something so kind to her without spending much thought on her history or behavior. Just for being there.
She suddenly felt highly appreciated and was really moved and looked to the side to not show all her feelings to the girl who watched her closely with her blue sparkling eyes. That was a sensitive topic for her so she tried to change it.
“Besides - why don’t you like your name? I think it’s pretty and exotic.”
When Dee asked about her parents, Ileen hesitated, because she felt another small sting. She still was disappointed because they had left and in general, the school history of her parents wasn’t on her top list about stories she liked to tell. And her grandparents? As far as she knew, they hadn't spoken to her parents since they’d left Hogwarts. She wasn’t even sure if they knew that she existed.
She threw an apprehensive glance at Dee. Would she leave, when she learned who Ileen was? But she didn’t seem to have a problem with super proud Slytherins. How much could she tell her?
“Well, my parents are quite ambitious”, she started carefully. “They are pretty good at their job, but they’ve told me all their friends from other houses were not that different. Probably that’s also the reason why I don’t have any favorite, yet. And my grandparents… Actually, I have no idea because I don’t know them.”
Attempting to stop any questions she asked one herself: “How is that in your family?”
And she was right. It could be much worse. Yes - Dee talked a lot, but that was something Ileen actually liked. She was more the listening person anyways - she preferred the passive part in communications - especially if she didn’t know the other person.
“Indeed. Lucky me. Thank you for your mercy. Also for preventing awkward silence. That was my biggest concern.” Ileen grinned, imitated the dramatic bow in a mocking way and giggled again. What was wrong with her?
“And sharing my feelings is not really my thing. By telling you this I already said too much about them.” The weak attempt to formulate this in a funny way ended in a lame, almost melancholic smile.
“But I’m happy to help. Even if I’m not actively pushing it as you do, rescuing someone still counts if you just happen to be in the right place at the right time, right?” she hurried to continue. Thinking about that, she felt her heart warming. Dee didn’t know it but it was the first time in years that someone besides her parents had said something so kind to her without spending much thought on her history or behavior. Just for being there.
She suddenly felt highly appreciated and was really moved and looked to the side to not show all her feelings to the girl who watched her closely with her blue sparkling eyes. That was a sensitive topic for her so she tried to change it.
“Besides - why don’t you like your name? I think it’s pretty and exotic.”
When Dee asked about her parents, Ileen hesitated, because she felt another small sting. She still was disappointed because they had left and in general, the school history of her parents wasn’t on her top list about stories she liked to tell. And her grandparents? As far as she knew, they hadn't spoken to her parents since they’d left Hogwarts. She wasn’t even sure if they knew that she existed.
She threw an apprehensive glance at Dee. Would she leave, when she learned who Ileen was? But she didn’t seem to have a problem with super proud Slytherins. How much could she tell her?
“Well, my parents are quite ambitious”, she started carefully. “They are pretty good at their job, but they’ve told me all their friends from other houses were not that different. Probably that’s also the reason why I don’t have any favorite, yet. And my grandparents… Actually, I have no idea because I don’t know them.”
Attempting to stop any questions she asked one herself: “How is that in your family?”
"Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light."
15 May 2020, 11:32
Involuntary Friendships
Dee watched Ileen giggle and bow with a smile on her face. She liked the other girl, she decided. Ileen had seemed so quiet and reserved when Dealla had first stormed into the compartment that she hadn't been sure if they would get along that well - she knew that some introverted people were put off by the never-ending stream of words that came out of her mouth sometimes - but now she was pretty certain that Ileen only needed to warm up to her a bit. And, well, Dee was pretty good at infecting people with her enthusiasm.
"Oh, yes, definitely," Dee quipped back, putting a hand on her chest theatrically, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I feel extremely saved. I will forever be indebted to you, does that sound like a deal?" She enjoyed the easy banter between them, the effortless back and forth, although she was distantly aware that Ileen was using it to gloss over things she didn't want to talk about. Dealla didn't mind. They had met what, half an hour ago? Deep dark secrets could come later.
