A Familiar Stranger
The classroom was empty except for him.
Percival sat near the front with his books spread open, his quill resting between his fingers as he read through his textbook again. Every few moments, he would scribble something down, pause to think, then go back to reading again.
Defense Against the Dark Arts had quickly become his favorite subject at Hogwarts. It felt like the most important class if he was ever going to become an Auror one day. His Dad had told him how important it was, so it needed all of his focus.
He flipped a page again and frowned as he muttered an incantation under his breath. His wand sat beside him on his desk, ready to be used for some practice, but he didn’t want to make a mistake and risk burning another page. It had happened once already, and he doubted he'd get away with it if it happened in the middle of a classroom.
Teachers did not appreciate fire.
In all of his focus, however, he didn’t notice the classroom door opening behind him. Whoever was walking in on him studying would find Percival hunched forward, his lips moving along with the words he was reading as he studied another defensive spell like it was the most important thing in the world.
@Violence Bloodthorn
A Familiar Stranger
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| x | date and time: 19th September, 2025 location: DADA classroom mentions: @Percival Rocier speech 𓍼 thoughts |
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XX𝕴t had been a long day. Violence did not have a single free lecture, and every professor had made her write foot long parchments. Fatigue made her muscles weak and she could brarely hold her bags. Slowly, she gathered her books from the table in the classroom to keep them in her bag. As she did, though, an envelope fell out of her book. 'The letter. Shit, I was supposed to read it like three days ago.' She quickly pulled out the letter from it and began reading.
Violence sighed. She was completely fine here, on her own. Besides, it was very clear to her that the Rociers just wanted Violence to look out for the boy, or they would have never bothered to reach out. But she instantly felt bad about assuming, so she just huffed. She rolled her eyes and stuffed her books in her bag. Anybody could see she was annoyed, but before walking out of the room, she took a deep breath and composed herself. 'If mom is telling me to do it, she must have thought about it too. Who knows, the Rociers might be nice after all.' and so she went to find him. She'd heard the name in the sorting ceremony and was 80% sure that he was sorted into Slytherin.Dear Violence,
I hope Hogwarts is treating you well, dear. The classes might be a bit hectic this year as Year 2 usually picks up the pace. I'm sure you'll manage, and if there's anything you need help with, reach out to the professors, they are there to help you.
I heard there is a ball in October? There's a dress that should have come along with this letter. I hope you like it! I've also sent the accessories in a separate box, there's a few options. Wear whatever you want to. Do you have a date yet? I look forward to hearing all about him (or her).
Dad has been working late nowadays, the Ministry has been making him work extra hours. There has been some movement in the North regions and we think it might be some criminal the Ministry has been trying to get a hold of from a long time now. However, this means that I'm usually alone at home. Avina's and Damon's mothers do visit, they also miss their children.
This reminds me, be sure to keep this mind Vi. We recently heard from a distant cousin of mine. Layla Rocier and her husband, Harrison Rocier's son is also visiting Hogwarts. He's a year younger to you, so this is his first year. We didn't really keep in touch with them as we grew up, but now they've reached out. I want you to make friends with him, it wouldn't hurt to have family with you in school. If there's any problem later, you can tell me.
Take care, my love.
Artemis B.
Violence headed towards the first floor. She knew their timetable, and was hoping she'd find the boy in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Sure enough, the boy was there. Hunched forward, it was as if he was trying to absorb the book through his eyes. Lips moving, Violence could faintly make out an incantion but she didn't want to assume, so she thought she'd ask him directly.
"Hey. Are you..." Fuck, she didn't know what the boy's name was. "Rocier? Um, I'm Violence Bloodthorn, judge me and you will be set on fire. What are you studying?" She wasn't sure if the boy was aware of their relation or not. He most probably wasn't, so she wanted to get to know him before she'd introduce herself as the cousin.
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Last edited by Violence Bloodthorn on 25 Nov 2025, 05:55, edited 1 time in total.
