The End of a Long Year PV Closed

Outfit
Satchel

Letting out a light groan Dakota stepped onto the train and off the platform. This was the part she hated about coming to Hogwarts, the stuffy train with too many bodies and voices in it. Though something was driving her steps today, not just the fact that she wanted to find a quieter space with fewer people, but the fact that once she arrived home soon after her brothers and younger sister would be going to America to see her grandparents on her dads side. She hadn’t been to the farm they own since she was around six, they had stopped going after the littler Dakota had accidentally had her hand run over by a forewheeler, but now if you were to look at her hand it would seem as if nothing had ever happened.

As Dakota made her way through the train her satchel bumped against her hip, having already stowed away her trunk and this bag carrying a journal, sketch book, pencil and a book for Dakota to read. If she was allowed to she would just curl up in the corner of the spot she took and draw, write or read. It depended on how quiet the area around her would be for which ever one she decided on.

Glancing into a compartment the Hufflepuff paused and took in a breath, there was a girl Dakota faintly recognized, not exactly sure from where, but she was the only one in the compartment. Perfect.. her mind rung, it wasn’t exactly perfect, what would’ve been was a empty compartment, but she’d take this over being out in the halls. Opening the door gently she poked her head into the small room on the train “excuse me?” she paused her speaking for a moment before continuing on “I was just wondering if I could sit in here.” Dakotas voice was what honey could be considered, sweet and soft, but there was also two accents fighting to push through, a American accent and a Scottish accent. Crystal blue eyes also peered curiously yet cautiously at Santario, Dakotas fluffy hair being pulled back in a low ponytail so currently it looks like the girl has even shorter hair than she actually does.

@Santario Martin
@Howard White
@Aurora Ranvier

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Mentioning None

Interacting with @Santario Martin @Dakota Olson

There is no such thing as a perfect life. Ups and downs, have some encounters with malicious people, eating chocolates that were past their expiry date are normal. But packing. Whoever invented that particular activity that surely was made to torture is on the top list of people Aurora hate the most. Last night was a rough time, dark time, even. With all of those weeks of free time the Ravenclaw could use to slowly putting her clothes, knick knacks, and all of her random stuff inside her trunk, she chose to do everything in the last couple of hours. Minutes turned to hours, the moon replaced by the sun, the young brunette’s trunks looked as if they will explode any second. Of course she did not carefully and neatly fold every single piece of clothing that she had. Instead, the bird just threw everything inside and hope for the best.

One purple backpack, two brown medium sized trunks, one fury soft pink duffle bag, and a full tote bag filled with art supplies chocolates, and savoury snacks. And there she was, as petite as she always has been, styled her long brown hair in a bun, wore a pretty matching attire that includes a white t-shirt with sun and moon graphic, black pants with a similar theme, an orange denim jacket, and a yellow pair of sneakers, clearly struggled to carry all of her stuff. Once again, she had forgotten the fact she could simply levitate them straight to the compartment, but sometimes, her Ravenclaw wit refused to show up at such an important time. The day did not start as great as she hoped it would be. The heavy bags combined with her lack of sleep which was totally her fault made her a grumpy and sweaty mess, but at least she will get through it in nice clothes.

Hastily opened the nearest compartment door, without even caring who was inside. Whether it was an acquaintance, an older student, or worse, an enemy, all she wanted to do was placing her things somewhere and rest. Moreover, if the eagle ended up sitting in the same place as those who had mutual negative feelings, she would just pretend to be dead for the rest of the ride. Glancing up to see the faces inside, perhaps it would not be too bad. Both students seemed familiar, though Aurora could not put her finger on it. One of them looked quite intimidating and definitely older. Please don’t bite, both the owner and the lizard. “H-hi, I’m sweaty and tired.” If the short haired girl still standing in the way, the girl would gently nudge her to step aside, “Excuse me”. Desperately dragged her trunks inside, then sat down across the raven haired lizard owner (or next to Dakota if she sits there first) “I’m too tired to move, but if you don’t want me here-“ one of her hands dug through her tote bag, “-I can give you some chocolate or chips if you don’t like sweets” and offer the Slytherin a bar of chocolate and a muggle bag of chips in bbq flavour as a bribe. Yum

Outfit

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@Santario Martin | @Dakota Olson | @Aurora Ranvier

Howard entered the train with only a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. His broom would stay safe and sound at Hogwarts along with his trunk. Only some clothes and a few personal belongings would see him through the summer. All around him people would scurry and scramble about as they searched for compartments and tripped over their luggage. What did they do with it all? The thought would drift through his mind as shifted between them and began the search for a place to sit.

