Okay, this was her first week here at Hogwarts and she only had found bored things and bored books! She wanted something exiting and something... Something... What nobody else ever had done before! And... She had a secret, something she didn't shared with just everybody because that wasn't cool but she loved books and she liked to read them, especially those who... Ehm... Weren't standing in the normal section!

Grinning widely because she hoped that, IF she looked cute, friendly and trustworthy that she could succeed and then she knocked on the door to the office from the librarian, waiting for him to open the door end let her enter and while she waited she crossed her fingers behind her back...

Leo had put up a notice after lunch in the Front Desk area that if someone needed assistance they'd find him in his office. He had paperwork and some personal correspondance to take care of. He had just started on his second cup of coffee of the day when he heard a knock on his door.

Putting the coffee mug down he crossed the floor and opened the door to peek his head out. Taking in the girl standing outside, noting the colour of her house robes he smiled welcoming. "Hello, did you wish to speak to me?"

Luckily she didn't needed to wait long before the door was opened. A man looked at her and asked if she wanted to talk to him but... Yeah, why else was she here? Standing before his door while she could have been somewhere else! But instead of saying that she smiled her most cutes smile ever and nodded to the man before her while she folded her hands. "Yes, if you don't mind, professor. I'm Cahira Jones and i had a question about... Eh... Something here in the library." Again she smiled at the man before here, hoping that he wouldn't just send her away, just because she was a Slytherin and because they were having a bad reputation...

Nicole spent most of her first few weeks at Hogwarts in the library. She found interesting books that caught her attention. She planned to read as many books as possible stored in the Hogwarts library during the next six years of school, possibly even ones in the Restricted section when she was older. If she was going to pretty much live in the library, the girl might as well also go to pay the librarian aka her Head of house a visit.

Carrying a book in one hand, she walked into the area outside Mr. Kitridge's office and knocked once. Nicole leaned against a wall opposite the door and flipped open her book. Reading was a good way to pass time while she waited for the librarian.

Professor? Leo let it pass. It was probably not easy for new student’s to remember who to address as Mr/Mrs or professor. It usually came eventually. Pushing his office door open wider he said with a soft smile "It's a pleasure to meet you Cahira. I'm Mr Leobald Kitridge, School Librarian and Ravenclaw Head of House."

"Come inside, I’m eager to hear your question about something in the library." Leo said as he indicated for Cahira to follow him, as he made his way back into his office. Hopefully she’d had have the sense to close the door after her.

Leo had written all the letters he had waiting on his desk and had just started on the big pile of library paperwork when another knock was heard on the door. It was apparently an afternoon of visitors. Rising from his desk, he made his over to answer the door.

Opening the door to peer out, his face turned into a beamed at the sight of a young eagle girl with her nose in a book, he couldn’t see the title of it though. "Hello! How can I be of assistance?" Did the girl have a question about something library or book related or Ravenclaw house related?

"A head of house?" asked Cahira surprised while she stared at the man before her, not expecting this at all! She thought that all the other Head of Houses were looking like her own head of house, mean, ugly and strange! But… Not like this! He almost looked boring! Suddenly worried because she was getting afraid that her plan would fail now she... Only smiled back at him and knew that she needed to do better her best to get what she wanted!

"Hello, Mr Kitridge, nice to meet you!" nodded she overly friendly, almost too friendly to her own liking but... Yeah, she normally wasn't like this so for her it seemed as if she was acting strange at the moment!

Following Mr Kitridge into his office she closed the door behind her, trying to make a even better impression by showing some manners and... Yes, she was having manners! She only didn't wanted to show them to others that often! Still standing before Mr Kitridge because he didn't had offered her a seat to sit she folded her hands again. "Eh... I was here to ask for you permission about something because... I need some books for my study and i can't find them... They are special books because I only want to be the best first year from my class and to become that I need to study better!" Spoke Cahira, again trying to sound sweat, innocent and cute, and... Absolutely not like her old self who was most of the time rude and not so friendly...

But then she stopped and wondered how she could ask her real question, if she could enter the forbidden section to study! Yes, to study and not to do something against the rules... No... She didn't wanted to visit the forbidden section to search for spells, potions and more she could use for her own good! She was a good girl and good girls weren't doing something like that! Ha!

Faking some hesitance she watched how the reaction from Mr Kitridge was to see how she could ask her real question!

"Yes, I'm the head of Ravenclaw. I've been in charge of the eagle house and its students for 3 years now." Leo explained patiently but not unkindly. He had to keep in mind that Cahira was new to the school and didn’t know that he had appointed head of his old house after working many years at Hogwarts.

Moving over to take one of the guest chairs Leo indicated for Cahira to take the other with a gesture of his hand. Folding his hands in his lap he waited eagerly to hear what was on the girl’s mind. As she explained that she was there to ask permission for borrowing 'special books' in order for her to further her studies, Leo's mind naturally connected 'special books' with the Restricted Section of the library.

To get confirmation of his thoughts Leo asked "Can you elaborate what you mean by 'special books' Cahira? Many books in the Hogwarts library can be described as special. Is there a section in the library you can’t find or access?"

Surprising that she just had knocked on the door from not just a random, normal teacher she had knocked on the door from a head of house! Hmm, if she had known this then she didn't had tried to ask permission here, a normal teacher was maybe giving her permission bet a head of house? She wasn't so sure if she was lucky this time! But... She needed to try it! Walking somewhere where it was forbidden but WITH permission was just so cool! And... Of course, if she wasn't having permission then she always could sneak to the forbidden section and try to enter it, but then without permission! Ha! Yes, if this wasn't working then she REALLY would try to get there without permission!

Taking a seat she nodded to the teacher, "thank you" spoke she, again showing her manners! Her dad now REALLY needed to be proud on her because of this!

"Oh, I agree that there are many special books here but..." Again she stopped and bit her lip in silence she wished that she was lucky today... "I was hoping that you could give me permission for the forbidden section... Only to learn of course!" Added Cahira immediately to her sentence... So, she had asked it, now she only hoped to NOT be rejected... But IF she would succeed today then she had been REALLY smart to do this! Doing something AGAINST the rules, but WITH permission and that while nobody knew THAT she was doing something against the rules! Ha! Please! Let him say yes!!

Nicole heard footsteps coming from the other side of the door, but did not look up from her book. This was the climax, where the main characters normally kiss... oh no, they did not. Disappointed, she closed the book to face the librarian, who was peering out from his office. She smiled back at him and straightened up.

"Hi, Mr..." she paused. Great, she did not even know her own Head of house's name. "I'm sorry. I wanted to visit you and have a chat!" They could also talk about books - which was her favorite subject of discussion, and possibly the librarian's too.

Ah, there it came just as he had expected. Why was everyone so mystified by the restricted section of the library? Hadn’t last year’s events scared the student's off? Cahira hadn’t attended Hogwarts last year since she had been sorted by the hat at the feast, but surely she must have heard the older students talk about it in the Slytherin Common Room?

Meeting Cahira’s gaze he calmly answered. "No, I can’t just give you permission to access the Restricted Section. The school policy which I follow to the letter is that you need to get a signed permission slip from your head of house in your case Healer Tillstorm, or from a professor of the subject you wish to loan a book in."

"The select few students that gain access to the Restricted Section are in the senior years preferably fifth - seventh years. The books in the section are dangerous and dark and old and can be cunning and downright evil. Not many adults would go in there willingly." Had Cahira gotten the picture yet? Leo was not about to let just anyone browse in that section. And those who did had to be prepared and a first year was not in his opinion.



Smiling warmly Leo filled in helpfully. "It's Mr Kitridge dear, and you’re a newly sorted eagle right?" He had seen her get sorted at the feast and if he didn't recall wrong she had attended the slumber party that he had thrown in the Ravenclaw Common Room after the feast. Blinking he said enthusiastically "I love getting visitors. Come inside and we'll chat about books or something. Are you settling in well in Ravenclaw Tower?" Leo asked as he turned with a gesture to the girl to follow as he head back inside his office.

Leo stopped to glance at his white kneazle who had crawled up and placed herself on top of his desk, before he took a seat in one of the guest chairs and indicated that the girl could take the other. "Would you like some tea or lemonade?"

Nooooooo! In silence she cursed because she REALLY had hoped to get permission because... It would have been SOOO cool to be there! But now she heard that... She wasn't allowed to go there! That was, even now that she didn't liked to confess it, what she had expected but... She HAD tried it! Yes! She had tried it to be smart before she would do something what... Eh... Wasn't a little less tactic then walking there with permission!

