5 Sep 2019, 15:42
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
Duna sat at the Hufflepuff table in the great hall, staring in awe at the breakfast spread in front of her. Duna had already been there a few days, but still wasn’t used to the amazing meals, floating candles, moving staircases, and talking portraits. Duna gingerly picked a few pieces of bacon and a roll out of the center piles and placed them on her plate. She wasn’t used to eating a whole bunch for breakfast, in fact, she usually never ate breakfast. She was always too excited to start the day, but Duna had decided it would be a shame to let all this amazing food go to waste.
Because Duna had not taken very much to eat, she finished quite early. Duna sipped the last bit of apple juice out of her goblet and stood up. ‘I’m going to make some friends today!’ She thought, determined. This was her first time at a school with other kids her age since she was 8. It was time she made some real friends, not just the ghosts in the halls, although they were very nice.
Duna reached into her pocket and pulled out all the friendship bracelets she and made while on the trip here and over the past few days when she was too anxious to fall asleep. They were all sorts of colors, ranging from an all rainbow one, to another that was just plain black. Duna didn’t know what people’s styles were and wanted to make plenty of options for her soon-to-be friends. She had even made some bracelets of the house colors, and she was sporting a yellow and black one herself... along with about four pink and purple bracelets too.
Duna quickly adjusted the pink bow in her short brown hair and smoothed out her robe. She put on the brightest smile she had and walked right over to the first person she saw. It was a Ravenclaw boy with dark, almost black hair. Duna waved hello and held up her small notepad. It read, ‘Hi, I’m Duna! I’m mute, but I hope we can be friends!’
Duna then held out her hand full of friendship bracelets to the boy. After a moments pause the boy scoffed and walked to over to his house table, chatting to his friends and pointing over in Duna’s direction. Duna assumed he wasn’t saying pleasant things by the way the boy’s friends laughed.
Duna looked down, her smile fading for a moment before she reminded herself that it was just one boy, and there were plenty of other people to make friends with here. Duna’s bright smile returned with a vengeance as she took a deep breath, calming her nerves and building her confidence back up.
She clutched her bracelets tighter and began the search for a new friend.
Because Duna had not taken very much to eat, she finished quite early. Duna sipped the last bit of apple juice out of her goblet and stood up. ‘I’m going to make some friends today!’ She thought, determined. This was her first time at a school with other kids her age since she was 8. It was time she made some real friends, not just the ghosts in the halls, although they were very nice.
Duna reached into her pocket and pulled out all the friendship bracelets she and made while on the trip here and over the past few days when she was too anxious to fall asleep. They were all sorts of colors, ranging from an all rainbow one, to another that was just plain black. Duna didn’t know what people’s styles were and wanted to make plenty of options for her soon-to-be friends. She had even made some bracelets of the house colors, and she was sporting a yellow and black one herself... along with about four pink and purple bracelets too.
Duna quickly adjusted the pink bow in her short brown hair and smoothed out her robe. She put on the brightest smile she had and walked right over to the first person she saw. It was a Ravenclaw boy with dark, almost black hair. Duna waved hello and held up her small notepad. It read, ‘Hi, I’m Duna! I’m mute, but I hope we can be friends!’
Duna then held out her hand full of friendship bracelets to the boy. After a moments pause the boy scoffed and walked to over to his house table, chatting to his friends and pointing over in Duna’s direction. Duna assumed he wasn’t saying pleasant things by the way the boy’s friends laughed.
Duna looked down, her smile fading for a moment before she reminded herself that it was just one boy, and there were plenty of other people to make friends with here. Duna’s bright smile returned with a vengeance as she took a deep breath, calming her nerves and building her confidence back up.
She clutched her bracelets tighter and began the search for a new friend.
Much Love,
Duna
6 Sep 2019, 05:12
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
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Judith stood near the wall, close enough to the exit in case she needed to escape. Except she didn't look one bit timid. She had her arms crossed, glaring around the Great Hall with pursed lips and narrowed eyes. She resembled more of a predator searching for their worst enemy.
Really the problem was that she had nowhere to sit. Of course many opens seats were present at the Ravenclaw table, her House, but she did not feel like sitting there. Did not was a good word, better spelled out fully to emphasize the situation. She did not want to sit there.
