"Well," Ameliah sucked in breath, ready for a write-it-down-vs.-charm-the-quill debate, "I think reading makes it easier, because if you're trying to write everything down, you might miss something while writing." Ameliah never lost an argument, and she wouldn't let herself lose today. "Oh, and what player are you applying to in Quidditch?"

Taylor laughed, "Well that may be true." She nodded. Taylor didn't want to do a debate at this moment so she let it slide, "chaser or a keeper." Taylor took out some parchment and a quill.

Ameliah laughed. "I see you have no more pursuit of the subject, so I guess I won this argument. I applied for a chaser. I didn't write on the clipboard I could speak parseltoungue, though." she laughed again.

Ameliah yawned loudly and stretched. "I should go. I need a nap. Well, bye!" She took her bag, stood, yawned again, then left.

(OutOfCharacter-- i'll send you a message when im back)

"You're right i dont." She laughed, "Nice. ok bye." Taylor watched as her friend left then went back to studying and taking notes.

Let's not get carried away. Gwen was still the same old awesome Gwen, making Ari laugh with every sentence. 'Interesting. Though I've never heard of anyone being expelled. They'd have to do something really bad.' Evil, more like it. 'Like hanging someone in a tree, yes.' Ariadne smirked. 'Detention? Funny how I was just thinking that I've never been in detention just now. And you know, there's a part of me that's more irritated for that than proud. A small part though.' the girl pondered.

The next bit made her extremely curious. What was that all about? 'Sure, do you want to go now? You know that once you tell me something I can't get it out of my mind.' And this sounded important. Maybe it was school-related, since they were meeting in the library. On the other hand, the two girls rarely talked about school.

A flying partner? Uh-oh. 'Don't look at me!' Ari reacted defensively. 'You know I don't trust brooms.' she pointed out. 'I just want to see you play, but not to be at the receiving end of a quaffle.' She didn't want to visit the hospital wing, thank you very much.

'Oh, mum is very fond of you, she says you remind her of your mum when she was younger, but that the mischevious grin is totally something you've inherited from your dad.' Hehe. Ari loved that grin. It meant her bestie was up to something.

'Wait-you know how to do a Healing Charm? You're smart. I mean...not just for this. In general.' There were so many things Ari could learn from Gwendolyn. Or from school, but Gwen was more fun. Until she called her cat hideous. 'He.Is.Not.' the Gryffindor protested, defending her little monster no matter what.

Cornelius honestly had no idea if Aspen liked him or hated him; it was something he just couldn't calculate at all. Things had been fine when they were feeding the bat, and then suddenly she had hidden behind books and then, just before leaving the Common Room, she had given him a bit of a harsh look! What did that mean? Something about it told him it wasn't entirely directed towards him, but he couldn't help but feel rather unsure about this girl. All the way down to the Great Hall, every time she looked back to check if he was there, he always was, his hands in his pockets as he strode at her side. He still had the slightest bit of a smile on his face because, well... he couldn't help but be a bit amused with the entire situation.

As she mentioned pumpkin juice, he gave an immediate nod of agreement, finding himself rather thirsty. "Pumpkin juice, and something to eat."

In the next minute, they had found themselves at the entrance to the Great Hall and Cornelius strode before the girl at his side to plop down at the Ravenclaw table, assuming that she was following him. Though, just to be sure, after he'd sat down he turned to look back at her, flashing her a bit of a grin, "Are you coming?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius honestly had no idea if Aspen liked him or hated him; it was something he just couldn't calculate at all. Things had been fine when they were feeding the bat, and then suddenly she had hidden behind books and then, just before leaving the Common Room, she had given him a bit of a harsh look! What did that mean? Something about it told him it wasn't entirely directed towards him, but he couldn't help but feel rather unsure about this girl. All the way down to the Great Hall, every time she looked back to check if he was there, he always was, his hands in his pockets as he strode at her side. He still had the slightest bit of a smile on his face because, well... he couldn't help but be a bit amused with the entire situation.

As she mentioned pumpkin juice, he gave an immediate nod of agreement, finding himself rather thirsty. "Pumpkin juice, and something to eat."

In the next minute, they had found themselves at the entrance to the Great Hall and Cornelius strode before the girl at his side to plop down at the Ravenclaw table, assuming that she was following him. Though, just to be sure, after he'd sat down he turned to look back at her, flashing her a bit of a grin, "Are you coming?"

