Nothing felt like comfort better than being in the library for Rooney and often, since being back at school, he brought Olivia with him. It was nice to have her around when he was reading for all sorts of reasons. Mainly now because it meant he could keep an eye on her, but also spend time with her without them having to actually do anything. Company was the winner, right now and Rooney Bronwyn was winning. His girlfriend was the prettiest, the loveliest and made him feel so very much at ease. He sat at one end of a window seat, with the Gryffindor girl at the other end as he bumped feet with hers to catch her attention instead of interrupting his flow of reading.

Which was exactly what he was doing right now and did most days. Today, they were working through his battered version of Les Mis and it would clearly take a few days to make their way through it. Luckily, he had no big exams to be doing this year and so he had been able to cut down his studying time. Especially now that he was needed.

This place was often visited by the young slytherin. She liked books. She liked libraries because they smelled like books. It reminded her of her mum's library back home, but this one was MUCH bigger. Her mother would LOVE a library this big.

Well, she probably already did since she went to Hogwarts, too...

Natalie wasn't looking for anything in particular, but she had already picked up a couple books on plant care and mermaids that she was carrying in her arms. She got to the end of a row of shelves and paused there to look at the window. That seat looked comfy. Maybe she'd stay and read here instead of the noisy common room...

This was weird because Skylar was never in the library; it was that she didn't care about studies or books, because on the contrary, she very much cared about studies if it helped her to be successful. And while she might not have been as into reading as her older siblings, she could still appreciate a good book. Sometimes.

But right now what she really wanted was just a quiet place, that was away from sweet feeding professors, to reflect upon the last few months, and not freeze while doing so. Because while she undoubtedly could have found quiet outside, it was Scotland in December, and no thank you.

Taking a seat on the couch with the sunlight basking in on her, Skylar pulled her feet up behind her, a copy of her transfiguration book on her lap, but not opened yet, because it was thinking time.

Katherine, who usually came to library to study, passed the study desks this time to directly go to her favourite place for thinking: Stained Glass Windows corner. She had started to keep a journal since last year upon the healer's suggestion, and also liked to write it at a different place every time. She had even made a list of possible places, and this was one of them. So she stopped for a moment to decide where to s -

.......there was a person there, who not only occupied her favourite seat, but also existed. Her journal was her most private possession, she even put up a really nasty hex on it to deter those who wasn't her from reading it. However... this person was here, very much alive, and could peek at what she was writing. The hex didn't stop THAT. So obviously, this person had to leave.

"Hey!" she greeted the person cheerfully, "I don't think we've ever met! I'm Katherine, you?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahlooo

This place was often visited by the young slytherin. She liked books. She liked libraries because they smelled like books. It reminded her of her mum's library back home, but this one was MUCH bigger. Her mother would LOVE a library this big.

Well, she probably already did since she went to Hogwarts, too...

Natalie wasn't looking for anything in particular, but she had already picked up a couple books on plant care and mermaids that she was carrying in her arms. She got to the end of a row of shelves and paused there to look at the window. That seat looked comfy. Maybe she'd stay and read here instead of the noisy common room...

His attempt to enter the Chamber of Secrets had been thwarted by Professor Newton (the young one, not the old one) and had somewhat dampened the first year's spirits, but rather than mope about that he decided that he would just focus on a different item on his bucket list and return to the Chamber one at a later date. Later and when he was more proficient in parsletongue. Yup.

Which is what brought him to the library today.

A few books of Mermish tucked under his arm, Derf made his way through the shelves and wove through the occasional student or two
in search of somewhere quiet to sit. Most of the study tables were full...and last time he had tried to practice his Mermish at one of those he had been HUSHED and glared at by others...so that was out...OH THESE WINDOWS!

Skipping over to the remaining vacant seat, Deft flopped himself down in it and cracked open one of the topmost book and began immediately practicing the words within. "Faa---raa---rii..."

...

So much for quiet.

There was someone cheerful greeting her standing over, and looking like she was about to hex Skylar out of the seat that she most rightfully claimed, because it was empty. But her cheerful exclamations were definitely a relief because a moment prior, well, Sky wasn't so sure.

"Skylar. I've seen you in classes," she nodded. "You can have a seat, if you'd like?" Because it was kind of make her slightly uncomfortable having her stand. "Were you going to be studying something?" Cause maybe, if she was working on transfiguration, Sky could use her for help, since she was ninety percent sure the girl was older than her. Though she couldn't be too sure, because she was also sure she'd seen first years that looked older than her, so who knew? The girl was in Ravenclaw though, so if anything she could also ask Noah about her.

Though she'd wait before mentioning her brother in Ravenclaw; needed to first know the girl's intentions by approaching.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

His attempt to enter the Chamber of Secrets had been thwarted by Professor Newton (the young one, not the old one) and had somewhat dampened the first year's spirits, but rather than mope about that he decided that he would just focus on a different item on his bucket list and return to the Chamber one at a later date. Later and when he was more proficient in parsletongue. Yup.

Which is what brought him to the library today.

A few books of Mermish tucked under his arm, Derf made his way through the shelves and wove through the occasional student or two
in search of somewhere quiet to sit. Most of the study tables were full...and last time he had tried to practice his Mermish at one of those he had been HUSHED and glared at by others...so that was out...OH THESE WINDOWS!

Skipping over to the remaining vacant seat, Deft flopped himself down in it and cracked open one of the topmost book and began immediately practicing the words within. "Faa---raa---rii..."

Natalie was considering taking the window seat and reading. It looked comfortable. Then she wouldn't have to walk all the way back down to her common room... Yeah, that was good enough reason. And the window was cool. Taking her books with her, Natalie hopped up onto the window seat and wiggled her bum until she was comfortable.

However, not long after she had opened her book and begun reading, she heard somebody making noise. With their face. It sounded strange and definitely not like english. Wrinkling her nose, the young slytherin looked up and saw them. HIM. The cat poop boy from that care of magical creatures class. The expression on her face immediately turned sour.

"I'm trying to read here," she said with a sassy tone and showed him her book. SEE? READING.

Oh, so the Skylar person had a strong memory, which wasn't surprising for a Slytherin. Had to know who they had offended and all. Katherine did want to have a seat alright, but she wanted to be alone. She knew better than to say that, obviously, so she sat down... next to the girl.

Because if you acted onoxious, people usually left.

Her face showing absolutely nothing but joy at having met someone new (like those over-excited first years, ew), she shook her head. "I was actually going to write down in my journal." So maybe, the girl would take the message and leave? Hmm?

"What about you? Going to study transfiguration?" She COULD do that in the other parts of the library, y'know. Just saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahlooo

Natalie was considering taking the window seat and reading. It looked comfortable. Then she wouldn't have to walk all the way back down to her common room... Yeah, that was good enough reason. And the window was cool. Taking her books with her, Natalie hopped up onto the window seat and wiggled her bum until she was comfortable.

However, not long after she had opened her book and begun reading, she heard somebody making noise. With their face. It sounded strange and definitely not like english. Wrinkling her nose, the young slytherin looked up and saw them. HIM. The cat poop boy from that care of magical creatures class. The expression on her face immediately turned sour.

"I'm trying to read here," she said with a sassy tone and showed him her book. SEE? READING.

"Faa---raa---rii...FAAraRIIIII..."

Derf was just a tiny bit too engrossed in his Mermish practice to notice that he was not alone and had it not been the pause between takes because he needed to breathe he wouldn't have heard her at all. But since he HAD, the first year peeked up from his book all wide eyed and grinned at the girl - it had not yet registered in his brain that she was the same girl who had KICKED him in class.

"Me too!" he chirped. "Well...practice is-s-s the better word." Read and practice.

.... He was clueless, wasn't he? First about how to clean a litter box (which even SHE managed to do and she disliked animals), and now how to be POLITE in a library where it was like, an unspoken AND spoken word that you were supposed to be quiet.

Natalie rolled her eyes. "Well, do you think you could practice somewhere else? Like, where no one can hear you?" Because he was talking FAR too loud for a library. And Natalie had kind of already decided that she didn't like this boy for flinging cat litter everywhere, so she didn't want him here. Picking her mermaid book back up, she covered her face with it so it might encourage him to LEAVE so she could read in peace.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahlooo

.... He was clueless, wasn't he? First about how to clean a litter box (which even SHE managed to do and she disliked animals), and now how to be POLITE in a library where it was like, an unspoken AND spoken word that you were supposed to be quiet.

Natalie rolled her eyes. "Well, do you think you could practice somewhere else? Like, where no one can hear you?" Because he was talking FAR too loud for a library. And Natalie had kind of already decided that she didn't like this boy for flinging cat litter everywhere, so she didn't want him here. Picking her mermaid book back up, she covered her face with it so it might encourage him to LEAVE so she could read in peace.

NOT clueless, thank you very much. He was simply under the impression that they were stating facts about themselves and their purpose for being in the library! But to her request...Derf could not stop his face from falling slightly...until he saw what books she had with her.

"Or...you could practice wiff me?" he suggested instead, pointing at her book and then lifting his up for her to see properly. Mermaids...and Mermish! "I'm going to ask the ones-s-s living in the Black Lake to help me catch a grindylow."