Sighing she nodded and... Looked disappointed at Mr Kitridge but then she shrugged, she wasn't going to be stopped from entering that section! There was nooooo way that she would accept his words! Ha! "I understand" lied Cahira with a forced smile while she again tried to look cute and innocent and absolutely NOT like somebody who would try to break the rules within a few weeks!

Standing up she forced herself AGAIN to smile nice at Mr Kitridge while she nodded at him. "Thank you for you time" spoke she before she did a step toward the door, waiting for him to dismiss her.

A trail of emotions past over Cahira’s face including a look of what Leo interpreted as disappointment. He understood he hadn’t made her happy but he couldn't change the rules. The rules were there to protect students and adults alike from being injured by the books that had their home in the Restricted Section. Some books were just too cunning, dark and evil!

As Cahira stood up to leave Leo did the same saying. "Anytime dear, I wish you a good day! Good bye Cahira!" Turning to head back to the work piles on his desk he expected Cahira to take that as a sign that she was free to leave. Skimming over the top parchment, as he sat down at his desk he wondered silently if he should get himself a cup of coffee before he started with the work.

Mr. Kitridge. Nicole muttered the name a couple of times to remember it. When she was sure she would not forget it, she replied, "Yes, I am," she was proud to be a Ravenclaw, and liked her house very much. All the eagles were nice to her during the feast, and the slumber party in the common room was a fun welcome to Hogwarts. In her first few weeks at school, the place served as her home where she could relax and enjoy.

The girl followed the librarian into his office excitedly. She liked visiting staff members, and she loved chatting about books. "Yeah, I'm really liking Ravenclaw. Thank you for making the common room so nice," she said, giving him a smile. She stopped in her track and imitated Mr. Kitridge by looking at his desk. Nicole's green eyes widened as she saw a white creature sitting on top of it. She guessed this was a kneazle, judging by its cat-like appearance. "Is this your pet, Mr. Kitridge? Can I touch it?" she asked, taking a seat on the comfortable chair. "Lemonade, please." she said. She started looking around the room, noticing stacks of books, a crystal ball, and other interesting items. Was that a portrait of Madam Pince hanging on the wall?

"I'm glad you like the common room. I haven't decorated it all on my own. I had help from Professor Tanner and some house elves." Leo said modestly. It was a team effort but it felt good to hear that at least one newly sorted eagle had noticed and was adjusting in well. "Did your parent's go to Hogwarts too Miss?" He was not going to spend a whole conversation with one of the student’s he was in charge of without knowing her name. It’d be odd and not very nice either.

Madonna wasn’t hard to spot and naturally the girl took notice of his pet’s presence in the room. With a loving glance in his kneazle’s direction Leo affirmed. "Yes, she is my pet. And yes you may touch her if you want. Her name is Madonna." Madonna spent most of her time in the library and thus received a lot of pets and cuddles from students so Leo figured the girl would be fine.

Fetching a glass, he poured up a glass of lemonade which he offered to the girl saying "Here you are; feel free to help yourself to some cookies too," on the tray ontop of the table between the chairs.

The girl was beginning to like Mr. Kitridge more. She respected his modesty, and wanted to learn this good quality from him. "Professor Tanner... is the Arithmancy professor, right?" she asked. Nicole liked the professor too, as she did a good job in assisting the Head of house and taking care of the eagles. As the librarian asked her a question, she realized that she had not introduced herself yet. "I'm sorry, it's Holloway, Nicole Holloway," she said quickly, blushing. She guessed he might have heard her name before, either during her sorting or around in the common room. "And yes, my father has went to Hogwarts when he was my age," Nicole answered. "He was a Ravenclaw too!" she added excitedly. "My mother is a muggle, though." Zero possibility for her to attend Hogwarts.

With permission granted, she reached out and patted the kneazle's fur. "Hello, Madonna," she greeted. She thought Madonna was a pretty name for a pretty animal like her. "I have a pet cat up in the dorms, his name is Diamond." Nicole said. Maybe the two pets could meet up once while their owners had a chat in the library.

"Thank you, Mr. Kitridge," she said happily. One of the reasons she liked visiting professors and staff members was because they offered food and drinks generously. "Wow, thanks, are there any oatmeal cookies?" Nicole scanned the content in the tray. She was not trying to be picky, but oatmeal ones were her favorite. She remembered seeing a rule in the code of conduct about food and drink not allowed in the library, but guessed it did not apply in the librarian's office. She was glad of that, very glad indeed.

"Yes, Professor Tanner teaches Arithmancy." Leo affirmed. He almost added that Tiara had taught flying too before the pitch had been swallowed up by a giant hole but decided not to. It was no use bringing it up since Annie had forbidden all flying on the grounds. Smiling warmly he said "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Nicole." He had seen her during the sorting ceremony and a few times in the common room when he had made his daily visits.

"How exciting, that you are continuing the family tradition of Ravenclaw's. Are your parents proud? I was a Ravenclaw back in my school days too." Leo shared. He didn't remember anyone in his class being called Holloway but Hogwarts was big school, unless of course Nicole’s father was older than him?

Leo watched with amusement how his kneazle rolled over on her back as Nicole greeted her. Madonna always knew how to get out maximum of a possibility of a cuddle. Reaching out to stroke his kneazle behind the ears, making her meow contentedly he said with a glance to Nicole. "Diamond is a nice name for a cat too. Do you let him out in the castle or do you just keep Diamond in your dorm?" It was interesting to know how the student’s did with their pets. Madonna was free to go where she wanted within the perimeter of the grounds.

Looking over at the cookies he grinned at Nicole's excitement. "Yes, they are oatmeal cookies. I baked them in the kitchens this morning. Feel free to eat how many you want." Leo was glad that the house elves didn’t mind his frequent visits to the kitchen.

When thinking of who to survey for the arithmacy project, Benny had tried to think of who he felt the most comfortable about. And who would likely be the most open to help him. Somehow a certain librarian came to mind and the Gryffindor couldn't help but wonder if anyone would manage to beat him to it. Tanner had asked them to try and be original with who they asked.

Making his way upstairs to the fourth floor as quick yet calm as he could manage, Benny slipped quietly into library before making his way towards the man's office door. No one was around so it could be a good thing. It could also mean that Mr. Kittridge wasn't actually around. He hadn't seen him at the front desk...right? Taking a chance, he reached up a hand and knocked on the wooden surface of the door before stepping back and patiently waiting for some kind of response.

Hopefully.

The library was quiet which meant that Leo could get some work done in his office and answer personal correspondance which he had been putting off. The letters to his family, relatives and friends he usually didn't want to rush and thus he waited to answer until he had a little more time to spare. Leo had just seated himself at his desk with the letters when it knocked on the door.

Giving the letters a long glance, he rose and went to answer his door. Peering out at the boy in lion robes he said "Good day Benjamin, what brings you by? Tips on new books to read?"

Ben was seriously hoping he hadn 't made a mistake by coming here. There was the chance that the reason he hadn't seen him at the desk was that Kitridge had stepped out into the stacks or out of the library totally. However soon enough the door was answered and the Gryffindor was greeted by the familiar Ravenclaw head of house.

"Hello Mr. Kitridge," he said, returning the man's greeting before shaking his head at the topic of the second question. Nope...he didn't need anymore reading materials at this point in time. "Professor Tanner sent us students out from her class to see about doing calculations for two people outside the class. And I was wondering if you would be able to assist me in this assignment." Benny was seriously hoping that the librarian would answer to the affirmative. Otherwise he'd be out looking for another TWO people to work with instead of just one. "It would require your birthday."

Benjamin explained why he was there. He needed Leo's help to complete an arithmancy assignment for class. Nodding he responded. "I see, of course I'll assist you. My birthday is May 2nd 2047. Do you need any other information in order to complete your calculations?" Instead of odd Leo decided to take it as flattering that two students with a few minutes apart sought him out in the library to get some personal information about him to complete their arithmetic calculations. Leo would have to remember to ask Tiara at dinner what the student’s had been calculating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Benjamin explained why he was there. He needed Leo's help to complete an arithmancy assignment for class. Nodding he responded. "I see, of course I'll assist you. My birthday is May 2nd 2047. Do you need any other information in order to complete your calculations?" Instead of odd Leo decided to take it as flattering that two students with a few minutes apart sought him out in the library to get some personal information about him to complete their arithmetic calculations. Leo would have to remember to ask Tiara at dinner what the student’s had been calculating.

