Question my intelligence ((Bella, then anyone))

[Arywiel Coone G3]

Arywiel settled down on a bench and swung her bag onto her lap. She paused for a while and closed her eyes, letting the mild sun bath her face. She felt a warm glow, then a bunch of grey clouds passed and the sky wasn't clear anymore. It never used to be this grey in Italy, she thought. Ary had lived all around, including Greece, Switzerland and Italy. She had picked up all the languages by the time she moved to Leeds with her family. Not soon she was sent to Hogwarts and her Father left home. Ary felt a strange sensation in her stomach. She missed her Dad. He was a muggle and when her Mother had told him the whole story of being magic, he left.

Arywiel pushed her thoughts aside, she wanted to concentrate on her Tranfiguration homework. All her fellow Gryffindors were up in the Common room or the Lounge studying, but Arywiel felt like breathing in some fresh air. None of the girls in her dorm really bothered about her habits much. There was a mutual kindness, but nothing Ary would describe as a stout friendship. Perhaps they thought she was strange? Most other students were already getting in a flap about the upcoming ball, but nobody had asked her out yet. Ary's mind wandered back to the common room, were she was sitting about chatting with Phoebe, a girl in her dorm, when two boys walked up. They both ignored her almost completely. The first boy, a handsome fellow had cleared his throat and asked Phoebe out straight away. The friend had sniggered, and the boy had elbowed him in the ribs and nodded towards Ary. The second boy shook his head violently and the two had shrugged and walked off. Phoebe had overseen this all, of course. All she knew was that she was going to the Ball with Tom Draper, and that he was a year older.

Ary sighed to herself and opened her book. It was silly to get upset about things like that. She shouldn't really care about the Ball, after all, it was just a Ball. Arywiel tried in vain to stop her mind wandering. She couldn't help remembering the beautiful dress a girl in her dorm had shown her friend. The excitement throbbed in the air, but it made her more and more bitter. Would she end up having to ask one of her male friends out? Ary huffed and scolded herself. She really should be getting on with her Transfiguration. She opened her old copy to page 192 and started to read about the theory and history of Transfiguration in the Ages. It was long and tiring, and as she read on, she kept on getting muddled and confusing the dates. She wanted to give up and stalk back to the warm Common room and read a good book.

Just when the sky was thoroughly clouded over, and the courtyard was in the shade, Ary heard footsteps to her right. She turned and could make out a girl coming towards her. She must have been in the same year about. The girl was probably coming to enjoy the day, or whats left of it. Ary looked up at the sky. It was certainly getting colder by the minute. She pulled her robes around herself and picked up her book.

[Isabelle Leynette R3]

‘In the nose out the mouth, in the nose out the mouth.’ Belle repeated these instructions over and over in her mind as she ran. It was the ideal day to catch up on her much needed exercise. After neglecting it for almost a month she knew she deserved the pain in her side. It didn’t even hurt that bad, anyway it was the good kind of pain, but she still had to concentrate on something different, like her breathing. There was only so much she could handle, physically and mentally. It was naïve of her to think things with her mother would continue like they had these last few months. They hadn’t been fighting and hadn’t been silent either. The last few months had been balanced for the mother and daughter. Very calm, very peaceful, the way things should have been with them forever, but no, Victoria went ahead and messed the new order up. It was done through a letter. Belle had written a few days earlier telling her mother she would be staying at Hogwarts for the winter break; that Victoria needed a vacation away from her children and she should visit her husband who happened to be in Italy on business. She explained it’s been over a month since she last saw him and that Daniel her baby brother hadn’t had a chance to go to Italy yet, unlike the members of the family who had the privilege of going several times. Victoria had written back angry and hysterical. She was wondering if her daughter hated her that much that she couldn't even spend a week with her mother. ‘Uhm, yes mother I do.’ Belle wanted to write but refrained, she deserves a Klondike bar. Instead she went outside for a little run so she might clear her ever chaotic head. At the same time she tried to construct a new letter. Her latest attempt was much too harsh. No one should tell there mother to lay of the alcohol because you thought they were already mentally unstable. Belle would think it but not write it. It was too mean. Isabelle was trying not to be a mean person. It was difficult sometimes, people seemed to like acting like idiots. People like her mother. Victoria was much too dramatic, but Belle knew all the theatrics in the world weren’t going to make her go to the house. Never home, just house. Home was with the grandparents.

Pauses, breath, reflect. Three verbs Belle let herself carry out. She stopped running and was still concentrating on her breathing with her hands on top of her head till her heart beat was regular yet again, as it was ninety-seven percent of the time. Now came the thinking part. Her mother was an idiot; that was what was determined. She would not write back, well she would wait a few days at least. She would wait and see if her mother sent anymore hysterical letters. One more deep breath and Belle felt herself smiling. ‘I can handle this.’ She told herself silently. Two breaths later she began to notice her surroundings. She was near the courtyard it seemed. It had been days since she last visited it. It was as if her mind was already made up since she was heading in the courtyard’s general direction. At first glance it looked deserted, then she spotted a girl sitting by herself and doing what looked like homework, except she looked like she was either frustrated or confused, two emotions Belle knew well. She was clearly in need of a distraction. Belle was up for the task. She walked over to the girl that seemed about her age with authority. “Well, hello there. I noticed you were to only other person in the courtyard. Do you mind if I disturb you for … I don’t know … fifteen minutes with a conversation about the most random thing ever?” Belle asked her smiling.

[Arywiel Coone G3]

Arywiel looked up at the girl. "Well, hello there. I noticed you were to only other person in the courtyard. Do you mind if I disturb you for … I don’t know … fifteen minutes with a conversation about the most random thing ever?” The girl beamed at her. Ary studied her closely. She was certainly somewhere around her own age and seemed quite forward. Ary smiled back at her mildly and moved along the bench, making room for the other girl. Ary ran her fijnger along the delicate spine of her large book. Transfiguration standard grade 3, the horrible monster of a book she had to read. She cast a hopeful look at the girl. If she was per chance a Ravenclaw, she would no doubt be brainy and able to help her. Ary decided not to lunge herself into an awkward situation with a girl she didn't even know. "Pretty gruesome day." she commented, hoping for some simple small talk. Arywiel wasn't good at conversing with others, they always looked at her in a strange way that was quite off-putting. She gave the girl a side-ways glance. She didn't seem to be a judgemental type. She wouldn't have strode over and decided to talk to Coone. Ary remembered some Slytherin girls shrieking at her in the corridors several days ago "Look, it's Cooney!" Ary had barely glanced at them, and had raised her eyebrow at them in disbelief. They howled with laughter when Phoebe hurried over "Don't listen to them!" she had huffed, pulling a blushing Ary away from the group. Arywiel hadn't listened to them any way. She didn't expect anything better from the Slytherins, besides, they did the same to everyone in her house.

"I'm Arywiel, by the way, Arywiel Coone." Ary held out her hand to the girl and smiled thinly. She studied the girl's face. An agreeable looking girl, no trace of a snigger or sneer. Ary's eyes flicked back to her book. That homework was a weight she was dying to have lifted off her shoulders.

[Isabelle Leynette R3]

As children we learn to be polite. Behave yourself, our parents would often tell us when we tended to be crazy and embarrass them. Or when you went over to someone else’s home, as if we’d be bouncing of the walls. Some children had it worse then others. Some children were just forced to grow in an environment where ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ was more important then oxygen. This is not a desired way to be raised, and most children did not wish it upon themselves. Yet there was always an oddball. Meet Isabelle Leynette, the heroine of this here tale of children and politeness. Not knowing her parents all that well while growing up at her grandparents, was just a push into the general direction of polite. It was always a bit awkward with them so small talk always worked. Things like “Oh yes, I’m doing rather well in school thank you.” Or “Mhmm. It’s been raining here, how was Venice?” Weather and school, always safe subjects. But after having to live with the strangers politeness disappeared fast. She and her mother often fought but the next morning it was awkward polite. This would brave Belle crazy. But over all it was a nice skill to possess. The Leynettes were a social family and Belle was proud she inherited this trait, the only one she actually like. Being polite helped deal with aunts, uncles, and other nosey relatives. Or if that didn’t work there was always sarcasm. It was form the forced politeness that Belle learned to love words, and to love talking, and to seek a conversation that held some meaning. That was her mission at the moment, to talk to this girl. What an excellent distraction from her confusing family life.

The girl scooted over so she could sit down. Belle was grateful, after all her legs were tired from the run. She sat down with a sigh, and then smiled. She looked over at the girl. She seemed unsure of herself somehow. Belle remembered a time when she too felt like that; she got over that phase a long time ago. When she realized the negative was always going to be negative, nothing could change it; you just had to accept it. She watched as the girl played with the book in her hands. Transfiguration standard grade 3, it was for the homework. Belle vaguely remembered it was somewhere in her room halfway finished. Maybe, it could have been finished but normally Belle didn’t really care. Not lately, or rather not ever. Belle had to giggle silently to herself. Gruesome day indeed, she imagined the girl was talking mainly about her homework. But after all, Belle barely knew her, she couldn’t make assumptions. “Yes, awful day. Well, somewhat.” Belle agreed. “Mothers.” She said as if it explained her whole predicament. And truth be told, it did, Victoria was always the root of the problem in Isabelle’s world.

The girl then introduced herself. Belle smiled. Aw, the first step of a conversation. The introduction. “Arywiel Coone.” Belle repeated. “That’s pretty.” She was speaking her thoughts again. “I’m Isabelle Leynette, but please, call me Belle. Everyone does.” She told her, it was the regular thing.

[[ so sorry its short. promis next time it will be longer.]]

[Arywiel Coone G3]

“Yes, awful day. Well, somewhat.” the girl agreed. “Mothers.” Ary raised an eyebrow enquiringly. Perhaps this girl also had family problems? “Arywiel Coone.” the primer repeated. “That’s pretty.” Ary felt her cheeks redden slightly. Nobody had ever given a positive comment on her name before. Pagan Mason found great satisfaction in calling her "Croone" but Ary had never heard a compliment. She shrugged roughly and looked at her hands. The girl introduced herself as Belle, so Arywiel returned the compliment. "That's a nice name too." she beamed. There was a moment's pause and Ary picked fluff off her robes. There was dried mud along the bottom of her cloak, a good inch wide. It was probably from returning from the greenhouse two days ago, when the class got stuck in the mud on the way up to the castle. Arywiel's school robes weren't nearly as dirty as her Quidditch ones though. The latter were positively drenched through with mud and grass stains, and after every wash they never seemed to get any cleaner. Next time she was in Hogsmeade, she would buy Mathilda's magic mess remover and sprinkle a bit of the powder on her kit before she sent them to be washed. Ary always found what she was looking for in Hogsmeade. There were little cafes, handy shops and pubs. The only thing that was missing was a wand shop, and Arywiel Coone was going to change that once she left school. Ary was absolutely fascinated by wands and wandmaking. She spent much of her time thinking up new combinations, cores and their attributes. She liked contrast, a light, young wood, springy and longer than usual combined with a darker core. The latter would be preferably a heartstring, from a dragon perhaps? Unorthodox, yet sure to result in a light, but surprisingly powerful wand. If she substituted the core with a Hippogriff feather perhaps, then it would be a knotch less able, but reasonably faster to use. What the wand-buyer wanted, was a well-rounded instrument. This Ary would be able to supply, but she could also offer a wider choice for each attribute. Ary wasn't sure what her Mother would prefer her to be. Her Dad certainly wanted her to become a Journalist or a Lawyer. Dad... he had returned to Italy by now.

Arywiel tore away her thoughts and pushed her mind back to the present with difficulty. She looked at Belle sitting next to her. "What is it about your Mother." She heard herself say. She quickly corrected herself. It wasn't much of her business to ask this girl about her family life. Besides, she had come over to talk to Ary, not have to tell her her life story. "Sorry, I mean- it's a bit silly of me to ask really-" she muttered. Hopefully Belle wouldn't think badly about her. What would Ary have said, if a stranger asked her to relive her complicated childhood for him? Arywiel looked down at her book quickly. Ugh, that horrible weight was growing in her stomach. She would have to know a chapter of this before she went to bed. Arywiel felt herself sigh and pull her cloak around her tightly. It was growing colder steadily, the biting wind was creeping in through the seams of her robes. She wasn't sure if she was going to look forward flying through horrible weather like this. Ary's mind flicked to Quidditch again. How long until the next practise? She was only a reserve along with Melody, but was always ready to leap into action if a team player got hurt.

Ary looked at Belle anxiously, biting her lip. She didn't want the girl to girl to feel offended that she had asked about her Mother. Besides, Ary was cold and was hoping the girl would suggest that they went inside.

((No prob This one isn't exactly long either))

[Samaal O'Toole S5]

It certainly was cold as Samaal swpt across the Courtyard. He strode towards the large fountain, examining it idly. He felt the rough stone with his hand. Was his father out of his mind? Adopting an orphaned blood-traitor of a neice to live with the O'Tooles? He still hadn't told Samaal who she was, but the girl attended Hogwarts. Samaal had been jumpy ever since he had recieved the letter, scowling about to see if he could spot a girl who might be a distant cousin of his. His paternal Aunt's daughter had married a squib, whose younger sister attended Hogwarts. This girl had no parents and her brother couldn't take her in for much longer, as his wife was pregnant. So Samaal's father decided to take the filth in, to his own advantage: O'Toole was a wizard once wanted for murder by the Ministry. They were starting to hunt him down now, so he would adopt the girl to throw off the scent. Samaal felt his face redden despite the cold, when he thought about his father's past. Anger boiled in the pit of his stomach when he imagined his father being chased by the Ministry. He was reduced to adopting a piece of Mud-blood filth to keep the law at arms-length. Samaal held onto the cold, grey stone, massaging it with his dark fingers. He could almost feel the blood pumping faster through his veins, anger brooding from within, strangled and unable to escape. He suddenly felt that he wanted to break the statue in the fountain. It would bring him great satisfaction to whip out his wand and blow the fountain into dust and rubble. He kept his fists tightly clenched though, resisting the sudden urge to break things. He would have to wait, be patient. He stood there for a while, fighting an internal battle against his anger. There was no point to draw attention to himself yet. Once his housemates found out who would be living with him, he would get enough jeering and snide remarks.

Samaal turned around, the wind was biting his fingers raw. He turned to walk the length of the courtyard, grinding his teeth and his jaw muscles clenching and unclenching. He hadn't walked very far, when he caught snippets of a conversation from nearby. "Sorry, I mean- it's a bit silly of me to ask really-" He stopped and frowned, wheeling about to see where the talker was. There was a bench not very far away, and two figures were seated, talking. Samaal's lip curled. There was another spurt of anger flowing through his veins. He felt his head pound. He was itching to grab his wand and hex the two third years unfortunate enough to cross his path. The muscle in his jaw throbbed faster and faster. Samaal recognised one of the girls, he didn't know where from. He stood there, motionless, his eyes following her every movement. Oh yes, he had seen her in the Lounge with those ignorant little Gryffindor friends of hers. Suddenly his mind snapped back and he shook his head. Who cared about some stupid Mud-bloods. He turned about and walked towards the castle, rubbing his cold hands together for warmth. He wasn't going to stoop to the level of a stereotypical Slytherin, always sneering and shoving around younger kids. They all had no idea what self-possesion and patience could achieve. Throughout the years he had learnt to bottle up all his anger. It leant him a stronger power. He pitied the person he would meet in a duel one day. When he would speak the words of a curse, he would unleash all within. That girl who was to stay at his house was a fool, if she were to believe that her stay would be a pleasant one. Samaal would make sure of that.

[Isabelle Leynette R3]

Belle smiled pleasantly. “There’s nothing really special about my name, unlike yours.” She told the girl but was thinking about something completely different. She was sure her voice had that far away quality to it. She couldn’t help herself. She often drifted off to her own little world. Things where less confusing there. Sometimes in her mind she would often think her mother was human. But then, that couldn’t be true. Human beings wanted other human beings to like them, to enjoy spending time with them. That required being nice. Victoria, well, she had her own definition of nice then Belle did. Mother and daughter never really saw eye to eye. Father and daughter hadn’t ever been in a room long enough to know the others eye color. Often the times they spent together were painfully awkward, or boring, or rather, both. Yet Victoria and Isabelle had a different approach to a relationship. Fight, that’s all they did really. The other never good enough. Not quite what the other wanted, but they toke it. Often Belle would find herself lying in bed crying herself to sleep. Over not being happy, not being with the people she wanted to be with. She needed her grandparents. She couldn’t have them though. No. she was stuck with the mother. She frequently found herself wondering what would happen if her mother decided not to pursue travel and had wanted to stay with her child. Not just leave her at her grandparents so they could raise the child. Would Belle and Victoria been friends if that never happened? Would they have that ideal relationship? What would have happened if her mother had let her father travel alone? Would he have had an affair, or would that have been Victoria. After all, they where both on the edge of that. Both being away from each other so long. Belle didn’t have time to worry about the maybes though, whatever happened, happened. Nothing could be changed now. She found herself dwelling on the affair topic still. Perhaps she should tell her mother not to act on the desire and go with Daniel on his next thing. Whatever it was he did. Then Belle could go back to a normal life with her grandparents, and perhaps Daniel would be raised around a sober influence. Her mother wasn’t often one.


"What is it about your Mother?" the girl had asked pulling Belle out of her thoughts. “Uh ….” Belle wasn’t sure if it was a subject she wanted to discuss. Not because it was personal or anything. It was just she wanted to not think about things like that.
"Sorry, I mean- it's a bit silly of me to ask really-" She then corrected herself. Belle smiled sadly. This was sad and sweet. “It’s okay really. Relax breath.” Belle said, she was always rather sarcastic, but in a good way. She meant to say that for a laugh. The girl shouldn’t have always needed to apologize, that gave people an opportunity to walk all over her. “My mother and I …” She stopped unsure how to put it. It was always rather complicated. “Well … we don’t get along well. Never have. We always fight. So … we had been okay for a few months but she’s ready to return to our little routine of her hysterics and my sarcastic behavior.” She told her. It was the shortened version of the story but it would have to do. “So … how’s the unfinished homework coming?” Belle asked eager to change to change the subject. Deep, well she didn’t do it often.

[Arywiel Coone G3]

Arywiel sensed that Isabelle was keen to change the subject. She reddened. “It’s okay really. Relax breath.” said Belle, making Ary blush even more. She felt like a misbehaved child, so when Belle told her what was going on between Mother and daughter, Ary tried to shut her ears. She concentrated on her knuckles tightened around her book, red from the cold. She didn't really have a right to ask Isabelle about her private life, so she forced herself to let the girl's words wash over her. When Belle had finished her short anecdote, there was silence once more. Ary finally looked up, letting in the sound once more. "Er..." she mumbled, not sure if she had just been asked a question and was expected to answer. She was spared having to cringe even more, as Belle spoke. “So … how’s the unfinished homework coming?” She had the air of somebody eager to talk about something else. Ary cottoned on quickly. "Oh, that... well the usual. Not my strongest subject." Arywiel was now positively freezing. She had watched a boy cross the courtyard. He had stopped to look at her, and she followed him with her eyes with curiousity. She looked at her book longingly, as if by staring at it, it would do her homework for her. Why didn't she buy any of those self-correcting quills or intello-specs last time she was in Hogsmeade? They would certainly help her with her homework. "Er... do you mind if we go inside?" She broke off her sentence looking sheepish. She didn't want to look as though she was avoiding Belle's company, so she rubbed her hands together for effect. "It's chilly." She said earnestly, peering into Isabelle's face hopefully.



((Shall we continue in Hogwarts?))

[Isabelle Leynette R3]

"Er... do you mind if we go inside?" The girl asked Belle and she agreed. “Of course.” She said warmly, not wanting to keep the girl outside if she didn’t want to be. Maybe it was the cold that was bothering her. Belle wasn’t that cold, after running she had warmed up and calmed down. And though the weather felt perfect to her; maybe it wasn’t as good for the other girl. She was easy with whatever she wanted to do anyway; after all it wasn’t a big deal. She got up and brushed of her pants. And turned to leave, “You coming?’ She asked waiting on the girl. As she did she looked around. It was brilliant out. Prettier then she remembered. Perhaps there was unfinished business for her here.
The air was so crisp, so fresh, she loved it. She breathed it in, breathing out the last few negative thoughts, and feelings.

She hesitated for a moment before turning back to the girl. “Actually, do you mind if I take a rain check, I think I’d rather stay out here for awhile longer?” Belle said her voice unsure; she didn’t want to seem rude. The girl seemed rather nice, and Belle hoped to make friends with her someday. “In fact, let’s do something together soon, I’ll see you in class sometime this week, maybe we can hang after.” She said the wheels still turning in her mind, she wanted to become friends, but right now she needed to be out here today. She never stopped smiling hoping the girl would understand.

[[Okay I apologize, not only am I ending this but it is very short. Perhaps we can have Belle and Ary hang out another time. I was lovely posting with you.]]