Closed A Step Towards Unity Group 2

A Step Towards Unity

Jan. 27 | mentioned in post |

Another errand. Taisia had bypassed a few of them, not being comfortable enough to do things like jump in the freezing lake. But this errand seemed... interesting. The Ravenclaw did not usually come out of her shell. But after Christmas Althea's words seemed to always be on her mind. It was time to do another crazy thing.

She had a small window between classes and the time of the event, only just managing to sprint (or run as fast as she could) upstairs from her Potions class- it was just her luck that she had her furthest class last- and change into one of her new outfits. As always, she felt subconscious showing her belly in the cropped green shirt and the white denim jeans, but she got more and more comfortable each day.

The tired girl didn't have as far to walk from her common room and headed to the fourth floor. Despite so many people who would be heading to the event, she managed to find herself alone and one of the first to enter the Rehearsal Room. She scanned the place and located her name on the list and took a seat. She then promptly stood back up, curious to see who else was in her group.

Taisia was surprised to find she actually knew most of the people in her group.

@Irina Sousa - her best- well they weren't best friends, but Nina was definitely Taisia's closest friend at Hogwarts.

@Beatrice Dupont - Taisia had already forgotten that Bea had blamed her for knocking into her when they first met. All she remembered was the friendly girl who she'd had hot chocolate with!

@Rebecca Loops - The second half of the prankster duo (Loops had been enlisted by Irina to help her put exploding bon bons in Tai's cereal). Taisia had yet to get back at them.

@Colin McCoire - Well everyone knew Colin. Famously for his love for Clair. Tai knew him as Bailey's friend. And if he was a friend of Bailey's he had to be nice.

@Lucian Mornstern - Taisia had met Lucien in the Astronomy Tower. But she was pretty confident the entire school knew him after his encounter with Ava.

@Howard White, @Bloom Silverton and @Piérre Marchonné were mysteries to her. Hopefully they would be nice enough.

She was somewhat disappointed that Edward wasn't in her group, but the feeling quickly changed to relief when she realised it meant she wouldn't have to be any more self conscious than she already was.

Taisia wondered who in the group wasn't a full human. And what creature would they be? She quickly sat down, realising someone else was walking towards her.

448/800

@Taisia Stroudefielde

Howard entered the Rehearsal Room with a little ball of purple fluff sticking out of his chest pocket. Gary the Pygmy Puff went most places with the young man ever since the two had found each other and today was no different. Howard’s crimson eyes scanned the room that hummed with activity. Dealla and he had planned this event and it was a joy to see it finally happening.

His history with advocating for part human and non-human rights was tinged with anger, regret and a bit of violence. For so long the boy had matched any form of rejection for what he was with fury. Easier to lash out in anger than to try and find room for understanding and acceptance. To have the hard conversations often seemed scarier than the intolerance. Not to mention that he had struggled to find self acceptance during those tumultuous years. However, as the boy grew to a young man and found his place and people, along with that came maturity. A clearer way of thinking about hard issues. Gone was the brashness and quick temper, in its place, some much needed control. That’s why today was so special. It was a chance to right the errors of his past along with the possibility to change a mind or two.

So, after a quick chat with Professor Regan, Howard made his way over to a grouping of chairs. One other was already there. “Hello, thank you for coming.” The Dhampir made his greeting before taking a seat. “I’m Howard White. Dee and I worked together to put this on today. I myself am a Dhampir.” The pale skin, clawed fingers and crimson eyes may have already given this away, but why not get the formalities over with. “May I ask what brings you here today?”

^{English:⁠★German:★French:★Thoughts:⁠★}

^{Word Count: 619}

★@Colin McCoire★@Howard White★@Irina Sousa★@Lucian Mornstern★@Taisia Elidine Stroudefielde★@Bloom Silverton★@Piérre Marchonné★@Rebecca Loops★

Outfit: Jeans and Sweater, Converse (changed quickly before going to the Rehearsal Room)

Beatrice wasn't sure what had driven her to go to this. A lot had happened the past few days and she did not want any more fights about this, that ended up with someone trying to kill someone else. Then she thought about it again. Her thoughts carried her as she walked through the halls of Hogwarts. Actually, she did know why she signed up. Her Parents had told her all kind of things about those dangerous creatures that roamed the woods of the wizarding world and made muggles and wizard children scared to sleep at night. But Beatrice did not want to be scared. And she wasn't. She wasn't scared of Irina, who had been one of the first people she had met here and one of her first friends. Irina was probably her best friend if Beatrice was honest. She also wasn't scared of Lucian. Well, she had been a little scared when he had slammed Ava into a wall and threatened her in a low voice, but that wasn't because he was a werewolf but because he had acted very aggressive.

All of that aside, Beatrice wanted to learn something new and go into this with an open mind and open heart. Sure, sometimes she came off as rather rude but overall, Beatrice was really nice and tried to accept most people. Unless they were mean to her, then she would be mean back. No matter if they were human or dhampir or werwolf or whatever there was. She was interested to see who was going to reveal themselves and who was going to just sit aside and do nothing. Or say nothing. Was someone going to lie about who they were? About what had led them to think they couldn't tell anyone? Whatever or whoever she would face today and what she would learn, would definitely be something that Beatrice would keep in mind.

Beatrice took a look at her watch, she was rather early but that didn't stop her from hurrying up the stairs and through the halls, so she would be at the Rehearsal Room in time. She hadn't been in there yet and she wondered what it looked like, surely they had set up tables and seats for the students to sit at. Maybe there was food as well, that was always good. When she walked in, Beatrice noticed Professor Regan and gave her a small smile as well as a wave. Then she looked around, there wasn't really anyone that Beatrice knew, at least she thought so until her eyes fell on Taisia. Beatrice had walked right into her and rather rudely blamed the Ravenclaw girl to be at fault. She cringed slightly as she thought back to that awkward moment. Beatrice let out a breath before walking over to Taisia and a boy that she did not know. He certainly looked older than them tho. At least a fourth year. More fifth or sixt. When she arrived, Beatrice plopped down on one of the couches.

»Good Afternoon« she said politely. »Uh, I'm Beatrice.« a small smile formed on her lips, this was rather awkward. »Hi Taisia.« her words and gaze were directed to the blonde Ravenclaw before she turned to the boy. »Hello, uh—« the realization of not knowing this boys name made Beatrice furrow her eyebrows a little. »And you are?« This wasn't meant to come off as mean or rude, more like interest but she wasn't sure how the older boy would take it. It was weird how social and friendly Beatrice could be at times and then other times she would just sit down and say nothing but her name or talk to no one at all.

@Howard White & @Taisia Stroudefielde

House Colours: Ravenclaw

Sure, Piérre knew that there were kids that were different from him; everyone was. That being said, there were others that were different 'races', but truth be told Piérre hated the idea of boxing any individual into a category. This included 'race'. In the end, they were all beings (as he had learned from his DADA classes) regardless of how they looked or whose genetics they came from. Perhaps this came in part from the fact that the boy had never truly known the roots of his lineage, nor did he know if he was something more special than being a simple 'human'. Indeed, he did have an acquaintance (an acquaintance that had beaten the snot out of him during a dueling match) who had taken up the habit of calling him 'elfy' due to the presence of his pointed ears that had the unfortunate habit of sticking out from underneath his poufy hair and drawing a good deal more attention to themselves than they probably deserved.

Still, that didn't mean that the boy was completely oblivious to the fact that some people didn't really agree with his sort of lenient and 'humanity/being'-based ideologies. He was all too aware of the violence that had taken place all around the magical world in the form of bombings and attacks; indeed, he had been a part of them in the form of the SCAR (none of that SCARAB nonsense back then) 2021 Hogwarts Express attack. Even today, the boy didn't completely understand why those things had happened, why anyone had felt the need to attack a caboose full of children... What had the message been? What was the message that they had wanted to send? Was it just violence for violence's sake? Was it just to send a message; that 'you are not untouchable and we are here', then why children of all people? Children.

And again, during the 2021 Trial by Fear, the boy had interfaced with Dhampirs. In one task, they were intended to trust a Dhampir enough to let them give a towel to clean away blood-smelling liquids that had been doused upon them. In the end the said liquid had been nothing but melted blood pops, but still... The fact that the school had felt the need to perform a task of that caliber was worrying to the boy. How could people hold such resentment at that high of a level that it required a schoolwide, almost 'Hunger Games' level event just to make the general issue more easily visible? What part of humans were humans-- or rather beings are beings-- was so difficult to comprehend? What part of "just get along" didn't people seem to understand? In the end, names were names, sights were sights, and senses deceived the mind. That one fact alone-- that senses deceived the mind-- was the very thing that made magicians and charlatans so successful.

Now you see me; now you don't.

At the end all be all, despite not being one with strong hatreds or beliefs on the 'race' issue, Piérre just wanted to talk to others to see what their opinions were and to see if he could understand where they were coming from so that he could somehow cause them to think a bit further outside of the box than they usually would in their everyday lives.

