How did immature mean fun to him, Louisa never knew. She just stared at him, her hand going up naturally to her mouth. The newly habit of fingernail biting had commenced. "Why do you call me Helen? I don't like the name.." she whined, "It makes me feel old." POUT. And by old she meant VERY old, nearly ancient. Like.. like.. Helen of Troy! Hmph!

Looking up books? With a chuckle, Louisa shook her head. "Seriously, Paulie, I don't know how you managed through your owls." And speaking of which, "How did you do in those, by the way?" She knew Adam did quite well in the subjects he studied for and was interested in. She wouldn't admit that she considered Paulie some kind of a friend and that she kind of cared about his OWLs but she wanted to know... just coz she was curious.

<___<

Numbskull. "What happened to Brazilian Nut?" She shot a look at him, her smile fading quickly, and she turned her back staring at the shelf behind her for the next book to use. If he was going to insult her boyfriend, no matter how crossed she was with Joao, she wouldn't look at the offender. "You don't even know him and still you judge him." Snatching a book from one of the shelves she hugged it and turned around to face the boy once again, "Care to tell me why you hate my boyfriend?" Hmm?

"Well, tough! You're stuck with Helen, Helen." Paulie watched as she started chewing on her nails. Didn't she know she was gonna grow a hand in her stomach? Tsk, tsk. "You should take it as a compliment. Wasn't Helen of Troy, like.. the hottest chick in the world back then?" BUT, she was Helen 'cause of the whole fighting over her thing.

He gave a guilty smile about the OWLs and shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, ya know. I did all right.." 'All right' as in 'barely skated by'! Maybe he'd try a bit harder for the NEWTs. Eh. Judging by her stacks of books and just by her house, Paulie had little doubt that she did anything but extremely well.

A sudden grin graced his face. "You know about the Brazil Nut nickname?" hah! He didn't remember spilling that one around her. "You're just like Adam, ya know. You both call him Brazilian Nut, but it's Brazil Nut! No.. 'ian'." Gosh, didn't anyone else eat Brazil Nuts? She tutted and turned her back on him. Surprise, surprise. "Oh, c'mon, what d'you expect? He's been a total jerk to both Adam and me, how can you expect us to like him?" He smirked a little and poked at her book. "Besides.." He leaned forward some and lowered his voice. "I'm still pullin' for you and Adam to get together."

Huh? The hottest chick in the world? SCOFF. Louisa raised her eyebrows at that, "Are you telling me that Helen of Troy, the character from The Iliad; an epic poem in dactylic hexameters that is attributed to Homer and was an essential figure of Trojan War that resulted in thousands of deaths during ten years..." Pause. "... is a hot chick? That's why you call me Helen?" Another pause of disbelief. "I'm not a chick." Americans. HMPH. "And I certainly don't appreciate being compared to a woman portrayed unclothed in history books." Yep, not at all, thank you.

"Well, that is why I was carrying a pile of books. I don't want to just do 'all right'," she mimicked his laid-back tone on the last word. Louisa wanted to do great, the ultimate greatness that was.

Brazil Nut not Brazilian Nut. Louisa couldn't help but chuckle at this, a giggle was fighting to surface but she pushed it down, "Well, I heard it from Adam so, I'm sorry to tweak your genius nickname." It was genius. And Louisa actually used it when they fought in Brazil. Before she lost her mind and punched the poor boyfriend. Numbskull. She should remember this if Joao acted so weird and jealousy again. Poking her book, she looked down at his and then up at his smirk, staring blankly. "He was mean to Adam, yes. I assure you that Joao will never bother my friends again. I made sure of that." And before she could feel proud about it, Louisa squinted her eyes at him, "But... how is that being mean to you?" Even if they were best mates and all that rubbish, Paulie didn't have the right to take insult in that. UNLESS. O_O "Y-you've met him?" she stuttered. And pleeeeease, let the encounter not be another mess she had to fix. SIGH.

