[Lake] How to live your life

[Vanessa Malfoy]

Vanessa sat along side the lake, a black blanket sprawled out beneath her. She wouldn't dare sit on the ground for fear of getting dirt smudged on her precious skirt. It wasn't the school uniform, seeing as it was a weekend, but Nessa was never one to wear pants. It went with the way she was raised, and the more she began to think about it, she had never truly lived her own life. With a strict diet and parents that 'only wanted the best for her', she couldn't help but feel trapped. Sure, she had plently of friends and a growing social life, but there was something missing.

Perhaps she was tired of being the viscious snob that everyone made her out to be, but there was only so much that could be done about it. Vanessa was mean alright, but not so bad as to break any of the more important school rules. Her eyes were dull as she slid her nailpolish brush across another one of her fingernails. Down it went into the bottle of clear polish, and then the top was tightly fastened.

She ran her fingers down her white button up blouse, fixing the top two buttons. Her parents would think her messy and unkept if they were to see otherwise.

[Blake Adams]

Another unusual November day had befallen upon those in Hogwarts, it was pleasantly warm, and so Blake was wearing an airy red shirt rather than his full Gryffindor robes. Though, Still of course supporting his house. And seen as it was the weekend there were no restrictions of what to wear to fit with the school uniform standards, and he must say it suited him just fine.

Blake had been sat in the library seeking a little bit of silence from the usual gaggle of followers. As he sat there making noted from a Dragonology textbook, sunlight crept through the high windows tauntingly. Not being able to resist the temptation he packed the pieces of parchment, quills and his newly opened bottle of ink into his bag, and headed off toward the lake.

Where else could be better on such a day, there were people sat under trees, a gaggle of girls sat by the waters edge. As well as a scared bunch of first years unsure whether it was safe to venture close to the waters edge, just incase the Giant squid gained a taste for them.
Blake then noticed a singular beauty sat beneath a tree, lain upon a ink black blanket. However Blake noticed she was rather solemn looking. ‘I shall have to change that!’ he thought to himself and running his hands through his hair, he strolled over to where she lay.
As he drew closer he noticed that she was painting her nails, perhaps he should not disturb her after all. However he was too close to turn back now, she would surely notice his presence anyway.

Blake drew himself up to a full height and allowing a smile to grace his lips, he ran his fingers through his hair again ruffling it up as he did so. “Hey there, I hope I am not disturbing you? Noticed you sat by yourself, and thought I should enquire as to whether you sought any company or not.”

[Vanessa Malfoy]

Vanessa pulled her black messenger bag towards herself, tossing the nailpolish bottle inside. Her school assignments were scattered throughout, not as neat and organized as they usually were. She silently contemplated doing them or not, even though her decision had already been made for her. She had never missed a school assignment prior to this, and if she were to get behind in her work her parents would have a fit. She pulled the mess of papers out just as a shadow began towering over her.

She averted her gaze up towards a young man. Rather handsome in her opinion, with a heep of self confidence. Nessa had never seen him around before, and so, she hadn't guessed his house. "You can join me if you'd like," she said with a small, calm smile. "I can't tell you how much fun it's going to be though," she added, crawling aside to make room for him.

Once she lifted her mess of papers, all having fallen from her folders, she looked back up at him. "Vanessa, by the way."

[Blake Adams]

Blake observed the young woman as she crawled to the other side of the blanket, strewing the papers all over the place as she did so. One of which blew in his direction, and landed at his feet. Bending down he picked up the piece of parchment. Noting it had a list of ingredients on it. “Potions eh? Nice.” He chuckled and passed the page back to her.

“Only if it is quite ok, are you sure your work is not more important?” Blake enquired with a small smile. He was always one to make new acquaintances, but not if it was the expense of there studies. “And I am sure, that you shall be most pleasant company. How much more fun can you get.” He added with a laugh.
Blake made to sit down, however she then introduced herself. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance Vanessa.” He uttered as he greeted her with a bow. Standing tall once more he smiled and declared “I am Blake, Blake Adams.”

Blake then sat down next to her, plonking his bag down as he did so. There was a slight smashing sound resounded from its interior, wincing slightly he remarked with a guilty voice. “Ooops! There goes another new inkbottle.” And with this he withdrew his wand and with a slight flick of the wrist, one could only assume it had repaired itself.
Blake looked out onto the lake, with small smile, the still waters sparkled in the unusual bright November sunlight. It was a pleasant day, it must be said. Turning to look at Vanessa he stated simply. “So how come one such as yourself is out alone on a lovely day such as this one?”

[Vanessa Malfoy]

Vanessa began to gather the rest of the run away papers, pushing them all into a neat stack. "I'm not usually this unorganized, honest," she said softly, biting down into her lower lip. Only if it is quite ok, are you sure your work is not more important? "Important? Not really, well, not to me atleast. I can get it done later." Nessa pushed the papers messily into her bag, replaying his name over and over again in her head. Blake Adams, Blake Adams.. It wasn't ringing any bells, but she would have never suspected him of being a Gryffindor. So, letting it slide, she let her legs rest to her left side, folded on top of one another.

Just as Blake sat down on the ground she heard something break inside of his bag, wincing towards the sound. "This happens often, I take it?," she gave a small laugh. So how come one such as yourself is out alone on a lovely day such as this one? "I don't know what that such as myself bit was suppose to mean, but either way.. No one's striked my interest lately. Besides that, my best friend is gone for the weekend, and God knows where my sister is. I spend most of my time alone."

[Blake Adams]

Blake laughed at what would appear to be embarrassment at her own un-organisation; he could not deny it was somewhat amusing. “Really? Well to be honest..” Blake whispered as if it were a secret, “I am not organised in the slightest, except for my bag, for some reason. Makes it slightly easier I spose.” He then chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair once more. Due to the winds recently, it had been a little difficult to maintain, his usual calm and collected appearance. It was generally a more windswept look he had been sporting. Though he must admit it gave his hair a refreshing look indeed.

