Room of Requirement

Room of Requirement
seventh floor of hogwarts

The Room of Requirement, also known as the Come and Go Room, is a secret room within Hogwarts Castle, that only appears when a person is in great need of it. The room is thought to have some degree of sentience, because it transforms itself into whatever the witch or wizard needs it to be at that moment in time, although there are some limitations. For example, it cannot conjure food. Not a lot of people know of its existence and it is a well-kept secret by those who have found it. In fact, sometimes students stumble across it and then never again.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Luckily, a jacket is enough to cover up most of the disaster that is currently happening to his skin, but every once in a while a feather slowly drifts from Yves and falls behind him, almost leaving a trail. It's not like anyone will see that, though. Yves had pleaded with (after accidentally snapping at) one of the ghosts to show him a secret passage from the Muggle Studies classroom corridor to the general area of the tapestry where he and Katiya were to meet. Truthfully, he had struggled for a bit debating with himself whether or not it would be worth it to see Katiya like this. On one hand, he would hate to flake on her. On the other hand, he has never embarrassed himself like this in front of her. Of course, it was bound to happen sooner or later and the fact that he's quite frustratedly stalking through the hall to get to her. Just the idea of Katiya finding him unattractive only further encourages the amalgamation of negative feelings brewing in his head. Yves clenches his fist only to immediately recoil at the sudden sensation of pain. When he inspects his hand, he lets out a small groan. So the tiny talons have decided to show up too, huh? He lets out a small groan. He can already see Katiya waiting for him by the entrance and hsi heart melts a little at the sight – she is *so* beautiful, always. Knowing he must see her while he's like *this* is just unfair. Luckily, just the sight of her has seemed to calm his hand as it slowly morphs back into a more human-looking appearance. He places his hands in the pocket of his hoodie nonetheless. "Hello, *ma mie*." he says to her, but it lacks its usual energy. In fact, he sounds rather melancholic instead. "Can we go inside now?" Yves very much doesn't want anyone else to see him *ever again*. Quite ridiculously, he reasons to himself that he might *never* be happy enough to snap out of this and thus he will *wallow* until makes the complete transformation into a harpy, and then Katiya will break up with him and he will wallow some more.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Yves' messages are beyond concerning. Her sakharok is a bundle of energy even in his drowsiest of moments. Even the blandest texter, Katiya herself, has enough awareness to know that something is wrong even though he said everything is fine. To her, someone doesn't have to be a genius to know that something can be wrong and still be fine at the same time. Her slow humming is matched by her phone tapping against the opposite hand, waiting for it to buzz as she pretends to admire the hideous tapestry. When Yves' drained voice rings out to her instead, her head turns gently and she gets a good glance at him. "Hello, *moy sakharok*," she greets him in turn. Her eyes are rather telling, obvious in their confusion and alarm though she remains collected on all other fronts. Silently, she becomes more grateful that she had time to do the pacing back and forth in front of the entrance. Imagine telling him now that the two of them have to pace down the corridor three times before entering. "We can," she tells him, nodding before spinning around to head towards the door. Her hand instinctively reaches down for his, but it becomes apparent that he wants them tucked away for whatever reason. Instead she swings the entrance open, gesturing him inside before securing it behind them. Her intentions were specific enough to hopefully ensure others cannot use it while they're here. It's an intimate living room with two plush couches and a cozy fire set between them, but most importantly there's a ridiculous pillow fort in the middle of the room. Her groan is difficult to stifle, glancing over at him. "We can undo it, or would you prefer to... hide for a little while?" A hand reaches out for his arm, gently running her thumb over the fabric before a weird feeling startles her. Katiya doesn't show it and instead just lowers her hand.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

The presence of the pillow fort makes him let out another little exasperated groan. However much he wished for somewhere to hide, it still feels as if the room is mocking him. It only reinforces this idea that he *should* be hiding, that Katiya should not see him like this. Muttering to himself, cursing the room in French, he finishes with a sigh before turning back to Katiya and freezing when she accidentally ruffles one of the feathers. "Katiya," he begins, taking her hands in his before sighing again, pulling away, and very dramatically seating himself on the couch. He stares at the pillow fort, glaring at it. The fire makes the room warm, and so that gives him only more reason to very hesitantly unzip his jacket and take it off. He holds up his right arm, showing her the light brown feathers that have appeared. It's definitely been worse in the past – once Yves got so angry that the beginnings of a wing were beginning to form and that had certainly *hurt*. Now at least, that is certainly not the case. Nonetheless, he lets out a little whine. When he lowers his arm, one of the feathers fall off, drifting onto the couch. "*C'est horrible!*" He huffs before frowning, an angrier and more upset expression beginning to set in his features. "This has not happened in a *very* long time, but *non* – Harry Savage had to be a judgmental prick and end my streak." At the mention of the reason why this is even happening in the first place, one can notice a couple more feathers begin to sprout on Yves' arms. He sighs and tries to take deep breaths, before letting out a loud huff after thinking about the situation more. Apart from that, he's angry with *himself* for letting Harry get to him. Admittedly, Yves was quite proud of the fact that it's been some time since the last time he's had an outburst like this (trying to break his record has been a good motivation), and now all that progress has been lost and he must restart. "Why must some people feel the need to *ruin* everything? It makes no sense, Katiya. It's rude and unnecessary."

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

It's easily a weird *first*, watching your partner grow feathers. When he removes his jacket, her eyes widen slightly before she breathes in and nods to herself and at the present situation. It's unexpected even though her knowledge on Veelas had predicted that this might happen. A part of her had thought that Yves might not have inherited this, but there's no point in dwelling on that when apparently he has. Listening intently, she moves around the fort by lifting herself over him and settling down on the other side of him. Under different circumstances, she might have found the idea of Yves maintaining a *streak* rather amusing. "I don't know why," she answers plainly. "I do know that Harry has a lot to be jealous of, however, and I know that jealousy tends to corrupt the mind. Would you care to elaborate on what happened?" If he declines, then she would be content with the stringing together of multiple vague insults directed towards a particular housemate of hers. Her words linger, but she doesn't want to continue the conversation without addressing a particular issue. He froze, and she doesn't honestly know how to handle it better than explicitly addressing it. "Before that, it's important we clarify this matter. I wouldn't want to hurt you, and I fear that I might have at least caused discomfort. Is it uncomfortable to be touched, and would you prefer that I didn't?" Their touchiness is a defining feature, which has become a point of contention and incessant groaning from their friends. To believe that he might be more comforted by the contact is not an entirely insensitive or ridiculous sentiment, but the situation would be no less reasonable if he would prefer not to be. It must be painful or at the very least uncomfortable. "We haven't been through this together before. It's important that I know." Her clarification might seem obvious, but Volodya had huffed at her. He didn't have feathers though. Speaking of, she's trying her best to have her gaze trained on his face.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

The idea of not being able to touch Katiya elicits a small whine from him. True, ruffling his feathers causes a 'little' discomfort but he would still want to be close to Katiya. "Not the feathers," he confirms, "But it would still be nice to be affectionate." Specifically, it would be nice if she played with his hair or the two of them could cuddle, but he doesn't want to be demanding, not when Katiya is already putting up with so much having to see him like *this*. Not wanting to leave her guessing, Yves sighs before launching into his version of events. "So, you know how Honey, Lemon, Summer and I have been assigned to perform a scene from *A Midsummer's Night Dream*..." Of course Katiya knows because the four of them talk about it *often*, and sometimes even practice during Charms. "Well, *today* we were given time to practice since you know, the presentation date is quite near, and we were having a *really* fun time doing it – " In retrospect, maybe they were being a bit too loud, but that's expected of that group and he honestly thought everyone was used to it by now. He pauses, as if something must have occurred to him. "Honestly, I think he and Treasure are having a spat because I saw her walking with Jasper Vanderburg after class and Harry seriously looked as if he was about to punch him or something. Why'd he have to take his bad mood out on *us* though? Summer forgot her lines and started *improvising*, which was hilarious, and so Lemon started laughing which of course made Honey and I laugh and then all of a sudden *Harry* interrupts from *across* the room to say that we aren't as funny as we think we are. He *scoffed*, Katiya. *Scoffed*! What's he even doing listening to *us* anyway? He and Treasure were supposed to be giving Elouan and Molly feedback, and he couldn't even do that." Getting all worked up about it, Yves tenses up in his seat and watches as tiny talons on his left hand begin to form again. He takes a deep breath, pausing for a bit and breathing in and out until they subside. "So I approached him and I told him there was no need to be such a prick about it, and he said that there really wasn't, something about us just 'inspires that sort of behavior from him'." Yves makes a face. "Then he started *lecturing* me about how we're butchering a classic, how Shakespeare is surely turning in his grave, and how he bets none of us have even read A Midsummer's Night Dream in its entirety because we don't have the brains for it, which is just *not* true. Then he saw Treasure walking with Jasper and *shoved past me*, and so I pulled him back to make him apologize and he told me to fuck off, and I was *going* to respond to that but then Honey intervened and said it wasn't worth it – " He sighs. She was probably right, but *still*. "Then the feathers just started... *Nom de dieu*... This is all *his* fault, *ma mie*."

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

His whine is a little dramatic, but she understands. Yves has never been shy with his affection and how much he needs in return. When he begins, she is listening very carefully but is simultaneously assessing the situation to find the right position for them while moving around the feather predicament. It would be difficult to hold him then. Yves is usually such a wonderful little spoon, but not now. Her hand reaches out for his left hand once it's returned to its human state, caressing it softly with her other hand to reassure him that it's okay. Even if talons begin to form again, she could not be seriously hurt by them. When he concludes the story, her eyes narrow and brows furrow as she switches her gaze up towards his face again. At least she can be comforted by the fact that he has friends who have the best in mind for him. Her expression eases with that realization, and her hand leaves its spot within one of his to reach for his hair. "It is. He's a bastard," she tells him, fingers slowly intertwining within his hair. His hair is incredibly beautiful and soft under her touch. Even for someone who can change her hair at will, she's always been in awe of the beauty that he possesses. It could be a Veela thing— his 'warm, fuzzy Veela powers,' but that doesn't mean she can't appreciate it. A part of her wants to confirm with him that the feathers are fine; they're just another result of his Veela heritage. Naturally, it isn't something she would want him to feel ashamed of. Still, she waits until they have fully processed the initiating event. "Even if you understand that he's projecting, it's understandably difficult to not have a reaction to what he said," she acknowledges. One of the last things that she would want from this conversation is for him to believe she is judging his reaction to this. Compared to her friends, who could have easily started dueling with the pathetic loser, he handled it incredibly well. "Besides, he's lying too. You're hilarious and incredibly bright, *moy sakharok*, and you know that. I would be willing to bet that you have an easier time processing Shakespearan works than he does." At that, her fingers curl gently, and she shifts a little bit closer to him to close the space between them entirely. Katiya remembers faintly when she caught Harry lecturing a hoard of female students about *Pride & Prejudice*. Having only skimmed it, she wasn't certain, but she felt confident that he had missed the point of it entirely.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves instinctively begins to relax as Katiya starts playing with his hair, some of the feathers beginning to disappear slowly while the others fall to the floor. At least it's going away, but definitely he is still embarrassed by this and buries his face in one of the throw pillows on the couch in his humiliation. "I *am* hilarious and incredibly bright," he repeats indignantly, greatly appreciating that she thinks so. It would simply be a bonus (albeit a very big one) to Yves if everyone else finds him hilarious and bright, but Katiya's opinion matters more to him than anyone else in this school. "And so are my friends, and Harry just *had* to be a killjoy about it." He sighs, before adjusting his position so that he can admire her. While he moves, he makes it a point to take her hand into his. When he is done adjusting himself, he returns it back to its place in his hair so she can continue, but takes her other hand in his after making sure there aren't any talons left that might hurt her accidentally. "I wish you could come to class on the day of our presentation." he says, frowning. He isn't sure if Professor Zhao will allow students not in the class to watch, but perhaps if he tries hard enough he might convince her. He isn't sure how morally correct of him that would be though, which is why he's hesitant. Ophelia *is* nice, though, so maybe he won't need to. There isn't any harm, after all, in his girlfriend watching him be Helena, and Ophelia is very reasonable. "You would be really amused by it!" Yves is calming down now, focusing on this and other happier things like the feeling of Katiya's fingers in his hair. "I still need to get a dress for that..."

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

When he starts shifting around, she holds herself together and resists the urge to sigh, watching him as he finds a comfortable spot for himself. Once he's done, she shifts a little and places a brief kiss to his forehead. "You should come to the dormitory tomorrow," she tells him, not letting him dwindle on that thought for very long. Inviting Yves over tonight would be a terrible decision considering who her housemates include, and it will be easier to purge the dormitory of pesky roommates (or Zenia) with more notice anyways. "My roommates won't be there, so we should have privacy." A brow raises a little teasingly, but she intends this privacy to be used exclusively for if he wants to try her dresses on in the dormitory first. Her eyes glance down before focusing on and admiring him again, hand giving his a gentle squeeze. "It wouldn't hurt to suggest it to Professor Zhao. If she declines, then we can arrange something for us and our friends," she suggests, not bothering to mention that they have seen it before in its early stages anyways. The *Lovers in the Forest* haven't necessarily been discrete about what they have been doing. Still, it wouldn't be difficult finding at least a tiny audience, especially if they can convince Molly and Elouan to present at the same function. It doesn't even occur to her to question whether or not these woodland lovers would want to perform a second time for some friends. It's easy to picture them illuminating at the idea that anyone would want to watch them, let alone a 'crowd.' A small silence falls between them established by how her eyes are flickering over his face, visibly in thought and not wanting to be interrupted. When she's done, her expression remains flat though she's internally quite tickled. "It will be quite amusing, *moy sakharok*. You will be *striking*." Even though she believes it's obvious, she continues in case Yves needs it: "You always are. It will be thrilling to see, and I'm excited. All of you have been working hard, and it will surely pay off in the end." Complimenting his friends is important too, and she doesn't mind as long as it's sincere. Their version of *working hard* is certainly different from hers, but whatever is working for them— she supposes.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves' girlfriend knows him so well, for the moment she mentions performing again, his face *does* in fact illuminate at the suggestion. He had already been excited at the idea of going over to Katiya's dorm, especially when her roommates won't be there, not that he'd mind if they *were* because he likes all of them (except for Vi Loxley, of course). Despite Katiya's flat expression, he knows her well enough to know that she wouldn't have suggested it if she didn't want to watch (she wouldn't waste time like that) and that knowledge alone is enough to make his heart flutter. "It will." he says, quite confidently. "I think we're going to have the best presentation in the class. Well, actually, Isabella le Noir does a *really* scary Lady Macbeth – " Not to mention Ant Travert does a very convincing job at playing a man who very much does not want to kill anyone, but is easily peer pressure nonetheless. " – and Molly and Elouan seem to have a lot of fun too when I see them practice! They're doing the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet and *c'est merveilleux* so far." Yves thinks one of them may have already mentioned it before, but he can't be sure. He has a hard time remembering whether or not people already know things especially if he wasn't the one who told them. That, and he just likes to brag about his friends, doesn't matter how many times he's done it. Having calmed down mostly, the feathers are sparse enough now for it to not be too uncomfortable to cuddle up to Katiya so he does just that, smiling contentedly to himself at their position. "How has *your* day been so far, *ma mie*?" he asks.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Watching Yves' face immediately illuminate with excitement elicits a little laugh from her, settling on her equivalent of a pleased smile. When he cuddles into her, she continues to just let him move them until they fit comfortably together, sighing peacefully before placing another kiss on the top of his head. "Even if their performances are spectacular, yours will still be one of the best," she confirms. Something she has always appreciated about Yves is how supportive he is of everyone around him. To her, it is nicer knowing that he is this way with everyone and not just with her exclusively. He's truly a wonderful person, and she admires him for it (among other things). Another short silence washes over them as she reminds herself of today's activities. Her sudden alarm over Yves' predicament and changed demeanor had startled her out of what had otherwise been a perfectly fine day, and she had temporarily forgotten what had happened with her over the course of it. "My day has been tiring, but otherwise it has been quite fine," she concludes plainly. "Woolridge —" In a poor mood, she swiftly refers to the Ravenclaw Captain as such. "— read an article on the benefits of exercising in the morning, so he wanted our practice to happen before breakfast. We urged him to not do so again." Her eyes narrow at nothing in particular, and she isn't bothered about it anymore. It's merely a retelling. "I wouldn't consider the rest as noteworthy, but rest assured that it was fine. I was only looking forward to our time together, and thankfully, we have made it here." With not much else to say, she relaxes a little and finally melts into him.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves closes his eyes and smiles contentedly when she places another kiss on top of his head. He loves Katiya so much... Yves decides he should probably tell her in a bit, but he wants to hear her talk more first. "I'm sure Chip meant well." he says, but he can't imagine having to do practice so early in the morning. The fact that Yves is being nice about it is indicative of how quickly his bad mood had fizzled out, thanks to Katiya and how much she calms him. "But it's good you and the others talked to him, *ma mie*. Luckily Gracie's never tried to pull anything like that." Yves is very fond of all of the quidditch team captains, even Joffrey who doesn't seem to get on with him as well as the others do. He's never thought about it that much – he knows he hasn't done anything wrong and besides, sometimes it *does* take a while for people to warm up to him. Everyone comes around eventually. "I was looking forward to our time together toooo," he says, admiring the way their fingers intertwine. "You are the best part of any day." he tells her quite seriously. Yves is not a fan of apologizing for his outbursts mostly because they are embarrassing and he'd very much like to just forget about them and move on, but he feels especially guilty for making Katiya put up with it. "*Désolé*," he mutters, "I almost ruined it with my... tantrum." He frowns. "I was going to calm myself down on my own, but I did not want to keep you waiting." Yves sighs dramatically, then continues. "And now you've seen me all hideous and harpy-like. *C'est gênant*." Looking genuinely upset, he pouts and focuses on their hands instead of looking up at Katiya.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Hearing that she is the best part of today — or any other — is flattering, and Katiya starts blushing before he begins his apology. Situating herself in order for her head to rest gently against his, she focuses on their hands too and gives his hand a gentle, absent-minded stroke with her thumb. "Don't apologize. You weren't going to ruin anything," she tells him honestly. Yves wasn't projecting the issue onto her nor insisting that she solved it for him, and that would have been a serious issue. To her knowledge, he wasn't attempting to purposefully cause problems for her either. "I would have preferred the opportunity to comfort you than be left waiting because you are fearful of me seeing some feathers. I don't have an issue with it, and I would never lay my eyes on you and consider you *hideous*. It's too harsh of you to say that about yourself." Her words are generally flat, but there's a soothing intimacy to them as she lowers her voice. While the feathers and the talons are not attractive by any means, she would never consider Yves *hideous*. He was still her *sakharok*, and she loves him far too much to ignore that. In a world where she loved him less, she might have found it more disturbing, but that would have to be a difficult universe to stumble upon. Katiya exhales slowly. "I wouldn't want you to think that I would ever see you as such either." Her head turns slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of his expression from the corner of her eye before turning down towards their hands again. Katiya quietly clears her throat before having her try at French again. "*Qu'est-ce que « gênant » en anglais?*" she asks softly. An important first lesson in learning a language is learning how to ask for a translation. It's a template that has been repeated a few times throughout their conversations in the past.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves *always* finds Katiya's voice soothing, no matter how flat her tone is. He remembers what Lemon said about how Katiya is a bit flat and until now he has trouble recognizing it when she always seems to act with such tenderness whenever he is around, and he *knows* that isn't just his veela powers because Katiya has made it very clear that it is not. He trusts her on that. Yves cannot say with certainty that he knows the ins and outs of how these veela attraction abilities work, but he *can* say certainly that he trusts Katiya to always be truthful with him. He doesn't say anything in reply to what she said about him not being hideous – he certainly *feels* hideous but he knows that's something he has to convince himself out of. Hearing it from Katiya is very reassuring, though. There's no point in fighting with her about it though; that would only be *too* self-deprecating and that's behavior Yves does not want to engage in. "Annoying. Embarrassing. It depends on the context, but I guess today it was both." he says. It is difficult to still feel so badly about it when he hears Katiya speaking in French, which always manages to make his heart flutter. "I'm happy that I chose to come here instead of wallowing by myself." he says, moving his position so that he can look at her. Very casually yet still very seriously, he pauses, then continues. "I love you." he tells her. He has been wanting to say that for a while, but he does not want to make such a big deal out of it. "*Я тебя люблю*." His French accent makes pronouncing the words a little difficult, but he tries nonetheless because he thinks it would be sweeter for her to hear it in her language. "Did I say it correctly?" he asks, smiling at her.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

*Annoying. Embarrassing.* Her gaze has rediscovered its place, focusing on how their hands fit perfectly together with his intertwined with hers. It's difficult for her to resist protesting this sentiment, and her mouth opens as she turns to face him. When she catches that Yves is *pausing*, she decides she can resist the urge, but settles on a nicely raised eyebrow. It immediately falls soon after, and her heart beats a little faster as she feels a sudden stir in her system as if her senses have all been alerted at once. Oh, she does love him so much. "I love you," she tells him in turn, voice earnest as she goes a little quiet. Her eyes are a little more expressive than they usually are, admiring him for a moment as she fully processes his attempt at Russian. "*Je t'aime.*" Her French accent is refined yet not entirely perfect, but Katiya had been insisting during the last two months or so that he gives her constructive criticism until her accent had become satisfactory. Still, something about using French this time leaves her uncharacteristically insecure. It's a little strange, knowing that Yves will love the fact that she's trying. Her feelings on the matter are fleeting, reassuring herself easily that her boyfriend would appreciate it. Instead she focuses on the fluttery feeling he just gave her, moving her face to be closer to his with an obnoxiously confident expression. "Say it again," she requests. "I heard you, *moy sakharok*, but I want to hear it again." Visibly enthused, she lets out a little laugh.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Of course, Yves has no problem with saying it again. In fact, he has been wanting to say it for a *while*, so this is an easy ask. He will likely tell her over and over again as much as he can and in every language if he could. "*Я тебя люблю*." he says, sounding more confident than he did originally, and that makes the accent slightly better. Yves' French accent is still too strong, but he knows what matters is that he's trying. He tilts his head up to kiss her, then fully adjusts his position on the couch so that they are both sitting and facing each other and it is less awkward to kiss. "I love you." he says, which is much easier to say. Hearing Katiya's laugh is like music. "I will say it as much as you like." he jokes, laughing with her, but he is very much serious about that. "I have been *wanting* to, but I knew I had to say it just now." Yves is confident about many things, but truthfully he had been nervous she wouldn't say it back immediately. To know she reciprocates his feelings with the same intensity that he possesses is reassuring and he relaxes, cuddling up to her again at the thought and how happy it makes him.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Her whole being grows warm and soft at the continued affirmation of their love, and she happily kisses him when he leans in. When he pulls away, she is sure to remind him she loves him just as much. "*Je t'aime.* I love you." Hearing him say it is music to her ears, so the confirmation that he will say it as often as she wants is both appreciated and amusing. Katiya can't manage her laughter, laughing again before they settle into each other once more. "Your Russian is too *симпатичный*— too cute." It's not meant to be insulting, but she doesn't believe Yves would genuinely shy away from being called cute. "I will never tire of hearing you say it. My hope is only that you don't either." It's said with enough assurance that it's apparent that she doesn't believe that will ever be the case. Katiya is not-so-hopelessly in love with him and is extremely confident in how much he loves her too. If that's the case, then neither of them will ever tire from hearing it or saying it. "If you do, we will just learn how to say it in another language." It's a joke albeit a bland one, assuming that the only reason they would grow bored of it is not because the love goes stale but instead because the words themselves can't capture the intensity. Katiya doesn't believe that that's how words work, so she laughs a little at herself.