Hitting the heavy bag (OPEN)

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:45 am

Frank levitated his heavy bag in front of him as he walked into the Sparring room. Seeiing as he didn't have anything to do, as he hadn't made any friends yet, he decided to just hit the Sparring room. He needed something to do with his time after all.

Hanging up his heavy bag, Frankie wondered why there was nobody present in the Sparring room. He had hoped he would walk into somebody here, so he would get to meet someone with similar interest.

Putting on his boxing gloves, Frankie started punching. Keeping on eye on the door to see if anybody would walk in.

Ah well, he could enjoy a nice workout at the least. He'd have to look into joining a local league when he went home next summer.

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:20 am

Charlotte had brought her sword down to the sparring room again and she had hoped that she would be able to actually practice this time, it was something that she needed to definately practice on, in order to please Airen when the next meeting came around.

When she entered the sparring room she found that somebody else was already there and she popped the bubblegum bubble that she had been blowing, her hair now styled in a pixie crop, as it was easier to spar with and it didn't get in the way.

Her red eyes shone through the room and she smiled gently at the other student as she stepped inside, placing her bag to one side of the room and stepping into a blank space;

"You don't mind if I use the room with you do you?" she asked politely to the other boy "I'm Charlotte by the way, Charlotte Smith."

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:26 am

Driving his right fist firmly into the bag, Frank saw a girl entering the sparring room. She was blowing bubblegum?

When she noticed Frank, she popped her bubble and walked to a clear space in the room. Keeping an eye on the girl, Frank noticed her smiling at him.

Turning slightly towards her, whilst keeping up his rythmn, Frank heard the girl, who was now identified as Charlotte, introduce herself.

"Naw, feel free. Just, you know, be careful you don't hit me or something." Frank said with a cheesy smile.

"I'm Frank, Frank Dawson. Although most people call me Frankie. I'm a Hufflepuff. Third year. You?"

Lifting a questioning eyebrow to the girl, Frank kept up his pace, it wouldn't do to just stop excercising after all.

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:42 am

Charlotte grinned happily and she was glad that she was going to be able to continue with her work out, she really did need to work on her skills and she would be able to now, after all, last time she had ended up learning Karate instead of swordmage training.

"Thanks." she grinned, sucking on her lip piercings as she concentrated and she picked up her sword from the ground, taking it out of it's sheath and flicking it around in her hand to get used to the feel of it "I promise I won't hit you if you won't hit me."

When he introduced himself, and his year and house Charlotte smiled gently, she didn't much care about the supposed 'rift' between houses, it just wasn't her style.

"I'm a fourth year Slytherin." she smiled, and as she said Slythering her white hair turned green and then back to white again, flashing a grin Charlotte began to work on her footwork again, lunging and thrusting with her sword as she did so.

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:50 am

Frank goggled for a second when Charlotte just switched her hair from white to green and back again without even blinking.

Seeiing her swinging a blade around, Frank tactically repositioned himself so his heavy bag was between them. If Charlotte slipped or made a miscalculated move, his magically reinforced bag ought to protect Frank.

From his safer position, Frank wondered if he could continue their conversation whilst Charlotte practiced. Or would she grow angry if he kept talking?

After thinking for a second, the solution was clear. He'd just ask a question, and if Charlotte replied curtly or frustratedly, he'd shut up.

If she didn't seem agitated, they could keep talking!

"So, seeiing as I'm new at the school, any professors I ought to watch out for?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:03 am

Charlotte turned around and she closed her eyes as she practiced, trying to commit the very moves to her memory, her denim shorts allowed her to move freely and she was very glad that she had decided to wear them to train in, and her hair was out of her eyes, thankfully.

Hearing Frankie asking her a question she opened her eyes and smiled, of course there was that question, all new people asked it and she always enjoyed answering it. It made her feel important that people could look up to her about these things.

"Well what lessons did you take?" she asked kindly, placing her sword by her side for now "Headmistress Briony, and her husband Richard are tough, but they're fair so just make sure you're on time and they'll be fine. The astronomy and divination professor has gone a little nutso though...best to stay away from her."

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:21 am

Hearing Charlotte explain, Frank wondered what classes professor Richard gave. He didn't know. He probably should have known, but if that was the case, he had forgotten.

He was dissappointed when he heard about the Astronomy professor going whack though. He had been looking forward to those classes!

"Well, I don't know what classes professor Richard gives, but I am taking Astronomy, one of my favorite subjects that is. I'm also taking Duelling, Occlumency, Charms, Muggle Studies and DADA."

Hitting the heavy bag with a fierce left hook, Frank asked,
"How 'bout you, what classes are you taking Charlotte?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:31 am

Charlotte made a little bit of a face when Frankie told her that he was taking Astronomy, it was not going to be a very fun lesson for him but she didn't want to put him on a downer too much, it wouldn't be very nice after all, he was new to the school.

"Well, maybe you'll get a substitute teacher, I don't think Professor Slytherin showed up last time." Charlotte smiled gently and listened to the other lessons he was taking.

Most of those classes were good, but a few of them she wouldn't have taken; "Headmistress Briony teaches duelling, she's a great teacher my friends tell me, and Professor Henley teaches DADA she's awesome too."

With a smile on her lips Charlotte picked up her sword and carried on her footwork practice; "I took Care of Magical Creatures, DADA, Potions, Infiltration, my Papa's class and Transfiguration my Uncles class."

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:48 am

Slightly disheartened at the negative news about the Astronomy teacher, Frankie let out a soft sigh, before unleashing his frustration on the heavy bag with a furious combination. By now, he was covered in a sheen of sweat, his muscle shirt sticking to him.

Frank was pleased to hear that at least the professors for duelling and DADA were good. A small, satisfied smile found its way onto Frank his face.

He couldn't help but notice the complete difference in lessons between him and Charlotte though.

"Wow, seems as if we have quite a different taste when it comes down to classes, doesn't it? The only class we share is DADA!"

Then, the entirety of Charlotte's sentence sunk in.

"Wait, you got family teachin' here? Ain't that awkward?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:08 am

Charlotte grinned and nodded her head, before eyeing up the punching bag and placing her sword down by her bag and wandering over to it, it looked like it would be a good thing to try and use, but, she didn't want to ask in case Frank didn't want her to use it.

"I suppose that we do." she said with a smile on her lips "My favourite lesson is potions, but, I think that I'm best at Infiltration though, probably because my Papa teaches me extra things on the side."

With a smile on her lips she shook her head;

"Why would it be awkward? It's actually really cool, if you need any help I've got my papa here and my Auntie and Uncle, and, it kind of helps if you get in trouble in school." she admitted with a wry smile "What about you, what family do you have?"

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:26 am

Frank saw Charlotte putting down her sword and walking up to him. She seemed interested by the heavy bag.

When Charlotte mentioned potions being her favorite subject, Frank couldn't supress a wry grin.

"Potions is probably the subject I dislike the most. Haven't the patience for it. I lack precision as well. I reckon your hair changing trick might come in handy for Infiltration as well. Doesn't it?"

When Charlotte explained how her family members teaching was actually nice, Frank felt that all too familiar stab in his stomach, thinking of his Gramps, who used to teach him all kinds of stuff as well.

"I don't have any family left. Parents and sisters died when I was one and my Gramps died a few weeks after my eleventh birthday. But hey, I'm doing fine as is, so that's cool."

Pausing his boxing for a second, Frankie pulled of his gloves before walking to his bag. Pulling out his drinking bottle, he drank some cold water. His throat was parched and his arms were sore.

Pulling out the shrunken treadmill he had in his bag, he put it on the ground before engorging and silencing it. As he started to run at a decent pace, Frankie looked at Charlotte again.

"So what's the story behind that sword of yours?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:37 am

Charlotte smiled gently when Frank told her that all of his family were dead, she knew how it felt to have all of your family away from you, after all most of her family was dead too and the only person who was alive wanted to kill her and rip her heart out so...she wasn't exactly happy families either at the moment.

"Most of my biological family is dead." she said quietly "My mums alive but she lives in France and hates me, Professor Smith adopted me and...Briony and Richard are his friends so techinically they aren't really my family...but a girl can pretend right?" she asked with a slight smile on her lips.

Running her hand through heir hair Charlotte smiled again and she picked up her sword, it was very beautiful, a black blade with a purple handle, she had forged it herself;

"Well, my boyfriend is teaching me how to become a swordmage, so you use a sword to do magic not a wand, but, I'm not very good...I still think I'll prefer to use a wand though."

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:44 am

"My condolations. Family is not just about biology. I think you have it quite right. If you are close to Briony and Richard, why not call them Aunt and Uncle? If you like it, and they like it, then is that still pretending?"

Speeding the treadmill up with a mile per hour, Frank continued running.

When he heard Charlotte mentioning not being very good with her sword, he remembered what he had once told his grandfather, when Gramps was showing him how to wield a gun.

"Practice makes perfect, but nobody's perfect. So why practice? Well, you might never become perfect. But you sure can become damn good at it! Just keep practicing and you'll get better in no time. And if you prefer a wand, then what's wrong with that? Nothing, right?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:52 am

Charlotte smiled lightly and she wanted the mood to lift, it wasn't very nice to have this dark and depressing cloud hanging over the conversation that they were having together, maybe they would be able to change the subject and make the tone a little lighter.

"I guess it's not really, but some people would think that it was because they aren't biologically my relations, but...anyway, maybe we should talk about something a little happier?" she asked Frank with a light smile on her lips still.

There was nothing wrong in preferring to use her wand, but she just didn't want to seem ungrateful for the time and effort Airen had put in trying to help her learn hi art if she didn't use it;

"I just don't want to waste Airen's time, by boyfriend that is, and I don't want to seem ungrateful if I don't use the skills that he's given me." she said truthfully.

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:03 am

When Charlotte said that she wanted to talk about something happier, that was fine by Frank.

"Sure thing, how 'bout sports? You into any sports other then swordfighting? I have boxing and other then that jogging and basketball. Although I'm a bit short for basketball, as most of those guys I used to play against had all had their growth spurts already."

As Charlotte mentioned her reasons for wielding the sword, Frank couldn't help but let out an amused chuckle.

"It's times like these when I really don't understand relationships. Don't get me wrong, I'm past my 'girls have cooties'-stage, but I just don't understand why you would do something for your boyfriend if you aren't 100% comfortable with it. I mean, he probably thinks he's done you a huge favour, and you don't want to disappoint him, but wouldn't it be better if you told him you prefer your wand? Honesty is important you know."

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:09 am

Charlotte blinked a little bit and she tried to think about what types of sports she liked to do, there wasn't very many, and she wasn't a sporty girl really, her heart condition meant that she couldn't really do much without it flaring up, but Frank didn't need to know that just yet;

"I only do some martial arts, and practice with my sword and things like that." she smiled gently "I'm not a big sporty girl, I do really get passionate about the arts though, I make my own clothes and paint a lot, do you like those types of things?"

Tilting her head to one side, Charlotte frowned a little bit and sucked on her lip piercing, she didn't really see the problem like that, and she was sure that Airen didn't think that at all...then again, Frank didn't know him so how would he know?

"I don't really think that it's quite like that but I see your point." she said gently "We are honest with each other, of course we are...it's a bit mean that you would think we're not based on the fact that I haven't told him I don't prefer this to my wand, which he probably knows already." she said with a grin.

by **Frank Dawson** Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:25 am

Frank smiled gently when he heard Charlotte explain her passion for the arts.

"Martial arts are cool. Never found a decent instructor so I never started with them. I'm not exactly an artsy guy, that is to say, I can appreciate arts and artistic people, but I ain't talented or inspired myself. Making your own clothes is pretty damn impressive though." Frank gave an earnest smile as he said that. He meant what he said. Making your own clothes was a real talent.

When Charlotte rebuffed his statement about the wand-sword topic, Frank winced. Thinking back on it, he concluded that he had indeed been rude.

"Sorry, I get ahead of myself sometimes. I make decisions and conclusions before I have enough information. I do apologise for offending you. It was not meant badly. Anyways, so your boyfriend is a real swordsman then huh? That sounds cool as well."

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:07 pm

Charlotte smiled happily when Frank told her that he wasn't an arts person but that he could appreciate those people who were, she was certainly one of those people and she enjoyed the arts very much. Anyone who knew her could tell, and anyone who didn't she supposed, given she was normally covered in paint.

"Thanks!" she grinned "I have a lot of spare time so I take classes and things, I learnt how to metal weld once so that I could make my Papa a present for his birthday, and I make these studs." she said, tapping her lip piercings.

Laughing a little Charlotte shook her head; "Don't worry about it! You didn't really offend me in the first place." she grinned "He was in the last tournament task and he won it, Airen Auditoren his name is. Do you suppose there will be another tournament in the future?" she wondered.

by **Frank Dawson** Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:01 am

Frank saw Charlotte smile when he mentioned appreciating artistic people. When Charlotte told him about her personally made lip piercings, Frank couldn't help but take a look.

"They look nice! I can see that they're unique, but I wouldn't have guessed that they were made by a relative amateur."

