02

[3houseswatson]

It's been a while since that shady business with those doppelganger-things, and a lot has happened. I think part of me worried that maybe I'd jinx it and everything would come tumbling down like a house of cards if I actually sat down and thought about it, but perhaps it's been long enough now.

Some of you might have noticed already, but for those who don't know... I haven't needed my cane since the last day the shadows were around. My limp hasn't been bothering me at all.

I'll not go into details since the particulars might get us a stern talking-to at the very least, but suffice to say, something that happened that day really unplugged all the sinking feelings that had been weighing me down for too damn long. (If the cryptic italicization makes zero sense to you, sorry - in joke.) Though maybe try not to go to such extremes next time, Sherlock. You're already brilliant without having to be so dramatic.

Anyway, it feels like it's been ages since I last went to Hogsmeade. I think I'll go this time since I can get around so much better now. Who else is going?

Comments

[3potionproblem]

I will live that down. Though I'm rather sure I already have.

What is it that people do in Hogsmeade?

[3houseswatson]

Ha! You're technically right there, I think. If it wasn't the sort of thing with such dire potential consequences, I'd hang onto it for some pretty juicy blackmail material.

Oh, er. I guess it depends on who you go with. When I went with dates, we usually wound up at the tea shop. With friends, though, there's all kinds of different shops and things like that. There's also this creepy shack everyone says is haunted; there are all kinds of scary stories about that thing. ... wait. Have you never been to Hogsmeade?

[3potionproblem]

I doubt it is near as good blackmail material as "John likes to watch".

I tend to lose my Hogsmeade privileges. Minus ten for homework and a short time in detention and I find myself actually out on top this time around. But it's never seemed like much fun to just stand around while people mill about around me. Better time to practice my violin or start a new experiment while everyone else is out of my way.

[3houseswatson]

Oh, shut it. I emphatically do not like to watch! I stopped you! Besides, don't phrase it like that. That means... something else entirely.

Well, to each their own I suppose. If you decide you'd like to come after all, I'd be willing to show you around. It'd still mostly be standing and milling around, albeit with company, so I'm not sure if it'd hold your attention in the long run. But it'd be a shame if you graduated next year and never actually went to Hogsmeade.

You play violin?

[3potionproblem]

Does it? Well, you know what I meant either way.

Perhaps I will go, then. The haunted shack sounds interesting.

Yes; I’ve been playing since I was eight. It helps me to think.

[3houseswatson]

Yeah, I do. But I don't have a filter on this thing. People might see it and get ideas.

Apparently it used to be really intense, but it's been quieter the last few years. Maybe the ghosts decided they wanted a change of scenery.

Oh, well, that's interesting. I play the clarinet, but that might be stretching the definition of "play" a bit. You're probably pretty good if you've been playing so long.

[3potionproblem]

And what idea would those be?

Out of curiosity, did the diminished ghost presence happen anytime recently? As in around the time of the camping incident?

I’m fair enough. I don’t practice much these days. The violin is not suited for dormitory style living.

[3houseswatson]

You know. Idea ideas. About what people get up to. In private.

From what I've heard, it died down several years ago, so if there's any relation at all, it's a super long-term one.

I don't know, a little violin in the common room might be nice background music for studying. I can't see how it'd be a problem unless you were playing it at 3 in the morning or something.

[3potionproblem]

John, that is the least helpful explanation ever offered up by a Hufflepuff.

Pity. Still worth having a loot at, though.

Three and four in the morning happens to be the problem. Perhaps I'll play for you sometime, though.

[3houseswatson]

I don't see how me being a Hufflepuff has anything to do with anything. And I mean... people will assume we're a couple. Doing couple things. And I don't mean holding hands.

Yeah, I'd like to hear you play at some point, though please not in the middle of the night.

[3potionproblem]

Who cares what other people think, anyway? They're all idiots.

If I ever manage to infiltrate the Hufflepuff house, I'll let it be my victory cry. Bach; Violin Concerto No.1 in A minor.

[3houseswatson]

Yeah, well, I know this whole thing's not "your area", but if I found someone I'd like to date, odds are she'd care about rumors like that.

Good luck breaking in. Really. As far as I know we're the only house with any sort of anti-infiltration methods, so even if you got in, you might be playing that tune while reeking of vinegar.

[3potionproblem]

That would just make her even more of an idiot. Why would you want to date someone who cared about something as trivial as a rumor? A hypothetical rumor at that as really all you're worried about is that strangers will read this and think we're together when either of us could very easily make it clear we're not. Not worth being bothered over. Try and find a mate with a few more brain cells than your equally hypothetical failure of a girlfriend.

You don't think I could figure it out? Or that a little vinegar would stop me?

[3houseswatson]

Whoa, settle down. Like you said, it's all hypothetical. I haven't even met any likely candidates yet. But surely I wouldn't be the only one inconvenienced. Rumors like that would have to impact you in some way, wouldn't they?

No, I'm sure nothing can stop you once you really put your mind to something. If anyone can figure out how to break in, it'd be you.

[3potionproblem]

No, it wouldn't impact me at all. Why should it?

Thank you. I'll try not to make it too early a wake up call.

[3houseswatson]

Wouldn't it bother you after a while? People always having the wrong idea, I mean.

Ta. Anything before 7 and I'll probably end up punching you right in one of those cheekbones. I refuse to be held accountable for what I do before I completely wake up.

[3potionproblem]

No. Why should I care what other people believe?

Nocturnal are we, then? Or simply very fond of sleep?

[3houseswatson]

Because if people believe the wrong thing, it can escalate quickly. If you're not careful, things can get out of hand fast.

People are generally fond of things that are a bit hard-won, yeah. I'm sometimes not the most restful sleeper.

[3potionproblem]

As in Sherlock is a stalker, Sherlock spends time with John, thereby Sherlock is a gay stalker pervert? John, I don't care what lies people want to tell themselves or who they bother making them up about. It's not important. I have better things to concern myself with in regards to things that are true.

Nightmares. Well, shame indeed then that I cannot get into Hufflepuff. I know a few pleasant lullabies.

[3houseswatson]

Fine. Just... be careful, okay? You might not care what others think about you, but there are people who do.

On some of the rougher nights, I'd be willing to try just about anything. Especially since they've got a really nasty habit of flaring up just before exams.

[3potionproblem]

People like you?

Stress induced, then. Not much you can do there. Music probably would help, though.

[3houseswatson]

Well, yeah. Others too, I imagine.

Maybe. I'm hoping that if the limp's better, the nightmares might get better as well.

[3potionproblem]

Very few.

[He sends a voice message next with a note to not listen until bedtime.]

[3houseswatson]

That's a shame. Well. They don't know what they're missing.

[Later on, just at bedtime, John would finally open up the note and be damned impressed. And he'd have a good night's sleep, too.]

[Voice]

[catblog]

But if the limp hasn't been bothering you at all, that's good right?

[Voice]

[3houseswatson]

It's very good. I was mostly afraid it wouldn't last, hence why I was a little hesitant to write about it.

[Voice]

[catblog]

But if its staying this way, doesn't that mean it would?

It seems it might be at this point...but then again, I'm not a doctor. So I'm not sure.

[Voice]

[3houseswatson]

I've had good days before, where the limp didn't bother me so much. It'd still be there, but more manageable. And even then, it'd usually be back with a vengeance in a day or so.

This is the longest I've felt normal since... well, for a long time.

[Voice]

[catblog]

Should you go to the nurse to look at it some more? Just in case?

[Voice]

[3houseswatson]

Thanks for the concern, but I don't think there's much to check honestly. There's no physical reason for my limp; it's psychosomatic. St. Mungo's and the school nurses couldn't do anything for it before, so I don't know if they'd be able to figure out why it's gone now.

[Voice]

[catblog]

Psychosomatic?

The only other reason I can think of is that maybe that event somehow healed you. Although, I'm not sure why...

[bundangos]

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ It's great to hear

Uh

Read? That limp isn't bothering you any more!

I'll be going to HOgsmead I'm sure there's some wizard candy I missed out on on my fist Hogsmead trip!! I AN'T WAIT to buy more

[3houseswatson]

Can't rest until you try every last type of wizard candy, huh?

[bundangos]

Not at all! It's all just so crazy!! Is there any that you like?

[3houseswatson]

I honestly don't know. I haven't really messed around with wizard candy all that much since first year. Had a bad experience with Every-Flavour Beans.

[di_intraining]

That's great news John! I'll come with, but only for a little while. Sorry, but there's Quidditch coming up. First game, and I'd rather not mess it up.

Still, absolutely fantastic to hear that.

[3houseswatson]

Thanks, Greg. Totally understandable about the Quidditch thing, too. Good luck with that; I'm sure you'll do our house proud.

Even if you don't have much time at Hogsmeade, was there any place in particular you wanted to go to?

[di_intraining]

Well I'd say this is deserving of a drink or two. Three Broomsticks? A bottle of warm Butterbeer in this cold weather sounds like heaven to me.