9 Jan 2023, 07:52
Surprise!
The last time he'd seen Alma, she'd been a blur of yellow and black plummeting toward the ground, but he'd been too angry about their stupid loss of the game to even realize she must've been hospitalised. He hadn't even thought of visiting her. Not until he'd heard that her birthday had been the day before. So she had crashed into the dirt and broken half her bones on her birthday? Who, if anyone, had been there to visit her? Knowing Hufflepuffs, at least someone must've, but he still felt bad about it. Maybe he should've caught her too. After all, that was all he'd been any good at for the entire game.
Her Christmas present hadn't helped with the mounting feeling of guilt, and he was determined to make it up to her. So when he returned from Christmas break, he convinced his mother to pay another visit to Diagon Alley. At first he'd tried to pick out a gift himself but soon discovered he had no earthly clue what a girl would like. In all honesty, he still wasn't sure she would like the book he had picked out for her with his mother's help. In a way she was just as clueless, knowing nothing about magical items. They'd even made an embarassing trip back to the bookshop to complain that the book contained only empty pages when the store owner explained the concept to them.
The Book of Bedtime simply appeared to have empty pages, but a story would appear when intended to be read as a bedtime story. Finn wasn't sure Alma would like the gift, considering its pranking potential, but they'd already spent the money and he had to hurry to catch the train back to Hogwarts.
It was the first day after the Christmas break and while his head was still spinning from potions class, he'd dragged himself over to the corridor near the Hufflepuff Common Room entrance and waited for Alma to appear. Aside from a few glances, no one seemed to think too much of the young Gryffindor clutching a large, wrapped gift to his chest. Even though he was still annoyed at Gryffindor's loss to Hufflepuff, he had to admit that they were by far the most accomodating people. If he lingered around the Slytherin common room in a similar fashion he would've been jinxed three times over at least, just by virtue of wearing red and gold robes.
When the trickle of Hufflepuffs started to thin out he was beginning to worry he'd missed her, but just as he started thinking about heading back to the Gryffindor tower, she appearead around the corner.
"Alma! Hey, Alma!" he pushed his back off the wall and rushed toward her, grinning broadly. "I was waiting for you, happy-new-year-merry-christmas-happy-birthday!" The words came flooding out like a water pipe with a hole punched in it. He sort of shoved the neatly gift-wrapped present into her before he took a step back to give her some space. "Sorry," he said as he wobbled and shifted his weight from one leg onto another, "I'm just happy to see you in one piece. I hope you didn't get hurt too bad?" He couldn't quite bring himself to congratulate her on Hufflepuff's victory. "I heard it was your birthday and I'm sorry I didn't get to see you when you were in hospital and then it was Christmas and I got your present but I didn't get you one and then I went home for the holidays and forgot and-" he stopped himself there and bit down hard on his lips. "I hope you like it, I really wasn't sure what to get you..."
Her Christmas present hadn't helped with the mounting feeling of guilt, and he was determined to make it up to her. So when he returned from Christmas break, he convinced his mother to pay another visit to Diagon Alley. At first he'd tried to pick out a gift himself but soon discovered he had no earthly clue what a girl would like. In all honesty, he still wasn't sure she would like the book he had picked out for her with his mother's help. In a way she was just as clueless, knowing nothing about magical items. They'd even made an embarassing trip back to the bookshop to complain that the book contained only empty pages when the store owner explained the concept to them.
The Book of Bedtime simply appeared to have empty pages, but a story would appear when intended to be read as a bedtime story. Finn wasn't sure Alma would like the gift, considering its pranking potential, but they'd already spent the money and he had to hurry to catch the train back to Hogwarts.
It was the first day after the Christmas break and while his head was still spinning from potions class, he'd dragged himself over to the corridor near the Hufflepuff Common Room entrance and waited for Alma to appear. Aside from a few glances, no one seemed to think too much of the young Gryffindor clutching a large, wrapped gift to his chest. Even though he was still annoyed at Gryffindor's loss to Hufflepuff, he had to admit that they were by far the most accomodating people. If he lingered around the Slytherin common room in a similar fashion he would've been jinxed three times over at least, just by virtue of wearing red and gold robes.
When the trickle of Hufflepuffs started to thin out he was beginning to worry he'd missed her, but just as he started thinking about heading back to the Gryffindor tower, she appearead around the corner.
"Alma! Hey, Alma!" he pushed his back off the wall and rushed toward her, grinning broadly. "I was waiting for you, happy-new-year-merry-christmas-happy-birthday!" The words came flooding out like a water pipe with a hole punched in it. He sort of shoved the neatly gift-wrapped present into her before he took a step back to give her some space. "Sorry," he said as he wobbled and shifted his weight from one leg onto another, "I'm just happy to see you in one piece. I hope you didn't get hurt too bad?" He couldn't quite bring himself to congratulate her on Hufflepuff's victory. "I heard it was your birthday and I'm sorry I didn't get to see you when you were in hospital and then it was Christmas and I got your present but I didn't get you one and then I went home for the holidays and forgot and-" he stopped himself there and bit down hard on his lips. "I hope you like it, I really wasn't sure what to get you..."
@Alma Stoll
Alma has been given the Book of Bedtime. It is a new copy and nicely gift-wrapped.
OOC Note:
Technically in the wrong location but this was closest. This really is in the hallway nearest to the Hufflepuff common room entrance.
"He's a dweeby chocolate bar lip smacking nerd" - Evelynn Decipio
11 Jan 2023, 19:49
Surprise!
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Dialogue: X | Action: Talking to Finn
Although she hadn’t seen him in quite a while, the thought of Finnegan Conner still brought a smile to Alma’s face. Last she’d been able to see him was a quick glimpse on his broom as she was plummeting towards the ground. She was expecting a hospital visit from the boy at least, but she couldn’t complain too much; after all, she still felt guilty for getting upset when George had told her that he cheered for the Gryffindoor.
After no reply when she sent him his Christmas gift, she kind of assumed he had forgotten about her. Which was, still, forgiven. How could she expect him to keep up with her out of all his friends? Alma, of course, thought Finn was a celebrity at Hogwarts. He must have loads and loads of friends to keep up with, she understood if he didn’t have time for her.
She walked out of the common room near the end of the large hoard of Puffs getting to their next class early. Just as she was about to head that way aswell, she heard a voice call out her name. Alma! Hey, Alma!
She swiveled, seeing none other than…“Finnegan?!” Her head immediately looked around to make sure that they were, in fact, outside the Hufflepuff common room. Did he come here to see her? She was so in shock that she almost dropped the large wrapped gift as it was shoved into her space.
She couldn’t bring herself to say anything after he’d given her the gift with a sweet ‘Happy-Birthday-Merry-Christmas-Happy-New-Year’, still calming down from the surprise of it all. Unfortunately, this left them in an awkward silence until he spoke again. She finally snapped out of it at his question. “I hope you didn’t get hurt too bad?”
She immediately went in for a big hug, being too happy to see him to answer his question. If he allowed it, she’d hug him tightly before pulling back with a large smile and clutching the present to her chest. “Oh gosh, i’m so happy to see you! And don’t worry, I was fine. A couple bumps and bruises, but I made it out okay.”
He rambled on, apologizing for everything - not visiting her in the hospital wing, not responding to her christmas present, forgetting about it over the holidays. “It’s fine, really Finn,” she said when he paused. “Im just happy to see you right now!”
His next words drew her attention back to the large and neatly-wrapped gift in her hands. She carefully peeled at the wrapping paper. She had the gentleness of a mother with her newborn baby. It was a habit she picked up during Christmas and birthdays where she wanted to save her wrapping paper in case she needed it to wrap presents for next year.
With practiced ease, she was able to slide the present out with the wrapping all in one piece. A book was inside - a rather large one, 300 pages with gold touches on the corners. It looked rather pretty on the outside. When she opened it, however, it appeared to be…blank.
Her face changed into a quizzical gaze, flipping through all the pages to make sure, indeed, that there was nothing in them. Perhaps it was to write in? Make your own story? Or maybe invisible ink?
“I love it!!! she said excitedly. She looked back up to him with a naïve grin. “What is it?”
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@Finnegan Conner
@Finnegan Conner
Just don’t let the good life pass you by ♫♪
22 Jan 2023, 00:37
Surprise!
By the time Alma released him from her hug his face had turned a faint shade of blue and his arms tingled from having been squeezed so hard. After he'd sucked in a deep, sharp breath through his nostrils, he watched her open up her present like the packaging was just as valuable as the hefty book it contained. She seemed genuinely glad to see him, which made him feel all the more guilty he hadn't gotten around to giving her a present sooner.
He grinned at her excited exclamation followed by her admission that she didn't know what it was. "Well, it's a book," he drawled, unable to resist the urge to tease her just a bit. "A storybook to be precise, but it doesn't show anything until you read someone from it. It's called the Book of Bedtime and its intended to make whoever you're reading to fall asleep even," he lowered his voice a smidge and leaned in closer, "even if they don't mean to." His grin broadened and a glint of mischief shone in his eyes. There was no doubt in his mind what he would try to use it for if he'd been gifted a copy. For the briefest of moments he wondered if Professor Fresnel had been reading from a copy of the Book of Bedtime during her classes, he'd been struggling to stay awake in them.
"It's supposed to contain infinite stories, though I'm not sure I believe that." He came up beside her to study the pages and shrugged. "It makes things up though, when I rode the train back here I tried reading from it. I think the Ravenclaw in my compartment was already asleep though. Anyway, it made up a story about a wizard who invented a Reluctant Retiring charm, with incantation and everything. It was supposed to be a spell that removes unwanted guests, but I don't think it actually works, it would be really useful though... do you think a spell like that could actually exist?" He could think of a few people he might try such a spell on.
He grinned at her excited exclamation followed by her admission that she didn't know what it was. "Well, it's a book," he drawled, unable to resist the urge to tease her just a bit. "A storybook to be precise, but it doesn't show anything until you read someone from it. It's called the Book of Bedtime and its intended to make whoever you're reading to fall asleep even," he lowered his voice a smidge and leaned in closer, "even if they don't mean to." His grin broadened and a glint of mischief shone in his eyes. There was no doubt in his mind what he would try to use it for if he'd been gifted a copy. For the briefest of moments he wondered if Professor Fresnel had been reading from a copy of the Book of Bedtime during her classes, he'd been struggling to stay awake in them.
"It's supposed to contain infinite stories, though I'm not sure I believe that." He came up beside her to study the pages and shrugged. "It makes things up though, when I rode the train back here I tried reading from it. I think the Ravenclaw in my compartment was already asleep though. Anyway, it made up a story about a wizard who invented a Reluctant Retiring charm, with incantation and everything. It was supposed to be a spell that removes unwanted guests, but I don't think it actually works, it would be really useful though... do you think a spell like that could actually exist?" He could think of a few people he might try such a spell on.
Last edited by Finnegan Connor on 15 Mar 2023, 12:06, edited 1 time in total.
"He's a dweeby chocolate bar lip smacking nerd" - Evelynn Decipio
26 Jan 2023, 21:27
Surprise!
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Dialogue: X | Action: Talking to Finn
Alma gave him a playful glare at his teasing, but shut up and listened as he explained his incredibly thoughtful gift. She traced the front cover subconsciously with her finger, thinking of all the ways she could use this. Maybe in her dorm if anyone was feeling any late-night insomnia. The made-up stories could definitely give her some inspiration if she was ever looking to write something; or just a fun read. The pranking nature of it made her smile - Finn knew Alma’s dislike for pranking in general…but she’d be lying if she said the idea of using this for that exact thing didn’t make her a little bit more eager to try it out.
Infinite stories?! It made her brain hurt to even think about the concept, but it excited her all the same. When he came up beside her to study the pages aswell, she moved the book so that it was in the middle of them and flipped through a couple times. Still blank.
She thought for a second. A spell that removes unwanted guests…she hadn’t really met anybody yet that she would consider an unwanted guest in any scenario. But, that was probably just her. Most of her friends had enemies, or even people they simply just didn’t like. All the people Alma had met properly, she liked; even if they didn’t like her back. “Maybe,” she answered him. “I’d never use it anyway. Or if I did it probably wouldn’t work on anyone, haha.”
She closed up the book with a dramatic thud and turned back to Finn again, not being able to resist going in for one last hug. She made sure not to squeeze as tightly this time, taking notice that her friend came up looking a little purple last time. Too much excitement is really a thing. “Thank you, really Finn. I really really love it!”
She thought for a second, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. She wanted to thank Finn for the gift - really thank him. But…she’d have to step outside her comfort zone a little. “How would you…would you like to try it out?” she asked with a small smile. She’d never pranked someone before, but she couldn’t think of anyone better to do it with than Finnegan. He was fun, hilarious, brave, and most importantly, a lot more social than Alma.
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@Finnegan Conner
@Finnegan Conner
Just don’t let the good life pass you by ♫♪
6 Jun 2023, 22:18
Surprise!
Alma came in for another hug and Finnegan reciprocated with a friendly pat on the back. He'd hoped she would like the gift, but never in a million years had excepted her to be this thankful. Even by Alma's standards, who he'd learned was quite prone to hugging everyone and everything that wasn't a Blast-Ended Skrewt, two hugs back-to-back was meaningful. Not for the first time since he'd met her, Finn was glad to be able to call her his friend. In a way, she really was the best friend he'd made at Hogwarts. @George Henry was nice, but more like an older - sometimes annoying - brother kind of way. Somehow, all of his most embarassing moments had been in the vicinity of the older Hufflepuff. It didn't help that George, in true Hufflepuff fashion, seemed to be friends with a whole slew of first-years, which somewhat dulled the shine on their friendship
Pulling himself from Alma's embrace, Finnegan reflected on the friends he'd made. @Jack Ace had gotten off to a promising start, but aside from sharing a desk on ocassion, they didn't really hang out all that much. @Alec Mason had turned out to be more of a summer friend; aside from running into the boy a couple of times in the common room, they hadn't done much together. And @June Selwyn, well, he liked her but he wasn't sure she liked him back in the same way. On the one hand she had commited to helping him with charms, on the other he'd noticed she'd been more withdrawn as of late. Why were girls so difficult? Why didn't they just say what they meant?
"Alma," Finnegan started. He ignored her proposal to try the book. Something else had been on his mind for quite a while now, and now was as good as any to spit it out. "I've been meaning to ask but..."
His throat went a little dry. Asking June out had been difficult and when he mulled his plans over in bed, he had imagined asking Alma would have been much easier. Well, it was easier, but only a little. He picked at the hem of his sleeve and stared at his feet for a second before he regained his composure. "Would you like to go to the ball with me?" At least he got the whole sentence out without tripping over his words like last time. "I haven't got anyone to go with like, and since we're best butties..." he grinned, then shrugged. "Only if you want to, of course, I don't dance though, I'd rather have all my teeth pulled than dance." He sounded like he meant it.
Pulling himself from Alma's embrace, Finnegan reflected on the friends he'd made. @Jack Ace had gotten off to a promising start, but aside from sharing a desk on ocassion, they didn't really hang out all that much. @Alec Mason had turned out to be more of a summer friend; aside from running into the boy a couple of times in the common room, they hadn't done much together. And @June Selwyn, well, he liked her but he wasn't sure she liked him back in the same way. On the one hand she had commited to helping him with charms, on the other he'd noticed she'd been more withdrawn as of late. Why were girls so difficult? Why didn't they just say what they meant?
"Alma," Finnegan started. He ignored her proposal to try the book. Something else had been on his mind for quite a while now, and now was as good as any to spit it out. "I've been meaning to ask but..."
His throat went a little dry. Asking June out had been difficult and when he mulled his plans over in bed, he had imagined asking Alma would have been much easier. Well, it was easier, but only a little. He picked at the hem of his sleeve and stared at his feet for a second before he regained his composure. "Would you like to go to the ball with me?" At least he got the whole sentence out without tripping over his words like last time. "I haven't got anyone to go with like, and since we're best butties..." he grinned, then shrugged. "Only if you want to, of course, I don't dance though, I'd rather have all my teeth pulled than dance." He sounded like he meant it.
"He's a dweeby chocolate bar lip smacking nerd" - Evelynn Decipio
23 Jun 2023, 14:13
Surprise!
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Dialogue: X | @Finnegan Conner
Alma flipped through the pages of the book once more while Finn seemed to be mulling over something in his head. Yep, still all empty. Perhaps she could use it to keep Avery asleep when she was up late at night, or if any of the other girls in her dorm were experiencing insomnia. She had honestly completely forgotten about her proposal by the time Finn called her name. Her head shot up and she looked at him with a smile. "Yeah?"
He looked nervous, and Alma's brows furrowed in worry. What could have gotten him so jittery? She gave an encouraging nod of her head for him to go on, clutching the book to her chest as she anticipated the question. Was it something she had said? Or something she had done? She worried her lip in between her teeth, resisting the urge to tell him to just spit it out.
The question finally came and Alma was pleasantly surprised. She thought he had been planning on asking something pretty serious, that had the fate of their friendship at stake - turns out Finn just needed a buddy to go with him to the ball. She laughed out loud, but now was probably not the best time as he may have thought she was laughing at him. "Finn, of course i'll go to the ball with you!"
She calmed down and gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Sorry, sorry, wasn't laughing at you. I just thought you were gonna ask me something pretty serious! You don't have to be so nervous around me. We're friends, remember?" She smiled at him warmly and giggled as he expressed his disdain for dancing. "Well, maybe we can change that. Mark my words Finnegan Conner, i'll get you on that dance floor if it's the last thing I do."
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Just don’t let the good life pass you by ♫♪