hortusdea

[hortusdea]

Penelope had observed his every move with curiosity, brows raised in surprise at the gesture. "My, aren't you full of surprises today?" Her eyes scanned the flute of champagne within her hands with a soft look of appreciation. It certainly felt a bit nicer to know that at least in this regard they could all act their age, albeit with some external help. "And it's not even a bad one at that. This is quite nice." Her face left no doubt about how thoroughly impressed she was, grateful all the same. The witch shifted, turning to glance at the dance floor. All the way across to the other side of the, yet mostly in the middle, people were spinning and having the best of times. There was no denying that it felt her with joy, an early feeling of Christmas settling within her. Honestly, it always had been her favorite holiday, one that she had a soft spot for no matter what.

The brunette snapped back around. "Food or dancing?" It was bizarre to see him acting like this, not having dashed off yet like so many times. Perhaps the fact that it had become such a norm made it feel almost too odd to be true. "I think we can dance. There's no need to have food when we've barely moved an inch. Mind you, getting ready may have taken its time but that is hardly reason to call for a resupply of energy." There was certain confusion over the fact that she'd not even expected to dance with him. Without much hesitation her hand was held out, offered for him to take. "Well, lets put all those lessons to use. Can't have my parents think they were absolutely for nothing." - @diggoryxamos

"A full fairy tale princess it seems- once again." Amos wasn't used to seeing Penn like this. It wasn't bad thing, not one bit, it was just new. He liked that she felt confident this evening. In fact, he hoped she continued to feel this way more often, she absolutely deserved to. "Pftt, no, the only predictable thing is you bringing me a new plant each month". It was amusing watching her lead for once, and Amos decided to go with it. "Hopefully at least some of those dances are reserved for me" he teased as he playfully bumped her with the side of his arm "after you Miss Borgin"

***

"Did i specifically learn a charm to turn water into champagne just for this evening? yes. are you thanking me for it? i'm going to assume also yes" Amos boasted as he handed Penn a flute of champagne. He had taken a sip from his own before bringing the drinks to her, just to make sure the charm had worked properly. Friend date it might be but Amos intended to be attentive this evening. He knew Penn well enough to know she would want to fully experience an event like this. Whilst he couldn't fit the bill for her romantically he could at least be a good date. He was determined to make sure his friend had a great evening. "Do you want to get some food, or should we dance first?"

@hortusdea

[hortusdea]

The world around her in motion, the witch almost didn't notice Peter until he was clearly next to her. With the ball in full swing so many things could get lost yet there he was. "Thank you. That's very kind of you." Her brow was raised, smile ever present. The brunette could hardly be blamed for feeling rather curious about just what her fellow Gryffindor may need, yet allowed for the moment of small talk to flow naturally. "It suits you." Her eyes went scanning before she nodded in approval once more. "It does but something tells me something is missing. Else you wouldn't be here drawing attention to yourself."

A part of her could only hope it was about one of the more obvious things, the unspoken things. "It happens to be a color that compliments quite a few dresses, doesn't it?" Penelope elegantly placed her glass on the tray floating by as they passed. "You're not here for a dance, are you? Out with it!" The witch could only chuckle at his attempt. It was rather nice to see. Whatever he may need, for a friend she'd gladly help. - @offtotheratraces

who : @hortusdea

where: the great hall

Peter didn't know much about fashion, he had a collection of around six jumpers, four shirts and four pairs of trousers. A collection that was typical swapped around as birthdays and Christmas approached, when the new would replace the old. Or if his trousers were getting too short around his ankles. For the yule ball, Peter sought to look nice but couldn't afford too much. So instead, Peter charmed his suit to become an emerald green colour, with a loose fitting white shirt underneath. But something had been missing, a flower on his lapel. A flower that he sought from his friend, Penelope. Penelope knew more about flowers than anyone, so who better was there to consult?

Catching a glimpse of Penelope walking across the ballroom. Peter cut across the crowd quite swiftly. "Whaddya' think? Does it match my eyes?" Taking his friend's arm swiftly. "Might I add that you're looking splendid, Miss Borgin."

[hortusdea]

The days leading up to the yule ball had been a blur, a rush of colors that lead up that very moment she now found herself in. When days prior Eavan had come to assist in changing the dress to something more regal and festive it had all seemed like a silly joke, yet the moment her eyes had fallen upon the dress it had all somehow made all the more sense than the pink flowery ever could have. Penelope had to make a mental note to than the other whenever she got the chance to, again.

