Cornelius abruptly stopped his rambling as he suddenly felt Aspen's hand on his face, and he immediately turned to look at her with slightly startled light brown eyes. And then, his expression sort of melted into this genuine smile, his gaze on the girl before him who seemed to be concentrated on pushing his hair back and running her hand across his cheek. He had no idea what she was doing or why, but there was something ridiculously fascinating about Aspen's expression as she did it.

And before he could comment, she was saying words that he never could've imagined her saying just a minute before, so calmly and matter-of-factly that it was almost surreal to him. And she finished by informing him that he didn't have a fever; that he was just warm.

Cornelius waited a moment, merely watching as Aspen returned her hands to her lap and smiled at him as though she hadn't just felt his face while telling him words he hadn't even realized he wanted to hear. "You accidently wrote my name on your paper?" he finally asked playfully, a teasing and yet somehow warm smile growing on his expression. And she'd looked for him in the Great Hall, and while studying.

And here it was again. Aspen was doing that thing where she did something or told him something that made him feel like he was the only person in the world being trusted with it. Like her smile just a week ago, and now this information about her looking for him around the castle. He'd never been so engaged in what a girl said as he was with Aspen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius abruptly stopped his rambling as he suddenly felt Aspen's hand on his face, and he immediately turned to look at her with slightly startled light brown eyes. And then, his expression sort of melted into this genuine smile, his gaze on the girl before him who seemed to be concentrated on pushing his hair back and running her hand across his cheek. He had no idea what she was doing or why, but there was something ridiculously fascinating about Aspen's expression as she did it.

And before he could comment, she was saying words that he never could've imagined her saying just a minute before, so calmly and matter-of-factly that it was almost surreal to him. And she finished by informing him that he didn't have a fever; that he was just warm.

Cornelius waited a moment, merely watching as Aspen returned her hands to her lap and smiled at him as though she hadn't just felt his face while telling him words he hadn't even realized he wanted to hear. "You accidently wrote my name on your paper?" he finally asked playfully, a teasing and yet somehow warm smile growing on his expression. And she'd looked for him in the Great Hall, and while studying.

And here it was again. Aspen was doing that thing where she did something or told him something that made him feel like he was the only person in the world being trusted with it. Like her smile just a week ago, and now this information about her looking for him around the castle. He'd never been so engaged in what a girl said as he was with Aspen.

Aspen laughed at his question, but she couldn't deny it. "You're teasing me," she noted, but yes, indeed, she had written his name on her parchment. C o r n e l i u s. She still had the parchment in her dorm, actually, where she'd written it out a few other times with various harndwriting styles. He probably didn't need to know that though.

"I think I'll do it again, too," write his name on her parchment," but this time, it'll be for me and not Professor Schirmer."

And Aspen did just that, only pausing every other second to LOOK at Cornelius and see if he was still smiling. She produced a piece of parchment and quill with ink from her bag and smoothed it out on the table in front of them. As she said, she wrote his name across the top in her neat script: C o r n e l i u s.

Then she wrote her own, A s p e n.

"Now... let's see. I have every Thursday afternoon free." So she wrote Thursday afternoon out by her name, then passed him the quill. What times did HE have off?

Cornelius couldn't deny that he was teasing her, but it was as kindly as possible, as he was in no way mocking her. How could he be? When he'd just found out she wrote his name on her paper instead of her own? And then she was deciding to write his name yet again, but this time for herself and not a professor. His eyebrows rose at this, but he watched as she continued to take out some parchment and a quill and write both of their names down in her own handwriting.

And every time she looked back to see how he was reacting, he was still showing off his smile, his light brown eyes following her hand as it made its way across the paper. He listened as she spoke, explaining that she had every Thursday afternoon free, and continued to write this time of the week next to her own name before offering him the quill.

He took it, understanding that she wanted him to write when he himself had free time, and Cornelius glanced at her for a moment before returning his expression towards the parchment before him. Unlike Aspen, Cornelius didn't know what times of his week he had free. Sure, he knew when he had classes, but his studying didn't come on a schedule, in all honesty. And so, trying to conceal his amusement with Aspen's one-afternoon-a-week freedom, Cornelius began to write next to his own name so it said:

C o r n e l i u s - Any time of the day. Any day of the week. Send the bat with a note, and I'll be there.

He still didn't know what this was, him and Aspen. But he liked it. And part of him kind of liked not knowing what it was. It was just...them, whatever that was. And so, with these words written down, he set down the quill and leaned back into his seat with a small smile still displayed on his expression.

She stood up and left the study tables mainly because she was tired of all the talking going on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius couldn't deny that he was teasing her, but it was as kindly as possible, as he was in no way mocking her. How could he be? When he'd just found out she wrote his name on her paper instead of her own? And then she was deciding to write his name yet again, but this time for herself and not a professor. His eyebrows rose at this, but he watched as she continued to take out some parchment and a quill and write both of their names down in her own handwriting.

And every time she looked back to see how he was reacting, he was still showing off his smile, his light brown eyes following her hand as it made its way across the paper. He listened as she spoke, explaining that she had every Thursday afternoon free, and continued to write this time of the week next to her own name before offering him the quill.

He took it, understanding that she wanted him to write when he himself had free time, and Cornelius glanced at her for a moment before returning his expression towards the parchment before him. Unlike Aspen, Cornelius didn't know what times of his week he had free. Sure, he knew when he had classes, but his studying didn't come on a schedule, in all honesty. And so, trying to conceal his amusement with Aspen's one-afternoon-a-week freedom, Cornelius began to write next to his own name so it said:

C o r n e l i u s - Any time of the day. Any day of the week. Send the bat with a note, and I'll be there.

He still didn't know what this was, him and Aspen. But he liked it. And part of him kind of liked not knowing what it was. It was just...them, whatever that was. And so, with these words written down, he set down the quill and leaned back into his seat with a small smile still displayed on his expression.

Aspen didn't like people to read over her shoulder, so she gave him a little privacy while he scribbled down his schedule. She did note that he wrote more than she did, and she also watched the way he held a quill, and how did he manage to smile AND write at the same time? Cornelius was more questions than he was answers; he was a walking, talking, grinning puzzle. Aspen Odessa loved puzzles.

When he finished, she took the parchment and held it up. "Oh." Oh. Oh indeed! Aspen's cheeks turned as red as any Gryffindor tie, though she couldn't exactly say why. She looked from the parchment to Cornelius a few times, as if maybe he was teasing her again and she was waiting for him to laugh? Was this serious? She offered him one afternoon, and he in return said any time, any day AND he remembered Egbert the delivery bat??? Aspen worried at her bottom lip, chewing the inside as she finally laid the parchment down between them.

Even Aspen's own father had questioned Egbert as a delivery owl, her friend Vivi, most everyone... But not Cornelius Rune.

"I guess.... I mean, I suppose that makes scheduling easier. I'll just Bat you next time I...," what? Miss you? That was crazy. No way. Next time she...," ...I start writing your name instead of mine." Aspen paused, then threw a quick glance around before nudging her chair in closer to his. In a conspiratorial whisper she asked, "Do you want to meet him?"

Cornelius didn't seem to recognize that Aspen was waiting for him to laugh and to admit that his written words had been a joke, only noticing that she kept looking at him and her cheeks went bright red. He grinned once more as his only response, waiting for her to finally speak.

"Yeah, just 'bat' me any time you..." he trailed off in the same way she herself did, mimicking her but not mocking, simply repeating with the same natural pause, vague amusement on his features. "...start writing my name instead of yours." As she came a bit closer to him and whispered about Egbert, his eyebrows rose, not quite sure who she was talking about at first. But when it clicked that she was referring to her pet bat, he whispered, "Sure." And grinned.

He glanced at the time for a moment, realizing that he had his next class in twenty minutes or so, but quickly turned back to Aspen, his mind obviously still on her and this bat he had yet to meet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius didn't seem to recognize that Aspen was waiting for him to laugh and to admit that his written words had been a joke, only noticing that she kept looking at him and her cheeks went bright red. He grinned once more as his only response, waiting for her to finally speak.

