Memory Lane (Shadow and Holly)

Younger Shadow looked over the top of her book, her expression clearly not amused.

Young Holly stood and brushed herself off. She hesitated and then stuck out her arm.
"Holly. Bristol. Well Holliya actually but my dad shortened that when I told him I couldnt stick it and Ive been Holly ever since. Slytherin I see, huh ... im a Gryffindor myself, hence the red tie and what not. I dont believe in all that 'Slytherins-are-evil' thing, I only believe a FEW of them are, but Im sure you're not one of them. How old are you, whys your hair purple?"

Younger Shadow continued to look at Holly before she sighed and carefully marked her place in the heavy, leatherbound book and set it aside. Looking at Holly with a bored expression, she asked her:
"Why bother with a Slytherin when you be a Gryffindor and there is a legendary rivalry between us?"

"I dont believe in tradition." Holly said defiantly, "Thats stupid I reckon. Where are you from your accents funny?"

Shadow raised an eyebrow.
"A long way away." She said softly. "Yourself?"

"Ireland!" Holly said happily sitting next to Shadow on the grass, "Thats overseas, in case you've never been. I think everyone should go there at least once in their lives, but it doesnt have that much to offer. Theres an Eye thats like the London Eye, but its not as good .. and we have lots of fields, and grass and sheep and stuff, if you like that sort of thing."
Holly shrugged.

Youger Shadow blinked and sighed, wondering how on earth a chatterbow wanted to be around her.

"I forgot how annoying you are." Older Shadow said. "I guess I just got used to it."

"Thanks," Older Holly muttered sarcastically, and shoved Older Shadow.

"Oh no ... my broom's all wrecked," Young Holly said sadly, picking up what appeared to be the handle, "Do you think the school will charge me money? Only I havent got that much...I might have to sell some things, but then I dont even have that much to sell ... rage. I think I'll walk about a bit."
She jumped up.
"You coming ... um ... I didnt even ask you your name!"
She looked at Shadow expectantly.

Shadow sighed, getting to her feet, picking up her book and tucking it under her arm. Stretching out a hand, she surrounded the bits of Holly's broom, piecing it back together with her magic.
"You can call me Shadow."

Holly's mouth fell open.
"Jeepers," she whispered, "Id rather call you Magic Woman ... ow'd you do that? That aint proper Witch magic is it? I suppose you're older ... more experienced..."
She seemed to be talking more to herself.
After a moment Holly held out her hand.
"Shadow it is," she grinned.

Shadow ignored the hand, as was her habit.
"Enquire not as to how I do it." She warned.

"How you do what?" Holly called back, already skipping along the edge of the lake, "Well hurry up then! You coming or what?"

Shadow rolled her eyes and teleported next to Holly.
"Ever heard the meaning of 'patience'?"

"Heard of," Holly said grinning, "Never understood. Thats me though ... I dont catch on quick and I speak at all the wrong times. Dont worry chicky, you'll get used to it."
She winked at her new friend and continued along.

"You're right," Older Holly said nodding, "I WAS annoying..."

Younger Shadow remained silently, looking ahead as she walked alongside Holly.

"Am I ever wrong about such things?" Older Shadow asked with a smile as she followed as well.

"No actually..." Older Holly said thoughtfully, walking behind the pair, "So thats how we met...all to do with your exact position, and my exact ... clumsynes...."

"Yup." Older Shadow said.

Younger Shadow looked at the position of the sun.
"Shouldn't you be in class?"

"Umm...." Younger Holly glanced sideways at Young Shadow, "Well yeah but....its Transfiguration so I told McGongal I was sick .... you wont tell will you?"

"I was so pretty," Holly said thoughtfully to Older Shadow, "What happened?"
She laughed.

Younger Shadow raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, holding her book tightly.

Older Shadow smiled slightly.

"I think Im going to take your silences for a yes," Holly said grinning, "Whats the book?"

Younger Shadow held the book tighter before she sighed and showed the other girl the title. "Halb breeds: how to integrate".
"Nothing much, a bit of research. I can assure you that I'm human."

"Huh...." Holly said looking at the book, "Looks complicated."
She gave Shadow a smile to show she trusted her.

Shadow gave a small smile back... And the memory changed again to show a rather uncomfortable looking Shadow standing near a window. Holly was in the room as well, but Shadow kept her eyes fixed on the rain outside. Holly had just seen her go demonic, and Shadow was just waiting for the questions now, just like always.

Holly bit her lip.
"Um...." she managed, before letting her gaze drop to the floor.
"Why did you keep that a secret?"

"Why do you expect?" Shadow said sarcastically, still not looking round to face her friend.