6 Jan 2025, 08:20
Changing Perspectives
Date: January 6thMatthew had never been particularly good at asking for help in fact that was almost entirely a lie. Matthew was decidedly poor at asking for help. Whether the trait had been born out of his independence or the unwillingness of others around him to ever give him the time of day let alone any real advice was unclear but regardless he was awful at it. Yet with a new year had to come changes and Matthew's opinions, being a writer for the Hogwarts Headliner, now had to be more open to understanding perspectives.
The blend of wanting badly to speak to another in a similar situation as himself and the need to learn more about his own community here at Hogwarts had him putting on a brave smile and with confident feet carrying him forward, he made his way to the Ravenclaw table looking for a particular student whom had made quite the name for himself despite only being one year above him. The particular Ravenclaw had become a broom racing captain despite his blood status and it filled Matthew with a deep sense of pride. Zach Zaphiere was one of many living proofs that you didn't need to grow up magical to thrive in this world and that blood purity mattered little to natural talent.
Funnily despite only having known about Zach's existence these last few weeks he had already become an avid fan and read up on the broom racing matches Ravenclaw had competed in to know about his history. Really he had become a raving fan boy to an embarrassing degree given the fact they had never met. Reminding himself not to bring that energy into their first meeting he shook the derailing train from his thoughts and focused on the goal at time. Matthew had discovered him while exploring the castle this winter holiday and finding the trophy room where accomplishments littered every wall and told a story of glory for the school.
Taking a deep breath he let his shoulders drop and busied himself sweeping invisible lint off of his perfectly clean robes, it made for better distraction than biting his nails, until he found his target. Even from his sitting position Matthew could tell Zach stood a little taller than him but despite his leader position he seemed to be similar to Matthew in enjoying his own space. The boy sat alone with a studious look to his face and a rather endearing pair of glasses on that made him look wise beyond his years. Slowly the young boys heart began to slow slightly less intimidated than he felt he would be by the prospect, at worst Zach would be too busy to help but perhaps at best they could even form a friendship or at the very least provide him a better understanding of his situation.
Strolling up with his satchel swinging by his side he made sure to keep his face polite and smiled brightly as he spoke. "Hello, my name is Matthew Campbell. You're Zach Zaphiere right?" The question was redundant for Matthew knew exactly who he was but it seemed better than stating such a fact. "I was hoping you might have a moment to spare for a chat, it's... well you see I have had some struggles adjusting being born muggle and I guess I just hoped you might have some advice. You seem to be nailing it!" Potentially revealing a little too much about what he knew of the boy his face began to blush slightly as he awaited an answer.
Interacting with @Zach Zaphiere
| Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go | I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell |
12 Jan 2025, 01:33
Changing Perspectives
06/01/2025
@Matthew Campbell
Usual day, usual life. Zach sat on the Ravenclaw table along with the students who were mostly in blue outfits. His eyes were looking for the students while his mouth was munching the food. The prefect couldn't let the Ravenclaws do anything reckless or get into trouble or fights, especially the one from the first year. It has been his daily job since he got the role last year. He thought being a prefect was all cool and stuff but what he got was more stress. But he loved the job. It gave him access to a special bathroom. "Hey, don't play with your food!" Zach gave a first-year a stare when they were about to throw their chicken at their friend. But mostly that day, it was peaceful enough.
Until he heard someone say his name. Zach turned his head quickly to see who was the person. Matthew Campbell. Zach believed he heard the name somewhere but he couldn't remember. So many rumours flying around the school that made his little head go spinning. "Yes, I am Zach." The prefect gave him a smile and listened to him more. Born muggle, struggle, and advice. Zach somewhat could relate to him.
"Sure. Take a seat," Zach pat the seat beside him. "Should I call you Matthew? Campbell?" He had to make sure that he called him right since some people didn't like to be called by their first name. It was such an experience for Zach and he didn't want to repeat it again. "Take any food. Sadly, they don't make silky pudding today. Anyway, is there anything I can help?"
