17 Jun 2018, 19:54
Tree Trouble
"Well, look, you just proved my point." Constantine quirked an eyebrow, relaxing slightly now that he could expand on the reason why he was so adamant to change Maisy's mind.
He thought for a moment - what would he do? "Well, as much as I'd like to, I can't use any spells. Namely being because 'incendio' is the only one I'm confident at." He mumbled, rather sad that he hadn't learnt any spells that could scare them off, but not hurt the boys at the same time. "It's not like I can use anything to prank them with, either. I'm pretty sure they've banned all of the products I'd use." Constantine trailed off. Now that he'd thought about it, there wasn't much he could do, aside from confronting them normally. He didn't want to leave them be, but it may be the only option.
The Hufflepuff repeated what she had said, minus the desperate tone she had said it in. "Why do you think I'm trying to set them straight? It certainly isn't for me. I care if they mess with you." He quipped back. The Hufflepuff could see why their views were both so conflicting - Constantine wanted to stop the bullies, and therefore risk being involved, whereas Maisy wanted to avoid Constantine becoming involved, and in return risk being targeted again. Both being as stubborn as they were, they'd have to come to some sort of compromise. "Of course I don't think you want that. It's just, I don't want your experience of Hogwarts to be ruined by people like that." He reasoned, calmer this time. Constantine hadn't meant to get so heated, however he passionately believed that Maisy shouldn't be the subject of such tormenting."You might not care if they mess with you, but I do."
He thought for a moment - what would he do? "Well, as much as I'd like to, I can't use any spells. Namely being because 'incendio' is the only one I'm confident at." He mumbled, rather sad that he hadn't learnt any spells that could scare them off, but not hurt the boys at the same time. "It's not like I can use anything to prank them with, either. I'm pretty sure they've banned all of the products I'd use." Constantine trailed off. Now that he'd thought about it, there wasn't much he could do, aside from confronting them normally. He didn't want to leave them be, but it may be the only option.
17 Jun 2018, 21:06
Tree Trouble
"Constantine..." Laughing softly, Maisy shook her head, "Silly... I would never let something like this ruin something so wonderful. Not when I have people like you around to make it all worth while."
But stubbornness aside, he had a point and she couldn't ignore it. They wouldn't stop. Even if it wasn't her next time... Another target meant another student in danger and she couldn't have that resting on her conscience. Not when she was working so hard at proving Slytherin House was better than the rumors...
Tapping her chin, she glanced down at her wrist and smiled faintly, almost a glint of mischief reflecting in her eyes. Looking back at Constantine, a brow lifted, "I have an idea. It isn't guaranteed to work... But maybe..."
Looking back at the boys, she smirked, "One time, Auggie lied about stealing a load of chocolate from the pantry, and Mum found out about it. But instead of punishing him right out, she just acted really sad... Told Auggie is was our candy for Halloween and we wouldn't be able to go 'round the neighbors, since it wasn't fair we had none to give out. He was so he wouldn't upset he confessed right there and told Mum he'd never eat chocolate again... Course it wasn't true, and Mum let him know, but he learned his lesson..."
Holding up her wrist, Maisy smiled, "So what if we tell them it's broken... Let them think for a few minutes their stupid joke went wrong...?"
But stubbornness aside, he had a point and she couldn't ignore it. They wouldn't stop. Even if it wasn't her next time... Another target meant another student in danger and she couldn't have that resting on her conscience. Not when she was working so hard at proving Slytherin House was better than the rumors...
Tapping her chin, she glanced down at her wrist and smiled faintly, almost a glint of mischief reflecting in her eyes. Looking back at Constantine, a brow lifted, "I have an idea. It isn't guaranteed to work... But maybe..."
Looking back at the boys, she smirked, "One time, Auggie lied about stealing a load of chocolate from the pantry, and Mum found out about it. But instead of punishing him right out, she just acted really sad... Told Auggie is was our candy for Halloween and we wouldn't be able to go 'round the neighbors, since it wasn't fair we had none to give out. He was so he wouldn't upset he confessed right there and told Mum he'd never eat chocolate again... Course it wasn't true, and Mum let him know, but he learned his lesson..."
Holding up her wrist, Maisy smiled, "So what if we tell them it's broken... Let them think for a few minutes their stupid joke went wrong...?"
17 Jun 2018, 21:39
Tree Trouble
"Oh hush, I don't need compliments at a time like this." Constantine laughed bashfully, going slightly red in the face. As cheesy as it sounded, the Hufflepuff was pleased to hear that he was able to make things a little bit better.
Constantine listened to the story intently, waiting to hear where it would lead. He was quite surprised that Maisy had turned to see his side of things, however it was just what he needed to spur him into action. The Slytherin's account of Halloween made him all the more excited - perhaps it was a plan that could actually work! They both looked quite the mess already, with himself blood spattered, and Maisy's bruise littered wrist. So, it wasn't that far fetched to say she'd broken it on her fall. "Well, if it has the slightest chance of working, I'm all for it!" Constantine beamed eagerly. It was a good way to teach them a lesson, and a non violent one at that. Even though he'd hop to it if necessary, using violence against violence was never the answer. "One question, though. Can you make it believable?" He asked. It was all easier said than done, unless Maisy could pull out some impressive dramatics.
Constantine listened to the story intently, waiting to hear where it would lead. He was quite surprised that Maisy had turned to see his side of things, however it was just what he needed to spur him into action. The Slytherin's account of Halloween made him all the more excited - perhaps it was a plan that could actually work! They both looked quite the mess already, with himself blood spattered, and Maisy's bruise littered wrist. So, it wasn't that far fetched to say she'd broken it on her fall. "Well, if it has the slightest chance of working, I'm all for it!" Constantine beamed eagerly. It was a good way to teach them a lesson, and a non violent one at that. Even though he'd hop to it if necessary, using violence against violence was never the answer. "One question, though. Can you make it believable?" He asked. It was all easier said than done, unless Maisy could pull out some impressive dramatics.
17 Jun 2018, 21:50
Tree Trouble
Maisy beamed and shook her head. For whatever he said, she wasn't just saying it to make him feel better. Over the few months she had been at school there were very few people she could say the same about. Constantine was a good friend, and his insistence on wanting to help her escape former torment was all too indicative of that.
And now they had a plan that might actually work. Maybe it wouldn't be revenge, per say, but Maisy wasn't particularly big on vindication. She was much more comfortable with the idea of a peaceful resolution, even if it was a touch on the sneaky side.
At his question, the smile bloomed. She wasn't one to lie... Honesty was always the best policy, if only because lies had a way of coming out anyhow... But acting. That was an entirely different matter.
"Before I came to Hogwarts, I was the lead in my school play. I think I could probably manage some tears..." She was, after all, still quite shaken, and not entirely convinced that approaching the bullies was a matter of necessity. But she'd do anything if it meant keeping Constantine from handling it on his own.
"You ready?"
And now they had a plan that might actually work. Maybe it wouldn't be revenge, per say, but Maisy wasn't particularly big on vindication. She was much more comfortable with the idea of a peaceful resolution, even if it was a touch on the sneaky side.
At his question, the smile bloomed. She wasn't one to lie... Honesty was always the best policy, if only because lies had a way of coming out anyhow... But acting. That was an entirely different matter.
"Before I came to Hogwarts, I was the lead in my school play. I think I could probably manage some tears..." She was, after all, still quite shaken, and not entirely convinced that approaching the bullies was a matter of necessity. But she'd do anything if it meant keeping Constantine from handling it on his own.
"You ready?"
20 Jun 2018, 16:00
Tree Trouble
"Excellent!" Constantine chimed with enthusiasm, his smile broadening. Whilst he wasn't particularly bad at acting, he wouldn't say he was good at it - actors weren't supposed to let their true feelings show, a feat that he had yet to perfect. However, he doubted it would be difficult to trick those mindless brutes, after all, guilt went a long way. "I can't say the same, but I'm sure I could make them regret what they did. Peacefully, like you want." The Hufflepuff promised.
"As ready as I'll ever be." The boy confirmed, composing himself before taking his first step towards the group, hoping that Maisy wasn't too far behind. To be fair, it was only natural to be a little nervous. When they'd come closer, the cluster of people began to spread out, opening up the previously closed circle. They'd dropped the stones a few minutes before, no longer throwing them at each other in delight. Constantine was about to speak first, only to close his mouth. They probably didn't know who he was, hence he decided to let Maisy have the first word. The seniors eyed them up, some recognising Maisy more than others. A few simply looked over Constantine completely.
