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On the edge of the Dark Forest sits a small hut, home to many different residents over the years. The stone home’s current resident is Alistaire Firth, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.
Anyone who draws near the hut is likely to first notice the smell of traditional Scottish fare: stovies, haggis, and hotch-potch are the Groundskeeper’s personal favorites. The lowing of Broc and Bonny can be heard from a distance. Medicinal plants, some natural and some planted, surround the base of the structure, but several holes indicate places where plants died and no money could be found to replace them.
While the outside of the hut looks mostly the same as it has for decades, the inside shows Ali’s personal touches. The most prominent feature is a large field of blue with white diagonal lines crossing in an X—the Scottish national flag. Everything else is decorated with the same plaid tartan of the Douglas clan, a mix of blue and green. An old wooden table and sturdy bed frame comprise the only furniture of consequence in the one-room house. To the left of the entrance is a small kitchen set up, while a massive countertop dominates the right wall.
Few pictures or decorations adorn the walls, save one family photo in which one member’s face looks mysteriously burned or prodded. Books litter the floor space by the bed, including such titles as, “Scotland: A Complete History (Abridged Version),” “One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi,” “The Art of Bowtruckle Husbandry,” and “An Owner’s Guide to Proper Care of Highland Cattle.” A shabby set of bagpipes is hidden inside a small cabinet in a bedside table. The only other accoutrements are worn-looking tools lying helter-skelter in the corner.
Please knock on the door if you wish to speak with the Groundskeeper. If he does not answer immediately, he is probably either tending to Broc and Bonny or tromping through the Forbidden Forest. Though a busy man, Mr. Firth is kind, sympathetic, and never too busy to share his favorite drink, an Irn-Bru, with visiting students. But be warned: any trouble-making, especially involving his pets or the Forest, will be severely punished.
Raspberry Jam | #ChocolateFrogFamous | Ultimate Fangirl
So he was here. Like a good little student.
The deed obviously wouldn't be done until he had returned this stuff to Oakey, but he just really needed to show it to the groundskeeper first. Sure, it was only 5 points that he had lost, but they were his first EVER points lost. And he wasn't happy about it. Theo sighed and rubbed his eyes the whole way down to the hut.
He'd never been to the hut before, it looked... cosy.
Theo needed cosy right now.
Anyway... he knocked three times and stood at a slant, with the cutlery in one hand, and a piece of parchment in the other. He was just radiating sass, you could smell it, even.
__________________
your eyes are swallowing me____________________ _______mirrors start to whisper, shadows start to sing
Ravenpuff | Cap'n Crunch | Bedtime Queen | O Minion, My Minion
"And' Odo the hero, they bore him back home ter the place tha' he'd known as a lad.
They laid him ter rest with 'is hat inside out an' his wand snapped in two, which--"
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Firth ceased his singing immediately. If that was Peyton... His cheeks went red. "Jus' a minute!" he yelled in a thoroughly non-melodic manner. Composing himself, he strode to the door, prepared to talk details. To his surprise, a much shorter person stood at the door.
A bit surprised, Ali recovered quickly. "Oh, i's you, Kinsley. I wondered when I might be see'in yeh."
Raspberry Jam | #ChocolateFrogFamous | Ultimate Fangirl
....
Err... was that singing he could hear? Scarily bad singing, too. Theo pressed his eyebrows together until the door opened and there he was. He wouldn't comment on the singing. He had things to show, and then he was leaving with those 5 points.
"Hi... sir." He paused, wondering if he should suck up first and stay for a cup of tea.
Nah, he didn't owe the guy that much. "I wanted to come and tell you that I said sorry to Oakey." Twice, actually. "And I re-wrote his list that I ruined." The boy pulled out the piece of parchment and handed it to Mr. Firth. It wasn't his best writing but actually... yes it was his best handwriting. No shame.
"That was all Oakey told me to write." Cos he did realize that it wasn't much. Reaching in his other pocket, Theo pulled out the set of cutlery that he had slaved away to repair. Magic was hard for this fourth year, so he'd better appreciate it. "I repaired them... all by myself... I didn't know what you wanted me to do with them so I thought I'd bring them to show you." And that, he did. He waaaaved them about, all proud-like.
That was all he had to do, right? Could he put this stupid point loss behind him?
Theo stood back on his slant and waited. Puppy dog eyes in motion.
__________________
your eyes are swallowing me____________________ _______mirrors start to whisper, shadows start to sing
Ravenpuff | Cap'n Crunch | Bedtime Queen | O Minion, My Minion
Text Cut: Hey, he's not THAT bad of a singer!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Emzily
....
Err... was that singing he could hear? Scarily bad singing, too. Theo pressed his eyebrows together until the door opened and there he was. He wouldn't comment on the singing. He had things to show, and then he was leaving with those 5 points.
"Hi... sir." He paused, wondering if he should suck up first and stay for a cup of tea.
Nah, he didn't owe the guy that much. "I wanted to come and tell you that I said sorry to Oakey." Twice, actually. "And I re-wrote his list that I ruined." The boy pulled out the piece of parchment and handed it to Mr. Firth. It wasn't his best writing but actually... yes it was his best handwriting. No shame.
"That was all Oakey told me to write." Cos he did realize that it wasn't much. Reaching in his other pocket, Theo pulled out the set of cutlery that he had slaved away to repair. Magic was hard for this fourth year, so he'd better appreciate it. "I repaired them... all by myself... I didn't know what you wanted me to do with them so I thought I'd bring them to show you." And that, he did. He waaaaved them about, all proud-like.
That was all he had to do, right? Could he put this stupid point loss behind him?
Theo stood back on his slant and waited. Puppy dog eyes in motion.
Still recovering from the slight turn of events, Alistaire merely stared at Theo as he gave his explanation. He had apologized: good, that was step one completed, at least. As for the list..
What exactly was this list?
"Ou'er space pygmy puffs... tribbles in there... tha's not even English, Kinsley!" Firth stared at the Slytherin suspiciously. Was this some kind of joke? Well, maybe not. That Oakey can be strange sometimes. After a moment of consideration, he relented as said, "Alrigh', good. Le's see the cutlery, then."
Ah, now this was definitely more satisfactory. "Right. Well done, then." He eyed the boy, left eyebrow raised slightly, as the the fourth year wove the spork and knife in front of his face. "Yes. Very... very good."
"Well, tha' should do it, then. Yeh can have yer five points back now." That should make Theo happy, at least, if not Oakey. "Thanks fer stoppin' by. Unless there was somethin' else..?" he asked, hoping the answer was in the negative.
Raspberry Jam | #ChocolateFrogFamous | Ultimate Fangirl
Theo frowned as Mr. Firth repeated his list out loud, coupled with a look. Was he undermining his hard work? "Well.... like I said.... Oakey told me to write just those words, so that is what I wrote." That. Was. THAT. At least the cutlery was something to be proud of.
And it seemed that he was impressed with that, at least.
"Yeah.... kinda deserves... another 5 points... Ithinkpersonally." But TOTALLY up to you, like... Theo threw out the puppy dog eyes just because of pure habit.
But at least they were acceptable. Theo decided that he would keep these, as a constant reminder that he could do magic when he put his mind to it. Maybe he needed to do more of this stuff on his own rather than surrounded by the pressure of the classroom. It seemed to work. Theo smiled, fakely but still smiled, and then shook his head. "Nothing else, sir. Thanks for the points back." He said with a nod.
Those extra ones, though?
Were they gonna happen?
No? Maybe? Yeah? Theo lingered JUST IN CASE.
__________________
your eyes are swallowing me____________________ _______mirrors start to whisper, shadows start to sing
Ravenpuff | Cap'n Crunch | Bedtime Queen | O Minion, My Minion
Text Cut: Theo
Quote:
Originally Posted by Emzily
Theo frowned as Mr. Firth repeated his list out loud, coupled with a look. Was he undermining his hard work? "Well.... like I said.... Oakey told me to write just those words, so that is what I wrote." That. Was. THAT. At least the cutlery was something to be proud of.
And it seemed that he was impressed with that, at least.
"Yeah.... kinda deserves... another 5 points... Ithinkpersonally." But TOTALLY up to you, like... Theo threw out the puppy dog eyes just because of pure habit.
But at least they were acceptable. Theo decided that he would keep these, as a constant reminder that he could do magic when he put his mind to it. Maybe he needed to do more of this stuff on his own rather than surrounded by the pressure of the classroom. It seemed to work. Theo smiled, fakely but still smiled, and then shook his head. "Nothing else, sir. Thanks for the points back." He said with a nod.
Those extra ones, though?
Were they gonna happen?
No? Maybe? Yeah? Theo lingered JUST IN CASE.
Firth internally snorted. "Yeah, well... Oakey has a strange idea of what sorts o' things go on lists." He just shook his head. "No, yeh did wha' yeh were supposed ter be doin', an' tha's all I cin ask."
A stern gaze followed Theo's next questioning statement. "No, I don'. Yeh're only doin' this in th' firs' place because yeh were makin' trouble. 'm no' about ter reward yeh fer that, sonny." Alistaire was not altogether shocked that he'd had the temerity to ask, however. The boy WAS a Slytherin, after all.
"Good. An' yeh're welcome." With that, Firth made ter close the door. But he hesitated, seeing that Theo was still standing there. Hadn't he just said there wasn't anything else? "Eh... yeh're dismissed, Kinsley," he said awkwardly, hoping that's what the boy was waiting for.
Picking up the Assignment, and looking for Firewood Gungan Style.
Mom says I have no sense of direction, so I packed my bags and right.
Oakey neared the Huts door and looked behind him. "I can carry some back for you, if you want me too." he spoke to Ariana who only one step below him, referring to the Firewood that both their common rooms were lacking. It was important that they'd be restocked. Fall nights tend to get cold. Taking his hand he knocked three times on the door to see if the Groundskeeper was in. "You don't mind that I need to see if something was dropped off to him too do you?" Since the feast he was sure Theodore would have done what Mr.Firth told him to do and finish Oakey's summer assignment.
Oakey neared the Huts door and looked behind him. "I can carry some back for you, if you want me too." he spoke to Ariana who only one step below him, referring to the Firewood that both their common rooms were lacking. It was important that they'd be restocked. Fall nights tend to get cold. Taking his hand he knocked three times on the door to see if the Groundskeeper was in. "You don't mind that I need to see if something was dropped off to him too do you?" Since the feast he was sure Theodore would have done what Mr.Firth told him to do and finish Oakey's summer assignment.
Carry some back for her.. D'aww he was so sweet she looked up at him from watching where she going for a moment and smiled at him " i'll carry some." but you know if he wanted to be the big strong boyfriend and carry some for her she wouldn't argue of course. though maybe she should of checked to see just how much wood they would have needed before she headed out here... opps..
" check something sure." she said standing a few feet behind him. cause you know she had no idea what he was doing and all. but really... what was he doing, she wondered... silly boyfriend was silly
Mom says I have no sense of direction, so I packed my bags and right.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JennMarie
Carry some back for her.. D'aww he was so sweet she looked up at him from watching where she going for a moment and smiled at him " i'll carry some." but you know if he wanted to be the big strong boyfriend and carry some for her she wouldn't argue of course. though maybe she should of checked to see just how much wood they would have needed before she headed out here... opps..
" check something sure." she said standing a few feet behind him. cause you know she had no idea what he was doing and all. but really... what was he doing, she wondered... silly boyfriend was silly
Right that's what he meant. "Sure." He gave Ariana a smile before knocking on the door again. Hadn't he already done that? "You could carry more if you felt like you could, I mean" He took a step back just in case Mr.Firth came barreling out of his Hut in a frenzy, it wasn't Mr.Firth who had done so before, but a previous Groundskeeper just sort of pulled Oakey into his hut to catch a frog a few years ago. He wasn't going to have that happen with another Groundskeeper.
Right that's what he meant. "Sure." He gave Ariana a smile before knocking on the door again. Hadn't he already done that? "You could carry more if you felt like you could, I mean" He took a step back just in case Mr.Firth came barreling out of his Hut in a frenzy, it wasn't Mr.Firth who had done so before, but a previous Groundskeeper just sort of pulled Oakey into his hut to catch a frog a few years ago. He wasn't going to have that happen with another Groundskeeper.
Of course it was.... Ahem.. anyway.. she looked over at him "you knocked already." she said plainly.. she didn't want him coming out in a frenzy because someone was banging on his door like a chicken without it's head... did he know he already knocked.. uhm.. weird..
she reached over and grabbed his hand and laced her fingers with his.. she hadn't done that since they started school, well they really weren't public people but like no one was around now so. eh who cares right."well see." cause you know ariana Was a beater.. most times and did have some Nice arm strength, she could handle it.. but it was hot when he insisted on doing things for her so maybe she'd just let him... *inner smirk*
She was a little unsure about making the trip all the way down to the groundkeeper's hut, but in the end she thought it would be worth it. She arrived at the hut, with her bag slung heavily over her shoulder. She had a little friend with her in the bag today that she was hoping to show Mr. Firth and help him out with.
She knocked lightly on the door at first, waited a few seconds, and then knocked again - slightly harder this time to be sure he'd heard her.
Ravenpuff | Cap'n Crunch | Bedtime Queen | O Minion, My Minion
Text Cut: Oakey and Ariana
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE
Oakey neared the Huts door and looked behind him. "I can carry some back for you, if you want me too." he spoke to Ariana who only one step below him, referring to the Firewood that both their common rooms were lacking. It was important that they'd be restocked. Fall nights tend to get cold. Taking his hand he knocked three times on the door to see if the Groundskeeper was in. "You don't mind that I need to see if something was dropped off to him too do you?" Since the feast he was sure Theodore would have done what Mr.Firth told him to do and finish Oakey's summer assignment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JennMarie
Of course it was.... Ahem.. anyway.. she looked over at him "you knocked already." she said plainly.. she didn't want him coming out in a frenzy because someone was banging on his door like a chicken without it's head... did he know he already knocked.. uhm.. weird..
she reached over and grabbed his hand and laced her fingers with his.. she hadn't done that since they started school, well they really weren't public people but like no one was around now so. eh who cares right."well see." cause you know ariana Was a beater.. most times and did have some Nice arm strength, she could handle it.. but it was hot when he insisted on doing things for her so maybe she'd just let him... *inner smirk*
Let's see... I haven't checked on Bonny in awhile. I should get down--
KNOCK.
Oh, a visitor. Bonny would have to wait.
KNOCK.
"I'm comin'!" he yelled so whoever was out there could stop knocking.
Tidying up his meal dishes, he hastened to the door. "Yes?" he said as he opened it. Ah, yes. He recognized the first student. It was Oakey, the Head Boy. A smile broke onto his face.
"Mister Gunter! I was wonderin' if I'd be seein' yeh aroun'. I hear yeh like ter befriend the Groundskeeper." And so far... well, Alistaire was wondering if Oakey didn't like him, because he had barely interacted with the boy at all last year except once at Broc and Bonny's pen.
Ali also registered the fact that a young lady was holding Oakey's hand. But it wasn't the young lady he had been expecting. Best not to say anything about that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Text Cut: Eliza
Quote:
Originally Posted by DecemberMoon
She was a little unsure about making the trip all the way down to the groundkeeper's hut, but in the end she thought it would be worth it. She arrived at the hut, with her bag slung heavily over her shoulder. She had a little friend with her in the bag today that she was hoping to show Mr. Firth and help him out with.
She knocked lightly on the door at first, waited a few seconds, and then knocked again - slightly harder this time to be sure he'd heard her.
Whistling away, Alistaire Firth kneaded the bread dough in front of him. A small noise caused him to pause. Was that...? He waited a few seconds in silence. The noise came again, louder this time. "Jus' a minute!" he called.
Setting down the dough, he took a minute to wipe his flour-covered hands on his pants. Then, he crossed the width of the hut and opened the door. His forearms were bare to the elbow, where his shirt sleeves were rolled in a bunch; stray bits of dough and flour were flecked in his facial hair. Firth's eyes alighted upon a teenage girl. "Hullo! What c'n I do yeh fer?" he asked politely.
Mom says I have no sense of direction, so I packed my bags and right.
SPOILER!!: My New Best Friend Mr. Firth XP
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpluvr037
Text Cut: Oakey and Ariana
Let's see... I haven't checked on Bonny in awhile. I should get down--
KNOCK.
Oh, a visitor. Bonny would have to wait.
KNOCK.
"I'm comin'!" he yelled so whoever was out there could stop knocking.
Tidying up his meal dishes, he hastened to the door. "Yes?" he said as he opened it. Ah, yes. He recognized the first student. It was Oakey, the Head Boy. A smile broke onto his face.
"Mister Gunter! I was wonderin' if I'd be seein' yeh aroun'. I hear yeh like ter befriend the Groundskeeper." And so far... well, Alistaire was wondering if Oakey didn't like him, because he had barely interacted with the boy at all last year except once at Broc and Bonny's pen.
Ali also registered the fact that a young lady was holding Oakey's hand. But it wasn't the young lady he had been expecting. Best not to say anything about that.
Oakey squeezed Ariana hand as she prevented him from knocking again. He gave her a look before saying. "I wasn't gonna knock again I swear."
Yes? Oh Hey the Groundskeeper was in! Perfect. "Hello Mr.Firth." Oakey gave the man a nice smile. He did what? 'ter befriend the Groundskeeper.' Hmm he supposed he did. Mr.Merd..Murdoch and Mr.Gibbins were both pretty awesome, and so far all Mr.Firth did was thank him for pulling students out of the Forbidden Forrest, followed by point loss for being out past curfew. The ladder superseded the later did it not? He'll give Mr.Firth another chance this year it was Oakey's final year after all. "I guess I do." Oakey responded after the long train of thought.
He looked over to Ariana again and wondered should he or she ask about Fire Wood. He went ahead with it. "Oh um, this is Ariana," Oakey pulled her forward with while holding her hand "...She and I were thinking of retrieving fire wood for our common rooms. It doesn't look like they were restocked over the summer."
He wasn't going to blame anything but the lack of money, and cutting off all but one House Elf. Toodles was too busy in the Kitchen as it was.
Whistling away, Alistaire Firth kneaded the bread dough in front of him. A small noise caused him to pause. Was that...? He waited a few seconds in silence. The noise came again, louder this time. "Jus' a minute!" he called.
Setting down the dough, he took a minute to wipe his flour-covered hands on his pants. Then, he crossed the width of the hut and opened the door. His forearms were bare to the elbow, where his shirt sleeves were rolled in a bunch; stray bits of dough and flour were flecked in his facial hair. Firth's eyes alighted upon a teenage girl. "Hullo! What c'n I do yeh fer?" he asked politely.
Thinking that maybe he was out at the moment, Eliza had begun to turn to leave when she heard Mr. Firth call out from inside. When he opened the door, she noted the flour all over him and felt rude for intruding. "Hi! I...I'm sorry if I'm interrupting your dinner," she apologized, looking at the flour on his shirt. Maybe I shouldn't have come... she worried. Best get on with it. Mentally cringing at his expression he'd used, she explained to him what she wanted. "I was just wondering if maybe you needed some tidying up done around here? See, I've got this thing from Transfiguration," she said as she pulled the gargoyle's box from her bag and opened the lid, "and I thought I could command it to carry some brush or twigs out of your way. Or maybe you have leaves in your eaves? Anything really." She was having a more difficult time speaking to this man than she usually did when speaking to professors. Probably because this person, for one was male while most of her teachers were female, and also because this male was a very attractive male and she just had no idea how to act around those. She kept darting her eyes from his nice face to her gargoyle, to the roof of his hut, to his face, and back around the grounds again. Realizing she'd not introduced herself she smiled a crooked smile and said, "Oh, and I'm Eliza by the way. Ravenclaw." In case he couldn't see her robes or something. Dumb, Eliza. Dumb.
Ravenpuff | Cap'n Crunch | Bedtime Queen | O Minion, My Minion
Text Cut: Oakey
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE
Oakey squeezed Ariana hand as she prevented him from knocking again. He gave her a look before saying. "I wasn't gonna knock again I swear."
Yes? Oh Hey the Groundskeeper was in! Perfect. "Hello Mr.Firth." Oakey gave the man a nice smile. He did what? 'ter befriend the Groundskeeper.' Hmm he supposed he did. Mr.Merd..Murdoch and Mr.Gibbins were both pretty awesome, and so far all Mr.Firth did was thank him for pulling students out of the Forbidden Forrest, followed by point loss for being out past curfew. The ladder superseded the later did it not? He'll give Mr.Firth another chance this year it was Oakey's final year after all. "I guess I do." Oakey responded after the long train of thought.
He looked over to Ariana again and wondered should he or she ask about Fire Wood. He went ahead with it. "Oh um, this is Ariana," Oakey pulled her forward with while holding her hand "...She and I were thinking of retrieving fire wood for our common rooms. It doesn't look like they were restocked over the summer."
He wasn't going to blame anything but the lack of money, and cutting off all but one House Elf. Toodles was too busy in the Kitchen as it was.
Well, perhaps he would be seeing Oakey around after all, then. Except... "Hullo, Ariana. Pleasure ter meet yeh." If there was a girl in the picture, Alistaire doubted Oakey would be spending extra time near the hut after all. Oh to be young and in love, he thought wistfully while trying to suppress his own pain.
