Finished Stalkers, Squids, and Sickle-Hungry PV Robin Marie

Robin had a problem. For the past week, she had been stalking very closely watching one of her housemates. It was another first year witch- just like her. At first, it wasn't supposed to be more than a one-time thing, but... maybe, just maybe she might have gotten a little bit carried away. And apparently, the girl she had been stalking very closely watching appears to have caught on or at least caught a glimpse of her before she was able to hide.

Robin thought about her options. Currently, she was crouching behind a nearby tree, boots nestled in the grass and hair bristling in the gentle winds. She was frozen for a moment, hoping that if she was just still enough that the girl wouldn't see her. Robin really wished she at least knew this girls name so that she could have some sort of excuse that gave her a perfectly innocent explanation as to why she had been following her. Robin imagined herself coming out of the shadows and calmly introducing herself. Oh, yes, random lady! I was not hiding from you - a prefect was totally looking for you in the common room and I so graciously volunteered to find you and I must now take my leave. Robin would continue on her merry way, avoiding another potential interaction with a person because she would rather gain intel on them than socialize.

After a moment, Robin peeked her head from around the corner, hoping to see if the brunette was still looking. The girl was leaning against the trunk of a tree, slightly bent over a piece of parchment and looking deep in thought.

Robin breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't be caught actively being a creep when they met for the first time. Robin did have a perfectly innocent reason for trailing her housemate for the past week. The first time she had seen the girl was in the common room, chit chatting with a few other students their age. Robin had been a bit too intimidated by the full common room at the time and had opted to go to her dorm room and get settled rather than pretend to be interested in small talk. After that, Robin had shared multiple classes with the girl. It wasn't like the professors were calling daily rollcall so there was no way for Robin to know her name. The surveillance, as she liked to call it, only escalated from there.

The first time she had trailed the girl, it was only so she could learn her name! She had hoped to somehow catch her introducing herself to someone or checking out a book in the library. She even tried to take a piece of scrap parchment that she had left behind in charms class one day. No luck.

Granted, Robin knew that she could have just asked the girl. Or literally any of her classmates. Robin for the most part was a logical person, and she knew that stalking very closely following someone was wrong. But it's not like she's a weird old man who wants to take advantage of her! She's just a girl who has no clue how to approach people for the proposal of friendship. She had tried - quite a lot, actually, in primary school back in Wales. But for some reasons, her methods usually left kids her age in fits of giggles or exiting themselves from the conversation as soon as possible. Robin liked this girl, from what she had seen. And that was the whole point. How is she supposed to trust someone could be a worthy friend unless she is aware of what they do when they don't know they're being watched? She didn't want to mess up one of her first chances to a true friendship, and a sense of control was the best way for Robin to dive into the unknown.

Knowing that she was pushing her luck, Robin decided it was time to come clean. She would walk out from behind this tree, introduce herself to the girl and finally ask her name. The fact that she set out on this mission in search of that one piece of information and inevitably will have to ask leaves a certain sense of resolve. Yes, her nearly being caught today was definitely a sign to give up this foolish game she had dragged this unknowing student into. Robin had just stood up and taken her first step out from behind her hiding spot when she heard the girl shout.

""Thats it!" Robin was so startled that her automatic reaction was to try and retreat right back to where she was a moment ago.

Wow, thought Robin. This is it. I've done it now. There goes my Hogwarts reputation. They're going to be telling tales about me - about Creepy Robin for centuries to come.


Mind running frantically, Robin looked for any way out of this situation. When nothing came to mind, she gave up. She would feel no shame for wanting to assess any future potential best friends. It was her right.

So when the girl spoke up again, asking her to come out, Robin did.

"No need to be shy! Come on out, I don’t bite! How can I help you today?” The girl had asked her, as if she were a customer service representative.

Stepping out from behind the tree, this time with confidence, she took in the girl's appearance. Of all the time she spent trailing the witch, Robin had never really gotten a good look at her. She stood a few inches taller than Robin and had the most piercing pale blue eyes. Her hair was dark and fell just past her shoulders. Her skin wasn't as dark as Robin's, but you could most definitely tell that the girl spent a lot of time in the sun.

