Closed First Day Herbology PV with Joseph Sims

Some days what Joseph craved most was a peaceful, well-deserved evening rest in the common room, sinking into his favourite armchair by the warm, crackling fireplace. But today was not like those days. For some reason he couldn't find an explanation to, he felt more alive than ever. Almost as though he felt grateful to be alive.

Skipping a step with every enthusiastic leap down the stairs, Joseph straightened his creased robes, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. He was down for Herbology first thing in the morning that day, and unlike some of the other first years, he had no trouble finding the greenhouses. You know, the perks of repeating your first year.

Treading into the greenhouse, Joseph was greeted by the familiar whiff of plants and fungi of all sorts, some of which he vaguely recalled seeing the previous year. Laughter filled the vegetable-filled chamber as fellow first years scrambled to "claim" their friends, with a great deal of pushing and shoving.

Wait. Friends.

Realisation struck him like a wall of bricks. All of Joseph's friends had promoted to the second year without him. Would he even have anyone to work with?

Pursing his lips, Joseph found a nice, cozy spot beside a pot of unnervingly creepy-looking vegetables to spend the lesson. Not exactly his ideal Herbology lesson, but it should suffice.

Joseph was barely awake as the professor droned on about safety rules and who knows what else. In fact, it took a moment for Joseph to realise when the lesson proper had ended.

"Hi I'm Avery," a small voice piped up from beside him, jolting him from his daze. Blinking, Joseph turned to find himself face-to-face with a Gryffindor girl gazing at him with sweet but piercing eyes, her silky hair swathing her face, framing it delicately. "What's your name?"

Joseph took a moment to respond. "I'm Joseph," he replied, with a smile he thought looked a little too forced. Maybe she was one of those kids who hadn't found anyone to hang out with yet, who just wanted to get to know more people. Joseph had been through that phase before.

There was an awkward pause. Glancing away, Joseph bit his lip, a rueful smile flashing across his face. "Nice getting to know you," then after a moment of hesitation, he added, "welcome to the Unwanted Club."

@Avery Gray

Joseph stifled a laugh, his eyes widening briefly with amusement. Had she really thought the "Unwanted Club" was a real thing? Avery looked relatively flustered, casting her gaze off Joseph over to her homework assignment. Joseph ran his hand through his tousled hair, taking a moment to scan through the questions on the assigned homework. A piece of cake, Joseph thought with a smirk he made no effort to suppress. Same questions as last year.

"No, there's no literal 'Unwanted Club' in Hogwarts," Joseph clarified with a shaky laugh, wondering if Avery was even still listening. "I was referring to people like us who... haven't exactly found a place in those friend groups."

Joseph tilted his head to the left, gesturing towards a pack of first years huddled together like penguins, exchanging comments like rapid-firing guns. Sometimes he'd spend hours a day marveling at their ability to keep up with their conversation. Okay maybe not hours, but a considerable time for sure.

"It's impressive really, keeping up with a conversation like theirs's. I can hardly even keep track of what I had for breakfast, let alone join their conversation." Joseph noted, a more natural smile now making its way across his face as his gaze flitted back to the Gryffindor. Maybe, just maybe he wouldn't need to work alone during Herbology lessons afterall.

@Avery Gray

"What's your favorite class? You seem to know a lot more about this place than I do." Avery commented, stowing her homework away as a gentle laugh escaped her lips. Propping his chin on his fist, Joseph pondered the question. If he had been asked this question a few months ago, he could safely say he'd be able to come up with an answer before a golden snitch had the time to even make a full loop. But now things were different. Joseph's return to Arisaig, Scotland certainly hadn't done him any favours in reigniting a passion for magic in him - especially not the classes teaching the very magic he felt so distant from.

"I guess I used to like Defence Against the Dark Arts," Joseph admitted, a feeble smile making its way across his face as he fiddled with stick he had picked up just before heading to class. it's the only class where I actually felt like what I was learning is useful."

Running his fingers down the rough, peeling surface of the twig in his hands, Joseph sighed, deep in thought. It had reminded him of his late grandmother, Skye - small in size, but firm and strong. Man, how badly he missed her. If only his father had learnt a thing or two from her on how to properly take care of a kid, then maybe Joseph wouldn't have to question whether the world was designed to make life as miserable for him as possible every other day.

Now's not the time for self-pity Joseph, you're in the middle of a conversation!

Joseph blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.

"Yeah I suppose I've been around for longer than other first years... I'm repeating the first year, you see..." Joseph muttered, chuckling to himself. That wasn't exactly a detail he fancied boasting about, but his prospects of making new friends were pretty slim if he acted all secretive around others. "Don't treat me like a tour guide though, there's still much about the castle I don't know. I'd probably be a lot more popular if I knew more about Hogwarts." Joseph cast a wistful glance over at the other first years, chatting animatedly as though they would die if they just stopped to catch a breath for half a second.

Joseph's expression softened as he flashed Avery a grin, determined to keep the conversation going. "What about you? Any classes you're looking forward to particularly?"

@Avery Gray

Humming thoughtfully, Joseph dropped the twig in his hands, his gaze fixed on Avery. The past is the past. He had to let go to what was forever gone for good. What mattered now was the present. What mattered now was its impact his future. And what mattered right now was his conversation with Avery.

Avery returned Joseph's broad grin, replying cheerfully, "Well, I am excited for a lot of classes. I'm especially excited for Transfiguration. It seems really interesting, and I've always been fascinated with changing stuff from one way to another."

Joseph nodded, tilting his head a little. He supposed he could understand Avery's excitement about delving into transfiguration. About a year ago, he recalled being overly enthusiastic about trying out that new branch of magic. Who wouldn't be? Few things in the world could possibly be more thrilling to an 11 year old than the prospect of successfully turning an object into something entirely different. Unfortunately, Joseph was sorry to report that his first transfiguration lesson was rather underwhelming.

The buzz and chatter filling the chamber gradually died down as students filed out of the greenhouse, heading off in separate directions. Passively letting his gaze sweep the rest of the greenhouse, only a couple of reluctant friends lingered behind, apart from a few other kids wearing blank faces as they scrambled to pack up their belongings. Goodness, was it time already? It was true that they were only given a couple of minutes of free time, but surely he his conversation with Avery hadn't been that long.

"It's sure been nice getting to know you," Joseph remarked with a chuckle, flashing Avery a wink.
Stretching out his hand to offer her a handshake, Joseph wore a warm smile, showing his teeth for the first time that day. That day's Herbology lesson certainly wasn't the most enlightening of lessons, but it would be the highlight of his day if he walked out of it with a new friend.

@Avery Gray