26 Aug 2020, 04:12
New Year, New Baggage
Forward dated to September 1, 2020.
Alina came down to see her trunk there waiting for her in the Grand Foyer. James had brought it down for her earlier. She glanced around the large empty home. No sister going with her to Hogwarts this year as Bella had transferred to Beauxbatons and already began school. No father to escort her to the station and see her off as he took off when his attempts at reuniting with a lost love failed.
Alina heard footsteps behind her and turned to see James (her father's assistant) and Margie (the house's cook) approaching. She had avoided conversations with them for some time since Bella left. Her father left. She met with Clifton where he told her he was leaving. She felt abandoned by everyone.
Tired of being so cold, she came up to the both of them and brought one arm around each, pulling them both in for a group hug whether they wanted one or not. "I'll miss you," she whispered to them both. They both squeezed her back to show their love but she still couldn't help but wonder if they too would be leaving eventually. None of the hired help stayed long, no matter how wonderful or close they seemed.
She pulled back and James brushed his thumb softly against her cheek and smiled. "If your father knew how important this was to you, he'd be here. But he thinks you're strong. Correction...he knows you're strong. You can do this." Her eyes fell as she glanced to the Italian marble flooring of the Grand Foyer, "but he doesn't know because he hasn't come home. He hasn't even written."
James couldn't say anything to that because the girl's words were truth. "Are you certain you don't want us to come see you off?" he asked. She was heading to Kings Cross to catch the Hogwarts Express for her Second Year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She shook her head. "I can manage." She then took hold of her trunk and headed into the Floo Network of Updown Court, the Rosier family's residence, and transported herself to the wizarding section of Kings Cross.
At Platform 9 3/4 she watched as it seemed everyone was either hugging family goodbye or friends hello but that wasn't something she was ready for. Surely everyone would expect her to arrive with Bella and question that or wonder when she was meeting up with Clifton. She didn't know if she could attempt an answer to either of those questions without her voice cracking so she just got on the train, finding refuge in an empty compartment.
Open to Interaction
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.
2 Sep 2020, 18:59
New Year, New Baggage
Meeting @Alina Rosier on the train.
I'm writing this as though Alina has already told Alexa the news regarding Clifton. I hope that's okay. If not, I can rewrite!
Alexa twitched nervously as she sat on the Muggle train, waiting for it to come to a stop at King’s Cross station. She had taken the train from her home of Inverness, where her parents had been too busy with work, much to their regret, to come see her off.
She found she greatly missed their company on the ride in to London. Her mother and father’s relationship had been strained over the summer, but had seemed to relax somewhat in her presence. But once again, in leaving for such a long period of time for school, she feared the worst for their relationship. They already wrote her letters separately at Hogwarts… She could only hope they stayed together.
The train came to a stop, and Alexa grabbed her Hogwarts trunk and her trusty satchel and sped off of the train. She paused a moment to get her bearings, and then immediately headed to platform 9 3/4. Easing through the invisible barrier, she was suddenly surrounded by students making their goodbyes to family. She looked down awkwardly at her dirty trainers. No goodbyes here for her. Best to just get on the train.
She began looking for compartment, and all of a sudden came upon Alina, sitting alone in a compartment. In all the nervousness to get here, she had not thought of her friends, and suddenly the loss of Clifton tore at her heart. But she knew it was much worse for Alina.
Trying to put on a brave smile, she knocked on the glass door, and then slid it open. “Any space in here for an extra?” She said, smiling at her friend, her heart warm at the side of her, though damage by the reminder of Clifton’s absence.
Sta: 6 Eva: 8 Str: 4 Wis: 9 AP: 9 Acc: 9
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
– Albus Dumbledore
7 Sep 2020, 04:06
New Year, New Baggage
Interacting with @Alexa Mackenzie
She had been looking down at her hands as she sort of fiddled with them the way she did when she was nervous. It was taking everything within her not to focus on the fact that she was finally returning to Hogwarts - where she so wanted to be all Summer - only to be returning without some of what made it the best place to be.
Alina recognized the voice even before she glanced up to see her redheaded Hufflepuff friend and gave a small smile, grateful to see her. There was still some good about Hogwarts, and having friends like Alexa was one of them. "Lots of room," she said, letting her friend know that she was welcome to join her. Alina hoped that she would.
She glanced out the window and took in a breath before letting it out slowly to prepare herself for a conversation. It would be better than staying in her mind the whole trip because right now that was a dark and depressing - and ever so lonely - sort of place.
"Good to see you," she said softly, wanting that known. Her friend wasn't intruding by any means and she would never want her to think that she was. "Think you're ready for another year?" Second year was heading their way.
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.
9 Sep 2020, 19:31
New Year, New Baggage
Riding the Hogwarts Express with @Alina Rosier.
When Alina said there was lots of room, Alexa smiled slightly, pushed the glass door the rest of the way open, and moved inside the compartment with her trunk and her bag. As she heaved her heavy trunk open to the holders about the seats, she felt a pang. Last year, Clifton had helped her move her trunk, but now he wasn’t here.
