Meeting Expectations ((Ezzie))

[Zara Phoenix]

It was nearly time. Zara checked her watch one more time before making her way into the castle. The day was as clear as the skies, with a cool but calm wind, a good time for flying practice. Zara had enjoyed the hour she had spent soaring around the Quidditch pitch, savouring the delightful sensations and having the entire air space to herself. Flying was always the best outlet from work for Zara, and she treasured every moment she could get her hands on. She always made do with the little time she had, and appreciated that time was such a scarce entity that one had to use wisely. Having just grabbed her scarf from the bench, Zara crossed the Grounds to the doors leading into the castle. With broomstick in hand, she headed to the Gryffindor Common Room first to deposit her items and get changed. She was in simple flying gear, but not in her Quidditch match kit, as so not to attract too much attention. Zara would’ve been seen from miles away, a bright red speck in the sky flitting across the Quidditch pitch. Quickly Zara shrugged off the brown robes and donned simple muggle clothing – a pair of faded jeans and a comfortable forest green hoody. Pushing on dirtied trainers, Zara threw on her usual school cloak and exited her dormitory. The black swooping cape was always useful for many reasons; to keep warm, and to remain inconspicuous and to blend in with other people, as well as being very comfortable.

Zara finally reached the Room of Requirements, an obvious signal that this was the right location being a few people just entering it. Smiling to herself, Zara joined the small throng of students chattering excitedly. It had been a long time since she had last been in the Room of Requirements; she had initially heard about it in her third year, the naïve child she was then hardly able to believe that such a magical room existed. But this was the wizarding world – who knew what to expect? Zara certainly didn’t bother feigning no surprise anymore. This amazing world always found something new to astound her, and Zara enjoyed the surprises. Her eyes scanned the other students she had joined, and recognised a few faces. She smiled in acknowledgement at some of them, but knew none of them were her partner. When Zara had originally heard about Big Brothers Big Sisters, she had been confused to what the scheme entailed. However, upon further explanation, she had decided it was a worthy cause to participate in. This would be her last year in Hogwarts, and Zara knew she would hate to leave the castle the coming July. She wanted to be able to look back in the future and remember being a good member of the Hogwarts community, someone who joined in and made a difference. Zara also wanted to get to know the younger years more; she didn’t really have that chance as a seventh year. She was revered amongst the small first years, and although it was amusing to see them tremble in fear and awe, Zara wished they weren’t so afraid. She was just another normal girl. One day they’d be like her.

Zara’s partner was a girl by the name of Esmeralda Mendez. She was a Gryffindor too, in fourth year, and Zara had heard of her before. She was a rising performer in the muggle world, apparently, and her sudden spring to fame was what had alerted Zara to her. She had been surprised when she had discovered by owl that Esmeralda – Ezzie, as she was better known in the papers – was to be her little sister. It had been a pleasant surprise, nonetheless, and Zara looked forward to meeting her. She had seen Ezzie around school and in the Common Room a few times, but they had never spoken. Zara was somewhat glad she had been paired with a fellow Gryffindor; she knew she would work better with them than any others, but of course, individual personalities still factored into things… Zara didn’t judge people based on houses. After a minor crush in the queue at the door of the Room of Requirements, Zara was finally through and in. Her eyes did their usual surveying, like she would at a Quidditch match, and noted the several clusters of pairs mingling in the room. It seemed the meeting was underway. Checking her watch again, Zara noted that she was just in time, and not late. Relieved, Zara moved forward with the others to be registered, and when two of the committee members of BBBS had checked her in, Zara had stood to one side to wait the arrival of Ezzie. According to Aurora and Celia, the sixth years who had welcomed the members, she hadn’t come yet. Zara spent her time watching the other pairs with a small smile, but she didn’t stare for too long, since it was rude to do so. They all looked to be proceeding well. Zara hoped Ezzie would be a cooperative partner, but most of all, she hoped Ezzie would find her a suitable big sister; otherwise Zara would've failed in that aspect.

