Maps, maps and more maps.

That was Verona's topic of research for the evening. She had spent much of her day in classes and had finally finished her homework for the day which led her to have a free hour before she would head down for dinner. It wasn't nearly as much time as what she wanted to spend in the library, but it would do for now. She'd come back tomorrow and probably the rest of the week until she was satisfied with understanding enough about magical maps and cartography.

People were to probably think she wanted to be a famous cartographer when looking at the number of map books that began piling in her two delicate hands. However, if they simply asked they would know this was all research for a new invention she had in mind.

The fifth year placed her pile of books at one of the desks and then took her seat. She elongated her long arms in a big stretch upwards and then found her hands opening the first of many books placed at her table.

Her family history was getting good. Chloe had been consumed by it for a few weeks now. Between homework and Quidditch, she found herself staying up extra late to read more about this Blaze family. It was interesting how far back she could go with them, but how little she still knew. She was going to have to ask them, but which one?

Walking into the library to find a seat Chloe glanced around and found one next to Verona, "Planning summer travels already?" By the looks of all the maps she was sure that was what was going on, but maybe she had an owl that dealt with maps.

"I think it would be great to travel the world one day."

It wasn't even three pages later that the fifth year found herself with some company. Verona paused mid-sentence and hopelessly laughed at the thought of summer in this freezing cold weather. Summer was a long way away, especially with the hard work of OWLs looming beforehand. She wasn't too concerned though, OWLs would be a walk in the park for her.

"I wish I was planning summer travels," Verona longingly sighed. "I'm actually just doing a bit of, well, research."

As for traveling the world one day, Verona couldn't deny what an incredible opportunity something as such would be. The United States was currently where she wanted to go most, or Germany...that was highly up her list as well. "Is there anywhere particular you would want to go?" she asked.

Oh research, that interested Chloe, 'What are you researching? I've been doing a bit of my own research, but it isn't with maps. It's been for genealogy." She was going to figure all this out, she just had to keep working. Looking at the maps again though she couldn't imagine what the older girl was researching and it had to be more interesting than studying, so Chloe was all ears.

When she jumped on to Chloe's questions of travel she got all the nods. Traveling sounded wonderful and she wanted to do it as much as possible. " I think America, because that's where some of my mum's family was from, but I've been there before, just not for a while. I also would like to go to Australia, because it looks fun and one of my quidditch role models is from there." Yes, Bel was from there and she was amazing to Chloe, so Chloe wanted to visit the country.

Even in his distress Maxie's eyes had wandered again and again to the Ravenclaw Tower's library. He had read about this (funnily enough) in Hogwarts, a History there it had been described as one of the greatest libraries known to wizardkind- and one of the most exclusive. Ravenclaw was accessible to everyone as long as they answered the Bronze knocker correctly, but this... was not something they easily or eagerly shared.

Which was why Maxie was sneaking along the shelves, his eyes wide with reverence, and something like love. Longingly, he reached out and stroked the spine of a particularly old and beautiful looking leather tome.

He shuddered, and strangely enough so did the leather tome.

Whenever he needed resources and references for any of his homework or studying, Drewett's go-to place would actually be the main library. At least there, he was certain that the librarian would know where and what books he could get his hands on. Also, the more the merrier. The main library definitely had a much more extensive list of literature, and Drewett would not mind spending the day there.

Except, considering everything going on with the mist, the fifth year wasn't feeling it today. The library was on the fourth floor and his legs weren't in the mood to drag him all the way down there from his dormitory, which was on the seventh floor. So the common room library wasn't so bad. Drewett actually really liked it too. Having their own mini library was convenient and perhaps one of the best things about being a Ravenclaw to him.

There, the fifth year saw the younger Hufflepuff from the Hogwarts Express again. Drewett tried not to be awkward about it, tried not to recall that encounter with the younger but definitely taller boy. Taking a moment to scan the books for books on Herbology—oh hey, that volume of Spider-Man looked neat—he smiled briefly at the Hufflepuff. "Looking for something in p-particular?"

He had paused for a moment too long his privacy of mind stolen away with a few stuttered words. Maxie jumped back, his calloused hands immediately sinking into his cloak pockets as if to conceal they'd been anywhere near the books. Unlike his upperclassmen, Maxie knew Drew by name. He was known throughout the school for being a genuinely good person who seemed to attract trouble like flies.

This reputation, along with the fact that the Hufflepuff was a foot taller than the other boy, left Maxie feeling slightly more confident - and comfortable than usual. Nevertheless, he was not about to ask for help- or permission. With an anxious shake of his head, Maxie stepped away from the shelves but not Drew.

There was a long beat, and then. "Y-Your Common is n-nice."

Welp. Drewett sheepishly smiled at the younger Hufflepuff. "I-I didn't mean to startle you," he quickly added after seeing the boy jump back. The fifth year made a mental note to work on that, perhaps especially around Maxie. In fact, the Hufflepuff almost reminded Drewett of him in a way. Jumpy. Stuttering. Awkward. The same adjectives almost anyone would describe this Ravenclaw.

Drewett genuinely found his own common room to be one of his favourite places in the castle, mist business aside. It had a great view of the grounds from here. They had their own mini library. The ceiling was painted to resemble a starry night sky. A smile made its away on his lips as he continued to scan the books on the shelves. "I agree, it's nice up here," he said. Not in a cocky way. He really did like the Ravenclaw tower.

But that made him a tad bit curious now about the other common rooms. He'd been to the Slytherin common room before. It had a nice underwater vibe and Drewett would have to agree that it had an interesting aesthetic, but it wasn't his type of vibe. "...What was yours like?" The fifth year could only imagine that perhaps it was unfortunately nothing but misty down there now.

Maxie did not respond to the older boy's reproachful words. Sure, he hadn't meant to startle him, but he had and that was that. There was no going back to the moment where calm had descended and his long fingers had so eagerly been searching out that beautiful leather tome. The Hufflepuff felt quite cursed in that moment and would hold onto this feeling for the duration of their... conversation.

The young boy leaned back, resting his weight on the armchair behind him. He looked about as sullen as his beautiful little face could manage. it was nice up here, almost nice enough that he could forget about his things- about his comfort and his home- almost, but not quite. Wrapping his long arms around himself, Maxie let his eyes fall to his dark shoes.

"Big. W-warm... " He said simply, unable or unwilling to impart much more. It didn't feel right to share/ The Ravenclaws hadn't chosen this after all- their sanctity had been imposed on without their feelings or their consent considered.

That must have stung. "It's like... Living in a barrel. But nice, a-and cozy." Maxie blushed, his cheeks as red as any quaffle. "I miss it."

Welp. There was some awkward uneasy tension in the air that Drewett couldn't shake off, and perhaps...perhaps he should have stayed silent. Maybe Maxie didn't want to talk or maybe he wanted to be alone. Maybe. Maybe maybe maybe. It did little to how sheepish the Ravenclaw was feeling.

But then it would be rude to just cut off the conversation like that.

Do you see the dilemma here?

Drewett focused his eyes on a book title, pretending to be interested in it. Wait, scratch that, it was an interesting one about norse mythology but he was also still very much listening to Maxie describe the Hufflepuff common room. Living in a barrel seemed a little bit crowded to the fifth year, but he was certain that wasn't what Maxie meant. "Did it have....a library too?" Or something. Maybe they had better access to food as they were closer to the kitchens, but that was far too stereotypical.

Well, to be fair, Drewett wasn't a fan of crowded places. It had taken so much getting used to for him to let the Hufflepuffs into their tower, but it didn't matter anymore. He'd rather all of them were safe over his own comfort.