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Tweak says, "Gabba gabba hey!"

Sam Capper is Ginny Weasley's pretend wife. (six_string) wrote in wished,
@ 2010-05-04 00:59:00

Entry tags:

!1998: 05, !incomplete, nikolas vaisey, sam capper

Characters: Sam Capper and Open
Setting: Late afternoon/After classes on Monday, beside the lake
Summary: Sam takes a break from the castle to reflect on the year so far.
Rating/Warning: TBD

Pleased to be rid of the cold winter weather, Sam shunned her jacket and headed out onto the grounds with nothing more than long sleeves to protect against the lingering late spring chill. It wasn't raining and the wind was barely noticeable, making it easy for Sam to convince herself she was comfortable as she crossed the grounds for the lake. As she walked down the slope for the lake she could see the structures sprouting up across the way by the forest's edge. The looked cold and foreboding and just looking at them sent a chill down her spine. She stopped abruptly and pulled her pack from the pocket, lighting up as she stared at the houses and considered the disconcerting slew of changes the Death Eaters were forcing on Hogwarts.

Thinking about decrees and mandates, Sam continued on to her usual spot, under her favourite tree beside the lake. Far enough from the castle to offer space but still easily in sight of it. She dropped her bag unceremoniously and sat beside it, leaning back against the tree trunk in an attempt to get more comfortable. Taking a drag she thought about how she'd never have imagined at the beginning of the year what would have happened. And she could have a healthy imagination when need be.

It had only been six months since her big problem was getting detentions for glueing Slytherins to their seats or trying to sneak attack them with itching powder. And now it was worrying about which professor would crucio her next should she feel compelled to speak out against the abuse of her fellow students. Six months ago she had her Mum, well and alive and had just started trying to convince her to stay home and away from the bakery for her own safety. An idea she had baulked at repeatedly. Sam blinked hard, fighting off that familiar sensation that signalled tears starting to form behind her eyes. It hadn't all been negative changes, she knew, trying to chase off her tears with happier thoughts. She had Ginny now and she would have never thought that would ever happen, not if you'd asked her six months ago. And she was part of the DA and had her animagus training. That one she liked to think she would have guessed correctly, that she was doing all she could to fight back and do what was right. Even before her mum that had been important to her.

She didn't regret it for one moment, the things she had said to Carrow, not really. She would have gone about it differently, she was willing to admit that now, but that was all. The fact she was the only one willing to say anything was frankly mind boggling. Sam let her head drop forward and watched the ash fall away from her cigarette. Letting her mind wander on to the topic of her training, Sam's head rolled back and pressed against the tree trunk, staring up at the dimming sky as she wondered when it would start to get easier.

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besserwisser
2010-05-04 02:10 pm UTC (link)

Sam hadn't been the only one who'd taken to the grounds upon the completion of classes for the day. As Nikolas exited the castle and felt the slight coolness on his face, he found it hard not to notice he felt at least slightly better then he had been. Just being outside of the castle walls had a mollifying effect - never mind that he was still on the grounds, and now had a much better view of those huts they were building. He'd noticed them earlier in the week and couldn't fathom that they would be for anything good.

Pointedly not looking at them, Nikolas scanned the rest of the grounds as he strolled, shifting his bag. It was still full of books, most of which he was beginning to feel were quite useless in light of the new form classes had taken. He meandered along, not really paying attention to where he was going. As he neared the lake, though, Nikolas noticed a solitary form beneath a tree. It didn't take him long to recognize Sam.

Though he'd seen her a lot since all of this started, he still felt that she was one of the trainees he had yet to really speak to beyond necessity. This seemed to be as good a time as any, especially now as privacy was so hard to come by.

Nikolas approached slowly, noticing the cigarette and thinking it had seemed like a good idea. He stopped just short of where Sam was. If she wanted to be alone he'd be more than happy to let her, but he realized that he hoped she wouldn't. "Hey."

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six_string
2010-05-04 03:56 pm UTC (link)

Sam didn't notice Nikolas until he was almost right on top of her, announcing his presence. She glanced up and nodded after only a slight hesitation. Normally any conversation she might have with a Slytherin was closer to an argument or altercation, but Nikolas she had already acknowledged wasn't quite like the rest of his house.

They hadn't spoken outside of lessons and the rare occurrence on the journal but Sam knew she owed a little more. They were in the same boat and without McGonagall guiding them all now they needed to help each other out. Even if one was a Slytherin.

"Hey," she responded, pulling her bag aside to offer him a place to sit.

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besserwisser
2010-05-04 09:16 pm UTC (link)

Nikolas looked down at the spot Sam had just clear and gave a small grin. "Thanks."

He leaned his back up against the tree and let it support his weight as he slid down into a seated position. The bark scraping against his back verged on uncomfortable, but it brought him out of his class-induced stupor. Placing his own bag near Sam's, he fiddled with the clasp for a bit before conceding that he'd been the one to approach her, so he ought to start the conversation.

It was tempting to ask about what had happened to her the other week - by now most students knew that she had been Crucioed for insubordination in class. But Nikolas knew that if it had been him, the last thing he'd want to do is talk about it, even if the other person meant well.

"So," he began, feeling awkward and tired. His practicing the past weekend had hurt, as he had come to expect - but he noticed that it was less painful than usual, and lingered for less time. That had to be good, right? "Nice day to be out here."

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six_string
2010-05-04 10:15 pm UTC (link)

"Took long enough," she said, nodding in agreement. Winter always lost it's novelty early on in the season for Sam and went on for far too long for her liking. And Spring in the Scottish Highlands did little more than tease her with slightly warmer temperatures. "I prefer summer," she added, explaining her prior comment's disdain.

Sam glanced over at Nikolas and reminded herself to be nice, sitting up a little straighter and trying to make her posture more welcoming. She took a drag from her cigarette, watching it for a moment as she tried to order her words into something that sounded natural. "How have things been going," she asked, sure he would know she was not simply talking about everyday minutia.

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besserwisser
2010-05-04 11:20 pm UTC (link)

"Mm." He made a noncommittal sound and leaned his head back against the tree trunk. "They're...coming along. I mean, it's hard to find a lot of time, or a place that no one's keeping an eye on, you know?"

Nikolas eyed the cigarette with interest. It made him wished he'd stopped back at the dormitory before coming out. He'd not smoked anything in a while, between not feeling he had the time and greater scrutiny being placed on students. This would have been the perfect moment.

"But I think I'm making progress. It isn't as uncomfortable anymore." He paused, pondering whether he ought to ask his next question. "Can I, er, have one of those? If you don't mind." He made a gesture indicated the cigarette.

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six_string
2010-05-04 11:42 pm UTC (link)

Sam raised her eyebrows and followed his gesture, glancing down at her hand. "Huh? Oh, yeah," she dug through her bag to pull out a pack and lighter and passed the pair over. "It's not as uncomfortable anymore," she shared, watching him light up before she took them back. "But it's like..." she paused again, ordering her thoughts. Her transformation still wasn't complete even if it had gotten easier. It didn't do her any good to easily transform into a weasel halfway. "I can't quite make the next step. All the prior ones have just gotten easier." As strange as it felt to be having a discussion with a Slytherin that did not consist of shouting, threats or hexing, Sam was more concerned with the change to discuss the hindrance to her progress with someone that would understand and could maybe help.

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besserwisser
2010-05-05 12:20 am UTC (link)

Nikolas just nodded, taking a slow drag of the cigarette and exhaling the smoke through his nose. Though cigarettes weren't a favorite of his (and Harold always made fun of the pipe), it was better than nothing. He looked at Sam out of the corner of his eye.

Some ash fell to the surface of his bad, and he flicked it off casually.

"I know exactly what you mean," he said finally. "I hit something like that last month. It makes you even more tired, right? Feeling like you're stuck?" Another drag. "And then I was talking to Lucy about it and she's...well, she's way ahead of any of us. Which just made me feel worse."

"You'll see, though. Eventually you feel like you're making progress again." He frowned. "I'm still having a hard time figuring out what we're supposed to, you know, do once we've all gotten it right though."

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	six_string 2010-05-05 01:06 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah," she took a drag, considering everything Nikolas had said. As comforting it was to hear from someone who could relate that her problem was temporary it didn't offer much she could actually do to improve. "I figure that part will make more sense with it arrives." They had the tool, the advantage, which was the important part. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

besserwisser
2010-05-05 01:32 am UTC (link)

"I guess," he conceded, not sounding very convinced. "Good thing is, at least we seem to have variety at our disposal. Regarding the animals, I mean."

At least there was only a month left before they could all go home. Well, supposedly. This new decree left a bad taste in his mouth - what if they were all forced to stay? Or the Muggleborns, at least? He didn't think Lucy had been identified yet, but what if she was before term ended? The idea of her being left in the castle for three months was disturbing.

"Hopefully we won't have to do anything until we're ready." He realized that sounded much sillier then he'd meant. Nikolas just didn't relish the fact that they might be needed, and unable to help. "And there's always summer."

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six_string
2010-05-05 01:53 am UTC (link)

"We certainly have variety covered, that's true," thinking of how she'd consoled Aud on how it could be useful to be as something as tiny as a dormouse. Though it was also hard to imagine what sort of situation would require the diverse array of animals they had to offer as a solution.

"I'll be well glad to be out of this place." Sam didn't know what was going to happen between now and the end of the year but a break from the volatile atmosphere that was filling Hogwarts would be welcome, even if the outside world wasn't much better.

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besserwisser
2010-05-07 09:24 pm UTC (link)

Nikolas could not have sympathized more. He'd never really enjoyed being at Hogwarts when things weren't completely insane. Now, even though his bloodline protected him from any cruelty at the hands of the new staff members, it was practically unbearable having to wait another month. That, and the gloating the majority of his housemates had taken to was more irritating than ever.

"I've been ready to be out of here since the second week of class, to be honest," he commented. "Now I just have even more reason. Although..." He bit his lip and took another drag from the cigarette. "I'm wondering if...those huts. Do you think they're meant to keep the Muggleborns out here over summer?"

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six_string
2010-05-08 10:12 pm UTC (link)

Sam didn't want to admit it, but she'd been worried about the new powers that controlled the school preventing them from leaving during break. The huts had done little to assuage her fears. She didn't doubt for a moment that the huts could result having something to do with the muggleborns. "It's what I thought they might be for," she admitted, taking one last drag before flicking away the cigarette. "Considering the way they talk I'm surprised they haven't done more yet." It was a matter of time.

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besserwisser
2010-05-10 05:12 am UTC (link)

"This is..." He made a face that seemed like it ought to be accompanied by a snarl. Instead, Nikolas chose an obscenity to express the obvious. "Fucked up." He didn't know what else to say.

Absently, he scratched at his left wrist. "I can't imagine that there's no way to get them out of here if it came to that. This castle's huge, and everyone knows there's passages all over it."

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