He jolted out of the flood of memories as Oakey resumed his train of thought. "Oh. Right. Er.." He thought for a moment. "Tha's a good idea it is. Hold on." He walked down the steps, around the two students, and disappeared behind the hut. Scraping noises could be heard and after a few moments the Groundskeeper reappeared, a load of wood in his hand. "Here yeh are, Oakey," he said, depositing the bundle in the Head Boy's arms. Repeating the process, Firth gave Ariana a second bundle, though slightly smaller so she could carry it.
"I jus' gathered a whole pile yesterday, lucky for yeh. Tha' should last yeh fer quite a while since the weather's still warm." Nights didn't usually start getting cold until well into October. "Anythin' else yeh needed?"
Text Cut: Eliza
Quote:
Originally Posted by DecemberMoon
Thinking that maybe he was out at the moment, Eliza had begun to turn to leave when she heard Mr. Firth call out from inside. When he opened the door, she noted the flour all over him and felt rude for intruding. "Hi! I...I'm sorry if I'm interrupting your dinner," she apologized, looking at the flour on his shirt. Maybe I shouldn't have come... she worried. Best get on with it. Mentally cringing at his expression he'd used, she explained to him what she wanted. "I was just wondering if maybe you needed some tidying up done around here? See, I've got this thing from Transfiguration," she said as she pulled the gargoyle's box from her bag and opened the lid, "and I thought I could command it to carry some brush or twigs out of your way. Or maybe you have leaves in your eaves? Anything really." She was having a more difficult time speaking to this man than she usually did when speaking to professors. Probably because this person, for one was male while most of her teachers were female, and also because this male was a very attractive male and she just had no idea how to act around those. She kept darting her eyes from his nice face to her gargoyle, to the roof of his hut, to his face, and back around the grounds again. Realizing she'd not introduced herself she smiled a crooked smile and said, "Oh, and I'm Eliza by the way. Ravenclaw." In case he couldn't see her robes or something. Dumb, Eliza. Dumb.
He smiled at the girl. "No, yeh didn'. I was jus' makin' some biscuits fer later." He refrained from giving her the full details about whom he was giving them to, but she didn't need to know that.
He peered inside the box when she began to explain her offer. What in the name of Merlin IS that thing? And more importantly, why did Bellaire sanction the release of such strange objects into an already accident-prone student population? "Eliza. I've seen yeh around bu' I don' think we've officially met." That was true of many students, actually. "Even though I don' entirely trust that... thing of yers, I do need ter clean out the Butterfly Garden fer the winter. Think yeh can handle that?"
Let's see... I haven't checked on Bonny in awhile. I should get down--
KNOCK.
Oh, a visitor. Bonny would have to wait.
KNOCK.
"I'm comin'!" he yelled so whoever was out there could stop knocking.
Tidying up his meal dishes, he hastened to the door. "Yes?" he said as he opened it. Ah, yes. He recognized the first student. It was Oakey, the Head Boy. A smile broke onto his face.
"Mister Gunter! I was wonderin' if I'd be seein' yeh aroun'. I hear yeh like ter befriend the Groundskeeper." And so far... well, Alistaire was wondering if Oakey didn't like him, because he had barely interacted with the boy at all last year except once at Broc and Bonny's pen.
Ali also registered the fact that a young lady was holding Oakey's hand. But it wasn't the young lady he had been expecting. Best not to say anything about that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whistling away, Alistaire Firth kneaded the bread dough in front of him. A small noise caused him to pause. Was that...? He waited a few seconds in silence. The noise came again, louder this time. "Jus' a minute!" he called.
Setting down the dough, he took a minute to wipe his flour-covered hands on his pants. Then, he crossed the width of the hut and opened the door. His forearms were bare to the elbow, where his shirt sleeves were rolled in a bunch; stray bits of dough and flour were flecked in his facial hair. Firth's eyes alighted upon a teenage girl. "Hullo! What c'n I do yeh fer?" he asked politely.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE
Oakey squeezed Ariana hand as she prevented him from knocking again. He gave her a look before saying. "I wasn't gonna knock again I swear."
Yes? Oh Hey the Groundskeeper was in! Perfect. "Hello Mr.Firth." Oakey gave the man a nice smile. He did what? 'ter befriend the Groundskeeper.' Hmm he supposed he did. Mr.Merd..Murdoch and Mr.Gibbins were both pretty awesome, and so far all Mr.Firth did was thank him for pulling students out of the Forbidden Forrest, followed by point loss for being out past curfew. The ladder superseded the later did it not? He'll give Mr.Firth another chance this year it was Oakey's final year after all. "I guess I do." Oakey responded after the long train of thought.
He looked over to Ariana again and wondered should he or she ask about Fire Wood. He went ahead with it. "Oh um, this is Ariana," Oakey pulled her forward with while holding her hand "...She and I were thinking of retrieving fire wood for our common rooms. It doesn't look like they were restocked over the summer."
He wasn't going to blame anything but the lack of money, and cutting off all but one House Elf. Toodles was too busy in the Kitchen as it was.
Well, this was a tad awkward. Ariana did not know this groundskeeper.. hell she didn't know any of them really. yet, here she was standing in front of one feeling awkward. in some manner she kind of tried to hide behind Oakey a bit.. teacher & authority weren't really her thing until he pulled her forward and introduced her.. uhm was she staring.. yes.. yes she was.. "hey" she said calmly.. wood.. oh RIGHT that's why they were here.. for the wood.. right.
Transfiguration HW1 Post2 cont'd in Butterfly Garden
SPOILER!!: Mr. Firth
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpluvr037
He smiled at the girl. "No, yeh didn'. I was jus' makin' some biscuits fer later." He refrained from giving her the full details about whom he was giving them to, but she didn't need to know that.
He peered inside the box when she began to explain her offer. What in the name of Merlin IS that thing? And more importantly, why did Bellaire sanction the release of such strange objects into an already accident-prone student population? "Eliza. I've seen yeh around bu' I don' think we've officially met." That was true of many students, actually. "Even though I don' entirely trust that... thing of yers, I do need ter clean out the Butterfly Garden fer the winter. Think yeh can handle that?"
Glad that she hadn't interrupted anything too pressing, she smiled in relief. "Oh good," she replied, "Biscuits are...lovely," she added with a nod. And maybe she sort of thought he was little lovely too.
Missing his reaction to her opening her gargoyle's box, she looked back up to him all wide-eyed and oblivious. "Oh you have?" She thought that most people didn't notice her at all, so that was an unexpected thing to hear. "No, sir, we haven't. But, better late than never!" she chimed. Why doesn't he trust Goylie? she wondered. She wanted to put his mind at ease, so she told him, "Oh, you don't have to worry about Goylie. He just does what I make him do with a spell. He can't think on his own or anything." She was pretty sure about that anyway, and hoped Goylie didn't hear her if he was able to hear. And could she handle that? Of course! She was the helper-outer...master...or something. "It'd be my pleasure to help out! I'll take care of it right away!" She nodded to him as she put the gargoyle away and hurried off to the gardens. Once she was done, she'd come back to let him know exactly what she'd done so he could cross the maintenance off of his list.
Ravenpuff | Cap'n Crunch | Bedtime Queen | O Minion, My Minion
Text Cut: Eliza
Quote:
Originally Posted by DecemberMoon
Glad that she hadn't interrupted anything too pressing, she smiled in relief. "Oh good," she replied, "Biscuits are...lovely," she added with a nod. And maybe she sort of thought he was little lovely too.
Missing his reaction to her opening her gargoyle's box, she looked back up to him all wide-eyed and oblivious. "Oh you have?" She thought that most people didn't notice her at all, so that was an unexpected thing to hear. "No, sir, we haven't. But, better late than never!" she chimed. Why doesn't he trust Goylie? she wondered. She wanted to put his mind at ease, so she told him, "Oh, you don't have to worry about Goylie. He just does what I make him do with a spell. He can't think on his own or anything." She was pretty sure about that anyway, and hoped Goylie didn't hear her if he was able to hear. And could she handle that? Of course! She was the helper-outer...master...or something. "It'd be my pleasure to help out! I'll take care of it right away!" She nodded to him as she put the gargoyle away and hurried off to the gardens. Once she was done, she'd come back to let him know exactly what she'd done so he could cross the maintenance off of his list.
Why did students seem surprised when he knew who they were? Did they think he just stayed holed up in his hut all day long? Did they not think that the staff talked about the students? Maybe not, actually. Teenagers in general didn't seem to think of their teachers as having lives outside of the classroom.
...GOIley? As in gargoyle? Interesting choice of name, or so Firth thought. Although, it did bear a certain resemblance. Anyways, it sounded like the... thing wasn't too harmful, so why not? Plus she seemed enthusiastic about it. "Alrigh', jus' let me know when yeh finish!" he called after the retreating Ravenclaw. He chuckled. If only ALL the students were so eager to help get the place looking a bit more orderly.
Mom says I have no sense of direction, so I packed my bags and right.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JennMarie
SPOILER!!: You two!
Well, this was a tad awkward. Ariana did not know this groundskeeper.. hell she didn't know any of them really. yet, here she was standing in front of one feeling awkward. in some manner she kind of tried to hide behind Oakey a bit.. teacher & authority weren't really her thing until he pulled her forward and introduced her.. uhm was she staring.. yes.. yes she was.. "hey" she said calmly.. wood.. oh RIGHT that's why they were here.. for the wood.. right.
Oakey turned his head and gave Ariana a look. She doesn't have to be shy. Groundskeepers were always super awesome. Mr.Firth wasn't going to any different was he?
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpluvr037
Well, perhaps he would be seeing Oakey around after all, then. Except... "Hullo, Ariana. Pleasure ter meet yeh." If there was a girl in the picture, Alistaire doubted Oakey would be spending extra time near the hut after all. Oh to be young and in love, he thought wistfully while trying to suppress his own pain.
He jolted out of the flood of memories as Oakey resumed his train of thought. "Oh. Right. Er.." He thought for a moment. "Tha's a good idea it is. Hold on." He walked down the steps, around the two students, and disappeared behind the hut. Scraping noises could be heard and after a few moments the Groundskeeper reappeared, a load of wood in his hand. "Here yeh are, Oakey," he said, depositing the bundle in the Head Boy's arms. Repeating the process, Firth gave Ariana a second bundle, though slightly smaller so she could carry it.
"I jus' gathered a whole pile yesterday, lucky for yeh. Tha' should last yeh fer quite a while since the weather's still warm." Nights didn't usually start getting cold until well into October. "Anythin' else yeh needed?"
"Urgh"... Oakey grunted when Mr.Firth came back and dropped a load of logs into his hands. "Thanks." He said trying to smile while readjusting his arms a bit under the pile he was now holding up. "Mr. Firth, Has Theodore Kinsley given you the work he needed to make up for me?"
That was sort of important, he had to hand it in to Professor Airey ASAP.
Ravenpuff | Cap'n Crunch | Bedtime Queen | O Minion, My Minion
Text Cut: Oakey and Ariana
Quote:
Originally Posted by JennMarie
Well, this was a tad awkward. Ariana did not know this groundskeeper.. hell she didn't know any of them really. yet, here she was standing in front of one feeling awkward. in some manner she kind of tried to hide behind Oakey a bit.. teacher & authority weren't really her thing until he pulled her forward and introduced her.. uhm was she staring.. yes.. yes she was.. "hey" she said calmly.. wood.. oh RIGHT that's why they were here.. for the wood.. right.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE
Oakey turned his head and gave Ariana a look. She doesn't have to be shy. Groundskeepers were always super awesome. Mr.Firth wasn't going to any different was he?
"Urgh"... Oakey grunted when Mr.Firth came back and dropped a load of logs into his hands. "Thanks." He said trying to smile while readjusting his arms a bit under the pile he was now holding up. "Mr. Firth, Has Theodore Kinsley given you the work he needed to make up for me?"
That was sort of important, he had to hand it in to Professor Airey ASAP.
Had Oakey's girlfriend said a single word during this interaction? Firth didn't think so. Maybe she was just shy, but he'd never met a Slytherin who was so mute. "Yeh're welcome," he said in reply to Oakey.
Then Oakey asked about that plate Kinsley had brought. "No, he hasn'. Now 'e did come an' show it ter me, bu' he didn' leave it here." Clearly Kinsley had failed to give it back as of yet. "I suggest yeh go find 'im if yeh want ter get it back."
Well, perhaps he would be seeing Oakey around after all, then. Except... "Hullo, Ariana. Pleasure ter meet yeh." If there was a girl in the picture, Alistaire doubted Oakey would be spending extra time near the hut after all. Oh to be young and in love, he thought wistfully while trying to suppress his own pain.
He jolted out of the flood of memories as Oakey resumed his train of thought. "Oh. Right. Er.." He thought for a moment. "Tha's a good idea it is. Hold on." He walked down the steps, around the two students, and disappeared behind the hut. Scraping noises could be heard and after a few moments the Groundskeeper reappeared, a load of wood in his hand. "Here yeh are, Oakey," he said, depositing the bundle in the Head Boy's arms. Repeating the process, Firth gave Ariana a second bundle, though slightly smaller so she could carry it.
"I jus' gathered a whole pile yesterday, lucky for yeh. Tha' should last yeh fer quite a while since the weather's still warm." Nights didn't usually start getting cold until well into October. "Anythin' else yeh needed?"
" Hey, yeah, same." was that an acceptable Hello? was it? well it was just going to have to work Ariana didn't FEEL like talking so yeah she just wasn't going to. then there was WOOD. great. One less thing someone had to do in the cold when it was needed. this way the room would already be stocked. Look at Oakey hold All that wood. he was cuuuteee even with armfuls of wood, then mr. Firth came back with more wood.. for Oakey? since it was smaller and all..
Or so she assumed until it was placed in her hands.. o.O
Did he not think she could carry all of it? She was Strong, she was a beater, her arm strength was her Strength for crying out loud! but really she couldn't be bothered.. they'd just FREEZE some of the winter. never mind that they were under water and already colder then the rest of the common rooms.
SPOILER!!: And this time here
Quote:
Originally Posted by hpluvr037
Had Oakey's girlfriend said a single word during this interaction? Firth didn't think so. Maybe she was just shy, but he'd never met a Slytherin who was so mute. "Yeh're welcome," he said in reply to Oakey.
Then Oakey asked about that plate Kinsley had brought. "No, he hasn'. Now 'e did come an' show it ter me, bu' he didn' leave it here." Clearly Kinsley had failed to give it back as of yet. "I suggest yeh go find 'im if yeh want ter get it back."
she was still here.. and Watching you groundskeeper guy.. watching.. watching
SPOILER!!: and this
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE
Oakey turned his head and gave Ariana a look. She doesn't have to be shy. Groundskeepers were always super awesome. Mr.Firth wasn't going to any different was he?
"Urgh"... Oakey grunted when Mr.Firth came back and dropped a load of logs into his hands. "Thanks." He said trying to smile while readjusting his arms a bit under the pile he was now holding up. "Mr. Firth, Has Theodore Kinsley given you the work he needed to make up for me?"
That was sort of important, he had to hand it in to Professor Airey ASAP.
then she was being looked at.............. did he see her eyeing him!? "hmm?" she said to him as he looked at her.. Was something on her face?
Why did students seem surprised when he knew who they were? Did they think he just stayed holed up in his hut all day long? Did they not think that the staff talked about the students? Maybe not, actually. Teenagers in general didn't seem to think of their teachers as having lives outside of the classroom.
...GOIley? As in gargoyle? Interesting choice of name, or so Firth thought. Although, it did bear a certain resemblance. Anyways, it sounded like the... thing wasn't too harmful, so why not? Plus she seemed enthusiastic about it. "Alrigh', jus' let me know when yeh finish!" he called after the retreating Ravenclaw. He chuckled. If only ALL the students were so eager to help get the place looking a bit more orderly.
Now she noticed the groundskeeper looking at her gargoyle, which was all right with her. It struck her as sort of odd when she'd first started with it in class too, but now she was used to it. In fact, she sort of liked having it around. But she supposed she could cast the mobilizing spell on just about anything now and it could be like her little toy...pet...whichever one was more accurate.
When she returned from cleaning up the garden, she was lucky to see Mr. Firth standing outside of his hut. She walked up to him, gargoyle boxed up and in her bag, and reported her status. "Hi again Mr. Firth," she said a bit less timidly than last time. "I went to the garden like you said and we," she said patting her bag where the gargoyle's box was peeking out, "took care of the weeding. It's really starting to shape up over there," she said with a nod. She didn't want to make it sound like the garden had been in a total state of disrepair, since that was part of his job and all and she definitely didn't want to insult the man. She knew he had a lot on his plate this year. Even if his plate was made out of plastic. Like everyone's was. Sigh. She brightened up again and said, "Thank you for letting me help out. Is there anything else I can do for you? I know the castle is an awfully big place to keep track of by yourself." She really did like this whole helpful thing. Maybe she'd look into other ways she could make herself useful around the school this year. She wasn't really sure where to start though.
I saw Ariana, but I have nothing good to reply with XD
Ravenpuff | Cap'n Crunch | Bedtime Queen | O Minion, My Minion
Text Cut: Eliza
Quote:
Originally Posted by DecemberMoon
Now she noticed the groundskeeper looking at her gargoyle, which was all right with her. It struck her as sort of odd when she'd first started with it in class too, but now she was used to it. In fact, she sort of liked having it around. But she supposed she could cast the mobilizing spell on just about anything now and it could be like her little toy...pet...whichever one was more accurate.
When she returned from cleaning up the garden, she was lucky to see Mr. Firth standing outside of his hut. She walked up to him, gargoyle boxed up and in her bag, and reported her status. "Hi again Mr. Firth," she said a bit less timidly than last time. "I went to the garden like you said and we," she said patting her bag where the gargoyle's box was peeking out, "took care of the weeding. It's really starting to shape up over there," she said with a nod. She didn't want to make it sound like the garden had been in a total state of disrepair, since that was part of his job and all and she definitely didn't want to insult the man. She knew he had a lot on his plate this year. Even if his plate was made out of plastic. Like everyone's was. Sigh. She brightened up again and said, "Thank you for letting me help out. Is there anything else I can do for you? I know the castle is an awfully big place to keep track of by yourself." She really did like this whole helpful thing. Maybe she'd look into other ways she could make herself useful around the school this year. She wasn't really sure where to start though.
As he stood surveying the collection of plants, he heard the steady thump that usually indicated footsteps approaching his hut. Turning, he saw it was the same girl that had been asking about cleaning with her... whatever that thing was.
"Hullo," he said in response. "Done already? Tha' thing must be pretty fast." Or worthless, in which case she gave up. But it sounded like that wasn't the case. "Excellent! Glad ter hear it! Yeh know, I'd been meanin' ter get over there fer a few days now and jus' couldn't get the time. Yeh showed up right when I needed yeh!" And it was nice of her to think of him. Most students had focused their attentions on improving the state within the castle, leaving the grounds largely to Firth.
"Anythin' else... not tha' I can think of at th' moment. But yeh may consider joinin' the cleaning club Professor Cerulean is startin' up! I'm sure they'd love ter have you an' Goylie." Even if it was a bit disturbing. "Bu' thanks fer droppin' by! I'll even give yeh a few house points fer yer troubles."
As he stood surveying the collection of plants, he heard the steady thump that usually indicated footsteps approaching his hut. Turning, he saw it was the same girl that had been asking about cleaning with her... whatever that thing was.
"Hullo," he said in response. "Done already? Tha' thing must be pretty fast." Or worthless, in which case she gave up. But it sounded like that wasn't the case. "Excellent! Glad ter hear it! Yeh know, I'd been meanin' ter get over there fer a few days now and jus' couldn't get the time. Yeh showed up right when I needed yeh!" And it was nice of her to think of him. Most students had focused their attentions on improving the state within the castle, leaving the grounds largely to Firth.
"Anythin' else... not tha' I can think of at th' moment. But yeh may consider joinin' the cleaning club Professor Cerulean is startin' up! I'm sure they'd love ter have you an' Goylie." Even if it was a bit disturbing. "Bu' thanks fer droppin' by! I'll even give yeh a few house points fer yer troubles."
Flashing a crooked little smile when he'd thanked her again for her help, she responded in her typical whimsical voice, "You're quite welcome! I love the outdoors, so it was a treat to help out really." Any excuse to get some fresh air was golden in her book. Especially when the inside of the castle was still a bit musty in places. Oh the cleaning club?"That sounds like a good idea, thanks! She wondered if Professor Cerulean would let them use spells or if they'd have to clean the muggle way only. She would find out soon enough. Points? He's giving me points? Blink. Awesome! Her smile broadened, but she tried her best to contain her excitement. "Oh! Thank you very much, sir!" Thinking about points got her mind back to Quidditch and she wondered when the first practice would be. She really hoped Ravenclaw wouldn't come in last place again this year for points. Maybe if she did enough work in her extra-curricular activities, she could help tip the scales in their favor. But she would need more students to join her...
Looking back up to Mr. Firth, she offered one more thing before she went on her way. "If you ever need any more help, please feel free to owl me! I have my own owl, Luna, and she'd be glad to let me know if you need an extra hand." Even if those extra hands were made of stone...from a gargoyle. But she wasn't exactly sure how long they'd be allowed to keep those, so she might be doing the work with her flesh, human hands - which was fine.
Mr. Firth's Hut 
x5 
x2
uhm was she staring.. yes.. yes she was.. "hey" she said calmly.. wood.. oh RIGHT that's why they were here.. for the wood.. right. 
