An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Ruby sat down in a quiet corner of the main corridor, dabbing at her eyes with the sleeve of her robes. She didn't usually cry in front of anyone except her parents and siblings, but she felt so sad that she needed to let the tears come out.
Life hadn't always been easy for Rubes. Being the middle child in her family, her little brothers got most of the attention and, thanks to family beliefs in moral philosophy being the only correct and true way of the world, loyal and genuine friends were hard to come by.
Feeling a new wave of tears coming, Rubes buried her face in her hands.
Last Edit: Aug 22, 2019 17:53:20 GMT 10 by Deleted
Genevieve Foxglove had been walking along the corridor when she noticed someone crying. With a quick glance around, the petite third year decided to head over and see what was wrong. After all, if she had been crying she would of hoped someone might have decided to come see if she happened to be okay. "Hey." Genevieve began, a concerned look on her freckled face. "What's wrong?"
She failed to recall if the girl was in any of her own classes. Perhaps a second or a first year student. Genevieve on the other hand due to her standing on the shorter side of tiny, appeared more like a first year herself than a third.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" She inquired quietly, knowing she simply could not leave the girl crying on her own. If anyone needed help, Genevieve was usually among the first to offer her aid.
Rubes dabbed at her eyes again and looked up to see a Gryffindor girl standing beside her. The girl spoke in a kind, quiet and gentle voice.
"I've been alone all afternoon and when I asked one of my friends if I could hang out with him, he turned me down. I'm sad and lonely with no-one to talk to and I feel like my friends have abandoned me."
Looking at the girl with doleful eyes, Rubes hoped and prayed that she could make a new friend and forget about what had happened with Ryan. Hanging out with someone new might help take her mind off her sadness.
Genevieve listened intently as the crying girl explained to her what caused her to be so upset in the first place. Her bright blue eyes shone with sympathy. She was quiet for a few moments as she considered what to say. "That's awful, no wonder you are upset." Genevieve said quietly, deciding against saying she was sorry to hear that.
"Maybe... Maybe they are just busy? Or you can find or make some other friends?" The Gryffindor third year suggested hoping that her words might possess some effect on the poor first year. "I'm sure they have not abandoned you." She glanced around, wondering if there were any first years she could drag into the conversation.
After all, it was okay to forge friendships with those outside your year, but Genevieve wanted her to get a few more within it so she would not be upset. There was nothing wrong with the pair of them being friends of course, she simply did not wish for the girl to be upset when they were in different classes or... In what felt like a life time away, when Genevieve eventually graduated from Hogwarts.
"I'm Genevieve Foxglove." She introduced herself seating herself down next to the girl.
Ruby made herself more comfortable. It was nice to have someone different to talk to. Genevieve seemed like a very kind, helpful and pleasant person, the type of person that Rubes could be close friends with once they got to know each other. That was the problem regarding Ryan. He was a kind and pleasant boy, but if he wanted to get to know Rubes, he'd have to try spending a bit more time with her. That was something he wasn't currently doing, though Ruby suspected he probably had his own reasons for this.
"I guess you're right. Maybe they've just got other things to do. My name's Ruby Farrowbrooke, but you can call me Rubes if you like. It's nice to meet you."
She smiled at the younger student reassuringly. "Yeah that is probably it. Nice to meet you Ruby." Genevieve said politely, hoping that her presence and conversation would prove useful for Rubes. The last thing she wanted to do would be for Ruby to start crying when she left.
"So how are you finding Hogwarts? Looking forward to Quidditch?" Genevieve had been the Seeker for Gryffindor in her second year and she longed with every fibre of her soul to be the Seeker in her third year.
Rubes pondered Genevieve's questions and how best to answer them. "It's an interesting place, there always seems to be something going on here. Classes haven't been too bad, either." She continued to try and shuffle herself into a more comfortable position. The floor wasn't the softest thing to be sitting on and Rubes wished she had a cushion.
"Do you follow any Quidditch teams? I've been following the Montrose Magpies for the past six years."
