Just arranging flowers [tag roommates] on Crotalus Commons

Eleanor Vandenberg

August 12, 2014 9:12 PM

Just arranging flowers [tag roommates] by Eleanor Vandenberg

No one ever told Eleanor what was going on. She had spent half the summer at her aunt’s again which she had spent avoiding her cousins and the other half back home in England. It was wonderful being back home, back in the countryside and away from the irritating air of Los Angeles. Her parents spent much of the time working but had gifts prepared to appease their only child, one of them being a new pony. Nellie had made up her mind not to be appeased easily, but she had succumbed to their affection after having missed it for so long.

Now here she was, alone again. She had spent almost a year away from home and still no one told her why she had spent so much time on her own in America, abandoned by the only people who were supposed to love her. Her mother and father seemed alright, affectionate enough with each other. Did they not want her? That must be the reason why they had sent her away in the first place. Nellie was unsure of where she was going to spend the winter after having spent it last year in the horrid state of California, but if she was sent to her aunt’s house one more holiday she would never forgive them. Her mom’s side of the family was horrid and she hoped to never go there ever again.

Eleanor had picked the last of the flowers from the gardens when she’d had the chance. Arizona was an equally horrid state. It was much too hot and hardly had any of the flowers Nellie enjoyed so much back home. There were so few here; just hedges and shrubbery that were hardly that appealing to the eye. Nellie arranged the flowers in the empty vase in her room she had brought from home (her mother had used magic to keep them fresh for her on the journey back to school). The vase had been in her Irish grandmother’s collection. It was small, an heirloom that had been passed down every other generation in her father’s family. Her grandmother was dead now, but Nellie didn’t miss her in the slightest; she’d hardly known her, but the times she had met with her Grandmother had always looked upon her with some disdain. She didn’t think Grandmother had ever forgiven her son for marrying an American witch. Purebloods were silly that way, she thought.

Being surrounded by so many of her peers again took some getting used to. She had never been very good at making friends. Back in England she only had servants, a nurse, the occasional family members, and whatever coworkers and friends her parents brought home. In fact, she hardly thought Leo considered her a friend. Now that they were older, she was beginning to realize how much she clung onto him. She liked him even if he was horribly spoiled. He had been her only playmate when they were kids, but now he had friends of his own, she was sure.

Nellie was still arranging the dog roses and cowslip when she felt a presence in the room. When she saw her roommate, she smiled before turning back to her work. “Hello Charlotte,” Nellie greeted her. “Do you like the flowers? I think they add a nice touch to the room. I picked them right from home and even brought some poppies. I haven’t seen any poppies around here, and I hope these remind you of home.” Her roommate was quiet and shy and Nellie had decided to become friends with her. Charlotte was English and pretty and pure, three things that Nellie liked best about her. Offering flowers as a peace offering would be a good start, she hoped, even if Nell was expected to do most of the talking.

“How is your family? And your summer?”

19 Eleanor Vandenberg Just arranging flowers [tag roommates] 266 Eleanor Vandenberg 1 5

Charlotte Spencer

August 19, 2014 5:13 PM

They do look nice. by Charlotte Spencer

Spending too much time in a room full of chattering peers after a long trip always made Charlotte rather tired. Her blonde curls had straightened out and were slightly frizzy, a horror she had yet to behold in a proper mirror. Her dress had wrinkled slightly in the wagon and she tried to smooth it out as she walked back to the common room. She really hated the painting the Crotalus common room was hidden behind, but she had no choice in the matter. If she were brave enough, maybe she would try and transfigure the painting into something else, but she certainly didn't have the skill now nor the gall to do so.

Charlotte had been lucky to have an English room-mate, though she and Eleanor didn't talk very much outside of their room. Charlotte hardly spoke to anyone except for Emrys and the occasional classmate that approached her, so she didn't think it was all that odd. After saying the password and slipping past the new first years – they really were so adorable – she went up to her dorm room to unpack her things. It did get rather tedious packing and unpacking every year. She was surprised to find Eleanor in the room first, but she wasn't quite sure why. Nevertheless, Charlotte went about her business to begin unpacking by first checking her hair in the mirror she'd brought from home.

Eleanor talked to her, initiating the conversation as was common with Charlotte's interaction with people. "They're lovely," she replied. She was surprised the English flowers had lasted the trip over; her hair certainly hadn't, she decided as she looked in the mirror, appalled at her reflection and embarrassed that Emrys had seen her this way.

If Charlotte was being honest, she didn't know much about Eleanor, nor had she really tried to get to know her. She'd heard Leo talk about her once or twice, but other than her room-mate's connection to her cousin, she didn't know who Eleanor's friends were or what she was interested in. It was nice to see they had a common interest in gardening, or so it seemed. "My summer was lovely," she said, reciting what she had told Emrys just an hour or so earlier. "I spent a good amount of time with my siblings in Kensington Gardens and St James's Park, along with piano and ballet lessons." She'd gone around the city with Adam more than she ever had in the past and found she had quite enjoyed the air of the city.

