Locked Following The Music PV June Selwyn

Dialogue: ✕ | Thoughts: ✕ | Quotes: ✕
⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙

As the piece came to its conclusion, Monica was grinning ear to ear. The room filled with applause from the hanging portraits. Monica faced their adoring fans, lifting her robe to curtsy gracefully for them, blowing kisses and whipping 'tears' off her face, like the actresses she watched on tv claim their awards. "Thank you! Really! It is our pleasure! Please... stop" She soaked up the attention, really feeling like she had just dazzled the room with that 'chef-d'oeuvre'.
She held out her hand for June to take her space in the applause, but no acceptance was had. Monica turned to see that June remained on the bench, staring at the keys.

The room fell silent, the performance had ended. Monica reclaimed her spot on the piano bench, unsure if she should say something, or leave the silence where it was.
Before getting the chance to make a choice, "Have you---Yesterday, I-" It clicked in Monica's head, the big catastrophic failure that was the 'study group'.

Monica let June find her words, in fact she was relieved to let her do so, what would she even say? She wasn't a close friend of June's, she barely knew anything about her, but she was more than a little distraught at how the events unfolded the prior day. Every fibre of her being wanted to give a piece of her mind to that boy that sat next to June. To the prefects that so quickly shot her down. To Henry who, for no really rhyme or reason, blew June out of a tree, and continued to think that it was a joke! It is one thing to have such behaviour that is reciprocated with a friend, it is another matter entirely to just torment a person you just met, and continue to play it off as a joke, when the opposing party clearly hadn't taken it that way. Though, as Monica stewed on it, there was a part of her that did understand Henry a little. She herself often over played, or acted on impulse rather than considered others feelings in given situation. Her anger came more out of seeing herself in Henry, and the mistakes she had made, only now she was seeing how badly those choices affected others.

"Do you think I'm awful? After yesterday, I mean? I just... I feel bad. I feel bad because I clearly messed up. But he clearly is not sorry for what he did, and so I don't want to feel bad. And that.. That maybe makes me feel worse? Maybe? I don't know.."
Monica sat still, tracing the keys with her eyes. Though her knowledge of all of it was limited, from where she sat, none of yesterday was handle the best, for either party.
"I was rather shocked by yesterdays events, to be honest. I really didn't know what I was signing up for, but I did not expect it to go that way."
Monica turned to face June, she really did care about how she was doing, after all she had run out after her. The comment made by that one boy beside her boiled her blood, she could feel it rising in her again, "calm down, everything is fine, breath in and out"
Relaxed, she placed a hand on June's shoulder, "I don't think your an awful person Ju---Selwyn. Actually, I went looking for you after you ran out. All of that should have been talked through between the two of you and a professor, not something that was allowed to be a spectacle like it ended up being."
Memories began to surface in Monica's thoughts. Her brothers, how they tormented her, and yet, they never seemed to get in any sort of trouble for it. But those one or two times that Monica fought back, all blame seemed to be on her head. It was unfair, why should people be allowed to get away with certain actions, but others seemed to be punished? Even when the ladder are simply reacting based on the actions afflicted on them!
Every time one of those injustices came up, Monica found herself locked in her room. The only person she granted entry to, was Victoria, her sister. A tear began to form in Monica's eyes, the thought of her sister both gutted her emotionally, but also brought her such peace.
Victoria always knew what to say, she was gifted with comforting the broken hearted, and the mistreated.
Monica had to re-compose herself, trying to channel the wisdom from her older sister, "What would Vic say in this moment?"
"Boys can be jerks at times, and it might seem like they don't care, or no punishment falls on them, but they do have feelings, and care more than what they show. I'm sorry you got dealt the raw end of the stick with this. Is there anything I can do for you?"

⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙
| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @June Selwyn |

Monica went looking for her? June was taken aback slightly. Perhaps her perception of Monica Evans was unfair to her Slytherin peer. Perhaps she was more than a well-meaning but not very perceptive girl who lacked finesse when it came to social situations.

June turned to Monica and offered a small smile. "That... That's a very kind thing for you to do, thank you." She was grateful Monica corrected herself. Although her perception of Monica was changing, she wouldn't put the girl in the "friend" category just yet. Casualties had not quite been earned, in June's book.

She sighed, her eyes landing on the keys in front of her once more. "I don't think I should have gone in the first place. I made an absolute fool of myself in front of two prefects and a whole bunch of our classmates that I don't know." June laughed softly. "Not exactly how I was planning my whole reputation-seeking journey to go."

Monica's response was surprisingly profound. June looked up to her, and it was as if he person she saw in front of her was someone entirely new. Maybe George Henry did feel bad and just had an awful way of showing it. "Any... Anything you can do for me?" June was shocked by the question. "Hmm... You don't happen to have a time-turner on you, do you?" She chucked, "I'm kidding, those were all destroyed ages ago. Well... This is quite nice. Talking." June shifted slightly in her seat. "And music. You have a nice singing voice, by the way. How do you know that song? I wouldn't have thought it would have existed in the muggle world." June winced. "Sorry, I just sort of assumed you grew up in the muggle world. I should have asked first. Sorry."

Dialogue: ✕ | Thoughts: ✕ | Quotes: ✕
⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙

Refreshment ran over Monica, it was nice to have June open up to her, though as slight as it might be, it was a step of trust and building of friendship.
It was jarring hearing June talk about the 'reputation seeking journey' What did that even mean? Why would you have to search for a reputation? Aren't people just who they are? Did June feel the need to be someone else? Why was that?
"Parton my bluntness,"at this point in their... 'acquaintanceship' Monica had picked up enough to know that formalities mattered a great deal to June, so it was only natural to try to meet the slytherin where she seemed to be more comfortable, so trying her best to do so, Monica began to mimic her mother, and they way she spoke in polite social settings.
"Why does it matter what sort of 'reputation' you have? I mean, isn't being who you are enough? Why would you want people to like a concept of you, rather than the YOU you are?"
Monica had never really thought much of reputation, she had mostly lived her life... raw, for lack of better words. Yes doing so got her into trouble at times, mostly out of misunderstandings, or people just not knowing how to take a raw personality, but it didn't bother Monica much. Figured tis better to live a life, fully who you are, then wasting it, chasing after what you perceive people wishing you to be. Would it not be exhausting to always have to fake a part of you whenever you were with people? plus how would you know if anyone cared for you, or if they just liked the idea of you that you presented them?
Monica leaped out of her own thoughts, how long had she been dazing?"Uh why can't I just remain focused for 5 mins?"
Fortunately, her moment of daydream, wasn't noticed by June, who herself was lost in thought, staring at the keys at the piano. "You don't happen to have a time-turner on you, do you?" It was June's chuckly that brought Monica back to the rehearsal room. Just barely missing the first half of whatever June said, but now fully present for this current statement," I'm kidding, those were all destroyed ages ago. Well... This is quite nice. Talking." Yes it was rather pleasant. Having honest conversations, sharing in music. Serine, peaceful, exactly what Monica missed about her friends back home. Talking about their day, jamming to the latest song release, trying to match the artist.
This was probably the most meaningful moment Monica had had with a student thus far at Hogwarts. Not that her other interactions were bad, or underwhelming in any way, it was just nice to have an impromptu performance, followed by real conversation. It always adds something when music was involved, at least in Monica's opinion.
"I agree. I love having conversation about life, and external processings, makes me feel like an adult, in a weird way. "
"And music. You have a nice singing voice, by the way. How do you know that song? I wouldn't have thought it would have existed in the muggle world." June seemed to pull back slightly after that comment....why did she do that? "Sorry, I just sort of assumed you grew up in the muggle world. I should have asked first. Sorry."
Oh? That set Monica back,"I thought we have talked about this already?" Always a bit of a blow when it seems that an interaction was not a memorable one, adding a bit of a confirmation that Monica had little impact on the Slytherin house mate. Though it was only one other conversation, and it did seem like June had been going through something... perhaps it was best not to mention it. No sense making her feel worse... would she feel worse about it?
"Oh no need to feel sorry for that. It is true, I did grow up in the Muggle world."
Monica looked down at the keys, hearing the melody flood her brain once again, tracing the notes with her gaze, hearing her father signing along with the music. She allowed herself to smile, just a little. "My father used to sing that song to us every night. I don't know where he heard it from, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was passed down through the family. Apparently, centuries ago, my family lived in the wizarding world... but one of my great great great...." She started counting in her head, not that there was much point, she really didn't know how far back the magic went in her family,"Well I'm not sure how many greats, but grandfather was a.....um..." she couldn't remember the word for squib, "...well he was unable to use magic, so he moved to the muggle world, and low and behold, I come up as the shinning star! Bring magic back to the Evans household." She played an F cord to add some musical humour to her statement.
"So it has come to my attention, that I really don't know much about you Selwyn, which, I mean, is perfectly understandable, given we have only happened upon each other twice now, but I would like the chance to know who June Selwyn is. Not the reputation you want, but who you are?"

⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙
| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @June Selwyn |

Reputation was a touchy subject for June. Her search for reputation stemmed from her sense of deep loneliness for just about the whole year. Being "her" wasn't enough if it meant no one to talk to, if it meant being unknown. Unimportant. She huffed slightly at Monica's question, she clearly didn't understand. "There's no point in being yourself if no one knows who are are, is there?" No irritation was present in her voice. "I'm just trying to get myself out there, that's all."

June listened intently as Monica shared, grateful for the change in topic. "Oh, your ancestor was a squib, is that right?" She chucked as Monica hit her chord to emphasize her point, June even added a small arpeggio on the upper octaves to help it sound more "magical". "Wow, to be the person bringing magic back into a family... That sounds incredible. Do you ever feel any pressure over it?"

She sat upright, taken aback slightly by Monica's expressed desire to get to know her. "You want to know who... Who I am?" No one had asked her so expressly before. "Alright, well.. Let's see. I'm June Anaïs Selwyn, born June 23rd 2010." June paused for a moment, needing to yet again forgive her parents in her mind for the most unoriginal name of all time. "I'm a pure-blood, if that sort of thing is important to you. Although maybe it's not if you aren't. No matter, I find the whole thing kind of idiotic, anyways."

"What else..." June tapped her finger on her chin as she thought. "I like to... Swim? I like to read, I'm quite good at wizard's chess, and- oh! I'm an only child." She smiled, a bit sheepish after having to list out a bunch of her traits. "I don't think I'm very good at this... Anything you'd like to know? And what about you, Evans?"

Dialogue: ✕ | Thoughts: ✕ | Quotes: ✕
⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙

What a thought... and a wrench in Monica's way of thinking, if no one knew who you were, how would they know you?
However it wasn't a concept that Monica could just accept... could she?
"I mean getting yourself out there is once thing, loosing yourself along the way is a completely other matter entirely. Sorry, don't mean to over speak, I am not you Selwyn. I don't know how you were raised, or what events shaped you. It's not that I disagree with you... I just have never been in a situation to have to build a reputation. Though I never had a thought about what sort of reputation I carry." Monica traced her fingers along the ivory keys, feeling the smooth texture, pondering over the thought.
How did people perceive her? It never seemed to be a thought that pledged her, she always had good friends...right?
Thinking back on situations, it could be possible that she wasn't always taken in the way she had perceived. Moments of last minute plans changing, was just a normal occurrence, or forgetting to invite her to events was just the way things were.
Could it be that she never had acceptance back home?
This was not the time to buckle under thought spirals, what good would that do?
"I suppose maybe it is something to consider?"

Changing the subject was a welcome relief, at this point Monica was urning for surface level conversations, ones that didn't have her second guess all she had known about life and herself up to this point. "Wow, to be the person bringing magic back into a family... That sounds incredible. Do you ever feel any pressure over it?"
"Well... I guess a little. My sister was so proud of me, and talked a lot about all the things I could do with magic. My father cried, almost like...he was scared?" Her fathers face burned in her memory, the tears streaking down his face, he was trying to hid the fear, but she saw it. She always saw it, no one could hide their feelings from Monica, at least, no one in her family.
"Though he said he was proud of me, and happy for me, I saw the hesitation... I guess that is why I have been so reluctant to connect here, embrace the wizard culture. Some honouring witch I turned out to be."

"Enough about me though...." Taking time to hear from June, Monica listened with great intent. "No you are doing fantastic! Wow an only child? Sometimes I wish I didn't have brothers, not sure I would ever say the same about Victoria though." She took a minute to wonder what it would be like to not have siblings... but as soon as the attempt was made, flashes of her brother's torment invaded her serenity.
"Some people were just born lucky."
"Wizard chess? Is it some how different from Chess? Or the same thing? My father taught me how to play, and I would consider myself quite good. It would be interesting to play together sometime, see how we fair against each other?"
Now the question was reflected back on herself, "Me? What can I say, I am an open book. I have an older sister, and 2 older brothers. I love camping, and spending time in nature, and with animals. I love art, and creating things, I find it a freeing way to express myself. Love sports, any and all, and I am going to master this quidditch game I have learned about." She stoped for a moment, thinking about her time at hogwarts, the adjustment of it all, "And apparently I'm not the best witch." Fact of the matter was Monica had no ground to stand on here. No context for this world, and little to no connections for building friendships. And now she was relizing that her connections back home, might not have been what she had thought they were.
Her days had started to get lonely, docile. She began to accept it, push through, try her best, and just hoped that soon she would find how she fit into this world.
"Maybe June had a point about building a reputation..."
Monica turned herself fully on the piano bench, to face June, perhaps a little too abruptly, but when was she ever subtle?
"June can I ask you a question?"

⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙
| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @June Selwyn |

June looked intently at Monica as she spoke, drinking in every word she spoke. Pensiveness shadowed June's face as Monica spoke of her family's reaction to her magical nature. Her father had... cried? Hesitated? At least he was outwardly supportive, but still...

Her face brightened a bit as Monica moved on to speaking more about her family, not wanting to drag down the atmosphere with her questioning posture. "Victoria.. Is she the sister you mentioned earlier?" June thought for a moment, slowly forming words in her head before speaking. "I suppose I wanted siblings when I was younger. It got awfully boring around the manor sometimes, but not all the time. But I don't think I would like a sibling now, it'd be a bit weird to have a bother or sister 11 years younger than you. Well, almost twelve."

Twelve. That number certainly was coming quickly, June would need to begin preparations for a part of some sort soon.

Her attention was drawn back to Monica, the inquisitive look back on her face. "Just.. 'chess'? I couldn't tell you if they were the same or not... Well, in wizard's chess, you play one opponent on a board of black and white tiles, each with 16 pieces. You can command them to move, but different types of pieces move different directions, and you try to have them land on the spot of the board your opponent's piece is on. Once your opponent's piece called the "king" is unable to move without being taken, you win. Is that the same as your 'chess'?"

As Monica shared her interests, June made points of what overlapped and what didn't. "Quidditch, huh? Is there a professional team you fancy? My father is partial to the Kiwis, the national team from New Zealand, but I guess the Holyhead Harpies are quite good as well."

June's face faltered as the young Slytherin seemed to open about her feelings of inadequacy. June placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle smile. "Nonsense, I'm sure you're an excellent witch. It's only our first year, just.. Give it time, I suppose." She removed her hand, a bit surprised by her own physical expression. "Ask me a question? I don't see why not..."

Dialogue: ✕ | Thoughts: ✕ | Quotes: ✕
⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙

That day, receiving the letter, having that wizard visit her home. The confusion, the emotions, it was a rather...daunting memory that Monica held. Learning all of this information at once, expecting comfort and reassurance from her parents, only to walk away with more confusion, and slight discomfort for herself. Only June's question brought Monica back to the rehearsal room, sitting at the piano.
"Victoria.. Is she the sister you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes, the one and only." Monica sat entrenched, her heart burning for her sister, her reassuring hugs, the way she saw Monica, loved her, and was the only one that seemed to really support her in traversing to Hogwarts. Though she was meeting people at Hogwarts, she still felt ostracized, different, the only one that ever made Monica feel fully accepted for who she was was her sister, and she wasn't here to help with the isolation.
"Well I am sure having one now, with an age gap like that, would be quite the adjustment... but if it were to happen, just think of all you would be able to instil in your younger sibling, I think of how much of a blessing Victoria is for me...but don't you ever wonder about if you had a sibling now, that was closer to your age?"

The room grew cozy as conversation trailed on. Listening to the explanation of 'Wizard chess' seemed to sound an awful lot like regular chess.... but what did June mean about telling the pieces to move? "That sounds exactly like chess... though we have to move the pieces by hand, not command..." The thought of commanding the pieces to move, when simply grabbing them yourself seemed rather ludicrous, "The more and more I learn about the wizarding world, the more it seems like they use magic as a crutch, never really doing anything for themselves..."
Not a fair comparison though, it would seem if one had the power to move something at will, or simply say a phrase and a task be completed, wouldn't anyone use that ability? The world back home seemed to already turn to similar functions with the google home and other smart devices, none of which Monica had possession of, but knew some friends who did.

"Quidditch, huh? Is there a professional team you fancy? My father is partial to the Kiwis, the national team from New Zealand, but I guess the Holyhead Harpies are quite good as well."

Turning slightly red, realizing how little she knew of the sport... of course it is a real sport, with professional teams, though embarrassed to admit she had no clue, "I really don't know who to cheer for yet....I...Normally have take time, watching and investing in seasons before choosing who has my support."

Monica could feel the space turn from cozy to downright claustrophobic, unsure if she was even connecting with June at all... but hearing her assume she was a fine witch, opened up the space a bit... even if June didn't care much for Monica, she seemed to have a good heart for people, so perhaps she was worth still getting to know beyond the surface level. June's hand slid off Monica's shoulder, just like Victoria's had whenever she comforted Monica in the past.
Facing June directly, Monica took a breath, this would make or break any sort of friendship they may or may not have, "Well I'm not sure if you noticed, but I am not the most... 'subtle' person around. I say things like it is, and I rather despise people who try to fake parts of themselves for acceptance... though I have come to learn that perhaps the wizarding world acts very different from my own... I guess my question reflects just that..."
Monica took a breath, having not breathed during that whole sentence, "Ju--Selwyn, I haven't been the best at making friends here... I have honestly found this first year to be rather lonely...Like being a dog expected to live in the ocean. Do you have any advice for connecting with magical folks? I don't know what I am doing wrong... Maybe I do have to change the way I am if it doesn't fit in with this world, but I have no reference for that.....I guess I just figured, you being raised here, you would know how the culture is."

⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙
| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @June Selwyn |

Siblings, in all honesty, confused June. She shook her head at Monica's question. "I don't think I'd want a sibling. After all, if we were close in age we'd both end up at Hogwarts at the same time and," June looked around the grand room, "I'm quite happy to be here without any ties to home. Even if it gets a tad lonely."

As soon as June agreed to answer Monica's question, the girl launched into a train of thought. Advice for befriending magical folk? June pondered as she waited for Monica to finish her thought. When the young Slytherin had finally finished speaking, June waved her hand with a slightly defeated sigh. "Honestly, call me June, I'm used to it by now."

She took a deep breath. "I feel quite a similar way, honestly. Not for the same reason, but still. It's been lonely for me, too." June traced the seam of her robe with her finger as she spoke. "You don't need to change anything about yourself, Monica. You only discovered magic existed, what, not even a year ago? I can imagine it will take time to adjust to everything... But I'm happy to help you connect with magical 'folk' until you really find you're able to stand on your own two feet." She looked up at Monica and smiled. Something about the girl's vulnerability had shifted June's perception of her. "As for advice... Have you really read through 'Hogwarts: A History' yet? I think knowing the background to how the culture is today could be helpful."

Dialogue: ✕ | Thoughts: ✕ | Quotes: ✕
⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙

Lonely. The word rang through Monica's ears, echoing in her soul. A word she did not want to accept as fact, but was gnawing away at her day by day. Looking up at miss Selwyn, the girl that made no sense to Monica, finally shown a glimpse of similarity. This girl, much like her... felt lonely.

Monica fiddled with the keys, not letting a sound escape the piano, but feeling the weight of the keys as she poised to press them, "I mean, I love having a break from my brothers, that's for sure... but...No ties?" Monica started to wonder, what was it about this girls home that she rather not be tied to it? Perhaps it was rude to ask... though was June wanting her to ask? Was bringing up the fact that she rather do without home ties a cry for conversation?

No. There wasn't enough known about this girl to assume such a desire. If June wished to talk about such personal things, surely she would say so.
"Having my sister here though would be nice... someone to talked to who knows me. To goof off with and laugh at dumb jokes. Someone to cry with..." Her voice cracked. The truth was she missed her sister so deeply. The one person who could make the sourest of circumstances sweet. Who protected her from her brothers, was a safe place... was Home.

Monica's heart fluttered when June gave her permission to use her first name. It was such a bother to refer to people by their last names, and felt so... unipersonal. That was how you referred to an old person, or someone you didn't know well at all, let alone trusted. Calling June Selwyn just felt like a wall between them... but perhaps that wall was crumbling down.

Monica listen as June spoke. She watched as the Slytherin girl traced the seam of her robe with her fingers. June looked up, meeting Monica's eyes and smiled. Monica returned the smile, before looking down to the peddles on the keyboard. 'until I stand on my own two feet'

Would that ever be true?

Monica looked back at June, as she suggested reading 'Hogwarts: A History'

"Oh you got to be joking, you're giving me homework to help me out with making friends?" She laughed as she spoke, trying to lighten the atmosphere a bit. "Well if professor June decrees it... I guess I have no choice." Taking out a pen, she wrote on her hand the title of the book, before looking back up to June, "So...If you're lonely too, I can assume this book doesn't quite help with that."

⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘⋘ ◊ ⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙⋙
| 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @June Selwyn |