17 Nov 2020, 22:34
Outside Breakfast
Winter was coming.@Dewey Hughes7th November, Breakfast time
Opeila could feel it everyday when she walked over Hogwarts' grounds. The air was cold, the sky grey-ish or white with clouds. On some rare days, the sun came through, but it was obvious that summer and fall were ending.
The Slytherin didn't mind. She had never held a grudge against the cold temperature, she just wished there would be snow soon. At least she didn't have care of magical creatures yet, so apart from flying, which was bad enough, she didn't have to spend too many hours outside. For a few minutes it was always nice. In the air, on a schoolbroom Opeila felt absolutely not safe with, she was always freezing in only a few minutes.
Where Opeila came back to school, dreading free time, she now welcomed it with open arms. She was adjusting. She could feel it. Healing. Slowly, but she was healing. Free time now only sometimes brought up unwelcome images, but rarely.
Being helpless, unable to do something about her fears was no longer a problem that kept her awake, but rather... a state of things. That was how her life was working now. And she had no choice but to work with it.
Opeila had a rather good morning. Or... well, comparably good. Numb was maybe more fitting. At least it was not bad, not at all. She even felt something that came close to motivation.
It was Saturday. That meant a lot of time to eat breakfast, no rushing from one class to the next. Maybe she could read a book today.
She turned around in her bed, facing the little curled up lump of fur on her blanket. "Good morning...", she murmured, gently letting her fingers run through the soft fur. Loras moved, stretched out his legs and yawned. Big yellow eyes looked at Opeila, who turned around again and got out of bed. The yellow eyes followed her on her way to the bathroom, stayed fixed on the door until she came out, fully dressed.
Opeila decided to take Loras with her. She was still happy with how their relationship had changed over summer. Loras had seen it all, the days where Opeila sat on her bed apathetically, barely moving a limb, the whole trauma. Sometime over the weeks, his dislike had gone away and suddenly he had jumped on her bed next to her and layed down on her legs. A source of warmth that had overwhelmed the Slytherin a little.
Opeila took her cat with her until the door of the great hall, where she put him down. "This is no-cat-area. You have to stay here. I'll be back." If it only was that easy. But after Opeila explained the no-cat-area a few more times, she could finally enter the hall without Loras following.
She didn't plan to stay, but go back out to have a hot drink at the lake. Like in her first year. Only a few moments later she walked back out, a little can with hot chocolate and a cup in her hands. "Let's go then!", she told her cat.
Together they made their way down to the lake.
Opeila sat down against her favourite tree. It was not too close to the water, but close enough so she could see fish when they came closer. Smiling the first year picked up a flat stone and let it skip across the surface. "Don't fall in, boy.", she just calmly warned her cat, who excitedly walked up and down the edge, staring at the way thr stone flew.
18 Nov 2020, 02:50
Outside Breakfast
That morning wasn’t the most welcomed for one Hufflepuff in particular. The chilling air that had begun to cultivate in the boy’s dormitory over the past few weeks kept Dewey drawn to the sweet respite of his bed. While the uniforms at Hogwarts were by no means cold, they were just incomparable to the comfort of being wrapped up in a thick blanket.
Dewey woke up to that same, familiar feeling. His hands wrapped in the fabric of his blanket as he subconsciously pulled it closer to his body, the feeling tempting him to stay in that cocoon for the rest of the day. It was Saturday, after-all. It wasn’t like he had any real schedule to abide by. His knees curled up further as he gave a soft sigh, his cheek pressed into the pillow as his eyes squeezed shut. The blanket pulled up to his cheeks. Just five more minutes…
It wasn’t long before Dewey was painfully aware of the sunlight that was entering the room. His nose scrunched as he rolled over, giving a bit of a huff as he tried to fall back asleep. Despite his efforts, the sunlight only grew stronger. By this point, he also began to feel another problem arising. His stomach began to rumble, giving him some proper initiative to actually get out of bed.
He slowly sat up, his blanket falling off of him as he gave a big stretch towards the ceiling. His eyes finally opened once he finished, giving a few blinks before he rolled out of bed to get ready for the day. He disappeared into the bathroom, only to emerge once he was in his robes. His hair was still messy with sleep, but really, what’s new? He gave another small yawn as he finally headed towards the door.
The dining hall wasn’t as busy as it was during breakfast throughout the week, most students seeming to follow a similar routine to Dewey. Despite the wavering crowd, there was still plenty of food to feed an army. The Hufflepuff plopped down at a table, eyes scouring over what was being served that morning. As he was preparing to fix his plate, there was something that caught his eye. Amidst the lethargic students that were taking their time preparing their breakfasts, there was one student who moved hastily in and out of the hall. What was more of note was what she had taken. While he was a fan of hot chocolate himself, he wouldn’t consider it an adequate breakfast on its own.
