Book in hand, Medea hesitantly made her way up to the front desk early in the morning, fiddling with the leather spine as she peered around for Leo. Should she just leave it and then go without a word? Or stay and explain herself? Though she did have things to do before lessons, and honestly, just leaving it here and sneaking out seemed like such a better plan. How would Leo take it when someone was over almost four months late with a book? One from the restricted section too, naturally.

Silently and ever so carefully, she placed the book on the counter top, fingers softly tapping against the wooden desk frame. Oh boy.

Kevin had sworn to himself that he would NEVER step foot in the library again. But desperate times call for desperate measures. He fast walked towards the front desk. The ridiculous backwards writing on his forehead was still visible with big bold black letters and as he reached the front desk he actually looked desperate to ask something but another Professor was in front of him. The....Defence one right? It seemed like she was just standing there though so he began to speak in a loud voice to get the man's attention.

"I NEED duel books!" he said. "Now! Pronto! please! .... Where are the duel books?!" he asked. "And i need defence books hurry hurry!"

Challenging a Professor to a duel was probably not a good thing if he didn't even know HOW to duel......

Brows creased in concentration Leo moved the gigantic pile of books from the storage room to the front desk for labelling, putting in a library card and charming against water, fire and well most other eventualities. It wasn't until Leo had put down the gigantic pile of books on the floor and he had moved around to fetch a parchment that he noticed his first visitor of the day. Happily surprised Leo beamed. "Good day Medea. What can I help you with?"

Eyes dropping down to the book she had placed on the counter Leo asked "Did you want to return the book or borrow it again?" He wasn’t about to give Medea a lecture for coming back with the restricted section book extremely late. He figured she had a good reason for holding onto it so long.

Leo was about to ask Medea about her summer when young Kevin barged in with haste demanding books on duelling. Taking a cautions step to the side to block the pile of books beside him he said "Slow down Kevin! What's the rush? Do you want to read about medieval duelling as well as modern?"

Kevin saw that step towards the pile of books and it made him grin as he remembered what he had let happen last year. He still wasn't sorry about it and still had found it funny. Hmm...maybe he should try something else this year? But not now, he had something important to do. "The rush is that i have an important duel this saturday" He pointed to his forehead where the day, time and location of the duel was written on backwards that the Astronomy Professor had hexed on him "but i don't know how to duel or know a lot of spells but i CAN'T loose!" This was a big thing for him okay? He totally took this seriously eventhough the Professor was most likely going through the duel step by step and explaining things. HE STILL WANTED TO WIN!

Medieval duelling and modern duelling.......Kevin stared at the Librarian and then blinked a couple of times. "I don't know! Everything! as long as i can beat him!".......He also needed to practise....WHAA why had he accepted the challenge again?! Oh right...he had been angry at that time....

Oh, he was smiling. That was goooood. Unless he didn't remember that she'd...oh, oh no. He did remember. "Return." she replied with a small grimace, tapping her fingers anxiously against the sides of the book before clasping her hands together. Before she could explain herself however, she practically jumped out of her skin.

Goodness gracious! That was not a library voice!

The backwards bold black lettering on the second year's face was surprising enough though to keep her quiet. Oh my. Unconsciously, she tilted her head a little to the side and squinted a bit, as if that'd help with figuring out the words. 1 pm? Saturday? Dueling Arena? ...Come again?

"Who are you dueling, Mister Hirase?"

An important duel! At those words Leo's eyebrows shot up in surprise all the way to his forehead as he informed the young lion meaningfully. "You know unsupervised duelling is against the school rules right? You can get detention and points deducted for duelling a fellow student or worse." In what kind of mess had Kevin exactly gotten himself into? Did Leo even want to know? Should he send word to Seren right now?

Pulling out his wand Leo magically fetched all the books he had in the library about duelling but he wasn’t exactly comfortable with letting Kevin loan them until he had gotten a whole lot more information about who he was duelling and why. "How did you manage to get challenged to duel in the first place?" Placing a hand over stack of duelling books Leo turned his attention to Medea who seemed to be everything but at ease for some reason. "Is something wrong?" Leo questioned as he accepted the book and placed it in the Restriced Section box under the desk to put back later.

