Sophia St-Clair

5th Year Gryffindor, She/Her/Hers 

[sophiagryff-blog]

@arlen-luca

Arlen smiled, a look of awe and respect on his face as Sophia talked about her dance skills. “Alaina does ballet and jazz, but she’s far too afraid to touch pointe shoes,” he chuckled. “Those things can leave you blistered and bleeding but they are absolutely stunning onstage. Some of my favorites to watch, besides my sister’s of course, are the pointe dances.” Every word was true. However, he broke his genuine smile with a laugh when she mentioned music. “I know how to match a pitch, but I have the worst sense of rhythm in the world. I’ve tried enough instruments to know I’m not meant for that,” he explained, still laughing softly. “However, I do appreciate your support and your belief in me. I like to think the same of you. You’re young, you’ve got time, and you’ve obviously got passions and talents,” he smiled.

“I understand her”, Sophia said, laughing. She was totally impressed by Arlen’s knowledge about most of the things about his sister, even dance. He made her think about her own brother that didn’t care about her at all. Sophia looked down a moment, and then continued: “It does hurt. But dancing is another world”, she said closing her eyes, “You feel the pain in your feet, all your body is tensed up, you’re acting, but... it’s like flying. I feel free when I dance, nothing can touch me while I’m feeling the music. I also play the piano, but I prefer being on stage. It’s easier to show myself through dance. I don’t have to talk.” Sophia said passionately. It was something she always did, talking and talking, somehow more to herself than anyone. She bursts out laughing. “Oh no, but don’t worry one day I’ll teach you how to dance”, she said. At his compliments, she just smiled at him and tilted her head, letting a comfortable silence between them.

[fckmarziacarrow-deactivated2016]

Hogwarts, oh how she had missed it. She hated how long she had been away from the school she loved and adored so very much. Even though she was excited to be back, she was not excited to run into him. But she kept her head high as she walked down the halls. That was when someone bumped into her, which made her angry. With a calm voice, almost borderline creepy she turned her head and looked at the person and said. “Mind where you’re going, please and thank you”

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia finally got over the sadness of the last few weeks. She walked around peacefully now, knowing that she had wonderful friends, that she trusted. She didn’t need to know anything else about her life. Currently she was happily heading to her next class. Sophia was a good student, but she knew she had to work hard in potions to at least get an E at her Owls. “Oh no”, she thought to herself as she spotted Marzia. The girl was back, and Sophia’s apprehension was at it’s highest. She let out a sigh of relief when Marzia bumped into random Ravenclaws that quickly ran away. Breathing heavily, Sophia prayed that the girl didn’t notice her as she passed by.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Smiling widely, Sophia practically ran into his arms and hugged him, probably breaking his bones in the process. She has always been shy with Andy, unsure if she could touch him, like she could break him. Now that this wall was gone, she felt more comfortable. “Am I breaking all of your bones ?”

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he smiled. Stroking her back he simply shook his head. “Nope, I’m not as weak as I look you know” he teased and kissed the top of her head. “And you are not a bad friend, you just didn’t know. And that’s how I want it, in the down low”

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia genuinely smiled at him and pulled back to look at him in the eyes. “Trust me, I know that. Actually, you’re probably the strongest one here.”, she said seriously. It’s a thing she always knew, but that she never told him. Anyways, it was time for him to know. “I mean mentally. You go through all of this pain but you don’t tell anyone. You are constantly in the infirmary but I know you would never use this argument to explain why you couldn’t properly learn your lessons, no matter how legit it is. That if you find your friends in danger you would immediately defend them.”, she said truthfully, and poked him on the shoulder, “That’s what makes you a true Gryffindor.”, she ended firmly, daring him to say otherwise.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia suddenly lifted her head. “What ? Oh no, don’t worry I’ll show you my textbooks and explain everything to you.”, She said warmly. Sophia hated herself right now, she was a bad friend, she as self centered, and honestly she didn’t care about this damn war if Andy was not feeling good. She took a deep breath. “I’ve been an awful friend. I truly am sorry.”

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

Letting out a soft giggle, he accepted her help. “Thanks, I think I will need it” he said and rolled his eyes a little. He was worried, because clearly something was going on. He could feel it in the atmosphere. And all the students, they were more careful and uptight than usual. Frowning when he heard her words, he opened his arms for a hug. “Come here” he said.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Smiling widely, Sophia practically ran into his arms and hugged him, probably breaking his bones in the process. She has always been shy with Andy, unsure if she could touch him, like she could break him. Now that this wall was gone, she felt more comfortable. “Am I breaking all of your bones ?”

