Back to Basics [Elenore]

With everything that had been going on in her life, Nerisei had forgotten all about her Music Studies. Something that saddened the witch a little too much. She hadn't meant to 'abandon' her violin. No. After all, playing the violin was something that helped her express herself more than anything. The way her fingers slid down the strings, her bow coming down, creating that beautiful melody. It was calming. And calmness was something she needed.

This is how the Ravenclaw witch found herself in the Music Room, that Saturday evening. Most of the students were at Hogsmeade, others in their Common Room, either playing a game of Wizard Chess, or talking the night away. Whatever the case, Nerisei was glad she wasn't there. But the moment she placed her things down, memories of her and Dimitri in this same room flooded her head, causing the young witch to sigh.

It had been a week since their talk, and... they had worked things out. They were friends. Just friends. But it wasn't easy to erase every memory they had together. Especially in this room. Because it was here that Nerisei felt the spark with him. This was the place that had made it impossible for her to forget him.
Her fingers softly touched the keys of the Grand Piano that stood proudly in the room, and she almost felt the brush of his hand all over again.

Get a grip, the witch thought, as she abruptly pulled back, wiping a tear that hadn't had the chance to roll down her face. Getting out her Violin, she placed it aside for a little bit. The bow came out next and after it was all tight and full of rosin, Nerisei grabbed her Violin once more, placing it on her shoulder, before resting her chin on the chinrest.

Taking a deep breath, the Ravenclaw witch closed her eyes and let herself play anything that came to mind. Not a particular piece, no. Right now, it was all about feeling.

Nerisei's thoughts were all over the place. She didn't know how to pull herself together, to be honest. Every time she tried to figure out what to do with Dimitri, she ended up in the same spot. Unable to let him go. But how could she truly be so wrong? Dimitri had denied any sort of spark, or feeling between them, but Nerisei was sure. She had felt... something!
And then, she ended up outside his dorm, more drunk than ever and expressed all of her feelings to him. How stupid could she be? A lot, obviously, but the worst part was the talk that followed. Because she was twice as stupid to think that Dimitri liked her back. They had agreed to stay friends, but it was easy for him. Nerisei had to wander around acting as if nothing ever happened. As if she felt nothing. And all those bottled up emotions led to one thing.

Frustration.

And she couldn't deal with it.

She had believed that practicing her violin would help her release all that tension and frustration that were dragging her down. But the more she played, the more she felt it. She wasn't releasing anything. She was simply making these feelings a melody, sharing it. It was as if she wanted people to know that she was not okay. That she was suffering. That she didn't want to do this. Nerisei didn't want to pretend. But she couldn't lose Dimitri, could she?
The internal fight with herself, though, prevented the witch from hearing the entry of another person in the room. It wasn't until Nerisei stopped playing, and the voice spoke up, that Nerisei noticed them.

Her.

Elenore Clement. The last person she expected to stumble upon today.

The compliment that came her way was acknowledged with a small nod and a 'thank you'. Nerisei relaxed her shoulders, allowing the violin to leave her shoulders so that she could hold it, along with her bow, in one hand.


"I apologise for lurking whilst you were playing, but it would be criminal to interrupt a musician midway through their piece, as I'm sure you would agree.

"Though, I think to say it was a piece would be inaccurate of me."

She knew. Of course, she did, the voice in Nerisei's head spoke. Elenore had grew up into music, obviously, and Neri wasn't really doing a very good job on hiding how frustrated and hurt she was. Her music, after all, spoke for herself. Plus, the Clement princess would have recognised a classic piece, if Neri was playing one.

"It... It was not a piece, yes. It was mostly what my fingers felt like playing. At times, when I am... tensed," Nerisei explained, careful with her words, "I allow myself to just... play. No music score, just... music."
Neri took a deep breath, trying to calm her beating heart. She was still not calm though. She could still feel the tension and the frustration clawing its way up her back. Dimitri was going to destroy her.

"What brings you here? Came to practice?" The Ravenclaw witch asked, changing the subject. She didn't want to talk about Dimitri right now. But even if she did, how could she? Elenore was not her friend, and that was not because Nerisei had chosen to stay away. And she was also a Pureblood. She could never understand how it felt to be a Muggleborn, in love with a Pureblood. How it felt knowing that you have no future with the one you actually want.

I do the same, to an extent. When emotions are running high I return to the piano and pick out a really challenging piece. Whilst you play to the feelings, I work through them by distracting myself with some of Beethoven's sonatas,"

Nerisei nodded softly, in understanding, as Elenore spoke. It was obvious that the witch was trying to make Nerisei feel better about the situation she was in, and a small part of her was glad that someone was trying to help, in a way. But Elenore couldn't possibly understand. The difference between the Muggle and and Pureblood world were great, and unlike Nerisei, Elenore didn't have to go through situations Neri did. Elenore was a Princess, always provided with the best. And even though Nerisei was provided with everything she needed as well, life was different for a Muggle. Because Neri wasn't and would never be a Pureblood Princess.

