An Afternoon Outside
The courtyard displayed exceptional tranquility during that particular afternoon. The open space received a gentle breeze which brought the light aroma of grass together with springtime flowers. Elise exited her home because she believed that outdoor time would be ideal after she had spent her entire day indoors.
She discovered a secluded stone bench located at the courtyard's center which she used to place her books. The sunlight created a warm atmosphere which made the grey stone walls of the castle appear brighter than their usual brightness.
Elise began her reading session by opening a book which she used to concentrate on the text before her. She read in silence for a short time because the courtyard presented too many exciting things for her to keep reading. Students passed through in small groups which included some students who were laughing while others were hurrying to their upcoming classroom.
She used her book as an excuse to look up from her reading whenever she wanted to see what was happening around her. The distraction created a gentle peaceful feeling.
Elise used a finger to mark her current reading position after she had closed her book halfway. She sat back on the bench to observe the activities happening in the courtyard.
The afternoon weather created perfect outdoor conditions while the location appeared to be ideal for initiating a conversation.
She remained seated while she experienced the outdoor breeze together with the sounds of people passing through the courtyard.
She discovered a secluded stone bench located at the courtyard's center which she used to place her books. The sunlight created a warm atmosphere which made the grey stone walls of the castle appear brighter than their usual brightness.
Elise began her reading session by opening a book which she used to concentrate on the text before her. She read in silence for a short time because the courtyard presented too many exciting things for her to keep reading. Students passed through in small groups which included some students who were laughing while others were hurrying to their upcoming classroom.
She used her book as an excuse to look up from her reading whenever she wanted to see what was happening around her. The distraction created a gentle peaceful feeling.
Elise used a finger to mark her current reading position after she had closed her book halfway. She sat back on the bench to observe the activities happening in the courtyard.
The afternoon weather created perfect outdoor conditions while the location appeared to be ideal for initiating a conversation.
She remained seated while she experienced the outdoor breeze together with the sounds of people passing through the courtyard.
"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.” — Marie Curie
An Afternoon Outside
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Mentions: @Elise Hernandez WC: 312 xxx Hex code: #0050b4 ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Skylar trudges into the Courtyard, disappointment heavy in her chest. Though it was a nice day, she fights not to let her frustration out. On a regular basis, Skylar might have enjoyed her walk. She probably would have smiled. But today was not the day. The corner of her mouth was not even lifted.
Acceptable. That was what she got on her Transfiguration assignment. Acceptable. It was insulting. She prided herself in her knowledge and intelligence, but can she really call herself smart when all she got was an acceptable? She had perfect grades. Perfect. All Outstanding across the board. But now this Acceptable sticks out like a sore thumb in her report card. She did not even do that bad! She merely got two questions wrong. Two.
Skylar sighs as she plops down heavily on an open bench. She did not pay attention to the blond girl who sits next to her. Skylar, with her sociable personality and quick smiles, would have perhaps greeted the girl and introduce herself. But again, her mind was a little occupied. Maybe it was not even that big of a deal. Her overall grade is still an O. But it bothers her like an itch she cannot scratch, knowing there is nothing to do.
Skylar glances at the girl next to her, who looks understandably shocked at her sudden presence. Skylar does not blame her. After all, she does not look the most friendly right now. Not even her classmates wanted to greet her the moment she got her assignment back. The change in mood could have almost been perceptible to touch.
Skylar sighs, feeling guilty that her pissed off mood probably ruined this girl's day. "Sorry about that... just a bad day, I guess." She mumbles to the Ravenclaw. Skylar turns away again, staring at everything and nothing as her grade haunts her. Acceptable.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
sta • 5 | eva • 6 | str • 4 wis • 7 | arc • 7 | acc • 6 |
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Prodigal Flying Learner| Y2 | Y3 Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Y7 |
An Afternoon Outside
Elise was almost done with her book when a girl stormed up to her and sat down next to her. The girl who had sat down wasn’t hiding her mood at all. Tight shoulders, a heavy sigh—it was all right there. Elise ducked her head and stared back at her book, trying not to intrude. Then, the girl murmured an apology.
