Player Name: Zach

Contact: PM Youssef, reply here, or DM me in Discord @zacrp

Notes: Hello all! My uni schedule means I’ll likely be most active on the weekends in terms of in-character posts, but I’ll try to respond to out-of-character messages as soon as I’m free. When it comes to plots, I’m open to the silly and serious and everything in between; just let me know if there are any topics you’d rather avoid discussing so that we can both be comfortable when writing. Also, I tend to write a lot. No idea if I’ll write this much for any hypothetical future characters’ networking bits, but to get to the point, don’t ever feel pressured to match length. I’m afraid this is a comorbidity of my professors’ weekly discussion boards and their word count minimums.

YOUSSEF QUILLIAM
14 | WCMB | Slytherin Class of ‘99 | Fourth Year | 10

Blurb: An outgoing, grade O suck-up eager to escape his boring, barren home life by befriending (or at least being useful to) the right people. That is, anyone but his own people back in muggle London. Previously an unintentional troublemaker who was less than responsible with his magic and his mouth. Currently a hardworking student scheming up a social climbing route that’ll score him a magical career if/when he leaves Hogwarts next year. Probably going to suffer immensely if/when his plans backfire.

Good For: Hogwarts inhabitants seeking AnticsTM—retrieving lost items, exploring foreboding corridors, working on projects that could’ve been done last week if not for some other misadventure. Also, maybe, any Hogsmeade or London adults seeking an apprentice, though threads to do with this might be set over breaks or via letters. The child needs to figure out where he should labour.

Needs:

Show

Friends: Likely to be other talkative, curious people he can carry on endless conversation with, other WC students (who might be worrying about leaving school soon as well) he can relate with, or other studious types he can, well, study with. He’s most fond of Charms and DADA while his electives are Ancient Runes, Ancient Studies, and Ghoul Studies, but he works hard to keep up in all classes. These days he’s trying to rub shoulders with people who are or will be wealthy, so if anybody in that category needs a friend always willing to function as an echo chamber/book carrier/homework helper, Youssef is ready for the job. Or, rather, he’ll pretend to be.

Enemies: Youssef can very easily cross the line between overly friendly and obnoxiously sycophantic. Anyone who finds his meddling in others’ business or eagerness about school affairs annoying is more than welcome to tell him how annoying he is! Just prepare to be annoyed more. Blood purists can also fit into this category. He doesn’t talk much about his heritage now, but his amazement at magic and muggle belongings could just as well translate to his not belonging for such characters. Finally, he does not understand the appeal of Quidditch. He’d show up to matches just to do his homework and feel superior. Let him know he’s a loser for me.

(Future) Hurls: Would have to deal with an older Youssef internally hurling during the whole courting process. His parents are not paragons of matrimony. Best he can do for any character in this regard is make them worse <3

Other Ideas:

• No Place Like Home - Youssef has lived in a London lodging house, shared often with non-relatives. Any characters of a similar age range and background could have been fellow lodgers, neighbours, or schoolmates, and thus known a very different Youssef—one who wasn’t half as serious about school and twice as likely to groan about his family.
  
• The Flight of ‘93 - What exactly happened during that traumatic incident which left Youssef with such a severe fear of flying? I have no idea, but it was something very embarrassing that he hopes everybody in his year has forgotten and nobody in other years has heard about. Of course, people who want to make fun of him for this event may still exist and have full permission to tease him about it. Also, if anyone told him about the Hogsmeade flight ban around this time, Youssef would’ve been outspoken in his support. No relation to his own circumstances.
  
• Weekenders - Youssef loves visiting Hogsmeade, even if he isn’t allowed to spend any money in the shops he visits. Could your character be a business-minded worker who hates him because of this? A local who has the time for all his questions about the town’s history? Sky’s the limit! Haha. Get it. The flying ban. Moving on…
  

---

The following 1 user Likes Youssef Quilliam's post:1 user Likes Youssef Quilliam's post
   Anne Moony

Welcome to charming. Of course we discussed my characters in DM and I will get a thread started today, but Bonnie Greyback certainly seems like a natural friend for him, even if he doesnt like quidditch, they can just throw baffled eyebrows his way, unable to comprehend someone what doesn't like the best sport in the wizarding world. My other students are also available.