With a sigh of exertion finished, Alexa sank down into the comfortable seat across from Alina. She smiled slightly, a little sadly, seeing that her friend was low. “It’s good to see you, too,” she said, equally soft. She found she was having trouble thinking of what to say, but Alina saved her by asking about school. “Yeah, I hope I am. I just – well – you know. It’ll be different this time.”
She knew any pain that she had for the loss of Clifton was nothing compared to Alina’s. She didn’t have any lemon drops, but she did have one chocolate frog left from her trip to Diagon Alley. She fished this out of her bag and placed it on Alina’s knee. “It’s no lemon drop, but if you want it, it’s yours,” she said, smiling at her friend, hoping to bring up her spirits.
She hadn’t got the chance last time they met to ask about her family, associated now. “How is everybody at home?” It reminded her to think of her own parents, and she glanced out the window before her friend could see the somewhat uncertain expression she had, thinking about her parents.
Sta: 6 Eva: 8 Str: 4 Wis: 9 AP: 9 Acc: 9
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
– Albus Dumbledore
13 Sep 2020, 16:15
New Year, New Baggage
Interacting with @Alexa Mackenzie
"You know my first year started off pretty rocky and then ended up being the best. I'm hoping maybe that's a thing, you know? Like...something that reoccurs - the part about it ending up being the best." She smiled softly, trying to remain as optimistic as she could. Honestly it was a hard lesson in life. She had given too much of herself to Clifton and depended on him too much but she wasn't angry with him, only herself for having done so.
"Bella's school started over a week ago. She adores it. Everything from her dormitory to the new friends to the classes. She said t was the best thing she had ever done. I'm happy for her." And she was. She couldn't understand why her sister didn't adore Hogwarts the way she did but was glad she thought she found her place.
"The staff has been doing okay. I'm sure they'll miss having some others around." She knew that sounded rather silly when Alexa had asked how everyone at home had been and she only mentioned the staff but then again that was the only ones who were at home. "Juliette...Bella and mine's former governess and childminder whom my father is in love with...she took off unexpectedly and my father decided to go after her. So...he's been gone for awhile now - hasn't come home at all; hasn't written." She was very disappointed in that. With their newfound relationship, he should have been there to console her when Clifton left and he should have been there on her trip to buy school supplies at Diagon Alley and he should have been there to see her off at the train station for another year of school.
"How about you?" she asked softly, knowing things with Alexa's parents were on shaky ground.
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.
15 Sep 2020, 22:57
New Year, New Baggage
OCC: Hope you don't mind if I join you since the thread still said open.
Since getting on the train, Henry has been in two well three compartments. One was his own compartment where he saw alone and held his trunk, the second was the one with his friend; Miranda and her younger brother, and the third was with his other friend; Charles Simmons and a few first years but yet Henry left all three. Well technically he left the last two and was headed back to his own compartment, alone and with his thoughts spiraling around in his head. Once Henry got to the compartment he slid the door opened and something felt wrong, like out of place.
The twelve year old remembered his first year on that train, sitting with Cricket and Eyre but this year felt different. He left two compartments with people he knew and enjoyed talking to, to be alone? No that couldn't be since the boy didn't want to be alone and at that moment was having strong feelings to run, to jump from the train and run away, to run from all of his troubles. Well Henry was twelve and did have irrational thoughts but he never felt so inclined to do them before because for the first time he did want to run, he wanted to run from all his problems and not take a second to look back.
Even through the idea sounded amazing to the twelve year old, he knew that he shouldn't or that it was wrong so to stop himself from doing anything irrational Henry grabbed his trunk from the rack which held his messager type bag plus a extension charm that his older brother place on it before he slowly pulled it from the compartment along the aisle of the train in hopes of somewhere to sit where he wouldn't be thinking to jump off a moving magical train and run away.
Henry continued along the train for a few minutes as he looked into each compartment to find them all full and considered turning back but figured that it was probably already full now to so Henry continue in search of a new and slightly empty compartment
Henry passed a few familiar faces in compartments full with other unfamiliar faces so he just continued on which made him wonder did the friends he met in the previous year would they remain his friends in his second year? A few of them Henry knew would but a few of them whom Henry hadn't seen in such a long time made him anxious as his anxiety started to work over time again, like always.
Henry tried not to think of it as he came across a compartment with only to others in it so Henry took a breath and pushed his thoughts aside as he opened the compartment door and noticed that the two others were Alina and Alexa both he met briefly at diagon alley so he hoped that they won't mind another person who was too wrapped up in his thoughts to speak to join them in the compartment.
" um excuse me," Henry piped out with a quiet voice before continuing to speak at the entrance of the compartment " but would you mind if I join you, everywhere else is full," he gave them a innocent smile while looking for a bit and letting his hair cover his eyes just a bit as he kept a firm grip on his trunk behind him.
Outfit
@Alina Rosier | @Alexa Mackenzie
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
19 Sep 2020, 17:00
New Year, New Baggage
Interacting with @Alexa Mackenzie and @Henry Knight
Just spilling all that had been troubling her left her feeling a little down so when the compartment door clicked open and she saw the familiar face of a helpful friend she smiled. "My future tutor! Of course you're welcome here," she said and patted the seat next to her.
