Witch! PV Victoria Blythe

interaction: @Avis Greymond wc: 485 dialogue thoughts

The soft sunlight streamed through the large windows of Hogwarts’ empty corridors, casting a warm, yellowish hue on the cold stone floors.

Victoria liked Sundays. The corridors were quieter than usual — which was perfect for the brunette girl who didn’t enjoy crowds. So the fact that she and her project partner had chosen Sunday to work together secretly pleased her.

She usually disliked doing projects or assignments with a partner — Victoria preferred to work alone and submit things once they were done. Still, her partner this time wasn’t a complete stranger, which was a good sign — she’d been paired with Avis Greymond, the girl whose time Victoria had accidentally wasted by adding the wrong ingredient to her own potion.

She didn’t hold any grudge against the girl — she actually found her rather cool — but she still couldn’t shake a slight nervousness when speaking to her, mostly because she felt a little exposed when it came to previous potions event. From the brief conversation they’d had while deciding on the project details, though, it had been clear that Avis didn’t really care about that mistake anymore. This had definitely made Victoria feel better.

Victoria made her way calmly toward their meeting point. Her heart was quietly thudding in her chest, but it wouldn’t show on her face or in her mannerisms.

The two girls were supposed to do an interview-style analysis based on a painting — and Victoria, who never felt too confident with words, was glad to have Avis by her side. The girl was bold enough to speak her mind, something Victoria genuinely respected.

Still, she hadn’t planned to dump all the work on her partner. She’d done her share of research. The portrait they’d picked didn’t seem to have many admirers — and there wasn’t much information on it either. But still, Victoria had a few notes written on parchment, tucked safely in her bag — not much, but enough to make her feel more at ease.

She didn’t like being late — so she had made an effort to arrive early. Yet, despite that, she stopped in her tracks when she saw a figure already seated on the cold, stone floor. A girl with dark brown hair, clearly not in the best mood. Ah- her project partner.

Sleep clung to her eyes — her jaw tense as she tried to stifle her yawns. The sunlight gently lit up her delicate face, catching the light freckles on her nose.

Victoria paused for a few seconds, unsure of what to do, then slowly kneeled down in front of the girl so they could meet each other's gaze. Her icy blue eyes were reserved, a bit distant — but if one looked close enough, there was a flicker of concern there.

“Hey…Bad morning?” she murmured softly, her voice quiet but loud enough to be heard.

tags: @Victoria Blythe & @Gabriele Ricci-Armani| date: 21-09-2025 | fit: x |
ooc: just mentioning gabi, not interacting (:

Avis started a bit at the soft voice that interrupted her desperate attempts to keep her eyes open. She glanced up and came face to face with Victoria Blythe, strangely distant blue eyes imploring the Ravenclaw with her question. The Ravenclaw let a small smile soften her features momentarily. She couldn't think of very many people that were perceptive enough to physical get on someone's level like that.

"Not bad, just...a morning," she replied, stumbling over the words, the exhaustion evident in her voice. It was true. Avis had never really had a fantastic relationship with mornings and this one was no different.

Nevertheless they had a project to get done before Tuesday, so the Ravenclaw picked herself up, using the wall for support and offered a helping hand to the other girl.

"The portrait is at the end of the hall, I think. The information I found was a bit vague, but I suppose we can ask around if he's not there," Avis said, gesturing at the other paintings. One or two glanced at the girls in lazy interest for a moment and Avis made a rude face, receiving appalled looks from both. She chuckled and stretched, shaking her muscles awake as if she'd been sitting in that spot the entire night. "Right, let's go," she said promptly and turned, scanning the walls for the painting of Magistrate Stowell as she went.

As she walked, it became evident that Avis was clearly the louder of the two. Even her footsteps seemed as thunderous as a mountain troll's compared to Victoria's quiet gait and the slightest bit of self consciousness crept up her spine. She'd never been delicate or subtle, per say. The impulsive rage took care of that quite handily. The Ravenclaw decided to say something to break the now painfully obvious quiet of the corridor.

"How's potions going for you this year? I was kinda disappointed when we didn't get scheduled for the same class time again. I'm stuck with a bunch of show-off Gryffindors and Gabriele again," Avis rambled, heated loathing creeping into the last bit of her sentence. The Hufflepuff had been in her and Victoria's class last semester and she'd gotten into a petty argument more than once with the Italian after he'd sabotaged her potion that one time. The girl glanced at her companion, suddenly realizing it was possible she might not harbor the same harsh feelings toward him. Her cheeks tinged pink. Big mouth Avis back at it again.

