Idle Minds
@Natasha Jones @Cane Gordon
Noirin gingerly turned a page in the book that lay open on her lap. Her neck would likely feel sore later, but for now she was too engrossed to adjust her posture. Aaand that was it. She tilted her head slightly, her version of a pout without the pursed lips, at the sight of the now closed tome. A History of Magic was something she wanted to read and so she had. The majority of her other required reading didn't interest her so now she sat without another piece of reading material to dwindle the hours with. That was all well and fine. She had nowhere to be and still had more than enough time, in her opinion, to study later. Last minute didn't always have to be said so sourly by others. Leaning against the walls of the cloister she was more than happy to idle here for a bit.
The courtyard was a pretty picture when too many of the students weren't congregated in her sightline. Their uniforms needed more color so it was easier for her to define the lines of their bodies. As the midday comforting heat settled in everyone began to blur together. She closed her eyes the first heavy blink. They would have stayed closed and she feeling unthreatened had the amalgamation of students not passed by her. They were loud and even though she knew they weren't in fact one being the sounds of their voices competing with each other and echoing off of the stone were enough to seed her with a sliver of doubt.
Waiting to reopen her eyes she never did confirm whether or not a monster had in fact just passed by her. There was a lot of oddness at Hogwarts and all the warnings in the world didn't prepare her for it. Still, she felt like her father would have mentioned such a creature. He liked that sort of thing, even going so far as to collect muggles versions of them in figurine form. Where many followed the logic of seeing is believing she followed the opposite philosophy; she needed absolute proof something wasn't before she would discount it.
Idle Minds
Banner by Avery Gray
Mentions:ReducioOOC:@Cane Gordon
@Noirin Polkinghorn
Reducio
Natasha strode into the courtyard, walking towards her usual spot and muttering incomprehensively to herself. Combining her Transfigurations grade and her lack of sleep the night before, her mood was definitely less than pleasant.
Natasha wasn't the type to let one grade affect her too much, and usually, she would just ensure that she studied enough to understand her mistakes, and forget about it.
Perhaps the grade wouldn't have mattered so much if it was for any other subject, but this was her dad's FAVOURITE subject, and she didn't want to disappoint him. She was up late last night reviewing all the material, shocking even herself with how much she had studied.
The courtyard was a bit of a hideout to Natasha, and wanting to take her mind of things, she had decided that a bit of fresh air and a novel would do her some good.
'Percy Jackson's always a fun read' she thought too herself, pulling out the first book of the series from her bag to re-read as she walked.
Suddenly, she stopped short. Someone was ALREADY sitting in her spot, and she simply did not have the patience to find another secluded corner. She marched towards the girl-"You're in my spot"she snapped, standing over her.
Realizing how rude she was, she sighed, and added, "I'm sorry for snapping, I've been in a bad mood today and I took it out on you. It was totally unfair of me." Unable to discern the girl's expression, she decided to introduce herself and offered a weak grin as she continued, "I'm Natasha, by the way."
Carpe Diem ───•⋅⊰༻༺⊱⋅•─── ⊹ Sta 5 ┊ Eva 8 ┊ Str 4 ┊ Wis 6 ┊ Arc 7 ┊ Acc 5 ⊹ |
Last edited by Natasha Jones on 5 Mar 2026, 10:19, edited 2 times in total.
Idle Minds
I entered the courtyard with a smile plastered across my face that spread from ear to ear, my feet carrying me across the yard without much thought on my part. Ever since that unexpected Sudoku championship, this place had quietly become one of my favourites. It was here, where I’d made my first real friend and now held a special place with me. My smile lingered, for reasons I was still getting used to. My transfiguration results had been returned and returned with a grade better than I was expecting, it was one of those small surprises that is always welcome, like finding a loose galleon in a pocket you were sure was full of lint.
My pace slowed when I noticed Nat across the courtyard, book clutched in her hands, her posture seemed rigid and she gave off an aura that was strong enough to set off warning bells. Class results, if I had to guess and my guess was they weren't what she was expecting. I didn’t interrupt right away, letting the moment stretch (mostly because I had no desire to become the target of her frustration). That’s when I heard her snap, then immediately scramble to apologize, the words tumbling out in a way that was unmistakably Nat.
Figuring I should try to salvage the situation, I paused to take in the scene properly, finally noticing the other student’s colours. Ravenclaw. Of course. It was almost impressive how often I ended up around people from the one house I’d wanted but never got. Oh well.
I cleared my throat softly and stepped into view, my expression hovering somewhere between amused and sympathetic. “You okay?” I asked, warmth threading naturally into my voice.
I looked down at the seated girl and gave her a polite nod. “Sorry for bothering you...I’m nosy, and raised voices tend to catch my attention.” I let out a small, playful laugh, hoping to ease any lingering tension, before turning back to Nat. “Rough day?” I asked, already fairly certain of the answer. My eyes flicked briefly to the book in her hands. “Let me guess. Results?”
357/200
@Natasha Jones@Noirin Polkinghorn
My pace slowed when I noticed Nat across the courtyard, book clutched in her hands, her posture seemed rigid and she gave off an aura that was strong enough to set off warning bells. Class results, if I had to guess and my guess was they weren't what she was expecting. I didn’t interrupt right away, letting the moment stretch (mostly because I had no desire to become the target of her frustration). That’s when I heard her snap, then immediately scramble to apologize, the words tumbling out in a way that was unmistakably Nat.
Figuring I should try to salvage the situation, I paused to take in the scene properly, finally noticing the other student’s colours. Ravenclaw. Of course. It was almost impressive how often I ended up around people from the one house I’d wanted but never got. Oh well.
I cleared my throat softly and stepped into view, my expression hovering somewhere between amused and sympathetic. “You okay?” I asked, warmth threading naturally into my voice.
I looked down at the seated girl and gave her a polite nod. “Sorry for bothering you...I’m nosy, and raised voices tend to catch my attention.” I let out a small, playful laugh, hoping to ease any lingering tension, before turning back to Nat. “Rough day?” I asked, already fairly certain of the answer. My eyes flicked briefly to the book in her hands. “Let me guess. Results?”
357/200
@Natasha Jones@Noirin Polkinghorn
Idle Minds
@Natasha Jones @Cane Gordon
"Do you have proof it's yours? I'm Noirin, or whatever pleases you as long as it's easy to remember." The words slipped out mistimed with the girl's apology perhaps reigniting the ire briefly aimed at Noirin. She hadn't meant it in any which way that she thought would infuriate someone. It was a genuine inquiry that would present many more. Would she have to go find a master list somewhere? Did various locations have various allotted times? She was aware that some of the older kids were allowed to wander around the clock tower at night.
She briefly stood as if hopping on her bum, trying and failing to catch more than she could already see of the girl in the midday light. A few extra rays wouldn't add a few extra years anyway. "Do you look young for your age?" A more direct question would be whether or not Natasha was a prefect, but there was time for that. There was always plenty of time and this was the perfect opportunity to practice the flow of conversation. After all, one on one while challenging left her with some memorable tidbits versus... You Okay?. ...Versus the chaos she assumed was about to begin.
The boy seemed kind, if not a bit strange in her eyes. Loud noises unless they were panicked weren't her concern, and she had thought that applied to everyone save for the prefects and faculty here. That the boy's robes were lined with red did not register with Noirin. She stood somewhat in the middle of the two without a shred of discomfort or worry that she was intruding. Her silence wasn't a heavy blanket, but instead a wall should could lean on as she tried to gauge the pairs speech tempo. The attempt unpracticed required the majority of her focus, likely further alienating her from the fluff of this impromptu gathering.
Idle Minds
Banner by Avery Gray
Mentions:ReducioOOC:@Cane Gordon
@Noirin Polkinghorn
Reducio
"Do you have proof it's yours? I'm Noirin, or whatever pleases you as long as it's easy to remember."
Natasha sighed, berating herself for snapping at the girl, Noirin. She couldn't blame her for being sarcastic when she'd have done it herself is she was in Noirin's position. She opened her mouth, ready to apologize again, when another voice entered the conversation.
“You okay?”
Natasha's face lifted as she heard Cane, and she turned towards him, "not really," she admitted "my Transfiguration grades weren't what I was expecting, and not in a good way. I've been in a bit of a mood since yesterday."
“Sorry for bothering you...I’m nosy, and raised voices tend to catch my attention.”
She groaned internally at Cane's explanation to Noirin, wondering if she'd really been loud enough to attract attention from the other occupants of the courtyard. She glanced around, but couldn't see anyone looking at them, except for maybe one or two people.
Ignoring the starers for the time being, she offered Cane a small smile, "it's good to see you."
Turning back to the girl in front of her, she apologized once again, "I really am sorry Noirin, I didn't mean to snap."
"I'd actually come here to take my mind of the grade, and not let it affect my mood" she added wryly.
Carpe Diem ───•⋅⊰༻༺⊱⋅•─── ⊹ Sta 5 ┊ Eva 8 ┊ Str 4 ┊ Wis 6 ┊ Arc 7 ┊ Acc 5 ⊹ |
Last edited by Natasha Jones on 3 Mar 2026, 15:33, edited 1 time in total.
Idle Minds
I let Nat’s apology settle without saying anything more. She looked drained in that very Hogwarts way like sleep had tried to show up but been turned away by homework, expectations, and life in general. I didn’t comment.
“It’s fine,” I said softly. “Everyone’s allowed off days.” A small, easy smile tugged at my lips.
I blew out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. “Honestly, Transfiguration usually has it out for me, so I'm surprised it set its sights on you.” I admitted, half-confessional.
Taking a more relaxed stance, my shoulders rolling out some of the days stress I said “Some subjects just pick favourites. No logic to it. Personal vendettas, I swear.”
I glanced at Noirin’s closed book before continuing. “Defence Against the Dark Arts...I actually get along with that one.” I shrugged like it was nothing, even though it wasn’t. I looked at Nat “Remember I told you or I think I did. Mum’s an Auror, so half my bedtime stories growing up involved dark wizards, bad choices, and what not to do when someone’s wand goes flying.”
I leaned a little further back. “History of Magic, though… easiest class in terms of emotional damage. No dark wizards, no sudden curses, just sitting, listening, pretending not to doze off. Turns out I’m surprisingly good at that.”
Then I looked at Noirin. She had this calm, unstudied air like she didn’t worry about saying the wrong thing because she didn’t believe wrong things existed. Refreshing, really.
I extended a hand, no need to be rude...well more rude than eavesdropping, “Hi I'm Cane and Nat’s.....claim to the spot is mostly sentimental. Long habit, mild entitlement.” I shot Nat a sideways glance and mouthed Joke. I didn't want here to think I was being mean, I was just trying to bring some levity to the situation.
“So… you can stay. Nat can stay. I’ll stay too, unless anyone objects.” A pause. “Plenty of space round here, but if you would like me to twaddle off please just let me know, I won't be offended.”
347/200
@Natasha Jones@Noirin Polkinghorn
“It’s fine,” I said softly. “Everyone’s allowed off days.” A small, easy smile tugged at my lips.
I blew out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. “Honestly, Transfiguration usually has it out for me, so I'm surprised it set its sights on you.” I admitted, half-confessional.
Taking a more relaxed stance, my shoulders rolling out some of the days stress I said “Some subjects just pick favourites. No logic to it. Personal vendettas, I swear.”
I glanced at Noirin’s closed book before continuing. “Defence Against the Dark Arts...I actually get along with that one.” I shrugged like it was nothing, even though it wasn’t. I looked at Nat “Remember I told you or I think I did. Mum’s an Auror, so half my bedtime stories growing up involved dark wizards, bad choices, and what not to do when someone’s wand goes flying.”
I leaned a little further back. “History of Magic, though… easiest class in terms of emotional damage. No dark wizards, no sudden curses, just sitting, listening, pretending not to doze off. Turns out I’m surprisingly good at that.”
Then I looked at Noirin. She had this calm, unstudied air like she didn’t worry about saying the wrong thing because she didn’t believe wrong things existed. Refreshing, really.
I extended a hand, no need to be rude...well more rude than eavesdropping, “Hi I'm Cane and Nat’s.....claim to the spot is mostly sentimental. Long habit, mild entitlement.” I shot Nat a sideways glance and mouthed Joke. I didn't want here to think I was being mean, I was just trying to bring some levity to the situation.
“So… you can stay. Nat can stay. I’ll stay too, unless anyone objects.” A pause. “Plenty of space round here, but if you would like me to twaddle off please just let me know, I won't be offended.”
347/200
@Natasha Jones@Noirin Polkinghorn
Idle Minds
@Natasha Jones @Cane Gordon
She listened and for the most part stayed uninvolved with the conversation. She gave a nod at the repeated apology, but otherwise didn't make a sound until the boy mentioned history being a dull subject; offering a soft, quick hum from the back of her throat. History was just a story book without the flourish. One could argue it was all made of facts, but having heard tidbits of her father's work at at the press she knew that wasn't always the case. These days it felt like always should be replaced with usually.
It was interesting how quickly liars adapted to a world where information was readily available. They should struggle, but instead they thrive on the lazy and those greedy for instant gratification. Her aunties told her that's why she wasn't allowed much screen time of any kind. At the tail end of the boy saying he wouldn't be offended , and of course far too late to be relevant, she voiced a resurrected mind worm. "Imagination is one of a witch or wizard's greatest assets." Her father would often say this as if the words themselves held power.
They didn't and for all her attempts at it she couldn't conjure images in her mind. On the other side of her eyes she could liken things and assume shapes, but she knew that didn't come close to what the majority of her peers brains were capable of. There wasn't a want for it either; the play by play nature of history far more palpable for her than a proper fantasy. "Maybe you two could find someone to rewrite these to taste. The context is not dull; merely the delivery for most."
She noted the two were a blend of confident and apologetic. A usually disingenuous combination. Whether they were pushing themselves or it came naturally she felt comfortable believing she wasn't among all-too-common liars. Mayhaps though one of those liars has already rewritten their tomes.