Apparently they could sit wherever they desired during breakfast. She sighed, taking in the room one last time before going over to sit at the Slytherin table. They didn't give her more than a glance, probably since she wasn't a Gryffindor. She felt like she blended in with them more than her own people but she still had unwavering loyalty to Ravenclaw so she didn't speak to any of them. But she didn't speak to anyone anyway.
As she chewed her pancakes, which she had stuffed in her mouth, her glowering eyes landed on the sight of a Hufflepuff wearing tacky bracelets. Judith pursed her lips but didn't look away, for some odd reason. She usually ignored naive people but this girl caught her interest, something that was hard to shake.
The girl spoke to a fellow Ravenclaw but the boy seemed to not care for her efforts and she walked away. Judith could tell how genuinely kind this girl was and felt, scraping some emotion from her abyss of a heart, sympathy for this Hufflepuff.
After carefully wiping her mouth with a napkin, Judith stood and stepped in front of the girl before she could pass her. She didn't do anything but stare for a long second before holding out her hand.
“May I have one?” she asked, managing not to bark out her request as an order.
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6 Sep 2019, 16:41
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
Duna glanced around, everyone seemed preoccupied with eating or talking. She didn’t want to bother anyone by approaching them while they were busy. Duna walked slowly around the edge of the hall, lost in her thoughts. As she neared the Slytherin table suddenly a girl stepped in front of Duna, snapping her out of her thoughts. The girl had short black hair and wore a blue tie. She was a Ravenclaw, but had come from sitting at the Slytherin table. This confused Duna for a moment, before the realization of what the girl had said hit her.
“May I have one?”
Duna’s eyes lit up and her smile broadened, filled with new happiness and excitement. The girl wasn’t smiling and seemed a little harsh, but Duna didn’t mind. This was her first friend! Duna nodded quickly and held out one of her hands that was full of friendship bracelets, offering the girl an array of colors. In her other hand Duna clutched her small notepad.
After the girl had selected her bracelet Duna held up her notebook for the girl to see. On it was still scribbled the same thing she had shown the other Ravenclaw boy.
‘Hi, I’m Duna! I’m mute, but I hope we can be friends!’
Around the border there were doodles of flowers and swirls. It looked as if this page had been written a while ago. Duna smiled happily at the girl, her expression full of excitement and pure joy.
“May I have one?”
Duna’s eyes lit up and her smile broadened, filled with new happiness and excitement. The girl wasn’t smiling and seemed a little harsh, but Duna didn’t mind. This was her first friend! Duna nodded quickly and held out one of her hands that was full of friendship bracelets, offering the girl an array of colors. In her other hand Duna clutched her small notepad.
After the girl had selected her bracelet Duna held up her notebook for the girl to see. On it was still scribbled the same thing she had shown the other Ravenclaw boy.
‘Hi, I’m Duna! I’m mute, but I hope we can be friends!’
Around the border there were doodles of flowers and swirls. It looked as if this page had been written a while ago. Duna smiled happily at the girl, her expression full of excitement and pure joy.
Much Love,
Duna
6 Sep 2019, 18:31
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
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The corner of her mouth lifted a millimeter. She would've been alright with a decline but the enthusiastic Hufflepuff offered her a bracelet to choose from. Judith meant to reach for one but her eyes caught on the sight of paper.
She watched as the girl lifted up a notepad, which was decorated with floral doodles and words that informed her that the girl couldn't speak.
Judith stared at the words for a moment before raising her hands:
WE CAN BE FRIENDS.
She signed the sentence, hoping that the girl understood. Her sign language was rusty but she had studied BSL back in New Zealand when she had befriended a deaf girl.
Though it was apparent that the girl understood her speech she wanted to assure her that she could understand her language as well.
Judith's mouth twisted in a side grin, raising her eyebrows.
“It's a great collection, but you shouldn't just be giving them out.”
Judith picked the first she liked, a silver, gold, and blue one. It represented Ravenclaw, in her opinion, and deep down she felt like it added a bit of flavor to her outfit of all black. Still, she buried the bracelet up into the depths of her sleeve.
“These are friendship bracelets, yes? Then you should give them to people who would call you a friend, not to people who...”
She paused, then signed the last part:
—DO NOT CARE.
Judith folded her arms. “I can help you, if you want. I know it's hard without a voice, I saw people look at you funny.” She was suddenly curious about how Duna lost her voice but she would ask later, when it was more appropriate Still, she couldn't stop staring at her in wonder.
“Follow me,” she said, heading towards the doors. She stopped, waiting for Duna to join her.
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6 Sep 2019, 19:55
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
Duna was waiting excitedly for the girl to take a bracelet when she started signing. Duna’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth parted slightly as she took a breath in. Duna almost dropped the bracelets she was holding in her burst of joy.
Duna was so excited by the other girl signing to her she almost didn’t realize what she had ‘said’. WE CAN BE FRIENDS. Duna nodded so fast she almost shook the pencil out from behind her ear. Duna paused before silently giggling. Her shoulders bobbled up and down and she squinted her eyes, as if laughing, but she made no sound.
The girl picked a bracelet and Duna placed the rest back into her pocket, along with her notebook. She wouldn’t be needing it if this girl knew Sign Language. Duna re-tucked her pencil behind her ear.
Duna looked up when the girl spoke again, “These are friendship bracelets, yes? Then you should give them to people who call you a friend, not people who...DO NOT CARE”
Duna cocked her head to the side, like a confused puppy. If she didn’t give them out how should she make friends? Admittedly, Duna didn’t have much experience on the topic. That’s why Duna became so exited when the other girl offered to help her. This girl seemed to understand her as well.
Duna glanced back at the Ravenclaw table when the girl mentioned people looking her her funny. Duna was somewhat used to it, but it still stung a bit.
“Follow me.” The girl said. Duna turned back around to see the girl had already walked away a few feet and was waiting for her. Duna nodded quickly and quickly ran to catch up. “What’s your name?” Duna signed as she came to the girl’s side. “And where are we going?”
Duna’s hands signed quickly, but she tried to slow it down enough for the other girl to understand. When Duna got excited she had a tendency to ‘fumble her words’. She had gotten better about it, but Duna still forgot sometimes.
Duna clasped her hands behind her, as a signal that she was done ‘talking’. She’d also learned to do that so that her parents didn’t interrupt her when she was talking a while to tell them something. She mainly needed it as a little kid, but now it was simply force of habit.
Duna was so excited by the other girl signing to her she almost didn’t realize what she had ‘said’. WE CAN BE FRIENDS. Duna nodded so fast she almost shook the pencil out from behind her ear. Duna paused before silently giggling. Her shoulders bobbled up and down and she squinted her eyes, as if laughing, but she made no sound.
The girl picked a bracelet and Duna placed the rest back into her pocket, along with her notebook. She wouldn’t be needing it if this girl knew Sign Language. Duna re-tucked her pencil behind her ear.
Duna looked up when the girl spoke again, “These are friendship bracelets, yes? Then you should give them to people who call you a friend, not people who...DO NOT CARE”
Duna cocked her head to the side, like a confused puppy. If she didn’t give them out how should she make friends? Admittedly, Duna didn’t have much experience on the topic. That’s why Duna became so exited when the other girl offered to help her. This girl seemed to understand her as well.
Duna glanced back at the Ravenclaw table when the girl mentioned people looking her her funny. Duna was somewhat used to it, but it still stung a bit.
“Follow me.” The girl said. Duna turned back around to see the girl had already walked away a few feet and was waiting for her. Duna nodded quickly and quickly ran to catch up. “What’s your name?” Duna signed as she came to the girl’s side. “And where are we going?”
Duna’s hands signed quickly, but she tried to slow it down enough for the other girl to understand. When Duna got excited she had a tendency to ‘fumble her words’. She had gotten better about it, but Duna still forgot sometimes.
Duna clasped her hands behind her, as a signal that she was done ‘talking’. She’d also learned to do that so that her parents didn’t interrupt her when she was talking a while to tell them something. She mainly needed it as a little kid, but now it was simply force of habit.
Much Love,
Duna
7 Sep 2019, 15:10
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
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Judith couldn't help but grin as she watched the girl exploded with excitement. She wondered how many people at Hogwarts knew sign language, and if Duna really had to resort to expressing all of her thoughts on paper. That was depressing, but she wouldn't mind teaching anyone the language, along with the help of the Hufflepuff, of course.
