Where'd You Go (Sydney)

[Bryan Sangert H6]

Bryan Sangert had barely spent any time that year so far in the Common Room. While he and Finn had some great times that year so far, they had barely been spent in there. They had always met outside to fly around on their brooms, or had met in the library to study for a while together. The last time they had really almost gotten in some trouble was in the Common Room, though. Finn had found those old polyjuice potions that Bryan had bought for him the Christmas before. That had been a fun day, messing with the Madam Pompfrey in the library and scaring some of the first years as well. Bryan had unexpectedly turned into some old hairy man, and he had been forced to go shave immediately. He laughed to himself as he thought of the memory, walking over to the nearby table. He had a paper he should get started on, and he had his books with him, all ready to start it. The paper was in Divination, a class he had done quite well in and had decided to continue with into his NEWTs. It hadn’t been too much of a transition from OWLs to NEWTs, save for a class or a lesson here and there that had been more than he had expected. Divination was relatively simple though, and he understood it.

He walked over to the table and hoisted himself up onto the high backed chair, pulling his wand out. He pointed the wand at the table and brought his books back from their storage space. It was a simple spell that nearly every first or second year learned, and it came in quite handy when he had a large number of books and whatever else with him. Immediately five large books appeared on the table, and he was startled because they had just slammed onto the table. Gotta work on that...Bryan thought to himself. As he pulled out his quill and found the ink in his bag, he glanced over to the entrance, noticing someone just walking in with some books in her arms. He couldn’t tell from so far away, but it appeared to be someone he knew. He grabbed his ink and put it on the table, and looked back again, seeing that the person (who he could clearly tell was female) was heading his way. As he wasn’t sure who it was, he turned away and pulled open the first book he needed, Divination Basics.

Bryan her the thud of boots on the hardwood floor of the Common Room and knew the girl was getting close. He turned around to face Sydney Rawson, another Hufflepuff sixth year. “Oh hey Sydney. Haven’t seen you all year.” It was true, he hadn’t seen the girl all year. Even though they weren’t really close friends, it would be nice to catch up with someone. Besides, he didn’t feel like doing his paper right now anyway. “You can sit down if you’d like,” he offered. “I’m just getting started on a Divination paper. It’s not due until next week but I wanted to get a head start on it. How was your summer? Come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing much of you at the end of last year. What have you been up to?” He didn’t want to overload her with questions, but she was a friend to him and he hadn’t heard about or from her in a while. He likely sounded anxious to have a conversation with her, so he closed his mouth and waited for her to respond.

[Sydney Rawson H6]

"Ahh, that hit the spot." Sydney said with a satisfied groan, as she set down her goblet on the table in front of her. The Great Hall was filled with with students getting their last meal of the night before they would be stuffed back into their common rooms and forced to start on their homework for the semester. "I can't believe I have so much work to do. Why do they give it all to us right before holiday?" Syd quizzed as she leaned down to the floor beside the Hufflepuff table to gather up boots she left under her seat. "Because, Hogwarts Professors like to torture us!" Syd smiled as she looked up to her friend that was finishing her meal beside her. "I understand as we get older the classes are going to get more difficult, but I just don't understand why we get it all at once. You know all of the professors talk to each other, they had to have planned it this way.... torture, I swear to you." Syd was half kidding in her rant, but she felt like some of it had to be true. The professors we not ignorant to each other's classes. Maybe it's just a way to get some season cheer in their days, because they are the ones that can't go home during the holiday. Standing up from her seat she pulled out two books from her bag to carry in her hands. "My bag is going to split if I try to stuff all of these in there. I guess I'm going to have to rough it- old school arm carrying style." Sticking out her tongue at the end of her sentence she smiled at her friend and said her goodbyes. She was planning to turn in early tonight due to the mass abundance of work she had. Charms, Astronomy, Divination... were just what she figured she should begin tonight. But the next few weeks before Christmas, she would most likely need to spend time finishing work instead of just starting it.

