A Few Questions PV Thomas Lestrange Closed

With steadily growing activity across all facets of the Hogwarts scene, Thomas Lestrange found himself in the study room quite often. Of course not to study, no, but to hone his craft. The precious notes of a young writer would require steady attention. His work on the headliner, in addition to the power and influence that comes with a badge. And most recently, a stab at Slytherin house's vacant keeper position. In summary, this area of study was a frequented room, but not for its intended purpose.

It was what made for a dull wand if used, and littling spell vocabulary. Though Thomas did not need a flash of light to disrupt the peace of mind of his peers. As the boy has aged, his silver tongue was his growing tool. Not quick to judgement, but his intuition allowed him to survey his peers with precision. His watchful blue eyes was all he needed to get a sense of which buttons to press to achieve any reaction he desired, or to extract information he wanted. This growing manipulative behavior is the chief danger the boy presented to others, and even himself.

Today's task, ironically enough, was to study the sport his looming approacher would come to address. A collection of books lay below the boy, who sat attentively with a straight back. Weaved in between the books that mostly focus on Quidditch was his rough leather journal, which was oft found on his person, even when the boy slept it would be situated somewhere in between his sheets.

His blue eyes would travel in between a chapter based on keeper techniques to his journal that lay to his dominant left side, occasionally stopping the downward scan of text to jot a few things down. Until a voice broke his concentration. Thomas peered up to a see a boy with dark hair and eyes, a familiar face he has seen on a few occasions. Most recently during his scouting session at the last Quidditch match. "That's right." Thomas confirmed his identity in a neutral tone, leaning back and setting his quill atop the journal on his table.

"Yes I do, among other things." Thomas went on to confirm his recognition, though hinted that his remembrance extended past the Quidditch scene. Aaron Jones was in the middle of a scandalous secretive ball on the Quidditch Pitch last year that resulted in the invasion of mosps and a burnt pitch. Perhaps the standard case of trouble seeking behavior you would expect from a Hogwarts student. Thomas would not deem him a worthy troublemaker quite yet, given the lack of clarity of his intentions that evening.

These thoughts were swiftly put to bed when Aaron displayed Thomas' most recent article in his hand, inspiring an odd sensation within the boy. To know someone actually read through what he wrote. Flattery was a great start, leaving Thomas with a wry smile that he would not attempt to hide. "Please sit, Jones." Thomas leaned until his back hit the rails of his chair, offering a nod of acceptance for Aaron to proceed.

@Aaron Jones

Aaron smiled when Thomas confirmed his identity, glad to know that he had been right in his facial recollection. He usually was. "Thanks!" he said at the invitation to sit, which he did. He scooted the chair out across from the Slytherin boy and took the seat, setting the newspaper down in the open space in front of him, still turned to the section that Thomas had written. As the second-year got comfortable, he noticed that the books in front of Thomas were all Quidditch-centered. Maybe he was writing another Quidditch article? Was he the Headliner sports writer? Was that a thing?

"So obviously, I read your section on chasers from the December edition," Aaron started, his eyes focusing on Thomas once he was settled. "Great article, by the way, but I just wondered how you got all of your statistics? Like could you explain the maths to me? And are you gonna eventually write another article on chasers?" Aaron had been so focused on just finding Thomas that he hadn't really thought properly about what he was going to ask or in what order. Instead, he was here spitballing all kinds of different questions and probably overwhelming the other boy. At this realization - the fact that he was just asking question after question - Aaron tried to reel himself back slightly.

"It's just that I'm really, really dedicated to being among the top Chasers, and I need to know how. I need more goals, right?" As he tried to explain his motivation behind seeking out Thomas, Aaron wasn't sure if he was just coming off as being annoying or not. "I mean, the end of your article mentioned how - obviously, we can't measure how leaderly someone is and charisma and that sort of thing which is all very important - but the statistical stuff is mainly goals, right? So I really need to go for those quaffle grabs, right? To statistically be good?"

Statistics were probably important to stand out to professional Quidditch teams. That's where Aaron's head was at - if he could one day be recognized by Hogwarts' publication in a major way, maybe then actual professional Quidditch teams would want to have him on their side. He still needed to do some more research on how professional Quidditch worked in terms of recruiting and if he had to go to a training school of some sort after Hogwarts, but surely something like this - standing out in the Headliner - could only help. Plus it would be really cool to see his picture in the top chasers section. And seeing Rafael's face there only irked Aaron because it was basically saying he was not yet on the same level.

@Thomas Lestrange