Hop, Skip, and a Jump (Open)

[Deleted]

notes here. @open words: ####

Matt looked up from his homework and looked out and around. It was rare for him to study outside, but the calm day gave him plenty of reason to. Of course, he had to make sure there wasn't any snow that would get his homework wet and illegible. Thankfully no new snow was falling, so his study place at the pond wasn't in jeopardy of causing him any issue. Glancing at the pond itself, Matt started to wish it wasn't frozen if only to skip rocks over it. He was fairly bored with his homework, but not enough to bring his guitar out with him. He definitely didn't want to mess that up in the snow. His dad would probably have a fit if he did that. Thinking of his dad's possible reaction drew a chuckle from him before he glanced back down. There was just so much he still had to do on this assignment. He didn't mind essays, but this one was going to take more than a quiet hour or two of work. He sighed as he packed away his things in his bag and looked back out at the pond again. He strongly considered cutting a big enough hole into the ice in order to skip rocks, but at the same time he almost felt like just relaxing. "Worst case is I get in trouble, and even then why would I get in trouble?" he murmured before pulling out his wand. He then murmured "Incendio," with the tip of his wand aimed at the ice, melting the ice across the pond until stopping the spell. He then picked up a few stones, skipping them across the freshly melted water with a small smile forming across his face. This was always something therapeutic for him whenever he was bored or feeling depressed. Still he was at a point where he knew it was time to leave all shyness behind. He had to stop being in a shell completely or be left behind by everyone else as they got farther in life than he did. Shaking his head at that thought, he wondered how it was he was always thinking about that and never really seemed to get anywhere away from where he was despite thinking about needing to change and grow. He skipped a few more rocks, going to pick up a handful more when he noticed someone else come outside. He then glanced back to the water and resumed skipping rocks unless he was addressed. multiply life by the power of two

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

[Deleted]

January 2025

Piper was tired of being cooped up. If she had to spend another day inside the castle, she was going to scream bloody murder. The blonde trekked her way toward Hogwarts' pond with a pep in her step. This was her most favorite place to sketch the water, trees, and creatures that popped up here and there. Winter was still in full effect, unfortunately, which meant her beloved pond had been frozen for over a month now and the ground was still covered in ice and snow. As she walked toward the pond, snow crunched under her feet... When she got closer, she noticed that she wasn't alone. Someone was at the ponds edge! The Puff instantly found herself giddy with excitement, she was glad someone else must have been equally tired of being inside all day.

Armed with nothing but her sketch book tucked under her arm, and her charcoals in her cloak pocket, she approached the young man, stopping behind him suddenly. She cleared her throat, a pathetic attempt to not scare him from behind. "'ello, I'm Piper." she greeted chipperly, as if it wasn't weird to approach people she didn't know. Well, to be fair, Piper was a Hufflepuff and would talk to anyone with or without a pulse. It was a blessing and a curse.

Her dooey brown eyes widened to saucers when she noticed the large chunk of ice cut out of the lake, instantly bubbling with curiosity. "What'chya dooin'?" she asked, cocking her head to the side with a spacey smile. This boy had her interest. She was pretty sure she noticed him from one or two of her classes, but she wasn't too sure, Piper's head was usually stuck too high in the clouds to notice what was going on around her.

@johanson

[Deleted]

notes here. @piper words: ####

"Matt, nice to meet you," he replied with a chuckle and a slight wave. He then skipped another rock or two across the surface, watching the last one go about five skips before sinking a bit unceremoniously. He then sighed in response. Of course the rock would sink so quickly. If anything it reminded him of his luck in life. Well, sometimes anyways. He then glanced over at Piper, his mind immediately recognizing her from a class or two. If nothing else his observant nature was the key in identifying her. He knew she wasn't from Gryffindor, and she didn't come across as a Slytherin. Maybe a Ravenclaw, but she seemed more like a Hufflepuff with her personality. Then again he couldn't really be sure, now could he? Someone could easily mask who they really were. After all, he did that for years before Ilvermorny, and even then it took a bit for him to shake loose after he got back to Hogwarts. "Skipping rocks, or at least I was skipping rocks. The last few seemed to like sinking shortly after they started skipping," he said with a sigh and a chuckle. Then again if they hadn't stopped skipping so well, he'd probably put more focus on that instead of talking, and that was something he figured he should probably put some focus on. He knew ignoring Piper was a pretty rude idea anyways, and that wasn't really something he wanted to be known for. Besides, what could hurt about talking to someone new? It wasn't something that was gonna kill him, was it? "So what brings you out here?" he then asked, wondering if she was looking for somewhere to draw based on her sketchpad. He couldn't be sure, but he did have a bad tendency to assume things, and that meant he'd be setting himself up to be well... he didn't want to think about that. After all, that went right back to being rude anyways. multiply life by the power of two

