PrimalArcana

Lucky Number Seven (A Hunger Games Interest Check)

All righty - I'm going to bump this up one or two more times in hope of another tribute. May the odds be in OUR favor ;)

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

I’d just finished selecting a marbled blue and white jawbreaker when Alex came up to me, his bag overstuffed. I couldn’t help but grin, subconsciously I knew that he would fill it up. “You sure you have enough there? You know you could have used a second bag instead of that one not being able to close, right? Might help the frogs to not knock the boxes of beans out of the bag,” I noted, as one fell to the floor at his feet.

Of course, he probably wouldn’t have grabbed a second one even if I had suggested it, he seemed like he was holding back, just his attitude said that he was used to holding back. I understood that to an extent, although I liked to squander my father’s money because of my hatred for him. But emotionally and socially, sure. I held back all the time.

“If you’re finished, I was going to go check out, I can take your bag if you wanted to wait outside,” I gave a slight nod of my head backward, toward the mass of people at the register. Not that I wanted to go over any more, but I couldn’t just walk out with the sweets, either. When he didn’t make a gesture to leave, my eyebrow raised just a bit, but I led the way into the line. There was easily over a dozen people in front of us, with more filtering through the door than the ones leaving.

I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Looking at Alex, I decided it would be rude to just stand there when we’d end up waiting for a while. “So, Alex, did you have anything you came into Hogsmeade for besides just getting out? I was going to head back to the school after this, but if you needed to go anywhere, I wouldn’t mind going…” I trailed off for a brief second. “I mean, if you even wanted company. If not, no hard feelings, I like alone time too."

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

“Don’t mention it,” I said about the drinks. “It’s not -” I cut myself off, turning to look at Alex skeptically. “It’s not my money, so I could really care less. It’s just thrown at me so I’m going to use it for everything I can since I’m expected to be a good girl anyway.” I stood there just outside the bar looking at him for a minute. I hoped it wasn’t bothering him, it was just a habit since I didn’t care. “I could buy the entire town of Hogsmeade and he wouldn’t notice. Which is why I feel no guilt at all for stocking up on a month’s worth of sweets - probably more.”

Turning around, I started the walk over, just listening to him talk. He sounded self-assured but I sensed that something about him was almost...scared? Apprehensive? I wasn’t sure. Not that I’d bring any of this to his attention, I didn’t know him THAT well. Instead, I gave a small laugh as I reached the door of the sweet shop. “Nope, not a myth. It’s not even magical. But I might be cursed for speaking blasphemy if I talk about Muggles.”

I started pushing my way through students, remembering to grab a couple bags as I walked toward the section of candies. I loved gumdrops and chocolate best, filling both bags up right away. I wasn’t prejudiced at all, which is why I haphazardly filled them up right away. With the third bag in hand, I turned around and handed it to Alex.

“Here, fill this up,” I shoved it into his hand and raised an eyebrow, almost skeptical as to whether he’d take it or not. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t, but I hoped he wouldn’t say no, part of me hoped that. “I’ll be standing by the jawbreakers - I usually get one every time I come in, then break it into smaller pieces.” If he wanted to fill it or not was up to him, I did exactly that, turning and walking over to the huge jar of them on a counter.

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

He seemed interested in my analysis of the wand, then picked it up, seeming...almost startled. I was just about to say that I hope I hadn’t offended him, but next thing I knew, he was on the floor. I jumped to my feet, unsure if I should help him up or if he’d be insulted by that. A few other patrons had looked over as well, but Alex got up without any help. A little unsettled, I sat down and listened to him as he tried to brush it off as nothing. Unsuccessfully, I could visibly see his hands trembling.

An eyebrow raised, I watched his face fluctuate between a smile I knew all too well, the “I’m fine leave me alone” smile. When his eyes flicked to me, I held his gaze without flinching, a bit concerned. He seemed focused on something that he’d been through, or was going to do. I couldn’t tell which one.

I wasn’t surprised to hear that he had almost been put in Slytherin. His wand had given me a slight chill when I held it. But he WAS clearly smart, and fit in well in Ravenclaw. I had to laugh at his comment about the Sorting Hat.

