For the Light it up like it's the 4th of July Event on TGS (Ilvermorny)
Beauxbatons, Barbegazi
Word Count 374
Webster looks thoroughly annoyed when he finds Rionach in the garden outside the school. "Chadwick says you were supposed to practice Charms with him," he says.
The young girl scowls, turning her attention back to the snake. It nudges her with its head.
You should listen to him, the snake tells her.
I'm not eleven yet, she protests. I have plenty of time to work on magic.
Webster sighs. "Do you have to do that in front of me?" he asks. "It's creepy."
Rionach smirks. "It's only creepy because you don't understand. What would our mother say if she knew of your prejudices, Web?"
"I'm not prejudiced! You're my sister," he argues.
The snake slithers onto her arm, its tongue flicking against her skin. Rionach giggles. "Tell Chadwick I'm busy," she says.
With a huff, Webster storms off.
It isn't fair, really. Regardless of what her brother says, she can see the way her ability unnerves him. He isn't the only one, of course. Students have caught her in the garden, conversing with snakes before. They've run off in fear, speaking in trembling whispers. Only her mother, with whom she shares her gift, is not afraid of what she does.
I do not think that I like people very much, she tells the snake as it settles on her shoulder They do not understand me. But you do.
But they are your kind. I am not. It is quite lonely to be without your kind.
Rionach frowns. It already feels lonely. Martha plays with her without question, even if Martha does not possess magic. But it isn't enough. She longs for the company of people who understands her. She will never have that. After all, her gift is seen as a curse by so many. Something dark, something wicked.
To truly belong with others, she'll have to deny her gift, to tuck it away to be forgotten. The thought of that is just as lonely as embracing her gift.
You are my kind, she decides, smiling to herself. We are both misunderstood because of what we are.
The snake nudges her ear as though agreeing. Rionach sighs. She is destined for loneliness one way or another. At least this loneliness feels more like home.
