Much Ado About Muggles Closed

@Sarah Lightwood

Paisley walked into the library, sat down, and started to study. This was very strange. She didn't do this often. It was a rare sight to see the girl working on a single task for over five minutes, but was an even stranger sight to see her working hard. Why was she doing this exactly? She had an important test coming up she absolutely couldn't afford to fail, and she wanted to be a better student in general. After all, what was a student that didn't work hard? Useless, that's what they were. If Paisley didn't work hard she was useless. She had made this up in her mind, and once she made something up, she had an awfully hard time letting go.

She spent most of the afternoon studying, not letting anything drop her attention. It was completely out of character for her, and for most other first years, who viewed school as a social encounter rather than a place to learn. Still, she was determined, and that was enough to make her study until her head pounded.

When she had been reading for over 2 hours, she decided enough was enough of all this 'focusing' and 'working intently'. She looked up just as a girl with startlingly green hair wandered into the library. Paisley, feeling intrigued, started to follow them. She kept her books where they were, and pretended to look through a new book next to where the Slytherin stood. Ahh, a Slytherin! Shoot. Paisley said to herself, but then decided something. She could be afraid of the house of the slithering snakes no more! they were still all children, weren't they? They were equal, no matter the color of their robes.

She glanced over again, and then looked back down into her book. Hmm..should I say something? she wondered. I should. No, I shouldn't. She'll think I've been following her. Which I have been. I'll be discovered. Is she looking at me? What should I do? I'll say hi.

With her mind made up, Paisley spoke to the girl in a hushed voice, so as not to upset the librarian. "Hi." she said, and then quickly looked back down at the book in her hands. What on Earth am I reading about? she wondered.

The hairs on Sarah’s neck stood on end as she felt eyes on her. She was being watched. It wasn’t a new sensation; she’d spent years of her life attending balls and banquets which often led to her being the centre of attention. Not by her choice of course. She simply always managed to stand out, be it because of the colour of her hair, the way she so obviously rebelled against the social conventions of the people she was surrounded by, or simply because there was always a new and exciting rumour going around about the Lightwood girl who didn’t fit in. Point being, she’d learned how to sense when she was being watched many years ago.

This time was strange though. The eyes she could feel were less disgusted than usual, more curious. She chanced a glance to the person the eyes belonged to, momentarily surprised that the girl was a Gryffindor. Curiouser and curiouser. Most members of other houses took a wide birth when it came to Sarah, but the mousy-haired girl continued to watch and follow in a way she probably thought was subtle. It wasn’t.

Sarah waited for the girl to decide whether or not she actually wanted to strike up conversation. She waited for a few minutes more, almost resigned to the fact that she wasn’t going to speak, when the girl finally did. Sarah turned her head slowly, in a way she realised probably looked more predatory than the casual she was aiming for. Her narrow face often looked unapproachable and without a smile to soften her features, she’d been told on numerous occasions that she could look downright scary.

“I wondered how long it’d take for you to speak.,” Sarah said, her words not unkind but spoken with an unintentional edge which was often the cause of her scaring people away. "I was beginning to think there was just something on my face." Yeah, that wasn't any better. She silently cursed herself. Stop being weird, for Merlin’s sake. She quickly shook her head, wishing she could take back her words. “Hi,” She started again, letting her lips curl up into what she hoped was a warm smile, “I’m Sarah. It’s nice to meet you.”

@Sarah Lightwood

Paisley stepped back, slightly angry. Who did this girl think she was, being so rude? Paisley cocked her head to the side as she spoke again. She sounded friendlier, almost happy to meet her. It was confusing, but Paisley understood what they were trying to do. She had done that a few times herself. Sometimes the easiest way to make a conversation go correctly was just to restart, so she let it pass without a comment.

"Hi. I'm Paisley. It's good to meet you too..." she trailed off. That was partially a lie. So far her interactions with this girl had not been ideal, so she couldn't say it was good. Still, she couldn't be rude. That would be completely embarrassing. Paisley let the silence drag on for a few moments, and then she spoke.

"Reading up on your muggles?" she asked, looking at the label of the shelves. There was a vast expanse of books, and she wondered how muggles could be that interesting to anyone. There were books explaining about telephones, fitting in and wearing the right thing, not using magic to cook dinner, and so many more things that anyone could do with their common sense. At least, that's what Paisley had thought before seeing all these books. Now she wasn't sure what 'common sense' was. these witches and wizards must be absolutely helpless! They need a book telling them how to get around without a broom!

"I always wondered what it would be like to not know about muggle stuff..." she turned to the girl again. "I'm a half blood. My mom's pure-blood, and my dad a muggle. It's-" she hesitated, thinking for the right word, Interesting in my house to say the least."

Why am I telling this random stranger so much information? Paisley scolded herself. She was never like this! She was usually quiet and reserved, what had gotten into her today?

