entrancelogs | ( open ) ❝ Door number two - it's for you, little lady...❞

Entry tags:

( open ) ❝ Door number two - it's for you, little lady...❞

Who: 5th Year Hufflepuff Prefect, Darcy Lewis & You!
Where: All over the Mansion
When: October 1st to 5th
Rating: Probably up to PG-13, will update as needed
Summary: Various starters under cut for the Hogwarts event, including a study group opportunity across the houses
The Story:

❖ Attempting to study, Hufflepuff homeroom and the Library
❖ Tutoring for Ancient Runes (w/ Nathan Drake) and DADA (w/ John Winchester)
❖ Hogsmeade
❖ Around Hogwarts/The Dining Hall
❖ Choose your own Adventure!

[ ooc: responses will come from

incomingsass, starters all below - will match style. Feel free to hit me up @

riddlesinthedark or through PM if you'd like to work something out/set something up. ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ To say she's an avid student really depends on the class. Of course, she wants to do well on her testing and now that she's in her 5th year, it's time to crack down on figuring out the direction she wants to go. How she wants to handle that dreaded thing called the future. A lot of Hufflepuffs find happiness with the Ministry of Magic, something lingering in the back of her mind. She has a knack for Arithmancy, having happily accepted the offer for a more hands-on approach with that by TAing. It would certainly look good once she was out of school and if she could master DADA and maybe a few other subjects? She could be a shoe-in. Certainly not for an Auror or anything quite so exciting, but the Department of Mysteries would be amazing.

Which means, she needs to study.

She starts in the Hufflepuff Common Room, having claimed a table for herself and her 8000 books. Various pieces levitate here and there as needed, a book hovering a little to the left of her as she takes notes... Or looks like she's taking notes because anyone who looks closely enough over her shoulder will notice that the notes are actually just a series of doodles and have nothing to do with the History of Magic book in front of her. Eventually she moves to the library, books and all, ready for a take two. She could totally do this, right? Okay, maybe it would help to grab a few books that the professors didn't recommend just to round out her homework and show she's trying to go above and beyond? She's certainly not trying to avoid doing the actual work. Nope. Not at all. ]

[ Darcy hated Ancient Runes. Ok, maybe hate's a strong word... But there's really no love lost with the subject. Granted, if her plan of possibly working for the Ministry of Magic was going to come to fruition, she needed to be well-versed in the topic. So, she'd reached out for help. Sure, the help was probably not the best choice in terms of staying on topic and not getting distracted by his enthusiasm and those dreamy eyes, but it worked. It also usually got her out of the mansion and added a little excitement to her day depending on where he asked her to meet him.

Today, apparently, was no different. She'd learned to prepare accordingly, packing light for the study session and dressing to move. She's even got a cute little yellow ribbon for a headband and didn't spend an hour getting ready to just look like she threw it all together. /awkward cough ]

[ This year was the year for change, to step up and set examples for the younger students. That the houses didn't necessarily matter when it came to studying or making friends. Of course, it didn't stop her own internal anxiety when going out on a new venture and trying to get ahead in areas she'd previously struggled with. To say she's grateful that John had agreed to help her is an understatement because getting brownie points with Professor Barnes could be the ticket to a very nice letter of recommendation a few years down the road.

She's nervous when she arrives at the DADA training room, black and yellow tie tucked into the gray sweater vest and her 11 ¼" chestnut wand with a unicorn hair core in hand. Every hair is in place, a light smattering of makeup brightening her cheeks and lips as she waits. Darcy knows she's early, but she wanted a few minutes to try and center herself in the hopes to avoid something embarrassing. Just breathe, Lewis... Just breathe. ]

[ Given her study load, it was important to make sure she allowed herself some time to cut loose and have a little fun. So, the trip to Hogsmeade is a definite must. She can be found buzzing around the familiar place, popping in and out of shops and maybe going a little overboard on the goodies. Of course, they aren't all for her. No, she'd been saving up for this trip - having worked her butt off between sessions to make sure she'd be able to afford it. She had plans as a prefect, to not be hated or dreaded, but instead appreciated. She didn't want people to resent her, instead hoping to use her power for good. Help organize study groups and work through some of the divides people might still have about the houses. And what went better with studying than random junk food?

Once she's sure it'll all make its way back to her room, she finds a spot to settle in for a butterbeer and a new book... That may or may not be related to a school course. Okay, she's failing epically at the 'cutting loose and not studying' while at Hogsmeade. Someone help her remember how to have fun because she's gone overboard. ]

[ Jane smiles as she spots Darcy, approaching her from behind and raising an amused eyebrow. ]

Ah, I remember when that particular drawing was lectured about. Titled 'A study in Boring Books' isn't it?

[ She's only giving her TA a hard time, very fond of Darcy and invested in helping her advance any way he can. Not that she's saying history is boring or anything, buuuuuut. She gets that it's pretty dry. ]

How is it going otherwise?

[ When not cheering on her big brother, Clint, at a Quidditch match, she can be found pretty much anywhere. It had been important to her to have friends in all the houses, though finding her in the Slytherin common room isn't a frequent thing. She makes a point to practice piano in the music classroom, not wanting to let that slip, and grab a bite to eat from the Dining Hall... Even if that eating is more on the go than actually sitting down. Don't mind her as she grabs a few things here and there and --oh, sorry. Didn't mean to bump anyone, just going for a pastry to round out the meal.

The stairs have become something of a nuisance with the added class load, spending more time dealing with them than actually moving through the hallways. At one point, though, when she's running late to class already, the stairs give her a new headache - taking her to the complete wrong side. A portrait laughs, making a comment about going for a stroll. ]

They've got it out for me, I swear to--

[ Nothing striking your fancy? Feel free to reply to this with a starter. ]

Edited 2016-10-01 20:35 (UTC)

[ Philip is in the mood for company today. On those days you might mistake him for one of the living, it only at a passing glance. He hovers so close to the ground, he might as well walk, rounding shelves deliberately, instead of phasing through them.

(But he is still a transparent shimmer, and his hues are still just as drained as his life, and he is still so much less than he used to be, though he likes the moments when people briefly think otherwise.)

Philip is in the mood for company today, and he finds it sitting at one of the tables, surrounded by a wealth of books. He floats closer, and tilts his head curiously at the titles. ]

[ Sharon and Darcy ought to be more competitive, but Sharon likes the older girl too much to bear her any animosity. Anyway, it's not like either one of them is ever going to get with the teacher they've both got something of a crush on. Or teachers. Whatever.

Point is, Darcy's okay. And sometimes she tells Sharon things about Clint. Not always very attractive things, but they're still things about Clint. Which... makes them good, right? ~~Even though she really didn't need to know THAT story. Or THAT one. Or THAT one.~~

So when she sees Darcy in the common room, studying (very intently, too; Darcy is taking so many notes that she hasn't looked at her book in ages), she goes over and sits across from her.

And then she just waits silently, her eyes boring into Darcy until Darcy takes a pause from studying and Sharon can't be blamed for interrupting. ]

What the hell.

[ Simon sounds very unimpressed as he wanders into the Common Room and stops short, eyeing the mountain of books with considerable skepticism. ]

Alright, who let the Ravenclaws in to redecorate?

D-Darcy!

[There's a familiar voice - Mikan pants, out of breath, apparently having run in an attempt to catch up to her.]

I-I tried to stop the stairs, but I couldn't, so I tried to yell at you but you didn't hear me and then I tripped and fell down the stairs so I-I tried to get up them again but it was too late and...

For the love of Mer-- [ Simon gets a look from Darcy because she has no time for party poopers... Even if it's a party that's super boring and she'd rather not be at. ]

Ha ha, very funny Simon. [ SO MUCH EYE-ROLLING FROM HIS FELLOW PUFF. ] It'll be fine in a week or so, I think I just bit off more than I can chew.

[ If Darcy actually managed to land a teacher, the world would probably stop. Besides, it was cute how the younger girl had a crush on her older brother. Not that Clint probably noticed. It would basically take hitting him upside the head with one of the history books to maybe get the message across to him.

And apparently, the lack of observational skills when focused on something else seems to run in the family. It takes a few solid minutes of frustrated doodling that totally looks like studying before she realizes that she's being watched. The book settles on the table with a soft 'thud', eyebrows lifting at the younger girl. ]

History of Magic isn't as exciting as Professor Rogers keeps trying to make it when you're outside his class. [ Hi. ]

[ The rumors about the ghosts of Hogwarts varied from house to house, but a few seemed consistent no matter where in the school it came from when it came to Philip. He was a mystery and mysteries were cool.

Today, though, was about a different mystery - the curious case of where people find the drive to study. ]

O.W.L.s are going to kill me if my class load doesn't first. [ A beat. ] How's life as a ghost around here? Is it good? Are you guys hiring?

[ Anyone else and she might try to scramble to make it seem that she wasn't actually doodling instead of studying. But, she liked Professor Doe and felt she could be honest with her. Especially when it came to the classes she was less than stellar at. ]

Yes, gonna try and get past this to hit the next level.

[ It's said lightly, knowing she probably just needs to take a break before getting back into the thick of it. The books settle onto the table, arranging themselves as she gives her full attention to one of her favorite Professors. ]

I think I'm going to need a better strategy to get through this year and O.W.L.s so I don't drown. How did you do it? Survive your 5th year?

[ She turns at the sound, the smile turning to a look of concern as she tells the story of what happened. Darcy's quick to cross to the fellow Hufflepuff. ]

Mikan! Gulping gargoyles -- Thank you, but you didn't need to do that. The stairs have a mind of their own, sometimes. But, are you okay? Do you need to go to the Medical Wing?

[Sniffle sniffle. She looks ready for tears any second now.]

N-No... Minor bruising, no broken bones or skin tears, and a bump on the head that'll subside...

[As usual, she can easily diagnose herself.]

[Traipsing through Hogsmeade has been just what the doctor ordered and Mettaton has been enjoying all of the sweets and baubles available for purchase. Coming from a relatively well-off muggle family still has its advantages, even if you have to convert everything into wizard money.

