Accordion Trouble (Matt)

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Silvia walked into Dervish and Banges, wearing an oversized stocking cap and winter gloves that reached her elbows. In her hands, she carried her accordion, she looked around a bit, then walked up to the man at the counter and smiled.

"Hello, sir," she said. "I like your story. The paint's not too dark, but it doesn't hurt the eyes either. It's quite tranquil."

The old man at the counter smiled at her and thanked her with a chuckle before asking about the accordion in her hands.

"Oh yes," she said. "Well, I'm not sure what's wrong with my accordion. It's an accordion that responds to its players emotions, but lately it seems down, even when I myself am happy. I think something has upset it perhaps. I know my cousin Egbert's accordion went through a rough period some time back. So I was curious to see if it needed repair or just cheering up."

The kind old man found Silvia as eccentric as others did, but he was more than patient with her, especially with her being so sweet. He promised to check for her and would let her know in a moment.

"Please take your time," said Silvia. "I'll be over here looking at the lutes." She then turned to do so.

MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON

[MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON]

Matt was eager to get some new strings and more picks for his guitar. The strings hadn't broken yet, but it made sense that he'd get some new strings now before they broke. And he needed picks because he kept losing them. Either way, heading out to Dervish and Banges was dang near a necessity. Was going to give him more sanity if nothing else.

Dressed in a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and red and black sneakers with a gray hoodie and a gray beanie, Matt had his hands in the pockets of his hoodie, preferring that over gloves of any kind, and also not really feeling that cold. Walking into the music shop in Hogsmeade, he immediately went over to where the strings and picks would be. Looking around, he realized that he didn't really have a good idea on which strings he'd prefer. It was easy to pick out new guitar picks, as there was a pack of them with the Gryffindor logo imprinted upon them, which made them an automatic purchase. Question is, which strings would he get? That was the dilemma he was facing when he heard that someone was heading towards this part of the shop, giving him a look of curiosity as to who it was.

@moonberry

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The lutes were of course near the guitars, given how the two instruments were related to each other in a way. So Silvia was near when the Gryffindor boy began looking around. Being far from shy, she looked over and smiled at the boy. And without really accepting any understood invitation to talk to him, she stepped over and looked at the guitars as well.

"I think guitars play pretty music, but I much prefer the lute," she said. "Maybe it's the antiquity of them. Or perhaps its their unusual shape. I wish I could play one, but I decided on the accordion ever since my father made one for me. I didn't want to hurt his feelings because he put some much time and creativity into it."

She then said nothing for a moment before turning to him again.

"My name's Silvia Moonberry," she said. "You're in Gryffindor House. I have a few friends in Gryffindor. Do you know Viona Zephyr? She's in the Magical Creatures Club with me. Some times she and I go out and pretend to catch fire flies. We don't catch them for real because I couldn't bare to put them in a jar. I'm sure you understand."

MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON

[MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON]

"Ah, I see. Guitars to me just have a better sound overall. Maybe I'm just more biased towards modern stuff though," he replied with a shrug. Guitars were really cool in his mind anyways, though he did have to acknowledge the fact that lutes were pretty much the original guitars. He had heard the girl mention playing an accordion, something he was unable to really learn. Really the only instrument he had given a lot of time to learn aside from guitar was ocarina, something he still hadn't been able to master. That was near frustrating, but there really wasn't a whole lot he could do about it aside from more practice.

"Name's Matt Johanson, and yeah, I've met Viona," he replied with a nod, not mentioning his confusion over how she knew he was a Gryffindor. He did have a pack of guitar picks with the Gryffindor emblem on them, which pretty much answered that question relatively easily. He had nodded earlier at her mention of fireflies and not really wanting to catch them, though that had been something he did a lot when he was younger. He couldn't help but enjoy seeing the fireflies in the jar, only to let them out before going inside.

@moonberry

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Silvia listened as the Gryffindor spoke back. There was no sign of judgment on her face, only interest.

"You shouldn't make excuses for having an alternative opinion on something," she said politely, referring to Matt speaking on his bias. "I think it's wonderful that you like guitars more and I like lutes more. It means we could get into a civilized debate, and that's a good way to get to know more about a person. But we don't have to debate if you don't wish to. I'm perfectly fine with you liking guitars more. I suppose if I could play the guitar, I would like it more. And I can't play the lute either." Silvia then smiled warmly at Matt after saying all that.

Silvia then nodded when he introduced himself and said he knew Viona.

