owls && letters [open]

[alecto mileena carrow]

It had been a tiring day. Double potions, double history of magic and then one herbology. The last one was truly the subject Alecto disliked most. What was there to know about plants that she needed? Exactly, nothing. Plants were just for people who couldn't make a proper conversation, who where afraid of looking people directly into the eyes and tell them what was on their mind.

Alecto therefore wasn't a plant person, and as soon as the bell had sounded, she had ran out of the classroom and straight towards her own dormitory where she had wanted to get herself ready for dinner. However, when she got there, a small letter was laying upon her bed, addressed to her with her mother's handwriting.

Of course the letter had been nothing else than the regular "How's school going? How have you been? Have you made any new friends?" routine that her mother always asked about in Alecto's first week back. Still, the young girl felt obliged to write back to her. After all, her mother was one of her best friends. Well, it depends on what you mean by friends of course. It was just that.. after.. well the incident, Alecto seemed to have lost the entire contact with her father, while her mother tried to support her as much as she could.

So, off she went, cloak wrapped around her body, clinging to her with every move she made. What would she write? Probably that everything was okay, though a lot of what had happened in the first week at Hogwarts would be left out... Sebastian and Greg,...Then there was also... What was his name again? Alecto smirked to herself, some might think of her as inappropriate but.. Well.. It wasn't her fault that she had become this way... Not really

Making her way to the owlery, Alecto was somewhat distraught, though she didn't know why. Almost, just almost, she missed the last step that led towards the owl-filled place, but just in time she could recollect herself and walk in the dark room with hooting animals and droppings all over the place. It wasn't a fun place to be at, not to Alecto, but the letter needed to be send.

[tanith]

Tanith had really procrastinated enough in replying to her mother's letters. The first few she had opened and left discarded on her bedside table, then that pile became overflowing and she had to stuff them in her trunk. It was only November and there were already about twenty, yup, perhaps her mother wrote too much. It wasn't that Tan didn't want to reply, she was very close to her mother when she was at home, their relationship was the complete opposite to the mutual antipathy Tan felt with Porcius. It was just that her mum's letters were full of questions - not just 'how's school', that question was easy enough. No they were mostly 'how are your friends' 'have you been to many parties, I remember the parties when I was at Beauxbatons...' 'perhaps you could send me a picture of your boyfriend, Cherie'.

Those questions were the ones Tan procrastinated on a reply to. It wasn't that they bothered her very much, she wasn't moping over them. It was just that it took up a lot of imagination to gloss over them and make her sound like a party-animal, heartbreaker. What most mothers would die from hearing in a letter home, Tanith's mother seemed to crave. She didn't mind much, it made her mother a little more interesting in her opinion. So today, after half-heartedly finishing her pile of homework Tan decided she would finally attempt to reply to at least the latest letter. She knew that it cheered her mother up to hear from her anyway, even if her tales were mostly fabricated, it had to be more interesting than the horrifically boring high-society ladies her Mother associated with - if she did say so herself.

Shoving the long awaited letter into a scrawled on envelope Tan began making her way up to the chilly owlery, pulling her sweater tightly around her in the bleak November air. She didn't much like the owlery, the way the birds squacked and pecked, and it didn't smell too nice especially on a windy day like this. But it was better than the Astronomy Tower, at least angry owls were better to look at than snogging teenagers. Just as Tan was finishing attaching the scroll to her barn owl's leg she heard another set of footprints on the cobblestones of the owlery floor. Starting a little, Tan turned to find herself staring at Alecto Carrow. With an awkward half-smile and unenthusiastic mumbled 'Hello' Tan finished tying the letter to her owl's leg and watched it take off into the gray sky.

She didn't have much to say to Alecto, and being in a small room like the Owlery with her made Tanith feel a little uncomfortable. There was a sense of dislike between the two girls, although it was never brought up and Tan didn't fully understand it, other than a simple dislike for Alecto's domineering personality. Though, In the fleeting glance she had exchanged with Alecto as her fellow Slytherin entered the Owlery Tanith couldn't help but notice that the brunette looked undeniably distraught, anxiety was etched almost indiscriminately on her features. It was hard to notice, but being quieter meant that perceptive skills got a little better. Not that Tan was going to ask Lecto, she didn't care very much what was making Alecto Carrow look upset, and it didn't even cross her mind that Tanith might not be the only one hiding things from her mother in her letters.

