19 Mar 2024, 01:32
Friendship or Rivalry |
Shame set in, where all other emotions had been. Em watched as the boy he was threatening jumped back, and held up his hands in surrender. Tears fell from the Slytherin's face as he moved away from Em, obviously scared of him.
Em looked around the room. All eyes were on him. The room was silent, besides the bubbling of potions. His fist fell, and he shoved his wand back into his pocket. Em's shoulder slouched, and his knees started to tremble. He knew that most people saw a scene of a pure-blood threatening a muggle born. They'll understand, he insulted my mom He lied to himself, knowing in his heart that the circumstances didn't matter; what did were his actions. He had behaved poorly, and cruelly. His pride was the first to break the shame, making him feel good for standing up for himself, but that was quickly extinguished by guilt.
He never wanted to be this person. He hated this person. He knew his Great-Grandfather would be proud of him, and he was sick by that. Em fell into his stool, his hands shaking now. He looked up at the boy, now crying and apologizing. Em's head was full of static, and tears flowed from his hazel eyes freely. How embarrassing.Em picked a fight, and now they're both crying.
Em raised a shaky hand to stop Matthew from continuing, though it fell from the air quickly. Every part of him felt heavy, and miserable. "T-that got out of hand. I'm sorry," He nearly whispered, watching the floor and seeing his tears fall. "K-keep the p-potion, I can f-fix min-" ask he spoke, the classroom door opened, and Professor Regan entered the room.
A flood of students, all from different houses, bombarded her with their retelling of the events that transpired.
"He just attacked him, out of nowhere!
"That Bourne boy ruined his potion, and pulled out his wand!"
"He's usually kind of shy, I can't believe Em pulled out his wand..."
He could feel the air of authority from the Professor emanate around the room. Her frustration cast a shadow over him, as he drew in her full attention. He heard footsteps moved over to him. After a moment, he risked looking her in her face, sparing a passing glance by Matthew, before meeting her gaze. Em looked pitiful. Embarrassed, ashamed, and regretful.
The green-bubbling potion vanished from Emmanuel's cauldron as the teacher inflicted her punishment. A Troll grade on the exam, fifty points from Ravenclaw, a slew of Friday night detentions, and banishment from the classroom to speak to his Head of House.
Emmanuel quietly gathered his belongings, his cheeks a deep maroon, the top of his ears a shade of pink. Sweat furrowed his brow, as he spared a look towards Matthew. "Please, forgive me. I-I'm not like tha-," he was cut off, as the professor lead him away from the Slytherin student, and out of the classroom.
Em heard murmurs from the other students as he passed. He stepped out into the dungeons corridors, the heavy shutting, and locking of the classroom door quickly followed his exit. He was to report to his Head of House immediately; to explain himself, and to receive further punishment (he was sure).
With a resentful huff, Em moved toward the spiral staircase leading up into the rest of the castle. He stopped at a marble bench near the stairway, and set his bag down, spilling his haphazardly packed belongings on the ground. He slumped down, head in his hands, and started to cry. Not loudly, not for attention. But to get whomever this person was out of him.
I'm not my Grandfather. I'm not my Grandfather. I'm not my Grandfather...He thought incessantly.
He had to explain himself, he had to apologize again. Emmanuel decided he would wait for Matthew, to plead his forgiveness, before heading to the Head of Ravenclaw. Any more punishment he received for being late was earned.
@Matthew Campbell
Em looked around the room. All eyes were on him. The room was silent, besides the bubbling of potions. His fist fell, and he shoved his wand back into his pocket. Em's shoulder slouched, and his knees started to tremble. He knew that most people saw a scene of a pure-blood threatening a muggle born. They'll understand, he insulted my mom He lied to himself, knowing in his heart that the circumstances didn't matter; what did were his actions. He had behaved poorly, and cruelly. His pride was the first to break the shame, making him feel good for standing up for himself, but that was quickly extinguished by guilt.
He never wanted to be this person. He hated this person. He knew his Great-Grandfather would be proud of him, and he was sick by that. Em fell into his stool, his hands shaking now. He looked up at the boy, now crying and apologizing. Em's head was full of static, and tears flowed from his hazel eyes freely. How embarrassing.Em picked a fight, and now they're both crying.
Em raised a shaky hand to stop Matthew from continuing, though it fell from the air quickly. Every part of him felt heavy, and miserable. "T-that got out of hand. I'm sorry," He nearly whispered, watching the floor and seeing his tears fall. "K-keep the p-potion, I can f-fix min-" ask he spoke, the classroom door opened, and Professor Regan entered the room.
A flood of students, all from different houses, bombarded her with their retelling of the events that transpired.
"He just attacked him, out of nowhere!