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

NOT clueless, thank you very much. He was simply under the impression that they were stating facts about themselves and their purpose for being in the library! But to her request...Derf could not stop his face from falling slightly...until he saw what books she had with her.

"Or...you could practice wiff me?" he suggested instead, pointing at her book and then lifting his up for her to see properly. Mermaids...and Mermish! "I'm going to ask the ones-s-s living in the Black Lake to help me catch a grindylow."

Practice? With him? What could they possibly practice togeth--

Oh. He was learning Mermish? She was learning about mermaids! She wanted to learn Mermish too, so if she went swimming in the lake she could reason with them and not get kidnapped. She heard stories about the creatures living in the lake and all she wanted to do was swim in peace when the weather got warmer.

The offer was tempting, but she also still DIDN'T LIKE him because of the CAT LITTER thing. Natalie looked at him and thought real hard. Maybe she could put aside her dislike for the boy to learn Mermish.

"Fine," she said, closing her book. "But it doesn't mean I forgive you." For the cat litter thing. Grudges were real.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahlooo

Practice? With him? What could they possibly practice togeth--

Oh. He was learning Mermish? She was learning about mermaids! She wanted to learn Mermish too, so if she went swimming in the lake she could reason with them and not get kidnapped. She heard stories about the creatures living in the lake and all she wanted to do was swim in peace when the weather got warmer.

The offer was tempting, but she also still DIDN'T LIKE him because of the CAT LITTER thing. Natalie looked at him and thought real hard. Maybe she could put aside her dislike for the boy to learn Mermish.

"Fine," she said, closing her book. "But it doesn't mean I forgive you." For the cat litter thing. Grudges were real.

GRINNING as she accepted, the blonde quickly moved to push his chair riiiiiiiight next to hers so no one had to do any real leaning over arms of chairs and whatnot to see. Although his eagerness did cause his chair to gently nudge hers. Oops.

Flopping into his seat once again, Derf turned his Mermish book back to the start and was in the middle of reaching into his pockets for his flashcards when the rest of her words caught up with his brain.

"Forgive?" the blonde blinked, brain not able to connect the dots what so ever at the moment for some reason. "For what?" he asked, pulling out not his flashcards but his warty newt, Scamander, instead.

Well, he was quite eager. More eager than her? Probably. But she was still excited. Her excitement to work with him bumped down a notch when his chair ran into hers, though. He seemed to have a lot of energy. Much more than Natalie had. But maybe studying with a buddy would be more helpful than by herself. And perhaps not reminding the boy that she was the one that kicked him in the shin in that one magical creatures class. His question made her think that he didn't seem to remember.

"Erm.. nothing," she said, deciding not to bring it up. Because no one wanted to study with someone who bruised their shins. "Where should we start?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahlooo

Well, he was quite eager. More eager than her? Probably. But she was still excited. Her excitement to work with him bumped down a notch when his chair ran into hers, though. He seemed to have a lot of energy. Much more than Natalie had. But maybe studying with a buddy would be more helpful than by herself. And perhaps not reminding the boy that she was the one that kicked him in the shin in that one magical creatures class. His question made her think that he didn't seem to remember.

"Erm.. nothing," she said, deciding not to bring it up. Because no one wanted to study with someone who bruised their shins. "Where should we start?"

It wasn't that he did not remember, because it was HARD to forget being kicked in the shin, it was just that his attention was being pulled elsewhere. Mermish and generally expanding on his magical linguistics was WAY more interesting and important that the memory of his shin throbbing and having to limp around the grounds while making his way back up to the castle. And the bruise...the bruise had been particularly nasty looking because it sort of had the shape of a clabbert if you squinted and turned your head to the left just right.

Shrugging, BUT NOT FORGETTING, Derf turned his attention back to the book with a grin. "With hello," he said confidently. He didn't NEED to look at the textbook for that. "O-kee'-ya." He flipped the pages back to the front so she could see the words on the page in case she learned better with visual clues and pointed.

Skylar scooted over ever so slightly when the girl sat down next to her, though there was still plenty of room. Also, she was going to write in her journal? Well, that seemed kind of private, BUT at the same time, she was here first and it wasn't like there weren't other free areas in the library to write. Or if anything, there was her common room or dormitory.

Not that Skylar would suggest that, because the girl hadn't suggested she leave her alone. However, if the girl did suggest such a thing, well she would make sure to inform her of the other opportunities.

"Yes, today is a transfiguration day. I won't bother you from writing though. I'm a quiet reader." Except when she was practicing incantations, but she knew this was a library and knew there were better places to practice her spellwork.

