a seed-eating songbird that typically has a stout bill and colorful plumage... [Open!]

[isee_snorkacks]

You might be wondering why there is a rather large flock of finches occupying the open air of the Obs Deck. The obvious answer is that someone left the window open. The unobvious answer is the seemingly innocuous teenager lying on one side of the room, a spellbook she had just run across in her locker open on the floor beside her

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[nothawkingbird]

"There's birds in the Obs Deck. Did I miss a comm or something?"

Kate eyed the songbirds curiously. They did sound pretty, and she couldn't help giving an answering whistle to a pair of finches fluttering past.

"Whoa hey, anyway to calm them down?"

[isee_snorkacks]

The blonde produces a few more birds with a joyful flick of her wand and a proclamation of Avis!, head tilting against the floor as the charm birds join their brethren.

"Not really." It's really not clear which question she's answering, but she's answering one of them, which is something, right?

[nothawkingbird]

Kate immediately zeroed in on that.

"Oh of course when it's magic birds, that makes all the difference." She rolled her eyes a little at it.

[isee_snorkacks]

Luna sits up, staring intently, head tilted.

"It rather does, doesn't it? They're not quite the same when they're charms." Her voice is floating somewhere up there with the finches, dreamy as it is, eyes lifting to follow one kamikaze's path as it divebombs a sofa.

[nothawkingbird]

"Right. Is this kind of magic common where you come from? Got a friend on here who knows a few things about magic."

Though his is more of the potential alter reality as you know variety. If he really gets like his momma.

[isee_snorkacks]

Luna considers this for a moment.

"Well, it is in my part of the world, but there are quite a few Muggles, and they don't know anything about it. The Wizarding world is quite secretive. We have laws about that, you know."

A few passing seconds find the blonde on her feet, robes swirling around her as she fixes her wand behind her ear.

"I have quite a few friends who know magic. Unfortunately, they're in their pods, but I'm sure they'll show up eventually."

[nothawkingbird]

Muggles? She knows that word, where... oh. OH! Right. Well that would explain the wand. Huh. Wait till Billy hears about this.

"We're not so secretive in mine, except about code names and costumes. It's a superhero thing," she shrugged.

[isee_snorkacks]

"It's a peculiar bother, isn't it? I don't understand why we have to hide things, though I suppose when persecution is involved, it makes a little sense." A frown etches itself between her eyebrows, showing only in the crease just above her nose as she stares at her companion.

"What's a superhero? Is it a type of wizard on your planet?"

[nothawkingbird]

Kate grew silent at the persecution, remembering how bad the SHRA and the Civil War was.

She shook her head, "Not exactly, it's people with powers and/or skills coming together to stop villains. Look out for the innocents, only have to go in disguise to protect your identity. Was part of a team."

[isee_snorkacks]

"Oh, well, that sounds like Dumbledore's Army! Only we disguise ourselves by being covert." She pauses, looking thoughtful.

"Yes, I do think I would call Professor Umbridge a villain. She is absolutely foul." The vehemence in her tone is fairly uncommon, as is the rather bitter twist to her lips. Obviously, she has problems with this Umbridge woman.

Inhaling slowly, she stares at Kate curiously. "What was your team like?"

[nothawkingbird]

Kate smiled at that, "Well there's a couple of us awake now. There's me, and some of my friends like Cassie, Billy, Jonas. And Nate, he could only be on the team for a short time. We hang out, work together, look out for one another as much as we can."

[isee_snorkacks]

Luna's eyebrows lift a bit at one of the names.

"Does Billy summon things? I believe he made me tea once. It was wonderful. I do wish some of my friends were awake..."

[nothawkingbird]

Kate nodded, "He knows magic, so sure sometimes he does."

She paused and then reached out to touch the girl's shoulder.

"They will, just have to be patient. I had to wait a while for some of my friends to wake up too."

[isee_snorkacks]

"He's very nice! I'm sad that I don't see him more."

A sad smile turns her lips, and she nods.

"I know. I'd only just gotten used to having them, though, and the summer was going to be hard enough without them. Ginny did say I could come visit, but... we all know how those things fall through, and now I'm here, and they're asleep." She pauses, eyes shifting to the floor. "It can't be much longer now, though."

[nothawkingbird]

"Probably GLADOS doing. She's grabbed me a few times too."

Kate nodded, "Stacy said we're all part of important stories. Anyone else like that, they'll be here for sure. They're just being lazy and sleeping in a little longer, you know?"

[isee_snorkacks]

"GLaDOS? I'm not sure I heard of her. Is she on the disciplinary committee?"

She giggles, tucking her wand behind her ear. "That sounds like them. Even Hermione has a penchant for sleeping in when she has a day off."