“Yes, I know what you mean. That hat is really wise, but he can talk FOREVER. I’ll admit that I like to tune it out when he gives his start of the year speeches, they’re dull as a blank piece of parchment,” I said, but still contemplating his comment about “his rightful place.”
I wondered what that meant.

Drinking the last bit of my butterbeer in one swig. I looked at him. “Look...I’m not going to press you, I don’t exactly know you. But I can tell something is bugging you. I know that when I just need to think, wandering abandoned corridors is the best. One day, I found a room full of mirrors, and just looking at myself, studying, I made some interesting discoveries. Might be something for you to consider.”

Standing, I threw enough money on the table to cover both drinks, whether he liked it or not, and put my coat on. “I’m going to go back to the school to get started on my books…you’re welcome to walk back with me or wander around here for a while. Just going to stop by Honeydukes on the way. Maybe you could use some chocolate - it really does help. That’s not just a myth,” I grinned and picked up my bundle, taking a step before looking to see what he was going to do.

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

As he spoke, I was almost open-mouthed. Generally, when I went on one of my ramble sessions, people just looked at me like I was crazy, even for a highly intellectual person, and walked away. Which is reason two I didn’t have any friends (reason one being that I was just not interested for the most part - just someone around to hurt you).

Listening to his ambitions, I felt a slight smile creep across my face. Alex was, by far, the most interesting person I’d conversed with in a long time. I was definitely looking forward to our duelling sessions, and I wouldn’t entirely be against another chat with him next time we were in Hogsmeade, between the two of us we could carry a fair amount of books back to Hogwarts if we were so inclined.

Watching his fingers twirl his gnarly wand back and forth, I found myself really opening up for the first time in a long time. His view on potions I agreed with, Professor Snape was the best. Besides, potions were technically magical objects, or at least could affect actual objects if applied to them. Or so I’d studied, anyway.

I had just taken a sip of butterbeer when he slapped his wand down on the table and practically ordered me to examine his wand. “Smartass,” I muttered under my breath, reaching out to pick it up anyway. Running my fingers slowly down it’s length, I closed my eyes and focused. I could tell what the wood type was, that was the easy part. Breathing in and out slowly, I clutched the handle and the tip in opposite hands, looking almost as if I was going to break it (I wasn’t).

For the most part there wasn’t a clear indicator when examining a wand. It was more of a deep connection and study of magic that allowed me to be in tune. Not that it would make sense if I tried to explain that to Alex. For almost two minutes, I sat there like that, then I opened my eyes and held it out to him in my hand, a slight shiver running up and down my spine.

“Cypress. Dragon heartstring and doxy wing. This wand is resilient and stubborn, only to be wielded by someone with a strong will. It has extremely dark tendencies, although it can be controlled in the proper hands. I -” I cut myself off, contemplating how to present what I wanted to say. “I’m a little surprised that you’re even in Ravenclaw, if this is your wand. Sorry,” I immediately apologized, giving a little shrug.

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

The silence after I asked my question was almost unbearable, I could clearly see that he wasn’t comfortable answering me. Even Madam Rosmerta noticed the silence, setting our butterbeers down without a word and bustling off to another table with cheerier customers than us. Just as I was about to snatch up the butterbeer and gulp it down out of sheer awkwardness, he told me that he was researching Dark Wizards. Immediately, I stopped playing with the bracelets around my wrist and stared right at him, my curiosity piqued.

Alex took a sip of his drink, so I took a quick one too, but a loud slam on the table made me jump and get some of the butterbeer on my cheek. Embarrassed, I summoned a handkerchief and wiped it off, before replying to him.

“Er, yes. Actually you did surprise me. It’s okay though, at least I didn’t spill on my sweater. Then I would have thrown the rest on you. No, actually. I’m intrigued by what you’re talking about,” I confessed. Biting my lip for the briefest second, my eyes flicked between the books I’d purchased and back to Alex. Did I dare tell him what I was upto?

