A Study Date
Allie sat quietly by herself at a table for two towards the back of the library with a stack of books next to her. She always made sure that she was quite diligent in getting her homework done in a reasonable amount of time but always found herself captivated and distracted by the stories of wizards and witches defending themselves from paranormal creatures with some of the most complicated charms spells ever known. Charms had been one of Allie's favorite subjects to read about ever since she was a little girl. She quickly scanned over the word in the book, flipping the pages over faster than someone probably should've been. The only thing that broke her concentration was the sound of someone speaking directly to her. She placed her index finger on the last word that she read before glancing up at whoever had caught her attention. There in front of her, holding a few books of her own, stood a girl with curly black hair with gold and black robes. Allie knew that those colors stood for the Hufflepuff house. "Sorry, could you say that again? I was kinda lost in the story and didn't hear what you asked me." Allie let out a slight chuckle.
A Study Date
Mari was running late. Again.
When she lived at home, younger sister Lucy dictated things to a point where Mari was oftentimes in her shadow. Lucy was punctual to a fault, so by association, Mari was too. Turns out, this new, independent Hogwarts-version of Mari? Never on time. The only habit she still followed from Lucy was her incessant scheduling. (Some habits are hard to break.) At Hogwarts, however, the schedules would say Eat breakfast at 7 or Study Potions from 4-6, and hours later, Mari would still have not begun the task.
Such was the case today: it was much later than she had intended, and Mari had not even begun working on her Charms homework. To make matters worse, the library was filled with students. Mari unintentionally released a "hmph" in frustration, grasped her books tighter, and moved through the stacks, looking for a spot. After a few moments, she realized the only solution to complete her studies was to ask to sit with a stranger.
She scanned the surrounding area ferociously; with each passing moment, she became more aware of the time passing while no work was being completed. She spotted a girl with the largest stack of books she had ever seen - dramatic, but Mari could not imagine ever having that many books beside her - and without a further thought, marched over and declared, "Hello, there aren't really any more spots in the library, and I really need to get my Charms work done - mind if I sit with you?"
Silence. The girl marked her page with her finger, and then stated, "Sorry, could you say that again? I was kinda lost in the story and didn't hear what you asked me." She chuckled, but Mari furrowed her brow in annoyance. Time was passing and this Charms work still wasn't getting done! She caught herself, took a deep breath, and stated, noticing after the fact that she was overemphasizing her syllables to get her irritated desperation across, "I said I'm sorry, but I need to do my Charms homework and there are no spots. Can I puh-lease sit here?"
She clutched her books tighter, pursed her lips, and waited.
When she lived at home, younger sister Lucy dictated things to a point where Mari was oftentimes in her shadow. Lucy was punctual to a fault, so by association, Mari was too. Turns out, this new, independent Hogwarts-version of Mari? Never on time. The only habit she still followed from Lucy was her incessant scheduling. (Some habits are hard to break.) At Hogwarts, however, the schedules would say Eat breakfast at 7 or Study Potions from 4-6, and hours later, Mari would still have not begun the task.
Such was the case today: it was much later than she had intended, and Mari had not even begun working on her Charms homework. To make matters worse, the library was filled with students. Mari unintentionally released a "hmph" in frustration, grasped her books tighter, and moved through the stacks, looking for a spot. After a few moments, she realized the only solution to complete her studies was to ask to sit with a stranger.
She scanned the surrounding area ferociously; with each passing moment, she became more aware of the time passing while no work was being completed. She spotted a girl with the largest stack of books she had ever seen - dramatic, but Mari could not imagine ever having that many books beside her - and without a further thought, marched over and declared, "Hello, there aren't really any more spots in the library, and I really need to get my Charms work done - mind if I sit with you?"
Silence. The girl marked her page with her finger, and then stated, "Sorry, could you say that again? I was kinda lost in the story and didn't hear what you asked me." She chuckled, but Mari furrowed her brow in annoyance. Time was passing and this Charms work still wasn't getting done! She caught herself, took a deep breath, and stated, noticing after the fact that she was overemphasizing her syllables to get her irritated desperation across, "I said I'm sorry, but I need to do my Charms homework and there are no spots. Can I puh-lease sit here?"
She clutched her books tighter, pursed her lips, and waited.
Race: Werewolf // Ability: Terrible Presence
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
A Study Date
Allie rose her blonde eyebrows slightly in surprise at the girl's tone of voice towards her. "Oh, uh, yeah, sure." Allie sat forward slightly and started to move the stack of her books from one side of the table to the other so the girl could go ahead and take the other seat at the table. Allie leaned back in her chair, pressing her shoulder blades to the wood, and pulled the book from the table towards her face, and trying to get back into her story. It was a little harder to immerse herself back into the book than it was before now that she knew that someone was sitting next to her.
Allie would glance up every now and then from her book and watch the girl study before picking up a stray piece of paper that she used as a bookmark and closed the cover. "You said you were working on Charms homework right? What kind of homework is it?" Allie had already finished her Charms homework, of course, but she was always willing to help out a fellow student if they look like they need help.
Allie would glance up every now and then from her book and watch the girl study before picking up a stray piece of paper that she used as a bookmark and closed the cover. "You said you were working on Charms homework right? What kind of homework is it?" Allie had already finished her Charms homework, of course, but she was always willing to help out a fellow student if they look like they need help.
A Study Date
"Oh, uh, yeah, sure," the girl responded, and Mari hurried herself down. She opened her books hastily and to her delight, the girl immediately pushed the book back from the table towards her face. She picked a good table buddy; Mari could study in peace.
As she scrawled her name (or at least, how she signed her papers at Hogwarts, J. Marianna Haynes), hurriedly scribbled some answers and skimmed the text, Mari had a growing feeling that the girl was watching her. At one point, she glanced up just as the girl had glanced down. Mari prickled in annoyance. Just because she was a Ravenclaw doesn't mean that she had to spy on her doing work! Weren't they supposed to be smart enough to not need to sneak glances at other students doing their work? She was probably trying to copy Mari's answers so that she continue this ruse of intelligence. Or...she was going to be a know-it-all and tell Mari all her answers were wrong, which they probably were because she was rushing so much. She should slow down.
Mari went back to the first question to re-evaluate her answers when the girl interrupted. She had bookmarked her spot in the book: "You said you were working on Charms homework, right? What kind of homework is it?"
The prickling feeling returned. This girl was clearly a first year, and she was acting like Mari was an idiot. Of course she knew what the homework was; all first years were learning the same thing! She probably was testing Mari to see if Hufflepuffs were really as dumb as people said. Either way, Mari was, quite frankly, annoyed. She scowled. "Aren't you supposed to be a Ravenclaw? We learn the same things, dummy. Obviously, I'm working on the essays on the history of the Lumos and Nox charms. But I suppose you know best, so yeah, help me. Here."
She shoved her answers toward the girl, and with a scowl still on her face, patiently waited for her to tell her what was likely the truth: that all her answers were wrong.
As she scrawled her name (or at least, how she signed her papers at Hogwarts, J. Marianna Haynes), hurriedly scribbled some answers and skimmed the text, Mari had a growing feeling that the girl was watching her. At one point, she glanced up just as the girl had glanced down. Mari prickled in annoyance. Just because she was a Ravenclaw doesn't mean that she had to spy on her doing work! Weren't they supposed to be smart enough to not need to sneak glances at other students doing their work? She was probably trying to copy Mari's answers so that she continue this ruse of intelligence. Or...she was going to be a know-it-all and tell Mari all her answers were wrong, which they probably were because she was rushing so much. She should slow down.
Mari went back to the first question to re-evaluate her answers when the girl interrupted. She had bookmarked her spot in the book: "You said you were working on Charms homework, right? What kind of homework is it?"
The prickling feeling returned. This girl was clearly a first year, and she was acting like Mari was an idiot. Of course she knew what the homework was; all first years were learning the same thing! She probably was testing Mari to see if Hufflepuffs were really as dumb as people said. Either way, Mari was, quite frankly, annoyed. She scowled. "Aren't you supposed to be a Ravenclaw? We learn the same things, dummy. Obviously, I'm working on the essays on the history of the Lumos and Nox charms. But I suppose you know best, so yeah, help me. Here."
She shoved her answers toward the girl, and with a scowl still on her face, patiently waited for her to tell her what was likely the truth: that all her answers were wrong.
