Aye.. Gonna have a problem
Estelle Allen sat cross-legged on a flat stone near the shoreline, her satchel tipped open beside her. Rolls of parchment, charcoal sticks, and a small tin of ink lay scattered around her in quiet disarray — evidence of both enthusiasm and her usual clumsiness. A faint smudge of charcoal streaked the side of her wrist where she had brushed against her work without noticing.
Before her grew a cluster of lakeside plants — long, ribbonlike water grasses swaying beneath the surface and delicate pale flowers emerging between smooth stones. Estelle observed them with bright concentration, her shining brown eyes moving quickly between subject and parchment. She sketched with surprising precision for someone who tripped over stair edges and knocked over inkwells at least twice a week. Each line flowed confidently: the curve of a stem, the delicate veining of a leaf, the way the water bent light around submerged roots. A moment later, her elbow knocked the ink tin.
It tipped.
She gasped — lunged — missed —
The tin rolled toward the water.
Estelle sighed. It was obvious she'd end up dropping it, but in the lake? The animals inside would be furious. She sighed again: anyway, nobody liked her here, thanks to her house which was anything but welcoming whether the animals like her or not wouldn't change anything.. She ran her hand along the beads of her necklace: she'd barely arrived and she already wanted to leave.
She was interrupted in her thoughts of escape by a group of Slytherins approaching (Estelle thought she recognized a girl from her dormitory but the girl ignored her)
She smiled. The girl wanted to ignore her? Good! She wanted to try a spell she had read in "Book of Spells" to make an object fly (she hadn't been to her Charms class yet, so she was a little worried about failing, but... why not?)..
She picked up a piece of seaweed from the edge of the lake and approached the group to warn them that one of the lake's Rekkons had escaped. The students (not knowing what a Rekkon was) laughed at her, "So what? Who cares?" Estelle then told them about all the atrocities this creature she had invented could commit against them. One of the girls, finally worried, asked her what a Rekkon looked like. She replied very kindly, "A small ball of seaweed at first glance, but with gigantic teeth when you get closer."The girls screamed and started to leave. Estelle, taking advantage of the fact that they weren't looking, enchanted the small ball of seaweed in the palm of her hand so that it would fly above them. They screamed and ran towards the castle.
Estelle laughed a lot before realizing that... someone had seen her
Before her grew a cluster of lakeside plants — long, ribbonlike water grasses swaying beneath the surface and delicate pale flowers emerging between smooth stones. Estelle observed them with bright concentration, her shining brown eyes moving quickly between subject and parchment. She sketched with surprising precision for someone who tripped over stair edges and knocked over inkwells at least twice a week. Each line flowed confidently: the curve of a stem, the delicate veining of a leaf, the way the water bent light around submerged roots. A moment later, her elbow knocked the ink tin.
It tipped.
She gasped — lunged — missed —
The tin rolled toward the water.
Estelle sighed. It was obvious she'd end up dropping it, but in the lake? The animals inside would be furious. She sighed again: anyway, nobody liked her here, thanks to her house which was anything but welcoming whether the animals like her or not wouldn't change anything.. She ran her hand along the beads of her necklace: she'd barely arrived and she already wanted to leave.
She was interrupted in her thoughts of escape by a group of Slytherins approaching (Estelle thought she recognized a girl from her dormitory but the girl ignored her)
She smiled. The girl wanted to ignore her? Good! She wanted to try a spell she had read in "Book of Spells" to make an object fly (she hadn't been to her Charms class yet, so she was a little worried about failing, but... why not?)..
She picked up a piece of seaweed from the edge of the lake and approached the group to warn them that one of the lake's Rekkons had escaped. The students (not knowing what a Rekkon was) laughed at her, "So what? Who cares?" Estelle then told them about all the atrocities this creature she had invented could commit against them. One of the girls, finally worried, asked her what a Rekkon looked like. She replied very kindly, "A small ball of seaweed at first glance, but with gigantic teeth when you get closer."The girls screamed and started to leave. Estelle, taking advantage of the fact that they weren't looking, enchanted the small ball of seaweed in the palm of her hand so that it would fly above them. They screamed and ran towards the castle.
