In Pursuit of a Hand
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| xxx | Lottie didn't know what to think. It was a beautiful day in London, fall leaves scattered across the winding paths that swirled through the Hogwarts grounds. A billion unique colors exploded across the hillsides, painted slightly golden by the unexpected evening sun that dappled along the grass. On any other day, Lottie would feel blessed to be sharing space with such a beautiful world. She might go for a walk, or visit Hogsmeade, or take a slow fly. But today, Lottie had woke up unsettled and hadn't been able to shake that feeling since. Her classes had been long and blurry, a cobbled together mesh of information that stuck together in the back of her mind. The letters in her bag felt heavy, weighing each step as she slinked from one class to the next. She couldn't shake the sense of being trapped, so by the time classes were over, she was already one foot out the door. Now, she sat at the shore just above the Great Lake, watching a small Horned Slug inch around the water's edge. All she could do was think. Her thoughts were an intense whirl-wind inside her head, spinning and contorting into grotesque shapes. She thought of her brother, of his fiancee, of Anadil, of strange little Francis and Ethel's frustrating theories. She fretted over homework, quidditch, really anything her mind could conjure up. She hadn't even sent the letter to her mom requesting to go to her brother's home for winter. She didn't even know if she was going. Everything felt intensified when framed in such beautiful scenery. It made her heart ache, the thought that such a lovely day was wasted on such rotten thoughts. Flopping down onto her back, Lottie stared up at the cloud-strewn sky, hair fanned out around her head like a wild mane. | xxx |
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In Pursuit of a Hand |  |
| ✦"You better start walking. Love takes miles."✦ STA 8 │ EVA 8 │ STR 6 │ WIS 6 │ ARC 6 │ ACC 7 |
In Pursuit of a Hand
Zephyr had been avoiding the Hufflepuff common room for the last half hour. It's not that he didn’t like it there, he actually loved the warm lights, the earthy smell, the plants everywhere but today was just too crowded and too loud for him. He had tried doing his Potions homework in there, but the sound of students arguing about Puffskeins made it impossible to think. He didn’t want to stay in the library either. He had gone there after classes, only to find every table taken so he decided he’d rather go literally anywhere else. And more than that, he just needed air. His chest had been tight since Transfiguration where he totally blanked during a question and thought he said the stupidest answer imaginable. His last resort, he slipped outside.
The moment the outside air hit him, it feels like he could finally breathe. Hogwarts grounds were bright today, the sky looks like it was washed clean. Why does the world look perfect when my brain refuses to be? Zephyr shook the thought off. Being outside was helping, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his robe and walked toward the direction of the lake where the wind hits harder but feels cleaner.
However, he was not expecting to see anyone else down there. A girl lying flat on her back in the grass near the lake’s edge, dark hair spread out around her like she had collapsed there. There was something oozed around the shoreline a few feet away from her shoes. He couldn't tell if she's resting or restless exactly. Her face had that faraway look people get when they’re somewhere else in their head. He slowed down. Truth was, he was not great at approaching people, worried he would interrupt, or annoy them, or say something stupid, or all three. The way she was lying absolutely still made him hesitate, maybe she needs someone to check in.
And besides, he knew that feeling, being stuck in your head while the world looked way too beautiful around you. Okay, don’t be weird, just act normal. Ask if she's okay. He stepped a few feet closer, giving her space. “…Hi. Uh, sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you, so if you want me to go somewhere else, I can. I just didn’t want to walk by and pretend I didn’t notice you out here.” He shifted awkwardly, one foot digging into the grass, while his eyes were going to the lake and then back to her. He offered a small, unsure smile, “I’m Zephyr, by the way.”