... why was he moving closer and leaning in? D: Louisa didn't breath for a second until he spoke. Then she let out a long sigh, "Paulie.." back to whining and dropping her shoulders in desperation, "Please don't do that. I do have a boyfriend." Even if she promised Adam that she'd kiss him if miss charming didn't show up, it was all a joke. Adam knew it, she knew it. Paulie certainly didn't need to know it.

Josephina was stressed. There was no doubts about that. And if things continued at this rate then surely she was going to have gray hair quite early. In her student days, when she was stressed, she always seemed to find comfort in curling up with a book in the library.

And even though she could have done that in her office, lately she felt she didn't even have privacy there for who knew when the next moment as to when she'd be interrupted by another badger-in-distress. And the staff room? Well that was out of the question. She wasn't sure she could face majority of them right now.

So the library it was.

The brunette barely took notice of the students reading or doing work, as she walked among the bookshelves, attempting to clear her thoughts, running her hand along the smooth mahogany of the shelves, which held books that may have been hundreds of years old. Was she doing something wrong with her house? It was still early in the term, but why was it that they always seemed to find trouble? Things weren't like this when she was a student. Were they?

She stopped at the end of the aisle and turned to pace down the opposite direction.

Edvard was contently in a good mood. Lately things had run smoothly with his challenge and Astronomy classes. No fires of trouble were brewing amongst the lions which Seren couldn’t handle and his office had a steady line of visitors. Edvard was now heading to the library to get himself a book for his reading pleasure. It was something about curling up in a comfy chair in front of a roaring fire with a good novel that he liked.

After seeing Althea in staff room after the feast he hadn’t seen much of his friend except at dinners where she sat on the other side of William which made conversation almost impossible. He had though heard rumours about her being seen with the Professor Jenkins out on the grounds but they were old class mates so Edvard didn’t worry too much.

Going into the bookshelves section of the library the brown haired Swede stopped now and again to say hello to a student or two or just soaking in their studious styles as they sat crouched over revision tables and books. Up ahead he spotted a brunette which could only be Josephina, the arithmancy professor on the hunt for something, most probably a book.

Edvard strolled down the shelves after her. As he came closer he called out in a hushed tone since this was a library after all. "Good afternoon, Josephina. Are you here to find yourself a novel too?"

As she was pacing, she first took note of the students nearby, as she heard, giggling. Giggling in the Library? How inappropriate. And to think they were probably only doing such because there was no librarian to stop them.

But she was there.

And just as she was about to go investigate who it was, someone blocked her path. From her five foot four stature, she glanced up to see the Astronomy Professor standing there. But not only did he stand there, he approached her. Could she really vent all her troubles to him?

"Not exactly," she said, the words slipping out before she could help herself. "I'm here to ... find myself moreso. To figure out what I'm doing? Or not doing. And ... oh... I just don't know anymore. Do you know? Edvard. Wait... hold that thought."



Drawing herself around the Astronomy Professor, Josephina walked toward the sound of the giggling, as her eyebrow raised in shock. A Ravenclaw too. Well that was ... surprising.

"Mister Foster and Miss Carter," Fina began. "You are both old enough to realize by now that the library is not the place to brew romance." No, it was the place to brew knowledge, of course. "Just because there is no active librarian present, that does not give reason for you both to forget the purpose of the library."

She hesitated a moment, but her stressed self got the best of her. "Five points from each of you."

Picking out a book from the nearest shelf he heard giggling which in a library was unusual and not very appropriate. It could disturb those studying. Studying Josephina he detected the body language of someone who was stressed. The tensed shoulders and wide-eyes were two sure signs.

Her words that spilled out only moments later also rhymed with the stressed outlook. She was there to find herself and figure about what she was doing and not doing. Shaking his head Edvard asked concerned "Josephina you look awfully stressed out. Do you want to talk about it? My sisters have always prided me with being a good listener." When they needed him of course and didn’t spend all their time trying to get him in trouble.