She figured that she should explain what she meant about the friendship situation, which is why she wanted to call her to the side.
Duna asked her about her name and where they'd be going. Although she signed rather quickly Judith understood. “I'm Judith but you can call me...” She signed the letter 'j' and her mouth flickered into a smile that disappeared as quickly as it had came. “I want to go somewhere quiet.”
Once Duna began to follow her, she lead her down a quiet corridor and to the stairs. She sat down on the third step.
“I'm a first-year,” she stated, watching Duna. She was really pretty with very short brown hair, greyish-blue eyes, and light freckles. Judith like that she smiled a lot.
After studying her a bit longer, she explained, “What I meant earlier was that just giving out random things to people will make them think that you're weird. Maybe it's not the best choice of words but some kids are really mean and it's the truth.” She leaned back on the steps. “You're too nice. These people don't deserve your kindness.”
Well, could she really say that? What did she know about this girl, anyway? Nothing, that was for sure.
She turned to face Duna. “Where are you from?” she signed, with a raised brow.
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7 Sep 2019, 21:02
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
Evangeline walked through the great hall trying to remember everything she needed for the day. But more importantly she had to remember that no one would recognize her. But she needed to remember her name. "Evangeline not Elizabeth, Evangeline not Elizabeth." She mumbled out loud. Evangeline had concealed her identity when she was in the muggle world because she didn't know how to control her magic and she didn't want to put her family in danger. She put on wigs, makeup, and contacts that would change her appearance drastically. But then she came to Hogwarts and learned how to control her magic, so her father said that she can go by her real name again and look how she originally looked. As Evangeline walked through the great hall she looked up and noticed there wasn't any more tables left to sit at. Evangeline groaned while thinking "How am I going to plan my meeting with the other members now?" It took Evangeline a moment before she came up with the conclusion that she would just invite the others into the library on their free period. Evangeline rounded the corner and saw a girl wearing beautifully colored bracelets and it looked like she was holding a notebook and there were sentences on the notebook. Evangeline was confused for a moment but then realization struck. "She must be deaf." She thought to herself. Evangeline noticed a girl talking to her and the girl didn't look to happy. Evangeline noticed the mute girl give a bracelet happily to the mean looking girl. Evangeline shrugged it off and figured they were friends. Evangeline knew she didn't have to many friends so maybe this could be the moment where she makes not only one but two friends. "Maybe they can be a part of my Anti-Bullying group Injustice!" She thought happily. Evangeline made her way over and said to the two girls "Um hi my name is Elizab- I mean Evangeline but you can call me Eva if you like, I just came over to tell you that you have beautiful bracelets."
Evangeline Smith
8 Sep 2019, 16:28
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
Duna nodded as Judith introduced herself and signed the letter j as her name. That would be easier than signing Judith. Judith is a really pretty name. Duna thought as Judith began to walk out of the hall, saying she wanted to go somewhere quiet.
Duna followed Judith over to the stairs, glancing back at the hall for a moment before going over and sitting down next to her. Duna tucked her knees into her chest as she sat, almost like curling herself up in a little ball. She placed her hands on top of her knees, still holding the friendship bracelets.
“I’m a first year.” Judith said. Duna perked up a second, pointing to herself as if to say ‘me too’. Duna put her hand back down and listened as Judith continued.
“What I meant earlier was that just giving out random things to people will make them think that you're weird. Maybe it's not the best choice of words but some kids are really mean and it's the truth. You're too nice. These people don't deserve your kindness.”
Duna’s smile faded slightly as she thought about what Judith had said. Duna hadn’t thought about it that way. She knew that there were bullies and mean people, but Duna had assumed that giving them something would make them happy. She hadn’t thought that it might make her look weird.
Duna smiled brightly at the end when Judith said Duna was too kind. It reminded Duna of her parents. They would always tell her that when Duna insisted on taking a spider outside instead of killing it, or trying to help every single injured bug, plant, and animal she might find.
Duna also considered the rest of Judith’s statement. Although Duna agreed with most of what Judith had said, she didn’t agree with the last part. “Everything deserves kindness. You never know what someone or something has gone through to make them act the way they do.” Duna signed, a kind and knowing smile on her face.
