Solace in Nature PV Professor MacTavish

Rain fell lightly from the sky, soaking the Herbology Courtyard and pitter-pattering against the stone walking paths. A light fog coated the castle, making the spiraling towers invisible from the ground.

It was a Friday and lessons were finished for the day. Bridget was already swamped with homework, especially with the Muggle courses her parents were requiring her to take, but she would have all weekend for that. Right now, she was perched on the windowsill of a hallway open to the outside. Most people were inside, hanging out with friends or cozying up in their Common Rooms. This certainly wasn't bad weather, especially comparing to what it would be later in the year, but there were... nicer places to be at the moment.

Not for Bridget though. She didn't have any friends here to hang out with, and besides, she loved the outdoors. For one, they were fascinating places to explore and she was naturally curious. Secondly, one could usually find some peace and quiet outdoors, a silence you simply couldn't find in the castle.

She considered drawing the Courtyard in her sketchbook but thought better of it as the pages were sure to get soaked from the drizzle coming through the window. Instead, she settled on examining her surroundings--the Herbology Greenhouses, the foliage, the ancient castle. She had this place all to herself--or so she thought. Her hazel eyes, freakishly observant as always, picked up movement by one of the greenhouses. The movement was coming from a man who appeared to be in his thirties. He was the new Herbology teacher. Although Bridget didn't really like Herbology (the only use was not dying at the hands of magical plants), she had liked him as a teacher. He was quieter, like her.

He looked a bit... lonely. She supposed that was only natural, as he had just arrived at Hogwarts a week ago. But still, she could tell he felt a bit out of place. Not necessarily among the Greenhouses; no, she was sure he felt right at home in them as she did in the library, but he seemed to be still on the edge of the social environment.

Going against her introverted, shy, distrustful nature, Bridget found her legs carrying her towards the man. He was facing the other way, meaning he didn't know she was there. She would have to get his attention.

Awkwardly clearing her throat, the short girl began, pushing her brown hair out of her face.

"Er… Professor MacTavish. I'm Bridget Collins. Welcome to Hogwarts.