Oh Merlin, It’s Approaching
Reducio
@Skylar Blue@Mikaela Hendricks @Matteo Finnley @Tina Carille @Noah Chase
The library was…perfect to say the least.
Quiet. Still. Nearly empty.
Exactly how Alexander liked it.
Only a handful of students were scattered across the room, they were easy to ignore just the soft turning of pages, the faint scratch of quills against parchment. No loud laughter. No overwhelming noise. Just calm.
Alexander exhaled softly as he slipped into a seat at one of the far tables, placing his books down with carefully.
Great.
This was really great. Finally alone to his thought that all he had wanted since joining this loud school,
He pulled out his Potions homework, the parchment already half-filled with neat, slightly cramped handwriting. Something about identifying ingredients and their properties simple enough. Structured. Predictable. He could do this he looked books and homework more than people, Merlin that makes him sound lame. But its just that.....
Books were safer than people always have been always will be.
His quill moved steadily across the page, pausing only when he needed to think. Every now and then, he’d glance down at his textbook, scanning lines quickly before returning to his work.
Time passed.
Or at least… it felt like it did. He doesnt exactly have a clock maybe he should buy one maybe
Until Something shifted.
That feeling.
The one where you know someone is looking at you.
Alexander stilled.
His quill hovered just above the parchment, ink threatening to drip.
he blinked and he lifted his head.
His eyes scanned the room without making it obvious.
There.
Someone.
Looking at him.
His stomach dropped.
Oh come on! No no no
His gaze snapped back down to his parchment immediately, like if he pretended hard enough, they might just… go away.
They didn’t.
He could feel it.
Out of all the people in this place ofcourse its him they aprouch
The person getting closer great it seemed like some people didnt know when to leave others alone cant people read body language?
Each step soft, but noticeable felt louder than it should have.
His grip tightened around his quill.
Please don’t come here.
Pretty Please don’t talk to me.
The footsteps stopped.
Right by his table.
Alexander’s shoulders went rigid.
Slowly, reluctantly, he looked up and sighed.
¨…Oh hello?¨
Last edited by Alexander Zolotov on 4 Apr 2026, 10:55, edited 2 times in total.
Oh Merlin, It’s Approaching
I was brewing my potion lonely, all alone at a table when I saw 2 other first years chatting with each other. I really wanted to join them but I thought to myself “what if they don’t want to talk or don’t like me at all?” My mind was flashing with thoughts but I managed to think straight after a while. I kept brewing my potion putting the correct amount of the ingredients needed. I still looked over to the first years, let’s see. A Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuff, interesting duo, I really wanted some more friends instead of only 1 so I approached the two.
“Hey I saw you two talking and I thought maybe I could join you two?” I said my cheeks all turning red and embarrassed but to my surprise they didn’t laugh at me. I was allowed to sit with them and work together which we had many fun. I figured out that their names are Noah Chase the Hufflepuff boy and Alexander Zolotov the Ravenclaw. I also introduced myself. We became good friends and I finally became more open telling about my parents and how it was back home. I also listened to what they said about their selves and their childhoods, after class I went to grab some food and split up with the two boys. I was very happy that day I felt recognized and I felt understood by the two. I hope that I’ll see them again.
“Hey I saw you two talking and I thought maybe I could join you two?” I said my cheeks all turning red and embarrassed but to my surprise they didn’t laugh at me. I was allowed to sit with them and work together which we had many fun. I figured out that their names are Noah Chase the Hufflepuff boy and Alexander Zolotov the Ravenclaw. I also introduced myself. We became good friends and I finally became more open telling about my parents and how it was back home. I also listened to what they said about their selves and their childhoods, after class I went to grab some food and split up with the two boys. I was very happy that day I felt recognized and I felt understood by the two. I hope that I’ll see them again.
Matteo-2013-11-28-Finnley
Oh Merlin, It’s Approaching
Alexander blinked.
Once.
Twice.
His brain… hadn’t caught up yet.
One person talking to him was already pushing it two? that was way to much for him. Had he said his name? Did he respond properly? Did he just sit there like a statue the whole time??
Merlin he hoped they didnt think he was a freak.
He was still trying to process everything the Gryffindor boy...uhm what did he say his name was? oh yeah! Matteo Finnley had said before the boy walked away.
Alexander’s gaze followed him for a second, then slowly shifted back to Noah, who also seemed to be watching him leave.
Silence.
A very loud silence.
Alexander stood up a little too quickly, clutching his parchment and books like they might anchor him to reality.
“I I have to… go,” he muttered, not quite making eye contact.
And then
He bolted.
Not gracefully. Not smoothly. Just… immediate retreat.
Two steps in
His foot caught.
And
He went down.
Hard.
There was a small, very undignified thud as he hit the floor, his papers shifting slightly, his dignity completely gone.
For a second, he just stayed there.
Face down.
Ow......
Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself up onto his elbows
And froze.
Someone was crouching next to him.
Of course someone was.
Of course.
Alexander’s eyes lifted
Oh.
It was her.
Tina.
From the common room.
She was smiling.
Which somehow made it worse.
She handed him his textbook, and he took it a bit too quickly, fingers brushing against hers for a split second before pulling back like he’d been burned.
She said something.
He… did not hear a single word.
Because at that exact moment, Alexander became painfully aware of one thing
His face was burning.
Actually burning.
His entire brain had just… shut down.
“…I”
He stared at her for a second too long, eyes wide, completely blank, like his soul had temporarily exited his body.
Then, very quietly
“…thank you.”
Barely audible.
He scrambled to gather the rest of his things, movements rushed and uncoordinated, still very much on the floor.
This was........This was the worst day of his life.
Actually no.
Yesterday existed.
So second worst.
Definitely second worst.
@Tina Carille
Once.
Twice.
His brain… hadn’t caught up yet.
One person talking to him was already pushing it two? that was way to much for him. Had he said his name? Did he respond properly? Did he just sit there like a statue the whole time??
Merlin he hoped they didnt think he was a freak.
He was still trying to process everything the Gryffindor boy...uhm what did he say his name was? oh yeah! Matteo Finnley had said before the boy walked away.
Alexander’s gaze followed him for a second, then slowly shifted back to Noah, who also seemed to be watching him leave.
Silence.
A very loud silence.
Alexander stood up a little too quickly, clutching his parchment and books like they might anchor him to reality.
“I I have to… go,” he muttered, not quite making eye contact.
And then
He bolted.
Not gracefully. Not smoothly. Just… immediate retreat.
Two steps in
His foot caught.
And
He went down.
Hard.
There was a small, very undignified thud as he hit the floor, his papers shifting slightly, his dignity completely gone.
For a second, he just stayed there.
Face down.
Ow......
Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself up onto his elbows
And froze.
Someone was crouching next to him.
Of course someone was.
Of course.
Alexander’s eyes lifted
Oh.
It was her.
Tina.
From the common room.
She was smiling.
Which somehow made it worse.
She handed him his textbook, and he took it a bit too quickly, fingers brushing against hers for a split second before pulling back like he’d been burned.
She said something.
He… did not hear a single word.
Because at that exact moment, Alexander became painfully aware of one thing
His face was burning.
Actually burning.
His entire brain had just… shut down.
“…I”
He stared at her for a second too long, eyes wide, completely blank, like his soul had temporarily exited his body.
Then, very quietly
“…thank you.”
Barely audible.
He scrambled to gather the rest of his things, movements rushed and uncoordinated, still very much on the floor.
This was........This was the worst day of his life.
Actually no.
Yesterday existed.
So second worst.
Definitely second worst.
@Tina Carille
Last edited by Alexander Zolotov on 4 Apr 2026, 11:29, edited 1 time in total.
Oh Merlin, It’s Approaching
Reducio
@Mikaela Hendricks @Matteo Finnley @Alexander Zolotov@ @Noah Chase @Skylar Blue
I was walking in the library when I heard this, “You look like you’re being held hostage by that homework. Blink twice if you need help.” the person saying this was a Hufflepuff. I blinked. The boy was talking to Alexander, a boy I met in the common room earlier . Then I saw a Gryffindor approach the two. I shouldn’t have gone over. But I did. To offer REAL help with Alex’s homework. They were all joking around. I didn’t want to come on harsh though. “Hello! My name is Tina Carille, I’m a first year Ravenclaw. How are you Alex? I hope you’re well!” I said, giving Alex a tiny wave so he didn’t get frightened. But Alex started running. “ Alex get frightened easily.” I said. ”I’ll bring him back.” I said. Then I added. “Oh and boy in yellow, don’t worry. I almost gave him a heart attack when I first met him. We’re on the same boat.” I smiled. Then jogged to go get Alex. “Alex! Get over here!” I then saw Alex had fallen, on the floor. I handed him his textbook and said, “Come with me. You’re going to meet new people. No matter WHAT.” I told him with a semi strict tone but my smile was warm. I helped him off the ground and brought him back to the library.