As Josephina walked around him and towards the sound of giggles Edvard put the library book back in its place and followed after her. Coming onto the scene behind Josephina he noted the two students standing close together. First his observatory and now the library, couldn’t the student’s find better places to brew their romances?

Walking around Josephina as she talked and deducted points he cut in "Mister Foster and Miss Carter we will see you both in detention. The library is not the place to brew romance, just because the school has no librarian doesn’t give you the right to use the library inappropriately." And that came from a man who had before this time ever thought of giving anyone detention. Josephina presence had though given him courage to put his foot down.

After tryouts Minerva decided to avoid some of the busier areas. She was a bit tired and just wanted to see what books she could find. She had read many last term, but there had to be one she hadn't read yet. She looked around the shelves not sure what she wanted to read.

Oh, gosh, here she went again. Paulie rolled his eyes again as Miss Know It All here went off on some tangent about Helen Of Troy and The Illiad and all. Did she really need to add that it was written in pterodactyl perimeter or whatever? Pfft, NO. Show off. "Yeah, 'course she is." Hot enough to go to war for. "And no," he answered with a small snort and an amused grin. "Don't flatter yourself - you're just Helen of Hogwarts because guys are fighting over you." Maybe Adam and Joao thought her the prettiest girl in the world, but that was not the reason for her excellent nickname. AND she was making a big deal about the whole 'chick' thing. Paulie was British but he could say what he wanted, American slang or not! "Woman." There. He acquiesced to her wishes and corrected himself. AND, she was offended 'cause Helen of Troy was portrayed as unclothed? Oh lordy, this girl. He had to laugh. "Oh, who cares if she's naked! You're not streaking around Hogwarts."

Of course she wanted to do better than 'all right.' Louisa was probably aiming for the highest marks in the school or something. "Well, good luck." He hoped she did as well as she wanted, but just so long as her head didn't get any bigger that it already was.

He did smile rather proudly when she deemed his nickname 'genius.' Aha! There was one thing he was good at: nicknames. She continued talking about Joao, and he was pleased to hear that she was forcing the guy to be nice, at least to her friends. Hah! Paulie really wanted to see Brazil Nut's attempt at that. "Yeah. Met the lovely fellow on the train before summer break." She seemed awfully worried about that, though. Huh..

Louisa kinda froze up when he leaned forward to tell her his secret hopes for her and Adam, but his ears suddenly tinged red when he realized SHE thought he was gonna kiss her! Oh, awkward. Luckily she listened to what he was SAYING and then understood. "Do what? I'm not doin' anything." Just merely filling her in on how the Adam/Louisa ship needed to test out the water already!



Louisa didn't really get an opportunity to answer him because now a firm voice was addressing them by their last names, and Paulie subconsciously straightened up from his former slumping against the shelves. Brew romance..?! What? He opened his mouth to protest, but Professor Hadley continued, so he shut it again. They both pretty much said the same thing, didn't they? Except Hadley took away 5 points and Professor Roslund gave them detention.. Wait, detention? "Uh, professors, I think you've got the wrong impression. See, Louisa and I were just talking." But if he weren't under the scrutiny of two of his professors right now, he would have been laughing his head off at the thought of 'brewing romance' with Louisa. Hadley needed to coin that phrase! He didn't dare say that at the moment, though, because the woman looked like she had been lugging bricks around on her shoulders for the past week! Stressed much? "Anyway.. uh, don't you think detention is a little harsh? I mean.. we were just talkin', just like you two were." Oops. Maybe he shouldn't have added on that last bit; it sounded a little accusatory. Oh well. It was out now.

Louisa opened her mouth to say something.. well MANY things actually but another voice, a rather firm and sullen one too, suddenly popped out and made the girl jumped turning toward the source. Oh. Professor Hadley! And Roslund! Hiiii, they were on her good side and ev-

O____________O

... somebody pause and rewind. No. Somebody catch the jellylegged girl that was now clutching Paulie's robe for support before blinking and shaking her head. Brewing romance? Like... with Paulie? Foster? Gryffindor? Doofus? Her jaw was dropped in surprise. Detention barely made the effect that the points loss made. She tried to talk but Paulie beat her to it.

