InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Orange is the new blue."

Marlene McKinnon (marlene_or) wrote in hogwarts_or,
@ 2008-03-09 19:26:00

In the Library [open]
"Stop it!" Marlene snapped, flinching even as she said the words. Her voice wasn't usually that loud, not even when she was outside the library.

Jacob beamed at his sister. "I'm just saying, you're captain for one year and the team falls apart. You couldn't even lead them to one victory." He leaned against her table and pretended to dust a piece of lint off his shirt.

"You don't think I know that?" Marlene asked shrilly. "I know it was my fault. I... I don't know what I did, but..." Marlene suddenly glared at her brother. "And you really shouldn't be talking now, should you? You're just upset that Gryffindor lost yesterday." Before Jacob could respond, Marlene opened the textbook in front of her. "Now, if you don't mind, I really should be studying for the O.W.L.s. They're less than three months away, you know."

Marlene didn't bother looking up when Jacob left. She could hear him muttering under his breath as he walked away, but she couldn't have cared less about what he was saying. He would apologize eventually, probably with some kind of sweet in hand. And, if he didn't, it wasn't a big deal. She'd forget why she was mad in a few days. Until then, she could use the extra time to finish preparing her study guides.

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severus_or
2008-03-10 01:53 pm UTC (link)

Once he'd seen the librarian bearing down on them, Severus had cast a Muffliato Charm on her almost at once. It wasn't so much for the Ravenclaw girl's sake, however, as it was for his own protection. He didn't need Madam Pince getting a second look at the 'note' from Slughorn that said he could use the Restricted Section, which was really in Severus' own handwriting. He'd Confunded her not to examine the thing too closely, which was easy when she was exceptionally busy, like today. He would never have tried a Confundus Charm on her, had the library been empty.

"Are you all right?" he asked, leaning across the aisle slightly toward the next table. She didn't need to know that he had just saved both their necks, but she did look more than a little upset. For some reason, Severus couldn't help wanted to help her ... if he could.

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marlene_or
2008-03-22 11:55 pm UTC (link)

Marlene glanced up in surprise when she heard a voice address her. She could feel a faint blush creep across her face and neck as she realized how disruptive her conversation with Jacob must have been. When she really thought about it, she was surprised there were still students studying near her. If it had been the other way around, she would have moved as soon as the first voice was raised.

"I'm fine, thank you," Marlene smiled weakly. "Jacob just... He can be a little insensitive sometimes. I suppose all brothers are that way though, especially when it comes to their little sisters."

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severus_or
2008-03-23 02:01 am UTC (link)

Severus tried not to scowl. If he still had a sister, he was certain he wouldn't have been insensitive ... or so he hoped. Still, her brother ought not to take her for granted. "Surely not all brothers are that way?" he asked, with a half-hearted smirk. He thought about giving her some suggestions with regards to the weaknesses in the Ravenclaw team line up, as he saw them, but he didn't think she would be too appreciative of such a critique at this precise moment.

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	marlene_or 2008-03-23 05:54 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, maybe not all brothers," Marlene conceded with a shrug. "I only have the one, so I guess I can't really judge them all." Marlene took a breath and glanced at her notes for a moment. Jacob wasn't that bad, really. They normally got along fine. She just wished he would stop trying to get a rise out of her. "Do you have any siblings?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-03-23 06:55 pm UTC (link)

He stiffened obviously when she asked if he had any siblings, though in truth, he probably ought to have expected that. "No, I don't," Severus answered in a flat, emotionless tone, hoping she wouldn't catch on that he was trying hard not to add "Not any more." "But I wouldn't take what he said to heart, if I were you." He shrugged. "Like you said, he's just upset that Gryffindor lost again." After a short hesitation, he leant closer and dropped his voice even further. "If you don't mind a bit of advice from a complete stranger ... your chasers could do with some speed flying drills, and they would probably benefit from agility drills, as well. As it is, they're exceedingly vulnerable to the Bludgers, and while your Beaters are first rate, they can't do it all on their own." He shrugged again and sat back in his chair, hoping she wouldn't take offense.

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marlene_or
2008-03-23 09:45 pm UTC (link)

Marlene knew better than to continue talking about something that was obviously a sensitive subject for someone, but she had to wonder what had caused his tone to change. She forced herself to push the question aside and concentrate on what he had to say about her team. "This is what I was afraid would happen," she admitted. "It's hard to coach the Chasers when you're one of them. I try to step back and see how we're doing, but I don't think I've been doing a very good job of it. When Gail was nearly hit last time... Well, I think I know what I'll be focusing on next year." If I'm captain again... she added silently.

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severus_or
2008-03-24 02:51 am UTC (link)

"Sorry," Severus muttered, feeling the blood rising in his cheeks. He hadn't quite realised this girl was one of the Chasers herself, as it was a little difficult to make out faces from the stands. Still, she didn't seem offended at his suggestion -- more like depressed that she hadn't thought of it herself, actually. "If it helps any, the Slytherin captain has our Chasers fly through the goal loops as she calls out which one, and that not only lets them practise hairpin turns, but it also sharpens their reflexes." He shrugged again, giving her an apologetic smile. "And once your brother is in a better mood, he might have some pointers for you, as well."

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