Closed A Cat Without a Smile

[Winnie Marsh]

As Winnie continued to settle in to her third year at Hogwarts, she was realizing the feeling of being cooped up indoors for too long eventually began to suffocate her, and wanting to feel free rather than trapped in a small space she headed away from Ravenclaw tower, and out to the gardens with her cat Toto in her arms. After the stress of Toto running away last year, and feeling guilty for restricting her sweet cat from running around as he pleased, Winnie had resolved to let him outside at least once per day and allow him to run around. In turn with eventually feeling confined in the castle and wanting some fresh air, it was convenient that she was making this change with Toto so she wasn't alone. It had only been a short time since the school year began, but Winnie found the more often she allowed Toto to run around and have fun on his own while she got fresh air herself, the happier he seemed to be, and it made her feel like a more responsible cat owner. As she reached a bench, Winnie bent to place Toto down, giving him an affectionate scratch on the top of his head before sitting down next to him. At first Toto usually preferred to be cuddled prior to running around and exploring his surroundings, and Winnie was always happy to cater to this. She smiled as he lay down next to her, and looked away from her cat and out to the gardens for a moment, taking in the scenery. Being outside was definitely better than being indoors, and Winnie did not know why she never made going outside a regular part of her school day earlier.​

 

[Analei Westwick]

Analei had been feeling alright about how the year was going so far. Of course, it hadn't started off on a good note, but she was slowly getting over that, and all she had to do was avoid the two Fourth Years, which wasn't too hard as they weren't in the same year, or house. Taking all the subjects available meant that she kept her mind busy too, but she definitely needed a break. The library was a great place to go and study and learn more, but sometimes it was just too much. Analei needed to be outside for a bit.
The young Hufflepuff took a couple of books in her satchel, and made her way to the Garden, enjoying the fresh breeze on her skin. She looked around for a quiet place to sit, her eyes falling on a familiar face of the girl she had met the previous year. Analei smiled, seeing the black cat with her. "Hey - Winnie, and Toto? Right?"

 

[Winnie Marsh]

Winnie definitely enjoyed being outside, feeling her mood lift with every passing moment as she took in the sights and sounds of the gardens. The atmosphere reminded her of being in a fairy tale, and was everything she needed to feel content being back at hogwarts, a contrast to her usual feelings of insecurity that magic wasn't right for her. Now that she was outside with her cat she felt like she was meant to be there in some way, and like the world was falling into place. She doubted the feeling would last when she returned to the castle but was willing to make the most of it while she could. When someone familiar soon approached her, Winnie smiled wide. Analei, if Winnie remembered her name correctly, was a girl she met while exploring the castle with Toto the previous year, and someone who she was more than happy to run into again that day when she was in high spirits. "That's right!" Winnie exclaimed to answer the girl's question, her smile widening slightly as she spoke. "Hey Analei." She then greeted in return, before nodding to the empty space on the bench next to Toto. "Want to sit with us? We're just enjoying being outside." Chatting to someone and potentially making a new friend would be the cherry on top of Winnie's day, so she was happy to invite Analei to join her.​

 

[Analei Westwick]

Analei grinned when Winnie said she had remembered correctly, smiling still when Winnie remembered her name. The Hufflepuff was happy to join them, Winnie seemed like a lovely person, and Analei knew she definitely needed more friends in her life. "I'd love to." Analei replied, before taking a seat next to Toto, gently putting her hand near the cat before giving it a soft stroke. "It is a nice day." Analei said, pausing for a second and finding herself at a loss. She had been so used to just being with Arvel or Emilia, she forgot what it was like to get to know somebody new. What did people talk about? "So, uh, how's your year going?"

 

[Winnie Marsh]

As Analei sat down, Winnie's attention returned to Toto, who was also more than happy to have company. She scratched his head again before looking over to Analei, listening to the question she asked about how her year was going and pondering how she could answer. In some ways it was much better than last year, knowing that her dad would be able to spend more time with her again now that the election was over, but also worse as she was still yet to get the hang of paying attention in classes. The holidays prior to her third year beginning were suffocating at home but she was optimistic this would change when she returned for the christmas break, and her family being happy would make the year better than it had ever been. Eventually Winnie decided to answer honestly, beginning her words with a shrug. "Well, it's good and bad. Classes are harder which I don't like, but I think everything else will make the year awesome. I can't wait for christmas!" She exclaimed, not waiting a moment to return the question to Analei. "What about you? How's your year so far?" Winnie hoped Analei would be having a great year, as she seemed so kind and deserving of it, at least from the interactions they had shared so far.​

 

[Analei Westwick]

Analei watched as the girl seemed to be thinking about her question. The Hufflepuff wondered if perhaps she had said the wrong thing, but Winnie replied soon enough, and Analei nodded her head in agreement when she said the classes were harder. Analei loved learning, but she wouldn't have minded an easy class, something that she knew she'd excel at without having to try too hard. She nodded her head enthusiastically when Winnie got excited for Christmas, but then got the question asked back at her before she could join in on the excitement. "Um, it's been okay. Can only go up from here I suppose." Analei joked, giving the girl a grin. "I've got so many classes though. What ones are you taking this year?" She didn't really want to explain her embarrassment with Simon, but definitely felt like Winnie was a girl she could trust - the Ravenclaw gave off good vibes. "Are you going to the Yule Ball?" Analei asked.