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

[Deleted]

January 2025

The boy introduced himself as 'Matt'. She grinned widely, setting her things on the ground next to her feet as she observed the crack in the ice, bouncing on the heels of her feet. "Hello, Matt." she sang a spacy greeting, tucking a long tress behind her ear. He explained that he was skipping rocks, something she wasn't familiar with, but now very interested. "Oh, you did this?" she asked stupidly, dooey brown eyes going wide with excitement. "Can you show me how to skip rocks?" she asked with wonderment in her eyes. Piper was a Muggleborn but apparently didn't get out much as a kid. 

The boy had asked her what brought her outside today and she replied with a lazy shrug, "The castle gets too stuffy, and well, nothing beats fresh, cool air..." she shared, pulling in a deep breath of fresh air through her nostrils before exhaling, happily, "I like to come out her and draw n stuff." she shared in a friendly tone, before asking, "Do you come here to skip rocks often?"


@johanson

[Deleted]

notes here. @piper words: ####

"Yeah I did. Got bored with homework so I figured I'd skip some rocks, see if I couldn't shake the boredom before finishing my last assignment for the week. As for teaching you, it involves a precise flick of the wrist," he replied, picking up a rock and demonstrating what he meant. Thankfully that rock skipped farther than his last two had, almost to the other end of the pond. He chuckled at that before glancing back at Piper. She had brought a sketch pad with her, so drawing was probably what brought her out here, and yet she had set it down. Was skipping rocks really that more interesting than drawing? He didn't entirely think so, but at the same time he really didn't mind. He really just didn't mind the idea of having company. She spared him boredom that he didn't want to deal with if he didn't have anyone to talk to. There was a foreign thought. A year and a half ago he'd have looked at someone crazy if they told him he'd think that way ever, and yet here he was wanting conversation like any normal person. "Usually. It's a pretty good place to do it. Less crowded, though winter creates an issue. Just a simple fire spell opened up enough water to skip a few rocks though. That and it keeps me in practice on my spells if I need to use any depending on the weather," he replied with a nod. Of course, he probably could've found similar ways to play his guitar, but he really couldn't justify subjecting it to the colder temperatures. That and inside seemed to make the music carry better. If nothing else it helped him know when something was off with what he was playing, and that was without anyone listening to him play. He let that thought carry for a few, really just internally surprised at the kind of growth he had really gotten from his time in America. The saying over there was right, a lot can change in a year, and for Matt a lot did. multiply life by the power of two

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

[Deleted]

January 2025

Piper bounced on the balls of her feet as her new friend Matt shared that he got bored from homework before deciding to skip rocks. That  sounded like a completely reasonable use for time to her; Piper was great at wasting time though. Her dooey brown eyes flickered with excitement as he demonstrated with a flick of the wrist. She held her breath as it skimmed across the surface of the water and stopped at the opposite end of the pond and sank. Piper turned to the boy and clapped her hands wildly. "Ooohhh!" she squealed, hopping on her toes, "That was fantastic!" The blonde exclaimed, probably too excited for the act of skipping rocks, but she was easily entertained. Piper stared at the ground, entranced, before bending down to feel and select the perfect rock. After making her choice, the Puff squared up intensely, and flung the rock into the water with a pathetic 'plonk' and dainty leg kick. She was silent before she turned to Matthew, "You made that look easy." she scrunched her nose.

The Lion explained that he used a simple fire spell to open the pond. She nodded in fascination, as if she would have never thought of that. A sudden thought occurred to her, sending her mouth to gape open. "Why not the lake?" she asked him curiously, no judgement intended, her tone was more conversational. She continued her thought, "More surface area.." she mused, batting her hair out of her eyes as she cocked her head to the side spacily.



