Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 6, 2007 16:57:24 GMT -5
Susan looked around the library as she entered it slowly. She considered it to be like that of a maze, with bookshelves reaching nearly to the ceiling, forming confusing rows with twists and turns. The library, Susan noticed, was noticeably warmer than the hallway from which she had entered. The heat wasn't uncomfortable though, it made the particular part of the castle just more cozier.
As she looked around at the mountainous shelves filled to the brims and highly extensive, Susan realized she wasn't sure where she should go. It had recently dawned on her that she had hardly been the Hogwarts' Library since she'd arrived this year. It had been pure randomosity that had led her to enter the library on this afternoon.
As another realization came to her, Susan moved away from the door. She didn't want to block the doorway from incoming students. Just as she moved, a herd of first years piled in, equipped with their week's homework.
From her new point of view, Susan easily spotted the Fiction section of th library. Without much more consideration, she headed straight for the labeled section. It didn't take much effort to spot the Science Fiction/Horror section. It was understandable that the familiar muggle authors would not be found on these shelves. Susan had faith in the wizarding authors, though. She had a feeling that they would be able to produce exceptionally frightening horror stories. She crouched down to read the titles off the bottom self. Skipping over the vampire stories (which were always corny,) Susan found an interesting title.
Susan found herself sitting on the floor of the library, examining the book in her hand. By simply reading the blurb on the back, Susan was absorbed in the book.
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Post by Caitlin Collins on Dec 8, 2007 16:03:45 GMT -5
Caitlin had found the library to be her haven since coming across it. She had discovered it last week while exploring (again, although she pretty much had the layout of the castle now) and was now returning the books she had borrowed and quickly read and digested. Having done this, she turned her feet in the direction of the fantasy and sci-fi sections she had found last time. Another thing about the library, she mused while walking, was that it was warm. By now she was used to the Scottish climate, but she couldn’t wait for summer to arrive again.
Her eyes glued to the bookcase, Caity slowly browsed through the fantasy section, picking up a few books whose covers seemed interesting and reading the blurbs. She was an extremely slow and meticulous shopper, and looking for books to borrow from the Library was at the same lazy pace. Having reached one end of the fantasy section, she turned the corner to see if there were any interesting sci-fi books. Although it would be interesting to see how Wizarding writers managed to pull off science fiction when half of them didn’t know what a TV was. She wasn’t so keen on the horror books which were frequently stored with the sci-fi, but some of them were okay.
Absorbed in the first page of one of the books she was carrying, Caity didn’t see Susan sitting on the floor when she turned the corner. With a cry, she tripped over her friend and went sprawling on the floor. Of the books she was carrying, one fell on Susan and the rest scattered over the floor.
Slightly dazed, she hurriedly looked back to see who had been sitting on the floor and winced when she saw who it was.
“S-sorry Susan,” she murmured, rubbing her head as it began to pound. How she hated headaches! And they seemed to happen so often... “Are you ok?”
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 8, 2007 20:53:26 GMT -5
Absorbed as she was in her own book, Susan was just as surprised as Caitlin when they were both suddenly in a heap on the floor. A sharp pain was suddenly evident at the top her head head, and she noticed Caitlin seemed to be suffering of a similar ailment. Despite her throbbing head, Susan couldn't help but laugh.
"This is the second time we've bumped into each other like this. . . literally!" she remembered the not-so-long-ago run-in after dinner. As she carefully untangled herself from Caitlin, she began to sort through the dozen or so books on the floor between the two of them.
"I'm okay," Susan answered, quickly forgetting the pain just above her forehead. "Are you alright?" Susan added, noting how Caitlin had been rubbing her head. With a quick glance at the titles of the books Caitlin had been carrying, Susan saw that she had what looked like a thing for fantasy. Susan used to dwell in the fantasy section, but since finding she was a witch, none of it seemed worthwhile. Because after all, there really was such things as dragons and winged horses and mermaids and the rest of the mythical creatures that muggles refuse to believe in.
"So, you like fantasy?" Susan asked as she handed over the few intricately decorated books that she'd picked up to examine.
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Post by Caitlin Collins on Dec 9, 2007 18:04:11 GMT -5
Caitlin winced at Susan's first comment.
"And both times it seems to be me knocking you over," she replied apologetically. "I'm fine too, just a little bump."
She joined Susan as they sorted through the books, noticing that the Gryffindor seemed to enjoy the horror books she herself would generally avoid.
"So, you like fantasy?"
Cait grinned as she accepted the books being handed to her and passed on a few of the ones she'd picked up which were obviously not hers.
"Always have. It's been different since I joined Hogwarts, though; the wizarding authors, for obvious reasons, view so much more surreal things as fantasy. I still read some muggle fantasy, but it's mostly magical. And you? Into horror stories, by the looks of things," she continued, picking up another hardback and seeing with dismay that it had ripped. She looked around hurriedly to see if the Librarian was anywhere near, and quickly withdrew her wand from her back pocket.
"Reparo," she murmured, noticing with relief that it seemed quite happy to return to its original state.
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 10, 2007 17:40:46 GMT -5
Susan smiled as she took the return of books handed to her. She agreed whole-heartedly with Caitlin on the fact that fiction reading certainly had changed with the whole concept of magic now in the air. Before, Susan had been content with a simple ax-murderer or the common sociopath. Now, though . . . it was much more frightening to know that lurking around the corner could be an evil wizard that could embody, torture, or strike you dead with a single phrase and a flick of a wand.
Magic writers certainly had their work cut out for them. "Nice catch," Susan issued the thanks as she watched Caitlin easily repair the book. Susan herself, had missed the rip. She hated to think of the consequences, she'd heard the librarian was a book-loving fiend, and a big "shush-er" to boot.
"I absolutely love, scary stories," Susan grinned excitedly at the most recent book, she'd picked up. It featured a crudely drawn image of a bloody corpse. As she looked closer she saw the various bleeding cuts that were an obvious side effect of a sectumsempra curse. The memory of Dylan's bruised and battered body, so small under the white sheets in the hospital wing entered her mind. She sighed lightly and placed the book on the shelf. It was all she could do to keep her life from slowly turning into a horror story itself. What with the war coming, and the constant spats between houses.
"I'm glad we're friends," Susan voiced as it occurred to her that Caitlin was indeed, not a Gryffindor. She leaned back in satisfaction, despite the replacement of the book on top, Susan was glad to see that she still had a good number of books in the pile before her.
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Post by Caitlin Collins on Dec 12, 2007 13:45:16 GMT -5
Caity nodded in thanks to Susan's comment. Glancing around once more to check the librarian was nowhere near, she replied quietly. "I hate to think what would have happened if neither of us had noticed," she muttered, checking the other books more thoroughly as she picked them up.
"I absolutely love, scary stories," Susan enthused. Caitlin glanced at the book she was viewing and was half-repelled, half-amused by the image on the cover.
"Nice bit of light reading, by the looks of it," she said jokingly, looking up in time to catch the changing expressions on Susan's face.
"I'm glad we're friends." Caitlin was surprised to hear Susan say this - it seemed as though she was just stating the obvious, and Cait felt as though she was missing something.
"I'm glad too," she replied at first, slowly continuing. "Um... are you ok? You seem kind of down."
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 12, 2007 17:14:11 GMT -5
Susan focused her attention at the pile of books in front of her. She counted eight, and was satisfied. As funny as it sounds, one less, and Susan would force herself to find another. One more, and she would choose one to put back. While eight was not a perfect square, it was a perfect cube of two and it is divisible by both four and two. It can also be squared to sixty-four which is also a perfect cube. Susan contemplated this, with much more thought than should go into the amount of books to borrow.
Her thoughts scattered around everything but Caitlin's question.
"Um... are you ok? You seem kind of down."
The words were repeated in her head in away that reminded her of an echo that you might hear from across a ravine. As hard as she tried to change the subject, Susan couldn't bring herself to bring up the number eight and why it was by all means, the best number there was.
Susan tore her eyes away from the book on top, displaying a hoard of Dementors. She searched Caitlin's eyes, searching for a sign that she could trust her. She certainly wasn't a part of the shadow wars. At least not yet, it seemed. Student by student, they all seemed to be getting sucked in.
"It's just a friend of mine's been hurt," Susan answered vaguely as she fingered the peeling corner of the Dementor-book. "And all I want to do is make things better, but I don't know how." And things are getting out of control. She chose not to speak the last part. Susan hoped to herself that Caitlin did not think her to be some sappy do-gooder. While that wasn't exactly a bad label, Susan considered. It wasn't the image she hoped to maintain. She found herself blushing slightly as she picked at the peeling cover some more.
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Post by Caitlin Collins on Dec 14, 2007 11:28:56 GMT -5
At first Caitlin wasn't sure if Susan was going to answer or not - she seemed to be in a world of her own.
"It's just a friend of mine's been hurt, and all I want to do is make things better, but I don't know how."
"Is that... Dylan?" Caity asked cautiously. She'd heard rumours that he'd been attacked in the school, and he hadn't been in lessons recently. "I've heard some rumours that... well... that he was attacked. But I don't know whether it's true, or exagerated..." She sighed and continued. "He helped me improve my patronus after - " She stopped herself again - perhaps revealing the nighttime excursion into the forest wasn't the best idea, at least not where anyone (including teachers)could overhear. "How is he?" she finally decided on finishing with, turning away to hunt for a book she had seen sliding under the bookcase to hide her expression. Dylan had explained about some of the things lurking in the forest and the constant danger living right next to them, and, to be honest, she was more than a little scared.
