|
|
Post by ernie on May 8, 2005 2:51:33 GMT
It was Friday afternoon, just after Charms homework from the week before had been returned, when Ernie strutted into the common room, his chest puffed out proudly, brining even greater attention to his gleaming perfects badge even though that was not the particular reason for his inflated pride on this certain day. Upon entering he stopped, placing one hand on his hip and lifting the other to his chin to tap it as if a serious decision was in the making. He pause for a slightly exaggerated period of time before his sights settled upon a very particular blonde sixth year, and he hurried over to her. It was none other than Hannah Abbot who his attentions were being direction too. She was sitting at one of the tables just beyond the couches and chairs near the fireplace, bent over a book.
After pushing his way to the table, he took the piece of parchment he had been carrying spread it over the book Hannah was reading to make sure that he would now have her full attention.
“Highest marks for the second paper in a row.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on May 8, 2005 3:53:16 GMT
Hannah sat quietly in the second row of the charms classroom listening to Flitwick give out the homework assignment for the weekend. “Think he could ever give us some time free?” she whispered to one of her best friends, Susan. It was of no consequence though; the assignment would be due all the same so she might as well resign herself to doing it now. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger as she picked up her quill, dipped it in the ink, and scribbled down what they would be needing to do. As class was dismissed she smiled contently, thankful for the weekend to have finally arrived, and hurried down the passage next to the Great Hall to her common room. She tossed her bag down and withdrew her book while plopping down into a chair by the fire.
She sighed happily and tossed her head back on the chair as people began filling in, all chattering excitedly about the weekend. She crossed her legs on the chair and opened the book in her lap. Within minutes she was lost in the story; she was the princess waiting for the wizard to open the door and set her free from the evil witch. Oh how she loved this part… she began to tense in anticipation… the words rolled over in her mind unveiling the story she knew so well once more. It was about to happen… the prince was yelling through the door for her to stand back… Charms? She looked up to the smug face of a great friend. “Ernie. Hi.” She said with a big smile; her cheeks glowing red from being interrupted when she was so into the story. “Congratulations.” She said taking in his remark about his grade; pushing aside thought of her not so perfect mark. Of course her marks weren't too bad, she wouldn’t have been made prefect if they were, but this particular mark was nothing to brag about.
“Sit. Chat. It’s been awhile.” She said to him gesturing to the seat across from her. Hannah then closed her storybook and replaced it in her bag before tucking her legs underneath her. “So Ern; what's new with you? Still pinning over that girl… what's her face?” she asked with a malicious grin, oh how she loved to tease her closest male friend.
|
|
|
|
Post by ernie on May 8, 2005 4:22:57 GMT
Still beaming with pride he pulled out the chair next to hers and sat down, pulling his charms essay off of Hannahs’ book and folding it carefully. He planned on mailing a copy home to his parents, who still proudly displayed his best work on a pinup board back home. He planned to send an owl home the very next morning and this essay was just way is mum had been waiting for.
“Girl…” he repeated Hannah reminding him of a certain girl he had given his attentions to recently. It was the first time he ever really neglected Hannah, taking his time away from her to give it to someone else. “Yes, well, I have moved on. After all, friendship is more important in the end, correct?”<br>
He smiled at Hannah, wishing to move away from that topic, as it was not one of his prouder moments. Instead he preferred to talk about successful moments and thins he had achieved, or even something about Hannah was a better topic.
“So, what are you reading?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on May 8, 2005 4:57:53 GMT
Hannah grinned sheepishly as Ernie talked about moving on and friends being more important. She took out her wand and made two goblets of pumpkin juice. “Here, here” she said raising one in toast while passing the other to him. “Where would we be without friends to depend on?” she asked before taking a sip of the cool liquid; not as good as the real stuff from the kitchens but… it was well enough.
She then looked down at her bag, cheeks crimson again, as Ernie asked what she had been reading. “Oh its just a story book I used to love as a child. I don't know why but I can't seem to let it go.” She said taking it out and passing it to him. She thought of her Piglet sitting atop her bed and grinned; she couldn’t seem to let go of anything from her childhood. “Have you ever felt like we haven’t grown up? Like you know we have because of the work and everything…” she said thinking of the time she had a break down over the stress of OWLs; that was embarrassing, she had been the first in their year. “And you look around and everyone looks older. But you just don't feel older; and I know I don't act older.” She asked him looking down once more.
|
|
|
|
Post by ernie on May 8, 2005 14:58:43 GMT
He eagerly picked up the goblet she conjured and raised it in a proper toast before taking a rather hefty sip, and while still holding the glass up close to his face, wrinkled one side of his mouth and glanced up and sideways, pulling off a look of deep through and debate over the quality of the drink she created. Finally he looked back at Hanah and nodded before quickly draining most of his serving of the drink. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close and he rarely refused his favorite drink.
“Hannah you will never grow up.” He stated, nodded as he did to show he was serious as he took the book and thumbed through the pages, looking as if he was reading the occasional word, when really he was simply keeping up the appearance. “Its just not you, and you don’t want to go about changing yourself. Like me, I feel I have grown up a great deal, but we are different like that.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on May 8, 2005 15:37:58 GMT
Hannah looked up at him with a grin as Ernie talked about how she would never grow up; boy did she hope he was right. It was true he had grown up, everyone had, but somehow Hannah never felt left behind. Well most the time at least; she did wish she could put her hair in pigtails again but knew the looks she would receive just weren’t worth it. Well perhaps she would one day while just relaxing in the common room, she trusted the other Hufflepuffs, but not out with all the other judgmental students. “Yes well I suppose you are right. I don't know what I will do once we graduate though; Sprout was trying to help me last year when we had our career orientation session thingys but none of those jobs were really me. I suppose I could always work with kids, or go back and work in the muggle world; I could be a movie star. What do you think?” she asked striking a pose for Ernie before breaking out in giggles.
|
|
|
|
Post by ernie on May 8, 2005 18:30:52 GMT
“Once we graduate…” he repeated, slowly as if it was merely a side effect of deep contemplation. It was a rather important thing to consider really, the future. So many possibilities were available to them. He had yet to decided on the exact path that he would be taking, but he had narrowed down his choices. He did of course consider possibly becoming the Minister of Magic in the distant future, he was pure after all, and as a Hufflepuff, they would be neutral to all types of wizards where as another house might create hostility.
“You can’t go back to the muggle world Hannah. You are a witch and that’s as part of who you are as the fact you will never grow up. He paused again, looking back at Hannah after her attempted joke for being a movie star. “Now Hannah, while I would see every film, I’m not sure the rest of the muggle world would quite agree. Bedsides, why would you want to give up magic? I’m not quite sure what I want to be either, thought I am almost certain I will be working in them Ministry.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on May 9, 2005 17:20:05 GMT
Hannah gave Ernie a small smile as he contemplated what she had said; he always gave everything so much thought. Very rarely did Hannah give such light conversation such consideration. But that was Ernie for you she supposed, he was the self-proclaimed authority on anything and everything; even jokes about becoming a film star. She faked a pout and did her best “sad eyes” routine at Ernie as he stated she couldn’t make it in the movies. “And why, pray tell, is that? Are you saying I'm not pretty enough for anyone to want to see me in a film?” She said acting a cross between, mad and hurt.
As her friend mentioned going into the ministry himself Hannah slumped back in her chair. Ernie always had a plan, always knew what he was going to do with himself. They were such different personalities; that is for sure. And yet when push came to shove Hannah didn’t know what she would do without him there. In fact, that they were so different really helped. Hannah would never have been made Prefect without Ernie’s pushing her to do her homework and not procrastinate like she often did.
|
|
|
|
Post by ernie on May 9, 2005 20:36:59 GMT
He straightened abruptly when Hannah asked him if she was not pretty enough. Of course she was not serious, and her expressions were just for fun, but that was a rather serious question to be asking. One never took the appearance of others lightly, or they should not at least. People took things like appearance various seriously. Hannah, pretty, it was not exactly something he was use to thinking of. It was Hannah after all. They had known each other since their first year when he helped her get into their boat. Hannah was little then, she wore her hair in pigtails and seemed overwhelmed by everything. Little had changed, other than her hairstyle. He couldn’t think of a little girl like that as pretty. Not in that way at least, but then, that little girl he remember was much older now, so why was he still thinking of her as that little girl?
“Of course you are pretty Hannah, that is not the reason why you couldn’t be a movie star.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on May 29, 2005 5:57:28 GMT
Still slumped in her seat Hannah began spinning a strand of long blond hair around her finger as her friend explained it wasn't her looks that would keep her from a film career. "Well thank you... For saying I am pretty. But what is it then?" She asked eyes trained on the floor and cheeks blushing crimson. As her hair unraveled Hannah picked a quill out of her bag and fiddled with a quill; an obvious nervous habit. Hannah had several nervous habit, it drover her insane how much she blushed. She couldn't help it for some reason and knew Ernie wouldn't be at all surprised to see this reaction from her.
She closed her eyes with her head tilted back and allowed her mind to wander. Once more she was in the tower bang, bang, bang went the door as it rattled. She could hear her prince calling to her to be strong; they would get her out soon.
Slowly her eyelids opened again and she was back in the common room. She gave Ernie another embarrassed smile for having spaced off and looked down again. "Umm sorry. Did you say something?" she asked timidly.
|
|
|
|
Post by ernie on Jun 3, 2005 2:21:14 GMT
He didn't answer right away, instead he pondered exactly what it was that would prevent Hannah from becoming one of those famous muggle movie stars. He was of course aware of a few of them, even if he didn't life in the muggle world. They were all beautiful yes, but they had this unattainable glamor to them as well and while Hannah had become rather pretty in this every innocent sort of way, she did not have that sort of international glamor.
"Well..." he started, just as he noticed Hannah's head tipping back. Her attention had drifted. The head tilt was a sure sign of Hannah's mind starting to wander. He straightened slightly and cleared his throat, waiting for Hannah to return her focus to him.
"Now Hannah, you can't expect me to answer you questions when you are not going to pay attention to my answers."
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on Jun 3, 2005 3:10:20 GMT
"Well..." Hannah began lamely before looking down embarrassed. "Sorry Ernie. You know how I get, it's a curse. Horrid excuse I know but..." She said. "So what were we talking about again? You know that saying about if your head wasn't screwed on? Ya thats about me. Not that you need to be told that." She said with a nervous giggle.
|
|
|
|
Post by ernie on Jun 5, 2005 11:38:30 GMT
He listened carefully to her repeated phrase about her head being screwed on. It was a rather odd phrase really. Heads were not screwed on at all. They were instead attached to the body thought many anatomical features, there was your vertebral column and spinal cord, and then the muscles, veins arteries and your skin. There was certainly no screwing involved. He began to open this mouth to correct Hannah, but then he stopped himself. No, to Hannah, the screwing phrase, no matter how illogical, would be what seemed more sensible. There were some things about Hannah that even he could not change--not that he wanted to.
"Yes Hannah, I believe that would be about you. But that is alright. If you ever finally loose your head, I will of course help you find it."
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on Jun 8, 2005 4:58:02 GMT
Hannah giggled as Ernie offered to help her find her head should it ever get lost; such an Ernie thing to do. He always “helped her find her head” when she was freaking out over something. In fifth year when she was the first to break down over OWLs, sobbing in Herbology, he was the first to visit her in the hospital wing and to offer to help her revise. She gave him a small smile before standing up and beginning to pace around the fireplace, which wasn’t lit because it was already so warm in the room. She started humming under her breath. “Ready for the Quidditch game Ernie? Coming to the team breakfast? Supposed to be a good time. Relax together before the game you know?” She asked while twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
|
|
|
|
Post by ernie on Jun 23, 2005 20:53:17 GMT
The Hufflepuff Pre-Quidditch Breakfast. Yes, the teams new captain had spread the word about suck an event, though he had yet to truly ponder weather to attend. Being only a reserve his presence was not quite as necessary as it was with the true players. It may be nice to see the rest of the members though, as with the end of the year upon them there had been little time for socializing.
"Perhaps the breakfast is a good idea. A break for reality of sorts both before the game and with the end of the year closing in on us. Besides I have not gotten to know all of the members of the team very well, so it should also be a chance to form greater bonds." He paused for a moment, putting some final consideration on his decision before nodded. "Yes, I think I will go."
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on Jun 25, 2005 22:10:11 GMT
Hannah gave Ernie a huge smile as he said he would go to the breakfast. She did a small little spin before sitting back in her chair and tucking her legs under herself. "I think I am going to go as well. I mean just because we are reserve does not mean we won't be in the game right? Plus I bet - or hope more like - it will raise our spirits to eat together nice and early so we can band together and win this final match right?" Hannah said happily - voice filled with optimism.
"Oh we just have to win this game Ernie - we just have to. It's a point of honor. I can't believe we haven't come near to winning a single match all year. But next year our team will be more experienced right? I'm sure our final year at Hogwarts will be wonderful. Oh how I dread leaving this place Ernie. It has been our home for six years now..." Hannah said her voice becoming more morose as she went on.
|
|
|
|
Post by ernie on Jun 29, 2005 2:41:42 GMT
He nodded in agreement to her observations of their attending the Hufflepuff Breakfast. It would be a good thing for the moral of the team, and of course, being reserve players they were more than welcome to be there.
"Yes, a win is far overdue for Hufflepuff, but I think we can pull it off with a little effort. The new captain seems to have pulled together a team well enough, and you are correct, Hannah, next year everyone with have a bit more experience, and can play just that much better. I predict that a Badger victory is not far off on the horizon."
He nodded in agreement to his own prophecy before he responded to Hannah's slowly depressing mood. Hannah never was one for growing up. She instead acting now just as she did their first year. That being the case, of course she did not feel ready to come out and face the rest of the wizarding world.
"Now Hannah, I know it seems a very big deal to consider leaving Hogwarts, but with all of our training as witches and wizards, we are well prepared to step out into the world and become productive members of the wizarding society."
|
|
|
|
Post by Hannah Abbott MacMillan on Jul 9, 2005 19:12:16 GMT
Hannah rolled her eyes as Ernie attempted to reassure her. She gave him a weak smile though – at least he was trying – even if he didn’t get it. “It’s not that I don't think we will be ready Ernie… It’s not about that at all. It just feels like we will be leaving home – and that’s hard. Especially because we will go from all living together and eating together and going to classes together to working each other into our schedules. I am in no way going to enjoy going from being so close as we are like a family to… just normal friends. Plus unless I move out on my own I will be returning to live in the muggle world. As much as I love my parents and all… I will just miss it is all. You know?” She asked her eyes pleading from him to make it alright – come up with some solution where they never have to leave or something.
|
|
