SPOILER!!: Sha! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormdancer

Marsha didn’t know why… ‘cause she was just energetic and happy and liked to give compliments and be honest…. But then the new professors probably hadn’t learnt that about her yet. So, she gave the Professor another smile and let her leave the conversation at that. She liked making people happy.

Nodding her head, Marsha agreed with her. ”Definitely, but mostly I just need to keep up with my training - and so that I can continue to run with the clubs outwith school I need to keep up my grades…. And the grades will help me with University.” She couldn’t help but laugh slightly, she knew it sounded insane for a fifteen year old, but she just knew what she wanted to do with her life. Animals and Running. And Vince. Vince was a major part of everything now.

And just like Marsha had done to the Professor, the Professor gave her a compliment with little to no evidence of what she was saying - yet it made the Welsh teenager feel good, like she could do everything she hoped to do. Well, she knew she could - but at the same time life could be mean and she needed to find a way to stand out so that she would be able to complete those goals. She had time, but at least she was starting to get prepared now. So much to do and so little time. She cut across a few rocks so that she could lead the Professor on one of the side paths.

Kay was right. Marsha was indeed a busy girl. Was there even time for a social life? She didn't ask because she didn't want the girl to get the impression that she was prying. "Keep it up. It comes down to balancing all the things you have going on in your life so keep that up and you'll be alright.'' The professor reckoned Marsha had long figured that out but she just wanted to remind her of that useful tip.

Kay fell back a little, not because she was getting tired, but because she wanted Marsha to lead the way. Over and past some rocks they went towards another path. There were so many of them! She definitely did not remember this much being here during her time. Possibly it was because she had not spent lots of her time exploring them.

Good run? If that was the question she wanted to ask him about then that wasn't a bad way of pressing him so early on in the morning. Questions like that he could answer at the present moment. But something told him that this was just the appetiser to the conversation so, he'd have to wait to see what she wanted to bring up. Again, don't make it so complicated? "Good guess, Miss Iver. What brings you here so early on in the day?"

The Defence professor waited, noting how hesitant she looked with this conversation. It wasn't something bad, was it? Or was it something worse? Please don't let her be coming to him for relationship or love advice because he was really not the man for that kind of conversation. Besides, his students didn't need to know what happened outside of classes.

Just saying.

................. Welp, there it was.

The thoroughly confused expression spread itself across Hirsch's face. The words unconventional, Imperius Curse and agreed were all floating around his head and not making any sort of sense. Why would someone ask someone else to put them through the Imperius Curse? Why would they want to be controlled by another human be-

....................

..................................

Oh.

Did she mean......? This was a little weird. The confused expression stayed on his face but he kept his gaze on her, as if he was searching for a hint of an answer in her facial expression. "Would you..... care to give me an example?" If this was for a personal reason then he was going to have a few words.

The Professor was silently right, Marsha did have a pretty good time management system going- but that didn’t mean she had it completely figured out. She was always open to suggestions from her friends, older students and professors. After all, they had done it already and they had probably learnt something from the way they tackled their teenage years. ”Any advice on how to balance everything?” She asked, for exactly that reason. Perspective and opinions were always good.

And Marsha did so without even realising that she was leading the run. She simply loved this course because of its terrain. It wasn’t too flat, too rough or too hilly - but it was a great workout due to the multitude of changes and winding paths included. Looking over her shoulder she asked, ”Is there anywhere you would like to pass specifically?” Or see? Never know what someone wanted to see or do on their run.

Oh she didn't have to hope. Silly Azura. It was his dad, so of course he would be successful! His dad could do anything. Jaemin was pretty sure that was a prerequisite for being a dad. The small boy merely nodded before a little patch of something on the ground nearby caught his eye, and he sauntered toward it curiously. Was it mint?

Her reaction to his plant patch though, that got his attention. He glanced back at her and grinned. "You can see it sometime, you know! It's in the greenhouses. All in its own little patch."

That reminded him... he had to go water it later today. It was probably a very thirsty plant patch, as he hadn't been over there since the day before last. Overwatering was the enemy, but so was underwatering. He didn't want his little sprig of niffler's fancy to die. THAT WOULD BE TRAGIC.

What did his dad do? Jaemin prodded at the mint leaves, humming softly. "He's a Herbologist. And mom has a plant nursery for Muggle plants. So I get to have all the plants I want from both sides."

Which was just... the best. The absolute best. He plucked off one of the mint leaves and held it up to his nose, giving it a sniff. Mint leaves were always so nice... he should see about potting some and keeping them in the dorms. Maybe they'd help dispel the scent of teenage boys.

"Green is my favourite colour but I dunno if I would look right with all green skin," he murmured, digging his fingers into the ground around the small mint patch in an attempt to uproot one bit of it as gently as possible. "The potion makes you go through all the colours though, and all at the same time. It sorta changes over your skin as it goes. I like it."

Luminescent Jaemin. It had been fun and luckily for him he'd taken it at night... which had given him sufficient time to try it and for it to wear off before his mom came to wake him up the next morning.

Azura watched as Jaemin looked around and then seemed to spot a plant nearby and she followed him as he headed towards it.. Was that.. mint? Perhaps? She wasn't super good at recognizing plants by sight. That was another lesson she was going to go over with her mother. But..

"Really?" For a moment, the tiny girl's purple eyes lit up and held some of the sparkle they seemed to burst with last year. "I would love to see it, and it's here! That's super exciting." She said with a soft a bounce as she looked down at him.

Ohhh, his dad was a Herbologist and his mother helped with muggle plants? Well no wonder Jaemin liked them so much. "That's amazing, My mother was an aspiring herbologist.. if only to help out her potions." She explained, "I know the most about potion ingredients, other things not so much.." She said as she looked down at the plant in his hand. "Is.. that mint?" She asked curiously as she watched him take a leaf and sniff it..

"Whoa.. All at the same time? So.. you are pretty much like a living rainbow?" Azura's voice held awe as she thought of that sight. That would be so cool!! She wanted to be a rainbow!! Not to mention, she kinda wanted to know how her hair looked like when it was different colors..

".... Right," he gave her a strange look that only lasted for a second before he went back to his normal demeanor. Kids were strange. Especially the younger ones. How he had ever been this age was beyond him. There was no way he was this hyper all of the time. And he could just tell how restless she was by the way she presented herself. And her gummies. There was no reason for her to keep eating them. Damage to her teeth, but they also had her brain going at 500 miles per hour, and not in the good way. In the I'm-Going-To-Have-A-Migraine way.

"Best place to explore is behind the lake," he commented casually. But have it as she will, she could sit here too. There wasn't any rule against it. "Found anything interesting yet?" Why was he keeping up conversation again? Eh. Because he was bored, had paperwork to avoid, and could probably find information that he'd want in the future just by digging around a little here.

He paused for a long time before going ahead to take a seat on her left. He'd regret this, wouldn't he? But now he had committed to this conversation. It was too late to turn around. Darn it.

"Is that what Hadley Denaker told you?" he pretty much accused. Because when he finally found that girl, he had a detention cell waiting at the ready. Evidently her nickname had picked up momentum. "Meadows," he repeated ignoring the clean-up-your-room-right-now bit, "Best take what your classmates say with a grain of salt." Or with a gummy worm as they had already established that she wasn't going to quit those anytime soon.

"A year now," he answered just before she went off into rapid-fire-speed-round. "You're eager," he noted ignoring the questions. "You like animals?" Just to figure out whether he'd ever see her coming around the barn.... Y'know, for the sake of preparing oneself for the oncoming arrival of limitless energy.

SPOILER!!: Sha! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormdancer

The Professor was silently right, Marsha did have a pretty good time management system going- but that didn’t mean she had it completely figured out. She was always open to suggestions from her friends, older students and professors. After all, they had done it already and they had probably learnt something from the way they tackled their teenage years. ”Any advice on how to balance everything?” She asked, for exactly that reason. Perspective and opinions were always good.

And Marsha did so without even realising that she was leading the run. She simply loved this course because of its terrain. It wasn’t too flat, too rough or too hilly - but it was a great workout due to the multitude of changes and winding paths included. Looking over her shoulder she asked, ”Is there anywhere you would like to pass specifically?” Or see? Never know what someone wanted to see or do on their run.

Any advice? Certainly! Kay had a bit. She carefully tried to put her words as best as she possibly could as she ran a step or two behind the redhead. "Let's see. You have many things going on already in the morning so I think that's covered. After classes you can try spending time with your friends while in the evening you can study and do homework. Some afternoons, you can switch it up from friends to do something else you like doing. Then there are the weekends and holiday periods with no classes. You can take advantage of those to really continue training.'' Kay paused for breath at that moment.

Pretty soon she got back into the groove of her slightly heavier breathing from the run. It was such a beautiful track to be running. The view was simply perfect! "Nothing in particular, Marsha. Have you ever ran around the Lake? I ran there during my seventh year a few times, shortly after I really got into running. I'd like to do so again sometime for old time's sake.''

Bec saw but completely ignored the strange look the Professor was given her. She knew that look from her own parents whenever they saw her eating candy and it wasn’t that she was obsessed with it or anything but she really liked the gummy worms. They were sweet and well…sugary. What’s not to like?!

Behind the lake? The Gryffindor looked at him again and she frowned as she thought. She always had an expression able face and usually people could SEE her thinking. Which was horrible during classes though because it was also obvious to see when she wasn’t paying attention. However , right now she was because she wanted to explore the ground didn’t she? “I’ll check that out later, thanks!” she didn’t even know she could get BEHIND the lake. Always had thought that place was out of bounds.

She smiled as the Professor chose to sit next to her instead of walking further and she turned so she was facing him and then folded her legs so she was sitting indian style on the bench. “Well, I didn’t find anything interesting but I did find stuff out about the new Headmaster!” she grinned proudly. “Did you know he puts his RIGHT shoe on first?” she clapped her hands excitedly as if that was really important information. “Also, he told me he would be sorted in EVERY House but would choose Ravenclaw. Who wants to be a Ravenclaw though when you have the chance to be a Gryffindor?! Right?” ……………..Now that she thought about it, she didn’t even know which House this professor had been in. Ehm…she hoped not Ravenclaw. “I also found a weird mirror a few days ago on one of the floors. It was creepy yet cool, you know? And I still want to place my hand on the whomping willow just to see if I can do it, maybe I should do that soon?” her gaze went to look in the direction of where she thought the tree stood but in reality she looked in the complete opposite direction.

Oh boy, was he still mad about her mispronouncing his name? Chill man, it was a simple mistake, no harm intended. However, the accusing tone when he brought up a Hadley made her looked confused. “Hadley Denaker? Who’s that?” she genuinely did not know who she was. “Wait, she is a Ravenclaw right? I think I sat with her during Divination ones but I was too focused on a photograph of a transforming rose that Fiyero made for me so I didn’t really pay attention to her.” Shameless Truth.

ONLY A YEAR?! Bec gaped at him. “Wow, I thought you had been here longer” she commented. “Were you a student at Hogwarts as well?” please not Ravenclaw… “And of course I am! I want to get to know people so that means I have to ask questions, don’t i?” quietly observing people from afar was not her style plus it looked creepy. “I do! but i don’t own any animal right now but I really really REALLY want a lizard” she sighed deeply now. “But my dad is afraid of them and first years are only allowed a cat toad or owl to school, which is stupid by the way” she hmpf’d and crossed her arms. “I answered your question , Professor, now you answer mine, it’s only fair” because yes, she had noticed how he had avoided hers.

He already knew this one would take none of his advice to consideration. And no, he wasn’t hurt. She’d learn soon enough that he was right about everything. So it’d only be a matter of time before she started to follow the advice. It always went like this. There were no doubts.

It was easy to get her to smile though, which was a rarity among some students. See, James didn’t often have that effect. So it was a strange sight. The second thing he didn’t expect was what she had to say next. Dirt on the new headmaster? Do tell. James raised his brows, curious. He hadn’t had the opportunity to talk to the older man yet, and in all honesty… He didn’t want to. Guy seemed boring. More interesting than he let on, but still boring. But of course, it was a let down. Put his right shoe on first, what kind of information was that?! James deadpanned. Sorted into every house? That was ridiculous. You couldn’t be sorted into every house. He would’ve pointed this out, but it was probably best not to discredit the headmaster in front of a child.

And he did scoff slightly at Ravenclaw. Of course the old man would choose the most uninteresting house. ”Right,” though she was incredibly ridiculous, he had to agree. Gryffindor was the only suitable house. A mirror? ”Interesting,” not at all. He was really only half listening to her at this point. All her babbling. It was going to drive him i n s a n e. ”Yes, you—“ wait, what? It wasn’t until he paused and fully processed the sentence he had only slightly listened to before he realized what she had just said. ”That is a terrible idea. The womping willow is not a joke,” unless she wanted a death sentence, in which case… She ought to see the healer.

As he went to rub his temples, she began asking even MORE questions. He was starting to get a bloody headache. How wonderful. But she didn’t know who Denaker was? Well that was a good start. ”Yes,” to answer her questions. She is Ravenclaw… But the rest was unimportant and totally irrelevant. So he only pretended to listen.

And…. She was surprised he had only been teaching for a year prior to this term? Honestly, had he been teaching for longer his hair would’ve gone gray by now. So it shouldn’t be all that surprising. ”Gryffindor,” he nodded with a small hint of a grin. Was she impressed? And you ask a lot of them,” he didn’t answer that question though because he was pretty sure that one wasn’t meant to be answered. A lizard? Interesting. They were good animals. ”I don’t make the rules, kid,” he shrugged though he was thankful for that rule limiting pets. It would be madness if the students could bring whatever they wanted. He’d have to deal with trying to find room for all the random misfit creatures these students probably hoarded at home. Not something he wanted to deal with. Nope.

Alright, he’d give her that much. She had a point, and it was incredibly amusing. So he’d answer them. ”Someone fell asleep during one of my first lessons,” this was the funniest thing. ”So they had to jog in place for the rest of class to keep awake.” He smiled at the memory, thinking it was incredibly funny especially coupled with the disdain that came from that particular student. Did Meadows think it was funny too? Or were their senses of humor wildly different? ”As for question number two,” or really five billion if they were being honest here, ”I don’t have favorites.” Having favorites was ridiculous.

Marsha nodded as the Professor told her how she would structure her day. Insight was always helpful. ”You’re right, training does come first.” Well… homework and studying and stuff was important… but training was literally the first thing she did on a daily basis.

Nodding again, the girl grinned. ”The lake is beautiful to run around. We can definitely do that.” It was a different terrain and different run from her usual run along the pathways which was always good for her training. Keeping things new and different helped in the long run with her not getting bored and with her body constantly adapting.

It might be December. It might be cold. There might even be snow on the ground but that didn't stop Hady from being outside early this morning. So early in fact that the sun wasn't even fully up yet. Here she was though, outside in a pair of sweats and an oversized hoodie jogging along the pathways.

Now jogging wasn't her normal thing but staying healthy and fit had become more important. Animagi training was still happening and she continued to take it as seriously as always maybe even more so now that she was working alone.

Her breath came in small soft huffs as she continued on ignoring the cold wind biting at her cheeks. If nothing more came from this at least it served as a decent way of clearing her mind and being so early she was more likely to be alone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiritWolfe Malfoy

It might be December. It might be cold. There might even be snow on the ground but that didn't stop Hady from being outside early this morning. So early in fact that the sun wasn't even fully up yet. Here she was though, outside in a pair of sweats and an oversized hoodie jogging along the pathways.

Now jogging wasn't her normal thing but staying healthy and fit had become more important. Animagi training was still happening and she continued to take it as seriously as always maybe even more so now that she was working alone.

Her breath came in small soft huffs as she continued on ignoring the cold wind biting at her cheeks. If nothing more came from this at least it served as a decent way of clearing her mind and being so early she was more likely to be alone.

Typically, when it was winter, Frankie did his morning run in the Room of Requirement. But already in the season the boy was getting cabin fever; he needed to get out of the castle's walls, otherwise he'd go bananas. Speaking of bananas, he had snuck into the kitchen for one before wandering out onto the grounds. The entire fruit was gone by the time he slipped out the door.

Snow crunched beneath his feet with each stride as he made his way through the courtyard, across the wooden bridge, and onto the pathways. It was still quite dark outside, but the snow on the ground was just bright enough for him to tell where he was going. He could feel his cheeks get cold as he ran, but did his best to ignore the chill and the puffs of air that left his mouth.

After running a fair amount, the blond leaned up against one of the trees to catch his breath. He took the moment to imagine what it would be like roaming the place as a wolf or soaring above the grounds as a bird. Soon he would be able to do that. If everything went according to plan, he would be holding a mandrake leaf in his mouth sometime after the holidays. Then it was just a matter of making a successful transformation...

His daydreaming was suddenly interrupted by the sound of crunching snow approaching. He was not alone. Slowly reaching into the pocket of his sweat pants, Frankie, wondering who else would be up so early in the morning, grabbed hold of his wand and waited. Was this a friend or foe?

Rounding the bend and sticking fully to the pathways Hady focused solely on the crunching of the snow beneath her sneakers. A cold wind blew long strands of brunette hair into her face causing her to pause in her running. Hastily pushing her hair from her eyes she tucked it behind her ears, her breathing quicker then normal.

Pulling a tie from her wrist she tied her hair up in a messy wind swept ponytail. It was just as she was readying herself to move again that she noticed someone standing near a tree. The shadow of someone anyway. Slowly she inched forward her hand moving to rest on the wrist where her wand was kept. Her eyes landed on Frankie within seconds and all she could do was stand there.

Why him. Of everyone she knew and didn't know why did it always have to be him?!

Hady's eyes met his or at least his face and she couldn't look away. Turn and leave Hady. Just turn around and leave. Why wasn't she moving!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiritWolfe Malfoy

Rounding the bend and sticking fully to the pathways Hady focused solely on the crunching of the snow beneath her sneakers. A cold wind blew long strands of brunette hair into her face causing her to pause in her running. Hastily pushing her hair from her eyes she tucked it behind her ears, her breathing quicker then normal.

Pulling a tie from her wrist she tied her hair up in a messy wind swept ponytail. It was just as she was readying herself to move again that she noticed someone standing near a tree. The shadow of someone anyway. Slowly she inched forward her hand moving to rest on the wrist where her wand was kept. Her eyes landed on Frankie within seconds and all she could do was stand there.

Why him. Of everyone she knew and didn't know why did it always have to be him?!

Hady's eyes met his or at least his face and she couldn't look away. Turn and leave Hady. Just turn around and leave. Why wasn't she moving!

Fingers wrapped around the wand and he carefully and steadily pulled it out from his pocket. It wasn't every day that someone else was roaming the grounds at such an early time in the morning. He certainly never saw anyone out and about when he was at this time of day. But it was perfect for him because he could run in peace and then slip into the prefects' bathroom without any interruption before he had breakfast and ran off to class. Needless to say, the sudden appearance make him on edge.

He remained quite still as he watched the figure approach. What did he/she/it want? Why was he/she/it heading right for him? An incantation quickly came to his mind, ready to be casted the moment the figure got too close. He saw the figure's arm move to its waist, which made his body tense up. Animal vision would have been helpful right now.

"Who goes there?" he asked.

The sun was slowly starting to rise, rays of sun beginning to reveal his face while keeping the figure's in a shadow. Now he could tell that the person was female, though her identify was still unknown to him. Her hair was dark and she was on the shorter side, but there were a bunch of girls at the school that could fit that description. So, naturally, he was waiting for an answer to his question before hexing her. He was also staying quite alert, just in case she decided to pull a fast one on him.

SPOILER!!: Sha! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormdancer

Text Cut: ALI! <3

Marsha nodded as the Professor told her how she would structure her day. Insight was always helpful. ”You’re right, training does come first.” Well… homework and studying and stuff was important… but training was literally the first thing she did on a daily basis.

Nodding again, the girl grinned. ”The lake is beautiful to run around. We can definitely do that.” It was a different terrain and different run from her usual run along the pathways which was always good for her training. Keeping things new and different helped in the long run with her not getting bored and with her body constantly adapting.

Running was a rather important aspect in Marsha's life. This was something quite easy to see. Kay was so happy that she had managed to come across her. Having a jogging partner was always much more fun. She beamed. "I would love that, Ms Hanover but I really need to leave to start preparing for my lesson. I have an early one today.''

Kay needed to get her classroom ready right after she had a shower. "Shall we do this tomorrow morning? We can try the Lake then if you like.'' The Lake was beautiful and it always made Kay happy to do her rounds there.

Her brain was telling her to turn and leave. Her feet weren't listening. Not in the least. Everything inside her was demanding for her to just turn and go...it didn't matter if she knew who was standing there by the tree or not. Something deep inside told her she didn't want to know but then the person spoke. Just what she didn't need! Everything she had expected was fact. It was him. Nothing could ever go her way.

And really? Hady knew it was early but did he really have to ask who she was? Had two months really been so gosh dang long to him that he suddenly forgot what she looked like? Even with the darkness and shadows around them being set on by the early morning hours she had known whom he was. It only proved one more thing to her...boys were sooo stupid sometimes.

Her cheeks bright red from the cold, hair being pulled free from the ponytail she had just made in her hair she continued to stand there. At least for another full minute or so before she was able to do anything. Shoving her hands into the pocket of her hoodie Hadleigh slowly stepped forward taking in the blonde even more trying her best to not show how she felt. Spotting the wand in his hand she rolled her eyes. "Put the wand away Paton, if I aimed to hex you I would've done so," she stated simply. Not that she would. Everyone knew she wouldn't....probably couldn't even if she needed to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiritWolfe Malfoy

Her brain was telling her to turn and leave. Her feet weren't listening. Not in the least. Everything inside her was demanding for her to just turn and go...it didn't matter if she knew who was standing there by the tree or not. Something deep inside told her she didn't want to know but then the person spoke. Just what she didn't need! Everything she had expected was fact. It was him. Nothing could ever go her way.

And really? Hady knew it was early but did he really have to ask who she was? Had two months really been so gosh dang long to him that he suddenly forgot what she looked like? Even with the darkness and shadows around them being set on by the early morning hours she had known whom he was. It only proved one more thing to her...boys were sooo stupid sometimes.

Her cheeks bright red from the cold, hair being pulled free from the ponytail she had just made in her hair she continued to stand there. At least for another full minute or so before she was able to do anything. Shoving her hands into the pocket of her hoodie Hadleigh slowly stepped forward taking in the blonde even more trying her best to not show how she felt. Spotting the wand in his hand she rolled her eyes. "Put the wand away Paton, if I aimed to hex you I would've done so," she stated simply. Not that she would. Everyone knew she wouldn't....probably couldn't even if she needed to.

The silence was maddening. It made the blond just want to flick his wand, cast a hex, and be on his way. He had asked a simple question, yet it felt like a million years had gone by and not a single word had been muttered by the person who was just standing there facing him eerily. It was times like these that Frankie wished he had an invisibility cloak or could cast disillusionment charms more efficiently.

If it had been brighter outside, he would have been able to identify the person with no trouble at all. He would have seen her cheeks turn bright red. But he did notice from where he stood that she had shoved her hands into her hoodie pocket. In spite of this, the prefect remained in his cautionary stance.

And then she spoke. They hadn't said a single word to each other for months...

His heart sank for more than one reason as he lowered his wand down to his side. Hady was the last person he wanted to see. She even called him Paton. His stomach churned the moment she said it. It sounded awful, the way she said it. But, of course, he wasn't going to let her be aware of that. As her figure became more visible in the sunlight, he forced himself to laugh. "Why didn't you hex me, Lynch? Now's your chance before you have to run off to do more 'important' things."

All most hesitantly Hady let her hazel eyes meet his blue ones. Not something she did much unless she was being serious or very honest. If anyone knew that she knew he did.

Just standing there looking at him hurt. And then he made it a hundred times worse and said that. Lynch. She knew it was her own fault there for she had used him last name but she hadn't expected him to do it back. It had caught her so caught off guard that she hadn't taken notice to how forced his laugh was. If she had maybe she would've realized just how hurt he was too. Only she didn't because he kept speaking. Each word from the boys mouth caused her only more pain but she knew deep down that he was right. She was busy. Always busy.

"No point. Like you said I have more important things to do," she responded a brief look of pain passing through her eyes. There was nothing more important. "Clearly if you knew me at all you'd have known how important the things I do are to me." He didn't know. He didn't understand. No one did. It wasn't her fault she took so much on. Plus it wasn't as if he weren't busy too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiritWolfe Malfoy

All most hesitantly Hady let her hazel eyes meet his blue ones. Not something she did much unless she was being serious or very honest. If anyone knew that she knew he did.

Just standing there looking at him hurt. And then he made it a hundred times worse and said that. Lynch. She knew it was her own fault there for she had used him last name but she hadn't expected him to do it back. It had caught her so caught off guard that she hadn't taken notice to how forced his laugh was. If she had maybe she would've realized just how hurt he was too. Only she didn't because he kept speaking. Each word from the boys mouth caused her only more pain but she knew deep down that he was right. She was busy. Always busy.

"No point. Like you said I have more important things to do," she responded a brief look of pain passing through her eyes. There was nothing more important. "Clearly if you knew me at all you'd have known how important the things I do are to me." He didn't know. He didn't understand. No one did. It wasn't her fault she took so much on. Plus it wasn't as if he weren't busy too.

