Open While waiting for the first lesson Closed

Belle walked alongside her brother down a corridor of Hogwarts. She wouldn’t get to see him as much as she’d like. She’d miss Joey very much. They weren’t even in the same House. Joey was in Hufflepuff, and Belle was in Gryffindor. Every time she was reminded of that, she’d have tears rise. She loved her brother very much. He was the one who hung out with Belle for most of her childhood. Yes, their parents were there at times, but they only said “Hello,” and “Goodbye.” Sometimes they’d hug her and Joey, but not often, as they were, and still are, busy.

While walking, Belle seen a fee other witches and wizards. Some knew what they were doing, and some had no idea. Belle clung onto Joey. It was her only option, other than stopping and having a mental breakdown. Joey walked over to the wall. There was a bench. And a girl sitting on it. Could she be Belle’s classmate? Possibly. The girl seemed to have a disabled leg. Belle felt bad for her, so she sat down next to her, Joey following her lead.

“Hello, Miss! You seem to have a little… predicament in the leg department? Are you alright? Is there anything my brother and I can do for you?” Belle asked, gripping Joey’s hand while speaking. She doesn’t like speaking to people without having something to grip.

Hildegard sighted internally, of course if she moved her body around people would notice it, even if she was sitting down on that bench.
She knew she would have to face it, telling the story about how her now need to limp to walk.
The story itself did not bother her, but the painful memory that came with it along with her own conflicting emotion toward her own mother, that is what bothered her.
The Gryffindor girl did seem nice as she was worrying about Miss Schneider, however it somehow looked like she was pitying her.

-Please don't worry about me, I don't need your pity She replied addressing to the girl.

The german girl realized that her tone she used and what she said could have being interpreted wrongly. And so she continued :

- I mean, I'm sorry I did not mean it in a bad way, I'm fine, don't worry about me.

Hildegard took her wand back into her uniform's pocket, she looked at both kids in front of her, from what she heard they were siblings, so as she planned to to introduce herself she addressed both of them.

- My name is Hildegard Schneider, I'm a Slytherin and have German origins, nice to meet you two She claimed with a germanic accent.

Hildegard was trembling, she was self aware that a relationship was often build on the first few minutes of the meeting and so she was scared she might fail it, and make an enemy something like that, she was as usual scared of everything.

-Are... are you waiting for this class too, she asked them.

@Belle Florinberger

Belle looked down at her feet, kind of embarrassed that Hildegard thought she was pitying her. When Joey gently put his hand on Belle’s shoulder, Belle spoke.

“Our names are Belle and Joey Florinberger. Son and daughter of William and Clara Florinberger. I’m a first year, in Gryffindor, and I’m eleven years old. And I am waiting for this class, yes,” Belle said.

Joey smiled and rubbed Belle’s shoulder gently. “As my sister said, I am Joey. First born of William and Clara Florinberger. I am in my fourth year, I’m Hufflepuff, and I’m fourteen years. I’m going to be going to Transfiguration. Speaking of which, if I don’t go now, I’m going to be so late! I’m sorry Sis! I’ll see you and your friend later!” Joey said. He and Belle exchanged kisses on the cheek fast walking down the corridor to the marble staircase.

Belle whimpered quietly as she tried starting a conversation, but failing by struggling to find words. She teared up slightly, as she played with the necklace that she had on. She muttered Joey’s name several times, then collapsed, giving up on trying to hold back tears and trying to keep standing.

Belle looked up. “Can I… hug you..? For-For confort..?” She asked, shakily.

The little witch was shocked, she did not expect such a turn of event at all, it took a few second for Hildegard to adapt to the situation.

"Why is she crying ?! What's happening ?" She wondered inside her head.

Belle was on the ground, and the Slytherin did not understand why, she thought that there must be a reason.

"She said she needed comfort... so maybe... it's something personal ! That's it ! Therefore there is nothing to fear right now !" She believed.

