Distancing Myself ((Anyone))

[livinghope1986]

Mandi forced a smile as she hugged her mum goodbye. She didn't want to leave so soon. She loved Hogwarts, but she hadn't seen her father in weeks. Not since the last attacks around Britain. Mandi needed to see and talk to him, but she knew it was impossible. There was no way she'd be able to see her father anytime soon. She realized this and yet she couldn't shake it. She kissed her mum on the cheek as she turned to board the train. Her trunk dragged behind her as she held her owl cage in front. She slid past the other compartments. Since the Diagon Alley attacks her personality had become depressing. She could barely force herself to smile and her thoughts were always on the evil times. She didn't feel like sitting with others and so she chose and empty compartment in the middle of the train.

Mandi dragged her trunk into the compartment and sat her barn owl on the seat. She gradually lifted her trunk from the ground and quickly placed in the racks overhead. She turned to Artemis and placed him in the rafters next to her trunk. He would be fine up there for now. She looked back at the compartment door and quickly shut it. She wasn't interested in meeting anyone this trip. She sat down and fingered her wand in her pocket. She had been keeping it close to her ever since the last attack. She never wanted to be useless again and she was determined to show those Death Eaters that she could kick butt if she had to.

[will]

Will swept through the crowd with ease, his face glowing with excitement. He was finally leaving the Orphanage and entering his favorite place: Hogwarts! Except for the horses in the pastures at the Orphanage, Will lived for the day to return to school. It wasn't like people at the Orphanage were cruel to him, the just didn't understand him. They always refused give him his growing needs and the essentials of the magical world. Just because he was different, they shunted him to the side just because the others apparently needed more help then he. Not that Will complained. He was always just giving what he got but the most wonderful gift in the whole wide world that could be given to him was his friends, the horses in the forest behind the Orphanage. They were the people who listened to his problems, who would change his remorse to excitement of a prospect. Luce, especially, was wonderful. He was like an outcast too. Soon, he would be the talk of the day. What with him going into training with one of the best Trainers in the world.....

Will was shaken out of his thoughts as he trunk screeched across the concrete. It was like a blow horn, alerting him to his worries and happiness. He hadn't been afraid to go into Hogwarts and be away from his parents, for he had no parents. He was a lonely orphan with no one to care for him. Not one. He was just alone and unwelcome, even in the Orphanage where they tried to sell him to the Adopters. Will pulled on his trunk to make the noise stop, for it was bringing unwelcome attention his way. If he was to go through the barrier, no one should be staring at him. He was only one of the curiosities in the station, however, for soon their attention was on someone else or on the companions again. Will walked confidently into the barrier; after all, this was his sixth time. It wasn't scary at all nor surprising to see the purple steam engine waiting for him. It tootled its horn as if to say hello, although it was a warning that it would soon be leaving. Will smiled at no one in particular before dragging his trunk through the crowd that swelled here. It didn't take too long to get to the luggage rack that was near the back. He put his trunk in there and some of the other bags he had packed. With nothing hanging on his arms except for the cat cage holding the tabby, Oliver, he strode into the train. It was busy, slightly, but Will walked down the aisle looking for an empty compartment. All were full except for one near the middle that drew Will's attention. A girl a little younger then himself, was sitting all alone. Will smiled and opened the compartment door to allow himself entry. Closing it behind him with a snap, he turned to the girl.

"Hello there. I'm William Senetta, Will for short if you please. I hope it's okay if I join." he sat down across from her with a impish grin spreading across his face. He sat the cat cage on his lap and opened it, letting Oliver come out to stretch his cramped legs. He did so with a certain amount of purring before turning a green eye on the girl. He then turned and curled up on Will's lap, making it impossible for Will to move without disturbing him. Will smiled at the girl and motioned toward Oliver. "That's Oliver. He's an old thing. Maybe eight or seven. I'm not sure anymore. As you can see, he likes to use humans as his bed." he laughed as Oliver began to purr with content.

[livinghope1986]

Mandi was startled out of her daydream when the door to the compartment snapped shut. She jumped slightly as she quickly turned to see who had entered. She only vaguely recognized the boy. He was older than her, but definitely not in Gryffindor. She smiled as he introduced himself as William Senetta. "Hi, Will. I'm Mandi Aspden, silent d," Mandi shrugged. She had heard her last name mispronounced dozens of times, but she didn't really care.