And with his stupid tongue, they lost any chance of surviving this massacre. With a pointed look and a stomp on his foot, she addressed the professor, pouting, "Excuse my stupid friend, here, he's among books with a bookworm for a reason." To teach him how to read. "And we weren't brewing romance." she added quickly making a face, "He's just a friend. He's not even a direct friend! He's a friend of a friend!" Ouch. Sorry, Paulie points first. "Please, professor..s." with a hurt look at Roslund, Louisa continued, "I have OWLs and I don't want to waste a day in detention for an honest mistake." Nope. That'd bring down the Wall of China.

She reached up to get a book,"Come on..." She fell backward and tried to get the novel again.

With the black messenger bag over his shoulder, Damien walked into the library, Daisy close by his side; glancing every now and then over in her direction. He was half afraid she'd start yelling at him again, but was also trying to find a way to say how greatful he was that she was willing to hear him out. Willing to listen to his crazy notions while keeping an open mind.

It was either tell her or be "squished" according to Daisy.

The bookshelves were the nicest area of the library if you needed to hide. There were thousands upon thousands of shelves which made ducking into a corner a very easy task indeed. He was going to head for one section in particular. When Daisy mentioned his dream being a premonition, it made him think of Divination. Now -- Damien thought it was the most rediculous notion in the world, but perhaps Daisy was on to something. Maybe he'd been looking in the wrong sections all along and needed a different resource.

So down an aisle they went where the schools Divination books were kept. It smelled funny -- sort of like tea.

About halfway down Damien stopped and looked down at Daisy. "Ehm --" he stuttered, running his hand thorugh his hair. "Look, I'm not quite sure what to begin with," he added. "I'm sure you've noticed this by now -- but -- I'm not much of a talker --"

Did it smell like tea around her or was it her imagination considering her craving for the tea. She sniffed loudly and then sneezed. “ ‘cuse me.”

She looked around and noticed that they were in the divinations section. Perhaps she had said something that had jogged something in Damien’s memory. “Well,” she stated running her finger across the dusty spins of some books. “It’s usually best to start at the beginning.” She pulled out a book entitled I Ching a book on Chinese divination practices. She promptly sat down on the ground arranging her skirt around her knees as she opened the book. Astrid climbed down and jumped down onto a page Daisy had opened and started making faces at the Chinese dragon on the page.

Damien was finding out what he liked best about Daisy. She didn't make anything about the conversation they were about to have uncomfortable at all. She didn't sit down and stare intently at him, waiting for the words to simply start rolling off his tongue. She was very casual about the whole thing -- whether she knew it or not.

He watched as she pulled out a book from the shelves and sat down on the floor opening it up, before turning around to the opposide side of shelf, mimicking her movements by running his fingers along the spines of the books. It was rather soothing, and allowed him to gather his thoughts.

The begining, he thought -- could be so many different places.

"I've never told you about my family," he finally began. It wasn't a question, but a mere statement. He hadn't talked to anyone about his family. Maybe once with Isobel, but the conversation hadn't lasted all that long. "It's actually rather hard to do," he continued. "I have absolutely no idea who any member of my family is." And suddnely things started to flow. "I have no clue who my parents are -- whether or not I have any brothers, sisters -- or cousins for that matter. All I know is the person who raised me -- my Aunt Kate. Katherin Cotteril. She has a small cottage on the west coast of Ireland, in County Mayo --"

He paused, rubbing the back of his neck, still looking at the shelves of books. He knew Daisy was listening. It comforted him -- having her there. Somehow made things feel -- not as frightening as they were.

"--She never mentioned anything about my family when I asked; be it if she were my mother, or my father's sister -- if she had any children of her own, or where she was originally born."