Isla Bowen is my professor, she teaches charms so he might like her this is her second year at hogwarts so they will have known each other since the start of his third year. She cares little about blood and class, only effort. So of he is a hard working and decent student, she will enjoy teaching him.

  

---

Hi Zach! I have James Callum who is definitely my most friendly and trouble-prone character (he means well. XD) He will happily make friends with anyone who seems remotely interested.

I also have Charles Whymper, current head boy. He is 80% stress on a good day.

  

---

set by Bee! <3

Welcome Zach and may I lure you into a story with Charley here, my street urchin who has something for each of your other ideas.

Charley's aforementioned street urchin has left her largely to her own devices since finishing her only year of Hogwarts in '92, and has roamed Hogsmeade fairly prolifically since. So any time Youssef's spent there gives them a chance to have met or be familiar with the other. She now has a home in Magical London (with an upper-MC guardian, Professor Themis Lyra, which may give Youssef something to admire or envy in her due to his own personal goals) and works at the Florist Potts in Hogsmeade. So plenty to find ways to establish a backstory, personal feelings, or whatnot between them.

The Flight of '93 has me intrigued, both with Charley's rooftop-running antics and one particular experience with a specific Gryffindor student and feathery wings. Don't ask. Or do, actually, if you think they could bond or mock each other over that sort of thing.

And he might run into Charley on Hogsmeade weekends, not that he needs frequent flower shops himself (though Charley's always willing to give the uninformed boys a lecture information on flowers for a special interest...for a price). She's pretty frugal herself, with sticky fingers that have gotten her in and out of trouble in the past. She also runs her own delivery service that has her all around Hogsmeade with options for a chance encounter.

There, are you exhausted yet? I have more! Silas Merlion and Millie Potts are my Hogwarts students, the former a first year Slytherin who has need of a sturdy role model...though he'd expect one with better clothes and upbringing, and the latter is my prefect sixth-year Ravenclaw, who is a rather good (O/A) student herself that might tutor, mete out discipline, or be around to spot reading a novel in various places in Hogwarts.

  

---

Writer Notes: Charley is a street urchin in both appearance and behavior, unless written otherwise here.
Interactions may reflect Victorian-era morals rather than modern sensibilities; this is allowed and acceptable to this writer.

Welcome to Charming, Zach!

I have a few possibilities for you, and I'm always happy to brainstorm and plan.

Here's the people on my roster that can help out:

Anne Moony is my first (and omg! I want to play) fit. Anne's a working class, halfblood, Slytherin Seeker and quidditch Captain. She loves to fly, it's her escape, and she would be down to help with any flight schenanigans. She's also got a major chip on her shoulder (Anne is a hatstall that thought she was going to Gryffindor), but also is fierce in her defense of muggleborn and halfblood students. Anne would happily fight purists on anyone's behalf. She also is working class and knows how to grind. Anne's stayed in school through her scholarship, and she is a proud overachiever. She's also the Potions Club President, is pursuing animagus training, and expects to become an auror. She likes to tutor and help other students succeed. I think she and Youssef could get along (as well as Anne gets along with people).

Georgianna Shacklebolt is my first year Ravenclaw. She's from money and privilage, but doesn't lord it over people. She is fascinated by muggleborns and the lower classes and would have walked up and asked questions without another thought.

Themis Lyra is your Astronomy professor and Gryffindor Head of House. She has a strong protective drive over muggleborns and does her best to act as mentor and safe place for students. If Youssef needs tutoring or a teacher to check him, here you go!

Again, welcome to Charming and I can't wait to write with you (and good luck at Uni!)

  

---

MJ about made me cry with this one!
Thread Log | Help Anne Blame the DJ

Good For: Hogwarts inhabitants seeking AnticsTM—retrieving lost items, exploring foreboding corridors, working on projects that could’ve been done last week if not for some other misadventure. Also, maybe, any Hogsmeade or London adults seeking an apprentice, though threads to do with this might be set over breaks or via letters. The child needs to figure out where he should labour.

for an adventuring vibe I can offer Morrigan Crowley, the ancient studies Professor who took this job solely to have access to Hogwart's hidden mysteries. She is truthfully probably a terrible teacher in the classic sense of the word, but would take a student with a true curious soul under her wing for magical expedition antics

I also had Leonard Blank who is the natural peer of a kid like youssef and is roughly his age also slyth also working class. He is at the moment inactive but I have been playing with the idea of bringing him back, maybe for a little working class ragtag kids plot? Charley Goode Anne Moony

The following 2 users Like Samuel Griffith's post:2 users Like Samuel Griffith's post
   Anne Moony, Charley Goode

Taking a moment to thank everyone who’s replied to this thread for both their patience and awfully intriguing characters/plot ideas! Now, onto actual responses, which are full of parentheses (sorry in advance) and put in containers per person in case people don’t want to scroll to the South Pole to see one specific reply. If anyone wants a thread based on the suggestions below, I’d love to start one for you.

For Chris:

Show

Welcome to charming. Of course we discussed my characters in DM and I will get a thread started today, but Bonnie Greyback certainly seems like a natural friend for him, even if he doesnt like quidditch, they can just throw baffled eyebrows his way, unable to comprehend someone what doesn't like the best sport in the wizarding world. My other students are also available. Isla Bowen is my professor, she teaches charms so he might like her this is her second year at hogwarts so they will have known each other since the start of his third year. She cares little about blood and class, only effort. So of he is a hard working and decent student, she will enjoy teaching him.

Slightly off-topic, I was very entertained by your starter. That poor Hufflepuff has all my heart and none of Youssef’s :p Slightly more on-topic, I would love to develop more Blair/Youssef stuff! I mean, Blair’s reaction to the Hufflepuff leaving tells me they can match each other’s energy very well. I think he’d be interested in becoming study buddies outside of Ghoul Studies if he learns they take COMC in our current thread or “off-screen”, since he doesn’t take it and it’d probably be useful to know what creatures’ mouths look like when studying their bite marks.

Or, if you want something Quidditch-related, maybe Youssef could invite himself to their next practice to hang out and learn more about each other/figure out what’s so good about Quidditch/be their devout cheerleader. Even if the next match is Ravenclaw v. Slytherin! He wouldn’t be any good at flying if Blair asked him to, but he might be able to throw some unimportant, balled-up notes their way so they can practice catching the Snitch. Because that’s totally how Quidditch works.

As for Isla, Youssef would be well relieved that the professor of his favourite subject (as of 1894) isn’t purist or classist. He might be a little less decent in terms of manners (cough even I have to beg him to shut up sometimes cough) but at least he’s hardworking! And also dislikes upper class students who take their privilege for granted, but I’m not sure that’s an appropriate topic for a teacher and student to discuss lol. Maybe he’d seek her out for extra credit work, or advice regarding what Charms-related jobs he can work after fifth year? Or ask her about the process behind her published research, supposing they were published in periodicals he could’ve reasonably accessed or heard of? Or ask her if he can pet the tarantulas in her office for good luck?

That last one’s a joke. Mostly TL;DR Youssef is down for either more class-related things or some convincing that Quidditch is actually the best sport in the wizarding world (I mean, he probably doesn’t know that many others) w/ Blair and would love to bug Isla about her (academic) career in order to advance his own/learn about here in general!

For Steph:

Show

Hi Zach! I have James Callum who is definitely my most friendly and trouble-prone character (he means well. XD) He will happily make friends with anyone who seems remotely interested. I also have Charles Whymper, current head boy. He is 80% stress on a good day.

Hello, hello! I think James (whose occupation very much amuses me) and Youssef could definitely get along, given their closeness in age and similarities in personality. It looks like they both take Ancient Studies and Ghoul Studies, so maybe they could forge a friendship while getting in/out of assignment-related trouble—artefact research complicated by someone else borrowing all the requisite books, ghost interview gone wrong, something along those lines Or they could bond over window shopping at Whizzard Books? And possibly get caught up in chaos there, too, considering the shop apparently has a Gobstones area. We could assume some meeting dated in the past, too, if you’d rather they have a pre-established acquaintanceship/friendship! In any case, I think Youssef would very much appreciate the company of another well-meaning but trouble-prone character.