He would help him...awesome.

"Thank you." Taking out his parchment from the book, he scribbled down the man's name and birthdate, leaving enough room for the calculations. "No...I think that's it. That's all I need," Benny said, thinking back to what they had done in the classroom. Only the date had been used. If anything else was needed, let it be for homework and he could retrieve it later. Benny then took a few moments to do the calculations for the librarian. Show he wasn't just stealing birthdates.

SPOILER!!: work

Mr. Kitridge
May 2nd 2047
5 / 2 / 2047
5 / 2 / 2+0+4+7=13
5 / 2 / 1+3=4
First Cycle: 5
Second Cycle: 2
Third Cycle: 4

"Um...according to this, your past was filled with freedom and uncertainty, your current period is more subdued and filled with teamwork and cooperation. and your future should be a time of putting it all in order and stability." At least that was what he was getting out of it all. Some were written up more confusing than others and Benny himself prefered ones that told you what the numbers meant in certain positions.

Oh well.

Leo leaned his back against the door as he waited and watched Benjamin calculate out his numbers and then check for what the numbers meant in his textbook. Hearing the words Leo furrowed his brows as he responded thoughtfully. "I see. At least the first part about my current situation is accurate I suppose since my days here at Hogwarts are filled with cooperation and teamwork with my many colleagues on staff." The other part about his future was more fussy and vague even if he thought that he was on his way to fulfil some stability now that he had Cassie in his life.

"Thank you for sharing your calculations and what the numbers mean with me Benjamin. I really appreciate it even if I'm not sure it made me any wiser. I suppose you have to go back to class now?"

Nicole nodded and smiled back at Mr Kitridge. "Yes, they are. Although they would still have loved me no matter what House I was Sorted into," she said. It was interesting to know more about the librarian's school life. He was a Ravenclaw too! She took a mental note to write a letter back to her father asking if he knew a Mr Kitridge from his House. "How was Hogwarts back then? Has anything changed?" she asked.

She watched as Madonna the kneazle rolled over onto her back. It was so cutee, Nicole could not help but pat it some more. "Thank you, I faced some challenges finding a good name for him." she said. She wondered if her parents found it difficult naming Martin and her. "For now I just let him stay in the Common Room, but I am willing to take him out for regular walks in the grounds when I get used to castle myself," she replied. "How do you take care of Madonna, Mr Kitridge?" She wanted to learn from other pet owners and gain good qualities that would help her provide a better living environment for Diamond.

Yay, oatmeal cookies! Nicole gladly picked one up and took a bite. It was yummy, and freshly baked too! "This is really good. Can you teach me how to bake sometime?" she commented, taking another bite. "I have visited the kitchens once. The house elves there were nice and helpful," she said. She could not forget the fun experience she had with Chance in the kitchen.

Listening Leo nodded and said with a small smile pursing his lips to Nicole. "It’s good to hear that your parents love and support you no matter your house affiliation." Sadly though he knew that was not the norm in all families. Sipping on his coffee Leo answered thoughtfully. "On the outside the castle looks basically the same as it did in my school days. The inside has been renovated and such as the professors and the headmistress/headmaster in charge have changed over time and tried to put their mark on the castle. Even the library doesn't look exactly as it did in my school days because of the great fire of some years ago that destroyed a few sections and many books."

Leo looked on as Nicole patted his kneazle who didn’t seem to mind the extra attention at all. Madonna had never said no to being petted, which he was very grateful for because she came across many students in the library.

Slightly taken aback by the question, he scratched his head as he responded. "I let her roam free in the castle for the most of the day. When Madonna is hungry she uses her hidden cat door to get into my office and eat. She sleeps in a basket in my office or in one that I have under the front desk counter. If I have time I take her on walks on the grounds. I have a harness on her then and a leash since the grounds is home to many creatures that might consider a kneazle as food."

Smiling Leo said "Sure, if the time and opportunity arises I can definitely teach you to bake sometime or you could ask the house elves. Is there anything in particular you'd like to learn how to bake?"