Whomping Willow

Whomping Willow
hogwarts grounds

The Whomping Willow is a sentient and often violent species of the common willow tree. It was planted at Hogwarts to disguise the passageway beneath it that leads to the Shrieking Shack. It has been here since 1971 and has become a staple of the Hogwarts scenery, sitting on a cliff near the forest edge. Many still fear it for its constant thrashing, threatening anyone who comes near it (especially the birds).

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

There is not enough time before Fionn's next class for them to make the trip to the Shrieking Shack, though Fionn makes a mental note to bring it up later that perhaps Demetra might be interested in spending the day together this weekend having a picnic near the dilapidated structure. In the meantime, the Willow will do perfectly fine. It is already one of *their* spots, after all. Regardless of where the pair choose to spend time together, to Fionn, what matters most is that it is time spent with his best and dearest friend. The two quietly walk towards the tree before finding a spot to sit, and it is only then that he endeavors to begin a conversation. "Xylomancy has gotten smaller this year," he comments. Not that it was very big to begin with, but it seems that two of their schoolmates from the year prior had either opted to drop the class or graduated. It is nice, he thinks, that Madame Fontaine continues teaching it despite the low demand. He is appreciative of this but it is mostly for selfish reasons – he likes being able to be with Demi in a class that is not so overwhelming, which other people have the tendency to be. "How are your other classes?" They are together in most, so he has a good idea, but he would like to know nonetheless.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Demetra follows along the pathway down to the Willow, hand occasionally reaching out for his arm for support as a particularly bumpy piece of grass dares to trip her. Only once does she reach out and lay her hand along his arm, knowing he won't mind and that he would rather she doesn't fall. "It has," she acknowledges. Xylomancy is one of few classes that she falls asleep in without feeling guilty. Madame Fontaine is quite nice to her and there aren't a lot of students to tease her (or God forbid actually do something to her though it's happened before). So, as she usually does, she hasn't taken much notice to the class size. Her head is still a bit foggy, but she's waking up and not falling asleep again. Demetra knows herself well enough to know that much for certain. "My other classes are fine. My other partners are all nice." It's as if the goddesses decided to align themselves in her favor just this once. All of her partners are just delightful even the ones that she thinks are meant to scare her. "My worst class is Charms and Maya is my partner. It brings me great comfort," she says with a distinct discomfort in her voice. Demetra glances over at Fionn, not quite smiling though it is some sign of happiness or at least one can assume. "How are your classes?" Phrasing the question is easy when it's just been asked to you first, isn't it?

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn takes in this information attentively, clearly listening to Demi patiently. He is happy to be listening, of course, especially when Demi is someone he he holds so closely to his heart. "It's good to hear that all your partners are nice." he says. Fionn is not a very threatening person and he is self-aware enough to realize this, so he does not know how he would be able to deal with someone who is not treating Demetra less than kindly. He would come up with something though, should the occasion ever arise, but for now he is happy that it hasn't. She deserves nice partners, especially now in her final year. "Maya and I were partners in Charms last year, though she might have already told you that." It would not surprise him. Maya says a lot of things that it is occasionally difficult to keep up with all the syllables leaving her mouth. It is nice, though, because that means she will carry the bulk of the conversation. She doesn't mind, either, that he struggles from time to time talking. "She is very fond of you. She messaged me on Witchagram when she found out you were roommates, and she sounded so thrilled." he tells her, "And until now, when we see each other, she has nothing but the highest praise for you each time you come up in conversation. So do I, but you already know that." Demetra *should* know by now that Fionn loves her very much. "My partners are nice too. I am with Marisha, who is always such a delight to be around. Then there is Valya, my roommate – " Fionn chuckles slightly thinking of Valya. " – I find him very amusing. Then, I am with Darshini in Wizarding Law... The princess who transferred in." His cheeks tinge pink at the mention of her. It had been difficult forming sentences around Darshini during the first encounter because she was so attractive. He does not have a crush or anything of that sort, but he is mostly embarrassed by how he acted during their first meeting. "She's very nice too."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Merely nodding in acknowledgement, she remembers how Maya chattered on and on about being friends with both of them now. Maya is nice and Demi is lucky to have such a wonderful roommate. Her only fault is bringing her girlfriend around, but she's good at not minding it, usually escaping off with Fionn somewhere. "Maya is excited by most things," she notes aloud, not wanting to be convinced that Maya was excited specifically by her presence. It simply couldn't be the case, but she doesn't mind that. It doesn't hurt her feelings that people don't get thrilled just by being around her, or at least nowhere near as much as it used to. Fionn gives her a peaceful sort of thrill and she thinks she gives him the same feeling; that is enough for her. "Marisha and Valentin are both good people." Valentin is yet to have told her that she can also call him Valya, which she found out long ago is customary for Russian culture. Demetra is aware of the Romanovs from Ministry events and therefore is also aware of his status, but is yet to point it out to anyone. Actually, she is not certain she's correct considering she had never seen him there before, but she does remember an unpictured *Prince Valentin Romanov* from the papers. Regardless, he is quite nice to her during their encounters. Compare this to the fear she has of Marisha, both for her stature and talents. However, she knows she is even nicer. "Darshini..." she begins, embarrassed by the way Fionn starts to blush at the mention of her. It's a good thing they have found their spot and are settled down because otherwise she would've risked tripping as she processed her muddled emotions. "She's beautiful." A moment of silence as she stares at him. "You agree," she states quietly though she meant to question it and be less definitive in her statement.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn listens quietly. It is calming to him to hear Demetra talk. The way she speaks and the sound of her accent both giving him a sense of incredibly peace, though that might just be Demi herself. However, he is very quickly snapped out of this serenity by her question (because at this point Fionn knows her well enough to know when she is asking). He frowns and his gut tells him that this is a moment to choose words carefully, though he can't exactly explain why. "I do." he says, not wanting to be dishonest. "Many people are of the same opinion." he says, remembering how he would overhear some of his classmates talking about how gorgeous Darshini is. "I am more impressed by her intelligence. She is a good partner." he says. Darshini is stunning, yes, but he can acknowledge that without becoming enamored. "But I still prefer being partners with you." If Fionn could be Demi's partner in all classes, he would definitely take the chance.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Her eyes hold onto his, listening intently as if monitoring his reaction would somehow mean she would catch something, but she's not perceptive enough for that and she doesn't have a reason to truly care. When he finishes, she releases her breath quietly, only visible by how her shoulders and chest relax. "You do," she calmly utters, repeating his last words over in her head. A visible moment of disbelief plays along her face before she averts her gaze, staring at the Willow as it swings wildly at a bird. A few twigs come soaring at them, falling near their feet and stirring a pain built up between her temples. "I prefer being partners with you too," she tells him, gently nudging her foot towards the twigs to scatter them. Demetra sighs again, silent this time. "It's a shame Professor Pintinger won't let us choose," she adds, shoulders shrugging in closer to her ears before she turns to Fionn again. Ghoul Studies is one of the last classes to assign partners, and since the two are assigned to each other in another one of Pintinger's classes, the chances of them being partnered there are slim. It's fine, because there are plenty of good options for partners. Still, she worries. Her instinct (thought often faulty due to being plagued by anxiety) has been telling her that she will not be as fortunate. "Though two is a pleasant surprise as is."

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"Two is nice, I agree. I would have preferred more, but it will do." he says. It's a shame, too, since Fionn feels so passionately about Ghoul Studies and he would have hoped to be able to share this experience with his best friend. It's fine, though. Hopefully he will get someone nice. He glances at the twigs near their feet before turning back towards her. "How is everything apart from academics?" he asks, curious. "Your siblings. How are they?" Admittedly, Fionn likes hearing about the Macmillans because he had gotten along well with the others (despite Aven and Mel being a on the louder side) and also because the concept of having siblings is something he had been dreaming of since he was little. "I hope they're doing well."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

"I would prefer more too," she states, voice quiet. Demetra gets excited by the question about how she has been though it plays silently across her face. It gets shot down by the question about her siblings, who she loves despite the lazy envy she feels towards them. "They are," she begins, voice going even quieter before she remembers not to mumble. Her head is still beginning to hurt and the conversation topic doesn't help her. "My brother has a boyfriend. He's a prince." For a moment, she smiles, but it's faint and vanishes quickly. "For your knowledge, he confessed at the dance." Fionn would find that's romantic, she believes. Her hand begins toying with the end of the strands of dyed blonde hair falling pathetically from her head, wondering for a moment why she will never have such a thing. It isn't in the cards for her, literally. "My sisters are the same, but less fortunate in love." *Ant* ghosted poor Aven as if she hadn't hated him enough off of energy alone, but she supposes she would be rather drained by her sister if she hadn't been destined to be around her since conception. Well, she still is drained by her despite that. "Anyone else on your mind," she questions, glossing over his inquiry into her own ongoings. Something about the following question gave her the impression that that had trumped anything she would have to say about herself. It isn't as if he hasn't been there for everything apart from meeting a few people here and there, but that doesn't seem important either.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

As expected, he smiles at the mention of Demi's brother dating a prince. It *is* romantic to Fionn, and it warms his heart knowing that even Kian is capable of being so romantic. "I'm happy for Kian." he says. Not knowing how to respond to the comments about her sisters, he chooses to ignore it and instead looks up to watch the branches of the Willow swaying about. "No one else is on my mind, not really." he says, "Apart from you, of course." It is important that he makes this clarification, before realizing that she did not answer his question about how she has been doing and instead chose to focus on the one about her siblings. It is probably his own fault for asking them in such quick succession. Obviously Fionn cares about Demi and wants to hear about her. "Is there anything going on with you that you would want to share with me?" he asks. Fionn is with Demi almost constantly, so the chances there could be something he is not already aware of are a bit slim, but he would like to know nonetheless. It occurs to him belatedly this might be a bit overbearing, but the question has already been asked.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

His smile stirs the butterflies in her stomach and a gentle hand reaches for her face to hide how much she's admiring him. It worsens at the thought that she's the person on his mind. Even now, it's difficult to imagine she could occupy someone's thoughts let alone be the lone traveller running through them. Demi turns to stare down at her hands, fiddling her fingers together. It doesn't occur to her that this might be overbearing, appreciating the fact that someone is interested even if there's not much to be interested in. "No," she answers simply, lips turning up into a slight smile. A quiet moment and she sighs, deciding to tell him. He wants to know, and it's one of the only things that he doesn't know about. "My partner in Divination is *nice*. He's quiet too." He doesn't seem as interested in the subject as she is, but that seems to be because of some sort of disdain for Madame Fontaine based off of the limited conversation between them. "We walk to lunch together. His name is Winter." Demetra glances towards him slowly before focusing on her hands again.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn knows Winter but they have never really talked before, but from what he has seen Winter *is* quiet and also nice, and it pleases Fionn knowing that Demi is partnered with someone that she finds agreeable. There is a very small part of him that is unreasonable and jealous that someone else gets to experience being Demetra's partner in her favorite subject – to witness her abilities firsthand, but Fionn stomps out those petty feelings before they can grow into something more unpleasant. It's fine, and of course he is happy to hear that another person gets to partake in the joyful experience of knowing her. "I know Winter," he says. And then, because it slips out without him being able to stop himself, "I am shocked he is still taking Divination. I know he had a bit of a row with Madame Fontaine in our fourth year." Fionn is typically not one to engage in gossip, but what's done is done. He already brought it up. "Hopefully his feelings about the class are not affecting your partnership, especially given how much you care about Divination." He pauses, before looking at her again inquisitively. "Or are they?"

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Demetra slowly lifts her head towards him, frowning and searching his face though of course it's empty of clues. Unsure of how she should be processing this information, she remains quiet for a long moment. "I was afraid of this," she admits before turning down towards her hands again. To stop herself, she puts her elbow down on her knee and leans down on her hand as she considers this more. Demi starts to disassociate as she stares down at the twigs ahead, appearing lost. "He's been respectful. It hasn't been an issue..." she processes. For once, she is choosing to audibly express these thoughts, knowing she won't come to some sort of beautifully worded conclusion. "It could be an issue," she admits further, sitting up straight and turning toward him again. Her alarm is not obvious to most, but she assumes he must see it by now. "I hope not. Madame Fontaine wouldn't do that to m- me." Or would she? Would it be within her to hate her star student so terribly? Is she not as loved by her professor as she believes? Is this another one of those situations where she is paired with the 'worst student' to convince them to behave? Winter doesn't appear to need it. "I should do- something," she says, prying for his opinion.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn immediately notices Demi's alarm and immediately he feels guilty for saying such things when he had no good reason to. His eyes widen slightly as he waits for her to finish before saying his piece. "It will not be an issue," he says with an air of definitiveness. "I apologize for having insinuated that it might be a problem. Winter is a very reasonable person and I am sure that Madame Fontaine would not put her favorite student with somebody who would only cause you grief." he continues, "From what I have seen Winter is diligent and intelligent and responsible..." It is while Fionn is listing off all these great qualities that a small pit begins to form in his stomach. It is making him uneasy though he chalks it up to being the result of having upset someone who is so important to him. "I do not think you need to do anything." he finishes, looking at her directly in the eyes to see if she has calmed down. "You will be fine, and if he proves to be a problem in the future – which again, I doubt – *then* you can bring it up with Madame Fontaine. I am sure she will listen to any of your concerns."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Whatever it is about Fionn, he eases her nerves quickly and her hand falls down near him as if she was at first attempting to reach out for him. Demi stares, nodding after a long moment of not acknowledging his considerate words. "Okay," she agrees. Winter is all of those things he listed or at least as far as she's noticed. It isn't as if that's so significant though. Fionn is also all of those things and far more. "I won't," she adds, voice even quieter. Demetra's fingers start running through the grass, not daring to pluck any from the dirt. All she can begin to dream of is him in that class beside her instead and how much easier that would be, then she could really show him she's someone to be proud of too. With the knowledge that she is perceived as lackluster and untalented (whether by herself or by others isn't important), she wishes she could share something where she flourishes so easily with someone so precious to her. Obviously, the dream is that Fionn is not someone she needs to convince and he isn't, which prompts a little sigh. Staring at the Willow, her voice cuts through the still air, "Fionn?"