Luckily, Stowell's portrait came into view soon after and Avis stopped in front of him, crossing her arms. "Well," she said in a hushed tone. The pudgy-faced man with a ratty gray 17th century wig was fast asleep, snoring softly in his slumber. "What do you suppose we start with?" she asked Victoria, suddenly a bit unsure of how to proceed.

interaction: @avis greymond wc: 618 dialogue thoughts
mention: @gabriele ricci-armani

Victoria’s brows drew together ever so slightly at the girl’s quiet attempt to brush off her tiredness. It wasn’t a sharp frown, more of a subtle tightening — the kind that came when she noticed something she didn’t quite believe but chose not to challenge. She could have said something, could have pressed the matter, but if the girl didn’t want to dwell on it, then Victoria wasn’t going to force her. She had no desire to prod at someone else’s boundaries. So she let the moment pass in silence.

When the girl rose from her seat, Victoria followed suit, her movements unhurried and quiet. She straightened her posture, tilting her head in a faint gesture of acknowledgment. She caught the Ravenclaw girl’s brief, almost playful interaction with the portraits — a fleeting moment that sparked a small chuckle from her. It was a sound light enough to draw the corners of Victoria’s mouth upward. She resisted, biting the inside of her right cheek to keep the smile at bay. With a polite nod, she fell into step behind the girl.

She hadn’t expected her companion to start a conversation — and yet, when Avis’s voice broke the soft quiet between them, something warm spread in Victoria’s chest. It was the kind of warmth that softened the air, making the silence that followed feel far less heavy. She hadn't expected Avis to mention the Hufflepuff boy either- she hadn't even known the two of them were acquainted.

For several seconds, Victoria simply listened to the pretty Ravenclaw, her gaze resting lightly on her as if to take in every word. When she noticed the faint flush coloring the girl’s cheeks, she realized it might be embarrassment — and with that came the thought that it was her turn to speak.

“…Potions seem to have a grudge against me,” she murmured, her voice low, gentle and even, though still carrying enough weight to reach the girl’s ears. “…I just can’t seem to focus. I wish we were in the same class.”

The words weren’t polite filler — she meant them. She found Avis genuinely warm and easy to be around. The girl was clever, curious — qualities that felt like sunlight in the cold, damp corners of Potions lessons, where Victoria rarely felt any spark of curiosity at all. Working with Avis, though, was different. Talking to her was different. She liked it, even if she wouldn’t yet admit just how much.

“…You said Gabriele, right?” she asked after a small pause, a faint hum following her words. “…I’m not close to him, but he does have quite an unique personality. Is he bothering you?” Her brows drew together again, this time with a sharper edge. The thought of Avis being uncomfortable sat poorly with her, a tiny knot of unease twisting in her stomach.

When they reached the portrait, Victoria finally tore her blue-eyed gaze from Avis. The painted man appeared to be sleeping, but something in his expression — even in rest — gave her a feeling she didn’t like. Without thinking, she stepped just a fraction closer to Avis, her voice softening into a murmur meant for her alone to answer her question.

“…I mean… I’m not really sure,” she admitted honestly. Her gaze stayed fixed on the portrait, searching it as though it might answer her without waking. “…Either way, we need to wake him up first. Maybe we could ask him about his life? Or…” her voice slowed, thoughtful, “…are we going for a more emotional kind of interview?”

She didn’t look away from the man. Her tone was calm, but her focus was unbroken — as though she was already bracing herself for whatever the portrait might say once his eyes opened.

tags: @Victoria Blythe | date: 21-09-2025 | fit: x

"Well, maybe we can be study partners out of class," Avis suggested helpfully. Potions came fairly easily to her. It was just the homework, usually, that put her out of sorts. She never seemed to have time to sit down and finish it all. There were just so many other interesting things to do!

The Ravenclaw scoffed lightly at Victoria's question about the Italian. "Unique," she repeated with narrowed eyes. "He's a menace and his only goal in his miserable life seems to be disrupting mine," she muttered. She glanced at her companion who actually seemed genuinely concerned. Avis felt a pang of guilt. "Not to worry though! Nothing I can't handle," she said hastily, suddenly not wanting to burden the girl with all her problems. She rather liked Victoria and one didn't tend to be friends with people who complained all the time.