For anyone who knew him or perhaps even if they didn't his attire would probably seem odd. Dark shades covered his crimson eyes. The leather jacket and blue jeans with driving gloves sticking out the back pocket looked straight out of some 50's greaser magazine, but hey, it's hard to be a Dhampir returning to a Muggle world. Sensitive flesh needed to be covered and those elongated and discolored nails always drew the odd stare. Howard had a safe place to stay for the summer break, but the exposure on the way always called for extra precaution.

An empty compartment was the thing of dreams for Hogwarts students, but Howard had long ago let that one fade. The first one with an empty seat would do just fine and it wouldn't take him too long to find one. As the compartment door slide open he wouldn't make eye contact or say anything to the three others already seated inside. Wherever the empty seat was is where he would plop down with duffel bag strewn across his lap. A loud unzipping sound just might interrupt any conversation for a moment as he rummaged through his bag. Long, clawed finger would eventually retrieve a red lollipop, the wrapper would float to the floor before he shoved it in his mouth. With a loud smack of his lips Howard would then begin to look around. Two of them he did not recognize, but the dark haired girl with the lizard struck a familiar note. What was her name again? Oh well, he thought with a shrug.

"Sup?" The only greeting he would offer.

Once Dakota had taken her seat the girl had curled up, Satchel now tucked between her torso and legs as she had her head on her knees. It was quite a normal way for her to sit, maybe it would look slightly odd to a few others but it gave the illusion that she was somehow smaller than she already was. Having sat next to the Ravenclaw girl Dakota had been peering out the window when Howard had stepped in.

Though she didn’t recognize the two girls that were in the compartment with her she did recognize the older Hufflepuff. Of course, not by name or voice, but by his face. It had been something Dakota was shockingly good at, memorizing faces to be paired with names and voices, maybe that was just because she wanted to be able to recognize people easily, after all, it did allow her to remember who she wanted to be around and who she didn’t.

While the newcomer had settled in Dakota had gone back to watching the outside, though, when he spoke her attention was brought back to him. Giving a light wave accompanied by a mumbled “hello,” was the best greeting Dakota could give currently. It wasn’t due to the people in this compartment or who she was speaking to, it was more the fact of a smaller area with four people in it, making Dakota a bit uncomfortable but deciding it was most likely the best she could do currently. This time, instead of her gaze going back to the window, she began to silently try to memorize the faces of the people she was near.

@Howard White
@Aurora Ranvier
@Santario Martin

Interacting @Howard White @Dakota Olson @Aurora Ranvier

Kahlan Reducio

Outfit Reducio

Santario scanned through the pages of her journal, keeping an eye both on the sunbathing Kahlan and the door to her compartment when the inevitable would finally happen. The door slid open to reveal a girl, judged to be younger, that Santario did not know one bit. She appraised her as she spoke before motioning towards the seat, the pen still residing between her lips. Though quite shortly after, another girl would enter another unknown for the most part. Santario recognized the girl from watching the quidditch games, but she would have no name to put with the face.

Santario removed the pen from her mouth and licked her lips. “Take a seat sweaty and tired.” She had no qualms with either of the girls being there and as long as they weren’t annoying, she wouldn’t kick them out. Her eyes slid back down to her journal when once again, the door slid open, and her sapphire eyes lit up with recognition. She could not say she knew the boy very well, but she knew more than most thanks to a shared person.

Howard busied himself with his own affairs as Santario turned towards her Lizard. “Are you warm enough, Kahlan? Let me pull this curtain to better insulate you since we do not have your heat rock.” With that, Santario carefully pulled the curtain shut on her side of the window. It would still leave the opposite side of the compartment in sunlight. “Howard, as I live and breathe.” Her silvery French-accented voice greeting the young man after his informal greeting. She looked back over at the girls, “I’m Santario, by the way.” She turned in her seat so that her back was to the window while pulling a leg up onto the seat bent as to not intrude on, probably Howard’s, personal space. It allowed her to see the room and the others much better.

