General The Gryffindor Table 2020-2021

Interactions: None
Mentioning: @Eyre Reeves | @Ivy Bellamy
Open to Interactions!

Ana didn't want to be at the Gryffindor table that evening. It was loud and full of people and quite honestly, she didn't want to deal with it. She had had a very unpleasant encounter with Eyre earlier that day and was just utterly drained. She had brought her third-year charms textbook since she figured that a book was the next best thing to a neon sign telling people to leave her alone. Occasionally, she would glance up at a new Gryffindor, but for the most part, she was fairly focused on her book. Until the people around her started to chatter. Fairly promptly she realized that one of the many people she was desperately avoiding was sitting a few seats away.

She wondered if it would be noticeable for her to flee the Great Hall. On the one hand, it was loud and she doubted a single third year sprinted away would gather much attention. On the other hand, everyone was sitting and somehow, a person leaping up and making for the doors seemed like something that would garner a look or two. Additionally, there were all the stupid new rules about curfews and traveling in twos, so there was a chance of her being scolded by some professor for frolicking the castle by herself. Biting her lip and squirming slightly, she decided to turn her attention back to her book and desperately pray that Ivy wouldn't notice her.

She was so ready for this day to be over. Not just because of her fight with Eyre or her avoidance of Ivy, but because it had been exhausting. It was the first time in months when she hadn't been able to hide behind locked doors and had actually had to hold herself together. She had done fairly well, all things considered, but it hurt, and somehow she didn't expect it was going to get better. Placing her chin on her fist, she continued to at least appear as though she was intently studying for her first charms class of third year. God, had she been that talkative and annoying as a first-year? Surely not. She shot several venomous looks at younger students, momentarily forgetting her resolve to pass unnoticed by everyone she knew. If she lept across the table and murdered a first year or two, that wouldn't attract attention, right?

Interacting with @Anastasia Beckett and @Lydea Wayland. Mentioning @Ashlyn Winters Colour: #800000

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INTERACTIONS│@Scarlett Aden @Anastasia Beckett @Cosmo Keith @Lydea Wayland
MENTIONS│Zykeal Lane, Piérre Marchonné

Ivy was still trying to place the pink-haired girl when Scarlett spoke again. Her grey eyes widened and she jolted forwards slightly at the thought that they were so close to third year. How quickly time seemed to have passed... "Well, my parents will forbid me from taking Muggle Studies, I know that already," she noted with a dry laugh and a shrug of her shoulders. Ivy's dislike for her mother and father was evident in the way she spoke, putting an emphasis on the word "parents" and stabbing her fork aggressively into a penne pasta. "You know," she added, eyes flicking upwards from her plate to glance at the redhead for her reaction. If she recalled correctly, the Adens weren't quite as obsessed with blood purity as the Bellamys were, but it was still an important part of their lifestyle.

"Study of Ancient Runes would be rather interesting," Ivy mused, moving on from the topic of blood purity in case an oversensitive first year heard them and started crying or something. "I suppose I'll be taking that, then. I'd rather stay away from Divination if I can, because it honestly all sounds rather silly..." She paused to take a sip of water, casually taking another look around the Hall--- and choked. No, it was not because of Zyk, who had sat down next to Pierre and looked immensely disdainful of the first years, although her heart had given another squeeze as she noticed his presence. It was because of Ana, who appeared to be trying to hide behind a book. "I'm so sorry Scarlett, I'll be right back," Ivy apologised, already halfway out her seat.

Two first years had already beat her to it, and were already pestering Ana. Ivy caught bits and pieces of the conversation as she moved closer, and decided that she hated the two girls already. They sounded like stereotypical Hufflepuffs, with all of that "that's not very nice" and "it's ok to be tired" crap... geez, where the hell had all the Gryffindors gone? Ivy wasn't sure they belonged here, amongst the lions. Maybe the Sorting Hat was getting old. It was clear that the hat could no longer be trusted.

