19 Jan 2021, 12:56
May I help you?
Verner quietly left the potions classroom looking for Katniss. He was almost certain she wrote the letter.Interacting with / Mentioning: @Katniss Bang
Verner's thoughts
Verner talking
*“That must have been the reason she acted so nervously…”*, he thought while thinking where she might be headed.
Even if she was not the *observer*, she would definitely know more, because she must have written the letter.
In his mind he tried to prepare for the conversation, but the situation made him a bit nervous as well. It would be the first time he had such conversation.
*”Hello Katniss, do you like me?… “* or *”Hello Katniss, did you write this letter?…”*, maybe he could even start with something like *”Katniss, I’ve got one question about…”*
Verner’s thoughts might have been in disarray but his body acted on auto pilot. He walked quickly and silently carefully avoiding anybody in his path, probably also disappearing from an average person’s radar, making him almost invisible and unseen.
His feet guided him to library’s entrance, not only because he wanted to find Katniss, but also because this was a good place to think more about what to say to her, and well there was always the homework due tomorrow. In general the Library had always calmed him down.
Just as Verner was about to enter the library, through the open entrance he noticed Katniss had also been inside. For a second or two his stomach decided bother him by performing couple of somersaults, but this did not stop Verner.
He noticed Katniss was about to grab a heavy book out of a bookshelf and before he himself realised, he was helping her.
Him popping out, out of nowhere might have also surprised her, but that was not something to worry about right now.
He did not know if she was alone and did not think about the question. The only thing he managed to say was *”May I help you?”*
Hoping this would allow them to talk more, he looked into Katniss’s blue eyes and waited for an answer or reaction.
Katniss Bang
19 Jan 2021, 20:30
May I help you?
Passing through the corridors Katniss felt like someone was following her. She didn’t want to turn around, just in case she was paranoid or there was only one other person in the corridor. She didn’t want to look too suspicious so she tried to calm herself down. Katniss had begun to realise that she had given a sheet with her handwriting, the handwriting that was on the admirer’s letter, to the person it had been written to. She couldn’t believe it. She had turned herself in. Maybe she could just give up and ask to switch partners. Or maybe she could pretend nothing happened. She decided to go to the library, her happy place. She found the biggest and heaviest book she wanted to read and just as she was pulling it down Verner appeared. He helped her get down the book and asked, “May I help you?”
There was only one thing Katniss could think of to say, “Were you following me?” But as she realised she should probably also answer his question so she said, “Um sure, I’ll pick out some more books I guess.” She turned away, hoping that maybe picking a book, one of her favourite tasks would distract her from him.
There was only one thing Katniss could think of to say, “Were you following me?” But as she realised she should probably also answer his question so she said, “Um sure, I’ll pick out some more books I guess.” She turned away, hoping that maybe picking a book, one of her favourite tasks would distract her from him.
20 Jan 2021, 07:58
May I help you?
Verner’s eyes followed Katniss as she said *”Um sure, I’ll pick out some more books I guess.”* Her voice might have sounded a bit surprised, maybe even panicking? But it seemed she made best effort to keep it steady. She has even turned around so quickly. *”Was it an attempt to hide her face?”*Interacting with / Mentioning: @Katniss Bang
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Verner's thoughts
Verner talking
Others talking
Verner did not press on with his *other* question and decided to follow Katniss and help her with the books. Any time she moved to a different bookshelf, he was right behind her, holding the books she picked out.
He sincerely hoped the other books would not be as heavy as the first one. He would say nothing about it though, he was a man and he would endure. The question was how much longer…
Unbeknownst to Verner a smile has appeared on his face as he observed Katniss. It might have been thoughts similar to *”Is she enjoying it? Having me holding the books for her? Or maybe is it some kind of punishment game?”*
And as the pile of books Verner kept holding grew, he did not show his discomfort, but to an observant eye, it might have been hinted by the tightening grip of his hands and his fingertips turning white.
Before the books would fall, and before he would give Katniss a way to escape, Verner decided to at least start off his topic.
*”Katniss, I would like to ask you for an advice… “* he started, and again carefully observed her. *”One of my friends has received a love letter… It seems to be from a very nice girl, but she did not sign it… And so, what should my friend do to approach her sensitively?“*
Katniss Bang
20 Jan 2021, 10:07
May I help you?
Katniss, who was quite enjoying herself stopped as soon as Verner asked her his question. She realised it might be obvious though and pretended to examine a book, all the while unsure of what to say. Could it be a coincidence? Surely not, how could he and his friend both get a love letter? And why would he come ask her? There had to only be one way out of this. As Katniss pulled down another book she ‘accidentally’ knocked over the books. For a few moments it seemed as if it would work, that he would finally be tired of being a servant and invent some way of leaving. But it seemed clear that he wanted his question answered. She would have to try a different approach. Without a moment’s hesitation she answered his question as if it was someone asking her about what she would want Verner to do.Advice for @Verner Llf’s ‘friend’
“Well first your friend should find out who it was and decide his feelings towards her. Then I suggest he say something significant that was in the letter, something recognisable, not just an everyday word like hi. If she reacts to it then he should tell her how he feels about her. Then it’s all up to what she says back to him”
She turned around once more and kept looking at the books until she heard Verner start speaking again.
21 Jan 2021, 07:52
May I help you?
As Katniss browsed through the books and prolonged the time before she finally gave an answer, Verner got almost certain she was enjoying it. Having him hold the books and *accidentally* knocking them over, almost tripping them both in the process must have been some kind of subconscious or maybe even intended signal, or so Verner thought.Interacting with / Mentioning: @Katniss Bang
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Verner talking
Verner paid attention to every word Katniss said as she answered. Being used as a *servant* for a while did not bother him, because in this way he might get the best advice what to do. And so far it seemed he was not mistaken.
In her reply Katniss mentioned 3 points and in his mind Verner has already started preparing his answer. There were some tricky points, but he was quite certain it was Katniss who wrote it. This meant the first point of her advice was half solved.
But as Verner’s mind worked out his next words, Katniss turned around to face the books again. He needed to get her attention, so he said in half whisper *”Thank you my secret admirer from Gryffindor who watches me in every class all the time. Your handwriting is lovely.”*
Verner was sure Katniss even though she pretended not to care would actually listen closely to each word he uttered. She might have heard them all, she might have been a bit distracted or surprised as well, but any small change in her complexion and her reactions would be another hint for him.
Verner’s eyes were almost like glued to Katniss. He waited and secretly hoped his words would trigger a reaction just like Katniss mentioned in her advice, making their talk continue.
Katniss Bang
21 Jan 2021, 21:08
May I help you?
No. No, no, no. He couldn’t. Uh uh. Please. Verner had worked out who had written him the letter. As soon as she heard the words she froze and took a secret glance at him. His eyes were glued to her, watching her reaction. Reaction. Katniss’s words to him. He was using the advice she had given him. This wasn’t good. Remembering what she had told him, she tried to act cool and calm. “Excuse me? What are you talking about?” There was a mark of doubt etched upon her face. She looked at her pile of books and pretended to consider. “Hmm. I think I have enough books. Thanks for helping me today!” She indicated for him to hand her the books but realised that he wouldn’t let he go that easily.
She would have to find another way to leave. She checked her watch. “Oh, I’m meant to be meeting some friends soon. Please may I have my books so I can go?”
It was clear he wouldn’t give her the books so she found another book on the shelf and a chair to sit in. She sat and started to read but after a bit she realised that she was only pretending to read. What would he say next?
She would have to find another way to leave. She checked her watch. “Oh, I’m meant to be meeting some friends soon. Please may I have my books so I can go?”
It was clear he wouldn’t give her the books so she found another book on the shelf and a chair to sit in. She sat and started to read but after a bit she realised that she was only pretending to read. What would he say next?
22 Jan 2021, 08:45
May I help you?
Seeing her reaction, Verner realised how cute she was, trying to refute it was her who wrote the letter. *”Why is she pretending so hard she did not write it?”* he thought, while observing Katniss further. Her facial expression and the tone of her voice wavering, although only slightly, but still, betrayed her.Interacting with / Mentioning: @Katniss Bang
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Verner's thoughts
Verner talking
On top of it, she seemed to be secretly watching Verner as she skimmed through the pages of the latest book she took from a bookshelf. *”It is her!”* Verner saw through Katniss’s attempt to misguide him. *”Her reactions would be quite different, if she was not interested. She would have ignored it outright, or laughed it off, and would not pay me any attention…”*
At this point though, Verner realised pressing more would probably not bring any results. Katniss for some reason wanted to escape this conversation, and despite him following her own advice and confronting her, she still made it difficult.
As Katniss indicated she wanted the books handed to her, Verner almost failed to suppress laughter escaping his mouth. *”Oh man, those books are quite heavy, you are sure about it?”*, he asked while looking at obviously nervous Katniss. To an observant eye, it must have been plain as day even he was struggling with the weight of the books.
Again in slightly lower tone of his voice Verner said *”We could start as friends…”* and followed the last part of Katniss’s advice. *”You are interesting, and cuter the more I look at you…”* he admitted. *”It would be a first time for me.”* he ended.
*”Oh boy, I’ve said some embarrassing things… Let’s see how it develops…”* It was something along those lines Verner thought while he kept his attention at Katniss.
Katniss Bang
23 Jan 2021, 00:21
May I help you?
Oh goodness. He didn’t. No. Verner liked her? Well, that hadn’t been exactly what he said but still. What? Why couldn’t she be happy? She was nervous. She could see him looking embarrassed. Her cheeks were red, she could tell. To distract both herself and Verner from what he said, she grabbed some of the books. Now she could see why he was struggling. But, being a problem solver, Katniss took the first lot of books over to the librarian, struggling. It took her 7 trips to make it over, until she went back for the last book, which Verner was holding.
As he handed it to her she said, “Friends would be nice.” She drew her attention to the other words he said, interesting, cute? Well at least he could actually say that stuff to her face. It was his first time?
Katniss could remember her first relationship, Jimmy Sangs. It was in second grade and Jimmy had asked her to eat lunch with him. Then during lunch he asked her if they could be together. They hadn’t been serious or anything and Jimmy had literally broken up with her a week later.
She’s smiled, took the last book from him and remembered something.
“There’s a Valentines Day dinner thing, and I was wondering if you wanted to go? Just as friends of course. They were walking towards the front desk with the last book, Katniss hoping Verner would say yes.
@Verner Llf
As he handed it to her she said, “Friends would be nice.” She drew her attention to the other words he said, interesting, cute? Well at least he could actually say that stuff to her face. It was his first time?
Katniss could remember her first relationship, Jimmy Sangs. It was in second grade and Jimmy had asked her to eat lunch with him. Then during lunch he asked her if they could be together. They hadn’t been serious or anything and Jimmy had literally broken up with her a week later.
She’s smiled, took the last book from him and remembered something.
“There’s a Valentines Day dinner thing, and I was wondering if you wanted to go? Just as friends of course. They were walking towards the front desk with the last book, Katniss hoping Verner would say yes.
@Verner Llf
23 Jan 2021, 18:58
May I help you?
From Verner’s point of view, it was obvious Katniss’s face reddened. From light shades of pink to a deeper tint of red. It might have been caused by embarrassment or it might have been happiness? Verner did not know. What he did now was he started to feel like smiling ear to ear.Interacting with / Mentioning: @Katniss Bang
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Verner talking
Katniss talking
With his face probably also red from embarrassment Verner felt a bit relieved. His mind has replayed Katniss’s words *”Friends would be nice”* several times, before finally producing a thought of *”Wow, great!”*.
Since this would be the first time he had ever dated somebody, he was not sure what to do or expect. Thankfully Katniss saved him in this moment of indecision and mentioned the Valentine’s Day Dinner event. *”Sure, why not? Let’s go together then?”* Verner said and nodded.
From the brief look Verner had at the announcement board in Hufflepuff common room, he understood the event would take place in the Astronomy Tower. But to be sure, once he got back to the dormitories he would read it again carefully for more details.
If anybody asked even one hour ago, Verner would have said he was not planning on attending, however things have changed now. Katniss asked him. Was it a sign he was growing up? Verner wondered. *”I guess I kind of have news to write home about… Maybe I’ll ask for some advice too…”*
Verner would get another opportunity to talk with Katniss, outside of classes, and he was looking forward to it.