July 26th, 1889 — Highstreet, Hogsmeade

"Ethel!" the thirteen year old barked, calling the wondering harrier hound back to her side. She'd picked up the stray last summer and the dog had been glued to her side whenever she came home on breaks and now summer. She'd been working on training the dog and along with the help of her family she thought the hound was progressing quite well. She no longer need bother with a leash most times (though she carried one just in case or if she needed to go in a store and had to tie the pup up outside) as Ethel normally stuck to her heels and when she wandered off, typically came back with a call or two.

Grinning, she turned to Sisse as the two girls made their way down the street, trailed by the two's chaperones. The insistent need to be escorted everywhere drove her bonkers. "I can't wait for school to start again. I don't really want to wait another month. We'll get to choose electives finally - oh, Sisse, have you decided which you'll choose?"

"I've already decided on care of magical creatures and earth magic. I've always wanted to take COMC ever since - we'll I don't even remember who told me now," she'd explain, the fact the who was one of her sisters sort ouf implied. "Everything is so cute! And I guess earth magic just seems logic with the flower shop. Actually I'm not a hundred percent  surewhat earth magic is, I guess ths name seems useful. Plants grow in the earth?"

Sisse Thompsett

  

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The further into the summer it got the less patience it seemed that Sisse had for her brothers. She could not wait to get back to school and her friends, instead of being stuck at home doing whatever her mother deemed she should be doing or listening to Matthew complain about how immature she and Henry were. An excursion to High Street with one of her best friends was the perfect cure.

“A month feels so far away.” Sisse agreed as Ethel trotted around their feet. What she didn’t agree with the was interest in Care of Magical Creatures. She had little experience with creatures beyond the cat her mother permitted her and the rabbit she had been obliged to give Sloane Easter her first year and now that she was older she was okay with that. However, it appeared her two best friends both wanted to take the course. Sisse’s mother would disapprove, she almost always did anyways, but Sisse just didn’t have the same interest as the two other girls when it came to creatures. “I think Sloane is taking Care of Magical Creatures as well.” Sisse admitted, feeling sheepish that she didn’t agree about the cuteness. Sure animals were cute, but there were hundreds that weren’t.

“I haven’t decided yet.” She admitted. “Mother would like me to take Earth Magic. But why would I want to take a class I don’t know what it is? If you don’t know how should I?” Sisse pouted at her friend, grateful her mother hadn’t accompanied her on this trip. She was thoroughly sick of her mother trying to determine absolutely everything. “I do want to take art though.” She added more cheerfully. “And I’m considering diviation or ancient studies”

  

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*sniff* Bee made her look all grown up <3

"Ugg, you can say that again," the Hufflepuff sighed, shoulders sagging. Yeah, she missed home when she was at the castle, but she missed the castle when she was home. At least she had her friends here though as well. She'd hate to be one of the students who didn't live in a community with a high concentration of magical people. And she just wasn't going to think about graduating and never going back to the castle again.

She nodded along, Sloane taking Care as well didn't suprise her, nor did the fact Sisse didn't seem to want to take it either, though not having the third member of their trio in the class would certainly be sad and make it feel empty.

"I can't see the use in taking Earth Magic if it isn't career related - and you'll likely never need work if you don't want to, and your mother has a say in it. So why does she want you to take it?" she mused, looking over to her friend. "You do seem like a divination person. I think you would enjoy that. But I think ancient studies would put me to sleep. Though divination might as well. I'm no seer."

  

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Calla was right Sisse’s mother didn’t need to take the courses, she had already graduated from Hogwarts and done this before. It was exactly what had wrankled Sisse all summer. Her mother had so many opinions and ideas for what she should do that she forgot that it was Sisse who would be doing them. “She feels it is a more lady-like endeavor, and more practical then something like ancient studies.” Sisse’s nose crinkled in evident displeasure.

“I don’t know. I think ancient studies sounds fascinating, personally. But I also like History of Magic.” Sisse shrugged, knowing her best friends preferred practical courses. “I think you’d like Divination though. I’m not a seer but it sounds fun!”