Soon enough, the two girls found themselves staring up at the portrait of the witch-hunter with cautious expressions and a cold feeling crawled into Avis' stomach when Victoria subtly stepped closer. Was this a good idea? Perhaps not, but they were here now and Avis didn't want to spend more time finding another interview subject.

She squared her shoulders as Victoria replied to her earlier question.

"I'll wake him up," Avis said with gritted teeth. If she could handle an annoying boy, she could certainly manage a talking painting. "We can just wing it from there," the girl said as she stepped forward, her list of prepared questions crumpling in her hand as it tightened into a fist at her side.

Suddenly unsure of what to do considering she'd never attempted to wake up a painting before, Avis rapped sharply on the frame with her knuckles and stepped back slightly.

"Excuse me, sir," she said. "We have some questions for you."

For a moment, nothing happened, but then a flicker of movement passed over his face and the old man blearily opened his eyes and yawned, revealing yellow teeth. Avis grimaced. He blinked a few more times and then adjusted the pair of tiny spectacles that sat on the end of his bulbous nose. He cleared his throat, eyes focusing on Avis and Victoria.

"And what is it exactly that you want," the man grumbled in old Queen's English, which sounded very posh indeed. The Ravenclaw glanced down at her questions and looked back up.

"We've got an assignment to do for History of Magic and—"

"WITCH! WITCHES!" the Magistrate suddenly bellowed, his beady little eyes widening in fear. He stabbed a fat finger at the two of them and Avis stumbled backwards, but stood her ground as she regained her footing in front of her classmate. She gave the painting a venomous glare. Ridiculous pompous ass. The man had drawn himself up to his full...painting height and was glaring down at the two of them with an expression of pure judgement. Avis scowled.

"Well, yes. And if you hadn't noticed, you are currently residing in school for witches and wizards..." Avis began again, but the man was shaking his head.

"I have nothing to say to you, scum of the earth! Begone!" he cried, sniffing loudly in contempt.

Avis sighed and looked at Victoria with a helpless shrug. Something in the man's stuck up demeanor made Avis determined to go on, however. She wasn't going to back down from this interview without a fight.

interaction: @avis greymond wc: 615 dialogue thoughts
ooc:...i'm not good with anger scenes,so i hope this is not cringe like i feel rn,apologiezes if it is.

The Blythe girl felt a faint sparkle flicker in her eyes at the Ravenclaw’s suggestion—that they might, outside of class, become study partners. The words carried a quiet reassurance, one that made Victoria’s chest feel unexpectedly lighter. It meant Avis did not find her company intolerable. Perhaps—just perhaps—there was the fragile seed of friendship beginning to root between them. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop the smile tugging insistently at her lips.

From the sharp but eloquent tone Avis had used when speaking of the Hufflepuff boy, it was not difficult to gather that her opinion of him was… less than generous. Yet the bluntness of her phrasing—his only goal in his miserable life—drew the corner of Victoria’s mouth into a subtle, irrepressible curve. The Ravenclaw’s disdain, sharp as a blade but almost elegant in its delivery, amused her more than she would admit aloud.

Still, when Avis added with cool certainty that Victoria needn’t worry, the brunette inclined her head in a gentle nod. Of that, she had no doubt—Avis struck her as someone more than capable of defending herself.

“…Even so,” Victoria said softly, her voice carefully measured so that it could not be mistaken for condescension, “if it ever becomes too much—and you’d rather share it with someone… you’ll find me either in the library, or by the Great Lake.” The words slipped out with quiet sincerity, and though she kept her tone neutral, a small, anxious part of her hoped Avis would not dismiss the offer.

When Avis stepped forward, her voice raised, and awakened the portrait they had come to interview, Victoria exhaled, her chest tightening the instant the painted man opened his mouth. Whatever she had expected, it had not been this—a tempest of shrill complaint and theatrical sobs, the sort of performance that grated instantly on her nerves. Her brows knit in faint irritation, but she forced herself to remain composed. Avis, too, appeared unsettled, her posture taut with quiet tension.

Still, Victoria tried to grant the portrait a margin of respect, however undeserved—until he turned his scorn not toward her, but toward Avis. Avis, who might—if Victoria dared hope—be the first girl she could truly call a friend.

Something in her shifted.

Her blue eyes narrowed. She stepped forward, closer to the frame, her voice lifting sharper than she intended but controlled nonetheless.

“…Are you aware,” she began evenly, “that the witches you so despise are showing more maturity in this very moment than you are? On the rare occasion someone comes to you, you should take pride in it.”

The portrait’s gaze slid to her, contempt twisting his features into a sneer that lasted only a few seconds before he sniffled loudly and looked away.

“I want nothing to do with witches!” he spat, his tone laced with venom.

Victoria clenched her jaw, the muscle ticking beneath her skin. Her voice dropped into a low, cutting calm, each word measured like the strike of a blade.

“…Look, she murmured, “we didn’t give you a choice.” She leaned in slightly, her eyes glinting with cool steel. “Either you answer our questions properly, or you will spend the entire day forced to stare into the faces of the very witches you despise so much.”

The portrait scoffed, his gaze lingering on Victoria before he looked back at Avis. It was like he was about to start complaining again. But it seemed he didn't wanna see them all day.

Victoria drew back, smoothing the sharp edge from her expression before turning with composure to Avis. She cleared her throat softly, her tone warmer again,but it was clear that she was still irritated.

“…What shall our first question be?”

tags: @Victoria Blythe | date: 21-09-2025 | fit: x

Avis gave Victoria a thoughtful look at her kind offer of help and quietly filed away the locations she'd mentioned. One never knew when a friend might come in handy. She gave her a reassuring smile.

"I'll remember that. Thank you," she answered quietly, a solemn tone echoing in her voice for a moment. This Blythe girl was surprising her more and more, proving that she was far more complex than the distance she portrayed.

And later when the two were finally confronting their persnickety interview subject, Victoria's loyalty did indeed come in handy. Avis had given up trying to argue with the man. She simply did not have the energy that morning and after a helpless shrug thrown in her companions direction, the Ravenclaw was pleasantly surprised when the girl stepped forward, blue eyes narrowing into icy slits.

A fire inside her lit when her friend pointed out their obvious maturity in the situation, albeit each being a whole 12 years old. Avis found herself puffing up her chest in support, giving the portrait her own stony look.

Her jaw clenched when the old toad responded with yet another protest about witches. She sighed heavily in exasperation. The Ravenclaw stepped forward to stand with Victoria as the girl went on and her eyes slid to her left in surprise. Merlin, she did not want to ever get on her companion's bad side. It was rather frightening.

Avis gave the man a lofty grin. "So which is it, Magistrate?" she taunted, adding onto Victoria's threat.

He scoffed but still, something in his expression had gone from stony stubbornness to quite nerves. They were having an obvious affect and Merlin knew this particular witch-hater didn't want to deal with the two of them all day as Victoria had stated. Avis wasn't opposed. She could take a nap to pass the time. Maybe her snoring would annoy him just as much as her voice did.

Avis jumped, rocketing back into the present when Victoria turned to speak to her. She gave her a knowing smile.

"I say we start with a short personal history," she said, just loud enough for the painting to hear as well. He scoffed indignantly, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like an insult but Avis paid him no mind. She winked at Victoria. "That was so impressive, by the way. Remind me to never get on your bad side," she reiterated quietly and then turned towards Magistrate Stowell.

"So, when exactly did your...persistent hate towards witches begin and how?" she asked, procuring a quill and notebook from the leather satchel she'd stuffed a few things into that morning. The judge glanced down his pudgy nose at the two of them but after a moment, he cleared his throat.

"0Hate is the wrong term, young lady," he sniffed, puffing himself up as if he enjoyed talking about his extreme prejudice. "One cannot hate a mindless violent animal. Pity is the correct term. I consider my work as something close to liberation: freeing wild, tortured souls from their condemned physical husks..." the man gave them a dubious look, as if suddenly realizing he was talking to children. Avis glared at him but wrote down his words regardless. It was a gruesome subject but getting the chance to interview the enemy was not only educational but eye-opening and something she would not soon forget. Prejudice, it seemed, was the true enemy of all.

The Ravenclaw chewed thoughtfully on the end of her quill. "Mhmm, so would you consider what you did murder or liberation? After all, people died. I'm not sure how freeing I would call that exactly," she said, glancing at Victoria as she spoke. Perhaps her Slytherin friend could chime in with another question before Avis got into a full debate.