After the Hufflepuff password rolled off her lips, Syd walked through the small corridor and into the black and yellow decorated room she called home. Her shoes ticked as they crossed the hardwood until they fell silent when she stepped onto the carpet by the fireplace. Thoughts of all of her work filled her mind as she readjusted the books in her arms. Her face bore a look of misery as she walked closer to the study tables across the room. "Oh hey Sydney." a familiar voice rang as she quickly blinked and focused her eyes on the boy sitting just a foot or two away. "Bryan- hey!" she responded with a smile.

Syd and Bryan have been friends for years. However, with the changing classes, having quidditch practice, and somehow still getting lost in her work as if she was a first year, she seemed to have drifted away from Bryan. Taking the seat beside him, she first set down her books on the table. Inevitably, they made a heavy sound as they left her hands. Half intentional, half by accident, Syd shook her head at her books. "I don't even know where to begin, because that isn't even half of it." She sighed as she took her bag off of her shoulder and hung it on the back of the chair. Rolling out her shoulder slightly to let the blood circulate back into her arm, she sat down. "I've been around." she responded to Bryan's question with a faint laugh. "Summer was good, I went back home. Spent time with my family. I went backpacking through Central America. I think that was it. I kinda did my own this this summer. But it was much needed." Syd nodded as she tapped her fingers on her books in front of her. "But hey, I'm not he only stranger, where have you been? What has been keeping you so busy?" she shot back.

Looking over at Bryan's books in front of him, she noticed a Divinations' book open. "What Divination's course are you taking, because you sure aren't in my class. I have stuff to do in my course too..." Syd sighed as her mind tracked back to homework. Her normal demeanor of a smile and wide eyes definitely changed when she thought about what work she had ahead of her.

[Bryan Sangert H6]

Bryan offered Sydney a seat next from him, and watched as she seemed to have nearly the same massive amount of books as he did. Likely they had about the same workload, being that they were both in the same house and the same year. Sixth year was turning out to be one of the busiest for him by far, just because of how many lessons he had decided to take based on his OWLs. He had done quite well in nearly everything, save for the occasional weak spot. Sydney smiled at him as she took her seat. Bryan thought about how they had been friends since, what was it, second year at least? Maybe even their first year. But each year had successfully gotten more difficult and busy with lessons and classes, and they had drifted apart. Not by choice, mind you. It was the stress and call of everyday schoolwork. Bryan had no problem with that, even though he was insanely busy some days. He looked at some of her books, and for some reason, didn’t recognize any of them by their covers.

Sydney explained how she’d been around. He guessed that he had just missed her plenty of times. He acted surprised when she said that she went backpacking across Central America. “Wow, that’s quite the feat in such a short summer. How did you manage that one? Was it fun? Get lost a ton of times? I know I would. I’m horrible with my sense of direction.” It was true, Bryan couldn’t even get to Hogsmeade without getting lost. Okay maybe it wasn’t that bad but he had a terrible sense of direction and was always getting mixed up and turned around in the school with where his classes took place. “I’d agree,” he said. “Summer was much needed. But I’m glad to be back and in lessons where I’m learning. Like Divination. I can’t believe I’m actually wanting to do work early.” Bryan watched as she began to eye his books in front of him. She asked him about his own plans, what he had been up to and such. “Me? Oh well I’m not that interesting, you’re sure to know that from knowing me so long. I’ve just been chugging away at the daily grind. The average course load does take a toll. There’s also this girl, but I doubt anything will be happening. She hasn’t been around much and when she has been around, we haven’t talked. So I’m taking it all in stride.” It was true, Norah Walsh had shown a bit of interest in him that one day in the library when they had caught up, like he and Sydney were doing right at that moment.

But Norah had been slightly distant, not talking to him in the hallway and just pretty much disappearing any time he was possibly looking for her. He was in the mood to just give up on her, but that wasn’t in his nature to do so, which was likely why he continually got hurt at times. But it didn’t matter right then. What concerned him was getting caught up with Sydney Rawson, the girl right next to him, who seemed to be still eyeing his books. She asked which course he was in of Divination, and he looked at her questioningly. “Isn’t...there only one? I thought I saw you a few times in my class…” his thoughts trailing off, trying to remember if he had seen her or someone like her in his own Divination class. “What stuff do you have to do? If we’re in the same section we’ll likely have the same assignments. My paper isn’t the only thing I have due,” he said confidently. Bryan then wondered aloud, “What other lessons do you have? How did your OWLs go last year?” He knew he was asking a lot of questions, but wasn’t that okay, since they were friends and they hadn’t talked in quite a while, nearly since last year? Bryan rested his arm on his Divination book and waited for her to respond.

[Sydney Rawson H6]

"You know me." Syd shrugged as she went on. "I'm always up for an adventure. I'm such an independent I just get up and go." she smiled as she reminisced about her trip. "I just was sick and tired of sitting around and I knew my mum and pop wouldn't mind. I just love traveling. I think I want to do something with that when I get older... Not sure what, but It's just amazing. So many different cultures everywhere. Here at Hogwarts, so many people are caught up in their general life. They believe it is a life of magic or no magic. You are either gifted or not. However, in other cultures, in other parts of the world there is so much more to see than just these walls in Hogwarts, or in the Ministry. I could never be a ministry worker. It's just not me" Syd realized she went on a rant, but didn't care too much... it was her personality to speak her mind. If she had something to say, she would say it. It was rare she wasn't blunt about something she felt.

Listening to her friend, Sydney looked at Bryan with a blank look. "There is no way." she spoke as she softly tilted her head. "Are we in the same class? I go all the time.... I don't miss classes. That's not me." She spoke somewhat shocked. "Wow. I must seriously be blind these days." she said with an apologetic look at Bryan. Syd rested her head in her hand that now was propped up on the table in front of her. The week was catching up with her, but the night was young and she had so much she had planned to do, to begin. Flicking the pages on her book in front of her she looked up and listened to Bryan. "My OWLs went pretty well." She said with an even tone. She was always good in her classes, but she did have to put a lot of study time in. She hated getting low grades, and tried her hardest to do her best. She was half blood, and she didn't see it as a problem. However, too many pure blood families roam the halls and everything seems to come so easy to them. Syd tries with all of her willpower to receive the good grades she does. It was a trait she carried on from her grandmother, like many other things. Nevertheless, Syd wasn't one to brag about her high marks, so barely touching the subject of grades- she answered Bryan's other question. "Well, tonight I plan to touch base just with Charms, Divinations, and Astronomy." She closed her eyes delicately and repeated, "That's only tonight though." her tone was exacerbated as she spoke slowly.

Opening her eyes she laughed slightly. "I have no will power to do work. How horrible is that?" she sat up and shook her head. "I usually am on the ball with my work, but tonight I'm just over it." she noted as she pushed her book slightly ahead of her across the table. She knew all too well she would have to return to her work. She would never be a full blown procrastinator, but tonight she wasn't into it.

Looking at Bryan she studied his face. She hadn't seen her friend in a good while, but noticed a paler tint to his skin. Most likely just the season, and not being around the sun. Also, could be the horrid lighting in the common room. But Syd had a way about her- and intuitive feeling. With people she was connected to she could sense when something was digging into someone's mind. Being the blunt person she was, she wasn't about to forget the feeling. "Everything ok, bud?" she asked as she bit her lip a bit. She didn't want to force him to tell her what was on his mind, but just so she made it clear she could tell something was wrong, and he could speak now if he needed to- or later at some point.

[Bryan Sangert H6]

Bryan chuckled as Sydney described some of the reasons she had gone to Central America. It was just like her to do something spontaneous like backpacking across a country. He nodded as she explained the difference between living and dealing with things how they were at Hogwarts and the difference outside of it, living in the world of muggles. “It is interesting, isn’t it?” Bryan asked. “How things are so different out there. While I didn’t grow up within magic, it certainly has become a huge part of my life, and I can’t imagine life without it now. And no, I don’t see you working in the ministry. Your heart is too big, Sydney!” He chuckled and smiled at her, hoping she’d see his compliment and appreciate it. Sydney was a great friend, and he wanted to make sure she knew how important she was to him.

Bryan couldn’t help but laugh as Sydney racked her brain, trying to figure out if they were in the same class. Bryan knew for a fact he had seen the girl in his class before. The problem was he didn’t go to every class, like Sydney did. He knew he shouldn’t admit this fact, because she’d likely get on his case about it. But he decided to just say it. The worst she could do was scold him and he’d promise to keep going to class. “Yeah I’m definitely sure we’re in the same class. I haven’t gone to class the past week or so. I have this bad habit of oversleeping and missing it. I know, I should be going. Sleep seems to be more important though, and who could argue?” He questioned jokingly. “Don’t worry, you’re not going blind.” Bryan listened then, intently, as Sydney explained how her classes had gone, and what she was planning on working on that night.

“I understand completely,” Bryan said quickly, as he agreed with Sydney about not having the will power to do any work at all. “I think it’s the fact that were a year and a half away from graduating from this place. What do the muggles call it? Senioritis, I’ve heard. I heard it gets bad sometimes. I hope it’s not like, some disease that people catch, you know?” Even though Bryan had been a muggle, he hadn’t always been big on studying the culture. Sydney, with how diligent she was about her schoolwork, would likely set him straight, so he waited to hear her reaction to his simplistic question. When Bryan’s mind drifted to Norah, he noticed that Sydney saw it in his eyes and face that something had changed. She asked him if everything was okay. “Yeah, just have a lot on my mind, some people and schoolwork, of course. Nothing to worry about, Syd. Thanks for asking though.” He was sure she had meant it in the nicest way possible, but at times Bryan hated being so seemingly transparent. It frustrated him and he wished he could hide his feelings better like some of his other friends.

Bryan wanted to get his mind off of Norah and the other work he had to do, and immediately an idea popped into his head. “Sydney, you said you needed to work on Charms tonight right? It couldn’t hurt for me to go over some of the ones I’ve learned this week and last week. Why don’t we practice a bit here in the Common Room? There’s no one around, at least not right now.” Bryan got up and pushed his chair in, pulling his wand out with his other hand. “Come on, you start. Show me your worst, friend!” Bryan didn’t really know what he was getting into, but he intended to make this day end on a fun note, and what better than to practice Charms with an old friend? Bryan looked at her, eagerly, awaiting her first spell.

[Sydney Rawson H6]

"I've been in a house where we try not to use magic often. Of course, since its a big part of half of my family we HAVE TO!" She laughed slightly as she went on. "I mean, I don't have a problem not using it. It's just the fact, right when I come home it's a difficult routine to break. But, It's needed in disasters. I have two younger brothers who even without wants cause havoc in my house. My father uses it all the time to put out fires, or fix broken floorboards, or fill in holes in the wall." She began to shake her head as she thought about her family. "I can't wait for break." She smiled as she looked at Bryan. "Are you going home?" She wasn't exactly sure what she was going to do for the holiday. She knew for sure she was going home to see her family, however she wasn't sure if she wanted to stay. Just like during the summer, she might want to plan a trip to the mountains to go skiing or maybe mountain climbing?! Syd's mind filled full of ideas as she realized the compliment Bryan just said to her. She smiled gratefully and tilted her head slightly. "Thanks Bryan. I'll find something else to do, that's a lot for fun and rewarding!"

Soon the conversation changed from the holiday and future jobs back into the present day. "I feel bad." She said with a softer side voice. "Well, maybe if you would come to class more often, and I wouldn't spend all my nights practicing for quidditch or studying I would recognize you in class and we could sit next to each other!" Syd shook her head. She missed having Bryan around. She could hold a conversation with him. And keeping Sydney's attention is quite difficult. He was a guy like her, he wore his heart on his sleeve. She noticed he didn't like the idea of showing his emotions. However, Syd just caught onto things a lot better than most do. She likes to study people and their reactions and behaviors. So, when his face portrays a certain emotion, Syd can usually understand the discomfort. But she was close enough with him that she figured she could bring up something without it being awkward, however she was wrong. Bryan told her everything was ok, but quickly changed the subject there after. Letting it go, for Bryan's sake, she followed his lead with the topic change.

