30 Nov 2021, 00:34
Getting back up again
After the October 2021 quidditch match
Interacting: @Avery Chen
Mentioning:
Henry walked through the mass of students in the stands, squeezing his way by with Loki perched on his shoulder.
The teen and cat duo left the stands, Henry climbing down the stairs then briskly walking up the grounds and toward rhe castle wondering if Avery would be awake yet or still unconscious.
The third year walked through the corridors, climbing stairs and taking turns with one destination in mind. Eyes widen as he turned thr corner and entered the hospital wing, the one place that the teen disliked more than the slytherin common room. The room gave him shivers as he carefully walked down the room, eyes perled for the first year boy.
Henry wanted to run from that room, rhe white interior. Rows of bed. The strange smell of cleaning chemicals that accompied hospitals. The way to cheery and kinda intimidating nurse with a gap tooth. Henry felt unsafe, his anxiety loomed over him when he felt Loki nibble his right ear slightly.
Henry took a breath, looking around. The third year finally spotted Avery's bed, pulling a chiar besdies his bed. Henry sat down, Loki climbed down from his right onwer, stretching his front paws to the bed and licking Avery's hand.
Henry smiled at his felime before looking at the first year boy. Concerned but waiting for him to wake up or speak first.
Last edited by Henry Knight on 5 Jan 2022, 00:30, edited 1 time in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
2 Jan 2022, 17:20
Getting back up again
Didn't people say that one had the wildest dreams while incapacitated on a hospital bed? That one's senses became surreal and omniscient, that emotions would run abound and one's most desperate needs and wants revealed themselves. Such dreams were vivid and memorable, so much so that the very same emotions carried forth when one would awaken.
If that was the case, Avery must've had one hell of an agonizing dream.
He awoke with a pounding head, swathed in bandages, the swelling threatening to burst past the wrappings. It was as if someone had taken a club straight to his head. He peered through the bandages with one searching eye, as the other was covered. He saw that his right leg and hip were braced, indicating to him that that was the side of impact as he fell to the ground. His small head was likely the victim of Jorah's bludger, which was at least the size of his own head and a thousand times more deadly. And oh man, did that Ravenclaw boy have the strength of an ogre.
A small lick at his hand turned his attention to the side of his bed. There lay an orange cat, gazing up at him with emerald green eyes that could only belong to a certain feline. "Loki!" he rasped. At least he was able to speak. If Loki was here, it could only mean that someone else was nearby. He tried to turn his head but groaned painfully before giving up, letting out a defeated sigh before plopping it back down onto the pillow, staring up at the buttresses within the ceiling. "Henry?" he asked, even though he was quite certain that his bunkmate was there, the thoughtful and considerate friend he was. "What- what happened? Afterwards, I mean. Did we win?" Avery desperately hoped for some good news, at least. To somehow make it all worth it.
@Henry Knight
5 Jan 2022, 12:17
Getting back up again
Interacting: @Avery Chen
Mentioning:
Loki climbed up onto Avery's bed, streched out on the side. The feline carefully licked the first year's knuckles waiting for him to wake.
Henry held his hands, leaning his arms on his knees as he peered up. Watching. Waiting. The teen could feel his anxiety brewinf overhead, worried for the young first year. That was quite a game looking back, nearly every quidditch player fell or broom snapped in half.
The teen knew how late it was getting but be won't leave. He couldn't. Hanging his head, hair falling over his eyes that gazed at the floor. Cracked in certain places. Waiting as the time ticked by.
Loki heard hus name first. Popping his head up, the feline gave a short meow as he trotted closer to the first year. Plopping down besides him, Loki rubbed his head against Avery as he laid there. Still. Lightly breathing but not purring.
Henry then looked up whrn he heard the voice. Pushing hair from his eyes when he saw Avery awake. Couldn't contain a smile, blue eyes glistening at the boy.
"How are you feeling?"
Henry asked, sliding his chair closer to the bed. Eyes on the boy, staring at him in concern and worry when he heard his own name then a dreaded question. Unsure how to answer it without causing him more pain, maybe he shoulf lie or lightly tell the truth? Or avoid it all together.
Henry eyed the first year, taking slow breaths as he spoke"that was your first game and no one expected it to play out like it did," rubbing his hands together, the teen looked upon the first year as he continued"for first game, you were brilliant but no one knew how much stronger and how much better brooms they now have this year." The teen eyed the boy, not wanting to continue. To say who won. To cause more pain but he knew Avery, he knew that eventually he would need to tell him.
The teen took a breath then spoke"it isn't your fault, at the end only two players were left still flying from slytherin," the teen gazed upon him trying to finger if he should say his next words quickly or slowly as he spoke"we lost but it was a unexpected game." The teen smiled ay the first year, reaching in hus inner jacket pocket where he produced a classic hogsmeade chocolate bar from. Passing it to Avery.
Last edited by Henry Knight on 10 Jan 2022, 19:32, edited 2 times in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
8 Jan 2022, 20:35
Getting back up again
As the orange cat rubbed its head against Avery, a smile tugged at his lips, and his headache didn't seem quite so bad anymore. The small boy laid a gentle hand on the cat laying next to him, feeling Loki's calm breaths and warm fur. It was soothing.
"How are you feeling?" Henry asked. Avery could feel the concern emanating from his voice. The young boy considered the question for a bit. Although his pounding head was quite the bother, and his hip seemed a little stiff, it wasn't so bad now that he knew who was here. "Head kinda hurts, but it's getting better now, I think," he responded optimistically. "Jorah is such a monster," he continued, before hastily adding, "like the cool, whoop-ass kind." Avery could only hope he could be that strong, one day.
However, rather than being too concerned about his own physical condition, he had a single burning question at the top of his mind, which he asked Henry eagerly. Avery half lifted and turned his head to study his bunkmate, awaiting an answer of some sort as he held his breath. No one expected it to play out like it did? So, did that mean Ravenclaw won, because Slytherin usually beat them? Or, did it mean that Slytherin surprisingly won, despite having had so many fallen players? And yes, indeed, Ravenclaw did have amazing brooms this year; no one on their team had anything less than a Silver Arrow, which was quite the star broom.
At last, the answer came to him, plain and simple... They had lost. Avery could do nothing but let out a long, dejected sigh. He let his head fall back down onto his pillow, then regretted the impact instantly with a large moaning "Noooo!" that voiced both his physical pain and his emotional toil. He saw the chocolate bar from the corner of his eye -- Henry always did know what could make him feel better. Reaching out a hand, he took it with a quiet "Thank you" and tore it open to take a ginormous bite.
"I- I can't believe it!" he said in between slow chewing that wouldn't disturb his headache unnecessarily. He didn't mean that it was difficult to believe the fact that they lost -- not completely. He felt that both he and Flash could almost see it coming, the way that the players before them were knocked off their brooms one by one, like leaves falling during autumn. "I just... I just thought that I would be able to do more," he explained. It was his first time flying out on a game, and he wasn't even in the air for more than a few minutes before he was out. "I didn't help out at all..." he said, more quietly this time, more dejectedly. What kind of a quidditch player would he be, if he couldn't even play to help his team?
@Henry Knight
10 Jan 2022, 19:53
Getting back up again
Interacting: @Avery Chen
Mentioning:
Loki stretched out besides Avery, laying his paw lightly on Avery. The feline's attempt to comfort the first year, amber eyes looking up. The feline seems to be good at comforting humans and supporting then emotionally even with his trust issues.
The teen nodded toward Avery words. A part of him relaxing a bit now knowing that Avery isn't hurting that much, the teen didn't focus on his second comment about the beater. His mind concerned for his bunk mate, anxiety thundering above and creating situations involving mathematics and facts which aren't exactly helpful in these situations.
The teen tried to tell Avery the result of the game carefully and comfortably. The teen felt bad for the boy, he wanted to help him and offer comfort. Reassurance. His mind circling with what to say, how to help Avery. Nodding toward his comment about the chocolate, the teen never like the sweet that much himself but usually had one for another.
"Eat, you'll feel better Aves."
The teen replied about the chocolate bar. Listening to his words on the quidditch match, Henry wanted to say something but not sure what. The teen looked upon the boy, mind aching from his thundering anxiety and heart breaking for Avery. Wanting to offer some comfort. Advice. The teen took a breath as he spoke"you can't blame yourself, that game was unexpected and everyone fell. This isn’t your fault," the teen looked over at Avery. Eyes wide with concern.
"You played for one minute and 33 seconds uh- you barley had any pratice or experience, this isn't your fault, " Henry spoke regretting mentioing the amount of time that Avery played in his first game. Blaming his mind for jumping to the math and facts of it all. The teen gazed iver Avery only wanting to help.
Last edited by Henry Knight on 24 Jan 2022, 21:41, edited 1 time in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
21 Jan 2022, 03:23
Getting back up again
At Henry's encouragement to eat, Avery ate. Sweet, fragrant chocolate filled his mouth, and he gobbled down at least half the bar within the next minute. Although he was still thinking about his quidditch mishap, his head stopped throbbing.
But the feeling of disappointment still lingered. He tore another frustrated bite into the bar, letting the chocolate slowly soothe him. "You can't blame yourself, that game was unexpected and everyone fell. This isn’t your fault," Henry reassured him, and the small boy nodded slowly as he chewed, letting himself take in Henry's kind words to gradually get him back into a healthier, more positive and self-loving mindset.
"You played for one minute and 33 seconds uh- you barley had any pratice or experience, this isn't your fault." Avery paused half-nod, and the words slowly sank in. "What? Only a minute and thirty-three seconds?" he asked, dumbfounded, looking up from his chocolate bar with wide eyes. "Noooooo!" he exclaimed again, falling back onto his pillow once more, defeated. That was like no time at all. Imagine finally getting into the limelight and failing spectacularly a minute later in front of the whole school. "Did everyone see that? Oh my gosh, everyone saw it. Did everyone know it was me on that broom? What did the audience say? Shortest quidditch play in the world, I bet!" He buried his face in the sheets. All his classmates, all his Slytherin housemates saw him do literally nothing at all before a bludger connected with his head. How could he possibly face them now?
Maybe he ought to go into hiding for a while. "Henry, can I, like, still walk with you in the hallway? If you don't want to be seen with me, I'd totally understand," he said into the sheets, voice muffled. Avery was one dramatic boy.
@Henry Knight
24 Jan 2022, 22:02
Getting back up again
Interacting: @Avery Chen
Mentioning:
Henry knew thay he made a mistake brining in numbers and times to the conversation as a way to comfort his friend. His eyes remained on Avery, dropping down when he heard his words. Blaming himself for this, wishing that he didn't say anything. It would have been better if he stayed quiet. If he didn't go to the hospital wing or quidditch game. If he faded into the background.
Loki eyed Avery at the sudden words, rhe feline rested its head on its paws laying besides the first year. Stretched out on the side of the bed. Loki leaned aginest Avery, warm fur could be felt but not vibrations.
Henry quickly looked up at Avery's next few words, attempting to intertwine. To fix what he caused. The teen waited, tapping his foot on the floor waiting to help reassure Avery and help, even comfort if needed. The teen waited then when silence hit his ears, Henry jumped at the moment and spoke"you were so high and so far that no one could tell who it was and it wasn't the shortest quidditch play, the others didn't last long either but for a first game that the captain of the team was knocked out of then that was brilliant and next game, you'll do so much more." Softly smiling watching Avery carefully trying to choose words that won't upset him further, the teen wanted to help Avery. Want to remind him that one game doesn't determine the days ahead.
"Your one of my closest friends, this won't change that and others won't see you differently either," Henry spoke the teen placed a hand on the bed as he took a breath then continued " your fun, kind, light hearted and amazing. Your smile lights up the room and you are braver than most, a free spirit and intelligent mind. You are amazing and nothing will change that." Henry smiled toward the boy. Those words are true but he wasn't sure how helpful they will be for Avery.
Last edited by Henry Knight on 6 Feb 2022, 18:23, edited 1 time in total.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
4 Feb 2022, 00:53
Getting back up again
That's it, they all saw him. Flying off into the match on his new broom and in his new uniform, then getting knocked out a minute later like a chump. The whole school saw it. Avery wanted to crawl under his sheets and never come out again. His classmates will probably all make fun of him in class, and his housemates will say that he had disgraced them. 'Quidditch player wannabe' -- Avery could almost hear it.
He buried his face in his hands and sheets.
Henry took the opportunity to soothe his fears, so he listened with his face still hidden, then hoping for the best. Hopefully, no one could tell who he was. Weren't there many Asian boys in his year? He could count at least five, then a few more upperclassmen who weren't much bigger than himself. Perhaps anyone laughing would think he was Hanako Tone instead. A small Asian boy could hope.
"...and next game, you'll do so much more." That's it, he still had the whole year ahead of him. There was still Hufflepuff and Gryffindor to play, and even if he wouldn't be called in-game, he would still be there honing his skills every practice and cheering his team. He was still a new player, after all. Who knows what a year of practice could do for him? He was working hard, learning tips from his teammates, and keeping in shape with Flash. A new wave of hope washed over him, and he tossed the last piece of the chocolate bar into his mouth. "That's it, Henry! You're genius. I'm just going to keep practicing, and one day, I'll help my team win a match! Can't stop now! Just have to be patient." He clenched a hand into a fist with a look of renewed determination. If there was anything about Avery Chen, it was that he rolled with the punches.
His gaze softened into a smile as Henry continued. A feeling of warmth washed over him as he listened to his friend's words. Here was Henry, so genuinely caring and one of the best friends he could wish for -- someone who always knew how to pick up his spirits when they were down. Someone who truly saw and appreciated his good side. His bunkmate didn't always open up easily, but when he did, his authenticity always made you appreciate him more. "Wow, Henry..." the small boy was almost at a loss for words. How could he possibly put his emotions into words? "You're too kind. I really appreciate that. You always know how to make me feel better," he managed to say with a small smile. "Whenever you need something, don't hesitate to ask me for help, okay? Anything you need! Cleaning out a dungbomb from your trunk or whatever!" He gave a small laugh.
He truly was feeling a lot better already. When you had people who cared for you, did it really matter what anyone else thought? He petted Loki's warm fur by his side with a contented sigh. The highs and lows of his emotions had drained his energy a bit. Maybe he ought to go back to sleep for a bit. "Hey, thanks for coming to visit, Henry, and Loki. I think I might nap for a bit, just to make sure I can get out faster. This place is nowhere as nice as our room, but I'll see you soon, okay?" With that, he settled back into his pillows, giving Loki one last pat and nod goodbye to Henry.
Avery has gone back to sleep.
@Henry Knight
6 Feb 2022, 18:37
Getting back up again
Interacting: @Avery Chen
Mentioning:
Personally the teen never saw the whole likening of quidditch. Flying on broomsticks feet above the ground with the chance of getting knocked down by a metal ball or a opponent. It seems no matter the winner or loser, both sudes suffered injuries.
Majority of his friends are quidditch players and he does do well in flying class but the tei points don't equal a likening for quidditch. Dueling has the same injury and risk factor so he can't say anything but his thoughts that certainty spiral around as he listened to Avery.
Henry nodded toward Avery words with a soft smile, the third year wasn't sure how much he agreed with them or if they helped the first year but he looked better than a few moments ago. The teen brushed a fee strands of hair back as he spoke"I can even help you pratice," the words frlt unnatural and strange coming from his mouth. Practicing quidditch? Even if ir was to help someone he cares for still leaves a burning sensation and lump in his throat. Trying to hide the unpleasantly from Avery as he listened and nodded to the boy.
Henry only wanted to lift up the spirits that he might have aided in lowering, if describing the first year's good qualities work then he thought he did the job as he offered a nod and soft smile toward his words. Henry Knight never have been one to openly ask for helo or favors, even from those he cares deeply for. Always others usually allows him to feel like a burden or weak. Nodding toward the boy's words as he spoke"I'll keep it in mind but I don't think there will be any dungbombs involved," smiling a little as he questioned how a dungbomb would even get into his stuff. He has a mischievous spirit but not one for pranks or stuff such as dungbombs.
"Well you bed will be waiting for you when your out, I'll come back later," Henry replied as he stood from the chair. Loki rubbed aginest thr lad once more, giving him a quick lick on the jand before leaping from the bed. Henry offered a final nod before exiting the most dreaded and horrifying place at hogwarts with Loki. The hospital wing.
Thread Finished
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander