Lindsey's Memories

The evening had come across the highlands and Highfield, casting a beautiful glow from the sunset that made the clouds seem painted on the darkening blue sky. It was a gorgeous evening and perfect for that of a celebration. The sound of music seemed to echo through the purple heather, pouring from the woods that surrounded the community. The ancient castle, cared for by those whom lived within the community, watched over the clearing that was lit by fire light.

Young girls danced in their colorful dresses, men played their music on the bodhrán, strings intruments and pipes, and in the back, near the tree line, were beautiful wood arches, a pavilion, decorated with vines of flowers and lit by strings of light, casting a calming glow to those near by.

Lindsey clapped her hands to the music, her smile bright as the morning sun that had shown earlier in the day. Her parents stood near by and her younger sibling ran between the crowds, laughing and playing with others. As she stood there watching the dancing, she felt her own heart thumping to the beat of the Bodhrán. It didn't take much more for her to join the other young girls, their feet dancing in near perfect rhythm across the wood laid down for the dance floor.

As the song ended, she could feel that her skin had moistened with sweat and she gasped as she tried to catch her breath. The music came to a stop and she looked up as her parents came towards the dance floor, smiles on both of their faces. As her mother came to a stop, her father pressed forward and the music began again, playing a song tradional for a Ceilidh dance. Others joined them on the floor and the two twirled and dances with others from their community until it came to an end and she was alone with her father and mother once more. 

"We would like to thank everyone for joinin' use on this fine evenin', to celebrate our daughter's eleventh birthday… So, Tapadh leat gu mòr!" Her father's words rang sweetly in her ear and she let herself be pulled into his side, a secure feeling settling over her. The crowd answered in turn with the ring of the clan motto, 'Dìonaidh mi seo.'

This I'll Defend… It told her everything she needed to know. Many of those in this community had all hailed from the clan of her father, which were the clan MacFarlane… By answering with that call, both magical and muggle alike, no matter what, would be there to protect her and this community.

"Yes, we are truly grateful for ye all… At the end of this summer, our daughter will be leavin' this community to attend a private school… This is na only her birthday, but also a chance for her to see everyone before she goes…" Her mother said, making Lindsey swallow back the sudden pill of emotion that seemed to come up into her throat. It was sad to leave her friends and family, but she was a witch and needed proper education. "So now, let us go to the feasting and come together to celebrate this special moment."

Everyone began to move towards the pavilion like structure, gathering around the main table, the crowd splitting to allow her to each the table and take a seat. As she looked up, she smiled as her father brought forth a beautiful cake, lite with candles, one for each year of her life and the sound of music filled the air again. The pipes began to play the birthday song and then everyone began to sing, making her eyes fill brightly with joy before they finished.

As they finished, she leaned towards her father, blew out the candles and smiled as the crowd erupted in cheers. Everyone had something to say to her in the Gaelic langauge and she thanked them all, hugging many and laughing with joy before everyone settled to eat. Food was everywhere, as the men and women had prepared a wonderful banquet with meats of various animals and vegetables from the local gardens.

The party continued on into the late evening and as it slowly died down, she found herself being carried by her father to their home, her eyes heavy from exhaustion and her heart full of joy and peace. The sounds echoed in her memory, filling her sleep with dreams of music and dance. 

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Bodhrán - A gaelic/celtic drum
Tapadh leat gu mòr - Thank you very much

The banks of the Black Lake were usually muddy and marshy, but particularly so after the seemingly never-ending deluge they'd just endured. In the two years Tom Stansbury had known about magic, he often wondered why wizards didn't control the weather to make it always sunny and summertime, but he figured maybe he would learn later why they had to deal with rain and misery like everyone else.

The 2nd year was usually fine to stay inside the castle and keep to himself, but the past week of relentless storming and thundering had done a work on even his nerves. As soon as the rain ceased he longed to be outside in the sunshine, and that was where he found himself at present… but not alone. He smiled at Lindsey as they sat and listened to the water.

Tom had never been around girls much- in Muggle school, they tended to separate students by biological sex, and he didn’t have any sisters to speak of. Until today, he couldn’t remember a time when he’d been alone with a girl at all. The warm feeling he felt in his stomach, as he spent time with her, mimicked the warmth of the sunshine on his face as they enjoyed the pleasant weather.

It was he who’d suggested they get up and walk around the banks of the Lake, the smell of wet grass in his nostrils. They chatted on about nothing- their classes, Professors they liked, types of magic they were excited to learn in the future, full of excitement and energy and awe. Tom had always been a quiet boy, but Lindsey made him feel like he had things to say.

At some point, when the ground became particularly muddy and dirty, Tom bent down to take off his shoes and remove his socks, knowing it would be easier to wash off his feet than anything else. As he righted himself and began walking again, he felt his foot slip on the muddy ground and before he knew it he was knees and hands in the mud, shoes ruined, clothes an absolute fright.

Embarrassment rushed over Tom and he felt the tears begin to well. He’d always been an insecure boy, the type who thought others were laughing at him, and the one time he’d managed to be having a good time, he gave Lindsey a real reason to mock. Would she tell their other classmates how silly he’d looked when he toppled over in the mud? Would she say it made him stink like the lake, or something similar?

As the fears rushed through him, Tom heard the sound of another plop beside him. Lindsey had pushed her hands into the muddy banks, covering her fingers with the dirt and wet grime, and shoved them in Tom’s face, laughing maniacally. Tom’s tears soon turned to laughter and soon the two of them were in a fit of hysterics, a private moment of unadulterated joy shared between the two of them and any creatures in the Lake who might have been eavesdropping.

Tom couldn’t tell you 90% of the things he learned his 2nd year at Hogwarts, but he would never forget the day that Lindsey helped him realize it’s okay to fall in the mud sometimes.