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[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel was bored. She was trying to focus on her Transfiguration essay but it just wasn't happening. She had doodled various designs for clothes in the margins already, as well as a few flowers and goofy faces. She would have to start over on a blank sheet of parchment anyway, she wouldn't be able to turn this in. Professor Odegard was nice, but she didn't think he was that nice. She glanced aroud, spotting a boy from her year nearby. Zaros always seemed so serious, he probably had no trouble focusing on his studies. She wondered if he was working on the same essay. She wanted to ask, but there were a few older students nearby who had already cast her a few disapproving looks when she had been humming earlier. She tore a bit of parchment from her notes and scribbled on it. Then she used her wand to float it over to the boy, letting it land in front of him.

Hi! Are you working on Transfiguration too? Isn't it boring?
I'm Hazel
[a drawing of Hazel, waving, alongside a few doodles]

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros was in the library, just reading a history book out of curiousity. He was content, enjoying himself, when a note slipped down between his pages. He raised a brow, reading it over before scribbling out a much quicker reply.

Hello Hazel. No, I am not working on Transfiguration. I am in Hufflepuff, I do not have the subject this semester. I am just reading history.

Zaros

ps your drawings are nice

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel was pleasantly surprised when she got a response from the boy. She didn't know Zaros that well, but he seemed like a serious boy. So she had half-expected him to ignore her note or get annoyed with her. Writing notes was definitely more fun than studying. She smiled as she read the response, before writing one of her own. She folded it into a bird this time before flying it over to him. It wasn't a perfect bird, but it was close enough.

Hi Zaros,
Do you have History homework? Or are you just reading it?
Thank you, I like drawing. What do you like to do?

[drawings of a few flowers and a happy cat]

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros was only half paying attention to his reading now. This was definitely interesting. He liked notes- it was easier to talk through notes. He was sure this was a on off thing- outside of letters or notes he doubted anyone would want to spend any real amount of time with him. But that was something to deal with later, for now he'd just enjoy it. He bit back a smile as the next note appeared, scanning over it before scribbling out a response.

Hazel,

No, it's just interesting to me. I'm just reading to read. I find it relaxing. How is your homework going? I'm going to guess not well.

I like to take walks, listen to music, read sometimes.

~Zaros

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel was happy with this distraction from her essay, though she knew she should finish it today so she wouldn't regret it later. She glanced over at Zaros as he got her next note, trying to figure out if he looked annoyed at the distraction. He didn't seem to be, and that was encouragement enough for her.

Hi,

If you like reading, isn't it more fun to read an exciting novel or something? Something exciting?
My homework is not going well, how did you know? : P
That all sounds nice but a bit quiet, I guess it suits you.
If these are annoying you can tell me.
[a drawing of a small hazel with a question mark above her head]

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros was getting in a few paragraphs between notes. He cracked the barest smile- just the corner of his lips tilting up the barest bit as he recieved the next note. He read it over, considering his answer, he scribbled out a new note and sent it back to her, simply folded in half.

Hazel,

I do read novels sometimes, but I like to occasionally read non-fiction as well. History can be just as interesting. There are all sorts of fun things hidden away if you just go look for them. For example, did you know the shortest war in history was forty minutes?

I do enjoy quieter hobbies. What hobbies do you have?

I don't think these are annoying. Your drawings are cute.

~Zaros.

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel smiled as she watched Zaros read her note. She should do this more often, writing notes was fun. She eagerly awaited the next one, grabbing it out of the air and opening it. After reading it, she wrote a quick reply, folded it into an airplane, and floated it over to him.

Hi Zaros,

I didn't know that! Forty minutes? Really? I always thought history was a little boring, don't tell professor Moncrieffe though!

My hobbies are fashion design and making jewelry, mostly. I like drawing too but not as much.

[drawing of a dress and some shoes]

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros was only half paying attention as he read some of his history book. He picked up the airplane as it landed on his pages. He unfolded it carefully, reading over the words. He considered his carefully for a moment before scribbling them onto a new page and folding it in half, sending it back.

Hazel,

I feel like anything can be boring, or interesting, given the right context.

I doubt Professor Moncrieffe would be surprised, but I won't tell her anyway, since you asked me not to.

Your hobbies sound interesting. Do you design your own clothes? I've read of people who design and make their own outfits. Is that what you meant? Or do you enjoy reading the magazines?

~Zaros

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel had abandoned all pretense of studying now, enjoying this back and forth a lot more. She beamed when the note came back to her, snatching it from the air quickly.

Hi!

I know but she tries hard to make her lessons nice and I don't want her to feel bad. You know? It's not her fault its a boring subject. Also, she's pretty scary. Also don't say I said that, please.

I design my own clothes and I make them sometimes too, I can sew pretty well. I also make jewelry, like my earrings today. I made the little stars from clay.

[a small doodle of a star]

Hazel

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros continued his reading, not wanting to be rude and watch her as she made her notes. He picked up the page as it slipped over his book, glancing over the words and taking in her doodles before starting on another reply of his own.

Hazel,

You seem to presume a greater relationship with Professor Moncrieffe than I actually have. I don't think I've ever spoken with her- I'm not really one to speak in classes.

Your earrings are lovely. Being able to make your own things is a worthy talent, I think. Resourceful. Have you always been interested in fashion? Alas, I don't possess any such talent. I'm afraid I'm rather boring.

~Zaros.

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel laughed softly at Zaros' reply. He was funny and nice too. Sending this note had been the best idea she'd had in a while. She quickly scribbled another reply.

Zaros!

Well, I was mostly saying it just in case. You could be her best friend, how would I know?

Thanks! It's not just a talent though, it takes a lot of practice. I bet you could make something too if you practiced. Is there anything you'd like to make? And yes, I've always been interested in fashion. Not the boring kind, though, I feel like anything I make has to stand out in a crowd. You know?

I don't think you're boring.

Hazel

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros finished his page, before giving up and closing his book. He picked up the note when it appeared, but didn't immediately read it. Instead, he grabbed his bag and walked to Hazels' table. He sat across from her, opening the note and scanning it. He scribbled out a response before sliding it over to her with a small smile and a little twinkle in his eye.

Hazel,

If I was her best friend, I'd probably have a better grade in her class.

I've never thought about what I could make before- though I suppose if I really wanted my grandmother would be sure to get me into a class or something. What kind of things are there? Like sewing and knitting and stuff? Is embroidery a thing?

You could just be saying that, you know- you could just be bored and I'm just nearby. Though I still appreciate the thought.

~Zaros

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel couldn't help smiling as Zaros sat down across from her. For a moment, she thought they might just start talking instead, but then Zaros opene dthe note and read it before writing down a response. Hazel smiled as she took the note from him as he slid it across the table, opening it to read it herself. Then she got started on a response, which felt a little different with him so nearby, watching her.

Zaros,

Yeah classes are fun! Though you can also just figure out what you like to do for yourself. You can do sewing or knitting, embroidery is defintiely a thing! As is drawing or painting or writing or sculpting or anything you'd like to try.

I COULD just be saying that, but I'm not. I'm not a liar! I think you're interesting, so there. A boring person wouldn't have written back to me.

Hazel

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros watched Hazel as she scribbled a response, taking her in a bit more fully. Her dark hair, the shade of her eyes, the soft curve of her lips when she smiled to herself, the smooth curve of her cheeks and the way her earrings dangled against her neck. He took the note she offered, scanning over it. He bent over his own note, doing a very careful stick figure with a small smile, labelled with his name.

Hazel,

It seems there are a lot of options. How did you choose yours?

Writing back is only polite, no? It'd be rude to ignore the effort that went into the notes, and your drawings. Mine aren't nearly as nice, as you can see.

Zaros.

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel couldn't help kicking her feet slightly as she watched Zaros write a response to her. When he was done, she took it from him eagerly and started to read it. The stick figure was cute, and she grinned widely as she wrote another response.

Zaros!

I just tried doing a bunch of things, honestly. I realized I liked the hobbies where I ended up with something I could wear the most, like my jewelry.

A boring person wouldn't have drawn that either, I love it and it looks just like you, maybe a little skinny.

Hazel

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros waited patiently, watching Hazel and considering how this was going. It seemed to be going well, honestly, but would it continue if he tried to talk without the notes? He decided it would be best to just ask her outright. He took the note she gave him, smiling softly as he read it before writing a note of his own in turn. It took him a bit longer as he carefully considered his words, thinking of what he wanted to say.

Hazel

Thats very practical and creative of you. Are you part of the creative arts club? I feel like you might have a good time there. Perhaps next year I should join just to see what its about, or perhaps I should just start smaller and go to the arts room instead.

Thank you for the compliments on my stick figure. As simple as it is I did it very carefully.

As much as I am enjoying the notes, I do realize it would be impractical to use them forever. It does raise a bit of concern for me, if I'm to be completely honest. I've never been the best with speaking. I'm often slow and say the wrong thing- I come across as blunt or rude without meaning to. I'm afraid speaking with me requires a good deal of patience. While I do believe we could be friends, I worry that I would unintenionally hurt your feelings or cause frustration. If dealing with me would be a problem, please say so now so that I don't raise my expectations.

Regards,
Zaros

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel smiled as Zaros passed her another note, reading it eagerly. She blinked in surprise when he said he wasn't good with speaking. She knew Zaros was quiet, but she had always thought it was more of a choice. Like he was too serious and focused on schoolwork to spend time chatting. She smiled as she looked up at him, not grabbing for a new note. "Well, then maybe we should practice speaking." She said simply. "Hi!"

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros wasn't sure what he'd been expecting- another note perhaps? But instead, Hazel looked to him and spoke. His eyes widened slightly and he swallowed. "This is unexpected," He blurted immediately, wincing, voice a little gruff- partly from nerves, partly from what he assumed was puberty. "I mean, that is," He cleared his throat, raising a fist to his lips and blushing. He looked away a moment before looking back. "Hello,"

 

[Hazel Ashworth]

Hazel giggled when Zaros seemed a bit taken aback, but at least he didn't seem upset that she was talking to him. She waited patiently for him to respond. "Hello." She said again. "You seem to be okay at talking if you ask me." She teased. "Thank you for responding to my notes."

 

[Zaros Lodowick]

Zaros swallowed, trying to keep himself calm. He wasn't good at this part of things, but she seemed to be taking it alright. He took another deep breath. He gave her an almost sheepish smile. "Just okay sounds about right," He offered flatly, running his hand through his hair. "The notes were fun- are fun," He admitted, hoping he didn't sound too childish. "Your drawings are nice."