Right. Start with hello. That sounded easy enough. Basic. Natalie watched the boy flip the pages to the beginning, which made her wonder how much he already knew and read the letters on the page. She squinted. "O-keeeeeya," she repeated after her. "Okeeya. Oh-key-yah." Was she getting it right?

"Do you already know a lot?" she asked suddenly, looking over at him. Because if he did she was going to feel stupid. She wanted to be SMARTER than him... for some reason. Either way, she had to be FLUENT in mermish by the time spring came along. "What's next?" she asked with a little bounce. "Goodbye?"

Oh? Not good enough. No, Katherine couldn't risk it - she COULD look over her shoulder to read it though, and it was her most private. Besides, she didn't feel like writing anymore. She'd just have to sneak in at night.

"Which year are you?" she asked abruptly, completely ignoring her words. Although she didn't look older, maybe she was and could help her with... something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahlooo

Right. Start with hello. That sounded easy enough. Basic. Natalie watched the boy flip the pages to the beginning, which made her wonder how much he already knew and read the letters on the page. She squinted. "O-keeeeeya," she repeated after her. "Okeeya. Oh-key-yah." Was she getting it right?

"Do you already know a lot?" she asked suddenly, looking over at him. Because if he did she was going to feel stupid. She wanted to be SMARTER than him... for some reason. Either way, she had to be FLUENT in mermish by the time spring came along. "What's next?" she asked with a little bounce. "Goodbye?"

Wiggling in his seat a little bit, Derf watched her carefully - mainly her lips - as she practiced the term. Apparently and completely unfazed by the fact that he did not know her name at all, the Hufflepuff added insult to injurt when he reached over with one hand and pinched her cheeks together so her lips formed an 'O' and made a low 'o' sound himself for emphasis. "You gotta make duck lips-s-s." Hence the pinching.

"Not a lot," he replied with a shake of the head. "But dad works-s-s wiff aquatic plants-s-s all the time and is-s fluent in Mermish s-s-so he can talk wiff them anywhere his-s-s res-search takes-s him s-so he taught me s-s-some." He knew a lot more than hello and goodbye though."Goodbye is jai-quay."

Noelle was by the stained glass windows. With exams coming up, the tables were crowded and she really didn't want anyone to see what she was looking up. She had made a space for herself, along with 4 or 5 books.

She was looking for something....

Noelle flipped through one of the books while the other 4 were stacked beside her. She was sitting cross legged with the book in her lap. She was hunched over it, willing her eyes to find what she was looking for.

She'd already been through 3 or 4 books and had returned them and had gotten some more. She was on a mission.

Elliot had her nose in a book. Not a particularly interesting one, but it was one that she just couldn't put down: her transfiguration text book. The dark haired girl had been pacing near the stained glass window in an attempt to help herself memorize the text. So far, the only thing she could remember was to put on foot infront if the other. However, even that came to and end when she suddenly tripped and fell forward on to the ground. Elliot picked herself up onto all fours with a groan and looked around. Did she trip over her own feet again? Most likely. Although there was a book lying not too far from her foot, could that have been the culprit? Looking around again she noticed a girl hunched over a book. Perhaps it was her book she tripped on?

"Excuse me, but is this you book?" Eliot asked while she stood up to retrieve the book.

Engrossed in her book, Noelle had no idea what was going on around her. She thought she had almost found something on the portal when she heard a thump and a groan. At first, it didn't register in her brain. She was about reading. But a voice snapped her out of her own little world.

"Hmm What?" Noelle asked before looking down and seeing there was on all four on the ground. Oh dear. "Are you alright?" She asked closing the book but keeping her finger on the page so she didn't loose it. She uncrossed her legs and leant a hand to help her up.

Elliot took the girl's hand and gave a laugh. "I am. Thank you. I'm such a klutz when I'm studying." She grabbed the book she believed she had tripped over and handed it to the girl. "You've got a lot of material to go through over there. I'm Elliot, by the way. Elliot James." She flashed a toothy grin and held out her hand.

Natalie didn't notice that he was watching her, she was just trying to pronounce it right. What if she tried to say something to the mermaids and said it WRONG and it was something OFFENSIVE? Then they'd never let her swim in the lake and all of this would be a waste. But suddenly, she felt fingers pinch her face and move her mouth.

"OOoooh!" she said (as it was the only thing she COULD say with her lips in such a position) and then she swatted the boys hand away from her face. "Hey!" Natalie eyed the boy with furrowed brows and rubbed her cheeks where he pinched her. "I can make duck lips without your help." Just so he knew.

Natalie lightened up significantly when he said that his dad could speak Mermish. "Really?! So he's talked to, like, real mermaids?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement.