Year/Job
Sixth Year
Now I'm just that girl who tries like Way too damn hard |
Chaser & Captain
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Post by Rose Kelly on Jan 24, 2024 11:05:08 GMT -8
Rose was having a hard time, though she did her best not to show it. Finch wasn’t talking to her and she wasn’t really sure why. She thought it had something to do with her saying she wasn’t his girlfriend, but that was weeks ago. The wondering was driving her crazy. Was it something she did or said? Did he just not like her anymore? Ugh, it was all so annoying. Why did she care so fucking much? The more she thought about it the more angry she got. Like, did he not realize he had a prize with her? That she was better than any other girl in this school? It was so tiresome. Her feelings were all mixed up, anger swirling around with heartbreak, and it left her with a headache. Maybe she’d just… go up to him and give him a piece of her mind. Yeah, that sounded like a good idea. They had Defense Against the Dark Arts today and she decided she’d corner him after class, completely unaware of what he was going through.
The witch made sure to apply her lipstick before she entered the classroom, rubbing her lips together as she looked in the compact mirror in her hand. Satisfied, she shut it and tucked it in her robes before stepping inside. Even though she was a mess on the inside, she was gonna make damn sure she looked her best. Rose moved to take her seat next to her friend up front; Defense Against the Dark Arts was easily her favorite class. She really respected Professor Walker. Soon, everyone else had joined her and Professor Walker strolled in from the back of the classroom. “Good morning class,” she said softly, turning at the front of the classroom to face them. “Today you’re going to test your mettle against each other in a duel.” There was an eruption of chatter from the class. “Quiet down. I expect you all to behave. I will not tolerate any maiming. Now, first up is Clarke and Levy.”
She watched as her classmates all dueled pair by pair, excitement starting to stir up inside her. Rose loved a good duel, so she could hardly wait until her name was called. Everyone had taken their turn except her and… “Kelly and Greer.” Rose glanced back at the other redhead, her lips turning upward into a satisfied smile. Oh, this was going to be good. Professor Walker instructed them to take their positions and draw their wands. Rosie smirked at Laurie from the opposite side and it stayed on her face as they walked to each other. She brought her wand up in front of her face. “May the best duelist win,” she said confidently before they lowered their wands and turned to walk back to their positions. Rose spread her feet and bent her knees slightly, her wand hand lifted up in an offensive stance. “Begin.”
“Furnunculus!” she called out, flicking her wand toward the other witch.
Laurie Greer
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Year/Job
6th Year
Tried to drift dear but don't know how... |
Sol
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Post by Laurie Greer on Jan 24, 2024 12:32:41 GMT -8
If there was one class she dreaded more than others, it was Defense Against the Dark Arts. The entire concept of having to defend oneself against Dark Arts was horrifying– and the history behind it, much more so. Laurie could hardly speak up for herself against bullies at times, how could she defend herself against the Dark Arts?
Rumors had been floating about all day that there would be duels in class and Laurie almost had half a mind to complain about a stomach ache and crawl back to her dorm to avoid the whole thing. But Professor Walker likely wouldn’t be too fond of her if she found out she’d lied and skipped class. Plus, Laurie couldn’t will herself to skip a class. There were too many possibilities about what could happen– She could fail her exam and then have to stay at Hogwarts or worse– be expelled! Then she would live a life of crime and end up spending the rest of her life in Azkaban!
Okay… Maybe that wouldn’t happen, but planning for the worst and hoping it didn’t happen was the best. Attending Defense Against The Dark Arts would keep her from going to Azkaban, she convinced herself.
Still, as she shrunk to the back of the classroom she kept reaching for anything that would excuse her from dueling. Maybe she and Bella would be paired together? That would be loads of fun! They’d throw a few spells towards each other and draw and then giggle about it later. That sounded lovely…
Disappearing into the back of her classmates, she was certain that time would run out before she was forced to pathetically wave her wand at someone far more capable than she. But as Professor Walker opened her mouth and spilled out the next pairing, Laurie went cold–
Kelly. Kelly as in Rose Kelly? Kelly as in the one person in Hogwarts who could get under her skin worse than anyone else?
Yeah. That Kelly. Shit.
As she emerged from the crowd, trying to disappear on herself, the smug look on Rose’s face inspired her with something that made her feel a bit more brazen. Laurie hated dueling but she was going to beat Rose Kelly at all costs. Despite feeling competitive, she looked awkward facing off against Rose who practically looked like a professional duelist in that stance. Offering an intimidated look to Professor Walker, she brought her wand up and before she could blink, the duel had begun.
Rose’s first jinx caused a yelp to escape from her throat, quickly tearing out a counterspell. “Finite Incantatem!” Exclaimed Laurie, nullifying her jinx. “Impedimenta!”
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Now I'm just that girl who tries like Way too damn hard |
Chaser & Captain
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Post by Rose Kelly on Jan 25, 2024 10:09:48 GMT -8
A hot flash of irritation went through her as Laurie countered her curse, her eyes flashing dangerously. The raven threw back another spell and Rose moved to counter it, but she was a second too late. Time slowed down around her and her irritation turned to white hot anger. Rose moved slowly as if she were moving through molasses as she raised her wand hand. “Finite Incantatem!” The spell lifted and she stumbled forward before righting herself. Quickly, she shot back. “Flipendo!”
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Year/Job
6th Year
Tried to drift dear but don't know how... |
Sol
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Post by Laurie Greer on Jan 25, 2024 11:01:58 GMT -8
Her spell hit! Oh Merlin, it really did! Part of Laurie froze momentarily, too thrilled to think ahead and throw another her way. Just as she was raising her wand to continue the attack against Rose, who was moving at a hilariously slow speed, Rose countered her spell. Shit. Her spell pushed Laurie back, causing her to stumble and fall on her rear. "Ouch!" She exclaimed, grabbing her wand which rolled away from her and going to attack from her position on the ground. "Aguamenti!" Laurie shouted as a stream of water began to erupt from the tip of her wand, spraying Rose with a large amount of water.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Now I'm just that girl who tries like Way too damn hard |
Chaser & Captain
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Post by Rose Kelly on Jan 25, 2024 12:51:31 GMT -8
Her spell hit and Rose smirked triumphantly, readying herself for the girl’s next move. There was a movement out of the corner of her eye and she looked for a brief second to see that Vera girl talking to Finch. Her blood boiled, but the distraction was long enough for Laurie to get back up and launch another spell at her. Rose heard her shout out and she quickly put up a shield charm, but her mind was racing with thoughts of Finch and Vera and it broke easily, the water dousing her. Rose let out a loud gasp. “You bitch!” she exclaimed. “Language!” Professor Walker said sternly, but Rose ignored her and threw a hex at Laurie, “Levicorpus!”
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Year/Job
6th Year
Tried to drift dear but don't know how... |
Sol
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Post by Laurie Greer on Jan 25, 2024 14:44:55 GMT -8
Laurie was feeling the adrenaline pumping through her body-- she was winning! She was totally winning against Rose Kelly! She let out a giddy laugh, dusting herself off and prepping a shield charm but her celebration was cut short when she felt her cheek smack the floor and her ankle raise to the air. "You slag!" She hissed, despite Professor Walker's warning, her cheek throbbing from the impact. She quickly cast a counter spell, dropping her body to the floor. Before she could even recover, she was already throwing a spell. "Titillando! Tarantallegra!" She exclaimed, voice hoarse from being out of breath-- likely due to the fact that she'd just been dropped to the floor. She scrambled up, protecting herself and prepping to attack Rose or defend herself.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Now I'm just that girl who tries like Way too damn hard |
Chaser & Captain
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Post by Rose Kelly on Jan 25, 2024 18:18:27 GMT -8
She was able to deflect the first spell, but Laurie was sending them rapidly at her and before she knew it Rose's feet were dancing wildly of their own accord. She practically screamed the countercurse she was so angry. Her green eyes were dark and staring daggers at Laurie from across the room, the fury inside her burning her up. Rose cried out the incantation for the bat-bogey hex, thrusting her wand in Greer's direction. When that was deflected, the anger surged inside her, Rose positively fuming. "Slugulus Eructo!"
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Year/Job
6th Year
Tried to drift dear but don't know how... |
Sol
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Post by Laurie Greer on Jan 26, 2024 13:29:57 GMT -8
The duel was picking up in intensity-- Laurie could tell even her classmates were eager to see what happened next. Both girls were so adamant about winning that neither would back down. If this was a game of Quidditch, they'd be neck in neck. Unfortunately, they were in a far more dangerous situation, one that was starting to get influenced by emotions, rivalry, and in the moment decision making. Laurie was beginning to tire-- she wanted the whole thing to be done with but she wouldn't let Rose Kelly beat her. Laurie furrowed her brows as the next curse was throw her way and she quickly spat the slug out, hissing the counter curse and trying not to throw up again-- Rose was being downright cruel. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she was out of rational thinking. Before she could stop herself, the spell was already spilling out of her mouth. "Stupefy!" She exclaimed, voice affected by her exhaustion from the duel.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Now I'm just that girl who tries like Way too damn hard |
Chaser & Captain
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Post by Rose Kelly on Jan 29, 2024 2:08:33 GMT -8
There was no way in hell that Laurie Greer was going to beat Rose Kelly in a duel. She was just not going to let that happen. It was impossible - Rose was the best duelist in her class! But here she was actually providing a challenge and Rose was pissed about it. It was her own fault; she let her emotions cloud her mind and distract her, her competitiveness going into overdrive as they went back and forth. Her situation with Finch was not helping matters, either. The girls were both getting tired the longer the duel went on, everyone in their class sitting on the edge of their seats, watching to see who came out on top.
"Stupefy!"
Rose saw red. "Protego!" She put up the shield and the spell deflected harmlessly off of it. Laurie just really tried to knock her out. Her body was trembling as she stepped forward and launched another spell at her, "Confringo!" Before she could blink, Professor Walker had stepped in front of the raven and blocked the spell, her blue eyes hard and icy and her lips pressed into a tight line as the fire erupted on the dummy in the front of the class. Rose's chest heaved as the anger surged through her veins, but she was starting to feel the beginnings of shame working its way up her throat. "Enough!" said Professor Walker, looking back and forth between them. "50 points from Gryffindor and detention, both of you. In all my years I have never seen two people so determined to hurt each other." Heat had crawled its way up her neck and to her face as she realized what she had just done. She could feel her classmates' stares on her and tears started to well in her eyes. Professor Walker breathed in deeply before turning to the rest of the class. "That's enough for today - you are all dismissed." She pointed at Rose and Laurie. "You two, stay."
Rose stood off to the side as the class got up and started to head out of the room. She could feel Finch's eyes on her, but she was far too ashamed to meet his gaze. What must he think of her right now... when the last person had left, Professor Walker rounded on them. "I want you both to clean up this mess and then head to the kitchens. You'll be scrubbing dishes for the next few hours until you can apologize to each other." As she walked off, she was mumbling something to herself, something to the affect of "I've never in my life... how competitive can they be..." And before long, she had left both Rose and Laurie by themselves. Rosie lifted her gaze slowly from the floor to rest on Laurie, a deep frown marring her features. She knew that she should apologize for trying to hurt her, but there was a tightness in her chest and a lump forming in her throat as the shame washed over her. "Let's get this over with," she grumbled, pulling out her wand and walking to the dummy she had nearly destroyed. "Scourgify," she said as she pointed her wand at the dummy. The burn marks started to clean themselves off and Rose could see that she had cracked the dummy's chest. More shame welled up inside her. "Reparo."
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Year/Job
6th Year
Tried to drift dear but don't know how... |
Sol
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Post by Laurie Greer on Jan 29, 2024 8:09:55 GMT -8
Laurie quite honestly couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong with her. She wasn’t a competitive person– not off the Quidditch Pitch at least. She considered everything with logic and reason. If it didn’t benefit her, she would normally quickly give up a duel without facing any sort of humiliation. She wasn’t even a great dueler, or so she thought! But Rose Kelly had a power unlike anyone else. She had burrowed her way underneath Laurie’s skin like a lecherous parasite confusing her mind and driving her to madness. As they threw spells back and forth, Laurie genuinely didn’t know where they would stop. Where they would draw the line.
This wasn’t the Quidditch Pitch where the only real danger to them would be falling off a broom, getting hit by a stray bludger or allowing the other team to score a point. No, they were in real time fighting with each other, risking bodily harm with each spell they cast. Laurie noticed a pattern too– both girls were getting desperate, throwing any charm or hex the other way to get the leg up. They didn’t care if they caused bodily harm, they just wanted to win. And that was where danger bloomed.
Rose crafitly blocked her spell and Laurie hissed lowly, gripping her wand just a bit tighter. The duel was getting tense– she could feel their peers holding their breath, watching on in excitement and horror at what would happen. They were putting on a proper show that would surely be talked about for weeks after it happened– part of that was cool. The other part was mortifying. Laurie did not want to be the talk of Hogwarts for any reason, good or bad. Her eyes went wide when Rose threw her next spell– it was all Laurie could do to stumble back before Professor Walker stepped in. What the hell was wrong with Rose? Was she seriously going to use a blasting charm against her? Snapping her head to the now on fire dummy, her heart pounded loudly in her chest. If Professor Walker hadn’t intervened, what would have happened? Would Laurie be on fire too? She shuddered at that thought.
Hand trembling as she clutched her wand, she was relieved to hear the duel was over– not so much to hear that she and Rose had received detention. For what?! Laurie didn’t do anything! It was Rose that went CRAZY and tried to blow her up! Still, her face burned with embarrassment. Laurie Greer had never received a detention. Ever. She could’ve cried hearing the words fall from Professor Walker’s lips. God, she HATED Rose Kelly!
Silently, she thrashed about the room, cleaning up the mess they’d made. She didn’t need to apologize to Rose. She wouldn’t. Laurie wasn’t a prideful person but Rose… Merlin, Rose was something else! “Good job, Rose. Really, your performance was stellar…” Laurie grumbled, waving her wand at the water on the floor. “Tergeo.”
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Now I'm just that girl who tries like Way too damn hard |
Chaser & Captain
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Post by Rose Kelly on Jan 29, 2024 8:57:24 GMT -8
With everything that had been going on in Rose’s life, she knew that she was a powder keg. But she hadn’t expected to go off like that. It wasn’t even something she had meant to do! It was a reflex, her mind picking the first spell that came to mind and it just so happened to be that one. Rose felt properly ashamed for her actions, but she was prideful and apologizing to Laurie was something she never would do under normal circumstances. But still… had Professor Walker not stepped in… Rose shuddered to think of what would have happened.
Losing points was bad enough, but being stuck in detention with Laurie Greer was another punishment in of itself. She supposed it was only right that she be forced to spend time with the girl she almost seriously injured if not killed. Tears were swimming in her eyes as she did her best to pick up after a couple hours worth of duels. When had she become so emotional? Rose was always emotional but not like this. Laurie snapped at her and she stopped what she was doing to shut her eyes tightly. The guilt was eating her up inside, mixing with her anger over everything going on, and Rose whipped around to face her, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, okay?! I didn’t mean to!” Rose stood there, trembling, feeling like the worst person in the entire world.
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Year/Job
6th Year
Tried to drift dear but don't know how... |
Sol
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Post by Laurie Greer on Jan 29, 2024 15:51:53 GMT -8
Her apology was sudden-- and shocking. Laurie's eyes snapped up from the puddle on the ground to the weeping Rose and she felt her blood run cold. Was Rose Kelly seriously crying in front of her? All the anger and irritation she'd once felt for Rose left her body, replaced with shock and concern. She tucked her wand in her waistband, hesitantly approaching the girl who might've killed her a few moments prior. "Rose--" She hesitated, her voice shaky and unsure of itself. Why did she feel so bad that Rose was crying? She didn't care about Rose's feeling and Rose didn't care about her. They were deeply indifferent to each other-- that's what made them such good rivals. But seeing her breaking down-- it was like she was witnessing something she shouldn't have. "Rose, I-- I know you didn't mean to." Laurie said softly, taking a few steps towards Rose, still not completely closing the large gap between then.
"I know the heat of the battle caught up to us." Not just Rose, both of them. They'd both been swept away by the desperation to win. But was it really their fault? She thought it was more Professor Walker to blame for it. Their rivalry was not secret, not even to the professors. Laurie thought it a bit presumptuous to pair them up, knowing their history-- but instead they were being punished, rather than the professor that acted like the catalyst for their battle. "It's okay Rose, I'm not... I'm not mad. Or hurt. So it's all good." Laurie offered her arms awkwardly, unsure how to comfort the upset girl. "Do you.. um... want a hug?"
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Now I'm just that girl who tries like Way too damn hard |
Chaser & Captain
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Post by Rose Kelly on Jan 29, 2024 23:22:27 GMT -8
First Liam, now Laurie - Rose was finding herself crying around too many people, people she wasn’t even close with, and it was killing her. Ever since the party when she told Finch she wasn’t his girlfriend, Rose found that she was struggling. At first, it was easy to ignore because she still had him, but when he pulled away from her and stopped talking to her, Rose just fell apart. Her nerves were shot, her confidence at an all time low, and her heart kept breaking over and over again. Every time she saw him look away from her it was like a knife was stabbing her in her heart. Then when she felt embarrassed that Laurie was actually going toe to toe with her, she was angry. Then she almost killed her and everything inside her broke.
The other witch stepped forward slowly, Rose still trembling where she stood, the tears still falling steadily down her cheeks, her chest heaving despite her best efforts to control her breathing. Seeing Laurie Greer feel sorry for her only made her feel worse. How could she be so understanding right now? How could she even look at her like that, like she was to be pitied? Rose was frozen in her spot, her weepy gaze fixed on the other’s face. She was making excuses for her now and a band tightened around Rosie’s heart. There was no excuse for what she had done. In all her years at Hogwarts, Rose had never cared what others thought about her. But now, knowing that word of their duel and Rose’s crazed actions were spreading like wildfire, she felt so incredibly upset at what they must think of her now.
Laurie stepped a little closer, her arms starting to spread open as she offered a hug. Rose hesitated, caught between wanting to be alone and wanting comfort. She wanted Finch, but he wasn’t here right now. The redhead quickly wiped her tears and steadied her breath. “I’m fine,” she said sharply, though she clearly was not. “I just… let’s finish this and then go to the kitchens.” Rose turned to go back to cleaning up, her heart aching in her chest.
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Year/Job
6th Year
Tried to drift dear but don't know how... |
Sol
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Post by Laurie Greer on Jan 30, 2024 8:20:51 GMT -8
Rose's reaction was strange and confusing to say the least-- but so was Laurie's. They were sworn enemies, Rose had tried to kill her. What the hell was she doing trying to offer her a hug? Had the part of her brain that controlled sense and logic completely died? Maybe a bird came a pecked it out in the night-- that would go hand in hand with her curse. She quickly lowered her arms, wiping her palms on her sweater. Merlin, this was awkward now. She stumbled back a few steps, nodding her head in agreement. "You're right. Um. Let's finish up so we can get this over with." Laurie said, a sentence that normally would have held a bit more edge to it but she couldn't muster the courage to be catty to Rose-- not when she'd seen her apologize and break down in front of her.
Part of Laurie wanted to ask Rose if she was really okay-- but that wasn't her place. She wasn't Finch or even Nathaniel. They hated each other. Why would she want to open up to someone she hated? But Laurie also detested seeing people upset and not being able to help. It was the part of her that resisted logic at time and said reach a hand out to the neighbor who scorned you. Ultimately, Laurie couldn't muster enough reason to continue pressing Rose. Maybe one day the two enemies would come together and have a heart to heart, but today wasn't the day.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Now I'm just that girl who tries like Way too damn hard |
Chaser & Captain
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Post by Rose Kelly on Feb 1, 2024 17:40:17 GMT -8
Why did she feel so bad for rejecting Laurie’s hug? Rose didn’t understand it, but there was a heaviness that was sitting on her chest as she continued to clean up. Her gaze was pulled back to the other redhead and she frowned. This is stupid, she thought. She shouldn’t feel bad about not wanting a hug from someone she barely knew. But Rose had almost killed her today and… well, she deserved some kind of explanation.
The lion let out a heavy sigh and moved over to Laurie, bending over to pick up a jeweled skull that had been knocked off the table. Rose’s eyes were fixed on the object, turning it from side to side as she inspected it. “Finch isn’t talking to me,” she offered quietly. She kept her gaze on the skull as she moved to set it back on its resting place. “If you tell anyone I’m telling you this, I really will kill you.” Rose smiled softly, more tears brimming in her eyes. “I saw that bitch, Vera, talking to him during class today. During our duel.” It wasn’t the first time that Ravenclaw made a move on him and both times had been in Rose’s presence. “I’m sorry I let my emotions get the better of me.”
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