12 Dec 2023, 00:34
Stumbling Across a Friend
It was a Saturday, which obviously meant Willow was in the library. She spent so much time there, it was a wonder that she hadn't just gone ahead and moved her bed between the shelves and called it her new home. The muggle libraries that she had spent her afternoons in, once upon a time, before she had begun her magical education, could not even begin to compare to the sweeping cases of novels and the breathtaking size of the Hogwarts library, which still gave her a sense of awe whenever she walked in.
Winter was here, which meant it was time to read poetry. She wasn't sure why she always read poems during the colder months, but something about curling up by a warm fire in fuzzy socks and reading short, rhythmic tales appealed to her, and so began her tradition. Having just completed her last volume of poetry, she searched the towering shelves of the library for another one that could satisfy her hunger for words. Standing on her tiptoes, she reached up to grab a book that had caught her eye; this was the downside of being short, she could never quite reach the highest ledges on the bookcases.
With a sharp intake of breath, she closed her fingers on the spine, but wobbled and fell to the ground, the novel clutched tightly to her chest. Willow fell flat on her back and had the air knocked out of her, face burning, knee sore from where she knocked it into the corner of the shelves. Tears pricked in the corners of her eyes, for the Ravenclaw girl was an easy crier, and her back hurt, and she was sure that everyone would think she was a terrible klutz.
She then noticed a boy rounding the corner and picked herself up quickly, though she thought that he had seen her fall, and it was too late to change that. She tried to brush off the akwardness by laughing unconvincingly, which only made her more embarrassed and she quickly fell silent, face as scarlet as her hair.
So much for first impressions.
@Theodore Abernathy
Winter was here, which meant it was time to read poetry. She wasn't sure why she always read poems during the colder months, but something about curling up by a warm fire in fuzzy socks and reading short, rhythmic tales appealed to her, and so began her tradition. Having just completed her last volume of poetry, she searched the towering shelves of the library for another one that could satisfy her hunger for words. Standing on her tiptoes, she reached up to grab a book that had caught her eye; this was the downside of being short, she could never quite reach the highest ledges on the bookcases.
With a sharp intake of breath, she closed her fingers on the spine, but wobbled and fell to the ground, the novel clutched tightly to her chest. Willow fell flat on her back and had the air knocked out of her, face burning, knee sore from where she knocked it into the corner of the shelves. Tears pricked in the corners of her eyes, for the Ravenclaw girl was an easy crier, and her back hurt, and she was sure that everyone would think she was a terrible klutz.
She then noticed a boy rounding the corner and picked herself up quickly, though she thought that he had seen her fall, and it was too late to change that. She tried to brush off the akwardness by laughing unconvincingly, which only made her more embarrassed and she quickly fell silent, face as scarlet as her hair.
So much for first impressions.
@Theodore Abernathy
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.
12 Dec 2023, 11:31
Stumbling Across a Friend
It was Saturday, and it was snowing. Most of Theo's classmates took this as an opportunity to have snowball fights, build a snowman, or just go for an afternoon walk. Theo shuddered at the thought of sticking his nose out into the cold and digging in the snow. He spent his Saturday in a different way. Right after breakfast, he headed for the library. An inner voice scolded him: "That's no way to make friends, Theodore. You'd better go outside and throw snowballs and start acting your age." Theo didn't particularly like his inner voice.
Anyway, he'd been in the library for hours. He had planned to finish his essay on Potions. He was still an inch short, which was already extra work, but still didn't seem to explain the subject sufficiently.
He had been hunched over the parchment for hours, quill in hand. He was wrapped in a warm jumper from his Great Aunt Bessie. It was big for him; he was drowning in it, and the sleeves were so long that it was hard to tell where his arms began and ended. So when he stood up with the thought he needed another source for his essay, the long jumper and his short stature made him look even younger. He walked from shelf to shelf and then turned the corner. A blur flashed in front of him and crumpled to the floor. Theo froze, his eyes fixed on the floor. Only then did it dawn on him that it was a girl. He took a hesitant step towards her. "Are you all right?" he asked. His eyes darted back to the shelf and then back to the girl. How could she have fallen in the first place? She didn't have a chair, a ladder, or a stool here. Studying the trajectory of her fall and looking for the cause would certainly not be the way to make a good first impression on someone. So he stopped standing there like a pensive statue and began nervously fiddling with the sleeves of his jumper. He glanced for a moment at the girl in front of him, who was watching him with a smile. He should say something. The seconds ticked by. Anything. Even a word would be better than just a dumb look. Still, no word came out of his mouth. He lowered his eyes and looked down at the tips of his feet. "Your fall was still good. One time I was looking for a book at home and I pulled it out, taking half the library down with me," he said with a sigh. He didn't know why he chose to tell his own story of an embarrassing fall but he hoped it was better than continuing the competition to see who could keep quiet the longest. His eyes wandered to the book she held in her hands, his nervousness now overcome by the bookworm's curiosity. "What kind of book do you have, anyway?"