At the mention of her name, however, Dee scrunched up her face into a grimace. "Easy for you to say, Ileen is such a pretty name! But Dealla? Doesn't that sound incredibly old-fashioned to you? It sounds like I should by at least 90 years old." She snorted in disgust. "My dad says it's an old family name, but I think that makes it even worse. I don't want to have the same name as some great-great-great-grandmother who has been dead for 150 years." She pointed her finger at Ileen accusingly. "And don't tell me it's not that bad, it's like being called Gertrude, or... or Hattie."
She halted for a second and seemed to ponder something. "Although... I suppose it is better than being called something boring like Mary, or Anne. But anyway! I think Dee sounds much more like me."
Again, Dealla noted that Ileen seemed hesitant to talk about her family. She wondered why - where they some sort of criminals? She couldn't imagine any other reason to keep her family a secret, except if they were something dumb like blood supremacists. That might actually be a reason to be ashamed of them.
She didn't share any of Ileen's qualms, however, so when Ileen asked, she answered readily. "Well, I already told you that my dad's family are Slytherins through and through. I've never met any of them, and I don't want to either - they are stupid pure-bloods who think they're better than my mum because she's Muggle-born." Dee raised her chin with a hint of a challenge. Anyone who dared make a bad comment about her mum would live to regret it, she would make sure of that.
"So my mom's parents weren't in any house, since they are Muggles, obviously, and I don't know my dad's family, so I can't say. But my parents are both amazing, so I think Slytherin and Hufflepuff must both be pretty cool, you know? I don't think I'd fit into Hufflepuff, though. I'm more like my dad."
That was true - they had the same humour, the same adventurous streak, the same high expectations and ambitions, and they both loved her mother with a protective fierceness.
"Oh, yes, definitely," Dee quipped back, putting a hand on her chest theatrically, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I feel extremely saved. I will forever be indebted to you, does that sound like a deal?" She enjoyed the easy banter between them, the effortless back and forth, although she was distantly aware that Ileen was using it to gloss over things she didn't want to talk about. Dealla didn't mind. They had met what, half an hour ago? Deep dark secrets could come later.
At the mention of her name, however, Dee scrunched up her face into a grimace. "Easy for you to say, Ileen is such a pretty name! But Dealla? Doesn't that sound incredibly old-fashioned to you? It sounds like I should by at least 90 years old." She snorted in disgust. "My dad says it's an old family name, but I think that makes it even worse. I don't want to have the same name as some great-great-great-grandmother who has been dead for 150 years." She pointed her finger at Ileen accusingly. "And don't tell me it's not that bad, it's like being called Gertrude, or... or Hattie."
She halted for a second and seemed to ponder something. "Although... I suppose it is better than being called something boring like Mary, or Anne. But anyway! I think Dee sounds much more like me."
Again, Dealla noted that Ileen seemed hesitant to talk about her family. She wondered why - where they some sort of criminals? She couldn't imagine any other reason to keep her family a secret, except if they were something dumb like blood supremacists. That might actually be a reason to be ashamed of them.
She didn't share any of Ileen's qualms, however, so when Ileen asked, she answered readily. "Well, I already told you that my dad's family are Slytherins through and through. I've never met any of them, and I don't want to either - they are stupid pure-bloods who think they're better than my mum because she's Muggle-born." Dee raised her chin with a hint of a challenge. Anyone who dared make a bad comment about her mum would live to regret it, she would make sure of that.
"So my mom's parents weren't in any house, since they are Muggles, obviously, and I don't know my dad's family, so I can't say. But my parents are both amazing, so I think Slytherin and Hufflepuff must both be pretty cool, you know? I don't think I'd fit into Hufflepuff, though. I'm more like my dad."
That was true - they had the same humour, the same adventurous streak, the same high expectations and ambitions, and they both loved her mother with a protective fierceness.
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar."
