22nd December, 1888 — Slytherin Common Room
Holly Scrimgeour

The evening’s event promised to be excruciating at best and Connie had been dreading it since the Headmaster had told them through gritted teeth what the governors were demanding of them now. It was, perhaps, the only time she could ever recall sharing any opinion with Phineas Black, the very thought of which was unnerving in itself.

Still, she had to show willing and had several hours yet. She really ought to have the house elves draw her a bath and actually spent some time on her appearance – this being one of the few occasions she ever had to show off that she wasn’t entirely hideous thank you very much! – but she dawdled about it from lunchtime till early evening and found herself in the common room, almost entirely alone but for a few sixth years quietly doing homework in the corner, only at Hogwarts because they could earn a little towards their education by serving drinks.

Connie thought it was utterly reprehensible. She had also already told them to always make sure she had a drink in her hand.

A cry from the girls’ dormitory drew her attention, faint though it was. Most of them were back home she knew, in fact very few students had stayed this year other than those for whom it was worth their while and…

Connie trotted up the staircase quickly, throwing open the door to the second year dormitory.

“Miss Scrimgeour?” She said carefully, not quite sure what she was going to find. “Holly?”

  

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MJ made me beautiful

Holly had rather on a whim decided to stay at Hogwarts that year, having told her father and sister — the latter who she doubted wasn't so eager to have her home for the holidays — that her energy might best be spent on schoolwork over the holidays. Her father, ever so willing to grant his daughter's wishes, had accepted the explanation, but at least Camille knew that there was no homework given during Christmas break. She'd shrugged off any questions, refusing to pack her trunk, and instead waved goodbye to her dorm-mates as they left for the carriages.

Why go back to London, anyways? There was nothing there for her, except maybe presents and a family dinner, but those weren't important to Holly. Not now, at least. The days that passed proved just what she needed; there was no idle chitchat, no squealing in the common room, and only a few handful of students at breakfast every morning. She could read, read, read—and no one, not a single student or a single professor, bothered her.

Except Miss Sykes, apparently, but she'd hardly consider it a bother. She was greeted with her name — her given name, not the "Miss Scrimgeour" that society deemed appropriate — and in return greeted the matron with a smile that few ever received.

"Please come in, Madam Sykes," she said, sitting up in bed and patting the comforter beside her. "I didn't know you were still here. I thought you'd gone home — to be with your family, I mean."

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— set by MJ <3 —

Broaching the subject of her family, and their polite apathy towards the existence of both her and the magic she wielded, was not something Connie liked to do even with herself. She certainly had no intention of getting into it with her young charge so, as she always did whenever somebody asked after her family, she smiled blandly and demurred.

“Oh they’re visiting relatives abroad this year,” she lied easily, waving a hand dismissively as she perched carefully on the edge of the bed. Her eyes quickly scanned the plethora of books piled around the girl’s bed, some of them titles she had suggested herself and others far more advanced than most second years would even attempt to read. Some of them probably hadn’t been troubled by the librarian’s stamp since Evangeline Orpington had been Minister of Magic.

“This is quite the impressive haul, I’m surprised Mrs ____ let you take out so many at once.” Amongst the pile Connie spotted Professor Cramming’s book and smiled softly. Apparently Holly wasn’t entirely opposed to listening to her advice. “I’m not going to let you sit up here for the whole holiday I hope you realise? You need food and fresh air at least twice a day,” she said decisively, glancing over to the brazier to make sure it was still burning and the house elves hadn’t forgotten Miss Scrimgeour in the hubbub of everybody else leaving.

  

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MJ made me beautiful

Noting how Madam Sykes was quick to dismiss her family without further explanation, Holly decided that it probably wasn't the best topic for either of them discuss. Besides, Holly certainly had no interest in spending the holidays with the Scrimgeours; if she had, she wouldn't be here, in her dormitory, in isolation.

Except she wasn't in total isolation now that Madam Sykes was here. She was content in her loneliness, with stacks of carefully handpicked books to keep her preoccupied, but there was something comforting about having the matron sitting beside her. "I think Mrs. ____ grew tired of watching me make my selection," she answered honestly. It was much easier to pick out books during the term when she was focusing on specific lessons and upcoming assignments. Much easier than it was during a break, at least.

"But I do leave the common room every now and then. Sometimes one book leads me to another book, so I go back to the library," she said, motioning to the small stack of books on the bed that related to international magical practices. "I do leave to eat, too. Mostly at morning time."

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— set by MJ <3 —

It was possible that Mrs. ___ was the most disagreeable woman Connie had ever had the misfortune to know and that included the fallen women she had once known who had not taken kindly to her educational suggestions for their betterment and her great aunt Millicent who somehow seemed to know every secret Connie possessed and delighted in holding them over her head. If the librarian interfered in Holly’s choosing of reading material again then she would be having words with the Headmaster – he didn’t like her much but he cared for the librarian even less as a muggleborn Slytherin just trumped a Gryffindor of the same lineage.

“How about if I come and collect you for dinner in the evenings?” She offered hesitantly, as much to give herself something to mark out her days as to ensure her charge was properly nourished. Wondering the corridors was rather lonesome at this time of year, when even the familiars had abandoned their usual prowling routes and she would be glad of the company. “And if the weather remains fine we could go for a walk. You can tell me what you’ve learnt and I won’t worry about you needing glasses before twelfth night.”

  

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MJ made me beautiful

Holly pondered the idea, not too keen on making plans that she'd have to follow through with but also acknowledging that she hated being lonely even if she didn't want to show it. There were good kinds of company and bad kinds; while many Slytherins—not to mention the lot of second years she shared classes with—were the bad sort of company, Madam Sykes was not.

"I don't suppose I can get class credit for verbal essays to the house matron," she finally responded, a solemn tone to her voice. "I would like that, though. No one ever seems to care about what I've learned." Her professors only seemed to care if she'd learned the assigned materials, while she just didn't care to speak to other professors.

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— set by MJ <3 —

If that were true - and Connie had a terrible feeling that it probably was - then in a better world she might have felt able to have a quiet discussion with some of Holly’s teachers to make sure they weren’t ignoring the girl simply because they saw no great point in educating her. Of course if it were a better world then she wouldn’t have to.

“Well that simply isn’t true,” Connie replied solemnly. “I care a great deal.”

She had meant she cared for Holly’s education, which she most emphatically did as she did for all the girls that came into her charge, but as the words left her lips Connie realised the truth of them. She did care about Holly Scrimgeour. Perhaps it was because the girl reminded her of herself, albeit with quite a bit more money and purity of blood to her name? Or perhaps it was because Holly needed someone in her corner? Perhaps it was long-dormant maternal instincts?

Or maybe Holly had simply wormed her way into her heart without Connie even noticing?

  

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MJ made me beautiful

Holly's face almost rested in its natural, seemingly perpetual scowl. It was an expression she'd grown fond of as her time as Hogwarts progressed, as very few sensible people would approach the girl who looked as if she would nip at any stranger. She'd convinced herself that there were few worthy of her company, and even fewer whose company she enjoyed. But when Madam Sykes admitted that she cared about her education, something that not even her own father had admitted, Holly could not help but smile ever-so-slightly.

"I'm glad," she said, her voice just above a whisper. A warmth began to climb up her neck, and it was accompanied by a feeling she could only identify as shame. Holly wasn't the sort of girl to care. She had spent nearly the past five years convincing herself not to care. And to have someone not only care for her, but openly verbalize it — it made her feel a bit silly.

After a moment's pause, Holly composed herself, the pink in her cheeks beginning to face, and glanced up at the matron.

"Did you do very well at Hogwarts, Madam Sykes?" she asked. It dawned upon her that she knew very little of the matron's past before she began her position. Had she been married? Widowed? Or was she a spinster, as Holly had always assumed. Did she take up the post out of necessity or desire?

Holly didn't know, and, to her surprise, wanted to know.

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— set by MJ <3 —

Connie had long-since grown accustomed to inquisitive children. They came with the territory of governess positions and being the matron of a house that valued knowledge almost as much as a Ravenclaw might, but it was unusual for any of them to ask her something personal.

Oh, she had had her fair share of insolent youths who had tried to embarrass her and seem very clever indeed by asking a crude question to entertain his classmates, but they were easily dealt with. Her personal life had also been of great fascination to a trio of young ladies who had been the friends of her former employees, and Connie had expertly dodged every pointed question. It had helped that they were a little bit stupid of course…

“I did as a matter of fact,” she replied honestly, a small smile appearing on her face. “I was quite atrocious at Herbology though so I will definitely need you to accompany me on at least one walk to tell me what I’m about to tread on.”

She had also been a prefect with the Headmaster and it was safe to say he had done slightly better with his career, but neither she nor Phineas Black ever mentioned that they had endured their awkward teenage years in the same vicinity as one another and Connie thought it was for the best.

  

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MJ made me beautiful