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia shyly took his hand and shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’m way better now.” It was true, she’s found a home in Hogwarts, just as many other students did before her. She frowned worriedly for Arlen. Sophia was kind, but she always acted before thinking, and that unfortunately leaded to her arguing with everyone. However she felt different with Arlen. His presence was calming, and he made her want to ponder about everything. “I’ve always thought that ‘Oh la la’ didn’t mean anything alone, I like to add it to my exclamations.” Sophia let out a chuckle. She could feel that telling Arlen how amazing he was would not help him at all. “You’ll find. I believe that one day you’ll find, sooner or later. You know, before I had my first dance class, I didn’t know at all. Now it feels like an evidence.”, she said with a light in her eyes, just like anytime she talked about dance.

[arlen-luca]

Telling Arlen not to worry was like telling a hound not to sniff. He always worried about people that he enjoyed, that’s what he did best. It was now his goal to make sure Sophia was true to her statement and that she was better. Arlen knew that the past always left scars on the present. However, instead of explaining his thoughts to the young Gryffindor, he simply nodded with a small smile. However she’d left that part of the conversation behind already as she moved on. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love it. The Oh la la is very endearing,” he promised her. “Very French, and I promise that’s a compliment.” He cocked his head to the side as she brought up dance. He probably could’ve been able to tell by her posture, but he hadn’t been paying that close of attention. “Dance, huh?” he smiled. ”What style of dance do you like to do?” he asked. His sister was a dancer. She always told him everything, so he knew much more than the average teenage boy about the world of dance. 

[sophiagryff-blog]

“Ballet. I love the feeling I get, when I’m on pointe, and when my body hurt, I feel like nothing else count during this moment. It is, well, magic. You see ? Life is full of possibilities ! Perhaps you’re a talented musician and you don’t know !”, she said, laughing. Sophia was always full of hope: that was the reason why she was there, in Hogwarts, and not in Beauxbâtons, the reason why she saw all of the possibilities through Arlen’s soul. He maybe thought he was close to his last choice, but when she looked at him she saw a boy that could experience anything he wanted. She wanted to share her hope it him, the billions of thoughts that were constantly twirling in her brain. “I barely know you, but I can tell you that I believe in you”, she said, almost muttering.

[sophiagryff-blog]

“You know I’ll be there for you anyways”, Sophia assured him, laying down on the grass. Andy was an incredible boy, and she was glad to be his friend. He was incredibly talented and really smart, and his love for the violin made her appreciate him even more, considering her passion for ballet. “They’re blind, then. So, ready for the Owls ?”

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

“Thank you, Sophia” he said and gave her a nod. He appreciated to have her in his life, it made him feel a little less lonely. He had grown numb due to his life of being alone, and then she came around and changed everything. “They truly are. Hmm, kinda. I have been more at the hospital wing than in a bloody classroom” he said and rolled his eyes.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia suddenly lifted her head. “What ? Oh no, don’t worry I’ll show you my textbooks and explain everything to you.”, She said warmly. Sophia hated herself right now, she was a bad friend, she as self centered, and honestly she didn’t care about this damn war if Andy was not feeling good. She took a deep breath. “I’ve been an awful friend. I truly am sorry.”

[sophiagryff-blog]

Almost automatically, Sophia took his hands softly, then smiled at him. “I’m sure they love you, and that your grandpa would understand. If he does not, than it’s his problem, not yours.” Most of the students thought Andy was physically weak, and not brave. “I swear you are, you don’t know it yet, but you are”, she said cheerfully.

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

Looking down at their hands, he smiled. She was always so nice to him, which he wasn’t used to. He wasn’t used to many things. “Well I already know what he will say. But to be honest, I will feel much better knowing that I at least told him” he said and shrugged. Listening to her words, Andy let out a sigh. “Thank you. Not many people share that opinion”

[sophiagryff-blog]

“You know I’ll be there for you anyways”, Sophia assured him, laying down on the grass. Andy was an incredible boy, and she was glad to be his friend. He was incredibly talented and really smart, and his love for the violin made her appreciate him even more, considering her passion for ballet. “They’re blind, then. So, ready for the Owls ?”

[modellove]

[sophiagryff-blog]

“You should tell them. Nobody would ever judge you. Or if they do, they will have to face me.”, Sophia shrugged. Andy did not need to be protected, but she couldn’t stand people hurting him in any way. She made a big smile: “You’re brave, you know. For a Gryffindor.”, she teased him.

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

Letting out a heavy sigh, he looked down at his hands. They were always trembling due to his heart. “Yeah, my grandma deserves to know. But my grandpa. He would just say something hurtful” he said and shook his head. Laughing softly, he looked up again. “Well that’s kinda my thing you see”

[sophiagryff-blog]

Almost automatically, Sophia took his hands softly, then smiled at him. “I’m sure they love you, and that your grandpa would understand. If he does not, than it’s his problem, not yours.” Most of the students thought Andy was physically weak, and not brave. “I swear you are, you don’t know it yet, but you are”, she said cheerfully.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia bit her lips, but answered. “My life in France was not easy. I used to live in Paris, in a way different world, I mean, and… When my dad died, the only wall between me and this world, I escaped. It was my father’s wish.”, she took a deep breathe. She never told that to anyone. The reason she came there. “This place is unbelievable. The castle, the professors, the history…” Sophia just felt like Arlen could understand her, and that was confirmed by his statement about well known families. Despite his obvious wisdom, Arlen was definitely wrong about himself. “You’re already someone. You don’t even need to become something, Arlen, what’s important is what you do that makes you happy. Oh la la… You’re so stubborn it’s infuriating.”

[arlen-luca]

Arlen fell silent, any hint of smile gone now that Sophia was so willingly sharing such a personal story with him. He had asked and she had answered, but he still felt like he was intruding on the memory. “I am so sorry,” he said, his eyebrows tilting down and inwards in an empathetic expression. “I had no idea you felt that way, felt that you had to escape. I didn’t know about your father or your predicament in France. If I had I might’ve been more careful about what I said. Thank you for sharing, Sophia.” He took a deep breathe, struck with emotion for the girl in front of him. She moved on from the topic faster than he did. “Hogwarts is wonderful, you’re right. I take it for granted far too much,” he added quickly before she started arguing with him again, trying to convince him he was so much more than he thought he was. “I don’t know what makes me happy,” he nearly whispered. “I succeed at everything I do academically, but I don’t think I truly enjoy any of it. Don’t worry, you’re not the first one to tell me that and I’m sure you won’t be the last,” he joked as a weak attempt to lighten the conversation. “Although, you are the first to ever add an ‘Oh la la’ to the phrase.”

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia shyly took his hand and shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’m way better now.” It was true, she’s found a home in Hogwarts, just as many other students did before her. She frowned worriedly for Arlen. Sophia was kind, but she always acted before thinking, and that unfortunately leaded to her arguing with everyone. However she felt different with Arlen. His presence was calming, and he made her want to ponder about everything. “I’ve always thought that ‘Oh la la’ didn’t mean anything alone, I like to add it to my exclamations.” Sophia let out a chuckle. She could feel that telling Arlen how amazing he was would not help him at all. “You’ll find. I believe that one day you’ll find, sooner or later. You know, before I had my first dance class, I didn’t know at all. Now it feels like an evidence.”, she said with a light in her eyes, just like anytime she talked about dance.

[sophiagryff-blog]

“I understand that. I miss my dad everyday.” Sophia felt more than anxious at Andy’s declaration, but she did not want him to know about that. The least she could do for him was to be there, and she knew she would. “I should’ve known.”  She gave him a kiss on the cheeks, which was usual in France, and poked him on the shoulder.

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

“Sorry” he said softly and gave her a smile. Letting out a heavy sigh, he shrugged. “No one does, only a couple of people do. Not even my grandparents know” he simply said. “And to be honest, I don’t want them to know either” Andy added and let out a soft chuckle as he felt her kiss on his cheek.

[sophiagryff-blog]

“You should tell them. Nobody would ever judge you. Or if they do, they will have to face me.”, Sophia shrugged. Andy did not need to be protected, but she couldn’t stand people hurting him in any way. She made a big smile: “You’re brave, you know. For a Gryffindor.”, she teased him.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia made a silly smile at Arlen’s comment: “Thank you.”. Listening carefully to what he said, she couldn’t help but understand his troubles. “I understand that. I left my entire life behind me, but considering how it was, it felt like heaven there. Actually, it was my choice to come there.” It slipped out of her mouth but as she felt the need to continue, she added: “I come from a well known muggle french family by my mother’s side, and my father, well, he was a famous french wizard. This castle is so different, but I feel free here.”, she ended. She really wanted him to know who she was. Sophia was shocked by Arlen’s word. He was great and definitely not aware at all. “You’re a no one only if you choose to be, Arlen. And believe me, you’re not one at all.” She looked at him in the eyes: “You’re kind, supportive, smart, generous, and anyone that doesn’t see that does not even deserve to know you.”, she said in a soft voice, shaking her head.

[arlen-luca]

“Your choice?” Arlen repeated. “Why did you choose, if you don’t mind my asking?” He wondered why she would choose to leave her home, no matter what the situation may have been, and move to an entirely new place. He couldn’t imagine doing that to himself or his peers. Home was home no matter what; those where his views on the matter. It might be good to get a different perspective. “Coming from a well-known family is a blessing and a curse,” Arlen said, imagining she’s know how it felt. “There are always so many expectations to meet. Trust me, I’m a no one compared to the rest of my family.” Arlen, usually one of the best and most open-minded listeners, was not listening enough to her kind words to believe them. “Sophia, those are just words, just qualities. As much as I’m honored that you think I possess them, I’ve got to do something with them to become a someone,” he sighed. 

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia bit her lips, but answered. “My life in France was not easy. I used to live in Paris, in a way different world, I mean, and... When my dad died, the only wall between me and this world, I escaped. It was my father’s wish.”, she took a deep breathe. She never told that to anyone. The reason she came there. “This place is unbelievable. The castle, the professors, the history...” Sophia just felt like Arlen could understand her, and that was confirmed by his statement about well known families. Despite his obvious wisdom, Arlen was definitely wrong about himself. “You’re already someone. You don’t even need to become something, Arlen, what’s important is what you do that makes you happy. Oh la la... You’re so stubborn it’s infuriating.”

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia tilted her head. “Dramatically playing violin under a tree, alone ? I don’t think you’re good”. She sat down in front of him, definitely wanting to help him in whatever was on his mind. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

Looking down at his violin, he smiled a little. She could see right through him, she always could. Placing his violin in the little bag he had for it, he let out a shaky breath. “It’s soon my sixteenth birthday and it makes me miss my mother a whole lot” Andy said. “And my heart is hurting again, more than before so I have to be put under supervision again”

[sophiagryff-blog]

“I understand that. I miss my dad everyday.” Sophia felt more than anxious at Andy’s declaration, but she did not want him to know about that. The least she could do for him was to be there, and she knew she would. “I should’ve known.”  She gave him a kiss on the cheeks, which was usual in France, and poked him on the shoulder.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia was wandering around when she heard her favorite sound in the world: music, especially coming from a violin. Immediately knowing who it was, Sophia  turned around to see Andy, same house and year as her. Smiling at him, she said: “So, how’s my favorite wizard in this whole school ?” 

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

Hearing a familiar voice, he smiled from ear to ear. “Why hello there Sophia” he said as he stopped playing, so that he could concentrate more on the girl than the violin that was in his arms. “I’m good, and you?” he asked softly, still smiling like a idiot.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia tilted her head. “Dramatically playing violin under a tree, alone ? I don’t think you’re good”. She sat down in front of him, definitely wanting to help him in whatever was on his mind. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

[fckandythompson-deactivated2016]

Music, it always helped when the timid boy have had a hard time with his god damn heart condition. Once again he had been at the hospital wing due to chest pains. As he sat under his favorite tree, he composed some music for his beloved violin. Not knowing that someone had joined him.

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia was wandering around when she heard her favorite sound in the world: music, especially coming from a violin. Immediately knowing who it was, Sophia  turned around to see Andy, same house and year as her. Smiling at him, she said: “So, how’s my favorite wizard in this whole school ?” 

[sophiagryff-blog]

“Yes, I’m from France.”, she said, but it was a part of her that became so complicated lately. Her family has changed without her dad, her whole childhood was over, and now she was alone. “And - oh!” She let out a chuckle, “Don’t worry either, I’m not a pompous girl that smokes cigarettes all day wishing she was somewhere else, and you can sit down if you want.”, she burst out laughing. Sophia then forgot about her problems for a minute as she watched Arlen. The main reason she noticed him was because he was one of the really few guys that regularly went to the library. He was in seventh year yet he didn’t talk to her like she was a child. Arlen -she really loved that name- was as kind as she thought and that made her happy, but also scared. Both of them were different, the total opposite of each other, one kind and smart, and the other, clumsy and absent minded. Sophia tilted her head: “I’ve never visited the United States. It’s the only country I’ve never been to, but I wish one day I could go there, it seems amazing.” 