"That Bourne boy ruined his potion, and pulled out his wand!"
"He's usually kind of shy, I can't believe Em pulled out his wand..."
He could feel the air of authority from the Professor emanate around the room. Her frustration cast a shadow over him, as he drew in her full attention. He heard footsteps moved over to him. After a moment, he risked looking her in her face, sparing a passing glance by Matthew, before meeting her gaze. Em looked pitiful. Embarrassed, ashamed, and regretful.
The green-bubbling potion vanished from Emmanuel's cauldron as the teacher inflicted her punishment. A Troll grade on the exam, fifty points from Ravenclaw, a slew of Friday night detentions, and banishment from the classroom to speak to his Head of House.
Emmanuel quietly gathered his belongings, his cheeks a deep maroon, the top of his ears a shade of pink. Sweat furrowed his brow, as he spared a look towards Matthew. "Please, forgive me. I-I'm not like tha-," he was cut off, as the professor lead him away from the Slytherin student, and out of the classroom.
Em heard murmurs from the other students as he passed. He stepped out into the dungeons corridors, the heavy shutting, and locking of the classroom door quickly followed his exit. He was to report to his Head of House immediately; to explain himself, and to receive further punishment (he was sure).
With a resentful huff, Em moved toward the spiral staircase leading up into the rest of the castle. He stopped at a marble bench near the stairway, and set his bag down, spilling his haphazardly packed belongings on the ground. He slumped down, head in his hands, and started to cry. Not loudly, not for attention. But to get whomever this person was out of him.
I'm not my Grandfather. I'm not my Grandfather. I'm not my Grandfather...He thought incessantly.
He had to explain himself, he had to apologize again. Emmanuel decided he would wait for Matthew, to plead his forgiveness, before heading to the Head of Ravenclaw. Any more punishment he received for being late was earned.
@Matthew Campbell
19 Mar 2024, 03:03
Friendship or Rivalry |
|
|
|
Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 24 Mar 2024, 13:07, 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 |
19 Mar 2024, 03:54
Friendship or Rivalry |
Em was too absorbed in keeping away his own worst thoughts to realize that someone was approaching him. It wasn't until Matthew set himself next to him, did Em return to the present. It took a moment for the scene to shift back into focus. His eyes were full of still-falling tears. He felt awful, and exhausted, and terrible for being just as bad as most people assume pure bloods will be.
He listened to Matthew, taking shallow, short breaths to try and stop his crying. He thought it was admirable to confess the truth to Professor Regan, when he could have just said nothing; and not gotten in trouble. That would have been easier, but there was an honor that Em respected in being truthful.
Em wiped the tears from his eyes, and let out a shaky exhale. He sniffed up the small snot drip forming in his nose, making a gross sound. He looked at Matthew with pitiful eyes. It was clear that the Slytherin had only recent stopped crying as well.
He couldn't help it, and he let out a little laugh. Before he addressed Matthew again, he reached into his bag, and pulled out a half-eaten bar of Honeydukes chocolate. He snapped the remaining bar in half, and offered one side to Matthew.
"This is the last of my chocolate until Christmas holiday, I expect you to enjoy it,"Em said, falsely stern. He had a charming smirk on his face, as he waited for the boy to take the sweet.
"I'm sorry you lost your Mom. And I'm sorry for how I acted in there. I know my Mom would be absolutely embarrassed, and particularly cross if she saw that." He stated, taking a small bite of his chocolate, savoring the silkiness after a rough moment. "I also want to apologize if the difference in our families made me seem like a threat to you. Although I am a pure blood, and come from a family that were well known supporters of You-Know-Who, my parents, and most importantly I don't share those beliefs." Em stopped for a moment, hoping the boy did know about that dark stain in Wizarding World history, in the hopes that he wouldn't have to talk about it.
He cleared his throat, signaling that he was moving on regardless. "My Great Grandfather is a bad man. He wants me to see the world how he does. But I won't." Em sounded sincere, and resolute. His disdain for his family's patriarch evident. "I think you will become a far better Wizard, and person than all of the people who agree with him. And I am so, so embarrassed to have acted the way I did. I don't think I'm better than you, well, except maybe at potions," Em jested, a friendly smile on his face. He leaned over, and gave Matthew a friendly push, breaking the tension.
"I doubt Professor Regan is going to let us sit together after this?" He laughed. A boisterous, and contagious laugh. A laugh that showed that he was happy to accept his responsibility, and forgive Matthew. A laugh that hoped Matthew would forgive him back.
@Matthew Campbell
He listened to Matthew, taking shallow, short breaths to try and stop his crying. He thought it was admirable to confess the truth to Professor Regan, when he could have just said nothing; and not gotten in trouble. That would have been easier, but there was an honor that Em respected in being truthful.
