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 MJ Birdwhistle on Jul 31, 2022 23:05:59 GMT 10
She arrived promptly for breakfast despite staying up a bit late to talk to Cass about books (and eventually borrowing one called Page - which had been so fascinating she had to read the first couple of chapters before sleeping).
Glancing towards the Great Hall, MJ stopped in her tracks for a moment. Oh, was today something special? It didn't take long for her to connect the dots - from the colours, the style chosen and then, of course, the confetti. "Oh shoot."
Valentine's day. Luckily she was too young to worry about the implications of such a day (at least, she hoped no one in her year would get any ideas about asking her to part take in some lovey-dovey rubbish). She ignored all of this as soon as she laid eyes on Lucas, walking by the doors to the Great Hall and making a beeline for the Slytherin instead.
"Good morning Lucas." She greeted him, acting like this was a normal every day conversation and they did this regularly. Of course, she was smart enough to keep her tone at a lowered level so she didn't draw attention to them. Still, Lucas had a reputation, didn't he? Hopefully if someone did see them together, they'd assume it was some kind of deal they were making.
Which, it was but it was kinda... Well, illegal. She had her satchel at the ready and would follow his lead on how this exchange would go down.
Last Edit: Jul 31, 2022 23:08:10 GMT 10 by MJ Birdwhistle
Post by Reena Ashworth on Jul 31, 2022 23:17:38 GMT 10
Smiling when Lindsey validated her dream, she wanted to ask about her friend's but she seemed a little distracted so Reena instead mixed her food together and ate a spoonful.
As soon as she had, she found herself distracted by the arrival of Kassia Saenz and could not help but look at her outfit of the day. Reena's hand moved towards her own bun, suddenly very happy with her choice to put the littlest more effort into her appearance this morning. Not that it was anywhere near Kassia-level but it was a start. Not that she could ever make such a flawless entrance.
"Wanted to brew a potion in the student laboratory. Though I'm short two ingredients but they should be grown by now, so have to do some gardening first. My little brother might join me for the potion. And then I have to cramp in more studying."
Reena shrugged. Then she smirked as she followed her gaze towards Rivera and Hathmore.
William was tired in the morning because he was up late at night to study. First, he took lessons from Lindsey, which went longer than expected because of extra useless talks between the studying. But, at least he understood various weird plants and their usage.
It didn't matter till late he was at night; he woke up at the same time as ever, had a bath, got dressed, and arrived at the great hall at the same time as every day.
Exactly like his habit for the last three years, he went to the great hall and sat on a vacant corner seat without checking who was nearby. Students chatter was as usual, but there was one difference. The decoration around the hall was pinkish but better than last year or the year before that. It used to be high-sounding in past years, but this year, it was subtle.
William served himself some pancakes and an apple. He had things to do today, which he could start after breakfast.
Kassia noticed that Reena had done her hair in a braid today, which was unusual. She almost reached out to brush it with her fingers, but then quickly reminded herself that most girls were not Amelia and did not enjoy having their hair touched. Not sure what had gotten into her, Kassia sat back in her chair and poured herself a cup of juice. She had been hoping for gossip, but it was nonetheless good to hear that Reena was focusing on her studies.
"I have to see Professor Snape myself... and Professor Rivera... and then Professor Fairburn." She wrinkled her nose. "No romance or relaxation for me either. And Reena, you should wear your hair like that more often. It looks lovely."
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Jul 31, 2022 23:39:22 GMT 10
Lindsey looked up when a fifth year joined them at the table. After a moment of recollection, she remembered her name was Kassia. They hadn't hung out much before, but Lindsey smiled as she joined and shrugged at her question about the day. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do all day, but she did want to join Reena in the Greenhouse to see that plant.
"I dinna kin, but it will be an enjoyable day," Lindsey said in her typical scottish accent while she sat there and enjoyed her breakfast. Mentally, she admitted that Kassia was always well dressed and looked lovely as normal. Though, she thought she had heard someone say that she had lost house points due to her fashion when she should have been in uniform.
Lindsey decided to toss those thoughts from her head. It didn't matter, that was in the past anyway.
"I'll join ye in the garden, I want to see that plant," Lindsey said in reference to the seed she had burned her childhood book for. It was still a shame that she lost a book. It must have meant a lot to her to bring it here with her to Hogwarts.
