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Post by Vanessa Sanderson on Mar 7, 2009 11:25:42 GMT -5
The October air that was quickly turning into November air was colder and a bit more crisp than normal. It wasn't that Vanessa didn't like this weather, after all her skin didn't burn as quickly, but there was just something about it that brought her down. Standing out in the courtyard, she walked slowly toward the fountain that stood in the middle, watching the water flow freely from it, and down into the small pool that it made, surrounded by the rock and the cement.
Her reflection in the water as she looked further into the pool, was distorted and ripply. It wasn't her, and yet was. Almost as if it too, could not comprehend what everything meant and why they were all there. Why things happened they way it did. And ultimately, why with this being her last year at Hogwarts, she felt no different about leaving the place as she had coming into it. It was almost as if she'd accomplished nothing in the last six or so years. Grades... passing... some friends here or there... but nothing worth talking about in the end.
Was she destined to be that classmate no one remembered at the 'ten year reunion'? A cold shiver ran up her spine as she thought about such things. Was she really destined to be and do nothing important? Sighing, the weights of the world seemed to pile on her. Victor was squib, and even he had more accomplished in his muggle classes than it seemed she did in her magical ones. So, what was the point if you couldn't even be a role model for a younger sibling? Her mind melded on itself for a while and she took a seat on the fountain's edge, dipping her fingers in the cold water without much thought.
What if she was only supposed to be there, like most people? There, only to be known as... that girl.
[Open]
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 7, 2009 11:56:02 GMT -5
Connor loved winter. He loved being cold and having snow absolutely everywhere, covering just about everything. He liked to be childish and immature and play outside, making snowballs and forts and playing pranks on people with the ice. It was for these reasons, and more, that he was excited for November. November brought snow, and then December, which also brought Christmas with it. He didn't know why, but he was full of excitement for the coming months. There was a hint of sadness to his happy disposition, as he hadn't seen some friends around in a while, but Connor wasn't really going to let it get him down.
He walked around the courtyard with nothing in particular on his mind, just to be outside with the wind. It was pleasant and the light breeze ruffled his hair slightly. He slid his hands into the pockets of his blue jeans, kicking at a few fallen leaves on the ground as he continued on. Connor hummed a small tune to himself, although he was unsure where where he had heard it from. It was definitely famliar, he was sure he had heard it more than once before, but then again he wasn't really sure. The Slytherin boy moved to sit down on the edge of the fountain in the middle of the courtyard, deciding that sitting and listening to the trickle of water might help him think a bit more.
Being clumsy as he was Connor lost his footing and managed to fall. " Ah! " He landed bum first into the pool of water, throwing his hands behind him to sort of break the fall. Falling hadn't been the plan.
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Post by Vanessa Sanderson on Mar 7, 2009 12:12:18 GMT -5
Her concentration was broken. A huge splash sound occurred and the first thing that came to Vanessa's mind was some how, she had managed to break the fountain and the broken part had fallen into the water. Looking around really quick, her soft brown locks swishing around her face as she did so, she scrambled toward the other side of the fountain to see what damaged she'd done. What was more surprising, however, than even finding broken pieces of fountain in the water, was finding that of the Head Boy she'd met formally once or twice, now sitting in the water.
At least she hadn't broken anything.
"Oh!" Vanessa exclaimed after realizing she'd been standing their and starring for a good few minutes at the boy's mishap. Extending her arms in an effort to help him out, Vannessa started to nervously giggle at the circumstance. "Here! Let me help you." Vanessa really didn't know what to do or say, but she knew that Connor Manning would probably be awfully cold. "We should maybe get you inside too..." she said out loud, but mostly it was just her thinking out loud to herself.
Looking the Head boy a bit, up and down, she tried to give him a weak and encouraging smile of endearment. "May I ask..." she stumbled a bit over her words, but she was curious as to how he got into the fountain, rump first. "...what happened?" she giggled nervously.
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 7, 2009 12:56:54 GMT -5
His first thought was ' cold! cold!! ' and he immediately began shivering. He made a small attempt at standing up but only managed to slip again on the fountain's slick bottom surface. " Ughhhhh... " Connor groaned to himself, now feeling a bit sour about the fall. This second landing resulted in him hitting his tail bone off of the concrete surface, something that was rather not enjoyable. At all. " I'm... fine, " was all he could muster between his shaken shivers. " Real-really. " He just then looked up to see a classmate staring down at him, making the moment a little worse than necessary.
" Thanks, I mean. Hi. " He moved extremely slow as he lifted his left leg up and swung it over the edge of the fountain, holding himself so he could maybe get out of the water. " Okay... " He used his arms to lift himself up and finally managed to stand up on the stable ground. " Inside, no, I'll be.. f-f-fine. Really. " He wrapped one arm around himself and used the other to dig around in his various pockets to find his wand. Connor searched his mind for a spell that would dry his clothes and also warm him up at the same time. Nothing came to mind right then.
