sights to give you shivers // open

[meera hausser']

Meera tucked her legs beneath her as she settled comfortably in the arm chair, eyes all the while watching her over sized cup of cocoa which rested in the table in front of her. The weather was slowly beginning to chill, something she wasn't sure she was ready for. She was clad in a fitting white tank top paired with some plaid flannel pajama bottoms. The cossu common room was empty this time of morning, the only sound was the flickering of the fire and even that seemed quiet. She didn't like the quiet, it was something Meera had never been a fan of. It was something she had been treated with ever since she was a child, with the exception of her mothers violent fits, silence was something she was used to. These days Meera strived off attention, she took it from any available being. Socializing kept her sane and away from the dreadful memories from the past which chose to insistently haunt her.

Sighing, she pushed the length of her red hair back behind her shoulder, reaching forward to pick up her mug of cocoa.With the warm mug in one hand she wrapped her blanket tight around her shoulders, her gaze lingering on the embers in the fire place. As of late, sleeping had been something which had not come easy for her. The past few months still weighing heavy on her mind.The clock chimed in beat to the new hour and she smiled hesitantly, deciding perhaps a walk would do her some good. Balancing her mug carefully she stepped out of the cushioned armchair, sliding her feet into her green slippers which she had left resting near the foot of the chair. It had been a long time since she had ventured up to the clocktower and the slight chiming in the common room made her realize how much she missed it. Of all the places in Beauxbatons, it was her favorite. From the tower she could see all of the grounds and become caught up in the gentile tick tock of it's moving hands.

Her feet were light on the hard floor, making her trip silent as she ventured through the maze of hallways. As a chill grew on her she wrapped the blanket tighter about herself and curled her fingers wistfully about her mug, sipping at it carefully. When at last she reached the clocktower, she stopped at the entrance smiling as she was met with the familiar sounds of the clock. Some day she would practice her music up here, it was oddly calming. She hiked up the blanket as it's edges skimmed across the floor, as she directed herself to the window, where she hoped to linger on it's edge and watch the grounds as morning slowly overtook them. As she neared though, Meera realized she was not here alone.

[Amanda James]

Amanda woke up early that morning and decided to explore some more of beauxbatons. She took out her map of the school. She had been everywhere except for the other house common rooms and the clocktower. Her roommate Lily was sleeping, so she put on a tee shirt, a pair of jeans, and a red sweater. She brushed her brown curls and left the common room.

It was pretty cold outside. Amy was very grateful that she had worn her coat. It was one of thee warmest ones she had. She looked a the map. She needed to go west and then up the closest stairs. She went an that direction and saw the stairs. There had to be at least three hundred yards of stairs! She took a bite out of her breakfast sandwich, and started the climb.

She was panting heavily by the time she got there. But the view was worth it. She was sure she could see her house from where she was! She could see the shops of Rue de Paradis, and she could easily see the other side of the enchanted forest. She was gazing in awe at the amazing, peaceful view when she heard footsteps.

"Who is it?" she asked.

Attachments:

[meera hausser']

Meera curled her blanket tight around her shoulders as her other hand worked to balance her mug of hot chocolate as she found wound her way up the staircase. She could feel the walls reverberating around her in response to the constant tick of the tock with each passing second. The sound couldn’t be heard down on the grounds below, this could only be heard within the tower itself. While others might find the constant tick to be eerie and distasteful, she’d always found solace in the noise. It was part of the reason that the clock tower was one of her favorite places. The constant ticking comforted her for the sole fact that it was like playing music, back when she had first learned to keep time, her foot tapping in a steady motion. The clock tower did not only show time, but kept it. Whether she was playing music or not, Meera had always loved it up here, because even in total solitude she did not feel alone.

A slight breeze crept through the stairwell, whipping her copper locks around her face. Meera shook her head, fighting to keep the strands of her hair at bay, as she did not have much in the way of free hands at this particular time. She was relieved when her hair again settled onto her shoulders and her foot found its way onto level ground as she finally stepped into the clock tower itself. Even in the dark she couldn’t help but to admire the beauty, it the window she could see pool of silver light flecked in the dark night sky. But there was something there, a silhouette, causing the stars to fade into darkness. She’d barely opened her mouth to speak, when a young female’s voice broke into the midnight air. Who is it?

The voice was unfamiliar, but that was not umcommon as Meera was still fairly new to the palace, but from what she could gauge the girl was young. While a part of her should’ve felt guilty for interrupting the girl’s reveries, Meera instead was delighted by the fact that she now had some company. She’d left the dorms because the silence had been suffocating. My name is Meera. She said softly as she approached, taking a sip from the mug held delicately in her hands. She had assumed that she might find the girl to be at least vaguely familiar, but was surprised to realize she didn’t recognize her at all. I just came up here to get away from the dorms for a while. They really are quite depressing when they’re empty. What about you, what is your name? She queried offering the girl a polite smile.

