I was the one with the ears

[alt_hydra]

I had a lovely time at the party the other night.
The attic at Hogwarts is bigger than the one at L'Estrange Hill, but less spooky.
That might just be because it was filled with people and music and lights, though.
I didn't realise that some people had got lost on their way to the party and then never made it.
If I had known, I might've tried to help.
I got lost too, I think I took the wrong staircase, or else a staircase moved when I was in the middle of taking it.
Either way I ended up somewhere I wasn't supposed to.
I always thought that students liked to snog in the darkest parts of the dungeon, but I guess there are other places to go, too.
I was surprised, though, because I didn't think that these two students liked each other, much.
He's always been a little rude to her from what I've seen.
But secretly, their feelings must be different.
I wonder if that's true for anybody else?
A legilimens would know for sure.
But isn't there a saying that if a boy is mean to a girl, that means he likes her?
Does anyone know if that's true?
I remember that Mummy once told me that Daddy was rude to her sometimes, before they were sweethearts, and she didn't like it but at least it meant he was worthy.

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

Sometimes it's true that if a boy is rude or mean he is trying to get a girl's attention.

Sometimes it means he's simply rude.

And there are couples who say they don't like to quarrel, but really they do like to challenge each other. It adds a bit of spice.

[alt_hydra]

How do you know if he's simply rude or not simply rude?
And what sort of challenges make spice?

From,
Hydra

[alt_narcissa]

Well, you know how your father and mother sometimes act as if they're cross with one another but they aren't really very cross? That's one type of spice.

From time to time your Uncle Lucius teases me and I him. Or he

Well, there are other ways to add a spark. Really it's all down to what makes you feel desired.

[alt_hydra]

But sometimes they really are cross, how do you know if it's really cross and not pretend?

From,
Hydra

[alt_narcissa]

Well, I suppose for the most part, it depends on the energy it generates. It's harder for someone on the outside of it to tell. And sometimes, like with your parents, they can quarrel bitterly, but that's all part of the passion.

Just like with boys - if they do something rude to draw attention to themselves, that probably means they actually like you but they're unsure how to show it properly. But if they are rude to show off for friends or they're not interested in your reaction, they're most likely not worth your notice.

...Has a boy been tormenting you, Hydra dear?

[alt_hydra]

Not right now, really, but a while ago.
But it wasn't anything much, no one even noticed, so I don't think he meant anything by it.

From,
Hydra

[alt_narcissa]

Well ...

How did it make you feel? I know it's terribly confusing, but becoming the target of a boy's attention can make one angry and a little bit ... interested, all at the same time.

So. Did this boy make you feel nervous? Excited? Special? Or just unimpressed?

[alt_hydra]

Special at first, but a little nervous, too.
I haven't seen him much lately, though, because he's older and has so many things to do.
I don't think Mummy will like to read this because I'm too young for boys.

From,
Hydra

[alt_narcissa]

Too young to let older boys kiss you, certainly!

But you're a good girl, Hydra, you know better than to let a boy do anything like that.

He's not ... tried anything, then? You know how to hex him if he does take liberties?

[alt_pansy]

I think if someone is mean to people in public and only ever nice to them in private, he can't be worth much.

Because it might be that he really does like them, but is too concerned with appearances to admit it, meaning he doesn't like them nearly enough to make it worth their while. Or he really doesn't like them and is only pretending in private so that they'll do what he wants.

But that's different than just disagreeing because you think differently about something, or teasing. Because teasing can be fun. Especially if both people know it's just teasing.

I know you would've said something if you'd known. And I'm glad you had fun at the party.

[alt_pansy]

And I agree with Aunt Narcissa, sometimes boys can just be plain annoying.

[alt_narcissa]

They really can.

Such as your uncle Lucius. Or your friend Regulus when he indulges himself in too much poetry and pity.

I do believe you're growing up, Pansy, to observe that.

But then we forgive them, don't we? More fool we. But I suppose someone has to maintain them or they'd go to pieces. And then where would we be?

[alt_pansy]

I don't mind the poetry part particularly much.

And I suppose that's why we're the better half. At least that's what mum used to say.

[alt_hydra]

But what if it's really just that it's more exciting and special if it's a secret and no one else knows?
You're right though that it isn't very nice to be mean later in public,when it's the kind of mean that's more than just teasing.
It was fun but I never did find any nice chocolates.

From,
Hydra

[alt_pansy]

Secrets can be exciting, yeah.

[alt_pansy]

And I'm sure you'll get to stock up again if when we go home at the end of term.

[alt_narcissa]

Oh, your mother would probably balk to hear me tell you, but trysts can be very exciting, indeed. Particularly if there's the thrill of - possibly - getting caught.

Or so I've heard.

No, I had beaux before your Uncle who wanted to play at furtiveness, sneaking about. And of course, at school, there were always certain nooks where couples could go ....

But romantic thoughts aside, it's most probable that this young man and lady simply don't want anyone to know they're dating. Possibly their parents dislike each other or more likely they do not share friends in common.

Or there's always the possibility that one or the other are already promised to someone else, but if so, at their age, they're not likely to remain entangled long. Someone will see, or say something, and the hexes will fly.

[alt_lucius]

Interesting. But what would you say about the reverse? For example, if someone pretends to be friendly in front of witnesses but offers insult privately?

Or what of the person who cannot afford to be other than cold in public but comes to you in secret with an altogether different account of himself? Or one who reasons that he must hide his true loyalties lest his sympathies reveal him as someone you might be ashamed to claim a friend?

Though this wanders off the topic considerably, you have made me curious as to your opinion.

(And no, I'm not teasing. Well, not exactly. Let us say, 'challenging,' for the purpose of discussion.)

[alt_pansy]

Well, all right, I suppose it's not always going to be clear-cut. And although I'd like to think no-one would be ashamed to be seen with me, and same for the other way round, it might be a bit simple to think it'd always be that way.

I think even if their reasons for staying cold in public were for a good reason, it'd still be difficult to tell if they did truly like you, or were just trying to gain your confidence in private because they wanted something. And it also shows that the person is not upfront about what they really think and feel generally speaking. So even if I could excuse coldness, or even understand it if it had an explanation, I don't know if I'd completely believe the sympathies and loyalties part.

I guess it's really hard to sort out why people do what they do sometimes, and the only thing you can be really sure on is you.

[alt_lucius]

I think you'll find as you grow that what people say and what they do are often diametrically opposed.

And they are devilish good at justifying both action and word - and even at reconciling them when they appear to an outsider to bear no relation to one another.

Occlumency and Legilimency are valuable tools, of course, but their mastery takes time and meanwhile, bonds are formed that may be hard to break later.

One's innate sense of character thus becomes a necessary component to determining motivations, particularly those below the surface.