The Outdoors Finished

"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 said, which made Miranda smiled again. It was fun to talk with someone who enjoyed books. Not even her younger brother Cedar had been like this.

"Yeah, we do. It's not as big as the general school one, with maybe six or seven shelves, but still awesome. It has all kinds of books, from all over. I even found one that was entirely written in Goblin. Don't ask me who will be reading that one." She followed Henry's gaze towards a crack in the leaves that showed a swath of blue sky. It was almost a crystalline blue right then.

"So, what does the Slytherin common room look like?" Miranda asked, suddenly curious. She was never one to pass down a chance to learn something new, especially when the person she was asking was this fascinating and knowledgeable. It was literally her dream come true. "I've always wondered, since, you know, I can't really go there."

Now that she thought of it, she wondered what all of the other common rooms were like. Were they almost the same? But no, she'd heard that Slytherin's was in the dungeons. That wouldn't let the builders give it the same layout as Ravenclaw, which was in one of the towers.

"Yeah, we do. It's not as big as the general school one, with maybe six or seven shelves, but still awesome. It has all kinds of books, from all over. I even found one that was entirely written in Goblin. Don't ask me who will be reading that one." Miranda answered him and even looking at the clear blue sky, Henry was in awe. He would love to have any type of library in his common room, it was better then keeping books on his nightstand or atop his trunk which was his only solution to be able to read in his common room. Henry let himself smile a bit and swing his legs little on the tree branch, Henry never had anyone to sit outside with and discuss such things like knowledge. Since Cricket was sensitive to light and his twin sister didn't enjoy books as much as him, not even his older brother; Arthur could do this with him so he was excited just to be talking to Miranda not to mention she seemed to be the first person who he met at Hogwarts, who he hasn't been nervous around at least not to much.

"So, what does the Slytherin common room look like? I've always wondered, since, you know, I can't really go there." He heard Miranda ask him, Henry smiled and thought how he should answer that. She seems just as a book lover as me not to mention just as curious with a thirst for knowledge. But why don't I feel nervous around her, I mean since I got here it's been a continuous time of being awkward and weird even to the professors. Like when no words would came out when the charms professor asked me a question but she seems different like I could tell her anything and I won't feel embarrassed. As Henry thought a smiled form on his face and he breath in the smells while still looking up at the clear blue sky through the leaves upon the tree.

Henry grinned while still looking up and answered Miranda while having a relaxed feeling " the slytherin common is hidden away in the dungeons and a bit dark, so a horrible place to read but it has large windows surrounding it as part of the walls that let's you look into the black lake and I like to think it's to learn what's down there such as the giant squid. It's also a bit chilly even though there's a large fire place and mantle with smooth, glossy black couches." Henry turned his head to look at Miranda and smiled as he turned to continue to look at the clear blue sky, where he sometimes spotted a owl flying in the distance probably delivering a message to someone.

"Also a book written in goblin sounds interesting, I would certainly read it. Maybe the library has a copy, I think I might go after dinner tonight to see. Henry face then went red with embarrassment thinking he probably said to much but also quickly bushed it off as he continued to look at the sky. Henry then continued"
I still rather be in ravenclaw, at least when people first think of them they think of knowledge instead of slytherin where people first think of the dark lord." Henry laugh a bit and pushed the hair out of his eyes with his hand as he continued"so since your sneaking into the forbidden forest with me, can I ask why you want to sneak in there to begin with?"

Miranda couldn't help looking slightly embarrassed. "It's honestly a bit silly, but the Forbidden Forest reminds me of home. Especially with all of the magical creatures inside. I know, it's a strange reason to risk punishment for, but I can't help it, really. I've always been too curious for my own good." She sighed, but her smile soon returned.

"And you? Why do you wish to risk punishment just to enter the supposedly highly dangerous forest?" Her smile became playful, and she began swinging her legs back and forth through the air, causing gentle breezes to stir the few leaves below them. It was a peaceful sensation that reminded her of home...again. She was getting too nostalgic for her own good.

Her gaze caught on lone owl battling its way through a patch of rougher air high above the astronomy tower, then slowly moved down the castle walls until it reached the dark silhouette of the Forbidden Forest. A place of mystery, to be sure. And danger. But also, strangely enough, intrigue and mystery. Miranda had always hated secrets, and the chance to learn more, or like her brother said, get some hands-on experience was a truly wonderful idea. Besides, if she went in, she'd be careful. She'd be safe.

"It's honestly a bit silly, but the Forbidden Forest reminds me of home. Especially all of the magical creatures inside. I know, it's a strange reason to risk punishment for, but I can't help it, really. I've always been too curious for my own good." Miranda answered him, Henry smiled at her answer and thought it wasn't silly but instead adventurous. That's sweet how the forbidden forest reminded her of her home, does that mean she used to live by a forest full of non-magical and magical creatures alike I wonder if I should ask her. She also seems to liked magical creatures just as much as me maybe I should tell how I had a idea to get out of the mandatory flying class for care of magical creatures instead but also maybe not, I don't want her to see me as weird.


