A windy day

[CHARLOTTE KYONG PARKER]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, border-left: #3A4748 8px solid; border-right: #839175 2px dashed; background: #d8d8d8; padding-top: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-left: 16px; padding-bottom: 12px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; width: 368px;] ----- Get lost in the wind ----- ----- <3 ----- Charlotte sighed, folding the letter from her father. Gently, she placed on top of her school robes. As it was Saturday, she wasn’t required to wear her school uniform. Today, Charlotte was sporting black skinny jeans and a grey sweater with a tan tank underneath. The weather had started to get more chilly, and the wind chill was getting higher, so she was forced to wear shoes, brown fringe boots. “Venir ici! S'asseoir,” Charlotte muttered to Mackenna, her tabby kitten, “Bonne chaton.” She wasn’t sure if animals were allowed to play outside, but Mackenna’s hazel eyes were just too cute to say no to. Mackenna understood French, as it was the main language in her home. Picking up a novel, she skimmed the front cover, and tossed it back down. For once in her life, Charlotte wasn’t in the mood for reading. She was a 6th year, and a prefect. How did that happen? Charlotte loved a good prank, and partying the night away. Charlotte couldn't even count the number of times she’d snuck out of her house during winter or summer holidays to go muggle night clubs. “Faut-il planifier une blague?” She asked the kitten, thinking who would be the perfect person to plan it with. This was her first year at Hogwarts, and she still hadn’t made very many close friends. Hopefully, that would change soon. TRANSLATIONS : Venir ici - come here S'asseoir - sit Bonne chaton - good kitten Faut-il planifier une blague? - Should we plan a prank? tag: Avery, Lucy, Jesse, Linus, OR Davin maybe? --- Outfit --- template by eliza @ shadowplay

[averylydiaquinn]

Avery traipsed onto The Grounds with her sketchpad and pastel set under her arm, wand tucked aloft in the pocket of her woolen skirt. She inhaled the early autumn air, delighting in the rush of cool brought by the wind. Clutching her overcoat a little tighter, she strode across the lawn to find a nice place to sit in the sun. Avery loved autumn afternoons like this, especially at Hogwarts. The gentle light poured across mountains and the immense, fluffy clouds, casting everything in gold. What better opportunity to practice with pastels? It wasn't her default choice of artistic media. Oil paints were much more versatile – and reacted better to the Motion Charm. Still, they were wonderful for playing with light and color.

Avery mused on this as she scoped out a good vantage point of the Forbidden Forest’s edge, where the few deciduous trees were blushing in fiery colors against the cold. She was about to settle on a location when she noticed a familiar face nearby.

“Oh, hello, Charlotte! What are you-” That’s where her brain shut off, though, because she then saw the tabby-colored kitten in her lap. At once Avery gasped hard, clapping both hands to her cheeks – causing her pad and pastels to tumble onto the grass.

“Oh – bugger – ” she quickly scooped them and scurried to the Gryffindor, fixing her eyes on the furball.

“You got a kitten?” she all but squealed.

[CHARLOTTE KYONG PARKER]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, border-left: #3A4748 8px solid; border-right: #839175 2px dashed; background: #d8d8d8; padding-top: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-left: 16px; padding-bottom: 12px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; width: 368px;] ----- Get lost in the wind ----- ----- <3 ----- “Hi Avery,” Charlotte started to say, looking up. Avery stopped in-front of her, art supplies all over the ground. Avery gather them all up, and almost ran over, eyes fixed on Mackenna. “Yes, I did! This is Mackenna! She’s almost 4 months old, Daddy got her for me as an early birthday present! Mackenna just arrived today after getting the all clear from the vet. Isn’t she just adorable? I already love her!” Charlotte gushed, eyes fixed on the small tabby. She watched as Mackenna raced around, pawing the orange, red and brown leaves as they fell from the trees. Mackenna stumbled over Avery, pawing at her skirt. She meowed loudly, wanting to be picked up. “être gentil et asseyez-vous!” Charlotte said, snapping her fingers. The kitten looked at Charlotte and went back to urning around Avery’s feet. Charlotte looked up and smiled, apologetically. Patting the ground next to her, suggesting Avery should sit next to her, she asked, "Do you like cats, Avery?". TRANSLATIONS: être gentil et asseyez-vous - be nice, and sit tag: Avery, but anyone can & should join in! --- Outfit --- template by eliza @ shadowplay

[averylydiaquinn]

“ She’s absolutely precious,” Avery enthused, dimples popping into her cheeks as she watched the frolicking kitten. Avery loved cats, but she adored kittens. She giggled as the tabby trotted up to her and batted her skirt.

“Why hello there, Mackenna!” Avery greeted with a little curtsey, “Don’t worry, there are lots of other nice cats around here, you’ll make friends in no time.” She stooped to pet the kitten and felt the urge to scoop her up.

“Oh I love kitties. Haven’t you met Charlie Quinn?” Charlie was her Scottish Fold, a gift from a family friend whose cat had a litter. Avery remembered when Charlie was as tiny and cute as the new kitten, back in third year. Now fully grown, he usually roamed the Ravenclaw common room – though would sometimes get out and prowl the towers. Avery redirected her attention to the kitten as she bent into her touch.

“Is it okay if I hold her?” Avery asked, eyes twinkling.

[CHARLOTTE KYONG PARKER]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, border-left: #3A4748 8px solid; border-right: #839175 2px dashed; background: #d8d8d8; padding-top: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-left: 16px; padding-bottom: 12px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; width: 368px;] ----- Get lost in the wind ----- ----- <3 ----- “Of course! Kenna loves to be held! She’s like a little baby!” Charlotte said, crossing her legs and sitting Indian style. Charlotte remembered seeing a grey cat, roaming the school. “Oh, I think I’ve seen Charlie around! I guess I’ve never connected the dots that he’s yours! Do you have any other pets? I have a dog at home. Lucy, she’s a Saint Bernard, she is absolutely massive.” Charlotte loved all animals, but Lucy scared her sometimes. Lucy was 30 inches tall, and weighed 130 pounds. That was 20 pounds, or so, more than Charlotte. Luckily, Lucy was a total chicken. She was scared of everything from fireworks and thunder to the oven timer. Lucy has been in the family for 6 years, and she was now 9 years old. She getting old for a Saint Bernard, but so far there had been no major health problems. Note: Anyone watch Glimmer Girls? Paul Annka, the dog? Lucy is modeled after him a bit. tag: Avery, but anyone can & should join in! --- Outfit --- template by eliza @ shadowplay

[averylydiaquinn]

Avery set her pastels and pad on the ground and curled her arms around the tiny cat.

“Here, Kenna,” Avery cooed, cradling her close to her chest. She slid next to Charlotte, crossing her legs in a similar fashion, her skirt creating a perfect little bend for the tiny cat as it folded over her knees. Avery gently set her down in her lap.

“Ooh, Saint Bernards are so cute! I have a Samoyed who’s quite big. I’ve got three dogs, actually – Patty, that’s the Samoyed. Then there’s Morty, my Golden, and then of course my corgi, Buster.” She sighed, looking unfocusedly over the grounds as she absently tickled the back of Mackenna’s ear. Thinking of her brothers’ three clumsy dogs created a twist of homesickness in her chest. It used to be awful. As a first year, she would spend nights lying awake, missing her parents, her bedroom, her brothers and sister. As time went on, though, she found a family of a different sort at Hogwarts. She felt almost foolish for the ache in her chest. It was only September, after all; she’d spent the whole summer at home. And yet no level of rationalization could compete with the love she had for her family.

“So why are you teaching your kitten French?” Avery inquired smilingly. She herself wasn’t a student of the language, but she recognized the accent in Charlotte’s commands.

[CHARLOTTE KYONG PARKER]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, border-left: #3A4748 8px solid; border-right: #839175 2px dashed; background: #d8d8d8; padding-top: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-left: 16px; padding-bottom: 12px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; width: 368px;] ----- Get lost in the wind ----- ----- <3 ----- “I lived in France until I was 6 years old, and I still go there for holidays and summer. French was my first language, the same for my father. My dad grew up in America, but his parents were from France. After my mom died, my dad and I moved in with my grandma, and grandpa. Even though I picked up English very easily, we still speak French at home! Lucy understands French commands, but she does know a few English commands.” Charlotte smiled at Mackenna. Looking up to Avery, she giggled softly and added, ”Plus, I think its really funny when I’m walking Lucy, and say something in French. People look at me like I’m insane, but they get really confused when Lucy does it!” “You have siblings, right? Did they go to Hogwarts? I always wanted a sibling, but so far, I’m an only child. I’m still wishing that my dad and step mother will have a baby!” Charlotte was, for the most part, was happy with the way her life had been so far. Obviously, she wished her mother hadn’t died, but her step mother was amazing. But, if there was one thing she could change, she would have a little sister, or brother. tag: Avery--- Outfit --- template by eliza @ shadowplay

[averylydiaquinn]

“Wow,” Avery breathed, imagining what it would be like to live in the famed city of love. “I’ve only ever lived in England! I did visit Paris once, but I was awfully young.” Avery still had fuzzy memories of visiting the Louvre as a small child. Her parents had an almost supernaturally difficult time finding her when it came time to leave. Avery’s smile twitched.

“How brilliant!” she giggled along, “Not many people can say they’ve got a multilingual kitten, you know.” Mackenna had evidently grown tired of staying curled in her lap and was trying to paw her way over the barricade of Avery’s folded legs. She lifted the kitten back to the grass, eliciting a happy mewl as she recommenced her flight from leaf to fallen leaf.

“I could stand to lend you one of mine, I’ve got loads of them,” she sighed in response to the question, “I’m one of five. All muggles though, except my little brother. He’ll be a first year after I graduate.” As she described them, Avery picked up her pastels, assessing the damage they’d sustained from their fall. She flipped the box open, where they were aligned in a crumbling spectrum. Most of the cracks had formed long ago, but she frowned at a few new fractures along the purples and blues.

Note to self; make a trip to the supplies store on Winter holiday.

[CHARLOTTE KYONG PARKER]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, border-left: #3A4748 8px solid; border-right: #839175 2px dashed; background: #d8d8d8; padding-top: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-left: 16px; padding-bottom: 12px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; width: 368px;] ----- Get lost in the wind ----- ----- <3 ----- “I always go to my grandparent’s house over winter and summer break. Maybe you could visit sometime! Nothing beats Paris on New Year's Eve, expect for New York City!” Charlotte worried they might not be close enough to offer something like that. But hey, isn’t that one way to get closer with someone? “One of five? Wow! That sounds loud! My dad was one of seven, so I have seventeen cousins, and it’s crazy loud when we’re all in one place!” Charlotte said, thinking of her cousins. Seventeen was a lot, but each aunt or uncle had two or three kids each, it would be much more. If each of the other six kids had seven of their own, there would be 42 cousins! “Do you live in a Muggle area? My family lives in an apartment downtown.” Charlotte said, wiggling her fingers at Kenna. “Oh, sorry! You call it a flat here, right?” ”Anyway, I live downtown, only a twenty minute walk from the London Eye. My step mother is a surgeon, she works for University College London Hospitals, at The Heart Hospital. Our building is very close to her work, and my dad’s work.” Charlotte giggled, and said, “At least I don’t have to explain to you what a surgeon is!” tag: Avery, Lucy, Jesse, Linus, OR Davin maybe? --- Outfit --- template by eliza @ shadowplay

[averylydiaquinn]

“You've been to New York too?” Avery asked, impressed and bewildered. She herself had never left Europe. Many of her artistic idols called New York their home, though. Avery couldn't quell the spike of jealousy.

“You're so lucky," she enthused, "I wonder what America is like.” Her voice trailed as she pictured the manifestation of those bright lights from films and TV shows. It had to be a marvelous change of pace, living in a city so full of life and color - but Avery wasn't sure she could give up the English contryside. Definitely for a visit one day.

[/i]

Avery grinned when the subject returned to her crazy family. She laughed, “Please. Loud is a gross understatement. Especially 'round the holidays. They're a lovely bunch, really, but at Christmastime I have to keep myself from tearing my hair out.” Avery winced a little as she remembered last Christmas. She doubted that cranberry sauce stain would ever come out of the ceiling, even once she turned seventeen and could Scourgify to her heart's content. She considered what it might be like to take Charlotte's offer, skip out on holiday tidings and visit Paris for the New Year. Certainly her blood pressure would thank her for the vacation from her vacation.

“Oh my house is nothing special, just a little place in Sunbury. Big enough for the lot of us, to be sure, but it's cozy.” Avery listened to Charlotte's description, visualizing the London scene. She joined her giggles, knowing all too well the nature of the culture clash between muggleborn and wizard-raised students. It was refeshing and slightly surreal to be discussing the muggle world at Hogwarts. To Avery they were independent universes; it seemed absurd speaking of one within the other.

"Tell me about it. In Muggle Studies I had to explain what a dentist was to a third year. He definitely thought I was off my rocker."[/size][/blockquote]

[CHARLOTTE KYONG PARKER]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, border-left: #3A4748 8px solid; border-right: #839175 2px dashed; background: #d8d8d8; padding-top: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-left: 16px; padding-bottom: 12px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; width: 368px;] ----- Get lost in the wind ----- ----- <3 ----- “I lived in New York ages six through 16. America is very different from London, but in some ways, almost the same. I love it there, but I love London more!” Charlotte smiled thinking about her old home. “I know! I love my cousins, but it’s so bloody loud! Luckily, my cousins tend to only come December twenty-first through the twenty-seventh. I normally go all break, so it’s nice to have time with my grandparents to myself,” Charlotte said, wiggling her fingers for Kenna. Charlotte thought about the fun she’d have showing Avery around France. They could spend a few days at Mémé and Péré’s house in the country side. They could ride the horses, play in the snow with any cousins who were there, and take the dogs on walks in the woods. If all the parent’s said it was all right, they could go to Mémé and Péré’s apartment in France for New Year’s Eve. They would go see all the museums, and eat at French restaurants. They could go see the Eiffel Tower, and spend New Year’s Eve in the heart of Paris. “Sunbury? That isn’t to far from downtown is it, only about a forty minute drive? We almost moved to Sunbury, but my parents didn’t want to drive almost two hours a day to and from work.” Charlotte rolled her eyes, it was a bit crazy to move to the suburbs when their only child would be away at school nine months out of a year. “One time, at American School of Magic, I spent almost an hour trying to explain what a ball pit, you know, the kind you see in tacky chain restaurants. She thought I was simply insane!” tag: Avery, but anyone can & should join in! --- Outfit --- template by eliza @ shadowplay

[averylydiaquinn]

Once again, Avery was left astonished. Her jaw hung a little as for the first time, she considered, is this girl for real? The new Gryffindor had been an object of fascination for a few of Avery’s classmates. After growing up with the same people for six years, a transfer student was a rare novelty. Avery had been less impressed with the new phenomenon, but now she thought she might be talking to one of the most interesting sixteen year olds she had ever met. Speculation prodded, maybe she’s lying to create a reputation for herself. Avery cocked her head, considering. Somehow she doubted it. Charlotte was too animated, too enthused in her retellings to be aiming for attention.

“You lived in New York?” she piped, “Like the city? How exciting! Isn’t it dangerous?” Avery’s eyes widened. Too many cop movies played late at night by her brothers had long left images of inner-city crime drilled into her mind.

“Good old Sunbury. It’s rather boring, I suppose, but it’s home. Pretty short dive to the city when the traffic’s alright. About forty, yeah,” Avery nodded, “we take day trips to the city every now and then. They revived Phantom of the Opera on the West End last year, my sister would not quiet down about it until we took her.”

“Oh I used to love ball pits! I can’t believe there is no magical equivalent. Some of these pureblood children really are deprived," Avery quipped in mock seriousness.

[CHARLOTTE KYONG PARKER]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, border-left: #3A4748 8px solid; border-right: #839175 2px dashed; background: #d8d8d8; padding-top: 16px; padding-right: 16px; padding-left: 16px; padding-bottom: 12px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; width: 368px;] ----- Get lost in the wind ----- ----- <3 ----- “Well, The American School of Magic was in Northern Maine, so I didn’t spend much time in the city. There are safe neighborhoods, and one that aren’t as safe. We lived in a fairly safe neighborhood. Movies give the wrong impression of New York City, they only show the really bad areas. In reality, it’s not so bad.” Charlotte remembered watching Law and Order, and thinking about how it was so unrealistic. “Maybe we could meet up while we are on break! I could come out to you, or you could come to the city, or we could meet somewhere in the middle. Since I’ve only lived here for a few weeks, and I’ve been in school most the time, I haven’t had a chance to explore the city.” Charlotte had gone shopping with her step mom before school, and had wondered around the street she lived on, but other than that, she hadn’t seen anything. Charlotte wasn’t always the most outgoing person ever, but for some reason, she was having a hard time making friends at Hogwarts. She didn’t understand why, she was friendly, she offered to help with studying, and one of her favorite things were pranks. But, Avery seemed to be a wonderful friend, hopefully they’d be close, or even best friends. Feeling a new weight in her lap, she looked down to see Kenna curled up in between her legs. Lifting her hand, she began to pet Kenna behind her ears, smiling when the small cat started purring. tag: Avery, but anyone can & should join in! --- Outfit --- template by eliza @ shadowplay