Closed Hello, Old Friend PV Wren Windgazer

Stepping out of the castle, Wren suppressed a slight shiver as a sudden gust of frigid air hit her in the face. Her gloved fingers tightened on her broomstick in response, and she was suddenly very glad she'd decided to wear her warm coat and boots. It wasn't a shock that it was cold outside, though, as the gray sky was visible from the numerous castle windows. Wren knew that it would be smarter to stay inside like nearly every other student, but she couldn't stand being cooped up in the Gryffindor common room. She only hung out in there when practically no one was around, and right now it was bustling with kids trying to stay warm. No matter. She'd been wanting to take her broom out for one last spin before it started snowing.

The frosty ground crunched beneath her boots as she walked down to The Great Lake. The past year had been a bit lonely, but the lake had become a comfortable, familiar place. Occasionally, she even saw the giant squid that lived in the depths of the water. She couldn't say he looked all that dangerous, but it was fun to mess with the first years. "Don't go near the edge or the squid will get you! He'll grab your legs and pull you into the water!" she often teased. Lately, she'd taken to calling the squid Mateo. Why? No clue.

I wonder if he'll be close to the surface today. She picked up the pace. When she was nearly at the water's edge, she froze. Only a short distance away, on the usually deserted shores, was a girl. Wren inched closer to see who it was, and she swore her heart missed a beat when she realized who the girl was. Paisley.

Before the girl could see her, Wren quickly climbed onto her broom and silently lifted into the sky to debate her next move. Flying back to the castle seemed like the most reasonable option since they hadn't talked in nearly a year. She hadn't seen her yet... it would work! Except... Completely uninvited, another thought worked its way into her brain. Maybe, by some chance, she has seen you! In that instance, she couldn't just walk away! Wren muttered something that was incoherent even to her and leaned down slightly to make the broom move forward. As long as she was here, and Paisley was here, she might as well have some fun. They used to annoy each other all the time! It would be just like old times... Wren cut off the rest of her thought before she even knew where it was going.

"Fancy seeing you here, Needles." Wren said as she flew right in front of Paisley's face, attempting to startle her. Bringing the broom to hover over the water, only a foot away from her arch-nemesis, she let her eyes lock onto Paisley's.

Reducio

@Wren Windgazer

Paisley leapt to her feet. "Hey! Some personal space would be nice, thanks." She spat. She attempted to compose herself, quickly straightening out her hair. What were the chances that Wren had jus flown up to her? Paisley had always felt that Wren had the unsettling ability to sense things...had Wren known she was thinking about her? Of course not, that's ridiculous. Paisley reminded herself. She's a human being, not an animal that can smell fear. "You know, you really shouldn't be riding your broomstick so close to the lake. You're going to fall in, and I'll have no choice but to jump in after, and we all know what that means.. Paisley shook her head sadly. "You'd be indebted to me forever."

Wren made Paisley say and do stupid things. That was how the two of them had wound up in detention. Wren simply hovering there on her broomstick was enough to make Paisley's brain short circuit. Her mouth had opened, and in an instant she was already off on some dumb tangent that made absolutely no sense.

She took a moment to look at Wren. Really look at her, not just let her eyes wander over to her desk during potions, when she should have been mixing. While Wren's overall appearance hadn't changed much, something about her certainly had. She seemed...older. Which, given the fact that it had been over two years since the two had interacted, made sense.

Still, her presence didn't invoke the same sense of raw hatred it had when they were younger. Instead, she felt weary. Suspicious, perhaps, because Wren was the type to have some sort of ulterior motive, but there was no longer any anger between them. At least, none that Paisley felt. Wren might still hate her guts, which was entirely fair.

Paisley caught herself staring, and looked away, face burning with embarrassment.

"So, Wren Windgazer. What brings you to this part of the lake? Early in the morning? While it's freezing cold outside?" Paisley said. "Just couldn't stay away from me for a second longer?" She said sarcastically. The question was twinged with truth.

Part of her wondered if Wren was curious about her. Which, of course, was absolutely ridiculous. Wren hadn't ever given Paisley the time of day, and it was crazy to think she'd start now. Still, she had approached her. It had been a long time, both of them had matured. Maybe that was a sign. Maybe Wren was looking to be friends.

"Hey! Some personal space would be nice, thanks." Paisley snapped. Wren couldn't help smiling at the girl's sharp tongue. It had been a long time since they'd quarreled, though Wren would never admit that she missed it. Sure, there had been some... unpleasant and rather dangerous times, but nothing had gotten them expelled. As long as they didn't cross that line, there was no harm done.

Well... Wren suppressed a shudder as she remembered the time they got detention. Even now, that had to be one of the most humiliating and horrible experiences of her life. Not many things compared to that day. Still, she couldn't push away her happiness at finally interacting with her again. For a moment, Wren let her eyes wander to Paisley's. They weren't anything special, but she found herself drawn to them.

"You know, you really shouldn't be riding your broomstick so close to the lake." Paisley's voice broke through her thoughts, "You're going to fall in, and I'll have no choice but to jump in after, and we all know what that means..." Paisley shook her head sadly. "You'd be indebted to me forever."

Wren scoffed, "Hardly. I don't fall, and even if I did I wouldn't need you to save me."

Might as well show off a little. She made a quick note of the fortunately nonexistent wind, then started to make her way into a standing position. Nearly two years of trial and error kept the broom perfectly still as she stood on the broom stick. She held her arms out for extra balance. Wren lifted her head confidently and huffed a short, defiant laugh.

Now that she was standing, Wren felt the lack of conversation growing awkward. And Paisley was staring. Something inside of her stirred, and she didn't know if she liked it or not.

"Why so quiet, Needles? Reminiscing over old times?" she teased, leaning slightly forward. The broom obeyed, carrying her smoothly to Paisley. They were so close Wren could reach out and touch her shoulder if she wanted to. Clouds of frozen breath hung between them, but Wren could see Paisley's cheeks redden slightly as she looked away.

"So, Wren Windgazer. What brings you to this part of the lake? Early in the morning? While it's freezing cold outside? Just couldn't stay away from me for a second longer?"

"Oh, you know how it is, Needles. I just can't resist having fun! It's merely unfortunate for you that my definition of 'fun' often means bothering you." Wren pulled a sad face before breaking into laughter, "Come on, Needles, lighten up! This is hardly the worst thing that's happened to us. I seem to recall someone forgetting what day it was, and almost turning into a werewolf. Outside the shrieking shack. Next to me."

Reducio

@Wren Windgazer

"Hardly. I don't fall, and even if I did I wouldn't need you to save me." Wren said.

Paisley crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Fine. Remind me of that again when I'm dragging your cold body out of the lake." She shook her head.

In a couple of swift movements, Wren hopped onto the top of the broom and held out her arms by her side. Paisley didn't move a muscle, refusing to seem impressed. Wren chuckled, looking smug.

Showoff...

"Why so quiet, Needles? Reminiscing over old times?" She floated forward, her face growing dangerously close to Paisley's. The last time they had been this close together, well...let's just say it had involved a two-person sweater, some plants, and some other memories Paisley would rather not dig up at the moment.

"Maybe I am." she said, a little more defensively than she had meant. Their eyes caught, and for a moment it was impossible to turn away. Then Paisley's face flushed and she shuffled back awkwardly. "So, Wren Windgazer. What brings you to this part of the lake? Early in the morning? While it's freezing cold outside? Just couldn't stay away from me for a second longer?"

Nice recovery, Brown.

"Oh, you know how it is, Needles. I just can't resist having fun! It's merely unfortunate for you that my definition of 'fun' often means bothering you." She pouted, her lips drawn into a false frown. Then she straightened up and laughed. "Come on, Needles, lighten up! This is hardly the worst thing that's happened to us. I seem to recall someone forgetting what day it was, and almost turning into a werewolf. Outside the shrieking shack. Next to me."

That was when Paisley remembered why she didn't like Wren. She had been wracking her brain, trying to find reason within the odd muddle of emotions Wren had conjured up inside of her. Now, it was plain as day. She wondered how she had ever forgotten.

Wren, without a doubt, knew things. Things she had no business knowing. This was just one example, but Paisley swore there had to be more. She was nosy, and, worst of all, quiet. No one would expect her to know as much as she did.

"Notice how you said almost? Nothing like that has happened since, has it? Besides, please don't say it so loud, someone could hear you." Paisley's ears burned.

She hated that Wren knew about her being a werewolf. She hated that Wren had brought it up, like it was some little schoolyard secret, and not the thing she hated most about herself. She hated this whole situation. Most of all, more than anything, she hated the nature of the secret entirely. Why couldn't people know? What was stopping her from telling the entire school?

Most of the other students wouldn't even care. She reminded herself. That was what she always told herself, in case the secret got out. It made her feel a little better, even if it was a complete lie.

"You owe me," She blurted out. "It's not fait that you get to know my biggest secret, and I don't even know your favorite color. You owe me." Paisley searched Wren' face for a reaction.

"Notice how you said almost? Nothing like that has happened since, has it?" Paisley started. Wren was about to shrug when she continued, "Besides, please don't say it so loud, someone could hear you."

Wren smiled, "I make no promises. Why do you care about being a werewolf anyway? Have you hurt someone?"

Wren knew all too well the dangers of werewolves. Sometimes she felt like a magnet for the creatures. Multiple friends and family members had the condition, and with all the time she'd spent with werewolves over the span of her life, Wren was surprised that she hadn't been bitten by one. Paisley almost turning right next to her was dangerously close to a disaster, but somehow she'd pulled out of it unscathed. It seemed to be a common theme with her: getting in trouble and somehow managing to narrowly avoid the danger.

"Maybe you just don't want to get in trouble." she paused, "Which in that case, I'd be of no help to you."

A slight wind blew through the air, and Wren couldn't stop a shiver from coursing through her body. She lowered herself back down to sit on her broom and stared expectantly at Paisley. She didn't know what she was waiting for. Another thing to tease the girl about? Confirmation that she had done something, and Wren wouldn't be in the wrong is she told everyone about the werewolf? Wren looked down at the water below her. A thin mist obscured her reflection.

Making a decision, she looked back to Paisley and flew next to her. The broom still hovered in the air, but the tips of her shoes could now skim the ground.

"Climb on, Needles. I need to show you something."

Reducio

@Wren Windgazer

"I make no promises. Why do you care about being a werewolf anyway? Have you hurt someone?"

Paisley's jaw dropped in a cartoon-like manner. "Why-I...no! Of course not!" she said incredulously. It wasn't the question itself that offended her, but rather the person it was coming from. "You...certainly have a lot of nerve, Dipper, for asking me such a question and expecting me t-to just be okay with it!" she said, crossing her arms firmly. "Remind me again why I'm even still talking to you?"

Cheeks reddened with anger and cold, Paisley turned on her heel and promptly began to walk away. She was already making plans of curling up in the Gryffindor common room (far away from Wren), and studying for her upcoming test. It was only the sound of Wren's ever-aggravating voice that stopped her in her tracks.

"Maybe you just don't want to get in trouble. Which in that case, I'd be of no help to you."

Paisley rolled her eyes. "Yeah, okay," she muttered through clenched teeth. She turned back around. Something flipped inside of her, and she stomped right back down the snow-covered path. "You know what, Wren Windgazer? I despise you. Y-you're arrogant, and nosy, and don't know when to shut up!" She uncrossed her arms, combing her fingers through her hair. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be..." she trailed off as Wren met her eye.

Wren flew closer to her, feet scraping along the pebbly beach. "Climb on, Needles. I need to show you something."

The anger in Paisley melted away. She looked back and forth from the empty spot on the broom, to Wren, then back again. Wren's eyes were twinkling with sincerity; a rare occurrence in the eyes of the Gryffindor girl.

Paisley's heart skipped a beat, and she looked away. Her brain was already going a million miles a second, coming up with all sorts of improbable scenarios. She tried to decipher the meaning behind the offer, but she couldn't make sense of any. Once again, Wren's motives were a mystery.

"Is this a joke? I mean...I..." Paisley exhaled, her breath puffing out in front of her.

It couldn't hurt to just say yes. What's the wort that could happen? You've already been standing here chatting with Wren anyways. Would it really hurt to move the conversation to the sky? Besides, she was curious. What could Wren possibly want to show her?

Begrudgingly she stepped forward. "I guess, but only because you offered." she climbed onto the back of the broom. "I'd like to make one thing very clear before we embark, though, Dipper. This is not because I like you, or because we're friends or something."

Deciding on her next move, Wren waited, albeit slightly impatiently, for the girl to calm down. She hadn't expected her last words to anger her so much. For the moment, she kept any thoughts or emotions hidden away. She wanted Paisley to accept, not come to any false conclusions, and so she let her rant away about how horrible she was. Wren had to bite her lip to stop herself from snapping something in return. She inhaled slowly and focused on keeping her expression neutral.

Finally, Paisley let their eyes meet. Honoring her choice, Wren flew closer until they were side by side. The broom still hovered in the air, but the tips of her shoes could now skim the ground.

"Climb on, Needles. I need to show you something." she said, refusing to break their eye contact.

"Is this a joke? I mean...I..." Paisley exhaled, her breath puffing out in front of her. Wren waited, "I guess, but only because you offered."

