Grounds: The Pathways

[Wilber Winterbottom]

Graphic credit: Felixir

A set of paths, some stone, most dirt, link the wooden bridge to almost every other area of the Hogwarts grounds. You will more than likely use these pathways at some point to reach your grounds-based classes, to visit other outdoor locations, or simply to take a walk and clear your head. This is a quiet area of the grounds with the soft sound of leaves rustling in the wind or lightly crunching below your feet. Doesn't the air just seem fresher around here somehow?

Walk with a friend, sit and relax on one of the many benches placed in intervals along the numerous pathway routes, climb a nearby tree, take a moment to appreciate the great outdoors in this breathtaking part of the country. Just be careful not to trip on loose stones or roots as you go. The groundskeeper does what he can to keep the pathways maintained, but he can only do so much.

[PhoenixRising]

As promised after Care of Magical Creatures class, Emma held back to walk with Aryan to their next class, taking care to make sure it was just them walking. She hoped he could know by now that he could trust her with whatever happened to be on his mind and from the start of the lesson, it definitely seemed like something was bothering him.

"You ... " She started to say, you okay, but when one asked those sorts of questions, it never seemed to give a honest response. "A sickle for your thoughts?"

[FearlessLeader19]

SPOILER!!: Emma! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

As promised after Care of Magical Creatures class, Emma held back to walk with Aryan to their next class, taking care to make sure it was just them walking. She hoped he could know by now that he could trust her with whatever happened to be on his mind and from the start of the lesson, it definitely seemed like something was bothering him.

"You ... " She started to say, you okay, but when one asked those sorts of questions, it never seemed to give a honest response. "A sickle for your thoughts?"

Ary departed from CoMC after waving goodbye to Aunty Hady. He joined Emma so that they could together head off for the next lesson. As they took off, he couldn’t help but feel at ease with his friend’s presence. He was silent as well but knew that would only last for a short while. Indeed the Slytherin was correct as the Hufflepuff broke it with a statement.

“Only one sickle?” This was his attempt at a joke. “Now, if it would have been a sickle per thought, that would have been something.” Because Aryan had a ton of them chasing around in his head. “Wonder how that saying came by though. The ‘sickle for your thoughts’ I mean.”

The boy was quite babbling to avoid talking about the serious conversation which he knew Emma wanted to have.

[PhoenixRising]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Ary departed from CoMC after waving goodbye to Aunty Hady. He joined Emma so that they could together head off for the next lesson. As they took off, he couldn’t help but feel at ease with his friend’s presence. He was silent as well but knew that would only last for a short while. Indeed the Slytherin was correct as the Hufflepuff broke it with a statement.

“Only one sickle?” This was his attempt at a joke. “Now, if it would have been a sickle per thought, that would have been something.” Because Aryan had a ton of them chasing around in his head. “Wonder how that saying came by though. The ‘sickle for your thoughts’ I mean.”

The boy was quite babbling to avoid talking about the serious conversation which he knew Emma wanted to have.

She didn't expect him to open up immediately. Emma wasn't naive enough about slytherins to know they were often more introspective. She was however, optimistic enough, to believe that through kindness, just maybe she'd get a sliver. A sliver was all that was needed to wedge herself and show that she could be trusted.

Emma smiled and shook her head. "Okay, fine, I'll give you two," she grinned over at him. "It might actually have started with it being a knut, but personally I think a sickle sounds better and more generous. I'd say a galleon, but I'm not my parents." Aka, they'd had years to establish their wealth and while technically she wasn't poor, if it was considered her money only, she wasn't wealthy.

"You're diffusing though." She stopped walking to look over at her friend, seriously.

[FearlessLeader19]

SPOILER!!: Emma! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

She didn't expect him to open up immediately. Emma wasn't naive enough about slytherins to know they were often more introspective. She was however, optimistic enough, to believe that through kindness, just maybe she'd get a sliver. A sliver was all that was needed to wedge herself and show that she could be trusted.

