Loneliness in Difference

Chapter 7: Everything Takes a Turn for the Worst

Thump! Adelaide slammed what looked like thirty books onto the table Luke was sitting at in the library. How she had been able to fit all of these in her school bag was beyond his knowledge. These thirty object contained more than just books. There were folders and filing folders of every shape and size, and about a dozen notebooks. Taking a second glance at the pile Luke realized more than half were notebooks, in fact there only seemed to be a few actual books.

Luke thought today was perfect for a discussion. He had only been yelled at by Cecillia once for slacking off, Jakob hadn't tripped into anyone so they hadn't had to bail him out of trouble, and there was a thunderstorm outside meaning that Quidditch practice was cancelled. He couldn't have asked for a better day.

Adelaide scanned the pile and pulled out a notebook, a folder, and a book. She set them in front of Luke and sat down across from him.

"What is this?" Luke asked.

"You said you were willing to discuss strategies with me yesterday so here we are," Adelaide said. "This the research I've gathered about four major things. One Slytherin's history, two which and how Slytherin members would like to be seen differently, three what do other people see in and expect of Slytherin members, and four who and what obstacles are lying in the way of achieving an understanding between houses. I have number one mostly finished there are just a few more things I need to check. Two and three are done I have lists of every name and what they think. As for four," Adelaide sighed deeply and looked up at the ceiling. "That list just keeps developing."

"Uh-huh," Luke said, "and how long did all of this take you again?"

"All of last year."

"And so you expect me to read all of this by the end of this year?"

"I expect you to read most of it by the end of this month, but not all of it. I only brought the stuff you need to read here." Luke stared at her like she was insane. "Look you don't need to memorize any of it, I just want feedback from an outside source."

Luke took a deep breath. He had signed up for this so he had to follow through. He opened up the first page of a notebook and began to read:

Hana Kenlar: she says she wishes others wouldn't drown out her opinion every time she tried to give advice to someone outside of Slytherin.

Dan Barrok: he wants other people to respect him but is unaware how to get that respect without giving into the way people see Slytherins.

Chris Canford: he's aware something needs to change he is one of the bullies of Slytherin at Hogwarts however he wishes he could not be, but people expect him to be so he is.

Fiona Kallahine: She doesn't believe she can be herself due to being a Slytherin...

Luke read through every name in awe. Adelaide had been brave enough to go up to individual Slytherins and ask for their viewpoint on all of this. They could have ridiculed her and called her a creep but she asked anyway. She must have also been kind to them other wise they probably would never shared their stories and experiences with her without the same fears.

He set that notebook aside, grabbed another one, and flipped it open:

Kelly Lundenburg (Ravenclaw): Sees Slytherin as an obstacle that is constantly getting in her way of learning.

Lux Handon (Gryffindor): Sees Slytherin as an enemy, and expects them to get in way so is constantly on guard around any Slytherin.

Karin Thandrin (Gryffindor): Doesn't really care, she's just trying to become a good witch.