Anyway, he'd been in the library for hours. He had planned to finish his essay on Potions. He was still an inch short, which was already extra work, but still didn't seem to explain the subject sufficiently.
He had been hunched over the parchment for hours, quill in hand. He was wrapped in a warm jumper from his Great Aunt Bessie. It was big for him; he was drowning in it, and the sleeves were so long that it was hard to tell where his arms began and ended. So when he stood up with the thought he needed another source for his essay, the long jumper and his short stature made him look even younger. He walked from shelf to shelf and then turned the corner. A blur flashed in front of him and crumpled to the floor. Theo froze, his eyes fixed on the floor. Only then did it dawn on him that it was a girl. He took a hesitant step towards her. "Are you all right?" he asked. His eyes darted back to the shelf and then back to the girl. How could she have fallen in the first place? She didn't have a chair, a ladder, or a stool here. Studying the trajectory of her fall and looking for the cause would certainly not be the way to make a good first impression on someone. So he stopped standing there like a pensive statue and began nervously fiddling with the sleeves of his jumper. He glanced for a moment at the girl in front of him, who was watching him with a smile. He should say something. The seconds ticked by. Anything. Even a word would be better than just a dumb look. Still, no word came out of his mouth. He lowered his eyes and looked down at the tips of his feet. "Your fall was still good. One time I was looking for a book at home and I pulled it out, taking half the library down with me," he said with a sigh. He didn't know why he chose to tell his own story of an embarrassing fall but he hoped it was better than continuing the competition to see who could keep quiet the longest. His eyes wandered to the book she held in her hands, his nervousness now overcome by the bookworm's curiosity. "What kind of book do you have, anyway?"
@Willow Byrne
Pax intus et foris.
13 Dec 2023, 22:24
Stumbling Across a Friend
The boy's story gave Willow a strong desire to laugh, even though she was mortified. At the very least, the only person who seemed to have seen her fall was what appeared to be the least likely person in the world to make fun of her. They stood in silence for a moment, Willow rubbing her elbows, which felt tender from the floor, and watching the other boy, who was wearing a jumper that seemed much too big for him. She wondered where he had got it from, and if it was comfortable- it was certainly cold enough to be wearing a thick sweater, and she found herself wishing for something to wrap around herself to hide her embarrassment.
"What kind of book do you have, anyway?" He asked, and Willow started. She had been so lost in thought she almost forgot that he was even there. She ran her spine down the book's spine and said quietly,
"Oh, it's a poetry book. Since it's winter." She then realized that the boy would have no idea that she read poetry in the winter, and added hastily, tripping slightly over her words, "I read poems in the winter, it's my tradition." She handed the book to the boy for him to look at and smiled uncertainly at him. "Um, and my name's Willow." Seldom did she even manage to come off from a first encounter without being highly embarrassed, but she couldn't help but think that someone who liked to read would be nothing short of a splendid friend. Books had been what connected her with nearly all her friends at Hogwarts.
There was nothing else to be done now, so she rocked on her heels, thick strands of vividly red hair falling in front of her face, and waited for the boy to speak again.
@Theodore Abernathy
"What kind of book do you have, anyway?" He asked, and Willow started. She had been so lost in thought she almost forgot that he was even there. She ran her spine down the book's spine and said quietly,
"Oh, it's a poetry book. Since it's winter." She then realized that the boy would have no idea that she read poetry in the winter, and added hastily, tripping slightly over her words, "I read poems in the winter, it's my tradition." She handed the book to the boy for him to look at and smiled uncertainly at him. "Um, and my name's Willow." Seldom did she even manage to come off from a first encounter without being highly embarrassed, but she couldn't help but think that someone who liked to read would be nothing short of a splendid friend. Books had been what connected her with nearly all her friends at Hogwarts.
There was nothing else to be done now, so she rocked on her heels, thick strands of vividly red hair falling in front of her face, and waited for the boy to speak again.
@Theodore Abernathy
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.
15 Dec 2023, 19:56
Stumbling Across a Friend
Talking about books wasn't difficult for him. Somehow, miraculously, it took the nervousness out of him, and the words came more easily from his lips. He didn't even feel the need to look away from the girl. "Poetry?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Theodore was more used to reading adventure books and non-fiction. He loved stories about heroic wizards defeating their enemies; stories about all kinds of fantastic beasts; stories about finding magic in the most unexpected places. He also found the History of Magic textbook magical. His reaction might have conveyed ignorance, perhaps a hint of disinterest. He tugged at his too-long sleeves and lifted his eyes to the unfamiliar girl. "Who is this from?" he wondered. He had learned who Shakespeare was from Ali. Apparently, he had been ignorant enough to overlook the greatest talent of Muggle literature. Perhaps it was time he had a look at the world of poetry as well. After her explanation, he smiled and picked up the book. He leafed through it—carefully, mindful not to mar its pages. His eyes quickly scanned some of the pages. "And what do you read when it's spring, summer, and autumn?" was another of his questions as he put the book back into her hands. He cocked his head to the side like a curious cat. It sounded like an interrogation - as if he were the Auror and the nameless girl was the Dark Wizard being brought in for questioning. It probably wasn't the best way to make a good first impression, but asking questions was a better option than remaining silent.
And then her outstretched hand reached out to him. He pulled up his long sleeve and took it without hesitation. Oh Merlin, he hoped his palms weren't sweaty. "I'm Theodore, but you can call me Theo," he introduced himself, giving Willow a small smile. Then he dropped her hand. This time he left out his last name, even his middle name. He found that kids his age weren't used to introducing themselves as if they were about to be interrogated by the entire Wizengamot.
Silence fell between them again. Willow seemed to think she'd said too much and now expected him to continue the conversation. Her gaze seemed too penetrating. Theo glanced at the shelves filled with volumes of books. What did kids his age talk about when they didn't know anything about each other? Suddenly, throwing snowballs seemed a lot easier, requiring less brainpower. "Are you in the first grade?" The question slipped out of his mouth as he finally tore his eyes away from the captivating title of Animal Ghosts of Britain. It seemed like a logical question. He couldn't go wrong with it, could he?
-
@Willow Byrne
And then her outstretched hand reached out to him. He pulled up his long sleeve and took it without hesitation. Oh Merlin, he hoped his palms weren't sweaty. "I'm Theodore, but you can call me Theo," he introduced himself, giving Willow a small smile. Then he dropped her hand. This time he left out his last name, even his middle name. He found that kids his age weren't used to introducing themselves as if they were about to be interrogated by the entire Wizengamot.
Silence fell between them again. Willow seemed to think she'd said too much and now expected him to continue the conversation. Her gaze seemed too penetrating. Theo glanced at the shelves filled with volumes of books. What did kids his age talk about when they didn't know anything about each other? Suddenly, throwing snowballs seemed a lot easier, requiring less brainpower. "Are you in the first grade?" The question slipped out of his mouth as he finally tore his eyes away from the captivating title of Animal Ghosts of Britain. It seemed like a logical question. He couldn't go wrong with it, could he?
-
@Willow Byrne
Pax intus et foris.
17 Dec 2023, 19:59
Stumbling Across a Friend
Willow smiled a little nervously, thinking that he had been trying to be funny- or perhaps not, she wasn't very good at distinguishing the two- and answered,
"I mostly read fantasy, really. Um, that is, when it's not winter. 'Cause I read poetry now..." She trailed off, realizing she was talking in circles, and took a deep breath. She had been learning how to better control her speech when hit by the old shyness, but clearly, it still required some work. Letting the comforting aroma of the papery books fill her senses, she said, "And yes, I'm a first year." Hogwarts was still relatively new to her, but she was learning to accept her new home quickly.
The shelves seemed to be pressing in on her, making her feel nervous and claustrophobic, so she slipped out into the open and instantly felt better, letting the light from the windows soothe her back.
"What other things are you interested in?" Willow asked and sat down on one of the comfy chairs of the library, crossing her legs and looking at Theo with wide blue eyes. "I like music and nature, myself." Her book of poems tucked safely into her bag, she folded her hands into her lap and added, "The library is quite big, isn't it? The one back in Ireland that I went to was much smaller." maybe it was the honey gold sunlight, or the talk of things she loved, but her muscles had relaxed and she felt much more at ease than she had before. That was the thing about Willow, she was painfully shy at first but very easy to accept a new friend. She rubbed shoulders comfortably with nearly anyone, as a gentle and unimposing person at heart. Perhaps, she hoped, she had just acquired a new friend.