Em wiped the tears from his eyes, and let out a shaky exhale. He sniffed up the small snot drip forming in his nose, making a gross sound. He looked at Matthew with pitiful eyes. It was clear that the Slytherin had only recent stopped crying as well.
He couldn't help it, and he let out a little laugh. Before he addressed Matthew again, he reached into his bag, and pulled out a half-eaten bar of Honeydukes chocolate. He snapped the remaining bar in half, and offered one side to Matthew.
"This is the last of my chocolate until Christmas holiday, I expect you to enjoy it,"Em said, falsely stern. He had a charming smirk on his face, as he waited for the boy to take the sweet.
"I'm sorry you lost your Mom. And I'm sorry for how I acted in there. I know my Mom would be absolutely embarrassed, and particularly cross if she saw that." He stated, taking a small bite of his chocolate, savoring the silkiness after a rough moment. "I also want to apologize if the difference in our families made me seem like a threat to you. Although I am a pure blood, and come from a family that were well known supporters of You-Know-Who, my parents, and most importantly I don't share those beliefs." Em stopped for a moment, hoping the boy did know about that dark stain in Wizarding World history, in the hopes that he wouldn't have to talk about it.
He cleared his throat, signaling that he was moving on regardless. "My Great Grandfather is a bad man. He wants me to see the world how he does. But I won't." Em sounded sincere, and resolute. His disdain for his family's patriarch evident. "I think you will become a far better Wizard, and person than all of the people who agree with him. And I am so, so embarrassed to have acted the way I did. I don't think I'm better than you, well, except maybe at potions," Em jested, a friendly smile on his face. He leaned over, and gave Matthew a friendly push, breaking the tension.
"I doubt Professor Regan is going to let us sit together after this?" He laughed. A boisterous, and contagious laugh. A laugh that showed that he was happy to accept his responsibility, and forgive Matthew. A laugh that hoped Matthew would forgive him back.
@Matthew Campbell
24 Mar 2024, 13:59
Friendship or Rivalry |
|
|
|
| Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go | I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell |
28 Mar 2024, 03:37
Friendship or Rivalry |
Em relaxed, and realized how much he was enjoying Matthew's company. Both of the boys savored their chocolate. What has been rather a mundane, but enjoyable, treat for Em was a totally new experience for Matthew. He was amused by Mathew's reaction to, objectively, the best chocolate in either world; magical or muggle.
Em took another bite, "This is from Honeydukes! My family visits every so often, and I always stock a few of these until the next time we go. When we are third years, my Pa says we get to go down to the village every so often. It's one of the only Wizard-Only villages in all of Europe! You'll see folks from all over, some even doing landless magic!" He mused, letting the boy continue.
Emmanuel mulled over both propositions Matthew posed. Perhaps Professor Regan may be willing to hear them out, especially if they seem to have come to civility. It was worth a shot, he figured. The two would be experiencing Hogwarts together, whether as friends, rivals, or distant acquaintances. Though, in their reconciliation, Em had begun to hope for friendship. One of the biggest worries he had prior to starting school, was being able to make friends form other houses. They way his parents talked, it seemed the deepest bonds were made with people inside of your own house.
Of course, with Em's anxiety with being sorted into Slytherin, to appease his Grandfather, he knew he would likely brush up against other old, and rich Pure Blood families. He wanted to avoid that at all costs, and knew he was relieved of that when the many old hat yelled out Ravenclaw. Still, it was nice to know that not everyone in Slytherin was as bad as his extended family.
Em felt a flutter in his heart when Matthew affirmed that he was unlike his Grandfather. He knew the boy could not understand the gravity of that compliment. It almost brought a tear to his eye, but the boy's laugher stopped that. It was especially contagious, and Em let out a laugh. Starting rather reserved, then churning into a deep and true laugh. Relief spread over them, and Em couldn't have been more content.
"I accept your invitation to be your Wizarding World tutor, if you in turn share with me what it's like to grow up as a Muggle. This way, you can keep me in check from never being like my Grandfather, and Voldy-No-Nose; and I can make sure I always get better marks than you on Potions," Em chuckled, holding out his hand to make the deal official.
"I'm sure you'll run into other kids from Pure Blood families, ones that aren't interested in thinking differently. If someone ever dares to," Em did a quick glance around them, and lowered his voice almost to a whisper. "call you a mudblood," he shuddered even saying such a rancid word, before returning to normal volume. "You and I will hex them into the hospital wing, okay?" He gave a gentle smile, looking into his friend's eyes.
