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Two finals had come and gone, leaving Melanie with only a handful left. Her herbology book was perched in her lap along with two letters. The shorter one from her grandfather simply stated that her mother was well and that her cousins looked forward to seeing her over the break before closing with a few words of encouragement. Stefan was a hard man, but at least he was capable of love unlike her father. 

Ashton's letter remained unopened inside her book. Melanie didn't have to open it to know her father was reminding her how important it was to "the family" that she pass all of her classes with top marks this year. That "the family" couldn't afford for her to fail. Damien never received letters like this, mostly because he was automatically given a pass to be a slacker by their father's standards. The burdens fell to the eldest and that was just how things went. 

Her hands started to shake as panic seeped in to her mind. What if she failed? Ashton was right. A woman could never be trusted to run a family like theirs. Old fears started to overtake her as Melanie laid her head on top of the book, curling in to herself and trying to breathe. At least everyone else was too busy to notice her mini freak out section in one of the better hidden areas of the courtyard. 

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN • notes • let it begin •

Raven walked through the courtyard watching the other students study and prepare for their final exams. She already finished two of hers and was fully confident in her grads as well as her readiness for the last ones. She usually spent her night studding that way no one would see her struggle or get flustered with the work. No when she studied in front of others she did what she could to make it seem easy. Granted there was nothing easy about the exams but she prepared enough and considering she worked so hard all year to stay at the top the exams didn't seem as bad. She observed the other students when her eyes landed on one of her housemates.

She wondered over to the girl to see who it was. As she walked closer she noticed it was Melanie. They were friends. Well as close to friends as Raven would permit. She didn't share any of her personal thoughts with the girl and didn't intend to. She noticed the girls hands shaking and decided to try and help out. She was a fellow house mate after all. "Melanie, is everything alright?" Raven made sure her voice sounded sincerely concerned. Trust was an important part of any relationship. They might not be thick as thieves but a friend was still a friend.

Raven knew that there were parts of her that she could never reveal to anyone, especially another Slytherin. Those parts of her, those ideas were frowned upon and it wasn't something she needed people to know not yet anyway. 

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Melanie's head snapped up as she heard Raven's voice. Well, at least it wasn't some idiot here to gloat about whatever rivalry the houses had cooked up this time. "Hey Raven, I'm fine. Just a little test stress." Being able to play off an anxiety attack as testing anxiety was one of the parts that Melanie actually enjoyed about final exams. She could let her guard down a little bit without being considered weak or inferior.

The familiar texture of Stefan's stationary brushed against her finger tips, reminding Melanie that the letters were still in plain sight now that her head was up. She moved to put them in the book, but her hands were still shaking and they landed on the groung beside her instead. "Sorry about that, let me just-" Her usual cool slipped a little bit as she started to ramble before catching herself as she slipped the book and then the letters in to her bag for safe keeping. Out of sight, out of mind.

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN • notes • let it begin •

Most people were stressed about the exams. Even the most poised people would show a little anxiety. She was the exception. Even if her parents weren't there to scold her or discipline her she still feared what might happen if she did slip even just a little. Raven watched the Slytherin girl closely. There was something off but Raven didn't know enough about the girl to really know exactly. She was usually kinder to her own house mates though. Well some of them. Others, mainly underclassmen, were scared of her, some rumor about her sending snakes to attack people in their sleep if they just looked at her wrong. "You know, I brewed a Draught of Peace for my last exam. I have some back in the dorms. If you'd like I would be more than willing to give you some. It's better than going to the nurse for it and it is meant to help with nerves" Raven's voice was silk and friendly, as per usual when dealing with her house mates that she considered somewhat friends. 

Even if Raven had no intentions of giving away her secrets to the girl, she kind of wanted to find out what was going on with Melanie. It was curiosity and it wasn't going away but she wasn't going to pry, that would break any trust she had with the girl. No she would just be kind and maybe learn what was going on. 

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A draught of peace? Why hadn't she thought of that, or better yet, why hadn't her father thought of that? He made potions for a living, so wouldn't he helping out more by sending her something to help her relax? The answer was so simple that it almost hurt, but there was no way she could've conveyed that to Ashton without causing a scene. "I'd like that. Thank you so much! ".

Not for the first time since they met, Melanie looked at Raven and couldn't help put wonder how she could be so perfect. Ravenna Gaunt was the perfect Slytherin girl and the model for pure bloods everywhere. If she was half the person Raven was, then maybe Melanie's father wouldn't hate her so much and her mother wouldn't have left. The thought made her shudder mentally.

"I just really need to pass this exam. It's the only one I'm worried about. The plant and herbs, their properties, I get. Having to care for them and some of the crazier instructions are harder to remember and execute. Do you think they'll just let me take potions twice?" Melanie's voice was lighter and teasing, a vague attempt to play the situation off as a joke. She had a bad feeling that it wasn't going to work.

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN • notes • let it begin •

She was happy to help even if it was something so simple. She figured being on the girls good side would not hurt at all. Also her curiosity was eating at her. Raven laughed at her mentioning taking it twice. She didn't think that was the best idea since the potion could have some nasty side effects. Granted that was only if you made it wrong and she knew that it was perfect. "How about I give you the potion like thirty minutes before your exam and I can help you study for the exam. That is if you would like the assistance. When is your exam?" Raven was being polite and friendly. She had an extra year of herbologly under her belt being a year older than Melanie.

It also helped that she did like the subject. Next to Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbologly was her third favorite. Her least favorite was Transfiguration. Even then she was still good with the subject even if she didn't spend late evenings working on it. Her extra work with Transfiguration was not because of her family but because she wanted to become an Animagus. She thought the idea of becoming another creature would be stellar. 

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i'm falling apart

leave me here forever in the dark

A bright smile graced her features, even as Melanie began kicking herself mentally. On the one hand, Raven was offering to help her study. Exposure to the older girl would be considered a good move on her father's part, maybe even good enough for him to lighten up for a few days after her next letter home. Part of her still couldn't help but feel ashamed that she looked helpless in front of someone who always had it so together. She wasn't a weakling, or she wasn't supposed to be, and for Raven to see her struggle...it was beyond embarrassing. "That would be awesome! It's not until tomorrow. Maybe the Sleeping Draught I made for potions would help out for tonight." She mused out loud, her train of thought momentarily running away with her.

"I mean, if you aren't busy. You still have exams too, right?" The last thing she wanted to be responsible for was Raven not passing an exam or making inferior marks. "I could probably pass this easy, it's just...my father expects top marks in all of the courses and this is the only one I'm still having problems in." Surely she could relate to that, right? Plus, maybe it would deflect some of the issues of Raven seeing her letters earlier.

write ALL the words! | RAVENNA SILVAN GAUNT | notes: here we go

ulla

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN • notes • let it begin •

Raven took a seat across from Melanie so she could help out. It really wasn't a bother to her. In fact it kept her mind occupied. She could fully understand parents wanting top marks for their children. And pure bloods similar to her own family were exceptionally ruthless about it. "Oh don't worry about that dear. I'm fully prepared for my last exams so it is no trouble to help you out. Besides you would be doing me a favor. I need something to do other than my basic prefect jobs" Raven smiled and laughed at the last part. Well more of a chuckle, fake but realistic enough that she even believed it. 

When Melanie mentioned her father she had to say something. Make yourself relateable. It will make people open up to you, just don't truly open up to them. "Oh I completely understand. Parents can be overly demanding an expect so much from one person. But they don't have to know that you had help. You just made top marks and made a friend. That's all they need to know anyway" It was a very generic understanding. But both being slytherins there was an unspoken understanding when it came to the pure bloods. Which they both were. 

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i'm falling apart

leave me here forever in the dark

"If it keeps them from sending me off as part of the exchange program, I'll do just about anything." Her father had threatened it, several times actually. Apparently some of the more prominent families liked to switch kids for the summer to expose them to each other. Most of these arrangements generally ended in a marriage, but she wasn't looking forward to that either. Ashton and Larissa had chosen each other, so why couldn't she do the same? "Then again...maybe if I just passed, I would get a vacation somewhere else. Grandfather's house, anyone?"

Stefan Girard was known to be heard hearted, ruthless, and somehow still exceptionally affectionate towards his oldest grandchild. If her father hadn't threatened to go public with Larissa's betrayal, Stefan would have taken her away already to live with him at the family estate. Something about an impending mental breakdown and the bonds of family. If he only knew.

"Are you going this year? I know it's about time for, well, you know..." A little friendly gossip never hurt anyone, right? Besides, for all she knew Raven was already engaged or at the least promised to someone.

ALL OF THE WORDS! | RAVENNA SILVAN GAUNT | notes: here we go

ulla

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN • notes • let it begin •

Raven knew full well about the exchange. She had never partaken in it before but she knew her cousin was going to. Her parents never did tell her anything and she could only assume that if her cousin was going then so would she. Then again as the next head they might just have others over. She figured she wouldn't be leaving the Gaunt Mansion. She wasn't looking forward to the summer at all. At least not the family aspect of it all. However the personal aspect of it she was looking forward to. She had a summer project that she was quite eager to begin. 

"Honestly I probably won't be going anywhere. Worst case scenario is that we will have one or two others living with us for a week. And most likely will be hosting the event at the end of the summer" Raven wasn't that big on the whole pure blood party thing. They were quite boring and she really hated being among people who shared the same ideas as her parents, those sickening twisted pure blood ideals. 

Raven figured the best thing to do was to brighten up the situation. "Hey maybe it wont be so bad. You could end up with a friend for the week. You never know and not all families you end up with you end up marring into. Sometimes just the next heads spend a week together to solidify family alliances and control" It wasn't exactly a cheery topic but there were other reasons to have the week exchange other than arranged marriages. That last statement was very Slytherin of her. She didn't necessarily mean for it to come out like that but it was second nature to her. 

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i'm falling apart

leave me here forever in the dark

Well, Raven had a point. Granted, Melanie would probably have to leave at some point, but she would be home more often than some people. She was the next head of the family as well, but father hadn't fixed their reputation enough for them to demand that everyone come to them. Not yet. Her brother wasn't that lucky though. "Damien, my younger brother, is spending some quality time over at the Diaz place right after we leave. Something about male bonding." 

Melanie bit her lip, momentarily trying to concentrate on the text in front of her. Herbology was easier than talking about power and arraigned marriages. The power part was awssome, something she was ready for and even wanted on occasion. It was the whole 'not knowing who you were going to marry' thing that bothered her. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad. Like you said, I could end up with a friend, and I should have another year to meet a decently qualified person before father and grandfather intervene.

### | @tagged | notes

ulla

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN • notes • let it begin •

Raven grinned at the mention of the Diaz family. She could only imagine what Rafael was going to do with the whole bonding thing. She held back a laugh at the thought. "I bet that will be interesting" Raven was still lost in her thoughts about the exchange. She wouldn't mind the exchange if she got to spend the week with a friend. She would enjoy it if she was spending the week with Rafael. He was one of the few true friends she had, and the only one her age. 

It was the arranged marriage part of the exchange that Raven hated the most. Sure she had prepared mentally for the thing years ago and as long as it wasn't with her, selfish, rude cousin she figured she could deal with it. She hand't been close enough to anyone to have feelings for them so she wouldn't be devastated if she was in an arranged marriage. That didn't mean she liked the medieval custom. 

Raven nodded at Melanie's change of attitude even if it was a small one. She decided to change to subject to something taking place more in the present. Best not to worry about things that can't be controlled. "So what part of Herbologly are you having trouble with?" Raven asked wanting to take her mind off of the summer. Sure she had some plans but wan't really looking forward to the family plans. And she wasn't looking forward to the party.  

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i'm falling apart

leave me here forever in the dark

Right. Herbology. Passing was more important right now than anything else. Melanie couldn't control what happened in her personal life anyways. That was her father's, and maybe her grandfathers', job. Hers was to make sure this exam went smoothly. 

" I get most of the plant properties, it's just remembering how to care for the, and the cookie instructions. Like voodoo lilies. I know they can be poisonous and rarely have any good uses. " she started, flipping through the book to find her last spot. The sickly looking flower was intense at the least, but its needs were...odd, even to a witch. "But then you get in to it needing to be fed, how it grows better when the plant itself is hot, but not too hot. I mean, most of these plants have these weird quirks and j just can't keep them all straight."

### | RAVENNA SILVAN GAUNT| notes

ulla

Without the mask where will you hide

I know the truth

Can’t find yourself lost in your lie.

• wearing • THIS • tagged • MELANIE ALESSA THORN • notes • let it begin •

Raven listened closely to Melanie explain her issues for herbologly. Raven thought for a moment to figure out the best way to help her. She just needed to memorize it. What would be the easiest way for a Slytherin to remember thing? "This might sound strange, but just bare with me for a moment. Now I want you to think of each plant as a person. Yeah strange concept, I know" Raven paused for a moment to gather her thoughts to explain the concept better. It was a strange notion but she figured that it might help out somewhat.

"So the idea behind it is that for Slytherins we tend to remember little things about people. What makes them tick. It is just so we can use it later. Or bits of information about families. So if you consider the plant a person and the care elements that person's quirks then it might be able to remember. It can be hard to keep track of everything when you might not find the subject useful so sometimes the best thing is to put it in a way that makes it seam useful" Raven let out the long winded explanation and hoped it made sense. She found herbologly useful because of its importance to potions and other subjects. Granted she didn't see herself studding herbologly for the rest of her life but the knowledge could come in handy one day.

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i'm falling apart

leave me here forever in the dark

Plants as people? Actually, that made a lot of sense to melanie. She closed her eyes for a long moment and tried to visualize a voodoo lily. "So a voodoo lily would be like, someone from the southern u.s.? Can't stand the cold, needs the warm. They'd probably be pretty mean spirited because of the poison." She was muttering more to herself than Raven as she looked over the books descriptions. "I would've never thought of that. It's fantastic. Thank you!" The more the picture filled out in her head, the more she understood why this was a good strategy. She could remember people for days, plants...not so much. 

### | RAVENNA SILVAN GAUNT | notes: now she gets it. 

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