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The Ravenclaw Common Room is one of the airiest rooms at Hogwarts. You have to climb a tight spiral staircase to get to the beautiful room. It is a wide, circular room with midnight blue carpet, arched windows hung with blue and bronze silks, and a domed ceiling painted with stars and various constellations. It is located at the top of the seventh floor and the door to enter doesn't have a doorknob or keyhole, but a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagle. In order to enter the room, a person must answer a riddle asked by the eagle knocker; if they answer incorrectly, they must wait for someone else who gets it right.
During the day, Ravenclaw students have an excellent view of the school grounds, including the lake, Forbidden Forest, Quidditch pitch, Herbology gardens and the surrounding mountains. There is a small fireplace in one corner with a few couches surrounding it. The room is furnished with tables, chairs, and bookcases; and by the door leading up to the dormitories stands a tall statue of Rowena Ravenclaw made of white marble. A delicate looking circlet has been reproduced in marble on her head with the tiny words, 'Wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure' etched into the intricate diadem. Past students claim that the sound of wind whistling around the windows of the tower is very relaxing while going to sleep or studying for classes.
SPOILER!!: Drawings of the Common Room from Former Ravenclaws
SPOILER!!: Diagram of Room Layout
When you first enter the Common Room, you are flanked on both sides with two huge bookshelves. These shelves are full of books from former students and professors. The books have a new layer of dust on them. They are charmed to never leave the Common Room Area. Just past each bookshelf can be found a few Study Tables. These tables are here for you to work on homework or ask questions of fellow housemates about homework. One of the tables is leaning slightly after the summer break. The right leg is a little loose. But, unlike what the other houses think, there is always time for fun for Ravenclaws. Various board and card games can be found on the bottom shelf of one of the bookcases. Feel free to play games on the Study Tables, as well, but only once you are done with your homework. In the midst of all of the Study Tables, are two announcement boards, the Diadem and the Eagle's Nest. The Diadem is used to post announcements about class meeting times and homework assignments. The Eagle's Nest is where you can find all of the news from Hogwarts.
In the middle of the room is a seating area with a couple of couches and armchairs that the Head of House, Professor Cerulean, has charmed with a cushioning charm to make them extra comfy. On the far end of the circular-ish shaped room is a fireplace surrounded by Blue beanbag pillows and four couches. This is a popular area to lounge at and make friends or to just sit and read or work on homework. Be careful as you plop down of you may get chocked by the dust as it flies in the air.
On both sides of the fireplace are the famous arched windows. You can see all over the grounds and school from this vantage point. Feel free to take a seat on the cushioned window sills to work. The windows haven't been cleaned in a while so it is a little foggy and hard to look out.
To the far right of the room is the beautiful statue of Rowena Ravenclaw with her infamous diadem. Keep an eye near her statue because the ghost is known to visit the Common Room and her favorite area to float is near the statue of herself.
Just past the statue is the staircase leading to the dormitories. The staircase splits at the top. The left side leads to the Girls Dorms and the right side leads to the Boys Dorms. Remember that each has been enchanted to insure that you don't venture up the wrong side.
Once answering the logical riddle at the entrance, come in, take a look around, have a seat and make new friends!
Having gotten past the ugly turnstiles crowded round the entrance to the common room, Niamh surveyed her surroundings with interest. The couches by the fire were her favourite part of the room. They looked warm, cozy and inviting. She let herself fall into the nearest one, reveling in its soft feel. Niamh looked around. "I wish I could make a friend," She murmured to herself. "I told Papa being a transfer meant not having any friends. But would he listen?" Niamh was only vaguely aware that she was thinking aloud. She wondered what her best friend back home in France was doing now.
Having gotten past the ugly turnstiles crowded round the entrance to the common room, Niamh surveyed her surroundings with interest. The couches by the fire were her favourite part of the room. They looked warm, cozy and inviting. She let herself fall into the nearest one, reveling in its soft feel. Niamh looked around. "I wish I could make a friend," She murmured to herself. "I told Papa being a transfer meant not having any friends. But would he listen?" Niamh was only vaguely aware that she was thinking aloud. She wondered what her best friend back home in France was doing now.
Isobel smiled and waved as the fourth year entered the room. She'd seen her at the feast last night, but hadn't ever gotten a chance to say hello to her. She put a red leather bookmark into page 124 of Plimpy Soup for the Wizarding Soul, and closed the book gently, placing it next to her on the squishy couch by the fire she was reclining in. "Hi! I'm Isobel, I'm a first year. Ravenclaw, obviously. What's your name?" Hopefully, this girl would be as kind as the others she'd met, and not cruel or condescending like the ones she'd met back home.
Niamh's head swung round as a girl a little younger than herself addressed her. The blonde hadn't spotted her when she'd sat down. "Sorry, I didn't notice anyone there. I'm Niamh, in Fourth, but I'm as new to Hogwarts as you are." She explained, suddenly afraid that the First Year might expect her to know the school and it's many, many names and faces. "How are you finding it so far?" She asked, warmly. Niamh had a sister much younger than herself and it had given her a very nurturing, maternal side.
Niamh's head swung round as a girl a little younger than herself addressed her. The blonde hadn't spotted her when she'd sat down. "Sorry, I didn't notice anyone there. I'm Niamh, in Fourth, but I'm as new to Hogwarts as you are." She explained, suddenly afraid that the First Year might expect her to know the school and it's many, many names and faces. "How are you finding it so far?" She asked, warmly. Niamh had a sister much younger than herself and it had given her a very nurturing, maternal side.
"Oh, it's fine!" Isobel replied. She'd always been quiet and small, and fairly unnoticeable (which was quite helpful when trying to spy on people). "Really? How can you be a new fourth year?" Had Niamh never had the first three years of her magical education? Isobel had heard of parents who preferred homeschooling, but never someone who had been homeschooled for three years and then admitted to Hogwarts. Maybe her powers had only recently developed?
"I don't want to say disappointing, but... not what I expected," she replied. "I mean, almost everything is great, but the- the turnstiles, and the paper plates, and the food and everything aren't really what I'd hoped the school would be like, you know?" Isobel didn't see how the school could be low on money, or where all the house-elves went, but there had to be a better way than soliciting extra knuts from the students.
"Oh, it's fine!" Isobel replied. She'd always been quiet and small, and fairly unnoticeable (which was quite helpful when trying to spy on people). "Really? How can you be a new fourth year?" Had Niamh never had the first three years of her magical education? Isobel had heard of parents who preferred homeschooling, but never someone who had been homeschooled for three years and then admitted to Hogwarts. Maybe her powers had only recently developed?
"I don't want to say disappointing, but... not what I expected," she replied. "I mean, almost everything is great, but the- the turnstiles, and the paper plates, and the food and everything aren't really what I'd hoped the school would be like, you know?" Isobel didn't see how the school could be low on money, or where all the house-elves went, but there had to be a better way than soliciting extra knuts from the students.
"I transferred from Beauxbatons," Niamh replied. Then, just so Isobel didn't get the idea that Niamh had actually wanted to attend Hogwarts, she hastily added, "My parents made me,".
Niamh nodded in agreement. "People tell such wonderful tales of life at Hogwarts. And the food seems to be the thing they like most about it. I... really didn't expect all this, when I boarded the train." The blonde sighed. "I know what you mean. It is... disappointing. I wonder how they got so short of money that they had to start charging students to get into their rooms!" Niamh picked at the couch. "I'd hate to be someone from a poor family. All those knuts for meals and to sleep... That adds up to a fair bit after a whole term!" Truth be told, Niamh was angry at having to pay a knut to get into her Common Room every night. She didn't know how the school could do that. Parents must be in uproar at having to send knuts to their kids all the time. And what if you were like that old family, the Weasleys! Getting seven kids through Hogwarts was expensive enough anyway. Niamh wouldn't be surprised if the castle was completely empty come the holidays. It would be too expensive for anyone to stay! And what about those who simply had no where to go? Niamh thought, sadly. Hogwarts was known as a haven for those who had no where to go. New as she was to the school, Niamh didn't want to see Hogwarts lose all the bits people liked about it the most in its desperate bid for money.
"I transferred from Beauxbatons," Niamh replied. Then, just so Isobel didn't get the idea that Niamh had actually wanted to attend Hogwarts, she hastily added, "My parents made me,".
Niamh nodded in agreement. "People tell such wonderful tales of life at Hogwarts. And the food seems to be the thing they like most about it. I... really didn't expect all this, when I boarded the train." The blonde sighed. "I know what you mean. It is... disappointing. I wonder how they got so short of money that they had to start charging students to get into their rooms!" Niamh picked at the couch. "I'd hate to be someone from a poor family. All those knuts for meals and to sleep... That adds up to a fair bit after a whole term!" Truth be told, Niamh was angry at having to pay a knut to get into her Common Room every night. She didn't know how the school could do that. Parents must be in uproar at having to send knuts to their kids all the time. And what if you were like that old family, the Weasleys! Getting seven kids through Hogwarts was expensive enough anyway. Niamh wouldn't be surprised if the castle was completely empty come the holidays. It would be too expensive for anyone to stay! And what about those who simply had no where to go? Niamh thought, sadly. Hogwarts was known as a haven for those who had no where to go. New as she was to the school, Niamh didn't want to see Hogwarts lose all the bits people liked about it the most in its desperate bid for money.
"Oh, that makes much more sense now!" Isobel had never met a transfer before. "What was it like there? Why'd your parents make you switch?" Perhaps she was asking too many questions, but she'd always wanted to know what magical education was like in other countries. She had her parents to tell her about Hogwarts, but she didn't know anyone foreign. "You can speak French, then?"
"My mum always said these were the best seven years of her life, and I agree about some things. So far, classes are amazing, and I've met a few people who are great friends, but... you know." The girl felt bad about wanting to criticise Hogwarts, but she was kind of mad about things.
Isobel nodded in agreement. "Yeah! I mean, just to eat three times a day is more than a Sickle!" Well, it was one knut more than a sickle, which wasn't really a noticeable difference, but it was still a difference. "Not to mention every time you enter the common room. What if you forget stuff? And what if you run out of knuts, are you just supposed to starve?"
Come to think of it, she'd never really wondered where Hogwarts got its money from. It's not like they had to pay tuition or anything, she just assumed they... always had it? Maybe the government cut off their payments or something.
When Tora entered the common room for the first time, she was amazed. Apparently abnormal turnstiles, cheap utensils, and rundown decorations or no, the Ravenclaw common room was awesome. She went over to one of the windows and looked out. Really really glad that she wasn't underground and instead was high up in a tower. Yeahhh closed in spaces and Tora Gallaway were not the best of matches.
She turned away from the window and saw Isobel sitting with another, older student. Since she had nothing really else to do at the moment, she thought it might be a great time to make a new friend.
"Hey Isobel," she said then turned to the other girl. "Hi" she smiled. She hoped the other girl would be nice to talk to and tolerant of first years, which she seemed to be as she was talking comfortably with Isobel, but you never know!
When Tora entered the common room for the first time, she was amazed. Apparently abnormal turnstiles, cheap utensils, and rundown decorations or no, the Ravenclaw common room was awesome. She went over to one of the windows and looked out. Really really glad that she wasn't underground and instead was high up in a tower. Yeahhh closed in spaces and Tora Gallaway were not the best of matches.
She turned away from the window and saw Isobel sitting with another, older student. Since she had nothing really else to do at the moment, she thought it might be a great time to make a new friend.
"Hey Isobel," she said then turned to the other girl. "Hi" she smiled. She hoped the other girl would be nice to talk to and tolerant of first years, which she seemed to be as she was talking comfortably with Isobel, but you never know!
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaetha
"Oh, that makes much more sense now!" Isobel had never met a transfer before. "What was it like there? Why'd your parents make you switch?" Perhaps she was asking too many questions, but she'd always wanted to know what magical education was like in other countries. She had her parents to tell her about Hogwarts, but she didn't know anyone foreign. "You can speak French, then?"
"My mum always said these were the best seven years of her life, and I agree about some things. So far, classes are amazing, and I've met a few people who are great friends, but... you know." The girl felt bad about wanting to criticise Hogwarts, but she was kind of mad about things.
Isobel nodded in agreement. "Yeah! I mean, just to eat three times a day is more than a Sickle!" Well, it was one knut more than a sickle, which wasn't really a noticeable difference, but it was still a difference. "Not to mention every time you enter the common room. What if you forget stuff? And what if you run out of knuts, are you just supposed to starve?"
Come to think of it, she'd never really wondered where Hogwarts got its money from. It's not like they had to pay tuition or anything, she just assumed they... always had it? Maybe the government cut off their payments or something.
Niamh smiled at the smaller girl. First Years were cute. They reminded her of her sister, which made Niamh slightly homesick. The blonde Eagle wished she could help the First Years out with Hogwarts, like the rest of her year were, and like Niamh herself would've done if she had been in her proper place - Beauxbatons.
Handling the situation much better than she had on her first night, when someone in her own year had asked Niamh the same thing, the blonde replied, "I'd rather not talk about it. Sadness filled the Fourth Year's eyes. "Why I switched, that is. I could talk about Beauxbatons all night, but I'd better not!" She laughed, possibly for the first time since arriving at this strange school. "Well it's a Palace, not a castle, and at Christmas the dining hall is decorated with magnificent ice sculptures. It's really quite beautiful. And yes, I speak French. My sister and I grew up there. She's still there now. I miss her." Niamh said the last sentence a little sadly, and sighed. Time to change the subject. "What about you? Do you have siblings? Do you have a sibling or two here at school?"
Niamh looked up as another student joined the two girls. Niamh thought she was a First Year by her size. "Hi, I'm Niamh," She said. Even these First Years are making friends. They're all getting to know each other. But then, my year group have already made friends and been that way for three years. Why should they want me with them? These were Niamh's melancholy thoughts as the other girl addressed Isobel by name.
Remembering something Isobel had just said, Niamh answered, "I know. I really hope they know what they're doing. They could at least explain what to do if you have no money and need food. Or your bed!" Feeling the anger building up in her Niamh stopped speaking. I can't lose my temper.
__________________
Last edited by giant_squid_fan; 05-09-2013 at 07:33 PM.
Reason: Grammar
Niamh looked up as another student joined the two girls. Niamh thought she was a First Year by her size. "Hi, I'm Niamh," She said. Even these First Years are making friends. They're all getting to know each other. But then, my year group have already made friends and been that way for three years. Why should they want me with them? These were Niamh's melancholy thoughts as the other girl addressed Isobel by name.
Remembering something Isobel had just said, Niamh answered, "I know. I really hope they know what they're doing. They could at least explain what to do if you have no money and need food. Or your bed!" Feeling the anger building up in her Niamh stopped speaking. I can't lose my temper.
Tora smiled at the older girl, but frowned alost immediately afterwards... Niamh didn't look happy at all. Maybe Tora was being annoying? She dismissed that thought after realizing that it was highly unlikely that that be the case. And if it was, well she could tell Tora so.
