15 Mar 2025, 10:42
The Return of the Strange
What about this time would be different? With age comes the inevitable grey and white tint, but the part to focus on for Thomas was the experience and wisdom to gain. Thomas Lestrange was in his 6th year at Hogwarts, but who’s counting? Hopefully no one, the troublemaker and dropout had his fair share of struggles. It wasn’t easy, adapting to the wizarding school system with no prior knowledge of magic until the owl dropping stained parchment read: “You be a wizard” Well…something like that anyway, the letter for admittance at Hogwarts was long ago.
Only the greatest of wizards could enter a new world in this way and excel, those with a natural gift. Thomas never fared well, constantly struggling to keep pace with the many talented peers in his year. His first breakthrough came when he stopped competing, the years of seeking power and truth have long since faded. Remolding his ambition into a pursuit of self development, resisting the acquisition of fame and power. Thomas Lestrange wanted it as badly as the next man, but the key to his future success is that there is no longer a next man.
For those that know Thomas, his appearance has undergone a transformation. Where the untidy thick locks of brown moppy hair once lie, now thinned out and much longer down to his shoulders. One could say he was inspired by The Goblet of Fire, but in truth it was simply the influence of his local ice hockey team in New Romney. In the summer leagues, all the boys grow out their hair in an attempt to perfect the hockey mullet. Thomas was preparing for the upcoming summer tourney.
Thomas has always trolled Slytherin purists in his own way, the choice of a red beanie fell somewhere along those lines. If there was one thing that hasn’t changed about Lestrange, it was the enjoyment he had in disrupting ignorant peace. On a quiet Sunday afternoon the boy strolled through the halls before settling on a location to study in the Library. Thomas found a table to unpack his belongings, a quill and a few pages of parchment. A book titled “Wizards Who Garden!” and “Lotion for Potion”. Passed down by a friend of his father, who applied a comedic spin to his educational books to inspire the interest of youth. They were not published works, more so short stories that escaped the family basement. The books had colorful images that Thomas found comforting on lonesome days. His heart was in New Romney, but his development as a wizard was a responsibility he could no longer ignore.
Only the greatest of wizards could enter a new world in this way and excel, those with a natural gift. Thomas never fared well, constantly struggling to keep pace with the many talented peers in his year. His first breakthrough came when he stopped competing, the years of seeking power and truth have long since faded. Remolding his ambition into a pursuit of self development, resisting the acquisition of fame and power. Thomas Lestrange wanted it as badly as the next man, but the key to his future success is that there is no longer a next man.
The present day Thomas Lestrange appeared older and wiser, not as eager to go for a dip, or follow oldies hits into the forest. The link he once shared to a group of crones has long been terminated, the leverage they once had proven false, the painful scars mended by school officials. Thomas has moved on with years of therapy paving the way in a journey of self-discovery.“There’s nothing noble about being superior to your fellow men/women, true nobility is being superior to your former self” -EH
For those that know Thomas, his appearance has undergone a transformation. Where the untidy thick locks of brown moppy hair once lie, now thinned out and much longer down to his shoulders. One could say he was inspired by The Goblet of Fire, but in truth it was simply the influence of his local ice hockey team in New Romney. In the summer leagues, all the boys grow out their hair in an attempt to perfect the hockey mullet. Thomas was preparing for the upcoming summer tourney.
Thomas has always trolled Slytherin purists in his own way, the choice of a red beanie fell somewhere along those lines. If there was one thing that hasn’t changed about Lestrange, it was the enjoyment he had in disrupting ignorant peace. On a quiet Sunday afternoon the boy strolled through the halls before settling on a location to study in the Library. Thomas found a table to unpack his belongings, a quill and a few pages of parchment. A book titled “Wizards Who Garden!” and “Lotion for Potion”. Passed down by a friend of his father, who applied a comedic spin to his educational books to inspire the interest of youth. They were not published works, more so short stories that escaped the family basement. The books had colorful images that Thomas found comforting on lonesome days. His heart was in New Romney, but his development as a wizard was a responsibility he could no longer ignore.
