trying to study

[Alexandra Foster]

I sit at a table with my forehead in one hand, staring into a book without taking in most of the words.
Ariel was gone. Angela was hiding out with Andrew. And my mom....
Next thing I know I'm sobbing, and a tear drops onto the page, right onto the threstral's eye.
Well, at least I didn't see it.
I shake my head.
Like that's really any better?
I slam the book closed and wipe my eyes, looking around as I stand up and hoping no one noticed.
Why am I still in school?

[Drucilla Hunt]

Cilla glanced cautiously at the girl, jumping in surprise as she slammed her book and stood up.
She hated loud noises and sudden movements. Made her nervous.
Her hand twitched slightly and she slipped it into her pocket, closing it around the hilt of her knife, just in case.
However, it was then that she saw the tear, and she moved a little closer to the shelf, watching her through a gap in the books, curious.

[Alexandra Foster]

I stand there for a moment, staring down at the book unseeingly.
Then I sigh and sit back down.
'Cause Ariel and Andrew told you to be, that's why. And so that you can learn enough to be of use to the Order.
I rearrange my parchment, sigh again, and open the book to continue taking notes.
So this is for you, mom. Hope you appreciate it.

[Drucilla Hunt]

Cilla was still fascinated by the girls odd behaviour.
She couldn't fathom why anyone would act that way.
Sliding a book from off the shelf, she opened it and flicked her eyes across the page a few times, gathering what the subject matter was, then emerged from the shelves and sat in a chair on the opposite side of the table from the girl.
Cilla didn't like people, but she did like to observe people.
She didn't glance up, just carried on reading, but more aware of her than ever.

[Alexandra Foster]

I'm absorbed in a paragraph on hinkypunks when I get the feeling that someone's approaching. I look up and see a very malnourished/unkempt-seeming, twitchy, probably Slytherin girl sit down across from me, reading.
I smile slightly, feeling awkward but not wanting to move away.
I hate it when people do that.
But it is a public place. You can't stop people from sitting near you, Andra.
I shake my head and continue reading, but the silence is getting distracting.

[Drucilla Hunt]

A very tiny what could have been a shadow of a smile touched at Cilla's lips.
She could tell she was making the girl nervous.
Cilla wasn't vindictive by nature, but it did amuse her when she made people as nervous as they made her.
She catches sight of the sudden movement of her shaking her head and her hand twitches slightly again, tightening on the knife handle. It was her only method of self defence and she clung to it.
This girl was starting to make her nervous now too.
She was losing control of the situation that had belonged to her and she didn't like it.

[Alexandra Foster]

I sigh again as the hinkypunk paragraph dissolves before my eyes into a blur of awkwardness.
I look up again and smile, waving slightly. "Hi," I whisper as quietly as I can.
There. Now I can go back to reading without feeling weird, I think, satisfied, as I wait for her to reply.

[Drucilla Hunt]

Cilla arched a slender eyebrow, watching her, still feeling the helpless spiralling lack of control with the situation but not letting on, "Hi," She said hoarsely.

[Alexandra Foster]

I nod, still smiling, and then go back to my book. Then I pause, feeling friendlier.
"What's your name?" I ask in a whisper. "I'm... Alexandra Foster."

[Drucilla Hunt]

Cilla watched her cautiously for a long heartbeat of silence before replying quietly, "Cilla."

[Alexandra Foster]

"Hi," I say again, then turn back to my book.
Doxy venom... no, that's not where I was.
I frown until I find my place, and keep on taking notes.

[Drucilla Hunt]

She watches her for a moment more, then looks back at her book, still keeping a cautious eye on her.
She was very curious as to why she'd reacted like she had when she'd first seen her, but knew better than to ask.

[Alexandra Foster]

I continue working in silence, feeling mildly curious about the girl sitting across from me but determined to keep my mind on my work.
This is for your mom, Lexi-Andra. Do the best you an and don't get distracted.
I pause at that thought, remembering who always called me Lexi-Andra. Dad and Gid. And anyone else who wanted to tease me with their older-ness. And now I was using it to scold myself.
Not like they can anymore.
I shake my head and keep on working.

[Drucilla Hunt]

"What is wrong?" Cilla asked, after another long moment of drawn out and uncomfortable silence.
She didn't like how she was just starting a conversation with someone else, but her curiousity got the better of her.

[Alexandra Foster]

I jump slightly and smile. "It's nothing," I say automatically. "Just thinking."
I take a closer look at her and decide to be polite.
"What's that you're reading?" I ask, nodding to her book.

[Drucilla Hunt]

She arches a slender eyebrow, not believing her, then holds up the her book allowing her to see the title.

[Alexandra Foster]

"Ah," I say, never having heard of the topic... or maybe just having trouble reading the fancy and old-fashioned words on the cover. I go back to my own work.

[Drucilla Hunt]

"What are you doing?" She asks, gaining enough confidence to try for conversation.

[Alexandra Foster]

I look up again quickly and smile. "Just studying. Taking notes on dangerous creatures." I shrug. "What are you doing? If you don't mind me asking," I add quickly, noting how skittish she is.

[Drucilla Hunt]

"Thinking. Walking. Reading now," She answered, after a moment's contemplating her answer.

[Alexandra Foster]

"Ah," I nod, unable to think of any tactful way to actually find out what she's reading about.
"So... what, uh, year and house are you?" I ask, trying to be friendly.

[Drucilla Hunt]

"Slytherin, seventh." She said contemptuously, "You?"

[Alexandra Foster]

I smile slightly. "Gryffindor, sixth."
I look back at my book for a moment.

[Drucilla Hunt]

She nods slightly, looking at the table awkwardly, remembering exactly why conversation didn't suit her; she could never think of much to say.

[Alexandra Foster]

I look back at my book again after she nods, starting to think it's pretty futile to try and hold a conversation. I frown as I realize I lost my place again, then find it.
Chimeras. Fun.
And I continue taking notes.