Dream Of Better Days ((Maryn))

[Kia Brightstar]

Diagon Alley yet again. What fun. At least she was given permission to wander around by herself this time. Apparently going into her fourth year made Kia more mature. Hah. Kia snorted derisively. Not that she was arguing with her fathers choice of course. It was nice to be given a small amount of trust and responsibility. And hey, maybe she could liven up the Alley. Kia's eyes glittered mischievously, even as she nimbly stepped out of a rather tall mans way and dodged into a sidestreet quickly. A woman glared at her when Kia accidentally crashed into her and shoved past her rudely, knocking her into a wall and making her step into a puddle. Kia merely rolled her eyes and rubbed her shoulder gingerly, ignoring the small droplets of water staining her jeans. Some people just had no manners; it was a fact of life. Occasionally Kia crashed into people, yes, but she at least had the decency to apologize.

Her good mood was rapidly disappearing. Today was definitely not the best day for Kia. Far from her plans of wreaking havoc and causing mischief, she was instead pulling at a strand of loose blonde hair fretfully and heading toward a considerably small coffee shop that her Aunt had introduced her to a few years ago. Maybe a drink would cheer her up and return enough of her previous good mood for Kia to return to her shopping. "A chocolate brownie and a butterbeer please, Rosie," Kia smiled weakly, recognising the waitress from many past visits. It helped that her Aunt was good friends with Rosie too. "Of course, Kia dear. Take a seat and I'll have it with you in a few minutes." Rosie smiled kindly before hurrying away to tend to other customers. Kia grinned, her mood lightened by the familiar and cheerful bustle of the shop, before stepping toward a table near the window and sitting down, gazing out of the window dreamily.

((Not wonderful and it took much longer than I had anticipated but it's finally up.))

[Maryn Livley]

The party was drawing closer and Maryn of course had to have a costume. Why was she even going? It's not like she really wanted to. Ah, that's right mum was making her. Well, Nate too. They both agreed that Maryn should get out of the hospital and Nate was all like I can't leave so you go and enjoy the outdoors for me. She didn't want to go to the party. She didn't want to leave Nate. Maryn already went to The Alley to meet Cougar. That was enough out time for her, but no mum and Nate really wanted her to go. Maryn knew that mum wanted to spend time with Nate because she was so busy with work, but couldn't Maryn just go to the house or something while her mother did that. Parties are over-rated anyways. Maryn remember Rosaliz's party the year before. Oh that was some fun. Rosa got hit by a car and put into the hospital. Maryn didn't want to relive that party ever again. So, going to this one would only make her replay it in her mind. Maryn was going. That was a fact that Nate and Mum made happen, but she would be happy about it that was for sure. Maryn liked staying with her brother and she didn't mind the hospital. Most teenagers in her situation would be dying to leave, but Maryn wasn't. She had been through too much the past year to even care about parties and staying out late. The past summer Maryn had too much fun and got into too much trouble that she had no inspiration to ever do that again. Maryn had grown up over the year and she wasn't in the mood to relive her past.

Maryn sighed walking into The Alley. She didn't really remember why she went to Diagon Alley to get a costume. Well, actually she did and actually she just didn't want to go shopping in muggle Liverpool with her mother. Maryn lived in Liverpool, but she usually came to London a lot. Aunt Nancy's farm was about half an hour away from London. So, Maryn would usually take the Floo Network out there and in previous summers Maryn had spend a lot of time with her old friend Piper, but Piper dropped out of Hogwarts and Maryn didn't really spend time with her anymore. So, here she was in Diagon Alley. Maryn did need a costume since the party was a costume party, but she might be able to find something in the Alley. Ok, probably not, but there was a slight chance she would. This did beat going shopping with her mum. Usually, Maryn liked spending a little time with Isa, but since she was making Maryn go to the party, Maryn wasn't in the mood for any family company. Maryn had no clue what she would be, but maybe she could find inspiration or maybe not. Maryn walked past one of the clothing stores and headed into a book shop. This was more like it.