She's certainly beautiful, that's for sure, Robin thought.

"Oh- uh, Hello." Robin finally said with a croak, not having spoken in quite a while. "I've been following you. You're very pretty."

Great job, Robin, She thought. You're off to a wonderful start. Not creepy at all.

Robin cleared her throat, her Welsh accent becoming a bit clearer. She couldn't look away from the girl's eyes. As much as she didn't like eye contact, she disliked the idea of looking away more.

"Say, what's your name? I seem to always miss it in class."

Reducio

Interacting w/ @Odette Leone | #1821a0 | #b382e3 |

Date: 15 Sept 2024 Word Count: 848 Interacting: @Robin Marie

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Thoughts / Spoken #6a5acd / #483d8b Location: Great Lake

As her stalker finally stepped out from their hiding spot, Odette got her first look at the specter who had been shadowing her every move. Huh, the first-year mused before blaming her mom’s trashy romance novels for making her assume it was a boy following her around.

The witch had dark skin that reminded Odette of cozy winter holidays spent melting warm, rich cubes of caramel in a saucepan. Her eyes traced every twist and curve of the girl’s beautiful cascade of curls until it ended a couple inches down her back. Wrapped around the girl’s shoulders were familiar royal blue robes, which Odette smugly noted, covered her shorter frame. No wonder I felt her staring so often. The first-year realized She’s a Ravenclaw, not a ghost! Feeling assured that she was at no risk of an evil spirit’s possession, Odette’s eyes drifted to the girl’s kind smile. Although, from the way one corner of her mouth kept pulling a bit too wide, she got the impression the witch was more accustomed to teasing smirks than warm grins.

Raising her gaze slightly, Odette immediately made eye contact with the girl’s earthy brown eyes. They appeared soft and friendly, if a bit nervous at the moment, but peering closer, Odette could almost make out a twinkle of…of something playful, perhaps? It was hard to see from far away. Yet, even from this distance, she could feel the girl’s piercing stare burning into her soul. Why isn’t she looking away!! I thought the staring was bad before, but it’s so much worse when she’s right in front of you!

"Oh- uh, Hello." Odette’s mystery stalker croaked in a thick Welsh accent, “I've been following you. You're very pretty."

…Well, the first-year gaped, Can’t say she doesn’t have taste.

Subtly pinching her arms to snap out of her stupor, Odette tried to figure out what to react to first. The fact that a really pretty girl just called her pretty, or the fact that said really pretty girl is also her stalker who just casually admitted to following her as if she had said ‘nice to meet you.’ Pull yourself together! You’re a Leone. Odette mentally berated herself, You’re supposed to charm her, not be charmed by her!

"Say, what's your name? I seem to always miss it in class." Her stalker asked, which was bewildering considering Odette was pretty sure the girl once stole a page of her charms notes. Wow, she must be the worst stalker ever. The first-year was almost annoyed that the witch didn’t know. If she’s going to be followed, she’d at least like her stalker to put in some effort.

“Remember what I said if anyone gives you trouble?”
“Shakedown their coin purse for every last Knut!”

Her last memory with her father before she boarded the Hogwarts Express softly resounded in her mind, reminding Odette of her business strategy. For all the frustration this witch caused her, she was going to convince her to buy the most expensive bag of exploding bonbons in her life!

Odette’s customer service smile slightly sharpened at the thought, but right before she could put her plan in place she hesitated at the hopeful gaze in the girl’s warm brown eyes.

Maybe it’s wrong of me to extort her of all her money, she furrowed her brows in reflection, Maybe it would be better if I…turn her into a loyal customer who will buy anything from me! She followed me for a week, who knows what else she’d be willing to do!

Excitedly standing up, Odette happily skipped over to the girl with a wide, genuine smile and offered her hand, “Thank you! I’m Odette Leone. I must say you’re really good at the whole following me thing. I didn’t even see you in class or in the common room! A shame since you’re super pretty too. I would have loved to meet my new custo- classmate! I would have loved to meet my new classmate sooner.”

Odette bit back a wince as her excitement almost gave her away. At this point, she’d scare off her patron before making her first sale! There’s no way Odette was going to lose a potential regular. No, she’d have to convince the girl to stay longer. Maybe if she figures out her likes and dislikes, she can curate a list of products she’d enjoy. It would be even better if Odette liked them too since she’d have an easier time sneaking them past her mom. Not to mention, it would give them things to talk about together. After all, it’s crucial for a businesswoman like herself to build a strong rapport with her customers. The better they get along, the better the business!

Nodding her head at the new business strategy, Odette was determined to get to know her ex-stalker. All she had to do was find a common interest and make the girl like her!

“Can I get your name? It’s only fair that I get to know the earnest witch who’s thought so kindly of me this past week.”

Robin wasn't quite sure what she was expecting when she finally revealed herself to the subject of her slightly overbearing obsession interest of the past week. Perhaps she expected the girl to be horrified and to immediately pull out her wand and blast her to bits. Granted, Robin knew that this wouldn't happen because of the fact that they were both first years and hadn't even learned any dueling spells yet. Maybe, Robin expected her to turn around and see how pitiful Robin looked, resorting to hiding behind trees and bushes in order to prepare for making friends, and would kindly make a swift exit.

What Robin did not expect was for the girl, Odette Leone, she had said, to thank her.

When Robin had stumbled into the open and bluntly stated the obvious, Odette had seen genuinely shocked to realize it was her. Maybe Robin was actually kind of good at this stalking thing. She decided to think on that later, after she saw how this encounter ended. A range of emotions had taken over her face - she must have been thinking hard -before she clearly had some sort of inner resolve.

Skipping over to Robin, like a toddler on Christmas eve with the grin to match, Odette had stuck out her hand and introduced herself to Robin - after thanking her.

Robin couldn't help but immediately match the other Ravenclaw's smile and immediately reached out to grasp her hand and shake enthusiastically. Robin wasn't completely oblivious; she could tell that this girl was laying the compliments on a bit thick, and Robin wasn't quite sure why until she accidentally slipped on the word classmate. It had almost sounded a bit like she was going to say, "costumer." To be completely fair, the girl may just not be that bright and might have just stumbled on her words, but Robin knew better. The girl was in Ravenclaw, and Robin had already established how similar Ravenclaws and Slytherins can be - intelligence and cunning can be quite similar in terms of plans... and planning something, she was- Robin was certain of it.

Despite, it all, Robin didn't care. Not at all. Odette could be planning to scam her blind and as long as Robin had an equal by her side, she wouldn't give a damn. Plus, the girl had called her earnest. She might have blushed just a tad. Robin decided it was time to introduce herself.

"I'm Robin Marie!" She basically shouted, showing her clear enthusiasm. Robin realized she was still shaking the girl's hand and quickly pulled away her hand, using it to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. "It's really, really nice to officially meet you. If you want, I consider myself to be quite the person of candor so if it would make you feel better, we could sit and talk about it."

Robin, not being one to wait, grabbed Odette's arm and dragged her back to the spot where she had been relaxing in the shade next to the tree before she had screamed into the void, unknowingly interrupting Robin's attempt to not be a creeper. Still holding onto the girl's arm, she dragged her down to the ground to sit on her knees in the grass. Finally letting go and allowing the girl to position herself, she immediately began to speak.

"Let's play a questions game. You ask me whatever you want. I'm an open book. In return, I ask you whatever I want. And if you don't want to answer then that's fine - you just have to jump into the Great Lake." Robin smiled wickedly, letting her offer stand plainly in the cool air.

Reducio

Interacting w/ @Odette Leone | #1821a0 | #b382e3 |

Date: 15 Sept 2024 Word Count:724 Interacting: @Robin Marie

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Thoughts / Spoken #6a5acd / #483d8b Location:Great Lake

The other first year Ravenclaw seemed to consider Robin's proposal for a moment before responding. Her posture seemed to relax for the first time, leaning against the tree with a smirk to match Robin's.
“You’ve almost got yourself a deal. Fair is fair. If you don’t answer a question, you owe me 10 Sickles. If you lie, it’s 20 Sickles. I’ll start!”

Sounded pretty fair to Robin. She wasn't loaded or anything, but she made sure to keep up on her daily school allowance for situations such as these. Was she willing to buy a friend? Not quite, but she wasn't completely against the idea. She wouldn't need to anyway.

"Trust me - I've got nothing to hide." Robin motioned for Odette to continue, and the girl pondered for a moment, eyes flickering over the Great Lake, mind whirling in thought.

"Why were you following me around for a week? It was a little...well...y'know..."

"Unsettling?" Robin finished, as soon as Odette began to trail off, slightly hopeful. "Disturbing? Maybe a bit... unhinged?" Her eyes widened with the third word, intent to make a dramatic effect. She nodded along with every word, not even denying it, looking a bit like a frustratingly daunting Tim Burton character. "I've been working on that - well, not really, I guess, but my Mum says that I give off the energy of someone 'unstable,' but I promise you- I'm stable." She smiled innocently at the girl. It was true enough - she was the happiest she had ever been to be completely honest. She had just gotten back her first assignment, a potions paper and had received full marks. Robin was certainly stable, if not a bit too reserved. She liked her own company, sure, but her apparent lack of experience in socialization leaves one to wonder why she even bothered.

"To answer your question though," she said, looking away from Odette finally and let her eyes trail the edge of the Lake - she could see a spot not too far from the girls that had a few bubbles, as if something was breathing beneath it. Robin took notice, giving the spot quite the side-eye. She had no idea what was in that lake, but she'd overheard some of the older students talking about a "Giant Squid," and she wasn't about to be caught off guard by some loser oversized cephalopod. She shook it from her mind and thought hard, wanting to give a genuine answer to Odette - she owed it to her, at least.

"It's simple. I had to scope out your friendship potential. I couldn't approach you if I didn't know anything about you, silly." She shrugged. "Besides, I didn't even learn that much. Not even your name - if I learned anything, it's that you seem to be just as lonely as me." She said this with a small tilt of her head, eyes returning to look directly in Odette's stunning gaze. Robin wasn't sure what the girl was thinking - her face was a bit clouded, clearly lost in thought. Robin lowered her eyes again, settling her body weight off of her knees and onto her bottom, wrapping her arms around her legs and holding tight. "I didn't see anything I didn't like... as I was hoping... soo... that was enough for me."

Robin clapped thrice. "My turn! Were you about to call me a customer earlier?" Might as well get it all out in the open! Besides, Robin would think it would be hilarious if Odette did jump into the Great Lake. She wasn't against a tactical advantage.

Reducio

Interacting w/ @Odette Leone | #1821a0 | #b382e3 |

Date: 15 Sept 2024 Word Count:1033 Interacting: @Robin Marie

__⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅_

Thoughts / Spoken #ba55d3 /#800080 Location:Great Lake

"Trust me - I've got nothing to hide," Robin spoke confidently. Odette will see about that. Luckily, she can’t really lose in this situation. If the curly-haired witch is honest, then they can become business partners. If she lies, well, the entrepreneur is a bit Sickle-hungry.

"Why were you following me around for a week? It was a little...well...y'know..."

"Unsettling? Disturbing? Maybe a bit... unhinged?" Robin fills in, widening her eyes madly on the last guess. "I've been working on that - well, not really, I guess, but my Mum says that I give off the energy of someone 'unstable,' but I promise you- I'm stable."

A surprised chuckle slips past Odette’s lips, but she makes no move to cover it, smiling wryly at the witch’s self-awareness. “Your Mum too? Mine says I have the mentality of a cursed Monopoly board that only lets you pass ‘Go’ if you pay interest. Er- Monopoly is a muggle board game, if you don’t know.”