He soon stood up and started talking about Charm's class, Syd's specialty. She adored everything about Charms, she excelled in that class above any other- it just came so easy. However, she did study and practice a lot, which defiantly helped her along with getting the hang of strokes early on. "Really, your want me to practice with you?" Syd spit out with a vixen-esque smile. "Me?! The Queen of Charms?" she spoke with a sarcastic tone as she stepped off her chair and walked over to where Bryan was. She thought for a moment about something specific they learned just this past week. It was a series of three steps, that Syd had yet to perfect. The first was more of a skill you had to learn. The ability to think of a spell and say it in your mind but not out loud, and still follow through. The second was to focus on two items at once, and put a spell on both without saying a word. And finally the third was to close your eyes and do it all at once. It was called 'to Ammutolito.' But the spell its self was not difficult, since it was merely a charm. The problem with this type of charm was, when you spoke charms you could put passion behind the words. However, when the charm is silent, all you have is the use of your mind, and your heart to focus on. Since Syd could master charms vocally, it was a goal of hers to master them silently.

"Alright, how about Ammuntolito?" She said she a shrug as she spilled her wand out from her clock pocket. She spun on her heels as she looked around for something to spark a spell in her mind. As she searched she focused on the stack of books she just set on the table she just stepped away from. Taking a breath in she tilted her head from left to right, softly cracking her neck. Focusing her eyes on the stack of three books she close them with another inhale. Syd pictured the books in her mind. She was happy she had such a vivid imagination, as if it was a painted picture. She saw each page, even spaces where some pages were folded deep within the binds. Holding up her wand to chest height she first remembered the motions she practiced when she first learned the spell. She wrote the words in her head as she inhaled again. 'CONFRINGO' she thought with passion as the word grew in her mind. Suddenly, with her eyes tightly shut she heard a loud bang that made her jump back wards, making her bump into Bryan behind her. Opening her eyes, she began to laugh as she saw a ball of smoke and dust appear from the area where her books where. Turning to Bryan she patted him on the chest. "I just hate homework... what can I say!" Syd laughed as she walked to the table and started to fan away the smoke with her hands. "Ok ok... I only focused on one object. But I had to warm up! You try." She said with a smile. She couldn't wait to see what Bryan's choice of spell was going to be.

[Bryan Sangert H6]

Bryan was glad to get some time to catch up with Sydney. Even if they were in the same class together, it was a bit hard to keep up with each other as classes and schedules tended to overtake their lives. She asked him if he was planning on going home. “I’m not sure, still haven’t decided. I want to try and get a head start on some of the projects I have due come next year. I know that sounds like a Ravenclaw, but I’m just focusing more on my studies a bit more, I guess.” He smiled at Sydney. “Don’t worry, I’m full blooded Huffle. The most I might do is apparate home a few days before Christmas.” Bryan chuckled as Sydney seemed to be upset that she didn’t know he was in her class. She playfully scolded him and gave him the chance to sit by her for class. “Well, with that much of an enticing offer, I just might have to start coming to class to see you!”

Bryan was glad that Sydney seemed to miss him as much as he missed her. It always made him happy to find someone who thought somewhat like him. He appreciated the girl in front of him. She was genuine to him, which was a hard trait to find in people. Sydney was the kind of person he could open up to, and he often did open up to her. He was really confused about the Norah situation, because she hadn’t contacted him much since their little meeting in the library. So he hid it from Sydney not because he didn’t trust her with it. He hid it because he didn’t feel like bringing it up at the moment and ruining the happy mood they were both getting into, being with each other. He was glad that Sydney took his hint, moving on with the subject change.

