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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 18:31:23 GMT
I sit by the lake on a blanket. Even though the snow was gone for the day, the ground was still freezing cold due to the temperature. I look around smiling at the students ice skating, or just talking around the edges of the lake during their weekend. Suddenly, I had this urge to hum a muggle song called "Sing Sweet Nightingale," so what would any other person do? I started to hum the slow, but beautiful song softly.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 18:43:12 GMT
It is way too cold for so many people to be out here, I mutter in my head, looking twitchily around at the overpopulated grounds. Normally on days like this I could count on some peace no matter where outside I went, but it seems like all my fellow students have decided that just because the snow's gone, that means it's warmer.
Or maybe it's the fact that I would normally be studying at this time of day.... I scowl at them anyway, all the chattering students, and don't notice where I'm going 'til I walk across somebody's blanket.
"Sorry," I mutter irritably, looking back and wondering if I have to help kick it back into place now. Then I notice who's sitting there and grin. "Sorry," I say again, a little more sheepishly this time.
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 18:47:13 GMT
I felt my blanket move a bit and look up at the student as I was still humming. "Oh hey Fitzy." I say to him with a smile. "Why are you out here? It's freezing." I say now noticing how many more students had taking liking to this spot that was deserted just a few minutes ago.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 18:52:06 GMT
I shrug. "That's exactly why I am... normally nobody else is. Today there's a whole... dozen." I look around, laughing slightly at what perhaps is an overreaction on my part. "So what are you doing out here?" I ask in return.
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 18:54:41 GMT
"I was about to grade everyone's astronomy tests." I say nodding over to my portfolio. "But it was so nice out here, that I decided to hum and enjoy the weather." I say to him.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 19:03:37 GMT
"It's so nice out here when it's freezing...." I say slowly, raising my eyebrows. "Yes... that makes sense." I laugh slightly. "That's right, you were humming a minute ago. Sorry I interrupted you."
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 19:05:15 GMT
"It's okay. Really. I'm not that good of a hummer, or a singer." I say with a shrug. "And I meant how the sun's out. It's been behind the clouds for a few weeks. You may sit down if you want."
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 19:08:24 GMT
"Ah," I nod, shrugging and deciding to sit. "I've never understand why people seem to like the sun so much."
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 19:10:06 GMT
"Because it's warm and keeps you warm." I say to him with a smile. "So, anything new with you?" I ask reaching for the portifolio.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 19:18:37 GMT
"Nothing in particular," I say, after what is hopefully not too much hesitation. "And it's also very bright... other things can keep you warm without being so darn bright."
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 19:20:09 GMT
"Hence my blanket." I say with a smile, as I pull out a starchart and a few papers. "I was actually thinking of quitting teaching... helping with the order more."
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 19:24:26 GMT
"Helping with the order?" I repeat, raising my eyebrows, wondering what she's talking about. "You really don't seem to like sticking with one thing for very long, do you?"
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 19:25:50 GMT
"Well, I'm already in the order." I say to him softly. "I haven't been able to help as much." I say with a shrug. "But I'll probably stay in teaching. I'm getting too old to go off and fight now."
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 19:30:26 GMT
"Probably so," I shrug. "Or... not really old, but you do have a gaggle of kids."
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 19:32:36 GMT
I nod looking at the lake. "Why did I want so many when I was younger..." I mostly whisper to myself. If Fitzy heard, it wouldn't matter to me. "This is horrible, thinking of leaving them so I can have my youth back..." I continue in the same tone, but with tears falling down my face at an alarming rate.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 19:40:22 GMT
I glance at Shelly in alarm as I notice that she's crying, having absolutely no idea what to do or even what to say. The tears seem to cancel out whatever it is that she said, so that's no help.
"Are... you okay?" I ask cautiously.
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 19:43:42 GMT
I shake my head, sending a few tears all over the star chart. "No... I've been having thoughts of not having my kids, how much easier it would have been. How I could still have my youth and freedom."
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 13, 2008 21:17:06 GMT
I wince slightly, able to see how that could bother a person a bit.
"I thought... you didn't regret it," I say carefully, not really sure how to approach this. "Why the change?"
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 13, 2008 21:19:26 GMT
"The Holyhead Harpies came and offered me a position of keeper again." I say to him softly.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 14, 2008 15:44:58 GMT
I nod. "And you're wishing you could take them up on it?" I ask, wishing I was better at listening to people so that I cold be even moderately helpful.
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 14, 2008 16:24:16 GMT
"I wish I could." I say to him. "But with all the kids..."
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 14, 2008 22:29:18 GMT
I nod again, thinking carefully. "Would you really give them up though? I mean... if somebody offered to take care of all your kids so that you could go play, would you take them up on it?" I ask, genuinely curious, hoping for any information that might help me help her.
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 15, 2008 5:31:34 GMT
"That's a good idea, but I never leave them with anyone..." I say with a sigh.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 15, 2008 18:35:25 GMT
I nod. "And why not?"
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 18, 2008 3:14:26 GMT
"With my past of my family. I've lost trust in people watching my kids. Only Briar, Andra and Cassy." I say with a smile.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 18, 2008 21:40:46 GMT
"Well... you do realize that's three people right there?" I ask, raising my eyebrows. "Three is more than none, as most preschoolers know."
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 19, 2008 21:07:54 GMT
"I know... it's just I'm not used to leaving them with them for so long." I look at the students as they ice skate now.
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 19, 2008 21:50:42 GMT
I nod, then shrug. "So... are you just not sure which is more important to you right now?"
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Post by Shelby Chou on Jan 19, 2008 21:58:12 GMT
"Right." I say with a nod. "I know that's terrible that I'd rather play quidditch than take care of my own children."
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Post by Fitzy Patricks on Jan 19, 2008 21:59:35 GMT
"Probably human to at least think about it," I shrug. "How old were you again when you had your first kid?"
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