14 Mar 2020, 17:01
New Terrors, New Friends
"Uh-huh," Jake agreed with a nod. "Like everything..."
It was true. Freddie had been his constant companion for as long as he could remember. He had many stuffed animals, and all of them were special to Jake, but Freddie had always been a step above the rest. When Jake and his family went on vacation, and Jake was told he could pick three of his stuffed animals to bring, he did change up the other two but Freddie always had a spot. When they had long trips in the car, his other animals waited in their bag, and Freddie got to sit with Jake. It was just how it always had been. They had gone on many imaginary adventures together, but real ones as well. Freddie had been on planes and trains, and even to Disney World, once. He'd been there for Jake's best and worst moments, through it all, and, Jake thought, he always would be. Once, he had thought Freddie had been lost. He had been little then, and had brought Freddie into a restaurant. He had somehow left him in the booth. It was so unlike him. He had been distraught when they'd realized, but they had been able to go get him back. He still wondered what he would have done, if they hadn't managed to find him.
Alan seemed to get it though, because he talked about how nice it was to have something to snuggle. Jake nodded his head shyly, blushing just a little. It was true, it really was, but Jake had learned that other kids didn't always think that way. Needing something to snuggle was something that you were supposed to do when you were little, but when you got older you were supposed to not need it so badly. That's what Jake assumed anyway, from the way some other kids seemed to think it was strange. But at a school like Hogwarts it was really important to have something for comfort, since you were just on your own and all. How did everybody else do it without it...? Now that he'd learned that Alan thought it was ok to have stuffed animals, it meant it was also ok to have his own, and so Freddie went back into Jake's lap where he belonged.
The older boy said that Jake could see his stuffed animal later, and he nodded. He hoped the older boy really would show him. "Okay. I-I'd like to see him...when I can. Um...if ya don't mind o'course..."
Jake was surprised when Alan handed over the tiny figurine, but he held out his hands to receive it, and then brought it closer for a better look with delicate reverence. The small boy held the figurine up near his face and watched it. The little lion inspired some fascination, there was something so personable in its face. Jake felt sure that it wasn't just a lion but a friendly lion, and he couldn't take his eyes off of the details. Gently, he manipulated its limbs when he realized they would move. As it had before, it changed his demeanor, the figurine a powerful distraction.
He had forgotten now about his crying. Jake was an artist, or fancied himself to be...he knew the delicate craftsmanship it took to make something like this. There was beauty in the little details - the way it captured its expression so vividly when still so small it could sit in his palm. There was something about it that just made him feel calmer...maybe it was because it was a lion and lions were brave.
"Awwww...he's so cute...Does he have a name?" Jake asked, looking down.
It was true. Freddie had been his constant companion for as long as he could remember. He had many stuffed animals, and all of them were special to Jake, but Freddie had always been a step above the rest. When Jake and his family went on vacation, and Jake was told he could pick three of his stuffed animals to bring, he did change up the other two but Freddie always had a spot. When they had long trips in the car, his other animals waited in their bag, and Freddie got to sit with Jake. It was just how it always had been. They had gone on many imaginary adventures together, but real ones as well. Freddie had been on planes and trains, and even to Disney World, once. He'd been there for Jake's best and worst moments, through it all, and, Jake thought, he always would be. Once, he had thought Freddie had been lost. He had been little then, and had brought Freddie into a restaurant. He had somehow left him in the booth. It was so unlike him. He had been distraught when they'd realized, but they had been able to go get him back. He still wondered what he would have done, if they hadn't managed to find him.
Alan seemed to get it though, because he talked about how nice it was to have something to snuggle. Jake nodded his head shyly, blushing just a little. It was true, it really was, but Jake had learned that other kids didn't always think that way. Needing something to snuggle was something that you were supposed to do when you were little, but when you got older you were supposed to not need it so badly. That's what Jake assumed anyway, from the way some other kids seemed to think it was strange. But at a school like Hogwarts it was really important to have something for comfort, since you were just on your own and all. How did everybody else do it without it...? Now that he'd learned that Alan thought it was ok to have stuffed animals, it meant it was also ok to have his own, and so Freddie went back into Jake's lap where he belonged.
The older boy said that Jake could see his stuffed animal later, and he nodded. He hoped the older boy really would show him. "Okay. I-I'd like to see him...when I can. Um...if ya don't mind o'course..."
Jake was surprised when Alan handed over the tiny figurine, but he held out his hands to receive it, and then brought it closer for a better look with delicate reverence. The small boy held the figurine up near his face and watched it. The little lion inspired some fascination, there was something so personable in its face. Jake felt sure that it wasn't just a lion but a friendly lion, and he couldn't take his eyes off of the details. Gently, he manipulated its limbs when he realized they would move. As it had before, it changed his demeanor, the figurine a powerful distraction.
He had forgotten now about his crying. Jake was an artist, or fancied himself to be...he knew the delicate craftsmanship it took to make something like this. There was beauty in the little details - the way it captured its expression so vividly when still so small it could sit in his palm. There was something about it that just made him feel calmer...maybe it was because it was a lion and lions were brave.
"Awwww...he's so cute...Does he have a name?" Jake asked, looking down.
15 Mar 2020, 21:22
New Terrors, New Friends
@Jake Morris
Alan just gave the other kid a slight smile, nodding in understanding. He had no idea why the other kid was so shy and it was not in his right to prod the topic or even mention it. They just met and Alan was sure with time he would learn this about the younger boy; younger not only in years but what also seemed in mental state. And Alan wanted to learn more about him, finding him to be a nice person and easy to talk to.
Soon enough the Hufflepuff asked him, whether he would be able to see his stuffed animal and Alan snickered lightly and nodded. "I d-don't see why not! I am su-sure that would be doable!", he assured the other boy, with some sort of promise he was planning to definitely keep. He did not mind showing his stuffed animal to the other kid, feeling no shame whatsoever about his cotton cotton companion. If it would make Jake this happy, he probably would not even mind showing, even if he had felt shy about it! It was simple as that; seeing other people happy and step out of their shell was like a gift sometimes.
The third year watched on as the other kid took his figurine and played with it for a little while, watching carefully over the little toy, so that it would not be destroyed by accident. He had just gotten it and it would bother him greatly, if anything were to happen to it! "O-Oh... uh, n-not really, but it is fine e-even without a name! Be-because I don't think there w-will be someone else owning this toy; i-it is custom made!", he explained proudly. It must have been expensive, but that was not what made Alan boast like this... he just liked to know that his toy was special and that his parents went through the trouble of having it made for him!
This is a main account tied to: Nichlas Forsberg
23 Mar 2020, 21:16
New Terrors, New Friends
Jake smiled when the older boy said he could see his stuffed animal later. He was going to look forward to that. Probably it would be best to do it where nobody was looking of course, in case they weren't as ok with stuffed animals as this boy was. But he was sure they could find a way. "I could um...show you my others too...if ya want..." Jake offered shyly, thinking of the stuffed rabbit and tiger hidden away in his bag.
Even as he said it he wondered if it was a mistake, but this boy was nice, right? He wouldn't care...so it was ok, wasn't it? He didn't know why he bothered to offer at all, when it was safer not to. Some things were best left hidden. Still, Jake didn't like hiding (he just liked getting made fun of even less).
The older boy didn't seem to mind as Jake played a little with his figurine, though Jake didn't notice how close he was watching over him (he was too focused on the toy itself). The boy need not have worried though. Jake handled the figure with the utmost care and respect. Though he often came off much younger than his years, he obviously needed no practice at being delicate. The last thing in the world he wanted was to break such a nice figurine and he didn't forget the privilege he'd been given to get to handle such a special item. Still, he did gently make the little lion walk along his palm for a while.
Jake was distracted by the lion, forgetting to continue his part of the conversation. Perhaps he let himself focus on it, because it took his mind off things. It was a much needed distraction. After a bit, his breathing slowed down, and his body returned to a calm state it had not been in since the morning. It was a shaky fragile calm, one liable to fail him at a moment's notice, but he had almost forgotten what calm felt like. "Um...here ya go," he said finally, handing the figurine back. He felt bad that he'd already held it for so long. It was obviously very special. "Thanks for letting me hold him..." he said politely. "I do like lions a lot. He's very cool." Jake sighed. He still felt sad, but he felt a little lighter than he had before. Crying could often have its own momentum, and when the tears had stopped, they mercifully stayed stopped for now. Jake paused, regarding the other boy in front of him.
"Um...Would you mind if I sat on your side...?" the first-year asked shyly, pointing to the empty spot next to the older boy. Alan might not have known it, but it was a gesture of trust from a boy who tended to keep his distance from strangers. At first, Jake had hoped that the older kid would leave quickly - but now he was sort of hoping he would stay...keep him company for the ride. It was only then that he realized he didn't even know the other kid's name. Once, he would have stumbled all over his words in an attempt to ask, perhaps deciding the prospect was too scary and he should just wait to be told or never learn it at all. Now, after months at school around the other children he knew a more graceful way to handle this. "O-oh yeah, I'm Jake," he said. His eyes flicked up to Alan's.
Even as he said it he wondered if it was a mistake, but this boy was nice, right? He wouldn't care...so it was ok, wasn't it? He didn't know why he bothered to offer at all, when it was safer not to. Some things were best left hidden. Still, Jake didn't like hiding (he just liked getting made fun of even less).
The older boy didn't seem to mind as Jake played a little with his figurine, though Jake didn't notice how close he was watching over him (he was too focused on the toy itself). The boy need not have worried though. Jake handled the figure with the utmost care and respect. Though he often came off much younger than his years, he obviously needed no practice at being delicate. The last thing in the world he wanted was to break such a nice figurine and he didn't forget the privilege he'd been given to get to handle such a special item. Still, he did gently make the little lion walk along his palm for a while.
Jake was distracted by the lion, forgetting to continue his part of the conversation. Perhaps he let himself focus on it, because it took his mind off things. It was a much needed distraction. After a bit, his breathing slowed down, and his body returned to a calm state it had not been in since the morning. It was a shaky fragile calm, one liable to fail him at a moment's notice, but he had almost forgotten what calm felt like. "Um...here ya go," he said finally, handing the figurine back. He felt bad that he'd already held it for so long. It was obviously very special. "Thanks for letting me hold him..." he said politely. "I do like lions a lot. He's very cool." Jake sighed. He still felt sad, but he felt a little lighter than he had before. Crying could often have its own momentum, and when the tears had stopped, they mercifully stayed stopped for now. Jake paused, regarding the other boy in front of him.
"Um...Would you mind if I sat on your side...?" the first-year asked shyly, pointing to the empty spot next to the older boy. Alan might not have known it, but it was a gesture of trust from a boy who tended to keep his distance from strangers. At first, Jake had hoped that the older kid would leave quickly - but now he was sort of hoping he would stay...keep him company for the ride. It was only then that he realized he didn't even know the other kid's name. Once, he would have stumbled all over his words in an attempt to ask, perhaps deciding the prospect was too scary and he should just wait to be told or never learn it at all. Now, after months at school around the other children he knew a more graceful way to handle this. "O-oh yeah, I'm Jake," he said. His eyes flicked up to Alan's.
24 Mar 2020, 20:28
New Terrors, New Friends
@Jake Morris
With a small smile, the Gryffindor nodded lightly when Jake asked whether he would like to see the other stuffed animals the Hufflepuff had brought along. Alan wondered, if he had a lot of them, but he quite seemed like someone who would have a lot of toys, especially back at home. He probably had a full zoo of plushies and Alan could not help but chuckle slightly. "S-sure, I would l-love to see them", he told the other child and was kind of glad that the blonde seemed like he had calmed down on his homesickness.
"Th-Thanks", he said proudly, as he took the small figurine back and attached it to his suitcase again so that he would not lose it. He would hate to lose this precious gift from his parents, because it just was so adorable and nice! "I l-like lion t-too, th-they are s-super cool!", he agreed and was happy to be in the house he was in. Lions were awesome, they had courage and did not step away from danger but faced it no matter what. It was an honor to be sorted in such a house, even though the Gryffindor had struggled in the past to associate with this imagery. But he slowly grew to accept the circumstances and did his best to live up to the name of the House of Gryffindor.
"O-Of course not!", he exclaimed and scooted to the side so that the other boy had enough space to sit on his side of the compartment. "U-Uh... you can p-put your feet o-on my suitcase... i-if you wanna...", he mumbled his offer, with a lopsided smile and a hint of nervousness. He hoped that the other boy would not mind, that now that they were sitting on the same side, that the Hufflepuff's legs had a lot less freedom to move, because of Alan's suitcase. "I-I'm Alan, i-it's a pleasure", he introduced himself as well, smiling brightly at the Hufflepuff. "S-So Jake, wh-what's your favorite s-subject?", he wondered, in hopes to distract the boy again, before he could become more sad again, because Alan had no idea what to do when someone was sad.
This is a main account tied to: Nichlas Forsberg
24 Mar 2020, 21:21
New Terrors, New Friends
Jake flinched a little when the older boy chuckled, but he soon felt relieved when he said he'd loved to see them. He was still going to have to get used to the fact that making another kid laugh wasn't always a bad thing...They had something else in common too, because the older boy liked lions. Out of all the animals that adorned the Hogwarts houses, lions were Jake's favorites, but he was happy that he had never gotten put in Gryffindor. That was the house of the brave, and he knew he never could be brave. Hufflepuff was the right place for him, and it was for the best that the hat had seen that. That was one difference between himself and the other boy, apparently, who must have been very brave even if he seemed quiet and friendly and even if he stammered.
When he was given permission, Jake stood up, bringing his stuffed dog along with him, and took a seat next to the boy whose name he would soon find out was Alan. "A-are you sure?" Jake asked, looking at the trunk. It felt rude to put his feet on somebody else's trunk, but Alan HAD offered...Jake put his feet up tentatively, being very careful to avoid any of the stickers so he wouldn't ruin them. Then he made himself comfortable, snuggled Freddie to his chest again, and let his head droop down to touch his fur.
The question Alan asked made Jake think of all the classes he had taken at school the previous term. There were some he liked, some he didn't, and some that terrified him.
"Um, w-well, I think my favorite is History of Magic. I like hearing all the stories...I didn't know them because I wasn't magic before...o-or I didn't know I was. And I like Astronomy too...Except it's really late and it's hard to stay awake." he said. The non-magical classes tended to be his favorites because they didn't involve casting. If you didn't have to cast, then you didn't have to mess up in front of everybody else. Still, neither was his biggest passion. "But what I really wanna take is Care of Magical Creatures. I can't do it yet though. I'm only a first year..." This last bit of information was probably not very surprising to Alan, but Jake explained anyway.
"Um, but I've read a lot about it though..."he said."At the library. Plus...some older Hufflepuffs let me borrow their books 'cause they know I like animals." The more Jake talked, the more comfortable he seemed, and the more easily his words seemed to come to him. Answering questions was always easier than asking them, especially when it was about something he cared about.
When he was given permission, Jake stood up, bringing his stuffed dog along with him, and took a seat next to the boy whose name he would soon find out was Alan. "A-are you sure?" Jake asked, looking at the trunk. It felt rude to put his feet on somebody else's trunk, but Alan HAD offered...Jake put his feet up tentatively, being very careful to avoid any of the stickers so he wouldn't ruin them. Then he made himself comfortable, snuggled Freddie to his chest again, and let his head droop down to touch his fur.
The question Alan asked made Jake think of all the classes he had taken at school the previous term. There were some he liked, some he didn't, and some that terrified him.
"Um, w-well, I think my favorite is History of Magic. I like hearing all the stories...I didn't know them because I wasn't magic before...o-or I didn't know I was. And I like Astronomy too...Except it's really late and it's hard to stay awake." he said. The non-magical classes tended to be his favorites because they didn't involve casting. If you didn't have to cast, then you didn't have to mess up in front of everybody else. Still, neither was his biggest passion. "But what I really wanna take is Care of Magical Creatures. I can't do it yet though. I'm only a first year..." This last bit of information was probably not very surprising to Alan, but Jake explained anyway.
"Um, but I've read a lot about it though..."he said."At the library. Plus...some older Hufflepuffs let me borrow their books 'cause they know I like animals." The more Jake talked, the more comfortable he seemed, and the more easily his words seemed to come to him. Answering questions was always easier than asking them, especially when it was about something he cared about.
25 Mar 2020, 22:00
New Terrors, New Friends
@Jake Morris
Alan nodded, smiling slightly at the other kid, when he was asked whether he was sure. Alan did not mind the other kid placing his feet on his suitcase because after all, his own shoes were also on his suitcase. So why would it make a difference, if Jake did the same? He smiled, when he watched the Hufflepuff boy carefully place his feet onto the trunk. He had not noticed the boy flinch earlier, but if he did, he would not have mentioned it anyway, so that was probably nothing worth worrying about.
"Oh, I l-love Care of Magical C-Creatures! It is really cool!", he said with enthusiasm. He really loved the subject and the professor was great too! He let him hold a Niffler after all, so how couldn't Alan like the professor. "I'm g-glad you have some friends in y-your house, who do that f-for you!" Alan said warmly. He would chat some more to the Hufflepuff, but the time was passing fast now that the two of them had kind of fun and something to talk about. "I c-can't wait till we are there, th-the food will be great! I am so hungry a-already, just thinking about it!", he told the Hufflepuff, once the castle was in close distance. He could see it from the windows of the Hogwarts Express.
Alan would be happy to leave the castle and do his routine of what he did, whenever he arrived back in Hogwarts. Run to his dormitories, where he would unpack his stuff and place his special belongings into the drawer of his nighstand. After that he would need to check out the Grounds and see if anything had changed and maybe he could build a small snowman, since thick layers of snow covered the ground around that time of the year. All to kill some time until the dinner would be served, a dinner that would probably be like a feast to welcome back the students from their winter holidays!
This is a main account tied to: Nichlas Forsberg
14 Apr 2020, 11:18
New Terrors, New Friends
Jake was shocked when the castle began to pull into view. The train ride had taken so long the first time...he could have sworn it was at least twice as long as it had taken now. But there the school was. Maybe it was because he had gotten caught up in talking. Everything did seem to go a little faster when he was talking about creatures, like how he'd sometimes look up from Fantastic Beasts and find that he was one of the only students who hadn't eaten his lunch yet.
And speaking of food...
"I guess I'm a little hungry..." Jake admitted. He hadn't really touched his breakfast in the morning, even though his Mum had tried really hard to get him to eat it. His parents had probably packed something in his trunk for him to eat on the train, but he didn't want to look at it now because it was going to make him think about things that he didn't want to.
They were getting really close now. So instead, he tried to think of what Alan had said before. About seeing his friends. He HAD missed them, when he was home. He would think of them now. He wondered what they had gotten for Christmas. Maybe there was one good thing to look forward to...he would get to hear about what Santa had brought them, and tell them about things he had gotten too. That part wasn't so bad.
"We don't have to take the boats again do we?" Jake asked apprehensively. He didn't mind the lake - it was actually really pretty - but the boats had been small and he had been worried about falling in. He felt a lump in his stomach as he looked up at the school, and fidgeted in his seat. It was time, he realized, to put Freddie away.
"Um Alan...? Can you walk with me until we get inside?" the boy asked shyly, lowering his eyes. Jake hadn't seen any familiar faces yet. They must have been there somewhere, but he didn't know where, and he didn't really want to be alone. He hoped the older boy wouldn't mind.
In the end, the two made their way to the school to start a new term - sure to be full of new adventures. Whether he was ready or not, Jake didn't know. But maybe it wasn't the worst day in the world. He thought that he might have made a new friend.
Complete.
And speaking of food...
"I guess I'm a little hungry..." Jake admitted. He hadn't really touched his breakfast in the morning, even though his Mum had tried really hard to get him to eat it. His parents had probably packed something in his trunk for him to eat on the train, but he didn't want to look at it now because it was going to make him think about things that he didn't want to.
They were getting really close now. So instead, he tried to think of what Alan had said before. About seeing his friends. He HAD missed them, when he was home. He would think of them now. He wondered what they had gotten for Christmas. Maybe there was one good thing to look forward to...he would get to hear about what Santa had brought them, and tell them about things he had gotten too. That part wasn't so bad.
"We don't have to take the boats again do we?" Jake asked apprehensively. He didn't mind the lake - it was actually really pretty - but the boats had been small and he had been worried about falling in. He felt a lump in his stomach as he looked up at the school, and fidgeted in his seat. It was time, he realized, to put Freddie away.
"Um Alan...? Can you walk with me until we get inside?" the boy asked shyly, lowering his eyes. Jake hadn't seen any familiar faces yet. They must have been there somewhere, but he didn't know where, and he didn't really want to be alone. He hoped the older boy wouldn't mind.
In the end, the two made their way to the school to start a new term - sure to be full of new adventures. Whether he was ready or not, Jake didn't know. But maybe it wasn't the worst day in the world. He thought that he might have made a new friend.
Complete.