[spinners] not of this world | nola

Not of this world, for I am nothing known.

December 22nd, 2003

When they had run into one another at the movie theater, Isaac had never imagined it would lead to this. That they would be hanging out, over winter break, again, but at the same time, he couldn’t pretend like he wasn’t looking forward to it. She was fun to be around, especially outside of Hogwarts, even if she frustrated him often. He was sure she did it on purpose; there was no way a person could naturally be that annoying. Then again, he aggravated her right back, purposefully, so there was that. Their “friendship” was far from ordinary, but at least they had moved past rude comments and thinly veiled threats. Okay… they hadn’t really “moved past” so much as added other fun ways to bicker into the rotation.

Still, Isaac made an effort to floo to London and not be too late meeting up with her. It was five past when they said they were going to meet up, but a part of Isaac wondered if she would even show at all. If this was some sort of trick, telling him she could get them into Spinners even though no one under seventeen was allowed in the basement. If it were, he’d have to think of something equally cruel to get his revenge.

Turning the last corner, Isaac found himself standing outside the record shop he’d been to about a billion times but today felt brand new. Everyone knew about the concert hall downstairs, well, everyone that cared about that sort of thing anyway. Isaac had never been down there, but Duncan and Allison, being older, both had, and he was increasingly jealous every time they came back with stories. How Magnolia was going to get them in, he wasn’t sure, but he was intrigued. Especially since he barely saw her break the rules, so sneaking past a bouncer did not seem like the sort of thing the Gryffindor would do. Isaac had made assumptions about Nola before, though, and they usually ended up being way off.

Taking all of two seconds to look around, Isaac frowned when he didn’t see her but didn’t give up entirely, at least not yet. Instead, he leaned up against the shop’s old bricks, facing the street, and waited.

@Magnolia Lane Hawkins

Magnolia wasn’t supposed to be spending her free time with Isaac Hackney of all people but here she was, changing her clothes for what seemed like the hundredth time, and secretly hoping that whatever she put together next made much more sense and looked way cuter than what she had tossed onto the bed. It wasn’t like Magnolia was trying to dress up for him (especially not Isaac of all people, yuck) but she was curious to know what he’d find her the prettiest in, wanted to attract attention like any other girl her age. And considering she had invited him to Spinners, which he seemed pretty convinced that she’d never be able to get into, she wanted to look extra pretty when she saw that look of complete amazement on his face when he realized that he had been wrong and she had been right. There was no better way to enjoy such little pleasures than in a nice outfit.

By the time she had finished reapplying her makeup, something a little more natural than the extra thick winged eyeliner she had tried the first time, she made it out of the door, rounding the corner to where she was headed a little bit after the time they had agreed to meet. Magnolia had not bothered with a proper coat, as it didn’t seem to match the fluffy pink sweater jacket she had brought along, but she was starting to regret it as the cold winter breeze swept across her arms, creating what was likely to be rows of goosebumps in their wake.

But maybe that was excitement, too, for she knew that she was just that much closer to doing something so far removed from what she usually did. Magnolia didn’t dwell on the fact that she hadn’t even bothered to tell her friends about her adventure in the same way she usually did but didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, the more she thought about it the guiltier she would feel.

“Isaac!” she called out as soon as she had spotted him, semi surprised that he had bothered to show up but equal parts excited that they would have an outing outside of school. “Couldn’t resist, huh?” she teased, though she meant something more along the lines of I’m glad you came!but she wasn’t about to say that to him. Magnolia could already imagine the sort of smug look he’d give her if she did.

”I’m freezing, let’s go inside,” she started, not really knowing how else to start a conversation. It was easier to lead anyway, and so without trying to think too much about it (and avoiding the fact that she sort of wanted to touch him in the first place) she reached for his hand and pulled him into the store, lingering a moment longer before realizing she ought to let go. The Gryffindor wondered if he’d make something of it, and if he did, she’d shrug it off.
It wouldn’t be a big deal if she said it wasn’t a big deal, right?

“So what was that thing you were saying about how you don’t think I can get us in?” she asked playfully, lingering on the idea, and determined to prove him wrong. “Still don’t believe I can do it?”

When he saw her walking toward him and shouting his name because that was needed, Isaac couldn't keep the voice in his mind quiet. How did Magnolia manage to make the dumbest sweater ever look insanely cute? Isaac rolled his eyes at her greeting but couldn't fight back the smile that crept onto his face as she grabbed his hand. Isaac told himself he was only here because it was an opportunity to get in somewhere he otherwise couldn't. Still, even the teenager wasn't clueless enough to believe that story. Her hand in his, Isaac followed her into the shop.

"How many kneazles did you kill for that?" He said sarcastically as she let his hand go. Isaac meant to tell her she looked pretty, but his backhanded sarcasm came out instead. They passed by the side of the first floor that housed the record shop and two flights of stairs, one that led up and the coveted one that led into the basement.

Isaac shrugged his shoulders as they stopped in front of the stairwell. "I still do not think you will be able to, but I will enjoy watching you try," The last time he had seen a kid under 17 try to get down into the basement, his ear had dragged him out by a giant wizard.

“Why? You want one?” she retorted, rolling her eyes at him in response to his question. Had he known anything about fashion he’d realize that this wasn’t even animal fur it was a very well made fake knock-off, it had been a gift from an aunt for her fourteenth birthday and though Magnolia never really took it to school, like most of her more interesting pieces of clothing, she did like it a lot.

Of course he wouldn’t know all that, though, because he was a boy and obviously didn’t register anything outside of the black and gray he often wore. The only black pieces of clothing Magnolia owned was a leather jacket and a few little black dresses, one which had already made its debut at the movie theater earlier that month. Either way, the thought of Isaac wearing any of the sorts of wild things the teenager wore was an entertaining thought.

“Well be prepared to be impressed, Hackney,” she added confidently, walking closer to the bouncer who gave her a serious look before smiling at her. Normally, she’d be turned away on her age alone but this one knew her, he’d been one of the first ones she’d met when she had started coming to Spinners regularly. He simply acknowledged her with a faint smile, an irregularity compared to the serious, often frightening, expression he often wore.

Magnolia knew that she could have asked for the password at the front or from Rheya, they would have given it to her without a second glance. But she wanted to try it a different way, the way they tested the people that often tried to get in without invitation. Miles, the guard, would give them a lyric, something obscure and old, and the person had to guess the artist. If they guessed correctly, they were welcomed in, if not, they were sent back on their way. Either way, it had always been a fun little game for her.

After he told her the line, it took her only a moment to mentally locate the album on her shelf, “The Velvet Underground, 1970,” she announced proudly, turning to give Isaac with a wink once Miles stepped out of the way to let her through. “He’s with me,” she added, to which Miles did not say a word. “Well not with me with me, just…” she explained, trailing off and realizing how mistaken she was for adding to it in the first place. She had started on a high note though, and that’s what mattered, “See you later, Miles,” she muttered, ushering Isaac inside.

“So, feel free to tell me how amazing I am starting now.”

Isaac could not believe his eyes as Magnolia daringly walked up to the bouncer as if they were old pals. For a second, he thought she might actually pull it off, and then his more practical side convinced him there was not a chance in hell. Magnolia was sixteen; he knew this; there was no way she could pull off seventeen, not when there was a magical ward and a big-ass bouncer involved. He then asked the question, and she answered it even before Isaac could figure out the album. He was impressed but nearly as impressed when the bouncer moved to let her pass.

Stepping up quickly, eyes wide, Isaac shook his head at her words and subsequent correction before following her down the stairwell. Miles? Wait, she knew that guy? Isaac was a wealth of confusion and questions as she led them into the basement, and Isaac's jaw dropped. It was dark, loud, and smokey, he could hear skateboard wheels rolling down a ramp, and everyone laughed at the bar. A band tested their instruments, getting ready for the show tonight, and Isaac was basically in nirvana.

He searched for something snarky to tell her, but there was nothing, not at this moment, he was so impressed. "Yeah, no, I have nothing; this is brilliant," He said to her even as his eyes continued to scan the place he'd been trying to get into for two years. "How?" Isaac finally asked as he turned toward her. "How are you this awesome?" He asked again, his brown eyes searching hers for answers.

“And there is a lot where that came from,” she added haughtily, but no, not really, this was probably as good as things got in the world of Magnolia Lane Hawkins. She could probably get a couple discounts based on her father’s residual popularity as a former Quidditch star or maybe get into a couple of house parties with Rheya but she tried to reserve those opportunities for when she really needed them. Magnolia also figured that her older sister probably didn’t want to always be seen with her, no matter how cool she thought she was. But what was more important right now was that Isaac was impressed and that felt like a big victory after a string of embarrassing losses. “So next time’s on you,” she added with a smile as she added her way through the crowd, pretending to ignore that she’d more or less agreed to spend time with him even though he hadn’t exactly asked. Magnolia had been enjoying herself and knew that if she said it so plainly, the entire thing would lose its charm, it was much easier when they were playing a game of Who can do it better?

“I actually don’t know the band that’s on tonight, you’ve heard of ‘em?” she wondered, trying to find a familiar face in the band that was setting up but figuring she’d have better luck once they started playing. Magnolia wasn’t the best at remembering faces but once she heard a tune, she could almost immediately find its source and would remember it forever. Too bad her good hearing had never translated into musical talent, Rheya had obviously taken all of that for herself, but it had turned into a good talent for collecting gossip. She could hear drama and scandal from a mile away, she also had a talent for tuning out things she didn’t want to hear like long lectures and admonishment. So, all in all, Magnolia considered herself blessed as well.

“You, uh—want a drink or whatever? The bartender’s pretty cool, probably won’t like let us get wasted or anything but if you want something I can ask,” she added hesitantly. Magnolia didn’t really know much about Isaac outside of the academic context, she figured he liked to party and have fun just like every other teenager and they had had fun during their little outings but it had all been pretty general audience type of fun. This felt a little more PG, but then again it was the secret society of all the ace youth in London, the ones old enough to enter at least.

"Uh.. not that I know of?" Isaac felt like he was having an out of body experience. Whatever band was playing tonight would probably be killer, based on everything else he knew about the place, and it made him more excited to be here. It was a Tuesday, not a Friday, so it probably wouldn't be the sickest band he had ever snuck in to see, but still, it would be good. And he had Magnolia to thank for it, something that was still making his head spin. "Wait, what, are you serious? Yeah, okay," Isaac agreed to drinks as he returned to his body and stopped letting his jaw drag across the floor.

Crossing the room, he bumped into a guy, but neither one of them mentioned it, and weaved around two witches who were already dancing until finally catching up to Magnolia on the way to the bar. It was getting crowded already, but some booths were still open and some chairs at the bar. Isaac placed his hand on the small of Magnolia's back as they moved through the crowd. It was a simple gesture as they walked together, and when they reached the bar, he slipped his hands into his pockets. "I will pay," He told her, not wanting it to turn into a discussion because it was the very least that he could do.

He figured he would have to let her order, though, since the bartender pretended he did not even exist as they approached the bar. The old wizard's face lit up when he saw Magnolia, though, and it made Isaac jealous in a new kind of way. "Baby Hawkins!" The man purred at her as he slid down to stand in front of them. "Rheya didn't mention you were coming tonight," He said as he began cleaning out two tall glasses and waited for an order.

“If I knew I’d leave you speechless, I might’ve brought you a little sooner,” she teased, finally feeling like she had the upper hand in what felt like months’ worth of a battle. But it was not about winning any more as much as it was about finding ways to keep him interested in speaking to her; sure it felt a little desperate if she said it out loud but she did enjoy the attention, even if it wasn’t entirely positive. Magnolia had more or less come to accept that she liked him, but also felt like she couldn’t do much about it. He had told her that she was the last witch he would ever date. Regardless, she was not above making him regret saying that even if she would never manage to change his mind. She could be cool, too.

But there would be time to discuss all that later, for now, she could use a drink, preferably something that would get rid of all that nervousness that was catching up to her. She had gotten them in without a glitch, but she had expected as much. However, now that she was inside of the basement, Magnolia had not really prepared anything else. Would they sort of sit around in the corner and enjoy the music? Should she introduce him to some of the other people she knew that worked there? Would Rheya be around and if she was, was it the right time to pull that kind of thing? Magnolia knew that her sister would not judge her but there would be questions. In essence, she was hoping that all of those extra doubts would somehow sort themselves out or that, as Isaac had on many of their “dates” or better yet, hangouts, take the lead somehow.

“You don’t have to,” she insisted as soon as he mentioned that he would pay, smiling at the bartender as he recognized her and leaning onto the bar to support herself. She glanced at the menu, but she always sort of got the same thing. “It was sort of a last-minute thing,” she explained, “you seen her around?” she wondered. These were the things she needed to plan out, “This is a…” she paused, what was she supposed to call him? “friend from school,” she explained, “whatcha getting?” she turned to ask him, pointing at the menu in case he hadn’t seen it yet.

Isaac pretended he wasn't impressed when the bartender knew her by name, but it was hard to pull off. Everything about this situation was blowing him away, and it wasn't something that he was used to dealing with. Isaac slid into the barstool next to hers and shrugged his shoulders when she introduced him. Her pause making his eyebrow raise, and then he nodded. "Whatever you are getting is good for me, too," He explained before spinning on the stool to face the wizard behind the bar.

"And I will be paying for both of us," He informed him with a nod, just in case Nola got any ideas to try and pay for her half when he wasn't paying attention. Turning back to Magnolia, the teenager waited for her to order and for the owner to leave before he started to ask questions. "Why did he call you baby Hawkins? Who is Rheya? Do you know everyone that works here?" Isaac fired off a few as he reached into the bowl of pretzels on the counter and pulled out a handful. He was so curious now that there was no stopping the onslaught of questions.

If he wanted to be adorable and pay for their drinks, she was not about to say no but she was getting some ideas as to what it all meant. “Uh,” she took another look at the menu before giving Isaac a smile, “We will have a….Blue Hawaiian,” she pointed at the tall, blue drink with a little umbrella  stuck into it, “and—what about one of those frozen piña coladas?” she asked. There was no picture of that one, but she had seen it ordered enough times to know it looked absolutely delicious.

Well, well, well, someone sounds interested, she thought to herself, quite pleased with how things were turning in her favor (finally!). She waited for a little bit, taking her time to look around and mull the question over before she turned back to him and answered, “Yeah you know, I’m the baby of the family,” she explained nonchalantly, “well technically JR is the baby of the family but if you think I’m a square then he’s worse, whatever worse is, plus he’s like 10, too young to go out and do stuff like this,” she explained.

JR really was a lovely little brother even if the Gryffindor thought he sort of had an attitude problem. Even so, it felt natural for her to hate on him a little bit though she never really meant it. “Rheya’s my older sister, she works upstairs, practically runs the place, she’s in a band too,” she added proudly. Rheya was definitely the coolest of the Hawkins and Magnolia was not about to deny it. But she wanted to think that she was at least cool by association thanks to her sister.

“Thanks!” she said with much appreciation, taking a generous sip through the straw then instantly regretting it when her brain practically froze over. She wrinkled her nose at the feeling, “Wanna try it?” she offered, fully intent on drinking some of his in the process. It was why she had ordered both of her favorite drinks in the first place.

Part of him already knew she was about to order the most ridiculous drink possible, but when she ordered two, Isaac couldn't do anything but laugh. Magnolia kept things interesting, that was certain, even when she was so very... her. The fact that a place like this, with its grungy vibes and skateboard ramps, was not only willing to serve her but willing to make frilly ass drinks meant that she had some sway here. And that was nothing if not intriguing. Isaac kept his mouth shut, for once, and just let her order whatever nonsense she had planned; he wouldn't be embarrassed by it, he tried to convince himself.

"Your brother is a punk; you know he tried out for Slytherin quidditch?" Isaac talked before he realized he should not have been, but he didn't bother taking it back or even apologizing once it was said. Isaac had some very critical thoughts about the way Hogwarts quidditch was turning out this season. Enough that he had up and quit the team, told the captain off too, but he wasn't sure if she knew that. Honestly, he wasn't even sure if Magnolia knew he had played Quidditch in the first place. Not that it mattered anymore, the house teams were a joke, and he was done with them.

On the subject of her sister Rheya, Isaac had no idea who she or her band were, so he just shrugged. "A pop band or some shit?" He asked, not entirely interested but assuming it was Magnolia music and not Isaac music. When the drinks arrived, he blinked at them; one was so blue he was pretty sure it was going to dye his tongue, and the other looked like a chunk of ice. She drank from the icy one and then pushed it toward him and his eyebrow raised.

And then a realization came to him: Magnolia meant to consume them both. Well, if she was going to drink half of his, then he figured he might as well get his money worth from both of them. "Sure, because that looked like a lot of fun," He teased the brain freeze she had endured and slid the blue drink toward her.

He might have been laughing at her choice in drink but Magnolia knew all guys did that because they wanted to be tough and drink liquor straight out of the bottle or whatever other foolish stuff “bad boys” were supposed to be into. He hadn’t exactly labelled himself that but the girl was not beyond calling it like she saw it and if his behavior and his group of friends were anything to go by, it was pretty obvious that wasn’t winning any awards in mild manner and kindness. Plus, what better way to give him a little taste of her world than with two of her favorite drinks? No need to torture oneself here, he could have his drink and feel like he’s sitting on the beach, too.

“Yeah, I know,” she retorted, though it was more for the first part of his sentence rather than the last. Magnolia had not known that he had tried out but was also in no way surprised by it. “Well if the word ‘Hawkins’ isn’t warning enough for you, I don’t know what is, I’m not surprised, though I thought they didn’t even let the littles on the team, I think his girlfriend joined ours?” it was supposed to be a statement but it came out as more of a question.

Magnolia did not keep up with anything Quidditch related for good reason, as soon as she started showing interest her dad would try to convince her to join the team. Sports were fun to watch sometimes but they were not really her thing, and the thought of all that work and pressure just made her recoil even further back. “Didn’t know it mattered so much to you, you don’t seem like the type to be cheering on the team on the benches or anything,” she said, finding the thought of Isaac playing cheerleader very amusing.

“No,” she shook her head, though Magnolia had not heard enough of their stuff to truly know what genre the band would fit into. All she did know was that they were lucky to have her big sis playing in it, considering how ridiculously talented Rheya was. Just having her in the photos made the band look ten times cooler. “You ought to come next time they’re playing, I think you’ll like ‘em,” she offered, but only because Magnolia considered herself an expert enough to sort through the things he might not care for. She’d keep this little tidbit to herself, though.

“Oh come on don’t be such a baby,” she teased, insisting that he take the drink, “believe me, you do not want to see a drunk Nola, there’s good reason why my friends won’t drink with me,” she warned, though that wasn’t entirely true. She was just even more annoying than she normally was when she was pleasantly buzzed and no one in their right mind had the energy to deal with that. Probably not even Isaac. “And then we can do something you want to do,” she nodded in the direction of the skateboard ramps, “you know how to skate?’ 

Isaac sighed when she mentioned the littles being allowed on the team. "They never fucking were before," He began, clearly having Opinions on this subject, "But fucking Lovecraft and the other captains let them try out, and now half the teams are second years." Isaac scoffed when she mentioned her little brother's girlfriend is on the Gryffindor team. He didn't care who they were; if they were babies, they had no business on the house teams. He missed when it was an upperclassman thing only. He had waited until the fourth year to try out because that was how it used to be. He would have gotten his ass kicked by the Slytherin teams of old if he had tried out as a second year.

"It does not matter to me, not anymore; I quit the team," He told her, not realizing she didn't know that he was on the team in the first place, but it didn't matter; that was all over now. Isaac huffed, taking a long sip of the drink in front of him, and shrugged. Quidditch was a sore subject for the teenager. He wasn't typically the type to quit, but he wasn't about to hang out with a bunch of twelve-year-olds either. So here he was. It did give him more free time to focus on other things, like annoying her, he supposed, so that was a win.

When Magnolia insisted that he try her drink again, Isaac gave in. Maybe it was better than the one she had ordered for him, but if he drank it fast enough, he figured he wouldn't notice either way. "Fine," He said, pulling it toward him and taking a sip; it was sour, and he was not a fan, but he took another sip anyway. "Your friends drink a lot?" Isaac asked as he slid the drink back to her. He had a hard time imagining her little squad of friends getting wasted. They all seemed like a bunch of squares, just like her.

Isaac's eyes followed her to the skateboard ramps, and his scowl turned up into a smile. "Do you skateboard?" He asked, almost incredulously; there was no fucking way Magnolia Hawkins was secretly that cool. Isaac had been skateboarding since his muggle friends introduced it to him as kids, he wasn't the best, but he didn't suck either. He wondered for a moment if that would impress her. If she would think he was cool, but then reminded himself that he didn't care.

“Oh right, Andy’s the captain now, huh?” she smirked, not really one to keep up with the world of Quidditch, especially not at Hogwarts, but very well versed in keeping up with who were the hottest boys at school. Andronicus Lovecraft, Slytherin House (-5), strangely decent for a Lovecraft (+3), ace hair (+5). There were all the subcategories that she and Mavis had added subsequently but right now he ranked pretty highly in their book of secrets, not too bad for a Slytherin. “Can’t blame him if there’s talent though,” she added with a shrug, just because she knew it would make Isaac upset considering how he’d reacted to her question. “I didn’t know you played,” she added, taking another sip from her drink. Everybody and their cousin played Quidditch, except for Magnolia and some of her friends, now that was a truly admirable quality. The ability to say no thanks to the dumbest sport at school.

“Sounds like it matters though, you should go see them play, I think JR might be better than some of the other members on the team to be honest,” she added in. Magnolia knew enough about Quidditch to know what a good team needed and if her dad’s incessant practice with JR meant anything, she knew that her young brother was probably better trained and more prepared than the other kids on the team who did it for fun. Though the Gryffindor didn’t know if JR had any plans to go pro or anything like that, she knew he’d probably make it his duty to be the best thing to ever happen to Slytherin Quidditch but only because of who their dad was.

“See how easy we get along when you just do what I say?” she smiled playfully, holding on to the bar for support before spinning halfway towards one side then back to the other at the barstool, she forgot how fun these were. “Sometimes,” she said it as nonchalantly as possible thinking that being specific on the number (very, very few) probably didn’t sound as cool as being vague about it. “But Mavis and I stick to wine coolers, they taste better anyway, don’t see the point of torturing yourself into drunkenness and all that,” she added.

Whether she was hanging out with her friends or going to parties with her sister, Magnolia tended to gravitate to the frilly, girly drinks because they obviously tasted better. Of course, the drinks at any of the parties she went with Rheya were significantly more juiced up than anything she had ever had with Mavis. And normally, she’d finish about a cup before she started acting all loosey-goosey and confessing her undying love to strangers.   
When he asked her if she skated, she laughed, taking one more sip from her drink before jumping off from the stool. “No, I’d probably break my leg trying,” she joked, “Wanna go check it out?”

"What do you know him?" Isaac asked; for some reason, she said, 'Oh, Andy,' annoyed him beyond measure. The Slytherin shook his head at her assertions. "Think I give a fuck if they are talented? They can warm the bench until they are an upperclassman," Isaac shook his head at her, "Well, I do not play, not anymore," He was so aggravated by everything that had led to him quitting the team. All the children were playing, the fact that Slytherin barely had enough players interested, and that Jae had the nerve to mock him for it. All of it. And now Magnolia had opinions too.

At least they could drink, and that helped him settle down, even if Magnolia was trying to boss him around. "Yeah, okay," He scoffed, she thought he was doing what she said, but it wasn't like Isaac didn't get something in return. Asking if her friends drank very often was a good distraction from the Quidditch subject, and Isaac leaned into it. He knew who she hung around, and they seemed like the exact opposite of his group of friends, which was fitting, but also straight edge. A chuckle escaped his lips when she admitted they stuck to alcopops, which was far more fitting, and he believed it. "Yeah, I get that," Isaac mentioned, and while he wasn't about to start ordering Pina-fucking-Colada's, he did agree with what she was saying. Mostly Isaac hung around his friends while they drank, he wasn't huge on it, but he would have a glass or two of whatever was around. Free being the only factor for the wizard.

She was spinning around on her stool like a little kid, but Isaac didn't find it annoying. Instead, he found it adorable. He watched her as she ended up jumping out of the seat and laughing. "You won't break your leg," Isaac told her as they headed toward the halfpipe. "I will help you," He said as he looked around for someone who might let them borrow a skateboard. Finding a young wizard who was busy eating a sandwich on top of the ramp, Isaac touched the small of Magnolia's back, leaning closer to her, as he pointed to him with the opposite hand. "Go talk to that kid and borrow his skateboard?" Isaac knew if he went over and asked, it would probably be a no. Wizards were like that, but if Magnolia batted her eyelashes, maybe she would have better luck.

It sounded like a good idea at first, until Isaac realized he had just asked her to go flirt with the bloke, and something about that did not sit well with him.