Message to a Stranger [Open][Closed] - Grounds

4 Oct 2020, 15:29

Solo. Can be open to one.
24th October 2020

It was an idea Sarah had once read about in a book. It had been one of the few things she’d managed to acquire from the muggle world which her father had not found and confiscated, and Sarah had read it cover to cover more times than she’d dare count. It had spoken of a young girl who’d befriended a stranger – a boy who’d found a letter she’d sent. The pair had become fast friends, exchanging letter after letter, though they never met, never even knew what the other looked like.

Sarah didn’t have people she could talk to – confide in. She had few friends, and other than the occasional letter she sent to Great Aunt, she had no family to talk to either. None she wanted to talk to, at least. She struggled meeting new people. It wasn’t that she was nervous around strangers, nor that she didn’t try to initiate conversation. It was that she was overall, rather intimidating. Everything about her could be seen as off-putting: her vibrant green hair made her seem wild, her sharp features were unapproachable, her Slytherin robes often led to those from other houses giving her a wide-birth, and her name – Lightwood – was one which was so closely linked to her father’s prejudices that it was difficult to escape.

It meant that she’d never managed to find someone who she’d grown close enough to, to actually have a deep conversation with. She had so many things swimming round her head, so many thoughts and opinions which wanted to escape, but they had nowhere to go. So, Sarah had an idea, one inspired by her favourite book, to write a note to a stranger and see if without her name and house and features collectively putting people off, whether she’d be able to make a new friend. She’d leave it somewhere, hidden well enough to not be found immediately, but obvious enough for it to eventually be found.

Hello there,

So, you decided to give me a few minutes of your time to read my note. I guess I should first say thank you for that. I’m not sure when this will be found. The hiding spot seems good enough, I just hope it wasn’t too good. Still, if you’re reading this then I suppose it was adequately hidden. I wanted to write down a few things which have been on my mind lately, and once you’ve finished reading this, you feel like replying, please do. Just leave your letter here, in the crack of this stone, where you found mine. It could be fun! An anonymous pen pal of sorts, because I would rather stay anonymous for the moment.

Anyway, I got carried away a little there. Basically, I wanted to get this off my mind. I received a letter from my father yesterday. He’s a stern man who holds very strong opinions which I have never agreed with – of course, he despises this. He’s never wanted me to attend Hogwarts, claiming a school which allows anyone other than Pure Bloods to attend would be detrimental to my education. Considering I’ve never received anything lower than an E; I’d claim otherwise. Not that he’d listen if I ever tried to argue this. I think he only allows me here to get me out of the manor. I just can’t stand his bigoted ways anymore, keeping my anger hidden is eating me up, but there’s nothing I can do.

Another thing, I’ve always been surrounded by adults. There was my brother, but he… well, never mind that. My father loves hosting lavish events with equally prejudiced individuals who look down on me for not sharing their views. It means I’m great at sneaking around and irritating adults, but it leaves something to be desired when it comes to my socialising with people my age. I’ve not many friends, none who I can share my anger towards my father with and trust that it’ll stay behind us. I suppose that’s partially why I wish to keep this anonymous – there’s no chance of my secrets being spilled. But, it’s nice to think that someone knows, even if you decide not to write back.

There’s not much else I can think to write now. I’d really like someone to talk to, about absolutely anything if you had any ideas? If you’d like to, please leave your reply here and I look forward to reading it. if not, thank you for giving me the opportunity to get a few things off my chest,

-Emily
Sarah signed the note, reminding herself not to use her real name, before sliding it in the crack of a stone at the foot of a large oak tree. If anyone was to wander this way and glance at the rock, they’d see the letter, but she knew that this corner of the Hogwarts grounds was one often left untrodden by most students. She’d found it when she’d wanted some peace and quiet and decided to walk to an empty enough area. She thought someone else might perhaps do the same thing and find her letter. Even if no one replies, I’ve gotten it off my chest. With a final glance at the stone and tree, she turned to make her way into the Great Hall for dinner.