@Theodore Abernathy
"I mostly read fantasy, really. Um, that is, when it's not winter. 'Cause I read poetry now..." She trailed off, realizing she was talking in circles, and took a deep breath. She had been learning how to better control her speech when hit by the old shyness, but clearly, it still required some work. Letting the comforting aroma of the papery books fill her senses, she said, "And yes, I'm a first year." Hogwarts was still relatively new to her, but she was learning to accept her new home quickly.
The shelves seemed to be pressing in on her, making her feel nervous and claustrophobic, so she slipped out into the open and instantly felt better, letting the light from the windows soothe her back.
"What other things are you interested in?" Willow asked and sat down on one of the comfy chairs of the library, crossing her legs and looking at Theo with wide blue eyes. "I like music and nature, myself." Her book of poems tucked safely into her bag, she folded her hands into her lap and added, "The library is quite big, isn't it? The one back in Ireland that I went to was much smaller." maybe it was the honey gold sunlight, or the talk of things she loved, but her muscles had relaxed and she felt much more at ease than she had before. That was the thing about Willow, she was painfully shy at first but very easy to accept a new friend. She rubbed shoulders comfortably with nearly anyone, as a gentle and unimposing person at heart. Perhaps, she hoped, she had just acquired a new friend.
@Theodore Abernathy
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.
30 Dec 2023, 17:56
Stumbling Across a Friend
Theodore opened his mouth to share everything he had ever read, which was, in fact, almost everything. However, he closed his mouth again, though.
He nodded. His smile was suddenly a mile wide. "So, we are in the same year," he mused, wondering whether he had seen her in any of their classes. He usually sat at the front desk, making complicated notes at lightning speed. Every teacher's word was irreplaceable; he couldn't possibly miss anything. No wonder, then, that he couldn't recognize the faces of the other first-years.
Willow moved away from the shelves, prompting him to take a hesitant step to follow her. He glanced towards the windows, where it was still snowing, fat snowflakes falling from the sky. Some of them bumped into the glass and instantly melted.
Then, hearing her voice, his eyes returned to Willow. "Oh... well, I love dragons. They're truly marvellous, you know? That thing with breathing fire and being invincible," he said with a sheepish smile. He followed her to the chairs, still chattering about his favourite magical creatures. He sat down next to her, his hands waving in the air. "You can find them all around the world. In Romania, Sweden, China, and even hidden in the higher mountains of Scotland," he said quickly. "When I grow up, I'll travel and befriend one of them," Theo declared with a somber expression. He imagined himself fully grown, sneaking into a dark cave to find a great beast deep in peaceful slumber. By that time, he would no longer be scared of the dark, because grown-ups are not bothered by such silly things.
Fortunately, his monologue ended, and he managed to catch Willow's words. He nodded in agreement. "Back at home, everything is green. My dad and I usually walk in the woods. It's deep, full of animals, and the trees are so high they almost touch the sky. I think you would like it there," he said. "What does it look like back in your home?"
As Willow mentioned the library, his eyes travelled around, almost lovingly caressing the seemingly endless shelves. "Yeah, this place is... magical," he breathed out. The library was magic itself, full of hidden secrets and knowledge. He had many years left to soak up every page, scroll, and scripture. "I wish I could put my bed in here."
"Pay more attention to her," his annoying inner voice reprimanded him. He turned his head in Willow's direction, fiddling with the edge of his oversized jumper—a habit when he was deep in thought or slightly nervous.
Realizing he had been talking at length, he quickly added, "But I’d love to hear more about what music you enjoy. Or about Ireland." Theodore's tone was earnest; he genuinely wanted to know more about her interests, hoping to find common ground.
_
@Willow Byrne
He nodded. His smile was suddenly a mile wide. "So, we are in the same year," he mused, wondering whether he had seen her in any of their classes. He usually sat at the front desk, making complicated notes at lightning speed. Every teacher's word was irreplaceable; he couldn't possibly miss anything. No wonder, then, that he couldn't recognize the faces of the other first-years.
Willow moved away from the shelves, prompting him to take a hesitant step to follow her. He glanced towards the windows, where it was still snowing, fat snowflakes falling from the sky. Some of them bumped into the glass and instantly melted.