Estelle laughed a lot before realizing that... someone had seen her
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
I was sitting by the lake, reading a book as I heard the group of Slytherins approaching. One of them even pushed me and called me out for my blood status, but I didn't start a fight. They were all older than me and I would have been outnumbered. I looked up at the girl as she began talking to the group. My blue eyes observed the girl with a calculating gaze my eyes usually carried. I didn't dare to approach her. I wasn't really the social kind, however I thought what she did was truly amusing. Especially that even for a muggleborn first-year, I knew she was planning something as I heard her talk from afar.
I had a book in my hand which I was reading until I didn't notice her.
"Impressive."
I murmured quietly, running a hand trough my raven hair to hide my facial scars, especially the one which crossed my eye. I observed the girl for a short while. I was curious about her, but I wasn't social enough to start a conversation. I looked back at my book, already considering to just continue reading. But my curiosity took over.
"How did you do that?"
I questioned quietly but instantly regretted it. My damned curious self.
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I had a book in my hand which I was reading until I didn't notice her.
"Impressive."
I murmured quietly, running a hand trough my raven hair to hide my facial scars, especially the one which crossed my eye. I observed the girl for a short while. I was curious about her, but I wasn't social enough to start a conversation. I looked back at my book, already considering to just continue reading. But my curiosity took over.
"How did you do that?"
I questioned quietly but instantly regretted it. My damned curious self.
211 words
C.Blackwell
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
Estelle was surprised that the person (a girl, probably a first-year judging by the book she was holding) was speaking to her. She hadn't had much social interaction since arriving at Hogwarts, so she seized the opportunity presented by the girl's question to chat for a bit. "No idea! Mum says magic comes naturally, so I just tried it and it worked!" She smiled, then, realizing that what she had just said might sound very arrogant, she stammered, "I was just lucky, it could have not worked!"
Merlin, why did I talk so much when I got nervous? She thinks
Seeing that she was stuttering even more as she tried to justify herself, she changed the subject. "My name is Estelle, and yours?".
“You can sit, if you want,”Estelle added quickly, gesturing beside her. “It’s quieter here. Well… except when the squid decides to loom dramatically.”
She wasn’t sure why She’d said that. Probably to stop herself from rambling again. She wasn't even sure there was a squid in the lake, in fact, it seemed strange to her to have had such a crazy idea... was the lake salty? Squid only lived in salt water, according to her. She shook her head to refocus and smiled at the girl while waiting for her answer.
Merlin, why did I talk so much when I got nervous? She thinks
Seeing that she was stuttering even more as she tried to justify herself, she changed the subject. "My name is Estelle, and yours?".
“You can sit, if you want,”Estelle added quickly, gesturing beside her. “It’s quieter here. Well… except when the squid decides to loom dramatically.”
She wasn’t sure why She’d said that. Probably to stop herself from rambling again. She wasn't even sure there was a squid in the lake, in fact, it seemed strange to her to have had such a crazy idea... was the lake salty? Squid only lived in salt water, according to her. She shook her head to refocus and smiled at the girl while waiting for her answer.
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
"Oh, I-I'm Corvus."
I said in a quiet voice. My blue eyes observed the girl.
"Pleasure to meet you."
I said quietly and sat down, putting my book into my lap. It was strange having someone being this nice to me. There must be a catch, I thought. Was this some kind of trap? Would I be hurt again? Or would this girl genuinely be kind?
I observed her sceptically. I ran a hand trough my raven hair revealing my scars for one moment. I instantly regretted touching my hair. I didn't want her to see them.
I looked at the lake deep in thoughts. Then I looked at her with my usual curiosity in my eyes.
"You have a pretty name."
I said quietly.
"Do you usually come here?"
I questioned quietly and curiously.
My mind was racing with questions, but I didn't want to pry.
"Do you know those Slytherins who you pranked?
Another question, I couldn't control my curiosity.
"Sorry for asking these many questions, I just cannot control my curiosity.."
I murmured quietly.
"I never could."
I added, I fidgeted with a silver locket on my neck. I always fidgeted with jewellery. It had a raven encarved on it. It suited me, my name meant raven in Latin.
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I said in a quiet voice. My blue eyes observed the girl.
"Pleasure to meet you."
I said quietly and sat down, putting my book into my lap. It was strange having someone being this nice to me. There must be a catch, I thought. Was this some kind of trap? Would I be hurt again? Or would this girl genuinely be kind?
I observed her sceptically. I ran a hand trough my raven hair revealing my scars for one moment. I instantly regretted touching my hair. I didn't want her to see them.
I looked at the lake deep in thoughts. Then I looked at her with my usual curiosity in my eyes.
"You have a pretty name."
I said quietly.
"Do you usually come here?"
I questioned quietly and curiously.
My mind was racing with questions, but I didn't want to pry.
"Do you know those Slytherins who you pranked?
Another question, I couldn't control my curiosity.
"Sorry for asking these many questions, I just cannot control my curiosity.."
I murmured quietly.
"I never could."
I added, I fidgeted with a silver locket on my neck. I always fidgeted with jewellery. It had a raven encarved on it. It suited me, my name meant raven in Latin.
212 words
C.Blackwell
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
Estelle giggled. "Don't worry, I'm the same, way too curious!" She didn't notice Corvus's uncomfortable look when she unintentionally revealed her scars. All Estelle cared about was the piece of jewelry she'd spotted around Corvus's neck. "Very pretty! Is it a raven? I draw a lot of ravens! Mom says they're not very friendly scavengers, but I think they're cute and rather majestic."
Oh no, I forgot to answer her questions! I don't want her to think I'm selfish!
Estelle quickly continued: "I know one of those girls, or at least I think I do. In Slytherin, people aren't very talkative with newcomers! And yes, I come here very often! There are lots of things to draw, and I love doing that."
Estelle looked at the lake for a moment. “I dropped my inkwell in the lake, but otherwise I would have loved to draw you a raven! Isn’t that your name? You really do have a lot of coincidences! Your name means raven, you have a raven-shaped necklace, and you’re in Ravenclaw! My mother says that people like you make history! A bit like the founder of Slytherin House! Well, he’s rather mean, but you get the idea? Sorry, I talk way too much!” She laughed, a little embarrassed that she didn’t know when to stop.
Oh no, I forgot to answer her questions! I don't want her to think I'm selfish!
Estelle quickly continued: "I know one of those girls, or at least I think I do. In Slytherin, people aren't very talkative with newcomers! And yes, I come here very often! There are lots of things to draw, and I love doing that."
Estelle looked at the lake for a moment. “I dropped my inkwell in the lake, but otherwise I would have loved to draw you a raven! Isn’t that your name? You really do have a lot of coincidences! Your name means raven, you have a raven-shaped necklace, and you’re in Ravenclaw! My mother says that people like you make history! A bit like the founder of Slytherin House! Well, he’s rather mean, but you get the idea? Sorry, I talk way too much!” She laughed, a little embarrassed that she didn’t know when to stop.
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
"N-No, no problem. I like to listen. You're interesting."
I replied quietly. I liked listening more than talking myself. I could find out so many things about a person that way.
"Yeah, the raven reputation seems to follow me everywhere. My parents seemed to like them very much."
I said quietly, but I regretted bringing my parents up. I felt a small pain in my chest at the thought of them. That was weird, they died years ago. I should be over it.
I looked at the lake as she mentioned that she dropped her inkwell in it.
"Perhaps we could get it out."
I said quietly and stood up, getting closer to the lake. Looking at the water and taking my wand out. I taught myself some spells when I sneaked into the library at night, I have only been caught once, but that didn't stop me from sneaking to the restricted section anyways. I didn't fear detention when it came to my curiosity.
I raised my wand.
"Accio!"
