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Post by thatgirl on Feb 18, 2012 21:09:32 GMT -5
Classes had ended for the day and Ophelia did not feel like being inside, so after a quick jaunt into her dorm room to drop her school supplies off, dress warmly, and grab her art pad, she headed out onto the grounds. She walked down the light snow covered lawn towards the Black Lake when something caught her eye. She had made it to the edge of the water and was looking up and down the shore line when her white tabby cat names Snow rubbed up against her legs. She glanced down and a ghost of a smile graced her features. Snow always seemed to be around when she was in a bad mood.
She looked up and to the left where the round part of the shore met the Forbidden Forest. But that wasn't what caught her attention. There was large rock, or boulder, placed near a tree, and there seemed to be just enough room to squeeze through. With a quick glance back towards the castle she jogged over to what looked like small alcove in the forest. Snow gave a low warning hiss and Ophelia glanced down at her and rolled her eyes. Her familiar was so protective. Ophelia took a deep breath and made her way through the opening.
Ophelia knew that entering the Forbidden Forest was just that... forbidden, but she was off to the corner. That couldn't be too dangerous...could it? She entered a small clearing that has little snow on the ground, as the trees, which acted like canopy, caught all the snow before it could reach the ground. Ophelia cast a drying spell on a spot under on of the tree's and opened her note pad. Snow hesitantly walked over to her and laid down comfortably, yet cautiously, in front of her.
Ophelia observed the small clearing in more detail, deciding that it would be the scene she would draw. It was small enough for know more than one other person. There would be enough room for another person to sit comfortably in front of her, but their feet would be touching. That is, if they were the same height as her. If the other person were taller, they would have to either sit with their knee's pulled up, or with a leg between the other persons. There was just enough room on either side to sit in the exact same positions. It was odd, Ophelia noted, just how perfectly circular the clearing was.
With one last glance around her area, she opened her note book and pulled out her Muggle pencil and began to draw. She was perfectly contempt.
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Post by momo on Feb 18, 2012 21:39:33 GMT -5
Rhye made a sharp left out of the classroom, usually being one of the first to leave just to beat the crowds headed to their common room. It was, of course, the end of the day, and everyone was chattering on about classes and teachers and their assignments.
None of that mattered to Rhye. He would grab his book, grab a blanket, and head to his spot. When inside the Ravenclaw commons, he avoided a few greetings and jogged up the stairs to his bed, grabbed the black sweatshirt he always wore, and raced back down. None of the small talk caught his attention. Rhye maneuvered his jacket on while twisting through the hallways, finally taking a deep breath of cold air once he left the School walls.
Being outside made him feel so much better. The pressure and concentration of class was something he could only handle once a day. Why should he stay in with everyone when he could read by himself?
Once Rhye was at the lake, he pulled his book out of his pocket and tucked it under his arm. Running a hand through his hair, he let out a sigh of relief at the beautiful scene in front of him. The lake calmed him down immensely, enough to where nothing could bother him. Well, one thing still could. If someone had found out his spot- that would be pretty upsetting. That was near impossible though. Rhye had scoped the place out since his first year. Nobody even walked out this far, ever since the School was taken over.
His light hazel eyes darted towards the big boulder, the big, familiar, comforting boulder that secured his favorite spot. The wind blew hard all of a sudden, so Rhye stuck his hands in his coat pocket and looked around. The usual smell was overcasting something. It smelled like... perfume? Or a lotion. Something really sweet hitched a ride on the wind, and it alerted him. Someone was here- he was not alone.
He took a few steps towards the rock, noticing two feet sticking out from the clearing. He was hesitant at first to take any more steps, but hey- this was his spot since year one. He basically had the claim of it.. if there was claim to be had. He was conflicted inside; should he say hello or should he stay quiet? Rhye ran his fingers through his hair one more time and let out a silent breath, hoping not to startle this person.
Using what little stealth he had in the snow, his boots crunching as he made his way closer, Rhye put his hand on the tree and peeked around. A girl had taken his spot. My spot, he thought, my special spot. He was silent, waiting for her to notice him. It would be a miracle if she hadn't heard him clobbering through the snow.
