Question ((Noko))

[crane]

Divination ended and Gary spend a few moments putting his things together again. He was glad that class was over and that he could get out of the stuffy classroom once again. By the time Gary was finished and looked up the Hufflepuff girl who had been sitting next to him had alreayd left.
Grabbing his bag Gary took off in a bit of a rush running into a girl on his way out and throwing a quick sorry over his shoulder. Seeing the fmamiliar head moving a bit farther Gary smiled and picked up his speed to catch up with the girl.

„Hey! Where’s the rush?“ Gary smiled happily at Nokomis as he slowed down and continued walking next to her as he offered the girl a quick smile. He liked the girl. At least he liked her skill at quidditch. So that would mean that perhaps they would have something to talk about? Most people had some pet too. Gary wanted to have a pet one day but right now his family just couldn’t afford him to get a dog. But perhaps Nokomis had a pet? Gary would love to hear about one. Or talk about whatever meant something for her as Gary liked making new friends and learning about people.

„Are you getting late for some lesson? I can walk with you. I have next period free. I was actualyl wondering. I would like to go to the Halloween ball with some friend but there isn’t exactly anyone to invite. So in case you don’t have any plans would you mind coming with me? As friends! I would love to get to nkow you. And at the very least we can always talk about quidditch if we both get tongue-tied.“ Gary smiled at Nokomis hoping the girl would accept his offer. He didn’t want to go through some awkward deciding as to who he could ask and then worry about how it would go. It would be much better going with a friend.

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

Class had hardly been dismissed before she grabbed her books and headed for the door. She had just over five minutes until History of Magic with the Slytherins and she had already risked being late too many times this year. She hurried down the hall way, her faded blue bag bumping at her side as she went. Her attention was greatly focused ons imply not running into anyone when she heard someone beside her. At first she didn't recognize that it was directed toward her, but she glanced over briefly, before looking back in front of her, then quickly looked back realizing that it was the boy she had sat next to in Divinations.

"Oh...um....yeah. I have History of Magic next." She knew she sounded awkward and caught off guard, but she couldn't help it, the words just cam out that way like she had no control over them. Gary continued on to offer to walk with her to class and she could feel a sudden rush of color in her cheeks, and she looked down at her feet as she walked to try and cover it up. She didn't even know what to say in return, but she managed an awkward sort of nod.

She was thinking about how he had offered to talk her to class, when he said something else that caught her even further off guard. Hey eyes grew wide and she looked over at him, the change in position just rushed enough that her bag slipped off her shoulder, and landed loudly on the floor, and as if the situation was not wad embarrassing enough she stumbled over it. Luckily, years of practicing on her broom had improved her balance enough so other than a few awkward strides and the fact she was now at a halt and needed to pick up her books which had been scattered, she was fine.

She looked back over at Gary, even though it was almost painful to after the scene she had just created. She could still hardly believe that he had just asked her what she thought she heard him ask. Boys never talked to her. Ever. The only boy she talked to was the one who was on the Hufflepuff quidditch team, and on occasion Charlie. She didn't even have friends who were boys, and here one was who thought he wanted to be her friend enough that he had asked her to go to the ball.

She stood still for a moment, just looking at Gary, not yet able to say anything, finally she forced herself took away and back down at her books, still spread across the floor.

[crane]

Gary walked calmly next to Nokomis having to make just one slihght detour to pass a huffing first year Slytherin. Glancing back at thesmall girl with an amused smile Gary looked at Noko again just as the girl stumbled and almost fell. Gary hopped forward ready to help the girl but she had already caught her balance again.
“Are you alright?“ Gary looked athte girl with worry shinging from his eyes as he crouched to pick up two books and took a few step away to retrieve a book that had flown over there. Handing them to Nokomis Gary offered him a soft smile that usually was reserved for Gary’s younger sister.

Nokomis seemed shocked. With those big eyes staring at her like a doe caught without a warning, Gary was reminded of his little sister. A warm smile touching his eyes flooded over Gary’s face as he recalled his little sister for a moment as Gary felt his heart melting.
“Why do you look so scared? I expect boys to be swarming around you. On that thought perhaps it was foolish to think you still wouldn’t have a date.“ Gary smiled and stood waiting to accompany Nokomis again.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. Or put you into an awkward moment. I’m sorry. Just smile for me once to let me know no hard feelings? You know you remind me of Lindy a little. Lindy is my little sister. She has me twirled around her little finger and she knows it. She knows that if she looks at me with big brown sad eyes I can’t say no to her. And even when I know I should let her do something she wants. If she gives me her smile I can’t think that perhaps if it makes her happy it isn’t that bad.“
Gary smiled thoughtfully looking out of the near-by window. “So I’m really sorry if I offended you in any way. No hard feelings? I collect smiles as they seem like the token of friendship and happiness. Mind giving me one? You should still be alright in class as well. Binns never notices any student I think.“ Gary smiled quietly at Nokomis hoping the girl wouldn’t be too mad at her for asking her out this way. She most likely had a date already.

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

Not only would not words come, but she couldn't quite gather herself up enough to even move. Gary started to collect her books for her, and she still perfectly still, biting her lip, completely horrified at what she had done. Her asked her if she was alright and she managed to give him a nod and the best smile she could manage considering she was only starting to think clearly enough to realize that he was trying to hand her books back to her. She reached out for the book as he continued on with his comment. She didn't quite get everything he said, but it was something about boys swarming around her and how she probably had a date already. Something about those words, used together in a way that described her made her unable to properly grasp the book, and only second after she took it from him it fell back to the floor, the loud noise ringing through her ears as it fell against the stones.

She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks again as they flooded with color. She didn't know what to say or do. She quickly regained some control over herself again and she bent over to get the book.
"Swarmed...I um...never been swarmed by anything. Well I guess maybe bugs once, but boys no. I mean, I hardly ever. I just...um...I mean....I don't have a date...I haven't been asked or anyhting..."
She tried to force herself to stop talking. At first it was like no words would come at all, and then it was as if whatever popped into her head was coming out. She forced herself to take a deep breath. He was so nice...he probably had no idea that asking her a simple question like will you go to the ball would turn out like this.
"I'm sorry..." She finally managed, "You didn't do anything. I just didn't expect....I didn't expect you to ask me."
She hesitated for a moment. Wanting to tell him that she would be happy to go with him, but after the stunt she had just pulled, she had a nagging feeling he wouldn't think she was such a good date for the ball.

[crane]

Gary smiled happily as Nokomis didn’t seem to be mad at her. Perhaps a bit shocked at his question as she stammered out. But why was she surprised? She was a pretty girl and seemed nice too. Noticing a quill one the floor he hadn’t seen fall out of Noko’s bag before Gary went to fetch it. Bringing the practical quill out from where it was partially shielded by a tapestry Gary walked back handing the quill to Nokomis with a smile.
“Really? You haven’t been asked? Lucky me then! I got the chance to ask you first. Well if you don’t have any plans or a date yet perhaps you will still think about coming with me. I promise I will try not to bother you too much.” Gary smiled brushing a strand of Nokomis’s hair back from her forehead with a smile before looking at her bag and picking it up looking it over carefully as he slowly started to make his way towards the History of Magic classroom once again.

“I hope your bag isn’t broken. It doesn’t seem to be anyway which is good. But lets get you too class soon. Binns is absent-minded but no need to loose some sleeping time right?” Gary winked a bit mischievously at Nokomis while laughing quietly over the old ghost professor as they made their way down the hallway.

[Nokomis Astarra H5]

She tried to keep herself taking steady deep breaths as Gary help her finish collecting the remainder of her things and they started down the hall again toward the History of Magic class room. She wasn't late yet, but if she didn't hurry she would be. As they started down the hallway again, Gary caught her off guard again, only this time she managed to keep her balance and not drop anything. She couldn't believe that after everything she had done, he still wanted to go to her.

"Well...um....yes. Yes, I would love to go with you. And you don't have to worry about bothering me. I think its more the other way around that we have to worry about."
She managed a genuine smile as they finally reached Professor Binns' classroom and she stopped outside the door to turn and face him.
"Well...um...I guess I should head in...but we will talk about this all later maybe?"

[crane]

Gary flashed a brilliant smile at Nokomis as she agreed to go with him. She even soudned rather happy about it. "You will? That's great! I'm sure this will be the best party I have ever gone to. The copany I will be having is perfect after all!" Gary gave Nokomis a quick hug and puleld hte door open for her smiling softly as the girl entered the classroom.

"I'll see you today later on. Then we can settle allt he little details about where we'll meet and the costumes. I'll try to make sure you won't be sorry about coming with me. Enjoy Binns's class." Gary waved bye to Nokomis and turned around starting to head towards his own common room weacing between other sutdents hurrying towards class.