She's A Lovestruck Hufflepuff (Asher)

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Nina wasn't a shy girl by any means. She was all for dating if the right boy came along. But he had to be a good guy with a good spirit about him. They had to have things in common, especially a love for good, innocent fun. Nina had been on a few dates on and off since her time at Hogwarts, but none of them really went anywhere. Either she and the other guy decided that it wouldn't work out... or the attitude of the guy made the decision. Fortunately, she never went head over heels for any of them. She knew of people who suffered great heartbreak over relationships, and she definitely was not one who wanted that to happen to her.

She had lacked interest in dating for a while... until about a few weeks ago. She was sitting in the common room chatting with friends when she spotted in passing a very handsome fifth year in her House named Asher. She asked around and found out a few things about him. She discovered that the two had a few things in common. For one, like her he enjoyed music a great deal. For two, he liked flying and being a Broom Racer, she definitely related there. And for three, he had an interest in muggles. Being a half-blood and currently taking a Muggle Studies class, Nina had a deep interest in the lives of muggles. She had waited these few weeks to talk to him. Again, she wasn't shy, but she wanted to be prepared this time, to have something to talk about when she encountered him. From there, she could see where things went.

"Hello... Asher, correct?" she said when she approached him in the common room. "Um... I'm doing a project for my Muggle Studies class, and heard you take an interest in them. I was wondering if you could help me out."

@asher

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Note:
Asher's Speech
Asher's Thoughts

April is a stressful month for all Hogwarts students, especially for those who are taking OWLs or NEWTs this year, while workloads are considerably ceasing as end of the school year crept nearer, the urgency to study made up the stress level. No less than ten times that Asher witnessed his school mates leap up running off to the bathroom in the middle of their study, or started making a tearful mess of themselves, or screaming out loud all of a sudden, throwing books across the room, kicking the steel armors lining up the corridors...

Guess you could imagine how things are around, Asher was just glad that he hasn't started losing control yet.

In Hufflepuff common room, it was rather quiet today, whispered chatters and sound of pages turning filled the space, most of them having the same goal in mind - to study hard so to get a good results for the upcoming exams. They are the hardworking bunch, lacking the Ravenclaw's natural intelligence perhaps - it smooth out the bitchy edges which most in the eagle house display - but if there's anything one can solve with their unwavering hard works, the Hufflepuffs are well-equipped for it.

Muggle Study, perhaps this is one of the few subjects Asher is at least good at, he could easily have score an O for this one - he has to, because it is the only few hopes he has for scoring good in his OWLs. His dark eyes flew through the pages of notes he taken down in classes, his left hand curled into fist popping up his chin, in his right hand his wand which he used to highlight important points that could be of use for him later.

This subject also happened to be one of the subject he could sit hours going through without losing himself in his own distracted world, he won't say so much about Potions and Charms.

It isn't a secret that Asher Arbour is one the weaker student in his year, lots of times that the boy too wondered if himself a squib, he can't seems to perform any spells right, never good at potions, nor did he has a knack for Herbology or Care of Magical Creatures, such a weak student that several times he earned himself detentions just by failing to answer questions in class.

All he really wanted to do is to play music, if only he could leave school early and get himself signed to a music label, magical ones or muggles ones it doesn't matter, he knows of his natural talent lies in the field of music.

He must be daydreaming, for when a shadow came dropping in front of him, it made him jumped. Glancing up, Asher found himself looking at a redhead, one who he's seen around a few times, his impression of her is that smile so bright that's always spread on her face, whoever she is she always seems so friendly.

"Erm..." He gulped, unexpectedly nervous simply because someone is looking for him, Asher is that boy who tried very hard not to attract attention to himself, anytime, anywhere. "Yeah, I am- I mean, that's me." He nodded, instinctively avoiding her eyes, wondering if he is making a fool of himself, Jesus Christ, get a grip on yourself Asher Arbour. Annoyed at his own embarrassing behavior, he scolded himself silently, that tiny frown deepened between his brows and release again hint of his frustration. He looked up at the girl again as she continued speaking.

"Um... I'm doing a project for my Muggle Studies class, and heard you take an interest in them. I was wondering if you could help me out." As he listened, that pair of brown eyes widened significantly, he was surprised indeed. Has she found the wrong person? He wondered incredulously because she couldn't mean himself, blinking away the surprise written on his face he cast his gaze down as he wondered again if this is a joke. He isn't good at anything - OK, perhaps music - everyone knows that, why would she wants him to help her out with a project?

But she seems so nice a girl, nice girl don't play jokes on people, and he doesn't feel like rejecting her. Rejecting a nice person is like leaving a starving puppy on the side of the road. Asher won't be in Hufflepuff if kindness isn't part of him.

"Well, I- I am not sure if I can be of help. But if you- Erm, I can try I guess. Just don't expect too much, OK? I am not quite good, whatever you heard." He stammered through his answer, blushing as he did so. It is certainly not just because Nina is asking for his help, but the fact that she's a girl, he never has too much interaction with the opposite sex - apart from Ellen, but she's his childhood friends he is comfortable with her - girls always see his brothers first.

Not like he's saying that in a sour tone.

"So..." He clicked his teeth together making sounds just for something to do, his heart hammering like it still yet to calm down from the initial scare, butterflies bumping around at the pit of his stomach, he was so sure he will make a fool out of himself. "What is your project about?" He asked because it looks like a good place to start.

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Nina thought his nervousness was adorable. Some girls wouldn't g for a guy who had trouble talking to girls, but Nina was a bit different. The first thing she would do would be to calm him down a bit, and let him know she wasn't going to bite. When he agreed to help her, she sat down and beamed at him.

"Well, if you're having a bit of trouble as well, perhaps we can help one another," she said. "Basically for my project, I'm focusing for the Muggles' love of a form of entertainment called cartoons... well or animation as it is referred to as sometimes. I was just wondering if you had ever seen any of these cartoons and what your reaction was to them."

This was of course not the only reason Nina was talking Asher. She honestly wanted to ask him if he would like to go out and do something some time. But even though she wasn't nervous around him, she didn't want to blurt that out. She didn't want to look weird or super eager or anything like that. She would have to be careful about this... gradual. Build up to it. She had to stick with her original plan of making Asher more comfortable around her. Suddenly asking him out could freak him big time.

"So... you're having trouble too?" she asked. "Is it just Muggle Studies or your exams in general? And don't feel embarrassed to tell me. Trust me, studying for them is driving me bonkers too."

@asher

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Note:
Asher's Speech
Asher's Thoughts

Blinking a few times, Asher was still trying to wrap his head around the bizarre situation taken place right in front of him. Why would anyone want to discuss school work with him, perhaps he would never understand. But he has long since learned to go along with the flow without question, it might be one of the safest thing which would guarantee him not getting into trouble.

"Well, if you're having a bit of trouble as well, perhaps we can help one another," she offered, and Asher just nodded, glancing up giving her a grateful smile and looked quickly back down again. He doesn't quite remember which year is she from, the fact that she is nice was the only impression he has of her. She's not in fifth year as far as he could tell, yet then again it could just be him being ignorant.

So Asher bit his lower lips waited for her answer, his nervousness could have everything to do with worrying himself being a fool and the fact that there is a girl sitting across from him, perhaps a universal guy's worries that's it, though he knows he can never be cool however he acts. "Basically for my project, I'm focusing for the Muggles' love of a form of entertainment called cartoons... well or animation as it is referred to as sometimes. I was just wondering if you had ever seen any of these cartoons and what your reaction was to them." He nodded again at that, expression a shade of relieve. Right, cartoon, at least he seen plenty of that. "Well, I have seen my share of them, though probably not those trendy ones, I just catch what I can catch on TV when I am home."

"You... understand basic muggle terms right? I will try keeping it simple for you, ask if you have any question." Most of those wizards and witches Asher ever encountered either doesn't understand muggle terms at all, or that they know approximately just half of those terms they learned from the muggle studies class, unless they are muggle born witches and wizards themselves. If it isn't for his mom's early passed, perhaps Asher would also be one of those ignorant half blood boys himself. "Well, I am a more outdated kind of boy, many at my age probably in love with Japanese anime or 3D anime, I never get in touch with 3D ones too much mainly cause of my family... Erm we see things on plain TV mostly, it is too much to afford the technologies some kids has at home, or go out for movies often." It isn't an easy feat to admit out loud his own family status, his father can do just so much raising three boys, they are all three rather self-contended most of the time rather than requesting for the latest gadget. He pulled in a deep breath calming his nerves, "Well anime are cool but I rather like the old type, those production of Disney, or Tom and Jerry because those are what I grew up with. And they have epic kind of music." I would say, epic kind of music is exactly why he likes those cartoons. Once a musician, always a musician, he can't listen to anything without hearing the music they makes nowadays.

He smiled shyly at her again, lost words at the same time worried that he has given too much unwanted details. Looking down on his note again, rather uncomfortably, perhaps it is a good thing too Nina was taking it slow. While Asher might not be 100% innocent he really still has lots to learn on the field of the boy-girl relationship.

"So... you're having trouble too? Is it just Muggle Studies or your exams in general? And don't feel embarrassed to tell me. Trust me, studying for them is driving me bonkers too." No, how he wanted to say no in reply to her words, but that isn't quite true. He is struggling with several subjects, but no he isn't having too much trouble, theoretically speaking at least, which is good enough to help him pass the test. "Well, it is... not too bad." He told her, flicking a strand if his dark bangs from his eyes. "Not Muggle Studies, definitely not that, I like muggle studies." He won't say as much about potion, transfiguration and other subjects, "Maybe a little scare for the others, and maybe it is just the nerves. It is OWLs after all."

