27 Nov 2023, 22:34
Reading & Reflecting
Willow had discovered, in her recent days at Hogwarts, that the best place to read was outside. Inside the castle was lovely, but she had to acknowledge that it was full of people and a number of highly distracting things- ghosts, talking armor, groans about homework, and moving portraits among them. Willow liked to read- it was simply in her nature- and she found that the grounds were the best place, save for the library, to do just that.
She had experienced a wonderful start to her magical education; she had already learned a lot and even made a few new friends, which was something she had been worrying about. A cheerful breeze blew pleasantly across her face, making her red hair dance and tempting her with the prospect of a nap. It was too perfect of a day to resist, and she had been meaning to tackle a new book she had found anyway. The weather was just an excellent excuse to delve into the depths of a good book, and she quickly found herself immersed in the story.
Though the cover itself lacked panache, the tale tucked into the pages was marvelous. Willow was paused, quite unfortunately, by the thoughts resurfacing in her mind. She had a very rich inner world, full of stories and art and other things of the sort, but she was also very easily distracted. If she didn't consent to letting her mind wander where it wished, she would certainly not be able to concentrate until she did. Closing her book with a sigh, Willow leaned back against a tree, pondering the thought that had been so irksome.
Perhaps it was not so much a thought as it was an idea; it was something she had been pondering since she had arrived at Hogwarts, and admittedly this was not the first time it had distracted her. Willow had known all her life she had wanted to be an author- but now that she was faced with the prospect of becoming a fully-fledged witch in seven years, she was wondering if she would be required to do something else.
Maybe it was silly, but she was dead worried about it. What else would she do with her life? In their sixth year, after O.W.Ls, they would take classes based on the careers they wished to pursue. Would hers be able to amount to anything? Willow, unable to stem the flutter of thoughts and worries, didn't pick the book back up until she went back into the castle for dinner.
She had experienced a wonderful start to her magical education; she had already learned a lot and even made a few new friends, which was something she had been worrying about. A cheerful breeze blew pleasantly across her face, making her red hair dance and tempting her with the prospect of a nap. It was too perfect of a day to resist, and she had been meaning to tackle a new book she had found anyway. The weather was just an excellent excuse to delve into the depths of a good book, and she quickly found herself immersed in the story.
Though the cover itself lacked panache, the tale tucked into the pages was marvelous. Willow was paused, quite unfortunately, by the thoughts resurfacing in her mind. She had a very rich inner world, full of stories and art and other things of the sort, but she was also very easily distracted. If she didn't consent to letting her mind wander where it wished, she would certainly not be able to concentrate until she did. Closing her book with a sigh, Willow leaned back against a tree, pondering the thought that had been so irksome.
Perhaps it was not so much a thought as it was an idea; it was something she had been pondering since she had arrived at Hogwarts, and admittedly this was not the first time it had distracted her. Willow had known all her life she had wanted to be an author- but now that she was faced with the prospect of becoming a fully-fledged witch in seven years, she was wondering if she would be required to do something else.
Maybe it was silly, but she was dead worried about it. What else would she do with her life? In their sixth year, after O.W.Ls, they would take classes based on the careers they wished to pursue. Would hers be able to amount to anything? Willow, unable to stem the flutter of thoughts and worries, didn't pick the book back up until she went back into the castle for dinner.
Last edited by Willow Byrne on 5 Jan 2024, 21:58, edited 1 time in total.
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.
29 Nov 2023, 00:58
Reading & Reflecting
Another day, another hour spent on the grounds with her book. The day was not nearly as pretty as the one before; the sky was threateningly gray and the wind blew harsh and chilly. Willow sat wrapped in her cloak, nose slightly pink. The perk to the despondent weather was that most people were choosing to stay inside, where it was considerably warmer and less windy. She turned the page of the book, which was getting to the interesting point; the story had turned out even better than she had expected.
A generally introverted person, Willow often found herself tired after a long day of lessons and noisy people, but she felt especially exhausted on this particular day. Some alone time outside was just what her aching mind needed. Something hooted overhead, and she looked up to see a windblown owl struggling across the sky to the castle. She watched it for a bit before returning to her book, and read all the way through the last few chapters. Once it was done, the edges of the night were creeping in like fingers over the forest.
However, she didn't want to go in just yet- after reading such a spectacular book, she wanted to soak in the effect of the ending before heading back into the hustle and bustle of the castle. She thought back to her day, even her week; it had been, for the most part, very enjoyable. She had met a few new friends and was even working on an interesting idea with one of them. Before long, the whispers of deep purple twilight were upon her, and Willow realized she must have stayed out longer than she had intended.
Hugging the now-completed novel to her chest, she hurried up and into the castle, where a hot meal, warm air, and a purring cat to keep her company were waiting.
A generally introverted person, Willow often found herself tired after a long day of lessons and noisy people, but she felt especially exhausted on this particular day. Some alone time outside was just what her aching mind needed. Something hooted overhead, and she looked up to see a windblown owl struggling across the sky to the castle. She watched it for a bit before returning to her book, and read all the way through the last few chapters. Once it was done, the edges of the night were creeping in like fingers over the forest.
However, she didn't want to go in just yet- after reading such a spectacular book, she wanted to soak in the effect of the ending before heading back into the hustle and bustle of the castle. She thought back to her day, even her week; it had been, for the most part, very enjoyable. She had met a few new friends and was even working on an interesting idea with one of them. Before long, the whispers of deep purple twilight were upon her, and Willow realized she must have stayed out longer than she had intended.
Hugging the now-completed novel to her chest, she hurried up and into the castle, where a hot meal, warm air, and a purring cat to keep her company were waiting.
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.
29 Nov 2023, 20:37
Reading & Reflecting
This day was even worse than the last; misty rain blew harshly across the sky, which was a frothy sort of gray. Not a soul other than Willow wandered the grounds, and for good reason- a nasty storm had been blowing in all day. A new book under her arm, the girl took shelter under a dripping, creaking tree. Perhaps it hadn't been a good idea to come out here after all, the book was likely to get soaked, and the librarian wouldn't like that much.
Willow pulled her cloak over her scarlet hair and leaned over to shield the book from the brunt of the wind and water, which was coming down even harder now. The wind rippled the lake and blew hazy rain across the surface. This new book, though perhaps not as good as the previous one, was intriguing. It wasn't exactly to Willow's usual taste, but she'd selected it with the thought that branching out would be good for her.
Idly turning the page, mildly interested in the new novel, Willow blinked rain from her eye, which were bright blue. Although the weather was quite horrible, it was strangely pretty the way the rain hit the lake and the trees bent to the wind. It inspired her to write something, a poem perhaps, about the grounds of Hogwarts. Closing the book, Willow pulled out a quill and piece of parchment, set it on her book to support it, and began to write, frosty mist and wind breezing across her face.
Willow pulled her cloak over her scarlet hair and leaned over to shield the book from the brunt of the wind and water, which was coming down even harder now. The wind rippled the lake and blew hazy rain across the surface. This new book, though perhaps not as good as the previous one, was intriguing. It wasn't exactly to Willow's usual taste, but she'd selected it with the thought that branching out would be good for her.
Idly turning the page, mildly interested in the new novel, Willow blinked rain from her eye, which were bright blue. Although the weather was quite horrible, it was strangely pretty the way the rain hit the lake and the trees bent to the wind. It inspired her to write something, a poem perhaps, about the grounds of Hogwarts. Closing the book, Willow pulled out a quill and piece of parchment, set it on her book to support it, and began to write, frosty mist and wind breezing across her face.
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.
1 Dec 2023, 01:29
Reading & Reflecting
Perhaps it was the upcoming Christmas season, or the twittery excitement of the students, but Willow felt downright jolly as she went outside on a fine winter day. The sun was shining gentle rays down onto the grounds, and the air was crisp and cold, though it wasn't snowing yet. (Though she was looking forward to when it did.) In the spirit of the Holidays, the Ravenclaw girl had selected a novel set in winter, which was her favorite time of year. The weather was wonderful and it was a joyous time, so Willow's spirits were high as she traipsed down to her usual spot next to the lake under a tree.
