3 Oct 2023, 20:17
The story of the root
Mid-September 2023
Saturday afternoon
Somewhere between a lawn and a patch of trees
Saturday afternoon
Somewhere between a lawn and a patch of trees
It's been two weeks since she arrived at Hogwarts. What an incredible experience, truly! Two weeks that passed as quickly as a beat.
Her feet keep their leisurely pace across the lawn as she makes her way back. Her mind filled with things she saw, learned, did. The young girl has never been to summer camp or anything close to it, so two weeks away from her family feels weird. Especially with the idea that she won't see them for a while. Christmas. Yes, a good time indeed.
But don't think that the Irishgirl wants to return to her old life! She likes being here. The decor, the castle, the classes she started there, the few classmates she met... But let's admit it: it's all a bit stirring. So, sometimes, the blonde walks in the Domaine park, letting her mind wander, remembering the past like the things she was able to do during the week. She could do it in her dorm room, you might suggest, but this eleven year old needs to move. Moving makes her feel alive as much as it relaxes her.
So she walks, her mind processing and relaxing quietly. This place, Scotland, the Highlands, is nothing exotic and sometimes makes her a little homesick. Of course, Hailey won't instinctively admit this.
This morning it was sunny, but as the day goes on, the sky changes color...the blue becomes grayer and as she finishes her daily walk, she feels like it's getting colder. A little. There's nothing to worry about, right? She is not made of sugar.
The wind begins to pick up, making her beautiful long hair flutter around her head, like a small cloud. Running her hands through her hair to discipline it, the young girl straightens her face to look around her. There aren't as many students as there were early in the afternoon and she doesn't think she should wait too long either. It’s getting colder and colder.
Her feet speeding up, she suddenly feels small droplets staining her dress. Okay, it's okay, it's just droplets. Tiny droplets.
It's often when you think that that fate seems to want to contradict you, isn't it?
Suddenly, the rain starts to fall in earnest and Hailey can't help but start running.
Heck ! Damn, I’m blessed!
Lowering her head, the Irishgirl narrows her eyes, praying that the Great Gate isn't too far away.
Thinking only of getting dry, she runs as fast as she can and...
does not see or feel in time? Never mind ! Without having time to say phew, her hands met the ground as her body crashed onto the impeccably wet grass. A root. A damn root. Huuuh.
@Leaf Shard Here we go
color =#c24400 ~ First year
No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live with us forever.
3 Oct 2023, 21:23
The story of the root
Leaf never thought they'd make it this far through the school year. Every night they considered crawling out of bed and somehow finding themselves back at home with their father.
But here they were, still at Hogwarts- not many on their friend list, yet none on the 'stay away from me' list just yet. Not yet. Leaf had some free time this afternoon and had decided to spend it tucked in a large oak tree where the branch meets the main trunk. With a large dystopian novel on their lap. It was the final book that they had brought in their trunk that they hadn't read yet, and they reminded themselves to send an owl to their father requesting more-I should really do something other than read, Leaf thought, maybe then I wouldn't need to ask for more after two just weeks.
There wasn't much more to the first part of their afternoon- sitting on that tree, reading. They hoped no one could see them clearly amongst the green-yellow leaves concealing them. Invisible to anyone who isn't looking for me.
Then a singular drop landed on the book. Then another. And another. Leaf quickly grabbed a handy little waterproof bag and stuffed the book in, until it was safe and protected from the rain, which was now starting to become a downpour. Typical weather here in Scotland. Leaf had lived in Scotland briefly when they were little- in Edinburgh- when their mother had still been alive. They remembered the constant autumn rain that hit the windows hard, then trickled down the drain.
Unsurprisingly, all the other students began to scream, run inside, or do both. Typical. Only Leaf appreciated the fresh feeling of rain on skin.
Then someone tripped over. Leaf could see through the leaves. The rain had begun to blur their vision, but they could just make out a girl lying face-first, clutching the ground. And she wasn't getting up immediately. Without hesitation, Leaf hurled their bag over their shoulder and leapt down from the tree, before running towards the girl. They didn't fear the rain; they had grown up outdoors.
Is she okay? Leaf knelt down beside her.
"Are you okay?"
But here they were, still at Hogwarts- not many on their friend list, yet none on the 'stay away from me' list just yet. Not yet. Leaf had some free time this afternoon and had decided to spend it tucked in a large oak tree where the branch meets the main trunk. With a large dystopian novel on their lap. It was the final book that they had brought in their trunk that they hadn't read yet, and they reminded themselves to send an owl to their father requesting more-I should really do something other than read, Leaf thought, maybe then I wouldn't need to ask for more after two just weeks.
There wasn't much more to the first part of their afternoon- sitting on that tree, reading. They hoped no one could see them clearly amongst the green-yellow leaves concealing them. Invisible to anyone who isn't looking for me.
Then a singular drop landed on the book. Then another. And another. Leaf quickly grabbed a handy little waterproof bag and stuffed the book in, until it was safe and protected from the rain, which was now starting to become a downpour. Typical weather here in Scotland. Leaf had lived in Scotland briefly when they were little- in Edinburgh- when their mother had still been alive. They remembered the constant autumn rain that hit the windows hard, then trickled down the drain.
Unsurprisingly, all the other students began to scream, run inside, or do both. Typical. Only Leaf appreciated the fresh feeling of rain on skin.
Then someone tripped over. Leaf could see through the leaves. The rain had begun to blur their vision, but they could just make out a girl lying face-first, clutching the ground. And she wasn't getting up immediately. Without hesitation, Leaf hurled their bag over their shoulder and leapt down from the tree, before running towards the girl. They didn't fear the rain; they had grown up outdoors.
Is she okay? Leaf knelt down beside her.
"Are you okay?"
9 Oct 2023, 11:35
The story of the root
As she pushes on her hands into the wet grass, her eyes meet the state of the front of her rob. Damn, i'm all wet and dirty. Nice !
Instinctively, she wanna sit on her feet but a stinging pain crosses her spirit. Ouch ! Her hand flips towards her right ankle. Heck ! Did i just twist my ankle ? Great.
As a pained pout crosses her face as she struggles to stand, the rain magically not stopping, Hailey feels like her ankle will struggle to support her weight. Her butt hits the ground, and in a brief moment she wonders how she can get there. She blames herself. Yes, she blames herself for not having been clairvoyant enough. And there she is, she-doesn't-know-how-many hundreds of meters from the Great Gate, there, on the ground, in the rain.
It's then that a feminine voice pulls her out of her ruminations and the blonde quickly raises her head to meet the gaze of a young brunette girl. Kneeling next to her, she compassionately asked if everything was okay.
No, it's not okay, Hailey is dying to retort in a fit of temper. I'm not well, I'm disgusting, wet almost soaking wet and my ankle is loose. So no, it's not okay. A lump forms in her throat as she stares at the ground, which becomes damp as she moves forward. Damn rain. Damn weather.
But a part of her, the most reasonable, the most polite, pushes her to respond in a hoarse voice:
- No, I'm not that good. I... I think I sprained my ankle. But it's going to be okay... it's going to be okay... she repeats as if to reassure herself.
She pushes again on her hands, puts more pressure on her left foot, standing up with difficulty but a small cry of pain then escapes her lips as her knees buckle.
@Leaf Shard
Instinctively, she wanna sit on her feet but a stinging pain crosses her spirit. Ouch ! Her hand flips towards her right ankle. Heck ! Did i just twist my ankle ? Great.
As a pained pout crosses her face as she struggles to stand, the rain magically not stopping, Hailey feels like her ankle will struggle to support her weight. Her butt hits the ground, and in a brief moment she wonders how she can get there. She blames herself. Yes, she blames herself for not having been clairvoyant enough. And there she is, she-doesn't-know-how-many hundreds of meters from the Great Gate, there, on the ground, in the rain.
It's then that a feminine voice pulls her out of her ruminations and the blonde quickly raises her head to meet the gaze of a young brunette girl. Kneeling next to her, she compassionately asked if everything was okay.
No, it's not okay, Hailey is dying to retort in a fit of temper. I'm not well, I'm disgusting, wet almost soaking wet and my ankle is loose. So no, it's not okay. A lump forms in her throat as she stares at the ground, which becomes damp as she moves forward. Damn rain. Damn weather.
But a part of her, the most reasonable, the most polite, pushes her to respond in a hoarse voice:
- No, I'm not that good. I... I think I sprained my ankle. But it's going to be okay... it's going to be okay... she repeats as if to reassure herself.
She pushes again on her hands, puts more pressure on her left foot, standing up with difficulty but a small cry of pain then escapes her lips as her knees buckle.
@Leaf Shard
color =#c24400 ~ First year
No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live with us forever.
9 Oct 2023, 16:59
The story of the root
Leaf knew as soon as they said it that this girl wanted others to think she was okay, even if she wasn't. They could see a burst of anger about to come their way, saw something on her face indicating that she was mad at herself, frustrated. Should I leave her?
No. Her ankle looks in bad shape, and this rain isn't stopping anytime soon. Buckets of heavy droplets showered down upon them, crouched in the middle of the field and a reasonable distance from any shelter.
Suddenly, the girl pushed away from the ground, and stood up with a cry of pain, before her knees gave way and she was back on the ground. I'm no healer. Leaf thought, And she needs one. The courtyard was too far for her in this condition. Despite her injury, she seemed mostly occupied with staring at the front of her robe, which was covered in wet mud, and the ongoing, never-ending downpour that streaked their faces with rain.
"Put your arm... put your arm around my shoulders." Leaf really hoped this would work. They didn't know if they were strong enough to keep her upright and walk at the same time. This could go really quite wrong. But the rain would only get heavier, so if they were going to move, they had better start soon.
What's the worst that could happen?
No. Her ankle looks in bad shape, and this rain isn't stopping anytime soon. Buckets of heavy droplets showered down upon them, crouched in the middle of the field and a reasonable distance from any shelter.
Suddenly, the girl pushed away from the ground, and stood up with a cry of pain, before her knees gave way and she was back on the ground. I'm no healer. Leaf thought, And she needs one. The courtyard was too far for her in this condition. Despite her injury, she seemed mostly occupied with staring at the front of her robe, which was covered in wet mud, and the ongoing, never-ending downpour that streaked their faces with rain.
"Put your arm... put your arm around my shoulders." Leaf really hoped this would work. They didn't know if they were strong enough to keep her upright and walk at the same time. This could go really quite wrong. But the rain would only get heavier, so if they were going to move, they had better start soon.
What's the worst that could happen?
10 Oct 2023, 09:01
The story of the root
As her knees buckle, the ground gets dangerously close again.
But that's without counting the one who came to his rescue who then offers her help in an intelligible way.
“Put your arm...put your arm around my shoulders.”
Hailey raises her face to the brunette, her lip trembling, her gaze meeting hers. Come on Hailey, accept it.
Neither one nor two, swallowing, the blonde raises a hand and leans on the girl's shoulder. Standing up, careful to put as little weight as possible on her right foot, the Gryffindor does as the brunette advised her and lets her arm pass behind her neck.
Okay, here we are, we're up.
The rain was now streaming from their hair and Hailey feels so vulnerable in that moment. But just as grateful to this stranger.
- Thank you, she says in a breath. Thank you for your help. You... you think the Great Door is still far away? We're soaked, I'm sorry. Sorry to drag you into my misadventure. Damn root, she adds with frustration.
Looking around, Hailey realizes that they are now alone. Their comrades managed to take shelter in time.
Heck, because of me, she's here, getting soaked. We have to move, otherwise we'll get a cold. I can only blame myself. But she's nice and she could have been safe.
- Maybe we should go? I would be sorry if you got sick.
@Leaf Shard
But that's without counting the one who came to his rescue who then offers her help in an intelligible way.
“Put your arm...put your arm around my shoulders.”
Hailey raises her face to the brunette, her lip trembling, her gaze meeting hers. Come on Hailey, accept it.
Neither one nor two, swallowing, the blonde raises a hand and leans on the girl's shoulder. Standing up, careful to put as little weight as possible on her right foot, the Gryffindor does as the brunette advised her and lets her arm pass behind her neck.
Okay, here we are, we're up.
The rain was now streaming from their hair and Hailey feels so vulnerable in that moment. But just as grateful to this stranger.
