Distracted by a Novel PV Finished

When Miranda said that it doesn't take too long to figure out your way around Akari chuckled and nodding hoping that she was right. She knew that eventually she would be able to navigate the grounds, but due to how forgetful and clumsy she was being lately who knows how long it would take for her to get her bearings.

She followed her through the multiple staircases towards the study hall and still had her eyes peeled ahead. It is almost like a small workout to get from one place to another in the castle because of how many times you would go up only to go back down a minute later.


Once they arrived at the study hall Akari peered in and glanced around before taking a step forward to see it better. She studied everything from all the tables and chairs that neatly scattered the room to the high ceiling that had lovely light fixtures hanging from it.
Then she turned and looked in the direction that Miranda had pointed in and saw all the other doors that were spread down the walls of the hallway then a small frown sprouted across her face.
"All of those doors lead to a study hall?"
She asked her in a surprised tone of voice.

Miranda looked on as Akari peered into the room, then took a few steps inside to better study the place.

"Yep," the Ravenclaw replied in response to the first year's question. "Each and every one. They're normally quite full, in fact, but not so much today. People that prefer to study in groups come here, instead of the library so that they can talk without having to whisper. And chances are they're more full during cloudy days or fierce weather. That tends to drive study groups indoors more than anything else." Miranda didn't bother mentioning the rumors of hags that were circling the castle. No sense in frightening the girl needlessly. She'd learn soon enough anyways.

Miranda glanced around, racking her mind for another place to show Akari after this stop. There were a few empty classrooms on this level, but nothing else of interest. Maybe they could go down? Or up? Down still made more sense, because quite a few of the more used classrooms were that way. And they could always backtrack later if necessary. Yes, that made more sense. But...maybe Akari would have a different opinion?

"So...where should we go next? Is there a certain place you want to see?" Miranda asked after they were obviously done with the study rooms. "Downstairs is where most of the more frequented areas are, but there's still quite a few places in the towers and higher floors you'll need to go to."

Akari was actually a tad puzzled as to why they had study halls if they already had a library so it was amusing to her that Miranda had coincidentally just answered her question by explaining to her that they were mainly used for small study groups who can't be as quiet as the library needed which ended up saving her from asking yet another question.

Then Miranda inquired about where she would like to go next, she pursed her lips in thought and tilted her head to the side and replied
"Possibly one of the lower floors then, since it's probably be more useful for me to know the main areas'
As much as she did want to explore the towers she knew it was the better choice to chose the downstairs areas since that is where most people are and she will most likely be expected to know.

She looked around and narrowed her eyes slightly trying to spot the next staircase that would lead them down to the lower floor then glanced back at Miranda and asked
"Out of all the floor and rooms or areas in the whole castle which have you taken a liking to the most?'


Miranda Everest

Miranda nodded in response to Akari's answer, already thinking ahead to the path they'd take. Before she could get going, however, the younger student asked another question.

"Well, that's a bit of a difficult question," Miranda began, gazing out a nearby window toward the grounds. "I love the library, of course. There's an absolute wealth of knowledge there. But the Ravenclaw common room has a great view, and so does the Astronomy tower, though that's mostly of the dark sky, since we're only allowed up there at night classes. On another note, the grounds are pretty great, but I've always liked being outdoors, so that's to be expected." She paused. "What about you? Are there any places you've gone that caught your eye? Maybe a certain class, or something? A lot of students find the potions classroom fascinating, as long as they're okay with the general creepy 'dungeon' vibe it gives off."

She shifted her gaze from the window and back toward the other girl, her expression one of curiosity. Logically, she knew not everyone loved reading or being outside as much as she did, which of course led to the question of what places they did like. Maybe now was the time to find out.

"I must say I completely agree, the grounds are absolutely lovely, I really enjoy waking up to that kind of a view every morning as apposed to cars and streets like in London. The library is quite nice as well although I do not read nearly as much as I should, but i'm certain that I will read more after seeing it's vast collection"
She replied then quickly added "As for classes I would have to say that I really fancy Defence Against the Dark Arts because it is so engaging and exciting, but I do admit that the Astronomy tower is quite fascinating... as well as the greenhouses for herbology are quite enjoyable to go to."
Akari did realize she had mentioned a lot a places, but she had to since it was way too difficult for her to pick just one.

She had chuckled softly at her statement about "the creepy dungeon vibe" as she recalled some of her fellow classmates playing it off as if they liked it but she knew they were really actually wary and even a little scared of it but would deny it if anyone brought it up since they wanted to come across as "cool" for liking such an ominous place.

@Miranda Everest

“That’s quite a lot,” Miranda said with a chuckle. “But that’s good! It’s nice to see that you like it here. I mean, who wouldn’t like it here, but it’s nice to have viable proof.” In Miranda’s mind, Hogwarts was almost the epitome of perfection. If it had only been a bit more open to nature, with more windows and possibly a few indoor plants, it probably would have made the list.

