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 Amara Seabrook on Nov 6, 2022 21:10:13 GMT 10
Having finished her last class for the year, Amara headed outside to enjoy her free time in one of the more secluded spots -- the Private Courtyard. She was particularly fond of the tree there, and spread out a picnic blanket to not have to worry about leaves or dirt. She settled under the tree with her back against its trunk, and placed her bag nearby.
The tree was so thick that the rain didn't really bother her, and she'd used a rain-proof blanket tied to the branches to make a bit of a tent ceiling to further solve that issue. The sound of the rain pattering above and around her, while remaining dry herself, was rather calming and a much better atmosphere for studying. You don't get something like this in the Slytherin common room.
It was a good a place as any to get a head start on OWL revision, just as she'd done that morning as well. She'd been studying for months, of course, but at a natural pace and nothing too intense. Now was the time to take it more seriously -- starting with basically anything except Potions. That one was always given her full and dedicated attention.
It was very much a study moment, though. While she wasn't opposed to company of either fellow Slytherins or any Ravenclaws she knew (and tolerated, of course) -- Amara instilled a sense of focus. She was there to work, and anyone who intervened in that would surely be jinxed for doing so.
Post by Reena Ashworth on Nov 6, 2022 23:37:37 GMT 10
After having had lunch with Jax, Reena had returned to the library but after a while had found it too stuffy, her thoughts straying to the article Jax had shown her and his internship at the ministry today of all days, certainly a busy day with the recent prison break.
She still had every intention to study but felt the need to take a break and have a walk. Since it was raining she opted to walk the corridors of the castle until she found herself in the Private Courtyard.
She still had her Transfiguration textbook under her arm and now tucked it under her jumper against the rain.
When she spotted Amara on a picnic blanket, looking busy with revision, she stopped.
“Hi. Mind if I join you?“, she asked. It was still weird to think of Amara as someone who might welcome her but she had even been invited to her house. That surely had to mean that she was allowed to seek her out.
Post by Amara Seabrook on Nov 6, 2022 23:43:33 GMT 10
Amara glanced up, ready to glare daggers at whoever had interrupted her, but softened slightly when she saw it was a Slytherin. And Reena, which was even better. It was a bit of a weird thing though, as they weren't exactly friends yet Amara had brought her into the inner circle of her group and there was a sense of trust there. Not a "my life in your hands" level of trust, but reasonably reliable.
'I don't mind,' she answered, having allowed space already for others to sit if they dared approach her. 'Don't ruin my blanket,' Amara added, eyeing Reena's shoes in case they were wet or muddy.
Last Edit: Nov 6, 2022 23:43:51 GMT 10 by Amara Seabrook
Post by Reena Ashworth on Nov 7, 2022 4:21:20 GMT 10
Reena felt uncertain for a moment when she caught Amara’s glare but relaxed when her gaze softened upon recognizing her.
Still, she felt self-conscious under the other girl‘s gaze as she entered the dry space under the tree and pulled her Transfiguration book out from under her jumper again.
“Wouldn‘t dream of it,“ she said in an almost amused tone. She made a point of keeping her feet off the blanket as she sat down.
She took off her backpack and put it beside her body, unconsciously building a wall between her and Amara while positioning herself in a somewhat side-ways sit with her knees angled, on top of each other and her shoes just off of the blanket. She pulled her textbook up onto her lap and propped it open, mind still on Jaxen and hoping his internship would be well-received as she flipped towards the page where she had left off.
She was silently mouthing an incantation to herself, hoping it would not be part of a practical exam. That thought suddenly made her nervous and she got out her notes on the topic, determined to at least know the theory by heart.
Post by Amara Seabrook on Nov 8, 2022 0:01:41 GMT 10
'You can remove your shoes, if you must,' Amara added -- having done the same for her own, which sat neatly off to the side.
She returned her attention to her own textbook, having moved on to History of Magic. She noted down dates with a frown of displeasure, yet careful attentiveness at the same time. It was quite, but the comfortable kind. They were there to study, after all.
But that didn't mean a line here or there would be amiss.
'What are you studying?' Amara wondered, trying to remember if there was anything in her 4th year exam that could benefit Reena to know about. 'I pity you if you take Care of Magical Creatures -- I heard that exam is brutal.'
Post by Reena Ashworth on Nov 8, 2022 15:05:11 GMT 10
Reena made a small, approving noise when Amara suggested she take off her shoes. She briefly put her notes down to do so and then propped them up next to the blanket and out of the rain as neatly as Amara had done with hers.
Reena found herself more concentrated on the matter at hand now that she was sitting with someone else who was studying and she turned to a blank page before writing down everything she remembered from her notes. She then compared the two pages and filled in every detail she had forgotten just now before she repeated the process with a different page of her notes.
She glanced up when Amara talked to her but took the time to finish the sentence she was writing.
“Transfiguration,“ she answered. “Although I‘ll have to move on to Defence against the Dark Arts soon.“
She frowned at the mention of Care of Magical Creatures, feeling glad once more that she had opted not to take it. It was just that she could not remember Jax saying it was hard at all.
“Ahh. Fortunately I don’t,“ she allowed a small smile. Was Amara trying to give her advice or warning about upcoming exams?
Post by Amara Seabrook on Nov 8, 2022 15:21:23 GMT 10
Transfiguration. She'd already studied that one. Good. It was a class Amara was mostly average in, yet was very complex, so she'd gotten that done as soon as possible. And of course would revise again just prior to exams for a refresher.