Why he decided to follow her was even a mystery to him. While he was a little concerned, he typically didn’t wish to invade anyone’s privacy. It was a quick decision though, it had to be to keep up. Only after grabbing some pastries from the table, wrapping them in a napkin, and shoving it in his pocket did Dewey get up from the Hufflepuff table. He followed the Slytherin girl out and into the halls of Hogwarts.
It took him a little bit to actually catch up to the mystery girl, but eventually he had made it to where she was heading. He looked out from this low perch and over the lake as he slowly approached the Slytherin. From a bit of a distance, Dewey decided to announce his presence with a, “Hello.” His timid voice was coated in that thick, Welsh accent as he continued to get closer.
Eventually, he made it to where he was standing next to where the girl was sitting. He looked out over the water, completely missing the sight of the cat walking along the edge. Not before long, Dewey looked back down toward the girl, giving a hesitant smile before he said, “I don’t believe we’ve met before, have we?”
@ Opeila Winters
Be safe, be happy, be healthy.
2 Dec 2020, 21:27
Outside Breakfast
@Dewey Hughes
For a few minutes, Opeila just got to enjoy the morning in quiet. Watching the sun rise up further and further, holding her face towards the warmth. Loras was still running up and down the edge of the lake, fron time to time putting one paw into the cold water, just to jump back from it again.
Well, the lake was getting really cold too, right? Opeila could see that some parts were already covered by a very thin layer of ice. Only a few more weeks and it would surely be thick enought to skate on it! Only Opeila was a terribly ice skater. The Slytherins had quite some talents, but keeping her balance on iceskates was none of them. At least not yet, who knew, maybe he could get someone to show her at some point.
The sound of a boy's voice caused her to turn her head. For a moment she thought it was Jack who had joined her, but this boy's accent was stronger. Opeila raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun before she answered. "Hello!" The face was vaguely familiar from walking past him in the corridors. Probably a first year, she couldn't remember having seen him too often.
The boy came closer and stood next to her, watching the lake. Opeila looked up to him. Was there something the boy wanted? His almost wordless appearance confused the girl a little.
Loras also stopped running up and down the edge of the lake and instead turned to the stranger, watching him warily.
The boy said the he thought they had not met before. "I don't think so either, no. Opeila Winters, Slytherin, second year. You are a first year, aren't you? Well, you're still giving me a sore neck if you make look up to you when we're talking. You gonna leave, sit down or make me stand up?", she asked. Her tone was friendly the whole time, she was not trying to be rude, but rather bluntly spoke her thoughts, still shielding her eyes from the sun.
For a few minutes, Opeila just got to enjoy the morning in quiet. Watching the sun rise up further and further, holding her face towards the warmth. Loras was still running up and down the edge of the lake, fron time to time putting one paw into the cold water, just to jump back from it again.
Well, the lake was getting really cold too, right? Opeila could see that some parts were already covered by a very thin layer of ice. Only a few more weeks and it would surely be thick enought to skate on it! Only Opeila was a terribly ice skater. The Slytherins had quite some talents, but keeping her balance on iceskates was none of them. At least not yet, who knew, maybe he could get someone to show her at some point.
The sound of a boy's voice caused her to turn her head. For a moment she thought it was Jack who had joined her, but this boy's accent was stronger. Opeila raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun before she answered. "Hello!" The face was vaguely familiar from walking past him in the corridors. Probably a first year, she couldn't remember having seen him too often.
The boy came closer and stood next to her, watching the lake. Opeila looked up to him. Was there something the boy wanted? His almost wordless appearance confused the girl a little.
Loras also stopped running up and down the edge of the lake and instead turned to the stranger, watching him warily.
The boy said the he thought they had not met before. "I don't think so either, no. Opeila Winters, Slytherin, second year. You are a first year, aren't you? Well, you're still giving me a sore neck if you make look up to you when we're talking. You gonna leave, sit down or make me stand up?", she asked. Her tone was friendly the whole time, she was not trying to be rude, but rather bluntly spoke her thoughts, still shielding her eyes from the sun.
4 Dec 2020, 03:36
Outside Breakfast
“Oh,” Dewey started with brows raised, realizing that the way she was holding her head up probably wasn’t the most comfortable. “I guess I’ll sit then, if that’s alright with you that is.” His arms fell loose at his side before he swept his hands beneath the bottom part of his cloak. The fabric was lifted just enough so that he wouldn’t risk crushing the sweets he had stowed away. With knees bent towards his body, Dewey sat down on the ground next to the stranger.
Well, technically she wasn’t a stranger anymore. Dewey now knew the mysterious Slytherin girl was Opeila.
Once he was situated, he gave a final brush over his slacks before looking up towards the girl. “You were right by the way. I’m a first year- Dewey Hughes.” Quickly, a flat hand shot up from his lap to reach towards Opeila. It was only polite to shake someone’s hand, he supposed. Especially if they’re your senior. That’s what he was always told at least.