@@Matthew Campbell
Em took another bite, "This is from Honeydukes! My family visits every so often, and I always stock a few of these until the next time we go. When we are third years, my Pa says we get to go down to the village every so often. It's one of the only Wizard-Only villages in all of Europe! You'll see folks from all over, some even doing landless magic!" He mused, letting the boy continue.
Emmanuel mulled over both propositions Matthew posed. Perhaps Professor Regan may be willing to hear them out, especially if they seem to have come to civility. It was worth a shot, he figured. The two would be experiencing Hogwarts together, whether as friends, rivals, or distant acquaintances. Though, in their reconciliation, Em had begun to hope for friendship. One of the biggest worries he had prior to starting school, was being able to make friends form other houses. They way his parents talked, it seemed the deepest bonds were made with people inside of your own house.
Of course, with Em's anxiety with being sorted into Slytherin, to appease his Grandfather, he knew he would likely brush up against other old, and rich Pure Blood families. He wanted to avoid that at all costs, and knew he was relieved of that when the many old hat yelled out Ravenclaw. Still, it was nice to know that not everyone in Slytherin was as bad as his extended family.
Em felt a flutter in his heart when Matthew affirmed that he was unlike his Grandfather. He knew the boy could not understand the gravity of that compliment. It almost brought a tear to his eye, but the boy's laugher stopped that. It was especially contagious, and Em let out a laugh. Starting rather reserved, then churning into a deep and true laugh. Relief spread over them, and Em couldn't have been more content.
"I accept your invitation to be your Wizarding World tutor, if you in turn share with me what it's like to grow up as a Muggle. This way, you can keep me in check from never being like my Grandfather, and Voldy-No-Nose; and I can make sure I always get better marks than you on Potions," Em chuckled, holding out his hand to make the deal official.
"I'm sure you'll run into other kids from Pure Blood families, ones that aren't interested in thinking differently. If someone ever dares to," Em did a quick glance around them, and lowered his voice almost to a whisper. "call you a mudblood," he shuddered even saying such a rancid word, before returning to normal volume. "You and I will hex them into the hospital wing, okay?" He gave a gentle smile, looking into his friend's eyes.
@@Matthew Campbell
1 Apr 2024, 01:18
Friendship or Rivalry |
|
|
|
Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 4 Apr 2024, 14:40, 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 |
3 Apr 2024, 05:02
Friendship or Rivalry |
Em let out a hearty laugh, and clapped Matthew kindly on the shoulder with an open hand. Em never considered that a fight would have happened between him and another student; nor did he ever think one would result in a budding friendship. Given the circumstances, this was likely the best outcome.
"Not to worry, my friend. I can get us more Honeyduckes chocolate well before our third year!" He smiled, taking the last bite of his share of the candy. "I'm glad you messed your potion up, so I had to fix it! He jabbed, lovingly. "But seriously, thank you for forgiving me being such an arse. That was big of you, my young pupil."
Em stood up, and shouldered his bag. He extended a hand to Matthew again, now donning a smile. Though his eyes were still stained with recent tears, Em felt nothing but camaraderie for the Slytherin. He smile was kind, and true. He stood taller now, not out pride and defense as before; but feeling grown. Having been able to put his pride aside, and come to mutual understanding with his classmate was an accomplishment he looked forward to telling his parents about (even if he got a howler in return, for causing a fight in class).
"I still have to go to my Head of House and explain myself. I'm sure Professor Regan let them know I was on my way, and why. But, Matthew, Please know that I wouldn't trade this for the world," he said, gesturing between them. "If it isn't too much of me, would you like to meet here after our next class? Maybe we can go out on the grounds and practice a few charms; and y'know, talk more?" He suggested, optimistic his new friend would be free.
@Matthew Campbell
"Not to worry, my friend. I can get us more Honeyduckes chocolate well before our third year!" He smiled, taking the last bite of his share of the candy. "I'm glad you messed your potion up, so I had to fix it! He jabbed, lovingly. "But seriously, thank you for forgiving me being such an arse. That was big of you, my young pupil."
Em stood up, and shouldered his bag. He extended a hand to Matthew again, now donning a smile. Though his eyes were still stained with recent tears, Em felt nothing but camaraderie for the Slytherin. He smile was kind, and true. He stood taller now, not out pride and defense as before; but feeling grown. Having been able to put his pride aside, and come to mutual understanding with his classmate was an accomplishment he looked forward to telling his parents about (even if he got a howler in return, for causing a fight in class).
"I still have to go to my Head of House and explain myself. I'm sure Professor Regan let them know I was on my way, and why. But, Matthew, Please know that I wouldn't trade this for the world," he said, gesturing between them. "If it isn't too much of me, would you like to meet here after our next class? Maybe we can go out on the grounds and practice a few charms; and y'know, talk more?" He suggested, optimistic his new friend would be free.
@Matthew Campbell