How May You Help Me? ((Alexander))

[Hayley Blake S5]

Hayley threw her long blond hair she had inherited from her Veela grandmother over her shoulder and looked around. The Library was crowded today, but still silent. Hayley sat alone at a table in the corner, so others would not disturb her. But she knew they wouldn't anyway. Who dare disturb Hayley Blake while she was working, even if it was something as insignificant as Transfiguration homework?

Today, Hayley longed for a disruption. Usually, Hayley's policy was simple: anyone or anything outside the house of Slytherin and defiantly no one under fourth year, is not acceptable in any way, shape, or form. Today was different, however. Anything to take her away from the boring world of homework. Anything. She was totally desprate.

Hayley set aside her quill and read her essay. When she was finished, she sighed. Not her best work, but it was acceptable. Hayley didn't feel like putting much effort into her schoolwork today, which was unusual for her. Hayley always did extremely well in school, though never acted as a know it all. In her eyes, know it alls were smart alacks begging for attention from peers and adults as well.

Hayley began on her essay again, fixing what she could. Comma there, add more here, she thought. Underneath all the makeup and arrogance, Hayley had to admit she was a perfectionist. Everything had to be precisely so. Filth and uncleanliness repulsed her. Out of order and unusual things bothered her. She preferred not to let the perfectionist side show, unless it was about looks, shoes, or clothing.

Looking up to the sound of footsteps, Hayley saw a fellow Slytherin coming toward her. It took her a second to realize it was Alexander O'Brien, a tall handsome Slytherin in Hayley's year. To her annoyance and enjoyment, for she welcomed the distraction and found it annoying that he approached her so easily, Alexander sat down across from Hayley. Hayley looked up at him expectantly. When he said nothing, she smirked and said, "Hello and welcome to Hayley Blake's table. How may you help me?"

[Alexander O'Brien S4]

Alex walked into the common room after his last class, in which he once again was complimented on being the first to successfully make the spell work the way it was intended to. He was always the first, in every class, to complete the assigned work. He knew he was intelligent, and very gifted at all forms of magic, but he didn't like to be a show-off or a know-it-all type. In fact, he was very a very quiet person.

He immediately spotted a girl from his year, sitting alone at a table, apparently doing her homework. What was her name now...ah, yes, Hayley Blake was her name. After remembering her name, he decided he would walk over and talk to her. After all, there was nothing better to do.

So, he walked over and sat down across from her. She made a comment about him helping her, so he smirked, and replied, "Well, Hayley Blake, doing your homework?" She is very arrogant, isn't she? Well, all to the better, she is of more use to me. He put a small smirk on his face as he waited for her reply.

[Hayley Blake S5]

Hayley raised her eyebrows, smirk still in place. "Yes, homework. What does it look like I'm doing."It sounded more like a statement, rather than a question. Hayley turned back to her essay. It was silent for a moment. That annoyed Hayley. Is he just going to sit there and watch me to my homework? She turned to him again to find him looking at her.

"I know I'm very pretty," Hayley rested her chin on her hands, propped up by her elbows, and put a cocky smile on. "But it's not polite to stare." Half of Hayley instantly regretted her long for a dirstraction, but the other half was thrilled for no particular reason. This boy seemed just as cocky as Hayley was, and Hayley did not like it when people were as good at something as she was.

Hayley was just that kind of person. Some people--well, she could not tolerate them. If someone was to disrupt her, it should be very important. Or exciting, Hayley's thrilled half added.

Hayley pushed her Transfiguration aside without knowing what she was doing. Appearantly, it could wait. That was the only thing Hayley hated about herself. Sometimes, actually almost all of the time, it appeared that she had a little devil sitting on one shoulder, and a little angel on the other, just like in cartoons. Only one was extremly selfish and aarogant, which was the slightly dominent side, and the other was just a normal person; wanting what's best for Hayley, other people, blah blah blah.

"So, Alexander. What brings you to my table?" Hayley found herself saying. She didn't particuarly care, but she couldn't help it. It was the stupid, selfish flirt talking now. Oh, well, this may be interesting. Hayley thought. At least, hopefully it was.

[Alexander O'Brien S4]

As he watched her put aside her homework, Alex thought about how, indeed, that she was pretty. But, she was cocky as well, which sat well with him. He could always use a small challenge of wills. Did the body good.

As she finished her comment about her being pretty, Alex, again, just kept staring at her a minute before answering her next question. I wonder what is going on inside that little head. Mmm...she must be going somewhere with this pointless comment.

"I decided to sit here, at your table, because I have nothing better to do, and I'm bored. I could always read a book or practice my magic, but it seemed like a good time to chat up a pretty girl. Putting a smirk on his face, Alex waited for the expected reply.

[Hayley Blake S5]

Hayley shook her head while letting out a quiet laugh. When she looked up at Alexander, she smiled sweetly, but the familiar smirk could somehow still be seen. "Yes, I know I'm pretty, we've already discussed that." Hayley flipped her hair. "But I suppose that's a compliment, so, thank you. And I'm certainly more interesting than a book," she said. Hayley sighed on the inside; she realized she was flirting again. I can't help it, the flirt thought. It just comes naturally.

"I'm sure you're honored to sit with someone as charming as myself," Hayley said. The Slytherin fourth year had a dangerously high confidence that increased every time she took a look in the mirror. But of course, some times that level got her into trouble. "But one thing surprises me: we've never really talked before." Hayley smirked. Perhaps this Alexander was exactly what she was looking for. A distraction. Maybe he's even worth a bit of my time, Hayley thought, the two sides of her agreeing for what could easily be the first time ever.

Hayley looked at him again. There he sat, same smirk on his face. Hayley thought if he kept it up, his face might get stuck in that position. Beneath it, he was handsome. Cocky. Arrogant. Self-centered. Those words popped into Hayley's head when she looked at him. She didn't know Alexander very well, but after the few minutes she had been talking to him, he seemed that way. Maybe he would be different if I got to know him, Hayley thought. But maybe not. After all, he's a Slytherin.

But there was one thing about Alexander that Hayley didn't like. He sat alot taller than Hayley. She didn't like people being taller than her; it made her feel small.

"So. Tell me. Who is Alexander O'Brien?"