Going through this little village has also helped him come up with new items for his budding company of assorted things. He's walking down one of the side streets with his shopping bags in tow as he contemplates these ideas when he sees a fellow student sitting on a bench reading... is that a text book? Oh goodness no. That's unacceptable.

He sneaks up behind her, putting his bags on the ground as he then leans over and plucks the book out of her hands to give it a look.]

Darling, if you weren't wearing black and yellow, I'd assume that you were a Ravenclaw, studying here as you are.

(ooc: as a note, Mettaton is humanized for this event, so he is not a robot. I just got lazy and didn't find a faceclaim for him lol)

Then how about swallowing already?

[ He wanders in closer with a dubious look for her mountain of books and whatever else she has buried in there. ]

What is all this?

[ He's looking for the charms book the Professor Weller assigned him for extra credit and its not where its supposed to be- in fact Billy can't find it at all. Which just, really puts a damper on his study plans for the day. No one else should have it, there's no other seventh years around that he can see and its really advanced for anyone else. Maybe it was just misfiled?

A quick locator spell sends Billy to Darcy's table and he pauses looking at the stacks of books she's acquired. ]

I'm not sure its physically possible to read all these books, Lewis.

[ He likes-- Hm. He thinks he's worse at emotions than he used to be, and that's saying something. Since he-- Christ, how many years? He'd like to remember that. He doesn't. Well, anyway. One, two, three, four, five- five. He can keep track of that. Sometimes. Students, if they catch his attention a bit. He remembers her. He likes her. Well enough to hover around again. Well enough that she gets a lopsided smile.

Answer? Philip sort of tilts his head to the side, palm held out flat, see-saw motion, like so-so. Fifty fifty. It's alright. There's worse. Presumably. There's still death. Not skim death, like this. Whole milk death. No, thank you.

Philip waves his hand, and a remarkably precise indoor draft knocks a book from the shelf.

Hiring Practices In The Wizarding World: A Helpful Guide, it reads. Spoiler: Sadly it features little about joining their profession. An Advanced Guide To Brewing Lethal Poisons might be a better starter kit there. ]

[Nate isn't a "professional" tutor, but neither is he a crappy one.

He sort of fell into it by random happenstance when another student asked him for help while studying for O.W.L.s, and as with many things in his life it kept happening. So he tries to shake it up, breaks the monotony of constant in-library work with offers to take people outside into different environments. Whether they better facilitate the learning process he doesn't really know, but it keeps everybody sane.

Nate isn't cruel enough to spring completely foreign locations on people - usually they get waypoints, or landmarks for orientation - and today he's decided to meet with the student in question before walking to the outdoor spot.]

Hey.

[He finds Darcy down by the kitchen, in front of the barrels that Hufflepuff students say will lead to their house - having never seen it and not wanting to risk being covered in vinegar, Nate takes their word for it. He grins at her.]

Been a while since the last session. Thought you'd forgotten all about me.

Oh, gosh. I...didn't sleep much. I think that's pretty common for all 5th years. I think I just put my head down and told myself I could have fun again in 6th year, honestly. You have to carve out time for yourself though, or you'll burn out. Go on walks, go enjoy Hogsmeade when you can.

[ Jane pauses, thinking. ]

I can give you less to worry about with TA'ing.

I figure if I can get ahead, it'll be easier to keep from falling behind. Channel a Ravenclaw for at least the first month or so and see if it helps at all.

[ It's a plan, shaky at best because she knows she won't be able to pull off that Ravenclaw goal for more than a week... Let's be real. ] I have two tutors to help out with the studying things in the subjects I know I'm weak in, which frees up more time for helping avoid burn-out.

[ She didn't want to end up in the Medical Wing because of a mental breakdown, tyvm. Although the offer to lighten her load earns a quick shake of her head. ] No, I like it. I just want to make sure I don't let other things fall to the side because I don't enjoy them as much.

[ She just wants to be a good student and keep everyone happy. ]

[ Not even five minutes with him and she's already blushing. Off to a good start. ] Yeah, my schedule got a little crazy with helping out in Arithmancy and being a prefect... But I couldn't forget about you. [ OH GOD, QUICK SAVE TO KEEP IT FROM SOUNDING CHEESY. ] You make Ancient Runes interesting and understandable. Hard to forget someone that talented at... um, that.

[ Nailed it. 2smooth4school ]

So! Where are we off to today so we can make up for lost time?

[ Because she's not about to let that particular fail linger in the air like a bad fart. Not that she did that great of a job at moving past the topic. She's learning through trial and a lot of error. 'Tis the year for her to try and blossom out of her awkward phase. Gotta start somewhere. ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 5

( open ) ❝ Door number two - it's for you, little lady...❞

Open • Attempting to Study

Closed • Tutoring for Ancient Runes

Closed • Tutoring for Defense Against the Dark Arts

Open • Hogsmeade

no subject

Open • Around Hogwarts

Open • Choose Your Own Adventure

no subject

Common room!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Library

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject