(Untitled)

[cameoclarke]

Week Name/Date/Time: "Duelly Noted" / Tuesday, November 28, 2006 / 7:00 am
Location: Slytherin Common Room
Open To: Rae (Slytherin spectators are not unwelcome)
Currently Involving: Cameo

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[cameoclarke]

Her gut clenched at the sound of the Rae’s voice. Ever since Cameo’s third year, the older girl was always among the first to insult, embarrass, and generally terrorize her. Her usual way of handling things, which she thought worked fairly well, was to avoid Rae. Especially when she was alone.

Of course, she should have known her morning routine would someday be set off-balance. In fact, she was surprised it had not happened earlier.

Generally, Cameo had a difficult time responding to insults. But dirty? Daft? These things hardly applied to her. She was among the cleanest, tidiest students in the school; it was unlikely she would drop a crumb. And even she must be aware that Cameo was one of the better students in Slytherin, not the best, but fairly intelligent.

She took another sip of coffee before responding, as if to show that her drink was more important than her insults.

“With skin as oily as yours, you ought never to call someone else dirty, Burton,” she replied smugly. She had said it out loud! She had given a comeback! She knew she shouldn’t be proud yet; the implications of the first comment weren’t subtle and weren’t likely to disappear. She could hope though?

[rae_burton]

Rae didn't think of it so much as terrorizing as a right of passage. Besides Cameo just presented her with perfect opportunities to make sure she knew her place. And Rae was happy to be the one that enforced it.

Oh right, that really just shut Rae down completely. If anyone knew about the whole 'sip of a drink before replying' it was Rae. She used it effortlessly when need be and, if she did say so herself, she did it better than Cameo ever could.

But then again, that wasn't that hard seeing as who she was up against.

"That's rich coming from a Mudblood," Rae sneered, confidently relaxing against the chair while rolling her eyes up and down Cameo. So she wanted to fight back today? Well two could play this game and Rae had time to spare.

[cameoclarke]

Because muggleborns apparently forgot to wash their face? Cameo didn’t think so. She was going to say something along those lines, informing Rae not to touch her face because she might loose her hand in one of the pores, but nothing came out. Damn it, she thought. Damn it, it was that word.

It still threw her off balance. She worked harder to get what she wanted, had higher ambitions (quite literally) than anyone else in her class, and that word was the biggest thing holding her back. Neither her face or posture hesitated when it slipped from Rae’s mouth, but she was inwardly bothered. It wasn’t like she could deny her roots, when they were already known by the girl.

“Says the pureblood whose wand would fall from her sweaty palms trying to turn the light on,” she managed to mutter. The girl was well put together, and obviously cared about her appearance. Therefore, it was the first thing she thought of to attack- or at least her sweat glands. Really, Cameo couldn’t walk away... though she’d like to.

[homely_illiad]

"Now, ladies..."

Illiad had gotten to his feet. He'd been watching the fight progress thus far and, although he often admired Rae for her powerful words and her courage, he really couldn't stand it when she picked on Cami. Even if he was, for the most part, fairly reluctant to interfere in the business' of his housemates and their own personal grudes (Merlin knew, they hated him enough already!).

So, quiet, reclusive, self-absorbed Illiad gathered himself to his feet after the latest arguement had been given by Cami and stood, staring at the pair of them before him, putting on his best Prefect voice and posture-- something rarely seen outside of the Library.

"Please, you are disturbing the peace," he said in an exhasperated tone, rolling his eyes. "Burton, don't make me deduct points. In the light of recent events, would it not be a poor idea to attack a fellow student for their blood, no matter how diluted?"

Big words from Master Hawkins, the sort of creature who rarely stood up for anything he believed in. But really, this was Cami, and they had both interrupted his reading-- an unforgivable sin.

[cameoclarke]

In Hogwarts, the majority of the students would feel the need to entirely “fight their own fights” or feel embarrassed if someone spoke up. But Cameo was no Gryffindor, the Sorting Hat hadn’t even considered courage as one of her stronger traits, so she was free of those worries. Merlin only knows she would run out of it soon, and have to try to end the pleasant conversation in some way. So she appreciated Illiad’s concern, despite it being speckled with words such as “diluted” in reference to her blood. Despite that later Illi quite likely might insist she should speak quieter so he could concentrate on his reading.

She knew his words could be taken either way- standing up for Cami, or simply warning Rae. An intelligent decision, she thought.

She placed her cup on the table next to the couch and folded her hands gently in her lap.

[rae_burton]

If Rae could respond to Cameo's reply, it would have been a hauty laugh and then some comment about how at least she could turn on a light. But unfortunately Illiad had stepped in and started to reprimand her? Oh please like this morning could become even more of a joke. The boy with a Gryffindor family defending the Mudblood. How interesting.

"Disturbing?" Rae turned her gaze to Illiad, quickly changing her smirk so that her face was polite and almost friendly, if it weren't for the daring glare in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I did not realize we were being loud Mr. Hawkins. We were merely sharing opinions on an open subject, I suppose it got too much for you. I'll remember to keep my voice down so that you can concentrate on your studies, since we know you really need it."

As for the attacking bit, oh Rae was not even going to talk about that. She had every right to attack Cameo. If it wasn't for filth like her and her parents she would not be in the position that she was in.

[homely_illiad]

!

How had she known he was studying Potions, the class in which he'd gotten his poorest grade of the year thus far just last week?!

Wait.

Calm down.

Illiad's nostrils flared in a very uncharacteristic fashion. How dare she! She didn't know anything! She was just being a regular little snobby bitch! Illiad was sure she knew that he had top marks in his year, after all! He'd informed everyone in their House at least once.

"Mighty clever of you, Burton, to choose to insult me over something that happens to be a well-known talent of mine. Very pithy. Tell me, are you going into jokes? I'd just forgotten how witty you were. If this whole murdering thing doesn't work out, you could write a book, you know. 'How To Insult People and Do A Rubbish Job of It'. I'd imagine it'd be a best seller, and the money could always go to help those layabout, last-remnants of what might've once been a Pureblood aristocracy. Your parents, I mean."

Woah, he was doing well tonight.

[cameoclarke]

Cameo was unnerved when she turned on Illiad. Before she knew it she was on her feet as well, walking a few steps forward. To insult her on something as essentially as important as her hair color was one thing, but to insinuate that Illi needed to study more was absurd!

“Be wise Illi, it would have to be split up into at least three parts,” she said confidently, but shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “You know the poor girl couldn’t concentrate nearly enough to make it concise. It might help to have pictures, to assist her demonstrating.”

Snobby little bitch was right, and Cameo had little sympathy for people with horrible parents.

[rae_burton]

Rae watched Illiad and Cameo with an amused air. Oh they were trying weren't they? As if they thought that insulting her parents would actually get to her. Sure, she would have stood up for her step-father, but she knew none of this applied to him. She could care less about her mother, and was actually amused that they had gotten close to her true nature without even knowing.

"My parents, very brave of you Illiad. If I didn't know any better I would say that you wanted me to pass along some information about you and your family. I'm sure my father would be highly interested," she said dryly. Threats? Oh Rae wasn't completely serious about them, but it was nice to pull out the card and see them get a little flustered. Even if they just went on about this whole 'rubbish insults' business they kept on going on about.

"You seem to be getting worked up about these 'rubbish insults'. Perhaps you would like a copy? Though I would like permission to use your examples, they would perfect to illustrate how not to insult."

[cameoclarke]

Cameo would still prefer to be lounging around drinking perfectly brewed coffee, and nibbling on the delicate crust of her pastry, but her frustration with Rae was wearing thin. It was transforming from an anger over her words to an annoyance over the waste of time. Rae knew, hell- Cameo knew, that the younger girl was likely the worst Slytherin when it came to banter. There was nothing to learn from the conversation, so couldn’t they just move on? Skip the middle part? She did not understand what satisfaction Rae could gain from bothering her.

Of course, Cameo did not like the threats, but she knew Illi could handle himself better than her. Besides, even though she suspected Rae’s father could be a high ranking Death Eater, she didn’t actually have anything on him to tattle with. “Daddy, Illiad warned me not to incriminate myself by publicly tormenting a mudblood,” was not the greatest thing to convince her father against him. The same Slytherin tendencies that brought Cameo to treating the Minister’s puppets at the school with respect told her that the Death Eaters would hardly want to make an enemy out of Illiad. From their perspective, the student must have high potential.

She settled with a glare. But the glare came from her heart.

[homely_illiad]

Illiad actually laughed at Rae's comment.

"Come, Burton! I really thought you knew better... my family is of little concern to me, after all! Tell your ogre of a father anything you'd like about them-- that they interact Muggles, that they birth werewolves, that they, bleeding hell, fornicate with vampires! I don't care, do I? They aren't family. Unlike...certain people," his grey eyes flashed dangerously at her, "I understand the true value of loyalty. I know the difference between right and wrong. I especially know the privledge of being a pureblood and having a noble pedigree, do I not?"

This, he knew, she could not argue. While he might have aunts, uncles, and cousins who dallied with other varieties, Illiad himself could trace his ancestry through wizards back since the time of the Founders. They might have liberal views these days, but the Hawkins, all things considered, were as pure as they come.

As for his mother's side (not that it mattered in English wizarding communities), he knew both her parents were magical, and he was pretty sure he had a great-grandfather who was a wizard (early memories of the man waving a wand in his face as a baby and beautiful birds flying out), but he hadn't traveled to Greece in so long, he couldn't be sure of the rest. But, again, like it mattered, and like Rae Burton was going to spend her time researching such a thing.

"Not that it, of course, matters."

Geez, where was Cami? Illiad gave her a momentary, wide-eyed look that said clearly: what the hell? Speak up for yourself!

[rae_burton]

Oh but Rae gained so much from bothering them. Just to see them riled up this early in the morning was enough for it. A joy even. She liked when she could annoy others, or at least make them start an argument about something. Quite entertaining for her to watch, especially on a day that was shaping up as much as it was.

Besides, the glare from Cameo? Oh well this was an interesting development. Not that it wasn't a surprise, the girl didn't seem very keen on responding quickly and wittily like Illiad. Interesting.

"Oh stop with the dramatics Illiad, you're almost as bad as those cousins of yours. I guess you would know that better than I though," she said with a disinterested shrug, before turning her attention to Cameo with an unsettling smile.

"Are you alright Cameo? Cat got your tongue? Maybe you just need some more coffee," she let slip a hint of sarcasm, but the rest was smooth and somewhat concerned.

[cameoclarke]

Sure, it was easy for Illiad to spout out ideas on loyalty- with his genealogy engraved straight into his name. It was one thing to deny family members, another to deny blood. Then, Merlin, he had the gall to give her that look. As if Cameo wouldn’t speak up if she had something to say that the girl would actually listen to! Obviously reason played little role with the seventh year.

Cameo was not really angry at Illiad, just at herself, but she rather disliked being angry with herself and knew she would have to say something. Something that would probably come out as complete gibberish.

But then Rae had to speak up.

“I’m perfectly fine, Burton, I simply don’t feel the need to share every little thought that enters my mind,” she stated. Then continued wryly, “Though if I ever want to start, I’ll ask you for tips. You do a rather splendid job with concision.”

Not gibberish after all. At least Cameo knew how to keep thoughts to herself.

[homely_illiad]

Illiad was, for the most part, primarily concerned with Illiad. Especially when it came to things like these stupid little bitch fights he always had the misfortune to fall into with the female representitives of the world (and mostly, his House). So really? Illiad was infuriated that Cami was responding, thinking that she expected him to defend her! Hello, darling! This was Slytherin, wasn't it? Every bitch for herself!

"Mmhm, perhaps," Illiad said, clearly giving Cami a look that said, Whatever! It was intended, of course, for Rae to see so she would know that what she was saying about him-- and his unfortunate relations.

He didn't want this this morning, he didn't need it. He wanted more than anything to pull Cami away and let the pair of them vanish away from Rae, perhaps up to the owlrey or the library or something-- somewhere where they didn't need to listen to Rae and her stupid mouth.

Most of Illiad was dying to make the mistake, but the part of him that was so very like the cousins he so detested was informing him that he had to stay and stand his ground. And for once in his life, he was listening to that that part.

"Rae, I'm curious," he put his finger to his lips and looked to Rae's shoes, as if he had a question to ask her but couldn't quite figure out how to put it the most appropriate, or, perhaps, insulting way.

"I was reading a book on psychology-- you know," he said, looking up at her and speaking a little more slowly as if he wanted her to understand something far beyond her grasp, "why people do the things they do? They said people hate other people who deprived their parents for giving them attention... so, I was wondering... do you hate Cami so much because your father spent so much of his time fucking Mudbloods? Because, scientifically speaking, that would be proper."

[rae_burton]

It was true, in Slytherin no one was expected to stand up for anyone else. Which was probably why Rae fit so well in this house. It made it so much easier to gossip behind people's backs or simply bitch someone out. No one had any illusions here, and if they did they better get over them relatively fast.

Oh how ironic. Rae would have laughed if it weren't for how serious it was. But honestly from time to time it amused and made her more smug about how she was able to keep her bloodline a secret. Then a second later she practically threw up in her mouth at the reminder of it. But it was revolting, even the mere thought of why her mother would ever want to see a Mudblood, let alone fuck one. It was one of the reasons why she could barely stand the woman.

The only good decision she had made was marrying Francis, who should have been her rightful father. But even she knew he would never even glance at a Mudblood, unless it was about to die.

"How shrewd of you. I would imagine that might explain some people, but unlike some people, my family knows the place of Mudbloods. And it doesn't include anything remotely intimate," Rae said with a roll of her eyes. Oh how boring this was turning into. "So, unfortunately for you, that reason doesn't apply to me. Though you might want to skip a few chapters ahead. You might get to the part about how people may not like others and it's perfectly natural."