Now, from what I’ve read from Charles, I reckon it might be best for him and Youssef to keep some distance, lest that 80% skyrocket because. Well. See the above paragraph. Being that we’re roleplayers and (speaking from personal experience) tend to eschew what’s best for our characters, though, it might be fun for Youssef to interrogate politely ask Charles for tips on grinding the prefect to Head Boy pipeline. I could see a sort of Colin Creevey/Harry Potter moment between them? Overenthusiastic Youngling meets Role Model With Much Bigger Problems to Deal With, if that makes sense. Big fan of his introduction post + whatever him and Charley have going on, by the way. The inability to write neurotypical characters is real!

For Jordan:

Show

Welcome Zach and may I lure you into a story with Charley here, my street urchin who has something for each of your other ideas.

Charley's aforementioned street urchin has left her largely to her own devices since finishing her only year of Hogwarts in '92, and has roamed Hogsmeade fairly prolifically since. So any time Youssef's spent there gives them a chance to have met or be familiar with the other. She now has a home in Magical London (with an upper-MC guardian, Professor Themis Lyra, which may give Youssef something to admire or envy in her due to his own personal goals) and works at the Florist Potts in Hogsmeade. So plenty to find ways to establish a backstory, personal feelings, or whatnot between them.

The Flight of '93 has me intrigued, both with Charley's rooftop-running antics and one particular experience with a specific Gryffindor student and feathery wings. Don't ask. Or do, actually, if you think they could bond or mock each other over that sort of thing.

And he might run into Charley on Hogsmeade weekends, not that he needs frequent flower shops himself (though Charley's always willing to give the uninformed boys a lecture information on flowers for a special interest...for a price). She's pretty frugal herself, with sticky fingers that have gotten her in and out of trouble in the past. She also runs her own delivery service that has her all around Hogsmeade with options for a chance encounter.

There, are you exhausted yet? I have more! Silas Merlion and Millie Potts are my Hogwarts students, the former a first year Slytherin who has need of a sturdy role model...though he'd expect one with better clothes and upbringing, and the latter is my prefect sixth-year Ravenclaw, who is a rather good (O/A) student herself that might tutor, mete out discipline, or be around to spot reading a novel in various places in Hogwarts.

Consider me lured, hook, line, and sinker! Charley and Youssef could definitely have an interesting story, and since Youssef’s had roughly a year and a half’s worth of visits to Hogsmeade, that gives us quite some time to fill in. Some of which may have been spent on failed haggling for Hogsmeade shortcuts, on Youssef’s part. I imagine he’d have some respect for her resourcefulness, even if he gains no respect from his cheapness and forced niceness.

You’re spot-on about his potential feelings re: Charley’s new guardian, too. His reaction to that (loved reading Know Your Place in the Sky, by the way) would truly be something along the lines of wow good for you!!! Quick question could you give me the exact number of tears you shed to convince her pretty please!!! Although I’m not sure how he’d learn of this unless Charley were to bring it up herself—an encounter in Diagon in the summer, maybe? Might need some help figuring out the timeline for this, if that’s alright with you.

Re: things taking place at The Florist Potts, I can think of some other excuses for Youssef’s very-much-ignorant-about-flower-lingo self to end up in the shop. Most related to plain curiosity about its products (which he is fully willing to pay for in physical favours, or… this knut he found on the floor?) or hoping that the fresh-cut flower scent will linger on him if he hangs around, but, hey, they’re still reasons! As for the other ideas, he’d be likely to follow Charley around on the ground to gain information about her delivery service (which he is fully willing to pay for with his dad’s hand-me-downs, never mind Charley having new clothes from Prof. Lyra) and, while less likely to join her on a rooftop, he may be persuaded to do so—or just yell at her from a safe spot several metres below—under the right duress. Maybe he wants to hear more about that Gryffindor student (James Fletcher, I gather from my stalking researching?) for mocking fodder’s sake or maybe he doesn’t want word spreading about his incompetence with/fear of brooms.

Also, despite how long it’s taken me to put my thoughts into words (trust me, if I’d done that any earlier this entire message would just be a thousand exclamation points) I am not at all exhausted and am excited to write with Charley and/or your other characters. Which is probably because you’ve done most of my job for me with these suggestions. I hold off on expressing any more gratitude for fear my keyboard will explode from overuse.

Silas, whose welcoming feast outburst was a very fun read, might be able to appreciate Youssef’s attempted helpfulness and understanding of how shocking Hogwarts can be, though their differences in class and piety could create still some conflict. Still, Youssef would be willing to share pointers on surviving in the serpents’ den or (mostly truthful) Black Lake history lessons, if they ever sit near one another in the common room or Great Hall. Youssef might have fewer direct ties to Millie and fewer funds to pay for tutoring, but he could end up bothering her about what book she’s reading, particularly if it has a fancy looking cover. Or, if you want to give Millie more to do as prefect, Youssef is almost always liable to do something detention-worthy and try and talk his way into a lesser punishment. We can see how far (or near) her benevolent pity towards muggles takes them.

For Amy:

Show

Welcome to Charming, Zach!

I have a few possibilities for you, and I'm always happy to brainstorm and plan.

Here's the people on my roster that can help out:

Anne Moony is my first (and omg! I want to play) fit. Anne's a working class, halfblood, Slytherin Seeker and quidditch Captain. She loves to fly, it's her escape, and she would be down to help with any flight schenanigans. She's also got a major chip on her shoulder (Anne is a hatstall that thought she was going to Gryffindor), but also is fierce in her defense of muggleborn and halfblood students. Anne would happily fight purists on anyone's behalf. She also is working class and knows how to grind. Anne's stayed in school through her scholarship, and she is a proud overachiever. She's also the Potions Club President, is pursuing animagus training, and expects to become an auror. She likes to tutor and help other students succeed. I think she and Youssef could get along (as well as Anne gets along with people).

Georgianna Shacklebolt is my first year Ravenclaw. She's from money and privilage, but doesn't lord it over people. She is fascinated by muggleborns and the lower classes and would have walked up and asked questions without another thought.

Themis Lyra is your Astronomy professor and Gryffindor Head of House. She has a strong protective drive over muggleborns and does her best to act as mentor and safe place for students. If Youssef needs tutoring or a teacher to check him, here you go!

Again, welcome to Charming and I can't wait to write with you (and good luck at Uni!)

Thank you for the welcome and well wishes at school! God knows I need them almost as much as Youssef does. He might have complex feelings about Anne being a working class student who’s achieved so much academically and extracurricular-ly (I’ve described Potions as his Waterloo, funnily enough!) but I think admiration would ultimately win out over everything else. While Youssef can’t relate to being a hatstall, thinking of flying as an escape, or fiercely defending anyone from purist beliefs, these differences + their ambitious temperaments + Youssef preferring followership v. Anne assuming leadership could make for some very enjoyable threads. Maybe he could beg her for Potions tutoring in exchange for his semi-loyal support at the next Quidditch game? Maybe he could ask for flying tips on behalf of some nebulous first year friend traumatised by his first go? Maybe he could express some commendation after seeing her stand up to a purist? Maybe she could witness him licking the boots of a purist because he would #not survive an anti-bullying PSA? These are all top-of-the-sleep-deprived-head ideas, but I’m sure we could come up with better ones if these don’t suit your taste; these two really do seem like a good fit!

Quick question, though, would you rather they have some sort of pre-established relationship or have more of a ‘vaguely know of each other through shared spaces and have only started actively interacting recently’ deal? Either way, excited to figure out what these two could do with you.

Also, love the bit in her profile about Anne only swearing when she won’t get in trouble. As an Aussie, I will fight for the right for these kids to put bloody before every single sentence in their inner or outer monologues.

As for Georgianna, Youssef would be very receptive to questions from her about muggle/working class life! You know, as long as she made it clear she wasn’t asking for bigoted reasons, which should be easy enough, from what I’ve read of her. He might be a bit intimidated by her fashion sense, if they were to talk out of uniform, but that’s just another thing to explain away through cultural differences. And possibly a slightly embellished story about how his clothes were ruined by this muggle invention called the cigar-ett-ee.

Finally, while Astronomy is (again, funnily enough) one of Youssef’s worse subjects because name memorisation + having to focus on observation = bad time for him, I could see him respecting Themis enough to try understanding the practicality of her class. Which might manifest into asking why class can’t be held closer to the ground now that telescopes exist, but hopefully she gets that his questions from an earnest (albeit ignorant) place

For Lou:

Show

for an adventuring vibe I can offer Morrigan Crowley, the ancient studies Professor who took this job solely to have access to Hogwart's hidden mysteries. She is truthfully probably a terrible teacher in the classic sense of the word, but would take a student with a true curious soul under her wing for magical expedition antics I also had Leonard Blank who is the natural peer of a kid like youssef and is roughly his age also slyth also working class. He is at the moment inactive but I have been playing with the idea of bringing him back, maybe for a little working class ragtag kids plot?

First of all, I just want to say I love how you write the personality sections of your characters. The epithets are good for gleaning the big picture and the descriptions that follow are evocative delights to read! Now, regarding actual plotting, I think Youssef would enjoy Morrigan’s teaching style, despite and because of any eccentricities that arise from her actual goals. He’d definitely want to ask questions about her travels and research on ancient magic, if either of those topics were to come up in the classroom, and would volunteer for magical expedition antics with a ready hand. He only has two years left at school, after all; might as well learn all he can, especially from a teacher that actually wants to do something with the subject they teach. This might require some more brainstorming between us for the details of what you’d like these expeditions to involve, but just know that if Morrigan ever needs someone shorter than her to get this or that object, Youssef would volunteer in a heartbeat.

As for Leonard, while there’s no pressure to bring him back if you decide otherwise, I think a working class “ragtag group of misfits” group could be really fun to play out, and I can see interactions between him and Youssef working out for a number of reasons on top of their similar statuses. They’re both people-pleasers because their lives depend on it, they’re both business-minded (Youssef can’t help much in the busking department, but perhaps they can find other ways to profit from the student body), and they’re both scared of leaving Hogwarts. Youssef would also be amenable to help Leonard with essays, although he might question why the latter hasn’t commercialised his magic feather, if he ever finds out about it.

The following 3 users Like Youssef Quilliam's post:3 users Like Youssef Quilliam's post
   Anne Moony, Charley Goode, Henry Berkwood

For Steph:

Show

Hi Zach! I have James Callum who is definitely my most friendly and trouble-prone character (he means well. XD) He will happily make friends with anyone who seems remotely interested. I also have Charles Whymper, current head boy. He is 80% stress on a good day.

Hello, hello! I think James (whose occupation very much amuses me) and Youssef could definitely get along, given their closeness in age and similarities in personality. It looks like they both take Ancient Studies and Ghoul Studies, so maybe they could forge a friendship while getting in/out of assignment-related trouble—artefact research complicated by someone else borrowing all the requisite books, ghost interview gone wrong, something along those lines Or they could bond over window shopping at Whizzard Books? And possibly get caught up in chaos there, too, considering the shop apparently has a Gobstones area. We could assume some meeting dated in the past, too, if you’d rather they have a pre-established acquaintanceship/friendship! In any case, I think Youssef would very much appreciate the company of another well-meaning but trouble-prone character.

Now, from what I’ve read from Charles, I reckon it might be best for him and Youssef to keep some distance, lest that 80% skyrocket because. Well. See the above paragraph. Being that we’re roleplayers and (speaking from personal experience) tend to eschew what’s best for our characters, though, it might be fun for Youssef to interrogate politely ask Charles for tips on grinding the prefect to Head Boy pipeline. I could see a sort of Colin Creevey/Harry Potter moment between them? Overenthusiastic Youngling meets Role Model With Much Bigger Problems to Deal With, if that makes sense. Big fan of his introduction post + whatever him and Charley have going on, by the way. The inability to write neurotypical characters is real!

For some reason "ghost interview goes wrong" sounds like a grand old time to me right now! I'm down to have this be a pre-existing friendship if you are!

I am also 100% down to have Charles politely interrogated. XD

I can start either of these if you have a preference!

  

---

Set by MJ <3

For Jordan:

Consider me lured, hook, line, and sinker!

Excellent, excellent. I'm glad you enjoyed stalking the character threads and finding just where Youssef can fit in, because I'm eager to put that to writing.

...Youssef’s had roughly a year and a half’s worth of visits to Hogsmeade, that gives us quite some time...spent on failed haggling for Hogsmeade shortcuts...he gains no respect from his cheapness and forced niceness.

Charley is an unending source of pettiness and attitude to infect others with, just ask Margaret Wallace how far a sweet little girl has come.