Last Edit: Aug 24, 2019 14:32:36 GMT 10 by Deleted
"You will be surprised how quickly a place like this comes to feel like home." Genevieve admitted, though her home life was no where near bad, she preferred school to it. Her home had the tendency to be too quiet, since her mother, an author by nature rarely permitted company. "Glad you have found classes to be not too bad." She winced remembering the classes she struggled through when Genevieve first came to the school.
She beamed in excitement and delight at the other girl. If Rubes wanted to make friends with Genevieve then Quidditch happened to be an excellent way to go. "The Hollyhead Harpies. I've got the kit and several of the players signatures at home." She proclaimed proudly.
"It's fun to explore, too. You never know what you're gonna find." For the first time since she'd sat down for lunch, Rubes had found a reason to smile and feel more cheerful. "Earnt some house points in my first Potions class and I'm the first Hufflepuff in my family."
Rubes was pleased to know Genevieve was interested in Quidditch. While she herself had never played the game, she certainly enjoyed watching it. "I've got posters, a whole set of Magpies playing robes and a Quaffle signed by Seeker Lennox Campbell."
"That is true." There tended to always be some new adventure around the corner. Provided after all, the curious did not get caught. That might cost house points and thus the House Cup. Genevieve particularly wanted to win it this year, though to her finishing first in Quidditch mattered more. Especially, if they succeed in beating Slytheryn house.
"Well done." Genevieve said with a smile. At least rubes enjoyed some of her lessons and had stopped crying. Another person in need helped. "That is awesome. I am hoping to be the Seeker for my house again this year." Genevieve's blue eyes lit up with a hungry, determined fire. Clearly, to Genevieve this was something she desperately desired.
"You were Gryffindor Seeker last year? Wow! You must be really good at Quidditch. I've never played. Mum won't let me near a broomstick. I guess she's just worried that I might get hurt."
So far, this conversation was going well. Rubes seemed to have found someone she could really get along with. Another student to add to her list of friends! "Do you like reading? I've got heaps of books at home about historical witches and wizards and I'm subscribed to the Witch Weekly magazine."
At Rubes praise, Genevieve's cheeks flushed red and she felt her cheeks grow hot as she ducked her smiling. "Thank you. I was the Seeker last year, I really want to be so again." The Gryffindor did not wish to know what might happen if she failed to make the team this year, she did not think she could bear that.
"Injuries can happen unfortunately." She said in agreement, though it was not always a full contact sport some of the matches rapidly became one. Especially if the the other team happened to be trying to cheat or were losing quite badly.
She nodded. "Yeah I do, that's cool. My mom is an author so I have grown up with a love of books." Though unlike her mother, Genevieve happened to be far from reclusive. "She writes the Tobias Stonewall Wizarding Detective novels."
Rubes thought for a moment. "I don't remember reading that book series, but it sounds like a good one."
It appeared that Rubes and Genevieve definitely had a few things in common. They both enjoyed Quidditch, they both enjoyed reading. This was good. Rubes suddenly felt a familiar feeling: the feeling of being happy, bright and cheerful, which was something she enjoyed much more than being sad. In fact, having someone new to converse with was starting to help her forget why she'd been so tearful.
Genevieve chuckled lightly at that. "They are, though I say that as a fan rather than because I know the author." Her mother produced the novels at a truly impressive rate, making it difficult for fans to continually collect them all. Rubes seemed like a good person, perhaps they were in the process of forging a new friendship.
She nodded. "Yeah but what your mother does not know, won't hurt her." Genevieve beamed at her. "Thank you, I hope so too." She tried to push her fears about not making it onto the team and what it might cost her if she failed, aside. She could worry about that if it happened, no sense in stressing out over something which might not even occur.
Ruby's afternoon had gone from being lifeless and depressing to being happy and cheerful. Hopefully, now, the day would end on a high note. Perhaps she may even speak to Ryan later. That all depended on whether or not they saw each other again before the day finished. For the moment, Rubes was happy to be spending time with her new friend.
"Any idea what you might like to do when you leave Hogwarts? My parents both work for the Ministry of Magic. Mum's in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Dad's with the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad."
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