Falling from heaven...(open)

[Michael-Thomas Homewood]

It was the first shiny day for weeks. The birds were singing again. Loads of students strolled through the campus: Some of them lay at the lake tickling the giant octopus´s arms or feeding it. Very ambitious students sat under the trees learning for the exams. Whatever they did; the sun shone brightly. Not a single cloud disturbed it; the sky was completely clear and blue.

Of course not everyne shared this generic happiness. Even Michael, who was very happy since he visited Hogwarts, who had the best months of his present life; even he didn´t share ths happiness. He rather sat on the floor of the owlery leaning against the wall, obviously very depressed. Two silent tears ran down on his face. In his fist he hold a letter from his father. For half an hour Michael re-read it, always with a new wave of shock, rumpled the letter with his fist, unfold it and re-read it again, still not able to realize the words his father wrote to him, obviously very nervous (The scripct looked like his father had shook while writing):

Hi Mike,

How are you?? I hope you enjoy your time in Hogwarts. You still didn´t tell us how your new broomstick works? I hope you will be successful with this Kwinnitch stuff or however you call it.

Speaking of success: I must say that we must sale our house by court order. It is very difficult to find some work now. As I told you in my last letter: I must work in the factory nearly 10 hours a day. A very exhausting and hard work, espacially with my heart conditions. But still I am underpaid. We don´t earn enough to keep our house, so we are already looking for a flat. Meanwhile we must plan how to pay the loan.

I wish I would relive the wonderful days as a race driver again. There is an stock-car event in Brands Hatch. But it costs more money and, of course, I must compete with loads of real professional race drivers who won lots of cups. And mum don´t wanna lose me in a racing accident. Furthermore it is an unreliable source of money. This could end with more debts than now.
And all this tragedy because of this damned inflation.

I hope you are more successful with your school and your sports. I always wanted you and Laurie to have a good childhood. I hope we are still able to make you happy.

Please write back as fast as you can. We need you, espacially now.

Love, Dad.

Of course Michael was too young to grapple with the business. But even he realized that it was another failure of the Homewood family. That was the reason why the Homewoods were disliked by the snobbish neighbours. Laurie, Mike´s sister, was only liked by her friends because they were not as snobbish as the guys and even adult men insulting either Mike or his dad. Michael had pity on his dad. He knew very well how it feeled to lose his whole prestige, and his das was on the very best way to share this experience.

It was an hour after the letter arrived. Michael had calmed down a bit already, but still was sad and angry. He still sat on the floor. He normally wanted to write back to his parents. But the owlery was a perfect hideout. At least as long as no one entered the owlery. Luckily the owlery was not highly-frequented this day, so no one had disturbed him.
Finally he took a deep breath, stood up and walked towards the owlery window while wiping his tears and thinking about what to write to his parents. But then he heard steps muffled by the door. They became louder and louder. Obviously someone was going to join him....

(I´m sorry, if my grammar is still bad Of course you can tell me some "heavy" mistakes, so I can improve my english skiils, and it would be better for everyone =)

(P.S.: It is difficult to work out a good plot with a firstie (it is unreal to battle some dark wizards right now or something like that=), but I hope it is still interesting enough to RP with me, happy posting=)

[Ethan Lacroix]

Now seventeen, Ethan was among the oldest children at the orphanage. Really he wasn't even certain the term "child" applied to him any longer. Most of those who had been there when he'd first showed up were gone now, but that didn't mean he had no close relationships. Aside from a few boys and girls his own age, he was also quite close to many of the younger kids. He just about took over the fencing club since he was now the most experienced member. Though he really was only able to do that over summer and winter holidays. Still he kept in close contact with his little brothers and sisters, and was at that very moment headed up to the owlery to send a letter to them. They tended to tack his letters up on the wall so they could all read them whenever they wanted, something that always caused him a bit of embarrassment when he'd get back during breaks.

Pushing open the door and strolling in, Ethan grinned to himself at the bright sunshine pouring through the ample window. If there was one thing he didn't like about the United Kingdom, it was the often gloomy weather. On those rare (particularly for the time of year it was) glorious days, he couldn't keep from smiling. Taking a few more steps in, he began whistling, but abruptly stopped when he saw the younger boy. "Oh, sorry. Didn't know anyone was up here." He gave the boy a small smile and headed over to select an owl to take his letter.

Upon getting a little closer however he could plainly see the emotion on the boy's face and so he paused, his own expression growing concerned. Setting his letter down on a ledge, he instead joined the boy at the window. "Hey, it's Mike right? I'm Ethan. Are you ok?" He recognized the boy as one of his housemates, but didn't really know him that well.

[Niobe Blakes]

(This might be short because of time constraints, but I wanted to get in here)

Several thick envelopes were in a small satchel that the young Ravenclaw girl was carrying. In her uniform, her wavy and unruly hair swung to and fro in its high ponytail. Her expression was neutral, her mind going a hundred miles a minute through various issues and situations. She was making a mental list of things she needed to do, from trying to become friends with Caitlin to talking to D'rorah about her increasingly disturbing dreams once more.

Her letters also explained certain issues, although not in the detail that she was revealing to others. In all honesty, she did not want her parents to know about her disturbing dreams, not until she knew more.

She did, however, want to some help involving Caitlin's situation. Niobe's dream was to become an Auror, Caitlin's to become a healer. Healing was something her family knew well in the manner of potions and whatnot. The letters to her mother asked for a few texts to be sent.

Finishing her climb, the quick realization that she was not alone was apparent on her face. Her expression went from neutral to slightly surprised. Up in the tower were two boys, one looked like a first year and the other looked like an upperclassman. Clutching her satchel close to her, she smiled softly.

"Hello." she greeted "My apologies, it would appear that I'm not alone today. I hope I'm not disturbing you, I shall only be a moment."

[Michael-Thomas Homewood]

(I´m sorry that I needed a long time, we have no internet for a week. But finally I replied now. thanks for being patient, I try do reply faster next time=)

Suddenly Michael turned his back towards the Hufflepuff boy, wiping his face hastily, put on a faked smile, turned around again and tried to speak without showing sadness:
"Oh, hi there.....Nice to meet you, Ethan. But where do you know my name, we didn´t met before...did we???"
He rumpled his letter again; only a small paper ball remained in his fist. Now more firmly and in a slightly better mood he replied:
Oh, nothing.....Just some problems at home, but nothing important. It´s okay..."

Of course it was a lie. And Mike was a character who hated lies, but he just met Ethan the first time, and why should he spread his problems around? It was no sign of antipathy towards Ethan. It was only not Ethan´s business. And why should Mike annoy him with that stuff? But then the door opened a second time and a Ravenclaw student entered the Owlry:
"Hello. My apologies, it would appear that I'm not alone today. I hope I'm not disturbing you, I shall only be a moment."
Mike replied the Ravenclaw student´s greeting and said:
"No problem, no one of is disturbing me. In fact, I have no control over this place, have I?"
He looked at both the other students and showed a little (now unfaked) smile. In fact, he used the owlry as his hideout too long. It´s time to stop crying and socialize himself again, as he always did since he arrived at Hogwarts. And Mike was on the very best way to do it......

[Ethan Lacroix]

Ethan had little doubt that the young boy was trying to hide his grief, pretending that he was fine. That was his right, and Ethan wasn't going to force the issue, though he did plan on letting Mike know that he knew something was wrong, and that he'd listen if he ever wanted to talk about it. Before he could do so however the door opened again and a young girl he didn't know entered. The eminently formal wording she used to greet them made him smile in some small amusement, and immediately made his mind jump to Ravenclaw. He wasn't sure though, and so simply offered a one shouldered shrug as he replied right after Mike. "Yeah, no worries. Guess we're all just sending letters. Funny timing."

Not feeling he should confront Mike about whatever was bothering him in the presence of another, he left the window to retrieve his letter and select an owl to deliver it. Glancing back to the two younger students as he affixed the paper to the bird's leg, he gave a friendly smile. Speaking to Niobe first, he introduced himself again. "I'm Ethan, and this is Mike." Looking then to the other Hufflepuff, he explained his guess. "And I wasn't sure of your name Mike, but I thought I'd heard someone else call you that in the common room. I don't remember exactly when."

A loud hoot that sounded more like a squawk of protest sounded then, and Ethan looked back to the owl to find it glaring at him. "Oh, sorry." He went back to attaching the letter with more care. Apparently he'd gotten the strap too tight and the bird didn't appreciate it.

[Michael-Thomas Homewood]

Somehow Mike thought that Ethan was a nice character, and he appreciated it. In fact, in Hogwarts all the people were really nice to him, unlike the guys in primary school. But Mike found no reason to annoy Ethan with his trash. So he just said: "It´s okay. Nothing to worry about....but it is really funny how many people have the same plans in the same time. But first I must write the answer; I got this letter just before."
He showed the paper ball which still comtains his fathers words when unfolding it. He added: "Impressive how you can remember names of pupils you never met before. But everyone calls me by my short form Mike, it´s correct..."

He looked at the Ravenclaw student and wondered whether she is always so calm, so he tried to get her attention while grabbing his quill out of his pocket: "So how are you?"
For some people it seemed to be odd to talk to unknown students without reasons, but Mike liked to make new friends or anything like that, even beyond his class.
Mike grabbed the flask with the colour-changing ink. he loved this ink. It was real fun writing with this ink; even when he must copy endless sentences from the board he liked to watch the ink changing its colour.
He grabbed a piece of parchment, dived his quill in ink and wrote:

"Hi dad,

Everything´s okay here."

He stopped to think about how he can write his next sentence, when he became distracted by Ethan´s owl protesting. Mike turned around with a grin and said: "Wanna kill this poor owl??"

[Niobe Blakes]

Her smile was pleasant. "Thank you. I'm glad I won't be disturbing anyone." she nodded to the two boys "It is a pleasure to meet you both. My name is Niobe Blakes."

Walking over to the owl, she gently began to attach the small stack of letters that she was sending off. Most of them were to her parents. She tended to write multiple letters and send them all off at once, as if she were writing journal entries.

