Snake and Badger alike PV Quinn Healy

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Ah yes the library...sanctuary for many and heaven for a few. For Quinn it was all of the above. It was his favorite place in the entirety of Hogwarts, the place he would often retreat to because he could find a lonely spot to read and grow his knowledge. Books were the one thing that could never betray Quinn quite like people could. Sure they could contain misinformation but they could never betray you. Only people could betray people. That's what Quinn firmly believed without a doubt in his mind. But his thoughts were digressing.

When he entered the library he grinned. It truly did feel like sanctuary to him and he reveled in this feeling. He had read gods know how many books in his two years there already. So with all that excitement in mind, he grabbed two books he never read from two completely unrelated sections and then went to go find a very quiet table. Luckily that day there tables a plenty but before he chose a spot he saw a very interesting sight.

He spotted a what looked to be what was frankly. A very beautiful, almost ethereal like girl. She had strange lavender eyes and skin paler than a full moon. She again was very beautiful and even more there was a cute little pygmy puff there by her hand as she was sketching from what he observed. There was no longer any reason for him not to go over and say hi. She officially got his curiosity hooked. So he did what he had to and simply walked over taking a seat next to her and put his books down gently. "Hi whatcha drawing?"
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Pip perked up his ears as he heard someone enter the Library. Nico was lost in her thoughts as she was already busy sketching away. Meanwhile she had taken out her book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them. Every time she visited this place, she was determined to draw every creature that was mentioned in this intruiging book.

The next chapter she reached was the one about the Chizpurfle. A creature that looked alot like a small crab. As Nico was still new to this whole magic world thing, every creature sparked her interest.

She drew his beady eyes and his creepy, crawly legs. Nico felt abit uncomfortable with arachne like animals. Something about the huge amount of legs made her feel quite uneasy. And what's this? It has ..FANGS?... She froze for a moment. Ofcourse.. she had fangs too, no big deal but... A crab? A trip to the beach seemed even more terrifying now... She would inform her dad later with an owl.

Carefully, the Slytherin sketched the curves of the long fangs. She couldn't help but think of horrible scenarios if she'd ever visit the beach again. What if it would bite your toe?

No, I wouldn't like that...

As she got herself in a spiral of anxiety and overthinking, Pip nuzzeled her hand as to pull her out of it. Just in time too, someone had approached her.

Nico had seen him in the corner of her eye, taking a seat next to her yet she still flinched when he finally spoke. Hopefully he didn't notice...

Looking up at him she couldn't help but blush. She didn't have enough time to get used to him suddenly being there without warning. Well,... Pip warned her... But... still not enough time.

'O-Oh! E-ehm.. I... I'm just...' Oh no... She was obviously losing her cool. Quick, take a deep breath. 'I'm... I'm sketching.. actually.' She smiled softly, still quite red in her face. As if taking her by surprise wasn't bad enough, he was quite goodlooking too. His brightblue eyes were what she noticed first, surrounded by adorable freckles. She hadn't seen a face like that here before. Her iceblue eyes scanned his appearance quickly, trying to calm down.

'O-Ofcourse, that's obvious... I'm..I'm skething a..a Chizpurfle..' She straightened her back a little, focusing on her posture helped her relax. She could do this. Nico didn't struggle with this as much as she used to, but new faces were still quite a challenge.

'I-It's a kind of crab. I..I haven't seen one in the flesh yet.. But I..don't really mind.' A shiver ran down her spine after images of a monster crab with fanges flashed before her eyes.

Nico was feeling a tad guilty that she didn't ask him anything yet even though they just met. She had a strong feeling that she didn't want him to think that everything had to be about her.'S-So' Cleared throat. 'What... are you reading?' Pip sat down on the redheads hand and watched the boy curiously. It wouldn't take long before he'd crawl over to the boy and smell his books. Different books, different smells.

[font="Monotype Corsiva"]The question was simple enough, frequent enough even that it shouldn't have caught him off guard. He guess he hadn't expected the very well otherworldly looking Slytherin from what he could tell to be so well? Well...Rosie like in the way that she spoke and acted. There was an unexpected timidness that genuinely surprised him.

