wallacepolsom
Today's Document
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Peter Solarz
Stranger Things
pixel skylines
titsay
JVL
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
DEAR READER
No title available
Andulka
Cosmic Funnies
taylor price
★
Product Placement
blake kathryn
we're not kids anymore.
Love Begins
🪼
seen from Bangladesh
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@reporter-blair
adalheide:
Adelaide looked to the other, a little amused. “Are you sure you’re sure,” she asked curiously.
“No,” they admitted with a smile. “Which is why we should go in now before I change my mind.” They confidently took large strides toward the haunted attraction. “How scary can it be, anyway?”
Adelaide came up beside another and looked up at the Haunted Mansion. “I’ll go, if you do.”
Blair had merely been taking in the atmosphere of the carnival when she noticed the other. “Me? Oh, uh, sure,” she said with a shrug. She wasn’t afraid of haunted houses, per se, but she did spook easily at jump scares.
He had been watching the rides for a moment now. He was in awe at how this was event possible but he knew a night of no stress and fun would do him some good. He was watching the zipper. “I’ll go if you go with me.”
It took Blair a moment to realize that she was the person he was talking to. “Wha-” she mumbled, looking in his eyes with fear at his proposition. “Are you insane? Rory Smith put all this together. Do you really think it’s safe?” She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Even if the ride didn’t result in their untimely deaths, Blair really did not want to end up with vomit all over her costume she had made herself.
xalbusxseverusxpotter:
Dear Sunflower,
Damn. It’s like I ghost wrote your last letter. All that stuff wanting to hide, to never be seen, to feel like everyone saw me as something different…even the stuff about becoming more confident in your skin. Slowly, but surely. People don’t get that sometimes–that it takes time. Yeah, I’m more me than ever, and I can finally show everyone who I am, but things aren’t such a quick fix. So much was repaired, but the damage was so deep that the full repair…it could take years. I’m sorry that this is too vague to make much sense, but I can’t really go into detail.
Also sorry this letter has taken so long to get to you. I got hit with that damned truth serum, and I didn’t want to risk you finding out who I was. Did you get hit? Was it a nightmare? I hope you had a nicer time than I did.
Sincerely,
Greetings, Clownfish,
I knew we were kindred spirits. Isn’t it funny how someone you may have never actually met can understand you more than anyone else in the world? Okay, well, maybe funny isn’t the correct word choice, but my point stands.
Here’s to being more us than ever. If I had a butterbeer, I’d drink it now.
And trust me, I could use one after that whole Peeves disaster. I was lucky enough to not get hit with a truth bomb, but I did get involved in trying to help prevent fights and distribute antidotes. Trust me when I tell you that I saw and heard things that day that will haunt me for life. I’m surprised anyone at this school has friends anymore. I’m sorry to hear it was a rough day for you. I’m always here to listen, or read, rather, if you want to discuss it.
As always, never apologize for the time it takes you to write. I understand how busy life can be. Especially at Hogwarts.
All the best,
cressida-ellesmere:
“Let me take a look,” she said as she took the parchment from Blair, eyes scanning over the list. Thirty students, her current stash of antidote may be able to handle if portioned carefully, but given that they weren’t sure how much more were affected, this didn’t give her a definite solution. Still, she commended Blair’s work. “Good, this is good… Listen, if you really want to help, and usually I’d ask a prefect to do this, but—” She waved a hand in the air. “Among those affected, I need the most disruptive ones today in my office as soon as possible.” Best to deal with them first, at least.
Blair smiled. The most disruptive would surely be the ones doing the most news-worthy things. It was truly a win-win scenario. “I’m on it, Professor,” Blair said with a grin, stuffing her quill into her pocket and making her way out into the corridors.
cressida-ellesmere:
“You’re not wrong about that.” Of course the incident would be newsworthy. She wasn’t too happy about it—after all, the veritaserum was supposed to be under her supervision, but facts were facts. “I do appreciate the offer of help if it is sincere. It is a long shot but, do you happen to have a headcount of those affected?” There was no official count yet, though she wondered if the other had somehow taken the initiative.
“I have been trying to keep a list,” Blair admitted, grabbing the parchment that had been magically floating along beside them. Sure, it had been for potential interviewees, but if it could be used for a greater good, Blair was okay with that. “I can’t guarantee that this is everyone. In fact, I’m almost certain it’s not. But there are at least thirty names here. All years and houses, unfortunately. Seems Peeves didn’t discriminate with his targets.”
cressida-ellesmere:
“Of course there is a plan.” Half of which was being improvised as she went—no one really expected something like this to happen, but they’d deal with it however they can. She glanced at the quill in their hand. “Are you doing this for your paper?” Cressida did recognize the student’s journalism efforts, even read the paper from time to time, but she hoped that the other wasn’t prioritizing chasing a story at this very moment.
Blair was hesitant to answer, and although she hadn’t had any Veritaserum, she didn’t feel she could lie. “I’m sure this is going to be a story about this,” she admitted. “But I do think it needs to be brought to end as soon as possible. I-if you don’t want my help that’s okay. I just thought I would try to offer.”
cressida-ellesmere:
The moment she had discovered the Veritaserum missing, she worried. It was a potion not meant to be misused, yet as much as she had tried the whole night, she couldn’t find where it had all gone, so she had alerted everyone who needed to be alerted, for truly an investigation to this was very much needed.
It wasn’t until morning that she had realized what had happened, and she gritted her teeth. Peeves. Of course. After all these years, the poltergeist was still up to no good. Cressida had gathered up all the antidote she could find in her private storeroom, though she was well aware that it wasn’t enough for everyone. That amount would require much time. She turned, ready to head out into the halls when she was met with a face at the door. “Can I help you? Did you drink it?”
“Oh- no, sorry, Professor,” Blair spoke sheepishly. They were always extra shy and respectful around authority figures. Their morning had started the same as every other, but had turned into a reporter’s dream. People going crazy, saying wonderfully horrific things, even duelling in the hallways. This was going to be the cover story for Hogwarts Chameleon, for sure. Blair had gone to find the potions professor, quill in hand, to find out more. “I was just wondering if you had a plan. You know, to fix it.” They paused briefly, “And if there’s anything I can do to help I would be more than willing to.” They wanted to be as involved as possible. The more details Blair knew, the better the story. But, more than that, Blair wanted to end it before things got too far out of control.
posiekensington:
Posie nodded her head in response, “That sounds perfect to me! I’ll bring some snacks, a quill, and my notebook. I’m really interested to see if you’d be willing to critique something that I’ve been working on.”
That sounded so... nice. Blair was actually excited as she spoke, “Of course. I’d be happy to. Maybe you could look over some of the drafts I have written up for the Chameleon. You know, help me with the editing process.”
halcyonxlockhart:
“’M goin’ ta guess some rich money family would throw a fit over it. I mean, they’re not all bad, o’ course, but some of ‘em think they’re money means they should have some kinda advantage.” Halcyon beamed, closed his eyes, and took in a deep whiff. “Can ya blame ‘em?”
“I know the type,” she said, sadly. She was of the belief that all playing fields should be levelled; that everyone should have equal opportunity. But she also knew that among several deep-rooted wizarding families, this was a very unpopular opinion. She was much happier to focus on their discussion involving chocolates. “No. No I cannot. What about you? What’s your sweet tooth longing for?”
lovelylucyweasley:
Already slightly annoyed she turned her head briskly in the direction of the voice, her voice tight, “I don’t want to use the charm.” She didn’t like having to use magic for simple manual actions, it made her feel lazy, especially not because she was short.
“Right,” she said, turning her attention back down towards her writing. Blair wasn’t one to judge, but she wasn’t one for conflict either, so she didn’t push the topic farther. She silently wondered how many more times the girl would attempt to get the book before finally giving in.
lovelylucyweasley:
The one place it could always be expected for there to be peace and quiet was the Hogwarts Library, that was of course, unless Lucy Weasley ever happened to stop by. “Damn it, come on book!” she whined as she tried her best to reach a book on one of the upper shelves of the expanse Herbology section. She wasn’t being far too loud, it was just that the Library was so quiet that her whines were audible to anyone in the general vicinity. Even as she stood on her toes and jumped a little, her fingers only occasionally grazed the book’s spine, making her more irritated by the second.
Blair had been caught up in the sound of their enchanted typewriter clicking away that at first they hadn’t noticed the girl’s whines. After a few audible thuds of the Weasley girl hitting the ground, however, Blair finally looked up. “Did you try the summoning charm?”
xalbusxseverusxpotter:
Sunflower,
Don’t worry about it. Seriously, I think the whole point of these letters is that we’re totally free to come and go, open and close, as we need to. I know the start of the semester has been a lot for me too, so I don’t blame you whatsoever. That’s not to say that it’s not good though!