Race: Werewolf // Ability: Terrible Presence
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
A Study Date
'Aren't you supposed to be a Ravenclaw? We learn the same things, dummy. Obviously, I'm working on the essays on the history of the Lumos and Nox charms. But I suppose you know best, so yeah, help me.' The girl's comment and attitude made Allie feel a little uneasy and caused her cheeks to turn slightly cherry in embarrassment, but she supposed that it could be expected. They were in a library, after all, maybe the girl just wanted to study and do her work in peace. Allie took the girls paper gently and decided to look over it. Her eyes briefly skimmed over the girl's answers and nodded her head slightly. "Actually, you're right. I actually forgot about the fact that Lumos could be thrown from the wand and hover on its own. Thanks for reminding me of that." She passed the girl back her paper before going back to her book. She read a few more sentences before looking back up. "Also, just because I'm in Ravenclaw doesn't mean I'm a know it all. I mean, you're in Hufflepuff and you don't seem to be a pushover." She gave a slight smile before turning her attention back to her book. "Just a thought."
A Study Date
While this girl was studying her notes, flushed in the face, Mari studied her fixedly. She had met this girl before, she just needed to remember where... that blond hair definitely was familiar...
Mari's reverie was broken by the girl retorting back to her, "Actually, you're right. I actually forgot about the fact that Lumos could be thrown from the wand and hover on its own. Thanks for reminding me of that." The parchment returned to her, and Mari's eyes focused in on the answer, realizing that it didn't even make sense. Wow, I am an idiot, she thought. No wonder I didn't follow Mum's lead by being sorted into Ravenclaw. That's enough embarrassment for my snarky comment...
The girl, obviously not listening to her thoughts, deciding to keep going: "Also, just because I'm in Ravenclaw doesn't mean I'm a know it all. I mean, you're in Hufflepuff and you don't seem to be a pushover. Just a thought." The Ravenclaw added a smile to her last statement, and Mari almost warmed up to her. She was ready to apologize when the thought hit her.
Allie.
Allie. Jones. That witch on the train.
The flashback came back to her instantaneously: when Allie tried to take her seat on the train, that the nice girl Blake had offered Mari, not Allie, and Allie had tried to steal Mari's first moment of confidence since leaving her family! Oh no, Mari knew she couldn't give this girl justice for a second, especially after embarrassing her by reading off her nonsensical answer.
Mari gripped her wand; a few sparks flew out of it. She knew that she wouldn't actually duel the girl if it came to it. Mari, ultimately, was not a rule-breaker, even if she wanted to be one. She hoped though, that the unintentional sparks got the message across. Yes, as the girl noted, she was not a pushover, but she also was not to be messed with. Besides, she realized, Hufflepuffs are known for their loyalty, not their "pushover-i-ness," anyway! She scowled at Allie and declared, a little too loudly, "Know it all or not, I don't need your help. I find Charms to be a joke, anyway; who cares about it. What really counts is Transfiguration or Defense Against the Dark Arts, anyways. But I'm sure you already knew that."
She glowered and returned to her work, crossing out the nonsensical answer and putting in the more accurate one. In reality, she did find Charms worthwhile, but she wasn't going to give Allie the glory she kept trying to steal from Mari in knowing that.
Mari's reverie was broken by the girl retorting back to her, "Actually, you're right. I actually forgot about the fact that Lumos could be thrown from the wand and hover on its own. Thanks for reminding me of that." The parchment returned to her, and Mari's eyes focused in on the answer, realizing that it didn't even make sense. Wow, I am an idiot, she thought. No wonder I didn't follow Mum's lead by being sorted into Ravenclaw. That's enough embarrassment for my snarky comment...
The girl, obviously not listening to her thoughts, deciding to keep going: "Also, just because I'm in Ravenclaw doesn't mean I'm a know it all. I mean, you're in Hufflepuff and you don't seem to be a pushover. Just a thought." The Ravenclaw added a smile to her last statement, and Mari almost warmed up to her. She was ready to apologize when the thought hit her.
Allie.
Allie. Jones. That witch on the train.
The flashback came back to her instantaneously: when Allie tried to take her seat on the train, that the nice girl Blake had offered Mari, not Allie, and Allie had tried to steal Mari's first moment of confidence since leaving her family! Oh no, Mari knew she couldn't give this girl justice for a second, especially after embarrassing her by reading off her nonsensical answer.
Mari gripped her wand; a few sparks flew out of it. She knew that she wouldn't actually duel the girl if it came to it. Mari, ultimately, was not a rule-breaker, even if she wanted to be one. She hoped though, that the unintentional sparks got the message across. Yes, as the girl noted, she was not a pushover, but she also was not to be messed with. Besides, she realized, Hufflepuffs are known for their loyalty, not their "pushover-i-ness," anyway! She scowled at Allie and declared, a little too loudly, "Know it all or not, I don't need your help. I find Charms to be a joke, anyway; who cares about it. What really counts is Transfiguration or Defense Against the Dark Arts, anyways. But I'm sure you already knew that."
She glowered and returned to her work, crossing out the nonsensical answer and putting in the more accurate one. In reality, she did find Charms worthwhile, but she wasn't going to give Allie the glory she kept trying to steal from Mari in knowing that.
Race: Werewolf // Ability: Terrible Presence
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
A Study Date
Allie couldn't help but let out a small giggle at the fierce energy that Mari was directing towards her. The way that she was getting all worked up over nothing was a little amusing. "To each their own, I suppose," she shrugged a bit. "Defense Against the Dark Arts is a cool class too. I've always been interested in what a boggart would take the form of if I ever came face to face with one. I've never really thought about what I would be deathly afraid of, but I suppose one of these days I'll find out." Allie picked up one of the books off of the stack that Mari had on the table and began to flip through it. Allie wasn't going to return the energy that Mari was giving to her. It just wasn't in her body to be mean to someone who didn't deserve it. After a few moments, Allie let out a sigh and closed the book. "This is silly. Did I do something to upset you?" She wasn't too sure what she had done to this girl that warranted this kind of behavior. "If this is about the incident on the train, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that Blake had offered you the seat. It was just a simple misunderstanding."
A Study Date
Mari sat, stone-faced, as the girl responded to all of her retorts and irritations.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts is a cool class too. I've always been interested in what a boggart would take the form of if I ever came face to face with one. I've never really thought about what I would be deathly afraid of, but I suppose one of these days I'll find out."
In silence, she responded. Myself, alone. No friends, no family. I would die if that actually happened.
The girl continued. "This is silly. Did I do something to upset you? If this is about the incident on the train, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that Blake had offered you the seat. It was just a simple misunderstanding."
Anger flushed to her cheeks again, this time touched with a bit of embarrassment. Mari unclamped her wand and stood there, breathless. A full sixty seconds had passed before she opened her mouth and then shut it again. Another thirty seconds passed before she murmured, almost inaudibly, "Okay."
In all reality, Mari knew, this girl probably should have dueled her by now, and the librarian would have sent both of them straight to detention. Although she did not attack her, however, Mari did not trust this Allie - she seemed shady. How was she to know that this girl was actually apologizing? The train issue probably was a misunderstanding, but after Mari had verbally attacked her, she wouldn't be surprised if this Allie was just trying to get Mari to lower her guard before she jinxed her.
So she would wait. She would see what Allie would say next and plan her next steps from there. It was the only logical solution, after all. Since she was talking to a Ravenclaw, perhaps she should use logic instead of hotheadedness. Still, Mari lightly touched her wand, just in case, bracing herself for attack if needed.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts is a cool class too. I've always been interested in what a boggart would take the form of if I ever came face to face with one. I've never really thought about what I would be deathly afraid of, but I suppose one of these days I'll find out."
In silence, she responded. Myself, alone. No friends, no family. I would die if that actually happened.
The girl continued. "This is silly. Did I do something to upset you? If this is about the incident on the train, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that Blake had offered you the seat. It was just a simple misunderstanding."
Anger flushed to her cheeks again, this time touched with a bit of embarrassment. Mari unclamped her wand and stood there, breathless. A full sixty seconds had passed before she opened her mouth and then shut it again. Another thirty seconds passed before she murmured, almost inaudibly, "Okay."
In all reality, Mari knew, this girl probably should have dueled her by now, and the librarian would have sent both of them straight to detention. Although she did not attack her, however, Mari did not trust this Allie - she seemed shady. How was she to know that this girl was actually apologizing? The train issue probably was a misunderstanding, but after Mari had verbally attacked her, she wouldn't be surprised if this Allie was just trying to get Mari to lower her guard before she jinxed her.
So she would wait. She would see what Allie would say next and plan her next steps from there. It was the only logical solution, after all. Since she was talking to a Ravenclaw, perhaps she should use logic instead of hotheadedness. Still, Mari lightly touched her wand, just in case, bracing herself for attack if needed.
Race: Werewolf // Ability: Terrible Presence
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
A Study Date
Allie could tell that this was going nowhere. There was no use in continuing to be here since Mari obviously didn't care for her company at all. With another sigh, she gathered up her things from the table and scooted in her now empty chair without saying anything. After doing a quick double check to make sure she had everything that she had brought, Allie left Mari to do her homework in peace. She knew that she couldn't be friends with everyone, and if Mari didn't want to forgive her for the misunderstanding that happened on the bus, then that was her problem, not Allie's.
Allie wasn't too sure what to do now. She had already completed her homework that was going to be due in a few days. 'Maybe I'll take a walk around the grounds or something like that since I have nothing better to do until it's time for dinner.' Allie thought to herself as she walked down the hallways away from the Library. She hoped that maybe she wouldn't run into Mari for a few days while this whole situation blew over. "Maybe she was just stressed out about her homework and redirected her frustrations towards me instead," Allie thought aloud to herself. Her voice wasn't any higher than a whisper.
Allie wasn't too sure what to do now. She had already completed her homework that was going to be due in a few days. 'Maybe I'll take a walk around the grounds or something like that since I have nothing better to do until it's time for dinner.' Allie thought to herself as she walked down the hallways away from the Library. She hoped that maybe she wouldn't run into Mari for a few days while this whole situation blew over. "Maybe she was just stressed out about her homework and redirected her frustrations towards me instead," Allie thought aloud to herself. Her voice wasn't any higher than a whisper.
A Study Date
Well, that was a reaction Mari wasn't expecting. She honestly thought the girl would attack and was surprised to see that she instead removed herself from the situation. As the girl walked away from her, she deflated instantaneously and felt a slight tinge of regret. Mari jumped to conclusions quite easily and was incredibly hotheaded, but in retrospect the girl had only been nice to her. "Foolish, foolish Mari," she muttered to herself.
She scrawled "apologize" absentmindedly on the top of her Charms homework. Dad would be so disappointed in her; he always said that loyalty and kindness were what made humans truly worthwhile. What had Mari just done to that girl? Let her emotions get in the way and respond viciously, all because she held a grudge from the train. She was just looking to belong and instead had (most likely) gotten herself an enemy.
"Well, I guess the plus of this study date is I learned that I write nonsense if I try to hurry through my homework," Mari chortled to herself. "I s'pose in addition to apologize I ought to give her a pastie or something to show appreciation."
With that thought, she turned back towards her work. The girl was gone, there was nothing more to do about that right now, and Mari had the priority of finishing her schedule, no matter how much off-target her last task, "sleeeeeeep" would be. For now, she needed to focus on one thing only: how to get that darned Lumos incantation to make some sense!
She scrawled "apologize" absentmindedly on the top of her Charms homework. Dad would be so disappointed in her; he always said that loyalty and kindness were what made humans truly worthwhile. What had Mari just done to that girl? Let her emotions get in the way and respond viciously, all because she held a grudge from the train. She was just looking to belong and instead had (most likely) gotten herself an enemy.
"Well, I guess the plus of this study date is I learned that I write nonsense if I try to hurry through my homework," Mari chortled to herself. "I s'pose in addition to apologize I ought to give her a pastie or something to show appreciation."
With that thought, she turned back towards her work. The girl was gone, there was nothing more to do about that right now, and Mari had the priority of finishing her schedule, no matter how much off-target her last task, "sleeeeeeep" would be. For now, she needed to focus on one thing only: how to get that darned Lumos incantation to make some sense!
Race: Werewolf // Ability: Terrible Presence
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10
Stam: 10 Evas: 1 Str: 2 Wis: 10 Arc: 2 Acc: 10