"By all means join me," Mandi sat quietly as she watched Will take his cat out of the cage. She giggled softly as the cat curled up on his lap. She knew that there was no way Oliver was going to let him move now. "He's cute for being old. Artemis is sleeping in his cage right now," Mandi said as she motioned to her brown barn owl who was sleeping contently in the cage next to her trunk. Artemis could sleep through anything and had a tendency to do so. "Artemis is pushing 4. He's getting rather winded when he goes on long trips, but I try to keep it to a minimal. So what house are you in?" Mandi asked with curiosity as she looked at him. She recognized him, but she couldn't place where she had seen him other than at Hogwarts. "I'm in Gryffindor, 5th year," Mandi said. She was secretly grateful that she wasn't alone, even though she had told herself she needed to be alone. She was way to sociable to be by herself, yet she couldn't help but segregate herself from the other students.

"How was your break?" Mandi asked quietly as she looked down at her hands. She knew this question would prompt him to ask about her summer. She didn't really want to talk about it, but she couldn't help but wonder about his summer. She of course had been traumatized by the attacks on Diagon Alley. It had been a subject that had preoccupied her mind all break. That and the fact that her father was an Auror working against the Dark Lord. She had become worried about him over the last three weeks. She had barely heard from him, let alone seen him. Which was difficult since he had always been so prominent in her life. Mandi shook her head as she waited for Will's reply to how his summer had been.

[will]

Will smiled as Mandi giggled. He pet Oliver slowly, rubbing behind his ears. It was his favorite spot. He looked at the brown barn owl Mandi had introduced as Artemis. "Hello Artemis," Will said with a happy smile. The owl didn't seem to react and if he did, Will didn't notice. Mandi asked what house he was in next. Will stopped to consider the question. He knew which house he was in but, he always tried to guess what house the other was in before answering their question. Then he would have a good idea what their reaction would be. He never liked being surprised, unless it was pleasantly so. Deciding that Mandi wouldn't have a strange reaction, he settled back more in his seat. It was then that Mandi actually said which house she was in. Will liked Gryffindors and didn't mind them one bit. Although they did prove a bit reckless at times.....Will could relate to it. So really, he was happy Mandi was one of the happier people in Hogwarts.

"I'm in Ravenclaw. A sixth year. Kind of scary, actually, to think that I'll be coming of age soon. I really don't want to but it is inevitable. I'd much rather stay at Hogwarts. Not that I'm afraid of the outside world or anything," he added, careful to realize that Mandi might have thought his reluctance to leave a fear to face the troubles outside of school. He wasn't afraid but he wished to help out with the attack. After all, he was positive that his parents would have helped too, had they been alive. He smiled at the thought; it was always his dream to follow in his parents' footsteps. Although he had no idea what footsteps they were, he knew that they must have been good. Otherwise, how would he have gotten into Ravenclaw? He was a choice for Slytherin, but the didn't really matter, considering he wasn't in there. Instead he was in Ravenclaw, so it didn't actually matter that Slytherin could have been his House. He shook himself out of his dreams as Mandi asked another question concerning his break.

"My break was okay. I live in Wales so it's quite far away from all the ruckus in England and all. By my saying that my break was okay is that I wasn't especially happy to have break. Hogwarts is like my sanctuary and when I leave it, everything turns wrong." he shrugged. "It's just the orphanage that I live at, I think. They don't even like us orphans. They only want the money given by the people who adopt us. I've been there for thirteen years and no one has adopted me yet. I'm the oldest there and that causes a certain amount of teasing. Not that I don't show them who's boss around there." Will chuckled slightly. Every orphan at the orphanage either admired him or feared him. Some even hated him. But Will preferred it that way. They were all little heathens anyway. "I did get a deal with this horse trainer. I have a horse named Luce and he is going to be a champion someday!" Will added, with a huge amount of pride dripping from his words. He then realized that he had rambled quite a bit. Grinning from ear to ear, Will stopped himself. "Gosh. Listen to me talk about things you probably don't even care about. Sorry, but I do like to talk. How was your break then?" Will asked, with a raise of an eyebrow.

[livinghope1986]

Mandi smiled as Will told her about being in Ravenclaw. She was glad he was in Ravenclaw. She didn't want to have a run in with a Slytherin before the year even truly started. Mandi listened to Will as he talked about not wanting to come of age. She wondered why he seemed to dislike it so much, but when he explained about Hogwarts she understood. Hogwarts had become her sanctuary as well. She loved her parents, but with a muggle mother and an Auror father who was never home, she had begun to get lonely. Hogwarts had been her only sense of peace. She loved Hogwarts and she knew that it would be hard for her to say goodbye in three years. She didn't want to leave Hogwarts, it was her home. She like Will was not afraid of the outside world. She was just reluctant to become involved in that world. She wanted to be safe and she didn't feel safe in the world outside of Hogwarts.

Mandi forced her mind to quiet itself as Will went on. He was answering her question about his break. Mandi was surprised to learn that Will had grown up in an orphanage. She had no idea how it felt to be parent-less. Her parents had always been there for her, in every way. She couldn't imagine what it would be like if her parents were gone and the people in place of them were cruel and rude. "An orphanage huh? I'm sorry that they don't understand you. It's probably hard to live there. Not being around magic all summer and having to hide your secret from the others so you don't get hurt. I can't imagine what it must have been like," Mandi said when Will had finished talking about his break and asked her about her break. She wanted to avoid the question as much as possible so she went on about the orphanage. She didn't know if Will would realize she was avoiding the question, but a quick look at him made her feel like talking about her break.

"My break wasn't what I was hoping for. Things happened the I wasn't expecting. It was fine for the aspect that my parents trusted me enough to let me go to London when ever I wanted. However, after the attacks on Diagon Alley I changed. I was there when it happened. I saw everything and heard everything. My father found me quickly, he's an Auror. He Apparated me back home and the left me alone. I just remember sitting and crying as I relived the sights and sounds of the attacks. I had seen people get injured and then there I was completely safe and sound, because my father had bailed me out. I didn't deserve it. From that day on I was so worried about everyone. I had lost myself and in my stead was a woman ten years older than me. I grew up quickly this summer and now I don't see the joy in life that I use to see," Mandi sighed as she looked out the window. She was avoiding looking at Will. She didn't think she sounded quite sane, but she didn't care at the moment anyway. "Man I sound daft!" Mandi said with a slight smile spreading across her face. She was trying to lighten the mood after her little spill, but she wasn't exactly sure if it was lightening. She looked at Will to see what he would say about the situation.

[will]

Will smiled. Mandi seemed to understand what he was saying. Happy that he had found someone so sincere, he relaxed his tight posture and leaned back into the cushion of the seat. It felt good to just hear the wheels on the tracks and nothing else to bother with. Mandi was quiet for some time before she had realized he was speaking. He shook his head and smiled a wry smile that didn't quite fit his bright eyes. The orphanage wasn't a fun place, that was for sure. Would he trade it for any place else? Yes, positively. He had many friends at Hogwarts but none in the muggle world. Where would he go if he were to leave the Orphanage while still underage? He was almost seventeen; so very close that it scared him. How time went by so quick. He could remember being five just like he could remember what he ate yesterday. It was sad, too, how fast time goes by and how little time we have to enjoy it. He shook his head and centered his thoughts back on Mandi, who was done talking about the Orphanage and was now speaking on her summer. For a while, after she was done talking, Will was completely quiet. He was startled by Mandi's reaction to this but also he was understanding, somewhat. He had no father to worry about but he did have friends to be afraid for, and they were as good as a father.

"I know how you felt. I couldn't get to go to London that day, which I'm thankful for, but I also feel like I could have done something. Now, I know that sounds stupid but it's just the way I felt. I couldn't stand up to a Death Eater; oh no, not even my knowledge could deal with them. It's just the fact that so many people were hurt and I was relaxing at....home." he sighed and ruffled his hair. "I can see how you are worried about your father. Being an Auror is very dangerous, but you have to remember that's what he wanted. He wants to go safe everyone else. It was his decision and I guess you just have to respect it.....I'm not saying you don't but......It was his decision to do this and....I don't know. I don't know what it's like to have parents," Will said suddenly, throwing up his hands in anger. That flare soon subsided and he glanced quickly at Mandi.

"I'm sorry I blew up. It's just....hard." he apologized with a lameness that must have been apparent. He wrung his hands quickly to show his anxiety, hoping she understood why he had just exploded so suddenly. Calming down, he closed his eyes and waited for his heart rate to go back to its normal pace. Once it did so, he breathed and looked up at Mandi, trying to read her expression. He felt stupid for blowing up just like that. It was hard though to try to give advice to others that had parents when he had never been in such a situation to actually be afraid for a guardian. He looked down, slightly ashamed at his reaction. It had been a long time since he had done that and why it had to be with Mandi, who was afraid for her own father, he didn't know. He ran a hand through his flop of dark brown hair before looking out the window, pretending like it was occupying all his thoughts for the moment.