Maryn walked out half an hour later with a bag that held a couple of books. Well, it wasn't her fault that anger made her thirst knowledge for some strange reason. It was odd, Maryn had been depressed over Nate for over a month now and she still was. However, she wasn't acting like it. The whole party thing was in her head. Maryn loved her brother and she wanted him to be better, but she couldn't change that he wasn't. Maryn had basically gone over the whole I wish Nate wasn't sick thing. She had accepted the fact he was and now she just wanted to be there for him, but of course the party and all the preparation for it took all of that away from her. Maryn strolled away from the bookstore. That did make her feel a little better for some odd reason. Suddenly, Maryn felt a bit hungry and she defiantly wouldn't pass up an opportunity to not shop for a costume. So, she walked towards a cafe. Maryn hadn't been there in a while, so she thought it would be a good twist rather that her other favorite cafe in The Alley. As Maryn came in, she smiled a bit seeing Kia. This had to be the hight light to her annoying day. She walked over to her. "Hey Kia." She said trying her best to be cheerful. Usually, she would be more than happy to see anyone and she would be very happy to see Kia, but Maryn was just tired and grumpy. She knew how brat like she was being, but Maryn just wanted to go home as odd as it sounded. "How have you been lately? Mind if I sit?" She asked calmly. Maryn then waited for a response.

[Kia Brightstar]

"Ros, I'm fine. Honestly." Kia protested laughingly, waving away the older womans concerns dismissively. Rosie had finally taken her usual ten-minute break and was content to sit with her best friends niece and quiz her about her life. Now, she arched an eyebrow doubtfully but sighed in resignation. It was obvious that she would get no more from the ridiculously stubborn teen and so she shrugged graciously before getting to her feet and placing a hand on Kia's hair gently. "I'm just concerned about you, kid. You know you and your family are like my own family to me." Rosie grinned and tugged at a strand of blonde hair before rolling her eyes as another waitress called her over. "I know, Rosie. Now go. Lianne wants you and I want another butterbeer." Kia laughed and winked playfully, ducking the friendly swat to her head. "Yes, your highness. And if you see Amelia, Robbie or Adam then tell them that I'll be around sometime in the week." Kia nodded obediently, making a note to inform her cousin, Adam, when she next saw him.

Another butterbeer was placed in front of her and Kia grinned gratefully, wrapping her hands around the glass and returning to staring out of the window dreamily. "Maryn!" Kia smiled slightly, always happy to see one of her friends. Though she certainly didn't seem to be as happy and chipper as Maryn usually was. "I've been fine. You know me, Maryn. I make fun whenever and wherever I can. Drives my family crazy but they're used to it by now." Kia studied her dorm mate carefully, even as she nodded and gestured for Maryn to sit down in the seat opposite her. "How have you been?" Kia lifted an eyebrow thoughtfully, deflecting the girls question back to her quickly.

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn smiled lightly. Kia of course was a fellow dorm mate, but Maryn hadn't seen her since school was let out. Maryn sat in the seat across from Kia. Maryn smiled lightly as Kia said she was just making fun as she usually did. Maryn nodded. Kia was good about that. Maryn hardly ever saw her being bored just as people hardly ever saw Maryn not smiling, but those situations were regular for Maryn lately. How could she smile? Her little brother was fighting for his life. Maryn didn't see a reason to be happy nor did she want to. Maryn could usually fake happiness, but not now. She just couldn't do that anymore. That was more of the old Maryn. The one who could easily fake emotions and didn't care too much about anyone else. However, that Maryn was nearly got. She had shriveled into nothingness leaving only the new Maryn. However, Maryn missed the old her, but she wouldn't admit it. She looked at Kia and then looked around her. Maryn hadn't been to this cafe in years. She didn't really know any of the waiters or anything. Her favorite cafe was on a side alley not too far away. Maryn made a mental note to visit Franchesca and Bernie before leaving the alley for old times sake. She missed her old cafe, but this placed seemed just as good minus Fran and Bernie. Maryn looked around calmly and then back at Kia.

Kia then asked how Maryn had been. It was a question that Maryn had to answer every time she saw a friend, but she really didn't want to. She could lie, but Maryn knew her present lying skills weren't up to par. She looked at Kia. "Umm, not great, but I'm okay I guess." This answer was good enough for Maryn. "I'm staying with my brother at the hospital so I haven't really seen anyone else, but the hospital isn't horrible really." Maryn added for no reason at all. Talking about Nathan was getting easier and easier. She was getting more proud than scared these days. Maryn was proud that Nate wasn't giving up. She was proud that he went through everything without even one complain. Maryn was getting tot he point to pride in her brother, but she was exactly there yet. "What about you? What have you been doing this summer?" Maryn asked. She then looked at a menu since she didn't know what this cafe offered. She looked up at Kia and then continued to search for something she could snack on.