Lindsey glanced around their table and noticed William not far from the end. After their study session last night, Lindsey smiled and glanced over at Reena.
"Maybe William would like to come to?" She asked Reena before she turned her attention towards the Doren boy. "William, would ye like to come to the greenhouse wi' us today?" Lindsey asked without hesitation. It would give him a chance to work on his one herbology stuff. She was hoping to do the same as well, but mostly for the Hufflepuff Seed.
Post by Jaxen Ashworth on Jul 31, 2022 23:48:16 GMT 10
Jaxen weaved around the many students loitering in the doorway. He held a small wooden lion protectively to his chest. It had taken him many hours across several days to carve the ornament to a standard that he was happy with and he wasn't about to risk damaging it now.
Looking around the hall, he felt his heart drop upon seeing all of the decorations. He'd forgotten that it was Valentine's day, would Jade think him weird for giving her a present today?
Gaze wandering over to the Gryffindor table, he felt his stomach tie itself I knots as he thought about what to do.
No. He couldn't chicken out now. Matt had said Jade would like his present... That was what he'd said, right?
Taking a deep breathe, he approached the Gryffindor table and searched the sea of red for the girl in question. It wasn't difficult to locate Jade, when she was always sitting nearby Amelia Twiggs. Her red hair was like a beacon.
"Hey Jade..." he smiled, sitting opposite the girls- though he didnt intend to stay for the duration of breakfast. "I wanted to say thanks... For my Christmas present" placing the wooden lion on the table between them, he took out his wand and tapped the figurine whilst whispering the incantation.
"Resalicritas"
Jax gave a sigh of relief when the lion shook out it's mane as it seemed to come to life in front of them. He had been worried that it wouldnt work...
"I made this for you, I hope you like it?" Sitting there now, he realized that Jade didn't look to be in the best mood. Maybe he should've chosen a better moment to approach her.
Last Edit: Aug 1, 2022 15:44:07 GMT 10 by Lena: fixed: bits of code left in :P
The night before, Alice had searched all her clothes to match the descriptions. She was sure she had some nice green clothes, but she had just one trunk full of stuff in school. There must be a spell to store a lot of stuff in a single trunk, but he didn't know it. So, she had to pack in muggle ways.
She found one floral green frock, but it was calming light green. It wouldn't match. Besides, it was too fancy to wear the whole day expecially, when she knew her today's schedule included a trip to the greenhouse. She had all the different colors, then why not something dark green? After emptying her trunk and making a pile of clothes on the bed, she got a cute dark green skirt and a dark green sweater. The skirt was nice, but she couldn't wear a sweater in such hot weather.
Saoirse was trying to study and offered her a green t-shirt without many questions if she could stop throwing things around. That's how she matched her outfit of the day. A cute green skirt and a green t-shirt with exact color.
After having a bath in the morning, she dressed in a green t-shirt and skirt, whose colors were more similar to a nightsuit, and wore a green colored rubberband on her hair. Then, she went to the great hall with such a sweet decoration. She looked at the decoration with a smile on her face, then went to her table and sat near Saoirse.
"Hi, Good morning." She greeted the glass of juice first before serving herself more food.
OOC Note: Got Saoirse's permission for this post.
Last Edit: Aug 1, 2022 20:23:44 GMT 10 by Alice Jane
Of course, she had heard about Valentine's Day, but she didn't quite understand it, but that was with several holidays. Maybe it was just the way the school celebrated compared to her own family? She tried to remember valentines day last year, when she was home alone.
...
Prior to Hogwarts, the last Valentine's Day had been a sad and confusing one for Charlotte.
She was eight when William went off to Hogwarts, and nothing had really changed. The estate had just seemed bigger somehow, or quieter. Especially during the holidays, as her family tended to go on trips around those times -- forgetting they still had a daughter at home, left to be cared for tutors and house-elves.
It was the same again, when she was nine.
But when she was ten, her parents changed their tune and started having more grand events at home around the holidays. It wasn't clear if they ever actually celebrated the holidays or if the timing was just an excuse to host social events. None of which Charlotte was invited to, unless to be paraded around during a brunch to a group of wealthy ladies, who pinched her cheek and kept offering her butterscotch dumplings -- which made her stomach hurt after too many.
