Excuse Me?

[Aliyah Wright]

The season was spring, but it was already November. The flip flop of seasons was still messing with Aliyah's mind, but there was one date this month that she didn't want to forget. The American had the fourth Thursday of November circled on her calendar since before school started and luckily first year Slytherins had the day off. Today was Thanksgiving Day, a holiday where families took a break from their busy lives and thought about all have to be thankful for during the past year. Thanksgiving was Aliyah's favorite holiday and this year she had a lot to be thankful for. From starting Hogwarts, to meeting new people, and learning a lot in her classes, Ms. Wright was very happy with the way this move had turned out so far.

Aliyah fully intended to enjoy every moment of the holiday even if she was going to be the celebrating it by herself. She started the day by sleeping in. The late start was deserved. With exams a month away, the first year was doing her best to stay on top of her classes and homework so she wouldn't be completely burnt out later on. That meant some late nights and long days, but she didn't mind. Aliyah finally woke up around 11:00 AM and she took her time picking out a coral outfit and styling her hair in loose long waves. When she was finally finished, she smiled approvingly at herself in the mirror and headed to the kitchens to see if the house elves would make her a special Thanksgiving lunch. Asking them to make an entire turkey feast for one person just seemed wrong, so instead she asked for a sandwich. But not just any sandwich, a roasted turkey sandwich with mayonnaise, cranberry sauce, and corn bread stuffing served with a side of sweet potato fries and glass of ginger ale to wash it down. The young Slytherin waited patiently with her glass of soda at a table away from the hustle and bustle of the house elves. After a few minutes, she spotted a house elf struggling to balance her large plate of food over its head. "Here. Allow me." she said as she quickly hopped up from her seat and met the elf halfway. She was imposing on their workspace. The least she could do was get her own plate. "Thanks." she smiled gratefully the house elf and returned to her sit. As much as enjoyed being around other people, Aliyah appreciated her alone time to reflect and regroup. She was looking forward to enjoying her meal in peace.

 

[Alexia Zhefarovich]

Alexia had gotten used to the life here in Hogwarts New Zealand and though she did not favor it in the least, she really had no choice but to adjust to the whole situation. But that didn't mean that she was happy about it. In fact, she wasn't the only one. She was sure that her grandparents nor father approved of this... insolence within the castle. After all, what were they thinking in allowing mudbloods and half-breeds into the castle? That she could take, but letting them into Slytherin was just staining the name of the house founder. And then there was also the issue that she had to be roomed with said humans, if they were even humans in the first place. And she considered them to not be humans, they were just as lowly as her cousin named Arianna. She didn't even want to consider that girl a cousin of hers, how could Armin and Rivaille stand her was beyond her. But now was not the time for her to have such thoughts for she was a hungry girl.

The Slytherin had therefore decided to make her way to the kitchens. She wasn't really one to stay there or associate herself with the house elves, but seeing as breakfast time was far over and lunch time would still take a little waiting to do, she had no choice for today. Dressed in her Slytherin robes, she had strode her way towards the large kitchen of the house elves and she gracefully entered. She felt eyes on her but it was something she had gotten used to, but as soon as they started to go towards her, she looked at them sternly. "I just want a salad. No need to fuss so get back to work," she spoke with authority as she inched away from those that had threatened to come near her. She took a seat and waited, waited and waited. What was taking them so long?! How hard is it to make one salad?! One! Alexia was slowly beginning to fume. And it was not a good thing for sure. She tried to wait a few more minutes until a house elf wobbled its way towards her and place the food on the counter. The Slytherin couldn't help but glare at it, "What took you so long?! Stay away from me!" she couldn't help but bark at the elf before turning to eat her food. They can rant it to Professor Grumpy all they want, she had already gotten a deduction this semester from that Head of House of theirs anyway.
​

 

[Aliyah Wright]

The kitchen really wasn't a bad place for a meal. Aliyah found busy chatter of the house elves soothing and loved that they were attentive without being completely overbearing. Being an only child, she was quite particular about her space and surrounding environments. Complete silence was unnerving, but unnecessary noise insanely irritating to her. Although she thought herself to be extremely independent for a girl her age, being completely alone was never something she felt comfortable with. That was probably the only upside of having roommates. Without the conveniences of a radio or television to make some background noise, the other girls' comings, goings, and sporadic conversations were a welcome distraction in the otherwise cold dungeon dormitory. As long as they didn't overstep their bounds, their presence was not as intolerable as the first year thought it would be at the beginning of the semester.

