How Did You Do It? PV Regina Miller Finished

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"Hello, my friend. I see you have been fairing well today."

Regina's voice was unusually gentle as she caressed the top of Athena's head, offering up the palm of her other hand lovingly as the great white owl perched down to nibble on the treat. Then again, it was as clear as day she did not get along well with most human on a daily basis, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone that she'd be much gentler with animals. They were more intelligent than most people she'd had the unpleasure of meeting, and they didn't need words to be understood and loved. Athena had been a constant comfort for the raven-haired witch since the beginning of the second semester, and Regina was glad she'd made the decision to purchase a pet during Yule break. Having her feathery companion around was certainly a grounding presence to keep her sane.

Being branded as the school's newest Gryffindor rebel had its up and downs, even though Regina wasn't afraid to embrace the reputation. She'd even started dressing differently to fit the role, and intimidate away all the strangers who'd think twice before approaching her carelessly. It might not be the sort of recognition the Miller patriarch expected of his Heirs, but it was the sort Regina needed to finally establish herself within Hogwarts. It made her feel good, like she was (temporarily) no longer bound by the chains of extreme expectations and control.

What the raven-haired Gryffindor hadn't accounted for, perhaps, was the possibility that certain individuals would still want to come to her despite her bad reputation. Someone like this little Slytherin who was so clearly intimidated, yet was brave enough to attempt a normal conversation.

Regina looked at the girl - June Selwyn, she'd introduced herself - and gave the underclassman a critical one-up as her great white owl Athena stopped pecking on the treats and turned her head to regard the second human presence as well. Selwyn was short, almost comically so, with bright blond hair and grey-blue eyes. She didn't seem at all like a person who was ready for the kind of 'reputation' she was seeking for in Regina. How odd. She would commend Selwyn for taking the first step though, so maybe there was still some hope for the little Snake after all.

"How did I do it, you ask? I suppose it was just the Gryffindor blood inside of me," She replied, quirking an eyebrow. "Do you truly think you are ready to bear that kind of recognition?"

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If it had been just months prior where Regina was still a jaded and cynical person, she would have scoffed at June's attitude and deliver a scathing comment - enough to make sure their paths never crossed again. Such had been how she'd treated the people who were bold to question her. But Regina was no longer the same girl she'd started out as a second-year. Instead, she merely quirked an eyebrow, impressed at the daringness behind the younger Slytherin's challenging words.

"You misunderstand me. I do not simply 'seek out' to have this bad reputation, it was just a consequence of my personal actions. And you are right, I do not know who you are since this is the first time we have ever talked."

The raven-haired Lioness could definitely detect a strong sense of desperation there, if June was willing to approach her while fully knowing nothing good might come out of it. Regina didn't necessarily think of herself as a bad influence, per se, because she didn't actively go out of her way to get other people to break the rules with her. What had happened in the Rehearsal Room with Draven Mirador was completely unprecedented, and it was the first time Regina had lashed out. Still, the fact that she quite enjoyed the recognition from other students afterwards must count for something. She could see where June was coming from.

"You certainly have the attitude for that sort of recognition, you do," The older girl drawled as her owl hopped onto her shoulder, unnerving beady eyes never leaving June. "I suppose if you do want to get your name out there, that boldness will come in handy. Acting shy and meek will not get you anywhere."

Regina crossed her arms as she took a few steps closer to the young Snake, almost towering over the girl as she stared down with analysing purple irises. She scanned her face in silence for a few seconds before finally speaking up again.

"If you say you are ready, how about a suggestion? Nothing too drastic, I assure you."

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"You have potential, Selwyn," Regina said. "I can see the thirst for recognition in your eyes. You remind me of myself."

The raven-haired rebel was pleasantly impressed with how well the younger girl was holding up even though she looked so clearly intimidated by the way she loomed over her. Selwyn had a backbone indeed. Should she succeed, Regina might even consider taking this young Snake under her wing and teach her all the ways to gain attention through skills and daringness. She stepped back a little to allow Selwyn some relief from her earlier critical assessment with an obviously satisfied expression.

"Your first step into building a fearsome reputation should be the willingness to infringe school rules. If you do get caught, it'll just be a little bonus to boost it quicker. If you don't however, everyone would be naturally impressed."

Regina thought the Slytherin girl could start with something small, something easy. The consequences wouldn't be as dire as how she herself had blatantly attacked a Prefect during detention after sneaking into Hogsmade. She doubted Selwyn was willing to harm another student for the sake of her reputation, anyway. Perhaps not at this stage.

Her mental calculations halted at the perfect suggestion. Yes, it should do nicely. And she'd be there to see the results for herself, furthermore.

"There is a hidden room on the fifth floor near the Gryffindor common room," Regina began. "It it named the Room of Requirement, and the door only appears when one needs it the most."

At this, the older Gryffindor turned sideways and gauged blond-haired girl with the corner of her eyes.

"Go there after curfew and make sure not to run into any Prefects or Professors. I will be waiting in a music room. Just walk back and forth in front of the empty wall three times while thinking of me and you will be able to enter."

Usually, when people knew that there was a chance they'd have to bare the negative consequences, they would back down immediately - thinking they'd rather respect the norms after all. Now, will Selwyn be brave enough to take the bait and willingly compromise herself?

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The corner of Regina's lips lifted only slightly at the Slytherin's bold declaration, her head lifting with eyes shining with a bit of amusement. She had always taken a liking to brave, audacious character in a person.

"You will do great things, June Selwyn. I can see it. Until then, do you best."

It was the most of a compliment Regina had ever given anybody. The Snake girl should take pride in it being able to draw a praise from somebody as apathetic as her.

Athena hooted approvingly and Regina reached up to pet her owl's head with a gentle hand, a contrast to the cold demeanor she displayed to other people. Athena pecked her affectionately once then flew out of the Owlery, presumably on a late afternoon hunt. Vivid purple eyes watched as the white silhouette of her pet disappeared into the sky, then shifted to Selwyn contemplatively. Regina hadn't lied when she thought of taking the young first-year in as her mentee, if she succeeded. It would be nice, beneficial even, to have a sort of little 'apprentice' as her second pair of eyes and ears in this school. It would give Regina all the information and gossip she needed to establish her own standing with the other students, and in return, Selwyn would get the recognition she wanted for her daringness and being associated with a fearsome rebel.

Yes, she'd made the right choice indeed.

With a little meaningful nod, the Gryffindor bid goodbye to the Slytherin and walked out of the Owlery. She still had a whole evening in front of her before expecting Selwyn at the Room of Requirement.