Bored girl+broomstick=broomstick cleaning ((Lori))

[Sophia Hallington H7]

It was a rather cold afternoon near the end of October. All the talk around school was about Halloween which was coming up in less than a week, but Sophias main thought was about the quidditch match that was coming up next Saturday. It was even to some extent more stressful than the thought that her OWLs would be here in less than 8 months, and the teachers were getting very stressed about covering all the information that was needed for the exam. As she had vowed to be more assertive last year, she had decided to be a lot more organised this year. Organisation was typically her main downfall-she barely knew where she was up to most of the time, and hence ended up handing in poor pieces of work, and was now expecting to get less than fantastic OWL results. She wasn't the most academic of students by far, but she wanted to get good grades.

So, this year she had bought herself a useful, pretty planner, with a section for every day of the year in which she wrote which homework she recieved on that day, when it was due for, as well as any important things. She had a planner in her 4th year too, but even after Wendi's attempt to brighten it up with some artistic flair, she was rarely inspired to pick it up out of her bag to look at what homework she had. Not that that would've helped-she rarely wrote it down. But this year she was careful to write down every single bit of work she had to do, and made a mental note of when she was going to do each bit-no more leaving things till the last minute, and having to ask people when exactly it was to be handed in.

And that is why Sophia had a very satisfied look on her face that Sunday afternoon in the Hufflepuff Common Room as she crossed off her final bit of homework for the week-she had just completed an Arithmancy exercise concerning the importance that the addition of the 3 main arithmancial numbers for your name has. So she packed her Arithmancy books back into her bag, with her planner, and went to dump it back in her dorm. She lay down on her bed, wondering what she could do now. It was 4pm, so it was another 2 or 3 hours till dinner time, not that she was particularly hungry to start with. She then looked over at her new quidditch broomstick-a Nimbus 2000-that her family had sent over to congratulate her on making the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.Until then she'd had a plain old Comet 260, but this broom was much cooler.

Albeit a bit rough looking. It was rather dull, having just come out of it's box when it was sent to Hogwarts, and it wasn't particularly smooth. It needed some maintenance, and she didn't have anything else to do. It was too cold to go and practise utside. So she picked up the broom, and the maintenance kit that Sita Mehadi had given her. Sita was an old friend-they'd met she Sophia was in her 3rd year-and a very kind and freindly one, to give her the maintenance kit. So Sophia set off upstairs to the student lounge-a change of scene from the common room where she spent most of her time. It would also be warmer up there, she'd think. The fire was bigger and there were usually some free seats close to it.

As she got up there, she saw a group of younger Ravenclaw girls leaving some spare seats, luckily by the fire. So she sat down, rested the broom against the arm rest and opened the kit to see what it contained. It contained the obvious polist and sandpaper to smooth it with, as well as a small spray bottle of anti-curse potion. There were also small bottles of paint to decorate it with, and some special soap and a sponge to wash it with. Also a brush for the head of the broom She started off by papering it down so it was nice and smooth, and then gave it a quick polish. But just then someone else entered the room, and made her way over to her.

[Lori Leigh R6]

Lori finished off the letter to her family with her signature curly writing. Sometimes, it made teachers crazy. They said it was too original. Lori had tried to change it before, but it was hopeless. It was like her hand didn’t want to change a thing about it. Oh, well. Lori tried. Lori read over the letter once more before she sealed it. It held basically the same information as always. She of course mentioned Theo and how they were both working hard since it was their OWL year. Lori brought up the Winter Ball that was coming up and how she hadn’t decided on a costume yet. But, she was sure that Florence would give her a suggestion as she normally did. Lori also added in a note to tell Yvonne and Wesley hello, like she usually did. It was the same old same old, for Lori. She wrote her family each week. She did it on her mom’s request, actually. Dana was protective of her daughters and she liked to know what was going on in their lives like most mothers did. Lori smiled and sealed the letter with the blue wax that she had lying on her bedside table. She then took the seal that her father had bought when she had been sorted into Ravenclaw. It had the Ravenclaw Crest and below it a curvy L was printed. Lori nodded and then made her way to the Owlery to borrow one of the school’s owls.

Bubblegum followed Lori back from the Owlery. It would only take a day for Lori to get that reply from her parents. She liked hearing from them actually. She missed her family from time to time even though having Theo with her was basically like having family around. It didn’t matter what had been going on with Theo or how Lori felt about him. He had always felt like family no matter what her feeling were for him. Bubblegum made a nearly cat like noise as she followed Lori. The little Pygmy Puff was about the smallest one that Lori had ever seen, but she loved her pet none-the-less. “C’mon Bubblegum.” Lori smiled back to the pink fluff ball. The creature seemed to smile as a she gradually made her way up to Lori and tried to keep up with her owner’s pace. Lori made her way to the Student Lounge with her pet. She had a feeling that Theo would make his way to the Lounge eventually even though they hadn’t agreed to meet there or anything.

Lori walked into the room with Bubblegum in her arms. She eventually picked up the slow creature that was rather tired by that point. Lori glanced around the room but didn’t see Theo anywhere. Oh well. He was probably doing homework or something. Lori instantly gravitated toward the fireplace as it was the object of warmth in the room. Besides, Lori hated being cold. She smiled a tad noticing Sophia Hallington. She was in the same year as Lori, only in Hufflepuff. “Hey Sophia.” Lori said spoke to the girl as she sat in the chair beside her. Bubblegum laid in Lori’s lap and Lori placed her hands near the fire. Lori noticed Sophia’s the broomstick that Sophia was polishing. “Oh, did you make the team?” Lori asked. She didn’t pay too much attention to Quidditch as she didn’t like to play sports herself, but she still liked to watch. “Oh, Sophia this is Bubblegum.” She pointed to the small Pygmy Puff in her lap. Just then, Bubblegum made a rather snippy like sound. It almost sounded like a small dog. “So, she’s a little proactive.” Lori smiled. “And to think she only weight like four pounds.” Lori laughed and then looked to Sophia.

[Sophia Hallington H7]

"hey Lori! How're you? Excited about Halloween next week?" Smiled Sophia as she noticed who the girl was that was coming next to her. Lori was a very friendly Ravenclaw in Sophias year, that she hadn't spoken to much. They shared some lessons, but stayed with different people. Sophia was just glad she had a friendly person to talk to now-she was getting bored of the broomstick maintenance. That could wait, it wasn't exactly necessary. Socialising and being friendly was right now. Lori had taken her time out to come and sit with her. Well, maybe only cos it was cold and there were some spare seats round the fire, but that didn't matter. She wasn't particularly interested in Halloween herself, but it was a conversation topic at least.

"Oh, yup, I'm on the team now. Well, only as a reserve chaser, but hopefully I'll be able to play sometimes if one of the others needs some time out or something. My family just sent this over to congratulate me-should be much better than my old Comet 260. It's gonna look great once I've spruced it up a bit. Not sure what exactly I'm gonna do, but I'll think of something." Sophia was really excited about making the team. She hoped she'd be playing in the game the following weekend, but as far as she knew the other chasers were all in fine shape. Nontheless, she'd be on the bench waiting for her turn, if it ever came. She couldn't wait to represent her house in the best way possible-by being on the Quidditch team. Her only fear was going out there and messing it up for the team. But then again, Hufflepuffs were a friendly, forgiving lot, so although they'd be disappointed they probably wouldn't take drastic action.

Lori then pointed out her pygmy puff. "Awww, she;s really cute! Well, I assume it's a she. I always imagine Pygmy Puffs as girls. And Bubblegum! Such a great name!" Sophia loved cute stuff, especially animals. She wanted a pygmy puff, but at the time an owl was the more sensible idea. "Yeah, I only have an owl. Crazy. I think that says it all really. Crazy by name, Crazy by nature. But I'd love a pygmy puff aswell! Maybe next year, or for my birthday or something." Sophia could imagine it now-going to Diagon Alley, and buying herself a cute little, preferably purple, pygmy puff. Perfect! She was excited now-nevermind quidditch, it was all about having a pygmy puff. A cute little pygmy puff to carry around with her!

