Reuniting with old friends (tag Rory) on Quidditch Pitch

Tabitha Hawthorne

August 13, 2018 4:42 PM

Reuniting with old friends (tag Rory) by Tabitha Hawthorne

Tabitha had been sitting in her office, reading the same line of her notes over and over again before she decided that it was time for some much-needed fresh air. She hadn't been sleeping well, her mind under stress from her falling out - could you fall out with someone if there was no argument? - with Mary and the anxiety stemming from having to give a lesson on Veelas to her Intermediate class, the same class that the truth about Cleo would be revealed. She came to the conclusion that she'd spent far too much time confined to her office.

She could've gone to Labyrinth Gardens but they would've only served a reminder of the Opening Feast night with Mary and, if she was honest, she didn't really want to think about the Potions mistress at the moment. The point of getting fresh air was to just be distracted, even for only a short while, from the things that swirled endlessly round in her mind. Therefore, she chose the Quidditch Pitch.

As she walked out to the Pitch, she was reminded strongly of her school years at Hogwarts. She'd been part of the Gryffindor team as one of the Chasers and remembered with a slight smile how much she'd enjoyed playing the matches, soaring high above the ground, in rain or shine, the yells of her teammates as the quaffle was thrown from Chaser to Chaser and the feeling of elation as she succesfully threw the ball through the hoop. It was a simpler time then. She'd been younger and more naive then, ignorant to the dangers of the world and also ignorant to heartbreak and loneliness.

She made her way to one of the stands and sat herself down on the wooden bench, looking out across the pitch. It was a nice day, with plenty of sunshine and a slight breeze that pulled at her short hair. For a distraction, it seemed fitting. Where better to get fresh air than a place that reminded her of a happier time? It was nice to just close her eyes and pretend that she was back there. She could almost heard the roar of the Gryffindor fans, smell the polish she'd used on her broomstick and see her teammates flying around her in the red and gold of her House.

She'd been so immersed in her reminiscent thoughts that she jumped where she heard footsteps on the wood of the stands.

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Reuniting with old friends (tag Rory) 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 1 5

Rory Taransay

August 16, 2018 5:09 PM

Old friends? by Rory Taransay

Rory often liked having a pre-prandial stroll, finding a bit of exercise between classes and dinner to be good for both switching off from work mode and for working up a good appetite. After all, there was no point in the great Sonora food if he wasn’t hungry enough to fully do it justice.

His walk always led him through the Labyrinth Gardens, because what sort of walk at Sonora wouldn’t take advantage of the beautiful gardens? He also liked to stroll past the Quidditch pitch. He’d been a keen Quidditch player in his Hogwarts days, playing as Keeper on the Gryffindor team. He hadn’t kept up the sport after leaving, other than the odd throw-around with friends, as he hadn’t been good enough to go professional. Still, he’d enjoyed being part of a fairly successful house team, and the Quidditch pitch brought back fond memories.

Rory found that teaching at Sonora often made him reflect on his schooling. Back at the beginning he’d found it odd to be in the position of professor, but he’d grown used to it, and liked seeing his students pass through the school, finding it interesting to see them growing up. Sometimes, however, it did make him question his own life, especially with each group that graduated. They all left to pursue careers and dreams and to start their own lives, whilst he was stuck at a bit of a dead end. He didn’t regret deciding to teach, but he felt that he had fallen into a bit of a rut, with no life outside of the school other than his family.

It had been three years now since Amelle had quit her position of librarian and left the school, a move which had ended their relationship and Rory’s plans to propose. He’d mostly recovered from the heartbreak, although he still had feelings of loneliness. His sister-in-law was forever telling him she’d set him up with someone, but it was hard to thinking of starting a relationship again, especially when he spent so much time stuck in a boarding school. Still, at least he had his expeditions in the holidays, which provided a nice opportunity to leave the country and get some action (in a purely academic sense, that was).

Rory was trying to shake off such melancholy thoughts when he noticed another professor was sitting in the stands. He walked over, always happy to be sociable, especially when he realised it was one of the two new professors. He didn’t know either of them very well at all, despite one having started at the end of last year, and this was something he felt guilty about. He really should extend the hand of friendship to both of them. After all, there were few professors here, so they didn’t really have many people to interact with on a regular basis.

He climbed up onto the stands, and was just about to make her aware of his presence when she jumped.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to surprise you,” he apologised in his Scottish accent, smiling. “I was just out for a stroll, saw you sitting here, and wondered if you wanted company?”

9 Rory Taransay Old friends? 33 Rory Taransay 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

August 16, 2018 5:35 PM

I think so? I'm not actually sure. by Tabitha Hawthorne

Tabitha blinked at the newcomer. She hadn't expected company, figuring that most of the teachers would be teaching or doing some kind of duty that didn't allow afternoon strolls. She was suddenly very aware that she quite possibly looked a bit of a mess as she hadn't made much of an effort in terms of appearance. She sniffed and was almost prepared to decline the offer, admit that she would've preferred to be alone but his Scottish accent was reminding her of her home in the UK - granted that she had lived nowhere near Scotland but her school had been there and she had considered it sort of a second home - and she found it comforting to hear. So, she managed a smile. A fellow Brit deserved at least that much.

"I'd like that," she told him, her refined Kensington accent providing a noticeable contrast to his own.

She took the opportunity once he was sitting down to look at him properly. She couldn't quite put her finger on it but there was something familiar about him. Her brow furrowed as she tried to work it out. Something about his face coupled with his accent was striking a chord within. The answer was right on the edge of her mind, ready to be seized but she couldn't quite get there. Was it possible that they had met before?

Realising that she was staring rather openly at him and that she hadn't actually said anything after accepting his invitation. Her eyes widened and she quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing pink from embarrassment. She knew the stress of her job and the disaster that was her and Mary's friendship was getting to her but she hadn't thought it was so bad that she'd abandoned her manners. Praying that he didn't think her a complete nutter, she decided to introduce herself before she screwed anything else up.

"I don't think we've met properly..." she cleared her throat, feeling awkward. She stuck out her hand for him to shake. "I'm Tabitha Hawthorne, the Defence professor."

20 Tabitha Hawthorne I think so? I'm not actually sure. 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5

Rory

August 16, 2018 6:15 PM

You might be onto something here... by Rory

It was good to hear another British voice after being in America so long, even if said voice had a rather different accent to his own. Rory didn’t have anything against the American accent, but it was nice to hear an accent that reminded him of his childhood.

After being assured that his company was welcomed, Rory sat down in the stands next to Tabitha. He noticed that she seemed to be staring at him a bit, and wasn’t sure why, hoping that he didn’t have ink on his shirt or something. Then she introduced herself, and it was his turn to oddly pause.

For some reason, both Tabitha’s name and accent gave him a vague feeling of familiarity. He couldn’t think why – yes, he had sort of met her before, as she taught at the same school as him, but their relationship was unestablished enough for them to introduce themselves. There should be no sense of familiarity linked to that, so why did he feel as if he’d met her before?

He gathered his thoughts and replied to her introduction before his hesitation could get too weird. He didn’t want to get a reputation as not being quite all there!

“I’m Rory Taransay,” he replied, shaking her hand. “Care of Magical Creatures professor. It’s nice to have another Brit here!”

No, something was definitely trying to come to his attention, and as he pointed out that they were both British, a thought came to mind. She couldn’t be much younger than he was, so surely she must have been at Hogwarts at the same time as him? Was that where he knew her from? It would explain the sense of familiarity. He just hoped his theory was right, or else this could end up being a rather awkward conversation.

“I hope you don’t think I’m going mad, but did you go to Hogwarts?” he asked, aware of the fact that she could have gone to school in another country. There were enough international students at Sonora to prove that it was a common enough thing to do. “Only I can’t help but feel that I know you from somewhere, but I can’t place where.”

9 Rory You might be onto something here... 33 Rory 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

August 16, 2018 6:33 PM

I think I've got it... by Tabitha Hawthorne

Rory Taransay...

Something chimed inside Tabitha's head then, a clear bell that was waking up her memories that had long since been shoved into a dark corner while new experiences and adventures took over. Her eyes flickered back to Rory's face and she squinted. Mentally, she made him shorter, younger and clothed him in the red and gold uniform of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and added a broomstick. It took a minute but then her eyes widened, the realisation coming to her.

"Rory Taransay! Keeper for Gryffindor!"

A rush of warmth blossomed in her chest and Tabitha felt altogether much happier and very, very pleased with herself. She hated when she couldn't remember something and the feeling of relief that came with a realisation made the Defence professor feel very good indeed. Then, something else struck her.

It was very weird to tell someone that they knew them without explaining how they knew them. That generally instilled fears and worries about being stalked and Tabitha definitely did not want that reputation assigned to her. In order to prevent those thoughts from forming in Rory's head, she thought she'd better explain.

"I was one of the Chasers for Gryffindor!" she grinned. Oh, it felt so good to learn that she actually knew someone outside and before Sonora. In a bid to try and help jog his memory, if she hadn't been successful already, she explained, "I believe I was known better as 'Tabs' back then."

20 Tabitha Hawthorne I think I've got it... 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5

Rory

August 20, 2018 5:32 PM

I think you definitely have! by Rory

Rory waited whilst Tabitha thought about if they knew each other, hoping he hadn’t got it wrong and that he wouldn’t come across as a complete weirdo. Then she named his old Quidditch position from Hogwarts, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Although…if she remembered his Quidditch position, presumably she had also been on the team, or had just been a really keen fan. Either way, he ought to remember her. He wracked his brain, and a memory of a brown-haired Chaser came into mind just as Tabitha confirmed this.

“Tabs! Yes, I remember you!” he exclaimed. They hadn’t been on the team together for many years, being a few academic years apart, but he remembered her as being good at Quidditch and good fun.

“What a coincidence that we’ve both ended up here!” he laughed, never having expected to find one of his old schoolmates teaching at Sonora alongside him. “What brings you here, then? Got bored of good old Britain?”

It was definitely a nice surprise, finding out that he already knew Tabitha. He didn’t have to worry about befriending one of the new teachers now, as he and Tabitha had got on well enough whilst playing Quidditch, and he had no reason to think that they wouldn’t get on now. It was actually sort of comforting, reconnecting with an old friend and having the opportunity to catch up on and be part of each other’s lives once again.

OOC: Given Tabitha's warm reaction to the realisation, the fact that we never discussed the contrary, and that they both seem like decent sorts, I've just assumed that they got on well enough at Hogwarts. Is that ok?

9 Rory I think you definitely have! 33 Rory 0 5

Tabitha Hawthorne

August 20, 2018 5:55 PM

Re: I think you definitely have! by Tabitha Hawthorne

Tabitha beamed, her smile wide and her previous negative feelings temporarily forgotten as Rory remembered her. Memories swam around in her head of all the times they'd played together, celebrated wins together and mourned their losses together with him and the rest of the Gryffindor team. She missed that feeling of being a part of something bigger and the bonds that were forged between team mates were always strong, she thought.

They were both laughing. The coincidence was incredible. Of all the people she would've thought she might bump into, Rory hadn't been one of them. She was very glad she had though. She didn't have any friends in America - apart from maybe Mary but that was rocky and full of angst and Tabitha didn't even know if the Potions mistress would ever talk to her again - so it was nice to find someone with whom she had already a friendship.

"Well, you know Britain," she chuckled. A warmth in her chest was blossoming, the only kind you felt with a friend. "Rain, rain and uh, more rain. And Kensington was just so dull and boring and I couldn't deal with it. So, I didn't. I've spent the last few years exploring much more interesting corners of the world and getting in, perhaps, one too many scrapes with some dangerous beasts. Unfortunately, a change in circumstances forced me to be stuck here in America and find a job, hence I'm now 'Professor Tabitha Hawthorne'."

She pulled a face at the title. Tabitha wasn't much one for formalities. If it had been up to her, she would've allowed the students to call her 'Tabitha' but there was some rule about not letting the students get to close and personal. She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled at him.

"What about you?" she asked him, interested. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of him since he'd left Hogwarts and she was curious was her old friend had been getting up to.

OOC - Yeah, you were completely right so that's totally okay! :D

20 Tabitha Hawthorne Re: I think you definitely have! 1417 Tabitha Hawthorne 0 5