4 Jan 2021, 10:03
How the Ink Flows
Open for interaction.
Gabriella peered round the door. Am I allowed in? she thought to herself. She shuffled a few steps further into the library. Nothing happened that might mean she wasn't allowed, and after all, she could see other students in there - working, reading, writing letters.
She walked over to a table quite a distance away. The bookshelves were huge, and there were so many of them packed tight with books - probably more books than Gabriella had ever seen in her life. She sat down at the table and pulled out her quill, ink and parchment, wondering for the fifth time that day why wizards couldn't just use pens like the rest of the world. Quills were so difficult to control...
Even so, she dipped her quill into the ink and began to write.
Dear Mum, Dad and Jacob,
A lot of things have happened since I saw you last, and that was only a couple of days ago. I've spoken to a few other first-years, and I haven't made any real friends yet, but it's only a matter of time. Classes are fun and I especially like Charms. It's obviously completly different from how I expected, but
Is that how you spell 'completely'? she thought to herself, confused. I'm sure there's another 'e' in there somewhere...
She crossed it out.
Completley, she tried. Compleetly. Completaly.
Nope. Still wrong. She sighed, angrily - she knew she could spell the word. C-O-M-P-L-E-T-E-L-Y? Yes, that sounded about right. She dipped her quill in the ink again, but as she drew it out, her quill caught on the rim of the bottle and the whole of the bottle toppled over onto the table, making a clink on the table.
The whole bottle of blue ink oozed out over the desk before Gabriella could stop it. It was everywhere; Gabriella was really panicking now. "Um - um..." The ink flowed all over her letter, drenching it in blue and making it unreadable. A few swear words appeared at the top of Gabriella's mind, but she decided it was best not to say them out loud.
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
4 Jan 2021, 19:26
How the Ink Flows
"Wow, thanks!" said Gabriella, impressed by this girl's magical knowledge. Not a single drop of blue ink was left, although her parchment did now have a kind of shrivelled texture. Guess that's what happens when it gets drenched in ink, Gabriella shrugged, tracing her hands over it. She sniffed her hands; it smelt funny, although she couldn't tell in what way.
"My name's Gabriella, but you can call me Gabby if you want. What's your name?" she asked, sitting down again and dipping her newly-cleaned quill into her ink bottle. "Oh, man - my ink's all gone! Don't suppose you know a spell for that, too?" she asked, jokingly, picking up the bottle and examining to see if she could find any last dregs of ink. Only two days in this place and you've already lost a bottle of ink, she thought to herself. Really good going.
She looked up at the girl who stood beside her, wand whipped out having just performed a spell. This girl learnt spells from her mother, Gabriella thought, sadly. Are all these wizard folk at such an advantage, or is it just this girl? she wondered. Am I going to fail all my exams, just because of my family's heritage? I sincerely hope not.
"My name's Gabriella, but you can call me Gabby if you want. What's your name?" she asked, sitting down again and dipping her newly-cleaned quill into her ink bottle. "Oh, man - my ink's all gone! Don't suppose you know a spell for that, too?" she asked, jokingly, picking up the bottle and examining to see if she could find any last dregs of ink. Only two days in this place and you've already lost a bottle of ink, she thought to herself. Really good going.
She looked up at the girl who stood beside her, wand whipped out having just performed a spell. This girl learnt spells from her mother, Gabriella thought, sadly. Are all these wizard folk at such an advantage, or is it just this girl? she wondered. Am I going to fail all my exams, just because of my family's heritage? I sincerely hope not.
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
5 Jan 2021, 03:54
How the Ink Flows
She rolled her eyes at the girl, who obviously did not seem able to focus on one emotion for a long period of time.
"Well, Gabby, I am Elliot Jones, and no, i dont know a spell for that. Now,whats bothering you. And do not try telling me your fine, your face clearly says other wise."
Reading peoples emotions and faces always came easy to me...its so easy to tell when someone is just pretending to be a certain emotion for me, but others just believe them and move on. Some people cant even read their best friends which seems peculiar to me, but never mind, they have their reasons im sure..
I lean back in my chair, and prop my feet up onto the table, waiting for her answer. I lean back more and more until
"BANG! CRASH!"
I lean too far back and fall to the ground. People turn to look and start laughing and giggling behind their hands. I blush out of embarrassment and stand up. I brush myself off, and make the chair stand back up again, and i just sit there as i was before, minus the leaning back, as if nothing ever happened, and wishing that it never did happen.
"Well, Gabby, I am Elliot Jones, and no, i dont know a spell for that. Now,whats bothering you. And do not try telling me your fine, your face clearly says other wise."
Reading peoples emotions and faces always came easy to me...its so easy to tell when someone is just pretending to be a certain emotion for me, but others just believe them and move on. Some people cant even read their best friends which seems peculiar to me, but never mind, they have their reasons im sure..
I lean back in my chair, and prop my feet up onto the table, waiting for her answer. I lean back more and more until
"BANG! CRASH!"
I lean too far back and fall to the ground. People turn to look and start laughing and giggling behind their hands. I blush out of embarrassment and stand up. I brush myself off, and make the chair stand back up again, and i just sit there as i was before, minus the leaning back, as if nothing ever happened, and wishing that it never did happen.
πΈπππΎππ π₯ππππ
5 Jan 2021, 07:50
How the Ink Flows
"Are you ok?" asked Gabriella, although she wasn't expecting a reply. Now she had run out of ink, Gabriella didn't really have much to do in the library besides sit and talk to this irritable girl. Anyway, isn't Elliot a boy's name, she thought, confused.
"Bothering me?" asked Gabriella. Nothing's... bothering me... I was just wondering whether there would be any other people here who already know spells. Because my parents are Muggles, you see, so I never really knew about magic, and I'm quite new to the school, so I don't really know how much of an advantage you wizard-borns will have. If I'm honest, I'm scared."
Why am I telling so much to this strange girl? she suddenly thought to herself, alarmed. How do I know I can trust her?
Gabriella stood up, not wishing to keep eye contact, and tried her hardest to keep a straight face. Unfortunately, it is a common fact that trying to keep a straight face is a good way to make yourself laugh, so Gabriella soon failed in that regard. Instead, she turned her attention to browsing books, seeing as she no longer had a bottle of ink with which to write a letter.
"Bothering me?" asked Gabriella. Nothing's... bothering me... I was just wondering whether there would be any other people here who already know spells. Because my parents are Muggles, you see, so I never really knew about magic, and I'm quite new to the school, so I don't really know how much of an advantage you wizard-borns will have. If I'm honest, I'm scared."
Why am I telling so much to this strange girl? she suddenly thought to herself, alarmed. How do I know I can trust her?
Gabriella stood up, not wishing to keep eye contact, and tried her hardest to keep a straight face. Unfortunately, it is a common fact that trying to keep a straight face is a good way to make yourself laugh, so Gabriella soon failed in that regard. Instead, she turned her attention to browsing books, seeing as she no longer had a bottle of ink with which to write a letter.
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
5 Jan 2021, 14:45
How the Ink Flows
I sigh. at an advantage? please. i just pretend like i know what i am doing. i think to myself.
"Nobody is at an advantage. If you can do magic, which you obviously can, because you're here, you're going to fit in just fine." i pause for a second. "And yes i'm fine." I see her seem to try to avoid eye contact with me. maybe i am just as unpleasant as i thought... but that's not a terrible thing to be now is it? Who cares if people like me... i don't need people. I look at the girl. She's nice though... it wouldn't hurt to make friends... i shake the thought from my head. what's the point of friends anyways? They always leave or hold you back... i make a face at an old memory, as a name drifts into my head. ruby... I try to suppress the memory of her and push her into the back of my brain, but i thought of her and now she's kinda stuck in my memory. not right now brain, I am trying to be somewhat pleasant. oh god, i'm talking to myself now. i must be going crazy.. I get lost in my thoughts and space out.
"Nobody is at an advantage. If you can do magic, which you obviously can, because you're here, you're going to fit in just fine." i pause for a second. "And yes i'm fine." I see her seem to try to avoid eye contact with me. maybe i am just as unpleasant as i thought... but that's not a terrible thing to be now is it? Who cares if people like me... i don't need people. I look at the girl. She's nice though... it wouldn't hurt to make friends... i shake the thought from my head. what's the point of friends anyways? They always leave or hold you back... i make a face at an old memory, as a name drifts into my head. ruby... I try to suppress the memory of her and push her into the back of my brain, but i thought of her and now she's kinda stuck in my memory. not right now brain, I am trying to be somewhat pleasant. oh god, i'm talking to myself now. i must be going crazy.. I get lost in my thoughts and space out.
πΈπππΎππ π₯ππππ
5 Jan 2021, 16:45
How the Ink Flows
"Ok, good," she said. "I guess I just didn't want to be at an advantage because of my heritage," she shrugged, but internally, she wasn't so sure.
Presumably, the wizards had found her because of the strange things that happened around her. All those times things had smashed when she was angry, for instance. But how could they be sure all those times weren't just coincidences? After all, things hadn't smashed every time she got angry. Just - most times. And, in fact, it wasn't just restricted to when she was angry, either. She thought back to one particular incident from when she went to visit her Auntie Melanie in America. Her aunt had scared her so much that the window had broken, and despite Gabriella swearing blind at the time that she had nothing to do with it, Melanie had banned her and her family from the house and they had to stay in a hotel until their return trip. Gabriella was still angry about that - she had only been seven, and it wasn't her fault.
Anyway, she thought, I'm probably just being paranoid about things. There are hundreds of muggle-born witches and wizards in this school. Why should I be any different?
She stopped browsing the books, and sat back at the table. Despite her... somewhat harsh demeanour, Gabriella could tell that the girl meant well, and she wanted to know more about her. "So what's it like with wizards as a family?" she asked. She imagined it was very different from growing up in a Muggle family - wizards seemed to have very strange traditions that must have seemed normal to Elliot growing up. For example, just the day previously had Gabriella seen a group of seven wizards flying in the sky on broomsticks. Elliot would probably know all about that.
Presumably, the wizards had found her because of the strange things that happened around her. All those times things had smashed when she was angry, for instance. But how could they be sure all those times weren't just coincidences? After all, things hadn't smashed every time she got angry. Just - most times. And, in fact, it wasn't just restricted to when she was angry, either. She thought back to one particular incident from when she went to visit her Auntie Melanie in America. Her aunt had scared her so much that the window had broken, and despite Gabriella swearing blind at the time that she had nothing to do with it, Melanie had banned her and her family from the house and they had to stay in a hotel until their return trip. Gabriella was still angry about that - she had only been seven, and it wasn't her fault.
Anyway, she thought, I'm probably just being paranoid about things. There are hundreds of muggle-born witches and wizards in this school. Why should I be any different?
She stopped browsing the books, and sat back at the table. Despite her... somewhat harsh demeanour, Gabriella could tell that the girl meant well, and she wanted to know more about her. "So what's it like with wizards as a family?" she asked. She imagined it was very different from growing up in a Muggle family - wizards seemed to have very strange traditions that must have seemed normal to Elliot growing up. For example, just the day previously had Gabriella seen a group of seven wizards flying in the sky on broomsticks. Elliot would probably know all about that.
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
5 Jan 2021, 17:42
How the Ink Flows
@Gabriella Haworth
i snap out of my thoughts and stare at her for a second while i register what she said. "oh well, My family is entirely pureblood, meaning my entire family is wizards. So i guess i wasn't that surprised to get my letter and um, it's pretty much the same as you i guess. except you guys have a bunch of stuff i don't understand... like whats a car? or a movie? or... what on earth is a television? "
It's kind of cool talking to someone who didn't grow up with magic. All my life i've been expected to be great at magic, my parents say I'll do great but I'm not so sure. She's grown up with cool devices and different ways of transportation that I've never been introduced to. I feel weird asking her these questions, like i should know them, but i don't. I was always taught that I'm better then muggles and muggle-borns, but Gabby doesn't seem so bad I guess. Maybe we aren't that different after all. Of course mom would die if I told her, so i'm going to have to lie to her about Gabby. I could just say shes wizard-born... Once we learn some spells she could pass... whatever it doesn't matter yet.
i snap out of my thoughts and stare at her for a second while i register what she said. "oh well, My family is entirely pureblood, meaning my entire family is wizards. So i guess i wasn't that surprised to get my letter and um, it's pretty much the same as you i guess. except you guys have a bunch of stuff i don't understand... like whats a car? or a movie? or... what on earth is a television? "
It's kind of cool talking to someone who didn't grow up with magic. All my life i've been expected to be great at magic, my parents say I'll do great but I'm not so sure. She's grown up with cool devices and different ways of transportation that I've never been introduced to. I feel weird asking her these questions, like i should know them, but i don't. I was always taught that I'm better then muggles and muggle-borns, but Gabby doesn't seem so bad I guess. Maybe we aren't that different after all. Of course mom would die if I told her, so i'm going to have to lie to her about Gabby. I could just say shes wizard-born... Once we learn some spells she could pass... whatever it doesn't matter yet.