Asher wrinkled his nose at her, making a face. Her present is at least comforting, maybe it is his impression of her being nice playing trick at him, but she's likable. Asher pulled up another smile at her when he caught her eyes.

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When Asher went on about the cartoons he was exposed to, he had Nina's full attention. She could listen to this boy talking about grass-growing spells and not get bored. And she of course maintained eye contact. His eyes were gorgeous, his voice was gorgeous, everything about him was gorgeous.

"Oh wow!" she said. "You could be of great help to me! Thank you for telling me about those." Nina really needed to talk her dad into getting a television. While her mother was a Muggle, Glinda Devoll was more than happy about the idea of not having too many Muggle inventions in the house. Nina didn't have television, internet, or any of that. And Nina never really cared for any of it until she stumbled across this cartoon thing.

When Asher said he was having trouble with some of his other classes, Nina decided to make her move. Yes, it was a bit sneaky and all given he was shy, but she really liked this guy.

"Tell you what," she said. "Why don't we have a study session at The Three Broomsticks tomorrow? We can have drinks, some snacks, and have fun with it all." Nina then sighed and decided to come out and say it. How would it be a date if Asher thought they were just studying. True she would be throwing it on him and all, but the school year was winding down and she was running out of chances to ask him. "Or maybe we can study here, and then just go to Three Broomsticks and have dinner... if you'd like to do it that way." Nina then gave him "the look" that she hoped would melt his heart and get him to say yes.

@asher

[Deleted]

Note:
Asher's Speech
Asher's Thoughts

This is who Asher Arbour really is, cheerful and enthusiastic, even somewhat playful, if you make him comfortable enough that he can start to trust you. It isn't too hard to gain his trust too because he is a rather trusting person, most of the time when he chose isolation because he felt unaccepted. He isn't like both his Gryffindor brothers, outspoken and brave, he is just the youngest Arbour who quietly do his things in the background.

When this redhead start him talking about something he is familiar with though, it could easily seen how he can shine too, if not too often. That twinkle of enthusiasm in his eyes, that upturned corners of his lips. "I am happy to hear that. I mean, to me these are just small things, I live with them my whole life."

His whole life sound about right, since he was still a child that his mother passed away the Arbour family retreated into the muggle world along with their father, who is a muggle himself, he does everything he could to give three boys the best he could afford, but there is a limit to everyone. Asher isn't resenting how his life turned out to be, he is fortunate in compare to many others. Indeed he was grateful that he was given a chance to try so many things in his life so far.

Including Hogwarts, the magic school he has never dreamed of putting a foot in.

His eyes widened a fraction in surprise hearing her suggestions, surprised because he never know anyone who will want to study with him. Seems like he really has given her a good answer. She will probably run really fast the moment she discover how bad I am at all these, Asher couldn't help himself, that depressing thought came into his mind without warning. Biting his lower lips the boy spent some times with his own thoughts.

"I... well I- I am not saying no, but I might not be much help to you on a study session." When he finally found his voice back, his words rushed out, blushing madly that he dared not to even meet her eyes, how is he going to say no to her? He wasn't sure where has she heard from about him being good at anything, flattered as he was to have someone thinking so, he was sure that himself won't be up to her expectation.

Another moment which he spent in thought, "Well, studying sounds good. But I am not too sure about the dinner at Three Broomsticks afterward. It is against school rules to sneak out." He gave her a little smile, only hope was his darker skin hasn't show the heat on his cheeks too badly, as he has suspects of himself for bushing. Story of his life, blushing is just something he does often. "Dinner at Great Hall though, if you like, we can sit and talk a little?" He offered in return, couldn't say no to that look she was giving him.

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"Well I'm very fortunate that I ran into you then," joked Nina, patting Asher on the shoulder. "And I'll gladly relay my knowledge to you if you need help with another subject."

When Asher said he might not be of much help to her in a study session, Nina chuckled.

"Well the way that sounds, I will be of great help to you, so we must have one," she said. "I think I've got every subject I'm taking down as far as the questions to be on the final exam, and if you're taking anything I'm not, we can sit and put our heads together on it." And she really did want to put her head together with Asher.

Nina felt silly that she suggested dinner. She always heard most dates happened at dinner, and that's what she was going for here after all- a date. There was no denying it. But yes, she forgot about school rules for a moment there.

"That was bonkers of me," she chuckled. "Tell you want- dinner in the Great Hall. Lunch in Hogsmeade this weekend. How does that sound, love?" She hoped he didn't feel to awkward with her calling him "love". She called most everyone this.

(If you want to wrap this up, we can either change scenes here or start a date thread.)

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(PART TWO IN HOGSMEADE)