Catching up with the Comets PV Irina Shevel

Date: 6 March 2024 Time: late, Astronomy lessons

Interacting with: @Mahlioz Evethisawe

Speech: Cayenne Thoughts: Teal

Irina had never run so fast to get to a lesson. Her plan had been to get to the Astronomy tower early. She'd been reading a book by the fire . . . and then she'd been sleeping on a book by the fire. Luckily one of her class mates had been kind enough to prod her awake and she'd managed a hasty "DUNGBOM- I mean, thanks!" before running at top speed through the portrait hole. She wasn't late exactly, but any minute not stargazing with her bestest friend in the whole of Hogwarts was a minute wasted.
By the time she reached the top of the Astronomy tower, she had tripped over a total of 4 trick-stairs, 3 trick doors and 1 suit of armour that Irina swore had stuck out it's leg on purpose.
She opened the door (hair a little frizzier than normal) and rushed across the classroom, picking her way through the cushions, already occupied by the other class . . . and then she saw the deep brown curls and emerald green eyes scanning the room.

Irina grinned and snuck around behind her, tapping her on the left shoulder before plonking herself onto a pillow on the right of her best friend. "He-llooooooo besty friend-io! Ready to gaze the heck out of some stars?"
She dropped her bag and immediately gave Mahlioz an enormous hug. They weren't able to spend nearly enough time together due to lessons (she'd been plucking up the courage to ask Mahlioz about skiving . . . ) and although they still saw each other, it was still great to find out she was going to spend an entire lesson stargazing with her friend. After an amazing first year and AWESOME summer, she was super excited.

"So how was Christmas? You didn't write much over the holidays. Everything ok?"
Irina wasn't too alarmed, but she wanted to make sure everything was ok.

Banner was made by the great Fang Yun-Xin

Date: 6 March 2024 Time: late, Astronomy lessons

Interacting with: @Irina Shevel Mentions: X

English | French Thoughts

Mahlioz jumped up when she felt a tap on her shoulder, spinning her head around to the left before realizing Irina had plopped herself down on the right. "Rina!" She wasn't even able to answer her wonderfully worded question about gazing the heck out of some stars because the Gryffindor had already drowned her in a hug. Mahlioz returned it eagerly, grinning. This felt like home. Irina felt like home. If that wasn't enough proof that they were best friends, Mahlioz wasn't sure what was.

Oh wait, they took that back - now they had more. Mahlioz had done everything in their power to hide away their emotions about the move and their family and everything, yet Irina had still known something was up. Maybe she didn't know that it was bad, but she'd asked, and that was enough for anyone to know they were close.

Ach. The Slytherin had come here with the intentions of seeing her friend and maybe telling her about everything, but now that she had the chance to do so, there was nothing she wanted less. This was scary. This was hers. She didn't want to open up and tell someone about it.
But... this was Irina. After quite a while of not seeing each other, only a minute had proved how great their friendship was. If there was anyone in the world Mahlioz felt safe talking to about it all, it was definitely the amazing Gryffindor next to them.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I... There was a lot going on." A deep breath. Then out. "My family wants us to move. They're making us move," they corrected. "They want us to go to France. Because of my dad's job, and because it'll be easier for Hyltwis, and because Reltyl's not going to Hogwarts but they need more french education, apparently. And it's not like I'm going to leave Hogwarts or anything - I'm going to be living with my grandparents, because I have to live in the UK to keep going here. But it's just... I've lived in my house all my life, you know?" She looked away. "So uh... yeah, it was mostly processing that."

Now she wasn't even sure how to feel. They'd been half expecting an enormous weight lifted off their chest, half expecting a second one added onto it. But it was neither. She barely even understood how she felt about moving in the first place.
And now she'd brought the mood down. They didn't really mind that, especially considering how important this all was to her. But still. For a first reunion in a while? Kind of sad.

Date: 6 March 2024 Time: late, Astronomy lessons

Interacting with: @Mahlioz Evethisawe

Speech: Cayenne Thoughts: Teal

The more Mahlioz said, the more Irina's heart sank. Having been to stay with Mahlioz over the summer she knew how beautiful the house was and how much it meant to the young Slytherin. She couldn't ignore the slight sense of relief she felt at the news Mahlioz wouldn't be leaving but the overwhelming emotion was pain and sympathy for her plight.