"So I did some quick thinking," Aspen did go and sit with him, her tone serious. Business. They had some business to iron out. "On the way down," she clarified. You know, that whole long awkward trip down where she kept her hand over her cheesy-breath and didn't speak to him? Yeah. Thinking.

Aspen flashed him a glance, then lowered her hand from her mouth. First things first - de-cheesy-ify breath. She poured them both a goblet of pumpkin juice.

"I'm going to apologize again, okay? And... well, you don't have to accept it... but if you do, then... well, that's like a clean slate. I won't be so spazzy after." See what plans great-minded Ravenclaws came up with on the fly? Solid gold plan.

Except he'd probably smile or compliment her or offer his hand again and she'd fall off the bench. Merlin, who let her out of the house???

"Okay?"

Cornelius's eyebrows rose as Aspen sat down, announcing that she had been doing some thinking. Well, at least that meant her silence on the way hadn't meant that she just didn't want to talk to him. "Okay..." he responded, vague amusement on his features as he gave a brief nod. He took a sip of his pumpkin juice after she poured it, listening as she explained that she was going to apologize again, and if he accepted that apology, it would be a clean slate and she wouldn't be as spazzy after. 'Okay?'

Unfortunately for Aspen, Cornelius did smile. His expression fell into a large grin, his gaze filled with amusement as he watched the girl before him explain all of this. But he couldn't help it! He was a smiley kind of person, and Aspen was amusing him to no end. "I don't see why you should apologize, but okay," he decided with a nod, seeing that that would make her happy. "But if we're starting with a clean slate, I get to ask the questions," he decided, sitting up a bit more straight, looking over at the girl across from him. He wanted to know something about this girl.

"What year are you in? Why do you have a pet bat? How long have you been going here? Do you have a boyfriend?" these are all questions Cornelius decided to throw out at her, still sipping from his pumpkin juice casually as though he wasn't interviewing her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius's eyebrows rose as Aspen sat down, announcing that she had been doing some thinking. Well, at least that meant her silence on the way hadn't meant that she just didn't want to talk to him. "Okay..." he responded, vague amusement on his features as he gave a brief nod. He took a sip of his pumpkin juice after she poured it, listening as she explained that she was going to apologize again, and if he accepted that apology, it would be a clean slate and she wouldn't be as spazzy after. 'Okay?'

Unfortunately for Aspen, Cornelius did smile. His expression fell into a large grin, his gaze filled with amusement as he watched the girl before him explain all of this. But he couldn't help it! He was a smiley kind of person, and Aspen was amusing him to no end. "I don't see why you should apologize, but okay," he decided with a nod, seeing that that would make her happy. "But if we're starting with a clean slate, I get to ask the questions," he decided, sitting up a bit more straight, looking over at the girl across from him. He wanted to know something about this girl.

"What year are you in? Why do you have a pet bat? How long have you been going here? Do you have a boyfriend?" these are all questions Cornelius decided to throw out at her, still sipping from his pumpkin juice casually as though he wasn't interviewing her.

He didn't see why she should apologize? Had he blacked out of the last little while? Sigh. Aspen, in spite of her trying to keep it business and serious and REAL apologies -- yeah, yeah, she smiled right back.

"I really am sorry. It's just you keep smiling at me and I have no idea why. I usually know people better than this. And that's a bad apology - you never apologize and then try to justify your actions. So, I'm sorry for that, too."

But at least ... he didn't seem offended. Honestly, if anything, he seemed amused which was all the more confusing. Aspen took a LONG drink from her pumpkin juice.

Oh questions! She could do questions and answers. Aspen should have brought a quill so she could have taken notes and answered as correctly as possible! Okay, answer time, ready go!

"Fourth year... and I started last year, as a third year." Well, at least she was two for four? The other two questions... were... back to awkward. "I like bats? I chose him for my thirteenth birthday present. I thought bats, as mammals, would make better mail carriers."

...she worried at her bottom lip about the boyfriend question. The answer was easy enough, but were his motives for asking as easy? ".... and no. No boyfriend. I don't know if I'm allowed." To have one? She'd never thought to ask?

Cornelius listened to her apology, his eyebrows raising once more as she mentioned that he kept smiling at him and she didn't know why, which confused her since she usually knew people better. He grinned. He was confusing her?

"I like to smile when I'm happy, as I am now," he informed her simply, taking another swig of pumpkin juice as she added yet another apology to her apology. "I forgive you, even though I'm still confused, and see no reason why forgiveness should be involved." They were both just one big jumbled mix of confusions, both of them trying to figure out what the other one meant.

