Working in the Stacks -Jennessa

[Vane Avebury]

-Saturday night, and Vane sat in the Library trying to catch up with a bit of his Charms lessons. The Slytherin Common Room was far too loud for him to concentrate properly with all the whooping and hollering going on while pranks and games were played along with jokes being told, and spells being worked out. Vane was quite happy to be among the the quiet and Madame Pince as he sat at his table bent over his book and a twelve inch sheet of parchment.-

-The only sounds that could be heard was his light breathing, the scratching of his quill as he wrote, and the soft purring of his black cat, Elspeth, curled up on his lap underneath the table. Vane took his time to do his lessons properly, proud of the work he hands in, and the grades he receives because of his hard work.-

[Deleted]

On this particular Saturday night, another student found her way into the Library... Nessa knew she needed to get her homework done and she needed a book or two from the library to do so... She smiled as she perused the shelves for a few moments, pulling a few books off the shelves. Transfiguration was the essay of choice for this outing. And once she got her books, she headed toward the tables.

A quick glance around the room told her the library was pretty empty tonight. It made sense... Most of the students left their homework until Sunday evening... Except the Ravenclaws for the most part. But Jennessa knew better... In all her years at Hogwarts, she had learned that if she left it for last minute, she got into trouble on Monday.

So here she found herself on a Saturday night, heading into a nigh empty Library. She saw one boy she didn't know sitting at a table. It was then she heard the purring. A slight smile came to her lips as she glanced under the tables for it's source, seeing the cat, her eyes lit up a little. "Aww she's cute... May I pet..." She said gently as she approached the young man and, presumably, his cat.

A second look up to his face made her pause, shifting her books to under one arm and she straightened up turning slightly pink. She recognized his face from the Slytherin table... A face she happened to like the look of... But she hadn't approached him, hadn't had the guts... She liked to flirt with the snakes but every once in a while there was one she was afraid might bite.

Soon enough she regained her composure. She fully expected some type of snide remark or sudden curse or something sent her way, but then again would he be silly enough to curse her in front of Madam Pince? Even if she was prowling the bookshelves... She smiled sweetly to him but prepared herself for what may come at her in any case, not backing down, but becoming a little more guarded than she had been a moment ago.

[Vane Avebury]

There were about three inches or so left on the page of parchment Vane was working on left for him to finish when he set his quill aside in favour for reaching down to scratch his black cat behind the ears. Elspeth followed the young wizard nearly everywhere, and wasn't particularly fond of others, especially witches. She seemed to find them her competition and rightfully so, as his attention was often stolen away from her by one or two pretty girls on a daily basis.

So, he was most surprised the cat had allowed the witch speaking to him to get as close as she had without giving some sort of warning to the witch's presence. Vane snapped his sights upward, turning his cheek slightly to allow him to give the blonde a hollow look. "The choice isn't mine to make now is it?", was the answer he gave with a cold edge to his tone.

If Elspeth was going to allow the witch -he now noticed she was a damn Hufflepuff and he rolled his eyes- to touch her, then the girl would have to give it a go and find out for herself. Vane knew better, his cat would be sure to warn any that came near of her disapproval, and when he was younger he found that out the hard way. He had given his permission to pet his cat before, but only to find out that the cat held an opinion of her own, and usually left one bleeding when they made their move.

"You're more than welcome to find out on your own.", he offered, grinning maliciously and pushed his pet from his lap with a light, gentle nudge. The sleek cat landed gracefully at his feet and looked up at him to meow her distaste before she turned about, and began to pad off in the general direction of where the witch was standing.

[Deleted]

Oh lovely... Jennessa knew better... Snakes had to be approached with caution, handled with care... Not bounced up to like some overhappy pup. But now she kept her cool, remaining calm for the time being. She glanced over what he was working on being a mere few feet away from him. Charms. Oh she loved Charms and could tell at a glance that this was what he was working on. A bright smile lit up her fine featured face, but she looked right back up to the face of the Slytherin once more.

Nessa didn't wish to steal the Slytherin male away from the cat... On the contrary, it was the cat that had drawn her attention initially. And so at Vane's words and nudge of the beautiful animal from his lap, she would crouch down before the cat, offering a hand just a little ways from her body, ready to jerk it back if the cat seemed to turn out unfriendly.

