Cold Meetings PV Lucas Chapman finished

That voice! No, it can't be...

Dora freezes in place when she hears it. 'Oh no..' Slowly, she looks up from her book to see Lucas Chapman standing over her, grinning. She can't help but tense up when she sees him, preparing for some mocking remark.

"Never occurred to me we'd be at Hogwarts together.. A shame Bradley isn't quite here yet though."

A shame indeed. The Chapman's and Everridge's run in similar circles, so it was no wonder he and Bradley became friends, being of a similar age and all. And because Bradley often poked fun at Dora, saying that she looks creepy, she dresses like an old woman, she's so gloomy... well, his friends would get in on the fun. Lucas Chapman is no exception.

Dora should have anticipated this. She should have assumed they'd be attending school together, that she would run into him sooner or later. She waits for the teasing to commence, the same things he would say around Bradley and laugh about. When he doesn't say anything else, Dora sits up rigidly straight and folds her hands tightly over her now-closed book. She doesn't quite look him in the eye when she replies in monotone. "Hello, Lucas. How are you today?" She wishes he would just have his fun already and leave her alone.

So, he seems content to stick around. Just perfect. Dora really likes this spot for studying, but she may have to abandon it if he starts coming around here more often.

"Hufflepuff? Fitting, I suppose." Lucas laughs, and Dora holds the book imperceptibly tighter. Yes, she knows her family would prefer her as any other house than Hufflepuff. It still stings to hear Lucas point it out, though. Part of her is also indignant about it. Sure, she may not be much, but there are plenty of great Hufflepuffs in her house! Tesla, Rita, and Avery, just to name a few. It's not fair for him to degrade them. He doesn't even know them!

She sneaks a peak at his robes, spotting the red Gryffindor insignia emblazoned on one side. House of the brave and mighty, and arrogant, according to her grandmother. "Gryffindor. Fitting for you as well." She replies curtly, emboldened for just a moment before she feels so small again.

"How you finding it all so far? Quite what your parents said it'd be?"

Parents? Dora freezes up for a moment, though she's usually so still nobody would notice a difference. With Bradley's friends, it's always been a fear that he would let the truth about her father slip. But, even he wouldn't say anything if it meant risking the family reputation. No, she's just imagining things. Still, it could have been a jab at her living with her grandparents. Her mother's absence during winter break is still a sore wound, and not one Dora intends to aggravate by bringing it up with Lucas, of all people.

"My grandmother prepared me thoroughly." She quietly corrects him, hoping he won't pry into the details. "You?"

Dora just wants to leave, but polite society keeps her cemented in place.

Dora feels like she's shrinking when Lucas' eyes narrow at her. Thankfully, though, he doesn't push the parents issue. Instead, he talks about how big Hogwarts feels, Dora nodding agreeably as she listens. He's not wrong on that account. Even compared to Everridge Manor, Hogwarts castle is massive, and seems even larger on the inside on occasion.

"I enjoy most of what my dad expected that I'd enjoy with the classes. Must be alot for some of the mud- Muggleborns."

She hears the word nearly slip out from under his tongue: Mudblood. Dora knows a lot of people use that name to insult muggleborns, but that language was never permitted in her grandmother's house. Not that her grandmother liked muggles at all, but she said the name pointed to a lack of decorum in those who use it. Moreover, Dora learned that Death Eaters used to say it, and they were murderers. Sometimes Bradley will say it to be funny, but Dora doesn't like to. It feels mean.

Lucas's words aren't entirely callous, showing something even like sympathy for them. And while Lucas isn't outright saying it, she knows what he means. Muggleborns generally don't have as much magical potential as wizard borns. It's sad, but true. And when he says it, she can't help but avert her eyes as if he can see right through her. What would he call her if he knew?

"Let me see that."

Dora lets out a surprised breath when Lucas snatches her book away without asking.

"I-It's just my History book." She explains anxiously, "I'm studying.. Please give it back.."

sorry for the slight wait before a post, got caught up and it slipped my mind to reply here.

Dora's frown deepens when Lucas doesn't give the book back. She sits there uncomfortably, hands curled into fists on her lap as she anxiously watches him flip through it. It takes a lot of restraint not to grab it and hold it close to her chest. She doesn't like people looking through her things without permission. Even though he says he'll give it back, she's not sure whether to believe him.

After reading some of the textbook, Lucas shakes his head with a frown. "I don't get it.. History of Magic is so boring, why bother studying this stuff? Did your pa- Does your Grandma make your study this stuff or do you actually find it interesting?"

Dora stands up stiffly, inching closer as her eyes dart to the book. "It's not that boring." She defends, noticing his slip up when he almost says 'parents' again. "I mean, yes, my grandmother tells me to study. But how else will we get high marks?" Maybe Lucas doesn't have to care about his marks, but Dora sure does. She has to study everyday to do well enough to please her family. She can't help but resent his laissez faire attitude a little.

A cool wind blows through the courtyard, the chill making Dora's skin prickle. Lucas' fingers press awkwardly against the book pages, causing them to crease. "Please give it back now." Dora pleads again, tension rising the longer he holds it.