Interests: Mathieu, Acel, James, Bryce (I guess, there's not much)

Conclusion

"Somebody must've sabotaged him."
Acel and Matthieu fell silent after her statement, their chatter dies down the moment she spoke. She was still mulling over what happened to Niklaus, how he looked after exiting his room. This wasn't how a champion who knew what he was doing looked like. And even if the celebration of her successfully completing the first task distracted her a little, the next day greeted her still thinking about it. Even the usual chatter of the boys wasn't enough to distract her from it. And the hard thinking left her with that conclusion.
"Are you going to do something about it?" Acel asked her, knowing that she might've just leave it be. There were situations like that.
"Possibly" she nodded. "I mean, something is completely off with it, especially..." she noticed people who usually hung out around Niklaus. At least that was what she assumed, since she did a little observation on the champions... and then something reminded her. "Give me a moment" she got up and ran towards the two. "Hey, wait!"
"What is it?" there was a strange note from the girl.
"How's he doing? Niklaus, I mean?"
"And you care why...?"
"Nela, don't" boy said, which caused the girl to stop.
Look, I want to win, but not when somebody's sabotaging other champions" Leta explained. "Plus, there is something weird that happened before the task, but..."
"And we could do what with this information?"
"Pass it. Look, there was a girl, that gave him a box of chocolates" she briefly described her, but she wasn't that focused on the happening. "I guess she migt've some info or she was just a fan, I have no idea. I thought you could do something with it."
"Thank you" boy nodded. "We'll see what this was all about."
"Good. I like my competition fair and square."
And she returned.
"What was that, Leta?" Mathieu looked with mild interest.
"Just setting things right, I guess.

Feast(tbc)

"Psst, Leta!"
"Huh?" she looked up from the stack of books and supplies she was carrying. Unfortunately, her bag ripped all of a sudden and when she picked everything up, it was gone, someone was still out for her, even after she finished her task first, much to her surprise on both things. She noticed Mathieu, hiding behind the corner, as if he had something in mind. "Oh... what's up?"
"Damn, are they still out for you?" he asked with concern. "Really, Acel should put a foot or two with them."
"You know he won't do it unless really angered" she sighed a bit sadly. In fact, she never brought this up with him, she might've finally do it, yet... It did upset her a lot.
"Hmm... I have just the thing!" Mathieu exclaimed. "But first, let's transfigure something so you could have your hands free."
"Haven't thought of that" she admitted, another proof of how this treatment upset her more than she was showing.
Nevertheless, one of the notebooks ended up being transfigurated into a bag, not that big, but enough, so she wouldn't carry all of those things.
"Now that we have that out of the way, follow me" he was grinning, as if he found something worthy to show.
She obediently let him lead her somewhere, ditching the possibility of doing homework earlier than expected. Actually, she didn't think she would be in a mood for homework.
tbc

Study(tba)

SUpport(tba)

Teamwork

Again, nerves. Leta exhaled deeply, as the three entered the cave. The darkness slowly enveloped her and she stood for a while, uncertain what to do.
"You okay?" Niklaus asked her, which prompted her to bring out her wand and cast Lumos, finally, as the guys already did.
"I should ask you this" she replied, looking around. It really seemed like an ordinary cave, but she doesn't know what to find here. "Nobody tried to sabotage you this time?"
"No. I don't feel funny."
"Are we supposed to talk about this now?" Zion asked them, being a bit further ahead from them.
The two looked at each other and joined him quickly, their steps echoing in the cave. Light of their wands were the only source of brightness and their breaths formed small clouds of white. It wasn't warm here, but cold and rather damp... at least before they got to the intersection. There were four paths, as there was explained to them, each path had a piece of puzzle. Which really made them consider the options.
"We could go together" Leta proposed. She did hear that teamwork was crucial this time. "Taking each path together would improve our chances at defense."
"Sound idea, but it would waste time" Zion disagreed.
"Then how about taking two paths?" Niklaus proposed.
"One would be without support" this time Leta disagreed. "And how we would split up?"
"True..."
"We should take three paths separately and the last ones together" Zion pitched in his idea. "Each of us was chosen as the most capable, we should do fine. Question is, who will take each path."
Leta wasn't convinced, but Niklaus didn't seem to oppose.
"Eeny Meeny Miney Moe?" he proposed.
"And what's that?"
"Picking a path based on a rhyme" Leta explained. "I mean, it could work..."
"Fine then. Leta, you go first."
"Mhm" she hummed, counting. It landed on the path furthest to the right. Zion picked the path next to that one, Niklaus the other middle passage. "I'll cast Communication Charm just in case. Do you have something on you?"
"Good idea" Niklaus nodded, pullint out something that looked like a good luck charm.
"Do it."
Leta casted the spell and the three parted ways. She entered the passage...
...and found herself in what could be described as a room full of dolls. She looked around, light from her wand illuminated the porcelain blank faces that seemed really fixated on her. It was unnerving, being watched that way. She took couple of steps forward, looking around. The room seemed filled with dolls of various shapes and sizes. Eerie silence, broken by sound of her footsteps surrounded her... until she found herself at the edge of the cliff with darkness at where the bottom should be.
She backed, finding suddenly herfelf at some force that pushed her towards the edge, fear started creeping up, overtaking slowly her mind... and then there was a spark of logic. Why would something like this appear in a CAVE. Unless... She quickly thought of something.
"Riddikulus!" it was more panicky, than it should be, but it worked. CLiff changes into a funny scene from a cartoon. She snorted and moved further, being still stared at by the dolls. "Guys...?" she emanbled the charm, speaking to her bracelet, she for some reason had. "How's it going?"
Silence. Which meant that something prevented the charm to work... or they lost the items. Nevertheless, she had to search.
It took a while, moving through rooms, being freaked out by those dolls. She might've add another thing to her list of fears, before she found the puzzle and hightailed out there as fast as she could... and noticed that boys were waiting for her.
"What took you so long, Leta?" Niklaus asked, seeing her pale and shaken. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah..." she exhaled. "Tried to contact you, but I guess something was blocking the charm. There's one path left, yes?"
"Yes" Zion nodded. "You need a moment?"
"I'm fine. Let's go."
They entered the path they hadn't taken yet, finding ourselves on the edge of a lake.
"So that's why it wasn't working" Leta mused. "It's like there's a different world each path..." Her eyes were fixated on a point afar, glowing dimly. "How are we getting there?"
"Look, there's a boat" Niklaus pointed.
The three walked up to it and Niklaus offered to row. Leta slowly stepped into it, looking at the dark water. She somehow managed not to lose balance and finally, they moved though the lake, steadily and slowly, in the darkness... Until a bunch of creatures started glowing and they noticed a few moving towards the boat...
"Immobulus!" was Leta's reaction and some of the lights stopped moving. "We need to go faster."
There was no need to tell the boys twice. She and Zion were repelling the creatures with spells, while Niklaus transported them to the other shore... not a moment to soon, as something hit the boat and it exploded as soon as they got off. Zion grabbed a glowing piece, but there was a problem...
"Ideas?" he asked, exhasperated.
"..."
"Leta?"
"I have one... But it's dangerous."
"Say it."
"Water-walking charm."
"What?!"
"What I said. I found it while preparing... But we need to be quick, it's not known for lasting long..."
"We'll do it."
And they did. Lake was huge and they had to run across it... while defending themselves from the creatures that wanted to end them... and renew the charm before it vanished. But they got all the pieces and with relief they exited the cave... Only to find another riddle when sunlight touched the pieces.
"What could this mean..." Niklaus pondered at the riddle, as the three walked from the exit.
"I don't know..." Leta shrugged. "Possibly wandless broom race. Zion?"
"We will be without our wands, that's for sure" Durmstrang boy replies. "As for the brooms..."
"Please don't" Leta shudders. She hated flying and those boggarts didn't even gave her an inch. So if this would really involve flying, she'd rather not do that, especially if she'd fly too high.

Thoughts(tba)

Last edited by Siri (14/09/2020 at 09:20)

Sofia Elizabeth Morgan
Charms Professor at Ilvermorny
Face Claim: Grazi Massafera
Age: 38
Interests: Andrei, Sibellius, Fletcher

Plan: doing some tasks with my group; doing some of my own thing, a bit of Sibellius, a bit of Fletcher.

Last edited by Zaralee (15/09/2020 at 15:25)

♡ Cherry

♡ Name Mary- Grace Hadwin
♡ Face Claim Kelsey Calemine

♡ Nickname Cherry Blossom
♡ Age 17

♡ House/Home Ravenclaw, Hogwarts
♡ Interests Holly, James, Rey and Ruff

♡ Outfits

Date|Kelpie Riding

credit to MB

♡ Story

Some god beings, you are!

“Awh is not Niklaus,” Holly spoke up when we saw the champion of Beauxbaton's walk out first. Mary agreed before her eyes went back to both guys. Those who were whispering at the moment. Mary wondered what that was all about when did they get so close and what were they talk about she heard Holly mumbled that the next wasn’t Niklaus either but Mary was too curious about the boys that had finally stopped whispering and were waiting for Hogwarts champion and then Holly gasped.

“What?” Mary wondered before her eyes caught the attention of Niklaus, and she didn’t know if she should laugh or take a picture. Holly laughed “Cute,” she heard her say, and Mary agreed but also frowned.

“What happened to him?” Ruff spoke up, which was a good question. The same Mary was thinking of.

“Whatever it was they would know,” Holly looked at the group, dressed in green, that were all grinning or laughing for that matter.

Mary frowned and turned to look at Ricky, worried about him, “I think you should apologise for your common room prank too Slytherin they mind do something worse to you,” Ricky turned to look back and grinned.

“Let them do their worst,” Ricky replied and Mary glared at him. Why were guy so damn stupid. “Oh, it wasn’t a question you could deny, so let me rephrase it. you will apologise for your prank with caramel, candy or whatever,” Mary spoke up with a nonsense attitude.

“Yes, ma’am,” Ricky replied before swallowing.

“Someone is going to be a good mother,” Ruff spoke up amused and Mary smiled at him, “Thank you,” She replied. Getting lost in his eyes as cliché as it sounded.

Holly laughed, “She’s already picturing her wedding ring with you,” Ricky laughed. “Oh, shut up Holly,” Mary replied trying not to become a tomato, she did not succeed.

She took a sneak glace at Ruff only to see him smile the brightest.

♡♡♡♡♡

“Are we serious going to do this?” Ricky was complaining. “Yes,” Mary replied simply and walked into the kitchen stopping a house elf who was walking around, “Hello, can I have 3 bags of caramel candies?” She asked the house elf that simply glared/frowned, letting its eyes going onto splits.

“We will pay,” Mary turned to Ricky, who sighed, “Why don’t you pay it is your idea,” Mary rolled her eyes, “It was your prank, we could make the candies, but this way they don’t have anything to complain about because the bags are close,” Mary held out her hand, and he put money in her hand.

“It was a good prank, too they deserved it,” Ricky complained and Mary turned to look at him.

“Everything you are saying is right but I don’t like to think their prank can get the worst and meaner and you can serious get hurt, Ricky, it’s not worth it,” Mary replied him a small smile forming, “Let’s just take the high way and apologise alright.”
Ricky nodded and also smile, “You really are a mother hen,” Mary rolled her eyes, “Shut up,” she told him with a smile before taking the three bags of candy and dumping them in his arms, they both left the kitchen.

As soon as the break started Mary moved to Ricky, who let a big sigh leave and told Holly he would be right back. Mary followed behind him just to make sure no one on the Slytherin table would attack him they were capable after all.
“Are you do you seriously want me to apologise,” Ricky whispered when most of the kids on the table quiet down an that was looking at the pair. “Yes,” Mary replied some of the kids on the table where glaring at them they had crossed a line that only “pure” kids could cross it seemed Mary didn’t care in the less.

“I would like to apologise for my prank in your common room with a peace offering,” Ricky started and showed the candy. The glares only multiplied.

“You a mix-blood stepped in to our rooms,” “You file being,” “How dare you,” and it went on “You think we will accept your stupid offering is this a joke like we will believe it’s not tainted,” Mary was biting her lip because she was ready to snap who did this people think they were fucking gods. “All of you mud bloods should  just stop to exist,” And that was Mary clue.

“Enough!” Mary's voice silent, the whole room, even other tables stopped talking, “Who the hell do you think you are some pure beings? You think you're that good but if I remember correctly during the fight against Voldemort, most Slytherin purebloods sided with him because of your rage for people that can't help how they are born, for more power, greed. It was the half bloods ad muggle born that fought to keep the world and this school standing in my opinion the only house that should have been exile is Slytherin,” Some tried to protest but got silence by Mary glare.

“But you're not your parents our their choses so here you are learning among every one that wants to learn magic, hone it, use it for the better among your peers and but still you see yourself as superior, Grow up, make your own belief, and choses!” with all that said Mary grabs the candies from Ricky hands and dumps it on their table.

“It is a peace offering no trick involved you can take it or not, but Ricky apologised sincere and that is all that should matter,” Mary gave a final glare before walking away Ricky following.

“Who does that mud blood think she is,” someone shirks, but second later the other tables clapped much to Mary annoyance someone should have told the table off a long time ago it was just getting tiresome.

“So Mary the badass, you will be on their black list, I tough we went there for peace,” Ricky sounded amused, Mary turned to look at Ricky.

“I don’t care, someone should stop their rage towards muggle and half blood or the cycle will never ends,” Ricky kept quiet after that and Mary sat down.

Ruff was glaring at the Slytherin table, “Did they just call you a muggle born?” Mary nodded, “They properly never heard of the Hadwins and stop glaring Ruff,” Mary mumbled an smiled at him amused. His glare soften when his gaze fell on her, “They better not hurt you,” Mary was about to replay when her brother sat next to her.

“I would have called you a hypocrite but you do love muggle born’s and half-bloods,” James had the biggest grin and Mary grinned back.

“At least you’re not at me,” Mary replied a big smile on her face, James shook his head.

“Nah, this time I am proud and worried but mostly proud,”  James replied and pulled Mary close to him in a tight hug, which shocked Mary, but she loved it. Her arms warped tightly around him.

Picnic talk

"Mary, come with me," Mary looked up from her book confused and Ricky already pulled her up towards him.

“You know I still have some more things I wanted to ask the teacher,” Mary says but still grabbed her stuff and bag while following him outside the room while most others glared at her won’t be the first time she left while other student did their last question rounds.

"And I was actually learning you know how I hate doing that so this better be important,” Mary told the guy, but she was low key also happy he saved her from  more boring class.

“I am sorry but yes it is important,” The tone of his voice made Mary stop and look at him, “What’s wrong?” Mary asked him seriously, the guy seems like he could melt any minute now.

“I asked Holly on a date,” Ricky told her and Mary smiled, “Good for you and her because I know she said yes,” Mary replies amuse before she frowns when she sees Ricky isn’t that happy about it.

“What’s wrong?” She asks once again a little confused Holly had been talking about Ricky and gossiping this whole time about him, “Because I know you wanted to ask her much earlier so what’s the matter?” Ricky looked like she said no however.

Ricky sighs, “She wants to have a double date with you and Ruff,” Holly grins, “Oh that would be fun,” she replies teasingly she already assumes, why Ricky was looking so sour after she said that, she thinks Ruff would look the same.

Ricky shakes his head fast, “No offence but I would like to be alone on this date with her… you know getting to know another side of her,” Mary serious had to awe at that Ricky was such a big softy.

“But any help to plan is welcome I want her to have a great time,” Ricky replies scratching his head this made Mary laugh he didn’t want her present, but he would like her to help with idea.

“You know you think too much about this idea I promise being with you for a short time is all Holly really wants, and you do think a lot about the woman around you,” Mary notes and sees Ricky grin, “Only those I care about,” Mary hummed in agreement.

“And yes will help you prepare your date don’t think you will need much help but gladly will help,” Mary replied and smiles at him.

They walked into the break room with each member sitting at their own table like always unless your Mary or Holly who was chatting with Ruff even James was sitting at their table he had been doing that a lot lately. He was allowed if he didn’t start asking for notes, but he still did and no one really minded. It had been Mary’s stupid rule anyways.

As soon as Mary sat down Holy was on her, “Ricky asked me on a date,” Mary looked at her amused, “I am so happy for you,” She replies and hugs her best friend.

“Would you like to come along with Ruff?” Before Mary could even answer her brother spoke up.

“Wait? Why can’t come along?” Ruff nodded with that too, “I rather Mary go with James,” Ruff replies, “Oh is that so…” Mary replies playfully glaring at Ruff that grinned, “Jup, I think you will have a great time,” Mary was about to open her mouth and tell him she rather takes Bryce even though she loves her brother but Holly discarded all they said.

“Don’t be so weird you two, Mary do you really want to go on a date with your brother?” Holly says waiting for Mary to disagree but Mary smiles, “Sure I would love too,” James got a big grin, “See,”
You could have invited me,” James sounded more smug than he’s suppose too.
“But Holly, I think you should take this date with Ricky and enjoy it,” She winked at Ricky who seems relieved by Mary sticking to the plan.

“Oh,” Holly replies not really happy and Mary pulled her closer to whisper in her ears, “He would like some time alone with you maybe it’s because he will finally ask you to be his girlfriend,” When Mary pulled away Holly was bright red and Mary chuckles.

“Ruff help me plan their date and James I need your help too,” Mary old the two guys who seemed surprised. “Can I help too,” Rey asks and Mary wanted to say no need but Ricky nodded.

“Any help we can get,” Ricky tells him and Rey smiles. Holly just rolled her eyes she had talked to Rey, but she still felt like keeping a distant since he didn’t see her as friend why bother making her appearance known all the time.

“Alright, ” Mary replies but didn’t really care much about Rey.

“I will plan a simple dinner, so let me know if your two are allergic to something or don’t like something,” both Holly and Ricky nodded happy with the decision it seemed.

♡♡♡♡♡

“Don’t you dare,”  Mary slapped her brothers hand away from the tie.

“Do I really need to wear it,” Her brother replied looking annoyed.

“Yes, I told you the only way you’re getting my notes of care of magical creature is being the waiter, dress to impress is included,” Mary told her brother who sighed and didn’t seem that pleased.

Ruff was snickering on the side, “And why couldn’t Ruff do it?” Mary smiled he did something else that he properly will hate. Mary saw Ruff swallow and grinned James however looked at her and what she was wearing.

“Sure he will,” sarcasm was dropping from his voice and Mary just smiled, “You love me and I will throw in my herbology notes also,” This made James grin, “I love you more,” This made Mary laugh.

“Which simply meets your getting my herbology notes,” Ruff clarified which Mary just raised her shoulder at of course it would be his the only class Mary has notes of is Care of magic creatures.

“Which is even better,” James replayed before walking out to the table Rey and Ruff had sat up earlier outside on the grass the weather gave of summer feeling even thought it was colder than it looked so no surprise Ricky had put his jacket around Holly’s shoulder. The yellow-white dots summer dress Holly was wearing was cute though Mary helped her decide, and they had gossiped some more even though Holly had been super nervous about the whole thing, Mary had told her just to relax and enjoy it, it was only Ricky whatever she did Ricky will find her adorable that seemed to work because Holly had laughed and hugged her.

After their meal made by the house elves and served by James who seemed to annoy Holly but Ricky seems to make her laugh Mary got her clue to leave she had something planned for Ruff and herself.

“Come with me,” Mary grabbed his hand and pulled him away.

“Where are we going and you sure you want to leave James with everything,” Ruff asked and looked confused at Mary. Who simply nodded.

“He only has to serve their desert, so he will be fine,” Mary told him and kept her hands in his, and he squeezed her hand.

“By the way if we're going outside, where is your pants it is cold outside,” Ruff noted and Mary rolled her eyes.

“You look beautiful Mary, oh thank you, Ruff,” Mary replied sarcastically only to hear Ruff laugh.

“You're always beautiful doesn’t mean you need to get sick because of it,” Ruff replied and Mary stopped in her tracks to turn to him.

“Thank you and don’t worry, You will lend me your jacket when I get cold,” She replies and Ruff shakes his head, “I do not think, so I do not want to get sick at all,” Mary chuckled and ignore him.
She walked them to a picnic set earlier by Rey when he was done with the other task she gave him.

Ruff looks at it, “This is pretty cute,” Mary smiled, “Just sit down I have blankets somewhere if it gets too  cold,” Ruff nodded, “Smart thinking before he sat down,” and Mary followed his lead.

It was peaceful the lake seemed quiet and Mary wondered if she had planned the date earlier if they could have gone for a swim she always wondered what was under all his clothing.

“So why this date?” Ruff asks her and Mary kept quiet for a while. The standard getting to know you better won’t apply here since they knew each other well enough already.

"I wanted to spend more time with you," Mary speaks up after some minutes pass. She didn't know what she really wanted to say but know that she said it, it felt right, the truth, she had been thinking too much about Ruff lately, she wondered if there flirting could mean more than it was at the moment.

"Really," Ruff asks with a smile.

"Yes, really goofball, why I won't have minded going on a double date," Mary replies but Ruff pulls a face that only made Mary chuckle, "I like being alone with you like this more also, but I know Holly would bug me later about it so be prepared to go on a double date," Mary continued and pulled the basket closer to get out some sandwiches.
"They get spaghetti with meatballs, and we get sandwiches," Ruff almost sounding jealous and Mary rolls her eyes.

"I made these don't, be rude," Mary replies and Ruff gives her a mischief grin.

"I am doubtful that it will even taste better than the banana ice cream and that you like it so much does your pallet even know good food," Ruff stated and Mary looked at him amused.

"I will let you know I can cook perfectly fine and the banana ice cream is fantastic," Mary replies, "Why else would you always want to share," Mary continues a grin on her face.
"I have my reasons," Ruff answers sceptical before grinning back and Mary holds out a sandwich for him which he takes.

"This is actually great," Ruff sounded surprised and Mary hummed. She knew it would be she loves cooking is one of her favourite hobbies, she used to cook for her parents and siblings when her parents were late due to meetings.
They ate their meal in a pleasing silence Mary had her legs over Ruff laps, and he was squeezing now and then while eating.

Mary was looking towards the lake it really seemed nice. When they finished Mary spoke to him again.
"I am happy you seem so relaxed today some days ago you seemed down want to talk about it?" Mary asked him and Ruff stayed quiet for some time before speaking.
"I have a little fight with Jude," Mary didn't answer she knew Jude was his friend and felt bad for him even though she didn't like Jude that much. She could tolerate the girl enough to care about Ruff and his troubles with her. She was friends with Rey and Ruff after all.

"I am sorry to hear everything that, alright now?" Mary spoke up and Ruff gaze turned to the water.

"Her mother asked my mother, how she was doing and asked me to report to them. Jude got mad when she found out," Ruff replied and Mary nodded which made Ruff continued "I apologised told her I won't do it any more but I don't think she believes me though or even trust me anymore," Ruff continued and Mary understood his dilemma, and she told him so.

"I understand Ruff and it sucks for you, I think it was wrong of your parents to include you but Jude should talk to her mother to tell what’s she wants even if it’s means she wants to exclude her from her life," Mary says and sighed, "But what do I know about it and all humanities trouble,” Mary continues which made Ruff laugh, when Mary pulled a face after.

"Enough to try and give advice apparently,"  Ruff replays and Mary chuckled.

"Maybe you are right," She replies and Ruff pulls her closer for a hug.
"Thanks for this Cherry Blossom it is fun having alone time with you," Mary felt herself get warm and hugged him back.

"I think so too," her eyes went to his and then her gaze fell down to his mouth.

Both closed the distance for a kiss. No butterfly but Mary felt light enough to feel like she was flying around.

Studying is for losers

It seems the only thing Mary was doing these days was studying much to her annoyance.
She was thankful that she was spending more time with her brother, however, but the boy should really think of something else to do.

Mary was looking around her to all the other students that had taken the offer to study again.

“Can you look more upset?” Mary looked to her side to see Ruff, and she was about to say yes but James was already looking at them so Mary sighed and took more notes.

Mary understood most about potion and transfiguration maybe why she was so bored and without Holly around to have someone to whisper to it wasn’t as fun as she expected. She could do that all with Ruff, but he actually seems to enjoy the lessons. Such a nerd.

“Stop complaining you will get a blue head,” Ruff says and Mary giggles, “It is your favourite colour,” Mary replies and Ruff smiles it is, “Be a good girl and you get another kiss,” Mary got blushed at that and looked away which only made Ruff laugh and James turn to look at them, Mary send him an innocent smile which James only replied with a glare.

“If you didn’t want to have extra lessons you shouldn’t have come,” was the first thing Mary heard from James after the class was done and Mary sighed, “Your right, I am sorry,” Mary apologised and put her notes with the rest of her stuff.

James looked at the three pages, “Oh you did make notes,” Mary turned to look at him, “Of course it was good info,” James lips turned into a smile, “That is good,”

“I saw you look at that pretty champion what was her name,” Mary spoke up teasingly.

“Her name is Leta,” James replied and cough after. Mary was all grins, “Pretty name, I like that red blush on you,” Mary kept going. “You mean same as you have when Ruff is around,” Mary zipped her mouth after that and sighed.

“I knew it, you only had something with Rey because you thought brownie points with our parents didn’t you,” James accused and Mary frowned, “He only started liking someone else because you were always around Ruff,” Mary didn’t replay at that, “It wasn’t for brownie points I just thought he would be perfect addition to the family, I suppose,” Mary spoke up and it sounded so stupid but when she got with Rey that was what she was thinking an extra Rave child for sure. But when years went by she cared less and less. Only hating the fact her older brother hated her. This year knowing her youngest will be fine she started to enjoy the attention of a certain boy more.

“It’s too bad he is leaving school this year, you too would have been raves the hottest couple,” Mary snapped her eyes to her brother.

“What?”

James looked at her sister strangely, “We are 18 Mary is our last year,” Mary swallowed she ha forgotten or just plainly ignored it, “Did you start something with Ruff because you knew he was leaving?”

Mary glared at her brother, “Of course not are you crazy,” Mary hated that she finally realised her feelings only to find out that he would be leaving this year.

“Just my fucking luck,” Mary growled out.

“Hey, he likes you,” Mary didn’t even hear him glaring at the front, so not only will her brother leaving but also the guy she likes typical.

“Hey,” Mary looked up at Rey, “Did you learn something in class?”

Mary nodded, “Yes thanks for the help Rey,” Mary replied and stood up, “Hey, Mary ready to go?” Mary looked at Ruff and shook her head, “Enjoy your last year with the guys, Ruff,” Mary answers before leaving the class quietly, leaving the guys on their own.

A long cleaning day

Mary grabbed another foam cup someone had thrown down and put it in a bag. The riding of the Kelpie had been the most joy she had this past days trying to avoid Ruff was stupid she missed him she could only imagine how bad it will be next year. She grabbed another trash to dump in her bag. She felt restless and annoyed about her feelings at the moment, so she wasn’t her best in the task she should have never let Holly go into the last one and James freaking out wasn’t the best either she should have just went alone with Ricky their mental state are the strongest. Mary had known every passage and every creature, so they should have won easily but alas judgement mistake.

She felt arms warp around her waist and a kiss on the back of her neck, “Stop avoiding me Mary is not fun I even had detention because headmaster though, I was cat calling a Beauxbatons,” Ruff voice soothed her immediately, and she let a sigh escape.

“And did you?” Mary whispered but didn’t turn to look at him.

“I have you so why would I ,” Ruff whispered back and turned her around to make her look at him, “You would have been a good alibi you know,” Mary still didn’t look at him until he put his hand under her face to make her look up at him. He looked tired but relive to see him look at her, “Please tell me what’s wrong Cherry Blossom,” Before Mary could answer Ricky was yelling.

“Holly!” Every one cleaning turned to look at him including Holly.

“Would you like to be my girlfriend,” Ricky continued but before he even finished Holly was already agreeing. “Yes, yes, yes,” before her face turned into confusion, “Wait weren’t you asking me out for the ball?” Ricky had the biggest grin, “No taking back my lady and as your boyfriend of course I am taking you to the ball,” Holly also grinned.

“You can apparently also ask someone out like that,” Mary mumbled and sighed, “Let’s just continue cleaning Ruff,” Mary speaks up before turning away once again and picking some more trash.

♡♡♡♡♡

“You sure this is going to work?” Holly asks Mary who nods, “Of course let me do the talking,” Holly sighs but nods, “Will you stop ignoring Ruff? I saw you at the cleaning Mary he is good for you,” Mary nodded, “More than good Holly more than good,” Mary didn’t say more just walked inside the headmaster roomed and smiled.

“Hello Ma’am I would love to host a sleepover in the Hufflepuff common room,” The woman didn’t even look up just said no.

“I know is unusual but making us cleaning after a task also,” Mary continued and that got the headmaster attention.

Holly whispered we are doomed.

“It will be good for school team-building,” Mary ignored the glare she was receiving and Holly whisper.

“You are that Raven girl that stood up against the Slytherin for equality,” Mary nodded at the headmaster.

“Okay you can host the sleepover with supervision,” Mary nodded she understood.

“And host it in the break room so every house can participate and don’t forget to clean up the morning after,” Holly answered this time.

“Of course Ma’am we are the best cleaning group,” The headmaster laughed. “I believe that after all detention you two got,” Mary and Holly swallowed, “Nice that you ask for permission for a chance,” The woman give them both a smile and gesture for them to leave, so they left.

“Oh my god we did it,” Holly told Mary who just nodded, “Yes we did,” Holly sighed, “But know even Slytherin can come,” Mary laughed, “Like they would want too,” Holy hummed, “Maybe not but you need to talk to Ruff no buts,” Mary sighed and nodded once more she really needed talk to him even if she rather didn’t.

After making the break room into an Arabic lounge with cushions and sleeping bags giving some of the house members the news the night started young with a surprise arrival from some Slytherin students. A lot of chit chat, make up, gaming, night games made the night go faster before the last teacher of the night told everyone to go to bed. Mary hadn’t talk to Ruff yet, but she had been close to him the whole night holding his hand, our simply putting her head on his shoulder.

“So ready to tell me what is going on? Am I going too fast with this?” Ruff whisper when most people were sleeping some even snoring.

Mary looked in his eyes and shook her head, “I wished we didn’t only have this year together,” Ruff smiled, “Who said we only had this year Mary?” Ruff replied.

“Me, you are going to college meeting some girl that actually is as cool as you,” Ruff laughed making some tell them to shut up.

“As if that is possible,” Ruff went back to whispering pushing her hair behind her ear.

“I already know what I want the moment I saw a brunette looking confused around her when getting of the train,” Mary smiled at that, “That is so cliché,” Ruff smiled, “It is my cliché story but true nonetheless,” Mary looked at him once more and smiled before slipping out of her sleeping bag to give him a kiss, “Our cliché story than,” “Most certainly,” Ruff replied and pulled her to him once more for a kiss.

★ Ricky

★ Name Richard Johnson
★ Face Claim Erin Mommson

★ Nickname Ricky Rick
★ Age 17

★ House/Home Hufflepuff, Hogwarts
★ Interests Holly, Nela, Niklaus and Ruff

★ Outfits

Date|Pj's

★ Story

A sincere apology

Ricky enjoyed the rest of the game he was happy to hear Ruff would take Mary on a date, and he didn’t seem to mind at all.

He felt Mary glare at them, but he didn’t pay it much attention, choosing to watch the rest of the 1st match.

Then Niklaus walked out at last, much to most disappointment, but he was also naked “What happened to him?” Ruff spoke up, which was a good question.

It was clear to Ricky that something had happened.

“Whatever it was they would know,” Holly looked back at the group, dressed in green, most were all grinning or laughing for that matter. So yes they properly did know what matters Ricky shook his head, such ass-holes, they rather have another school win for stupid reason where is the pride in that?

He saw Mary look worried at him before she opened her mouth, “I think you should apologise for your common room prank too Slytherin they mind do something worse to you,” that made a grin appear on his face.

“Let them do their worst,” I reply and Mary glares at me making me swallow. You so not really want to anger Mary for whatever reason the girl could turn into a tornado, scary.

“Oh, it wasn’t a question you could deny, so let me rephrase it. you will apologise for your prank with caramel, candy or whatever,” Mary spoke up with a nonsense attitude.

