laci
3rd Year
Learning, without thought, is a snare; thought, without learning, is a danger.
Posts: 120
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Post by laci on Apr 8, 2003 21:15:56 GMT -5
aga aga, c'mon please continue, i hope you don't feel like i'm intruding but i've completely fallen into your story, hard to get out. please continue, its very well written, i'm enthralled
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Post by coldmercurywitch on Apr 8, 2003 21:41:05 GMT -5
Thanks Laci.
Don't worry, I intend to keep writing, I just need to get in the mood. I'll post some more up when the creative juices are flowing. Atm, I seem to be in more of an art phase than a writing phase, so I'm just goign with the flow. Nothing turns out right if I force myself to create something.
So keep checking back to see if I've written any more.
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Post by coldmercurywitch on May 19, 2003 7:43:54 GMT -5
:: OK, since I am entering this in the TDSC II I thought I should tidy it up and do some spell checking and stuff. SO yes, I'm reposting it, but I'm gonna try to squish as much into each post as possible. ::
Nierme had arrived early, but the Great Hall was already set for the occasion. Each of the four long tables was decorated with it’s house colours, and house banners hung high above them. She went over the table decorated in green and silver and sat in that same spot she had placed herself those years ago after the sorting hat had called out her house: ”Slytherin!” The cheers that had come from this table that night she could still hear in the back of her mind.
She just sat there for a while, unmoving, reminiscing over all the feasts and other special occasions she had attended in this great hall. All the special moments that she had locked away in her memory to resurface at a time such as this. The fun, the laughter, the rejoicing, and the tears. She closed her eyes as one of her own trickled down her cheek and silently splashed onto the smooth wood of the Slytherin table. Wiping the moisture it left from her face, she rose and slowly walked out of the hall to go to some of her other fondly remembered places of the school.
She wandered the vast corridors, talking to the paintings and peering into classrooms. The accidents and mishaps of each class all came gushing back to her as she looked over the classrooms she had taken them in, a fond smile spreading across her face. Had it really been 14 years ago when in potions class her hair had been turned green for a week? She had been asked to go along with the Slytherin Quidditch team that week to cheer them on.
Giggling softly to herself as that memory replayed itself, then passed, she made her way to a balcony, on which she had spent many hours, thinking alone, or spending time with someone she had held dear. She leaned on the railing and let the breeze gently blow her hair about while she looked out over the grounds of Hogwarts.
Feeling the time was getting along, and that the reunion feast would soon be starting, she turned only to be startled by the fact someone had been standing behind her, watching her. Recognising the dark curly hair and soft, warm, brown eyes, she momentarily lost her breath. Her heart jumped with joy, then felt tight with pain and anguish, before feeling heavy with utter sorrow. She just stood there, staring at him, feeling another tear well up in her eye.
“Hi...” he said with a little uncertainty. The break in the silence gave her a chance to gather herself back together.
“Hello Andy” she replied. It came out colder than she had intended, but she couldn’t double back now.
“You look good.”
“So do you.” He did. He looked great. He was obviously doing well, whatever it was he was doing. She had intended to keep track of him, but found it too painful to do so. “I...I didn’t expect to see you here. You were never the type for this sort of thing...” She was trying her best to avoid eye contact with him, but it wasn’t going well.
“I wasn’t going to come, but I figured I should. Besides...” He took a step closer to her and tilted her chin up so he was looking her in the eye, “...there were some people I never got to say goodbye to before...that I wanted to see again.”
Nierme was fighting back tears; his touch opening up old wounds she thought had healed. Looking into his eyes again was tearing her apart, and she had to look away. He placed his hands on her shoulders.
“Why did you just go like that? You left without a word. You didn’t even leave a goodbye note.” He was trying his best to get an answer out of her calmly, but she was refusing to even look at him, which was hurting him more. He didn’t know what was wrong.
Nierme stayed silent and pulled away from his hold. He looked at her, not knowing what she was doing or what to think of it. It was all too confusing for him to take in at once, but he tried. He swallowed hard and went to try again, but she stopped him, looking at him with her cold green eyes, holding back all the emotion that wanted to pour out from behind them.
“I’m sorry Andy, but I don’t think this is the time, or the place to discuss this sort of thing.”
“Well where then? And when?” He wanted to know what had happened, and he wanted to know now, but she wasn’t going to tell him, and he knew it.
“I believe we have a reunion to attend. I guess I’ll see you in there.” With that, she walked back inside and down along the corridor, leaving Andy watching her until she disappeared around a corner. He felt hot tears fall onto his cheeks and he wiped them away before following her to the great hall.
Walking down the hallways at a fast, brisk pace, Nierme blinked back to oncoming tears. She couldn’t walk into a reunion crying. Stopping for a moment, she concentrated to get herself back together, and chilled herself a little more than usual. Starting to walk again, she tucked her hair back a little, and last of all, painted a smile on her face.
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Post by coldmercurywitch on May 19, 2003 7:45:17 GMT -5
As she approached the doors of the Great Hall, she could see they were now wide open and chitter chatter and laughter could be heard from within. She entered and immediately recognised at least a dozen faces. Everyone looked wonderful, dressed elegantly in gowns and ties. She herself was rather ravishing in her plain silver strapless, with her dark hair falling down over her shoulders and past her waist. Looking around at all the long missed faces put a real smile on her face.
She was standing off to the side for a moment, just watching everyone find old friends, when she felt a tap on the shoulder. Turning around slowly she saw the all too familiar glasses, long hair, pointed ears, and flicking twin fox tails. It was Chris. It was a wonder he hadn’t glomped her as he used to do to people he hadn’t seen for a while all the time. She embraced him then pulled away to get a better look at him.
“Wow Chris!! I don’t think you’ve changed a bit! Except perhaps that your hair is a bit longer. How have you been love?”
He grinned, and blushed a little. “I’m good. Still in a little bit of trouble and stuff, but I’m good. How about yourself?”
Nierme could see he had something on his mind, but either didn’t want to discuss it, or wasn’t at liberty to. So she left it at that. “I’ve been well. Doing lots of stuff. Travelling alot as well. Been pretty busy.”
Chris could sense the avoidance and ventured to pry a little deeper. “Do you travel with your job?”
“Yeah, sort of.”
“And what is it you do?”
Nierme felt her heart jump into her throat. This was the question she had been dreading. The one she didn’t want to answer. The one she couldn’t answer! She just stared at Chris blankly for a moment, not knowing what to say. She fidgeted nervously.
Suddenly she was nearly knocked over from behind as someone practically leapt onto her back. Before she turned around, Nierme already knew who was it, for she had heard the all too familiar giggling of the slightly mad Leia Skye. She looked stunning in her one shouldered violet gown, and seemed even more energetic than usual.
“Ele!!” she sqealed, “You made it!!! Lots of people thought you wouldn’t turn up. But you did! YAY!!”
After Leia had settled a little, all three of them sat down near one end of the Slytherin table and talked of old times, when all of them were first years and first meeting, and all the mischief they had gotten up to over the years, terrorizing the other houses. Nierme also teased them both about how they used to chase after Draco.
“I can’t believe you guys chased him for so long!!”
“But he was...was...Draco-pie!!” Leia replied in defence.
“Yeah! Anyway,” Chris said, “you and Andy were worse!!”
Although she did her best to hide it, Nierme’s face dropped slightly, and she fell silent for a moment. Chris and Leia were also quiet, realising they had said something they probably shouldn’t have.
“You two still talk, don’t you?” Leia asked, knowing they had not been together at the end of the year when they graduated.
“Umm...I need to go use the bathroom. I’ll be back in a sec.”
She rose and scurried off to the bathroom, leaving Chris and Leia behind to wonder what had happened between the cutest couple.
Locking herself in one of the toilet cubicles, she sat down and let silent tears roll down her cheeks and wet her lap. How could she tell them what she did now? How could she tell Andy?
Letting the tears fall as she tried helplessly to answer these questions herself, she was startled slightly when she heard someone else coming into the bathroom. Hurriedly, she tried to wipe away the tears, and pat dry her lap that was now rather obviously darker than the rest of her dress. Realising it wasn't going to dry, she placed her hand over it and it came out and froze on top of the cloth. She broke the piece of ice off and dropped it into a bin then wiped her face once more before opening the door.
A tall, rather gangly man with cropped blonde hair and grey eyes was standing at the entrance door to the bathroom, peering in. He saw her come out and smiled. "Hey. I saw you come in here, and thought I'd wait and say hello when you came out." When he saw the rims of her eyes were slightly red, a look of concern crossed his face. "Are you alright?"
Nierme hadn't seen Nialle since before she had left. He, or she as she had been then, had retreated to deep inside the forbidden forest for a few months, needing some space and time to think to herself. She smiled at the Sylph as best she could, but knew it was useless trying to hide anything for her treelike friend.
"I'm just dealing wit it all. Haven't seen anyone for so long, and I had to leave so suddenly. I kinda left alot of things unfinished, and missed alot of goodbyes." Nierme went over the sink and washed her face. Patting it dry with a small hand towel, it soon lost all blemish from crying that had just a few moments ago been very noticeable against her pale skin.
"Anyway, I'm fine now. How have you been, I haven't seen you for so long." she put her arms around the sylph, embracing him to make up for lost years of conversation.
"I've been good. I still live in the Forbidden Forest and still study here at Hogwarts, occasionally taking over as a substitute if needed."
"That's great." Nierme was trying to show as much enthusiasm as possible to try throw Nialle off the scent of her worry and sorrow, which she knew all too well he could sense. He had a knack for it. "You always did say you never wanted to leave this place. So it's great you're still here."
"And how have you been? What have you been up to since your sudden disappearance?"
Nierme stopped for a moment, not knowing what to say. She couldn't lie to Nialle, but she didn't want tell him the truth either, so she decided to be as vague as possible.
"I've been around. Travelling alot, meeting lots of people." That last remark was no word of a lie, but it had never been your usual kind of meeting. "I've been busy with work too. Always getting called in and stuff. Was surprised they let me come here." She was fumbling, and knew Nialle knew by the look on his face. But she became worried when his face suddenly turned grave.
"Nierme, I know what you do now. Dumbledore told me a while after you left, because I was asking. I'm sorry."
Her face fell and she slumped heavily into a chair. Nialle took a seat beside her and waited for her to respond. Nierme just sat there, shocked and scared, looking at all the people she once went to school with and felt her heart heave itself into her throat at the thought of them too knowing what she was and what she did. They were both silent for some time.
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Post by coldmercurywitch on May 19, 2003 7:50:33 GMT -5
The silence between them was broken by a squeal of happiness and excitement. Looking up, they saw KoNeko pushing her way through the sea of people to get to them. Several glasses were spilt in the process.
She came practically leaping towards Nierme and Nialle, and wrapping her arms round them, pulled them towards her in a close-knit group bear hug. Pulling away, Nialle laughed, and Nierme grinned, revealing her now slightly larger fangs.
KoNeko hadn't changed a bit. She was still as energetic and excitable as always. "Oh my god!! I've been looking for you guys everywhere! I haven't seen you for years! Wow. This is great. We're all getting together again. YAY!" She squealed again, unable to hold in her excitement.
"So what have you been doing?" Nialle asked. "I heard you were trying to get into law still."
"Yeah. I'm now a lawyer, and deal with cases on misuse of wizarding and witchcraft powers. You'd probably be surprised at how many people there are who abuse their powers. I get cases every single week. It can be tedious at times, but I still love it. It's my good doing for the world to make it a better place." She then grinned mischievously and leaned in towards them half whispering, "I'm also working on releasing my own line of pre-made and ready to make yourself jelly shots, but were still working on the flavours." She winked, then stood up straight again. "So then...what you two been up to?"
She turned to Nierme, expecting her to speak first, but Nialle did instead and went into more detail about what he had been up to at Hogwarts, and his casual teaching position and advanced studies. I'm still studying law as well, but I'm going to wait a while before taking the final exam. You know, just so I don't feel like I have to instantly become a lawyer and leave here. This is really my home now, and myself and Dumbledore have become such close friends."
Nierme began to shift uneasily on her feet. She could feel KoNeko was going to ask her what she was doing, and still didn't want to talk about it. Not here with so many people anyway. She was relieved when she heard a trumpet blow. "Ah. That must be the signal for us to sit for the feast. We best be getting to our house tables."
She began to walk over when Nialle stopped her. "Hey. After all this is over, why don't we all, meaning the Glenmorians we can find, come back to the cave? I still have all your rooms just the way you left them. A little dusty perhaps, but we can sit down with coffee, cookies and cocoa. What do ya say?"
Nierme smiled. "I think that is great idea. We can all talk properly then."
"Yeah! I can't wait to see my loft again with all it's straw," KoNeko grinned.
"I'll make sure we have plenty of everything to go around then. I'll spread the word to everyone else who used to live there. See ya's there if not before. I trust you still know the way?"
"Couldn't forget it," Nierme replied.
"Great." Nialle looked at the fast filling tables. "We'd best get to our tables before we don't have seats to grab. I'll see you both later anyway." He winked, then rushed over to the Ravenclaw table.
"I'll catch up with you then," KoNeko said. "Let's hope there aren't any sparkling marshmallows." With that, she grinned and went to the Hufflepuff table.
Nierme made her way back to the Slytherin table where Leia and Chris had saved a spot for her between them. She took it graciously.
"You OK now?" Chris asked with concern. "You seemed pretty upset when you ran off."
"Oh, just all the memories and meeting up and stuff. I just saw Nialle. He's wanting all of us to meet back at Glenmore in the Cave after all of this, just like old times."
"Great!!" said Leia. "Hope there's going to be cookies and coffee and cocoa, minus the sparkling marshmallows."
Chris grinned. "I wouldn't miss a Glenmore meet up for the world.
McGonagal tapped a spoon against a goblet, letting a shrill ring throughout the hall and all four tables fell silent. Soon, one by one, all the professors that had taught the group of people that sat at the four tables said a speech about how proud they were and what a pleasure it had been to teach them those several years ago. Once all the other professors had spoken, and McGonagall had finished her speech, she announced that Professor Dumbledore would like to speak to them all.
He was sitting in his beautiful chair at the centre of the professors table, and had been watching each student while the other professors had been talking, reminiscing about the days when they were all still his little students. After a moment, Professor Dumbledore stood, with slight difficulty, and proceeded to address the former students with a smile on his face.
"In all my years of teaching here at Hogwarts, I have never had a class quite as interesting and diverse as this one. We've had our share of regular witches and wizards, but have also had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with some more unique people such as children of fairies, friendly vampires, comical kitsune, delightful sylphs, and mysterious banshees." His voice trailed off and he stood silent for a moment before continuing. Nierme felt her breath catch in her throat.
