Two Worlds Collide [Stephanie]

Guest

Fatimah binti Haji Syafiq || 5th year Gryffindor || Malaysian || Chinese-Malay Muslim

The end of her first year at Hogwarts was drawing to a close, and Fatimah was a mixture of relieved and sad. Just as she was finally adjusting to everything, she was expected to go home for a few months, and while she was looking forward to seeing her family and friends again (as well as the Malaysian food), she wondered if all her hard work acclimatising to Scotland would go to waste. After all, it was much easier to slip back into old habits than build new ones, and a few months at home would definitely be 'slipping back'.

Still, that wasn't for another few weeks, and Fatimah was determined to enjoy her remaining time at Hogwarts without worrying about the future. The exams for that year had come and gone, and classes were mostly chill, Professors not so much teaching as having fun with the students. It was a good way to wind down after a stressful year.

Adjusting one of her favourite tudung into place, Fatimah left her common room, heading down to the library. It was a free day, with nothing much to do, and she was enjoying the day as much as she could. Stepping out into the hall, she tripped over a rug, the items she'd been carrying spilling out of her bag as she did. "Cis!" she muttered, righting herself as she began to gather her stuff.

Guest

Stephanie wasn't quite sure how she felt about the upcoming holidays. Of course, it was nice to have a break from studying and exams but the holidays also meant returning to her family and the life that she was so acquainted with. It meant balls, parties, functions, and society in general. While she didn't have a problem with dressing up and making friends, she was beginning to look at these activities from a different perspective.

It was all so selfish, really. One hosted and attended the activities to either show off status and wealth, or make connections to boost said status and wealth. While she used to have fun dancing and socialising, Stephanie couldn't help but think that their wealth and status could be put to better use helping others instead of being so self-serving.

Sighing a little, she exited the library, having returned all the books she'd borrowed, only to see someone bent over, picking up stuff that they'd dropped. Stephanie recognised her almost immediately. It was hard to ignore the only Muslim girl in the school; to Stephanie, she stood out from the rest of the students. She didn't only dress differently, she spoke differently too.

"Here, let me help," Stephanie offered, stepping forward and beginning to gather up the fallen items from the floor and handing them over to Fatimah.