Rubbing the back of his neck in slight embarrassment, as she had apparently heard the cracking glass bottle. “Erm, yes indeed. I do have a tendency to break inkbottles, however it can only help in improving my basic spells. Less likely to forget them at least!” Blake chuckled and then continued, “It has also helped me greatly in being able to remove ink stains from almost everything!”
Listening intently to her story as to why Vanessa was on her own, he smiled almost sympathetically. “That can’t be much fun being alone alot of the time. Think of all the varying humours you miss out on!” he chuckled, trying to make light of the topic. “No one of interest, should I take offence?” Blake enquired cheekily, with a mock shocked expression spread upon his features. “Especially at a place such as Hogwarts, I never thought I would see the day. Mind you there has been an Emo influx recently.”

[Vanessa Malfoy]

That can’t be much fun being alone alot of the time. Think of all the varying humours you miss out on! The very thought hit her like a speeding train, and Blake had no idea how much it had applied to her. She lowered her head in what seemed to be shame, biting once more into her lower lip. "It's not really..because there's no one of interest, to be honest. My parents keep me on a really strict schedule. I can't miss one assignment, I'm not aloud to wear jeans, or have sweets for that matter." Vanessa took a deep breath, finally looking up at him. "Did I mention I'm getting married soon?" As if to hide what she just said, she began to thrift through the pages of a textbook at an alarming speed.

Now, to change the subject. Her eyes averted to the cloudless sky up above, tapping her foot in a nervous manner. "Nice weather we're having though.. Don't you agree?"

[Blake Adams]

Blake looked on half intrigued and half concerned as Vanessa spurned off a large amount of things, which she was restricted from doing. And then as if to make him feel even worse, she looked rather embarrassed by both the fact that she had just informed him off this, and that she could not do anything of these things in the first place.

“Woah getting married?” He repeated a little surprised, “Erm. Congratulations!” Blake declared, allowing a large grin to spread across his face, after recovering quickly from the shock. Though as he looked at Vanessa, she seemed slightly uncertain or embarrassed by the whole idea. He watched as she began to flick hurriedly through an open text.
Vanessa had almost as suddenly directed a question at him, slightly surprised by the drastic change in topic. Though he did not wish to drop the topic, he thought it seemed as if Vanessa needed to talk to someone, if only to straighten things in her own mind. “Yesh indeed!” Blake began perhaps slightly too upbeat than it should have been, he coughed slightly and continued. “Most peculiar for this time of year isn’t it...”

A slight awkward silence had soon slipped over them, in which Blake began to tap his fingers upon his legs, thinking of how to phrase his next question. And hoping against hope that she would not take it the wrong way.
“So, if you’re getting married soon...then how come you’re on your own rather than with your fiancé?” Blake decided not to pause and allow her to reply straight away. Instead he continued, to show that he was willing to listen to her problems. He may occasionally be classed as an arrogant airhead, but there were many sides to Mr Blake Adams.
“Ah, I can relate to the whole can’t miss or faff up any work part. Being pure blood, parents are always slightly tougher on us, as they feel we should do so well seen as we were born into the wizarding world to begin with. But the others..” Blake paused once again, scrunching up one eye slightly and placing his words carefully, “Surely the others, are kind of... Ridiculous?”

((erm i hope that wans't too bad :S))

[Vanessa Malfoy]

She continued to flip through the rather large book, which was filled with tiny text, and would be impossible to read in such a short period of time. Vanessa quite obviously wasn't reading the book at all, but flipping through it to calm her nerves. Congratulations! The word went off repetitively in her head, over and over again.. It would soon began to haunt her. The very idea that someone could be happy for her marriage, which was actually more of a business proposition. She felt somewhat relieved as he went on to her new topic regarding the weather, but knew his thoughts weren't at ease just yet. A seventeen year old girl to be engaged.. Normal in a traditional pure blood family, although it didn't quite stick with society. The idea of young love didn't mesh well with the arrangements being made, and just thinking about it was making her stomach churn.

He had gone back to the first topic before she knew it, and she could feel her hands lightly beginning to shake. She was scared alright, scared to tell him the embarrassing marriage process. "My fiancé?," she gulped, then grinding her teeth back down into her lip. It took her a minute to utter the answer, but out it came in a little over a whisper. "I haven't really...met him, to be completely honest." Vanessa's cheeks became flushed, wanting to smack herself right than and there. But there was nothing she could do now, it was too late, the arrangements had been made. Besides, her parents wouldn't care for her opinion on the matter at hand. Surely the others, are kind of... Ridiculous? "My parents are ridiculous," she whispered beneath her breath.

[Blake Adams]

((Haha YAY! At least someone does *))

Blake observed Vanessa as she suddenly went slightly quiet, pale and shaky. Due to this he looked toward the lake again, hoping to make her feel slightly more comfortable if she realised that he was not watching her. He only looked back at her when she began to speak once more. She gulped and went silent once again when she uttered the word fiancé.
Blake began to regret asking her, he felt as if he was now prying too much. If he had realised it was going to cause her so much unease, he would not have asked.
Blake was slightly taken aback by her final response. “An arranged marriage?” He enquired, and noticing her embarrassment, he continues as if it were of no consequence, and it were a day-to-day conversation. “How unusual for this era. Though fair enough.”

Moving the conversation to move on, he did not wish to cause her any more distress, he replied in the same tone as before. As he was not judging her and trying to make her feel at ease once more. “Most parents are. Control whom you’re with, what you do and where you play as kids. And yet, we don’t turn out to be control freaks.” Blake grinned, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere again.