To Be or Not to Be
The rest of the month after that faithful shopping trip passed painfully slow. He didn’t even get to meet Meyra that often as everyone was busy with exams and tests and the ending of the semesters. Since he was a third year and she was second year, their classes always seemed opposite. Stolen glances and wishful thinking was the only thing keeping him from going insane or like he didn’t dream that kiss. He didn’t even have a chance to talk much about it. Did he have a girlfriend? Was he supposed to hold her hand when he saw her? Were they going to kiss again? Many sleepless nights ensued throughout December filled with unanswered questions and what ifs that left him tossing and turning much to the frustration of his roommates. When he tried to explain his forlorn love, it was always met with derision, mostly because it was late at night and he should have been asleep hours ago.
He was able to on a few occasions message her via owl to set up dates and times but he didn’t dare ask any of the other questions that screamed in his heart. This was absolutely different than the spring where things were easy and breezy, now he was nervous when he saw her and anxious when they were apart. It wasn’t until the eve of going home that he realized that he had to face his family and he hadn’t successfully defined the relationship. This was going to be a very interesting time indeed!
Even more so on the Hogwarts express. Dennis sat down in his seat on the train and waited anxiously to catch sight of Meyra. It was one of those rendezvous set up via owl but he wasn’t sure either he got the train car right or if she would remember. He hated the fact that his once fearless nature was rendered down to fidgeting restlessly. What would he even say or what would he do to both continue what they had and not ruin anything? He was out of time though when he saw a familiar face stick her head into his compartment.
He was able to on a few occasions message her via owl to set up dates and times but he didn’t dare ask any of the other questions that screamed in his heart. This was absolutely different than the spring where things were easy and breezy, now he was nervous when he saw her and anxious when they were apart. It wasn’t until the eve of going home that he realized that he had to face his family and he hadn’t successfully defined the relationship. This was going to be a very interesting time indeed!
Even more so on the Hogwarts express. Dennis sat down in his seat on the train and waited anxiously to catch sight of Meyra. It was one of those rendezvous set up via owl but he wasn’t sure either he got the train car right or if she would remember. He hated the fact that his once fearless nature was rendered down to fidgeting restlessly. What would he even say or what would he do to both continue what they had and not ruin anything? He was out of time though when he saw a familiar face stick her head into his compartment.
@Meyra Lancaster
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
To Be or Not to Be
To say she wasn't a little more nervous than usual would be a lie. Not that Dennis's presence wasn't normal again in her daily life, even if much less so than she might have wished for thanks to the tight schedules at the end of the first semester at Hogwarts. But, because on that day, they would finally have a little more time during the trip to talk, that implied that some issues would inevitably and undoubtably come up. Issues that both had avoided discussing until then. It seemed that, although things were returning to their rightful place, they still hadn't named and gave a proper response to all the silent questions that still lingered between them.
A few days after agreeing to go on vacation with the Tumbertons, Meyra found herself questioning the sanity with which she had said 'yes' to it. After all, she didn't know the rest of the family, only Dennis. The only other person she had heard of was Seamus, Dennis's younger brother, and what she knew about him didn't exactly make her feel more confident. But sharing several letters with Dennis after their Christmas shopping trip to Hogsmeade reassured her somewhat, giving her more courage and reassuring herself that her decision hadn't been so bad after all. If they weren't anything more, at least they were back to being friends. Her decision had everything to be the right one, right? Right!!
With a bright, silly smile, Meyra boarded the train, carrying her luggage behind her, the sound of the wheels rolling along the surface of the corridors joining the similar sounds of the other students embarking on their journey home for the winter holidays. In her other hand, the young Gryffindor held the letter Dennis had sent her a little while ago with the number of the carriage where they would meet and travel together. As soon as she reached the compartment they had planned to meet in, Mey peeked through the small window in the door to make sure she hadn't made a mistake. Obviously, the third year Ravenclaw was already there waiting for her. Being a Raven as he was, it would be surprising if he hadn't been a little more punctual than her.
Meyra then put the letter in the back pocket of her jeans and slid the compartment door to the side so she could get in. "Hi Dennis!" She greeted him warmly and cheerfully, with a familiarity that felt so natural again, like during the 'old days'. "Sorry I'm late, you know how I am, lots of things to pack at the last minute." She continued into the compartment, closing the door behind her and placing her luggage in the overhead compartment above their seat. Once everything was ready, the young Gryffindor finally sat down in the bench across from Dennis, turning her enthusiastic smile to him, "Are you ready for our vacations?" She asked him, "I was so happy when my parents gave me their permission to go with your family. Just hope they don't change their minds." She said, making a pout playful face and laughing softly.
@Dennis Tumberton
A few days after agreeing to go on vacation with the Tumbertons, Meyra found herself questioning the sanity with which she had said 'yes' to it. After all, she didn't know the rest of the family, only Dennis. The only other person she had heard of was Seamus, Dennis's younger brother, and what she knew about him didn't exactly make her feel more confident. But sharing several letters with Dennis after their Christmas shopping trip to Hogsmeade reassured her somewhat, giving her more courage and reassuring herself that her decision hadn't been so bad after all. If they weren't anything more, at least they were back to being friends. Her decision had everything to be the right one, right? Right!!
With a bright, silly smile, Meyra boarded the train, carrying her luggage behind her, the sound of the wheels rolling along the surface of the corridors joining the similar sounds of the other students embarking on their journey home for the winter holidays. In her other hand, the young Gryffindor held the letter Dennis had sent her a little while ago with the number of the carriage where they would meet and travel together. As soon as she reached the compartment they had planned to meet in, Mey peeked through the small window in the door to make sure she hadn't made a mistake. Obviously, the third year Ravenclaw was already there waiting for her. Being a Raven as he was, it would be surprising if he hadn't been a little more punctual than her.
Meyra then put the letter in the back pocket of her jeans and slid the compartment door to the side so she could get in. "Hi Dennis!" She greeted him warmly and cheerfully, with a familiarity that felt so natural again, like during the 'old days'. "Sorry I'm late, you know how I am, lots of things to pack at the last minute." She continued into the compartment, closing the door behind her and placing her luggage in the overhead compartment above their seat. Once everything was ready, the young Gryffindor finally sat down in the bench across from Dennis, turning her enthusiastic smile to him, "Are you ready for our vacations?" She asked him, "I was so happy when my parents gave me their permission to go with your family. Just hope they don't change their minds." She said, making a pout playful face and laughing softly.
@Dennis Tumberton
Last edited by Meyra Lancaster on 10 Mar 2026, 08:40, edited 1 time in total.
INPC: Katsuro Souto
Adult: Iris Jurema
To Be or Not to Be
Meyra greeted him as if there was nothing in the world that they needed to talk about. Her voice was light and almost musical to Dennis’ ears. She gave him a smile and he felt warm all over. The Ravenclaw’s heart raced with anticipation as she sat across from him, his foot which was so close to hers was all he could focus on as she got adjusted. Wait, hadn’t they kissed like a ton and held hands and actually dated at one time - what in the puberty made this so much harder than a year ago! It was almost a year to the date that he met her in the hallway outside the Room of Requirement and a month from now would have been France…The places his mind went went he allowed them to roam!
Right the matter at hand, time to get serious. However, it seemed like she was far more comfortable with this arrangement than he was when she casually mentioned that she was excited for the vacation and happy her family gave her permission. That’s not what he wanted to know of course but all of that was quite nice he guessed. Well, if she was gonna be cool about it, he would too! He went from staring at their feet and contemplating nudging hers with his, to leaning back on his booth and flung his arms over his head in an overcompensating fashion. “Yeah yeah…totally. It’s going to be great!” Dennis said flashing his trademark grin that came off both a little wonky and noncommittal. She would obviously be convinced by this little show of nonchalance.
Pull yourself together! You are Dennis [middle name redacted] Tumberton! Get a grip on yourself! Do something suave! Meyra loves it when you got the moves. Do the moves now! Clearing his throat Dennis looked out the window as if looking at something interesting as the train rolled away. Mustering up all of his will to act equally as casual as his Gryffindor love interest, he “absentmindedly” patted the seat cushion beside him and said almost as if it wasn’t anything, but boy was it the biggest thing, “The view is actually better over here. I think you will be more comfortable.”
Right the matter at hand, time to get serious. However, it seemed like she was far more comfortable with this arrangement than he was when she casually mentioned that she was excited for the vacation and happy her family gave her permission. That’s not what he wanted to know of course but all of that was quite nice he guessed. Well, if she was gonna be cool about it, he would too! He went from staring at their feet and contemplating nudging hers with his, to leaning back on his booth and flung his arms over his head in an overcompensating fashion. “Yeah yeah…totally. It’s going to be great!” Dennis said flashing his trademark grin that came off both a little wonky and noncommittal. She would obviously be convinced by this little show of nonchalance.
Pull yourself together! You are Dennis [middle name redacted] Tumberton! Get a grip on yourself! Do something suave! Meyra loves it when you got the moves. Do the moves now! Clearing his throat Dennis looked out the window as if looking at something interesting as the train rolled away. Mustering up all of his will to act equally as casual as his Gryffindor love interest, he “absentmindedly” patted the seat cushion beside him and said almost as if it wasn’t anything, but boy was it the biggest thing, “The view is actually better over here. I think you will be more comfortable.”
@Meyra Lancaster
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
To Be or Not to Be
She wasn't quite sure what it was about, but the fact that Dennis took his time to look up from the floor hadn't entirely escaped her notice. Not that it made her act any less relaxed and nonchalantly, even though deep down she felt a slight nervousness at not being able to read the thoughts of the boy she liked. Their relationship had already gone through so many nuances and forms that maintaining unwavering trust was a little more difficult now. Intense thoughts like: 'Is he thinking about someone else?', 'Has he regretted it again?', 'Did I interpret things differently and are we still the same as before?', 'And before when? Still Friends, acquaintances, or...something more?'
Meyra couldn't hold back the sigh that escaped her, although she kept it as subtle as possible, when Dennis finally reacted to her arrival, adopting a more relaxed position on his bench. Although the way he responded was in a slightly less enthusiastic tone than hers. It was too difficult to read his intentions now, it irritated her more than anything else. Normally, that open smile he had given her would have meant he was genuinely happy, but now it tasted different... a little more bitter... more distant and less sincere. A little too much tinged by the kisses he had shared with others... and no matter how hard she tried, Meyra couldn't completely disconnect from it, it was always there, that little voice, whispering in her mind.
Because of this stream of thoughts, Meyra felt a little taken by surprise when Dennis invited her to sit on the bench next to him. But her expression quickly shifted from surprise to a small, mischievous smile that lit up her green eyes. With all the 'sure-why-not?' attitude that she could master, Meyra stood up from her seat. But instead of immediately going and sitting where Dennis had patted the cushion seat, she stood facing him and nudged his shoe with the tip of her sneaker in the opposite direction from the window, "I think the better view is at the window!" she said playfully.
Like a true gentleman, Dennis moved aside and let her take the seat closer to the window. Meyra then sat down, biting her bottom lip to keep her smile from widening even further and to avoid blatantly displaying her air of cheerful smugness, "You're right, the view from here is much better," She told him. And gathering all her courage, Mey leaned closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder, "Much more comfortable!"
@Dennis Tumberton
Meyra couldn't hold back the sigh that escaped her, although she kept it as subtle as possible, when Dennis finally reacted to her arrival, adopting a more relaxed position on his bench. Although the way he responded was in a slightly less enthusiastic tone than hers. It was too difficult to read his intentions now, it irritated her more than anything else. Normally, that open smile he had given her would have meant he was genuinely happy, but now it tasted different... a little more bitter... more distant and less sincere. A little too much tinged by the kisses he had shared with others... and no matter how hard she tried, Meyra couldn't completely disconnect from it, it was always there, that little voice, whispering in her mind.
Because of this stream of thoughts, Meyra felt a little taken by surprise when Dennis invited her to sit on the bench next to him. But her expression quickly shifted from surprise to a small, mischievous smile that lit up her green eyes. With all the 'sure-why-not?' attitude that she could master, Meyra stood up from her seat. But instead of immediately going and sitting where Dennis had patted the cushion seat, she stood facing him and nudged his shoe with the tip of her sneaker in the opposite direction from the window, "I think the better view is at the window!" she said playfully.
Like a true gentleman, Dennis moved aside and let her take the seat closer to the window. Meyra then sat down, biting her bottom lip to keep her smile from widening even further and to avoid blatantly displaying her air of cheerful smugness, "You're right, the view from here is much better," She told him. And gathering all her courage, Mey leaned closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder, "Much more comfortable!"
@Dennis Tumberton
INPC: Katsuro Souto
Adult: Iris Jurema
To Be or Not to Be
They had finally made it to the place Dennis had been dreading. Not to the train station, the train had only just left. No, to where he felt he needed to finally ask the questions he had been anxious about since the invitation to come on his family vacation. Again, there was no way he was going to let his family meet her without settling what they actually were. She was resting her head on his shoulder and…why did this werewolf have to smell especially sweet to him? It made his heart flutter like it hadn’t even last year. How did they get there?
Meyra, much to Dennis’ surprise, called his bluff, or rather saw his attention, and, kicking his feet, made him move over away from his comfortable spot to a colder one. Of course she would take the spot he already warmed up! The indignation didn’t last long though. As she sat down, and laid her head on him, he instinctively, held her hand. They sat there hand-in-hand and head-on-shoulder for quite some time before Dennis drew up his own courage to speak. Why did it have to be so awkward? Couldn’t he just sit here with her as the train carried them and enjoy her presence. The monster that was Seamus appeared in his mind as he closed his eyes and he realized he better think of something to say!
“I think I am right,” Dennis said, his heart now pounding in his throat, “the view is still the best where I am.” He squeezed her hand and gave her a light kiss on the top of her nestled head. This was definitely a move of a boyfriend. He definitely needed to get on with it. “I’ve been thinking…Yeah, I know it might be hard to believe huh?” He said feeling himself disassociate from what he had to say.
“I don’t know if the whole break idea really worked for me.” Was he getting teary? That’s stupid why would he cry about such an admission! He moved so that her head was no longer on his shoulders and positioned himself to face her. Meeting her beautiful eyes, in them he found the courage to continue, “I still really really like like you. We spent so much time apart. I really tried to move on. I think we both did? But there is genuinely no one else I’d rather be with. You make me so happy…and frustrated sometimes…but mostly really happy.” He smiled in a way that was both genuine and a little sad. Now, it was the moment he needed to ask, “How do you feel?” Actually asking someone how they felt, now that’s progress.
Meyra, much to Dennis’ surprise, called his bluff, or rather saw his attention, and, kicking his feet, made him move over away from his comfortable spot to a colder one. Of course she would take the spot he already warmed up! The indignation didn’t last long though. As she sat down, and laid her head on him, he instinctively, held her hand. They sat there hand-in-hand and head-on-shoulder for quite some time before Dennis drew up his own courage to speak. Why did it have to be so awkward? Couldn’t he just sit here with her as the train carried them and enjoy her presence. The monster that was Seamus appeared in his mind as he closed his eyes and he realized he better think of something to say!
“I think I am right,” Dennis said, his heart now pounding in his throat, “the view is still the best where I am.” He squeezed her hand and gave her a light kiss on the top of her nestled head. This was definitely a move of a boyfriend. He definitely needed to get on with it. “I’ve been thinking…Yeah, I know it might be hard to believe huh?” He said feeling himself disassociate from what he had to say.
“I don’t know if the whole break idea really worked for me.” Was he getting teary? That’s stupid why would he cry about such an admission! He moved so that her head was no longer on his shoulders and positioned himself to face her. Meeting her beautiful eyes, in them he found the courage to continue, “I still really really like like you. We spent so much time apart. I really tried to move on. I think we both did? But there is genuinely no one else I’d rather be with. You make me so happy…and frustrated sometimes…but mostly really happy.” He smiled in a way that was both genuine and a little sad. Now, it was the moment he needed to ask, “How do you feel?” Actually asking someone how they felt, now that’s progress.
@Meyra Lancaster
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
To Be or Not to Be
As soon as she rested her head on his shoulder, an act of pure courage worthy of a Gryffindor, she felt Dennis reach for her hand and gently take it in his. Meyra relaxed beside him, or tried too at least, because her heart was starting to race within her chest as they approached closer to each other. She intertwined her fingers with his and absentmindedly brushed her thumb lightly against his knuckles. They stood like that for a moment, watching the Scottish landscape pass through the window, in a silence that felt like building up to something she needed a bit more of courage to address.
But the first to break up the silence was Dennis. And did he had to do it by saying such a sweet thing? A smile tugged on the corner of her lips as she understood the tenderness in the meaning of his words and felt him lightly kiss the top of her head. His next words made her pause though, she lifted her head from his shoulder to look at him with curiosity on her green gaze, "You have been?" She asked him with a layer of humour in her voice, like he could read her thoughts already. Realising that was both endearing and a bit scary for the young girl.
As she continued to listen to him, her heart skipped a few strange, unexpected beats, she couldn't believe that he was actually saying those things out loud, it was more than mind reading, that was soul connecting. Something very rare and dangerous that she has been avoiding ever since the night that nightmarish creature invaded and destroyed pieces of her home and life. But with Dennis it had always been different, hasn't it? He had always found his way to keep next to her, even during the time when she didn't want to admit it.
Their eyes met once more, as they had met several times before, filled with something more than what transpired through the spoken words. And after everything they'd been through, Mey certainly didn't expect Dennis to say all those things so openly and honestly. She found herself not knowing how to reply to him at first, even if deep down she knew that conversation was inevitable, there was still her insecurities to break through before she could be as sincere and speak all her truth. But he had made her a question, and she could not just leave him with her silence as a response to all that.
