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 Reena Ashworth on Jun 10, 2022 17:58:45 GMT 10
Adjusting her green scarf to cover most of her face, Reena was quite glad she had had the fox-ear-beanie in her pocket. It was beautifully warm on her head and it felt comforting to wear something her dad had given her.
She was almost certain her fox ears were white with the snow by now but that meant her hair wouldn’t get wet.
The snow on her hurried trekk to the lake couldn’t get to her and she didn’t feel cold apart from in her face because she was moving so quickly.
Once at the lake she slowed down, scanning the shore line for the ingredient she wanted to get enough for her to deter from her plan to infiltrate one of the other houses common rooms before lunch.
She had plans to find Jax before dinner too, wanting to uphold her end of the bargain with Lucas as quickly as possible, but that would have to wait.
Wintercress was said to be only viable during snowfall or rain and thus she ha decided to come out of the castle despite the weather - or in this case rather because of it.
The morning was winding down, so she had to be quick in her task considering it was almost lunch -- and thus nearing time for her afternoon class.
Even in the cold weather, her head remained quite warm. Snow touched her beanie yet didn't appear to linger too long or ever melt, similar to how water touched a duck's feathers but soon slid off. Was it enchanted? Either way, it made her task that much more tolerable in the cold.
Wintercress was in abundance this time of year, so Reena was easily able to spot some by the shoreline. Not a lot at first, and some a bit too small, but then a patch of perfectly viable potential ingredients. She had free pick. Just one, if that's all she needed. Or all three, assuming she didn't mind wading a few inches into the icy water to retrieve the rest by some reeds.
Post by Reena Ashworth on Jun 10, 2022 21:11:30 GMT 10
Reena touched a hand to her beanie and was pleasantly surprised to find it spared by snow. She smiled to herself a little.
She had also spotted some wintercress, rather pretty for a plant in her eyes, and moved along the shoreline until she spotted a viable one within reach.
She crouched down to retrieve the one, careful not to slip into the water which she assumed had to be icy at this point.
Pondering and not at all amused she looked at the remaining wintercress that was just out of reach near the reeds.
She had wanted to gather more than just one but was reluctant to wade into the shallows. She surely would be freezing by the time she got back out!
Reena slowly got up and moved a few feet further in hopes of spotting more of the ingredient that didn’t need her to get soaked and all in time before lunch started.
Unfortunately, those were her best bet for now. And she'd run out of time, as the morning was drawing to an end -- and Reena had class to get to soon. She may have to come back later, if she wished to try again for more Wintercress.
Post by Reena Ashworth on Jun 11, 2022 4:23:32 GMT 10
Huffing at her luck and time seemingly running out, Reena turned around towards the wintercress by the reeds.
She moved her jaw from side to side as she debated herself how much she really needed. She had enough to brew one freeze potion or one icy shield potion but she had wanted to attempt to do both within the school year. So it would be good to stock up on wintercress now when it was available rather than having to wait for the weather to change again.
On the other hand she doubted that all this snow would be gone by the next day, so she could likely return tomorrow.
But the luck she usually had with plants seemingly being her enemy, all wintercress would have mysteriously vanished over night.
She bent down to crumple up the legs of her trousers yet recoiled at the cold of some snow touching her bare skin.
No way she would enjoy a dip into icy lake water!
She quickly straightened her trousers, not folding them all down and rather shaking her leg for it to fall in place, which had one trouser leg ending up being folded rather unpretty above her boot.
She did not bother to straighten it out however, occupied with considering her options once more.
Kassia had gone back to her dormitory to change into some warm, dry, non-tattered clothes after her disastrous double duel against Amelia. After winning against Jaxen in the tournament, it had done her ego considerable damage to immediately lose twice in a row.
At least she had lost against someone who wouldn't rub it in her face- Amelia- but even then, that was upsetting because Kassia was incapable of plotting revenge against someone that sweet. If it had been one of the mean girls, Kassia would be sharpening instruments of torture by now. But all she could do with Amelia was fume and pet her pretty curls.
Kassia had thrown away her ruined clothes, wrung out her curls, and decided she didn't feel like dealing with her roommates. She had dressed up in a long black skirt, fleece sweater, and an outer pea coat and gone straight back outside. The hated cold was oddly comforting now that she was seething again.
She had left the castle and walked in no particular direction, and found herself approaching the Black Lake. Kassia stayed out of nature as a given. She had only signed up for care of magical creatures for extra points, after all. So, she knew little about the geography outside of Hogwarts, but figured it would be empty in this weather.
But as Kassia approached the lakeshore, she saw she had been incorrect. What appeared to be a hat with fox ears bobbed by the reeds. Kassia stopped and observed the bizarre thing before the hat's owner turned and she recognized her.
Kassia didn't know many people outside her own year, but she recognized her fellow Slytherin Reena Ashworth. Particularly as she'd just sent her brother flying the other day. She was grinding her teeth and picking her way around the reeds, apparently looking for something.