She wondered if Reena was any good at the class, but their chatter was casual and far-between -- to prioritise studying and not break the silence too often. Though Amara grimaced at the mention of Professor Hathmore's class, a reflex she was trying to retrain herself out of. Cringing at any mention of him was going to give herself away sooner or later. It was years since he was her tutor, and since he ditched her when she'd needed him.
'Hmm,' was all she said to that.
Amara took down more dates, and made sure to label them properly. She'd make cards for these later, and maybe convince Lucas to study with her. It was nice, just getting to spend time with her boyfriend without all those nerves of when things were in the earlier days. They were quite comfortable now, though she still smiled and got butterflies around him.
'Do you have anything packed with you, for a formal dinner?' Amara asked, eyes remained focused on her note-taking. 'Since you'll be going direct from the train station to my place. I'm sure I have something in one of my closets that you could have, if you don't. It'd be no bother.'
Post by Reena Ashworth on Nov 8, 2022 15:36:28 GMT 10
Reena continued with her transcribing method until she felt she was finished with it, at least for today. Amara’s expression at the mention of DADA had not been lost on her but she chose not to mention it, however much it surprised her Amara did not seem to like the subject very much.
“Right,“ she said at the mention of formal dresses. Clapping her book shut, she gave it a thought.
She had not thought about dress code prior to this so she was actually glad Amara had brought it up. Truth be told, she had no idea what would be considered proper for a formal dinner.
“I‘ve got my dress robes from the Founders‘ Ball,“ she suggested. “But I would be happy to wear some of yours.“, she added in case the dress robes were too much.
It was fortunate that Amara was taller than her. It was easier to wear clothes that were slightly too big than clothes that were too small. Besides, Amara might have some old clothes she had grown out off too.
Post by Amara Seabrook on Nov 8, 2022 19:41:06 GMT 10
Amara paused in her note-taking, turning to scrutinise Reena for a moment. Was she joking? No, it didn't appear that way. She knew the Ashworths weren't particularly refined but...
'Dress robes? No, a bit much. It's just dinner,' she said, shaking her head and resisting rolling her eyes. 'But it's all right. We'll find you something.'
Reena was part of the inner circle, though. They'd have to do something about this. But it also meant Amara was going to have to adapt as well, and constantly remind herself that Reena did not have the same upbringing or means available to her. She needs to accommodate for that, or improve on it. They could start with clothes. Amara had plenty, after all, and they held no significance to her.
Amara stretched, leaning further against the tree's trunk. She needed a break; her fingers and brain ached. Sighing, she closed her eyes and listened to the rain pattering against stone or otherwise. It was peaceful, and she even managed a smile at it.
'It's kind of ironic, isn't it?' she asked, opening her eyes again. 'We're the only house who doesn't hear the rain from our common room, and yet we're under a lake.'
Amara glanced at Reena, considering.
'Where do you live?' she asked, setting aside her textbook and notes. She'd been at it long enough; a break was earned.
Post by Reena Ashworth on Nov 9, 2022 5:31:49 GMT 10
“I figured. Thanks,“ she tried to sound unbothered and busied herself with properly putting away her notes.
She had caught Amara’s look and started to feel a little self-conscious. Her uniform was the nicest clothes she had apart from her dress robes but there was no way she could wear that.
She was thankful that Amara didn’t appear to be interested in mocking her about her clothes and instead had offered her own - just for this one occasion though, right?
Reena suddenly had a dreadful mental image of leaving Amara’s with bags full of hand-me-downs and she wished for a big hole to open up and swallow her whole. Did Amara think she was a charity case?
She was glad about the topic change but took the time to put her textbook into her bag and get out her DADA notes.
“I guess it is,“ she chuckled slightly. “I wouldn’t change it though. I like being under the lake.“
There was something calming about the light that had been filtered through the water. It was almost as though they were immersed into a separate world where her troubles were smaller in comparison.
She hadn’t had a chance to open her notes yet when Amara asked her where she lived. Reena could feel herself tense and fought against it while she considered the question.
It would make sense for Amara to know, considering Reena had to get home again somehow.
“Puddles Way,“ she said. “It‘s a small town of mixed folk.“
Reena then named the general location in the country. She doubted Amara would know it anyway.
Last Edit: Nov 9, 2022 15:09:15 GMT 10 by Reena Ashworth
Post by Amara Seabrook on Nov 11, 2022 21:20:14 GMT 10
'Of course.' Amara waved off the gratitude. 'You're one of us now, and we have high standards -- as one should, with our excellence. I simply have the means to help you achieve that. It's no big deal.'
She nodded in firm agreement, also preferring the view of the lake. It made Slytherin more unique, too. But it was still nice to be outside and listen to the rain on occasion. Not right now, it seemed, as the rain went away with the daylight as the sun began to set.
Amara packed up everything, intending to drop things off at her dormitory before heading to dinner. She made note of Puddles Way, though pulled a face at the idea of having mixed folk. Or any presence of Muggles, really.
'I appreciated the company,' Amara said, feeling like she needed to say something rather than just a farewell and leaving. 'Let me know if you need any help with your exams. I've got my own studying to do, but I've taken yours before so...'
She shrugged. Didn't help to have an advantage, right? Not that she could remember the exact questions now, and the curriculum had likely changed with all the new Professors this year, but she knew enough. In case Reena got stuck, she'd try to give some tips.
Amara had nothing else to say, and was tired of conversation. She left the Private Courtyard and headed into the castle.
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