@Charlotte Winfield
Calming Presence | The Muggle Condition
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
In Pursuit of a Hand
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| xxx | Lottie imagined she could spend the whole rest of the day here. Skulking in her miserable little bubble and drowning in the never-ending pool of worries that seemed to be growing larger and larger by the second. Once upon a time, she could have distracted herself with reading or Anadil or little baby Eugene and his relieving simplicity. But she was not home, and therefore everything had to be a little extra harder. The library had people in it, her sister had dropped out three years ago, and there were no babies at Hogwarts aside from the evil little Fanged Geranium that had tried to bite her head off a few hours prior. She was too far in her head. The beauty of the day had drifted out of sight, leaving only the great pool of her aching thoughts. She could drown in it here, staring up at the cloudy sky, the prickly grass weaving between her fingers turning soft and indistinct. A slow sigh was drawn from her lips, clouding above her mouth and disappearing into the cool air. And then, there was a boy. Everything returned to Lottie in startling clarity. The grass on her fingers, the chill on her skin, the hair on her cheek. With a jolt, she sat up straight, searching wildly for her manners despite her surprise. She didn't recognize this strange, young boy, but he spoke softly and awkwardly enough that Lottie was able to ease into herself a bit. Once he had finished introducing himself, she blinked. "Er- sorry, I..." She stood quickly, sweeping the grass off her robes and clearing her throat. "Yes, I'm alright, not a bother. I'm fine. And- I'm Lottie." She wasn't sure if she should extend her hand in greeting or keep her arms glued behind her back. She felt oddly like a petulant toddler caught pouting. It was at once embarrassing and tempting- the proposal of conversation, something to drag her from her thoughts. But, also, she was terrified. That note could not go without mention. | xxx |
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In Pursuit of a Hand | |
| ✦"You better start walking. Love takes miles."✦ STA 8 │ EVA 8 │ STR 6 │ WIS 6 │ ARC 6 │ ACC 7 |
In Pursuit of a Hand
Zephyr was relieved when the girl sat up and spoke and not ignore him like he initially feared. He could depict uncertainty in her voice though she tried to be polite, and that made him relax just a little bit. He shifted on his feet then sat down on the grass leaving them with enough space between them, just being careful not to seem too close in case she didn't like it. Talking to people he didn’t know was always a little awkward for him. “Oh… okay, good, I… I’m glad. I'm not sure if you wanted someone talking to you, or… or not.” He smiled but there's hesitation in his movement, but it's as genuine as he can muster.
She said her name was Lottie, glad that she introduced herself to him. “It's a pleasure to meet you Lottie, I am Zephyr. I'm a first year.” He regarded the girl with a curious look and assumed she was a bit older than he was. He could be wrong though so he didn't bother asking what year level she was now. Instead, he looked down at the grass and try to gather his thoughts. Talking to someone new always made him conscious, but at the same time, he wanted to be friendly to her. “It’s not a common name, I know. Greek, means the west wind.” He glanced at her and noticed the way she held herself, still a little tense.
With his own uncertainty surfacing, he tried to think of something else to say without making it awkward. He didn’t want her to think he was weird or strange, even though he knew he probably was in some ways. “Do you come out here to think? To get away from things that's bothering you?” His words came out before he can stop himself “I like being outside. Makes my head calmer and helps me think, or not think too much.” He glanced at the surface of the water as the breeze played with his hair. “It’s nice out here, that’s why I usually visits this place for air.”
His heart was still pounding, talking wasn’t easy for him, especially when he didn’t know someone personally, but she seemed like she might understand. “Anyway… um… if you want, we can just sit here. I can accompany you, watch the lake. Talk if we feel like it, or not talk. ”Either way’s fine with him.
@Charlotte Winfield
Last edited by Zephyr Deakin on 28 Nov 2025, 08:26, edited 2 times in total.
Calming Presence | The Muggle Condition
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
In Pursuit of a Hand
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| xxx | This was certainly strange. Lottie wasn't used to her brooding sessions being interrupted by strangely awkward but empathetic young men. She crossed her arms behind her back, rocking awkwardly on her heels and glancing down at the grass. This was a situation that no amount of social interaction could have trained her for. Gnawing at her lip, she shrugged. "I mean, it's alright. That you're here." At his introduction, she gave him a curious look. A small smile cracked across her face, despite her reservations. "You already said that. But yes, Zephyr, the god of the west wind. I'm quite familiar." Slowly, Lottie lowered herself back onto the grass, tucking her feet to her chest and sighing. The boy reminded her slightly of Francis, with the strange air of otherness about him and his pathetic inability to form proper sentences. It made her smile. "There's not many other places to be alone here," she replied, twirling a long strand of brunette hair between her fingers, fighting the urge to slot it between her teeth, "I like the lake. I didn't get to see a lot of water back home." Lottie looked back up at the boy, a softened expression crossing her face in silent invitation for him to sit down. She was not usually kind, but she liked it when her stubbornness could clear a bit to allow it. She could be fond, when she was vulnerable enough. "We can sit." | xxx |
| ✒ ──────────────────────────── •
In Pursuit of a Hand | |
| ✦"You better start walking. Love takes miles."✦ STA 8 │ EVA 8 │ STR 6 │ WIS 6 │ ARC 6 │ ACC 7 |
In Pursuit of a Hand
At least the girl didn't push him away or denied him of joining her. He was not used to sitting with someone he didn’t know, and talking didn’t come easily to him. But don't get him wrong, he liked being around people, but only when it feel's natural and safe for him. The lake looked nice today, the wind was causing small ripples in the water surface, and it was quiet except for the sound of it brushing against the shore. His ears felt warm as soon as she pointed out that he repeated what he just said to her, feeling stupid all of a sudden but she didn't make fun of him, merely stating the obvious. She was not sarcastic about it either so there's really nothing to be ashamed of.