She was jolted from her thoughts as out of the corner of her eye Tan watched her owl smack into a nearby pillar as he gained height. She snorted. "Stupid bloody owl" She smirked to herself, pushing herself up on the ledge near the window. It was undeniably a little awkward being in a small room with someone she didn't much like, but Tan wasn't going to run off first and look weak, and besides, it was even sort of nice up here, once you got used to the smell, and Alecto's presence, which were almost the same to Tan.

[alecto mileena carrow]

A mumbled 'hello' resounded from the girl that stood on the other side of the room from Alecto. Tanith Malfoy had never been the other Slytherin's favourite person of the world, but for the sake of the eye of others they were at least decent to each other when others where around. She nodded curtly in response and went to the other side where a small church owl was hooting rather boringly. She took the envelope out, letting it rest in her hand for a few moments, her hand absent-mindly brushing over the soft green material where her mother's name was written neatly across the surface. With a small sigh her mind went back to that one summer where everything changed.

Fourteen, she had just turned fourteen in January and still the young girl couldn't believe her luck. Stephen Marco, just graduated from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was courting her. No, he wasn't courting her, he was professing his love to her, for her,right now and here. Alecto smiled sweetly, her cheeks blushing slightly at his ministrations while he lead her through the garden of the Carrows. He stopped in front of her, his hand holding hers while he bent slightly down, softly putting his lips upon her rosing cheek. "I love you, Alecto. I've always loved you and I always will."

Shaking her head, 'Lecto came back to reality. This wasn't the moment to start reminiscing. A little more forcefully then intended, she took the owl's paw in her hands, attaching the letter too harsh, making the little creature bite her finger in response. "Ouch, you bloody sucker", she said briskly before putting her finger in her mouth, tasting small drops of her own blood of where the creature had made the wound. Of course, the bird didn't do anything else but mock at her, turning itself around with an air of "I own this owlery" and then with one last look at the Slytherin turning itself away before flying off to deliver the letter.

It was then, when she watched the owl fly off in the distance that she knew what had been lingering in her thoughts, making her feel slightly distraught as she had entered this old and dusty facility. She leaned her elbows on the windowsill, taking a soft breath while she blocked every memory of Stephen out. Man were not worth losing your head over, certainly not jerks like the one who had claimed to be her first boyfriend. She looked at her finger, still bleeding slightly before turning towards Tanith... "You didn't happen to bring a something to stop the bleeding, did you?", Alecto said rather monotonously.

[tanith]

Tanith was still snickering under her breath at the clumsy, out of shape owl flying off with her letter when she heard Alecto cursing her own owl behind her. Tan turned discreetly to see Alecto's haughty pet flying off with the other girls letter. It seemed quite fitting to the small blonde girl that when she was snorting at her owl for being a clumsy fat little thing Alecto's was haughty and had an air of owning the owlery. Like their owners, Tan thought to herself. Well granted Tanith wasn't very fat but she was quite clumsy, and she always did get the feeling that Alecto had ownership of certain corridors or the Common Room whenever Tan saw her. She was rather envious of it sometimes, though she would never tell Alecto that. She would rather be cold and feared like Alecto than clumsy and quiet, but then again, she'd be proud enough to vehemently deny that if asked.

Tan turned back to the window, satisfied that Alecto wasn't going to answer her 'hello', and inhaled deeply of the crisp air outside. She smiled to herself as the sharp air plucked at her pale cheeks - late Autumn, when it was cold like this, was Tan's favourite time of year. She didn't really like warm weather, her pale skin didn't take to it very well and she still had unpleasant memories of getting painfully sunburnt last year when she fell into a doze near the lake on a sunny day. Tan didn't have time to dwell on the memory though, as Alecto had finally said something - to her, not to the owl again. You didn't happen to bring a something to stop the bleeding, did you? Tanith hesistated for a moment. As it happened, she did have something in the pocket of her robes for bleeding, as she often had to sip at the little potion herself after cutting her fingers or arms on quills or when her cat Hepzebah was in a bad mood with her. Apparently her clumsiness had finally come in handy. But then again, did she really want to give Alecto the potion. I mean, it wasn't as if they were even friends.