The boys seemed as if they had been in a conversation, for Ethan looked as if he wished to say something to the other boy and thought better of it. Just as well, Niobe wasn't going to take up too much of their time anyway.

Finished, she stroked the owl kindly and off he went to deliver the letters to her family.

Because she was the sort of person that didn't really get into gossip or things of that nature, she had tuned out the boys conversation to each other, only answering when they were directly addressing her.

"Wanna kill this poor owl??"

That statement, however, brought Niobe to turn and face the younger boy "Excuse me?" she asked, not in a demand, but rather politely. Mostly, she was hoping that he was just joking.

[Michael-Thomas Homewood]

Surprised because of Niobes unexpected and very short reply he said hastily: "No....no...I talked to Ethan. I don´t know what he did...but I reckon the owl sounded not amused."
He grinned in Ethans direction and added, with humorous undertone:"I cannot talk to owls, but if you ask me: The owl do not want a funeral just right now..." Secretly he hoped that he won´t annoy anyone with jokes.

He looked at Niobe and said: "Don´t worry. Of course no one wants to kill someone here. I hope so...." he added with a funny undertone. He started writing his letter again. He wrote one or two lines, thought about how to continue the letter and finished it within two or three minutes. He re-read it:

"Hi dad,

everything´s okay here. I´m getting better with all that magic stuff here. It´s big fun when you get the hang of it. It´s starting to be interesting. The only thing I´m afraid of is to lose my debute match. Sounds a bit pessimistic, but I reckon we can win the next match.

But that´s a load of old stuff I wrote to you last time. Here in Hogwarts there´s nothing new. Just tell me when you found a new home, because I want to know if I can invite some friends of mine while summer holidays.
Just promise me that you´ll win that race driving stuff=)

I hope mum and Laurie are fine, too. Greeting to them. I´m looking forward for your reply(even if my letter do not contain much contents). I hope next time with loads of chocolate or stuff=)

Love, Mike....."

His reply seemed to be dull, but it was the best what came in his mind. And after re-reading it two more times he still found nothing to improve. So he finished:
"P.S.: I hope i can record my Quidditch match. But electronic stuff doesn´t seem to work here"

Then Mike planned to pack his stuff in his bag, but then he hesitated. Somehow this reply is some kind of nonsense. Should I really send it or write a new one? Without an idea he stood at a window of the owlery without noticing that both Niobe and Ethan were still there...

[Ethan Lacroix]

Glancing back over to the recently arrived Ravenclaw, Ethan offered a little smile and nod in response to her introduction, followed by the quietly spoken "Thanks, back atcha." Her speech continued on its formal track, almost to the point of mechanical to his ears. It put him in mind of D'rorah and, if this girl was indeed a Ravenclaw, he jokingly wondered if they all spoke like that, perhaps from some specialized training they received. Of course Niobe lacked the biting, dry humor that seemed to make its way into nearly everything D'rorah said. But she was clearly younger, so perhaps that was something they were taught in the later years.

Understanding the joke for what it was, making playful fun of his clumsy, owl annoying antics, Ethan turned and matched Mike's grin. His smile broke into honest, though soft laughter as Niobe seemed to miss the joke and Mike scrambled to explain himself. Shaking his head and chuckling, he carried the owl to the window, stroking its head and back and smoothing out any ruffled feathers, as it were. Once the bird was ready, he gave a short upward push with his arm, giving it a bit of extra momentum as it spread its wings and soared off into the sky.

A bit of amused pity hit him as he imagined the owl's arrival at his orphanage. All the younger kids were always so fascinated by the delivery of a letter by owl and would, he was told, usually try and catch the poor bird. He was sure it would make it back fine, but doubted somewhat if that particular owl would volunteer the next time he had a letter to send. With a tiny, crooked shrug he turned back to the other two, smiled, and headed for the door. "Good meeting you both. I'll probably see you around Niobe. Mike, catch you later." With a short wave, he was gone.

[Niobe Blakes]

Seeing that she had obviously missed something that both boys had found obvious, Niobe felt her face begin to heat in embarrassment. Feeling like an interloper, she ducked her head as she began to leave.

"Yes, it was good meeting you both..." she said a bit miserably as she brushed past them, trying to hurry down and back to her dorm room.

[Michael-Thomas Homewood]

"Nice to meet you, too..." Mike said, just before they left and added then to each of them before they left: "See you...".
He heard the door being shutted two times while he corrected his letter. Then he copied it on a new piece of parchment with the effect that the letter looks more tidy without the lines crossing nearly the half of his ladder due to some corrections. The content remained the same, but the new letter was far better to read than its original. With a faint smile on his face he rolled the parchment on the leg of a school owl which flew straight to his distance. Next moment the owl flew out of the window and Mike watched it until it was out of sign...
His sadness flooded him an hour ago had nearly completely vanished.
Looking the last time out of the window he saw the Quidditch Pitch and his mind was full of his favourite wizarding sport again....

-This threasd is finished and ready to be closed-