16 May 2020, 17:57
Involuntary Friendships
Ileen grinned. She had fun with the harmless teasing and was very happy that Dee got into it as well. It had been a long time since she had come to this point in a conversation with someone of the same age. Besides, it was not certain that someone shared her sense of humor. Some found it rather insulting. Well, a grain of truth was always in it, but that didn't mean you had to run crying to your mommy.
And Dee seemed different. I think we could get along. Anyway, it won't be boring with her.
So Ileen continued playing the little game, pulled an imaginary sword from her belt and raised it solemnly. “Your vow is also my vow, since we saved each other from our tragedy!”, she replied with exaggerated gravity. “It’s a deal!”, she then decided with a thin smile and extended a hand to the girl.
“Yeah. Sure. Best thing that ever happened to me”, she answered sarcastically and dangled her legs. “It’s out of a book my mum loves. The main character is a young witch with some serious family issues and in the end she dies. I mean, she just dies. She may have sacrificed herself for something that is important to her and could make her point of view clear to everyone, but she is still dead.” Ileen rolled her eyes. “I hope very much that she does not expect me to shape my life plan according to the book Ileen. I intend to make my position clear without dying!” Her voice had adopted a defiant tone and her cheeks were blushing with excitement. She was well aware of what her parents had been thinking. But couldn't they have taken it out on someone else?
She exhaled slowly. Well, she got a little carried away. “Sorry about that. Still makes me angry sometimes.” She hesitated. “Actually, I like the sound of my name even if it’s not good to create some nickname. Not that I want one!” she added hastily and smiled.
Ileen chewed a little bit on her lower lip, then she remembered the conversation. “I guess, I get your point. Being named by a family tradition or by a stupid idea it not that cool. And Dee is a pretty cool nickname! I bet you are much more fun than your great-great-great-grandmother you might be named after. Probably an old fashioned name helps you in some situations. Must be terrible to have just a cute child name when you grow up, mustn't it?” She giggled. “And for sure, I could not sit here with someone named Hattie. I guess it would be hard for me to not laugh every minute.” She made an excessively serious face. “That would be terrible since I hate laughing!”
Thoughtfully she stared at the girl. She seemed to want to break away from normal at any price. Illen wondered why.
She didn’t know why, but the conversation had made her forget her worries - at least most of the time. She couldn't remember if she'd ever had this much casual conversation with anyone. Certainly in her childhood, but also among the Muggles in New Zealand she had not had too many friends and that had been a long time ago.
Perhaps it was because Dee met her unreservedly and openly. Anyway, Ileen relaxed more and more in her presence.
When the conversation came back to her family, she felt a deep compassion for Dee. However, she took care not to show this, as she could not imagine that the other girl would want that.
Looks like we have something in common. A wave of sympathy overcame her, because she could relate to the anger towards her grandparents so well. This caused the next sentence to fall out of her mouth before she had made a conscious decision. “I don’t want to meet either of my grandparents, either! They are also stupid pure-bloods who think my parents are not worth being part of the family since they are friends with muggle-borns!”
And Dee seemed different. I think we could get along. Anyway, it won't be boring with her.
So Ileen continued playing the little game, pulled an imaginary sword from her belt and raised it solemnly. “Your vow is also my vow, since we saved each other from our tragedy!”, she replied with exaggerated gravity. “It’s a deal!”, she then decided with a thin smile and extended a hand to the girl.
“Yeah. Sure. Best thing that ever happened to me”, she answered sarcastically and dangled her legs. “It’s out of a book my mum loves. The main character is a young witch with some serious family issues and in the end she dies. I mean, she just dies. She may have sacrificed herself for something that is important to her and could make her point of view clear to everyone, but she is still dead.” Ileen rolled her eyes. “I hope very much that she does not expect me to shape my life plan according to the book Ileen. I intend to make my position clear without dying!” Her voice had adopted a defiant tone and her cheeks were blushing with excitement. She was well aware of what her parents had been thinking. But couldn't they have taken it out on someone else?
She exhaled slowly. Well, she got a little carried away. “Sorry about that. Still makes me angry sometimes.” She hesitated. “Actually, I like the sound of my name even if it’s not good to create some nickname. Not that I want one!” she added hastily and smiled.
Ileen chewed a little bit on her lower lip, then she remembered the conversation. “I guess, I get your point. Being named by a family tradition or by a stupid idea it not that cool. And Dee is a pretty cool nickname! I bet you are much more fun than your great-great-great-grandmother you might be named after. Probably an old fashioned name helps you in some situations. Must be terrible to have just a cute child name when you grow up, mustn't it?” She giggled. “And for sure, I could not sit here with someone named Hattie. I guess it would be hard for me to not laugh every minute.” She made an excessively serious face. “That would be terrible since I hate laughing!”
Thoughtfully she stared at the girl. She seemed to want to break away from normal at any price. Illen wondered why.
She didn’t know why, but the conversation had made her forget her worries - at least most of the time. She couldn't remember if she'd ever had this much casual conversation with anyone. Certainly in her childhood, but also among the Muggles in New Zealand she had not had too many friends and that had been a long time ago.
Perhaps it was because Dee met her unreservedly and openly. Anyway, Ileen relaxed more and more in her presence.
When the conversation came back to her family, she felt a deep compassion for Dee. However, she took care not to show this, as she could not imagine that the other girl would want that.
Looks like we have something in common. A wave of sympathy overcame her, because she could relate to the anger towards her grandparents so well. This caused the next sentence to fall out of her mouth before she had made a conscious decision. “I don’t want to meet either of my grandparents, either! They are also stupid pure-bloods who think my parents are not worth being part of the family since they are friends with muggle-borns!”
"Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light."
25 May 2020, 23:45
Involuntary Friendships
Dealla burst out laughing at the obvious indignation in Ileen's voice when she talked about the origin of her name. "Well, I don't know your parents," she giggled, "but I can't imagine they want you to die just to make a point. Maybe you're overthinking it?" She shrugged. She really didn't know Ileen's parents, after all. Maybe she was right. "Or not, I guess. It's a pretty name, either way."
Dee straightened up from where she had slouched against the back cushions of her seat, tapping her chin with her index finger in thought. "You are right, though, it makes for terrible nicknames. What would you even make of it? Ily? That just sounds like I forgot the 'n'. Il? That sounds like you make people sick. Leen? Een? All of that is ridiculous." Dealla shook her head firmly. "I suppose you're stuck with Ileen. You're really lucky it's pretty."
Her grin returned, and with it her mischievous energy. "Of course I am more fun than my great-great-grandmother - I'm not actually sure she was called Dealla, but I'm more fun either way. But I'm also sure I'll be Dee forever. I can't imagine ever wanting to be called Dealla, no way. Even if I live to be a hundred years old."
It seemed they had something in common here, Dee thought, a bit startled by Ileen's outburst. A heavy dislike for their grandparents, and for rather similar reasons, too. Dealla had no issues declaring her family history to anyone she met, but she suspected that Ileen might take a bit more coaxing. She wouldn't push it, for now.
She didn't mind starting herself, though. Maybe it would help Ileen to trust her, too.
"Yeah. My dad's family are pure-bloods," she repeated, for the sake of getting into her story. "And they live the whole cliché - thinking they're better than other wizards because their blood is pure, living by Salazar Slytherin's ideals, blah blah, you know the drill. They raised my dad like that, too, so when he came to Hogwarts, he was still convinced by all of that nonsense. They had already picked out a girl for him to marry, can you imagine? When he was as old as we are now? A pure-blood, of course. But," Dealla smiled gleefully, "instead, he met my mum, who was Muggle-born, and a Hufflepuff, and everything my grandparents didn't want. And they fell in love, isn't that awfully romantic? Like something out of a novel? Anyway - when my grandparents found out, they weren't pleased, and they threatened them! They told them that if they didn't break up, they would make sure neither of them would ever find work in London. They never wanted to meet me, either. Guess I'm not good enough for them, because I'm half my mom." Dee shrugged dismissively, emphasizing just how much she didn't care - how much she would prefer being a Muggle over being a pure-blood, any day. "That's why we live in Whitehaven. Far away from them. It's better that way." She frowned, determination settling over her features and wiping away the carefree eleven-year-old that she usually was. "I'll show them, though. I'll prove them wrong. They will regret treating my mother like that, and they will regret kicking us out of their lives."