After a little breath of relief, she looked down, Belle's was bellow her, crying. Miss Schneider felt like the roles had been exchanged, the one that presumably pitied her was now to be pitied.
At that moment she finally had time to process everything, Belle's on the ground crying and asking for comfort, for a hug... from Hildegard ?
Schneider hesitated, she knew well enough what hugging that girl who was on the ground would imply, what if people saw her crawl on the ground or something like that, she'd risk something like this just to help a total stranger ? But in the other hand, doing nothing would probably put her in an even worst situation if that was to be known.

Hildegard decided to take action, she took Belle's shoulder as support to get down, and told her :

-Belle, it's fine... it's fine

The Slytherin hugged Belle, and started to rub the Gryffindor's back.
What a strange situation Hildegard thought, a Slytherin comforting a Gryffindor. She always had a mistrust of the Gryffindor house, as she believed people from that house would eventually lead her to scary situations. She felt it might be the same with Belle too which was also one of the reason she hesitated at first.

Not wanting to stay on the ground for too long Hildegard re-used Belle's shoulder and grabed a part of the bench to sit back again, and made a sign to Belle as an invitation to sit down with her.

-Why are you crying ? What happened ? She asked her classmate

@Belle Florinberger

Belle sniffled as she sat next to Hildegard. Belle must have made a new friend. But at what cost? She’d made a fool of herself, crying on the floor. Belle had only one option left to do, to be the girl’s friend. And it was to explain her… problems.

“Joey… was always there for me as a child… And it was hard to not cry while he was away… But I get… separation anxiety…,” Belle explained. “Even when Joey was gone, I’d have Uncle Michael, Aunt Elizabeth, or Barely to keep me company… I have… many problems when it comes to Joey leaving when I don’t want him to… He’s my… go-to person for company or stress…,” Belle continued.

Belle felt slightly better, having explained her problems to someone besides family. Belle clung onto Hildegard’s arm by force of habit. She often clung onto Joey’s arm when she needed comfort, when she was stressed, or if she was freaking out.

Belle still had tears running down her face. She was quite short for her age, yes, but Belle had many mental problems that she worried about more. Belle didn’t care that she was below average for shortness, or how childish she acts when starts freaking out.

Belle was also quite clingy, at times, too. But that was because of her mental issues. None of this she wanted, but none of it she could do anything about.

“I know we’re in different Houses, but… I’d love to be… your-your friend..!” Belle said, sniffling afterwards.

Hildegard had listened to the girl very carefully, it did now make sense why she cried.

"To each their own" She thought.

Having the Gryffindor clinging to her arm was a bit strange, as she was really unused to that kind of thing.
But she decided to let it be as it was clear that she did not mean any harm, doing that Miss Schneider was closer to Belle.
She took the time to look at Belle's feature, the Gryffindor was kind of short, with wood colored hair.
Hildegard saw her eyes which she judged as really beautiful, and immediately started to envy Belle's eyes.
She knew she had to say yes, the question Belle asked her was one of those in which there was only socially possible reply.
However Hildegard also thought that it may be a good idea to have someone brave in her friend's circle as she was self aware of her own cowardice.
Therefore Hildegard gave to Belle a small smile and said :

-Yup, let's be friend if you want I don't mind it at all

She paused and continued :

- I can see your troubles, I...I think you will be fine, I mean I know being alone may be scary but you will eventually find someone as reliable as your brother... I think.

The Slytherin was glad she could make a friend so quickly, but she then realized that She knew more about Belle but it was not true the other way around.
She should tell more about herself, because Belle would eventually ask her anyway, and not answering it would not make this friendship very far.

Hildegard hesitated a few second and said :

-You know, about my leg limping lef. It's not some physical problem, that's why it look totally normal, from the look of it alone. It's actually a magical problem... you see I had an accident when I was 6, my mother dropped an incomplete potion on my right leg, so that's why it's like this...

She paused and then continued.

- I have been strungling alot in my relationship with my mother since then...

