Sledging!(Judith... but I guess others could join)

[dana]

Dana whistled some tune as she levitated a huge silvery Hogwarts dish in front of her. The dish was huge really – at bigger feasts huge roasts were served on dishes like these, but this one had a little crack in it. Dana had found it when she was serving cleaning detention with Filch ad had gotten the idea.

Hogwarts didn’t seem to have any sledges and so this would do, as the dish was big enough for at least 3 persons to sit on it.
Dana laughed and put the dish down and tucked her wand away safely, before sitting on it and pushing herself off.

Dana figured out too late that she should have gone a little farther from the castle before sledging, as she almost flew through groups of startled students, who jumped out of the way. “Sorry! Watch out! Sorry!” Dana shouted to warn students from her approach.

Suddenly the dish however his some root and really took flying, sending Dana in an other direction. Dana rolled down a little. She had stopped just in front of some girl Dana noticed as she turned on her back and smiled up to the girl. A fellow Ravenclaw and fifth year. Judith Chloe, although they hadn’t really talked much in earlier years.

“Hi. Great day, isn’t it?” Dana said with a smile looking up at Judith before bursting out laughing. Dana finally managed to control her laughter as she scrambled to her feet, but the twinkle remained in her eyes: “Sorry, if I spooked you. I just wanted to try some sledging, but some root got in the way. ”<br>
Dana brushed herself off happily: “I’m Dana by the way. Want to join me? Although we should choose a route a bit farther from other students. Wouldn’t want to run down anyone. Especially not any professor - could you imagine it, when someone would run down Snape? Anyway - care to join me? I mean how many times in a life-time you get to go riding on a plate? Just hink what an awesome story it will be for your grand-children once.”<br>

[JudithCloe]

Judith looked down at the now fully unpacked louggage on her bed. 'Finally' she though, 'it only took a bloody hour.' Judith usually didn't unpack technically, she just took things out when she needed them; but for some reason she had felt like getting it over with today. Looking at the bags Judith longed to go back to Switzerland, sure she had just returned today but she had so much fun. Judith decided to go for a walk to take her mind off it. Judith threw a plain black cloak over her outfit with her Ravenclaw scarf and left the castle. As she walked through the halls Judith felt better and was happy to be back; but she had fun on the trip.

Judith absentmindedly walked over near the forest and began looking around. Next thing she knew Dana, a fellow Ravenclaw fifth year, came flying at her. Judith gave a little shriek of shock as Dana landed mere inches from her. Judith then bent down to see if Dana was alright.'I hope she's ok. What on Earth could she have been doing?' Judith thought. Dana began laughing and talking about what a great day it was so she must not have been harmed.

Judith stood back up and offered her hand for the other girl to pull herself back up with. Dana then explained that she had ben sledding and got knocked off by a root. "I would love to join you." Judith said quite excited by the prospect. "On a plate you say. The ever resourceful Ravenclaw." She said before the two girls walked off to collect the plate that had slid off on its own.

[dana]

Dana smiled brightly as Judith seemed rather excited about the sledging idea as they walked towards the plate.

“Well, what can one do, when Hogwarts has absolutely NO sledges!” Dana explained with a twinkle in her eyes, “I had detention last night with Filch and we cleaned the area near the Quidditch teams rooms. Found the plate near Slytherin’s changing-room and cleaned up as it was rather dusty.”<br>
Dana took hold of the plate and looked around with a small smile: “But I have to admit that the plate sure glides well. So any nice hills near-by, where we could sledge down from?” Dana glanced around to find a suitable hill.

[JudithCloe]

Judith giggled as they walked over and she saw the serving platter. It did look like it would work quite well. Judith followed Dana's lead in looking for a hill. "Well there is a small one over there." Judith said pointing. In all her years at Hogwarts Judith had never actually noticed whether the landscape had hills or not. 'Thats really wierd' she thought; she could go anywhere, she knew the whole place pretty much and yet she didn't notice something as simple as the hills. Not seeing any better options Judith picked up the serving platter and began to carry it over. "How was your break?" she asked Dana as they walked.

[dana]

“Yep, that hill seems nice enough,” Dana agreed falling into stop with Judith as they started making their way there.

“My holiday – I spent it with my grand-parents in France. My parents are both dead, and before you say that you are sorry – they died when I was so small I don’t even remember them. And I’ve been very happy with my Grandparents,” Dana said with a calm smile as she jogged the last steps up the the hill and glanced around.

“My grandparents own book-stores in France and one more little store with all kinds of little magical amulets and trinkets and what ever else you can imagine. I spend some of my time there and some at Cotê d’Azur, where it was warm.”<br>
“The view here is fantastic,” Dana said as the plate was placed down once again, “So – want to go for a ride? I think we could fit on the plate together as well, later. Take a seat!”<br>
Dana smiled and gestured towards the Hogwarts plate to Judith with a smile: “I’m vacation was great. What about you. Did you go to Weinig Zug?”<br>

[JudithCloe]

Judith listened as Dana told her about her vacation. Judith was quite envious of the trip but she did feel bad for Dana, despite being told not to be. When they reached the hill Dana mentioned how fantastic the view was. “Yes it is lovely. It looks like a small hill from over there eh, guess I was wrong.” Judith said with a smile while setting down the platter. “A ride sounds great. You want front of back?”<br>
When the girls had gotten into position Dana asked Judith about her vacation. “Well it was nowhere near as interesting as yours, or the story is not at least. Yes I went to Weinig Zug. It is beautiful there. Have you been? Oh I had so much fun and meet so many people. It was wonderful.” Just then the plate began sliding down the hill. Judith held on to the sides for dear life. In fact, she was holding on so tight her knuckles were white underneath her gloves. After a few moments of trying to contain her excitement and be proper Judith gave up. “Weeeeeeeeee” she screamed like the ten year old child she felt like at that moment.

[dana]

“Go ahead take the front for now. We can always switch later,” Dana said with a smile and taking her position in the back, while listening about Judith’s vacation in WEinig Zug.

“WOOOOOOOO!” Dana shouted happily as the slid down-hill while gaining speed. The ride was surprisingly long and Dana laughed out of pure joy as they glided downwards, although wind knocked her hat off her head during the ride.

The end was calmer as well, as the plate slowly slid to a full stop.
“I don’t understand why people don’t sledge anymore when they get older,” Dana told Judith as she got up from the sledge and stood with a bright smile, “I mean, skiing is nice and all, but I just adore sledging. A real winter sport for lazy people like me.”<br>
Dana grinned and pulled out her wand: ”Accio hat.” Dana caught her hat as it flew towards here and tucked in into her back-pocket before turning back to Judith and the ‘sledge’: “And I’m glad you wanted to join too. It’s not nearly as much fun alone. Weinig Zug sounds as if it was marvelous as well.”

[JudithCloe]

Judith felt absolutely exhilarated as the plate slowed down and levelled off. “Sledding is so much fun you’re right. It’s not like its immature or anything its just sitting instead of standing while going down hill. I guess its because its not nearly as dangerous.” Judith said with a laugh. “I am very glad you offered for me to come. Oh how about that hill next.” Judith said pointing at another steep decline in the landscape.

“So Dana, tell me about yourself. What’s your favourite kind of music for example? Books? Anything really.” Judith asked hoping to get to know this girl better and maybe even become friends.

[dana]

Dana picked up the plate as they started to head for the next hill and smiled happily, listening as Judith talked about sledging.

“My favorite kind of music? Hmm, can’t really say I have one. I like the ones with a rather quick tempo usually, although some slow ones are nice too. I prefer dancing more than singing actually, so I guess I like the music I can dance to,” Dana explained with a grin doing a quick twirl on the way, “Books? Well I love those, like a true Ravenclaw. My grandparents own some bookstores back at France, and grandpa used to take me along even when I was merely a toddler.”<br>
“I learned to read at a very early age. I like a lot of muggle books though – for easy reading I always prefer them,” Dana continued after thinking about it for a moment, “I got the idea for my tattoo from a muggle book. I have a little blue fairy tattoo very low on my hip. It’s only about 1,5 centimetres tall, but I like her.”<br>Dana grinned pointing to her hip, where she had the fairy.

“I don’t know. I always get tongue-tied when someone asks me to talk about me. Never know what to tell,” Dana flashed a quick smile at Judith, “But as you asked me already, then I’m going to direct the question back to you. What do you like?”<br>

[JudithCloe]

Judith listened as Dana answered her question. She thought Dana was really lucky that her grandparents owned bookstores. Judith could easily move into a bookstore, especially one with a coffee shop attached, and be happy for the rest of her life. Dana then explained that she never knew how to answer such questions and directed it back at Judith.

Just then they reached their destination and Judy sat under a tree to answer first. “I love punk music and then rock and grunge and alternative and things.” Judith explained. “As for books I love them all; but my favourite has to be reference books. Especially on things like mythology and sociology. I adore sociology, the study of society and how people interact. It’s absolutely fascinating. Especially in an enclosed setting like Hogwarts. It’s neat to see how the different houses interact; especially Gryffindor and Slytherin. I mean their personalities are so alike and that is why they hate each other.” She said with a giggle at the irony of it.

[dana]

The two girls reached their destination and as Judith sat under a tree to answer the question about what she likes.

“Reference books? Yes they are interesting. I love mythology though. Especially Greek and Celtic. Scandinavian is interesting as well with their Valhalla,” Dana replied while putting the plate down and sitting on it’s edge, “I’ve always been drawn to the sea and myths and legends that go with it.”<br>
“Gryffindor and Slytherin – yeah, I completely know what you mean. They are so much alike,” Dana joined in with Judith’s giggle and pondered about it for a moment, “Gryffindors seem to care more about what others think of them though. Slytherins are more confident – and I don’t mean it as a bad thing. Actually both houses were mentioned when I was a first year. But I think I would have rather preferred Slytherin. I mean not every one of them is evil, right? It’s just a sterotype and people are already almost expecting them to be mean. It’s just unfair!”<br>
Dana shook her head: “Sorry, if I sound too obsessed about this topic, but I hate it when people judge something they don’t know. It’s just stupid. And I hate intolerance.”<br>

[JudithCloe]

Judith smiled as Dana mentioned sea myths. “I have always wanted to take a spin in Poseidon’s chariot.” Judith said remembering her childish daydreams from when she was five.