Elise was nervous how to react to the girl. She didn't want to seem unfriendly but she didn't want to make the girl uncomfortable. She also was nervous because she rarely interacted with Gryffindors. So she settled for a small smile, a way to show her understanding. She glanced back at her book hoping to finish her book before her next class. However her curiosity took over and she started to wonder what had bothered this girl so much. She set her book down in her lap and started staring into the distance trying not to make it obvious she was curious about the girl.
Elise tried to think of a way to ask this new girl what happened to make her so upset but she thought she was overstepping. So she settled with a simple greeting "Hello, I'm Elise." The girl looked up in surprise and Elise wondered if she should have kept quiet. Elise was sure she had seen this girl in a class before she just couldn't place her.
Elise was nervous how to react to the girl. She didn't want to seem unfriendly but she didn't want to make the girl uncomfortable. She also was nervous because she rarely interacted with Gryffindors. So she settled for a small smile, a way to show her understanding. She glanced back at her book hoping to finish her book before her next class. However her curiosity took over and she started to wonder what had bothered this girl so much. She set her book down in her lap and started staring into the distance trying not to make it obvious she was curious about the girl.
Elise tried to think of a way to ask this new girl what happened to make her so upset but she thought she was overstepping. So she settled with a simple greeting "Hello, I'm Elise." The girl looked up in surprise and Elise wondered if she should have kept quiet. Elise was sure she had seen this girl in a class before she just couldn't place her.
"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.” — Marie Curie
An Afternoon Outside
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Mentions: @Elise Hernandez WC: 277 xxx Hex code: #0050b4 OOC note: Challenging myself to write Skylar upset because she's usually always a really happy person 
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
"Hello, I'm Elise."
Skylar looks up in surprise at the girl. She was genuinely not expecting her to speak, given that Skylar probably looks like she is ready to throw hands. Well, if Elise introduced herself, it is only fair Skylar returns the favor. And as an apology for just plopping down next to her without an explanation. Turning to face her, Skylar offers Elise a small smile.
"Hi, Elise. I'm Skylar. Skylar Blue. Sorry for just sitting down next to you with an awful mood. I just got back a score from Transfiguration that I was not... too happy with." Skylar lets out a sigh.
"I mean it is not bad, exactly. It is an Acceptable. My academic average is still an O, but I just kind of prided myself in having straight Os for everything." Skylar says as she shrugs. "Like I would have taken an E. But an A? Ouch that hurts." She sighs again as she glances at Elise again.
"Sorry about all.. this. I swear I'm normally a cheerful person, just not today." Skylar looks ahead again and ponders about everything and nothing. What can she even do now? The grade is final, and there is nothing she can do about it. This is not something she can just smile away either. Skylar glances at Elise again, who looks like she already given up on the book she was reading a while ago. Perhaps asking about someone else's day can help take her mind off.
"How was your day, if you don't mind me asking? Sorry if it seems really random, but I just want to think of something else right now."
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
sta • 5 | eva • 6 | str • 4 wis • 7 | arc • 7 | acc • 6 |
Shop | ENCYCLOPEDIA | Gallery I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. |
Prodigal Flying Learner| Y2 | Y3 Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Y7 |
An Afternoon Outside
"How was your day, if you don't mind me asking? Sorry if it seems really random, but I just want to think of something else right now."
Skylar! That's the girl in Elise's Charms class who has really good grades. Elise listened quietly as Skylar spoke, her expression becoming less confused and more sympathetic. She gave another small simple smile. Elise decided that there was no point in trying to read her book so she set it at the top of the bag, hoping that she would remember the page number she left off on.
"My day was alright......I guess," she added. “Nothing serious happened, but I did end up sleeping in later than I meant to this morning.” A faint hint of embarrassment crossed her face.“I had to rush to get ready, and everything felt a bit off after that. I even missed breakfast. Oh well."
Elise's morning had been hectic but she didn't want to make her problems seen worse than Skylars. She hadn't just woken up a little bit late she woke up 2 hours late. Elise had to rush out of bed and run to her class, she made it right before the Professor walked in. However Elise hasn't had the time to eat and she is starving.
Elise looked down at her hands for a second before looking back at Skylar.
“But for what it’s worth,” she added,“one Acceptable doesn’t really change everything else you’ve done. It just feels worse because you care about it."
