The dark-skinned witch was officially bored from everything. To be fair, she couldn't wait to start Hogwarts again. She was horrified to go back, but nothing can beat being in a classroom or studying in her dorm, right this moment. She tried studying in her room again with the books she bought for Hogwarts but, it isn't the same. When she's in her actual home, she feels different, she feels normal.
She bit her lip in thought of what she could do and an idea came in mind. She went up to one of her brothers room and knocked on its frame and smiled up at her brother "Hey, Evan. I'm gonna go for some fresh air. So, don't wait up, OK?"
"Alright bunny. Stay safe" and with that she gave him a grin and turned back to her room to change. Once ready, she went to her floo powder. Stepped into her fireplace and said "Diagon Ally!".
Throwing it in the instant, she seen the green fire setting right in front her eyes. Before finding her in diagonal alley.
She let out a pant in relief before stepping out from where she was standing and dusted herself off with a clear of her throat.
Sighing, she made her way to a cafe and immediately smelled the aroma of fresh coffee and delicious looking pastries. Walking over to the counter, she ordered a hot chocolate and a chocolate brownie.
Once they were ready, she paid the workers and took the tray with her snack and drink and found an empty booth for herself and sitting herself on it, just enjoying her relaxing moment.
Alice happened to be in the same coffee shop. She escaped from their manor because Damon, her eldest brother arrived to visit their mother with his wife Rosalie and two pesky daughters, Margaux and Helena. Alice likes kids, but not her nieces for they are too noisy and they like playing with her colour-changing inks.
She was sitting on a corner with a quill in her left hand, peacefully sketching garment designs, while holding a cup of tea with her right.
Juliet glanced over a certain redhead. Let's say she, caught her attention. She always found redheads interesting. She never knew why. She began nibbling into her brownie and grabbed a book from her bag starting to read it quietly.
After she finished with her brownie and drink, she closed her book gently and looked around again, noticing that the red-head girl was still there.
Biting her lip, holding herself from going up to her and making a fool of herself, Juliet sighed and looked away, uncertain of what she could do. Her insecurities and introverted mind was holding her back.. But the girl on the other side of the cafe has that certain presence that makes her stand out.
She wanted to get to know the girl, but she was still uncertain on what she could say. She fidgeted with the rim of her sleeves and bit her lip once more.
Holding her breath, She grabbed her book, gently put it back in her bag and made her up to the girl. She froze half way... She had to keep on moving, she didn't want to draw attention to herself already, but her legs were still frozen to the ground. She pushed herself a little further and finally arrived near the girl. "Urm.." she stuttered slightly. "H. Hi" she breathed. "s. Sorry. Uh.. My stammer is um.. Annoying. I'll uh.. I'll leave you in peace. Sorry to disturb you" she said quickly without a breath about to turn heels.
Alice took a tiny sip of her tea before putting it down.
โFinally, some peace and quiet,โ she thought to herself.
She was enjoying the peace away from her brotherโs family when she caught a glimpse of a tanned skin girl from across the room, who had a familiar face, probably seeing her in school corridors. She diverted back her attention to what she was sketching but she noticed that the girl was walking toward her direction.
She looked up again, very confused to what was happening. The girl was saying something but she canโt understand clearly.
With a raised brow, she asked, โUh, yes? How can I help you?โ
Alice thought it was rather awkward so she herself wasnโt sure how to properly respond to the fellow Hogwarts student.
Juliet held her breath once again and slowly turned back to face her. Slowly, she made her way back to the girl "Urm. I apologize. This is new for me. I'm not one to talk to people." she said not looking directly at her. "But.." she looked up, now averting her eyes onto the red-head "there's something about you that..." she stopped once again and let out an airy chuckle "I'm sorry uh." she pressed her lips in a thin line and immediately changed the topic not wanting to make this more awkward than it already is "I'm... Juliet Hansen. Do you mind if we start over?" she let out a nervous chuckle.
Even though Alice admired the girl when she said talking to people was new for her, she still felt awkward for herself. She didnโt know what the girl wants. She didnโt know if she was going to ask for a favour or something.
She scrunched up her nose and let out a nervous chuckle, โUh, hello Hansen.โ
Her face now relaxed, she tried to let out a smile but sheโs pretty sure she still looks awkward. She asked again, โCan I help you with something?โ
She softly smiled at her when she called her by her last name. She could get used to that. "Hi" she repeated again. Once again, feeling the awkwardness between them.
As soon as the girl asked her that question, her face slightly frowned in confusion and nervousness "I'm sorry? Urm. No.. I was just wondering if I could join you." she said still shifting uncomfortably. She felt her automatically bite her lips once again. She hated being this inconvenient. And she pretty sure made herself look like an idiot.
But all that went away as soon as her her eyes glanced at the drawings. Her lips curled up in a smile and looked at them "Did you make this?" she asked I intrigued.
โWhy canโt I have an alone time? Alone. By. Myself.โ She stated on her mind.
But she forced a nicer smile this time and agreed to the girlโs request. โUh, sure. Go grab a seat,โ she said on a rather soft voice.
Alice is not really a fan of small talk. She was hoping that this girl talks to her about something in her interest to make her more comfortable in opening up.
โYes, these are my sketches. I like drawing and designing robes and other garments,โ she confidently replied, her smile now getting more natural.
She seen the forced smile on the girl making her feel slightly unwanted. "This is why you're an Introvert, Juliet!" she thought to herself before giving her a tight smile while sitting down.
But then she looked back at the drawings and was still amazed and astonished "these are really good" she stated as a matter of factly "I'm not usually fond of designs but.. This really peaked my interest. These are excellent. When did you start learning drawing, may I ask?" she asked with curiosity peaking through her tone.
โIโm not sure what age I learned how to sketch but ever since I was a child I know that I love the arts. My mother was an artist you see, she paints incredibly. So I guess she influenced me,โ she shared to Juliet in a confident tone. She loved talking about her passion.
Alice has been talking to Juliet about the arts nonstop without even realizing that the girl still doesnโt know her name.
After a long share, she managed to catch her breath and asked Juliet, โHow about you though? What are your interests?โ
Julliet was still fascinated by the drawings. They really were beautifully done. She didn't know that time actually flew by without her even stuttering in anxiety about talking to anyone but her brothers.
She looked back up at the girl as she asked that question "mine? Well. I don't have any particular interest, but I love reading and writing." she said with a gently tone. It somehow came to her interest that she already knew this girl's passion and where it came from but not her name. A little chuckle came out of her lips and bit it sheepishly "I apologize. I realized that I haven't asked you for your name. I'm so sorry" she spoken sincerely.
โHow can someone not have a particular interest?โ she asked, with one brow arched. โOhh, I see. Love for literature. What are your favourite books?โ she asked again.
Alice giggled when she realized she havenโt told Juliet her name yet she already talked to her about so much things. โItโs Burke. Alice Burke,โ she replied with a sweet smile as she extended her hand for Juliet to shake.
Alice knew that she notices this girl in the corridor sometimes because of her bubblegum pink hair but never bothered checking her robes to find out her house. So she asked, โOh, What house are you in?โ
Juliet let a small giggle escape from her lips. "someone who has a boring life, most probably" she playfully joked. "yes, literature. My most favorite is actually "merchant of venice" I love Shakespeare. His language is too beautiful" she said now feeling less anxious and more relaxed.
She reached for her hand and smiles in return "that's a nice name, Alice." A small compliment wouldn't go amiss. Especially to a girl like her. She had no flaw in her and Juliet was incredibly envious of her. She wouldn't mind being her friend. She could teach her her ways.
She tilted her head in confusion at first when she asked her that question but then she remembered that probably knew her from Hogwarts "Oh. I'm a ravenclaw. You?"
Aliceโs light brown eyes beamed upon hearing Juliet talk about her favourite books. Alice was never fascinated by the things in the muggle world, or at least she wasnโt curious about their world. The only thing she finds interesting in them are their dresses and paintings.
Even though she wasnโt sure who Shakespeare is, she was now intrigued.
โAh I can see why,โ She replied. โI came from the noble house of Slytherin,โ she added with a sly grin, still proud of her house even after the events of the last year.
Juliet chuckle slightly and blushed slightly before looking away since she noticed why she love books. "Oh you're a slytherin. That's interesting. I'm sorry, I never saw you in Hogwarts, I don't keep track of people. Oddly enough, I barely have friends to talk to. I just bury my head in books. That's why I'm surprised" she said apologetically with a and genuine smile.
This girl keeps on getting more interesting by the second. If this chat goes well she might have a slytherin friend, she had no idea that it will end up to this way. Hopefully, it will end up going well. Because although she was an introvert, she was enjoying this girl's presence.
โIโm repeating my 5th year, I assume you are not from my year?โ she asked then took a sip of her tea and glanced at her pocket watch. She remembered that they have a family dinner with her eldest brotherโs family.
Her eyes widened and exclaimed, โOh sweet Merlin! I gotta run now, fatherโs going to find me. Iโm really sorry, Hansen.โ
She hurriedly put her quill, ink, and parchments inside her tote bag then stood up. She again extended her hand for Juliet to shake, โThank you for a lovely time. I hope to see you in Hogwarts next week!โ
"I'm repeating my 6th, actually" she responded. "Something the matter?" she asked watching her look at her watch. The moment her eyes widened, she frowned worriedly. "Oh" she said with a dry chuckle "Of course. I'm sorry for keeping you" she said to her watching her rushing. "Hansen" she smirked slightly. She doesn't know why she loves it when she called her that.
Juliet shook her hand once again. "Bye, Alice. And thank you for keeping me away from boredom and yes, sure will" she told her sweetly before standing up herself too. She gently strapped her bag around her shoulders and made her way out of the cafe just the same as the red-head.
