The Librarian's Desk IC

Interacting with @Alexander Varellion

Another day at the library, most days looked like the others with variation coming from those who wandered in. Whether on purpose, begrudgingly, or purely out of boredom and an attempt to find something to captivate their attention at least for a little while. Today was a day of cataloging old books that hadn't been checked out in years to move them to a different location within the library to make room for more prioritized books. There was only so much room within the shelves, and books were still continually being released to fill the Hogwarts shelves with new knowledge. Every now and again she would look up to watch as people walked into the library to see who her visitors would be today. It was just something to do if her eyes needed a break from staring at the worn covers of old tomes that had passed through too many hands to even think about.

Her attention was grabbed from the entrance as someone had snuck up to her desk with a polite excuse me. A small smile grew on her face, being able to have a break from her least favorite monotony was always welcome. "Hi there, what can I help you with today? She pushed the book she was cataloging to the side for the moment, listening intently to the young boys questions. "Mental magic? That's quite an intense topic." She hummed to herself. "Well, anything about the forgetfulness potion how to reverse it and all that should be in the potions book that you already have, should it not?" She was a librarian, but still, some things escaped her every now and again. "Come on, let's go search together." She stood up and brushed herself off, heading towards the M section. "Are you worried about the forgetfulness potion being used on you?" She threw a cautious glance over her shoulder, one to make sure he was following, and two to get a read on his reaction or emotions if possible.

Reducio

OOC: Due to lore not being released on mental magic, things will have to be kept a bit vague but I'll do my best to assist him!

Interacting with: @Robyn Finley

As they walked Alexander bit his lip, still a little nervous as he responded to the librarian. Who seemed to be quite perceptive in fact. It seemed he would have to continue to dodge the real reason, but a layer of honesty could perhaps help with shrouding the actual heart of the matter.

“Well, the potions book speaks about general antidotes to common and rare poisons. But I am fairly sure that it does not work for the forgetfulness potion. Since the antidote might be more focused on treating actively harmful poisons. ” He would take in a large gulp, and let a small shiver of nervousness go through him.

“Yeah, it is quite a scary potion. With normal poisons you at least know you are poisoned and you can prepare for them. You can seek treatment and you can keep a bezoar or antidotes for poison on you. But I don’t know if I can protect myself from a potion like that, one that makes me forgot what happened. Someone could do horrible things to me, and I wouldn’t even know or remember.........”

There was silence for a moment.
“So yeah, it is quite disconcerting. I probaply shouldn’t worry about it as much but it just is in the back of my mind constantly. The idea that I or anyone for that matter could invariably be altered and be able to do nothing about it. Even if it is rare, it is worrying.”

Mhm, he might have let a little bit shine through, but it should work. He didn’t let the true meaning shine trough and at worst would think perhaps someone pranked him with a forgetfulness potion.

Interacting with @Alexander Varellion

Robyn was never one that was super into potions. Often times in class when she attended Hogwarts she would spend her time studying about other things when they weren't actually making the potions. Not to say that she did terribly awful in the class, but she definitely wasn't great. It was just her curse that someone would come in asking very specific questions about a subject she didn't very much care for or store a ton of knowledge for.

She nodded as he spoke about his fears, something that seemed like an extreme fear for his age. "I must agree, the forgetfulness potion can be rather cruel. Can't it? Are you worried about someone specifically, that you know, using it on you? Or just in general?" She paused, peering at him curiously. There was always something more to these things. An extra element that caused the fear to come up in the first place. As they reached the shelves in the section that would have books pertaining to mental magic, her hands drifted across the shelves looking for something to help him out. "Have you tried talking to the potions professor about this at all? He would have more valuable, practical, information than possibly what myself of books could give you. He is the professor for a reason." She picked up a couple books she thought might have the answers but, nothing. She replaced them and started walking them to the section about potions and antidotes instead.

Interacts with: @Robyn Finley

Alexander fidgeted a little with his fingers. Twisting his thumbs a little, considering what to say before answering. Slightly biting his lip before doing so. "I suppose more in general. Just the idea that anyone can use it. And I mainly came here because I didn't know if the forgetfulness potion was the only one of it's kind. Or if there were other things that could change people's memories. I mean, if there is one thing like that, why not something else."

He then gulped a bit as he considered what to say about the potions professor. Then supposed he should tell a part-truth, something which did factor into why he came here. "And honestly, I don't feel........... at ease near professor Ostrowski. When he lectures I just feel.... tense. As if something might happen at any moment, it is probably irrational but I prefer the more academic answer in books. " He then partly tense watched the librarian as she searched for something about the forgetfulness potion. He did not know if it specifically was the cause of his conundrum, but he supposed it was as good a place as start as any. Especially as he himself was lacking information.

