4 Sep 2023, 04:11
First-Years Stick Together
September 1st, 2023
The Gryffindor Table
Rory was finally able to feel a bit of relief as he sat down at the Gryffindor Table. The whole day, the young boy had been on high alert, trying to follow instructions perfectly and get acquainted with Hogwarts. Or even, simply, the amount of magic that surrounded him. Rory felt hopeful that the rest of the day would go peacefully.
The 11-year-old eyed the grand table in front of him, trying to find the most unassuming spot. It wasn't that he disliked his new housemates, but he could never jump into a lively conversation. He was much more of a listener than a speaker at first. Not to mention, Rory hadn't yet felt the "Gryffindor spirit." He wasn't disappointed to be sorted into the house, but he certainly was surprised. He thought about writing to his father Lewis to tell him about it.
Rory threw polite smiles at anyone who greeted him as he finally sat down at the table. On one side, a group of students were already occupied with conversation. Beside him, on the other side, there was an empty spot. The boy had learned earlier in the day that it was sometimes more risky to leave an empty seat beside you -- you had no control of who sat there. Or if you might accidentally offend them. But he would have to chance it.
Rory sighed a breath of relief as he settled in to his spot, finally feeling that the spotlight was away from him. Now, he could finally take a moment to recover from the busy day. He wondered if the other first-years were having a similar experience.
Private to @Rose Odali
Last edited by Rory Hara on 4 Sep 2023, 14:35, edited 1 time in total.
4 Sep 2023, 04:41
First-Years Stick Together
She had been sorted into the house of the brave! She smiled to herself and looked at the other tables in pure amazement, wondering what each and everyone's story was and where they had come from. Maybe she would even find a friend! Someone who could turn this from school into another home..
The whole trip to Hogwarts was exhausting and unnecessary, Rose believed, she couldn't think of any other thought that could justify her statement so instead she resorted to two important things: 1. Finding a good place to sit and 2. Getting the perfect partner in crime. Both would prove challenging, but Rose felt that without challenges everyone would just be mindless zombies.
As she walked through, the gaps looking at the people but also looking for a seat, she finally saw an open seat and quickly decided that it would have to do, then quickly walked over and sat down. She looked around and grinned. She immediately decided that the boy across would be her partner in crime, while all the while thinking of how to approach him.
"Hey you!..let's be friends yeah?" She said in a confident tone, while looking at him with a smile and extended her hand for a shake "I promise, we'll be good friends! My name's Rose Odali, nice to meet you" She wouldn't let it show but she was in fact very nervous about her plan, after all some would only look at her with disinterest or annoyance. Somehow though, she had a feeling- she had a sense of sureness that they would be friends.
The whole trip to Hogwarts was exhausting and unnecessary, Rose believed, she couldn't think of any other thought that could justify her statement so instead she resorted to two important things: 1. Finding a good place to sit and 2. Getting the perfect partner in crime. Both would prove challenging, but Rose felt that without challenges everyone would just be mindless zombies.
As she walked through, the gaps looking at the people but also looking for a seat, she finally saw an open seat and quickly decided that it would have to do, then quickly walked over and sat down. She looked around and grinned. She immediately decided that the boy across would be her partner in crime, while all the while thinking of how to approach him.
"Hey you!..let's be friends yeah?" She said in a confident tone, while looking at him with a smile and extended her hand for a shake "I promise, we'll be good friends! My name's Rose Odali, nice to meet you" She wouldn't let it show but she was in fact very nervous about her plan, after all some would only look at her with disinterest or annoyance. Somehow though, she had a feeling- she had a sense of sureness that they would be friends.
Rose<3௹૱؋
4 Sep 2023, 05:17
First-Years Stick Together
September 1st, 2023
The Gryffindor Table
Rory's plan to unwind was quickly foiled. As soon as his focus started to drift off, a confident, bright voice filled his ears. He looked up to see a girl sitting on the other side of the table from him. The first thing he noticed about her was her hair. With brown hair, and contrasting blonde bangs, the girl stood out from her peers.
When he heard the girl ask to be friends, he couldn't help but wonder:Is she talking to me? Rory looked on both of his sides, before finally coming to the conclusion that she was talking to him. Of course she was! She was looking him right in the eyes when she asked. Rory tentatively reached out his right hand to shake hers. His muggle father, Alfie, had always emphasized the importance of a good handshake, yet Rory's grip was weak, unconfident.
Yet the blue-eyed boy wanted to believe the girl who promised they would be good friends. She seemed like the kind of friend Rory wanted. She was outwardly brave, enthusiastic, seemingly the perfect Gryffindor! And, at this point, Rory would've taken any offer of friendship, he was desperate.
Rose Odali, he repeated the name in his mind in hopes to not forget it. It was a pretty name, and rather unique. Rory realized after an awkward pause that this is when he was expected to start speaking, too.
