Originally Posted by awakemysoul

"Ah... Thanks," said Benji, taking the textbook. His heart was still racing from the sudden fright (and subsequent burst of physical activity). He concurred with her "Ugh" but didn't say anything -- you never knew who could be listening, and he had a deep-seated fear of authority in general, let alone the Wicked Witch of the West and his flying monkey the new headmaster and Divination professor.

"It's... Okay," he said, as soon as he'd had a moment to catch his breath. "Benji, yeah. You're Hanna? I know we've run into each other in the common room..." He was almost positive that that was her name, but there was room for doubt. They had never said much more than a polite hello to each other, and now that the rules were so strict, he felt like there hadn't really been time to talk to... you know... anybody. (But of course, he wasn't going to say that. Sounded too much like criticism.)

"Do you mind if I stay? I don't want to interrupt you. Just... everywhere else is super busy." He shrugged a bit, pushing up that pesky sleeve once again, and waited for an answer.