Post by Esther Garnet on Aug 3, 2023 20:02:35 GMT -7
Final year at Ilvermorney School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, circa 2008. Three 7th years dressed in school robes sat huddled at a communal table in the library, studying for their Skill and Aptitude in Laudable and Exemplary Magicianship exams. For Esther Garnet, the past twelve months had been a series of significant life-changing events, starting with the death of her mother and only known family member at the hands of an unidentified Dark Wizard. Thanks to the unyielding support of her best friend, Rose, Rose’s boyfriend Alfie and a handful of dedicated and empathetic professors, Esther had returned to school and was on track to graduate alongside her peers. Aside from these factors, it had also been the year that she had started to notice boys… Or more accurately, they started to notice her. It hadn’t been the best environment for pursuing studies, yet here she was, exceeding everyone's expectations.
Rose was running a pop quiz of sorts on her and Alfie in preparation for what might come up in the upcoming exams. “What year was dragon breeding outlawed?” she queried. Without blinking or even tearing her eyeline from the page in front of her, Esther answered in a monotonous tone; “1709. Warlock’s Convention.” Rose smiled and gave an affirming nod “Correct! Okay… what’s next…”
Before Rose could finish her thought, a redhead from Wampus house in their year approached the group from behind and lingered for a moment. Sally was known for being a bit of a bully at best, and Esther could feel the collective eye rolls from her friends as she stood there. “I don’t know why you bother studying, Garnet. It’s not like you’ll need it.” Esther glanced up at her classmate, arching a brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
As the trio stared up at her towering presence, an air of tension filled the peripheral. “I mean, it doesn’t matter what kind of exam scores you get. You can probably get whatever job you want, even if you’re as stupid as a troll, because you’re a Veela.” The words left her mouth and were delivered in an obviously derogatory tone. Esther breathed inwardly through her nostrils and looked to her friends, her cheeks turning slightly pink, whether it was from embarrassment, or anger - likely a mix of both. Rose piped up in her defence; “Shut up, Sally. Any successes Esther has in her life will be on her own merit and nothing else. Besides, she’s already scoring much higher than you, perhaps you’re just jealous.”
The redhead snorted, a sardonic smirk filling her features demonstrating her amusement as she responded to Rose. “Jealous? Please.” She turned to Esther to address her directly “Everything you achieve, and will ever achieve, will simply be because you’re pretty. Everyone will always know that everything you have is purely because of how you look, and how you manipulate and entrance people into getting what you want. I can see right through your kind, Esther.” Her tone was harsh and slimy, then ratcheted down immediately to a sing song voice. The contrast was jarring. “Anyway, good luck with your SALEMs!” Sally gave a disgustingly sweet wink and smiled at the group before turning on her heels and walking away.
Esther’s gaze shot back down to the book in front of her, not wanting to make eye contact with her friends. She pushed a lump in her throat down into her gut and buried it deep down, the same way she would continue to do in the years that followed. Esther didn't know it at this moment, but her whole life ahead of her would be filled with moments questioned around this sentiment. She felt Rose’s hand on her shoulder, and just as she was about to comfort her, Esther interrupted. “Just forget about it, Rose. What was the next question?”
Rose was running a pop quiz of sorts on her and Alfie in preparation for what might come up in the upcoming exams. “What year was dragon breeding outlawed?” she queried. Without blinking or even tearing her eyeline from the page in front of her, Esther answered in a monotonous tone; “1709. Warlock’s Convention.” Rose smiled and gave an affirming nod “Correct! Okay… what’s next…”
Before Rose could finish her thought, a redhead from Wampus house in their year approached the group from behind and lingered for a moment. Sally was known for being a bit of a bully at best, and Esther could feel the collective eye rolls from her friends as she stood there. “I don’t know why you bother studying, Garnet. It’s not like you’ll need it.” Esther glanced up at her classmate, arching a brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
As the trio stared up at her towering presence, an air of tension filled the peripheral. “I mean, it doesn’t matter what kind of exam scores you get. You can probably get whatever job you want, even if you’re as stupid as a troll, because you’re a Veela.” The words left her mouth and were delivered in an obviously derogatory tone. Esther breathed inwardly through her nostrils and looked to her friends, her cheeks turning slightly pink, whether it was from embarrassment, or anger - likely a mix of both. Rose piped up in her defence; “Shut up, Sally. Any successes Esther has in her life will be on her own merit and nothing else. Besides, she’s already scoring much higher than you, perhaps you’re just jealous.”
The redhead snorted, a sardonic smirk filling her features demonstrating her amusement as she responded to Rose. “Jealous? Please.” She turned to Esther to address her directly “Everything you achieve, and will ever achieve, will simply be because you’re pretty. Everyone will always know that everything you have is purely because of how you look, and how you manipulate and entrance people into getting what you want. I can see right through your kind, Esther.” Her tone was harsh and slimy, then ratcheted down immediately to a sing song voice. The contrast was jarring. “Anyway, good luck with your SALEMs!” Sally gave a disgustingly sweet wink and smiled at the group before turning on her heels and walking away.
Esther’s gaze shot back down to the book in front of her, not wanting to make eye contact with her friends. She pushed a lump in her throat down into her gut and buried it deep down, the same way she would continue to do in the years that followed. Esther didn't know it at this moment, but her whole life ahead of her would be filled with moments questioned around this sentiment. She felt Rose’s hand on her shoulder, and just as she was about to comfort her, Esther interrupted. “Just forget about it, Rose. What was the next question?”