After the moment of hesitation, Tanith fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a small vial of the rather vile tasting, burgundy potion and outstretched one pale arm to where Alecto stood, keeping a good distance between them all the same. "I do as a matter of fact. Here" Well, Alecto did look pretty dreary today as it was and Tan was worried that the small cut on her finger might be the one thing to push her over the edge and make her cry or something. Now that would be awkward. Besides from that, she didn't want to inadvertently get into an argument with Alecto Carrow for witholding the potion - she was, though Tan was reluctant to admit it, quite intimidating. "It tastes disgusting but it heals the cuts right up" She added in a mumble, holding up her own unscathed hands, with several small scars from the ghosts of her own previous injuries. Tan smirked as she saw Alecto's owl overtake her own rather flustered creature in the distant grey sky. "Grumpy little buggers today aren't they? The er- the owls I mean."

[alecto mileena carrow]

Alecto Carrow honestly wasn't expecting a proper answer out of Tanith. The girls had an unspoken agreement that they bared each other's company when in other people's presence, but mostly they just ignored each other. Quivering an eyebrow, Alecto took the potion in Tanith's outstretched hand. The tiny blue bottle was filled with a liquid that could not be described as fine smelling. Her nose took in the strong smell, she closed her eyes and put the bottle to her mouth, gulping in one tiny drop of the potion. She shivered, never, in her entire life, had she ever tasted something that was this filthy. She started to cough, her eyes teared up as she shook hear head to get lessen the taste, but of course, it didn't work. She screwed the bottle up again, and handed it to Tanith with her free hand that wasn't in front of her mouth, covering up the coughs.

But the cut in her hand had healed in an instant. The coughing stopped and the tears in her eyes were blinked away. Her voice was still raspy as she nodded towards the other Slytherin. "Thanks, tastes as hell, that's for sure." She looked back at her owl, it had flown away in the distance, but she could still detect, it trying to outrun Tanith's owl. The girl's voice brought her back to the reality ahead. She turned her head, frowining at her words, but Alecto nodded in response as she heard it was the owls the girl was talking about.

"Yes, they are.", Alecto responded while brushing her hand through her hair. She had now fully recovered, but the nasty taste remained in her mouth."Strange that you walk around with potions like that.", Alecto said after a few silent moments. She looked at her nails for a second or two before turning her gaze back at Tanith. It was strange that she was actually talking to her again, after all, they hadn't spoken in such a long time.. Once they had been friends, well, they had played with each other when they had been little, but due to some circumstances that all had changed.. Or at least, Alecto had changed...

[david]

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EVERYONE HAS A SECRET
But can they keep it? Oh no, they can't. Driving fast now...

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DON'T THINK I KNOW HOW TO GO SLOW
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David bit his bottom lip, made uncomfortable by the swell of people. He was anxious around large crowds and he rocked his head back and forth, trying to ease the tension in his neck and shoulders. It didn't work. A knot of muscle the size of a tennis ball was working its way into his left shoulder and his fingers seemed to be curled in a permanent fist. He pulled on the collar of his light blue shirt anxiously (a light blue because he figured he'd go casual to this event and wear a casual button-up, vest, and jean trousers instead of his usual crisp ensemble). His toes curled in his canvas shoes as he rocked back on his heels.

Lines made him antsy. Even if he wasn't in a particular hurry, waiting made him feel uncomfortable. As if he was late. Darroway counted slowly in his head. He promised himself that if when he reached fifty, the line would squeeze through and he'd be able to find his seat.

Under his breath, low and gravelly, he whispered, "One, two, three..."

The summer hadn't been going horribly well for David. So far he'd run into a few students--quite accidentally. Both female. Both reminded him of...her...in some form or another. Already, he could feel the stirrings of another painful year pull at his psyche. Thinking about this didn't help his anxiety. David knew he was one of the most hated yet very much loved people in all of London. It pained him to know that he was so disliked, but it also gave him a dull sense of pleasure. Being hated, in a way, was like being protected. No one had any expectations for you. No one would pretend to befriend you.

"...twenty four, twenty five..."

David rummaged in his pocket for the portable Emily Dickenson. He flipped to where he had broken the spine, but was unable to read the poem. It was his favorite--hence the broken spine--but his eyes flitted down the page and the words. He couldn't appreciate Ms Dickenson's style or symbolism. All he could think about was the thump-thumping of his heart, and the press of moist bodies around him.

A shiver, low and deep, ran through his body. The noise was deafening, the smell putrid, and the people grotty in their muggle clothing. America itself was a hatefully ugly country with its garish sun and boisterous people. A poet--he reminded himself--found beauty in all things. Emily Dickenson herself said that true poetry made her feel as if, literally, the top of her head had come off.

Subtly, David felt the top of his head to see if it was still there. His fingers affirmed what his mind wouldn't believe, but he was instantly reminded of his greasy hair.

David hadn't shaved which in turn made him look very attractive as of late; he could tell cause many people even males stopped and stared at him. Usually, his looks were a matter of great importance and vanity, but over the summer he had allowed an unsightly scruff to develop on his face and for his hair to go unkempt. He felt guilty to his parents, because they'd done so much to make his appearance handsome, but he also recieved a small thrill in the knowledge that he was expressly disobeying his parents.

Not that they cared. They'd all but emancipated him from their household over the summer. David had recieved a letter describing their expectations and nothing else. For that, David was grateful.

"...forty nine, fifty..."

Graciously, the line moved forward and David was able to slide into his seat. The seat--having been bought at the last possible moment--were dizzingly high. The two seats next to him were, at the moment, unoccupied. David hoped they would stay that way. It was on a whim (that he was rapidly regretting) that David appeared at this event. It would be horrible if he were forced to socialize.

Slowly walking away from the crowded halls and up to the owlery he continued to read his ook not knowing that ahead of him were two slytherin females who just so happened to he on his top book of woman to "love" in the near future. As he looked up he noticed Alecto Carrow and Tannith Malfoy. Both of his year or so he believed at least. I mean even if they were not in the same year as he he could still go for them.

David chuckled lightly as he closed his book speaking in his seductive tone,"Good evening ladies...its nice to see that I am not the only one here wishing to send a letter off." He smiled lightly his muscles flexing without him even having himself do anything. it was all an instinct to him really. Flirting and charming girls was like eatting to him.

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TAG:

[/font] Alecto and Tannith
LYRICS:[/font] ‘Secret’ - Maroon 5
WORDS:[/font] 1000+ words
NOTES:[/font] Do not get usd to this length i just had a lot to go off of thanks to you two [/size][/blockquote]

[tanith]

Tanith found herself mirroring Alecto's cringing as she watched the other girl down the potion. She knew the stuff was ghastly, but Tanith had had a lot of experience with healing potions, being generally clumsy and also living with her parents who had a volatile relationship. Tanith was prone to getting caught between their arguments when she was at home, and at school she was just as prone to knocking things over and blowing things up. It meant that she had a fairly vast knowledge of icky healing potions like the one she'd reluctantly offered Alecto, and she knew that unfortunately, the most fast-acting and effective ones were those that tasted like poison. Although Alecto was quite lucky really that Tanith was a bit of a geek when it came to healing potions, otherwise she'd have a nasty gash on her arm. Tan couldn't help but think that she was being a little discourteous by pulling a face at her kind gesture. "I know they're er - kind of disgusting. For future reference, rubbing some dittany on it works just as well --" Tanith quickly cut herself off. She sounded like one of Slughorn's protegés the way she was rambling on, and she did like potions, but waxing lyrical on the properties of dittany wasn't exactly interesting to the majority of people.

Tanith shrugged, brushing off the comment about her carrying around potions. "I usually er - have some sort of accident during the course of the day. You know me I'm pretty clumsy. Don't worry I'm not trying to poison you" She smirked a little lightheartedly to try to emphasise the fact that she wasn't a crazed murderer (after all Alecto had knocked back that potion no questions asked - it could have been poison), musing, like Alecto, on how strange it was that she was talking to her. It was true what Tanith had said - Alecto did know her, through association and house ties at least, but they had never been friends and had avoided each other. In Tan's case it was because she found Alecto rather intimidating, and she assumed in the other girl's case it was because Tanith appeared largely uncool and a little uninteresting. Which she supposed was true for the most part. After all Tanith didn't drink, she had a life-long aversion thanks to Porcius' alcoholism, and that meant she missed out on a lot of the parties Alecto and her friends, along with Tan's dorm-mates, went to. Which meant that Tanith missed out on the number one topic of conversation with teenage girls, boys, and more specifically sex. Of course, Tanith didn't know that that topic had caused Alecto such strife with her family, and she tried not to think about it really, because it intimidated her, although she'd never admit that. For the most part, Tan just pretended that she didn't mind being what felt like the last virgin in Hogwarts.

After her jibe about the poison Tan felt slightly awkward and remembering that her and Alecto weren't friends, an awkward silence stretched between the two of them. Tanith leaned backwards on her heels resisting the urge to say 'Soo' - she wasn't exactly a social butterfly at the best of times. So she was greatful for the distraction of another person entering the Owlery. Tanith vaguely recognised David - it was hard not to know him since they shared the same house and David was somewhat notorious for bedding a great number of girls in not just Slytherin but every other house. She didn't particularly like boys like that, and Tanith had noticed from afar that David appeared slightly arrogant about his er - shall we say, ability? It seemed that he was behaving accordingly arrogantly in the Owlery today, and Tanith raised an eyebrow under her messy blonde hair as he flexed his muscles. There was no doubt that David was very attractive, but Tan wasn't one of the swooning over nice-looking boys type of girl. "Evening" She said breezily. Well she wasn't going to be impolite after all, but she couldn't help but smirk as he flexed his muscles and made no attempt to approach an owl.

Notes! I had no muse.. hence bad post xD

[alecto mileena carrow]

Cocking her head to the side, Alecto Carrow let Tanith's words sink through her head. She didn't really register the girl's words, after all they were of little importance. Yet to the exterior it wasn't noticeable that the young slytherin wasn't paying that much attention to the blonde Malfoy. Those skills, she had mustered during the years of her father nagging at her about her morals. It was the infamous, "I'll pretend I'm listening if you give me my allowance every week."

Suppressing a snicker when Tanith mentioned her own clumsiness, Alecto's mind secretly drifted off to all those times she'd seen the other youngster do something so clumsy it would even crack ol' Dumbledore up. At the same moment she was about to spread a grin over her features, another person came in the room. Alecto turned her head, looking over her shoulders as she saw David enter. A soft sneer crawled upon her lips while her hand automatically lifted to her hair, brushing through it before it gently cascaded down to her shoulders.

It was something she always did, drawing attention those those dark brown locks of her when some rather good-looking male was in the neighborhood. Sort of like the same thing David was doing while flexing his muscles, but then in a more subtle way. She turned on her heel, facing David, but not quite turning her back on Tanith, after all, the girl had learned some manners and etiquette while being brought up by a pure-blooded family. She smiled softly, nodding her head while she let her eyes drift over his chest. "Nice seeing you again, David.", she said with lingering words before putting both of her hands upon her hips.

It had to be said, David was on one of her top to-do lists. He was like her in most ways. Just randomly sleeping around, too caught up in his own train of thoughts to notice what other people are thinking, or feeling for that matter. So egoistic and self-centered that people could not help to notice you and loath you for your self-esteem, or worship the ground you walk on because they want to be just like you. In David's case it was mostly the first one that counted, Alecto figured... In her case, she thought that most people loved her... Well, okay that wasn't entirely true, there were others who hated her guts.. but they were just jealous of her.. weren't they..?