Once Mahlioz had finished speaking, Irina leant forwards and wrapped them in a tight embrace. It was hard to know what words to say in moments like this - advice wouldn't be heard, questions might be painful and sympathy couldn't wouldn't even come close to comfort.
"Oh, Mahl," Irina murmered, pulling away but leaving her arm wrapped around her shoulders. "I'm so, so sorry. I can't even imagine what you must be feeling. I completely get it - this kind of thing will take ages to entirely comprehend."

Irina looked upwards and the stars they were supposed to be plotting. "I know there isn't a single thing I can say to make you feel better but I'm always going to be here, okay? No matter what you need or how you're feeling I'm always here for a hug or a talk or even a silent walk if that's what you need!" She paused and thought for a moment. "Okay, well . . . a partially silent walk. I don't know how long I can keep my mouth shut."

She was silent for a few seconds, wishing desperately she could find more words to comfort her friend, more ways to help them. But there was only questions running through her mind, questions she was determined not to ask as it was probably the last thing Mahlioz needed. But eventually her curiosity got the better of her (along with her complete lack of self-control and lack of filter) and whispered into the silent classroom, "Why . . . why will it be easier for Hyltwis?"
As far as Irina could remember of Hyltwis, Mahlioz's older sister, she was pretty nice if a little snappy with her younger siblings.

Banner was made by the great Fang Yun-Xin

Date: 6 March 2024 Time: late, Astronomy lessons

Interacting with: @Irina Shevel Mentions: X

English | French Thoughts

Mahlioz hadn't really been sure what she wanted from Irina. Just her being there for her sounded nice, but if even the Slytherin didn't really know what that entailed, how could her best friend? Yet somehow, Irina, being her usual fantastic self, did it perfectly. A second hug - Mahlioz could never complain about Rina's hugs - followed by some comforting words. More than comforting. What had Mahl ever done to deserve a best friend like this one? "Thank you. That really means a lot to me," she said, before letting out a laugh at the mention of how silent Irina could potentially be.

They fell into quiet, looking up at the stars. Class had started by then, and they'd half-listened to the teacher before starting their skygazing. Mahlioz could almost hear the gears grinding in Irina's mind. She could not say she disliked the quiet, of course - that was just part of who she was - and she really did appreciate the fact that Irina was trying her best to keep her thoughts from pouring out (just yet). It gave Mahlioz a bit of time to sort through her own.

Okay. Well, there was definitely sadness, of course. Change was hard; a change of house was an especially big change, so it would be especially hard. Mixed in with that was also fear for her sibling. Reltyl had never known anything different. Mahlioz and Hyltwis had Hogwarts and Beauxbatons, they weren't often home. But Reltyl was a squib, everything they knew and loved was in Scotland. Their relationship with Mahlioz was already straining a bit. The second year was worried it would get even worse because of it all.

They were all mostly negative emotions. She guessed that made sense. Muddled around with a bunch of confusion. The good thing was that she would be staying at Hogwarts, thank the stars. She could continue duelling, and the animagus stuff, and (most importantly) hanging out with her best friend. Oh - duelling! She'd have to tell Rina about that. Oh, and wasn't there a ball coming up soon too? Perhaps she could bring that up as well. Thinking about Hogwarts was pretty much the only thing that kept Mahlioz in an alright mental state, with everything.

The silence was broken by Irina again, which Mahlioz did not mind at all. She'd given her just enough time to think everything through. And her constant talkativeness was part of the reason the Slytherin loved her so much. "Because she goes to Beauxbatons, which is also in France. If we move to France we'll be closer, you know?" It didn't change too much, since Hyltwis could floo powder and would be learning to Apparate soon, which was why they hadn't moved earlier.

"But it's okay. I just need... some time. I'll get there." She paused. The subject was in need of changing. "How about you? What have you been up to?"

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Date: 6 March 2024 Time: Very late

Interacting with: @Mahlioz Evethisawe

Mentioning: @Simon Tilia

Speech: Cayenne Thoughts: Teal

"Because she goes to Beauxbatons, which is also in France. If we move to France we'll be closer, you know? But it's okay. I just need... some time. I'll get there."

There was a small pause, during which Irina thought, 'But what about you?' Something told her however, that this might tip Mahlioz over the edge. And besides, some questions needed time to be answered.