She looked at their hands, still intertwined, letting his words sink in and her own thoughts wrap gently around them. In reality yes, she also tried to move on, but they had different ways from doing it. She had kept herself even more isolated from others, while he had spent his time trying different things. "Well..." She started, looking up at him again, "Frustrated is a way to put how you make me feel sometimes too..." She told him making a small grimace, "But..." She lightly squeezed his hand, "This didn't work for me either." Mey shrugged with a small, sad smile tugging on her lips, "I've missed you. You're one of my closest friends, and I really like you too. Like...really like you too." She sighed, biting on her lip and making a pause. "I'm so much happier when you're around. Everything makes more sense when we are together." She finished, giving him a timid, honest smile that brought a renewed light to her eyes.
@Dennis Tumberton
But the first to break up the silence was Dennis. And did he had to do it by saying such a sweet thing? A smile tugged on the corner of her lips as she understood the tenderness in the meaning of his words and felt him lightly kiss the top of her head. His next words made her pause though, she lifted her head from his shoulder to look at him with curiosity on her green gaze, "You have been?" She asked him with a layer of humour in her voice, like he could read her thoughts already. Realising that was both endearing and a bit scary for the young girl.
As she continued to listen to him, her heart skipped a few strange, unexpected beats, she couldn't believe that he was actually saying those things out loud, it was more than mind reading, that was soul connecting. Something very rare and dangerous that she has been avoiding ever since the night that nightmarish creature invaded and destroyed pieces of her home and life. But with Dennis it had always been different, hasn't it? He had always found his way to keep next to her, even during the time when she didn't want to admit it.
Their eyes met once more, as they had met several times before, filled with something more than what transpired through the spoken words. And after everything they'd been through, Mey certainly didn't expect Dennis to say all those things so openly and honestly. She found herself not knowing how to reply to him at first, even if deep down she knew that conversation was inevitable, there was still her insecurities to break through before she could be as sincere and speak all her truth. But he had made her a question, and she could not just leave him with her silence as a response to all that.
She looked at their hands, still intertwined, letting his words sink in and her own thoughts wrap gently around them. In reality yes, she also tried to move on, but they had different ways from doing it. She had kept herself even more isolated from others, while he had spent his time trying different things. "Well..." She started, looking up at him again, "Frustrated is a way to put how you make me feel sometimes too..." She told him making a small grimace, "But..." She lightly squeezed his hand, "This didn't work for me either." Mey shrugged with a small, sad smile tugging on her lips, "I've missed you. You're one of my closest friends, and I really like you too. Like...really like you too." She sighed, biting on her lip and making a pause. "I'm so much happier when you're around. Everything makes more sense when we are together." She finished, giving him a timid, honest smile that brought a renewed light to her eyes.
@Dennis Tumberton
INPC: Katsuro Souto
Adult: Iris Jurema
To Be or Not to Be
Dennis immediately regretted opening his big mouth and yammering on. Meyra looked as if she was going to vomit or yell or cry, actually he was never good at reading faces. He held his breath for what felt an eternity before she decided to answer. And when she finally started talking at first he couldn’t really hear here from the rush of blood to his head and the pounding in his ears from her holding his hands. When he came to she was talking about missing him and really liking him too.
Relief washed over him and embarrassment for good measure at having built this moment up in his mind. The only thing left was pure bliss something that he hadn’t really felt since the last time they were together last year. This also made it much easier to face his family. He smiled warmly, kissed her on the forehead, and wrapped his arm, which had been glued to her hand around her shoulders. For the rest of the train ride back to the station he spent with Meyra whispering sweet nothings as they pointed out their favorite parts of the speeding landscape. It was a moment that Dennis would reflect back on later in life as one of his truly happiest memories that wasn’t full of angst or regret.
@Meyra Lancaster
Relief washed over him and embarrassment for good measure at having built this moment up in his mind. The only thing left was pure bliss something that he hadn’t really felt since the last time they were together last year. This also made it much easier to face his family. He smiled warmly, kissed her on the forehead, and wrapped his arm, which had been glued to her hand around her shoulders. For the rest of the train ride back to the station he spent with Meyra whispering sweet nothings as they pointed out their favorite parts of the speeding landscape. It was a moment that Dennis would reflect back on later in life as one of his truly happiest memories that wasn’t full of angst or regret.
@Meyra Lancaster
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida