Closed Scared but Curious

[Arachne Westwick]

Arachne had trouble adjusting to being on her own. She and Nessie spent most of their free time together, but they couldn't escape small moments where they had to be in different places. It felt strange and not entirely bad, though Arachne wouldn't tell Nessie that. But even though she didn't mind it, it did scare her a bit to be without Nessie. One thing she could count on with her sister was that she'd protect Arachne if anyone was mean to her, even if it was usually by being mean to other people first. She felt small and insignificant as she walked through the corridor, taking in the many different strangers that passed her by. Almost all of them were taller and older, and Arachne couldn't stop herself from staring at them curiously. At least, until she spotted a familiar face. This person wasn't older, though he was probably a bit taller. But the worst thing was that he was someone she knew. Declan, from daycare, who she had been so rude to last time they spoke. What would he say if he saw her? What would she say? She had no idea how to talk to someone who had been nice to her but who she had hurt. Why did he have to be here? Quickly, Arachne ducked behind a suit of armor, ignoring the odd look it got her from an older student. She peered into the corridor from behind the armor's arm, watching the boy closely. Hopefully, he wouldn't see her.

 

[Declan Burke]

Declan was liking Hogwarts so far, glad that he had a couple of his cousins were here with him, who would be able to help him if he needed. His older cousin, Molly, had recently gotten a job here as a nurse and his other cousin who was a few years older than him, Fiona, but she didn't seem to like the idea of babysitting him, though he was pretty sure he was too old to be babysat now if he was being honest. Either way, Declan was happy to explore the place, with or without his cousins' help. The Gryffindor had spent the day exploring the castle while he had his new tarantula companion, Little Will, with him, either placed on his shoulder or in his hands as they explored.

Declan wasn't exactly sure what floor he was on now, but he had been fascinated with the paintings that were placed on the wall. He was still amazed at the fact that the paintings spoke, even though he grew up in the magical world all his life. The boy carried his tarantula in his hands as they walked down the corridor and looking at the paintings. "Don't ya think this castle is really cool, Little Will? The paintings are quite cool too, right?" Declan says to his tarantula, ignoring the odd stare or two from people who were walking by, unaware of a presence that was nearby, as he continued to slowly look at the paintings around and slowly made his way down the corridor.

 

[Arachne Westwick]

Arachne watched Declan closely from her hiding spot, leaning forward so her nose was almost against the metal of the suit of armor. It was kind of dusty. She squinted as she noticed he was hoding something in his hands and talking to it. What was it? Arachne leaned forward more, and then gasped loudly as she saw one hairy spiderleg peek out from between his hands. Forgetting that she was supposed to be hiding, she moved from her hiding spot and stepped forward. "Is that a tarantula?" She asked Declan as she approached him rapidly, not realizing that her sudden appearance out of nowhere could be startling for the boy.

 

[Declan Burke]

Declan whipped around when he heard a gasp, confused about where it had come from until he heard a familiar voice. "Arachne?" Declan says, confused at first, forgetting that he would most likely bump into her during his time at Hogwarts. He of course did remember her name though as their last interaction at daycare had been a bit of a rough start, and the boy did in fact stay away from the girl like she had told him, understanding what she had meant when she saw her twin at the daycare the next day after their interaction, he guessed he understood what she had meant that day, Arachne's twin was intimidating and not someone he wanted to mess with. Declan grinned at the mention of his tarantula. "Yup! This is my tarantula, Wilfred. But I like to call him Little Will. Little Will, this is Arachne," Declan says with a grin, as he introduces them to each other, holding out his tarantula towards the girl so she could get a better look at his new companion. "Did you wanna hold him?"

 

[Arachne Westwick]

The spider had made Arachne forget all about the reasons she had been avoiding Declan. She stared at it in fascination, leaning close until she could see the little hairs on its legs. "Wow." She said softly. But when he introduced her to the spider by name, she remembered that she had been avoiding him for a reason. She pulled back a little, staring up at him. She hadn't expected him to be so nice after their last interaction. So far, most of the kids she had spoken to at Hogwarts had been really nice, she didn't get it. Her eyes widened a bit as he asked if she wanted to hold him. "I'd love to hold Wilfred." She said quietly.

 

[Declan Burke]

Declan grinned as Arachne looked at Wilfred, happy that his wee companion was getting the attention he deserved. He liked it when people were interested in Little Will. "He's cool, right?" Declan says proudly about his tarantula, as Arachne spoke softly and grinned even further when the girl seemed interested in holding Wilfred, so he gently and carefully passed his tarantula towards her, smiling. "Here, you can hold him" Declan says, happy for the girl to hold his companion. "Are you liking Hogwarts so far?"

 

[Arachne Westwick]

As Declan continued to be nice to her, Arachne started to worry if maybe he was playing some sort of trick on her. It would be what Nessie would say. But he passed her the spider happily, and Arachne held her breath for a moment as she looked at the beautiful creature in her hands. She was transfixed on the spider, a small smile on her face. Belatedly, she realized Declan had said something. She looked up, tearing her gaze away from Wilfred. "What?" She asked, as she had missed the question entirely.