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Post by thatgirl on Feb 18, 2012 22:52:41 GMT -5
Ophelia had finally completed her drawing. It was so detailed she felt like she could do no more to it. So she flipped the page and began on another one. This one was the first day she arrived at Hogwarts. Specifically the Sorting Ceremony when her brother walked in with the other first years. She decided to draw her little brother Duncan when sitting on the stool, hat on head. She thought back to her own conversation with the hat when she was sorted in Headmaster Snape's office. He seemed very friendly with her brother who had accompanied her.
"Wise you are, my child." The Sorting Hat spoke into her head, frightening her. It chuckled. "No need to worry." Ophelia remained silent, and the Hat continued. "You are very wise. I could easily see you in Slytherin. That would-"
"Not Slytherin!" Ophelia thought loudly. Before the Hat could question her, her brother flashed through her mind, along with the memory of the Aurors telling her that her parents had been killed.
"I see." The Sorting Hat spoke softly. He could also see her suppressed loyalty to her brothers. "You are sure that Slytherin is not the house for you? Both your brother and your father were Slytherin's, and that is likely where your young brother will go."
"I am sure that I would not thrive there." She thought determinedly. The Hat sighed.
"Another stubborn one." The Hat muttered, before saying out loud, "Hufflepuff!"
She was almost finished with her second picture when her cat got her attention. She shifted a bit, as she had sat in one position for too long. Snow lifted her head and looked at the opening of the clearing, but Ophelia didn't think much on it. Instead, going back to her drawing.
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Post by momo on Feb 18, 2012 23:35:23 GMT -5
Well, she hadn't noticed him.
Was she oblivious or just concentrated? He shrugged it off, clutched his book in his hand, and slipped through the tree like she would have had to of done. Hopefully she would notice him this time. Had he not noticed the animal earlier, he might have stepped on it. Good thing the cats meow caught his attention, maybe even its owners' too.
Rhye kneeled beside her, quickly acknowledging the cat too. He cleared his throat. "Uh, hello?" He kind of mumbled it. "I'm sorry to bother your... artwork." He glanced down at her notepad nonchalantly, hoping she wouldn't get embarrassed of it or anything. "But... well, I was just wondering if I could share this spot." He gave a half-smile, trying to be courteous.
"I even have a blanket, that way we don't get wet. I'm willing to share." Rhye pulled his blanket out from under his other arm and offered it to her, a genuine look in his eyes and in the curves of his lips as he pulled them into a big grin.
Just to be comfortable, Rhye took his wand from his back pants pocket, inspected it briefly, and slipped it into his jacket pocket. Wouldn't want to break another one, he laughed to himself. He unfolded the blanket after she had decided to share the spot, and fixed it up for the both of them. After getting settled back in, he propped his elbow up on one knee and buried his nose in the book, escaping the world for a little bit but not forgetting.
She truly was pretty, and he had never seen her before. If the silence wasn't too awkward, and if he remembered, Rhye would pull his nose out long enough to ask her about her time here when he found a decent stopping point in his book.
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Post by thatgirl on Feb 19, 2012 0:48:59 GMT -5
Ophelia watched as a boy knelt in front of her. She jumped so violently her head banged against the tree she sat under. She winced but refused to acknowledge or show any sign of pain.
she inwardly smiled as he asked her to share a blanket, to which she nodded hesitantly. She was so sure that this spot had been secure. She couldn't help but wonder if he was used to sitting here- if it was his spot? She smiled as he sat down beside her and buried his noes in a book. She continued to draw, now with a new motivation.
So new, that she paused the picture she was drawing, and switched to a new blank sheet of paper. She turned unabashedly to face him, so to see him better. She had the perfect view of him and so began to draw him.
Like herself when she was drawing, Rhye was so oblivious to his surroundings that he didn't notice. Snow had migrated from her comfortable spot by Ophelia, and over t half lay on Rhye's lap, and he absentmindedly started stoking her fur, causing her to purr. She smiled softly, but refused to show her immediate emotions to others. She couldn't help but notice how beautiful her silent and new companion was.