"How about you? What have you been up to?"

Irina had her own pause for a moment - it wasn't part of her nature to let such a painful issue like this drop, especially when it was hurting her best friend so much. But she trusted Mahlioz and knew that pushing her to talk when they didn't want to could cause even more problems. She'd leave it . . . for now.
It didn't take her long to find something to talk about.

"Well, my brother - Kal - he started in Hogwarts this year! Got sorted into Hufflepuff. I think he's enjoying it but even though he's in the friendliest house, he's struggling to make friends. A smile lit her face as she thought of her younger brother. "Kal is really low on confidence and has super low self-esteem so he finds it hard to introduce himself to people. I also think he's finding it difficult to be away from Mum and Dad."

Irina lapsed into thoughful silence, thinking about her siblings. It was a complete shock to the entire family that all three of them had been sorted into different houses. And it had caused a seperation between them that she was unaccustomed too. They all had an incredibly close relationship, something her parents always made an effort to maintain, but being in different houses made it difficult to even see each other!
She knew for example, that Idril was struggling with her Metamorphing. It had always been tricky for her but she was feeling more and more exhausted every day. And yet Irina hadn't seen her for a whole week!
And then there was Kal - he was sweeter than most guys she had ever met (except maybe Simon) and incredibly sensitive. It probably stemmed back to all the bullying he had endured as a kid, both from Muggles and Wizards alike. All she wanted to do was give him a big hug and do all the 'people stuff' for him, yet he was so busy with work she hardly had a few minutes to even say hi.
It annoyed her that she was so close to her siblings and yet so far. She missed them.

Her mind emerged from it's niffler-hole and she blinked, clearing the shadow of thoughts creeping through her. Problems for another time.
Instead, she turned to Mahlioz again, "That's a point - have you actually met my siblings yet?"

Banner was made by the great Fang Yun-Xin

Date: 6 March 2024 Time: late, Astronomy lessons

Interacting with: @Irina Shevel Mentions: X

English | French Thoughts

Mahlioz knew her best friend enough to tell how much she wanted to keep talking about the Slytherin's problems. Or at least keep asking questions. And comforting her. But she didn't, and they couldn't describe how much they appreciated that. Yes, at one point they would really need to sit down and acknowledge it all, and hopefully answer most of Irina's queries. But right now... didn't feel like the time. They didn't know if it would ever feel like the time.

Irina's brother was apparently the same age as Reltyl, but had had his first instance of magic and was now at Hogwarts. Irina's face lit up when she talked about him. The smile was contagious and Mahlioz couldn't help but grin back at the evident love their best friend had for her brother. "That's awesome!" She paused. "Well, maybe not so much for his having a hard time. I hope he's doing okay." She could relate to the struggling to make friends aspect. People were hard sometimes.

Irina, for once, was lost in thought and silent. Determined to return the favour of just being there for their best friend, Mahlioz was quiet as well. (Though it was maybe not as symbolic, considering how much easier silence was for them. Still.)
When she spoke again, it was a question. "I don't think I have, no," Mahlioz replied. "Hah, you've been to my house and met my entire family and I haven't even met your siblings. Who literally live in my school." She laughed. "I'd love to meet them though! Kal sounds like my kind of person."

A nearby student shushed them, trying to listen to the professor. More silence ensued. But as soon as a break in the teachings came up, Mahlioz turned back to her best friend. "Hey, uh - so, sorry for the change in subject, but um. There's a ball coming up, I think? The Spring Ball. With all the other schools and everything? And the last two times I went, it was okay -" well, that was partly a lie, but whatever "- but I was thinking it would be a lot more fun if, um -" Gods, why was she stuttering so much? This was rare, with Irina. They were just especially nervous for this question. "Well, do you want to go with me? Like, if you're not going with anyone else, of course. I just - you're probably my favorite person ever, and uh- yeah." Now they were just getting redder and redder. Man, they really should have prepared this.

Welp. It was done. They could no longer concentrate on the stars above them at all.

Date: 6 March 2024 Time: Very late

Interacting with: @Mahlioz Evethisawe

Speech: Cayenne Thoughts: Teal

"I don't think I have, no," Mahlioz replied. "Hah, you've been to my house and met my entire family and I haven't even met your siblings. Who literally live in my school. I'd love to meet them though! Kal sounds like my kind of person."