The malicious grin was not wasted on the girl... It made her somewhat nervous in fact. What did Vane know about this beautiful creature that she did not? She would make soft noises to the cat, not ones of fear, or worry that she would be harmed, but ones praising her beauty, ones used sparingly so not to annoy the creature, but maybe entice her closer. Jennessa wouldn't force her touch or company on the animal, it would have to be the cat's choice if she pet her or not. Nessa seemed to understand this. It would likely be amusing that her whole attention and kindness seemed to be bestowed upon this creature and was becoming more and more seen that it had not been simply a ploy to get closer to the wizard before her... Or had it?

[Vane Avebury]

Vane watched, hiding his curiosity behind an expression of boredom as his cat seemed to not mind the noises the girl was making at her. In fact, Elspeth tilted her pretty head before giving him another quick glance over her shoulder as if to tell him she would get by without him before happily trotting over to the greeting, and fingers offered. The sight drew a sharp click of Vane's tongue as he suddenly became annoyed with the thought of his cat preferring someone other than him, especially a Hufflepuff.

The cat arched her back to meet the fingertips belonging to Jennessa as she began to purr again, the soft sound rumbling in her tiny throat. Bloody Hell..., he thought, brow raising in disbelief as his hopes of Elspeth swatting the witch's hand away died along with his desire to finish his Charms lesson. "I suppose she likes you.", he mumbled, not wanting to admit his pet seemed fond of the hand she was taking numerous passes under. The wizard then turned his sights from his cat to the witch his pet was drawn to, he sucked in a light breath. She was adorable, in a perky sort of way, a way that wasn't much to his liking. Vane preferred his witches to be more down to earth, not giggling all the time. But, that didn't stop him from approving of her button nose, or her bright, sparkling eyes.

[Deleted]

For the moment, Jennessa's entire attention was upon the feline before her. She smiled brightly at the creature as she moved directly toward her, not giving the teasing passby that some cats seemed to see fit to do. She watched the cat's gaze as it was drawn to her master, and Nessa's gaze followed it for a brief moment, to meet the face of the Slytherin. A small smile drifted to her lips before she retuned that gaze to the cat once more.

A delighted little laugh came forth as the cat didn't hessitate again to come to her awaiting fingers. She heard the click come from Vane's tongue but didn't allow her thoughts to linger on it long. She would be very accomodating to the cat, her focus upon her. She couldn't help but smile as her back arched against her hand. Janessa would run that hand gently through her soft fur, oblivious of the thoughts Vane was having. Janessa liked animals. She wasn't insane about them, but she liked cats and owls, maybe some small dogs... Large animals made her nervous, but cats she seemed to like just fine.

Nessa was rather oblivious that Vane had a wish and a thought that the beautiful cat before her would swat her hand away, likely with some claws to make the point clear... And yet she didn't. His next words brought her gaze back up to his and she smiled. "She's so sweet... What's her name?" The young witch tilted her head some before bringing her other hand up to gently rub her ears.

Sweet smile sent up to him again. She was rather a bit too bubbly, always smiling, always kind, always having a rather hyper note to all she did. But it wasn't really disagreeable... She knew how to reign it in a little if she thought she was annoying anyone... And her sweet nature made her do as such if that was the case.

Then again that wasn't the case at the moment. Sure she wasn't the most giggly at the present moment but she wasn't holding anything back, letting her sweet kindness show, and bright smiles to garnish it as well. Those eyes were soon brought back up to his as she awaited his response to her question. Her voice asked for the cat's name... Her eyes wondered about his...

[Vane Avebury]

"Elspeth.", he answered simply, shrugging and turned his gaze back to the parchment set on the table in front of him. His hand also moved to the page, and he began to fiddle with the corner, rolling the edge up a bit. Vane truly appeared bored, as if he was wishing himself miles away, but in actuality he was amazingly aware of the witch petting his cat. While she was wondering his name, he was doing the same of hers, and he bit back the question as it came naturally to him. He didn't want to be the one to ask first, it would show he had more interest in her than she needed to know.

Vane forced himself to focus on his handwriting covering the page he was toying with, wanting to seem as if he's dismissed the girl's company, but finding himself hoping she would stay. He was terribly bored, and talking to someone... anyone would fit him fine, even if the conversation consisted of senseless drivel, he'd make do. He just didn't feel much up to heading back to the Slytherin Common Room, and dealing with the snakes he so easily fit in with.

[Deleted]

"Elspeth..." She mused gently, rolling the name off her tongue, crooning softly to the cat. "A beautiful name for a beautiful cat... I have an owl... He's a pygmy. I named him Goliath." She grinned and giggled a tiny bit as she continued to pet her gently. Another glance was cast up at the Slytherin as he continued to work. She turned slightly pink and would fall silent. She didn't want to disturb him during his homework time afterall.

So she would spend a couple minutes just petting Elspeth in silence, and seemed to be perfectly happy doing so until the cat decided she was done. The silence dragged on, turning almost uncomfortable, at least for Nessa... And she finally looked back up to him, wondering if he would mind talking terribly or if she should just move on... Or perhaps she should lay out her own homework and get some down...

Well she would test something here, and move a little to place the books she had been holding onto the table he was working on. The tables were somewhat large, so even if she did sit there, it wouldn't be right by him. Then again... If anyone looked in on them, a Hufflepuff working alongside a Slytherin? Yea right... They traveled in their own packs, doing their work seperately, along with everything else.

She would watch for his reaction inconspicuously, continuing to pet his cat in silence, until she thought she just couldn't take it anymore. "So... What's your name? I'm Jenessa..." She smiled shyly at him, hoping he didn't mind her breaking the silence with her soft voice. He was in good company. She didn't really feel like going off and finding a herd of Puffs either... And she certainly seemed to fit in with them.

[Vane Avebury]

The longer Vane held his tongue, the more uncomfortable he began to feel as curiosity was slowly getting the better of him, he was dying to ask her name. Thankfully, she spoke before he could and told him of her owl, not that he acted much like he was interested, though the softness of her voice struck him, and he risked taking a peek at her out of the corner of his eye.

It looked as though she seemed perfectly content petting his cat, and he half expected the witch to scoop Elspeth up into her arms as if she belonged to her. His body reacted to the errant thought, and he stiffened, ready to pounce if need be. However, when nothing happened and silence settled into his ears, Vane relaxed, and pushed the page of parchment away from him with his fingertips.

As soon as he did that, he instantly regretted for he sensed movement, and he flicked his sights once again on the witch. He wanted to seem busy with something else, not looking like he was waiting for her to join him as it seemed she was doing.

Vane didn't look directly at the cute blonde when she moved to his table. Instead, he fixed his eyes on the books in her hand as she set them down. Was she really expecting to sit with him? Should he let her do such a thing? If anyone saw them sitting together, though not necessarily next to each other, there would be rumours spreading through the whole castle before he could even fall asleep for the night.

He didn't react to her movements, but when her voice reached his ears again, Vane met her shy smile with what he hoped would be considered a look of indifference before he replied cooly. "Vane."

[Deleted]

It was quite amazing the amount of restraint Vane had. Jenessa wouldn't know that he wanted badly to talk to her. His stony silence was one of the few responses she consistantly got from the Slytherin crowd whenever she dared make contact. So it certainly wasn't out of character. And yet silence was a less typical reaction that scorn and fury at her audacity to talk to one of them. It was usually followed by a curse or string of them as the case may be, depending on how ticked off the snake was at the time... But from him... Nothing. She would share about her owl but almost regret it as soon as it was out. Who was she kidding? He didn't care...

She wouldn't do anything of the sort, she knew this was his cat. She respected other people's property, their animals included. Whisking the cat up into her arms might be a desireable thing, but she would hold herself back from doing so. She didn't notice him tense, considering her gaze had moved back to the lovely feline she was petting. Her fur felt so nice under her fingertips. Yet that slight movement of pushing the parchment away caught her eye. "Done?" The word was out her mouth before she could think about it, and her gaze lifted to his for a brief second again before returning to the cat.

Once again she missed his glance at her... She wouldn't bother him any more than he wished to be bothered... At least it seemed so for now. Though it wasn't long before Elspeth decided she was done with the petting for the time being and trotted over to hop up and take the chair beside Vane, curling up contentedly.

And thus Nessa moved her books from her arm to place upon the table. She still watched for the reaction, but didn't seem to get one! Oh this confused her even more. That act should have landed her in the hospital wing... Or so she figured. Considering it had before... She wondered again if she should just gather her stuff up and leave. But for some reason she remained.

She watched him for the moment, her eyes now becoming guarded... Sure she consistantly flirted with Slytherins, but her interactions didn't typically last long. Then again... He wasn't really interacting with her much... His indifference seemed to be working upon Nessa. She seemed to believe him. Yet soon enough a single vocalization came forth in the form of his name. "Vane... Well it's nice to meet you Vane... Vane and Elspeth." She smiled sweetly and nodded.

However, confusion crept into her eyes. The fact that he hadn't hexed her, yelled at her, went to find his cronies, or anything confused her greatly. "Must have left your wand in your room..." She mumbled, more to herself than to him. She bit her lip slightly and her blue eyes moved quickly to his. "Sorry..." Alright so it wasn't a mean comment, but the sweetheart felt like it was. She glanced to her books and reached for them again, certainly thinking about going now. What would he care anyway? Then again... More of her didn't want to leave, more of her wanted to continue pressing her luck... But how far would her luck get her? He was a Slytherin... Born and raised to hate people like her... Some might wonder why she kept doing this to herself. But she wasn't one of them.

(Ooc: Eep my posts keep getting longer and longer, lol I can make them shorter if you'd rather... Sorry about that.)

[Vane Avebury]

The voice repeating his name sounded so sweet, so innocent, Vane instantly felt comforted, he knew just from the way in which Jennessa spoke she wasn't any kind of threat. His body language responded according, and he nearly sank into his chair, giving the witch another nod. With being a Slytherin it came naturally to Vane to still hold a bit of suspicion, though he did smell anything out of the ordinary, and he eyed her with a cool glance, starting to feel a bit of conflict within.

Why would he want her to sit with him so badly? She's a Hufflepuff, he couldn't possibly be that bored? Yes, he was that bored, though. He was nearly brought to tears, and escaping the party that was most likely happening down in the snake's pit, was something he was quickly beginning to regret. He should have pushed his classwork off until later, it wasn't due until Tuesday, there was plenty of time between now and then. And now, there he was, three inches of parchment left to fill, more than enough time to finish, and no desire to push himself from his seat for a bit of fun.

"Yours?", he asked firmly, wanting his request to have that commanding edge to it. His head tilted as he continued to assess her, and he ignored the books she set down. Well, that was a start, she had her books out of her hand, now all she had to do was sit. He had the feeling she wouldn't do so unless he showed her a bit of friendliness, but he couldn't find it in himself. Vane didn't want anyone to think that he would actually want her to sit with him, he couldn't even let her know that let alone wholly admit it to himself.

-totally fine, sorry mine are so short. -

[Deleted]

Her fingers lingered over her books. She found herself standing at the end of the table he inhabited. She was going back and forth in her mind. Why should this be a fight in her mind? She should just take her books and get her butt back to the Huffie Hole where she belonged... Shouldn't she? And yet... Some unknown force kept her feet planted where they were.

What was with this? Sure she usually flirted with the snakes, but it was usually a giggle flirt and run away before she got too hexed up. She knew she had a warm common room to look forward to going back to... And yet she couldn't find it in herself to go back to the fluff. She huffed gently though spoke with Vane with few words. She tried out his name on her tongue, tasting and testing it, all with that sweet little smile.

He was a Slytherin... One that could never like her. Heck couldn't even put up with her... And yet he intrigued her... Somehow, even with his indifferent acts, it kept her engaged and attentive. She glanced around the Library once again. It was a Saturday evening and no one was about... And yet she still didn't sit. Why not? Usually she wouldn't care about the rep of a snake, but somehow that care seeped into her mind just a little.

She jumped a little at the commanding tone forced into his voice. Now it was no lie... Jennessa wouldn't mind being ordered around... But it had to be the right people doing the ordering... Did Vane make the cut? Well that was to be seen. Her dainty little hand finally slid from the book it was laying in, deciding to leave the books where they were. She had to hide a little smile with her hand, for she had given her name before he gave his. But this was the only sign of that and she would speak softly. "I'm Jennessa... Or Nessa if you preffer... That's what my friends call me..." The last bit faded off just a little bit, her large blue eyes flicking up to meet his, there was a little more weight to those words than she made it sound like.

Nessa glanced behind her where another table was quite close to his and she would lean back, half sitting on it... A good comprimise for now as she awaited either the affirmation or the dismissal she was looking for. Goodness limbo was not a fun place to be... A quick thought dashed across her mind, if he was worried about them being seen together... They could go elsewhere... But that thought was rapidly dismissed, he couldn't be thinking that afterall... It was silly... Wasn't it?

(OOC: Your posts are just fine

[Vane Avebury]

A smirk drew on Vane's lips as he caught the little jump the witch gave as he spoke, but an eyebrow along with his curiosity grew as she immediately hid a smile behind her hand. It was clear she was smiling, her eyes betrayed her of it, and he wondered what he had missed. Of course, he wasn't aware that she had given her name already, he was too far worried about himself, and his odd wish of wanting her to join him.

"Well, Jennessa, I can't imagine what you found so funny, glad I missed it. Now, is there something you needed?"

He asked her, watching as she leaned against the table behind her, and as she moved, Vane did as well. He pulled himself up by the shoulders, and straighted his posture some as his legs crossed at the ankles under the table. He didn't mean for his question to come out so dismissing, for that was his last intention, but it came out sounding as such nonetheless, and he tilted his head waiting for her answer.

[Deleted]

All hopes seemed to come shattering down for the little Hufflepuff... With each word Vane spoke, dismissal and disdain seemed to ring out. For a moment, uncertainty dashed across her vision. Jennessa... Using her full name. She was just a silly girl, this snake had no interest in being her friend, and much less anything more... That smile that had lit up her face was gone in nigh an instant. A ghost of it stuck around for a brief moment, but it too was soon gone. She couldn't keep the happy delusion.

His words pierced her heart more than they should have. They weren't even mean... Jennessa was truly but an emotional marshmallow. But soon enough a hollow smile that didn't exactly reach her eyes made it to her lips... A false one, one of a sadness. She shook her head a little. "It wasn't that funny anyway..." Her voice was softened considerably... Sounding nigh defeated. But before long she realized she was simply being silly. This snake couldn't stomp all over her happy! She wouldn't let him. She leaned against the table for a moment, an odd shrewdness slideing into her eyes, her shoulders squaring a bit at his question. "Indeed not. I simply saw something wonderful, and couldn't pass up the chance to interact. But it seems my welcome here is likely run it's course." She allowed her gaze to dart to the snoozing Elspeth... But was she truly talking about the cat? Or not...

But at this point, there was quite a bit of truth in her words. She scooped up her books in one deft motion. Of course she had no clue that Vane truly wanted her to stay. He had called her Jennessa... In her mind, that spoke of not wanting to be friends, and his dismissive words only said she wasn't welcome to her. "If you'll excuse me... I simply must get this essay done." But there was pain in her eyes, well guarded and shrouded behind indifferance, but if one looked close enough... It was there. And at this point, Nessa would move to the table she had been leaning against and take a seat before starting to lay out her books.

[Vane Avebury]

A frown touched Vane's lips as he took notice of how deflated the badger suddenly appeared. Jennessa looker utterly gutted. He knew it was his fault, he didn't act very friendly toward her, and this was the outcome, but why? Why would the few moments interaction between the two seem to affect her so deeply? He laughed to himself, pushing that thought out of his head the second it cropped up. Just like his name, the wizard, was far too vain for own good from time to time, and it would one day be the likely reason he finds himself old, and alone at an old age. But, none of this is anything he would ever admit to himself. He's spent his entire life thus far hearing how perfect he was, there really wasn't any reason to argue.

The expression lingered as he continued to regard the Hufflepuff, and he could feel a pulling at his heartstrings. He honestly wanted to reach out an pat the young lady on the hand in hopes of comforting her, though that was not about to happen. He remained put in his seat, his eyes showing no signs of his newly felt compassion. "Ahh...", he gave in response, not knowing what had made her smile in the first place, and definitely not catching that there might be a double meaning behind her words. He just wanted to understand what they meant period.

His eyes followed hers to his sleeping cat before they snapped back onto the blonde. "Yes, well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose.", he added, not thinking that he may be implying his cat anything other than beautiful, but rather hoping Jennessa would be more specific, and give him a hint as to what her words meant.

But, as the case would be, she wouldn't devulge further, and she scooped up her books. Disappointement, this time, was Vane's, and his frown grew as she turned her back to sit at the table she had leant upon as they talked. In the hopes of recapturing her attention, he quickly asked, "What's it on?" Maybe the topic of classwork would get Jennessa to give him another glance.