Skylar! That's the girl in Elise's Charms class who has really good grades. Elise listened quietly as Skylar spoke, her expression becoming less confused and more sympathetic. She gave another small simple smile. Elise decided that there was no point in trying to read her book so she set it at the top of the bag, hoping that she would remember the page number she left off on.
"My day was alright......I guess," she added. “Nothing serious happened, but I did end up sleeping in later than I meant to this morning.” A faint hint of embarrassment crossed her face.“I had to rush to get ready, and everything felt a bit off after that. I even missed breakfast. Oh well."
Elise's morning had been hectic but she didn't want to make her problems seen worse than Skylars. She hadn't just woken up a little bit late she woke up 2 hours late. Elise had to rush out of bed and run to her class, she made it right before the Professor walked in. However Elise hasn't had the time to eat and she is starving.
Elise looked down at her hands for a second before looking back at Skylar.
“But for what it’s worth,” she added,“one Acceptable doesn’t really change everything else you’ve done. It just feels worse because you care about it."
"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.” — Marie Curie
An Afternoon Outside
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Mentions: @Elise Hernandez WC: 278 xxx Hex code: #0050b4 ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Skylar listens as Elise talks about her day. It was nice, to hear someone else's story that is not her own. It really helps her see the scope of things. Perhaps... her grade is not that bad. After all, she does still have an overall grade of Outstanding, one A is not going to crush her academic dreams. Besides, little hiccups like this happen time to time.
“But for what it’s worth, one Acceptable doesn’t really change everything else you’ve done. It just feels worse because you care about it."
Skylar smiles at that. It really helps when someone reassures her. "Thank you, Elise. That helps a lot. Also..." Skylar trails off as she digs around in her bag. Finally, she pulls out a few chocolate frogs and a pumpkin pastry. She turns to Elise offers the sweets to her.
"This is for you. As a thank you, I suppose. You also said you did not get to eat this morning, so hopefully this can help you get through the day." Skylar states as she gives Elise a smile. A real one. Though getting a grade she was not happy with dampened her mood, it just shows what she needs to work on. She is happy that Elise acted as a voice of reason though, or else Skylar probably would have spiraled into her own rabbit hole of disappointment.
"Well, at least I'm doing well in every other subject. The only reason I am interested in Transfiguration is because I want to be an Animangus fifth year. Charms and DADA are my main though. And flying." Skylar shrugs.
"How about you? What classes do you like the most?"
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
sta • 5 | eva • 6 | str • 4 wis • 7 | arc • 7 | acc • 6 |
Shop | ENCYCLOPEDIA | Gallery I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. |
Prodigal Flying Learner| Y2 | Y3 Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Y7 |
An Afternoon Outside
Elise blinked in surprise as Skylar pulled out the sweets. She did not expect Skylar to do that. For a moment Elise hesitated then she accepted the sweets from Skylar.
“Thank you " Elise said softly. A small smile formed on her face. "You really did not have to give me the sweets. I appreciate the sweets.”
Elise glanced down at the chocolate frog and pastry. She looked relieved that Skylar mentioned food. After a second Elise set the chocolate frog and pastry gently beside her. She planned to eat the chocolate frog and pastry in a moment.
As Skylar spoke again Elise listened to Skylar with interest. The mention of becoming an Animagus made Elise pause. Elise was impressed. Elise had been thinking about becoming an Animagus. She had not fully committed to becoming an Animagus yet.
“That sounds really difficult " Elise admitted. "Also kind of amazing to become an Animagus.”
Elise thought for a second. "I think I like Charms the most " Elise said. "Charms just feels useful I suppose. Charms is also a bit more predictable." A faint smile crossed Elises face. "I like knowing that if I do something in Charms it will work the way I expect it to. I also think Charms is cool because I am a muggle born. Growing up I did not think magic was real. Now I am doing magic in Charms.”
Elise glanced down at the sweets again before looking at Skylar.
“I have started to like Defense Against the Dark Arts " Elise added. "Even if Defense Against the Dark Arts can be a little intimidating sometimes. My favorite class is still Transfiguration though. I really like Transfiguration.”
Elise shifted slightly. Her expression was thoughtful but relaxed now.
“Flying I am still getting used to " Elise admitted quietly. "I am not quite as confident, with Flying. I need to practice Flying. ”
“Thank you " Elise said softly. A small smile formed on her face. "You really did not have to give me the sweets. I appreciate the sweets.”
Elise glanced down at the chocolate frog and pastry. She looked relieved that Skylar mentioned food. After a second Elise set the chocolate frog and pastry gently beside her. She planned to eat the chocolate frog and pastry in a moment.
As Skylar spoke again Elise listened to Skylar with interest. The mention of becoming an Animagus made Elise pause. Elise was impressed. Elise had been thinking about becoming an Animagus. She had not fully committed to becoming an Animagus yet.
“That sounds really difficult " Elise admitted. "Also kind of amazing to become an Animagus.”
Elise thought for a second. "I think I like Charms the most " Elise said. "Charms just feels useful I suppose. Charms is also a bit more predictable." A faint smile crossed Elises face. "I like knowing that if I do something in Charms it will work the way I expect it to. I also think Charms is cool because I am a muggle born. Growing up I did not think magic was real. Now I am doing magic in Charms.”
Elise glanced down at the sweets again before looking at Skylar.
“I have started to like Defense Against the Dark Arts " Elise added. "Even if Defense Against the Dark Arts can be a little intimidating sometimes. My favorite class is still Transfiguration though. I really like Transfiguration.”
Elise shifted slightly. Her expression was thoughtful but relaxed now.
“Flying I am still getting used to " Elise admitted quietly. "I am not quite as confident, with Flying. I need to practice Flying. ”
"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.” — Marie Curie
An Afternoon Outside
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Mentions: @Elise Hernandez WC: 214 xxx Hex code: #0050b4 ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Skylar smiles as she listens to Elise. Her presence is soothing. The way she talks and the way she hold herself indicates that she is in no rush. It is so vastly different from Skylar's animated and eager personality. As Elise continues to tell Skylar about her classes, an idea floats into Skylar's mind.
"I have an idea! What if you help me with Transfiguration, and I can help you with flying? And maybe we can study Charms together since we both enjoy it!" She suggests. Elise is nice, Skylar thinks to herself. She is also impressed at how at ease and smart she is, too, considering Elise is a muggle-born. What was it like when Elise had to switch from her muggle life to the world of magic? Being a wizard-born, Skylar has always wondered about the lives of muggle-borns. She is curious how they would react to the first instances of magic. Would they panic? Were they confused? Did they know beforehand?
"I have to say though, what was your life before Hogwarts? I'm just curious. How did your parent react when you had your first instance of magic? I am a wizard-born, so mine were not that shocked as they were already expecting it." Skylar asks, tilting her head in interest.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
sta • 5 | eva • 6 | str • 4 wis • 7 | arc • 7 | acc • 6 |
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Prodigal Flying Learner| Y2 | Y3 Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Y7 |
An Afternoon Outside
Elise listened as Skylar spoke, a small smile playing on her lips at her suggestion.
“That sounds like a good plan,” she said softly. I think I could use the help with flying.
There was a quiet hint of amusement in her voice, as if she already knew that she wasn’t particularly confident on a broom. Trading help seemed fair, and she seemed ok with that.
With the next question, Elise waited for a moment before answering. It wasn’t out of discomfort, but more of a question of where to start.
“Life before Hogwarts was… busy,” she admitted "Seven younger ones, to be exact.”
Her face bore a slight smile, which looked almost apologetic.
"There was seldom peace and quiet. There was always someone talking, or running through the halls, or needing something. I think I just got used to finding small moments to myself when I could – reading, or just sitting somewhere quieter.”
She looked down for a moment, and her fingers brushed against each other lightly, as if she was remembering it.
“So magic was never really an expectation for me,” she added. "I didn’t understand it at all. I thought I had seen it. It was small and didn’t add up to anything, so I just went on ignoring it.”
Her expression softened, thoughtful now.
I didn’t know how to tell my parents something I didn’t understand myself. And it didn’t happen frequently enough for it to feel… real, I guess.
She looked back at Skylar, her voice still calm.
“They were surprised when the letter arrived. Confused at first, as well. No one saw it coming. But they were supportive when they came to know it was not a mistake. I think they wanted to understand it as much as I did."
Elise looked into the distance for a moment and then gave a small knowing smile.
“But it was funny,” she said in a low voice. "Coming from a place where I thought magic wasn’t real at all to being surrounded by it every day. Magic still feels a little unreal sometimes.”
