We Dance With Owls PV Marissa North Finished

“O-owls are co-cool." Marissa replied, which surprised James. Had he actually found a subject worth talking about? "They can t-turn their h-heads 279 de-deg-grees." She continued, "It w-would b-be cool t-to do th-that.”
James thought about for a minute. He didn't know how to respond to that, but there was something in Marissa's voice in the way she said it that made James curious.
“Be-beautiful cr-creatures. Maybe o-one day I co-could take care o-of them. V-very in-interesting.”
"So, is that what you want to do? Like, when you grow up or something?" James asked. He tried to imagine Marissa taking care of animals. Actually, he could see her doing that. She was kind and gentle, and James figured she would work great with animals.
"Isn't it called zoology?" James asked. "Or, Magizoology in the case of magical creatures and animals?" James tried to sound like he knew what he was talking about, but he honestly really didn't. It might have been Magiczoology or something... he wasn't sure how it was pronounced. He was usually really good at English, but this was an entirely different and new word exclusive to the Wizarding World, which JAmes had spent a little less than a year in.

They were dancing, and so far no failures. James was going slow for her obviously, which she felt grateful for. Marissa was not good with dancing, music or anything really.. but that was just her puttig herself down as usual. Mari mentally face palmed since she got the number wrong, it was 270! Not 279, but she panicked whilst trying to impress James. Lets hope he does not search that up.. She quickly shook the thought away and continued to dance, hoping that she was doing a decent job. Slightly harder since James was somewhat taller than her, and Marissa’s co-ordination was not something to be impressed about.

“M-m-magizoologist.” She corrected. She smiled shyly, this was a subject she never really talked to anyone about. Marissa automatically thought people would think she was some weird nerd that wanted to look after beasts. But she always had a soft spot for animals, and the magical type sure were interesting. “I-I f-find them in-interesting.” Marissa went red in embarrassment and looked away from James, turning her attention to the view. She tried to distract herself since she probably looked like a huge nerd. Mentally face palming at her awkwardness, Mari was still red-faced and dancing.

"M-m-magizoologist." Marissa corrected. “I-I f-find them in-interesting.”
James was impressed. Marissa's dream job was a lot better and smarter than his. He thought it was awesome that Marissa liked animals and wanted to take care of them as a living. Suddenly he realized Marissa might have not thought the same.
She was staring red-faced out the window as if she had just admitted that she had eaten James' cookies or something like that. Noticing this, James' eyes started to take in everything that was happening. He realized Marissa was actually dancing very smoothly, at least compared to when she started.
James wanted to make her feel better. Either by telling her that her love for animals was cool or that her dancing was good. He wanted to say both, but he didn't know how to form the words.
"Hey, that's really cool! I think it's awesome! You'd be great at magi- magi- whatever the word is!" he laughed a bit at himself. "It's a better career than what I'm going for!" he said jokingly, although he thought it was true. "By the way, you're dancing really well, especially compared to how you started." James encouraged her truthfully. He hoped she wouldn't be too embarrassed.

The view was nice, almost sunset Marissa was guessing.. probably another two hours or less. She was low key panicking at this point, she opened up to James about some things which was strange. She sometimes thought about why, but she could not come up with anything. It was something she just.. did. The first year was almost ending and that meant everyone was going home. Parents. Siblings. Everything would be so overbearing when she got back, which made her seem worried even more. Mari broke out of her thoughts when James tried to cheer her up, which for some reason made her feel worse.

“I-I..” Marissa froze as they danced, feeling overwhelmed with all the compliments. Why was he being so nice? She had not done anything to deserve this? She looked worryingly at James for a moment before stepping back and hugging herself. Mari walked over to one of the arches and tried to calm herself down. You are just overthinking. Ruined the dance! He will probably walk away or be upset! Marissa physically shook her head whilst looking down at the floor, trying to get the thoughts out of her head. James would probably think she was going mad, which made her feel worse.