He then turned his attention to her answers, nodding as she explained that she was a fourth year, and had started as a third year. He had actually thought she was a fifth year like himself, since she looked close to his age, but fourth wasn't too far off. His eyebrows rose as she mentioned that she had thought a bat would be a better mail carrier than an owl and he couldn't help but think on it for a moment, never having even considered it. As she explained that she didn't have a boyfriend, as she didn't know if she was allowed to have one, he gave a brief nod of understanding. That wasn't unusual at all. He himself never really thought about permission, his parents never seemed to care about that side of his life. But he understood that others had that issue.

"Okay, it's your turn," he announced without another thought, grabbing a piece of bread from the table and taking a bite from it. "Throw 'em at me," he said, meaning that she could begin asking her own questions of him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius listened to her apology, his eyebrows raising once more as she mentioned that he kept smiling at him and she didn't know why, which confused her since she usually knew people better. He grinned. He was confusing her?

"I like to smile when I'm happy, as I am now," he informed her simply, taking another swig of pumpkin juice as she added yet another apology to her apology. "I forgive you, even though I'm still confused, and see no reason why forgiveness should be involved." They were both just one big jumbled mix of confusions, both of them trying to figure out what the other one meant.

He then turned his attention to her answers, nodding as she explained that she was a fourth year, and had started as a third year. He had actually thought she was a fifth year like himself, since she looked close to his age, but fourth wasn't too far off. His eyebrows rose as she mentioned that she had thought a bat would be a better mail carrier than an owl and he couldn't help but think on it for a moment, never having even considered it. As she explained that she didn't have a boyfriend, as she didn't know if she was allowed to have one, he gave a brief nod of understanding. That wasn't unusual at all. He himself never really thought about permission, his parents never seemed to care about that side of his life. But he understood that others had that issue.

"Okay, it's your turn," he announced without another thought, grabbing a piece of bread from the table and taking a bite from it. "Throw 'em at me," he said, meaning that she could begin asking her own questions of him.

Was it really that simple? He smiled because he was happy.


...

Aspen should have brought the book to hide behind. Honestly, how dumb was she??? She waved off his reasoning for needing an apology. The reason: She was certifiably losing her mind and a straight jacket + padded cell at St. Mungo's were imminent.

To her great relief, Cornelius simply listened to her answers. He didn't try to combat her idea about bats being superior mail carries, or the need for permission. How nice was that? She'd been expecting that look most people gave her - that you're kind of weird look. But... she wasn't getting it. At all.

She found herself smiling in return. Aspen Odessa could ask questions. "Where have you been before now? Are your parents wizards, too? What sort of pet do you have?" Aspen paused, then added one last question, this one a bit more personal, "Are you happy at Hogwarts so far?" When she had first gotten to Hogwarts last year, it'd taken some adjusting. She'd gotten lost, she'd had a little trouble in some of her classes, and she'd been soooo homesick. Aspen's smile softened, her attempt to encourage the truth out of him. She'd understand if he was homesick or struggling with his first few weeks at Hogwarts.

Cornelius's own smile brightened at the sight of Aspen's returning one, listening to her questions and beginning to answer them all in order. "I've been to three different schools before this one," he started, taking another bite of his bread and swallowing it before continuing, "All in England; two muggle schools when I was younger, and more recently, a tiny wizarding school. And now here." He took a pause and a swig of his pumpkin juice before continuing onto the next question.

"My mother is a witch, my father is a muggle," Cornelius explained with a brief nod, continuing onto her next question. "I have an owl named Bludger at home, but he's a family owl," Cornelius explained as she asked about his pets. "We call him Bludger because he tends to hit things, and most of the time leaves them damaged more than himself." He let out a soft chuckle before continuing with her last question. Was he happy at Hogwarts so far?

That was an interesting question, and he hadn't expected it.

His light brown eyes kind of got stuck to her expression as he registered that last question, his brows furrowing just slightly. Cornelius was generally a very happy person, so he was adjusting well enough, but he hadn't really stopped to think about all the things that were indeed a little difficult to get used to. "Yeah, I guess so," he decided finally, shrugging and giving her a brief smile. He'd met some really great people and he liked his classes and all, but it was just...different. "I dunno, people are great, classes are nice. I just..." He frowned just slightly, not having expected to really talk to her about his first few weeks at Hogwarts. "Getting used to it, y'know, there's always an adjustment period."

