Grounds: The Domes

[Wilber Winterbottom]

Graphic credit: Felixir

A little way off the path between the castle and the lake stand several half-sphere outdoor shelters, known as the domes. Made from a sturdy and clear, charmed material that keeps the temperature inside relatively comfortable, and the air fresh, the main purpose of the domes is a location to hang out, alone or with a few friends. They also serve as impromptu shelters during sudden downpours, cool relief from the summer heat, or a place to warm benumbed fingers and toes during bitingly cold winters. Each is accessible by a simple door made of the same material. No need to reserve them - just make sure no one is already there before entering!

The domes are near to each other, but not clustered too close together. They are completely transparent; those outside can see in, and those inside can see out. Occupied domes will light up - though the light has no obvious source - useful and downright cosy on overcast or gloomy days. The groundskeeper, and any staff member looking out of the windows on this side of the castle, will be able to see the domes if they're lit up after dark, so unless you want to light the 'hey, look at me, I'm out after curfew' beacon, best not to come this way after hours. Tapio would rather not have to take House Points from rulebreakers (but he will).

Each dome contains five comfortable chairs, and can comfortably hold as many students, maybe a couple more if you don't mind a tight squeeze. Try to refrain from seeing how many students can fit inside one of these things at once. Getting a score of kids hopelessly stuck will not have a good outcome for anyone, but it's up to you if you want to test that theory out for yourself.

[Kolyander]

When one tried to run off and be alone, where did they go? This was the issue Bryony was having directly after her previous conversation with Ary while she was still all worked up. It wasn't very often at all that she had such big emotions that caused her to want to run off and hide from the world. Okay, maybe that wasn't true. She had been known to throw some pretty epic tantrums when she was younger and uhhh.. one a short bit ago but that one.. it was well deserved!

So there the small blonde was, running blindly, thanks to the tears that still calming flowing down her cheeks, towards anywhere her feet would take her. Which is how she ended up at bursting into one of the first of the domes she came across, already struggling to breathe, cheeks flushed and her blonde hair all a mess.

Not that she even cares about any of that right now. All that mattered to her in that moment was being alone.

[Zoe]

Logan knew plenty of places one could run to, though he had different purposes in mind when it came to such an activity. In fact, he was running himself, but for a very different reason than his little sister. He was living in blissful ignorance, thinking he could go a few more hours without thinking about studying for N.E.W.T.s. So, to preoccupy himself, a jog around the grounds was in order.

If it hadn't been for all the dramatics and the momentary commotion that resulted, the seventh year likely would not have noticed Bryony. He would have just carried on his way, passing the domes until he was at the lake or the forest's edge. His pace lessened as he gazed over, taking in the sight of his youngest sibling.

There was a moment of hesitation, during which he pondered whether he should find his mom or maybe Vera, but the Gryffindor found his way inching toward the door. This was either a really bad tantrum or something happened. Some brotherly instinct was kicking in, and he was not happy that his sister wasn't her usual self, as annoying as that could be most of the time.

"You okay, Bry?" he asked, peeking his head inside the dome. The answer was obvious, but he was feeling things out.

[Kolyander]

Typically when Bry ran somewhere it was with the intent to actually run or meet up with her friends. There was a very high chance she would be climbing and jumping off of things at some point too. So yeah, it made a lot more sense that Logan had more ideas than she did on this. Not to mention that perhaps if she hadn't been crying the way that she had, maybe she would've gotten further.

Needless to say, this domes or at least this particular one appeared to be empty when she had entered. Even so, Bry just stood there in the center of the room trying to catch her breath and wiping her sleeve across her cheeks every so often which did nothing at all for her.

The sound of the door opening went unnoticed by her but what she didn't miss was that voice. The one of her big brother asking if she was okay. For the briefest moment in time she wanted to snap at him and tell him to get out and leave her alone but this was Logan. He almost never checked in on her, especially when she was like this so for him to do so.. she needed to take advantage of it. Plus, she needed him right now.

Spinning around on her feet, without a word the small blonde ran at him and flung herself against him, hugging him tightly. Sorry if she was now crying all over his shirt.

[Zoe]

Logan was caught off guard by the intensity of Bryony's reaction. He expected screaming, not the sight of her tear-streaked face and disheveled hair. He did not anticipate her flinging herself at him like a cannonball. There was a moment when the boy lost his balance, but he managed to steady himself so they both didn't tumble to the floor.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," he murmured softly, allowing the hug. An arm wrapped around her and the blond rested his chin on the top of her head. He didn't know what had happened, but he knew that right now, she needed comfort more than anything else.

For a few moments, he just held her, letting her cry it out. The seventh year gently rubbed her back, trying to soothe her, feeling a mix of worry and helplessness. Seeing Bryony like this was unsettling. He rarely saw his sister like this—usually, she was the storm, not the one caught in it.

"Do you want to talk about it? Is there someone I need to beat up?" he eventually asked. "Or do you just..." He knew better than to push her too hard for answers. If she wasn't ready to talk, that was okay too. He was here for her, no matter what.

[Kolyander]

Whatever she had expected to happen when she went barreling into Logan, this absolutely wasn't it. It wasn't like him to take on the role of their parents or even one of their big sisters and comfort her but she was ever so grateful. Even more so that she hadn't knocked them both to the ground.

Bryony melted right into the much taller blondes embrace, her small hands grasping at his shirt for all she was worth. The tears didn't seem to want to stop no matter how many times she tried to open her mouth and say something. So for the longest time, all she did was stand there and cling to him until she couldn't cry anymore, her breathes finally coming in small shaky gasps.

This storm was wrecked. Everything hurt. Her tummy ached and her head was all a mess. How she was still up on her feet she didn't even know. Maybe Logan was holding her up more than she thought. Did she want to talk? Honestly she didn't know if she did or not. Nothing made sense right now. And yet she found herself mumbling a single word.. or well a name. "Ary..."

[Zoe]

The embrace around Bryony didn't get any tighter, but it didn't lessen any either. He felt her small frame shake with each gasp for air, and his worry deepened. This wasn't just a tantrum—something had really upset her. Logan hated seeing her like this. He was more used to Bryony being a whirlwind of energy, living up to the title of Most Annoying Sister.

Despite all the tears and her tight grip on him, he continued to gently rub her back, offering silent support. A mix of emotions continued to come in waves. It was rare to see his sister this vulnerable. When she finally spoke, a single name slipping out, Logan's protective instincts instantly flared. Ary.

"What did he do?" He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself instead of going in full rage mode. The offer to beat someone up was still on the table though.

[Kolyander]

Now, had it not be for the serious distress that she was currently expressing she would've loudly made it clear to him that she was only annoying because he refused to give her the attention she so rightly deserved. It wasn't really her fault that as his little sister she looked up to him immensely and wanted to spend time with him, now was it? Honestly Logan, if anything he should be proud that she loved him the way that she did.

The gentle back rub was greatly appreciated even if she didn't say so. As was all of this. It wasn't their thing but what she needed more than anything else right now was her big brother. And no, she didn't want him going around beating anyone up. Especially not Ary! That would only break her into even more pieces. Didn't he know what that boy meant to her?!

There was the softest sniffle, her hand finally coming up to wipe at her eyes. Not that it even mattered, as her face was already all puffy and stained with tears. "..He- he likes someone else.." Did she fail to mention that Ary also liked her? Yes, she did. Just as she failed to mention in that very moment how he had kissed her before taking off and leaving her standing there alone and confused after she had yelled at him. But in her defense she would get to that.. at some point.

[Zoe]

Logan's heart sank at Bryony's words. He knew she had a crush on Ary (who didn't at this point), but he didn't realize just how deep her feelings went. The blond continued to hold his sister, trying to keep his anger in check. He took a deep breath, focusing on the present moment. "He likes someone else?" he repeated softly, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and anger. Those words hung in the air, heavier than he'd expected.

"Bry, I'm so sorry." His tone was gentle as he continued to comfort her. He didn't have the words to fix how she felt, but he hoped his presence might provide some comfort. He hated seeing her so upset. "That really sucks." At this point, he resisted the urge to dash off and make rash decisions. The protective brother in him wanted to go find Ary and send a curse his way demand answers, but he knew this wasn't the time for that.

Logan took a step back, looking down at her tear-streaked face. "Do you want to—" Start from the beginning? Spill everything that happened? Give any inkling that he should give Ary a stern talking to? "—go find something to blow up?" He offered a small, encouraging smile, hoping to see even the tiniest hint of a smile from her in return.