- Thank you, she says in a breath. Thank you for your help. You... you think the Great Door is still far away? We're soaked, I'm sorry. Sorry to drag you into my misadventure. Damn root, she adds with frustration.
Looking around, Hailey realizes that they are now alone. Their comrades managed to take shelter in time.
Heck, because of me, she's here, getting soaked. We have to move, otherwise we'll get a cold. I can only blame myself. But she's nice and she could have been safe.
- Maybe we should go? I would be sorry if you got sick.
@Leaf Shard
color =#c24400 ~ First year
No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live with us forever.
10 Oct 2023, 15:42
The story of the root
She was conflicted- it showed quite clearly. Conflicted between whether to act like she could do it herself or listen to her reasonable side and accept Leaf's offer. If I was in this situation, I would just listen to reason and forget what others think. But they knew not everyone was like that.
However, in the end, the girl decided to lean on their shoulder. Careful not to do any further damage (at least Leaf hoped), she stood up, and looked around, taking in the surroundings. No one else was still here- the rain had made sure of that.
"Thank you." She said it nicely, like she meant it. And, Leaf realised, she probably did. "Thank you for your help. You... you think the Great Door is still far away? We're soaked, I'm sorry. Sorry to drag you into my misadventure." Are you kidding me? Thsi is the most eventful thing that has happened to me in ages. "Damn root." She added on with frustration. Leaf turned back to where she had tripped. Indeed, there was a root poking out of the ground, a noticeable hazard.
"Maybe we should go? I would be sorry if you got sick." Of course, Leaf didn't really mind this weather. Nevertheless, they put their leg forwards, and placed their foot in the mud- it was squelchy and slippery and when they looked back after taking a few steps, the footprints were obvious.
"Let's hurry, but try not to slip over."
However, in the end, the girl decided to lean on their shoulder. Careful not to do any further damage (at least Leaf hoped), she stood up, and looked around, taking in the surroundings. No one else was still here- the rain had made sure of that.
"Thank you." She said it nicely, like she meant it. And, Leaf realised, she probably did. "Thank you for your help. You... you think the Great Door is still far away? We're soaked, I'm sorry. Sorry to drag you into my misadventure." Are you kidding me? Thsi is the most eventful thing that has happened to me in ages. "Damn root." She added on with frustration. Leaf turned back to where she had tripped. Indeed, there was a root poking out of the ground, a noticeable hazard.
"Maybe we should go? I would be sorry if you got sick." Of course, Leaf didn't really mind this weather. Nevertheless, they put their leg forwards, and placed their foot in the mud- it was squelchy and slippery and when they looked back after taking a few steps, the footprints were obvious.
"Let's hurry, but try not to slip over."
13 Oct 2023, 21:15
The story of the root
The young girl did not respond but the Gryffindor felt that she was there, that the brunette would not let her go. And Hailey was grateful. No need to talk more about it, right? In a way, the young girl understood this silence and chose to respect it.
For a moment, their steps, stiff and anything but harmonious or fluid, and the touch of her own arm around the brunette's shoulders, of her hand near her, were the link that united them.
Finally, after a few steps, they stopped and the brunette turned around. Hailey imitates her, turning her head over her shoulder. They had left their footprints like a trail winding through the soggy grass. It was strange. As if a strange solitary beast had dragged itself there.
The girl's voice rang close to the blonde's ears and Hailey quickly nodded silently, taking a deep breath to give herself courage. The Great Gate was visible in the distance, through the gray screen of rain.
A few minutes passed in the wet silence and they finally arrived near the Great Gate. Hailey felt like she had a grenade in her ankle, but she was so relieved to finally be safe that she could only think of one thing:
- Thank you again for your help. For not letting me down. What lousy weather!
The young girl clutches a section of her dress, reflexively. It's not soggy enough to drip but it doesn't need any more.
- By the way, my name is Hailey, and you?
For a moment, their steps, stiff and anything but harmonious or fluid, and the touch of her own arm around the brunette's shoulders, of her hand near her, were the link that united them.
Finally, after a few steps, they stopped and the brunette turned around. Hailey imitates her, turning her head over her shoulder. They had left their footprints like a trail winding through the soggy grass. It was strange. As if a strange solitary beast had dragged itself there.
