11 Jan 2025, 22:10
A Helping Hand
@Curtis Gates
Date: Tuesday, January 14th, 2025
Harvey sat in the study room with a pile of start charts before him. Every free moment seemed to be filled with the damn things and try as he might, memorizing them was proving difficult. It was only last week that he had received E on one of his astronomy exams. An E for Merlin's sake! He could hear the howler in his mind already just thinking of his grandfather's reaction if he didn't maintain top marks in his courses. Who cared about the bloody stars anyways! Harvey was no sailor. The mysteries on the cosmos did not keep him up at night. His hand clenched into as fist as his temper threatened to boil over, but a few deep breathes would calm him for now. There had to be a way for him to gain what he needed. If only he had a slight edge, he could breeze his way through this damned course.
Harvey's dark eyes would scan the room as his mind raced for an answer and just then he noticed a boy his age that he had taken note of before. Curtis Gates was just over on the opposite side of the room. He was hard to miss with that mop of curly brown atop his head. It needed trimming and was desperate for a comb. Who left their common room is such a state. Harvey blinked away the thought as he refocused his mind. Getting caught up in his judgments right now would serve him no purpose. He remembered his teachings and would soon approach the other boy.
Before he spoke, Harvey did his best to remember what he had observed in Curtis. He remembered that he was a Ravenclaw and although that did not mean everything, those of that house tended to be rather wise. On a few occasions he had witnessed a high level of energy from Curtis. That was something that was usually a turn off for Harvey as he had no need for such busy personalities, but one thing had stuck out about him and that was his friendliness. Another trait that Harvey could take or leave, yet perhaps it was a doorway to the solution he required.
"Hello." Harvey did his best to let his tone sound downtrodden. Perhaps even a hint of misery laced his words. "Curtis, yeah? Curtis Gates? Hi, I'm Harvey Barrows. I don't mean to bother you, but I was wondering if you had a moment to help me with some of my course work? You wouldn't happen to have a knack for astronomy would you?" He left it at that as he looked to the other boy with puppy dog eyes.
Second Generation Character of Howard White
13 Jan 2025, 04:04
A Helping Hand
The study of the stars- it isn't something eh is completely ignorant of, in fact he is pretty sure he remembers reading some books about it in his schools back in Alpington. Regardless, today isn't much of an Astronomy day, he is practically all caught up with his homework- the only real problem he has would be with Potion at the moment- he suppose he should be studying it, yes that would be the wisest decision...He turns to the next page of this book he found in the library about 'Herbology'.
SPEECH MENTION #008080 @Harvey Barrows WC DATE 273 14/01/2025
"Hello". Curtis flinches, having not onoticed the other boy approach. "Oh!" He is surprised someone he doesn't know- well, knew his name without his introduction."Oh! Sure! No one usually asks me for help! But maybe I can help! Uh, Harvey! I'm Curtis- oh right you knew that already." He laughs, scratching the back of his head, for some reason, he looked younger than Curtis is, but maybe its just his face.
"Watcha need help with? Astronomy is pretty cool!" He shuffles a little bit to the left to allow Harvey to sit down with him- or he suppose, invites to sit down with him. "Did you know Chinese new year follows the annual cycle of the moon? I thought that's real interesting! Somehow different people end up using different ways to track 'years' but it still altogether happens around the same time! How did someone track the moon and sun to begin with anyways? Woops, rambling, what was the question again?" He closes his herbology book.
14 Jan 2025, 00:45
A Helping Hand
@Curtis Gates
Harvey held up both hands, palms outward in an apologetic gesture as he had startled Curtis upon his approach. He only smiled as the other boy realized that he already knew his name. Of course he did. That's something that sets Harvey aside from his peers, his astute observations. It was a tool he had picked up from his grandfather's teachings. While in class or during free times he would often sit apart from the group and quietly watch. He would make notes of names, jot down a few words about their personality traits and everyday he would try to read through them as he saw certain figures again. Harvey had never interacted with Curtis, but he had noticed the boy's friendly nature. Picking up on his name was as easy as paying attention during roll call.
