What Matters Most PV T.E. Closed

The girl stood quietly for a moment, staring at the words. If this were America, she would have been able to sign to her; tell her it was alright, that she understood her language (granted, it would be in very broken sign language, but it would do). But this wasn't. This was Europe. There was about a snowball's chance in Hell that this girl would understand Alexx if she tried to speak to her in a whole different language. And gosh, how was she getting by in her classes? Did the school provide an interpreter? Did she take a potion to make her hear under its influence? Or perhaps a charm? She was sure that Professor Seaborne could cast a charm upon her to allow her to hear! Whatever the case was, Alexx could only hope that she found Hogwarts easier to get through than any form of shotty education systems that Muggles provided. Those at Hogwarts truly were blessed; you would be given help if you asked. It was a hundred times more than what some Muggle schools would offer from her understanding of it.

There was not a thought in her mind that could conjure up the conclusion as to how she would survive if she were to be deaf. She was smart, she knew that you could feel vibrations. But how would she know if she were in tune? Now, understanding octaves would be easier. If she were to be told she was on the correct octave, with or without hearing it, she would discover that muscle memory was a true blessing in this hypothetical situation. Though, of course, the joys of your embouchure remembering how tight it needs to be or how low you need to drop your jaw was still greatly appreciated, despite that Alexx could hear it. So she drew to the conclusion that the biggest issue would, in this case, be tuning. But, Alexx remembered, not everyone was a musician. She did fear, however, how Taylor would be able to cast incantations! Could she speak? Would she speak? Is that where potions or spells come in?

But, as none of those possibilities applied to her at this moment, Alexx took the piece of parchment, pulling out a quill and some ink of her own. Leading Taylor over to a nearby area that would do for writing on, smiling as she wrote a reply. 'Hello, Taylor! I'm Alexx Helm, second year.' She pondered for a moment. She decided not to announce that she was a prefect, as her badge probably stated the obvious for her. It was small, and it was worn on her robes for all to see. 'Sorry for all the talking, I was unaware that we had a deaf student this year. I can assume you are unable to read lips, then? Sorry if I'm prying, but I am merely curious; for future references, of course.'

Slipping the parchment back to Taylor, she thought for a moment, wondering if she was at all intimidated. But Alexx would rather her be intimidated than to have her believe that Alexx was only talking to her because she was a 'charity case'. Of course, this was not the case. Alexx could have cared less about what made her look better. Taylor was not an excuse to be seen as a decent citizen. No, the Helm girl was more than capable of doing that on her own. Her mother implemented order, and order she was. The representation, what other's would see, still mattered, less her name soil more. It was her duty, whether she liked it or not, to set the example. In the event that Taylor was a pureblood, though Alexx did not discriminate in any way and was friends with her share of Muggle-borns and the like, it would look better in the eyes of her mother.

Who was to say that just because Alexx didn't agree with her family's ways meant that she would rebel against their wishes? Their name was hers until marriage, so as much as she hated it, she still carried it behind her like a prison weight. There was no changing that unless her mother and father divorced, which she could only hope that they would. Until then, what was she to do? Act as though none of it mattered? Yes, it was bullshit, but then Alexx recalled the meeting with the Bishop family over the summer, as well as her own sleepover with people from good backgrounds. Her family was seeking aid, an alliance of people who saw them as humans and not as the depiction that those pesky Newspaper's painted of them. The Helms weren't heroes, nor could they claim to be. Instead, they were scared. They would do anything it takes to get what they want, and at the time of their fall, what they wanted was to protect their family. Now, they were left defending their honor instead.

Just before Alexx had the opportunity to reply, the gaggle of children caught her attention. Smiling at Taylor politely, she headed towards the exit, looking at the kids who had disappeared from sight. She caught the tail end of them, running away, snickers being faintly heard from down the corridors. She huffed, mumbling an obscene word in French, and then turned back to Taylor. She watched as the young girl sobbed, obviously hurt by the actions of the bullies. Resting a soft hand on her shoulder, Alexx offered her a gentle smile instead. Even though she understood that Taylor could not hear her, she hoped she would be able to read her lips instead. In a soft, slow voice, making sure to articulate clearly, she said, "I am sorry for how they treated you. I promise that I will report the incident later and they will surely suffer through a detention." It wasn't much, but it was the least that the French student could offer.

Humming softly, she stood back up straight (considering that Taylor is shorter than her), and looked off into the distance. Alexx was unfamiliar with the cruel antics of children, mostly since people left her alone. However, in her first year, there was an incident that could have been seen as similar to this. Perhaps it was worse, but Alexx wouldn't say that out loud. She couldn't remember much of that evening in the library, other than fists being thrown and a small bit of blood. Since then, she has known both parties involved to be good people on their own accounts. All with exception of one, but that was another story. The difference was that Alexx could forgive those who disputed with her the history of her bloodline, and what really happened all those years ago. The only other person who knew the truth was Dymphna, which she was grateful to have met someone who had the proof that her parents were not the monsters that the public made them out to be.

Giving her attention back to Taylor, she smiled once more, reading over the note that she had pried from Taylor's hands, leaving the wad of paper discarded on the floor for now. Instead, she read the note over that Taylor had written. It still surprised her the type of writing utensil that Taylor used. She wanted to write one back but something told her now was not the time. This wasn't the first time she ever helped out a first year like this; Min-seo Kim was in the same situation recently. Alexx had recently become a mother to the first years, or perhaps an older sister like figure. She was helpful and reassuring and had spent most of her life helping herself. But she used those life experiences much to her advantage.

So she sat there with her, allowing her to sob. It was best to get it all out rather than hold it in. She felt terrible for Taylor. And it was worse that she couldn't understand what she was going through; Alexx was so unbelievably normal. She fit right in with everyone else. There was nothing about her to make her be targeting. Of course, Eri Windstone and her had an encounter that would have made someone think otherwise, but that was different. That was about her family, but not about her. And more to it, Alexx was strong and fought fire with fire. She knew that other people weren't exactly like this, Taylor being one of them. Perhaps that was a place to start. It was true, Slytherin didn't claim to the brave traits of Gryffindor, but they had the cunningness to compensate. Alexx would teach Taylor how to be brave.