"Being a year with such diversity, I saw great things in all of you. Many of you achieved great things while here at Hogwarts, and some of you haven't left." He smiled and cast his warm gaze upon Nialle.
"Others have moved on and become successful in the magical world. And there are some who have found your place in the muggle world. And of all of you, with all your differences, not one of you has failed in life. I am proud to have taught you here in past years, and it has fulfilled my life having been able to see you all once again." There was happiness and pride for the group of people that sat before him in his voice. But there was also a slight hint of pain and sorrow. Everyone put it down to him being emotional on seeing them again.
"Now then, I'm sure you don't want to hear me babble all night, and I'm sure you all have some catching up to do as well. So, let the feast begin."
Suddenly, the tables were laden with and enormous banquet with foods of every kind. There was beef and pork, chicken and lamb. Pumpkin, potatoes, exotic fruits, and all sorts of other wonderful edible delights. The room began to buzz once again with talking and laughing and munching.
Nierme didn't really eat much. She kept pushing the food on the plate in front of her around, but never really ate any of it. She kept looking up at Dumbledore with concern, then back down at the still full plate of food. Occasionally she would look around the table at her fellow Slytherins. She caught Andy a little further up the table on the opposite side looking at her, and she quickly turned away, not wanting to have to meet his gaze for long. For the rest of the feast she could feel his eyes upon her.
Once the feast was over, everyone was allowed free roam of the school grounds, provided they stayed away from anywhere they weren't allowed to go when they were students. The rules still applied, and for good reasons, which most of them now well knew. When this was announced, Andy watched as Nierme quickly rose with the rest of the crowd that was in a rush, and head straight over towards Dumbledore. He watched as they exchanged greetings, which seemed rather serious for such a happy occasion, and then as they walked out of the great hall towards where Dumbledore's room was. He sighed and stayed seated, resting his chin in his hands.
Nialle and KoNeko also saw her walk away with Dumbledore and thought it a little odd. They exchanged quizzical glances, before heading out of the great hall to re-explore together the school they loved.
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Post by coldmercurywitch on May 19, 2003 7:52:26 GMT -5
It was some time before Nierme emerged again. When Nialle and KoNeko found her wandering the halls of Hogwarts, they could see her eyes were still rimmed slightly with red and her hands were trembling slightly. But she smiled as she greeted them again and it seemed to disappear.
"Hey. I was hoping I would find you two again. I spose we should get going to that Meet up at Glenmore and get the hot chocolate on before everyone else arrives."
KoNeko grinned. "You're right. We should get going. Do we need to pick up anything beforehand Nialle?"
"We could probably do with some more sugar and milk, cos you know I don't really use it much. And definately more cookies. Can never get enough of those things. I know where we can get some here in the school. You guys start heading to The Cave, and I'll take care of it and meet you both there." Nialle smiled and a twinkle came to his eye. "It's going to be so good to have you all there again."
"Yeah. Umm...I don't suppose it would be possible for some of us to stay over night would it?" Nierme suddenly enquired.
"Of course you can stay over night! You can stay the rest of the week if you like. Or the rest of the year." Nialle was obviously starting to get very excited about the whole thing as he was almost bouncing on the spot.
"Great." Nierme smiled at Nialle. "I spose you should get onto that sugar and cookies, and KoNeko and I should start heading over the Cave. We'll see you there."
"Yes, I'd better. See you both soon."
With that, Nialle disappeared round a corner and was gone. Nierme and KoNeko started heading outside towards the Forbidden Forest. The took their time as KoNeko told Nierme in more detail what she had gotten up to over the years. Nierme listened, but didn't say much and KoNeko worriedly started to notice this.
"You've been awfully quiet Nierme. I thought you'd bursting at the seams to tell us what you had been up to all these years," KoNeko suddenly stated. She looked at Nierme who dropped her head but kept walking.
"I just haven't been up to all that much I guess," she lied. This wasn't the time or the place to discuss such things, especially being so close to the forest after dark. "We should hurry. I can feel eyes watching us from the trees."
They both fell silent and stayed that way until they were inside the cave. Pushing aside the weathered blue blanket that covered the entrance, they saw that the fire in the common room had already been lit, giving the cave a warm glow. KoNeko ran out into the rest of the cave and went straight to her loft and lay down on the soft straw in her beloved loft. Nierme just stood there, letting fond memories wash over her and bring a smile to her face.
About half an hour, and much exploring later, Nialle arrived with the sugar and cookies, in far greater quantities than probably needed. Nialle proceeded with the making of tea, and coffee and cocoa while KoNeko and Nierme sat in large comfortable chairs and watched him. It brought back memories from many years ago they had often reminisced over.
When hot drinks were made, Nialle sat down in a chair near both of them, handing them their drinks, and setting out the cookies. She then looked up at both of them and smiled. "My gosh it's good to have the two of you in here again," he said, tears of joy almost welling in his eyes. "It's been so quiet for so long."
KoNeko and Nierme both smiled at him knowingly. "Yes, I've missed my lovely loft for one," KoNeko said with a grin. "We all have such fond memories of this place."
"And a few not so fond as I recall..." Nierme was remembering the happenings of one of the Aurellion celebrations that had ended in tragedy. She sat for a moment thinking about it before looking back up at Nialle and KoNeko's concerned faces. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I shouldn't be bringing up such things."
"You know, you've been awfully funny all night. Is something the matter? This isn't the Nierme I remember. I mean yeah, sure, you were secretive and all, but you were always far more cheerful." KoNeko paused for a moment before venturing to ask the next question. "Is it because Andy's here?"
The three of them fell silent before Nierme answered. "Seeing him again hasn't helped, but...that's not the real reason." She looked over at Nialle who knew, or at least had an idea of what she did, and then back at KoNeko who she thought must be feeling very lost and left out. "I'm not even really here for the reunion, it happened to be a very welcomed bonus. I'm actually here on official business."
Nierme saw Nialle's face drop, and watched as he carefully set his cup down with a now very shaky hand. KoNeko looked at both of them curiously.
"You never did tell me what it is you do now."
Nierme had been hoping KoNeko wouldn't bring it up again, even though deep down she knew her tigeress friend would have brought it back up sooner or later. She hesitated for what must have seem like an age before trying to tell KoNeko as easily as she could what she did.
"I'm a Banshee KoNeko. And I am now a caller."
Nierme saw KoNeko's eye's widen and continued.
"I call the souls of those dying to leave their bodies, then call for the black carriage drawn by the headless horse to take them away to wherever it is in death they are meant to go. I have no control over who it is I call, I just do it."
Here, she fell silent and bowed her head, looking down at her feet. She could feel KoNeko and Nialle staring at her, but they didn't say anything for quite sometime. Eventually, Nialle came out with a question she didn't expect to get.
"So who is it you have to call?"
Her head jerked up and her eyes met with Nialle's, showing fear at the question she was just asked. She felt her voice catch in her throat, and her body flushing warm. She didn't know what to tell them.
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Post by coldmercurywitch on May 19, 2003 7:54:26 GMT -5
Then the blue blanket at the entrance was pushed aside. It was Leia, Chris, and behind them, Andy, who had followed them wondering where Nierme had gotten to. She was saved...For the moment.
The room had gone silent when Leia, Chris and Andy had entered. They felt like they had walked in on something when they saw the looks on the faces of Nialle, KoNeko and Nierme. No one moved or said anything for a few moments. Then, realising that they may offer to come back a little later, Nierme jumped up and went over to greet their friends for the second time that night.
"What are you all doing standing there in the doorway with the blanket pulled across letting in a draught? Come in and have some coffee and cocoa."
She hugged Leia and Chris then let them pass, but hesitated for a moment before hugging Andy. For a split second she let the pain and sorrow cross her face, then pushed it aside. She hoped he didn't notice. He had however and held onto her for a moment longer than he should have when she hugged him, not letting go until he realised she had pulled away from him.
The seating arrangement changed slightly. Nialle still sat in his big armchair and KoNeko in her smaller one, but Nierme moved to the couch and Andy sat next to her, Leia claimed one of the other armchairs, and Chris was about to sit in another one when he sneezed and took on his Fox form. Everyone laughed a little about the fact the Chris still hadn't worked out how to control his sneezing problem and as he stuck out his tongue at everyone then jumped up on Leia's lap, Nierme began to feel a little more at ease. She was now surrounded by some of her best friends that she hadn't seen in years and as they all settled down with hot drinks and cookies, the dread of what she would have to do later subsided slightly, taking the edge off it.
The six of them were talking merrily about how they had come to Glenmore when Rue and Gen came in, giggling about something to themselves as usual. As they sat down everyone gave them curious looks and their laughter stopped dead and they smiled innocently at the people around them. KoNeko jumped up and made more cocoa and coffee for everyone and brought it back out on a large tray with extra cups, a jug of milk, and sugar cubes. She disappeared again and brought out more cookies figuring they would need them since their numbers were growing.
They began to talk about when they all first met and all the silly antics they had gotten up to. They laughed hysterically as Leia, Chris and Nialle retold Nialle's kidnapping, each of them butting in and cutting each other off to tell each part from their own perspective. Nialle still felt nervous when he could smell bananas and heshen, and was still having trouble eating cheese, though he could mange it in small quantities every now and then.
Nierme, who had been leaning forward, let herself fall back onto the couch gently. She realised Andy's arm had been behind her and leaned forward again and looked at him. He hadn't been laughing as much as everyone else and it didn't look as though he was having as much fun. She looked at his face with it's brown eyes that seemed to still be sad and felt a tiny pang of guilt. He was looking back at her with a look of rejection crossing his face and was about to move his arm, but she smiled at him and leaned back against the couch with his arm still behind her. He was a little confused about this but didn't move his arm. He just looked at her, even after she had turned back to the rest of the company, studying her trying to work her out. When he realised he was staring he stopped and turned back to listen to KoNeko who was telling about one of the cases she had had to deal with in the Ministry where a Wizard had been silly enough to enchant a whipper snipper.
Nierme, on the other hand was distracted a little because she could see that Nialle and KoKo kept looking at her, as if they were waiting for her to come out with something. She stayed quiet though and avoided their eyes when she could. She hated hiding things from her friends, but it really wasn't something to discuss. Not in this sort of setting anyway and not with so many people around. She was stirring a fresh cup of cocoa when Chris piped up out of the blue.
"Hey Ni! What have you been up to all this time? We've barely heard a word from all these years. Where've you been hiding?"
Nierme's eyes suddenly popped and her cocoa upended onto the floor leaving the saucer and spoon in her hands. The room went silent again.
Everyone stared at Nierme, ignoring the cocoa that was fast soaking into the rug on the floor. Nialle put her cup down in her saucer and moved forward a little in her seat. Gen and Rue were looking backwards and forwards from Nierme to each other with confused looks on their faces. Leia looked stunned, poor Chris looked like he had just greatly offended someone without intention and was feeling awfully guilty about it. KoNeko was looking at Nierme and trying to catch Nialle's eye at the same time. Andy, who had no-more idea about what was going on with Nierme than anyone else in the room, apart from Nialle and KoNeko, was looking very worried.
And Nierme, she sat there, staring out blankly, trying to figure out what to say. The last thing she wanted to tell them was a lie, but even though she knew they would all accept her now, she wasn't sure how they would feel about her once the night was up and dawn came. She looked down at her feet and saw her cocoa had made an ugly brown stain on the green rug.
"I'm sorry Nialle. Clumsy me. I'll get a cloth and clean that up."
She stood up as fast as she could, nearly knocking Andy's cocoa out of his hands and with what seemed like one swift movement had picked up the cup and was already at the sink getting a damp cloth ready. She came back and mopped up the mess, doing her best to not make eye contact with anyone, but she couldn't avoid Nialle's eye for a moment who was giving her a very concerned look.
She suddenly felt very guilty for reacting the way she had and went back to the sink to rinse out the cloth. She hadn't noticed the small double tailed fox had followed her and he startled her a little as he spoke from down near her feet.
"I'm sorry if I asked something wrong before. I was just wondering what you had been up to and if everything was all right. I've been worried about you. We all have...."
She looked down at him, staring up at her he had just chewed a pair of shoes and she felt tears creeping into her eyes again.
"Oh Chris, it wasn't you. It's just...."
She stopped. She wanted everyone to hear this and looked back out at them. Chris took the hint and started walking back out towards Leia's chair. They were all still glancing up towards where she was and it made her feel like she was the center of attention, something she still wasn't used to or comfortable with. She dropped the cloth and headed back out to everyone taking her seat next to Andy again and let out a deep breath.
"I'm sorry about that...before. And I'm sorry I upset you Chris. It's just...." she paused for a moment still trying to figure out what to say without hurting them. She was looking down into her hands that had started to tremble and they all noticed. "I really want to tell you all but...." she looked around at each face. She saw in each of them to a degree a slight look of disappointment. It made her feel even worse. "I.... I have to get out of here."
She suddenly stood and headed for the blue blanket and disappeared behind it. Everyone watched after her, each seemed to be wondering if they should follow her. Eventually, Nialle moved to set her cup down on the table again and get up but Andy stood first.
"Let me go out and talk to her. Please? Just for a minute."
Nialle nodded and shifted back in her chair but did not settle. Andy went to the blue blanket and soon had also disappeared behind it.
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Post by coldmercurywitch on May 19, 2003 7:55:32 GMT -5
It was even darker outside now and it had become even colder. Andy wrapped his cloak tighter about himself and looked around to see if he could see Nierme anywhere, but she didn't seem to be anywhere in sight. He stood there for a moment wondering if her should let her be for a little longer before looking for her, or whether he should talk to her now. He decided he should find her now because if she had decided to start wandering into the forest than it could take him hours to find her later.
But it didn't take him as long to find her as he thought. She was sitting a little way into the forest from the Glenmore clearing under a rather enormous tree behind a wall of bushes where the wind couldn't get in. she was sitting her head bent and her hands in her lap. She already knew he was there but didn't move to acknowledge it. He sat down beside her, half to get closer to her to speak properly, and half to get out of the chilly wind that was picking up. They sat there silent for a few moments before either of them spoke.
"What is it you've been doing that your afraid to even tell me?" Andy finally half whispered to her. She didn't answer him straight away and he took it that she wasn't going to tell him. "Look! I thought I was someone you cared about. I thought I was at least your friend who you could talk to about anything. What happened? What changed so suddenly?" His toned was starting to get take on a hint of anger and frustration.
"It was me,” she finally whispered out as he made a move to get up and leave. He stopped and looked at her. "It was me that changed, Andy. I'm sorry it hurt you so much. I'm sorry it hurt everyone so much, but it wasn't something I had a say in."
She couldn't look up at him. She was scared to look up and see him angry, and was even more afraid to look up and see him upset. She stayed with her head bowed looking at her pale hands in her lap. He moved closer to her and put an arm round her shoulders.
"Whatever it is you can tell me. I don't care what it is. I... just want you to talk to me again."
She could feel the warmth of his arm through her dress and it was comforting to feel that kind of warmth again after having spent so long taking it away. She looked up at him and he tried to give her a smile but it ended up lopsided making him look silly. She could help but smile back.
"You already know I'm a banshee..." she started.
"Yeah. A half banshee. But that never made any difference to me, or Nialle and KoKo, or Leia and Chris and Gen and Rue. Why is it a big deal now?" Andy was feeling a little confused. He'd always thought of Nierme's Banshee side being harmless.
"Andy, I'm not a harmless little child anymore. I came of age during our last year here. That's why I had to leave so suddenly. That's why I couldn't tell you where I was going or why I was going. I wasn't allowed to." Tears began to fill her eyes again but they fell and froze on her cold cheeks. "I wanted to tell you. I wanted to try and keep in touch with you but it was forbidden. I wasn't supposed to get attached to mortals, but I was stupid and I did. I got attached to lots of you." She looked back up at him. "And now I know why. Cos it hurt like hell knowing I wasn't allowed to love anyone, but it hurt even more having to see the one I did again."
Her cheeks were streaked with streams of ice which Andy brushed off for her, and even though it made him colder, he puller her in tighter to him.
"But I still don't understand," he said sounding a little confused like he'd missed something. "Why aren't you allowed to love? And what is it you actually do? You haven't said that yet."
"Banshees aren't meant to be able to love anyone, not like everyone else. But I'm half elf. Half high elf and love was one of the things they lived for. I... I can't help it. I'm not meant to love because it's easier to call people into death when you can't."
This hit Andy like a kick in the guts. He knew that Banshee's called people into death, but he had never given it a second thought that Nierme could turn out to have to do the same. He let go of her and moved away and she dropped her head and began to cry silently again. Andy suddenly also realised why she hadn't wanted to tell everyone. Most people would be afraid of a Banshee being near.
He felt bad. He of all people should have known that whatever it was she had to do wouldn't have changed who she was. He moved closer to her again.
"I understand if you don't want to touch me or come near me. I'm kinda used to it now." She kept her head hung, waiting for him to get up and leave her there underneath the huge tree by herself.
When he put his arms around her again and held her tight Nierme suddenly felt happy. Happy like she hadn’t felt since she was just a carefree student at Hogwarts sneaking out for midnight snacks in the middle of night and finding quiet places to spend time alone with Andy. She leaned against him letting her head rest on his shoulder and closed her eyes and smiled. They sat there like that for what seemed like forever to Nierme, and yet nowhere near long enough. It was when she felt Andy shiver under her that she knew they couldn’t stay there like that forever.
“You’re cold.”
“Yeah, but it’s OK.”
“No, you better be getting back inside. I don’t want to be calling you tonight as well.”
Andy smiled feeling better knowing she could still keep her humour even though what she did was far from being a laughing matter. They both stood up and started brushing snow off their clothes.
“You’ve been crying,” he remarked and reached out to brush frozen tears off her cheeks. She smiled back at him, savouring the feeling of his skin against hers. She then turned and looked towards the castle. Andy sighed. “You have to go soon, don’t you?”
“Yeah…” she replied quietly, “I’m expected.” She looked back to him and saw he was still shivering. “Come on. You better go back to the cave.”
“Who’s going to die tonight?” he asked.
The question came suddenly and when she least expected it, just like when Nialle had asked her earlier. She sighed then looked up at him.
“Andy, you know I can’t tell you something like that. Come on. You need to get warm and I…” she looked toward the castle again, “I need to go. Tell everyone else back at the cave I’ll be all right and that if I don’t get a chance to say goodbye that I love them all and wish I could stay here forever with them.”
“I don’t want you to go. I don’t want to lose you again. It was hard enough the first time and I don’t think I could handle that again.”
She looked at him and didn’t really know what to say because she knew it was going to tear her apart having to leave him again as well. She finally stepped closer to him and let her lips brush lightly against his cheek.
“I’m sorry Andy…but we can never be together again.”
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Post by coldmercurywitch on May 29, 2003 7:05:51 GMT -5
~~~~~
Andy pushed the blue blanket aside and stepped inside the cave. His lips were starting to turn blue and he was starting to shiver violently but he hardly noticed. He felt numb and it wasn't from the cold. Everyone turned as they felt a cold draught rush into the room and saw him standing just inside the cave, his arms folded with his hands tucked into his armpits.
"Andy!" exclaimed KoNeko and she raced over to help him in front of the fire. Everyone got up and crowded round him offering him something hot to drink and wrapping blankets around him.
"No, I'm fine," he said quietly, staring into the fire and wrapping the blanket around him tighter. "I don't need anything else. I'll be OK."
"Where's Nierme?" Nialle asked from across the room where he was making coffee. "Is she still out there? Is she coming back in?" Andy shook his head.
"She's gone. She had something else to do and went to the castle, then she's going. I don't think she's coming back..."
The cup fell from Nialle's hand and broke on the floor.
"She's gone to the castle? Are you sure?"
"Yeah. She kept looking up at it earlier when we were out there talking and when she left me that's where she headed. She said she had to call someone and that you knew about it."
Nialle swallowed hard and KoNeko stared at him wide eyed.
"What is it Nialle? Do you think you know who it is?" KoNeko looked to Nialle hoping to get some sort answer from him.
"There's only one person in that castle I can think of that she would need to call tonight. And I don't think there is anything we can do about it." A tear fell and splashed on his cheek.
~~~~~
Nierme walked slowly along the warmed corridors, though she felt chilled to the bone. Thoughts were rushing through her head of abandoning her duties and fleeing forever, but she knew that she couldn't escape and that if she didn't do the calling, then someone else would tonight anyway.
She stopped at the entrance to the Great Hall and looked in at the now dim lit tables and up at the clouded sky that was now sending down heavy snow. She thought back to the first time she stared up at that ceiling and gasped in wonder at the thousands of glittering stars that had stared back at her and wished she could go back there and change everything. But she knew she couldn't, and she knew that time was slipping away and that she had to hurry. She turned and headed out of the hall and ran straight into someone who was coming in.
"I beg your pardon?" said a stern, authoritive voice. It was Professor McGonagal.
"Sorry Professor," Nierme said quickly when she realised who it was, "I didn't see you there. I was just having another look around before I left. That's OK isn't it?"
McGonagal smiled which was rare.
"Of course it is. It was good seeing all of you again this year. One of the larger reunion turnouts we've seen in a long time. But I best be getting back to what I was doing. If you need anything before you leave just ask someone."
She started to head through the hall to one of the doors at the far end when Nierme called after her.
"Professor...could you please tell me where Professor Dumbledore is?"
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Post by En on Jun 17, 2003 10:08:52 GMT -5
Holy crap, Nie... that was not what I was expecting at all... *shivers violently*
This is great. Descriptive, suspenseful, and the characters are really colourful... and what an ending... what a twist!
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Post by coldmercurywitch on Jun 17, 2003 20:40:07 GMT -5
*grins hugely*
I'm glad I kept the twist there till the end. I wasn't sure if I hinted too much at earlier in the story by going and speaking with Dumbledore for so long and stuff.
When I first started the story, I wasn't real sure where I wanted to head with it, but then I started thinking abut what it would be like if my character, Nierme, had to be the one to call away someone she cared for every much. To begin with I was thinking mybe Andy, but that seemed way too cliche, so I started going through her friends, but didn't want to have to pick one of them.
Then I thoguht of Dumbledore.
Everyone feels so safe because he's around. He's always there to fix things and set things right and everyone has this feeling that Dumbledore will always be there to help Harry if no-one else will. So I wanted to know what people would think if he couldn't be there for the students and the wizarding world again, ever, because it's eventually going to happen. I also wanted to keep it as a twist at the end to make full use of the shock reaction I was hoping people would get from it.
And of course, I have a thing about making my charcters niceand colourful and as human as possible wiht the strengths and weaknesses and everything else, so I'm glad I seem to have achieved that.
Any other comments or CC (constructive critisism) would be very much appreiciated.
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dianella
Slytherin House Member
My mother told me to mend my wicked ways. But I never could sew...
Posts: 1,811
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Post by dianella on Jun 18, 2003 7:43:18 GMT -5
I don't want you to think that I have forgotten your story! I've printed it out and plan to read it today. I believe it is the last one I have to read and score. I'm looking forward to it and will write some comments as soon as I'm done!
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Post by coldmercurywitch on Jun 18, 2003 8:18:29 GMT -5
Hey, that's cool Di. Take your time. I hope you like it as much as En seems to have. ^_^ And I look forward to hearing your comments.
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dianella
Slytherin House Member
My mother told me to mend my wicked ways. But I never could sew...
Posts: 1,811
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Post by dianella on Jun 18, 2003 17:49:17 GMT -5
OK - done! Excellent story - very touching. (I have to say, I saw it coming during Dumbledore's speech...) But a nice look at how Nierme struggles with who - what - she is. One bit of advice. Don't switch perspectives without changing chapters or in some way breaking the narrative. Sometimes the reader is looking through Nierme's eyes, sometimes Andy's and sometimes others.
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Post by Robin_Sprouts on Jun 19, 2003 10:26:43 GMT -5
Nierme -
Thanks so much for your entry into this year's TDSC. I know you spent a lot of time working with this piece and was happy to see that you took the time and polished for our little contest! Great work! You did a very nice job capturing what I feel is the dialouge/speech patters of the Glenmorians.
I agree with Di's comment about switching point of view - there are several shift within your story, and they are rather sudden. You might want to think about keeping it all in one perspective (your's of course) or expanding the story to contain more of Andy's perspective. I would hate to lose Andy's tears but, that section in particular was disjointing for me.
Again - thanks for entering.
- Robin_Sprouts
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