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 Elizabeth Doren on Dec 16, 2020 9:04:20 GMT 10
After leaving the skill room, Elizabeth had a good walk around the castle. It did help her clear her head, and in addition walking was one of her favourite recreational pasttimes. She tucked the letter from her parents deep within her bag and decided to head to the library, where she'd picked up some old books to study. It was just how she was used to spending all of her free time.
She was studying Astronomy, one of her favourites. It kept her mind off of her apparently impending marriage. Two years was a long time, she thought. She was a little worried that her parents would ask her to marry a creep, but she trusted their judgement. Perhaps if she used the skills she'd gained from her tutors in a better and more satisfying way, they would find her a career.
Either way, she had some time to spend and not much to do about it. Quidditch was for fools who had more brawn then brain, a statement she would stick by if anyone asked, so she had no purpose or desire to be on the team, and there was an unfortunate lack of classes for fifth years that day. She wished she could have one. For now, she could only occupy her time with potentially needless studying, drafting letters in her head, and anticipating prefect orientation.
Arlos fingers skimmed across the multitude of books that lined the library shelves, he couldn't decide which one he wanted to read or reread, finally deciding a potions book in preparation for their class; he had read quite a few of them during the holidays he spent at Hogwarts.
He took a few step towards a nearby table, his eyes were locked to the book in his hands so he hadn't yet come to notice the other person sat at the table; it wasn't until he put his stuff down that he actually noticed Eliza at the opposite end of the table, that was her name wasn't it?
He studied her for a moment before turning back to his book, the pair had spoken a few times but they weren't friends, barely acquaintances really. "Wanna talk about it?" he questioned, not even looking up from his book; he didn't wanna pry but he could tell from one look at her that something was wrong.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Dec 17, 2020 14:30:10 GMT 10
Elizabeth looked up, anger flashing in her eyes at being interrupted. Then again, she wasn't in the position to be making enemies with boys, thanks to her parents. Best not to make enemies that could come back to haunt her later, she knew that much from disobeying her tutors as a younger child and having those consequences.
She didn't know him. Arnold, maybe? Something like that, and after messing up Jaxen's name, she was not going to try to say anyone else's until she was absolutely certain. She couldn't risk looking stupid, especially after her interview had apparently made her parents disappointed with her.
Did she want to talk about it? That was a good question. Arnold wasn't her ideal conversation partner, but then again, none of the students in her year were. Besides that, it was really none of anybody's business what exactly her parents had written to her about.
Still, she wanted to seem normal, just for once. As a more or less constant outsider, it would be nice. She knew enough from what she heard that complaining about parents was a relatively normal thing to do, for teenagers, anyways. "My parents are a bit disappointed in me right now," she shrugged, "I guess I need to do..." Elizabeth cleared her throat, the next words feeling as natural as anything. "...just a little bit better."
Arlos eyes travelled up from his book to look at the Slytherin girl once she spoke, his eyebrow raising at the odd way she spoke like this was the first time she'd ever spoken to anyone ever; he pushed the thought away as he listened to what she had to say.
"Seriously?!" the question slipped out before he could stop himself and it came out a lot harsher than needed, "Sorry, I just meant from what I read this morning, shouldn't they be proud? I mean you got an internship to St Mungo's. My Mothers would have been over the moon..." he froze suddenly realising what he had said; they weren't friends so why was he speaking to her so much.
Arlo hadn't really spoken of his parents after they had passed, he didn't need to tell anyone with it being front page of the Daily Prophet not a later; he could still remember some of the stares he got as he walked to class. He took a deep breath in, hoping to push away the thought before turning back to his book, muttering a quick sorry before rereading the page he was on.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Dec 18, 2020 13:49:13 GMT 10
Elizabeth felt a little guilty for talking badly about her parents. They just wanted what was best for her, even if they were a little confusing most of the time. She stiffened. "Yes, 'seriously,'" she said, thinking about how she would absolutely not be mentioning this conversation in the next letter to her parents.
"My parents have...some higher standards." she said. True, she was aware of the Stone aurors, but she hadn't made the connection between the boy she believed to be called Arnold and them just yet. "Besides, St. Mungo's is not really that interesting." That was true. Part of the reason she'd picked it was because she thought it would make her parents proud.
Not that the Ministry had anything much to interest her, as far as she could tell. She didn't like the Minister of Magic at all, and if they had to regularly deal with people like the foul Chadley Trent, well, she would be happy to stay miles away. What she really wanted to do was research new spells, maybe examine some new stars in Astronomy class. She flipped her page.
Arlo side-eyed the girl curiously as she spoke, rolling his eyes at the mention of St Mungo's; not interesting? How could a hospital not be interesting? He shook his head with a smile before sitting back in his chair and looking over at Eliza; his mood now brightened.
"Lets agree to disagree on that one, you could learn a lot of different spells and potions at a job like that" His mind wandered back to the ones his mother had showed him when he was just a child before he continued "If that's not for you, then what is?" He studied her for a moment before speaking once again,
"Auror? Maybe Ministry work? Stay at home mum?" Arlo had no knowledge of the girls current position so there was no seriousness behind his suggestions, a small laughed followed his words as he turned from the Slytherin and returning to his potions book.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Dec 18, 2020 14:40:10 GMT 10
"I'm sure you could. I am uncertain as to how much I would enjoy being around sick people all of the time." she wrinkled her nose. That was, after all, the whole point of hospitals. Bodily fluids, however magical they may have been, were not for her. Not to mention the possibility for contagion on herself...blech.
She had never considered being an Auror. "It's a bit dangerous work. And besides that I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of our new Minister of Magic." she was a little uncomfortable at the last suggestion. It was a possibility, but one she was uncertain of. She wasn't a huge fan of any of the boys in her year yet, but she still had two years.
"What about you?" she said, trying to turn the subject away from herself. Bragging and gloating and going on about yourself was not something Elizabeth Doren was used to doing. "Will you end up working in a hospital?"
Arlo nodded along as the Slytherin spoke, she made some valid points when it came to working in a hospital; although it be a very rewarding place to work it definitely wouldn't be the safest. "It is indeed" he muttered an agreement to Eliza's statement on Aurors, Arlo knew all to well how dangerous that life could be and it made his whole body shiver at the thought of ever working as one.
The subject change startled him slightly, freezing mid page turn as he thought over her question; what did the future hold for him? Did he even know? or really wanna know? A moment passed before he shut his book and leaned forwards to lay his head on his palm, his eyes pointed in Eliza's direction,
"A hospital? Probably not, it may be a rewarding job when it comes to spells I don't think i'd be able to stomach it", he smiled jokingly as he ran the fingers of his free hand through his hair before continuing, "Maybe a teacher? Or a writer? I wanna pass down the knowledge I have learned before I'm gone".
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Dec 19, 2020 15:30:27 GMT 10
Elizabeth was not wholly interested in the conversations, but nodded, "Perhaps being a professor would be good for you," she said thoughtfully. She had considered many career options before she knew what her parents would choose for her, so she was a bit strong in the category of who would fit where, at least in her own opinions.
His perspective was an interesting one. She didn't know why he would really want to pass down the knowledge. Someone had to do it, but she would rather be expanding her knowledge than spending time passing it down to others.
She flipped another page of her book, "It is interesting to think about. Especially when it comes to academics and what one would need for a certain career. My parents have always been a little strict." she said, another common complaint that she'd picked up on from other students her age. She wasn't so different from them, after all, she thought. Having that type of relationship with her parents was fine. All teens argued with them.
Arlo smiled at the compliment as he picked up the potions book to return it to the shelf on which he had found it. He wasn't going to get much more studying done and he had other places he wanted to be.
He hummed in agreement to Eliza's statement once he returned to the table. His mothers were never strict when it came to studying but he understood that parents could be harsh. Sometimes. Maybe that wasn't the right word; some parents did have good intentions.
"Even so, and I'm sorry if this may sound rude, considering we don't really know each other", he paused for a second as he gathered his things, pulling his bag over his head to lay on his shoulder before continuing. "You should be who you wanna be. Parents can be strict because they just want what's best for you, but only you'll know what's really best for you." he gave the Slytherin a kind smile before turning around and heading towards the door.
"I'll see you around!" he threw a goodbye over his shoulder before exiting the library.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Dec 24, 2020 13:10:33 GMT 10
Elizabeth nodded. She wasn't really too sure what the Ravenclaw boy had meant, but she at least appreciated the effort to talk to her, even if she did wind up not liking the words as much. She hoped that whoever her parents chose for her to marry would be a little kind. Sometimes she wondered how normal she was.
She knew she wasn't like the others. That was obvious, but she'd hoped she was making some type of passing resemblance to a normal teenage girl, and of her siblings she hoped she seemed the best of the three, simply because she was the oldest. But normal teenagers had friends, like the Hufflepuffs she'd seen in the girls bathroom.
She stared down at her book and flipped the page, then shoved the letter from her parents deep into her bag.
Post by Amara Seabrook on Jan 8, 2021 23:52:10 GMT 10
Amara was glad to be done with practice, though wasn't in an especially good mood. It had taken up most of her morning, but she'd rather have had plenty of time after or for it to have gone all the way to lunch. Instead, she was stuck with enough time to wander yet not enough to really be productive. Thus, she found herself in the library - under the assumption she'd run into some familiar faces.
'Studying or personal?' Amara asked, sitting across from Elizabeth.
She fixed the other girl with a determined look, implying thy were about to have a conversation that required full attention. She'd arrived just in time to see her shove a letter deep into her bag and could assume who it was from, if her experience with displeased parents were in any way no exclusive to her.
'How are you holding up?' she asked. It sounded casual enough, though Amara almost struggled to get the words out. It wasn't a question she was used to asking, but the answer would prove useful in determining how to proceed.
