The Day is Done
Location: the Great Lake
Tag: PV @Alexander Zolotov
Date: September 2nd, 2025
Time: 3:10pm
Word Count: 454
· · ─────── · ౨ৎ · ─────── · ·
Honestly, Corrine had no idea if she would’ve survived Defense Against the Dark Arts without Robin. Having a familiar face around helped ease her nerves greatly, and she was actually able to cast her first two spells ever, which made her truly happy. She had been worried that she’d embarrass herself for the first time, and while she certainly wouldn’t shame anybody else for struggling, it’s just entirely different when it’s yourself in the spotlight.
Thank goodness for Robin, she sighed in relief, stretching. Class had long since ended, and the boy had left after saying his goodbyes, leaving her there by her lonesome. Quickly, she brought her schedule, looking down the list. Today’s a Tuesday, she affirmed, her hazel eyes quickly moving to the classes listed for that day. Herbology, Transfiguration.. History of Magic, and then Defense Against the Dark Arts.
She blinked, surprised. The girl hadn’t even realized that DADA had been the last one, and here she was, bracing herself for another classroom full of kids she didn’t know how to talk to. Relief washed over her like a tsunami, and she sighed as she gripped the straps of her bag. I should head back to my dorm and sleep. A nap sounded amazing after a whole day’s worth of classes, and it’ll surely give her the energy she needed for homework. Making up her mind, she spared a glance out the window, only to stop in her tracks.
The Great Lake, under the rays of the sun, was glittering. Water had always looked magical like that, but the Great Lake seemed to be on an entirely different league on its own. Mesmerized, Corrine watched as she saw the faintest movement under the water. If she could see that at this distance, then it must be something quite large. A creature, perhaps? Her eyes moved from the surface of the lake back towards the grassy hills. There were only a few students there, and they were all minding their own business.
That gave her an idea. Perhaps, instead of confining herself in her dorm, it might do her some good to take a breather outside.
Without further ado, Corrine spent the next ten minutes walking down to the Great Lake. Once she was finally face-to-face with it, she sat down against the base of the nearest tree, relaxing as she watched the water ripples. It looked serene.
Unlike the disaster of this morning, the girl could only sigh as she thought back to her mistake regarding Alexander. Should she consider her friendship with him over? He seemed so upset, and she’d hate to make it worse if she tried to approach. Dejected, Corrine closed her eyes, just letting her thoughts wander.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."
The Day is Done
Location: the Great Lake
Tag: PV @Alexander Zolotov
Date: September 2nd, 2025
Time: 3:10pm
Word Count: 478
· · ─────── · ౨ৎ · ─────── · ·
Honestly, if Corrine didn’t feel at least somewhat tense, there’s no doubt that she would’ve fallen asleep. In an attempt to remain awake, she spent who knows how long staring into the distant horizon of the Great Lake. At this distance, there wasn’t any trace of movement like she had initially seen from the tower. A bit of a shame, really, since she’d been looking forward to seeing at least something.
It wasn’t long before exhaustion fully set in. The majority of it being mental, with only a bit being physical exhaustion. The upside to that was the lack of thoughts; everything felt blank and neutral. No room to overthink more than she already had today.
“..Corrine.”
She flinched, turning around quickly. Whoever had approached from behind knew her name and was silent, too silent!
However, seeing the person who had spoken only made her tense further. It was Alexander, who looked hesitant. The way he stood farther from her made her heart ache. Corrine wasn’t able to speak before Alexander continued hesitantly. He explained everything; how he didn’t mean to leave so abruptly and that he was just overwhelmed.
And that she didn’t do anything wrong.
Corrine struggled to believe that. She felt like she did, especially with the way Alexander had rushed away practically in tears. It’s only been a day since they’ve known each other, but it was more than obvious that the boy was uncomfortable with touch. So why? Why did she bother trying to reassure him in a way that she should’ve known would only mess things up further? If only she could rewind time.
The girl stood up, taking a hesitant step back. This time, she’d do it right. She’d give him all the space he needed from her, and more, if she could. Hopefully that’d work. Her hazel eyes fell to the ground, not wanting Alexander to feel nervous with the attention.
“I haven’t seen Robin since our Defense Against the Dark Arts class together,” Corrine quietly explained, her hand fidgeting with her robes. “We separated after. Maybe he’s back at the dorm.” She wouldn’t know about where their friend went, but that was the only idea she had. Maybe even the library, considering the boy’s similar love for books.
The silence that followed was long and awkward, with her not knowing what to say.
