What Happens in the Library, Stays in the Library PV Piper Hart

Piper had wandered into the library not to do an assignment, but for the quiet. The Slytherin common room had become too loud - first years laughing, older students showing off newly learnt spells. Piper wanted something else. She needed something else. She needed a space to sketch, or maybe read, and maybe - if she was lucky - feel a little less isolated in this puzzle known as Hogwarts.

She carried a leather notebook under her arm, with a quill sticking out of the pages. The margins were filled with half-drawn creatures, little notes from classes, and lots and lots of equations.

She walked between the shelves, tracing her fingers along the books, trying to find a good read. Then Piper noticed a girl carrying so many books - there were long ones and short ones, fat ones and thin ones - all stacked in her arms. Piper kept walking, not wanting to interrupt. But then the girl’s arms started shaking a little, her steps appearing uneven.

At that moment, Piper pushed away any apprehension and decided to approach her. As the girl stopped to adjust the books, Piper gently reached out and tapped on her shoulder.

The reaction was instant. The girl flinched, almost dropping her stack of books - and her hair turned into a milky brown colour.

Piper’s eyes widened, and she quickly stepped back - not in fear but in awe.

“S-s-sorry,” Piper stuttered, trying to regain composure, “I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just… well, you looked like you could use some help with those books, and I figured….” She trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

Piper paused, remembering her manners, and extended her hand. “I’m Piper. Piper Hart. Slytherin. First year.” Piper shrank inwardly as she kept talking, slowly realising how she might sound.

She glanced at the stack of books with curiosity, then looked back up at the girl.

“Would you… would you like some help?”