When she'd finally made her way down the stairs it felt like the witch had stepped into a whole other world all together. It was the same and yet filled with the warmth of a festive atmosphere, brightened by the one to greet her at the bottom of the stairs. The brunette couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her at his words. "You could say I had a fairy godmother show up and turn my rather pretty pumpkin of a dress into something all the more festive." The smirk that graced her lips said everything, it would remain her secret. "Why, do you like it?"

Perhaps it was the fact that Penelope for the very first time in a very long time had goals in mind and dreams to chase after but her confidence was blooming, adding a glow like a candle in the dark. "It's good to know I can still surprise you after all that time. And here I was worried I'd become all too predictable." The Gryffindor enjoyed the way he seemed to stumble and fall over his words. "Come on, there are many dances to be danced." - @diggoryxamos

Where: Gryffindor common room Who: @hortusdea

Amos lent against the wall near the bottom of the girls dormitory, hands playing with the sleeves of his jacket, a way to try not to mess up his hair that he had spent a long time styling. Amos just wanted to get going to the ball and was full of excited energy. Though he usually hated the balls that his parents threw, what he did like about them was dancing. There were was something softly intimate about dancing with something. He could understand why it had been a way for people to interact in olden muggle times. Of course not every dance had to romantic. He didn't imagine he would have that type of dance with anyone this evening. He had been taught ballroom dancing from a young age. He pretended to hate the lessons but secretly he loved them. He kept checking the stairs for Penn and smiled when she finally appeared round the corner, straightening up to greet her properly. His eyebrows raised in surprise as she got closer. That dress was not the one she'd picked out when they'd gone shopping together. "Wow" Amos failed to form a more intelligent sentence. He held his hand out for her when she stopped in front of him."You're sneaky Borgin" he smiled brightly at her "what happened to the other dress?" Amos had to say he preferred this one, there was something about it that made her shine.

[hortusdea]

who: @diggoryxamos where: hogsmeade, near Gladrags Wizardwear

To say that Penelope had been thrilled by the announcement of the yule ball, the visit of the Ilvermorny students, and the accompanying quidditch match would have been an understatement. In fact, the witch might argue said thing would have been the understatement of the century. Among all the twists and turns life had taken it was nice to be able to relax and actually focus on something that brought joy. "I need the perfect dress. I'm not settling for anything less." Penelope had been staring at the windows of the shop for what felt like minutes, only turning to inform her friend of the choice made regarding the quality of her dress.

With a calculated spin she turned back, admiring the yellow dress within the window's display. "But not that one. I'm not in the mood for yellow. I may end up looking like a canary." Without even bothering to think much she moved, linking her arm with that of Amos. "What will you be wearing?" It was almost funny how easy this fast, how normal it felt to simply joke about things with the other Gryffindor.

[hortusdea]

👍 for a headcanon about things they like

While the easiest answer would be a most creative and colorful speech about plants and the beauty within them, should one ask Penelope Borgin about things that she likes, there are answers that go beyond that. The Gryffindor has a fondness hot chocolate with cinnamon sprinkled on top. On any day, especially those filled with sadder moments, the simple addition of her favorite drink can alter the perception of the whole day and turn something sour into something nice. At the end of the day the drink reminds her of home, of her childhood and her brother and the way things should be in the world much rather than the darkness they've all come to live in.

[hortusdea]

💗 GROWING HEART

💗 GROWING HEART - if they have a crush, is it noticable? what changes when they're in love?

Penelope does have a crush, yet it has only been noticed by very few people. Most of which either know her very well or have an incredible talent of reading people. There are moments when she may blush more than she normally would have as those feelings she tries to keep in check bubble up and take over, but for the most part her feelings remain hidden. The witch has been this way for years, never telling a soul. Though she's had her fair share of caring for someone other than the, thankfully less-than-obvious crush, those were moments one could observe her being more cheerful and bouncy. Penelope, having been raised to function a certain way may have chosen not to but when it comes down to it she very much remembers the lessons given.

[hortusdea]

🌈 RAINBOW

🌈 RAINBOW - what advice would they give to their younger self?

There are quite a few things she'd probably tell her younger self. Beyond anything that may be on the long list of things, there are two things that stick out. Believe in yourself, things will work out one way or another and you will be happier for it. Never underestimate how valuable knowledge could be that you previously didn't think you'd ever need. Many things have changed over the last few weeks and if there is one thing Penelope wishes she would have done sooner, it most certainly would have been swapping one of her classes from care of magical creatures over to defense against the dark arts. Perhaps things regarding the most recent changes in life would be a tad easier as she had very much neglected anything in that direction in favor of pursuing other topics.

