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Writing Under The Stars FINISHED

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Interacting with:All welcome, new friends : )
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Date: 7th September, Approaching 9PM
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How could anyone ever get sick of that view it was the thought that had filled Matthew's head for the last hour while he took in the magnificent landscape of the Scottish Highlands the astronomy tower painted. Up here amongst the stars the world felt infinite like, anything you could imagine was possible. Now that Matthew had magic, real magic he really felt like it was. Sitting crossed leg on a cushion depicting the constellation Leo, his father's star sign, he continuously moved his quill from his paper and back again unsure of what to write. He must have been trying to write this letter for days now, constantly telling himself that he was too busy, or that he had to give himself time to adjust but really he just didn't know what to say. His father had already lost so much and now he had left too, it felt like some kind of betrayal that was only driven further by how much happier Matthew had already been being here. How could he tell his father that he has been happier here than he has in years.

Pushing his paper and quill aside he sat back leaning against the bookshelves at the edge where the wall met the glassy sphere allowing him comfort and a clear view. The tower was seemingly empty now with curfew drawing close. He thought back to the puzzled and bemused looks on the faces of students he passed on the long climb up the tower clearly wondering why he would be headed up now of all times. It was ironic that Matthew's two favourite places in Hogwarts so far couldn't be further from one another, if he wasn't spending his nights among the stars he was in the Slytherin dorms watching the lake shimmer as the moonlight twinkled through it. In the isolation of the tower he found solace, up here the air was colder and fresher and a wave of cool air blew in from the balcony. Matthew would love to step out there for even a few moments, even more so he would love to scream out into the darkness from it but he respected Professor Starwise's wishes... at least for the meantime.

Following the room round he came to a strange area of the bookshelves where 4 bins sat, curious as the handwriting above them didn't resemble Professor Starwise's he bent down to investigate further. Reading the bins he found they were stores for all sorts of nick-nacks, grabbing a blanket from the one labelled extra blankets Matthew was about to return to his seat but stopped at the inscription above the final bin. It read Pieces of Encouragement, well if there was ever a time this was it he thought to himself. Rummaging about he was disappointed to find the bin empty. He lifted his hand out but just as he did so he felt something stuck to the side and pulling it out revealed a small folded piece of parchment. With a warm feeling beginning to grow in his stomach he unfurled the message which read, You know you can do this, right? I know you can. YOU know you can. Well, that means you're already halfway there. So just go do it.

He didn't recognise the handwriting but it clearly matched that of the bins themselves. He wasn't sure if it was magic or just pure coincidence but he was sure of one thing, it was exactly the thing he needed to hear. Dragging his newly acquired blanket behind him he moved back to his perch with a new sense of drive and sank down into the cushion clutching up the quill and paper in hand and placing the parchment next to him where he could read it. Beginning to write he told his father of the sorting ceremony, and his new home in the Regulas Black Dorm, attending his first classes, learning spells, and all the people he had met already that had made him smile. In the process of writing he realised that his father would be proud of everything that he had achieved and that all he had ever wanted was for Matthew to be happy. He ended it with a simple I miss and love you and tucked the letter in an envelope filing the parchment he had received between the folds of the letter. Maybe Dad will get as much out of this as I did he thought.

Smiling and clutching the letter to his heart he lay his head on the glassy exterior of the Astronomy tower watching the stars shine, he noticed Cassiopeia was out in full swing tonight. He rested there curled up in his blanket waiting for curfew to ring knowing that he'd no doubt get a detention but knowing it was beyond worth it.
Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 25 Mar 2024, 11:11, edited 2 times in total.
Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go
I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
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Stumbling upon @Matthew Campbell
Viva was certain she had left her book bag in the Astronomy tower. She had realized this as she was walking back to the common room before curfew, and now was having a heated debate with herself in the corridor. Should I go back to the tower and get it? No, it'll be after curfew and I'll get in so much trouble! But I need it for tomorrow, and it would be so embarrassing to have to go get it in the morning. But it's almost curfew! Viva gritted her teeth, and made her decision. She was going to go look for her book bag, and hope that if she got caught, it was by a nice prefect who would understand her predicament.

Creeping quietly down the corridor, Viva looked around at the quiet hallways. It was so weird being out when there were no other students around, it felt wrong and... too silent. All she could hear where the soft snores of the portraits on the walls, and the occasional squeak her feet made as she walked. Viva gulped. I'm gonna get in so much trouble, she thought worriedly. Finally, she made it to the Astronomy tower and climbed all the way up the staircase and into the classroom. Now where is my book bag? She wondered, looking around intently. She peered around for a minute, but soon got distracted by the beauty of the stars. "Wow," Viva breathed as she took in the night sky.

Suddenly, she realized that she wasn't alone. There was a boy curled up in a blanket, looking at the sky as well. He had brown curly hair, and he looked short for his age, like Viva. "Oh!" she exclaimed, quite startled. It appeared he hadn't noticed her yet. What is he doing up here so late? Why doesn't he look worried? Viva certainly was. Despite her pounding fear, curiousity won and she stepped closer. "Um - hello," she said nervously. "Who are you?"
Viva ⭒✧ "Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you." ✧⭒ Adrien
Shop | Sta 5 | Eva 6 | Str 4 | Wis 7 | Arc 7 | Acc 6 | Lovely Creature
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
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Interacting With: @Genevieve Delacourt
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Date: 7th September, Past Curfew
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Jolted by the sudden break of silence Matthew hit his head on the glassy surface of the Astronomy tower, must he injure himself on a daily basis he thought to himself though pointedly aimed at the stars themselves. Letting out a slight groan of pain he turned to face his inevitable punishment but as he removed his hand from his thumping head all he saw was two piercing blue eyes like sapphires staring back at him from the darkness, sparkling in the starlit illuminated room. She was already of a striking beauty at age 11, and as his vision cleared he noticed that she much like him was clearly a first year. He could tell by the concerned look on her face and the nervous way she spoke that unlike him whatever she was doing here certainly wasn't planned.

Standing up from his fort of blanket and cushion he threw it around his shoulders and waddled slowly over to the girl. Ignoring her question, witnessing her staring at the stars he spoke "They're beautiful aren't they? One of the best views in the castle if you ask me." pausing to allow her to take in the view he reached out a hand towards the girl "Matthew Campbell, Snake Firstie, pleasure to meet you" He wasn't usually this confident but the night had inspired him, and paired with the ecstasy of being out past Curfew he was in a bright and cheery mood. The bell had rang just minutes prior to their meeting and it was officially another rule off his list. Pulling his hand back he rubbed his head once more nursing the bruise that would no doubt form and giggling to himself for his clumsiness. Allowing her to finish introducing herself he jumped in with a secondary question as he was simply dying to know "So... what brings you all the way up here? First years really shouldn't be out past bedtime!" he said imitating one of the Slytherin prefects questionably. He smiled once more a devilish grin on his face and walking backwards moved towards his carefully created comfort fort.
Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go
I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
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Introducing herself to @Matthew Campbell
Viva flinched as the strange boy hit his head. Oh! Is he alright? She took another step forward, but stopped when the boy turned to look at her. She stared back, not sure of what to do or how to respond. He stepped up to her with his blanket, and Viva fought the sudden urge to laugh. Instead, she hastily turned her gaze to the stars. They are beautiful... she thought as she took in the night sky. Turning back to the boy, she responded quietly and somewhat nervously. "Yes, I do love the stars, they're just mesmerizing."

Taking his hand and shaking it, Viva gave a small smile. "Pleasure to meet you as well. My name is Genevieve Delacourt, but people call me Viva. I'm in Hufflepuff." She stepped back, watching as he rubbed his head. She started at his question. What was she doing up here? She would be in so much trouble! Was a bag really worth all this? Viva took a deep breath. "I - I left my book bag up here somewhere," she admitted. "I wanted to find it tonight, not tomorrow morning, so - so I decided to come?" She finished the last part with what sounded like a question, like she was asking if it was a decent enough excuse to break the rules.

She started again as Matthew smiled in a very creepy way and walked backwards to his little - nest - for a better lack of word. This boy was very interesting. She was still standing in the same spot, very unsure of what to do or what even was happening. "Are you going to tell me why you're here?" she asked curiously, taking her long braid in her hands and playing with it.
Viva ⭒✧ "Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you." ✧⭒ Adrien
Shop | Sta 5 | Eva 6 | Str 4 | Wis 7 | Arc 7 | Acc 6 | Lovely Creature
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
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Interacting With: @Genevieve Delacourt
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7th September, Past Curfew
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Matthew winced slightly as the girl, he now to know to be Genevieve or Viva as she preferred, informed her of why she was up here. Looking back he did think it strange when he first saw the book bag up here and that the older students had been laughing rather menacingly when he passed them on the stairs, but he hadn't thought much on it at the time truthfully. The moral quandary of what to do rattled around his head while she continued on, but he decided to leave it for the moment as to not seem like he wasn't listening. Viva had decided to come up to collect it rather than wait for the morning, it was something Matthew could appreciate, he would have nothing without his books, so he gave her a reassuring smile when she looked for his reaction. The girl seemed wrapped up in her worries for being here and he now knew for certain that his revelation was going to do nothing for her nerves.

Just as he was about to rip off the band aid she cut him to the chase, a perfect use to stall the inevitable he thought to himself. Watching the girl fiddle with her neat braid he figured he might as well be as nice as possible before he crushed her spirit. "Well if we're getting to know each other you might as well pull up a cushion, I know i'm in Slytherin but I dont bite... unless provoked of course." Matthew didn't know what had come over him but something about the girls nerves made his confidence feel invincible. Not wanting to waste time waiting for her to make a decision he continued "To tell you the truth I was up here to cure some writer's block. I was writing a letter home, to my father... my first letter actually." noticing himself begin to ramble but unable to stop the cluster of words from falling out his mouth he said "I'm not actually sure how you send them, someone told me I'm to give it to an owl and I know magic exists but how will an Owl know my address? And like any owl or does it need to be a specific one, are there owls for each postcode? Anyways I managed to finish it but the Astronomy tower is so miraculous at night when everyone's asleep so I decided to stay a while."

The boy looked towards Viva a pained expression on his face but trying to smile comfortingly. "So Viva, nice name by the way, I have some good news, and some bad news for you! The good news you'll be glad to hear is that I know where your bag is. Then we come to the bad news... I know where your bag is." he repeated shyly beginning to raise his arms pointing towards the Astronomy Tower balcony. Out of the glassy dome he pointed out a book bag hung over the edge of one of the gaited spikes of the balcony. The area was out of bounds for any first year students without direct permission from the professor himself. Matthew smiled a sympathetic smile looking towards her once more. It was a rather smart prank for the older students he thought to himself but none the less cruel and certainly not what she needed to hear so he opted instead for a simple, comforting "sorry."
Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 17 Mar 2024, 00:43, edited 1 time in total.
Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go
I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
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Being excited by and then promptly horrified by @Matthew Campbell
Viva gave a startled laugh, eyes wide, as the boy invited her to pull up a cushion. My, he's cocky. "You... bite?" she asked, still smiling. "That's concerning. I'll make sure not to provoke you, then," she told him teasingly. Despite this, she grabbed a pillow and walked over to where Matthew was sitting, putting the cushion down on the floor beside him and sitting down on it. "Brr, it's cold," Viva said, shivering as she drew her arms around herself. They didn't quite make a difference.

She listened as Matthew explained what he was doing. Aww, that's actually so sweet, Viva felt her heart melt a little. She smiled, and leaned forward a little to try and explain as best she could. "Well, I know that there isn't a specific owl you need to use, you can use any owl available. If you don't have your own, you can borrow one from the Owlery. And I'm not exactly sure how the owls know where to go, you would of course write the recipient's name and address on the envelope so maybe the owls go off of that? Muggle owls can't read, however, so I suppose these ones must be magical?" She tilted her head, trying to think. "I understand all your questions, I had all the same ones when I first found out about magic. You see, I've lived in the muggle world all my life." Viva looked out at the night sky. "You're right, it is quite lovely," she agreed. "Still don't know if I'd risk getting in trouble, but, you know, whatever!" She laughed again, her bright eyes sparkling as she leaned back on her hands and flipped her braid over her shoulder.