Story told, Dealla flopped back onto the cushions with a sigh, and gave Ileen a curious glance. "I thought you were terribly shy when I walked in here, or an antisocial loner, but you're really neither. You're fun. What were you doing here, all alone, with the door closed?"
Dee straightened up from where she had slouched against the back cushions of her seat, tapping her chin with her index finger in thought. "You are right, though, it makes for terrible nicknames. What would you even make of it? Ily? That just sounds like I forgot the 'n'. Il? That sounds like you make people sick. Leen? Een? All of that is ridiculous." Dealla shook her head firmly. "I suppose you're stuck with Ileen. You're really lucky it's pretty."
Her grin returned, and with it her mischievous energy. "Of course I am more fun than my great-great-grandmother - I'm not actually sure she was called Dealla, but I'm more fun either way. But I'm also sure I'll be Dee forever. I can't imagine ever wanting to be called Dealla, no way. Even if I live to be a hundred years old."
It seemed they had something in common here, Dee thought, a bit startled by Ileen's outburst. A heavy dislike for their grandparents, and for rather similar reasons, too. Dealla had no issues declaring her family history to anyone she met, but she suspected that Ileen might take a bit more coaxing. She wouldn't push it, for now.
She didn't mind starting herself, though. Maybe it would help Ileen to trust her, too.
"Yeah. My dad's family are pure-bloods," she repeated, for the sake of getting into her story. "And they live the whole cliché - thinking they're better than other wizards because their blood is pure, living by Salazar Slytherin's ideals, blah blah, you know the drill. They raised my dad like that, too, so when he came to Hogwarts, he was still convinced by all of that nonsense. They had already picked out a girl for him to marry, can you imagine? When he was as old as we are now? A pure-blood, of course. But," Dealla smiled gleefully, "instead, he met my mum, who was Muggle-born, and a Hufflepuff, and everything my grandparents didn't want. And they fell in love, isn't that awfully romantic? Like something out of a novel? Anyway - when my grandparents found out, they weren't pleased, and they threatened them! They told them that if they didn't break up, they would make sure neither of them would ever find work in London. They never wanted to meet me, either. Guess I'm not good enough for them, because I'm half my mom." Dee shrugged dismissively, emphasizing just how much she didn't care - how much she would prefer being a Muggle over being a pure-blood, any day. "That's why we live in Whitehaven. Far away from them. It's better that way." She frowned, determination settling over her features and wiping away the carefree eleven-year-old that she usually was. "I'll show them, though. I'll prove them wrong. They will regret treating my mother like that, and they will regret kicking us out of their lives."
Story told, Dealla flopped back onto the cushions with a sigh, and gave Ileen a curious glance. "I thought you were terribly shy when I walked in here, or an antisocial loner, but you're really neither. You're fun. What were you doing here, all alone, with the door closed?"
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar."
3 Jun 2020, 14:00
Involuntary Friendships
Ileen replied with a grin to Dees laughing fit. “Well - at least I hope they didn’t name me like this for that reason. But I guess… part of it might be intended. They are very particular when it comes to making a point.” She frowned, then laughed. "To be honest, I have never thought about it so closely before.”
She looked at the girl with the extraordinary blue eyes thoughtfully. To her, it was really unusual that someone was so open and friendly to her. And Ileen noticed how she relaxed more and more in Dee's company.
“I think you will be a really funny grandma one day. Funny grandma Dee.” She giggled and imitated the voice of a small child: “When are we going to see Grandma Dee again? It's always fun with her! Ileen sounds more like a boring grandma.”
When the other girl told her about her family, Ileen again felt a strong wave of sympathy. She could understand this so well and automatically nodded in agreement during the narration.
