Open Melancholy Melodies

[Aegerine Night]

There was one of Aegerine's customary activities that she had been avoiding since coming to Hogwarts, and she knew her ability would suffer for it. Aegerine despised the notion of having to practice in a public space, with the possibility that just anyone could walk in and hear her playing. Only Mum was allowed to hear her practice at home, and even then only sometimes. Mostly she stayed in her room, where she was alone and the muffled strains of her oboe could only be heard down the hall. She missed, too, actually having lessons; she'd asked Mum to send her sheet music now and then so she could learn new things, but without a teacher Aegerine was worried her music would stagnate.

However, it would certainly regress if she continued to avoid practicing, so at last Aegerine faced her fears and went down to the closest thing this stupid school had to a music room. She was relieved to find no one there, and hoping that this would continue, she set up her music stand in the far corner from the door, unpacked and put together her oboe, and flicked through her sheet music searching for something appropriate to her mood to play. She played through several of her slower, gloomier pieces, noting that while her technique was rather rusty and she squeaked occasionally, overall she was doing fairly well. She smiled faintly to herself, feeling almost content for the first time since she'd come here, and started another piece.

 

[Amy Jewel]

Amy was starting to think that she was going to spend most of her seven years at the school in the arts room. She had met a few other people that were often there, and she was pleased that they were all really friendly. She made her way down, wanting to continue practicing the piece of music one of her sister's had sent to her.

When she entered the room, she heard someone else playing. She wasn't sure what instrument it was, but it sounded good. She waited until the music stopped and entered the room quietly, not wanting to disturb the person playing. Amy wanted to listen to more music, but she wasn't sure if the musician would be happy with someone listening in.

 

[Aegerine Night]

Aegerine should have done this long before. She'd almost forgotten how relaxing it was to just play, lose herself in the melody and let her worries and the world around her flow away. For a time, she was entirely focused on the music in front of her and her fingers on the keys and the haunting notes of her oboe. For a time, nothing else mattered. But then she had to stop and flick through her folder for the next piece she wanted to play, and there was a girl in the room. Aegerine froze. For a moment she was tempted to ignore the intruder and continue, but she knew that the girl's presence would distract her and ruin her experience. Maybe she could make the stranger leave, and then she could continue her practice in peace. She glared at the girl. "Leave this place."

 

[Amy Jewel]

Obviously the girl didn't want someone listening. Amy blushed."Sorry, I was coming in to practice myself and heard your music. It's really nice." Amy never knew how to act in awkward situations like this. She wanted to stay, and practice herself, but this girl was a little intimidating. She was glaring at Amy fiercely. Amy tried to say something, but it came out as a squeak instead."Sorry," she apologised again.

 

[Aegerine Night]

Aegerine was a little mollified by the girl complimenting her music, but the fact that she had heard it was horrible. And she seemed rather timid . . . well, she should be. If it was going to be easy to push her away, Aegerine would certainly do so. "Leave," she said fiercely. "Abscond. Withdraw. Depart. Do it now."

 

[Amy Jewel]

Amy looked a little confused, but nodded slowly."Okay, I'm just going to go into the next room." Sure, the next room wasn't too far away, but Amy really needed to practice. And it was obvious that this girl wasn't going leave any time soon."Have fun."