" I fell. " He frowned, thinking it hads been obvious. " I m-m-mean I tripped. Kindof. "
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Post by Vanessa Sanderson on Mar 8, 2009 23:45:58 GMT -5
A light brown eyebrow rose above Vanessa's left eye as she silently questioned the boy's reasonings on how he could truly be alright, and still in want of staying outside in the cold. Only crazy people would want to do something so foolish, but still, Vanessa felt as if it were not her place to question, so she let it go with a small shrug. Her risen hand to help Connor leave the fountain went unused, and she quickly moved it so it was as if she had risen it to filter it through her hair. Embarrassed, she tried to focus on something other than the awkward situation at hand.
"I'm sorry," finally the hufflepuff said softly. It looked as if the Slytherin's mind was just as everywhere as hers was at that time, and as he searched himself for something, Vanessa turned away to go back to where she had been sitting. I fell... I m-m-mean I tripped. Kindof. She didn't know how to respond so she just looked over her shoulder towards the Head boy, smiled sheepishly trying to be nice at the same time. "Are you sure you're ok?" she asked him, sitting down back on the edge where she'd been sitting before, her hands playing with her robes just for something to do.
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 9, 2009 14:11:17 GMT -5
Connor attempted not to roll his eyes at himself, he was being a bit of a jerk so it would seem. " I'm s-s-s-sorry. " He tried to clamp his jaw shut so he would stop shivering like a crazy loon. Finally finding what he had been looking for Connor retrieved his wand from his back pocket. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he swished the wand around in a somewhat complicate motion, and as he did a rush of warm air surrounded him, drying his clothes and body. " No, sorry, hi Vanessa. " It was easier to focus on the girl in front of him now that his body was no longer at freezing temperatures. He ran a hand over the front of his white long sleeved button down shirt and found it was still a bit damp, so he once again performed the spell. Another whoosh of warm air flew past the boy, leaving him feeling much much better.
" Okay. Hi. How are you? " Connor moved so he was standing somewhat in front of the Hufflepuff girl, he pocketed his wand and offered a slightly apologetic smile. He felt embarrassed by his actions, but then again it was sortof normal for him to do something like that. Oh, well...
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Post by Vanessa Sanderson on Mar 9, 2009 19:14:58 GMT -5
The warmth was comforting, and though she only felt a bit of it, Vanessa longed for the days when the warmth would return to everyone and everyday. Sighing contently, she looked away from the boy and tried to remember what she had been thinking about before. Whatever it was, was lost to her. Vanessa couldn't remember what she'd been thinking about, other than how cold it was outside, which only made her wonder why she was even outside to begin with.
When Connor asked how she was, a small smile crept to her lips and turning her face towards him once more she gave a small shrug, and nodded her head. "Oh, you know. I'm doing as well as can be I guess. I'm not sure what I was thinking about before," her eyes looked up into her head, as if trying to remember. "...must not have been that important." Vanessa giggled and shook her head, her light brown locks swaying stiffly around her head. "But, I'm glad you're ok. That was a neat spell... did we learn that in classes?" she wondered, knowing that she really should have paid more attention in Charms... unfortunately though, that was not one of her best subjects.
"I can never get a knack for charms and such very well," she explained. "...not to mention, Snow does nothing for my focus," Vanessa said as it conveniently began to flurry just a bit.
Vanessa rose an eyebrow and looked up very slowly, as if a beast were above her. And all she could whisper was... "Weird..."
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 9, 2009 19:44:09 GMT -5
Connor usually liked winter, in fact he loved it, but the warmth was definitely relieving to the boy. He felt a lot better now that he was warming up, and he felt less strange now that he and Vanessa were talking. As if he hadn't just fallen into a two foot deep pool of water and made himself look like an arse. He chuckled at himself just thinking about the event that had happened merely a couple minutes ago. It all seemed a lot funnier now then it had before.
He looked over with interest as the Hufflepuff girl replied to his question, a small smile creeping onto his face. " Ah, but what if my disasterous fall distracted you from the most important thought in the world? I'd be sorely sorry. " He put on a joking frown, but as she said, the thought must not have been that important if it was so easily forgotten. Connor shrugged his shoulders at the question, trying to remember where exactly he had learned it from. He didn't think it was lessons, but he didn't know.
" I'm not too sure actually. Just kinda remember reading it somewhere... Oh yeah? Well not everyone can be good at everything. I'm sure you're good at other things. I for one was never all that good at Defense before it got taken away. " The boy shrugged, knowing that it hadn't been a strong suit. Connor looked up and saw a few snowflakes catching in his bangs. " Oomph. Wish I could do that. " He looked back at Vanessa and grinned.
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Post by Vanessa Sanderson on Mar 9, 2009 19:55:08 GMT -5
Vanessa laughed, louder than she meant to, surprising even herself. What Connor had said was funny, but was it that funny? Now she could feel heat, and it all seemed to rush to her fair skinned cheeks. She looked away, still laughing and trying to think of something just as witty to say back to the Head boy. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to come to her mind as witty. "I suppose it may have been," she shrugged sighing contently, her smile never fading from her face as she looked back at the boy. "I'll have it again if that's the case. Maybe it just wasn't important now that someone else is in attendance." It made sense. If it was only a thought for her, then with Connor, it wouldn't be there. Or so in Vanessa's mind it made complete sense.
"Ah, Defense. Yea..." Vanessa remembered those times and was glad that the class was gone. Secretly, she would have failed it no matter how hard she tried. When it was removed, Vanessa was more than pleased. It was one less class she had to worry about when it came to the homework and trying to focus on it. "I guess I'm ok with my hands..." Vanessa looked around, the snow began to pick up but not a lot, just enough to notice now without having to squint at it. There were only a few clouds in the sky, and if anything, Vanessa figured the snow was from the lake.
"Wish you could do what?" Vanessa asked curiously, looking back at Connor and catching his grin. She smirked a bit in return, thinking that she obviously had missed the joke or the punch line of sorts. Had she done something he wished he could do? Vanessa looked around slowly, her eyes wide as she tried to figure out what she'd done or what had happened. Her eyes went back to the boy, just as clueless as before. "Work with your hands?" she guessed. That was what they were talking about, wasn't it? A small giggled escaped Vanessa's lip, shaking... just a bit nervous.
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 10, 2009 14:04:45 GMT -5
Connor hadn't thought his comment had been too hilarious, but he joined in with Vanessa's laughter, thinking that maybe she had caught something he hadn't. " Ah, that very well may be. Who knows? Now that I'm here you might not find out. Sorry in advance for the forgotten thought. " He shrugged his shoulders in a woeful manner and grinned again, having some fun with this random conversation.
" There you go. You're good with your hands, I'm good with... lists. And being organized. " He smiled, remembering a list sitting on his bed at the Slytherin commons, it was actually a list of things to do, but there was a definite accomplishing feeling to completing a tasklist. Some thought it strange that the boy would be so into organization, but he always just assumed it was how people were. Well, his family anyway. He chuckled at the Hufflepuff's words before replying, " You mention snow and two seconds later the snow starts to pick up. Think it's a coincidence? "
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Post by Vanessa Sanderson on Mar 12, 2009 9:08:18 GMT -5
It comforted the socially inept girl that Connor was also laughing along with her. Maybe it really was as funny as she had thought, or maybe he was just humoring her, either way, Vanessa felt a lot more comfortable with another's voice chiming with hers in laughter. She sighed contently and smiled widely. Probably a bit too widely for the moment, but she did so all the same. Vanessa nodded as Connor shrugged and giggled. "Apology accepted," she stated in a mock matter of fact tone, before laughing once more. Who knew that one forgotten thought would bring such a good time. Vanessa figured that that was probably for the best, because she was always forgetting one thing or another.
Being organized was never something Vanessa was good at. She'd make a list of things to do, then forget it somewhere or throw it out before even looking at it twice to see if she'd needed to do something important. "Ah, I try to make lists..." she said, her words trailing off at the end, leading to her shoulders lifting and her head somewhat hanging. "Definitely not my forte..." she half heartedly laughed. It was just another thing she'd have to work at.
Think it's a coincidence? Vanessa laughed a bit nervously and then looked up into the sky. "Well, it wasn't me," she responded. "Do you believe in coincidences, Connor?" Vanessa questioned as she looked back down at the boy, her hazel eyes examining the boy just slightly. "Or, are you someone who believes everything happens for a reason?" Vanessa would have liked to believe that everything happened for a reason...but anymore, what that reason was, had been lost to her a long time ago.
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 12, 2009 15:11:36 GMT -5
Connor sat down on the fountain and despite the fact that he knew how cold it was he stuck a finger in the frozen cold water, letting ripples extend outwards. He looked back over to Vanessa as she accepted his apology, he gave a nod and a small grin. " Well, good. Can't have people being mad at me. " He flicked the water droplets away from himself and quickly dried his hand by wiping off the excess water on his jeans. In general he really didn't like people being angry with him, it had always bother him even when he was younger.
Being organized was another thing that Connor was used to from his youth. He was always the odd kid that wouldn't be messy at all. He had loosened up more in his teenage years, but his impulse to be organized was all the same. " Yeah, s'alright. I mean... I've been making lists and doing stuff like that for as long as I can remember. I'm worse than my mom... " He gave a small laugh, knowing that his dad was the more relaxed one while his mom was like him, a bit uptight and incredibly organized even at the worst of times.
The Slytherin laughed, wondering if it had been a coincidence. He shrugged his shoulders in response to the questions, cocking his head to the side as he thought. " I'm not exactly sure what I believe in. On one hand... " He lifted his right hand as if he were holding the idea in his palm, " Everything could happen for a reason. But that brings up the issue of religion and God. And on the other hand, " he lifted his left hand into the air the same way, palm up, " Everything could just happen because it happens. " He lifted his hands in a shrugging manner.
" What do you think? "
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Post by Vanessa Sanderson on Mar 26, 2009 9:28:32 GMT -5
Vanessa was subtly surprised when Connor said that he didn’t want her mad at him. Of course, it wasn’t the words, but the way he said it… almost as if he really did care that Vanessa would have any sort of feelings towards him that were ill in nature. Why anyone would care so much how she felt was beyond her, but it made her roll her eyes and laugh any ways. “I don’t think I could stay mad at anyone for too long, even if I was irritated.” Which she hadn’t been in the first place; she’s just thought he was a bit short, but he had just fallen into a cold fountain after all. Vanessa figured that after that, she’d even be annoyed.
Yeah, s'alright. I mean... I've been making lists and doing stuff like that for as long as I can remember. I'm worse than my mom...
Laughing, Vanessa added quickly after Connor’s statement, “We do tend to get the worst and the best traits from our parents, don’t we?” She thought about her own family and how they were so compassionate, and yet, all of the family tended to be much too generous at times and spacey. Vanessa knew it to be true, and could admit that at times even she was as such, but it was easier pointed out in others. “But you have to love them all the same,” she sighed.
As Connor spoke about religion and coincidence, Vanessa’s face became more solemn and rigid. It was as if fear consumed her whole being for just that very moment as the boy spoke, but as soon as he asked her what she thought, Vanessa was able to snap herself out of her thoughts, smiling softly but just as radiantly as she had before. “I… I… don’t know.” She struggled with the question, knowing that it could have been easy to just deny there being any such thing as a god of any kind. If there was, how could it have let her grandfather die the way he had?
“I’m not sure if I believe in such things as gods. I mean, if there was, why would we have magic?” She shrugged and giggled half-heartedly. They had magic, yet her pureblood brother was magic-less… just another reason why Vanessa didn’t believe. Why would he put her brother in a family with abilities to be outcaste practically by his whole magical race? It just didn’t make sense. “Things must just happen because they do…” she trailed off finally.
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 29, 2009 10:18:55 GMT -5
Connor nodded, taking her words into consideration. How long he was angry with someone usually depended on what they did to make him angry. He shrugged his shoulders before responding, " Same here kinda. Unless they did something particularly horrible... like kidnap my dog. Or something. " His lips tugged up into a small smile as he finished his statement, knowing that it possibly sounded odd. The message was generally there, if someone did something against him purposefully, or his family or friends he wouldn't be quick to forgive.
The Head Boy laughed lightly at her comment, acknowledging the truth of it. Despite the fact that he had been adopted, he still seemed to have the traits of his parents rather than his bio-family. " Definitely. My mom's actually this super crazy busybody while my dad is more relaxed about things. They even each other out, I think. "
Religion was always a hazy subject, it seemed, in the wizarding world. How could God had created magic when people who were said to have magical abilities had been prosecuted throughout the ages? Why would there be a need for secrecy? It was puzzling, and Connor didn't have any right answers. " I think so, too. Maybe nothing controls it. " He shrugged his shoulders, not knowing at all. He flicked the fountain water away from himself, messing around for lack of anything to do with himself.
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Post by Vanessa Sanderson on Apr 1, 2009 22:16:36 GMT -5
Vanessa giggled at the Head Boy's analogy about his pet dog and tried her best to understand what he meant by it. She was sure it was something as if he would stay mad at a person for a long time if they'd done something to harm him in any way, and Vanessa wondered also if that had ever happened. Biting her lip nervously, she decided that because Connor was smiling and laughing sort of, his mood was fine to ask such things. "Has anyone ever hurt you like that?" she questioned curiously. "As if they'd stolen your dog away from you?" She waited calmly for that answer, her hands folding in her lap as she did so.
Nothing controlling everything still seemed an odd statement to the Hufflepuff as she looked toward the sky in wonderment. Could everything that happened, even the snow falling at the exact moment she said it would, be purely nothing? "Then why even exist at all?" she whispered more to herself than anyone else. It was true, where she didn't know if she believed in a god, she definitely didn't know if she didn't believe in one either. Looking at Connor whom seemed to be playing in the fountain, Vanessa smiled warmly and sighed. "Well, even if we don't know... I know someone who may..." and then Vanessa stopped. "But she's gone now... " Just as Vanessa seemed to have a good idea on how to find out, it was squished by reality.
"Do you think anyone will ever know? What controls everything?" she asked Connor, wonderment filling her eyes.
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