"Yeah, just 'bat' me any time you..." he trailed off in the same way she herself did, mimicking her but not mocking, simply repeating with the same natural pause, vague amusement on his features. "...start writing my name instead of yours." As she came a bit closer to him and whispered about Egbert, his eyebrows rose, not quite sure who she was talking about at first. But when it clicked that she was referring to her pet bat, he whispered, "Sure." And grinned.

He glanced at the time for a moment, realizing that he had his next class in twenty minutes or so, but quickly turned back to Aspen, his mind obviously still on her and this bat he had yet to meet.

Aspen couldn't help the smiling thing at this point. He embraced her weird, Egbert, and batting without batting an eyelash. She didn't know what to make of Cornelius either or what all this was - but she couldn't make anything BAD of it. He was kind of... ideal, as far as friends or... whatever ... went.

Being on the fairly observant side, Aspen didn't miss his glance to the clock. And actually, she too had class soon. Where had time gone? "Maybe later you can meet him properly," she decided. "You should go, and I should, too. But just so he knows you for later...," Aspen nudged the little warm bundle from the inside of her robe, not quite taking him out but Egbert's little bat head was exposed. Cornelius would have to lean over to see him properly, but Aspen was allowing him plenty of room. "He won't bite, but maybe let him sniff your hand. Egbert has an excellent sense of smell."

Cornelius gave a brief nod as Aspen suggested that he could meet him more properly later, and as she suggested that they both leave, he glanced up at her with slight surprise, not having realized that she had noticed his look at the clock. And then, Egbert's head was exposed and Cornelius had to lean towards Aspen just a bit in order to see the small bat.

Eyebrows raising at the sight, Cornelius flashed her a small smile and followed her suggestion, allowing one of his hands to approach the bat, just close enough for Egbert to catch his scent. "Wow..." he muttered, never really having met a bat before. And then, very suddenly, he seemed to be way closer to Aspen than he had been just a moment before. He didn't know how it happened! He had leaned in to look at the bat, and then when he looked up, they were just inches apart. "I should go," he decided quickly, flashing her a weak, slightly apologetic smile as he retrieved his hand and started to get up from his seat.

"Just...send Egbert whenever you have a minute to talk," he spoke as he gathered his things, throwing his book bag over his shoulder casually before he turned back to her and flashed a small smile. "I'm glad we got the chance to see each other today. I could use a little more Aspen in my Hogwarts experience." And with that, and another flash of a smile, Cornelius had left the library, off to another class.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmafan123

Cornelius gave a brief nod as Aspen suggested that he could meet him more properly later, and as she suggested that they both leave, he glanced up at her with slight surprise, not having realized that she had noticed his look at the clock. And then, Egbert's head was exposed and Cornelius had to lean towards Aspen just a bit in order to see the small bat.

Eyebrows raising at the sight, Cornelius flashed her a small smile and followed her suggestion, allowing one of his hands to approach the bat, just close enough for Egbert to catch his scent. "Wow..." he muttered, never really having met a bat before. And then, very suddenly, he seemed to be way closer to Aspen than he had been just a moment before. He didn't know how it happened! He had leaned in to look at the bat, and then when he looked up, they were just inches apart. "I should go," he decided quickly, flashing her a weak, slightly apologetic smile as he retrieved his hand and started to get up from his seat.

"Just...send Egbert whenever you have a minute to talk," he spoke as he gathered his things, throwing his book bag over his shoulder casually before he turned back to her and flashed a small smile. "I'm glad we got the chance to see each other today. I could use a little more Aspen in my Hogwarts experience." And with that, and another flash of a smile, Cornelius had left the library, off to another class.

Aspen let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Though, considering Cornelius's proximity, it did make sense. She wouldn't have wanted to breathe on him or anything creepy like that.

"I will," Aspen promised, "And me too." Though she pretended to be packing away Egbert to be able to avoid the more Aspen in his Howarts experiences part. How much more Aspen? ...everyday?

She wasn't bothered by his quick retreat - she understood. Ravenclaws weren't late for class. However, Aspen might be. Long after Cornelius had flashed his last grin and disappeared, Aspen stayed at her table all...wonderstruck. She still regretted feeling his face like an overprotective lunatic, and she read the parchment about any time, any day a few more gazillion times before it got packed away.

Hmm.

Just... "Well, come on Egbert." She finally managed to pack and make it on her way to class.

After what had just happened at the moving staircase, Vashti was relieved to finally be in the library. And yet...she wasn't completely relieved. She felt like she ought to go back and fix what had just happened, though exactly how she would do that, she had no idea. It wasn't even really her situation to fix since Dallin was the one who had kissed her, not the other way around. She hadn't really done anything wrong, yet she still felt responsible for what Ellie was surely feeling.

Sighing, she set her bag of books on an empty table and sat down. She pulled out a book, opened it to a random page, and started reading...though when she turned the page she realized she couldn't remember a single word that she had just "read." Dear Merlin...

An strode into the library, book bag over his shoulder, with the sole intent of finding his girlfriend. If she was up to studying, then he wouldn't distract her, but he was going to spend time with her regardless gosh dang it. The beginning of school had already been dull. She'd been busy with her duties, and both of them had their tryout sessions as well as homework and everything...apparently school didn't work around the schedules of two people in a relationship.

What a shame.

Immediately spotting the familiar tresses of hair bent over a book, Anakin beamed and headed over towards her. Stopping behind her chair to bend over, and lightly peck her cheek, before sliding into an empty seat beside her. "Hey Queenie."

When Vashti felt the quick peck on her cheek, her eyes widened slightly. Oh dear Merlin please don't let it be-

Oh thank Merlin.

It was just Anakin. She didn't even have to turn to look; she knew as soon as he spoke. He was only one who called her that, after all. So she relaxed and turned to him with a smile. "Hey, Anakin," she said. "You coming to study too?" She did notice that he had a book bag with him too.

Having slid into his seat, An raised an eyebrow at her expression. Was she really that surprised? Maybe, since it was the first time he'd greeted her quite like that.

Beaming back at her when she turned to face him, the boy gave a small salute with his hand, before pulling his bag up onto the table beside him, and eying it when she asked if he was studying. "Well...that was my excuse. I was kind of more hoping to run into you though." His eyes went back to her, and he smiled again.

"How are things going? With the new duties and everthing?" Since he hadn't asked her yet, hadn't seen her to do so. "Attended any particularly interesting classes?"

He...didn't seem to notice how tense she was just then. At least, he didn't say anything. Vashti wasn't sure whether that was good or not, and suddenly she began to wonder if she ought to tell him. It wasn't like he could get mad at her or anything since she hadn't done anything wrong. And yet...what if he did? She'd never been in this kind of situation before, but she'd seen enough movies and read enough books to know that bad things generally happened when someone kissed someone else's girlfriend/boyfriend, and people didn't always react sanely. What if...

Oh hey, he was answering her. "Well it seems your excuse worked," she replied with a small smile.

How was everything going? She should've expected this question. But how to answer...? "Everything's...fine." That word generally worked. Nice and vague. "All the classes are interesting." Some moreso than others, but she wasn't up for coming up with specifics at the moment, so she was sticking with the general, vague answers. "What about you?" Yes, get the subject off her. Good plan.

Something seemed...off. She seemed too tense. Anakin figured it was possible that she was distracted and stressed with her new duties, since he knew Vash could take things to heart easily, but could that really be the sole cause? He wanted to ask if everything was okay, but was that prying too much? In the past, she'd sorta just...talked to him about the stuff that was bothering her. He couldn't remember ever having really pressed her about anything, and was uncertain to do so now.

So he concentrated on what they WERE talking about now. Which was mainly small talk, but yeah. He smiled at her again, ruffling his hair up a bit in the back as a habit. "Well, I'm glad. I've said it before, but I've missed you."

Fine? He was getting a fine? Raising his eyebrow teasingly, An nearly rolled his eyes. "Fine, eh? I completely understand now." Because he'd been getting the feeling that she wasn't. "Wanna give a more in-depth answer?" She didn't have to worry about boring him if that's what it was. "I suppose they are." Though really, he just wasn't a Charms kind of guy. The class sort of made him nervous. Him? "Oh you know, things have been fine." An eyed her, giving a tiny smile in hopes she wouldn't be angry with his light jests and mocking.

