The Outdoors Finished

Henry stepped out in the courtyard and quickly notice that there were only 3 others kids there which made Henry breath a sigh of relief. While Henry enjoyed the company of others, he also like the quiet and peacefulness when he was alone. Henry knew he was suppose to meet his best friend; Cricket soon but he figured he had a few minutes to spend outdoors in the quiet to read. Henry started to make his way through the courtyard while the smells surrounded him as well as dew drops fell to his sneakers. Henry looked around for a quiet place to read his book, one that he just got out of the library.

Maybe by the tree, it will be quiet but also a good spot to see a magical creature. Henry stood their thinking on where to go, he decided on a tree in the far corner of the courtyard. Henry took his time to walk to it then started to climb up to the tree's branch that hung over the courtyard but also gave him a good view to look for magical creatures. Henry took out the book from his messenger type bag and opened to the first page, he let the smell from the book fill his nostrils as books always seemed to calm him. The book was on advanced charm spells, Henry always been smart and receive top marks in class which is probably because Henry's love if reading to read ahead than what he is currently learning.

Henry silently read his book on that tree branch as a light breeze sent a calming shiver down his spine, Henry looked up from his book to find a girl who Henry thought was quite pretty walking in his direction which made Henry panic a little.

Miranda thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone climbing a tree nearby. She recognized the sound of shoes scraping against rough bark from all the times she'd done so herself back home. A few moments later, the sound faded, and she surmised that whoever it was had reached wherever in the tree he or she had been headed.

Maybe I should talk to them, she mused. Anyone who likes to climb trees sounds like a good person to know. Miranda suddenly broke into a wide grin. Actually, whoever that was acts an awful lot like my brother. She allowed herself to feel amused for a while, still nervous about approaching a stranger, no matter how familiar their habits seemed. "Oh, just do it," she told herself quietly. "What's the worst that could happen?"

Slowly, she turned in a circle, searching the courtyard for the unknown tree-climber. Finally she spotted him perched in one of the larger trees. "Well, it's now or never," Miranda murmured, and made herself walk in his direction.

She briefly noticed that he was holding a book, which seemed like a good sign. A reader and a tree-climber. Not something you saw every day.

"Hello," she said, stopping a few feet from the base of the tree. "My name's Miranda."

"Hello," said said the girl who had blonde hair, that remained Henry of Cricket and also light blue eyes. "My name's Miranda" The girl ended on while looking at Henry upon the tree branch. Henry gulp a little and hoped that Miranda didn't hear him, Henry then closed his book while remembering what page he has been on and open his mouth but no sound seemed to have escape so he quickly shut it. Nice going Henry you looked like a total idiot. Ok, don't act weird just be normal and talk to her, she did approach you and who knows maybe this is your chance to have another friend.

Henry looked at Miranda and noticed how her blue eyes were those like the kind of a clear blue sky or a clear blue river, the ones that you can see the bottom clearly. Henry could feel his neck start to sweat from panicked and he quickly ran a hand through his hair while he tried his best to hide that fact that he was taking calming breaths. Henry took one last deep breath has he smiles a small but kind smile and also a bit shy type smile to Miranda and spoke"Nice to meet Miranda, I'm Henry. Uh, I'm I in your spot because I can move if you want?

As Miranda waited for him to answer, she briefly allowed herself to wonder what he was reading. Maybe it was one of their school books, or a pleasure reading book? She had no idea, since she couldn't see the cover from where she was.

"Nice to meet you Miranda, I'm Henry. Uh, am I in your spot because I can move if you want?" he suddenly asked, closing his book and peering down at her.

"No, of course not," Miranda replied, startled. "I was just curious. And a bit bored, honestly. There's not much to do here without going into the Forbidden Forest." She shot an unreadable look in the direction of the dark trees. "As much as I love being outside, all the action seems to go on indoors."

I wonder if I could get away with heading into the Forbidden Forest, she mused. I'd have to be pretty careful. And if something attacked me, I most definitely don't know enough spells to scare them off. Well, unless they're a Gytrash. Better not risk it just yet. Maybe another day...

A pale orange butterfly fluttered past her nose, and Miranda watched it fly in a few circles before landing on the tree trunk. As wonderful as magical beasts are, mundane ones are quite fascinating as well, in their own way, she couldn't help herself from thinking as she watched.

Henry smiled as Miranda answered and listened to her carefully. She sounds sweet and adventurous,
maybe I can ask her if she like to sneak out into the forbidden forest one night with me. She seems to like the outdoors more then spending time inside so maybe she will agree. As Henry thought he watched Miranda and smiled when a orange butterfly flew to her nose then landed on the tree truck, Henry couldn't help but laugh a bit he always found that non-magical animals were just as wonderful as magical creatures. Henry then remember he had to answer her and for the first time he wasn't nervous or worried, he didn't panic but instead felt relaxed as he smiled a friendly smile and said" I prefer the outdoors to, I find it more peaceful and relaxing then being inside even if that's where all the action is. Henry tap his knee and thought for a bit before continuing" I was planning to sneak into the forbidden forest sometime this year if you would like to join me? If not that's fine to just don't let any professor's know." Henry chuckled a bit at that last part and ran a hand though his hair as he smiled and enjoyed her company, something that he rarely did or like.

Henry placed his book back in his messenger type bag and smiled again while he said" would you like to join me up, Miranda? It's a good place to spot both magical and non-magical creatures from."