I casted. I hoped it would work. It did work when I tried it in the library, but this was a relatively new spell I taught myself. The inkwell suddenly flew towards me.
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I replied quietly. I liked listening more than talking myself. I could find out so many things about a person that way.
"Yeah, the raven reputation seems to follow me everywhere. My parents seemed to like them very much."
I said quietly, but I regretted bringing my parents up. I felt a small pain in my chest at the thought of them. That was weird, they died years ago. I should be over it.
I looked at the lake as she mentioned that she dropped her inkwell in it.
"Perhaps we could get it out."
I said quietly and stood up, getting closer to the lake. Looking at the water and taking my wand out. I taught myself some spells when I sneaked into the library at night, I have only been caught once, but that didn't stop me from sneaking to the restricted section anyways. I didn't fear detention when it came to my curiosity.
I raised my wand.
"Accio!"
I casted. I hoped it would work. It did work when I tried it in the library, but this was a relatively new spell I taught myself. The inkwell suddenly flew towards me.
203 words
C.Blackwell
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
Estelle jumped startled by the sudden arrival of the inkwell. "Watch out!" She giggled and picked up the inkwell. "You've got this! You see? The magic comes naturally!" She put it back in her bag and dipped her hand in the water. « Ugh, it's cold! » Then she pretended to talk to the water. "I apologize for making a mess of the lake and ask you to give a big thank you to Corvus, who saved the lake from my inkwell!"
She smiled and sat back down next to Corvus. "Your parents chose your name well! Raven are guardians of knowledge, among other things!"Estelle quickly changed the subject when she saw Corvus looking sad at the mention of her parents.
« My first name means Star, my father is a cartographer for the ministry, but I think if he hadn't failed his studies he would have wanted to be an astronomer! Hence my name! »
Estelle gazed at the waves of the lake. "There must be loads of animals in there! I'm from Scotland, near my grandmother's castle there's a gigantic lake where kelpies are often found. They're not so bad in the end, although it's still best not to get too close." She stopped and turned to Corvus. "Do you like Hogwarts? Or do you miss things from outside, like... uh, things from where you're from?"
She smiled and sat back down next to Corvus. "Your parents chose your name well! Raven are guardians of knowledge, among other things!"Estelle quickly changed the subject when she saw Corvus looking sad at the mention of her parents.
« My first name means Star, my father is a cartographer for the ministry, but I think if he hadn't failed his studies he would have wanted to be an astronomer! Hence my name! »
Estelle gazed at the waves of the lake. "There must be loads of animals in there! I'm from Scotland, near my grandmother's castle there's a gigantic lake where kelpies are often found. They're not so bad in the end, although it's still best not to get too close." She stopped and turned to Corvus. "Do you like Hogwarts? Or do you miss things from outside, like... uh, things from where you're from?"
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
"Your name fits you perfectly as well. You're pretty like a star. I love astronomy and astrophysics. But I cannot stand astrology, biggest pseudoscience."
I murmured.
"What are kelpies?"
I questioned curiously. I have never heard of them. Of course I hadn't, I was a muggleborn after all. And I haven't finished my research on beasts. I was more interested in magic, spells and the dark arts. And I couldn't let go of muggle science and physics. I had tons of physics books in my dorm.
I got into deep though as she asked if it was better from where I was from. It surely was. I hated it back there in the Muggle world. No one liked me there. I constantly used to get hurt. But now here I was. Finally having my peace, except when I was betitled for my blood status, but that happened rarely. And now I could defend myself, even if I got detention for it.
"I love Hogwarts. Do you?"
I questioned. My blue eyes observing her curiously. I still fidgeted with my necklace, I always did that. I didn't know where I got it, I just had it since I could remember. But I never took it off.
205 words
I murmured.
"What are kelpies?"
I questioned curiously. I have never heard of them. Of course I hadn't, I was a muggleborn after all. And I haven't finished my research on beasts. I was more interested in magic, spells and the dark arts. And I couldn't let go of muggle science and physics. I had tons of physics books in my dorm.
