OPEN || this dream called life

[victoriawood]

A slight breeze blows the resting mist from the surface of the lake. Away from the chaos, the students generate, a giant squid lulls lazily. His eyes half closed and his body mostly submerged, he can still watch the goings-on without much worry. Behind the creature a tree stands tall against the breeze that has been growing in strength, at a steady rate, all morning. The leaves, only starting to change to a bright orange, rustle softly in the wind. Several break away from their home on sturdy brown branches and dance across the body of water towards the place platforms once stood.

In the sky darkness loomed, a steady growing cloud filled the once bright sky. The promise of rain filled the air, the scent intoxicating, the humidity unbearable. The few drops that fell onto the books of the students caused most of them to the shelter of the school. Slowly, the small amount of rain lifted, leaving an ominous ceiling of gray. The colors of the grass began to weaken, matching the bleak atmosphere that had settled.

In the secluded area, across from the few students that had refused to let the rain run them inside, the squid began his silent descent into the now black water. A surface like glass began to ripple with his movement, causing small waves to wash against the shore. Bare feet danced at the cold touch of water as it came to meet their toes. Shivers ran up the spines of some of the students, and they quickly waded into shore and jumped from the water's reach. Though the rain had stopped for now, it was apparent that a downpour might come soon. This thought crossed many student's minds and they quickly rushed under the shelter of the tree. At least here we'll be dry! was the collective thought that drove one girl from the safety of the tree towards the newly built bridge, crossing over an inlet in the chilling body of water.

[victoriawood]

Victoria Antoinette Wood

i am who i am and i won't change for anyone.

The freezing rain that had pelted the grounds drove most students toward shelter, but not Victoria Wood. Wand in hand, she produced a sort of umbrella to protect herself during her trudge toward the bridge. Her bright eyes darted left and right, an almost eerie feeling growing inside her. Was it strange that during winter break she was left here without her other siblings, not at all. In fact, Tori enjoyed this solitude quite a bit. Pulling her soft, pink winter coat around her body the girl shut herself away from the chilling breeze that swept over the lake and into her lone form.
"How aggravating." She muttered into the light blue muffler she had secured around her neck before she had headed outside. The uncomfortable chill in the air was almost intolerable, drops of water that had once sat on her lashes froze into small icicles easily. This weather was a sign of the average Hogwarts winter, the snow would fall soon enough, and everyone around the castle knew it.

Large white fur boots found purchase on the cobblestone walkway leading towards the bridge. With every step, the girl grew more aware of her surroundings. It would be just like the pranksters of the school to squirt unsuspecting witches and wizards with water while they were walking. Slowly the ice-rain let up, leaving freezing puddles of ice in the grass and road. Victoria shook her loose hair from her face, pocketing the rosewood wand carefully in her pocket. A nice after-lunch walk was something she had been hoping for since break started, but with all the rain that had basically drowned the school for a week it had been near impossible.

It took a few minutes, but eventually Tori found herself wandering towards the center of the bridge. Eyes on the sky she kept wandering whether the snow was going to fall or not. As it was winter break, the fluffy bits of frozen ice were expected. However, no snow had fallen yet that year. A bit chilly, Victoria allowed herself to sit on the edge of the bridge. Her mint green, twigs of legs dangling innocently from the wood. Frozen lashes flashed quickly, an attempt to keep a salty tear at bay. It may seem as if the girl had no need for a close companion during the time her friends were away, but in all actuality it bothered her a bit. The girl let out a soft sigh, her body falling back against hard planks and a wet mess. "A nice bottle of butter-beer or fire-whiskey would taste good right now...." She thought out-loud. Cupping her mint, mitten covered hands behind her now damp hair. If only she had someone to go to Hogsmead with, that would be nice. Instead, she waited in the cold and damp for the snow to fall, it almost seemed as if the weather was teasing her with the prospect of a white Christmas.

[gamma]

KATHERINE VERONICA FINNIGAN
Finny for short

Blood is thicker than water
Oh, but love is thicker than blood
___________________________________________

Katherine Veronica Finnigan. Better known as Finny. Her steps were sure as she watched the snow softly falling against the tree tops. Her neck and mouth was covered by a red and gold scarf, and she had a jacket on. Merlin she could use a warm drink about now. She had decided to stay at the school because all that awaited her at home was memories of her mate Spencer, who was imprisoned at Azkaban. She was standing underneath the tree and watched Victoria Wood walking towards her over the bridge. It had been a couple months since that bastard Malfoy had played her heart like a guitar, and then left her. Finny felt bad for Tori have had that kind for thing happen to her.

Pushing off of the tree, her boots crunched on the hard ground. "Oi! Torster! How's about yous and me head on down to Hogsmeade for a drink! Yer looking right frozen right about now., and I know I is. So how's about it?" she said, walking towards Tori. Merlin, it was starting to get cold. Perhaps it would start to snow while they were inside the Three broomsticks, and then stop when they had to walk about.

[victoriawood]

Victoria Antoinette Wood

i am who i am and i won't change for anyone.

Bits of snow fell onto the pale face, feathering her eyelashes sweetly and kissing her red lips. As her eyes closed, the small amount of water and cold melted on warm skin. Her colorful legs kicked over the side, scaring the few water fowl that had decided Hogwarts was warmer. As she slowly drifted into a restful state, the girl heard her name called. This brought her right out of her happy place and back into the real world. Who had called her? Bright eyes looked left and right before coming to a rest of Finny. Thank Merlin it wasn't Malfoy and his crew.

The form rose quickly, grasping the wooden rail for support. Head spinning, from the sudden movement, Victoria decided it may be best to sit there a little while longer and allow Finny to get closer before she stood. Eyes shut tightly as the head-rush hit its peak, before slowly coming down to a non-existent state. She turned her head towards Katherine, only one eye open in as she was wincing. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" The girl remarked, opening the other eye as she began to pull herself up. Leaning carelessly backwards, Tori grinned ecstatically at her friend. "I thought you were going back home during break." She called, swinging to and fro from the new wooden beams.

As soon as Katherine had come nearer Tori stopped this charade and righted herself. Smoothing her jacket over the white ruffled skirt, she beamed at her friend. "Who-else is staying at the school during break? Oh, and I'd love to get something to drink, just let me straighten up!" As quick as possible, the girl ran her hands over her jacket to make it look nicer and straightened her stockings as well. Within five minutes she was finished, "Okay, let's go!" She sang happily as she skipped towards Finny to link arms with her.

[gamma]

KATHERINE VERONICA FINNIGAN
Finny for short

Blood is thicker than water
Oh, but love is thicker than blood
___________________________________________

Finny laughed softly. "Well, I do try to be a sight fer sore eyes. 'Sides, I can't really leave ya all by yerself over christymas, not one of me bestest girl mates." She said, watching Tori fooling around on the bridge. It was nice to be with her mate again, after that total foul up with Malfoy. Merlin, she hated that man. It was beyond belief what that snake had done to Tori, and she had let it happen, without trying to warn Malfoy off. She felt so bad for that.

"Uh....I think the Potter's are staying here this year, and Nads is staying too." She said, linking arms with her mate and the two of them walking away from the lake towards Hogsmeade. "Hey Torster? I wanna say that I'm sorry. I should have warned Malfoy off, but I didn't, and that's not being the bestest of mates on me part. I've been feeling like the bottom of a cauldron for the past couple months since that went South." she said, feeling a little better getting it off of her chest. She just hoped that Tori wouldn't be mad about it.

[victoriawood]

Victoria Antoinette Wood

i am who i am and i won't change for anyone.

Smiling impishly, Tori made her way towards Finny, her arms outstretched for a hug. "Well, thank you very much for staying, are you sure you don't miss your family?

[/b]" Yes, the girl was worried that her own sorrows might bring down those around, her, especially her friends. Her enthusiastic smile soon melted into a slight grin when she remembered the reason she hadn't gone home during break. Yes, she and Scorpius were supposed to spend it together... Then that happened and well he was no good anyways. The girl wiped tears away from her painted eyes and moved closer to Finny, in order to give her a hug. " Thanks for staying anyways.[/b]" She muttered while allowing herself a second of self-pity. She knew there was no sense in crying, and that Malfoy was bound to be a jerk... But something inside her those few weeks made her think otherwise.

I think the Potter's are staying here this year. Suddenly, the break didn't seem so bad. "How do you know? I thought they were going home like they used to![/b]" Tori grabbed her friend, turning her so she was facing the over-excited teen. Her eyes widened surprise, this was a first. What was the reason behind them staying this break? As she thought of the possible reasons blush crept onto her face, tinting the already wind-blown, pink face.

Then the topic of Malfoy came up. What a depressing thing to talk about, and it just so happened to bring her down to earth. The girl shrugged, pulling the puffy pink jacket tighter around her body. "I should have listened to my dad, it's not you're fault. I just thought he was better than everyone said. I guess I'm a bit naive?[/b]" She grumbled as she stared off towards the lake as the two walked. It was better to talk about bad things than to hide them, she knew that keeping things inside would only make them hurt even more.

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[gamma]

KATHERINE VERONICA FINNIGAN
Finny for short

Blood is thicker than water
Oh, but love is thicker than blood
___________________________________________

Finny hugged her friend tight. It was nice to know that she was totally loved by her totally awesome friends. "Not at all. Me family totally understands. Even if I haven't been able to contact me mum and dad." She said with a smile at her friend. "Girl, I said I think they are. I'm not entirely sure. But I know that there's this totally rad Huffle who'd give us a good party. His name's Kade, and he's the sweetest thing imaginable!! Oh girl, I want you to meet him and tell me what you think about him." She said, spinning around in a circle with her friend.

Now she felt like a total idiot for mentioning Malfoy and making Tori sad. "Oi! Buck up. The Blighter left you, and you know what, you're better off without him. We'll find you a nice guy, or we'll get your courage up so you can ask out James Potter, and then we'll make you happy again. What do you say? I know where to get some liquid courage." She said with a smile at her mate. "Please don't be sad Tori. It's Christmas, and it's a time to be happy."

[victoriawood]

Victoria Antoinette Wood

i am who i am and i won't change for anyone.

The warm embrace of a friend felt nice to the young girl in such cold conditions. She smiled softly, it was great to have such a good friend as Finny. Not that many people could say they were as close to Tori as Finny was. Nuzzling her face in the side of Katherine's neck the girl let out a soft sigh. "I'm glad you have nice parents. It makes keeping you here so much easier." With that the girl grasped Finny's hand and drug her towards Hogsmead. "Sounds fun, let's go! I've been wanting to go to a party for some time now."

[/b] A bit dizzy from spinning, Tori stumbled forward blindly. A huge grin on her face, it had been a while since she had done anything but mope and now it seemed the moping was pointless.

The mention of letting James know of her feelings caused a deep red to explode on the girl's face. Her complexion now matched the red in her friend's scarf. "A-a-ask James out. B-b-but he only thinks of me as a little sister..."[/b] She studderer, embarrassingly, through a mittened hand. The girl shook her head profusely at the thought. Yea right, James would probably just smile and tell her, "It's okay Tori, but I kind of like someone else" In her mind this played over and over, causing her jaw to drop comically. "But what if he rejects me!"[/b] She moaned, her eyes wide with fear. Their families wouldn't be the same if that happened. Or even if they did date and then broke up, what would happen. All of the possible worst-case scenarios raced through the fifth years head. Thousands of what-ifs and buts kept her from seeing what good could come out of her asking James out.

What a site they must have been when they got to the Three Broomsticks. Tori, her mouth agape and her face the color of Gryffindor's banners and Finny with a smile on her face. Oh the stares the two of them got. Tori quickly shut her mouth and buried her face in her scarf. "I forgot I was in public, excuse me."[/b] She mumbled through the thick folds of fabric.

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[gamma]

KATHERINE VERONICA FINNIGAN
Finny for short

Blood is thicker than water
Oh, but love is thicker than blood
___________________________________________

Finny held Tori a little bit tighter when she nuzzled closer. Every girl needed someone to hold them sometime, even if it was just another girl. "If ye had wanted a party why didn'tcha say so? I would have gotten one together in our commonroom!" She said with a laugh as she dragged behind Tori, and help to steady her as she stumbled a bit. Both girls had grins on their faces as they walked, and Finny had her arm around Tori's shoudlers in a friendly way.

"Yea ask James out! Come on, how bad could it be!? If he rejects yeh, he rejects yeh and yeh can move on to better men out there! I'm sure we can find yeh someone super cool to be with." She said with a smile. She knew about Tori's worries, after all. They were BESTEST GIRL MATES in the world. Her best friend spot was reserved for Spencer. And it was killing her to keep that news to herself. She couldn't chance that it wouldn't work out. But Tori was her best friend...

"HEY! Get yer face outta yer sweater girl! This is a time to be proud and show off to Malfoy that yer not broken. Cause ya ain't. You are the strongest woman out here, I swear it. Yeh could curse him faster then he could blink." She said with a grin at her friend. "And I would know, yeh done it to me plenty!" Finny dragged Tori after her to a table for two. "Torster, I got something super important to tell yeh. But ya gotta promise that yer not going to tell a single soul. No one. Ever, until I give yeh the go ahead." She was going to do it. She was going to tell Tori about Spencer getting rescued.

[victoriawood]

Victoria Antoinette Wood

the sun’s gone down, but nothing’s changed.
At the mention of a party, Tori shrugged carelessly. She had heard rumors about parties that were crazy, wild and fun throughout the castle, but never thought about attending one. She turned towards Finny, letting the cold snow blow her hair out of her face.

Shock grew as the girl realized that James had left Hogwarts for good. The only guy she had connected with was gone, what was she going to do. She had learned about some girls she might get along with, but there were always those rumors that might fly if anyone found out about it. ”Did you hear?” She asked, her voice shaking as if in tune with the branches above their heads. . ”James left Hogwarts… For good!” She covered her mouth in her own shock and nuzzled into Finny’s shoulder. This was something she hadn’t expected her friend to know, since most of the students weren’t aware that he had even taken a leave, let alone a permanent one.

Sulking silently, the girl shrugged in agreement. Finny was right, it was time to prove to Malfoy that she didn’t need him, that he was worthless to her. Her inner self grew stronger with every word her best friend spoke. Her mind went wild with every idea of ways to make Malfoy pay for his hurting her, without actually going out and hurting him. Caught in thought, she almost didn’t catch the note that there was something important to be told. With excitement she pulled her scarf down, letting the warmth of the shop rush over her. ”Is it okay to tell me here?” She wondered out loud. Sure, they would be drowned out by the others in the shop, but they might also be overheard through the noise and chaos.