Fourth Floor: Balcony

[Wilber Winterbottom]

The balcony located on the fourth floor is one of the few balconies in the castle. In an opening along the corridor, on the opposite side of the castle from the library, is where you can find this particular balcony. If you ever need a break from doing that lengthy Arithmancy homework or need a place to relax with a friend, this balcony is a great place to get a few minutes of fresh air before getting back to work again.

You will notice that you are approaching the balcony when you can feel a slight change in temperature. During the autumn and spring seasons, the breezes that come through this opening are inviting. The winter months, however, bring forth a chill, even with the nearby torches being lit. No matter the temperature, the fourth-floor balcony always provides some of the most breathtaking sights of the grounds below and mountains beyond as well as a clear view of the Whomping Willow in all of her glory. Keep note that it does get a little wet here when it rains, so make sure you conjure an umbrella.

[Watson]

She had left the library and found this little piece of paradise. It was quiet away from the hustle and bustle of students running between classes, the library, and more. Addyson pulled out her latest novel that she was enjoying. This one was rare- it was a romance one. She had accidentally picked up her sisters so she had been “forced” to read it. It was unbearable- no, she loved it.

Taking a seat, she opened her novel up and began to read, becoming absorbed in the romance again.

Oh the comforts of reading.

She looked up, scrunching her nose before sighing LOUDLY. She could do with a smarter protagonist perhaps. “Really?” she whispered out loud.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Bria had just emerged victorious from what could only be described as a thrilling rescue mission deep in the maze of bookshelves in the Hogwarts library. The little mouse, small and trembling in her hand, had been in grave peril, cornered by a sneaky Kneazle who had evidently and relentlessly decided that a small rodent snack was in order for the afternoon. Bria had leapt into action, her heart racing as she darted between shelves of ancient books and the creeping vines of someone's Herbology project left on one of the study tables, and blocked the Kneazle’s clawed paw with a quick flip of her wand. She hadn't fared all that well in official Defense Against the Dark Arts practice, but she'd always been confident that Protego would work for her in a pinch. Now, she had all the validation she needed to know that was true.

The struggle had been chaotic and Bria had a scratch or two across the back of her hand she ought to see the healer about later, but after what felt like an eternity of heart-stopping dodges, missed wand flicks, and close calls, she finally had it - very much alive, though incredibly shaky. Now, with the mouse tucked gently into a small wooden box lined with bits of old parchment and the remainder of her fluxweed supply, Bria was on a mission to make sure it was properly cared for. The poor thing needed sunlight and warmth, and what better place than the cozy balcony on the fourth floor where the golden afternoon light spilled through the arches of the stone railing in just the right way?

Bria’s focus was entirely on her tiny patient and she stepped out into the sunlight, so she did not notice that the space was already occupied by someone reading. Instead, she carefully set the box down on the floor of the balcony and she rummaged through her bag for the little vial of kitten milk replacer she had borrowed from the supply cupboards back home for instances just like this one. She then procured the eye dropper from her potions kit and was likely to forget to return to the kit before the next lesson. As she squeezed eye dropped full with the creamy formula, Bria spoke softly to the mouse, trying to calm it as it scampered about the box in a panic while trying to disappear into the corners. “Don’t worry, little one,” she murmured, leaning close so the mouse could feel her comforting presence. “You’re gonna be -"

Mum had always said she needed to be more aware of her surroundings, and once again, mum was right. Startled to the point of nearly jumping out of her skin, though somehow managing to keep the box steady, Bria gasped and whipped her head around at the sudden outcry nearby. "Oh... I'm sorry... do you not like mice?"

[Watson]

Mum had always said she needed to be more aware of her surroundings, and once again, mum was right. Startled to the point of nearly jumping out of her skin, though somehow managing to keep the box steady, Bria gasped and whipped her head around at the sudden outcry nearby. "Oh... I'm sorry... do you not like mice?"

Addyson was not a fan of this novel. She had heard a few older girls over the summer rave about this novel at the local bookstore; however, her exclamation had been geared towards the heroine's questionable decision on which friend to bring along. It was obviously a trap! Her eyebrows raised when she heard a voice that was not in her head or on the text in front of her. She glanced over to see a girl (perhaps around her age) who was looking at her. Oh!

"No, not you or your mouse... you have mice?" she explained. "I was really invested in the storyline of this novel and the heroine just made a choice that's going to end badly... it's also sort of.. predictable in a sense..." She paused and there it dawned upon her. Maybe she was more upset by the decision that the character had made as she had been heavily invested in the novel.. Therefore, it probably wasn't as bad as what she was making it out to be. After all, she had been so focused on it that she hadn't heard the other student join her.

Oh yes. The other student had asked a question about whether she liked mice. "I don't like or dislike mice... I don't think I've ever seen one in person before. My cat's doing perhaps.. but he's off with one of my siblings," she shrugged, closing her book as she was far more intrigued on why the other girl had a mouse. Hopefully Castamere wouldn't try to randomly chase it... "I'm Addyson. Is your pet mouse okay? Hopefully I wasn't too loud and scared it.."

[sweetpinkpixie]

Bria's shoulders and entire posture relaxed at the other girl's explanation, her heart softening as she listened to the other girl’s frustration over the novel. In spite of not being much of a reader, she couldn't help but smile sympathetically, though her focus quickly shifted back to her tiny mouse, which was nestled securely in the box.

"OOoooh," the blonde nodded, relief washing over her a bit that the exclamation was about a book and not her newest companion. "Well, no. Not technically," Bria laughed softly, gently adjusting the box to keep the little creature calm while also slightly tilt it towards the other girl since there was no musophobia occupying the balcony presently. "I was just trying to get it settled after a bit of a... well, an incident. A kneazle thought it wanted to make a snack out of this little fellow, but I wasn't about to let that happen when there was plenty of fine kibble available for it to eat." Her voice was light, her usual spark returning as she relaxed a little in the new conversation.

She tilted her head thoughtfully at the other girl's mention of her cat before looking back down at the mouse still shaking slightly in the corner of the box. The Gryffindor’s smile faltered slightly and her brow furrowed, as if she were carefully weighing the complexities of the world in her mind. "Well," she began slowly, her voice taking on a softer, more contemplative tone. "...cats are just doing what they’re meant to do, right? It’s in their nature to chase mice... I mean, it’s part of the food chain, and it keeps everything balanced. Mice, cats, birds… all the creatures play their part. I know it sounds a bit... harsh, maybe, but that’s just how the world works sometimes. The natural order." She paused, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the box as she thought through her words. "I’ve always tried to remember that," she added, her voice still gentle, reflective. "...but sometimes it’s hard, especially when you’re holding a tiny creature in your hands like this one, and you know there’s someone or something out there who might want to...well...you know..." She sighed, though it wasn’t a sad sigh but more of a thoughtful one. "But, you know, it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying to protect them. It’s just... important to understand that not everything can be protected from everything else, no matter how much you want to. I suppose that’s the tricky part of being someone who wants to help. There’s always a balance to be struck."

She glanced back down at her mouse, making sure it was comfortable again, then gave Addyson another beaming smile. "Don’t worry, you didn’t scare him. He’s tough and slowly but surely seemed to be calming down. I reckon I'll be able to release him tomorrow since I want to keep him overnight for observation, just in case," she explained with a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Addyson...and Addyson's book. I'm Bria and this is...well...I haven't named him yet but mum and dad recommend I don't name everything because I tend to get too attached and I'm not allowed to keep Scamander's suitcase in my dormroom."