Open to interactions, please owl beforehand.
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be
Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 7 | Wisdom: 8 | ArcPower: 3 | Accuracy: 7
Ability - Evasive Maneuvers 2x
15 May 2025, 11:04
The Return of the Strange
Banner was done by Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood
Seeing Ileen in the library was not a rare thing. In fact, she had been here so much over the past months and years she seemed to be part of the decor by now. The first one to come, the last one to leave. All of the passing students probably only noticed the quiet girl with a glance. Clearly closed off to any social interactions, she would sit there, crouching over her notes and books, barely ever lifting her gaze from the letters in front of her. Her long waves of dark hair were hiding her face like a curtain as she was trying to hide from the world. Brick by brick the insomnia plagued Slytherin had erased one social link after another until she ended up as she was now: Tired and alone.
But something had changed over the last few weeks.
What she didn’t know was that she had something in common with Thomas: The prospect of the future changed her. It rekindled a spark in her and gave her something back that she had been lacking for a long time: a purpose - a reason to move on. With those basic tools she had been able to start her own painful process of healing.
So she had changed as well. Her posture was more upright, her eyes flickered from the paper through the room. The energy around her now spoke more of a girl that wanted to complete a mission. She was more determined, more eager, more present.
Today she had her curls in a messy knot - clearly something she had done on the way to the library without even glancing in the mirror. A few strands had already come loose and were tangled around her pale face. The shadows under her eyes were no longer quite so dark, but they were still there. However, many students looked like this before the exams.
She had swapped her school uniform for a dark blue sweater and warm, comfortable yoga pants. She enjoyed it when she didn't have to wear the school uniform.
She was in the library from 8am and by now her books and notes had spread around her, taking up almost half of one of the long tables. Ileen was working hard to start her way as a healer after school. Books about healing spells, charms, potions and even muggle anatomy were stacked next to her.
The young witch yawned, put down her quill and stretched out her arms over her head, clearly hearing and feeling the pops in her spine as the discs rearranged to their original spot. Maybe she was due for a break. The letters were almost blurry in front of her eyes anyway. She probably could go and get some fresh air.
As she worked her way up to her feet, leaving the book island of hers behind, her eyes scanned the room to see what had changed since she had sitten down. She had the tendency to get lost in her own world.
Her eyes fell on a familiar profile in an unusual environment for them. Ileen didn’t recall seeing Thomas much in the library ever.
A little curious as to what the mysterious Thomas Lestange was working on, she glanced over his shoulder at the books as she strolled towards the exit. When she saw the first title, she accidentally drew attention to herself as a chuckle bubbled up in her. Potion is lotion. She almost flinched at the sound of her own laughter. It must have been months since she last felt that reflex.
Ileen stopped, not too close to invade his space (she hated when people did that) and stepped a bit further to the side into his area of vision so he didn’t have to turn his head 180 degrees like an owl. Walking away without saying anything after she laughed at his books would be awkward, so she might as well speak her mind.
“Potion is lotion? I never heard of that, but it sounds… intriguing.” She tried to stifle another laugh and the corners of her mouth twitched in an unfortunate attempt to hide it. Her tone was soft and teasing, but not in a mocking way. She had no quarrel with him and by now, she was more curious and intrigued by his reading. The rare smile still on her face she glanced over at the other book titles around him. “What line of work is that connected to? I think I never heard of those books and that is really saying something. I think I have read the whole library by now. If it is a good bedtime story, can I please have it afterwards? I could use something fun before bed.”
Now that she was already standing there, she would also look at him. He looked quite different than his former self. With his overall look he fit right in with the skateboard crowd in her hometown. For now, she wouldn’t comment though.
@Thomas Lestrange
"Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light."