30 Apr 2019, 05:31
Brains Not Brawn
@Finn Valois
Children could be cruel. Anyone could tell you that. It didn't matter where in the world you were, it didn't matter if you were a witch, a wizard, a muggle or a squib, it was the same everywhere.
At the moment, Illowy stayed where she was, knees hugged to her chest, on the cold, wet stone floor of the abandoned bathrooms. She figured at some point or any other, some one would try to get in her face about something, but it'd gone further then she'd expected it to.
A group of girls had been behind her, not that she took too much mind to it, it wasn't an uncommon sight. They were chittering and whispering and giggling as Illowy made her way from class towards the library. As soon as she passed the door of the abandoned bathrooms, the girls seemed to spring on her, shoving her inside and closing the door tight behind them.
One girl stayed leaned against the door to keep anyone else, the rest of the group loomed over her. It was mostly first years from what the brunette could tell, all from different houses other then her own; and while Illowy would advocate that she had quite a sharp tongue, when it came to anything physical, she was easily out numbered and out brawned.
"Just like a Slytherin to think they're so tough until someone puts them in their place." one laughed.
Another, the bigger of the small group, giggled and chimed in, "You think you're so much better and smarter then the rest of us. Well then, go on. Prove it." that girl drew her wand, "Duel me if you think you know so much more."
All Illowy could do was sit there, bright eyes flickering back and forth between all the different faces, trying to decide what the best thing would be to do. One of the girl grabbed her by the sleeve of her cloak and yanked the small girl to her feet, "You heard her, Slytherin." she snapped.
Unsure what else to do, she drew her own wand, mentally going through all the spells she'd learn so far... at least in theory. She'd never actually practiced them. It was against the rules after all. Before she could even gather that any kind of duel had begun, the bigger girl swished her wand.
Flipendo!
In a burst, the Illowy was knocked flat on her back and sent skidding back towards the toilets, losing grip of her wand, sending it rolling somewhere along the way. It knocked the wind straight out of her, and the girls took advantage of the moment of weakness from there.
Now, with the girls finally gone, Illowy sucked in a shaky breath, climbing to her feet. Everything was sore, from her chest, to her back to her head. She could feel bumps and bruises starting to form, on her as she made her way to one of the cracked mirrors. For the first time in a long time, her cheeks were tear stained, be it from anger or fear, she wasn't sure.
Hands gripped the porcelain sinks tightly as her wiped at a busted lip with the back of her hand. Through the mirror, she looked at the ground, seeing her homework and scraps from her sketchbook strewn around the damp stone.
Her attention was only caught when she heard the door start to creak open again, assuming the girls were coming in for round two, having heard them laughing outside the door not too long ago, "Will you just leave me alone?" she demanded, not bothering to see who it was, her voice a bit more broken then her usual self.
Children could be cruel. Anyone could tell you that. It didn't matter where in the world you were, it didn't matter if you were a witch, a wizard, a muggle or a squib, it was the same everywhere.
At the moment, Illowy stayed where she was, knees hugged to her chest, on the cold, wet stone floor of the abandoned bathrooms. She figured at some point or any other, some one would try to get in her face about something, but it'd gone further then she'd expected it to.
A group of girls had been behind her, not that she took too much mind to it, it wasn't an uncommon sight. They were chittering and whispering and giggling as Illowy made her way from class towards the library. As soon as she passed the door of the abandoned bathrooms, the girls seemed to spring on her, shoving her inside and closing the door tight behind them.
One girl stayed leaned against the door to keep anyone else, the rest of the group loomed over her. It was mostly first years from what the brunette could tell, all from different houses other then her own; and while Illowy would advocate that she had quite a sharp tongue, when it came to anything physical, she was easily out numbered and out brawned.
"Just like a Slytherin to think they're so tough until someone puts them in their place." one laughed.
Another, the bigger of the small group, giggled and chimed in, "You think you're so much better and smarter then the rest of us. Well then, go on. Prove it." that girl drew her wand, "Duel me if you think you know so much more."
All Illowy could do was sit there, bright eyes flickering back and forth between all the different faces, trying to decide what the best thing would be to do. One of the girl grabbed her by the sleeve of her cloak and yanked the small girl to her feet, "You heard her, Slytherin." she snapped.
Unsure what else to do, she drew her own wand, mentally going through all the spells she'd learn so far... at least in theory. She'd never actually practiced them. It was against the rules after all. Before she could even gather that any kind of duel had begun, the bigger girl swished her wand.
Flipendo!
