My competitor Closed

Alyss let out a breathy laugh as she listened to a fellow first year talking to herself. It was a Gryffindor. She could tell because of the arrogance the young girl held herself to. That and the red robes.

Alyss had been wandering the castle, peeking into every room that she could, her never ending curiosity very much present. She wasn’t really hiding, but it’s not like she wanted to make a spectacle of herself.

On the third floor, she peeked into the trophy room, and let her mouth curl into a slight grin at her new houses recent win. Even if she hadn’t taken part in the victory, she was allowed to be proud that it was her house that had won.

Standing in front of the house trophies was a first year Gryffindor, muttering to herself about “…so not losing to Slytherin.”

Alyss took a few steps into the room, not being too loud, but also not sneaking around. She saw the other girls reaction as she made the realization that she was not alone. “Hello there.” Alyss spoke, her eyes cool and her mouth falling back down into a soft expression. “What was that you were saying? I’m afraid I missed it.” Her mouth curled up again, but this time a smirk rather than a smile graced her lips.

I freeze momentarily and then give a peculiar look. It looks like a mix of confusion and annoyance. Suddenly I walk towards you and smirk. My smirk widens as I say "Hello yourself. And I'm sure you heard me. Anyone who has ears could hear what I said. And I said Gryffindor is *not* losing."


I give a slight glare and then smirk again "I guess you might not have heard me after all. Those *ears* of yours could just be deaf to others. I wouldn't put it past a Slytherin."

I stand aside still smirking until I hear a crack of thunder from outside. I pear out the window in the trophy room, my eyes not leaving the beautiful scenery outside as the rain pelts down. I mutter to myself "If only phones worked here I'd send my sister an image of this.". I frown slightly in a condescending tone to myself "Like she'd respond anyways.". I suddenly remember that you are still there; quietly staring at me your expression unreadable. I sigh and cross my arms muttering "What is it you want, Slytherin." I then add "What's your name?" Despite my cold behavior, I secretly am curious about you; silently debating between myself on whether I should be nice to a Slytherin or rude. After all, Slytherin and Gryffindor are like two sides of a coin. They don't go well together and do best on their own. The last thing I needed was to get hurt again.

Alyss gave a sigh. Of course the Gryffindor was talking as if she wanted a fight. She, for one, did not want to be trading taunts and verbal jabs. She felt her smirk fall into a line, and her eyes narrow.

“That was an uncalled for insult. Next time, try letting the stranger introduce themselves before you decide they’re not worth any niceties.” Alyss sneered, the benefit of doubt leaving her mind.

“For the record, I did not hear you until the tail end of your last sentence. Next time maybe I’ll take a page from your book and go off of limited knowledge instead of trying to get the full story.” Alyss was disappointed. She was a first year. All she wanted to do was make friends, not foes. But by the looks of it, that hope wouldn’t last.

She turned to leave, a bitter taste in her mouth as once again, the Gryffindor started talking to herself again. It wasn’t until she heard the questions directed at her that she paused, saying “All I wanted was to look around. Maybe meet some new people. Clearly you had other ideas.” Alyss shot a look at the lion, expression unreadable. “I’m Alyss Gilmour. And you?”

I still have my arms crossed looking defensive. I have an annoyed expression on my face. Slowly, I uncross my arms and say "The name's Sara. Sara Stonely.". I stare at you briefly and then sigh and nod "And you're right. What I said was uncalled for. Sorry."

It's silent for a long time neither of us move or say a word quietly watching the other in an attempt to discover the other's thoughts. The silence is stifling and I clear my throat awkwardly. I sigh and mutter "I said sorry okay? Look I.... didn't mean to be rude. I... I'm just not exactly in one of my good moods right now. Still, that's no excuse for what I said...". I trail off still staring at you as you stay silent. I cross my arms again watching the rain as it gently hits the window. Right now, I'd give almost anything to just disappear. The rain calms me down slightly and I step closer reaching out my hand for a handshake. I give a slight smile "Um......would you...er...like to be friends? I know I didn't give you much reason to want to be but..."

I look at you out of the corner of my eye. Internally, I'm a nervous wreck. I'd always been socially awkward. It's funny to me how some people can be socially awkward but at the same time desire friendship and conversations so much. That's how it was for me. And it probably would always be.

Alyss was surprisingly happy. She had made the right decision? Sara didn’t hate her? Given how she had so few friends before Hogwarts, it wasn’t too outlandish to think she was cursed right?

When Sara apologized, Alyss thought she had heard wrong. Although she believed that she was in the right, Alyss never would have thought someone would apologize. Much less admit that they were wrong.

She took a moment, glancing out the window and relishing in the silence between the two, watching the rain pound into the window, the only noise that filled the room. As Alyss took a breath to respond to Sara, Sara broke the silence before Alyss had the chance. “Um......would you...er...like to be friends? I know I didn't give you much reason to want to be but…”

Alyss let a tentative smile break across her face, not quite believing her ears. “Friends might be a bit of a stretch..” Alyss let that sit in the air for a second, letting the words sink in. “But maybe we could get together at some point and see if we can get along?” Alyss proposed.

She wasn’t completely sure if she wanted to be friends with Sara. Not only did she immediately so off of stereotypes and speak to Alyss as if she was lesser, but her emotions seemed to control her actions, and those seemed to fluctuate. Although Alyss hasn’t necessarily been the kindest person right off the bat, she hadn’t been the one to not only insult the other person, but also the house that she’d just been sorted into.

If she was going to completely forgive and forget, it would take time. Thankfully for the two of them, they had plenty of it. They were only first years. They would see enough of each other to decide if they were a good fit to be friends or not. Alyss couldn’t quite shake the thought from her own mind that Gryffindor and Slytherin were rivals. Would a friendship actually work?

Suddenly I crack a grin. It's a happy look on me compared to my previous stern look from earlier. I nod and chuckle "Yeah friends might be a bit of a stretch. I'd still like to get to know you and hey, thanks for not chewing me out either."

I glance out the window again. The rain seems to be slowing it's pace and I find myself smiling despite myself. Maybe just maybe I could manage to be friends with this very interesting Slytherin girl after all. So long as I didn't say anything nasty again to her. I take a deep breath and turn to you again, this time I give a wave and say "It's about time I headed back to my dorm. See you around." I give one last quick glance at you and smirk adding "And hey, I *still* think I'm gonna get more points for my house than you but who knows? You seem like a fair competitor. I look forward to the challenge. See you in class."

With that, I give a friendly wave and leave the trophy room. I take a turn down the hall, disappearing completely from sight. It's all silent now, except for the soft pit pat of the rain on the windowsill and your thoughts.