Indigo spent most of his time either in the common room/his dorm, or the library. Those were the two places where he felt the most comfortable. His dorm because it was his space and there weren't many people around. The library because it was quiet, and people in there generally left him alone. The theme here was that being around people was not one of Indigo's favorite things and he tried to avoid crowds of them as much as possible.

What Indigo found in the common room was pretty amazing. It had its own little library! He stopped for a moment, just to take it in. This was great! He would still probably prefer the actual library for hiding out in, but this little section of books still looked extremely appealing to him. And just the sort of distraction he needed right now. So Indigo moved closer, inspecting the selection of books available.

The common room was fast becoming one of Caolan’s favourite places to be. It was kinda homely and reminded him of his Ma’s farmhouse back home whereas the rest of the castle was sort of cold and not so inviting. He had only been here a couple of days and yet apart from going to lessons and the occasional wandering around the castle he had spent the majority of his time in the Common Room getting to know his fellow Ravenclaws.

During his exploring he had discovered a small library. You see Caolan wasn’t really the most book orientated person in the world, ironic considering he had been sorted into Ravenclaw but he just lost attention halfway through a page and would have to just restart the page over and over again. But he found himself drawn to the library just to have a quick look. As he scanned the shelf he picked up a comic book that he was completely familiar with. NOW they were talking, this was much more up his street. He grabbed hold of it and headed back towards the main area of the common room flicking through the pages of the comic when he accidentally knocked into a guy as he passed.

“Woah! Sorry mate” he quickly apologised. “I didn’t see you there.” He was being honest, swear.

To be honest, Indigo wasn't really paying attention to what was going on around him either. He was too entranced by this mini library. Also he never really paid much attention to the people around him. So he was completely unprepared when he was bumped into. He had just selected a book from the shelf, but when he was bumped into he dropped it and it landed on the ground with a thud.

"Oh." Indigo was so surprised he couldn't say much more. "Uh, it's alright." He leaned down to pick it up and put it back on its proper place on the shelf. "Uh, what are you reading?"

Caolan wasn’t usually that clumsy or unaware of his surroundings but this dude was so quiet and he was so engrossed in the fact that the library was stocking a classic muggle comic that he uncharacteristically had knocked this poor guys book out of his hand. He bent down to pick it up for him but the guy had got there first so he awkwardly stood back up and leaned against a shelf. Totally cool.

As for what he was reading, he imagined that a lot of his fellow Claw’s would probably judge him on his lack of appreciation of a classic novel. It wasn’t his fault that he lost interest so easily. He was more of a get outside and play a sport or a video game or hang out of your mates kind of guy than a hide yourself away and read a book sort of boy. “Oh.. it’s just an original comic.. Spiderman” Did these wizards actually know who Spiderman was? In a way it was both lucky and a curse that Caolan had grown up mostly in the muggle world. It had meant that he was pretty world-wisely and confident but it also meant that he was quite behind his classmates.

“I didn’t realise this place existed until today.”

"Oh, spiderman....is it good?" Indigo wasn't the best at holding a conversation with people, especially people he didn't really know. But he was doing his best. Both his sister and his therapist would encourage this. He was supposed to talk to people without freaking out. So far, this was fine. Also, he had heard about spiderman. While his mom, who had raised him, was a wizard, he currently lived with his father and stepmother, who were both muggles. They also had a small child. So while he wasn't a spiderman expert, he had at least heard the name.

"I don't think it was here last year."

Was Spiderman good?! Poor kid had clearly been deprived of classic comics and hadn’t read a single Stan Lee. The man was an absolute genius! But he supposed it wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and these Wizarding sort probably read completely different literature to what he and his mates were used to. “I think they’re great but it depends what you’re into.” Caolan really couldn’t be bothered to sit through a thick novel and have to concentrate on character and plot developments and subtle themes and whatever other nonsense his English Literature teacher used to spout on about. “If you like action and superheroes they’re great but you’re not going to find a long read and loads of fancy words in these.” It wasn’t that they were for the dumb, Caolan would never class himself as that, but they were just more of an easy read.

As for the library not being there last year Caolan wouldn’t know anyway. “Oh this is my first year here. I moved from a muggle school in Northern Ireland.” Kid probably didn’t want to know nor really cared about his backstory but Caolan was going to tell him anyway. Get the conversation flowing and stuff, y’know? “I haven’t really found my way fully around the castle yet but I thought I’d got my bearings in the Common Room.” He was obviously wrong.

He shoved a book back on the shelf which he had accidentally nudged when he had knocked the other kid and placed the comic underneath his arm ready to take back to his dorm later.

“I’m Caolan.”

Indigo just sort of shrugged. "I'll read pretty much whatever you put in front of me." He'd read a few things this summer, but before that he hadn't had much time for reading. He'd been a fifth year so all of his free time had gone toward studying for his OWLs. This comic looked like it could be fun though, and an easy read that wouldn't take him very long. He'd have to check it out some time.

Oh, so he was new here. That made sense, actually, as Indigo didn't remember seeing him around. Though it wouldn't have been all that surprising if he just hadn't noticed him. That had happened. "A muggle school? How come you didn't come to Hogwarts earlier? I transferred here too. From Beauxbatons, though, the wizarding school in France. This is my third year here." But his transfer actually made sense, from one wizarding school to another. Why had this kid come from a muggle school? He was not that much younger than Indigo himself. What, a fourth or fifth year? Did that mean he didn't know anything about magic? He was going to be so behind in his studies. The thought was starting to stress Indigo out and it didn't even have anything to do with him.

Oh, right, introductions. "I'm Indigo."

Was it just him orvwas this guy really not the talkative sort? Caolan got it, he was the new guy and he hadn’t formed any bonds with anyone yet and they were all teenage boys and making friendships probably wasn’t number one of their to do list. But Caolan was willing to try and engage this guy in a flowing conversation whether he liked it or not. “You might like it then. It’s mostly pictures and speech quotations” he grinned.

Ah so here was where it got more engaging and interesting. It seemed to be a good talking point, his muggle upbringing. It seemed to interest most people how he was going to get on in a school during his OWL year when he was so far behind. “My Ma is a muggle and my Da was a wizard. We lost my Da when I was younger and Ma decided that she wanted me closer to home.” His Ma suffered a lot and Caolan also felt it was better for him to attend the local muggle secondary school and help his Ma around the farm and with his younger sisters when it was needed. He hadn’t minded really. “My grandparents taught me the basics in magic at the weekends so I’m not really that far behind.” He knew how to cast a basic spell, he could brew a basic potion and as his father was a Herbologist he loved being outside and learning about plants and creatures.

He was glad that Indigo was a fellow transfer too as he would know what situation the fifteen-year-old was in. “Its nice to meet you mate” he smiled.

"I'll check it out," he said, and he meant it. He was always willing to read really whatever was suggested. Though he wasn't sure if this boy was implying that he was the sort to like books that were mostly pictures. Whatever, no, that wasn't important.

"Okay." Was all he said to that explanation. He supposed that he could understand that, his mother wanting him to stay closer. But even if he had been receiving some lesson it still seemed like he would be pretty far behind. If he knew the basics, did he really know much more than a first year? Maybe a third year? Whatever, that was his business, not Indigo's. So he wasn't going to pry into his business.

Except now it seemed that the conversation had come to an end. He had been doing fine, but now he didn't know what to say anymore. Indigo wasn't great at talking to other people and holding normal conversations. "So you're from, uh, Ireland?"

The whole fiasco at the Feast was slowly being put behind him. Mark was beginning to feel calm cool and collected. Nothing would startle him for the rest of the term that was for sure. Heck, he could probably go and stop by the Headmaster's office without anyone making a fuse about it at him for being the Headmaster's pet. For the most part, it seemed everyone was under the impression that half the school drank the spiked Pumpkin Juice. Only that no one knew who.

Yeah, no.

He'll still probably need another month before he can try to visit the Headmaster casually.

Anyways, Mark was more interested in getting back to reading the books at Professor Stewart's Library of books she left for only the flock. The young Ravenclaw stood on his tip-toes and looked over some books one shelf still too high for him to properly see without standing on his toes.

When will his growth-spurt happen? It's gotta be soon right?

Nope. Dude really wasn’t much of a talker was he? He resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose in protest choosing to keep trying to engage him in conversation. He would speak to him. And at least he had agreed to reading the comic he had suggested. Caolan thought he had pretty good taste if you asked him, the guy wouldn’t regret it. “I’ll give you this after I’m done with it” It would only take him all of two days to finish it provided they weren’t dumped with a load of homework in the first week. Why did teachers always do that?! First week of term and you’re just settling in? Here have 5 different assignments all due on Monday.

Moving on..

The matter of his nationality came up and he couldn’t help a little smirk. “Is it that obvious?” The accent was a dead giveaway. “Technically I’m from Northern Ireland.” Which still made him British. He was pretty proud of his heritage. He was from a small farm that his family owned in the luscious green hills on the outskirts of the town he attended school at. He wasn’t particularly well-off, most of his school stuff was old hand-me-downs left for him by his father but he didn’t particularly care. It never really mattered at his old school so he didn’t really see why it would here.

“What about you?” he asked. Where was he from he meant.

"Well you said you went to school there." Apart from that Indigo wasn't making any sort of assumptions that he seemed Irish. What would that even mean anyway? His accent might have been a clue but Indigo wasn't great at paying attention to that sort of thing. Besides, he never liked to guess because that left open the possibility of guessing wrong and he did not like to be wrong. "I've never been." To Ireland, he meant. Or Northern Ireland or wherever. He hadn't traveled much, even to places that weren't very far away. He'd never had any reason to.

"I'm from France. I grew up there. I lived there until about three years ago." Had he already said that? No, he'd just mentioned Beauxbatons and transferring so he supposed that wasn't exactly the same thing.

Valencia's eyes widened as she took in the common room. She was never getting tired of it. The room. The ceiling. And the liiiibrary. She was pretty sure as soon as she figured out how transfiguration worked, her eyes would have literal heart eye pupils.

She ran her finger along the spine of books on the nearest shelf. Even with all seven years, was it going to be possible to look at all of these? She sure hoped so.

"Anything good?" she asked when she spotted a boy also looking.

Mark figured if he got a stool it would much easier to see the books he wanted to see. Maybe if he practiced the summoning charm here the books he wanted to read would just come to him. Really that was the simplest solution even if it meant more spells to learn. He was already teaching himself the enlarging and shrinking spells, much to the disdain of his pet beetle.

He turned his head when a Ravenclaw Girl he hadn't met yet asked him if there was anything good. "Depends on what you like to read." He answered.

He had no issue with any of the subjects or genres this shelf held. "I like reading the Fantasy novels, and the Comics." He added.

Valencia pulled out one of the books on bookshelf and scanned the back cover. "I like all books." she said simply. Well, all good books. She could find joy and appreciate the art of any written word.

"I think biographies are my favorite though." she said placing the book back on the shelf. "People are so interesting."

She nodded at his list. "Do they have those here?" As in on this bookshelf?

Heh. Was that a hint of sarcasm he detected or was that not Indigo’s style? Caolan loved a bit of banter every once in a while but some people didn’t understand his sense of humour and that had caused issues in the past. “True. Doesn’t mean I’m from there though” He chuckled. He clearly was, the accent was a dead giveaway for a start. As for never have visiting, the fifth year wasn’t particularly surprised. It was a beautiful country full of rolling green hills and friendly people but he supposed it wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. “It’s all about the scenery which I think is pretty awesome but some people may find it boring.” Which he found a bit offensive.

He headed over to the seats that were helpfully positioned in the library and flopped down on a comfy sofa. There was no point standing around in the stands when those chairs looked so inviting...

France? Now Caolan HAD visited there with his family a couple of times before. It was the only country (if you excluded the rest of Britain) that Caolan had ever gone to on a family holiday. “I’ve been to the south coast before” he grinned. And he’d heard of Beauxbatons too but didn’t know much about it. “What made you move over here?” he asked genuinely interested.

Indigo supposed he was right. Just because he went to school in Ireland didn't mean he necessarily lived there. Hogwarts was technically in Scotland and Indigo didn't live in Scotland. Still, that was why he'd asked instead of just assuming. And now they were talking about him, which Indigo never liked. He especially didn't like that question.

Caolan had moved over to sit on the comfy couches, but Indigo didn't follow. He wasn't feeling particularly relaxed. He hoped the other boy didn't think he was rude for not sitting, but honestly he didn't care too much if he did. This way, it was easier for him to leave if he wanted to. And he definitely would rather have left than answer that question, but he forced himself to stay. "My sister and I moved in with our father." Was that satisfactory?

Caolan generally had quite an outgoing and approachable type of personality which made it especially difficult when communicating with kids that were the opposite. He was usually interested in what they were going to say and struggled when they didn’t play ball. This kid was one of them but Caolan wasn’t going to give up just yet. There had to be something that he liked talking about, right?

Most teenagers enjoyed talking about themselves. It would inflate their already giant egos, at least that was what he had found but the switch in conversation topic hadn’t seemed to work.

The fifth-year shrugged as his fellow Ravenclaw stayed-put where he was stood and dumped his comics down by the side of him. This was comfy and this was where he was staying. Indigo once again wasn’t telling him much and he wracked his brains trying to think how they could progress their conversation without things getting too awkward. “Do you like it here?” At this school he meant. That was easy enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilFox06

Valencia pulled out one of the books on bookshelf and scanned the back cover. "I like all books." she said simply. Well, all good books. She could find joy and appreciate the art of any written word.

"I think biographies are my favorite though." she said placing the book back on the shelf. "People are so interesting."

She nodded at his list. "Do they have those here?" As in on this bookshelf?

That sounded very Ravenclaw to say. Which was fitting since they were both in fact Ravenclaws. Being bookish fell into their stereotype. Not that all Ravenclaws had to be bookish. Mark was still suffering from some old prejudice his dad instilled him as a kid. The young Eagle knew how wrong his father was after one year with the House. It wasn't as bad.

"Biographies? Do you like reading about certain kinds of people?" he asked, curious. "I mean, do you read more about Athlete's or Potioneers?" As an example.

Valencia grinned. "I prefer muggle biographies, actually." she said enthusiastically. "Have you heard of Churchill? I've got like twelve about him."

And it was NOT enough. She was always on the lookout for those.

Uh...well Mark knew about him. Not too much. "He called a woman Ugly once right? Seems like a rude guy." Most of the Muggle Biographies Mark would see and sometime get to read biographies or some really really old dead people like Tutankhamun or Leif Erikson. The name Winston Churchill though? It came up in passing during some history classes in Primary school but mark wasn't that interested. "Maybe I could borrow one?"

Why was he asking to read a Muggle Biography!? Mark wanted to read about Ant-Man!!

Valencia nodded seriously. "Oh. Most definitely. He was a deeply flawed man." Which, in her opinion, made his so interesting. "He turned out to be a great leader that was needed, despite all that."

She nodded. "Yeah. Of course. I've got plenty." She was always willing to share and introduce people to her interests. "Maybe you should show me something you like too?"