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie laughed loudly at Ethan’s joke, but silenced herself once she realized how obnoxiously loud she was being right now. She was in the library helping Ethan complete his Charms essay and Madame Pince was giving her dirty looks from across the room. Ezzie gave her an apologetic face and she returned to dusting off the shelves. She had to go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters gathering later today, but that wasn’t for hours. Besides, any Amber free moment was a moment to cherish for Ezzie. She rarely got to see Ethan anymore when he didn’t have that little leech hanging on him all the time. It was frustrating. Ezzie wouldn’t mind hanging out with Ethan while he was with Amber if she wasn’t such an unbearable person to deal with. She was judgmental. Ezzie remembered the countless times Amber had judged her. She judged her on her race, on her place in society, and even on her house. Ezzie specifically recalled (although she had twisted the tale a bit to make Amber look a bit less innocent) Amber saying that Ezzie must not have been very educated since she was from Cuba.

Then, there were the small side remarks that Amber knew Ethan wouldn’t be able to pick up. Things like ‘I love that skirt Ezzie! It almost hides those bony legs of yours!’ Although again, Ezzie couldn’t remember exactly what she said because she had told the twisted version of the story to Casey so many times that she forgot what Amber had actually said. But, Ezzie didn’t just sit there and take Amber’s judgmental comments and snide remarks. She always fought back…the second Ethan turned around of course. Ezzie didn’t want to give Ethan any reason to hate her again. She hated when he was mad at her. No, Ezzie would be good in front of him. She’d smile sweetly and be polite, but the second Ethan turned his back, Ezzie would pounce.

Ezzie smiled at Carson McGreggor as he walked through the door, taking her mind off Amber and Ethan. Ethan looked up from his paper and smiled. “Hey, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be preparing for that thing?” Ethan said, referring to the Big Brother’s Big Sister’s meeting that would be happening in an hour or so. Ever since Angel Sheridan left to train for the Olympics, Carson had agreed to take part in the committee. Ezzie really didn’t see him as the doo-gooder type, (as he and Ethan were getting into detentions together almost weekly) but she could definitely see Carson as a big brother. He acted like Casey and Ezzie’s big brother all the time. Ethan was always the outspoken good friend kind of guy, and Carson was always the calm, quiet big protective brother kind of guy. He was the same way with his friend Angel as well. Even though she was older than him, he protected her with his life.

“Don’t you mean the thing that started ten minutes ago? I was wondering where you guys were so I left my little sister to go get you guys. She’s waiting for me in the Room of Requirements along with Septimus, you’re little sister, and Zara, your big sister. I know Zara is there already, but I’m not sure about Septimus. Either way, both of you need to get over there.” Ezzie’s eyes widened. She didn’t think the meeting started for hours! Ezzie swallowed hard (which hurt against her sore scratchy throat) and packed up her things quickly, shoving them messily into her book bag. Ethan just rolled up his piece of parchment and strolled out. It was just like Ethan to care less if he was late or not.

She rolled her eyes as she walked at a face paced stride next to Carson to the Room of Requirement. She had been there countless times before, and knew that to get inside, she had to think hard of exactly what she needed. “No need.” Carson said as he saw Ezzie’s eyes close in concentration. She didn’t understand. Didn’t you have to think of what you needed before entering? But her question was answered when she reached the space right outside the room of requirement. The door to the room was wide open, and people were walking in and out of the large doors. Ezzie looked around at the large crowd of people. She hadn’t realized how many people had signed up for the BBBS program. She looked around the room. She had no idea who this Zara Phoenix girl was, and if it wasn’t for the little nameplates on each table, Ezzie would have never found her. She smiled a bit as she saw a girl with red hair and fair skin sitting at the table, looking around. Ezzie read the two nameplates on the two person table. One read ‘Zara Phoenix’ and the one across from it read ‘Esmeralda Mendez’. She took a seat. “Hi, I’m Ezzie. Sorry I’m late. Lost track of time. You must be Zara.” She said as she smiled politely at her new Big Sister.

[Zara Phoenix]

((I’m going to alter Zara’s post in ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’, because she acts as if she doesn’t know Ezzie there. Perhaps this can be something we can post about afterwards between Ezzie and Zara, as Zara will have only discovered Ethan’s death through firstly the papers and then the invitation. She won’t have heard it from Ezzie and will definitely be wondering during the winter break if her little sister is all right.))

Eventually Zara took a seat at the table with her nameplate on it, and started to fiddle with it absently. She had never been the most patient person, but Zara wasn’t one to raise a tiff because of tardiness. That was just petty. After another five minutes of waiting, in which she had returned the nameplate to its previous position, Zara was alerted to someone’s presence in front of her by the table. She looked up as a familiar girl sat down opposite, introducing herself as Ezzie. “Hi, nice to meet you at last, Ezzie.” Zara beamed brightly, glad that she had finally met her partner. She extended a hand across the table for Ezzie to shake as she continued speaking. “Yes, that’s me.” Zara smiled, taking in Ezzie’s appearance mentally. She had seen her around school, in the papers, but never so up close and personal. There was something saddening, looking at Ezzie, as if she emanated a sorrowful, almost cold, aura. At least she wasn’t shy though. Zara didn’t let her welcoming smile falter. “Don’t worry about it,” she said about Ezzie’s late arrival, “We all do that. I was out flying and almost lost track of time if it hadn’t been my alarm on my watch. I’ve never been the most punctual person either.” Her tone understanding, Zara withdrew her hand and let them fold on the table with her other arm.

“So,” Zara started, aware that as the big sister she had to take charge of this mini meeting and turn it into something productive. She really wished she would get something out of this scheme, but not only for herself, she hoped Ezzie would too. “You know my name is Zara Phoenix. I’m in seventh year, Gryffindor too, though these are basic facts you’ve probably already been told. I know you’re in fourth year, right? Anyway, I’m seventeen years old, almost eighteen, and, er… Well, I’m taking Charms, Transfiguration, DADA, Potions and Herbology for my NEWTs.” Zara grimaced. “I hate Potions, but I need it to become an Auror. I also love Quidditch… that is my biggest passion in life. I play Chaser on the house team. I wouldn’t give my position up for anything.” She grinned wryly at Ezzie. “I don’t know if you know the feeling of loving something so much you would never think about giving it up. For other people it’s art, or music, or writing, or other sports. Maybe dancing and stuff. For me it’s Quidditch and flying. I could breathe it. Sounds extreme, I know, but it keeps me going when I get fed up with Professor Snape.” Zara laughed cheerily, open about her emotions. She wasn’t one to hide away.

“Moving on, I have a twin sister, Sapphire, in Ravenclaw. She’s completely different to me. We’re unidentical; she’s got dark hair and eyes, and as you can guess, no one would think we’re twins. Our personalities are different too, but we’re really close. I’m a half blood… my dad is a muggle, my mum a witch. They’re divorced now. My dad lives in the USA and my mum in London with her new husband. Sapp and I have a half brother too. We have quite a big family, but Sapp is the only person I’ve had as a constant.” Zara smiled fondly at Ezzie, wondering if the younger girl had close family. “That’s really it about me… Not much to tell. I’m quite normal. What about you, Ezzie? Family, friends? What subjects do you like? I just want you to know, too,” Zara paused as she thought over her words, “That… I know you’re often targeted by the press, and although I do read the papers often, I don’t believe any of the gossip stuff they write. I know it can’t be trusted. So everything you tell me I will believe, and I promise you I will make no preconceptions about you from the newspapers. This is why I’m asking you all these questions – I honestly know nothing about you.”

Zara tried an encouraging smile; she couldn’t help but feel for Ezzie, though she was sure such a girl would dislike pity. But for Zara it wasn’t pity; Zara didn’t like pity either. She just wanted to help Ezzie, because this is what BBBS was for, and for other reasons too. “I joined BBBS because I hoped I would make a difference to someone else’s life. Be able to help them and get to know their world. Someone in a different… life, and year and stuff. So I hope we will get to be good friends. Equal friends.” Zara added with a confident smile. “I hope I’m a good enough big sister.”

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Zara seemed like a nice girl. She was very chattery, and spoke very quickly. But Ezzie supposed that was alright. She seemed like one of those responsible types that lived for school. She talked a lot of her family. She’s so normal.. Ezzie thought to herself. She did have the whole divorce thing going on, but over the years, Ezzie had come to realize that divorce was a very common thing among the people in London. People just couldn’t stay happily married like they used to. Zara’s life was pretty much like that of any normal typical British girl. She had an average story to tell. Oh, but wait until she heard Ezzie’s life story. She could write a novel about it if she wanted to. It would be one novel filled with drama, that’s for sure. Ezzie sat down and shook Zara’s hand.

She took a deep breath. “Well…where to begin?” Ezzie said, mulling over her life story, trying to pick and choose things to leave out and things to breeze over quickly. Some things were better left unsaid. “Well I was born in Cuba with my parents. I’m an only child, which is part of the reason I joined this program. I’ve always wanted a big sister. But anyway, I was born in Cuba. When I was nine I got really sick and they had to send me and my family to England where more qualified doctors could care for me. I’m better now with the help of magical medicines, but the muggle stuff would have never cut it for me.” She said. She tapped her short red painted finger nails on the hardwood table as she continued to tell her story. “Once the muggle doctors ‘cured’ me, me and my parents hightailed it out of there and made a run for it. Our visas were almost expired, and none of us wanted to return to Cuba.” Ezzie sensed she might have been a bit too open about her life, but if Zara was going to open up as much as she did, Ezzie thought it only fair to give her that same respect.

“Once my parents found out I was a witch they ran off for Spain, leaving me in London. I worked at a hotel for awhile before I met Ethan. I moved in with him and his parents. His mom was the one that discovered me and introduced me to the music biz. My mom came back, but none of us know where my dad is. I’ve got a little sister now though, she’s around here somewhere.” Ezzie said, thinking of Septimus, who led a similar life to the one Ezzie used to live. She refused any better treatment and Ezzie thought that to be a bit odd, but it was her choice. “And ever since then I’ve been really focused on my singing and my music. I’m not really into sports and Quidditch and stuff, but I get the same feeling you get when I’m up on stage. I guess it’s a lot less scary though, since I’m not hovering in midair while I sing.” She said with a casual smile. She could feel Zara examining her, trying to evaluate her new little sister. She supposed it was kind of a big sister thing to do. She looked at Ezzie with sad, pitying eyes. Zara really had the right to pity Ezzie for her past experiences in life, but she really didn’t have to. Ezzie was living a pretty decent life now. Aside from the fact that the love of her life was dating the devil’s daughter, she was fatter than a cow, and the media was out to get her, everything was just peachy. Ezzie almost laughed at her own sarcasm. Her life wasn’t exactly normal, nor would it ever be. It would never be free of worry and pain, but Ezzie could strive to get close. She sighed as Zara continued to survey her.

Ezzie smiled at Zara’s encouraging words. So far, Ezzie thought she’d like her big sister. She didn’t judge Ezzie based on what she’d heard in the magazines and the tabloids, but preferred to listen to what Ezzie had to say. So far, Zara seemed like a great big sister. Ezzie was already looking forward to future meetings. “Thanks. I really appreciate that.” She said with a warm smile. And she did mean that. She would have hated to have a big sister that thought she was a lovesick bulimic, even if the accusations were true.