closed Picnic by the Lake Open

Graci was in the habit of taking daily walks on the grounds. Usually they end with her meeting someone and getting even further behind on her homework. But she was caught up for now so she figured it was fine if she approached someone today.

Ah, look there, it's like the universe read my thoughts and presented me with another opportunity.

A bit in front of her was a girl, a picnic blanket and basket spread before her.

"Hello, what's the special occasion?" Graci looked at the girl she was talking to and immediately recognized her, "Eira! It's been too long since the train ride. Anything new going on with you? Other than coming to a completely new school, of course."

Graci plopped down next to her, cocking her head and smiling. It was a beautiful day, and if Graci remembered correctly, she liked Eira. Eira was kind and decidedly not arrogant.

She sighed happily, almost in a daze of happiness for no reason at all. It was nice to enjoy the day with a friend, even if they were only acquaintances. For now.

How odd, maybe my walks are timed just so that I run into someone almost every time. Well, probably not, but it feels like it. She leaned back, Hmm, this grass feels really nice.

As Eira tipped the teapot to the cup, her eyes widened when she recognized the waves of long brown hair and tanned skin. Memories of an awkward yet fun train ride to Hogwarts for the first time rushed to her. She gave Graci a big smile as the Gryffindor sat on the ground and leaned back, letting the gentle breeze flow through her flowy tresses.

"Indeed it has," she nodded as she waved her wand and muttered the Levitating Charm on the plate of treats so they could hover safely in Graci's direction. "The weather had been so agreeable lately, and I thought, 'Why not enjoy this sight with a couple of refreshments?'. Classes had been enjoyable (apart from Potions and Herbology), and I met new friends along the way!"

It's been months since their last conversation, and after the Sorting Ceremony, Eira had been swept up with classes and general shenanigans that were rather tame compared to the other students.

Placing the jug of cold water and a cup of tea next to Graci, Eira leaned against the tree and happily felt the air caress her face. "Most of them are in Slytherin, but you may know some of them," she said, "Just don't ask them about my performance in Potions, though."

It was a joke, seventy percent of it was anyway. She could still feel the heat of anger whenever she remembered that Caspian fellow before she forced herself to take a deep breath and come down. Thinking about him while they're out here in a picturesque view is utter rubbish, especially when she had great company with Graci.

"Oh! How were your classes, by the way? (Salazar, she sounded like her mum) Any particular favorites?" she asked, tucking into one of the pink cupcakes and giving a happy sound when it turned out to be a spongy vanilla cake with strawberry icing.

Graci didn't realize how nice it would be to just sit down and talk to someone she had already talked to before. Most of the times she met people it had been the first- and last- time she talked to them. She figured she should probably seek them out sometime then.

People need people, but not people who are strangers. They need familiar faces. It's quite odd that I could be a familiar face.

"Well, I really enjoy Charms," Graci replied, turning to look at Eira, "I know that's kind of basic, so if it helps I also enjoy Herbology more than I thought I would. Who knew I had a fascination with plants? But History of Magic is okay too. I was always a sucker or a good history class and this is all new to me, so it is far more interesting."

She didn't know why, but this was one of her favourite days at Hogwarts so far. Calming. Peaceful.

“I think I like the things that remind me this whole world isn’t just fantasy,” she added, quieter now. “Like… history means it’s real. It happened. And Herbology is proof it grows, you know? That it’s alive.”

Graci glanced down at her hands, then back up. “Charms are still the most fun though. The swish-and-flick kind of magic." She paused. "Sorry, that was a lot of words. Any comment on that whole... bombardment? "

Chewing through the moist pastry, Eira gave thoughtful hum as she recounted her experiences with the other classes before she swallowed.

"Not to worry, spending time on one of my friend's verbose observations honed my listening skills" she replied with a joking tone.

It seemed like a lifetime ago that she had talked to the same girl but with a different atmosphere. She felt lighter, easier to communicate in a more relaxed manner among her peers.

"I do understand the metaphor with Herbology, despite my apparent aversion with that particular subject, it show that there's a touch of magic everywhere." Eira felt a pang of homesickness when she thought of the manor, of how it will readily open it doors for her whenever her hands were full; she even missed the irritable charmed broom that will happily chase her around if she so much as leave a speck of mud on the carpet.

"And I'm glad you found Charms enjoyable as well!" she continued, "The lessons come easy as the professor is amazing. Defense Against the Dark Arts is a favorite of mine as well, though sadly I have yet to perfect the defensive purposes of the Extiguishing Spell. Almost choked someone out with it the first time, I'm afraid."

The Slytherin gently nudged several ramekins filled with tarts and cupcakes to Graci as she refilled her cup, now the scent of mint trailing from the spout to cleanse her palate. Taking a hearty sip, she felt the refreshing flow of the breeze carding her hair and trailed her eyes to the surface of the lake, its green-blue color reminding her of a certain Slytherin boy with a cunning grin...

Shaking her head to erase that train of thought, she asked, "How are you and your sister getting along with your housemates? She's in... Hufflepuff, yes? I admit I was quite lonely in my first weeks in Slytherin, though I have met some kindred spirits."

OOC Notes: Not to worry, I was also pretty busy for the past week but now I'm active again

Graci took up one of the pastries, feeling it would be rude to not enjoy one. Especially after Eira had slightly nudged them toward her. It was... delicious. Graci wondered if Eira made them herself.

Then Eira brought up Zoe.

"Oh. Well. I haven't actually talked to Zoe much since we've come here, unfortunately. I think it's because we are in different houses and. Well. We just haven't sought each other out in a while." Graci frowned, upset with herself more than anything else. "And yes, she is in Hufflepuff. Last I saw her she wasn't acclimating too well. And here I am, socially flourishing. I hope she's made some friends."

Now Graci was lost in thought, mind trailing off. Oh, Zo, I'm so sorry. I should've sought you out. Or at least sent you a letter if I couldn't find you. I wouldn't be surprised if you spent all your time either in the library or your dorm room. I should have I should have I should have. I'm never going to forgive myself for this, am I?

Graci tried to zone back in, with a little bit of success, but her heart was't there anymore. She was glad to see Eira again, no doubt about it.

"I mean, I don't have a lot of solidified friendships, but I have met a few people. Kaitlyn, Andronica, Rafal, and a few others. You."

Eira's steady drink of tea slowed when she heard the sadness in Graci's voice as she talked about her sister, and the Slytherin unconsciously bit her lower lip; she didn't mean to make it uncomfortable for her.

But her ears did perk up like a keen crup when she mentioned a name that was quite familiar to her.

"Ah, it looks like Rafal is a mutual acquaintance of ours," Eira hummed, "I do hope he didn't try to get any secrets from you. Salazar knows that he has my book as well, and I need it back."

Her tone was light and humorous. She remembered how she and Rafal locked into a mind game that concluded in a stalemate. He had tried to trick her into telling the location of the hidden room several times, but so far, she had stood her ground.

"I do recognize some of those names as well, but they're more of passing Slytherins I had grown accustomed to seeing."

Daintily taking a plate of Arctic roll, she scooped a forkful (judging the ratio of pastry to cream) and asked "Have you entered on any of the club during the year? I signed up for the Slytherin Duelling Club! Erm, in the wait list, but it feels nice to be a part of something."

She remembered being offered to try out for the Broom Racing team, which she immediately declined as politely as she could. The hours of training will eat up all her time looking for any information from the Von Thaines; definitely not because all the broomsticks she came in contact to had either bucked her off like a spooked Hippogriff or thwacked her in the nose too many times that it resembled a tomato.

Graci didn't know if she was surprised that Eira had met Rafal or not. Then again, it's a school so people you know are bound to know other people that you know as well.

"Well, uhm, I don't have a lot of secrets to share in the first place, but no, no one has tried to get them from me. I think we both know different versions of Rafal." Graci laughed, he didn't seem, to her, to be the kind of person to nose in other peoples business.

Graci thought back on Eira the first time she had met her. Eira was so much different now. More sure of her self. As hospitable as ever, but more grounded.

"I've signed up for a few clubs, nothing so drastic, but as for sports none yet. I'm thinking of broom racing which is kind of odd. I told myself that I wasn't very athletic but that's arguably the most demanding sport."

Graci chuckled again, starting to feel awkward/embarrassed and not knowing why. This was actually one of the days when she was talking less.

"Have you signed up for anything other than the dueling club? I did stuff like the P.U.L.S.E. club. It's a healing type thing. As well as an Astronomy club but that didn't come into fruition."

Eira hummed through the rim of her cup as Graci mentioned how different Rafal's interaction with her was. Interesting. Filing that interaction to herself, she listened intently as the Gryffindor stated that she was contemplating joining the broom racing team and Eira nodded at the bit where it was a physically demanding sport.

She had seen one of the races, and she felt her own heart pump adrenaline through her bloodstream as if she was the one on the broom, stomach lurching with every swoop and curve the racers made in mid-air.

When Graci asked her if she had tried out any other clubs, Eira frowned as she dropped her gaze to her drink, the steam gently wafting from the tea curled into vapor before she softly blew them out, "I haven't felt any connection from other groups, but I suppose I can take a look again. Maybe I might find a club that makes me feel... comfortable. But I am glad you found that group, P.U.L.S.E., correct? What do you usually do as a group?"

Maybe she will indeed check the club listing again. She was interested in that flowering club but when she found out that it involved actual planting, she quickly backed out. No need to traumatize another poor plant as she did to the Honking Daffodil in Herbology.

That flower may never honk again.

Maybe she can make a club for floriography. A term she had come across when she was scouring the library for any mention of the Von Thaines. It was a beautiful study about the language of flowers; each flower had its meaning that could be changed by different hues and arrangements. She even once called Harvey Barrows a Snapdragon, much to his confusion.

Graci nodded along with Eira's talking.

"I mean, so far for P.U.L.S.E we've only had one meeting, but it's a healing thing. I don't remember what the acronym stands for. It's really interesting, and very well thought out."

Graci thought back on the one meeting she had attended. It was quite well thought out and very interesting. The pitch was well delivered and the room was cleaned up very nicely.

"And I get what you mean about not finding a club right for you. At the beginning of the year I wasn't apart of much, but now I've found a few. What I really wish for is a solid friend group. I have a lot of one-on-one people, but not a bunch of friends who are friends with each other. You know?"

She was thinking back to London, with Makayli and Lindin. Trying to not think of them had been hard. Her only people who were her friends. Her group to hang out with. Somewhere she belonged.

One day, Graci. One day. Or you'll learn to have friends for all occasions. And Makayli and Lindin are still your friends. Just you have less time together.

She sighed, bringing her mind back to the present and the girl in front of her. Graci knew she was being slightly mellow-dramatic about it all, but she didn't care. Drama made it fun, if not a little sadder.