Being new to Hogwarts, he was not done exploring the place yet so he couldn't really tell if what she said about not having many places to be alone here but he couldn't agree more that lake was one of those places. Not only it was big enough for everyone, it was also very peaceful there. Zephyr reached into his robe and pulled out a booklet and a pencil. He always kept them with him in case he found a comfortable spot while exploring the school grounds. He was not a good artist but sketching is easier for him to do. It was something he had done at home when he missed the farm. Sketching helped relaxed and reminding him that he was not so far from home. It was not perfect, but drawing nature let him feel closer to the fields and hills he grew up in, and even the animals he took care of.
He started sketching the lake first, just simple lines to show the water moving, then he added the trees along the edge. He worked slowly and carefully, and just let his pencil follow what he saw. He liked doing small details, the way the light hit the water or the angle of a branch. Every once in a while, he glanced at Lottie. She was sitting quietly, not moving much, but she didn’t look upset due to his presence, maybe just thinking? He tried to sketch a little of that too, her sitting there. "Do you miss home?" It was a very random question but it's the first thing that came to mind as he sketched. Though he didn’t want to push, it's up to her if she would answer it. “I sketch when I miss home." He was aware of the space between them, and he didn't want to crowd her or say too much. He just wanted to show he was friendly and not going to pressure her. “I grew up on a farm with lots of open fields, hills, and animals.” She should know he was not forcing her to answer.
@Charlotte Winfield
Calming Presence | The Muggle Condition
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
In Pursuit of a Hand
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| xxx | It was quite refreshing to find someone at Hogwarts who didn't seem to know exactly what they were doing. Zephyr immediately struck Lottie as an interesting boy, not in that he seemed to have a great depth, but in that he seemed uniquely silly. He was awkward, his words jutting out and reordering themselves in way he clearly didn't mean. Lottie quite liked it, contrary to what she was used to. It wasn't often that she felt allowed to be loose. With a soft exhale, Lottie leaned back on her palms, staring out at the vast expanse of water with a distant expression. Soon, it would be winter, and the lake would be frozen over if it got cold enough. Perhaps she would take up skating, though she would need someone to teach her, and that meant talking to others for extended periods of time. She scratched the thought with a quick shake of her head. She pretended not to notice as the other boy began carefully sketching in a small notebook, though her curiosity was an unshakable thing when it got the better of her. She managed a quick glance at the page, and was surprised to find that it was... actually quite good. Her artistical abilities were mostly limited to an intense fascination with others' passion, but she could identify skill when she saw it. Looking back at the scenery in front of her, she could see why one would feel so compelled to capture it. His question shouldn't have stumped Lottie so much as it did, but she found herself unable to answer it at first. It was a complicated thing. On one hand, of course she missed home, but more in the way that she missed the home she once thought she had. Looking back on it, her childhood had been a blinding mesh of codependence, isolation, and immense pressure. But there were moments, like summer days with Anadil spent plucking blackberries off the bushes in their yard until both their hands and lips turned purple, or long winters of free time filled with snowball fights and crackling fires. She missed the version of home that wasn't the truth. "It's complicated," Lottie replied simply, studying her nail beds with vague interest, "The house is mostly empty right now. Things are... not what they used to be." She was quite intrigued by Zephyr's brief description of his own home. Farm life wasn't for her, she was sure of it, but the fantasy of it was nice for daydreams. Long days spent picking fruit and tending to livestock and topped off with large dinners. "I was raised over in Cambridge. Pretty isolated." | xxx |
| ✒ ──────────────────────────── •
In Pursuit of a Hand | |
| ✦"You better start walking. Love takes miles."✦ STA 8 │ EVA 8 │ STR 6 │ WIS 6 │ ARC 6 │ ACC 7 |
In Pursuit of a Hand
Zephyr found himself pausing more than once while watching the girl. He was a very observant person, but not in this way. He didn’t understand why he was paying so much attention to every small thing she was doing, the way her fingers would twirl a strand of her hair, the simple movement of her head when she spoke, and the way her lips would press together when she hesitated about something. It was almost instinctive for him to think it was weird. His mind was automatically cataloguing every little movement, every tiny detail of her actions and reactions. He even noticed that the sunlight made her attractive.
