Would it all be for naught? [Open]

[WILLIAM ASHDOWN]

William was in his sixth year, and was often found in the library of Hogwarts, reading up on either academic work, or his favourite literature. He was one year away from leaving Hogwarts, and he still had no idea what he wanted to do with his life, vocationally speaking. Flicking through books was a comfort for him. It allowed him an escape from school life, and his own personal worries and wearisome thoughts.

So there he was, sitting in an alcove in the vast, silent library, with several piles of books surrounding him. William was fingering his way through a large, dusty book on the properties of tree sap from specific, magical trees located in the Castillos Lagoon national park in Uruguay. This was a particularly mind-numbing read, but William was interested in a specific chapter that he intended to use in an assignment due in in the following weeks. William lifted his hands up and placed them on the sides of his head, rubbing his temples slowly, hoping that a headache wasn’t coming on. He picked up his mug of steaming drink and took a sip, warming him up, guarding against the cold of the library.

[BRIDGITTE HORTENSIA HUNT]

Bridgitte didn’t exactly know why the library chose to keep the temperature at such a chilling set, she figured it had something to do with being an incentive to students to either make their visits short, or in to at least keep the students awake, which could be a hurdle considering some of the drivel that passed for educational required reading.

Stalking down the magical pest isle with six books on Doxies currently testing her strength she stopped dead in her tracks. Her face flamed red as she caught sight of William even at partially obstructed view point with him sitting at a profile angle she still knew exactly who he was, and the embarrassment she felt was evident.

Well this is unfortunate I had hoped to just sort of pretend that whole encounter was just a product of a bad judgment call that stemmed from cramps, some imported tea, and homemade candy of questionable origin. Damn that Hazel Hawthorne and her constant ‘try this it helps take the edge off’.

Faced with choice she quickly played out the outcomes of confronting her embarrassing situation, or hiding from it like she had currently been doing. Knowing that avoiding the Ravenclaw table, and the corridor in which they streamed from was truthfully a nuisance, as she honestly preferred the company of Ravenclaws she found them interesting. Not to mention while she avoided them she didn’t know if either Pixie or William had told other of catching her in that unfortunate state that they had found her in.

He wouldn’t He has that I wouldn’t squash a bed bug look about him. Taking a calming breath, and reminding herself that she was a Hunt and Hunt’s don’t hide. Probably not the first girl he had stumbled on in such a state. Giving herself a few more inner More than likely happens all the time to him prompts Bridgitte pushes herself forward.

Bridgitte let out a large sigh of relief as she set books down on the edge of his table looking down she at what he was reading she felt her right auburn brow arch in question..

“Tree Sap? Making a miracle elixir.”

[WILLIAM ASHDOWN]

Flicking through the pages of the large, dusty book, William sighed and closed and opened his eyes a few times in an attempt to get rid of the impending, boredom-induced coma. He looked around the library for a moment and spotted one or two people he knew. None were true friends, or even vague friends, but they were people William smiled at or nodded in a typical teenage male greeting whilst passing in corridors. It was true, William didn’t have many proper friends at Hogwarts, but those he did that – such as Amelia – were very much revered and loved.

Cursing himself for getting distracted, he looked back at his book and flicked through another couple of pages, hoping to himself that it was going to get more interesting further in. Suddenly, a figure appeared and placed books on the edge of his table, sighing as they did. He looked up and saw a face he had seen not a few days before in the Forbidden Forest. Inwardly, William smirked at the girl, as the last time he had seen her, she was…well, not completely clothed and quite embarrassed by it all. However, his face made a look of vague surprise at her appearance.

Bridgette her name was, and she seemed to be quite a nice person from their vague, unusual meeting in the forest. From her robes, he could see that she was a Slytherin, and she looked to be around his own age, if not slightly older. William couldn’t also help noticing that she was very pretty, and had beautiful auburn hair. William laughed at her comment and moved a few of his books opposite him to allow the Slytherin to place her books down a little more comfortably. “A miracle elixir? No, unfortunately not, but now you’ve given me ideas.” William motioned towards a seat, inviting her to sit. “Nice to see you again.” William said, a smirk growing on his face. “With clothes this time, I note.” He winked.

[BRIDGITTE HORTENSIA HUNT]

She hadn’t expected to converse for any stretch of time, after all there was Doxie research to do, she felt it was her responsibility to see if the school had not properly prepared her for that little incident she encountered involving the little blue beasts, and if that was the case she felt it was her responsibility to change things for her brother and sister and others who would depend on Hogwarts for a proper education. In Bridgitte’s mind if Doxies had the ability to reduce fine silk dresses to equivalent of useless holy rags she felt that they as students deserved to know as much. Truthfully Bridgitte was horrified that she had allowed such a mundane little pest to get the better of her, it was an epic humiliating blow to her pride, as she had considered herself intelligent, and above such ludicrous failures, not to mention that little pests had not only ruined a dress but had made her look incompetent in front of not just one Ravenclaw, but two (and one of those two being an attractive sort was just something she couldn’t let down.)

