brainiest | ic contact.

Exactly. When I was little I thought all the things I was doing was just coincidence or a trick of my mind - I never really considered that it was magic.

[ It is very small, but it got much, much larger as she got older, and not always in the best of ways. ]

Muggle means people without magic. So anyone who had parents that weren't magic, or a single parent that wasn't from a magical family. He preferred... Purebloods.

And he was the instigator behind the war you fought, I take it. [She hasn't come out and said it, not really, but it's not that hard to par se what she's saying.]

So, this Voldemort character hated something that couldn't be controlled? He sounds pleasant.

[He sounds a great deal like Ardyn, if Ignis is honest. And that's a train of thought that has him frowning more than he will admit to.]

I'm sorry if I'm making you relieve things from your past that you don't wish to revisit. If there's anything you'd like to ask me about what you saw, I will answer you as truthfully as possible.

[He's just not sure she'll like the answers.]

He was the leader of the other side, yes. That's who we were fighting.

[ But Voldemort not being pleasant is the funniest thing, and her nose wrinkles as she fights back her laughter. ]

It's how he was raised, I suppose, and... He couldn't feel love. I mean that he was literally incapable of feeling it, so that might have contributed.

[ Settling down, she leans back and breathes out before she turns her head back to look at him. ]

I don't mind, really. I'm not sure what I ought to ask, really. I... It just seemed a little bit lonely.

[He smiles briefly as she wrinkles her nose. It's a tell of amusement for her, something she has very little of. And though it doesn't last, he is pleased that she found some enjoyment out of it.

He can't speak about Voldemort. Hermione would be the expert in that matter but he'd rather not press her about it either.]

Hm, I suppose I could see how that would be the case. I'm not exactly the most social of men when I don't have to be. I have always considered myself lucky that those I have to be around are people that I enjoy spending time with, so I haven't really reached out beyond that.

Besides, I didn't have the same opportunity to make friends in school while being privately tutored.

No, I can appreciate that. I only had three really good friends when I was at school. Things were a little bit broader in the Drabwurld, but there were a lot more people and a lot more things to do to interact with one another.

[ Life or death situations have a way of bringing people together, after all, and Hermione had learned that time after time after time.

It does make her think, though, and she shifts, turning to look at Ignis properly. ]

I know how you met Noctis, since you're supposed to be helping him, but how did you meet Prompto and Gladiolus?

[He finds himself just looking at Hermione before answering her question.]

Gladiolus' family, the Amicitias, have served the kings of Lucis for several generations. Gladio is Noctis' shield as much as I am his tactician. We both grew up and trained in the palace for our positions in the Crownsguard. Prompto, on the other hand, came from a rather normal family and met Noctis in school, where they became friends.

Sadly, one doesn't merely befriend the crown prince. After graduation, Prompto went through some training and joined the Crownsguard too.

[ She listens properly, tilting her head and watching. ]

I see. So you all came together to make sure that Noctis was taken care of and safe?

[ It makes sense, she supposes; they have something that binds them, or rather someone, and she thinks that it's marvellous. It makes her soften, and she settles down properly. ]

So you're all trained, then?

I suppose you an say that. For a while it was difficult for Gladio to come to terms with serving Noctis when we were younger. Eventually, he came to terms with it and it helped us grow closer as a group.

[What he doesn't know yet...]

We're all trained in different things, yes. Gladio is very much like a bodyguard, I am a tactician, and Prompto is... well, he uses ranged weapons and takes pictures of our journey. He doesn't have enough experience as Gladio or I, but he certainly makes up for it with enthusiasm.

I think I can definitely see that in Prompto. He seems incredibly excitable, but it's not necessarily a bad thing.

[ Sometimes that's what a group needs - someone to help keep them together when things are getting harder and harder. She knows that from experience, dozens of times over, and it makes her feel ridiculously nostalgic despite her youth. ]

I don't think his lack of experience makes him any less good at what he does, though, does it?

No, his cheerful disposition [Forced though it is at times] is definitely a nice contrast with my own somewhat serious nature.

[They all share a bond with Noctis, and that is what has drawn them together as a group, but it's their own efforts that have made them a cohesive unit.]

What Prompto suffers from is a crippling low opinion of himself. If he had more confidence, he could "keep up" with the rest of us. He still feels as if he has to earn his place among our group, but he is the only that feels that way.

Isn't that what makes you work well together? It wouldn't work if you were all exactly the same.

[ Hermione knows that from being with Ron and Harry - if they had all been like her they'd not have gotten anywhere, and if she'd been like them... Well. ]

I thought that he was very brave, and very sweet. [ She turns her head away, frowning. ] He was so excited to have someone to share his camera with, too. I think he... Maybe he could use a few more friends to show him how lovely he is.

We would not get along at all if we were all alike. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Luckily for the rest of them, one of my strengths is knowing their weaknesses.

[It's also bad for them if they ever cross him, but that's a story for a different time.]

I suppose that we are a rather closed off group, but please befriend Prompto if you want. He is extremely social and deserves to have a bigger group of friends than the small circle we four make. From what I know, he didn't have many friends before Noctis.

[There are many others, of course, but they spend a great deal of time as just the four, unless something happens.]

So you can hope for the best but prepare for the worst? I can understand that.

[ Hadn't that been her role with Harry and Ron for a long time anyway? She had been prepared, packed everything, sorted everything, had been hopeful and ready for the best and the worst of most situations. It's something she's quite proud of, really, if she's being honest.

The idea of Prompto not having friends, though... ]

I can't imagine him not making friends. He's just so... Sweet. [ And she's very fond of him already. ] I need to check in on his camera, so I'll make sure to message him soon. I wouldn't mind staying his friend.

It's better to prepare for the worst and not need it. But my knowledge does help fill in the holes we all have while in battle.

[The thought of Prompto without friends hadn't really occurred to Ignis until he'd been forcefully reminded during Calibrations.]

Yes, he's a kind person, but he was terribly shy. That doesn't really make it easy to make friends, despite the fact that he makes a very good person to have on your side.

Exactly. Sometimes you need to know things and the rest of them act like you're ridiculous for trying to learn as much as possible.

[ The idea of her not being there for some of Ron and Harry's adventures... ]

Then I'll do my best. Hopefully he'll flourish here - most people are really friendly.

I've been lucky that my friends don't find my pursuit of knowledge ridiculous. They actually listen to me without second guessing.

[Even Gladio listens to him, despite being so stubborn and arrogant at times.]

I've found that he only needs the littlest encouragement. A few compliments and you can win him over.

Mine have grown up quite a lot, but they never used to think all my studying was worthwhile.

[ They were only children, though, and she was a little bit obnoxious - she can admit that now. ]

I think I can manage that. I'd like to be a good friend to him.

More's the pity for them, I suppose, but they had you around. So, they were smart enough realize the good in friendship with you.

[Look, everyone has to grow up. Ignis's growing up just meant he had to let Noctis do for himself.]

If you're half the friend to Prompto that you are to me, then I don't think he shall know any unkindness. I have found myself unable to be upset with him, even with his camera shoved in my face every waking moment.

I'd like to think so. They grew up fast.

[ They had to, with the war and everything. They didn't really have a choice. Hermione decides to latch on to the rest of their conversation for now, though - ]

It's only going to get worse now that I've gone and charmed his camera for him, isn't it?

War has a habit of making men grow up, I've observed.

[It's certainly done interesting things for Noctis and Prompto.]

I'm afraid so, but then we all must pay for our sins, I fear. Yours will be posing for more photos, I think.

ic contact.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject