Down by the River

[Jeremiah Raven]

Jeremiah was heading towards the lake for the first time this week. He had been avoiding it since Conan, and the outdoors just wasn't where he wanted to be lately. However, he had been planning to meet up with Khione for quite some time, and he had finally found time in both their weeks to actually hang out - which was really great. He had missed her during the holidays, even though he sent owls and kept in contact through that way, it just wasn't good enough. He found himself excited more and more about Hogwarts New Zealand as he continued to study here. The more connections with people made him want to return more just so he could be with them, as opposed to actually trying to get an education. Learning was nice, but spending time with friends was just a little more appealing. This was a terrible attitude since he was in his fifth year, had failed most of his past classes, and was now up to his OWLs and the motivation just wasn't there. Well, not as much as he had expected. So, instead of studying for classes or organising books and memorizing his timetable, he was only thinking about meeting up with Khione.

Jeremiah slowed his strides as he reached the lake, and looked out from the bank. He was not planning on swimming, though it had come up in topic. If Khione really wanted to swim, his probably join her, but since she was so small he doubted she'd go too deep. Just as he had, Khione had grown slightly in height. However, while Jeremiah was considerably taller than he once was, Khione was still rather small. She was a part goblin, the chances were she probably wouldn't grow much anyway. That was not much of a problem, even if sometimes she was mistaken as far younger than she really was, and occasionally thought to be the child of a professor. That must be rather weird. The Gryffindor paused by the lake, and soon decided to remove his shoes to enjoy the gentle tides that rolled onto the banks.
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[Khione Hawthorne]

Alternate. The word got stuck in the little girl's mind, the fact that she was again an alternate made her quite disappointed since she already was made a keeper last year. She knew that sulking wouldn't help at all. Khione wandered around the castle hoping to find some familiar faces, she wanted to have some time with them, chit chat about things that happened during their vacation. She wanted to share her experience when their family went to Bali and how she truly enjoyed her trip. Walking aimlessly around the castle, Khione searched for her friend hoping to see one special friend the most. Miah. The last time she saw her was during their house meeting and the two wasn't able to talk that long, just some casual hi and hello's. Tired of going upstairs and downstairs, into the dungeons and inside the library. Khione decided to go outside. The first thing she had in mind is the rose bush since they always met there last year and the years before, but she quickly noticed that Miah isn't there. She circled the quidditch and pitch and couldn't find him, it made wonder why is she looking for only him when she's circling the entire castle to look for her friends, all of them. Just when she was about to give up, she decided to go to the lakefront perhaps someone's there, anyone will be fine at the moment.

Khione entered the premised of the lakefront, at first she didn't noticed a boy is there too until she rubbed her eyes and finally saw him. She wasn't sure if it was really him, since it was partly foggy to be honest. "Miah? Is that you? she asked approaching the boy who just removed his shoes. The cub stood inches away from him, finally getting a clearer version of who it was. Miah. Her lips forming a curve line as she stood there, slowly waving her hand towards him. "It's finally nice to see a familiar face, after my field trip." she gushed as she took a seat on the ground. Quietly, she watched Miah's body movements and wondered if he'll go for a swim. Another thing that she didn't know about him is that he knew how to swim. For a while Khione shut her mouth, waiting for Miah to reply, she sat there smiling at Miah then faced the serene lake beside them. She have never tried to swim here or have she ever fancies to too, then again there's always a room for firsts in everything.​

 

[Jeremiah Raven]

And while it was good to be back at the school, loneliness often threatened to leap upon someone and take control of their emotions. For so many students from all around the world, from varying homes and families to be thrown together was certainly interesting, but also meant that there was no shortage of clashes among students. This also meant that the school was large, and sometimes finding people could be difficult. The Gryffindor knew that all to well. These days, he had to hunt people down straight after class in order to speak t them, or send them letters in class, but that could mean that it can be intercepted by a professor, or another student. He looked down at his feet and stepped a little further into the water. It was still rather early, meaning that a light fog hung in the air. But that did not matter, it did not take away from the view. In fact, it only managed to add to the beauty, making it more mystical.