Had she expected him to simply look over the fact that he had caught her in such a state of dress? Hardly, Truthfully she hoped that he had not only took notice, but with any luck appreciated. Bridgitte hoped her modest underclothes had giving him just enough of a taste that it had etched itself in his memory.. No woman wants to be caught in a state of undressed, and then promptly ignored and forgotten. Had he just stared blankly at her as if she was indeed some mental head case who prattled on to anyone without knowing them, than Bridgitte would have likely wanted to toss herself off the tallest tower.

Luckily the boy had done no such thing so her dreadful ego remained un-blimished, and not blowing hot air like some punctured air balloon. No true it seemed her morning potions regimen seemed to pay off with the fates, as it seemed the boy at least was not just civil, but to her appreciation good humored which meant there would be no dreary talks of un-blemished reputations, and how girl like her could be ruined by reputations.

Her auburn brow quirked higher a fraction as he offered her a seat, naturally she obliged and perched at the edge of the offered seat her gray eyes never faltering from their curious hold on him as she took in his features her porcelain doll like face only broke from the inquisitive look when she caught his soft tease and added wink.

Bridgitte being a girl who was accustom to various looks, and suggestive lingering glances and flirting of all kinds she handled it in the way she always handled a boys teasing flirtatious ways, indeed in the exact fashion her mother had queue her to handle the advances of the opposite sex when she was just thirteen, and such behaviors could be no longer ignored.

She was gracious, and kind she smiled sweetly back at him at him, her head tilting just slightly as she chuckled lightly her mind combing for something savvy to respond with so she didn’t appear mortified, her glance flickered to his lips momentarily before adverting to his opened books as she paused just for a fraction before she replied.

“Well I am honestly packed with all sorts of wondrous ideas”She offered teasingly as she shrugged her hair back over her shoulder.. “ I’m red headed.. I believe we are noted for being adventurous sorts. I mean hang with me long enough and you too can lose your clothing to some little nits..”..” She scoffed and rolled her eyes.“Well I am pleased to see I am forgiven for my slight show of immodesty, Though I do say I shall try to remember that an optional clothing greeting might be an overlooked means of breaking the ice.. Normally I have such a difficult time feeling at ease with someone, Had I known that flashing ones knickers would be the quickest way to ease tension, honestly once some bloke seen my goods I really need not worry so much about the drivel that might escape my mouth..”Flashing a coy like smile that was likely perfected and handed down through generations, she leaned in, and like the brave serpentine that knew no fear she offered a teasing wink back.

[WILLIAM ASHDOWN]

It was an odd meeting, to be honest. William had expected to see Bridgette around school at some point, but he never expected to have a one-to-one meeting with her in the library. Sure, he was in the library more than the average student, and he had no idea how bookish she was, but it made William feel somewhat awkward for the first moment or two of the encounter. The last time he saw her, she was in her small clothes and looking astonishingly embarrassed at being found in such a state – understandably so. Still, William did not feel awkward, and was quite happy to help out a fellow student who had found herself in a bit of a pickle. It was almost enjoyable when it was considered the girl he was helping was, well…of the attractive sort. William could not hide, at least in the deep, dark parts of his consciousness, that he didn’t enjoy the sight, but that was a fact he would not let on to Bridgette.

At his comment, the girl seemed to be quite good natured, and not too embarrassed at all. At his offer of a seat, Bridgette seemed to be surprised, which struck William as somewhat odd. Did she expect him not to, or what she surprised at his friendly attitude, expecting someone shy and abashed at seeing someone for the second time, but clothed for the first time? No, William was many things, hardly ever awkward. When she sat down, her eyes were scanning him, and his eyes – a dark brown – were pouring into her for a moment, too.

“I’m sure you are.” William agreed with a smile, no hidden agenda in his words for once. It was easy to flirt, for him at least. He had the aura of a geek, but just enough recklessness and misbehaviour hidden under the surface to attract people, either for friendship or other ventures. Still, it was rare William was up for such activities, but there were rare occasions that presented themselves sometimes. Bridgette struck him as a similar personality, but his deduction was that she was the reverse. Her auburn hair flowing down over her shoulder and her stunning eyes were attractive enough, with any words or motions to accompany them. However, what use was physical attractiveness if the owner didn’t have the mind or matter to back them up?

