Another Ray of Sunshine and Happiness PV Alma Stoll Closed

At this point, you couldn’t count on one hand how many times Alma had been to the library so far this year. Dare she say it was her favorite place in the whole school, (even if she’d grown fond of the pitch since joining the team back in September.) It was just so huge and magical, and so far it had the biggest track record of leading her to new friends, surprisingly.

She wandered the shelves, listening to the soothing sounds of the large space. It was quiet, but a settled, calming kind of quiet - one even the best professor couldn’t get in their classroom without giving some kind of anxious or boring air.

Ever since finishing Beedle, she needed a new read. Books were always a passion of hers, and wizard books even more now that she discovered them. They reminded her of the old books her father used to read to her to get her to sleep - except this time, there were moving pictures instead of still ones and the protagonists would be so enchanting that you’d nearly fall in love with them through the page. Reading took her to another world, and it was the best world she could experience up close.

Stopping at the fantasy section, Alma walked through the first aisle with interest. Tales of fairies, dragons, centaurs, and more filled her mind walking past the titles. She paused in front of one about an unwealthy witch in a muggle family who works her way up to become a Headmaster and picked it up.

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wc - 261
@Bailey Glade

Word count: 232/200
@Alma Stoll

Finishing her book, Bailey stood up, to return her book. After returning it, Bailey went to find another book.
The library, especially this one and the one at home in Leeds, were baileys safe spaces. She loved the one at home because that was where her first instance of magic had taken place, and this library, at Hogwarts, because of all the fun memories she had. She had met her best friend here, @Kim Sato and several other people, including @Emma Wynn, @Colin McCoireand @Simon Kincaid.
Smiling as all the memories of meeting friends flooded back, Bailey had an extra pep in her step now.
Walking down the second row of Fantasy books and novels, Bailey looked and saw another girl on the other side. The other girl was looking at a book, one bailey hadn’t seen before. Bailey decided to go say hello, and ask about the book. Walking around the other side of the shelves, Bailey was liked up behind the other girl. Tapping the younger girl on the shoulder, Bailey would smile if she turned.
If the girl turned or not, Bailey would speak, saying “Hello! My name is Bailey- Bailey Glade. I saw you looking at that book- and it’s one I haven’t seen before- so I came to ask about it! Have you read it before? What’s it about?”
Baileys curiosity showed through, along with another smile.

Lost deep in the captivating description on the back of the book, Alma didn’t even realize there was someone behind her at first. It wasn’t until she was tapped on the shoulder that she turned abruptly, startled at the newcomer. She jumped slightly, but quickly fixed herself with a surprised smile.

A girl stood in front of her; rather tall, brownish-blonde hair, with gorgeous green-blue eyes. “O-Oh, hi! Sorry, didn’t see you there!”

She closed her book and held it to her chest, swiveling fully to face the girl - Bailey. “Lovely name! I’m Alma, Alma Stoll!”

She looked down at the book the girl had asked about. She herself had never heard of it either, only just now looking over it. It seemed like an okay book! Plus, she’d read anything at least once. “No, I haven’t read it before. Here, you can read the description if you’d like!”

She hands the book to the girl, offering her to take it. “In fact, keep it! I’m sure you’d love it! O-Only if you want to though, no pressure!”

She decided to make some small talk while she waited, never wanting to be one left in awkward silence. She put on a happy smile and asked, “So, what are you doing around here? Another library lover, perhaps?”

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wc - 217
@Bailey Glade

@Alma Stoll
Word count: 277/200
Mentions: @Colin McCoire for giving us this idea

The other girl introduced herself as Alma Stoll. She was a very pretty girl, and Bailey couldn’t help but admire her green eyes which perfectly complemented her brown hair and pale skin- Bailey could see Alma being cast as a muggle model- she easily would have been scouted, and quite quickly as well.
Alma looked down at the book she was holding, and Bailey followed her gaze. Alma tried to hand to her too, after saying she hadn’t read it. Bailey was shocked- no one would ever do this, no one besides herself. Maybe Bailey had found a fellow Ray of sunshine.
“No no no” bailey said, trying to give Alma the book back. She, in her shock, had accepted the book but there was no way she would keep it since Alma had seemed interested in it, and had not read it yet.
“no you found it first- you keep it. Once you’ve read it, I’ll come check it out!! Don’t worry about reading it fast, I can be patient!”
Bailey smiled at Alma’s smile and her question.
“I do love libraries, they’re my safe space. I love the smell, and the sounds and everything. My first instance of magic was in a library, that my be why I like them so much!”
After a pause, Bailey asked “How about you? Another book and library lover?”

Bailey apparently made the executive decision to be stubbornly nice and return the book again - usually Alma would just insist again, but Bailey seemed dead set on giving her the book. So, she instead just reluctantly took it and nodded her head in thanks. “Well- thank you! That’s so nice of you, I promise i’ll return it in no time!”

The Hufflepuff giggled happily at Bailey’s description of the library. She could definitely attest to that. Although she couldn’t relate to her ‘first instance of magic’. “That’s so cool! I accidentally launched a bike into a tree…not my best moment, but it was cool finding out I was a witch!”

“Oh yes,” she laughed. Definitely a library lover. I love to read - fantasy especially. How about you? Favorite genre?”

She looked down at Bailey’s robes and noticed the blue lining and crest. “Wow, you’re a Ravenclaw?! That’s awesome! My moms a Ravenclaw! I got Hufflepuff,” She gestured to her own yellow robes. “Honestly can’t say I was surprised. I’m very happy though, I really love this house.”

She glanced down and the book one more time, worrying her lip between her teeth. “Are you…are you sure you don’t want the book? Because you can have it! Here, take it, you can read it first, I insist!”

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wc - 218
@Bailey Glade

word count: 320/200
mentions:
@Colin McCoire for introducing us
interactions:
@Alma Stoll

Bailey was dead set on her plan - she was not leaving with the book. Alma was going to take the book, there was no way around it.
Thankfully, Alma decided to accept.
alma is the type of person Bailey thought she is the person to be stubborn and make me take it... haha just like i just did.
"no rush, enjoy the book! I can be patient, i promise!"
Bailey's smile was so wide, her face was beginning to hurt. Alma giggled happily when Bailey described the library.
Bailey smiled and giggled a little too. "Any library, but this one especially, are so wonderful and magical, don't you think?
"hehe i can see that. I was so confused and sorta terrified when the book flew, it was an eventful day. But i'm glad i am one, and that I'm here!"
"Fantasy is the best, defiantly my favorite. though I like historical fiction and non fiction as well!"
alma glanced down at Bailey robes, and Bailey did too. Was something crooked?
alma simply was just curious about what house bailey was in.
"oh yes!!! I have to say, when i was first sorted i was a definite Ravenclaw. Now i feel like i am half Hufflepuff, half Ravenclaw - something i am not mad about. I love Ravenclaw, though all of the houses seem so cool!"
alma was one of those people who was easy to be around- friendly, happy, cheerful. She just radiated happiness and pure joy, and Bailey was thriving in her presence.
And then Alma decided to give the book back to Bailey. Bailey smiled, and pushed it back towards Alma.
"no, take it, i insist. You saw it first, i was just curious of the title, so that i could look it up later. It's not going to disappear after you read it, it will still be there for me to read. so, just take it! I insist!"

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Alma finally relented, taking the book back into her arms with a sigh…that doesn’t mean she won’t absolutely owl Bailey the book later; they were never going to actually read this thing, were they?

“Well…since we’re here,” she started, looking around the large library for a place to sit with the girl. “Would you want to come sit down and chat? I don’t have anything going on really, so i’m available!”

Wait…did that seem pushy? Am I pressuring her? The annoying internal thoughts spiraled in her head before she jumped to ‘fix’ what wasn’t even broken. “Or- you totally don’t have to if you don’t want to! Just- yknow- an option? Just if you’d like!”

Now that she was her proper blubbering ball of anxiety, she swerved and went to sit at a table, hoping the girl would follow behind her. Well, so much for a great impression. She just hoped her freak-out had gone unnoticed by Bailey. I mean, quite the same thing happened with one June Selwyn, and that seemed to turn out fine! …she hoped.

She sat down at a nearby table that seated around four. If Bailey had followed and sat down with her, then Alma would proceed to speak. “So, what do you like to do around the castle? Any sports, clubs that you’re in?”

word count: 258
mentions:
@Colin McCoire || @Kim Sato
interaction:
@Alma Stoll

Alma relented, and Bailey smiled. i think Alma and i will get along splendidly! she thought with her smile widening. and if she does think she can owl it or slip it to me.... i will just return it! Bailey made up her mind. an absent thought passed through her mind. are we actually going to get to read this book?
Alma then offered to sit and chat, and Bailey smiled wider, her excitement pulsing in her veins.
"i would love to!!" Bailey replied. She smiled a little at Alma's making sure that she was not pressuring Bailey into anything, and she reassured the younger girl "i honestly would love to!!! Don't worry, i love chatting, and you seem like the best kind of person to talk to and be around!"
Bailey followed Alma and sat down at the table, across from the girl. bailey set her bag down on the floor, and smiled at Alma. Bailey was doing a lot of smiling, and she was quite happy, contented to be spending time with Alma.
I love reading, writing, and such. I don't do any sports, but i am in a large amount of clubs, and am leader or co leader of a few as well! I also enjoy spending time with friends, especially Kim, and coco - sorry Colin!" Colin, when he's not with Clair that is!"
Bailey giggled at the thought of her friend's romance, with her fellow Ravenclaw @Clair Fernandez.
Bailey then asked Alma "how about you? any clubs, sports? How has Hogwarts been for you?"

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She listened intently as Bailey listed her hobbies and interests. They really were quite alike; Alma did some writing on the side aswell, and she was definitely a reader. She wasn’t really in any Hogwarts clubs, but it was cool that Bailey was. “Yeah, I like reading and writing too. Definitely can attest to the friends part; i’ve met Colin a couple times actually! He’s pretty awesome, super sweet. Very enthusiastic.”

“As for sports, I am on the Quidditch team! First-string chaser, to be exact. It’s pretty cool, the team is all super nice and our captains are awesome. Only downside is the possibility of getting your ribs broken by a bludger, but hey, what are you gonna do, right?” She smiled as she recalled the nicest memories with the team; especially meeting her best friend Avery, who she would definitely tell all about the nice girl she met at the library later tonight when she got back to her dorm. “Hogwarts has been amazing, of course. It’s really a welcoming place, i’ve made so many friends!”

She thought of something more to talk about. She decided to circle back to their mutual friend, none other than Colin McCoire. She hadn’t seen him in a bit, but he still made her laugh recalling the memory of them in the Leaky Cauldron and him tripping all over himself when Clair came around. “How is Colin, by the way? Haven’t seen him in a while. Still obsessed with Clair, I assume?” she giggled.