The girl's voice rang close to the blonde's ears and Hailey quickly nodded silently, taking a deep breath to give herself courage. The Great Gate was visible in the distance, through the gray screen of rain.
A few minutes passed in the wet silence and they finally arrived near the Great Gate. Hailey felt like she had a grenade in her ankle, but she was so relieved to finally be safe that she could only think of one thing:
- Thank you again for your help. For not letting me down. What lousy weather!
The young girl clutches a section of her dress, reflexively. It's not soggy enough to drip but it doesn't need any more.
- By the way, my name is Hailey, and you?
color =#c24400 ~ First year
No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live with us forever.
14 Oct 2023, 10:11
The story of the root
It took a while for them to reach the Great Gate. It was probably only a few hundred metres away, but the weather and her injury slowed them down a lot. Despite reaching the gate, the rain didn't seem to care and kept on pouring down with the same strength as before. It felt strange, after all those minutes of trekking through squelchy mud, to have the stony surface beneath their feet. And also odd to be under a shelter where the rain can't get in. As they entered, Leaf checked their clothes- they were soaking. Oh well. Let's hope they'll dry quickly.
"Thank you again for your help. For not letting me down. What lousy weather!" Leaf didn't exactly agree that the rain was so bad, but they had to admit that it was rather heavy today- a light downpour was fine, but this was something else.
The girl clutched her dress, and looked annoyed at how soggy it was, but satisfied that it wasn't dripping. "By the way, my name is Hailey, and you?" Leaf repeated the name in their head for a few moments.
"I'm Leaf." Their voice was relatively quiet, but they were sure Hailey got the message. "How is your ankle?" Leaf had been so focused on the rain that they had forgotten to ask.
"Thank you again for your help. For not letting me down. What lousy weather!" Leaf didn't exactly agree that the rain was so bad, but they had to admit that it was rather heavy today- a light downpour was fine, but this was something else.
The girl clutched her dress, and looked annoyed at how soggy it was, but satisfied that it wasn't dripping. "By the way, my name is Hailey, and you?" Leaf repeated the name in their head for a few moments.
"I'm Leaf." Their voice was relatively quiet, but they were sure Hailey got the message. "How is your ankle?" Leaf had been so focused on the rain that they had forgotten to ask.
22 Oct 2023, 15:52
The story of the root
The brunette's voice was quiet, soft but frank and Hailey nods to mark she heard her.
- Nice to meet you Leaf, she responds with an awkward smile.
Hailey's gaze falls again to the ground and more particularly, to her ankle which was stinging pretty bad.
Damn ankle. Damn root. What a lousy way to meet someone. Why am i so clumsy ?
Leaf's voice comes to her ears again. She was worriying about the state of the poor ankle.
- Uh... well, it's not in its best state but i assume it's not broken. That's good.
No, Hailey won't complain about this pain raging through the bottom of her leg.
- I... I... I'll go to the Hospital Wing and i'm sure they'll fix it at once.
She mimes a finger snap and force a smile upon her lips.
- Like magic, haha. But concerning your... clothes, they're soaking, i'm so sorry about that. I hope you won't get a cold because of me.
She was sincerely worrying about that part. Fall was there and in Scotland, temperatures weren't the best ones so if Leaf wouldn't go at once to her dorms, to get dry and change clothes, she will get the risk to get a super not nice cold. And that's quite bothering and annoying.
- Thus I'll go...
Hailey pretends to take a step forward and bites back a squeak. Well, she tries to.
Shit turd turd. Furtive glance back at Leaf. Embarrassed smile. Come on, say bye and leave her alone.
- I'll see you soon, drier, I won't bother you any more...
With these words, Hailey steps forward with her left foot and drags her right foot without pressing on it.
Just limp along, it'll do it. By going veeeery slowly.
What floor is the infirmary on again?
@Leaf Shard
- Nice to meet you Leaf, she responds with an awkward smile.
Hailey's gaze falls again to the ground and more particularly, to her ankle which was stinging pretty bad.
Damn ankle. Damn root. What a lousy way to meet someone. Why am i so clumsy ?
Leaf's voice comes to her ears again. She was worriying about the state of the poor ankle.
- Uh... well, it's not in its best state but i assume it's not broken. That's good.
No, Hailey won't complain about this pain raging through the bottom of her leg.
- I... I... I'll go to the Hospital Wing and i'm sure they'll fix it at once.
She mimes a finger snap and force a smile upon her lips.
- Like magic, haha. But concerning your... clothes, they're soaking, i'm so sorry about that. I hope you won't get a cold because of me.
She was sincerely worrying about that part. Fall was there and in Scotland, temperatures weren't the best ones so if Leaf wouldn't go at once to her dorms, to get dry and change clothes, she will get the risk to get a super not nice cold. And that's quite bothering and annoying.
- Thus I'll go...
Hailey pretends to take a step forward and bites back a squeak. Well, she tries to.
Shit turd turd. Furtive glance back at Leaf. Embarrassed smile. Come on, say bye and leave her alone.
- I'll see you soon, drier, I won't bother you any more...
With these words, Hailey steps forward with her left foot and drags her right foot without pressing on it.
Just limp along, it'll do it. By going veeeery slowly.
What floor is the infirmary on again?
@Leaf Shard
color =#c24400 ~ First year
No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live with us forever.
22 Oct 2023, 17:32
The story of the root
Hailey appeared alright on the outside, maybe a little bothered, but nevertheless okay and not in need of desperate attention. Still concerned for some reason, Leaf stayed by the gate for a while.
"Nice to meet you Leaf" She gave an awkward smile which Leaf returned because they were always awkward with new people- though they still weren't sure whether it was the 'new' part or the 'people' part that made it awkward. "Um... well, it's not in the best state but I assume its not broken. That's good. I'll go to the hospital wing and I'm sure they'll fix it at once."
She mimed a little finger snap- which was kind of weird, but kind of funny too. "Like magic, haha." Very funny. They couldn't help but giggle a bit. "But concerning your... clothes, they're soaking. I'm so sorry about that. I hope you won't get a cold because of me."
Leaf hadn't considered that. In their determination to get to the gate, they didn't even think for a second that they might be putting their own health at risk. Oh well. If I'm a little ill for a few days, I'll be fine. But if they didn't go and help Hailey get inside, then she would have suffered a lot more. I'll just race up the stairs and change quickly. Well, they wouldn't race up the stairs- that would guarantee getting lost. Again.
"Thus I'll go..." Hailey steps forward, but pauses before taking another. Glancing back in Leaf's direction, she smiled weakly then looked back and continued her slow limp down the hallway, dragging her foot along behind.
Should I help? She looked like she would take a while to reach the hospital wing- third floor, if they remembered correctly. Third floor? There was no way Hailey would get that far without gaining a serious injury, whether by falling down the stairs or something.
So Leaf rushed after her, following the trail of mud.
"Nice to meet you Leaf" She gave an awkward smile which Leaf returned because they were always awkward with new people- though they still weren't sure whether it was the 'new' part or the 'people' part that made it awkward. "Um... well, it's not in the best state but I assume its not broken. That's good. I'll go to the hospital wing and I'm sure they'll fix it at once."
She mimed a little finger snap- which was kind of weird, but kind of funny too. "Like magic, haha." Very funny. They couldn't help but giggle a bit. "But concerning your... clothes, they're soaking. I'm so sorry about that. I hope you won't get a cold because of me."
Leaf hadn't considered that. In their determination to get to the gate, they didn't even think for a second that they might be putting their own health at risk. Oh well. If I'm a little ill for a few days, I'll be fine. But if they didn't go and help Hailey get inside, then she would have suffered a lot more. I'll just race up the stairs and change quickly. Well, they wouldn't race up the stairs- that would guarantee getting lost. Again.
"Thus I'll go..." Hailey steps forward, but pauses before taking another. Glancing back in Leaf's direction, she smiled weakly then looked back and continued her slow limp down the hallway, dragging her foot along behind.
Should I help? She looked like she would take a while to reach the hospital wing- third floor, if they remembered correctly. Third floor? There was no way Hailey would get that far without gaining a serious injury, whether by falling down the stairs or something.
So Leaf rushed after her, following the trail of mud.