The Inevitable PV Monica Evans Complete

"What an absolute appalling day" Thought Monica, as she drifted in the clear waters, just south of the campus. Her time so far at Hogwarts had been underwhelming at best. This wasn't how she envisioned her 7th year to go.

She had plans to apply for St. Mary's with all of her friends, join the basketball team, and maybe try out for the school play. But no, she had to have "Magical abilities" and get whisked away to this secluded area, no friends, no family, and frankly way behind in everything, comparatively to her peers. At least they grew up knowing about magic, and who they were, and what it meant. She didn't get that luxury.

One could say she didn't take to well with this adjustment. For the first time in her life, she felt like a fish out of water. She was always top of her class, was able to be friends with everyone, but here. Not a soul banter with.

She had gotten used to her new role in life, the outcast Muggle born. Good for nothing, rejects of the wizarding world, at least that is the perspective she had.
"What was the point to have me establish my own life, only to cast me out here?"

Today in particular, Monica needed a break from the wizarding world. From feeling like a failure, and rejected. So she decided her time was better spend in isolation, floating alone with her thoughts. It was peaceful, calming. For the first time since arriving, she felt a little bit like her old self.

The day was warm, the sun bright and inviting, though she might get in heaps of trouble, Monica decided it was worth it to take such a pristine day to just be herself. before she new it the day had been spent, and she felt rested enough to rejoin society for the remain hours left in the day.

She opened her eyes, only to shield them from the glaring sun, she let her head dip below the water, and sat up. The water dripped down her face, covering her eyes, and trickling into the water below. The air had cooled a great deal since noon, but it was still pleasantly mild.

She took a breath and stood up, hearing the rush of water falling from her body, as it rejoined the greater collection at her feet.

As she stood, she noticed a figure just up the lake a bit, curled over, alone. It looked to be a girl her own age.

Monica stood, thinking for a moment, and after some internal deliberation, mostly consisting of, "I would like go eat sooner rather than later" She made the choice, just to check on this person.

"Maybe it's just a quick fix, I'll grab a professor for you, and I can get myself something to eat."
She grabbed her towel, drying herself off, before wrapping herself in her school robe, and make her way over to meet the girl.

The universe had it out for June Selwyn. She was convinced. Because as she was crying into her arms, a spot of her robe now wet with tears, she heard something in the water. Her head shot up, and she saw the worst possible thing she could imagine in that moment. Another person. Swimming. Just a few metres from where June was crying. Bogies.

June froze, held her breath. Maybe if she didn't move, the other girl wouldn't see her. She would just stay still until... until... Until the giant squid itself erupted out of the lake and ate her. Yes, yes. This was a good plan. A great plan. Just. Don't. Move.

It was a stupid plan, June knew that. Of course it would not and did not work. After a moment, the girl in the lake got out, dried herself off, and headed towards June while putting on her robe. Her robe with a Slytherin crest on it. Double bogies.

June tried to wipe her tears from her face as fast as she could, taking some (rushed) deep breaths in an attempt to compose herself. As the girl approached, June shook her head as if to clear out her old thoughts and put on her best canned smile. She was fine. Everything was okay. June Selwyn was absolutely fine.

"Lovely afternoon for a swim, I suppose?"

Taken a bit aback but the sudden response, before even having the time to finish putting on her robe, Monica stopped in her place...She seemed well enough, why not just end the pleasantries here, and go get some much needed nutrition.

Unfortunately that isn't how her mother had raised her, and as if her mouth had a mind of its own, it spoke back.

"Yes it rather has been, though if I am being honest took more than the afternoon." Her small attempt at a joke was now out there, nearly holding her breath, she had hoped the conversation would stop, she could feel her stomach giving up on life, letting out the last bit of screams it had, begging for sustenance.
She grabbed her stomach, Was that out loud? I hope not!

"So you going in for a dip, or do you just find pleaser burying yourself next to shorelines?"

What was wrong with her?! Why couldn't she just walk away! Tired and hungry, this was neither the time nor the place for casual conversations, and yet there was something about this girl that made Monica stay, She had seen her around in the common room, and in various classes from time to time. Why was a girl like that alone, next to the lake. From what Monica knew, she did good in classes, wasn't into trouble, and seemed to more or less get along with others....Maybe that was it, the sense of loneliness, maybe that is what Monica felt she had in common with this girl.

"If you are heading in I recommend that section over there" She pointed back to where she had just emerged from, "It's more out of the way of people, if that is what your wanting."

Monica stood there for a bit, waiting for a response... But she wasn't the patient type. "I'm Monica by the way." As if by impulse she stretched out her hand, unsure of what response she even wanted, but just knew that this was the response when introducing yourself.
She held her hand there... waiting.

Oh no, I'm just... Admiring the golden hour," June lied. She realized too late that it wasn't even close to golden hour. She softly chuckled at the girl, mostly concerned if she had skipped class or not. June couldn't imagine herself so blatantly breaking rules, especially when all most of the classes here were so intriguing.

June could hear the girl's stomach growl quietly, and smiled to herself. "I'll keep this spot in mind next time I go swimming." Or need to be alone, she thought.

The girl stuck out her hand, introducing herself. Monica, Monica... No surname rang a bell in June's head. Merlin, all these non-wizarding folks using their first name so casually was still shocking to June. First Maggie, now Monica. And then they're surprised when June can tell so easily that they're likely not familiar with the wizarding world. Bizarre, is what it was. Absolutely bizarre. Perhaps it was just first-year Slytherin "M" girls who did this. Or perhaps not, and June was drawing conclusions out of nothing to try and find order as her emotions were slipping away from her control. One of the two.

June's smile became a tad more authentic as she shook the girl's hand. "Selwyn. June Selwyn, pleasure to make your acquaintance."

In that handshake, as June looked into Monica's eyes, she saw the same look that June had been trying to hide for so long. Loneliness. At least a dash of it. Now June had some friends to call her own now, that helped her fill the weekends and evenings and times in-between. But Monica (June had resigned herself to her new fate of calling people she had just met by their first name)... June hadn't seen Monica with anyone almost all year. A shared loner companion. Perhaps June could inspire this girl just as Maggie had inspired her.

"Are you a bit hungry? We've got supper in a couple of hours, but there are always snacks to find somewhere. Did... Did you eat lunch?" June blinked slowly, replaying their (brief) conversation her head. "Just how long have you been out here?"

Monica welcomed the handshake, "well this seems to be going well so far, Selwyn, June Selwyn." The memory of using your last name first was still such an odd concept, made one sound like one of those uptight, rich adults, but never mind that, if this was the custom, then Monica didn't want to stick out. Even more so than she probably already did.
"Evans, sorry keep forgetting to mention that."
And just like that her cover was blown, her stomach now roaring for sustenance, had in fact been heard. Oh how embarrassing, though it was nice to be welcomed with the notion to get food together, that is exactly what Monica wanted, right now!
"Yeah getting a quick snack sounds great! I didn't eat much at lunch, and swimming can make a person pretty peckish." Just as she was about to ask where they should go to find some food...
-"Just How long have you been out here?"
Busted. Should she lie? What would she do? Would she dear tell a professor? Perhaps not.
"It really wasn't that big of a deal," Monica reasoned, "We are allotted sick days, so what is the harm if I felt my personal sanity was sick, and needed a day at the lake?"
She chose to lead in that direction, using it as a need to escape boredom, in order to be a better student, sounded better then the ladder of just plain skipping.
"Well since just after lunch, I just needed a bit of a break, and I guess I lost track of time."
Yes that sounds good enough. It was a mistake, not an intension. Hopefully June shared the same perspective, or Monica had who knows what sort of punishment awaiting her.

Relief flooded June, "Evans". A surname. Good, fewer unknowns. No need for June to fill herself with more anxiety and unknowns while pretending she wasn't just crying about that a moment ago. She'd take any form of relief or solace she could take.

The thought of skipping class made June's stomach lurch. Even though classes could sometimes be obtusely boring, isn't the pride of showing up worth it? The opportunity to elevate your position in the eyes of your peers, your professors? Or worse, being caught and then losing house points. Being seen as weak, as stupid, as incompetent. No, the cost-benefit ratio was simply to great to skip class.

At least, to June it was. Clearly not for Monica Evans.

Still, here was a girl who perhaps considered herself above all of that reasoning. June supposed she envied that mentality a bit, if it was true. Allowing yourself to let go of the pressure to perform, the constant beating of your own drum to settle only for perfection.

"Needed a bit of a break..." June shook her head slightly. June simply could not wrap her head around it.

"Well then, I suppose now that classes are over your break is done, hmm?" June smiled, "I'm joking, don't worry." Well, half-joking. "You've been swimming for quite a while then, haven't you? No wonder you're hungry. Do you swim often?"

June thought for a moment, it would be a while until dinner. June wasn't hungry yet, but she hadn't been doing physical activity for a number hours. Someone in the common room almost always had sweets from Honeydukes or treats from home that they'd exchange for a favour or some sickles, though. "Well, we could head back to the castle to be the first for dinner, if you'd like." June stood up, dusting off her robes. "I'd quite like a walking partner, if you don't mind."

Heart palpitating, palms turning clammy, unsure what reaction would come up due to her sell proscribed break. This was where all the cards fell, who was this June? What kind of person was she?
Monica awaited for any sort of objection, or fight that would start with a comment, and lead right to the headmaster quarters... but received none. Good, that was the last thing Monica needed to deal with right now. She didn't really see why it was such a big deal to miss one day of lectures. Her father and mother had stayed home from work before, and they never got a stern talking to. For as far as Monica was concerned, if a grown-up could dictate their own days, why couldn't she?
"Well then, I suppose now that classes are over your break is done, hmm?" Perhaps Monica was wrong about June, Perhaps she was going to go to a professor, rat her out, abandon this potential for a friendship. No mustn't show any weakness, or concern, that would just make the whole thing worse. So she held in her composure, ready to defend if it came to that...
A smile grew on Junes face, Monica fell back in to neutrality, "Okay she was just joking, Why do I always let myself get worked up over nothing?"

Monica stood over June, her stomach still announcing it's state of being to the world. "You've been swimming for quite a while then, haven't you? No wonder you're hungry. Do you swim often?"

"Yes I swim a great deal! At least back home I did. I was nearly old enough to join the swim team, but Hogwarts came a knocking." She paused a moment, reflecting on the things she now wouldn't get the chance to do. The swim team, transferring schools with her friends back home, playing basketball, and watching movies... She realized, maybe too late, that she had disengaged from the conversation. Snapping herself back to the present, "I mean, this place is really something, and I am sure there is great deal that Hogwarts has to offer, that I surely wouldn't get to learn back home." She gazed out over the lake, not looking for anything in particular, but more searching for anything to change the topic.

Her stomach roared again, sending Monica gripping her stomach, as if to catch the noise mid air.
"Well, we could head back to the castle to be the first for dinner, if you'd like. I'd quite like a walking partner, if you don't mind."
Monica's face perked up, letting out a smile from ear to ear.
"I wouldn't mind at all! The sooner I get some food, the better."
Monica hopped next to June, placing her arm in a way to extend her elbow, an invitation to link arms as they walked.

Monica offered her arm to link with June's. June looked at it for a moment, surprised by another act of familiarity from this girl she had just met. But this time, June welcomed it. She appreciated the physical support, a tangible connection, especially since June was actively fighting back tears. She smiled, hoping her eyes wouldn't betray her, and put her arm through Monica's as they began making their way back to the castle.

"You sound like quite the athlete! A swim team, fascinating. My parents and their friends organized some sporting events for us when we were younger, but there weren't enough of us for a team or anything. I was never one for sports growing up, anyways. Was this with a private club or something?"

June watched the Hogwarts castle grow closer and closer. The exact last place she wanted to be right now. The place she ran away from not even 10 minutes ago. This was not how June wasn't fully aware of it, but in that moment she disliked being herself. Unknowingly obsessed with face, other's opinions, being perfect, reputation (perhaps she was aware of that last one). Having walls built up around her true emotions. Walls that were kind and personable, but not truly her. They were still walls.

"I haven't seen you around that often, Evans. How've you found Hogwarts life this year?" June hoped that she could find solace in Evans' answer, but she wasn't terribly optimistic. After all, June said it herself, she hadn't seen her around that much this year.

Something felt off, as June accepted Monica's arm, and the two pushed forward back to the castle, but Monica couldn't quite figure what it was. That is, if it was anything at all. One doesn't simply know all the inner mechanisms of a person you have just stumbled into meeting one day, it takes time to get to know some one well enough to have the authority to assume, or ask if something was wrong. As far as Monica knew, June Selwyn was shy, or just held herself back in the face of new people.

Whatever the case, Monica felt it best to put it aside. If there truly was something wrong, June would probably say so, or at the very least, have some one to say so to.
"I don't know if you would refer it to a "privet club" it was more like a team you trained with, you know like running relays, or freestyle, build up strength and endurance. Then you would compete against other teams, and could qualify for championships. It's a really fun time."
Monica paused, allowing her thoughts to escape her for just a moment, the rush of diving into the depths of a pool, gliding through the water, as if you were flying. Pushing yourself to crawl ahead of your competitors, nothing in the world felt better.
As quickly as the reminiscing came, it left. No longer was it a reality for Monica. Even if she could this summer, she would already be a whole season behind the other girls, she wouldn't be able to catch up and preform well during competitions by the time she had to return to Hogwarts.
As the castle grew ever closer, and conversation continued to grow, Monica couldn't help but feel comfortable with June. It was strange, but it almost felt like she was an old friend, or one that you haven't had the chance to see in a really long time.
"-How've you found Hogwarts life this year?"
Well to be honest, Monica didn't really know the answer as to why the two of them haven't seen more of each other. without realizing it, Monica had been isolating herself around the campus. She did have one friend, but only saw here once in a while. One would suppose, transitioning from the common world to the wizarding one, was more of an emotional toll. Would that be something she wants to share? To lay out plainly that it's been less than ideal leaving your family and friends behind, moving here alone.

"Well, if I may be frank-" She thought for a moment, how did she feel about her time at Hogwarts? It wasn't something she gave the space to really think about. Sure she wasn't ecstatic about having to come, but has it really been bad? At the end of the day, it is just a school, with kids, not unlike the ones back in Cambridge.
"When I was first told about magic and Hogwarts, and all about the wizarding world, I was a little taken aback. Don't get me wrong, it's amazing, all of it. Just like the stories I read with my sister....But...It's been hard leaving my friends, not seeing my family, being the only one with the ability to use magic, that I know of course. When I first came here, I was angry, and all I wanted was to go home." She felt a smile grow a little on her face. "But I got the chance to meet some people, and it is really cool to learn about magic, a bit of a bummer all the rules with it. Class is still class, long and boring. But when it comes down to it, my time has not been horrific. In fact, every day I am here, I am experiencing something wild and new, that I never would get to experience back home. I guess that's why we might not have crossed paths, I have been working through accepting life here, away from the life I knew, and loved."
Monica looked over at June, realizing the rant she just went on, "Great now she is going to think I am some looser that will dump all my garage on the first person who says hi."
"Sorry, didn't mean to rant there for so long, What about you? Have you been having a good first year."