Room of Gloom

Room of Gloom
fourth floor of hogwarts

In one of the dimly lit corners of the castle, a bored student might be inclined to venture into these chambers. Its handle is usually covered with a thin layer of dust and the contents are even worse for wear. A candleless chandelier hangs overhead, swinging from time to time and creating an ominous creaking noise that echos throughout the room. There are many large windows, which one can't see through due to the amount of dust collecting on them from the inside. A faint smiley face can be made out on one of the window panes from where students sometimes doodle in the dust. Its floor is covered in raggedy carpet that was once colorful and bright, but is now worn and dull. On top of the carpet sits two couches sitting across from each other next to an abandoned fireplace. Creatures are known to come tumbling out of the fireplace (particularly of the Doxy variety), so one should monitor it closely or at most light a fire with what little wood is left upon entering. The couches have small tufts of stuffing coming out little holes from where the Doxies have bit at the cloth and similarly are covered in a layer of filth. It's nothing that some spells can't fix, but no one has bothered with that for a very long time. Very few students want to remain in the room for long due to the overwhelming sense of gloom that even the brightest and most adventurous students face.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

The Room of Gloom has become Fionn's latest haunt, ever since two days ago when he first talked with one of the ghosts that regularly frequents the area. She is a lady who has been searching the Room of Gloom endlessly, convinced that she had lost a promise ring here during her time as a student. Fionn promised today that he would help her look, especially since she keeps insisting that her long lost love will never forgive her if she passes on without it. He does not explain to her that he isn't sure how exactly she will bring this with her to the afterlife, but instead presumes that it will bring her some sort of peace that will hopefully be able to help her pass on. He can tell Fatiha more about it later today maybe, and she will do a better job at conversing with her than he has. Even if Fionn was raised by ghosts, it does not mean that his social skills are any better with the undead than they are with the living. Miss Hallowswift seems to have given up for the day, going off to cry somewhere and Fionn sighs, retiring on one of the couches as he opens his phone and tries to figure out the problem of the moving screen. He isn't sure what he's done with it and he is already preparing himself for the worst; for Demi to tell him that he has broken it and it is irreversible. He wonders if he will have to get a new phone... Hopefully, that will not be the case. He can always just learn to live with it. It only happens when he tilts it to the side anyway.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Only familiar with the Room of Gloom because its name is rather enticing, she admittedly has a trickier time finding it than she was previously expecting. Apart from opening the door just a smidge during a random day last May, she has never been inside and she honestly wouldn't consider what she did even *looking inside* considering she saw just about nothing. After abandoning her Mythology partner (Liliana, who she believes to be more competent in the subject than she actually is) and going to two different rooms, she reaches the genuine Room of Gloom. Demi had forgotten how the eeriness invades her senses once she pushes the door open, jutting her head in only to see Fionn resting on one of the couches. Any eeriness is overcome with the light she feels at the sight of him. "Hello, Fionn," she announces her presence before entering and gently shutting the door behind her. Her feet are planted at the entrance, turning her gaze to drift over the dusty interior and admiring the place for what it is. Per usual, her face does not illuminate with any sort of joy despite her immediate comfort in such a dimly lit atmosphere, which just so happens to also be complemented by Fionn's presence. "Your things are moving around in your phone screen," she questions, content with how everything in the room fits together and deciding then that she can approach. Her footsteps are slow as her feet drag along the floor; she reaches him with time and sits down beside him on the couch, leaving a modest amount of space between them. A plume of dust rises once she sits, which causes her to almost immediately sneeze. When she's collected herself, she gets a better stare at him and tries to figure out if anything has changed since lunch. Although she wants to compliment his hair, she's unsure anything actually changed to warrant her belated compliment, so she just reaches out her hand and glances down at it.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn, on the other hand, visibly lights up at the sight of Demi though the change in his expression is subtle. It is obvious though in his overall demeanor, as a smile slowly begins to form on his face at the very sight of her almost instinctively. He has practiced smiling in the mirror often growing up and it always felt so unnatural to him forcing it into an expression that is not so off-putting, but he does not worry about such things when he is with Demi and that makes her presence all the more comforting. "God bless you," he says when she sneezes, then waits for her to collect herself before proceeding to talk about the issue at hand. He holds out his phone to her. Very recently, Valya taught him how to put a password on his phone and he realizes, taking it back to quickly input *1-0-0-3* before holding it out to her again. "They *are* moving," he confirms, tilting it to the side to show her how everything shifts. He frowns, hoping that it would have subsided as if this is some sort of illness afflicting his phone. "I do not know how to fix it. Do you?" he asks, "I would not want to have to get a new phone..." Fionn sighs. He has already grown so used to this one and fears that getting a new one will require him to master (not that he has mastered the workings of this one) a whole new gadget. He has not completely wrapped his head around the fact that most phones are identical should he just decide to get one of the same model. He really hopes it does not have to come to that, though. It would be very unfortunate. "Thank you for coming."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

