Lachlan the Lanky
 

For Stefan!Jace
 

With a new book to read from the Library, Jace kept his face buried in a book as he ascended the stairs up to the Tower Patch. Somehow, the Grounds felt a bit too crowded for him, so the green patch up the tower would be a good place to have a quiet time.

As he arrived on the last step and taking a turn, Jace looked up from his book momentarily, obviously distracted by a moving something right under the Statue of Lachlan the Lanky.

What is that kid trying to achieve?

Wait...he knows that face!

Shutting the book close and stuffing it into his bag, Jace sped off to where Matt was...and eagerly mimicked his...position. "Does this make you...learn things faster?" Just a wild guess. Oh and hey there friend!

Matt was concentrating. Ommmmmmmmm... he had his eyes shut to see if he could take anything from the statue and the position.

Nah, just kidding. He was simply testing himself to see how long he could stand still in that position. Not moving was CHALLENGING and Matt usually struggled with it. So he was TESTING himself. Building STRENGTH, you know.

OHEY, A FRIEND! Good, he wouldn't have to stay there all statue-like without even TALKING. That would probably drive Matt crazy. Learn things faster? "Good point. Probably! Lachlan here looks like the clever type, don't he?? AND he's got a book." All the logic! Matt stifled a chuckle. "You don't need to learn things any faster, Jace, you're a RAVENCLAW. I heard you guys were BORN knowing everything." Hehehehehe!

Light and funny moments with this pal are always welcome, did Matt know? Jace laughed and turned around to give Lachlan a better look. “He’s probably a book worm...but maybe not that clever.” Because being clever can’t be learned. “That’s a good exercise though...what you just did.” He added pointing to the current position of the statue.

Jace chuckled and scratched the back of his head, debating whether what Matt said about Ravenclaws was true. “I still study...and struggle at some points...so, no. Not true.” The Ravenclaw shrugged. He can only hope to be that good. “What brings you here, Matt Solo? Were you trying to harness the Force?” Because he looked like he was trying to do something...out of the ordinary.

Gryffindors. You don’t know what they come up with at times.

Matt tilted his head. "Why do you think he wasn't that clever? I mean..." He pointed up towards the statue. "He's reading and all. What, you think he was dumb and had to read loads to compensate?" Lol, Matt had never considered THAT option.

That was a good exercise? "What, this?" The boy asked as he returned to his Lachlan the lanky position. "How?? I know it's good for me because I have to NOT move and man, that's HARD. But I bet you can not move for ageeeeesss, can't you?" Jace looked like one of those people who would put themselves in a pretzel position and just sit there doing NOTHING for HOURS. Just the thought of it made Matt feel funny. He would NEVER be able to do that. EVER.

Jace said he struggled at some points while studying. Haaahahahaha! "Noooo, you don't! You don't need to be humble around me, mate, it's all good." The Gryffindor nudged his friend with his elbow.

HARNESS THE FORCEEEEEE. "I guesss you could put it that way." Matt gave Jace a beamy grin. "Ya know how Jedis are all zen and stuff and just act like, when they KNOW they should act?" The third year looked at his zen friend to see if he was following. "Yeah, well, I CAN'T do that. Y'know what I mean? Like, remember when Luke was first training and he had a helmet thing that kept him from seeing and had to be able to tell when and where the lazer shots were coming from? He had to waaait and LISTEN or FEEL or whatever. Yeah, I CAN'T DO THAT." Matt paaaaaaused. "I bet you can."

*Crashes*
 

Art was just coming down from the Gryffindor tower, and heading back to his office. The long walk down. If only he had one of those electric seats that could lower him down the stairs, that would be great.

Hearing voices, he turned the corner and saw two of his students. "Hello there Mr Reed, and Mr Solo. How are you?" He was just passing through, but was quite happy to have a quick rest before the stairs.

“There’s no account of Lachlan the Lanky being clever…little is known about him.” Jace read things about the statues of course and he won’t believe in something that only his eyes can see. There must always be proof, or a way to prove such hypothesis. Was Lachlan dumb then? The Ravenclaw had to shake his head violently in protest, “No no…that’s not what I meant. I mean…maybe he’s just a curious chap and not…dumb.” Merlin, he hated saying that word. It was too harsh for the Japanese kid and just…it hurts his head okay?

Jace had to step back and watched Matt do the pose again. “It’s good for posture. Just…don’t slouch too much.” The Ravenclaw chuckled…and he had to agree with what he said. “I can do the Japanese traditional sitting position called seiza for hours…uhm…that’s kneeling on the floor like this.” He said as he kneeled on the floor, sat on his feet, and both hands were placed on his thighs. After the short demo, he stood up again and brushed his trousers. “It is uncomfortable though.” And there was a reason why it’s being done. “But you know…sitting still can be good for you, Matt. It should help you quiet your mind so you can think straighter.” Did…that even apply to Gryffindors in general?

And…what now? Is Matt trying to tell him that he’s lying? “No, seriously!” he said laughing as he accepted the friendly nudge. “I do get stuck at times, and trust me…it’s the most frustrating thing to ever happen in my day.” Because Ravenclaws simply need to know everything, yes?

And then, there goes Matt explaining Starwars stuff to him. Though he’s not the biggest fan, he has a huge respect for Jedis because they’re like Samurais in real life. Jace nodded in understanding and urged Matt to continue. “You’re just like Luke then. Maybe try to learn patience? I know you can do it just give yourself the chance to try it.” Although Matt looks like a hopeless case, Jace believes that he can do at least a little bit of waiting. “Well, to be honest, that’s exactly what Kendo is. Especially when I’m in a sparring session. I have to wait…and be fast and exact with my attacks. I still have a long way to go…” See, he didn’t even get his Nidan Level last summer because of impatience.

The half-Japanese raised his hands with an imaginary sword in it…and playfully slashed on Matt’s shoulders. It’s so hard to penetrate those areas in a swift and quick manner. Merlin. Jace was about to ‘hit’ Matt on the head when he heard an old man’s voice from nearby. Turning and putting his arms on his sides, Jace beamed at Professor Newton and gave him a respectful bow. “Konnichiwa, Newton-sensei.” Oh? Did he come from upstairs? He must’ve visted his old dorm with the Lions? “I’m well professor. Thank you for asking.” He said in reply, giving Matt a glance. “How about you, professor? Is everything going well for you?” Were the Lions giving him a hard time?

"More like... nothing is known about him." By Matt, at least. Lol. "Except that he... kind of liked books? Maybe?" The third year looked up at the statue's face. "Although he doesn't look particularly excited about having that book... He looks more like... like he's developing some evil scheme of sorts!" Matt pointed at its frowny FACE. He might have been just a curious chap and not dumb? "Like ME!" He gave his friend a beamy grin.

Matt stood up staighter after what Jace said, but kept the pose. "Like that?" Weirrrrrrrrrrrrrrd. "OH, the pretzel position!!?" He asked excitedly before Jace could demonstrate what he was talking about. Oh, no pretzel. "Ohh, right. Is that... wha? Seiza?" That didn't look very comfortable aaaaand Jace just said that, lol. "Why would you sit in an uncomfortable position for HOURS?" Matt asked, squinting as he tried to make sense of it. It made no sense at all. At aaaalllllll. "Can't you quiet your mind by sitting in a comfortable position?" Genuine question. And what was with all of these people wanting to quiet their minds to think straigther?? Productiveness came from CHAOOOOOSSSS.

"I'll have to see it to believe it." The Gryffindor said jokingly even though he really meant it. He DOUBTED Jace struggled to learn ANYTHING. OH! "I CHALLENGE you to find something you get stuck on." Booooom. Matt loved challenges.

HAHEHEHE. Jace said he was just like Luke. Matt approved. Then his friend carried on saying he needed to learn patience. LOL. Matt actually laughed out loud. "Leeeeearn it? I donno, Luke seemed to struggleeeeeee big time to learn patience, hahaha!" But he supposed the guy had eventually learned it so... maybe he could too?

...The EFFORT, though...

Whaa, wha?? Jace had lost Matt when he started talking about Kendo and did the mooooves. "I thought..." HUH... "I thought that was like, some martial art thing and you had to be all HAAAAAAA and YAAAAAAA and HOOHAA- YA!" Matt demonstrated his lack of amaziiiiing SUPER FAST fighting skills.

Just when he was about to DEFEND himself from Jace's imaginary attack with his AWESOME skills, the Ravenclaw turned and greeted someone in his own funny language. Matt grinned and waved when he noticed who it was. "Heeey, professor NEWT! Alright???" First Jace saying he was like Luke, now professor Newt calling him Mr SOLO. Good daay!

“He’s a very mysterious wizard, don’t you think?” Jace said looking up and just went for the obvious for now. “Lachlan the Lanky. A gangly man called Lachlan…a gangly man of…Scottish descent?” Lachlan sounded…very foreign to Jace, it’s not even British to him. “It makes sense if he’s Scottish…I mean…he’s known here in Hogwarts…” The Ravenclaw shrugged and paused to think things through. “He may be scheming something, yes. I mean…look at the size of that book. Probably a book of spells?” Or curses? Who knows? “But…to have a permanent place in Hogwarts means that you are of importance so…he must’ve invented really cool spells back in his day.” Jace can go on and on with his theories but he had to stop because…well, nerd alert over here! Jace laughed at the beamy face and nodded enthusiastically, “Yes, and curious is better Matt!” he said giving his friend thumbs up.

Pretzel what? Blink. Blink.

Oh, he meant the Lotus Position. Well it’s his preferred sitting position while reading or eating, but of course that one is meant for comfort. Seiza is a different story. “Well it isn’t for one’s comfort to begin with. You’re doing it for the person you’re with to show respect…and it’s for self discipline too.” The Japanese have their own weird way of showing selflessness to be honest. “I think you can…if you can keep your focus.” As for Matt well…any position will not suffice to quiet his mind. Jace was sure.

Did Matt just throw a challenge for him? Jace inclined his head to the side…and slowly grinned at his friend. “Okay then. Challenge accepted. I happen to be stuck on something.” Would he like to know? Jace was sure Matt is on the same boat with him.

Okay, maybe not. But then again, Matt may be of help.

Jace nodded solemnly this time, mimicking the old Obi-Wan Kenobi. “You have much to learn, padawan.” Okay, he didn’t butcher the line did he? He didn’t want to disappoint Master Solo. Jace chuckled at the confusion, and shook his head as he clarified what Kendo is. “It is a form of martial arts, but it’s not solely focused on attacks. It is about making smart, precise moves at the right time...and actually reading your opponent before it can make an attack. It’s all about quick thinking and an open mind.” Did…Matt follow? Kendo has a pretty complex philosophy, and he started really young to understand it, at least on the surface. He still has a lot to work on at this point.

"How about a Strength Potion, professor? But uhm...will that do more damage than actually help you?" Age should be factored in, but they're talking about potion here. Surely, there is a limitation...but what exactly are the Strength Potion's limitations? Questions. Jace has it all! "Or maybe just...transfer most of your office belongings in the Gryffindor Tower? So...you don't have to go down all the time?" Or maybe set up his own mini-potion lab somewhere in their dorm?

Jace shrugged and turned to Matt and grinned back at their professor. "Just...teaching Matt a thing or two about patience." Good luck, right? And yes, there's the challenge thing. Maybe Professor Art can help him figure it out too?

Hmm...

"Mysteriousssss Lachlannnnn." Scottish descent? "Could be! He does look like he's dressed for harsh weather." Okay, Matt was making things up. But welp, if you weren't going to read it off books, your hope was to make things up and hope for the best. That was his motto for exams as well. "He was probably a dark wizard... no! He wouldn't be here at Hogwarts if he were. So he was probably a nice guy. Who... defeated dark wizards. Or maybe he was just a person working for the Ministry." Boring like that. "OR he did something cool for the school, like..." He had to pause to think a bit. "Like, if he was the person who brought radios to school." If they were going for random, it had to be full on, alright. "Y'know, we have a radio in the Gryffindor Common Room. Do you have one in your Common Room too?" Or was it just a Gryffindor thing? Matt didn't know. "Maybe he was a Gryffindor." If there were only radios in the Gryffindor Common Room. "But his face looks like a Slytherin face to me." Whatever that meant. "Probably the hat." Matt explained his illogic with a shrug. Matt grinned. "Yeah, those people who say 'curiosity killed the cat' were probably very boring people who didn't want to know anything!"

