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.
Post by Nyx Nordstrom on Oct 16, 2019 7:46:23 GMT 10
The rain continued to fall upon the school. It was a hard rain, too; much harder than before. It was a perpetual rain, a downpour. The harsh droplets could be capable of whipping at one's eyes, perhaps even an undertow at the ankles. This wasn't ideal weather to venture out into, let alone to look for ingredients, but Nyx Nordstrom was determined to find her last remaining components. She had acquired two, but needed four more to be granted access to the student laboratory. Unlike everyone else who had to find only five, she had to find six. The outcome of that situation yesterday still agitated her. Professor Snape was a self righteous git. Truly.
Nyx slipped and skidded out onto the Lawns, gripping at the book that Mathias Sallow had lent her. Aside from wanting to read it, she had learned that it was resistant to water, which was perfect for this personal quest of sorts. However, for whatever reason, the book seemed rather important to Mathias. This surely wasn't one that Madam Pince had lent him, but perhaps one from his personal collection. For that reason, Nyx was going to do her best to keep it safe. With that thought in mind, she held it tightly between her delicate fingers, hovering it over her cloaked head as she descended closer to what appeared to be a cultivated area of grass.
She stopped a moment, beginning to scan the area. "Fluxygrass, fluxygrass, fluxygrass," Nyx repeated aloud to herself, trying to recall what it looked like from a book she once read. She knew the plant thrived in grassy areas and knew it was ready for plucking when it was a darker, healthier color. While she possessed that knowledge, it would still prove difficult to find it in a deluge of water. But that wasn't going to deter the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain. "At least it won't be dried out," she murmured, using a hand to brush over some foliage.
Last Edit: Oct 16, 2019 8:15:27 GMT 10 by Nyx Nordstrom
Rain. Of course it had to rain. She had heard that the best way to get over a fear was to face it head on, but surely there was a better way than this. Standing in the lawns and getting drenched was merely a way to catch a chill. But she was determined to get over her silly fear of storms. She was a witch after all, she shouldn't have such silly fears.
It seemed she was not alone as she heard another voice. She turned to see a girl searching for something. While she could tell by her clothing that she was in Ravenclaw, just as Amy was, she was not quite sure of the girl's name. She looked much older than she was, although the exact year she was Amy could not say.
What Amy found odd was the book that the girl had in her hand. What charm did it have on it that made it waterproof? Maybe she could learn the charm for her sketchbook. She heard the girl say "Fluxygrass" and assumed that was what she was looking for. Maybe she could help? So she began to scan the area around her. She knew a few herbs, which Amy assumed Fluxygrass was, but why could she not recall this singular one? What did it even look like?
Last Edit: Oct 16, 2019 20:04:17 GMT 10 by Deleted: Was told by Lena to take out the thunder part
The rain certainly made things harder. The grounds were soaked and sloshed either water or mud at the ankles of anyone who tried to venture through. Nyx's book provided some assistance, but the wind plus downpour were persistent on giving her a challenge.
Unfortunately, despite Amalia's good intentions, fluxygrass wasn't something she was familiar with. The task of finding ingredients (especially in this weather) was almost impossible for someone who didn't have a Potions kit or wasn't at least in the process of getting one. That left Nyx on her own to search for the elusive fluxygrass that was usually more common around the grounds.
There were some hints that it wasn't a waste of Nyx's time to try though, with a few shoots among the muddy grass resembling fluxygrass in its earliest stages. If she kept trying, even the weather and cold could not prevent her progress forever.
Post by Jade Arwell on Oct 16, 2019 17:05:28 GMT 10
Jade did not appreciate having to go outside during such annoying weather. Rain wasn't something she avoided at all costs, but she had other things to focus on and the downpour only made things harder. She'd intended to follow Nyx once class ended, but had taken her time to prepare for the rain by pulling up her hood and keeping her wand handy for any necessary warming charms.
She'd made it as far as the end of the covered bridge, but there was no sign of Nyx. Sighing, Jade got out a basic map of Hogwarts and aimed her wand. 'Pointus Nyx Nordstrom,' she said, awaiting the result. Once she had an idea of where to go, Jade tucked the map away and trudged through the weather on her way across the grounds.