[Amanda James]

Amy heard the girl introduce herself. "Hello, my name is Amy. I'm new here and I came up here to do some exploring" she said as she tucked her curly brown hair in her shirt. "I'm new here and a Cossu" she added.

This girl called Meera seemed to be nice. Perhaps she was in Amanda's house. Amanda hoped so. She had a few friends but was always looking to make more. "How do you like Beauxbatons?" she questioned. "I have really enjoyed it in the few weeks I've been here.

Amanda remembered her first day when she first saw the amazing building and got sorted. She remembered happily the time she mer her friends Claire, and Lily.

[meera hausser']

Nice to meet you Amy. Meera spoke, a smile curling on her gentle lips. Blancing the cup carefully on her hands, she seated herself on the windowsill, drawing her knees close so she could wrap the blanket around them. With the passing hours darkness had fallen over the castle grounds, the only illumination coming from the stars, bright like diamonds in the deep night sky. She rested her head back against the wall, before she returned her soft blue eyes to the girl who now shared her company. In all honesty she was surprised to have run into somebody at this late hour, but she wasn’t displeased. She had left the common room for the sole reason that it was empty of any other soul. This was the one place where even alone she did not feel shrouded in solitude.

You certainly came to the right place. She nodded, tucking a strand of her red hair back behind her ear as she spoke. This is one of my favorite places here at the palace. It’s soothing and so beautiful. She said, again turning her head towards the ground. While most the scenery was shrouded in shadows she could easily make out the lake, rippling softly in the reflection of the waning moon, acting as a guide for late night wanderers. She’d made late night treks in it’s wake many of time and she was sure they were not soon to be her last. I’M also a Cossu. Meera said, sitting up a little, excited to have found a similarity in her companion. I love it there. I play guitar and write music? Are you creative too? She asked, it was common for the people within Cossu to have creative talents and she was interested.

I really love it here. She stated eagerly with a quick nod of her head. I was born to a muggle family, so everything here seems positively magical. She laughed slightly at her comment, realizing how silly that must sound considering they were at a school for precisely such a thing, magic. It was true though, she was in complete awe of this place. Her classes being so unlike anything she had ever considered in the muggle world. It was as though she had a world in which she could call her own, separate of her desolate life back home.

[Amanda James]

Amanda smiled when Meera told how magical beauxbatons was for a muggledorn like herself. "It's magical even for me! I'm a pureblood and one sixteenth veela" she told Meera. " I have a squib fruend. Her parents wanted knew since she was two. My sent me to a muggle school just in case. I never really dit in being magic and all. No one knew of course. People thought I was a monster when I would float in mid air" she added as she rised into the air. "It's a veela trick".

"I guess I'm creative. I like art, acting, dancing, singing, story writing, and stuff like that. At muggle school I was also considered odd due to my iq. It's 151." she added as she floated down back onto the stone of the tower floor. Amy liked Meera. She seemed to be nice.

Amy reached into her bag and got out two chocolate frogs. She handed one to Meera.

[meera hausser']

Meera settled herself comfortably on the windowsill, blanket curled tightly around her shoulders and mug firmly in her hands as she listened to the girl speak. The girl, who had introduced herself as Amy, was a deal younger than Meera. She would guess by looking her that she was likely a first year, eleven or maybe twelve. The girl had a polite nature, as could be seen through the warm smile of her soft features framed by her waves of brown hair. Considering the girl was a pureblood, Meera wouldn’t have been surprised has she laughed at her comment about the palace being magical. Instead she agreed, stating that it was magical even for one such as herself. Veela She said questioningly, leaning forward from her place in the window, eyes lit with intrigue. that’s amazing. I’ve never met a veela before. Is anyone in your family full veela? She asked, curious as to the girls interaction with them, it was just another thing in this world she had not been privy too.

Meera sat down her mug as the girl started to float in mid air. A small smile graced her lips. For being so young the girl seemed talented enough. Floating in midair was not something easily done. Meera nodded when the girl mentioned that it was a veela trick – something she had surely learned from her mother. All of my family are muggles. She stated simply as she looked out the window, admiring the stars in the night sky. I’m the first witch in the family… so this is a bit new for all of us. It has taken some adjustment. Particularly for my family, but I’ve loved it. She stated and it was true. She had loved her time here more than she had ever at home. That’s lovely. I’m not much for art or dancing, but I play the guitar and write and sing my own music.

Awe, thank Amy meera said, smiling as the girl pulled a chocolate frog from her bag. you know this is the first time I’ve ever had one of these. She said curiously inspecting the box, before she started to open it. A small gasp escaped her lips as the frog escaped, a croak seeping into the night air as it hopped from the box to her shoulder. Quickly grabbing it she looked at it almost with pity. it almost makes you sad to eat it. she said as it squirmed in her hands, licking the chocolate from her empty fingers.