Slytherin House Cup Party PV Closed

Glen sighed. ”…you six how not creep like puling babes…” seemed a bit unfair. They hadn’t had much time to partner up and enter a boat if they didn’t already have a partner beforehand, right? And the few people he’d actually known all seemed to have paired up already. But oh well… it couldn’t be helped now. Guess that’s one teacher that’ll never think well of us now… great. At least it had been the slightly less scary one. Still scary though.

What could he do other than to keep his head down and follow Blaze into the boat? There was little that could make this worse and not making it into the boat before they left off certainly seemed like a first class ticket to that horrifying concept.

He quickly climbed in after the other boy. Uh, he had introduced himself, right? Did he miss the boy introducing himself in return? Wouldn’t be the first time… oh please Merlin, no. But no, he was actually paying attention – apart from listening to the teachers – so unless the boy had said something during that exact moment he must not have gotten around to it yet.

“Ah. Umm. What’s your name then?” He asked awkwardly. He hoped his smile didn’t look as horribly awkward as he felt right now. His track record with meeting new people in Hogwarts wasn’t exactly the best after all. He supressed a sigh. He liked people but why was making a good first impression so hard?

“Do you like it here? At Hogwarts I mean?” Splendid! Now he’d also asked the most mundane question he could have. He rolled his eyes at himself. He couldn’t have thought of a more original question – or at least a more interesting one?

The boats on the lake did look awesome but he supposed that wouldn’t have made for a better topic of conversation. He really liked the atmosphere. Well, apart from the part with the angry teachers that is. But the quiescent air of the lake was really soothing. It did make him feel somewhat… nostalgic. He was still mostly excited though.

"No, no partner yet. Would you like to be my partner?"

Maisy had opened her mouth to say yes, when rather all of the sudden, her arm was encapsulated by the other girl's and she was half-dragged to the boat. She went along, and without a fuss, settling into the seat opposite the Slytherin with a small, quiet laugh. It was easier than she'd expected, and just in time, too.

Over her shoulder, she watched as the Potion's professor scolded a few of the stragglers, grimacing both at their berating and the words that no eleven year old in their right mind ought to understand. Idly, she wondered if he knew much about kids... But then, that surliness seemed pretty constitutional among the other professors, as well. It had taken her some time to get used to it - and at this point, she rather imagined it was just the way Hogwarts teachers taught. Well... except Professor Falke. He seemed pleasant enough. Maybe it had something to do with teaching flying? Being up in the air all the time...

Turning back around, she smiled pleasantly, and reached across the boat to extend her hand to the girl, "I'm Maisy, by the way. Maisy Dane."

The manner Erin acted had Sebastian alert. If for no other reason than something just felt off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Still, there was no reason to be unpleasant, and the girl seemed content to ask questions and get to know some information about the boy. The revelation that Erin couldn't swim was interesting, and likely garnered some concern from her, considering the boat ride that was to come; though Sebastian recalled mention that the boats were enchanted not to capsize or tip, so at least some degree of protection had been provided for the student.

"I haven't really thought about what I fear," Sebastian said pointedly, as he smiled at Erin. "I have healthy respect for some things, but I can't say I'm afraid of any particular one thing. I haven't seen enough, yet. Dementors cause some concern, though, I suppose?"

After Erin entered the boat, Sebastian did the same. His shoes crunched on the water edge, where the dirt and stones met water, before he lifted a leg and pushed off one foot. The boat didn't rock, didn't shift, instead remaining unmoving during the transition to boarding. As Sebastian settled in, looking at Erin again as she remained relatively quiet, the boat began to move; it was a smooth movement, following the other boats that also left the lake edge, following the Professors' own vessels. The lanterns lit, casting glows from numerous boats across the lake, showing a good number of Slytherin students in the wooden crafts, while also sending glows and shimmers across the water surface.

Erin spoke again, asking more questions.

"There's not much to tell, really," Sebastian said as he gazed out over the water, disinterest in his eyes at the celebration so far. He hoped something more than a night sail was planned. "I'm from a wealthy Irish family, and I'm a first year Hogwarts student. That's about it."

The interest Erin showed was interesting, he supposed. Usually it was Sebastian asking the questions to socially stunted students, so the change in conversation starter was pleasant. Still, at this point, it had mostly been one-sided, with all of the questions being aimed at the boy; this meant he was giving out all the information, while learning nothing about Erin. So, once she had asked about his father and his past profession, Sebastian decided he would use that time to ask some of his own questions...

"My father is Kenneth Leeds, and he was a Hit Wizard," Sebastian said, as though he was discussing the weather, let alone one of the more dangerous professions of the Ministry. "He hunted down Dark Wizards, brought some to justice, stopped threats from others. He doesn't talk about it much, so I wouldn't know any details beyond the job title and general idea of what it does."

Sebastian didn't mention the current occupation, noting the past tense of Erin's question.

"And no, I have higher ambitions."

Erin didn't need to know them, not yet. She was still a relative stranger, and had yet to really share much beyond being unable to swim. And Sebastian wasn't one to give everything away because someone said hello and introduced themselves.

"And what about you, Erin?" Sebastian asked, glancing toward her. His eyes observed her now, watching closely, silver-blue in the darkness. "What does your family do? Are they wizards? You seem curious about other people's pasts, so tell me a little about yours..."

The stench of moldy water and algae in full bloom was nearly overwhelming, while she stared motionless at the ground of the boat. It was a small boat, just big enough to hold Edric and her. At their feet was something which resembled a lantern. It was the only object she could see and it was therefore the most intresting thing right now. 

She sat perfectly still to prevent the boat from moving, but she could feel it shift beneath her, whenever Edric turned or lifted his arm. He was pointing at the sky, she noticed, so she tried to follow his direction. She held her head in place and rolled her eyes upwards as much as she could to see the stars Edric was talking about. 

The dark sky was a see itself, containing thousands and thousands of stars. She never had cared about Astronomy, and she rather thought of it as a nuisance since she had to climb all these stairs once a week, only to see darkness and draft some stars. In this moment the sight felt soothing. 

"Altair?" she said weak with a faint smile. "That's a nice name. M-my brother's second name is Artair." She was aware that these two names had actually nothing in common besides the similar pronounciation, but talking about something felt good. "Do you ... mh ... ngh." Marcia had to swallow. It was difficult for Marcia to find the right words. Everything seemed to slip out of her mind, and although she knew what she wanted to say, she couldn't get the words out of her mouth. "Stars? Y-you like them?"

Her body began to shake, despite the warm wind that blew the smell of water in her face; or because said wind blew the smell of water in her face. She held her gaze fixed at the stars above her and nodded, as if she knew what Edric had been talking about. Marcia had no idea if the bunch of glowing stars was Altair or any other constellation, but she didn't care. Although her own hearbeat was pounding in her ears, she liked to listen to Edric. However, the longer she sat, the more wanted she to jump out and to run back to the castle. 

I can't do this, I can't. 

"Thank you, Edric. Th-thank you." She couldn't say the reason why she was grateful, she just was. Finally she was able to move her first her toes, then her feet. Ever to slowly she moved them over the planks without loosing touch, till she had them stretched out. The boat may was small, but Marcia was smaller. She held her breath while she slid down from the simple bench, till her bottom touched the floor. "I will ... just ... please don't mind me."  With slow movements she adjusted herself, till she was laying on her back in the boat. This will work. This must work. 

She still followed Edrics advice and watched the stars, while she was surrounded by the wooden walls of the small vehicle. 

This wasn't only a slight fear of water but outright panic, Edric realized as he watched Marcia focus her eyes on the stars, absolutely concentrated on looking at anything but the water surrounding them - which was obviously quite hard as they were on the Great Lake. She was obviously distraught, but he had no idea what to do to make her feel better, or save at least. He shouldn't move, that was the only thing he could think of that didn't include getting Marcia out of the boat and away from the lake.

"I like watching the sky," he admitted, hoping that him talking would distract her somewhat. "Day, night, doesn't really matter. But the stars are nice to watch and if you're out at night you can read directions from them. Like for the example the North Star, Polaris, doesn't change position. So it always tells you where north is."

Normally we would have asked about her brother, but his fellow Slytherin was in no condition to answer questions. She was actually shaking now, full body shivers. Edric knew that he should do something, like right now, but there was nothing useful he could think of. Blankets, chocolate, hot tea... well, he'd get nothing of that here by the lake. Instead he bit his lip watching her literally crawl into the hull of the boat to lie down.

"Is alright," he mumbled, his eyes moving back and forth between Marcia and the professors. Maybe he should say something. But what? Professor Scheinberg frightened him, Professor Barclay didn't talk much outside lessons and Professor Valtome was a very very pretty man, half-elf, who could be very very scary as well if you didn't follow the rules. Edric didn't have the courage to approach either of them.

"I..." he began and then closed his mouth, insecure about what else to do or say. He bit his lip. "I'm there if you need anything. I won't sway the boat, I promise."

Leeds was not sharing much, not that she expected him to be an open book. It was more fun this way anyways. She would continue to press on, digging into the repository of tricks she had.