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn exhales in relief when Demi is convinced, beyond thankful that he had not upset her too greatly. She is so important to him and she *must* know that he would never do anything to trouble her, so he makes a mental note to be more careful in the future so that he can avoid another instance such as this one. He glances down at her fingers in the grass, watching her carefully as he quietly ponders on how much he loves her and values her as his friend. Then, she says his name, and he looks up at her again. "Yes, Demetra?" he responds, waiting patiently for her to string her words together. He is not worried that this might be some sort of terrifying conversation – it is Demi, after all, and there is never anything to worry about when he is with her.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Her eyes linger on his, not necessarily searching them as much as she is just staring longingly at them. He has beautiful eyes. Fionn is a very beautiful person. When she notices he's responded, her brows lift slightly in delayed reaction. Immediately after, she smiles softly and her hand slows its toying with the grass. Her hand aches for something else, so she brings it into her lap to hold the other one. "My heart is full of love for you," she tells him, then glancing over the rest of his face to watch for some sign of a reaction. When he seems to have survived it and she has no reason to be embarrassed, she adds to her statement though with much more shyness. "I love you dearly." A weight falls off of her shoulders as if she has confessed something profound and her head immediately falls to face her hands, smiling at them. Demetra is quite proud of herself for this. It has been on her mind, knowing she loves him greatly because he is her best friend. It has never felt so nice saying these words, but for him, it feels freeing. Loving someone is so beautiful too, she thinks.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn's heart immediately swells at the declaration, and a smile begins to spread on his face softly as he fully takes in her words and the gravity behind them. He could burst from happiness, honestly, but it is not evident in the slightest. Instead, he relaxes against the Willow, letting out a content sigh before replying. "My heart is full of love for you, too." he echoes her sentiment, "And I love you very, very much. You are my best friend." He has told Demetra multiple times in the past that she is his best friend, and he will never tire of telling her. "Not just my closest friend, but you are definitely the *best* friend – the only one I can imagine ever being truly worthy of such a superlative." He glances at her hands in her lap and he wants to reach out and take them, but he does not move to do so, instead respecting her space and tearing his gaze away from her to look up at the tree. He fears that if he were to look at her any longer, he might run his mouth and gush endlessly about how important she is to him. That would be too much, he thinks, but his love for Demi is really that overwhelming. "Thank you for sharing that. I appreciate it greatly." he says. "Was that all?" It is clear by the way Fionn poses the question and by his earlier reaction that it's definitely not a matter of being underwhelmed – he just wants to make sure that Demi has said everything she wants to say.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

His sigh causes her heart to pitter patter in her chest with a little more fervor and she falls against the tree, sighing too and turning to face him. Her ears consume each syllable, starved for the affection and giddy at how eloquent he is. Demetra smiles a little wider, but it remains quaint. "No," she answers before glancing down at his hands. Having watched carefully, she wonders why else he would stare at her hands for so long except for the desire to do something with them. "My feelings don't compare to those that I have for others. Fionn, you are my best friend too." Demetra dreads the day that that might not be the case, hoping that her friendship with him lasts a lifetime. While their attitudes might insinuate that their bones are brittle and old already, the hope is that they will one day be 140 years old and she will visit his house. Perhaps she will be friends with his wife. At the thought, her emotions start to muddle and she isn't quite sure how she would feel about that. In the muddiness of her mind, she dares to brush her hand along his shoulder using her knuckles. While watching him stare at the Willow is sweet, she needs to show him that she wants this, holding her hand out near his legs. It begins to tremble nervously as she waits, trapped in her own silence.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

There isn't much to say to that in reply, Fionn thinks. Perhaps his vocabulary is just lacking in words to describe his feelings for her. He is afraid that nothing he says will be adequate enough and so he remains silent in a desire to not butcher the sincerity and intensity of his emotions. He looks up at the sky again instead, and in their shared silence he hears the rustle of the grass as she raises her hand to tap him on the shoulder. He turns to face her again, before directing his line of sight towards her hand which is now lying between them, open for him to take. He stares at it for a couple seconds, as if processing that she really wants this. If he were not so excited by the prospect, he probably would have confirmed verbally that it was okay for him to take it, but he is so thrilled to be able to express his love in this way that he seizes the opportunity. He extends his own hand before taking hers in his own, and he smiles at her again before continuing to gaze upwards. He squeezes her hand gently one more time as if to make sure that this is real. Upon confirmation that she is in fact tangible and here, he lets the smile spread even wider across his face, perfectly content.