[livinghope1986]

Mandi listened to Will as he talked about her father had chosen his path, but without warning Will just exploded. Mandi watched him closely trying to read him. She felt bad that she had brought up her father. She was lucky to have a father, while Will didn't even have parents. "It's all right. I should be the one that's sorry, it must be hard," Mandi mumbled an apology as she turned to look out the window. She felt so selfish right then. She hated going on about her problems when others didn't. Will seemed to have had a hard life and he wasn't complaining about it. Mandi, on the other hand, had a pretty good life, but was still complaining about certain aspects of it. She wished she had more brains than that.

Mandi stared out at the grassy hills and trees. The brilliant colors were speeding by the window. Bright colors of flowers would mix with the green and brown of the tress and hills. It was beautiful, though it would not last. Mandi sighed as she thought about being back home next to the water. She loved the water and she loved nature. It had been something that had always brought her peace. Now more than ever she needed that peace. She needed to find something to make her feel happy.

Mandi shook herself from the daydream. She realized she was not alone and her thoughts did not need to dwell on things that could not be changed. She smiled at Will, though it was forced. "So how were O.W.L.s? I've been worried about them all summer. Been rereading all of my old textbooks trying to remember everything we've been taught for the last 5 years. Are they really hard? How did you do on them?" Mandi asked quickly. She knew she was talking fast, but it was the only thing she could think off to talk about. She didn't like the silence and she was hoping that maybe this conversation would take a few minutes so she didn't have to worry about coming up with a new topic so quickly.

[will]

Will shrugged but didn't like how Mandi was blaming herself for his emotional break-down. He shook his head but held no resistance. It would have helped if the topic hadn't been about parents but....what was done is done and there was really no changing it. It really wasn't what Mandi had said though. He was the one how had lost control. It was unusual, that was for sure. He could hold himself together when he talked about his parents but on this conversation piece it had somehow been different. It could have possibly been because Mandi's parent was missing or she hadn't seen him. Will couldn't even remember his parents. There was no pictures left; no evidence of what they looked like or what they did. He looked out the window slowly, not wanting to just stare at nothing anymore. This didn't help though for he couldn't pick up the colors or the things that were moving past so fast it made all blurry. He closed his eyes and opened them quickly, aware of the silence that had feel between him and Mandi all of the sudden. He felt bad that she felt bad about what had happened. It really had been all his fault, not hers. He should be feeling worse for her then for himself. He glanced at her quickly before looking back out, suddenly uncomfortable with the vast silence. It was like a heavy cloud over his thoughts. Blinking a few times, he tried to register the words Mandi was suddenly speaking. She spoke about the O.W.L. test Will had taken last year. He smiled as he thought on the matter.

"They're hard if your not prepared," he said with a grin, knowing that it was the perfect Ravenclaw answer. Ravenclaws were none for being the bookworms of Hogwarts. He himself could not defy this natural quality of his. Stretching out his arms he yawned behind his hand. "It'll really be okay if you're dedicated to studying hard and working on all the spells. I'm guessing your one of the smarter Gryffindors and not the reckless type?" he asked with a shadow of a wink. Some Gryffindors were smarter then others but most were just the braver. Will didn't really know considering he never really conversed with Gryffindors that much. He didn't like how they were always so....confident. Not even Will was that confident of his abilities. They were sometimes ruthless too, almost as bad as the Slytherins except in different ways. He shrugged it off once more and thought back to the earlier part of summer when he had gotten the owl with his test grades. "Transfiguration, Herbology and Charms were Exceeding Expectations, I believe. I got an Outstanding in Defense Against the Dark Arts but that's it. Acceptable in Care of Magical Creatures and History of Magic and Potions. And I didn't pass Divination and Astronomy." he shrugged again with a lop-sided smile. "I was actually surprised I passed so many, to tell you the truth. But - don't get me wrong - I was happy and proud. Although I couldn't tell anyone about it." he added with a somewhat sourer note before brightening. "My technique was to play to your weaknesses. If you're good at something, don't pay as much attention to it as your weaknesses. It worked for me but how knows if it'll work for you." he smiled before arching an eyebrow. "What classes do you do well in?"

[jarlaxle]

Jarlaxle hugged his mom goodbye before he ran to catch the train. His father was at the Ministry working overtime it happened alot lately, He frowned and hurried on to the train. His summer was ok he thought to himself first that girls party then the Quidditch practices with his mother to keep her from worrying about his dad. Dad he thought to himself he hoped to god that he hasnt been hurt or anything in his line of work, he just wished this was all over and he could be spending the days with his Father not worrying weither he was alive or dead. He made his way to the middle of the train when he came upon two people sitting in a compartment, They were both older then him by the looks of them he asked in a slightly nervous voice "Mind if I join you?"