Erin was also from an Irish family although "wealthy" was not a term she would use to describe them. Perhaps they were, she really did not have much of a concept of material wealth beyond the fact that her needs were met and she had few material wants. Of course her lack of assurance regarding this fact was part of her 'condition.'

Kenneth Leeds -- she tried to dedicate the name to memory. Sebastian used his full name likely for a reason, was he name dropping? Quite possibly. If only there was some sort of wizarding device that could be used to look-up a name, a term, and it would give her the answer in the blink of her eye. Even better if she could do it from the privacy and comfort of her quarters. If only such was possible... Sigh.

"And what about you, Erin?" 

Sebastian asked. "But you are so much more interesting," she complained as girls often do. She wondered if she did it right.

"What does your family do? Are they wizards? You seem curious about other people's pasts, so tell me a little about yours..."

"Irish also," she shrugged, finding some sort of common ground. That was what you did to seem more human, you make light-hearted jokes, find something in common. It created a bond, a false sense of trust. People had short memories, even if he had been warned. So yeah -- Irish. That was something that they had in common, not the green beer drinking, Irish flag on the back of a suburban American kind. Her surname made that fact rather obvious so it was not much of a revelation. 

"Parents..." her voice trailed off, she was considering if she should tell him a lie or the truth. James and Bridget did an excellent job raising her, teaching her how to act human. But it was a different story to be humane. She lacked too much perhaps. Maybe she had a naturally cruel streak. No, she was not good or bad, rather she was reaching. Always reaching. there was nothing for her to grab onto and even if she found something fleeting to hold, it was ethereal. 

She could only feel what they felt for as long as they felt it. She would try to hold onto it, even if it was only for a few moments. She would try to remember what it felt like, try to fake it and she could emulate what she had seen and what she had too briefly felt but she lacked the control. Perhaps the will. It was their fault, they made her this way. One could call it a cruel twist of fate but providence had nothing to do with this calculated and malicious act. 

This was supposed to be better.

"Hippies with a decent pedigree," she decided to lie. Lies were less troublesome in the long run because nobody stays around for long once they get to know her. Even if she was not digging, manipulating, she was always studying, learning and thinking. It was hard for people to make connections because they lacked her logic and she lacked their sentiments. 

She could only fake it... only lie for so long. And she was tired of lying. 

Her parents were not with the ministry. Nor were they some mook who pledged their allegiance to a Dark Lord. They did not own a shop in Hogsmede, Diagon Alley or practiced the healing arts on desperate and weary travelers. No, they did not have a conventional vocation, so perhaps Hippie was a fair term even if it brought an image to mind that was not wholly accurate. 

"Disappointments to the grandparents I am sure," the comment might have seemed innocent, but like the lie it was not. But the family well, dry or not, gave her no water. Perhaps the bucket had a hole. 

"So Prefect," she continued as she started to drive the conversation back to Sebastian. "And a first year," she observed. "How unusual," she looked him up and down. "You must be quite competent." Humility did not appear to be a trait he, or many Slytherin's possessed. Would hubris be his fatal flaw? How curious that would be. How deep and cutting the ignominy would be. What could she possibly feel from him.

"Proud parents?"

"Popular with the girls?"

"The boys?"

Take the last of them any way one would want, the was checking for feathers.

Glad she again had a partner, but still somewhat ashamed at Professor Schienberg's dissapointment learly directed at her, she stepped, once again into a boat. Unlike before she did not fight for one side of the boat or the other, instead, wishing not to waste any more time, she simply sat when her foot touched wood. All the Professors seemed to be in foul moods, though she would admit that Schienberg and Valtome always seemed to be in foul moods, so was there really any change?

She did not know her partner, this Angela. A Slytherin, obviously, and she looked young enough to be a first year. Whenever the girl decided to get in the boat, Syrah would try to greet her with a small smile and nod. She wasn't sure what to talk to the girl about, and was strangely bad at remembering to introduce herself.

Until that time, Syrah pondered on Valtome's words, or more, his quick and simple description of the planned events for the night. What kind of celebration included just letting lanterns go? Seemed kind of weak for a House Cup 'party'. Who knows, though, maybe they had something more in store and Valtome was just play acting. 

However, even though Syrah knew Valtome used to be an actor, she doubted he was hiding something from the student sin order to surprise them. 

