Quote:
Originally Posted by
sweetpinkpixie 
Airey rubbed the back of his neck and kept a neutral face as Mr. Hirase got a small taste of humility. Wasn't very often that the young man was left speechless, so the astronomer was going to bask in this moment for as long as possible. Merlin, this must have been what it had felt like for his own professors. Interesting...and unfortunate.
He didn't explain the deal just yet, instead electing to observe the boy a bit more (silence didn't last too long. Pity) and simply chuckled with what the Gryffindor said next. "House points or not, I had something that students felt was worth putting out the extra effort for," he replied. His noticed hadn't specifically mentioned house points as far as he could recall, so that was an assumption on the students' part that could have been entirely wrong. "People will do just about anything....with the proper incentive."
HEH.
Which brought them back to the wager at hand.
"Now, Mr. Hirase, your hat. It is safe and undamaged. I have made sure of that. You will get it back on the condition that you make an attempt to channel that abundance of a personality into something constructive. Being outspoken, defiant, and having fierce independent streak. All are excellent and expected qualities in a Gryffindor." Airey was forcing the confidence in his tone right now. Pep talks still were not his thing. How on earth did Seren manage to do this? "I don't want to see your talents overshadowed by what has been called a poor attitude and a bright mind like yours eclipsed by a lack of respect. You have talent and drive, Mr. Hirase, show me you know how to use it and prove people wrong about you. Then you will get your hat back."
You know, he didn't care about that stupid blanket anyways. And in his mind he hadn't been trying to get a deal when he stole it. But in the back of his mind he knew that the Professor was right and that he had wanted to trade. He hadn't even thought of walking away with the blanket until the man had told him to leave the office. He had just wanted to trade , blanket for the hat...
But that was last year and he got his blanket back right? So why all the fuss about giving his hat back?! Kevin thought it was all unfair and slightly confusing that was until the speech came. Unconciously, the Gryffindor sat more upright as he listened and he didn't even look at the Head of House. Instead, he was looking at his lap and frowning now and then. And when he was finished he still didn't look up.
"Bentley said the same thing. That i have potential to do something great. That i have leader qualities or something...well that was more because she saw me ordering Zander around but he listens to everyone so" he rolled his eyes.
"But..."he sighed heavily. His whole aura seemed to change and for the first ...no not for the first time ever, Zander had seen him lost before... but for the second time he didn't act all defiant and didn't make any sarcastic comments back.
"But i don't know how to *change*" he spoke after a moment of silence and he looked up now.
"I tried, even if it was fake but i tried and people still judge me .. or dont believe me, you think i actually like being rude?" He laughed sarcastically.
"I don't okay? It's just my way of surviving" he said. And in case anyone wondered, no he wasn't crying but it was visible on his face that he tried to keep a tough look.
Stupid talk. He wanted to leave...