"My family is well. My parents are in good health and Adam is glad to be back at Sonora. Jackie and Lily are doing well; Jack's starting school here next year and I know he's looking forward to that." The news about Lily's boyish behaviour was not something she was going to relay to her pure-blood room-mate. She didn't want her sister to become the object of gossip and ridicule before she was introduced into society. "And you? How was your summer? How is your family?" she asked as she began to brush out her hair. Charlotte didn't even know if Eleanor had any siblings or close cousins. It was a shame, really, that they were only just getting to know each other now as fifth years.

40 Charlotte Spencer They do look nice. 265 Charlotte Spencer 0 5

Nellie Vandenberg

August 21, 2014 8:15 PM

I picked them myself by Nellie Vandenberg

There were times Nellie was jealous of those who had siblings, but other times the thought of sharing her belongings with another child or sharing the attention of her parents convinced her that being an only child was the best. Though her parents didn't give her much attention, she received all of it when they did. She finished making the flowers look pretty and went to unpack her things. Charlotte had pretty blonde hair and Nellie watched as her roommate brushed it out. Nellie's own hair was a dark brown that could look almost black in dim lighting, but it was her eyes that she liked best about herself.

Nellie had never not liked her appearance until she became a teenager. Now she didn't like the little fat around her middle or her smile, and she didn't like how her feet looked and didn't wear sandals if she could help it. Her face was pretty enough if she only smiled slightly, so that's what Nellie tried to do.

She had always wanted to go to London. She had only heard of the beautiful dresses there, the bustling city life, and the magnificent theatre productions. Nellie thought she'd really like the city. She knew nothing else but where she had grown up in Surrey. When she wasn't with the Princetons, she was out in the gardens or walking through trees and down winding paths. Flowers and trees had been her friends; her garden back home was her pride and joy and she spent most of her time back home working on it when she wasn't riding her new pony.

"My summer was decent," Nellie replied. "I spent half of it in California which is and is in a horrid state. My mom's sister lives there with her family and I had to stay with my awful cousins for another summer. I spent nearly a year with them last year when I wasn't in school. I hate those boys. They're so uneducated you would think they were Muggles." Nellie was working herself up and she took a breath. "But I finally got to go back home and my parents didn't tell me why I'd been forced to live in Los Angeles for so long. They just presented me with a pony and went back to work."

Nellie finished unpacking her clothes and began to undo her hair from the braid it was in. "I did get a new pony which really brightened my summer. She's a beautiful brown riding horse with such deep, dark eyes. I love her already." Nellie sighed. "Did you bring your cat back with you?" she asked.

0 Nellie Vandenberg I picked them myself 0 Nellie Vandenberg 0 5

Charlotte Spencer

August 26, 2014 5:33 PM

How nice of you. by Charlotte Spencer

The summer after Charlotte’s second year, she and her family had taken a trip to California and then to New York. It was hot in the west like Arizona was hot, but Charlotte had thought it would be a nice place to live, especially up north with its enormous trees and cooler air. Los Angeles was a busy city and Charlotte did prefer London, but she’d had a good time there and had nothing bad to say about it. It had been a lovely holiday for the six of them. But living with awful cousins would make anyone’s experience horrible as Eleanor said, so Charlotte didn’t state her opinion or mention her trip. She only hummed in sympathy.

Parents were supposed to be a child’s support, caretaker, teacher, protector; all the things that Charlotte’s parents were. She had never really thought to be thankful for them before, but as she heard of Eleanor’s family situation Charlotte felt grateful for the parents who had borne her. Not every pure-blood family was as well-off as she and her siblings were. It must’ve been so lonely, being cast off to California without her parents or siblings. “I’m sorry you had a terrible summer,” said Charlotte, feeling genuinely sorry for her roommate. “That’s terrible of your parents to send you off like that. If they still haven’t given you a reason, you should keep asking for one.” It wasn’t advice that Charlotte would take herself, but Eleanor seemed more outspoken than her.

At the very least a pony had come out of her roommate’s suffering. Charlotte didn’t know what she would do if her parents had abandoned her like that. She would certainly be traumatised and no animal or magical creature would be able to ease that hurt. Eleanor must be a very strong person to not hold it against her parents too much.

At the mention of Missy, Charlotte heard a meow underneath her bed. She lifted the bed skirt and saw her grey tabby underneath. When Charlotte had first brought Missy to Sonora as a first year, she had been a little kitten. Now Missy was full-grown, quiet, but ever so nosy. “Come out of there, you,” she said. “Poor thing, you must’ve been starved sitting here on your own.” Charlotte set out a bowl of water for her pet and turned to Eleanor. “Yes, I did bring Missy back with me. I hope you don’t mind. You must miss your pony an awful lot, being here. What’s her name?”

40 Charlotte Spencer How nice of you. 265 Charlotte Spencer 0 5

Nellie Vandenberg

September 08, 2014 8:45 PM

I can be nice when I want to be by Nellie Vandenberg

"I definitely will," Eleanor said in response. "I'm not going to rest until I find out." When she saw her parents, that is. Usually they left early and worked late, and on their days off they liked to sleep in. She wasn't particularly upset about never seeing her parents even when she was at home, but she was still very bitter as to their decision to send her off to America for no reason. It was nice getting Charlotte's sympathy. That was what Eleanor wanted from everyone. Not pity, but sympathy and an open ear for all of her complaints. It was hard to find someone who could be such a great listener, but maybe she had found a friend in her roommate after all these years.

