Friendships Formed and the Musty Smell of Books PV Josephine Acosta Closed

It’s another normal Saturday morning, and Josephine woke up in a great mode. A brand new day is waiting for me! What should I do? She thought while she was getting dressed. Unlike some of the Gryffindors, she doesn’t like going on a dare into the Forbidden Forest. Neither doesn’t she like hanging out in the common room all day long like some Hufflepuffs, or playing pranks on others like a typical Slytherin… In the end, she decided to do the thing she loves the most — read in the Library. After all, there’s never an end on the quest of seeking knowledge!

After she walked inside the library, she saw that there were barely anyone there yet. Great! Then it’ll be quiet enough for me to read without been disturbed! She strolled down alleys and alleys of bookshelves, while pondering what she might want to take a look into. Then, her eyes landed on a Charms book with some quite advanced spells. This seems interesting, maybe I’ll give it a try!

She took the book off the shelf, and then wandered around, searching for the best place to sit down and read. As she was looking, she noticed another Ravenclaw girl breathing in the smell of the books. Well, that’s rare! She was quite surprised, as all her relatives found her preference of the scent of books very weird. She blurted out: “So you like the scent of books as well?” Immediately after she said that, she realized that she was being way too abrupt. Who starts a conversation with a stranger without even saying “hi” first? They aren’t exactly strangers, as Josephine has noticed the other girl in their common room before, but she wasn’t the type to go around talking to everyone in the same house as her. But that’s all in the past, perhaps she’ll be able to find a new friend who she’d like to talk to in the future today?

@Seven Finney

─────Seven immediately stopped, their eyes widening. Someone had seen them. They turned around and saw a girl with long brown hair and light brown eyes. Seven recognized her. Maybe... Yes, that was it. The girl was also in Ravenclaw.

"I, uh, yes?" it was phrased more like a question - to ask if that was the right answer.

The way she had approached Seven was so confident. They wished they were less shy. But how could they not worry about what others would think? Their decision could impact their future. Their future! At the moment, that was the most important part of Seven's life. All they needed was to graduate from Hogwarts and become a witch. They would get a good job - probably at the Ministry of Magic - and look after their parents. Maybe Seven would settle down with someone. Maybe. Doubtful. That wasn't a very high priority.

They looked at their feet in an attempt to avoid eye contact.

Why was making friends - or even keeping up a conversation - so hard? It was just talking. But, again, the things they said could play a part in their future. If they became friends with someone who would eventually get to a high position in the wizarding world, that could improve Seven's chances of getting a good job.

Josephine was quite surprised by the other girl’s timidity. After all, she always used to be the shy one during a conversation. Guess we do have something else in common except just being in the same house! Josephine thought with some amusement.

What should she do now? Is it best to just give the other girl some space and wait for her to say something else? Josephine waited for a while for the girl to continue, but she still didn’t say anything else. Therefore, Josephine decided it might be best for her to keep the conversation going. “Hi, my name is Josephine Acosta, what’s yours?”

While Josephine waited for a reply, she wondered what the best way to make friends is. She herself has never been much good at socializing, but she could always try to open up a bit more sometimes. Maybe if they two become friends, it would actually be easier for them to get alone. Since neither of them is the talkative type, they could minimize the small talk that she is terrible at but often has to try, and only discuss important or worthwhile topics. Now, she’s waiting to see what the other girl would do next. If she really doesn’t want to talk, they could just be silent and each sit down to read their books.

@Seven Finney

─────Josephine. That was a nice name. It was friendly, but also regal. Not like Seven. Not like a number. Who names their child a number? Well, Seven's parents did, for some reason. Names were important. Names are how you get to know someone. You start off by asking each other's names and then you chat about various things, and then you're friends. Unless everyone looks at you weirdly when you announce your name. Unless your name isn't normal. That's when things get hard.

Seven often complained about their name. They could probably change it, but what would they change it to if they did? And wouldn't it be strange to tell everyone they knew that their name was something other than what they'd been called their entire life? It would be like creating a new identity. That wouldn't be too bad, though.

"My name's Seven Finney," they told Josephine.

If only they could stop being so weird all the time. Then they'd be able to handle interactions like this. But, no. They were probably going to spontaneously launch into some random explanation of something and Josephine wouldn't ever want to talk to them again. Seven reminded themself to stop worrying and focused their attention back on Josephine.

Seven? Josephine has never expected that anyone would possibly name their child “Seven”. Isn’t that supposed to be a number instead of a name? Josephine opened her mouth to ask why she was named Seven, but then she took a look at the other girl’s expression and decided against it.

Seven looked so nervous about introducing herself that Josephine assumed it probably wasn’t even nearly the first time that she got questioned, or maybe even mocked at, for her unusual name. Although she has never been known for her kindness, Josephine still decided to stifle her curiosity for once and not make Seven feel uncomfortable or like a weirdo because of her name.

“Cool name, seven has always been one of my favorite numbers!” Then she realized that probably wasn’t one of the best things to say either. Bringing up the fact that Seven’s name was actually a number most likely won’t sound comforting to Seven at all, no matter in which way Josephine said it. What could I say that might be able to make up for it? Josephine thought desperately, and finally managed to come up with something. “Nice to meet you, Seven! Are you also a first year?” She secretly hoped that this could compensate for what she had just previously said.

@Seven Finney

─────Whelp. It was going to happen eventually and they didn't blame her for making a comment like that. It was true that Seven was a weird name and they had heard meaner comments about it, but they flinched a little as Josephine spoke. She hadn't said that seven was one of her least favorite numbers, so it could've been worse, but still. Seven decided to put that part behind them as saying that had probably been a spontaneous mistake. Josephine certainly seemed sorry to have said that.

"Yep, this is my first year at Hogwarts," they replied. "Everything was a bit overwhelming, but I'm more used to it now."

Suddenly, Seven remembered that they had been meaning to talk to one of their teachers about a homework assignment. They really wanted to continue talking to Josephine, but if they waited any longer, there was a chance that Seven's teacher would be unable to answer any questions due to being busy. They needed to leave, even if they didn't want to.

"I know that we just met, but I forgot that I had to do something right now. Maybe we could meet up soon?"

With that, Seven walked away, hoping that they'd bump into Josephine again.