Nothing Better To Do Closed

Tommy was walking into the Great Hall when he noticed Tara. He hadn't spoken to many people before now, and he noticed she too was a Hufflepuff from the color of her gown as well as where she sat. He quietly made his way over to her and sat down.

He opened his bag and pulled out a book to read. The book was on animals. Not even magical ones. Just regular animals. Tommy had brought it with him from home to keep him from feeling too homesick. He smiled as he looked over the many reptiles in the book. Those were his favorite! They didn't compare to his strange love for dragons, though.

When Tommy noticed the girl across from him was finished with her art, he slowly set his book down and smiled. He wanted to wait until she was done to speak. It was polite anyway. "That's a really nice owl... I mean... Uh... I like your drawing...it's nice art? I ugh .. I just .. sorry! I love your drawing, yeah." Tommy smiled awkwardly, his face red from messing up his words so much. He couldn't help it. Living on a farm with nobody to talk to sort of destroyed one's ability to properly socialize sometimes.

Nevertheless, Tommy kept his friendly demeanor. He wouldn't want the other thinking he was teasing or something rude.

Tara had noticed the boy come and sit close to her, but tried her best to not make eye contact. She too was quite awkward, and didn't really know how to react. She was confused as to why he decided to sit right next to her when the whole table was basically empty, but also part of her was a little glad she wasn't alone.

She began to focus on fixing the little details on her drawing, erasing extra lines and fixing up the proportions. Although, from the corner of her eye she was watching the other Hufflepuff. She had to stop herself from leaping into a conversation once she noticed the animal book. She didn't want to see crazy and make it obvious she was watching what he was doing.

He made the first move thankfully, and Tara looked at him with an embarrassed look on her face "Oh, uh, thanks..." She responded, not meeting his eyes. "It's not that good..." The girl trailed off with a slight shrug, examining it once more before placing it to the side with a sigh, wanting to change the subject. She never felt comfortable talking about her talents.

Tara's eyes then landed on the book. It was a perfect time to bring it up! "That book looks super cool" she began with a smile, leaning over to point at a picture of a snake. "I love snakes! I've wanted one ever since I was young when I met this milk snake at a zoo named 2%!" She laughed. The girl had really opened up now that she was talking about something she was passionate about.

Tommy immediately noticed the girl's interest in his little animal book. He handed it to her and grinned at her little story about the snake. He loved snakes. But, not as much as he loved lizards. Or frogs. Despite not being reptiles, frogs were quite cool to him.

Tommy leaned over and examined her drawing as he waited for her to look through his book. He smiled and gently ran his finger over the owl's sketched body. He found it amazing. He couldn't draw at all, so this was beautiful to him. The boy looked back to the other and hummed a bit. "Do you like snakes or lizards more? Or perhaps both equally as much? I prefer lizards because the look like little dragons without wings!"

Tommy eventually decided maybe the girl liked dragons too, so he cleared his throat and decided to be a little more confident with his words. "Do you like dragons perhaps? I love them .. I... I want to see one up close. In person! I've always wanted to touch one... Is that strange...? I... Uhm.. sorry I probably shouldn't be so direct, huh?" Tommy turned red and looked away for a moment. He was certainly lacking in his social skills. This was something he knew he needed to work on, but just was too shy to try anything new.

Tara tried to ignore the slight panic she felt while he was examining her drawing. She didn't really know why she felt that way. Maybe she was worried he'd ask her more about it? Or find something wrong with it? The boy then asked her a question, and it helped her clear her mind
"I like them both a lot. I love all animals." She responded with a light laugh.
Her eyes grew wide and excited when he mentioned dragons "Dragon's are so cool! I'd love to see one in person. As long as it doesn't try to kill me though..." She once again laughed.
"Imagine being able to ride one? That'd be amazing!" She then realized how eager she seemed and became more relaxed, not wanting to scare the boy away.

Tara had always loved Dragons ever since she was really young, but of course growing up in the muggle world, they were all just fairy tales. When she found out that they were actually very real, as well as so many other mythical creatures she had loved to read about, she could barely believe it. Tara couldn't wait till she was old enough to take Care Of Mythical Beasts and learn all about them.

Tara felt giddy at his response, turning in her seat to face him and sitting cross legged on top of the wooden bench.

“This is all new to me too” she admitted with relief, although it didn’t show on her face. She kept on smiling.
“I’ve been reading as much as I can about all sorts of creatures. I’d love to work with them when I’m older.”

Tara was glad that the boy seemed just as interested in this conversation as she was. She was always worried about boring people with the things she enjoyed.
“I’ve always had pets growing up and I don’t think I could live without them.” She laughed awkwardly, a little embarrassed about admitting that. She truly loved all animals, and before coming to Hogwarts she even wanted to be a vet, although a little much less so now that she realized she doesn’t like seeing hurt animals... or blood.

“I could show you some of the cool books I’ve read in the library some time if you’d like. There is one that’s about all types of magical birds, almost like a, uh, muggle, bird watching book” she stumbled a bit on the word ‘muggle’, not used to using that word to explain non-magical humans, which she thought she was for her whole life.

Tara laughed and nodded in response at the boys words.
"I totally understand" She agreed, leaning a little closer to Tommy now that she felt more relaxed. The girl made sure to keep a decent distance though, not wanting to make things awkward and uncomfortable for the both of them.
"At least we can be embarrassed together!" Her hazel eyes sparkled with amusement. She was glad she wasn't the only one feeling so lost, and wanted to make sure he understood that he wasn't alone either.

She then thought back to the books she had seen in the massive library. She definitely remembered seeing a shelf all filled with different Dragon ones. Tara hadn't had time to read any yet because sadly the librarian only let students take a few books out at a time.
"Oh yeah, there were definitely some dragons books there." she replied eagerly, brushing some of her brown hair, which had fallen in front of her eyes in her excitement, out of her face.

"Do you want to head there now?" Tara asked curiously with a tilt of her head, hoping he would say yes. She didn't really have much else to do, and now all this talk about mythical beasts were making her enthusiastic to share her finds with the other Hufflepuff.

The awkward boy looked to his new friend again and smiled politely. He would have loved to see the library, but he had been feeling quite under the weather recently. He was unsure about moving from his current spot. Tommy felt as if this was his easiest way to rest and still talk to possible friends. He shook his head with a little frown on his soft face. He didn't want to seem rude, not at all, but he also did not want the girl to have to see him be uneasy. That would only embarrass him. And perhaps embarrass her as well.

"I'm afraid it would be best for us to stay here for now. I haven't been feeling well recently. I would probably have to go back to my room fairly quickly after moving to the library. I should probably get rest! But I would much rather make a friend, like yourself, rather than sleep or doze off. Is that okay? I really hope.. hope you aren't...Upset. I'm really. . Sorry. Honestly! Please don't be too mad with me..." he looked down, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. He couldn't help feeling so paranoid. He had spent so much time alone that he didn't know how people would react to him at this point. It was so hard for him to tell.

Tara's face grew hot, her stomach heavy and her heart pounded. Idiot. You shouldn't have even asked him that in the first place! She cursed at herself inside her head. But, on the outside she hid it by showing the boy a kind smile.

"No, no, no! That's okay! No need to apologize. I totally understand." It was true, she did understand, but part of her was still disappointed. Tara felt horrible for feeling that way, since she could see herself exactly in his place.

"If you don't mind me asking, why aren't you feeling well? Are you ill?" she then asked, not wanting to leave an awkward silence. Concern showed on her face and in her voice. She hoped she wasn't intruding, but maybe she could help in some way?

"It's alright if you don't want to talk about it!" Tara added quickly, chewing on her bottom lip. She wanted to make sure Tommy knew she wasn't trying to pressure him into telling her anything he wasn't comfortable with.

Even though the two had just met, they had a lot more in common with each other than they thought. Tara was starting to come to realization with this, but it was still far back in her mind.