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Post by momo on Feb 19, 2012 1:21:26 GMT -5
Rhye felt little paws on his thigh, and he briefly looked down to see her familiar on his lap. He smiled brightly behind the cover of his book, petting the cat on its head a few times and then going back to his book. He was near the end of a really good chapter, so he finished up pretty quickly and closed it. Laying the book aside, Rhye picked up the cute little fur ball and held it to his chest. He laughed as the cat pawed at his earring, his cheeks heating up a bit.
He noticed her briefly looking at him and then at her notebook. Rhye blushed even harder, but used the cat as a shield so he wouldn't be detected. He scratched behind her ears a bit and put her back down on his lap, playing with her paws as she would swipe at his hands. He had a big soft spot for animals and it showed.
"So, I haven't seen you around often, or, well, at all really. Are you by any chance new here?" He questioned lightly, being casual. "Oh, and pardon me for my lack of manners. I'm Rhye. Rhye Alexendre. It's really a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand, a hint of a blush still on his cheeks. "And who might I ask this little girl be? She's extraordinarily cute."
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Post by thatgirl on Feb 19, 2012 13:47:06 GMT -5
Ophelia watched awkwardly as the boy, Rhye, blushed, and she made sure to commit to memory him hiding his face behind her cat. It would make for a funny painting.
"That's my familiar, Snow." She said in reply to his question. "I've had her for a long time. I'm Ophelia Retchford. This is my first year here." She didn't volunteer anymore information.
"What are you reading?" She asked quietly, but confidently.
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Post by momo on Feb 19, 2012 14:02:43 GMT -5
"Snow. Hi Snow!" Rhye continued to play with the cat, not forgetting to make eye contact with Ophelia as she continued to draw God knows what.
"It might be a shock, but I actually own this spot you know." He looked up from the corner of his eyes, grinning, but trying to hide it, acting like he was preoccupied with Snow to notice her reaction.
"Oh, my book?" He grabbed it from the ground beside him and hugged it too his chest. "That is top secret." He raised his brow suspiciously, teasing her. "But I can tell you that it is about a cute girl who steals spots in order to draw alone."
With a few laughs, he calmed down and hugged his knees to his chest, watching Ophelia. "You have a pretty name." He admitted.
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Post by thatgirl on Feb 19, 2012 14:13:41 GMT -5
Ophelia blushed, but hid her chin behind her scarf. "Thanks. She muttered." And then she remembered his comment about this being his spot.
"So where is your name claiming this spot as yours?" She smirked. She glanced down at the book. "By the end of the day, I will know what's in that book." She grinned boldly, letting her personality shine through momentarily. She liked Rhye. He was nice and charming. He was the first person to actually try and talk to her.
Maybe Hogwarts wouldn't be so bad after all.
"If you want, I can leave." She teased and started heading towards the exit.
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Post by momo on Feb 19, 2012 14:28:49 GMT -5
"You're welcome.." He looked out towards the lake, smiling still. It was so pretty, and he was with someone equally as beautiful. The funny part is, he barely even knew her.
As she started to scoot towards the exit, he hopped to his feet and blocked her. If she would have kept scooting, she would run into his legs. Once she was close enough, he'd bend down, one hand would be placed softly on her shoulder, and he'd point upwards, to the left, at an engraving about halfway up the tree stump. It said 'Rhye A.'
"Right there, Miss Retchford. Can you see it?"
Rhye smirked back at her, and slipped his book back in his jacket pocket. "It wouldn't interest you anyways."
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Post by thatgirl on Feb 19, 2012 15:32:42 GMT -5
"Right there, Miss Retchford. Can you see it?"
Rhye smirked back at her, and slipped his book back in his jacket pocket. "It wouldn't interest you anyways."
Ophelia stood up to get a closer look at the name. There is was. Claiming the spot as his. She scrunched her nose around while thinking, before she grinned. She looked at Rhye conspirtorily and pulled her wand out.
She muttered under her breath and she watched as Ophelia Faye wrote itself under his name.
"Well look there, dear friend. It would appear as though we are now co-owners. I look forward to sharing this spot with you in the future." She winked at him before stepping around him and continuing towards the exit.