He took a few long seconds to recompose himself. Quickly wiping his surprise off his face the best that he could. Coughing a little he decided to tone back his accent. It was a little skill he used to be very good at, but now was a bit rusty at. It truly amazed him how quickly a skill could deteriorate from disuse even if it's a skill you've practically mastered and used for years. His only saving grace was that much of the act itself, had been very automatic for his body. Now he just had to consciously will the act and focus a bit more to almost seamlessly transition into near perfect English.

"...Well you're definitely not what I expected in a Slytherin." It was said in a matter of fact way with no real intent behind it. More of a throwaway statement really that may or may not have slipped out on accident. "To answer your question they are books on Xylomancy and dragon species in Great Britain and Ireland. Haven't read the latter yet, or have I cracked open the former, but Xylomancy sounds very curious. Should be a fun, and informative read." That last sentence elicited a small guttural chuckle escaping his pale rosy pink lips.

A certain life had returned to his formerly dull emerald blue eyes that were now carrying a certain luster to them it seemed. "You know you don't need to be so nervous I don't bite. Also seriously? You've never seen or touched an actual crab? Then how can you sketch what you've never seen?" It was a fair question. Lost in his own thoughts he ended up repeating to her what Nico herself already know. Propping his chin on the palm of one of his hands he had his body turned toward her. One brow was raised high emphasizing the inquisitive look he was giving the young Slytherin. "I'll say it again. You really are a strange one." He laughed again, but this was more of a hardy and warm laugh. It was the kind of laugh that could be infectious and wash over you like warm honey or molasses. It was slow and thick but the feelings it elicited were warm, fuzzy, and slow building.[/font]

'X-Xylomancy?'

She had heard that term before but had no clue what it meant. Maybe she does but she's just... too flustered to wrap her head around it. Dragons she knew but hadn't found the time yet to read about. She still had to finish this one from Newt Scamander.

'What's Xylomancy? The name rings a bell but... I have no idea.' She said while lightly scratching the bridge of her nose.

And she was not to be expected from a regular Slytherin? Was she that different then? What made her different? There were typical Slytherins? A stereotype perhaps? Off her mind went overthinking his one statement. She didn't get much time to think it over. Now wasn't a good time to, she'd think about it later. Perhaps she could ask him to clarify what made him say that...

He noticed how nervous she was, which made her lightly bite her lip. Heck, it was that obvious... Something she had to work on it seemed. Good to know. Even though he told her not to be nervous, she gently put her pen down. Her hand had started shaking lightly. Holding the pen wouldn't have been so bad but if she'd have wanted to draw, her lines would've been squiggly and not natural. It would show her anxiousness too well. Folding her arms elegantly, she'd look at him carefully, trying to keep her cool. Hopefully her voice didn't sound too shakey.

'I-I..' She cleared her throat gently once more. 'I have seen a crab before, yes. Quite some, hah.' She smiled abit sheepish. 'I'm just not fond of them. At all... When I was younger I got quite a scare from one of those crabs. I... don't like crabs. Or anything with alot of legs. Especially ones with eight of them.' Closing her eyes she sighed and tried to shake off the memory of the kids that had chased her into a cabin at the beach and cornered her with a fishingnet. She had nowhere to go and nearly got a crab pushed in her face trapped in a net. It was a living nightmare. The thought of it brought some small tears to her eyes that she quickly 'swallowed' away.

'Either way... the way Mr. Scamander described the creatures, it helps me to use my own imagination to draw them. It's possible they won't be as accurate but.. y-you know. Drawing is supposed to be fun.' She smiled warmly running her fingers over the sketched lines in her book.

Quinns next move however caught her off guard again. There was something in the way he acted, very relaxed and at peace. How could he be so calm with meeting a new person? She would die at the spot but he... He just rolled with it, so to speak. Nico swallowed softly as a blush rested on her face. Her foundation made it harder to notice but it was there. Instead it showed a pink glow. Blinking her iceblue eyes flustered by his words, soon followed by a warm laugh. Who was this guy?
It made her chest feel tight and weird.

'H-How am I strange to you?' She coughed and tried not to read too much into his actions. It made her drop her guard quite a bit.

[font="Monotype Corsiva"]Xylomancy or why he thought she was strange. Ah questions, question, and more questions it excited him to no end honestly. But he shouldn't let his curiosity or short attention span allow the time to get away from him as it usually did. He supposed he should answer them in the order they were fired.

Quinn had to give her a credit though, she seemed quite passionate about not just her sketches. But the subject matter of said sketches. It was truly intriguing and fascinating none the less. He could tell based off what she was saying and how she was acting that something must have happened with the crab. Maybe something unpleasant? Either way he would file that away under the Crab incident he just now dubbed it.

....He was digressing again. Rubbing the back of his neck he chuckled awkwardly to himself. "Xylomancy is a method of divination. Put simply it's divination through the use of twigs and if I am not mistaken is considered a sort of dark practice?" It was more of a question then an answer. At least those last few words were. "Anyway, it's an interesting art and has special meaning for my country. As if you know anything about irish history or history in the region. Then you would know according to muggles and the old druidic ways that this was very much a way they used to divine." He said grinning. "There aren't too many books on the subject so it caught my fancy."

He paused letting all the information he just dumped sit with her for a few minutes. "To answer your second question, I don't mean any offense to you when I say you're strange. It's just you act more like a hufflepuff then you do as a Slytherin. Like you would fit in with us as if you were one no problem. At least that's what the few minutes I've spent with you seem to tell me. Though I'm not really one to talk about the strange department." He laughed to himself again.

"You might be a bit timid, but you also seem like quite the kind person. Approachable even, and quite easy to talk to. You're different from the few Slytherin's I know, and a particularly unpleasant one I recently met. That's what I mean by strange. You know doubt have your own ambitions, and are cunning in your own way." He paused in thought. "It's...what I'm trying to say is that you don't fit the stereotype that many might imagine a Slytherin fitting."
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Dark art huh? Nico pondered and listened to him intently as he explained. She was now certain that she had no clue. But then again, the word probably sounded to complicated to her which made her... not look up anything concerning that word. He seemed to be really interested in it. That fact made a soft smile appear on her face. There was something about the expression and bodylanguage a person uses when they tell about something they truly love and care about. It was amazing and almost enchanting watch. Almost as if admiring a painting.

Nico sadly didn't know much about Irish culture and history. She knew of vikings and the Celts but... She never looked further into it. Maybe he'd be a good source to find those facts in.

And then the compliments or curious remarks rolled in. More a Huffelpuff than a Slytherin. Timid but kind. Ambitions and cunning. That... made her break the model of a stereotypical Slytherin.

It never occured to her that she was so much different from her House students. At first she felt offended but then she let out a soft giggle.

'I-it's kind of funny.. that you say that.' She straightened her back again and slid her hands on the table, eventually draping them over one another. As a proper lady would.

'I- I came to this school with the expectation to be sorted into Gryffindor... Or more like.. with the hope I would. As you can see that... wasn't my home it seemed. It struck me rather hard. I felt bad for days but... ' She slightly turned her head back at him again. 'I'm lucky that I have some great friends that will be there for me when I need them. You know..?' Her gaze slid back to her hands as her smile faded away almost to a rather sad frown. 'People take.. friends too much for granted.'
Hugh, Serena, Alan and even Luna. Those were the first ones that popped in her head. They showed her different kinds of friendship which made her smile again. 'You shouldn't.. take them for granted.' Her iceblue eyes seemed to have turned into a darker shade of blue as she fidgeted with her fingers.

After what seemed ages, she finally snapped back out of it. 'A-Ah! I'm sorry.. I got taken away for a moment there. That was.. reckless, hah.'

She turned her face towards him once more as a few strains of redhair slid over her cheek. 'I suppose I'm flattered. No one.. really told me that before. And for you to make such an assumption in only a few minutes is rather bold. But... I'm flattered and.. you're probably right. I guess I'm sort of a..' A train of thoughts passed rapidly. ' .. A Slytherpuff. And.. if a Slytherpuff is what you said, then I'm glad to be one.'

That was quite some talking. She wasn't used to it. Her breathing got abit faster. Her lungs weren't used to this huge amount of sentences and words. Gently, she rest her hand in the center of her chest, to catch her breath softly breathing. 's-Sorry.. I'm not used to talking this much. I.. I don't mind though.'

She blinked as her eyes had turned to their original hue. 'I'm... I'm Nico. Nico Shymane.' A warm smile slid on her face. 'Who might you be? A true Huffelpuff?'

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"Ye can call me Quinn, Quinn Ignatius Healy at your leisure." Standing up Quinn, took their right arm and moved it across their body as he bowed. A silly grin plastered across his entire face. "Pleasure to meet ya...you Nico. That's a sweet name." Adding thoughtfully, seating himself back down.

"No need to apologize anyway. I can come off as a bit...how do those americans say it...." He paused, possibly for added effect. "...extra was it? Yes extra. I can be quite extra. Comes with the charm I suppose." He chuckled softly finding his small statement rather amusing. Mostly because half the time, Quinn felt like he just wasn't himself. Unsure and uncomfortable in his own body. He would never admit any of this out loud, however this could possibly be why he acted so...well inconsistent lately.

It stooped the tall boyo, which irked him to no end. Alas he had his part to play which was right now playing the part of the friendly giant. Unbeknownst to himself, when those thoughts passed through his mind like fleeting dreams. His facial expressions contorted for the briefest of moments into expressions of worry and annoyance. Before returning rather swiftly to jovial and carefree. It was pretty obvious while at the same time being possibly insignificant.

"Well my Slytherpuff friend. It's alright if I call you my friend yes? What are your plans for the summer? Color me curious."

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She ended up staring at him. When she was a toddler, she never spoke much. She always observed. When friends of her parents came over to have a cup of coffee, Nico would be hiding around the corner, observing them. How they smile, how they discuss topics,... So much happens in the face of a person. So many small details can make a difference in if they mean something or are just... acting.

Nico couldn't read minds, but she had a vague sense of feeling whenever someone... seemed to pretend to some extend. She smiled softly, watching him ramble in his own way. He was a completely different Huffelpuff than the verbal agressive one that approached her at the Blossom Ball.

She gently shook his hand when he offered it. Quinn. Ignatius. Healy.

'That's quite a name.' She couldn't help but let out a shy giggle. He was indeed charming in his own way. But... She saw something. In him. In the way his body moved and the way his smile became smaller for a second. She recognised that moment.

The times her mother brought her to the mirror at home to practice smiling. 'Smile, love. You're so pretty.' She'd say. 'Don't show that they get to you... Smile it off.'

Keep up the act.

Nico felt a tad worried. The Badger struck something inside of her that made her more curious to know more about him. He had a very warm smile. The one that could make any girl melt, yet... it had something sad about it... Something lonesome. Nico didn't know why it made her feel that way. Was she imagening things?

Holding back for now, she kept her shy, warm smile as a curtain on her face.

'Well.. My summer is rather uneventful... I'm staying at the Castle I think. I'll probably send some owls to tell my parents about my first year at Hogwarts. So much happened in such a short time... Honestly I have no idea what I'm gonna do. What about you, Quinn?'. Putting her elbow on the table, she rested her chin in the palm of her hand, carefully watching him. 'Any big plans?'

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"Thank ya, don't wear it out." He joked soft-heartedly, flashing what could best be described as a melancholic grin. It was clear that he hadn't noticed it himself, considering his eyes told one story while mouth told another. Bit of a strange conundrum one might say. "Well it sounds to me. Like this change is a good thing, and ya seem quite pleased with that fact." It was honest to god conjecture. He couldn't know for certain, but years of observing and being curious had taught him how to read people. He considered himself fairly good at it, like a lot of things he was into.

Some called him a prodigy, others called him gifted. Quinn just considered themselves cursed if he was being honest. That's a different story for a different day however. He had appearances to keep up after all. Couldn't trouble anyone he cared about it, never-mind strangers. "Well those sound like nice plans. Me?" He blinked his eyes a few times, somewhat surprised by the question. Not really sure why he was, but he was anyway. Coughing a bit, mostly out of slight embarrassment Mr. Healy reorganized their thoughts. 'The less they know the less you can be hurt.' He reminded himself.

Realizing that he still hadn't spoke he coughed again. The situation was officially becoming awkward. "....y-yes right! Plans well...nothin too special ah suppoose staying most of the Summer time here at the castle. Though ah'm catchin one of the last trains back to London and then back to Ireland. Gonna spend the little time left with mum, da, and me baby sisters." He answered honestly keeping a few key, frankly private, details out of the limelight. "Sooooo notin spectacularly excitin if that make sense?"

As he finished talking. The young Half-Giant reoriented themselves in the chair. Causing the object to creak again as they relaxed further into the spine of the chair. They cocked their head slightly up and to the left side quirking their right brow up. Inquisitively looking down at the young Slytherin expectant.

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