You Raise Me Up ((Close Friends))

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack looked across the Grounds in time to see a Slytherin about his age coming toward them. He noticed that lots of the people in other Houses were avoiding the girl. She seemed to be rather mean to others, but Jack knew by experience that Slytherins were usually nice to people like themselves. As the girl walked over, Jack looked at Mack to see if she knew her. It appeared that she did. The girl had started talking and Mack had replied. Jack didn't know where this was going, but might as well introduce who he was.

"Hi, I'm Jack. Jack Rendel." He said smoothly while holding out his hand to shake. "And you are?" He suddenly remembered something Bee had told him. About her bad experience with Slytherins. Was this one of them? Bee had mentioned that the girl who had hurt her had red hair, which matched the girl who he was talking to...."You're Mary, aren't you?" He asked, without suppressing a small smile.

[Mary Evans]

Mary looked at Jack incredulously as he felt the need to introduce himself and ask her name. This had to be joke... With a cocked eyebrow Mary smirked at him... what a buffoon. "Of course I'm Mary you half-wit. We have only been in classes together, sharing a table, talking to the same people, and relaxing in the same common room together for three years" She replied in short clipped tones. After rolling her eyes she turned her attention back to Mack and the signals she had been sending her.

She had seen this boy in classes but never endeavored to speak to him but from Mack's actions she assumed this was the Tristan kid she had mentioned. With a smirk she turned to him and spoke slowly careful to enunciate as if speaking to someone new to English. "You must be the stalker right? Tregan is it? The Raven Mack told me was drolling over her?" She then burst out in giggles. "A Raven and a Slytherin can you imagine? Did you honestly tell her you love her? We are like thirteen here and you two have been "involved" for how long?"

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack looked at Mary with surprise. Well, Jack could play mean if he wanted to, but right now, he didn't. He wasn't in a good mood, he was still feeling angry at Brooke for thinking they could be together. He didn't want to be mean to Mary, since she hadn't done anything. He had just forgotten what the hell her name was! But then again, he was a half-wit for forgetting, as Mary pointed out to him. They had been together for a while....

He brushed his brown hair out of his eyes and looked at Tristan, who wasn't saying anything. He probably felt unsure of what to say around four Slytherins. Jack couldn't blame him; but the situation looked funny from his side of veiw. Mary did seem to be hitting him with rough words, and so far, Tristan had stayed quiet. He decided he would stay quiet, since he wasn't sure what to say. The subject wasn't anything Jack could talk about; he didn't know much about Mack and Tristans' relationship. He didn't want to say anything false, so he just kept his mouth shut, wondering where in the world this conversation was going to go.

((Sorry Mary. Forgot about that.... It's just that Mary and Jack haven't been in a post together.... My mistake ))

[Mackenzie Holden]

"Now now Mary, play nice, it's not his fault he's naive. Tregan just doesn't want to take my hints." Mack told her in a teasing voice, her blue eyes flicked to look at Tristan who didn't seem to happy to be there at the moment. She wondered if he would leave or stay. Mack smirked and looked back at Mary, whenever she was around Mary; Mack was a different person entirely. She was cruel, sadistic, and really didn't care if she was hurting someone elses feelings.

When Mary how long they were "involved" Mack snorted and looked at her friend, "We weren't even together. One kiss and I have a boyfriend? I don't think that's how it works. As much as I loved the Romeo and Juliet theme," Her attention rested on Tristan and she spoke directly at him, "I could never love him. Not really anyway." I even hate myself this way, imagine how Tristan feels. I don't want to. I don't want to think about how I am making the poor halfblood feel, I couldn't care less...

"Are all boys this way? Or is it just the mutts and mudbloods?" She nearly winced, when she used Dix's word. Mutt. Her word for halfblood or dirty pureblood. Mack despised that word, and there she was using it in her own speech and sentence. She was having too much fun to stop though.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack watched Mack transform into some uncaring girl throwing insults left and right. He raised his eyebrows as high as they could go. He listened to the conversation without saying anything since it didn't concern him. Mack however, brought him into it by asking if all boys were that way. He glared at her and then shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm surprised, Mack." Jack told her without keeping the smirk from his face. "I thought you could answer that question yourself." He looked back at Tristan and couldn't help but feel a small amount of pity. He wasn't going to let that get to him though. He still glared at Mack and then Mary. Once in a while his eyes flickered to the other older girl, who was being rather quiet.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack glared sharply at Jack, "Yeah, well, I'm not like Brooke who has guys falling all over her, now am I? Or maybe you think I am...either way I didn't get my answer." Her tone was sharp and she wondered if she struck even the slightest nerve. She wanted to see Jack mad, she wanted to see the side of him that no one else has seen. Except for Bee. Mack thought, she shook her head and bit the inside of her cheek to keep from saying another smart remark.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack felt his cheeks burn with anger and frustration. He felt as if his blood was over-boiling, but he held it back. He was used to holding back his negative emotions. He held his tongue until Mack was finished with what she had to say. Jack rolled his eyes.

"Or maybe you want to be like Brooke." Jack muttered, having trouble not letting his anger show through his voice. Even through his efforts, it did quiver. He gave himself a shake and looked back at Mack. Mutt, since when did Mack call people mutts? Jack had heard the word before, from...her sister.

"Trying to be like your sister, Mack? Getting tired of going against your family? I thought you were strong enough to hold out against them...apparently I was mistaken. I never knew you would go as far to prove yourself a Holden as to call someone a mutt just like your sister did to you!" Jack snarled in her face, hoping he would get a rise out of her.

[Mary Evans]

Mary smirked at Mack’s words. She loved Mack and that she shared Mary’s sharp tongue despite the fact both used to be considered “nice” by other houses. Mary had suddenly grown out of her willingness to fight for them though; she just didn’t see the point. She found putting up with the muggleborns infuriating and found herself wishing they would have remained where they belonged; in the non-magical world. Then in addition to that was the Gryffindork’s hero complexes, Ravenclaws search for useless knowledge, and Hufflepuffs naivety. The dungeons were the place for her that’s for sure.

She had no response to Mack’s question on boy’s though. The eternal pessimist in her wanted to agree but then she really didn’t. Mary usually preferred the company of males to be quite honest. Surprisingly though Jack didn’t seem to much appreciate Mack’s attitude. Not that Mary cared until Jack said something that stuck a cord. “Getting tired of going against your family?” he asked and Mary through daggers at him with her eyes. “Why should she continue fighting? What's the point in defending those unworthy? They don't belong here; as a Slytherin you should know that as well as we. They were not born into this world they can not understand our ways no matter how much they try. Mack doesn’t need to prove herself a Holden she just is; it’s in her blood. As much as you may want to deny it it’s in all our blood. We are better than them and shouldn’t have to put up with their eccentricities; their hero complexes, their excess energy, their naive sense of what is just, their need to know every little thing no matter how irrelevant. You are not strong if you fight for those fools; far from it. You are just dense, you don't see that you are fighting against what is right, what is natural. And if you really do stand up for the muggleborns and inbreeds then Mack is a hundred times stronger than you because she has strength enough to accept the way things are and let go off that useless image of the perfect world.” Mary went off and spat the words out at him ((she did not literally spit for those who don’t know the expression – I know most of you realise this but there was an infuriating incident before so I thought I would nip the… confusion in the bud this time))

[Mackenzie Holden]

"Says the pansy mama's boy." Mack retorted before Mary even said anything. She locked her gaze with Jack's knowing she must have struck some nerve, because he was close to his mom. Or he felt he was, closer to her than he was his father. Mack immediately felt sick after saying it and she just wanted to pass out, but she kept strong and listened to what Mary had to say. Feeling a little bit better, and extremely glad she was there to help. Mary, of all people, would know how Mack just decided they weren't worth standing up for anymore. Mary had after all, done the same before. She stopped when she saw how extremely worthless they were.

"I fight for what I believe is worth fighting for, and those who don't see they don't belong are definitely not worth it. And for your information, I wasn't going against my family until Tristan happened. And you have no room to talk, Jack! You go against your father just as much as I go against my family. Weren't you the one who was allowing his father to step all over him, until I told him if he relies so much power on your shoulders you can control him? Weren't you the one who was so frightened until I told you to take control? Or was that another Rendel?" Mack snarled right back at him. Her eyes piercing him like daggers, she wondered if this was effecting him as much as it was her.

[Tristan MacCay]

Tristan was speechless as he stood and listened to what the others had to say. How did they know all this? Did Mack just whine about him to all her friends? How could she be so bitter so suddenly? He had nothing to say to any of them until he realised something,

"Sorry, mate! I sort of tuned out for a minute. Tristan Wardle, Ravenclaw third year. Although i expect you've heard all about me..." He glanced at Mackenzie here before turning to Mary, "Mary." He nodded. He had heard of her before. She had been called “nice” by some people he knew. Tristan wasn't about to decide that at present.

"Mackenzie, don't." Tristan said calmly, "Don't be someone else. Don't give in to people like her." He indicated towards Mary with his head. Tristan gazed into Mackenzie's eyes. Outside she looked livid and mean, but inside... was that a hint of pain? Anguish? He shook his head slightly and spoke once more, "Please..."

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack's blue eyes sparked with a hint of malice as she looked at Tristan, she stood up and smiled that innocent- sweet smile that she had control over. The sweet innocent smile that she could use to her advantage. She looked at Tristan, that innocent smile turning to a deadly smirk..

"People like her, Tristan? People like Mary, who wouldn't shun me when they found out about you?! People like Mary who was an actual friend towards me and helped me realise my flaw?! No. I don't have to give in to people like her, I am people like her. You just don't know the whole me. Before all this I was used and abused, but now I have control of that power. So don't stand there and think you know me, because you don't! You know only a little bit of me. An ickle firsite, knows more about me than you do and than you ever will!" Mack snarled at him, she kept her gaze steady with his. Every single word she was saying, she meant.

"Don't look so surprised that Mary knows...Mary's one of my closest friends. I tell her about everything. And Jack here," Mack looked at Jack, "He's pretty close to me too. So I told him as well. Don't worry Tristan, I didn't spread it around the school that a Ravenclaw was some love sick puppy over a Slytherin. That would be Dixie's doing- after I made the mistake of telling her, because I figured 'Hey she's my older sister, what harm can it do?' Turns out how wrong I was." Mack rolled her eyes at that thought and then sat back down.

"You don't know me at all, Tristan. So don't tell me to not be somebody, I am." She whispered.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack stood up quickly and raised his fist. Says the pansy mama's boy, was ringing in his head. He was about to bring his fist down on Mack's face but something stopped him. A memory about his father about to do the same thing Jack was about to do. He slowly brought his hand back to his side and sat back down on the grass, his eyes glazing. I can't believe I just did that! What was I thinking? I'm not going to be like my father. Never. He slowly looked up at Mack and Tristan, who was finally speaking. Mack said something about an ickle first year knowing her better than Tristan. Jack raised his eyebrows at Mack.

"You wouldn't happen to be talking about my sister, would you?" Jack said, a slight smile playing across his lips. Mack and Padme had had a fight that turned out to bring out the worst in Mack. Padme was just like Mary, with her sharp tongue and cold eyes. It was actually scary how much they were alike. Jack didn't mention this to Mary, however, because if the two of them got together some time, it would be hell for anyone in their path. Jack steered his thoughts back to Mack and waited for an answer.

[Mackenzie Holden]

When Jack stood up, his fist raised, and his aim on Mack. She didn't flinch. She just closed her eyes, waiting for him to hit her- but knowing he wouldn't. Jack didn't want to be like his father, just as much as Mack didn't want be like hers. She sent Jack a small smile that said without words, "You know I would have kicked your butt." Then he asked if the ickle first year would be his sister and Mack sighed.

"Yeah. She saw the worst of me. I hope she never has to see the worst of me again. Tristan, you can't get me mad. You can make me annoyed. But not mad. So you don' know me. And you never will." Mack directed that last part to the Ravenclaw who was standing in awkward silence. She ran her fingers through her hair and waited for someone to say something.

[Tristan MacCay]

"What has your sister got to do with this?" Tristan asked Mack, still maintaining his composure, "And, I’m not sure if he would be willing to say, but I’m sure Jack noticed that you were being perfectly civil to both of us until Mary came along. It's interesting how someone can be so influenced by someone else. And why would a friend point out your flaws? Friends are the people who encourage you. Who accept you for who you are. without your ‘faults’." Tristan was speaking quietly and he wasn't getting hot-headed, but he was annoyed that Mackenzie was being fooled in this way by Mary.

"And both of you," Tristan was addressing both Mackenzie and Mary, "What has the house of a person got to do with this. why do you have to describe people and include there house? Does it matter? We're in a school, girls. This isn't real life. Real people don't just fit under a category."

Tristan was beginning to pity Mackenzie more and more. He just hoped she would at least realise what Mary was doing to her. How Mary seemed to be putting so much influence on her that she was becoming a different person.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack snapped back at Tristan, hatred in her pale blue eyes. "Yes, Jack noticed it. I have no doubt Jack noticed it. But Jack has also seen this side of me without Mary there, it just so happens that's it just been us two or us with his sister. So no real person to torment or tease. We've had arguments, and I've hurt his sister. He was there, he's seen. I can be horrible all by myself, Tristan. So don't say this isn't me because I am around Mary. This is me, but Mary seems to give me a confidence boost I suppose." Mack drew in a deep breath and started again, "And on that note, Mary didn't point out my flaws. Whatever gave you that idea?"

Mack smirked, "No, you're right, dear Tristan. Houses have nothing to do with this. We should all play ring around the rosie together and laugh in joyful merriment." She said this in obvious sarcasm, "Wake up Tristan! It is about houses! Blood too! Do you see Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley dating?! No! And they are both pureblooded. Slytherin is the house that is worthy, where as all the rest- don't deserve time. Even for those who are pureblooded. Real life is classified under categories, but I guess you are too blind to see it."

"And my sister has everything to do with this." Mack muttered the last part towards Tristan, getting way to tired to fight.

((Mary I slipped that D/G part in there for you *laughs* I wonder if you caught it without me telling you.)))

[Tristan MacCay]

"The thing that gave me the idea that Mary pointed out your flaws what what yoy just said a minute ago." Tristan was still calm and quiet. "You just said, People like Mary blah blah blah helped me realise my flaw. You gave me that idea. And one can't simply assign a category to a person. If we read labels all the time we will be the most narrow minded people on earth. And narrow minded people never get anywhere Heres a reality check, Mackenzie. The four houses were invented by teachers. They aren't real rules that govern our lives." Tristan's voice was pitying, "And you know Draco and Ginny wouldn't date because they are not suited as people. not because of a are label."

Tristan was seriously beginning to wander where Mackenzie's head was today. She was never usually this narrow-minded and rednecked. He decided it was almost certainly Mary's influence, but refrained from mentioning it again. He didn't want to fight.

[Mackenzie Holden]

((OK, just to make everything clear- Tristan, Mack is like this at times. Even when she isn't around Mary. If you don't believe me I suggest you look at her posts with Jack and Padme, or a post with Alyson in the Student Lounge. This isn't all Mary's influence. I thought I would make that clear because you seemed to believe that she wasn't at all like this- it's all Mary's fault. Which it isn't.))