Wren felt the broom dip downwards as Paisley climbed onto the back. She could hear her breathing behind her and feel a bit of warmth radiating from her body.

"I'd like to make one thing very clear before we embark, though, Dipper. This is not because I like you, or because we're friends or something."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Needles. I suggest you hold on."

And because she was feeling like a good person today, she waited until the other girl was ready. The broom moved and tilted slightly as Paisley tightened her grip on the wood and made sure she wouldn't fall off. When everything stilled and went quiet, Wren took that as her cue to get going. Lying closer to the broom, they shot through the air like a bolt of lightning. The wind whipped her hair back, and the cold bit at her exposed skin, but she didn't care. Adrenaline flooded her veins as they sped across the grounds in the direction of the forbidden forest. It wasn't as spooky as it was at night, but the treetops still shrouded the ground in shadow. They wove between the thick trunks, and hung close to the ground so the eternal mist covered them like a cloud. Then, without warning, Wren made the broom shoot them directly upward, through the treetops, and into the sky. She felt a branch cut through a layer of skin on her forehead, but still she was refraining from crying out with joy.

Remembering that Paisley was on the back, she slowed their speed to a cruise. The tallest tree in the forest didn't come close to reaching them, but Wren marveled at the height. The whole grounds and castle was visible from their position in the freezing sky.

"Take a good look, Needles. You see everything down there?" she said, "You wouldn't know it now, but that whole castle is filled with people, and I'm completely convinced that you're terrified of any of them finding out that you're a werewolf."

Just like you, said a voice in her head, "Parselmouth, parselmouth, parselmouth...! The word played on repeat in her head. She closed her eyes for a moment, pushing the voice out of her mind.

"But I can guarantee you that every single one of them has their own problems." she continued, "Look around you, Needles. There's a huge world out there. Who cares about what a couple of teenagers think?"

She let herself fall silent for a moment, trying to enjoy the view.

"Just... try to remember that. What makes you different makes you strong."

Reducio

@Wren Windgazer

Paisley took a moment to situate herself. Then, only a moment later, Wren took off, flying so fast it knocked the breath out of her.

Paisley was no stranger to flying a broomstick, and she admired the skill that seemed to come naturally to Wren. They were heading straight for the Forbidden Forest.

Paisley opened her mouth to protest, but then decided against it. She simply shut her eyes, protecting them from the sharp wind that nipped at her. She let her tight grip on the broomstick relax, and for a moment, she felt almost peaceful.

Then, with her token amazing timing, Wren decided to shoot upwards through the trees. Paisley let out a scared yelp, sliding sideways. She frantically wrapped her arms around Wrens waist, then immediately withdrew them.

“Sorry,” she coughed awkwardly.

As the speed of the broomstick slowed, so did Paisleys heartbeat. She gazed thoughtfully out over the castle, admiring its beauty. From the ground, it was easy to forget just how breathtaking the sight of Hogwarts could be.

"Take a good look, Needles. You see everything down there? You wouldn't know it now, but that whole castle is filled with people, and I'm completely convinced that you're terrified of any of them finding out that you're a werewolf. But I can guarantee you that every single one of them has their own problems." she continued, "Look around you, Needles. There's a huge world out there. Who cares about what a couple of teenagers think?"

Paisley stayed silent, her lips pursed tightly together.

"Just... try to remember that. What makes you different makes you strong."

Paisley’s cheeks went pink. “Well, sure.” she said, looking down. “If your difference is speaking another language, or having a unique eye color or something. Those are all super cool. But wouldn’t you be ashamed if you periodically turned into an ugly monster? It’s like…like…” her chest tightened, and she gulped. If she didn’t say this to Wren, she might never say it to anyone. “It’s like I’ve lost control of a part of myself. I can’t believe that so much of my life will be wasted, looking like an animal, hiding out in a stupid shack. It’s…” She stopped. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I dumped all that on you.”

She met the girl’s eye. “Wren?” Her voice was quiet. “I…I…” She wasn’t quite sure what she was going to say. Her eyes traveled to her forehead. “You’re bleeding,” She observed. “I wish that I had brought bandages or something. But I wasn’t quite expecting this when I first came out to the lake today,” she smiled. “It sure feels good to get back to bickering, doesn’t it? I missed…this.”

You.

She had wanted to say you. Because in her own odd, twisted, way, Wren had been a big part of Paisley’s life. When she realized they had slowly fallen out of contact, it didn’t exactly hurt the way breaking off a friendship did, but it still left Paisley wondering about what might have happened if the two of them hadn’t hated each other so much.

However, something was different now than it had been two years ago.

Two years ago, Paisley would have been truly appalled at the thought of climbing onto a broomstick and flying off with Wren. Now, she had to admit, she was sort of enjoying this excursion. It was better than studying for a stupid test, that was for sure.

She swung her leg over the side of the broom and sat on it like it was a bench. She decided that, if Wren got to know she was a werewolf, she deserved to know a little more about her. It was only fair, after all.

“So, Wren, what’re your deep dark secrets? I’m just dying to know,” she said, resting her chin in the palm of her hand and batting her eyelashes. It was time for her to take a crack at patronizing Wren. “Are you a werewolf too? Or perhaps you’re half-veela, or related to vampires or something like that? That’d be cool. And it’d make sense. Vampires and werewolves aren’t supposed to get along, right?” Paisley said, then she giggled. “Oh, I just thought of the perfect question. Do you have a crush on anyone? Any particular boy stand out to you?” She wiggled her eyebrows expectantly.

"Just... try to remember that. What makes you different makes you strong."

Wren's own words rang in her head. It was so easy to give advice, but following it herself was a whole other story. She lived on being different. Being on her own was freedom. No one to hold her back, no one to change her, and yet for some reason... life kept throwing her back at Paisley. She turned her head so she could see the girl out of the corner of her eye. Her cheeks had turned a rosy shade of pink.

“Well, sure.” she said, looking down, “If your difference is speaking another language, or having a unique eye color or something."

Wren's heart seized at her words, and for a moment she thought she stopped breathing. Beneath her gloves, she was sure her knuckles were white from gripping the broom so hard.

She relaxed slightly when Paisley continued, "Those are all super cool. But wouldn’t you be ashamed if you periodically turned into an ugly monster? It’s like…like…”

Like something is wrong. Like you're not natural. Like... like...!

“It’s like I’ve lost control of a part of myself. I can’t believe that so much of my life will be wasted, looking like an animal, hiding out in a stupid shack. It’s…” She stopped. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I dumped all that on you."

Wren stayed silent for a moment. Comforting reply, or maybe a snappy comment? Understanding or disgust? Surely Paisley had to be suspicious as to why she was being so nice, but was that really so bad? Of course it is! Just think of what she'll think when she founds out you hid being a parselmouth from her, and caused her grief for being a werewolf!

Despite her self-deprecating thoughts, she found herself saying, "If it's any consolation, I don't think being a werewolf is 'wasting your life.' It's just a unique way to spend your time."

She pried her hands off the broom and pretended to fix her gloves, "And if you're going to dump your life story on someone, it might as well be someone that annoys you. That way you don't have to worry your friends."

The silence that hung between them might have only a second, but for Wren it felt like an hour. Why was she saying all this? They weren't friends! Thankfully, Paisley changed the subject.

“Wren?” Her voice was quiet. “I…I… you’re bleeding. I wish that I had brought bandages or something. But I wasn’t quite expecting this when I first came out to the lake today."

Wren laughed as Paisley smiled and continued, "It sure feels good to get back to bickering, doesn’t it? I missed…this."

"I barely noticed the cut. It'll be fine." she paused, "I missed it too."

Paisley swung a leg over the broom so she was sitting sideways, and Wren followed suit. She told herself it was so they could see each other easier. Truthfully, she was trying not to notice how their fingers were almost touching. For a moment, the only thing that existed was the still world them and the beautiful girl beside her.

Wren didn't have time to do a double take at the word "beautiful" as Paisley changed the subject, "So, Wren, what’re your deep dark secrets? I’m just dying to know. Are you a werewolf too? Or perhaps you’re half-veela..."

Half-veela?! They're beautiful, surely Paisley didn't mean that!

"... or related to vampires or something like that?"

That's more like it.

"That’d be cool. And it’d make sense. Vampires and werewolves aren’t supposed to get along, right?” Paisley said, then she giggled. Wren's heart leapt at the sound, “Oh, I just thought of the perfect question. Do you have a crush on anyone? Any particular boy stand out to you?"

Wren laughed as the girl wiggled her eyebrows.

"I might be able to think of someone." she teased, curious how Paisley would react. Uninvited, the memory of Paisley holding onto her when they were flying had surfaced in her mind, "But I'll never tell. What about you? I bet some boy is swooning over you."

She nudged her shoulder playfully, trying to keep her mind busy so she didn't have to think about why she was acting like this.