Escaping The Shower ((Caleb))

[silverstone]

Rain. So horrid! Mischa hated rain. It ruined everything, and had absolutely no point whatsoever in the magical world. It was so… wet. Mischa smiled slightly at the thought, but the frown soon returned to her dripping face, as more rain pounded onto her. She ducked her head down low and quickly ‘scuttled’ in and out of the Diagon Alley crowds, heading for one certain place. It was one she’d visited several times when she was first coming to Hogwarts, and throughout her years she’d gone more and more. It was dubbed Café Murlan, for some reason unknown to Mischa, and she adored it. It was tiny, but not too small, homely but still professional, and they sold the most gorgeous blueberry muffins Mischa had ever tasted. She rushed towards it, using her Quidditch skills slightly as she dodged through the crowd- most of whom were running too. Many people held tall black umbrellas which made the place seem duller and drearier to Mischa. If she had an umbrella, which she didn’t, she’d spell it into her own design. Very bright, with loads of colours- but not too stand-outish. Just something you’d notice with a look, but not at a glance.

When Mischa came up to the small wooden-framed door of Café Murlan, she sighed with relief. She was soaked. Her knee-high black leather boots were fine of course, being leather. Her pale jeans were now dark from the rain splattered across it, and her over-sized dark green jumper looked as though it was now tie-dye patterned. A look which Mischa didn’t love too much. She knew a fair bit about fashion and it was one of her options for when she left school, though she had no perfect choices yet. She always took her time in the morning getting ready- clothes, and hair and face. Today for instance she’d gone for a smoky make-up base, very light however since she disliked heavy make up. Some pale green eyeliner which went well with her green jumper was carefully drawn on with the utmost detail. Her long blonde hair was loose and in tight ringlets, spelled into the style skilfully. Her appearance was nice and she mixed into the cosy, warm atmosphere in the almost empty café perfectly.

Ordering a large hot chocolate and the famous blueberry muffin, she chose a seat beside the window and sat down with a small smile. She loved looking out at everyone running around, trying to escape the ever-stronger rain attacks. Someone she recognised only faintly seemed to be heading towards Café Murlan, a dark-haired guy. She couldn’t recognise whoever it was fully through the shower outside, and turned her blonde head just slightly to see who came through the doors next.

[Caleb Donnelly S7]

Caleb pulled the collar up on his leather jacket as he trudged through the cobblestone pathways of Diagon Alley. It was quite chilly that afternoon and even with the umbrella above his head he was still getting mildly wet. He wasn't too upset by it though. He enjoyed this sort of weather. All he needed now was the thunder and lightning. He always found that to be much more exciting than the sunlight. Besides Caleb preferred the dull colors of the world to the bright outlandish colors it could become. He didn't know why, he just did. Now with his black umbrella held above his head he glanced around the thinning pathway. Everyone seemed to be heading for cover. He smirked. It wasn't every day that rain fell hard on the small wizarding community. He found it quite amazing how many of them acted like muggles during storms like this. Disgusting really.

Caleb's hand moved to his pocket and he felt the small box that was located there. He sighed. He had been checking every few seconds since he had purchased it from a 'friend.' It had cost him a pretty penny and it had better been worth it. He patted the box with his hand through his leather jacket and sighed. He really needed a cup of tea at the moment. He glanced around at the shops and finally decided on Cafe Murlan. It wasn't his normal dinning places, but at least it seemed dry and not so crowded. He stepped off toward the shop scowling at a few people who nearly ran into him. He kept his mouth shut though as he watched them ran on. Shaking his head in disgust he reached the small shop and closed his umbrella, stepping in through the door.

The warmth took over his senses as did the smell of blueberries. He took in a deep breath and nodded his head. Stepping up to the small round woman behind the counter he smiled politely. "A cup of your best tea and a blueberry muffin," Caleb sighed as the smell had made his stomach growl. The woman smiled and nodded, "Certainly." Caleb smiled again and nodded his head in return as he turned to look at the tables around him. He cocked his head in interest as his eyes landed on a familiar girl sitting near the window. He cracked a smirk as he sauntered to the table. "Gryffindor, right?" Caleb asked the girl looking down on her from above.

[silverstone]

Mischa watched the familiar student come in, and turned back to her muffin as he ordered the exact same item. She gently pulled off a corner of the item, barely bigger than a nail. Popping it into her mouth she savoured the taste with a smile. Blueberry muffins were always the perfect foods. Along with the steaming hot chocolate her snack was turning out to be quite the delicacy, she thought with a smirk as she sipped the hot liquid. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear she turned as a voice erupted from beside her. Now she was close to the guy she could easily see who it was- not by name, but by house. Slytherin, she thought. She had nothing against the house but, obviously, it was a well-known fact that they never had much to smile about. Not many could she have a fully civilised conversation with, without harsh words being spoken. Maybe this Slytherin could be different? She doubted it, but cast a friendly enough smile towards the student as she replied to his brief question.

“Indeed, just the best for me.” She smirked a little with this comment, guessing he’d retort back with some insult. “You’re Slytherin, am I correct?” Of course, she knew she was. But it felt right to ask him anyway. By his looks, he didn’t look much younger than her- but then again she looked like a sixth of fifth year with her features. This was a good thing, her father was forever telling her. ‘You’ll love it when you’re older’!

Her father was always giving her important (he thought) advice. Some of it she listened to and treasured, some of it she tossed away like an old sweet wrapper caught in a breeze. Things like ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’ she already knew, but kept safe in her mind anyway. Others, such as ‘never under-estimate wasps’ she had learnt not to cast aside after a harsh experience corrected her mistakes.
Taking another tiny bite from the blueberry, she indicated to the spare chair opposite her out of simple politeness, and a touch of curiosity. “Sit, if you wish to.” Mischa offered in a gentler tone than she had been speaking with before.

[Caleb Donnelly S7]

"Gryffindor is for the brave and courageous. Not a bad choice if you ask me. What was it that the sorting hat said a few years back...oh right:
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
Truly Gryffindors are prized above all the rest according to the sorting hat and it may very well be right. I have no qualms with your house and do not wish to start any either. Yes, I am in Slytherin, but that should not be held against my nature. I am who I am, whether or not I believe pureblood's are above all the rest," Caleb said. He chose his words carefully as he always did. He didn't want an argument at the moment. Of course he never liked arguments. Avoiding confrontations was his game. If he could avoid fighting with people he knew that in life he would succeed.

Caleb nodded his head as the girl said he could sit if he wanted. He was about to do so when the woman behind the counter called out to him. He nodded and returned to the counter to pick up his cup of tea and muffin. He looked at both in interest as he returned to the table and took a seat across from the girl. He looked up at her. "Caleb Donnelly," he said with a slight nod of his head to show respect. It was his way. He respected everyone. He had his beliefs but he wasn't the type to shout it out to the world. So his closed off opinions were hardly ever spoken. He was reserved about who he was and he would never let anyone think otherwise.

Caleb looked down at his muffin and pulled a small piece off from the top popping it into his mouth. The strong warm blueberry muffin salivated in his mouth. He was slightly surprised by it's potency and still moist center, but he didn't show it. He nodded at the taste. Definitely better than anything his family had tried to cook, then again maybe it was always a house elf cooking his food. If it was they weren't doing so fine. He wondered if he should take up cooking the family dinners. He shrugged at the thought in his head as he took a sip of his tea. It was definitely the best tea in the house and for that he was also mildly impressed. He hadn't expected either items to be very good in such a place, especially since the Cafe Murlan wasn't that well known to him.

Caleb looked back up at the girl and then back out the window. "Quite the storm today. It's been a while since we've had a good rain storm in my parts. Refreshing, really. It's been so long since I've felt the rain pelt my face," Caleb's words were thoughtful and soft. He cleared his throat after them and took another sip of his tea avoiding the girl's eyes. Sometimes Caleb was just too pensive for his own good. He hated showing who he was to people, but sometimes he had a hard time hiding who he was. This was one of those times. His hand instinctively went to his pocket and he felt the small box there. He sighed subconsciously as he relaxed a bit, knowing that it was still safe.