[Kia Brightstar]

Kia watched Maryn carefully, lifting an eyebrow slightly when she noticed the differences in her friend - well, more an acquaintance than a friend but that had nothing to do with the point. The point was that Maryn didn't seem as...happy nor as, well, Maryn-ish as Kia remembered. It was unusual but not as surprising to Kia as it would have been just a few months ago. She herself had grown up rather a lot in just a few months. She was no longer the happy, hyper and all-around chipper girl who would make trouble for the mere fun of it, that everyone remembered. The fun-loving twinkle in her eyes had dimmed, however slightly, and although her ever-present grin was still there, it was a touch more serious than it had been before. Kia now had a purpose - and the determination to fulfil her goal - and it showed in every part of her. Only reluctance to answer the questions that would undoubtedly be asked by her friends and family held her back from showing the new Kia to the world. It would appear strange for her to change so suddenly and so she was determined to reveal the change slowly - rather than springing it on her family and friends like the old more impulsive Kia would have done, loving the shock and surprise that they would show.

"Yeah, I think I heard something about your brother being in hospital. I know you must be sick of hearing this, but I'm sorry." Kia raised her eyes to meet Maryn's gently. "You seem to be holding up reasonably well. Your family must be proud." Kia offered a small, kind smile. It was the only thing that she could offer; comfort, condolences and a small amount of reassurance. But, unlike most others, she wouldn't lie to Maryn and tell her that Nate would undoubtedly get well soon and be up and bouncing about in no time. Such lies did more harm than good, in most cases. "Me? Oh, I'm not doing much. I've gone back to gymnastic classes - I might've mentioned them to you before, but that's doubtful. Dad called up a favour from one of his old friends - Serenity Pollux - and she's accepted me into her class." Kia hesitated for a second and doubt flashed through her blue eyes quickly. Ren hadn't officially accepted her and she still had to fight for her place, which unnerved her slightly. This was the best class around and she'd be crushed if she lost the place. Then the doubt passed and Kia continued quickly, reckoning that her friend wouldn't pick up on the moment of silence. "When I'm not in class then I'm either being pestered by Kae - my sister - or trying to improve my sketches. I haven't really been out much this summer so Dad kicked me out of the house for a few hours." Kia grinned slightly but rolled her eyes. Her Dad cared, but didn't understand her too well. He still saw her as the old Kia - as did most others - and didn't see that she had changed. Not many people did see, though.

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn looked calmly around her. No familiar faces past. Sometimes, she would hope for a familiar face just to get out of talking about Nate. She was pretty much done with that faze, but every now and then she had that urge. But, now she just wondered if she knew anyone about. Maryn wished she could see all her friends. She hadn't seen both Flo and Rosaliz in ages. The two of course were some of Maryn's oldest Hogwarts friends. Maryn had known Leon for a while as well. Maryn just wished to see all of them. She had received many new friends over the months, but unfortunately lost contact with some of her old ones. Elisabeth for example was no longer had Hogwarts. Elisabeth had been Maryn's best friend pretty much at one time, but she was gone. Then of course Piper Gastello as well, but Maryn saw her from time to time. It was so random for her to be wanting to see old friends at the moment. Of course Maryn like what she knew about Kia. She reminded her of Vika in a way except that Kia and Maryn got along better than Maryn and Vika. This was so random, but Maryn missed her old friends. She felt such a longing to talk to all of them, but that wouldn't happen. She just wanted them to make her feel normal, but that wouldn't happen either. Maryn looked for the waitress. Did she want anything? She shrugged to herself. Maybe not.

Maryn gave Kia a small smile when she said she was sorry. Yes, Maryn was sick of hearing this, but people just didn't have much else to say about at that wouldn't hurt Maryn. "Yes, people have said I'm sorry a lot, but at least it's better than I hope he dies." Maryn sort of chuckled to herself. It seemed very odd and cruel, but Nate had made that joke himself one time. Maryn looked up at Kia knowing she much seem very odd at the moment. "Oh, sorry my brother said that himself. He's holding up though. It will take a while before things go sour if they do.." She said calmly. Why was it so easy for her to talk and joke about Nathan? She hadn't been that way an hour ago. Maryn didn't know exactly why she was that way for the moment, but it beat the said temperamental Maryn. The one who burst into a fit of tears and screams with Leon on the train. Yepp, this was much better. She shrugged when Kia said her family must be proud. "I think there just glad that I can't sneak out of the house like last summer. Besides, Nathan needs me. I'm proud of him." Maryn said. Why were her words sounding so completely odd? She didn't know, but Maryn liked it. She really did.

