Penny walked up to the library and knocked on the office door of the librarian..

*KNOCK, KNOCK*

Penny stood aside to wait for an answer.

Even for Ariadne, it was peculiar that she was going to the library before the term started properly. A personal record, as it were. However, this time she wasn't there to read a book or do homework, but to talk to her Head of House.

Walking to Madam Donovan's office, the girl noticed another student already waiting there, who she assumed had already knocked, so Ari did the only thing left to do...wait. She hoped her Head of House remembered her. At least, she had made a good impression-hopefully-with that bouquet at the beginning of the previous year. And now she actually did have an important matter to discuss.

BAH! Lexi NEVER got a chance to speak to Madame Donovan anymore! It was a TRAGEDY! And of COURSE there were small people already queued up outside of her office. Lexi put her sad face on and stepped between the kids, went straight to the door, and knocked before calling out, "Maaaaadaaaaaame Doooooonnnnnoooovaaaaaan." Hehe. It was, of course, more like a little song she was singing.

Hehehe. She had GIFTS for her fave Head of House, though and she had THINGS to discuss with her. Things of great importance that CLEARLY needed tending to before the little people. CLEARLY.

Hearing a succession of knocks, followed by the lovely and SUPER familiar voice of Miss Lexi, Kimber plodded over to her door in her stocking feet. "Hello, all," she greeted as the door flung open.

Before anyone could step inside, she lifted her hand in a 'stop-right-there' gesture. "New rug!" she chirped proudly. "Everyone remove your shoes and hold them up where I can see them before stepping inside." And Merlin help them if their socks weren't clean. She would NOT have her office smelling of feet just to accommodate the students.

Lexi smiled brightly when she spotted her favorite person EVER to grace the halls of Hogwarts... well as far as staff members went. heh. Then... she said something about SHOES. MEEP.

Lexi kicked off her Converse and held them up for inspection and glanced down at her socked feet. Yes, she was indeed wearing rainbow print toe socks. What of it?

"Madame Donovaaaaan! I have something for you!" she said as she bounced on her toes a bit.

Since he had some free time before classes went into full swing, Gideon decided he should head down to the library. Madam Donovan had been kind enough to allow him to keep a particular book over the summer and it seemed only right to return it as soon as he could now that he was back at Hogwarts. Walking through the library to the woman's office, the book carefully held within his grasp, the Gryffindor spotted the door open announcing she was indeed in but as he got close he noticed others both inside and right at the door.

"Um..Madam Donovan?" he asked with a soft knock on the office door, his feet still outside unsure if she was busy or not for he could certainly come back or simply leave the book and go.

Kimber noticed Lexi's socks first thing - how could she not? Heh - and she didn't even bother stifling back her giggle. "Those are great socks, Lexi," she laughed, motioning the seventh year inside. It was hard to believe that this was the last term she would... NO! She wouldn't think like that. It was too early to get all sad now.

"Have a seat, Lex," she said. "And don't forget to admire the rug. It was a gift from a very special friend." Who seemed to think her office was simply too boring.
Spotting Gideon approach the door, Kimber opened it just a bit wider and gave him a smile. "Might as well come on in, too," she said. "But take your shoes off first." If she saw even a speck of dirt, they'd all be on their hands and knees picking the carpet clean before they could even blink.

Lexi giggled along with Kimber and wiggled her toes a bit for emphasis. "Aren't they though? They keep me little piggies warm," she said with more giggles. GIGGLES FOR LIFE!

Lexi then flitted into the room and paused at said rug and took a loooooong look at it. "It's lovely, Madame Donovan. Really it is," she said approvingly. She then made her way to a seat and perched herself on it before digging into her pocket for the TINY parcel. Hehehe. Charms were great things.

Waving the package around she giggled a bit more and then glanced at the new person in the room... a person she didn't know. Meh.

Seeing the librarian and head of house's smile in his direction, he could tell at least she wasn't bothered by his presence. Gideon listened as Madam Donovan spoke nodding at her comment and instructions before pausing in his movements to slip of his shoes. That's a new rule, he mused quietly to himself but the fourth figured it had something to do with the change to the flooring that once he overheard caught his attention as different then the last time he had been in the office.

His own socks now visible, a simple pair of dark red covering his feet, Gideon resumed his walking further into the office. He still stayed from getting too upclose, allowing the elder student her moments.

'Good-' Ari started to greet her Head of House, but before she could finish, Madam Donovan announced she had gotten a new rug, apparently very proud of her acquisition. '-day, Madam.' the girl finally ended, taking her shoes off in the meantime, unable to stifle a chuckle. She held her clean shoes up, but blushed when she saw her Slytherin-green socks. 'The ideal day to wear them...' she thought sarcastically, having forgotten she had put those on in the morning. 'Err...may I come in for just a few minutes?' the now second year asked.

Penny looked at the librarian, listening intently to the instructions..... She happily took off her shoes to shoes the lady... Penny had never seen the librarian before even though she was in her second year now...

Last year she, Penny, had stood here for over five hours waiting to see the librarian and she never got to see her.... At least this time the door had opened..

Walking over the threshold in her sock soles, Penny waited for everyone else to finish - she didn't want the whole school to know
her business.

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Penny wondered how much longer she would have to stand here like an ugly wall flower in her sock soles - She was also wondering if the librarian did not like her - But Penny knew that would not be the reason...because as far as she knew, the librarain did not know her, Penny, and they had never even spoke before..

Although, this was not Penny's doing....last year she had stood for 5 hrs waiting for an audience with the librarain and now this year she had stood for over 6 hrs..... and still hadn't managed to speak to elusive Madam Donavan..

Penny walked out of the room and put on her shoes again.... Vowing to herself never to set foot inside Madam Donovans library as long as she attended Hogwarts school..... Nope she would get her research books sent to her from home !!!!

Closing the door quietly, Penny left and returned to her common room, deep in thought about what had just happened... Thinking she might have a word with her prefect or head of house about the lack of assistance she had received and whether or not this was normal behaviour for a 'librarian'.

Rose walked to the door of the librarian and knocked lightly. She wanted to introduce herself, and she also had a question to ask her.

OOC: For those of you that knew why I was away, thanks for being so supportive. I love you!
For those of you that didn't... I'm truly sorry for the wait. And I'm back now so let's have some fun.

Madam Donovan nodded happily. "It IS lovely! I KNOW! I think everyone should take some time to just... admire it for a moment," she said, sighing dreamily. Though truth be told, she was completely serious. Even her eyes read, 'STARE AT MY RUG, DARN IT!!' Heh.

At sight of the tiny package - which knowing Lexi, could ONLY be a present - Kimber walked over towards her and perched herself on the edge of her desk. "You spoil me, Lex," she said, holding her hands out between them to receive it.
"Come have a seat," the librarian said, seeing that Gideon was also now standing there with his shoes off. Smiling at the boy, she waved him over towards the still empty chair beside Lexi. They were housemates after all. Just one BIG, happy family.
"Yes, please. Come in. Sit. And stay. And check out my rug." Not at all her normal greeting but whatever. Today was a good mood kinda day.
Hearing the quiet knock on her door, Kimber called out, "Cooooome iiin," in it's direction. "OH and please remove your shoes," she added, sure not to forget her own, new rule.

Lexi giggle!snorted at Madam Donovan a bit before taking out her wand and tapping the box which grew in size threefold. which was not TOO large considering how small it was to begin with. She giggled some more as she held the box out for Kimber to take. No she did not quite place it in Madame Donovan's hand... she kept it juuuust out of reach. Heh.

"I could hardly go on holiday and not get you anything this time around. I got them while I was in India. I visited the Taj Mahal while I was there as well," she said with a smile that said a LOT. She would, of course, share her vacay details with her fave person later on.

Gideon nodded and accepted the librarian's offer, moving into the room towards the empty seat next to his fellow Gryffindor. He took a seat and settled there as the elder Gryffindor spoke obvious presenting their HOH a gift from her travels as he overheard. The fourth year waited quietly, absently admiring the rug in the process, the book he was returning carefully laid on his lap.

Still embarrassed because of her Slytherin-green,albeit clean, socks, Ariadne entered her Head of House's office and quickly took a seat. Although the invitation to admire a rug seemed weird, she could tell it was important for the woman. 'It is a very beautiful rug, and it fits perfectly in this room. Where do you have it from?' That was pretty much Ariadne could comment on it, since she was clueless about stuff like that.

'I've talked to the Headmaster last year about my wanting to become a wandmaker, and he sent me to you for some career counselling.' the young lioness explained her visit, getting directly to the point, feeling that Madam Donovan didn't like to waste her time.

Taking the box for herself, Kimber quickly unwrapped the package and peeked inside. Her smile grew when she saw the beautiful jewelry that was nestled inside. "Lexi, it's lovely!" she said, holding the earrings up to get a better look. "I know just where I'll wear them first," she added, before placing them gentle back in their box for safekeeping. "You must tell me all about your holiday... when we have more time to talk." Knowing Lexi, there was no way she'd go into detail in front of strangers.
Madam Donovan was still smiling brightly when she turned her attention on the younger Gryffindor. "So... how'd you like it?" she asked, nodded towards the book in Gideon's lap.
Kimber was all too happy to respond to any and all compliments regarding her rug. Especially since she had been fishing for them all afternoon. "Thank you! A dear friend bought it for me this summer. Had it delivered just in time for the new term," she answered.

Kimber's demeanor changed slightly at the mention of the Headmaster but was relieved to hear that Ariadne wasn't here for a punishment. She was really in no mood for the dungeons just yet.

She couldn't help the smile that appeared next. "Ariadne, we still have a few years before I can work out any internships with the local wandmakers... " She was only twelve after all. "...but I could help you research the basics. There are books on wand cores and woods that would be excellent reading material for you."

Gideon looked back the librarian when she turned her attention to him in turn. "Very well," he answered truthfully smiling back at her. "It was really quite interesting," he added getting up to return it do her desk.

"Thank you again Madam Donovan...for allowing me to take it out over the summer." It really had been nice of her and it had taken him by surprise when she had offered it when he had found the book on break for studying for finals and hadn't the time to really read it before term end.

Lexi clapped her hands with glee as Kimber inspected the jewelry. YAY! "I am glad you like them! I will indeed regale you with every single detail soon. I have to be off now, though. Got things to tend to," she said as she rose from her seat. Sighing she looked at Kimber for a moment before moving forward to HUG her. This was the last time she would come into this office and give her gifts from summer past. UGH. She would miss Kimber more than anything or anyone else at this school. "I suppose I should excuse myself so you can be all librarian-esque or whatnot."

A dear friend? Mr Stryker, perhaps? Ari mentally scolded herself for letting her thoughts ramble like that. Concentrate, she told herself, fixing her gaze back on Madam Donovan.

'I know that, m'am. I wasn't thinking of an internship or anything that far, I just wanted to decide what subjects to take in my third year. Care of Magical Creatures, I suppose? Along with Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology? Anything else?' the girl wanted to know. 'Oh, and that would be great.' she added, when her Head of House mentioned reccommending her some books.

Walking in the library area without feeling bothered this time Josh directly made his way to the door of Madam Donovan's office. Yes, finally in his last year in this school the boy managed to change a great deal of his prejudices about the library and the books inside. He even had come in here once to research if unicorns really existed. Yup, that was right. He actually had walked in and read a book here.

Whatever...

Approaching the door, he checked his school uniform first to see if everything was in their right place then raised his hand and knocked the door twice.

Now to wait...

Gideon's gratitude touched Kimber in a way that she was not at all used to. It seemed to her that maybe Chad was right. The kids WERE growing on her. The more time she spent with them, the more she was starting to thaw to their exasperating ways. "It was my pleasure," she answered. "And it is clear that you took very good care of it while you were away. I couldn't have asked for more."
"You'd better," Kimber smirked, giving her a level stare. Details were a must. She HATED having to wait but as Lexi said... things needed to be tended to.

She wasn't ready for the hug, but when it came, she wrapped her arms around the blonde and squeezed her hard around her middle. She was truly going to miss her.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," she said, solemnly. "Don't forget to make your way back here soon though."
"My my," she said. "You seem to have your plan fairly well thought out. I'm impressed! That shows real initiative at your age." Man, you just HAD to love Gryffindors. They saw what they wanted and went for it. No dawdling whatsoever.

"If you'd like, I'll collect the books this afternoon and have them sent to the common room." Or maybe, she'd just bring them herself. It was high time she paid them a visit.
"Come in," she called out, wondering if she should consider adding more chairs soon.

Upon hearing the voice, Josh checked his school uniform again because it tended to be...well...all untidy all the time yet it seemed okay to him now for a second time. Good for his standards anyway, he had no idea what others might think but whatever. That was what he could do about it since there was no one else to ask.

Then slowly and carefully he opened the door, peeked inside giving the woman a little smile. Hmm...it looked like he was not the only student who had been wishing to talk to her. After walking inside, he closed the door back and turned to face his head fo house.

''Madam Donovan?''

Seeing Josh's face appear, Madam Donovan returned his smile and motioned him inside. "Hello, Josh," she greeted the seventh year. "Remove your shoes and come have a seat." He could sit in the chair Lexi had just vacated. Right up front.