“I’m in Hufflepuff, by the way. Uh- “His thoughts began to run a little quicker than his mouth knew how to keep up with. He wasn’t great at introducing himself to people he’s come to realize during the first few weeks of school. He looked away as he collected how he wanted to say what he wanted to say.
Then he looked back up towards Opelia. “I actually saw you leave the dining hall with your breakfast earlier, which is actually what prompted me to come out here.” He gave a rather easy smile before it dropped. His expression was filled with a touch of panic as he soon added, “Not in like a weird way or anything.” Expression softening, he continued, “I just thought you might want someone to eat breakfast with, that’s all. First-hand experience, I know it’s kind of lonely eating, well… alone.” He gave another grin before looking out once again.
For the first time he actually noticed the feline who was keeping a watchful eye on him. Dewey motioned towards the cat, “But I guess you’re not alone though, right?” He gave a short, quiet laugh before once again looking towards Opeila.
@Opeila Winters
Be safe, be happy, be healthy.
23 Dec 2020, 00:05
Outside Breakfast
@Dewey Hughes
"Thanks." Smiling, the Slytherin lifted her body up the ground a few centimeters, holding herself with her hands and feet on the ground, and moved to the side a little, so the boy could lean against the tree next to her. He sat down next to her, confirmed Opeila's assumption that he was a first year and introduced himself as Dewey. For a moment Opeila wanted to ask if that was a nickname, but she held herself back. What if he found such a question rude? It could be.
Dewey told her that he was in Hufflepuff. Opeila nodded. "Well congrats, Hufflepuff is a good house to be in. I have some friends there." Or did she still? Opeila was still not sure, where Willow and her were standing currently. "I am in Slytherin. You know, the house of the cunning and ambitious.", she said in a playfully dramatic tone. "How do you find Hogwarts so far? It's my second year and it still surprises me all the time. I start to believe that it is impossible to discover all the castle's secret in a human lifetime." She shook her head.
Opeila's eyebrows rose with surprise when the Hufflepuff explained that he saw her leave the great hall and that it brought him to come out as well. Not in a weird way, as he emphasized. Well, wasn't that interesting, so he did have weird thoughts about it. It was Opeila's logic, that everything that someone spoke out loud, was on his mind, no matter if he denied it or not. She caught herself denying that she thought something sometimes. And then she got embarassed of herself.
"Oh...", she started, when he said that he thought that Opeila might want some company while eating breakfast.
Telling Dewey that going outside during the meals was normally her way of fleeing company and people in general would have been rude for sure. It wasn't anything personal and she didn't want to spoil the Hufflepuff's morning by making him feel unwanted. Instead she glanced to her can of hot chocolate and the one cup. "I actually brought no food and I only have one cup... I often skip breakfast."
Dewey motioned towards Loras and said that Opeila wasn't alone. The young cat followed the boy's hand with his eyes. Opeila chuckled. "I guess I am not. He turned into quite god company over summer. He used to hate me."
"Thanks." Smiling, the Slytherin lifted her body up the ground a few centimeters, holding herself with her hands and feet on the ground, and moved to the side a little, so the boy could lean against the tree next to her. He sat down next to her, confirmed Opeila's assumption that he was a first year and introduced himself as Dewey. For a moment Opeila wanted to ask if that was a nickname, but she held herself back. What if he found such a question rude? It could be.
Dewey told her that he was in Hufflepuff. Opeila nodded. "Well congrats, Hufflepuff is a good house to be in. I have some friends there." Or did she still? Opeila was still not sure, where Willow and her were standing currently. "I am in Slytherin. You know, the house of the cunning and ambitious.", she said in a playfully dramatic tone. "How do you find Hogwarts so far? It's my second year and it still surprises me all the time. I start to believe that it is impossible to discover all the castle's secret in a human lifetime." She shook her head.
Opeila's eyebrows rose with surprise when the Hufflepuff explained that he saw her leave the great hall and that it brought him to come out as well. Not in a weird way, as he emphasized. Well, wasn't that interesting, so he did have weird thoughts about it. It was Opeila's logic, that everything that someone spoke out loud, was on his mind, no matter if he denied it or not. She caught herself denying that she thought something sometimes. And then she got embarassed of herself.
"Oh...", she started, when he said that he thought that Opeila might want some company while eating breakfast.
Telling Dewey that going outside during the meals was normally her way of fleeing company and people in general would have been rude for sure. It wasn't anything personal and she didn't want to spoil the Hufflepuff's morning by making him feel unwanted. Instead she glanced to her can of hot chocolate and the one cup. "I actually brought no food and I only have one cup... I often skip breakfast."
Dewey motioned towards Loras and said that Opeila wasn't alone. The young cat followed the boy's hand with his eyes. Opeila chuckled. "I guess I am not. He turned into quite god company over summer. He used to hate me."