Hildegard's face turned inbetween sadness and emotionless and she let her body lean towards Belle.
@Belle Florinberger

“My relationship with my mother isn’t that great, either, to be honest. She’s barely home really. But I still love her and Dad. Even though they are not home that often, it doesn’t mean I can’t love them. They do all they can to keep me and my brother safe and sound, and in a safe home,” Bell explained, kind of sorrowfully, for she had only known a little bit about her own parents.

Belle inhaled and exhaled sharply, letting her negative emotions wither away. She then sang her favorite song Joey had ever sung to her, which was A Thousand Years. Belle always found it soothing, so she thought it’d soothe Hildegard. Belle’s singing voice was as light as a feather, and as beautiful and graceful as a swan. Belle had been gifted this gift by her ancestors, mainly the females.

Belle teared up while singing the song. It reminded her of Joey, which then reminded her of memories with Joey included. Belle kind of missed him, but not as much as she did, however. Being with Hildegard alone made Belle realize that she didn’t always need to be with Joey, but with someone who will stick by her side. No matter what would happen. And she herself needed to stick by their side, too.

After singing her song, Belle looked over at Hildegard to see if she was alright. She seemed to be, but she wasn’t entirely too sure. Belle was never great at reading other people’s emotions.

“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Miss Hildegard…,” Belle apologized.

"WHAT THE.." Hildegard thought to herself

That Belle was odd, really odd, that was scary to Hildegard, but somehow it was a different kind of scariness.

"Did this girl I just met, just started to sing a song, while grabbing MY arm in public ?! Not to mention she was crying on the ground a few moment ago ?! Really ?! "

That was a bit too much for the Slytherin, way too much. Miss Schneider.

"Hey stop that ! It's way too weird, it's... it's creepy, you're scarring me!" Hildegard said out loud only then giving a disgusted face.

She said that despite Belle's apologize, Hildegard looked around her to see if anyone else would be coming or saw what she she had to undergo.
The German girl sighed, maybe Belle's way of acting was actually normal but she did not know it, maybe Belle was a muggle-born or something ?
After all Hildegard did not know much about muggles, she just was scared of them with all those witch hunting stories she was told about.
With a worrying face Hildegard asked to Belle :

- Are you a muggle-born or something like that ?

I do not want to mess with them ! Muggle used to hunt down my familly ! She continued.

@Belle Florinberger

Belle gaped at Hildegard, tears swelling to the rims of her eyes. Her hand clenched into tight fists as she rose quickly and furiously.

“DO I LOOK LIKE I’M A MUDBLOOD?! I HATE THEM, AND NOW, I HATE YOU! BLOODY HELL WITH YOU! IF I KNEW ANY JINXES OR HEXES, I WOULD LOVE TO USE THEM ON YOU, YOU BLOODY BERK!” Belle shouted, her temper rising as she yelled. “HOW COULD YOU TREAT ME LIKE A FRIEND, AND THEN TURN AROUND AND ASK IF I’M A MUDBLOOD?! IT’S NOT MY FAULT I HAVE THESE PROBLEMS! I DON’T NEED YOU TO SAY I’M WEIRD WHEN I ALREADY KNOW IT!! YOU’RE A DIRTY, BLOODY BERK!!” Belle continued yelling in rage, a little crowd forming around her.

Suddenly, Joey came running out of the midst of the crowd. He glanced from Belle to Hildegard and back. Joey pulled Belle into a tight hug.

“It’s alright now, Sis. Calm down. Shh… Let it all out, I’m here now. Tell me what happened, alright?” Joey assured Belle, as she hugged him back and explained what had happened through gritted teeth.

After explaining everything, Belle yawned slightly and put her arms around Joey’s neck, resting her head on his shoulder. Joey stood up and held Belle in his arms, as if she were six or seven. Joey glowered at Hildegard.

“My sister has not yelled at anyone like that for a long time. Last time she yelled like that was when another Pure-Blood insulted her, tore her teddy bear apart with scissors, and threw it in a fire. Don’t ask how he managed to do that, though, because the answer would be complicated,” Joey said.