"Even as I said that- that doesn't necessarily mean she pointed out my flaws. It just means that I began to see things as Mary and others see them. Do you honestly think I would take crap from people who sit there and say, 'oh you need to do this, this, and this differently'? Not a bloody chance!" Mack told Tristan- her annoyance clearly showed in her tone of voice. Even if she were acting different, which she might have been- but lately this attitude has become more and more recent. Not because of the company she was keeping. It had to do with what she was going through- not with who she was friends with. At least- not as much as Tristan seemed to believe.

"Here's a reality check, Tristan. Hogwarts was founded by four totally different people. Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Godric Gryffindor. Each have their own unique characteristic. Of course there were clashes, after all Slytherin wanted to change the income of the students to worthy blood, but Gryffindor and the others didn't see it fit. Therefore there was an argument. So yes, this school is based on labels. If it wasn't then why are there houses? You are labeled my your past and blood.Ergo you are labeled. And there are rules in the real word, if there wasn't then life would be chaos." Mack told him with a sigh of annoyance and wanting to just leave and stop arguing. It was exhausting.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smiled at Mack and then looked at Tristan. "She's telling the truth. She hurt my little sister, Padme. Slapped her right across the face. You haven't seen what Mack can do. She's not a perfectly nice little Slytherin. As for Mary," Jack glanced at her, "she is more of a...boost, I guess you can say. She brings out things that people don't want to talk about in the open. Of course, she does sometimes say things that aren't true and slam them in your face." At this, he gave Mary a mean look, remembering all to well when she had though Bee to be his girlfriend. "She realizes peoples faults and point them out. You can't always hide from Mack's mean side, Tristan, because it's there and it's a part of her. It's not going to vanish just because you're here." He clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, marking that he was done with talking for a while.

He heard the two argue over what distinguishes a person. Categories or personality. The Ginny/Draco thing made Jack laugh slightly, but since Mack was saying that houses matter, he had a question for her. "So, you're saying that if Ginny was in Slytherin, Draco could have feelings for her?" Jack said, his eyebrows raised.

((Yeah, Tristan, Mack's right. Believe me, she's not a nice Slytherin. (Sorry Mack if that offended you. ) If you still don't believe it, check the post in Diagon Alley called: Another Rendel? That's were Mack's mean side shows. ))

[Mackenzie Holden]

((No offense taken. Much taken as a compliment ))

Mack shook her head, "No. It also depends on the personality and who your family is. No one would look twice at me- I mean your father hates me, Jack, because I'm a Holden. I mean; Draco won't even look at Ginny now. But maybe if she were Slytherin- he might. Just the thought of her being a Gryff and he a Slyth- it doesn't even cross his mind to look at her in any way except hatred. Actually- it goes for any person. Jack, if Bee had real strong feelings for you- would even consider being her boyfriend? Had the thought even crossed your mind before? Or Mary, would you ever consider going out with a Hufflepuff? It's just- not something that you think about everyday. So it basically means that even if you have a great personality- if you aren't a Slyth, another Slyth won't give you the chance of day. Unless you are overly nice." She said, trying to make sense out of what she was thinking.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack shook his head in agreement about the thing about a Gryffindor and a Slyth just looking at each other with hatred, but laughed when she mentioned him and Bee. "Never crossed my mind. I don't think she does anyway. If she did...I don't even want to think about it." He smirked slightly and then looked at Mack, his head slightly tilted toward the castle to his right. "There are worthy people in other houses though. Good purebloods, who are good friends. I have never met any," he added rather sheepishly, "but I think Mary has. There are others, like Brooke, were blood doesn't matter. She's a pureblood, but she's a...." he struggled for a word to describe Brooke's crime. "a...mutt, I guess you could say." He said with another glance at Mack, who had always been called a mutt. He gave a glare at Tristan before settling his gaze at the castle, trying to think of someone worthy in a different house.