In a burst, the Illowy was knocked flat on her back and sent skidding back towards the toilets, losing grip of her wand, sending it rolling somewhere along the way. It knocked the wind straight out of her, and the girls took advantage of the moment of weakness from there.
Now, with the girls finally gone, Illowy sucked in a shaky breath, climbing to her feet. Everything was sore, from her chest, to her back to her head. She could feel bumps and bruises starting to form, on her as she made her way to one of the cracked mirrors. For the first time in a long time, her cheeks were tear stained, be it from anger or fear, she wasn't sure.
Hands gripped the porcelain sinks tightly as her wiped at a busted lip with the back of her hand. Through the mirror, she looked at the ground, seeing her homework and scraps from her sketchbook strewn around the damp stone.
Her attention was only caught when she heard the door start to creak open again, assuming the girls were coming in for round two, having heard them laughing outside the door not too long ago, "Will you just leave me alone?" she demanded, not bothering to see who it was, her voice a bit more broken then her usual self.
Last edited by Illowy Magnard on 1 May 2019, 19:57, edited 1 time in total.
I was told I was dangerous. When I asked why, they said, "Because you don't need anyone." That's when I smiled.
30 Apr 2019, 14:50
Brains Not Brawn
After his little 'incident' his first day when he had gotten lost in the dingy abandoned toilets, he found it to be quite a good place to catch up on some reading in peace without the chattering and giggling of students. This time around, he had discovered a book all about the different magical creatures that lurked throughout the wizarding world. As he balanced the book against his torso, he moved to open the door when he heard the voice of a girl shouting from within.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone else was in here," He apologized. He was about to leave the girl in peace before he noticed her state. Spread out on the dirty floor, her raven black hair was billowed around her like a cape, and he noticed a blossoming bruise near her face. Circling around from her, he saw several books and papers - it looked like there had been some sort of explosion. Without a moment's hesitation, he burst into the room and quickly moved over to her, extending a hand as an offer to assist her to her feet. "Sorry, but I can't just leave you here like this." He explained. After a pause, he realized introducing himself might help. "Finn Valois, Hufflepuff. I'm a bit new here."
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone else was in here," He apologized. He was about to leave the girl in peace before he noticed her state. Spread out on the dirty floor, her raven black hair was billowed around her like a cape, and he noticed a blossoming bruise near her face. Circling around from her, he saw several books and papers - it looked like there had been some sort of explosion. Without a moment's hesitation, he burst into the room and quickly moved over to her, extending a hand as an offer to assist her to her feet. "Sorry, but I can't just leave you here like this." He explained. After a pause, he realized introducing himself might help. "Finn Valois, Hufflepuff. I'm a bit new here."
Sincerely, Finn Valois
STR: 3 | AG: 15 | CTRL: 7 | STMNA: 5
30 Apr 2019, 19:47
Brains Not Brawn
She looked up when she realized it was a boy's voice and not one of the girl's from earlier. How mortifying that someone else had to come across her in such a pathetic state. She swallowed hard, averting cold eyes from him and letting hair, slightly stringy now from the wet floor, fall in her face a bit more, like a curtain; as though trying to hide further into herself.
He approached, and she curled further into herself, turning her face away once more as he offered a hand to her, insisting on helping as he introduced himself, "I didn't ask!" she snapped. Cold and harsh way to speak to someone who truly only wanted to help. Illowy wasn't good at asking for help, especially after already being in such a humiliating state.
Shaky hands roughly wiped at her face, trying to rid herself of any spare tears or evidence that she'd been crying, "Just go away..." her tone might've sounded stronger and more convincing if it hadn't been followed with a sniffle and a shuddering breath. The Slytherin looked around herself, picking up a page or two of her ruined sketchbook that had been within arms reach, holding them close. Her mind was still trying to make sense of the whole scene. She never said she was better then anyone else, she worked hard to be good in class. She never threatened anyone, never hurt anyone... intentionally anyway.
He approached, and she curled further into herself, turning her face away once more as he offered a hand to her, insisting on helping as he introduced himself, "I didn't ask!" she snapped. Cold and harsh way to speak to someone who truly only wanted to help. Illowy wasn't good at asking for help, especially after already being in such a humiliating state.
Shaky hands roughly wiped at her face, trying to rid herself of any spare tears or evidence that she'd been crying, "Just go away..." her tone might've sounded stronger and more convincing if it hadn't been followed with a sniffle and a shuddering breath. The Slytherin looked around herself, picking up a page or two of her ruined sketchbook that had been within arms reach, holding them close. Her mind was still trying to make sense of the whole scene. She never said she was better then anyone else, she worked hard to be good in class. She never threatened anyone, never hurt anyone... intentionally anyway.
I was told I was dangerous. When I asked why, they said, "Because you don't need anyone." That's when I smiled.
30 Apr 2019, 20:02
Brains Not Brawn
Finn barely reacted to the snapping of the girl - he was used to being snapped at by his younger siblings when he tried to help them, too. He took note of the girl's cold demeanor, his eyes trailing to the green of her tie. He'd learned from his owling with his Slytherin friend that they weren't as cold as they may appear.
Instead of blatant assistance, he opted for a different approach, one that often worked on his pouty brother. "Alright then," He said with a shrug. "But this is my reading space, so I guess you're just gonna have to deal with me here." Opening his book bag and retrieving a few books, he sat down against the wall and made himself cozy, tucking into the first book. He figured the girl could at least use some company, or some protection if whoever had done this to her decided to come back. He was comfortable staying here with her, and assisting if needed. Besides, it's not like reading in the company of one person was much different than reading alone. In a way, he actually enjoyed it more.
He couldn't help but peek up at her from behind his book, however. He was interested in her - he didn't encounter that many Slytherins.
Instead of blatant assistance, he opted for a different approach, one that often worked on his pouty brother. "Alright then," He said with a shrug. "But this is my reading space, so I guess you're just gonna have to deal with me here." Opening his book bag and retrieving a few books, he sat down against the wall and made himself cozy, tucking into the first book. He figured the girl could at least use some company, or some protection if whoever had done this to her decided to come back. He was comfortable staying here with her, and assisting if needed. Besides, it's not like reading in the company of one person was much different than reading alone. In a way, he actually enjoyed it more.
He couldn't help but peek up at her from behind his book, however. He was interested in her - he didn't encounter that many Slytherins.
Sincerely, Finn Valois
STR: 3 | AG: 15 | CTRL: 7 | STMNA: 5
30 Apr 2019, 20:24
Brains Not Brawn
The girl stayed quiet, watching him cautiously as he shrugged and made himself comfortable. Illowy pressed herself closer against the wall, pulling her damp cloak tighter around herself. In the silence, she just wanted to wallow in her own humiliation, but her ivy blue eyes kept flickering back to the boy, contently reading nearby.
Part of her felt wary now about interacting with houses outside of her own. While she knew one or two people who weren't that bad, it seemed like everyone else had some sort of vendetta against the Slytherins. It was difficult to go one day without hearing someone practically spit out the word as though it were some kind of shame or slur. Who could blame the Slytherins for being cold towards the other houses? More often then not, they were colder then the Slytherins ever were, and seemed to sit on their high horse and default everyone in the house to being as terrible as the Dark Lord himself.
Several minutes passed before she pipped up once more, making a weak attempt to bother or upset him enough to want to leave her alone in her own misery, "Who the bloody hell reads in an abandoned girls bathroom anyway? That's so sad looking. We have an entire library you know." she muttered.
Who was she to say something was sad looking? After all, she was the one who was banged up, wet and pouting about what had happened. What was wrong with festering for a moment though? She felt she had some right to it, for a moment at least.
Part of her felt wary now about interacting with houses outside of her own. While she knew one or two people who weren't that bad, it seemed like everyone else had some sort of vendetta against the Slytherins. It was difficult to go one day without hearing someone practically spit out the word as though it were some kind of shame or slur. Who could blame the Slytherins for being cold towards the other houses? More often then not, they were colder then the Slytherins ever were, and seemed to sit on their high horse and default everyone in the house to being as terrible as the Dark Lord himself.
Several minutes passed before she pipped up once more, making a weak attempt to bother or upset him enough to want to leave her alone in her own misery, "Who the bloody hell reads in an abandoned girls bathroom anyway? That's so sad looking. We have an entire library you know." she muttered.
Who was she to say something was sad looking? After all, she was the one who was banged up, wet and pouting about what had happened. What was wrong with festering for a moment though? She felt she had some right to it, for a moment at least.
I was told I was dangerous. When I asked why, they said, "Because you don't need anyone." That's when I smiled.
30 Apr 2019, 20:37
Brains Not Brawn
Finn had fallen into the world of his books, soaking up each new snippet of information and storing it in his head to use for a future date. It seemed that times when he needed the information he suddenly forgot everything he had attempted to learn, however. He was quickly snapped from his thoughts by the girl's voice, and he looked up curiously. "Girl's bathroom?" He echoed. He looked around the room and then shrugged. "Suppose it is. Don't change the fact it's abandoned, though. Library's always crowded with people. The Ravenclaws are the only other ones beside me who actually go there to read, and they all go back to their common room." He shrugged, not seeming bothered in the slightest. "Guess this became my little space."