"I- I-" Marissa started. She didn't finish.
Suddenly, unlike anything that James had expected, Marissa froze in place and stopped dancing. She stepped back away from him and she wrapped her arms around herself, looking ashamed or something. James was confused. Had he said something to make her feel bad?
Marissa turned away and walked over to the arches looking outside of the tower. She looked down at the view below, and James suddenly had a shocking and horrifying thought that she might jump. Marissa started shaking her head at herself, which James didn't think was a very good sign.
"I- I'm sorry." James said. "I didn't mean to embarrass you or anything." he told her.
Until then, he had stayed put where he was. But now, he stepped up behind her, coming up beside her. He looked out the archway, not sure what else to say. 
The lake sparkled in the moonlight down below and the forest stretched off into the distance.
"I-" he started. What was he going to say? "I'm gonna miss this place. I'm gonna miss all of the magic. I'll miss you too." he said. He knew inside that it had nothing to do with what they were currently doing, but it felt like a right thing to say.

Why is he being so nice? Does he want something? Those were the thoughts that raced through Marissa’s mind as she looked out to the view. The moonlight had started to shine and it was clearly night time. But Mari was wide awake, worrying about why someone was showing interest in her. It was just stupid thoughts, but they kept flooding her mind. They were very high up, but allowed them to see over most of the school. All the students and professors were probably inside, eating or settling down from the fire attack that just happened about an hour ago.

Marissa heard footsteps coming up from behind her, then next to her. She glanced to who it was. James, obviously. He had a worried expression which made her feel even worse. Probably thinking he did something wrong, which obviously he had not. It was just Marissa overreacting, all her fault. Mari looked surprised at the lake when James said he was going to miss her. Why is he going to miss me? Am I that important to him? Marissa turned to him properly this time and gave him a sad smile. Actions always speak louder than words. So she did something out of her comfort zone completely, she slowly pulled James into a hug.

James had hugged Marissa before, but this was different. How was it different? He could not explain it.
Marissa pulled James into a hug, and after a split-moment of surprise, James hugged her back.
James wasn't sure how long the hug lasted, but it was nice warm hug. That moment was probably the one that confirmed to James that Marissa was his best friend. James thought about the entire year that had passed, and he realized that Marissa really was his closest friend. And he was glad.
"Thanks." James said after the hug had ended. "Well, it's getting late... and we've got to get ready for the train tomorrow."
James didn't like it, but he knew it was time to start getting ready to leave Hogwarts until the end of the summer when he would return and see Marissa and everyone else again.
"Maybe we'll be in the same compartment for the ride home." James suggested hopefully. He didn't want to ride home alone, and he didn't think Marissa would either.
"Thanks for the hug, and the dance." James said. "I'm glad you're my friend."
James wasn't sure if this was the right time for a handshake, or a hi-five or something, so he kept his hands resting on the stone windowsill of the arch. A soft smile played across his face as he looked between Marissa and the view beyond.

Once the hug had finished, she shivered slightly as the cold night finally hit her. It was night time and they were going home tomorrow. The year had gone so fast, and she had only met a few people. Maybe next year will be better, like with trying to boost her confidence around others. But enough about the future and the past, Marissa had to think in the moment. She was here alone with James on their finally night at Hogwarts. It was going to be tough saying goodbye to him, since they had gotten so close throughout the year. He gave nice hugs, Marissa noted.

Mari tried not to cry when James said he was glad she was his friend. She was glad to and nodded in response. If she talked right now, it would probably come out as a blabbering mess. So she simply smiled sadly up to James, but it also looked thankful in a way. Marissa watched James for a few moments, until she realised it seemed as if she was staring. She blinked and looked to the view again, taking it all in before she had to go home. Marissa was going to miss Hogwarts and the friends she had made.

“Goodnight James.” She smiled and hugged him quickly once more. Marissa waved goodbye before quickly walking down the stairway of the Owlery. After several down the steps, she paused and silently cheered to herself. Mari managed not to stutter when she said goodnight! Finishing off her small victory, Marissa continued her way down and off the Hufflepuff Common room!

[EXIT THREAD!]

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