After having left the grounds, Daichi decided to go to the seventh floor corridor to check out the sky there. He climbed up the staircases and when he reached the top he had to stand still to catch his breath. Luckily the Astronomy classroom was close-by right now. But this totally reminded him that he still needed to excersize for that DADA assignment.

Too bad walking to classes weren't an option....

Finding a window, Daichi placed the sextant in his hand down for a moment and looked up at the dark sky. He looked around for the ursa minor first because he knew polaris was close by that constellation. He searched and searched and...

OOOOH! HAD THAT BEEN A FALLEN STAR?! The Prefect immediately closed his eyes and began to make a wish. Because you have to make a wish when seeing one right? Of course he wasn't going to wish out loud but it did involve a certain Captain loosing a duel. MUWAHAHA. And no! he was not obsessed nor jealous of that stupid guy!

Eh... oh right, finding polaris! Daichi searched the sky again and a few moments later his gaze found the bright star.

Sarah squeezed the sextant in front of her eye, it hurt yet she ignored it. The glass would complicate things... yet she could still try. Wait, where was the horizon... she squinted where did the sky curve? There it was. Now, poiting the sextant in that are, Sarah pressed the clamp. That was meant to release the index bar... it was her third time doing it afterall. Now where was the polaris she just found? Good, it never moved. She then brought the image of polaris to the horizon and released the clamp. She did not need to swing it or anything to verify it – that would be silly.

What was the reading of that? 36 degrees. Now she moved her sextant away and began to work on a partchment because it always good to leave a paper trail.
So they were on 54 degrees latitude. Interesting. NEXT.
Time was ticking.. yet where should she go?

Still gazing at the sky, Daichi's hand searched for the sextant near him and when his fingers touched the cold tool he brought it to his eye. He peered through it while searching for the horizon and when he found it he held down the clamp at the bottom of the device to release the index bar.

Next was to use the mirrors to bring the bright star to the horizon and released the clamp again. He swung the sextant left to right for verification and then read the angle.

63. It was that Hogwarts was unplottable or else he would have thought that either he had done something wrong or this device was broken... Either way, he lowered the sextant and began to scribble on his note book.

Now to find the Polaris System. Sky was hesitant to use the Focusing Spell here, since she didn't really like the feeling of having sand in her eye. But Professor Airey had said that that was the only way to see all three stars. She really hoped the professor had eye drops again. Oh well, if not she could always just go to Healer Tilstrom. She couldn't be as bad as everyone claimed.

Anyway, the Slytherin cast "Oculo Focalis" on her eyes, then started to scan the sky for the Polaris System.

"Alright, this looks like a clear spot..." Lex mused aloud, hoping Felix would give his input. He was her company today and she didn't want him feeling left out of her conversations with herself. Think about it,she could easily discuss this in her head but then, how would her darling kneazle know what was going on? Exactly.

He meowed, but it wasn't like in protest or something so she took it as a yes and gave another look both up and down the corridor. Yup, a legit location, no one around to run into her or make her fall. This was fiiiine.

"Okay, let's see if I remember how to do this."

With both hands firmly on the floor, Lex flicked up into a hand stand. Her hands wobbled a bit and she soon found herself toppling to the floor. That was fine, she was still getting back into it. The last time she did one of these was probably the summer before her first year. No real need after that. But she would try again. This was staying active.

Once again she flicked her feet up and found herself viewing the corridor upside down. Just two 'steps' to start. Her hands wobbled again but she managed to move a bit before toppling again. Felix walked over to her and began licking her face.

N'awwwww, why couldn't he be this supportive when she was trying to eat ice-cream. She'd love him more for it, just saying.

He got a scratch behind his ear for the thought though then she pushed off the floor again. Once on her hands again she took a deep breath. This used to be easy, she'd make it easy again. Off she went, wobbling hands and all down the corridor. This WOULD work.

Garrick had been doing a lot of thinking. Big thinking. Benjy had been piecing him back together somewhat so that was helping. They stuck together like that.

At the moment the Ravenclaw found himself sitting in the corridor not far from his common room letting Sophocles play with a toy mouse he had Charmed to move about. It had been a tough few weeks for him. Like the toughest ever. And then there was Lottie.