Last edited by Sarah Lightwood on 9 Oct 2020, 19:18, edited 1 time in total.

Violet Tyler

First year, Ravenclaw

87 6

9 Oct 2020, 02:05

I glanced around at the trees near me. I was glad that this place seemed secluded, my ability to interact with anyone had already been far exceeded. I was horrible in any social situation and after a stressful day of classes, I didn't even want to try to talk to the people in my dorm room. I smiled a bit at the nice breeze then something caught my eye out of the corner of my vision. I squint and lean down to see what it is. It looks like a piece of parchment hidden in the crack of a stone. Curiosity, as always, gets a hold of me and I reach down and grab the paper and smooth it out. Its a letter. I read through it quickly wondering why it's here.

I empathize a bit for the girl as I finish reading it and in the spur of the moment, I realize maybe an anonymous pen pal could be good for me. I mean I might not even screw this up like I usually do with friendships. I had always been better at writing than talking. I had more time to filter out all the weird things that sputtered out of my mouth when I was desperately trying to fill a conversation. And with a laugh, I realize if I do say something dumb it's not like they'll know it's me who said it. Because if she's going to be anonymous so can I.

I grab a pencil from my pocket and sit down to write a reply,

Dear, Emily

I wonder if that's her real name? I think.

Hi! As you can tell your note has been found. And since I am writing this I did feel like replying. I'm obviously curious why you want to be anonymous but I'm not going to ask and you can guess for yourself if the name at the bottom is my real one or not. You seem to thnk you got a little carried away at the beginning of your letter. I can only assume you must be an amateur at going on tangents. I can assure you that that was not even close to getting carried off-topic. I go on so many tangents that I could write a novel with them. I think I have the attention span of a fly. As for your father, I'm glad you got away from that house to go to Hogwarts. Honestly, what do that pure bloodeists have against us muggle-borns (oops forgot to mention I'm a muggle-born) what does he think we're going to do? We've been around since forever and your magical ways still seem perfectly intact. *eye roll and dramatic sigh for those poor purebloods who will never get to meet the awesome muggle-born me* On a more serious note why can't you do anything? You can't stand up to him at all? What does your mother think of this?

Looking at the rest of her letter I consider asking about the brother she mentions but I don't want to intrude too much so I don't.

You don't have to answer those questions if I'm prying too much. On a positive note at least you have the excuse of always being surrounded by adults for your bad social skills I think mine are just innate.

But you seriously can't tell any of your friends about your dad? I mean are they even really friends then?

Hmm, ideas for things to talk about. I'm sort of lacking in those. I would ask what house you're in or what year but I'm not sure how anonymous that would be. So, how about do you like quidditch? Have any pets? What about, favorite class or favorite animal. Hope some of those will make good situation starters.

I think a bit about how to sign it then I decide on.

-Andrea

Yeah, Andrea. Andrea sounds like someone mysterious. Someone who's funny and cool. Maybe with wild hair colors. Some pretty, thin tall smart. Someone way more interesting than me. I take the note and put it back in the stone deciding to come back tomorrow to see if anyone replies.

Violet Eleena Tyler

Sarah Lightwood

Fourth year, Slytherin

609 279

15 Oct 2020, 23:49

@Violet Tyler

Hey, I'm really sorry for the delay in replying to this. I've repeatedly gotten distracted and not had the time to reply. My responses should be a lot quicker now though, if you choose to reply again.

It had been a few days since Sarah had left her anonymous note out in the wild. She’d been putting off going back to it, unsure whether or not the idea of someone replying was something she liked. It had of course been her initial intention for someone to maybe find her letter and reply, but the longer she left it, the more anxious she got about someone reading her thoughts. On the third day, Sarah had managed to convince herself to make her way down to the large tree she’d left her parchment beneath, slipping between the small groups of students who were lazing around the courtyard unseen.

She could tell her note had been replaced the second her eyes caught sight of the large rock beneath the tree. The edge of parchment peeking out of a different crack than the one she had used. Her heart-rate had increased rapidly in a mix of nerves and excitement as she sat down against the tree and took the note. She hesitated for a final moment, before opening and reading the letter.

I can only assume you must be an amateur at going on tangents. Sarah found herself grinning at the words, taking them as a challenge more than anything else. If this person thought she was an amateur, she’d just have to prove them wrong. Maybe she could tell them about the essay she’d written for Charms which was supposed to be about the history of the Freezing Charm, but she’d instead written about a game she’d used to play with her brother in which you’d sneak up on them and try not to be seen moving. Unsurprisingly, she’d had to rewrite that essay - twice. She chuckled at the memory, before continuing to read the letter. When she'd glanced over it, she started her reply.

Hi Andrea,

Thanks for replying. I wasn’t sure whether someone might just find my little note and discard it. I suppose it’s somewhat heartening to find that at least someone is interested in what I have to say. At home, father and his ‘fancy business partners’ wouldn’t think so. The house elves like to listen though.

Oh, and by the way, I am certainly not an amateur at going off on tangents. And yes, I am definitely taking that as a challenge. I think it started because of my father. He’s a firm believer of ‘children should be seen and not heard’. I actually think he believes everyone should go unheard actually, he doesn’t like people very much. The amount of times he threatened to have my mouth sewn shut! I think he was joking, or maybe I just haven’t pushed far enough yet. I guess I have that to look forward to at some point. Oh, the joys of having a pretentious arse for a father. He just always See! I told you tangents are my speciality.

Anyway, I have no idea why he can’t see that muggles are so vital. I mean, the other day I heard about the internet. It’s amazing! Though I’m sure you already knew that. It doesn’t make sense to me why the Wizarding world in general hasn’t taken a few tips from the muggle world - probably because its ran by those Pure-Bloodeists you spoke about.
At the mention of her mother, Sarah paused. She didn’t speak of her mother or brother often. Their deaths were still so fresh in her mind, despite being over four years ago now. She could still remember everything about the day - the fire. She shivered, willing herself not to mentally slip back into that day. She’d managed to go over a month without a panic attack and it wouldn’t do to have one out here now. Still, she wanted to tell her new penpal something, at the very least.

My mother passed away a few years ago. She didn’t hold his strong opinions but she had to stand by her husband. It’s just the way Pure-Blood families work - the women stand by the men, and that should include the daughters too. Another ridiculous custom if you ask me. Her death, and my brother’s, it’s not something I talk about, perhaps I should, but it’s hard, you know? I still find myself waking up some mornings and forgetting that they’re gone.

Well, that was morbid. *awkward chuckle*.

But yes, poor social skills being explained - always a silver lining. It’s not that I can’t tell anyone, I know some of my friends would listen and understand. I guess I just don’t want him to sour my life here as well as at home. I don’t know if that makes sense, sorry.

I love quidditch, though I’m not a player. I love to watch the sport, and I love to fly. There’s something overwhelmingly freeing about being on a broom. What about you? Are you an up and coming Quidditch star? I have a cat, she’s wonderful. I’m actually sat petting her write now as I write this letter. Cats are my favourite animal, though I’ve always loved the idea of having a pet dog. It’s not very common in the wizarding world to have a dog, but I think they’d make a fabulous pet. And my favourite class is Charms, I just love the idea of learning every spell there is to know. Maybe it’s the perfectionist in me.

Okay, your questions. Favourite colour? If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be? Do you collect chocolate frogs? What about siblings, and do you get on better with your family than I do? not that that is a particularly difficult feat.

I hope to hear from you again.
Warmest Regards,
- Emily
Sarah signed the note with a small smile. There was something so exciting about this whole thing. And ‘Andrea’ seemed like a nice enough person. She hoped she’d hear from the girl again. And with a final glance over her note, she slipped back into their hiding spot and walked away.

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