Closed After Hours/Early Hours - Charms Cramming

@Zoë Fresnel & @Piper Clark

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The Outfit

Starlee arose early this Saturday morning, which was typically unlike her. Normally, she would be wrapped up tight like a burrito until 11 AM, sometimes even 1 PM if she was really exhausted from the week. But today, she had a different mission. Final exams were looming ever nearer, and she still didn't feel like she was ready. Well... for some she was ready, like potions and herbology. Those would be no-brainers. But for others... like Charms, she was really worried. She had been slumped down on her desk in the classroom when Professor Fresnel announced she would be having a weekend charms study session, and her head perked off the table. This would be the perfect opportunity to get some more mentored and supervised practice, as she felt she desperately needed it.

So here she was, trudging her way up from the dungeons to the third floor, her messenger bag filled with her charms books and her wand. She had thrown on the first few things she saw and, caring more about being comfortable than looking cute, this meant it was her comfy joggers, a large t-shirt, and her white tennis shoes. She sighed audibly as she rounded the corner for the second staircase of her journey. 'No one should be up this early...' she thought as her white shoes trudged up the staircase.

She finally reached the Charms classroom just a few minutes before 9 AM. She had decided she would stay for the whole review to get as much out of it as possible. She the door was open and she peered inside around the corner of the door. "P-Professor Freznel?" she called, somewhat quietly, peering around the mostly empty classroom until she saw the form of the Charms teacher propped delicately on top of her desk.

She smiled when she saw her, and entered the classroom. "Good awwwwaaaahhhhh morning...' she said as she failed to stifle a large yawn in the middle of her greeting. She chose a desk and set her bag down on it, unloading her charms books and getting her wand out and ready. Rain was pounding against the large windows in the room as she prepared everything, and she did her best to suppress another deep yawn. Oh, how she wished she'd still been in bed at that moment. She stood there next to her chosen desk, wand in hand, waiting to see if more students would show.

Finding her eyes growing fuzzy from unfocusing, Zoë quickly found her attention pulled to the classroom door as a young voice broke the otherwise quiet classroom. A harsh ‘Z’ was pronounced in her name but it wasn’t uncommon for her first years to pronounce her name how it looked on paper as French was often a difficult language.

Deciding to let the mispronunciation pass as quite possibly the early morning was to blame, Zoë jumped off her desk, eyeing her coffee cup as the liquid sloshed inside but didn’t spill. Shaking her head to subconsciously wake up she ushed the girl in with a simple hand gesture.

The drawled-out good morning let a giggle slip from the Professor as she pursed her lips playfully. “Gooood moooorrrrnnniinnngg to you too dear!” She laughed again knowing full well that under her coffee manufactured enthusiasm she was feeling the same as her student.

“Starlee? Correct? I’ll be honest I am just awful and remembering names unless they are daily problems but I remember faces extremely well! It is wonderful that you decided to come in today and although the weather isn’t the most chipper for the day, we will make it work!”

Watching as the young girl chose a desk and set her things down, Zoë gave her a moment to prepare as she took another large gulp from her cup thankful she was smart enough to bring her large one today.

A small knock sounded on her door as Zoë looked up to see one of the house-elves peeking in. “Breakfast treats here for Professor Fresnel. Early treats for the sleepy students.”

“Oh! Yes! Thank you so much Volny! I completely spaced on that so good on past Zoë to tell you.”

With a gentle nod Volny walked into the class levitating several trays of doughnuts, cut-up fruit, muffins, and various cups of juice as she placed them down on a long table set up by the window.

“Thank you again Volny, you are a lifesaver!” Zoë praised as the house-elf nodded before leaving her and Starlee back alone in the class.

“Well food always wakes me up so feel free to help yourself to some breakfast goodies before we jump right into whatever spells you are needing help with love.” Zoë instructed as she eyed the strawberry doughnuts she knew Volny had placed on the tray just for her, a genuine smile gracing her cheeks.

@Starlee Kennedy | @Zoë Fresnel

Reducio

Outfit:

The week of final exams was a shadow in every first year's mind, unstoppable and inevitable. Among all of the school drama, festivities and dangers, Piper Clark was woefully underprepared for the exams that seemed outrageously future-deciding. Why, if she didn't pass these tests with flying colors, what would stop her from flunking all her exams next year? And the year after? And her O.W.L.s? For all Piper knew, her entire wizarding life as an outcast could be decided right here in her first year. There was not a single chance she could possibly allow herself to fall behind in her diligent studies.

The first-year Slytherin was often awake at unearthly hours of the morning to study (irking her fellow dormmates), and had been for the last month. Not only was she determined to catch up in her herbology and potions grades; she had set her mind on achieving complete mastery of her spellcasting skills. Ordinarily they were just fine, but no risks could be taken. Piper possessed one true talent in magic, and she would hone it to her best advantage. Furthermore, the dewy scent of early mornings was truly refreshing.

On this particular Saturday, Piper woke herself at five o'clock precisely and pulled out her Potions textbook. A telltale chill running through the dungeon caused a slight suspicion of rain in the back of Piper's mind, but she pushed the thought away and focused on studying the ingredients in the Cure for Boils.

At 8:50, it was time to prepare for a special event Piper was particularly looking forward to. Professor Fresnel had announced special office hours for her Charms students, and Piper was absolutely going to attend. Not that she really needed the help, but she did have a couple of theoretical questions to ask which she had forgotten last class. Additionally, more practice on her shaky spells could never hurt. Perhaps she could obtain information on what may be on the exam.

Climbing the stairs took longer than anticipated, Piper grumbling under her breath about lateness. It hadn't helped that she had made it halfway up the second floor before she realized she left her bag in the common room and had to go back for it. Her intuition about the rain was right, she noted as she passed the windows which showcased pounding rain and a stormy sky.

At long last, the Slytherin found her way to the door of the Charms classroom a minute after nine, appearance fairly polished. A sweater fit her torso snugly, and she wore jeans and sneakers. Her long, light hair was pulled loosely back into a ponytail.

Piper poked her head into the doorway to see if any company had arrived, and besides Professor Fresnel, the company was not as expected.

For a moment, a flash of anger overtook Piper, but this was quickly overridden by glee. Starlee Kennedy had arrived to office hours. Of course she would be struggling, with exams around the corner. This was the perfect opportunity to impress Professor Fresnel in front of that smug little fiend.

Aside from the people, Piper glanced at the tray of food and silently hoped it was for the guests.

"Hello, Professor." Piper gave a smile as she stepped into the room and pointedly looked at Starlee, who appeared as though she had just rolled out of bed. No wonder she'd be having trouble with exams; she wasn't getting up on time.

"I thought I'd come and review today."

Apologies for the wait! I've been hard at work on exams of my own.

@Piper Clark & @Zoë Fresnel

Starlee hadn't even realized the error in her pronunciation, as she attempted to rub some of the sleep from her eyes. She really should have put more effort into tidying herself up this morning, but that would have taking away time from this valuable practice, and Starlee certainly thought she needed it.

The professor greeted her cheerily despite her pronunciation mistake, and Starlee couldn't help but take notice of the Professors mood. How could she be so chipper? There was a reason her father called her 'the bear' in the mornings, and it certainly wasn't because of her regular bubbly demeanor. She was doing her best this morning though, desperate not to show everyone this more hot-headed side of her. She smiled back a bit awkwardly at the professor, saying "Yes, Starlee Kennedy!" and, as the professor continued, she nodded along. Starlee was also absolutely atrocious with names, but she appreciated that the professor could remember hers. She did have a whole seven years and four houses worth of names to remember, so Starlee couldn't blame her.

What happened next made the whole morning worth it (at least for the moment); A house elf entered the classroom levitating a few trays filled with various breakfast treats, and she couldn't help but start drooling slightly at the sight of the tray. She hadn't realized it until she saw the trays, but she was starving. She gave a nod to the house elf in thanks as she ran over to grab a doughnut and some juice. Man, just the treats alone would certainly make up for the fact that she had to wake up early! She took a huge bite out of the glazed doughnut, and her eyes froze as she caught who had just entered the classroom: Piper Clark. She choked on the bit of doughnut she had taken, covering her mouth and quickly turning in the opposite direction of the one that was her rival. Her long, messy and unbrushed, hair flew around behind her as she turned, surely gaining notice from Piper. She hoped, hoped, that Professor Fresnel wouldn't be pairing any of them up. Starlee wasn't sure what she would do if she was stuck with Piper for the whole review. And she wasn't about to leave, she needed to pass charms.

But that brought her to the question: Why was Piper even here? She was a goody two shoes when it came to charms lessons, always showing off when she could during their lessons - not like Starlee wasn't doing the same in Potions and Herbology, but that wasn't important now. What was important was hiding from Piper... and finishing her doughnut before the lesson started. She took another bite and looked toward Professor Fresnel with pleading and expectant eyes. She hoped that she could read minds.

Interacting With: @Starlee Kennedy and @Piper Clark

Zoë waited for Starlee to grab her breakfast goodies before making her way over to the table quickly claiming a strawberry frosted doughnut for herself. Nodding politely to the girl who was munching by the table, Zoë started to make her way back to her desk as the door once again opened to another student.

Debating on shoving the doughnut in her mouth, Zoë decided it was best to not let her natural personality spill out all at once as she begrudgingly set the treat down on her desk grabbing a napkin to clean her fingertips.

“Good morning! Yes please come in and find a seat! Oh and a breakfast treat - As they always say the early bird gets the best pick of the doughnuts.” She announced squinting her face at how weird that sounded coming out.

“Piper? Yes?” She inquired biting down on her lip as she was sure both the girls were Slytherins although with them not being uniform it was hard to confirm. “This is so exciting! First-ever Charms Early Hours and I have two students brave enough to face the morning. I’ll give you both a minute to eat and look over your notes and books to figure out what you want to practice today and then I think we will go right into practicals to keep you both awake. God knows no one wants to hear me lecturing this early…” She continued as her stomach quietly grumbled.

“Does that work for both of you?”

@Zoë Fresnel | @Starlee Kennedy

The look on the other blonde student's face was priceless. This would be fun. Of course, there could be no squabbling, only Piper's glorious victories. No, she would not need to rub in anything at all if - when - her classmate failed. Piper's mere presence was enough to make a few...lasting memories on the know-it-all's brain. This session would be purely for enjoyment, and one to fondly look back on.

Professor Fresnel's voice stirred Piper from her brief fantasies. The fact she remembered Piper's name was an impressive feat and one that made Piper feel unfamiliarly fuzzy inside. She puffed her chest, not in a conceited way, of course - conceitedness meant one acted as though they deserved something that they did not. Any praise or recognition that went to Piper was quite certainly deserved. What reason could Professor Fresnel possibly have for remembering Piper other than Piper's remarkable show of talent? A schedule, there is a schedule! Very good. The Slytherin despised when there was no itinerary for the day, leaving her to wander about wondering what to do.

Even more encouraging was the presence and invitation of food. No time was wasted in treating herself to a soft-looking muffin and cup of juice. The first-year also scornfully took note of Starlee's unhealthy doughnut choice. She probably was the sort of person to never eat healthy unless her parents made her. Hard to know, what with her ridiculous plant obsession. Either way, a response was warranted. "Thank you, professor. Works for me! Though, I wouldn't mind any lectures." Piper took a seat on the hard bench across from Starlee and pulled out her books and notes, though she was confident she wouldn't need them.

Flipping through her neatly organized notes, with less-than-legible handwriting, she tried to find a spell that needed practice. The Umbrella Charm was a newer concept, and Piper sometimes had difficulty ensuring it worked. After swallowing a bite of the fluffy pastry, she looked up and announced, "I think I could use some extra work on the Umbrella Charm; sometimes it doesn't quite turn out. What about you, Starlee?" Although she wanted to show Starlee who was boss, she was still here to practice for success in the exam.

@Piper Clark & @Zoë Fresnel

Starlee did her best to ignore Piper coming into the room, but with it being only the three of them, it wasn't the easiest of tasks. Especially when Professor Fresnel addressed Piper directly. Of course she would know Piper's name, it wasn't like she didn't suck up to the professor every chance she got. Starlee had completely forgotten at this point that the professor did recall her name too, but it seemed most logical thought left Starlee once Piper was involved.

Starlee slid down onto the bench, quickly trying to finish up the doughnut she had grabbed. Her attention was now entirely focused on Professor Fresnel as she gave them a quick rundown of what the morning was to entail. To this, Starlee had mixed feelings. Sure, a lecture this early in the morning probably wouldn't be the most conducive for her, as she was likely to fall asleep, especially after that carbo-loaded doughnut, even with the attempts of a sugar-high to stop it. But then the actual practical sounded terrible as well, albeit just what she had come there to do, mainly because of a certain someone's presence.

She nodded after Piper, saying "Yes... I- I definitely need some practical work! She stuttered, mentally cursing herself. Being in this solitary setting with Piper was really throwing her off. 'C'mon Starlee, get it together. Ignore her and just keep focused on the task at hand.' Another thought crossed her mind; this wasn't like the fateful incident in the greenhouses where their enemyship began. There was a professor present and obviously one that was skilled enough to be teaching their charms lessons. Starlee began to feel a bit more confident about things.

All these thoughts were going through Starlee's head as Piper finally landed upon the spell she wished to review: the Umbrella Charm. It was a newer spell to most of the class, taught fairly recently. Sure, it wasn't the most complex, with a pretty basic usage, but who knew what would be on their exams, so better to practice as much as she could.

"I agree, Piper, my Umbrella charm could certainly use some work as well." she stated, in a rather matter of fact tone. "Think we could start there, Professor?" she asked, returning to flip through her notes to find the incantation.