Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 14, 2024 20:45:58 GMT -8
The snow had started to stick again, so Poppy had gone out to the courtyard to entertain herself. Dressed nice and warm, she marched outside and started to roll up an arsenal of snowballs. As a muggleborn witch, Poppy relished magic, but there were some things magic just wasn't necessary for. Making snowballs was one of them. Once she had a decent amount made, Poppy found a statue to be her target. She took a moment to mark several locations in the snow, each distance several feet back from the previous one. She grabbed an arm full of ammo and toed the closet line and chucked the snow packed ball at the statue's head. She grinned as the snow exploded into flurries on impact. "Tango down," she mused. Poppy skipped to the next line and prepared for her second assault. She didn't mind playing by herself. She didn't have any friends. She didn't want friends! They slowed you down. She chucked another snowball and beamed as it made contact. Poppy was getting ready to move behind the next line, but the crunch of snow made her turn. A Ravenclaw girl was heading straight towards her. Poppy frowned. This whole courtyard, and she wanted to come marching into Poppy's space. Poppy glanced at the snowballs cradled in her arm. Maybe she should try hitting a moving target. "Are you blind or something," the red head asked. "Go around. I'm busy here." Poppy flicked the girl off and sent another snowball flying. It missed, and she swore in irritation.
Claire Gable
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Chaser
Steph
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Post by Claire Gable on Feb 16, 2024 8:21:47 GMT -8
She didn’t have time for this, any of it, but here she was tracking down the redhead from Gryffindor.
Claire had plenty of homework to dive into, Quidditch practice, prefect duties and not to mention February was the busiest time of the year for her because kids were crazy about those love potions around Valentine’s Day. BUT! Bella was crying over her mom’s belongings going missing and they had looked just about everywhere in the Ravenclaw tower. Claire was hard pressed to believe that a rogue owl was to blame for multiple items being missing. Besides, it wasn’t just Bella. Ivy Lennox had complained to her house prefects too.
Claire didn’t know, or care, much about what Ivy was going through, but she did care about her dorm mates. Most of them stayed out of trouble and out of anyone’s line of fire except for, somehow, Laurie Greer. Laurie had found herself the target of the little ball of fire they called Poppy Carmichael. Now, Claire didn’t necessarily think Poppy had the intellect to be the mastermind behind the string of thefts or the capability to somehow get into the Ravenclaw tower, but Claire knew most criminals worked through lackeys.
She had to start somewhere.
It was a surprise to find her in the courtyard doing normal kid shit like throwing snowballs. Claire looked around and found most of the students had retreated back to the castle. Whether the snow was to blame or the girl chucking snowballs, she couldn’t really tell. Claire took long strides toward the girl, who at this point had noticed her, and she didn’t retreat when the redhead called her out.
”Poppy Carmichael,” Claire said her name like an Auror would when picking up a criminal. She placed her hands in the pockets of her coat, her right hand gripping her wand. From what she heard, you could never be too safe around Poppy. She nodded her head toward the statues and said, “Not as lively as your usual targets. I can’t imagine it’s much of a challenge for you.”
Poppy Carmichael
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 16, 2024 17:24:10 GMT -8
Ignoring Claire was at the top of her agenda. Poppy didn't feel like adding yet another Raven to her hit list. Those know it alls spelled nothing but trouble, and she was already neck deep in detention. She wasn't totally writing off the fact that Claire was a Prefect, read teacher's pet. Poppy was sure the moment she crossed one of McGonagall's; precious hand picked snitches, it would be game over. She would be on the first train back home, and then hello reform school. So here she was, keeping her attention on the statue; throwing the snowballs with too much force as she pictured Claire's face being her true target. Poppy let out an audible sigh as Claire called her name with the same accusing tone everyone typically did. Turning slowly, she glared at the older girl. "What part of get lost didn't you catch," she asked. She gave a curt laugh as Claire made it a point to tell her the statue was a dull comparison to her usual victim. "You all should be rejoicing that I'm not setting your world on fire," she responded casually. "Or would you prefer I find some poor soul to torture?" Even she needed a day off from her usual antics. Then again, if they wanted her to lock someone in an empty classroom, she was happy to comply. She just didn't want to hear their complaints afterwards. She tossed the snowball up and down in one hand.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Chaser
Steph
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Post by Claire Gable on Feb 25, 2024 12:55:34 GMT -8
"You're more than welcome to do that, I don't have a preference either way." Claire tilted her head to the side, studying Poppy for a good fifteen seconds. It was clear to anyone with eyes that the redhead had a temper that could be ignited by the smallest of things and most people avoided her - hence the empty courtyard. It was a beautiful day, hell even romantic for couples, with the snow falling from the skies but not a soul in sight. Claire had experience with tempers, her own mother was infamous around these halls for the way she acted during her time at school. One little comment could earn you a jinx or a sharp heel through the leg. She learned a lot from watching her father handle someone who was trigger happy with a wand or first.
"I'm not here to tell you what to do, Poppy. In fact, I enjoy watching the others having to team up to even come close to taking you on." She wasn't lying. Claire usually stayed neutral while the kids around her tore each other to pieces but, as much as she liked Laurie - and sometimes Nate -, she had to command Poppy for needing multiple people to take her on. "I'm not sure why some people underestimate you."
Poppy Carmichael
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Feb 27, 2024 5:29:25 GMT -8
Claire's response was not one that she'd been expected to her, but all the same, it made Poppy turn to face the older girl. She had her attention. It was a rare occurrence to get Poppy's attention without accidentally setting her off in the process. The Gryffindor thought it wise that Claire wasn't here to tell her how to live her life. She got enough of that on a daily basis. If it hadn't worked in the first few years of her life, you'd think people would give up and consider her a lost cause. Poppy would appreciate it. She didn't need, nor did she want saving. A smile touched her lips as Claire continued to speak. "I don't think Prefects are supposed to have such stray opinions," she mused. In her mind, Prefects were just as bad as the adults. They strolled around all high and mighty as if they were untouchable. Poppy had been devising a plan on how to knock them down a notch or two, but nothing solid had come to mind yet. "Glad I can be of entertainment though," she added after a moment. She turned on her heel and sent the snowball in her hand flying. It crashed into the statue and she nodded with pride. "Probably because I'm a girl. Or small." Poppy shrugged. "I don't really know. It's fun proving them wrong though." She looked at Claire with a quizzical expression. "What are you doing here?"
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Chaser
Steph
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Post by Claire Gable on Mar 6, 2024 9:31:30 GMT -8
Claire felt her lips pull up into a small smile as Poppy gave her opinion as to why she believed people underestimated her. She had a really good point. Claire had found that being a girl had a lot of advantages despite how backward the wizarding world was at times. Some girls used tears and cute voices to get ahead, others lingered in the back as wallflowers to gather information. Claire was neither kind but she applauded them for whatever tactic they chose to use.
Poppy was a bit more aggressive than she was. While Claire had a hint of her mother’s temper, her father’s good nature personality kept it at bay. She was willing to smile and play nice as long as it benefited her.
“Hmm,” she watched the snowball hit the statue right in the face, actually impressed by Poppy’s accuracy. She decided honesty was the best option here. “Some of the girls in my dorm are crying because they think someone stole their belongings. I’m just following up on leads, it’s nothing personal. Have you seen or heard anything?”
After speaking to the redhead for a total of like two minutes, Claire had decided she wasn’t the culprit. Was she assuming? Yeah but Poppy didn’t seem like the kind of girl who would do shady shit behind your back, she’d probably do it right in front of you to show she could.
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Mar 12, 2024 17:49:53 GMT -8
That's where Claire and Poppy were different. Poppy didn't know how to smile and play. She knew how to fight, courtesy of her father. Like him, she was fierce and straight forward. She believed in tackling all problems head on, anything less was pointless. She wasn't sure if she'd gained any of her mother's qualities. Poppy was grateful for it. She couldn't stand the woman. When Claire told her that some of the girls' stuff had gone missing, Poppy frowned. "Of course, I'm the number one culprit," she said, her blue eyes rolling. Poppy ought to feel proud that they'd think so highly of her in their time of distress, but this wasn't her handiwork. "You can tell whoever gave you your intel that they'd best stick their noses elsewhere. It wasn't me." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm no thief." Stealing wasn't in her playbook. Poppy could be sneaky, but not in that manner. She kept her gaze on the Ravenclaw. "And before you ask again, no I haven't heard or seen anything. If it doesn't have to do with me, I don't care." Did she have ideas of who might be the thief? There was a possibility. Any information she gave required some exchange. This wasn't a free market.
