Breakfast and Brainstorms Closed

Howie sat down across from Rosie at the Yellow clad Hufflepuff table. The Great Hall was abuzz as most of the students sat and ate breakfast. The plate before him was piled high with all assortments of deliciousness. Eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and a croissant, because why not. He was starving after all!

He picked up his fork and started to shovel in the food, stuffing his cheeks. His mind raced on what to do about poor Verla. Howie was glad that he had helped Rosie accomplish her goal of contacting her family and hoped with all his might that they would be receptive. He had become very attached to Rosie, even if they had only known each other a couple days, and also felt quite protective of her as well. Dread fill his chest at the thought of Rosie having to go what Verla was going through. How could these parents not see what he saw in his friends.

Looking up from his plate, his fear and anxiety was immediately lifted. Rosie was eating a sausage and doing a happy dance in her seat. Howie’s eyes shone bright and his typical grin cracked across his face. When she looked up at him she seemed slightly embarrassed and covered her mouth, but he didn’t know why, in his eyes, she could do no wrong. Giving her a wink, he mimicked her little wiggle. “I like it!” He said in an attempt to show her there was no need to be embarrassed in front of him.

Washing it all down with some orange juice, he wipes his mouth with a napkin. “So Rosie. What are we gonna do about Verla?”

Rosie couldn't stifle the giggle when Howie imitated her. Was that what she looked like when she the dance? She was glad that she didn't have to be embarrassed around him, though it was still an odd feeling to not be self conscious. She had spent so much of her life being warned against the outside world and boys in particular that Howie was a welcome surprise.

“So Rosie. What are we gonna do about Verla?”

The question made her change her demeanor slightly. Her happy food dance forgotten as she thought about Verla and her family. Thoughtfully, she chewed her food and swallowed before she spoke. "I've actually been thinking about it. The more we can explain about magic without forcing magic on them, the better. They already know about the owl system." She pushed around some eggs on her plate as she thought about the rest of her plan. "I was thinking I could just write them an old fashioned letter and explain to them all the things that we're learning here and all the possible beneficial contributions that Verla will be able to make when she graduates." She paused, watching Howie for his response. It wasn't an elaborate plan, but she thought it made the most sense.

Howie smiled at Rosie as he absentmindedly picked apart his croissant, happy that she was becoming more and more comfortable around him. Sure, she still blushed from time, but that was also apart of her charm, and Howie did like how it made her green eyes shine bright.

He leaned in across the table to listen closely as she described her plan to him. Yes, it was a simple plan, but one that he believed had the best chance of working. The thought of sending them a magical picture now sounded rediculous. Of course Verla’s parent would just be frightened by it. They probably wouldn’t even take the time to look at the content before tossing it in a fire and claiming it to be some sort of sinners trick.

“That’s a solid plan Rosie, and bound to have some kind of impact on them. I know they fear her now, but there has to be some love left in their hearts for her.” Or so Howie hoped. His wished in this moment that they didn’t have to rely on owls to talk to the outside world. He could really use his parents advice right now. This thought triggered another one. “Hey Rosie...sending letters is a great idea. What do you think of I had my mum send a letter too. Ya know, from one muggle to another. I bet mum could help convince her that magic is no reason to throw away one of your children.” He locked eyes with her to try and judge her response.

Rosie listened as her friend spoke. She bit her bottom lip in thought as Howie proposed a second step in her plan. After he had finished speaking, she thought for a moment. This was too important to just jump into. She wanted to be sure that it had been thought out before being executed. "Howie..." Rosie paused for effect, "I actually think that's brilliant. They're both going through something similar in a lot of ways. What with finding out their child can do magic and all." She tapped her left index finger on the table, thinking as did. In her right hand, she held a fork with an un-eaten bite of eggs forgotten sitting atop the prongs. She set down her fork before speaking. "The only problem I see is that we would need Verla's address. Muggle mail depends on it." Rosie didn't see a way around that. "I'm afraid that if we tell Verla our plan in order to get her address, she may tell us to not do it out of fear of failure."

Her food sat in front of her, now completely forgotten. Her right knee bounced under the table. Talking to Verla may be necessary. "I may just need to convince Verla." She looked back up, meeting Howie's eyes. "What do you think, Howie?"

Howie raised his eyebrows at Rosie as she did not answer back immediately. Did she think his latest idea was dumb? Surely not, for he believed it was pure gold. His mind raced as she said “Howie...” this was when she called him a dolt, no doubt. The usual grin that occupied his face returned as she continued and told him she thought the idea was brilliant. Haha! That’s right world, Rosie thought his idea was brilliant. His chest swelled a bit.

“That’s what I thought. Mum has always had a knack for handling hard situations. I mean, when the owls arrived and the representative turned up from Hogwarts to tell us all about me being a wizard, I thought my parents heads were gonna explode. I barely believed it myself, but it must be hard ya know? Thinking your just an ordinary family and then all of the sudden there is this whole wizarding world out there, and your own kid as magic in his veins. It gotta be a bit scary. I think we’re on to something though Rosie. Between your letter and me mum’s, it gotta have some kind of impact on her.”

Hmm, a flaw in the plan. “Oh right, dang. I didn’t think about the address. I think you’re right. Verla would probably freak if we told her what we wanted to do. We’ll have to think of a way to convince her. I know she’s really hurt and mad now, but I think in the long run, she’ll want to reconcile with her folks.” He downed the rest of his juice with a satisfying “ahh.”

“You think it might be best if you do it alone, ya know, just between you two girls, or should we approach her together?”

Rosie clasped her hands on the table thoughtfully listening to Howie. As he finished his juice, it reminded her why they were here in the first place. Food, of course. She took the last bite of her previously forgotten eggs and followed it up with a sip of her juice. She preferred apple juice to the acidity of a glass of orange juice and was glad that Hogwarts was able to accommodate that particular preference. When she was finished, she pushed her empty plate and glass away from her and continued, her eyes meeting Howie's. "I think I would like it if you were there..." She trailed off before continuing, speaking faster now. "I just mean, two heads are better than one. Plus you always know the right things to say and I don't really know how to tell her we're going to talk to her parents that disowned her." She swallowed the rest of her words before did any more damage with her rambling. "Unless you think it would be better if I talk to her alone?" She liked Howie being around. She trusted him and she was coming to find courage in their friendship. "This is just a really hard situation. Do you think I should write my letter first to get her approval? Just so she sees we're not doing anything over the top?"

Howie looked on as Rosie finished the last bit of her breakfast, enjoying the moment with her. The plan was coming together. Operation Save Verla he thought to himself. It was a bit of a silly thought, but one that he was taking very seriously. Verla has become one of his first friends at Hogwart. Sure, she was a bit quirky, very much accident prone, but she was a very nice girl and had been kind to Howie during his first few days at school. At the very least, they were both Hufflepuffs, something Howie was very proud of and he would always go out of his way to help another Huffle. 

“No, I think you’re quite right Rosie, we should tackle this together.” Any excuse to spend time with Rosie was fine by him, plus together they probably would be able to convince Verla of thier plan. “And don’t sell yourself short, this was your idea after all, and you’ll know what to say when the time comes.” He knew she doubted herself sometimes, but she was smart and very caring.

“Hmm...Yeah, I think you should write it beforehand. If she is able to see your words I think she will be more receptive to the idea.” Howie glanced around the great hall, most of the students were filing out to start thier day. “I do beleive that we have ourselves a plan.” He said with a wink.

"Hey guys." Verla happily skipped into the great hall and sat down next to her friends. She smiled at them, then with an open mind she said "are you two dating? I mean, after the ball, I figured you guys would be. I'm not surprised if you are, you two looked cute together, then here I come, ruining your guys' moment. Sorry about what happened at the ball, I'm determined to figure out who did it, probably a Slytherin since they hate my blood kind." Verla gasped at thinking of mudblood. It was a cruel name, and her grandmother smacked her every time she said it or even brought it up. She told me of being a descendant the Hogwarts hero harry Potter, of course Verla didn't believe her. Verla set her bag down and then felt her stomach grumble "uh-oh" she said and hugged herself. Then she said "I'll be right back, too many cookies apparently." She giggled, then she began to feel her face turn green. She turned away in case she were to throw up, so she didn't on her friends. But she choked it down and ran out, leaving her bag behind and ran to the bathroom. 

Rosie laughed in response to Howie's wink. "I believe we do, sir." She would go back to her dorm later and compose the letter to Verla's parents. "I'll leave her a note tell her to meet us. Where should we meet?" Before she could say anything else, suddenly, Verla was there in front of them.

"Hey!" The first thing out of Verla's mouth was a question about their relationship. Rosie perhaps blushed a deeper shade than she ever had before and threw a glance to Howie. "I..." But she didn't have to respond. Verla was already continuing on. "Wha...?" Rosie and Howie had left before the incident and Rosie had no idea what Verla was talking about. Again, she looked at Howie. Her blood kind? Rosie's brows furrowed in the middle. Did Verla really not know that she and Howie were Muggleborn? Verla complained about her stomach, Rosie still hadn't been able to get a word in, and then she was gone. Slowly, wordlessly she turned her head back to Howie.

"Do you think she's going to stay put long enough to talk to?" She laughed warmly. Verla's question hung in her mind,

"are you two dating?"

The blush again rose to her cheeks, but she didn't mention it.