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 17, 2007 15:44:22 GMT -5
The fact that they were both hiding things was evident. Susan noted how Caitlin's sentence was left hanging and she had no doubt that her own lack of details was more than noticeable. It was almost depressing how many secrets had to be kept around the school. Life had almost seemed carefree before all these burdens appeared. Almost.
Susan was slightly relieved to hear that Dylan's injuries were practically common knowledge. As horrible as it sounds, she would rather have everyone know that to keep having to allude to who "her friend" was. Susan was curious as to how Dylan and Caitlin had met, but once again, she didn't want to press.
"He's getting better," Susan replied to Caitlin's question on Dylan's health, "physically," she added to the end, just to be clear. The chain of events starting with the death of his foster father and climaxing with the attack seemed to bring Dylan down further and further. Although Susan couldn't personally vouch for how Dylan's mental health was going, she had a pretty good idea. This idea was very depressing, especially while they were connected so closely. The thought of losing Dylan was unbearable. I should have known . . . Susan kept telling herself. Before Susan had thought that change was the factor that she feared the most, but after these cataclysmic events, it was the unknown, she decided that was the most fearful.
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Post by Caitlin Collins on Dec 20, 2007 7:01:50 GMT -5
Caitlin was relieved to hear that Dylan was getting better, but when Susan added "physically" onto the end of her sentence she winced.
"Physically?" she repeated nervously. "What exactly happened to him? How bad was he hurt?"
Living in India had always been such a carefree experience with little worries, and she had hoped that that would continue for her last two years of schooling, now at Hogwarts. Apparently not. The place was wrought with danger and secrets, it seemed, with everyone wary of who to trust. Caity always wanted to think the best of people, but she was finding this mistrust was rubbing off on even her, and she didn't like it.
"Everybody seems to be so unhappy at the moment," she commented aloud, thinking of all the snapping tempers (including her own) and the events in the forest. She knew that something was going on other than what Dylan had told her but wasn't entirely sure whether she wanted to find out what it was or not. She wanted to ask Susan, but what if she was one of the people Keaira had warned her about, who would hurt her for the information. Still, if she couldn't tell her friends, who could she tell? The worry was eating her up from inside and she had to tell someone. "Dylan explained some stuff to me about some... creatures in the forest, but... I get the feeling he didn't tell me everything. Ever since I joined I could tell that something was going on, but I don't know what. I'm... I'm scared," she admitted quietly. "I wish I was still in India, then I wouldn't have to worry about any of this."
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 21, 2007 16:16:45 GMT -5
Susan wasn't surprised at Caitlin's concern for Dylan's health. She shouldn't have expected otherwise. And I shouldn't have added the "physically" . . . Susan found she was uncomfortable sharing the details on Dylan's health when it became obvious to her that she knew little about it herself. On her single visit to Dylan, she had avoided the very topic, while talking about all the wrong things.
"It's complicated," Susan supplied. While there were somethings she did know about before the attack, she wasn't sure if Dylan exactly wanted the whole school knowing about his foster father and "brother".
"He's healing alright, but you know stuff like that can mess with your head, I'm not sure he's taking it too well,"Susan came up with an answer that wasn't revealing too much, but gave the gist.
Again, Susan wasn't surprised when Caitlin voiced that she'd found out about "things". It was kind of hard not to get swirled up in the big horror story that was becoming Hogwarts. Susan almost laughed when an image of little wizard children sitting around a camp fire telling ghost stories came to her mind. Almost. In stead she weakly smiled.
"I'm scared too," was all she said. Susan didn't know what to tell Caitlin. She certainly didn't want to make her even more frightened. Should she tell her about the Shadow Mage? and the Shadows? How her and her fellow Lightfighters are soon to be engaged in a war and that it's only a matter of time? Should she confess to her own fear? Her own doubt in her own abilities as a Shadow Warrior?
Looking down, Susan saw that her palms were wet. In her nervousness, she inconspicuously wiped her hands on her jeans and reorganized the eight books before her. "It's complicated," Susan said with a tight voice. She didn't like being redundant, but it was all she could think to say on the spot.
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Post by Caitlin Collins on Dec 21, 2007 19:39:56 GMT -5
To be honest, Caity didn't know how "stuff like that can mess with your head". The only experience she did have of "stuff like that" was from books and the TV, nothing in real life. Although the stuff on TV had been pretty dire, from what she could remember.
"I'm scared too."