Emma smiled and shook her head. "Okay, fine, I'll give you two," she grinned over at him. "It might actually have started with it being a knut, but personally I think a sickle sounds better and more generous. I'd say a galleon, but I'm not my parents." Aka, they'd had years to establish their wealth and while technically she wasn't poor, if it was considered her money only, she wasn't wealthy.

"You're diffusing though." She stopped walking to look over at her friend, seriously.

It was true: kindness could play a huge part in almost anything. Almost. When one’s resolve was extremely strong about not opening up, such kindness was not of much use. He did appreciate Emma for trying though. Not to mention her company was a huge comfort.

Listening to her, Aryan just had to chuckle. Especially at the part when she mentioned her parents. “I think all those galleons will be yours sometime though.’’ Maybe in the very distant future, just like the family Reserve was going to be his a long time from now. Or so he hoped since none of his three siblings seemed interested in inheriting it.

Ary tilted his head, holding his friend's gaze. “Are you saying I’m a ticking time bomb?”

[PhoenixRising]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

It was true: kindness could play a huge part in almost anything. Almost. When one’s resolve was extremely strong about not opening up, such kindness was not of much use. He did appreciate Emma for trying though. Not to mention her company was a huge comfort.

Listening to her, Aryan just had to chuckle. Especially at the part when she mentioned her parents. “I think all those galleons will be yours sometime though.’’ Maybe in the very distant future, just like the family Reserve was going to be his a long time from now. Or so he hoped since none of his three siblings seemed interested in inheriting it.

Ary tilted his head, holding his friend's gaze. “Are you saying I’m a ticking time bomb?”

Almost anything. Kindness would win, any day and she was going to argue that point until she dropped dead.

She glanced over at him and grinned. "Perhaps ... I mean I do have two siblings. And I suppose it's always possible the parents could decide to spend their fortune on themselves and not leave inheritance." She shrugged, although it was kind of depressing to think about that moment in the future. Inheritance was nice, but nothing could compare to the actual people in one's life. People > money any day in Emma's book at least. She'd rather have her family in her life for extra years and spend their moneys, then lose them to leave her galleons.

She nudged his shoulder playfully with her own, "It's quite obvious. I daresay any longer and you'll burst."

[FearlessLeader19]

SPOILER!!: Emma! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Almost anything. Kindness would win, any day and she was going to argue that point until she dropped dead.

She glanced over at him and grinned. "Perhaps ... I mean I do have two siblings. And I suppose it's always possible the parents could decide to spend their fortune on themselves and not leave inheritance." She shrugged, although it was kind of depressing to think about that moment in the future. Inheritance was nice, but nothing could compare to the actual people in one's life. People > money any day in Emma's book at least. She'd rather have her family in her life for extra years and spend their moneys, then lose them to leave her galleons.

She nudged his shoulder playfully with her own, "It's quite obvious. I daresay any longer and you'll burst."

No, no no! Ary didn’t want his friend to die. At least not for a hundred plus years!

Despite himself, Ary laughed. “I doubt your parents would leave you floundering. I mean, they must love you a lot.” He knew this wasn’t the case for everyone but being raised by loving parents himself, he hoped that his friends were fortunate to have the same. “Pretty sure they’ll divide things equally for you guys.” Unless none of the siblings wanted the inheritance… that chance might be slim but not not altogether impossible.

The Slytherin smiled warmly at his friend, silently appreciating her. “I guess so. But I promise I’ll be fine, Emma. I just need to figure some stuff out.”

[PhoenixRising]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

No, no no! Ary didn’t want his friend to die. At least not for a hundred plus years!

Despite himself, Ary laughed. “I doubt your parents would leave you floundering. I mean, they must love you a lot.” He knew this wasn’t the case for everyone but being raised by loving parents himself, he hoped that his friends were fortunate to have the same. “Pretty sure they’ll divide things equally for you guys.” Unless none of the siblings wanted the inheritance… that chance might be slim but not not altogether impossible.

The Slytherin smiled warmly at his friend, silently appreciating her. “I guess so. But I promise I’ll be fine, Emma. I just need to figure some stuff out.”

Well then she would likely argue about kindness winning for a hundred plus years. Also the idea of them being friends for such a length of time was heartwarming.