πΈπππΎππ π₯ππππ
5 Jan 2021, 18:09
How the Ink Flows
Gabby laughed. "You don't know?" she squealed. Maybe I have advantages over her, too. "Well, a car is a huge metal thing that muggles use to travel from one place to another. I'm surprised wizards don't use them, actually, they're quite a staple part of life. Usually you can fit five people inside, but you can get big ones with seven seats, too. As for movies, they're films made by muggles that show actors acting out a story. And a television is what you watch movies on."
That was explained really badly, she thought to herself, but then I guess I've never had to question it before. These things have always just been - there.
She looked at Elliot matter-of-factly. "I think we should be friends," she stated. She didn't care that this way of making friends was somewhat unconventional - she was going to do it anyway. "You're wizard-born, I'm muggle-born - we could help each other to learn! It would be fun! Plus I can see we're pretty similar people. Plus I feel bad for thinking you unpleasant earlier, she thought, but didn't feel she could say that out loud. Anyway, Elliot didn't even know that was what Gabriella had been thinking.
That was explained really badly, she thought to herself, but then I guess I've never had to question it before. These things have always just been - there.
She looked at Elliot matter-of-factly. "I think we should be friends," she stated. She didn't care that this way of making friends was somewhat unconventional - she was going to do it anyway. "You're wizard-born, I'm muggle-born - we could help each other to learn! It would be fun! Plus I can see we're pretty similar people. Plus I feel bad for thinking you unpleasant earlier, she thought, but didn't feel she could say that out loud. Anyway, Elliot didn't even know that was what Gabriella had been thinking.
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.
5 Jan 2021, 18:32
How the Ink Flows
"Those sound... intriguing..." I'm a little startled at her blunt friend request but, maybe it's fine. "Uhhh i mean sure. But warning, my moms...a lot. she's very likely to invite you to our manor for the holidays and... she doesn't like muggleborns so you might have to pretend your wizard-born..." I pause. "Sorry i'm rambling." I would be lying if I said i wasn't scared.. I've never been able to be friends with a muggle-born.. Every decision on that matter was made for me. I hope my mother doesn't go on about how bad muggles are if she ever comes over... But I'm on my own now, she can't decide what I do here. I'm not going to care about her stupid rules anymore. We aren't any different besides how we grew up. Right? I was always taught they were worse but Gabby's nice, and we seem alike, like she said; Plus I can see we're pretty similar people.. "But I'm warning you, I'm a lot as well. A lot more then you know." i smirk at her. Maybe this wont be so bad after all. i hold out my hand for her to shake, because I always saw my parents do it when they came up in a situation like this.
πΈπππΎππ π₯ππππ
5 Jan 2021, 19:30
How the Ink Flows
"Your mum - doesn't like people like me?" blurted Gabriella, shocked, ignoring Elliot's outstretched palm. She had never even considered there might be people out there who hated her kind. She hadn't done anything... had she? Not that she knew of. How could this girl's mother judge her before they had even met? It didn't make sense to her - was this like wizard racism? She laughed internally at her thoughts. There was, thinking the wizarding world was perfect... but what did she know? Just the previous day, she had been talking to Joyce at the Ravenclaw Table and she had mentioned some Dark Lord that had come and terrorised the school. And he was a wizard... and he was bad... She wondered in what way bad. Did he hate muggle-borns too, she wondered?
"Why doesn't she like people like me?" Gabriella asked her, although she wasn't expecting a solid reply. And Elliot's words had confused her... "I'm a lot as well, a lot more than you know." Did this mean her new friend couldn't be trusted? What more was there to tell?
Maybe she was just being paranoid again. Reluctantly, she shook Elliot's hand, although she didn't understand why she was so unwilling. All Elliot had said was that her mum might not like her. That shouldn't stand in the way of their potential friendship.
"Why doesn't she like people like me?" Gabriella asked her, although she wasn't expecting a solid reply. And Elliot's words had confused her... "I'm a lot as well, a lot more than you know." Did this mean her new friend couldn't be trusted? What more was there to tell?
Maybe she was just being paranoid again. Reluctantly, she shook Elliot's hand, although she didn't understand why she was so unwilling. All Elliot had said was that her mum might not like her. That shouldn't stand in the way of their potential friendship.
Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.