Those sharp sapphire eyes of hers would scan each person individually the first girl she could still not place; maybe she had been seen in the stands of the duels? The second was still only known from quidditch games, so she knew the girl was a Ravenclaw. Her last encounter with Howard was almost a year ago when they were at a stargazing event. She had thoroughly enjoyed their debate on the topic of prophecy. She had seen him play on his own quidditch team since she had been there rooting for Aaron and Quinn unless they were against Slytherin. However, that is all she knew about the three she now found herself sharing an intimate space with. “Any interesting plans for the summer?” She posed to no one in particular.

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Mentioning None

Interacting with @Santario Martin @Dakota Olson @Howard White

Rejection. What kind of person would reject such nice foods? Apparently, the girl and her lizard. Be positive. Of course, she was not being rude, perhaps the older student just shoved a nice big breakfast down her throat a while ago. Feeling a little annoyed, but did not want to get hexed at the same time, the Ravenclaw put back the chips and slowly opened a sad delicious rejected bar of chocolate.

Sitting in a compartment with strangers was not the best decision. Awkward, tense, uncomfortable. Though there was a fellow firstie, or second year, if they could call themselves that yet, it was not a recognizable face. As she thought two strangers were enough, another student walked in with shades, gloves, and all that jazz. He looked like a member of a biker gang, which was cool and intriguing. Better not judge someone fashion style. Through her chocolate munching, the young girl realized that he was indeed familiar. It was the pink eye guy, was it? The one who hugged the Russian blondie which she assumed to be his partner. For all she knew, it could be the same person. However, he seemed to not recognize Aurora.

Sup

That what he said. Was it an American slang that people used in those muggle movies? Never in her life she met someone who greets her with that word. Usually it was either a nice hi and hello or straight up insults and spell casting. Then, a quiet hello could be heard from the short haired girl next to the eagle. Such a basic answer for a cool version of what’s up. With zero knowledge of the meaning of the words she is about to say, Aurora raised her hand and lightly wave at him, then said, “S-sup-“ pausing for a bit, contemplated between saying it out loud or just scratch it from her mind. But she ended up spit it from her mouth, “-Dawg”

Her cheek was flushed, hoping it was not something offensive. It would be a problem if she anger everyone because of a word that she did not even know the meaning of. Dawg. Was it came from ‘dude’? or was it ‘dog’? Oh no. As she took another big bite do calm herself up, Santario, that was the name of the girl across her opened up a conversation which was nice. Almost thought the lizard owner was the type of person that was cold as ice. “N-nothing interesting, just dying my hair pink and getting a cat.” Along with training and exercise and all those tiring activities for the sake of quidditch revenge. Her brown eyes shifted from Mr. Lizard, Santario, the guy with shades, and her fellow second year, “what about you guys?” Her hand placed the white tote bag on her lap and continued, “I’m Aurora, by the way”

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Dakota smiled lightly hearing what Aurora had said. Maybe she should’ve just kept her straight face, but Dakota couldn’t help find it a bit funny. Dakotas head turned at the mention of summer plans from Santario, blinking for a moment as she debated about whether or not she should say all of what she was doing.

After a moment of considering Dakota parted her lips and seemed to actually speak louder this time, though she stayed in her curled up position “well, I’ll be heading to America to see my grandparents on their farm..” pausing, she tucked her hands against her knees ”..and then, I’ll probably help my aunt at the boutique she works at,” something Dakota would be paid for in muggle currency. She left a few parts out, not only would she be seeing her grandparents but also her cousins and the chocolate lab puppy that was meant to become a hunting dog but currently lived on the farm. It was certainly going to be a interesting month there.

Turning to look at Aurora, Dakota raised a thin eyebrow at the girl “dying your hair sounds like fun, are you also going to bleach it?” asking this softly, Dakota was genuinely curious. Pausing yet again, Dakota glanced around the compartment before her voice filled the empty air “I’m Dakota,” her already naturally cherry colored cheeks were faintly growing redder, something that happened when she spoke in a group of people she didn’t know.

@Aurora Ranvier
@ Santario Martin
@Howard White

@Santario Martin | @Dakota Olson | @Aurora Ranvier

After a satisfying moment with his lolly and a quick greeting, Howard would remove his shades and tuck them into a pocket in his jacket lining. Crimson colored eyes would quickly scan the compartment as the hi's and hellos began, landing first on the girl with a flower in her hair. No name would come to his mind, but he was sure he had seen her around the common room, so he at least knew one thing about her. His fellow Hufflepuff would receive a nod of approval...for now.

Howard's eyes would drift back to one of the faces he knew he had seen before. Her dark hair and striking blue eyes seemed so familiar. The name was just on the tip of his tongue when she would greet him and introduce herself. With a snap of his fingers his eyes would finally light up with recognition. "Santario! That's right." His tone was a bit boisterous as he spoke, very uncommon for those that knew him, but the end of the year had brought a sense of excitement and relief. The break from the routine was something he had been increasingly looking forward to for weeks now. He could sleep in as much as he wanted, laze about for as long as he wanted, stay up all hours of the night without pesky teachers expecting you to be up on time for class. "Doin' alright?" He asked her. It had been quite sometime since they had spoken. A whole year actually. He wasn't usually one for deeper conversations, but that night at the stargazing event had led to quite a meaningful conversation.

It would be then a little hand would rise into the air, waving in his direction. Howard shoved the lolly back in his mouth to stifle the laugh that threatened to escape his lips. It was clear that Aurora was not used to speaking in slang, but the effort was cute? He definitely was in an odd mood today as that thought went through his mind. Usually he wouldn't have missed the opportunity to poke fun at her. His nose would wrinkle as she mentioned getting a cat. It reminded him of all the furry little demons that ran around Hogwarts. Not only did their scent constantly catch his sensitive nose, but if he had to pluck one more damned hair off his robe he might just start feeding them to the Hags. "Should get a lizard like Santario." Was all he had to say about that.

"The States, huh? Which one?" America always seemed like some far away fantasy land to Howard. Even when the kids from Ilvermorny had come to visit he still felt like he knew nothing about it. "You from there too?"

His gaze would eventually make its way back to Santario. "I got me a whole manor all to myself." That was a hugh stretch of the truth, but Howard was excited about what may come of it. The actual truth was that he was staying with a Wizarding family in on one of their old estates. Though he may have to confirm to some of their rules, the chance to mostly do as he pleased was something he had been excited for. What about you, Santario?"

Santario Martin wrote: 8 Jul 2021, 04:47

Interacting @Howard White @Dakota Olson @Aurora Ranvier

Kahlan Reducio

Outfit Reducio

Santario quickly recognized her mistake. She had been a bit absorbed still in her journal when the offer of food had been presented. So while she had heard the girl, she had not listened to her. "Sorry, I ate not too long ago.” She hoped that had been enough to placate the girl. Sup… Dawg? That was a new one, and it had San hiding a smirk that played with the corners of her lips as the girl seemed a bit nervous or maybe just a lack of confidence. The smirk was quickly replaced by a crooked half-smile and an arch of a brow. Directed toward Howard in his revelation of her name. While she did not know him well enough to know if that outburst were normal for him or not, if she had to judge him based on last year, she would not think so. A slight nod of her head was her answer to his question. “A break from all the tests. It will be nice to breathe, even if it is temporary.” Cryptic, as most would assume she had meant their exams and classes, but that was not at all what she had meant.

Her eyes shifted back towards the girl now known as Aurora. “Couple of girls in my dorms used to have dyed hair. Pink seems like it would go good with your skin tone.” She wasn’t sure if that was true or not, but she spoke it with confidence that would make you think she knew what she was talking about. Her eyes slid back towards Howard when he mentioned her lizard, and she nodded her agreement. In fact, Santario was not the only one that agreed with that statement as little claws scraped across the windowsill. Kahlan’s little head poked out from behind the curtain as she appraised the room lazily before looking back out the window.

Soon known as Dakota, the girl spoke up about her plans to go to America; it was not something Santario could really relate with since she had never been. “Yes, tell us about what it is like there.” Santario genuinely mimicked Howard’s interest in Dakota’s American adventure. Then Howard spoke of having a manor all to himself, drawing her attention back to him meeting his gaze. She had not taken Howard for the manor life, but then again, that was just a testament to how little she knew him. His name had passed her lips in conversations that he had never been a part of, but it was only now that she remembered the boy next to her was still a complete mystery.

“I am forsaking the stuffy suits in France and staying in Ireland. Going to help my grandparents in their bakery in Wicklow and do some shopping in Dublin. Bask under the beautiful Irish moon on the beach at night before returning for Summer Camp in July. So, all in all, nothing exciting.” She smiled with a dreamy sigh. San had enough excitement as it was trying to help break Thomas’ curse while trying to convince much more nefarious people to help or at least provide much-needed information. The least that she deserved was a calm month off, but she would not be surprised if she did not get it.