Up On The Rooftop ((Brianna))

[todd]

Todd leaned his forehead against the window. It was your average May day with some sun but mainly clouds. No matter how cloudy it was though, it looked much more appetizing then being in the Library trying to study for your O.W.L's. Todd found it disconcerting that the littler kids could still go outside and play, not a worry in the world. Lately he had been becoming more and more concerned about the tests until he could be found studying. He never studied. It may have looked like he studied but no, he preferred to day-dream instead and wonder what he could do outside as soon as the bell rang. Now that the big tests were coming up, nerves over took him and made him actually want to do something. Cheating would do no good - the Professor's probably had considered this already and dealt with it. Sometimes he hated magic.

The book he was reading was dreadfully boring. It was about Care of Magical Creatures, one of Todd's favorite subjects, but books about it? Bah, they made his head hurt and eyes blur. Running a hand through his hair, Todd looked around the Library. While all the little kids ran around outside, people in mainly fifth and seventh year stayed inside, studying their butts off. Todd hated this. He was so utterly bored. He looked down at the page he was on in a renewed attempt to read but he couldn't concentrate. His hand tapped an annoying rhythm on the windowsill... "Oh, hell!" Todd muttered, shutting the book, standing, and returning it to the shelf. He had enough "studying" to last him for today. It was time he got outside and actually breathed. Turning he exited the Library swiftly, not even glancing behind him.

Todd didn't carry anything with him. He always went to his dorm before each class, got the necessary things, and left. It was sometimes a difficult task to continue but he did it anyway. Sometimes he could be seen juggling an ink bottle, heavy textbook, quill and other things. It came in handy now though, since all he had to do was walk to his destination. As for what his destination was, Todd had a place in mind. He always walked down hallways quickly so he got there rather fast but the climb up the stairs was a killer. Even with Todd being extremely athletic, he was breathing like a hippo by the time he reached the top and it wasn't even the tallest tower. It was one of the smaller ones by contrast. This one, however, had a porch on top of the tower, one which Todd liked very much. It was a great place to just sit and enjoy the outdoors, although it did get chilly at times.

Todd climbed up the step ladder and opened the latch on the wall, clambering through rather ungracefully. The fresh air was all he wanted; to feel the playful wind nip at his face... Ah. Todd grinned as he finally got to the top and felt all the things he had wanted to feel and expected. This was great! Wonderful! He walked over to the balcony and looked down. Todd was a fan of roller coasters and things such as that, but looking down did phase him a bit. He wasn't strapped in so there was nothing to stop him if he made one wrong move from falling down.... Grasping the rail tightly, Todd took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. He would be fine - after all he had been up here more the once and had come back down in one piece.

[aithne]

Brianna's day so far had been simple, a routine kind of day where everything seemed to be layed out for her. She had expected an on-the-side Transfiguration class that morning although she wasn't supposed to have any lessons, but was surprised to find Professor McGonagall unavailable for the extra class. It didn't really annoy Brianna- her Transfiguration lessons could be going better for the coming tests, but Brianna knew she'd most likely do fine in the end. That was her style- fear it all, be nervous, agitated, unsure, but in the end the outcome with Brianna often ended pretty perfectly. Of course Brianna knew she shouldn't always expect it to be like that. If she did, something could go terribly wrong if she expected to do fine.

So instead she worried a little, fretted here, rushed through textbooks and spell steps there. To replace her missed Transfiguration lesson Brianna stopped first that day to the library. It took sometime to choose a good Transfiguration textbook for her level, but in the end she found Turning That to This, which her Professor had recommended for her studies. After taking the book out she wondered where to study, walking the corridors absent-mindedly as she did so.
Usually Brianna studied outside when she could, beside the lake. But beside the lake it was damp from the night before, and the weather- though fairly sunny, was a bit chilly to be properly outside. The Student Lounge popped into Brianna's head momentarily but she dismissed the thought. At this time of year all of the third and second years would be hogging the good couches, stealing the warmth from the fire and laughing too loud for any study silence to come through. The Ravenclaw Common Room also came to mind, but Brianna had been there earlier in the day- it was a third year's birthday and a small day-time celebration for the event was disturbing the peace. Nowhere came to mind which could match what Brianna wanted. The library was too stuffy and dusty.

What she really wanted, Brianna realised, was a kind of balcony. At home she had a small one by her bedroom and it was heaven just to sit on it and read or rest- being outside but not with all the normal hustle and wind. Thinking as she walked down some steps, Brianna turned a sharp corner and headed towards a place one of her friends had once showed her. It was a balcony of course, but more of a secret balcony. It's entrance was small and you needed a step ladder (alreayd provided) to get to the floor and go through a small latch door which rested against a wall.
Brianna clambered as she could through the latch, and smiled as the first gust of cold, fresh air hit her face. Although she wasn't hot or anything inside it was still an amazing contrast she felt as she stepped into the wind. Glancing around she took in the scene with a small smile. There was a small, thing rail which didn't look very sturdy as it showed where to stop you walking. In a far corner two small brown stools lay beside a little end table.

It wasn't long before Brianna found herself sitting in the first little stool, her book on her lap. She began to read, though skipping some of it- most of it she knew but she could already see after a few pages it was a good book, worth reading.
A noise broke the silence and Brianna looked up to see a boy clambering through the latch. It was Todd, in Brianna's year but a Gryffindor. He didn't seem to notice her but Brianna watched, dark brown eyes smiling as he took the same reaction to the calm wind as she did. He walked to the rail and seemed to waver slightly standing there, which made Brianna settle her book down and wander over.
"Hey todd, haven't spoken in a while. You scared of heights? I am, slightly." She said, glancing momentarily down before looking away purposely. The height made her dizzy. "I came up here to study, though I don't think I'm learning much. Up here for air?" She asked with a smile. She didn't know Todd very well but thought he was a friendly guy, would hold a conversation.

[todd]

Todd turned abruptly when he heard someone say his name. He hadn't realized someone was up here already so hearing a voice made him jump some. Recovering quickly he saw that it was only Brianna, a Raven in his year. He didn't know her well at all - in fact they hadn't spoken in all their five years at Hogwarts. Todd didn't make it a priority to talk to anyone and everyone, so it wasn't any surprise that they had never conversed. "Me? Afraid? Nah, I'm not afraid. Just a little woozy." Todd said with a grin. He turned back to the railing. "I like roller coasters and all, especially those rides that bring you up high and then drop you down so fast you can't hear yourself scream. Now those are good. But being up here so high without some sort of...uh... seat belt just isn't the same.

"To come up here to study? Hell no, that's what I was trying to do before I came up here for an escape. So yeah, mainly for air." Todd shrugged. "After being in the stuffy library for five million hours it feels good up here. I'm an outdoor guy I guess - always have been." He thought back to how his parents used to lock him outside. Yep, he had gotten used to the outdoors. He had no choice. "When I study I don't learn much either, just how to tap a new tune with my hands against wood or my foot against the floor." Todd considered her for a moment, turning away from the dazzling view of the lake. "You're studying up here? How can you?" He asked, genuinely curious. "I mean, what with being outside, how can you enjoy the sights and the sun when you're bored to death? At least, that's how I am. Can't stand to read a book longer then fifteen minutes."

[aithne]

Brianna smiled. Woozy? Todd looked a little more than woozy before, though she said nothing about it and believed him slightly. She listened as he spoke, adding comments here and there. "I suppose but simple roller coasters are best. I don't like those straight up, straight down rides, they make me sick. Literally." She grimaced, remembering those unlucky moments. "But yeah I suppose if I was strapped in or had something around me, then it wouldn't be so bad." Brianna agreed.
"God yeah the library is terrible, no-one can study there." She listened to his question, amused. "Well I guess that is why you weren't sorted into Ravenclaw then! Unless you are completely and utterly stupid, which I highly doubt as you don't seem to be from what I now know of you." She smiled. "How do I do it? I'm not sure, I just like to learn new things. I hate proper studying, just reviewing what I have already learnt, but love learning new things. If I haven't perfected something I don't mind studying to get it perfect but if I'm just wasting time then it's completely pointless."

Brianna glanced around at the view, the comfy chill, everything. "Yep it's all gorgeous but when I'm studying I'm usually not bored to death, so I'm not enjoying the sights and sun while I'm bored to death." Her eyes widened as he spoke his last comment, and she spoke curiously. "Honestly or are you fooling around? Sure I can kind of understand putting a book down after fifteen minutes with a study-book, but what about a real book? I love books..." She wandered off. Would Todd think of her as a complete know-it-all now she said that? Most people did, though she was only being truthful- she did love books. She continued, ignoring the thought. What people thought of Brianna was their problem, not hers. Though in a way, she did kind of want to get off with a good start with Todd- he was pretty cute and seemed down to earth enough.

"Yeah, books are brilliant. I'd love to write some someday- I write now, mostly fantasy though since I got invited to Hogwarts it isn't fantasy it's just the truth as all of it's here- dragons, flying brooms, witches and wizards..." She smiled, looking away from Todd and to the glittering lake. She wrote a lot and before her first year it was all about everything you could find in Hogwarts. She remembered how she felt when the eleven year old version of her found out her stories had come true, and grinned without explanation.

[todd]

Todd grinned. "Most people do get sick, but I find it fun. Not seeing people throw up, mind, but feeling yourself falling through the air... it's just great!" He looked back down at the ground that seemed so far away. He didn't want to be meeting it any time soon. Unlike the up and down rides; this one wouldn't have a safety belt or a stop. Well actually there would be a stop, but it wouldn't be pleasant, and you most definitely couldn't get off after words. Todd shrugged as she mentioned him possibly being utterly stupid. "Hey, being stupid isn't a bad thing. Being ignorant is, and if you don't show how stupid you are, then you aren't ignorant. Right?" He knew he was rather bizarre in his way of thinking, but that's how he was brought up. You end up stupid? So what? Don't let other people find out and no one knows your stupid and then you clearly aren't stupid because no one knows. Unlike Scott, who went about stating his mind, Todd kept some thoughts inside for only him to know. It was the "smart" way out.

"Ravens," Todd muttered loud enough for her to hear and shaking his head while sending her a teasing grin. Wanting to learn new things? Eh, that wasn't one of Todd's priorities. He just wanted to pass school, that's all. Learning new things as he went, sure, but not anything more then he had to. "I hate books. Well, okay, not hate but a strong dislike. I just can't... focus on what's going on. Being outside is so much more fun then staying inside and looking at print. I get enough of that with all the studying I have to do in classes. Nope, I only read when I have to." He tilted his head to the side as Brianna mentioned how she loved books but failed to continue. Strange. Todd wondered what he was truly going to say to that. Most people did like books in some manner, a manner he couldn't relate with. He just didn't like books. At all. He was glad when she found her voice again.

"Whoa, you write? That's pretty good. I mean, writers make lot's of money.... I'm not sure what I'd like to do when I grow older. I mean - first I have to figure out whether I want to stay in the magical world or go back to the muggle life. I'm muggle-born, you know," he said, wondering if Brianna would have a problem with that. He knew some Ravens that were purebloods and had their noses stuck in the air. Extremely annoying but they made for good punching bags. Not that Todd would ever hit a girl - oh no. He had more dignity then that. But he could grab her by the arm or do a spell that would make her nose grow for some amusement. He hoped Brianna wouldn't anger him; he had trouble controlling his temper. Speaking of his muggle heritage made him think back to the time he had first come to Hogwarts. "I don't know about you, but when I first came here, it was like living a dream. I thought I'd wake up any moment but I never did. It was all real." He turned to face her with raised eyebrows. "Hogwarts is like a home to me. Nothing can replace it. Not even my real home."

[aithne]

Brianna laughed softly at his comment about seeing people throw up. She hated sick- smelling, seeing or even hearing someone throwing up made her do the same. She followed his gaze down, and it didn’t seem so bad when she thought about it. Sure, it was a fair way down, but the rail was most likely spelled for safety- she didn’t really have much to worry about. Still, she thought to herself, better hold that courage in. She drew back from the rail as she realised her new views on the height had made her edge forward slightly. Brianna listened carefully as Todd spoke about being stupid and ignorant. She smiled and nodded, not offering comment, letting the nods speak for her. Todd was definitely down-to-earth like her first impression had told him to be. She agreed fully with his view, having heard it first spoken so clearly by him.

“Ravens…” the soft word reached Brianna’s ears and for a moment she thought he was being serious until she spotted his teasing smile. Laughing she sent a similar smile back. “Not as bad as those terrible Gryffindor boys though…” She joked. When she first arrived at Hogwarts she wanted to be in Slytherin- she didn’t know about the ‘types’ that went there, just that green suited her complexion. The thought of that now made her smile to herself, laughing inside at her own youth stupidity. She wasn’t disappointed when she was sorted into Ravenclaw of course- blue was next on her fashion colours suiting her. For instance now on that balcony, she was wrapped in a tight blue knee-length coat which hugged her warm and looked good enough with her dark hair and eyes.

Todd’s comment on writers making a lot of money made her raise her brows with a small smile on her lips. “God no, most writers are completely broke. You only get paid if your books are bought, though since I’d most certainly write kids fantasy I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard.” She said. She had actually researched everything she could on becoming an author, and wasn’t too surprised to find that out. No publisher would publish a book which wouldn’t sell- it would only cost their firm money.
Todd spoke about being muggle born which made Brianna smile. She looked at him in the eyes before answering. “Cool, me too.” Todd then spoke about coming to Hogwarts- which to him was like a dream. Eyes wide and glittering happily, Brianna listened as Todd spoke the words from her own mind before answering.

“Exactly the same for me! From the age of ten and above I first started writing fantasy- I wrote about huge magical schools with wands and magical brooms the pupils would race each other on and fly on. About pet cats and owls, though I left the rats and toads out. My stories were normally tracked with dragons too, and huge trolls ready to eat witches and wizards.” Remembering it all made her grin get even wider. “So you can imagine how I felt when all of it, every little bit, came true. Sure I love my family, even my sister, but coming to Hogwarts was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She smiled warmly at him again, pleased someone felt the same way.

((I'm away for a week from the 26th so take your time posting back if you want. Bye!))

[todd]

Todd grinned. "Gryffindor boys? Why we are the best of them all! What's so bad about us? I mean, beside the whole recklessly getting into trouble thing?" he shrugged. "That's why we were put in Gryffindor after all. Or at least, that's why I'm here. I fit the description rather well... but I'm sure you noticed that already." Todd had to admit, he suited Gryffindor very well. He found people just like him in his House and he was extremely pleased being a Gryffie. Even if some people didn't approve of his House because of their...er... lack of responsibility, maybe? Todd didn't care what people thought of him as long as he was just himself. He never was anything else and wouldn't change his personality just to satisfy one single person.

"Seriously?" he asked, totally taken by surprise. "I thought they made loads of money! Or, a lot anyway. Most of the writers I've heard about are really rich and live on, like, tropical islands." Todd said, realizing his blunder. Apparently writers weren't rich as he didn't doubt Brianna had researched them. Figured, seeing as she was a Ravenclaw. Todd didn't sincerely hate Ravenclaws, of course not! He just thought of their intense love for knowledge a little annoying at times. He remembered at his muggle school he would always seek out the brainy kids for help. Let's just say Todd wasn't the brightest one of the bunch. He had just barely passed his classes then and had gotten a detention almost every month. His parents had made him promise he would change his ways when he came to Hogwarts and so far so good. He only lost points in Potions when he couldn't do the expected potion. Otherwise he was a "good boy."

"You were writing about stuff like this before your acceptance letter?" Todd asked doubtfully. He found that hard to believe - that was surely more of a fantasy then Hogwarts ever could be. But he kept that to himself and gave Brianna a smile. "Hogwarts is great. I was so happy when I got my letter 'cause I could get away from my house for long periods of time. You see, my family and I have lot's of arguments, so going to Hogwarts gave us some space. It did us some good, I think." Or he hoped it would this year. So far it hadn't made any difference; in fact his parents were angry because they had to do some of his assigned chores in his absence. Well, that was parents for you. Todd took his mind off home, knowing that if he thought about it any longer he would become sullen. And Brianna had no idea what was going on in his life so it wouldn't be fair to explode on her.

((This post was dreadful and I hardly moved it on at all. So I'm really sorry for the quality, but I wanted to get it in so you could reply. I'm hoping the next one will be much better... ))