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Chaser
Steph
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Post by Claire Gable on Apr 10, 2024 8:58:55 GMT -8
Claire couldn't even recall who had brought the idea that Poppy was to blame to her. The younger girl certainly had quite a few enemies and her name was mentioned more than once. It had been floating around the Ravenclaw common room and coupled with Bella's tears and Nate's testimony about their little scuffle, Poppy was the first person Claire went to. She had others on her list of course; that Izzy guy always looked like he was up to no good. Claire was already moving down the list of who to visit throughout the day but she caught herself before she made the mistake of writing Poppy off completely. She might not be the one to blame but she could be helpful if Claire could get her on her side. Of course, something like trust took time to build and even then she wasn't sure the redhead could ever trust anyone. Not that Claire would blame her with the way the other kids looked at her or talked about her.
"Yeah, I gathered that," she replied to the thief comment.
Claire picked up some snow and started to form it into a ball, too. How did she approach this with Poppy? She planted her feet as firmly as she could in the snowy ground below them, then shifted her weight to her left foot while she held the snowball close to her chest with her right hand. Her eyes steadied on the small section between the statues eyes. She brought her right arm back, then threw the snowball, hitting her target with ease.
"I hope you don't have any interest in Quidditch, you'd be a good chaser, and the rest of us would be in trouble. But I suppose either way, you wouldn't want to follow Kelly's orders, right? I heard she threw herself into your little tussle with Laurie and Nathaniel. She seems to have a habit of inserting herself into situations that have nothing to do with her."
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Year/Job
FOURTH YEAR
I dare you to say it again! |
BLAKE
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Post by Poppy Carmichael on Apr 16, 2024 11:24:23 GMT -8
Poppy eyeballed Claire for a moment, determining if the older girl was being sarcastic or not. She determined Claire was being sincere. It was equally disgusting, but she'd allow it. The red haired Gryffindor watched as Claire gathered some snow and then positioned herself to aim and strike her target. Poppy was impressed with the precision. Then again, she shouldn't be too surprised. Claire was one of Ravenclaw's chasers. Poppy kept up with the stats, but you'd never see her if you weren't looking. She was always sitting high up in the bleachers by herself. Poppy loved Quidditch. She'd have given anything to be on the team. Instead, she had to settle for watching people do the things she knew she could excel at. She shrugged lightly at Claire's inquiry. "It's the stupid Professors that refuse to let me play," she huffed. She picked up a handful of snow and then smirked. "I can take Kelly any day of the week. She might have snuck one in on me, but she hits softer than my brother." Poppy stood up. "As for Greer, she's a pushover. Just when I thought she'd be worth something, she started begging after tackling me. No one has any sense of fight in them."
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Year/Job
Sixth Year
Chaser
Steph
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Post by Claire Gable on May 9, 2024 8:17:01 GMT -8
When Poppy said Kelly’s hits were softer than her brother’s, Claire couldn’t help but laugh. It was very similar to the way she talked about her own brother. She was always telling people he was just a dumb, soft, weak baby. To be fair, Rufio was much softer and sensitive than Claire was and she thought it was her right to remind him every chance she had. She didn’t know Poppy’s brother but she could tell just by looking at her that whoever her brother was, he couldn’t be a force to be reckoned with like Poppy.
Claire didn’t say anything on the matter though or when Poppy talked about Greer. Laurie was Claire’s roommate and they never had any issues but she could feel the hatred radiating off Poppy when she spoke about her. It wasn’t her place to fight for her, she could fight her own battles. So it was surprising to learn that Nate and Rose jumped in.
“Rose doesn’t seem like the type to put up a real fight, I imagine it’s more hair pulling and scratching than hard punches.” Again, Claire had nothing against the other redhead, it was merely an observation. She witnessed Rose and Ivy fighting for six years now and it was all very catty. “You really don’t like Laurie, huh?” Claire wondered where that came from. Maybe it was just a personal reason and she didn’t expect Poppy to give her an answer.
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