'There you are.' Jade gasped in relief, though slightly regretted deciding to do this during terrible conditions. She noticed a first year nearby, frowning at the inconvenience of that and a lack of privacy but what could she do? Jade new, in seeking Nyx out, that they might not be alone for the important conversation so she'd just have to deal with it.
'Can you hear me?' She checked with Nyx, as it wouldn't be any use if the rain drowned out their words. She raised her voice a bit to help. 'So uh...We're cousins.' Jade didn't wait around for small talk or whatever. She was always blunt and to the point.
She forgot to consider that Nyx might roll her eyes at the statement, as it wasn't a secret that they were related. It was a matter of Jade preparing to reveal what she'd found out over the summer about just how closely they were related - once she finished fussing over getting mud on her shoes.
Jade glanced at the first year. 'Who are you?' Not that she really cared, but it felt wrong to outright ignore the girl.
Post by Nyx Nordstrom on Oct 17, 2019 7:11:10 GMT 10
Everything was so muddy. If it weren't for her exceptional balance, Nyx would've surely slipped upon the wet grass by now. The sleet of rain continued to fall without remorse, and it was so muddy that it almost felt as though her shoes were sinking into the ground beneath her. Thank goodness she didn't put on her brand new pair of black Mary Jane shoes today. That relief then triggered apprehension. Perhaps this was a bad idea, after all? With a shake of her head, Nyx kept at it. She refused to back out. She was already wet and her shoes were already muddy.
Nyx bit her lower lip in determination, rummaging through the drenched growth, looking for anything remotely useable. She knew what she needed and where to find it, but slowly began to second guess herself. However, she opted not to get her ingredient list out of her pocket for fear of getting it wet. She'd need that for future ingredient searching. So, she decided to stick to her guns; she knew how to identify fluxygrass. Taking a few steps further, she continued to search, not realizing that a smaller student had entered her vicinity, only a few feet away.
She squealed softly as a brisk wind swept past her, blowing all kinds of mist into her face. It was in that moment that she heard a familiar voice behind her. It was Jade Arwell, whom Nyx had learned to be a distant relative of her family a few years prior. However, that information was clearly subject to change, as the Gryffindor girl dropped a bombshell more overwhelming than the bullets of rain hailing from above. "Cousins? What're you talking about, Jade?" she asked with skepticism in her tone. Unlike her relative, Nordstrom completely ignored the unidentified younger girl, her cerulean blue eyes locked on Arwell, awaiting her answer.
Amalia shifted her eyes up as another girl had come rushing over. She looked to be around the same age as the first girl, who apparently was her cousin? Although it seemed that this was new information for them. Although it surely was odd, the girls looked like polar opposites. To be more literal, fire and ice.
Then the fire girl, yes she was going to call her fire girl, even though her cousin had addressed her as Jade, spoke to her. She didn't even realize her presence was noticed, as they both seemed involved in their own conversation to even notice her.
"Oh! Er, I'm Amalia, or, er, Amy. Whatever you want to call me, I guess. Um, I heard your friend, or cousin, I don't even know, but she was looking for fluxygrouse or whatever. I thought I would help her. I'm not trying to cause any trouble or anything, honest." She raised her hands up nervously. What had she gotten herself into? Not only were these girls older and more experienced than her, but they outnumbered her too! All she wanted to do was help!
Mud, rain, wind - the fluxygrass remained elusive among them, yet Nyx's keen search wasn't without hope. She spotted some growing near where Amalia stood - small, but a viable ingredient ready for the picking. The first year would easily overlook it. In fact, anyone would if not as determined and knowledgeable as Nyx in her hunt for that exact plant.
It was enough for one, but the soaked grass around it was lush. There was a possibility of finding more, if she wanted to continue enduring a downpour and risking the decreasing temperature. Actually, it would be noticed by all students present that the temperature was dropping a bit more than one might expect.
Post by Jade Arwell on Oct 18, 2019 1:04:26 GMT 10
Jade hugged herself to keep warm, her mood worsening the longer she was out in the freakishly cold rain. She eyed the first year and nodded, but had nothing to really say to her. It'd probably sound rude anyway, so Jade let the younger girl do whatever she came out there to do - but tilted her head at Nyx, indicating they should step away from the first year for a moment to make their conversation a bit more private.
It wasn't as if Amalia couldn't catch a word here or there, but it was family stuff so Jade hoped she minded her own business. Honestly, Jade really didn't care much that the girl was there, though Amalia seemed nice enough, as she had bigger things to worry about.
'Cousins,' Jade repeated to Nyx, giving her a significant look. 'None of that second and twice removed crap. Direct cousins.' She tried to emphasis the important words, but the rain was heavy and she was cold. Why had she decided to do this now? Stupid, she was. Too late to back out now though.
Jade fidgeted, trying to find the words. Her face was serious and honest, not making any attempt to joke or lighten the blow of her reveal. The more she tried to word it right though, the less sense it would make. So Jade did exactly what she did best; she was blunt and to the point.
'Over the summer, I overheard my parents talking about us. It confirmed everything,' Jade said, hugging herself tighter after re-securing her hood. 'Look, I've already got tons of reasons to be pissed at my family- them keeping this from us is going on the list. My mother? She's your aunt. Your father, whoever the hell he is...That's apparently my uncle. We're cousins, Nyx. I mean, really cousins.'
Sounding aloud had an impact. Jade was a bit taken aback with how real it suddenly felt. She stuttered and shook her head, then stared at the soaked grass. She had a cousin. Their parents were siblings...
Post by Nyx Nordstrom on Oct 20, 2019 0:39:07 GMT 10
There was another gust of wind, a buckle of noise in the air, as Nyx looked away to cover her face with Mathias Sallow's book. She took the opportunity to not look Jade in the eye again, instead catching a glimpse of what appeared to be the elusive fluxygrass by the other girl's feet. After Nordstrom approached the Ravenclaw and bent down to pluck a useable stalk, her mind raced. She was piecing together everything that her supposed first cousin had just said. Jade's mother was the sister of.. Nyx's father. Her father. The man she didn't know, but hated.
Nyx stood to full height and examined the pedicel in her hands, ultimately deeming it worthy enough. She still hadn't replied to Jade, slipping the fluxygrass into her pocket as Jade went into detail on how she found out the shocking information. After she finished, Nyx turned to finally stare Jade in the eye again. There was only one question on her mind, a question that trumped all other questions. "Does your mother know where he is?" she asked sternly, her eyes narrowing in contempt of him. Nyx didn't know if she wanted to know, but was curious.
"I can't believe they didn't tell us," she spat with annoyance, "letting us goto school with, essentially, an immediate family member." Nyx was trying to focus on the task at hand, but it was proving difficult with both the revelation and weather. She had gathered one ingredient, but wanted to acquire at least one more, now surveying the area for clusters of shrubs, hoping to find herself a viable branch of brittlebush. Nyx immediately began to walk about, talking while browsing. "They didn't want us to find out," she commented aloud.
Last Edit: Oct 20, 2019 0:41:59 GMT 10 by Nyx Nordstrom
Post by Jade Arwell on Oct 20, 2019 3:05:28 GMT 10
Jade crossed her arms tighter, partially in hope of trying to keep some warmth to herself but also in impatience for Nyx to say something. How was some weird plant ingredient more important than this? She sighed and waited though, knowing it was some big news to take in. She hadn't been nearly as calm when she'd learned the truth.
'I don't know.' Jade frowned, clearly having no real love for the man either. 'Mum never talks about him, and I don't think I've ever met him. She doesn't know yet that I heard them talking about us, so I can't just ask her. Sorry.' She added the last part rather lamely, in an attempt to be sympathetic. She didn't know the full story there, but knew enough not to be surprised by Nyx's reaction regarding him.
She was noticeably relieved that Nyx was annoyed too about not being told they were such close relatives, especially considering they literally started Hogwarts together. 'What if we'd been sorted into the same house? Can you imagine? We have the right to know. Why would they do this?' She kicked at some grass, but regretted it when mud went flying.
Jade wasn't sure if they'd deliberately hid the information though. It wasn't the impression she got, yet she also couldn't be sure. She didn't voice any of that, instead glaring at the grass. 'What now? I mean, now we know the truth...' She gave Nyx a defiant look, making it clear she wasn't going to just let the information go.
She intended to figure out what else they might not have been told, but also to explore this relation they had. Unless Nyx had no interest in getting to know her cousin, but even if that was the case then Jade would just investigate on her own. She tried to pretend she didn't care, that she didn't need more family, but Jade hadn't had any luck with her other relatives and hoped that maybe Nyx was different. Maybe she and Nyx had a chance at forming a real bond. They already got along weirdly well, despite having hardly spent any time together since meeting in first year.
The temperature continued to drop, now being expressed as cold breaths and nunmbness for any skin exposed to the soaking weather. The air felt strange somehow - thicker, even. Yet despite the chill, the rain began to slow and soon ended. Clouds thinned, still present but no longer about to drench anyone who dared set food outside the castle.
With the rain gone, Nyx was able to spot another viable fluxygrass ingredient ready for the picking.
Post by Nyx Nordstrom on Oct 21, 2019 1:29:05 GMT 10
Well, there was her answer. Jade didn't know where Nyx's father was. Nobody seemed to know. The man gave her mother a child and then disappeared without a trace. There was no romantic entanglement between him or her mother, at least from Nyx knew, but the fact that he wasn't curious about his own flesh and blood.. about who his daughter was or who she was becoming.. that was heartbreaking. Did he know that she was a girl, that the pregnancy was even a success? There were so many questions and no answers. It was a weighing feeling.
"That dusty old hat tried to sort me into Slytherin. I can't even imagine being in that house," she said coldly. Truth was, she never wanted to be Slytherin—still didn't want to be—although she'd be lying if she said it wouldn't be nice to share a dorm with Katherine Maples. They'd have more time together. But with that came the thought of not having extra time with Mathias Sallow. It was bittersweet either way she looked at it. "I honestly think they kept it from us on purpose," she added with confidence, but with a twinge of anger in her voice.
With her head bowed low, she scanned the grass, kicking at the blades beneath her feet. The conversation was provoking her, antagonizing her. The thought of her mother plainly lying to her wasn't out of the realm of possibility, but her grandmother? That was saddening. "Now, we find answers," she replied, before dipping down and plucking another viable strand of fluxygrass. It wasn't what she was looking for, but another stalk could only help her collection. But where was the brittlebush? She knew the branches liked to grow in thick, round bushels.
"Yes, I said we," she clarified, looking back at her cousin. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt spending time with a Gryffindor," she said half–joking, a faint smile tugging at her pink–colored lips. With the rain seemingly gone, Nyx tossed her hood backward and gave her slicked back hair a chance to breathe. "And you're still here?" she abruptly turned and asked the younger girl; rather rudely, too. As she waited for a reply, Nordstrom retrieved her wand from her pocket. "Tergeo," she recited, siphoning all traces of rain water from her outer robes.
Last Edit: Oct 21, 2019 13:35:34 GMT 10 by Nyx Nordstrom
Post by Jade Arwell on Oct 21, 2019 3:54:24 GMT 10
Jade ignored the first year entirely now, frowning as she considered everything Nyx had said. Of all things, it was the comment about the Sorting Hat that gripped her the most.
'The hat tried to put you in Slytherin?' Jade whispered. 'Well, there's something else we have in common then. It did the same with me, but...Well, my sister was in Slytherin, like my Mum, and no way was I going there too.'
It occurred to her then that Nyx probably didn't even know Tess existed. She wouldn't blame her for being curious, though there was a stab of jealousy that maybe Nyx would find Tess more interesting. Everyone else did. If Jade had to share Nyx with Tess as well, she'd really lose it.
'Why would they keep it from us?' Jade wanted to theorise, not deciding yet what she believed. It wasn't surprising that her family might have lied to her, but she also wasn't convinced that was the only possibility. What was the point in hiding it? Though she was visibly pleased that Nyx wanted to work with her on figuring it all out.
'Yeah, I suppose Ravenclaws are all right too.' Jade gave a teasing smile, then shuddered. 'Why is it so bloody cold?' She rubbed her arms and glared at the sky, then noticed her breath was puffing out in a sort of cold mist. Whatever that was called, anyway. It was a bit early for Winter, wasn't it? She didn't remember being this cold from the rain back home, but that was the least important thing right now.
'So how do you want to handle this?' Jade asked. 'I haven't confronted anyone yet. I figured we'd keep it to ourselves for now so we can figure it all out. You know, so we're ready for any excuses they give or have a strategy if they try to keep hiding it. Just spit-balling some ideas here. Got any brilliant ideas in that big ol' Ravenclaw brain of yours?' She didn't believe in house stereotypes, but Jade preferred to use humour or sly remarks in situations like this. She hoped Nyx, her cousin, got her humour.
Post by Nyx Nordstrom on Oct 23, 2019 15:18:43 GMT 10
"Well, I assume your parents know you well.. just as my grandmother and mother know me," she began, "so, I'm guessing they had a hunch the moment we'd link up and gain an inch, we'd want a mile." It was true. Even the smallest amount of information was enough for Nyx to crave more. She felt like there was a real possibility at unraveling more secrets when it came to their family, especially with Jade's help. The two could surely find out more if they put their heads together. They had to. This was the first real break in finding out about the mysterious man that was Nyx Nordstrom's biological father and Jade Arwell's uncle.
"With that notion in mind, I'd wager a heavy guess that they don't want something uncovered—perhaps about him," Nyx suggested, raising a brow in suspicion. She always imagined her father to be some sort of nefarious mastermind, capable of heinous crimes and evil deeds. I mean, he was from Slytherin, right? With that thought, she kept eye contact with her cousin, continuing to silently suggest that he was the reason for all the secrecy. He had to be; he was the link between the two families. There was no other reason as to why the two girls' respective guardians wouldn't let them know they had a first relative at the school.
Nyx began to scour the area, her eyes scanning the vast foliage, hoping to locate at least one branch of brittlebush. Her dimpled cheeks were pink in the cold air, her breath visible in clouds of condensation. She knew it was cold, but the chill didn't seem to affect her as much as the rain had. Nordstrom enjoyed the chilled atmosphere. As she wandered over to a nearby batch of bushes, she continued to speak to Arwell, her tone wavering, distracted in her search for a new ingredient. "I say we act as though we still don't know anything, but seek out more information from home," Nyx proposed, before adding, "very subtly, of course."
Last Edit: Oct 23, 2019 15:21:02 GMT 10 by Nyx Nordstrom
Post by Jade Arwell on Oct 23, 2019 22:46:42 GMT 10
'Know me well?' Jade scoffed. 'My parents don't know the first thing about me.' She agreed that Nyx made a lot of sense though. Even though subtle wasn't something she was good at, Jade knew how to be sneaky and play innocent.
'They probably just didn't want any competition for precious Tess,' Jade muttered, glancing at Nyx's captaincy badge. She'd said it quietly, forgetting there was no longer any rain to mask it, and didn't realise she'd probably been overheard. She wouldn't put it past her parents, with how Tess was perfect to them and no one else could measure up. They knew Jade wasn't going to be good enough, but maybe they weren't sure about Nyx?
'Him? My uncle?' Jade frowned. 'Why would they do that? Do you think he's bad or something?' She honestly had no idea, as no one liked to talk about him much. What she had heard wasn't even enough to share, just bits and pieces without any real context or confirmation. She hadn't really considered if he might be bad news though, rather than just a slacker or someone selfish who avoided responsibility.
'Anyway...' she tried to sway the conversation away from the rest of their family. It was never a fun topic, and she wanted to get to know her cousin. 'I heard you made captain. Congratulations,' her tone sounded a bit sarcastic or bitter, but her eyes were more genuine.
Jade glanced towards the castle, wondering if lunch was due yet. She was hungry. 'Though, just so we're clear: we may be cousins, but my loyalty belongs to Tiana and Gryffindor when it comes to Quidditch.' She gave Nyx a smile, her own competitive nature showing itself despite Jade having no interest in actually playing Quidditch or caring much for the sport beyond being a spectator.
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