"As ready as I'll ever be." The boy confirmed, composing himself before taking his first step towards the group, hoping that Maisy wasn't too far behind. To be fair, it was only natural to be a little nervous. When they'd come closer, the cluster of people began to spread out, opening up the previously closed circle. They'd dropped the stones a few minutes before, no longer throwing them at each other in delight. Constantine was about to speak first, only to close his mouth. They probably didn't know who he was, hence he decided to let Maisy have the first word. The seniors eyed them up, some recognising Maisy more than others. A few simply looked over Constantine completely.
Reducio
Sorry for the late reply! I'm a bit busy this week!
20 Jun 2018, 16:33
Tree Trouble
The plan felt good and solid. The sort of plan older people called 'foolproof'. As they walked up the hill towards the group of boys, Maisy felt momentarily quite courageous, and sure that they would be successful, sure that the older Slytherin's would realize the error in their ways, apologize and be done with their petty pranks and meanness.
Then the boys came into view and every trace of bravery that Maisy felt was washed away by a sudden weight of panic. She had already put Constantine in a pickle earlier, by dragging him to the nasty, violent tree. Now she was angling towards a much more dangerous endeavor, and she had no blinking idea what she was going to do.
Stopping, she stared at the group, managing somehow to have the good sense not to run away (which her body was telling her, desperately, was their best course of action). She needed to do something, to fix this, somehow, and suddenly, she didn't feel the need to prove her acting chops... because the tears were welling up on their own. Her eyes flickered to Constantine, to the bright red, marring his pale cheek, then back to the boys.
Without a thought, Maisy took a sharp breath and burst into tears. Not a wild display of hysterics... but soft, subtle and embarrassed sobs, her face burrowing into the elbow of her free arm, as she looped her fingers gingerly around her bruised wrist, leaving just enough of the tender skin exposed to garner the guilt they were hoping to extract from the menaces.
"W...what?" One of the boys started, turning to his companion, who gave a lame shrug. Some of them, their cheeks flushed, stepped back, but another boy stepped forward, eyes narrowing slightly. As he eyed up the two, a smirk spread to the corner of his mouth.
"You know... I asked myself when you took off if you were actually stupid enough to fall for our story... but hey, I guess you were. I knew Mudbloods were dumb, but you might take the title, Little Chav..."
A chorus of laughter erupted from all but two of the boys, who seemed to be watching Constantine with a glimmer of curiosity.
Then the boys came into view and every trace of bravery that Maisy felt was washed away by a sudden weight of panic. She had already put Constantine in a pickle earlier, by dragging him to the nasty, violent tree. Now she was angling towards a much more dangerous endeavor, and she had no blinking idea what she was going to do.
Stopping, she stared at the group, managing somehow to have the good sense not to run away (which her body was telling her, desperately, was their best course of action). She needed to do something, to fix this, somehow, and suddenly, she didn't feel the need to prove her acting chops... because the tears were welling up on their own. Her eyes flickered to Constantine, to the bright red, marring his pale cheek, then back to the boys.
Without a thought, Maisy took a sharp breath and burst into tears. Not a wild display of hysterics... but soft, subtle and embarrassed sobs, her face burrowing into the elbow of her free arm, as she looped her fingers gingerly around her bruised wrist, leaving just enough of the tender skin exposed to garner the guilt they were hoping to extract from the menaces.
"W...what?" One of the boys started, turning to his companion, who gave a lame shrug. Some of them, their cheeks flushed, stepped back, but another boy stepped forward, eyes narrowing slightly. As he eyed up the two, a smirk spread to the corner of his mouth.
"You know... I asked myself when you took off if you were actually stupid enough to fall for our story... but hey, I guess you were. I knew Mudbloods were dumb, but you might take the title, Little Chav..."
A chorus of laughter erupted from all but two of the boys, who seemed to be watching Constantine with a glimmer of curiosity.
Reducio
No worries! 
Totally understand!
Totally understand!20 Jun 2018, 19:18
Tree Trouble
Despite being fairly surprised at Maisy's sudden outburst of sorrow, Constantine kept his face stern, and his brows furrowed. It'd be silly to comfort her now - it'd ruin the act that they'd only just begun. One of the boys scampered off, whilst another few backed away from the first years before them. The Hufflepuff was glad that it made some of them uncomfortable, as such a thing should. However, the more confident of the group appeared to remain unfazed, instead sizing them both up.
