Aaand finally, the real reason why Dora had asked him to go to Hogsmeade with. And boooy was he startled. "K-k-kiss?" he stuttered as he unconsciously touched his bottom lip.

He stared at her, she looked just as she shocked as he was but her reason was something different. He continued to stare for a long time before he grinned. Which she probably could not see as he saw that she had her eyes tightly shut.

Leaning forward so that he could get closer to her, he then...poked her shoulder "Oh you almost had me, nice try though" he laughed. Cause OBVIOUSLY she was joking right? Right??

"I'm sorry about the drink as well, it was wrong of me to laugh at you" he said comfortably as he stretched his long legs, his toes pointing towards the fireplace.

Maybe her motives for the date were not the greatest... but she had to do something to take her mind off of Casper, right? This was the best way to do so. Mason was gorgeous and wasn't afraid of her anymore... so that was something.

But then...

What?

Was that his way of letting her down easily? Probably so. When he poked her shoulder she opened her eyes and tilted her head to one side, brows furrowed, pout on her lips. "YOu... You... don't want to go on a date with me, then?" Because that was totally what it sounded like. And really, it was alright. She should probably wait patiently for Cass to realize she was more than his best friend.

Bah. Boys were so dumb sometimes.

D U M B.

She couldn't lie though, her pride was bruised by this reaction... whether she should be used to rejection by now or not. Feeling a bit... deflated, the Gryffindor suddenly stood up and smoothed down her robes. "I have to... go. Go anywhere but here. Thanks for meeting me. And thanks for apologizing."

Wait...what? What was happening? Why did she sound so upset? And WHY was she standing up?!

Definitely realising he had done something wrong again, Mason thought back quickly what had happened. Analysing the scene. And Dora's reaction confirmed to him that perhaps she had not been joking. Honestly, he could not tell with her sometimes.

Before the Gryffindor girl got to chance to walk away, the Ravenclaw quickly got up from his seated position. "Wait! Dora, you...you were serious about that date and ...?" he felt his ears become red. "I'm sorry, i've never been on asked on a date before and i thought you were joking..." in his defence she HAD punched him in the face and broken his nose, kinda gave off the wrong signal didn't it?

"I'm really sorry, just..i...but....." he looked around at the bookshelves. Were there books on how to deal with this? Cause he liked to read it please. "Why me?"

Oh MERLIN! Why couldn't she apparate yet? Not that it would do her any good in the castle, but being able to disappear would be ideal right now. Closing her eyes again, she steeled herself and counted to 10 before she spoke. "And why would I be joking? That's preposterous, even for you to think that up. It's okay if you don't want to go out with me. I am a bit... different from you," she said with a shrug that she hoped conveyed coolness and nonchalance rather than the sting of rejection that she truly felt.

And his next question... that made her open her eyes again, looking at him with great intensity. "Why not you? And why not me?" Chew on that Ravenclaw.

And with that she began to make her way through the stacks, not sure if he was following her or not. And personally, not caring too much at the moment.

[B]"Oh... that's cool." [/B]Etta settled herself comfortably on the sofa, curious to know more about Olivia's journal-writing but decided not to ask. She guessed they were private thoughts and her friend might not feel comfortable enough to share? Yeah. "You know, I want to hear you play on the piano sometime." She added with a smile. If Olivia didn't mind, that is. Although.. Etta didn't think she would.

--- More Divination? Yeah. The girl pulled a face before giving her friend a lazy smile. "Yeah. It's so dull! My attention span is very weak when it comes to this subject, apparently." But enough about her and Divination anyway. The Hufflepuff eyed her friend with a teasing smirk.

"So, did you get any candy gram? From an admirer, maybe?"

"Yeah," she nodded, glancing down at her notebook for a brief moment and then back to her friend. She was glad to see Etta again. It had been too long since they last hung out. Sure, they sometimes sat next to each other in classes but it was hard to talk because then they could both lose points and they totally had to catch up to Slytherin... She was getting distracted again. Olivia smiled at Etta's comment about wanting to hear her play piano. "Of course! I'm decent at it- not professional level." Yet. She was fairly good at piano or at least that's what Sir Brent had told her when he had stumbled upon her playing in the music room back in September. "Do you play an instrument?" She didn't know if Etta did or didn't but she was certainly curious!

Olivia nodded slowly. Divination was rough. "I wouldn't say its my favourite subject, but I did enjoy the lesson by the Lake. I'm unsure if my interpretations were correct," she said with a chuckle. "If you need help? I can always help you." She was somewhat good at Divination which had surprised her. Well she was good at it currently.

Before she could say anything else on the matter, Etta had steered the conversation towards candy grams. She glanced down, playing with a strand o her hair. Oh no.. She hadn't gotten one. She glanced up at her friend after a pause and shook her head. "No, I didn't get one. I don't have any secret admirers... I'm not super attractive. I'm sure Brent Westwood got loads of them. He's very friendly and cute. Or like the Head Girl. She's very pretty. Or even Henry Whitebrook." But Olivia Holden? She doubted if she would get one. She had sent one to Healer Reed thanking her for taking care of her arm. And then another to someone but she wasn't entirely sure if she had sent it as a friend or as something else. Olivia still needed to make her mind up about that one. Sheesh. "Did you get one?" She winked, turning the conversation.

If for some people hearing the truth made everything clear, Mason was definitely not like most people because he had gotten even more confused. So much had happened in under a few minutes it was making his head hurt.

It kinda hurt the way Dora was trying to be cool about the whole thing because it was obvious she was not but he wasn't sure if he felt a little bit sad because of her or the fact that he did not like anyone feeling sad?

With her last response, the Ravenclaw watched as she walked away but before she could leave the area he had made up his mind. "Dora!" he shouted after her, forgetting he was supposed to be quiet in a library. He followed her by going through a different aisle of bookshelves to catch up with her. I am really sorry. But... I have to be honest here. I don't have the same feelings for you...yet" did she noticed the yet? But that doesn't mean that i can't get to know you better. So do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?" under one condition... "Uhm.no kissing though...sorry" he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

No worries, telling her version of the truth didn't help matters any, honestly. She was more confused and upset than she had been when she asked him to meet her. AND WHY WAS HE YELLING?!

The blonde whipped around and shushed him before cutting her eyes around to be sure no one heard him... which was impossible at the decibel at which his voice operated. UGH. This was more mortifying than being tied up TWICE in her first year.

Yep more embarrassing.

Closing her eyes, Dora groaned internally. "Will you shut up you daft boy?! I never said I had any kind of feelings for you. Yes, you're handsome. Ridiculously so, but no feelings per se. And since you're being honest I owe you the same respect. I am head over feet for someone else. Properly infatuated. But he is an idiot Ravenclaw also, so it's taking him a long time to figure out he feels the same. So I was going to go on a date with you for distraction... and maybe to make him jealous. I really just want to be your friend... but I am totally kissable so that last doesn't make a lick of sense to me." Cue the sassy Dora hair flip.

But as it were, she did feel kind of wretched for having done this whole thing to make Casper jealous... but maybe he would hear that she even asked him out. Hmmm. That would work, too. The thought brought a small smile to her face. Taking a step closer to Mason she extended her hand, "Friends. Weird friends, of course, but friends nonetheless?"

...............WHY were girls so CONFUSING?!?!?!?!

When he had thought he had done the right thing, it turned out he hadn't and when the Gryffindor called him daft his expression turned from worry to hurt in a split second. Why was he the daft one? She should have explained better in his opinion. Any guy would get confused by this wouldn't they?

But just as quickly, his hurt face changed yet again and this time the Ravenclaw's face had a stony expression. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. She only wanted to go out with him to make another guy jealous?! AND use him as a distraction? wow.

This was all typical Gryffindor behaviour. Speaking before thinking and Mason hated it. He was done. So done. He wasn't going to be her or anyone elses *distraction* "I am so sorry that i thought you had feelings for me." cue sarcasm."that's usually the real reason when someone asks a person out on a date, you know" and not using him to get someone else to like her.

He looked from her extended hand to her face and raised an eyebrow. He could not believe she still wanted to be friends after this. "You're unbelievable. You know that?" and without shaking her hand he walked past her to the entrance of the library.

Her dorm felt colder lately. Perhaps it was the harsher February wind sneaking in through the windows or perhaps it was just that she noticed it where before she'd barely paid the condition in the dorms any mind.

That conclusion made more sense.

She was noticing a lot more of her surroundings lately. Things like the rough feel of the parchment under her thumbs, the scent of the wood burning merrily in the fireplace before her, and even the sounds of the crackling mixing with the soft whispers from the other students gathered nearby all seemed distractingly loud and very present.

It was incredibly irratating, to the point that the witch was having a hard time concentrating on the small book she'd picked out for her pleasure.

Clearing her throat, Aslan turned the page and went right back to reading, or tried to, but the words seemed to repeat themselves over and over, but the words seemed to repeat themselves over and over and nothing of the Library's copy of the Tale's of Beedle The Bard were sinking in. With a frustrated, but dull glare Aslan closed the book and instead turned her attention to the glowing embers of the fire.

"I'm sure you're great." Etta replied, nudging her a little. And it would be fun to hear her play some time. Maybe help the Hufflepuff get some pointers too? "Me? My mum made me take piano lessons but.. I never took it seriously, you know?" She shrugged and gave her friend a small smile. Maybe Etta could properly learn over the summer. Learning to play an instrument is an useful skill to have, right?

The girl laughed and nodded, tucking a stray strand of her dark hair behind her ears. "Yes. I'll get back to you if I need help, definitely." It wasn't that she was struggling with the subject. Etta was smart so she could manage but... still. "Thanks for offering to help, though." She added, giving a smile.

.... BLINK. Etta stared at her friend for a moment, a small frown on her face. How did Olivia not get one? She was smart and friendly and very pretty... Like, how did she get the idea that she wasn't attractive? "First of all, you ARE attractive. You need to get that idea out of your head. Second of all---" Etta paused, tilting her head slightly. "--- You like someone, don't you?" OOOOOOOH. She wasn't a hundred percent certain but yeah. The girl felt fairly sure about it somehow.

Etta cleared her throat, trying to look nonchalant but she couldn't help flushing a little. "Yeah.. Derf sent me one." Being the adorable boy that he is. ".. And the other.. I don't know."

The library was not the first place one might look to locate one Abraham Botros Jr., on account of all the books in there that he would never read. But actually, sometimes he didn't actually want to be located, because actually it was pretty tough to always be all energetic and confident and some days he liked to have a break from all the acting. On days like that, he tended to stick to places where it wasn't easy to get to him (like his dormitory) or where it he wasn't likely to be found (like the library). He just needed to reCHARGE sometimes.

It was funny, because actually libraries were the kind of calm and quiet places that appealed to Abey; he wasn't always loud and ridiculous, you know... that was more like a coping thingywotsit, a kind of 'fake it 'til you MAKE IT' sort of thing. Abey liked the quiet when he tried to paint; being in the middle of chaos didn't really work, and that was usually the best way to describe the Gryffindor common room.

In fact, maybe the library was the best place to try homework...

.......... Nah.

ANyways, there he was, paints and sketchbook tucked under his arm. Naturally, he was drawn towards the warmer part of the library, by that big fireplace; everywhere else was just far too cold, and THAT was a FACT. Winter was AWFUL actually by the way.

There was already someone there, though, someone familiar at that. Mhmm, Abey would recognise this girl anywhere, she was the quiet pretty one. He stood nearby, not quite in front of the fire, nor really close enough to bring attention to himself, and looked at her for a moment, then down at her book, and then at her face again. The flames of the fire were illuminating her in the most fascinating way actually, and threw parts of her into shadow, and the flickering light was MESMERISING... but that could have actually just been her face actually. She always seemed very warm to Abey, even though he had never actually seen her react in a way to people that proved that. It was just... looking at her. She reminded him of fire and earth and also all things to do with home actually. Perhaps it was because of that reason that he decided to properly actually approach her, and not just stare look at her.

"What are you reading?" Were the words that tumbled clumsily from his mouth, rather than any sort of greeting. Oops. His Egyptian accent, though it had started to lessen somewhat before Christmas, was stronger than ever on account of he had gone home for the holidays. Arabic was his language of choice actually usually, though he did tend to flow back and forth between the two when he was upset, excited, or when speaking with family, no matter where he was.

Problem was, now he had spoken, Abey was sort of wishing he hadn't. What if the girl wanted to be left in peace? What if she got upset with Abey for bothering her? Or what if she thought him stupid, because she wasn't ACTUALLY reading right now but he had spoken as if she was. He bit at his lip, and forced himself not to retreat.

Oh MERLIN.

WHY was he so dramatic?! At least Dora had been honest with him!! She could have lied to him and made him feel horrible later down the road? That wasn't nice, though. She felt she had done the right thing here.

But his reaction said otherwise. And moreso when he refused to shake her hand.

"Mason, you're acting like a child!" But he was already gone...

A slight pink hue touched Olivia's cheeks at Etta's kind compliment. "Thank you," she said with a grin. Olivia paused, listening to Etta talk about being forced to take piano lessons and chuckled. She could see Etta as a young girl deciding to do what she wanted to do. It sounded very much like her. She grinned. "That's alright! I was never really into flying myself."

Oops! She hoped that she hadn't offended her friend. She didn't mean that word like that. MERLIN. She smiled a little at Etta's first statement and then briefly internally panicked (whilst somehow still managing to keep a smile on her lips). When she heard Etta thank her, Olivia returned a smile and gave her mate a quick thumb's up. "Of course!" she nodded. She was certain that Etta could figure it out.

The pink hue returned on Olivia's cheeks and now she was blushing at Etta's words. Attractive? Heh. She didn't have a group of boys following her around now. At her own thought, her eyes widened. Errr. No. Merlin. No. She wasn't sure if she wanted a group of boys following her around like lost puppies. That would not be fun. She'd rather.... She was going to finish that thought when she realized what Etta had said. WHAT? Liked someone? "Me? Like someone?" she asked, turning quite pink. She was about to laugh and say ridiculous but then paused. Was Etta really asking her this now in the library? Merlin. What if one of them heard? She was torn between two particular boys who were very, very different in personality. Heh. They certainly wouldn't look her way, right? "Yes. I think two guys are very nice..." She totally wasn't crushing on two guys. "What about you?" Hopefully they weren't crushing on the same guy, right? That'd be awkward.

"Derf?" Olivia exclaimed, almost squealing his name. The first year was absolutely adorable. A very precious and special child. "How's he doing?" She hadn't really interacted with him in a while. She hoped he was well and not causing too much mischief with Zoryn. Mhmmm..

AN ANONYMOUS CANDY GRAM?

OH. MON. DIEU.

Olivia nearly fell out of her chair with how much jumping she was doing. Hehe. Quickly someone hand her a notebook and a pen? She glanced down. Wait she already had one. Smirking, she opened a fresh page and readied a quill. Hehehe. Who could be this suspect? Shall they solve this mystery? Olivia thought so. It'd be quite fun indeed! "A mystery one, heh? We should figure it out who wrote it!"

Flying? "You took flying lessons?" Etta looked at her friend in surprise. How did she not know that? "Oh, I love to fly!" She exclaimed, feeling quite happy. She wasn't a professional or anything but she did enjoy it, especially when the weather was good. The girl was already looking forward to flying again with her cousins over the summer. Eeeeep.

Etta noticed the small change in expression on Olivia's face but she refrained from commenting on it. UHM. What was that all about, though? Had Etta said something? She wasn't sure.. At least, she didn't THINK so. "We can study together though, right? Do homework, maybe?" That would be nice, actually. Only if Olivia wanted to, of course.

Aww, now she was blushing. Etta grinned as she poked her friend's pink cheek, although the grin was slowly turning into a smirk. She enjoyed teasing her friend. It was funnn! She raised an eyebrow and waited, feeling extremely curious. Who did Olivia like? Would Etta know him? Wait. What if they liked the same boy? OOOH..... TWO boys? Uh. She looked thoughtful for a moment before she started to speak. "Let me guess...." Her voice dropped down to a whisper before she continued. "Brent for one, right?" Yeah. Etta had noticed the way Olivia got all blushy and weird whenever his name was mentioned. And the other... "Henry, maybe? Or Jacob?" HER? The Hufflepuff really tried to not blush but her cheeks did turn faintly pink. Oops. "I like one.. definitely. I think." She wasn't sure, okay? One, definitely. Two.. maybe.

"Yes, he's alright. Lovely as always." Etta replied, smiling. She really did adore him lots and lots. The Hufflepuff had to find him soon and THANK him for that kind message. It had made her oh-so-happy. So unbelievably happy, mhmm!

And then her friend wanted to figure out who wrote that message. Well, that was going to be a difficult task. Etta had tried her best to find out but she just couldn't come up with a name. "How are we going to do that? There are lots of boys here, Ols..."

"Okay, okay," Althea said, stopping Declan in the middle of their walk through the library. She pulled her arm away (what was she, a child??) and pouted. "I'm sorry but I won't let this sort of injustice go on." She was referring to the incredibly rude conversation that occurred earlier in the Great Hall. There was no need for all the drama, so how did she end up in trouble?

She shifted the strap of her bag so that it fit more comfortably on her shoulder. "Levi is probably around here somewhere. This is his happy place, of sorts." They came bearing gifts (of food and drink), so he had better be appreciative of them. "Is that him over there?" she pointed to a figure slouched over--probably sleeping--on one of the couches.

Levi HAD been indeed the one napping most inappropriately in the library. Not that it was the first time he did it and it probably wouldn't be the last, but it was still pretty inappropriate. It was also inappropriate that he'd brought a quilt with him, but then--it was very cold, even with the fireplace.

The nap should have never happened.

He jerked awake, eyes quickly landing on Althea and Declan because of course they did. He yawned, openly, stretched. Then frowned down at himself. Books lay scattered next to him, and one of his inkwells had tipped over. Levi flicked his wand, lazily, at it, after murmuring the incantation.

The boy turned to look at his siblings. Althea looked--well, she looked like Althea. "Did you bring food? I'm starving and I've been here a while." He could not say how much, really, but he suddenly grew very annoyed that he'd wasted valuable time sleeping.

Declan knew she wasn't that sorry. She was just sorry that Declan had put his hands on her. He sighed and pocketed his hands next. He almost apologized but felt like he shouldn't have to. After all, he was certainly positive he saved her from a trip to the dungeons and it wasn't to visit him.

He followed Althea's finger and found a bundle that shouldn't even be in the library. Declan almost rolled his eyes but he had enough of foolishness for the day. He walked over to Levi with his hands still in his trouser pockets.

"Yes," Declan answered simply. "Althea prepared you something." You know, as if it was all premeditated and stuff.

Althea always knew that charming her bag would come in handy; she shoved Levi over and sat down on the couch. "I personally packed you food because I am extremely caring and loving," she boasted as she rummaged through her bag. She was actually quite good at packing food--mostly because she was always hungry and she and her brothers were always adventuring around the castle so they needed nourishment to keep them going.

It wasn't anything fancy, but it would do. She pulled out the first box and handed it to Levi. "Oh, wait," she said quickly, and reached deeper into her bag; she felt around until she pulled out glass bottle filled with water. "Here you go." For herself she'd stashed away some biscuits in a napkin and proceed to eat a chocolate one. Mouth full of food, she motioned to Declan and shook her bag in front of him, non-verbally asking if he also wanted something from inside it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ama

Declan knew she wasn't that sorry. She was just sorry that Declan had put his hands on her. He sighed and pocketed his hands next. He almost apologized but felt like he shouldn't have to. After all, he was certainly positive he saved her from a trip to the dungeons and it wasn't to visit him.

He followed Althea's finger and found a bundle that shouldn't even be in the library. Declan almost rolled his eyes but he had enough of foolishness for the day. He walked over to Levi with his hands still in his trouser pockets.

"Yes," Declan answered simply. "Althea prepared you something." You know, as if it was all premeditated and stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekraken

Althea always knew that charming her bag would come in handy; she shoved Levi over and sat down on the couch. "I personally packed you food because I am extremely caring and loving," she boasted as she rummaged through her bag. She was actually quite good at packing food--mostly because she was always hungry and she and her brothers were always adventuring around the castle so they needed nourishment to keep them going.

It wasn't anything fancy, but it would do. She pulled out the first box and handed it to Levi. "Oh, wait," she said quickly, and reached deeper into her bag; she felt around until she pulled out glass bottle filled with water. "Here you go." For herself she'd stashed away some biscuits in a napkin and proceed to eat a chocolate one. Mouth full of food, she motioned to Declan and shook her bag in front of him, non-verbally asking if he also wanted something from inside it.

Levi pretty much scooted over to make room for Althea at the same time she decided to shove him. He would have rolled his eyes and protested at her complete lack of consideration for his person except he was already too busy going through Althea's offerings. "Yeah, yeah. I accept your apology." He said, removing his glasses and digging into a muffin. It was a little cold, less spongy than he would have preferred, but food was food.

He finished the last bite of his muffin and shot Declan a look. "What are you doing there just standing?" Levi turned to look at Althea, taking care to grab his water bottle before she employed it to beat him over the head with it. "Move and make room for Declan." Obviously he had to sit in the middle to act as buffer. It was Declan's responsibility as older brother to make sure Althea didn't claw Levi's eyes out for speaking out of turn.

"Sorry," he muttered. Declan wasn't sure why he was suddenly in such a mood. Maybe it was the sudden disappearing act of what was his name? Henry? Or the fact that he really kind of wanted to go back to the Professor and share a few opinions. Whatever it was he figured it could wait to be figured out later.

Declan took a seat between Althea and Levi--his usual place.

"Ya'll be nice now. We're in the library," Declan said gently but his eyes were stern as he glanced at both of them. "Levi," he said quickly, placing one arm on the table as he turned to watch his brother. "I saw a portal. Sort of."

Her idiot brother clearly wanted his sweet baby sister dead; why else would he have treated her so harshly while she was in the middle of eating? Swallowing hard (because she was choking, sort of), Althea shot Levi an incredulous look as she scooted over. "If it wasn't for Declan, my letters home would be extremely long and detailed, if you catch my drift." Because Althea had no qualms about informing their parents about the ongoings of their children's lives at school.

But, and Althea sighed and started eating another chocolate covered biscuit, they had that pact and Althea was stuck.

As rare as it was, Declan could act as a true older brother and command respect. These days, Althea didn't dare toe the line too much. "You mean the light show in the Great Hall?" That portal was flashy and disruptive. Couldn't it kidnap others more quietly? "I smell a conspiracy."

Levi wanted to tell Declan that he was in fact always nice, especially in the library, but he knew this to be untrue so he mostly kept quiet and pretended like he'd suddenly gone deaf. He chanced a look around, careful to make sure the librarian wasn't anywhere in the vicinity, and took out another cold muffin.

"I hope that wasn't a threat, Althea." Levi said his mouth only a little partially full. "I can write, too, you know." He often did. Mostly to incriminate himself and confess to all his sins because guilt was a terrible thing. His mum had truly done super well.

The boy unscrewed the cap of his water bottle and took a big gulp. "How???????????" Levi was suddenly very interested, and though he tried to look very concerned, he mostly was trying very hard not to smile in anticipation. "What did it look like??????"

Declan wasn't even concerned about what his siblings could write home. He had made sure, about three years ago, to put that fear to rest. There was nothing Althea could write home that would cause him or his siblings any possible trouble. That's what binding magic was for. He rolled his eyes at Levi's retort and pretended he didn't feel the bickering beginning to start between his younger siblings.

"Yeah, that bright light wasn't just some random spotlight turning on and off," Declan said. He wished he had more knowledge to share but there wasn't much he had collected on the portals yet.

"All I saw was a bright white light. There was no sound or anything," Declan described as best he could remember, disappointed in himself. "Henry disappeared. You know? Swamp Henry?"

Levi, being the pain that he was, was being even more aggravating (if that was possible!!!) and so in an act of child-like defiance, Althea stuck her tongue out at him and rolled her eyes. It seemed that Declan was serious about the portal thing, and could she blame him? He did come running to her when it all happened. "What do you think triggers it?" It seemed all very strange and Althea needed to know if she should constantly look her best just in case the portal came and sucked her up too. Who knew what was in that other realm.

And, besides, she wanted to be as beautiful as possible in case the portal was a death trap.

"Oh, yes, Hugh! He was just there and then...not, y'know? Very very scary," enough though she didn't sound at all too scared. In all honesty, it was a strange phenomenon (nothing too outrageous considering what the Kenning children had been up to most of their lives.) But Althea wasn't exactly worried. "What's that make, three now? You'd think mum and dad would've stormed the castle by now." She wouldn't put it past either of them.