Then, hearing her voice, his eyes returned to Willow. "Oh... well, I love dragons. They're truly marvellous, you know? That thing with breathing fire and being invincible," he said with a sheepish smile. He followed her to the chairs, still chattering about his favourite magical creatures. He sat down next to her, his hands waving in the air. "You can find them all around the world. In Romania, Sweden, China, and even hidden in the higher mountains of Scotland," he said quickly. "When I grow up, I'll travel and befriend one of them," Theo declared with a somber expression. He imagined himself fully grown, sneaking into a dark cave to find a great beast deep in peaceful slumber. By that time, he would no longer be scared of the dark, because grown-ups are not bothered by such silly things.
Fortunately, his monologue ended, and he managed to catch Willow's words. He nodded in agreement. "Back at home, everything is green. My dad and I usually walk in the woods. It's deep, full of animals, and the trees are so high they almost touch the sky. I think you would like it there," he said. "What does it look like back in your home?"
As Willow mentioned the library, his eyes travelled around, almost lovingly caressing the seemingly endless shelves. "Yeah, this place is... magical," he breathed out. The library was magic itself, full of hidden secrets and knowledge. He had many years left to soak up every page, scroll, and scripture. "I wish I could put my bed in here."
"Pay more attention to her," his annoying inner voice reprimanded him. He turned his head in Willow's direction, fiddling with the edge of his oversized jumper—a habit when he was deep in thought or slightly nervous.
Realizing he had been talking at length, he quickly added, "But I’d love to hear more about what music you enjoy. Or about Ireland." Theodore's tone was earnest; he genuinely wanted to know more about her interests, hoping to find common ground.
_
@Willow Byrne
Pax intus et foris.
31 Dec 2023, 17:35
Stumbling Across a Friend
Willow was incredibly interested in what Theo had to say about dragons; they were fascinating creatures and she very much enjoyed reading about them. Though she wasn't sure she'd ever like to meet one, what with their fangs and tendency to breathe fire at little humans like herself.
"Dragons are really interesting. I read about them in fantasy books a lot. But perhaps I'll leave the befriending them to you." She finished with a small smile. She liked that the boy had such a fascination with them, for she found that people with cool interests tended to be the more compelling people to talk to. She also enjoyed hearing about his home, and the thought of Ireland, where she lived, struck Willow with great joy. It truly was a spectacular place, and she could almost feel the grass beneath her feet as she said,
"At home in Ireland, we have all these rolling hills and sparkling lochs and we don't get much snow, like we do here, but the summers are absolutely gorgeous. There's always good food and friendly people as well. Plus, there's all this architecture and really amazing stories about our history," She realized she was blabbing and paused, but she was so enthralled that she started again almost immediately. "And the cliffs! Well, they're truly spectacular. I can't even describe how lovely they are." Finally, she stopped and caught her breath.
"Anyway, um, I also like indie folk music." she cocked her head at the boy in the oversized jumper and added, "Do you like music? Or play any instruments?"
The armchair was incredibly cozy as she curled in tighter, keeping out the chill. The snowflakes were falling hard and fast outside, but she felt nice and warm in the library chatting with a fellow bookworm. She pulled her sleeves around her hands to keep them from becoming cold and let her thoughts wander to Ireland and music, wondering what Theo thought about what she had said.
@Theodore Abernathy
"Dragons are really interesting. I read about them in fantasy books a lot. But perhaps I'll leave the befriending them to you." She finished with a small smile. She liked that the boy had such a fascination with them, for she found that people with cool interests tended to be the more compelling people to talk to. She also enjoyed hearing about his home, and the thought of Ireland, where she lived, struck Willow with great joy. It truly was a spectacular place, and she could almost feel the grass beneath her feet as she said,
"At home in Ireland, we have all these rolling hills and sparkling lochs and we don't get much snow, like we do here, but the summers are absolutely gorgeous. There's always good food and friendly people as well. Plus, there's all this architecture and really amazing stories about our history," She realized she was blabbing and paused, but she was so enthralled that she started again almost immediately. "And the cliffs! Well, they're truly spectacular. I can't even describe how lovely they are." Finally, she stopped and caught her breath.
"Anyway, um, I also like indie folk music." she cocked her head at the boy in the oversized jumper and added, "Do you like music? Or play any instruments?"
The armchair was incredibly cozy as she curled in tighter, keeping out the chill. The snowflakes were falling hard and fast outside, but she felt nice and warm in the library chatting with a fellow bookworm. She pulled her sleeves around her hands to keep them from becoming cold and let her thoughts wander to Ireland and music, wondering what Theo thought about what she had said.
@Theodore Abernathy
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.
4 Jan 2024, 23:57
Stumbling Across a Friend
Theo gave her a cheeky half-grin, half-smile, then shrugged, "It will be my pleasure."
He never understood the fear of dragons. They were so magnificent - strong, elegant, and free to do whatever they wished, like flying all over the world in a day. "I bet they won't hurt me. My dad said animals only hurt when they feel threatened," he pointed out, looking down at his toes. What his father said was always true. "And I would never hurt an animal, you know," he continued with a solemn expression. "I wouldn’t even know how." Something sad crossed his face, and he closed his fist. Those who were cruel to animals or any living creature were cold-hearted monsters.
Then their conversation turned to Ireland. Theo looked at Willow, his eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity. He'd never left England because his family usually went to London for the holidays. Listening to Willow's stories was one way of getting to know a new place. Theo had always had the heart of an explorer. As she described her home, he could almost see it before his eyes; the green rolling hills, the sparkling lochs, and the never-ending summer days.
"That sounds lovely, Willow,” Theo's eyes lit up as he spoke, his imagination taking flight. “It's like something out of a fairy tale! Maybe even fairies and doxies could live around those lochs!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, waving his hands in the air. "I'd love to visit a place like that one day."
Then Willow mentioned cliffs. Suddenly, Theo lowered his eyes and closed his fists nervously. A small thorn of discomfort pierced his mind. The thought of being up there, with nothing to hold on to, frightened him. "Um, I suppose they can be beautiful, but..." he stopped and gave her an assessing look. Biting his lip, he remained silent for a second, "Can I tell you a secret?"
His voice was a whisper. The only friend he ever had was his cousin Henry. He trusted Henry with anything, yet never revealed his fear of heights beyond family. No one knew about it, but Willow... When he talked to her, he felt like she was a person he could trust. That was why he had thought about telling her something so personal and embarrassing.
He nodded when she mentioned music. "That sounds really cool. Who is your favorite artist?"
Then he shook his head, a small smile appearing on his lips. "Well, I am a lost cause. My parents tried to teach me to play the piano, you know, but it was a waste of time. I mess up even the simplest tune." He pulled at his sleeves. "Actually, it could be a punishment. When you do something forbidden, like breaking the rules, then you'd be sentenced to listen to me play for an hour," he laughed, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement.
"And what about you? Do you play an instrument?" he added. She looked like a creative person who might know how to play.
@Willow Byrne
He never understood the fear of dragons. They were so magnificent - strong, elegant, and free to do whatever they wished, like flying all over the world in a day. "I bet they won't hurt me. My dad said animals only hurt when they feel threatened," he pointed out, looking down at his toes. What his father said was always true. "And I would never hurt an animal, you know," he continued with a solemn expression. "I wouldn’t even know how." Something sad crossed his face, and he closed his fist. Those who were cruel to animals or any living creature were cold-hearted monsters.
Then their conversation turned to Ireland. Theo looked at Willow, his eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity. He'd never left England because his family usually went to London for the holidays. Listening to Willow's stories was one way of getting to know a new place. Theo had always had the heart of an explorer. As she described her home, he could almost see it before his eyes; the green rolling hills, the sparkling lochs, and the never-ending summer days.
"That sounds lovely, Willow,” Theo's eyes lit up as he spoke, his imagination taking flight. “It's like something out of a fairy tale! Maybe even fairies and doxies could live around those lochs!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, waving his hands in the air. "I'd love to visit a place like that one day."
Then Willow mentioned cliffs. Suddenly, Theo lowered his eyes and closed his fists nervously. A small thorn of discomfort pierced his mind. The thought of being up there, with nothing to hold on to, frightened him. "Um, I suppose they can be beautiful, but..." he stopped and gave her an assessing look. Biting his lip, he remained silent for a second, "Can I tell you a secret?"
His voice was a whisper. The only friend he ever had was his cousin Henry. He trusted Henry with anything, yet never revealed his fear of heights beyond family. No one knew about it, but Willow... When he talked to her, he felt like she was a person he could trust. That was why he had thought about telling her something so personal and embarrassing.
He nodded when she mentioned music. "That sounds really cool. Who is your favorite artist?"
Then he shook his head, a small smile appearing on his lips. "Well, I am a lost cause. My parents tried to teach me to play the piano, you know, but it was a waste of time. I mess up even the simplest tune." He pulled at his sleeves. "Actually, it could be a punishment. When you do something forbidden, like breaking the rules, then you'd be sentenced to listen to me play for an hour," he laughed, his blue eyes gleaming with amusement.
"And what about you? Do you play an instrument?" he added. She looked like a creative person who might know how to play.
@Willow Byrne
Pax intus et foris.
5 Jan 2024, 22:51
Stumbling Across a Friend
Willow smiled at the way Theo spoke so fondly of dragons. She admired his bravery, and his kindness- his expression when talking about hurting animals told her everything she needed to know.
"I have a cat," She offered. "She's no dragon, but I love her. She's very sweet, her name is Blueberry." Blueberry was Willow's little diva, she was absolutely adorable and perfect for cuddling. Perhaps Theo could meet her in the Ravenclaw common room sometime. She was equally excited when the boy offered his thoughts on her home in Ireland. It really was like a fairy tale, and she loved the thought of fairies flitting around and unicorns prancing along the sprawling hills.
"You have a lovely imagination," She said with a soft smile, and added, "You should come visit Ireland sometime. It's a magical place," Then, the redhead cocked her head at the sudden shift in Theo's mood. "Of course you can tell me," She said, after he asked. "But you don't have to if you'd rather not." She didn't want to be pushy, everyone had their secrets and it wasn't her place to make others tell her. She was honored that Theo was comfortable enough with her even to ask, even though they had only met that day.
Willow wasn't always the best at making friends. She had managed alright so far at Hogwarts, but she lacked the confidence to go up to someone and attempt conversation, and she sometimes worried she seemed standoffish because of her quiet nature and tendency to read during lunch or breaks. It was actually refreshing to meet someone who she clicked with so easily. And, if there was one thing besides books that could get her talking, it was music. Her bright blue eyes sparkled as she explained,
"My favorite band is probably the Lumineers. I like indie folk and classical music and I play piano and violin." Willow had started to learn piano at the age of five, and picked up violin at seven. She flicked back some unruly strands of scarlet hair. "And I'm sure you aren't that bad. One of my older brothers, Finn, is the absolute worst at singing. It's so out of tune it hurts our ears-I doubt your piano playing could even compete with him." She giggled at her joke and leaned forward in her chair, enjoying herself very much. "You must be good at something else, then. Do you have any hobbies?"
@Theodore Abernathy
"I have a cat," She offered. "She's no dragon, but I love her. She's very sweet, her name is Blueberry." Blueberry was Willow's little diva, she was absolutely adorable and perfect for cuddling. Perhaps Theo could meet her in the Ravenclaw common room sometime. She was equally excited when the boy offered his thoughts on her home in Ireland. It really was like a fairy tale, and she loved the thought of fairies flitting around and unicorns prancing along the sprawling hills.
"You have a lovely imagination," She said with a soft smile, and added, "You should come visit Ireland sometime. It's a magical place," Then, the redhead cocked her head at the sudden shift in Theo's mood. "Of course you can tell me," She said, after he asked. "But you don't have to if you'd rather not." She didn't want to be pushy, everyone had their secrets and it wasn't her place to make others tell her. She was honored that Theo was comfortable enough with her even to ask, even though they had only met that day.
Willow wasn't always the best at making friends. She had managed alright so far at Hogwarts, but she lacked the confidence to go up to someone and attempt conversation, and she sometimes worried she seemed standoffish because of her quiet nature and tendency to read during lunch or breaks. It was actually refreshing to meet someone who she clicked with so easily. And, if there was one thing besides books that could get her talking, it was music. Her bright blue eyes sparkled as she explained,
"My favorite band is probably the Lumineers. I like indie folk and classical music and I play piano and violin." Willow had started to learn piano at the age of five, and picked up violin at seven. She flicked back some unruly strands of scarlet hair. "And I'm sure you aren't that bad. One of my older brothers, Finn, is the absolute worst at singing. It's so out of tune it hurts our ears-I doubt your piano playing could even compete with him." She giggled at her joke and leaned forward in her chair, enjoying herself very much. "You must be good at something else, then. Do you have any hobbies?"
@Theodore Abernathy
I've lived a thousand lives and I've loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time- because I read.