Aliyah had just finished half of her sandwich when her peace was interrupted by someone else entering the kitchen. Although she didn't know her name, she vaguely recognized the girl as fellow first year and housemate. She was unsure if the other girl would recognize her at all, especially since she was dressed in casual muggle clothes, be she decided to try her luck and wave at her anyway to get her attention. Her hand froze midair when she her the Slytherin's tone of voice. The house elves didn't deserve that. They were just doing their job. "It's not nice to yell you know." Aliyah said matter-of-factly, but loud enough so the other girl could hear. "You aren't their master and they kind of know what they are doing, so there is no need to be bossy." In this eleven year old's opinion, house elves were the most honorable of magical creatures. Their almost blind loyalty was something to be admired. It was misguided witches and wizards who took advantage of that trait were the dishonorable ones.

 

[Alexia Zhefarovich]

Alexia had never been fond of house elves though she had to admit that they were pretty handy at times. And they were really good to have in the kitchen too. At the very least it wasn't that much of a problem and as long as they did what she want, she was fine with them. After all, she did not ask for much from them frequently. On this particular day though, she had found them to be quite slow and annoying. Perhaps she should think of the numerous work that day had to do. But wasn't that the reason she had asked for one simple salad? One. And alas, she had to wait as if she had asked them to bake her a three-layered cake! Alexia was definitely not happy about it, but now that she was eating her salad, she was at least contented to 'forgive' and not fume more than she already had at the elf. Her salad was more interesting than its maker after all.

But her peace and quiet just had to be ruined. What is it with Hogwarts people and their constant mingling? It was just plain rude and it was just plain annoying. Either would fit but both would be a more appropriate description. Yes. That girl, which Alex vaguely recognized as a housemate, was rude, annoying and loud. Well, who cares if she was yelling? She wasn't yelling at this loser wasn't she? "And it's rude to mingle in other people's business and that's why you have your own," the Slytherin said as she rolled her eyes and resumed to eating her salad. This girl was seriously ruining her meal and ultimately getting on her nerves. "They are here for a reason and if they know what they are doing then I wouldn't have to tell them what to do now, will I?" Alexia turned her head to give the girl a deadpanned look. Well, it was true after all, wasn't it? Besides, she had not yelled at them when she asked for food! She had calmly told them what she wanted and it was not her fault that her salad, her one simple salad, took so very long. Perhaps, this girl was a mudblood. "Don't act like a know-it-all or a goody-two-shoes because it's not really needed here, darling," the 'pureblood' chuckled and returned to eat her salad hoping that this girl would stop pestering her.
​

 

[Aliyah Wright]

Aliyah continued on with her meal and was mildly surprised when the other girl began to counter her comment. She shrugged when her housemate told her to mind her own business. If she became a witness to something that she disagreed with she was going to to speak out on it. The situation had became her business by proximity. She caught the girl's look and small smile twitched onto her own face. She didn't know who this witch thought she was, but she found her entitled attitude both off-putting and amusing. Some people in this school were just too serious of their own good. She though back to that boy Alexander who she met on the Hogwarts Express. Despite his stuffiness, he proved to be interesting enough to waste time with in idle conversation during the train ride. And then there was Professor Styx. Only a legilimens could probably figure out what was wrong that man. "The reason they are here is to serve the castle, not to drop whatever they are doing to be your personal chef. A little grateful attitude wouldn't hurt." she said with a smirk. Aliyah laughed in spite of herself at the girl's name calling and condescension. She wasn't trying to be a know-it-all or a goody-two-shoes. She simply was doing what she thought was right. It just so happened that she always thought she was right.

Aliyah silently appraised the girl. She really didn't like her attitude, but maybe this grumpy chick was just having a bad day or something. Against her better judgement she decided that she would give her fellow Slytherin the benefit of the doubt. School had been going for three months now, and after the sudden disappearance of her nearly decent roommate and the awful run in she had with that boy at the Halloween Feast she could use some more allies in her house. Perhaps she could make an acquaintance out of this witch yet. She picked up her plate, walked over to where the other girl was eating, and sat down facing her. "I think we got off to a bad start. My name is Aliyah Wright. We are in the same house and year right?" she said smiling at the other girl as she waited for her to respond.