'Well it isn't for one's comfort to begin with. You're doing it for the person you're with to show respect…and it's for self discipline too.' Jace was speaking English, Matt could tell, but the words made no sense to the Gryffindor, even though he could understand them. ".................What?" Matt gave his friend an uttely confused look.

"That was fast." The third year laughed when Jace said he was already stuck on something. "No cheating!" Matt would know if you were lying, Jace! Because... well, he didn't know what he'd do to find out, but he WOULD know, mmmmhm!

The Ravenclaw's next words made Matt laaaaaugh out loud again. He was calling Matt a padawan! Okay, Matt would let that go just because it was Jace, alright, and because that sounded really funny - again, probably because it was Jace, haaa! The Gryffindor frowned as he listened and tried to make sense of the type martial arts Jace was trying to explain. Reading the opponent before they can make an attack?? "THAT'S IT! That's what Jedi Knights DO!" And that just didn't seem possible to Matt. How, how, HOW would ANYONE know that? "Are you sure that's possible in the real world? It sounds like... fiction." UGH, OKAY, he admited, Star Wars was... fiction... ugh, it HURT in his HEART to admit it, but he had to. Especially if he was looking to develop those types of crazy and seemingly impossible skills.

And about professor Newt's problem, Matt had a better solution than some Potion! "PROFESSOR! That's it!" He started as soon as the idea popped into his mind after what Jace said, his hands shooting straight UP for emphasis. "Why don't you transfer your office AND classroom up to the TOWERS??? That'd be AWESOME and you wouldn't have to go up and down alllll the time." Matt explained enthusiastically, lots of hand gestures going on. "I can help you move your stuff!" HE WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT THE IDEA ALREADY!! LET THEM GET MOVING, COME ON!

Jace stuffed his hands inside his pockets, nodding along as Matt went on and on and on with his theories. The Ravenclaw figured that Matt can be really great in theories IF he’s pushed to the right direction. Matt may never believe him, but he does make sense. And...they’ve got a radio in their dorm? Now...that’s something really cool to have. Jace was about to respond, but Matt was on a roll. As his usual. The Ravenclaw chuckled, shaking his head. “No, we don’t. We have a lot of rare books though.” Which was by the way...the MOST awesome thing to have. Too bad, it doesn’t cover his concern. “And I agree. If you don’t use your brain, it will rot.” Well, it will over time and Jace wouldn’t want that for him or any of his friends.

Jace couldn’t help but laugh at Matt’s expression. He expected the baffled look, but really, Matt should see his face! “I know it’s a hard concept to grasp especially to Westerners...” Jace continued, wiping his eyes with his hand. “Well you see, it’s to show the highest respect to our elders. It is an act of selflessness.” Okay, maybe he should stop at this point because Matt’s head might roll over if he continued. Not everyone can perfectly understand the point of the seiza, but as long as Jace can do it, he will do it out of respect for his peers and for his ancestry.

“You know,” Jace started with a chuckle, “I wish I could cheat my way out of it. I’ve read books about the topic...but I get the feeling that the information is inconsistent.” See, he’s really stuck Matt! He even might spend years trying to figure that one out.

The laughter was much appreciated, because it made the quiet boy laugh too. “It is possible, Matt. I’ve done it before...but not always. It takes a lot of practise to read someone’s next move.” He said nodding his head, trying his best not to dwell on the missed opportunities he had during his last spar with a higher ranked kendoka. “So...does that make me a Jedi Master? Or...a padawan at least?” Because really Jace wouldn’t mind being called a learner since he is one.

The Ravenclaw had to suppress his smile as he moved a bit to the side to give Matt all the room he needs to express himself. Jace had to admit that his suggestion is way better than his, although...is it entirely possible to move the laboratory way up in the castle? “I wonder if the potion ingredients will react to the high altitude.” Genuine curiosity right there. “I can help too sensei! Only up until the Fat Lady’s portrait of course.”

Five points for helping? Awesome!

The ever polite half-Japanese gave the man a bow and nice grin to thank the professor. Really, they just threw a very simple idea to the man so Jace was a bit surprised. Not that he doesn't appreciate it, but it was a bit...trivial to him. He thought earning points came from hard work? "I hope the Headmaster agrees. Really, I don't mind taking Potions up in an airy tower. The Slytherins may not like it though." The classroom has been, sort of, part of their territory already so...the protest is to be expected?

Wait, so changing the environment can affect a potion ingredient? It is to be expected, but the boy thought it would be unusual since the ingredients are magical? Well, most of it at least?

"I'm sure it'll help if you can store them in dry and sealed containers, right? But...will it not react to the sudden drop of temperature or humidity as soon as it is opened? If...if we do mimic the environment of the dungeons though through a weather changing charm...will it help counter the quick degeneration of the ingredient?" Question, theories...Jace got it all in his brain.

The belly laugh didn't go unnoticed though, despite his questions. "We have a lot to learn about patience, professor. I may be able to pick up something from Matt too." Because surely, Matt won't be an easy apprentice. He can already tell.

Rare books. Jace said that as if it was COOL, so Matt decided to go along with it. Not before givinhis friend a quick look of unbelief. RADIOS WERE COOLER THAN BOOKS, obviously, but then again, Jace WAS a RAVENCLAW. See, Matt's point about them kind being the clever type and being born knowing everything and being bookworms and all of the stereotype? All accurate. Now THAT was super duper accurate. If you didn't use your brain it would rot. "It's TRUE! Not literally, I know, but it WILL rot." ...Maybe literally as well, who knew? The Gryffindor's features suddenly became darker. "Do you think there's a dark potion to make someone's brain rot for real?" THAT WOULD BE HORRIBLE AND TERRIBLY EVIL. Definitely some kind of Dark Magic of sorts. EVIL!!

A hard concept to grasp especially to westerners... westernerrrsssss. Matt was that. Some people said that as if it were a bad thing, but Matt didn't think it was. Not that being non-Westerner was the bad thing. Neither was BAD, they were just... different? VERY different, clearly. Matt still had no clue what Jace was on about. "So you show respect by being uncomfortable and in pain?" The third year staaaaaaaaaaaared at his friend as he tried to understand the concept. Really, he WAS trying. But... yeah, VERY strange different.

"Alright, tell me what it is already!!!!" COME ON, JACE, Matt knew you might be making things up. Struggling to learn something, REALLY??? Naaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.

...To read someone's next move... Matt stayed quiet for a few seconds while he tried to picture that in real life. Was it actually possible? Really? REALLY, though? "I donno, are you SURE you can do that?" The Gryffindor asked as he kept eyeing his friend.

...

He suddenly reached out and quickly BOOPED Jace's nose like a NINJA.

ALEKJFKJRHEKJR DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING, DID HE?? HAHEHEHEHE!!

Professor Newt was going to think about the idea and speak to the Headmaster!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! "THAT'S BRILLIANT, PROFESSOR, IT'LL BE AWESOOOOOOOOME!!" He exclaimed with both fists UP in the air in VICTORYYYYYY. And five points too! Ha, awesome! But they needed to talk to the Headmaster still. " LET'S DO IT NOW! Can we come with you, professor??? To make sure things go SMOOTHLY and QUICKLY for you?" HE WAS EAGER TO HELP, COULD THEY TELL???

And Jace was going on about the humidity and whatever of the dungeons. "I bet not all ingredients even like that environment, they just got used to it." Like they had feelings or something, lol. "Maybe the DUNGEONS had to be charmed so most of the ingredients would be kept fresh! I bet most ingredients don't need to be in humid and damp places, really." RIGHT??? Why favour them dungeonsssss, it didn't make seensseeeeeee. "LET'S BRING IT ALL TO THE TOWERS!" And then see what happened.