She looked back at Matthew to see him watching her with a pained expression on his face. "What is it?" she asked curiously. Viva blushed when he complimented her name, and was glad it was too dark to see the deep pink that crept up her cheeks. "You know where my bag is?!" A thrill of excitement went through her. Phew, now I can get it and go back to bed. Her stomach fell as Matthew pointed up at the balcony, however. "Are you saying it's... it's up there?" Viva's voice was barely a whisper as her eyes opened wider and wider.
Viva ⭒✧ "Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you." ✧⭒ Adrien
Shop | Sta 5 | Eva 6 | Str 4 | Wis 7 | Arc 7 | Acc 6 | Lovely Creature
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
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Interacting With: @Genevieve Delacourt
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Date: 7th September, Past Curfew
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There was a comfort in being up here experiencing the stars with someone else, like all worries faded away though he knew they wouldn't as soon as he told her the truth but as she pulled a pillow over to join him he was mesmerised by how her piercing blue eyes glistened in the moonlight. Discovering she had grown up in the muggle word had made his mind race with questions, but he knew in his heart he could only put off the inevitable for so long.

Watching Viva look up towards the balcony he couldn't help but feel bad for the girl, if breaking curfew was an issue for her there wasn't a hope in the world for getting her bag back. Her eyes were gawking so desperately towards her bag he was worried the sapphires were close to shattering. Sympathetically, he met her eyes and replied "Afraid so, I have a feeling some of the older kids thought it would be funny." Matthew had never liked watching people when they were upset, it reminded him of the long nights of heartbreak from a childhood of comforting his grieving father. He decided in that moment that whatever it took he was not going to let this ruin a beautiful night, and he certainly wasn't going to let Miss Delacourt be upset about it.

Puzzling through the conundrum in his head, thinking of all the possible options to help and for the most part coming up disappointedly empty handed, knowing it was likely not an option he asked "I don't suppose you've learned the Levitation Charm yet, I believe we're starting study on it next week? Or perhaps we could get an Owl to retrieve it, I've seen them deliver more than just letters to some students." he knew both options were rather silly but he was trying to lift her spirits even if only slightly.

Matthew was not the kind to go down without a fight though and if there was a solution somewhere he was going to find it. Not only for the fact it was the right thing to do, but he also hoped this could be a chance for a new friendship of which he had made so precious few so far.
Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 24 Mar 2024, 14:03, edited 1 time in total.
Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go
I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
Image posted by the member
Talking with @Matthew Campbell
Viva turned her gaze slowly back to Matthew. "Funny?" she whispered. "Who would do that?" Why would someone think it's funny to steal someone else's belongings and hide them away so they can't get them? Are people really so cruel? She blinked at him, mouth open the tiniest bit. The stars shone just bright enough to iluminate the sadness etched on her face. "What'll I do?" Viva glanced down at the ground and away from Matthew's eyes, reflecting like stars themselves in the moonlight.

Her head turned sharply back at him as he began making suggestions. He's trying to help me,3 her mind sang. Suddenly she was filled with a new hope. Maybe I'll be able to get it back. Viva tilted her head as she listened to Matthew's suggestions. "No, I haven't learned that spell yet. And I'm fairly certain it would be quite hard to sneak up to the owlery at this time of night and get an owl." Viva bit her lip pensively. She could tell he was trying to cheer her up, and against her better judgement, she had to admit it was working. She felt decidedly more carefree and bold, or maybe it was just the shining starlight that illuminated everything.

Despite everything, Viva smiled, her lips parting gently. She didn't know what she had to smile about, when she was breaking rules and had lost her bag with no way to get it back. But for right now, it was simply enought just to smile. So she did, looking up at the night sky from her pillow perch. Suddenly momentarily distracted from her book bag conundrum, Viva pointed fervantly to the sky with a light gasp. "Was that a shooting star?" she asked as a stream of light flashed across the sky.
Viva ⭒✧ "Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you." ✧⭒ Adrien
Shop | Sta 5 | Eva 6 | Str 4 | Wis 7 | Arc 7 | Acc 6 | Lovely Creature
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
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Interacting With: @Genevieve Delacourt
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Date: 7th September, Past Curfew
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Watching the star pierce through the sky like out of a storybook he was utterly enchanted by it. This night truly couldn't get any better he thought utter pride beaming from within him for deciding to stay. Turning to Viva he smiled once again, in a soft kind of whisper he said to her "Hey, you grew up in the muggle world right, so you must know what we do when we see a shooting star. This seems like as good a time as any for a wish!" giggling slightly at the childish glee of the suggestion, he wasn't even fully sure it wasn't a good idea. After all, with magic in his world now all those stories from childhood suddenly felt possible.

Matthew himself had plenty he could have wished for, but he had already gotten so much it felt right to spend his on Viva. Closing his eyes he envisioned the star in his head and wished for a solution. It wasn't really magic, he didn't think but in that moment the words of the astronomy professor filled his mind once more. You know you can do this, right? I know you can. YOU know you can. Well, that means you're already halfway there. So just go do it. Of course the solution was almost guaranteed to end up with him in an extreme amount of trouble but the note had been right once tonight and he believed it would be again. Plus his mind fiddled with the technicalities of the note, if this was written by an Astronomy Professor and it specifically said in writing that I should just go do it, wasn't that, in a sense, permission. There was no doubt this deviously cunning brain would get him into trouble often.

Unfurling the envelope of his letter he pulled out the small piece of parchment and handed it to Viva. "I'm afraid to tell you I've come up with the solution, but you're not going to like it." he said the devilish glee returning to his face. Stumbling to his feet, disrupting his kingdom of pillows and blankets he steadied himself and began to walk towards the balcony determined to make a wish come true!
Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 24 Mar 2024, 14:03, edited 1 time in total.
Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go
I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell
Writing Under The Stars FINISHED
Image posted by the member
Making a wish and getting worried about @Matthew Campbell
Viva looked up at the blanket of stars that stretched to infinity. She watched the shooting star fall from the sky, and breathed out slowly, entranced by the beauty of this wondrous night. She smiled back as Matthew turned toward her, and inclined her head slightly. "Oh!" she said, remembering how she used to wish upon a star back in the muggle world. "Of course," she breathed a little more softly. What should I wish for? That was the question. As greedy as it sounded, Viva wanted a lot of things. She wanted her panic attacks to stop. She wanted her dad to stop being mean to everyone. She wanted to find her purpose, her goal in life. She wanted to ignore all the nasty things people said to her every day. She wanted to pretend that her parents loved her, really loved her. She wanted not to get in trouble on this wonderful night. She just wanted her book bag back, for heaven's sake.

But she didn't wish for any of those. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes as the star streaked down from the sky, and wished. I wish... I wish that I wouldn't put my worth in what other people tell me. I wish that I would come into myself, and learn who I truly am. Slowly opening her eyes, she turned her head at the sound of rustling parchment. Viva took the piece that Matthew handed her, and read it. Wow. she thought, That is so inspirational. Who wrote this? And why is he handing it to me? Blinking, Viva's smile dropped as she saw the grin on Matthew's face. Uh oh. What is he planning? "Wha - what? Why won't I like it?" Her eyes opened even wider as he stood up, pushing pillows and blankets aside. "You can't go up there!" Her voice was a hushed whisper, alarm penetrating it. "Please don't, I don't want you to get in trouble for me!" Panic was spreading through her body. If he got in trouble... she wouldn't be able to handle the thought that it was her fault.
Viva ⭒✧ "Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you." ✧⭒ Adrien
Shop | Sta 5 | Eva 6 | Str 4 | Wis 7 | Arc 7 | Acc 6 | Lovely Creature
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