[arlen-luca]

He smiled at her response. How was he so lucky to be able to befriend three beautiful French women within the half-year he’d spent at Hogwarts? He would never know. “I didn’t think for a moment that you’d be one of those kinds of girls,” he promised Sophia. She was too young, too lively. He’d seen her smile light up the hallways before, but recently it’d been a bit more faded, not as bright. “Although, wishing you were somewhere else wouldn’t be all that bad. I did an awful lot of wishing when I first arrived. And to be honest, I still do.” he admitted. It was so easy for him to just talk to her. This was something he hadn’t really told anyone about and it just flew out of his mouth to this girl who he’d only just started speaking to. “The U.S. is a wonderful place. I mean, it has its flaws, an infinite amount of them, really. Still, it’s home. It’s where my siblings are and where a majority of my friends still live. It’s where I left a mark on the world, you know? I was captain of Quidditch and tutored practically the whole school and led all the clubs… Here I’m just a no one.”

[sophiagryff-blog]

Sophia made a silly smile at Arlen’s comment: “Thank you.”. Listening carefully to what he said, she couldn’t help but understand his troubles. "I understand that. I left my entire life behind me, but considering how it was, it felt like heaven there. Actually, it was my choice to come there.” It slipped out of her mouth but as she felt the need to continue, she added: “I come from a well known muggle french family by my mother’s side, and my father, well, he was a famous french wizard. This castle is so different, but I feel free here.”, she ended. She really wanted him to know who she was. Sophia was shocked by Arlen’s word. He was great and definitely not aware at all. “You’re a no one only if you choose to be, Arlen. And believe me, you’re not one at all.” She looked at him in the eyes: “You’re kind, supportive, smart, generous, and anyone that doesn’t see that does not even deserve to know you.”, she said in a soft voice, shaking her head.

[sophiagryff-blog]

If at first Sophia did not really want to talk with anyone after the recent events, and especially because of her intense reading, she found herself really surprised that Arlen was talking to her. A really interesting panel of different shades of pink immediately colored her cheeks when she slowly rose up from her book as he spoke. “Hello”, she said a bit shyly, “My name is Sophia, glad to meet you.”, she said in a polite tone that she hoped could distract him from her burning cheeks. Her accent was more than ever noticeable, just like anytime she was embarrassed. That just made Sophia remember that she always saw Arlen with Erian, and that he should be definitely used to this accent now. She barely could think clearly next to him, which was ridiculous since it was not her at all. She always had something to say, or something to do. “You’re the new american student, right ?”, she said, offering him her only smile since a few days.

[arlen-luca]

Arlen smiled down at her. Even though he’d never spoken to her, he knew just from observing that Sophia- what a nice name- that she was not reserved. When he passed her in the halls she was usually holding her head high in that proud Gryffindor manner, and although some people were, he was never bothered by the Gryffindor attitude. He wondered if there was something he’d done to make her feel shy or nervous. He did just approach her out of the blue when she was in the middle of her work. “Trust me, it’s my pleasure,” he smiled back, hoping she would be able to tell that she had nothing to be shy or nervous about. He always wanted to make people feel comfortable with him, and he occasionally went to extremes to make that happen. “Are you from France?” he asked, smiling at the accent. He must have a strong affinity for women with French roots, something he hadn’t known since he found probably the only three in all of Hogwarts, the Debussey sisters and now Sophia. “To answer your question, yes, that’s me. The American. But don’t let the stereotypes fool you. I promise I’m not a slob and I have at least somewhat decent manners.”

[sophiagryff-blog]

"Yes, I’m from France.”, she said, but it was a part of her that became so complicated lately. Her family has changed without her dad, her whole childhood was over, and now she was alone. “And - oh!” She let out a chuckle, “Don’t worry either, I’m not a pompous girl that smokes cigarettes all day wishing she was somewhere else, and you can sit down if you want.”, she burst out laughing. Sophia then forgot about her problems for a minute as she watched Arlen. The main reason she noticed him was because he was one of the really few guys that regularly went to the library. He was in seventh year yet he didn’t talk to her like she was a child. Arlen -she really loved that name- was as kind as she thought and that made her happy, but also scared. Both of them were different, the total opposite of each other, one kind and smart, and the other, clumsy and absent minded. Sophia tilted her head: “I’ve never visited the United States. It’s the only country I’ve never been to, but I wish one day I could go there, it seems amazing.”