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Post by Alessandro Darko on Oct 16, 2007 11:19:19 GMT -5
The last few nights had been hell for him. After he was purged of the shadow that was making its home inside of him, he definitely wasn't quite the same upon leaving the Room of Requirement. Everyone was there to help him, Dylan, Dien, Wysteria, and Dee. D'rorah was the one who had actually been trying to help him from the beginning, the darkness in him just kept pushing her away. He had assumed that his sleep now would be free of monsters and darkness, but how wrong he was. You don't just go through a traumatic experience and then sleep like a baby that same night. He had woken up several times within the last couple nights due to more mundane nightmares instead of the hellish visions of torturous death that awaited he and his fellow lightfighters.
He hadn't really spoken to anyone unless absolutely necessary, and mostly kept to himself. He just didn't feel ready to face the world. He was a traitor, after all. He was being controlled by darkness, sure, but he let that darkness in and fought off all outward attempts to salvage himself from it. He desperately hoped everyone would forgive him in time.
He found himself wandering through the corridors aimlessly like a zombie, a forlorn expression perpetually frozen on his face. The surroundings of the second floor passed by him as he brainlessly made his way to Myrtle's Bathroom, entering. He wasn't exactly gaga for Myrtle, but the natural light in the old, out of commission, girls bathroom was warming. The tall windows allowed the sun to practically exist in the bathroom.
He closed the door and moved over toward the window. He put both hands on it as he peered out into the sky, and then letting his gaze caress the grounds, ignoring Myrtle's attempts at igniting a conversation.
"Oh poo! You're no fun!" she squealed and dove back into her cubicle.
His chest continued to burn heartily. It felt like there was a burning ball of fire inside. He clenched his jaw and swallowed as he felt a series of emotions well up inside of him.
I'm such a failure. Like she said, the weakest link...How could they possibly forgive me...I was taken by an evil creature of darkness....I let go, It was so easy to just let it take over... His lips began to tremble as tears streamed down his face. He couldn't take it anymore. He began to scream violently as he tore himself away from the window and threw his fist into a stone wall, leaving a touch of blood on the face. He whipped around looking at himself in one of the mirrors. "I HATE YOU!" he howled causing it to shatter without wand work.
He slumped onto the ground and just let the emotions pour out. He began to bawl like he should have directly after the incident. He buried his face in his hands and tossed out all of his inhibitions and just cried.
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Post by haleyliz on Oct 16, 2007 11:28:59 GMT -5
Shawn had never really been one to take long walks by herself. She’d thought about it, just like she dreamed of sitting on her roof and watching the stars, or taking a swim in the ocean, naked. But it all sort of seemed pointless when she thought about it long enough. You could think just the same without walking. There was nothing really interesting about the stars. And what was the fun of skinny dipping in the Atlantic if you didn’t have anyone to do it with? However, today she was being forced to walk through the crisp air on the grounds, feeling very clichéd for doing so.
She’d just gotten back from a meeting with her mom. Elizabeth had popped into Hogsmead for the night, last night, just to make sure that Shawn was doing okay. After a fairly long and slightly awkward lunch, they’d gone back to the bedroom where Elizabeth had told Shawn some… well, some rather confusing news. A shiver went up Shawn’s spine, and she wrapped her arms around herself, looking up at the lake. Damn her mother.
The room was cozy, thought not exactly clean. There was only one small bed in the center with a tiny desk, and a door that led to the bathroom, presumably. Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed, always the lady-like one. Shawn however, merely jumped onto the covers and smiled up at her mom from the pillows. It was good being around her mom. Good because she didn’t have to act tough or smart or silly. She could just be.
But there was something going on. Something in the air. Something that needed to be said. The blonde woman tucker her hair behind her ears and looked down at her daughter. This was going to hurt, and she knew it. But there was no other way to go about it, and Shawn needed to know the truth.
“I’m going to be gone for a few months.” Elizabeth said, stroking Shawn’s hair.
Shawn cocked her head, looking at her mother. “Why? Where are you going?”
There was a long pause, as her mother took a deep breath and fiddled with her hands, staring at her lap. “I… I’ve gotten wind of a higher power working in Iraq. Someone… working for someone else, I would expect. I don’t know, Shawn. I just have to see. Have to see if this is my chance. To be great again.” Blue eyes finally caught Shawn’s dark ones and they were filled with emotion. “I need power…”
Trying to forget the little discussion with her mother, Shawn opened the doors to the castle and wandered inside. She wasn’t really sure where she was going, her mind on other things. Wedding plans, Ariana, Iraq, her father, Astrology. Anything but where she was going. Though she knew- in the back of her head- she’d need to return to the common room before a prefect or proffesor found her cutting class. She didn’t really care.
