Year/Job
Sixth Year
You shine a light on my dark side, But you don't care what you see. |
Beater (23)
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Post by Nathaniel James on Jan 24, 2024 15:18:13 GMT -8
The common room was empty for the first time in literal days and Nathaniel was making the most of it. Some might think that he would throw a party or do a bunch of pixie dust, but all he really wanted to do was play his guitar somewhere where the sound would echo back to him.
The boy sat upon the couch with his acoustic guitar resting on his thigh, his fingers strumming out a few chords. The soothing melody reverberated against the walls and soon he added his voice to the song.
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 15:28:17 GMT -8
The chaos of the day was admittedly weighing on Laurie-- after her owl had destroyed her book (which she thankfully was able to use a Mending Charm on it and fix it right up)-- she'd felt a bit dejected. The snow had started accumulating in heaps outside on the Hogwarts grounds and inside was no better. Or maybe Laurie just got cold easily. Whatever it was, the frigidness of her dorm room wasn't doing anything to help her sullen attitude.
The dorms were still, silent almost, as if every soul were either dining, sleeping, or off enjoying something else away from the Ravenclaw tower. Well, almost everyone. As Laurie crept out of her dorm, in route to plop herself in front of the fireplace and stick her limbs in, the soft sound of music-- guitar-- made itself known. And then singing.. Something soft and sweet and strange to be heard through the Ravenclaw Common area. She would think it more likely that such gently melody would be a product of a Hufflepuff. Finally standing in the archway entrance to the common, her eyebrows went up in shock as she took in Nathaniel's form. Nathaniel James was playing guitar and singing all by his lonesome? Now that was a sight to behold.
Not wanting to surprise him or embarrass him, she cleared her throat, waving her hand softly from her place leaning the doorframe. "Hi."
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
You shine a light on my dark side, But you don't care what you see. |
Beater (23)
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Post by Nathaniel James on Jan 24, 2024 17:59:41 GMT -8
For the first time in a long time, he could feel himself really getting lost in the song. The words fell off his tongue with ease, Nate hitting all the right notes as he vocalized, his fingers effortlessly moving along the frets. His voice trailed off as the chorus ended and he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. Nate froze, heat rushing to his face immediately as he turned his head toward the sound. The color on his face only deepened when he saw it was Laurie Greer, offering him a small wave and a hello. His mouth hung open in his surprise for a moment before he shut it and put his guitar to the side. "Hi," he said back, feeling extremely embarrassed. "I didn't realize anyone was there." If he had known, he wouldn't have... he'd never dream of being that vulnerable in front of someone else. Nate swallowed past the lump forming in his throat. No one had ever heard him sing before. "Erm... what are you doing?"
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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 20:13:03 GMT -8
He jumped— just as she suspected, her thought he was alone and she’d startled him. She ducked her head in apology, as if preemptively sending him a silent sign of her apology— after all, she owed him after the whole snitch fiasco. At the least, she was going to show him some kindness for the next few days. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” She said apologetically. “You can keep playing if you want— I can head back to my dorm. It’s just cold. Wanted to warm up…” Offering an olive branch to him— send her away to the iciness of her dorm, and keep playing, or maybe sit in silence as she jumped into the fireplace to warm herself. “You sound good.” She sputtered quickly, not wanting her awkward compliment to sound well awkward but she could prevent the inevitable.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
You shine a light on my dark side, But you don't care what you see. |
Beater (23)
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Post by Nathaniel James on Jan 24, 2024 20:21:15 GMT -8
Laurie stumbling upon him wasn't an unwelcome thing, but he did feel a little vulnerable at the moment. Nate considered it a moment before scooting over on the couch and patting the seat beside him, closest to the fire. For some reason, he didn't really mind being as open with her. Maybe it was because she wasn't like the rest of his friends or maybe it was the fact that they'd always been kind of... what was the term? Frenemies? He thought that sounded stupid, but she wasn't someone people expected to see him around. His face flushed even more at her compliment. "Yeah, well..." he waved it off, feeling far too self-conscious to really entertain it. "Guess you're special." Even Nathaniel's own father hadn't heard him sing before. One thing was for certain; he wouldn't be singing in the common room again. "I was done anyway."
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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 21:26:19 GMT -8
The invitation to sit immediately brightened up Laurie's face-- it was subtle, hardly noticeable to anyone further than where Nathaniel sat, but her eyes lit up, and the corner of her mouth tugged up the tiniest bit. She was clearly thankful he wasn't banishing her back to the frigid dungeon she'd just emerged from. Despite the thick, hand knitted wool sweater, mittens and thick pants, she was as icy as it got. Maybe it was a cold from Quidditch the other day? She didn't know, but she wasn't worried about it-- not quite yet, at least.