"Thank you," she responds quietly to his blessings, bowing her head for a moment before lifting it again to address the issue at hand. Her eyes watch carefully as he tilts his screen and the problem becomes quite apparent. Once it's in her hands, she tilts it a few times. "I do," she answers, shifting in closer to him and hesitating for only a second before holding the phone between them. "Phones do this. Few prefer it." It's true that she doesn't understand why the change in perspective is even an option let alone a preference. Having never seen a flip phone before, she doesn't see how some might be more adjusted to the horizontal alignment. "Your phone has a button here. You remember touching it..." It's question, so she glances at him to see if he can give her a solid answer. Her head turn is slow as always, giving her enough time to adjust her features to create the smallest of smiles. "If you press it, then problem solved. Never touch it again. If by accident again, just touch it another time or... however many times until it doesn't move, but it should be one." Fionn's talent with his phone is primarily how easily he messes with the simplest of things and creates the biggest problems from the tiniest of things. Not that she is bothered by it, but instead finds it endearing or more so doesn't care either way. Demetra is rather used to it and doesn't really think about it, but it does mean she has to be considerate of the fact that he might hit it twice on accident to turn it on and then quickly turn it off again and then worry later that it still isn't working. Demi follows her on directions, tilting his phone for him to show it doesn't change. "You're welcome. For you, I will be here anytime, Fionn."

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

He watches as she fiddles with his phone, immediately fixing the problem as if she has used magic. It might as well be magic to Fionn; certainly, it is much more unique and impressive to him than any sort of spell. "Yes, I believe I did touch it..." he says, in regards to her question. He makes a mental note of what the button looks like and how to access it. When she demonstrates how it no longer changes orientations, he lets out a sigh of relief that it was so easily fixable. That, or Demi is just amazing and capable of fixing anything. Both explanations are equally possible to him. "Thank you. Thank you so much." He has to repeat it to fully express his gratitude. Then, she says that she will be there for him anytime and he relaxes even further. He does not feel as much of a need to express his thankfulness for that, considering that he feels exactly the same way about her. Fionn is very confident in this friendship and what comes along with it. Demetra is his best friend after all, and he feels secure whenever he is with her. "Were you really not busy when I had messaged you?" he asks. Of course, it is not like Demi to lie, but he is still wants to know what she has been up to since lunch. It's a bit clingy, admittedly, but Fionn does not see it like that. He does not think he can be faulted for wanting to know what is happening with his best friend. "What were you doing?"

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

"You're welcome... so much," she repeats, stumbling over her words as the English gets caught in her throat. Her face flushes as a result of Fionn expressing his gratitude further, delighted (though not many would pinpoint it) by the fact that she could do this for him and that he appreciates it so much. Very few find Demetra useful let alone do they thank her for it, which naturally brings them to their next topic of conversation though she doesn't understand how perfect of a transition it is. "My Mythology partner wanted us to study together. Maya suggested it to me too... They're friends." Her explanation comes to a haggard close as she pauses and attempts to remember how it all came together. Her memory easily recalls how she has previously explained that her Mythology partner is exhausting to be around but in a similar fashion to how Maya is draining, which is to say she doesn't mind it. Their communication styles vary drastically, and she often feels judged by how Liliana stares at her after questions. "We were not studying, but instead she wanted to 'chat.' It was not terrible, but not preferred." Obviously it doesn't occur to her that this was some attempt to force them together— for the two seventh years to bond and start functioning as more of a unit. Since she doesn't find this necessary and still believes that Liliana is content enough completing the assignments on her own, she would never have thought that she was *busy*. It wasn't a lie, but instead at worst a miscalculation of the situation she was in. "I would not lie." An essential requirement to lying is energy, which she generally doesn't have the energy reserved for lying and the aftermath of those lies. It also needs this cunning or conniving attitude that she does not naturally possess. After her statement, she shifts in her seat and brings her sleeves over her hands to toy with the loose strings inside her robes. "You have been here since lunch, or have you not been?"

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn at first wonders why Liliana would ask to study together if they were just going to chat, but then he rationalizes that Demi is a very enjoyable person to talk to. He understands why someone would not want to pass up that opportunity. He also understands, though, why Demi would not prefer that kind of scenario but he's glad that the experience was not terrible. "Lili is nice," he says, not knowing what else to say to that. She *is* nice and always lets him carry her things whenever he offers to, which is always. "She is very chatty, yes. Her, Maya, and Kitt are all very... energetic." He quite enjoyed the trio's Halloween party. Generally, though, that was a perfect day and it is in large part thanks to Demi, who seems to be the underlying reason for most of his perfect days. "I had Wizarding Law with Darshini after lunch." Specifying that it was with Darshini was not necessary in retrospect, but she has also become a good part of his day should their schedules overlap. In her, Fionn has found a kindred spirit who sometimes seems as lost as he is, which is reassuring to him when Darshini is easily one of the most intelligent people that he's met. "Then I went back to the dormitory for a bit and that was when the moving screen debacle occurred... I tried fixing it on my own to no avail. I should have messaged you sooner, but it's fine." Now that he knows she was doing something, even though it was not something Demi 'preferred', he would not have wanted to take her away from that. "There is a ghost here that I've promised to help. I can introduce you, but she seems to have gone off somewhere. I told her I would help her find her promise ring; she apparently lost it when she was a seventh year decades ago and cannot bear to pass on without it." Hopefully that explanation suffices. "I will probably tell Fatiha about it, and then SPECTER can get involved."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Briefly, she questions whether or not she is a dreadful person as the mention of Darshini in particular brings an insurmountable weight onto her heart. Her instincts cause her to squint her eyes as she stares at him, listening to him further until he comes to his conclusion and she nods. "Summoning the ring isn't an option," she wonders, leaning forward to glance down at the floor in front of the couch. Easily becoming light-headed, she frowns and rests down against the cushions again, returning her gaze towards Fionn's. Her eyes search through his as they tend to during pauses in conversation such as these, admiring how beautiful his eyes are before finally giving herself the opportunity to use her voice again. "Fatiha is nice... Joining SPECTER would be nice too." It's a suggestion, but the idea that he hasn't just joined SPECTER by now *is* curious to her. Apart from Fatiha, there is no one that's a better fit for the organization than Fionn himself and she thinks he would flourish in whatever community is founded there. Although often appearing jealous of Darshini, she does want him to have other friends. Realistically, she knows it would be better for him no matter how important they are to each other. Him having other friends doesn't negate the fact that they're *best friends*. Demi is secure in the fact that that's not changing. Tea leaves don't usually lie to her. For a moment, she pauses and stares at him again. Her eyes go wide before she begins. "I- Umm, you and Darshini are still friends— just friends." It's a question, bowing her head and glancing over at the couch across from them. Feeling foolish, she has this pressure on her to just finish what she was saying. "She's... She's really beautiful, Fionn. I- *I* wouldn't, but I understand why *you* would." It doesn't dawn on her, but she *would*. Her complicated feelings towards her fellow student are only further complicated by the fact that she's never found another woman so beautiful. Unlike Aven, homosexuality is not mind-blowing to her, but it's not *her* and that's fine. "You do?" *Like her* she means.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Summoning the ring *had* occurred to him and he tried, only to be told by Miss Hallowswift that it was the wrong ring. "The ghost won't give me any more specific details about it... She said that I summoned the wrong ring." He wonders, then, if it was the correct one but it's been so long that she no longer remembers what it looks like. Fionn is choosing to believe, though, that she would not forget something like that. That would be terribly unromantic. Fionn nods at the suggestion to join SPECTER as well; he has never considered it before just because he does not know if Fatiha would find him useful to the organization. Perhaps he can bring it up with her later when he messages her, though. Hopefully she will be open to that idea, because it *is* something he is passionate about and a cause that he would want to support. "Darshini and I are just friends." he confirms, though he's not entirely sure where this line of questioning is coming from. Then, Demi continues and Fionn blushes when she begins talking about how beautiful Darshini is. Fionn agrees, obviously. He has never given the matter of whether or not he likes her though much thought until just now, and he would rather be honest with his best friend than just deny immediately. That being said, he thinks over his response for a couple of seconds, going silent. Easily, it could come across as hesitation, but he thinks Demi knows him better than that. "No, I do not." he says, finally. "She is a very good friend though, a competent partner, and a very interesting companion... We had breakfast together in Hogsmeade a few weeks ago. I would want to do that again sometime, maybe." He wonders if inviting Darshini to join him again would make him come across as romantically interested, but he trusts that she would not take it that way.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Her ears wait in anticipation of his response, in the process of wilting right in her seat at just the sign of blush coming into his gentle face. A breath is released the moment he confirms that he isn't interested, and she immediately experiences this influx of guilt at the thought that she would be comforted by this fact. Hopefully Fionn inspects her actions less, which she doesn't see why he would do anything more else. "You should," she tells him quietly, words falling under her breath as she releases it. When the sigh has fully left her, the corners of her mouth turn just slightly towards the stone ceiling above as a sign of some authenticity. It falls shortly thereafter, returning to an expression that demands less energy out of her as she searches through his face. It's not an attempt to read Fionn because she trusts what he is saying is the truth and she has no desire to uncover something he is wishing to hide from her. Instead she would just prefer her gaze to be occupied by the sights of him. Admiring how flushed he got at the mention of her is somehow important to her as if it should matter to her in any capacity... For some reason, she finds it important and she wants to see every second of it before it goes away. "You should tell her then. I doubt she would turn down your company." Demi can't fathom it. After this time spent with Fionn, she doesn't understand how some can sit there and pretend he isn't the most delightful person to be around. No one is easier to be around than her dear Fionn, who soothes her in the most delicate of fashions yet captivates her so easily with the simplest of words. He's such a fascinating person to experience life with, and she's so grateful for the fact that she's been given the opportunity to. These thoughts fight to get past her tongue, but she holds them in and cherishes them for herself. Even though she doubts Fionn would ever see her as overbearing, she can't picture now being the time to tell him just how much he means to her.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"I think I shall then. Thank you for the encouragement, Demetra." he tells her. Fionn draws so much confidence and strength from Demi and it is their friendship that has made him feel safer pursuing friendships with other people when the thought of just talking to people has given him anxiety for so long. People can be so mean, and there are enough students at Hogwarts to have instilled that kind of mindset within him, but then he met Demi and all on her own she able to prove the opposite. More than that, it has proven to him that the person who was meant to be his friend was out there all along, just all the way in Greece where he had no way of finding her. He is extremely content to be with her now. Truly, whatever souls are made of, his and Demi's are the same. He does not voice this inner monologue since he understands how it can be overwhelming, but Demi deserves to know how strongly he feels about her and their friendship so he tucks these feelings away to the corner of his mind for him to bring up again at a more appropriate time. "I will message her later, and I will also message Fatiha about joining SPECTER, probably... Thank you for the suggestion earlier." He is silent for a couple more beats, before asking, though he is unsure what prompts him to, "Are *you* interested in anyone?" Fionn would like to know, and he tells himself that the information would be useful especially since Demi is his best friend and he would like to acquaint himself with the other people that she chooses to spend her time with. "Winter, maybe?" He saw the two of them making eye contact at the Halloween party from across the room but chose not to say anything. Perhaps now is a good time.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

"You're welcome, Fionn." What little of her guilt still remained now easily disappears at the recognition that her efforts have positively resonated with him. Her usefulness is somewhat validated in that moment too, which is rare for her though if anyone chooses to express such a sentiment then it's always Fionn. Sure, her siblings might too, but it's so much more meaningful to her when it's coming from him. He isn't obligated to by some familial force. Fionn says it because he loves her and genuinely values her, which tickles her just to think about. To transition this thought of pure love towards her friend into one of anxiousness doesn't sit well with her, mind churning as it tries to collect itself for a response. Her words stumble out of her mouth, metaphorically tripping over her tongue as the connection between mind and mouth goes wonky. "W- Winter? Why?" In her mind, she can't imagine herself being interested in someone romantically. She wouldn't have the faintest idea of how that would feel or how she would even begin to handle such an intense emotion. Having convinced herself that that was the best response she could give him, she tries to focus on why he might think that. What impression has she given that she would be interested in anyone? If she were to be interested in someone else, Winter would have been the best bet, she decides. He's objectively attractive and the worst thing about him is his prior history with the wonderful Madame Fontaine though she is under the belief that he has attempted to do better now that the two of them are partners. Partnering with him was a lot less intimidating than others (particularly Fionn though she doesn't blame him considering he was navigating with what information he had) had seemed to imply it would be, but she understands that she might have been anxious and just misconstruing words. "I understand that Winter is attractive... He's taller, which... might be nice." Demi has only created the habit of thinking openly to herself when around Fionn because she's found that he doesn't mind and can usually decipher where her head is at before she's even figured that out for herself. It's very convenient. To the idea that Winter is taller and that might be nice, she got that impression from her sister, who finds that thing important.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Against his better judgment and before he can stop himself, Fionn *frowns* when Demi mentions that Winter is taller than she is. He doesn't even know if that's completely accurate, but it doesn't matter anyway. The point is that Winter *is* tall or at the very least taller than he is. Fionn does not know why this throwaway comment has caused such a sinking pit in his stomach, but he reminds himself that everyone is entitled to their own preferences and it would make sense for Demi to want to date someone taller than her. Most girls seem to want that, he's noticed. Upon further contemplation, Fionn realizes it should not matter anyway because it is not like he is a contender in the first place, and that's not something he's upset about or so he believes. Instead, he focuses on her first question. "The two of you seem to get along well." he begins, "You seemed to have wanted to talk to him at the Halloween party, too. I apologize if I had been keeping you from doing that, but I am fairly certain you would have mentioned it to me outright had you felt more strongly about wanting to spend time with him so I'm not too apologetic." Fionn smiles a little bit once he realizes he is still frowning. He does not want to look too serious or disapproving. She still has not answered the question, and Fionn supposes he could be a bit more encouraging and speak more highly of Winter so that she would feel more inclined to admit to something, however surprisingly nothing comes to mind or at the very least what does come to mind cannot be willed to leave his mouth. Instead, he remains silent, also pondering this. Perhaps he could ask Darshini about it when he invites her out to breakfast together again, and then she can tell him. The two of them seem to be close. They were talking at the party, too. He remembers specifically because he had followed Demi's gaze to where they were seated and saw Winter looking at Demetra. Hm. Maybe if Demi is not interested in him, at the very least it seems he might be interested in her. Fionn understands why.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

When he frowns, she frowns and stares at him in bewilderment. Even once he attempts to overcorrect the expression, she still frowns as she listens to his explanation and is left wondering if she said something to hurt him. Fionn's height has never been an issue for her. If anything, it has given her a strange sense of security in her own height considering the fact that he doesn't seem to mind the small difference between them. "We do," she agrees, starting there after a moment's silence. Demi struggles to comprehend the idea that she would have wanted to be with Winter over Fionn, who is her closest and most important friend, that night (or any other). Arguably, she was in attendance because of him or else she would have spent the rest of her night somewhere else. "No, I don't know how you reached that conclusion, Fionn..." Confusion laces through her voice, noting that the statement is a question on how he reached it in the first place. In her opinion, she hadn't been giving much of an impression that she wanted to do anything except- "My time was yours. I would not have wanted to spend it with someone else." Her frown starts to wane then, turning into the faintest form of visible happiness as she remembers how their night had started. All the way to how the night closed with the two of them lingering near the dormitories for a while longer before wishing each other good night. Her heart is never not full of love when she is with Fionn, but this memory dares to cause an overflow of love and emotion that she harbors for him. By now, her mind is too preoccupied to remember that there was a genuine question to answer in the first place, so she doesn't get around to it. Besides, she wants to know why she would have wanted to talk to Winter instead.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn, on the other hand, is much more focused on the fact that she did not answer the question and he bites the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything more. He would not want to spoil this for her and understands that she might have a lot to consider and figure out before coming to a conclusion. He does not want to serve as an impediment to these thoughts, when Winter and Demi could possibly be a good couple together. He breathes out, deciding with finality that he shall not press the question any further than he already has. Besides, Demi can be with whomever she chooses romantically and Fionn is confident enough in their friendship to understand that the addition of this new person in does not mean that it will decrease any of the space in her heart for him. He knows, surely, that if the situation were reversed that if he were to start dating somebody, there is no way they would be able to make him love or value Demetra less. There is nothing in this world that is capable of such an impossible feat; Fionn is certain. "You are right." he says, sensing the confusion in her voice and feeling badly for having doubted her. "I should not have come to such a conclusion when I feel similarly about spending time with you. I suppose the reason why I considered it was because I believed he was interested and thought you would maybe want to entertain the possibility. I do not know for certain if he is interested," That is an important clarification for Fionn to make, who does not want Demi to get worked up over nothing. "I have heard nothing from anybody on that matter. It makes sense to me, though, that somebody would be interested in you." That is what he finishes with, and he feels as if he's just admitted something but he does not know what. He shall think this over more later, most probably. He should.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Having not been searching for this admission from Fionn that she was correct, she does not seem any less confused after it has been said. After all, she is far more focused on why he would ever believe she is interested in Winter and is trying to dissect what about her behavior could leave him with that impression. Even if it might not matter to most, it has left her wondering if she might have been expressing these feelings to her friend all along and she was just unaware that those were the feelings she had been expressing. To Winter though? She's undecided on whether or not that's realistic. "I would not want to. I'm not interested," she concludes. Aven has pestered her often about her search for love, telling her she will know when she finds it. If she doesn't know whether or not she's interested, then she should reasonably conclude that that means she isn't. It wasn't even a thought until Fionn, who is often such a good judge of her behavior, had brought it into conversation. "I wouldn't know what to do if he was." A dilemma is issued the moment his reasoning is expressed, giving her plenty of reason to let her face tinge a rosy hue as she stares at him in perfect silence. Her hand raises off of where it was preoccupied with a loose thread on her skirt, hovering slightly over her own thigh as she hesitates. "I wouldn't know what to do if someone was... It would be a curiosity to me, but your words are appreciated." 'Appreciated' is an understatement considering how much it appears to have changed her mood. Her eyes glance down, searching for his hand before reaching out and holding it with the same hand that had just noticeably hesitated seconds prior. Her fingers lace underneath his hand, not fearing his reaction considering how they have grown accustom to sometimes holding hands under the Willow. Small tears start to form in the corner of her eyes as she spends too much time thinking about how much she loves him, but catches herself and sniffles before they disappear. "You're incredibly nice, Fionn. It's no wonder... I love you so dearly."

