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The legendary portable swamp created by Fred and George Weasley was once large enough to consume the entire fifth-floor corridor. Needless to say, this greatly irritated the notorious Dolores Umbridge when there were no instructions on how to remove it and the then teachers didn't seem to mind that it was there. Today a small section of the swamp remains, roped off in tribute of the redheaded twins' historic act of protest.
When you are getting close to this reserved section of the corridor, you will know without question. The remaining swamp still smells like an authentic swamp, look like an authentic swamp, bubbles like an authentic swamp, and will indeed suck you in if you cross over the rope and step in it. Avoid the Weasley swamp with care is the best advice you should heed while on the fifth floor, especially if you're running late to class. While it must have been an impressive and humorous sight back in the mid-90's, just praise Merlin that you don't have to make your way across today.
Ash wasn't in the Weasley Swamp for no reason. That swamp was a tribute to protest. And she needed it. She was stretched out on the floor, drawing. She was drawing phoenixes. Phoenixes rose from the ash. They saved the world. She picked out a stylized symbol of a phoenix rising up. Yes. That was her personal sign. Symbol in hand, she stood next to the swamp, seeking inspiration. Strength. The Weasley twins were legendary. One of them had died fighting. She had thought a lot about it. Ash didn't wanna die young like that. Although, if she were going to die this year, fighting would be a good way to go. But that couldn't happen. She had muggle friends to get back to. The thought made her cry silently. Sometimes, it was better to be a muggle than a muggleborn.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Hi, Ashley <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat
Ash wasn't in the Weasley Swamp for no reason. That swamp was a tribute to protest. And she needed it. She was stretched out on the floor, drawing. She was drawing phoenixes. Phoenixes rose from the ash. They saved the world. She picked out a stylized symbol of a phoenix rising up. Yes. That was her personal sign. Symbol in hand, she stood next to the swamp, seeking inspiration. Strength. The Weasley twins were legendary. One of them had died fighting. She had thought a lot about it. Ash didn't wanna die young like that. Although, if she were going to die this year, fighting would be a good way to go. But that couldn't happen. She had muggle friends to get back to. The thought made her cry silently. Sometimes, it was better to be a muggle than a muggleborn.
Claudine Blaze wasn’t being a creep. No, she wasn’t. She just happened to be passing the smelly Swamp when she observed that Ravenclaw, whom she referred to as a ‘know-it-all’, all comfortable on the floor. Though the Snakette could not she what Ashley was actually doing, she was intrigued. Why would anyone lay on the floor next to this awful swamp? Then Ashley was standing and possibly lost in thought. Claudine was definitely more curious now.
“What are you up to?’’ the fifth year questioned casually. She took a few steps closer to Ashley. Only a few steps because that bubbling mess was oh-so-smelly as usual. “Certainly you wouldn’t have been doing homework on the floor.’’Or would she? The other girl was certainly weird enough but Claudine also knew that Heath got along with her. In a way Claudine supposed that Ashley might not be that bad then.
Claudine Blaze wasn’t being a creep. No, she wasn’t. She just happened to be passing the smelly Swamp when she observed that Ravenclaw, whom she referred to as a ‘know-it-all’, all comfortable on the floor. Though the Snakette could not see what Ashley was actually doing, she was intrigued. Why would anyone lay on the floor next to this awful swamp? Then Ashley was standing and possibly lost in thought. Claudine was definitely more curious now.
“What are you up to?’’ the fifth year questioned casually. She took a few steps closer to Ashley. Only a few steps because that bubbling mess was oh-so-smelly as usual. “Certainly you wouldn’t have been doing homework on the floor.’’Or would she? The other girl was certainly weird enough but Claudine also knew that Heath got along with her. In a way Claudine supposed that Ashley might not be that bad then.
Ash felt footsteps and looked behind her, wondering if there were alliance followers coming to jump her or something. Nah. It was just Claudine. Who probably hated her, for reasons that she didn't understand. But Ash wanted to make an effort. They weren't in normal times. So she put on a smile.