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius's own smile brightened at the sight of Aspen's returning one, listening to her questions and beginning to answer them all in order. "I've been to three different schools before this one," he started, taking another bite of his bread and swallowing it before continuing, "All in England; two muggle schools when I was younger, and more recently, a tiny wizarding school. And now here." He took a pause and a swig of his pumpkin juice before continuing onto the next question.

"My mother is a witch, my father is a muggle," Cornelius explained with a brief nod, continuing onto her next question. "I have an owl named Bludger at home, but he's a family owl," Cornelius explained as she asked about his pets. "We call him Bludger because he tends to hit things, and most of the time leaves them damaged more than himself." He let out a soft chuckle before continuing with her last question. Was he happy at Hogwarts so far?

That was an interesting question, and he hadn't expected it.

His light brown eyes kind of got stuck to her expression as he registered that last question, his brows furrowing just slightly. Cornelius was generally a very happy person, so he was adjusting well enough, but he hadn't really stopped to think about all the things that were indeed a little difficult to get used to. "Yeah, I guess so," he decided finally, shrugging and giving her a brief smile. He'd met some really great people and he liked his classes and all, but it was just...different. "I dunno, people are great, classes are nice. I just..." He frowned just slightly, not having expected to really talk to her about his first few weeks at Hogwarts. "Getting used to it, y'know, there's always an adjustment period."

Aspen reached for a bread roll while he spoke and picked it apart into bite size pieces. She picked one up at a time, and popped them into her mouth. Again, she wished for a quill and parchment. Though, he'd probably think it odd if she took notes about his life?

Or...no. He'd probably just smile.

Right, so. Three schools, the last being Hogwarts. Aspen nodded, same as him. That was normal enough. And a halfblood - that HAD to be an interesting household. DId his mother do all the housework? Did his father know all along? How had she told him? What did they do for jobs? She.... would just hold her questions until it was her turn again...

But she laughed quietly at poor dear Bludger. "That's good to know for when the post arrives in the mornings. Keep a wide berth from you lest I want to end up going to class with eggs in my hair." Though, at this point, could she really do anything more embarrassing? No.

Aspen popped another bite of bread in her mouth and averted her eyes for his sake. She totally understood. "I know. I almost wrote home three or four times last year to ask Dad to come get me. But Christmas break comes really fast. Then, you find suddenly find yourself in this weird place where... this is home, too. And you feel guilty, because home is where your family is, and it's this weird cycle." Or maybe that was just Aspen, forever over-thinking everything?

"You'll be glad you came," she decided. "And Ravenclaw is probably lucky to have you." And.... shutting up now. She put another chunk of bread her mouth to ENSURE shutting-upness. Oh, except where she remembered and mumbled with a mouthful: "err rurn?" Or... your turn?

Cornelius gave a light laugh as Aspen made a note-to-self about keeping away from him when the post came in the mornings to ensure she didn't leave the Great Hall with eggs in her hair. "That's probably a good idea, actually," he agreed, smiling just slightly as he listened to her explain her own difficulties adjusting to Hogwarts life. It was nice to know that others needed an adjustment period too, though, and that eventually he would find it to be like a second home. As she mentioned that he would be glad he came, and that Ravenclaw was lucky to have him, he flashed her a teasing grin. "Aw, Aspen, you're like my little welcoming party," he decided with a soft chuckle.

It was then that he heard her try to say something simple, though it was through a mouth full of bread, and so it took a moment to decipher. Oh, his turn. Right. He flashed her another grin and thought for a moment, trying to decide what else he wanted to know about her.

Aspen...what to ask about Aspen... Well, what wasn't there to ask about Aspen? He still didn't really understand the girl entirely. Not that he should've after only spending an hour with her, but he felt like she was more of a mystery than she needed to be. "Why do you think you're so spazzy?" he decided, taking the personal level once more curiously. He quickly realized that this question could've been misinterpreted as him asking what her theories were as to why she was spazzy, but he didn't mean it that way! He started laughing, shaking his head and trying to gather his thoughts. "I didn't mean it like that!"

He thought for a moment, trying to find the right words, "Why are you under the impression that you are spazzy?" Because he didn't think she was, but apparently she was very aware of her own awkward-ness, and it had led her to hide behind a book hat earlier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius gave a light laugh as Aspen made a note-to-self about keeping away from him when the post came in the mornings to ensure she didn't leave the Great Hall with eggs in her hair. "That's probably a good idea, actually," he agreed, smiling just slightly as he listened to her explain her own difficulties adjusting to Hogwarts life. It was nice to know that others needed an adjustment period too, though, and that eventually he would find it to be like a second home. As she mentioned that he would be glad he came, and that Ravenclaw was lucky to have him, he flashed her a teasing grin. "Aw, Aspen, you're like my little welcoming party," he decided with a soft chuckle.

It was then that he heard her try to say something simple, though it was through a mouth full of bread, and so it took a moment to decipher. Oh, his turn. Right. He flashed her another grin and thought for a moment, trying to decide what else he wanted to know about her.

Aspen...what to ask about Aspen... Well, what wasn't there to ask about Aspen? He still didn't really understand the girl entirely. Not that he should've after only spending an hour with her, but he felt like she was more of a mystery than she needed to be. "Why do you think you're so spazzy?" he decided, taking the personal level once more curiously. He quickly realized that this question could've been misinterpreted as him asking what her theories were as to why she was spazzy, but he didn't mean it that way! He started laughing, shaking his head and trying to gather his thoughts. "I didn't mean it like that!"

He thought for a moment, trying to find the right words, "Why are you under the impression that you are spazzy?" Because he didn't think she was, but apparently she was very aware of her own awkward-ness, and it had led her to hide behind a book hat earlier.

"Oh I hope not! What sort of party am I with no cake, no balloons? A party isn't a party unless there is a balloon," she decided, very seriously. Aspen retrieved her wand from her deep skirt pocket and tapped it thoughtfully against her goblet. Did she know a balloon spell? Probably could transfigure something.... She'd keep thinking on that.


Ah... her expression did fall at his acknowledgment of earlier spazziness. The apology hadn't worked, the slate wasn't clean afterall. And he was STILL smiling! Still!

Though he did go on to explain himself, Aspen didn't quite recover her smile. She did appear less troubled that he wasn't asking WHY she was a spaz and more wanted to know why she THOUGHT she was a spaz. The simple answer was: because she was a spaz. But.... he seemed so genuine and she sort of owed him for putting him through SO much awkward, so Aspen gave his question REAL consideration, then attempted a REAL answer.

"I guess... I guess this is sort of like a second home, but this home didn't grow up with me. I guess I'm just different and no one here is used to it? Dad is so patient and kind - he's never looked at me like I'm alien or weird. But here... I mean, no one is mean to me, this isn't a sob story, but I know I'm a little off kilter and weird. I can see it on everyone's faces. I've developed Spazitis from Hogwarts as a result of trying to not... be weird. You better hope I'm not contagious." She ended lightly, because some of that was.... ehh.... sort of personal.

Cornelius couldn't help but smile as Aspen hoped aloud that she wasn't a party, since she didn't have any balloons and a party wasn't a party without balloons. But his own smile lessened in size as her expression fell with his question, something he hadn't wanted to be a result of his asking. Before he could take it off the table and assure her that he didn't need her to answer it, she was talking.

He quieted, just listening as she began to explain that she was different and no one at Hogwarts was used to it. His eyebrows rose at this explanation, and continued to listen as she explained that her father was patient and kind but at Hogwarts, everyone looked at her as though she was a little off kilter and weird; that they weren't mean to her, but she could just see it on their faces. And she'd developed 'Spazitis' from trying not to be weird. Even though Aspen left it on a light note, Cornelius frowned a bit.

He didn't like that explanation at all. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he didn't expect that.

"Did I look at you like that?" he asked with slight worry in his tone, referring to her point about people looking at her as though she was weird. He recalled how they met; him commenting on her throwing cheese-doodles out the window. Suddenly he felt like a bit of a jerk and his brows furrowed.

Hmm… detention. ‘I know what you are saying. I mean… if you DO get in detention, that mean you’ve done something incredible’ Incredible- not exactly in a good way, but whatever. ‘Come to think about it, I’m surprised we didn’t get in detention after the moving staircase incident’, Gwendolyn said, and, after a short pause she added: ‘That was fun’ Grinning, the third year looked around, and finally found what she was searching for- a yummy cookie. ‘Well have to do something…’, the Ravenclaw thought and didn’t realize for a while that she said it out loud. Nice going!

‘It IS important’ Very. ‘But not school related or something… and no, I don’t need advice about something- but actually, maybe I do… but that’s not what I want to talk to you about now- err…’, the girl said a lot of things that didn’t make any sense. ‘I know you will keep thinking about it. And that’s why maybe it is better to meet right away. As soon as I get the things’

‘Playing alone?’ Oh, Merlin… hopefully no one would see her flying around the Quidditch pitch like a lunatic, and Ari standing on the ground, gazing and making fun of her. Gulp. ‘So let’s just call it flying around?’ And throwing quaffles to myself. Aham- that made sense- NOOOT.

Gwen smirked when her bestie told her she was like her mum.But the thing about her dad was even better- ‘I know’, she announced and grinned. ‘Glad I did’, the girl then added and started thinking if that was all she inherited from her father.

‘Yeah- I know how to do the Healing Charm. I’ll show you sometime. If my mom’s owl comes tomorrow-‘ Gwen said and started smirking, for no abvious reason… Just for making that stuff rime. Hihi. ‘Ehem-hem’, she cleared her throat and tried to keep a straight face. ‘As I said- it always bites me. Maybe you could come to the owlery with me?’

Back to the cat- ‘He.Is.So’, the Ravenclaw said on the same annoying tone. ‘Even mice must be scared of him’ No- I’ve got a better one- Pluto is so ugly he shouldn't play hide and seek, no one would look for him. ‘I’m sorry’, she finally mumbled. Enough is enough!

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius couldn't help but smile as Aspen hoped aloud that she wasn't a party, since she didn't have any balloons and a party wasn't a party without balloons. But his own smile lessened in size as her expression fell with his question, something he hadn't wanted to be a result of his asking. Before he could take it off the table and assure her that he didn't need her to answer it, she was talking.

He quieted, just listening as she began to explain that she was different and no one at Hogwarts was used to it. His eyebrows rose at this explanation, and continued to listen as she explained that her father was patient and kind but at Hogwarts, everyone looked at her as though she was a little off kilter and weird; that they weren't mean to her, but she could just see it on their faces. And she'd developed 'Spazitis' from trying not to be weird. Even though Aspen left it on a light note, Cornelius frowned a bit.

He didn't like that explanation at all. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he didn't expect that.

"Did I look at you like that?" he asked with slight worry in his tone, referring to her point about people looking at her as though she was weird. He recalled how they met; him commenting on her throwing cheese-doodles out the window. Suddenly he felt like a bit of a jerk and his brows furrowed.

Aspen was still drawing a blank on what charms or spells she might know for balloon making. It was so simple, and yet, she just couldn't get her brain to stay focused long enough to come up with something. A trip to the library was pending if she couldn't remember one soon.

It was Aspen's turn to really look at Cornelius. When he wasn't smiling at her, she found it much easier to keep his eyes. She studied him the same way he had been looking at her early.

"No... No, you didn't. The funny thing about you is, I think I looked at you the way others sometimes look at me - in result of you not thinking me odd." Because as far as Aspen could tell, he had endless patience and nothing but interest in her. It was stranger than strange looks, to be honest. It was a comfortableness she was used to having at home, but felt foreign in the Great Hall or Common Room. "Isn't that odd?" heehee?

Not wishing to stare at Cornelius for longer than would be normal, Aspen did finally avert her eyes. She climbed on the bench, back up to her knees like she had in the Common Room chairs, and pulled a big platter of cherry tarts their way. Aspen put one on her plate, then nudged the platter towards Cornelius. Want? In the meantime, she licked the sugar off her forefinger and dug into her dessert after settling back into her space on the bench.

Relief spread through Cornelius as Aspen assured him that he hadn't looked at her as though she was strange, even suggesting that she had looked at him in that way because he didn't think she was odd. As could've been predicted, Cornelius's expression lit up with another grin, showing off his pearly whites as he sat up a bit straighter, obviously a bit pleased with himself. "Maybe it's a bit odd," he agreed jokingly as she asked, letting out a soft chuckle.

The funny thing was, Cornelius was very rarely this patient and calm. Normally, he was much more energetic and upbeat, moving and talking. For whatever reason, Aspen brought out a much more relaxed side of him, and he couldn't quite figure out why. He felt like he was reading a good book more than meeting a person; he was learning new things every time the page turned and he never knew quite what to expect Aspen to say. "Just to let you know, I don't think you're weird," he decided to inform her, watching as she climbed up onto the bench and began to eat a dessert.

He took one of the tarts she offered him, absentmindedly turning it in his hands as he thought. "Or, at least, I wouldn't say that you're weird in any bad sense of the word."

Cornelius thought for a moment, taking another swig of pumpkin juice before continuing, "The good kind. The kind that..." He trailed off. This would be the moment when Cornelius would normally add in some kind of flirtatious line, something that would either result in a flirtatious conversation or a weird look, depending on the girl. Not to say that Cornelius was a ladies' man or anything of the sort, but he had been known to flirt when it suited him. But he couldn't bring himself to comment on her eyes again, or mention something about her hair because...well, he felt like it would ruin something. He wasn't sure what, but something would shift and then they couldn't have this...whatever it was.

Not to say that he didn't find himself wanting to comment on Aspen's looks, he truly found her expression to be eye-catching in a wonderful way. But he didn't want her to think that he was after a date. And so, he trailed off his statement, his mouth left slightly open and his light brown eyes stuck on the girl who was currently eating a cherry tart. "The kind that...is good.." His brows furrowed slightly at his own words, realizing that he just sounded like a bit of an idiot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Relief spread through Cornelius as Aspen assured him that he hadn't looked at her as though she was strange, even suggesting that she had looked at him in that way because he didn't think she was odd. As could've been predicted, Cornelius's expression lit up with another grin, showing off his pearly whites as he sat up a bit straighter, obviously a bit pleased with himself. "Maybe it's a bit odd," he agreed jokingly as she asked, letting out a soft chuckle.

The funny thing was, Cornelius was very rarely this patient and calm. Normally, he was much more energetic and upbeat, moving and talking. For whatever reason, Aspen brought out a much more relaxed side of him, and he couldn't quite figure out why. He felt like he was reading a good book more than meeting a person; he was learning new things every time the page turned and he never knew quite what to expect Aspen to say. "Just to let you know, I don't think you're weird," he decided to inform her, watching as she climbed up onto the bench and began to eat a dessert.

He took one of the tarts she offered him, absentmindedly turning it in his hands as he thought. "Or, at least, I wouldn't say that you're weird in any bad sense of the word."

Cornelius thought for a moment, taking another swig of pumpkin juice before continuing, "The good kind. The kind that..." He trailed off. This would be the moment when Cornelius would normally add in some kind of flirtatious line, something that would either result in a flirtatious conversation or a weird look, depending on the girl. Not to say that Cornelius was a ladies' man or anything of the sort, but he had been known to flirt when it suited him. But he couldn't bring himself to comment on her eyes again, or mention something about her hair because...well, he felt like it would ruin something. He wasn't sure what, but something would shift and then they couldn't have this...whatever it was.

Not to say that he didn't find himself wanting to comment on Aspen's looks, he truly found her expression to be eye-catching in a wonderful way. But he didn't want her to think that he was after a date. And so, he trailed off his statement, his mouth left slightly open and his light brown eyes stuck on the girl who was currently eating a cherry tart. "The kind that...is good.." His brows furrowed slightly at his own words, realizing that he just sounded like a bit of an idiot.

Aspen kind of doubted that, but didn't try to argue with him. Since officially meeting the new Ravenclaw, she had been weird, weird in new ways that even SHE had to qualify as off. A weird kind of weird?

Aspen paused, cherry tart halfway to her mouth, while Cornelius tried to decide what kind of weird she was. He was trying to qualify her weird, same as she was! Just, maybe he'd find something more eloquent than weird weird? While she waited, tart poised, a giant goop of cherry filling threatened to fall out of the end of her tart. Unfortunately, she was too fixated on Cornelius's 'thinking face' and furrowing thoughtful brows to notice.

"The good kind of weird that is good?" Aspen's whole body tilted to the side at his even less eloquent description. Was he editing his response? Seemed liked it.... and her hand inadvertently squeezed her tart - sending that cherry over the edge. It splattered the table and speckled Aspen's clean white shirt. SIGH.

...

...

"I give up," Aspen broke out into a giggle, that turned quickly into a laugh. "Normalcy around you, I think, is a goal not to be achieved by me. Did the cherry-bomb get you?" She used a napkin to clean off the table, but her shirt would have to be washed later. Between the cheesy snacks and cherry speckles, perhaps messy weird was a better qualifier? "I'm usually only a fourth this weird - good, bad, or otherwise." Aspen smiled again, not meaning that as an accusation, but... well... he was sort of the catalyst.

It was funny how admiringly Gwen was talking about getting in detention. 'You make it sound better than winning the house cup.' Ari laughed, secretly agreeing with her Ravenclaw friend. 'I know, right? That was something pretty disturbing, I was surprised no one reacted to it. But it was fun, yes. Only I wouldn't let you drag me into anything like that anytime soon.' the girl chuckled, spoiling the serious effect her words were supposed to have.

Now Ariadne was really confused. Gwen kept fretting much more than usual and the Gryffindor couldn't pinpoint why for the life of her. 'Let's say see you in the library in fifteen minutes?' she suggested, more and more intrigued by the minute.