[sorry this took me forever!]
@johanson

[Deleted]

notes here. @piper words: ####

Matt let out a faint chuckle. "It's really not as easy as it looks. But it's also not as hard as you're thinking it is. You just have to relax before letting the stone go. If you're tense it makes it harder. I've gotten to the point where I can skip rocks regardless of their shape. Size of course is a different matter," he said with another chuckle. Her attempt was similar to his first attempt, ineffective. Then again it was a matter of practice before he was truly capable of skipping rocks to the level he was at now. He wondered though if Piper would have the patience to learn and practice all she needed to so that she could skip rocks regularly as well. He did have to admit, the nose scrunch she had done was kind of cute, but he let that pass from his mind rather quickly. He figured he'd need to keep his mind on skipping rocks if she was wanting to learn how to do so. "It would be more surface area, but would take more than one fire spell to create enough space, and the creatures that are under that ice may not be very happy about that," he replied with a shrug. Her enthusiasm for the hobby was amusing and one he was sure he had matched a long time ago. That wasn't to say he didn't enjoy it still, but perhaps not to the degree of planning for a bigger area to skip rocks. Of course he was concerned about the potential of merfolk and other creatures surfacing and causing issues, but during the warmer months he hadn't really had issue with them. It was something he definitely tried to avoid if nothing else. multiply life by the power of two

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

[Deleted]

January 2025

The blonde giggled when Matt explained how being relaxed was the best way to learn how to skip rocks properly. Once he said that, she noticed the tension she was holding in her shoulders and arms...maybe it was that. She nodded eagerly, brown dooey eyes widening as she scanned the ground below, and bending down to carefully select another rock. The one she chose this time had a smoother, flat surface. "Oooh, this is the one." she stated intensely, nodding her head up and down solemnly at her new friend. The blonde squared up, raising her arm, spinning and flinging the rock towards  the water's surface...

Her eyes narrowed as she watched, knees bent ever so slightly...

PLONK. 

The rock sank instantly. And her excitement faded. She shrugged, defeated, turning toward her favorite tree. "Do you like to get high?" she asked him shamelessly, digging her gloved fingers into the tree bark and affectionately hugging it. Then, she straddled it humorously and unladylike, being in a skirt and all... The Puff scaled the trunk easily before sitting herself on the first accessible branch above. That was possibly a trick question or maybe not. Piper never knew what the hell was going on ever anyways, but she definitely had a spliff in her pocket.


@johanson

[Deleted]

notes here. @piper words: ####

"Still takes some practice. It's not that easy a trick to pick up. Though I'd say you were starting to get the technique down," he noted as she seemed to be defeated after the latest sink instead of skip. He watched her then hug the tree, and then climb up and straddle the branch, chuckling yet also noting the faint blush on his cheeks as he glanced away instead of up. He wasn't really one to look in those situations, even if she had kept anything from showing. After all, it just didn't seem right in this case. Not saying he was a prude, but he wasn't keen on the idea of being a pervert. Letting that thought fade, he thought back to the question she had asked just before she climbed the tree, glancing at her before replying. "Not really, but I won't object if you decided to do so right now," he replied with a shrug. He wasn't sure about how beneficial drugs really were, at least when used recreationally. He never understood what the purpose of getting high was and he wasn't in the experimental mindset in that regard even now. Still, if his response meant this conversation continued then he wasn't going to say no. Glancing away again, he wanted to make sure he didn't get called a pervert. It was always a concern of his, and as such he guarded against it quite a bit. He then laid down in a way that he couldn't see her while she was seated in the tree, glancing at the clouds. multiply life by the power of two

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

[Deleted]

January 2025

The blonde was obviously over skipping rocks. She easily climbed up higher into the tree. Up above the thick branches, she was well hidden amongst the thick leaves and branches; no one would be able to spot her unless if they were really looking. This was her favorite spot because the smoke would rise and dissipate, only leaving the herbal essence lingering in the air long after. 

When her new friend Matt stated that he wouldn't object the idea, she giggled. "Hurry then! Before someone sees you. Come on up, boyooo." she instructed in a sing song fashion, gesturing her hands wildly at him while straddling the tree branch, leaning her back against the thick tree trunk.  She removed a tube from her coat pocket and dangled the spliff between her lips as she lit it, a large puff of smoke billowing around her girlish features as she exhaled.

Piper didn't get a pervert or inappropriate vibe at all from the boy. He was very polite. The Puff was more interested in having someone to climb a tree and/or smoke up with. He didn't have to participate in the latter option.. All she hoped that he wasn't going to report her to an adult.



@johanson

[Deleted]

notes here. @piper words: ####

He laughed in response, nodding and getting up, heading over to the tree and climbing up to the branch she was on. His only hope was that she didn't blow anything into his face. He moved to a branch next to where she sat, sitting down and glancing at the tree itself. He was careful to sit in a way that kept him on the tree, not exactly eager to fall off and get hurt. Glancing then at Piper, he saw the tube in her hand, knowing she was already smoking something. He really didn't want to know what it was, but he wasn't going to stop someone from indulging in what they felt would make the most sense in dealing with life. He preferred adventure, the adrenaline rush such adventures normally brought were more than enough for him to relax and escape the daily struggles he often faced. Then again some people just coped differently. "Seems like a good place to relax," he noted as he looked around, wondering if there was really any flaw to this other than the risk of falling. Still, Piper didn't seem concerned, but she seemed to be fairly laid back and care free anyways, and that meant falling wasn't really a concern to her. For him then he just had to think about anything but falling down from the tree. They weren't all that high up, but it was enough for him to briefly question rationality of being up here. Still, there was some sense of adrenaline for him, which helped calm him down a bit. Not a lot, but definitely a bit. multiply life by the power of two

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

[Deleted]

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THREAD WARNING: PG 13
Drug use

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January 2025

As Matt seemed to easily agree to join her, the blondes expression flickered with excitement. She loved having new friends to go on adventures and hang out with. Especially in trees. She loved being high up and dangling her feet high above the branches. When the Lion joined her on the tree branch, she smiled at his statement, "Tis the most perfect place to relax and reflect, Matty." she agreed and nodded solemnly with the cringe worthy nickname. They were basically pals now, no? "It's nice to see things at a different perspective up here." she stated, feeling a bit reflective this time of the year being her seventh year.

The blonde popped the end of the spliff between her lips and lit it with a fluid motion of the lighter. Obviously, not a care in the world, even before the herbal essence had even entered her lungs. A large puff of smoke surrounded her face as she exhaled, her eyebrows raised slightly as she extended the spliff in his direction. "I'm just offering to be polite so don't feel pressured, but would you like to try?" She asked in an easy going tone, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. She wasn't looking to force him into bad habits, but the more the merrier in her world.


@johanson

[Deleted]

TW: Drug reference & referencing a deceased character. @piper words: ####

"Heh, very true," he replied with a chuckle. He really wasn't sure about how quick she opted to call him Matty, as that wasn't something he normally let people get away with so easily. The problem was how could he convince her of that? It was really just better to let her call him Matty and just let it roll off his back. He only had one person call him that and he didn't flinch or get annoyed, and that was his mother. Problem was she was gone, so it wasn't like it was a normal thing for him. Of course, showing how uncomfortable he was would've probably bothered Piper in some way. As such he kept it to himself. Just made things a bit easier. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass. Thanks though," he replied with a slight smile. He really wasn't a drug user, and planned on staying that way. He wouldn't oppose someone else using them though, so that was her choice. He found a lot of enjoyment in life without doing drugs, so he didn't ever feel the need for them. Not to mention the health issues commonly associated with the drugs and abusing them. He had a bit of a good head on his shoulders, and while pride wasn't normally his thing, he felt a bit proud of that fact. Then again, he was also far too aware that he could end up making a poor choice at some point. He just hoped it wasn't one that he would really regret. multiply life by the power of two

Made by Sifr @ THQ.

[Deleted]

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THREAD WARNING: PG 13
Drug use

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January 2025

The boy politely declined the offer, the blonde smiled and nodded without judgement. She stuck the joint between her lips and puffed a few more times. ”No worries, mate, more for me.” she giggled happily with a cheesy smile. Piper wasn’t one to peer pressure or make someone feel bad for not doing something she wanted to do. The last thing she wanted to do was make a new friend or classmate uncomfortable.

Her legs dangled off of the tree branch, turning to the boy with a thoughtful look, ”What do you like to do for fun then?” she asked him curiously, unable to hide the shallowness from her tone. She didn’t intend to sound like all she did for fun was smoke but it could have easily been perceived that way.

@johanson

[Deleted]

TW: Drug reference @piper words: ####

"Fair enough," he replied with a laugh. He was a bit surprised at how laid back and carefree Piper was showing herself to be. It made him wonder if this was akin to what he could've been had things gone normally for him growing up instead of... It was pointless to chase after what he could've been or what ifs. What he had was who he had become, what he had gone through. It was odd that he found himself thinking about that sort of thing so often, but it was really more or less a subconscious challenge to himself, a bid to end his reserved or quiet mindset. Yes, his mother's killer was still out there, but he had to live and not live in a shell or live in a shadow. "Usually I'll play my guitar or go exploring. Other times I'm outside skipping rocks or maybe hanging out with friends," he replied with a shrug. He had a few friends, but what he really enjoyed were the first two things he mentioned. Playing the guitar kept him from being caught up in thoughts of his mother, while exploring allowed him to get the adrenaline rushes he enjoyed getting every now and then. He found it odd, especially with the rules he broke to do his exploring, but he was also aware of the fact that Harry Potter was an Auror and had done the same or worse while he was in school. So there was precedent for a rule-breaker to be an Auror. multiply life by the power of two

Made by Sifr @ THQ.