At the moment, she couldn't quite recall the other holidays that year -- but she remembered Valentine's Day. Her parents got her up really early; she was drowsy for most of the morning, and dragged around the estate to help with various tasks -- spotting rooms she'd never seen before or been allowed to set foot in. She hadn't talked much, as her parents kept interrupting, but they'd been so strange that day.
She hadn't dared question their sudden desire to include her, and the enthusiasm to do so.
In fact, her father handcrafted a flower crown and placed it on her head. She was their little princess for the day, and even wore a rather lovely pale blue dress they'd sent the Groundskeeper to fetch from a private tailor. The kind of tailors that cost a fortune.
Now she thought about it, Charlotte realised she had a photo of that dress -- tucked away in her bag, with those bits of parchment from her trunk. She couldn't be certain if it was from that exact day, but it was around that time; she'd worn the dress each strange event, and flower crowns were often included.
The photo was a time her father taught her how to make them. Having her parents give her so much attention, and behave in very different ways, had been so overwhelming. She couldn't even smile when the Groundskeeper took the photo at her mother's demands. Was it that Valentine's or some other holiday? It was too hard to tell.
But that Valentine's was spent in preparation for a party that night, with her parents' closest friends and some strangers in weird cloaks. Charlotte was fully prepared to attend, bracing herself all day for the crowds and being paraded around. Her father had promised to keep her by his side all night so she didn't get lost or be tripped over. She had her blue dress on, and was waiting outside her bedroom for her mother to come collect her.
Everything was perfect.
The party started at six or seven, from what she recalled. By eight, her mother still hadn't shown up. A house-elf brought her a sandwich, but she said no. She insisted she had to save room for the party. She was a princess tonight too, they'd said. Her parents were going to give her a Valentine's card to thank her for helping them and being a good sport. She wasn't sure what Quidditch had to do it with it, but they were proud of her for something.
Nine ticked by. She could hear people cheering, and music playing in the distance.
Then ten. The corridor was quite dark. No one had come to collect her.
She woke sometime after midnight, tears dried to her cheeks. She didn't remember much, only that she'd woken on her bed and was certain she'd fallen asleep on the floor outside her room -- where she was never collected. They'd forgotten about her, she'd learn two days later. But she remembered waking, and hearing her parents outside in the yard laughing with friends -- loud enough to be heard through her closed window several floors up.
She remembered a Valentine's card sitting on her bedside table. Hand-drawn on poor-quality parchment, decorated with a rather beautifully dried flower she didn't know the name of. Inside was... what was it? Charlotte had that in her bag as well. It was smudged now, but reminded her to never forget how special she was.
It was signed by the Groundskeeper -- a man the Doren children knew to be called Gilbert, yet their parents often referred to as "Bertie". He'd tried to get the kids to call him Bertie too, when delivering new books their parents sent or fixing the kitchen sink that liked to spray poor Elizabeth with cold water once a month -- but they always insisted on calling him Gilbert because it was his "proper name".
He was one of the few non-tutor, non-elf people at the estate. The only one the kids saw now and again, doing odd jobs around the house or yard. Her first Valentine's card was from a servant, not her parents. All the more confusing, but it was everything Charlotte could remember.
Perhaps this year's Valentine's Day will be much less lonely?
Post by Grace Babineaux on Aug 1, 2022 0:52:18 GMT 10
Grace arrived in the Great Hall and was shocked to discover all the decorations. Valentine's Day already? And she'd forgotten to buy chocolates and little cards for her friends! Maybe she should make some later, or was it already too late?
While she was getting ready, she'd noticed Alice in all green. It did not look great with the decorations, but if Alice wanted to wear green than Alice could wear green. There was probably some reason for it, but Grace had days when all she wanted to wear was red. Maybe it was to get back at that Slytherin girl somehow?
"Good morning Saoirse, good morning Alice." Grace greeted as she poured herself a glass of apple juice. "Um, Happy Valentine's Day!" What Grace wouldn't give for those little themed Muggle cards that she had given out at Muggle school, and the tiny little lollipops that went with them.
She wasn't as excited about the older students doing...love-romance stuff, but she liked getting the little candies. Plus, she had a whole day of free time! She could probably do some fun stuff. "What are you guys doing today?" Grace asked both Alice and Saoirse.
Post by Arthur Hocking on Aug 1, 2022 1:05:30 GMT 10
Arthur knew that Valentine's day was coming up, and had prepared by writing a few heartfelt cards that he ultimately stuffed down in the bottom of his bag. He was someone that cared deeply for his friends, but he wasn't sure if it was the best way to show it. Even if he didn't spend all that much time with some people, he liked to consider most of the fourth years his friends.
Maybe he could deliver them with the owl post. That would be nice. When he walked in, he was happy to see that not everything was about romance this year. It put a little bit less pressure on Arthur to consider which people were crushing on or dating which other people. He sat down and pulled a couple of pancakes onto his plate, and added strawberries on top.
It was a holiday, so he could have a little bit of fun. That fun would probably include a little ingredient hunting later, or maybe a little bit of time spent with Autumn. He had given her a card a little bit early, in which he discussed for six paragraphs the virtues of having a lovely pet Gimus such as her.
Charlotte did focus on that one picture, the memory of past flooding her for a moment. That beautiful blue dress that she adored when it had been given to her. It was a stark different time, especially when she compared the happy memory, though overwhelming, to the letter her parents had sent her. The flower crown… She had put it away in her room…
She hoped it was still put away and not removed by her parents or the house-elves. She had been alone for several years without William. He was her only companion, even if those times together were faint and mostly for learning. Eight and Nine had been lonely, but ten… That had changed and she could remember the exhausting morning…
It was clear in her mind, the several events, the ladies who gave her butterscotch dumplings… That memory caused her stomach to stir in both pleasure and discomfort. Never again would she eat too many of those. The other holidays were a blur from that year, but Valentine’s jumped out at her. Maybe because of the decorations here today and the picture in her hand.
It was this photo, the moment she could recall being taught by her father and not judged. She couldn’t recall any other times at the moment that he did that, but it brought a smile to her face for a moment. She couldn’t smile then, it was hard because everything was going on, so much change… Her body trembled at the memory of being demanded to smile.
That came natural now as she peered at the picture…
But, with the thought of Valentine’s day on her mind, she also remembered the prepared party her parents had planned. She had been ready! Her mind had been mentally coaching her that day, telling her it would be okay, she would have her father there with her.
He had promised… She recalled they had planned for her to be there and she waited patiently that night outside her room. When the house-elf brought her food, she should have known that something wasn’t right. Something had changed.
The memory of the music and sound coming from the party, it echoed in her mind as she looked at the picture. It was growing darker and darker… Her smile faded as she remembered the tears that had streamed down her face as she laid on the floor outside her bedroom door… When she had woken, she was in her bed and couldn’t recall how she had arrived there.
Forgotten… It wasn’t hard to realize that when she woke the next morning to her parents laughing in the yard with their friends. She had looked out her window into the world outside. She was hoping they would have woken her like they did before.
The card on her table was all she had be given, it was not the best parchment, but it had a beautiful flower that she couldn’t remember the name of. Maybe the Herbology Professor would know? Did she have the card too? She searched her bag, searching for it… Where was it…
There! She pulled out the card, smudged, but still there and she opened it, reading over what it said. It had been from Gilbert the Groundskeeper and she smiled as she read over the words. She recalled that he liked to be called Bertie, but she had never called him that. Was it a nickname? She was still learning and understanding those…
Maybe it was time she gave that a try with him? It was her first card and it wasn’t even from her parents… She knew what she wanted to do, she just had to…
'RYANN!'
Charlotte jumped at the sudden yelling of someone name and looked down the table with wide eyes to see Jonathan King with Ryan Barrow. Her heart was racing and her eyes were wide in panic. People were coming into the Great Hall, it was getting more and more crowded by the moment and now she was in a state of pure terror.
She likely would have been fine, but the sudden yelling from her table, it put her in pure panic mode. Where were others? MJ? Misuk? Ezra? They could likely bring her back to the ground from her state of panic, but right now... She couldn't see past the fear.
The people laughing near by, talking loudly across the room... Was someone running? She didn't know. But it was becoming more overwhelming by the moment. She grabbed her bag and fled the Great Hall! She was racing for the door, she didn't even bother to find William or Elizabeth at all.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Aug 1, 2022 1:22:51 GMT 10
Elizabeth took care to make sure that her robes were appropriate for class. Holiday or not, she had a duty to set an example for her siblings, and if she appeared in anything else, well she would certainly not be doing that. She noticed that she did have Potions class in the afternoon, and decided that it would be best to prepare for that by searching for a few more ingredients to mix up a potion of her own.