Aware of my brief silence, my cheeks flushed faintly and I opened my mouth. “I’m actually interested in the Dark Arts myself, but perhaps not for the same reasons. See...I’m interested in magical objects. Wands are the most common type, but I can see potential for SO many types of objects. I’ve researched them for a few years now, not really sure what got me interested to be honest. But there are so many out there. It would be fun to take a tour of the world, and even just to get to see the most famous ones would be an amazing thing. Or so I think, anyway. I’d love to someday be a collector, or a saleswoman of these objects, study them, replicate them, even enchant things myself,” I said, a tone of excitement obvious.

Just then, I realized that I was rambling and staring at Alex with an openness I didn’t usually have with other people. I’d also been talking with my hands, and embarrassedly folded them in my lap. “Er, sorry. I’m rambling,” I pointed out, my face going from slightly flushed to red.

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

“I’m fine,” he said. “It’s...I’m not sick, nor did I run here. Bad dreams is all,” he said to me. I felt a small pang of guilt for jumping to conclusions. I wasn’t exactly the best sleeper in the world either, often waking up from bad dreams or just not being able to sleep at all. One of the reasons I was grateful for cosmetic magic, so people wouldn’t notice the frequent bags under my eyes. I was about to stammer out a hesitant apology, but he muttered, “Very bad…,” under his breath and looked at the floor, which I knew from tripping and falling on it wasn’t very interesting.

His eyes popped up to meet mine for a second, and he seemed almost eager to go with me to the Broomsticks. Turning around, I found that my books were all bundled up for me and my coin purse resting on top. I didn’t bother glancing inside, it didn’t feel that much lighter than when I had put it on the counter to pay for the books initially. Wasn’t my money anyway, so I didn’t really give a crap. “Thank you,” I said to the shopkeeper. I had never bothered to learn his name, suddenly being very aware of this.

Gathering up the small bundle and tucking it under one arm, I motioned for Alex to follow me, being very aware of the fact that he was right behind me. He quite honestly didn’t look well, but I wasn’t going to press it since I didn’t sleep well either. I didn’t say anything else until we got inside, and that was just to ask for a table. Sauntering over, I carefully set my pile of books on the corner of the table, took my coat off, and sat down myself.

“Two butterbeers, please,” I said to the Barmistress, Rosmerta. Not sure what to say, but not having the excuse of raising the glass to my lips just yet, I set my hands on the table and idly played with the multitude of bracelets on my wrist. “So...what were you doing in the bookstore anyway?” I asked, looking up at Alex while still playing with my wrist. It was a bit of a nervous habit, and attempt to keep my scars hidden.

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

It had only been about ten minutes, but I already had a few books stacked in front of me to purchase and take back to school. Just and I had moved on to the next section, I heard a voice behind me. Oh no...not him. Anyone else, I grumbled internally. That voice of his sounded like it wasn’t sure whether to be friendly or retreat into solitude, and the result came out sounding somewhat monotonous. Could have been worse, he could have sounded nasally or had an undeveloped voice box.

Without turning around, and due to the fact I was holding two separate books, I told him, “Well, I could say the same thing. No one really comes in here, it’s a bit out of the way. For your information, I’m just browsing for anything of interest. I don’t have any qualms or prejudices when it comes to books, especially magical ones. I’m searching for my own purposes right now.” As rude as it might have been of me, I had been looking through these just as he came in, so I continued doing so while I replied. “Perhaps, if you really were interested, I might share my purposes with you, if for no other reason than I could care less what you think.”

Deciding to purchase both of them, I added them to the stack, picked the entire pile of seven up, and turned around to face Alex. One of the corners of my mouth was turned upward, signs of amusement on my face. Truth be told, I found him interesting. His determination to be the best at magic, and the fact that he liked odd places same as myself was almost...well, not comforting, but it was nice to know someone out there didn’t mainstream like the rest of the world. Not everyone needed to be well-liked, it seemed. That was nice, she had always hated when people pulled her into the limelight or forced her into groups.

The sound of his quick breathing made me pull myself out of though, and I gave him a quick once-over. It almost seemed like he had run here, the way he was shaking and the noticeable breathing. I would say it was to get out of the cold, but he was wearing winter robes (seriously?!? Who bypassed wearing muggle clothes to Hogsmeade?), and those were lined with wool. So, not likely. Hmm. Due to the fact that I had always been decent with healing spells and charms, I looked for signs of weakness in others. Physical ones. He had a slightly chalky pallor to his complexion this morning, and I knew it couldn’t be from the cold weather.

I couldn’t help but frown at his appearance, he hadn’t looked like this last night. I bypassed him and set my books on the counter with my bag of coins, then grabbed a peacock feather quill that I had noticed on the way in to add to the pile. The owner knew me well and I trusted him to take the appropriate amount of money out of my bag without cheating me. I was probably his best customer during the school year, anyone could guess by the amount of books I had shrunk and put in a chest over many years.

While he was ringing it up, I turned back around to look at Alex, donning my coat while I spoke. “Hey...are you all right? You look pale, and based on that fact I am not going to assume that your obviously shaking hands and breathing are attributed to you running here.” Hoping I hadn’t overstepped my boundaries, just blurting out my observations, I decided to do something I’d never done before.

“After I bought these I was going to head into the Three Broomsticks, I skipped breakfast this morning in favor of coming out here. I’m not particularly hungry, but I am thirsty. Do you - would you like to come? Maybe a butterbeer will help…” I trailed off, just watching his face carefully. I was a bit unsettled at my own offer, however genuine, hoping it didn’t show. Usually I was decent at hiding these things.

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

Oh God, really? Haven’t these people ever heard of sleeping in? I thought to myself. Well obviously I wasn’t going to get any more sleep. Throwing the covers off, I hopped out of bed and donned my bathrobe over my pajamas, grabbed my grooming kit I’d put together for convenience, and went in to shower. Hopefully a good blast of hot water would let the tension out of my body before setting out for the day.

About a half hour later, I was ready, remembering to put my usual encrusting of bracelets on my wrist to hide the many scars that layered there. Heading down to the lower levels of the Castle, I was going to go into breakfast in the Great Hall but decided against it, the reason being what happened the night before. Oh well. I could always eat a large lunch in Hogsmeade. Thankfully, there was already a line of Professors outside, checking the names of students to make sure they were allowed out.

A soft blanket of new snow covered the ground, and I spread my arms as I walked toward the village, welcoming the cold like an embrace. My boots crunched in the snow, I listened to myself trampling the ground for almost a half hour before arriving. The first place I headed was into the quill and book shop, thankfully the owner was a bit quirky and did have some Muggle books. Who said that I couldn’t read anything non-magical every once in a while? After deciding none of them were worth my attentions, I went to browse the magical books. I was looking for anything associated with magical objects. I knew I’d be in here for a while, so I took off my coat and held it over my arm, just standing there in my sweater so I didn’t get too warm.

The Sting of a Double Edged Blade (A Harry Potter RP)

Oh, just wonderful. I said to myself, hearing his voice behind me. Couldn’t a girl just rest in peace for the evening? I slowly turned around, still keeping one foot in the door as if intending to bolt at any moment. Reluctantly, I also met his gaze since he’d had the decency to chase me down all the way back to the Common Room.

I listened to him attempt to explain himself, it was sort of adorable and dorky at the same time. He almost wasn’t coherent, and I could see that I’d shocked him in a way. Truth be told, he had done the same. I wasn’t used to having a partner in magic that matched me in my own year, I’d always just turned to older students, pestering them until they agreed with me. Generally it worked, since it was obvious I wasn’t going to give up. They had quickly learned that I was serious about it, with more than a few visits to the Hospital Wing courtesy of myself.

When he was finished, I turned around as if to go back into my dormitory. “Sounds like a personal problem, and studying with other people distracts me.” I walked inside, shutting the door right in his face. At least tomorrow I’d have the chance to escape the school. Thank goodness. I got myself ready for bed and fell into a restless slumber. Just like any other night.