He was only worried.

Still struggling with a decision on whether it was wise to tell Anakin what had just occurred at the moving staircase, Vashti tried to ignore it for the moment as Anakin spoke again. At least this was something she could answer honestly. "I've missed you too." A lot. And she hadn't realized how much she had until this very moment.

Shame that it had to be ruined by the incident at the staircase.

And...it seemed he had noticed something was wrong. Or something like that. He obviously wasn't satisfied with her "fine" answer, and she couldn't help looking away for a few moments when he asked for a more in-depth answer. Should she tell him...? She bit her lip when he turned the "everything's fine" remark back on her. Perhaps...

She continued to avoid his gaze. This was when his renewed hearing ability would come in handy. Or perhaps not, depending on one's perspective. "Something...happened...at the moving staircases a little while ago..." Oh Merlin. She couldn't believe she was doing this...but she also couldn't imagine keeping this from him. She'd probably go insane considering how many other things she had to worry about.

He continued his silent watch while she seemed to be struggling with someone, and An couldn't help but reach over to find her hand with his, using the pad of his thumb to lightly stroke the back of her hand while he waited. It was meant to be an encouragement, as well as his own fidgitation. Anakin wasn't the BEST at being patient, he really wasn't. This was him attempting to at least pretend that he was.

He smiled lightly when she had said she missed him as well. That was good right? At least she wasn't rejoicing in the fact they hadn't had time. That would obviously be a hint that he sucked at this whole dating thing. Actually, it wouldn't have been a hint. It would have made it a fact, and that wouldn't be pleasant.

Obviously, his remarks had hit home with her, and she wasn't going to be so nonchalant with him about how things in her life were going currently, and he was exceptionally glad. But she still seemed to be struggling with finding the words to say, and Ani's mind immediately flew to all the worst case scenarios. He could feel his brow furrow slightly when she began, but couldn't match the moving staircase with any of the worst cases.

That was at least a small relief.

"What happened? Are you okay?" He couldn't see any bumps or scratches on her, and he was definitely checking now, letting his eyes roam over her arms and her ankles. She looked to be in tact. "Something to do with Head Girl duties?"

The Study Tables. The perfect place to--no, not study--PAINT. That's right, Hailey Morrison had brought her acrylic paints and dirty paintbrushes into the spotless library, where she was about to 'express herself.' Well, what else was she supposed to do? That mountain of homework that had already been given to her in preparation for her OWLS this year? Uh yeah, NO.

Which was another thing she was deeply concerned about--her OWLs. She was in her fifth year after all so they were inevitable but still. It was a lot harder to cheat during the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams, what with teachers hovering around. Not to mention those anti-cheating quills they make you use.

Hailey grunted as she thought this, but rolled out her parchment anyway, laying her paintbrushes and paints nearby. As she rubbed her hands together, the brunette grinned--finally, she was going to have some FUN!
Annnnd probably get the shiny study tables all dirty with reds and blue and pinks.
"Hehe."

Vashti felt him take her hand but she still didn't look at him. As she waited for a verbal response, she absentmindedly began nibbling the fingernails on her other hand. It took a few seconds before she realized she was doing it, and she abruptly stopped when she did. She couldn't remember the last time she'd done that, but it seemed old habits died hard.

Then, finally, he spoke, and...so far everything seemed okay. "I'm fine." She wasn't physically hurt or anything, which was what she figured he meant by that question. She was just...confused. Concerned. Maybe even a little hurt that Dallin would use her to hurt Ellie like that. That was what she assumed he meant to do anyway. Considering the look on Ellie's face, what else could she assume? "Not really, no." Though looking back on it, she probably should have done something as Head Girl, given the no PDA rule. But she'd been caught so off-guard she didn't know what to do.

"It's..." Should she continue? Wait for his reaction? Looking down at the open book in front of her without really seeing it, she decided to just keep going and get it over with. Whatever happened, happened, and she'd deal with his reaction once it occurred. "Someone..." She didn't want to name names just yet. She had no idea whether Anakin and Dallin knew each other, but even so, naming people was currently unnecessary. "...kissedme..."

