Blasphemous Rumours (Cleo/Adara)

[Adara Snow]

Adara was not hiding so much as she was seeking a few moments' semi-solitude. She did not truly wish to be alone, yet all the same, she did not wish to be among the crowds in the Entrance Hall or the corridors. So she had headed toward the greenhouses, far enough from the lake and the forest, and yet not so distant from the castle that she felt entirely isolated.

She could see a large swath of the grounds from where she was seated, and she herself was visible, but paying little attention. her legs were folded beside her beneath the fine linen of her calf-length skirt, and she had her journal laid in her lap, a snowy white quill in hand, writing absently. Her mind was neither on the grounds nor her book, but in Hogsmeade.

[Cleo Frost]

Cleo was wondering through the grounds, exploring the parts she hadn't reached yet. She was also using it as time to think, offers and promises were being made all around her, Cleo was suddenly a very desirable person. She glanced up and saw someone ahead of her. It was Adara, Cleo continued on her path, keeping her pace steady. "Hi" she said as she drew nearer, not wanting to startle the girl. She smiled at her, hoping she wouldn't be turned away, if she was, she had already failed.

[Adara Snow]

Adara's eyes lifted from her book, then focused on the girl approaching. Her lips curved into a polite smile that could not dispel the lingering sadness in her dark eyes. "Hello," she said, returning the girl's greeting. She closed her book to be polite, declaring herself finished with what she had been doing, now that she had company. She did not know the girl, and wondered why she was being approached, but did not question the circumstance. Not only would that be unconscionably rude, but she was certain that all would be explained in time.

[Cleo Frost]

Cleo noted the sadness in Adara's eyes and her own grew in turn, although hers was better hidden. "I'm sorry to intrude" she said with an apologetic smile. "It's just that I'm rather new and I haven't really met anyone yet" she said anxiously, biting her lip. Cleo stood, waiting, she rose on to the balls of her feet lightly, bouncing slightly before planting her heels on the earth again.

[Adara Snow]

Some of the sadness dispelled at the thought that Adara might be of assistance, that she might be able to do something useful, and distract herself in the meantime. "You may sit with me, if you would like," she offered, gesturing with a light motion of her hand to the soft grass beside her. "I am Adara Snow, and though I do not claim to be an expert on Hogwarts, I do know enough to be of use, and always welcome new friends."

[Cleo Frost]

Cleo smiled at Adara gratefully, discreetly forgetting to mention the fact that she already knew who she was. Cleo sat down, facing towards Adara. "I'm Cleo Frost and it's very nice to meet you" she said to Adara with another smile. "I have only been at the castle a few days, and although I have already learnt my way around, I don't know anyone. I had so many friends back at home I felt quite lonely" she explained. All of this was true, Cleo had decided her job would be easier if she didn't lie.

[Adara Snow]

"Well, you know someone now," Adara said, her smile growing incrementally more relaxed with the conversation. "I have been at Hogwarts since just before the winter holiday, and I can assure you that it is easy to make friends here." She had gathered many of her own, and though she did not speak with all of them regularly, she knew that, should she have need of them, any would be happy to help or guide her.

[Cleo Frost]

Cleo laughed softly, somehow she hadn't been expecting the girl who sat before her, but Cleo continued nevertheless. "That's very reassuring, maybe you could introduce me to some of your friends" she suggested, hoping Adara would be happy to.

[Adara Snow]

Adara nodded at the suggestion, warming to the idea. "I know only one Hufflepuff, Ryan, who is, by all accounts, quite busy recently, three other Ravenclaws, Anna, Dru, and Silver, whom I unfortunately have not seen in some time, a Gryffindor named Dare, and a Slytherin named Michael, who is a dear friend. And now you," she said, her smile returning. "If you would be counted among my friends?" she added hopefully. This was infinitely more pleasant than sulking, and though Adara could not entirely distract herself, she tried to put aside her thoughts.

[Cleo Frost]

Cleo smiled, keeping her opinions of certain people, like Ryan, to herself. "Of course, count another slytherin amongst your friends" she said with a smile. "I hope you aren't one of those people who expects all slytherins to be nasty, sly people. Because if you are you will be thoroughly disappointed in me" Cleo teased.

[Adara Snow]

Adara tilted her head at Cleo, innocent curiosity in her eyes. "Why would I think that?" she asked. She'd had no background information about the school or houses before attending Hogwarts, and so all her knowledge had been learned through personal experience. "Michael Hardt is a Slytherin, and one of my very favorite people. I would not assume to know someone judging by their house."

[Cleo Frost]

"Well," she started carefully. "Normally when you arrive as a first year you get sorted in the great hall into the four houses. It is different for transfers but anyway. What house you are in is decided by the Sorting Hat, and it is based upon your personalilty" she continued, not having been sorted herself all that Cleo knew was by word of mouth. "Hufflepuffs are said to be loyal, Gryfindors brave, Ravenclaws intelligent and Slytherins are supposed to be, rather ruthless and cold" she finished. "But as you know that isn't always the case but many of the houses have rivalries based on those stereotypes" she said sadly.

[Adara Snow]

Adara had listened to Cleo with interest, but though she had learned much in those brief sentences, she had developed many more questions as well. One of her greatest curiosities was that of the social workings of the other students. "How very strange," Adara mused, taking everything that Cleo had said as truth without question. "And the students judge one another by four general personalities? That seems rather unfair, and unwise as well."

[Cleo Frost]

Cleo shrugged, she didn't know everything herself and could only guess. Though she had always watched the social workings of a society and she guessed that Adara had not had the same exposure. "I suppose, it is ingrained in the students, part of the tradition here. Older students pass it on to the younger ones and it continues" she sighed. "I know it is unfair, that is why I am pleased that we can be friends, break the mould" she said with a small smile.

[Adara Snow]

Adara's smile returned at that, genuine happiness showing in the curve of her lips and the soft glitter of her eyes. "I am pleased as well," she said truthfully. She enjoyed making friends, and learning from each another piece of the puzzle which was life outside the walls of her childhood home. That thought gave her pause, and the sadness returned momentarily to her eyes, but she forced it away; she had done all that she could for now, and so she had to be satisfied. Adara brought her gaze back to Cleo, her head tilting in a posture of curiosity. "If you are new here, then where have you come from?" she asked.