He smiled and chuckled to himself as Sydney seemed completely surprised that he was asking her for help practicing Charms. “The Queen? I’m sure you’re exaggerating, Rawson. Let’s see what you’ve got, then. Hopefully this won’t turn into a duel. Did you hear about that duel the Slytherin and Gryffindor had in the hallway a couple weeks ago? I heard they had quite the bad breakup.” Bryan stood, ready to follow Sydney’s lead. He could see that Sydney was taking her time and figuring out which spell to do. She gave an example spell, and then thought hard coming up with how to do it right. Suddenly he heard a loud bang over where Sydney’s books were (or had been). As the light smoke cleared, he realized that Sydney had just blown up her books! “Geez, Syd! I know you hated homework, but, come on!” They laughed at the innocent accident, but of course Sydney was embarrassed beyond belief. That much he could tell.

Sydney looked at him and asked him to try his luck at the spell. He didn’t want to do the same spell, just because he had nothing he wanted to blow up that badly. “Okay let’s try this one.” Bryan thought of a charm he had been trying out a few times in the privacy of the guys common room, and he pretty much had it down. There was a messy pile of firewood near the edge of the room. “Keep an eye on that firewood!” He was about to say a charm that wrapped the specimen in ropes, but he glanced quickly at Sydney, unsuspecting. He quickly thought of a different spell in his mind. He flicked his wand towards Sydney, never speaking a word. Suddenly he saw Sydney’s expression change. He had casted a Rictusempra charm on her, which caused the person to feel like they were being tickled uncontrollably. As the charm set in a bit, he couldn’t help but turn to her and laugh. She would likely rip his head off, but they were friends and she would likely laugh at the simple joke. In fact, she was already laughing. “Enjoying that, Syd?” He knew she would be begging him to reverse it, but this was hilarious.

[Sydney Rawson H6]

"BRYAN!" Sydney's voice rang out as she began to laugh uncontrollably. She felt her sides, knees, chin, and behind her ears erupt with a pleasurable pain- called a tickle. "Bloody..... Hell...." she managed to let out between giggles as she fell to her knees on the floor. Throwing her head back, a smile crossed her face as she shook her head at Bryan. She hated to be tickled, but it wasn't the fact that she hated it as a spell, it more or less killed her because in real life- she didn't have the 'light touch' to ACTUALLY tickle someone. She was envious over it, which made her hate it. However, since this was a spell- she knew how to end it without having to fight off the other person. Slapping her wand in the air once, through intervals of laughter she tried to focus on the spell in her mind. With her first attempt, she failed. Now glaring at Bryan she had a look of playful revenge in her eyes. He spoke as it build up more laughter within her. "Enjoying that?" he spoke with as smile, as he clearly was priding himself in how works. Rolling onto her side as she closed her eyes she flicked her wand this time as her body fell limp onto the ground, legs and arms spread out, and eyes closed. She successfully focused on reversing the spell.

With her eyes still closed, laying on her back she laid their catching her breath. "You... Did not... Do.... The Spell Right...." She spoke between inhales and exhales. A grin crossed her soft pink lips as she opened her eyes and turned her head to her left, where Bryan was standing with a huge grin of accomplishment on his face. He sure got a kick out of her falling all around. Slowly, Syd's grin grew into a smile broadening from ear to ear. "But obviously I mastered it." She spoke quickly. With a quick flick of her wand at her side, unnoticed by Bryan she sent the pillows from the couches, the plush chairs separated by yards through the room, and all the extra throws from the closet closer to the entrance hall; at Bryan's head, back, and stomach. In intervals the several dozens of extra pillows came flying through the room hitting him from every angle. Even the pillows that already hit him, picked up off of the floor and continued in a cycle into taking aims at his body.

Syd pulled her legs in front of her, as she sat up on the floor. She tilted her head slightly to the side as she smiled and replied to Bryan. "Indeed Bryan. I am enjoying this." She said as she shook her head with a smile.

(( Sorry so small. I will write more next post. I promise!! ))