He couldn't get her out of his head. And he was avoiding her like the dragon pox... and it was unfair and he WANTED to talk to her, but didn't know HOW to express any of this stuff to her. And if he did would she understand?

Was his dad right?

Was that poor girl better off without him around to "bring her down to the pathetic level at which his HEIR recently resided, bringing him nothing but disappointment and shame." Yeah.

Intense.

Garrick flicked his wand at the ball of parchment he had long since wadded up beside him and began to levitate it a bit just to get his mind focused on something else. He had to do something.

Regardless of how high the Astronomy tower was, Lottie would climb all the steps in the world to go see Professor Airey. He sort of knew a LOT about her, anyway, and he was nice to talk to, and gave her hope while bringing her down as well. It was a weird combination, but they got along well.

So, now that her mind was clear of everything, she rearranged her bag for the stairs to come...until to slow down as she noticed someone sitting in the corridor.

Text Cut: Garrick!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Garrick had been doing a lot of thinking. Big thinking. Benjy had been piecing him back together somewhat so that was helping. They stuck together like that.

At the moment the Ravenclaw found himself sitting in the corridor not far from his common room letting Sophocles play with a toy mouse he had Charmed to move about. It had been a tough few weeks for him. Like the toughest ever. And then there was Lottie.

He couldn't get her out of his head. And he was avoiding her like the dragon pox... and it was unfair and he WANTED to talk to her, but didn't know HOW to express any of this stuff to her. And if he did would she understand?

Was his dad right?

Was that poor girl better off without him around to "bring her down to the pathetic level at which his HEIR recently resided, bringing him nothing but disappointment and shame." Yeah.

Intense.

Garrick flicked his wand at the ball of parchment he had long since wadded up beside him and began to levitate it a bit just to get his mind focused on something else. He had to do something.

Someone she had missed to catch for the past few weeks. Someone who...might have been avoiding her? Probably, and she should do the same, then.

But she didn't, the girl just stood close by and smiled at the only pet who wouldn't eat her pygmy puff. "Hi Sophocles." Then her eyes turned to his owner. And nothing was said. He owed an explanation, right? Right.

All the Greek names... it was a horrible trick of fate due to that, perhaps? It was all VERY Greek. Here he was thinking about the girl he had been avoiding and there she stood. Talking to his cat. His heart felt kind of heavy.

For a long moment he didn't look up at her. He just continued to focus, with all of his might, on making the paper ball levitate.

Sophocles, on the other hand, was all over Lotus. He rubbed himself against her legs and meowed softly. He wouldn't mind if she scratched him behind his ears. But no picking up. Just scratches. That meant she had to bend down. Standing on his hind legs he patted at her leg insistently before dropping back to all fours. PET ME.

With an internal sighing drama thing he raised his head and looked at her, no smile, all sad. Even in his eyes. "Hi Lotus. I think he wants you to pet him."

And he immediately wanted to hold her hand. But his dad. His dad was right? Maybe?

Text Cut: N'awww

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

All the Greek names... it was a horrible trick of fate due to that, perhaps? It was all VERY Greek. Here he was thinking about the girl he had been avoiding and there she stood. Talking to his cat. His heart felt kind of heavy.

For a long moment he didn't look up at her. He just continued to focus, with all of his might, on making the paper ball levitate.

Sophocles, on the other hand, was all over Lotus. He rubbed himself against her legs and meowed softly. He wouldn't mind if she scratched him behind his ears. But no picking up. Just scratches. That meant she had to bend down. Standing on his hind legs he patted at her leg insistently before dropping back to all fours. PET ME.

With an internal sighing drama thing he raised his head and looked at her, no smile, all sad. Even in his eyes. "Hi Lotus. I think he wants you to pet him."

And he immediately wanted to hold her hand. But his dad. His dad was right? Maybe?

Awwwww, look at hiiiim. The cat, of course. She was momentarily reminded of Felix, the kneazle, because no matter how much he wanted to eat small things, he still deserved to be petted. Not handled like Ivy Knox had done. But, this was a different pet, and Sophocles was the most adorable.

He was asking to be petted, right?

The Hogwartian got a confirmation from the Ravenclaw, though. And she smiled, a VERY small smile. "I think so, too." So, might as well not keep him waiting, yes? She sat, because this might take a while if Garrick decided to talk, and petted Sophocles' head. So soft.

Eyes back to the boy. "Hey, Garrick." He did say hello.

Sophocles began to purr and blink his yellow eyes at Lotus. And when she sat and began to pet him he climbed his rather large kitty self into her lap and curled up there. He liked getting pets. Garrick always gave him pets, but sometimes it was rather nice to get pets from other people. Mhm.

Garrick let the paper ball drop and tucked his wand into his robes. He would talk to her. He would. He just wasn't sure how to start...

"My birthday was last month." Relevance? He had no idea. He had just blurted it out really. "You've been well?" He wasn't sure she had missed him. So this was kind of his desperate attempt at possibly getting her to say it? Maybe.

Text Cut: *mellow*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Sophocles began to purr and blink his yellow eyes at Lotus. And when she sat and began to pet him he climbed his rather large kitty self into her lap and curled up there. He liked getting pets. Garrick always gave him pets, but sometimes it was rather nice to get pets from other people. Mhm.

Garrick let the paper ball drop and tucked his wand into his robes. He would talk to her. He would. He just wasn't sure how to start...

"My birthday was last month." Relevance? He had no idea. He had just blurted it out really. "You've been well?" He wasn't sure she had missed him. So this was kind of his desperate attempt at possibly getting her to say it? Maybe.

Funny, though. She was getting a lot more from the cat than from the boy. So she kept on petting him, the cat really deserved it. What with being adorable and all. Plus demanding, but she didn't mind. So, he was free to stay where he was.

And then the paper ball dropped and she looked up from the cat to the paper in question. Should she ask? She really wasn't one to ask Garrick about any problems he might have. Which she assumed were family-related, and it didn't matter if she asked, because he wouldn't share anyway. It was alright, though, she understood.

However...

...she blinked at him.

His birthday?? LAST month? So, April. "I hope you had a happy birthday?" What was she supposed to say to that? More pets for Sophocles.

That was a tricky question. She's been through so much, though, and she really hadn't been well, starting with that detention from hell. And that weird forest experience. But Airey made it right. Lex made it right. Aidan probably even made it right, too, without even knowing. Tag, too. So, technically, she'd been well. She would've wanted Garrick to make things right, too, but he'd been too busy avoiding her, right? Until now? "Yeah, I guess." She nodded, eyes on the Ravenclaw boy. "You haven't." Like, she didn't need to ask him, she could see that he hadn't been well.

His face fell a bit and his frown deepened. Simply shaking his head in response to her question he watched Sophocles make himself at home. "My dad didn't send me anything, Lotus. Not even a card." He said this very quietly and then turned his eyes to meet her gaze. There. Family stuff. He was sharing it.

"And you're right. I haven't been well. Not at all. My father has been taking a great delight in tearing me to shreds. Metaphorically of course. But yeah. I've not been well. I'm not good. Not even good enough for you. You have all your friends and they make you happy and they're there for you and they're good enough..." And he wasn't. Papa Ogden had finally convinced him of that. And look at that. She hadn't missed him, had she. Not a bit.

And with that uncharacteristic outburst he pulled his knees up, rest his forehead against them and wrapped his arms around. He wouldn't let her see him like this. Not a mess like this. He had turned 15 and the only people who had acknowledged it were his mum and Benjy and Benjy's mum. That was it.

He felt like he was trapped in some stupid American film. Ugh.

"I'm not crying. By the way. In case you were wondering." There was simply moisture leaking from his eyes. A little. NOT TEARS.

Text Cut: *more mellow*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

His face fell a bit and his frown deepened. Simply shaking his head in response to her question he watched Sophocles make himself at home. "My dad didn't send me anything, Lotus. Not even a card." He said this very quietly and then turned his eyes to meet her gaze. There. Family stuff. He was sharing it.

"And you're right. I haven't been well. Not at all. My father has been taking a great delight in tearing me to shreds. Metaphorically of course. But yeah. I've not been well. I'm not good. Not even good enough for you. You have all your friends and they make you happy and they're there for you and they're good enough..." And he wasn't. Papa Ogden had finally convinced him of that. And look at that. She hadn't missed him, had she. Not a bit.

