Charity is reassured, and nods in agreement when Dorcas urges her to eat. She watches intently as her work is evaluated, and isn’t quite sure what to make of how quickly it’s dropped. At the opportunity to talk about her favorite subject, she lights up. “I’m not a founder but I’ve been the president since third year.” She’s a modest person, but there is still pride in her voice. “The faculty approved a Club Recruitment Fair this year, I don’t know whose idea it was, but I’m very excited! I’ll be representing this,” she gestures to her papers, earnest and eager, “and the stargazing club. I hope all the clubs show up, and I hope people check it out.”
dorcas.
“I had you pegged from the beginning. A go-getter. .... I’m guessing you’re not the sort to take no for an answer.” Her features fold, unaccustomed to softness and yet she manages. Effort fades from her brow and the hollows of her cheeks. “I can feel the guilt trip coming a mile away. ... You don’t have to ask.” Dorcas slid one of the pamphlets from Charity’s stack as she spoke, another hand gesturing wildly as a distraction. Her fingers folded the heavily decorated paper with great care before she could slip the project into her pocket. Heart pounding, Dorcas cleared her throat and shifted, silently praying the blonde had not noticed, “I’ll go. But I’ll be in disguise. You’ll know it’s me, yeah? You better.” The Gryffindor managed an exaggerated wink before moving to take a stand as a large group of Hufflepuffs shuffled forward to take their place for dinner.
Althea almost snorted at Dorcas’s comment. The mere idea of her flying about was simply absurd. She was the least athletic person she knew – by a long shot. “You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you? I think we all know that Slytherin could win without having me on the pitch. I haven’t heard much from Gryffindor, surprisingly, though. You’d think with all the egos your house has that they wouldn’t be able to keep their mouths shut.”
dorcas.
“As much as we Gryff’s like hearing ourselves talk,” Dorcas leaned forward, as though revealing some great conspiracy to the Slytherin. “I think in this case, I’d have had more fun knocking around your broomstick. Really put my galleons where my mouth is, y’know. ‘Course you would.” She shifted away to muse on the expressions Althea would suffer on a rocking broom and found her smile shifting upwards. “So what happens when we win, Travers? What’s your grand plan of a wager for me?”
Narcissa made no effort to hide the burdened sigh that escaped her lips in a quick rush. Druella sure wouldn’t have been impressed by the unladylike display, but then again the other ‘witch’ wasn’t exactly one she needed to impress. She finally allowed her eyes to meet those of the brunette, her expression honest in its dissatisfaction. Of course it was one of those Gryffindors. She didn’t know why she had been so disillusioned to believe that she’d actually get any work done this afternoon. Still, holding on to some semblance of hope that the newcomer might scurry back to whatever hole she had climbed out of, Narcissa kept her quill poised above her parchment. She could only hope. “Do all Gryffindors have attention deficits? What will it take for me to scare you off too?”
dorcas.
A brow raised in perfect time with the insult, expected from the ice queen of Slytherin, if a little broad. There was a surge of delight at her anonymity and the advantage it gave her in this moment. How awful it would be, to have a reputation, “A little fear factor would help, for one. I blame this,” Dorcas held her palm up, encompassing the girl’s features in a sweeping motion. “You’re glowing. The sun went and blinded my good sense. Also your naivete on the many complexities of Gryffindors and their many deficits. You’re getting more friendly by the minute, Black. Hell-- I’ll call it what it is, Narcissa. Since we’re such great pals, and all.” Her expression was expectant, words spoken with such surety and speed that their was little room for the other to interrupt. “Oh, right. ‘Course you wouldn’t know. ..... Dorcas. A pleasure, I’m sure.”
It takes him a moment to find the right thought, but he replies in good humor. “Oh, um… yeah, definitely, I’m like Nicolas Flamel, more time than I know what to do with.” If his reaction is exaggerated, blame the surprise to see a Gryffindor sit down at the Slytherin table. He glances around then adds in a slightly lowered, concerned voice. “Did you mean to sit here? I don’t mind but…” he trails off, looking pointedly at some other snakes further down the table. “Is here the best place to talk?”
dorcas.
“You worried about me, Rabbit?” Dorcas followed his glance down the table, disinterest in the nasty looks that were spared her way sliding over the hard exterior of her features. “Or yourself?” At the observation, a soft chuckle caught in her throat as she reached for the ever-enticing curled pork belly that lay in the table’s center. “Just tell them I came to steal your bacon.” Dorcas could only match his politeness, which she cold only assume was feigned, with her own rudeness. As if needing to balance the gracious with insolence to set her world view back in order. She lifted the breakfast food so he could see her properly before popping the meat in her mouth. Chewing through a mouthful, it was a few moments before Dorcas’ confusion at his acceptance finally peaked, a furrow appearing between her brow as she studied him, “.... D’ya really mean that? Or is the ‘best’ of everything a habit at this point?”
“Always.” Lily respondedeasily and without hesitation as the brunette dropped into the seat beside her;she knew from the moment she heard Dorcas’ voice that any hope for a bit ofquiet was long gone, not that she minded. Dorcas had a sort of air about herthat you couldn’t help but smile when in her company. She closed the copy ofWitch Weekly that she had originally been flicking through—she often, andunashamedly, quite enjoyed the silly stories that were published, they were aneasy read whenever she was taking a break from her school work. Sometimes sheeven partook in the quizzes if she had nothing else to do, which might havebeen what Dorcas had just interrupted. She leaned over to drop the magazinedown onto the nearby coffee table, “My world is like an endless pit of despairwhen you’re not around, you know that, it’s somewhat a miracle I survived.”
dorcas.
“I should disappear more often. You make for a lovely damsel in distress,” the smile that slid into place was gentle, gaze curious as she studied Lily carefully. Of course, she should’ve known to never doubt the likes of Lily Evans. The red head loved freely, in each gesture and patient word, generous in spirit and anything else you could think of, really. Here she was, a nuisance, and Lily had quite literally dropped everything. Swallowing a sardonic laugh, Dorcas shifted in her chair so her knees were drawn up to her chest, arms slung in a lazy hammock as she broke her eye contact to stare off towards a far, empty corner. “But you see, you could never miss me as much as I missed you. See this, here,” her hand hovered over her chest, as if she meant the steady beating organ pounding beneath bone. Then her palm shifted, landing on the soft flesh of her stomach. Angled brows rose in a daring challenge, and her features held flecks of humor beneath a solemn expression. “I’ve been just empty without you.... Bake me cookies, Evans. Like no one else can, or will again. Burnt edges and unbaked centers.” Dorcas rocked forward suddenly, lips breaking into a small smile and her fingers clamping over the other’s arm in a soft grip, “And let’s bring this ‘pit of despair’, yeah? I want to hear all about...” Dorcas tilt her chin, trying to read one of the promised titles on the cover of the discarded magazine. “Ten Signs You’ve Charmed His Heart’? Merlin.”
“Vanity is going to kick arse this year as captain,” Althea smirked confidently. The entire Slytherin house had a certain sense of confidence about them – and it definitely helped that they had one of the better captains that they’d had in recent years. “I’d be willing to make a bet before the rest of the teams are decided, just based on captains alone, that Slytherin beats your house the first time we play each other.”
dorcas.
"What? You planning on joining the fray, princess?” Her brow rose in a silent challenge of the show of pride. Quidditch was a friendly competition, after all. But she couldn’t very well sit and listen to a dig at Gryffindor’s more than capable captain. James was... well, he was James Potter. She didn’t bow under the Slytherin’s threat, features carefully disinterested as she waited for an answer she could already guess. “With that kind of confidence I’m sure there’s a broom with your name on it, mm?”
There was something unexplainably soothing about the library at golden hour. The bookcases glowed in the warmth of the sun which streaked through the windows in a way that it never could in the Slytherin common room. Narcissa sighed as she located a quiet table in the far corner of the library, far away from the main thoroughfare, content to work away at her Potions essay in some peace and quiet. Unfortunately her peace and quiet only lasted a couple of minutes before the chair across from her scraped back loudly followed by the unmistakeable sound of a body falling into said chair. The blonde didn’t bother looking up from her work as she set her jaw, “The library’s just about empty you know.”
dorcas.
She didn’t really care for the library, with the underlying promise of bettering oneself, Madam Pince’ overpowering eau de toilette, and of course, the buzz kills that spent their time there. But Dorcas had spent the last few hours staring at the ceiling in her dorms until the edges of her vision were pulsating from lack of stimulation. When she couldn’t stand her own company for another minute, she pulled herself to her feet and stumbled through the first unlocked doors she could find. Much to both occupant’s apparent disappointment, Narcissa Black had been the first soul she’d come across. But for her many flaws of accomplishment and terrifying perfection, the beautiful blonde was better company than the harsh woman prowling through the shelves in search of misdeeds. Narcissa did not exaggerate Dorcas’ loud entrance, the chair leg’s scrapes or the great heave of a sigh that fell from her lungs as she joined the pristine blonde in the library’s golden lit corner. She noted the light reflecting off the girl’s hard cheeks. The sun was doing her wonders, making her annoyance all the more lovely. "I noticed that. Scare everyone off, have you? So--- What’s your plan, Black? All nighter? I’ll help you set up the tent. Your discomfort is my pleasure, after all.”
Her mind blurs over the first comment as it doesn’t immediately make sense to her, having missed the beginning of the conversation. And she’s inclined to believe what she’s told, so her eyebrows tug together in concern. “Hours?” She bites her lip, hoping it’s an exaggeration and she didn’t accidentally ignore Dorcas that long. She watches the other girl play with a bit of the glitter that was already adorning her own skin, all over her hands and wherever they had touched — a smudge on her cheek, a sprinkle in her hairline. Still somewhere in between reality and her own little world, Charity asks, “What time is it? I- I’m not exactly sure how long I’ve been at it. I’m making flyers, for the Muggle Appreciation club — for the fair?”
dorcas.
“See, I’ve gone and done you a favor, I’d guess, if I hadn’t come over you’d be working on this until morning. Can you still feel your toes down there? ... Dinner’s in a few. Make sure you eat, yeah?” She shifted, pulling the papers from Charity’s grasp so she could double check the many ambitious promises splashed beneath its bold faced titles. “... Don’t take me seriously,” her brow furrowed as she dodged the other girl’s eye and focused on Charity’s project with an interested, if definitely lazy second look. “It’ll make life much better, I promise,” Dorcas advised with a breathy laugh, humorous despite the brief moment of sincerity. In the other girl’s hard work, she could tell the last thing Charity needed was any sage wisdom from her lips. She was a whirlwind of ideas and hopes and idealistic dreams if the beautiful splashes of glitter and color were anything to go by, “Muggle Appreciation, huh. You set that up yourself?” Dorcas’ mouth thinned, chest feeling a little hollow as she quickly ditched the flyer with a too sharp flick of her wrist, expression perturbed but tone delicate in spite of the Gryffindor’s sudden discomfort, “What fair, cher?”
Charity is taking up about five seats worth of table space with her project, papers and glitter spread out in half-organized stacks. She’s so focused on her project that she doesn’t notice at first when Dorcas joins her on the bench, and when she does it seems to her that her friend has somehow Apparated into the Great Hall. “Oh! Wotcher!” she exclaims, followed by a giggle. “How long have you been here?”
dorcas.
“So, not much then,” the Gryffindor nods. Dorcas’ features unmoved and lips continuing to turn up in a half smile as she carefully studied Charity and her delicate giggle. Her own joke was for no one but herself as she gives up on the girl’s too bright expression to dip her fingers through a thin film of sparkle. “I’ve been here for hours, Cher. Swimming in glitter, as one does.” The lie slips from her lips without hesitation, although the wait could really only have been moments. She liked the look of glitter clinging to her skin, and admired it for a moment before flicking her fingers and sending the spots of light to sprinkle through the air. The born pessimist half hopeful the mess will draw out another soft giggle, “How long have you been here? And what is all this, besides a brilliant plot to infest the castle with the herpes of the art world?”
“Now see--- This is what I picture when they say, ‘you have way too much time on your hands’.” Without a sign of an invitation, Dorcas had already moved to fold her long limbs beside her fellow classmate, the curious gaze of the Gryffindor taking in their work. Her fingers tapped a rhythm against the wood of the table, her frame radiating with a burst of energy from a good mood. “Then again, ‘too much’ is a very vague limit . . . . if you ask me. Speaking of, miss me any?” The question proving she would be more a distraction, than helpful.
* ∘⡊ ☾ ˚⊹ did i just see dorcas meadowes walking through the corridors? it must be her… though i could’ve sworn the halfblood sixth year told me to look for them in the gryffindor common room! i must’ve been mistaken, since sometimes they get confused for zendaya. they remind me of a drain pipe spilling over with the pouring rain, the warmth in your neck as you strain to look up, loose clothing draped over gangling limbs, a crushing tightness in your chest, a consuming resentment for gravity, slouched shoulders and the small pauses where you wonder whether you really ought to be laughing. some people describe them as humorous & tender, though i’ve heard they can be pretty aloof & cynical, too. here’s hoping they have a great term, either way!
you can contact me on here in those dms, or my discord is @ alex //#7484
character inspiration: rue bennett (euphoria), alex vause (oitnb), nathan young (misfits), bojack horseman (bojack horseman)
pinterest
whelve: (v) to bury something deep, to hide
current song: mac miller, good news
so this is my girl, my lovely queennnnn
she is possibly the worst. but she is also a good time and quite entertaining and fun when she wants to be.
my guy has always had a certain way about her that screams she has not a trouble in the world, a mocking leer and a laugh are never far from their lips
laws? “meh.” sympathy? good luck with that. and yet there is something charming about her unaffected approach to life. humorous. her smile convincing albeit seldom. she can’t turn down a drink or good time and has impeccably low self control
she’s a touch more rough around the edges than the usual teenage girl. she’s a tomboy from unkempt hair and ill-fitting clothes to muddied sneakers. sometimes displays appalling manners and disregard for any sort of delicacy. she absolutely refuses to wear the skirt of the school ‘s girl uniform and claims it’s because it’s too cold, even in the summer months
she seemingly has an admirable (although unsubstantiated) confidence and strength but is it fake or real? oh man who knoooows
she’s my overindulgent little babe
girl loves to party. well really to lose herself and bask in complete lack of responsibilitY bUT AYYYY same thing.
loves to make friends and have some FUN and by that i mean drag errybody down wit her
very patient. very easy temperament and doesn’t get angry really. actually?? doesn’t seem to care about much.
secretly does.
she has a tender heart, a soft spot for the younger students or a surly outcast, no matter their house. she has a weakness for innocence or a sunshiny disposition. got optimism? dude she’s immediately impressed. basically if you’re nothing like her ?? she’ll love you for it
but also she struggles with a structured school setting. irresponsibility at this level is a skill. but i mean, really no choice is BAD
per se
chaotic neutral babe
cool girl, honestly. so confident. carries herself so well. you know that chick that’s down for anything.
tw up ahead including: mental health, depression, anxiety, substance abuse
she’s actually a fucking mess with severe mental health issues. depressions where she skips classes for days at a time. anxiety that sends her into a crushing tail spin of obsession and sleepless nights. then there’s the things, the alcohol and drugs she uses to succinctly numb the inbetween. dorcas is self-destructive at her worst. she just can’t find the will to love herself and will break the heart of anyone who tries to fix that.
finally just know that her family life is awful and she has no intention of letting that on to anyone
okay sad parts done with
remember dorcas as a star girl. she’s obsessed with all things space and astronomy is the only class she excels in. little girl dreams of far off and unimaginable worlds.
lmk if you’d like to plot im excited to join ya’ll
kaledo-art
prguitarman
gummygunk
ellievsbear
jacobvanloon
vaporwave
turnnoffyourmind
