elanor// s.b.

VIII

~ Edward Kingston~

"So!", Elanor let out, "I bet you are all wondering why I gathered you here today". Edward rolled his eyes and fiddled with the book in front of him. "I saw that", Elanor said, causing the book to levitate and smack him on the head. Jude and Victoria burst into laughter. It was a sunny Saturday, and the rain that had been pouring for the past two weeks had finally retreated. Crisp autumn leaves floated down, coloring the grounds with bright yellows and oranges.

    Sunbeams spilled across the table the four sat at. It was a Saturday afternoon, and most people were out enjoying the sunshine or sleeping in, leaving the library almost deserted save a few students. Elanor's hair was tied up in a knot on the top of her head, a white ribbon holding it together. Her cut off shorts and v-neck crop top exposed a few of her tattoos. She kicked off her Doc Martens, leaving them abandoned under the table.

    "I've missed you all", Jude said with a smile, "But there's this really nice girl I met. She's in her first year. She said she liked my book and we talked about it in the common room!". Victoria grinned widely, her babydoll dress billowing out around her. "She cute?", Edward wiggled his eyes up and down. Elanor snorted as Jude blushed crimson. "How's Marles doing?", Elanor said, drawing out her nickname. It was Edward's turn to blush.

    They fell into familiar conversation, the four laughing and joking and enjoying each other's company. Tears of laughter streamed down Elanor's face as Edward began to retaliate after Victoria had slyly cast a spell that tied his shoelaces together under the table. When he had stood to dramatically storm away in fake anger at a comment made by Jude, he had tripped and fell flat on his face.

    Elanor was happy. Thoughts of the embarrassing events that had transpired in the Great Hall were far from her mind. "Hello there, Kensingtons", a voice sounded. Jasper stood leaning against a shelf of books. "Jas, what are you doing here?", Elanor said, gesturing for him to join them. "Trying to do my school work for once", he said, pulling a chair over, "But this loud group kept distracting me".

    Elanor shot him a look, a twinkle in her eyes. Jasper was very aware of how close they were sitting, and very aware of the tattoo poking out from the bottom of her shorts. He blushed as he imagined the twirling vines and flowers that stretched up her hip. Jude looked at the pair and let out a knowing laugh. "What time is it?", Edward suddenly let out. "Around 3 I think?", Victoria let out, craning her neck to look at the large clock on the wall.

    "I have to meet Marlene!", he said, leaping to his feet and rushing toward the door without a word of parting. "I should probably get going too", sighed Victoria, "I need to make the rounds". Straightening the prefects badge on her jean vest she stood, squeezing Jude in a hug and waving to the pair. "Well, looks like it's just the three of us", Elanor said, propping her feet on the now empty chair beside her.

    Jude smiled to himself and let out a yawn, "Just the two of you actually. I'm pretty tired, I think I'm gonna go back to the common room and take a cat nap". "Boo", Elanor let out. "Sorry, sis", and with that he was gone. "What do you want to do?", Jasper said with an undeniable smile playing at his lips. "I thought you were studying", Elanor playfully let out. Jasper rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair in a relaxed position.

    "I would much rather spend time with you", he chucked, "Trust me". Elanor shrugged her shoulders and stood. "Alright, where too then?", she said, pulling Jasper up by his arm. The pair made their way through the empty halls of the castle. "A few of us are getting together tonight down by the forbidden forest", Jasper said nonchalantly, "Thought you might want to come with me, you and Kate of course", he continued catching himself.

    Elanor let out a sigh, "You know how I feel about your friends". Jasper looked down at her, the height difference between them unignorable. "Look... I know they can be a little-". "Rude, obnoxious, arrogant", Elanor finished. The pair had reached the dungeons, and after a murmur of the password, they entered the glowing common room. "It starts at 9", Jasper shot in her direction with a wink, and with that he was gone.

^^^^

    Kate sat with her legs crossed in front of her on the edge of Elanor's four poster bed. "I think it'll be fun", she shrugged. "Yeah, I guess", Elanor sighed, playing with the corners of her comforter, "As long as there's firewhiskey there, I think I'll be fine". Kate rolled her eyes, "Glad that's the thing that got you on board", then, glancing down at Elanor, "You're gonna have to change".

"Your friends right, you know", Emma Vanity's voice rang out from across the room. The four other Slytherin sixth year girls had been pampering for the best hour. Ophelia sat trying to twist her hair into some sort of braided formation on top of her head while Georgia and Charity fussed over what shoes to wear.

    "Why?", Elanor snorted. Emma sauntered over and leaned against the wall next to the two girls. "Don't you want to impress everyone? Show them how hot and unashamed you are after you know... the Great Hall incident", she arched an eyebrow. Elanor chose to ignore this, "Not really". Emma shrugged, "Your choice. But you'll probably be pretty cold in that". She gestured to Elanor's exposed legs. She let out a groan and threw herself back so she was staring up at the ceiling.

"As much as I hate to admit it", Kate laughed, "But she's right, you'll freeze to death in that". Without sitting up, Elanor flicked her wand. A long sleeve pair of red textured overalls and a white turtleneck flew out of her trunk. Throwing it on, she pulled her hair into two buns at the base of her neck. "Ready?", she grinned. "As I'll ever be", Kate said hopping up. "See you there, ladies", called Emma and the pair waved, heading down to the edge of the forest and a night they would never forget.