The End of a Long Year PV Closed

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Interacting with @Santario Martin @Dakota Olson @Howard White

Another big bite of her snack, high chance that there will be some chocolates on her teeth. Her summer will be a bit exhausting with all of those training, then camp. Not to mention the headliner slumber party at the chief’s manor, which would be interesting since a certain person will also be there. The butterfly in her stomach, however, will be hard to contain. It was not her fault he was such a beautiful young boy. Her lips curved upward slightly as she imagines the whole night with the person she fancy. Well, not fancy. In fact, she did not know what it was. Then, the short haired girl’s question snapped her back to reality. Bleach. What did she mean by that? Why is it important to sterilized my hair? Of course the Ravenclaw did not know about any of that. A bleach in her mind was a cleaning supply. Covered her mouth with her hand, just in case her teeth were covered in chocolates, “O-oh, I don’t know-“, She shrugged, “My stepdad promised me to do it, so, I guess I’ll just have to put my faith in him for once.”

Lizard. Although they are pretty adorable, no doubt, the brunette did not have a single clue on how to take care of the reptile. Was not sure if her mother would let Aurora buy a lizard instead of a cat since that was not the original plan. They have many advantages, no furs, means no allergy. “That’s actually a good idea, might not have to deal with daily asthma attacks.” But what if her body will react negatively once their skin touched? Instead of asthma, what if the lizard bite will turn me into a half lizard? Sounded impossible, though the idea scared the Ravenclaw a bit. “But cats are cute, so, a sacrifice has to be made, I guess?”

Santario was not mean after all. Intimidating on the outside, maybe she has the heart of a hello kitty. No one really ever gave her compliment except her mom and her muggle friend, and hearing another person said a nice thing about her plan was a nice feeling. Technically, the older student was not complimenting her per se, but it was still a positive thing. Aurora sheepishly smiled, “Ah, thanks” then took another bite. America, huh? The young girl had never gone to any other place except France, though, that was a long time ago, visiting the Ranvier seniors. “All of that sounded exciting.” From staying in an empty manor, farm, to the bakery, hopefully everyone will have such a wonderful holiday. “I will be joining in a sleepover as well, b-but most of them are older students so, I’m a bit nervous”

The brown eyes shifted back at the boy’s rather unusual fashion style. Sure, as she thought before, it was cool. But what’s up will all that shades and cover up? There were some people she knew that were sensitive to the sun, especially those who have little pigments on their skin, easily burned. The shade perhaps just an accessory, or maybe he spent a lot of time in the dark. Just like that feeling when she was having her beauty sleep in her dim bedroom, then her mother woke her up by opening the curtain, but in the boy’s case, more severe and prolonged. That could be the reason why. The compartment might be too bright for him, then Aurora decided to say, “I-is it okay if I close the curtain?” she paused for a bit, thinking of an excuse. “It's a bit too bright, i think.”

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Having been looking through her satchel when the conversation picked up again, Dakota turned her gaze upwards. Blinking as she listened to it, her blue eyes would switch between whoever was talking. When Howard had directed a question towards her, Dakota parted her lips to speak before she realized Santario was speaking again. Taking in a light breath, Dakota listens to the next set of talk, nodding along as she does. Once Aurora asked her question, Dakota blinked towards her “I’m fine with that,” of course, she would have to get approval from the others in the compartment, but Dakota didn’t mind being in a darker space.

After a moment or so, Dakota turned back to Howard and Santario, taking in a soft breath as she recalled where her family’s farm is. Tilting her head, Dakota parted her lips yet again to speak “Oklahoma, they use to grow tobacco then ended up switching to crops,” closing her bag Dakota shook her head “and I’m not from there, my dad was and then moved to Scotland.”. Running her thumb along the leather Dakota fell quiet, thinking about her next response. Turning back to the other three, Dakota now placed her hands in her lap, seeming to be slowly relaxing as she spoke “those all sound amazingly fun.”.

@Aurora Ranvier
@Howard White
@Santario Martin

@Santario Martin | @Dakota Olson | @Aurora Ranvier

Howard's uncharacteristic enthusiasm seemed to draw a raised brow from Santario, but he wouldn't think twice of it. The stress and anxieties of life at Hogwarts was beginning to slip away. Like a weight being lifted off his shoulders every moment the train moved further from the castle would bring a sense of ease. Apparently he was not the only one that was ready for some relief as Santario too expressed thanks for summer's reprieve. Although Howard would assume that she meant her classwork, his idea of a break would align with her unspoken meaning. One never knows just how much something is affecting them until they can take a step back and get a different perspective. If her year was anything like his they could surely relate with each other.