But even without those additions, it was still great. Miranda loves to learn, and that was, after all, the school’s entire purpose. It also offered her an escape from the disappointed gazes of her parents, even though she and her brother had grown more distant because of their time here.

Miranda made a face at the direction her thoughts had ended up going, then turned her expression back into one of delight, hopefully before Akari could notice and ask about it. She’d never been the most open about her thoughts, unless they simply became overwhelming and she felt like she had to share or else she would burst. But this wasn’t one of those cases.

“So, downstairs next?” Miranda prompted, trying to get back on track before she got lost in her own thoughts again. “There’s at least two classes for first years on the next lowest floor. Possibly one more to don’t yet take, but could still check out. If you’d like, that is.”

Akari's father had always told her tales about Hogwarts which had always made her long to come and see for herself. She was happy to say that it completely met her expectations and may have even exceeded them in some aspects, which she didn't even think was possible.

Akari had somewhat noticed the change in Miranda's expression, but it was far too fast for to actually think something was wrong. Then she confirmed Miranda's inquiry by nodding before speaking up
"Yes sure, let's go check out the classes downstairs"
Then she spotted the staircase that she assumed was to go down and started slightly inching towards it but slowly since she wasn't sure that was the correct one.

Her arm started somewhat aching from carrying her books around so she stopped moving and turned around and looked at Miranda then asked.
"Do you think it is okay if I leave these books in one of the study halls?"
Then she paused a moment before adding with a chuckle "My arm is getting quite tired"

@Miranda Everest

At Akari's agreement, Miranda started toward a nearby staircase, but paused when the younger girl spoke up again, spinning to face her. "I think so," Miranda replied with a small nod. "Just as long as you come back for them before long. Although, I could help you carry some if you'd like...split the load and all that. Then you wouldn't have to double back for them later." She didn't really care whether Akari accepted the offer or not, leaving it up to the first year's judgement. Miranda just wanted to put the offer out there in case Akari would rather that then coming back. The Ravenclaw knew that she herself would've rather kept the books with her.

Whether the other girl accepted or not, Miranda waited a little while, then, when the details had been arranged, led Akari off to the staircase down to the first floor. "So what classes have you enjoyed the most since you came?" she asked as they walked. "Flying? Charms? Lots of people like Charms. Or what about Herbology, since you said you like the greenhouses?"

Miranda was always endlessly curious about other people's opinions on various subjects. For her, other people could be a lot like books, only vastly more interactive and more informative, if you could find a way to learn from them in the first place. It was why she liked talking to people so much.

Sorry for the later reply!

Akari thought to herself for a few moments deciding whether or not she should give her some of the books. Even though Miranda had offered to help she felt bad that she would have to lug around someone else's books. But it would be much more convenient if she didn't have to come all the way back for them.
"Alright, thank you so much" she nodded and accepted her offer graciously then handed her a couple of the books.

Akari followed her down to the first floor when Miranda asked her which class she had been enjoying the most since she came the Hogwarts.
"That is tough question" She murmured mostly to herself.

It took her a little while before she finally spoke up."Well I do really like charms... but I also really adore Defence against the Dark Arts... I don't think I could pick a favourite" She replied with a chuckle then added "And you? Which class are you fond of the most?"

It wasn't surprising that Akari had taken a liking to DADA because even before coming to Hogwarts she knew a lot about it, because not only did it used to be her father's favourite subject when he was at the school but also because he's current job is being an Auror.

@Miranda Everest

"Oh yes, definitely a tough question," Miranda agreed with a half-smile. "I'd probably have to say Defense Against The Dark Arts, along with Care for Magical Creatures next year. I've always loved magical beasts, and since both classes sort of incorporate them to a certain degree, I'd say they're my favourites. Although, Transfiguration isn't bad once you get over the general confusingness of it all."

Miranda knew full well that not many people like Trasfiguration, mostly because, while the magic was cool, the theory and all the other stuff could be extremely confusing unless figured out properly, or at least explained enough times to make it stick. Miranda had made it her personal mission to learn the theory, as well as every other complicated part along with the spells. Hopefully she'd done a good job.

"So have any of your siblings gone to Hogwarts before you?" she asked, trying to think of a new way to continue the conversation as they turned corner after corner. "Or did your parents go here too? Or both?"

Lots of the pure-bloods, and pretty much all of the half-bloods and wizard-borns had had parents who'd gone to the school before them, so chances were that the second part of her question was unnecessary. But there was also a small chance that Akari was a muggle-born, or her parents were part of the rare few who either attended another school, or went somewhere else entirely.

@Akari Kato