13 Oct 2022, 00:29
A Taste of Freedom
Gwyn followed her mother wordlessly toward the Hogwarts Express, keeping perfectly in step with the older woman even as she was pushing a cart loaded with her trunk. Her hair was flawless, her posture completely perfect, and her mouth adequately silent. She was being seen, not heard, and she was the ideal picture of what the Bwye family was meant to be.
Immaculate. Elegant. Unblemished by the hardships of life.
She was the perfect young lady, and even her mother had no complaints regarding her behavior.
"Guinevere," her mother spoke with calmness, yet also with authority.
Gwyn didn't hesitate to answer, but she did allow a slight pause. It was one of the lessons she'd been taught as a girl: never appear too eager in a conversation. It is important to have control over a conversation, and that involves giving off an aura of neutrality when discussing any subject.
"Yes, mother?" she asked politely, allowing not a trace of emotion upon her face as she maintained her stride alongside the older woman.
"You will write one letter per week. More if the occasion demands. Remember that you are representing our family, and I will not tolerate tomfoolery," she said before halting and turning to look directly into Gwyn's eyes. Gwyn kept the eye contact with practiced ease.
"If I hear of even the barest hint of defiance or troublemaking, I will be most displeased. Is that clear?" she asked calmly.
Gwyn didn't need to answer. Her shaky nod was plenty of confirmation of her agreement. She stood stiffly as her mother pulled her into an awkward hug, but after a few seconds she tried her best to return it. Such displays of affection were rare.
"I love you, dearest," the older woman said with more emotion than Gwyn could ever remember the woman showing.
"I love you too, mother," she said with a slight smile of her own.
After final goodbyes, and loading her belongings onto the train, Gwyn took off, looking for an available compartment.
So many compartments were already taken, despite the fact that she was quite early. The train wouldn't even be leaving for nearly an hour. Apparently a lot of students were quite eager to return to Hogwarts.
She peeked into four compartments before she finally found an empty one. Opening the door slowly, she stepped inside and made her way to the window seat.
After sitting, Gwyn smoothed the wrinkles on her dress and waited silently, wishing she'd brought a book. Oh well. At least she could watch the landscape pass them by when the train started. For now, she would have to be content to watch other students.
It was going to be a long day.
Immaculate. Elegant. Unblemished by the hardships of life.
She was the perfect young lady, and even her mother had no complaints regarding her behavior.
"Guinevere," her mother spoke with calmness, yet also with authority.
Gwyn didn't hesitate to answer, but she did allow a slight pause. It was one of the lessons she'd been taught as a girl: never appear too eager in a conversation. It is important to have control over a conversation, and that involves giving off an aura of neutrality when discussing any subject.
"Yes, mother?" she asked politely, allowing not a trace of emotion upon her face as she maintained her stride alongside the older woman.
"You will write one letter per week. More if the occasion demands. Remember that you are representing our family, and I will not tolerate tomfoolery," she said before halting and turning to look directly into Gwyn's eyes. Gwyn kept the eye contact with practiced ease.
"If I hear of even the barest hint of defiance or troublemaking, I will be most displeased. Is that clear?" she asked calmly.
Gwyn didn't need to answer. Her shaky nod was plenty of confirmation of her agreement. She stood stiffly as her mother pulled her into an awkward hug, but after a few seconds she tried her best to return it. Such displays of affection were rare.
"I love you, dearest," the older woman said with more emotion than Gwyn could ever remember the woman showing.
"I love you too, mother," she said with a slight smile of her own.
After final goodbyes, and loading her belongings onto the train, Gwyn took off, looking for an available compartment.
So many compartments were already taken, despite the fact that she was quite early. The train wouldn't even be leaving for nearly an hour. Apparently a lot of students were quite eager to return to Hogwarts.
She peeked into four compartments before she finally found an empty one. Opening the door slowly, she stepped inside and made her way to the window seat.
After sitting, Gwyn smoothed the wrinkles on her dress and waited silently, wishing she'd brought a book. Oh well. At least she could watch the landscape pass them by when the train started. For now, she would have to be content to watch other students.
It was going to be a long day.