Relaxing (Open)

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:48 am

Now having a bit of free time, Parker could go out and look around; explore the vast grounds of the castle, maybe learn his way around so he wasn't so late anymore. However, he was tired, and in deep thought about what had happened to him so far while being here.

He had been up in his dorm, changed out of his uniform and to pajama pants and a sweater, laying in his bed for a while. He looked over to his bedside table and realized he'd not really been paying attention to the pet he'd brought with him. He sat up and reached in the glass take to pick it up. Suddenly not wanting to stay up in the dorms, Parker grabbed the whole tank and took it with him into the common room. He sat down on the couch with a sigh, setting the tank beside him and reaching in, taking out a small garden snake he'd taken from his back yard at home. It slid on and around his hands and between his fingers as he lifted it and watched it curiously as he leaned back on the couch, pulling his feet up and relaxing.

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:53 am

"Fortis" she sighed towards the painting.

The painting shook their head at her lack of enthusiasm and she entered the common room. Empty, as usual and she decided that she was getting more used to it as it happened. She had not noticed that he was there and was simply attracted to remain in the common room because of the warm fire.

She was exhausted. Meditation had affected her sleeping cycles, not to mention sap some magic from her core leaving her tired. A warm fire would have been a perfect moment of relaxation. Maybe she'd pick up a pepper up potion tomorrow from the nurse.

As she sat down she saw someone sitting there as well.

I must be more tired than I thought she thought.

She wondered if she should have said something, but she didn't want him to startle, she realized that he was jumpy when it came to strangers. So she decided to study him. A snake was currently the object of his interests, and his body language spoke entertained.

"How fitting" she murmured hoping to get his attention

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:20 am

Being so absorbed in the snake in his hands, he'd not noticed her entering through the portrait, nor her sitting down. All he was focused on was how it moved in his hand, how to muscles moved and how it's skin felt on his.

"How fitting," He heard quietly from beside him. He looked over quickly, but not moving too quickly, not wanting to startled the snake. He let out a small sigh of relief, seeing that it was Tess, from most of his classes.

He smiled a little at her and looked back to the snake in his hands, it wrapping itself around his wrist.

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:25 am

His reaction was surprising to say the least. He was startled, but he smiled when he saw her, that's good right?

"Is that your familiar?" she asked tilting her head.

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:41 am

He was relieved that it was her rather then some of the more unfriendly from his house that he'd heard about. "Is that your familiar?"

He looked back at her, a bit curiously. He really needed a weekend in the library or something so that he could keep up with what everyone was talking about half the time. "Familiar? It's...just a garden snake I brought with me from my backyard at home. He's nothing special."

Should the snake have been something special? He was always a bit concerned he was saying or doing the wrong things, so should he have gone and gotten a more special pet? He did want to get an owl of his own, but his parents hadn't allowed it when they had gone out shopping.

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 7:51 am

She was surprised that he didn't know about familiars. And as if her Coeur could read minds, she walked down the stairs and ran towards Tess. Tess smiled at her cat and she caressed her and Coeur simply purred.

"Familiars...they're more than simply pets" she began.

Coeur meows as if insulted by the term and Tess simply kissed the top of her head.

"Familiars are animals that have a bond with you. They are smarter than any other pet, and they are in tuned with not only the magical world, but you as well."

She picked up Coeur and walked towards them, bending down to caress the snake.

"Do you think it's an average snake?" she asked.

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:09 am

He listened curiously, thinking back to programs on the telly back home, that always showed witches with black cats that more often then not could talk or do some sort of magic of their own. He knew it wasn't the same, but it's what came to mind and made him smile a bit.

That tail of the snake curled with a light squeeze around her finger. "Do you think it's an average snake?"

"Well, I suppose so. I don't...live in a magical home, so I don't see how it could be very special. And it's not like I can just ask it." He did think how it would be very interesting to be able to talk to some animals when he was a little bit younger, especially snakes.

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:40 am

He was a Muggleborn?! She tried to hide her surprise, but it was no use, it was clear on her face. As far as she knew there had never been a Muggleborn in Slytherin, that was surprising to say the least, after all even a half-blood was a surprise.

"O-oh" she said. "You don't ask it"

She tried to compose herself and continued.

"Witches and Wizards all have the affinity to connect with animals of the dark. Cats for example, they are nocturnal, they see the supernatural, they are the best bond a person can create" she said as Coeur meowed in agreement. "Owls, nocturnal, messengers of the night, Rats nocturnal, Toads prefer solitude, and snakes....well I've only heard of one person having a snake as a familiar..." she shuddered "they are cunning and hide from the light"

She looked down at her cat and continued.

"We usually have a connection...no matter how weak or how strong a connection exists"

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:08 am

He saw the surprise on her face when he said he was muggleborn, and looked down. He was worried she'd say something about it but was slightly surprised and very relieved when she didn't and moved past it like it was nothing. Although he knew there were some not so accepting, he was glad to know there were plenty that were. He didn't like feeling like he should be ashamed of his family.

He listened with great interest at what she was saying, eager to be learning more about this. "And snakes...well I've only heard of one person having a snake as a familiar..." He saw that she shuddered as she said this, and became really curious as to why and who especially. "They are cunning and hide from the light"

"Who was the person who had a snake as a familiar? I'd have thought there'd be more then just one..." He said as he turned the snake in his hands, uncoiling it from around his wrist.

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:25 am

She looked around, and she could not help but be nervous. She sat on the seat beside him and looked around nervously. Leaning forward, ignoring the awkward lack of space, she began to tell him.

"I-I know you're a Mu-Muggleborn" she whispered. "But I-I'd think you heard of You-Know-Who right?"

Coeur hissed at the name and buried herself more into Tess' lap.

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:37 am

Parker leaned away when she leaned in, confused about what she was acting so nervous for. He looked at her and listened as she whispered. "I-I know you're a Mu-Muggleborn but I-I'd think you heard of You-Know-Who right?"

He looked at Coeur when she hissed, then looked back up at Tess. He shook his head a bit. "Who? If- if they were ever on the news I never saw it, me mum and pa never let me watch it, said there was bad stuff on the news..."

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:47 am

Well this was harder than expected. She had forgotten that Muggles didn't know much about what had occurred a long time ago, rather were oblivious to the magical world.

"I see" she said thinking of how to do this. "I'm not allowed to say his name but...but he was a bad wizard. H-he tried to cause a , what do you muggles call it, genocide, against all muggleborns and wanted to cover the whole Magical world in darkness, and soon after that the muggle world"

She ran her fingers through her cats fur trying to calm her down.

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:00 am

She looked to be struggling and he waited and listened patiently as she gathered her thoughts. "I'm not allowed to say his name but...but he was a bad wizard. H-he tried to cause a , what do you muggles call it, genocide, against all muggleborns and wanted to cover the whole Magical world in darkness, and soon after that the muggle world."

Parker looked back to his hands and the snake thoughtfully, wondering why someone would want to do such a thing among a million other such questions flying through his head. "Why can't you say his name? Because he was bad?" His curiosity was piquing though and really did want to know his name. He really hoped asking wouldn't upset her. "Can you write it?"

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:06 am

She looked at him confused.

"You know...I've never wondered why I could never say his name" she confessed.

She decided that for once, she could say his name, after all what would be so bad about it? And wouldn't it seem foolish to write it out. Coeur didn't like the idea, as she saw from her car who mewled unhappily at the thought. No surprise it was half Kneazle, half ocicat.

She lowered her voice significantly and whispered.

"Vo" she took a deep breath and said the word "Voldemort"

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:42 am

"Voldemort." Upon hearing her whisper the name, he saw and felt the snake coil tighter around his hand. He glanced back at Tess and repeated her, "Voldemort?" What a very evil sounding name... Again he felt the snake tighten and looked back to it. With his other hand he pried it off and placed it back into the glass tank on his other side.

"Why's he the only one who's ever had a snake familiar...?"

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:23 am

She shushed him and frowned deeply. Her eyes trailed towards the snake and she tentatively touched the snake. She noticed that the snake had reacted to the name.

"All magical related snakes know his name...it's taboo for anyone with magical blood to even say his name"

She looked guilty at saying it.

"He's the only one ever...Nagini, she was a beautiful but deadly boa" she murmured.

by Guest Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:29 am

Pxyis had just exited the Girls Dorm, Leilani perched on her shoulder. "Get off!" Pxyis tried prying her off, but she dug her claws in and made Pxyis yelp in pain. "Ouch! Lani!" Pxyis exclaimed, and the kitten licked her cheek as if to say 'sorry'. "You're the most annoying cat that ever lived," said Pxyis, and the kitten mewled in protest.

Pxyis spotted Tess and Parker, and came over in time to here Parker question the name Voldemort. Tess explained why Parker's garden snake had reacted, whilst Pxyis raised her eyebrows at Pakrer. "Don't tell me you haven't read any history books on the Second Wizarding War?" Pxyis exclaimed in disbelief. "Merlin's beard, Parker, it's only the most famous war in Wizarding History. Voldemort and Harry Potter? Dosen't ring a bell?" Pxyis was shocked, but of course being a muggle born he possibly wouldn't know.

She perched on the arm of the chair that Parker sat in and watched as Leilani jumped onto his lap and curled up in a ball. "Traitor," Pxyis accused Leilani, who just swiped at Pxyis with her claws extended. "Of course you don't know Harry Potter and Voldemort." Pxyis ran a hand through her hair and shook her head. "Harry Potter, saved the entire world. Not just Wizarding, but world. Muggle-borns and Muggle's would've been slaughtered or sold as slaves if it wasn't for Harry Potter," explained Pxyis. "You really need to read a book on the Second Wizarding War, Parker," Pxyis told him.

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:03 pm

He looked back down at the tank beside him. "Magical snakes...?" He looked back up to ask Tess something else when he heard Pxyis call out, "Don't tell me you haven't read any history books on the Second Wizarding War?" as she walked from the girls' dorms, Parker looked over and smiled as she continued. "Merlin's beard, Parker, it's only the most famous war in Wizarding History. Voldemort and Harry Potter? Dosen't ring a bell?" Now Harry Potter was a name that did sound a bit familiar. Though he didn't recall from where.

He watched as Pxyis' cat jumped and curled up on his lap after she sat on the arm of the chair. He was very glad he wasn't allergic to them like his father, that would just be a pain to have to deal with, there seeming to be so many cats around. He pet the cat gently as Pxyis continued to talk about Harry Potter, noting that she didn't seem bothered at all to say Voldemort's name. Though he did think being afraid to say a name, no matter how terrifying the person was, was rather silly.

"You really need to read a book on the Second Wizarding War, Parker." He smiled and nodded in agreement. "I really do. I should take a trip to the library sometime soon to do that."

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:13 pm

She shook her head at them mentioning his name. Honestly if her parents heard her...she wouldn't think of it. That name was a taboo, and it was almost a respect in the Wizarding Culture to not mention the dark times of the Second Wizarding War.

"Parker you don't have to" she said rolling her eyes good naturedly. "You'll learn it as you go. That's what Alice does"

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:29 pm

He looked back to Tess again when she spoke, rolling her eyes. "Parker you don't have to. You'll learn it as you go. That's what Alice does" Oh yeah, Alice was the Gryffindor girl that was in most of his classes.

"I know I don't have to, but I really want to. I'm never going to get anywhere if I don't put forth the effort, you know?" He looked down to the cat in his lap, that was purring contentedly as he rubbed under her chin. From what he was exposed to so far, he knew he had a long ways to go to really prove himself to others out there. He was the one that wanted to be in Slytherin so that he could so great things and wanted to be ambitious and he would show them this is where he belonged.

by **Tess McCartney** Tue Jan 17, 2012 2:42 pm

She shrugged.

"Hey it's up to you...but who am I to dissuade you from reading a good book." she said.

In fact she always had a love of books, and she wouldn't have known much without them, she was a bookworm in every way shape and form.

"I'd suggest Hogwarts a History" she said smiling.

by **Parker Emery** Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:57 pm

He nodded at her, keeping the name of the book in mind for when he went digging through library which he still had yet to have a look around in as of yet. He wondered what the library must be like.

"Thanks. I think I'm just going to try pulling out whatever I can get my hands on, honestly."

by Guest Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:49 pm

"Oh yes, Hogwarts: A History is brilliant. It's one of my favourite books, my favourite being Quidditch Through The Ages," said Pxyis, grinning. She turned to smile at Tess, reaching out a hand to scratch Leilani behind the ears as she rested on Parker's lap.

"Hey Tess, why did you take off the other day in the Girls Dorm? Im sorry I ignored you, I tend to do that," Pxyis said apologetically, scratching the back of her neck sheepishly.

by **Tess McCartney** Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:27 am

To say she was expecting that question would be a big fat lie. She had nearly forgotten that day, where she managed to muck up everything.

"Honestly....I could care less about being ignored" she admitted.

She didn't mean to sound rude, but the fact was that she was used to being ignored, and she thrived in shadows as well.

"I just didn't feel comfortable in the room, it was awkward and I preferred to be alone...I tend to prefer solitude to be honest"

She looked at her familiar and noticed her eyes showing sadness. Coeur understood her, and it was obvious that she knew that she did that for protection. She didn't like arguments, she was unsure how to interact and it comforted her.

by **Parker Emery** Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:12 am

Parker looked between the two girls, curious about what happened. It really didn't seem like his place to pry, but being so relaxed, with the cat on his lap, he decided to venture out and ask.

"What are you two talking about? What happened?"