  

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*sniff* Bee made her look all grown up <3

Normally Calla followed rules well - unless you counted the society rule of women shouldn't play quidditch but that one was just straight up stupid. Why would anyone care if she flew on a broom and threw a ball? It wasn't like she was a beater or something violent. Still, Sissie's mom drove her bonkers, though likely not as much as Sissie's mom drove Sissie bonkers. Calla got that she was worried about her daughter's future but like she was just... to much? "I mean..." she started slowly, seeming slight hesitant to say what she was about to say, "you could always just, you know, sign up for Ancient Studies and just tell her after? We do not actually need their signatures, do we?"

"I mean I guess it does sound more fun that History of Magic - I fall asleep there - but, talking about dreams and staring at teacups doesn't sound that, well, interesting? I'd guess I'd rather get my hands dirty and do something for my self and make it happen that hoping the stars say it will."

  

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“I don’t think we do.” Sisse really hoped they didn’t need signatures because right now it was the only way she could see being able to do what she wanted. Calla was right in that regard. “Besides, she already went to school. Now it’s my turn.” Determination was clear in her tone.

“I think it could be fun to see into the future!” Sisse chirped brightly. “See what suitors you might have, or if we become prefects. That kind of thing sounds fun, right?” Sisse had absolutely no intention of getting her hands dirty unless it was with paint. She just wasn’t that kind of girl, despite who her best friends were.

Sisse paused for a moment considering telling Calla something she had overheard the other evening. “I heard my parents talking about Pendergasts’ last week.” Sisse fretted, biting her lower lip. “You don’t think your parents would send you there, do you?”

  

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*sniff* Bee made her look all grown up <3

"Exactly!" she chirped, nodding to Sisse's declaration. She couldn't help but feel bad for her friend. Calla knew she was in the minority, but she couldn't imagine having such repressive parents as Sisse did. Yeah, her parents would have a heart attack if she like eloped or got pregnant or something, but they didn't dictate her to the point of choosing her electives or telling her she couldn't play quidditch. And she was pretty sure they wouldn't betroth her or something, just help her find someone after school.

"I do not think I would want to see the future if I am, to be honest," Calla started, the corners of her lips turned down as if in deep thought. "What if you see something horrible. Like the world ending or someone dying? Are you allowed to try and stop something from happening or do you just have to... well know?" She shrugged, trying not to think too deeply about it. "I guess I would rather just live in the present. I think that would be hard if I could know what might happen. Buttttt you will have to tell me if you see anything about me!" Even with what she said, she couldn't help the curiosity. She wouldn't choose to seek the answers out but if someone just... told her, well that couldn't be helped.

She faltered in step as Sisse stopped, concern growing. Sisse tended to be quieter than her, but this seemed concerning. Like Sisse was thinking about something. Which wasn't bad, just, well, Calla was concerned. And seemingly rightfully so. She couldn't help her mouth from hanging open in shock.

"Pendergasts!"

"No! Please tell me they did not say they were going to send you. At least not until after seventh year. You do not think they would pull you out after O.W.L.s or even before do you?

Her stomach clenched and a feeling of sickness overwhelmed her. She'd known Sisse's parents were focused on her marriageability but the thought that they would take her out before she finished all seven years had never crossed her mind. She didn't want to lose one of her best friends.

"Mine? No. I think I would have to mess up really bad for me to go. They have not sent any of my sisters yet, and I know I tend to be the most... I guess... boyish? But I cannot see them sending me. I do not know what they would do if I asked, but I would not. I wouldn't fit in well."

  

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“I’d like to think you’d be able to try and change it. I don’t think there are rules about that kind of thing.” It sounded like Sisse would be taking Divination on her own, which was a bummer, but maybe she’d make some new friends. “I will!” She chirped happily, knowing her own interests were rather different than most of her friends. She’d gotten use to it over the last two years.

Calla’s reaction was precisely what Sisse had felt when she had overheard the conversation. She’d stopped and listened at the door to the parlor, holding her breathe so they wouldn’t know she was there. She didn’t mind the idea of finishing school, but she wanted to stay with her friends, wanted to stay at Hogwarts. Wasn’t ready yet to stop learning magic and only learn lady like skills. “I think they may be considering it for after my OWLs.” Sisse nodded morosely.

That didn’t really surprise Sisse in the least. Calla and Sloane were quite a bit boyish, but that was what was so fun spending time with them. “I don’t think you’ll mess up. And if you ever worry they will I can help you! Some pretty dresses, and I can do your hair!” Sisse grinned at the prospect.

  

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*sniff* Bee made her look all grown up <3

"I'm sorry, Sisse. I would add one of yours but I honestly don't think I could manage another class. I do not understand at all how some people juggle three extra electives. I do not think I'm smart enough." She frowned, sort of disappointed in herself. "We can still all work on homework together though. And you'll tell me all about your class. It will be like I am there, okay?"

"If they aren't going to take you out after you turn fifteen in fourth year, that means we have three years to come up with a plan to change their minds and that you need your N.E.W.T.s. Three years is better than two. I think I read one of my sister's Witch Weeklies once. They did an article about allowing women to finish their N.E.W.T.s. Maybe we could use some of that as a base of our argument. We could write letters or do a presentation or something one summer in person as well."

She was determined now that they find a way to keep Sisse with them. She'd get Sloane and Maddy and Cam to help as well. They had to find a way. Hogwarts without Sisse wouldn't feel like Hogwarts. With all five of them working on it, Sisse's parents stood no choice, she was sure of it. Just like she was sure that the other three would help as well.

"And if that doesn't work. Well, I can just kidnap you, right? Or you can say you are using me as a project or something. Like I need a good influence? Showing me which dresses to wear and how to choose colors and accessories? Or I can act more like a proper lady if your parents are worried about us hanging out."

Dressing up like a doll didn't sound like her cup of tea, but if that was what it took to convince Sisse's parents she was better off here, Calla had no issues doing so.

  

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“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Sisse chirped. Yeah it was disappointing, but they’d still have all their primary courses together. “It’s just our electives after all. And you’ll still be in everything else with me.” Of course Sisse could just blow caution to the wind and do Care of Magical Creatures, but it wasn’t really her thing like it was for the others.

And just like that Calla was coming up with a plan of action. Sisse loved her for it. She could not ask for a better friend. “I bet I could just start dropping arguments casually into conversation.” Sisse added. “If you could find that article we could start there.”

“You better kidnap me. There’s no way I want to leave before our NEWTs.” Sisse’s tone held a great deal of conviction.

But despite Calla’s teasing her next words caught on part of the truth of the matter. Her parents worried over her association with Sloane and Calla and other females who played quidditch. They thought they were bad influences on Sisse, especially after she had chosen to pursue dueling club against her mother’s express desire that she did not. Not wanting to hurt her friend Sisse instead laughed as if it were a joke. “Oh! I could even design some dresses for you and we could get them made!”

  

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*sniff* Bee made her look all grown up <3

"I'm kind of not looking forwards to N.E.W.T.s where we could not all be together. We need to find at least one class that all of us will take then. I can't imagine not having at least one class with all of you." She refused to consider the idea her friend might not be there for their last level. If she didn't think of it happening it couldn't happen.

"As much as you can. And maybe write home how much you are enjoying your classes. Focus on the ones your mother would like in your letters. I think this will have to be something where we make her think it was her idea to keep you in school, not ours. I will look for the article tonight. I'm not too sure if my sisters' keep their old articles but I ought to be able to find it somewhere. You keep them do you not? I think I read it on break at one point? Maybe winter break our first year. Somewhere around that time then - though I'm not too sure if it was a current article. I never thought I would find Witch Weekly helpful. Slap me now, I must be dreaming."

Grey eyes turned to the blonde, and Calla reached out for her friend's hand, determined to make her realize that she meant what she said. "I mean it, Sisse. Name it and I will do it if you think it will help. You are for more important than a game or a dress."

  

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“I agree!” Sisse couldn’t image not having classes with her friends. “It would be miserable. We have to take at least one.” She grinned reassuringly at her friend.

Sisse nodded with Calla’s plan. She was complete right in their approach. There was no other way to look at this. “I keep mine. I can look through them too.” She giggled at Calla, “This is why I think its worthwhile to read Witch Weekly.” She was the only one of her friends that did and they always teased her for it.

Calla stopped and grabbed her hand. “Thank you Calla. It means a lot to me.” Sisse squeezed Calla’s hand and then hugged her. “You’re the best friend a girl could ask for.”

  

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*sniff* Bee made her look all grown up <3