Eventually, she did stumble upon Myrtle’s bathroom. Looking up at the door, she sighed. An out of order girl’s bathroom. No one would bother her here. She could think her. Be self-pitiful. Opening the door, she took a few steps inside and froze, her jaw clenching.
Oops.
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Post by Alessandro Darko on Oct 16, 2007 23:06:58 GMT -5
He was just about done crying over his misdeeds as he heard the bathroom door swing open. He jerked his head up immediately to see who was disturbing his moment of wallowing in his self pity. The girl who came through the door was someone he hadn't met before.
Oh great...perfect for her to see me in this state... He thought angrily at himself. Another thing to be upset about. He immediately looked down, away from her and wiped his eyes, sniffling, trying to get his nasal passages to regulate themselves again.
When he finally composed himself, he brought himself up off of the floor and straightened out. "He-..." He stopped to clear his throat as his voice was a little hoarse. "Hello..." He said, stealing a glance in the mirror beside him, hoping he didn't look any more of a wreck than he already was.
He looked back to the girl and extended his hand. "I'm Alessandro, I haven't seen you before...." he said trying to sound as together as possible. He looked down at his hand and noticed how bloody his knuckles were and withdrew it immediately and put it behind his back.
"Nevermind about me crying...." He sniffed. "I....had a rough two weeks....I just needed to get all of that out. I feel much better." He smiled weakly.
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Post by haleyliz on Oct 16, 2007 23:17:44 GMT -5
Shawn scratched the back of her neck awkwardly. God, this had to be the most uncomfortable position she’d ever been in throughout her life. Well, maybe not the most. But it definitely ranked up there with walking in on your parents having sex, and trips to the gynecologist. With her usual, nonchalant Shawn nature, however, her expression remained perfectly calm and she simply smiled at his introduction.
Taking a few steps closer, so she wasn’t standing directly in the doorway, she nodded at him. “I’m Shawn Harlem. I just started here a few days ago.” Jesus, had it really only been a few days now? She couldn’t believe that. She’d already endured enough weirdness, enough strange animals, enough looks from teachers, and enough sitting by herself in the Great Hall. Being the weird new kid in punky muggle clothes was never fun. No matter what school you went to.
Pulling down her hood, she shook her hair out a little. Rough two weeks? She knew what that felt like. (Of course she couldn’t know right now that the boy’s problem’s were ten times more important than hers… but hey, it wasn’t like she’s a seer or anything.) “It’s okay, Dro, we all need a good cry every now and then.” She’d already- of course- suited him with his nice, shorter and easier to remember, name.
For another minute, she stood there, unsure of what to do, before leaning over and wrapping him in hug. It was brief, just around the neck. But it was more emotional than she’d showed since she’d laughed her head off with Quin in private. “Sorry. You just sort of looked like you needed some holding together.” But this was Shawn. And she wouldn’t ever show more than she had to. Keep restrained, you know.
Looking around the bathroom, she chuckled. “What is this palce anyways?”
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Post by Alessandro Darko on Oct 17, 2007 0:37:52 GMT -5
He smiled weakly as she introduced herself. Shawn Harlem. Then suddenly, this new girl did something so surprising to Alessandro, he didn't know how to react. She got him into a quick embrace, and then proceeded to tell him that it was okay, and that everyone needs a good cry every now and again.
He was immediately taken with this new addition to Hogwarts and appreciated her support, even though he barely knew her.
"Thank you, that was really nice of you...and yes, if you only knew the things that have been going on..." He trailed off with a a bitter chuckle. "Trust me, I don't cry often...this was totally worth it." He explained.
Trying to move forward and avoid any more embarrassment, he began to question her. "So, Shawn...you're new, eh? What house are you in?" He asked casually as he turned to the sinks wanting to wash the blood off his knuckles.
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Post by haleyliz on Oct 17, 2007 0:48:51 GMT -5
Unlike most normal human beings, there was no desire in Shawn to question him about what he’d been through over the past few weeks. No burning curiosity about what could force a teenage boy into a run down girl’s bathroom to sob and… break things. There was, however, a small twinge to help him out. She knew- though she more than likely would have denied this- that she would have liked the person who found her sobbing in a bathroom to at least be an understand and caring stranger.
Though her thoughts were cut short when she was asked the typical question. It was always the same, when she was caught in her muggle clothes. Which she always wore, them being so much more natural to her than itchy school robes. “Promise you won’t judge?” Ha, as if that would happen. Everyone judges. If you say you don’t, you’re also a liar. Face facts. “I’m one of those icky Slytherins that everyone hates.”
Turning, she leaned against the wall and watched him by the sink. “So you wanna talk about it?” Her tone was neither probing nor uncaring nor too intense. She was simply asking, an edge of true concern to her voice. But mostly casual. Shawn’s usual demeanor. Easy to talk to. Easy not to. No pressure.
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Post by Alessandro Darko on Oct 17, 2007 1:22:01 GMT -5
He turned on the sink and began to rinse off the already coagulated blood on his knucles. It stang as he rubbed his soapy hands together, cleaning off the red crust. He listened to her speak about her house and to not be judgemental. She then asked him if he wanted to talk about what was bothering him. He shut off the water and shook his hands, and then finally turned around. "It'd be best that I didn't dwell on that which has made me resort to the ways of a six year old girl..." He grinned at her as he began to respond to her remarks about her House.
"Icky Slytherin....I'd have to say you are correct about that generalization." he began as he relived the three Slytherin upperclassmen provoking him in the corridors. He walked closer to her. "However, I happen to be friends with a couple Slytherin students. I know they come in all shapes and sizes, but seriously the majority just suck." He said flat out, but then smiled. "You clearly are outside of that majority." He grinned as he playfully hit her arm with his left hand.
"Well welcome to Hogwarts, then." He said looking around the room. "This is Myrtle's Bathroom....Moaning Myrtle, as we call her. She's a ghost." He said as he eyed the cubicle inthe corner.
"Her story is legendary. Killed by a basilisk that was kept in the chamber of secrets, the entrance of which..." He threw his hands in the direction of the sink basins he had just been using. "The heir of Salazar Slytherin, Lord Voldemort, free'd the beast within and manipulated it via parseltongue to kill the students." He said woefully.
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Post by haleyliz on Oct 17, 2007 1:33:43 GMT -5
She nodded to his comment about being a six year old girl. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, Shawn chuckled. “That’s being a bit judgmental of six year old girls don’t you think? The man who can overlook us icky serpents can’t let it cross his mind that a six year old femme-bot might be tougher than him at the moment?” The expression on her face informed him that she was only joking, and that she really didn’t mean anything by it. Some people couldn’t take jokes, she knew. But if he wasn’t one of them, he’d need to get out of her world… right now.
A frown set on her pretty features as she listened to his story. She wrapped her arms around herself and looked at the desolate bathroom, with a new perspective. Her mind took her back to the day that Myrtle would have died. How terrified she must have felt. God, Shawn could almost feel herself being cornered by a basilisk. Shaking the images away, she shuddered. No use dwelling on what has been done here. It was years ago… and yet the misery still remains, does it not?
Tracing her finger over a layer of dust on the wall, Shawn seemed truly saddened now. There was the same causality. Just a damper on it. A bit more darkness rather than the everlasting grey area that was her, as a whole. “There’s so much… icky-ness in this school, Dro. Why would anyone want to come here? Can you feel it? All the vile around every corner? Everyone has their own horror story to tell here. It’s suffocating.” She cut herself off before she fell too deep into being open.
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Post by Alessandro Darko on Oct 17, 2007 2:05:46 GMT -5
He watched as she leaned against the wall, seemingly getting lost in all the negative aspects Hogwarts had to offer. He arched an eyebrow as she asked if he could feel the icky-ness. He scoffed at that comment as he had felt every ounce, every molecule of "ickyness" all up close and personal with his every being. All he was able to reply was a short quip. "I'd say feel would be an understatement...." He said staring straight at her.
"They come here because this is the only Wizarding school in Britain. One in France, Beauxbatons, and then one in Russia, Durmstrang. I think there may be one in America, but I haven't heard of it." He said. "There really is a lot more of the positive side to things, you know..." He started. "This is where I learned to harness my magical powers. I used to feel so wierd, so alone before I came here. Having to hide who I was because I was different....but now, everybody is the same here. I'd keep coming back even if there was some sort of basilisk on the loose. Its a second home." He said with pride for his school. He did love it so, and there really was no place he'd rather be, even in the midst of all the Shadows business.
