Closed Owlery Visits Open

It was beginning to become routine that he’d write home at least once a week to tell his parents about how his time at Hogwarts was going. Naturally, his letters focused more on the interesting plants he found in the greenhouses and less on the classes. Mostly as he found the random things he found in the castle more interesting than the classes.

Though that didn’t mean he didn’t study and try his best in his classes. Efforts that in his opinion were starting to pay off.

Still what he didn’t expect as he made his way to the owlery was someone coming out of it as fast as he saw the person approaching him. Jumping towards the side of the stairs in an attempt to get out of the way he said “ Whoa “ then after a slight pause added quickly “ Everything ok? “

As surely no one could be running so fast without a good reason, and if it came from an owl received it meant the problem was outside the castle. Though by asking he was likely slowing the girl down making him regret his words slightly and realize he should have just quietly gotten out of her way.

However, the words were said so he stood to the side calmly just watching the girl.

"Oh, hey. Yeah, everything's okay. I just need to get to the library to study, thanks for asking though," Elizabeth said, "My name's Elizabeth. Elizabeth Stonewall but you can call me either Eliza or Beth."

Fingering her bag she said, "I'm not really talkative but I'm a first-year at Hogwarts so I am. What's your name?" She noted that he was a first-year like her but she couldn't remember his name though she did see that he was a Slytherin.

"Are you in a rush? If you are then I'll just head down to the library and leave you to it," She said, "If you're not then I can head down to the library anyways. Oh and would you like to be in a study group that I might make? If not that's okay." She continued.

"Oh gosh, am I talking too much again? I am aren't I? Tell me if I am and I'll stop if it's bothering you like it is me," She said, "Honestly, I'm not talkative at home and I don't know why I am right now. If I am talking too much just tell me. Or I'll just stop talking as I know I'm talking to much." She said and bit her lip to stop talking.

He smiled happy to hear everything was ok. Though he couldn’t imagine running with that much speed from the owlery to the library just to study. Admittedly compared to some of the others in his year on the studying front he did less of it than most as there were to many fun books to read the library. Thankfully, he had a good level of tutoring prior to coming to Hogwarts.

”… What's your name?”

He said “ I’m Eli “ making a slight wave and not even bothering to say his whole name as it was a recipe for pronunciation disaster.

He shook his head as he just had to drop off a letter. A letter which could even wait till tomorrow as nothing in it was that important as it just blathered on about interesting things he saw in the past week. The only catch was if he didn’t send it his parents would likely just end up with a longer letter.

… Oh and would you like to be in a study group that I might make? If not that's okay.”

He was unsure if he actually wanted to join a study group with the super talkative Eliza. Yet, the reality was he could probably use one to mostly keep himself from getting distracted by all the other cool things in the library that weren’t what he should probably be studying. Plus, she was a first year so they likely had the same subjects.

With a nod he said “ I’m in no rush. If I don’t send this today I’ll just find more weird Hogwarts observations to write home about before tomorrow anyways. “ Trying to make light of the letter he should probably just walk up and send.

Then he asked “ Is it a general study group or for a subject? “ hoping to get more information before committing himself. Even if he’d decided he’d likely agree to it.

”….Or I'll just stop talking as I know I'm talking to much."

He chuckled and said “ It’s ok. I don’t normally write long letters at home. I think we all act a bit different here than at home. “

"Nice name!" Elizabeth said.

"It's a general study group that I'm thinking of. I think all first-years take the same classes," Elizabeth said, "I don't really write but now that I'm at Hogwarts and my bestie is at Beauxbaton, I have a reason to write."

"So, I'll just leave you to send off your owl, shall I? If you don't want it to be longer that it." Elizabeth said, readjusting her bag. Should I leave? I don't want to bother him any longer than I already have so...I don't know.

"Do you have any siblings? I have an older brother named Demetrios. Are you in the house that your parents were in? My parents were in Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. I'm in Ravenclaw. If you have siblings what house or houses are they in? My brother is in Hufflepuff. It's okay if you don't want to answer the questions." Elizabeth said and sighed because was talking too much.

Taking a random book out of her bag, she checked the title and groaned. It was A History of Magic which, to her, seemed the most boring class she had to take. Well, at least it was at school. She put the book back in her bag and waited for a response.

He more considered the name Eli a compromise for pronounceability, but he figured it was nice of him to shorten it for others. Plus, it was short and simple so he just smiled in response.

Then he blinked as he considered what Eliza said about them all having the same classes. A definite true point and if they all worked together it would likely be easier to get through the homework and stuff. Plus, with how distracted he got in class perhaps one of them would be paying attention when he missed stuff.

He said “ Good idea on the study group. I’ll join. “ Then after a slight pause he said “ Cool you got a friend in Beauxbatons. Is it different from here? “

He wasn’t sure about his owl and just shoved it in his pocket. His gut said there would probably be more fun and adventure with Eliza than in attaching his letter to the foot of an owl.

He said “ I’ll send the owl later. I could walk you to the library if you want or not. “ As he realized how odd an offer that was, but that was where she said she was rushing before. Or did she just want him to go away. Not that he had long to think about that as she asked more questions - which implied he should stick around.

With a smile he said “ My parents were also in Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, but I got Slytherin. “ Which was a shock to not only himself but everyone who knew him. Though he didn’t mention that as he didn’t want it to get out he didn’t think he belonged in Slytherin - as some of his housemates took too much pride in that.

With a shrug he said “ No siblings, but I have plenty of cousins. “ Then he jokingly added “ A few of my cousins are too cool as they are older to hang during school though. Is your brother like that? “ Maybe it was a Hogwarts thing. At least with the number of questions Eliza asked his would likely be soon forgotten if it were to out of place.

"Nah, he and I are always taking school too seriously. Even though he's five years older than me, we still hang around each other and have a great time." Elizabeth said.

She ducked her head under the strap so it hung by her neck, over her shoulder. "Alright, sure, we can walk to the library together. Maybe we'll catch a few first years around, who knows?"

She switched the bag to her left side and answered the first question, "My friend says that they study some different subjects but the schedule is basically the same compared to Hogwarts though they do get to go on sight-seeing trips every now and then."

"What's your favorite class here? My favorite's probably Potions and my least favorite...History. What's your least favorite class here? I know it's probably weird that my favorite class is Potions, I don't know why it is myself," Elizabeth said, "I've always considered history a boring class, even when my tutor was teaching it. Did you have a tutor or did you go to regular school?"

I hope he doesn't find me weird for having Potions as a favorite class. Elizabeth thought and then said out loud, "How about we talk and walk on the way to the library?"

He regretted mentioning his cousin now he realized that his cousin was potentially unique in being too cool to hang with younger kids like himself. So he let that drop, which was easy as Eliza just went on to the next subject. A trait that would potentially make asking the occasional uneasy curiosity question he had easier as it seemed she didn’t dwell on things - well one would see.

With a chuckle he said “ There’s enough you can hardly walk anywhere in Hogwarts without seeing one “ as he took a step down the stairs of the owlery forgetting about the letter in his pocket.

He nodded as she mentioned different subjects her friend at Beauxbatons took. Naturally, he was curious what they were but the sight seeing trips sounded a bit more exciting. He said “ Did your friend have a favorite sight seeing trip yet? All we got here is the castle though I still have tons to explore still. “

He debated the subjects. The ones that involved casting spells were obviously not his favorite due to the failures in those areas he wasn’t going to admit to. He said “ My favorite subject would be Care of Magical Creatures, but you know “ stopping himself from complaining about the fact he couldn’t take the class as a first year. Then with a shrug he said “ Isn’t weird you like Potions, it is probably my favorite of the subjects I can take. “

Mostly as he could brew a potion which was a contrast to his ability with spells.

He nodded as he continued walking and said “ Definitely agree history is boring. As for schooling my parents taught me most subjects but some of my parents friends taught other subjects and I’d learn them together with their kids. Which was more fun as there was a group of us that switched about. My mom taught all the science and potion stuff as she’s a healer. Someone's dad who worked in the Ministry taught the History stuff.“

Gemini grabbed his letter and sped up the stairs. He had been supposed to send the letter yesterday, of course, but everything in Hogwarts was just so interesting. His parents would be wondering why he was late, so the sooner he sent it the better.

He had only just joined a few days ago, and only received the invitation letter two weeks ago, but now that he was here he couldn’t wait to start classes. And he had promised to send his parents a letter. Sort of.

He hadn’t written much, but he had written about his first few days.


Gemini knew he should have added more, details, but he still wasn’t used to writing with a quill, and the shorter it was, the less likely he was to make a mistake and have to start all over again.

His mind had began to wander as he raced up the stairs and just as he rounded the bend he saw two other students talking, standing right in front of him . . .

As she and Cornelius were talking, she heard running footsteps and then none at all. So she looked ahead and saw another student, Hufflepuff from the looks.

"Oh, hey, um...we'll let you pass by." Elizabeth said and moved to the side to let him pass.

As the student started on past, she swore she saw him look at her and Cornelius...or maybe he was just looking around...or lost in his thoughts. Either of those were possible.

"That's cool you got to learn about stuff here before coming here. Me and my brother didn't really learn about stuff, my mom and dad are a bit busy and we were tutored." She said as they continued walking down.

"I think my friend has only gone on one sight-seeing trip so far. I'm waiting for a picture from the trip, she asked if she could and I said sure. Do you have any friends that you like to hang out with? I've made a couple here at Hogwarts, not as special as my friend at Beauxbaton though." She continued and paused talking, thinking.

Taking a look over her shoulder, she couldn't tell if the Hufflepuff was following them or had gone on to the owlery where they had...where she had just come from. Cornelius had simply pocketed his letter for another day it seemed.
@Cornelius Hunt and Gemini Johnson