Winging It

Lycan wasn't quite used to the way things were done around here yet. Hogwarts was much larger than the school he was originally attending. He considers it more like a university than a school. He didn't mind the change of scenery or the change of pace, but his excitement wasn't helping him settle in any faster. When in doubt, pick up a good book. So that's what he did.
He left the library, whistling as he usually does when he walks from Point A to Point B. His parents were telling him about the Courtyard on their way to the train. They mentioned it was a nice spot, cliques always in it between classes, or if they just felt like sitting around somewhere besides their Dormitories. Lycan couldn't think of anywhere better to spend time, than there, in the crisp and fresh winter air, reading a book about Mythical Creatures.
He finally made it to the courtyard. He might've taken a wrong turn here and there on the way to the courtyard, but who was keeping track? He chuckled at himself. He was surprised to see another student there. In this weather at this time he wasn't really expecting anyone. The student was a girl, with red hair, and wearing black and yellow robes. Hm, a Hufflepuff. I haven't met anyone from that house yet, I wonder what they're like. he thought to himself.
The girl clearly heard his footsteps, because she turned her gaze towards him as he approached. He just politely smiled at her. "Heyo there, Hufflepuff. Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you... I've not met anyone from your house yet. But it's good to see you, I wasn't expecting anyone to be here. Would you mind if I read with you?" he asked, not taking a seat until she answered him.

Dwight shuddered, a cool breeze swept over the courtyard causing her small little curls to blow against her scarf. The boy loomed over her, since the sun was setting it wasn't too hard nor too soft and in fact just right. The girl checked over him, looking at every feature she possibly could, it was one thing to be social with people when there's at least another person or two around, but after everything the poor redhead had been through, with only this boy standing over her it gave her a sense of fear. However, there was nothing abnormal about the stranger, an average build a bit on the thin side, shadowed brunette hair, and stormy eyes, he was almost intimidating if it werent for the soft face and smile.

"Heyo there, Hufflepuff. Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you... I've not met anyone from your house yet. But it's good to see you, I wasn't expecting anyone to be here. Would you mind if I read with you?"

His voice piped up, startling the girl even more. Already shaky from the new arrival in her safe space. "H-hey...you're f-fine...it's my f-fault for n-not paying at-tention..."the girl's words teemed with fear, her heart felt to be thumping out of her chest like someone out of a horror movie. The boy was immediately friendly with her, which calmed her down a bit as he finished up his words. "I wasn't expecting someone else either, but no...I don't mind." Her voice still rang out with fear but it was more controlled this time around. She picked up her messenger bag placing it down on the floor and motioning towards the now empty seat next to her, trying to flash a smile towards the new arrival.

Honorable Mentions: @Lycan Grey

He arched a dark eyebrow as the red haired Hufflepuff seemed to be looking him up and down. He wasn't really sure what troubles she had, but she didn't seem too happy about him being there with her. While he waited for her to say anything, his mind began to drift to all the other places he might be able to go if she was not okay with this. There were other grounds on the castle he might be able to explore and find just as good of a spot after all. Scaring the poor girl wasn't his intention at all. Then at last she spoke, and he turned his attention towards her.
Him speaking to her seemed to scare her even further, and unfortunately she was stuttering something awful. She sounded so terrified Lycan actually glanced around the courtyard to see if there was a scary monster lurking about, but they were alone. He turned his attention back to her and he tilted his head in a confused manner. However, after that first line she seemed to calm down. The next words to pass her lips, while still scared, they were much clearer.
"I wasn't expecting someone else either, but no...I don't mind." she said, as she moved her things creating an empty space for him. Lycan smiled brightly. "Wonderful, thank you. Oh, manners, sorry. I'm Lycan Grey. If you don't mind, what's your name?" he inquired and then he took the seat beside her. "I'm really sorry for scaring you, again. It wasn't intentional at all I swear. I'm just a little too impulsive and excited sometimes. he continued, but this time he softened his voice hoping it wouldn't give her as much of a start.

addressed @Saoirse Dwight

Hell of a first impression, you dynamite stick! She lashed out at her own self, it was calming in some ways, took her mind off of her failure. She quietly shook herself, the light reflecting off the stony courtyard consuming the area around her, for a split second though. The boy was obviously caught off-guard by her unintelligible nonsense. Saoirse kept her eye on the boy as he settled down next to her, she still wasn't too happy about the whole abrupt interuption thing.

He spoke again, a bit more soft then before, he had good reason too. The girl was already on edge before their meeting, he could've gotten hurt if he wasn't careful with words. The boy announced his name was Lycan Grey...jeez...the boy was already intimidating enough to Dwight, she didn't need somebody with the name a werewolf should have...or maybe on the brightside his name could be compared to a derivitive of algae, yeah she'd go with that to ease her still thumping heart.

Lycan also asked her name, which she reminded herself of. "Oh me...I'm Saoirse Dwight...somebody might refer to me as Blazin' Dwight though." She finally mustered the closest thing she could get to the signature Dwight smile, a little grin. The redhead began to dwindle off though, however she had her peace pierced once again when she reminded herself of Lycan's apology. "It isn't your problem, I need to calm down and be more aware of my surroundings, you didn't do anything...Lycan."

Honorable Mentions: @Lycan Grey

The girl didn't seem to be relaxing in the slightest. Lycan was strongly considering just leaving and letting her alone. But he wanted to help people a little too much to accept that. However, she shook herself and Lycan could have sworn it looked like she lit up like a Christmas Tree. But in a blink it was gone. He blinked a couple times to try and process whatever that was, but he just assumed it was the sun reflecting in a weird way. He shook his head trying to put it out of his mind as he sat beside her.
He asked her for her name once she found words again. "Oh me...I'm Saoirse Dwight...somebody might refer to me as Blazin' Dwight though." Lycan glanced at her at the response, his mind immediately drifting to when he thought she was glowing. Maybe he wasn't seeing things after all. But he didn't want to seem rude in assuming things, and instead he smiled at her and he spoke once more. "Well it is nice to meet you Saoirse. You have a pretty unique name. Does it mean anything? And why would someone give you that nickname? Not that it's bad or anything. It's just interesting is all. he quickly added. Smooth, Lycan. he berated himself. He didn't want to assume, but worse now he was blurting out possibly insensitive things.
He distracted himself by watching the birds hop around the courtyard. He reached into his bag, pulling out some cookies he had in a plastic bag. He pulled one out, crumbling it into pieces as small as he could make them. He tossed the crumbles out and watched as the birds all swooped in and started picking them up. It wasn't long till every piece was gone and Lycan couldn't help but smile as he watched them. He'd always wondered what it would be like to be a bird, to see all they saw and to be free like some of them were. Now that he was here, he'd get the next best thing by learning to ride brooms.
He glanced once more to Saoirse. "How long have you been here? Only a first year like me or longer?" he inquired once more. "If I keep talking she's going to want to shove a frog down my throat. I really gotta control myself better." he reprimanded himself once more as well. But then he smiled at her brightly and politely. "Sorry I talk a lot. Too much sometimes you could argue."

The girl smiled, she felt as though she was doing nothing more then beating the boy down. Her hushed whispers and solemn eyes made her look estranged from others. She rested her book on her lap, her speech, smile, and general aura was weak and pathetic compared to his bright, bubbly, upright tones, but it was securing enough.

"Well it is nice to meet you Saoirse. You have a pretty unique name. Does it mean anything? And why would someone give you that nickname? Not that it's bad or anything. It's just interesting is all."

Once again the redhead mustered her smile as the boy began to face regret, she didn't know why though, he didn't offend her. "Hey, you're fine! You didn't offend me if that's what you think you've done. But thanks, I think your whole name sounds cool, Saoirse just means liberty, and Blazin' Dwight comes from my former attitude." She took a breath, "I used to be a hardheaded, temperamental girl, sticking to my horribly Irish roots. However, I got in one, two many fights and I decided that I'd slow down, no I'm Blazin' Dwight because of my silent spite and brash courage."

Saoirse looked over at Lycan and nodded, "I'm a First year, Hufflepuff, so I assume your a First year, Gryffindor, they tend to talk a lot already, you're fine. So, uhm maybe off me and maybe on you, what about yourself, Grey?"

Honorable Mentions: @Lycan Grey

As Lycan sat beside Saoirse, he couldn't help but think about some things. His mother was a Hufflepuf, and such a bubbly person, so he got his personality from her, and he sort of figured that bubbly was just the way the Hufflepuffs were, with their sunshine gold house colors. However, Saoirse proved all that to be wrong. She was so quiet, and she seemed so solemn. He wasn't sure if it was the all-business definition or the down-hearted definition. He really preferred people to be smiling, and it was a little challenging for him to communicate with them when they weren't. He bit his lip then, trying to figure out ways to approach her.
As his face began twisting with regret, to his surprise she did manage a smile, and he couldn't really stop his jaw from becoming agape when she did. She then began speaking, and Lycan couldn't help but take a refreshed inhale that then turned into a relieved smile as she said he didn't offend her. She then thanked him for his compliment, and he listened intently to her words as she spoke. "I think your whole name sounds cool, Saoirse just means liberty, and Blazin' Dwight comes from my former attitude. I used to be a hardheaded, temperamental girl, sticking to my horribly Irish roots. However, I got in one, two many fights and I decided that I'd slow down, no I'm Blazin' Dwight because of my silent spite and brash courage." she said and Lycan grinned. Liberty huh... Just like the birds, how pretty. he thought to himself.
"Thank you, Saoirse. And personally I think liberty is an amazing meaning. Hmm... I could've sworn those are all normally Gryffindor traits... I'm just getting thrown for personality loops all over the place... Though I suppose it keeps things interesting." he stated with a shrug and a smile. He turned his blueish-grey eyes onto hers as she began speaking of how she was a first year Hufflepuff. He nodded as she mentioned him being a Gryffindor. He blinked a couple times at the mention of Gryffindors talking a lot. It was just so blunt that he couldn't help but laugh.
"Well if Gryffindors are infamous for talking a lot, then I suppose I am in the right house after all." he replied, now just quietly chuckling. He glanced at her when she asked him about himself. "What about me indeed... Hm, well the basics are that I'm a first year Gryffindor, but you already know that one. Umm... I really want to join the Quidditch team as a Keeper. But to be honest I will accept literally any position as long as I get to be on it. Keeper is just the one I want." he shrugged his shoulders again. "I really like animals, so other than Charms and Flying, the magical creatures are what I'm looking forward to the most. Born and raised in Devon, England... Anything else you care to know or can we get back to you?" he inquired, leaning back on his hands and looking at her now.

The boy let a relieving sigh, he was just as tense as Saoirse was at the beginning of the kid's meeting. She looked over at him, words bled out of his mouth. He said her name was beautiful, "thank you!" Then he began on himself, Quidditch, Devon, Charms, Flying, Care of Magical Creatures, that was the general gist of his paragraph. "Um..I guess I could talk about myself but a question first, are you an only child? I am." The girl took a deep breath, "okay well, I'm thinking about getting on the Quidditch team too, I'm not good at school...I was born in Cork, Ireland but raised in Dublin, Ireland." The girl halted her words, like she had slammed into the wall, did she really want to tell him?

"I'm also a metamorphmagus too..." Saoirse sighed and settled back into the bench, motioning towards Lycan once again. "Back on you, please. I don't like talking about myself." She made the wimpiest grin ever, she just wanted to be done with this whole talking thing, well from her at least. But hey, her new acquaintance liked to talk, so she would just listen, it was better for both of them anyway.

After Lycan had complimented Saoirse about her name she had told him thank you. It was the most excited she had sounded since their conversation had begun and Lycan couldn't help but grin. She had asked Lycan about himself, and so he had told her, but when he asked her about herself she seemed reluctant. The young Gryffindor tilted his head. Did I say something wrong...? Smooth, Lycan. he thought to himself. She then asked if he was an only child, and stated that she was. The next things she said were that she was looking to get on Quidditch as well, but that she wasn't good at school. She also added that she was Irish, born in Cork but raised in Dublin. Lycan bit his lip thinking about her words.
He spoke up, "Well, if we both want to be on Quidditch so much maybe we can practice together sometime? And if you aren't that great at school, I was decent in it. If you want, I can help you study and help with homework and stuff. Assuming we have some classes together and all. I wouldn't mind at all if you don't mind being seen with a student of another house? I've heard the horror stories about the houses not really mingling well." he said and he shrugged. She also mentioned that she was a Metamorphagus and Lycan's jaw slightly dropped. But soon it turned into a smile. "That's super cool, Saoirse!" he exclaimed. She quickly changed the subject to talking about him instead of herself, and Lycan nodded. He didn't quite understand why, but he wasn't about to pressure her into telling him or prying any further.
"Feels kinda weird talking about just myself and not asking about you too. But, if that's what makes you comfortable alright. Well, I am an only-child as well. My parents are both magic users, so I get it honestly. Although, between us I don't see the difference. Pure-blooded, half blooded or no magical parent at all... I mean you'd think the ones without magical parents would have the best reputation because they're born to it with no anything? But I hear they're actually bullied and spit on a lot. It's ridiculous, and I don't get it. Lycan frowned. Soon realizing he went a little off-topic and he cleared his throat.
"Sorry, went off-course there. So how well do you know the school? I gotta tell you, Saoirse, I must've gotten lost at least 20 times already, and that's just a random number, I honestly stopped counting at 20 deciding I didn't wanna count anymore." he chuckled at himself , while shrugging and shaking his head. The idea of his failure did amuse him, he was smart and he was athletic, and always exploring somewhere in the parks of Devon, England, yet he couldn't navigate through this school without ending up in a broom cupboard somewhere. The more he thought about it the more he chuckled, but he cleared his throat composing himself, and glanced back towards Saoirse.