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Post by haleyliz on Oct 17, 2007 10:35:51 GMT -5
Shawn looked at him, a smile creeping onto her face. Usualy, she was put off by those who practicaly worshiped the school they attended. Disgusted by the ones who went on and on about how awesome it was instead of just going with the usual "Yeah, it sucks." and getting over it. But in his case... he seemed to really have a passion for this school. As if he'd been through Hell and back, and Hogwarts had been his comfort zone. Hey, maybe he had. Who was she to judge someone after fifteen minutes of knowing them?
Looking around her feet, she sat down and pulled her knees up to her chest. "That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger, indeed. But it shall also prove to make us colder. Let it kill us, I say. And wait to see who cares enough to bring us back from the depths." She shook her head. Random things like that tended to jump out of her mouth whenever they felt like it. She couldn't control them. Not like she really wanted to. Usually, they were pretty cool.
"Well, I hope you're right, Dro. Maybe I will find my place here. Maybe this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'll give it a bit more time before I torch the place, eh?" She gave him a look that obviously said Just Kidding.
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Post by Alessandro Darko on Oct 17, 2007 11:29:24 GMT -5
A devilish grin spread across his features as she mentioned not torching the place fo a while.
"Definitely hold off. You'll find that this place is quite the opposite to what it appears to be and hold in secret. It has, in truth, a lot of negative history attatched, and more to come...." He said trailing off in reference to the imminent shadow wars. "But the fact that the good overpowers the evil in this place is comforting." he explained.
Wanting to get to know this new girl a little better, he began to ask her about her life.
"So, Ms. Harlem, whats your story? What classes are you planning on taking?" He said, opening up his body language to that of a more amicable stance.
He could already feel himself starting to let go of the past and begin to move on toward a better, and brighter future, or at least what he could make of it. He glanced around the bathroom that had become so familiar to him, almost like a haunting ground, no disrespect to Myrtle, who had been curiously quiet all the while Alessandro had been throwing his tantrum, even still as the new girl showed up. His curiousity began to grow as to what she was doing.
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Post by haleyliz on Oct 17, 2007 11:45:04 GMT -5
Shawn almost winced a little when he asked for her story, but realized there was nothing really to tell. In all reality, she had a very unimportant life. She did nothing of any interest, and anything that would make someone interested she had not only done years ago, but she did not want to talk about. And so, she merely shrugged as he asked her what her story was. “You know, same old, same old. My mom’s a witch, dad’s a muggle. She went to school here, and moved to America after…” There was a brief pause in her speech. She didn’t know how okay it was to talk about Voldemort around some people. “Well, after the final battle was over. I grew up there. Her and my father divorced about six months ago, and she’s getting married sometime this Winter.”
Okay, so maybe that story was a bit more about her mother than herself, but she didn’t know what else to say. As far as the classes question went, she chuckled. “I’m going to take whatever I need to protect me from rapists, and give me some hints as to the meaning of life. I haven’t really put down a list yet. I still have a few days to do it, I think… maybe… maybe not. Come to think of it, maybe I’m supposed to be meeting with the Headmistress at the moment.” She bit her lip and shrugged. “Eh, whatever. So, Dro, what’s your tale? More interesting than mine, I hope.”
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Post by Alessandro Darko on Oct 17, 2007 12:18:24 GMT -5
He listened intently as she answered every one of his questions. He noticed that she had definitely retained an american way of thinking and her speech was the same way. The condensing of his name to 'Dro, which he liked, her explanation on protecting herself from rapists, when usually witches try to protect themselves from dark magic and such, and he overall attude seemed to be that of a laidback American. It was refreshing seeing how diverse Hogwarts could be.
"My father's a warlock, me mum's a witch, she went to school here as well, Ravenclaw, just like me." He beamed at that statement for he was very happy (and relieved) to have been sorted into Ravenclaw. For a moment, the hat had considered him in Slytherin.
"I grew up in a couple places. I was born in Manchester, then we moved to the states. We lived in Texas, Florida, and then Pennsylvania....which I liked the best." He said fidgeting with the cuff of his shirt, trying to roll it up to his elbow. "I went to muggle schools there, and learned loads about their way of life as I had to try and blend in, but you know, when you're young, you just can't help random magical events, you know?" He chuckled as he remembered quite a few magical blunders he had in the states.
"We actually have something in common, you see, prior to coming back to England...we now live in London, my father left me mum....we don't know where he went...or if he's....." He paused and refused to believe he was dead. "She re-married to some sack of filth named Hewlett." He said with disgust. He tore his gaze from the window and looked straight at her.
"We don't get on well..." He said scathingly.
He decided to change the subject back to school before he would break something else with the anger his step-father gave him.
"You should sign up for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, Transfiguration, which, I'm quite good at, if you should ever need any help..." He hinted with a sly smile and then continued on. "Charms has been delayed since they're still trying to find a professor to fill that gap, but you should still sign up, Care of Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies, and Herbology...." He said drawing in a breath. "I think thats all of them..." He said with a goofy shrug and smile.
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Post by haleyliz on Oct 17, 2007 12:46:12 GMT -5
Shawn could feel herself getting more and more comfortable around this guy. He was just open enough, and they really did seem to have a lot in common. When he mentioned that he’d lived in the states, she practically had to restrain herself from throwing her arms around him again. Yes! Not the only one here who’s ever experienced silly political views, idiotic Presidents, and the entity known as MTV. Still, even if she didn’t hug him, the smile on her face showed her obvious pleasure, and the air crackled with happiness.
It was when he started talking about his step-father that a sad look passed over her face, settling that adorable, trade mark frown into her features. It had been the other way around with her. Living with a hellish father for fifteen years, and then her mother finally meeting someone that didn’t treat them both like shit. Shawn knew she was luckier than most to have someone as awesome as Alex coming into her life. She’d met step-fathers, and it was typical that no one ever liked theirs. Even if everyone else did.
“Well, considering the length of trouble I’m sure to get into, I think I’ll definitely be needing Defense Against The Dark Arts. I’m taking Astronomy already. I love the class, but I think the meaning behind it is pretty bogus. The stars don’t speak to me. Transfiguration has always been one of my weak points… but maybe with the right tutor…” She flashed him her own sly grin, and continued, eyes twinkling. “I’d LOVE to take Charms. My mom’s always said I have a knack for charms.” Shaking her head, sadly, she smiled. “You know, being the charming kid I am.”
When reaching the subject of Care of Magical Creatures, Shawn tugged on a strand of her hair. “I’m not so sure about dealing with animals though. I have… well, I sort of have this fear of animals. Nothing too big. I can handle smaller ones, like Pine Martins.” There was a hint of a smile as she thought about Heno, and continued on. “But the bigger things frighten me. Like… thestrals, and… unicorns.” Pointing a finger, she scowled. “Laugh at me, and I swear I’ll kill you.” She was joking, but obviously animals were a sore subject for her.
“Muggle studies should be a riot considering I live like one most of the time. Herbology? Plants? Ew.” Letting out a breath, she nodded. “That’s all of them, right?”
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Post by Alessandro Darko on Oct 17, 2007 22:41:50 GMT -5
As he had explained to her his "tale", he definitely noticed that she seemed to show affinity for those from the USA. He ascertained this by the sudden look of interest and excitement that had sprang upon her face. He smiled inwardly as he himself loved to meet people from the states. He listened as she pin pointed each class he had mentioned and described how she was in each.
He laughed inside as she mentioned transfiguration. Of course he'd be happy to show her how to change a tea cozy into tennis racket any time. His flare for it really showed. He prized his transfiguration and held it as his best class. Potions was definitely his worst.
He let out a dry laugh as she described herself to excel in charms, as her mother calls her "a charming kid." When she got to Care of Magical Creatures, she expressed that she was fearful of animals. He hardly thought of the subjects in that class as simple animals. They ranged from creatures to beasts. Animals were dogs and cats, and the things they saw in that class were strange hybrids between animals that were technically mythical in the muggle world.
"You're scared? Well don't be!" He encouraged. "The professor would never endanger any of our lives, and usually only shows us one BIG creature a month. Unicorns are so peaceful and would NEVER act violently against anyone. I am quite fond of unicorns actually..." He felt a little silly expressing that last fact, and his cheeks flushed red.
"Muggle studies is a riot, indeed...the ministry's explanation of certain muggle items are absolutely preposterous. Pots and pans....they're for cooking, NOT scaring away ghost..." He scoffed.
"Yeah, thats all of them...no Wait, Potions...and Divination....but the latter is on hold again, no teacher." He said.
"I'm absolutely horrendous when it comes to potions, so don't ask me for help..." He smiled weakly.
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