A World Away From This One (Oliver)

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He was glad to hear that her preparation was going well. She didn't elaborate at all, but the confidence and conviction in her answer showed that it wasn't an unsure thing. "Yeah, mine are going well, too. I don't feel like I'm entirely on top of things, though, I still have quite a bit more work to do." Of course, at his current level of preparation he would do better than a lot of students wanted to do, but that wasn't enough for him, as he wanted to live up to his own expectations of himself.

So what did he like? That was an interesting question. "I love flying, and Quidditch. And snow, winter is my favourite season. How about you, what are your favourite things?" he asked, a similar question in return.

@isolde

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Isolde was surprised by this. She had heard that Ravenclaws weren't supposed to have trouble with their studies. She forgot who she heard that from though. And honestly, the more she thought about it, that was too general a thing to say. Everyone was different after all. Isolde smiled at him.

"Could I help?" she asked. Did she just ask if she could help someone study? She had never studied with anyone, let alone offer to help someone. Ollie certainly had an unusual and wonderful effect on her. Maybe it was just because he took the time to approach her. Too many people waited for others to come to them, and Isolde never would.

She listened to what he liked and found it interesting as she thought it would. She didn't care for Quidditch or other outdoor activities, but she liked looking at Winter time from inside.

"Snow is pretty," she said.

He then asked what she liked, and she couldn't think of much.

"Books, writing... owls," she said. "I have one...an owl. His name's Cain." There were lots of times when her grey owl was the only friend she had around, especially at home. She hated going outside, so he would sit at her window until she went to sleep.

@ollie

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He looked at her curiously when she offered to help. That was a big surprise, but not an unwelcome one at all. "Sure, if you feel like you have the time for it, it could be fun to study together. But I'm not in danger of failing or anything like that, I just want to make sure that I can get all O's. So it's not like, panic stations or anything." He didn't mind working with other people, and it might help him study more efficiently.

He listened curiously when she talked about what she liked. He could have guessed books, and maybe writing, but owls was a surprise. "That's cool. How long have you had him for?" he asked.

@isolde

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Isolde smiled at him again. She seemed to be all smiles tonight. It was nice for a change. She wanted to help him, even if just to sit and talk with him some more. It was safe to say by now that Ollie had brought Isolde out of her shell.

"I have time," she said. And she really did. Her life at Hogwarts was classes, library, bed. She had plenty of time.

"That's good," she added when Ollie said he wasn't panicking of anything.

When he asked about her owl, she shrugged.

"Since I started school," she said. "Want to meet him?" Right now Cain was probably near the dorm room by her bed, but she knew she could get him to come to a Common Room window. Cain was friendly enough around others. He didn't bite or anything like that anyway.

Once in the Common Room, Isolde looked around. It was relatively quiet and empty which was a good thing. She wasn't crazy about hanging out there because usually there were a lot of students present. Tonight would be fine though, especially with Ollie with her. She stepped over to the window and made the call she always made to summon Cain. He soon flew down and gave him a loving stroke to greet him.

@ollie

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"Well, how about we study together tomorrow afternoon, if that works for you? I have no classes on Thursday afternoons so usually spend the afternoon studying, we can do it together and help each other out on anything we might need help with," he said with a smile. It seemed like she was entirely on top of things, though, but there might be something she needed a hand with as well.

He smiled and nodded when they got to the Common Room. "Sure, I'd love to meet him." And then the owl flew down to them. "Wow, he's beautiful. I can tell you look after him really well," he complimented.

@isolde

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Isolde smiled and nodded when Ollie offered to have them study the following afternoon. She didn't have classes then either, and it would be nice to spend so long with a new friend.

"I'd like that," she said. "Thank you." She wondered if Ollie would know the reason for the "thank you". It was for much more than just the invitation. She was thanking him for his friendship and kindness. She thanked him for giving her a reason to wake up every day. With Morgaine gone now, she would need someone there for her, and Ollie's timing seemed perfect.

Isolde continued to pet Cain as the owl took notice of Ollie. She smiled at that. She had never been with her owl and someone else as well. She liked how the wise owl studied the boy, as if to see if he approved of Isolde's new friend or not. He seemed not to have any particular problem with the boy, and returned to standing tall and letting his mistress pet him.

"He's a good friend," she said. "Are we friends, Ollie?" She felt they were, but she liked to make sure. She didn't want to upset him by approaching him at "uninvited times" if he wasn't. She was paranoid like that.

@ollie

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Ollie did notice the extra weight behind the 'thank you', and he just gave a slight nod in response, with a smile. He understood that Isolde kept to herself a lot and didn't have a lot of people close to her, and he was glad that he had the opportunity to spend time with her and get to know her better.

Cain seemed to be friendly enough to Ollie, which was good because he was generally a little uncomfortable around birds. Owls were usually okay, though, particularly when they were well trained. He often found other birds unpredictable and a little creepy, but owls were fine. At Isolde's question, he turned to her in surprise. "Yeah, we are. That is, I'd like to think we are, if that's okay with you." He smiled with that.

@isolde

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(Short wrap up on my end here. You can add on if you wish.)

Isolde smiled when Ollie said he did want to be friends, and asked if it was okay with her. She then nodded.

"Yes," she said. "I would like to." She then extended her hand. She was often told that many friendships began with handshakes, so she thought it was only proper to do that with her new friend.

It was getting late soon and Isolde yawned. It was actually after her usual bedtime now. She sighed and looked at the clock, then back at Ollie.

"Time for bed now," she said. "Good night, Ollie." She gave him a small wave, and walked away.

Upstairs, she changed into her pajamas and laid down in the bed. Cain was already waiting for her. Before she nodded off to sleep, she smiled again. Not a small smile, but a wide one. She had made a friend tonight, and for once in a long, long time, she went to sleep very happy.

@ollie

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Ollie smiled and shook her hand. It seemed like that was something she wanted to make it official, or something. It was definitely getting late, though, so he nodded slightly at her yawn. "Goodnight, Isolde, it was really nice hanging out with you," he said with a smile and a wave. It had been a surprise that she had opened up to him so much, but it was a very pleasant one. He appreciated the opportunity to get to know her better.

End thread!