"Yes. Astronomy is cool indeed!" Harvey's words and positive attitude towards the subject were certainly another lie but he hoped the mock enthusiasm would further excite Curtis. He nodded along as the subject shifted to Chinese lunar cycles and the history of astronomy and though Harvey found this all quite dull, it wouldn't serve him well to let onto that now. "Yes. It is quite fascinating to ponder. To think of early man staring at the sky and somehow being able to figure it all out. Marvelous isn't it?" The sickeningly sweet tone that laced his words were anything but natural, but Harvey hoped that he was a decent actor.
"Oh yes, my question." Again Harvey's eyes would grow wide and his tone would turn sour. "It's these star maps that we have been assigned. They all just...look the same and I can't quite get my head around it." The truth was that the little goblin was struggling slightly in astronomy, but he of course would not admit that outright and make an honest plea for help. No, it was time to see just how far he could push another. Two birds, one stone. His homework complete and another student willing to do his bidding. If he could pull it off of course. "It's just that I'm so bogged down with my transfiguration homework that I fear I won't get these maps completed in time. My grandfather will have my ears if my grades slip in any course. I just don't know what to do." Harvey let out a dramatic sigh and let his shoulders slump. "Not much of a question after all I'm afraid. I'm sorry to bother you, I suppose I'm just worried." He left it there to judge Curtis' reaction.
Second Generation Character of Howard White
17 Jan 2025, 22:48
A Helping Hand
He seems to relax, Harvey did seem like a really good guy after all. He nods enthusiastically. "Oh yeah of course! That shouldn't be too hard! Wow, did the transfiguration professor give you more homework?" He shuffles in closer, insisting to look at the star maps for him. "Oh! I can explain what they mean as well!" He wouldn't say he's the best teacher, but he likes to try.
SPEECH MENTION #008080 @Harvey Barrows WC DATE 201 14/01/2025
"Back at home, I used to look up at the sky all the time! Maybe that's why I find looking at star maps easier? Ooh! You want to meet up later tonight?? I'll show you where the stars are on the star map!" He grins, perhaps he's getting too carried away with the idea, oblivious to himself. However, he's pretty set and convinced to help out Harvey in his time of need.
”Ooh! Right, you said you’re busy with transfiguration homework- that's ok! I can help with that too and then we can look at the stars tonight!” It probably never occurred to Curtis that Harvey potentially didn’t like looking at stars as he thought he might- acting or not.
21 Jan 2025, 01:05
A Helping Hand
@Curtis Gates
Harvey's fake smile slipped away as yet another false expression of sadness took its place. When Curtis asked about his workload from the Transfiguration Professor he tried to milk it as if he was being buried alive by the assignments. Perhaps that would further his gain with the other boy? It was becoming quite the challenge to work this just the right way, but Harvey was starting to enjoy it. At the time he thought his grandfather's lessons were quite harsh, yet now he was beginning to see what the old goblin was talking about.
However, Curtis would then present a bit of a predicament. He wanted to meet later to stargaze. Harvey surely couldn't say that he had no interest as that would surely give away his tactic, but adding one more thing to his busy schedule was not what he was trying to accomplish. "Ah, that does sound lovely. The sky must be clear where you are from. You see, we are from London and the city lights make it hard to see anything really. Perhaps that's why I'm having a hard time of it." There. He would let on just a little that he had no aptitude for the subject. Maybe if he bolstered Curtis' confidence in his own abilities it may prove favorable. "I'd love a chance for you to tutor me. I could surely use it from someone as knowledgeable as yourself. How about this?" Harvey's sweet tone returned. "What about this? If you could help me fill out these charts, I could finish my Transfiguration assignment and then we could meet later to look at the stars and study the map? Do you think that would be ok?" Harvey laid his trap, but would Curtis fall for it?
Second Generation Character of Howard White
2 Feb 2025, 02:59
A Helping Hand
"Oh London? My quill pal is from London!" Wow, he has so much in common! "Ooh, that makes sense though, then we definitely should see the stars!"
SPEECH MENTION #008080 @Harvey Barrows WC DATE 238 14/01/2025
The question Harvey posed is a no brainer.
"Yeah! That's a great idea!" In really no time he is already reaching for his homework. "Plus, I think I remember what I wrote- I think, so this will even be super fast! And! And! If you need help with transfiguration I can help out too!" He is very excited by that idea, he likes to think that it wouldn't hurt that much anyways since he'll be teaching Harvey with the actual stars anyways!
He grabs out his bag, and starts preparing his own ink and quill. ”Oh, do you just want me to write straight onto the paper? Or did you just want me to tell ya what they are? Oh, no I’ll have to write them cause you’re doing transfiguration! Right.” He proceeds to do a ‘duh’ face.
He is rather enjoying his new friend, he supposes cause he is glad that he can help someone too. Usually, back home, he finds difficulty finding his ‘thing’, usually people don’t come to him for help. Perhaps he will have a knack as a teacher?
He likes being helpful and needed if this is what the feeling is.
4 Feb 2025, 02:34
A Helping Hand
@Curtis Gates
"Oh, a quill pal, that's wonderful." Harvey lied through his teeth as he continued to try and butter Curtis up. What a waste of time would have been his true remarks! He never understood why you would want to send owls back and forth to just what...get to know each other? No, letters were to either discuss business or solve problems. Idle chatter was a luxury once the work was done. He blinked the thought away as he turned his attention back to Curtis.
It would seem that the other boy was going along with Harvey's plan. Much to his delight as he had to actively stop a wicked smile from coming to his lips. "Oh Curtis, thank you so much." His tone dripped with false praise. "If you don't mind filling out the charts for me while I finish my Transfiguration assignment that would be wonderful. Later when we are on the tower you can show me in real time where they all are." It was nasty of Harvey to take such advantage of a boy so eager to lend a hand, but that was exactly what he was taught to do.
Curtis would prepare his ink and quill. Harvey reached into his bag and withdrew the star chart that needed to be filled. "Here you go, friend. I can't thank you enough." Using the word friend was especially cruel of Harvey as he surely had no intention of befriending someone from such a mediocre background.
Second Generation Character of Howard White
4 Feb 2025, 10:55
A Helping Hand
"You should try getting a quill pal! I think you'd enjoy it!" He grins rather genuinely. Not really knowing what lurks beneath the ‘sweet’ smile of his new friend. After all, if he had a pretty fun time with his quill pal - and Harvey seems friendly- he wouldn't know why Harvey wouldn't enjoy that prospect.
SPEECH MENTION #008080 @Harvey Barrows WC DATE 213 14/01/2025
"Haha yes sir! Can do in a jiffy!" He gets cracked on to writing. The idea that he has just made another friend seems to excite him, plus, this isn't really cheating- Harvey will know what he's talking about after he shows him the stars. "No worries, friend! Friends help each other out!" He is rather pleased still, to be called a friend. It isn't too difficult for Harvey- or anybody else in this study area to notice if they simply listened in on the discussion at hand.
”I'll finish it in 15 minutes tops! Then we can go watch some stars!. While he fills in another boy’s homework, he continues to talk aloud with great enthusiasm about why each answer is. His legs kick around excitedly. Swinging just above the chair a little and somehow, even with all this built up energy he is still writing on to the parchment with precision- and still highly readable.
11 Feb 2025, 01:07
A Helping Hand
@Curtis Gates
"Perhaps I will try that sometime." Harvey lied as he still could not see what he would get out of corresponding with another student. What instruction could they provide? What lessons to be learnt? His doubt was foolish as the future would bring just a relationship into his life, yet now he remained ignorant of just how beneficial it could be to have someone to "talk" to. More so when he would realize that it was an effective way to make and maintain connections throughout the wizarding world, but that was for another time. Harvey turned his focus back to the task at hand.
The boy had to repress a wicked smile as Curtis set to work on Harvey's star charts. The plan was all coming together and he felt a sick sense of satisfaction in doing so. Curtis was smiling away, all to please to be "helping" a new friend. Harvey only tuned him out as he rambled on about which star was apart of which constellation and why this answer was fitting for that question. It would have been annoying if he wasn't getting exactly what he wanted. Harvey focused on the last of his Transfiguration homework as the promised fifteen minutes elapsed and the work was near completion.
If Curtis was done, Harvey would collect the work and thank him profusely for the aid provided. "I'll see you tonight for some tutoring? I really can't wait." He lied yet again through a smile.
Second Generation Character of Howard White