Drawn Together PV Pericles Dralt

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Ruby grinned as the boy's eyes lit up at the invitation to properly greet Apollo. Interactions with animals were just so sweet, and she gave Pericles a nod of encouragement when his smile widened. When his hand was held out, the little cat leaned forward to sniff it despite the Ravenclaw's hesitation. Satisfied, his tiny, rough cat tongue flicked out to lick the nearest finger. He pushed his head into the boy's hand and arched his back when the hand moved to stroke him. Circling back around, he looked up at Pericles with large eyes and pressed gently against his leg. Ruby laughed. “He's not normally this affectionate with strangers! I guess he likes you.” She noticed that the pale boy was rummaging around in his bag. His hand emerged with with a card and she quickly protested, “Oh, I really don't need anything in return.” Just friendship. She then contemplated his offer and continued, “I do enjoy the cards, though. They're always interesting to see. I don't think I have this one, either! I'm a bit of a collector myself, not necessarily of the chocolate frog cards, but just random bits and bobs.”

Ruby felt comfortable. She wasn't worried about oversharing. The conversation was pleasant and their personalities simply seemed to mesh well together. She was settled down, perfectly content as she listened to him, unconcerned with the future and what it would bring, because right now it was just two kids bonding. And oh, what an interesting proposal the boy had for her. A notebook full of adventures of Aurors? That sounded incredible. The twelve year old looked at him hopefully, eyes alight with a spark of curiosity. “How did you get this book and the facts within it? I'd love to study that with you sometime, that'd be amazing. I'm a second year, but your year doesn't matter to me—I can still learn from you.” The side of her mouth curled up into a playful half-smile. “Besides, I ought to know what I'm getting into if I aspire to be an Auror someday.”

Ice blue eyes were cast up to a cerulean sky, a gentle smile gracing her face as she watched pale wisps of cloud crawl across the sky. Puffier clouds also dotted the wide expanse, travelling in groups. There weren't many discernible shapes, Ruby noticed, so it really was like those larger clouds were just giant cotton balls drifting around above her. She heard soft purring and looked back down to see Apollo happily being given attention. The boy finally introduced himself as Pericles Dralt, saying that she could call him Peri. Ruby had totally forgotten that they hadn't exchanged names! With the interesting and engaging conversations they had been having, it had slipped her mind that she still hadn't known her companion's name. “Oh! I'm Ruby Cazares. Some of my cousins call me Rubes. You can call me that if you like but just Ruby is fine too.” A grin lit up her face. “This was lovely, I'd enjoy seeing you again another time soon.”

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@Ruby Cazares

Unbeknownst to the duo, this was the beginning of a charming companionship.
Later that month, they would be slinging snowballs together, and later that year they would be sharing prefect patrols. Apollo, whose reciprocation was making someone's heart melt, would one day influence the name of Pericles' own pet. He skritched under both ears, ran his fingers through fur, smiling all the more broadly when Ruby confessed the cat wasn't typically so affectionate. Although Peri didn't comment on this, he practically shone with contentment. It seemed for a moment as though he was utterly undistractable, but as soon as Ruby mentioned she had a habit for collecting odds and ends, the boy blinked a curious look her way. "I'd imagine Hogwarts to be a perfect place for finding interesting items."

Most kids were careless. They would set something aside, or miss their mark when chucking something for the trash, then move along and forget all about it. No doubt, a magical school was an open hunting grounds for curios. Ruby, much like Peri, seemed the sort to have a keen eye for the odd and peculiar. He'd ask her about her collection someday, should he have the chance. After all: it sounded as though he had something of interest he could share in return. "I wrote it," the young wizard confessed quietly, though a glint of joy sparked in his eye as he admitted to the feat. "My father was an auror, so I wrote down every story he and his allies shared with me, from our encounter with the Ukrainian Ironbelly's would-be-poacher to... tales I'm a bit dubious about, but would be happy to share all the same." Her humility towards learning from a younger year did wonders for the Ravenclaw's confidence. He nodded and echoed the Slytherin on the note of a promise: "Another time."

Ruby was a pretty name, though there was a comfort to the moniker which he would indulge in once they were better acquainted. "Well, we aren't cousins, but I'll try to remember 'Rubes'!" Peri couldn't have possibly foreseen the breadth of their bond, but he had an excellent feeling about his newest Slytherin acquaintance. The interaction had been natural, simple, as if catching up with an estranged sibling, a sensation the youngest-of-two was keen on. What was more, she was clever and kind and had a cat. With a final pat for Apollo, Pericles stood, regathering his things. He thanked her one last time and slid a lingering smile over his shoulder before crossing the courtyard.

Scene exited. Thank you!