Chapter 10- Pink Madness
Rowena's POV
I woke up and decided that I hated pink. I hated it more than I could ever imagine hating something before. Now, don't think I was being illogical when I made this decision, because it makes perfect sense. What I'm trying to say is how would you like to wake up to find that your surroundings are completely frilly, bright, and pink? I guess it doesn't help that I am also not a morning person.
I threw back my curtainsand sawthat everyone else was already primping and grooming. As for me, I didn't need to be troubled with all that nonsense. Besides, I wanted to get out of that dormitory as soon as humanly possible.
Unfortunately, I had had a lot of good luck last night, so this morning fate wasn't on my side.
"Rowena? Just where do you think you're going in that attire- a funeral?" questioned Prosperity when I was halfway out the door. Inwardly I groaned- so close, and yet so far away from being liberated from the frilly madness that engulfed me. I had even worn a very plain, navy blue dress to be as opposite of the frilly pinkness as possible. Too bad I had gotten caught.
"Since when do you care about what I look like?" I grumbled when she forced me down into a very uncomfortable wooden chair that made me have to sit up perfectly straight. Before she replied, Melinda muttered a spell, and a jet of yellow light hit me. I gasped sharply, and I tried to move out of my seat- but to no avail. I was stuck with a bunch of frilly poodles. And it was at that point I remembered I had left my wand under my pillow.
"Because," she started as she took out the loose bun in my hair and began to brush it, "After that embarrassment last night, I've got to maintain family honor. Everything must be perfect- including you Rowena."
I glared at the pink wall that stood across from me. I'd have glared at Prosperity, but that would have been tricky to do while she yanked my hair into place. I moved around as much as possible, though, determined to cause her as much frustration as possible when one is stuck in a very uncomfortable chair without a wand.
"Would you sit still Rowena!" she barked angrily, "Honestly, it's as if you want to look like an ugly, plain little commoner. Addy dear, would you take care of Rowena's face while I put up her hair? And get out her yellow frock while you're at it."
Addy nodded obediently, and I glared even harder at the wall. I was going to become another frilly replica! I'd become unrecognizable to all my friends, in other words, Helga and Salazar (neither of which might not even want to be friends with me, at the moment) and they would think me gone! No one would realize that the newest frilly living doll was Rowena Hufflepuff, and by the time they did realize it, it would be too late, for I'd be brainwashed by dresses and hair care.
I was doomed.
Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but the whole ordeal was a horrible experience to have gone through. Addy put loads of this powder on my face that made me itch and cough, I was forced to wear bright pastel colors, and the braid that now wrapped around my head like a crown was so tight- it was painful. No wonder Addy, Prosperity, and Melinda were stupid. The pain and sweat that came with all this beauty care was enough to drive anyone insane!
"She looks positively adorable!" Melinda clasped her hands together in her saccharine manner, "You did a wonderful job with her."
Prosperity beamed proudly, for this was her revenge for every little thing I had ever done to her. She released the spell on me, but kept a firm grip on me with her sausage-like fingers so that I couldn't leave.
"She'll do, I suppose," said the last member of our dormitory, a tall girl whose name I did not know, "At least she looks more presentable than that little whore who was all over Godric Gryffindor last night. Did you see her all over my Ricky- it was so undignified!"
I choked and sputtered, I tried very hard not to laugh. Had she really just calledsomeone else whorish? With that revealing blood red dress that fit tightly around her curves, dark brown curls hung seductively around her face? Now that was just ludicrous!
"Don't worry, cousin," Melinda placated the older girl, "Godric won't pay that seductress any mind once he meets you- you are Elswyth Black after all, from one of the most prominent of magical families. I bet that whore was even part of the prank, Prosperity, which humiliated you! The wrench did come out of nowhere, coincidentally right after you left. Why, that couldn't have been a coincidence."
More sputtering from my corner of the room. Had they just called Helga a whore and seductress? Now that was just too funny. Why, they had all gotten jealous of Helga, who they considered beneath them! I had to tell Salazar and Helga, they would think the whole situation was hilarious. Well at least they would, after I had apologized for putting Helga in a compromising position, of course.
"Rowena, are you quite alright?" Addy cocked her head to the side, staring at me in a very confused manner. It must have been a sight, me being held captive by my pig of a sister while I snickered and sputtered shamelessly.
"Peachy," I smiled innocently and successfully fooled the dimwits that surrounded me. Although, Elswyth didn't look very convinced, and I noted to myself to keep an eye on her.
So, off I went with the pack of frilly girls, without a wand, but at least I finally got to leave that horrible room. I figured that once we got to the dining hall, they would forget me and I could sneak off to find Helga and Salazar. That is, if Prosperity ever released her grip on me.
We entered the large hall to find people sitting at three long tables, most were just sitting down or still eating. I scanned the room for my two friends. It appeared that Helga wasn't there yet, but Salazar was, and he was eating with the boy Helga was talking to last night, Godric Gryffindor. It looks like everyone's met this kid but me.
And it also seemed as if I would be meeting him now. Elswyth wanted to meet Godric, Addy wanted to see Leofric, who was eating with Godric, and Melinda and Prosperity had nothing better to do, and I was still being held captive by Prosperity.
"Good morning, Godric," Elswyth drawled as she sat across from him. Addy made the trek around the table to sit next to Leofric, and Melinda to sit next to her, while Prosperity sat on the left of Elswyth, and I to the left of Prosperity. My seat also happened to be across from Salazar, who happened to snort into his pumpkin juice at the sight of me all dressed up by my sisters. And I just happened to throw a crumb of bread into his pumpkin juice.
"Erm… am I supposed to know you?" Godric scratched his head, baffled. A smug smile came on my face when I realized that Godric had no idea who Elswyth was, which really put Elswyth out. That's when I started to think I was becoming a bit sadistic. I decided I'd have to work on that later.
"You know," she smirked, "Elswyth Black? Surely you must have heard of me." Godric wrinkled his nose, deep in thought, and I truly wondered if he was faking it, orif he really had no idea. And then, there was the possibility that Elswyth was making her entire story up.
"Oh yeah- I do know you!" he exclaimed, "Auntie Esma talks about you're family all the time!"
Oh Merlin, was this boy daft? He sure was acting the part. Now that would be dangerous, an imbecile like him inheriting a lot of power one day, with a wife like Elswyth.
"Really?" she asked, chin resting on hand as she leaned over the table to him, "And pray tell, what does she say?"
Godric grinned mischievously, exchanging a look with Salazar before he leaned into her, "She's says the whole lot of you Blacks are naught but a bunch of good for nothing gold-diggers and lazy bastards that have never worked a day in their lives. Auntie Esma was always one for honesty."
I looked away and tried to stifle my laughs by covering my mouth with my hands, but to no avail. That was brilliant, simply brilliant- Elswyth blushed like the mere mortal she was and everything, glowering as she slid back in her seat and turned to her food.
"Godric," Melinda started, covering for her humiliated cousin, "I'm Melinda Thompson, and as you know, this is Adela and Prosperity Hufflepuff, and their younger sister, Rowena-"
Godric's eyes widened in recognition, "So you're the one who-"
I stuck out my hand across the table, and said quickly, "The one who is very pleased to meet you, Godric." He shook my hand and smiled knowingly while the rest of the girls exchanged suspicious glances. Better for them to be suspicious than for Godric to let them all know who was the one behind last night's prank. I supposed Helga or Salazar must have told him about it.
So the girls went back to talking about who knows what, and the boys about something totally different, but I paid no attention as I looked around for Helga. It seemed that she still hadn't arrived yet, and I wondered what was holding her up.
About a second later, the doors to the hall opened again and I got my answer. She had asmall peasant girl holding tightly onto each hand, and was leading several older raggedy girls around her. She herself was back in her normal attire, hair back in its usual two braids, so unlike the free curls she had worn last night. She seemed to be in charge of the group, and sat them down at a table, making sure everyone had a place, and everyone put their napkins on their laps. How quickly she had become the ringmaster of this small parade.
For a moment, she looked in my direction, and I tried to catch her eye, but as soon as she noticed me, she looked away. I guessed I was not forgiven for what I had done last night. I supposed I deserved it, too.
"Would you take a look at that?" Elswyth sneered at the group, "Have they ever even had their clothing washed… ever?"
Melinda followed her glance and rolled her eyes, "People like that don't deserve to learn magic with the rest of us." Once again they were criticizing Helga, but they didn't even realize it. How ironic.
"Why?" I asked sarcastically and rolled my eyes, "They're too humble for you? Or maybe they're too kind, helping each other- oh no, those are horrible, horrible people- let's get rid of them immediately!" Melinda's jaw dropped; scandalized at the fact that anyone would dare defy her and her couin.
"I'd close my mouth if I were you, Melinda, you're attracting flies," Godric commented nonchalantly. She blushed as she closed her mouth tightly.
Revenge is sweet.
I went back to toying with my food, every now and then I turned around to look at Helga and her new friends. I just hoped that there would still be room enough for me. Otherwise, all I'd have would be Salazar, which was not a very good prospect, seeing as hetried his best to act as if we had never met. It wasn't completely because he is an annoying slime ball though, it was also because he also had to make sure Prosperity and Addy didn't realize who he was, which would make for an awkward situation. At least, that was what I hoped.
"I'm not hungry anymore!" declared Godric spontaneously, getting out of his seat, "Raedan, Salazar, Leofric, are you with me?"
Salazar was eager to leave, as was Raedan, but Leofric seemed, well reluctant. He apparently was one of the very select few that enjoyed making conversation with Addy. That was a hard thing to do, seeing as she was so dense. But somehow, when the two of them got together, she talked and talked like she knew what she was saying. Definitely a good match.
"You're welcome to join us, Rowena," Godric added, "I think you'd like to meet my cousin, Gennie. Of course, it you would rather stay with your sisters, that would be understandable…"
"No, I'll go meet your cousin!" I stood up, as I was very eager to get away from my sisters and the cousins, especially when Prosperity, Melinda, and Elswyth all glared at me. What was Addy doing, you ask? Talking with Leofric of course, as her attention always turned to him whenever he was in her presence.
"So really… why does your hair resemble a bird's nest this morning?" Salazar asked, mock seriously after we were a few yards from the table, "I always knew you were a birdbrain, but really, trying to attract birds to your head?"
"Shove it, Salazar," I growled. Honestly, did he try to make me mad on purpose? Was that some kind of sick game of his?
"Or what?" he challenged, raising an eyebrow at me. I had a new thing to add to the list of things that I hated. I hated the way he raised his eyebrow at me, as if I were some stupid, inferior little girl.
"Or I'll hex you to pieces," I said, matter-of-factly. He sighed a sigh full of boredom, and I was convinced he only did it to agitate me.
"Well, isn't that an unoriginal threat," he said dryly, "Really, I was hoping something more creative from you. I'm disappointed in you, Rowena." I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Hurry up, you two!" Godric called impatiently, "We've got mischief to be making."
When he said this, we passed where Helga was sitting, and from the corner of my eye, I saw her watch me carefully. It would probably be best to resolve as soon as possible.
"Actually Godric, I've got some business to attend to," I said slowly, "Perhaps some other time."
He turned around; his face gave away his disappointment at the loss of a fellow prankster. Salazar gave a nod of approval, and I swear that if he was one of those good-hearted, considerate people in the world, he might have even smiled. But that was a lot to expect from Salazar, after all.
"See you later, then," he said, like a sad little child. I gave a small wave goodbye, and watched him, Salazar, and Raedan as they left the room.
I swiveled around, and bit at my lip nervously. Well, this was it- too bad I wasn't that great with apologies. In fact, I can't remember the last time I've ever apologized to anybody. Ever.
It took all that it had in me to walk up to Helga, and not just turn away. You see, I'm not that brave. Usually, I just use my knowledge to best everyone, and run. I opened my mouth to say something, but then I realized I didn't know what to say, so I closed my mouth. So I just tapped her on the shoulder.
Helga turned around, and all conversation in her group stopped as they all watched to see why a girl like me would want to talk like a girl like Helga. I chewed at my bottom lip again; I would have preferred this to be a more private conversation.
"What do you want?" Helga asked, not able to look at me. I looked to the other girls, to Helga, to the other girls again. Merlin, I wished they'd all just go away.
"Well, erm…" I began slowly. For a person who read so much, I was pretty speechless, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry, about last night I mean. It won't, um, it's not going to happen again, witch's honor. You forgive me?"
She looked up at me, I felt her big blue eyes calculating my face as they tried to decipher whether or not I was telling the truth. I felt almost as if I were naked under her scrutiny, as if she could see right through me. And I didn't like that one bit, it was quite nerve-racking.
"Forgiven," she said with a small smile, "Come, sit vits us. I'll introduce you to my roommates."
She turned back to them, and said probably the most surprising thing they'd ever heard in their short lives, "Everyone, zis is Rowena Hufflepuff, my step-sister, and also my best friend."
Author's Note: Woah ten chapters! Meh, I didn't like this chapter, it was kind of corny and meh-ish. I guess I kind of needed it though, I've been depressed lately... yep, the nerdiest girl in the land is getting her first C ever, and the nerdiest girl in the land's parents are not to happy and have been limiting computer time. sigh How I loathe science! And it doesn't really help that my dog's discovered how zippers function and pulled everything out of my backpack to get a granola bar, which is actually pretty funny. Somehow I was blamed for that, but it's not myfault my dog is tooclever for her own good. But,I digress.
Jamie Girl: Thanky much!
Luna Moonlight Fawn: Ah, a new reviewer person! Thank you for inspiration blessing, actually, now that I think of it, I just got a very good idea... I'd say more, but that would be telling, wouldn't it?
FanFictionFantom: :headwallheadwallheadwall: Rawr, counfounding tenses, we aren't friends, to say the least. Gotta go back and fix that. As for Rowena & Salazar, well, yes I think this is duct tape time :author sticks a piece of duct tape securely over mouth:
RavenEcho: Yes the tenses, (see above)... and yay for the contrast! Homework is stupid, we spend enough time doing work in school, why do we have to go home and do more of it when we should be having fun and typing fanfictions? As for Salazar, well, it's duct tape time again :takes out roll of duct tape:.
Yah, heard the review rumors and stuff, and personally, don't care. I love you all too much to stop replying!