A somewhat un-orderly study session

Millicent decided to pop into the library on one odd day, deciding that she wanted to be an explorer at heart as well as a magic-user.

And there's no time like the present to do that! she thought, with a little burst of cheer.

She looked around the room; most people were studying, quietly chatting or practicing their spells. Honestly, the Hufflepuff felt a little disappointed-she thought there were more newcomers like herself. But maybe that was just wishful thinking.

Then Millicent made eye contact with someone. They looked quickly down, but she noted they had black hair and they didn't seem all too busy-if they were looking at her, that is. But she supposed anything was possible nowadays.

She made her way through the library, trying to catch a glimpse of the black-haired stranger. At last, she saw him, looking more exhausted than anyone she'd ever seen her age look.

He looked quite taller than her but around the same age as her, with that nervous look most first years tend to get. He had a notebook opened beside him and he looked very concentrated-or at least Millicent thought so.

"Hi!" she whispered to him. "Um. I'm Millicent. What are you working on?"

He looks at her tilting his head slightly before smiling, and adjusting himself properly for conversation.
"Well met Millicent, my name is Silas. I am reading ahead through some herbology texts. The mandrake in particular at the moment, I have a quiet fascination for such things. I presume you came to study as well? Your welcome to sit if you would like."

He then leans over the table slightly clearing some of his scattered belongings in attempt give her half the of the space on the table. After all this is a public space and it would not benefit to act so rudely.. Leaning back he looks at her waiting for her response before noticing she is a Hufflepuff. While he is not all that familiar with the dynamics of the houses he is however fully aware no Hufflepuff has come up to him. He wrote this off as simple rivalry however now he wonders if it was something else. Maybe he does not seem approachable though it could be something as simple as they have had no reason to approach him. His face contorts slightly as he thinks of the possibilities of it all. He shakes his head as he realizes he has zoned out a bit there.

Millicent opens her mouth immediately to laugh lightheartedly. She hasn't ever met anyone like this but she's delighted with it.

Perhaps this year will be more interesting than I thought. I don't know, we'll see, I suppose..

"Well met? I love that!"

She dips her head, flourishing a bow before coming back up, feeling a little lightheaded at that. "Well met to you," she says with a hopeful, little smile and sits next to him with eager eyes.

"You're reading ahead? That's awesome! In Herbology, you said? You must really like it so far! Is it your favorite class? What do you like about mandrakes?"

He must be really smart and studious if he's reading ahead, she thinks quietly to herself. I wonder what house he's in; maybe Ravenclaw. But I wouldn't mind either way, no matter what house he's in.

Millicent feels heat rise to her cheeks and sighs. "Sorry if I'm talking too much, Silas; I do that when I get excited. And I didn't come here to study, either. I came here mostly to explore and meet people."

She feels a shine overtake her eyes. "I'm just so fascinated by magic and all of it right now. I want to understand."

He blinks a bit before laughing. He has not laugh much since coming to this school, to him at least this is a good sign they will get along.
"Your definitely the excited type I see, well truth be told I am most excited to eventually learn about beasts more in that third year course but I imagine baseline information would be quite useful for it. As for what I find useful with mandrakes there the corner stone of many antidotes from what I am reading here. I imagine the more I deal with beasts the more I will need to know this information."

"Oh and do not worry about appearances so to speak, I am quite unfamiliar with well all of this. I hardly think your talking too much, in fact I am quite curious what your favorite class is currently"

He sets the book down gently closing it, before sliding it aside a bit to pay better attention to whatever her response may be. He looks relatively comfortable now. He does however occasionally still rub his left hand when he makes eye contact for a bit too long, that unfortunately will take plenty of time to get over as he generally struggles with these kinds of one on one interactions.

Millicent feels a little delighted that she made her new... friend? acquaintance? laugh. She doesn't tend to have that particular skill, so she feels pride rush up into her belly, like a fresh elixir, though she's never had one herself.

Maybe I should try that in potions... although my Professor probably wouldn't appreciate that. And I wouldn't want detention. Oh well, maybe another time, Mills.

"I am the excited type," she says with a little smile. "And... me too! I think I want to become a Magizoologist when I graduate from Hogwarts! I just think all the animals and plants are fascinating-well to me, everything is fascinating- but I want to learn all about them! Are you thinking of that, too?"

Millicent continues talking. "That's also so smart! Man, you seem so much like a Ravenclaw with that pursuit of knowledge! Are you? Though I wouldn't mind if you were any other house. And... as far as my favorite class, I don't know yet. I'm taking Potions and Charms right now and they're both really interesting but I don't know if I have a favorite yet. I might start taking more classes now. What do you recommend?

She sees him put down the book and her eyes widen with surprise, then happiness.

Silas, I think we can be friends.

His smile stays with a small chuckle at her enthusiasm. However he tilts his head slightly hearing the word: Magizoologist
"I will be honest I haven't looked so far ahead yet, I'm not sure what Magizoologist I believe this is the first I have heard of it. I have been encouraged by some to become a duelist but truth told I have yet to consider what all this learning will amount to. I will definitely consider the occupation. As for my house?. I am a Slytherin."

"As for the class recommendations, you will have to forgive me I'm quite new to all of this, for now I simply attempt to excel at what I'm told. You know, if memory service there is a class called care of magical creatures. I am quite excited for that in truth as I assume you are as well. Have you made any friends since coming to Hogwarts? Or any enemies for that matter? I've heard that some can be quiet cruel in these halls."

He crosses his right left over the left as he leans in just enough to rest his elbow on the table and his face in his hand. Her enthusiasm is fascinating, and he can see the ambition there too. Considering this new possible career path for him she may even be a colleague one day.

Millicent smiles at his position and dives into the conversation head-first, as she normally does.

"I think a Magizoologist is basically taking care of magical creatures-as your career! It sounds really fun and rewarding; I imagine all the creatures I'd be able to help and take care of and bond with! That's okay, too! I might change my mind!"

Millicent felt her eyes widen when she realizes that Silas is a Slytherin, but she quietly, internally shakes her head.

Mills, this is Hogwarts of all places! Where magic is real and where you can have a toad for a pet! Now is notthe time for prejudice, fear and judgment to get in the way! So there!

"Me too, honestly. I'm just taking the required classes right now and yes, I'm very, very excited for 'Care of Magical Creatures'!"

Millicent felt herself sadden when she heard his next question. "I'm not sure many friends... at least in my year. But that's just for right now! And besides, I consider you my friend. Not any enemies, though, I don't think; and if I do have any, they're talking about me in places I can't hear them," she added with a laugh.

"What about you? And do you like to duel?"

Noticing her brief change in expression he raises a eyebrow but does not comment on it, he has met some crude Slytherin. So far is overall impression on the second year Slytherin have not been the best however he has not quite heard of Slytherin's more common stereotypes. Hearing her call him a friend he eyes widen slightly before the return to normal size.

"I have yet to be called anyone's friend, I appreciate those kind words. I would like to consider you a friend as well. As for enemies I would hardly call it that but I suppose I did get in a bit of a... scuffle of sorts with some second year students. Nothing to worry about for the time being. I would LIKE to duel, however I have yet to learn any spells believe it or not. It is a little embarrassing but I have spent most of my time studying magical beasts rather then any other lessons... I hope to rectify that soon enough. "

He shifts a bit uncomfortably.

"Are you planning to get involved in dueling? I what hate to end up in a duel with you, though I will do my best to make it a honorable duel if it comes to it."

Millicent listens to him and as she does, a wave of sadness seems to overcome her, like she is standing on the beach and it touches her toes; not to make her fall, but to make her feel.

"I'm sorry no one has called you a friend," she says to him, her voice soft, yet devoid of pity, because Millicent understands. "I think you're a good one, if anyone has anything to say about it, and they may be kind and true. I think you're a good friend."

When she hears that Silas considers her a friend, she brightens up, visibly straightening up in her chair but when she hears about the drama with the second year students, her eyes flash.

"What do you mean?" Millicent exclaims, and then realizes how loud she's being. Her cheeks heat.

"Sorry," she whispers. "I just don't like the idea of anyone messing with you."

Her eyes harden. "But if they do, please let me know."

Millicent then takes a few breaths in and then out. "Sorry. Also, I don't know many spells either." She scratches the back of her neck nervously. "I think I only know two from Charms-and one of them is to make a dancing teapot, I think!" She laughs a little, amused at the thought.

"I don't know if I'll get involved in dueling," Millicent admits. "Probably not, unless they could guarantee I wouldn't hurt anyone."

Her eyes soften though as she thinks his words over. "Don't be embarrassed about that, though, Silas. Someone's got to know about all the magical creatures and how to counteract them and how to befriend them if you're ever in a pinch and if you want to do that, then more power to you. Plus, you're a first year, like me! We still have lots of time to learn."