Looking over at Kevin at Medea’s question Leo waited to hear the answer. He too wanted to know just exactly who Kevin was planning to duel.

Kevin had almost forgotten that the Defence Professor was here as well. He turned his gaze away from the Librarian and looked at her. But the man came in between just as he was about to answer her question and he rolled his eyes again. "You really think i'd be telling people ...especially you guys...that i have a duel if it was illegal?" His mother had already warned him about his rudeness but he couldn't help it. It was in his blood. Okay not really it was just who he was and he was TRYING to change. But some things just needed sassy snappy answers.

Being distracted by the flying books that flew his way, Kevin realised that the man wasn't giving him the books just yet. "Crazy Space Man challenged me to a duel last year!" hmm maybe he should add some more. "Okay, so last year i had a hat" which reminded him that he STILL HAD NOT GOTTEN THE THING BACK! and he made a mental note to get it back as well. "And Space Man...Professor Space Man" see? he was using the title! "He took my hat during class so i went to his office to get it back and while i was there HE PETRIFIED ME AT THE DOOR!" True story. "He 'says' it was a mistake but i don't believe that! Who , especially a Professor? 'mistakenly' petrifies people?! So he said that i could get revenge in a duel but we both got super old last year , you know? so we couldn't duel but now its time again and ....." he sighed heavily before turning to the Defence Professor.

"What are some good curses i can use to win?!" And as for the books. "I promise i'll return the books savely and without harming them!" Just give him the booooks.

Leaning against the counter, she raised an eyebrow. The youngster had a point. It was rather weird to hear of an unsupervised duel coming from a student who was participating in it. On the other hand, hearing of just WHO he was dealing, the other eyebrow raised to meet the first. Ooooh? Rather unexpected twist in the story.

'Course, Kevin could have been lying and she would most certainly find out if he was telling the truth, but, in the meantime...

A mischievous smile had slowly started to appear. "It's Professor Flamsteed, Mister Hirase." Airey certainly didn't deserve to be called 'crazy'. With a little glance to Leo, fighting the smile as she took a deep breath, Medea turned her gaze to the second year lion. Ahem. "I believe...'Curses and Counter-curses' by Vindictus Viridian or 'A Guide to Self-Protection' by Quentin Tremble vould be a good start...........right, Leo? For Mister Hirase's duel against Professor Flamsteed?"

Crazy Space Man? Airey had challenged him to a duel? Before he could correct Kevin’s way of speaking of the Astronomy Professor Medea interjected to do so.Then the whole story unravelled about the hat in class and how Airey had petrified him to his office door by mistake and then apologized. But Kevin hadn’t accepted the apology and Airey had thus challenged him to duel to settle it. To sum it up it was a real mess. How much truth there was to Kevin’s story was a whole other matter which Leo didn’t feel like digging into. Medea would most definitely corner Airey in his office later about the duel.

Pushing the books over the counter to Kevin he said with a small smile. "I want the books returned at the end of the month. If you want to borrow them longer then just stop by and let me know." And he didn’t need to emphasize that he wanted the books back unharmed. Kevin already promised that.

With a glance over at Medea he nodded "Yes those books will definitely be of service to you in your preparation for your duel." Pondering as he flipped his wand again to fetch one copy of the aforementioned books Leo said to Kevin as much as Medea. "It might even help to read up on the late headmaster Albus Dumbledore’s duel against Grindewald in Hogwarts A History." It couldn’t hurt even if Kevin couldn't use all the spells.

Just Professor Flamsteed? Oh nononono. Kevin sighed as he shook his head. "You two have obviously never seen his lessons. He jumps on tables and sings in class like he's in a musical..." Although he had to admit that his classes were some what easy to understand...in a super weird way. But still, he was crazy and the Gryffindor had doubts again whether or not he should continue with this duel.

...Continue of course! He was a Gryffindor! Not afraid of anything RAWR!

He turned his attention to the female Professor and cocked his head slightly as he listened. "Curses and Counter-curses' by Vinny Viria thingy" He repeated. "Got it i'll look in to that one" And then even the Librarian gave him a tip. Which kind of surprised him because of what he had DONE to the man's books last year. Oh gosh he was starting to feel guilty now....okay maybe not. He nodded at his book answer as well before grabbing them and holding them against his chest.

"I'm gonna be the first student to defeat Crazy Space Man!" Yeah..still no Professor Flamsteed for him. Holding the books in his arms, the Gryffindor said something he had never said before to an adult at this school. "Thanks for the tips!" And with that he turned around to leave the Library and find a place outside to ......study..... he was ACTUALLY going to study. what was wrong with him?

Who was hiding behind the front desk? Well, Dan was. With a book. Zoe wouldn't find him here, he didn't think she even knew there was a library at Hogwarts. Hopefully no one else would find him either. He could read in peace behind here and away from the prying eyes of other people. He just had to hope Mr. Kitridge didn't come back anytime soon.

Text Cut: Kevin

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckyLinJi

Just Professor Flamsteed? Oh nononono. Kevin sighed as he shook his head. "You two have obviously never seen his lessons. He jumps on tables and sings in class like he's in a musical..." Although he had to admit that his classes were some what easy to understand...in a super weird way. But still, he was crazy and the Gryffindor had doubts again whether or not he should continue with this duel.
...Continue of course! He was a Gryffindor! Not afraid of anything RAWR!
He turned his attention to the female Professor and cocked his head slightly as he listened. "Curses and Counter-curses' by Vinny Viria thingy" He repeated. "Got it i'll look in to that one" And then even the Librarian gave him a tip. Which kind of surprised him because of what he had DONE to the man's books last year. Oh gosh he was starting to feel guilty now....okay maybe not. He nodded at his book answer as well before grabbing them and holding them against his chest.

"I'm gonna be the first student to defeat Crazy Space Man!" Yeah..still no Professor Flamsteed for him. Holding the books in his arms, the Gryffindor said something he had never said before to an adult at this school. "Thanks for the tips!" And with that he turned around to leave the Library and find a place outside to ......study..... he was ACTUALLY going to study. what was wrong with him?

Leo couldn't help but smile as Kevin described how Airey acted in classes. "Getting excited and inspired by the topic is just a good thing." He pointed out. "Doesn't it make you want to learn more?" Not that Leo had ever been to one of Airey’s lessons but in his youth he would have appreciated a professor who went the extra mile to get his student’s interested in learning something.

As Kevin gathered up all the books for his duel preparations Leo smiled "You’re welcome! I wish you best of luck in your duel Kevin." Maybe the second year boy could even win? Weirder things had happened. Turning to Medea as Kevin left Leo asked "You're going to be there for the duel and see to that none of them get hurt right? I don’t need to tell Seren about this?"

And could Medea spit out what was bothering her?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

Who was hiding behind the front desk? Well, Dan was. With a book. Zoe wouldn't find him here, he didn't think she even knew there was a library at Hogwarts. Hopefully no one else would find him either. He could read in peace behind here and away from the prying eyes of other people. He just had to hope Mr. Kitridge didn't come back anytime soon.

Coming back to the front desk after his regular round around the shelves making sure that the student’s had found all the books the needed and didn’t have any questions Leo sat down in his chair. He was about to pull it closer to the counter to be able to do some paperwork when he felt how it connected with something under the desk. Curious he lowered his head to see if his kneazle had made a nest down there and instead found himself face to face with a student. "Daniel?"

Jumping when a foot hit him, Daniel peered out from under the desk. "Hi." His response was quiet and timid. "I... err... sorry." He held up the book as explanation. "It's easier to read under here. Do you mind?" He hoped not. If Zoe found him, she might make fun of him for hurling the gnome into the fence by accident.

"It's fine." Leo reassured Daniel. Pulling his chair back a few feet from the desk he asked brows furrowed slightly. "Are you sure you want to read under there? It's very dark. And the floor can't be very comfy either and not to mention cold." Because of the draft coming in every time someone opened the door to the library."

"I'm okay." Dan pointed to his wand that was taped to the underside of the desk with lumos cast. "It's better to read here than be found by someone who'll make fun of me." he murmured. Even though he'd been here for five years now, he was still terrified someone would pick on him.

Kate hated asking for help.

To her, it was a like admitting failure. To ask for help was to recognize that you couldn't do something by yourself. But, Kate couldn't find the book by herself because she didn't know what book she was looking for. So she went to the front desk, where she figured she could find the librarian and ask for some help.

Or… she would just stand there patiently and hopefully he would offer help. That way she wouldn't have to admit failure so much.

Spotting the wand taped to the desk with the lumos spell casting light over the book Daniel was reading. Taking the comment as an invite Leo did something he rarely did, meaning sitting down on the floor on the boys level even though the floor he knew was stone cold. "Is someone picking on you? Being mean to you? Who is it? I can help you." If it was an eagle Leo would be very displeased.

The day was shaping itself out as a good one. Leo had gotten a run in before breakfast with Javy and Orsinso and was now busying himself with cleaning and restocking the shelves for new books quietly humming to himself. He turned to fetch a clean rag to brush off the last of the lingering dust he spotted a waiting student. His face turning into a sunny beam Leo said as he walked over to her."Good day, how may I be of assistance?"

Oh, the librarian man was so happy! Kate couldn't help grinning back. "Hello," she said politely. "I was hoping you could help me find a book to read." Well, duh, Kate. What would you do with a book other than read it? Kate really hoped the librarian was good at his job. She kind of knew what she wanted to read but not what the book would be called or where in the library it would be.

"It will be my pleasure to help you find something to read." Leo grinned. Gesturing for the blond girl to follow him over to the general novel section he asked when they both stood in front of the large bookcase. "What kind of book are you looking for? We've got heaps of new books nobody has stuck their teeth in yet and multiple genres like detective/crime, suspense, romance and feel good ones. If none of those strike your interest we've also got some new books with creatures as protagonists or some about sports." The selection was pretty vast. Now Leo just had to help the girl narrow it done some.

Kate followed the librarian over to the large bookcase and stared at all the books. She knew the library had lots of informational books, but she hadn't realized it had so many recreational reading books. She tilted her head and tried to figure out how to describe the type of book she was looking for. "What about books with space or science themes? Like a space adventure!"

When Mr. Kitridge sat down next to him, Dan moved up a little to give him some more room. "No, not yet. But they will." he answered miserably. "I did something wrong in lesson and I feel really bad." The poor gnome had just laid there for ages!

Thoughtfully Leo raised himself on his tiptoes and pulled out a muggle adventure space novel which he offered to the girl. "We've got this one. 'The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams a muggle author. Its a comedy science fiction, space adventure." Turning to the gigantic book case he asked as his eyes skimmed over the titles. "Or do you want a space adventure story written by an author from the magical world?" Some tended to be picky about those things he come to learn.

Leo's impulse to sit down on the boy's level hadn't exactly been a good one he reasoned now that he felt how cold the floor was through his clothes. "Doing something wrong in a lesson shouldn't be a reason for getting picked on. Everyone is supposed to do wrong sometimes. It's how you learn." Leo commented. "What happened in the lesson then?"

"I did worse than doing something wrong." Daniel sighed sadly. "I... I hurt someone." Well, something, but he supposed the gnome had a name and a family and feelings. "I accidentally threw the gnome into the fence instead of over it. It laid there for ages looking dead." His worried blue eyes finally raised to the librarian's face as he whispered, "I feel really, really bad."

Leo waited silently for Daniel to spill out the full story. When the badger boy admitted to hurting someone he was about to ask how that someone had gotten hurt had the healer been needed? Luckily though he didn’t say anything as Daniel continued his story and it turned out that he had thrown a gnome into a fence. Leo almost laughed.

Smiling he said reassuring the young man. "Don't feel bad Daniel. Garden gnomes can take hits to head. They are pretty sturdy. They just get a little dizzy it’s nothing serious. The gnome you threw is I promise you doing well and causing disruption in the bushes on the grounds as usual. Didn't Professor Thompson tell you not to worry about hurting the gnomes?"