"And you? Why do you wish to risk punishment just to enter the supposedly highly dangerous forest? He heard Miranda say which snapped him out of his thoughts and back into reality. Henry took a few breaths as he thought about her question and looked up at the sky to help ease his nerves, as he slowly moved his legs back and forth on the branch they were sitting on. "Your reason doesn't sound silly but instead sounds sweet and wonderful, do you live close to a forest back at your home? And honestly my reason is probably the silly one, I always had a liking for magical creatures and I heard that many non-magical and magical ones lived there so I want to see for myself what lives in the forbidden forest even if it might result in punishment, I always was a bit too curious for my well being as well." Henry replied to Miranda as he continue to looked up at the sky and move his legs back and forth slowly.

"Your reason doesn't sound silly but instead sounds sweet and wonderful, do you live close to a forest back at your home?" Henry asked, his gaze still focused on the sky overhead.

"Yeah, my parent's farm was surrounded by a forest. They use it to keep some of the creatures in. Uh, did I mention that yet? That my family owns a ranch for magical creatures?" She grimaced. "Whoops. Well, anyways we do. I mean, it's not like ones muggles have...it's more of an in-between stop for creatures that are traveling, or need to be cared for while their owners are traveling. That kind of thing."

"And honestly my reason is probably the silly one, I always had a liking for magical creatures and I heard that many non-magical and magical ones lived there so I want to see for myself what lives in the forbidden forest even if it might result in punishment, I always was a bit too curious for my well being as well,"Henry continued.

Miranda smiled. "Well, we have that in common, too. I'm quite surprised you weren't sorted into Ravenclaw, honestly. You seem like you'd fit in quite well."

She followed Henry's gaze towards the sky, which was currently empty of owls, including the one she'd seen struggling earlier. Her parents didn't like owl messages much, so Miranda only ever sent letters to her brother, Cedar. He usually passed on whatever she said to Mother and Father. Miranda's biggest fear was that he passed it on incorrectly, as a joke. Well, she couldn't exactly do anything about that.

"Yeah, my parent's farm was surrounded by a forest. They use it to keep some of the creatures in. Uh, did I mention that yet? That my family owns a ranch for magical creatures? Whoops." Miranda spoke, while Henry was still looking up at the sky he smile and thought that must have been wonderful to grow up surrounded by magical creatures, he was lucky if he could spot one near godric hollow once in a while but she must have seen and interacted with many. Henry couldn't help but grin to the thought of living on a magical creature fame as a slight breeze blew through the tree and past them.

"Well, we have that in common, too. I'm quite surprised you weren't sorted into Ravenclaw, honestly. You seem like you'd fit in quite well." Miranda spoke which made Henry spotted swinging his legs and think for second. He remember the sorting just a few weeks ago and how he longed to be with his best friend at the gryffindor table. He remembered how out of place he felt at the slytherin table that another student even ask if slytherin wasn't what he was hoping for and Miranda mentions that she's surprised he wasn't sorted into ravenclaw.

For the first time Henry's neck started to sweat from nerves and he started to feel nervous and panic again but quickly tried to hide it as he cleared his throat and turned to look over at Miranda in her light blue eyes, she he spoke " that's really cool how you grew up on a magical creature farm, that must have been amazing to see and interact with many magical creatures." He paused as he continue while still trying to hide his growing fear and nerves, Henry cleared his theory again before continuing" My best friend use to say that same thing when we were little and honestly I kind of wished it to because I would love to be in a house known for books and knowledge. But still I'm happy to be in slytherin, mostly because my older brother and father were in slytherin." Henry gave a guilty smile as he continued to graze into Miranda's light blue eyes as she looked up at the sky that he was looking at moments ago, " I can see why your in ravenclaw since your intelligent and curious but you seemed like you could make a good gryffindor to. With your curiosity and willingness to bend the rules." Henry grinned and chuckled a bit while continuing to graze into her eyes.

"Yeah, I get that from my Father. He was in Gryffindor, and for good reason too." She smiled, remembering the stories her Mother had told her when she was young of her Father's exploits during his stay at Hogwarts. "Although, I'm more like my Mother; she was a Ravenclaw like me."

She noticed with a flicker of surprise that she had no problem talking to Henry. Even her conversations with Margaret were a little strained at times. He made her think of her brother, who she'd always confided everything in. It was comforting, in a way.

"And with the magical creatures, it really is amazing. Well, most of the time. Sometimes they can be a little scary, especially the more, uh, dangerous ones." Miranda paused for a moment before continuing. "But yeah, it's really fun to see them and play with them. Although, I spend most of my time with the Winged horses because my brother is absolutely obsessed with them."