With the possibility of Tora being the one bothering Niamh practically out of the way, her mind started buzzing. Why was Niamh unhappy? She could miss her home maybe, or possibly her pet just died and she didn't want to say so because it would get her sympathy. Tora opened her mouth to ask why when Niamh continued her conversation with Isobel (and Tora decided it would be more polite to guess what was wrong through implication than to ask).
"I know exactly what you mean with the money!" Tora exclaimed when Niamh mentioned the toll to get into the dormitories. "Gram only gives me an galleon allowance of my age per year plus two 0's for all my books, supplies, and anything else I might want. After buying all my things for this year, I don't think I'll have enough money to keep paying a toll whenever I want to get into the Great Hall or into the dormitories!" Tora noticed Niamh reigning in her temper and realized that she had become heated as well. She took a couple deep breaths to calm herself down.
When Tora entered the common room for the first time, she was amazed. Apparently abnormal turnstiles, cheap utensils, and rundown decorations or no, the Ravenclaw common room was awesome. She went over to one of the windows and looked out. Really really glad that she wasn't underground and instead was high up in a tower. Yeahhh closed in spaces and Tora Gallaway were not the best of matches.
She turned away from the window and saw Isobel sitting with another, older student. Since she had nothing really else to do at the moment, she thought it might be a great time to make a new friend.
"Hey Isobel," she said then turned to the other girl. "Hi" she smiled. She hoped the other girl would be nice to talk to and tolerant of first years, which she seemed to be as she was talking comfortably with Isobel, but you never know!
"Hi, Tora!" Isobel exclaimed, happy to see her friend in the common room, which was otherwise surprisingly empty. It seemed like everyone was outside arguing, she guessed. She laughed at the look of awe on Tora's face. "I know, it's beautiful, isn't it?" Any last qualms she had about wanting to be in Ravenclaw had vanished, and she was now convinced that it was by far the best House, if only for the common room.
Isobel scooted over so there was some space on the couch beside her, a sort of invitation for Tora to sit down next to them, and then she nodded at Niamh. "She's a fourth year, but she just transferred from Beauxbatons, so she's new like us. We were just talking about the budget cuts the headmistress mentioned." Well, more like dedicated an entire speech to.
SPOILER!!: Niamh
Quote:
Originally Posted by giant_squid_fan
Niamh smiled at the smaller girl. First Years were cute. They reminded her of her sister, which made Niamh slightly homesick. The blonde Eagle wished she could help the First Years out with Hogwarts, like the rest of her year were, and like Niamh herself would've done if she had been in her proper place - Beauxbatons.
Handling the situation much better than she had on her first night, when someone in her own year had asked Niamh the same thing, the blonde replied, "I'd rather not talk about it. Sadness filled the Fourth Year's eyes. "Why I switched, that is. I could talk about Beauxbatons all night, but I'd better not!" She laughed, possibly for the first time since arriving at this strange school. "Well it's a Palace, not a castle, and at Christmas the dining hall is decorated with magnificent ice sculptures. It's really quite beautiful. And yes, I speak French. My sister and I grew up there. She's still there now. I miss her." Niamh said the last sentence a little sadly, and sighed. Time to change the subject. "What about you? Do you have siblings? Do you have a sibling or two here at school?"
Niamh looked up as another student joined the two girls. Niamh thought she was a First Year by her size. "Hi, I'm Niamh," She said. Even these First Years are making friends. They're all getting to know each other. But then, my year group have already made friends and been that way for three years. Why should they want me with them? These were Niamh's melancholy thoughts as the other girl addressed Isobel by name.
Remembering something Isobel had just said, Niamh answered, "I know. I really hope they know what they're doing. They could at least explain what to do if you have no money and need food. Or your bed!" Feeling the anger building up in her Niamh stopped speaking. I can't lose my temper.
Isobel suddenly felt brash and insensitive, asking questions without even bothering to think about what Niamh was feeling. She mentally berated herself. Beauxbatons was supposed to be a great school, even better than Hogwarts! If someone were to switch, there would have to be a reason they didn't want to get into. "Right. Um, sorry for asking," she said, looking down and toying with the edge of her bookmark. She brightened, however, when Niamh started talking about Beauxbatons, and listened intently.
"I've got a little sister, yeah, but she's only three. She can't even talk well." She wouldn't be able to come to Hogwarts for eight more years, and by then Isobel would (hopefully) have graduated. At least she'd be able to tell stories when she got back home.
"I completely agree! Why are they trying to exploit our basic needs, like needing to eat and sleep? They could charge for Hogsmeade weekends, or sending letters or something, but this is really kind of cruel." What if a student didn't have enough money to get into the common room? Were they supposed to sleep in the hall, or what?
SPOILER!!: Tora (again!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by amadshade
Tora smiled at the older girl, but frowned alost immediately afterwards... Niamh didn't look happy at all. Maybe Tora was being annoying? She dismissed that thought after realizing that it was highly unlikely that that be the case. And if it was, well she could tell Tora so.
With the possibility of Tora being the one bothering Niamh practically out of the way, her mind started buzzing. Why was Niamh unhappy? She could miss her home maybe, or possibly her pet just died and she didn't want to say so because it would get her sympathy. Tora opened her mouth to ask why when Niamh continued her conversation with Isobel (and Tora decided it would be more polite to guess what was wrong through implication than to ask).
"I know exactly what you mean with the money!" Tora exclaimed when Niamh mentioned the toll to get into the dormitories. "Gram only gives me an galleon allowance of my age per year plus two 0's for all my books, supplies, and anything else I might want. After buying all my things for this year, I don't think I'll have enough money to keep paying a toll whenever I want to get into the Great Hall or into the dormitories!" Tora noticed Niamh reigning in her temper and realized that she had become heated as well. She took a couple deep breaths to calm herself down.
Isobel shifted somewhat uncomfortably in her seat. She always hated when money came up in a conversation. "Um... if either of you guys need it, I can give you knuts to get into the Great Hall and stuff..." she said. For whatever reason, every time she found herself offering things to people, even if it was just common courtesy to do so, she ended up blushing and stuttering. As quickly as possible, she diverted the topic of conversation to something she'd overheard previously.
"Some students by the turnstiles suggesting making fake money that could be used to trick the machines into thinking they were paid." A fake knut probably wouldn't hold up in a shop, but it's possible the machines wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a real coin and a duplicated one.
Zyanya stepped into the common room, tired but excited nonetheless. Her mom had explained about the place and it was exactly the same. She couldn't help but smile like an idiot. Here she was, in the Ravenclaw common room, the very place she had wanted to be. She looked around for people, but it was empty except for a bunch of students. She went closer and spotted three girls. One was Isobel, the first year she had met at the feast. The other two she didn't know. She stepped forward and said with a smile,"Hi! Can I join you?". She hoped she was not interrupting.
Tora smiled at the older girl, but frowned alost immediately afterwards... Niamh didn't look happy at all. Maybe Tora was being annoying? She dismissed that thought after realizing that it was highly unlikely that that be the case. And if it was, well she could tell Tora so.
With the possibility of Tora being the one bothering Niamh practically out of the way, her mind started buzzing. Why was Niamh unhappy? She could miss her home maybe, or possibly her pet just died and she didn't want to say so because it would get her sympathy. Tora opened her mouth to ask why when Niamh continued her conversation with Isobel (and Tora decided it would be more polite to guess what was wrong through implication than to ask).
"I know exactly what you mean with the money!" Tora exclaimed when Niamh mentioned the toll to get into the dormitories. "Gram only gives me an galleon allowance of my age per year plus two 0's for all my books, supplies, and anything else I might want. After buying all my things for this year, I don't think I'll have enough money to keep paying a toll whenever I want to get into the Great Hall or into the dormitories!" Tora noticed Niamh reigning in her temper and realized that she had become heated as well. She took a couple deep breaths to calm herself down.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaetha
"Hi, Tora!" Isobel exclaimed, happy to see her friend in the common room, which was otherwise surprisingly empty. It seemed like everyone was outside arguing, she guessed. She laughed at the look of awe on Tora's face. "I know, it's beautiful, isn't it?" Any last qualms she had about wanting to be in Ravenclaw had vanished, and she was now convinced that it was by far the best House, if only for the common room.
Isobel scooted over so there was some space on the couch beside her, a sort of invitation for Tora to sit down next to them, and then she nodded at Niamh. "She's a fourth year, but she just transferred from Beauxbatons, so she's new like us. We were just talking about the budget cuts the headmistress mentioned." Well, more like dedicated an entire speech to.
Isobel suddenly felt brash and insensitive, asking questions without even bothering to think about what Niamh was feeling. She mentally berated herself. Beauxbatons was supposed to be a great school, even better than Hogwarts! If someone were to switch, there would have to be a reason they didn't want to get into. "Right. Um, sorry for asking," she said, looking down and toying with the edge of her bookmark. She brightened, however, when Niamh started talking about Beauxbatons, and listened intently.
"I've got a little sister, yeah, but she's only three. She can't even talk well." She wouldn't be able to come to Hogwarts for eight more years, and by then Isobel would (hopefully) have graduated. At least she'd be able to tell stories when she got back home.
"I completely agree! Why are they trying to exploit our basic needs, like needing to eat and sleep? They could charge for Hogsmeade weekends, or sending letters or something, but this is really kind of cruel." What if a student didn't have enough money to get into the common room? Were they supposed to sleep in the hall, or what?
Isobel shifted somewhat uncomfortably in her seat. She always hated when money came up in a conversation. "Um... if either of you guys need it, I can give you knuts to get into the Great Hall and stuff..." she said. For whatever reason, every time she found herself offering things to people, even if it was just common courtesy to do so, she ended up blushing and stuttering. As quickly as possible, she diverted the topic of conversation to something she'd overheard previously.
"Some students by the turnstiles suggesting making fake money that could be used to trick the machines into thinking they were paid." A fake knut probably wouldn't hold up in a shop, but it's possible the machines wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a real coin and a duplicated one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpvoldy
Zyanya stepped into the common room, tired but excited nonetheless. Her mom had explained about the place and it was exactly the same. She couldn't help but smile like an idiot. Here she was, in the Ravenclaw common room, the very place she had wanted to be. She looked around for people, but it was empty except for a bunch of students. She went closer and spotted three girls. One was Isobel, the first year she had met at the feast. The other two she didn't know. She stepped forward and said with a smile,"Hi! Can I join you?". She hoped she was not interrupting.
Niamh saw a frown briefly cross Isobel's friend's face. She thought she had heard Isobel call her Tora, but Niamh wasn't completely sure. There was a moment where Tora opened her mouth as if to speak, but didn't, as if she had thought better of it. After listening to Tora talk about her allowance, Niamh soon realised that Tora was one of the students who may end up in serious trouble nearer the end of term when their money began to run out. Isobel had already offered them a hand with knuts, and Niamh was torn in two. She wanted to offer help to Tora too, as money had never been an issue for the Anfield-Hopes, but at the same time, Niamh was a caring girl and she didn't want Tora to feel uncomfortable about being surrounded by people with plenty of money. Although, Niamh reminded herself, if her allowance runs out that doesn't mean her family can't send her some more. In the end she settled for thanking Isobel with a, "Thanks; I should be ok though," and saying to both girls, "If either of you need anything, you know where I am. Not just knuts, but anything. Advice on boys, help with homework or spells you find hard. I just can't help you with the layout and rules of Hogwarts, since I'm in the same position as you. But whatever else you need, don't be afraid to ask me." This was the longest speech Niamh had made to anyone in Hogwarts so far and when she'd finished she looked a bit taken aback with herself, as if she wasn't sure where all those words came from.
Trying to keep her mind on the conversation, Niamh heard Isobel say something about fake coins. "It'd be good if you could make one on a string, and haul it back, but you'd get caught quickly for sure. They're busy areas after all." Musing on this for a while, Niamh added, "I bet there's some heavy magic on them too though. You can't duck under them or use any magic to open them at all."
Noting with interest that Isobel had a small sister, Niamh said, "What's her name? My sister is seven. We'll never be at school together. Shame really." Addressing Tora, Niamh asked, "What about you? It's Tora isn't it? Is Gram your Grandma?" Niamh wondered about the girl's family, but it wasn't the kind of thing you'd bring up in conversation unless they did first and Niamh didn't want to upset anyone. Especially when all of them were far from home and in this strange, scary, new place.
Another girl came over to the little group. She looked quite young too. Inwardly, Niamh sighed, I feel like the odd one out, she thought morosely. Externally, she smiled at the newcomer and said, "Hello, I'm Niamh. I'm in Fourth Year but I'm as new as the First Years. This is Isobel and, I think, Tora."
Zyanya stepped into the common room, tired but excited nonetheless. Her mom had explained about the place and it was exactly the same. She couldn't help but smile like an idiot. Here she was, in the Ravenclaw common room, the very place she had wanted to be. She looked around for people, but it was empty except for a bunch of students. She went closer and spotted three girls. One was Isobel, the first year she had met at the feast. The other two she didn't know. She stepped forward and said with a smile,"Hi! Can I join you?". She hoped she was not interrupting.
“Zyanya, hi!” Isobel said, remembering having met the girl earlier at the feast. “Did you enjoy your ice cream?” It would have been pretty hard to enjoy the food, but the ice cream was admittedly pretty delicious. “Of course, we were just talking about the new turnstiles and the budget cuts and lack of house-elves and stuff.” Huh, it felt like she’d just finished saying that to Tora. Well, it was a good thing people were joining her, anyway, and it’s not like she wouldn’t have plenty of time to read before she went to bed. There was no way she was leaving this room before morning and having to pay another knut just to get back in.
SPOILER!!: Niamh
Quote:
Originally Posted by giant_squid_fan
Niamh saw a frown briefly cross Isobel's friend's face. She thought she had heard Isobel call her Tora, but Niamh wasn't completely sure. There was a moment where Tora opened her mouth as if to speak, but didn't, as if she had thought better of it. After listening to Tora talk about her allowance, Niamh soon realised that Tora was one of the students who may end up in serious trouble nearer the end of term when their money began to run out. Isobel had already offered them a hand with knuts, and Niamh was torn in two. She wanted to offer help to Tora too, as money had never been an issue for the Anfield-Hopes, but at the same time, Niamh was a caring girl and she didn't want Tora to feel uncomfortable about being surrounded by people with plenty of money. Although, Niamh reminded herself, if her allowance runs out that doesn't mean her family can't send her some more. In the end she settled for thanking Isobel with a, "Thanks; I should be ok though," and saying to both girls, "If either of you need anything, you know where I am. Not just knuts, but anything. Advice on boys, help with homework or spells you find hard. I just can't help you with the layout and rules of Hogwarts, since I'm in the same position as you. But whatever else you need, don't be afraid to ask me." This was the longest speech Niamh had made to anyone in Hogwarts so far and when she'd finished she looked a bit taken aback with herself, as if she wasn't sure where all those words came from.
Trying to keep her mind on the conversation, Niamh heard Isobel say something about fake coins. "It'd be good if you could make one on a string, and haul it back, but you'd get caught quickly for sure. They're busy areas after all." Musing on this for a while, Niamh added, "I bet there's some heavy magic on them too though. You can't duck under them or use any magic to open them at all."
Noting with interest that Isobel had a small sister, Niamh said, "What's her name? My sister is seven. We'll never be at school together. Shame really." Addressing Tora, Niamh asked, "What about you? It's Tora isn't it? Is Gram your Grandma?" Niamh wondered about the girl's family, but it wasn't the kind of thing you'd bring up in conversation unless they did first and Niamh didn't want to upset anyone. Especially when all of them were far from home and in this strange, scary, new place.
Another girl came over to the little group. She looked quite young too. Inwardly, Niamh sighed, I feel like the odd one out, she thought morosely. Externally, she smiled at the newcomer and said, "Hello, I'm Niamh. I'm in Fourth Year but I'm as new as the First Years. This is Isobel and, I think, Tora."
“Yeah, okay,” Isobel said awkwardly, glad to hear that Niamh was offering things as well, so she wasn’t alone. Advice on boys, though, that was a laugh. Isobel had a feeling she’d be single through all seven of her Hogwarts years, and she was very okay with that. Boys were confusing, and while she didn’t mind having them as friends, she didn’t want to deal with all of the drama that relationships caused. “Thank you,” she said sincerely, smiling at Niamh.
“That could work on the common room ones,” Isobel said, nodding, “but what would you do for the ten knuts in the great hall?” It would be hard to put the same coin in ten times, that would look really weird and arouse a lot of suspicion. “That’s true as well, though, there’s some kind of force field if you try to go under them.” She herself hadn’t tried, but someone else standing by the door had, and they recoiled immediately from the entrance to the common room. “The headmistress probably enchanted them herself or something,” she said gloomily. There really was no way they were going to get in without paying, was there.
“Katie,” Isobel replied. “Well, technically, Katherine Rosalin, but nobody calls her that, not even my mum, who chose the name in the first place.” Her mum’s boyfriend had tried to protest, saying that she should be named after his sister or something, but for some reason she was completely adamant about the name, so it was kept. “How about your sister, what’s her name?” she asked, genuinely curious. Back home, most couples only had one kid, and situations like her family were unheard of. “I know, it would have been nice if I could show her around on her first day and introduced her to professors and stuff. I guess that’ll never happen, though.”
SPOILER!!: Isobel plus Niamh equals offers of kindness
"Hi, Tora!" Isobel exclaimed, happy to see her friend in the common room, which was otherwise surprisingly empty. It seemed like everyone was outside arguing, she guessed. She laughed at the look of awe on Tora's face. "I know, it's beautiful, isn't it?" Any last qualms she had about wanting to be in Ravenclaw had vanished, and she was now convinced that it was by far the best House, if only for the common room.
Isobel scooted over so there was some space on the couch beside her, a sort of invitation for Tora to sit down next to them, and then she nodded at Niamh. "She's a fourth year, but she just transferred from Beauxbatons, so she's new like us. We were just talking about the budget cuts the headmistress mentioned." Well, more like dedicated an entire speech to.
------------------------------------
Isobel shifted somewhat uncomfortably in her seat. She always hated when money came up in a conversation. "Um... if either of you guys need it, I can give you knuts to get into the Great Hall and stuff…" she said. For whatever reason, every time she found herself offering things to people, even if it was just common courtesy to do so, she ended up blushing and stuttering. As quickly as possible, she diverted the topic of conversation to something she'd overheard previously.
-----------------------------------
Although, Niamh reminded herself, if her allowance runs out that doesn't mean her family can't send her some more. In the end she settled for thanking Isobel with a, "Thanks; I should be ok though," and saying to both girls, "If either of you need anything, you know where I am. Not just knuts, but anything. Advice on boys, help with homework or spells you find hard. I just can't help you with the layout and rules of Hogwarts, since I'm in the same position as you. But whatever else you need, don't be afraid to ask me."
Oh? So the fourth year was a transfer? Thats kinda cool, though Tora wondered why she left. It must be why she looked so unhappy. Tora sympathized with Niamh especially about switching schools though the last time she had been new was when she had first moved to the United States. That was a loonggg time ago now that Tora thought about it…
She smiled and plopped herself down in the space Isobel had made for her on the couch. Ahhhh rest at last. Then Isobel offered to help with money and getting in and out of the common room. Tora thought it was really very nice of Isobel, though she knew she would never take up her offer. This wasn't because Tora was ashamed really, it was just that she had been taught by Gram how to get by without certain things and to not inconvenience other people due to monetary reasons. So she said nothing as Niamh mentioned that she was all ok money-wise. Though Tora did grin when Niamh offered to help her with all other sorts of things. She might just take her up on that. "Thanks! I'll make sure to find you when I need something."
SPOILER!!: Isobel/Niamh/Isobel again about the turnstiles
"Some students by the turnstiles suggesting making fake money that could be used to trick the machines into thinking they were paid." A fake knut probably wouldn't hold up in a shop, but it's possible the machines wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a real coin and a duplicated one.
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Trying to keep her mind on the conversation, Niamh heard Isobel say something about fake coins. "It'd be good if you could make one on a string, and haul it back, but you'd get caught quickly for sure. They're busy areas after all." Musing on this for a while, Niamh added, "I bet there's some heavy magic on them too though. You can't duck under them or use any magic to open them at all."
------------------------------------- “That could work on the common room ones,” Isobel said, nodding, “but what would you do for the ten knuts in the great hall?” It would be hard to put the same coin in ten times, that would look really weird and arouse a lot of suspicion. “That’s true as well, though, there’s some kind of force field if you try to go under them.” She herself hadn’t tried, but someone else standing by the door had, and they recoiled immediately from the entrance to the common room. “The headmistress probably enchanted them herself or something,” she said gloomily. There really was no way they were going to get in without paying, was there.
"The string on the coin might work except wouldn't the string get caught? Or something like that where you either can't get it out of the turnstile or you leave evidence that you tried to get past without paying, which might cause some problems with the staff." Tora said jumping into the conversation. "Besides, Niamh's right- there seems to be some magic and the machines might be enchanted to tell the difference between a fake and a real coin." She continued. She had also seen a student attempt to go underneath the turnstile. She vaguely wondered if it gave the boy a little shock or if he just couldn't get through.
Tora looked wondered this and happened to glance out the window to her right. She got distracted again by the view of the Quidditch pitch and the entire grounds. Then she had an idea. The windows looked big enough… but did they open? "Hey guys- what if we took broomsticks and just flew up to the windows and came into the dormitory that way?"
SPOILER!!: Niamh then Isobel about family!
Noting with interest that Isobel had a small sister, Niamh said,[/b] "What's her name? My sister is seven. We'll never be at school together. Shame really." [/b]Addressing Tora, Niamh asked, "What about you? It's Tora isn't it? Is Gram your Grandma?" Niamh wondered about the girl's family, but it wasn't the kind of thing you'd bring up in conversation unless they did first and Niamh didn't want to upset anyone. Especially when all of them were far from home and in this strange, scary, new place.
-------------------------------- “Katie,” Isobel replied. “Well, technically, Katherine Rosalin, but nobody calls her that, not even my mum, who chose the name in the first place.” Her mum’s boyfriend had tried to protest, saying that she should be named after his sister or something, but for some reason she was completely adamant about the name, so it was kept. “How about your sister, what’s her name?” she asked, genuinely curious. Back home, most couples only had one kid, and situations like her family were unheard of. “I know, it would have been nice if I could show her around on her first day and introduced her to professors and stuff. I guess that’ll never happen, though.”
Seven year olds. Tora remembered when she was seven. It was an interesting age with a whole lot of adjusting. That was the year she had moved in with Gram and had actually started living in a Wizarding house. "Oh yeah! Sorry- I'm Tora Gallaway, uh first year, Ravenclaw…" She trailed off blushing. Duh she was a first year and double duh she was in Ravenclaw! Oh well it was said and couldn't be taken back now. "Gram is my grandma. I just call her Gram though. I live with her in the United States now." She said nodding. She smiled like she usually did when she thought of Gram.
Isobel had a younger sister? That's adorable! Tora thought about her own siblings and then immediately pushed them out of her mind. They didn't belong here and would only bring trouble. After all she was practically an only child anyway.
SPOILER!!: Zyanya/Niamh/Isobel :)
Zyanya stepped into the common room, tired but excited nonetheless. Her mom had explained about the place and it was exactly the same. She couldn't help but smile like an idiot. Here she was, in the Ravenclaw common room, the very place she had wanted to be. She looked around for people, but it was empty except for a bunch of students. She went closer and spotted three girls. One was Isobel, the first year she had met at the feast. The other two she didn't know. She stepped forward and said with a smile,"Hi! Can I join you?". She hoped she was not interrupting.
--------------------------------
Another girl came over to the little group. She looked quite young too. Inwardly, Niamh sighed, I feel like the odd one out, she thought morosely. Externally, she smiled at the newcomer and said, "Hello, I'm Niamh. I'm in Fourth Year but I'm as new as the First Years. This is Isobel and, I think, Tora."
--------------------------
“Zyanya, hi!” Isobel said, remembering having met the girl earlier at the feast. “Did you enjoy your ice cream?” It would have been pretty hard to enjoy the food, but the ice cream was admittedly pretty delicious. “Of course, we were just talking about the new turnstiles and the budget cuts and lack of house-elves and stuff.” Huh, it felt like she’d just finished saying that to Tora. Well, it was a good thing people were joining her, anyway, and it’s not like she wouldn’t have plenty of time to read before she went to bed. There was no way she was leaving this room before morning and having to pay another knut just to get back in.
Another student to talk to! Isobel seemed to know her already as, was it Zyanya? Cool name. Tora grinned at her and gave a little wave. "Hi! Yeah I'm Tora." She said, introducing herself without any unwanted extra info this time."Are you a first year too?" Zyanya looked younger and was definitely a first or a second year… but you never know!
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Last edited by amadshade; 05-11-2013 at 05:36 PM.
Reason: oh formatting you are such a pain
Okay, yeah, this common room was dirty. Dusty and neglected, definitely. She held in her hands a vacuum she'd borrowed to complete her Astronomy homework, and she intended to use it. Though why they didn't just go around using actually cleaning spells she wasn't really sure.
She nodded in acknowledgement of the girls chatting in the common room and went to work. First up were the dusty sofas. She pointed her wand at the vacuum hose and cast the suction spell. "Vacavus!" It was good that they'd practiced so much in class. It made the spell go off without a hitch, and the whirring began. "Time to take care of some lint," she mumbled cheerily. Cleaning wasn't her favorite task or anything, but today she was feeling really glad to help out around the castle. If things were going poorly and there was only one house elf to clean the whole place - of course she would do what she could to chip it. Besides, it's not like it was hard, and with all the man-power the students could provide, she was sure they could get it whipped back into shape in no time.
Once the sofas looked better she sat down the hose and wiped her hands together. A job well done, if I do say so myself!
"The string on the coin might work except wouldn't the string get caught? Or something like that where you either can't get it out of the turnstile or you leave evidence that you tried to get past without paying, which might cause some problems with the staff." Tora said jumping into the conversation. "Besides, Niamh's right- there seems to be some magic and the machines might be enchanted to tell the difference between a fake and a real coin." She continued. She had also seen a student attempt to go underneath the turnstile. She vaguely wondered if it gave the boy a little shock or if he just couldn't get through.
Tora looked wondered this and happened to glance out the window to her right. She got distracted again by the view of the Quidditch pitch and the entire grounds. Then she had an idea. The windows looked big enough… but did they open? "Hey guys- what if we took broomsticks and just flew up to the windows and came into the dormitory that way?"
Isobel had kind of thought it wasn't going to work anyway, but she felt the need to defend the idea now that Tora was against it. What was the word for that, devil's advocate? "I suppose that's possible, but if you made sure to do it when nobody else was around?" Yeah, she was defending a failure of an idea, so she conceded thoughtfully. "Okay, fine, you're right. Neither idea would work, really."
The broomstick idea was pretty good, and Isobel leaned in in interest. "That could work! I don't actually have a broom, though, if I remember correctly first years aren't allowed to." It wasn't a big deal, though, it was possible they could borrow some after a flying lesson, maybe ask the teacher. No, wait, that wouldn't work either, a teacher wouldn't do anything to keep Hogwarts from profiting. Well anyway, if they could obtain broomsticks somehow, it would be a good idea. Still... she took a closer look at the windows. "They don't actually look like they open, though. The windows, that is."
SPOILER!!: Families!
Quote:
Originally Posted by amadshade
Seven year olds. Tora remembered when she was seven. It was an interesting age with a whole lot of adjusting. That was the year she had moved in with Gram and had actually started living in a Wizarding house. "Oh yeah! Sorry- I'm Tora Gallaway, uh first year, Ravenclaw…" She trailed off blushing. Duh she was a first year and double duh she was in Ravenclaw! Oh well it was said and couldn't be taken back now. "Gram is my grandma. I just call her Gram though. I live with her in the United States now." She said nodding. She smiled like she usually did when she thought of Gram.
Isobel had a younger sister? That's adorable! Tora thought about her own siblings and then immediately pushed them out of her mind. They didn't belong here and would only bring trouble. After all she was practically an only child anyway.
"How come you've come to Hogwarts, then, if you live in the States?" Isobel didn't know much about other countries, having never even been out of her little town before now, but she imagined there had to be a different school there she could go to, if not several. America was pretty big, and so far she hadn't seen any non-English students at Hogwarts.
"My grandparents live in Switzerland, I've never been to see them though," Isobel shared.
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Last edited by aaetha; 05-13-2013 at 04:09 PM.
Reason: ughghghghg
Isobel had kind of thought it wasn't going to work anyway, but she felt the need to defend the idea now that Tora was against it. What was the word for that, devil's advocate? "I suppose that's possible, but if you made sure to do it when nobody else was around?" Yeah, she was defending a failure of an idea, so she conceded thoughtfully. "Okay, fine, you're right. Neither idea would work, really."
The broomstick idea was pretty good, and Isobel leaned in in interest. "That could work! I don't actually have a broom, though, if I remember correctly first years aren't allowed to." It wasn't a big deal, though, it was possible they could borrow some after a flying lesson, maybe ask the teacher. No, wait, that wouldn't work either, a teacher wouldn't do anything to keep Hogwarts from profiting. Well anyway, if they could obtain broomsticks somehow, it would be a good idea. Still... she took a closer look at the windows. "They don't actually look like they open, though. The windows, that is."
Oh right. No broomsticks... "Maybe we could get an older student to lend them to us? Or use the schools?" Tora mused. "Oh, and about those windows... maybe we could take them out and fit them with hinges?" It sounded like a lot of work, but really there must be a spell to make that easier!
SPOILER!!: Families!
"How come you've come to Hogwarts, then, if you live in the States?" Isobel didn't know much about other countries, having never even been out of her little town before now, but she imagined there had to be a different school there she could go to, if not several. America was pretty big, and so far she hadn't seen any non-English students at Hogwarts.
"My grandparents live in Switzerland, I've never been to see them though," Isobel shared.
"I was born in the UK, hence my accent -which I think I told you about on the train?- and so I go to Hogwarts! I just live in the states with my grandparents 'cause my parents wanted me to grow up in a wizarding house." She said thinking again about Gram. Which reminded her she needed to mail a letter to her and tell her about everything. "How come you've never seen your grandparents?" Tora asked Isobel forgetting, like always when she was curious, that it was probably a very rude think to ask.
Niamh fell silent for a while, letting the younger girls do all the talking. While it had temporarily been fun to discuss ways of getting around paying for entry to their common rooms and the Great Hall, after a while, Niamh had began to feel miserable again. The little group of girls had been discussing families and, worse, younger sisters. Niamh would never admit it but she missed her entire family. Usually it was just Nieth she missed when she was at school at Beauxbatons, but in England she missed her parents too.
Realising that the mystery surrounding Tora's family situation was being discussed, Niamh tried to focus on the conversation again. "Don't you mind being apart from your parents?" She asked, as gently as she could.
It was then that Niamh realised that Isobel had asked what her sister's name was. "Nieth," She replied, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "Like N-I-E-T-H, but it's said like NEE-ETH, not NEETH. I don't know where my parents got it from." Stifling a yawn, Niamh said, "I'm sorry! It's rude to yawn, apparently. Do you think it's rude to yawn?" The girl asked, suddenly wondering if anybody else had been brought up that way or if it was just her. I must get to bed soon, she thought, tiredly.
Niamh fell silent for a while, letting the younger girls do all the talking. While it had temporarily been fun to discuss ways of getting around paying for entry to their common rooms and the Great Hall, after a while, Niamh had began to feel miserable again. The little group of girls had been discussing families and, worse, younger sisters. Niamh would never admit it but she missed her entire family. Usually it was just Nieth she missed when she was at school at Beauxbatons, but in England she missed her parents too.
Realising that the mystery surrounding Tora's family situation was being discussed, Niamh tried to focus on the conversation again. "Don't you mind being apart from your parents?" She asked, as gently as she could.
It was then that Niamh realised that Isobel had asked what her sister's name was. "Nieth," She replied, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "Like N-I-E-T-H, but it's said like NEE-ETH, not NEETH. I don't know where my parents got it from." Stifling a yawn, Niamh said, "I'm sorry! It's rude to yawn, apparently. Do you think it's rude to yawn?" The girl asked, suddenly wondering if anybody else had been brought up that way or if it was just her. I must get to bed soon, she thought, tiredly.
OOC: Sorry for the absence - not well.
Mum and Dad. Them. Tora really did love them but... well... she was just so different. "Oh, no I don't really mind. Gram takes good care of me. And so does Grandad when he's home from travelling. Besides I'm used to it, I was sent to live with them when I was seven." she said remaining cheery on the outside while inside her thoughts turned to the twins. Those perfectly muggle twins. She guessed that it was just natural that Mum and Dad wouldn't want to send their precious twins away. She started to frown before checking herself again. Mum and Dad had sent her away so she could be around magic, not because they didn't love her. ...right?
Once Tora sees someone yawn she just has to contribute with one of her own!"'Scuse me," she said through the tail end of the yawn then turned to Niamh. "No, I don't think it's rude. As long as you cover your mouth and say 'Excuse me' or something like that. Or at least that's what Gram said so... yeah." She smiled at the older girl (who she thought looked rather tired) and asked "What school would your sister go to? Would she be the same at Beauxbatons then transfer here to Hogwarts?"
Oh right. No broomsticks... "Maybe we could get an older student to lend them to us? Or use the schools?" Tora mused. "Oh, and about those windows... maybe we could take them out and fit them with hinges?" It sounded like a lot of work, but really there must be a spell to make that easier!
"I was born in the UK, hence my accent -which I think I told you about on the train?- and so I go to Hogwarts! I just live in the states with my grandparents 'cause my parents wanted me to grow up in a wizarding house." She said thinking again about Gram. Which reminded her she needed to mail a letter to her and tell her about everything. "How come you've never seen your grandparents?" Tora asked Isobel forgetting, like always when she was curious, that it was probably a very rude think to ask.
"Yeah, if we could manage to get the school to lend us some. Also, how would we get older students' broomsticks if they need them to get into the common room?" Isobel was kind of disappointed to be debunking this plan somewhat, but it was unfortunately very flawed. "I imagine a lot of people would notice if we put hinges in the windows, Tora." And by people she meant professors. Obviously.
"You mentioned it, but didn't completely explain." Isobel said. She found Tora's family fascinating, living away from your parents sounded so weird! She clearly loved her grandmother, though, so she guessed it wasn't a problem for her.
"Oh, I've never been out of England. Never been out of Tinworth, actually, before now. My mum was always too busy for travelling, and my dad said he got 'Portkey-sick' or something, who knows." She'd suggested Floo powder, or Side-Along Apparation, but he always had excuses. "Anyway, we just never got around to it."
SPOILER!!: Niamh
Quote:
Originally Posted by giant_squid_fan
Realising that the mystery surrounding Tora's family situation was being discussed, Niamh tried to focus on the conversation again. "Don't you mind being apart from your parents?" She asked, as gently as she could.
It was then that Niamh realised that Isobel had asked what her sister's name was. "Nieth," She replied, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. "Like N-I-E-T-H, but it's said like NEE-ETH, not NEETH. I don't know where my parents got it from." Stifling a yawn, Niamh said, "I'm sorry! It's rude to yawn, apparently. Do you think it's rude to yawn?" The girl asked, suddenly wondering if anybody else had been brought up that way or if it was just her. I must get to bed soon, she thought, tiredly.
"Nieth, huh?" Isobel said, careful to pronounce it correctly. "That's a really pretty name!" She nearly laughed when Niamh spelled out her sister's name, having had to do that herself nearly every time anyone wrote hers down and used an a instead of an o. "Yours is pretty uncommon too, where's it from?" Actually, uncommon was an understatement, she'd never heard a name like it before.
It's rude to yawn? That was news to Isobel, who found herself stifling one of her own. Rude or not, they certainly were contagious. "I don't think so, at least, as long as you cover your mouth." She turned her head and looked at Niamh, slightly concerned. She hadn't said much recently, was she okay. "You look tired, have you been getting enough sleep?" Isobel asked.
"Yeah, if we could manage to get the school to lend us some. Also, how would we get older students' broomsticks if they need them to get into the common room?" Isobel was kind of disappointed to be debunking this plan somewhat, but it was unfortunately very flawed. "I imagine a lot of people would notice if we put hinges in the windows, Tora." And by people she meant professors. Obviously.
"You mentioned it, but didn't completely explain." Isobel said. She found Tora's family fascinating, living away from your parents sounded so weird! She clearly loved her grandmother, though, so she guessed it wasn't a problem for her.
"Oh, I've never been out of England. Never been out of Tinworth, actually, before now. My mum was always too busy for travelling, and my dad said he got 'Portkey-sick' or something, who knows." She'd suggested Floo powder, or Side-Along Apparation, but he always had excuses. "Anyway, we just never got around to it."
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WELL FINE. Just completely shoot down the broomstick idea... Tora scowled at the floor for a bit, after all, there had to be a way broomsticks would work! If she could just think of it though... As for the windows- "Oh I highly doubt a professor would notice much. I mean how often have you seen them in here? And besides, changes are made to the castle every year. They could easily look over the fact that there are now hinges." So there.
Oh, yeah. Tora probably didn't explain much. She wasn't too fond of explaining about her family because then people ask questions, and Tora honestly didn't know what she would do if they asked a question she really didn't want asked. But so far so good, so no harm done! -yet- "Sorry 'bout that, sometimes I forget what I tell people and what I don't" she said instead of saying the real reason behind why she didn't fully answer questions.
That was awful never having left one little town. Tora would have probably died of curiosity about the outside world if that had been her life. Then she had a wonderfukl idea. "You should come visit Gram and me over Christmas Break! It would be loads of fun and you would get to see the U.S.A.!" She said with a big smile. Then she thought that Isobel would probably be going back to her own family for Christmas... "And if you can't make it for Charistmas, then come stay over the Summer holidays!" she amended. Plenty of time over summer.
WELL FINE. Just completely shoot down the broomstick idea... Tora scowled at the floor for a bit, after all, there had to be a way broomsticks would work! If she could just think of it though... As for the windows- "Oh I highly doubt a professor would notice much. I mean how often have you seen them in here? And besides, changes are made to the castle every year. They could easily look over the fact that there are now hinges." So there.
Oh, yeah. Tora probably didn't explain much. She wasn't too fond of explaining about her family because then people ask questions, and Tora honestly didn't know what she would do if they asked a question she really didn't want asked. But so far so good, so no harm done! -yet- "Sorry 'bout that, sometimes I forget what I tell people and what I don't" she said instead of saying the real reason behind why she didn't fully answer questions.
That was awful never having left one little town. Tora would have probably died of curiosity about the outside world if that had been her life. Then she had a wonderful idea. "You should come visit Gram and me over Christmas Break! It would be loads of fun and you would get to see the U.S.A.!" She said with a big smile. Then she thought that Isobel would probably be going back to her own family for Christmas... "And if you can't make it for Christmas, then come stay over the Summer holidays!" she amended. Plenty of time over summer.
Clearly the broomstick idea wasn't going to work, wouldn't Tora just give up already? "I never said a professor would notice," Isobel insisted stubbornly, even though it was quite clear that that had been what she'd meant. "I just said people might notice. Besides, where would you even get hinges from?" There were way too many complications for it to ever actually work out.
"It's fine, I do the same thing sometimes," Isobel said, laughing slightly. It was usually worse when she told the same story twice (or three times, or four), to all of the same people, and she's start and they'd all just go, "We know, Isobel," in really annoying voices. Ugh.
She smiled involuntarily in relief. Isobel had been planning on staying at Hogwarts over the holidays, but she'd be mostly alone then, and this was just perfect! "Yes, yes, aaand... yes!" she exclaimed. "There, now I've accepted you're not allowed to change your mind." Just putting that out there in case Tora had second thoughts. A moment later, she realised they were probably wondering why she didn't want to go home over break. "It's going to be awful back home over Christmas. My parents think that it should be a time for togetherness and family, which is fine and all, but they hate each others' guts. It's usually just two weeks of pretending to be nice while sneaking glares at one another." This would be the fourth year since the divorce, and even before then there had been problems. Isobel kind of wished she could just stay with her mum, but her parents were adamant in their familial ideals.
Barely able to keep up with the two chatty younger girls, Niamh did sense some tension between them at one stage. Tora had this vague idea that she could sneak into the common room using a broomstick, and Isobel had quickly pointed out the weak spots in the plan.
Niamh giggled as her yawn went round the group. "They're definitely contagious!" She laughed. She stopped when Tora asked her about Nieth's schooling. "Well I hope they send her here too, right from First Year. For a start, it's so much easier to make friends. And anyway, I'll disown them if Nieth gets to go to Beauxbatons!"
Puzzled, Niamh looked at Isobel blankly for a moment or two. Oh, my name. She was asking about my name. Tiredness was creeping up on the Fourth Year and she was beginning to make stupid mistakes and look like a fool. "Well it's Irish. It means light, or radiance," She said, beaming playfully as if to show off her own radiance.
"Actually, it's just been a really long day and I'm exhausted. Thank you, that was sweet!" Niamh smiled at Isobel, touched by the girl's concern.
Looking at Tora, Niamh said, "I know how it feels when your parents send you places you don't want to go. Away from where you grew up. If you ever want a moan or whatever, come find me."That must really bite, to be sent away like that, though I suppose they thought it was best for her.
Oh Merlin, Christmas. They were talking about Christmas.
Clearly the broomstick idea wasn't going to work, wouldn't Tora just give up already? "I never said a professor would notice," Isobel insisted stubbornly, even though it was quite clear that that had been what she'd meant. "I just said people might notice. Besides, where would you even get hinges from?" There were way too many complications for it to ever actually work out.
"It's fine, I do the same thing sometimes," Isobel said, laughing slightly. It was usually worse when she told the same story twice (or three times, or four), to all of the same people, and she's start and they'd all just go, "We know, Isobel," in really annoying voices. Ugh.
She smiled involuntarily in relief. Isobel had been planning on staying at Hogwarts over the holidays, but she'd be mostly alone then, and this was just perfect! "Yes, yes, aaand... yes!" she exclaimed. "There, now I've accepted you're not allowed to change your mind." Just putting that out there in case Tora had second thoughts. A moment later, she realised they were probably wondering why she didn't want to go home over break. "It's going to be awful back home over Christmas. My parents think that it should be a time for togetherness and family, which is fine and all, but they hate each others' guts. It's usually just two weeks of pretending to be nice while sneaking glares at one another." This would be the fourth year since the divorce, and even before then there had been problems. Isobel kind of wished she could just stay with her mum, but her parents were adamant in their familial ideals.
Well there were plenty of places to get hinges! "You could owl someone and have them send them to you, or you could ask the room of requirement for some. Or maybe you could get a professor in on this. A good professor of course, I don't know who though. Or maybe you could just make them. I'm sure we could find a book somewhere in the library pertaining to carpentry!" Really. Isobel was just being sooooo uncreative here. There were so many possibilities to consider!
"Oh and I would never take back an offer to stay! I know Gram would be so happy to meet my friends from here." She laughed, but sobered a minute later when she thought about dysfunctional families. She didn't know what it was exactly that Isobel was referring to with family issues but she knew that as a good friend she needed to be there for her. "Yeah, you can stay with us anytime. And well you know I'll be there when you need me." It was the best she could do without seeming more awkward than she already felt. But it was definitely genuine and Tora hoped that Isobel could see past her cliched words to see that.
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Originally Posted by giant_squid_fan
Niamh giggled as her yawn went round the group. "They're definitely contagious!" She laughed. She stopped when Tora asked her about Nieth's schooling. "Well I hope they send her here too, right from First Year. For a start, it's so much easier to make friends. And anyway, I'll disown them if Nieth gets to go to Beauxbatons!"
Looking at Tora, Niamh said, "I know how it feels when your parents send you places you don't want to go. Away from where you grew up. If you ever want a moan or whatever, come find me."That must really bite, to be sent away like that, though I suppose they thought it was best for her.
Oh Merlin, Christmas. They were talking about Christmas.
Funny how Niamh so obviously missed Beauxbatons but didn't want her younger sister to ever go there. Tora kept quiet of the matter though and instead asked a question she had thought up a while ago but hadn't had time to interject in the conversation. "By the way, does anyone else with there was a better way to get in the common room besides going through that ridiculous knocker? I mean sure the riddles are fun and interesting but seriously. I can't get in and out quickly if I need to!"
Tora noted it in her mind that she and Niamh were two of a kind in the sent-away-from-home way. Maybe she would pick up that conversation later with her at a better time when she was in more of a mood to talk about her family. If she would ever be in a mood to talk about the twins her family.
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Ravenclaw Common Room 
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