She giggled, "I meannnn I would say being the only girl, i get favoured quite a lottt," Actually probably more than her brothers. Really she just had to ask for something and she pretty much was guaranteed to get it without too much arguing. So if they were being honest, she would probably win out in the division of their assets. But also she didn't like thinking about that because that meant her parents dying and family/friends death made her reallllyyyy sad.

She reached her hand out towards his to give it a squeeze (if he'd let her) "I mean ... if you want an impartial opinion on the matter," she stopped walking a moment to give him a serious look, even though they were almost to the entrance doors. "I promise, name a place and time, I'll listen."

[FearlessLeader19]

SPOILER!!: Emma! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Well then she would likely argue about kindness winning for a hundred plus years. Also the idea of them being friends for such a length of time was heartwarming.

She giggled, "I meannnn I would say being the only girl, i get favoured quite a lottt," Actually probably more than her brothers. Really she just had to ask for something and she pretty much was guaranteed to get it without too much arguing. So if they were being honest, she would probably win out in the division of their assets. But also she didn't like thinking about that because that meant her parents dying and family/friends death made her reallllyyyy sad.

She reached her hand out towards his to give it a squeeze (if he'd let her) "I mean ... if you want an impartial opinion on the matter," she stopped walking a moment to give him a serious look, even though they were almost to the entrance doors. "I promise, name a place and time, I'll listen."

Ary wouldn’t argue on that topic of friendship. To think back now about how he feared he wouldn’t be able to make friends while at Hogwarts… well, he had been utterly ridiculous. It seemed he had inherited his dad’s trait of being able to accumulate all the friends.

That comment made him chuckle. “That’s definitely a perk, isn’t it?” There was a thoughtful head tilt. “Don’t your brothers get jealous?” It seemed like a fair question even if the brothers did not feel that way. It was like Ary asking for whatever he wanted and getting it because he was the baby of his own family; his three siblings never resented him for that.

Seeing the extended hand, the Slytherin took it and got a comforting squish. He turned to face her, nodding when he did with all the sincerity he had. “I promise I’ll let you know. But I’ll tell you this, you’ve already made me feel a lot better.’’ Just being reminded that someone cares helps, you know?

[PhoenixRising]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Ary wouldn’t argue on that topic of friendship. To think back now about how he feared he wouldn’t be able to make friends while at Hogwarts… well, he had been utterly ridiculous. It seemed he had inherited his dad’s trait of being able to accumulate all the friends.

That comment made him chuckle. “That’s definitely a perk, isn’t it?” There was a thoughtful head tilt. “Don’t your brothers get jealous?” It seemed like a fair question even if the brothers did not feel that way. It was like Ary asking for whatever he wanted and getting it because he was the baby of his own family; his three siblings never resented him for that.

Seeing the extended hand, the Slytherin took it and got a comforting squish. He turned to face her, nodding when he did with all the sincerity he had. “I promise I’ll let you know. But I’ll tell you this, you’ve already made me feel a lot better.’’ Just being reminded that someone cares helps, you know?

Funny how even when it wasn't one's primary house, you still seemed to inherit traits of others.

"They're older... like the middle brother graduated just before we started Hogwarts, so he's uh, 6 years older? And the oldest is older than," she nodded, "So pretty much a guarantee for me to get whatever and usually it's them encouraging it." She wasn't sure if it was always like that, but it's been this way for several years, which was long enough in Emma's book.

"Good," she grinned at him. "Wouldn't want you to suffer alone, sometimes speaking things aloud can help loads. I do that often.... sometimes it's just to myself and the paintings on the walls. Fortunately at Hogwarts the paintings are VERY good listeners." She said in all sincerity. It was probably not a good thing actually that some of the paintings knew so many of her secrets. Oops.

[FearlessLeader19]

SPOILER!!: Emma! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Funny how even when it wasn't one's primary house, you still seemed to inherit traits of others.

"They're older... like the middle brother graduated just before we started Hogwarts, so he's uh, 6 years older? And the oldest is older than," she nodded, "So pretty much a guarantee for me to get whatever and usually it's them encouraging it." She wasn't sure if it was always like that, but it's been this way for several years, which was long enough in Emma's book.

