*  𝐀𝐍𝐃  / ｆａｌｌ !

you'll burn more 𝘋𝘌𝘓𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛𝘍𝘜𝘓 !   ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵘᶠᶠᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ .

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»       CLOSED   STARTER  !       @chvrrys   :

       ❛     𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡  𝑦𝑜𝑢  𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘       a  little   lonely   over  here  ,   ❜       rita   coos ,     hands  coming   over   the  girl  to   dangle   a  full   cup   next  to  rita’s  own   half - empty   one    (  not  that   she   drank  that ;    it  was  half  empty  to   begin   with  )           ❛     need  another   drink   yet  ?   ❜

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R.  BLACK       ╱     regulustxt

    “What’re the odds someone gets into a fight tonight,” Regulus asks, eyes appearing mildly curious but Slytherin personality saying otherwise. Honestly, he was bored and he wanted to see something happen. What better way to finish off the term than with a little excitement? “I’m willing to make bets it’ll be a Gryffindor.”

    ❛     𝑡𝑜𝑜   𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 .        tensions  are  rising ,     the  year  is  ending .     it’s   bound     to  happen .     i  only  hope  i’m   here   to  see  it  , ❜       rita  throws  a  smirk  over  her  shoulder  to  the  slytherin ,     smile  growing    wider    as  she  fully  takes  in   who   said  it .         ❛     i’d  place  bets  on  your    brother    —     but  i  think  that’s  too   obvious  a  choice .   ❜

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N.  PATIL-BORGIN       ╱     notaborginbrat

“Don’t people read newspapers to find out the important news? Not just the most interesting things?” But even as Nisha said it, they had a feeling that was just them. That Rita was right, and most people cared more for interest than import. As hard as that was for Nisha to get. They don’t notice Rita’s expression, chalking it up to just being her usual expression. “Alright, alright, I know that. I get it. You don’t care.”

      ❛     𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠  𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦  𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡       we  all   tell   ourselves .     bu t  no  one’s   going  to   pick  up   a  paper  that  has  the   same   headline  it  had   last  week ,    that   three   other  papers  have  had  for   three  months ,    that  we  all   saw   coming  from  a  mile  away   time  after  time ,     ❜     rita   waves   her  hands   about   with  the  answer ,     exaggerating   the  monotony .       ❛   it’s  not  that  i  don’t   care  .     i  care  a   lot .    but   i   know  there’s  nothing  that   i    can  do  about  it ,    so  i  don’t  go  about   dragging   the  mood  down   with   me .   ❜

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C.  ROMERO       ╱      ofdvrkncss

“ and just what exactly happens to be in the forbidden section that you’re interested in ? ” catherine raises an eyebrow, as intrigued by any potential information of interest as ever, she’s curious. “ that’s exactly it, yes. when the most important thing i had to worry about was getting to class on time or remembering the common room password. ” loss of youth is certainly a phrase that can be used for it, but she’s more worried about a loss of innocence, of ignorant bliss ; pretending the outside world and it’s current issues can’t affect her, don’t touch her within the confines of hogwarts, not yet. “ well we can’t have that, but i don’t know who i’ll get all of my information from next year. i’m sure it’ll all work itself out. ”

        ❛   𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 ,  ❜       rita  answers  the  question   easily ,    a   cat - like   grin  spreading  over  her  face .       ❛   it’s   forbidden   for  a   reason .     normally  that  makes  it   all   the  more   interesting .    it’s  full  of   shortcuts   and   hard  spells   they  simply  don’t  want  the   average   bloke  messing   around   in ,    but  it  takes   half   a  brain  to  know  your   own   limits .    makes  for  an  interesting   read ,     something  to  keep  at  the   back   of  your  mind .  ❜     rita  hums  idly  at  catherine’s   confirmation   of  young  idealism ,    not  any  more   pressed   on  the  subject .    she  turns  instead  to  a  simple  laugh  at  the  topic  of  whatever  circle  she  ends  up  getting   gossip   through  the   vine   by  then .     ❛   they’ll  be  tragically   boring   in  comparison ,     but  i’m   sure   you’ll   survive .  ❜

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A.  CARROW       ╱     acvrrcw

           “  you’d  be  correct,  again.  this  time  no  flattery,  just  truth,  ”  he  hummed  back  with  a  closed  turn  of  his  lips.  “  i  suppose  eccentric  would  be  the  proper  term  to  describe  most  of  the  professors  and  sorts.  you’d  think  they  wouldn’t  with  how  strict  they  are  outside  of  the  classrooms.  ”

        𝑎  𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ  𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠      with  that ,    rita  considering  the  words  as  she  gives  a  slow  nod  to  them .    ❛   oh ,    definitely   —   but   you   know ,    it  makes   sense   that  they’d   exert   control  in   minimal   ways .   where  they   can .    can’t  deal  with   too  much   backlash ,   but  a   little   wrist - slapping ?    rarely  gets  out .    ❜

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M.  MCKINNON       ╱     mckmarl

Her eyes follow the girl down to the seat, her freakish calm settling over the young Gryffindor which made her shift weight a few times. “Don’t misunderstand what I just told you, Skeeter. I’m not giving you any names. That’s yours to guess.”  Arms folded across her chest, waiting for her to shoot out something stupid for her to laugh at. It was like there was a something pushing at her back and egging her on to challenge the situation. “Can’t wait to see your published list. Go on then, Skeeter.”

      𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑎  𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑠  ℎ𝑒𝑟       quill  down  over  the   parchment   as  soon  as  the  words   leave   marlene’s  mouth ,   an   unamused   expression  lifting  up  to  meet  mckinnon’s .       ❛   fine ,  ❜    she  huffs ,   gathering   her  things   back   up  petulantly .     ❛   if   you   won’t  give  me  any   hints ,    i  won’t  be  giving  you  any  of   mine ,    either .     you  can  see  the  final  product  through  the   grapevine ,    like  everyone  else .    i’ll  figure  it  out   myself .    thought  i  could   simply   do  you  a   favour   and  let  you  get   your  own   narrative  in .  ❜

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S.  TRELAWNEY       ╱     sybillsc

       “  strange  how  that  now  i  have  all  the  free  time  in  the  world ,  i  can’t  seem  to  find  anything  to  entertain  myself  with .”  sure,  sybill  could  temporarily  busy  herself  by  starting  to  pack  her  things  but  that  was  a  problem  for  future  her .  for  now ,  she’d use  the  little  time  she  has  by  walking  the  grounds .  the  weather  definitely  made  it  easier  to  appreciate  the  landscape . “ at  least  exams  are  over .” 

        ❛   𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒  𝑖𝑡  𝑎𝑠      a   moment   to  really   bask   in  the   memories   you’ll   have ,  ❜      rita  says ,   a   light   tone  to  the  words  she   draws  out   for   added   effect .    the  effect’s   lost   the  second  she   straightens  up ,    smiling   brightly  .     ❛   but   speaking   of    entertaining   yourself ,  ❜     she  goes  on ,    fingers   fluttering   as  she  brings  her  hands  in   front   of  herself ,    between   them  both .     ❛   how’s  that    palmistry   coming  along ?  ❜

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A.  CARROW       ╱     acvrrcw

     “ hmm, prefer. ” she probably already knew the answer, having been the one to offer it up in placement. “ don’t say you wouldn’t feel the same ? you’re a smart girl. much smarter than most. ”

          𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑎  ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑠  ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ       at  the  answer  he  gives ,    smile   curling   up  at  his   words .     ❛   flattery   will  get  you   everywhere ,    amycus ,  ❜    she  says ,    leaning  forward ,     ❛   but  i  think  you   know   that .    but -    to   answer   your  question ,    not  quite .     i  can    imagine   how   dull   this  place  might  get  if   staff   weren’t  so . . .   eccentric .  ❜ 

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M.  MCKINNON       ╱     mckmarl

Marlene leaned back, looking as she was mulling over these pressing questions from Miss Skeeter. Of course, she held back the little choke in her throat from the ending quip, now letting herself lean forward. “Figure you’d just be hiding in some closet and figure it out on your own. The actual answers don’t matter, do they? ” She never really discussed where her impulses lead her, not even wither her closest friends - but perhaps she was glad Rita didn’t seem to have the most up to date information. “How about you give me a list of who you think and I’ll check off the yes’s and no’s? It’ll give you a checklist for your interviews. And you can bugger off to somebody else. Go on, get out your scroll.”

        ❛     𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠  ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑠        to   skip   a  few   steps   where  you   can ,    doesn’t  it  ?     ❜    rita  replies ,    lifting   a  shoulder  up  in  shrug .    she   moves   around  marlene  while  they’re   talking ,    truly  making  for  the   nearest   seating  area  with  a   hand   on  her  clutch .       ❛   perfect ,  ❜    she  grins ,    taking  out  a  quill  and  scroll .    she  truly   doesn’t   care  how   little   or   much   marlene  will  tell  her ,    after  all .    it’s  all  in  the    nuisance .   even  getting  a  minor   reaction   to  any  few   names   she  can   squeeze  -      ❛   should  we  play  it   easy   and   start   with  the   gryffindors ,    then ?   ❜

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C.  ROMERO       ╱      ofdvrkncss

“ well i can’t disagree with you on that one. most of my professors haven’t taught me much of anything, especially lately around exam season. what i do know i’ve learned myself. ” the same can’t be said for every single class she’s in, but it stands true for a fair few. she understands that not everybody is in her current predicament, and as a result won’t understand her desire to be a child again, before war was even a topic on her mind, but she wishes thing could be that simple again. “ i would, it was simply easier. nobody gave a merlin’s about first and second year exams. things were more fun. ” and that’s just the beginning of it. “ you better. i’m counting on it. i’ll be sure to fill you in on any gossip, too. ” 

         ❛     𝑎𝑡  𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡  ℎ𝑜𝑔𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑠        presents  us  with   somewhat   of  a   free - for - all .    the   forbidden  section   is  a  bit  annoying ,    but  nothing  a  few   sweet  words   and  strings  can’t   bypass .     ❜   rita  tuts ,    thinking  back  on  the  time  now  with  a  bit  of  an   edge   considering  she  really  hadn’t   thought   about  the   resources   no  longer  being  so  easily   available   to  her .    she’d  have  to   find   a  way  to  change  that ,    she  supposes .       ❛   ah .    i  think  i  understand  that .    loss  of  youth  ,    you  would  say ?    back  when   ignorance   really   was   bliss .  ❜      she  comments ,    seeing  a   part   of  where  romero’s  coming  from ,    even  if  she   herself   would  never  trade  as  much .      ❛   don’t   tempt  me ,    catherine ,    or  i  might  get   attached .  ❜    rita  then  smirks ,    finger   waving   in  jest  at  the  sentiment .

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N.  PATIL       ╱     notaborginbrat

“Shouldn’t newspapers be writing about what’s important rather than just what’s interesting?” Nisha frowned as Rita took the newspaper, their eyes following it as Rita flicked it aside. “What? The attacks? The ministry has a duty to protect people, and the election decides who is in charge of that. Well, no, but…” They reached out to pull the paper back to themself, feeling defensive. “I’m just concerned, okay?”

       ❛     𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 .   ℎ𝑜𝑤       do  you   peak   someone’s  interest  if  not   through   interest ?    it’s  a   win - win .    keep  the   repeated   killings  in  a  little   corner   somewhere .     ❜     rita   answers ,    elbows   propping   up  on  the  table .    she  looks  over  nisha  with  a  building   expression   that  likely  reads  both   bored   and   condescending ,   but  she’s   prone   to  wearing  that  particular   look   about  half  the  time .       ❛  and  it’s   very  cute .    but  what  are   you   going  to  do  about  it ?   standing  there   worrying   isn’t  helping  any ,    and  making   everyone   do  that  at  once  is  only  going  to   waste  time .   ❜

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M.  MCKINNON       ╱     mckmarl

“Rita Skeeter wants to know about my stress relief methods.” Marlene fakely mused over the girl’s recurring inquiry, mimicking the pensive posture. “I usually just have a boxing match with the whomping willow. It’s much more physically exerting, you know. Or perhaps you need to ask your questions more directly, as I am quite interesting and diverse in hobbies, dear.”

         ❛    𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠  𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡       surprise   you  ?     ❜     rita  asks .    her  expression   lifts   in  humour  at  the   statement .       ❛   so  you  can  keep  refusing  to  answer  them  more  directly ?  ❜    she  challenges .      ❛   fine .    who  have  you  been   fancying   lately ,   marlene ?    any  new  suitors  ?   finally  settling  on  a   romantic   partner ?    staying  sexual ?    you’ve  got  that   glow   about  you ,    but  i  feel  the  likes  of  your   usual   palette  would  be   much   too  boring  now  unless  it’s  finally  gotten . . .    serious .    hah .  ❜

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N.  PATIL-BORGIN       ╱     notaborginbrat

“No, I’m serious. This election is really important. I can’t even focus on my exam prep because I keep thinking about it.” As Nisha talked, they gestured with today’s copy of the Daily Prophet. “I mean, look at this! These attacks… It’s awful.”

        ❛     𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦  𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦   𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡       think  of   anything   more   interesting   to  talk  about ,    can  they ?     ❜    rita   huffs ,    grabbing  the  journal  copy   up  to  her   eyes   for   all   of  two   seconds   before   flicking   it  aside .       ❛   and   what’s   this  got  to  do  with  the   election ?    or   us ?    is  voting   dumbledore   going  to  give   me   his  skill  to   pass   potions ?    i  don’t   think   so .   ❜

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Y.  VALENTINE       ╱     yasmtine

        “   he’s  always  been  a  fan  of  hoarding  the  best ,  but  i’m  not  entirely  sure  if  that  lends  to  those  who  fall  short .”  yasmine  is  easily  reminded  of  the  time  she’d  refused  to  even  be  associated  with  his  ‘ slug  club ’  and  even  now ,  it  sounds  cheesy .  “  but  let’s  hope  that  it  doesn’t  even  happen .  i’d  rather  save  myself  the  embarrassment .” 

         ❛     𝑠𝑜  𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔  𝑎𝑠      there’s  a   balance   in   reputation   and   skill ,    i’m   sure   it’s  all  the   same  to  him ,     ❜     rita   says ,    giving  a  quick   laugh   at  yasemine’s  conclusion .       ❛   definitely .    i  think  i  would   rather   just  drop  out ;    my   mother   would  be   tortured  otherwise .    not   necessarily   by  the  fact ,    but  by  my   incessant   whining .   ❜

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M.  MCKINNON       ╱     mckmarl

“I’ve noticed. Makes you quite annoying, darling.” Marlene mimicked the other girl’s smile. “And for that, I don’t think it’s worth all the stressing. I’m sure Lily’ll force me down like for a study session in a night or two. But I’m not worries is all. Focus isn’t my problem.”

         𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑎  𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠  𝑛𝑜     more   than  an   unimpressed   hum  at  that .       ❛   well ,    i’m   certainly   not   going  to   sit   here  and   lecture   you .    seems   lily’s   doing  that   enough . ❜     and   not   one  to  so  easily   drop   a  topic ,    rita   claps   her  hands  together ,   tucking   them   under   her  chin .       ❛   so  does   lily   offer  that  relief  as  well  as   further  stress ,    then ? ❜

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H.  CROUCH       ╱     hectichilde

“Maybe they will and they won’t let you leave.” Hilde had never known it to happen, but she grinned like a fox as she threw the suggestion out there. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”

           ❛     𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠  𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒       someone  doesn’t   want  me   gone ,     ❜      rita   laughs ,   turning  to  hilde  with  a   teasing   smirk ,    lashes  fluttering .       ❛   it’d  be   about   as   fun   as   throwing   my  head  in  a   bucket   of   ice  water ,   darling . ❜

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AM.  CARROW       ╱     acvrrcw

      “ i suppose i must give you credit, skeeter. maybe i just hoped those students would just simply give up if they realized they have the possibility to fail. would make a much more interesting story. ”

          ❛     𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑   𝑦𝑜𝑢   𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒       that  for  the   story ,    amycus ?    or  would  you   simply   prefer   it  to  be  the   case   —   paying   whoever  it  may  be   no   mind   outside  of  the  fact ?     ❜      rita  smirks ,    throwing  him  an  incredulous  look  at  the  wording .