Having just ditched the Astronomy class that he was supposed to have just attended, he found himself wandering the halls of the castle, avoiding free prefects that roamed and teachers that were on the loose. It was typical for him to do so, specifically for that class; it was awful. Regardless, the boy had more pressing matters that needed to be fulfilled and he found himself entering the library a lot recently. The study of wandlore still healthy, but, quickly turning into an unhealthy obsession becoming evident with every visit to the library he made. Thankfully, by the time he had ditched all the lingering authoritative figures, the bell had rung for the classes to be off and he could freely make his way into the library where he'd doubt anyone would be visiting at this time of day.

Making his way to the most frequented section of shelves that contained the books of his desire, flashes of light could be seen through the open spaces of books that looked through beyond each of the isles. The ivory-colored aspen wood wand spun throughout the fingers of the boys' hand, twisting quickly as a drummer would do with their sticks. This was a tick for him, constant attention to his beloved partner that chose him. That was what he was most interested in learning about now, the relationship between the wand and its owner, but, distraction in the form of quiet voices seemed to be plaguing the second-years ears for the time being. Golden irises still combed the bookshelf, for the time being, his head cocked to the side to more easily read the title of the books.

'blah blah blah, blah blah,' the noise of the others talking still reaching his ears.

Though Zykeal could not interpret what the two gossiping girls were talking about, as if he'd ever want to, it still annoyed him that the silence of the library was being broken by a pair of chattering girls. There was no focus anymore, he'd lost it, the quest he had set for himself to find a readable book that'd feed him more information about his passions was not to be found at the moment. Instead of pointlessly continuing the search, he made his way down to the end of the row of shelves that he was currently on and rounded the corner. Just a row apart from the chatterboxes, he turned the corner and made his way towards the two and where they were stationed at the time.

With his free hand within the pocket of the black trousers he was wearing, the other still twisting the wand throughout his fingers, he approached the two who stood talking and came to stand just to the side of them. Letting his back fall against the books of the shelves, he looked forwards, not even glancing at the girls as he started to hum an old Irish song to himself. It wouldn't be till one of the girls noticed his obvious appearance there that he'd turn to them and simply state, "I think," and he paused the twirl of the wand within his hand so that the hilt settled in the palm of his hand. Zyk nodded to himself, tapping the side of his own head with the tip of his wand, "you two must be secret lovers, meeting here like this?"

The smirk that played across the features of his face as his head cocked once more to the side to stare at the two was evident, clearly, the boy wasn't serious, but, annoyed.

@Paisley Brown | @Sarah Lightwood

The girl’s – Paisley’s – reaction didn’t go unnoticed by Sarah. She felt herself cringe slightly, more than aware that her brash words had caused offense. It hadn’t been intentional – it never was – but she found her apparent lack of ‘people skills’ more debilitating each passing day. It had suited her well back home at the manor. She’d never wanted to impress any of the guests her father insisted on inviting round as a show of face and strength, particularly after her mother’s passing. In fact, it had always been quite the opposite. She liked the unimpressed glares constantly being thrown her way, thrived on the complaints made just within earshot of the ‘Lightwood girl who needed to learn her manners’. Whatever she could do to go against her father – his backwards ways and well-polished facades – Sarah had tried them all. Of course, this had left little space for actually learning these so called ‘people skills’ she was told she lacked. She’d closed herself off since the loss of her mother and brother, in a world filled with adults who she had no interest in interacting with. So, talking to others, particularly those her age, didn’t come naturally to her.

Anxiety flared beneath her skin at the thought of ruining another potential relationship before it’d even had a chance. But then Paisley spoke, and Sarah swore she could have kissed her for not just turning up her nose and walking away. She didn’t though, aware of enough social etiquette to understand that going around kissing people without their consent was not okay. She let a small smile settle across her face as she listened to the girl.

“I’m embarrassingly clueless when it comes to anything muggle related,” Sarah admitted. As much as she hated ever appearing unsure of anything, she her usual false bravado would certainly deter the Gryffindor for good. “I find it all fascinating though, what little I’ve been able to experience. My father is... traditional in his beliefs and it doesn't offer much room to learn about how other people live," The words mad her frown. She wasn't entirely sure why she'd said them, often avoiding bringing her father into topics of conversation was the way she chose to go, but it'd seemingly slipped out. She quickly schooled her features and continued. "Growing up with muggles and magic must have been like the best of both worlds,” Sarah said, a bubble of excitement catching in her chest. She was grateful of the information Paisley had offered her, eager to hear more, when she felt eyes on her again. She tilted her head in the direction the feeling came from, catching sight of the Gryffindor boy.

She’d have offered him a smile, perhaps even a polite hello, had he not spoken. He was clearly irritated by them for whatever reason and it didn’t sit well with Sarah. She let her eyes casually assess him, moving from his head to feet and them slowly moving back up to meet his golden eyes with a raised brow. “And if we were?” She asked, her face neutral bar the slight downturn at the corners of her lips.

