Wallflower

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Yerik Rhys inhaled deeply, the steamy, scented atmosphere of the gardens enveloping him. It was easy to relax when everywhere he looked there was only beauty. It was picturesque, the sort of thing her mother would have liked to paint, he supposed. The only flowers he recognized were roses and peonies and honeysuckle, although if he really tried, he could pick out a few leafy green things as well. Yerik Rhys wasn't the Herbology type, but even he could appreciate the function of herbs and florals when the occasion arose. And the occasion was definitely arising. He wasn't so much angry as despondent these days, turning everywhere and only finding blank walls and homework assignments to greet him. Talking to people seemed a chore, something that he had always wanted to avoid but was now actively trying to hide from. He didn't want to talk. He didn't want to tell. So, naturally, being the resourceful lad he was, Yerik Rhys had come to the gardens for a bit of aroma therapy.

He then fixed himself, sitting more proper as he could. Unfortunately, his elbow knocked into a little potted flower. It had five petals, all brilliant and beautiful scarlet, and a small white center. Henry snatched the pot just before it could shatter onto the ground, exhaling in relief. "I'm sorry," he said, bright blue eyes downcast, uncharacteristically polite, "I didn't mean to startle you." He didn't got a glimpse of the stranger nearby but he was sure that it was a student like him. Yerik Rhys placed the pot back where he'd originally knocked it off, his face courteous and with uneasy smile. Looking around, the Ravenclaw wondered if he made a mess in front of someone. Since he could get a bit conscious sometimes, at the same time it felt so shameful to act clumsy around someone. He hated that certain feeling, something like someone's punching you hard in the stomach. But instead of hating himself, he returned to his position and leaned closer to the tree, a couple of inches away from him.

Clasping his hands together, Yerik Rhys bent his knees and wipe of the dirt that was on his pants. After than he straighten up a bit and wondered who might saw him, knock a pot out here. Supposedly the rumors of him were slowly fading, making it easier to move unlike last semester where he needed to hid under his books just to cover his face from misery. He hates gossip and any forms of it, which explains why he never understood his brother Luka for buying muggle gossip magazine, he'll always look at him in disgust. Wondering what were the perks of reading gossips, his brother would even collect a bunch of those stuff. Though their father would worry about his son, Luka. He didn't want to throw him away, knowing he is indeed gay. So instead, he was giving some rules to follow, that is if he want to live with his family. Luka agreed, knowing he can just exclude some of the rules. In this case, Yerik Rhys must really miss his family for thinking his brother. Slowly, he had forgotten about what just happened and the people around him as well.

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Lately, the young Slytherin had been spending more and more time outside. Some of it was in part of Athena's roommates, whom she wasn't exactly crazy about except for one. The others were part veela, she had learned. Every time she looked over at them, the girl couldn't help but stare, looking for signs of the creatures that their ancestors were. Sometimes, especially when the girls were angry, she almost saw signs. So, walks around the castle had become fairly common for her. She much preferred going out at night, just before curfew, when she could almost catch a glimpse of stars in the sky. It was at that times that Athena truly felt peace, the kind she usually only felt when she was home.

Fingering the chain around her neck, Athena walked without much purpose. Her steps could barely be heard as she made her way across the dirt, her eyes staring down to the ground only a few feet in front of her. She didn't have many friends, so she wasn't expecting to see anyone on this little trip. A small gust of wind blew by, causing the Slytherin's hair to blow in her face. Brushing the hair off of her mouth, Athena glanced up, a voice catching her attention. She looked around, wondering who the guy was talking to. Her silver eyes saw no one and she realized that he was talking to her.

It only took Athena a moment to recognize the Ravenclaw as one from his year. She had teamed up with him in Charms the other day when they had been forced to practice a charm. She even remembered his name. Yerik. An odd name, no doubt. That was about as much as she knew about him though. She also didn't think he was a muggleborn as he seemed to have some knowledge of magical stuff. That was slightly reassuring. "You didn't" she replied, wondering why he thought he had startled her. It wasn't like he had jumped out of a bush or anything. "What did you do?" she asked, curiosity getting the best of her.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

For days he tried to stay under the radar, all those hiding made Yerik Rhys a bit insane. It wasn't what he really wanted, just for the sake to get unnoticed for a while. Now that the issue's done and over, it was time to get back on game, with his studies and hopefully to gain new friends. He even hated the fact that he doesn't a have a classmate to at least talk to, all of them were truly unknown to him. Some were even purebloods, and he didn't take the chance to mingle with anyone. He hated himself, hating the idea that he's a loner. During his younger days, he used to like the idea but as another year passed. Yerik Rhys couldn't take it anymore, the first people he befriended were Gryffindors. They were so much nicer and friendlier, Hufflepuffs on the other hand never grew interest on the boy. Still he was looking for Slytherins to befriend, as for Ravenclaws, he didn't want a friend to compete with his studies. It was harder than he expected it to be, though in reality the only things to do is to talk to someone. Start a conversation and let everything follow through, which he wasn't really good at. He'll always find a girl to talk to but some would doubt him, he was never a flirt. It just so happens that the closest people he got are girls, not that it was big deal anyway.

It came to his attention that there was another person near him, he didn't want to ignore the student again. "I just knocked something." Yerik Rhys said. This is probably an opportunity to make and have a new friends, in which he'll take it. A good impression, that was what Yerik Rhys was hoping for. "Hey, I've seen you back in Charms. Thanks for partnering up with for a short notice." he answered in a friendly tone, trying to sound nice as possible. No one seems to understand his accent though, some would wonder if he's from Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand. He was sure she's a Slytherin and probably a pureblood too. Though he never tried to memorize any of his classmates family name and sometimes even their first name, in which they all seems like strangers to him. It was always his studies and books, never did he tried to talk to anyone. Yerik Rhys just hoped that the girl would actually talk to him, in a way for them to get to know each other. He didn't want to argue with another girl, never again. The fourth year tried to act as normal as he could, which means he'll continue leaning to the tree, trying to relax his nerves. Folding his arms to his stomach, Yerik Rhys waiting for the girl to reply as they were surrounded by flowers of every kind.

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Hearing what the boy had done, Athena glanced around and saw that it had probably been one of those potted plants. Her silver eyes were good at spotting details. Brushing at her pants, the Slytherin nodded her head at the Ravenclaw, acknowledging that she had seen him before too. How could she not have? They had shared most of their classes together for nearly four years. By now, she knew most people by face if not by House and name. She didn't care to know most of her classmate's names but after hearing them year after year after year, the information had seeped in and stuck in her brain. "You are welcome" she added in response. It was the polite thing to say after all.

Athena crossed her arms across her chest as she stood around. It was awkward. She wasn't much of a talker and didn't have many friends. It seemed that the Ravenclaw was the same way. She couldn't recall him speaking up much in class or having a set group that he hung around with. As she struggled to find something to say, Athena spotted a spider make its way onto his shoulder from the tree he was leaning on. "You have a spider on your shoulder" she pointed out as she pointed a finger towards his left shoulder. Athena wasn't afraid of the creatures but she didn't know if the Ravenclaw was. She didn't know anything about him.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

As much as possible Yerik Rhys tried to stay under the radar for the time being, trying to ignore all the harsh comments and rumors about him. He hated how that stupid gossip magazine ruined his name, stating all false things about him. For the past months he couldn't get over it, all the stares and hands pointing at him. Still he tried to regain his composure and endure the shame, after a few months Yerik Rhys returned to his old self. Which is the smart-ass who doesn't have any friend all, he didn't mind but sometimes as if something would hit him every now and then he'll see some guys like him talking in groups. The Ravenclaw nod as he heard the girl saying a few words to him, it didn't matter if she'll like him or not but it would be nice to have someone accompany him for the remaining minutes. "You could join me, that is if you want to." he suggested as he took a short glance at the still unnamed girl. He didn't want to offend the girl by asking her name, since he knew they'd been classmates for years now. It would sound a bit off to the girl and to him, so he decided to just ask that maybe later on.

He was much of listener rather than a talker, it's not in his nature to start a conversation but if he's in the mood he will. It's easy to judge a person by their appearance or how they move but still Yerik Rhys never agreed on this, it's still the best to actually get to know the person. He continued to lean on the wide trunk of the tree, then gazing at the thin and wispy clouds above them. Hoping to see some birds, familiar or not. At the same time he wondered if she'll actually join him, the garden's vast and free to use. There's not problem with sitting beside, in front or near him. As he was looking at the clouds, the pureblood heard her speak again. He looked at her for a while, directly to her noticeable eyes. Silver. Then the one certain word caught his attention that left him drifting away from her eyes. Spider. A spider on his shoulder, how convenient. The girl's probably hoping that he'll freak out or scream like a girl, but instead he looked the spider. Eye to eye, he figured it would ran away or something but it didn't. It just stayed on his shoulder, Yerik Rhys picked up the arachnids and placed it on the grass. Maybe it would return to his natural habitat, he did hoped that it would harm anyone or maybe be harmed by someone.

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena looked at her classmate, her silver eyes narrowing at his words. She was momentarily distracted as she watched him take care of that pesky spider. She was rather surprised that he wasn't afraid of it, but then again what did she know? She wasn't friends with this guy and could hardly know how he would react to situations. Still, she knew that she expected something different than him looking at the spider. Brushing it off his shoulder, running away screaming...those were normal reactions.

With that situation taken care of, Athena resumed thinking about what he had just said. "Join you where?" she asked warily, her arms still crossed in front of her shoulders. Surely, he didn't mean in the garden. She was already here in the same space as him. The young girl's silver eyes looked him over as if he was dumb, though she didn't mean to insult him in any way. At least, not right now. If she found out he was a muggleborn or some half-breed, that might change. She was pretty sure he wasn't though.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

There were a lot of expectations from him, either from his parents or from society itself. Students in Hogwarts seems to see him as odd, quiet and he predicted him to think that he's witty. After all he is a Ravenclaw himself, and there were a lot things said to them. He didn't mind as long as they didn't have anything wrong to say to him. He then returned his attention to the girl, meeting her silver eyes. What an unusual color of eyes to have. Yerik wondered if she was still thinking about the spider, was she scared or was she shock to see him hold the spider. Though from the looks of it, she wasn't scared. If she was, she'd be screaming while pointing at the bug. Join you where? The words ringing inside his mind, he knew her to be Slytherin and they are indeed mean and arrogant. An example is her, she could have just said yes or no but inside she chose a longer answer.

Yerik Rhys sigh a little, wondering if she hated him or something. "I mean, join me in a conversation. If not at least sit down. he explained, now looking away at her. She wasn't exactly his type, since he didn't find her pretty but she was noticeable for her silver eyes and golden brown hair. Though she knew that almost half of the girl here were taken, not that he intends to be in a relationship at this young age. Yerik Rhys didn't want to force the girl to join him at all, so he returned his attention to the birds he noticed flying. They were all the same specie, he couldn't say what kind of birds they are since he didn't have his binoculars with him. If he did, he'll be writing all about the birds this very hour.

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena's mouth dropped open in a low O as he explained himself further. She couldn't believe she hadn't been able to figure that out on her own. She sometimes was sad at her inability to read other people and realize what they meant. It probably had something to do with her being closely watched and not allowed to associate with whom she wanted to. As a child, her mother had only ever allowed her to be around people who she knew were purebloods. It was normal for Athena and not something she realized was not until sometime later. Still, those early events had heavily influenced her stoic demeanor.

She didn't know what he wanted to speak about nor did she know if she actually wanted to stick around. Athena didn't know this boy at all, other than that he was a Ravenclaw, a fourth year, and apparently not afraid of spiders. "What should we talk about?" she asked, knowing nothing of this boy's interests. Curiously, Athena tried to look at what he was looking at. She turned her head, her silver eyes scanning and not seeing anything of note. There were some trees, some birds, some people. Nothing of importance to her. "What are you looking at?" she asked, wondering what seemed to fascinate him so.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

As he continued to gaze up to the sky, Yerik Rhys stopped for a moment and looked at the girl who still remained unnamed. A bit puzzled by the way she dropped her mouth, it wasn't the reaction he was expecting for. Still he remained at ease, not moving a single muscle. He looked at her for a while before returning to the birds. There was something about this moment, a strange feeling that he couldn't understand. It's not the feeling of likeness or anything, not ever. Yerik Rhys waited for her to say another word, seems she like to keep things to herself. He never really noticed her or anyone when their in the classroom, he tried to stay focus on his lessons and ignore everything around him. Which was the reason why he needed a partner there was no one willing to ask him. That didn't bothered him at all, if it wasn't for their Professor's which he would be a hard nut to crack. The fourth year wondered how she'll react when he'll ask her name, since she isn't like the other girl he'd met before. One thing is for sure that she isn't friendly like the rest, Slytherins were like that.

"Anything, whatever you want." he answered. Yerik Rhys didn't want to make a mistake or say anything that may offend her. Since there were a lot of Slytherin who would misunderstand words, and he didn't want to bore her with his thoughts. There wasn't anything to talk to her about but he figured they should start with something. Again he looked at her, he wanted to ask her name but couldn't figure out why he didn't. It wouldn't be that hard, just ask her but there was something about her that made him hesitate to ask or do something. "Birds, different kinds of birds." In which he looked at them again, birds forming the shape of the letter v. A family, they all looked so free. He wasn't sure what kind of birds they are since it's isn't easy to see and distinguish them from a far. Yerik Rhys used his hand to cover he eyes, since the sun seems to be breaking his eye sight.

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena didn't want to speak about anything so she found his response to be quite silly. If she had something to talk to him about, she wouldn't have asked. The Slytherin rolled her silver eyes at the boy as he continued to watch whatever it was he was watching. She soon learned that he was bird watching. She knew that some people found that fascinating, though she certainly didn't. She barely took notice of the birds around. "You watch birds" she said flatly, tossing the idea around in her head. She supposed that it wasn't so different from the star gazing that she did. She knew that some people found that hobby boring as well.

"If you want to watch some birds, you should find my roommate, Maria. She's part-veela" Athena stated with barely disguised disgust. "If you get her mad enough, it might be an interesting sight for you" she replied, speaking of course of the tendency for part-veelas to have their faces morph into more bird like features when they were angered. She wasn't sure how close to pure veela Maria was, though she doubted it was close. The girl didn't look to be pure anything except b!tch. Athena tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and rolled her eyes once more. She really couldn't stand that girl.

 

[Yerik Rhys Price]

Yerik Rhys wondered if the girl would think him odd or worse, since he'd been looking at birds, just birds but it wasn't like that to him. He appreciated how they looked and how they moved one place to another. It always fascinate him, just seeing them made him happy in his little own way. He looked at the girls reaction and just nodded twice, since he wasn't much of a talker either. As he continued to gaze, her remembered how his father promised to let him have his own Aviary someday, if he could make him proud next year. Yerik Rhys might actually have his wish, other than too have a car and new gadgets. It would be nice to see them everyday back at home, since their backyard's bigger than the usual backyards. As a matter of fact, the word backyard doesn't suit the place. For a few moment, he kept still and quite, adoring the different birds flying around. Soon, he heard her speak some words once more. The Ravenclaw just listened to her, trying to get her point about another student.

The name was very familiar, as if he actually met the girl but he didn't knew she was a part-veela. It was one of those days inside the library where he met a girl who wanted to grab the book he was reading, so she insisted to wait but failed to have any patience. She continued on to annoy him and mumble some words, he didn't like how she acted in front of him. "Oh her, I think I've met her before inside the Library." he said to her bluntly, knowing that this could be another topic to discuss. As he looked at the girl for a while, she could see the annoyance and disgust in her eyes as well as in her voice it was obvious. There was something about part-veelas that annoys her, but he didn't want to ask about that. Yerik on the other hand haven't met a handful of part-veelas, though it would be interesting to actually meet a few girl who have such race. He'll probably make them furious just to see if it was true, their face turning to bird like people. It would be such an interesting sight to see, in which it gave him an idea.

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena listened to Yerik, not really wanting to talk about her least favorite roommate. She had brought up the topic though, so she would have no choice but to listen. The Ravenclaw offered nothing worth discussing, only mentioning that he had met her in the library. Athena nodded her head and turned back to the birds that he seemed to be fascinated with. “I’m sure it was an interesting experience.” She tried to see what was interesting about them but couldn’t get it. All they did was move and eat and chirp. After a few moments, she was bored with the whole thing. Looking around, Athena figured she would go try to find one of her cousins. She needed to speak to Hades about something anyway. Getting ready to leave, Athena picked up her hand and sort of half-heartedly waved. “I have to go meet my cousin” she said, which wasn’t exactly the truth. ”I’ll see you around, I guess” she stated, neither a smile nor a frown on her face. She brushed some stray hairs off of her face and then turned and began to amble away. Too bad the spider didn’t stay”, she thought as she walked. The Ravenclaw was at least mildly interesting then.