Odette carefully doesn’t mention that muggles take the game so seriously that it’s filled with financial ruin, broken friendships, and absolutely no mercy. It makes it all that much sweeter when the witch manages to beat her dad for the win.

"To answer your question, though," Robin pauses, and Odette follows the witch’s eyes toward the lake. The students were no longer playing in the shallows, leaving the water's surface untouched besides the minuscule ripples caused by the soft breeze. Squinting her eyes, the half-blood tries to see what could have caught the witch’s attention, but her focus is pulled away as Robin shrugs, "It's simple. I had to scope out your friendship potential. I couldn't approach you if I didn't know anything about you, silly.”

…huh?
…
Friendship?
…
Oh.
.
.
.
OOOOOHHHH!!!

Odette does facepalm at her stupidity this time. This! This is why Everley was always the one to approach people and introduce her to their classmates. When it doesn’t pertain to business, Odette is absolutely hopeless. How could she think Robin wanted to be business partners before she realized she was trying to be friends! Thank Merlin that she hadn’t tried to ask the witch if she’s ever gone bankrupt or backstabbed her colleague before as her first question. How awkward would that be! To think Odette had been so confident, too, as to why Robin was stalking admiringly observing her. Perhaps the sorting hat got her all wrong. HoUsE oF tHe WiSe, ClEvEr, AnD iNtElLiGeNt HER FOOT!

“Besides, I didn't even learn that much. Not even your name - if I learned anything, it's that you seem to be just as lonely as me."

Odette’s breath hitches at Robin’s words, remembering the letter she wrote to Max about how lonely she felt. In her message she meant it felt weird not having customers at Hogwarts. Back in her muggle school, her underground marketplace had been how she met all her friends and hung out with them. Was that not normal? She figured that once business picks up…

Is she lonely?

Thinking back to the start of Hogwarts, Odette realizes that aside from her roommate, she hasn’t truly interacted with many people, at least not beyond class partner work or casual pleasantries in the common room or Great Hall. Even then, the half-blood is a bit reserved. Perhaps…perhaps she is a bit lonely. There’s no denying the pang she feels in her chest at the thought of not having Everley around to play with or not having her dad whisk her off to the family shop. If only she had taken her mom’s words to heart when she lectured her about making friends instead of customers back at Platform 9 ¾.

"I didn't see anything I didn't like,” Robin continues, wrapping her arms around her legs. Odette can’t help but gape at her in surprise. “... as I was hoping... soo... that was enough for me."

The curly-haired witch actually likes her? Odette was about to extort her! Does she seriously still have a chance? The girl seems kind and funny, if a bit strange, with the whole stalking determined attempts at friendship thing, but she can look past that considering her own weird quirks. Maybe they can still be a good fit, hopefully this time, as friends instead of business partners.

"My turn!” Robin claps thrice. “Were you about to call me a customer earlier?"

The universe must think she is a humungous joke.

Coughing on air, Odette slaps her chest a couple times to get her lungs working properly again. She can’t lie to her new potential, possible, hopefully, pleasepleaseplease, friend! She agreed to answer her questions, or else she’d-…jump…into…the…

Throwing a contemplative glance at the cool, murky green waters of the lake before glancing at the face of the witch beside her, Odette doesn’t take long to decide.

After all, the sun is warm on her skin, and the breeze does little to cool her off. A dip in the lake sounds quite refreshing in her opinion. Standing up, Odette begins to shake off her robe and fold it neatly before placing it along with her shoes by her bag. Meeting Robin’s honest and amused eyes only solidifies her resolve. It’s an easy choice, really.

If she and Robin do happen to become friends, then Odette knows it’s only a matter of time before the fellow Ravenclaw discovers her more Sickle-hungry personality quirk. It’s a side of herself she’s never tried to hide. If anything, she owns it quite proudly.

“What are you waiting for?” Odette asks the witch with a challenging grin, eyes sparkling tauntingly, “It’s rude to let your friends do stupid things alone, y’know.”

Yes, Robin will eventually find out about her pride as an entrepreneur. Still, she refused to start their friendship on an embarrassing misconception. Even if it’s suspiciously likely that the curly-haired witch is setting her up for a laugh, well, at least the Leone has a sense of humor. No matter what, she is determined to make this a fresh start for both of them. No more stalking and no more extorting! With that, Odette turns and begins sprinting towards the water.

Besides, it’s not like anything’s in the Great Lake.

In response to Robin's explanation, Odette let out a small laugh. Robin felt no malice from it, so she smiled in return. “Your Mum too? Mine says I have the mentality of a cursed Monopoly board that only lets you pass ‘Go’ if you pay interest. Er- Monopoly is a muggle board game, if you don’t know.”

A guffaw slipped past Robin's lips at the "mentality of a cursed Monopoly board." Robin imagined a thimble wearing devil horns, standing on the boardwalk and cackling evilly and twisting its little metal mustache. Robin's eyes widened, actually comprehending Odette's words.

"I love Monopoly! I used to play it with my family and my oldest brother Dennis would always win, but I used to steal some of his money when he wasn't looking until my other brother Jeremiah snitched on me." Robin reminisced, remembering how angry Jeremiah would get when he realized she was cheating. She never even cared that much about winning - she just liked to do it because of how mad it made Jer. Of course, when he yelled at Robin all of her other brothers started defending her and there would be an entire Marie household debate, one adolescent boy shouting over another while Robin watched silently from the background with an evil grin. A girl had to get a form of entertainment somehow.

As Robin finished explaining her reasoning for daydreaming about closely admiring the other Ravenclaw, Robin watched Odette facepalm herself. Whatever she was expecting from Robin, it was not an offer of comradery. She didn't look disappointed - just confused. Robin took that as a good sign. Confusion is a good thing in her opinion- there's room for growth in confusion.

Now when Robin finally asked her question, "Were you about to call me a customer earlier?" Odette froze and immediately began choking on her own shock.

Bending over and cackling, Robin watched Odette have an inner meltdown over her question, just as she had hoped she would. Truthfully, Robin didn't need anything from Odette at the moment. She didn't need any truths, any declarations, or even any reassurance. They were spending time together and Robin was making a connection with someone that she will be going to school with for the next seven years. She was ecstatic she might not have to do it all alone.

Robin smiled, started jumping up and down and clapping her hands excitedly when Odette began to shake off her robe, leaving her in her everyday clothes, and set it down neatly, folded by her bag.

"Oh, yes!" Robin exclaimed, still cheering, hoping she was sounding supportive. Screw the customer question- Robin stored the information for later. Odette was willingly flinging herself into the Giant Squid's home territory! This was going to be good. Speaking of, maybe she should let Odette know, considering now they were friends and all. She was about to mention the potential of a tentacled monstrosity, but was interrupted before she could get the words out.

“What are you waiting for?” Odette challenges, meeting Robin's eyes with a daring look. “It’s rude to let your friends do stupid things alone, y’know.”

This day couldn't get any better - Robin decided to say screw it to the squid as well. She had more important tasks on her mind at the moment- like stepping up to this direct challenge to her character, for one. Besides, Robin had heard a few stories about students exploring the depths of the lake with the plant Gillyweed in herbology class. Sure, they don't have the speed or the ability to breathe underwater, but it's not like they're falling off a boat in the center of the lake either. If the lake was truly dangerous, it would be off limits like the restricted section. She placed her trust in the school administration and began to strip.

Pulling off her school robes, she flung it who-knows-where and kicked off her shoes as she chased after Odette to splash into the lake. She had on a black t-shirt and a blue pair of muggle basketball shorts- perfect to go impromptu swimming in.

Robin sprinted a step behind Odette and began to shout as her feet began sloshing through the shallow water, kicking up silt with every step.