Howard's knee would idly bounce as the conversation shifted to dyed hair. Something he had always thought of as a "girl's" thing, but he had to admit his time at Hogwarts had opened his mind to many a things. Long fingers would slide through his hair as he thought of what colors might suit him. Red to match his eyes? Maybe blonde or platinum to further accentuate them? He would shake the thought away as Santario mentioned leaving France behind for the shores of Ireland. Sounded quite nice really, except for when she mentioned work? "Really? You gotta work over break? What a drag." Howard's tone carried just a slight hint of harshness as he questioned her. It wasn't really the idea of spending your free time at work, but the idea of doing so in a bakery reminded him of his family and that was a touchy subject.

Fortunately the conversation would quickly shift to Aurora's choice of pets. Howard would only offer a shrug as she claimed to be willing to trade years of allergies for a bit of cuteness. "Nothin' to be nervous about." He replied as she went on to speak of a sleep over. Judging by her age there was a possibility that it could be her first one. Howard himself hadn't had many before he was shipped off to Hogwarts, but now that he thought about it that seemed like a sleep over that just lasted most of the year. Late night whispers in the dorm, sneaking about when the adults went to sleep, evil Hags and shadow monsters in the basement. The similarities were endless....well...if your sleepover was held in a classic B rated horror movie, but anyways. "Feel free." Howard agreed to closing the curtains. The less sunlight the better, especially for a Dhampir.

"Oklahoma?!" He couldn't quite keep the surprise from his voice as Dakota spoke further of her American family. Might as well have been some wildly exotic location from a travel magazine for all he knew. Just as he was about to ask what it was like there she would explain that she wasn't from there. "Yeah, but what's it like. The states? Why move to Scotland?" His enthusiasm for knowing more about the U.S. mixed with his confusion. It always seemed odd to him that someone would move that far away from where they were from. America had a magic school. They had plenty space for witches and wizards to hide. Why move? Why to Scotland?

Howard would again shrug as Dakota praised his summer plans. "Yeah, should be alright. Girl I'm stayin' with lives on some stinking' pureblood estate. Says her family barely pays any attention. Sounds like a dream to me. 'Bout time for some damn peace and quiet." He was almost guaranteed to have none of it considering who he was staying with, but a few weeks away from prying eyes still sounded sweet.

Interacting @Howard White @Dakota Olson @Aurora Ranvier

Kahlan Reducio

Outfit Reducio

“Work may be a bit of an overstatement. Kind of my choice to be there. Something to do with my grandparents, and I do love to bake. I do plan to spend a good portion of my time wandering the countryside, taking photographs, lying on the roof in the middle of the night watching the stars and all that jazz.” She responded to Howard though she left out going to the Beckett Summer Ball on the 10th of July. “Looking forward to getting a new journal for duelling statistics and some different colored ink cartridges for the neat muggle quill.” She held up the fountain pen that was still in her hand before setting it back down on the green leaf pattered journal in her lap.

“Your step-dad seems like a nice guy then.”She said to Aurora before reaching behind her and rubbing the tip of her finger gently over Kahlan’s head as the lizard became sleepy. “Get some sleep.” San whispered to her before Kahlan pulled her head back behind the curtain then hid the rest of her body. Santario had already closed the curtain on her side of the compartment for Kahlan and Howard. Truth be told, doing it for the lizard was a ruse to do it for Howard, so she did not really care if Aurora closed the other side. “I live in the dungeons. The darkness does not bother me; please feel free.” She echoed everyone else in their confirmation. Besides, it was not the darkness that should disturb but the things that dwelled in them, like shadow spiders flying at your face. Howard also probably fell into the category of things that went bump in the night, but there was nothing about him that she feared.

She would remain quiet and observe Howard and Dakota in their exchange about the states. Santario was clueless about America, but she was just as interested as Howard was. “I have heard they have a whole state that is bigger than standard countries here are.” It was the only thing she knew, and she was not even sure if it was true. It seemed like a farfetched statement, to be sure.

When Howard commented on his manor stay again, it piqued her curiosity. “Sounds like my home in France.” Home was not the right word. It was where she lived; it was not home. “I could have Healy in there, and no one would notice.” Of course, a reference to his Quidditch Captain and House Prefect Quinn Healy. The boy had to be going on nine feet tall by now, she was not actually sure, to be honest, and now she wanted to measure how tall he was when they got back to school. She would probably have to combine a few measuring tapes to do so, though. “Who are you staying with, if I might ask.” If he decided not to tell them, she would shrug it off; it was his business anyway.

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Nice guy. Was he a nice guy? In all honestly, there was absolutely no reason for her to hate him. Josh was patient enough to handle Aurora’s grumpiness and unreasonable hatred. Their relationship was not the best, because one of them trying while the other locked the door. As a matter of fact, all of his kind gestures were seen as fabrication. There must be some motives, hidden, of course. Something malicious that he wanted to achieve by marrying a witch when clearly, he couldn’t appreciate magic. The truth was, the girl desperately searching for any foolish reasons to back up her animosity. False accusation. Shifting her gaze at the lizard owner, “not the best one, but, maybe?” she shrugged.

Fear. A monster that was caged inside your mind, ready to break free and terrorize whenever you meet the trigger. There was no denying, after what happened in the Ravenclaw tower, seeing people got bitten by that hideous spiders, her fear of darkness upsurged. It was not the lack of light, no. The uncertainties, the unknown, often played tricks in her brain. The compartment was now covered in a blanket of the dark. It was the time for her consciousness to go wild. Aurora positioned herself into a more comfortable position, and then she realized there was something on one of her legs. Something small, it seemed to be crawling up, and up, and up. The red panic button turned on, making the girl jumpy and agitated. Her hand grabbed on the wand inside her tote bag, while the other tried to open the curtain once again in a swift motion. at least to let the light on her even just a tiny bit. A little shriek, sharply drawn breath could be heard from the Ravenclaw direction. “Ah!” There was no evil spider, or any monster, far from danger, maybe. It was her own bag that rubbed against her skin. “S-sorry, c-change of plan” She put her wand back inside, put her leg up on her chest, hugging it, while trying to appear as calm as she possibly could.

Her lips were zip tight, though, she was tuning in on every words that came out from the others’ mouth. Bakery, Manor, French, America, States, Oklahoma, suddenly did not caught her attention anymore. Even chocolate couldn’t fix her mood. The half eaten sweet was still in her hand. A slightly trembling hand slowly covered it with its wrapper so she could eat it for later.

Outfit

Reducio

Leaning back against the cushioning of the seat, Dakota seemed to be keeping a eye on each student. Though she seemed to perk up at the mention of working over the break. Puffing out a soft breath, though when Santario had held up the fountain pen a small smile turned her lips up “it’s called a pen in the muggle world,” pausing, her gaze flickered along the fountain pen “more specifically, a fountain pen, seems like a nice one too,” her family had a few of those tucked away in some desk along with notebooks that had penciled writing from her cousins.

Nodding in agreement with Santario, she blinked lightly “he does sound nice, I’m sure you’re hair will turn out fine,” she herself had been thinking of dying her hair a blue or purple or even ombré but she wasn’t sure. Through these thoughts, she had watched as Aurora closed the curtains before the tiny shriek reached Dakotas ears. Her gaze softened lightly as she gave Aurora a smile “perfectly alright, no need to say sorry,” of course, not to her anyway.

Now she turned her attention to Howard, his words and question processing slowly as she thought. “Ah..erm..it’s alright, some places are better than others, but they also have different things there,” now the next one, why move to Scotland? That answer was simple “my mom, Scarlett, at least that’s what momma, I mean grandma, had always told me,” she couldn’t ask her father directly of course, but she was certain there was some other reason that may have factored in. Turning to Santario, a amused look showed on her face “I believe there are a few that are..” giving a light shrug she sighed “my papa would know more about that,”. Though, she did seem to get a bit of a idea “I’m sure I have pictures of the farm and places I’ve gone there, I could show you,” speaking, she gestured a bit towards her bag.

There was a light snort from Dakota when Howard spoke about his plans in more depth. Though, she gave a light nod in agreement. Even if Howard told who he was staying with, Dakota most likely would have no idea who it was.

@Howard White
@Aurora Ranvier
@ Santario Martin

@Santario Martin | @Aurora Ranvier | @Dakota Olson

"To each their own." Howard said with a shrug as Santario further explained what she had planned with summer break. It was his attempt to brush off the subject and play it cool, but the pang of jealousy that hit his gut caused him to shift around in his seat. The idea of spending time with family in such a way was nothing but a distant memory for Howard. Although it had only been a few years it seemed like a lifetime ago when he had last been surrounded by his loved ones. Back before he knew about the magic that flowed through his blood, back when he was still a full human being. The jealousy would fade and in its place would come a feeling of grief. Howard's parents still lived, but he and Santario just might share similar feelings of loss. That was for another day.

"Oi, haven't see one of them in ages." The appearance of a fountain pen that he failed to notice earlier proved a much needed distraction from his own feelings. "Can I have a look?" He asked as the light in the cabin faded with the closing of the curtains. Howard would have no idea that Santario's ruse for the lizard was intended for him. A pity really as even the smallest of gestures that recognized and normalized his nature meant the world to him. Amazing how a simple "I see you, I hear you" can have such an affect on a person. Anyways, Howard would feel much more relaxed as the sunlight was dimmed.

The shriek from Aurora would make Howard jump in his seat as she drew her wand and attempted to throw the curtain back open. Really? Scared of the dark? Oh wait, a perfectly normal thing for Hogwarts students regardless of age. "No need for all that racket!" He did his best not to sound annoyed. Usually he would have just drawn the curtain closed again and challenged the younger student to dare and try to stop him. To use his physical presence and age to intimidate her, but things were changing inside of Howard. Slowly anyways. He cleared his throat and did his best to carry a better tune. "How about this?" Howard drew his wand and pointed it upwards. "Lumos." The tip of the wand would shine before Howard placed his duffel bag in the center of the compartment and laid the wand down on top if it as a make shift lantern. Any light based magic could potentially damage him but it was nothing compared to sunlight. "Better?"

The conversation would shift back to the U.S. The idea of one state being larger than his entire country was almost mind boggling...and they had fifty go them! The idea of all that space was however very enticing. To go out to the country and live a life of peace and privacy. Very appealing to someone like Howard. He would shrug as Dakota mentioned it was her mom that drove the family to relocate. Good a reason as any he supposed, but his eyes would flicker again with curiosity as she offered to show some pictures of her family's property. Howard had only ever seen America in movies or publications. To see a more intimate view sounded quite interesting. "Cool, yeah. Lemme see." He accepted the offer.

"Don't you laugh, little one." Dakota's snort did not go unnoticed as he spoke of his summer plans. "You'll be singing a different tune when I'm hold up at Aurelia's manor and your slinging cow dung in Oklahoma." He both answered Santario's question and took a slight prod at the younger student. There was a slight intimidation factor to his statement, but it was mostly in jest.

Interacting @Howard White @Dakota Olson @Aurora Ranvier

Kahlan Reducio

Outfit Reducio

Santario watched Howard curiously as she thought about his stoic short reply and wondered what lay hidden beneath the shell of his skin. She, of course, knew what he was. She had since they first met, but that never bothered her in the slightest. She would see him the way that he presented himself to her, nothing less. Silently she wondered what he might have gone through and what made him make the decisions that he had in life so far. Out of the two that she knew she had understood and justified, San wondered if she would see him the same way.

“Sure.” She said automatically when he asked her if he could see the fountain pen. She held it out for him to freely take and returned her hand to her lap when he did, allowing him as much time to look at it as he wished.

When Aurora shrieked, Santario’s hand instinctively went for her wand, but before she could draw it, the situation defused itself. Kahlan scurried back away from the opening of the curtain hissing in anger. The curtain on Aurora’s side partially open, Howard lighting up his wand to shed some less natural but still light in the compartment. “Cozy.” A smile teased at the corners of her lips. “Try not to fret too much, Aurora. You are seated with a soon-to-be fifth year and a duelling captain. We would fight against anything that would try to bring destruction within this compartment.” Howard seemed strong and agile she pitied anything he could get his hands on in a confrontation, and Santario, having been undefeated that year, had proven herself to be far more than capable with her wand. "It is okay little one." She whispered behind her to her distraught companion.

Photographs were brought up, and Santario’s eyes lit up with excitement. She dropped her knee from the seat and pivoted to sit facing the girl. In doing so, she ended up being slightly closer to Howard than intended, her hand brushing his arm in the process of her turn. She looked at him, offering an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to invade your personal space.” With a quick apology as she scooted herself slightly away, giving them a respectful distance in the seat.

Eyes now back on Dakota. “Yes! Let us see your photographs! I’ve been taking pictures since I was seven, so I always love to see what other people take.” Taking photographs could mean so much. Oftentimes people photographed what they thought was beautiful, to retain memories, and most importantly, what they loved and held dear the most.

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Mentioning Selim Faust

Interacting with @Santario Martin @Dakota Olson @Howard White

The guy with a shade was more intimidating than she thought. Aurora never minded getting yelled at since people did it to her so often because of her stubbornness, but when she was not in a good place emotionally, it was nowhere near an okay experience. His voice made her jumped on her seat for the second time as she muttered an apology repeatedly. “S-sorry, sorry, It was j-just” Mouth opened and closed again like a fish out of the water. So much in her mind, but nothing could resemble any words. Just stuttered, with evidence of panic in her eyes. “I thought there was- uh” A spider. A dark shadowy spider made of Merlin knows what. Shortly after that dreadful experience, the sight of the injured stayed in her mind like a tattoo. From time to time, she woke up all sweaty from continuous nightmares and became paranoid of any slight touch or friction. Even the love and interest towards arachnoid have left her soul since then. Perhaps they would understand, there must be other people who were scared of the dark other than her, right? But either way, perhaps it would be good to not mention anything about it just in case it would be triggering for some. What kind of creature that usually lurking in the gloomy corner? The only thing she could think of was that Underworld bunny monster that she tried to pepper spray. On second thought, it wasn’t scary enough to make her run away in fear. “Gho-ghost, yeah, a ghost.”

Perhaps Howard was not this scary older student that she thought he was. Honestly, most of the people above her years were pretty much unapproachable except her fellow birds. Nevertheless, his next action took her by surprise. It was not a grand gesture, zero chocolate were given. Despite his clear annoyance, a flicker of light was emitted from the tip of his wand. “I-it’s fine, there’s already enough light for me now.” What a heart warming situation for Aurora. The girl appreciates every little gesture anyone did to her and will never forget it, along with those who did her wrong. A genuine thin smile was now on her face. “But thanks.” The interesting fact from Santario still did not make her feel safer. There were lots of competent witches and wizards in Hogwarts including the professors. Obviously, they are stronger and more capable in spellcasting than the duelling captain and the fifth year. That did not stop those terrifying monsters and whatnots casually chilling inside the student common room. She would nod in her fake agreement, however. Maybe both of them are skilled enough or possibly more responsible than the adults to prevent her from dying. “Once again, I’m sorry.” A moment ago, the Slytherin’s lizard was hissing at the sudden movement, making her feel worse at the fact that she made an animal uncomfortable. “And I’m sorry too, dear Lizard.”

She tried to focus back on the conversation and pick up bits of information, it would be rude not to pay attention to those. Not that Aurora didn’t want to, it was just a bit hard for the girl after the little unplanned show. From an unfamiliar Aurelia person, cow’s dung, and a photograph that everyone seemed to be interested in seeing. “Y-yeah, can I see as well?” She would turn her head towards Dakota. Hopefully, this fun conversation will drive her mind away from the terror.

Outfit

Reducio

The blue eyed gaze of Dakota softened as she directed it towards Aurora. She felt a bit sorry for the Ravenclaw that was sitting beside her. Though at the mention of a ghost Dakota seemed to furrow her eyebrows. But when Howard, even if he seemed a bit annoyed to Dakota, lit his wand to cast light into the cabin it made her feel a bit more at ease. Dakota hearing Santario trying to calm the girl as well made a small smile stretch along her lips. At least she began to feel as though she could trust these people.

Well, Dakota hadn’t expected her offer to be met with approval, and a seemingly excited one from Santario at that. Propping the bag on her lap Dakota took a few moments to push around the few things inside of it before her fingers met the familiar feeling of a leather binding. Gently, she pulled the notebook out she had carried around with her for so long, starting to carefully unwrap it.

Once it was unwrapped and opened, Dakota flicked through the pages to find the right place to start. Though Howard’s comment hadn’t gone unheard and a soft laugh escaped her “did it seem like I was laughing at you? I apologize, I was laughing at what you had said on the last part, since I have three siblings,” grinning, she tilted her head slightly “plus I’ll be spending time with my grandparents, cousins and family, no slinging cowdung involved”. Finishing that last bit, she turned the notebook to rest flat on it back in her lap. Plenty of photos sat on the pages she was now showing off, some of just fields with crops in them and a road leading to a trailer home and red barn, others scenery or a brick farm house. Dakota allowed the three to take in the photos, awaiting for them to tell her to move on to show the others hidden by pages.

@Howard White
@Aurora Ranvier
@Santario Martin