Irina nodded her head, smiling. She couldn't agree more. He was sweet and kind and on the more introverted end of the spectrum . . . just like her best friend.

One of the other students shushed them and Irina rolled her eyes, sticking her tongue out (somewhat immaturely) at the back of the student's head.
Then out of the darkness next to her, Mahlioz started speaking again. Irina turned her head to better hear them. "Hey, uh - so, sorry for the change in subject, but um. There's a ball coming up, I think? The Spring Ball. With all the other schools and everything?"

A smile began spreading rapidly across the young Gryffindor's face - she thought she knew where Mal was going with this. She remained quiet however, guessing that Mahlioz had a lot more to say and was probably struggling to say it.

"The last two times I went, it was okay -" ('I swear some of the students almost died,' thought Irina absently) "- but I was thinking it would be a lot more fun if, um - well, do you want to go with me? Like, if you're not going with anyone else, of course. I just - you're probably my favorite person ever, and uh- yeah."

Reading between all the stuttering, Mahlioz had been thinking on this for a while and been pretty nervous to say it. But the Slytherin had a braver heart than she realised. Irina kicked her arms and legs into the air, punching the air in excitement. She gave a little squeal of delight earning a few more 'shhhh's from the surrounding students. She didn't care.

"Oh my days, yeah! That sounds awesome! When is it? I remember hearing about it from some of my classmates but I'll be honest, I kind of forgot. And you're by far and away the coolest person possible to go to a masquerade ball with! What are you gonna wear? Dungbombs, what am I gonna wear?" Irina was so ecstatic she started running her mouth off, her filter gone as she babbled happily away.
"I swear if I have to go shopping or something I will be locking myself in a broom cupboard. Oh, but this is so cool! I didn't go to the last ball cause . . . hang on why didn't I go?"
Irina screwed up her eyes in an effort to remember. It was in winter last time, right? Yeah so she was . . . oh yeah, that was it.
"Ooooh, I was in the hospital wing! I bet I could do a double loop on my broom. I did the first loop, but then I got stuck upside-down and couldn't right myself. The broom rocketed straight towards the ground and I had to let go. I broke a rib, fractured my wrist and got a pretty bad concussion." She smiled reminiscently. "I got a load of chocolate frogs though."

The young second year gave a start as she realised she had gone off on a very wild tangent. "Oops, sorry bout that," she whispered, squirming closer to Mal. "Just to clarify, I would absolutely love to go to the ball with you! There is no one else I'd rather go with." Irina snuggled up close to her best friend. She was always one for physcial affection.

Banner was made by the great Fang Yun-Xin

Date: 6 March 2024 Time: late, Astronomy lessons

Interacting with: @Irina Shevel Mentions: X

English | French Thoughts

It was very hard not to laugh when Irina stuck her tongue out at the kid who had shushed them when they looked away. Mahlioz could understand them - she, too, would not have wanted students to be whispering amongst themselves when she was trying to concentrate - so she did her best not to giggle and bother them more. But they much preferred catching up with their best friend over concentrating on studies, as weird as that would have sounded to past them.

She couldn't describe how relieved she was when Irina ended up being just as excited as she was, if not more (it was Irina, after all). It was weird, that she was so nervous when she knew the Gryffindor felt the same way about her, that there was a reason they were best friends and Mahlioz wasn't ust clinging to Irina against the other's will. Mahlioz just got... unsure, sometimes. But Irina was exactly the kind of person who would make their worries disappear with only a few words. It was ever so obvious how much she wanted to go to the ball with them.

The second year could not stop grinning. They let Irina do the talking, though in their mind they were doing the exact same thing, rambling and being excited and asking questions. She nodded knowingly when her best friend mentioned her one of her may unfortunate trips to the hospital wing. "I remember that, you scared me half to death when I found out." The fact that they were friends when Mahlioz couldn't go near a broom and Irina was trying double loops in the meantime was something of a miracle.

Mahlioz snuggled back when Irina confirmed she'd accepted their proposition. They weren't, like her, the biggest fan of physical affection, but this was their best friend, and they would do anything for her. "Thank you, thank you thank you thank you," she whispered back. "I can't wait!" When she moved back, she knocked her bag over slightly without noticing, making a small book slide out. Mahlioz did not notice, but Irina's curious eyes very probably would see its title: Enby.