[livinghope1986]

Mandi smiled to herself at Will's comment about being a smarter Gryffindor as apposed to the reckless type. "I'm a bit of both to tell the truth. I'm more reckless than smart, but I don't procrastinate, which is one of the stupider things that Gryffindor's tend to do. Of course, I also like to wreck a bit of havoc around Hogwarts as well," Mandi giggled. She was remembering the times when she had set off a few dung bombs in the hallways. She felt like she was getting too old for that kind of behavior, but it was her one release. "Yeah, those timed were fun, but I'm a little old for that anymore. I'm almost 16 now and I need to start thinking about my future," Mandi sighed as she looked back out the window.

Will asked her what classes she did well in. "I do really well in Transfiguration and Charms. My father's ability passed to me with those. I also do well in Defense Against the Dark Arts, but that's about it. The other classes I really have to work in to pull good marks. I'm not bad in Potions, I just don't do well around Professor Snape. He makes me so nervous that all of my potions end up wrong. Of course, Herbology is one of my worst subjects. I can't keep anything alive and re-potting plants I'm horrible at," Mandi sighed. She was probably going to take up Neville's proposition to help her with Herbology. She needed to get good marks in it for her N.E.W.T classes. "What do think? Do I stand a chance in continuing my studies as an Auror?" Mandi asked. As she did her attention was drawn to the compartment door. A young boy stood at the door. He looked to be a few years younger than her and he was definitely nervous. His voice was oddly shaky as he asked if he could join them. "I don't mind, do you Will?" Mandi asked as she turned to look at Will.

[will]

Will smiled as he thought over what Mandi said. "There is a time to have fun though. I mean, no matter how old you get, you still should have some fun moments. You know what I mean?" he asked with a few shrugs. He wasn't even sure what he meant. Maybe he just liked to have fun once and a while instead of being the boring bookworm he could sometimes be. Of course, he did have attitude too, but not to much of it. He smiled with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Of course, I won't be trouble in Hogwarts. The House Cup is going to be ours again this year, so if I have to give up my own reckless side, then so be it." he gave a little smirk at Mandi, wondering how she liked that comment. He had just been teasing but still, he wasn't going to let any other house but Ravenclaw touch the House Cup if he could help it. After all, it had been theirs for two years in a row. They couldn't ruin it all now. He smiled as Mandi described her strengths and weaknesses.

"That doesn't sound too bad. If you want to be an Auror, though, you have to work really hard at everything. I'm not sure about Herbology but....Potions is a necessary. Um...So is Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Charms, so you do have a chance if you work really, really hard." he smiled reassuringly at Mandi. She must have wanted to be an Auror like her Dad. Will wished he could share something like that with his parents, but he could only guess. His parents must have been on the right side; he had no doubts at all. His ideas had been to become an Auror too. He was going to help out the needy and destroy the unworthy. He smiled happily but his thoughts vanished as the door slid open and revealed a student much younger then himself. The boy stood there looking rather uncertain. "Of course he can come in. Come and sit down." Will said, pointedly scooting over so he was scrunched against the window. The train was beginning to slow slightly, they must be arriving sometime soon. He looked out the window, trying to catch a glimpse of his home but couldn't. The castle wasn't in sight yet, but there was no doubt it wouldn't be any longer. He felt a sudden wave of happiness come over him. He would soon be home again! The wonders of it filled him with excitement and impatience. How much longer?

[jarlaxle]

Jarlaxle moved to go sit down, He felt hte train starting to slow down his heart did a backflip in his stomach. Almost there he thought to himself, He took a seat beside Will.

"Names Jarlaxle." He put both his hands out hoping for a handshake. "What year you guys in?" He asked them both hoping they werent gonna jinx him to oblivion. He winced at that thought. What a way to start a year getting jinxed on the train.

[ashley]

Alarice waved an irritated half hearted good bye to her step siblings as she hurried through the train trying to find another seat. She had been sitting with them at first, but truthfully, she couldnt at all stand the three for more than another minute. Ever since her mother had gotton remarried....well, she was pretty much stuck with a new family, new siblings, a new house, and a new father. She was glad to be on her way back to Hogwarts. At least none of her stepsibs were in her year. She wouldnt have to see them too much anymore.
To lazy to go and search for anyof her friends, Alarice slid open the first compartment door and stuck her head in side. It was already occupied but not too crowed. There were only three others sitting around talking.

[ashley]

Alarice smiled kindly. "Do you mind if I sit with you guys?" she asked politely.