Maryn smiled as Kia began to talk about her summer. She would much rather hear about this. Heck yes. "Gymnastics? No, I don't think you mentioned that to me." Maryn smiled slightly. "That sounds like a good way to spend the summer though." She said calmly. "Last summer I spent a lot of time practicing my ballet, but I haven't much lately. Well, actually I haven't practiced much all year." She said chuckling. She shrugged. "Maybe next year I'll take up classes again." Maryn smiled at Kia. "So, how's gymnastics going? Is it fun?" She asked. Maryn didn't know if Kia was one to do sports because of the love of winning or just for fun. Maryn herself had been pushed into ballet at a young age by her mother, but she later learned to love it. However, Maryn did get involved a sport without her mother's permission. She got involved with muggle girl's softball a few years after ballet. Maryn loved both the sports equally now. She looked at Kia. Maybe Kia felt the same way with gymnastics as Maryn did with both ballet and softball. "Kicked you out of the house?" Maryn giggled knowing what Kia meant by that. "Last year I wished my parents would do that, but they basically kept me in my room. After the Diagon Alley Attack they freaked out, but for good reason of course. However, I do think they protected my a little too much. After all, I was actually hurt on the train and they couldn't keep me from that even if they tried." Maryn said remembering those times. It was easy to talk about them now. Wait! She wasn't thinking about Nate! Yepp, Maryn knew this trip alone would make her feel better. "How old is your sister?" Maryn asked wondering if Kae was about the age of Mercy. She was just curious.

[Kia Brightstar]

"Definitely better than 'I hope he dies'" Kia smiled slightly, forcing herself to not fidget. It wasn't like Kia to sit still for so long and she hated it. Sure, it couldn't have even been a half hour really but that was still far too long for Kia's liking. "It's definitely a good way to spend the summer. You may not have noticed but I have a lot of spare energy and the classes help to get rid of that energy. So I don't bounce through the house anymore." Kia grinned, a slight impish twinkle in her eyes. If any of her friends didn't know about how destructive Kia could be when she had a lot of spare energy and no way to be active then she'd be greatly surprised. After all, Kia dimly remembered wrecking the dorm room during her first year. Well, she'd had a lot of sugar. It wasn't her fault! And she had cleaned up the mess. Eventually. But the fact that she had bothered to clean it up was good enough, surely? "Oh yes, Kicked me out of the house. Literally. Him and Kae actually managed to throw me out and lock the door behind me. But then they had to open the door again and throw some money to me. And then my shoes. Because I wasn't wearing any when they kicked me out and I can't exactly walk around the Alley with no shoes on." Kia nodded seriously, feeling her lips twitch slightly with amusement. Alright, so it hadn't exactly happened that way. But it was a funny image.

"Kae? She's nine but she'll be ten soon. She'll be in her first year at Hogwarts when we're in our fifth." Kia shook her head bemusedly. "Merlin. I'll be old." She exclaimed in shock, her eyes widening fractionally. Fifth year...it seemed so far away. Two years could be so long and yet seem so short. "But hey. You'll be old too. So we can be old together." Kia grinned mischievously. Her bad mood had completely evaporated. An event which Kia credited to Maryn. Not that it was hard to make the young Gryffindor happy. Just give her some sugar and a lot of glitter and she'd be content. Of course, content didn't really mean happy. Kia tilted her head slightly, pondering whether she was truly happy or just content. It was rather hard to tell the difference, to be honest. Kia shoved the thought to the back of her mind hurriedly, not wanting to dwell on it any longer. "I feel the need to do something and I have the perfect thing in mind." Kia grinned, remembering the previous summer. A friend had taken her into the muggle world and introduced her to something that Kia wasn't ever likely to forget. "Ever been to the muggle part of London?" Kia rolled her eyes exasperatedly. "Oh, of course you have. I feel like an idiot now. But I feel like that a lot." Kia smiled sheepishly but shrugged. "Ever been go karting?"

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn nodded. Talking to Kia was so much easier than talking to her best friends. Maryn did know Kia, yes, but they weren't great friends. Well, not yet. They hadn't spent much time together over the years, but maybe fourth year was the chance for that. Talking to Kia wasn't like talking to Leon. Talking to Leon was so difficult for Maryn. Probably because he made her feel as if Nate would die. Maryn didn't know why he made her feel that way, but he did. Leon knew pretty much exactly what Maryn was going through. He had been in a very similar situation when he was younger. His little sister, May had been sick for a part of her life. Maryn could look to Leon for advice more than he could with anyone else. It was scary actually. Talking to him made Maryn feel helpless, and she didn't like that. Maryn smiled as Kia talked about all her energy. "Oh, believe me I've noticed." Maryn grinned. "All the Gryffindors have noticed." Maryn joked, but it probably was pretty true. "Well, having a lot of energy is a lot better than being cooped up in a dorm being quiet." She said thinking back to her month of solitude alone in her dorm. Now, she looked back to that and thought it was completely silly. Maryn smiled at Kia. "I think all my lost energy from my month of sadness is finally coming back to me. Maryn grinned. She felt so happy, so carefree. At that moment, Maryn felt proud of Nathan, not scared for him. Maryn was getting stronger. She could feel it.

Maryn laughed as Kia explained how her father and Kae kicked her out of the house. Maryn was pretty sure she was joking, but with Kia who knows. Maryn listened to Kia respond to her question about Kae. She replied that Kae was nearly ten. Maryn smiled. "That's the same age as my sister Mercy. Of course, she would be coming to Hogwarts." Maryn sighed sadly. "She's a muggle. Well, if she is a witch then she hadn't shown any signs of it yet." Maryn took a deep breath. "Well, maybe she will. Who knows she has a year." Maybe Mercy really was a witch. Maybe she never showed it because she never got angry or maybe she did show it, but not in front of Maryn. Well, maybe Mercy didn't know that she was doing any magic, but she was. Maryn laughed at the though. Maybe it would happen, but probably not. Kia explained that was wanted to do something and had something in mind. Maryn nodded. "Actually I'm in the need of something spontaneous myself." Maryn laughed as Kia asked if she had ever been to muggle London. Then, Kia realized what she was saying. "Yep, that's the perk of being a muggle born. You actually fit in a bit there." She laughed. Maryn smiled as Kia mentioned Go Karting. She shook her head. "Nope, never." She sighed. "Do they even have a Go Karting place in London?" She asked raising an eyebrow. That really did sound like fun. Maryn giggled to herself looking at Kia comically.

[Kia Brightstar]

"You've noticed? All of the Gryffindors have noticed?" Kia widened her eyes in mock-shock. She knew exactly how hyper she could be at times and was extremely aware that her behaviour made her stand out from most of the other Gryffindors - most of the students in Hogwarts, really. She knew; she just didn't care. Shy was one thing that Kia had never been and probably never would be. She had always loved attention and having all eyes turned toward her. It was just the way she was. And she wouldn't change. Not for anyone. "I had no idea that I was so noticable. Really, I feel almost like I'm famous now." Kia grinned easily, utterly unashamed by the thought of all Gryffindors knowing who she was because of her boundless energy. What was the point of being ashamed of who you were? "You're getting all of your lost energy back? Then you're with the right person!" Kia looked at Maryn thoughtfully, the fun-loving laughter in her eyes brightening slowly. Maryn was fun to be around and Kia enjoyed her company - but would Maryn be able to handle what Kia was ready to offer to her? The gift of being yourself no matter where you are or who you're with. No matter how many raised eyebrows and scornful snorts of laughter were sent your way. Because if someone was Kia's friend - a real friend, not just an aquaintance or a dorm mate - then they would have to be themselves and be painfully truthful at all times.Ah well. Only time would tell. But Kia was determined that fourth year would bring many changes, and hopefully a friendship.

"If you're a witch then it's possible that Mercy is too." Kia replied. "Who knows, maybe both our sisters will be at Hogwarts at the same time. A year can be a long time, after all. Mercy has time to show her true potential." Kia smiled reassuringly, silently pondering over the likelihood of Maryn's sister being a witch. Possible, certainly, but not really probable. Surely she would have already shown some signs? Of course, Kae hadn't really shown many signs but Kia took it for granted that her younger sister would be travelling to Hogwarts with her in two years time. Kae couldn't be a squib, she had shown some signs of magic. Even if she hadn't shown a lot of signs, Kae was still a witch. "Yeah. There's a nice go karting place and it's not too far from here. A friend of mine took me there last summer. He's a muggleborn so he knows a lot about London. Both muggle London and magical London." Kia's grin widened slightly as yet another possibility came to mind. Ah, last summer had been completely filled with activites in muggle London. A way of keeping her away from the danger in the wizarding world, perhaps? "Or there's a circus that we can go to. Or a theme park! Or a zoo! Actually, there's two theme parks!" Kia grinned excitedly, practically bouncing in her seat as she waited for Maryn to decide which activity was her favourite.

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn smiled laughing. "Well, Gryffindors notice a lot. Especially those older gossiping ones." Maryn smiled thinking back to the older girls. She didn't really know their names, but she knew that information passed past between those girls. Maryn smiled as Kia said she was famous. "Totally, the new famous Gryffie is officially Kia and not the infamous Harry Potter." Maryn joked. Harry Potter was a legend. A Gryffindor legend to be exact. Maryn didn't know him personally, she had met two people that were in his year. Well, actually Potter had just graduated, but Neville and Lavender were in his year. Maryn had met them in the common room one night just this past year. She laughed to herself. No, she and Kia and would probably never be as famous as Harry Potter. Of course that was because they hadn't stopped the Dark Lord more than once, but who knew what would happen as the continued their Hogwarts Education. Anything was possible. Maryn laughed lightly. This was great. Kia was very active and full of life. Maryn needed that feeling for the moment. She really did. Maryn laughed at Kia's reaction to her saying she was getting her energy back. "I'm tired of being sad and I'm ready to be proud of Nate for how strong he is." Maryn nodded. This was her conclusion and she would stick to it. "Yepp, I think I did." Maryn commented when she talked about her getting her energy back.

Maryn nodded. "If miracles happen than I year should make them better." Maryn smiled at this though. Maybe, it wasn't exactly true, but it did make sense. Plus it gave her a feeling of hope. Maryn smiled as Kia then started talking about Go Karting. "That sounds so cool. Should I feel bad that I'm a muggle born and I've never been?" She laughed joking. Maryn had done a lot of muggle activities, but not since she had found out about becoming a witch. She had pretty much changed her life style, but she did keep ballet and softball and her horse in her life. Maryn laughed. This would be perfect! She needed to do something fun and crazy. She needed to forget about Nate and all her worries. Maryn actually needed to be selfish and think about herself for a few hours. She really needed this. Maryn laughed at all these options. She giggled. "We can go to a theme park go on all the rids plus some theme parks even have Go Karting!" She laughed thinking about it. Maryn giggled and smiled wondering what Kia would think.

[Kia Brightstar]

Kia grinned, tilting her head back slightly as she laughed. "Yeah, a lot of the older Gryffindors do gossip. But they're always amusing and occasionally a few pieces of the gossip are correct. You just have to learn which parts are least likely to be true. Like..." Kia frowned thoughtfully, attempting to come up with a good analogy. "Like Professor Snape dancing around the Great Hall in bright pink robes! Anyone would have the sense to not believe that. But..." Once again she frowned, searching for another adequate analogy. "But hearing about me throwing red glitter over a group of Slytherins and then running away is more believable. Especially since I actually did that at the end of term. Granted, it was only one Slytherin boy but I did throw glitter over him twice. Once before the train ride and once when we were on the train." Kia snickered quietly. She had thrown the red glitter at him, told him just how glad she was to be going home and then fled when he had glared at her. Bad Slytherins with their evil glares. "Ah now. Harry Potter may get a tiny bit annoyed if he thinks I'm stealing the limelight. After all, he's done more than I ever will. He fights the bad guy and I'm just the girl who provides the fun and brings laughter." Kia smiled, slightly self-mockingly. She may not be worth much when compared to Potter but at least she wasn't afraid to be herself.

"Yes!" Kia exclaimed fervently, her right hand automatically rising to push a lock of blonde hair away from her eyes irritably. "Yes, you should feel bad that you're a muggleborn and you've never been go karting! After all, I'm a pureblood who rarely ventures into muggle London - or muggle anywhere - but I've been go karting. It's great. I do think that my father encouraged me to go to the muggle places so often last summer because of the events happening in the wizarding parts. But I had a lot of fun and I got to explore muggle Liverpool and muggle London so that was good." Kia grinned slightly, remembering her adventures in the muggle world fondly. She'd gotten the chance to explore a new world and spent a lot of time with a boy whom she would quite happily call one of her best friends. What could be better? "Great! Theme parks were another thing that I was only introduced to last summer but they're wonderful. But I haven't been to the one in London, just to one in Blackpool and another in Southport, since Blackpool and Southport are close to Liverpool."

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn laughed and nodded at Kia's comments. Yes, those older Gryffindors gossiped alot. Maryn often wondered why. She had always thought that gossiping was stupid and it hurt people. Like there were so many rumors going around about a few people. Some of a pregant Slytherin, but that rumor had died months before. The girl would now be entering her fifth year and the rumors were proven wrong. There were several rumors about third years. Maryn herself might even be in that gossip circle. After all, she was a cheerful third year who had several friends and had been through a lot the past year. Like, the train attack and rumors about Elisabeth on the train. Elisabeth had once been Maryn's good friend, but the girl dissapeared from Hogwarts before third year ended without a single goodbye. Maryn smiled as Kia talked about Snape. She giggled. "Hey, I actually know some young Hufflepuffs who would believe that." She chuckled. "And young Slytherins would probably believe it just to have something to talk and joke about." She thought for a moment. That comment might be wrong, but it seemed pretty correct in her mind. She laughed as Kia talked about pouring glitter on some Slytherin. "Seriously? I'm sure they loved that." She smiled. "Ha, I wish I saw the looks on their faces!" Maryn exclaimed.

Maryn nodded. "Yes, no one will ever out do Harry Potter I believe. He's the best Gryffindor to ever live besides the founder of course." Maryn sighed. "I think Hogwarts will be different with all the seventh years gone." Maryn said thinking. True, she wasn't really friends with any seventh years, but she had gotten used to their constant presence. Maryn smiled as Kia said she should be ashamed for never been go karting. "Well, I'm not a Go Karting kind of girl." She excalimed brightly. Kia then went on to talk about theme parks. "Sounds fun." She said. Maryn wasn't sure if Kia really wanted to go to one right then and there or just talk about them. Maryn cocked her head. "Is there even a theme park in London?" She asked thinking. Maryn then looked out a nearby window. She took in a breath of air. She was bored. Maryn laughed. "I want to do something totally and completely crazy." She said giving a devious smile. She really did. That was the mood Maryn was in. She smiled at Kia waiting a response.

[Kia Brightstar]

Kia snickered quietly. Some Hufflepuffs would actually believe a rumour around Professor Snape dancing around the Great Hall in pink robes? Ah, the naivete of young children. Young children? Kia raised an eyebrow in vague amusement. When did she grow up enough to think of younger children and 'young children'? They had always been 'the younger children' but never just 'young children'. Kia repressed a disgusted shiver. Ah, but she was getting old. And Kia didn't like it. Not even the littlest bit. Being old was no fun! Adam's old - older anyway - and he's always fun. A quiet voice pointed out, sounding so calm and wise that Kia immediately wanted to pour water over it just to see if she could get a reaction. Adam's just a big kid, Kia answered stubbornly. He hexed a friend for taking his sweets; Adam is definitely not old. The voice sighed resignedly before fading away completely, apparently giving up. Now, if Kia had been anyone else then she probably would've been alarmed or questioning about a little voice in her head. But, Kia being Kia, she merely took it all in stride. After all, the voice was just her conscience, her voice of reason. And if anyonme needed a voice of reason then it was Kia. "Oh yes, the boy absolutely loved it," Kia nodded seriously, giving no hint that she was joking. It should be fairly easy to work out anyway. A Slytherin enjoying glitter thrown over him? Never going to happen!

"The seventh years will never be gone," Kia arched an eyebrow, understanding Maryns words and the meaning behind them but not completely agreeing. So long as there was Hogwarts and students to attend, there would always be seventh years. The people may change but there would always be people called seventh years. Maryn probably wouldn't understand, Kia both knew and accepted that. It was just her way of thinking. "Yeah, there's two theme parks," Kia repeated, vaguely remembering saying the same thing before. Had Maryn not understood that Kia had wanted her to make the decision? Sure, Kia enjoyed taking control of her own life but sometimes it was nice to let others decide small things. "Totally and completely crazy," Kia grinned, always willing to do something crazy. "Have you got anything in mind?"

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn nodded understanding Kia's comment about the seventh years. "Yea, your right, but I mean last years seventh years." She sighed. "I don't know, I just get used to seeing those faces and now they will be gone." She sighed. "It may sound sill since I didn't know most of those seventh years, but I don't know Hogwarts will be a little different without them." She sighed lightly. "But, that's just my opinion." She added. Yes, there would always be a group called seventh years and Maryn knew this. Just liked the fact that she was now called a fourth year and the old fourth years were now called fifth years, but she would miss the old group slightly. Maryn sighed looking around her. This year would be different. She knew it. Actually, there was one thought that kept Maryn going. Everyone knew that the Death Eaters had needs for Harry Potter. No one knew exactly what the needs were, but the Death Eaters did need him. So, Maryn often wondered with Harry gone if the Death Eaters would still attack Hogwarts. She thought the answer was probably yes, but she made herself say no over and over in her head. That made her feel better about things. Maryn smiled at Kia lightly. She hoped they could become good friends over the year. Maryn didn't really think she had a best friend anymore. Elisabeth and Piper were gone and Rosaliz was hardly around. Maybe Kia could fill in, but Maryn didn't know. Only time would tell if they could have a real friendship.

Maryn nodded when Kia said that there were two theme parks in London. She sighed. "Yep, that shows how clueless I am about London and all other areas of England." She laughed lightly. "I probably know more about the Wizarding World than anything in the muggle world which I have to say is a bit ironic." She smiled. Yes, it was ironic, but Maryn was proud of herself for learning so much over the years. She had adapted from the muggle world to a completely new world. Maryn laughed for a moment for no reason before looking at Kia. "I don't know.." She said pausing. "We could go to one of those theme parks." She said smiling. "That would be fun, I guess we could take a taxi if you know where it is." She said smiling. Today Maryn's brain was working sort of slow. Yes, they had mentioned the parks, but Maryn didn't know if Kia wanted to actually go to one right then and there. It was all sort of spontaneous for Maryn. She smiled though. Yep, her brain was defiantly working slow for the moment. "You've been in a taxi before, yes?" She asked just wondering. Kia was a pure-blood, but Maryn didn't think of her that way. She just thought of her as a normal person. She didn't know how much Kia knew about the muggle world. Maryn moved her head a bit. "I have the sudden desire to ride a rollarcoaster. So, do you agree with that plan?" Maryn asked giving a funny look. She waited for Kia to respond.

[Kia Brightstar]

"I didn't know any of the seventh years, so their leaving doesn't really affect me. But, in a way, I know what you mean. Every day in Hogwarts, we walk by at least six seventh years, and perhaps we can name one or two of them, even if we don't really know them. But now those people are gone and it's unlikely that we'll ever see them again. But nostalgia gets us nowhere," Kia smiled lightly. That was just the way of life. People left, and others stepped up to take their place. Those other people - whomever they may be; the new seventh years in this case - couldn't ever take the place of the people who had left - and especially not in the hearts of the friends of the people who had left - but that was life. "We're not third years anymore," Kia grinned, the expression on her face clearly saying that that piece of information had just sunk in. All summer she had been referring to herself as a third year, and then being sharply corrected by her father, her aunt and uncle, her cousin and even Kae. Really, her father and sister were so different from Kia at times. She could understand her father being so serious; after all, he was an adult and very good at being one too. But Kae? How could a girl who had practically been raised by Kia turn out to be so serious at times? And she was only ten!

"I think that muggleborns are admirable really," Kia mused thoughtfully. "They adapt from one world to another, and most of them never complain. Not to mention that they have to deal with insults and arguments from the Slytherins. And I can bet that most of the purebloods wouldn't be able to handle the muggle world, if they were forced to spend some time there." Ah, yet another sign that Kia had wised up slightly. Her old self, thinking purely of enjoyment for herself, wouldn't have even let thoughts of the war and the repercussions of war cross her mind. But, if the war grew too fierce, then surely a few wizards would seek solace in the muggle world. Hmm...the address of the theme park. Kia frowned slightly, searching through her mind for the address hurriedly. Ahah. Kia nodded happily. "I know where it is." Her head tilted slightly, her brow furrowed in utter confusion. "A taxi? What is a taxi?" She was sure that one of her muggleborn friends had told her about this taxi thing before, but she couldn't quite place it. "Is it anything like the Knight Bus?" The Knight Bus was fun! Kia grinned. Adam had dragged her onto one once and, although her Aunt had warned her about the fear that the Bus caused, Kia had loved it and was eager to introduce Kae to one. "Rollercoasters are awesome, and the plan sounds absolutely great." Kia agreed amicably. It did sound like a good plan, and she was always happy to do something fun.