“Yes, ma’am,” Ricky replied before swallowing, I knew better than to disagree with that also because I saw Holly raise an eyebrow in the worry.

“Someone is going to be a good mother,” Ruff spoke up amused, making Mary smile at him, “Thank you,” She replied kept staring at him until Holly spoke up laughing.

“She’s already picturing her wedding ring with you,” Ricky laughed at that amused.

“Oh, shut up Holly,” Mary replied Ricky saw how red she was becoming.

Holly winked at him, which made him smile back at her.

★★★★★

“Are we serious going to do this?” Yes, I was complaining and no, I wasn’t ashamed either.

“Yes,” Mary replied simply and walked into the kitchen stopping a house elf who was walking around, “Hello, can I have 3 bags of caramel candies?” She asked the house elf that simply glared/frowned, letting its eyes going into splits.

“We will pay,” Mary turned to me and I sigh, “Why don’t you pay it is your idea,” I hate that people know that I am rich and always ask for money not Mary parse but still.

Mary rolls her eyes, however, “It was your prank, we could make the candies, but this way they don’t have anything to complain about because the bags are close,” Mary held out her hand and I sigh before grabbing my wallet for the cash.

“It was a good prank too, they deserved it,” I complained once again and Mary turned to look at me and I swallowed worrying if she will snap, but she didn’t.

“Everything you are saying is right but I don’t like to think their prank can get the worst and meaner and you can serious get hurt, Ricky, it’s not worth it,” Mary replied him a small smile forming, “Let’s just take the high way and apologise alright.”

Ricky nodded and also smile at that Mary was right, “You really are a mother hen,” Mary rolled her eyes, “Shut up,” she told him with a bigger smile, this time before taking the three bags of candy and dumping them in his arms, they both left the kitchen.

“I like how you have your hair today,” Ricky told Holly while playing with her hair, which made Holly laugh. “Mary made the braid this morning,” Ricky nodded, of course, “Looks good on you,” he replays, smiling at her.

When he saw Mary approach he let a big sigh escape he really didn’t want to do this.

“I will be right back,” He told Holly and made his way to the Slytherin table. He felt Mary follow him and was happy about it even though he would never voice it, Ruff would have been better, though when the table decides to attack him but Mary is a good second choice.

“Do you seriously want me to apologise,” I whisper to Mary a little bit shaking in my boots or however that saying goes. Some kids saw us standing and quiet down looking at us. “Yes,” Mary replied did I Say the kids were looking I meant glaring at us or me, since Mary was a pure-kid.

Ricky took in a breath before releasing it, and then he opened his mouth, “I would like to apologise for my prank in your common room with a peace offering,” I showed them the candy and was sincere going to say that I would not do it again but the glares multifid clearly at me know.

“You a mix-blood stepped in to our rooms,” “You file being,” “How dare you,” and it went on “You think we will accept your stupid offering is this a joke like we will believe it’s not tainted,” and more words some hurt others I didn’t care much about I was getting ready to leave, taking the candy with me, however pretty sure the huffles will be happy with free candies.

“All of you mud bloods should  just stop to exist,” That one had me frozen solid I, though of my mum, that wasn’t a pureblood witch and my blood boil. Before I could even say anything Mary’s voice cut through the room.

“Enough!” and the whole room went quiet, not only the Slytherin group.

“Who the hell do you think you are some pure beings? You think you're that good but if I remember correctly during the fight against Voldemort, most Slytherin purebloods sided with him because of your rage for people that can't help how they are born, for more power, greed. It was the half-bloods and muggle born that fought to keep the world, and this school standing in my opinion the only house that should have been exile is Slytherin,” Ricky was agape Mary looked like she could rip them all to shred with a smile when some of the table wanted to protest Mary’s glare got worst.

“But you're not your parents our their choses so here you are learning among every one that wants to learn magic, hone it, use it for the better among your peers and but still you see yourself as superior, grow up, make your own belief, and choses!” with all that said Mary grabs the candies from my hands and dumps it on their table.

“It is a peace offering no trick involved you can take it or not, but Ricky apologised sincere and that is all that should matter,” Mary gave a final glare before walking away I followed her, taking back glances for if they would send a nasty spell or something, but most looked just as shocked I Was feeling.

“Who does that mud blood think she is,” someone shirks on that table, but second later the other tables stand up and started to clap and I grinned.

“So Mary the badass, you will be on their black list, I tough we went there for peace,” I asked her amused. She turned to look at me.

“I don’t care, someone should stop their rage towards muggle and half blood, or the cycle will never ends,” that made me quiet down after all it made sense, but coming from Mary had a double edge you never know how smart she was unless it sometimes escaped her mouth.
To be honest he always, though Mary was put into Ravenclaw by mistake the girl hates learning, doesn’t seem witty one bit or even resourceful at all, and then she opens her mouth and you know she was placed in the right house.

He sat back down next to Holly, “Wow, your friend is amazing,” Holly laughed, “She is your friend too silly, why would she bother otherwise,” Holly replied and of course Holly was right.

She’s the one

"She is crazy, she was right though," Nela says a wicked smile on her face, Ricky sat down all relaxed.

After his break and classes he found himself walk to the common room of the Gryffindors it would have been gaming in his room otherwise, but James, even though more relaxed after getting closer to his sister, he did not sacrifice his studies rather trying to get her to study, and since Mary loves his attention she would it was funny to see and Ricky suspect in a stand of her parents' approval she wanted her brother's love more.

"She may be in bigger trouble thought," Jordan spoke up and Ricky said nothing because Mary will be fine the only why they will retail is if they feel offended because she was right.
"I still like her," Nik spoke and Ricky shook his head, of course his friends would be over joyed about Mary speaking her mind, he had been a little taken aback by the hug, but after he seems to like how open Mary was so her speaking up against purebloods even herself being one was great.

Nik turned to look at him, "How are you?! Busy with your girlfriend?" Ricky grinned at him wished she was already his girlfriend, "She isn't yet but planning to ask her soon on our first date, how are you?"

Ricky asks, and Nik got the biggest grin, "I am more popular than ever even got some nice numbers from chicks, you believe that," Nik looked as surprised as Ricky felt, but he had to admit Nik had some good buns, why he got some males' numbers also if Holly wasn’t the one for him he would properly also have flirt with Nik, that smile on him is a jam, and he is a cool dude.
"Nice to hear how your popularity is increasing," Ricky replies grinning.

"You sound jealous," Nela teases and Ricky shakes his head laughter on his face, "Only one woman for me," Nela did a vomit gesture, "So sickening," she replies, but Ricky can see she is just teasing him.

"But cute," Jordan replies Nela, rolling her eyes, “You're only saying that  because Freya is the one for you," Jordan looks at her slightly annoyed.

Ricky loved himself some gossip, "Oh, tell me all about it," this made Nik laughed.

“They knew each other through letters can you believe he never even met her but didn’t miss one letter exchange?” Nela spoke up and Ricky shakes his head he couldn’t believe that.

“It may help that she is cute though,” Nik speaks up and Ricky laughs, “Yeah, most girls are,”

Jordan sighed, “Seriously I need a book,” Nela gets the biggest grin, “Are you running away, Jordan,” Jordan didn’t even blink, “Yes, yes, I am ,” He replies and walks away making the rest laugh.

“What about you Nela someone you like?” Nela got a sad face before shaking it off, “Man are idiots,” Nik and Ricky looked at each other.

“I know we are but want to clarify why?” Nela shook her head, “But think pure-blood genetic are stupid so happy Mary spoke up,” Ricky hummed, “My father didn’t care much about it, either married his rival because it gave him the most excitement in his life,” Nela and Nik looked at him questioningly.

“My dad was a Slytherin, married a muggle born Hufflepuff, my mum,” They both gasped and Ricky simply grinned.

“You are joking right?” Ricky shook his head, “Nah,” He replied easily, “There is a bigger world outside Hogwarts, more than the eyes meet,” Nela frowned, “Wait wasn’t he disowned,” Ricky grinned,

“He was the only child and my grandmother was a pure blood Hufflepuff, not everyone cares for pure-blood Slytherin generations anymore because like Mary says some ares broaden their choses, sometimes love is more important,”

Nela laughed, “Your father didn't care, even went for a muggle, such a romantic,” Ricky shrugged, “Sometimes other things are more important,” Ricky looked at Nela, who nodded, “Yeah,” Ricky felt that she seemed even more upset clearly she likes someone from Slytherin there won’t be much that gives her the time of day. So Ricky wondered who it is, “Sidh,” Nik whispered and Ricky nodded, “He was in my top 3 choses,” Ricky whispers back.

“You two are such old ladies can’t even whisper properly,” Nela laughed and Nik gasped grinning after, “I am offended,” Ricky nodded, “Me too things legs are too young for anything old,”

Nik and Nela gave him weird looks, “You're such a weirdo,” Nela spoke up and Ricky laugh, “Thanks for the compliment.

The threesome kept teasing each other for the rest of the afternoon since Jordan didn’t come back.

★★★★★

"Holly wait up," Holly stopped in her track to turn and look at Ricky.

"Yes, was the matter why in such a rush?" She asked amused. Ricky felt himself getting nervous even though he had been pep-talking himself all morning. He had asked the three musketeers for ideas, but he wishes he had asked Mary. The girl knew everything about Holly and could properly help better.
"Ricky," Holly asked him confused. "You know we need to get to class right," Holly was right, of course they only had 15 minutes left, and if Holly hated one thing was being late even if she didn’t pay much attention, being late she did not like.
"Yes, of course," Rocky started and Holly smiled and turned to proceed, but Ricky stopped her once again by holding her arm.
"Wait a moment," Holly turned once more to look at him impatient before she could say anything

Ricky rushed out, "Go on a date with me," Holly' face turned, form a frown to a gasp to bright red. Ricky though he would get a positive answer right people who react like this will say yes right, right?

"What?" Holly asks after a minute of silence, Ricky swallowed that was not what he expected.
"Please go on a date with me?" He asked again and Holly wavered with her hand, "I heard you the first time, Just give me a moment," Holly replied still little shocked it seemed.
Ricky sighed woman do they know what they do to man with making them wait, Ricky felt sweat and was sure he would get sick if Holly didn't give him an answer very soon.
"Yes," Holly said, and Ricky blinked, "what?"
"Yes, I would love to go on a date with you," Ricky grinned and wavered his hand, " I heard you the first time," this made Holly laugh and hug him.

Ricky felt amazing he only had to think on how his date would go now.
"I think Mary would love to come too maybe with Ruff no way James is invited to such an event," Holly continue smiling while saying that she pulled Ricky along they only had some minutes left.
Ricky was frowning, however, he was not planning on this and rather not do a double date. He likes Mary, don't get him wrong, but he rather had alone time with Holy.

He should ask Mary to refuse, maybe she will if he begged.

"We better not be late for class, Ricky,” Holly was rushing and Ricky hummed. His mind somewhere else.

Then he felt Holly held still in his and a smile played on his face, He liked this.

★★★★★

“Here you go,” Ricky held out the chair for her to sit on.

Holly smiled at him, “Such a gentleman,” Ricky smiled before replaying, “Of course, for a pretty lady like you,” Holly laughed, “Putting on your charm?” Ricky simply winked at her before putting his jacket over her shoulder when he saw her shiver it was colder outside than she may have expected.

The dress looked lovely on her though.

“I may do something stupid,” Holly started while looking at the table.

“Who cares is just me I will properly smile and call you cute,” Ricky replied watching her and Holly smiled.

“I guess Mary was righter than hope she will be right about more,” Ricky wanted to sigh of course Mary would be mention, yet he was curious also, “Care to explain?” He asked and Holly shook her head amused. Before Ricky could say more James walked up to them.

“Here your meal desert will follow,” James but their meal before them and then looked at Holly who was glaring at them, “Why wasn’t I invited for the study lessons,” James didn’t miss a beat while he replied, “Why didn’t you invite me for a date,” Holly went on, “Because it would be weird,” James rolled her eyes, “Bon appetite,” Holly yelled after him that he was wearing a stupid tie.

“Feeling better?” Ricky asked her and Holly frowned, “No,” Ricky chuckled and promised to teach her which Holy smiled at.
They ate while discussing difficult school subjects, Holly in her enthusiasm accidently let her glass fall down almost on her dress, but she jumped away, “I am so sorry,” Holly spoke up feeling ashamed.

“Hey, hey is okay my lady we will just clean it eat our desert and go for a walk alright nothing happened,” Ricky took some napkins and stopped most.

“I knew this would happen,” Holly sighed while sitting down once again.

“It’s okay, It’s okay,” Ricky assured her, “I won’t’ want you any other way Holly.

Ricky gave her a smile and Holly smiled back.

“Here desert,” James held out ice cream cones for them and then looked at the table and sighed, “Just leave I will clean this up, just two children,” he mumbled and Holly shoot him a glare but Ricky already grabbed her hand softly and walked away with her.

They walked in silence both enjoying the ice cream until Holly was done, “Can you believe him I don’t believe he is related to Mary he’s so childish and annoying first about not inviting me to his extra class and know he is insulting us the nerve of that -,” Ricky had pulled her towards him and silent her with a kiss.

“Holly I like you we are on a date please stop talking about the Hadwins,” Ricky told her matter-of-factly before it downed on him what he did.

“I am sorry about that,” Holly shook her head with a smile before pulling towards her for another kiss.

“Don’t be,” she whispered a second later when they parted for second time.
“Good,” Ricky replied before going down on her again her lips tasted sweet.

Cleaning smells

Ricky had been worried about Holly, she had been so scared after their last room. He knew that it was his fault they lost the task, but he couldn’t ignore Holly fear and the scream she had let out. Mary didn’t seem to blame him, but she has been so quiet even before they started the task. Ricky was a little worried about her it made Holly also down, the two were 2 peas in a both after all. He should just do it he had been thinking about how to ask her for a day’s know and more thinking would be in vain. He saw Ruff just go and hug Mary like no one’s business.

Ricky opened his mouth it was now or never, “Holly!” he yelled and the girl in question turned to look at him properly worried he hurt himself or something.

“Would you like to be my girlfriend?!” He expected for Holly to look at him shocked but the “Yes, yes, yes,” was a welcoming surprise he didn’t even care about what followed she said yes, “No taking back my lady and as your boyfriend of course I am taking you to the ball,” That made his gorgeous girlfriend grin an burst out laughing rushing to him for a hug.

“Your so nuts you know that right,” Ricky nodded and bowed his head to kiss her, “And I am totally all yours. Holly nodded at that making him smile even bigger.

★★★★★

Ruff lets the biggest sigh escape. “What you don’t think there sleepover will get approved?” Ruff looks at Ricky and shakes his head, “I don’t care about that I want to know why she’s ignoring me it doesn’t feel right,”

Ricky didn’t reply, “She never has done this before even when she was with Rey she always talked to me and joked around it hurts me,” Ricky nodded thinking if Holly did that he would go insane as well.

“Just tell her how you feel,” Ricky tells him but Ruff doesn’t response.

He was surprised that the plan was approved but Holly was all for it explained them Mary went to the house elves for help Ruff huffed got up and left. Ricky felt bad for him. “They will be fine, Bear boo,” Holly told him giving him a kiss which he gladly reciprocated.

The sleepover was awesome he even let Holly paint his nails dark red and brush his hair. When his nail was dry he did hers pink Holly was surprised by his skills before they went to gaming instead of sleeping in a sleeping bag Holly slept on his chest. He was one of those that can’t sleep unless slept in the bed before, so he heard everything Mary and Ruff talked about and was glad his friends made up.

And he understood why Mary ignored him he won’t have even less time together, but he could understand.

A yawn escaped him and Holly opened her eyes to look at him, “Close your eyes, Richard,” Holly told him softly, and he did just that relaxed under the soft caress Holly was given him.

Last edited by NinaJones (17/09/2020 at 15:51)

Since a lot of you seem to need a bit more time, just send me a PM when you're done so I can give you feedback asap.

ROUND 5 CLOSES: 22nd of September, 20:00h GMT

I have decided to move to move the ball after the last task so you can still figure out your relationships and so you can catch up with everythig before formally wrapping it up. Hopefully this suits everyone. 
Those who already had plans for it, may postpone it with the excuse of the final task being moved two weeks prior to planned, because of the World Quidditch Cup getting in the way
*The Engagement Formalities happen in next round as well.*


***

Even if this year, exams are less crazy, they're still present so study a bit. Only our champions are pardoned from taking them, since they're endangering their lives and all that jazz.

A month before the challenge our champions' wands have been taken away and they are now wandless.

They are placed into the forbidden forest with nothing but one object other than a magic wand and they set off to find the Goblet of Fire. First to reach and apparate back to the starting point with it wins the tournament, loads of fame and even more moneyzzzzz.

Just to remind ourselves: after completing their duel they have gotten a hint which gave them some info on what would be asked of them. 
If some of them got the (not even) hidden message, they would have brought a broom with them.

Find me in the darkest place 
Where I light up the most humble space.

First you must unlock the gate
that lead you to this famous fate.

But it seems your wand's not here!
Maybe you'll find it somewhere quite near?

Just in case it might be far
Your broom will serve as a muggle's car.

This time you're all able to spectate with a special set of binoculars, which give you the sensation as if you're running through the forbidden forest trying to follow one of our champions but you're safe and sound in the spectator area. 

Emphasis on trying because the binoculars allow you a view into the forest but don't lead you to our champions, you'll have to find them on your own and maybe see a major scary thing or two along. 

The biggest problem with the forbidden forest is currently the fact that there are two lethifolds loose, since not all of them have been captured. This turn of events almost made the organisers cancel the event, but after teaching the champions the patronus charm and apparition (which will be currently allowed on forest grounds) they have decided the danger the lethifolds posed was minimalised.

Not minimal. 

But minimalised.

Basically, what happens in this task is this: champions enter the forest with one object other than a magic wand and a compass. This compass has two arrows - a wand one and the cup one. The forest is quite dangerous so flying to your wand in order to get your protection would be the smartest move. The wands are located in different places, all of them far from the cup itself.
The cup itself is hidden in a tiny, very strong but humble shed. Windows and doors are locked.

With their placements from task one added up, the champions enter as follows:

Leta will describe her struggles in her story. She, however, will not be crowned winner.
Zion took a broom and went straight for the wand and collected it under a tree trunk. He had the misfortune of  meeting a Lethifold along the way. Instead of escaping he decided to try and fight it off. It attacked him mercilessly and to everyone's surprise he was able to produce a strong Patronus Charm in the shape of a Hippogriff before he managed to escape. With this he has been added to the second known wizard who was able to survive a Lethifold attack - earning eternal glory. Collecting the last bits of strength he went straight for the cup, only to hear the cheers from the edges of the forest, concluding he was too slow this time.
Niklaus entered the forest with a broom, shooting straight for the cup. Full speed ahead, he idiotically charges. He reaches the shed and his catlike creature Kitten is patiently waiting, purring once his face becomes visible. He's snorting incredulously but when he tries to open the locked door, he mumbles a very expressive yet no magical curse under his breath and starts tearing pieces of the metal lining of his (actually Nela's) broom, assuming Nela is cursing the dieties from the spectators arena (she is), but she'll forgive him. He's deciding to pick the lock. Where he learnt this skill is unknown, but it seems to work. He'll worry about the whole magical society hating him for it later. Right now it's all about the win (and the money he'll get for it). Once unlocked he grabs his pet and Nela's broom before grabbing onto the cup and apparating back.


ROUND 4 REQUIREMENTS:
- interests (max 4)
- your story (I would like you to explore your relationships and somehow bring them close to wrapping up - I am not asking you to focus on romance, but relationships in gerneral - be it brotherly, friendly, romantic or your characters own self development)
- entering and finding your way in the forbidden forest with the help of special binoculars (optional)

Personal Plots

Jude
So... Maybe he wasn't expecting that like... at all. Seriously. If you had asked him what was more likely, Jude snogging him or the rise of the Dark Lord, he'd say the latter - that dude always seemed to be creeping up.
"When she said we'd finish this at breakfast was she-?" Rey's trying to make sense of the situation but right now he's not successfully doing so.
"I don't know if she meant the assignment or whatever that was," Ruff's amused. He's grinning, knowing Reynard was definitely having some form of a panic attack.
"Why?" he asks Ruff and the boy shrugs. What does he know why.
"You have a kissable face?" he offers, "I mean, I sometimes want to kiss you as well," he adds, making Reymond look at him with brows furrowed.
"Really?"
"No," Ruff rolls his eyes, "People don't go around snogging people," he informs him and the other boy finally sits down.
***
Niklaus is happy about the win, but nowhere near as happy as his friends are. Since he promised Nela he'd tattoo her face on his butt, now he's trying to get out of it so maybe you have an idea or two. He also asked the elves if they could make him a celebratory pizza. You'll get a piece as well.
Reynard is utterly confused. Not that he minds, he had just never seen it coming. He'll try to find a moment when you're alone to ask what was all this about, because if you've been just teasing him, he might charm your blankets to constantly continue uncovering and slipping down. He's found that spell very useful to iritate people who made a fool out of him. If, however, the situation is different, he'll be quite in shock, asking a question he's famous for: Yeah, but why?.
Ruff is intrigued with the situation developing with Reynard and Jude. He finds it amusing and he's biting his tongue to stop himself from spilling the tea. You got to admit, you're making it quite difficult for him.

Naz...
"And she did it," Jordan sighs, once again disappointed.
"Yup, the Beauxbatons champion, Leta, informed the investigator about the cake," Nela adds, just to assure Jordan, she wasn't the one telling on her.
"Well, she'll face the consequences," Jordan bites the inside of his cheeks and looks at Nik with an apology, "I am really sorry," he whispers.
"Oh, I already told the investigator I ate no such cake," Nik assures him, both looking at the boy surprised, "I've known it was Naz even before I ate that cake," he adds, "I assumed it was a setup but hoped it'd be a peace offering so I ate it, giving her the benefit of the doubt," he sighs.
"Well, that backfired," Nela notices.
"Nah, got through the tasks and injuries aside, got quite a few interesting proposals from some very attractive females - and males," he adds somewhat surprised. Not used to the vast amounts of attention he was getting.
"Thank you, Nik," Jordan thanks, "She has not deserved this kindness from you, so thank you for offering it," Jordan grabs the man's hand and Nik smirks back, "God knows she won't say thank you herself," he adds in a sigh.
"She's just scared," Nik assures him, "I mean, scared she might actually like me," he adds to turn it into a joke. Nela joins him in.
"She is, she's scared," she agrees, "You were scared at first, too," she adds and Jordan smirks. Yeah. He was.
"She chose you over winning," Nik wraps a hand around Nela's knee, "That's more than we got from Jordan for the first three years," he reminds her and she nods to which Jordan opposes.
"Hey, I gave you that chocolate frog in the train on our first year!" he reminds Nik and the boy seems surprised.
"Wait, you remember that?" Nik smirks.
"Of course I do," Jordan snorts, "That's when my masterplan of making you my friends started." he states confidently, "Did you really think it was fate?"
"Cunning," Nela approves with a smug nod, "Resourceful," she adds, "You should've been Slytherin," she's happy he's not, though. Jodan smiles back.
"I actively chose not to."
***
Jordan is actually impressed with the way Naz behaved at the task. They might not see it, but from his point of view it was a major step forward. While he doesn't think Naz'd enjoy his friends' company yet, he feels she could tolerate it, so he suggests to Sidh to take Naz and join them at their weekend picnick/traning Nik at the lake. Sidh reminds him Naz is currently not a fan of him, but he'll sit down and ask her to come along, emphasising Jordan really hoped she'd be there. Sidh will join them and help Nik train, since he thinks Nik winning will be of great benefit to him in the future.
He'll be very relaxed and a suspicious touch or a form of endearment might slip when he's talking to Nela, in case you want Naz to notice.
Reynard is honestly very confused right now, so he might ask Naz to help him decipher a woman's brain. What does it mean when someone (Jude) kisses you all of a sudden?. Does she like him? How come he never noticed? Is it just a kiss or is it like a kiss kiss?.  Of course if Naz'd like to avoid that convo, she can always do so.
Jordan will also attempt to explain the boggart image since he saw how hur Natalie was.
In the midst of all the chaos with his sister he's holding onto the thought that at least Naz has stayed true to what's right, so he'll use Naz to depict how wrong having interest in muggles actually is.

Freya
"Did you smooch her yet?" Nela's pinching him with her creepily lng toes and he's throwing her feet off his chair in the common room.
"No," he replies, "It's not like that," he assures her and she rolls her eyes.
"Yeah, but you want it to be," she nudges him, planning anoither toe sneak attack. And he's anticipating it as well.
"Oh, shut up Nela," he sighs, "Go deal with your drama," he almost commands and she's smirking at him amused, deciding to give up on the sneak attack.
***
Jordan feels Freya is in a way his safe haven, where he can hide and recollect his thoughts. He's aware there's a fondness between them that's more than just friendly, but he also senses that makes her uncomfortanle so he's not doing anything to pursue it further.
Zion is still upset over the whole Gemma and Blaise matter and he started to try and weave her out of it. He won't, however, discuss it. He'll just assure you, he'll do something about it.
Gemma will be decent as long as you are decent and don't steer the conversation to things you disagree about. She will b more and more seen in the pressence of Blaise.
Blaise doesn't like you and will be of appropriate attitude towards you only when needed - aka when Gemma's around.


Seff
"I'm not sure what you keeo on doing near my sister but I will politely ask you to leave her alone," Blaise is actually speaking with Bryce. Or better said very politely trying to command over him.
"I'm actually not doing anything," Bryce is as confused with hearing his voice directed at him as he's startled that he's not imagining it, "But I think she likes me, so what's the problem?" he's asking, knowing what the imagined problem was. However, he's still trying to figure it out - the hate. Why and since when?
"Don't flatter yourself," Blaise reacts calmly even if he doesn't feel that way. However, he would not lose composure in front of this sack of dirt, "I am simply sparing you the hurt," he adds as if he's a saint watching over small and insignificat Bryce.
"Nah, you're actually scared," Bryce speaks. He's not sure. Maybe he is trying to provoke him? Is he? Could be. Truth is, he really - really - wants to.
"Scum," Blaise mumbles the last bit into his chin, for his own satisfaction's sake.
"Is there like a reason why you hate us so much?" Bryce decides to ask, since he couldn't help but heart the muttered word and instantly questions pose in his head.
"I don't hate you," Blaise scoffs, "You're simply not important enough for me to develop that kind of a strong feeling for you," he adds, "We Lestranges are like that," he continues with a condescending smirk, "Superior."
***
Bryce is really into Seff, but he's also really scared she'll snap at one point and bite his head off because he's unpure, or whatever worse adjective she decides to throw in here. He's honstly never been this scared to actually kiss a girl, since it might end with him being way more than just solely emotionally and physically wounded. So he's being careful. He doesn't think he's reading the situation, or the way she looks at him, wrongly, but just in case he is...
Blaise is quite worried what the outcome of Seffs infatuation could be. She's setting foot in a very dangerous territory and her honour clould be greatly damaged just by association and naturally he doesn't want that for his pure sister - or any purebred wizard for that matter. He really hopes she wouldn't be stupid enough to do such a low and shameful thing. Or even if she decides to do it have enough decency not to let anyone ever find out about it. Him included.

Camille
"We'll teach her properly one day," Fletcher assures Sibellius, tapping the man on the shoulder.
"Of course," Sibelius replies - frst and foremost we are teachers, and teaching is our specialty," he adds proudly.
"Ahm, yeah, I haven't taught anything for like 15 years," Fletcher assures the man.
"Yep, same," Sibellius notices, "To be honest - I wasn't a very good one," he admits.
"Neither was I," Fletcher lets out a loud laugh and moves the girst pawn of the game. Another round was on.
***
The two men haven't given up on teaching Camille chess. They actually have, they're just too lazy to do it, since they seem to be utterly enjoying their time here. Your suspicions about someone sabotaging Niklaus have been heard and they have actually made an efffort to dig a bit deeper but upon asking Niklaus, they were given feedback that nothing happened.
Fletcher is pretty sure  the boy is lying, but you can't act if the victim himself is assuring everyone nothing was wrong.
The two men will move to game boards after chess tires them out. They have gotten a muggle game called Monopoly and enchanted it so it's actually fun. They'll invite you to play along, inventing a new tradition: Boardgame Wednesdays.

Last edited by Tonkolina (21/09/2020 at 01:09)

Natalie 'Naz' Green // 17 // Slytherin
Interests: Blaise // Jordan // Rey // Sidh (interacting with Nela and Nik too)

Story

Jordan shouts my name, his voice shaking, but I need to get out of here. My preferred place would be the Forbidden Forest, but crowds of people are milling around and I don't want anyone following me in. I should probably go to the infirmary like Jordan suggested, but I really can't be bothered. It's not worth the fuss.

Lost in a pool of thoughts, I realise my feet have automatically carried me to the common room. I can't help but wish there's no one inside, I'm not in the mood for anymore social interaction.

Thankfully, the common room is empty, besides a few people on the soafs. I don't even look at their faces, instead making a beeline for the dorms.

My dorm is also empty, and I conclude that everyone must either be completing the task still or celebrating their successes. I rip off my clothes and chuck on the first pair of pyjamas I find. I'm perfectly aware of how badly I need to wash - now I'm in a closed space I can smell myself. That can be a job for tomorrow. But for now, I climb into bed and pull the covers over my head.

And cry.

* * * * *

The first thing I notice is the feeling like I'm floating. The second, how cold it is. Ice cold in fact, enough to make hell freeze over.

As I bob along in the water I can't help but hear the eery silence. This - well, and the fact that the water stretches as far as the eye can see - tells me I'm completely and utterly alone.

It's kind of peaceful in a weird way, floating on my back staring into the black abyss above whilst focusing solely on my breaths.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

The water crashes open as something bursts out. A terrifying creature, blood thirsty and ready to hunt.

Do I play it safe, stay still and hope it doesn't see me? Or do I go straight for the defence.

I instinctively go for my wand but it's missing and the creature sights me. Panic enters my body.

In. Out.

In. Out.

In. Out.

Not knowing what else to do I start swimming, knowing full well this beast is a lot faster than me. There's also nothing in sight, nothing I'm swimming towards. But I can't go without trying.

In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.

Teeth sink into my leg. Pain surges through my entire body and I can't help but shriek. 

In out in out in out.

It bites harder and then jerks back under the water.

In out in

I'm submerged.

I thrash and fight with all my strength as the beast pulls me deeper and deeper but every time that I do its teeth sink further into my leg. The pain is excrutiating. I'm not strong enough to overpower the monster.

My lungs feel like they're on fire as they scream for oxygen, and I begin to realise that this is how it's going to end.

And this time, no one's coming to save me.

"Naz? Naz!"

The monster's voice bounces around my head.

"Naz!"

Even as life slowly but surely fades from me, I can't enjoy silence.

"NAZ!"

My eyes snap open. I'm dripping wet, but it's a lot stickier and warmer than water... sweat?

"Naz?" My eyes focus and find Persephone staring at me, her brows arched and her face full of concern. "Are you okay?"

Then it dawns on me. I was in bed, in the dorm. Safe. Definitely not being dragged under water by a kelpie.

"Naz, talk to me!"
"I'm alright. I'm alright!"
"Yeah, I totally believe you."
"I am, just a bad dream." I say slowly, trying to slow my breathing.
"Anything you want to talk about?"
"Not really."
"Tell me!"
"I'm fine, really."
"I know there's something wrong so just tell me!" her voice was full of demand.
"Oh, just erm... just imagining Niklaus winning the tournament. No biggie. Did I wake you?"

Perspehone looks extremely skeptical, but answers my question. "Yeah, you were screaming a bit. And then kinda making some weird gargling noise. It was... well weird."
"I'm sorry." I mumble, genuinely apologetic. Not the fact that I'd woken her up, more that I felt guilty towards myself.

Then I notice something really has grabbed my legs. I bolt upright, pulling my legs up to my chest. "It's got me, Seff it's got me!"
"Huh, what? Naz, it's just your blanket. Chill." Persephone takes the blanket that had wrapped itself around my legs and folds it neatly at the end of my bed. "Merlin's beard Naz, how did you get that mark on your leg?"
"Oh, I don't know, it's nothing.
"It really doesn't look like nothing. I think you should go get it checked out. Like, now."
"The matron already looked at it." I lie. "It's fine."
"Well then let me try a spell to make it better!"
"Can you please keep it down. Some of us our trying to sleep!"

Both of us glance to the other side of the room. Tamsin is sat up, looking rather pissed off. I mutter an apology, but Persephone snaps at her. "Shut up Tamsin, it's none of your business so go back to sleep." Tamsin shoots Persephone a dirty look, before realising there's no point starting anything at this hour. She lies down again and is snoring again within seconds, and Persephone turns her attention back towards me.

I get the first word in though - "Please, go back to bed. I'm fine, I promise." She really doesn't look like she believes me and I don't blame her - I certainly wouldn't accept it if it was the other way round.
"I know you're lying. Just talk to me when you're ready, okay?"
I nod and seeming to have just about satisfied her for now, Persephone slips back into her own bed.

It takes longer than it did with Tamsin, but I eventually hear soft sighs telling me that she's gone to sleep.

It's a shame slumber doesn't come back so easily for me.

* * * * *

"I'm just gonna stay here, but thanks."
"Are you sure, maybe it would do you good?"

If by good she means getting me out of the little cave I've built with my duvet, then yes it probably would do me good. But even I know I'm in no mental state to go out drinking.

"Nahh, it's okay. I'm just gonna stay here, maybe get some work done or something. You have fun though, have a butterbeer on me." She mutters something about needing a stronger drink than butterbeer and makes her goodbyes.

I'm true to my word, I do take out my notebook and begin making some defence against the dark arts notes but I just can't think straight and my notes are just a bunch of words jumbled together.

Something tells me that I might not do too well on the exams...

* * * * *

"I think this is the first time I've come into class and you've not been asleep on the desk!" Rey remarks, taking a seat next to me. It's true, as opposed to adopting my usual slumped-over-the-desk postion I'm sat stright up.
"Yeah, well don't get too used to it."
He peers at my face, concern setting in. "Are you okay, you don't look too good."
"Oh cheers, thanks."
"No, I mean... I'm sorry but you look awful."
"Such a gentlemen." But again it's true, I do look awful. I caught a sight of myself in a mirror on the way to class and I was taken aback. I'm as pale as Peeves, the only bit of colour to me being the ginormous bags under my eyes. Yeah, not a great look."
"Haven't you been sleeping again?"
"What do you think?" I snap, not really meaning to but not able to help myself either.
"No?"
"No, I haven't slept properly for the past week."
"The past week? Naz why, talk to me."
"I'm fine, just stressed about the stupid exams."
"Oh yeah sure. Seriously though, what's up?"
"Why does everyone have to assume there's something wrong." my voice going from 10 to 100. "I've told you I'm fine, so just shut up about it!"
"Naz-"
"No, I'm sick of it. Do you think we're friends or something? Because I promise you, we're not so just keep this" I point to my nose, "out of it."

"Miss Green."
"What!" I shout, not even caring that the Professor had just walked in.
"What's all the commotion about?"
"Oh just shut up you stupid old bat." Before she has the chance to send me out I'm gone, leaving behind the open jaws of my classmates. Why can't peopele just mind their own business.

I tear down the corridors, once more unsure as to where I'm going. My brain is working overtime leaving my feet to do their own thing.

"Move!" I scream at a bunch of Ravenclaw first years who are just standing in the middle of the corridor.

"Natalie."

No, now is not the time. I really, really can't be dealing with my brother. Nothing can stop me now.

"Natalie, I know what you did!" Okay, well that works. I freeze instantly and my heart rate picks up. What's he referring to, me not sleeping? Shouting at my professor?

"I can't believe you poisoned Nik! I knew you were capable of a lot of bad things, but even I didn't think-"

No. No no. How did he find out about that. How could he possibly no. I felt like I threatened that first year sufficiently enough that she wouldn't blab. Oh my gosh, what's going to happen to me now? I can honestly say I don't regret what I did, I was angry and I still am. No, I fear the consequences of my action. What I'd done, it was illegal, right? Whilst some Slytherins might be happy to spend a spell in Azkaban that's a step too far for me.

"-what were you thinking, how could you be so... so... horrible?" I finally lock eyes with Jordan. They're mad, furious even - I don't think I've ever seen him like this before.

"I have nothing to say to you, I don't regret what I did."
"Nothing to say? No regrets? How can you possibly say that?"
I shrug. "Maybe I'm just surprised you even want to be this close to me, what with me being your greatest fear and all."
"What, the bogart? I'm not scared of you, I'm scared of becoming like you. Like our parents. And right now, you're just reinforcing that fear."
"Yeah well maybe I wouldn't be like this if you hadn't been a traitor! Or maybe you just wouldn't care so much!"
"How on earth am I a traitor when you can't even support your own kind?"
"Because we used to do everything together Jord! It was always just me and you and then you decided to be a Gryffindor! Do you know how betrayed I felt? My own brother, abandoning me to go make friends with the filfthy little mud-"
"Don't you dare! Don't you dare call my friends that!"
"Why not hey? That's exactly what they are!"
"Why do you hate them so much Natalie? Why are you so angry at the world all the time?"
"Because I'm never good enough for anyone! All my life I've grown up in your shadow. And they get everything handed to them on a platter. I work so hard to be good at magic and it's never enough. Not compared to you and certainly not compared to them."

My voice is hoarse from shouting and I can no longer keep back the tears. Surprisingly, Jordan looks worried. Lowering his own voice, he asks - "Is that really how you feel?" I nod. "But you're a more than capable witch Natalie, you just don't try-"
"How would you know? You're not in any of my lessons, you're always too busy with those mudblood friends of yours-"
"Stop!"
"Why should I? Because you're changed and don't think they're bad people? We grew up in the same place Jordan, you heard what mother and father said. How can you possibly go against our beliefs?"
"Because they're not true! It's such a destructive way of thinking!"
"Yeah well that's me, destructive right! I've destroyed most of my friendships, I've destroyed you apparently and now I'm going to destroy any chance of actually leaving here with any qualifications!"

Jordan remains silence, replacing his anger with confusion. "What do you mean, we've not even had the exams yet?"
"I can't stop thinking about the kelpies and what happened."
"But it was just a simulation!"
"I'm messed up okay! I can't stop thinking about it. I'll be going about my day and I'll just forget how to breathe. I haven't slept in a week, every time I close my eyes I'm living through it again. I just- I just can't I can't do it."

My body is no longer able to take my issues and I feel myself sink to the ground. Jordan is quick though, rushing forward to catch me. Together we crouch on the floor, me sobbing uncontrollably whilst he hugs me tightly.

* * * * *

"So yeah, I'm sorry."

Rey looks at me, emotionless. I have absolutely no idea what he's thinking. Zilch.

All eyes at the Ravenclaw table are on me. Normally I'd be humiliated. But I know I overstepped the mark and despite what I said earlier, Rey really is a good friend. One that I hope I've not lost.

"What you said, it really did hurt me." So I have blown our friendship. I'd already told him that I really didn't mean what I'd said, I'm just both physically and mentally exhausted and it's taking a real toll."

"Go on Rey, tell her to get lost." a guy across the table shouts. He clearly doesn't like me very much. To be honest, I'm not sure I really like myself.

"Shall we go somewhere more private?" Rey suggests.
"Yes please..."

He stands up and the heads towards the doors, myself following. I lock eyes with Bliase who pulls a face as if to say 'what the hell', but I don't stop to say anything. Instead, I follow Rey into one of the empty classrooms opposite the Great Hall.

"So yeah, what you said really hurt me-"
"I'm really sor-"
"But I know something is really wrong with you Naz and I think that concerns me more."
My heart skips a beat, "So we're still friends?"
"Yes, though if you try anything like that again I'll probably use the horn tongue hex on you. Now, what's going on?"
"I'm honestly fine." I say, attempting to pull a convincing smile. "I really am stressed about exams, and the stuff with my brother and his friends isn't really helping."
"I'm afraid I can't really help you with the latter, besides suggesting you just leave them alone. But, you know you can always come to me if you need help with studying. The offer still stands you know, you can come to our group-"
"I really don't think that's my cup of pumpkin juice, but thanks."
"Well, perhaps some one on one help then? Oh wait, that reminds me!"

Rey fumbles around in his bag and hands me a tall, dark bottle.
"What's this?" I ask, examining the bottle.
"A Sleeping Draught. After you stormed out of potions I scrapped the rest of the lesson. Made that instead."
My face immeditaley softens, I'm both surprised and touched. "Wait, you made this for me? Even after what I said to you?"
"Yeah, well like I said. I was more worried about what was wrong. Hopefully a good sleep will help."

And it certainly did.

* * * * *

As with any exam season, the library is packed - I'd had to stand over a Hufflepuff student until my presence made him so uncomfortable he decided to leave. Though I'm trying my best to concentrate on my revision all I can focus on are the snippets of conversations happening around me - some girl admitting she really likes some guy and someone else complaining about his parents.

"How you doing?"
My head snaps up, and I find myself staring at Jordan. He looks tired, really tired.
"Better, thanks." I whisper back. I look back down at my divination notes, presuming that our conversation is now over. I've not spoken to him last week, if I'm honest I've been avoiding him.
"That's... good. You look better."
"Well like I said, I am."
"So sleeping okay?"
"Yes." I' not exactly lying, I am sleeping better. Though that may be because I'm relying on the Sleeping Draught, which prevents dreams. Though saying that, I have been seeing the counsellor and she's been helping too I suppose.

"Why do you care, Jord?"
He stares at me silently, looking slightly taken aback by my question. "We're family, Natalie."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean sh*t." I hiss back.
He shifts uncomfortably. "Well, you're the only family I have a chance of saving."
Now it's my turn to be shocked. Saved from what?

Jordan must sense my confusion. "I think deep, deep down you're a good person Natalie. And that person is the sister I want."
He looks at me, a great deal of sadness in his eyes, before going back to his own seat across the room. My own eyes follow him, watching as Nela talks to him in a hushed voice. I can't hear what she's saying but after a few moments she turns to face me and... smiles? Only for a few seconds, but definitely a smile in my direction.

It's something I don't return. Instead I sit here, milling over Jordan's words. It suddenly dawns on me what he meant.

He wants to save me from myself.

* * * * *

My conversation with Jordan remains in my mind for the rest of the day. Am I really a bad person? It's something I would never have even considered before today. Sure, I have strong opinions, but so does half the wizarding world. It's not my fault that the other have refuse to accept thema s true. And sure, I'm short-tempered and will do literally anything to get my way, but they're not bad traits. At least, I don't think so.

I'm snapped from my thoughts as I step into the common room, finding Persephone and Blaise in deep conversation. I've not really seen Blaise properly over the past few weeks, not deliberately. We've both just been super busy with exam prep, and he's been spending some time with that Gemma, so we've only really seen each other at meal times. I've seen even less of Persephone, though I'd purposely been avoiding her. I wouldn't ever admit it out loud, but I'm embaressed after that dream.

"That half-blood scum won't be bothering you any more..."
"Huh? Wait... who's messing with you Seff?" I demand. I may have been staying away from her, but she's still a friend and if someone's hurt her... well then I'd need to hurt them.

Persephone shakes her head as I settle down on the sofa next to Blaise, looking at her expectantly.
"No one is messing with me." she insists.
"Definitely not anymore." I can't help but be confused by their coded conversations. Blaise picks up on this, and explains all.

"What!?" I shriek. It's the only thing I can think to say. How could Persephone be falling for all of this? I thought she was smart, and definitely on our side.

I glance at Persephone, expecting her to defend herself or say Blaise had it wrong. But I don't even think she's listening, instead lost in a world of her thoughts. Eventually she realises we're both staring at her - "What?"
"Not even going to thank your big brother for looking out for you?"
"Really? I thought we put an end to that whole thing in the simulation... when I told you I didn't know he was a pureblood..."
"Really, I thought so too but then Tamsin pointed out that he approached you again and well... I made sure he knew without a doubt how things stood..."
"So let me get this straight, you are sitting here over reacting to a situation where you claim some guy is trying to manipulate me, which he didn’t and cant... while your whole response it predicated on being manipulated by some chick..?"
"What? I'm not being manipulated..."
"Of course you are... there was no good reason for her to go to you with that bit of drama, probably thought you would look on her kindly for speaking to you about it, I bet you even thanked her for looking out for me..."
"She was being helpful!"

Persephone looks at me as if she suddenly remembered I'm here. I'm not entirely sure what to say. Part of me thinks this is a brother-sister thing and I have no real place voicing my concerns. But then... Persephone can't be with a halfblood. Just the thought makes me feel queasy.

There is one thing I agree on with Persephone though: Tamsin is a sneaky little b*tch.

"All I know, is that you and I agreed in the simulation that there was nothing to worry about but with a few whispered words from Miss Busybody you’re off to make a scene by confronting the guy... over something that didn’t even happen or matter... or whatever..."

"So what did happen then?" I blurt out before I even think about saying it.
"Does it even matter? I thought he was insignificant..."
"Fine." Blaise huffs. "But regardless, you shouldn’t have any problems with him any more..."

Persephone's response drips in sarcasm. "Cool. Now maybe if you really want to help me with an actual problem you will help me figure out who set me the bloody hell up..."
Blaise snorts as he stands up - "No, too much work." He wanders off, abandoning me with a clearly pissed off Persephone.

I just can't even begin to comprehend it. What's Persephone thinking, getting involved with someone so... so... unworthy? I look at her out of the corner of my eyes. She's pretty, prettier than me arguably. She can do so, so much better.

Please, I beg Persephone. Leave alone.

* * * * * *

"Hey, can I sit here?" I ask hesitantly. Sidh looks up, needing to bring his hand up to his face to shield the sun. When he realises it's me standing before him, he looks quite surprised. He nods, and I take a seat on the bench beside him.
"Thought you couldn't stand to me around me?"
"I can't, that's why I'm sitting." I attempt to joke. He doesn't seem to find it funny.
"What do you want Naz?"
"Well, believe it or not I'm here to apologise."
"You? Apologise? Are you feeling okay?"
"Actually, I am. I'm probably doing the best I've done in awhile to be honest."
"That's good, that's really good."

He gives what seems to be a genuine smile. I'm being completely honest, I am doing well. Besides the whole thing with Persephone and her choice in men, and of course all of the exams, I'm doing okay. Talking to the counsellor is really helping, and I'm slowly relying on the Sleeping Draught less and less.

"Look, I'm really sorry for how I've treated you over the past couple of months. I'm sorry that I' threw my drink over you, and well, just generally treated you like a house elf." Sidh stays silent for a moment, before a small smile begins to show on his face.
"What you did wasn't cool, but I'm not guilt free either?"
"You're not?" I ask, an eyebrow raised.
"No. My actions clearly hurt you, I should have stuck up for you when the whole Nela thing was going on."

I nod in acknowledgement. All of that feels like so long ago now, it almost seems silly that Sidh and I haven't been on good terms in so long. I stretch my arms out behind me and tilt my head back, basking like a snake in the sun.

"What happened to us Sidh?"
"Hey, breakups are messy." he responds, digging his elbow into my waist. I can't help but smile.
"Yeah, but afterwards we were friends." I pause, thinking about what I'd said. "Are..?" I say both slowly and unconfidently.
Sidh nods at me in encouragement. "Are."

We sit for a while, my head resting on his shoulder whilst we talk about all that had happened over the past couple of months.

"I know it's probably not your cup of pumpkin juice, but me and some friends are having a picnic down by the lake at the weekend if you want to join?"
"Why wouldn't that be my thing?" I ask, confused. "Waaait, who's going?"
"Jordan. And Nik and Nela. It would mean a lot to Jordan if you came." He rushes over the other two names, almost as if he's hoping my brain wouldn't have enough time to register them. But it does. Throughout our catching-up Sidh had failed to mention he'd befriended the mudbloods.

"Hmmm." Is all I can say.

* * * * *

"Jordan!" I call down the corridor, my legs racing to keep up with him. Thankfully, he stops. So does the blonde girl who was walking next to him.
"Natalie?"
"Hi." I say, slightly out of breath. Apparently I need to get fitter. "Can I talk to you a sec? Please."
"Erm... yeah sure. Can you give us a minute?" The latter is directed at the blonde. She nods her head, then beams at me. Weirdo.

"Who's that?" I ask once she's stepped away.
"Oh... er... my friend... Freida."
"Oh, okay. Well I heard you're having a little picnic this weekend?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, it's more meant to be a training session for Nik but it's turned into a massive picnic thing too, you know what Nela's like."
"Yep, I sure do." I mutter, unknowing as to whether Jordan hears.
"Did Sidh tell you?"
"Yup."
"So are you coming?"

I slip my hands into my pockets and shift uncomfortably. "No-"
"I knew it, I just knew it! You really can't get over this hate for muggle-borns can you! I was such a fool for thinking-"
"Oi!" I shout, cutting him off midsentence. "I mean, you're not wrong. I'm not coming because I don't want to be around them. But if you'd let me finish, I was actually going to suggest we do something, like, together?"

Jordan's expression is priceless. "Me and you?"
"That's what together means." I murmour, rolling my eyes slightly. He composes himself.
"Sorry I- I just never thought we'd be at a place where we would be doing stuff together. I never thought you'd want to!"
I sigh heavily. "Look, I haven't got all day. Do you want to or not?"

"Of course I do."
"Good. Well, bye." I splutter, and hurriedly walk off. No need for it to get all soppy now is there.

* * * * *

"Ermm, dragonfly thoraxes, doxy eggs, flying seahorses and... and... ooh fairy wings!" I cry excitedly. For such a simple potion I always seem to forget the ingredients. It seems like Rey didn't notice my struggle though, in fact he doesn't even seem to be listening.

"Hello, earth to Rey." I say, waving my hand infront of his face. He blinks and snaps out of his thoughts, physically shaking himself.
"Sorry, zoned out there for a second."
"Yeah I could tell. What's up?" He shrugs, but I'm persistant. "Tell me, I might be able to help."
"Well, it is something I could pick your brains on actually." He leans forward and brings his face only a few inches from mine. "Women." he whispers.

"You don't need to make us sound so terrifying Rey!" I snort. I quickly pull myself together though, as the look on his face tells me he might be regretting his decision to talk to me. "Sorry, sorry. What's your women trouble?"
"Well, woman actually. What does it mean when a girl kisses you, and it's completely out of the blue?"
"What do you think it means?" I say sarcastically.
"Well, that's the thing, I'm not quite sure."
"No wonder you've got women trouble then." I say, laughing again. Once again, Rey looks hurt. "I'm sorry, you know I can't help it! Context?"

He explains the situation to me, that it felt like she was making a point in their little debate. But then he explained what the kiss was like.
"Yeah, I think she likes you." I say, grinning.
"Really? How comes I never noticed before?"
"Because you're a guy and guys are literally oblivious to everything."
"No we're not." he says sulkily, but the look on his face tells me I'm not wrong.
"So who's the lucky girl?" I sing.
"Like I'm going to tell you!"
"Do I know her."
"Believe it or not Naz, I don't keep track of who you know and don't know."

Then it hits me. A memory from a few weeks back in the library. Some girl said she really liked some guy. That 'some guy' was Rey, she'd mentioned Rey.

"Oh my gosh I know who it is!" I squeal, slapping him on the arm. "It's that Ravenclaw girl isn't it." Nothing. "Jules?" Still nothing. "Jude?"

Bingo. Rey's face burns bright red and though he doesn't say anything my answer is confirmed.

"Oh my gosh it is isn't! It was Jules that kissed you. Oh she definitely likes you I overheard her talking about you in the library. So do you like her?" I'm perfectly aware I'm talking at a hundred miles per hour but the idea of a girl liking Rey - and him possibly liking her back - excites me. I was beginning to think he was gay. Which I'm totally cool with, by the way.

"I'm not really sure to be honest..."
"How can you not be sure. It's simple, you either like her or you don't!"
"Yeah well I just don't know."
"Urgh guys are rubbish! You know she's not pure though, right?"
"Yeah, I know. That kind of stuff doesn't bother me."
"Okay, well suit yourself." I close my book, shove it into my bag and stand. Rey looks slightly annoyed.
"You're not seriously leaving because she's not pureblood are you?"
"No." I say, matter of factly. "Actually, I'm meeting my brother."
His anger fades and turns to what I can only describe as a mix of shock and confusion. "Your brother?"
"Yep, good old Jordan."
"Why?"
"I don't know, figured it might be good to have some kind of relationship with him."

And with that, I wiggle my fingers at him and make my exit.

* * * * *

"Why are we just talking about all the bad things I did!"
"Erm, because you were far worse behaved than me. You still are!"
"Hey!" I squeal defensively. "Don't you remember the time you stole those sweets from Sugarplums?"
"You're seriously comparing that to the time you turned that girl's head into a pumpkin just because she wouldn't let you go on the swings?"
"Hey, I was 6! I didn't know how to share!"
"You still don't!"

Both Jordan and I look at each, our quantity of laughter matching. It had truly been a wonderful afternoon; we had strolled down to Hogsmeade (well, we made it about halfway before someone (me) complained that their feet ached) and spent the whole time reminiscing about times before we grew apart. We'd spent a lot of time laughing, and now my sides noticeably hurt.

"Don't go telling anyone this, but today has actually been great."
Though I didn't think it possible, Jordan's smile gets even wider. "Yeah, it really has. We should do this more often you know, even if it's just sitting in the gardens and having a catch up."
"I'd like that." I reply, also smiling.
"You know, you're almost a completely different person when you're outside of Hogwarts and don't have your army of snakes with you. I'm amazed."

If he was amazed by that, he would certainly be amazed by what's coming. As we round the corner I spot Sidh. Kissing Nela.

"You little cockroach!" I shriek, throwing my wand only a few inches from Nela's face. "You just have to steal everything don't you!" She doesn't even flinch.
"Aren't you over this yet?" Nela asks, sounding bored.
"ARGHHH! Slugulus eruc-" but before I can finish the curse my arms are pinned flung behind my back and my wand flies across the corridor.
"Natalie stop it! Please don't ruin today."
"Why can't I ruin today when they're ruining my life!" I scream.
"I really don't see what the issue is here." Nela comments. "We're both consenting adults who are mature enough to handle ourselves."

I break free of Jordan's grip and take a step towards the couple. "I hope you both rot in Hell! And you" I say, staring straight at Sidh, "don't even bother coming back to the common room because you sure as hell won't be welcome when the others hear of this!"

* * * * *

"Still not coming?" Tamsin asks. The group are all standing by the door ready to leave, whilst I'm reclined on the sofa.
"No point. Not like I want any of them to win."

The main reason I don't want to watch the final task is because I'm still not completely over the last one. The counsellor says I'm making a lot of progess moving on from it, and I really don't want to undo that. And like I said, I really don't care who wins. As long as it's not Niklaus, I'm really not arsed.

The group say their farewells and leave me all alone in the common room. I don't need them anyway. I can entertain myself for a couple of hours.

"I just can't believe it. It literally couldn't have been anyone worse." Blaise shouts, a door slamming behind him.

I bolt upright and stare at the group as they storm in, all of them looking angry.
"Huh? What happened?" I question.
"The mudblood won."

The task was over? Did I really just spend however many hours looking at shapes in the ceiling?

My initial surprise of their return quickly fades as realisation sinks in. "WAIT! Niklaus won the task? He's our Triwizard Champion?"
"Yes, though he's certainly not mine-"
"Nor mine." a bunch of other people chime.
"-it literally couldn't have gone to someone more unworthy. I tell you, if they're allowing the likes of him to win then it's not long before they take over."
"H-how? How could this happen?" my volume begins to rise in correlation with my anger. No. I am not having this. A mudblood couldn't have won. No.

It should have been me. I'm worthy.

"And of course the crowds went crazy when it was announced, it was pathetic. You should have seen your scum of a brother Naz!"
"My brother? What about him?"
"He was so happy he kissed the girl he was with, and jumped so high he practically crushed the person in front of him."
"Do you know who it was?"
"Just some guy."
"No not who he crushed, the girl he kissed."
"Oh, some blonde girl called Freya."
I look confused. "Freya? Do you mean Freida?"
"Nope it's definitely Freya, she's in my defence against the dark arts class." Tamsin comments.

Oh. I see what's going on. Now it makes sense why Jordan was acting so shifty when he told me about Freida. Because Freida isn't real. That blonde girl was Freya. The Freya he'd been penpals with for however many years.

Muggleborn Freya.

Jordan - my own brother - is in love with a mudblood.

I rise suddenly, feeling sick to the stomach. Someone jeers that I'm about to kick off but I don't see who - I only see red.

I stumble into the dorm, rage surging through my body.

Sid's with a mudblood.
A mudblood won the Triwizard Tournament.
My brother's with a mudblood.
Mudbloods are taking over.

Sid's with a mudblood.
A mudblood won the Triwizard Tournament.
My brother's with a mudblood.
Mudbloods are taking over.

Sid's with a mudblood.
A mudblood won the Triwizard Tournament.
My brother's with a mudblood.
Mudbloods are taking over.

The four thoughts circle round my brain and as I tear the dorm apart I get more and more worked up.

By the time I'm finshied the room is unrecognisible, and one of the beds is on fire.

Outfits

Outfit 1:
After the second task



Outfit 2:
Interactions with Rey, Jordan, Blaise and Sidh


Outfit 3:
Out with Jordan:



Outfit 4:
Outburst

COMPLETE
Sorry I'm a few hours late!

Last edited by Fashion-Chic (18/09/2020 at 01:20)

As Far As I Know

AS FAR AS I KNOW

ABOUT - DONE

NAME
PERSEPHONE LESTRANGE

FACE CLAIM
Zhenya Katava

AGE 17

HOUSE/HOME
Slytherin, Hogwarts

NICKNAME:
Seff (mostly only Blaise has called her this in the past)

TRAITS: virtues and flaws (at least three from both)
Charismatic, Cunning, Ruthless, Daring, Arrogant, Devious
... now to go find some flaws...

DREAM:
Becoming an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries

FEAR:
Disfigurement/mutilation, rodents

FAVORITE SUBJECT:
Transfiguration & Potions

LEAST FAVORITE SUBJECT:
Divination

FAMILY & OTHER RELATIONS:
Persephone is a pure-blood witch from a very powerful and prominent family with ancient bloodlines and connections. She is the younger sister of Blaise by only 10 months to the day. Often mistaken for twins due to their closeness in age, they were nearly inseparable as children. The two are very similar in both demeanor and personality, sharing secrets, planning manipulations, and covering up each other’s misconduct, if need be. Just like most Slytherin, they are extremely loyal to each other while having an obvious disdain for those that they feel are unworthy of their time and attention. Persephone is not at all discreet about her haughty attitude towards anything muggle-related. She is also very self-absorbed, but her narcissism is well managed when in the company of like-minded wizards and witches and she is genuinely liked, and protective over those in her friend circle.

She is a metamorphic witch, and as such has always had the ability to self-transfigure without additional training or potions. It caused a bit of an uproar in her family when she accepted the stone inscribed invite from Uagadou Wizarding School in favor over the Owl-missive that arrived on her 11th birthday for Hogwarts. Even at that young age, she was aware that Uagadou was prized for its curriculum in both human transfiguration and alchemy while she would have to wait, and hope, that she might be able to take those subjects in her 6th or 7th year if there was enough interest.

The one major difference between Blaise and Persephone is that she is not at all lazy. She is quite ambitious and athletic. Despite knowing and using her family advantages, she is also focused and determined to achieve her goal of one day getting a position in the Department of Mysteries as an Unspeakable. The highly elusive and exclusive position intrigues Persephone due to its secretive nature and independence of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Minister of Magic.

Thanks in large part to her wealthy and influential family, she rarely finds herself in any position where real consequences are of threat and is often willing to exploit her connections for her own advantage. Her privileged position made her ruthless and quite reckless. Which is exactly why she is here, at Hogwarts, finishing out her final year of Wizarding schooling… Even the wealth and power of a Lestrange is not enough to get one out of the hottest of hot water…

INTERESTS
Blaise | Bryce

PLAYLIST

Slytherin-type Stuff ~ continuing

A LITTLE WICKED
HEATHENS
SOUR CANDY
COLD BLOODED
ALPHA
HARD
THANK GOD I'M NOT YOU
I LIKE IT HEAVY
YOU'RE SO VAIN
LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO
YOU CAN'T SIT WITH US
GONNA SHOW YOU CRAZY
YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN
THE GREATEST
DUMBLEDORE ON YOUR SIDE
OUTSIDERS
DARK HORSE
CONFIDENT
RAISING HELL
MOTHER'S DAUGHTER
PRIMADONNA
WREAK HAVOC

THE LOOKS - DONE

Class | Studying

Library Scene

STORY - DONE

YOUR EYES LIE... ~ DONE

I slouched in my seat after adjusting my sunglasses while trying to pretend I wanted to do anything else other than resting my head on the desk and passing out. My head was pounding, and the bright light of day simply had not been my friend that morning. My loud yawn drew the attention of three nearby students who would have seen my glare if not for the dark shades shielding my eyes.

Clearly, I had one too many drinks at Honeydukes the night before. It was a so-called celebration after all. At least that’s what the Slytherin’ squad asserted considering that every member of the house made it through the day’s simulation. Good news, they reported… since we seemed to be trying to recoup the points that I had lost the group with my falsely accused antics. Though, it had to be said that it did not seem as if the entire house was especially ecstatic over celebrating the house’s success. Not that it mattered much to be being the newest person on the block, but it sure did tarnish the fraternity-type comradery that Blaise had always bragged about with his Hogwarts tales when he was home on break. Slytherin Pride just simply did not seem to be a thing across the collective as I expected it to be. I yawned again, allowing my head to lean back against my seat while I squinted towards the front of the class, continuing my thoughts…

It seemed that those that had it, that pride, made up for the deficit in droves. Blaise and Naz for example, pranced and preened green and silver in all its full glory. Slytherin was best, full stop, end of story. And I had definitely taken sips of the serpentine kool-aid. I winced. And lot of other sips of random concoctions the night before. I blinked rapidly and stifled another obnoxious yawn while trying to remember what happened after like my third drink at the pub but I drew a blank… hell, my lids drooped, narrowing into slivers, I couldn’t even remember how I made it home the night before… or like… yawn… much less how I managed to roll out of bed this morning somewhat on time to make it to class. Chin dropped, resting on my chest. But… I did…like…

“Lestrange!”  My eyes flew open at the loud rap and shout, attention snapping to the front of the class where Professor Benton stood, pointer in hand smacking against the chalkboard. “…are we interrupting you?”

“Huh…” I winced again straightening in my chair and wrinkling my nose at the professors disapproving stare. “No, you’re doing a great job… don’t mind me…” I mutter followed by a chorus of muted chuckles around the room. That did not seem to dissipate the professor’s attention.

“Very well, please tell the class which wand wood has the reputation for performing best for Seers…”

Again, I wrinkled my nose, all eyes on me. Of course, none of them could see the way I rolled my eyes behind my shades. As if seers should need a wand if they were so insightful. What utter rubbish. I rattled off some random wood and of course got chastised about paying attention when I got it wrong. And although I knew this class was the worst, and I could not be bothered with caring at all at the moment, I did pretend to flip through the textbook as Benton blathered on. Class could not end soon enough for me that day.


“Wow, that was like so uncalled for Persephone… Benton picking on you like that…” I had just walked out of the class, stuffing books into my bag as I did so when Tamsin wandered over to stroll beside me. I cut my eye at her confused… because while the girl was part of Slytherin, and marginally tolerable… I had not found any meaningful connection with her at all. She just seemed pretentious and petty as far as I could tell. Not to mention that she was always tripping over herself in an effort to get into Blaise’s good graces… or just a modicum of his attention seemed to be sufficient. And I got the feeling that she only attempted to be friendly to me in an effort to get more access to him. I gritted my teeth and just nodded. “I mean… we’re young… we want to have fun… and who is to blame you for staying out so late when you are having fun right?”

Her tone seemed to insinuate that she was not at all understanding over whatever it was that she was hinting at. I racked my brain trying to figure out what it was that the girl seemed so unusually giddy about.

“Lucky for you I was doing my part to keep your brother distracted so that he wouldn’t notice… I mean, until his little pesty fiancé came over and interrupted us we were having a grand time…”

I frowned, “notice what?

“Why… you with that Ravenclaw guy…” she giggled “You two seemed to not keep your eyes off each other… and when he even stopped to say goodnight, girl… as if you would ever be bothered with the likes of him. It was just sheer luck that Blaise happened to be walking that silly girl of his to the dorms at that moment… can you imagine what he would have done?”

I gritted my teeth a bit harder, finding the girl quite annoying the more she spoke. “But he’s cute yeah… no harm in letting him have his dreams, right? Lucky for you, when I mentioned it to Blaise later on, I was quick to remind just that… that you would never do anything with his sort… like... really…”

I didn’t remember anything about the situation, and from what she just rattled off it seemed like it was mostly harmless. At least… if I had done anymore more all hell would have broken loose already. But the fact that she just stood here and admitted to running back to Blaise with the whole thing, knowing my brother… knowing our family’s reputation. Was she trying to start drama?

“We girls have to stick together right… I scratch your back, you scratch mine?” Was this it? She was looking for an in… some way for me to be useful to her? I almost laughed.

“And what is it you hope that I can do for you…?”

“Nothing too strenuous really… just a suggestion to your brother about me… vouch for me you know?” Was she serious right now?

“I’m not sure how you missed the memo, but my brother is engaged…”

“Engagements can be broken…” she winked at me as if we were indeed conspiring with each other. My nostrils flared slightly, obviously the girl was not at all able to read a room properly.

“Here’s the thing… Tamsin…" I am pretty sure that her name sounded vile slipping off my lips in that moment, "I don’t know what it is you thought you saw or what you think you have done for me. Clearly you misinterpreted something... then ran and told my brother some rubbish about some guy speaking to me and then have come to me to pretend you were looking out for me by doing it… but whatever delusional fantasies you have swirling around in that tiny little brain of yours you can just pack away. Even IF I were interested in speaking up for you… which I am not, just so we are clear… but even if I was… neither I nor Blaise have any say in the matter. And trust me, my parents would have picked you if your family were worthy or more beneficial than the Durmstrang girl. Clearly… you and your family are not worthy.”

And instead of standing there continuing this idiotic conversation with the silly twit, I turned on my heel and strolled away. I of course did not see the humiliated, outraged glare she stabbed at my back. But her other words did stick with me for a while. Had I really been making a spectacle of myself at the pub the night before… I assume the Ravenclaw guy must have been Bryce. My pulse raced slightly. Lucky for me, it seems, the worst I had done was look at him. I did laugh then, only to wince at the throbbing at my temple… but, I knew it could have been so much worse.


**********************

I jolted up in bed, the dark gray sheets shifting down as my heart raced frantically and I stared into the darkness. What the hell? There it was again… tossing the covers I jumped out of bed, grabbing my wand from the nightstand and spinning around anxiously before I saw… and realized where the sounds… screams were coming from. My stomach coiled into knots as the bloodcurdling wail ricocheted of the walls of the dorm and I rushed over, snatching the drape from her bed and seeing Naz thrashing about violently in her sleep.

“Naz? Naz!... NAZ!” I called several times before shouting and having to reach down and literally shake her awake. Suddenly her eyes rounded and she seemed to take in several long deep gulps as she sat up and looked around. She looked dazed, confused. “Are you okay?” I asked worriedly as I frowned down at her. But she remained silent, her brow furrowed as if she were still trying to get her barring. “Naz… talk to me!” I snapped and finally her gaze landed on me.

“I’m alright, I’m alright!”

Clearly that was the farthest from the truth. I narrowed my gaze on her “Yeah, I totally believe you”

“I am,” she insisted, “Just a bad dream”

I waited a heartbeat, expecting there to be more. “Anything you want to talk about?”

“Not really.”

That was it. I pressed my lips together briefly as I continued to hover over her bed barefoot and wearing just a tiny nightshirt. “Tell me” I insisted but she just murmured again that she was alright. “I know there’s something wrong so just tell me” Obviously. I could still here her screams in my head.

“Oh, just erm… just dreamed that Niklaus won the tournament. No biggie. Did I wake you?”

Was she serious right now? Did she honestly think I would buy that horrific screaming was from her upset over some nightmare? I pressed my lips together tightly at the obvious ridiculous lie but nodded my head to her question.

“You were screaming… a bit… And then kinda making some weird gargling noise. It was… well weird.” To say the least.

“I’m sorry” was all she offered in response. But seconds later she screeched and jerked back, yanking her legs up to her chest looking terrified screaming about something having her. Quickly, I tried to find out what was attacking her only to see it was her blanket. But her hysterical reaction was too telling.

“Naz! It’s just your blanket…” Slowly I unwind the offending material and fold it up with a little sigh then look back at her, hurdled like a frightened child in the middle of her bed. What the hell was going on with her? Then I noticed her leg and gasped.  I demanded to know what happened only to have her give me some lame dismissive response that only irked me. Something was wrong with her and she was hurt. Did someone hurt her? I tried to hold my tongue, clearly, she wasn’t in the sharing mood… but I didn’t like it. When she claimed that she had already had it looked at I knew she had to be lying. If she had why hadn’t someone taken care of it? I offered myself to magic it away…

“Can you please keep it down, some of us are trying to sleep!”

Naz’ immediate apology to that girl annoyed me even more.

“Shut up Tamsin, its none of your business so go back to sleep!” I hissed, having had enough of her meddling and being intrusive already that day. I hoped she said something back, I would gladly love to punch something with my own hands even, right then, but she just tossed a dirty look and flipped over with a grumble and was snoring unattractively within a few seconds. I sighed and roll my eyes but turned my concern back to Naz who immediately asked me to drop it. I hesitated, I really did not want to leave her to deal with whatever this was alone, but it was obvious she was going to be stubborn that night. Of course, I would battle her stubbornness with my tenacity if I really wanted to be cantankerous. But she looked like she was barely holding it together and I could totally understand the need to be alone with your own thoughts until you were ready to confront them or share them with others. I nodded my head slowly, reluctantly.

“Alright, I know you are lying to me Naz… but… I am here if you need me, just talk to me when you are ready, okay?” She nodded, relief on her face. I almost recanted and started to demand that she talk to me but I gave in and made my way back to my bed, taking more than a few minutes to finally get back to sleep. 

PROBLEM SOLVED ~ DONE

“I took care of your problem…”

I arched a brow looking up to see Blaise strolling into the Slytherin common hall with a haughty expression obvious on his face. It only took him a couple more strides to settle on the sofa beside where I sat studying the stupid divination lesson for an upcoming test.

“My problem?” I mutter off-handedly as I turned back to the textbook, tapping my wand against the paragraph I had just read literally three times in a row because I wanted to focus on anything other than it, before suddenly my eyes lit up and I looked back at him expectedly… “what?!! You found out who set me up?” In the space of three seconds I surged from excitement to anticipation to flat out outrage… “you took care of it?! Without me??”

I remarked the last bit with a punch to the arm causing him to grunt and glare at me after his hand began rubbing the tender spot.

“Not THAT problem… your other problem…” I for the life of me could not figure out what the hell he was talking about. My face must have told him as much. “That half-blood scum won’t be bothering you any more…”

“Oh…” I muttered not even sure I kept the disappointment out of my voice, “that problem…” my mind immediately got back to thinking about whoever was responsible for the tight lipped headmistress unwarranted accusation than anything that had to do with Bryce.

“Huh? Wait… who’s messing with you Seff?” Naz demanded entering the room at the tail end of Blaise’s comment. I shook my head immediately, but she was settling on the opposite side of me and looking at me expectantly.

“No one is messing with me” I insisted.

“Definitely not anymore” Blaise insisted then proceeded to inform Naz of the situation. In his opinion, apparently, Bryce had sought to deceive me and manipulate me into accepting him. I bit my tongue, Bryce hadn’t done either of those things, I made an assumption about him and never bothered to look any further.

It’s weird… how once in a while one of them stands out. It wasn’t as if I got this way about all the mudbloods or half-bloods. Most of the time I found them unimpressive and typical, completely inferior. Too many of them trying so hard to compensate for their low born status by being extra… everything. The arrogance of some of them was just laughable. Studying longer, practicing harder. They were always playing catch up. Without legacy or name to open doors for them and they would brag about how that makes them better because they ‘worked for it’ when I found it impossibly, monotonously common. There was nothing special about those hardworking drones.

“.. and he had the nerve to say that she liked him… can you believe that?” Blaise’s disgust broke into my thoughts and I tucked my head looking at the book unseeingly. “Even said some insanity about me being scared…”

“What!?” Naz… obviously shocked to have heard such a ‘ridiculous’ thing.

Meanwhile, my curiosity was piqued. Bryce, in my opinion, wasn’t like the others. Sure, he was kind of flippant about some things, not really taking things seriously when I have been around him but maybe that is what intrigues me about him, why he doesn’t seem like the rest of them to me. He doesn’t take everything so seriously, is comfortable with who he is and doesn’t seem to apologize for being himself. He doesn’t trip over himself to ‘fit in’ or be liked or sit around envying other people or trying to figure out ways to be more like someone else. At least, that is what I had gotten from being around him. Why I had just accepted, without a second thought, that he was pureblood. And apparently, he doesn’t backdown when confronted by the likes of Blaise. And I knew my brother could be highly intimidating.

At a point I realized that the conversation had drawn silent and I glanced up to see that both of them were looking at me.

“What?”

“Not even going to thank your big brother for lookin’ out for you?”

“Really? I thought we put an end to that whole thing in the simulation… when I told you I didn’t know he wasn’t pureblood…”

“Really, I thought so too but then Tamsin pointed out that he approached you again and well… I made sure he knew without a doubt how things stood…”

“So let me get this straight, you are sitting here over reacting to a situation where you claim some guy is trying to manipulate me, which he didn’t and cant… while your whole response it predicated on being manipulated by some chick…?”

He immediately became offended. “What? I’m not being manipulated…”

“Of course you are… there was no good reason for her to go to you with that bit of drama, probably thought you would look on her kindly for speaking to you about it, I bet you even thanked her for looking out for me…” I rolled my eyes. Naz, however, looked torn.

“She was being helpful” he insisted to which I glanced at Naz as if she would back me up about the girl meddling. But she didn’t seem prepared to do so, but to give her credit she didn’t flat out agree with Blaise either, about Tamsin that is. The rest… well, she was definitely on the ‘that half-blood is scum’ page.

“All I know, is that you and I agreed in the simulation that there was nothing to worry about but with a few whispered words from Miss Busybody you’re off to make a scene by confronting the guy… over something that didn’t even happen or matter… or whatever…”

Blaise pressed his lips together, an action that I was prone to do myself.

“So, what did happen then?” Naz asked and I wrinkled my nose. I had absolutely no recollection of the incident so I could not rightly say but there was no way in hell I would admit that at this point.

“Does it even matter? I thought he was insignificant…” I muttered repeating the exact words Blaise had used to describe Bryce just moments before. Not, mind you that I agreed with the words, just that they had been said.

“True…” they both confirmed.

“Fine…” Blaise add with a huff. “But regardless, you shouldn’t have any problems with him any more…”

“Kewl…” I say sarcastically, because really, I hadn’t had any problems before. Even if I was annoyed by the guys attention, I was perfectly capable and able to stand up for myself. “Now maybe if you really want to help me with an actual problem you will help me figure out who set me the bloody hell up…”

Blaise snorted as he stood, brushing his hands together dismissively before muttering “naw… too much work…”

I growled, reaching back for a pillow from the plush sofa and tossing it frustratingly at my brother who simply side-stepped and and laughed as he strolled away.

DANGEROUS LIAISONS ~ DONE

It had taken a while, literally three days, for me to find out Bryce’s schedule. Discreetly, of course. And even then, I took precautions, morphing on more than one occasion so that no one would pinpoint a specific person making said inquiries. It was risky, and if I was caught, I could be in a world of trouble. But it was no less trouble than what would happen if my family got wind that I was seeking out the half-blood, for whatever reason.

Shamelessly, the more clandestine I behaved going down this road the more excited I became. It would have stunned my family. Had. I shook my head pushing the memory away. Hogwarts was their safe-space… they even had Blaise here, my perpetual knight in green armor ready and willing to jump in and defend my Lestrange honor and reputation. Poor Blaise. He really had no clue what he was getting dumped on him, it wasn’t really his fault after all. I really was behaving. Doing what was expected, saying all the right things, surrounding myself with all the right people. I hadn’t even been tempted by any of the impure Hoggies, that was until one turned out to be right under my nose. Carrying himself like a natural born… not that I ever saw him treating the rest as beneath him, he just never seemed to need to prove he was anything more. He just was.

And so, that afternoon I had a note delivered to him by a random first year student. It was cryptic, and I wasn’t even sure if he would figure it out, but he was a smart guy… I expected him to. If he didn’t, well… that would solve a whole lot of problems brewing.

But he was, and later that evening, after supper, Bryce wandered into the section of the library I had painstakingly coded into the note. His eyes widened in surprise when he noticed me but then they shifted, grew more curious and finally more interested when he allowed his gaze to shift down over the sinful outfit I wore. Oh… the trouble that would happen if I were seen here, dressed like this… with him.

“That certainly doesn’t look like any school uniform I have ever seen before”

I lifted a brow and dropped my gaze, plucking a couple layers of the thin green fabric and swishing it around my legs.

“Ahhh… don’t like it?” I murmured teasingly “I could change into something more appropriate…” without wand in hand I concentrated and seconds later I had morphed the standard Hogwarts uniform down to having my hair tugged back and pinned above my head in a severe bun and even a pair of black rimmed glasses. “you prefer the more reserved, prudish girl look then?”

A smirk tugged at his lips. “I never said I disliked the other…” to which I returned his smirk and slowly transfigured my look once more back into the more inappropriate green dress.

“I didn’t realize I was being invited to a fashion show…” he chuckled as he lifted the note he received earlier, folded neatly into four equal parts. 

“No, I had questions…” I explained as I moved to a nearby table and slowly scooted up to sit on its edge. Bryce had not stepped any closer in the meantime. “You don’t have to keep your distance… I wont bite,” the answering smirk led me to believe he wasn’t concerned but, he was hesitant… “Not unless you want me to…”

Another low chuckle slipped out, but he did close the distance between us somewhat. “Questions about what?”

Without hesitating I murmured a muffling spell so that our conversation would remain private. It didn’t matter that we seemed to be alone, if that should change, I needed plausible deniability. But the skeptical brow Bryce arched in response sent a delicious tingle down my spine.

“Worried someone might overhear us?”

“Yes…” I answer honestly. He waited, expecting more.

“Are you about to suggest doing something illegal? Sneaking out or stealing test answers?” He was already shaking his head while laughing. Meanwhile my pulse raced slightly more.

“Yes, I suppose in a way…” That shut him up. For probably a second before he began shaking his head more firmly.

“Look Persephone, not sure what you think you know about me but…”

“Did you really tell my brother he was scared?”

“Huh?”

“Blaise… when he came for you. Did you… you told him he was scared?” He looked confused as if he couldn’t understand what this had to do with anything. He shrugged.

“Sure… why else did he come to warn me away for no good reason? Scared I’ll get my dirty little hands on his precious sister…” There was an obvious accusation in his words.

“Is that what you were thinking of doing?” That seemed to draw him up. He was certainly not pleased with Blaise’s arrogant behavior, but I was definitely more focused on Bryce’s. Because whether he believed it or not, it took a certain level of arrogance to get under my brother’s skin. Blaise almost always shrugged off the actions of those he deemed ‘less’ than him. He would not have gone at Bryce if there wasn’t something about him. I nibbled on my lower lip and crossed my legs causing the tails of my dress to shift and part, exposing more flesh. “You wanted to put your hands on me?”

He did not at all miss the suggestive change in position, his eyes trailing along the expansive of thigh that was now in full view.

“I hadn’t considered what I wanted to do to be honest…” And that drew me up. I was expecting something more… certain. Getting my hands on him had certainly been a thought circling in my head for days now. I wrinkled my nose and he looked confused again. “Is that why you asked me here? I don’t understand”

And it seemed he genuinely didn’t. Which, I suppose made perfect sense. I was warped… maybe a little depraved. Definitely not normal. I had been told that before, chastised over it. My pulse raced.

“You want me to put my hands on you?” The words, uttered with such bewilderment, made my nipples harden.

“Yes…” Another breathlessly honest answer. He still looked confused but there seemed to be a spark of something else now. Excitement maybe? Or just flat out skepticism.

“Why?” Doubt it was.

I licked my lips making no effort to hide the way I checked him out, slowly, head to toe before locking gazes with him again. “Scared Slughorn?”

He snorted as if I had said the most ridiculous thing in the world. “What is there to be afraid of?”

“Because it’s not allowed…” Brutally honest. I wasn’t sure what Bryce was thinking at that point. He wasn’t acting like I expected him to. Which… only added to the allure I was feeling about him.

“Who decides what’s allowed? Your brother?” He snorted again but then his gaze narrowed and suddenly he stepped closer. “What’s it Seff?” his voice had lowered, almost purring as he taunted me “…you’re feeling rebellious and what… thought that you would come down off your little pedestal to play with fire…?”

“yes…” I blatantly respond. My voice trembled. Every nerve in my body tingled. If anything, he might be disgusted by my desire. I knew for sure my family would be. Revulsion was the look I remembered clearly, from them.

“And what…” he muttered again, his voice low, in my head it sounded dangerous. Or maybe it was this whole situation. Dressed scandalously in the company of an impure guy, blatantly taunting him, encouraging him. “…I’m supposed to just go along with your scheme because you want a little playtime…”

“Because you were told you can’t have me…too”

He smirked shaking his head. “Do you think I am the sort that would tuck tail and run because of the likes of Blaise Lestrange?”

“You told him he was scared… you weren’t afraid of him” Bryce smirked as he looked at me.

“No” he said simply, his eyes still locked with mine. Then he slid his hand out, fingers brushing against my thigh, slowly trailing up shifting the already spread fabric a bit more. I dragged in a slow ragged breath. “But you’re here offering me what he thinks I can’t have… that I could never have…”

“If you want it…”

He smirked, “what… right here? In the middle of the library where anyone… your brother included, could just happen upon us?”

It was my turn to snort, “Blaise? In a library?” the idea was incomprehensible, and it was obvious in my tone that I thought so. But then I shrugged, “I’m new… I have no idea where the good places are to go for a little… privacy…”

And despite everything, I could tell he was torn. Maybe part of him didn’t like the idea of my family’s well-pronounced mugglephobia… or my intense desire to be there because of the recklessness of it all. I was not at all hiding the fact that my interest was linked to that. But, there also seemed to be a part of him that was intrigued maybe… definitely tempted. His hand still lingered, barely touching but the heat of that almost caress was intense and thrilling. I wanted him to do more.

“I might know of a place…” he finally announced and instantly my womb contracted, excitement racing through me.

I smirked at the words, inching forward off the table and slithering my lithe body against him. My nipples were straining against the dress, dimpling the fabric lewdly and his eyes did not seem to overlook it. No, in fact one of his hands inched up, cupping one mound softly, squeezing it while he stood… towered before me. I gasped, dragging in another ragged breath and leaned in, eager. Far too eager. Then he bent down and pressed his lips to mine and everything inside of me exploded. Fire, power… lust and need. Like a starved beast I fed on the exquisite taste of his lips, our tongues colliding, battling for what seemed superiority. But then he broke apart, both of us panting violently, my eyes glazed over with longing. 

“Thing is…” he began… and I barely registered the words, desire choking out any rational thought from my brain. All I wanted to do was get to whatever this place he knew of, pronto… “… when I have you… and I will have you…” he was continuing and I started frowning, when? “it won’t be simply because you want to be a little reckless, and any ole impure student will do…”

“Huh?” I hissed, completely confused now. But he didn’t wait. His palm squeezed once again, the pad of his thumb brushing tauntingly over the swollen puckered nub he teased before he took a step back, making me whimper regretfully. Cool air brushing over my titillated body now that his body heat was not right up against me. “What are you doing?” I demanded my frustration very real.

“Making sure you get burned…”

Then he just turned and walked away leaving me with my mouth wide open, stunned and stupefied over what had just happened. 

R1-DONE | R2-DONE | R3 - DONE | R4 - DONE

Last edited by BambiFoxx (17/09/2020 at 19:13)

catching up

Round Progress: R1 done, R2 done, R3 done, R4 done

Name: Jude Collins

Face Claim: Emily Bader

Age: 17

House/Home: Ravenclaw * Hogwarts

Interests: Niklaus, Rey and Rodolphus

Story-DONE

Part 1 DONE

People are unpredictable, I reminded myself the morning after kissing Rey when he was notably absent from the Ravenclaw table at breakfast. Thankfully it turned out the Divination wasn't and while I tried not to make looking for him obvious I managed to discover a pattern in the textbook and finish up what Ruff and I couldn't the night before.

"This should convince your mother you love the class," I told Ruff as I handed him the parchment as we walked towards the library.

"Really? That's all you have to say after last night?" He asked.

"We spent more than 2 hours trying to figure this out," I reminded him.

"Yeah and then you went and kissed Rey!" he exclaimed.

"Say that a bit louder," I hissed, "I saw some Slytherin's out on the Quidditch Pitch and I don't think they heard you."

"You kissed Rey," he repeated more softly.

"Yes I did. Are we done stating the obvious?" I laughed nervously as we entered the library. I tried to find a table out of the way but the only one unoccupied was near a few Slytherin's, most of who left but it seemed like at least one girl remained with her head buried in a book.

"So was that just to prove a point?" Ruff asked as he took a seat across from where I sat.

"No," I sighed. "But you can't tell him that...or your mother. It needs to come from me."

"So you actually like Rey, I mean properly not just as a friend?

"Of course I like him c'mon Ruff you've known me for years do I just randomly kiss people?"

"Well there was the time I caught you and Bryce during fifth year, and there was me not too long ago," He laughed.

"First, I swore you to secrecy about Bryce and for the last time I didn't kiss you...not for real anyway."

"Well when are you going to tell him?"

"I hoped to see him this morning but he wasn't at breakfast. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was avoiding me."

I waited for Ruff to laugh, to tell me I was being paranoid. He did neither.

"Is he avoiding me?" I asked Ruff.

"He just needs some time to process this."

"That's not a 'no'." I grumbled.

"It's not a 'yes' either."

I wanted to press Ruff for more information, but I needed to study, we all did, exams were fast approaching and if I got distracted I didn't put it past Adelyn to try and ship me off for what remained of the year.

Part 2 DONE

While I tried to talk to Rey several times over the next few weeks there was never a time that was completely right. We both spent long hours studying, the library was always packed, and while I considered the room of requirement it always seemed to be occupied. Ruff tried to give us some space in the common room on multiple occasions to have the conversation that was brewing but we were always interrupted with something: a group of first years that had managed to turn themselves a particularly vivid shade of orange during a potions lesson, a third year turning the tail of her cat to glass only to have it promptly shatter when the poor creature jumped off the table, and more than one fire that no one seemed to know the source of. It was all pretty normal, but considering what was, or more aptly what could be, going on in my personal life, I was less than enthused to have to deal with it even tangentially. We were finally able to get some privacy the night before the final challenge.

"Do you mind?" Rey asked as he stood across from the table I was sitting at in the library, a chair partially pulled out. The section I was in was completely empty.

"Since when do we ask that kind of thing," I said looking at him skeptically, "Of course I don't mind."

Rey sat across from me in silence for a full two minutes, I know because I counted off the seconds in my head as I pretended to read. He didn't even open his book.

"About that night," I started. I knew I didn't need to say which one.

"Yeah about that," he said letting out a sigh, "What the hell Jude, was that just to prove your point with Ruff or..."

I waited for him to continue with his question but the words remained unspoken.

"Or what?" I asked looking up from my book.

"Or was it something else...something more."

"I like you Rey," I said simply, "I have for a while."

"Yeah, but why?" he asked.

"Are you serious? What do you want like a list?" I laughed awkwardly.

"I am serious, and it doesn't have to be a list but -"

Again I waited for him to finish, again the words remained unsaid.

"Remember that time in third year when during Christmas break my dad and I moved out and I forgot to pack my potions book so you stayed up all night helping me hand write out a replacement copy from your book even though the Geminio spell would have been so much quicker? Or the that time in fifth year when I was dating that git Humboldt in Gryffindor who tried to slip me a love potion in the Three Broomsticks and you used the Duro charm on his clothes so that he was basically a statue until he admitted in front of everyone what he was trying to do?" I started.

"Yeah, Jude of course I remember those things, but what does that have to do with what happened?"

"Those things are a part of why I like you Rey."

"I did those things because you're my friend. You've done things like that for me too," he started, "wait did you only do those things because you like me."

"Of course not!" I said offended, "And those things aren't the only reasons why I like you."

"So then what Jude?"

"Look Rey you're smart and funny and cute, like really cute," I blurted out, "and yeah maybe I shouldn't have just kissed you but I don't regret it, do you."

"I-" Rey started, "I really don't know what to think Jude." Rey continued, "this is...it's a lot....thank you," he finished.

"Thank you?" I repeated, "I tell you all of that and you say 'thank you'" I continued my face getting hot as I stood up, "thank you," the words felt foreign in my mouth as I began to walk away.

"Jude wait," Rey called after me.

I stopped in my tracks and spun around,

"You forgot your book."

"Accio, book!" I called out causing the book to whizz past his head into my hand and immediately made my way back to the Ravenclaw dorm, tears streaming down my face.

Part 3 DONE

The next morning I skipped breakfast but went to the owlery to intercept Val. I was still there reading my father's most recent letter when Ruff found me a few hours later.

"Of course this is where you are," Ruff said, there was a thin sheen of sweat visible on his forehead.

"Let me guess, this is the last place you thought to look?"

"Second to last, I was off to the stables next, so did Rey just leave or is he hiding or something?" Ruff started with a grin, "Rey it's just me no need to hide," he called out startling a few of the younger owls in the process.

"He's not here." I spit out.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"When neither of you were at breakfast I just assumed your talk went well last night."

"He didn't tell you what happened?"

"No, he just showed up at the dorm with a stunned look on his face. I just assumed you kissed him again." Ruff laughed.

"Not even close," I admitted.

"Wait, you didn't tell him that you liked him?"

"Oh I told him."

"And?"

"And he said "thank you"," I replied.

"And?" Ruff asked again, "I feel like I'm missing something."

"And that's it...oh wait, he also told me I was forgetting my book when I got up to leave."

"You're joking right?" Ruff asked hopefully, "Look I get you not wanting your mom to know and I swear I won't say anything to my mother."

"I don't even care if you do," I said wiping away the hot tears that were forming in my eyes, "Adelyn can't make me feel worse about this than I already do."

Ruff hesitated a bit and then wrapped his arms around me in an awkward embrace, after a moment I returned the hug.

"The final challenge will be starting soon," Ruff said as he let me go. "We'll go cheer Nik on."

"I- I think I'm going to pass, write home to my dad."

"You sure?" Ruff asked, "We can still probably get great seats."

"I'm sure."

"Well I'll save you a seat anyway, in case you change your mind."

"I won't, but thank you."

"Yeah of course," Ruff said leaving, "And maybe write your mom too, she may surprise you."

"And cut your mom out of the loop," I laughed, "Never."

Part 4 DONE

The next morning following the challenge it was clear that Nik had managed to win and despite it being early in the morning there was a giant pizza at the Gryffindor table when I approached it.

"Hey Jude," Nik called out as he spotted me. I stopped and the crowd parted for him as he approached me with two slices of pizza.

"Congrats on your win last night!" I said with a bright smile. I was still feeling awful but Nik didn't need to know that.

"Thanks," he said offering me a slice which I took, "I don't know who's happier me or Nela."

"I can't imagine why Nela would be happier than you are right now."

"It may have something to do with the fact that I promised her I'd tattoo her face on my butt." he said before taking a bite of his pizza.

"Oh so Nela is...your girlfriend?" I asked before taking a bit of my own pizza.

"Oh no," he laughed his face going a bit red.

"Well it sounds like she must really like you, I mean a tattoo, at least a magical one is basically a portrait."

"Yeah it is, but what does that have to do with her liking me?"

"Well I mean portraits aren't sentient but they can move and talk and something on your body is pretty intimate, like there'd be a version of her there when you showered or when"

"I get it," he said cutting me off with a laugh, his face much redder now.

"I mean I could be wrong, maybe she's just using it as a decoy to turn you into a horcrux." I joked before taking another bite of pizza. "Or maybe she just made you promise to see if you would."

"Any idea how to back out of that promise? I really don't want a tattoo of her face on my butt...or anywhere actually."

"Maybe just try telling her that." I started, "Or worse case scenario use the obliviate spell."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"It can be but what's more important that she's able to remember things like her Gran's birthday or that your butt remain untattooed?" I shrugged as I finished off my slice.

"Good point," Nik said with a smile finishing off his pizza. "I wanted to give these back to you last night, but I didn't see you," he said as he fished my fixed necklace and the pizza palace token out of his pocket.

"Thanks," I said taking my necklace but leaving the token, "You can keep that...I mean if you want."

"Are you sure, I know it was your dad's."

"And he has at least a dozen more," I said with a smile.

Nik looked like he was going to say something else, but then we heard Nela calling him.

"I should get back," he said as he slipped the token in his pocket but didn't actually turn to walk away.

"Yeah, you should," I agreed.

He hesitated for a moment and then turned to leave.

"Hey Nik," I called after him as another idea popped in my head.

"Yeah," he responded as he walked back towards me.

"The triwizard ball," I started "I don't know if you have a date, I'm sure you do especially after last night, but if not," I started.

"I don't have a date yet," he said cutting me off, "But-"

"Oh that's great...surprising but great."

"Really?"

"Really, it means that you can ask Nela," I said cocking my head towards the girl who was now walking towards us.

"Ask Nela?" the look on his face was confused.

"Yeah, like an exchange. She gets to go to the triwizard ball with the triwizard champion and her face stays off your butt." I smiled.

"Uh," Nik started.

"Shoot, I gotta go," I said as I spotted Rey walking in our direction. He seemed to be looking for someone and I didn't want his eyes to land on me, I was in no way ready to face him yet. "Thanks for the pizza by the way," I said as I walked out of the great hall as quickly as I could without running.

Part 5 DONE

A couple of days later and I was still doing my best to avoid running in to Rey alone, what I couldn't avoid however were the missives from my parents that arrived on the same morning. My father sent a parcel containing a few pumpkin pasties, a copy of the quibbler and  a quick note about how daft 17 year old boys can be. Adelyn sent a letter proving that I'd been very wrong when I told Ruff that she couldn't make me feel worse than I already did.

Adelyn's letter

Jude Corinthian,

While I'm pleased to learn from Mrs. Glendower that you have your sights set on boys from suitable families, you didn't really think that Reynard Potter would want to be with the likes of you did you? He has the best grades in school and sure you're a clever girl (thankfully you take after me in that regard as well) but you're not really the right sort for him. And we're going to have a long talk about what it means to be a respectable young lady because I was aghast that you just kissed him. What is your father teaching you?!

Since you're clearly of an age where young men are on your mind (I know because I was young once too) what about Rodolphous? The Glendowers are graciously willing to overlook the fact that your father is a squib and despite what he tells his parents they seem to think you're darling, Mrs. Glendower even commended your pluck after that awful stunt you pulled and she recounted a similar scene from her own youth when she learned about you just kissing Reynard. Besides I already vacation with them several times a year. I can make arrangements for you to join me at the seaside after term, but please don't do anything reckless.

My regards.

I quickly folded the letter closed, shoved it in my bag and grabbed my things before leaving the dining room.

***

"Hey Jude, wait up," I heard Ruff call behind me a few minutes later as I was walking out of the castle.

I slowed my pace but didn't stop.

"Was that your mother's owl?" Ruff asked as he caught up with me.

"Yeah, the Glendower express gave her all the news," I spit out as we exited the building.

"You said it was okay," Ruff started. "I-"

"I'm not mad you said anything," I said as I flopped down into the grass. "I'm mad because Adelyn was Adelyn," I rooted through my bag to retrieve the note and thrust it in his direction, "just read it."

Ruff took the letter from my hands and sat down next to me. When he finished reading it he handed it back to me.

"Just so we're clear I didn't say anything that should have led your mom to suggesting me as more suitable."

"Of course you didn't" I said with a sigh as I shoved the note back in my bag "It's not just Rey....it's like all the guys here."

"Jude you know that's not true, there was that guy from Gryffindor in fifth year, Humphrey or whatever."

"Humboldt and he tried to slip me a love potion."

"Well I can also far too vividly recall Bryce slipping you something else." he said with a shudder likely recalling the time he caught us making out in the restricted section of the library."

"That was just for a few months, and c'mon it was Bryce."

"A few months?" he asked with an arched eyebrow, "I didn't know that."

"No one did," I laughed. "And that actually kind of makes my point, we fooled around for close to four months in secret until the term ended."

"You said it yourself though it was Bryce,"

"Who you brought up," I laughed, shoving him playfully.

"Okay so he was a bad example. What about Nik?"

"What about him? I barely know him."

"I don't know it just seemed like you were spending a lot of time with him for a bit."

"Nothing ever happened, nothing ever even got close to happening, he's a nice enough guy but that's it."

"If you say so."

"I do."

"Look Jude what your mom said was harsh" he started, "and I don't think it was true, well the bits about my mom were true, she really does like you, but the bit about Rey -"

"is probably true too," I said cutting him off.

"Jude," Ruff started.

"Whatever it is you're going to try and say to make me feel better just save it," I sighed getting up, "Rey doesn't like me."

It was the first time I'd said those words out loud.

"Rey doesn't like me," I repeated.

"Maybe Rey just doesn't know he likes you," Ruff offered standing up.

"Or maybe, and don't you dare repeat this bit to your mother," I warned, "Maybe I'm not really the right sort for him."

"Well I'm going to go ask him, he's right over there" Ruff said sprinting off. I followed him with my eyes and Rey was exiting the castle with a couple of Hufflepuffs.

I contemplated aiming a spell in his direction but was afraid I'd miss and hit someone else.

"Don't you dare!" I called out rushing after him.

I felt my heart drop into my stomach as I entered the castle just in time to see Ruff and Rey walking towards the staircase...

Last edited by Dare (15/09/2020 at 16:19)

Freya Ohlson, 17, Durmstrang
FC: Olivia Holt
Interests: Gemma, Jordan & Zion

Progress: R1 DONE, R2 DONE, R3 DONE; R4 DONE

❋ Outfits - Done

Gemma // Jordan



Cred to MB

❋ Story - Done

The weeks after the 2nd task was strange, to say the least... Gemma seemed to spend more and more time in Blaise's company and as much as Freya wanted to complain and remind her friend that she was making a big mistake... she couldn't. Gemma had made it clear - right after Freya met Blaise for the first time - that she wasn't going to tolerate any bad-talking and that she was done with discussing the whole matter. Which was just stupid in Freya's opinion and Blaise was definitely not her friend but Gemma was... and she wasn't willing to lose her. All in all, it was quite the mess, the blonde found herself in these days.

It helped that Jordan had invited her to spend the afternoon with him... Freya still didn't know what to make of the feelings she had developed for him. Maybe things would be easier if she knew what Jordan thought about their relationship. Usually, the blonde wasn't afraid to speak her mind... and yet she didn't want to risk their friendship. Not for the first time, she wondered when her life had turned into such a complicated mess.

Freya let out a low sigh as she looked Jordan who was walking next to her when someone called out his name. She turned around surprised to see that it was Natalie... that reminded Freya that she still hadn't asked if they had spoken with each other. But with everything that had been going on including the upcoming exams, she had kind of forgotten about it.

"Natalie?" Jordan asked sounding surprised.

"Hi." his sister panted slightly, "Can I talk to you a sec? Please."

Freya arched up an eyebrow as she didn't that coming but she hoped that it was a good sign.

"Erm... yeah sure. Can you give us a minute?" Jordan replied briefly turning to Freya who nodded before flashing a smile.

The blonde can't tell what they are talking about it... for a moment Jordan got a bit emotional though as he threw up his hands only for Natalie to raise her voice... still not loud enough for Freya to pick up any words. Their talk only lasted for a few moments and she watched how Natalie hurried away.

"Everything okay?" Freya asked and placed her hand on Jordan's arm. "You look a bit shaken."

"Honestly? I'm not sure what just happened." he admitted and dragged a hand through his hair, "She wants to spend time with me." There were uncertainty and confusion in his voice... not that she couldn't blame him given the stories he had told her about his sister.

"That is good... or isn't it?" Freya licked over her lips as she looked at him.

"It is." Jordan smiled briefly, "Actually I had invited her to join the picnic Nela had planned for this weekend but she declined... it seems that she still doesn't feel comfortable around my friends. But it is a start."

"It seems so." the blonde flashed him a smile as they walked out of the castle... she wasn't even surprised anymore when he led her in the direction of his favourite spot at the lake. She liked that it kind of became their spot over the past weeks though Freya didn't try and read too much into it.

"So, I guess that you have finally spoken with Natalie then," Freya asked and tilted her head to the side. They had settled down in the shadow of a tree.

"I did though I don't think that one talk will magically solve all of the problems Natalie and I." Jordan replied.

"That is understandable... there must have been a lot of frustration and feelings that have pent up over the past years." she pressed her lips together... she couldn't imagine herself in a similar position. The thought of not talking with her family or her friends for weeks or even worse years made her shudder.

"Mhm." Jordan nodded, "It was good to get it off my chest. As for Natalie... it was rather private what she told me and I wouldn't feel comfortable-"

She stopped him by placing her hand on top of his, "I get it. She doesn't know me and if I were in a position, I also wouldn't like it if strangers knew about my thoughts and emotions... and that stuff." she shrugged. "Anyways, I'm happy for you." the blonde flashed him a bright smile.

"Thank you, Freya," Jordan returned the smile, "How are things going with Gemma these days?"

"Good, I guess... well, as long as I don't bring up the engagement or what I think about it." she pressed her lips together, "Gemma and I have come to the agreement that we don't agree with each other on this matter... which is stupid but I can respect her choice."

"Can you really? Because to me, it doesn't sound like you do."

"I still don't understand why she thinks that it is a good match and why she agreed with it in the first place. But Gemma is my friend and I care about her a lot. I don't want to lose her because we keep fighting... I know it isn't ideal and certainly not the best solution." Freya breathed out, "I'm not in the mood to constantly fight with her... it is just too much and a part of me is still waiting to wake up and realise that it has just been a bad dream."

Jordan said nothing only wrapped his arm around Freya pulling her a bit closer... her cheeks were flushed and she hoped that he wouldn't notice. "You know that I'm there for you if you need someone to talk to... or if you just want me to listen while you rant."

"I-thank you, Jordan," Freya murmured.

❋❋❋❋❋❋

Freya's lips were pressed together in a thin line as she looked at the open book in front of her. Whoever decided that she would still need to take her exams despite being in Hogwarts... well, they should better not come in her way. It was stupid, annoying and absolutely unnecessary. And it certainly didn't help that she kept getting distracted by everyone and everything these days. The blonde let out a frustrated sigh before she leaned back on the couch. Besides her, there were only a few other Durmstrang students scattered around the common room... Zion and Gemma were among them. Which added another strange factor to the whole situation since usually, Freya would be studying with them.

But ever since the Blaise fiasco plus the fact that Zion was pardoned from taking part not only because of the ongoing tournament and the involved danger but also because he still had the 3rd task ahead of him... Freya had given up on trying to figure out the clue she had gotten after the 2nd task as it just didn't make any sense to her. Unfortunately, the same could be said about the potions she was currently trying to study.

Freya huffed out in frustration before she closed her books... no way that she would get any studies done not when her mind kept slipping. Swallowing down her pride and all the emotions and frustration that had pent up over the past weeks, she marched over to Gemma.

"Can we talk?" she asked looking at her friend.

"About what?" Gemma replied and crossed her arms.

Freya bit back the words that it should have been obvious about what she wanted to talk. "I wanted to apologise," she said instead, "I have realised that I might have overreacted a bit when you gave me the invitation."

"A bit?"

"Okay... maybe a bit is the wrong word. But the whole situation had taken me by surprise and I didn't handle it as well as I should have." Freya explained. She had no clue if there was even the right way on how to react in such a situation... but getting mad and almost screaming at your friend hadn't been helpful.

"Does this mean you accept my decision?" Gemma asked and arched up one of her eyebrows.

Freya pressed her lips together as she considered her answer, "To be honest, I don't... and please let me finish." she held up her hand to stop Gemma from interrupting her, "I don't know if I will ever accept it or understand why you said yes to the engagement. But you are my friend and I care for you a lot... and I don't want to throw it away just like that."

"I don't want to throw your friendship either but how do you think this is going to work? Are we never going to talk about my engagement again?" Gemma made a good point.

A part of Freya wanted to say yes... that it would be for the best if they never mentioned the engagement or Blaise again but that would only make it worse.

"Of course, not. I might not agree with your decision but that doesn't mean that I can't support you... I'm not talking about right now but give me time and maybe I just need to get to know Blaise better." Freya suggested, the lie easily slipping past her lips. She had absolutely no interest in spending time with the Slytherin guy. In her opinion, he was the reason this whole mess happened.

"I would love that." Gemma smiled briefly, "As for Blaise... you are welcome to sit with us at the Slytherin table anytime."

"Great," Freya smiled as well, "Well, I should go back to studying... otherwise, I won't get anything done today." she pointed back at her table.

"Why don't you grab your stuff and join me?" Gemma offered, "It wouldn't be the first time that I help you after all."

"No, it wouldn't." the blonde chuckled and shook her head, "Okay, I will be back in a moment."

As Freya grabbed her books, parchment and quills, she and Zion briefly looked at each other... she didn't miss the slight smile on his lips.


"That was very kind of you," Zion said before settling down across from her. Gemma had left only minutes ago to meet up with Blaise.

"You think so?" Freya asked and pursed her lips together, "I just hope that I'm not going to regret my decision one day."

"Oh, I'm sure that you won't." There was a mischief twinkle in Zion's eyes.

"What aren't you telling me?" the blonde demanded and crossed her arms, "I don't like that everybody is keeping secrets from these days."

"It is nothing serious." Zion explained, "I'm working on something but you have to be patient with me... this is nothing that will happen right away."

"Okay, but please keep me updated." They would only be a few more weeks in Hogwarts before it was time to return to Durmstrang... and since it was Gemma's last year she would be leaving and Freya hoped that Blaise wouldn't be involved in any of her plans.

"I will try too but I can't promise you anything." Zion smiling apologising at her.

"Good." Freya nodded, "So, how are your preparations going for the next task?"

"Quite good I would say... figuring out the clue wasn't too hard and I'm confident that I can handle the task."

"Not too hard?" Freya gasped out and blinked a few times, "You must be kidding... I must have read that freaking riddle at least 20 times and it still doesn't make any sense to me."

"Maybe you haven't been trying hard enough." Zion teased playfully which earned him a slap on the arm from Freya.

"Not funny..." she pouted and crossed her arms, "But I'm happy for you and well, Durmstrang too because if you know what is coming and if you feel like you are prepared... that can only be good for us too." she smiled brightly.

Not that Freya only cared about Durmstrang winning the Triwizard Tournament. It would certainly add a nice and exciting finishing touch to the whole adventure.

"I know you don't do promises and that stuff but can you please try and stay safe during the last task? We all have come this far and I don't want you to risk anything just you believe that you can win," she asked and looked at him.

"No promises but I can try," he smiled for a brief moment, "How are things with Jordan these days?"

"Seriously?" Freya pursed her lips together and glared, "It is okay... I guess. I mean we spoke recently and it seems that Jordan is slowly reconciling with his sister Natalie which I hope will work out for both of them." she paused looking around the room unsure, "As for - what we discussed last time - I'm still working on it... I wish it was as easy as you told me but it isn't... at least, not for me."

"Mhm, I see... I know that I'm repeating myself but stop overcomplicating it, Freya," Zion offered her an encouraging smile, "I know that you care for Jordan and value your friendship with him but you will never find out if there couldn't be more if you don't give it a try."

"Urgh... I hate it when you are right," she admitted and let out a sigh.

Maybe it was as easy as Zion kept trying to tell her and all she had to do was jump over her own shadow... if she would ever find the courage to do so.

❋❋❋❋❋❋

Freya's eyes were closed as she was lying in the shadow of the tree... she knew that she should be studying but after the past days she had been in the need of a break. The fact that the last task was only a week ago, wasn't helping to calm down Freya's nerves.

"Are you stealing my spot?" Jordan's voice reached her eyes and as she opened her eyes she noticed that he was standing right in front of her.

"Your spot?" the blonde asked with a playful smile, "I don't see your name written anywhere."

"Really? I could have sworn that I put it exactly where you are sitting." he teased before he got comfortable right next to her.

Freya blushed slightly as his hand briefly touched hers but this time Jordan definitely noticed... for a moment they just looked at each other before he moved slightly to the left creating more distance between them.

Her heart dropped and she took a deep breath trying to calm herself down... it didn't have to mean anything. She could easily be reading the whole situation wrong.

"I got a letter from my sisters yesterday," Freya said and played with her fingers, "Apparently, the teachers are keeping themselves quite busy with checking any news about the tournament instead of... well, you know teaching and that stuff."

"Can you blame them?" Jordan asked and looked at her, "It is an exciting event... one that won't be happening in the next years."

"True but you have to admit that it is a bit unfair that we are stuck with studying." the blonde pointed out. "Don't get me wrong... I know that exams are important and that we have to do them at one point. But with the tournament going on, I keep finding myself getting distracted." she let out a sigh.

"Aye, it hasn't been easy the past weeks but I think once the tournament is over, things will probably return to normal rather quickly."

It was at that moment that Freya - for the first time - fully realised what the end of the tournament would mean... she would have to go back to Durmstrang, go back to writing letters with Jordan instead of being able to speak with him whenever she wanted to.

She swallowed blinking away the tears that were threatening to roll down her cheeks. Leaving Hogwarts didn't mean that she would never see Jordan again - at least she hoped so - but now that she had been able to spend more time in his company... it just wouldn't be the same anymore.

"Freya, are you alright?" Jordan asked cautiously and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Not trusting her voice she started shaking with her head and pressed her lips together. She didn't want to start crying in front of him.

"What is wrong? Was it something I said?" he almost sounded panicking as he looked at her.

"No," the blonde finally replied after a few moments of silence, "It is just... it is silly because I have known it the whole time and I didn't want to realise it... at least, until now," Freya explained and licked over her lips.

"Realised what?"

"That I would be going back to Durmstrang once the tournament is over." she said, "The months in Hogwarts passed like a blur and sometimes it feels like yesterday that I had just arrived." Freya lowered her gaze not ready to look at him, "And since I met you... when we started exchanging letters I had always hoped that we would meet. And now we did and I'm worried that things won't be the same once I'm back at Durmstrang."

"Oh, Freya." Jordan sighed and wrapped his arms around her, "Nothing is going to change... I promise you that. I know that not seeing each other will suck but we can always visit each other." he smiled at her, "And who knows what will be once we are both done with school." 

The blonde offered him a slight smile as she looked at him... she tried to share his optimism - she really did - and vowed to herself that she would make the best out of the remaining weeks in Hogwarts... even if that meant finally admitting her feelings to Jordan.

❋❋❋❋❋❋

The 3rd task was quite different compared to the rest as there were no groups and it was up to the students if they wished to look through one of the magical binoculars. Freya had tried it after Zion had entered the forbidden forest but she had given up after the first magical creature jumped out of the shadows and scared her... which Blaise had found quite entertaining.

She had hoped to avoid his presence during the last task since the plan had been to spend time with Gemma but unfortunately, it seemed that wherever she went Blaise went with her. And Freya was no fool... he might at all nice and charming to her when Gemma was around but she hadn't missed the disgust in his eyes. Which was another reason why Freya didn't understand Gemma's decision or why she thought it would be a good match to be engaged with someone who openly showed his hatred towards Muggle-borns.

"I will go and check how Jordan and Nela are doing," Freya said and locked gazes with Gemma. "I will be seeing you later... hopefully, to celebrate Zion's win."

"Okay." the dark-haired girl nodded while Blaise just looked at her. Not surprisingly he seemed happy that Freya was leaving.


"Hey." the blonde smiled brightly as she sat down next to Jordan.

"Hey yourself," he smiled back, "I thought you would be with Gemma tonight."

"Well, so did I but Blaise is with her and I'm not in the mood to deal with him tonight." Freya frowned and crossed her arms. "I don't know what she sees in him... or how anyone likes to be in his presence."

"Personal taste, I guess." Jordan replied with a shrug, "Anyway, I'm glad that you joined Nela and me to witness how Nik is going to win tonight."

"You mean when Zion is going to win." the blonde poked out her tongue at him... honestly, it wasn't even that important anymore who won the tournament. As long as all the champions made it out alive and hopefully unharmed as well.

"Mhm, we will see about that." Jordan grinned before he reached for the magical binoculars in front of him, "Have you tried it yet?"

"Yes, and it wasn't fun." Freya grimaced, "Something big jumped out of the shadows and... let's just say that I have enough of scary things happening for the rest of my life."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"It is okay." she shrugged, "It wasn't your fault and well, it is kind of obvious that this task was going to involve more scary and creepy stuff... I mean that place is called Forbidden Forest. I'm sure that are plenty of reasons for that."

Freya was more than relieved beyond this moment that the Goblet hadn't chosen her because not only would have been the pressure too much for her to handle but also because she was done with it at this point.

"You have no idea. I lost count of the students who still thought that it would be a good idea to spend a few hours - especially during the night - inside the forest only for them to be rescued by one of the teachers." Jordan shook his head, "It is ridiculous."

"Certainly sounds like it." Freya agreed before she took a deep breath, "Jordan, there is something I wanted to tell you."

It was one of the worst moments - if not the worst - to have this conversation but Freya had been thinking a lot the past days and she couldn't hold it back any longer.

"Sure, what is it?" he smiled at her.

"We are friends, right?" she cringed at the stupid question but this was a completely new experience for her and it was obvious that she wasn't handling it well.

"Of course, we are." he knitted his eyebrows together, "Or did I give you ever the impression that we aren't?"

"What? No! Never!" Freya almost screamed out... why couldn't the ground just open up and swallow her? She took a deep breath thinking about her next words, "Meeting you was one of the best things that happened to me this year and I enjoyed every moment we had and every conversation we shared... when you asked for my advice on Natalie and what to do about your relationship... I don't know something changed at that moment and honestly, I had no idea how to deal with it."

Jordan opened his mouth to say something but she stopped him with a swift movement of her hand.

"Please let me finish first." the blonde said and licked over her lips," I have always seen you as a friend but suddenly there were those thoughts and feelings. Zion suggested that I should just tell you but I didn't want to risk our friendship. Well, maybe I just did but I can't keep it to myself any longer... I like you, Jordan and not just as a friend."

He didn't immediately reply, instead, he blinked a few times before dragging a hand through his hair, "You didn't ruin anything, Freya... I did notice the fondness between us and that it was getting more than friendly but I also sensed that I was making you uncomfortable."

"Oh..." Now it was Freya who blinked at him, "But you didn't... it was me. I didn't know how to deal with the situation and I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that I didn't want to be around or."

Jordan smiled at her before he took a small step forward... his hand was almost touching hers when all of a sudden people started cheering around them.

"What?" he turned his head, "Nik! He made it! He won!" there was a huge smile on Jordan's face as he pulled Freya into a tight hug, "I told you that he wouldn't win... I told you."

"You did." she smiled before looking up at him. His arms were still wrapped tightly around her and she couldn't remember if they had ever been this close before. Freya could feel her heart beating like crazy and as much as she wanted to close the remaining distance between them... Jordan hadn't spoken about what he felt for her yet.

"So-" he brushed a strand of her hair back, "There is something you deserve to know... I like you too." And with that, he pressed his lips against hers in a soft kiss.



"There you are." Freya smiled before she pulled Zion into a hug. It was long after the last task but she hadn't been able to speak with him alone yet. "How do you feel?"

"Disappointed but it was a fair competition. Niklaus was faster and he deserves it."

"That is a very diplomatic answer." she pointed out, "I'm glad that you made it out alive... I have heard about the Lethifold and that you summoned a Patronus."

"Yes, that was pretty intense. Back when they instructed us about the possibility of running into a Lethifold during the task, I didn't imagine that it would actually happen." Zion explained, "If I think back at the whole tournament... that was probably the one moment I could have done without."

"The Goblet had made the right decision to choose you as the Champion. You might not have won but I'm proud of you and I'm sure many other Durmstrang students as well." Freya smiled brightly.

"Thank you." he returned the smile.

DONE


Camille Inés Beauchene, 34
FC: Michelle Trachtenberg
Interests: Sibellius & Fletcher (both FI)

Progress: R1 DONE, R2 DONE, R3 DONE; R4 DONE

☼ Outfits - Done

Game Night

☼ Story - Done

Camille's eyebrows were furrowed together as she looked at the chessboard in front of her. It was the first time that she was playing against Sibellius without any help from Fletcher... and as expected it wasn't going well. The dark-haired woman finally managed to understand the rules - at least in her opinion - but unfortunately, the same couldn't be said about how to properly play the game.

Camille ordered her last remaining knight to move when she noticed Sibellius grinning at her, "What now?" she asked and sighed out.

"You missed my Queen," he replied and pointed at the figure.

"Not again." Camille pursed her lips together... she had stopped counting how often those small mistakes happened ever since Sibellius and Fletcher started teaching her.

"What is the first rule?" the Durmstrang Headmaster asked and crossed his arms.

"Always look at the whole chessboard before making a move." Camille groaned out... at the moment, she felt like she was back at school, in one of the classes she didn't understand. "Be honest with me... is learning chess really that hard or I'm a just not getting it?"

"A bit of both," Sibellius replied while his queen casually knocked down her knight, "Learning about the rules is just one part of the whole game. You also have to consider various tactics and what moves your opponent might make."

"Chess isn't something you can learn within a few days, Camille. It takes times, quite a lot of practice but also a feeling for it." Fletcher explained, "For example... during your previous move, you could have also moved her knight over here," he pointed at another field on the chessboard. "This way Sibellius wouldn't have been able to take another of your pieces."

"Oh..." Camille replied after she realised her mistake... she tended to focus too much on her own chess pieces that she ended up completely forgetting about the ones from her opponent. "So, I am not a hopeless case?" she tilted her head to the side and frowned.

"We wouldn't be teaching you if we thought that it would be useless." Sibellius offered her a smile.

"Good." Camille smiled back, "But I think I had enough for tonight... it has been a long day and I'm feeling rather tired." she knocked over the King. "But don't let me stop you from playing... it is more exciting for me anyway." she chuckled and tucked her legs underneath.

"Long day? We have been doing nothing but observing exams lately." Sibellius furrowed his eyebrows together.

"I know but you aren't the one-" she stopped midsentence once she realised her blunder, "Oh... I have forgotten to tell you." she groaned out and buried her head in her hands.

"Forgotten to tell me what?"

"I'm pregnant," she said and smiling apologising.

"Wait... are the two of you?" Fletcher asked and pointed first at Sibellius and then at Camille.

"What? No!" she said louder than intended. "We are only colleagues and friends... my husband Jules briefly visited me during the 2nd task but there wasn't time for you to meet." she explained, "Since Sibellius is also my boss, he has every reason to know."

"Oh... congratulations Camille." Fletcher smiled brightly.

"Same from me." Sibellius smiled as well.

"Thank you."

••••••

"What happened to the chessboard?" Camille asked after she entered the common room.

"We wanted to try something new. Sibellius suggested that we could try board games." Fletcher explained.

"And your choice was Monopoly?" she arched up one of her eyebrows before sitting down on the couch. The dark-haired woman played it a few times with her family during the summer holidays and she didn't have the best of memories about the game.

"What is wrong with it?" Sibellius asked, "It sounds like fun and it looks like fun... we actually found a whole collection of Muggle boardgames. Maybe we can make this our little tradition while we are still here."

"Okay but I'm not holding any responsibility for anything that I will say or do while we play." Camille grinned before she chose one of the small figurines.

"Great... we have decided to enchant the game to make it more fun." Fletcher grinned, "I'm curious to see how that is going to affect the whole experience."

"Oh, that will indeed be quite interesting." Camille agreed with him.

Turned out rather quickly that the enchantments to the game meant that none of them had to actually move anything while playing since everything was done with magic... other than nothing changed. As Camille bought her first house on one of the more expensive streets, both Fletcher and Sibellius scowled at her.

"What?" she asked and shrugged, "I'm simply playing by the rules."

It didn't get better as Sibellius ended up being the first to pay her rent after his figure ended up on her estate.

"That isn't fair," he complained and pursed his lips together. "You had to pay far less than I did."

"It isn't my fault that you decided to buy the first estate." Camille smiled innocently before she made her next move.

"She is right." Fletcher smiled.

"You only say that because you are one estate away from being able to buy a house too." Sibellius huffed out and crossed his arms.

The dark-haired woman chuckled at the sight... who could have known that Sibellius would turn out to be a sore loser.

"You know what I just remembered... what happened to the investigation of the first task?" Camille asked no one in particular.

"Nothing. Some of the tournament officials have spoken with Niklaus but he kept reassuring them that nothing happened during the first task." Fletcher explained and it was obvious that he didn't like the new development.

"Please tell me that you are kidding." she looked at him, "He was naked, his clothes had been burned and the whole room looked like a mess... something must have happened before the first task."

"I know but there is nothing we can do about it." Fletcher let out a sigh.

"And why not?" Sibellius asked, "I thought it was the job of the tournament officials that it was a fair competition."

"They can't prove that he is lying and they can't act as long as he tells them that nothing happened." Fletcher grimaced, "As right now, no sabotage happened during the first task and it doesn't look like we will be able to prove otherwise."

"Well, that is just perfect." Camille rolled her eyes... she wondered if the officials would be acting the same way if Niklaus had been injured during the task. "We can only hope that it was indeed nothing and that the final task will happen without any problems."

"Agreed." Fletcher nodded before he turned to Sibellius, "Looks like it is time to pay up." With a grin, he pointed at the small figurine that had stopped at one of his estates.

"Not again." Sibellius groaned out as the game money magically teleported over to Fletcher. "I don't like this game."

"You just say that because you aren't good at it." Camille laughed and shook her head.

It wasn't much of a surprise that Sibellius ended up quitting the game after running out of money... and out of patience. The next board game evening was sure going to be interesting.

••••••

It was Niklaus who won the Triwizard Tournament and not Leta like Camille had been hoping for... she was relieved to find out that all of the champions had made it safely out of the forest. Even the Durmstrang boy, Zion who had an encounter with one of the Lethifolds during the task. A part of Camille still didn't understand why the officials didn't cancel or at at least delayed the task... they should have expected that something like that might happen.

"Come." Sibellius' voice and the touch of his hand on her shoulder had her snapping out of her thoughts, "Let's check on Leta. It must have been quite an exciting day for her and I want to make sure that she is ding alright."

DONE

Last edited by schoggettchen (20/09/2020 at 19:39)

♡ Cherry

♡ Name Mary- Grace Hadwin
♡ Face Claim Kelsey Calemine

♡ Nickname Cherry Blossom
♡ Age 17

♡ House/Home Ravenclaw, Hogwarts
♡ Interests Holly, James, Rey and Ruff

♡ Outfits

Shopping/Spectator

♡ Story

Sometimes studying isn’t all too bad

Another answer easy for Mary to answer. This was her 4th exam today and all the studying clearly paid off. She was writing without giving her answers a second thought like she does with her previous test she always scored high that wasn’t the problem, but she always doubted herself when the paper was in front of her this time, however she was sure she would get full marks it was almost too easy a yawn escaped her and her mind went to the last day of studying.

“Ruff! Don’t we know enough already?” Mary complained but still followed him to the library.

“Yeah, properly but James asked to help his roommate,” Mary frowned wait wasn’t his roommate, Ricky?

“Yes, he is,” Ruff replies with a big sigh and Mary laughs.

“He waited for the last moment again,” Mary guessed and Ruff nods and points at the table, “And so did Holly,” Mary looked at her friend and smiled.

“Holly,” Mary rush to her for a hug.

“Mary, help me,” the girl answers but hugs her back as tightly.

“Come on Ricky, how much more to you need me to explain?” James looked at the boy who pointed at his book, “Till I know it?” It sounded more as a question than a statement and James sighed.

Mary grabbed the book from them, “You won’t learn this in a day, Ricky,” Ruff looked past her shoulder and shook his head, “Mary is right,” Ruff replied and pulled the seat to sit next to her.

Ricky growled, “Is the only subject I didn’t learn this year or played any attention too,” He responded.

Holly looked almost in tears, “I have to get 5 subjects in my mind,” Every eye turn to look at her.

“You are only following 5 classes, thought,” Mary spoke up confused and Holly smiled sweetly, “I know right,” Mary shook her head, “Holly!”

Holly looked down, “I am sorry, but the games you gave me this year when so good,” Mary felt guilty now. “Alright we will help you, you have the easiest subjects,” Mary responded and James stood up,

“I am not going to teach her 3rd year subjects that are easy,” Mary picked up Holly’s book and didn’t even look up at James before responding, “Sit down, brother! and help Ricky with his subject try learn him mnemonics or something. Ruff and I will help Mary studying,”  James shook his head but sat down.

“She only has a day,” He commented and Mary smiled, “Thank god for the games than the where mostly memory games, Holly will remember everything if she understands it,” Mary replies and grabbed paper to start with the first subject. Ruff grabbed his books and dived into that.

They tagged the team with Mary teaching Holly 3 subject while Ruff studied and while Mary studied, he would teach Holly another with the soft music in the background while James, though Ricky a more difficult subject, the morning turned to the afternoon and the afternoon to night and all five were exhausted but quite sure they will pass the year or even graduating which Mary didn’t want to think about.

Mary put her pen down and walked to the front to hand in her paper. She finished an hour and a half before the bell would ring to end the exams, she wasn’t even the first to be done Rey had been “the smart bastard” but Mary was happy to be done she walked out the doors and into the raven common room to see Ruff in his books, and she rolled her eyes and walked to him to sit in his lap that surprised him enough that he looked up into her eyes.

“You're such a book worm,” Mary accused him, and He smiled at her, “You're done with your exams?” He asks her and Mary nods with a smile, “Thanks for helping me study so much, it never felt so easy before,” Mary replied and Ruff winks at her.

“I have an idea for you to make it up to me…” Mary looked at him amused, “Which is? You better not say studying, reading, comic convention or lecture night,” Mary called   up the nerdiest things she could think of and that she knew Ruff liked to do the most he laughed and shook his head.

“Though more on the lines of a kiss,” Ruff replied with a slightly darkening of his cheeks.

It wasn’t fair that Mary would turn as red an tomato and Ruff cheeks would only dark slightly. Stupid sexy skin, she tough before her lips touched his, and she felt his hand go to her bum, squeezing slightly they parted lips when someone cough to get their attention.

“Get a room!” Rey's says and Mary wondered how long he was here, so she asked.

“You walked in straight to Ruff her laps, ignored me sitting here, won't be the first time,” Rey glared at her on the last part and May rolled her eyes and tried to get up from Ruff’s lap, but he had a firm grip on her waist and kept her steady.

“I did tell you not to get with her because she didn’t like you, like that,” Ruff says easily and grabbed the book he was reading, ignoring the glare Rey send him.

Mary chuckled and shook her head she wondered how long she liked this goofball and how long he knew about it. She relaxed in his arms while looking at the book which he had been reading, of course it was a book about magic.

“Idiots,” they hear Rey mumble a moment later, both ignored him though.

Ruff turns her face towards him for another kiss while the book blocked their vision.

Shop till you drop

“I can’t believe we are going to shop,” Holly was all excited and Mary just nodded at her, she wasn’t official asked for the ball yet, but she needed a dress nonetheless because she was going with or without being asked.

“I can’t believe the headmistress allowed this,” Holly kept going she was all fun and the game her biggest smile on her face.

