A Letter From Ethan ((open after Darren))

[Charisma Turner G3]

"Buttercup!" Charisma shouted.

"Buttercup!" Charisma shouted once more.

"Buttercup?" Charisma had shouted and shouted, but no matter how loud she shouted, her owl did not appear. Finally, after several minutes of calling her name, Buttercup appeared through the window of the owlery with a large mouse in her beak.

"There you are!" Charisma smiled as her owl swooped down to meet her owner. "I was looking all over for you!" Buttercup seemed to know what was coming next, so she hid the mouse under a pile of hay and returned once more to the shoulder of her beloved owner. "Good girl! Now come on, lets go, I just got a new letter from Ethan!" Charisma smiled. She was always happy to see a new letter from her muggle boyfriend, Ethan Benjamen. He sent her messages by owl almost twice a week. Charisma had been best friends with Ethan long before she started dating him, so he knew all about Charisma's little secret.

Buttercup launched off of Charisma's shoulder and headed toward Gryffindor Tower.

"Thanks for reminding me Buttercup! I almost forgot about our picture!" Charisma was referring to the picture of Ethan she kept in her dorm. She always had it right by her side whenever she heard from Ethan. It was kind of like a tradition, she couldn't write her letters without it.

When she reached the common room, she came to the far end of the third year's dorm where the window was. The picture was sitting right there. Charisma picked it up as she glanced out of the window. "Gosh, it's such a pretty day outside, isn't it?" Charisma said to nobody in particular. "You wanna write this thing outside? Maybe get a little fresh air?" Buttercup didn't seem to care, so Charisma took her picture, some parchment, and other writing supplies and headed outside.

The air was calm and the sun was shining, so it seemed like the perfect weather to just be outside. Charisma took her usual seat under the tree by the lake and began to open the letter when she heard someone coming. She couldn't quite tell who it was because of the position under the light the person was in, but judging by the green robes, Charisma could tell it was a Slytherin. She quickly closed the letter, hid it behind her back, and braced herself for the sure-to-be Gryffindor vs. Slytherin battle on words. Even Buttercup knew what was ahead.

[Darren Gibbs S1]

((Sorry it took so long, and I'm sorry if I ended up offending anyone not in Slytherin here...these are not my personal views...just Darren's.))

"...and that's how you transfigure a candlestick into a dagger." Wrote Darren, putting the lid on his ink bottle tightly, and putting it back into his bag along with the quill and parchment he'd just been writing on. He'd been spending the past hour writing an essay for Transfiguration homework. it was an extremely odd sight...Darren Gibbs, actually concentrating on work! In reality it was only because it was in for the next lesson, and he didn't want to get, yet again, on the wrong side of Professor McGonnagall. Being a Slytherin, he wasn't keen on the strict deputy head teacher, as she was a Gryffindor. There was something about them...it was sort of as if they thought they were better than everyone else...being the "brave" house, and with Harry "the-boy-who-lived" Potter...that made it all the worse. Good riddance he thought! Serves him right for trying to defeat the greatest wizard ever...well, it'd all be about that Longbottom lad now, wouldn't it. What did he ever do? They were just a bunch of overestimated brutes...

Having finished his work and packed his bag, Darren slung it over his shoulder and strolled out of the Student Lounge. He glared at some students that were shorter, yet probably older than himself, that were giving him weird looks. He first went down to the dungeons where he could check his schedule. Finding out that he had Herbology, History of Magic and Transfiguration that afternoon, and no moer homework needed urgently, he put those books in his bag. Tuesday afternoons were so horrible...no potions, no DADA...yet all the non-Slyths seemed to love it. hey, well, he still had 15 minutes or so until he needed to be anywhere, so he decided to work his way upstairs, and out to the grounds. The most peaceful, and therefore Darren's favourite, part of the school, whether it was freezing, boiling, or simply overcast.

Darren wrapped his cloak around his shoulders, seeing as it was February, and therefore pretty chilly. He was surprised there wasn't snow...it was this sort of weather that he hated. It was cold, uncomfortable, and simply not fun at all. At least snow could be fun...so could ice, but when there was nothing...it was horrible. He had his favourite areas though...his main one being a hidden corner by the lake...under a tree. Fighting against the onshore breeze by the lake that had built up, he made his way over to that area. But he found he wasn't alone. Sitting under a tree was a girl. An older girl. Reading a letter, by the looks of it. On closer inspection she was a Gryff....typical! It would have to be wouldn't it? And she was probably really pleased with herself for finding this hidden gem too...