30 Jan 2025, 03:49
Changing Perspectives
Slipping into the seat so comfortably one might have thought he belonged at the Ravenclaw table he mulled over the food choices smirking in approval at the melancholy for the lack of silky pudding. Then summoning all the bravery he could he turned his quizzical mind on the boy deciding to get straight into the crux of the matter. After all not only was Zach an incredible sportsman but a prefect. A sad pang of thought came to Matthew that rather than potential friendship Zach was simply doing his duty but he hoped silently this was not the case. The boy had a kind smile and face and even his lack of assuming Matthew's preferred address was leagues above the pleasantries he received by his own house.
Clearing his throat with a swig of water he replied, "Matthew's fine or Matt, Matty, honestly everyone calls me different things, it doesn't bother me too much." Offering the response with a pleasant smile that would only last moments before the quirk of his eyebrow and harsh swallow of his throat brought about the real reason he wanted to sit down with the boy. Every time me overthought the situation he found himself panicked that the boy wouldn't relate, that actually he wasn't disliked purely for being a muggleborn but just for being himself. Just like his old school. Matthew was no stranger to being the odd kid out but at Hogwarts it seemed almost ingrained as societally acceptable and he had to know if it was just him.
Taking a deep breath through his nose he begun, "So I suppose I just wanted to ask about your own experience being a muggleborn. Like have you had to deal with any prejudice while here? I'm sure Ravenclaw's being more logical aren't as archaic in their values as the Slytherin's but still I wondered if, well I guess I just wanted to know how you make it look so easy? You managed to become a prefect and you're a broom racing captain and from what I've heard you're well liked. It just seems like no matter what I do, I always make a mess of things." Very often when Matthew started on a thought his entire mind would fall from his mouth and this was no different. Despite embarrassment colouring his cheeks a rosy shade of pink his mind felt lighter not holding up the façade any longer. Such was a conversation he wouldn't dare have with his own house, not even Koko his prefect, for while he was sure some could understand, how could they relate.
Awaiting the boys response Matthew's small frame sagged his shoulders lowering with the disappointment of having to burden another with his issues. Prefect or not perhaps he should just get on with it and ignore them, wasn't that the general advice every teacher since primary had given him. Yet in a world of magic Matthew was sick of still having to bend his life to their will, it was entirely unfair and he was tired of it. Playing with a strawberry his eyes couldn't meet Zach's, rolling it back and forth distractingly while hoping the boy may have something of comfort to his heavy heart.
Interacting with @Zach Zaphiere
| Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go | I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell |
7 Mar 2025, 16:57
Changing Perspectives
06/01/2025
@Matthew Campbell
"Okay, Matthew," Zach smiled. "What can I help?" The eagle sat there with attentive gesture, listening to the young snake carefully. He raised his eyebrows when he heard the word prejudice. Zach tried to guess what had happened to Matthew. Did anyone do bad things to him? Did he get bullied? Zach's mind was wandering and imagining every possible scenario that had happened, which made the boy come to him.
"Prejudice..." Zach thought carefully. He told his brain to blurt out random things that might hurt the boy beside him. "I don't experience any until today. I guess I'm lucky? I don't know." Zach stopped. He looked at Matthew to see his expression before continuing, "Yeah... It looked easy because I've never had to deal with this kind of thing. My friends didn't mind at all with my background." Zach stopped again. Did Raizel and Alyssea know that he is a muggle-born? "Hmm... But I had never told them about it at the first place. They also didn't ask either."
Zach looked at the changed posture of the boy. He felt that he should ask more. The prefect took a glass of drink and moved it near Matthew while he was also taking one for himself. Zach lowered his tone and asked carefully, "Is there anyone who has done something bad to you due to this reason?" He was hesitant to ask this but he felt obligated. "Don't worry. You can tell me everything."
Was he crossing the line? Or did Zach take it in the wrong way? Zach himself turned nervous while waiting for the response from Matthew, hoping that he react to the boy's concern correctly.