My summer was a lot. It was exhausting, difficult, strange, but also rewarding and healing. I fought through a lot, knowing that the end result would be worth it. And it is. I wasn’t there, and from the sounds of it, you weren’t either? Perhaps we’re kindred spirits in that way, huh?
I can’t say I didn’t eat myself into a sugar coma, because that would be a lie. I have a question, though. Do you ever feel like such a contradiction? Like I thought after last year and the summer, I would come back to school and be completely…whole? But I still have this heaviness in my heart, and I still have some problems with myself. Maybe that’s my fault for thinking I could completely love myself within the course of a few months?
Sincerely,
Dear Clownfish,
I’m sorry to hear your summer wasn’t relaxing, but am glad you found it to be healing. Sometimes that’s all we really need. As for the party, well, I did poke my head in for a bit. It really wasn’t my scene so I left soon after. I think we are kindred spirits in more than just that way, though. At least from what I’ve gathered about you over the years.
In regards to your question, I must regrettably admit that I can relate to how you’re feeling. I’ve struggled with my identity harder than most people know. It’s difficult to explain, but it felt for the longest time that everyone saw me as something completely different than what I actually am. I spent most of my years here at Hogwarts hiding in the shadows, hoping to just not be seen at all. It’s been a long and bumpy journey, but I am becoming more confident in my skin with each passing day. I can only hope it will be the same for you. For what it’s worth, writing with you is the highlight of social life. I consider you, mystery Clownfish, to be my closest friend. And I think you’re swell.
All my love,
halcyonxlockhart:
Halcyon never was, and probably never would be a fan of Quidditch, but what they were saying made sense to him. “Yeah…makes ya wonder the fairness o’ it all if that ‘s the case, eh? Maybe there should be some regulations put about? Sayin’ everyone has ta fly the same broom and all that. Or that the different types o’ players have ta ride the same broom.” He beamed and nodded, ready to follow their lead.
Blair smiled, glad that the other seemed fairly interested in their piece. “Yeah, exactly. Many muggle sports have rules like that in place. Makes you wonder why Quidditch doesn’t.” The smell of the sweet shop hit them before the complete sight of it did. From the screaming and giggling they could hear already, Blair was sure the shop would be full of fellow students. “I guess everyone’s got a sweet tooth, huh?”
posiekensington:
She was making progress, maybe this was for the best. Posie had spent so much time dwelling on her own anger and jealousy, but maybe some positivity could come out of this all. She was quick to light up when Blair agreed to her offer, “Really?” She smiled brightly in response. “Awesome! I’m already looking forward to it. Just be sure to let me know when you’re free, I’m pretty much always without plans.”
Blair was surprised to see the girl so enthusiastic. She awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah, uh, me too. I’m mostly just writing anyway. Maybe we could meet on Saturday? After lunch?”
joelpatil:
Joel tried to pay attention to what they were saying but they were speaking in a way that he couldn’t quite understand it all. Sometimes his attention wandered if people weren’t quick to get to the point and it wasn’t like he did it on purpose either. “Okay… you wanna take a deep breath and explain to me calmly what’s the matter?”
Blair sighed. “Sorry.” She didn’t usually get rattled up like this. Especially not in front of other people. “I just have so much going on right now,” they lamented, slouching in their chair. “I feel like I haven’t slept in days.”
halcyonxlockhart:
“Research? Do ya mind tellin’ me what you’re researchin’? What ‘s the story about?” Halcyon was genuinely curious. Why shouldn’t he be? He would always root for his contemporaries, even when they were in their fledgling stages. “Oh, ‘m not sure yet. I have ta meet a friend. I’ll probably hunt around for a few other friends. I could join ya at Honeydukes in the meantime, though?”
“Quidditch, actually,” they said. Blair knew hardly anything about Quidditch, but she had started to notice that playing the sport was expensive. “It’s an investigative piece about how outcomes of games can potentially be decided based solely on which teams or players have the most money and therefore the best equipment.” They wondered if any of this sounded interesting to anyone else, and decided to stop the explanation there. At Halcyon’s offer to join her, Blair smiled. “Yeah, um, sure. That would be nice.”