"Special?" She raised her eyebrow quizzically. What a curious comment. Laurie wasn't dense about these sorts of things, despite popular opinion-- she understood that singing was something Nathaniel did alone. She wondered if it was a sanctuary for him, like writing was for her? "Don't stop on my account. I think my ear drums are probably frozen at this point-- couldn't hear anything even if I tried..." She joked, a small half smile appearing on her face.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
You shine a light on my dark side, But you don't care what you see. |
Beater (23)
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Post by Nathaniel James on Jan 24, 2024 21:46:13 GMT -8
He wasn't about to turn her away when she was clearly freezing, dressed in the wooliest clothes she could possibly find. Besides, he was finding that he quite liked Laurie's company. Not that he'd admit that out loud, mind you. The fire crackling in the hearth was emitting enough heat for the two of them, banishing away the icy cold of the winter night. It didn't escape his notice - the way her face lit up at his offer. He found it strange that they had spent the last six years avoiding each other.
Nate regretted his choice of words almost immediately, his face burning bright as she questioned him. The boy shrugged nonchalantly, as if it were no big deal, but he could tell the other bird wasn't fooled. He rubbed the back of his neck shyly. Laurie told him he didn't have to stop for her, but honestly he didn't know how he'd feel if he were to continue playing. Maybe here in a bit he'd play a few more chords, but he didn't know if he'd be singing again. "Ha," he let out a short laugh, his bright blue gaze flicking over to her. "Your ears would have to be frozen over to get me to sing again."
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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 22:02:05 GMT -8
The chair welcomed her form, wondering how many chairs they went through every year. With so many students passing through Hogwarts every year, every decade-- every millennia! She stayed on the edge, holding her hands out to soak in the warmth emitting from the fire. Her fingers were so cold that the heat stung them momentarily-- thankfully it quickly washed away. "Fine, fine. No more singing then..." She said with a smile. "For me. But sing for yourself. Because it's cool." She offered, glancing at the flickering flames. "What are you doing here still? You don't have better things to do? Or friends to hang out with hm?"
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
You shine a light on my dark side, But you don't care what you see. |
Beater (23)
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Post by Nathaniel James on Jan 24, 2024 22:12:01 GMT -8
He watched her as she moved to sit beside him, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. Nate felt... comfortable in her presence; something he had never really experienced before. He felt like he could just be himself. It was a strange feeling, but not an unwelcome one. The heat from the fire had already warmed his bones, Nathaniel having been here for quite a while already. The raven rolled his eyes playfully as she suggested he still sing for himself, feeling a small fluttering in his belly. "I'll think about it," he said softly, not ready to commit to it just yet. Nate breathed in a sharp breath through his nose at her questions, considering what he should say. "Maybe. Honestly, nothing really sounded appealing." Sometimes he just wanted to be alone - it was the only time he could let his guard down and be himself without worrying about what other people think. "What about you? No Bella to keep you company?"
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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 22:21:45 GMT -8
Laurie admired musicians— they were creative in a way she could only try to fathom. She had her books, which provided her both rhetoric, stimulating thought, and fiction. They were worlds to dive into. But music had a certain… intangibility. How could vibrations in the air make someone feel so emotional? It perplexed and fascinated her. That and she couldn’t play an instrument if her life depended on it. Despite her family piano, the noises being smashed out on keys by a six year old Laurie caused her parents to bar her from ever playing again— it was kind of her own fault, in a way. “She’s off on some kind of troublesome adventure—“ She jested before shaking her head. “She’s probably in the observatory. I don’t think she’ll catch anything with the snowstorm outside clouding the sky. Besides, everyone is milling about inside the castle because of the weather. I don’t understand why she doesn’t stay in— i certainly would. well, have.”
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
You shine a light on my dark side, But you don't care what you see. |
Beater (23)
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Post by Nathaniel James on Jan 25, 2024 7:58:12 GMT -8
It was his mum that got him into music. Nate, of course, never knew her as he died when he was born. His father never talked about her, save for the one time Nathaniel asked as a young boy. All he knew of her was that her name was Mary and she loved music. His nanny had been the one to buy him his guitar and he learned to play himself, reading books upon books until he had a grasp on it. Nate practiced until his fingers bled, but it was a way for him to connect with a mother he never knew. No one outside of his family knew this.
Bella and Laurie were as inseparable as Finch and Nate. Or perhaps Lydia and Ophelia was a better comparison. Aside from Quidditch, you hardly saw one bird without the other. Nate knew the two of them were both into Astronomy and spent a lot of time in the observatory, but he also knew that sometimes Bella liked to spend evenings in Liam’s company when Laurie was busy. He suspected there were some unspoken feelings there, but he didn’t pry either of them for confirmation. It was their business, after all.
“I don’t blame you. It’s fucking freezing outside,” he laughed. The Scottish highlands where Hogwarts castle rests froze over during the winter months. “If I had to guess, Liam’s probably with her.” He hadn’t seen his friend in a few hours. “You think they’ll ever admit to themselves what they’re feeling?” He was kind of joking, but also pretty serious. Bella and Liam didn’t seem the forward types.
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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 8:33:53 GMT -8
Laurie wasn't dense but there were some things that flew right over her head-- and apparently, Liam and Bella's affections for each other was one of them. How could she not notice her best friend, her roommate, falling for someone?! It felt as if she were the worst friend ever! But it wasn't as though Laurie had time to stalk Bella and Liam around-- she was always with one or the other, never together. "Oh my god." She gasped, turning in towards Nate and covering her mouth with wide eyes, clearing shocked by this news. "They have feelings for each other?!" She whispered, looking around as if either of them were going to burst out and scare Nathaniel and Laurie. "That is--" She paused for a second, contemplating it as if it had never been on her radar. "That is so cute. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh I can't believe you just told me that and I didn't know before now..." She whispered, shaking her head. She shouldn't pry, that was for sure but... she definitely had to chat with her roomie before anything else unfolded between her and her secret crush. "How did you find out? Tell me everything you know!"
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
You shine a light on my dark side, But you don't care what you see. |
Beater (23)
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Post by Nathaniel James on Jan 25, 2024 8:45:33 GMT -8
Laughter erupted out of him at her reaction. It didn’t take a genius to realize that at least one of them were feeling something; Bella’s eyes were always on Liam and Nate noticed the sheepish way she blushed when they spoke. Liam was much harder to read, but he knew the two spent time together in the Astronomy Tower. He was a little surprised Laurie didn’t know.
“I don’t know for sure!” he laughed, shaking his head. “Lydia is the one who said something, but you just have to look at Bella when she’s around him and you can tell.” It wasn’t like Nate hated relationships - he’s had plenty! They just never last that long because he didn’t feel mentally stimulated by them for long. “What do you say to setting them up?” He waggled his brows at her, a hint of excitement in his eye. “Neither of them will do anything about it, that’s for sure.”
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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 10:54:20 GMT -8
Laurie was starting to connect the dots in her head-- she had seen Liam heading up to the Astronomy tower when she didn't think he was as into it as some of the other students. And Bella did often slip out when Laurie got busy doing homework or was off elsewhere in the castle. Merlin, how could she be so blind to her roommates secret romance!
She covered her face, shaking her head. "I seriously can't believe I didn't notice it until Nathaniel James told me--" She glanced over at him. "No offense. Of course, I am grateful that you opened my eyes." She smiled sheepishly, not intending to underhandedly insult him. "You don't think they'll confess on their own...?" She hummed thoughtfully, considering Bella. Nate was right-- there was no chance in HELL Bella was willingly going to admit to Liam that she liked him. A scheme began forming in her mind before she snapped out of it. "Is being devious infectious? Because hanging around you has turned me into some sort of evil mastermind..." She joked. "Setting them up... As long as they don't know. Bella would kill me if she knew I was interfering with her love life."
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
You shine a light on my dark side, But you don't care what you see. |
Beater (23)
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Post by Nathaniel James on Jan 25, 2024 11:04:55 GMT -8
A huge grin spread across his face as she spoke, Nate offering her a shrug. "Hey, it's not like we were close," he said, no offense taken. He knew Bella a little, but what he did know of her was enough to tell him that she was not the most forward of people. Liam was so logical and Nate was less sure of his feelings toward the girl than he was Bella's, but the two of them did spend a good amount of time together. He wondered, idly, what the two of them got up to. Probably just watched the stars and talked for hours at a time. The thought put a satisfied smile on his face. He shook his head when she asked her question, Laurie trailing off as she thought about it. He could see the gears working inside of her mind and he could feel a fluttering inside him as he thought of the possibilities.
"Is being devious infectious?"
He chuckled. "We don't have to directly do anything, unless you've got some grand scheme thought up in that brilliant mind of yours. I was thinking we use Lydia." The puff was a self-proclaimed "matchmaker" ever since she got her best mate together with her brother. She was constantly trying to set him up with different people as soon as a relationship ended. He paused at the thought. "Or maybe not," he corrected with a frown. "She'd be liable to try and set us up instead." Naomi and Nate had just split up, but they remained friends. She understood him enough to know he was bound to move on sooner rather than later. "What were you thinking?"
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