"Oh, for Christ's sake, you two need to shut the fuck up," Ivy said rudely, standing behind the group. She used one hand to gently push the redhead (Lydea) to one side and slid next to Ana. "That's like, kind of rude," Ivy mimicked the girl, tone sarcastic and mocking. "Can you not see that she wants to be left alone? You really ought to mind your own business, you know." The second year turned to face the other girl (Cosmo), sharp grey eyes narrowed. "You as well. She wasn't taking anything out on anyone. She was reading, geez." At least, Ivy thought she was. She hadn't been watching Ana long enough to know, and she was hoping that her doppelganger had, in fact, been trying to read. Judging by the way she had shut herself off from everyone over the summer, it only made sense that she would do the same now that she was at school.

Ivy turned to Ana, lowering her voice and changing her tone. It was not just that she didn't want the first years to eavesdrop, but because she didn't think talking loudly would help her already strained relationship with Ana. "Are you... ok? Do you wanna get out of here?" She paused, tilting her head slightly to one side in an attempt to read Ana's expression. "We could go to the common room, you know. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we left now." The Gryffindor spoke gently, as if Ana would break any moment. This would perhaps frustrate the older girl, but Ivy was unaware of this possible consequence and simply offered her a kind smile.

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Interactions: @Lydea Wayland | @Cosmo Keith | @Ivy Bellamy
Mentioning:

Ana was going to commit a murder. It was going to happen. She had done nothing other than mind her own business and read, with a few characteristic glares thrown in, and not one but two first years thought it remotely appropriate to speak to her? Did parents just not teach their children basic respect anymore? The thought of parents sent a twinge of hurt through the third year. God, was the rest of her life going to be like this? Was she going to make sarcastic remarks to herself then feel bad because it mentioned her parents or her life before this summer? None of this internal turmoil was visible on her face. Instead, she glared first at the redhead who had spoken.

"Speak to me again and I will remove your tongue," Ana said coldly, her eyes murderous. Not that she had ever actually removed anyone's tongue before, but she had gotten into her fair share of illegal duels and fights, so surely she could figure out some way to remove the tongue of an annoying and basically defenseless first year. Her eyes dared the redhead to snap back or make any kind of reply.

Satisfied in her dealings with the redhead, she turned to the other girl. She had dark hair and looked like she was approximately four years old. Was Ana morally against bullying four-year-olds? She was about to find out...

"Love, if I were taking things out on anyone, you would know," she scoffed. Who in their right mind saw someone who clearly wanted to be left alone and decided to lecture them for how they were behaving? "Just to clarify, since you clearly aren't the most intelligent, it generally takes the form of me setting the irritant on fire."

Sighing slightly, she took a sip of coffee from the mug in front of her. She nearly choked as she heard Ivy begin to speak. Ivy wasn't exactly the last person she wanted to see - that honor currently belonged to one Oliver Beckett - but she was definitely low on Ana's list. To be fair, Ana didn't particularly want to see anyone. However, Ivy wasn't just Ana's half-sister (Ana wasn't even remotely used to thinking of her that way, but she at least acknowledged it was probably the truth), she had also felt it necessary to show up at Beckett Manor to check on Ana. To a sane person, that wouldn't seem like a reason to avoid someone, likely quite the opposite. Nobody had ever accused Ana of being sane. To Ana, that was a top-notch reason to avoid Ivy at practically all costs.

Ivy's tone infuriated Ana. She spoke as though Ana was fragile and might shatter at any moment. So what if she was? That was absolutely none of Ivy's concern, and Ana resented the younger girl condescending in such a manner. "Ivy, I'm going to say this once more. Leave. Me. Alone." Ana said. Her expression was inscrutable, which was fitting since not even Ana herself knew what was going on in her mind. Her tone was cold and haughty, nearly identical to how she had just spoken to the impertinent first years. It wasn't entirely fair, as, in any normal circumstances, Ana thought far higher of Ivy than she did random first years. In addition to the fact that she genuinely enjoyed Ivy's company and Ivy was also apparently her sister, Ivy had been right behind her at the ill-fated Blossom Ball. If anything, she had at least earned the respect that Ana was currently denying her. "I'm not sure how much more direct you need me to be about this. It seems the feeble-minded first years are rubbing off on you."

