Totally Studying Closed

Daphne introduced herself. Her last name felt so familiar. Perhaps she was related to the Black family that were in Slytherin for centuries. Either way, There was only one way to find out. She had extended her hand to the both of them. Josh reached out and took hold of her hand gently.

"Are you by chance related to the Blacks that were famous for being in Slytherin for centuries?" Josh asked. Josh was curious because if she had indeed come from one of those people, there was a slight possibility that she knew about those that associated with them.

Everyone in Slytherin knew about the Blacks. Not only had they resided in Slytherin House for generations, they were also the primary source of Pure-Blood witches that most other Pure-Bloods were married into. Meaning, if someone is a Pure-Blood, there was an extremely high chance that the family was related to the Blacks. Strangely enough, the Altmans never had a Black relative. His family was considered to be the complete opposite of Black but practically did the same thing. The questions and mysteries went on and on. Still, it was strange and rare that a Black could ever be a Mudblood.

"No... not those. My great-grandfather was a different Black." She shook her head. "Though it is a weird coincidence. I never really knew any magical people personally besides my great-grandfather. My mother didn't want me talking to any magical people. My Great-Grandfather is the Gryffindor that stopped a lot of muggles from finding out about the wizarding world." She smiled, glad that they at least he knew her other relatives. "My mother... she hates magic. She would..." She trailed off. Her mother hit her whenever she brought up magic. "My father's last name was Black. After my parents got divorced, he found my other father." She looked up, realizing something. "Oh, I'm sorry! I've been talking about me for a while now! What about your families?" Her family was an uncomfortable topic. Her brother would tell her to make sure that the others were feeling heard. She pushed up her glasses, which were now foggy. Taking them off her face, she leaned down to clean them on her shirt, allowing her hair to fall in front of her face. Putting them back on, she pushed the hair out of her face. She looked up at the others and waited for them to say anything. Hopefully, their family life was better than hers.

After hearing Daphne's family history, Josh couldn't help but feel bad for her. Her mother was the perfect example of swine that drove his hatred against Muggles. Not only did he feel bad for her, he was more outraged by her mother. He would murder her and ask questions later. Josh gave her another warm hug.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Josh replied. "Your mum is a perfect example of why I hate Muggles! She seems to be the type who not only hates magic, but would rather have everyone else live their pathetic, primitive lifestyle!"

Josh paused as he gently rubbed her back. The thoughts about his own family came back into his mind.

"To think that my family became obsessed with those animals!" Josh growled softly.

Josh pulled apart as he recounted his tale of woe. "My family is the complete opposite of those typical Slytherins. We come from a long line of Gryffindors. We were famous or should I say infamous for being the biggest Blood Traitor family to live in England. They were so obsessed with those swine that they had us go with them on what they called 'field trips' to go see Muggles in their world. Ever since I found out how useless they are, I started to hate them more and more. Those 'field trips' were like going to a primitive petting zoo! I have older siblings who were both obviously in Gryffindor. They constantly bring in their Mudblood friends and that made me sick to the core! Then here I am in Hogwarts as a Slytherin and now they hate me because I'm what they call a 'traitor to the family name!' More and more people know me as the infamous Joshua Altman who is disgraced and practically disowned by the Altman family!"

Josh paused again. His anger rose higher and higher. He knew Daphne wouldn't like to see him angry. He took some deep breaths and continued. "I don't really care though. I basically disowned them long before I went to Hogwarts."

Josh slumped back in his chair staring at the ceiling. "I'm sorry for ranting," Josh apologised. "I get so upset when I talk about my pathetic excuse for a family."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Josh replied. "Your mum is a perfect example of why I hate Muggles! She seems to be the type who not only hates magic, but would rather have everyone else live their pathetic, primitive lifestyle!" She smiled at him. She was glad to find someone who didn't immediately fall in love with her mother. He rubbed her back, which was surprising, but she enjoyed the physical contact. "To think that my family became obsessed with those animals!" Josh growled softly. She smiled sadly. In the instance of her mother, it was a perfect reaction. "My family is the complete opposite of those typical Slytherins. We come from a long line of Gryffindors. We were famous or should I say infamous for being the biggest Blood Traitor family to live in England. They were so obsessed with those swine that they had us go with them on what they called 'field trips' to go see Muggles in their world. Ever since I found out how useless they are, I started to hate them more and more. Those 'field trips' were like going to a primitive petting zoo! I have older siblings who were both obviously in Gryffindor. They constantly bring in their Mudblood friends and that made me sick to the core! Then here I am in Hogwarts as a Slytherin and now they hate me because I'm what they call a 'traitor to the family name!' More and more people know me as the infamous Joshua Altman who is disgraced and practically disowned by the Altman family!" She noticed that he was getting angry, but he glanced at her and calmed himself down. "I don't really care though. I basically disowned them long before I went to Hogwarts." There was a quick moment of silence. "I'm sorry for ranting," Josh apologized. "I get so upset when I talk about my pathetic excuse for a family."

"No, no. It's fine, really. I would rant about my family too." She smiled again. Her gaze drifted from the boy whose hand was still on her back to the other girl in front of her.

The day dragged on and most of the students were gone. Amaya was still there though. Both of them had no idea what she was doing or if she was doing anything at all. Perhaps she's in a trance. Either way, it was getting late and Josh didn't want to leave Daphne just yet. He hasn't experienced such close friendliness ever in his life. If Josh wanted to hang out with Daphne, he knew that they needed to leave now before the professors start patrolling the corridors for stragglers.

"Hey Daph, it's getting late," Josh stated. "You don't mind sneaking off somewhere where the professors won't find us right? I want us to hang out more!"

Josh hoped she would say yes. After all, Josh never had a real friend that actually liked him back. Although there was some other friends, he feared that they might back stab him. Amaya was still in her "trance". Although Josh didn't want to leave her be, he still wanted Daphne to himself for a while. I'm sure the librarians will ask her to leave soon. She'll be alright. I can see her back in the Common room at anytime. Josh held out his hand hoping that she will say yes and hang out.

"Hey Daph, it's getting late," Josh stated. "You don't mind sneaking off somewhere where the professors won't find us right? I want us to hang out more!" Daphne smiled. She was thinking the same thing. She scribbled a note to Amyah with her number and put it in front of her. The note also said that the two would be back the next day to study as well. She hoped that Josh would agree to meet them there again. Studying was a pastime, which was how she ended up passing most of her exams. She took his outstretched hand gratefully. She was enjoying his company and was excited to get to know him better.

"Sure. I'd love to go." She stood up, still holding his hand. "Where are you thinking?" She thought back to any place on campus, but almost all of them could be accessed by teachers. She didn't know if students were allowed to leave campus. And even if they were, she had no idea any places around the magical world, and she had a pretty good idea that he wouldn't want to go to any muggle place. It was actually a little exhilarating not knowing anything about this new world.

"Sure. I'd love to go." Daphne answered happily. "Where are you thinking?"

Josh knew exactly where he wanted to go. There was an abandoned bathroom on the 2nd floor corridor that the professors don't really care to go inside. Rumor has it that the bathroom has the Legendary Chamber of Secrets. After Harry Potter and his friends left Hogwarts, nobody knows where the Chamber is exactly located.

"You heard of the girl's bathroom on the 2nd floor corridor right?" Josh asked quietly. He didn't want any professor or staff to hear them. "Nobody will find us in there. We could have that place to ourselves."

Josh definitely wanted to be with her. He had not felt like this ever. Perhaps this could lead to a romantic relationship. But then again, he was only 11 years old. How can an 11 year old know anything about love? It's true that Josh didn't have a happy childhood, nor did he have any real friends. Perhaps, Daphne could be the first and perhaps his first love only to the point where can comprehend. She's really amazing for a Mudblood. There's nobody else I wanna be with right now besides her. This feels very wrong, but I can't help it right now.

"You heard of the girl's bathroom on the 2nd-floor corridor right?" Josh asked quietly. He didn't want any professor or staff to hear them. "Nobody will find us in there. We could have that place to ourselves." She was not used to this kind of thing, she usually followed the rules and stayed within reach of a teacher. She silently nodded, smiling.

"I'd like that." Her heart fluttered a little as she looked up at him. Immediately her thoughts went to a scene right out of a Rom-Com, her falling and him catching her, someone being mean to her and him beating them up, none of which would really happen, but were cute ideas. Stuff that would happen to Daniel and Eric, her characters in her mini stories that she posted online. Of course, them being the same age, there was a surprising hight difference. She was a lot shorter than he was. It made it easier to look down at the ground to hide her blush. Her mind went to the fact that he might be playing her. Might be making up anything to make her trust him, but he wouldn't do that. For some reason, she trusted him a lot, and she was going to follow him.

Daphne agreed to the hangout. Now things were about to get very interesting. The two thanked the librarian and walked out. Since it wasn't too late to be considered "out of bed" they were able to go over to the 2nd floor corridor without having to sneak around. During that time, most of them were having dinner. Fortunately, Josh had sneaked in some snacks in the library just in case he got hungry during his studies. Looks like they'll have to survive off of that for the night.

The two arrived at the 2nd floor corridor without any trouble. There were no professors roaming around the halls and there were coincidentally no students at that time too. It was now easier to find the abandoned girls bathroom. There were stories about Moaning Myrtle lurking in that very bathroom but Josh didn't care. They arrived at the bathroom and sneaked inside.

Josh couldn't help but ask this specific question. "Am I your first real friend?"

He was curious because Daphne was indeed his first real friend. He also wanted to ask if she liked him but felt that it was a little too early considering their age and the fact that they just met. Even still Josh believed the time will come soon.

Amaya suddenly shaked out of her daze, glancing at the table she was sitting at. The books were gone, and a scrawled note with a number was in front of her. She didn’t notice two figures just leaving the library.

She supposed it was too late, and now they’d left.

She nodded to herself, feeling rather embarassed to have been in a daze for so long.

Getting up, she absently grabbed all of her notes, and then began to leave the massive library.

She hoped she’d see them soon again, as she supposed they were now her friends.

She smiled to herself as she wondered past the corridors, beginning the trek down to the Slytherin dungeons.

Friends.

She liked the sound of that.

It was nice knowing she had some.

Some friends she thought she could trust.

She paused, deciding that they weren’t a waste of time.

And it had been quite a while since she’d last had any friends.

Amaya felt ridiculous, ridiculously giddy, and attempted to calm herself.

As always, it didn’t work.

She hoped that no one noticed the extra skip in her steps, the small smile refusing to be gone, and the overall happiness in her movements.

OOC: Wow, sorry, I missed a lot...