open || forgotten strength.

[DYLAN MAZANI]

It was the first weekend they had been permitted to leave the castle, and by god she was certain nearly everyone was on their way to Hogsmeade. A break from Headmaster Carrows was more than welcoming to anyone at Hogwarts nowadays. Even the teachers were on their way out of the castle. Spare the few who were required to stay behind for the younger kids. Dylan was quite happy she didn't have to stay here. The Carrows always volunteered to stay behind. Usually it was because they could have full control and no one would stand in their way. Granted very few did lately. With a heavy sigh, Dylan Mazani walked through the crowd. Her eyes were directed at the ground and her arms were crossed tight over her chest. She really didn't speak to anyone, in her house or around her age. It wasn't that she liked to be alone, but because she had no one to turn to.

Especially since the summer had ended. Now that they had been back to Hogwarts for a week or so, she was slowly working back into her comfort zone, trying to keep from her mother's grasp here at school. Justina Mazani, a new Death Eater, took the majority of the hatred for her life out on her oldest daughter. Dylan cleared her throat, dodging a group of rowdy boys in front of her before merging back into the crowd. The remainder of the bruises that had been formed over the last few days of being home were now dull brown along her arms and collar bones. She hid them well with a long sleeve sweater and a crew cut neckline that covered her collar bones.

The thought of being in Hogsmeade today, especially being alone, was awful. And now that she was working through her hatred of her mother and working into a normal routine while she was at Hogwarts, but for Dylan there was nothing there to prevent her mother from calling her home at any time.

[tornade]

Crystalia was a bit paranoid, looking around as if someone was out to get her. She pushed the door to the Three Broomsticks open, quietly observing the patrons that were inside. After the Carrows started to practically rule the school, Crystal knew that she needed to be careful who to trust and what came out of her mouth even more than usual. She might be a Slytherin and from a respected family, but that did not guarantee her safety.

'Move,' Crystalia growled at a person who accidentally bumped into her, whoever he or she was. She did not care for the person's apology and almost ran to one of the seats in the corner of the pub. While Crystalia was deciding what to order, she pulled out a letter from her father. There had been a possible sighting of her mother in Paris, but it was a dead end. Or so he said. Crystalia's father lost his daughter's trust a long time ago. It seemed that the only person that did not betray her in some way had been Hector, but he was far away now, almost on the other side of the world. There were moments, such as this, when Crystalia really wished that Hector still went to Hogwarts. At least she would have company. The sixth year failed to notice any of her friends in this location, so one could safely assume that she was quite bored. And it was just the beginning.

At least she was back at Hogwarts, far away from her father's claws, though Crystalia really doubted that this small detail would stop Diego. He was a hit wizard for a reason. Crystal went to the bar and ordered herself a butter beer and went back to her seat, hoping for anyone to talk to her. She would even take a halfblood up for a conversation just to end this leeching feeling inside her.

[LANDON DUPREE]

Finally. A break away from all of the cruel classes. The Death Eater professors had been extra rough this week, knowing the students would be leaving to Hogsmeade for a little vacation. And that is exactly what Landon had in mind. He strode down the way home, planning on going to see his parents. Hopefully, everything was okay. Landon felt bad for his brother, who was only a 2nd year. So he had to stay. Usually, Landon would stay behind, make sure no chaos broke out. The familiar path allowed Landon to just walk. He knew it by heart, so he could go into his own little world.

Looking up hearing a bunch of boys being loud, he shook his head. Of course, they would be getting rowdy outside of school. Landon dodged the boys, not wanting them to drag him into the pile. As he did, through the crowd, he could see a girl walking with her attention towards the ground. He wasn't far behind her, but she kind of reminded him of himself. Lost in a train of thought. As he followed her, it seemed she was heading towards the Three Broomsticks.

And the seventh year Gryffindor was correct. The girl had made her way towards the door. Speeding up slightly, he made it to the door right before her, opening it for her and following her inside. The place was crowded, which was to be expected, with probably most of the school here. Before he walked off, he looked at the girl he followed in. "Don't walk too much in thought, don't want you to run into anyone."

Landon flashed a small grin before he walked up to the bar and ordered a butter beer for himself.

He took off his jacket that he wore over his short sleeved shirt, hanging it over his shoulder. Getting the butter beer, he smiled at the bartender, then turned to look at what tables was open. There weren't many, but there was a table in the corner that had a girl by herself. She looked lonely. Probably from the school, he decided he would try to make conversation. Walking over to the table, and offered a friendly smile. "You look like you might could use some company." Landon said, sipping his butter beer after stating it.

[DYLAN MAZANI]

As she moved closer to the Three Broomsticks, she became a little more aware of those around her. She cringed away from the older boy who opened the door for her. For a moment, Dylan simply stood with her gaze down at the ground before lifting her eyes up to look at him for only a moment. He seemed nice enough, but that didn't matter. She needed to stay away from everyone. No one could get hurt. She nodded slowly. "Thanks." She whispered. It was a broken, soft sound. One that she accepted to be her voice time and time again. After she had entered though, his interest with her was almost entirely gone and she was thankful. Dylan lingered back for a few moments, watching as he ordered a butter beer and then made his way over to a table with another girl. She closed her eyes for a moment, contemplating the advantages of leaving and found almost none.

So witha sigh, she moved closer to the bar, ordering her own butterbeer, placing her hands on the counter and leaning against it. The man behind the bar gave her a kind smile, that she had to force back. Her response was the same, a kind smile, that was tight at the corners and couldn't manage to reach her eyes, no matter how hard she tried. She looked up at the smile he gave her, which faded for a moment when he realized that she was either depressed or upset and when he started to question, she pushed off the counter, gathering the butter beer and dropping the money to pay for it on the counter. It was a quick exchange, though she was certain she could be quicker. She wanted to be quicker anyway. After gathering her drink, she turned, attempting to find an empty place to sit and became almost completely discouraged as the only open places were at the bar and the table where the boy who had held the door and the girl who seemed upset sat.

With a heavy heart, she moved toward the table, clearing her throat as she came forward. "Do you mind if I sit here as well? If not, I can leave. It's no problem." She said with a soft voice, attempting to keep her eyes down and directed toward the ground. She was not in thought, but rather staring down at the ground to avoid making eye contact. She didn't make friends well. Anyone that knew Dylan knew that.