She shifted slightly, and her posture became relaxed again.
“But I think I’m getting used to it. Slowly.”
After a second, she tilted her head slightly and looked at Skylar with a quiet curiosity.
“However, how was it for you?” she asked gently. "What was it like for you, though, to have magic as something you already knew instead of something new?”
“That sounds like a good plan,” she said softly. I think I could use the help with flying.
There was a quiet hint of amusement in her voice, as if she already knew that she wasn’t particularly confident on a broom. Trading help seemed fair, and she seemed ok with that.
With the next question, Elise waited for a moment before answering. It wasn’t out of discomfort, but more of a question of where to start.
“Life before Hogwarts was… busy,” she admitted "Seven younger ones, to be exact.”
Her face bore a slight smile, which looked almost apologetic.
"There was seldom peace and quiet. There was always someone talking, or running through the halls, or needing something. I think I just got used to finding small moments to myself when I could – reading, or just sitting somewhere quieter.”
She looked down for a moment, and her fingers brushed against each other lightly, as if she was remembering it.
“So magic was never really an expectation for me,” she added. "I didn’t understand it at all. I thought I had seen it. It was small and didn’t add up to anything, so I just went on ignoring it.”
Her expression softened, thoughtful now.
I didn’t know how to tell my parents something I didn’t understand myself. And it didn’t happen frequently enough for it to feel… real, I guess.
She looked back at Skylar, her voice still calm.
“They were surprised when the letter arrived. Confused at first, as well. No one saw it coming. But they were supportive when they came to know it was not a mistake. I think they wanted to understand it as much as I did."
Elise looked into the distance for a moment and then gave a small knowing smile.
“But it was funny,” she said in a low voice. "Coming from a place where I thought magic wasn’t real at all to being surrounded by it every day. Magic still feels a little unreal sometimes.”
She shifted slightly, and her posture became relaxed again.
“But I think I’m getting used to it. Slowly.”
After a second, she tilted her head slightly and looked at Skylar with a quiet curiosity.
“However, how was it for you?” she asked gently. "What was it like for you, though, to have magic as something you already knew instead of something new?”
"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood.” — Marie Curie
An Afternoon Outside
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Mentions: @Elise Hernandez WC: 376 xxx Hex code: #0050b4 OOC note: Homework is literally frying me so bad right now ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡ ༺❀༻ ｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Skylar smiles softly as she listens to Elise. Her eyebrows rise at the mention of her seven siblings. By Merlin's beard, seven? Skylar cannot imagine how life would be with that many siblings. Being an only child, Skylar never experienced what it would be like to have siblings. She also does not have many cousins or extended family. It has really just been her, her mom, and her dad. Perhaps that is why she is so social to everyone. Skylar never got to have a close connection to someone, like a sibling or kin, so she searches for that connection in other people.
Skylar snaps back to attention as Elise asks her a question. "What was it like for you, though, to have magic as something you already knew instead of something new?”
Skylar tilts her head as she thinks about it. "Well... I guess it was not a surprise. If anything, it was expected. If you did not have your first instance of magic once you are seven, then most families start getting concerned. Every day after I learned about Hogwarts, I would try to channel magic in the most ridiculous ways. Obviously that does not work, since first instances of magic are accidental, but I would still try. I remember feeling more excited than worried when I finally displayed my magic. My parents treated it like a birthday celebration. We all had cake and went to watch a play. It just felt... normal."
She then shrugs as she finishes. "It is different for everyone, I suppose. I heard from a few of my pure-blood friends that it was actually incredibly stressful. Their parents would constantly ask them whether they showed any magic yet, and they would feel that magic is a necessity they must have. If not, then they are not worthy or something like that. Others already expect to get their magic, so they were just patient the whole time until one day, boom! They had magic."
"I am curious though. Did you hear about any tales of Hogwarts or just magic in general? My parents would tell me about these grand adventures of wizards and witches, as well as their magical school years. Did muggles have stories even remotely related to magic?"
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sta • 5 | eva • 6 | str • 4 wis • 7 | arc • 7 | acc • 6 |
Shop | ENCYCLOPEDIA | Gallery I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. |
Prodigal Flying Learner| Y2 | Y3 Y4 | Y5 | Y6 | Y7 |