A Slight Breeze

[Liam Kale]

Liam was absolutely bored out of his mind. At least this year he got to choose his own subjects, but that didn't mean he enjoyed the homework. He'd done most of it, but he still had an essay to write. He'd tried doing it, but he was simply too bored, and his mind kept wandering. It was too late to go for a run, which was his usual answer to a muddled head, so he decided to ramble around the Castle a bit. He knew the castle well. In his first year, when he'd been confined to the indoors he'd had to explore the inside when he couldn't explore outside. The North Tower was one of his favourite spots. He'd spent a good amount of time up there. It was a lovely feeling, when he opened the windows, he felt like he was flying. He'd been able to watch the lawn, see what was going on, while he was sitting up there. It wasn't exactly safe, but he enjoyed it, sitting on the windowsill, looking out at all the students below. Tonight, of course, he wouldn't be watching students, but he could count the stars. He still had his Defence the Dark Arts book n his hand. He'd hardly realised. He flicked it open, but still couldn't concentrate. It was irritating. He could focus so easily, during a match, or while horse-riding, but he was always so bored when he did school-work.

He was at the tower now, and assumed his usual perch. It was lovely up here, and the night was surprisingly warm. The corridors seemed deserted, and no prefects would be patrolling at this time of night. Liam had time to think, to simply relax. He'd had Quidditch try-outs, and classes had started this week. He was so tired. Mother would say he'd been exercising too much. He went out running every morning, lifted weights and did sit-ups, or push ups whenever he had the time. Father understood. He needed to be in shape for sport, but Mother worried too much. He pulled out his wand, not planning to do any magic, but he enjoyed how familiar it felt in his hand. Liam had always been comfortable in the dark. Camping outside at night had bred that into him. At least up here, there weren't too many walls. So much of the castle felt boxed in. Even at home; he slept with his window slightly open. It mightn't be the safest, but he needed the fresh air. It was hard, being so far away from the land, the home that he loved, but on nights like this, he almost felt as though he belonged here. He was hoping he could spend some time in New Zealand next Summer, maybe go to Australia. He really wanted to learn to surf. It might take some persuasion. His Gran probably wouldn't want to come, but he knew Cat would love it.

He missed her, a lot. Hogwarts would be fine, if Cat were here, but every time he went home, she was bigger, and more grown up. His sister had been such a big part of his life, for so long. What was he supposed to do without her? He felt like he didn't know her anymore. She still laughed at all his silly jokes, but now her favourite colour was turquoise, instead of purple. He used to get her bits of heather, and she'd hang them up in her bedroom. She didn't do that at all now. The heather had all died. She kept his letters though. Moter had given her a little turquoise ribbon to tie them up with. She could read, if not very well, and Gran always helped her. he always kept the pictures she sent him. She drew Rhona, and Obi-Wan. He got all the news about the stables from her, even if it was mis-spelt. He didn't know what to do now, when he went home. He felt like he didn't belong anywhere anymore.

 

[Valentina Baros]

Valentina Baros had just woken up from the best nap ever. Valentina had a variety of talents. Aside from sports, Valentina was a pretty good nap taker. "Most people try to tell me that it's not a talent, but I happen to be quite proud of my nap taking abilities." Valentina confessed to herself. If she wanted it to be a talent, then she was going to freaking call it a talent. Valentina didn't really have anyone she spoke to in this school anyways, mostly because she had a hard time trusting them. Her father had a lot of enemies because he used to be a very skilled hit-wizard during his younger days. Whoever it was that burnt their house down while they were inside sleeping had some serious beef with the Baros'. The people investigated found that it was seemingly intentionally started, so the family knew for sure that someone wanted them to suffer, and they did. Valentina lost her twin brother and all of her possessions that night. Valentina's father didn't even want her to go to Hogwarts when the time rolled around for her to board the train. He worried that whomever it was that tried to hurt his family either had kin at the school, or was in the school itself. Valentina wished that her father hadn't installed the fear into her heart either, because it was sort of ruining her time here at Hogwarts. Valentina was afraid to make friends with the other students because she was afraid they were going to hurt her. Which was a real shame because Valentina thought she was a pretty cool kid once one got passed the fact that she had a knack for getting into trouble. But because Valentina was afraid, she would make sure no one got to know the real her.

Valentina decided that she would finally take time to explore the towers today. Valentina had only been up here a handful of times, but never long enough for her to really get a good look at it. It was pretty late, but Valentina figured that the more quiet it was the less likely she would have to worry about being bothered, particularly by Sergei. The creepy Slytherin that really seemed curious about her true self. Valentina knew that she needed to just keep away from this boy as much as she possibly could. The less he knew about her, the better off he would be. As soon as Valentina was done climbing and finally able to work out the tower, she check under every nook and cranny that she could. Personally she hoped she would find some secret bookcase or something. It would be her secret place. Valentina tried to peer behind portraits and statues, even parts of the wall she carefully felt parts of to try and see if she could find anything worth the trip up here. After a good couple of minutes of searching, Valentina froze when she saw that she wasn't the only one up here. "Crap..." He probably saw her running around like an idiot, looking as if she had lost something. "No one was supposed to be up here! It's freaking night!" Valentina thought to herself as she tried to find a diversion of sorts. But nothing came to mind. Instead a smile came to her face. "Sorry about that." Maybe if she lied and pretended like she wasn't doing anything serious, he wouldn't ask any questions and either leave or let her be. Preferably the first so Valentina could keep looking for hidden treasures within the castle walls.

Out of Character:

Sorry this took so long. They over-scheduled me and work so my muse is been just awful.

​

 

[Liam Kale]

Out of Character:

Same Silly parents

Liam's concentration was completely centred on watching the stars. He'd come to the point where he didn't want to think abut home. It was depressing, and he missed it too much. He could still remember looking through his Grandfather's books when he was little, learning about the constellations and the way the planets moved. The books were in his room at home, on a bookshelf by the window. He hadn't read them in a while, but that didn't matter. He still remembered all of it. He was busy tracking Orion when he saw her. A girl. She was acting very oddly, looking under tapestries, behind statues. he watched her for a few moments, wondering what she was up to. It reminded him of himself, though she was obviously not a boy. He would spend hours, out in the forest, lifting rocks, examining trees. Even in his first year, exploring the castle, looking for secret passages. He tried not to be too obvious about watching the girl, who was dressed in muggle clothes. She was younger than him; he thought, but that didn't matter. Maybe they could be friends? He hadn't talked to new people in a while. He did consider Kyle Cavanaugh his friend. He was a lovely guy, and he was fun to be around. Plus; he loved Quidditch too. Thus, they were friends. It was that simple for Liam.

He looked away, but she'd already noticed him. He looked back over, and smiled; "Och, no problem. Though, be warned; I've covered this part of the castle. There's nothing interesting. No cool tunnels or anything." He frowned. "I'm three years in, and nothing exciting. Except the forest. I love the forest." he admitted, looking back out the window. He wanted to talk to the girl, but she didn't seem to want the same, but to bee polite he called out to her, still looking outside. "My name's Liam Kale by the way. Third Year." His Mother always said you had to introduce yourself. It was the incredibly impolite to leave one ignorant of your identity. He knew that, and old habits die hard. He was verymuch a child of old money. Discreet and despairing of anything ostentatious. He'd grown up with class, and manners. He would never grow out of that, and he didn't want to. True, on the rare occasion he wished he could let go of his manners, and ignore people, but Mother would be angry if she ever heard of him doing that, and thus he knew he wouldn't. He wanted his parents to be proud. He would always resent the fact that he had no choice, that he had to live the future they wanted, but he still loved them.