I got into deep though as she asked if it was better from where I was from. It surely was. I hated it back there in the Muggle world. No one liked me there. I constantly used to get hurt. But now here I was. Finally having my peace, except when I was betitled for my blood status, but that happened rarely. And now I could defend myself, even if I got detention for it.
"I love Hogwarts. Do you?"
I questioned. My blue eyes observing her curiously. I still fidgeted with my necklace, I always did that. I didn't know where I got it, I just had it since I could remember. But I never took it off.
205 words
C.Blackwell
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
Estelle blushed slightly at Corvus's compliment; this girl was definitely very kind! Then she wondered how it was possible not to know about kelpies when you came from the magical world. She deduced that Corvus must have come from a village like hers, with many Muggles, which made it difficult to see magical beings clearly. So she smiled and described the animal to her. « A kelpie is a shape-changing aquatic spirit of Scottish that haunt rivers and streams, usually in the shape of a horse. They prey on lost people by leading them into rivers; according to my grandmother, they simply want to play with them, but since humans can't breathe underwater, it kills them. »
Estelle thinks back to her arrival at Hogwarts and the days that have passed since. She was a little sad to be far from her village and her family, but she still really enjoyed the school. She smiled at Corvus, “I love it, I keep learning things and it’s super interesting, plus the food is much better than what I eat at home; my mother doesn’t know how to cook but my father doesn’t dare tell her, he loves her too much, and I’m glad to have met you too!”
Estelle, finally becoming too interested in Corvus, ended up asking her the questions that had been bothering her since Corvus's question about kelpies: "Corvus... Where are you from?"
Estelle thinks back to her arrival at Hogwarts and the days that have passed since. She was a little sad to be far from her village and her family, but she still really enjoyed the school. She smiled at Corvus, “I love it, I keep learning things and it’s super interesting, plus the food is much better than what I eat at home; my mother doesn’t know how to cook but my father doesn’t dare tell her, he loves her too much, and I’m glad to have met you too!”
Estelle, finally becoming too interested in Corvus, ended up asking her the questions that had been bothering her since Corvus's question about kelpies: "Corvus... Where are you from?"
Aye.. Gonna have a problem
"Wow. Fascinating creatures."
I murmured quietly as she told me about kelpies. If I'd met one, I would probably fall victim to it. That was for sure. But I was fascinated by them, and by her knowledge about those creatures.
I chuckled as she told about her mother.
"They probably are great parents."
I murmured with a small smile. I tried to hide my envy. She had something I could never have. I wished I had a family as well. Perhaps I wouldn't be this miserable then.
My smile wavered as she questioned where I was from. My gaze hardened.
"From Ireland. But I live in Britain since I'm little. London to be exact."
I said quietly in a low voice. My past was a sensitive topic for me. I hoped she wouldn't ask further. But as I looked at her, I knew that she probably would ask further. I didn't understand, why was this important? I tried to hide my pain and bitterness. I didn't even notice that my scars weren't hidden by my hair. They were deep and clearly visible on my sickly pale skin. The most prominent one was running down from my forehead to my cheek, crossing my left eye. It was deep and huge.
I murmured quietly as she told me about kelpies. If I'd met one, I would probably fall victim to it. That was for sure. But I was fascinated by them, and by her knowledge about those creatures.
I chuckled as she told about her mother.
"They probably are great parents."
I murmured with a small smile. I tried to hide my envy. She had something I could never have. I wished I had a family as well. Perhaps I wouldn't be this miserable then.
My smile wavered as she questioned where I was from. My gaze hardened.
"From Ireland. But I live in Britain since I'm little. London to be exact."
I said quietly in a low voice. My past was a sensitive topic for me. I hoped she wouldn't ask further. But as I looked at her, I knew that she probably would ask further. I didn't understand, why was this important? I tried to hide my pain and bitterness. I didn't even notice that my scars weren't hidden by my hair. They were deep and clearly visible on my sickly pale skin. The most prominent one was running down from my forehead to my cheek, crossing my left eye. It was deep and huge.
C.Blackwell