"OI! I LOVE FRIED CALAMARI YA' BIG PIECE OF SQUID! SO DON'T YOU TRY ANY FUNNY BUSINESS," Robin shouted at the top of her lungs, her hands cupped around her lips as she hoping her intimidation tactic would at least give her some time if she were wrong. Not stopping, Robin tried her best to run as she lifted her knees higher, jumping like an antelope on psychedelics in order to go further. After a few steps, the water was at her armpits and her nervous system kicked in, instantly making her feel everything she hadn't allowed herself to moments before.

"THIS IS BLOODY EFFIN COLD!!!"

Reducio

Interacting w/ @Odette Leone | #1821a0 | #b382e3 |

Date: 15 Sept 2024 Word Count:674 Interacting: @Robin Marie

____⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅_

Thoughts / Spoken #ba55d3 /#800080 Location:Great Lake

Odette can’t stop cackling, even as the icy cold water splashes her face and Grindylows nips at her toes. She wasn't aware that creatures live in the lake, but considering that the aquatic menace hasn’t tried to harm her, she assumes there must be merfolk who live nearby to keep them tame.

In spite of her favorite blue blouse and grey skort getting soaked in murky water and sticking to her skin, the Ravenclaw is having a blast! Her glee only grows as she hears loud splashes behind her, followed by a taunt from her new friend, "OI! I LOVE FRIED CALAMARI YA' BIG PIECE OF SQUID! SO DON'T YOU TRY ANY FUNNY BUSINESS!"

Bursting out into renewed laughter, Odette smiles so wide that she chokes on a bit of lake water. The witch isn’t too sure why Robin is screaming about a delicious fried dish, but it certainly sounds like she’s having fun, "THIS IS BLOODY EFFIN COLD!!!"

Not one to be left behind, Odette shrugs to herself and bellows, “YEAH, YOU SEAWEED-COVERED NOODLE WITH AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM! TAKE YOUR BUSINESS SOMEWHERE ELSE, I CALLED DIBS ON HOGW– AHHHHH”

A slimy tentacle wraps around Odette and Robin’s ankles and swiftly tugs them underwater. Opening her eyes below the lake's surface, a cluster of bubbles flees Odette’s mouth as she releases a high-pitched scream at the sight of the most ginormous squid she’s ever seen. Almost as if the giant squid took offense to the taunts of the first-year witches, it gives them a playful wink as it retracts its large tentacles and glides away. The half-blood isn’t sure why, but she just knows it’s condescendingly swimming off and laughing about its successful vengeance.

Grabbing her housemate’s arm and swimming back to the surface, it only takes two seconds after she gets air back into her lungs to shake Robin like a madwoman and screech, “Bloody hell! Did you see the size of that thing? Imagine how many pieces of calamari you could get from him! Is it a he? She? Should we name them? They should get a name. Hmm, let me think.”

Feeling movement below her feet, Odette yelps and begins to swim back toward the shallow part of the lake. She’s not sure if it was a Grindylow or a floating piece of driftwood, but her instincts are setting off alarm bells in her brain telling the witch that it’s the mischievous cephalopod back to taunt her some more. Before she can reach safety, a tentacle wraps around her waist and gently tosses her across the water.

Clawing her way to the surface, Odette sends the murky depths the nastiest scowl in her repertoire, usually saved for cheapskates and non-paying customers, and vows, “YOU SOGGY SEA SLOB! BEFORE WE GRADUATE, I’M GONNA COME BACK HERE AND RIDE YOU LIKE A NIMBUS 2000 IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!”

Finally reaching a shallow part of the lake that the squid can’t reach, Odette looks around for Robin. Catching sight of her classmate’s soaked and roughed-up state causes her to burst into a fit of giggles. She’s sure she looks much the same, if not worse.

So far, the half-blood met and befriended her stalker chaotic fan with questionable methods of friendship, acted like an oblivious fool, jumped into a lake inhabited by the pettiest and largest squid she’s ever met, and has been tossed around like a quaffle by the sassy beast.

This has been the strangest and most fun she’s had at Hogwarts all month! If the next seven years are filled with chaotic and interesting people and creatures like today, then she can’t wait to discover what tomorrow’s adventures will bring.

Picking seaweed out of her hair, she playfully flings it at Robin and lays back to float on the water, seriously lost in thought, “You think we can play fetch with the giant squid? It’s got quite the arm. I reckon we’d make a killing if we took bets from students on how far it can throw us.”

𓂀 𓂀 𓂀 𓂀

𓂀 𓂀 𓂀 𓂀

Robin, having thrown herself directly into the deep end by insulting a damned giant squid in its natural territory, hadn't really expected the squid to assault her by wrapping its tentacles around her and dragging her down into the water. No, she barely expected the bloody squid to exist at all let alone attempt to drown her! She had certainly bitten off way more than she could chew this time, even if the bite was a perfectly savory and crisp calamari fritti. Attempting not to pee herself, Robin kicked fiercely until the damned piece of seafood let her go and she was able to kick back to the surface. Fear turning into anger, Robin kicked furiously and tugged her sopping hair out of her face, ready to curse the squid into oblivion.

Before she had the chance to shout, Odette had her by the shoulders and was shaking her vigorously, drawing a small giggle of disbelief and shock out of her. With the most enthusiasm that Robin had seen the other Ravenclaw display to this date, she shouted into Robin's face. "Bloody hell! Did you see the size of that thing? Imagine how many pieces of calamari you could get from him! Is it a he? She? Should we name them? They should get a name. Hmm, let me think.”

Robin thought the girl was mad for a moment, thinking that they needed to hurry back to shore before it came to finish them off, when she felt tickling on her feet. She squeaked in surprise, her fear of the unknown coming to the surface. She could imagine a squid the size of a small house dragging her by its long, twisty, tentacles towards the sharp beak at its center, ready to tear apart her flesh.

"Who CARES about the damned fish's pronouns!? Let's go before it drowns us," she shouted indignantly, already starting to swim toward the shallower area. The temperature had neutralized a tad, but she knew she was going to be chilled as soon as she had to get out and was not looking forward to it. The cold, however, certainly beat the impending doom she felt from the squid. Before getting too far, Odette seemed to suddenly fly through the air, seemingly being thrown by a giant tentacle. It was then that Robin realized that the squid was playing with them.

Discovering that the squid had a wicked sense of humor changed things in Robin's mind a tad- maybe it was lonely too- and she immediately burst out into laughter. It only doubled when Odette crawled her way back to the surface and cursed the squid with the appropriate amount of venom.

“YOU SOGGY SEA SLOB! BEFORE WE GRADUATE, I’M GONNA COME BACK HERE AND RIDE YOU LIKE A NIMBUS 2000 IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!” Robin heard Odette shout, who had also begun to swim back to the shallow end.

Robin, nearly out of the deep end, suddenly felt a tickling sensation on the bottom of her foot. She squealed and flailed, laughing even harder, completely astounded with the entire scenario. Having finally reached a shallower spot, Robin slowed, doubling over and half cackling half-wheezing.

"Did that thing just toss you like a bloody sack of potatoes? You think it would let me have a go?" Robin asked Odette, feeling more certain that if the squid had actually wanted to hurt her, it certainly missed out on about twenty chances to do so. Seems like it was friendly enough. As long as it cut that tickling business out, this could be a promising adventure presented on a fine-dining platter to the pair.

Meeting Odette's gaze, the other girl immediately joined in on Robin's laughter, clearly at the state that she was in. Robin only wheezed harder after seeing how soggy and miserable her classmate looked as well.

I certainly hadn't imagined this when I followed her this evening, Robin thought, appreciating the company more than ever. She was glad she found someone that could entertain her spur of the moment whims, adding to the fuel and more. Someone fun.

Reducio

Interacting w/ @Odette Leone | ooc// Thanks for being patient w/ me bestie!! #1821a0 | #b382e3 |