Soar Above the Clouds ((Marcy))

[Maryn Livley]

Hogsmeade. Maryn had only been allowed in the village for one year and yet she knew everything about if. It was the perfect place for someone to just get away from Hogwarts. Maryn needed a break every now and then. And leaving Hogwarts for the day was the perfect plan to calm her. Maryn had been through a lot the past few weeks. But, she the tears were gone. She was finally beginning to accept that her brother had leukemia. Maryn just wanted to be there for Nathan and she knew he didn't want her to be sad. He just wanted her to be with him. So, that's what Maryn would do. She would be strong for Nate. Actually, this was better said than done. Maryn was picking out clothes on her bed. Why was this so difficult today. It's not like Maryn was trying to impress anyone. Or was she? Anyways why did it matter? Maryn didn't know herself, but for some reason she just felt like making a big fuss over clothes. Lately Maryn had basically opted to wear her school uniform everywhere even in her dorm and ton the rare occasions she went into Hogsmeade. But, now, Maryn felt like her sad mood was broken. It wasn't gone, but it was broken. Maryn eyed her clothing. This was stupid. Maryn wasn't this high maintance. Oh well, she hadn't worn anything besides uniforms and pajamas for so long. So, what the heck?

Maryn had finally decided on her jean skirt with the frayed edges with her dark gray leggings underneath. The leggings look was something new that Maryn had a large liking for. They weren't tytes as they didn't go to her feet. They ended somewhere before that. She had opted for her white cap sleeved with the cherries on it and the matching earing's. Maryn slipped on a pair of red flip flops. She didn't exactly have a name for her look. Some people would call it "punk" which was popular in America as far as Maryn knew. She didn't know nor care. Maryn just knew it as her look. It was something no one else could imitate. Maryn put on light makeup like always. She hated anything too heavy. You had to wear it all day of course! Why did people put on pounds of makeup each day? Didn't that ever make your skin feel dirty? Maryn hated that feeling. Maryn picked up her creme colored message bag and put it around her shoulder. Her wand was already in it so Maryn didn't have to worry about that. Maryn smiled at the empty room for some reason as she turned to leave.

Just walking into the village, Maryn knew something was up. She had purposely taken a longer way to get there just for fun, but even from a distance she could see weird formations in the sky. Maryn had know clue what they were. She had a puzzled look on her face as she walked further towards the objects. Maryn had never seen anything like that near Hogwarts before. As she walked further, Maryn notice there were tons of people in the village. Everyone was crowded around whispering. For a second, Maryn was frightened. It could be Death Eaters again. But, it didn't look like the people were scared. They weren't running around with panicked screams. No, something was up, but it was nothing scary. Maryn could now tell what the objects were. She eyed them with googly eyes. It seemed some hot air balloons were giving rides right outside the village. Some people were walking towards the area where they were landing. But, others were drawn back just watching inside the village. Maryn walked further. She wasn't afraid of heights. She didn't know if she would ride or not, but Maryn just wanted to see them.

Maryn's jaw dropped completely as she neared them. Some were still in the air while others were ready for passengers on the ground. Maryn walked further. Surprisingly, the lines were basically non existent. Maryn didn't know why. Hot air balloons were so cool! Actually, she had never seen one in person. It took a second before Maryn realized the obvious. Stupid She thought hitting her head lightly with her palm. Wizards and witched hadn't used hot air balloons. They were muggle contraptions. That's why some people seemed afraid. Maryn smiled closing in on them. She didn't know why there were in the village, but she was glad they were. "How much?" Maryn asked to a hot air balloon conductor with an empty balloon. "They're free for today. We're just trying to show the Wizarding Community that anyone can go for a ride. Not just muggles." The man said. This was kind of a pointless cause in Maryn's opinion, but she gave in. "Good luck." She said. The man looked at her. "Are you alone?" He asked. Maryn eyed him. "Yes, why?" She said calmly. "We need one more passenger before we can go." He said. The man then turned to the small crowd around them. "Anyone want a free ride? We have one more space available here?" He asked. Maryn looked slightly embarrassed waiting for someone to take the space. And fast.

((Well, we had a Ballooning Festival in the city today, so I couldn't help but use my fun from today for a post. ))

[marcy]

Marcy looked up from her magazine, her WWW playing in her ears. It went wherever she went. She couldn't help it. As her jaw moved in circular motions with her gum, her eyes went back to her magazine. She was in the common room on a Hogsmeade weekend, so many people were waiting for others so they could head out. It was a sight to see. Marcy rarely ever went out to Hogsmeade - wasn't much to do there except shop, and shopping wasn't her thing. In fact, Marcy really didn't care much about shopping or style for that matter. She threw on what was clean, a pair of jeans with a cloth black and white polk-a-dotted skirt over it was what she was wearing today. Her shirt was a Muggle band shirt that was bright pink. She wore her chuck taylors and on top of her head were her aviator sunglasses. Her hair was twisted up into two knots as usual. Her arms were lined with plastic jangle bracelets, and her ears were decorated with a pair of dangling earrings. She wore a black necklace with a cross on it around her neck, never took that off though. Yeah, she just threw on whatever was clean.

Within moments, the common room was empty and this caused Marcy to look up. She wasn't used to it being so empty. She took off her headphones and glanced around the room. Maybe she would go to Hogsmeade this weekend. What harm could it do? Marcy set her magazine down, and placed her headphones around her neck - her WWW connected to her skirt. She then flipped her aviator sunglasses down and walked out of the common room. When she reached the entryway, there were more people there than in the common room. Marcy leaned against a wall, her music playing loud enough for her to hear without putting her headphones over her ears, and watched as everyone chatted away. Everyone talked to much. Marcy smiled at that, there was no such thing as talking too much. Finally, the doors opened and a professor appeared, leading them away to the carriages. Marcy found one for herself and slipped in, then they were off. She let her head lean against the carriage wall, and even though it was a bit bumpy - she fell asleep, only to be woken by a sudden halt moments later. Marcy groaned and looked up, the light hurting her eyes as she climbed out of the carriage.

The first thing she noticed was the balloons in the sky, Marcy immediately knew what they were. Hot air balloons, but what in Merlin's name were they doing in Hogsmeade? With curiousity, Marcy made her way over and pushed through the crowd to look at the huge balloons. She knew how to run one, having lived with a hot air balloonist once when she was younger - she learned how to maneuver one. Marcy thought the guy was stupid for teaching her, because it made her escape easy. Of course, it wasn't as easy as maneuvering it to hide it. That's where Marcy went wrong. She smiled at the memory, and continued to watch the balloons rise into the air. Marcy had gone through so many possible adoptive parents, she couldn't count on one hand - let alone two. Marcy was a terror, no one wanted her. For the longest time the psychologist said she was purposely doing that - and maybe she was. But she wouldn't let him know that. That was her secret, never let anyone know your plans.

"Anyone want a free ride? We have one more space available here?" Marcy heard, she looked up at the man who was calling this. She then looked at the girl who was surely embarassed. Marcy grinned, Maryn Lively - dorm mate. She raised her hand and headed toward the balloon, "Isn't it free anyway?" Before the man could answer she held up her hand, "Nevermind. I'll go, as long as you know what you're doing. I know how to drive these things you know, so don't do anything stupid." She turned to Maryn and smiled a broad smile, her sunglasses shading her eyes from the sun that had blinded her earlier, "I love hot air balloons, they make me feel as if I'm flying, how about you?"

[Maryn Livley]

Maryn smiled as Marcy took the last spot. She was glad it was no one she didn't like. Not that many people fit that category for Maryn. Well, Monica did, but just because she was horrible to Rosaliz. And no one would hurt Rosa without feeling Maryn's wrath. Marcy of course was Maryn's dorm mate for three years. Maryn had spent so much time in her dorm lately it wasn't funny. But, usually the room wasn't crowded. There were several Gryffindor third year girls, but the year was ending. Everyone wanted to be outside not in their dorms. They wanted to enjoy Hogwarts for a few more weeks before it was time to go home for the summer. This summer wouldn't be fun for Maryn. She already knew it. But, she was glad she went on one of the last Hogsmeade Weekends of the year. It was a good idea and Maryn was very glad that the balloons were in town. However, she still didn't understand why. But, whatever.

Maryn laughed as Marcy told the driver that she knew how to work one and for him not to do anything stupid. Maryn laughed at the look on his face. She glanced at Marcy as she asked her something. Maryn shrugged. "I don't know, I've never really gone up in one, but it seems this will go on my Untouchable List." She said calmly thinking about it. "My Untouchable list is just a random list in my head about what things make me feel like nothing can hurt me. Rain is on there for some crazy reason and I'm thinking this might be too." Maryn though about her obsession for rain before looking back at Marcy. "You can drive this thing? That's pretty cool." Maryn said with a grin on her face. She was actually having fun. Maryn was having fun without thinking about Nate or her summer ahead. Maryn was actually happy for once in two weeks and she loved the feeling. Maryn watched as the man got ready for take off. Could you say that when you are going off in a hot air balloon? Oh, whatever. Maryn watched with curiosity as he started the little fire. Maryn didn't know any of the terms of what they meant or anything. She had never even seen one in person. This was a completely new experience for her. But, it was one Maryn was happy to have. Maryn eyed the few wizards in line. Why couldn't some just take the risk? Sure this was new to them, but so what. Risks were usually always worth the experience. This was something Maryn believed fully. Besides, risks always made good stories.

Maryn gasped as the hot air balloon started rising. It took a bit of time, but it was so darn cool. "Wow." She said for a second. Maryn then looked at Marcy. "Sorry if I might be a bit in shock, but I've never actually flown or anything like this. But, I know I'm not afraid of heights." She said calmly to Marcy. "Or atleast I hope I'm not." She giggled at herself for a moment watching the balloon go farther from the ground. Soon, it was far in the air right near the clouds. The driver turned to the girls. "So, where to? We can't go far, but you can choose which directions." Maryn glanced at Marcy. "Well, I kinda wanna see Hogwarts from a high angle. Is that okay?" She asked turning to Marcy. Both Maryn and the driver waited for her reply as Maryn leaned forwards a bit looking from the passenger basket. Wow. She thought again. Maryn loved risks, but most of them were jumping into water off a cliff or something like that. Maryn really did want to sky dive though. She heard it was an ultimate thrill. Maryn glanced as they got a bit higher. This was crazy and the most amazing thing Maryn had experienced in her young life.

[marcy]

Marcy shrugged and leaned against the basket of the balloon, her hands propping her up. She looked up into the balloon as it was fired up and then decided to reply, "One couple who adopted me ran a hot air balloon company, the man taught me how to maneuver one encase he needed an extra employee. Of course, he didn't realize that in teaching me that to help his business he also gave me opportunity to run away." She smiled at Maryn and blew a bubble, "Hiding a hot air balloon is much harder than running one, though." After a moments pause she added, "That couple were morons." If Maryn didn't know Marcy was an orphan, she should know now. Marcy wasn't one to hide where she came from, it made her who she was. She lived like she did because of the way she was raised - where she was raised and by whom she was raised. Marcy was a tough cookie, and she knew it; but she also had a loyal side to her. One that would defend a friend without a second guess.

When they started rising into the air, Marcy stole a glance at Maryn and couldn't help but smile largely at the look on her face. She was in absolute awe. "A hot air balloon has three essential parts. The burner," she said pointing to the things emmiting flames, "that heats the air. The envelope," she pointed to the whole balloon, "that holds the air. And the basket," she patted the basket they were in, "that holds the passengers. Normally a balloon can carry up to four passengers. So," she said pointedly, eyeing the workman, "theoretically we could have taken on one more passenger." The man looked over his shoulder and scowled at Marcy; "I'm just doing what regula-" Marcy's eyes grew wide, and she pointed to the other side of the basket, "Always look ahead of you, you don't want to collide into anything." She turned to Maryn, "That man I was telling you about told me all these stories about hot air balloons colliding into landing or taking off airplanes. But since we're near Hogsmeade, I don't expect that to happen." She said the last part in a whisper, her lips twisted in a mischevious smile; "I just feel like giving him a hard time."

When the man asked where to and Maryn suggest Hogwarts, Marcy shrugged and smiled. Truthfully, she had wanted to as well. She was glad that Maryn suggested it. She leaned against the wall of the basket and looked around her and down below them. There were more wizards and witches watching than there were in line. Marcy grinned and looked at the man, "Can you do magic?" He looked back at her and nodded slowly, "Good. How about I take over for a moment so you can do something for me? I'll pay you extra." She added before he could say no. He sighed reluctantly and handed her the controls waiting for her to tell him what to do, "I want you to emit ribbon words from your wand saying, 'It's safe and fun for everyone!' Go on do it." And he did. And within moments more people were getting in line. The man took the controls back and smiled at Marcy as she made her way back to Maryn, "Wizards need fun in their lives, don't you agree?"

((Sorry if I wasn't suppose to God-mode the guy, but I wanted to sooo badly. ))