The moment the words left his lips, he regretted saying them. He didn't mean to speak to Hady like that in spite of everything. It just happened, the word vomit. But there was nothing he could do now to take back those words. Even though she didn't show it, he knew those words hurt more than a stinging jinx. His own words hurt him, no matter how true they were.

Nonetheless, Frankie just stood there, eyeing Hady with his wand gripped tight. His arm didn't move, though it would have had it been anyone else that wasn't on his good side standing in front of him. Hady Lynch was lucky that he didn't already hex her or transfigure her head into a tentacle. He wanted to, he had every right ... but something within him was preventing him from doing so.

He knew exactly what that something was -- it was something he had felt, but never actually said directly to her. But there was no use now. The deed had been done and was going to be nearly impossible to mend the way things were now.

When Hady responded, the blond rolled his eyes. Did she really just say that? "You know that I know you well enough to know that your priorities are messed up," Frankie spat back. "It is clear that I was never important enough to you." The Gryffindor's body was shaking. Whether from the cold or anger, he did not know.

What was the matter with her. Where was all this coming from. Being so cold to him wasn't her. It couldn't be here. It was her voice that was for sure but it sounded so strange to her as if it were coming from somewhere else. She always thought before speaking, never willing would hurt someone. Yet here she was. The first words they had spoken to one another in months and they weren't nice. It was the worst.

As she spoke she knew she had baited him to respond. Something inside her knew she had to know what he thought, wanted to hear what he had to say. She needed to understand why he had just let her go, why he couldn't see that these things were important to her. What came out of the boys mouth wasn't anywhere what she had expected. In fact it was far worse. Hexing her would've hurt less.

What was the matter with him?! This was her life, her future that she was dealing with. Didn't he get that?! Obviously not. Hadleigh stared at him in shock, hurt, maybe even anger. It didn't even matter what her mind was thinking because it was now her heart that had taken over if the tears that were filling her eyes stood for anything. Maybe he'd just think it was from the cold but if he didn't she didn't even care. "I- ... I can't believe you just said that... is that what you think?" Her voice shook as she spoke barely in a whisper, hardly able to get the words out as she took several tiny steps backwards until her back hit a tree. Slowly she slipped down against it until she was sitting in the snow completely unaware of the cold or anything else as she hugged her knees to her chest.

She couldn't even look at the Gryffindor anymore. Hopefully he wasn't able to look at her either. Slowly moving a hand from her pocket she wiped the back of her hand across her cheek brushing away a tear. Slowly Hady inhaled a shaky breath silently willing herself to pull herself together again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpiritWolfe Malfoy

What was the matter with her. Where was all this coming from. Being so cold to him wasn't her. It couldn't be here. It was her voice that was for sure but it sounded so strange to her as if it were coming from somewhere else. She always thought before speaking, never willing would hurt someone. Yet here she was. The first words they had spoken to one another in months and they weren't nice. It was the worst.

As she spoke she knew she had baited him to respond. Something inside her knew she had to know what he thought, wanted to hear what he had to say. She needed to understand why he had just let her go, why he couldn't see that these things were important to her. What came out of the boys mouth wasn't anywhere what she had expected. In fact it was far worse. Hexing her would've hurt less.

What was the matter with him?! This was her life, her future that she was dealing with. Didn't he get that?! Obviously not. Hadleigh stared at him in shock, hurt, maybe even anger. It didn't even matter what her mind was thinking because it was now her heart that had taken over if the tears that were filling her eyes stood for anything. Maybe he'd just think it was from the cold but if he didn't she didn't even care. "I- ... I can't believe you just said that... is that what you think?" Her voice shook as she spoke barely in a whisper, hardly able to get the words out as she took several tiny steps backwards until her back hit a tree. Slowly she slipped down against it until she was sitting in the snow completely unaware of the cold or anything else as she hugged her knees to her chest.

She couldn't even look at the Gryffindor anymore. Hopefully he wasn't able to look at her either. Slowly moving a hand from her pocket she wiped the back of her hand across her cheek brushing away a tear. Slowly Hady inhaled a shaky breath silently willing herself to pull herself together again.

Again, the word vomit. He meant what he said, but at the same time he didn't mean for it to come out like that. It had been months since they last spoke to each other, and everything he wanted to say to her since breaking up with her had been bottled up and was now finally pouring out of him. He knew it wasn't coming out the best way, but at least it was being said and getting out there in the open.

He wished that he heard whatever it was that she was saying. Even though he did not know what she said, Frankie could tell that his words had really got to her. The urge to apologize was present as she took several steps back until she was up against a tree. He wanted to join her as she slid down against it, but he knew that the damage had really been done now. The wound was already there, and his words were like salt.

I'm sorry, he thought. I'm sorry that things turned out this way. I wish it wasn't like this. But it wasn't working the way things were ... and nothing has changed.

Even though his brain told him to say that out loud, no words left his mouth as his teeth began to chatter. Frankie remained there beside the tree, standing there with his eyes fixed on Hady. He wanted to look away, but there was something that kept him transfixed on her. As she wiped the back of her hand across her cheek, his mouth opened ... then closed ... opened ... and then closed again. He took a deep breath.

"Goodbye," he quietly said, taking his first steps toward the castle without waiting for Hady to speak. He didn't look back at her, though a nonverbal warming charm had been casted at her direction before turning behind a thick group of trees and out of sight.

As each quiet word slipped past her lips she willed herself to rise back up onto her feet. Get up and hug him. Do something. Show him what he meant to her, still means to her. Only she didn't. Besides wiping a tear away and the slight shaking of her body due to the cold she didn't move.

She was waiting on him to reply. Why wasn't he saying anything? Hadn't he heard her? Surely he couldn't really believe that she never cared about him. That was just insane. Everyone knew. Everyone. She had told him...hadn't she? Hady knew she had and yet the doubt was creeping in on her when he still said nothing in return. The silence was worse then the cruel sting of his previous words.

With a tiny sniffle and slight tear streaked cheeks the Slytherin lifted her head only when she heard movement. Hopeful. That was hopeful. See he had heard her and he was coming over so they could ta-

Only that wasn't what was happening. Nope. Frankie kept going. Right passed her and off into the trees. Hadleigh barely was able to make out the quiet 'goodbye' that was said. Goodbye. It hadn't even been 'bye'. It had been 'goodbye' which made it all so final and it was all the girl could do to keep herself from completely breaking down right there. This was even worse then that day a few months ago. It hurt more...seemed so much more final.

In her shaken state she didn't even notice she was no longer cold. Probably because she was still shaking but only it was no longer due to the cold.

Maggie was on her way back inside from checking on some plants in the greenhouse (who was she to know which ones they were really? they all looked the same to her, very...well, green). They'd looked alive enough for her to feel confident enough to leave them be (Myers wouldn't let them DIE anyway, right?) and return back to the warmth of the castle.

Maybe she could go see what Zeke was up to.

Reaching up to tug a lock of her hair back behind her ear, Maggie only quite randomly looked Hady's way. Huh. What was she doing out here by herself? "Hady!" She called out to her while approaching the other girl. Really, she never completely got the just-sitting-around-thing. It didn't serve a purpose. And especially not when it happened in winter.

Like wh- "Hady?" Once she was close enough Maggie tilted her head a little. Was Hady okay? The fellow sixth year looked a bit...off to say the least.

The passage of time didn't seem to affect the sixth year one bit. The fact that she was also sitting in the snow didn't appear to be of a bother either. How long she had been sitting there beneath the tree where she had sat just moments before Frankie had walked off and left here there was unknown to her. If asked chances were incredibly high that the girl wouldn't even know what time it was right then.

Her tears had long slowed down and come to a stop but ever now and then a tiny sniffle could be heard. The wind had all but blown most of her hair from it's ponytail making her look a mess as if her tear stained face wasn't enough but she didn't care or even noticed. There she sat consumed in her own deep thoughts not even registering that her name was being called. Hadleigh didn't even notice her blonde friend until she was very close casting a shadow over her.

Slowly she tilted her head upwards to look at Maggie, a blank look on her face, eyes showing heartache but said nothing. Maggie was smart, she would know or at the very least have some idea of what this was about.

........................oh.

Maggie's face fell, the smile she'd previously worn changing into a concerned look. Hady didn't just look off, she looked...well, not okay to say the least. She could tell that her friend had been crying and was very clearly still upset but there was nothing she could currently that would help her figure out the reason. Nonetheless, Maggie took another second to look around just to be sure.

Ugh.

Okay.

Quickly sitting down next to the other girl, Maggie put a hand on her arm. "What's wrong?" She asked softly, already trying to think of ways to punish whoever had upset her friend that much. Like, this was like REAL upset. Not just...normal kind of upset. This was real.