William nodded to her words, leaning back in his seat to a more relaxed position. “Lose my clothing? I certainly hope not. Well, at least not to Doxies.” A small smile crept onto his face. “And there was nothing to forgive. I’ve seen much worse, believe me.” He winked again, but immediately cursed himself internally for inherently flirting – it was not the best idea to flirt with a Slytherin, as you never truly knew where their priorities lay. “Still, the ice has – I hope – been broken between us. Let’s hope we don’t have to strip in the library though,” William looked over his shoulder towards the prowling librarian, who was busying herself by snarling and snapping at terrified first years who were being too rough with the ancient books. “I don’t think the librarian would take too well to it. Not that I care that much.” William cleared his throat and looked back to Bridgette. “So, apart from showing me that you do, in fact, own some clothes,” William grinned playfully, “What brings you into the library?”

[BRIDGITTE HORTENSIA HUNT]

She was honestly caught off guard by his charm, he all but reeked with personality that was hidden behind welled poised words, and those dark brown eyes that were intensely expressive that she didn’t doubt that if he honestly attempted seduction than most girls would fall victim to his charms. However he wasn’t the letch that was lacking morals the type that would no doubt take advantage of the situation she had been in. She had been housed with a few of the blatant womanizers types she was quick to spot their attributes in others.

She found it amusingly that he held her glance so effortlessly, the way he returned her waggishness lead her to relax slightly though she wondered what he thought, she didn’t doubt he thought her a fool after all he had caught her in a position that spoke of moronic mind. Though he seemed not to be annoyed with her.

Bridgitte figured she would know if she was annoying him, he wouldn’t be the first person she exasperated. Her father for one was obvious in his annoyance truly he didn’t find her persistent opinionated ways appealing so naturally he constantly was at odds with her and was clear in his furry.

Her father believed that because she was housed in Slytherin than she would be docile, prone to intellectual reasoning at least more so than her younger sister who in his opinion was more prone to be a servant to impulse and emotion. Sadly he didn’t count on her rebellious nature being more problematic because she processed the power of organized planning, and tactical shrewdness. In the end she ended up being more of a headache for her father than the other two children because she was normally secretive enough to hide whatever wrong doings from the vast public light, normally if she was accused of something she was quick to challenge her accusers with the hissed suggestion to prove it.

Which had proved her well suited for Hogwarts particularly with life as a Slytherin. Bridgitte learned quickly because she had a natural talent, and she looked for reason to use, she found enjoyment learning how to build it, she was a self-starter she had learned her eagerness was considered ambitious beneath that tattered brim of the old sorting hat, it was that intelligence and ambitious spirit that had seen her sorted into her Father’s house. She learned in the hallowed halls that regardless of what she did; because she wore a certain color. Being labeled a Slytherin she was looked upon with a degree of mistrust as if she was a born villain.

Bridgitte found it very odd that the degree of misguided bias was to the level it was after all it was rumored to be a time of peace even the creatures were relishing rights that saw them treated for the first time in existence as literally equals it was stated that her final year would be last year where Creatures like vampires and the like would be turned away from Hogwarts. Still within the wall certain things remained in her opinion ugly things, such things like prejudice concerning blood status still remained rooted in some of pureblooded conversation it wasn’t as it was before most were quite about it, whereas if you were pureblooded and Slytherin you were open to all sorts of scrutiny regardless of your guilt. The wicked hand of prejudice swung both ways was something she found herself reminding many people.

Though with the many bias opinion of the other houses the students in Ravenclaw seemed less occupied with house orientation than the other houses they seemed well least to her less preoccupied with petty nonsense. She didn't know if he was exceedingly trustworthy but with eyes like that she doubted he was a treacherous liar so there was little harm and explaining her doings in the library even if they did put her in a light she didn't care for.

“ Well to be perfectly honest, the books is a great place to find redemption. I was outsmarted and out maneuvered by of all things a nuisance pest that I till recently thought would only harm curtains and old sweaters that were not properly stored.. What can I say not exactly confidence building considering I’ve only have a few months left of the hollow halls of our fine institution, before I’m on my own.. With my education lacking obviously I feel the need to do some research on a few things if not just for my own benefit than at least anyone else who comes later looking for a quality education that they deserve. Sadly my start is common pests which is actually humorous considering my sister has been known to call me one.. One would think I should know all there is, well at least I should now be able to say I do..” she offered with a soft chuckle.. “ and you.. Outside of world domination one tree sap at a time what are you looking for.. Perhaps we can collaborate your find knowledge of pest handling and my mighty wisdom of the fig tree gold sap and its uses in potions we might be able to come up with something brilliant..”