7 Jun 2018, 22:32
A Quick Exit
Breakfast in the Great Hall was not Maisy's favorite time of day. Far too often, silly arguments and debates were breaking out between her house mates for the most absurd reasons, and even when all was calm, a stagnant tension rippled up and down the Slytherin table that made for a generally unpleasant experience. That was the problem, she supposed, with overly ambitious people. One always assumed their own ambitions were correct. Maisy's only ambition was getting through her porridge without being dragged into one ugly topic or another.
Lately, she had taken to bringing items along with her in hopes of staving off attention, or at best, sparking a conversation that wasn't so heated. Books were her usual tool, but occasionally, on those day when she was feeling particularly homesick, she would bring along things from home. That morning was a difficult one and the stack of pictures and letters from her family were all that kept her together.
When breakfast concluded, Maisy piled everything together and rose to leave the hall. It was no one's fault really, when a burly 4th year and a scrawny, pinch faced 3rd year, who were also making their leave, happened to choose that moment to engage one another in a shouting match. It was no one's fault that their shouting match would cause two 2nd year girls to turn at the same time, one knocking the other's mug of milk from her hand, sending it scuttling across the floor in a puddle of pearlescent white... And it was certainly no one's fault when Maisy, her attention fixed on her things, did not see the puddle and slipped with a small squeal, landing hard on her backside, her books, letters and pictures flung every which way across the room.
It took roughly two minutes or so for Maisy, pink-faced with embarrassment, to clean up, and roughly ten seconds thereafter for her to flee from the room, completely ignorant to the personal item abandoned in her haste. The picture had fluttered a good distance from the others, Maisy and her sister Mary curled up by their family's fireplace, cuddling with a small, scrawny Beddlington terrier, left behind on the floor near the Hufflepuff table.
Lately, she had taken to bringing items along with her in hopes of staving off attention, or at best, sparking a conversation that wasn't so heated. Books were her usual tool, but occasionally, on those day when she was feeling particularly homesick, she would bring along things from home. That morning was a difficult one and the stack of pictures and letters from her family were all that kept her together.
When breakfast concluded, Maisy piled everything together and rose to leave the hall. It was no one's fault really, when a burly 4th year and a scrawny, pinch faced 3rd year, who were also making their leave, happened to choose that moment to engage one another in a shouting match. It was no one's fault that their shouting match would cause two 2nd year girls to turn at the same time, one knocking the other's mug of milk from her hand, sending it scuttling across the floor in a puddle of pearlescent white... And it was certainly no one's fault when Maisy, her attention fixed on her things, did not see the puddle and slipped with a small squeal, landing hard on her backside, her books, letters and pictures flung every which way across the room.
It took roughly two minutes or so for Maisy, pink-faced with embarrassment, to clean up, and roughly ten seconds thereafter for her to flee from the room, completely ignorant to the personal item abandoned in her haste. The picture had fluttered a good distance from the others, Maisy and her sister Mary curled up by their family's fireplace, cuddling with a small, scrawny Beddlington terrier, left behind on the floor near the Hufflepuff table.
Last edited by Maisy Dane on 11 Jun 2018, 18:06, edited 1 time in total.
8 Jun 2018, 08:13
A Quick Exit
Constantine sat at the crowded table, pretty much shoulder to shoulder with his neighbors. Despite not feeling hungry when he'd woken up, he'd certainly felt a hankering for all the food displayed when he'd sat down. The Hufflepuff had taken two slices of toast and an egg, to keep it relatively light. The Great Hall was full by now, evident by the loud, almost deafening thunder of students chattering to one another. Constantine didn't mind this, however - at the Hufflepuff table, most conversations were undoubtedly good-natured. Occasionally, Constantine would chip in with a witty remark, though today he was more intent on staying quiet. After all, he'd never finish his breakfast if he didn't shut his mouth.
However, his attention was swiftly snatched away from eating by the pair who had decided to argue as they'd left. Watching the scene unfold before him, it was almost comical. He hadn't noticed how much of the mug's contents had cascaded onto the floor, so Constantine obliviously turned back to his meal. But yet again, his head whipped up as he heard the dull, yet noticeable sound of someone hitting the ground. Constantine couldn't see who it was, as they were partially shrouded by the flurry of letters and pictures that had been dropped as a result. Though he did notice that they were wearing green - a Slytherin student. He had moved to get up, however it wasn't possible; he was simply too crammed into the table to move. Constantine watched guiltily as the student scrambled to pick up her belongings, before hurriedly dashing away altogether.
And it would have remained that way, if it wasn't for the fact that Constantine had spotted a forgotten picture, left behind amidst her embarrassment. Now with a motive to leave, he jostled his way out of the group as nonchalantly as he could manage, sweeping up the picture as he moved by it. As he left, he studied the picture. So, he was looking for a girl, that was evident. Looking over the photo again, Constantine couldn't help but be distracted by the small terrier. It wasn't a picture he'd expect a Slytherin to have, though he much preferred it. Quickly shaking away a smile, Constantine strode, determined, out of the hall. Pursuing someone who had left a couple minutes early was difficult, though the Hufflepuff wouldn't give up.
However, his attention was swiftly snatched away from eating by the pair who had decided to argue as they'd left. Watching the scene unfold before him, it was almost comical. He hadn't noticed how much of the mug's contents had cascaded onto the floor, so Constantine obliviously turned back to his meal. But yet again, his head whipped up as he heard the dull, yet noticeable sound of someone hitting the ground. Constantine couldn't see who it was, as they were partially shrouded by the flurry of letters and pictures that had been dropped as a result. Though he did notice that they were wearing green - a Slytherin student. He had moved to get up, however it wasn't possible; he was simply too crammed into the table to move. Constantine watched guiltily as the student scrambled to pick up her belongings, before hurriedly dashing away altogether.
And it would have remained that way, if it wasn't for the fact that Constantine had spotted a forgotten picture, left behind amidst her embarrassment. Now with a motive to leave, he jostled his way out of the group as nonchalantly as he could manage, sweeping up the picture as he moved by it. As he left, he studied the picture. So, he was looking for a girl, that was evident. Looking over the photo again, Constantine couldn't help but be distracted by the small terrier. It wasn't a picture he'd expect a Slytherin to have, though he much preferred it. Quickly shaking away a smile, Constantine strode, determined, out of the hall. Pursuing someone who had left a couple minutes early was difficult, though the Hufflepuff wouldn't give up.
8 Jun 2018, 11:12
A Quick Exit
"Oh no! Oh no, oh no..." Maisy hadn't gone far. In the Small Hall outside, she had paused to nurse her embarrassment, a slightly sore elbow, and subsequently, to survey the damages done to her things. It was upon rifling through the photographs that she noticed the missing picture.
They didn't move as the ones in Hogwarts did. Her family photos were simple, stationary things, just clips of moments in the past... Childhood memories and people and things she loved, but they meant absolutely everything to the young Slytherin. They, and the letters with them, were her only tie to a home she was missing so desperately.
Kneeling on the floor in front of the portrait of a young, bushy-haired man in a red robe, who presently appeared rather deeply concerned, she spread out her photos with a panicked urgency, as dampness sprang to her eyes, building into great big tears that splashed down to the stone floor, "No, no, no..."
It was silly. It was so silly, and she would feel ridiculous for it later, but the missing photo, coupled with her mortified slip and fall, and the overwhelming sense of missing home... It was so much more. Too much.
Sniffing, she buried her face behind her hands with a soft sob.
They didn't move as the ones in Hogwarts did. Her family photos were simple, stationary things, just clips of moments in the past... Childhood memories and people and things she loved, but they meant absolutely everything to the young Slytherin. They, and the letters with them, were her only tie to a home she was missing so desperately.
Kneeling on the floor in front of the portrait of a young, bushy-haired man in a red robe, who presently appeared rather deeply concerned, she spread out her photos with a panicked urgency, as dampness sprang to her eyes, building into great big tears that splashed down to the stone floor, "No, no, no..."
It was silly. It was so silly, and she would feel ridiculous for it later, but the missing photo, coupled with her mortified slip and fall, and the overwhelming sense of missing home... It was so much more. Too much.
Sniffing, she buried her face behind her hands with a soft sob.
8 Jun 2018, 17:49
A Quick Exit
Constantine, too focused with reuniting the photograph to it's owner, narrowly avoided bumping into a student completely. The Hufflepuff clutched the photo in his left hand, making sure he didn't drop it. He hadn't seen her until the last minute, due to the fact she had been crouching, and it would've been entirely unfortunate if he had happened to bowl her over. This student was also wearing green - what was it with Slytherins and their knack for getting into trouble? Constantine had intended to nag at the girl on the floor, to warn that it wasn't safe being so hidden from sight - however, he'd just caught a worried glance from one of the paintings. As he inspected the girl further, it became apparent that she was crying, yet it had been muffled by her hands.
For now, the photo would have to wait. Tentatively taking a few steps forwards, Constantine reached out to softly tap at the girl's shoulder with his free hand. "Are you alright?" The Hufflepuff asked, only to inwardly facepalm himself. Of course she wasn't alright, she was weeping after all. Brushing off his sheepishness, Constantine tried again. "Why are you upset?" He prompted, kneeling next to her. He couldn't tell who she was, as her hands were obscuring his view, though it's not like he'd recognise a Slytherin anyway. Constantine hoped that he wouldn't get snapped at; Slytherins were known to be secretive, and being caught crying would most definitely be a blow to their valuable pride.
For now, the photo would have to wait. Tentatively taking a few steps forwards, Constantine reached out to softly tap at the girl's shoulder with his free hand. "Are you alright?" The Hufflepuff asked, only to inwardly facepalm himself. Of course she wasn't alright, she was weeping after all. Brushing off his sheepishness, Constantine tried again. "Why are you upset?" He prompted, kneeling next to her. He couldn't tell who she was, as her hands were obscuring his view, though it's not like he'd recognise a Slytherin anyway. Constantine hoped that he wouldn't get snapped at; Slytherins were known to be secretive, and being caught crying would most definitely be a blow to their valuable pride.
8 Jun 2018, 18:29
A Quick Exit
She should have known she couldn't fall apart in the middle of the Hall and not be noticed. Her first night in Hogwarts, she'd at least had the good sense to hide in the corner while dissolving into a sobbing mess, and Yvaine had still discovered her. She wasn't sorry he had, of course, but it was stupid to think it wouldn't happen again.
And for the second time, Maisy found herself stifling those tears with a sense of embarrassment, as she looked up to see the Hufflepuff boy looming over her, his expression somewhere between concern and confusion. Drying her eyes on her sleeves she pushed herself to her feet and managed a small nod and watery sniff.
"I'm alright. I just..." Looking to the pile of her belongings splayed out on the floor, she gave her head a shake and her shoulders bobbed as she fought off another sob, "I've lost it. I... I know I shouldn't be upset, but I just... I miss them so much, and this was my favorite and oh..." Biting her cheek, she breathed out, "It's just a picture, but it was my picture, and... I'm sorry. I don't mean to... I'm fine, honest... I'll be fine."
And for the second time, Maisy found herself stifling those tears with a sense of embarrassment, as she looked up to see the Hufflepuff boy looming over her, his expression somewhere between concern and confusion. Drying her eyes on her sleeves she pushed herself to her feet and managed a small nod and watery sniff.
"I'm alright. I just..." Looking to the pile of her belongings splayed out on the floor, she gave her head a shake and her shoulders bobbed as she fought off another sob, "I've lost it. I... I know I shouldn't be upset, but I just... I miss them so much, and this was my favorite and oh..." Biting her cheek, she breathed out, "It's just a picture, but it was my picture, and... I'm sorry. I don't mean to... I'm fine, honest... I'll be fine."
8 Jun 2018, 19:05
A Quick Exit
Constantine looked at the rows of pictures and letters thoughtfully. It really did seem like she held them close to her heart, however he wasn't entirely sure why it was the cause for such panic. That was, until he heard her explanation. For a moment, he'd forgotten all about the photo in his hand, and the girl that had taken the ill-fated stumble in the grand hall. The Hufflepuff held up the photograph to the student, and immediately recognised similarities. Even though she looked unhappier than her counterpart in the photo, it was most definitely the same person. She was also a Slytherin, and had lost an important photo. However, he had to be sure.
"I'm sorry to bring it up, but are you the girl that fell over in the hall a few moments ago?" He asked, trying not to make her feel too embarrassed. The Hufflepuff turned the photo so that the student could see it properly, before speaking. "Because, I found this in the hall, not long after she dropped it. I couldn't really see her face, as she rushed out too quick." Constantine confessed, hoping that his honesty would in turn make her answer truthfully. "It's a nice picture, so I wouldn't want for it to be lost. I think the dog is particularly cute." He added, trying to ease the situation into friendly territory.
"I'm sorry to bring it up, but are you the girl that fell over in the hall a few moments ago?" He asked, trying not to make her feel too embarrassed. The Hufflepuff turned the photo so that the student could see it properly, before speaking. "Because, I found this in the hall, not long after she dropped it. I couldn't really see her face, as she rushed out too quick." Constantine confessed, hoping that his honesty would in turn make her answer truthfully. "It's a nice picture, so I wouldn't want for it to be lost. I think the dog is particularly cute." He added, trying to ease the situation into friendly territory.
8 Jun 2018, 19:43
A Quick Exit
For a moment, she wasn't entirely sure why he was asking what he did, and Maisy had a terrible feeling the boy was going to make fun of her. Boys were, after all, utterly oblivious at times, and (or at least she'd heard her older sister say) had a terrible knack for thinking that teasing was the way to distract a girl from being upset.
She braced herself as best she could, then, which was probably why she looked so surprised instead, when he produced the same picture she had been absolutely certain was lost somewhere, trampled down in the Great Hall. Her eyes, watering again, turned up to meet the boy's gaze and widened, before, without a word, she threw her arms around him in a nearly bruising hug.
It was brief and stepping back again, her cheeks flushed scarlet, as she stammered, "S...sorry. It's just! Oh! You found it. My Pringle. I thought... I was so sure it was gone. He's my best friend, see. And I miss him so much, and I know it's silly, because I'll see him again when I go home for Christmas, but I've never been gone from home this long, and... Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
She braced herself as best she could, then, which was probably why she looked so surprised instead, when he produced the same picture she had been absolutely certain was lost somewhere, trampled down in the Great Hall. Her eyes, watering again, turned up to meet the boy's gaze and widened, before, without a word, she threw her arms around him in a nearly bruising hug.
It was brief and stepping back again, her cheeks flushed scarlet, as she stammered, "S...sorry. It's just! Oh! You found it. My Pringle. I thought... I was so sure it was gone. He's my best friend, see. And I miss him so much, and I know it's silly, because I'll see him again when I go home for Christmas, but I've never been gone from home this long, and... Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
8 Jun 2018, 20:05
A Quick Exit
At first, Constantine thought he had messed up, badly. The girl seemed to quieten, as if expecting something to happen. He didn't intend to make fun of her, but perhaps he had came across that way. Constantine thought he could see her eyes beginning to well up again too, to make things worse. The Hufflepuff scratched his neck, suddenly feeling like he'd chosen the wrong choice of words. However, he couldn't be proven more wrong.
After being enveloped in a slightly peculiar, lung crushing hug, Constantine regained the confidence that he had lost previously. "It's alright, don't mention it." He reassured, a lopsided grin plastered on his features. Constantine held out the picture for the girl to take, a wave of relief and satisfaction washing over him. "It's not silly. Really. I miss my dogs more than I'd like to admit." Constantine laughed sheepishly. When he said that he missed his dogs, it was more the feeling of missing a child. The Hufflepuff would agree that he pampered them too much, but he just couldn't help himself. "Oh, might as well introduce myself, then. Constantine Babbitt, though you can shorten it if you'd like." He added - not many people called him Stanley, however it was polite to offer, as well as the fact the nickname was shorter.
After being enveloped in a slightly peculiar, lung crushing hug, Constantine regained the confidence that he had lost previously. "It's alright, don't mention it." He reassured, a lopsided grin plastered on his features. Constantine held out the picture for the girl to take, a wave of relief and satisfaction washing over him. "It's not silly. Really. I miss my dogs more than I'd like to admit." Constantine laughed sheepishly. When he said that he missed his dogs, it was more the feeling of missing a child. The Hufflepuff would agree that he pampered them too much, but he just couldn't help himself. "Oh, might as well introduce myself, then. Constantine Babbitt, though you can shorten it if you'd like." He added - not many people called him Stanley, however it was polite to offer, as well as the fact the nickname was shorter.
8 Jun 2018, 21:07
A Quick Exit
"No, honestly... You've really saved the day." She laughed softly and the color faded from her cheeks after a moment or two. When he held it out to her, she took the photograph, holding it tight to her chest. There were more tear now, at the very edge of her eyes, but they weren't coupled with the crushing weight of sadness as they had been before. Instead, a smile formed, that brightened the entirety of her expression.
"I'm Maisy. Maisy Dane." She noted, then with a slight crook of her brow, added, "How... how would you shorten that?" She couldn't think of anything but Constance, and that was a girl's name, through and through, and while she could understand that some people might be cruel enough to employ a nickname like that, she never would.
"Hang on..." She continued a second later, as if she'd forgotten her point entirely, "Did you say you had one, too? A dog? OH! What sort? Mine, well... you've seen him, but he's a Beddlington, in case you didn't know. A fat one," She grinned, here, "But supposedly, pure breed. I've my suspicions though that he's mostly cat. He's lazy as one, at any rate."
"I'm Maisy. Maisy Dane." She noted, then with a slight crook of her brow, added, "How... how would you shorten that?" She couldn't think of anything but Constance, and that was a girl's name, through and through, and while she could understand that some people might be cruel enough to employ a nickname like that, she never would.
"Hang on..." She continued a second later, as if she'd forgotten her point entirely, "Did you say you had one, too? A dog? OH! What sort? Mine, well... you've seen him, but he's a Beddlington, in case you didn't know. A fat one," She grinned, here, "But supposedly, pure breed. I've my suspicions though that he's mostly cat. He's lazy as one, at any rate."
8 Jun 2018, 21:28
A Quick Exit
"Well, it's nice to meet you!" Constantine exclaimed, pleased with the way things had turned out. He'd never met a Slytherin like Maisy, the chatter at the Hufflepuff table had labelled them posh, evil and stuck up - maybe he shouldn't believe in stereotypes so easily, even if he himself was quite possibly the definition of a Hufflepuff. Well, aside from his occasional, hot-headed attitude.
"Most people shorten it to 'Stan' or 'Stanley', which comes from the middle bit of my name. Though it makes me sound like a bit of an old man, doesn't it?" He chuckled. The nickname didn't really bother him, as he'd rather just make it easier to say for everyone else. "My Mum calls me Babbitty, if you've ever heard of The Tales of Beedle the Bard? However, I really don't like that nickname." Constantine laughed, red dusting his cheeks. The Hufflepuff had always shared embarrassing information like that, quite possibly because it made himself laugh.
"Well, I wouldn't say just one dog." Constantine began, "My parents are Crup breeders. They're a wizard-made breed, but they're almost identical to Jack Russell terriers. I'm not supposed to pick favourites, but Josie and Jack are the top contenders, without a doubt! Josie is actually supposed to have pups soon, so I'm really excited!" He babbled, unable to contain himself. Constantine didn't hold anything higher than his dogs, so it wasn't a surprise that he could gush about them 24/7. The Hufflepuff was interested to listen about Maisy's dog - you could tell a lot about a person by the way they described their pets. "He does look lovely! I've never seen a breed like him before!" Constantine replied in an awed tone.
"Most people shorten it to 'Stan' or 'Stanley', which comes from the middle bit of my name. Though it makes me sound like a bit of an old man, doesn't it?" He chuckled. The nickname didn't really bother him, as he'd rather just make it easier to say for everyone else. "My Mum calls me Babbitty, if you've ever heard of The Tales of Beedle the Bard? However, I really don't like that nickname." Constantine laughed, red dusting his cheeks. The Hufflepuff had always shared embarrassing information like that, quite possibly because it made himself laugh.
"Well, I wouldn't say just one dog." Constantine began, "My parents are Crup breeders. They're a wizard-made breed, but they're almost identical to Jack Russell terriers. I'm not supposed to pick favourites, but Josie and Jack are the top contenders, without a doubt! Josie is actually supposed to have pups soon, so I'm really excited!" He babbled, unable to contain himself. Constantine didn't hold anything higher than his dogs, so it wasn't a surprise that he could gush about them 24/7. The Hufflepuff was interested to listen about Maisy's dog - you could tell a lot about a person by the way they described their pets. "He does look lovely! I've never seen a breed like him before!" Constantine replied in an awed tone.