He didn't attempt to retort back to the girl. He'd learned years ago that responding to cruelty with cruelty was never helpful. "Want to know what I'm reading about?" He held up the book to her, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "A history of elves. All sorts! Interesting little buggers, they are." Finn had bumped into a couple of the castle's elves before, mainly the ones who worked in the library. They were always so eager to help, and so kind to him. He wished there was a way he could show them more appreciation, but nobody else seemed to pay them any mind.
He didn't attempt to retort back to the girl. He'd learned years ago that responding to cruelty with cruelty was never helpful. "Want to know what I'm reading about?" He held up the book to her, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "A history of elves. All sorts! Interesting little buggers, they are." Finn had bumped into a couple of the castle's elves before, mainly the ones who worked in the library. They were always so eager to help, and so kind to him. He wished there was a way he could show them more appreciation, but nobody else seemed to pay them any mind.
Sincerely, Finn Valois
STR: 3 | AG: 15 | CTRL: 7 | STMNA: 5
30 Apr 2019, 22:23
Brains Not Brawn
She pressed her lips tightly together when he shrugged off her retort, "Well, I read there too..." she mumbled softly as she rested her chin on her knees, unsure if he would've been able to hear her. His voice became even more cheerful as he began going on about what he was reading about Elves. That interested her very little. She had a basic understanding of Elf history, at least as much as any average young witch or wizard did.
Mostly, it was just house Elves she knew about. They had one in their own home named Hunny, as well as did many other people in her family. It was something she didn't give a second thought about. Hunny had been in her home for as long as she could remember, taking care of the house along with other duties her mother would assign. Granted, she did know not everyone with a house elf treated them well.
"Why bother yourself reading about Elves?" she questioned. They seemed perfectly happy where they were, in her opinion, and content with where they were in the present. Truthfully, thinking about them too much made her feel a little homesick. In her home, despite how much and how hard Hunny worked, she and her mother loved the elf... though one could compare it to the way one might also love a dear pet, but that was simply the way of it.
Mostly, it was just house Elves she knew about. They had one in their own home named Hunny, as well as did many other people in her family. It was something she didn't give a second thought about. Hunny had been in her home for as long as she could remember, taking care of the house along with other duties her mother would assign. Granted, she did know not everyone with a house elf treated them well.
"Why bother yourself reading about Elves?" she questioned. They seemed perfectly happy where they were, in her opinion, and content with where they were in the present. Truthfully, thinking about them too much made her feel a little homesick. In her home, despite how much and how hard Hunny worked, she and her mother loved the elf... though one could compare it to the way one might also love a dear pet, but that was simply the way of it.
I was told I was dangerous. When I asked why, they said, "Because you don't need anyone." That's when I smiled.
30 Apr 2019, 22:53
Brains Not Brawn
Finn had been excitedly explaining how elf magic is different from human magic when the girl cut him off sharply. Why bother? Finn went silent, thinking for a moment. He looked down at the book, up at the bathroom, and back to the girl.
He thought about all the incredible things that existed that he hadn't known about just a year prior. An entire new world - literally - had opened up for him. His parents lives, suffering, working multiple jobs and still barely earning enough to survive - it had all become trivial. There was another universe just under their nose, one where fairies were real, kids studied magic, and unicorns lived just beyond the school grounds.
It was then Finn realized just why this stuff was so important to him. Being a wizard was the greatest thing that could have ever happened to him. He had been wistfully taken away from all the responsibility, all the work, and all the poverty. He was sleeping in his own bed now, eating a full amount of food, and learning things he never knew he'd learned. "Everything here matters to me." He began, closing the book and holding it to his chest. "I know it seems like normal stuff to you... but everything here, it's incredible. I wish you could see that." And he truly meant it. If there were any students attending Hogwarts who weren't completely aware of how lucky they were to be there, he genuinely wished they would realize it soon. "I want to do everything I can. I want to experience everything."
He thought about all the incredible things that existed that he hadn't known about just a year prior. An entire new world - literally - had opened up for him. His parents lives, suffering, working multiple jobs and still barely earning enough to survive - it had all become trivial. There was another universe just under their nose, one where fairies were real, kids studied magic, and unicorns lived just beyond the school grounds.