"Claudine." The girl was practically dating Heath, so she must be okay, yeah? "I was drawing... stuff." A phoeven, actually. But she could hardly say that aloud."Because I like to." If the girl was close enough, she could probably see the phoeven, or even some of the other stuff. There was nothing wrong with doing homework on the floor anyway, but she wasn't about to say that either.
Weirdly, the drawings did not explain why she was standing next to a swamp. The reason she was next to a swamp was for security. Nobody came down here, except for Claudine, apparently. "And I was thinking about stuff." The meaning of life, actually.
It was at this point Ash tears had been dripping down her face for half of this conversation. Well. This was awkward. She smoothly wiped them off on the corner of her fireproof robes.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Ashley! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat
Ash felt footsteps and looked behind her, wondering if there were alliance followers coming to jump her or something. Nah. It was just Claudine. Who probably hated her, for reasons that she didn't understand. But Ash wanted to make an effort. They weren't in normal times. So she put on a smile.
"Claudine." The girl was practically dating Heath, so she must be okay, yeah? "I was drawing... stuff." A phoeven, actually. But she could hardly say that aloud."Because I like to." If the girl was close enough, she could probably see the phoeven, or even some of the other stuff. There was nothing wrong with doing homework on the floor anyway, but she wasn't about to say that either.
Weirdly, the drawings did not explain why she was standing next to a swamp. The reason she was next to a swamp was for security. Nobody came down here, except for Claudine, apparently. "And I was thinking about stuff." The meaning of life, actually.
It was at this point Ash tears had been dripping down her face for half of this conversation. Well. This was awkward. She smoothly wiped them off on the corner of her fireproof robes.
Claudine nodded. She had observed that Ashley seemingly enjoyed drawing, especially on her arm. Was that still a thing? She wasn’t sure. “Drawing’s a good hobby to have. If you keep at it often enough, you improve drastically and you can even go on to other artistic medium like painting.” Speaking here from experience she was. The Snakette, despite her loathing for the swamp odor, took a step or two closer to check out Ashley’s work. “You’re pretty good.’’ Maybe Claudine’s feelings for the girl were a tad warmer now.
The older girl was rather curious as to what was dwelling on the Ravenclaw’s mind but didn’t care that much to ask. What horrified her was the fact that Ashley started crying. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no. What did she do? “Um… I’m okay with listening if you need to talk…’’ Listen, Claudine felt bad for the girl, okay? Sometimes life just got overwhelming.
Claudine nodded. She had observed that Ashley seemingly enjoyed drawing, especially on her arm. Was that still a thing? She wasn’t sure. “Drawing’s a good hobby to have. If you keep at it often enough, you improve drastically and you can even go on to other artistic medium like painting.” Speaking here from experience she was. The Snakette, despite her loathing for the swamp odor, took a step or two closer to check out Ashley’s work. “You’re pretty good.’’ Maybe Claudine’s feelings for the girl were a tad warmer now.
The older girl was rather curious as to what was dwelling on the Ravenclaw’s mind but didn’t care that much to ask. What horrified her was the fact that Ashley started crying. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no. What did she do? “Um… I’m okay with listening if you need to talk…’’ Listen, Claudine felt bad for the girl, okay? Sometimes life just got overwhelming.