Ambling up to her, he saw her notice him, and quickly hide the letter behind her back. He'd teach her a lesson...so getting closer, he started to shout "Oi, what're ya doing here? This is MY secret area, y'know. Not yours...feeling smug for yourself too, I bet, finding a hidden corner, to read your private letter...anyway, who are you? A Gryff, by the looks of it...about 3rd year, right? I'm Darren, by the way. A Slyth firstie, with the Slyth sprit of a 7th year! And I'll let you off this one time...but if you#re here again, then be careful..."

[Charisma Turner G3]

as the figure began to near her, Charisma noticed that it was rather short, male, and had a smug look on his face that looked unpleasantly familiar. All of his kind bared the same look. I'm a Slytherin. I'm better than you and I can do whatever I want, so all those who feel like standing up to me, beware. He was a Slytherin first year who for some reason thought he owned the spot under the tree. Charisma thought she'd teach the smug little firtie some manners. She handed Ethan's letter to Buttercup who guarded it carefully as she watched the scene unfold. Charisma stood up and stood right up to the small Slytherin who in his words, "Had the Slyth Spirit of a seventh year"

"Who do you think you are, anyway?" She had already heard him introduce himself as Darren Gibbs, but that didn't really matter. She glared down at the small, over-confident firstie.

"I don't think you are in a real position to be bossing me around, now are you? I found this spot long before you did, and I'm willing to share, but if you're going to make the mistake of thinking this is your spot, then you might as well pack up and never come back because you are way in over your head, kid!" Charisma's voice was raising by the second, and she hoped she wouldn't get too carried away, even though she was willing to do whatever it took to get this kid's attitude straight.

"Now, Mr. I think I'm better than you 'cuz I'm a big mean Slyth...I suggest you back down right now, before you hurt yourself." Charisma raised her eyebrow and waited for a reply.

[Darren Gibbs S1]

Darren rolled his eyes. yet another person thinking that Slyths thought that they were the best, simply because they were purebloods, and because of this all Slyths were wrong, and therefore everyone to have been placed under the sorting hat, and been put into the House of Slytherin was wrong. And, of course, seeing as they thought that the Slyth in question was wrong, they were so obviously right, and therefore they started an arguement, which was normally blown up out of all proportions, and all because the person thought that all Slytherins were selfish and egoistic. No, her being in his place had scratched the surface of his sphere of anger. That only made him agitated. What she was saying now was digging up the roots.

"Ah, right, so you think I'm annoyed cos you took my spot, right? True, that made me agitated, but didn't go too far. Sure, I'm willing to share, as long as you don't come here when I'm here too. I'll do the same-if you're here in the future, I'll leave it." it was true that Darren was a typical Slyth in many ways, but he had manners, when he felt like using them. But this girl was about to see the damage she'd really done. She was probably expecting to get into a fight, but truth be told, Darren would only fight if she urged him. So he decided to go on with what he was saying.

"And whatever, you're wrong. You got the wrong idea-I don't think I'm better than you "cos I'm a big mean Slyth". I'm not an idiot-I know I'm not big, and I know I could be stronger-come on, I'm only 11! And what do you mean, "before you hurt yourself", hmm? I'm not stupid. What really gets me now, is that you assumed I thought I was the best around, and you assumed that I was here for a fight. Trust a Gryffindor to do that. And no, don't go assuming again, that I know nothing about Gryffindors. I'm not going to bother going into the details right now, but hey, if you really wanna know, then just ask."

Of course, Darren was thinking about his brother, Scott. He had been sorted into Gryffindor when he first started at Hogwarts. Although Darren was only young when this happened, he still remembered the rows, arguements, shouting, and awkward silences of that time, in which Scott was still pinching the last inch of the ruler that was his time at the Gibbs manor house. After a while he only came back for summer, and then he usually found friends to stay with. Darren then found himself staring out to sea over the lake, momentaril forgetting that he had company.

"Oi, anyway, you never said who you were. Do you really, actually want to be known as 'oi, you', or do you have some proper name to which you'd rather be referred? I already told you I'm darren, right? And I meant what I said about having major Slyth Spirit, y'know. I admit, I was harsh back then. But whatever, but I'm still annoyed ya know." This was true, but once again, she would probably assume something completely wrong...

((Again, sorry for any offence caused by this post)).

[Charisma Turner G3]

Charisma glared at the boy named Darren as he rolled his eyes. He really thought that she was assuming. There was nothing really to assume. He clearly let Charisma know that he was fit to be in that spot and she wasn't allowed. No assumptions necessary. Although, she did realize where he was coming from. With first glance at the small Slytherin boy, Charisma had the image of a "typical" Slytherin set in her mind, and that wasn't right. Charisma wasn't fond of the boy, but she wasn't asking for a fight either. Although, if he offered...Charisma wouldn't back down.

"Okay," Charisma sighed. "I realize that I made a mistake in assuming what you were like, but you've gotta hear me out too." Charisma said, her glare turning into a straight expression. "This isn't a one way street you know." Charisma continued as Buttercup flew to her side. " I really don't understand why we can't share the spot, and be here whenever we want, no matter who's here." Charisma started stroking Buttercup. "I'm not really a bad person to be around, you know, there's no need to start a fight...because you and I both know that will most likely end in a detention and points being taken away." Charisma sighed as Buttercup flew away, most likely to the owlery...she dropped Ethan's letter on the ground as she flew off. "I don't know about you, Darren Gibbs, but I really want to win the house cup this year instead of losing it to Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff...not that I don't have friends there." Charisma knew what she had to do next...even though she really didn't want to do it, she knew she had to. "I'm sorry that I treated you the way I did. It was wrong and I shouldn't have done it. I hope we can break away from this whole argument and start over...I actually had a cousin in Slytherin so...not that you are all alike, but I'm kind of used to it." Charisma sighed once more. "So...we both get free reign on the spot no matter who's here...it belongs to no sole person...agreed?" Charisma held out her hand for it to be shaken.

[Darren Gibbs S1]

Darren nodded throughout Charisma's speech. She understood completely what she was saying. He felt rather guilty about having shouted at her in that way. It was wrong of him, and also he had been rather hypocritical-telling her not to make assumptions, when he had made them himself. Why was it always Gryffindors that did that? Scott had been the same-always making Darren feel guilty about things. Once it appeared like she had finished speaking, Darren stopped nodded, looking at her pensively, and decided to let her know that he agreed and to tell her his situation.

"Hmm, I completely see what you mean. I forgive you for making assuptions. I realise that I was being hypocritical-I guess I was making assumptions too. You seem to be like some other Gryffs I know. Actually, that's another assumption. Anyway, yeah, you act like my older brother. He was a Gryffindor in his day-he left a couple of years ago, and he would have said similar things to what you said back then if he was in that situation. I guess it was that that made me angry in the first place-I've had bad times due to him being a Gryff...which is what gave me the grudge against you in the first place, but it turns out you are sensible, and I respect that. Im sorry if I offended you earlier, I was just angry. I've calmed down now, honestly."

Charisma was then talking about sharing the land. She had some good points there...now that he had calmed down a lot, he could see sense. "Alright, I get your point. I was being rash earlier....so yeah, we can share the land and come here whatever, whether anyone's here or not." He shook her hand. Hopefully they could become friends, despite the bad start. "So, friends? And no more fighting, as I know what you mean-we don't wanna lose any points. Slytherin are pretty behind as it is. We're on minus points, due to some silly people going out out of hours, into the forbidden forest to, I believe. May the best house win! And no more fighting-let's forget this bad stary, kay?"

Darren then noticed the letter on the floor, wondering who it was from. A parent? A muggle friend? A boyfriend, even? He picked it up-the envelope didn't give much away...except that her name was Charisma. He handed it to her. Here...you don't wanna get it trapled in the ground. So, who's the letter from? Sorry if I'm being personal. It's none of my business, I'm sure. I only ever get letters from my family...parents and then my younger siblings write a line or 2 usually. I don't have many friends outside Hogwarts...I never got on with anyone at my primary school...it was my attitude. Still is. But whatever, I'm fine with it...my attitiude about hating muggleborns...when I never really talked to them much..." Darren paused fromn his speech, letting Charisma get a word in edgeways.

[Charisma Turner G3]

Charisma's expression had changed a lot over the course of the day. It had gone from happy and giddy, to upset, to angry, to expressionless, and back to happy all in one day. It was a very confusing process, but Charisma was used to it. She had even begun to notice some expression change in Darren too. His smug face had turned into a polite and happy face, a change that Charisma was very glad to see. Then, some friendly conversation had begun. Darren had started to talk about how she reminded him a lot of his older brother, who was also a Gryff.

"That's funny,"She said, "because you remind me a lot of my cousin...although, come to think of it...I didn't know her that well. You might have though...she was in my year but she disappeared just a couple of months ago. Nobody knows why she left, or even where she was going."

"Alright, I get your point. I was being rash earlier....so yeah, we can share the land and come here whatever, whether anyone's here or not." Darren said. Charisma was glad Darren had payed attention to what Charisma had to say, maybe he really wasn't like all the other Slytherins she had come to despise. Darren was different. Much more different than Charisma could have ever imagined.

"So, friends? And no more fighting, as I know what you mean-we don't wanna lose any points. Slytherin are pretty behind as it is. We're on minus points, due to some silly people going out out of hours, into the forbidden forest to, I believe. May the best house win! And no more fighting-let's forget this bad stary, kay?" Darren seemed very wise beyond his years. Charisma would enjoy having a friendship with Darren.

"Now there's a deal!" Charisma said with a smile. "Yea, I know what you mean about the points." She said, with a disappointed look on her face. "A couple more points for Gryfindor really couldn't hurt...it seems like Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are always lightyears ahead of us in points." She looked around the grounds at the many little groups having fun in the mid-February breeze. "It's probably cuz we're the two houses always fighting with eachother. In my opinion, I think the idea of houses is stupid." She thought this sounded a bit strange, but she still stood by the statement. "I mean, don't get me wrong, having houses can be great! ...It's just that...it causes so many problems and controversies!" Charisma took another glance at the many little groups. Why were they all so separated like that? Why couldn't they all just have fun together, instead of in those tight little groups? "And just think about it! The second you see the color of somebody's robes, you have this set image in your mind about them...as if you've known them your entire life, even though you don't. I mean, just think about that! Each and every one of those robes say Hogwarts on it right? If it wasn't for the green, or the yellow, or the blue, or the red...they would all be the same!" Charisma paused as she noticed her letter on the ground. Darren seemed to notice this too because he picked it up for her and asked her who it was from.

"It's a letter to my boyfriend back in London." She said. "And don't worry about it, it's not personal at all!" She smiled and stopped talking so as to give Darren some kind of chance to speak.

[Darren Gibbs S1]

((So, so sorry it's taken me so long to get round to this post, once again!))

Darren noticed Charisma's expression change to being more happy again. She had truly lived up to her name-Charisma. Charisma by name, Charisma by nature. he liked her, despite her being a Gryff and her earlier opinions. Not many people would be able to change Darren from being really angry with them for being a Gryff to actually liking and respecting them. She had taught him the art of politeness to some extent, and he wasn't going to let her forget that. He had even been starting to confuse himself too...probably confusing her too, but he now hoped they could get along just fine.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I was the one that was in the wrong to start with. We were both rash, so we're square, right? Deal?" He held out his had for her to shake. He hoped that they would be friends in the future. "And no more fighting." He grinned at her, in a way he didn't normally grin. he didn't grin often anyway. But he wanted to be friends. he didn't get on with many people-through his own ideas-but he did enjoy having friends.

She was talking about points now. The other two houses always seemed to win. she didn't like the idea of houses apparently...he pondered over this before taking again. "Hmm, I see what you mean-the house system does seem to be biased at times, but when it comes down to it, a lot of people just see it a bit of healthy competition, even though it can partly dictate your life for you. Some people take it very seriously-some families, including my own, to be honest, are very proud of their heritage. And it can change your life forever if you are put in the wrong house. But if there were no houses, how would the school be organised?"

"True, the robes are all the same apart from the colours on them. But personally I think it's way too late to change the house system now-it's been around for ages, since the school was founded. There're loads of problems with it, as you know, but aren't most people pleased to be in the house they're in? And proud of the identity it gives them? I don't know about you, but I'm proud to be a Slytherin. Even though in some ways I''m not your average Slyth, I've got more Slytherin blood in me than non-Slyth blood, if that makes sense..."

"So your cousin is like me, hmm? But she just disappeared? Hmm, that's odd. Had anything happened to her, or did she just...go? I know I wouldn't leave here, or even try. I do hate this place at times, it really gets to me, the way I'm treated most of the time, but overall I quite like it here. I also want to do my parents proud, unlike my brother. They didn't really get on, and still don't now..." Darren didn't usually like thinking about the situation with his parents and Scott, but as he was getting older, he was getting more used to the idea of a slightly broken family. And even though he didn't liek it, he had stopped letting it get to him so much.

Then se moved on to the letter. Apparently it was from her boyfriend in London. Darren didn't know much about relationships of that nature, being only 11 years old, but he sighed. He had heard of other people his age having girlfriends-didn't they think they were too young? Then he thought of something else. "So, does your boyfriend know about you being a witch then? If I ever got a girlfriend that wasn't a witch I don't know how I'd tell her...I'd probably fear that she'd think I'm weird, heh.How long have you two been together then? A long time?"