"I was planning to sneak into the forbidden forest sometime this year if you would like to join me? If not that fine just don't let any professor's know," Henry said, tapping his knee.

Miranda barely hesitated before answering. "Of course I'd like to. And either way, I'd never let a teacher know, so don't worry." She grinned up at him, briefly noting that the butterfly had disappeared.

She watched as Henry put his book back into a small bag. "Would you like to join me up, Miranda? It's a good place to spot both magical and non-magical creatures from," he said once he was done.

"Sure, as long as you don't mind," Miranda replied, taking a few steps forwards so she was standing right next to the trunk.

She slipped her fingers into a few pockmarked holes stuck in the trunk that looked like they'd bee left there purposefully and started climbing. Before long, she was at an equally height to Henry. "It looks like someone left footholds and handholds here ahead of time," she told him, pointing at a particularly large one just below her foot.

Miranda sat down on a bend in one of the larger branches and let her feet swing in the air, smiling down at the ground below. "Everything seems nicer when you're off the ground," she noted. "Like you've left all your worries behind." For her, those words spoke volumes about her personality. She'd always been one to escape the hustle and bustle of crowds, because as much as she liked to talk and socialize, sometimes it just became too much. That was usually when she made her escape.

"Everything seems nicer when you're off the ground, like you've left all your worries behind." Miranda said after she climb upon the tree and sat next to Henry. Henry moved over a bit to give her space and glanced down quickly at the foot and handholds that she pointed out before looking back at Miranda in her light blue eyes that reminded Henry of a calm, clear blue stream.

She said yes, that amazing incredible even now I can finally sneak into the forbidden forest but I also have to rework my plan so neither me or Miranda gets caught. Not to mention now that were equal height I feel a bit awkward, no don't Henry just stay calm because she seems pretty cool and a great friend not to mention cute to.

Henry turned away from her and looked a bit at the ground as his face filled with embarrassment, Henry took claiming breath quick and rubbed a nervous hand through his hair while he tried to hide his nerves from her. Henry cleared his throat and still keeping his eyes away from her spoke " I think another student who preferred the outdoors made those feet and handholds for others who shared their love of the outdoors. Anyway I agree with you all the way about how being off the ground is like leaving your worries behind you which is why I love hiding in trees a lot. Also thanks for agreeing to sneak into the forest with me and also to not tell any professors, most others wouldn't think twice about getting a slytherin in trouble even if their a first year." Henry turned to meet her sky blue eyes and smiled a friendly and kind type of smile while he continued" So Miranda...uh you know that I'm a first year slytherin, what about you what year are you in and uh....do you enjoy books?"

Henry smiled at her then looked back at the ground wishing he didn't say anything because the more he spoke the more he saw his awkwardness flow in.

"So Miranda...uh you know that I'm a first year Slytherin, what about you what year are you in and uh....do you enjoy books?" Henry asked, smiling kindly.

"I'm in first year, too," she answered, smiling back. "But I'm in Ravenclaw instead. And of course I like books! They're like portals to new worlds." Miranda glanced up at the rustling leaves above them. "Well, fantasy books anyways. And those are my favorites."

She turned her gaze back to Henry, and noticed that his eyes were as light a blue as hers. Strange, how she was beginning to notice things like that. She'd never paid that much attention to anyone before.

I wonder what his life was like before he came here, she thought. Was he happy? Or does he like Hogwarts better because it means he's away from something he hates about his home? Does he have any siblings he misses? It's odd sometimes, how people are like books. And of course, I have just as many questions about both. Miranda laughed quietly, shaking her head.

"What kind of books do you like to read?" she asked, gesturing at his messenger bag. "Fantasy? Science-fiction? Historical fiction?" Miranda tilted her head to the side, an unconscious habit she had developed long ago whenever she was curious about something. Her younger brother had always found it hilarious, much to her annoyance. And yet, like so many of her other strange features, she'd never been able to get rid of it.

"What kind of books do you read?" was ringing in Henry's head since Miranda answered and for the first time at Hogwarts was actually excited and not to nervous to answer since he now knows that she views books the same way he does. Henry looked at her light blue eyes and spoke" I like all types of books, I would read almost anything I can find because I to see them as a portal to new lands and adventures to explore. But if I had a choice I'll probably chose fantasy." Henry then opened his messager type bag that Miranda was referring to and pulled out the book he was reading before she arrived and showed her the cover. Henry then continued"It's a book on advanced charms I just got it from the library while I do prefer fantasy books I also like books that I can gain knowledge, which is probably how I know stuff way beyond my year not that I can cast them or anything." Henry finished with a nervous chuckled as he placed his book back into his bag and continued to stare up at the sky as his mind was zooming away.

So she likes books and sees them as a way to escape like me and she prefers the peacefulness of the outdoors like me. Not even Cricket has that much in common with me, I wonder what her life is like at her home if she misses it or not and why if she doesn't it. I can also see how she's a ravenclaw, she seems smart and a natural book lover and nature lover not to mention beautiful. Henry shut up, just shut up idiot your going to probably find some way to ruin being her friend.

Henry looked down as embarrassment started to fill his face and he taped his knee while taking slow, calming breaths before saying " Ravenclaw that's cool, I heard you guys have a private library in your common room that would be incredible. I kind of wished the slytherin common had their own library." Henry then quickly stopped talking before he could say more and continued to looked at the sky which now remained him of Miranda's light blue eyes.