I like the idea of him trying to haggle for Hogsmeade shortcuts, and her withholding them (maybe because he just won't climb rooftops). Having someone looking to her for learning the insider tricks would be something she'd definitely like to savor.

You’re spot-on about his potential feelings re: Charley’s new guardian, too. His reaction to that (loved reading Know Your Place in the Sky, by the way) would truly be something along the lines of wow good for you!!! Quick question could you give me the exact number of tears you shed to convince her pretty please!!! Although I’m not sure how he’d learn of this unless Charley were to bring it up herself—an encounter in Diagon in the summer, maybe? Might need some help figuring out the timeline for this, if that’s alright with you.

Sounds like some mutual jealous could foster between him and Charley then. They each get an advantage the other lacks, possibly forever, and just have to deal. With each other, preferably, in a thread.

Timeline could work by him noticing her more frequent absences from Hogsmeade in the summer nights or more appearances in Magical London perhaps. Or we can work out more details in a PM or Discord if you like!

Re: things taking place at The Florist Potts, I can think of some other excuses for Youssef’s very-much-ignorant-about-flower-lingo self to end up in the shop.

As for the other ideas, he’d be likely to follow Charley around on the ground to gain information about her delivery service...and, while less likely to join her on a rooftop, he may be persuaded to do so—or just yell at her from a safe spot several metres below—under the right duress.

Maybe he wants to hear more about that Gryffindor student (James Fletcher, I gather from my stalking researching?) for mocking fodder’s sake or maybe he doesn’t want word spreading about his incompetence with/fear of brooms.

If he made some threat or insinuated him buddying-up with Jimmy Fletcher at Hogwarts, oooh, Charley might get really pissed. Good way for him to get under her skin if she annoys him.

Whatever idea you've got to show up at the flower shop, Charley is happy to laugh at him for it. And probably take pity on him, with a proper exchange of goods or knowledge somehow. Teach her a new hex he learned at Hogwarts and she'll tell him how to admire his crush from afar with the right bouquet. Or find a mutual hatred of Jimmy and send him some hate-language flowers to bother him in ignorance.

The idea of him yelling at her from the ground while she's delivering something or up on a rooftop is pretty amusing, it should get used!

Silas, whose welcoming feast outburst was a very fun read, might be able to appreciate Youssef’s attempted helpfulness and understanding of how shocking Hogwarts can be, though their differences in class and piety could create still some conflict. Still, Youssef would be willing to share pointers on surviving in the serpents’ den or (mostly truthful) Black Lake history lessons, if they ever sit near one another in the common room or Great Hall.

Tell Silas ALL the Black Lake history. He'd love to have a Slytherin rolemodel, I'm pretty sure half the House thinks he's insane and the other just ignores him.

Youssef...could end up bothering her about what book she’s reading, particularly if it has a fancy looking cover.

Or, if you want to give Millie more to do as prefect, Youssef is almost always liable to do something detention-worthy and try and talk his way into a lesser punishment. We can see how far (or near) her benevolent pity towards muggles takes them.

Good chance encounters on both. While I think we have stronger ideas for Charley and Silas, Millie's around if you want to scratch the itch!

And...

I think a working class “ragtag group of misfits” group could be really fun to play out

Charley will second that. With Maggie Wallace in tow, we'd have four to team up with if desire.

  

---

Writer Notes: Charley is a street urchin in both appearance and behavior, unless written otherwise here.
Interactions may reflect Victorian-era morals rather than modern sensibilities; this is allowed and acceptable to this writer.

Youssef Quilliam

Love all of that. I am a big fan on long term inter character development so a proper recurring friend for Bonnie would be brilliant. And we can absolutely do more studying and even establish some more aspects of their friendship of screen if you want to chat about that some. I find it useful to do a bit of that as a single class thread might take a month to write but in "reality" they would be seeing each other in various encounters basically every day during that period as time continues to progress.

If he takes a keen interest in her spiders she will like that, they are the babies she never had. She wont discuss class and purity with students, shes very aware of how to be proper. But her behaviour will reflect her meritocratic mindset.

  

---

Bonnie is NB/GF but presents as a girl because she doesnt yet have a choice
Anyone who knows them, knows they prefer to be called Blair