Blessed with Beauty & Rage

Flo was twirling. She was spinning and spinning on the dance floor, until – SMACK! Her forehead slammed into someone’s chin – or was it their nose? Flo wasn’t sure; she grabbed her forehead with her palm and yelled, “Sorry!” 

Vik was made of slightly stronger stuff it seemed, though firewhiskey was a most wonderful cureall in terms of feeling no pain at all. The blonde barely registered the bump, her eyes finding the delicate Flo in front of her clutching her forehead. “Are you alright? I really hope I didn’t hurt you.” Vik hadn’t instigated their little clash, but that never mattered to her, apologies were always at the ready. 

Lumina looked at Viktoria with a cocked head. She wasn’t opposed to tutoring others, or even sharing ready-mate bitesize pieces of knowledge to impress their friends when necessary. Yet there was nothing here that would indicate she would get anything out of the exchange, she had enough friends as was, and she wasn’t sure how exactly to approach the subject carefully. Her thoughts in utter suspension for one, terrifying moment, at last she neared the girl and said with a smile, “Why, naturally. Karkaroff – what is that, Slavic? You don’t happen to be one of Krum’s brood, do you?” She asked curiously and not entirely maliciously. Alexei Krum – Quidditch star, an altar for which many young female students placed their hopeful futures – she thought she had seen this Vik with him before. At the sound of Vik meeting her being a pleasure, she only shrugged, saying, "You as well.” Keeping up polite niceties was necessary, even if this girl did happen to hail from nothing at all. “Ha, of course you wouldn’t, love – very kind. I have bettered myself from the experience, though, so – all is well!” Lumina said dramatically. She had taken up the sport early, but only as a side-interest; it was only in Hogwarts that she pursued Quidditch with any real vigor – she knew she would never be a Quidditch star, she didn’t have the aspirations of her dear friends Lucinda or Emma, she lacked talent for one, and for another she simply lacked the interest. Quidditch was for Lumina a game of glory, a step in the path in a power, an experience of balance in body and mind. Whenever she grew too withdrawn, too starry-eyed, why, that was nothing an afternoon at the Quidditch Pitch couldn’t fix. And as an Orion, well – standards were high, to say the least. And there was her pride to consider – she still approached Captain Talkalot with tactics and strategies, having excelled at chessboard-type thinking, and liked to think she was being taken seriously. 

Brood? Did it mean clan to her? Or did it mean the flocking fans? It confused Vik, and as with that which confused her, it couldn’t help but shade itself darker. There was something comfortable about dejection to Vik. There had been moments in life where she had thought more positively, glimpses of change that soothed the aching wounds she’d been left with. They were fleeting of course, her foolishly hopeful demeanor never quite offering enough to allow for the bright betterment to be permanent. She wondered what Lumina had meant, there being two options sitting diverged in Vik’s head, both rather disappointing. The first was that she had been overshadowed again, this time not even by a family member, just another one of her supposed kind, by way of a foreign sounding name most probably. Vik was perfectly okay with being overshadowed by someone as kind as Alexei, it solidifying the idea that she truly did nothing for the Karkaroff name. The second was that Lumina saw her as nothing more than one of those youthful and frolicking girls that seemed to prance after Alexei as their poster-boy. There was nothing wrong with that, she would never say as much, but she had perhaps hoped for a better perception from someone she’d looked at in such high esteem. Though more freely speaking she couldn’t bring herself to elaborate on her ruminations, much too weak to offer. “You’ll have to excuse my confusion, but what do you mean when you say brood?” Vik was precise with her words when she had them, there could be no misunderstandings in her turn of phrase as she knew that it would only mean keeping whoever was listening waiting for far longer than intended. “It is a good trait to have, to be able to take good from the bad. Invaluable really.” Though there was probably a career in Quidditch for her, most likely with a helping hand from Alexei, she was unsure if that was a route for her. That was no real future because as she understood it the future would be burned up by people like her parents. Auror, Quidditch player, Minister For Magic, none of that would matter if the darkness that gripped the underbelly of the nation wasn’t dealt with. It weighed on her, but that was nothing out of the ordinary. 

Lumina had no greater lover than the skies – despite appearances, that was not an understatement. It was forever there, she was its prisoner, it was her gaol; although she refuted Fate and Destiny and all of those lofty notions on a daily basis, she put stock in the order of the skies. The ancients put no less stock in the skies, than she – they observed it with their primitive instruments, declared it to be a heavenly resident, twisted names and anthologies throughout the tapestry of time to explain its beauty. What fools. The heavens couldn’t be reduced to human form or anything resembling it – if the stars had names, and they did, it was to better familiarize them to us, make us feel relevant in all their glory. So, gazing at Viktoria with all these realms of thoughts hanging just behind her visage, she put on a statuesque smile. “I am.” Out of her robes, she took out her small, black leather notebook from London full of scrawling and sketches pertaining to the stars above, waving it graciously before stowing it away again. “Vik Karkaroff.” Lumina said slowly, tasting the name, gauging its flavor, the cadence with which the other pronounced it. “I think not.” They didn’t seem to walk in the same circles, or if they did, they had not stumbled upon one another before – more likely the former. Was she anyone of purpose? The name Karkaroff had a heavy, foreign air to it, something she vaguely recognized. She wasn’t a xenophobe, but she postulated this girl had origins outside of the country. Intriguing. “Lumina Orion.” Wait. Karkaroff – the announcer’s flighty voice, the wind up high near the goal posts. Was this that legendary Seeker, who had foiled poor Regulus? “You’re on the Gryffindor team, aren’t you?” Her expression shifted to one of intense curiosity and slight disapproval, their loss earlier in the year had stung. “I was that abysmal Slytherin Keeper.”

“I would love to hear more about the stars from someone so invested. Perhaps you could afford me some of your knowledge in the new year?” These were natural progressions that formulated in Vik’s head, they made sense and were the perfect way to bond people. However, when sober the words would have never come out. She would have never felt like she deserved to bother this girl with her lack of knowledge of the skies, something that was clearly important to Lumina. Vik wished to just sit and listen while she spoke, pointing out into a vastness that she recognized while Vik followed along trails that she would busily familiarize herself with. She didn’t want to push the idea on an evening filled with so much else, nor set any kind of exact date, just a very hopeful attempt to have a reason to be in Lumina’s company again. “Pleasure to meet you, Ms Orion.” Though formal it still fit, Vik finding it necessary to say. She was slightly hesitant at the new look Lumina had taken on in regards to the mention Quidditch considering the recent results. “I am, Gryffindor Seeker.” A quick answer and to follow up an even quicker rebuttal to the girl’s estimations of her performance. “I would have never said abysmal.” Vik would have never said anything that could have even been considered close. While she was nothing but honest, her supportive nature tended to be overarching. Quidditch was a team sport but Vik soon realized that roles like that of a Chaser or a Beater wouldn’t quite suit her lacking communicative abilities. Vik was focused and highly driven, what better position than that of a Seeker for her keen eye and dedication. She did hope that the competitive nature of the sport didn’t mean Lumina would look unfavorably on her, she being less competitive, had used Quidditch as a way to meet different people at a time when she felt entirely isolated. 

Kingsley’s expression grew a lot more friendly when he realized it wasn’t just someone coming to warn him there were students getting a little too raunchy on the dancefloor again ( this was not his job, but it seemed to be that it was what it had come to ), especially when she was bringing him a drink. He wasn’t one to drink while he was technically supposed to be working, but with the evening he’d had so far, Kingsley decided just to take the gesture. 

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.” He took a brief sip from the firewhiskey, the liquor burning down his throat. It wasn’t that Kingsley didn’t like to drink ━ he enjoyed parties and letting himself go a little, definitely, it’s just that his job didn’t often give him a chance to. “As much as I appreciate the offer, I don’t think I’m allowed to give a student that responsibility. Still, feel free to keep me company.” Merlin knew he could use some. 

Vik nodded deeply, always wishing to help. “I understand.” She did and she didn’t. Perhaps it was the firewhiskey allowing her to think more of herself and her abilities, but even then it was nice to have a moment of self-belief. Vik was sure and steady in terms of her tactical wand work. She didn’t take to dueling like others did, wishing to dish out harm to their opponents. Vik didn’t want that, she wanted to best them, to tactically outmaneuver them. The Karkaroffs existed by force and she survived by pure will alone. 

“How is everything this evening? Running smoothly?” It wasn’t that she wished to pry,  never fancying herself as one that could come close to the snooping power of Ms Skeeter. Instead, she just cared about the welfare of those in the castle and those outside it too. Dark times lay ahead and she knew it first hand. Her mother wrote once or twice a month about how Voldemorts power was rising quicker by the day, her time running out to join the ‘winning’ side. How much could she believe? How much could she afford to ignore? It was a difficult thing to contend with, but she did hope that speaking to Kinsley would offer her the slightest insight. 

Lumina needed to remind herself of the vastness of the Universe sometimes, so escaping outdoors was not uncommon. For years she had let her mind be as unlimited as the night sky, and often failed; yet, there was a solace in the galaxy that nothing could quite match. Viktoria’s appearance – someone whom she didn’t know – was unexpected, but like many things, Lumina decided to turn it to her advantage. “It is,” Lumina said, looking at her skeptically. “Are you a student of the skies?” She didn’t recognize her from Astronomy Club, which was her usual outlet for meeting such pedestrian observers. Lumina tried to hide her distaste at the smoke coming from the lit cigarette – a truly distasteful habit; all her most intimate friends knew not to smoke in her presence. Looking down at the girl with an imperial gaze before hearing her response to her question, she decided to move next to her – intriguing enough. What was this girl’s name, anyway? She was fairly certain she was not a Slytherin, that was for sure.  “Who are you, exactly, if I may ask?”

Lumina had to be one of the most exquisite sights Vik had ever encountered. Beauty wasn’t rare in her mind but divinity was. She was sure they’dd never even crossed paths before, she’d never been able to bring herself to introduce herself. The name Lumina coming to her off the back of accidental eavesdrop. Vik was observant, always recognizing her surroundings and just how much space she was taking up. In any given situation she couldn’t help but know just who and what she was surrounded by. To catch Lumina candidly around the castle was truly a treat to Vik but thus far in her appreciation, she hadn’t managed to bridge the gap between stranger and admirer, if she would be able to say as much. “In my spare time, yes. And you?” Vik had spare time for everything, any possible intrigue was allowed to worm its way into her schedule. “Vik Karkaroff.” She wasn’t sure what images her name would stir for the girl beside her, residing to the idea that they didn’t stir anything at all; a more comfortable fate. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you.” Vik had never been this close to her, let alone actually had her attention. The firewhiskey allowed her to be selfish, to look to Lumina and momentarily take her in; a joy from afar and a treasure up close. 

Marlene was positively overjoyed at Vik’s acceptance of her offer. Though the two weren’t close, Marlene always kept an unintentional eye on the girl. She was so quiet, so contained; Marlene worried that she felt ignored or overlooked, especially in their dorm full of such loud personalities. That, of course, was something Marlene couldn’t allow anyone to feel, not in her presence, anyways. She spent a better part of her early childhood feeling insignificant in her large family and she knew, too well, how harrowing that feeling could be. 

“I’m absolutely flattered,” Marlene laughed, placing a hand against her chest in mock surprise. “And that’s pure nonsense. Everyone’s gotta a bit of boogie in them.” To emphasize her point, she held her arms out and swiveled her leg to the beat. “C’mon, let me see what you’ve got!” 

If a child grew up the apple of their parent’s eye it would probably be rather difficult for them to come to Hogwarts. To fit in amongst the ranks must have been a challenge, the drop in prestige a hardening process. Perhaps Vik could look at her situation as a positive one, the idea that she’d never had to fall in that way. Rather she grew up buried, no pedestals for her, just an existence amongst the dirt. Though she had a striking face it wasn’t often seen looking out at the world, her icy blue eyes found books to comfort to people watch all that obviously. Vik was happier in the background, no one would judge her there. 

Vik could dance, it wasn’t that she lacked rhythm like some of the young men out ‘dancing’ she’d been growing concerned for, wondering if they were actually hearing the same music. But Vik knew how to dance formal, as with everything, while she herself was fluid, rigidity had been interwoven with everything she was. With Marlene’s attention her moves were coy, a very causal two-step as a meek offering to her dance partner’s excitable energy. “Do you consider me a helpable case?” The tall blonde asked, an apologetic smile offered for her less than impressive move set. 

Good heavens, Ruby wasn’t sure she understood quite what the child in front of her was saying. Nature offers an untouched reality of what beauty is - well, it might be accurate but it certainly wasn’t simple to understand. “I’m sure you’re right,” she murmured, taking the hand with a smile. “It’s lovely to meet you, Vik. I’m Ruby Wilkinson. I hope I’m not interruptin’ anything.” There were multiple reasons for students to be outside during the party, and Ruby knew her presence would be unappreciated for most of them. “I was honestly just lookin’ to get back to the Great Hall and I am so turned around.”

Vik always had a lot to say about beauty and art, nature being the culminating factor in both. “Not interrupting at all.” In truth, Vik appreciated the disturbance because she knew that she’d probably already been away from her date for too long. Though she was incredibly lucky to have a date at all, for her time alone was invaluable. There was a solace to be found with the chill of the night and with the stars that she was sure other people would never offer her. “I would be happy to escort you back, Ms Wilkinson. This castle is confusing at the best of times.”