Ophelia stopped with a wicked grin on her face; one that morphed into sweet innocence as she turned slowly back towards Rhye. She walked up to him and gave him a quick hug. "It was really a pleasure meeting you." With a pat on his upper arm she turned and slipped out of the clearing, leaving what she assumed was a shocked and hopefully not creeped out Rhye behind. She laughed to herself as she walked away, not looking back.
Once Ophelia was halfway to the castle, she pulled something small from her pocket. Rhye's book. She wondered when he would notice it was missing. When she was younger, her and her brother were fascinated with the Muggle legends of ninja's. Cliche of course, but still something that entertained them. They would spend hours pretending to be ninja's and sneaking around their large house. They had become adept at being sneaky and stealthy. Ophelia smiled at her reward triumphantly. She had just ensured that they would have meet and talk again.
When Ophelia got to her dorm room she went to pull out her drawing pad, so she could begin painting the scene that had just transpired. Her hands went into empty pockets. She patted all her pockets to find nothing but the book she had nicked from Rhye. Her shoulders sagged and she groaned out loud. That drawing pad had so many personal memories. If he found it, he would pretty much have a detailed picture book of her family history. Some things, such as her brothers defection to the Dark Side, was something she didn't want anyone, let alone Rhye, to know. She could only hope he wouldn't question her too much on the dark moments of her past. That is, if he would even talk to her after what he concluded.
'So much for stealth...'
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Post by momo on Feb 19, 2012 16:01:15 GMT -5
Minutes passed as she had left. His stare was fixed on the carving and the new name that now justified their claim to this spot.
He stood there, blank faced, bright red cheeks against darker colored skin. "What just happened?" He shook his head, looking down. Patting his pockets, he looked around frantically. "My book. Where's my book?" He frowned, remembering back to when Ophelia had hugged him.
That little weasel! She had stolen his book! He grinned, and when he looked around again, he noticed her notepad and a sleeping Snow, cuddled on top of it. Oh, sweet victory. Maybe this could become a friendly hostage situation. My book for her notepad and the safe return of her cat. He bent down, picked up Snow, took the notepad, and turned towards the exit.
On his way back to the castle, he put Snow down and patted his leg so she would follow. Rhye took her drawing pad out and noticed that the newest picture she had been drawing was somewhat done. It looked like an outline of a face. His face. He blushed hard until he got to the castle doors, where he put up the pad inside his jacket and pulled out his wand.
Rhye had a slick idea running through his brain and he needed an impressionable young Hufflepuff to fulfill it. Scowering the place, he saw a clumsy young Hufflepuff weaving her way through the hallways. He jogged up to her and kept her pace. "Hey! I have a question to ask you." Rhye sidestepped in front of her and blocked her passage near the common room.
"Uh, sure." The young girl kind of looked up, surprised he had stopped her.
"I need to get into your commons." He said simply. "I misplaced something." Rhye looked down to see that Snow was at his feet, and he picked her up. "Well, one of my friends misplaced her. I need to return her."
"Sorry. I can't do that." She shook her head.
"Listen- I really need in there." He pleaded with her, smiling.
"Nope."
"Okay- fine. Might I ask your name?" Rhye leaned forwards, closer to her. His light hazel eyes were almost a green-blue now, with brown freckles in them burning through.
She told him her name was Julie.
"Julie.. how sweet. I'm Rhye." He half-bowed for her. "Well, Julie, can I please ask you a personal favor? I need to get in that room terribly." He slowly grabbed her small hand in his and shot her a clever smirk.
"Uhh- well-" she stuttered, "anything for you..." The young witch ran her fingers through her long blond hair and he could tell she was getting flustered.
Success was his. He should really be a Slytherin for the way he could manipulate people. Honestly- he learned everything about people from what he read.
Julie lead him into the commons, with a few shocked squeals from Hufflepuff girls, mixed with suspicious stares from the boys. Once they were at the staircase, he nodded to her and she slowly backed away, running off to a group of her friends to tell them what had happened.
"Oh OPHELIA!" He called, a sing-song voice drifting up the staircase. "I have something that belongs to you!"
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