It was then Finn realized just why this stuff was so important to him. Being a wizard was the greatest thing that could have ever happened to him. He had been wistfully taken away from all the responsibility, all the work, and all the poverty. He was sleeping in his own bed now, eating a full amount of food, and learning things he never knew he'd learned. "Everything here matters to me." He began, closing the book and holding it to his chest. "I know it seems like normal stuff to you... but everything here, it's incredible. I wish you could see that." And he truly meant it. If there were any students attending Hogwarts who weren't completely aware of how lucky they were to be there, he genuinely wished they would realize it soon. "I want to do everything I can. I want to experience everything."
Sincerely, Finn Valois
STR: 3 | AG: 15 | CTRL: 7 | STMNA: 5
30 Apr 2019, 23:25
Brains Not Brawn
The boy shot her a look as though she'd physically hurt him somehow. She studied him for a moment as he spoke tenderly about how it must've been so normal to her, how wonderful everything was and wanting to experience it all. Granted, this was her normal. Everyone around her was a witch or a wizard, but she'd also grown up in a Muggle city. She's seen both sides of the coin. However, as he kept going on about it, it didn't take long for it to click in her mind.
"You're another Muggle-born, aren't you?" it wasn't really a question, and in-spite of her tone, she had nothing against Muggle-borns. Her only real friend was a Muggle-born. A magic user was a magic user, and blood made no difference in how powerful that witch or wizard was. If anything, her tone was only in realization as to why he would have found such mundane things to be so wonderful and exotic.
Her eyes lifted back to him, "If you want something actually interest, you should read up about the War back in the 90s. A lot of the students here, their parents, my mom included, would've been in school here when it happened." she suggested, her voice losing its intensity and calming a bit more.
"You're another Muggle-born, aren't you?" it wasn't really a question, and in-spite of her tone, she had nothing against Muggle-borns. Her only real friend was a Muggle-born. A magic user was a magic user, and blood made no difference in how powerful that witch or wizard was. If anything, her tone was only in realization as to why he would have found such mundane things to be so wonderful and exotic.
Her eyes lifted back to him, "If you want something actually interest, you should read up about the War back in the 90s. A lot of the students here, their parents, my mom included, would've been in school here when it happened." she suggested, her voice losing its intensity and calming a bit more.
I was told I was dangerous. When I asked why, they said, "Because you don't need anyone." That's when I smiled.
30 Apr 2019, 23:35
Brains Not Brawn
Finn, after he spoke, suddenly felt as if he'd been stripped naked. Here he was, on the floor of a bathroom, spilling his heart and soul out on the disgusting linoleum for a girl whose name he didn't even know. He sat there, stunned by his own honesty, and wondering what it was that had caused him to become so introspective. Then the dreaded question came from the girl's parted lips.
She knew he was muggle-born. And she was a Slytherin. He had been taught that that was a bad combination. He paused, looking back down at himself, pathetically attempting to get through to this girl, and lifted his chin to defend himself when she cut him off. Despite his expectations, she told him about something even more compelling he could research.
The war? How had nobody told him about the war? Perhaps, due to the age of the history books, it was simply too recent to recount. Perhaps it was assumed everyone knew about it. But he'd been completely clueless. He was immediately stripped of all sense of doubt and regret and he exploded excitedly. "It happened here? And your mom was in it? That's so amazing... I mean, I mean, the only thing exciting that's happened back in my world was the funny hamster that went viral! That's incredible!" He wanted to send a barrage of questions her way, but she didn't seem the type to like talking that much, and he figured the information was as much as he could ask for. "I'll definitely look into it..."
She knew he was muggle-born. And she was a Slytherin. He had been taught that that was a bad combination. He paused, looking back down at himself, pathetically attempting to get through to this girl, and lifted his chin to defend himself when she cut him off. Despite his expectations, she told him about something even more compelling he could research.
The war? How had nobody told him about the war? Perhaps, due to the age of the history books, it was simply too recent to recount. Perhaps it was assumed everyone knew about it. But he'd been completely clueless. He was immediately stripped of all sense of doubt and regret and he exploded excitedly. "It happened here? And your mom was in it? That's so amazing... I mean, I mean, the only thing exciting that's happened back in my world was the funny hamster that went viral! That's incredible!" He wanted to send a barrage of questions her way, but she didn't seem the type to like talking that much, and he figured the information was as much as he could ask for. "I'll definitely look into it..."
Sincerely, Finn Valois
STR: 3 | AG: 15 | CTRL: 7 | STMNA: 5