Ana exhaled sharply and tossed her messy ponytail slightly before pretending to focus intently upon her reading.

Interactions: @Anastasia Beckett @Cosmo Keith @Ivy Bellamy

"Speak to me again and I will remove your tongue," It was directed at the redhead and not her, but Cosmo still felt her blood run slightly cold. There was a definite intent behind the older girls eyes. Then she turned to Cosmo, and there was nothing to do but shrink back as far as she could.

"Love, if I were taking things out on anyone, you would know," She was scoffing, and it certainly wasn't a threat like the other first year got so Cosmo pushed some panic away. "Just to clarify, since you clearly aren't the most intelligent, it generally takes the form of me setting the irritant on fire." Cosmo knew a lot of other people would feel slighted at the jab to her intelligence, but she almost felt her lip quirk up in a grin. This girl reminded her of a very angry bear, and who would poke a bear with a stick?

Just as the angry bear (as Cosmo had christened her) was returning to her morning drink someone cut into the conversation from behind them, and Cosmo jumped. She turned to she see another older girl with dark hair sliding in between the redhead and grumpy bear.

"Oh, for Christ's sake, you two need to shut the fuck up," she directed at Cosmo and the other first year. "That's like, kind of rude," her voice was mocking and Cosmo felt her stomach clench with distaste. It was one thing to have a rude tone when offering an opinion, and another completely to mimic someone else. The new girl wasn't done talking and Cosmo was already gearing herself up to say exactly what she thought, but the next thing added caught her off guard.

"Can you not see that she wants to be left alone? You really ought to mind your own business, you know." It rang with a sense of truth, and despite her hurt feelings Cosmo could not ignore that. "You as well. She wasn't taking anything out on anyone. She was reading, geez." Cosmo felt her cheeks flushing in shame. What had she been thinking? She should have known to leave the situation alone. It seemed that was deemed enough scolding though, and rude girl turned to talk in quieter tones with grumpy bear.

It seemed that they already knew each, which made more sense as to why there might be such a strong feeling of protection between them. It seemed that the newest addition to the conversation was also being pushed away by grumpy bear, and Cosmo felt a twang of concern rush through her again.

Apparently the redhead was not as content to back away from the scene as Cosmo, and joined the conversation again. Cosmo felt her eyes growing wide with each new word she uttered. Everything that either the rude girl or grumpy bear said paled in comparison to the redheads monologue. After she finished spitting venom at the older students, she faced Cosmo and gave her a mean smile.

"Let's not let these ninnies ruin our night, yeah? I mean, I was just trying to strike up a conversation, make some small talk, but obviously, they're not in the mood. And for the record, I'd say you're about ten times smarter than she is." Cosmo did not smile back, in fact her face probably had disapproval written all over it.

"Actually, I don't think we should have interrupted, I know I wouldn't want to be talked to if I didn't feel well," Cosmo swept her eyes over the two older girls again, "I think those two have some catching up to do, and maybe we have some thinking to do." Her tone was even, but firm, and she turned her attention back to her dinner, hoping to persuade the redhead to do the same.