And with that uncharacteristic outburst he pulled his knees up, rest his forehead against them and wrapped his arms around. He wouldn't let her see him like this. Not a mess like this. He had turned 15 and the only people who had acknowledged it were his mum and Benjy and Benjy's mum. That was it.

He felt like he was trapped in some stupid American film. Ugh.

"I'm not crying. By the way. In case you were wondering." There was simply moisture leaking from his eyes. A little. NOT TEARS.

Yeah, that was an answer she should've seen coming. Honestly, she probably shouldn't have said what she did, but it's not like she knew what else to say. In regards to the information given, that is. And this was just simply sad, and Lottie didn't understand. "I'm sorry." Her voice resembled a whisper. And she was sorry. He shouldn't have had such an awful birthday.

For a moment there Lottie hoped she wasn't right, it was a long shot, considering the sadness in his eyes. And there it was. She was right. But...no, wait a minute, what? She opened her mouth to say something, but decided to let him finish, she was frowning more by each passing second. Sophocles was the lucky between the three of them, because he was still getting pets from her.

Airey might not fully qualify as friend. But Lex did, and sure Tag too, and Aidan? Yes, Aidan was actually a good friend, he was someone you could count on, regardless of how awful people could be to him. He was a very good guy. She wouldn't admit that so openly, though, probably.

So, the girl just shook her head at Garrick's words and wanted to hug him because he was incredibly hurt and so didn't deserve to be...and..., "Who are you to say who's good enough for me, or who isn't?" That was probably NOT the way to go, but that bit of his speech got to her. "You don't get to decide that." TRUE.

Also, RIGHT, you're not crying. Just as Airey didn't see Lottie cry after detention. "If you say so." Her tone was low and sweet, though.

Garrick sat in silence for a long time. Trying not to sniffle. He was letting the wet stuff pour from his face onto his pant legs and that was cool with him. He didn't tend to get that red puffy eye thing... good genes, he supposed. But whatever.

He heard her saying she was sorry and shrugged one shoulder slightly. "My dad has a particular gift for making most days miserable for me. Not just my birthday."

But yeah it was a big deal.

And then she said that and he looked up. He knew he looked all vulnerable and pitiful and stuff, but whatever. Looking directly into those beautiful eyes of hers he leaned in and in a soft voice said, "I didn't make that decision. Dad says it's true. He said it. Said I'm not good enough. I reckon he must be right. I can tell you're upset with me. And you have every right to be. And I proved him right."

And he did say so. Those weren't tears. There was just something in his eyes. The corridor WAS dusty after all.

Text Cut: *pets him*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Garrick sat in silence for a long time. Trying not to sniffle. He was letting the wet stuff pour from his face onto his pant legs and that was cool with him. He didn't tend to get that red puffy eye thing... good genes, he supposed. But whatever.

He heard her saying she was sorry and shrugged one shoulder slightly. "My dad has a particular gift for making most days miserable for me. Not just my birthday."

But yeah it was a big deal.

And then she said that and he looked up. He knew he looked all vulnerable and pitiful and stuff, but whatever. Looking directly into those beautiful eyes of hers he leaned in and in a soft voice said, "I didn't make that decision. Dad says it's true. He said it. Said I'm not good enough. I reckon he must be right. I can tell you're upset with me. And you have every right to be. And I proved him right."

And he did say so. Those weren't tears. There was just something in his eyes. The corridor WAS dusty after all.

See? That was so not fair. Garrick didn't deserve such treatment, as far as she could tell, he always did what was told to. Most of the time. Which made this whole thing entirely unfair. To both her and Garrick.

There was nothing she could say. First, it was family stuff, and it didn't really concern her. Second, she still wouldn't know what to say, because she's never dealt with something similar. She ought to be lucky for that, but the circumstances kind of made her wish she could have some words of wisdom or whatever. She settled for petting Sophocles some more.

WHAT?!

Well, that was just excellent. Technically, it was Garrick's father the one who gets to decide who's good enough? Technically, yes, but in reality we know that's not exactly true. Still, though. Was this bound to happen again in the near future? Possibly. Sigh. "Yeah...," she was thoroughly focused on the wall in front of her now, but yes, she was upset, except..., "...it's not really your fault, though." But he still was a little to blame, he shouldn't listen to what his father says. Not about him, anyway.

"Lotus... I'm sorry. So sorry. You know I never intended to upset you," he said with a slight frown. He kept looking at her even though she was focused on the wall.

"Please look at me, Lotus. Please," he pleaded as he reached over and took her hand and wrapped his fingers with hers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

"Lotus... I'm sorry. So sorry. You know I never intended to upset you," he said with a slight frown. He kept looking at her even though she was focused on the wall.

"Please look at me, Lotus. Please," he pleaded as he reached over and took her hand and wrapped his fingers with hers.

Still looking at the wall, she nodded. Lottie knew that, he hadn't intended for this to happen, and she understood. However, he had chosen to avoid her. "I know," she said, eyes looking down at the cat this time.

She was merely thinking, taking other things into consideration.

It wasn't until Garrick took her hand that her eyes turned to him. She even gave him a small smile. "I know. You didn't mean it." Yet this wasn't the first time. "I'm really sorry you have to go through this." Issues with the family must be a terrible thing. He was such a good boy, though. Was it possible that Garrick was, perhaps, too much of a good boy and she was one of the meanest yellow Hogwartians? Garrick's father had it...slightly backwards. It wasn't that he wasn't good enough, it's that he was too good. And easily hurt.

For a moment she was reminded of one time when she told Spike that he was too nice, and that she hadn't intended it as a compliment.

"I really like you, Garrick...," ...but? Was there a 'but'?

Garrick could feel his heart in his throat. It was terrible. It felt like he basically could hear the seconds ticking away as she sat not looking at him.

Then she smiled. His heart soared a little bit. And then... "I can't help but feel there's a but coming. Before you say it listen. I'm done not sharing the icky stuff with people I trust. so yeah. He was saying he trusted her. He did, too. A lot.

"But like... I understand if you're over the avoidance thing, but like... I'm trying to stop that. I mean. You're the only person other than Benjy I have ever shared my feelings with and the fam-- family stuff. This is all new for me."

Nonetheless, he steeled himself for the but. He'd be okay if she followed it up with something bad. He would.

"And I like you. A lot."

Text Cut: *hugs him*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Garrick could feel his heart in his throat. It was terrible. It felt like he basically could hear the seconds ticking away as she sat not looking at him.

Then she smiled. His heart soared a little bit. And then... "I can't help but feel there's a but coming. Before you say it listen. I'm done not sharing the icky stuff with people I trust. so yeah. He was saying he trusted her. He did, too. A lot.

"But like... I understand if you're over the avoidance thing, but like... I'm trying to stop that. I mean. You're the only person other than Benjy I have ever shared my feelings with and the fam-- family stuff. This is all new for me."

Nonetheless, he steeled himself for the but. He'd be okay if she followed it up with something bad. He would.

"And I like you. A lot."

True. Lottie was about to say something else, something in regards to a 'but', but he stopped her. And she listened. Her small smile widened a little as he mentioned the word 'trust', it meant a lot. BUT...

...she still listened. And nodded. New to him. Well, yeah, everything was pretty much new to her, too. Every single day life presents opportunities to take. Or maybe it was just her, making her own opportunities, but whatever. He was probably referring to family stuff again.

The Hogwartian smiled again. This was her turn to speak, right?

"I see." There was more coming, just, hold on. Her eyes landed on their hands together and she kept the smile in place before looking up at him. "You don't have to tell me stuff, but you can. We're friends." That was part of the 'but', he should get that, yeah? "Garrick, you're an amazing boy, and you can't let your father bring you down. I can't tell you how, because I don't know. But you can always count on me if you need someone to talk to." Nod, nod.

Garrick's smile widened for a while and then... Had she just friend zoned him? A crease appeared between his eyes as he frowned deeply. Gingerly he took his hand from hers and swept it through his hair.

Yep. Friend zone.

Garrick didn't go around kissing girls all willy nilly and he certainly didn't tell his mum about how much he liked her just be called a "friend". He thought they were a bit more than that.

"I see." Yeah he had used her line.

He felt like this was just a mild slap in the face. Showing her how vulnerable he was just to have her say "you're an amazing boy." Had the kisses and the hand holding really been the norm with she and her friends?

"Well thanks for listening, I suppose. I reckon I best be off." Clicking his tongue Sophocles snapped to attention and hopped out of Lotus' lap immediately and came to Garrick. Scooping up his cat he smiled tightly at her for a moment. "That was an awfully big but," he said quietly. Least he knew where he stood now, right.

Rising he tucked the cat under his arm and ever the gentleman offered a hand for her to help herself up.

Text Cut: Eek!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Garrick's smile widened for a while and then... Had she just friend zoned him? A crease appeared between his eyes as he frowned deeply. Gingerly he took his hand from hers and swept it through his hair.

Yep. Friend zone.

Garrick didn't go around kissing girls all willy nilly and he certainly didn't tell his mum about how much he liked her just be called a "friend". He thought they were a bit more than that.

"I see." Yeah he had used her line.

He felt like this was just a mild slap in the face. Showing her how vulnerable he was just to have her say "you're an amazing boy." Had the kisses and the hand holding really been the norm with she and her friends?

"Well thanks for listening, I suppose. I reckon I best be off." Clicking his tongue Sophocles snapped to attention and hopped out of Lotus' lap immediately and came to Garrick. Scooping up his cat he smiled tightly at her for a moment. "That was an awfully big but," he said quietly. Least he knew where he stood now, right.

Rising he tucked the cat under his arm and ever the gentleman offered a hand for her to help herself up.

Of course.

Lottie had been expecting that. So, it didn't surprise her when he took his hand back. He understood what she said, then? Probably not in the way she meant it. It was pretty obvious that this was the last time he'd share something with her, right?

It seemed to be. And it was fine. She'd said so. He didn't have to, but he still can, if he wants to.

Yeaaaah, and she was right. Because he was leaving. He even took Sophocles back. Okay. The friendship offer still stands, though. Oh, he offered his hand? Lottie took it and stood up, "Thanks," eyes on him, " And I mean it, Garrick." The whole 'you can count on me if you need someone to talk to' thing. She really did mean it.

She just couldn't keep wondering when he'll listen to his father and do this again. Just couldn't. But she could still be a friend.

He was kind of hating her right now. Deep down inside. Like... He shared things with her, he'd opened up, he'd trusted her. And this is what he got.

Damn that.

Immediately taking his hand back, his voice turning that sickly polite tone he used for people he didn't particularly care for he said, "Thanks, but I should have stuck with Benjy. He never let's me down. I think I'll pass."

And with one last look at her, his gaze turning icy for the first time ever, he turned and made his way toward his common room. THIS was why his dad was right. You couldn't trust anyone. Ever. He opened up and all of a sudden she didn't like him anymore.

There you have it.

Well she could go back to her uncouth friends and cause them trouble sleeping. In Garrick Ogden's book, Lotus Wisteria was dead.

Text Cut: Garrick!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

He was kind of hating her right now. Deep down inside. Like... He shared things with her, he'd opened up, he'd trusted her. And this is what he got.

Damn that.

Immediately taking his hand back, his voice turning that sickly polite tone he used for people he didn't particularly care for he said, "Thanks, but I should have stuck with Benjy. He never let's me down. I think I'll pass."

And with one last look at her, his gaze turning icy for the first time ever, he turned and made his way toward his common room. THIS was why his dad was right. You couldn't trust anyone. Ever. He opened up and all of a sudden she didn't like him anymore.

There you have it.

Well she could go back to her uncouth friends and cause them trouble sleeping. In Garrick Ogden's book, Lotus Wisteria was dead.

Ouch?

Erm, well, she'd been right, then? Lottie nodded, slowly, and she sort of stood there for a few seconds. She momentarily wondered if she should head back to Airey's office, but that was going to be slightly awkward, wasn't it? Like, she's spent enough time in there for a week.

But she had homework, didn't she?

It took her a few more moments before she decided to head downstairs. Things to do, pygmy puffs to take care of, yellow colors to change.