"Hi Rose, my name is Rory Hara. Um, I'm a Gryffindor too." Only after Rory had made that comment had he realized how dumb it made him sound. Of course he was a Gryffindor, they were sitting at the Gryffindor table together! "Um, sorry. You knew that I'm a Gryffindor." He coughed.
Rory gave Rose a crooked smile, full of both humor and embarrassment. "It's been a long day. I can't seem to get anything right." The blonde boy had a feeling that Rose wouldn't be mean to him for his awkward speech, so he felt okay making fun of himself a bit. And, he thought, she might relate to him. They were both new to Hogwarts, after all.
Private to @Rose Odali
4 Sep 2023, 11:35
First-Years Stick Together
At first she was stunned, her plan working quicker than expected but she smiled big and laughed. Slowly the stress of the day evaporating and left her with a lingering sense of joy. She would do whatever it took to not mess this friendship up, but realized she had been silent for a bit too long and quickly replied "You're fun..I like that"
She closely looked at him "I get that, it's been weird. But now you have me! To make your life one fun adventure" she explained as she retracted her hand after a moment "I want a real one this time, not a fake on, first impressions are important and by this one I can already tell...we are going to be good friends- also I'm a Gryffindor too" she laughed but it was in a friendly joking way.
Then she paused and slowed down, taking a minute to collect herself before slightly upturning her hand as if they were going to make a pact of some kind, then grinned to both Rory and herself. Rose nodded once and said "With this once more handshake, I declare that you and I are going to be the best of friends! Now I want a nice a firm handshake to seal the deal, okay?
If he did shake her hand though, she could confirm that there would be lots of fun and slightly dangerous exploits around the school but also calm and fun nights of just playing around and having a good time. For the first time since she had gotten to Hogwarts, she had noticed, she already felt like perhaps their friendship could slowly bring Hogwarts from school into an adventurous and peaceful home.
She closely looked at him "I get that, it's been weird. But now you have me! To make your life one fun adventure" she explained as she retracted her hand after a moment "I want a real one this time, not a fake on, first impressions are important and by this one I can already tell...we are going to be good friends- also I'm a Gryffindor too" she laughed but it was in a friendly joking way.
Then she paused and slowed down, taking a minute to collect herself before slightly upturning her hand as if they were going to make a pact of some kind, then grinned to both Rory and herself. Rose nodded once and said "With this once more handshake, I declare that you and I are going to be the best of friends! Now I want a nice a firm handshake to seal the deal, okay?
If he did shake her hand though, she could confirm that there would be lots of fun and slightly dangerous exploits around the school but also calm and fun nights of just playing around and having a good time. For the first time since she had gotten to Hogwarts, she had noticed, she already felt like perhaps their friendship could slowly bring Hogwarts from school into an adventurous and peaceful home.
Rose<3௹૱؋
4 Sep 2023, 14:26
First-Years Stick Together
September 1st, 2023
The Gryffindor Table
Rory felt a wave of relief when he saw Rose smile once again, and her laugh confirmed that she hadn't judged Rory too harshly. From the beginning of the day, when he had been so tense and fixated on impressing the other first-years, to now, when a new friendship literally came to him. Rory felt a change in the damper mood of his day, for the better.
Rory raised a skeptical eyebrow when Rose said he was fun. Never in the 11-year-olds life had he been described as "fun" upon a first meeting. Maybe, nice. More likely, shy. But Rory wasn't complaining, especially when Rose confirmed that she liked that aspect of his character. Maybe she saw past his awkward exterior.
Rory, admittedly, was a little nervous when Rose mentioned life being "one fun adventure". Of course he was excited to have a friend to rely on, to explore this brand new world with. But Rory was a rule follower, maybe even a teacher's pets. Hopefully she wouldn't get too annoyed by his complaints. Either way, Rory could tell his life was about to get much more entertaining.
He chuckled lightly at Rose's mention of her house. At least she was willing to laugh with him about his silly mistake, rather than at him. When Rose asked for another handshake, Rory realized that she had definitely seen through him. She was asking him to be a little brave, like she had been when she set out to become friends with Rory.
It did seem like Rory and Rose were making a pact that day. With a shake of their hands, they would confirm that they were friends who were going to look out for each-other. To go on adventures that Rory might regret, or might look back upon fondly. "Okay. First-years should stick together. Let's be great friends, Rose."
Rory's hand once again reached across the table, this time to take Rose's hand. This time, he also shook her hand firmly, the kind of shake that Alfie would have nodded at approvingly. There was no more time for nervousness around his new friend. They both had reached outside of their comfort zone to begin this friendship, and Rory suspected he would be forced outside of his comfort zone many times more.
Private to @Rose Odali