alone, or n o t (ascella)

[prudence]

Prudence had needed some time alone, but that Thursday afternoon it seemed that there were people everywhere she looked. The Ravenclaw commons had been packed, the library held more people than usual, and even the owlery had had some people. That was what had brought Prudence to the trophy room, searching just for some quiet solitude. And thankfully it seemed like she would find it there, as the room was mercifully empty. She smiled a bit to herself before finding a comfortable corner nestled between two trophy cases where she would sit and read one of the novels she had gotten for Christmas but had yet to read.

She sat down on the stone floor, the cold of it seeping through both her robes and skirt she wore beneath it as part of her uniform. Prudence cracked open the book, the stiff spine making a crackling noise as it was the first time she had opened it all the way. She inhaled the scent of new ink and paper, and then turned past the title page to the prologue and began to read, her eyes eagerly jumping from word to word. Prudence really did love to read, but it had become a more-than-neglected hobby what with OWL exams and massive amounts of homework, it had been far too long for Prudence's liking. She smiled a bit to herself as she read.

Prudence did not manage to get very far, however, before the sound of footsteps disrupted her quiet. She just hoped that whoever it was would leave her be for the time being, as she really did want to continue reading that book.

[izzie]

It was another one of those days when Izzie found herself wandering aimlessly around the castle. She had actually been doing a lot of studying lately, so she didn't feel the least bit guilty about doing nothing. Having briefly entertained the idea of taking her broom out, she had decided against it after seeing clouds that threatened to storm. When Izzie found herself in the trophy room, she was surprised to find it already occupied.

Izzie smirked at the sight of the Ravenclaw girl. "Hey Prudence," she said, almost cruelly. It was a bit petty, but Izzie had hated the girl since first year Charms when Prudence had succeeded in being the first to perform a new spell. To the day, Prudence was the only person to do that and Izzie despised her for it. It didn't help that the girl was a tiny Ravenclaw nerd, almost sickly, in fact. Izzie might have respected her if she at least stood up for herself, but since she didn't, the girl was only too easy to tease.

"What brings you here?" Izzie asked, as she stepped past the bigger trophies in the room toward where Prudence was sitting, her nose inches away from a book. Typically. "Admiring the awards of people who have amounted to something? Unlike you." Izzie laughed, looking down at the little girl, a sing-song tune playing in her head, something she had once made up to poke fun at the girl's name.

[prudence]

Prudence felt her throat tighten when she saw that it was none other than Ascella Malfoy, a particularly nasty Slytherin girl. She figured that the Malfoy girl was perfectly sweet to her fellow Slytherins, but when it came to people like her... This was the last person that she had wanted to encounter, particularly when she was very much on her own. Prudence folded down the corner of the page she was reading, knowing that there was no way in heaven or hell she would be able to focus on reading with Ascella around. She just hoped that the Slytherin would get her laughs quickly and move on.

Prudence never really knew why Ascella tormented her so, or for that matter why anyone else did. She didn't think that she had done anything to cross anyone, she was too quiet. She never fought with anyone, or even spoke to people that she didn't know. Maybe it was because she was small and never stood up for herself, rendering herself helpless. Prudence swallowed as she closed the cover of her book, not bothering to stand up. She didn't want to be seen as if she were challenging the Malfoy, who probably wouldn't hesitate to hex her for fun.

Ascella's words stung like citrus on a paper cut, but Prudence didn't allow herself to react other than look at the cover of her closed book. She had found at times that if she didn't give a reaction people left her alone sooner, though sometimes they were relentless. Prudence bit her lip lightly, determined not to look at Ascella, or even look up at all until she was left alone.

[izzie]

Izzie stared at the girl, who refused to meet her gaze. Prudence was very determined to be non-confrontational, which annoyed Isabel more than she cared to admit. She wasn't entirely sure that Prudence had ever spoken to her, but Izzie knew at least that she hadn't this year or the last. Sometimes little Gryffindors came to Prudence's rescue when Izzie was around, as if that would make her stop. If anything, the support from other people only increased Izzie's likelihood to torment Prudence. If she stood up for herself, perhaps Izzie would reconsider, but as it was, that didn't appear as though it would ever happen.

"Not going to even look at me," Izzie spat, disgusted with the girl before her. Someone who refused all forms of physical activity and lived their life in a shell was worthless to Ascella. She would never have lived with herself if she was like that. "God, you just refuse to learn, don't you?" she asked, though it was hardly a question she expected to be answered. "Want to know why I don't like you, dear Prudence?" Izzie asked the girl, sitting down right in front of her.

[prudence]

Prudence's heart pounded against her ribcage violently, she internally cursed her luck, why of all people did Ascella have to come along? She was probably the worst of all the people who picked on her, not because she had ever been cursed by her, but because she always knew exactly the right thing to say to make Prudence feel terrible. Hopefully, just hopefully, her method of pretending that the nasty Slytherin girl didn't exist might make her stop. Or perhaps, if fate decided to be in her favour, someone with authority over Ascella might come along. It was terrible that the girl was a prefect.

Prudence pressed herself further into the corner when Ascella came down to her level, feeling more threatened than usual. She didn't really want to know why Ascella didn't like her, to Prudence it didn't really matter as long as this encounter would be over soon. She might not have wanted any confrontation, but Prudence certainly wasn't going to give the girl the satisfaction of toying with her. She remained as quiet as ever, not saying a word, but clutched her book so tightly her knuckles turned white.

[izzie]

Izzie watched the girl carefully, trying to get a sign of what she was thinking. Prudence refused to speak to her, and wasn't looking at her either. To Izzie, this was the sign of a true coward. The girl had never stood up for herself, preferring to sit through torture. Many times, Izzie had seen her peers pull tricks on Prudence. Izzie doubted she would need to do that to this girl. She reserved her pranks for people who did things behind her back. Prudence wasn't like that.

"I'll take that as a no," Izzie said, pretending she was upset by it. She wondered if she'd get any reaction at all out of Prudence today. But then again, did it really matter? The girl could hear her at least. "So, what're you reading?" Isabel asked, gesturing toward the Ravenclaw's book. "Something to keep you from getting sick, I hope."

[prudence]

Prudence shifted a bit, wishing that she could push herself even further into the corner, or that she was something like a ghost and could just slip through the walls. That would be useful not only in this situation, but in countless others. Just slip away without anyone being able to stop her... Prudence dug her teeth more vigourously into her lower lip, wanting nothing more than her fantasy to be able to pass through solid walls to become true. Why was Ascella so persistent? Most people sort of gave up when Prudence didn't give them the reaction they were looking for.

Prudence shifted her hands so they were crossed at the wrists, grasping the corners of her book tightly when Ascella inquired what it was she was reading- adding snidely that she hoped it was something that would prevent her from getting sick. She just wanted this to be over, and was already regretting her decision to come to the trophy room instead of settling down in her dormitory or her favourite back corner in the library, even if they were a little louder than normal. Prudence would much rather have to focus through the noise than deal with Ascella harassing her.