Before Josephina could get a reply from the students, Eddie was right behind her and ... will be seeing them in detention? Well that was shocking coming from timid Eddie. Inwardly though, she approved. He was coming out of his shell more, which was good. But now was not the time to ponder such things.

They were just talking? "Yes, Mister Foster. You might have just been talking, but this is a library, need I remind you of that. And if you were just talking, you did move in a little bit close..."

Ah, but then Louisa stepped in and if it hadn't been for her disrespect toward her friend - no matter how true it was - then she might have had an okay case. "Touchy. And so defensive..." she said, shaking her head, her eyes flickering back and forth between the two. "And while I understand your need to study for OWLs, you will appreciate the lovely aromas and break that the dungeons offer. So, in other words, we will see you both there. Thursday at 2pm." Promptness was required.

Having stated and reiterated herself, she turned from the pair and stalked out of the library, feeling actually slightly more liberated. Thank you, Eddie.

Daisy glanced up at Damien once he started talking, but as he wasn’t looking at her, she put her head in her hand and leaned her elbow on her knee and watched Astrid try to imitate a Chinese dragon as she listened. (Astrid was failing miserably.)

“Was she an older lady?” she asked casually, in a way that made it sound inquisitive and caring but not nosey. She didn’t know much about Ireland, having spent most of her own life in Romania on a Dragon preserve watching her mother work with breeding dragons and beating up her older brothers.

After classes Justin went to the library to look for that book on Gobstones she had mentioned the other evening. He wanted to learn what he could about it so that he could maybe impress her . Just as he scanned the shelves full of everyknid of books he bumped into someone. As he looked up from their shoes he noticed those particular shoes belonged to the very girl he was trying to impress.
" Oh, sorry, Min. Didn't mean to bump you like that. I was just looking for that Gobstone book you were talking about. " he said as he blushed and smiled his little grin at her.

Minerva was knocked into and smiled when it was Justin. "Hey Justin, oh that book is over here." she went over a few rows and took the book off the shelf. "Here you go" she handed the book to Justin. "Hope this helps."

Damien's finger lingered on the spine of a book. A book that didn't offer anything for him -- Daisy's question didn't exactly catch him off guard, but it was interesting nonetheless. "Not really, no," he replied, finally turning around to look at her, appearing to curiously watch her (was it a pet?). Daisy was the kind of person to not have a care in the world. He tilted his head curiously, wishing he could have the same mindset. Perhaps all that's happened to him was just odd and simply that. But for some reason occupied so many thoughts, it was hard to concentrate on anything else.

"She's probably no older than early 40's," he added, running his hand thorugh his hair, walking back to Daisy. He leaned against the bookshelf across from her and slid down to the floor.

Logan walked with Taylor to the library, and reached the bookshelves.

Taylor was amazed at how many books there were aboiut everything...... though she has been to many libraries just not as impressive as this one. A few seconds later, she is scanning the shelves. Everytime something caught her eye she stopped and looked at it. Usually it wasn't anything about what they were looking for but just an interesting facet or so. Being at the library felt natural so she was extremely relaxed.

" Thanks.....Say, Min? Ummm....I'm having a bit of trouble with Astronomy....Think you could help me out? " asked Justin as he looked around to see if there was an empty chair to settle into. He really wanted to get to reading the Gobstones book she'd just given him.

Logan took a giant book and skimmed through it. Nothing. He sighed and put it back. He took out one and looked through that one too, still nothing. Hmm...he turned to Taylor. "Maybe we could ask an older student? I'm sure they would know..." he said.

Taylor nodded at Logan's suggestion, "That is a good idea." She smiled but a book caught her eye. Taylor pulled it out and start flipping through it. Her eyes landed on one page and she started reading it. It wasn't about the room they were looking for but about muggle interactions with wizards. She got distracted reading it almost forgetting about Logan and the search that they were on.

Minerva smiled "Sure my astronomy books and then ones I took out from here are in my room. Why don't I go get them and meet you at the Hufflepuff Study tables."