— ALMOST HUMAN;

 { @deviouslittledagger​ }

“I’m not going to lie,” Astoria began with a huff, her shoulders falling. “It feels strange not going off to work anymore. Sometimes I’m tempted to just start a little business for myself just so I could stay busy. Can’t have too much time to your thoughts, can you?”

“It might not be my place to say, but honestly, dear... why not? A little flower shop, or maybe antiques, or books. Or, if you’ve got a knack for maths, some bookkeeping for one of the elderly locals here. People always need a hand, I find -- they’re just never willing to ask.” The wixen knew the pitfalls of boredom too well, especially once their quest had been completed, all was said and done. They struggled to find a place in society outside of school if they were being honest, their heart only continuing to crave adventure, knowledge, and fighting the good fight, settling for a life of curse-breaking and traveling. “I hear that. Just when you think you have a moment of peace, in comes the damned mind, sowing seeds of worry. Can’t say I’d ever mastered the craft of stopping the doubts, just gotten better at shutting them up.”

The majority of Ravenclaws had already gone to bed, putting aside their projects and reading—be they either personal or class assigned—some time ago, leaving Nora the only still up.

Quite frankly, she didn’t realize exactly what hour it was (too busy immersed in her own studying, with various dictionaries and primers on Latin and Greek sprawled on the table in front of her, covering the whole surface.) Perhaps it was a bit much to be delving into such things when neither was absolutely necessary to pass classes at Hogwarts, but she’d told her Housemates that she’d hoped studying the languages would offer insight and help improve upon her spellwork. It was only half true, but no one else needed to know that.

Her reasoning had seemed to appease her fellow Ravenclaws (or they’d learned by now that Nora was quite an…eccentric one, and that it was better to leave well enough alone when it came to her.) Either way, they’d left her alone.

It was only when Alex had spoken that she looked up with a start—she hadn’t even heard them come in.

“Cupcakes?” Nora quickly recovered, a grin spreading across her face. Amused (and, if she was being quite honest, a bit hungry), she eyed the platter for a few seconds before returning their gaze, eyebrows raised. “At this hour?”

Which was her way of saying “Yes.” …Provided, of course, that this wasn’t some kind of prank.

While the house is known to have its oddities given its reputation for acquiring nerds, the middle child knew that they never exactly fit into the conventional description for a Ravenclaw. In fact, Alex’s best tools were their trusty skateboard and knowledge of the castle that was comparable to their rival -- and somewhat role model, if they were being honest, Peeves. It wasn’t the first time that they’d contemplated being part of Slytherin like their older brother had been, or in Hufflepuff like their younger one is now... It would’ve been nice, especially since they did take a liking to Tonks.

“Why not? I’d say they make a fine midnight snack. Nothing like a bit of sweetness to the end of the day; leaves you off on a good note,” the brunette quirked their brow, smirk creasing their otherwise smooth features, “Never really believed in the whole ‘sugar gives you nightmares’ mumbo-jumbo anyway.”

Though they weren’t given permission, per se, they slid into the seat across from their housemate. While they never were much for small talk and getting to know people, they were at least aware of Nora. She’d lost their brother to the vaults, just like them. Gingerly setting down the plate away from the mess of papers the other was clearly invested in, they themselves picked up one of the pastries and bit into it in a motion more akin to someone taking the first juicy bite of an apple. Then again, Alex always had a sweet tooth, so they might as well have been as important to them as fruit should be.

It honestly is a blessing that Alex doesn’t plan on being a prefect or someone with any sort of responsibilities, really. While they excelled in class -- because of course they would, Flitwick would be disappointed if they couldn’t and they couldn’t have that, they were as much of a loose cannon as anyone could be at this school. Always sneaking off somewhere they shouldn’t be, always nicking little souvenirs to keep in their drawers or press into the pages of their journal, always pulling pranks on Filch when given the opportunity. Their latest antic? Hauling away a platter of cupcakes and the good (yes, alcoholic, she’ll admit) cider from the kitchens. They thought there would be nobody in the common room when she got back considering the hour but were proven w r o n g.

To that, they simply remarked: “want one?”

“Oh, f u c k i n g hell,” they practically hissed out, pocketing the infernal device of the moment. While Alex was surprisingly tech-savvy for a wizard -- then again, having an muggle uncle who’s entire living was based around computers was quite useful -- these touch screen cell phones were a new kind of beast to figure out. At the moment, they resigned themselves to checking in somewhere to sleep since it’d been a long flight, and her arse was sore. The place someone had pointed out to her while dining earlier seemed good enough as she walked in. Hopefully, the letterman and jeans were normal enough to take attention away from the broom they kept behind their back as they stepped up to the counter. “Uh... hello. Room for one, I guess?” That’s how these things worked, right?

Oh definitely. [She grins. At least there’s someone out there who appreciates her puns.] Perhaps we should try to form our own parliament to better discuss them?

It’s too bad that Ravenclaw House doesn’t have “crow” in the name instead of “raven.” I could have used spectacular pun on how being a part of this House is murder, but, unfortunately…I cannot.

Truly, an unkindness to the world.

Truly one of the biggest conspiracy theories concerning Hogwarts houses, don’t you think? It’s a shame there isn’t a constable or other caring authority figure to tell about these matters.

Ok google: how do I steal fire whiskey from the three broomsticks

Well... it’d probably help to have a fantastic connection like yours truly.