A Forced Meeting PV Isadora Everridge Finished

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Ruby watched Isadora’s cautious glance and noted the way she lowered her voice, as if it was a secret—as if those “violent students” the Hufflepuff was talking about were listening, watching her from the shadows, waiting to jump out at her. “Violent students? In what regard?” Ruby prompted. There were many things Isadora could be referring to when she said that—ill-intentioned troublemakers who got into fights and otherwise caused damage to others or who had started chaos at previous balls/gatherings, or she could possibly mean half-breeds.

Ruby understood that there was a lot of stigma regarding other races—with the Headliner even publishing articles about how to “defend” against these “threats”—but in reality, she had several half-breed friends who were sweet and nonviolent. They were just students like anyone else, trying to learn. Additionally, Hogwarts staff had rules that would mitigate the dangerous parts, like werewolf transformations or dhampirs’ need for blood, so as to keep everyone safe. It was foolishly naive to think that the students were a big threat when Hogwarts had been attacked by things far more powerful and dangerous, such as the shadow spiders that had put black venom in the veins of many Slytherin students for over a year and nine months. She still had nightmares about the burning pain and the helplessness, waking up expecting to see the web of black veins across her leg.

Isadora asked for advice on how to keep safe, and Ruby thought about it. There was nothing that would guarantee her safety, but Ruby certainly had ideas for tips. “I’d recommend joining a house sport if you can. It can help greatly with reflexes, and duelling specifically can be direct practice for dangerous situations. Other than that, try to practice spells frequently. You can often use unexpected spells in creative ways. Events at Hogwarts frequently end up being dangerous, so try to come prepared if you go to balls or don’t go at all. If you end up being in danger, my main tip is to act fast. Don’t waste time talking or strategizing, it’ll be too late by then. Go with your gut and try whatever suitable spell comes to mind.”

She paused for a moment, thinking of how powerless she was when the spiders attacked. She was just a 12 year old at the time, unprepared for such suffering. She hadn’t known to expect danger, hadn’t had anyone to help her. She had been a prefect, had been expected to take care of and protect others, to be a reliable authority figure to them, but she had failed. In the face of danger, she had been powerless. Powerless to help others, powerless to save them or herself. And as the year went on (and the following year) and the difficult feelings started getting to her, she had started abusing her prefect powers, using them to threaten others and to cover her when she got into illegal duels with others.

However, now she understood that while she didn’t need to be friendly to everyone, causing more danger from within the student body was foolish. Everyone should be supported and given a fighting chance against outside danger, rather than having to deal with conflict from students like her, wondering if they would be attacked for just making a mistake. Perhaps it was just that she was calm and feeling decent, and maybe she would feel differently when the anger returned, but for a moment, she truly cared about all her schoolmates and felt a flicker of regret for the mistakes she had made and the violence she had caused. It was this that led her to speak again. “I would be willing to tutor you or help you practice your spells,” she said, icy eyes looking firmly at Isadora, the slightest bit of warmth thawing some of the coldness that had previously been in her tone. This wasn’t about their families, wasn’t about some stupid pureblood relations. This was just a small act of kindness. An offer.

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When Ruby asks for clarification on what she means by 'violent students', Dora holds her tongue. It may not be appropriate to speak of such things, especially to someone she's just met. The older student's intimidating stature was the reason she asked in the first place, thinking someone like her must know how to handle herself in a dangerous situation. Dora fears what might happen if she ends up on the wrong side of a dhampir, especially with how inadequate her spells have been.

After a quiet pause, Ruby offers some advice. “I’d recommend joining a house sport if you can. It can help greatly with reflexes, and duelling specifically can be direct practice for dangerous situations. Other than that, try to practice spells frequently. You can often use unexpected spells in creative ways. Events at Hogwarts frequently end up being dangerous, so try to come prepared if you go to balls or don’t go at all. If you end up being in danger, my main tip is to act fast. Don’t waste time talking or strategizing, it’ll be too late by then. Go with your gut and try whatever suitable spell comes to mind.”

A sport? Well, that's out. The biggest sports at Hogwarts are broom racing and quidditch, both of which require a skillful flyer. Flying might be Dora's least favorite class, and she's also not very fond of competing against others. Dueling might be more effective, but it would mean using the spells that make Dora's stomach squirm. What if she hurts someone? And the balls, she'd gladly refrain from attendance if she could. It's her grandmother that wouldn't be pleased.

She doesn't mean to discount all of Ruby's ideas at once. They just seem to confirm the fact that Dora is ill-suited as a witch. If something dangerous were to occur, Dora would get hurt at best, bring shame to her family at worst.

"Thank you." Dora says, a hint of disappointment slipping through the cracks. She can feel the conversation dwindling, readying herself to be dismissed. But the girl's next words surprise her.

“I would be willing to tutor you or help you practice your spells.”

"You would?" Dora replies, eyes wide. "I mean, yes, please! It would be an honor..." Did she somehow make a good impression all this time? Or is this an act of charity or pity? Dora doesn't know, but she can't deny the anticipation she feels when she thinks of being trained by such an impressive witch.

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The plain, simple response of “thank you” to Ruby’s suggestions of how to stay safe showed that Isadora had little interest in them, or they wouldn’t work for her. A slight frown creased her brow for a moment, unable to determine why these suggestions were unsuitable for the younger girl. There was nothing more she could do about that at the present time besides hope that something she had said would be of use to Isadora, and that she would consider what Ruby had proposed. And if she didn’t? Well, that wasn’t Ruby’s fault. She had tried her best to give genuine, useful advice, despite her annoyance at being forced to be here.

Much more interest was shown, however, when Ruby offered to tutor or generally mentor the first year. A hint of a smile played across her lips at Isadora’s wide-eyed enthusiasm. Maybe this would be tolerable after all. “How do you feel about meeting again one week from now—Saturday, January 14th? We can meet in the Library again at one of the tables—or elsewhere if there’s somewhere you’d prefer—and begin by going over what you know already to determine what we’d be working with; it’s been a long time since I was a first year and the details of what students learn that year have escaped me.” Her voice remained cool but cordial, even if the words she was saying had a warmer implication—discussion of the implementation of her selfless offer, showing intent to actually follow through with it.

It wouldn’t all be sunshine and rainbows, mind you. While Ruby did intend to help lift Isadora up—after all, strengthening her skills and helping her be better able to defend herself was the goal—she still didn’t intend to go easy on her. Additionally, she currently had no desire to form a friendship outside of this mentorship. She was not particularly friendly or kind, but her actions could still be good. It was about time for some goodness in all her bad, anyway. She would wait for a response from Isadora, and if it was in the affirmative and didn’t require further response, she would say, “It was a pleasure to meet you and I hope the rest of your day is enjoyable.” Politeness, expression of sentiments she did not really feel. Her tone would be cold, devoid of the emotion the words demanded. She would pick up the book she had been reading prior to the interaction and carry it off with her, putting it back on the shelves on her way out of the library, and with that, that would be it unless stopped.

Reducio

Ruby exits the thread unless stopped/unless there is anything that requires a response.

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