TIME: 8:40 PM

 Things moved slowly. After Isabella Hills settled into the boat that was suited for two, it took off. As did the other boats once both of the passengers were seated. The waves that affected the lake water were not abrupt, and the boats seemed to glide through them effortlessly. It was a feeling that Leonie enjoyed herself, floating across the surface of water on a craft. The depths weren't something Leonie worried about. The creatures may be a disturbance, but truly nothing that wouldn't be able to be handled by the Slytherin employees. 

 With a glance up to the sky, Leonie could see the clouds parting, bright spots of stars shining through, catching the eye of many. The wind was warm, something like a Hawaiian breeze, which was rare in Scotland. Without a second thought, it was accepted. Cold nights were a thing of the past winter, hopefully. Even though a cold exterior was thought to be who she really was, it wasn't accurate. She was just not willing to let anyone in to see who she was. The last person she let in, really in, died. If anyone else was going to die, it wouldn't be on her watch.

 Eventually, the rowboats gradually slowed down to a stopping point around the center of the lake. The professors were in boats positioned in three areas down the width of the lake. With a look to her left, Leonie was able to distinguish where the other two professors were situated. Fainauriel was in the middle of the lake, while Barclay was way down, closest to the school. Meanwhile, Leonie and Isabella were the furthest from the school, as well as a few other students, though at most three boats surrounded their own. Leonie drew her gaze away, to the floor of the boat where their lantern layed.

 "I hope you don't mind, but since your fiasco in the Common Room, I'll light this one." Leonie mentioned, eyeing Isabella from the corner of her eye. Even though it was a smaller, nameless lighting charm, anything to do with heat was not a trustworthy matter with the Hills girl. Until she's proven herself, incendio would not be a spell that she would allow her to do in front of her, in fear that she would be the one cleaning up her mess again. The small cluster of students that began the Common Room fire were lucky Leonie was in her office - or the foundation of the school would have been ruined.

 Before they had left the shore of the Great Lake, Leonie made sure all of the other lanterns were lit except her own, as she didn't want Isabella to knock it over or try to start a fire or something. Because she was sure, if given the chance, she would. At this point, it should have been clear that Leonie had quite an awful impression of the Prefect - yet she still made her Prefect. It was a feeling she had - one that told her to give her a chance. And although Leonie tolerated her, she in no way trusted her.

 With a spell that was breathed lightly on Leonie's lips, the light inside of the lantern lit up. It threatened to float off of Leonie's fingertips into the air, but the German woman prevented it, holding onto the metal wiring lightly. Once she was sure that it was secure, she held out the lantern to pass it to Isabella, motioning with her head towards the water. 

 "You may release it."

At this point, you may follow the lead of what this post intends, and release the lanterns in your boat with or without your partner. They're all enchanted to hover above the surface of the water, or to hover for a moment before floating up and off into the air. 

Please wait for Fainauriel Valtome and Thurston Barclay to post before posting.

Another hidden message in my post, only three other boats may be around Leonie and Isabella's. This is important to future events of the adventure. Pay attention to other professors posts to see how many boats are allowed near them. If the maximum is hit before you or your partner posts, then just choose someone at random to be near. 

He took a much-needed inspiration of the cool night air, eyes closed and mind at ease, waiting for the events of the evening to get underway. They had wasted far too much time on the glorious nothing that they were doing, and a minute more of this glacial pacing that they were doing would drive him completely insane. As was the norm, he said nary a word nor spared a single glance for anyone else. His arms were folded tightly to his chest and his eyes were closed and his head tilted downward, taking an impromptu nap for all outward purposes. Alas, he was quite keen on his surroundings, able to hear and discern every sound being made, every shuffle Aravis made, and more importantly, the slow drift of the boat along the water's surface.

Finally! Just as he felt the time was right he opened his eyes to look across the short distance at Aravis, pointing toward the lantern. The hint had been given, and when she finally took it and reached for the lantern, he would make similar gestures telling her to go ahead and light it. With a quick scan of the area as the girl would get busy, he noticed that there were two other boats closer to their position, though he could not clearly make out the faces of the students within. It mattered not, for the boat he truly wanted to see was a way out, and the features of at least one of its occupants stood in stark contrast to the others under the glow of moonlight. At the very least they were finally making progress, which meant this would be over soon. There was something he needed to discuss with the others anyway.

Soon enough the lantern would be lit without a fuss, and in a rare show of togetherness he reached for the body of it and held it with Aravis, feeling a moment of peace wash over him when he really thought of what they were to do. His first words to her since they entered the boat were as follows: "Ready?" There was something about the prospect of the lanterns being released that made him want to see it done. "One, two, three... Release." He said it coolly, releasing his hold simultaneously with her and watching as their and all the other lanterns flew high into the night sky.