“Why won’t she we did miss my last trip to Hogsmeade we cleaned up nicely thought, our sleepover was successful, saw a Slytherin talk with a half-blood last week, and we finished or a punishment room if she hadn’t agree I still would have gone I need a dress,” Mary replied and grabbed her jeans to pull on.

“True, true, you sure we cannot host a party in there?” Holly asked and Mary hummed, “Maybe when Nik wins the games,” She replies and Holly get a big grin, “I like why you think it is possible we will lose house points,” Holly looked a little worried and Mary raise an eyebrow at her before brushing her concern away, “Won’t be the first time, and when Nik wins the Triwizard games you bet, Gryffindor wins this year's house as well,”

Mary and Holly were quiet before Mary came with the best solution, “We can always ask Mr. Stone,” Holly gave her a look that says unbelievable, “He will never agree,”  Mary shrug, “Maybe if we say we will clean after,” Holly grumbles that is the only thing she did this year which makes Mary chuckle.

“You weren’t thinking of going without us where you?” Mary looks up at Ricky, Ruff and James and frowns.

“Boys, we will go shopping for dresses,” She amplifies the word dresses, but the guys didn’t seem to care, “We are going,” Ricky walks to his girlfriend and warps his arm around her shoulder, grinning down at her.

Ruff coming closer to Mary before putting his hands on her hip, “You're looking sweet today can I have a taste?” Ruff whispers in her ear which makes her shudder and gave his lips a quick peck, which he grins at her.

“Can I get another I didn’t taste that one,” Ruff whispers in her ear once more, but Holly interrupts them.

“Don’t you feel like a fifth wheel, James,” Holly speaks up clearly annoyed he was here Mary shakes her head about to replay and tell them off when another voice speaks up.

“Don’t worry I will keep him company,” everyone turns to look at the girl with curls that makes Mary jealous she has straight hair.

“Oh no, not you again are you a stalker?” James fell out to the girl and Holly gasped. “Luna!” She rushes to her and hugs her, “You sure you want to come along with this grump,” She asks her and Luna smiles, “Of course, and let him be grumpy makes him cute, I also need a dress but wasn’t allowed to leave alone,” she turns to look at James who was blinking a slight blush on his cheeks.

Mary looked amused until Luna turned to look at her, “Hey, you must be Mary,” Mary nods and walks up to her for a hug, “Nice meeting you Luna,” Luna hugs her back, “Hello, I think Holly speaks a lot about me,” Mary nods and Holly grabs both their arms, “Of course you two are my favourite people,” Holly says all smiles like usually Luna looks at her just as amused as Mary.

“What!” Ricky speaks up clearly, not agreeing and hurrying to the girls pulling Holly towards him, “Don’t be like this bear boo you are in another category,” Holly let the girls' go because Ricky pulls her closer for a hug, peppering her face with kisses only for Holly to laugh out loud.

“Why have you been following me?” James asks Luna again, the girl turns to look at him still with a smile on her face. “I have not been following you James come down of your high horse,” James huffs “I have told you many times the only thing I like about you is your cat and even she is annoying,” James spoke up. Luna glares, “Don’t be mean to my cat,” James huffs, “I been never mean to the cat stupid vegetarian,” Mary raised an eyebrow, James knew an awful lot about her for someone that lives in books and his insults were pretty childish.

“Care to explain why I in the midst of a three-way date?” Ruff looks at Mary pulling a face, “I wasn’t even planning on going until I saw how cute you looked,” Ruff continues and Mary laughs.

“If you hate this trip already wait for when we arrive and go into different shops to find the dress,” Ruff growls already miserable it seems and Mary pulls him towards her.

“If your good I will do get you whatever you want,” Ruff grins, “Now that sounds appealing,” he replies and pecks her lips before taking her arm and following the couple that was full out kissing and the fighting duo.

After the third shop the boys regretted coming, only Holly found the perfect dress in her words. Mary still wasn’t too sure and couldn’t decide if she wanted the purple dress she saw in the first shop or the pink-blue one she saw in the last shop. Luna seems to enjoy torturing James, who had been vocal about his displeasure. Ruff looked like he hated everything about this trip also, but he was less vocal about it. They went to another shop, but Mary was still thinking about the two dresses that she already saw.

“Which one do you like Ruff?” Mary asks the boy that simply shrugged, “Both,” he replies and Mary nods yeah so did she.

“Just get them both and decide later,” James tell her when he finally takes his eyes away from the red dress Luna was wearing, it fitted her as a glove. Mary saw her look in the mirror at her and winked at her, Mary smiled and wasn't the surprise she brought the dress.

They left the shop and went to eat Mary mumbling to herself which dress she should take, “Holly liked the pink one while Luna liked the purple one, so that wasn’t helping either,”

“Just get both dresses and decide later,” James tell her once again and Mary looks at him like he is crazy.

“I cannot pay that,” she replies their parents may have a good name, didn't mean they were upper rich, raising four children had it cost.

James shrug and turned to Luna to insult her once again or not, they had been whispering for some time now.

“Pink, purple, pink, purple, pink, purple, pink, purple, pink…” Mary turned to her side and wondered where Ruff was she asked the couple and Ricky pointed outside to a shop.

“Saw him go in there,” Mary looked at where Ricky pointed to see that it was a jewellery shop, and she wondered what he was getting, she stood up and walked outside towards the shop.

Before she could step inside, however, Ruff stepped out a bag in hand. Mary was immediately curious.

“What did you buy?” Mary asks him and Ruff looks at her, the bag and back at her. “Just something,” Ruff replays and Mary hums, “Why don’t you show me?” She asks him he grins, “Is something for my mother,” Mary nods, “Oh show me then. Ruff shakes his head, “Nope,” He replies and Mary gives him a look that says why not before she could say anything tough Ruff smiles and says, “Pink, will look great on you, Cherry Blossom,” Mary blinks and smiles, “Really?” Ruff nods and Mary turns ready to go back to the dress she loved.

“Alright I am going to buy it,” Ruff smiles an Mary eyes fall on the bag in his hand, “You must tell me what’s in your bag when we are going back to school thought.

Ruff huffs but doesn’t replay.

♡♡♡♡♡

Come see me outside

Mary yawns when she saw the message on her phone later that night and frowned why would Holly sent her a message like this and it was so late. She was about to respond with go to bed, see you tomorrow when another message was sent.

Please x

Mary sighs and get up looking at her schoolbag with red smurry getting out some stupid prank, someone cast on it, she refused to clean it so yeah pushing the bag aside, she grabbed an oversized hoody to wear over her PJ, throwing a glance towards her roommate that was sleeping peacefully.

“Holly, this better be good,” Marry mumbled to herself and walked in the hallway only to get the scare of her life when someone warped an arm around her waist. “What the hell!” She yelled only to relax when she heard Ruff snickering, “I knew I would scare you one day,”

Mary huffed, “You better have a good reason for this Ruff, and Holly gave her phone to you?” Mary turned to look at him, there was only a slight amount of light to illuminate his handsome face, “Yes, she did. I asked nicely will have to return it tomorrow,” Ruff replied while showing her the phone.

“So tell me what is going on?” Mary asked curious why he went to bother. Ruff kissed her forehead before searching his pocket.

“You were pretty anger with me when I refused to tell you what I got,” Ruff pointed out and Mary rolled her eyes, “Because you lied about it,” she replies and Ruff grins, “I had to be a surprise,” Mary gasped when she saw a jewellery box, “Ruff what are you doing,” Ruff laughs, “Not yet but will promise one day,” He opened the box to show a ring with lettering engraves R&M forever I promise.

Mary had tears in her eyes, “OMG, Ruff!” Mary was shocked, “Will you be my girlfriend?” Mary nodded, “Yes, yes, of course,” after Ruff slipped the ring on her right ring finger. Mary loved the pink stone on it Mary hugged him, “I love you, so much,” she felt a Ruff smile, “You know is the same for me, do I get a kiss?” Mary chuckled before pulling away to pull his face down to kiss him.

Just watching some fun games

Mary was staring at her promising ring which was shining in the sun, it was truly really pretty.
“Where are the couple? And your brother?” Mary turned her head to a smile at Ruff, who sat next to her before pointing to the lower tribune.

“Ricky and Holly wanted to be in the game till the end and James I don’t know but heard he was sitting with Luna,” Ruff hummed, Mary weaved her hands in his, Ruff squeezed them.

“You didn’t want to be a part of task 3?” He asks and Mary shakes her head, “I had more than enough fun wanted to relax and just be a spectator,” Mary smiled at him.

“Wanted to spend more time with me,” Ruff asks teasingly and Mary nods, “Yes, yes, of course,”

“Good, I like spending time with my girlfriend,” Ruff replies and Mary rolls her eyes, “You're acting like I am your only girlfriend and I know you had more,” Mary replies while looking at him, “The only girlfriend I want to take to see my mother, yes,” Ruff replied easily Mary looks at him confused, “Huh?” Ruff sighs, “You know that Jude mother and mine are best friends yeah?” Mary nodded, “Wait, don’t tell me she expected you to marry Jude,” Ruff grins, “Yes exactly,” Mary frowns that this won’t end well someone with such high expectation and dreams for her son.

“Don’t worry, I love you,” Mary looks at him, “Says the mommy boy, if she tells you to break up with me,  you will,” Mary already felt chills run down her back, it will break her for sure, Ruff shakes his head, “No, I told you’re the one for me, I will marry you Mary and you will have my kids,” Mary serious, blushed at that, “Your crazy Ruff,” He simply shrugged, “I know what I want,” Mary kissed his cheeks, and he grinned, “I know what I want, too,” She replied to him softly.

“Lucky me,” Ruff replied and pulled her closer for a proper kiss.

In the background she could hear cheers but her focus was all on her boyfriend who flipped her world upside down and will properly to continue do so.

★ Ricky

★ Name Richard Johnson
★ Face Claim Erin Mommson

★ Nickname Ricky Rick
★ Age 17

★ House/Home Hufflepuff, Hogwarts
★ Interests Holly, Nela, Niklaus and Ruff

★ Outfits

Shopping|Spectator

★ Story

Studying is for wuss so let me be one

I feel so bad bugging James to help me with this but I really wanted at least to pass this subject but it was difficult and I do not understand a thing the worst thing was exams where tomorrow.

“You should have asked me earlier,” James was telling him, and he nods, “I know, I am sorry,”

James shakes his head, “I asked Ruff for help he will be here soon,” I nod to James I needed all the help I could get.

Holly rushed inside the right to our table, “Bear Boo! Help!” Ricky blinked he was about to speak up when he saw Mary and Ruff walk in super close but not holding hands you could see they had something going on thought did he finally ask her to be his girlfriend?

“Holly,” Mary rushed to his girlfriend for a hug.

“Mary, help me,” Holly asks, didn't she just asked him for help, rude!

“Come on Ricky, how much more do you need me to explain?” James looked at me and I pointed at the only paragraph that I did not pay attention to or understand for that matter.

“Till I know it?” It sounded more as a question than a statement I even heard that in my voice which made James sighed.

Mary grabbed the book away from us , “You won’t learn this in a day, Ricky,” Ruff looked past her shoulder and shook his head, “Mary is right,” Ruff replied and pulled the seat to sit next to her, yeah certainly something going on.

I let a growl escape, “Is the only subject I didn’t learn this year or played any attention too,” I responded, feeling stupid for even asking help when it was my own fault to begin with.

Holly looked almost in tears, I wanted to pull her closer, but she was sitting on the other side, “I have to get 5 subjects in my mind,” Every eye turn to look at her.

“You are only following 5 classes, thought,” Mary spoke up confused and Holly smiled sweetly, “I know right,” Mary shook her head, “Holly!” Ricky was also surprised even he learned whenever he had some time it was easier to remember stuff.

Holly looked down, “I am sorry, but the games you gave me this year when so good,” Ricky looked at the others, no one seems to actually wanting to teach her even Ricky didn’t want to, it seems like a lot.
“Alright we will help you, you have the easiest subjects,” Mary responded and James stood up clearly annoyed.
“I am not going to teach her 3rd year subjects that are easy,” Mary picked up Holly’s book and didn’t even look up at James before responding, “Sit down, brother! and help Ricky with his subject try learn him mnemonics or something. Ruff and I will help Mary studying,”  James shook his head but sat down, again. It seems like their relationship grew for the better Holly told me she had told him off, so maybe that was the reason.

“She only has a day,” James commented and Mary smiled, “Thank god for the games than the where mostly memory games, Holly will remember everything if she understands it,” Mary replies and grabbed the paper to start with the first subject. Ruff grabbed his books and dived into that.

James huffed but turned the book, “The easiest why to learn this will be…”

Ricky paid as much attention that as he could look worried at Holly every now and then.

“You better memorise this Ricky,” James told him for the fourth time already, “Yea,” was his only respond. “I want to see at least a seven,” Ricky looked at James amused, “You got to be happy with a six, man,” James pushed the book under his nose once more, “It only means you're not confident enough yet, keep learning,” Ricky let a sigh escape, why did he asked his roommate for help again, learning a nut job.

He saw Holly hands half table while wiggling, and he couldn’t help the smirk before weaving his fingers with hers and pulling her hand to his lips for a kiss.

“How are you doing the baby?” He asked Holly, who growled, “I already memorised 3,” Ruff pushed a book in her way, “You have two more to go pay attention,” Holly sighed and Ricky just winked at her before James pushed the book to his face once again.

“You need a girlfriend,” Ricky told James, who simply answered with, “She doesn’t like me like that, so a woman got to wait,” Everyone looked at him, and he shrugged, “Just learn everybody,” Mary huffs “Yeah, you certainly need a chick,” Mary speaks up which makes everyone  laughs.

Torture to man unless is lingerie

“You weren’t thinking of going without us where you?” Ricky had seen the two girls leave the school and was offended they hadn’t invited the guys along. HE had been cleaning as much as them he needed a break and going to Hogsmeade seems good enough.

Mary looks up at them before she  frowns.

“Boys, we will go shopping for dresses,” She amplifies the word dresses Ricky looked at her shrugged and replied, “We are going,” Ricky walks to his girlfriend and warps his arm around her shoulder, grinning down at her, “Hey beautiful you were going without me I am hurt,”.

Holly giggled, “Oh stop it Ricky we didn’t think you guys wanted to that was all,” Ricky hummed.

“You should have still asked if James hadn’t said anything I won’t even have known you were gone,” Ricky replies and Holly huffed, “Of course it was him that told,” Ricky was about to answer when Holly looked pass him.

“Don’t you feel like a fifth wheel, James,” Holly speaks up clearly annoyed and Ricky didn’t like that she was being mean to James. She could clearly hold a grudge. Ricky shuddered he will never want to be on her bad side. Women were indeed scary.

Ricky looked at James with pity because he may indeed feel like a fifth wheel when another voice spoke.
“Don’t worry I will keep him company,” everyone turns to look at the girl with curls ah it’s Luna she had been hiding the past few weeks from her mother it seems because Ricky hadn’t seen her for some time she wasn’t present for most task activities.

“Oh no not you again are you a stalker?” James fell out to the girl and Holly gasps. “Luna!” She rushes to her and hugs her Ricky looks at his empty arms and frowns. If it wasn’t Mary she was talking about how nice Luna was.

“You sure you want to come along with this grump,” Holly asks her and Luna smiles, “Of course and let him be grumpy makes him cute I also need a dress but wasn’t allowed to leave alone,” Ricky could say a lot about James being cute wasn’t one of them yet the guy in question had slight red cheeks what happened to Leta?

“Hey, you must be Mary,” Ricky saw Luna and Mary who simply nodded and walked to her for a hug. That was easier than expected girls made friends easily but Mary loved hugging people so that wasn’t all to strange. “Nice meeting you Luna,” Luna hugs her back.

“Hello, I think Holly speaks a lot about me,” Mary nods and Holly grabs both their arms, “Of course you two are my favourite people,” Holly says all smiles like usually Luna looks at her just as amused as Mary.

“What!” Ricky speaks up clearly not agreeing and hurrying to the girls pulling Holly towards him, “Don’t be like this bear boo you are in another category,” Holly let the girl's go because Ricky pulls her closer for a deeper hug, he started to pepper her face with kisses only for Holly to laugh out loud.

“What do you mean they are your favourite people Holly? Only I am supposed to be you may like them though,” Ricky didn’t let her replay before his lips silent her.

Yeah, this felt good.

After sometime Holly started to hit his chest, and he pulled back.

“You’re so crazy Bear boo,  you know you’re the one I love so don’t be jealous,” Holly told him when their lips were separated.

“I can be as jealous as I want,” Ricky replied and went back for another kiss but James put his hand in between.

“Our chaperone is here with the car, so we better go our else you are staying behind,” James told them even when Ricky was glaring at him.

“Nope I need to go,” Holly rushed and James followed Ricky sighed.

“You know she really likes you right?” Ricky looked at Luna who had a simple smile on her face.

“Yeah I start to realise that,” Ricky replies with a smile, “One smart guy at least,” Luna replies sighs and goes to the car and Ricky follows her wondering what she meant.

This was simply torture after the third shop Ricky was done thank god he already had a suit because shopping wasn’t for him the other guys were also regretting their decision to come along.

Even kissing Holly wasn’t making him feel any better and the girl always made him smile today however he regretted the choose to come along he rather it his tongue off however than admit to Mary she was right. Holly found a beautiful yellow gown with white flowers in the first shop, but she still tried dresses on in other shops. Which made Ricky growl.

“We should have stayed at the school,” James grumbled once more and Ricky simply nodded.

“I had something to get or I would have stayed,” Ruff replies James huffs, “Not if Mary asked you to come along,” He replies and Ruff didn’t to that so it was a silent agreement it seemed.

Luna stepped out in another dress and James give it one look at looked away, which made Luna glare at him but turn around and go back in. Mary followed in a pink-blue dress that she turned into a beautiful smile on her face it was clear this dress she loved. Ruff couldn’t keep his eyes from her.
Holly put her hand over his eyes and whispered in his ear, “Now I am getting jealous,”

Ricky got a smirk on his face, “I am sorry, babe do I get a kiss,” Holly did give him a soft kiss which he savoured.

“Which one do you like Ruff?” Mary asks the boy that simply shrugged, “Both,” he replies and Mary nods yeah so did she. Ricky frowned really who says both in this case Ricky shook his head poor Mary.

Another shop later and another dress later the only one without was Mary, and she seemed conflicted, mumbling colours to herself, So holly told everyone to go to a café for dinner, he saw Ruff escape the group to enter a jewellery shop and wondered what the male was getting.

“Pink, purple, pink, purple, pink , purple, pink, purple, pink…” Ricky was hearing while his tongue was down Holly throat. He felt a lot better at the moment.

“Hey did you all see Ruff?” Mary's voice interrupted them.

“Saw him go in there,” Ricky spoke up while pointing at the jewellery shop, Mary followed his finger before getting up and leaving.
“Wow, what do you think he is getting Mary?” Ricky hummed, “Who says what he is getting is for Mary?” Holly simply gave him a look that said guys and pulled him closer before whispering, “He didn’t tell her where he was going,” Ricky mouth turned into an oh but before he could respond her lips was on his again.

“Get a room,” They heard James say, “If you want a kiss you only got to ask,” Luna answered and Holly pulled away enough to laugh while Ricky looked at James bright red cheeks. Certainly something going on between the two.

A moment later Mary walked in and told everyone she was getting the pink dress much to Holly’s delight. Ruff was grinning down on her while Mary looked up at him and teasingly asked what he had in his bag he didn’t respond to that just huffed.

“Interesting,” Ricky turned to look at Holly question marks in his eyes, “Just that I wonder what it is that Ruff got for her,” Ricky hummed and looked at Holly’s neck maybe he should get her something.

Nik bloody hell wins

Ricky had gotten their binoculars, Holly wasn’t happy that Mary was sitting this one out.

“Is okay we will have fun,” Ricky assured her he had heard what the last task would be something like a race but wand-less so pretty cool, and he hoped Nik wins the boy could use the moneyyyy.

Holly nodded, “I am a little nervous,” I smiled at her and kissed her cheeks, “Is okay I am here with you,” Holly smiled back and gives me a peck.

“Let’s have lots off fun then,” Holly replies and Ricky grins squeezing his girlfriend hand before putting the binocular in front of his eyes.

Maybe it was luck, but they saw Nik rushing and immediately followed him. They had started a little later so Ricky was surprised they saw a champion so soon. Ricky wondered how far Nik was to the ending. It had been better if they had a broom but alas they didn’t, so they lost sight of Nik in no time.

“Oh Ricky,  look at that pound,” Holly says walking to it.

“Holly, we shouldn’t get distracted,” Ricky warns her but Holly just turns around slight pout on her delicious lips, “But is pretty,” Ricky sighs but nods, “It is, would you like to stay here till the games are done?” He asks her and Holly frowns. “We don’t know the full riddle so where would he be going?”

Holly spoke up and Richard hummed “I am not sure either Mary or Ruff would have known though,” Ricky spoke up and Holly hums also, “It was a ring,” Holly says and Richard looks at her confused, “What?” Holly laughs, “Don’t look so confused, Ruff gave Mary a ring, a promising ring,” Ricky nodded, “Aha, that is nice,” Holly grinned, “It was with a pink stone and all,” Ricky grinned, “The only ring I will give you is an engagement and wedding ring,” Holly blushed, “I didn’t tell you so that you could get me one,” Ricky grinned, “Could have fouled me,” He replied and Holly only get redder.

This made Ricky laugh hard before pulling her closer for kids. It was a long kiss because the next thing they know an erupt of claps were heard and parting they see Nik looking shocked at the cup in his hand before holding up.

“Holy moly he actually won,” Ricky was shocked, and he saw Nik look at him and mouth thank you before holding the picklock equipment up which makes Ricky laugh and hold up his thumb.

“What is all that about?” Holly asks and Ricky kisses her, “I learned him to pick-pock locks it was the best thing I could learn him,” Holly grins, “You have some hiding talents?” Ricky pecks her lips, “You have a lifetime to find them all out,” Holly grinned and peck his lips too, “I cannot wait.

“Hey ready for a party?” They looked to their side to see Mary pull Ruff behind him who seems relaxed, “Oh hell yeah,” Holly replies and pulls Ricky along with her.

Last edited by NinaJones (20/09/2020 at 19:28)

Slowly catching up! R1 & R2 are done; round 3 is being written tonight #NoRestForTheWicked.

ROUND 4 CLOSED

I see some still might be struggling with time, so just WhatsApp me or PM me when done and I'll try to give you feedback asap, even if just through chat.

I'm keeping it brief, open and clear.



ROUND 5 CLOSES: 21st of September, 20:00h


The winner has been chosen and the year has come to an end. If you might enjoy it, soon the Qudditch championship starts.



Marking the end of the year the Triwiz Ball is held and some pairs are as follows. You are not obliged to accept, but these people would be the ones who'd ask you to join them as their plus one or accept if you invited them:

Jude - Rey

Seff - Bryce

Leta - Mathieu

Freya - Jordan

Mary - Ruff

Ricky - Holly

Manon - Niklaus

Naz - Sidh (his family will hear about the event, so he needs a "proper" date)

Bear in mind if your relationships are blurry and/or not definied well enough this list may be subject to change

The schools are leaving Hogwarts and saying their goodbyes, exchanging addresses and other contacts. On the day that the schools shozld be leaving, dozens of owls come in flying carrying big news. What happens next leaves the wizarding world in schock.

With an attack on Gringotts and with more support than ever the 4th Goblin Rebellion begins - once again bringing chaos to the world that has just learnt how peace felt.



***


ROUND 5 REQUIREMENTS

- up to 4 interests you used in previous round

- wrap your story up and maybe we'll continue the journey with a new chapter some day

Personal plots

Jude

"What the-" he gets smacked over the head hard with the newest edition of daily prophet. If he'd been hit harder the print would imprint on him.

"Thank you? Seriously?" Rodolphus does seem a bit irritated.

"I'm an idiot, newsflash," he scratches the wounded spot, "Now be useful and tell me how to fix this," Rey states aggravated and irritated.

"Ball?" he suggests and Rey doesn't seem convinved.

"I'm still not on the same page, Ruff," Rey adds frustrated, "It doesn't just happen like that," he sighs.

"Oh, cut the-" Rodolphs is now properly irritated, "Not on the same page," he rolls his eyes, "She can take a break and wait for you to catch up or you can just learn to read quicker," he's getting tired to the metaphor already to which Rey smirks. and opens his mouth, "Dude, if you say, we're not even on the same book, I'll petrify you and dip your head in the toilet," Rodolphus dinishes with a very vivid image and Rey's surprised.

"Wasn't about to say that, but okay, calm down," Rey's sighing, "I'll start with apologising for the 'thank you'," he concludes.

"That's a good start," he agrees, "Going to the ball as friends seems like an okay thing, too."

"Yeah, that, too."

***

Rey's not there yet, who knows when or if he'll be, but he's willing to find out, if he could get there.

Ruff's amused with how this story goes and awaits to find out more. Since Reynard's family isn't so stuck up on wizarding worlds, maybe this will make life easier for you in the future. He's betting there'll be one. He's also enjoyin teasing both of you in any way he manages.

Nik's a bit surprised with the aftermatch of the situation since it definitely seemed as if Jude was into him, but in the end, well. He's okay with it after winning a huge tournament and assuring he'll have the funds to start something properly.  So he's happy.



Seff

"I don't get her," Bryce is honest about it, "But yeah, I won't let her play with me," he's nodding to himself, assuring himself. The pair of eyes involved in the conversation follows his lips as he speaks.

"What do you think - what are the chances of her actually accepting an invitation to a very public event?" he's laughing. It's a stiffled and fake laugh. In all honesty he's hurt even if he's trying not to be. Her brother was right, she'll definitely hurt him. He sighs. But she enjoys games, so he'll try with that, maybe at one point it's not a game to her as well.

"It's all or nothing, right?" he poses the question not really expecting a reply. So he'll just go all in and see if she'll fold or call. He tilts his head, maybe teaching her Poker was a cool idea as well, to see who can bluff better.

The two eyes following his lips see the opportunity and jump at it, pressing a paw on them.

"Yeah, I'm spouting nonsense, aren't I, Pebbles?" he plays with the cat's paw as its trying to bite him again. Huh. This kind of game certainly seemed familiar.

***

Bryce's not keen on being a shameful secret. He's fine keeping things low, but he has no intention of being a toy in a 'spite Blaise Lestrange' plot.
Blaise hasn't heard anything dealing with Bryce for a while so that's reassuring. As if. He's almost certain you have something up your sleave. But he's convincing himself he'll let you play it out as long as there's no damage done. 

Naz

"What was up with all that?" Nela's asking once Naz has stormed out of the picnic like a madwoman.

"Ahm, either because she's my ex or just general hatred for muggles," Sidh replies with a sigh."

Oh, you dated her?" Nela's now familiar with this and wonders how come she's never noticed it. 

"Pay attention to people, Nels," Nik reminds her and she nods. She's not used to paying attention when it's not relevant top her or those close to her. 

"Will you get in trouble?" Jordan now asks Sidh, who's surprisingly calm about the situation. 
"Why?" Sidh's surprised,"Oh, nah," he waves it off. Truth is, having this group is much more beneficial for his future than not having them around. He's seeing the opportunities and he genuinely believes all of them are to grow into valuable pieces of his puzzle.

"I just hope she won't go on those crazy attention-seeking adventures after this," Jordan sighs. He's frustrated and irritated. It was as if she tried to create problems where there were none. 

"Maybe she still has feelings for Sidh, Jo," Niklaus states, "Weirder things happen," he smirks at the boy devilishly and the Indian prince smiles back.

***

Since Jordan's made up his mind to try and save you from continuously torturing yourself he will try and take an approach he isn't quite used to. Asking and being supportive about it. He'll ask if you were upset because of the blood thing or because perhaps you still have feelings for Sidh.Sidh doesn't understand the need for such a reaction. So he'll ask if there was something you wanted to talk to him about. If she decides to scream and act childishly about it he's giving up on her. He has no intention of dealing with that. He's got a few months to go before leaving back to his country and has no need for drama.Blaise is honestly worried Seff might be in too deep with the muggle, but since he's decided not to take further action on it, he'll at least try and vent out to you. Maybe you can talk some sense into her. 

Blaise and Gemma's Enagagement party
- held at Lestrange Mansion, a week prior to the ball, all her and Blaise's friends are invited and families of upper wizarding  socitey as well

Last edited by Tonkolina (22/09/2020 at 11:45)

Still catching up and stuff

Natalie 'Naz' Green // 17 // Slytherin
Interests: Blaise // Jordan // Rey // Sidh (interacting with Nela and Nik too)

Plan

1. Part 2 of the dorm scene - interactions with Seff. Look at what Bambi has already written.

2. GAHHHHH I HAVE NO CLUE

Story

People storm into the dorm but I don't move. Shouts and shrieks bounce around the room and water sprays in my face, but I still don't move a muscle. I... can't.

"What they hell is your problem? What happened?" a very, very angry voice shouts.
"Everything's ruined I scream back, turning around to face the brave soul daring to speak to me. I find myself face-to-face with Seff, her eyes buldging and her face red. "Mudbloods. Mudbloods and blood traitors!" I spit out.

Outfits

INCOMPLETE
I know for a fact that I'm not going to finish this on time (there's only 4 hours left and I'm only just starting aha) so I'm sorry, but I'm not going to rush. Naz's story needs to be told properly.

Last edited by Fashion-Chic (22/09/2020 at 16:20)

Round Progress: R1 done, R2 done, R3 done, R4 done, R5 done (but rushed)

Name: Jude Collins

Face Claim: Emily Bader

Age: 17

House/Home: Ravenclaw * Hogwarts

Interests: Niklaus, Rey and Rodolphus

Story DONE

Part 1 - DONE

"Jude can we talk?"

The words caught me off guard as I entered what appeared to be the empty Ravenclaw common room. As I walked towards the couches I noticed that Rey was sitting there alone.

"Whatever Ruff said, I had nothing to do with it," I said not taking a seat.

"I know," he said simply, "So can we talk?"

"Sure," I said with a sigh taking a seat across from him in one of the chairs."Talking actually involves you speaking," I said after a few moments of awkward silence.

"Yeah, you're right," he started as he wiped his palms across his pants. "I handled things badly and I shouldn't have said 'thank you' when you told me why you liked me; I'm sorry."

"Okay," I said unsure of how else to respond. "Is that it?" I asked standing up.

"No actually," Rey started, "I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go to the triwizard ball with me."

"You want to go to the ball with me?" I said sitting back down.

"Yeah, I mean we could definitely go as friends."

"As friends," I said the words slowly.

"Yes, I mean we are friends right?"

That depends. I thought the words but I didn't say them.

"Do you like me Rey?" I asked, my tone even.

"Jude, how can you ask me something like that, we're friends of course I like you."

"You know that's not how I mean." I said keeping the emotion I felt rising in me out of my voice.

"Jude, I'm...I'm."

"You don't have to say it," I said standing up once again. "I've known you for seven years Rey and we've been friends, like real friends for at least six of them and in all that time I never would have guessed what an asshole you are."

"So now I'm an asshole because I don't like you?" Rey asked.

"No you're an asshole because you knew you didn't like me after I kissed you and rather than just say that you made me go through this list of reasons why I liked you. What the hell was that about?"

"Jude it wasn't even-"

"Langlock!" I shouted as I pointed my wand at him, effectively stopping him from speaking. "I don't even care. And it case it's not perfectly clear 'no' I will not go to the ball with you as friends because as far as I'm concerned we're not friends anymore." I said before making my way up to the girls dorm.

Part 2 - DONE

The rest of the days leading up to the Triwizard ball passed in a blur with me largely ignoring Rey and changing the subject whenever Ruff brought him up. While I did make an appearance at the ball it was only so Adelyn wouldn't pester me about not going...not that any of that mattered when the owls started to descend on Hogwarts at the end of the semester.