Duna was about to continue when she was startled out of her conversation by another voice.
“Um hi my name is Elizab- I mean Evangeline but you can call me Eva if you like, I just came over to tell you that you have beautiful bracelets.”
Duna looked over to see another girl who also looked to be a first year. She had beautiful blond hair. Duna smiled brightly and waved hello as she stood up. Duna went to offer Evangeline a bracelet, but paused for a second, thinking about what Judith had said. Duna decided to offer Eva a bracelet anyway. Eva seemed like a really nice girl and she had complimented them too!
Duna signed “Thank you!” before holding out her hand and offering Eva a choice of the many bracelets.
Duna followed Judith over to the stairs, glancing back at the hall for a moment before going over and sitting down next to her. Duna tucked her knees into her chest as she sat, almost like curling herself up in a little ball. She placed her hands on top of her knees, still holding the friendship bracelets.
“I’m a first year.” Judith said. Duna perked up a second, pointing to herself as if to say ‘me too’. Duna put her hand back down and listened as Judith continued.
“What I meant earlier was that just giving out random things to people will make them think that you're weird. Maybe it's not the best choice of words but some kids are really mean and it's the truth. You're too nice. These people don't deserve your kindness.”
Duna’s smile faded slightly as she thought about what Judith had said. Duna hadn’t thought about it that way. She knew that there were bullies and mean people, but Duna had assumed that giving them something would make them happy. She hadn’t thought that it might make her look weird.
Duna smiled brightly at the end when Judith said Duna was too kind. It reminded Duna of her parents. They would always tell her that when Duna insisted on taking a spider outside instead of killing it, or trying to help every single injured bug, plant, and animal she might find.
Duna also considered the rest of Judith’s statement. Although Duna agreed with most of what Judith had said, she didn’t agree with the last part. “Everything deserves kindness. You never know what someone or something has gone through to make them act the way they do.” Duna signed, a kind and knowing smile on her face.
Duna was about to continue when she was startled out of her conversation by another voice.
“Um hi my name is Elizab- I mean Evangeline but you can call me Eva if you like, I just came over to tell you that you have beautiful bracelets.”
Duna looked over to see another girl who also looked to be a first year. She had beautiful blond hair. Duna smiled brightly and waved hello as she stood up. Duna went to offer Evangeline a bracelet, but paused for a second, thinking about what Judith had said. Duna decided to offer Eva a bracelet anyway. Eva seemed like a really nice girl and she had complimented them too!
Duna signed “Thank you!” before holding out her hand and offering Eva a choice of the many bracelets.
Much Love,
Duna
10 Sep 2019, 17:04
Friendship Bracelets : OPEN
Duna nodded along as Eva told her story. Eva’s sign language was a bit shorty, but overall fairly good. Duna’s expression changed with every statement. From a smile, to a look of concern and slight anger. At the end Duna smiled warmly at Eva, as if to say I’m sorry that happened to you. I’m glad you’re okay.
Duna placed her friendship bracelets in her pocket. “You are very brave. I’d love to help you with your group! I hope we can be friends!” Duna signed. She paused for a second before continuing. “Also, I’m not deaf, just mute, so you can talk if you want.” Duna smiled playfully, as if she were giggling.
Duna turned back to Judith. “Do you want to join too?” She asked. Duna smiled brightly, happy to be a part of something and already have made two new friends!
Duna was happy that Eva had decided to take initiative and stand up to bullies. Duna had only been here a few days and had already had her run ins with a few unkind students. If Duna could help find a peaceful solution to bullying problems and protect other students from getting hurt, then she would!
Duna placed her friendship bracelets in her pocket. “You are very brave. I’d love to help you with your group! I hope we can be friends!” Duna signed. She paused for a second before continuing. “Also, I’m not deaf, just mute, so you can talk if you want.” Duna smiled playfully, as if she were giggling.
Duna turned back to Judith. “Do you want to join too?” She asked. Duna smiled brightly, happy to be a part of something and already have made two new friends!
Duna was happy that Eva had decided to take initiative and stand up to bullies. Duna had only been here a few days and had already had her run ins with a few unkind students. If Duna could help find a peaceful solution to bullying problems and protect other students from getting hurt, then she would!
Much Love,
Duna