He shook his head as if by doing so, he could push the thought aside. Why am I noticing all of this? It was unusual for him to be this aware of someone. She didn't take a lot of space, there was also considerable space between them, yet somehow she commanded attention. He's not nervous exactly either, but there was a prickling sensation at the back of his neck, and there was warmth in his chest as his heart beat a little bit faster than usual.
He considered the possibility that it was just the way people sometimes noticed others when they were lonely, new, or curious, but it didn’t quite feel that way. His thoughts faltered for a second as he tried to understand himself. This is ridiculous. I just met her, right? He couldn't deny the effect she had on him. It was not overwhelming or frightening; rather, it was an insistence that he give his attention to her. Was that weird? Yes, it was! His brows furrowed for a while, and then green eyes softened as he returned to sketching, though now it was not just the lake or the trees that were on the page.
Without realising it, he had been outlining her silhouette as she sat there and looking out into the lake. There was curiosity, attentiveness, and something else in him he couldn’t tell yet. "I got time, you know? I have nothing else to do. So...if you want to talk..." His ears warmed as he drew carefully, focusing on the pencil and the page so he wouldn’t look awkward, but deep down, he was slightly bewildered at whatever was happening to him, and also curious about her. He thought it was strange that someone could make you so aware without saying a word or doing anything.
To cover his embarrassment, he added, “Cambridge, huh? So you got your own version of open fields, except with buildings instead of cows and chickens.” He chuckled at his own joke. “I think being isolated isn’t all bad, you're probably good at noticing things nobody else does.”
Reducio
Forgot to attach the sketch page
@Charlotte Winfield
Calming Presence | The Muggle Condition
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
In Pursuit of a Hand
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| xxx | Lottie had long ago learned to tune out that slight shift in the air that occurred whenever a person got a good look at her. She never took it personal. It was as inevitable as the turning of the earth, how eyes would soften on her otherworldly figure and the cogs would start spinning. Yes, she was beautiful, and no, she had no control over it. It was her mother's beauty, the last shreds of her Veela heritage reflected upon her children in outstanding ways. For Lottie, though, it often manifested itself as a certain strangeness about her, something that deviated from traditional beauty. Her sister had called her unsettling, though it was likely due to her father's eyes. They stuck to her skull like shiny marbles, distant and fearful. A sidelong glance slid over towards Zephyr, and she watched with muted curiosity as his pencil began etching her into the scene. This was a unique expression of his newfound attraction to her natural allure, one that she admired slightly. With a gentle smile, she returned her gaze to the water, happy to be a muse for now. "No, you're right. It wasn't all bad." Lottie sighed softly, curling a piece of grass around her index finger until it turned white. "I had my sister, I suppose. And my books." She shook the memories away as quickly as they came, looking over at Zephyr through her lashes. "I imagine a farm would be fairly lonesome as well. Unless you bonded well with the cows?" Admittedly, Lottie wouldn't take country life over her secluded riches. She was lucky to have all that she did, and her free-time was both a blessing and a curse. Sure, hours passed like raindrops from the tip of a leaf, but it was time well spent. She knew all that she did now because of that boredom. | xxx |
| ✒ ──────────────────────────── •
In Pursuit of a Hand | |
| ✦"You better start walking. Love takes miles."✦ STA 8 │ EVA 8 │ STR 6 │ WIS 6 │ ARC 6 │ ACC 7 |
In Pursuit of a Hand
Zephyr noticed how her voice slipped naturally into the conversation. “I suppose having books makes a big difference." It sometimes helped with his boredom when he didn't have chores to do or places to go or people to meet. "I have a sibling too, we banter a lot because she made it her life mission to annoy me.” He found himself smiling at the thought. Although it annoys him whenever Zaria talks a lot, he couldn't deny he liked his sister's energy. It was never boring at home because of her.
He tapped his pencil against the page, wondering if he was allowed to say this. “You’ve got this… thing about you, I’m not sure how to put it exactly. But I can’t stop noticing you, you’re not like anyone I’ve ever met.” He looked away for a second, embarrassed for admitting that out loud but he was really curious about her. "Sorry, that sounded weird, that I intended to say."
He returned to his sketch, but his green eyes kept flicking to her. The pencil moved more slowly because his hand was almost shaking. “And about the farm thing… it could get lonely that's true, but only if you're not used to that kind of life. I grew up there and it's been my life ever since. I do talk to the animals, I give them names. And then, there's also my sister who talks nonstop." He laughed. "You mentioned you have complicated family, are you and your sibling close?"
@Charlotte Winfield
Calming Presence | The Muggle Condition
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5
Sta: 7 | Eva: 8 | Str: 7 | Wis: 5 | Arc: 8 | Accu: 5