Hope in the Dark

[Banshee Simmons]

Banshee wished, as she always did in the winter, she could join those happy families surrounding their hearths, with walls and a roof to keep them from the elements. She was often lucky if she could get more than a scrap of food - especially now. Wearing one of her mother's old dresses, probably from when she'd herself first been pregnant, Banshee couldn't even fit into any of the woman's old corsets. The baby was so big, and growing more by the minute, she knew. As she walked to one of the benches within the park, her blue eyes wandered, looking...hoping.

Still, some parts of her wished that others, in their cozy homes, their warm cloaks, with the money to buy all the food they needed and even toys for their children, would help her somehow. There were those that offered their pity; a Sickle here, a loaf of bread there. It wasn't enough, and to be honest, Banshee's pregnancy looked out of place on her thin figure. She was too thin - not getting enough food to feed both of them.

It wouldn't be long, now, before the next generation of Simmons began. If both mother and child were even able to survive the process of birth.

Sinking onto the bench, Banshee gave a rare, warm smile, her right hand smoothing over her belly. "I promise," she murmured. "If we both get out of this okay, we're not going to stay here. We'll get out of this mess my mother put us in."

  

[Tessa Grey]

Tessa was enjoying a walk in Hogsmeade park. Walking in the winter makes everything seem so magical. Her chaperone wasn't that far behind her. It was something that she was already used to. Even though sometimes she didnt' think that it was really needed. But it ruled. And something that she had to follow.That is when she saw a young woman who was talking to someone. This woman was in the lower class. And by the looks hadn't seen a proper meal for days.

Since Christmas was almost here, Tessa felt like she should help the poor women. Since that was what the season was all about. That is when she walked towards the young women sitting on the bench. Tessa was sure that she need some money and a good meal. She smiled as she thinking of the good deed that she was going to be doing.

It seemed like she was talking to her belly. This woman had to be pregnant. Tessa wasn't just helping out this woman. But she was helping out an unborn baby. “ You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days.” She wasn't sure how this was going to play out.

Since Tessa was in the upper class. And this woman was a lower class. This woman being pregnant and unmarried.

  

[Banshee Simmons]

Banshee lifted blue eyes to the fair-haired woman that approached, tensing instinctively, expecting to be told to go away, to get out of the park, to take her foul spawn elsewhere. The brunette wrapped her arms tight around her upper torso, teeth worrying at her lower lip. Her fear was unwarranted. Winter was cold. Winter was harsh. Sometimes Banshee wondered how she and her siblings had survived so long.

Adjusting herself so that her hands wrapped around her arms - subtly checking that the wand she wasn't supposed to have was there, that she wasn't defenseless - Banshee finally nodded. Her blue eyes flicked behind the blonde, glancing at the governess that followed her. "Trust that you don't want to be seen with me," Banshee said softly, now turning her head to look down. "The lowest of the low. They'll say I'm corrupting you. That I've tainted you."

Her right hand rested over the top of her belly now, just for a moment, before she lurched up to her feet. She stumbled slightly, but caught herself, and started to walk away. But she paused, hesitant, only a few steps away, and turned around slow.

"If you really want to help...I could use a cloak."

  

[Tessa Grey]

Tessa wasn't sure what she could do to help this woman. She knew that being seen around her. Rumors could start to happen. But she knew that her chaperone wouldn't say a thing. But she smiled as she knew that something so little could make a big difference. The food was something that this woman really needed. But she didn't want anybody else to see her with her. The Daily Prophet was something that she was trying to stay out of.

And she wanted to keep her reputation clean. Because one day she would actually find someone who wanted to court her. And this could ruin her chance. But right now she was trying not of thinking about herself. But to the woman, that was in front of her.

She could tell that this woman was in pain. And she was right that people would talk about Tessa. But she knew the smallest act of kindness would help this poor woman out. But she then watched as she seen her get up and start to leave. Tessa had a small smile when the women said a cloak would help.

Tessa was always used to wearing two. Since her mother wanted her to stay warm. She then took the first cloak off and handed it to the women. “ I know it isn't much, but it will keep you warm.”

  

[Banshee Simmons]

Banshee expected the woman to walk away, not another word in her direction. So it shocked her when she paused, and took off her own cloak. The blonde wore two. Two! A moment of rage flashed though her mind. The gall, wearing two cloaks when others can't even afford one! But she knew her status, and that most of this other woman's station wouldn't even have looked twice at her, a poor, unmarried woman with an illegitimate baby on the way.

The brunette walked forward, slow and measured, one hand on her stomach, the other slowly extending. Her mother...her siblings...they would all be envious. The little ones would try to hide in it. But for now, it only mattered that she would have it. That it would be hers, to keep herself from the frigid winter.

"Thank you," she said, truly grateful, as she wrapped her fingers around the thick fabric, lifting it to inhale whatever scent might cling to it. "Thank you so much. This...if there were a way to repay you, I would." Her blue eyes found the governess again, for a moment, and she lowered her head. "I should go."

  

[Tessa Grey]

Tessa felt bad as the women were cold. Yes, she did have two cloaks. It wasn't her fault that she was born into the right class. But Tessa knew that she could always end up just like this young lady. It was something that was making her think about everything this.

The young lady then walked and took the cloak. Tessa smiled as it was the only thing that she could do. “ I know that this isn't much. I just had a new cloak made, and this one was my old one.” This was Tessa's way of helping out. Hoping that she was doing some good. And not just walking away like everybody else.

She then gave a warm smile. “ You are welcome.” She then looked as the young women thought it was a treasure. “ The way that you can repay me is that someone should you kindness. And maybe this will spread.” She then looked as the young women said that she should go. And Tessa shouldn't be caught even being near her. She knew that her chaperone wouldn't say anything.