She had been working on a fun little project with one of her new friends and was proud to say that she was becoming a little more comfortable in the vast halls and twisting floors of Hogwarts, though she doubted she would ever know all of its many secrets. There was a ball coming up, and she couldn't help the little smile that played across her lips as she began to read her seasonal novel.
By her usual standards, it had been a good day, too. Her classes had been quite fun, and Willow found that she was learning a lot from the professors. She had also spent part of her lunch in the library, which was always a sure way to make her day better, considering how much she read. Feeling chipper, the girl settled in, her back to the trunk of the tree and cloak pulled around her to keep out the chill, and read away another afternoon.
She had been working on a fun little project with one of her new friends and was proud to say that she was becoming a little more comfortable in the vast halls and twisting floors of Hogwarts, though she doubted she would ever know all of its many secrets. There was a ball coming up, and she couldn't help the little smile that played across her lips as she began to read her seasonal novel.
By her usual standards, it had been a good day, too. Her classes had been quite fun, and Willow found that she was learning a lot from the professors. She had also spent part of her lunch in the library, which was always a sure way to make her day better, considering how much she read. Feeling chipper, the girl settled in, her back to the trunk of the tree and cloak pulled around her to keep out the chill, and read away another afternoon.
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.
9 Dec 2023, 01:44
Reading & Reflecting
It had been a doozy of a day, but enjoyable nonetheless. It was wonderful to realize that she was beginning to fit in with the other Hogwarts students, and it made her heart leap with excitement when she thought about her new friends and the people she had come to trust. Slowly but surely, the towing castle had become her second home. Even the piles of homework waiting for her in her dorm couldn't vanquish her good mood.
The grounds were coated in a light layer of snow, but Willow was too happy even to notice the cold and sat down with her back to a tree. This was what she had been worried about, was it not, making friends? And she had done it! What a beautiful feeling, to be content and in a place full of people who accepted her. Her grades, at least so far, had been exceptional- nearly all O's! How proud her father would be; perhaps she should write to him to let him know how everything was going. Yes, she would do that as soon as she got back inside. She missed him dearly, but she knew she would see him and her mam soon at Christmas break.
She hadn't brought a book, but she hardly thought she even needed one, what with her thoughts racing in her heart swelled with joy. The Ravenclaw girl instead thought back to everything that had made her past few weeks so spectacular. A walk with her new best friend, an encounter with another acquaintance, and some lovely time spent in the library. Great lessons, nights reading curled up with her cat, and a fun project whirled through her overcrowded mind as just a few of the things she had been up to.
The snow of winter's breath settled down in the arms of the valley and along the castle's turrets, making everything glow with the white of holiday cheer. Willow smiled serenely and watched the landscape, feeling as though everything was as it was meant to be.
The grounds were coated in a light layer of snow, but Willow was too happy even to notice the cold and sat down with her back to a tree. This was what she had been worried about, was it not, making friends? And she had done it! What a beautiful feeling, to be content and in a place full of people who accepted her. Her grades, at least so far, had been exceptional- nearly all O's! How proud her father would be; perhaps she should write to him to let him know how everything was going. Yes, she would do that as soon as she got back inside. She missed him dearly, but she knew she would see him and her mam soon at Christmas break.
She hadn't brought a book, but she hardly thought she even needed one, what with her thoughts racing in her heart swelled with joy. The Ravenclaw girl instead thought back to everything that had made her past few weeks so spectacular. A walk with her new best friend, an encounter with another acquaintance, and some lovely time spent in the library. Great lessons, nights reading curled up with her cat, and a fun project whirled through her overcrowded mind as just a few of the things she had been up to.
The snow of winter's breath settled down in the arms of the valley and along the castle's turrets, making everything glow with the white of holiday cheer. Willow smiled serenely and watched the landscape, feeling as though everything was as it was meant to be.
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.