open, nose in the books.

[` laila annette queen]

open , four seven six , <33

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As many professors had told Laila, study conditions were not universally set. Everybody liked to study in all sorts of different circumstances. In the muggle world, when Laila was six or seven, she had been told that to properly study she needed to sit at a table with one of her parents, without any distractions and focus on the piece of work at hand. When her friends went off to Hogwarts she received letters from them telling her they studied best when they were listening to their music, sometimes out of a stereo and others out of an ipod. Laila didn't have an iPod, she didn't spend enough time in the muggle world to warrant one. But she did find that her best studying was done when she was alone. Unlike most, who would simply head to the library and seek and empty section amongst the thousands of dusty old books, Laila sought out an empty classroom. It had been some time in her second year when Laila figured this out. She'd fallen asleep at the back of class one day and she supposed as some kind of punishment her professor had left her to sleep well after the class had ended. Laila had awoken, who knew how long later, and figured since she was already at a desk she might as well pull out a book and flick through it.

So that was how Laila found out she studied best alone in an empty classroom and that was why today Laila was sitting in the middle of an empty classroom with her things spread out across several desks. The room was one the second floor and as far as Laila could tell wasn't used for any classes, not any more. The black board had had the same chalk markings on it for over a year now and the chairs never seemed to move. The curtains were always in the same position with more and more dust piling on top of them each day. Laila had found this room in her fifth year while on one of her many long walks around and through the amazing castle that was Hogwarts. So she sat with her ankles crossed, one leg behind the other, underneath the desk. Her right hand was pressed flat against the table as her left clutched the quill. She would dip the tip in the ink well and start scratching furiously away at the piece of parchment in front of her. Occasionally her eyes would flutter up and glance at the open text book in front of her, but the point of the exercise was to remember as much as she could and re-write it in her own words. She was getting better at it and had found that in this particular room, unlike many of the other, she was less likely to be disturbed.

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[nina diane hall]

nina diane hall

There is certain feeling that all over-achievers associate with a bad grade. This bitter disappointment that fills your lungs, heart and bubbles up your throat. It's the emotion you get after doing everything within your limitation to achieve an O and then receiving a nice big P branded on the right hand corner. Nina reasoned that this was what Hester Gray felt like with her scarlet A for adultery, except in Nina's case it was a P for poor.

The blond was ashamed of the grade. If there was something she felt she had been cheated out of in life, it was intelligence. Nina didn't consider herself dumb, but book smarts were not her strong point. Maybe that was why she worked hard for good grades - to prove to herself that even if she wasn't smart, she could get just as good grades as all those Ravenclaws. Nina seethed internally at the thought of all the people who had gotten decent grades with handing in last minute essays.

Clutching the essay of the Draught of the Living Death in her fisted hand, Nina looked less composed than usual. She looked feverish and her eyes smarted from angry tears. Walking quickly down the corridor, she happened a glance at one of the suits of armors. She was aghast at what she saw. Her ponytail was too loose and her shirt was untucked. The blonde cringed inwardly: her appearance resembled that of a hobo.

"Nina! Where are you?!"

The voices of her friends calling out for her startled Nina. As their footsteps grew closer, she realized she could not be seen by them in this state of disarray. The bathrooms on this floor were too far away and it'd be suspicious of her to start running away from them. In any case, ladies don't run.

Considering it her only option, Nina ducked into the nearest classroom, figuring she would wait until the girls had gone. Unfortunately, it didn't occur to her that the classroom might already be in use by someone else.

[` laila annette queen]

open , two eight three , ohai Echo !

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Laila's brow was furrowed as her hand moved across the parchment at a speed she didn't realize she was capable of reaching. Her scribblings were untidy and to the eye of a stranger probably looked like something a five year old was trying to write. That didn't bother Laila. The point of the exercise was for Laila to remember information and be able to spit it back out in her own words. So whether or not others could read her notes really didn't matter. Even Laila wasn't going to have to read over them later. Her hand was starting to cramp as she came to the end of her piece of parchment. She quickly flipped it over and was subconsciously holding her breath, rushing to get the last of her notes down on the parchment. The fingertips on her right hand looked as though they were desperately trying to clutch the flat desk. She finished the last letter with a flourish and released a large sigh of relief. Every muscle in her body relaxing.

Laila threw her quill down and leaned backwards, closing her eyes and steadying her breath. Just a few moments of relaxing silence. She could let all thoughts leave her head momentarily before she woke back up before she went back to her studies. Then all of a sudden Laila heard the door crashing open and footsteps hurrying in. Her eyes snapped open and she twisted her head to get a look at who had finally come across her secluded studying area. "Oh hey Nina!" Laila turned and straightened up, smiling at her fellow house mate. She noticed that Nina looked a little disheveled and out of place. "Is everything okay?"

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[nina diane hall]

nina diane hall

Her house mate's query startled Nina, who had definitely not counted on the classroom being occupied, and she whirled around to face the familiar voice. Laila, a fellow Hufflepuff and yearmate, was sitting in the midst of what seemed like a whirlwind of parchments. The blonde smiled, trying to regain her usual ease and grace. "Hey Laila!" she greeted with a bit more enthusiasm than would sound normal.

Nina felt quite similar to how she felt after taking of make-up in the evening. Bare, raw and vulnerable. There was a reason why she spent ages in front of the mirror perfecting her eyeliner. She was uncomfortable without her normal facade. It'd been a very long time since someone had seen her like this. It was taking her a bit too long for her liking to return to her usual state of tranquility. Internally she frowned, small upsets like those of before could not cause her to loose her composure.

"It's nothing, really," asserted Nina, the lie slipping easily from her lips out of pure habit. She knew that if she were someone other than herself, maybe she would have ranted about the grade. But she was Nina Hall, and Nina Hall could not complain. Remembering the cause of her altered state, she dropped her crumpled essay in the trash can by the door. "I'm fine," she said, stressing the point.

She began to re-do her ponytail, all the while considering the odd situation. At least, it certainly felt odd for her. Deciding that the conversation should take another direction, Nina asked, "What are those sheets of parchment all about?"

[` laila annette queen]

open , three six six , <33

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As Laila looked over Nina she realized she'd never seen the blonde without her make up before. For six years Laila had seen the blonde spend hours each morning fixing her appearance and the end result was something Laila thought to be rather beautiful. If Laila could change anything about her appearance it would be her hair colour. For years she'd pined after having blonde hair and it could be said that Laila was the slightly jealous of Nina's looks. She was rather insecure of herself and so it wasn't hard to make Laila feel like she wasn't good enough. But everyday when Nina stepped out looking as beautiful as she did Laila always felt she could never compare to that. To her, being blonde was being beautiful and she couldn't stand the icky brown that she wore. But as Laila looked at Nina, all disheveled with an unmade up face and Laila still thought she looked beautiful. But Laila had lived with these thoughts for six years and so today while the thoguht crossed her mind she didn't dwell on it too much. Yes. Nina was pretty. No. Laila did not think she could compare in anyway and that was how it went.

But she did still wonder why Nina wasn't all made up today. Laila nodded at the girl's responses. Easily accepting the lie. She had no reason to doubt her friend but took the hint when Nina emphasized the word fine. She wouldn't press it but hoped that Nina knew that if she ever needed to talk that Laila was here for her. That's what Laila did. She was that person that was always there for people to talk to and so far, seventeen years into her existence, that's all she had done. "Oh, this," Laila glanced back at her work, "I was just studying. I've found I work harder in here. I mean, I didn't get fantastic O.W.L's so I thought this year I'd put a little more effort in my studies." As Nina pulled her hair back Laila ran a hand through her own. She could feel herself just getting uglier by the minute. At least, that's how she felt.

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[nina diane hall]

nina diane hall

Oh, so she was studying. Nina considered her house mate for a second before taking a few steps towards the desks. She slipped into one of the few desks that wasn't covered in papers, taking care to accommodate her skirt and blouse as she sat down. That, her mother had taught her, was fundamental to a girl's manners. Sit straight, shoulders back and chin high; everything in its proper place and you'll look just like a lady. It had been so ingrained in her mind that Nina found it difficult to slouch and she even found it annoying when others didn't stand straight. If a two-year old Nina had learnt how to do this, then why couldn't others?

Nina scrutinized Laila for a second, coming to the same conclusion as she had other years. Laila was a sweet looking girl with rather lovely eyes but, of course, there is always room for improve- Nina's train of thought halted as something stirred in the recesses of her mind. The blond remembered how she herself had hated make-up when her mother told her to wear it. It felt awful on her twelve year old face, like a thick goo. No, the voice reminded her. Laila was pretty just as she was. Nobody needs make-up, hair product, creams and charms to be really beautiful. Only you do, Nina.

Outside the classroom door, the pattering of footsteps came and went with the giggles of Nina's "friends". Since they hadn't found her, they soon forgot their urgency for her presence and went in search of some new source of entertainment. The blonde sighed, not surprised. She felt a bit too lazy to go down to the cellars, so she decided to stay where she was. If Nina really thought about it, the situation was harmless. Nothing terrible could come of chatting with a fellow Hufflepuff, especially now that she felt calmer and more composed.

"I didn't either," murmured Nina. "Get the O.W.L.'s I wanted, I mean. It was hard for me." The last bit was difficult to admit but very true. The stress of the exams had made her require more concealer for her frown lines, something Nina had been aghast at.

Then, Nina felt a prick of curiosity. "Why do you study here? It's so lonely and quiet... Oh, am I intruding?"

[` laila annette queen]

open , four five nine , <33

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Laila was glad to have the distraction. Yeah, she needed to study. And she had been studying for the past few hours. A short break wasn't going to kill her. So when Nina moved further into the room and pulled up a seat she was somewhat relieved to have someone to talk to. It was good to know that Nina didn't just run into the room and then run back out once she had seen Laila. Laila wasn't exactly the most popular girl in school. She was awkward and with her low self esteem she struggled to believe that people actually enjoyed being in her company. It was the small things like others coming in and talking to her, like Nina had done, that made Laila feel better about herself. Even if the feeling didn't last forever. It was all about the present. And right now the fact that Nina had sat down and was now making a conversation with her meant something to Laila.

But the feeling didn't last too. As soon as Nina sat down she straightened herself up, lifted her chin and altogether straightened her posture. Almost automatically the good feeling that had come with Nina coming into the room and sitting with Laila disappeared as quickly as it had come. She didn't sit like that straight. She didn't stand that straight. And Laila was back to being jealous of Nina and had the hint of self pity appear. The small wave of good feeling for the day was gone and while she appreciated Nina sitting with her she wondered if she would ever be able to sit with the blonde and not hate herself. Her esteem fell even lower as she heard the girls pass by the classroom and realized that Nina had in fact been hiding from them. For what reason Laila didn't know and she didn't care to ask. It wasn't her business.

Laila nodded as she spoke. "I totally understand. I mean, I did try but obviously not hard enough. So now I figure if I put in the effort now and get myself into the habit of studying harder than I have before then maybe by the time our N.E.W.T's roll around I'll be able to get better scores. And I have such a low attention span that studying in the library is just as distracting as studying the common room. I rarely see people come to this classroom. I mean, it doesn't look like it's been used in forever so I use this room because it pretty much offers the least distraction. What are you doing here?" Although, from what Laila had already gathered she was hiding from the other passing girls. She didn't want to be rude and kill the conversation.

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I am so sorry it took me so long to reply. Don't eat me D:

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