Then Bubblegum started yapping and bouncing around. She even jumped into Sophia's lap at one point, at which point she took the oppurtunity to hold and cuddle the small creature for a short while, before she jumped back to Lori. As the other girl said, the bundle of fur was rather proactive, and yet so light! She was thinking of asking if she could get one at Christmas, but she wasn't sure if she'd be allowed, seeing as she already had Crazy. "So, Lori, do you have any other pets, or just Bubblegum?" was the only question that popped into her head as she was thinking of her own pet owl, and her crazy habits. She had been a great compainion in the just over 4 years that Sophia had know her, and she wouldn't give her up for anything, despite really wanting a pygmy puff.

[Lori Leigh R6]

Lori smiled brightly and laughed. “I love Halloween!” She exclaimed girlishly. Sometimes, her emotions simply got the best of her. And when they did, everyone had to watch out and enjoy the ride. Lori could act like a little kid sometimes. She often looked at things with kid-eyes, but there was that adult side of her also. Lori had many sides. It was hard to explain really. “I always have really. Me and Theo dressed up as Jack-o-Lanterns as kids. It was so much fun back then. I didn’t even care about candy. I just loved to dress in costume.” Lori had always loved fashion. She loved reading the fashion magazines and finding out the latest trends. But, of course, that was just one of Lori’s many interests. Lori liked many things and she was good at many things. Lori knew that she got this from her mother. Dana loved to cook, (the muggle way usually) sew, draw, sing, and play instruments among other things. She had a variety of interests and this was one of the many reasons that Lori looked up to her mother.

“So, are you ready for Halloween?” She asked brightly. Lori loved Halloween and Christmas. Really, she liked about every holiday. Well, not Valentines Day. That was a touchy day for someone. Why celebrate a love that you will never have? Why celebrate love when you feel as though you will only ever love one person? Lori didn’t know and this is why she had never liked the holiday. But, she did manage a fake smile to Theo when she gave him her pink Valentine every year. She had to fake it and make Theo happy. She had no other choice.

Lori smiled as Sophia said that she made the team as a Reserve. “That’s awesome! I’m sure with some more experience; you’ll be knocked up to starter in no time.” Lori had always been pretty optimistic. “I’ve always been afraid of Quidditch really. Just because of all the brutal stories I’ve heard since first year. I do like to fly though, but that’s about it.” She smiled. Lori wasn’t a sports person. No, she was more artistic than anything. She liked to play the violin, sing, (to herself and Theo only though) and act a bit too. Lori was terrible at sports actually. “It’s a great broom. Yea, I have a Comet 260 as well, but it works fine for me as it doesn’t get much use anyways.” She said smiling. Every now and then, Lori got the chance to fly in the deserted Quidditch Pitch, but that was rare.

“Yes, she is.” Lori smiled and kiss the top of Bubblegum’s hmm, head? Well, Bubblegum. Pygmy Puffs were weird creatures, but they were adorable. “Yep, she’s my little girl. My sister, Florence suggested the name since bubblegum pink is my favorite color.” She paused and smile. “We name animals after colors or things that may remind you of a certain color in my house.” She laughed. “It’s a bit weird, but I think it’s cute in a way. Florence’s orange and white kitten is named Citrus.” Lori laughed. It was a funny name, but it was still cute. “I wish I had an owl. They are loving creatures really. I just use the school ones.” Lori smiled as Sophia said that she wanted a Pygmy Puff perhaps for her birthday. “Oh they are cute little creatures. If you get one, then Bubblegum will have a friend.” Lori smiled.