Her roommate's cat was really cute and Nellie liked having Missy around. It made the living quarters so much more homey. The only pet that Nellie had before she had gotten her pony was her dog, Dotty, Dotty the Dalmatian. She missed Dotty when she was at school, but hardly ever talked about her. She didn't like admitting she had named her dog 'Dotty' even though she'd been only five at the time.

"Of course I don't mind," Nellie replied. "I love Missy. It's been really nice having her in the dorm room. I do miss her. Her name is Serena. It was a really nice summer riding her around. I live in Surrey so riding her down paths was a lot of fun. I did that mostly with my spare time along with gardening." Nellie began to brush her long dark brown hair. One hundred strokes always made it shine, but it did make her arms tired.

"Have you thought about who you want to ask you to the ball? You seem to hang around Emrys Lucan quite a bit. Do you like him?" It seemed only logical: hanging around one boy for so long could only mean that she liked him or was hoping for a marriage proposal. Well, they might be a little young for a marriage proposal, but at least for the promise of some kind of security in the future. That was why Nellie hung around Leo so much. "I hope Leo asks me. I think I would like going with him." In the back of her mind, Nellie had a fear of not being asked by anyone. Tristan would be her second choice, but she wasn't sure if he would ask her or any other girl. Nellie couldn't really put her confidence in Leo either. Even if they had played together as children, she felt as though they had grown distant. She didn't like it and it made her fear that she would never secure a marriage proposal while at Sonora.

But Nellie put those fears to the back of her mind, continuing to brush her hair and focus her attention on Charlotte and Missy. "I'm going to begin looking through dress robe catalogues. I came with one just for fun before I realized the ball was this year, but I'm going to order more. You're welcome to look through them if you wish. It would be good to order them during the winter vacation or at the very latest during the beginning of next term. I think you would look very nice in a light color, maybe pink or turquoise."

0 Nellie Vandenberg I can be nice when I want to be 0 Nellie Vandenberg 0 5

Charlotte Spencer

September 10, 2014 3:29 PM

I'm a believer. by Charlotte Spencer

Serena was a lovely name and Charlotte imagined a beautiful chestnut brown mare racing down a country lane amidst flowers and neat shrubbery and beautiful large trees. Serena. The name triggered the thought of someone else, and after pondering for a moment she realised she knew someone else with the same name. “That’s a lovely name. Did you know, there’s a witch at our school with the same name: Miss Serena Brockert. In my limited acquaintance with her I find her to be a lovely witch and can’t think anything badly of the name.” It was a slight digression, but Charlotte hoped Eleanor didn’t mind. It wasn’t as though Charlotte had much to say otherwise, anyhow. “Your horse must be lovely as well. Do you have any photos of her?”

The topic of the ball was eventually, and inevitably, breeched and Charlotte was somewhat scandalised by Eleanor’s forthright manner. It wasn’t proper, asking such sensitive questions so plainly, and Charlotte’s pale face turned bright red in an instant. She dropped her head forward so her blonde hair would hide her scarlet cheeks. “I, um, well, I do like him as he is, but as a romantic partner, I...” Charlotte had contemplated her feelings towards him more than once, being who she was. She wasn’t certain if she liked him or what that even meant. They had been friends for a good amount of time now and she had always kept a romantic relationship in the back of her mind. But did she like him in that way?

“I suppose I don’t know,” she finally admitted and covered her face with her hands. She felt so embarrassed, but she wasn’t sure why. She continued to keep her hands over her face as Eleanor talked about Leo. Nellie and Leo would fit each other. Charlotte didn’t know much about her cousin, but he seemed to be quiet and thoughtful, the opposite of Eleanor. She was sure he could talk when he wanted to, but she had never bothered finding out. No matter Leo's character, Charlotte wanted her room-mate to have a good time at the ball even if she did ask questions in the most straight-forward way possible. "I hope he does. Ask you, that is."

Dress robes were an easier topic to talk about and Charlotte, satisfied that her face no longer felt like an inferno, took her hands away to choose her pyjamas. Her ears, however, were still red. Missy was staring at her curiously and Charlotte picked her up and went to sit on her bed to stroke her cat’s back. Recently Charlotte had started to really enjoy talking about dress robes and looking at the latest fashion. She was hardly ever allowed to shop for her own clothes, but for this ball she was adamant to pick out her own. At home she’d acquired several fashion magazines through her mother; it was a shame she hadn’t brought any with her.

“Thank you, Eleanor. I definitely shall take a look. Of the two I think I would prefer turquoise or aqua, but it depends on the style of the dress as well. You would look lovely in about any colour, Eleanor. Purple or white, perhaps? What were you thinking?”

40 Charlotte Spencer I'm a believer. 265 Charlotte Spencer 0 5