[/spoiler]

Last edited by Dare (22/09/2020 at 21:50)

As Far As I Know

AS FAR AS I KNOW

ABOUT - DONE

NAME
PERSEPHONE LESTRANGE

FACE CLAIM
Zhenya Katava

AGE 17

HOUSE/HOME
Slytherin, Hogwarts

NICKNAME:
Seff (mostly only Blaise has called her this in the past)

TRAITS: virtues and flaws (at least three from both)
Charismatic, Cunning, Ruthless, Daring, Arrogant, Devious
... now to go find some flaws...

DREAM:
Becoming an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries

FEAR:
Disfigurement/mutilation, rodents

FAVORITE SUBJECT:
Transfiguration & Potions

LEAST FAVORITE SUBJECT:
Divination

FAMILY & OTHER RELATIONS:
Persephone is a pure-blood witch from a very powerful and prominent family with ancient bloodlines and connections. She is the younger sister of Blaise by only 10 months to the day. Often mistaken for twins due to their closeness in age, they were nearly inseparable as children. The two are very similar in both demeanor and personality, sharing secrets, planning manipulations, and covering up each other’s misconduct, if need be. Just like most Slytherin, they are extremely loyal to each other while having an obvious disdain for those that they feel are unworthy of their time and attention. Persephone is not at all discreet about her haughty attitude towards anything muggle-related. She is also very self-absorbed, but her narcissism is well managed when in the company of like-minded wizards and witches and she is genuinely liked, and protective over those in her friend circle.

She is a metamorphic witch, and as such has always had the ability to self-transfigure without additional training or potions. It caused a bit of an uproar in her family when she accepted the stone inscribed invite from Uagadou Wizarding School in favor over the Owl-missive that arrived on her 11th birthday for Hogwarts. Even at that young age, she was aware that Uagadou was prized for its curriculum in both human transfiguration and alchemy while she would have to wait, and hope, that she might be able to take those subjects in her 6th or 7th year if there was enough interest.

The one major difference between Blaise and Persephone is that she is not at all lazy. She is quite ambitious and athletic. Despite knowing and using her family advantages, she is also focused and determined to achieve her goal of one day getting a position in the Department of Mysteries as an Unspeakable. The highly elusive and exclusive position intrigues Persephone due to its secretive nature and independence of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Minister of Magic.

Thanks in large part to her wealthy and influential family, she rarely finds herself in any position where real consequences are of threat and is often willing to exploit her connections for her own advantage. Her privileged position made her ruthless and quite reckless. Which is exactly why she is here, at Hogwarts, finishing out her final year of Wizarding schooling… Even the wealth and power of a Lestrange is not enough to get one out of the hottest of hot water…

INTERESTS
Blaise | Bryce

PLAYLIST

Slytherin-type Stuff ~ continuing

A LITTLE WICKED
HEATHENS
SOUR CANDY
COLD BLOODED
ALPHA
HARD
THANK GOD I'M NOT YOU
I LIKE IT HEAVY
YOU'RE SO VAIN
LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO
YOU CAN'T SIT WITH US
GONNA SHOW YOU CRAZY
YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN
THE GREATEST
DUMBLEDORE ON YOUR SIDE
OUTSIDERS
DARK HORSE
CONFIDENT
RAISING HELL
MOTHER'S DAUGHTER
PRIMADONNA
WREAK HAVOC

THE LOOKS - DONE

STORY - TBC (Plotted)

(Naz)... DONE'ish

“Of all the rotten, despicable, low-down, dirty…” I mumbled harshly under my breath as I stomped down the stairs into the Slytherin common room, my clothes once more presentable for ‘decent’ company after morphing out of the lewd arrangement I painstakingly selected for my meeting with Bryce. Only to have him just walk away. He bloody walked away! I had made it abundantly clear that we could be together, that I wouldn’t stop anything… that I was eager for it. And the bloody fool had turned me down!

Didn’t he know what he had been offered? Who I am!? I’m a Lestrange!

“Where were you?”

Obviously, my already violently foul mood was not as obvious as it should have been. The demand in Blaise’s tone made my back go ramrod straight.

“Excuse me?”

He huffed and grumbled something about the stupid tournament and how he hadn’t seen me there. To be honest, I had completely forgotten about the event thing in the process of setting up my failed interlude. Maybe that was way Bryce rushed off? Annoyance continued to fester but I did happen to notice that several of the other people in the room all wore equally sullen looks. So, it seemed his harsh tone wasn’t necessarily directed at me. But before I could say a word there was a loud rumble, some bangs then an explosion of something shattering before another loud bang boomed just outside the room. Everyone jumped and I couldn’t rightly say which of us moved first or fastest, but I knew I was somewhere near the front of the crowd as I tore into the dorm room and my eyes bulged.

Everything was is disarray… no, more than that. It looked like some cyclone had torn through the stylish room, furniture was upended, fabrics ripped and tattered, personal belongs all mixed together and scattered all across everything and then a huge blazing bellow of smoke and fire roared from the center of one dark green canopy bed. And in the center of all the chaos, Naz…

“What the bloody hell… NAZ!... Aguamenti!” I shouted, brandishing my wand and rushing past Naz upon seeing the flames start to spark and splinter, tossing to the very next bed… mine! A burst of water shoots out, dousing and soaking everything in its path making the already disarray even worse. Others had entered as well, girls shrieking at the sight of their belongings seemingly ruined. Of course, it’s possible most of it could be repaired with the help of a little magic… but there were no guarantees. I stood dumbfounded… not for the first time within the last hour.

“What the hell is your problem?? What happened?!” I lashed out in a combination of all the emotions I was already feeling, rage, frustration, confusion… plus concern and worry now

“Everything’s RUINED!!” she shouted back, her eyes burning bright even without the fire booming in the room. She looked like she might just burst into flames herself. “Mudbloods!” she sneered the word so contemptuously that if I had been one I would imagine a curse being set. “Mudbloods and Blood traitors!” she declared with even more disgust. My stomach coiled as her eyes rolled from one side to another before looking with me, sneering harder. “Its all RUINED!”

(scene with Naz after she runs off, Seff going after her and eventually finds her. They have a talk, Naz’ asking about Seff’s expulsion for Seff to admit she was never expelled, that she was in fact pulled out of “that corruptive school” by her parents and even Blaise has no idea of the reason)

(Bryce) - DONE

“I’m not going…”

A whole week had gone by and my mood was only marginally better. I wasn’t moping around, but I was still confused and completely annoyed that my plan had been foiled. I let everyone think it had everything to do with the overall displeasure over the Gryffindor win… no, they were mad about it being a muggle… probably a little bit of both most likely. And I just went along with it. It wasn’t as if I was thrilled with the poor muggles win. As far as I was concerned, he was a poor reflection of the wizardly world and not at all worthy of my time or consideration. I did, however, spend a vast amount of time thinking about a certain Ravenclaw student.

“What do you mean you’re not going? Of course, you’re going…”

I arched a brow and shook my head, firmly, “how can it be forbidden for me NOT to go to some stupid dance?”

Blaise and a couple other people from the table gazed at me in a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

“It’s the Triwiz Ball… it’s a big deal…”

Tamsin asserted then snickered as if I were some moron to not understand the importance of the event.

“Not to me” I muttered firmly and rose, ignoring the rest of my lunch as well as the continued petty giggling from Tamsin and her friends.

“Seff…” Blaise’s peevish sigh did not sit any better with me. I pressed my lips together and murmured something about seeing him later and turned to make my way to herbology class, thirty minutes early.

To my surprise, the greenhouse was not empty as I expected when I arrived and immediately my pulse raced when his head snapped up, our eyes meeting.

“What are you doing here?” I blurt out, my tone perhaps a tad bit more flustered than I should have let on.

He smirked briefly before pointing towards the potted plant before him, “Gathering some ingredients for a potion assignment…you?”

I shrugged and moved to a bench away from him, “I have class soon…” and I proceeded to pull out my textbook and pretend that he was not even there.

Which lasted all of a few minutes. Because while I was making every effort to appear unaffected by his presence, he seemed perfectly content to do the same… about me. Literally ignoring that I was even there. Which did not sit well with me. How could he just neglect to notice me sitting there, a few steps away? Never mind that I had been trying to do the same… he wasn’t supposed to be unaffected by me.

“What plant is that anyway?” I muttered bitterly, which finally drew his attention, or rather alerted me to the fact that he was completely aware of my effort to ignore him. A tiny smirk played at the corner of his lips when he looked back at me.

“You could come over and check it out… unless of course you’re scared”

I snorted and rolled my eyes. “Scared of what?”

Bryce shifted and turned to face me, leaning back against the table he stood before while crossing his arms over his chest. “Me…”

“Please, there isn’t a hair on your body that is the least bit scary…”

He continued to lean back, a non-verbal challenge lingering between us. I knew it… honestly, I knew it was stupid and silly. And it was nothing but ego pushing me in those seconds, making me feel taunted. I pressed my lips together, taking the bait… unable to stop myself from doing so no matter how much I tried to warn myself internally to resist. I snapped the book on my lap shut, stood and stomped over to him only intending to prove that I had absolutely no fear of him.

I knew it was a mistake the moment I was standing right beside him and the scent of him filled my lungs. I gritted my teeth and focused all of my attention on the plant on the table. Who was I kidding? Every nerve in my body was attuned to his movements beside me. But I pretended to give all my attention to the plant. He was telling me something about it, Merlin only knew what that was. My heart was beating so loud in my chest that it was drumming out his words. That was until…

“You’ve been avoiding me…” Wait… what? My breath caught for a hot second.
“Don’t flatter yourself…” I spit out quickly, absolutely refusing to let on that I had, in fact, been avoiding him. I was still pissed about the whole incident. When I peeked at him again that obnoxious grin was still on his face making me roll my eyes again. But then he stepped closer, crowding my space. I couldn’t back down of course, if I did, he would think I was afraid… and I couldn’t have that right. No, of course not. I lifted my chin, glaring at him.

“Ahh… so you haven’t thought about me one little bit?”

“Nope” I lied. He nodded as he dropped his gaze and ever so gently brushed the back of his finger across my cheek then slowly across my lips.  Instantly, my body responded, said lips parting slightly as my chest rose when my breath caught.

“Awe, too bad then…” he murmured softly, so low… almost a purr. It sent tingles down my spine. Then the rotten scoundrel turned away, returning his gaze and fingers to the stupid plant on the table. Ignoring me, again!

“Are you serious right now?!” I hissed getting him to turn back towards me, all innocent curiosity at my obviously agitated words. My nostrils flared and I growled, tossing my hands into the air and spinning on my heel. He was the most insufferable, idiotic, du…

Without warning, his hand shot out to yank me back before I could take another step, spinning me until I was facing him and within moments claimed my lips with his own. And the dam broke, every desire I had came rushing back, surpassing all the frustration and shameful doubt I had been living with in the past days. He wedged me between his hard body and the table, his thigh thrusting between mine while I ground urgently forward. My fingers raked through his hair and our tongues collided insistently.

I simply forgot to think… nothing and no one mattered in that moment. I groped and stroked my fingers over him, tugging him closer, desperate for more. And he seemed as needy, urgent. His hand slipped under my shirt, brushing against the underside of my breast making me whimper loudly while the grunt from his lips seemed extremely satisfied with my response.

“Hem hem!”

We jumped apart, my eyes round and glazed over vaguely making out the shape of another near the door, barely rational with every nerve in my body tingling savagely. My harsh panting filled my ears as I tugged at my top and skirt… thank God it was only the professor that walked in on us… it could have been so much worse. My heart raced, it could have been Blaise or Naz… or any of the other Slytherin students. When I peeped at Bryce he looked to be torn between embarrassment and smug satisfaction.

“This is certainly not the place for such things, I expect better out of you Slughorn…” but not me apparently, I think bitterly but I smirk mockingly before I move away from Bryce, back to my belongings and reopen my textbook. I had no intention of apologizing as Bryce was profusely doing while he gathered his own things. I just tuned them out, humming softly to myself as I sucked on my lower lip, the taste of him lingering. Moments later other students started to file into the room and Bryce moved to leave. I didn’t mean to, I wasn’t going to… but I looked, catching his gaze as he walked past, seeing the heat still burning in his eyes. A jolt stabbed through me, he smirked again. Then I saw him twist his wand, ever so slightly before he stepped out the door.

The professor cleared her throat again, drawing our attention to the front so it was some minutes before I glanced back to my textbook, finding the small note tucked into the crack of the pages.

“7th floor after class. Don’t dally.”

I promise that herbology class that day seemed to take a week to finish. But when finally we were dismissed I immediately made my way to the 7th floor, and from there, into a room that I was certain did not exist the last time I had wandered this hall checking out Hogwart’s Castle.

“No one will interrupt us here…” Bryce announced after leading me into the cozy chamber, a huge four poster bed sat in the middle.

“Whose room is this?” I asked curiously

“No one’s and anyone’s…” Bryce answered cryptically earning a frown from me. But he didn’t waste a lot of time explaining. He took my hand and led me to the bed, gently pushing me down before crawling up to join me… “just somewhere I get to have you all to myself, for a time…” he murmured as his lips brushed against my neck making me shiver…

“You seemed pretty content not having me over the past week…” I knew I sounded petty, but I couldn’t help it. I was still confused and heated over his previous rejection. And all I got for my churlish humor was a soft chuckle and then the tantalizing stroke of his finger brushing along my collarbone before he began unbuttoning my top.

“If you want I can leave…” his words brushed against my flesh giving me goosebumps, small kisses against my flesh every inch that he exposed… “send you some other muggle-born that might be more cooperative and easily manipulated…” My nipples puckered up instantly when he pulled the fabric fully apart exposing the thin black bra I wore underneath. I was so fixated on the pleasure, of finally having Bryce touch me in the ways I had dreamt of that I gave little consideration to the offer he made and didn’t even notice the hint of doubt that accompanied them.

“You’re not going anywhere…” I hissed softly as I rolled over, shoving him back against the bed and straddling his lap. I tugged my shirt the rest of the way off, unclasped my bra. His eyes lit up as I did so. “If I wanted some weak, mindless jellyfish I wouldn’t be here with you…” I mutter drawing that wicked smirk back to his lips that I found so alluring.

“Awe… so I’m a good enough muggle for you for now…”

I frowned and pushed against his chest before I leaned forward, “you’re not a muggle... stop calling yourself that!” I bit out before I ran my tongue across his lips while I began undoing his clothes with my fingers. It was his turn to moan and I thrilled with the sound of it. Then, talking was over…

**********

I couldn’t believe that hours passed before both of us were fully sated. But there we were, curled together in that big bed, the covers draped haphazardly over our exhausted bodies when Bryce pulled me closer and brushed his lips against my ear. I trembled. The man had played me like a fiddle as the muggles might say, tormented and teased and drove me utterly mad with the most exquisite pleasure imaginable.

“Seriously!... I’ll not be able to walk for days if you keep on…” I bit out but it was a half-hearted rebuke. I giggled softly and nibbled on his nipple lewdly earning me a little swat and an answering yelp. But, I was content in that moment, grinning sheepishly, circling one finger over his broad chest slowly, no other thoughts intruding… no worries or cares. But of course, he had to go and ruin all that.

“Go to the dance with me…”

I froze. I said nothing. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I was still breathing. Loud drumming filled my ears.

“Seff…?” I debated pretending to be asleep, but he knew I wasn’t. He had to be joking right? I bit my lower lip before finally chuckling lightly. He had to be joking. I said as much.

“urgh… you had me for a second there…” I shook my head and laughed softly again. The trouble was I felt him stiffen up under me. Urgh…

“What’s funny about that?”

I frowned and sat up, the covers falling down around my waist. I did nothing to cover up.

“You can’t be serious…” I mutter but I could tell from the stony look in his eyes that he was. “Everyone would see us…” I blurt out.

“Yeah… and?” it was his turn to sit up, obviously not at all seeing the point.

“Everyone would SEE us!” I hissed as I pushed out of bed and paced nervously. He didn’t understand, clearly. “Everyone… Blaise… it would get back to my parents…”

“Ah… so it is about me being muggle-born.”

“You are not a muggle!” I spit out angrily.

“Half-blood…whatever…” he tossed his hand in the air between us, but he hadn’t raised his voice. No, his tone was deeper, harder… “I am not pure is the point. What you can’t accept…”

“Me?” I laugh bitterly glaring at him. “I just laid with you for hours, how is that at all me being unaccepting of you?”

“as long as no one knows right…”

“Exactly! If it gets back to… what the hell… I’ll be pulled out of school again...!”

He snorted bitterly, “Cut the dragon dung Seff… you’re embarrassed, wouldn’t dare let anyone know you like me… spiting your brother behind his back to lay with me like some sort of game…”

What the hell was he on about? I frowned and shook my head. “Blaise? What does he have to do with any of this?”

“We both know WHY you slept with me…” he spit out and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

“Oh?” I utter extremely slowly, cautiously. My chest felt incredibly tight. “Why is that Bryce?”

“You wanted to do something bad… rebel against your family. I’m just some notch for you… a dirty little secret…”

My nostrils flared but I pressed my lips together mulishly. Screw him. I turned and started gathering my clothes that had been strewn around the room then growled, snatching my wand and swirling it rapidly until every bit of me was covered back up.

“Just gonna run away now?” he bit out and when I turned, he stood there in all his mind-numbing glory, every inch of him exposed and ripped beautifully.

“Why the hell would I stay?” I demanded angrily, “I got what I wanted… right!?”

“You tell me…”

I scoffed bitterly, turning away and walking to the door.

“Colloportus!” he charged and immediately I growled desperately as I tugged uselessly at the now locked knob. “Admit it Seff” he demanded.

“Admit what?” I shouted as I turned on him. “Admit that I like that you’re different? I already admitted that it turned me on. I told you that last week and what? Now what? You want to be offended over that? You knew that before we entered this room today… I’m a sick twisted witch!” I hissed, fully enraged now… “if I wanted to just saddle up for a bit of sport with some inferior meatstick , I could have done that far easier than holding out for a difficult dragon sack like you Bryce Slughorn! Screw you!” my voice cracked making me even madder. Quickly, I shouted “Alohomora” then raced out of the room before I burst into tears in front of the big dummy.

I also steered clear of the Slytherin dorms, at least for the moment as tears streaked down my face. I had absolutely no desire to try and evade my brother's increasingly suspicious looks and questions. Sitting with my legs curled up against my chest on the balcony I found a few weeks ago I considered my current situation. How utterly stupid of me to open myself up to this. Again. I didn't regret laying with him, not at all. It was absolutely wonderful... until that end bit. I liked him, a lot. But I barely knew him and he just expected me to throw caution to the wind and go on a very public date with him... knowing my family?

Of course, he had no idea the lengths my family would go over certain things. How being expelled from wizardry school was a far better stigma than befriending or... or caring for someone less than you... us.

I snapped my wand, hissing "Wingardium Leviosa" at a small rock that lay nearby, flipping and dropping it repeatedly as my tears dried up. There was no point crying over spilt potion. Bryce literally hates me now, thinking I used him... and I guess he has a right to feel that way. But it still hurt. But what difference did it make?

Everyone always assumed they knew everything about me, why would he be any different?   

(Blaise) - PLOTTED

~ engagement party
honestly, kind of unsure if anything dramatic is occurring here? Which families from the school are invited? Only Pure-bloods and whoever Gemma invites? Will her invitees be attending?

She will have an interaction with her parents who will want to ensure she is 'behaving' and focusing on her education since this is her last opportunity to get it right. Of course, because none of them have ever revealed to Blaise (or anyone) the real reason she is at Hogwarts and no longer at Ilvermony he will not understand why she is so annoyed over their 'concern'.

Seff will be kind of withdrawn, Blaise may try to pull her aside to have a private word with her, admit he is worried about her and wants her to open up to him, he may realize that he has never had a discussion with her about anything relationship wise, that really, he has never known her to be in a relationship and may suddenly think that is odd (she is 17 and has never mentioned a boy or girl to him romantically inclined)... but she wont open up because she knows how he is, knows he could never understand, would be disgusted by her and sees no reason why she should correct his disillusioned image of his babysister.

********(had gotten started on this bit but ended up nodding off, have posted what I have gotten done before the contest was closed)

The looks from each of them were so telling, I couldn’t even understand how Blaise didn’t catch on. My heart raced but I pretended that nothing was amiss, nibbling at my supper while Blaise and father discussed his bride to be. The conversation was clipped, which was totally typical of the older guy. He was distant, always had been, and stern and… well ruthless. But even still, he had always seemed to have a little bit of a chink in his touch outer shell when it came to me. That was until three months ago. When he found out. Oddly enough, it was father that came up with the scheme that ended with me enrolled at Hogwarts. He had been the one to seek to protect me… and the family name. If it had been up to mother, I would likely be out on my arse by now.

I shoved some peas around on the elegant chinaware occasionally making an appropriate response when it became obvious that I was actually being included in the conversation. Mother’s stern lipped question about school was spoken in general but it was obvious I was the intended target since Blaise had already detailed how his classes were going.

“Good, glad to hear you are focused on your education young lady. Hogwarts is a much better place for you, away from that horrid American school. I cannot fathom how you convinced us to let you attend such a place. What were we thinking?”

She was talking to no one in particular, father continued to eat, peeking down the tip of his nose towards Blaise and myself on occasion but for the most part remaining silent.

I was utterly relieved when the meal was finally over and I could escape to my room where I would shut them all out.

“Seff…” I hesitated, midway up the staircase considering whether to continue on my way and just ignore Blaise or not… he jogged up the few steps to stand beside me, his expression careful and concerned. “You know they only want what’s best for you… we all do…”

Of course, he was there to defend them. “I know Blaise, don’t mind me. Just a little exhausted from the train.” I lied. What difference would the truth make? To him or anyone else in this house. I offered a smile and was surprised when he seemed to take my word for it. He draped an arm over my shoulder and walked with me the rest of the way up the case

“I’m surprised you’re not giving me more of a hard case about my pending doom…”

“That fact that you call it your doom should be enough of a reason for you to give yourself a hard case about it…” I tease lightly.

“yeah yeah… we both understand that this is how these things go, just imagine… soon enough it will be your turn… some fine upstanding pillar of the wizardly community… have you ever sat around trying to imagine who they might pick for you?” I arched a brow and shook my head, eager to just make it to my room now so that I could just close myself away inside of it. “Really?”

“No, I mean yes really. Why would I waste my time daydreaming about something I have no say about? Seems a futile use of ones time…”

He laughed softly but he looked at me oddly and I could tell questions were churning around in his head. I really had no desire to pick through them or to have him trying to pick through my own. Blaise might be self-absorbed, we all were, but he was preceptive and he knew me. Better than anyone else. If he continued to probe, he would figure things out and I knew he really wouldn’t want to know my personal truths.

“When is your bride to be arriving?” I asked cheerily, effectively changing the subject before he tore down that other line of questioning.

“She won’t arrive until tomorrow, along with all the other guests.” He shook his head annoyingly, “she even invited that mudblood friend of hers. I am surprised that mother and father didn’t have a collective stroke when they found out…”

“Imagine that…” I murmur without much humor. They must be at their wits end accepting a muggle into their home like that. Not that it mattered to me. I was relieved that their attention would be mostly on him for the weekend and they wouldn’t need to concern themselves over what kind of trouble I might be getting up to, at least not while I was here at home.

(The ball) - PLOTTED

~ ball
I think Seff is going to try and avoid going to the ball. She doesn't regret sleeping with Bryce but she isn't ready to pretend his assumption about her doesn't hurt. She also feels like she needs to get her wits about her after her talk with Blaise. It's obvious he has doubts about her even though he is trying to act aloof and detached. She is not sure that she will keep her feelings hidden well enough should she run into Bryce and have him look at her in disgust, like her parents do.

Toying with the idea that she goes and hides in the room of requirement while the ball is taking place. Perhaps Bryce has replayed the whole conversation they had and has realized the bit about her saying she could get pulled out of school 'again' and he wants to speak with her about it... does he find her? do they talk? Does Seff tell him the real truth about her 'expulsion'? Do they make up or is it decided it's a hopeless situation?

R1-DONE | R2-DONE | R3 - DONE | R4 - DONE

Last edited by BambiFoxx (22/09/2020 at 22:33)

Freya Ohlson, 17, Durmstrang
FC: Olivia Holt
Interests: Gemma, Jordan & Zion

Progress: R1 DONE, R2 DONE, R3 DONE; R4 DONE; R5 DONE

❋ Outfits - Done

Engagement Party // Ball



Cred to MB

❋ Story - Done

"Okay, what is going on between you and Gemma?" Freya asked Zion one evening in the common room... it was a bit over a week until the Triwiz Ball. Her plan had been to enjoy the last weeks in Hogwarts - hopefully, most of them in Jordan's company - but this weird tension that was going on... it was too much and felt off.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Zion replied.

"Seriously? I'm not in the mood to play the questioning game... I have seen you talking countless times with Gemma these days and both of you ended up being in a bad mood afterwards." Freya crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look, "So, once again... what is going on?"

He pressed his lips together before letting out a frustrated sigh, "It is because of my plan which isn't working like I had hoped it would.

"Ah, the famous plan." Freya replied bitterly, "Can you tell me now what your idea was? Because right now the situation is a mess... you and Gemma are barely able to have a normal conversation and she is spending more and more time with that Blaise guy." She gave up on trying to hide her distaste for the Slytherin student.

"Did he say something to you?" Zion asked concerned.

"Not directly... I mean I'm hardly spending time with Gemma since he is always around. But I noticed the disgust in his eyes which is nothing new to me." Freya shrugged... being one of the few Muggle-borns in Durmstrang hadn't been easy since there had been a few students who made it obvious what they thought of her.

"Good. I tried to make Gemma understand that he wouldn't approve of you but she wouldn't listen and tell me that he was okay with you being at the party." Zion replied with a frown.

"A party I have absolutely no interest to go to..." the blonde murmured under her breath, "But back to your plan... what happened to it?"

"Gemma didn't approve of it." Zion said, "I have spoken to my parents about her engagement and that he didn't agree with it. They have been very supportive and suggested that I should talk with Gemma's parents."

"Oh, how did that go?" Freya asked leaned slightly... she hadn't even thought of speaking to Gemma's parents.

"Surprisingly well... except that they said only Gemma is the one who has to make the decision." Zion sighed and dragged a hand through his hair, "So, I spoke with her and once again told me about my offer which didn't go well."

"What offer are we talking about?" she furrowed her eyes together.

"Breaking off the engagement with Blaise and instead, getting engaged with me."

Freya blinked a few times trying to regain her composure, "Are you being serious? Don't get me wrong... you are my friend and I care for you, Zion. But I don't see how that would work." she pursed her lips together, "Not to mention that it would be another engagement for Gemma... there has to be another way to solve this problem."

"It doesn't matter if it would work or not because Gemma had been clear in her intentions that she doesn't want to soil her name by breaking off the official engagement." Zion explained, "You shouldn't forget that just because Gemma is engaged, it doesn't mean she will immediately marry. It could be years before a ceremony happens. I know that you don't want to hear it... but nothing will change until either Gemma or Blaise break off the engagement."

"That is just perfect." Freya replied sarcastically, "There must be something we can do."

"I'm not going to give up just like that, Freya," Zion reassured her, "I know that my solution might not be perfect but as right now I don't see any other way out of this mess."

"So, you are going to keep asking Gemma until she changes her mind?" the blonde wasn't too convinced.

"Yes though it seems that it will be harder than imagined."

"Well, you said it yourself. Gemma doesn't want to soil her family's name and even if I had no idea that engagements between magical families existed until a few weeks ago... it doesn't like the best idea to take this risk." Freya tilted her head to the side.

"Honestly, it isn't and I can understand why she has been hesitating to accept my proposal instead but the current situation is unacceptable... nothing good comes from the Lestrange family."

"They can't be that bad?" she asked.

"They pride themselves in being pureblooded, have no shame in speaking out loud what they think of Half-bloods and Muggle-borns. I don't care whether Gemma thinks it is a good connection or not... she shouldn't get involved with the Lestrange family." Zion crossed his arms. "It won't do her anything good no matter how often she claims that it will."

"Wow... the engagement party sure will be an interesting one." Freya swallowed at the thought of being hours in the company of pureblood and respected families who all thought that they are better than anyone else."

"You can always not go," Zion suggested.

"I had thought about it but I want to try and be supportive of Gemma, and she would only misunderstand it if I didn't go." Freya sighed out before closing her eyes... the next days certainly were going to be interesting.

❋❋❋❋❋❋

"And you really have to go?" Jordan asked for the third time in the last hour.

"Gemma is my friend and while I might not understand her decision, I can at least be supportive of her." Freya replied, "I will be there an hour or so before coming back to Hogwarts."

"I know... I just don't like the thought of you going alone to the Lestrange estate, only to surrounded yourself by all those people."

"I will be fine, Jordan," she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Zion is coming with me and I'm sure he will be looking out for me."

"I know." Jordan repeated himself before he pressed his forehead against hers, "Promise me, that you will be careful."

"Of course." Freya smiled slightly, "You could always change your mind... and you come with me."

"I would love to but I rather stay clear of my family. As you can imagine we don't have the best relationship ever since I was sorted into Gryffindor."

Her smile turned sadly... it broke her heart knowing that Jordan had a strained and problematic relationship with his parents. And only because he didn't share their stupid beliefs. At least, it seemed that he got along better with Natalie these days which she knew what a huge step for both of them.

"There is something I wanted to ask you... and I know it isn't the best the time but well... I can't keep delaying it any longer." Jordan started to ramble.

"Don't forget to breathe." Freya chuckled.

"Do you want to go to the Triwiz Ball with me next week?" he asked and looked into her eyes.

"Of course," she flashed him a bright smile before pressing a chaste kiss on his lips, "Did you seriously think that I was going to say no?" she asked bemused.

Instead of answering Jordan kissed her again and brushed a strand of her hair back, "Perfect."

"That is one way to answer." the blonde chuckled and shook her head. "As much as I'm enjoying this moment... but I have to go. Zion is probably waiting for me."

"Okay," Jordan sounded a bit displeased as he let go of her, "I will be talking with you later." he pressed a brief kiss on her forehead.


The Lestrange Estate wasn't like anything she had seen before... it was freaking huge, with impressive decor and interior and Freya was afraid of touching anything because of the risk of ruining it. As she looked around the room, she spotted a lot of people she didn't know and a few Slytherin students.

"Where are you..." Freya murmured under her breath walking through the room. She breathed out after she finally found Gemma among the crowd... it must have been her lucky day since she didn't see Blaise anywhere.

"Gemma." the blonde smiled brightly before hugging her friend, "You look amazing."

Gemma wore a deep red knee-length dress and Freya couldn't remember if she had ever seen her friend dressed up like this.

"Thank you." the dark-haired girl returned the smile, "And thank you for coming."

"I told you that I would." Freya shrugged... Gemma didn't need to know that she had been struggling with her decision the past days, especially after speaking with Zion and learning about his plan.

"I know but still thank you." Gemma was still smiling, "I should check on the other guests. I wish you a pleasant evening."

"Ehm... the same," Freya called awkwardly after her friend who disappeared somewhere between the other guests.


"How long have we been here?" the blonde asked after she found Zion standing in one of the corners observing the party.

"Around 20 minutes," he said with a little frown.

"Too soon to be leaving?" she leaned against the wall and let out a sigh... she had tried to speak with some of the guests but either they wouldn't even look at her or they made it obvious pretty soon what they thought of her.

"It is and I fear that Gemma might take it personally." Zion pointed out.

"Have you spoken with her yet?" Freya asked and looked at him from the side.

"Briefly. She had made it clear - once again - that she wasn't in the mood to deal with my suggestion... as if I were so stupid and mention my plan in front of Blaise and his family." Zion huffed out and crossed his arms.

"Of course, you aren't but try to understand Gemma... we both haven't been exactly happy or supportive about her engagement and we both questioned her choice quite a lot." Freya pursed her lips together, "And you said it yourself that she is worried about her family's name."

"I know but I just can't stand there and let Gemma ruin her life by one stupid decision."

"It is only for tonight... once we have left this place and are back at Hogwarts, you can go back to convincing her of your idea." the blonde placed a hand on his shoulder, "And if you need any help with that, come and talk with me instead of shutting me, okay?"

"Maybe Gemma will show you her spreadsheet too." he answered and rolled his eyes.

"What spreadsheet?"

"Gemma, being the practical and rational person she is, made a spreadsheet writing down all the pros and cons of either marrying Blaise or me." the frustration was obvious in his voice. "I tried to tell her that she was being ridiculous but she kept claiming that it makes perfect sense... because she wants to know which traits and flaws her child might inherited."

"That sounds exactly like something Gemma would do." the blonde shook her head, "But seriously... she is 18 years old, why is she thinking about kids already?"

"I don't know and actually, I don't want to know." Zion sighed out, "I have no clue if one of us will ever be able to understand her... but enough about that. I need to look for Gemma's parents. I will be back soon."

"Okay," Freya nodded and watched him leave... she hoped that he wouldn't be gone too long. The party was already strange enough and she was still set on leaving as soon as possible.

❋❋❋❋❋❋

As Freya looked at her reflection she mused about the fact that this was the first time wearing the official Durmstrang colour for one of the main events. Unlike some of the Hogwarts Students - especially Slytherin - she had had seen wearing their colours with pride and almost at every freaking moment.

Chuckling she shook her head before smoothing down the fabric... as much as she was looking forward the Ball, it also meant that soon she had to leave. Jordan had promised to visit her family during the summer. Unfortunately, meeting his family would be difficult, so they settled on meeting up with Nela and Nil at one point.

Freya was never an elegant or graceful person - not that she tried to be one - and walking down the stairs proved to be quite the challenge with her long gown. But she managed and seeing Jordan's expression after he spotted her was definitely worth it.

"Hey," she smiled softly as she looked at him from head to toe... his dress robes were a combination of black and the typical Gryffindor red. It looked good... he looked good.

"You look beautiful," Jordan breathed out before kissing her softly.

"Thank you," Freya's cheeks were slightly flushed after his compliment..  she wanted to tell him the same but the words were stuck in her throat.

"Shall we?" Jordan offered his arm which she gladly accepted.

Freya noticed the decoration of the Great Hall first - it looked truly amazing - followed by all the various dresses and dress robes. For a brief moment, she frowned after spotting Gemma - looking lovely - in the company of Blaise.

"Hey, no frowning tonight," Jordan said with a stern voice placing a hand on her chin to make her look at him, "I want you to have fun and enjoy yourself tonight, okay?"

Freya nodded in agreement too distracted by the touch of his fingers against her skin.

"Good," Jordan smiled brightly, "Look, the champions are coming." he pointed over to the entrance.

Niklaus entered first in the company of one of the Beauxbatons students, followed by Leta - her date was also from Beauxbatons - and Zion came in last. Freya was surprised to see that he had asked Poppy - Durmstrang - to be his date for the night... she didn't know that they were close with each other.

The opening dance was brief but perfectly coordinated and once it was over, Jordan asked for a dance which Freya gladly accepted with a smile.

"I'm glad that you asked me... not only for a dance but also to be your date." she told him as they were swaying slowly to the soft music.

"I'm glad that you said yes... though after kissing me during the last task, I would have been pretty surprised if you had said no," Jordan pulled her a bit closer placing his hands around her waist.

"Well, you should know that I don't go around kissing everyone." she chuckled... the kiss they shared was one of her fondest memories and it was definitely worth listening to Zion who had teased her a bit about it.

"Good because I want to be the only person you kiss." Jordan said and to get his statement across kissed her in the middle of the dance floor.


"Can I steal Freya for a dance?" Zion asked lips curled into a smile...bit was near midnight and until now Freya and Jordan had spent most of their time dancing or enjoying the company of Nela and Nik.

"If you promise me that you will return her." Jordan replied playfully.

"I will what I can do about that." Zion laughed and offered his hand to Freya. "He makes you happy." he point out after reaching the dance floor.

"He does." Freya smiled brightly, "So, you and Poppy or what is that all about?"

"It is complicated... I wanted to ask Gemma but you can imagine how that went." Zion grimaced. "I haven't been able to get a dance with her... stupid Blaise and stupid engagement."

Not for the first time did Freya wondered if her friend might feel more than just friendship for Gemma... but she didn't know how to bring it up.

"I could help you out if you want," the blonde offered, "I will ask Gemma to dance with me and you come and interrupt us."

"You would?"

"Of course!" Freya nodded and scanned the room to find Gemma and Blaise... they were standing near one of the tables and luckily, no other Slytherin student was in sight. "I will be right back."

Convincing Gemma to dance wasn't an easy task but Freya kept pushing and talking about this might their last opportunity to have fun and enjoy themselves since Gemma was done with her last year.

"Can I have this dance?" Zion appeared next to them on the dance floor.

"I... what?" Gemma seemed confused as she looked first the Freya and then back at Zion.

"She is all yours." the blonde winked and gave her friedn a slight push into Zion's direction, "I will go and check on Jordan... habe fun!"


"Is that your doing?" Jordan asked and pointed over at Zion and Gemma... their dance seemed a bit little bit awkward but it was a start.

"Maybe," Freya shrugged before she smiled playfully, "They look cute together, don't they?"

"They do... but you shouldn't get your hopes up. Gemma is still engaged to Blaise."

"Oh, stop running my mood." she pursed her lips together and swatted his arm, "I know that she is but who knows what will happen next."

"Mhm, we will see about that." Jordan didn't sound too convinced.

But he didn't know Gemma and Zion the same way she did... the thought of them being more than just friends was still weird to her. It didn't stop her from hoping though that Gemma would reconsider her decision.

"So, I think it is time for another dance." Jordan reaching for her hand made her snap back to reality and she gladly accepted his invitation with a smile.

As they were dancing in a tight embrace, Freya couldn't wait for the summer to come... not only because she would be seeing her family again but also because she would be spending time with Jordan.

❋❋❋❋❋❋

Freya's lips were curled into a sad smile as she looked at Jordan... today she would be going back to Durmstrang and she already missed him.

"I promise to call you as soon as I'm home." the blonde threw her arms around and hugged him tightly. "And then I will speak with my parents... they will be looking forward to meeting you."

"Yeah, I'm sure they do." Jordan replied looking unsure.

"Seriously? I told you already that there is nothing you need to be afraid of." Freya chuckled and shook her head, "They will love you." She got on her tiptoes and kissed him.

"Greet Nela and Niklaus from me." Freya said and let go of him... she had tried to speak with them during the breakfast but it wasn't possible.

"Will do... wait, what is that?" Jordan asked eyebrow arched up as he pointed at the all the owls flying in their direction.

"I have no idea but it doesn't look good." Freya pressed her lips together.

DONE


Camille Inés Beauchene, 34
FC: Michelle Trachtenberg
Interests: Sibellius & Fletcher (both FI)

Progress: R1 DONE, R2 DONE, R3 DONE; R4 DONE

☼ Outfit - Done

Ball

☼ Story

"Jules!" Camille almost squealed out happily after spotting her husband outside of Hogwarts... ignoring the look of a few students she threw her arms around him and kissed him.

"Someone missed me," Jules teased and flashed her a cocky grin.

"Pff, as if you are any different." Camille pointed out, "If you have forgotten, I will gladly remind about your last letter." she smiled innocently. "But I'm glad that you are here."

"I would have come even if you hadn't invited me. No chance that I would miss attending the Triwiz Ball with you." he smiled softly at her before reaching for her hand, "Damien wants you to know that he misses you a lot and that he can't  wait until you return back home."

"I miss him too... I tried to get home for Christmas but with the tournament, it just wasn't possible." the dark-haired woman let out a sigh.

"Don't worry about it. I have explained the matter to him and he seemed to understand it... well, mostly but you know how kids are."

"That I do and now come... Sibellius and Fletcher are waiting for us." Camille laughed and started him pulling inside the castle.

"A board game night? I thought you are supposed to look after your students?" Jules asked his arms crossed as he looked at the three teachers in front of him.

"We do but it is evening and most of them are in their common rooms anyway." Sibellius replied.

"Besides, it is fun and a great way to get to know each other." Fletcher grinned, "You should have seen Camille as we played Monopoly... she was ruthless."

"I wasn't that mean," she tried to defend herself.

"Sibellius nearly flipped the board around after he ended up on the park Street... right where you had built your first Hotel." Fletcher pointed out.

"I did not!" Sibellius' voice got a bit louder.

"You did and it isn't my fault that you are a sore loser." Camille teased playfully before she turned back to Jules, "We are playing Ludo tonight but with a magical twist... you know less moving from our side but more fun seeing the figures kicking out each other."

"Aha... now it is fun but back when I kept beating you during wizard chess, it wasn't." Sibellius smiled smugly.

"They tried to teach you how to play Wizard chess?" Jules asked and shook his head, "How did that go like?"

"Very slowly," Fletcher piped up.

"And honestly, not very well... the rules were no problem for Camille but everything else," Sibellius added, "Which is why decided to play muggle board games instead."

"Well, sorry for not having years of experience." the dark-haired woman but back before she settled down on the couch across Sibellius and Fletcher, "We will see how you are going to handle yourself tonight."

"Is that a challenge?" the Beauxbatons headmaster asked with a smirk.

"Jup... Ludo should be simply enough for you to understand it." Camille grinned since she hadn't forgotten that Sibellius had a few problems with the rules of Monopoly.

The four stayed up way past midnight playing Ludo and chatting and joking around. Sibellius once proved that he didn't handle losing pretty well while Camille was glad for having muggle friends during her childhood... she might not have won each round but she managed to stand her ground against her colleague.


••••••

"Don't you look dashing." Camille's red lips were curled into a smile as she looked at Jules from head to toe. He wore a fitted black suit and a matching dark blue tie.

"Thank you," he smiled and reached for her hand, "But I stand no chance against you... you look gorgeous tonight."

"A compliment from Jules? I need to mark this day in my calendar." she teased playfully. He might have grown up and gotten older but still could be pretty vain if he wanted to.

"Haha, very funny." Jules rolled his eyes, "Is it just me or haven't you worn this dress before?" he knitted his eyebrows together.

"I did but I'm not telling you when... I'm sure you can figure it out yourself." Camille said before she hooked her arm with his.

The Triwiz Ball was truly an amazing event... from the decorations to the dresses and dress robes of the students and teachers alike. And Camille was certainly enjoying herself as she danced first with Jules and then followed by Sibellius and later Fletcher.

Coming to Hogwarts might not have been the easiest decision but now that she was surrounded by old and new friends, Camille knew that it was worth it. Even if Beauxbatons hadn't been able to win but the Triwizard Torunament alone was a memory she would treasure forever.

"I know it," Jules said in the middle of another slow dance.

"You know what?" Camille tilted her head to the side.

"Your dress... you wore it for the graduation from Beauxbatons." he smiled softly, "It was the first time that we had seen each other after my graduation... I can still remember how nervous I had been the whole evening and how much I had worried how you would react."

"It hasn't been different for me... I think for a moment my heart stopped for a moment when you suddenly stood in front of me." she smiled fondly at the memory, "At that moment, I was happier but also more scared than I have ever been before... happy to see you again but scared that you would tell me that you aren't interested in me anymore."

"I know that your first few months together hadn't been easy for either of us but looking back at it now... I think it made us stronger and brought us closer together." Jules explained.

"It did and I wouldn't want it any other way." Camille said before kissing him.

••••••

It was next day when hell broke loose... first the attack on Gringotts only to be followed by the huge support of the 4th goblin revolution. Camille was scared... for her family, her friends and for thr magical world... a world that - as it seemed right now - maybe would never know how peace felt like.

DONE

sorry for the rush but I had an evening class

Last edited by schoggettchen (22/09/2020 at 20:39)

♡ Cherry

♡ Name Mary- Grace Hadwin
♡ Face Claim Kelsey Calemine

♡ Nickname Cherry Blossom
♡ Age 17

♡ House/Home Ravenclaw, Hogwarts
♡ Interests Holly, James and Ruff

♡ Outfit

Ball

Credit to MB

♡ Story

Will you come to the ball with me?

Weeks passed and the ball was coming near after Gryffindor one, the Triwizard, the parties that followed were epic. Mary went to all, it was great that most already finished their exam so it was even allowed if they promised to clean, after which Mary made every one do. At the moment she had some quality time with Holly which she was enjoying.

“So he hasn’t ask you yet?” Mary shakes her head while looking through her book.

“Oh, he gave you a ring though,” Holly replies and Mary chuckles, “I know he did,”

“So even if he doesn’t ask you will go with him,” Holly pestered and Mary nods, “Yes, he is my boyfriend after all Holly,” Holly hums, “Guys are idiots,” Mary grins, “I know they are,” She replies and turns a page.

“But even James asked Luna,” Mary looked up “Isn’t Luna going with Tuesday?” Holly shakes her head, “She said James was drooling over her red dress, so he deserves her attention that night,” Mary laughs, “That is so her,” Holly nods, “It is,”

A pink rose appeared in front of her face and Mary looks up to see a smiling Ruff.

“Roses are pink, you are gorgeous, I love your smile, so will you come to the ball with me?” Mary put her hand over her mouth to chuckle before nodding and standing up to kiss him.

“That was truly beautiful, Ruff, I would love to go to the ball with you,” Ruff smiled down at her, “See I told you it would work,” Ricky walked to Holly to give her 12 red roses.

“For my beautiful girlfriend, will you pretty please go to ball with me even though when you became my girl-“ Mary laughed when Holly put her hand over his mouth, “I would love to go with me, an awesome boyfriend who needs to act like he is asking me for the first time,” Ricky smiled behind her hand and nods as soon as her hands were gone he kissed her.

“So Ricky came up with the idea,” Mary asks amused, “And the poem,” Ruff whispered only to make Mary laugh out loud and hug Ruff, “I will still go to prom with you,” Mary looked up at him, and he smiles, kissing her on her forehead, “Good the other ideas weren’t as good,” he replies and Mary pulls him down for another kiss.

Now that her date was confirmed, Mary couldn’t wait for the ball night to start.

A beautiful night to remember

She felt beautiful in her dress twirling before her mirror, an easy smile on her face. Her roommate looked at her, “You look pretty,” Mary smiled to her, “So do you want me to do your hair?” The girl looked at her surprised but nods, “I would love that,” Mary smiles at her and grabs her stuff. She was delaying the meeting with Ruff, feeling shy for some reason.

“And done,” Mary told her showing her, her updo with curls. “This is so pretty thank you,” Mary smiles at her, “Your welcome,” They both left their room Mary still had to start packing but like always she waited for the last moment.

“Isn’t she still not here?” Mary heard Rey ask Ruff, who was looking in front, “No not y-,” He stopped mid-sentence when his eyes fell on Mary who walked towards them.

“Sorry for making you wait,” Mary told him, but he was already shaking his head, “For you I would have waited the whole night,” Mary smiles at that and put her hand on his, “Shall we may lady,” Ruff asks and Mary nods at him.

“You two are sickening,” Rey told them and Mary looks at him for the first time, “Hey Rey didn’t you ask Jules to go with you?” Rey glared at Mary, so Ruff replied, “She refused to go with him as just friends,” Mary makes an oh face. “I am sorry to hear that Rey,” Rey passed them mumbling girls are annoying.

“Let’s go,” Mary told Ruff pulling him along.

The entry of the champions was a sight to see it was nice that the tradition wasn’t changed.

“Oh, you look even better than I tough you would,” Mary looked at Holly and smiles.

“I could say the same about you,” Mary loved that her hair had a wave to it, the light make up that adored her face gave her a royalty, feeling no wonder Ricky was calling her a princess.

“Oh, that girl should have kept that hat off,” Holly frowned and Mary looked at a beautiful girl with a hideous hat of skeleton on her head. “Yeah I love her dress though,” Mary replies, “I t’s gives me a Jessica rabbit feeling, but then green,” Holly replies with a face that doesn’t seem to like it at all, “of envy,” Mary finish when seeing Holly face laughing.

The music changed into John Legend- all of me, every one looked for their significant other, it seemed for a dance.

“I would love to dance with you cherry blossom,” Mary turned to see Ruff holding a hand for her to take, so she did.

“Ruff you can dance?” Ruff grins, “So can you,” Mary laugh, “You lead well,” she replies, and he turns her before pulling her close to him again.

Which makes Mary chuckle.

“I really love it when you smile your whole face lights up,” Ruff whispers in her ear only for Mary' heart to start thumping some more, she really felt the butterflies this time, every time he says something sweet they get worse and worse.

“Thank you,” Mary replies shyly and Ruff just smiles, “Are you blushing Mary?”  Mary's nods and Ruff smiles down at her, “Let’s make it more, shall we?” with that said he shortened their distance and touched her lips with his.

HE didn’t let her lips go until the song ended, and the only thing Mary could think of was that she found her new favourite song.

Not even an hour

“It’s only for a week Mary,” Ruff was looking at her amused Mary refused to let him go, keeping her arms and legs tightly around him, even though she was acting like a child, she didn’t care.

The end of the school year was finally her most were excited to go home Mary wasn’t she won’t see Ruff for another week, it hurt like hell already.

“No, that's too long,” Mary mumbles close to his lips. He grins, “You’re going to miss me that much?” Mary just shoot him a duh look, “5 days?” Ruff asks her and Mary shakes her head, “Too long,” she mumbles, “3 days, you can do 3 days right,” Mary pecked his lips, “No,” she replies and Ruff pecks her lips back, “You are a hard woman to bargain with,” Mary smiled sweetly at him, “1 day,” Mary frowned, “Also too long, even an hour is too long,” she whispered leaning in for another kiss,” Ruff shakes his head, “You have been away from me for longer than 5 hours at school Mary,” Ruff seemed highly amused. “Because I knew I would see you still on the day,” Mary replied because that was true.

“I won’t even see you next year,” Mary mumbled and Ruff sighed, “What did I tell you?” He asks her and Mary sighed before replaying, “We will have our own owl and even if you're busy you will send a hey message, you love only me since you saw my lost look, you promise to marry me and I will carry your babies,” Mary told him and pecked his lips, “You missed one,” Ruff mumbled back.

“You love me,” Mary replies and Ruff smiles, “That is the most important one don’t ever forget it,” Mary smiles and nods.

“Oh you two are sickly cute but Mary time to go home,” James interrupted them being as grumpy as ever, “Do I see a red lipstick on your lips?” Mary asks him and James shook his head, ” Your imagination things,” he replies while whipping his lips.

“That is a lie I saw Luna and you kiss,” Holly says easily coming into their circle with Ricky holding her hand.

Mary released her legs form Ruff waist, but he didn’t let her go too far. “Are we still up for road trip?” Mary asks the group and everyone nods. “I will be staying with Ricky so properly the third week,” Holly replies. “Meeting the parents,” Ricky includes a stupid grin on his face.

Mary shook her head, she wasn’t ready to meet Ruff parents, she loved his sister, though Effie was a jam.

“Love you,” Ruff whispers in her ear properly seeing how her nerves Mary was, she smiled at him, “Love you too,” James cough, “I invited Luna along,” he speaks up when everyone looks at him.

“Nice,” Mary replies and Holly smiles at him, “At least you won’t be a fifth wheel,” She tells him and James rolls his eyes.

“What is that?” Ricky asks pointing, every one turned to a black spot it seems only to see its owls coming closer and closer.

“This must be interesting,” Ruff speaks up and everyone silently agrees.

★ Ricky

★ Name Richard Johnson
★ Face Claim Erin Mommson

★ Nickname Ricky Rick
★ Age 17

★ House/Home Hufflepuff, Hogwarts
★ Interests Holly and Ruff

★ Outfit

Ball

★ Story

Finally something I enjoy

Ricky lets a nervous sigh escape now that the Triwizard was over, it was time for the yearly quidditch games and Ricky couldn’t wait he may be a little nervous but quidditch games is something he loves doing.

As a goal-keeper he loved how he didn’t have to be all over the place but stay at one place and see the game unfold it makes him capable to strategize while being in the game.

He had been pumped to play the whole year this year instead of multiple games they will only play two games today and over 2 days the finals. It was upsetting he loved to play against all houses, but nothing he could do about now.

His first game was against Ravenclaw, and they were good with Bryce at thee captain, they don’t lose easily, but Ricky was pumped to just get it started and win.

“Go, go, rave, go,” he heard Mary voice and shook his head such an traitor. “Huffles will win,” A smile came to his face when he heard his girlfriend voice, Now that was a voice he could hear all day.

He had stopped two almost every goal but also let 1 in which brought the Rave score up. He was annoyed that Huffle wasn’t scoring even when he told them his brilliant idea. Luna had almost scored twice, but someone of their own team got in the way.

“Let’s do it Huffles,” More screaming from the side. “Go rave Go,” Yeah Mary could be really loud if she wanted to be.

He frowned when he saw Ruff rush with a quid ball. He was ready to stop it.

He was so focussed on Ruff he didn’t see Rey pass him go around and score. “Oh, I really hate when they are so sneaky,” James hummed, “Is okay Ricky we will get the next.

Ricky nodded and went back to his position a big smile on his face, everything about this game makes him feel good.

A moment later Luna scored enough points to still be in the running and the tribune went wild.

At the end they sadly didn’t win Bryce, scoring another point for Rave, he heard Mary yell that Rave is the best where he flew.

“She is so loud,” James grumps much to, Ricky's amusement, “You know how she is,” Ricky replies and James nods, “A fun person to be around,” James replied, “You changed a lot,” Ricky replies and James smiles, “I found out having allies is better than being alone,” Ricky smiles, “It truly is my friend is truly is,”

“I am sorry you didn't win a bear-boo, you were good out there,” Holly says and hugs him immediately, Ricky smiles, “Thank you, babe I enjoyed it,” He replies and hugged her tightly back. “So time for another party!” Everybody looked shocked at James, “I just said what we were all thinking,” Mary shakes her head amused at her brother.

“You are scary me, James,” Holly says, but grins big after , “But yes, let's do another party,”

The prince and his beautiful princess

His suit fitted him like a second skin. Like his father likes to say you better have at least one good suit.
Ricky had gelled his hear back into a bun it never looked so clean. He threw his mirror image an wink before leaving it was time to get his princess.

Every time he saw her she got more beautiful just like she was doing right at this moment he didn’t even care that she was looking so insecure while looking at him.

“Your beautifully, Princess Holly,” He told her pulling her close to him for a hug, “Let’s go have some fun okay?”

Holly smiles ay him, “You look mighty handsome yourself Prince of mine,” Ricky got red cheeks from that.

“Always with your bows,” She continued while straighten his bow, now we can go,” Holly told him after and Ricky takes her hands in his.

The tradition of the champions dancing first was still in play and Ricky looked at the three couples dancing, almost yawning at how boring the music was they could update it.

He saw Holly and Mary chatting not even pay much attention.

“Should I just change the music?” Ricky mumbled to himself.

“Yes, but do something romantic,” Ruff replies, “I want to dance with Mary,” Ricky grinned, and though of the perfect song to change the music into, “Good that I brought my wand then,” He replies Ruff before whispering the spell that made everyone want to get on the dance floor with their significant other.

The teachers didn’t even mind also pulling their lovers on the dance floor too much enjoying the new songs that Ricky kept playing to search for the source.

“Can you dance Ricky?” Holly asked him amused when he didn’t ask her for a dance after 3 songs, “I have two left feet,” Holly grins, “Good I have two right feet, we will be fine, come dance with me,” Ricky didn’t wait for another invitation and grabbed the hand she held out.

“Are you enjoying, your night?” Ricky asked her while holding her waist for a slow dance.

“Yes, I am being here with you is so nice thank you for asking me,” Holly tells him her head on his chest, Ricky smiled when he heard that.

“Who else would I ask if I am not asking my personal princess?” Ricky replied while kissing her forehead.

“You still on that? I am no princess,” Holly laughed while looking up in his eyes.

“Your mine and always will be until I marry you than you will be my queen, of course,” Ricky replies and before Holly can answer his lips, silence her.

Yeah, she was his princess even if she thinks she isn’t.

Are those owls?

Ricky was happy to go back home, seeing his father and mother, the later gave up on the flower shop for now, but she wasn’t that happy about it.

Ricky rather she were mad than depressed, however. He would be missing his girlfriend but already made plans to see her in the vacation.

His bag and suitcase he pulled to the common room, seeing Holly wait for him, she walked  towards him her suitcase behind her, he gave her a hug when she was close enough.

“So I will see you in 3 days,” He whispered to Holly, who nodded, “You will stay with me for the first weeks, and we will go to your home for the rest before going on the planned road-trip while we’re at it,” Ricky grinned, “I will see you the whole vacation that is just amazing,” He tells her and Holly nods, “With the parents,” Ricky nods, “I cannot wait to meet them,” He tells her, and she smiles, “Me either,” Ricky felt nervous to tell her about his mother, but he would eventually, he hoped, she would take it well. He just wasn’t ready yet.

“Come, let's get out of here,” Holly tells him, and he agrees his hand in hers.

“The wait is that James?” They had stopped in the hallway to see James indeed in a lip lock, “With Luna,” Ricky says and Holly grins his ear to ear before pulling Ricky away from the two, “Oh… I need to tell Mary this one,”  Ricky shakes his head but does follow his girlfriend who was pulling him along.

They saw Mary and Ruff really close to one another Mary even had her legs around his waist and Ruff seems to have the time of his life, “She looks like a koala,” Holly says, amused and Ricky hums, “At least Ruff seems to love it,” Holly grins, “Want me to hug you like that,” Ricky grins and pulls her closer, “I only need a kiss babe,” He replies before kissing her.

When they finally separate they hear James deny that the lipstick means something but Holly steps in.

“That is a lie I saw Luna and you kiss,” Holly says easily coming into their circle I was still holding her hand.

Mary released her legs form Ruff waist, but he didn’t let her go too far. “Are we still up for road trip?” Mary asks the group and everyone nods. “I will be staying with Ricky so properly the third week,” Holly replies. “Meeting the parents,” I put my two cents in a smile on my face.

Ricky had to admit he was kind of excited to meet Holly’s parents, to see who raised such a lovely lady, his woman.

James cough getting everyone attention, “I invited Luna along,” he speaks up, Ricky grins is good that he did.

“Nice,” Mary replies and Holly smiles at him, “At least you won’t be a fifth wheel,” She tells him and James rolls his eyes at her, why the two still bickered Ricky won’t know.

Ricky eyes falls on the sky, he sees a black wave or dot coming towards them “What is that?” he asks no one in particular, so every one looked what he pointed at.
When it comes closer they see a swarm of owls.

“This must be interesting,” Ruff speaks up and everyone silently agrees.

Last edited by NinaJones (22/09/2020 at 15:30)

Per request(s) and since my schedule is crazy as well I will extend this round another 24 hours.
Permission was granted by EmmmyAna.

ROUND 5 CLOSES: 22nd of September

EDIT: ROUND 5 CLOSED

CONTEST CLOSED

Last edited by Tonkolina (22/09/2020 at 21:44)

Thank you once again for joining the contest.

I planned on giving you way more snips and inside scoops but life got in the way. I do, however plan on writing the snippets and sending them out in your inbox one day as soon as I manage to.

Work has just been insane these days.
But thank you for still keeping in touch via other media just so we can iscuss your characters.

PLEASE DO send me your stories in my inbox if you decide to finish them up.
PLEASE DON'T stop writing.

As you might have noticed -  this contest, your stories and your relationships are far from being finished. So let's keep it open like that and let our imagination run wild.

Here I present you some banners!

Since announcing winners is something we have to do (rules), everyone who managed to get through more rounds and was quite punctual is a "formal" winner for me .

The placements, however, don't really mean much (to me).

I enjoyed your stories (I honestly did) and I hope you enjoyed writing them as well.





Perhaps Rey will be able to sort out his feelings one day and perhaps Jude will have enough patience to actually wait for this fool. But then again, perhaps not? It's her story after all and sometimes there's just no place for an indecisive smartpants. Maybe one day she'll learn that there's no place for her mean mother's decision as well. Since, once again, it's Jude's life. Isn't it?

Will Natalie actually get over her own inner demons and "grow up already and stop acting out" as some would say. Or will those some finally realise how fragile she is inside and that all of this is a cry for help. Hmm. Is it though? I guess we'll find out at some later point in Naz's life as we opefully follow her grow into a person she wants to be.

Maybe after sacrificing Blaise Seff's family will back off and let Seff do the things she wants to do. Or maybe she'll need to go against her family and their very much deeply engraved opinions to find happiness. We won't know until Seff does. But we'll hope that we're here to witness her decision. Bryce hopes so, too.

Sometimes you don't need drama in life and Mary Grace and Ruff try to keep it that way. Joining in their venture are Holly and Ricky as well. Let's hope the friends stay close and maybe one day end up even closer once their lives continue on intertwining and their roots continue digging firmly into the ground.

There's one more story with a happy ending and let's hope it stays that way. While Jordan's decision to date Freya might stir up some serious trouble with his family - maybe he'll be finally ready to cut all ties, even if his weak point remains his sister. WHo knows, maybe at one point he'll have to chose over his sister and love? Hmm, I wonder which one he'll pick.
At least Jules and Camille don't have to pick. They can just enjoy their time together.

***

Thank you yet again.

I am going to disappear for a while again, until I sort out my life.

So, until we meet again: take care, write on and rock on. :*

Lots of love, your (sometimes) overbearing Lana. <3

Some quasi snip for the end

"No," she repeats once again when the handsome man, whose now a shining star in all possible newspaper even if he has not won the tournament.

"I didn't even say anything," he sighs, frustrated, but he was planning on saying precisely a thing she'd say no to, "Gee, there are like a hundreds of girls dying to get a proposal from a hero like me and you're so ingrateful about it," Zion is shaking his head.

"Althouh impressive, surviving a Lethifold attack has nothing to do with me accepting another proposal at my own engagement party," she explains he understands how inappropriate his behaviour is, "Besides why are you insisting on this? There is absoultely no reason," she's getting tired of people assuming they know what's best for her.

"The other option is just too vile even for me to bear," he sighs, defeated.

"Good it's not your option to choose, Zion," she reminds him when her fiance arrives and smirks at Zion.

"Still trying to take my future wife?" Blaise asks condescendingly and Zion's surprised he knows about it. He looks at Gemma with accusation.

"Blaise, you're not allowed to talk that way to Zion," she states and the man backs off, even if the action is followed by a strong aggravation and disproval, "I'll be right with you," Gemma adds and Blaise is opening his mouth to protest for a brief moment before closing it and obediently leaving, even if not directly asked to do it. Zion is surprised and confused.

"Oh, my God, you're the boss of him," Zion's surprised and Gemma tilts er head, wondering why Zion was this content with it.

"Of course I am," she's replying, brows furrowed, "I'm his direct link to any position in the ministry," she repeates, "I thought that was known to everyone," she adds, for a moment unsure about Zion's intellgence. He's laughing.

"Merlin's beard, you're a snake," he realises and Gemma's actually smiling, "You're actually the one playing him," he's muttering but she stops smiling.

"No, Zion," she assures him, "I'm not playing anyone," she sighs, "I'm planning my life out," she doesn't expect him to understand, "Sadly, building connections is far more important in this world than actually achievng something," she explains and she's quite sad about it, too.

"You sound like Siddh," Zion is surprised.

"Well, Siddh's familiar with how it all works, so perhaps talk to him" she's nods, "That is - if you really do plan on becoming the next Minister of Magic," she's smiles at him with with good intentions before she walks down the decorated staircase.

Last edited by Tonkolina (22/09/2020 at 23:57)

Thank you for popping back in time to give us a little bit of magic I did not have time to do properly and thank you for the effort you put into this!

Loved all the stories and hopefully, we meet again!

I do regret not getting a chance to completely finalize round 5 but glad I got the nuts and bolts down. Seff definitely has quite a lot going on behind the scenes and she is still trying to make heads or tails out of it all in the few short weeks she has been at Hogwarts. Maybe she will figure it out one day lol. Thanks for providing your world that has allowed me to become more familiar with the entire Wizardry World in general.

Thank you for the reminder that we can always go back and sort out what's been left unfinished; and remember that we'll be here when you're ready to return.

Just wanted to voice what everyone else has already said - I really, really enjoyed this and I thank you for hosting it

I'm sad I didn't get to finish, but I'm 1000% going to write Naz's story when I get a sec.

Congrats to everyone too - I really enjoyed reading your entries!