You Really Got A Hold On Me

[Rhyspa Marinescu]

Rhyspa walked down the halls and hummed to herself. It was an old Beatles song, her grandmother used to play them all the time. It was nice to think back to when she was a little girl, playing dress-up in her grandma's old clothes and her mum's silly dresses. What she missed the most though was spending the weekends at her Gran's. It was always fun and there was always something to do; finger paints, gardening, silly games. If she could go back she would, but right now she wasn't always so sure. Rhyspa stepped out into the warm, breezy day of April and walked down the path that led to the Owlery.

Rhyspa held the letter in her hand, it had taken her at least an hour to write. She hadn't talked to him in a few weeks, but she knew he was busy. Rhyspa was too. She had a few weeks and then she would be taking the exams that would decide the rest of her career. The fifteen year old was terrified. Her biggest fear was failing and disappointing her family. She never minded people getting angry with her, but disappointment. That was hard for her. Rhyspa fought not to cry infront of her father if she brought home a lower grade that she received.

Calling to her owl, Seana, she attached the square fold to her leg. The recipients name clearly written on the front.

Dom,

I'm not even sure what to write to you about. Everything is still the same. Classes are the boring usual and the OWLs are becoming perilously closer. I've finally told Katalina about my talking to you. She wasn't exactly thrilled with me; she was very wary. I told her that you changed and she didn't really react, but needless to say she's my friend and she wants whats best for me.

How are you're classes? Are you excited for your graduation from Durmstrang?

Always,
Rhyspa

Rhyspa sent Seana off with a smile.

 

[Dominik Marinescu]

Dominik was laying back on his bed reading 'The Outsiders,' a muggle book he'd picked up during his trip to New Zealand during winter holidays. His supposed best friend, Nicolae, hadn't talked to him too much as of late, ever since he'd found out that Dom had been writing to Rhyspa. In his roommates eyes it was the worst form of betrayal, especially since Rhyspa was the best friend of Katalina, whom Nicolae had pretty much declared his very own personal vindetta against.

There was a faint tapping at the window beside his bed and Dom looked over to see 'Spa's owl and his heart suddenly started to skip very fast. He opened the window to let the bird in and removed the attached letter, tossing Seana a treat. Dominik was over joyed that Rhyspa hadn't let Kat's validated worries sway her opinion. He grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and sat down at his desk to pen a response to the girl he had definitely without a shadow of a doubt developed feelings for.

Hey you!

Would you quite making a fuss over your OWLs, you are going to ace them with flying colors so stop worrying that pretty little head of yours. I figured Katalina wouldn't be happy about this. Can't say I much blame her to be perfectly honest. I happened to run across some letters that she'd sent to Nicolae the other day and from the looks of it he's been trying to get her all riled up again. I'm starting to seriously re-think the basis of our friendship...it just seems that he's not trying to make any amends for the wrongs that he's done. I'll have to just slowly regain her trust and liking the way that I've regained yours.

School is getting to be more than tedious, but graduation is soon on the horizon. I will be overly glad to be done with this school. Good riddance is all I have to say. I've learned that this place is almost damned near poisonous to our souls which you and many of your friends got a glimpse of last year. I've decided that I'm going to move to New Zealand as soon as commencement is over with. What are your plans for this summer? I was hoping that we could spend some time together if you don't have any major plans. I really miss seeing your beautiful face and can't wait to see you again. Which is why I have a question for you. Do you think that it would tarnish your good nature if you were my girlfriend? I'm hoping that answer is no!

Yours if you'll have me
Dominik

With a nervous flutter in his stomach Dom attached the letter to Seana and sent her off on her way. He sat back down on his bed with his book, but his mind was now much too preoccupied with thoughts of Rhyspa to even attempt to read.

 

[Rhyspa Marinescu]

Rhyspa sat on her bed, reviewing her notes for her OWL exams which were coming closer than she'd like. Chaos sat next to her leg, keeping it warm in the drafty Dormitory. As she flipped to the notes for History of Magic, a tapping sound came from the window. Seana hovered to and fro from the window, keeping her balance. Rhyspa leaped off the bed and was over by the window in two quick bounds; there was a square of parchment attached. She opened the hatch and her graceful Snowy Owl glided in and sat on her perch.