"Good," she grinned at him. "Wouldn't want you to suffer alone, sometimes speaking things aloud can help loads. I do that often.... sometimes it's just to myself and the paintings on the walls. Fortunately at Hogwarts the paintings are VERY good listeners." She said in all sincerity. It was probably not a good thing actually that some of the paintings knew so many of her secrets. Oops.

“That’s quite the age gap,’’ Ary observed. But that was all there was to it for there was no harm in having super older siblings. “As long as they’re not jealous or mad at you. I expect that would have made things miserable for you.” He himself would have hated it if that scenario had played out in his life. “Do you get to see them a lot when you’re at home?”

The Slytherin grinned. “Wait… so the portraits actually know how to keep secrets? Most of the time walking by them, I hear gossip. Do you really trust them?” Truthfully, Ary would rather talk to walls, even if the proverbial saying existed: walls have ears.

[PhoenixRising]

SPOILER!!: Ary <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

“That’s quite the age gap,’’ Ary observed. But that was all there was to it for there was no harm in having super older siblings. “As long as they’re not jealous or mad at you. I expect that would have made things miserable for you.” He himself would have hated it if that scenario had played out in his life. “Do you get to see them a lot when you’re at home?”

The Slytherin grinned. “Wait… so the portraits actually know how to keep secrets? Most of the time walking by them, I hear gossip. Do you really trust them?” Truthfully, Ary would rather talk to walls, even if the proverbial saying existed: walls have ears.

"The hardest was when they went away to school. I was soooo lonesome for them, because it was all i could do to think about the day I could finally join them at Hogwarts," Emma said solemnly. "I wasn't even really considering the fact that I'd never get to join them." She honestly had no idea if they were jealous of her. Maybe the oldest? "I used to see them a lot more when I was little... like when they came home for breaks. I remember counting down until winter and summer breaks. But lately they're just being adults I guess."

The blond frowned. That was actually true though when she considered it, since the portraits did gossip a lot, huh? "Gossip perhaps, but half the time I hear it and I don't know know who they're talking about. Guess that's thing about gossip though is sometimes it just sounds like gibberish and you really have to try to play detective." Kicking the dirt on the pathway, she glanced up to see they were almost at the castle doors. Which meant they'd probably be splitting off soon, unless scheduled dictated another shared lesson?

[FearlessLeader19]

SPOILER!!: Emma! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

"The hardest was when they went away to school. I was soooo lonesome for them, because it was all i could do to think about the day I could finally join them at Hogwarts," Emma said solemnly. "I wasn't even really considering the fact that I'd never get to join them." She honestly had no idea if they were jealous of her. Maybe the oldest? "I used to see them a lot more when I was little... like when they came home for breaks. I remember counting down until winter and summer breaks. But lately they're just being adults I guess."

The blond frowned. That was actually true though when she considered it, since the portraits did gossip a lot, huh? "Gossip perhaps, but half the time I hear it and I don't know know who they're talking about. Guess that's thing about gossip though is sometimes it just sounds like gibberish and you really have to try to play detective." Kicking the dirt on the pathway, she glanced up to see they were almost at the castle doors. Which meant they'd probably be splitting off soon, unless scheduled dictated another shared lesson?

From Emma’s words, a few things stuck out to him. One: he too had been looking forward to Hogwarts with his siblings but failed to realise that Raj would have already graduated {at least he still had the twins} and two: his friend was lonely. Okay, the latter might not be the case but in his mind, that’s what it sounded like. Without thinking, he reached out and put an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll be your pretend brother. That way you can say that you still have a sibling here.” Ary hoped that he could at least provide a bit of comfort to his friend!

The Slytherin nodded slowly. “I think I get it… sometimes I think the occupants are going mad… or have gone mad because sometimes their chatter doesn’t make any sense.” But now, he could see that there was sense among that gibberish. “Okay, I guess your secrets are safe with them.” Grinning, he eyed Emma before doing the same to the Castle’s doors. “Got to head to my dorm to grab some books. See you later? Also, thanks… you helped me to feel better.” Grateful for you, Emma! <3