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn feels considerably less tense once she intertwines their fingers. Touch matters so much to Fionn when he grew up in an environment where the people he loved so dearly were intangible. As mundane as it is, it's such a blessing to him that he can touch Demi even if it is just like this and he can feel their hands in one another. "I love you so dearly as well. You must know that." he replies. She really should by now, what with all the times Fionn has made it a point to tell her. He does not think a day could go by without being able to tell her, especially when he knows how important words are to Demi though Maya seemed to look bewildered when he had mentioned that to her... Words *do* mean a lot to Demi though, and Fionn would want to be able to express his love in a way that is meaningful to her even though he knows not even the greatest of all authors could capture the extremity of his love for his best friend. "I am sure that when the time comes that someone should make their affection known, you will figure it out as it happens." At least, that is what Fionn tells himself, though he's unsure of who would ever confess to him such feelings. "And whoever it is, if they love you dearly, which they should, will be patient with you. It will be fine." Fionn would be very upset with anyone who rushes Demi or tries to make her into something she is not, especially if that person is involved with her in a romantic capacity. Fionn is not a very threatening person by nature... But he can try to be at the very least.

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

"I do," she acknowledges. Fionn is right in his assumption, but she is comforted by the reminder. Her gaze lingers on their hands, breathing in before sighing quietly. A modest sense of delight washes over her, pulling her mouth into a faint smile. His love for her is so evident, and she has never had someone's love tickle all of the right places in her. It truly is no wonder she is so drawn to him. Whatever she is made of, he is made of too. At this thought, her smile grows though it's unnoticeable. "Your encouragement is appreciated. Certainly someone would afford you the same patience." Eventually, someone somewhere will express their love for him unless he does it first. It would be within Fionn, she recognizes, to profess his love right on the spot should he stumble into such a situation. If she should then be in a situation where this person doesn't treat him with the care he deserves, then similarly to her friend, she concludes that she would have to intervene then too even if she is not considered intimidating in nature. Already was this the case when it came to Summer Callaghan, who she has noticed has suffered a grand social dethroning since she came to possess the knowledge of what happened between them. Quietly, as she reenacts this dilemma to herself and prays silently that it will not jog a vision, she moves their hands so that they're sitting on top of her thighs, bringing them closer to her. Being merely a minor action does not change how much security the touch and subsequent closeness gives her. "You might be encouraging, but I don't know if I would want someone to confess to me... I should admit it." A small pause. "You're a dear friend... I want nothing more than to remain by your side. I could live comfortably that way." Once everything has found its way out past her shoddy mind, she gets the impression that she just expressed an abundance of clinginess and her hand loosens its hold around his just slightly as if to tell him she is not trying to hold onto him so tightly. Her face starts to radiate with warmth, but her eyes remain trained on his as if that will somehow limit her embarrassment.

Fionn Blackwood

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Fionn should like to remain by Demetra's side as well for as long as she would have him, so the affirmation that she feels similarly sends his heart soaring and he could tell her this but Fionn instead rationalizes that he and Demi will be best friends for eternity and there will be countless more opportunities to express his love. He is no poet, so he is unsure if he will be able to find a new way to explain it every time, so he should probably save the current onslaught of words in his mind for another time instead of letting them get repetitive. In truth, the time he spends with Demi *has* become repetitive in the sense that the two of them have come up with their own routine that brings Fionn so much joy and peace... Perhaps repetition is not a bad thing. It certainly does not feel repetitive to him. Every time he sees Demi there is still this strange kind of thrill that courses through his veins. "I feel the same." he tells her, honestly. "And I am not too concerned with finding somebody just yet, honestly." This comes as a shock to admit even to himself, when Fionn, ever the romantic, has longed for love for so long. "I have you, and I am already exceedingly content with the friendship we share. And I am making more friends too... My heart could burst. I do not know if it's capable of any more at this point in time." Fionn chuckles at the thought, but it is truthful. The idea that he may find another person whom he loves with the same intensity that he loves Demi is baffling to him. How is he supposed to hold that much love in his heart? He would combust, surely. He stands from the couch. It's almost dinner time and he would not want to keep Demi here in the Room of *Gloom* any longer. They can eat together, probably, then maybe stay by the willow again. Thinking about their routine has made him miss it, even though they had gone just the other day. "We should go." he says, extending his arm to her. "I've started rereading another book and I should like to read it to you, if you aren't doing anything tonight." Demi will likely fall asleep, but Fionn appreciates that he is capable of being someone she is comfortable enough to do that around. "Maybe we can stay in the common room... Or by the willow, if you are willing."

Demetra Eliades

gryffindor, seventh year
ateleia

Similarly, the affirmation he feels similarly sends her heart soaring and eases her mind as she lets go of the embarrassment from moments ago, but then he chuckles— Oh, Fionn *chuckles* and her heartbeat momentarily halts within the confines of her chest before seemingly rushing to beat faster again, overcompensating for the time spent paralyzed in adoration. To think she could ever love a person more than she loves him, it's preposterous and she gets lost in that silent musing for a moment. In fact, it's so distracting that she doesn't notice he is standing before his hand falls out of hers and she feels a chill run down her spine. It seems that the Room of Gloom has started to take effect, which would be the perfect time for them to depart. "We should," she agrees, standing and reaching to run her arm around his. Her hand lays gently against his arm, connecting them once more. While she might not pine for this contact between them, it does give her this unplaced sense of security especially during their more significant journeys throughout the castle and its grounds. Their trek to the Whomping Willow can be quite risky, full of opportunities for her to stumble about and fall over something. Demetra reasons then that them touching this way is merely a formality of safety though certainly something that comes with the comfort of loving someone so much. "I don't have anything. I would love to listen." Nothing is quite as lovely as resting beside Fionn as he reads to her. When she's tired, which is often, she will drift out of consciousness eventually, but will fight it for long enough to listen to him for a while before her narcolepsy seizes her. If she isn't, then she prefers watching him from down below, staring at his features as he says different words with his sweet accent... Fionn has such a nice voice. "The Willow would be preferred, but it might rain. We shall see." Demi smiles slightly, following him out of the room.