Fruitless Searching Closed

Penelope had never been one for spending time in the library. Back at home, she had always been the type to read in her own room, on her own time. She didn't need a cranky elderly woman telling her to shush, she would much rather be on her couch, in her comfortable house or common room. That was why she didn't understand what made her want to come here. All morning she had been thinking of coming to this place. Something seemed to be pulling her here, and she was almost certain this Slytherin boy was the reason. 


The boy was the only one doing anything of interest, and he was scattering papers and quills everywhere. He finally sank down into the chair, and repacked his things. Penelope watched all this from a distance. The boy disappeared in the direction of the librarians desk. Penelope could not bear the thought of what would happen if he thought she was watching him, so she picked a random shelf to look at. She became bewildered when the boy walked right over to where she was. He was obviously searching for a specific book, and when he couldn't find it he muttered to himself, "Bloody hell."  The boy had a huge scowl on his face and he was obviously not having a very good day at all.
Penelope looked up at the boy and  said, "Having trouble find a book there? What're you looking for? I always thought libraries were a waste of time, you can never find exactly what you're looking for." She played with her hair as she said this.  "Sorry." she added hastily. "I don't want to bombard you with questions."

Selim looked up at the girl who had spoken to him, scowl becoming less obvious, though there was still a slight downturn to his lip, and his snake-like eyes were narrowed quite a bit, making him look rather intimidating, despite his overall boyish face.

He supposed it was to be expected that he would eventually be approached by a curious student, he wasn't quite being subtle in his frustration. He briefly wondered for a bit, if he should actually answer or just turn and walk away. He was in a foul mood, and when he was in a foul mood, He couldn't act like the innocent first-year Slytherin as he usually did with quite as much believability.

He looked the girl with his slightly colder-looking eyes. Going by her robe, she was a Ravenclaw, the only other house he respected besides Slytherin, in fact, if he had been sorted into her house, he would've been perfectly content, seeing as how they thrived on knowledge.

His long silence stretched on as he contemplated talking to the girl, before he made his decision.

Taking in a few deep breath to recompose himself, he slipped on a strained smile, "Ah, I apologise if I disturbed you, I suppose I wasn't exactly being subtle in my frustration." his smile dropped into a frown, and he gestured widely at the muggle section of the library, "I was searching for some collage-level books on muggle sciences, having run out of my own reading material on such things." His frown grew sharper, "But it seems that this school doesn't hold such books, all of these are high school-level, at most senior high school-level," letting out an annoyed huff, he gave the books a heated glare, anger obviously rising, "Which I've already learned!"

He was, in actuality, very annoyed. Yes, he knew this school was essentially a magical Highschool, but he had been hoping they'd have higher education for both muggle and wizarding things. He was sorely disappointed, even if he had expected this.

First, he had to calm himself down, he was losing his façade, even if he was still believable.

Letting out a sharp breath, he slowly lowered his anger, then paused. Blinking a few times, as if just realizing he had an audience, he turned to the girl, he gave her a genuine-looking sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head to add to the effect.

"I'm sorry, I've been rather rude to dump all of this on you. Usually I'm not this lacking in composure. I haven't even given you my name!" He held out his hand for a friendly handshake, " Faust, Selim Faust. Don't be tricked by the name, I have most definitely not made a contract with the devil." He chuckled melodiously in amusement, though wasn't quite sure if this random Ravenclaw girl would get the joke. Not many people have read, or knew about the book 'Faust' these days.

"I'm sorry, I've been rather rude to dump all of this on you. Usually I'm not lacking this in composure. I haven't even given you my name! The Slytherin boy held out his hand and Penelope shook it. "Faust, Selim Faust. Don't be tricked by the name, I have most definitely not made a contract with the devil." He laughed a bit to himself.  Penelope smiled and and tried to think of just who the Slytherin boy was talking about. She knew the name Faust sounded familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She had read it somewhere, she knew that.
" Faust.. Faust.. isn't that the guy who sold his soul to the devil for power? It's-erm- good you didn't do that. Um..So you read a lot? I love to read. I've read 243 books in counting. Most of them fantasy. What genre do you prefer?"  She felt awkward now. What would this boy think of her? She was being pretty random, and there was always the fact that she wasn't here for any particular reason. She had come here to see him, and it was likely she was just annoying him. The first year was having a pretty bad day, and he was probably only talking to her to be nice. She made a face at herself, but stopped when she remembered he could see what she was doing.  


The whole thing about Faust, what was that? It was just awkward, and Penelope wished she had just continued watching the boy instead of trying to make conversation. She started play with her hair more and she looked down at her shoes.

"Faust.. Faust.. isn't that the guy who sold his soul to the devil for power? It's-erm- good you didn't do that." the girl spoke, and Selim grinned, happy she at least basically knew what he was referencing.