Alina then leaned forward to pull her bag off of the space beside her, allowing him room to sit down. He would have his trunk with him that could still be placed above and still have room for anything else on the seat beside her. "I'm starting to see your face everywhere," she said and relaxed into place again. "Which it's a wonderful face, so that's a good thing,' she quickly added with a small laugh.
"Oh dear Merlin," she said as she thought about what she just said. She looked to Alexa and blinked. "The poor boy is now going to think I'm coming onto him," and yes, she knew very well Henry could hear her saying this to the redhead with them. She smiled, just being playful here. It felt good to just be carefree with friends for the moment. "What I mean to say, Hen....I mean Mr. Knight... After all, you are going to be my tutor and I must show you some respect....is that it's always nice to see a friend. That, and you do have handsome features, especially your eyes," she complimented him, hoping that helped clear things up but she really wasn't quite sure.
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.
28 Sep 2020, 22:30
New Year, New Baggage
Interacting with @Alina Rosier and @Alexa Mackenzie
Henry heard the girl whom he recognized as Alina speak and with that he nodded a bit as he spoke " thank you," Henry then pulled his trunk inside as be heard Alina speak again and he would have felt embarrassed if he was paying attention, but lucky he was a bit too busy hoisting his trunk onto the above trunk rack before taking a seat next to Alina in which he heard her say something to the red head; Alexa. Henry however not wanting to bother either of them and still having much on his mind from not only the other compartments he was in and the events during his summer holiday, he was glad to have a moment to himself and some quiet.
That was before Alina spoke to him which caused the back of his neck to sweat with embarrassment as he ran a hand through his hair before turning to Alina and stating " you can refer to me as uh just Henry," Henry wasn't really in the mood to hear either of his parents surnames at the moment but also didn't want to tell the two girls that before continuing " and uh no worries about the other things, and we're friends right? Just think of it as a friend helping a friend instead of the dull tutoring session between peers," Henry gave her a smile before looking down and letting his hair cover his eyes as he starting to trace the train seat cushion with his finger.
"There's no such thing as strange creatures, only blinked people" - Newt Scamander
3 Oct 2020, 16:49
New Year, New Baggage
On the Hogwarts Express with @Alina Rosier and @Henry Knight.
I'm so very sorry for the delay, you guys! School is kicking my behind! I'll try not to let it happen again!
Alexa nodded at Alina, in regards to the beginning of the year starting off rougher than the end. She too, hoped that the ending would be better. At least she had her friend, though.
Alexa’s eyes grew a little sad talking of Bella. She knew Alina’s sister’s move to the French Academy must be hard on her friend. After all, twins were supposed to be really close, right? “You never told me why she decided to move,” Alexa said quietly.
Her eyebrows went up, in shock, and her mouth dropped open briefly in horror before she quickly turned away to hide her expression. When would she learn to control her face?! Mastering herself, she turned back to her friend. “I’m so sorry about your dad… I can’t believe – well I just –“ Alexa trailed off, unsure of what to say. Alina seemed to be having the worst of luck at the moment.
When Alina asked about her family, Alexa waved the question away as though it were unimportant. “They’ll live,” she said softly. “But what about you? How are you handling all of this?”
And then suddenly Henry Knight appeared at the door, and Alexa couldn’t help but smile slightly at her new friend. “Of course,” she agreed with Alina. “You’re always welcome with us!”
Alexa blinked at Alina’s comment regarding flirting with Henry. She hadn’t even thought of it that way, Alina was naturally friendly, but she could see now how Henry might take it the wrong way. Better to start off clearly that have everything be fuzzy. But then Alina complemented his features, and Alexa wasn’t sure if that was the best choice when trying to make it clear she wasn’t interested.
Henry and Alina spoke for a moment, and then Alexa turned to Henry when he began tracing the cushion with his finger. Maybe he was as shy as she was. She said quietly, “And how have you been, Henry?” She gave a shy smile.
Sta: 6 Eva: 8 Str: 4 Wis: 9 AP: 9 Acc: 9
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
– Albus Dumbledore
3 Nov 2020, 03:28
New Year, New Baggage
Interacting with @Alexa Mackenzie and @Henry Knight
Alina was wanting to dwell in her loneliness on this trip back to Hogwarts and yet she was now realizing just how silly that was. Just as she didn't need to go school supply shopping alone, she didn't need to start her venture into Second Year alone either.
"I wonder what Second Year will bring us," she said, thinking upon her First Year. It was full of pranks and adventures, friendships and close bonds, distance from her twin, a reconnecting with her father only to lose it again. Ups and downs. That's probably what this one would hold too.
"I'm going to TRY and not get snippy with the Transfigurations professor and try not to stare at the Herbology one so much," she said but paused, already getting a little lost in thought at the sheer mention of Professor MacTavish. The girl was hopeless.
"And umm, maybe I'll try at least one new food in the Great Hall. I also thought about trying to change my thoughts on Ravenclaws and try to branch out and get to know some of them a little bit better but....I'm not sure how likely that one is going to be. It'll be like me trying to say that I need to start liking being up on a broom." Flying wasn't her thing at all.
Let your confidence shine, pretty girl.