Whilst they walked to another section Alex considered it might be best to divert the questions a bit. Divert the attention from him specifically. "So miss, why did you want to become a librarian ? I suppose it is exciting, especially with the stuff in the forbidden section, but is it like a lifetime career or more a temporary job ?"

Interacting with @Alexander Varellion

The boy trailing behind her seemed incredibly nervous for just being curious about the forgetfulness potion. The fear that seemed to drip from the avoidance in his words was obvious, but she would leave it be. He was going around her in circles with his answers, and honestly she understood what it was like not to have one's fears known. Wanting to keep them tucked under her own psyche for analysis. "Ah, I really wish I knew more about them then to help you more. I believe memory magic is often one that is not touched, or at least it shouldn't be in my opinion. Using magic to mess with one's mind is incredibly... dark." She sighed, knowing that there were a couple spells that affected them. Magic was incredibly powerful, and with that came a fear of what it could do. Briefly a question of whether or not the boy was muggle born passed through her mind. "May I ask your name so I can make sure to send you any future books that come along my way to pass onto you?"

She stopped at the potions section and started thrumming through titles, summoning a couple books from the higher shelves that she didn't feel like climbing the ladder for. For a moment she paused as she talked about the frightening Professor. "You know, some of the scariest professors can actually be the kindest. They seem to hold a facade to incite fear and respect in class. But, actually if you go and talk to them they can be quite helpful. I'm speaking from experience of course." She handed him a couple books that mentioned anything to do with memory or magic that affected the mind. "Remember, books will only take you so far without the real experienced answers to back them up from people too." She smiled and started walking them back towards the desk to get him checked out for the books.

With a slight hum of thought on why exactly she became a librarian she began to speak, slowly, as if chewing through her words before they left her mouth. "Knowledge has always excited me, yes. But there's only so much to hold in my brain, and as a librarian there's less time to actually read the the books that we protect. This is my lifetime career, I've been doing it since I graduated Hogwarts and I really don't see myself doing anything else. I see myself as a stop in people's quests for knowledge. Helping them search for what they most want answered. That's the part of my job that's my favorite. Learning what people are interested and fascinated in. Often you can get the stories that don't exist on shelves, but rather in people. Without the writers, dreamers, researchers, there would be no books to read at all. So I'm grateful to them. To the people that traverse the shelves for what interests them, or in your case, what scares them." She smiled down at him gently. "Books are important yes, but don't forget how important the knowledge that lies outside of these novels and within people's minds is too." She tapped her own forehead for emphasis.

While people truly terrified her, they also filled her with a sense of wonder of the passions that lied within them.

Interacts with: @Robyn Finley

As he heard the librarian talk he had to frown a little. He was not sure about giving her his name, she might be asking just for honest curiosity and helpfulness or to perhaps note it down for more sinister uses. Should he be honest, tell his name or give some other name, it was quite a dilemma. But in the end, he had no choice. Though Hogwarts was a large castle, it was a small place. And at the very least he might have to spend a future six years with the Librarian. At some point in time it was inevitable that he would slip up or that she would find out if he used a fake name. He then kept a slightly nervous smile, trying to only give a slight amount of nervousness away, like a student talking to an intimidating adult. Though he worried he might have let too much sine through already. "My name is Alexander Varellion."

As he said so he watched carefully for any signs of recognitions. He had his suspicions but since the librarian was quite new he did not suspect she might be part of anything yet. At least anything involving him. He then listened to carefully to what she was saying. Reluctantly nodding in agreement. Though still disagreeing in some parts. "True, they may hold up a facade for fear and respect. In their own brand of tough love. But one must also listen to their instincts and intuitions, if a person is scary and terrifying there might be a reason for it. Beyond just trying to look that way." then he accepted the books, an eager look on his face as they then walked towards the reception. To which he talked to her about being a librarian. Which she was of course passionate about. Which made sense, considering it was her job. Why wouldn't people like their jobs, if they were going to do it for the rest of their lives. ((OOC: poor, in some ways, naive boy))

As she talked he slowly nodded long before finally responding. "It is true. Books are inherently flawed. They don't contain all the knowledge. Especially as their writers themselves can be biased. Which may go into their books as well. So one always needs multiple sources. As well as to trust their own judgements and experiences of course. "

Then, after the books were checked out he gave a grateful nod.
"Thanks for the help, I'll be going along then. Have more homework to do." A small tired sigh then left Alexander. He would then walk away and give one final wave, with a little difficulty as one hand was tied up with balancing the books. Before leaving the library. As he got out of sight he let out a deep breath, tension mostly leaving his body. That was stressful, and he was not sure how effective he had been. But at the very least he now had some more info to work with.

Interacting with @Alexander Varellion

Robyn nodded in confirmation, repeating his name once to commit it to memory. "Alexander Varellion. You know, your last name sounds similar to a shade of green... what is it..." She tapped her chin a couple moments in deep though. "Ah! Vermillion, vermillion green. Just a couple letters off if I'm correct in the assumption on how to spell your last name." She smiled down at him as if this was a brilliant fact he may not have known about his own name. Truthfully, linking names to things she knew helped her remember the names in the long run especially with trying to keep up with so many students.

Her nose couldn't scrunch up at the thought that some of the Professors seemed to be completely intimidating and unapproachable, some people couldn't help it. She was lucky that from a young age she had always been approachable, much to her own distaste of solitary time being interrupted by people wanting to spend time with her because she seemed like a friendly face. There was a reason she wasn't sorted into Hufflepuff. "I implore you to reconsider that assumption about your Professors. Listening to your intuition about strangers sure, but if they don't want to help students willing to learn then they shouldn't be teaching here at Hogwarts, hm?" She couldn't help but let out a small sigh, she understood where he was coming from. She was the same way when she attended, but it left her falling behind in a lot of classes until she learned to speak up for herself.

Once they got to her desk, she wrote down his name on a list of other students in particular subjects they were interested in. She would remember them easily in time, but for now writing them down was always helpful. While he spoke she worked on checking out the books for him, nodding in return to show she was still listening. "See, you get it. Make sure you're getting your information from multiple sources and you'll be setting yourself up for success. Now remember, these books are due in a week unless you ask for an extension." She pushed them back towards the boy with a smile, nodding with his thanks. "Have a good day Mr. Varellion." With another student helped, she returned to the rest of her duties for the day.

Robyn Finley is available for interaction.

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@Robyn Finley

Scarlett was never the most studious of students, and her effort in her homework seemed to always be rather unpredictable. She could get an O in Charms on one day and a D the next, and her grades always appeared to be rising and falling dubiously. However, there was one subject she was dreadful at, atrocious at. And that was Herbology.

The reason for this was probably her lack of interest in the subject, as well as her natural disability to take care of plants. Magical ones included. She had been relatively easy on herself about her marks in the subject until she received three failing grades in a row. If she didn't work to get her marks up, she could very much fail her exams. It was a daunting prospect and she had swallowed all her pride to just trek to the library. Scarlett had never glanced at the Herbology books before, but she decided that she needed some librarian assistance, perhaps some recommendations and even a few study tips, if they knew any.

Scarlett entered the library. It was a nice place, with its rows and rows of books, but she wasn't a regular around these parts. She ventured to the main desk where a redheaded lady sat, piles of books behind her. "I - um - hello," started Scarlett. "I have a few questions...about things and I was - er - hoping you could give me some advice, if that's alright..." She trailed off. Asking for help wasn't really something she usually did, but someone with bad grades had to do what someone with bad grades had to do.

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Interacting with @Scarlett Aden

The chilly months were slowly settling in, November coming much quicker than Robyn had expected. She had already been working here for over a month, yet it felt like she had worked here for no time at all. The only thing that made her realize how much time she had been her was her ever increasing familiarity with the students. The regulars were pretty much committed to memory, leaving room for students that didn't frequent the library as much to be remembered much easier. Waitlists were now completely organized and books of interest were constantly sent to her favorite most notable students of conversation.

The lockdown had proved to be an interesting even for her at Hogwarts, making her realize truly the dangers that seemed to lurk at the corners. It was hard to fully believe that such a safe haven of school was really in danger, but there was no time to really think about that. There were books to be sorted, students to be helped. Sometimes a mild ignorance was bliss. Although that didn't mean she wasn't vigilant for things out of place.

Today was a pretty mild day of checking in a few new books, giving them the appropriate charms, and handing them off to the house elves to sort into the shelves. She was actually just finishing up when a student approached her desk. A look of concentration turned into one of welcoming to the stumbling girl in front of her. "I absolutely can, a library is a perfect place to start looking for answers. What exactly are your questions Ms...?" An eyebrow arched gently to prod for a name.

Outfit Reference

Reducio

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@Robyn Finley

Scarlett was never really one to ask for help, preferring to muddle her way through any problems with the basic grasp of what she had to do, and perhaps some secretive research and subtle questions as to not wound her pride. However, there came the rare time that she just had to swallow down her ego and approach someone to directly request advice and help. The consequences were too dire otherwise. It made Scarlett feel better asking for assistance in the presence of this librarian. She radiated a warmth of some sort and Scarlett found it easier to talk. The librarian was a redhead like her, clad in autumn-like colours. Everything about her was, as said earlier, warm.

"Scarlett, Miss," she said, in response to the gentle prodding for her name. I was wondering if you had any input as to which Herbology textbooks would be best for someone who - er - isn't that great at it?"

She straightened a little, not wanting to give off a nervous vibe. Scarlett wasn't shy, for Merlin's sake. She was perfectly capable of not stumbling through her words! She gave a sheepish sort of smile to the librarian. "If you don't mind, that is..."

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