[hortusdea]

No matter the years, the name was still hard to heard. Whether he meant Bellatrix or Regulus, it all ended the same. They each were a reminder of what had been lost the day the hat had called out for Gryffindor to be her house. A choice made, between the badgers and lions; not once had looked at the other seeker without knowing that nothing would ever be the same. "Honestly, they're a good team. Don't underestimate them, Ludo." Her eyes had begun to drift off, focused entirely somewhere else.

There were thoughts that circled her mind at that comment, unsure how to put them into words. "You know, it may be of benefit to you to consider charms and transfiguration something worthy of your time." The Gryffindor turned back to him. "At the end of the day transfiguration or charms may one day save your life on a broom. And don't give me that speech about never falling off of one. Even the best may fall." Ludo had a talent on a broom, one the brunette could not deny, but it felt as though there was much the other had yet to learn. "You had the right idea but don't swish your wand as much. You're not trying to chase a paper bird across the quidditch pitch, now are you?" Her hand raised up, wand aimed at yet another parchment. "See?" With a flick another bird took off, flying around the table. - @ludobxmxn

"it's not like they've a chance, anyway." he shakes his head to her question, followed by a chuckle. "dunno if you've seen black on a broom, but it's entertaining, if not tragic." he deadpans, not specifying which black he was speaking of. ludo likes to talk a big game but if bellatrix or regulus heard him speak of either of them like that, he'd likely run for his life. "besides," he smirks, "i've been flying longer than vance and flint combined. surprised they're even trying."

he looks up at her with a grimace when she asks the end goal of his charm, sighing. "no, but i'll get it." he assures her, moreso himself. "exactly," he nods when she asks about charms and transfiguration as well. "i'm going to be on a professional team one day. i don't need to worry about stuff like that." he shrugs, but beneath it he was unsure - he wants to be able to teach nigel these things, too. maybe he should try harder. "how'd you do that?" he asks when the bird lands on his notebook, looking at penelope. "can you teach me?"

[hortusdea]

"Honestly, silence is something rather common in the lives of most." Penelope stared down at her notes, scribbling away for a moment. "Then again, it isn't to everyone's taste. I can't blame them for that. I mean why seek out a library if not in order have some peace and quiet?" The little lion could hardly think of a time when utter silence had been comfortable, honestly. Even then greenhouse she so often shared with the redhead was filled with one sound or another. The echo of water being sprayed upon the plants, the drops of rain from outside or the movement of the many plants all together; there was just so much. And it all felt like home.

Penelope's eyes moved back to the book in front of her. "As happily as I'd like to keep humming, I fear I have to focus and get this essay out of the way. Now that I've noticed the humming, honestly, I wouldn't be able to get anything done." This year was the first of many in which fun was just a companion much rather than the lead in the play of life that she'd once considered herself to be part of. "Have you seen the freshly planted Asphodel?"

The witch's face lit up with a smile, ever so happy at the thought of plants much rather than whatever task was spread out on the table in front of her. If humming wasn't something she could follow up on and join the other for, surely at least talking of plants would be something that time was left for. If not she would simply reserve it. - @indixscamander

Indi got along with everyone she ran into -- or that was the goal. She had the ability to meld into what she needed to be for the people she ran into. It wasn't fake, it was sharing different parts of herself with different types of people. And Penelope gave her the chance to be an academic geek. Yes, geek. That's the word for it. And Indi loved it. There weren't many people she could talk smarts and, more importantly, plants with. She appreciated it beyond imagine.

"I can't imagine silence. It sounds scary, to be honest. I don't know why but complete silence seems like anything could happen any time and you wouldn't know it. Do you like it?"

Indi gave it a bit of thought. "Although I will say that I appreciate some quiet in the greenhouse. Though I do sing to the plants so it's not exactly quiet. And the library is a bit too quiet for my liking but it's a necessary evil."

Shuffling some of her papers, Indi cocked her head. "Regardless they need to fix the squeaky doors." she sighed. She shuffled her papers again. "Don't be too quiet. Even the library needs a little noise and your humming is lovely." Again in thought. "We could hum together."

@hortusdea

[hortusdea]

Any other year the costume would have stunned her into a positive silence; any other year would have been filled with the joy. It was hard to hide the shock that had clearly settled upon her features, words coming across much harsher than Penelope had intended. "I'm sorry." She looked at him with a sigh. "Listen, it does look and I can tell how much work you've put into it." The witch struggled with the words, despite their meaning and intend holding truth. The Gryffindor had simply not expected to see her brother walking the grounds of Hogsmeade as a ghost, not this soon anyway.

"Will it surprise you if I admit that I've never heard of Jackdaw?" Penelope's eyes focused instead on the books displayed within the shop's window. "Tell me about Jackdaw!" It was an offer that she was all too happy to make, knowing fully well that within history Laurent was in his element. Nothing brought her more joy than to see her twin distracted from the words spoken mere moments ago. All good intend aside, this was a tough topic and she much rather talk about someone unrelated that still meant so much to the Ravenclaw.

"Does he really float around Hogwarts? How come I've never even seen him?" The brunette chuckled. "Does it have to do with my seemingly permanent stay within the greenhouse or the fact that I have yet to meet a Slytherin ghost up in the Gryffindor common room? Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if someone busied themselves with shooing away any ghost of other houses. Well, not other..." She huffed. "Just that one. I don't mind it, of course. They do have nice people." - @laurentborgiin

The idea of a reward for Halloween never tickled Laurent's fancy, at least until now. The possibility of a new look at the most recent arrivals to Tomes & Scrolls, free from the crush of students and the desperation for textbooks forgotten to be purchased until the last possible second was prize enough for Laurent to end up extremely distracted in front of the shop. The lighting wasn't great, but it worked well enough to pick out some of the titles as his eyes flickered between books, cataloguing them for a potential return trip outside of the holiday.

The arrival of his sister next to him jolted Laurent from his thoughts and he turned to Penn with a smile. "I see how it is," he joked, "determined to scare the pants off me, I see, sneaking up while I'm distracted." He shook his head. "Despicable. Honestly, sister mine, have you no shame?"

Her comments on his costume brought his head down in a combined moment of shame and pride. The costume had taken forever, given that charms were never his preferred subject, and he was so proud of how it turned out, Laurent felt it beamed out of him. On the other side of it, he knew his twin's expressions well enough to know what she really meant and the knowledge of that stung.

Straightening up and deciding now was not the time to get into his own head, he smiled. "Thank you, Penn. It was a ridiculous amount of work and..." He trailed off before finding his words again. "Thank you for leaving it at that. It really was a lot of work." Sharing the inspiration behind his costume was a different kind of embarrassment, but it wasn't like his sister didn't already know what kind of academic he was. "I based it on Jackdaw," he admitted. "That headless Slytherin ghost. We like to trade riddles sometimes. Have you met him?"

[hortusdea]

"Right, how lucky that I was gallant enough to rescue the poor lens first, hm?" Penelope's eyebrow's shot up, doubt evident yet mixed with a smirk that gave away that not a single world her any seriousness. The chuckle wasn't far off. "Whatever fancy shots would you have taken without it?" But she agreed. No, of course one couldn't simply allow the world beyond the borders of Gryffindor or Hogwarts to think he wasn't humble.

"Because the four of you are that humble to begin with." They could be, surely, if they so wished. Whatever might make such a thing happen was a mystery to her. The Gryffindor glanced down at her essay for a moment before her attention returned to Peter. "Isn't that your expertise? Far be it for me to dare make a suggestion that couldn't be further away from what I'd consider my skill set. Lead the way, Peter. It was your idea. But," she paused, sighing. "nothing that could get me in trouble." This year had to go smoothly. Fun was fine, trouble was not. - @offtotheratraces

"Course," Peter beamed, it was a complete lie. But he reckoned it was funnier to tease than to let the embarrassment overtake him. "Aye, I'll live. I might have to get a few extra house points for my bravery which I'll refuse, obviously...I can't have people thinking I'm not humble. Don't worry, Penn. I'd much prefer that you fixed my camera lens."

"Leave plenty for last-minute?" He questioned, quirking an eyebrow. "Do tell." A slight look of excitement on his features as Penelope agreed to getting up to no good. The Marauders were busy, but that didn't mean Peter had to sit around and wait. "What do you fancy? Pranking a classroom or heading down to the lake?"

[hortusdea]

Snow White had seemed like the most obvious choice; the simplest and most fitting idea for someone who desired to be as brave and strong as the figure from the story. There was something beautiful about the faith that had carried her each step and the witch could only hope to measure up to. "You think so?" She smiled at him, ever so grateful that Alex had agreed on this. "Thank you, for doing this. i appreciate it, honestly." Truth be told, Alex was one of the most fun people she knew and even though a part of her wondered just what mischief he may end up coming up with, it was all worth the risk.

"I plucked them from an Orchard near Hogsmeade so they better be good." That was one of the few things she had yet to managed. No matter how hard she'd tried it, thus far Penelope had failed miserably in convincing Professor Sprout to allow them to plant a couple of fruit trees on the grounds. "What would you've gone as if I hadn't asked?"

Penelope found herself smirking, far too many ideas coming to mind at the thought of Alex dressing up in costumes other than the huntsman. There were too many options, for sure. "Hopefully nothing greek. Somehow Hogsmeade has been designated as the next best Mount Olympus." The Gryffindor turned, scanning the crowd and without much difficulty picking out quite a few of the ancient myths walking the streets of the small village. Either she'd missed the memo or she'd gotten incredibly lucky.

"I think we can skip the apple bobbing, don't you think?" Without much more said she lifted the basket. If there was one thing that seemed pointless when one had a whole basket full of fruit, it was chasing said fruit in a ginormous bucket full of water. - @alexdiggory

Alex was having the time of his life at this event. He hadn't had a plan or even an idea on what to do for a costume up until Penny had approached him and asked him to match. He had admittedly not even a clue on who snow white was or what a huntsman *did* but the older girl had sold the idea of the costume to him the moment she mentioned a bow and arrow. He was ignorant to a lot of muggle things but he had always held a fascination with muggle weapons and how impractical but amusing they could be. He of course, for safety reasons had charmed the arrows to hit their target because as much as Alex wanted to cause chaos he did *not* fancy the idea of accidentally shooting someone in the eye. This was supposed to be fun, not murderous. The first thing he notices when Penelope calls for him was the basket of apples and instantly Alex knew what he was going to spend the rest of the night doing. He hadn't really paid much attention to her when she explained the story of snow white, he's not sure if the huntsman was supposed to save Snow White or harm her, but *this* huntsman was going to shoot her apples.

"Hey!" He said cheerily, perhaps putting too much effort into sounding innocent that he sounding suspicious more than anything. "You do look marvelous!" He said genuinely, he doesn't know what snow white was supposed to look like, but Penny looked amazing anyway. At the offer of an apple he nodded "Sure, I'll have one," it would be the last one she got to hand out without an arrow through it though.

@hortusdea

[hortusdea]

who: open to all // @noxstarters where: the great hall, after lunch

Any week filled with quidditch was a week filled with joy in the Gryffindors eyes. On any other occasion that would have been enough yet knowing what kind of match was ahead of her, she couldn't help but feel all the more ecstatic. Flying, being on a broom, giving her best; all things that brought nothing but a smile to her face. Penelope had always been competitive, always would be. No matter how dire things may look, as long as she gave it her best surely it would all work out. The thought of the match ahead alone was enough to make her want to fly around, making sure to get in as much practice as possible. She was just about to get up and leave, when the voice of someone behind her caught her attention.

A voice clearly talking about the match ahead, clearly not in favor of Gryffindor. Now, she loved her twin but when it came to the sport, things could get intense. Penelope couldn't help the roll of her eyes, done before she could even waste a thought about it. "As if that would ever happen. My brother aside, Gryffindor is going to win. No chance this is going any other way. Ravenclaw has a wonderful team, but they are not Gryffindor." The brunette glanced at the other, almost huffing at the idea. Not even bothering to turn toward the person next to her, with a frown the words slipped out. "Can you believe them? Such nonsense!"

[hortusdea]

botany dark academia

[hortusdea]

Penelope ◇ Selma ◇ Bellatrix ◇ Emmeline

send 🔎 for my muse to deduce a secret about yours

[hortusdea]

Penelope ◇ Selma ◇ Bellatrix ◇ Emmeline

𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄

Send an emoji for my muse to send yours:

✉️ a friendly letter

💌 a love letter

😰 a worried letter

🩸 a threatening letter

💔 a heartbreaking letter

😢 a goodbye letter

💢 an angry letter

📜 a cryptic letter

🙍‍♀️ a letter about someone else

😔 a written apology

🤫 a written confession

💼 a professional email 

💻 a friendly email

📝 a note 

🏖️ a postcard

📋 a shopping list

🎁 + any idea you want!

[hortusdea]

💰 for a money-themed

Ever since she discovered her love for herbology, the witch has been saving up ever knut, sickle and galleon in order to finance a proper greenhouse one day. Even though plans have slightly been altered, those funds she'd been holding onto as though her life depends on it. During the summer breaks, ever since her seventh year, she's spent in Hogsmeade, working for Dogweed and Deathcap for as long as her parents seemed fine with it. Although she feels that she may not get to do that any more, Penelope still wishes to hold on to the galleons made over the years.