A Familiar Stranger
Percival jerked up from his book at the sudden sound, his quill slipping from his fingers and rolling across the desk. He hadn’t even heard the door open at all. One second, he was completely absorbed in his notes, and the next, he was staring at a girl he at most recognized from having seen her walk around the castle.
Then came her question.
He blinked, clearly a little surprised and confused, but it was her warning about judging her that really made him do a double-take. “Set... on fire?” he wondered, his eyes going a little wide at the idea of being set on fire by a fellow student. Was it normal for people to make threats like that? Was she joking? He didn't know, but he decided it was for the best to be cautious.
Then he realized what she’d actually asked.
“Oh, I'm Percival Rocier,” he said with an awkward smile as he looked at the girl, who was asking him what he was studying. “I’m just practicing spells from this class. I want to get better at them, so I figured studying here when it's quiet might help me focus.”
He then hesitated for a moment and tried to read her expression. She didn’t seem mad at him specifically, just a bit frayed around the edges. And for some reason, she was talking to him like she’d come here on purpose.
“Uhm,” he continued again, “Did you need something? Or were you looking for me?” He had no idea why she'd be looking for him, but she knew his last name somehow.
There had to be a reason for it, right?
@Violence Bloodthorn
A Familiar Stranger
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| x | date and time: 19th September, 2025 location: DADA classroom mentions: @Percival Rocier speech 𓍼 thoughts |
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XX𝓥Violence eyelids were heavy with grief. This is the classroom where Azzure and Violence had first met. Before she had even spoken up, she looked around the room. The same windows, the same sunlight filtering through, falling at the desks at the perfect angle. The same dust motes gliding across the floor’s surface. She could almost see the two of them sitting at the bench, talking for the first time. She could almost hear her voice, feel her hand. She sighed, sniffing slightly. This was not the time to ponder over her past. She had been given a task and she had to focus on that. Her personal issues did not matter.
When she finally sat down next to the boy, he jerked up as the quill that he had been holding rolled across the table, spilling drops of ink everywhere. Her hand jerked up as the quill was about to fall off the table, “Hey, careful!” She couldn’t really blame the boy, after all, he had seemed to be lost in his work and she had all but given him a jumpscare. She chuckled, “I’m sorry for scaring you like that.” She looked at him intently, searching for any hints or signs that he might know her already. But he seemed lost and confused. He also seemed to be… scared? She frowned before realising what she had said.
“Oh please, don’t think I’ll actually set you on fire.” She said casually, as it was a given. And it was, wasn’t it? Who in their right mind would go around setting people on fire? The boy should have known that. Or maybe it wasn’t as obvious? She wasn’t aware of his blood status or the way he had been brought up and maybe considering that setting people on fire was a hollow threat wasn’t so apparent to people.
Percival Rocier, she finally had a name to the face. She hummed as he spoke, nodding as he explained what he was doing. Her liking for the boy instantly rose, practising was good. Practising spells was even better. And she admired the boy for actually putting in efforts to study. She raised her eyebrows when he asked her if she was there for a purpose. She debated whether to tell him or wait for some more time. Maybe they could actually talk and become friends without the pressure of being related.
So she shook her head, “No, no I came here to study too,” she said, pointing to her bag. She set it down on the table and removed her books. This was not what she had planned. Her initial chain of actions was to find the boy, tell him about their relationship, make small talk and leave. This was impromptu and she was quite surprised with herself. Violence taking efforts to actually make bonds was unexpected. “Do you need any help? You’re a first year student, no?” Her eyes widened, maybe it would be suspicious for her to know so much about a random person she had just met in a classroom. She looked down at his books and pointed to those, “I had that book last year, so I can help you with the spells. It would be good practice for me, too.” That was a close one. She’d have to think twice before saying anything now, or she would give herself away.
In all honesty, there was no reason to hide the fact that they were cousins. If they would vibe, a relationship would hardly affect that. But Violence was still wary and wanted to know the boy for who he was. Oftentimes people show a different side to friends rather than family, and Violence wanted to get to know that side of Percival first.
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