So instead, Nerisei remained silent, not really knowing what to say to the older witch. It seemed as if Neri was at a loss of words. Thankfully, Elenore changed the subject, and Nerisei shook her head. The Hufflepuff witch wasn't intruding at all. After all, it was the Music Room, and everyone could come in to practice. Nerisei just happened to be here first, but that didn't mean no one else could accompany her.

"You are not intruding, Elenore. You are free to practice. Maybe, if you'd like, I could accompany you." Nerisei offered. The violin was a great companion to the piano, and there were lots of pieces for duets. If Elenore didn't mind, Nerisei would stay and play along with her.
"I am actually a Grade Nine. I have been playing since I was a little child so..." The Ravenclaw witch made a small pause. She didn't want to come out as a arrogant. "You must be a Grade Nine as well, right?" Assuming that they have been playing all their life, Elenore should have finished her studies by now.

"I would like that, very much..."

As Elenore agreed on her proposition of accompanying her, Nerisei smiled widely. It had been some time, since she had played a violin and piano duet. One year, to be specific. Her last duet was with Dimitri, in this very room. It was the day that Nerisei had finally figured out how much of a crush she had on the young wizard. And yet, here she were, again, in the very same room she had met him, trying to forget him. Or, at least, try to sort out her thoughts about him.

The fact that Elenore was a grade nine, as well, didn't surprise the witch at all. Elenore Clement, was one of the most well known Pureblood ladies in the castle. She, most certainly, had everything she wished for and more. Music was something they would, obviously, teach her from a young age. So Nerisei didn't comment on that one. As long as Elenore loved playing the piano, the Ravenclaw didn't care much about anything else.

"Did your family insist upon you learning the violin, or was it personal choice?"

Nerisei almost raised an eyebrow at that, but, once again, she knew where this was coming from. Pureblood ladies were, almost always, forced to do things they may not want. So, maybe, Elenore was forced to learn the piano, even though Nerisei didn't believe so. The Hufflepuff witch seemed to love her music really much, so even if she was forced to learn, she certainly didn't do it with a heavy heart.

"My choice, actually. Though, my mother is an artists. She paints. So, I was exposed in a form of art, since I was a baby. I always loved music. And the violin touched parts of my soul that I never knew existed so..." A nervous laugh escaped the witch. She was babbling, and probably sharing things with Elenore, that the Pureblood girl didn't truly care about.

"And you?"

"Is that her career choice, or her hobby?"

The question actually caught the witch off guard. Talking about her parents was not something Nerisei had been doing at all, all these years that she had been at Hogwarts. They were Muggle, with Muggle jobs, and people at Hogwarts were simply not interested in such subjects. Plus, the less they knew about her parents, the better. Neri had always been a private person, and she wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible. But Elenore was genuinely curious, and Nerisei didn't feel like not giving the fellow witch an answer.

"Her career choice. She is actually a very prestigious artist. But, in the Muggle World. Therefore, I am sure your parents wouldn't be particularly interested in any of her works." It was the truth, and even if it hurt Nerisei to know that this chasm between Purebloods and Muggleborns was that deep, the Ravenclaw offered Elenore a smile, to show that, in a way, it was okay. There wasn't much either of them could do about it.

As the Hufflepuff explained how the piano was something that every Lady was expected to know how to play, Nerisei nodded. Pureblood customs were never something Nerisei approved of, or liked. Forcing someone to love music, and learn how to play an instrument was not going to broaden his knowledge in any way. Some people were not made for music, yet, Purebloods seemed to not understand that. Nerisei noted how Elenore avoided her gaze at the mention of her mother, and the Ravenclaw witch understood. Elenore was not comfortable with sharing any other details about her mother. She was already having a hard time mentioning her. The reason behind that was unknown to Neri, but she was not going to snoop. Respecting Elenore was the first thing a friend should do.

"Do you have any pieces you prefer to play? If you'd like to play together?"

Nerisei shook her head. To be honest, there were a couple of pieces she would have preferred to play, but this time, she just wanted to see what the fellow witch would pick. No modern piece, of course, but what classical piece was the Clement Princess going to choose? Would be sad? Happy? Music was a way to express your feelings, of that much Nerisei was positive. And now, the Ravenclaw wanted to see whether Elenore was going to keep hiding these feelings, or let go, even for a moment.

"It's up to you."