"Um..So you read a lot? I love to read. I've read 243 books in counting. Most of them fantasy. What genre do you prefer?" She blurted, and he rose a brow, grin fading to an amused smile. She wasn't very good with conversations, most likely having just approached him out of curiosity and not really to help him. He was fine with that, he assumed she didn't know half of the things he told her about Muggle Science textbooks or reading levels.

So, he accepted the subject change, bad mood fading a bit, "Indeed, I do read a lot, but not really for my own amusement. I largely read muggle books on their Sciences, maths, or technology. So far I've learned quite a lot, the subjects interest me."

He tilted his head, "I've told you my name, what's yours?" He didn't mind the girls lack of etiquette, not everyone grew up in a noble family.

He discarded his search for muggle texts, he'd just send an owl to his parents (though the butler would probably be the one to actually read it) asking for more muggle Science text books, he'll just have to stick to his magical ones until they come in.

Walking over to the nearby couch he sat down, gesturing her to sit with him with kind smile. There were some nearby chairs she could grab if she didn't want to sit on the couch, "No need to keep standing, lets have a proper conversation, shall we? We are fellow students, and I don't mind at least talking with someone from another house." He shrugged, "I'll just send my parents an owl asking for the books I want."

He did want to have an actual conversation, and he was too lazy to stand up during the whole thing. He was curious about the girl from Ravenclaw who had decided to approach him.

The boy raised his eyebrow and grinned at Penelope after her awkward conversation. He then said,"Indeed, I do read a lot, but not really for my own amusement. I largely read muggle books on their Sciences, maths, or technology. So far I've learned quite a lot, the subject's interest me." 

"That's nice that you've found an interesting subject out sound of the norm. For wizards, I mean. And witches! Witches are just as good as wizards."  She had no idea where she was going with this.

"I've told you my name, what's yours?"  he asked. 

"Oh, right. I'm sorry. I'm Penelope. Penelope Alexander." She replied quickly. She didn't know why she couldn't make conversation, but he was certainly in a better mood, so at least she had done something good.

He walked over to a small couch with a flowery pattern and gestured over to her, smiling. She walked over and sat beside him. "No need to keep standing. Let's have a proper conversation, shall we? We are fellow students, and I don't mind at least talking with someone from another house. I'll just send my parents an owl asking for the books I want."  He shrugged.

"Alright, what shall we talk about? I have to admit, I am not the best at making conversation. I haven't had much practice. I didn't talk to people outside of my small group much back home." She said this, wondering if the boy was just being nice, or actually wanted to have a conversation. He seemed to be enjoying himself, but for all she knew, he could be an amazing actor and just being nice. He looked at her curiously, and Penelope decided that the boy was being honest, and he did really want to have a proper conversation. 

@Penelope Alexander
He tilted his head, he hadn't had a normal conversation in a while. At home, the only one that really spoke to him regularly was the family butler, the only outsider within his Clan, and the conversations they had were rather stiff, and formal. Selim, though, was under no doubt that the old man didn't care for him, but in the clan, professionalism was first and foremost in interaction.

His older brother spoke with him too, the conversations they had were largely pleasant, and informal beyond the use of -sama instead of -kun the older boy used when referring to Selim himself.

But, Selim was nothing if not good at acting.

"Hmm, how about our families? Unless that's a sensitive topic for you." he tilted his head kindly.

"I'll start, but you don't have to tell me about yours if you don't want to." this was a slightly risky topic for him, but he was sure that as long as he didn't mention his family's true surname or the event that happened when he was a mere four years old, all would be well.

"My family is rather large, so we usually refer to ourselves as a Clan. We're all pureblood as well." his tone wasn't arrogant or condescending as he said that, it was merely a simple fact to him. "I'm the only heir to the head of the clan, my father. He's almost always busy, and mother helps him with his work... so I'm usually left to my own devices." He brightened, summoning up some real emotion from the near-gone part of him that was still a child, "But my Nee-san- ah, I mean older brother, visits me when he isn't busy with school! We talk, and sometimes he tries to play with me." a nostalgic look crossed his face, "I haven't seen him in a while though, Father sent him on a week-long errand... really it's more like a mission."

He blinked back into the present, banishing the memories of himself when he was little playing hide and seek with his older brother. "Ah, I haven't let you talk. When I talk about my Nee- ah, older brother, I tend to ramble slightly."

He smiled at Penelope sheepishly, before remembering something. With a small smile, he dug into his bookbag, and took out two jars of a golden-colored drink. A bit of mischief glinted in his eyes and he looked around conspiratorially.

"While we talk, how about a drink? Would you like some apple cider? It's a tad cold, but my Butler's warming spell should still be in effect~!" Food and drinks weren't allowed in the library, but the muggle section was quite hidden away from the librarian's view, and he was quite sure none of the prefects were around.

He wasn't breaking the rules if no one saw him? No?

@Selim Faust

"Hmm, how about our families? Unless that's a sensitive topic for you." said Selim. He titled his head kindly. Penelope appreciated the gesture.  "I'll start, but you don't have to tell me about yours if you don't want to." 
"It's alright, you're being honest with me, so I will repay the gesture." Penelope what impressed with her formal-sounding sentence. 
"My family is rather large, so we usually refer to ourselves as a Clan We're all pureblood as well. I'm the only heir to the head of the can, my father. He's almost always busy, and mother helps him with his work... I'm usually left to my own devices. But my nee-san ah, I mean older brother, visits me when he isn't busy with school! We talk, and sometimes he tries to play with me. I haven't seen him in a while though, Father sent him on a week-long errand... really its more like a mission." Selim was lost in his thoughts for a moment, and then he came back to reality. "Ah, I haven't let you talk. When I talk about my Nee-ah older brother, I tend to ramble slightly." Penelope opened her mouth to say something but he turned around and looked into his bag. He pulled out two jars. They looked delicous, whatever they were, but Penelope knew eating or drinking in the library was against the rules. 

"While we talk, how about a drink? Would you like some apple cider? It's a tad cold, but my Butler's warming spell should still be in effect!" 

"Oh! Sure, let's just make sure no prefects or the librarian sees us.  Penelope was a little weary about breaking the rules this openly, but it was alright. They weren't reading anything so she couldn't spill. She took a sip and it was delicious. 
 So, my family. I guess I don't see them that often. Most of my extended family's in Ireland. I don't know them that well. My close family... well my mum was stay-at-home. She homeschooled me and my dad traveled a lot. He-uh-fell of his broom a few weeks ago." She thought for a minute, trying to figure out how to explain her complicated situation. 

The doctors at St.Mungo's couldn't save him in time. She sniffed, but went on. She was determined to get the whole story out. She found it hard to talk about this subject, but she knew it would be good to get all of her story out in the open. She went on, taking a deep breath." My mum was devastated. She passed away from shock. My brother was in Azkaban for most of my life, but he's out now. He's over 18 so he's my official guardian." she took another sip of her cider, then said, "Oh! Speaking of my family, my squib aunt told me this muggle joke last time I saw her. I think it might've had something to do with science! It was something like, I'm positive I just lost an electron. Better keep an ion that. She had no idea what the joke meant, but said it anyway. She smiled to herself, this was the most fun she had had in a very long time.

@Penelope Alexander

Upon hearing her spiel, he nodded, brows furrowing in feigned sympathy, looking quite genuine. "I'm sorry to hear that." his yellow eyes glistened in the candlelight, "It's good that you at least have your older brother to watch over you." he said, empathy in his voice faked, but still quite believable, in a way, he was indirectly helping the girl he supposed.

He let out a chuckle, feeling a bit nostalgic, "I suppose we're the same in that regard. Only having older brothers to care for us..." It was true, his nee-san was often the only one to show him actual care, he could feel the slightest kinship with the Ravenclaw girl in that, but it quickly washed away.

Upon hearing the joke he actually grinned a bit, chuckling with actual slight mirth. It was a good one, he'd keep it stored away for later.

He sipped his drink, thoughtful, "Hey, you know, if you and your brother need any funds, I could ask my mother and father if we could spare some. They're a bit paranoid, but I could probably convince them. We have more money then we know what to do with anyways, thanks to our spice trade." He brightened a bit, holding up his drink, "In fact, this apple cider is one of our best selling products during the holiday seasons."

He smiled, seemed the girl was easing up around him, maybe he'd actually make a 'friend'.

He begrudgingly supposed simply talking with people was enjoyable enough, along with the added bonus of learning more about them, but he still preferred getting his entertainment from books.

The faint flash of empathy he had when she mentioned living with her brother was a bit worrisome, but he dare not crush the last bit of the child inside himself, if he did that, his façades wouldn't be believable enough.

His bad mood was completely gone now, mind focused on other things, he supposed he could talk for a bit longer.

@Selim Faust

Penelope was surprised at the boy's generosity, but said, "I'm sorry, I couldn't accept. This was an obstacle that was thrown at me and my brother. I have a feeling we should figure this out on our own. I appreciate it though." she said. "So, you're going to become leader of your clan? That's super cool. What exactly does the leader do?" Penelope asked. She imagined her family all in the same place at the same time, doing the same thing, and it sounded great. She wanted to know if it really was.


She thought for a moment. It would be fun to keep talking, she barely knew anyone at this school. "Hmm... so.... muggle science? What is it? Obviously it's interesting to you, you seem quite good at it in fact. The only thing I know about it is that it controls the weather. Is it named after someone?" Penelope wanted to get away from these serious subjects. Everything had been so serious lately. She took another sip of the apple cider. It did make sense that this was the best seller for Selim's 'clan'. It was the best cider she had ever had. She smiled to herself, knowing that this boy would be a nice friend to have.