Was he being silly? Was Mr. Kitridge going to laugh at him too? Dan just stared down at his book now. When the librarian spoke up, he peered up at him. "But... what if it has a name and a family and I hurt it really bad?" he asked, frowning. He didn't like hurting people or creatures. "Maybe..." he mumbled in response to the last question.

"Zoe's going to think I'm being a baby now." he sighed. Come on, he was old enough to face up to his mistakes.

Controlling his wish to laugh Leo said in quiet tone. "If you are so worried for the gnome's well being why don't you go down to Professor Thompson and ask if he can take you to the gnome's you worked with in class, so you can see for yourself that the gnome is all right?" It seemed the easiest and most logical way to get Daniel to stop feeling bad.

"And I doubt Zoe thinks you are a baby. Did she say something to that affect in class after you threw the gnome in the fence?"

"I don't know which one it was." he answered quietly, chewing on his lip. It seemed like the only thing that had grown at Hogwarts was his height and his knowledge of magic and books. It didn't feel like he'd become a person yet, like he was still a little kid. Daniel's eyes fell from Kitridge's face to his book again when he mentioned Zoe. "No. But she was SUPER nice to me and that's when I start to get scared!" He was used to Zoe teasing him and teasing other people while he just stood there and he almost liked it that way.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? Kate had actually heard of that book. She was pretty sure there was a copy at her parents' house, courtesy of her older brother. Kate grinned after a moment of surprise. She hadn't expected them to have muggle books here. She was a little relieved, though. If she read a new Muggle book, she'd have something new to talk about with her family. After all, they wouldn't really understand the things she was learning in her classes.

"I'll take it! I'm not picky about authors," Kate said enthusiastically. She took the offered book and flipped through its pages before looking back at the librarian. "Can I borrow it?" Much as she enjoyed the library, Kate was not keen on sitting there to read an entire book.

Oh. That was a predicament Leo had forgotten to factor in. "Well, Professor Thompson might know. And if he doesn't he can probably help you get to meet the gnomes you used in class. Maybe you'll recognize it then?" Not that Leo had any idea if gnomes had characteristics that could put them apart. That was Javy’s area. Furrowing his brows Leo said "I'd take Zoe’s niceness for just what it is Daniel. If she wanted to pick on you for the fence incident I think she would have done it already don't you?" It was healthy to be suspicious but not when you took it to the extreme.

"Great, of course you can borrow it." Leo beamed at the girl. "I'll let you loan it for a month. If you need more time than just swing by and let me know." He instructed. "The library stocks both muggle and magical books because I think we should benefit from reading the books and authors from both worlds." Leo commented. "Did you want to borrow something else too?" He offered as his gaze glided over the books stacked on the shelves beside them.

It was just awful, just horribly awful what had happened to Leo and Cassie felt just as awful. Was her headaches and all the animals chattering at once too much for her that she didn't sense whatever was in the force attack. Now poor poor Leo was in the hospital wing and no one was taking care of the library. Well that was going to change. Cassie marched in and was going to help. She looked around and wasn't for sure where to even start. She had spent so much time in the library when she was at school it shouldn't be so hard, but now it looked a bit different.

Deciding the front desk was probably the best place to start, she went around to the other side and looked around. Books that were being returned. Yes that's where she would start. Pulling over a cart she began moving the books from the desk to the cat. There were so many books, he had been in the hospital for awhile now. Why hand't she thought to start this earlier. Giving her best smile in case any students were to come she kept busy with the books. Stacking them neatly onto the cart. She'd put them all away at once."

Nessa was really beside herself. Sure, she put on a cheerful face for the students and rest of the staff, but inside she was so upset and worried. Poor Victor and Leo. Still unconscious and no word on what was really wrong. Nessa visited them as much as she could at the Hospital Wing, but she wasn't even sure they knew she was there. She wasn't sure what else should do really, but then she and Cassie seemed to have the same idea at the same time.. take care of the library!

It might not actually help either of them change their condition, but she knew that they could not just let the library go untended or, heaven forbid, close. Certainly Leo would appreciate their efforts. After finishing her breakfast and looking over her notes for her next lesson, Nessa marched right on up to the fourth floor. It seemed a little colder in the castle, which she guessed wasn't too surprising as they were snowed in, but she hardly noticed in her oversized bulky sweater layered over a tank top and leggings as they kept her pretty toasty. Once inside, brown eyes surveyed the area.

"Casssiiiieee," she sang out happily as she saw her friend already getting down to business. Oh, oops! This was the library, wasn't it? "Casssiiee!" she tried again in a loud whisper as she waved enthusiastically, quickly walking towards her. "So.. what should you have me do?" Nessa looked around at the books on the cart. Maybe she should put them on a shelf or something. That wouldn't be too hard? Or maybe Cassie had something else in mind for her.

Sorting the books on the carts by subject so that it would be easier to put them away she heard a voice. Her green eyes lifted and she gave an excited wave. “Nessa” Oh, was that too loud for the library. Whoops. She chuckled and put her hand to her mouth as Nessa got quieter too. Her smile hesitated a moment “Have you been to the Hospital wing?” She hadn’t, though she was horribly worried. Leo had jumped in to save her at the lake and now she was too worried to set foot in a hospital wing.

Her eyes turned back to the books. “Oh I don’t know, I’m not really in charge, so you can do whatever you think would be best. I just really wanted to help out. He’s such a sweet man and I didn’t want his library to get all crazy.” Looking at the stack of books she continued to add a few to a cart. “I was just trying to sort these by subjects to put them back if you want to take one of the carts we could do it together.” She bounced and snapped a bit, “It would be just like old times.” They had done many things at school together, so it would be fun to work together putting the books away.

“It doesn’t seem like the kids have went crazy since he’s been gone, so that’s a plus.” She glanced around. “Just plenty of books out. Those big studiers.” The students just seemed to work so hard. How wonderful was it. Though she didn’t see many of her subject books checked out. Maybe they were too hidden in the shelves. This might have to change.

Laying her folded arms across the desk, Nessa leaned forward a bit and nodded at Cassie's question, the saddened worry evident on her face. "I've been there a couple times, visiting, seeing if there's any change.." She sighed. There wasn't any change. "I just.." Frown. "I really hope they'll be okay and Cece can figure things out." But if anyone could, she could.. Nessa knew she was a top-notch healer!

But! They were not going to sit around and be sad because that was unproductive. No, they were going to do something to help out even if it might not help them get better. "Oh but I nominate you to be in charge," she beamed at her friend. "We can get this place organized in no time. Yes.. he is so nice and it was such a wonderful idea to take care of his library while he can't." And she knew when - because he definitely was - when he woke up, he would really be touched and appreciate their thoughtfulness. And see.. she was totally right, Cassie was perfect to lead their library rescue mission. She even had an idea for Nessa to get started. "I can certainly do that!" she said probably a little too loudly and she laughed and clapped a bit as her friend said it'd be like old times. It so would be!

Nessa grabbed one of the carts and pushed it towards one of the shelves. Alright.. this wasn't too hard, was it? She picked up a book and looked at the letters and numbers on the spine. "Well, that's good," she said distractedly as she found what she thought to be the proper place for this book. "They're such good kids though. I'm sure they're being respectful of their dear librarian and taking good care themselves." They just needed some adult assistance in checking books back in, maybe guidance in where a book was located, things like that.

Her usual super smile was fading quickly with the concern she could read on Nessa’s face. She had been there a few times. Cassie really felt like she should go visit soon. Though she wasn’t sure CeCe would let her in. She hadn’t been a part of the awful ordeal or in those meetings that were going on. She looked away still frustrated a bit over the situation. “Do they have any clue what attacked them?” Attacked, it had to be a creature in the forest, right? A wizard wouldn’t be in there, not in this weather, would they? She couldn’t figure it out, but knew whatever attacked them she couldn’t find, no visions, no readings, and that was bothering her. She should have been able to prevent this. So that worried her more if it wasn’t a creature, what was it? Her thoughts being distracted by her best friends voice she looked up again, “Yes, Cece is one of the best she will fix them. She has to.”

Forcing her beaming smile back at Nessa, no more negative, nope! They didn’t think that way, so it was time to get it out of their systems. She chuckled a bit, “How about co in charge!” She nodded, she had no reason to be the only one in charge, so why not share the responsibility with the bestie. It was just the perfect plan. “We can, maybe we could even get some students to help out a bit. Watch over the place and stuff.” It was a thought, she wasn’t sure which ones would be willing to help. Though so many were so sweet, there would have to be a few that were up her to study that could tidy up if Nessa or herself had a class going on.

Pushing a cart towards her section of the shelves, she removed the first book and moved towards where it needed to go. Letting go of it she watched it rise and go into place. Wasn’t magic wonderful for these sort of things. “Yes, I really do hope they are taking care of themselves. This weather is just awful. My tower is so cold, the charms are not working as much anymore. I might have to leave Gemini and Aries in your office or a space where it’s a bit warmer. Little darlings have their coats on and are still shivering.” She moved to let go of another book as it drifted to it’s place. “I’m thinking of holding my next class somewhere other than the tower. So students don’t have to walk so far.” She knew the seventh floor students wouldn’t have to, but she felt bad for the freezing slytherin walking all that way with their legs cold as it is.