Just studying, Open

[Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva sat quietly under a tree on the school grounds. It wasn't wonderful outside, but it was better than staying inside in her dorm, with all of her roommates. She prefered silence when she was studying, even if that meant sitting outside in the cold. She'd cleared out the spot under the tree so that it wasn't covered with snow. The last thing she wanted was for her new robes to get dirty - her mother had gladly bought them for her as her one request, along with a few books. She let out a sigh and opened her Transfiguration book. What could be better than this?

[Elena Nott]

Elena made her wait out into the courtyard, intent on making her way through the school and towards the grounds having not been able to have her morning walk she opted for an afternoon one in her spare. Strolling out into the chilly air she made her way through the courtyard as a short cut to the ground floor and the entrance so she could head to the grounds.

Wondering through the peaceful courtyard she past the old oak tree that she sometimes came to think, underneath the tree was Minerva studying one of her subjects. She was tempted to go over and say hello, but even though Elena had no affliction to people in other houses, finding it quite satisfying to try and understand the different personalities of each house, she thought otherwise. Instead she continued to head towards the black lake, Charms book in hand, ready to study while walking.

This post has been edited by Elena Nott on Jan 20 2012, 12:53 PM

[Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva watched Elena walk past her, noticing that she glanced at the tree. Her head tilted to the side and she secretly studied the Ravenclaw, pushing away her brown hair from her face. She knew that Elena was a year younger than her, but she had never really met the girl. Minerva was hesitant to talk to the girl but went back to her books when Elena walked away. She thought for a moment.

"I'm not fat enough to take over the whole tree," Minerva called to the other girl, smiling. She didn't know if she'd heard her so she shrugged and flipped the page in her Transfigurations book. She was currently learning to be a Animagus since she was finally in her fifth year. It would take a while but Minerva was set on doing whatever she could to make it happen.

[Elena Nott]

Elena smiled as she exited through one of the archways of the courtyard. Minerva's comment had not been what she had been expecting from the 5th year Gryffindor. Elena was starting to become very intrigued by her. She was almost tempted to go back and join Minerva under the tree but thought better of it as she past a group of Slytherin boys. Being the best friend to a Slytherin was hard enough, she didn't want any trouble from a large group of Slytherin for talking to a friendly Gryffindor, she would have to find Minerva later if she wanted to have a nice chat she would have to find the girl later.

Deciding that she didn't really feel like going to the grounds anymore, Elena quietly found a stone seat that was unoccupied in the outdoor corridors that surrounded the courtyard. She opened her book and started to read about charms that were far beyond four year, noting down all the ones she wanted to try.

Even as she did this, part of her was using it as an excuse to watch Minerva and try to figure out what type of person she was.

[Minerva McGonagall]

With a sneer, Minerva went back to reading. She didn't appreciate being ignored at all. Her fingers ran along the pages of her book as she flipped the page. A sigh came from her lips as she wondered why no one really talked to her. Maybe it was because she knew that she was better than everyone else. Minerva had always put aside the fact that Ravenclaws were known for being smart and beautiful - she was both of those things, she was just too curious to be a Ravenclaw. Minerva scoffed and looked over at Elena, noticing that she was looking at her as well. She took the moment to send the girl a dominating look; if she didn't want to come sit by Minerva, fine, but there was no doubt that she took it personally.

[Elena Nott]

Elena almost laughed at the expression on Minerva's face, clearly Minerva had taken offense to Elena not sitting with her. For some reason this slightly bothered Elena, she wasn't used to people being snide or mad at her, usually she was the one that cared everyone down, not the one that caused such faces.

Trying to think of a way to show that she was sorry she looked around the courtyard trying to pinpoint the area where the Slytherin boys had decided to occupy. Elena wasn't scared of them, or intimidated by them, she just proffered to not gain there attention, she much proffered being ignored by them. Call her Switzerland, she didn't want any part in Tom Riddles affairs.

Brushing her had through her hair she rummaged through her bag for a quill and parchment, finding some she leaned them up against her books and started writing a quick note to Minerva:

Minerva
Sorry I didn't come sit by you but I didn't want to cause havoc with a certain group of boys that are eying off students younger then them, I proffer to stay out of their affairs. In answer to your question I know you are not fat, and their was plenty of room and under different circumstances I would have sat, but alas I can't
Please don't take offense,
Elena

Transfiguring the note into a live bird using fifth year transfiguration Elena sent it off in the direction of Minerva, quickly glancing over to the Slytherins in hope they hadn't seen. Sadly she wasn't that lucky and one had noticed.

This post has been edited by Elena Nott on Jan 24 2012, 05:45 PM

[Minerva McGonagall]

Minerva glanced at the paper bird that landed on her book and looked up. Her eyes connected with Elena's. She threw the girl her signature glare and opened the note, reading it quickly. A giggle erupted from her lips as she rolled her dark eyes. She found it pothetic that the girl had sent her a note. She found it more like a 'Puffer to do that. Her tongue ran over her pink lips as she decided whether to reply or not. Either way, the response wouldn't be very good. Minerva decided that it was best to reply so that the girl would leave it be.

Elena,

You can tell a lot by a girl's writing. I can tell that you're not very petite or anything. I don't really care, though. I'm sorry that you can't be an independent person and you're afraid of those little Slytherin boys. I hope you overcome your fear!

~M. M.

Minerva let out a small giggle and flicked her wand, sending the note back to Elena. She found the 'passing notes' thing pothetic, considering how close the two were sitting. She wondered why Elena hadn't just come over and talked to her. The Gryffindor couldn't help but roll her dark eyes again. She kept herself from letting out a frustrated sigh and instead she went back to her Transfiguration, studying the section titled 'How to Become an Animagus.'

[Elena Nott]

Elena hadn't really expected a reply, she was getting ready to get up and leave, she was just debating which spell to use to stop the Slytherins from hurting innoncent first years. When the letter landed on her lap she didn't even bother looking up. She read through it and smiled. So Minerva was that kind of person she thought. Well Elena knew how to deal with them, she shared a dorm with people like Minerva and her favorite past time was showing them up. So she replied:

Oh but Minerva, I'm not afraid of them. No, they aren't bright enough to make me afraid, merely sitting over here gives me a better chance to jinx them. It's sad that you think that you know me from my writing, I was hoping that a studious person like you would have realised that as a pureblood, our writing never depicts the person that has written it. We are never allowed to.

By the way, if you are trying to learn how to be an animagus, you aren't going to find much out in your text book, try the restricted section. It's where you will find what you need.

Good Luck, Elena.

Elena smiled to herself as she placed a key in the small birds wings. When she had pasted Minerva earlier she had noticed the page that the girl had been reading. Having been interested in Animagus in third year Elena had gotten a key from her head of house that accessed the Restricted Section. She didn't need it anymore, so she thought she may as well give it to someone who did.

Elena picked up her stuff and started to walk away, but not after charming invisible ropes around the Slytherin boys and a little message as a warning to them.

Watch how you jinx's boys.
~E

This post has been edited by Elena Nott on Jan 28 2012, 04:03 PM

[Minerva McGonagall]

A small giggle erupted from Minerva's lips as she thought of the look on Elena's face as she read over the note. Her head tilted to the side as she examined the girl, wondering what she was thinking. Surely, a pureblood couldn't have been afraid of the Slytherins. Minerva had always been confident enough to not care about anything or anyone.

The girl looked down at the letter that landed on her book and she looked at it with confusion. How could she see her book from all the way over there? She shrugged, considering her book said 'Transfiguration' and not 'Animagus.' Minerva shook her head, wondering if she was looking somewhere she shouldn't have been looking.

Deciding that it was best to squash the notes, Minerva stood up and closed her books, heading towards the Castle once again. "Get the tall one for me," Minerva winked at Elena, nodding towards Tom Riddle. She'd always felt something in her stomach about the boy - nothing good. He made her nervous like no one else did. Minerva didn't know what it was, but it was something she'd never felt before. What could it have been?