Dear Home Private Closed

John felt himself recoil at the girl's decline of his offer. His father had always mentioned this was typical of any Muggleborn or non-Purebloods. However, she had not been rude about it and her explanation did make sense.. still it stung. The part about being worried for Mina's travel though settled in John's chest and made him feel... different. Adlai seemed genuinely concerned which was something he was not familiar with hearing from those around him... another thing that seemed strange even as he continually ran into it at Hogwarts.

"Right." John murmured at the last part of Adlai's family and the school owls being more recognizable to them.

Still feeling the sting of being turned down, John felt a little flustered as if his own feather's had been ruffled the wrong way. Adlai seemed so kind... yet... something deeply ingrained in him flared up more and more. He shifted his stance and cleared his throat trying to think of how else to change the subject, unable to look at the girl's bright eyed gaze any longer.

"Well then." His voice was low and demeanor much more closed off than before. Turning to Mina and bidding her farewell, John stared out of the open window into the Scottish landscape. Hardly ever, ever did John offer anything to those around him. It was a kindness that was very rarely given by the boy. Something that forced him to open up... He always was closed off, remained by himself through classes and studying. Ate alone. Studied alone. Walked to and from class alone. 'I was just trying to help her out... what is her deal.. A nasty little voice in the back of the boy's mind flared up once more making him feel angry all over again, temper burning white hot. For some reason that denial immediately was stuck in his craw.. festering in a matter of minutes, his father's prejudice only making it worse.

John turned back around to face Adlai, staring in her direction but his gaze falling just behind her not wanting to make eye contact. "I trust your message will reach your family well..." His voice sounding more automatic and trained than that of a young boy. Nodding his head he continued, "It was nice meeting you." Trying not to grit his teeth so hard, John walked past the girl and down the stairwell back towards the Common Room. His pace quickening once he hit the hall a burning red shade of embarrassment spreading across his face. Perhaps she had just been being kind to him... tolerating him. Somewhere inside of him John felt ashamed.

John leaves the thread.