Passing the Time Away

[PHILIP MORRISSEY]

Philip didn't have any idea why he was out so late, wandering the High Street of Hogsmeade. If anything, he should be in bed resting for work in the morning, but the point was he didn't want to go to work in the morning. He just found it a tad unsual that he was putting it off by staying out at 11 in the evening when he could just sit around at home. He was cold, and quite possibly had a glass or two at the Three Broomsticks, but still he carried on strolling along casually, as if he had all the time in the world. He wished.

It was a Tuesday. He didn't know why, but Tuesday's didn't seem particularly pleasant in his view. They seemed dull, as if they dragged. He'd never really thought about it, and perhaps that's because he didn't normally wander about drunk on a Tuesday night, doing anything to stay well away from his bed. If anyone from the Ministry saw him like this, he'd be in trouble before he knew it, or at least be judged as if he'd committed one of the Unforgivable Curses. Matching up to people's estimates wasn't exactly his greatest skill though, as he constantly seemed to fail to meet such expectations, or deliberately couldn't be bothered. For example, school. He happened to do that a lot at school, especially for his parents.

The very idea of his parents seeing him like this made him scoff, and he'd struggle not to laugh at their horror. Hardly the perfect son they expected. Maybe this is what being in the Ministry did to a man? Maybe all the dull, grey old men used to be like him, trying to get away from the dreariness of day-to-day life, but instead just ended up to be...boring. That'd be a tad depressing. He slumped himself against a wall of a shop for a moment, to get his bearings, and took a long sigh. He ought to sober up. He ought to go home. Philip knew this was stupid and childish, but he couldn't help himself. He just hated his job. Where was the action and adventure that he was promised? It didn't seem to be anywhere that he looked. All he found was forms. With a great sigh, he turned to where he thought the road might lead him home, and trekked onwards.

  

[Genevieve Granger]

Genevieve lay quietly in her four-poster bed in the Gryffindor Girls' Dormitory, the only sound radiating around the room were the quiet breaths of her female classmates, rest after a day's tough work of studies and lectures. Jenny was restless. Her very being was bursting with adrenaline. Her legs were trembling with the yearning to run carefree. Her alert and conscious mind was reeling with thoughts of what the lay beyond the magnificent castle's walls, especially when the sun has set and everything was pitch dark. Sighing, Jenny attempted to perish the very thought of sneaking out into the unknown; and shifted her body to where she was lying on her side, her wild hair splayed across the cotton pillow.

In the darkness, with the moonlight the only given light, Genevieve pretty blue orbs settled on her simple, everyday dress sitting carelessly upon a chair. Giving in to her wants and pleasures, Jenny cautiously pulled back her bedcovers and tiptoed quietly across the room. Grabbing a few pins and a brush to with the intention of attempting to tame her hair, she tiptoed silently to the mirror and pulled her hair up into a simple up do. Once she was confident of her rushed, but decent appearance, Jenny slipped on her shoes and gently twisted the knob on the door and praying that it would not make a sound as she opened it.

To her immense gratitude and relief, the door was pulled open quietly and wide enough as to not wake her snoozing classmates, and for herself to slip out without anyone noticing. Taking two steps at a time, Jenny swore to herself that this would be the final time she would be out of her dorm after the designated curfew time. Of course, though she swore; it hardly meant she was going to begin using the reasonable advice that came from the rational side of her conscience. Unfortunately her irrational and frivolous nature overshadowed her ladylike and intelligent qualities. Or at least those were her mother's consolations when she heard that her daughter had had motivations that were unbecoming of a young lady.

Poor, dear Mama, Genevieve thought after she mentally congratulated herself on the achievement of sneaking out unbeknownst to the sleeping, large woman in the portrait. She has ambitions of transitioning her daughter into a ladylike and charming young woman, but yet, she becomes disappointed when her ambitions go against her wishes. Jenny honestly and truly attempts to become the young woman her mother sees through her mind's eye (something her father notices with sympathy), but her rambunctious and na´ve nature makes this notion difficult. With the soles of her feet padding lightly across the stone castle floors with the entrance of the school its destination, Jenny pondered on her life once more, Papaà Papa always had faith in my ability to succeed in life. Is he disappointed in me, as well? I sincerely hope not. I do not think I could bear to be such a disappointment to my dear father. My mother's woes and exclamations are amusing, but my father's disappointment would certainly damage my soul, and most especially, my heart.

Dear God, Jenny prayed silently as she saw her escape up ahead, please let my father be proud of me still. I do not think I could take such an awful consequence such as my father's disappointment. With all her thoughts swirling around in her mind, Jenny had hardly even taken the appointed time to fully appreciate Hogwarts at its best; when all of the castle was still, quiet, and dark. Once the pear upon the portrait had been tickled, Jenny let herself into the kitchens where she was greeted with excited choruses of "Mistress Jenny!" or "Mistress Vanderbilt!" Giving a slight nod, a dazzling smile, and a small greeting towards the easily excited houselves, Jenny strolled in the direction of a lone houself she befriended in her second year.

