First Come, First Serve? PV Scarlet Salvatore Finished

Scarlet wouldn’t describe herself as a worrier, and so she wasn’t at all used to the feeling, and she didn’t like it. Towards the end of the pervious week she had received an owl from her uncle, and in a passing comment, he had mentioned that he had been noticing quite a few more grey hairs than average in the last months. It’s not that Scarlet was filled with worry at the thought of having an aged looking uncle within the next couple of years, it was that he just casually attributed this to being a side effect of the Lycanthropy.

How had this not come up in all the countless conversations with her uncle about the condition, in his defence, she had never before felt this feeling of having unanswered questions hanging over her and she had been a werewolf for nearly four years now. Granted it wasn’t exactly a question of life or death or even one of much relevance to the upcoming full moon, but still, she now found herself worrying over this tiny thing. Although she didn’t really think of it, such changes in her emotions were becoming a regular side effect of the day or so build up to the full moon.

’What if she started going grey in her teens? What if she was completely grey by the time she left Hogwarts? Do you get things like wrinkles earlier too?’ In amongst all the worry, all logic seemed to escape her thoughts, including the existence of colour-changing charms, and with no one to ease her worries, she could think of only one source of answers. The library.

Leaving her common room, she ascended the staircases till she reached the floor of the library. She knew what she was looking for and she was going to be quick to get it and go, she wasn’t going to hang about in the library reading some book on Lycanthropy; her condition was still a secret from most and she didn’t want any reason for questions from those for whom she wanted it to stay that way.

Once there, she headed straight to the Defence Against the Dark Arts section, being a dangerous creature she knew this is where any information on the subject would be. She sighed as she saw a younger student with fiery red hair looking through the shelves in that area, ’had to be someone there’ she thought to herself, hoping that the girl would find the book she wanted anytime now so Scarlet could quickly scan the shelves. Starting from the top, her gazed moved from left to right in a regular pattern, checking the titles on each of the spines. Scarlet loved Defence Against the Dark Arts, and any other time would have her pulling a selection of fascinating looking books from the shelf, but today she was focussed on only one thing.

’Great,’ Scarlet thought as she saw the girl pulling a book from a lower down shelf, she would be able to find her book much faster now she had full view of all the shelves. She then however, caught sight of the cover of the book the girl was withdrawing, ‘Hairy Snout, Human Heart,’ a werewolf book, she looked to the empty gap where the book had come from, to the adjacent titles. Only one other on werewolves, by Gilderoy Lockhart, so no use at all. She looked back towards the girl and spoke up as the girl was turning away, ”Hi, that’s the only copy of that book and I really need it,” she said, ”I don’t even need it for that long,” trying to convince the girl. She looked expectingly at her, it was the start of the year and she looked to be a first year, ’she’s probably only taking it to read out of interest,’ Scarlet thought to herself; at least in her own eyes, she was the only one of the two with the actual need for it.

Interacting with @Liana Kerr

The book was old in appearance, but not shabby - apparently, not that many people had handled it during its lifetime in the school library. Liana wondered how much of that empty space that now adorned the Lycanthropy section was reserved for other - potentially more informative - books on the subject that people had borrowed. The werewolf infestation in Hogwarts was a secret plenty of students were becoming aware of, including Liana. She had to learn to identify them, while they were still in human form - for her own protection. And what would Father even do if she got bitten and turned into a half-breed? It was bad enough she was a half-blood! He would probably kick her out immediately, blood ties or no, and she'd have nowhere to go, except maybe make home in the Forbidden Forest with the other lycanthropes. The thought made her clutch the autobiography even tighter in her hands.

That was when the older girl approached her and asked to just hand over the book Liana had spent the better part of the hour searching for. The book her own safety likely depended on. It wouldn't do. Not even if the other was also a fellow Slytherin. The redhead shook her head.

''I'm sorry, but I found it first, and I also really need it,'' she said, a bit defensively. ''I heard there are werewolves within Hogwarts territory, and I have to learn to spot them while they're still in human form.'' Hopefully, this addition would be enough to show the senior student that Liana's own need was of utterly serious nature, perhaps more serious than... what could it be? A written assignment the older girl may need to do for her Defense Against the Dark Arts class? This was life and death, after all. ''It won't take me long, I'm a fast reader. I should be able to return the book in two or three days, and then you can have it.''

Scarlet couldn't help but sigh when she saw the girl tighten her grip on the book, her disappointment further increasing when the girl shook her head in response.

''I'm sorry, but I found it first, and I also really need it,'' the girl said, as if that was any kind of reason, 'what do you need it for, plan on doing some werewolf hunting?' Scarlet thought, questioning what possible reason she had for 'really needing it.' She had sat through first year Defense Against the Dark Arts and knew werewolves weren’t a part of that year's curriculum.

''...I have to learn to spot them while they're still in human form,'' the girl said, causing Scarlet to release a small laugh, wow, she the girl really did want to be able to track werewolves, obviously not to do anything, but still the idea humoured her. What exactly was her plan once she found out which students were werewolves? Did she not know the professors were fully aware of and equipped to deal with those students?

Scarlet didn't normally get frustrated this easily, and when she did she did, she would do her best to keep her feelings under control. She was shocked by her own feelings building up inside of her, 'she is just a first year,' she thought, but she wasn't in the mood for adopting her usual friendly attitude, she could only put it down to a lousy week in the run up to the full moon.

The girl went on tell Scarlet she could have the book in two to three days, that’s not what she wanted to hear, the questions she wanted answers to were at the forefront of her mind now, and maybe having the answers to them would be the only way to relax her. ”Look, I’m sure it’s nothing you need, the professors probably have the whole situation under control so you have nothing to worry about,” she said, trying to convince the girl.

”So am I good to have this then,” Scarlet said, reaching her hands out to almost touching distance of the book, ”I doubt this will have anything to help you spot the werewolves here anyway, I’m sure they hide it well enough,” she said, ”I’m guessing so,” she quickly added. Scarlet grew more annoyed the more she tried to convince the girl, she didn’t want to explain anything more about werewolves in trying to get the book, she couldn’t, the girl might catch on. Scarlet moved her hand closer to the book, the tips of her fingers lightly touching it’s surface.

Interacting with @Liana Kerr

A small frown wrinkled the redhead's forehead at the sound of the older girl's laughter. What was so amusing about the need to detect sources of a potential lifelong infection, at best, and lethal beasts, at worst? Did the older girl assume Liana to be silly just because of their likely minuscule age difference?

''The professors probably have it under control, true,'' she said, emphasizing her doubt quite sharply. ''Although there is only a handful of staff members and they're not dogging the lycanthropes every minute of every day, which means that for the most part the werewolves are wandering the school premises freely. They only need to be watched during full moon, right?'' the first-year asked with a lightly sarcastic innocence. ''Wrong,'' her tone changed into that of grave solemnity. ''I've heard of a war-time werewolf Fenrir Greyback who liked biting people even in his human form. The few victims who survived were left with scars that magic could not heal, as well as some wolfish inclinations,'' the information was delivered with all of an eleven-year-old's certainty about the factuality of stories she had heard back at home.

''So no, you can't have it just yet,'' the girl retreated a step, clutching the book protectively to her chest. ''I can't know whether I'll find anything useful until I actually read it, but I'm willing to take the chance. The sooner I can begin, the sooner you can get the book from me.'' It was a bit daunting to face a senior student who was clearly physically stronger, but Liana had been taught to not back down easily, lest she be seen as a pushover. Therefore, while the smartest thing at this point would have been to just turn around and scurry towards the librarian's desk to check out the book quickly, she stood her ground, ready to actually prove that she was worthy of the prize. Which made her say more words in this single conversation than she normally uttered within an entire day.

''And how would you know if they hide it well? I mean, there must be some indications in appearance and habits that are tough to mask, I simply need to find out what those are.'' Hopefully, it really was just that simple. Her words made it sound like she was way more sure of herself than she really was.

Scarlet couldn't believe what the girl was saying, if she had her own way, she'd have all the lycanthropes segregated from the rest of the school throughout their whole time at Hogwarts, or not have them at the school altogether.

"I mean that might be a tad excessive," Scarlet said before the girl started talking about the werewolf Fenrir Greyback, 'again, an excessive example,' she thought, that was basically like saying all Slytherins will become dark wizards or witches. How could the girl be so narrow minded, "you're in Slytherin," she began, taking note of the girl's robes, much like her own, "don't you think that's like people judging us for bring Slytherin?" she questioned.

The girl stepped back with the book, offering Scarlet the chance to read it when she was finished, unfortunately for the girl, this wasn't about just having the book anymore, the way she spoke of werewolves, her own kind, without a care for those Scarlet imagined struggled with their condition or prioritised the safety of other people during their transformation.

"I really don't think I can wait," she said, "I need it for a class anyway," she quickly added, making up the lie on the spot. But Scarlet was starting to think that it didn't make a difference what excuse she made up for the girl, they had passed all niceties, and only one of them would leave the library with the book.

"I mean, they hide it well enough that I, and many others, don't know who exactly are the werewolves in the school, but all the rumours point to the fact that several exist," she replied to the girl's last question, hopefully removing any suspicion away from herself. "You know, I think reading the book would probably make you more anxious about the students that are werewolves," Scarlet said, in her last attempt to get the girl to reconsider. "What about I take it first, and then you can have it once I've finished with it?" she said, though not waiting for the girl's response stepped forward and grabbed the book from the girls grip.

Interacting with @Liana Kerr

The apt comparison of animosity towards werewolves with prejudices against Slytherin gave the redhead a pause. It sounded about right - all of the house members were being judged by the actions of the few, decades in the past... but then again, none of them turned murderous for one night every month, and all werewolves did. No, this reasoning could not be accepted. Especially since it would mean Liana was wrong, and admitting that in the middle of an argument was nigh impossible.

''Well, you shouldn't have postponed doing your homework for so long that you're desperate now,'' the first-year commented when the older girl confirmed her suspicions of requiring the book for an assignment. How irresponsible to wait until the weekend to retrieve a source of information you need! ''I always get any extra reading that is needed right away once the class is over, and I've never ended up in a problem like this,'' she informed, hoping it didn't sound like bragging, because really she meant it as an advice for the future. Liana wouldn't give her the book now, no - that would only reinforce bad habits. Though.... what if this is some extra assignment for additional points, and she is now getting in the way of a fellow Slytherin who wants to better their chances at winning the house cup? ''Or are you doing this for some bonus house points?'' she asked, more out of curiosity than willingness to actually give up the hardcover in case of a confirmation.

''If you're not actively looking for signs, of course you won't detect them. I do intend to look, though,'' she assured, part of her wondering why was this older girl, and a Slytherin at that - member of a house that was supposed to value purity and tradition - acting as a werewolf sympathizer. It had to be just a trick to get the book, though. And Liana wasn't fooled. ''I'll be the judge of my mental state, thank you very much,'' the girl added, outraged at the idea that she wouldn't be able to extract useful information from a book, the embodiment of useful information.

''Hey, what-'' was all she managed to say as the older girl moved in to grab the book away from her. Somehow the smaller girl had not foreseen that, seeing as they were involved in a mostly civil discussion just moment before. The two of them had a very short-lived tug-of-war over the book, which Liana, unsurprisingly, lost. With a pang of disappointment, the first-year found her hands, which held the book victoriously for so long, suddenly empty. ''That's not fair! I was here first and you just took it by brute force!'' she exclaimed angrily, speaking quite a bit louder than was accepted in the library. Realizing that, she took a few calming breaths, resolving to not be one of those people, ones that disturbed the peace of other knowledge-seekers by being loud over their own personal issues.

However, the thought of having lost at something, even a physical showdown which she never had a chance of winning with her skinny limbs and nonexistent core strength, was biting at her pride. And she almost had it! If only she'd walked away from this conflict when she had a chance! No, this could not be allowed, being so close to achieving something and then suffering defeat. She could just go complain to the librarian, true - that would end the conflict in her favour, but it might also put a housemate into detention, and, even worse - mean a deduction of points from Slytherin. This was not the way to resolve the situation and, more importantly, heal a wounded pride. Thinking of that, Liana got a better idea.

''This was an uncivilized way of solving a disagreement, but I'm willing to overlook it if you accept my proposal,'' that was a rather diplomatic way of saying I won't snitch on you if you play my game. ''Since you seem to want this book for an academic purpose, let's have a competition. Whoever earns more points in a month gets their wish granted by the losing party. How does that sound?'' this would be a therapeutic victory, Liana did not doubt it. She was able to generate points at such a speedy rate while not even trying hard - just answering a question or two a professor asked in class, or turning in flawless homework. If she really put her mind to it, there would be no way for her to lose. And then she could get back at this older girl who beat her in such an unfair manner.

Now she was being given a lecture on how to be organised for class - and Scarlet was always super organised for class, of course she wouldn't have left her reading till the night before, not without good reason at least. She wasn't going to argue with the girl on this though, 'she can think what she likes about my study habits,' Scarlet thought to herself.

"What, would that have been a good enough reason for you to hand the book to me?!" Scarlet asked when the girl brought up house points as being a possible motive, maybe Scarlet should have just gone along with the idea while it was there if it got her the book.

Scarlet gave the girl a small smile as she easily took the book from her grasp, "you weren't holding onto it that tight to say how desperate you are to read it and rid the castle of it's werewolf problem," she said, pleased that she had finally got what she had come for. She was about to leave the conversation there, and proudly walk away from the girl and out of the library, when the girl did something Scarlet did not expect.

"Hey!?!" Scarlet said as the girl quickly lunged at her for the book, Scarlet wasn't letting it go so easily though, and the two girls spent almost a minute tugging the book towards themselves. Soon enough Scarlet felt the girl's strength began to fade and with one last powerful movement she pulled the book out of the girl's hands again and took a step away from her.

"Well that was embarrassing... for you," she said, still holding the book with an extra firm grip, not knowing whether the girl had truly given up. Scarlet briefly scanned the area around where they were stood, looking to see if anyone had noticed the scuffle, Scarlet was relieved to see that it looked pretty empty around them.

Before she could go this time, she was met with an interesting proposal from the girl, Scarlet rarely turned down competition, and never when it was between someone she wasn't exactly friendly with. "Are you sure you want to agree to this," she asked the girl, holding back a small laugh, "I really can't see you winning this you know," she said, confident that she could easily beat however many house points the girl got. "But yes, I'm in, see you at the end of the month then," she said turning to leave the library, "thanks for the book again, I'll be sure to get extra house points now I've got this," Scarlet called back to her, knowing full well she too wasn't studying werewolves in any of her classes this year.

Just before she turned around one of the bookcases, and out of site of the girl, she turned back around, "I'm Scarlet Salvatore by the way, just so you know when you hear about all the house points I'll be getting for Slytherin this month," she said and turned back on her course, leaving the library.

Well, that was hardly the quick trip to the library Scarlet had been expecting, but she got the book in the end, and now at least she had something to look forward to at the end of the month, there was no way she was going to be beaten by her on house points. Now she could just spend her time thinking of something she could get the girl to do when the time eventually comes, she was really going to have fun with that.

Interacting with @Liana Kerr

Scarlet leaves the thread

Embarrassing indeed it was, and having it pointed out by the one who bested her gave an extra painful stab to Liana's already wounded pride. She should have walked away instead of arguing about her claim to the book, she should have held the book tighter at least, but hindsight was a cruel mistress. The first-year could not change her past actions, but she could plan her future ones, and she intended to plan out her retaliation in detail.

''Oh, I'm very much sure I want this. Wouldn't have suggested it otherwise,'' she confirmed nonchalantly, green eyes twinkling with devilish intent. Drunk on her physical victory, the second-year clearly thought she was superior to the younger girl in every respect. In a few weeks she'd learn just how wrong she was. Revenge, after all, is a dish best served cold. The vengeful redhead would come up with some humiliating request that her newfound rival would have to fulfill, if her word was any good. And if it wasn't... well, one shouldn't mess with someone who is learning advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum on their spare time. Should this Scarlet Salvatore break her word, some nasty stray hex may hit her in a crowded hall where it would be oh so hard to identify the culprit. Liana was not, by any means, inclined to play dirty - even now some part of her was aghast at the thoughts running through her head, even if these imaginations were just a coping mechanism to handle the humiliation she'd just faced - but only if the other party stuck to the rules as well.

''Well, Scarlet, I suggest you keep an eye on the points Liana Kerr earns, if only to see you have no chance at winning,'' the girl called. She'd make sure to memorize the name and actually try and track Salvatore's progress. The first-year was sure she could win easily, but that did not mean she would just trust in her own ability to gather points and simply wait for the end of the month. No, she would compare and calculate. Losing a second time, to the same person, was not an option. There would not be even a possibility of that.

The girl distractedly picked up Gilderoy Lockhart's Wanderings with Werewolves. She knew the man to have been a fraud, but apparently he didn't make his 'autobiographical' content up - he stole the life stories of wizards and witches who had been more accomplished, and sold them as his own. Perhaps she could find some use in this book, even though the thought of reading the words of a known liar was despicable. The first-year then headed towards the librarian's desk, her mind still bubbling with plans for point earning, ideas for the shameful request she'd put before the vile second-year, and thoughts on what jinxes and hexes she could learn if the said request was to be turned down.

Liana has left the thread.