The decorations had changed, making Elizabeth wonder if it really was Valentine's day or if it was something else. While at Hogwarts she had never particularly liked the holiday, she at least recognized it as part of the year, something that happened.
Unfortunately, even though the decorations were not as themed around romance, it still brought up the idea of Elizabeth being married to someone chosen by her parents. Elizabeth had never really thought about romance too much before, but now that she knew she had to be married sometime in the future? Well, it was uncomfortable to think of. Elizabeth liked having some level of control. Maybe when she spoke to her parents at the end of the year she could have an adult discussion.
Elizabeth had hardly taken a bite of her breakfast when she saw Charlotte escaping the Ravenclaw table. Elizabeth shook her head. Charlotte was quite spirited, but that wasn't appropriate behavior, especially not for a Doren. Maybe she would've been better off in Slytherin.
Elizabeth stood up and glanced around for William. He was closer in age to Charlotte than Elizabeth was, so perhaps he would have some insight. "Charlotte has left." she said, in case he didn't notice, "I'm going to go see her." She left the invitation open for William to follow her, and then left the Great Hall to tell Charlotte about her mistake. Before she left, she gathered an apple and some nuts in case she was hungry later.
William was too focused on his breakfast to notice anything else. He looked up from the plate, the first time when he heard his name. It was Lindsey who called him and Ashworth was not near her. "Actually, I already have plans for the morning." He replied. He picked up another apple to keep in his bag for today's plan.
Staying to his schedule and completing his task was more important to him. "But, Thanks for yesterday." He added to be polite. He had already thanked her after the study session, but it would be polite to say it now.
Before he could return to his plate, his eyes went near the great-hall entrance where he noticed Charlotte running away. Did something happen? maybe someone in her house said something to her, he didn't understand. Before he could react, Elizabeth did.
Elizabeth decided to go after her, but only five seconds after she stood up, he got up too, "Excuse me." He said, polite to nearby people before following the same path.
Last Edit: Aug 1, 2022 17:21:45 GMT 10 by Lena: Already received an apple this thread
Post by MJ Birdwhistle on Aug 1, 2022 2:09:00 GMT 10
MJ wasn't sure what was happening inside the Great Hall - she certainly hadn't heard any shouting like the previous day - but it was hard to miss Charlotte rushing out.
She watched her dorm mate run away from the Great Hall and frowned in thought, momentarily distracted from Lucas by this. Had someone said something to Charlotte? Or had someone been rowdy at their table and overwhelmed her? She was torn, wanting to go after her friend but she had an obligation to fulfil here as well.
Misuk didn't appear, or Cass either, but MJ's worries ebbed a tad when she saw a Slytherin girl leaving shortly after Charlotte. They looked vaguely similar so perhaps this was one of the siblings Charlotte had told her about? Soon, another Slytherin left the Great Hall - a boy this time. He, too, looked like he could be related to Charlotte but perhaps all of this could be a coincidence.
Sadly, she wasn't sure where Charlotte had left to either so MJ knew finding her would be a hard task... If she had time after finishing this deal (and breakfast), perhaps then she could go in search of Charlotte. If only to ensure she was feeling okay.
What a beautiful morning?! Janet had risen with the early morning sun, a habit of her own design from years of formal up-bring. She had gotten ready quickly and brushed her hair, removing any tangles that might have formed the night prior.
After checking herself in the mirror and fixing one stray hair, she was ready and left the Hufflepuff Common Room with a small group of others. She was certainly not leaving early, but not late either.
The chatter that took place as they walked was pleasant and she smiled when they reached the Great Hall.
'Oh my!' Her mouth hung open in utter disbelief as she looked at the falling snow-hearts that melted over the heads of the older students. The beautiful decorations surrounded them, but they were also so subtle that it was not overpowering.
Standing there admiring the beauty was a rather bad choice in actions, as she was quickly forced to jump aside when a student about her size rushed past her. It had been a miracle that she had not been hit by the runaway Ravenclaw. Janet missed who it was, but chose not to think on it before she found a place to sit with the Hufflepuffs.
Food, as always, was a delight and she enjoyed some toast and jam as she waited for any letters that might appear from her own parents.
02 | 
19 | 
20
February
