Locating the annoying chatter-box.

[Tony Alraur]

After his lesson on defending art work in a dark room with all of the lights off, Tony wandered through the castle on a day where his time-table was empty. He had set himself a mental note to locate his only true friend within the castle walls, but for what reason; he was un-sure. After their time in the Great Hall during his birthday, the pair hadn't seen each other; and during his holidays, Tony had practically forgotten who she was. Having succeeded fairly well in the Dark Arts lessons, the young Ravenclaw had a difficult time locating someone to practice with. Remembering Trinity hated her lessons, and almost anything to do with magic, the young wizard felt he wouldn't receive much help from her either.

Walking from the dormitory, Tony had chosen to bring his cat along with him. It was very rarely she had an opportunity to wander around other parts of the castle, and it would be a treat for her. Walking along the corridors, Tony made his way towards the Gryffindor common-room. It seemed a likely location to see, or even hear, the girl he sought after. With Peaches pattering along-side him, the young wizard cared little for the few looks he received. Being a primarily Gryffindor floor, the first year Ravenclaw was out of place.

 

[Trinity Cornwell]

It seemed like forever since she had spent any time with Tony but Trinity didn't mind too much. She was going through changes of one sort or another and was handling it all fairly badly as usual. She had grown another two inches, her hair seemed to be under some bizarre growing spell as well and now hung past her shoulders blades almost skimming her lower back. Her grandparents had only allowed her home for a brief period over the holidays, so Trinity had spent the majority of time here at the school and found with the help of a strange creature in the forest that she probably should give magic a chance. She had met her first centaur and though at first she had wanted to run screaming, he had calmed her and after a while they had become sort of friends. Going to the forest was not a highlight of hers of course and she would do just about anything to not go there but she had promised the young centaur that she would come by on occasion.

The New Year she had promised herself to at least attempt the lessons she was taught in class if to simply just pass and leave the school and the magic world all the sooner. Trinity wearing just her plain gray skirt that fell to her knees, gray socks that also ended at her knees and a white shirt offset by a sleeveless black jumper with the Gryffindor logo on it she practically skipped down the corridor from her house only to see Tony walking along with his cat.
"Tony!" she called out a huge smile on her face as she waved to him then knelt down to summon his cat to her. So she wasn't a great lover of cats but she was trying, desperately trying to make an effort with magic, with pets she wouldn't normally touch, with other students and with Tony.
"I haven't seen you in forever. What you been doing?" her smile lit up her face as she spoke.

 

[Tony Alraur]

Hearing his name called, the young wizard's eyes scanned the faces in the corridor. No-one looked familiar, but the voice he had heard sounded like it was. It took all of a second to realise whom it belong to though, as a young girl was crouched on the floor with Peaches. Stepping slightly closer, as the girl spoke again, Tony paused in his movements. His eyes fixed upon the witch in front of him. Wearing the uniform, the Ravenclaw wouldn't have distinguished her from any other Gryffindor; but the pitch of her voice was still familiar.

Focusing for a moment, the first year played the voice over in his mind. There was no way this could be Trinity. The two looked, from what he could re-call, different. That was, until he took in the smile across her face, which lit up her features, and the resulting sparkle in her eyes. Tony's own eyes warmed to the sight of her. He wouldn't have thought it would happen with anyone he had been introduced to of late, but he had missed this girl. As annoying as she could be at times, there was no way Tony would be with-out her presence. For five minutes at least.

With little expression, the young wizard answered his friend. "Everything but what I want.". Barely a day went past that he wasn't thinking about going home. Playing by the river, or in it if he was un-lucky enough to fall, was certainly missed. As he tried to think of something to do for the day, the young wizard kept his eyes upon Peaches. She had taken well to Trinity. But then, she was a cat. A good head scratch, and she would purr for hours in anyone's lap.

 

[Trinity Cornwell]

It was wonderful to see him, glancing at him in the few classes they shared was just not the same thing. She couldn't help but continue to look and smile at him, eventually she stood up from the cat and wiped her hands on her skirt before reaching over and taking hold of one of his. Somethings never changed and her propensity for touching people was still there as strong as ever. She leaned closer to him, the scent of strawberries filling the air and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"Belated Happy Christmas and Belated Happy New Year and Belated all the other things I've obviously been missing" she grinned releasing his hand and clasping her hands behind her back. Part of all the new things she was trying was not to be all up in someone's personal space, it was difficult for her but she was putting everything she had into this new phase of her life.

"And what is it you want Tony?" she smiled indicating a window seat and walked over towards it. She didn't bother sitting down but leaned against it instead to gaze out across the school gardens. It would take her a long time to settle in here properly but now that she was determined to do just that, she had noticed so many things. She no longer jumped when a ghost passed her, she even spoke to some of the portraits now. Her class work did not seem quite so daunting and she was beginning to make a handful of friends.

 

[Tony Alraur]

Not being able to utilise his pet to test a person's trustworthiness could be considered an issue; Peaches would more than snuggle up to someone with half a mind to let her. Watching the young girl wipe her hands caused Tony to smile ever so slightly. He often enjoyed placing the cat on other first year beds, her hair falling onto the covers; difficult to brush away. Taking in the sight of Trinity, the young wizard noticed just how long her hair had become. She looked so much different to the last time he saw her.

With his face now emotionless once more, the young Ravenclaw kept his eyes fixed upon his friend. Feeling his hand move, Tony looked down-wards. Thoughts of the previous times she had reached for his hand flooded back. Memories of their previous meetings. The annoyance; the chatter; the injuries; the hand-holding; the cheek-ki.. before his thoughts could complete, a scent of Strawberries hit his nostrils; and a soft feeling brushed against his cheek. She had done it again.

Giving him little chance to take everything in, and true to form, the young witch began to speak before Tony could allow at least a scowl to form. Being wished a Happy Christmas and New Year puzzled the young boy for a second. They have passed several months ago. A question was directed to the young wizard before he had much of an opportunity to respond himself. It wouldn't be long before there where thirty or so all at once. Turning his head to allow his gaze to follow the Gryffindor, Tony thought about her question. What was it that he wanted. Playing the words again, the young wizard picked each one apart. Trinity sounded different. Tilting his head ever so slightly, and yet un-noticeably, Tony felt everything about his friend had changed. Closing his fingers in-wards, the Alraur descendant began to shut himself away. Was he going to lose the one person who had managed to open him up slightly.

---

Okay, I never expected her to change; and definitely not as much as she has. The trust issues are back, so it's game time. Sowwie.

 

[Trinity Cornwell]

Trinity heard nothing and turned her face to look at him. Her smile was still the same, brighter only because she was looking at him. So her hair had grown, it wasn't like she had time to get to any hairdressers and they hadn't seen each other to talk in a while. Obviously brief glances in the classroom and at meal times didn't count for anything. Two students passed and smiled at her, waving in an overly friendly manner before they continued on. Trinity smiled and waved then sagged noticeably. With Tony it was different, she didn't feel any need to pretend she wasn't who she was. She didn't feel any need to conform, he knew every silly stupid thing that went around in her head. Sliding down to the ground she crossed her legs and placed her hands in her lap as she slowly began a clapping game, slapping her hands together before criss crossing them on her knees, then slapping her hands together again. The movements went with a song she had no intention of singing but the movements picked up with the familiar time and rhythm in her head.

"You look cross with me, what have I done now sour puss?" she grinned before sticking her tongue out at him, "is it because of this?" she touched her uniform and grimaced.
"I have to live here for the next seven years Tony, I have to pass these stupid exams like everyone else or I can never get out. Don't you understand that? I thought if anyone would you would."
She hung her head a little, frowning slightly. An argument was the last thing she had wanted with him of all people. Why couldn't he just sit down with her and talk about silly things the way they used too? Trinity looked up once more, resignation written all over her face that her friend, her best friend simply did not want to be around her anymore.

 

[Tony Alraur]

Knowing how everything had worked out between them previously, Tony understood they where both walking along a knife edge for tantrums; arguments; and a lot of falling out. So far, Trinity had been one of very few people to cause him to care. It he could look at who he was, he would hate nothing. He had placed his trust in everyone at such a young age, for it to only be ripped apart. If he meant nothing to others, then what reason was there to try.

As students walk past him, Tony watched their actions. He had been that way once. Happy. Open. Willing to share everything. But now; he wanted his father dead; people to suffer; people to fear. The only reason he walked between the castle walls to begin with was the lack of time his family had to continue home-schooling. after the first half of the year, the young wizard now walked between the walls to learn everything.

The Ravenclaw's ears caught the sound of clapping. Turning his head, Tony picked out Trinity sat on the floor; slapping her hands and performing something very strange. If he could, he would summon a few clay pots; powders; and jangly jewellery. The image of Trinity as an old African witch seemed rather fitting. Words had escaped the image in his mind. "Wooglioogli wugla bagula.". A frown appeared as he attempted to understand the image, before he realised it had been the young Gryffindor speaking.

During the few moments he had stood in the corridor, Peaches had taken to pattering along the floor in as many directions as she could. There was always something about her; as if she could understand Tony in every way. Whilst watching his precious cat, the young boy responded to Trinity's flow of words. "You can leave at any time.". It was true. The school had no obligation to hold a child, and the examinations wouldn't have to be passed before being allowed to leave. "It's all a matter of whether your wish to or not.". As much as he himself wanted to leave, he knew it was better to stay.

Still on his feet, the young Ravenclaw wanted to move from the fifth floor. He had little intention of mixing with Gryffindor students who appeared to be in happy moods. Loosening his fingers, Tony turned away. "Coming or staying?".

 

[Trinity Cornwell]

Trinity stopped clapping when he spoke, she had evidently done something wrong. He seemed greatly annoyed with her but if she tried to figure out just what that was she would be here for the rest of her life and that was so not going to happen. She merely smiled and shook her head, slowly pushing herself off the ground and brushing her skirt down. Even her legs looked slightly longer and thinner, she was only growing and that could not be helped either in the magical world or in the muggle world. Any left over baby fat she may have had seemed to have fallen away and the promise of the young woman she would become was blossoming before them.
"I can't leave Tony" she told him very matter of factly, her beaming smile directed again at him as she walked closer, "You're stuck with me remember? I'm not leaving my best friend on his own in this place."

She pulled a terrified face as she glanced about the corridor, chuckling when she looked back at him. Now that she was right beside him she wondered would they always argue over petty silly things. It as amazing that in all the time they had been apart the past few months, she had not argued with anyone unless of course the elf in the common room trying to clean up her cookie crumbs was taken into account. Trinity adored the crumbs and having some silly looking blob appear to scourgify the lot had been like a red flag. She had given that one hell alright and if you took into consideration the two hufflepuffs and slytherin boy who had called her names because they had caught her practicing her spells abysmally in the courtyard and her pummeling the crap out of them before any even thought to use their wands and the other few times where someone had disagreed with her about something or other, then Trinity had a clean slate in the arguing department. It was most likely another reason she was trying so hard, there was only so many detentions she wanted to serve, another reason she had so little free time to spend with him. She wasn't very well going to blurt out that if he had really wanted to see her, just find her in the detention hall any day of the week. Taking a step ahead of him she managed as all the times before to pick up his hand in hers as she drifted by chuckling softly.
"Coming".

 

[Tony Alraur]

Before he had turned away completely, Trinity had asserted her authority. She was right. He was stuck with her. At this point, many others would have simply rolled their eyes; but Tony's remained locked in place. Even though the girl had visibly changed, she was still the same on the in-side; and to him, that was all that mattered. Continuing to move away, the young wizard felt his hand be reached for yet again. Turning his gaze to the back of her head as she stepped ahead of him, he wanted nothing more than to physically strangle her. Knowing he would never hear the last of it, the Ravenclaw chose instead to close his fingers around hers. "Peaches!". His own authority rang out through the corridor. His cat always knew when it was time to follow.

Moving slowly through the corridors caused Tony to feel slightly bored. There was very little of anything exciting at the school, other than Transfiguration; Herbology; and Charms; each of which had come to an end. After a few more weeks the young wizard would have a chance to head back home for the summer. This thought now played against his mind. Would anything have changed with-out him; would he still be able to explore the ruins; would he still be free enough to go wherever he wanted. Would he even come back to the stupid school for the second year. One thing he knew for certain, was the inability to utilise his magical ability out-side of the castle. Feeling disappointed at this, the young wizard clenched his hands; inadvertently squeezing Trinity's as he did.

Having only just seen his friend again so close to the end of the school year, Tony began to wonder how much she would change again during the holidays. Knowing it was likely to be a lot, he began to feel angered. There wouldn't be a way for her to go home with him; for him to keep an eye on her; for him to show her everywhere he spent his days; for her to meet.. . His anger began to increase, as his hand closed tighter around Trinity's. Every thought he had always came back to Amy. The only true friend he had known. The person he had thought would never leave him. He would make her pay. Just like everyone else.

The small amount of pressure pressed against his leg. Tony had stopped walking. Looking down, Peaches was stood against him. The only creature the young boy could truly rely on. Crouching down, still holding on to Trinity, Tony stroked his cat's head. Maybe some sun would be good for everyone. Standing up again, the young wizard placed his gaze onto his friend. "Shall we go out-side?".