2 Mar 2021, 23:24
Of Studying and Selfcontrol Issues
March 3rd | 5pm@Ginger Crowdy
Opeila enjoyed Hogwarts. Sometimes, in now rather rare moments, she still wondered if she would wake up from a particularly wild dream anytime soon.
It was not like magic had been new to her when she entered Hogwarts for the first time, it just never played a big role in her life. Her father had made sure of that. The Slytherin remembered how angry she had been with him through her whole first year, not understanding what his problem was. Now she knew. And wished she could turn back time. Some secrets one really didn't want to know.
The second year loved Hogwarts classes. Her elementary school in Cambridge had been alright, but she doubted that anything could compete with the excitement of learning magic and spells. It was simply different! She was using a part of herself she had never really been aware of. It simply coexisted with her everyday life and broke free when she was particularly emotional, like a monster inside her. Now that this part of her was used nearly every day, it almost felt like it was tamed. Opeila could feel it better, new what triggered it and new how to repress it. That was important, otherwise she would have likely gotten in trouble outside of school already.
Still, with all love the Slytherin had for the classes, it was still a nice feeling when they were over for the day. Free time was always nice. Only that today she still had homework to do. There was an Astronomy assignment due tomorrow as well as an essay for Transfiguration. That was why Opeila was sitting at a table in the library this late afternoon, surrounded by books and her grey tabby, Loras, lying on the table next to the books. The yellow eyes curiously followed the movement of the quill in his mistress' hand.
Once every few minutes Opeila paused to reread what she had already written and gently rub her cat between the ears.
6 Mar 2021, 02:02
Of Studying and Selfcontrol Issues
@Ginger Crowdy
Opeila's left hand was still rubbing Loras's head between his ears, while she looked over her transfiguration assignment. That was fine. Not her best essay, but certainly good enough to hand it in as it was and still receive an E for it. Stretching the fingers of her dominant hand, she straightened in her chair and looked at her pet again. "Are you bored, hm...", she asked quietly, not really expecting any reaction at all.
The grey tabby had his eyes closed and his head stretched towards Opeila, she could feel the table vibrate a little under his purring. It seemed like he was fine. The Slytherin started to close the books around her and stack them, before she put her essay, quill and inkwell into her bag.
Soon she heard some noises that sounded like someone had dropped a pile of books- Better not let the librarian see this!- but she had not quite expected that source of noise to come into her direction.
A familiar Ravenclaw first year looked at her, an expression of surprise on her face. Why?
Opeila had heard some kids speak about their 'secret corners' in the library before, that no one used except for them. She had never agreed. There were no secret corners, some were just used less often and were therefore perfect if one wanted to read or study in privacy. This was a huge library after all.
... Ginger Crowdy. Opeila had met her once before and it had been rather... spectacular. Seeing her here didn't exactly make Opeila feel euphoric. The Slytherin did not desire to have another conversation with the Ravenclaw girl, who had so far only confirmed the pattern Opeila had already noticed last year.
The Slytherin would not go so far to say that the girl was not intelligent- she didn't know how she performed in class- but whatever talent Ginger possibly had in class, she was severely lacking when it came to social intelligence.
If Opeila had to guess her thoughts, based on the behaviour she had seen with that girl so far, she would say that Ginger saw her as a bully.
If that was actually the case... well, not that it mattered. Opeila had not been bullying Ginger, but she had called her out on her insensitive behaviour and the Slytherin couldn't say that she regret it. Her impression of Ginger could barely be worse. That habit she showed of blaming her background, her age, everything for her actions instead of taking responsibility, it all had put the second year off extremely.
As a result, her response to Ginger's greeting was more formally polite than anything else. "Hi Ginger. I just finished my Homework.", she said and sent her a little smile. "I assume you want to sit here?"
6 Mar 2021, 21:36
Of Studying and Selfcontrol Issues
@Ginger Crowdy
Opeila did not care about what happened back then in the courtyard. After that day she had barely wasted another thought on it, there were more important things she had to focus on. She for sure didn't care enough to give Ginger anything but a polite smile, far from condescending or mean. If that were the emotions that Ginger believed to see on the Slytherin's face, it was only another sign of how unfamiliar the two girls were. She didn't change her behaviour either when Ginger arrived. Calmly she packed her bag, no signs of being in a rush to get out of the library. Maybe Ginger's imagination was playing tricks with her. Maybe she was the one feeling uncomfortable in a way that made her think that Opeila felt the same. The second year would never know.
"Don't bother. I was done here anyway.", Opeila said, waving off the girl's concerns. It was surprising, not to mention confusing to the young Slytherin, that Ginger came to apologize. "Apologize for what? You didn't do a thing to me. No need." Opeila shrugged. She didn't have anything but slightly annoying memories about the other day. The only harm Ginger did on that day was to her own reputation.
The Ravenclaw's explanation brought a lenient smile onto Opeila's face. "Ginger- Why are you telling me this? I mean, if you came to that conclusion, good for you, but..." ...But Ginger had obviously not listened to her properly and Opeila really was not in the mood to explain it to her again. The Ravenclaw should really work on her ability to pay attention. Opeila was not as annoyed as last time, as this time she knew what to expect from the child, but she did not see her become Opeila's friend anytime soon, if ever.
Ginger's next words about her social skills made Opeila frown, as they resembled Opeila's earlier thoughts quite precisely. Was she a legilimens? Highly unlikely. As a normal student, it was strange that Ginger would be able to respond to Opeila's thoughts that specifically. Please watch your metagaming. Ginger does not know Opeila's thoughts and yet repeated them quite similarly. She would not react to that.
"Well...", Opeila began, "If you believe yourself, that you are a lost cause... You are. Your decision. It is not my opinion that matters, I am not sure why you are apologizing to me, really."