Quote:
Originally Posted by
MsMorgan 
Mariel pursed her lips slightly at the news that Nia hadn't seen Lasca. Nodding vaguely as her year mate acknowledging that she did know her friend, she said, "Sure! She's very cool. I'm sure you'd both get along great." And they already had plenty in common... Of course, Mariel would like nothing better to have all her friends get along, but that seemed to not be the case. Still, Sarah and Nathaniel seemed to be making a little more effort, she thought as her mind wandered back to the Welcoming Feast.
Shaking herself from her thoughts, Mariel glanced back at Nia. "Yeah, you're right, must be the moving stairs..." She hadn't even thought of that since for the most part of her short education she was fairly lucky regarding the stairs. She shrugged lightly realizing that Lasca would come when she did and nothing she did would hurry that along. Hmm, she wasn't avoiding Mariel and her impending questions, was she?
Pushing those thoughts out of her mind, she watched Nia starting to brush her hair. Absentmindedly twirling her own hair around her finger, she said, "Oh that reminds me... Did you know Professor Shackleton knows these cool hairstyling spells? I meant to ask her to show me how last term after she demonstrated in class, but I didn't find the time." Or didn't remember.
Mariel grinned as Nia also remembered their coincidal visit to the Quidditch shop. "Oh, that's good," she said. "Is your dad good at Quidditch? My dad doesn't really get into Quidditch much anymore, though I think he did play when he was in school," she added after a moment's thought. Most of her previous practice at home had been with her sisters, though they had both since moved out. "I did get lots of practice in, though," she continued. "Some of my friends and I went on a holiday to America with Lasca. I got a full practice set and we played Quidditch together most days. I'm trying to talk them into trying out, too."
Giggling slightly as her fellow third year mentioned avoiding brothers, she said, "I didn't know you had a baby brother... And your twin..." Mariel recalled Nia mentioning him one of the few times they had talked off the pitch, but had she said his name? "Who is he? Is he in Ravenclaw, too? Anyway, I have a little step-brother, so I can relate... Brothers are a pain, aren't they? That's one reason I could not wait to grab that portkey to America." And get back to Hogwarts.
"That'd be cool," Nia answered with a smile. She really needed to extend her friendship circle, and knowing some more Ravenclaws would be good start. "I'm sure we will too," she added softly, still aware of those sleeping around them.
She nodded. "Or maybe she had to go via the owlery or something. Most of the stragglers are getting here now though, so she can't take much longer." Nia hadn't come up to the tower the quickest since she'd been talking to Elan at the Huffie table. And it was very possible Lasca had stopped at the bathroom or met someone she knew on the way.
Brushing through a particularly annoying knot, Nia shook her head. "No?" she said questioningly. She'd totally missed that in class. "You planning in going to ask her about it this term? I'd love to come with you to find out a bit if you do." Nia loved playing with her hair style, as shown by the fact she'd done that sideways French plait in the train to Hogwarts. "An easier way to get out knots would be good to know too," she added with a chuckle, still tackling a rather large clump of hair. At least her hair was fairly straight, it'd be far worst if she had curly hair like her Mum's. That would be an absolute nightmare.
"Yep," Nia said with a proud glow. "He used to be a Pro player, and then became Head of the Department for Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry. He stays at home to look after Nathaniel now though, so he helped me practice in the garden when the baby brother was having a nap." She grinned. She loved flying with her Dad. He had inspired her to play for the Ravenclaw team, and now she really wanted to follow his career footsteps. "Mum doesn't let us play with proper equipment though, apparently we ruin enough of her tomatoes as it is." She laughed. They only squished a few with their makeshift quaffle and bludgers. She listened as Mariel said she'd gone to America with some friends. "Wow, lucky you! I bet that was awesome. A holiday filled with proper games of quidditch. Fab!" What a great thought. She tilted her head slightly. "I've never been to America...what is it like?"
Nia caught Mariel's giggle, and smiled. Obviously her fellow third year knew how much of a pain they could be. "Yeah, he's coming up for one year now," She said, pulling a face. If she had to come into contact with any more baby sick... "And Theo is my twin. Fortunately not in Ravenclaw. Safely out of the way in the dungeons with the Slythies." The sorting hat had done a good job putting the two of them as far away as possible in Nia's opinion. "A step-brother? How old?" Nia asked out of interest. "And yes, they're a big pain. Always pop up at completely the wrong moment." Although give Theo his due, he had taken the hint in Diagon Alley, which was a first. "I can imagine! Bet you were so glad to get away. I'm gonna be like that over New year." Her eyes twinkled at the thought of where she was going. It would be awesome.