Finally, after a beat, she shakily mumbled, “I’m sorry. About earlier in the morning. I should’ve known that you weren’t comfortable with touch, and it was really stupid of me to do that—” The more the girl spoke, the more her voice shook as she felt her eyes tear up from shame. In an attempt to hide her now red eyes, she bowed her head.
She’s terrified of what her friend would say, if Alexander even considered them friends still. She could only hope.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."
The Day is Done
Reducio
NOOO shes crying! don't cry! oh sweet child its okay!
Alexander froze the moment her voice started shaking.
That
that wasn’t supposed to happen. MErlin no no NO!
His fingers tightened slightly around the strap of his bag, knuckles paling as he stood there a few steps away, like there was an invisible line he didn’t dare cross.
“I no...”
The words came out too fast, tripping over each other. He stopped, swallowed, tried againquieter this time.
“No, you didn’t...I… you didn’t do anything wrong.”
His gaze dropped to the grass for a second, watching the way it bent under his shoes instead of looking at her. He could feel tears build in his eyes Merlin why was he such a cry baby?.
“It’s just me.”
A small pause.
“I don’t… I’m not used to it.” His voice was softer now, sniffloing trying not to cry. “i just...The" he sniffled again "touching. It’s n-not bad it’s just” he shook his head slightly, frustrated with himself, “too much, sometimes.”
Alexander risked a glance up then and immediately wished he hadn’t.
Her eyes were red.
Oh.
Oh Merlin.
He shifted tears falling down his own face as he tried to whip them look what he has done he made a girl cry what kind of monster makes a girl cry?, all she wanted to do was comfort him and now his crying he wasn't a baby his 11 for crying out loud, He was clearly panicking now, like he’d been handed something fragile and had no idea how to hold it without breaking it further. People were are never his strong side.
“Please don’t” he started, “please don’t apologize.”
He pause.
For a long this time as he took a deep breath trying to calm down.
“You’re… nice,” he added awkwardly, like the word felt too small for what he meant. “You were trying to help. I know that. really I do”
His shoulders dropped just a little tension.
“And I didn’t leave because of you both,” he said quickly, almost urgently. “I just I said too much and then there were too many people and I couldn’t...”
He cut himself off, pressing his lips together, he was making this worse
Silence settled for a moment, filled only by the faint sound of the lake.
Then, hesitantly very hesitantly. he said this words quietly as Alexander shifted his weight again, still keeping that careful distance, but not backing away either.
“…if you still want that we could still hang out" he rubbed his eyes again "if your not ashamed of being with a freak like me,” he added, almost as an afterthought, voice smaller now. HE really didn't want to write a letter back to his brother saying he made a girl cry.
@Corrine Aelina
The Day is Done
Location: the Great Lake
Tag: PV @Alexander Zolotov
Date: September 2nd, 2025
Time: 3:10pm
Word Count: 374
· · ─────── · ౨ৎ · ─────── · ·
For a long, awkward beat, Corrine kept her head bowed, doing her best to hold in her tears. It was a gargantuan task, considering she had always been a crier. What didn’t help was that, despite the positive welcome she’s received, it doesn’t take away the fact that Hogwarts is an entirely new environment with little to no familiarity. It’s not home; her father wasn’t here—though she supposed that wasn’t out of the norm, given his work schedule—but her Nana and her Pops weren’t here either.
Nobody was here to give her comfort and stop her mind from being overpowered by negativity.
Stupid, stupid! The inner workings of her mind chided sternly. Stop crying! You’re making him feel guilty for something he can’t help. Even with her head bowed, her mind was clear enough to process the sound of Alexander sniffling as he shakily tried to explain himself. It broke her heart that the boy thought she had to; he truly didn’t, and especially not to the person who was at fault. She’d never blame him for the way he felt.
Corrine glanced up, her heart dropping. I want to comfort him, she thought to herself worriedly. Even if she herself wasn’t in the best state, she needed to calm down to be able to articulate that she wasn’t upset at him whatsoever. As her friend continued to ramble, she closed her eyes to take a deep inhale and held it only for a few seconds before exhaling. A few counts of careful, controlled breathing later, she turned back to the boy again, feeling much more composed.
“You’re really nice too,” Corrine started slowly, wanting to choose the appropriate words. “I like being friends with you. Please don’t think you have to explain yourself for leaving for your sake. I guess I was just worried that you wouldn’t like being friends with me anymore because I was stupid.” The last part was choked out, but she didn’t let herself waver for once and kept going. “You’re not a freak, and I don’t think you’ll ever be. I’d love to keep being your friend, if you’d let me.”
After the ramble, she flashed him a small, meek smile. Still a tad teary, but nonetheless genuine.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."