'I read that article,' Amara added for clarification. 'How'd your parents take it?'
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Jan 9, 2021 1:47:42 GMT 10
Elizabeth glanced up at Amara, guessing from her presence that Quidditch practice must be over, which in turn would mean it was almost lunchtime. She considered eating lunch, but eventually decided that she did not quite feel up to it. She wasn't that hungry anyways, despite not even finishing her breakfast.
"Astronomy." Elizabeth answered, eyes still on the book. It was her favourite subject, but there was nothing in this book she hadn't already memorized from staring at it while she was a third year.
"Personal," she clarified, flipping a page. There was no essay due on the topic, after all, though she would've done well on such an essay, if it existed. Catching Amara's determined look, she shut the book and pushed it aside, though she remained with straight posture in her seat.
Though they'd shared a dorm for almost five years, Elizabeth had never been close with Amara, so she remained wary of what the other girl had to say as she had remained wary of the Ravenclaw boy, Arnold, in case they had it out for her and her family. She couldn't ruin the Doren family name any further, not if she wanted to please her parents.
"My parents are unhappy. Wouldn't anyone's parents be? The way that horrid Trent wrote I might as well be a House Elf or a dog." Elizabeth frowned, "I never want to see another reporter again."
Post by Amara Seabrook on Jan 11, 2021 0:26:45 GMT 10
'Astronomy.' Amara nodded. 'That's moons and stuff, right? I do enjoy stargazing. The night sky is so... big.' Okay so she sucked at small talk, but it was a start.
She had Elizabeth's attention. Amara glanced around to make sure no one would bother them. Most were probably on their way to the Great Hall, which she had no rush to get to as well.
Oh, wait, Elizabeth actually answered. Amara didn't particularly care, but the details might prove useful so she listened. She had to resist agreeing that the Doren kids did rather seems like house-elves with no original thoughts of their own. That wasn't helpful right now, so she kept it to herself. She wanted Elizabeth on her side, and was determined to help break her out of this ridiculous mold she was in.
'Lesser people have a habit of sticking their noses where they don't belong,' Amara said. 'They don't understand how it is to be the heir - to have all this pressure and, no matter how well we do, still not be good enough in the eyes of our parents. It's hard work trying to live up to someone else's vision.'
She flipped through book nearby, not really focused on the contents but wanting to be doing something so she came across as more casual and maybe even approachable. She had to find that common ground, while also giving Elizabeth a nudge towards a better path.
'You wanna know a secret?' Amara asked, leaning forward for privacy and emphasis. 'The reason they think we're not good enough is because they want us to be exactly like them, not our own person, and yet we can't because the truth is we're better. We can go further than they ever did, and they hate it. They don't want you to succeed, Elizabeth, they want you to fall in line. If theey can't have true greatness, than neither can you.'
She leaned back, awaiting a response.
'People like us deserve better.' Amara frowned. 'You deserve better. I can help you there, if you'll let me.'
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Jan 11, 2021 2:07:45 GMT 10
Elizabeth frowned when Amara said that Astronomy was 'moons and stuff.' It was really so much more, but she didn't expect everyone to understand, but at least she didn't seem to think that it was a boring subject to be studying like so many others did.
She enjoyed the movements of the planets, that could be counted upon to more or less act a certain way. Those things made sense, and she could understand them. Even knowing that the light reaching her eyes was from certain stars that were likely long since dead was fascinating to her. Things could continue onwards after their death, and for a long time she had believed that was what her parents desired for her.
"Sometimes I am successful," Elizabeth refuted, "Sometimes they do not ask for more." She did not want to speak badly of her parents. Even when sometimes they made mistakes, that was only human. And besides that, they'd given her so much. The best tutors, and home and food to eat. They just wanted what was best for her, Charlotte, and William.
"I do not know about your parents, by mine? They do want what's best for me." Elizabeth folded her arms over her chest, a little annoyed. She sounded like Chadley Trent, thinking that they wanted to control her every action. She still made choices! Like how she got to be a prefect and even have a say in the recent development. How could Amara say something like that about her parents? Was this the 'teenage rebellion' that she had heard about?
Though...recently they had been making odd decisions. Why would they train her and insist she do her best if she was only to become a housewife? Elizabeth had to believe it was some sort of test. That was it! They wanted to see if she would be lazy if they told her that she wouldn't be getting a job of some type. They were testing her resilience. Of course!
"Of course we do." she said ambivalently, as she did not want Amara to leave. It was the first time she felt like she was making any sort of connection with her dormmate, and she did want to, because that was what other students did, after all, and Amara was quite notable anyways.
She frowned. Perhaps Amara would have a better perspective on the situation of which boys in the school were to be considered viable options and which were to be ignored at any cost. Though it was difficult to ask, Elizabeth had to conduct her research one way or another.
"Speaking of b-better," Elizabeth tried not to let her voice tremble, though the question was extremely embarrassing, "Boys. At Hogwarts...which ones are worth it?"
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