Kassia noticed her awkwardly folded trouser leg, and the typical Slytherin uniform. Clearly she was utterly engrossed in whatever she was doing. She hadn't even noticed Kassia. Kassia felt the itch to fix the leg. And what about that hat?
Reena hadn't noticed her, but Kassia felt it would be more awkward if she just walked on by since they were the only two out there. On top of which, she really wanted to fix that stupid pant leg. Placing her hands in her pockets, Kassia made her way towards the younger Slytherin.
"A decent tailor could do wonders with that mess," said Kassia wryly as she approached, nodding to the trousers. "You seem to need some help, darling."
Post by Reena Ashworth on Jun 11, 2022 5:06:36 GMT 10
The idea of returning at a different time was very tempting and it was only Reena’s stubbornness that kept her hesitating to just head off this instance and go to lunch, maybe have some tea before the much dreaded lesson in Herbology this afternoon.
She was so focused on the ingredient, that seemed to only be out of reach to spite her, that she failed to notice the footsteps approaching.
Reena almost jumped at the sudden voice. She was sure she had at the very least flinched and snapped her head around to see who it was.
She recognized the speaker as Kassia Saenz and relaxed a little, although embarrassed at having been so easily spooked. Only after that did she register what had been said and Reena was certain her face must have turned a deeper shade of red than it already was because of the cold.
“Pardon?“, she said mainly to win some time and composure. “So you‘re saying this“ - she shook her leg - “isn‘t the latest fashion trend?“
While she managed to keep her tone dry, she wondered why she felt so selfconcious about her clothes now. Was it because Saenz‘s outfits were always impeccable?
“I think I‘ve got it, thanks“, she said quickly.
Part of her wanted to be spiteful and keep her trousers as is but she feared the fifth year might actually fix it for her - so she quickly bent down to straighten it out.
While she had previously had it inside her boots for warmth she now opted to have it above it as she did not want to spend too much time on it.
Kassia had known that her voice would startle the other Slytherin, and was pointedly amused when Reena visibly flinched. She recovered well, however, despite being far too flushed to merely be explained by the cold. Kassia raised an amused eyebrow at her suggesting her outfit was the latest fashion trend.
She wasn't incorrect. It was almost definitely less ridiculous than some of the things she'd seen on Parisian runways. But Kassia was nonetheless thankful when Ashworth straightened her trousers out herself. She hadn't been planning on going in to grab at it, but the temptation had certainly been there.
"Yes, I can see you have. What are you looking for, exactly?"
Post by Reena Ashworth on Jun 11, 2022 5:55:47 GMT 10
Reena thought she had seen an amused twinkle cross the fifth year’s face but she could have been mistaken. Kassia Saenz proved to be rather hard to read.
“I am looking for wintercress. It can be used in potions. I‘he found some nice ones but they are just out of reach, here near the reeds.“, Reena explained.
She felt less flustered now that the topic had changed from her appearance. She was always more comfortable talking about topics related to potions anyway.
She looked back towards the wintercress, then on the ground again but she hadn’t seen any logs she could try and balance on either.
“But it may be too cold to wade in,“ she continued with a side glance at Saenz.
Would she think her mad for considering going in or cowardly for not pulling through? And why should Reena care about her opinion in the first place?
Kassia looked down through the reeds, eyes darting around for any sign of wintercress. She herself had not begun a potions kit yet. She had so devoted herself to studying that she simply hadn't had time for it. But it would probably be in her best interest to begin.
But of course, that meant paying a visit to Snape, whose hair Kassia could fry her breakfast in. She was good at hiding revulsion, but Snape tested her to her very limit. However, it would likely be worth it for the extra marks a potions kit would afford her.
Kassia nodded at Ashworth's explanation that it was too cold to wander in. She had just spent the entire morning freezing- first in class, and then after Amelia had dumped the Arctic Ocean on her head. She wouldn't be keen to go in either. Kassia looked at Reena's boots, eyeing them critically. They would definitely not keep her warm.
Kassia stepped onto a patch of ice nearby, testing it with her weight. She was not particularly large or tall, but it still creaked dangerously. She pursed her lips and stepped onto another patch, which held firm. She tilted her head and looked back at Reena.
"Maybe you don't have to wade. It might be a better idea, especially if those are your only shoes."
Post by Reena Ashworth on Jun 11, 2022 6:30:52 GMT 10
Despite all expectations Saenz seemed to try to find a solution and Reena watched with interest as she tapped the ice on the shore - part of which seemed to hold.
While the girl with the dark curls seemed interested in helping, Reena could not help but feel the comment about her shoes to be a jab at her, which she found rather uncalled for. Did Saenz thrive with embarrassing her family? First she showed up Jax before the tournament and now this?
“I have other shoes,“ she retorted quickly. Unbeknownst to her housemate this had hit a sore spot for Reena.
She did not really have any much clothes aside from her uniform and certainly not ones as nice as she saw Saenz wear time and again.
“But I guess I don’t really have any more warm shoes,“ she admitted softly, after considering that the comment may have not cone from a place of malice.
She moved towards Saenz and tried her foot onto the ice. No. She just didn’t trust it to work.
She made a rather disgruntled sound.
“I think my options are: retreat or barefoot.“
She shuddered at the thought. But better than having her shoes and socks be soaked when she had class that afternoon - and common rooms to break into.
Kassia noticed that Ashworth seemed rather disgruntled at her comment. She supposed the Ashworths weren't rolling in money like the Xcalyns. But it was still good to hear that she owned other shoes. Kassia took another step on the ice, bouncing slightly to test her weight. It held.
"I think you're correct. You know, snow and ice absorb water, so it'll dry your feet before you put your socks back on."
Kassia was mainly interested because she figured she would have to do this herself one day if she started her own potions kit. She knew wintercress preferred- well, winter. And she had never seen another student attempt to collect ingredients in the wild before.
Post by Reena Ashworth on Jun 11, 2022 6:48:24 GMT 10
The ice seemed to hold Saenz but Reena had a feeling that it wouldn’t hold too long, especially around the reeds that may have kept a little warmer.
“That so? That’s good to hear.“
The fifth years had been surprisingly friendly to her lately and Reena regarded Saenz with a curious look.
“Are you friends with Amara Seabrook?“, she asked. That might explain her interest - or maybe Saenz was just a helpful person. Reena had no way of knowing.
Before she could change her mind again, Reena quickly looked around, mainly checking to see there were no younger students around to see what she was about to do so stupidly.
Grimacing she cuffed up the legs of her trousers again, took off her shoes and socks, cringing at the frozen ground underneath her feet.
A high pitched gasp escaped her when her bare feet touched the ice which soon cracked and gave way to icy water and she hurried over to the wintercress, quickly gathered the two by the reeds and hurried back to shore.
She promptly let herself fall onto her bum and rubbed her feet, who were surprisingly dry, with her sleeves, and blew on them for warmth, eventhough it seemed in wane.
She barely felt her toes at this point but she was still glad she had dry socks and shoes and got up as quickly as she possibly could.
She briefly checked the gathered wintercress and glanced at Saenz with a look that clearly said she did not want gossip of this rather un-majestic stunt of hers to spread around.
“Now. That was no fun,“ she said as dryly as she could but a somewhat nervous laughter escaped her.
Kassia's lips twitched at the mention of Amara Seabrook. She wasn't sure how to answer. They hadn't interacted much outside of necessity, despite being roommates. Kassia sensed it was because she was fond of Amelia. People like Seabrook and Nordstrom seemed bent on destroying anyone who wasn't as catty and miserable as they were, and anyone who associated with them.
"She's more of a... colleague. Why do you ask?"
Kassia watched in interest as Ashworth removed her shoes and socks and made a mad dash for the wintercress. The ice did not hold- Kassia felt her own patch groaning under her own feet- but Reena still managed to collect what she needed before hurrying back to shore. She collapsed on the ground, drying her feet and quickly redressing them.
Despite the cold and discomfort, she complained little. Kassia was surprised. Most students- particularly Slytherins- would be shrieking for their parents and reporting Hogwarts for ruining their precious little toesies. But Ashworth just buckled down and did what she had to do. Maybe the wizarding world wouldn't be so disastrous if more people were like that.
"I'm sure you'll remember this moment fondly. Well done." Kassia stepped back onto the safety of the ground herself, letting the ice rest.
Post by Reena Ashworth on Jun 11, 2022 7:17:11 GMT 10
Reena snorted at the comment while she put her ingredients away safely.
“I will tell my children’s children to gather round the fire while I recall one of the best moment of my life“, she said solemnly.
She gestured for Saenz to walk past her before she started moving towards the direction of the castle.
Ignoring her growling stomach, Reena thought about how to answer the question about her question about Amara. The answer had sounded carefully put, so was it safe to assume Saenz and Seabrook weren’t too fond of each other?
“Ah. Amara and her friends have been quite inviting to me lately, that’s all,“ she settled to say casually.
Made her wonder, what potential did they see in her that they didn’t see in Saenz? Couldn’t be her dueling prowess, Saenz had bested the runner up of that tournament before it even started. Besides, Amara had extended an invitation for the Alliance of Partisan way before she had seen her duel.
“Anyway. Wanna hurry up and grab lunch? I‘m thinking soup to warm up!“
Reena could tell her tone was a lot friendlier than it had been to begin with as she had appreciated Saenz intent to help.
Quickening up her pace she walked up the snowy slopes towards school, ignoring the discomfort of her cold toes.
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February
