May 27th, 1895 — Hogwarts, Ravenclaw Tower

It didn't feel real. Seven years Eve had stood, sat, studied in this room, and tonight was the last she would ever spend there. She stood beneath the star-laden ceiling of the familiar tower, motionless. Staring. Trying to soak up every last detail of her beloved school. This last year in particular felt surreal-- gone in the span of a breath and, at the same time, interminable. Terrible. She took a steadying breath, then wrapped her arms carefully about her waist.

Just thinking about the Coming of Age Ball, about the season, about what came next almost made her sick. She'd always known it was only a matter of time. Now that her brother was... gone, there was only her to see her family's legacy thrive, and really there had never been a choice when he was still alive. It was what Father expected. What everyone expected.

And still, what she would not give for another few years of school.

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(Open to those with access to Ravenclaw tower)

  

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Blair had packed a couple of days ago, which had proven to be premature as the teen had several times had to rummage through her things to retrieve certain items. But school was almost over now and she was looking forward to a few weeks on the islands with her family. Blair loved school, and felt a little sympathy for the people who would be leaving it for the last time so she spent a few moments watching Miss Frost stare at the ceiling before she interjected.

"Knut for your thoughts, Eve?"

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Guinevere Frost

  

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Bonnie is NB/GF but presents as a girl because she doesnt yet have a choice
Anyone who knows them, knows they prefer to be called Blair

"Oh!"

Guinevere started where she stood, yanking her gaze back from the ceiling and turning to settle olive eyes on Blair. She let her breath go in a puff. As though anyone she didn't recognize could have gotten into Ravenclaw Tower... and it could certainly get worse than Blair. With a rueful little smile, just this side of shy, she turned the rest of the way around.

"It's nothing... a little sad, is all. I cannot believe I'll never be in the Tower again." Never take classes again, no more essays, no more exams, and even Guinevere was not so eager to learn that she enjoyed the exams, but the idea that the learning was done just felt... wrong to her. What she wouldn't give to go on and study something mo--

But no. No, she'd had more than her share. It was time, now.

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Bonnie Greyback

  

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"Oh yeah, I get that." she said in her rich Highlands accent. "Well, I dont get get it, I've never had to deal with that, but I sympathise.". Blair hated the idea of ever leaving Hogwarts, she knew it was going to happen eventually but yuck to that. Blair wanted to remain here forever, maybe even teach quidditch one day, wouldn't that be lovely.

But no, Blair's destiny likely lay in marriage and never seeing either school or her home island again. "Your parents got much planned for you?" she asked.

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Guinevere Frost

  

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Bonnie is NB/GF but presents as a girl because she doesnt yet have a choice
Anyone who knows them, knows they prefer to be called Blair

Guinevere did not make a face. That would have been terribly disrespectful. She only nearly did-- a twitch at the corner of her lips better interpreted as a restrained frown. She'd not made much of a habit of talking about herself these last seven years. Preferred to fade into the background, let her friends do the talking, save her own thoughts for their ears only. Of course, since Christmas she had been somewhat more the center of attention than she preferred. The question of what-- or who-- killed her brother made for tantalizing gossip.

This, though, Guinevere had certainly not discussed. Her own future. Her feelings about it. How much more restricted it had become since Arthur's death...

"Of course," she sighed after a heartbeat's delay. "The same thing that has always been expected." She could not debut with the others, but her first season began this summer all the same. "My father will want me married as quickly as possible."

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Blair laughed "Fathers will do that won't they, I have nightmares of myself as this deadpan upper class lady being handed to Mr. Boring of another clan." her voice dropped and she suddenly looked very conspiratorial.

"What do.. you.. want?" there was just the two of them here and Blair's reputation was hardly that of the obedient girl hoping to be someone's wife. Eve could talk freely here.

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Guinevere Frost

  

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Bonnie is NB/GF but presents as a girl because she doesnt yet have a choice
Anyone who knows them, knows they prefer to be called Blair

Guinevere laughed, breathy and thin with lack of humor. It wasn't funny. Not remotely. But she did feel an odd sort of comfort, knowing she was not the only girl in the tower with the same fears. She turned wholly from the ceiling, now, and beckoned with one delicate hand for Blair to join her sitting around the fire. One more evening chat around that familiar hearth she could at least be grateful for.

"I'm not sure," Eve admitted with a wry little twist to her smile. She folded demurely into a seat, smoothed her skirts, sighed. "I thought about studying more... the Flint Institute, perhaps? Or I thought I might speak to Professor Griffith, or Professor Valenduris... potions and alchemy are my favorite subjects." Once or twice Eve even started the letters to her professors-- pleas for a path, begging them to reason with her father. She'd burned them all. It was a fever dream, at best. "But now--" a quick, hesitant breath in, "there's no point. This is my responsibility."

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Bonnie Greyback

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   Benedict Hunter

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Blair gave the older eagle a knowing nod and moved to sot close to the fire. She picked a spot next to the Eve. Her legs flopped underneath her and crossed over to one side. "I just want to play quidditch and explore the world. I think I would have been a better son than a daughter, my sister loves all that stuff though." she laughed ironically, they were two very different girls.

"Flint sounds interesting though, if you can get in there." Blair would love that. She felt quite lucky that their head of house also seemed to understand that girls had different dreams than being a wife.

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Guinevere Frost

  

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Bonnie is NB/GF but presents as a girl because she doesnt yet have a choice
Anyone who knows them, knows they prefer to be called Blair

"Oh, it does, doesn't it?" Guinevere sighed, almost desperately wistful. She spoke in a tone many ladies reserved for talking about men, but never once in her life had Eve pined for any man, and she didn't think she was about to start now. "And I could get in," she blushed a little. That was... graceless. Impertinent. Arrogant. But she could, she absolutely could, and Guinevere believed that wholeheartedly. If she were a man, the Institute would take her without a second glance... "But Father would never allow it. He barely let me stay for my NEWTs-- said it was a waste of time and money."

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The following 1 user Likes Guinevere Frost's post:1 user Likes Guinevere Frost's post
   Bonnie Greyback

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Blair rolled her eyes at the comments of school being a waste of time and money then her eyes widened as she realised how rude that had been and gave an apologetic look.

"I totally bet you could!" the younger teen said confidently, she grabbed her friend's closest pinkie and gave it a little squeeze for support. She knew that eve was smart. "Think they have someone already picked out for you like DeCroix and Emma or do you get a say in it?"

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Guinevere Frost

  

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Bonnie is NB/GF but presents as a girl because she doesnt yet have a choice
Anyone who knows them, knows they prefer to be called Blair