What Fresh Hell is This? PV: Marcus Contarini Crawford

xx❂xxWhat Fresh Hell is thisxx❂xx September 6th | 2025 ─── Hogwarts

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Marcus was coming out of the library together with Ridley, also a first year, but in the house of the serpent, anyway, they were returning to their houses after a good study session in the library. Ridley had asked Marcus if he could help him with a bit of transfiguration homework from Professor Kāne, due to some mischievous act in Friday's class. Marcus was so proud that Ridley had sought him out immediately after class. The study session went very well, so the two boys were in high spirits when they finally separated due to the different locations of their houses. Marcus stood in front of the stairway down to the dungeon, where the entrance to the Slytherin common room was. He was waving goodbye to Ridley, who was already halfway down the stairs. Of course, he was taking two steps at a time; it was so typical of Ridley. Marcus couldn’t suppress the smile that was forming on his face.

When Ridley was no longer in sight, he turned on his heels and began the claim towards his own common room, Gryffindor. He was in his own mind and didn’t notice where his feed was taking him. When he finally came back to reality, he was standing in the middle of the charms corridor and a bit confused about how and why he had ended up there. He looked around and suddenly saw the portrait of the witch, who was levitating elephant dressed in pink tutu skirts. He recognized that portrait from a conversation between two older Gryffindor students, who talked about a hidden passage from it with an exit close to the Gryffindor tower. Marcus thought to himself: “How was it again – how did you enter the passage. It was something silly. Oh yes, you had to stand like one of the elephants.” So that was what he did, elegant and pretty. The portrait swung aside, and a dark spiral stairway appeared behind the painting. He crawled in and ran down the stairs, taking two steps at a time. He was excited and curious at the same time. Would this passage lead him to where he wanted to go? He got to the end of the passage, and at it was a wooden door, just like the many other doors in the castle. Marcus knocked, and the door sprang open like something under lots of pressure just waiting for a release, and with a “wuushhh,” Marcus was blown out from the hidden passage and was now standing in a corridor. And behind him, the door closed, and a bookcase slid back into place, once more hiding the door and passage.

Everything looked so peaceful and calm, Marcus guessed that most of the other students either were in their houses or outside enjoying the lovely late summer weather. Marcus didn't recognize this corridor; he had to find his way to the fat lady, and he would be home safe. His thoughts were flying around; he was definitely going to relax in one of the soft and plush burgundy couches in the common room.

His hand automatically reached out to open the door, but someone, unfortunately, was quicker than him, and with a “WHAM!” he collided with another person, before hitting the floor, an angry girly voice yells out; - ‘Watch where you're going twmffat!’ All the books he had under his arm were now littered about the floor, and with a reaction as a cougar, Marcus picked up the books without looking who or what just trampled him, and without thinking, his mouth retorted back: ‘ Calmati(Calm down). Seriously - calm yourself. You call me a clumsy little whatever, I call you rude. Io non sono spazzatura(I'm not trash) - pour your venom at the proper ghosts, not at a first year. Now, either say sorry in plain English or I’ll teach you a charming little hex that makes you say ‘sorry’ in perfect Italian. Scegli bene(Choose well)…’

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Reducio

Word Count: 670
Character voice colour = #800020
Italian word/sentence (translation)

@Nyx Blackheart

xx❂xxWhat Fresh Hell is thisxx❂xx September 6th | 2025 ─── Hogwarts

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The annoyed girl standing in the doorway – looked a bit puzzled, just like if she had just been fed an unlucky Bertie Botts beans and with an unpleasant ending from the look on her glare or just been passed through by any of the many ghosts inhabiting this very old castle.
Just out of the blue, she stated that his upbringing and manners were lacking – what an outrage, how dare she proclaim something like that, she didn’t know him, and the worst part was that she disrespected not only him but the most sacred thing in his mind, his mamá. She got some nerves this one, and he had to be on his guard with her. – ‘I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak about her. È chiaro?(is it clear?) My manners are not up for debate — especially from you.’

As soon as the last words had left his lips, he was taken aback by her next words; she, in her own strange way, was apologizing, not for the tumble in the doorway, but for the unkind word spewed in his direction. Was he too hasty or hotheaded? No, he couldn’t let his guard down, not yet anyway; he had to go along with it and be ready for anything.

Suddenly, a hand was offered, and for a moment, Marcus was just standing there looking at it; it was like a time bubble. When he finally returned to reality, he looked up, and the girl was speaking. What was she saying? - ‘eart…’ Was it her name, then it quickly dawned upon him, she was introducing herself – ‘Nyx Mania Lyssa Blackheart. Call me what you like, but no cutesy nicknames. Those make me feel like an overgrown Pomeranian. And you? What is your name, my seemingly annoyed Italian friend?’ Marcus tried to answer, but no words would form; it was like he was struck by a silencing charm. He swallowed, not once but twice, in a desperate hope of getting his voice. Surprisingly, his voice mind answered with strict precision – ‘Well, my name is Marcus. Marcus Contarini Crawford, normally, I would say it’s a pleasure, but I haven’t decided yet. When it comes to nicknames, I don’t have any and prefer to go by my name, Marcus… Anyway, I’m glad that you acknowledge your poor choice in word, and so I will admit on my part, to have been in a bit of a hurry, and for that I will apologize….’

- ‘So, I can see that I must have taken a wrong turn, because this isn’t precisely the destination I had in mind. Do you know a quick way to the lady?..’

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Reducio

Word Count: 441
Character voice colour = #800020
Italian word/sentence (translation)

@Nyx Blackheart