Lori laughed as Bubblegum jumped about. She went from Lori’s lap to Sophia’s and then back to Lori’s. Typical Bubblegum. “Well, at school, it’s just me and Bubblegum. At home, we have a Yorkshire Terrier named Snickerdoodle.” Lori laughed slightly. “We call her Snick. Yep we have weird animal naming habbits.” It was true, but Lori didn’t care. She liked this about her family. “When I was little, I wanted a white pony name Christmas. Snow and Christmas are just connected in my mind. Sometimes, I still want that pony, but you know..” She said thinking a bit. Her parents didn’t have room for a pony at all nor did Lori ever bring up that she wanted one. This was one of the many secrets that she had told Theo and no one else. Well, until now it seemed.

[Sophia Hallington H7]

"Woo, glad to know someone's looking forward to it! Actually, I think everyone's excited. Halloween isn't really my thing, but it's still fun. I still don't know what to go as, to be honest. I like your Jack-o-lantern idea! I never had many close friends to do stuff like that with. Definitely none that would come to Hogwarts. To be honest, I was very surprised I got a letter. I was preparing to go to the local Muggle school. How different my life would've been had that happened..." Sophia hadn't really heard of Hogwarts before she arrived. She'd known that there were magical people in the family, and her French cousins were either at, or were going to go to, Beauxbatons. That sounded like a great school, from what she'd been told, but nevertheless she loved Hogwarts...she just wasn't particularly academic. "So, in short...nope, I'm not ready. Any ideas of costumes I could wear? I could be a bat, I guess...but then I wouldn't be able to move my arms too well...

The subject changed to Quidditch, Sophia's new favourite hobby. "Yes. it is, it's really good! I'm glad I made the team, even if it is just on reserve." She'd always enjoyed quidditch, she'd just never been organised enough to have the time to be on the team. This year she was a lot more organsied, had more free time, and hence had decided to try out. "And yeah, hopefully I'll improve more, now I'm on the team. I've not flown so often since, well, flying lessons in first year..." She'd always enjoyed flying in general, not just quidditch. She'd not had much free time to practice, and obviously she couldn't practice at home. She'd had the odd spin on her broom, but not very much.

"Yeah, it is a dangerous sport...I hope I'll be alright...I'm new, so hopefully they'll go soft on me...but that's not likely to happen!" Safety was one thing Sophia was always conscious of, and the dangers. That was one of the things that put her off in the first place...and the one reason why she refused to be a beater. And the responsibility of being the one to win the game was why she didn't go for Seeker. Chaser was her favourite, and if not that, keeper. "And yeah, the Comet 260 is a good broom, but Nimbus 2000 is better. I'm gonna keep my 260 as a backup, incase anything happens to the himbus...hopefully it won't though..." She really hoped the Nimbus would last for the rest of her school days, and longer. She'd only just got it, so was rather overprotective of it.

"Aww, that's a good reason to name things! It is rather cute, as you say! I love bubblegum pink too! I prefer purple personally, but pink is great! And an orange and white kitten, that sounds really cute! Citrus is another great name!" Sophia was an animal person. She loved Care of Magical Creatures, and was hoping to take it for NEWT, and possibly do something with it later in life. SAhe wanted to do Arithmancy and Herbology too...posibly History of Magic. She returned to the owls "Yeah, they are great creatures, and very useful. When you've had one for a while you just, well, bond with it, but I guess it's the same for all pets. And yeah, if I get a pygmy puff, it will be a friend for Bubblegum!"

Lori was now talking about a yorkshire terrier she had at home. "Aww, I love yorkshire terriers! And snickerdoddle, such a great name! So funny...snickerdoodle, haha. And your naming habits might be weirrd, but the names are great, really!" It was as if Lori and Sophia had so much in common, talking about these pets. Lori was now talking about horses. "Aww, I really like horses too...just not enough to want one. I used to ride a bit when I was younger, but the lessons were really repetitive...so I stopped. I would've had to stop when I came here anyway..though I do kinda miss those horses, they were lovely...maybe I should go and see if they're still there at some point...surprise them all..."