Dana then added her comments to Judith’s mention of the Slytherin Gryffindor rivalry. Only instead of Judith’s casual observation Dana seemed truly upset about the topic. Judith completely agreed with what she said about stereotyping and decided to say as much. “Don’t worry about seeming obsessed Dana. I’m the one who brought the topic up remember. But I don’t think they are stereotyping exactly, or that’s not why they don’t like each other at least. When you evaluate the personality that it takes to get into either house you see they simply do not understand each other. They are both strong and determined and the same in most every aspect. The only difference really is their priorities.” Judith began. She leaned against a tree and got comfortable before continuing, knowing this was going to take awhile.

“Slytherins, you see, proudly put themselves first; whereas Gryffindors are more self-conscious about what others think. So Gryffindors tend to be seen as noble and they see helping others and risking one’s self to be a hero as right. Slytherins on the other hand don’t care what others think and see helping themselves as all that matters. So Slytherins and Gryffindors can not understand each other because they are on opposite ends of the spectrum; with Gryffindors thinking you are evil if you don’t help others, and Slytherins thinking you are stupid if you don’t help yourself.” Judith said trying to explain her theory logically.

A little later Judy picked up the platter and carried it to the edge of the hill. “Ready for another go?” she asked Dana.

[dana]

Dana listened carefully as Judith explained her theory.
“Yes, you are right. Too that strong personalities are bound to crash,” Dana said with a smile smiling and shaking her head, “And yep – I’m ready for an other go.”<br>
Dana grinned and made sure her heat was safely tucked into her pocket, so it wouldn’t fly away again. “Sometimes I think that little children seem to get the most fun. I mean they can sledge and play with almost whatever they want and people think it’s cute. But when I would act the same way, I would be sent to St.Mungos.”<br>
Dana grinned and took a seat on the platter, waiting for Judith to join her: “Then again – I wouldn’t really want to be younger either.”<br>Dana smiled and after Judith was sitting on the sledge as well, she pushed them off and the sledge partically flew down the hill once again, as Dana laughed with joy.

[JudithCloe]

Judith smiled as Dana agreed and said that such strong personalities were bound to clash. She was very relieved not to have to try and explain the theory again like she had to for so many people. She was also glad Dana had observed the same sort of behaviour she had; Judith really did not feel like being seen as insane.

Dana then moved the conversation back to childish innocent and her envy of it. “That is very true; as we get older we are supposed to be more mature. And its true I do find things fun that I never would have as a child, but that doesn’t make the old things any less fun.” Dana pushed off and Judith continued speaking excitedly as they speed down the hill. “Like sledding for example. Soooooooooo funnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!” Judith said trying to speak against the rushing air.

All too soon the ride was done and Judith got off to look around for another hill. Instead all she saw was the steep decline they had just come down and a lot of trees. “Um Dana, this may seen a silly question but um… where are we?” Judith asked beginning to panic. She did not deal with being lost well. Judith was … Judith. She was in control she knew where she was going, how she was going to get there, why she was going. She was not used to being at anybody or anything’s mercy and she never allowed herself to get lost because that is a loss of control.

[dana]

“The castle is just beyond that hill, beind those trees. Step here a little, then you can see the hill. We probably should head back that away again anyway, so we can still see some tower or the castle, while sledging. There is about 200 metres of trees towards the way we sledged towards, then a little clearing and then the edge of the Forbidden Forest again,” Dana said pointing to a hill slightly on the left, “Besides we can always cast the ‘Point me’ spell. You just place your wand on your open hand and tell it to ‘Point me’. The tip of the wand will always turn North then, however as Hogwarts grounds are so magical, here the tip of your wand will always point towards the castle.”<br>
Dana explained a little, picking up the plate and moving towards the hill she had pointed to: “I found the spell in the library and asked McGonagall about why my wand didn’t point to North when I tried it and she explained this about the Hogwarts grounds. I had to do some extra for Transfiguration in my third year and after discovering that spell wondered a lot around the grounds, as I knew I could always follow my wand to lead me back to school.”<br>
Dana shrugged and moved the dish to be a bit more comfortably under her arm: “Yep, children games are even more fun now sometimes. And to think I hated sledging and skiing when I was just a kid, as I didn’t like to get dressed so thickly, before going out.”<br>
The girls got out from between the trees and started climbing the hill that was in clear view now, as the tower-tops of Hogwarts castle one by one came to view.
“I love the castle. It looks absolutely fantastic outside,” Dana said looking at the towers while continuing to climb, “In first year, when we are brought over the lake with the boats and see the castle lightened – I wish I had had a camera then!”<br>