With a bronze and blue Ravenclaw scarf wrapped twice about his throat with the two ends falling down behind his back, the boy entered the fray with Figaro inside his messenger bag (meaning that the cat's head was sticking out of the spatially dilated object so that the poor critter could breathe) and with a pair of totally fake and comedically small-lensed spectacles perched on the end of his nose. Where had he gotten those spectacles? Good question, he had found them on the ground and had most definitely not tactically acquired them and then swapped out the prescription lenses just so he could pantomime an incredibly played up archetype of the raven house. Glancing about at the small group that had already gathered, the boy took notice that a few conversations had started already.

Well, naturally it would be rude to interrupt... so perhaps listening would befit him much better, at least for the moment. He did know, however, that the boy that was speaking to the girl was none other than Howard White himself; the Hogwarts Champion who was also a dhampir. Funnier still, he had been the very dhampir that had given Piérre a towel to dry himself with during the Trial by Fear. Quidditch player as well... and a Prefect.

Plenty of titles, that was for sure. In fact, Piérre was curious as to how many of his titles had been bequeathed to him just because of his character, and how many of them had been given just so that Hogwarts could make a point of praising those of alternate blood heritages or species. While Piérre certainly hoped that it was because of the former, the amount of politics and the sort spinning around and being vomited up by just about every other student that he was surrounded by on a daily basis really did make him wonder... After all, wouldn't if be just as species-ist to give titles or special treatment to those who were 'different' just as much as it would be to take away treatment or ability to do the things that others could do just because they were 'different'?

Food for thought, perhaps... but who was Piérre, an essential nobody in his own life (unknown heritage, unknown blood status, odd duck of known nationality and general nowhere man [which he happened to somewhat pride himself on since he didn't really like being boxed up into one category if he could help it]) to interpret what others believed without hearing it first from the horse's mouth?

So, the emerald eyes watched curiously the interaction between Howard White and the young girl, gently slipping into a nearby seat and scooting towards the wall so that he could get an eyeful of the whole scene instead of being confined to a visual bias of a small field of view. Despite himself, his mind was active with ideas and thoughts... it would probably only be a matter of time before he started rambling for rambling's sake; talkative Piérre would tend to be talkative, after all.

Dialogue: X | Thoughts: X

Reducio

Rina felt nervous during all day, the idea of telling to some random strangers about her identity was leaving her impatient and restless. Charms' class had finally ended and she started quickly to pack her school supplies on her bag, she wanted to go to her dorm first, change clothes and have a time of reflection before heading to the Rehearsal Room. She needed to calm down, visualize the possible scenarios that she would may find and what would be the best way to defend herself, but mostly defend her pack. She needed to feel prepared in every ways possible. The last events at school had left her insecure about her and her friends safety. Three weeks before Ava tried to kill Luci when she felt threatened by him because of his lycanthropy, who else would feel that way? Who would be at the meeting just to identify every single member of the pack without having good intentions for it?

When she arrived to her dorm she got rid of her school's uniform and picked up some more comfortable clothes and also some accessories that would speak for themselves, they say an image can speak more then a thousand words right? So she decided to wear her favorite necklace, a silver wolf howling to the moon, and a bracelet in the same theme. When she felt ready, she took her alder wood wand and put it in the pocket of her green coat and finally walked through the school corridors towards the room where the meeting was taking place.

With the end of classes for that day, the school halls were crowded with students talking, laughing and playing. Rina walked like she was seeing a movie unfold in front of her, she was feeling so anxious that she almost wasn't able to feel her own steps, like her body was moving but her mind was someplace else. Was when she saw a familiar blond haired girl walking her way, @Tesla Stone, the always so cheerful Hufflepuff could always bring comfort and happiness to Rina, just feeling her wonderful and light energy was enough to bring a smile to the curly-haired young Slytherin, "Tes!" Rina called her friend, "You're coming to the meeting too?" She joyfully asked.

They walked together then, side by side and Rina felt much more confident with her decision to come. Maybe is true, a wolf always needs its pack to face the big obstacles and challenges. This was a big step for Ree, she started school not wanting to share her secret with anyone, just the idea of it used to terrify her and now? Now she was walking towards a room full with students with who she had never shared a word and was showing and telling her most vulnerable truth. Who else would be there? She thought, were there other wolves? She imagined that there would be other students with different races... would she know them? Would they be able to be nice with each other? She deeply hoped for it, after all that was the intention behind this event. That's the main reason she decided to go, she wanted to show that werewolves are just like any other person and they don't represent any kind of threat or danger to others. Well...unless you harm one of them...in that case they may not be that harmless, let's be fair!

Arriving to the Rehearsal Room Irina felt her nerves kicking in again, like a punch in her stomach, and her steps got stuck at the room's entrance. It was like her instincts had came to surface at once and she felt enable to move. What now? She thought breathing a little heavier. Looking around she saw that some people had already arrived and they seemed to be separated into groups. The armchairs and couches were displayed in order to create small gathering inner circles. Irina thought it as a good and awesome idea, that way everyone would had the opportunity to talk and be heard. She took a deep breath then, finding courage to keep going. Her right foot was already leaving the floor when she felt something heavy colliding into her., "WOOH!", She lost completely control of her balance and her fall was inevitable. She tried to hold on to the doorjamb, but the impact was so unexpected that her fingers lightly brushed the wooden arch before she felt her back collide with the floor and an all-too-familiar scent invade her senses as well as a painful stung on her back from the impact, "Ouch!" She muttered closing her eyes from the pain. When she opened her eyes again who she saw made her heart escape a bit and suddenly the world stopped around her while she got lost in his warm chocolate eyes...

Interacting with: @Tesla Stone | @Lucian Mornstern
Group 2: @Colin McCoire | @Howard White | @Lucian Mornstern | @Beatrice Dupont | @Bloom Silverton | @Piérre Marchonné | @Rebecca Loops | @Taisia Stroudefielde

German: #3c071b English: #38571a Mother: #ff8648 Father: #ff7676 Grandad: #263e0f Brother:#4b7c6d

CLOTHES

Reducio

I didn’t have time to think though because I ended up falling over her legs and we landed in a heap on the floor. I actually felt like screaming as Grace landed harshly on me. “Get off me!” I cried trying to push the smaller girl off me. That boy is dead! I had half a mind to find that stuck up Fernandez girl and tell some dirty secret of his. She clearly didn’t like him. “Get of me or I swear to Salazar!” I pushed the lug off of me

"OWOOOO!! That's a point for me, laddie! We're tied now!" Colin tore off down the stairs, heading towards the rehearsal room for their afternoon activity. I growled and took of after @Colin McCoire, shoes squealing on the floor as I pushed the limit.

Wait. Where did he go? I looked to the side, behind me. I ran up the stairs (nearly dying as I forgot to mind where I ran) and called to any passing students. “MOVEEEE!” I yelled, squeezing past them. “I have a second year to have words with!” I squealed as I clipped an older lad with my shoulder.

“Coliiiin,” I called creepily, only just out of breath as I got to the fourth floor. That’s when I saw him! Or I thought I did. I took off again, using my leg power to catch up. But I wasn’t looking where I was going. I couldn’t stop myself in time when I finally saw the door. “Waaaa~” I yelled, slamming into the back of a girl, her cry of “Ouch,” sounding familiar. We went tumbling to the floor. Wait. She smelled familiar too. I let out a whine and the room cleared.

My wide eyes staring right into her’s.

“Urm. Hello Sousa,” I greeted cheekily. Pain. That’s what I felt not only physically but mentally too. Pain.

Attire: Usual school day attire: robes, shirt (buttons mismatched), tie (undone), kilt, neck ring, no shoes.

Reducio

Colin heard the ruckus Luci was making, trying to catch up to him in the corridor. A game of hallway hurling was always fun! He even got Vee to play a round, which was very satisfactory. Especially watching her careen into Luci right after Luci had talked all mushy to Vee. Chef's piss, as the muggles say! Colin wasn't really sure why muggles say 'chef's piss' when they like something; seemed kind of --- odd --- to Colin. But then again, so much of muggledom was a complete mystery to him!

"COLIIIIN!" came Lucian's cry. Colin smirked as he waited by the rehearsal room door, just inside. Colin listened as Luci's rushing footsteps got closer. Wait for it lad! And --- now! Colin opened the door wide just as Lucian bowled through! He skidded to a stop! Colin turned his head to see what would happen. "Waaaa!" the boy yelled as he skidded right into Rina's back!

"Whoa!" Colin said, as Rina cried out in surprise. "Wasn't expecting that, lad! Hey Rina, Tes! Didn't see you lot there!" Colin gave his friends a smile, though his brows furrowed slightly. Kind of odd that Tes and Rina should be here together. Not odd that they were here, but odd in that Colin knew both were wolves. Did they know that about each other!? Hm. He'd have to find out about that!

For now, though, it was enough to punch Luci in the arm, wink and say: "Go on lad! Give her a snog!"

Colin laughed, then turned to find out where they supposed to be. He hoped to see Clair here, so he went further into the room, hopping up and down to get a better view. "Mr McCoire!" Professor Regan caught Colin's attention and pointed over towards one of the tables. "Your table is over there."

Colin span around, following Professor Regan's finger towards a table. "Woohoo!" he whooped as he skipped across the room towards the table. "Come on, Luci!" he called over his shoulder. "Catch me if you can!" Colin saw quite a few kids he knew. Angel Fyre, of course! This was the sort of errand she was sure to attend --- and her boyfriend with her! Colin sighed inwardly. He hoped Clair would show up! Ever if they weren't in the same group, at least she would be here, not far away!

At his own table, Colin recognised Piérre right away. There were a couple girls there already that he didn't know, a Ravenclaw and a Slytherin; and also an older Hufflepuff boy that he'd seen in the corridors --- and narrowly avoided running into playing some game or other! "Ayo!" he said, poking Piérre in the back. Choosing the chair next to the Gryffindor, Colin hopped up on to it. He wiggled his bare toes happily, looking around the table. He couldn't help but notice the cute Ravenclaw girl's cut off shirt. "Whoa! Nice!" he said before he realised he'd said anything. "Er!" his hands flew up to cover his mouth and he blushed intensely. He felt hot, so tried to loosen his tie. Of course, it was already undone and dangling and the top buttons of his shirt were already open. Great way to make a fool of yourself Colin lad!

He dropped his satchel on the table and arranged his kilt more comfortably before crouching down onto the chair. "Er. I'm Colin," he said. Of course, he would have to choose the chair right across from Clair's housemate! He wondered if she was at the spin the bottle game at the beginning of the year. He shook his head like a dog, trying to clear his mind. At least he recognised the Slytherin girl. He remembered her from Rina's ill fated dorm party but wasn't sure what her name was. Bernice or Bellatrix or something like that! He smiled and fingered the wolf fang that hung on its cord before eventually settling into a sitting position. "'M a wolf!"

"I reckon that's the point of this, right? Find out who the 'monsters' are --- at least that's what I heard. I know we've got a reputation, but I'm not afraid to say what I am." He nodded firmly, not knowing what the others would think or say. His mind swirled mostly with how positive Clair had been when he told her before the ball. He had yet to meet anyone who truly hated werewolves, but this errand seemed like the best place to meet someone like that!

OOC Note: Howard, if any annoying first or second year Slytherin has ever stuck his tongue out at you or skidded by you in the corridors, that was very likely Colin messing around and horse playing between classes!

@Howard White | @Beatrice Dupont | @Bloom Silverton | @Piérre Marchonné | @Rebecca Loops | @Taisia Stroudefielde | @Lucian Mornstern || Mentions @Clair Fernandez | @Angelfyre McCubbin

Dialogue: X | Thoughts: X

Reducio

Interacting with: @Tesla Stone | @Lucian Mornstern | @Colin McCoire | @Howard White | @Lucian Mornstern | @Beatrice Dupont | @Bloom Silverton | @Piérre Marchonné | @Rebecca Loops | @Taisia Stroudefielde
Mentioning: @Clair Fernandez

Bloom was just a human. But her closeness to someone who was not human, but a Damphir, had made her want to be a part of the unity as an ally. Bloom wanted to support Howard, and also Dealla in their want to bring together the students of Hogwarts. She knew it needed to start small before it could become bigger and a unity forms outside of the castle walls.

Entering the rehearsal room, Bloom saw that there were several groups coming together from various seats. Looking around, she saw a group that she belonged to because her Damphir was there. Bloom walked over with a smile and sat down in an armchair next to Howard.

"Sorry I'm late!" she said, as she grabbed a cookie that was made available in the middle of the circle. Wearing a denim pencil skirt, she crossed her legs and hunched over eating the sprinkle cookie. Bloom did hear the tail end of the conversation when someone had shared that they were a werewolf. She looked at the girl and saw how young she was. Never would Bloom have suspected her to be a werewolf. It was crazy to think that the school was filled with so much diversity and it was finally coming out.

"For those who don't know me, I'm Bloom Silverton. I'm a sixth year and I am an ally," she said, referencing that she was only human and nothing more. She wasn't sure if this was the time to state that she was dating Howard. If anything, everyone knew that she was dating the Hogwarts Hexwizard Champion.

WC: 267