A Little Help?
@Katie Williams
It was a somewhat quiet day in the library. There were more people in here than usual, that was for sure, so that a general murmur of life hung around the draconic bookcases, who clutched at their hoards of knowledge with fierceness. Oliver was almost frightened to approach such impassioned sentinels, even if it was for the purpose of passing his History of Magic quiz the following week. But, he finally managed to work up the courage to get the cross-references he needed.
He decided to hole up near to the window, in the sort of crook where one of the shelves met the stone wall. He would have perched on the windowsill, but some living mound of blue robes had already melted over the area. It was a shame. Oliver loved to be able to look out over the grounds from the library window. It was a lovely way to distract himself from all of the reading he was supposed to be doing.
He had his textbook on one knee, and an even bigger, smellier book on the other, practically cross-eyed from his effort to understand what in all Nine Realms was going on. Was it Merlin this author meant, or someone else? What did he say about the Lady of the Lake? Was he supposed to know who King Arthur was? The names sounded somewhat familiar from the lecture. He had tried to listen, but he just couldn’t put everything into context. At every sentence, his eyes would snap back to the engraving on the page opposite, depicting the wild magic of Merlin, whose long, matted beard and flowing hair spread about him like wings. Magic had not always been so sophisticated. There had been times when wizards knew the magic, but not the name, when now it is more likely for a wizard to know the name and not the magic.
He really didn’t understand why he needed to learn all this sort of stuff. If he had known that most of his time would be spent with learning from stuffy old books, he might have been more persistent in his request to stay home. His own reason was good enough to make his way through the world, and he didn’t plan to use much magic on the ranch. Well, until he got his Animagus form. Then, he’d be running around on four legs as often as possible. Although he would refrain from getting bitter at being compelled to go to school, he would continue to be dubious of the whole system. He knew that Muggle school systems could be opted out of, if the parents taught the child, but the wizard school system seemed to be without much of a choice. There were very few choices of schools as well.
Finally, in order to avoid exasperation and sin, he turned to the blue mass that was huddled up above his tucked knees. “Excuse me-… Are you taking History of Magic?” He couldn’t really tell if the girl was a first year or not, but she looked young enough to be at most a third year. He just needed someone young enough to remember this sort of stuff.
A few strands of soft red hair fell across the girls shoulder, brushing the book that was on her lap. She turned the pages with thin fingers that had a firm grip. Oliver was horrible with faces and names, so he wasn’t exactly sure if he had seen or met her before, but most likely not.
It was a somewhat quiet day in the library. There were more people in here than usual, that was for sure, so that a general murmur of life hung around the draconic bookcases, who clutched at their hoards of knowledge with fierceness. Oliver was almost frightened to approach such impassioned sentinels, even if it was for the purpose of passing his History of Magic quiz the following week. But, he finally managed to work up the courage to get the cross-references he needed.
He decided to hole up near to the window, in the sort of crook where one of the shelves met the stone wall. He would have perched on the windowsill, but some living mound of blue robes had already melted over the area. It was a shame. Oliver loved to be able to look out over the grounds from the library window. It was a lovely way to distract himself from all of the reading he was supposed to be doing.
He had his textbook on one knee, and an even bigger, smellier book on the other, practically cross-eyed from his effort to understand what in all Nine Realms was going on. Was it Merlin this author meant, or someone else? What did he say about the Lady of the Lake? Was he supposed to know who King Arthur was? The names sounded somewhat familiar from the lecture. He had tried to listen, but he just couldn’t put everything into context. At every sentence, his eyes would snap back to the engraving on the page opposite, depicting the wild magic of Merlin, whose long, matted beard and flowing hair spread about him like wings. Magic had not always been so sophisticated. There had been times when wizards knew the magic, but not the name, when now it is more likely for a wizard to know the name and not the magic.
He really didn’t understand why he needed to learn all this sort of stuff. If he had known that most of his time would be spent with learning from stuffy old books, he might have been more persistent in his request to stay home. His own reason was good enough to make his way through the world, and he didn’t plan to use much magic on the ranch. Well, until he got his Animagus form. Then, he’d be running around on four legs as often as possible. Although he would refrain from getting bitter at being compelled to go to school, he would continue to be dubious of the whole system. He knew that Muggle school systems could be opted out of, if the parents taught the child, but the wizard school system seemed to be without much of a choice. There were very few choices of schools as well.
Finally, in order to avoid exasperation and sin, he turned to the blue mass that was huddled up above his tucked knees. “Excuse me-… Are you taking History of Magic?” He couldn’t really tell if the girl was a first year or not, but she looked young enough to be at most a third year. He just needed someone young enough to remember this sort of stuff.
A few strands of soft red hair fell across the girls shoulder, brushing the book that was on her lap. She turned the pages with thin fingers that had a firm grip. Oliver was horrible with faces and names, so he wasn’t exactly sure if he had seen or met her before, but most likely not.
' ' Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ' '
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Strength: 9 Agility: 8 Control: 3 Stamina: 10
A Little Help?
honestly, Calling katie old enough to be a third year was a strech by any means. she was 11, but looked somewhere between the ages of 8 and 10, round cheeks and big blue eyes. her red hair had to stay ironed straight, if she let it do it's natural slight curl she would look even younger. she only stood at 4'9 (with shoes on. she was 4'8 and a quarter without) and that was basically her. if she'd heard his thought process of thinkinng she might be a third year, though, she would've beamed. she always wanted to look older.
however, all she knew was she was reading a book (a very good one, too, a history book that had to do all with the history of Merlin and his family) when a boy looked at her and asked her if she was taking HOM.
she looked at him. slytherin, like luna. nice, like luna, maybe. because she identified him as nice, he got a smile along with her usual im- shy- and -scared- of- new- people blush. "y-yeah?" it came out like a question not a statement. she was clearly nervous, but trying to work through it.
"do you need... help?"
however, all she knew was she was reading a book (a very good one, too, a history book that had to do all with the history of Merlin and his family) when a boy looked at her and asked her if she was taking HOM.
she looked at him. slytherin, like luna. nice, like luna, maybe. because she identified him as nice, he got a smile along with her usual im- shy- and -scared- of- new- people blush. "y-yeah?" it came out like a question not a statement. she was clearly nervous, but trying to work through it.
"do you need... help?"
nervous, shy, and sweet as pie.
that's the way to reach the sky
Strength: 2 agility: 9 control: 14 stamina: 5
A Little Help?
Oliver was horrible at judging something about a person from their appearance. If she had told him she was eighteen, he might have believed her if she spoke confidently enough.
However, Oliver was suddenly a bit less confident to ask the young girl for help if she seemed so uncertain about it, but the fact that she had offered the question of it eased his lack of confidence. He nodded slightly. “It would be much appreciated.”
He turned his eyes to the girl’s uniform, noting her blue tie. A Ravenclaw. If the House reputation was anything to go off of, she was a good choice for homework help, so he shifted slightly, with a genial, if a little confused look on his face. “We’re supposed to write that scroll on how the myths differ from the reality, right? Well, our textbook only talks about half of the stuff in the myths. Do you know what we’re supposed to include for the myth portion?”
He brushed a curl of hair behind his hair, with his dual-wielded books held open for scrutiny from the Ravenclaw girl.
He hoped to make a good impression, but he wasn’t sure yet whether or not he was looking to make friends at this school. He wasn’t used to interacting with anyone other than his family, considering he had been homeschooled and never stayed in one place long enough to connect with neighborhood kids.
However, Oliver was suddenly a bit less confident to ask the young girl for help if she seemed so uncertain about it, but the fact that she had offered the question of it eased his lack of confidence. He nodded slightly. “It would be much appreciated.”
He turned his eyes to the girl’s uniform, noting her blue tie. A Ravenclaw. If the House reputation was anything to go off of, she was a good choice for homework help, so he shifted slightly, with a genial, if a little confused look on his face. “We’re supposed to write that scroll on how the myths differ from the reality, right? Well, our textbook only talks about half of the stuff in the myths. Do you know what we’re supposed to include for the myth portion?”
He brushed a curl of hair behind his hair, with his dual-wielded books held open for scrutiny from the Ravenclaw girl.
He hoped to make a good impression, but he wasn’t sure yet whether or not he was looking to make friends at this school. He wasn’t used to interacting with anyone other than his family, considering he had been homeschooled and never stayed in one place long enough to connect with neighborhood kids.
' ' Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ' '
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Strength: 9 Agility: 8 Control: 3 Stamina: 10
A Little Help?
books.
thank goodness, something the poor muggle born girl could understand.
"oh, the one where you're supposed to compare contrast?" she recognized the assignment, quickly. it was due at the end of the week. she'd done hers the first day, purely so she wouldnt stress later. while Katie didnt LOVE homework, she loved having it done and not stressing. that was her aim by doing it early.
she watched him shift the books, and she looked at them. well, one was the textbook, which was fine. but the other... "what book... IS that?" for all katie knew about the library (which wasnt a lot, she'd only been there for a little while) this book was most definitely not going to be helpful.
"yeah... you need to look at books like this." she used a feather (which had previously been behind her ear, but was clearly arteficial and in her house colors) to mark her page before showing him the cover. "chapter 5 helps. it's literally exactly what you need. but if you just dont understand i can explain it..." honestly katie didnt have the slightest clue what he needed or wanted. she was just trying to help, and spread the knowledge.
thank goodness, something the poor muggle born girl could understand.
"oh, the one where you're supposed to compare contrast?" she recognized the assignment, quickly. it was due at the end of the week. she'd done hers the first day, purely so she wouldnt stress later. while Katie didnt LOVE homework, she loved having it done and not stressing. that was her aim by doing it early.
she watched him shift the books, and she looked at them. well, one was the textbook, which was fine. but the other... "what book... IS that?" for all katie knew about the library (which wasnt a lot, she'd only been there for a little while) this book was most definitely not going to be helpful.
"yeah... you need to look at books like this." she used a feather (which had previously been behind her ear, but was clearly arteficial and in her house colors) to mark her page before showing him the cover. "chapter 5 helps. it's literally exactly what you need. but if you just dont understand i can explain it..." honestly katie didnt have the slightest clue what he needed or wanted. she was just trying to help, and spread the knowledge.
nervous, shy, and sweet as pie.
that's the way to reach the sky
Strength: 2 agility: 9 control: 14 stamina: 5
A Little Help?
Oliver was a little disappointed that she sounded so indignant towards the book he had dug up to help him in his studies. He had gotten personally attached to the pictures, although the words swam by quicker than he could absorb them. There was also the fact that he had had to dig around a bit for it because he was too unsure of himself to ask the librarian where he might find books on the Merlin mythos.
However, he was immensely grateful that this girl seemed to know what she was doing. A guy like him needed all the help he could get. He consciously repressed any knee-jerk reactions that could be considered less than exemplary to his moral character and prepared himself to graciously accept the teaching of another.
As much as he worked at himself, he would always find himself with some strain of pride to hunt down and destroy in his heart. It was often frustrating for him, and once he found himself to be without pride, he soon became prideful of his humility. It was like trying to kill a cockroach with a needle. Difficult.
“Chapter five?” Oliver’s voice was hesitant as he studied the cover of the book she had held up to him. “Do you know if there’s another copy of that book?”
He didn’t want to take the one she was reading, but if he needed to read the chapter…
However, he was immensely grateful that this girl seemed to know what she was doing. A guy like him needed all the help he could get. He consciously repressed any knee-jerk reactions that could be considered less than exemplary to his moral character and prepared himself to graciously accept the teaching of another.
As much as he worked at himself, he would always find himself with some strain of pride to hunt down and destroy in his heart. It was often frustrating for him, and once he found himself to be without pride, he soon became prideful of his humility. It was like trying to kill a cockroach with a needle. Difficult.
“Chapter five?” Oliver’s voice was hesitant as he studied the cover of the book she had held up to him. “Do you know if there’s another copy of that book?”
He didn’t want to take the one she was reading, but if he needed to read the chapter…
' ' Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ' '
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Strength: 9 Agility: 8 Control: 3 Stamina: 10
A Little Help?
she watched his face, suddenly nervous that she'd done something wrong. She just didnt recognize the book as helpful, and asked what it was. and now he was mad at her. maybe there was a social cue she'd missed that meant he only wanted encouragement help and not actual... HELP help. all Katie knew for certain was that she'd messed up. oh, shoot.
"i-I'm sorry." she said, although what exactly she was appologizing for was a mystery. she wanted friends here, not enemies. she didnt want him to think she was an enemy or making fun of him.
as for the book, though, she shrugged. Truely, she had no idea weather there were other copies of it or not. she'd found it alone on the shelf, though. chances were slim"y-y you can have mine. if you want. I can read the rest later, j-just dont take out the bookmark. there's even a chart inside with myths and realities."" she said it with a friendly smile, all be it a very very shy one. she wanted to be his friend, she didnt want him mad at her. she tried to convey this through her face, but she didnt know if she was any good.
"i-I'm sorry." she said, although what exactly she was appologizing for was a mystery. she wanted friends here, not enemies. she didnt want him to think she was an enemy or making fun of him.
as for the book, though, she shrugged. Truely, she had no idea weather there were other copies of it or not. she'd found it alone on the shelf, though. chances were slim"y-y you can have mine. if you want. I can read the rest later, j-just dont take out the bookmark. there's even a chart inside with myths and realities."" she said it with a friendly smile, all be it a very very shy one. she wanted to be his friend, she didnt want him mad at her. she tried to convey this through her face, but she didnt know if she was any good.
nervous, shy, and sweet as pie.
that's the way to reach the sky
Strength: 2 agility: 9 control: 14 stamina: 5
A Little Help?
Oliver immediately regretting showing even the least amount of negativity in his face as soon as it reflected back onto the girl. He hadn’t wanted to seem ungrateful at all, he was sure that she knew what she was talking about, if she said that the book he had been reading was useless. He didn’t know anything about this. It was wrong of him to put so much worth into something that he would get discouraged when someone helpfully corrected him. He quietly took the book from her, bowing slightly with his head to acknowledge her.
“Of course. Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it.” As he looked her in the eye with utmost sincerity, he quietly reached into his pocket and pulled out a wrinkled piece of paper, a chart of some kind, and make a horrid grey blotch onto one of the squares. He put it away again without acknowledging what he had done to the girl.
“My name is Oliver, by the way. What is yours?” He offered his hand to shake. He now felt rather ashamed that he hadn’t asked her name immediately. It wasn’t very polite of him. There were so many things that he was doing wrong, that he inwardly chastised himself. He thought he had been doing better building up his habits, but apparently not. This would require a whole week of reworking to set his habits of morality back on track.
“Of course. Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it.” As he looked her in the eye with utmost sincerity, he quietly reached into his pocket and pulled out a wrinkled piece of paper, a chart of some kind, and make a horrid grey blotch onto one of the squares. He put it away again without acknowledging what he had done to the girl.
“My name is Oliver, by the way. What is yours?” He offered his hand to shake. He now felt rather ashamed that he hadn’t asked her name immediately. It wasn’t very polite of him. There were so many things that he was doing wrong, that he inwardly chastised himself. He thought he had been doing better building up his habits, but apparently not. This would require a whole week of reworking to set his habits of morality back on track.
' ' Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ' '
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Strength: 9 Agility: 8 Control: 3 Stamina: 10
A Little Help?
as soon as he seemed happy and thankful for her, Katie brightened considerably. he didnt seem mad at her. maybe she hadnt messed up too badly. he even smiled at her, as he pulled out a list. it must have been some kind of checklist for needed materials. oh, she could respect that. she had one of her own in her shoulder bag. "you're welcome. I'm always happy to help." her voice had been getting stronger as she spoke, more certain of herself. this was a friend, she identified. she could talk to him, it wouldn't be the end of the world.
"Oh, I'm Katie." she said, when he asked for her name. she flipped a few strands of red hair over her shoulder to touch her chest as she introduced herself, before holding her other hand out to shake. "katie williams. I'm a Ravenclaw and a muggle born. it's very nice to meet you, oliver. My friend Luna has a brother named oliver, but he shortens it to Ollie. do you do that, or no?" she was purely out of shy mode now, into her excited and extroverted mode. Katie always got like this around people she'd deemed friends.
"Oh, I'm Katie." she said, when he asked for her name. she flipped a few strands of red hair over her shoulder to touch her chest as she introduced herself, before holding her other hand out to shake. "katie williams. I'm a Ravenclaw and a muggle born. it's very nice to meet you, oliver. My friend Luna has a brother named oliver, but he shortens it to Ollie. do you do that, or no?" she was purely out of shy mode now, into her excited and extroverted mode. Katie always got like this around people she'd deemed friends.
nervous, shy, and sweet as pie.
that's the way to reach the sky
Strength: 2 agility: 9 control: 14 stamina: 5
A Little Help?
Oliver’s nicknames from his brothers were ‘piccolo’ (which was unfair, because Alex was the shortest one of the group) and ‘polpetto’ (which was also a little unfair, because while his mother had used it honestly, Luca had decided it was perfect for the “little meatball who hasn’t gotten his long legs yet.” It poisoned a perfectly reasonable term of endearment), but other than that, no one really altered his name’s original form.
He felt much more welcome as the girl’s voice grew stronger, and he was glad that he had made right with her, although there was not really a conscious exchange of affrontation and forgiveness on Katie’s end, it had been startlingly obvious to Oliver, and he was relieved that it was over. And he also noticed keenly how her disposition had shifted quite easily into a much friendlier and open demeanor once he had shown the proper manners. It was another reaffirmation that he was doing the right thing.
Their hands met, and Oliver grasped firmly, then released with a slight nod of his head.
“I don’t, but if you would like to call me ‘Ollie’, I’m fine with that.” He smiled slightly. Although he normally kept a straight face, Katie’s cheeriness was infectious.
He felt much more welcome as the girl’s voice grew stronger, and he was glad that he had made right with her, although there was not really a conscious exchange of affrontation and forgiveness on Katie’s end, it had been startlingly obvious to Oliver, and he was relieved that it was over. And he also noticed keenly how her disposition had shifted quite easily into a much friendlier and open demeanor once he had shown the proper manners. It was another reaffirmation that he was doing the right thing.
Their hands met, and Oliver grasped firmly, then released with a slight nod of his head.
“I don’t, but if you would like to call me ‘Ollie’, I’m fine with that.” He smiled slightly. Although he normally kept a straight face, Katie’s cheeriness was infectious.
' ' Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ' '
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Strength: 9 Agility: 8 Control: 3 Stamina: 10
A Little Help?
Katie was beaming, as he spoke. it didnt take much for her to start smiling, but saying that she could call him ollie when nobody else was allowed to? (or had, at least, done it before). That made her so excited. plus, he called her his friend. HIS FRIEND! he was calling her a friend!
Katie tried to contain her excitement.
Katie miserably failed.
This failure could be seen in her every movement. She was almost vibrating from energy and excitement. "really?" she said, her smile almost getting wider. I am definitely, so absolutely totally, writing home about this . "so you're my friend? For real?" she smiled again, almost in wonder. "all my best friends are in slytherin, so I think we're going to be really good friends." It was almost a declaration, a smiled offering at being one of Katie's friends. Not that he really had to do anything, she'd already practically decided that he was. But if he said he didn’t want to be… well that would just crush her. but Katie wasnt even thinking that was a possiblity at this point, certain she'd made a new friend. Kayla would be so proud of her. She could tell.
Katie tried to contain her excitement.
Katie miserably failed.
This failure could be seen in her every movement. She was almost vibrating from energy and excitement. "really?" she said, her smile almost getting wider. I am definitely, so absolutely totally, writing home about this . "so you're my friend? For real?" she smiled again, almost in wonder. "all my best friends are in slytherin, so I think we're going to be really good friends." It was almost a declaration, a smiled offering at being one of Katie's friends. Not that he really had to do anything, she'd already practically decided that he was. But if he said he didn’t want to be… well that would just crush her. but Katie wasnt even thinking that was a possiblity at this point, certain she'd made a new friend. Kayla would be so proud of her. She could tell.
nervous, shy, and sweet as pie.
that's the way to reach the sky
Strength: 2 agility: 9 control: 14 stamina: 5