He'd only get more angry after hearing them speak, the derogatory remark thrown at Maisy only making it worse. But, Constantine was willing to try a more peaceful resolve, instead of outright insulting the senior that had stepped forwards. "Well, maybe you should've asked yourself what you would've done if someone was killed." Constantine snapped back, ebbing the laughter that had rang through the area. "You'd be expelled, and most likely, gain a criminal record. " He chided, making a couple of Slytherins wince. Obviously, he didn't know exactly what the consequences were for a case like that, but it wouldn't hurt to bend the truth a bit. "At least I know that none of you are in Ravenclaw, considering you can't seem to think anything through." In the end, he simply couldn't stop himself.
The boy at the front of the circle didn't seem amused, taking up a challenging stance in front of Constantine. "Is that how low you've gotten, asking a Hufflepuff for help?" The boy mocked, still aiming to get at Maisy as well, disregarding Constantine's previous statement with an over dramatic eye roll.
He'd only get more angry after hearing them speak, the derogatory remark thrown at Maisy only making it worse. But, Constantine was willing to try a more peaceful resolve, instead of outright insulting the senior that had stepped forwards. "Well, maybe you should've asked yourself what you would've done if someone was killed." Constantine snapped back, ebbing the laughter that had rang through the area. "You'd be expelled, and most likely, gain a criminal record. " He chided, making a couple of Slytherins wince. Obviously, he didn't know exactly what the consequences were for a case like that, but it wouldn't hurt to bend the truth a bit. "At least I know that none of you are in Ravenclaw, considering you can't seem to think anything through." In the end, he simply couldn't stop himself.
The boy at the front of the circle didn't seem amused, taking up a challenging stance in front of Constantine. "Is that how low you've gotten, asking a Hufflepuff for help?" The boy mocked, still aiming to get at Maisy as well, disregarding Constantine's previous statement with an over dramatic eye roll.
20 Jun 2018, 19:37
Tree Trouble
Pulling her hand from her eyes, she looked somewhat shocked at Constantine's words, not wholly because she hadn't thought he'd be able to restrain himself, given his temperament before. But it was a relief, until, of course, the Slytherin boy had to open his mouth...
What he said about her, it hurt, but it was just words, and words couldn't really cause any lasting damage. What he said about Constantine, however, drove a spike of anger through Maisy that she hadn't entirely expected.
Blinking, she stepped forward, shaking her head and for a moment, she forgot all about the plan, all about the act... Her wrist was sore, certainly, but suddenly guilt didn't seem hardly good enough for the rotten Slytherin boy, "...How dare you..." She started, blue eyes narrowing, "The bunch of you are horrible, rotten cowards! And you deserve to be expelled..."
"She..." One of the Slytherin boys stepped closer to the biggest of the bunch, frowning deeply, "You're not gonna tell, are you??" He asked, and his voice quaked uncomfortable, "Look, Luke. My dad... he'll kill me if I get another reprimand..."
"Shut up, Eckhart!" The other boy hissed, "She's not gonna say a word. Neither of them are..."
"You're right." Maisy started, straightening her shoulders back, "Because I'm not like you. I don't need to hurt people, to entertain myself. And telling on you? It would only give you the attention you're looking for." Her eyes moved to Constantine, as she shook her head, "And him? He's worth ten of you."
What he said about her, it hurt, but it was just words, and words couldn't really cause any lasting damage. What he said about Constantine, however, drove a spike of anger through Maisy that she hadn't entirely expected.
Blinking, she stepped forward, shaking her head and for a moment, she forgot all about the plan, all about the act... Her wrist was sore, certainly, but suddenly guilt didn't seem hardly good enough for the rotten Slytherin boy, "...How dare you..." She started, blue eyes narrowing, "The bunch of you are horrible, rotten cowards! And you deserve to be expelled..."
"She..." One of the Slytherin boys stepped closer to the biggest of the bunch, frowning deeply, "You're not gonna tell, are you??" He asked, and his voice quaked uncomfortable, "Look, Luke. My dad... he'll kill me if I get another reprimand..."
"Shut up, Eckhart!" The other boy hissed, "She's not gonna say a word. Neither of them are..."
"You're right." Maisy started, straightening her shoulders back, "Because I'm not like you. I don't need to hurt people, to entertain myself. And telling on you? It would only give you the attention you're looking for." Her eyes moved to Constantine, as she shook her head, "And him? He's worth ten of you."
20 Jun 2018, 20:25
Tree Trouble
Constantine let Maisy speak, allowing her to voice her opinion. If he was able to speak after the insult that had been directed at him, he was certain he'd say something rude and/or regrettable. As he listened, he realised that Maisy was extremely good at acting. Or at least, what he thought was an act to evoke guilt. When she had stopped, Constantine immediately move to back her up with a curt nod. Despite Maisy wanting to leave them alone, to sit and stew in guilt, although Constantine thought it would be fun to stir the pot just a little.
"She might not be like you, but I think I can stoop to your level." Constantine began, making Eckhart recoil with uncertainty. The Hufflepuff smiled, which would've appeared friendly in any other circumstance. "As a Hufflepuff, like you said, I value justice. " He mused aloud. Luke had begun to inch closer, though he had soon realised it was futile. He didn't have the upper hand, he didn't have anyone to back him up, and he certainly couldn't push about a first year with so much leverage. "Does that sound like a good idea? Luke? Eckhart?" Constantine questioned, tilting his head to the side. Eckhart had paled considerably, and Luke was beginning to look uneasy. The Hufflepuff let his words linger in the air for a while, before speaking again.
"Lighten up, will you? I'm kidding. I thought you liked jokes at people's expense." Constantine commented with a shrug. He straightened up, knowing full well they couldn't, or at least, shouldn't do anything to dig themselves deeper. "But, I won't tell anyone, as long as I don't hear about anything like this again."
"She might not be like you, but I think I can stoop to your level." Constantine began, making Eckhart recoil with uncertainty. The Hufflepuff smiled, which would've appeared friendly in any other circumstance. "As a Hufflepuff, like you said, I value justice. " He mused aloud. Luke had begun to inch closer, though he had soon realised it was futile. He didn't have the upper hand, he didn't have anyone to back him up, and he certainly couldn't push about a first year with so much leverage. "Does that sound like a good idea? Luke? Eckhart?" Constantine questioned, tilting his head to the side. Eckhart had paled considerably, and Luke was beginning to look uneasy. The Hufflepuff let his words linger in the air for a while, before speaking again.
"Lighten up, will you? I'm kidding. I thought you liked jokes at people's expense." Constantine commented with a shrug. He straightened up, knowing full well they couldn't, or at least, shouldn't do anything to dig themselves deeper. "But, I won't tell anyone, as long as I don't hear about anything like this again."
20 Jun 2018, 20:56
Tree Trouble
Maisy couldn't blame him. Even if it wasn't exactly what she would do, she was glad that Constantine was the sort of person who was willing to stand up for himself, and more importantly, for his friends. They weren't good people, the boys, and they deserved to get into trouble, but in the end the fear was enough... it had to be, because there was no way they lacked the sense to push it any further.
Or at least she hoped as much. While the other boys backed away, Luke seemed to linger on uncertainty, his eyes narrowing again as they bounced between the Slytherin girl and Hufflepuff boy. There was a calculation to his expression, like someone deciding if something would be worth while or not...
Backing up a bit, he frowned, and his shoulders bounced in a lame shrug, "You aren't worth it. Some day, this school will get it right and keep filth like you out. And abolish that ridiculous Hufflepuff house, and then you'll see..."
"...You're wrong." Maisy stated, shaking her head, with a small glimmer of disappointment, "And I hope you see it, someday. Before you really do hurt somebody."
Smiling faintly, Luke pointed a finger at her, "I wouldn't count on it, Mudblood."
Looking to Constantine, Maisy nodded, "...Let's just go."
Or at least she hoped as much. While the other boys backed away, Luke seemed to linger on uncertainty, his eyes narrowing again as they bounced between the Slytherin girl and Hufflepuff boy. There was a calculation to his expression, like someone deciding if something would be worth while or not...
Backing up a bit, he frowned, and his shoulders bounced in a lame shrug, "You aren't worth it. Some day, this school will get it right and keep filth like you out. And abolish that ridiculous Hufflepuff house, and then you'll see..."
"...You're wrong." Maisy stated, shaking her head, with a small glimmer of disappointment, "And I hope you see it, someday. Before you really do hurt somebody."
Smiling faintly, Luke pointed a finger at her, "I wouldn't count on it, Mudblood."
Looking to Constantine, Maisy nodded, "...Let's just go."