Ash smiled. CLAUDINE SAID HER ART WAS GOOD AHHH. "It's a great coping mechanism. I practice it a lot." That's why it was so so good. She had been drawing and painting since she could hold a pencil and had spent enough time looking at her friends to be able to draw them from memory. Ash didn't waste time either. She never did nothing. Doing nothing was boring and made her feel sad. "Thanks." THIS WAS W E I R D THO. CLAUDINE WAS ASKING IS SHE WANTED TO TALK AND COMPLIMENTING HER ART. It was W E I R D, ok, especially considering that this may well have been their first real interaction. Maybe Claudine felt bad for her, which would probably make sense. Ash sniffled and looked away. "I don't need to talk. I need to shut up more often." Let's be honest, she would have died for her words by now if she didn't have some powerful force of something(fear? Self-preservation? Love?) watching her back. "I'm on thin ice. Thin ice, Claudine." And she always had been. Even before now.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Ashley! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat
Ash smiled. CLAUDINE SAID HER ART WAS GOOD AHHH. "It's a great coping mechanism. I practice it a lot." That's why it was so so good. She had been drawing and painting since she could hold a pencil and had spent enough time looking at her friends to be able to draw them from memory. Ash didn't waste time either. She never did nothing. Doing nothing was boring and made her feel sad. "Thanks." THIS WAS W E I R D THO. CLAUDINE WAS ASKING IS SHE WANTED TO TALK AND COMPLIMENTING HER ART. It was W E I R D, ok, especially considering that this may well have been their first real interaction. Maybe Claudine felt bad for her, which would probably make sense. Ash sniffled and looked away. "I don't need to talk. I need to shut up more often." Let's be honest, she would have died for her words by now if she didn't have some powerful force of something(fear? Self-preservation? Love?) watching her back. "I'm on thin ice. Thin ice, Claudine." And she always had been. Even before now.
Yes. Claudine did say that Ashley’s drawing was good. She could appreciate that someone took time to constantly practice their artwork. Not to mention she gave credit where credit was deserved. “No problem.’’ Maybe she was feeling generous, or maybe she appreciated a budding artist {as a self taught one, Claudine appreciated artists even more}, she had been about to volunteer to the young Ravenclaw some of her time to give her some tips {much like she had offered Violet the year before}. Unfortunately, things had taken another turn.
The Snakette only bobbed her head in understanding. She knew all about wanting to shut up. She also knew about walking on thin ice. The girl didn’t think that Ashley knew that Claudine was a hair away from being expelled from Hogwarts after events of her second year. But this wasn’t about her. She lowered her voice. “Do you mean with the Headmaster and his pals?” Or was it perhaps something else?
Yes. Claudine did say that Ashley’s drawing was good. She could appreciate that someone took time to constantly practice their artwork. Not to mention she gave credit where credit was deserved. “No problem.’’ Maybe she was feeling generous, or maybe she appreciated a budding artist {as a self taught one, Claudine appreciated artists even more}, she had been about to volunteer to the young Ravenclaw some of her time to give her some tips {much like she had offered Violet the year before}. Unfortunately, things had taken another turn.
The Snakette only bobbed her head in understanding. She knew all about wanting to shut up. She also knew about walking on thin ice. The girl didn’t think that Ashley knew that Claudine was a hair away from being expelled from Hogwarts after events of her second year. But this wasn’t about her. She lowered her voice. “Do you mean with the Headmaster and his pals?” Or was it perhaps something else?
"Yeah. I'm like 5 seconds away from getting murdered. That is true. Other stuff too though." For example, she was feeling very brittle, so that was thin ice. And she was 5 seconds away from dying even before she was taken hostage, so that was thin ice. Ash was like an accident waiting to happen, one that would cause massive chaos and go in a random direction that nobody would see coming. Unpredictably dangerous. ANYway, this conversation needed to go in a VERY different direction, lest she accidentally dump all of her mental baggage on somebody who probably didn't like her. "You know what is so fun? Drawing! It's great and I love it." That subject change was admittedly clumsy, but Ash didn't really care. See? She was doing well! And drawing! Etc! "I like to draw all the things!" Phoevens, people, memories, abstract concepts, dreams, etc! See? It was cool and totally fine! Never mind the fact that she was uncharacteristically putting exclamation points at the end of everything.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Ashleyyy <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat
"Yeah. I'm like 5 seconds away from getting murdered. That is true. Other stuff too though." For example, she was feeling very brittle, so that was thin ice. And she was 5 seconds away from dying even before she was taken hostage, so that was thin ice. Ash was like an accident waiting to happen, one that would cause massive chaos and go in a random direction that nobody would see coming. Unpredictably dangerous. ANYway, this conversation needed to go in a VERY different direction, lest she accidentally dump all of her mental baggage on somebody who probably didn't like her. "You know what is so fun? Drawing! It's great and I love it." That subject change was admittedly clumsy, but Ash didn't really care. See? She was doing well! And drawing! Etc! "I like to draw all the things!" Phoevens, people, memories, abstract concepts, dreams, etc! See? It was cool and totally fine! Never mind the fact that she was uncharacteristically putting exclamation points at the end of everything.
Murdered?
At first, Claudine was confused and wondered if she should push the topic. Then, deciding that she would feel uneasy about leaving it without at least giving some advice, she opened her mouth to do so. “That sounds very serious.’’ No, she wasn’t being condescending. “Um… a good place to start is keeping your head down. I mean, that way you’ll stay out of any future trouble.” That made sense, right?
The fifth year’s right eyebrow arched suddenly. Quite the obvious change of subject that was. Not that it bothered her. “Drawing’s a good way to channel pent up emotions. Still making it a habit to draw on your skin, Ashley?”
At first, Claudine was confused and wondered if she should push the topic. Then, deciding that she would feel uneasy about leaving it without at least giving some advice, she opened her mouth to do so. “That sounds very serious.’’ No, she wasn’t being condescending. “Um… a good place to start is keeping your head down. I mean, that way you’ll stay out of any future trouble.” That made sense, right?
The fifth year’s right eyebrow arched suddenly. Quite the obvious change of subject that was. Not that it bothered her. “Drawing’s a good way to channel pent up emotions. Still making it a habit to draw on your skin, Ashley?”
"Yeah well, I try to hide. But my brain just likes to say really bad things at inopportune moments. And then I say them out loud. And then I get hurt." She shrugged. It was hard, for Ash to hide. At least hide as anything remotely similar to herself. Back to drawing though. "Yeah. Only on the weekends, and only in easily washable markers. Then I can just blast it off with aguamenti, and say I don't know how it got there." Walking around in a way where people could recognize your back was not smart.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Ashley! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat
"Yeah well, I try to hide. But my brain just likes to say really bad things at inopportune moments. And then I say them out loud. And then I get hurt." She shrugged. It was hard, for Ash to hide. At least hide as anything remotely similar to herself. Back to drawing though. "Yeah. Only on the weekends, and only in easily washable markers. Then I can just blast it off with aguamenti, and say I don't know how it got there." Walking around in a way where people could recognize your back was not smart.
The fifth year bobbed her head. Yes, yes. It had been observed that Ashley had a habit of speaking up a lot. This was perhaps why she never was drawn to the younger girl. As a first year, Ashley had come across as a show- offy know-it-all. It was quite irritating. Anyway.“With a little determination, you can speak less,’’ Claudine said cautiously. There was caution because she didn’t see the need to offend Ashley. “If you ever feel the need to speak when you shouldn’t, you should think of the possible consequences.’’ There was a pause. “Like Rosier putting a hex on you.’’
Claudine chuckled. “It’s helpful to have a sketchpad. That way you can keep your drawings for as long as you want.’’ Not to mention that it could be kept for memories sake; it could be something that Ashley could look back on for years.
"Yeah. Every time I want to say something I remind myself that I prefer being alive, and that a lot of people would be mad if I got myself killed. It works 85% of the time." The other 15% of the time, she either said something on purpose or said something unsatisfactory on accident. "I do have this one. I got it charmed so that it would have extra space. Then I can save stuff. I think of painting on my arms like a homemade temporary tattoo." And sometimes she made it impermanent on purpose. "But like in a long time, I can look in my sketchbook and go 'ooh this one was a good memory, and this period of time sucked, and this was my favorite thing to draw when I was 18 years old.'" An autobiography in art.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Man stealer xD Sorry, I know she's not <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat
"Yeah. Every time I want to say something I remind myself that I prefer being alive, and that a lot of people would be mad if I got myself killed. It works 85% of the time." The other 15% of the time, she either said something on purpose or said something unsatisfactory on accident. "I do have this one. I got it charmed so that it would have extra space. Then I can save stuff. I think of painting on my arms like a homemade temporary tattoo." And sometimes she made it impermanent on purpose. "But like in a long time, I can look in my sketchbook and go 'ooh this one was a good memory, and this period of time sucked, and this was my favorite thing to draw when I was 18 years old.'" An autobiography in art.
Claudine almost laughed aloud. Almost. What Ashley said was only slightly funny but she supposed the general situation of the School was making her nervous, along with everyone else. And so, a sort of dark humour had momentarily taken over her. “Well… listen, don’t die. Heath would be upset.’’ Yes, he would be. But even though Claudine didn’t know Ashley that well, she didn’t want the girl to die either.
Ah. Now the fifth year understood why Ashley was so taken to drawing on her arms. “Thinking of having a few tats when you’re older, then?’’ At the revelation of the sketchbook, Claudine couldn’t help but get excited. “Hey, I’ve got one too. Actually, I’ve got five so far. One for each year at Hogwarts.’’ In the case of her first year, it was at Beauxbatons. “I think it’s clever that you’ve charmed it to have extra space. You’ll have a mighty thick book by the time you graduate if you keep that up.’’
Claudine almost laughed aloud. Almost. What Ashley said was only slightly funny but she supposed the general situation of the School was making her nervous, along with everyone else. And so, a sort of dark humour had momentarily taken over her. “Well… listen, don’t die. Heath would be upset.’’ Yes, he would be. But even though Claudine didn’t know Ashley that well, she didn’t want the girl to die either.
Ah. Now the fifth year understood why Ashley was so taken to drawing on her arms. “Thinking of having a few tats when you’re older, then?’’ At the revelation of the sketchbook, Claudine couldn’t help but get excited. “Hey, I’ve got one too. Actually, I’ve got five so far. One for each year at Hogwarts.’’ In the case of her first year, it was at Beauxbatons. “I think it’s clever that you’ve charmed it to have extra space. You’ll have a mighty thick book by the time you graduate if you keep that up.’’
If Claudine had laughed, Ash would have too. It was kind of funny, wasn't it? In a sick way. "Oh yeah. People here would be disappointed too." Sometimes she forgot that some witches and wizards cared for her. Not just muggles. "Yeah, a couple of tattoos would be cool. Maybe magical, maybe not." Preferably not, actually. There was no real reason to make them magical, unless she needed them to disappear. "Oooh yeah. Didn't think of that. Gotta put one of those making-stuff-lighter charms on it." Otherwise, it would be heavy when she graduated. If she graduated. "Are your five notebooks really heavy?" Imagine carrying them all at once.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Ash! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat
If Claudine had laughed, Ash would have too. It was kind of funny, wasn't it? In a sick way. "Oh yeah. People here would be disappointed too." Sometimes she forgot that some witches and wizards cared for her. Not just muggles. "Yeah, a couple of tattoos would be cool. Maybe magical, maybe not." Preferably not, actually. There was no real reason to make them magical, unless she needed them to disappear. "Oooh yeah. Didn't think of that. Gotta put one of those making-stuff-lighter charms on it." Otherwise, it would be heavy when she graduated. If she graduated. "Are your five notebooks really heavy?" Imagine carrying them all at once.
Okay.
It seemed that Ashley wasn’t keen on dying either. This was a good sign. Maybe she’d keep an eye out on the Ravenclaw. The younger girl wasn’t so bad. Claudine decided as long as Ashley wasn’t spewing knowledge during lessons and appearing like a showoffy know-it-all, she was okay.
“Plenty of time to decide,’’ the Snakettre remarked, nodding thoughtfully. No tats for her though; they’d never been appealing. “Oh. The Feather Light Charm. Now that’s something I hadn’t thought of… “ Claudine bobbed her head. “When I’ve got them all together, yes. My first year sketchpad was the thickest because I spent a lot of time drawing. Back then I wasn’t very good though.”
Her gaze travelled to the Swamp and the surroundings again. ”If you’ve got free time, you should spend it with your friends… or in your common room… The Hoods. You don’t want to be any more of a target.”
It seemed that Ashley wasn’t keen on dying either. This was a good sign. Maybe she’d keep an eye out on the Ravenclaw. The younger girl wasn’t so bad. Claudine decided as long as Ashley wasn’t spewing knowledge during lessons and appearing like a showoffy know-it-all, she was okay.
“Plenty of time to decide,’’ the Snakettre remarked, nodding thoughtfully. No tats for her though; they’d never been appealing. “Oh. The Feather Light Charm. Now that’s something I hadn’t thought of… “ Claudine bobbed her head. “When I’ve got them all together, yes. My first year sketchpad was the thickest because I spent a lot of time drawing. Back then I wasn’t very good though.”
Her gaze travelled to the Swamp and the surroundings again. ”If you’ve got free time, you should spend it with your friends… or in your common room… The Hoods. You don’t want to be any more of a target.”
Ash nodded. Carrying lots of books at one time was very heavy and unwieldy. It reminded her of that one time that involved Heath and Cole and a LOT of falling books. Back when she was a kid anxious about trying new things, and not an older-ish kid anxious about how things kept repeating themselves. "I do spend lots of my time with friends and in my common room. Especially with the type of friends that hang out in laundry and storage when it's not strictly necessary. Or swamps." Yes, Ash primarily met new people when she was hiding in something. It was crazy.
~ Mrs. Steve Harrington ~ It be like that sometimes.
SPOILER!!: Ash! <3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astrocat
Ash nodded. Carrying lots of books at one time was very heavy and unwieldy. It reminded her of that one time that involved Heath and Cole and a LOT of falling books. Back when she was a kid anxious about trying new things, and not an older-ish kid anxious about how things kept repeating themselves. "I do spend lots of my time with friends and in my common room. Especially with the type of friends that hang out in laundry and storage when it's not strictly necessary. Or swamps." Yes, Ash primarily met new people when she was hiding in something. It was crazy.
Claudine laughed. What Ashely said was funny. “Quite the unusual spots to hang out but whatever makes you happy, right?’’ She’d learnt a long time ago that it was always a good thing to put yourself first. In a lot of cases. Most of them, actually. “Well, still. Don’t hang around here too long. The Hoods might think you’re up to something.” Speaking of which, since Claudine was quite keen on surviving the school year, she’d better be going.
“See you around, Ashley. And remember, don’t die.’’ While Claudine was serious, she winked then went along her way. Really, that little Ravenclaw might actually grow on her.
Claudine laughed. What Ashely said was funny. “Quite the unusual spots to hang out but whatever makes you happy, right?’’ She’d learnt a long time ago that it was always a good thing to put yourself first. In a lot of cases. Most of them, actually. “Well, still. Don’t hang around here too long. The Hoods might think you’re up to something.” Speaking of which, since Claudine was quite keen on surviving the school year, she’d better be going.
“See you around, Ashley. And remember, don’t die.’’ While Claudine was serious, she winked then went along her way. Really, that little Ravenclaw might actually grow on her.
"Yep." It didn't make her happy. It was just a defense mechanism. But Ash did have good times in those rooms. They were the safest place to be, and therefore some of the best. "Oh, I won't..."get caught."Don't worry." If the hoods actually came and found her, she would just claim that she had lost a bet with a pureblood and got drinking swamp-water as a punishment. She smiled back at Claudine. "I won't. You don't die either." And since they seemed to be leaving, Ash waited a couple minutes for Claudine to be far-ish away, and then slinked back to her common room, smiling a little.
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