Interacting with @Lydea Wayland mentioning @Ivy Bellamy @Anastasia Beckett

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INTERACTIONS│@Anastasia Beckett @Lydea Wayland @Cosmo Keith
MENTIONS│lol no one

Ivy pursed her lips with displeasure as she watched the redhead mouth off, insulting and threatening her doppelganger carelessly. She couldn't see this ending well for any of them - Ana wasn't exactly well known for her patience, and with all the rumours about the Becketts following her around, Ivy wouldn't be surprised if she was even more short-tempered this year. If the first year knew what was good for her, she'd back off and let Ana read in peace. "Careful there," she warned the redhead quietly, taking a step towards her. Although Ivy was on Ana's side, she didn't want the first year to wound up in the Hospital Wing on her first night here. "You really don't want to mess with her - us. This would be a great time to apologise and leave." It was sound advice from Ivy's standpoint. Ana had a tendency to set things - and people - on fire, and Ivy was pretty sure that the first year didn't want to go up in flames.

Ana's haughty dismissal threw her off balance. Ivy hadn't been expecting it, that was for sure, and her insides twisted with hurt and surprise. Her face fell, smile melting away and eyes dropping to focus on the wooden table, her mind already scrambling to find an excuse for why Ana was acting this way. However, she had been offered almost no information when she went to visit her doppelganger in August, and so she focused on the next thing her mind brought up. Why had she thought Ana would act differently? Had Ivy messed up with social cues again? The insult stung far more than it should have, far more than she should have let it. It was a stupid thought, but Ivy had believed that Ana would have taken into their friendship into account before speaking so cruelly. It was as though... Ana expected her to understand what she was going through. As though she expected Ivy to read her mind and know exactly what she wanted.

"What the fuck, Ana?" Her voice was louder than she thought it had been, and her eyes were still focused on the table, mind still a mess of different thoughts. Ivy looked around self-consciously and lowered her voice to almost a whisper, so only Ana would be able to hear her. "I don't understand why you're acting like this. Did I - did I do something wrong? Is it because of something I said in our letters?"

And of course, the redhead had to interrupt and comment on something. Again. A combination of anger and annoyance rushed through Ivy's veins as she turned her attention back to the first year. She forced it down and listened to the redhead's rant, her expression unimpressed. Keep calm. Keepcalmkeepcalmkeepcalm. Rise above it. When the girl finished, Ivy let the silence swallow them for a few seconds before proceeding to speak, tone bored and rather condescending, like one of a wise, calm adult speaking to a child throwing a temper tantrum. "Are you quite done yet?" she asked dryly, raising an eyebrow. "Both my parents' teaching methods and my relationship with Ana are none of your business. Perhaps you're the one with problematic parents, since you seem to have no problem throwing tantrums and overall acting like a brat in public," Ivy suggested. Her voice was still even and her anger was still contained.

"You know, you have some nerve, talking to your seniors like that," she continued calmly, "considering that we know spells that you don't and actually know how to use our wands." Ivy had been casually twirling her wand by her side for the past few minutes on purpose, and she really, really hoped that the first years would take notice and piss off before she lost her patience and actually hexed the shit out of them. She gave a half-smile, one that didn't quite reach her cold grey eyes.

Ivy had expected the girl to shut up and stop spitting venom at this point, so when she overheard what she was saying to the brunette, she nearly spat out her water. So now she and Ana were ninnies, were they? Forget hexes, Ivy was seriously contemplating slapping that pathetic little smile off her pathetic little face at the moment. Who the fuck did she think she was? She was a little nobody, a firstie, the bottom of the food chain here at Hogwarts. Heck, the redhead didn't even know any spells, so it was really quite brave of her to speak like that about someone as dangerous as Ana - to her face. Actually, scratch that. It wasn't brave, it was plain stupid. She was practically asking for it at this point, Ivy thought to herself darkly. "You might like to watch your mouth, or you'll find yourself unable to speak." The second year had contained her fury reasonably well in order not to draw any more attention to this... delightful little group, but had let enough of her anger show for the first years to hear the murderous intent in her voice. Her eyes narrowed, cutting right through them. She didn't want to cause a scene here or ruin their first night here, but some of them really needed to learn when to shut up.

The brunette seemed to have some common sense, at the very least. She had chosen not to smile back at the other girl, instead turning back to her dinner with a look of disapproval on her face. Smart girl. Ivy let out a short huff of laughter, these first years were really quite hopeless. "Probably should have thought of that before you started talking, sweetheart. But you are correct, you two should probably shut up and start using your brains for once. The Hospital Wing is not a very nice place to spend your first night."

The Gryffindor turned back to Ana, her confident smirk melting away and replaced with a look of concern. She lowered her voice again. "Ana, stop pushing me away. Talk to me! I can't help you if I don't know anything." Ivy had no idea what was going through her doppelganger's mind, and as she searched Ana's face and tried to read her expression, she wondered why she was even trying. It was clear that she didn't want her help, although Ivy couldn't fathom why not. It was like she was purposefully digging herself into a hole, deeper and deeper - who would do that to themself? Ivy didn't understand. She wanted to, but Ana didn't.

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Interactions: @Lydea Wayland | @Cosmo Keith | @Ivy Bellamy

Ana was done. Completely done. She was barely holding it together and these first years were begging for her to hex them into oblivion. Now, just to decide which hex. Most of her preferred spells, such as Flipendo and Incendio, were extremely flashy and dramatic, which unfortunately was not the best course of action here. She deeply loathed the idea of having to spend her first night back at school in detention, so causing a scene was out of the question. That eliminated a fair amount of her attack spells as well as straight-up tackling the girl out of her seat, but she still had room to work.

The girl continued to natter and babble and Ana laughed at her words. They would have been far more intimidating if Ana wasn't half a foot taller and significantly more muscular from years of flying and ballet. Ana generally wasn't the type to get into physical fights, vastly preferring witty insults or well-placed spells. However, she had discovered at the Blossom Ball that she was more than capable of throwing an effective punch should the need arise.

She didn't even dignify the words with a reply beyond scoffing. Who the fuck cared about cursing? They weren't in high society, and she had also just attempted to criticize Ana for sounding too prim. Ana and Ivy who had been brought up in a world where things like that mattered were far more capable to make that judgemental than whoever this ill-bred ferret was.

She rolled her eyes at being called a ninny. What was this girl, a grandma? If that was her best attempt at being witty, then her opinions on Ana's prissiness and Ivy's language were even less a concern for Ana. The dark-haired first year didn't who had started all of this seemed to be backing down like a coward, which only irritated Ana further. What the hell was she doing in Gryffindor if she couldn't even finish an argument that she started?

She rolled her eyes at Ivy's warning to the first year. As if it wasn't already far too late for the little ferret. Ivy was visibly stung by her words and Ana felt a small twinge of guilt. Ana refused to even look at her, trying to ignore the hurt in her voice as she asked what she had done wrong. If Ana was in any sort of good mood, she would have assured Ivy that it wasn't Ivy's fault and that she was sorting through somethings that she had to deal with on her own. But Ana wasn't.

Ivy's tongue lashing of the ginger ferret amused Ana, but she had already set herself on a course of action. She slowly took out her wand and begun spinning it from finger to finger the way a drummer might idly play with a drumstick. When Ivy was finished, Ana cocked her head slightly, smirked in a way that would make any sane person flee, and stopped spinning her wand.

"Are all of you immature clowns finished bloviating?" she said, her voice still utterly disinterested. "Actually, it's occurred to me. I don't actually care whether or not you think you're done. I say you're done. Mimblewimble!" With a sudden flick of her wrist that contrasted sharply with her lazy movements from a few moments ago, she cast the tongue-tying curse on the irritant.

"Ivy, keep pressing this and you're next," Ana said cooly. She didn't want Ivy's help and she knew that it wouldn't do either of them a bit of good for Ivy to know the truth. She couldn't imagine how it would feel to discover that the man that Ivy had just learned was her father was also a suspected murderer. She snapped her book shut sharply and stood. She was so done with this and frankly saw no point in remaining any further. She would demand a professor escort her to the Common Room if anyone said anything about her being alone.

Anastasia Beckett will be exiting this thread unless stopped.