"Good evening, Kina," Genevieve bowed. Kina the house elf detested impoliteness. Once formalities had been exchanged, Jenny's face became curious as she enquired, "Would a small favor be much to ask of you?" Once she had had the house elf's consent as to what the favor consisted of, Jenny grasped the hand of Kina's and felt herself become lurched forward and the scene of wide-eyed house elves became black. The apparition had only been a minute but Jenny still felt herself gasping for breath in shock as the busy main street of came in front of her eyes. The apparating had been exhilarating, but when she turned to thank Kina the house elf, the elf was nowhere to be seen. The sounds of party-goers and carriages were audible to her ears as she stared around herself in awe. So this was scene of the main street in the evening hours?, Jenny thought as all the lights caught her eyes. It's beautifulà

Just as Genevieve was beginning to wander up and down the street, a voice called out not to far away from her hearing range, "Get out of the way, woman!" Startled, Jenny whipped around and what she witnessed had her frozen in fear. Two horses pulling a carriage was charging straight for her. As the coachmen attempted to rein the stubborn horses and the carriage inhabitants and onlookers yelled for her to remove herself from harm's way, Jenny pulled her coat closer around her and awaited her fate which was hardly too far off.

(OOC: Here it is! Long, I know but the ideas just kept flowing. I figured some kind of alarm would have gone off if Jenny would have left through the Entrance Hall. So, I just created Kina which is mostly going to be my first non-human character in a month or so. Oh, and I also thought that Phillip would be able to get a more respect from the Ministry if they knew that he saved a damsel in distress. :p)

  

[PHILIP MORRISSEY]

Retiring back to his home seemed like defeat to Philip, but what was he to do? If he was out here any longer, rumours would undoubtedly start flying around Hogsmeade about his behaviour, which would make living in the place even more intolerable. A dull place was bad, but a dull place where everybody thinks you to be a reckless drunk is even worst. He was slowly making his way onwards, trying to tune out the people around him so he could get home with no distractions. He just had to keep going now.

"Get out of the way, woman!"

Philip snapped back into the land of the living, and looked around to see what the commotion was. He'd finally given into rational thought to go back home and he just gets dragged back in each time. The shout came from a carriage driver, thundering along the road. Philip's eyes darted down the road to the woman he was addressing, straight in the carriage's way. Brilliant, this just had to happen when he was actually willing to go home.

There were various other bystanders watching the scene in front of them unravel, but none of them seemed willing or in a fit state to help. This was probably more action than Philip would get in the next week as an Auror, and so he took a deep breath and tried to see if he could make it. He ran as fast as he could to the young woman, and leapt out, grabbing her as he went. He threw the pair of them to the ground, as the carriage hurtled past, barely missing them.

Philip rolled off of the young woman, and just laid on the ground for a moment, getting his breath back. He turned and finally got a chance to look at the girl face-to-face. She was beautiful. Sharp features and gorgeous flowing hair. Well, at least he got something out of risking his life.

"Are you okay, Miss?" Philip asked, standing up and offering out a hand to help her up. "Must have been quite the scare..."

  

[Genevieve Granger]

He ran as fast as he could to the young woman, and leapt out, grabbing her as he went.

Genevieve gasped in surprised when she was harshly grasped by the waist and thrown down onto the dirty floor. She could barely register her savior as she felt someone roll off of her body. As she and her mysterious savior lay on the dingy pavement, side by side and breathing heavily, Jenny could hardly believe that her life had just flashed before her very eyes. Why had she not removed herself out of harm's way? Why had she just been standing in front of the thundering carriage as if she had no common sense? As these thoughts hurtled through her fogged mind one after the other, she began to become aware of her hero beginning to rise and she began to lift herself into a sitting position on the ground. She was still gasping from the aftershock.

"Are you okay, Miss?" Philip asked, standing up and offering out a hand to help her up. "Must have been quite the scare..."

Registering that her savior was indeed male, Genevieve tilted her head up in interest. Dull grayish-blue eyes connected with lively, sparkling ones. This man was definitely handsome. The most handsome she has seen so far and her childhood consisted of mostly male cousins as playmates! This man was even much more handsome than her mother's dear friend's son, Jacob. Dazed and slightly lightheaded, Jenny accepted this man's offer of assistance and hoisted herself up off the ground. A wave of dizziness overcame her and she used her other hand to grasp the man's arm to keep her steadied. Closing her eyes, Jenny laid her head on the man's shoulder to rid of her lightheadedness.

Finally, Jenny opened her eyes and blushed furiously when she realized that she had been grasping to him for far longer than a well brought up young lady was supposed to. But here was the slight problem, Jenny was enjoying the closeness to the man. She hardly even knew him and yet she was already drawn to him. Perhaps a side effect due to recently being saved by a Greek God? That, Jenny was convinced, would make any young woman giddy and grateful all at once. Removing gaze from the ground, Jenny reluctantly released her hold on the man and took a step back. Looking once more into those beautiful blue eyes and handsome features, Jenny softly responded, "Yes, I am well, sir. It was just a shock is all. I apologize for your trouble, but I must also show my gratitude. You saved my life and that owes for a proper gift."

Blushing once more after realizing that she had failed in the rules of etiquette to introduce herself, Genevieve held out her hand and announced, "Genevieve Vanderbilt, sir. Your name?"