This Way, That Way PV | J. Dehoff

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It was supposed to be a simple walk to the History of Magic classroom, just head to the first floor and walk down to the end of the corridor; but as Jan made his way from the Ravenclaw common room, he quickly realized that nothing in Hogwarts was as simple as it seemed.

Every single corridor wound and turned and stretched, seeming to go on endlessly or loop back again by itself, some portraits on the walls kindly offered their help while some seemed to smirk knowingly at him while others simply dozed in their frames, but he wasn't going to be one of those students who asked for directions, not when the answer was just right around here somewhere.

Jan stopped in his tracks to let out a sharp breath through his nose after what it feels like ages of searching. He could be anywhere in the lower levels; that much he was sure of. But the exact floor? That was harder to pin down. He glanced at the nearest torch, as if it might whisper directions to him, then quickly looked away, thinking how ridiculous he looks talking to a torch.

He hated the thought of admitting he was lost. Lost people were careless or unprepared, and he prided himself on being neither. No, he’d figure it out on his own. Continue on with his walk, he did a quick turn to the left before striding down another unfamiliar corridor.

If he didn’t hurry, he’d be late. His pace quickened as he scoured the walls for any clue, any sign that might point him in the right direction. It wasn’t just about finding the classroom anymore—it was about proving to himself that he figured it out. After all, how hard could it be? He just needed to keep walking and hoped that he'd find the door to the History of magic class.

Date: Sometime in early September 2024
Time: Between classes
Location: Corridors

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As Koko took her time, the previous crowd of schoolchildren in the corridors began to dwindle until only a few stragglers, mostly tired upper-years like herself, remained. Koko hardly cared enough to flash her prefect badge at them and act scary; instead, she largely kept to herself and continued her trek up and up the stairs.

That was, at least, until she saw a younger student. The older she got, the easier it was for her to recognise when someone was younger than her. Often, the key thing was that they were actually smaller than she was. This boy seemed even smaller than most first years, which made Koko smile wryly to herself as she continued walking. It shouldn't have pleased her, but it did. When you were a seventh year who was a measly 5'1", sometimes you needed to find joy in the little things.

She wouldn't have stopped, except she noticed the boy's gaze frantically travelling from wall to wall, and she paused. She figured it was her job to help a lost firstie even if it meant she might miss part of Divination... and, well, she was doing fine in that class right now, so it wouldn't hurt anything to miss a little bit, right?

'Ah, excuse me?' Koko tried to project her voice towards the boy. 'You there, could I perhaps help you find where you're trying to go?'

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@Jan Dehoff

Jan’s head snapped around at the sound of the voice, his smaller figure stiffened at once as his gaze darted first to the right, then to the left, seeking reassurance in the stone walls that no one else was the object of the older girl’s words. The long, silent hallway offered no clues, and so, with a quiet start, he met her brown eyes.

The blonde girl, standing a few feet away from him, was shorter than most of the seniors he had seen around, but that didn’t stop her from carrying herself with a sort of quiet authority. Jan felt his gaze slip away awkwardly, feeling suddenly unsure of where to place himself in the presence of a prefect (He noticed the prefect badge after) who looked polished.

“Are you’re talking to me?” he asked in a soft voice, but with the edge of hesitation of one who had not yet learned to trust the seeming benignity of a Slytherin student, after one gave him a rough time during the first few days in Hogwarts.

After an unmistakenable confirmation given by the senior, Jan shook his head with a quick, dismissive motion at her question before turning his attention back to the endless expanse of the hallway, setting his gaze firmly ahead as though by sheer will he could find the path on his own. It must be somewhere here, he thought to himself as he walked on with each step growing more uncertain.

To much of Jan’s disappointment, the History of Magic class was nowhere to be found. He was already on the verge of breaking down (internally). There was no denying it now. He did need some help, and so, with a deep breath, he turned back, hoping that the senior was still there to give him some assistance in navigating the class. “Actually, ma’am,” Jan called out to the blonde girl, “Maybe a bit of help wouldn’t hurt.”

Date: Sometime in early September 2024
Time: Between classes
Location: Corridors

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The child spun around rather quickly, looking everywhere but Koko in a move that she thought was quite comical. Then, like a cherry on top of an ice cream sundae, he asked if she was talking to him.

She smiled — she was always smiling, really — at him, hands folded neatly in front of her as she began to walk closer to him, each stride long and assured despite her short stature. 'Yes. I don't see anyone else around.' Koko laughed lightly at her own joke even though it wasn't all that funny.

The child shook his head, so just like that, Koko began to shrug and walk away — why waste energy where it wasn't wanted, after all? However, as the heels of her mary janes clicked against the stone floor of the corridors, the kid called out to her, and, what in Merlin's name, did he just call her ma'am!?

Floored by the assumption that she was old enough for such a moniker (perhaps she was), she whipped around to face him and stood, gob-smacked, when the child said help wouldn't hurt.

'...Right. Well, if it's not too much trouble, we'll have to go down some stairs.' She turned again, heading towards a different set of stairs. She glanced back at him and beckoned. 'This way, if you'll follow me.'

The clicking of her heels against the floor would resume, although she would occasionally slow her walk and check back to see if the child was following her. 'I'm Koko, by the way. A prefect, a Slytherin, a seventh year, but I'm sure you gathered at least some of that already.' Surely he'd assumed she was older, something she imagined from him calling her ma'am. She still couldn't comprehend it. Ma'am. That had never been something someone had called her, and she'd been called a lot of things.

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@Jan Dehoff

Jan's ears reddened slightly as he followed cautiously, his shoes scuffing awkwardly against the floor when he trailed a safe distance behind the blonde girl—Koko Riddle, she’d said. He hadn’t meant to call her ma’am, honestly. It just slipped out from his mouth because of her (presumably) great status in Hogwarts.

She was much older than he is, a seventh year, and a prefect no less. Wasn’t that what you’re supposed to do with authority figures? He didn't know her name then, and his teachers in his previous school would’ve expected nothing less than respect. Okay, maybe saying “Excuse me, miss.” is way better than calling someone ma’am. Based on the not-so-subtle reaction the senior wore on her face, she didn't seem to be pleased with the reminder that she’s becoming older and older. He, too, would be annoyed about it once the time had come.

“Yes. I figure it out from the badge you're wearing right now. I’m sorry for calling you ma’am before,” Jan said to her after clearing his throat while his gaze lingered at the staircase ahead. “That's the way I address people with authority in my previous school, plus, I didn’t know your name before. It’s nice to meet you.” And with that being said, he resolved to keep his mouth for the rest of the walk. Or at least until he could say something that didn’t make him sound like a complete idiot.

Interacting with: @Koko Riddle | Mention : @Nobody

Date: Sometime in early September 2024
Time: Between classes
Location: Corridors

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Koko worried that her general lack of discreteness with her emotions had upset the boy when he apologised. It was then her turn to become embarrassed; a decent amount of confidence would practically seep out of her as concern shone in her light brown eyes. 'Oh, er, it's really not a problem, I was just surprised, that doesn't really happen a lot.' She chuckled slightly awkwardly — had a summer away from school really ruined her social skills? — and began to lead the child to... where, exactly, she was not sure. 'And it's lovely to meet you, too. I hope you're finding things well here; I know it can be a lot to get used to.'

She took a few more steps before turning to face him once again. He hadn't said his name, or where he was meant to be going, only that it was nice to meet her. She tried to keep any confusion from being evident in her gaze when she said, '...So, to where were you going?'

She would have to come up with a way to ask for his name that wasn't embarrassing. Maybe she would sneak it into a sentence. Perhaps it was something unusual for a higher year student, especially one with a lot of responsibility, but Koko at least tried to make an effort to get to know some of the younger students. After all, they would be the ones left here when she was gone. She had to make sure the castle, and the Quidditch teams, would be left in good hands.

She would stop walking until he confirmed where he was going, and then she would take the lead with a renewed confidence.

'Once you're familiar with the stairs and the corridors and where things are, you won't have any trouble getting from place to place. And if you do ever have any questions, it's okay to ask someone who's been here a while—we've all been a first year before.' She smiled warmly. 'Er, were you planning on joining any sports, Mr...?'

She swallowed thickly after hurrying the words out. Her words seemed to hang in the air, caught in her ears like they were rather unwelcome. She glanced ahead of her and then back at the first year to make sure he was not falling behind.

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@Jan Dehoff

Gulp. Jan was a bit busy overthinking his impression that he had forgotten to mention the destination. It’s not his fault that he’s a bit awkward when it comes to first impressions. Or maybe it is. “Oh, right! I’m supposed to be in the classroom for the History of Magic,” Jan replied, pausing his walk as well to answer her question. “You know the direction, right?” He thought he could see a slight nod from the older student before she continued walking, now leading him to a different path.

Jan quickened up his pace to walk by her side as they headed to another corridor. “Dehoff, Jan Dehoff,” he said, adjusting the strap of his bag against his shoulder after introducing himself. “I played football before I came here.” It took him a quick moment to realize that wizards and witches in Hogwarts could possibly have no idea the concept of football, unless if they’re just like him, a person who has no idea a world with fantastical magic exists. He decided to elaborate further just in case.

“It’s like. Uh.. A sport that involves two teams kicking around a ball and trying to score goals as they can. People go crazy about football in my area.” Jan could recall the amount of times where his uncle and his football friends would argue about fouls, jeering at the opposing team’s fans and making up banters for them. That's how serious football is in England, for sure. This made him wonder if the wizarding world has a sport that people would go crazy over. “What about you, what sport do you play here?” he asked in return. “I’m sure you have a lot of experience in the sports you play.”

Interacting with: @Koko Riddle | Mention : @Nobody

Date: Sometime in early September 2024
Time: Between classes
Location: Corridors

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The boy noted that he was headed towards History of Magic, an admission that made Koko have to keep her resting smile on her lips to avoid any obvious distaste towards that class being obvious. She had no ill will towards any of the professors, but the subject had always bored her. 'Right, it's this way,' she said, leading the boy down another staircase.

She glanced behind her to ensure he was keeping up and was pleased to see that he was now matching her stride. Alongside the tapping of their shoes against the floor, she heard him introduce himself — Jan, a name she hadn't heard before, would be easy to keep in her mind. She nodded to show that she had understood the introduction, but upon him mentioning 'football', she was unable to keep an expression of confusion from marring her features. She was about to ask 'Football?' when he began to elaborate, saving her from a moment of ignorance.

'Oh! That sounds rather fun, actually. I'd imagine it would be interesting to play a ball sport on your feet.' Koko offered Jan a smile and a knowing spark in her gaze. 'I'm a Keeper for my house's Quidditch team. You know, blocking the goals and all, except it's played in the air and with your hands, not on the ground with your feet. It's really nice, actually.' She narrowed her eyes, surveying Jan as they walked. 'I've played since my first year. It might be worth getting involved in — if people go crazy about "football" in your area, well, Quidditch is the next closest thing here.'

They rounded another corner, and as they did so, some of the portraits lining the castle's walls moved. A creak sounded from a suit of armour — normal happenings, once you were used to them. 'It's just down this corridor, on the left. I can walk you there if you'd like, but if not, that's fine.' She wouldn't mind being out of class for a little while longer, after all.

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@Jan Dehoff