"A wise girl knows her limits; A smart girl knows she has none."
Oh Merlin, It’s Approaching
Alexander shook his head.
quickly almost desperately.
“N-no...thank you you dont need to”
The word came out small, breathless, like it had been pushed out of him rather than spoken. His fingers tightened around the edge of his textbook, knuckles paling slightly as Tina tried to guide him back.
He took a small step back.
Then another.
“I—I can’t theres no point anyway”
His voice wavered, barely holding together. His gaze flickered past her, toward the direction of were the others were they were both gone now so. His head shook again, more frantic this time.
“You wont want to talk to me really I-I’ll mess it up,” he muttered, the words tumbling out quickly now, like if he didn’t say them fast enough, they’d disappear. “I will say the wrong thing or...or nothing and then it’s just awkward and”
He stopped, breath catching.
His shoulders had drawn in completely now, posture folding as if he could make himself smaller, less noticeable even while standing right in front of her.
“I don’t.........think im the right guy to be friends with im a loser,” he added quieter, almost like he didn’t mean for her to hear that part.
@Tina Carille
quickly almost desperately.
“N-no...thank you you dont need to”
The word came out small, breathless, like it had been pushed out of him rather than spoken. His fingers tightened around the edge of his textbook, knuckles paling slightly as Tina tried to guide him back.
He took a small step back.
Then another.
“I—I can’t theres no point anyway”
His voice wavered, barely holding together. His gaze flickered past her, toward the direction of were the others were they were both gone now so. His head shook again, more frantic this time.
“You wont want to talk to me really I-I’ll mess it up,” he muttered, the words tumbling out quickly now, like if he didn’t say them fast enough, they’d disappear. “I will say the wrong thing or...or nothing and then it’s just awkward and”
He stopped, breath catching.
His shoulders had drawn in completely now, posture folding as if he could make himself smaller, less noticeable even while standing right in front of her.
“I don’t.........think im the right guy to be friends with im a loser,” he added quieter, almost like he didn’t mean for her to hear that part.
@Tina Carille
Last edited by Alexander Zolotov on 4 Apr 2026, 11:33, edited 2 times in total.
Oh Merlin, It’s Approaching
I was just at the Great Hall grabbing some food when I heard about what happened to Alex, I saw many students laughing and talking to each other clearly mocking him. I immediately tried to find Alex but it was impossible, eventually I found Noah, with a girl, Tina Carille first year Ravenclaw. “Who’s this?” I asked, before Noah could reply Tina answered herself “Tina Carille, first year…” I nodded my head and we went together to find Alex. I thought to myself “what if he left himself out in his dorm” or “what if he’s already okay and just studying” but those options wouldn’t be logical enough to explain were he was. We searched all the castle around until we found him nearby the DADA classroom all curled up in a ball he wasn’t crying just fed up in his emotions he really didn’t want to talk at first but we could get going for a while grabbing lunch together, we talked about all sorts of topics until the time began to become a little late so we went together our dorm’s. I slept well that day even going as far as writing in my diary. I made my homework and school work and read some books until I went to sleep. And before I knew, it was morning, I was in the Great Hall eating breakfast and I saw Noah, Tina and Alex walking together.
Matteo-2013-11-28-Finnley
Oh Merlin, It’s Approaching
“I—I can’t theres no point anyway” Alex said. I frowned. Not in a mean way but in an are you serious way. “You wont want to talk to me really I-I’ll mess it up,” he said. I gave him this don’t mess with me look. Then I softened. ”Oh Alex. No one cares if you mess up. I don’t,” Alex tried to shrink. “I don’t—think im the right guy to be friends with im a loser,” I blinked and tried not to look too shocked. But I was REALLY shocked.“ALEX! You are NOT a loser. You just need confidence. Come your coming back RIGHT Now!” I was actually surprised at his remark. I brushed off my robes. I didn’t want to leave the hufflepuff boy over there by himself.] “Come on I already told Hufflepuff boy we are coming back,” then I gently tugged on Alex’s sleeve. Urging him to come. “And I’m not about to go back alone and explain why you disappeared.” I tugged again really gently. I smiled. He hesitated, I cocked my head to the side and let a warm smile fill me face. “Come on we have people to meet and confidence to build.” I started over back to the Hufflepuff, then I nodded my head in his direction as if to say. Come on.
"A wise girl knows her limits; A smart girl knows she has none."