Mr Leobald Kitridge left the front desk unattended to see where some suspicious tracks of what looked like a trail of creature droppings on the floor would lead. If the student's needed assistance they either had to wait or come find him. It was alarming if there were creature's in the library, what if they damaged or defaced the books in the library so much that they had to be replaced?

With a concentrated expression on his face Mr Kitridge kept his eyes peeled to the floor as he followed the tracks towards the stained glass windows area of the library, where he also thought the small shrieks he'd been hearing lately were coming from. Hopefully whatever it was that had taken residence in the library would be easy to get rid off but only time would tell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Mr Leobald Kitridge left the front desk unattended to see where some suspicious tracks of what looked like a trail of creature droppings on the floor would lead. If the student's needed assistance they either had to wait or come find him. It was alarming if there were creature's in the library, what if they damaged or defaced the books in the library so much that they had to be replaced?

With a concentrated expression on his face Mr Kitridge kept his eyes peeled to the floor as he followed the tracks towards the stained glass windows area of the library, where he also thought the small shrieks he'd been hearing lately were coming from. Hopefully whatever it was that had taken residence in the library would be easy to get rid off but only time would tell.

On looking for a good spot to read a book he found in the stacks, Gideon had wandered towards one of the stained glass windows. The better to read by, he thought seeing as the enchanted firefly lights were soso in his opinion. The prefect was about to settle down when he spotted the librarian walking around...Mr. Kildaire...no Mr. Kitridge. He was about to give it now notice seeing as the library was surely the place you'd find the librarian when something about him seemed off.

Was he looking for something...on the floor?

Setting his belongings down on a nearby chair, Gideon's curiousity got the better of him and he approached the man. "Mister Kitridge...is something the matte--? he was about to ask when he followed his gaze once beside him and noticed something on the floor. Were those...what he think they were?

João needed books. Books about advanced transfiguration and charms. Thus, he came to the library in this good, hard-working mood, that was to be vanished when he couldn't find the librarian at where he should be. He frowned. It wasn't quite meal time. Maybe he was just sick? The boy, with a frown, looked around the library, only to find the man slightly bent down around the best reading place with another student. The 'dork prefect, to be exact. He wondered whether he should come back another time, but he needed the books. Approaching the couple, he ignored the other boy and went for the man himself.

"Sir, I wanted to ask for some books but apparently you are..." Just then, his eyes fell on what they were both staring. WHAT were they, exactly?

"...busy."

Following the trail of dropping and the tracks of what looked like bird feet in the dust on the floor, several likely scenarios passed through Leobald’s head as he followed the trail towards the stained glass windows. He was just about to crouch down and smell the droppings when he heard a voice behind him.

Turning around he was met by one of the Gryffindor prefects who was also looking at the droppings on the floor. Nodding he said "Yes, something is the matter. I think something might have moved into the library."

Gesturing towards the droppings he asked "Can I count on your help, Mr Gert? I need to find who or what has been leaving this filth on the floor and get it cleaned up before the whole school hears about it." The last thing Leobald wanted was for the students to avoid the library.

Leobald had just crouched down and sniffed the droppings which smelt like rat droppings but not really when he heard another set of footsteps come in his direction. Hopefully it wasn’t a first year who wanted help with finding yet another book on love. Looking up he was pleased to see that it was a senior looking boy. Standing up Leobald greeted the boy swiftly."Yes, I am as you can see a little occupied at the moment Mister?"

"Unless you could venture a guess as to what could have left those creature droppings I’ll have to ask you to come find me later and I will help you with the books you need, At the moment though I need to get to the bottom of this." Leobald said before focusing on the tracks again. "Could it be birds?" he asked himself as he left the boys to follow the trail left.

SPOILER!!: Joao and Kitridge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

João needed books. Books about advanced transfiguration and charms. Thus, he came to the library in this good, hard-working mood, that was to be vanished when he couldn't find the librarian at where he should be. He frowned. It wasn't quite meal time. Maybe he was just sick? The boy, with a frown, looked around the library, only to find the man slightly bent down around the best reading place with another student. The 'dork prefect, to be exact. He wondered whether he should come back another time, but he needed the books. Approaching the couple, he ignored the other boy and went for the man himself.

"Sir, I wanted to ask for some books but apparently you are..." Just then, his eyes fell on what they were both staring. WHAT were they, exactly?

"...busy."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Following the trail of dropping and the tracks of what looked like bird feet in the dust on the floor, several likely scenarios passed through Leobald’s head as he followed the trail towards the stained glass windows. He was just about to crouch down and smell the droppings when he heard a voice behind him.

Turning around he was met by one of the Gryffindor prefects who was also looking at the droppings on the floor. Nodding he said "Yes, something is the matter. I think something might have moved into the library."

Gesturing towards the droppings he asked "Can I count on your help, Mr Gert? I need to find who or what has been leaving this filth on the floor and get it cleaned up before the whole school hears about it." The last thing Leobald wanted was for the students to avoid the library.



Leobald had just crouched down and sniffed the droppings which smelt like rat droppings but not really when he heard another set of footsteps come in his direction. Hopefully it wasn’t a first year who wanted help with finding yet another book on love. Looking up he was pleased to see that it was a senior looking boy. Standing up Leobald greeted the boy swiftly."Yes, I am as you can see a little occupied at the moment Mister?"

"Unless you could venture a guess as to what could have left those creature droppings I’ll have to ask you to come find me later and I will help you with the books you need, At the moment though I need to get to the bottom of this." Leobald said before focusing on the tracks again. "Could it be birds?" he asked himself as he left the boys to follow the trail left.

Something had moved INTO the library?

Had the creatures that had gone amock last term returned and actually entered the castle this time around or was it something else entirely? Whatever the case it provided quite an interesting predicament. "Aye...of course," Gideon answered with a nod, giving his assistance where it was asked for from him by the librarian. Surely he wouldn't just leave it and the man when he was asked to help and it wasn't like he had to disappear any time soon. His reading would just have to wait.

As Kitridge leaned down to exam the droppings further, Gideon heard footsteps coming and turned to spot an older Slytherin approaching the two of them. A vaguely familiar older student ...who seemingly ignored his presence. Not that the Gryffindor cared...to each their own as long as it wasn't a scene were he had to step in as prefect. He simply stayed and paid attention trying to think on the possible cause of the tracks and when the librarian moved to leave and follow the tracks once more, Gideon wasn't sure if he was to come or not.

The sixth year finally decided to follow along as well after briefly pausing and setting down his book where he had left his belongings. "Could be bird...or reptile...?" Gideon absently mused.

João contemplated the offer of the librarian. He had to study, but he had so vast a space of time. Plus, he would get to investigate something for the first time in his life... he nodded quickly at the man. Transfiguration was exciting, but this was much better.

"I can help too, sir," he said in a serious manner to show he was up to no fun. He really wanted to know what those were, either. In that case, he just had to acknowledge the 'dork prefect, because he seemed to be hot on trail as well. He simply looked at him as he ventured his guess. See? He was listening.

Once the boy was done, he said "I remember from the potions, sir, that there is a spell to identify the things in a liquid." Better to just venture guesses and spoil all the drops to check it every time.

Aspen didn't believe that sitting in the Ravenclaw window produced quicker work, but she was sitting there anyway. She had her feet propped up against the wall, her back leaned against the glass, and resting on her lap was this fantastic little article she'd come across.

The School Gossip paper, Aparecium, had noted her. And now she was noting it.

The entire thing, even the mentions of West, just made her smile. So there Aspen sat, smiling, GRINNING even, and running her fingers over and over the words on the paper. The other article was there, too, the one about her and Joao, and that Prefect that lacked logic.

Carrying a big and ancient book in Portuguese that talked about animagi, João was apparently reading something on the cover. Though, a closer inspection would reveal that what he was reading didn't belong to the book; they were 3 seperate papers. The very brown papers of the school gossip mechanism--Aparecium. While he read, his face just kept getting darker as he was clearly unconscious where he was going and...

He stopped at last when the light coming from glass blinded his eyes momentarily. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, the brown fell on the blue and he simply stared at her stupid GRIN. He couldn't decide what he should feel, other than remembering that she had laughed and hexed not only him, but also Louisa.

He wasn't going to be the one to start a fight though. Obviously, she had read the article too. So, once over the initial shock, he kept silent and simply sat right next to her, enough to touch to her face. It was HER who had to set things right, not him. She'd better talk.

Aspen's grin never diminished as Mr. Neves decided to join her. She even made room for him, moving the article about Louisa, and to a lesser extent, him and her, out of his way. She didn't mind him sitting with her.

But she still had her wand ready. Ready in HIS direction.

Aspen passed him the Aparecium paper she'd been reading, amusement coloring her expression still. "Someone noticed me." Aspen paused, and cast a glance over Joao. "Was it you? You write for this silly paper?"

She was grinning, was she? She even wanted him to join her, did she? Clearly, their last encounter left no effect on her. She was still the same Aspen. Same emotionless. He wanted to hate her for that, for that day, but he couldn't.

And that drove him mad.

Prepared this time, he kept his cold face and only glanced shortly at the paper she's offered him. He had those too. Right under the one she'd just presented him. Giving her a very cold and serious look, he said "Yes, Aspen, I go gossiping around in my free time." Sarcasm was dropping from every syllable. Then, after a short pause, he started talking again. "Actually, I'm surprised it's come out. I mean, with you hexing right about everyone--I'm surprised there're people left to write it." He was serious this time. So serious that his voice might have trembled at the end with anger. He didn't even care who leaked what'd happened to this silly gossiping girls. They had practically fought in the middle of the Great Hall. It was pretty normal.

"Why?" was all that came out following his concerns about the health of Hogwartians dealing with Aspen. Why hexing them that day? Why laughing? Why so... indifferent and cold? Simply, why?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

She was grinning, was she? She even wanted him to join her, did she? Clearly, their last encounter left no effect on her. She was still the same Aspen. Same emotionless. He wanted to hate her for that, for that day, but he couldn't.

And that drove him mad.

Prepared this time, he kept his cold face and only glanced shortly at the paper she's offered him. He had those too. Right under the one she'd just presented him. Giving her a very cold and serious look, he said "Yes, Aspen, I go gossiping around in my free time." Sarcasm was dropping from every syllable. Then, after a short pause, he started talking again. "Actually, I'm surprised it's come out. I mean, with you hexing right about everyone--I'm surprised there're people left to write it." He was serious this time. So serious that his voice might have trembled at the end with anger. He didn't even care who leaked what'd happened to this silly gossiping girls. They had practically fought in the middle of the Great Hall. It was pretty normal.

"Why?" was all that came out following his concerns about the health of Hogwartians dealing with Aspen. Why hexing them that day? Why laughing? Why so... indifferent and cold? Simply, why?

Aspen took her article back from him, grinned at it again, grinned at his sarcasm, then tucked it under the OTHER article, the one the about the Prefect. She pointed out the part about THEM, about Louisa being jealous of THEM. It made Aspen grin, too. People were silly.


And interesting. Always interesting.

"I don't hex everyone," she replied quietly, but she liked the idea of everyone THINKING she would. It was powerful. "But you think I should find who wrote this and hex them?" Thaaaat was funny, and Aspen giggled accordingly. That wasn't necessary. She was kind of tickled with the article, so no need to go out hexing. Besides, they'd sealed the fate of anyone that messed with West, see? They'd get hurt. It was a GOOD thing.

She didn't know what he was asking exactly. Why.....? Why. She was always asking HIM why, but it was usually after something else. What was HIS why about? "Why....? Why what? What are you doing up this way, anyway?" Aspen had hexed him BEFORE and honestly didn't think he'd be MAD about the Great Hall still. So... what? Joao was always so grumpy.

It was fascinating.

Oh, goodness. There she misunderstood him and was laughing again. João simply shook his head to himself. He suddenly wished he had never come here, seen her. No, better, that he had never ventured down the forest that day. That Aspen had only been a nice memory for him.

So she thought Louisa being jealous of them was funny? He wondered whether she even knew what jealousy was like. Or--whether she felt anything at all. It was hard to keep his indifference, but he managed it. He wasn't going to discuss Louisa with Aspen.

"I don't care who wrote them," he said, impatient to stop her giggling. "I'm only curious who might have gathered information about you and I." He picked up the article that was only about them to remind her of it, and eyed her to see any hints of guilt... or anything.

He didn't exactly get the second part of her question, but the first part was pretty clear. "Why hexing me and Louisa? Why not just cutting it to the truth with me and ending these stupid encounters? Why not facing the consequences you are so afraid of about the answer to my infamous question?"

Just... why?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

Oh, goodness. There she misunderstood him and was laughing again. João simply shook his head to himself. He suddenly wished he had never come here, seen her. No, better, that he had never ventured down the forest that day. That Aspen had only been a nice memory for him.

So she thought Louisa being jealous of them was funny? He wondered whether she even knew what jealousy was like. Or--whether she felt anything at all. It was hard to keep his indifference, but he managed it. He wasn't going to discuss Louisa with Aspen.

"I don't care who wrote them," he said, impatient to stop her giggling. "I'm only curious who might have gathered information about you and I." He picked up the article that was only about them to remind her of it, and eyed her to see any hints of guilt... or anything.

He didn't exactly get the second part of her question, but the first part was pretty clear. "Why hexing me and Louisa? Why not just cutting it to the truth with me and ending these stupid encounters? Why not facing the consequences you are so afraid of about the answer to my infamous question?"

Just... why?

Oh another article? Aspen scanned it quickly, noted her name... and off handedly answered Joao as she began to REALLY read the article, "That's contradictory. Caring who gathered information is caring who wrote it. You care," in other words.

And Aspen fell quiet, thoughtful, though she DID snort at the part about Paulie being.... gorgeous. Riiiiiiiight.

"This says love triangle," Aspen stated the obvious and pointed it out to Joao. It actually said something sillier, like lurrrve but the point was the same. She murmured something about Jezebel, about Corny, but mostly just mutterings to herself. Then she handed that article back to Joao.

Basically, she was REALLY being noticed, if not full on stalked.

Joao had a full set of questions for Aspen to tackle though, so no need to dilly dally on silly articles. "First, I hexed you because you deserved it, and her because she asked for it. Second, you think our encounters are stupid?" THAT needed explaining. Stupid wasn't the right word to Aspen. "And third...."

Third....

He was always on about that.

"You're persistent."

It took all his will not to roll his eyes at her. These British people. They seriously didn't know their own language. João, again quite impatiently, said "'Wondering' and 'caring' are two different things." Yeah. The second was higher in doing-something degree. Though, he was surprised that she had missed this article. It was the very article that focused only on them. It was the article that got Aspen quiet for a change.

"It's wrong, obviously." There was a lurrrrve LINE, and a tiny, unimportant dot somewhere around it. It wasn't a triangle. And apparently, it would never be.

That... that really elicited a laugh from the Brazilian. An amused one too.

"I deserved it and she asked for it?" He laughed again. He actually wanted to elaborate on that and on her question, but she kept talking, and there he found out he was persistent.

Well, then.

"I'm really sorry, Aspen, for all these." he said in a sincere and soft tone. He really was sorry, although he was also annoyed with her. Why not just reveal it? Did she really enjoy all these? What about that Cornelius then? João wanted to know what she did to him. Maybe Louisa would tell. Though... he didn't want to know, on a second thought. He didn't want to know how they hugged each other, held hands, did things oh so happily together. He didn't want another Louisa.

"I should go." Go away. Out of her life. He was graduating anyway. How hard could it be to avoid her for the few last months? He HAD learnt his lesson though. So, getting up with his book in hand, he quickly drew his wand to cast a non-verbal shield charm behind himself. Just in case she thought he deserved another bloody hex. And with that, he quietly headed for the door, looking only sorry to for being persistent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

It took all his will not to roll his eyes at her. These British people. They seriously didn't know their own language. João, again quite impatiently, said "'Wondering' and 'caring' are two different things." Yeah. The second was higher in doing-something degree. Though, he was surprised that she had missed this article. It was the very article that focused only on them. It was the article that got Aspen quiet for a change.

"It's wrong, obviously." There was a lurrrrve LINE, and a tiny, unimportant dot somewhere around it. It wasn't a triangle. And apparently, it would never be.

That... that really elicited a laugh from the Brazilian. An amused one too.

"I deserved it and she asked for it?" He laughed again. He actually wanted to elaborate on that and on her question, but she kept talking, and there he found out he was persistent.

Well, then.

"I'm really sorry, Aspen, for all these." he said in a sincere and soft tone. He really was sorry, although he was also annoyed with her. Why not just reveal it? Did she really enjoy all these? What about that Cornelius then? João wanted to know what she did to him. Maybe Louisa would tell. Though... he didn't want to know, on a second thought. He didn't want to know how they hugged each other, held hands, did things oh so happily together. He didn't want another Louisa.

"I should go." Go away. Out of her life. He was graduating anyway. How hard could it be to avoid her for the few last months? He HAD learnt his lesson though. So, getting up with his book in hand, he quickly drew his wand to cast a non-verbal shield charm behind himself. Just in case she thought he deserved another bloody hex. And with that, he quietly headed for the door, looking only sorry to for being persistent.

"I disagree," Aspen said matter-of-fact. "One leads to the other. You don't wonder unless you care." So he cared, see? Aspen didn't doubt at all that he cared about.... her. And things related to her. And things written about them. He showed it all the time, whether he meant to or not.

Hmm. Wrong? "It's not all wrong. Just parts. This bit about Paulie is very objective, for example." Aspen's nose wrinkled at the mention of that Brainless Wonder Head Boy. What a doof. He needed to be levitated again ..just because.

As for the hexing of him and Louisa? Yep. Aspen nodded. That was what she said. He deserved it, she asked for it. She HAD asked for it. Then she threw a fit. It was very model Prefect behavior.

She.... wasn't expecting him to just go. He was so ... Joao. But when he went for his wand, Aspen was READY - though no curse came her way. She had her OWN shield up though, just in case. Admittedly, it was amusing they couldn't have a conversation without wands, hexes, or defensive shields. "But I don't think they're stupid. They're interesting. You're interesting," Aspen told his retreating back. "Apology not accepted and I deem it unnecessary."

Still going?

The the quietness of the library and the majesty of the stained glass windows made ample space for Sarah to do her Transfiguration homework. First she had to finhd out what Nautical meant. Despite her highly advanced vocabulary she had never came across that word before. Luckily the library had a dictionary handy and she found it under N.
OHHH... that can mean navigation hats, captains hat, life preserver hats.. too complicated.. Oh she got it, a sailor hat! She was going to do a sailor hat.

But what kind of sailor’s hat? There were so many… it probably all depended on the rank and time. What kind of hat’s do modern day sailors wear? Maybe they have moved on from the sailor hat depicted in story book pictures and now where a peaked hat, like a pilot. She would probably have to ask someone more skilled in that area of marine or something. Yet for now, as she liked all fashioned things she was going to use the old kind.

If she was so keen on the idea. João wasn't going to argue any further. He was tired, anyway. He wondered whether the 'triangle' part was wrong too in her opinion, but didn't ask. She was sure to answer politically like she always did. Her answer was kind of obvious anyway...

He halted. He knew he shouldn't have to make a point, but he halted anyway. He didn't think she was a girl to get 'the' point. If he had left, she would probably stop talking to him too. Because then, he would stop being 'interesting'.

"That's a very dirty trick," he muttered, loud enough for only her. Then, face looking only curious, he turned to hold her gaze to see what else she would do or say, because he was still dubious about her sincerity.

Aspen grinned across at Grumpy Joao. She had NOT played a dirty trick on him, but it was funny he thought she had. It wasn't HER fault he had a need for apologies to be accepted and it WAS his fault for letting her KNOW it bothered him. She couldn't be blamed for using it against him when he'd so freely given her the information.

"You retreat more than even I do. Why are you running away? I won't hex you...again." Paaaaaaaaaaaause. "Unless provoked."

Although she had made hats using the 'Tectum Caput' spell before, first in class and then when she made birthday hats for her4 party. Yet as this was for homework she wanted to do it perfectly. She had to practice the spell first, saying the incantation 'Tectum Caput' a few times, until each letter and syllable was carefully pronounced, ironed out of all stutters. She cleared her throat –ahem… “Tec-tam Ca-purt” she tried – no it didn’t go. “Tec-tum C” she had done the first part wwell, yet her mouth was twisted with the C. It just would not come out. She took a deep breath and started again – “Tectum Caput” she said, this time with perfection.

She then practiced the wand movement - this had to be perfect for the teacher. First she did the clockwise motions without her wand. The she put her wand in her wand hand –the right hand and began to do the clockwise motions. Each curve she did slowly and carefully, not a squiggle out of place. At one stage it was needed for her left arm to support her wand arm for stability, yet it was no longer required. After doing the motions about half a dozen times, her arms began to get sweaty, she took this as a hint to continue on with the exercise, She wiped her sweaty hand on her robes and began doing the two parts at once. “Tectum Caput” was said simultaneously with the wand movements – now on to the real deal.

She was grinning. Again. She was playing with him. She clearly enjoyed her power on him--her supposed power. He had to act before it was too late. Stopping had obviously been a mistake, but it wasn't unmendable. Thus, renewing his shield silently AGAIN in case she was provoked by his retreat, he merely shrugged.

"I'm not running, I'm walking." He even offered her a cocky smile. If she meant it figuratively, she was running away. He simply quit following her. Thus, turning again, he really headed for the exit this time. Ending this stupid encounter.

"A retreat is a retreat, Neves. The speed in which you make the retreat doesn't matter." Aspen didn't hex Joao, but she did suspect his had a shield up so... quietly.... quickly she cast a benign color-changing charm on his robes.

It bounced off his shield though, making Aspen smile all the more.

Looky who had learned to play with her?

Now the real deal. Sarah took out the piece of cloth from her satchel and waved it in the air to straighten it out. The white cloth caught some rays of sunlight coming in through the windows and dazzled accordingly. She then took out her wand and did circular motions, while her mouth did it's work. "Tectum Caput" she said. She nervously waited for action-she did not have to wait long as the magic soon went to work. It folded itself into a mediocre sailor's hat, the edges of the cloth were a bit caught making it look doubled over. Being the perfectionist that she was she unfolded it and prepared to redo it.

If she is really into the task at hand, Sarah is a workaholic, not caring the hour or effort. This task was one of those. Sarah would do no matter how much times to get it perfect. “Tectum Caput” she tried again, the wand dancing in the circular motions. The spell went to work, doing its thing, the finished product stood before her. Sarah shook her head in dismay, still not how she wanted it. It looked a bit… deformed; the rim was too thin, the dome dwarfing it considerably. No –it would not do, she tirelessly unfolded the work.

Alyssa walked up to the Stained Glass windows and admired it. This was the first time that she was up close to it. She loved the design and the colors. Alyssa realized that she was staring and looked around. She was here to clean them not to stare at them. Taking out a clean rag from her robes pocket, Alyssa unholsted her wand, pointed it at the windows and said,"AGUAMENTI". A small spray of water hit the glass. Alyssa sprayed the windows of the entire section she was in, before ending the spell by saying, "FINITE". Then she took her rag and started wiping off the dust and fingerprint marks that had been left by some of the students.

She worked her way along the panel of windows until they were nice and sparkling again before she moved on to the next panel of windows.

Sarah laid the cloth out again. What could she do to make her sailors hat better? More concentration? More practice? More definite picture of what it was going to be? Sarah wondered for a moment - she was going to do all of it!

Her brows furrowed in concentration, 'Tectum Caput' she said over the cloth trying the circular motions, this time she had a clear picture in her head of what her sailors hat was going to look like. It was going to be white, in the middle there was to be a dome shape to put her head in and around it there was to be a rim. Then her hat folded, obeying her orders.. WOW, it was if the hat came right out of her head - just one thing it was missing, the dome did not look natural, it was meant to look as if there were four segments sewed together to make the dome shape. Oh well, she unfolded the cloth and started again. This time it had to be perfect!

Alyssa walked over to the next panel of windows and repeated what she did with the first. She first squirted the Stained Glass Window with water by taking out her wand, pointing it at the window and saying,"AGUAMENTI'.

She concentrated really hard on the spell because she didn't want too much water to flow up that it ended up flooding the library. As the water sprayed out slowly, Alyssa moved her wand up and down until the entire panel of windows were sufficiently wet before ending the spell by saying, "FINITE".

She then took out the rag from her pocket and started wiping the windows removing the dust and dirt and then rubbing off the finger print marks.

Alyssa worked all the way up and down the stained glass panels until they were so nice and shiny that she could actually see her reflection in it. Waving at her reflection, Alyssa tucked her rag back into her pocket and walked over to the next row of windows.