Frank didn't mean to say that Charlotte didn't know what she was doing, he just tried to convey how impressed he was by her skill. Oh dear, hopefuly she wouldn't misinterpret that!

"Wait, that guy is your boyfriend? Now that you mention it, he did use a sword to kill that Acromantula, or at least that's what I was told. I hadn't transferred yet when the last task went down."

When Charlotte asked Frank if he thought a new tournament would take place, he had to think for a few seconds.

"Well," Frank said pensively, "that depends, don't it? If the war intensifies, I highly doubt it. But if we keep moving to peace then there will probably be another tournament some time in the future. Right?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:49 am

Charlotte smiled proudly and she felt her chest well up in pride, when he said that they were made by an amateur her ego took a hit but she didn't say much about it, just alittle bit of a nervous laugh and a nod of the head, she obviously wasn't as good as a professional just yet.

She was only 14 after all.

When the conversation turned to Airen Charlotte grinned; "Yeah he's my boyfriend, why did you transfer by the way? I'm just being nosey, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, if it's personal or something."

Nodding her head she had to say that she agreed with Frank, after all, there seemed to be a peace now, but that could so easily be ruined by an attack by either side so hopefully they would both manage to keep their rougues to themselves.

"I agree, I think though with the new Minister for Magic things should start getting better and better." she said with a happy smile.

by **Frank Dawson** Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:25 am

Frank knew that his comment hadn't come across the right way, judging from Charlotte's nervous laugh and her unenthusiastic nod.

Deciding not to try and save things, as he'd probably just get the reverse effect.

But when the conversation turned to her boyfriend, Charlotte livened up.

When she asked him about the reason for his transfer, Frank felt that all too familiar stab of pain. Gramps...

"I'm an orphan, and my grandfather, a Muggle and my guardian, died two years ago. Muggle child services contacted the American Ministry for Magic and they tried to put me in an orphanage. I used the inheritance from my Grandfather and had my favorite professor make a portkey to Ireland. I enrolled at Hogwarts and here I am. I already hired an appartment in Dublin so I'm all set for the summer. And that's how I ended up here. My transfer wasn't exactly planned, but I'm cool with it."

Although Frank agreed that the new Minister seemed capable, he thought Charlotte was overlooking one thing.

"Although the Minister is a good guy, I worry about the Rebels. If they attack, the Germans may very well hold all of the UK at fault. If they do that, the war will escalate again." Frank said somewhat anxiously. He didn't really know how he felt about this war.

by **Charlotte Smith** Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:33 am

Charlotte blinked and she thought that it was all so very exciting, it seemed as if Frank had ran away from the school that he had gone to in America and she thought that it was very thrilling, although it must be lonely living on his own like that, just like Airen did.

"Wow, you muse have been very brave to do something like that, was it scary at all?" she asked "I don't think it's very fair you have to live on your own though...I don't like hearing that people are all on their own, if you ever need someone to talk to I'll come and visit you." she said happily.

Nodding her head, Charlotte sucked at her lip piercing and she ran her hand through her pixie crop hair;

"I guess this is a pretty heavy conversation huh?" she asked with a little grin on her lips "What do you think of Hogwarts then now that you're here? Have you made any friends in Hufflepuff?"

by **Frank Dawson** Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:54 am

Frank saw Charlotte reacting rather excitedly to his story. She seemed to find it exciting, like an adventure story or something like that, Frank grinned.

"Meh, not so much brave as stubborn. I'd rather take care of myself then end up in an orphanage, and that's the main reason I even ended up here. I'm cool with living on my own, I can eat when I want, instead of at set times, and I don't have to clean up every little bit of mess I make. I'm cool with living on my own for now. If you wanna visit, consider this as your open invitation."

Franks saw Charlotte suck on her lip piercing for a second.

Deciding that she was right, Frank decided to pay some extra attention to the positives of Hogwarts, "Well I love the grounds and this room. Gives me lots of room to move. The professors seem to be okay for the most part, and Hufflepuff seems nice as well. We're last in the House Cup which isn't perfect for a guy's ego, but hey, you can't have it all."

Smiling at Charlotte, Frank turned off his treadmill and towelled off. Some boxing against the speedbag and he was done for the day.

by **MelodyLovegood** Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:06 pm

Melody walked in.

by **Frank Dawson** Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:51 pm

Looking up, Frank saw a new girl walk into the sparring room. Taking out his speed bag and hanging it up, he greeted the girl.

"Hi, I'm Frank! And you are?"

Smiling, Frank began hitting the speed bag with his right.