Off to Friendship PV Fin.

January 5, 2023
Hogwarts Express

Interactions: @Lindsey Springhall Mentions: n/a

Closed PV

En avant.

Moving forward. Step by step. A simple phrase for a simple concept but one that was necessary to embrace. There was no going backward. Backward meant a return to that personal darkness where anger and despair held dominion over reality. He refused to return to that place where emotion overruled reason and logic. Where he had no control.

"En avant,” he repeated with an accent that betrayed a potential fluency in the language. “One of my relatives was rather fond of saying that. For all the pain that I endured she experienced it twice over and yet still found a way to move forward. It is indeed rather inspiring, is it not?”

The boy smiled warmly, momentarily lost in somber thought as he glanced out the window at the Scottish Highlands rolling across his vision. Her words were kind. Certainly kinder than he expected from an acquaintance and it took a good measure of control not to allow tears to begin falling. He took a deep breath and focused on a happy memory, returning himself somewhat contradictorily to the present as he continued listening to the Hufflepuff.

"He’ll be so proud of you."

“Yours will be too.”

Cassius was not sure why he said that but it felt the right thing to say in that moment. His piercing blueish gray eyes full of a just barely repressed sadness met her gaze and lingered there for a time. It could very well have been the worst thing he could have said but nobody ever claimed he was particularly good with reading emotions. “I could have perhaps chosen a more upbeat topic to begin the school year,” he mused, managing a weak chuckle.

The moment was broken by the sound of a conductor in the hallway of the train car announcing they would soon arrive at their destination.

“Well,” the young Ravenclaw began to say, a brightness returning to his demeanor. He straightened his posture and stretched, both arms reaching behind his head until a satisfying crack provided some immediate relief to his body after sitting intermittently for multiple hours. “Time travels quickly when one is in good company.”

He stood up and grabbed hold of one of the railings above their head for support. “I will go retrieve one of my bags from a nearby cabin. Until we meet again, Miss Lindsey Springhall. Keep in contact, hm?”

Cassius inclined his head politely to the Hufflepuff and offered an even more dramatic inclination of his head to Napoleon before carefully making his way out of the cabin and closing the door behind him.

En avant.

Reducio

No worries! The replies are always worth waiting for.

@Cassius Eden

The train was pulling away from the station, when compartment door was drawn aside swiftly and a silhouette showed up behind the glass. Napoleon meowed at the sound and raised his right paw to scratch her leg gently, signifying to his little mistress about the newcomer. Lindsey raised a brow at the person. Huh, it had only be minutes after she considered seeking herself a companion, and that was quick. It was a boy, someone who seemed fairly familiar, yet Lindsey had no idea who he was. A student from her year but not her own house? No, she had at least caught a glimpse of every of her classmates, quiet or not, but this one certainly wasn’t stored in her memory. Chocolate brown eyes gazed at him with confusion, when he introduced himself and clearly stated out her own name. “…Cassius?” Not a very common first name, and almost at once she caught that small piece of fragment deep in her brain. That was indeed a long time ago, she thought, nostalgia flooding into her heart. Summer camp, 2020, crafting activity - if she hadn’t mistaken - when they first had a brief interaction, limited to exchanging names and a few short comments. She didn’t really know Cassius well, having not seeing him around Hogwarts a lot after that, and if she remembered correctly he wasn’t among those Ravenclaw fourth years last term. A break from school because of some personal matters, perhaps? Natural curiosity took her, but the only thing she did was to smile at him with the typical Hufflepuff friendliness.

“It’s good to see you again. It’s been quite a while indeed.” Her lips curled up in a small curve, the light in her eyes shining genuinely. “Do take a seat! I’d be honoured to have you as a companion.” Lindsey winked, while Napoleon meowed again as if reminding the two human beings of his existence. Lindsey scratched its smooth fur gently, before raising her head up to face Cassius again. “And this is Napoleon. He’s quite a naughty little boy, and I hope you wouldn’t mind him.” She chuckled slightly, and leaning backwards to rest herself cozier in the soft seat. After some moments of observations, she was pretty sure that she could still identify the soon-to-be-second-year Cassius from this grown up one - which again reminded her of that happy time, of that golden days. “I’m glad that you still remember me.” She started slowly with the hope of getting to know him more, but soon found out that she had nothing more to say in mind. Ah, she really really wasn’t as social as she used to be - and even though she tried hard, Lindsey didn’t think she could ever go back to that younger self. How disappointing it was, when such a situation that needed social skills came. Cassius seemed nice enough, and how she wished to get to know him and relate the things happened to them after their brief meeting!

And so she said nothing in a minute or two but smiled gently scratched Napoleon’s ears. Finally she had something in mind, something that might can strike up a conversation with an acquaintance that was nearly a stranger. “Um…I hope you are doing great so far?” A safe question, indeed.

January 5, 2023
Hogwarts Express

Interactions: @Lindsey Springhall Mentions: n/a

Closed PV

It took much of his resolve not to audibly exhale in relief when the fourth year offered him a seat. He had traversed four train cars, dodging every manner of enchanted toy, sweet, and wayward pet before coming to this particular compartment where he might find respite. After a year long absence it all seemed so childish and juvenile. He had gotten older. More mature. Even at just fourteen he felt like he had lost much of his childhood. He had caught a glimpse of the adult world, the very real and very dangerous world, and it was not all cauldron cakes and fudge flies.

The door slid closed behind him as he stepped into the compartment. Lifting his arms above his head, he stashed his brown leather satchel on the storage rack above the seat before taking a seat opposite the pureblood and her bengal. The cushions, by no means luxurious or designed for long term comfort, might as well have been goose down pillows hand-stuffed by a divine entity to the third year’s muscles. Once settled, he cast his own smile to the girl, the light in his eyes matching her own.

“I do not know whether I would call it an honor to have myself as a companion, but the pleasure is certainly mine,” he said with a soft chuckle, brushing back a stray strand of hair on his forehead that had separated itself from the others. “You would not imagine the chaos that is being allowed on the train this year. Was it always like this? It is practically the Battle of Waterloo out there.”

He caught himself and cast an apologetic look towards the stately looking cat beside his compartment companion. “Ah, sorry Napoleon. Too soon?” He commented, failing to hide the slight grin that graced his now older features. “One of your namesakes was a naughty little boy too, so be good to Lindsey here or you might find yourself on some obscure island off the coast of Italy. Though, now that I think about it, that does sound like more a vacation than an exile; but, I suppose the French will be the French. Why send political prisoners to the Tower or the Bastille when you can send them to an island of paradise?”

For Cassius, humor had been difficult to find after the death of his father, but with this fourth year he had met just once years prior, it came fluidly as if it had never gone. A curious thing that.

“Of course I remember you, Lindsey. Summer of 2020. I wish I would have sent an owl after camp finished but, well, despite fancying you I was a bit shy then. Talking to girls was something of a monumental task for twelve year old me, you see. I apologize for my cowardice.” He inclined his head slightly to add emphasis to the apology.

“Regardless, I am glad to have caught up with you now. I am doing well enough. Quite a bit has happened and I am still not quite sure I have come to terms with it all; but, I am trying to stay optimistic.”

He seemed on the verge of saying more but pivoted, flashing a warm smile in the girl’s direction.

“...But enough about me. What has been going on with you? What came of the intrepid Lindsey Springhall after summer camp? Any great tales of adventure?”

@Cassius Eden

She silenced and half-turned her head to look out at the scenery rolling forward outside the window. She could hear a few chatty students talking and laughing loudly outside their compartment door, and her mind was only settled when they shifted away and their voice faded. And so Lindsey turned her head back, nodded at Cassius’s remark on the train, squeezed out a smile and pointed at the compartment door. “Yeah. Sometimes I wonder if they’ve casted a Sonorus on themselves before they start a chat.” She laughed slightly. In comparison Cassius was a great companion indeed, an absolute 5-star review if you ask. Lindsey could keenly observe and discover the typical Ravenclaw traits on him - thoughtful, witty, always have something unique to remark - and she couldn’t help but chuckle when Cassius had his speech regarding Monsieur Napoleon. His namesake meowed at this addresser and clapped its front paws - Lindsey was fairly sure that her cat did not understand a single word, but had just found this new human being fun enough to tease. “I absolutely love these comments.” She followed, poking in the middle of the cat’s forehead. “Tell me, Napoleon, which on would you choose? Me, or somewhere far away but paradise-like?”

She wasn’t expecting much of a reply, and left the cat into a rare thoughtful meditation. Talking to Cassius was surprisingly easier than she had thought - it’s intriguing, for Cassius was no more than a familiar face to her, and these days Lindsey always found it difficult to get to know new people if there wasn’t any fairly good opportunity, especially boys - and Lindsey sank back into her seat, carelessly stroking the chocolate frog card before foisting it into her pocket. “Oh, um, it’s okay.” She assured him, but then something struck with Cassius’ apology on his cowardice. “No, no need to apologise - that was definitely not cowardice. You know what cowardice really is? Cheating when you could have spoken the truth and do the right thing.” Her smile wried, her grandfather’s figure emerged in front of her. Coward. Herbert Springhall was the worst coward she had ever met, a true liar and craven. She took a deep breath before managing to squeeze a smile out. “But it’s a never mind. I’m glad that you are back again.”

She listened quietly when Cassius told her that quite a bit things happened to him. “I do hope so. Optimism is the only thing we could grab on.” She agreed and had her warm chocolate eyes fixed on him, sympathy in the dark brown colour. And then meeting his warm smile, she sighed. “As for me, some family stuffs happened before my third year…it affected me rather seriously, but it’s all over now - I tend not to think about it and felt a lot better.” Another bitter smile. She had a small scratch on her own chin, and then shrugged. “The rest is just school. And I’m on the duelling team now, does that count?” Chuckling slightly, Lindsey went on. “But for some real adventures…hmm, you know the Hexwizard Tournament is now being hosted in Hogwarts?”

January 5, 2023
Hogwarts Express

Interactions: @Lindsey Springhall Mentions: n/a

Closed PV

Cassius perked a curious brow at the girl’s comments on cheating. An admission of one’s own guilt or a general statement of fact? In either case it was either a surprisingly candid disclosure to an, at best, acquaintance or just a slip of one’s state of mind. Curious regardless and a subject he would have inquired further into had she not tactfully changed the topic.

“Back again and looking to catch up on lost time. It is really quite astounding how much can be missed in just one year. I do wonder if anybody else will remember me. I was something of a recluse during my first and second years preferring the company of books to my classmates,” he began to explain, leaning back into the seat as the initial excitement of the train’s departure began to settle. “Probably one reason why I was sorted into Ravenclaw… There is just so much to learn about magic. Knowledge known and unknown.” He flashed a grin in Lindsey’s direction, pearly white. “I will admit I still find difficulty in resisting that urge to just read. There is comfort–and safety–in books. Well, some books.”

The Ravenclaw’s mind immediately went to the classic Monster Book of Monsters which was decidedly not safe. He recalled one classmate, as a joke, not telling him how to properly pacify the book before attempting to open it. That particular injury was still fresh in his mind even years after. “In any case, there is so much more to the world than books. That is probably the most important lesson I have learned so far here at Hogwarts.”

Cassius idly scratched his temple, brushing back yet another rebellious strand of black hair as he listened sympathetically to the Hufflepuff. “I am all too familiar with the trauma that comes with ‘family stuffs’. Better to not think about it, yes. Though, if you ever feel the desire to talk about it, just know you have a sympathetic ear in me.” He let the offer stand, his concerned frown turning into a grin as she mentioned the duelling team and the Hexwizard Tournament.

“I would say that definitely counts as adventure. I am on the waiting list for the duelling team myself. I had tried my hand at quidditch in the past but I think I would enjoy duelling more. Aptitude in spells rather than pure athleticism seems the more helpful pastime to devote time to.” Especially if he had any hope of tracking down his father’s killer. Or killers. “Do you enjoy it? Win any duels?” He inquired with interest. “Are you going to take part in the tournament? That sounds like some real adventure. High stakes and high danger. What is there not to like?”

@Cassius Eden

“Thanks.” She’d murmur when Cassius offered his sympathy, a reassuring smile slowly emerging. Lindsey had to admit that she felt a lot better talking the thing out, even if she just mentioned a little bit which definitely couldn’t compare with everything that had happened - but yeah, it’s always good to know that somebody cared for you. She knew she had become far more suspicious to people and their intentions these days, but she could trust her own pick she did when she was young. Cassius was the exact image of Ravenclaws in Lindsey’s mind, somewhat like her dear mother, and she appreciated him.

The change of topic seemed had enlightened the atmosphere and made both of them easy. Lindsey put her elbow on the window frame and leaned her chin on it, chocolate brown eyes carelessly gazed at the passing fields and sky. “Duelling waitlist? That sounds great. Ravenclaw has a strong duelling team.” She nodded and commented. Indeed, those birds were smart and nimble enough in the games, plenty of them with the spell splitting trick which Lindsey found frustrating. Looking at the boy in the compartment talking with her, Lindsey was pretty sure that Cassius would not doubt be a frightening opponent as well when he officially joined the team and became her opponent.

“Me also.” She agreed. “I used to play Quidditch as well. But I found duelling interesting enough.” Not to mention it was a great way of training herself, and of helping her to keep her family away from any possible attacks. She wasn’t strong enough before to save her great-grandfather, and Lindsey desperately hoped she could be all of them’s protector in the future. “As for winning…erm,” She squeezed a chuckle out, “I’ve duelled thrice so far and just won once.” Lindsey admitted. “I don’t know why…but I’m always chosen as the main target. So um.” She turned her head back to face Cassius, brown eyes sparkling with a slight craftiness. “Oh…I’m sure I wouldn’t like it when facing you on the duelling stage!”

Lindsey shook her head when Cassius inquired about the Hexwizard. “As for the tournament, no. We have plenty of competent players already.” She didn’t have to worry about Hogwarts’ competence in the game. “A second cousin of mine - he goes to Beauxbatons - has a place on his school’s team, and he doesn’t feel very well during the first task.” Maximilien probably wasn’t in a very good mood after both getting knocked out and losing, as she knew that his pushy grandfather had made him a win-or-die person. Gah. “So yeah, I agree. The first task happened last autumn was a live wizard chess combat - the transforming process was really impressive, but I guess it did hurt when they strike each other with all those magical props.”

January 5, 2023
Hogwarts Express

Interactions: @Lindsey Springhall Mentions: n/a

Closed PV

“Oh…I’m sure I wouldn’t like it when facing you on the duelling stage!”

“Funny, I was about to say the same thing about you,” he mused, matching the girl’s gaze with his own. His own eyes sparkled with the hint of an idea just coming to full thought. “If you were interested we could always practice together. I doubt our prefects would mind us getting some extra training provided we do not reveal any team secrets.” Cassius shifted his gaze to the elegant cat sitting nearby, a grin forming. “Napoleon here could be the judge… though, I suspect he may be a smidge biased. As far as judges go, though, I doubt we would be able to find one more adorable.”

He waggled his fingers at Napoleon before leaning back into the upholstery of the seat, attention returning to Lindsey as she explained more about the Hexwizard tournament. “Well that is poor luck for him; though, I cannot say I am displeased that a Beauxbatons student is faring poorly in the competition. I just hope any injuries sustained are not too severe nor permanent, especially with wizard chess. I have heard some nasty tales of lost limbs or worse.”

Cassius enjoyed the mental challenge of chess but adding in the threat of injury had always seemed overkill to him. There were more humane ways to increase the difficulty of a match. Granted, those ways were not as much fun for spectators.

“Are you close with your family?” he asked after a thoughtful gaze out the window towards the passing landscapes. “I also have some relatives on the continent but distant. Second cousins and such who we will see at family functions but not often beyond that. The kind that only appear when they want something from you.”

@Cassius Eden

“Sounds attractive.” Lindsey grinned. It did sound very appealing, going on duelling practices with a Ravenclaw - I’d share a secret, Lindsey strongly disliked facing Ravenclaws on the duelling stage - no other, she had had twice being kicked out of match much speedier than she had ever thought when duelling against Ravenclaws. Maybe she’d get better and gain more experiences if she could practice with Cassius together? “We could appoint a time - when our captains are not around and Napoleon’s available for being a biased judge, of course.” She laughed. The cat meowed and raised its paw and waved back seeing Cassius’ waggling finger, before jumping off and circling himself in his tail on the soft sofa.

She nodded as Cassius commented on the wizard chess game. Lost limbs? Sounds nasty, but she was pretty sure that Maximilien was doing very well and continuing to venture into fantasy and poetry. Definitely nothing permanent, that guy, who would art up everything he encountered and idealise them - and if he had really lost a limb, Lindsey would pretty sure that he would immediately make up a poem or novella about the adventure and romance happening on a disabled young man, which made her not very worried at him, at least. There had been a time when she really didn’t get along with Maxi, who would only cry and bow and say sorry and nothing else. But then he comforted her and led her out, and introduced his friend to her, and now Lindsey could say that they were close, like she and her other cousins.

And family? Well, that was quite a thing to consider. Mum and dad were just great, so was Edmund - they were the best family members you could have on this planet really, and Lindsey couldn’t love them more. Her extended family were nice also, especially her dear cousins who treated her as their biological sister. But, but… “Yeah, quite.” She thought for a while and squeezed a smile out. “My family’s just great…especially those kids in my own generation. But, yeah, as you know, most of us have conflicts with some of our family members.” She shrugged. “And unfortunately that one’s my grandfather. Oh, perhaps plus my uncle.” The cold war between her grandfather and herself plus her brother had been on for more than a year now, and they still hadn’t got out of it. Even though she knew that her grandfather did the thing to protect them, Lindsey despised liars. She sighed.

“It’s…a bit complicated.” She made a conclusion. It was much easier than she had thought to tell Cassius about her conflict with her grandfather at home, but it would be a long long story to explain every little detail to him. Family drama, in a word. Carelessly waving her hand to show that everything was alright for her and catching his thoughtful expression, Lindsey looked at Cassius. “How about you? I hope you get along with your family, put away those relatives you’ve mentioned just now?”

January 5, 2023
Hogwarts Express

Interactions: @Lindsey Springhall Mentions: n/a

Closed PV

“Sounds attractive. We could appoint a time - when our captains are not around and Napoleon’s available for being a biased judge, of course.”

“That did not take much convincing,” he replied, mirroring her grin though perhaps with a touch of mischief to it. “You make it sound quite attractive yourself. Like a clandestine meeting between two spies in a muggle thriller novel. An air of danger with risk of discovery - how exciting.”

Cassius had not always been so adventurous but a year of near solitude and loneliness changes a person, especially when the most that can be communicated to another person is through an owl. When he was not undergoing the strict training regimen that his tutor set him upon, the young Ravenclaw would explore the Ilkley Moor and nearby towns treading a fine line between being a behaved law-abiding citizen and breaking the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery.

“Very well. We can find a time when none will be the wiser,” he added with a wink of his blue-grey eyes.

The boy crossed one leg over the other and idly scratched his knee. As he listened to the girl speak, his gaze drifted for a brief moment to the window where the Scottish countryside was rolling by. It reminded him of home. Overcast skies with rays of sunlight intermittently breaking through. No doubt a cool breeze as well that heralded the start of autumn. It was one of his favorite times of year.

Cassius returned his gaze to the Hufflepuff.

“Are not all families complicated?” He said with a warm empathetic tone in response to her admission. “Or are we some of the select few fated to have troublesome relatives? Regardless, you have a sympathetic ear should you ever feel the desire to discuss it. As for my own family… mother and I have become very close after father’s death. I know she was fretting about my return to Hogwarts. At least at Hogwarts I can avoid dealing with my extended family. They are not bad people, just aggravating,” Cassius mused with a weak chuckle. “Some people think that no just means a more difficult yes.”

Looking to turn the conversation to a lighter topic, he flashed a smile and leaned forward slightly. “So, any goals for the intrepid and delightful Lindsey Springhall this year?”