“Yeah, right? I would choose to be a Muggle-born over a pureblood, too! I mean,” she gestured with her arms to underline the intensity of her conviction, “it’s not an achievement. It just happens to you. Why would that make anyone better, just because they happened to be born into a pureblood family?”
She looked at Dee with glowing eyes, her own cheeks were flushed. It was the first time she had told anyone her true opinion on that subject. And the feeling to meet understanding - even more - to meet someone who felt the same way, awakened deep connectedness in her. That also made her express her thoughts. “You know what? We will kick their asses and finish school with Outstandings only. My grandparents on both sides made my parents run away to New Zealand for nine years, because they treated them like traitors for being friends with Muggle-borns. We just returned to England because they wanted me to go to Hogwarts.”
Ileen had meanwhile leaned with her back against the wall and stretched out her legs on the benches. “I’m fun?” She laughed disbelievingly, but also flattered. “You mean, I would be a fun grandma as well one day?”
With a twinkle in her eye she sighed, then she got serious. “Well - I’m not shy, I’m just careful.” She crumpled up her sweater, which she had taken off because of the heat, and stuffed it behind her head. “To be honest, you are the first person who’s familiar with magic who is nice to me.” Which was probably why Ileen decided she could tell Dee anything. Or at least almost everything. She hadn't convicted her yet and as far as Ileen was concerned, they had a mission together now which automatically meant that she trusted the girl. Although they had only known each other for a short time, she was already a better friend to her than anyone she’d ever known. “My parents did something awful during their time at Hogwarts. I don’t know what it was but almost every wizard family I met decided that I have to be an evil person because of it. So - I didn’t get the chance to make friends so far.”
She looked at Dee, a little worried after that confession. What would she think of her now?
She looked at the girl with the extraordinary blue eyes thoughtfully. To her, it was really unusual that someone was so open and friendly to her. And Ileen noticed how she relaxed more and more in Dee's company.
“I think you will be a really funny grandma one day. Funny grandma Dee.” She giggled and imitated the voice of a small child: “When are we going to see Grandma Dee again? It's always fun with her! Ileen sounds more like a boring grandma.”
When the other girl told her about her family, Ileen again felt a strong wave of sympathy. She could understand this so well and automatically nodded in agreement during the narration.
“Yeah, right? I would choose to be a Muggle-born over a pureblood, too! I mean,” she gestured with her arms to underline the intensity of her conviction, “it’s not an achievement. It just happens to you. Why would that make anyone better, just because they happened to be born into a pureblood family?”
She looked at Dee with glowing eyes, her own cheeks were flushed. It was the first time she had told anyone her true opinion on that subject. And the feeling to meet understanding - even more - to meet someone who felt the same way, awakened deep connectedness in her. That also made her express her thoughts. “You know what? We will kick their asses and finish school with Outstandings only. My grandparents on both sides made my parents run away to New Zealand for nine years, because they treated them like traitors for being friends with Muggle-borns. We just returned to England because they wanted me to go to Hogwarts.”
Ileen had meanwhile leaned with her back against the wall and stretched out her legs on the benches. “I’m fun?” She laughed disbelievingly, but also flattered. “You mean, I would be a fun grandma as well one day?”
With a twinkle in her eye she sighed, then she got serious. “Well - I’m not shy, I’m just careful.” She crumpled up her sweater, which she had taken off because of the heat, and stuffed it behind her head. “To be honest, you are the first person who’s familiar with magic who is nice to me.” Which was probably why Ileen decided she could tell Dee anything. Or at least almost everything. She hadn't convicted her yet and as far as Ileen was concerned, they had a mission together now which automatically meant that she trusted the girl. Although they had only known each other for a short time, she was already a better friend to her than anyone she’d ever known. “My parents did something awful during their time at Hogwarts. I don’t know what it was but almost every wizard family I met decided that I have to be an evil person because of it. So - I didn’t get the chance to make friends so far.”
She looked at Dee, a little worried after that confession. What would she think of her now?
Last edited by Ileen Knight on 20 Jun 2020, 09:41, edited 2 times in total.
"Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light."