The words she'd spoken reminded her of the time in her past when she'd bitten off much more than she could chew when it came to magical beasts. All it had taken was a simple mistake on her part, and boom, her life had changed forever. Most likely not for the better.

Henry couldn't help but to graze into Miranda's light blue eyes and when she turned to him was a bit startled but still comfortable has she answer "Yeah, I get that from my Father. He was in Gryffindor, and for good reason too." Miranda seemed to paused and smile for a bit which for a odd reason made Henry smile he didn't really know why, as Miranda continued"Although, I'm more like my Mother; she was a Ravenclaw like me." Henry smile back to her and thought how comfortable he was talking to her.

Usually he would be nervous talking to her but for some reason he wasn't, it was like talking to his siblings or Cricket. Henry felt like what ever he would say to her, he wouldn't embarrass himself or stumble over his words it was odd to Henry but he seemed to like the feeling. Henry continue to graze at her eyes as she begun to talk again"And with the magical creatures, it really is amazing. Well, most of the time. Sometimes they can be a little scary, especially the more, uh, dangerous ones.. But yeah, it's really fun to see them and play with them. Although, I spend most of my time with the Winged horses because my brother is absolutely obsessed with them."

Henry grin a little and pushed his a hand through his hair while he turned back to look ahead of him. He enjoy Miranda's company and felt comfortable around her, something that Henry didn't feel around everyone. Henry started to swing his legs slowly back and forth again while thinking of what he should say because he like talking to her about topics that others would find weird. As he thought he noticed that for the first time since arriving at Hogwarts all of his nerves and worries were gone, he didn't have a fear or panic surrounding him and he actually enjoyed the company of another person.

Henry shocked his head at the thought and grinned, as he spoke softly"Apraxan's right?I read about those, they say they can grow up to 50 feet high but I wouldn't know I never actually saw on in person before. That must be nice to have something like that in common with your sibling, you two must be close. Do you miss him? I know I miss my siblings. Henry continue to smile as he look out from that tree and notice a few butterflies flying over the courtyard which him smile and continue to relax.

Miranda decided to answer the part about winged horses first. "Well, we have Apraxans and Granian ones. The Apraxans are huge, but I can't say I've ever tried to measure one before, so I can't say exactly. Its usually the Granian Winged Horses that my brother and I ride, because they're faster. Like, way, way faster." She paused, her eyes growing distant. "And yeah, we are close. He was always my only friend. Well, until I came here. Our parents didn't care for us much, so we had to stick together. And I miss him a lot, yes. I wish he could be here, honestly, because he'd love this place more than anything. And I'm sure the professors wouldn't like him much. The amount of trouble he can cause is miracle worthy." She laughed brightly, as if talking about Cedar made him seem closer. "Anyways, what about your siblings? What do you guys do together?'


She smiled warmly, trying to seem like she wasn't changing the subject, but honestly, the topic of her family made her a bit uncomfortable. The problem with having no real friends was that she'd never been experienced in sharing things with other. Cedar had always known everything she had, so there'd been no need. Now though...

"Well, we have Apraxans and Granian ones. The Apraxans are huge, but I can't say I've ever tried to measure one before. Its usually the Granian Winged Horses that my brother and I ride, because they're faster. Like, way, way faster." Miranda answered which made Henry bite his lip a bit in frustration that he forgot about Granian's. He then continued to listen as Miranda spoke "Yeah, we are close. He was always my only friend. Well, until I came here. Our parents didn't care for us much, so we had to stick together. And I miss him a lot, yes. I wish he could be here, honestly, because he'd love this place more than anything. And I'm sure the professors wouldn't like him much. The amount of trouble he can cause is miracle worthy.... Anyways, what about your siblings? What do you guys do together?'

Henry smiled a bit to as he heard Miranda talk about her brother. As the mintues grew, Henry noticed that she asked him a question and wasn't sure how to answer it while he didn't want to come off as weird to her he also didn't want to lie to her so as he thought he spoke softly" that's sweet that you and your brother are so close, it must have been like having a best friend though when you were younger? He sounds through like he's more trouble than you, do you think he'll be a gryffindor? Because from what I heard gryffindor's are more likely to bend the rules.

Henry smiled and looked down a bit as he remember his own siblings and he could feel his face hot with embarrassment. Henry quickly rubbed his eyes with his hand then ran it through his hair as he thought of what to say, after a few minutes he continued to graze upon the ground as he again spoke softly " My siblings and I are close, I mean my dad was always away on ministry business and my mum...well." Henry paused as he took a deep breath, he clearly touched on a sensitive subject. He continued to look down on the ground as he started to trace his fingers along the groves of the branch as he continued to speak softly"Anyway it was mostly just my older brother, my twin sister, and me so we had plenty of time to bond. Which most days were mainly spent under this oak tree near our home either reading, looking for creatures or planning ways to get into mischief." Henry chuckled to himself and turned his gaze at Miranda before turning back to look at the sky.