@Paisley Brown | @Sarah Lightwood | @Zykeal Lane

Lace had wanted to go to the library to see if she could find some more books in regards to magical beasts. She couldn't help her fascination and wanted more materiel to sift through. Though she rarely liked to travel alone to these types of communal areas, the girls from her dorm were busy today and if she wanted something bad enough she would make it happen. After a short walk Lace found herself within the library. The shelves of book scattered all around the room, for the most part rather neatly, there were of course other children, some studying, some napping, and some who seem to be scanning the various shelfs.

'In and out, find what you need quickly' Lace thought to herself. 'No time to waste, plus who knows how some of these students might treat a first year Hufflepuff like yourself'. Moving perhaps a bit too fast for her own good Lace begins wiping through the shelfs in search of the magical beasts section. Though her pace seemed to slow as she noticed chatter from a group of slightly older kids. There were three of them that she could see through the cracks of the shelf, two girls and a boy. One of the girls looked quiet intimidating, the other more friendly looking and actually seemed to be about Lace's age. The boy though seemed far too full of himself for his own good. His back leaned against the shelves, his wand dancing between his fingers.
Lace for a moment feels bad for spying in them, but she hadn't checked the shelves behind them.

With a soft inhale she holds her breathe and bites her tongue and begins walking toward the group. 'No words Lace, no weird looks, simply pass through them politely' she thinks to herself. Though as she gained ground toward them she heard the girl in green mention something about wanting to learn more about muggles. This term was still rather new to Lace, as she had never really referred to herself as one. Though she was half-blood, her mother a half-blood like herself and her father a muggle. In this brief moment of distraction Lace trips over her own shoelace and falls face first at the groups feet. The few books in her hands scattered in front of her. Very quickly and nervously before standing up she spurts out. "I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude, Ill get out of your way." she stuttered.

Interacting with: @Zykeal Lane @Sarah Lightwood @Lace Koin

"You've found us out." Paisley said, lowering her voice. She realized she had been speaking fairly loudly, and it wasn't kind to the others in the library. She walked closer to Sarah, putting her arm around her shoulder. "Of course, us 11 year olds, talking about muggles, are secret lovers. It makes perfect sense, doesn't it?" her voice was dripping with sarcasm. She took her arm off of Sarah's shoulder.

She opened her mouth to say more to her housemate who had so annoyingly come over, but another girl tripped over her shoelace and fell right at Paisley's feet before she could say anything. It startled the Gryffindor, and she leapt back. The student who had fallen looked worried and rather embarrassed, and they stuttered something inaudible. Books were sprawled out in heaps at their feet, and Paisley wondered briefly how one could need so many books. She must be a Ravenclaw. but when she saw the crest on her robe was a badger, she gave up wondering and decided to start helping.

"Hi," Paisley said awkwardly, and picked up one of the books that had been dropped, setting it on the table next to her. She paused for a few moments, thinking of what to do next.

"Here." she thrust her hand to help pull the girl to her feet. It was a rather abrupt movement. She knew what it was like to be embarrassed, and she'd hate it if that had happened to her. She decided it would be best to pretend the falling incident had never even happened in the first place. Of course, she couldn't speak for the others around her. For all she knew, they could start mocking and ridiculing the girl who had fallen. I guess we could call this a test of character.

"So, what's your name." she asked the Gryffindor boy and the Hufflepuff girl. Wow, we've got all the houses here. she realized. Accept Ravenclaws. But we're in a library, so I wouldn't be surprised if a whole swarm of them found us. They're always in here, strange birds. Who likes learning anyways?

Sarah couldn’t quite bite back the giggle that slipped past her lips when Paisley spoke the boy, finding the Gryffindor’s words funny. She hoped it meant her poor first impression was forgiven – at least to a degree. She slouched into the arm that was flung around her shoulder and gave the boy a raised brow, the corners of her lips curling with amusement. “It’s certainly the only explanation.” Sarah said in place of a quip about ‘simply not being able to control themselves’ which fizzled on her tongue.

She shot Paisley a small grin when they parted, crossing her arms over her chest. The position was one she currently adopted, and though it sometimes appeared standoffish, it comforted her. She went to offer a comment to between the trio when she caught sight of a Hufflepuff girl who was on the floor before Sarah had the chance to react. She felt her eyes grow wide as she tried to process what had just happened, and at the sight of an untied shoe, it made sense. She moved her eyes over the dropped books which littered the ground, and her heart tightened in sympathy. She saw Paisley extend her hand to help her up and quickly followed her actions, bending to the floor to pick up some of the books the Hufflepuff had dropped.

From her knelt position, Sarah shot the new girl a hopefully friendly smile. She was likely feeling embarrassed and the least Sarah could do was show her that it wasn’t actually a big deal. When she’d collected the books beside her, she stood upright and placed them alongside the book Paisley had put down on the table, before wiping away invisible dust from her knees.

Sarah waited for the pair of students to give their names, curious to work out whether she’d be able to form any new friendships with them. She hoped the Hufflepuff would feel comfortable enough around them. She had a slight appreciation for the boy’s straightforwardness – his words had been direct and a great demonstration of the supposed Gryffindor confidence.