"Is it alright if I call you Matthew?" she asked. "I've always liked that name. My second cousin Laramode had a parakeet named Matthew. He was a nice bird, but he died." Silvia didn't say anything for a moment, then turned back to Matthew. "Do you ever get dizzy living in a tower, with the air being thinner and all? I do living in mine. It's not an entirely unpleasant feeling, but it can be annoying at times."

MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON

[MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON]

"Yeah, I've never felt comfortable debating anything. Whenever I try, I just come out feeling less sure about the side I was on in the debate," he replied with a shake of his head. Debates were something he never really agreed with as he never felt like he had a good stance going into the debate, even when he was way more in favor of his side rather than the other side. It was probably just a case of him not being that good a debater, which wasn't bad. It just meant that he probably should avoid debating if he wanted to avoid losing faith in not only himself, but in what he was debating in favor of.

Matt winced when she asked if she could call him Matthew. "That's not a name I usually go by. If I hear Matthew, it means I'm in trouble. Too many times I've heard Matthew in a very hostile tone. Hearing someone say it now, even in a friendly tone dang near puts me into a panic attack," he replied with a shudder. Hearing her ask about living in Gryffindor tower, he shook his head. "There's not really a problem to me, but that may just be because I don't really notice it all that much," he replied with a shrug. He really didn't feel like paying attention to that in all honesty. He was usually just more concerned about school work.

@moonberry

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Silvia nodded as Matt spoke of not wanting to debate.

"I suppose I can see that," she said. "Just make sure you're always true to yourself in what you believe. I find it especially pointless to lie to oneself."

Silvia stared at Matt a moment after he said why he didn't like to be called Matthew.

"That's too bad," she said. "It's a lovely name, not that there's anything wrong with Matt. Still, I don't want to scare you so Matt will be perfectly fine."

She then listened again as Matt spoke about not noticing feeling dizzy in Gryffindor Tower. That was one thing about Silvia that was for certain- she was a great listener. She hung on every word anyone she spoke with said. Well then again, there were a lot of certain things about Silvia Moonberry.

"It's probably better if you don't pay attention to it," she said. "Good for you, Matt." She smiled at him before pulling some candy out of a small Honeydukes bag in her satchel. "Would you like a piece of taffy? I have three flavors- Cherry, Sour Apple and Horseradish. I was told the Horseradish wasn't particularly good, but that only made me want to try it more."

MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON

[MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON]

"Yeah, that is very true," he replied with a nod. Staying true to yourself was definitely something that was important in life. If you weren't true to yourself, how could anyone really be sure you were being honest in general with what you were saying? Being honest was his goal in life anyways, or well one of them at the very least. His main goal was being an Auror, which was taking quite a bit of work.

"Yeah sorry, just not a fan of reliving old memories that weren't exactly pleasant. Even if a teacher calls me Matthew I visibly flinch, though it's not like the teacher's really ever care," he noted with a slight shrug. Despite repeated attempts to just get the teacher to call him Matt instead of Matthew, they persisted, though some instead just called him Mr. Johanson instead, which he felt was more for his dad rather than himself.

"Yeah, it would probably just be distracting if I really gave any thought to it. Besides, it's not like the tower's built on a mountain or anything. That's when it would get really distracting," he noted with a sigh. Hearing her ask if he wanted some taffy, he smiled politely, then shook his head. "Thanks but no. Truthfully I need to avoid losing my appetite before dinner rolls around. I have a tendency to snack a lot, then not have room for dinner later," he replied with a sigh. That was a bad habit, but the good thing was that he exercised enough to where he avoided any unnecessary weight gain.

@moonberry

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Silvia felt bad for Matt that he was so afraid of his full name. She personally didn't mind if people called her Silvia or Silv, or really anything as long as it wasn't a blatant insult. Silvia didn't have much room for cruelty in her life.

"I think some of the teachers might if you tell them the situation," she said. "We have some very lovely professors here. I don't believe they're out to get you or anything, but I could be wrong." Silvia wasn't someone who liked to confirm things unles she was one hundred percent sure about them.

Silvia smiled a bit and nodded about it being a good thing that the castle wasn't built on a high mountain.

"Yes, that's true," she said. "I live in the low country, which is why I'm not used to it. But I do climb mountains now and then. Have you ever climbed a high mountain. It's amazing how far out you can see from up there. I'm pretty sure I can see one or two other countries from some."

Silvia then nodded about not wasting one's appetite.

"I understand," she said. "I don't eat too much between meals, just a piece of taffy." She then handed him a wrapped piece of cherry taffy. "Here, in case you want it later. And if you don't, you can give it to a friend like I gave it to you. I do hope we're friends now, Matt. I certainly like you."

MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON

[MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON]

"Maybe, guess I better just tell them when I get the chance to, huh?" he replied with a sheepish expression. Matt wasn't exactly a fan of admitting that he had pushed his dad to the limits way more than necessary despite being the only one to do the stuff that got him into trouble. It was an amazing feat, but it was still a bit scary to acknowledge.

"No, I haven't really gotten a chance to mountain climb. My twin sister probably has though, which is lucky her," he replied with a sigh and a shrug. Melfina only got that chance due to the fact that she had been kidnapped until about 4th year, which was ten years away from home. Now she was dang near acclimated to being back in England, and Aaron had certainly helped with that, though Matt wondered if that was really a good thing to admit, even around Aaron.

"Well yeah, we're friends," he replied with a nod. He pocketed the taffy for now, thinking if anything he might eat it after dinner, or at least back in the dorm room. It was odd how Silvia had asked, or at least wondered aloud, if they were friends or not, though there really wasn't any other way to answer other than just acknowledge that they were.

@moonberry

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"Alright, do that then," said Silvia when Matt said he would tell the Professors his issue when he got the chance. She wasn't sure if he would or not, but in theory it was a good plan.

Silvia sighed when he said he had never climbed a mountain.

"You really should," she said. "You're missing out. Perhaps next time when your sister goes, you should ask to come along. I wished I had a sister to do things with. Or a brother maybe. A sibling in general would be nice. But I doubt I ever will unless mum and dad adopt someone."

Silvia smiled as Matt said they were friends. There was always a fresh leap in her heart when she made a new friend.

"I'm glad," she said. "Making a new friend is definitely the highlight of a day. It's funny, I thought my highlight would be getting my accordion fixed, but that's all changed now."

"Alright, m'dear," said the old man. "I think it's fixed. Wanna give it a play?" Silvia walked over and played the accordion. It gave off a happy tune to reflect her happiness at meeting Matt. She smiled at Matt when it did so. She then paid the old man.

"Thank you, sir," she said. "Keep the change."

MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON

[MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON]

"I will try to," he replied with a nod. It wasn't going to be easy theoretically, but then again, he never really saw it easy to correct a teacher. Hearing Silvia then go from mountain climbing discussion to the fact that she didn't have a sibling yet wished she did, Matt nodded. "Honestly I'm a bit bummed that I don't have an older sibling, but that's just how things worked out I suppose," he said with a shrug. He would have preferred having an older sibling, especially when things had gotten tough eleven years ago, though that was in the past.

"Yeah, one should never really have their day set in stone. You never really know what will happen, so you gotta be able to adjust to whatever does happen," he replied with a nod and then a shrug. He knew that to be true no matter how hard he may have tried to make sure to plan his day out. He usually ended up not doing half of what he had planned just from random stuff cropping up that stopped him from doing all that he wanted to do. Things just happened when you least expected them, so you really had to expect the unexpected.

@moonberry

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Silvia sighed a bit and nodded when Matt spoke of wanting an older sibling.

"Yes, it seems like whether you like how things turn out or not, they turn out somehow," she said. "I try not to question how things turn out, but sometimes it's not easy. That's when I sit by myself and imagine how things would turn out if things had been worse than they already are. So when I look at what's happen, I feel a little better. Remember, Matt, things could have turned out worse... but they didn't. Thinking about that might make you feel better too."

Silvia smiled when Matt spoke of a day never being set in stone.

"That's very wise, Matt," she said. "I should leave now because my business is done here, unless you want to look around some more. If so, I can stay for that if you want me to. If not, it's perfectly fine. It's a really lovely day outside."

Silvia was glad to be Matt's friend, but she wasn't going to be over-bearing. She was thankful for the time they had spent together already.

MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON

[MATTHEW SVEN JOHANSON]

"That, is very true. Things could always be worse," he nodded a bit sheepishly. Silvia was definitely correct in that things could always be a lot worse than they were. Granted for the longest time Matt felt he was at that point when his mum was dead and his sister missing, but he could have easily been the sole survivor of that incident rather than himself, his dad, and his twin surviving. The idea of being orphaned never really sat well with him, and as it always did it drew a shudder from him, one that Silvia probably would've noticed.

"Yeah, I think I have all I need, just gotta make the actual purchase," he replied grabbing a package of guitar strings before taking both the strings and the package of picks to the counter and paying for them. He wasn't sure if Silvia was gonna stick around and hang out with him after this or not, but it's not like he had any idea what to do either way. He was probably just gonna head back to the castle afterwards and take his guitar with him off to the lake. He had absolutely zero ideas for if he hung out with Silvia.

@moonberry

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(Guessing a good a place to end as any)