Caity was surprised to hear Susan agree with her sentiment on the situation at Hogwarts, and then she realised how little she actually knew about any of her new friends. If it weren't for knocking into Susan today, she wouldn't even know that they shared a passion for reading. It was times like this when she wished she were back in India, despite knowing she'd leave her friends in danger. Susan was a Gryffindor; she was supposed to be brave. But Caitlin had never been brave. If only she could take Susan, and Jacques, and Dylan, all of them, to India with her. But then she'd be leaving behind all the other students, and she couldn't do that. It seemed the only choice was to stay and help.
"It's complicated."
"You said that before. If I could I'd go back to India, but I can't, and I wouldn't want to leave all of you here with those things in the forest anyway. But I can't stand sitting around waiting for something to happen. There must be something going on to try and stop this happening?"
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 21, 2007 21:48:18 GMT -5
Susan eyed Caitlin carefully as she listened to her suggestion on going back to India. While Susan had never inquired, it was easy to assume it was her home. Her tanned skin and dark hair, and come to think of it, the elephant mask at the masquerade gave it all away. She considered Caitlin's suggestion of going home, leaving Hogwarts.
It might be nice to go home again, the thought crossed Susan's mind as images of family and friends and favorite places flashed before her. "Going home", Susan thought bitterly, synonymous with "Running Away".
This was where her Gryffindor instincts kicked in. As scared as she was, she knew she couldn't escape the fear. It would only follow her. Maybe Caitlin didn't know, but it wasn't only Hogwarts that was plagued with these shadows, and even if it was, it wouldn't be long before it spread. There was no running. But why run when there is safety in numbers? Susan counted up her fellow Lightfighters and friends alike. The start of a smile danced at the corners of her mouth. How could she leave these people, these friends, here to face the darkness alone? The answer: I couldn't.
The vision of Dylan's pain and suffering and utter unhappiness was still fresh in her mind. Susan didn't think she'd ever forget it. Her heart ached to know that his did also. Did Caitlin feel that? She she hurt when the ones close to her did?
"I guess it's sort of club," Susan pondered as Caitlin prompted that there was a movement, "But you don't know about it till your in it." She figured she must be sounding kind of sketch, but it didn't matter. The whole thing was kind of sketch if you thought about it. "For now I guess, we can choose our friends wisely," Susan then stated the obvious, "And study extra hard for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Susan felt that the two of them had bonded in a way. As silly as it was, it seemed it needed to be made official. With a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, Susan held out her pinky finger. As girlish as it was it seemed the only thing to do. Maybe if they were boys they might have spit and shaken hands or maybe just nodded coolly. Old habits die hard though, and the message was known and understood almost everywhere. It was a simple gesture that alluded a promise.
"Promise?" Susan questioned as she held her arm steady, waiting for a confirmation.
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Post by Caitlin Collins on Dec 23, 2007 20:37:20 GMT -5
Caitlin listened intently as Susan finally hinted at a "club". She had been right; there was something going on that not everyone was aware of. Ever since the forest excursion she had been sure that it was something to do with the shadows and dementors, and now it was confirmed. But why was it students involved? Surely the adults and the Ministry should be taking care of the situation?
"For now I guess, we can choose our friends wisely, and study extra hard for Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Caity nodded solemnly at Susan's suggestions. It appeared that several of the people she'd met were involved in this "club". Susan, simply by knowing about it; Alessandro, judging from that firey patronus; Keaira, who'd warned them against telling anyone of the events in the forest...
A grin tugged at her lips as Susan held out her little finger.
"Promise?"
Caitlin complied immediately. "Promise." She made a mental note to pay more attention in Defence Against the Dark Arts from now on.
Finally, at least half an hour after she had first ran into Susan, Cait rose from the floor and brushed herself down, holding out a hand to help Susan up, propping her books in the crook of her other arm.
"We'd better sign these books out quick or we're going to miss curfew," Caity thought aloud, heading to the desk at the entrance to the library.
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 28, 2007 19:45:16 GMT -5
Susan found a silly grin plastered on her face as the alliance was made official. It brightened her overall disposition to know that she wasn't the only one that was frightened by the goings-on at Hogwarts.
Susan gladly took the hand extended to her and using Caitlin as an anchor, she hoisted herself to her feet again. On her feet once more, it only took a moment for her to gather the eight-or-so books at her feet.
Susan nodded her head dumbly in agreement to Caitlin's thought on checking out the books. Stumbling slightly under the trouble of carrying so many books, Susan barely made it to the front desk. She was happy there was no set limit to how many books can be checked out at one time.
She looked over the books as the librarian made note of which books she would be checking out. Susan considered it a good selection. It should do her some good to start reading again. Stepping out of one scary story and into another.
"I'll catch you later," Susan waved clumsily with her books in tow. The Gryffindor Common Room, her destination, Susan set off, mentally prepairing herself for the many stairs ahead.
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