Jeremiah's ears prickled slightly when he thought he heard his name - well, a version of it. He turned his head, but failed to see his fellow Gryffindor, until he turned completely around and she continued talking. There she was. Sometimes, it escaped his mind that she was small. Simply looking over his shoulder did not tell him whether she was there or not because she would be standing in a blind spot. And Khione always seemed to be standing in his blind spots. He smiled down at her and waved his hand gently. "Hello Khione," he said in greeting. And when his fellow Gryffindor sat down, he removed his bare feet from the water and walked towards her. He took off his outer Gryffindor robe and dropped it onto the floor, before sitting on it. He didn't want sand all through his clothes, it was already on his feet, which were starting to feel a bit nippy. He tucked them under some dry sand and smiled at the part-goblin beside him. He remembered that she mentioned a field trip, and it had certain peaked his interest. "You mentioned a field trip - what field trip was this? How were your holidays?"
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[Khione Hawthorne]

The part-goblin sat there as she brought her legs to her sides, she didn't care if her robes would be dirty by the end of the day. A gentle smile landed on her face as once again she kept her big eyes locked at Miah's face, he just seems so calm, no worries at the moment. Khione sighed then giggled shyly as she shifted her legs to the left, her eyes still fixed on her friend. "Oh! Field trip as in my usual parading around the castle looking for some friends." she spoke with zing of laughter. "Then I found you!" she exclaimed, clapping both of her hands, she couldn't help but burst out her excitement around everyone. Khione would always find time to laugh everyday, it seems her usual daily routine to do so. "Holidays.. let me see." she paused as she tried to remember the things that happened over the holidays, her pale hands touching her chin as she looked up to the sky. "We finally went to Bali! It's so gorgeous! Like there were lots and lots of trees and the beaches! Oooh the beaches we're breath taking!" she went on and on, Khione didn't even noticed she didn't let Miah react, she was literally clapping her hands then her whole body was jumping. It's like the whole time was hers to enjoy, "The temples we're amazing! I got it all in my camera, Ellie got lost in between but it was still wonderful! Just wonderful! Dad and Mom treated us to the best restaurants and I was stuffed for days!" by this time she was laughing, her eyes closed as she gushed about her trip.

When she stopped talking, Khione returned to look at Miah. Did she disturbed him from his swim? She wanted to join him but for now, she wanted to enjoy the moment, the blonde couldn't figure out why she liked looking at Miah, maybe it's because he kind of grew up. She easily noticed how he grew a few inches and how his hair got longer and how he incredibly handsome today. Wait. What? What did she just thought about? Miah being incredibly handsome? Now where did that idea came from? She felt herself blush at the same time the heat reached her cheeks. Oh dear. Quickly, she turned her head away hoping Miah didn't noticed her blush and the fact that she was staring at him the whole time. Think of a diversion, think! Quick!"Enough about me! How was your holidays?" she said to him, well almost yelling actually. She wanted to shift her attention, mostly her eyes to anything other than Miah. Quick! Khione's eyes landed on the tree, meters away from them; it was big and sturdy just like the other trees outside the castle. Yes, that's great continue that. Stare at the tree, big old greeny, browny tree. Then she couldn't help it, her eyes betrayed her and took a glance at Miah. Stop it! Urgh. she screamed internally, by this time she was hopeless.

 

[Jeremiah Raven]

Jeremiah smiled as Khione enlightened him. He had not realised that, and he now felt a bit stupid. Actually, he felt a lot stupid, but tried his best to remain looking at the lake to hide it. He smiled at Khione briefly, and looked away as he chuckled. "Yes, you have," once again, he managed to look back at her. "That's rather fortunate." because, it was always good to have friends nearby, she would be lonely if he wasn't here. It was fortunate she found someone to spend time with, not that she found him specifically. Obviously. He cleared his throat quickly. "Otherwise, you'd be still looking for someone to spend time with." Good cover. That'll work. He was relieved in the subject change and listened carefully to her holiday story. He had never been to Bali before - he only barely knew where it was on a map. The Gryffindor was not interested in beaches, much, because they seemed so uncomfortable. The bay this lake created was barely enough to stand. An actual beach leading to the ocean would be near impossible for him. However, he was not going to tell Khione this, it'd ruin her story - not that he had any time to even say anything, as in true Khione fashion, she moved on at the speed of light. And as she mentioned temples and her family, he smiled, knowing that she must have had a fantastic time. A time he doubted he would ever have with his own family. Not that he aspired his holidays to include them, anyway, he'd rather spend time with his friends the entire year.

Jeremiah listed for more, but soon realised that a silence had fallen upon them. He looked away from the lake to see Khione stare at him. He became slightly self-conscious. Did he have something on his face or what? She had quickly looked away, and Miah did the same. The lake was the best bet at the moment. The last thing he wanted was to be caught noticing just how much Khione had changed from when they first met to now. He looked at her quickly as she began speaking, well, yelling again - looking for input on his own holidays. Not really a subject he wished to think of, since he did virtually nothing in his own holidays. "Oh, well, I did very little. I returned to Italy, and spent time with my younger brothers and sisters." Mostly Arturo, but sometimes Izabella and Giuliano. "We don't travel much, you see." He smiled awkwardly as she looked back at him, and decided that a change of subject really needed to happen - quickly. "Umm, how about we go for a swim, no?" He gestured to the relatively calm lake. "It's a warm day." And they didn't really need bathers - it was just water, not lava or anything.
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[Khione Hawthorne]

It seems like Khione Hawthorne may be having another crush. First it was Benjamin, the boy he met up on a tree, he couldn't help herself but to admire his gorgeous baby face before but after some months he didn't saw him again, perhaps he was too busy flirting with the rest of the school. The part-goblin laughed at her, crushes made her mad; in a sense that she would giggle alone inside her room. Khione and her crushes, such an adorable phase for her but Miah made her feel something new, as if she really likes him more than a friend but how is that even possible? Miah has been there for her, as a friend and nothing more of course, it just seems so awkward to think such things at the age of fifteen. Then again fifteen is the age of exploration, where in one individual tries to do new things and explore each limitation. Maybe Khione's just a little bit hyped up for today? She kept still and silent for a moment that it took her to realize that Miah was there, and just like a fly swatter; she swatted her thoughts away.

Every word that Miah spoke was like a bubble, it kept on floating away from her. She couldn't even remember the things he just said that he just kept smiling and nodding both at the same time, as if she can understand what he was saying and in between she would look at him to make it believable. Just as she heard Italy, "Ooooh, Italy! Pizza! Pasta! No?" She chuckled, she wasn't exactly mocking him but Miah's accent is just too adorable to handle. Khione loved accent even though hers is peculiar, she enjoyed hearing other accents too. "Swimming? Like right now?" she asked him, as if she didn't heard his question loud and clear. She wasn't sure how to say no to that, she doesn't even have her swimming attire on, then again back at home she used to jump at lakes without even wearing the proper attire. "Sureness!" she exclaimed as she took of her left shoe and then the next, waiting for Miah to talk more.​

 

[Jeremiah Raven]

Jeremiah folded his arms across his chest shyly, and smiled.Trying to appear somewhat confident. He was not sure why, but his best friend Khione seemed to make him slightly bashful and a whole lot quieter than usual. He wasn't nervous around her or anything, because he had absolutely no reason to be nervous - ever. Friends weren't nervous around friends unless they had something to hide - which Jeremiah did not. He had known Khione since first year, they were in the same house and hung out together all the time in classes and out of them in the common room, or even just around the grounds. That was what friends did. They just hung out - and this was what he was doing with Khione. Just hanging out, two friends looking at a lake together. Loads of friends did that. Why wouldn't friends do that? He was comforted by Khione's silence this time. Before it was awkward, but now he just felt that they were far away from others and it was better that why.

He laughed along with her at the Italian stereotype. Admittedly, his family members often had pasta dishes, but some, such as himself, Amanda, Giulian, Domenica, and Raniero were not ones for pasta, himself and Amanda being vegans, while the others were vegetarians. "Ci." he said. "Pizza and pasta." He liked Khione's own accent, although, he admittedly knew little about her native home and family life - it just never really came up in conversation. They tended to ramble on about differing topics. It just happened. "Yes, swimming. Now." He was at first nervous, but ultimately relieved when she eventually accepted his invitation. Merlin it would have been awkward if she did not want to swim. He followed suit, removing his shoes and rolling up his pants legs, before stepping into the water. It was quite cool, but not too cold. "It's nice, come on." The lake was beginning to become more active, with the tide becoming bigger and stronger, but Miah was sure it wouldn't be too bad.
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