Rhyspa took the parchment from the powerful bird of prey and unfolded it. She read its contents, a silly smile spread on her freckled face. A few sentences in and Rhyspa was missing him more by more and when she read the last few sentences, her mouth was agape and a joyous laugh escaped her lips. Rhyspa re-read the last paragraph, making sure her mind wasn't jumping ahead like it usually did when she read. It was the same as the first time she read it. Dominik wanted Rhyspa to be his girlfriend.

The ecstatic fifteen year-old pulled out her parchment and writing utensils and began to pen a giddy response.

Dom,

I'm trying not to worry, but it's hard when you know your future depends on what you score. I'm not too surprised that he's trying to piss her off again. He
probably succeeded; I'll have to talk to her. I'm sure she'll talk to you and try to at least be on speaking terms. Kat's a great person and a wonderful best friend. She's always there for me.

I'm really glad you're excited about graduating! I really hope you do move down here! It's so nice during the summer and its really nice in the winter! As of now, I have no plans for the summer other than visiting my father and his fiancee and my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I'm really excited to see them, just not my father and Amelie. Other than that, I'm free.

I miss seeing you too. I've never really felt about anyone the way I feel about you. I'd love to be your girlfriend!

Yours,
Rhyspa

Rhyspa smiled and blushed as she folded the letter and attached it to Seana's leg. She was breathless and giddy. There was no possible way she would concentrate now. No way.

 

[Dominik Marinescu]

Dominik was doing a bit of early packing. He had decided to skip his actual graduation ceremony as it was really nothing more than a formality, plus the faster he got out of this place the better. He had packed away a fair bit of his belongings in his trunk when he heard pecking at his window. Dom's signature crooked smile stretched across his face when he noticed it was Seana, but his heart jumped a little bit at what Rhyspa's answer to his question would be. He opened up the window and let the owl in, taking the letter from her. He quickly read over it, looking for the answer he was desperately hoping for and he felt absolutely blissful when her response was a 'yes'. Dom sat down on his bed and read the entire letter over again, this time more slowly so that he could take in everything else. Grabbing a self-inking quill and some parchment he wrote a response letter.

'Spa,

I've officially made up my mind about moving to New Zealand. I already have an apartment lined up and am going to start looking for jobs as soon as I get done with school. I'm hoping that these next two weeks will fly by and I will be done with this place forever. I tried talking to Nic about laying off Kat and just leaving her alone, but he just laughed me off. I honestly think he gets off on toying with her. He seems to enjoy getting a rise out of her more than anyone else he messes with. Anyways I have a fair bit more packing to do so I'm going to keep this short, but I'll see you in two weeks. I miss you more and more everyday and can't wait to see you.

Yours Always,
Dom

 

[Rhyspa Marinescu]

Rhyspa was slowly packing her things in her trunk, her Fifth Year almost at an end. At the end of the week, she would be heading to her mothers home in Auckland. She was packing her school books in the trunk, making sure she would have room for the rest of her possessions. Exam's were almost over, only a few more remaining. Rhyspa felt she had done well on all of them and she couldn't wait to get her scores back during the summer.

As she was folding some of her clothes that she knew she wouldn't be needing for the next few days, Seana came to the window. Rhyspa smiled, greeting her owl and let her in. Seana flew past her towards her cage, a square of parchment attached to her leg. Dom had written her back. Rhyspa grinned and opened the letter hastily, trying not to rip it in her haste. She read its contents and retrieved her writing things from her night stand. Rhyspa was thrilled to find that he would be making a permanent move to New Zealand. It meant that during the school year, she would be able to visit him on breaks.

Dom,

I'm extremely glad to find that you're moving to New Zealand! Hopefully you'll enjoy the weather a bit more. I wouldn't worry too much about Kat, she's a big girl and can handle him. I'm more worried about Nic, if he vexes her much more he might want to watch out for a curse with his name on it in the post. Though, that's unlikely to happen. I can't wait to see you!

Missing you,
Rhyspa