Quiet Stone Walls PV Alan Vanes Completed

Elena resisted the urge to imply that Griffith had deliberately lost the first owl. The kid was way too adorable to dash his hopes, and either way Elena had believed that Alan would get in. He was just too adorably happy to say no to, “Yeah, the owls do get a bit grumpy if they don’t have their cookies, or he lives with some of his creatures, maybe on of them stole it. Did you use sparkly ink? Nifflers would probably like that enough to steal the letter, or even just if the ink was shiny. That’s why my letter was in matte black ink.”

“There are a lot of things I like about Wandmaking. I like working with my hands, and I really like the ideas and personalities of the wands too. It’d be like working with the fabric of magic itself. I have some theories about harmonic resonance between people’s magic and the wands. It’s probably pretty boring to hear though. Lots of non-magical science talk.” Elena shrugged, “Also, I could see the look on Ollivander’s face when I found the right wand. I can imagine helping people like that, seeing your hard work make someone so happy. It sounds peaceful, happy, perfect.”

-

He listened to her and it seemed that she was warming up to him. The way she talked got more interested, since she would talk more and it made the brunet happy. He liked her too, she seemed to be a nice girl which he could hang out with after R.O.A.M. This would certainly be fun as they seemed to share that interest, they could probably talk about the cute Niffler or talk about Professor Griffith.

He tried to remember what ink he was using and his eyes widened. ”It was a bit shimmering! I mean it has a dark shade of blue but it isn't matte at all! Maybe my letter is now a treasure from one of his Nifflers” This whole thing sounded so hilarious that he would start laughing; a light and comforting sound. But it made sense now, maybe Griffith would find it funny too, when he explained it to him? How he thought his owl got lost. ”I will remember to get some matte ink the next time I will visit Hogsm- OH! Please don't tell anyone!” He caught himself mid sentence and hoped that she would not tell anyone about his small trips. ”I don't even do it that often! Just when my stack of sweets is gone or when I need something…” he tried to reason hopefully.

He listened to her talk about her favored career choice and it made him happy and peaceful just to think about that. He loved that it made her so happy. Usually Alan was content when the people around him were. ”That really does sound pretty nice~” he had to admit. He was not so sure himself about his career path. It might be becoming a Healer… it might be becoming a Magizoologist… The future would tell. Alan was not certain about it yet. He really liked the idea of both. Helping people survive or saving animals and creatures. He wish he could just do both!

Alan had access to Hogsmeade? Well that was certainly interesting, she wouldn’t tell anyone though. Elena actually liked the other student, so it wouldn’t exactly be a good idea to turn him in like that, it would just be rude. He seemed genuinely worried she’d turn him in, and it made her a bit worried about what kind of people the kid was used to, she’d seen a bunch of Slytherins that tried to make prefect do stuff like that and hated the way they looked so smug about it.

“I promise not to tell anyone. You’re way to sweet to turn in, and I wouldn’t ruin your chances of getting into ROAM! Only a truly mean person would do that.” Elena was proud she remembered not to swear. She beamed at Alan, “I’m happy to keep a secret, especially for someone as nice as you.”

“I should probably get some more pens over break, I almost ran out of them.” Elena leaned towards Alan and whispered, “I don’t use quills for homework, it gets everywhere, and I like to use notebooks to write out my homework before handing it in. I can get you some, if you want that is. I should even be able to afford glitter pens for both of us if you want.”

The twelve year old boy with the hazelnut brown hair would raise his gaze, staring at the girl a bit overwhelmed. She surely had no problem to say what was on her mind. She did not only promised him to keep the Map he owned a secret, she also complimented him without having a second thought, which made Alan smile brightly. ”Thanks! Honestly I want to do this R.O.A.M so badly- I cannot make any mistakes since he put me on trial basis… I don't think he will throw someone out easily though… he probably only wants us to try our best” He rambled excitedly. ”Maybe I can get you some sweets next time I am in Hogsmeade? What type of candies do you like?”

Alan thought about her proposal for a while. ”I usually use a pen for homework and never use a notebook for help- I mean I do have notebooks for other stuff, but actually I am happy-go-lucky when doing homework and so far it worked out for me” he said grinning like a fool. He was outstanding to average in most of his classes so he was not that worried about his grades since he was already trying his best. The second part of her proposal caught his attention though. “Glitter pens? They would be cool to highlight stuff! I would love that!”

The more Elena talked to Alan the happier she became, which made him quite a person in her book, she had even started to trust him. All of her instincts were telling her to protect him, which was rare enough. She looked curiously at him, then realised it’s because he reminded her a little bit of Eliza.

“You’re on a trial basis too? Well that makes me feel a little bit better, I thought Griffith was just mad at me for, well, reasons. I’m glad that I’m not the only one on a trial period.” Elena smiled, “Sweets? That sounds amazing, you don’t have to do that though. If you feel like maybe getting some candy for yourself though, an extra chocolate frog or two might be a nice surprise.”

“Consider it done! Glitter pens for you, what’s your favourite colour? I can get you extras of those, it’s always nice to see pretty writing. I like blue best, as you can probably guess.” She pointed at her hair and beamed at Alan, “I’m sure you’re right about Griffith, I swear he’s got a big heart, anyone that loves creatures that much must have one. He gave me a coat because he saw I was cold, and that was super sweet. I wouldn’t be surprised if he just wanted us to try our best.”

Alan could totally relate to what she was explaining to him now. He had hoped he was not the only one who was on a trial basis. While he thought it was not meant mean by Griffith to put him on a trial basis, he surely would have felt awkward if he was the only child who was put on trial basis. He wanted to leave an awesome impression on Professor Griffith and made him proud to let him into the program. He would show him that he deserves his place in R.O.A.M and would make sure to not get into too much trouble.

”I will bring you some chocolate frogs then, when I go there the next time! Don't worry I just want to do this because you are so very nice” he said grinning brightly. She really made him happy and he hoped that they would be friends!

”My favorite color is copper and red, like the Gryffindor I am” he said grinning as he looked at her. ”Blue is pretty too, it reminds me of the sky in the summer and the ocean” he informed her. Alan liked all colors but red was always the color that he liked the most. Be it coincidence or because he id truly a Gryffindor will never be clear or so... Alan laughed softly.

Alan's laugh made Elena feel even more happy, how can one kid light up the world? It was a good question and one that she couldn't figure out the answer to.

This had been the first year in history where Elena Jones had been truly happy, there'd been moments in the past, but this year was different. She had a room, she had clothes and books, but most of all, she had friends. Bella, who she'd clicked with the moment she met. Min-seo, who'd been her first real friend in the world. Rorie, who she could grin and plot and sing with. So many people that she was proud to call her friends. Now, she'd met someone new, Alan, who was nice and who greeted the world with a smile.

"Nice? Thanks! Copper and red, nice choices, they definitely will have those colours." Elena beamed at Alan, "The ocean? I haven't been to the seaside before, I'll have to do that, it'll be fun. I can collect shells, you know there's this legend that if you make seashell strands and hang them by your door, then they ward off evil. I once read that they make sure you have good dreams, that's pretty cool."

Alan would give her a bright smile. “I can bring you some shells next summer! Or you can tag along? I would have to ask my pa-” a short flicker of pain passed through Alan's eyes, befire he quickly shook his head. ”I would have to ask my aunt if you can tag along! But I don't think it should be a problem!” he tried his best to sound as cheerful as he did before, but he found it difficult. His hands tightened into fists, gripping the hem of his robes nervously, as he gave Elena a small smile.

He got an idea, but he would have to discuss this with his aunt first. He could not just invite her without clearing this with his aunt. She might get angry at him for it or something.

”Anyway we should head back to the dorms… Curfew is waiting for no one!” He said biting his lip slightly. ”We cannot get ourselves into detention or Moffy… I mean Griffith will be disappointed!”

Something he did not want to happen, that he was the reason of Professor Griffith having a bad mood. He gave Elena a quick hug, wishing her a goodnight, before he left the Owlery.