There. It was out. And it felt like a weight had, at least temporarily, been lifted from her shoulders.

The smell of the books. The noises of pages turning constantly. And the timid whispers being heard here and there felt like heaven to Mikey. But of course they all would since the library would be one of his favorite places to be at Hogwarts. He found it most relaxing here, especially sitting y the window during winter or Spring, when the weather made the scenery outside looking amazing. Though he didn't much complain about the fall scenery, even though there weren't as many colors outside anyway.

Upon walking towards his usual spot, with a Daily Prophet rolled up in his hand and homework in the other, the dark haired boy noticed someone had occupied it. It was that girl. The girl who never did her homework and spent most of her time painting. At least she was a creative girl. Mikey slowly slid through the floor and glided her way. Taking the newspaper in his hand, he hit the vampire with it on the back of her head. "Don't get any paint on the tables! We'll have to clean it up and I don't plan on you ruining our homework I'm about to do!"

Only vampires would be so careless. But nonetheless, Mikey sat in the empty seat in front of Hailey. Might as well give her space for her own mess.

Hailey's paintbrush glided across the parchment, the pink glittery paint making a curve. It was supposed to be a ballet slipper but turned into an egg-shapped blob when something WHACKED her on the back of her head, making her hand go awry.

"OWWWWWIEEE!!!" She screamed loudly, enough so the stern librarian gave her a LOOK. It wasn't enough to quell her, though. Rubbing the back of her head with her free hand, she turned around to see WHO had the done the damage to her beautiful brown curls.
And it was none other than MICHAEL EVANS. HMMPH.

"Mikey! What the hell is wrong with you!" She whispered (to the relief of the librarian) urgently, looking daggers at him. Luckily, there wasn't a bruise. But it HURT! As he said down, Hailey whacked him with her paintbrush--the one with glittery pink paint on it.

As he sat in the chair and was about to open his book, a sparkly paintbrush hit him. "Ow, what the-?!" Mikey said quietly, but sternly. Of course it had to be the vampire to had thrown the hideous thing to him. Couldn't she have thrown a paper ball? You know, so it would hurt less and it wouldn't cover him in glittery pink paint? Where did she even get these colors from? "Now why would you do that? God, now I'm going to sparkle like the vampires from Twilight. I'm going to have to get rid of those!" he pointed to the paint and picked off the paintbrush off of himself.

"I was going to do your homework, but now you ca do it yourself,"

Still grumbling about being hit in the back of the head by her best friend, Hailey's face softened lightly as Mikey groaned about the paint on his clothes. She really wished he would stop talking about those darned vampires, she hated them so much. Especially since he considered HER one.

"Calm down," She said in huffy tones. "Here." And the Gryffie waved her wand, whispering 'Tergeo!' The paint vanished but some sparkles could still be seen. Pretending as if Mikey's robes looked as good as new, Hailey sat back down proudly. See, she wasn't that dumb after all!

But the threat about the homework put her on edge again. She couldn't afford to not have Mikey do their homework.
"But...but you hit me first!" She said frantically, practically close to tears. She didn't want to do the homework herself but she also didn't want to get blamed for something that wasn't her fault.

Mikey sighed, noticing the sunlight glinting off his robes. He decided not to mention it and give Hailey some pride in her charm. Though, he'll make sure to slip some pointers and tips on how to conduct the charm properly. Oh, he hit a nerve about the homework. "Because you're painting on library desks! If you ruin them, we both get in trouble and I don't plan on getting in trouble because of you," Even though he usually did. But this was his sanctuary, and he actually didn't want to get banned from here.

Especially not over glittery pink paint.

However good her wandwork was, though, she caught that sigh. Which only made her glum, of course. She couldn't do anything right! And now she wouldn't have any homework to hand in!

"I'm not painting on the desk! I'm painting on parchment!" She hissed at him, holding up her quirky, sparkly art. But his tone was too much--a lone tear dropped from her eyes, which she hastily wiped. Hailey hated crying.

"F-f-fine! I'll do it m-myself!" And with that, she hunched over her paints and sniffed into the parchment. Of course, this was only a show.