Ari shook her head. 'No, not alone! Even I know Quidditch is a team sport. Just not with me.' With someone who didn't detest brooms, preferably. 'Your dad is awesome, he's so funny and clueless.' the Gryffie added, once again wondering what her own dad was really like.

'Err...I don't really want to practice the Healing Charm on you. I am bound to make things worse, and I most certainly don't want to send you to the Hospital Wing!' She could never forgive herself for that.

'Well he's scared of mice in turn, so that would make them even.' Ari retorted, totally forgiving Gwen. She was her best friend after all.

Cornelius nodded. Yep. He was going with that. A good kind of weird that is good. That was it. He couldn't think of anything more eloquent to say, his mind still clouded with his normal talking-to-girls habit that currently seemed ridiculously unfit for the situation. But before he could put too much thought into it, he suddenly found something red flying at his face, landing on his left cheek and successfully startling the boy who hadn't such a thing to happen.

In the next moment, Aspen was giggling and announcing that she had given up and that there was no normalcy around him. "Does this mean you've given up on the idea of a clean slate?"His eyebrows rose at her words, quickly finding a napkin on the table and wiping his cheek with a soft chuckle. "Yeah, a bit..." he admitted as she asked if any of the cherry bomb had gotten on him. He looked up and noticed that Aspen had the worst of the deal though, her shirt now stained with the cherry.

And then, before he could think twice, Aspen was explaining that she was normally only about a fourth as weird as she was right then, something that got his eyebrows to raise yet again. "I'm sorry..." he started as though he hadn't heard her, vague amusement creeping onto his expression. "Are you trying to blame this whole cherry-tart-bombing, slate-cleaning, falling-out-of-chairs, hiding-under-books fiasco on me?" Cornelius asked, amusement clearly on the features that were now trying to hold back a smile. (Unsuccessfully, of course, seeing as Cornelius's smile was often hard to contain).

As Amelia walked away a tall first year sauntered over and sat down.
Hello , he said, my name is Zephania Sophonias, but you can call me anything you like, just do not call me late for dinner. Can you imagine being called "Late For Dinner"?
After glancing quickly at the blank stares he realized that he was trying too hard to be casual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius nodded. Yep. He was going with that. A good kind of weird that is good. That was it. He couldn't think of anything more eloquent to say, his mind still clouded with his normal talking-to-girls habit that currently seemed ridiculously unfit for the situation. But before he could put too much thought into it, he suddenly found something red flying at his face, landing on his left cheek and successfully startling the boy who hadn't such a thing to happen.

In the next moment, Aspen was giggling and announcing that she had given up and that there was no normalcy around him. "Does this mean you've given up on the idea of a clean slate?"His eyebrows rose at her words, quickly finding a napkin on the table and wiping his cheek with a soft chuckle. "Yeah, a bit..." he admitted as she asked if any of the cherry bomb had gotten on him. He looked up and noticed that Aspen had the worst of the deal though, her shirt now stained with the cherry.

And then, before he could think twice, Aspen was explaining that she was normally only about a fourth as weird as she was right then, something that got his eyebrows to raise yet again. "I'm sorry..." he started as though he hadn't heard her, vague amusement creeping onto his expression. "Are you trying to blame this whole cherry-tart-bombing, slate-cleaning, falling-out-of-chairs, hiding-under-books fiasco on me?" Cornelius asked, amusement clearly on the features that were now trying to hold back a smile. (Unsuccessfully, of course, seeing as Cornelius's smile was often hard to contain).

....Uh oh. Aspen had .... oh no. The cherry got him in the face?! As needless as it was, she still reached for another napkin to help him clean his face. She went ahead and dabbed at his shirt, too, in a very motherly fashion. "Clean? I don't think the word quite fits me today." No, she was the cheesy, clumsy cherry-bomber. CCCB, they'd called her in the history books....

She just kept on cleaning him for lack of anything else better to do, her expression torn between utter defeat, amusement, and TOTAL humiliation.

"Shamefully, yes. It's not a very successful campaign, I admit. Your company seems to be a catalyst for disaster." And yet.... she was smiling. She was also wiping his shoulder for cherry-goo that wasn't actually there, but Aspen Odessa was smiling. How could she not? "Do you usually have this effect or is it just me?"

She was pretty sure of the answer, but maybe...

Violet sat down at the Ravenclaw table and waited for her friend, Taylor to join her for supper. She saw all the food there and her stomach was growling so she picked up a bowl of salad and began to eat.