February 11th, 1894 - Library

Benedict walked through the shelves looking for the correct book, boys book club had finished their last tome and he now had to source the next, it sounded like a good one, but now after looking for nearly ten minutes, the Griffindor was now concerned that the last copies had been checked out of the library. He needed to go and ask the librarian to check for him, so he walked out from between the racks and looked for her.

There was time for that though as his plans were immediately interrupted by him spotting a fellow book club members albeit one of the girls club. They didn't get to mix officially but the two groups knew who the others were from their regular trips to the library. "Miss Potts, hi," he said to her in a friendly manner. "May I?" he gestured to the seat opposite her but immediately say down rather than waiting for her response. It was hardly likely that she would tell him no, he assumed.

"Is that the girl's club book you are reading?" he asked, looking down at the novel that the Ravenclaw had her head in, "What is it about?" he enquired. The selections were curated quite differently for the genders so it was a genuine curiosity. He grinned to himself as he spoke to the fourth year and he hoped she didn't mind his intrusion too much.

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Millie Potts

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   Millie Potts

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She must have passed by the shelf a hundred times before, yet each time the young witch felt drawn to it. There couldn't be anything new to discover now, the titles were familiar as were their orders. Little in the dusty tomes interested the reader in her, only the question of who would need to check out An Anthology of Mushroom Dynasties or First Contact with the Ant Queen on the days when they disappeared from the lineup. Letting herself be consumed by those idle wonderings served to better block out the reason she lingered, hidden in this tucked-away corner of the library, after the weekly book club meetings.

Millie could feel the footsteps, prickling on the back of her neck as the hairs rose one by one, closer with each step, before she ever saw him.

When Benedict found her chosen set of shelves, the Ravenclaw had seated herself and feigned absorption into her book. The act wasn't quite as easy to pull off as with her more favorable novels, the writing was dry and preachy. Millie wondered if it might have been more interesting to learn about one of the topics on the shelf instead, despite the suspicion it would likely draw from the older boy. He was always snooping on the titles the girls read, it would have been too obvious a ruse.

She supposed it was his way of keeping the girls in check, making sure their books weren't too masculine or inappropriate for feminine minds. It was thoughtful, at least, even if Millie didn't find it necessary. Still, when the boy asked his customary question, she could greet him with a pleasant-enough answer. "Oh, hello Mr. Hunter."

Propping up the book on its edge let him to read it's title, and Millie watched him out of the corner of her eye. He might surprise her with a genuine interest in Charms for Confidence: A Self-Improvement Handbook for Young Witches by August E. Abbott "It wasn't my suggestion this time." Or the last time, either. The young witch added mournfully, "I think I'm the only one who likes history enough to read novels about it."

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   Benedict Hunter

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Millie Potts responded politely to Ben, despite being engrossed in her book. He looked closely at the spine of the book. Muttering the title and the author name to himself as he read it. "Ah, yes, one of my absolute favourites, and how wonderfully helpful and appropriate for you young ladies." his demeanor was unserious but it would be awfully rude to just come out and say just how uninteresting the book sounded. "I hope Mr. Abbotts own experiences as a young witch proves helpful? Any pointers you might take?" he laughed, placing the book he had been carrying on the table. Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa by David Livingston

"The boys didn't take my suggestion either, I brought this one to read, it's one of my father's. But the group went with Catriona by someone called Robert Louis Stevenson, but I can't seem to find a copy in the library." The first book, Kidnapped hadn't been bad, he guessed, so it wasnt a terrible choice. It was probably not the sort of book that would ever have been offered to the girls though. He wondered what Millie might have picked if it had been her choice, he might ask, seeing as she had already hinted that her tastes lie in history books anyway.

"What book had you suggested, might I ask?". A whispered, shhhh came across the room from one of the librarians, drawing a smirk out of the fifth year. Benedict asked the same question again, but this time in a conspicuous whisper.

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   Millie Potts

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The young witch stared at Benedict for a moment, studying the young man to see if he was being serious. It was hard to tell with him, sometimes she just erred on the side of seriousness just to be safe about it. Still, if that was the case, then Mr. Hunter's literary repertoire was far broader than she'd ever imagined. Millie pressed on her lips to keep a smile, or worse a giggle, from her face.

She didn't want to give Benedict the wrong idea. That much she didn't need a book telling her, the etiquette professor had impressed that in her mind, as well as her mum. As he talked, Millie idle wondered if the boys received similar advice, so when Benedict asked for a tidbit from the book she looked at him with alarm. It passed in a moment, enough for her to offer up the line that had stuck out in her mind from the cursory reading she'd given to the first chapter. "The strongest charms are those done without a wand."

It didn't seem likely to mean wandless magic, of the sort they might learn in the upper years. Millie hesitated to say that, lest he really had read the book itself and she turned out to be wrong. Discovering further meaning in the advice was a mystery that would take reading the book to reveal. It would be worth reading it for that much, she decided, no matter who had suggested the book.

The young witch looked back up when the boy directed another question her way, she hadn't realized her mind had drifted off until she heard the distant shushing and whispered repetition. "Oh, it's silly," Millie said dismissively. Now that she thought about it, who did actually want to read a decades-spanning book about some families? "About some wizarding families right after the statue of secrecy. Pretty boring, right?"

Since the young man was checking up on the girl's literature contents, he'd certainly be satisfied at her saying so. Still, perhaps he'd like to take a look for himself, she considered. Withdrawing the book out of her bag, Millie slid it across the table to him.

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   Benedict Hunter

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She responded properly to his responses and he smiled at her answers, he felt like he knew exactly which charms were implied by that passage, boys were taught to be charming at all times, it was as important as any other skill. "It sounds informative" he said as he saw her pondering something before drawing her own book out of her bag. He eyed it curiously before she handed it carefully over to him.

Ben was also interested in history and was although he had vaguely known Miss Potts for a few years, he was pleasantly surpised at her choice. "Not at all boring." he said with his eyes widening with genuine interest. He picked up the book and opened to a page entirely at random and read a paragraph. "Of course the statutes were meant to protect us, but I wonder how it must have felt to have life turned upside down like that." his tone was genuine and he closed the book again before sliding it back across the table back between he and the dark haired witch. The boy-wizard looked around before drawing out his dogwood wand and tapped the book.

"If still you wish to have a reading partner for this book, I would certainly agree to read it and report back my findings to you?" he raised an eyebrow, it was a genuine suggestion, there was nothing to say that they couldn't pick their own reading material as a side project to the book club after all. It might be quite fun. Of course Ben would likely end up listening to the book rather than reading, but whilst the process was the different, the outcome would be the same. "Or if you have already read yours, perhaps you would like to read my own selection instead?"

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Millie's surprise was difficult for her to hide, a hand reaching for her throat at the same time that her eyes went wide. Mr. Hunter's genuine interest felt unusual in an appreciative manner, and one she wasn't about to let pass her by. Now that the spell was broken and the momentary shock washed away, she let a smile creep through at last. The young witch even felt herself nodding along with the boy's historical analysis, venturing to add, "That's what made me choose the book. We only learn about the statues in a factual way in History of Magic class. These people actually lived through it, they can offer a glimpse at what it actually meant to the wizarding world at the time."

It was a perspective she felt a sense of kindred with, living up to the demands of an overbearing decree. Even if her papa's reasoning made sense, the foreboding of OWLs still loomed over Millie's shoulder. Whether a specter of doom or a herald of blessings, those tests would be her own statue to live under. Considering the struggles her ancestors went through under the actual laws, though, made complaining about a father's strictness seem trivial by comparison. That was something she hoped the book could shed some light on as well.

"Though, it's only a novel," she added, if only to make it feel less consequential for herself. If Millie was surprised again at the boy's next suggestion, she did a better job at keeping her reaction under control.

"If you'd like..." Millie admitted, sounding less certain now that the boy had offered his partnership to read the book together. The young witch hesitated, her fingers finding the necklace at last. There was certainly a reason why the boys' and girls' book clubs weren't unified. She thought that was why Benedict himself was checking in on their choices. Now, Millie considered, it seemed more like the boy just wanted to broaden his literary horizons. "I'd be delighted to have a reading partner. That could be very enjoyable."

A flurry of ideas assaulted the young witch at once, and she hastened to lay them all out now before losing track. "We could take notes on each chapter and exchange them after classes, then meet this Saturday to talk about the book as a whole. Or..." Millie found herself running away with demands and schedules, falling quiet for a moment. This wasn't really book club and she wasn't in charge of either, assuming both could be to her peril. "Or whatever you might find most enjoyable, Mr. Hunter."

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   Benedict Hunter

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This was fun, he thought to himself, the ravenclaw girl seemed receptive to broadening their reading, and to do it together. He had wondered how the girl might feel at the offer of a more private frienship between them, while his intentions were nothing untoward, there were many girls who might baulk at the idea of meeting even to discuss literature. He nodded in agreement at the reasoning for picking the book, it was a good thing to be curious, and now he was too, his interest in the topic was quite apparent.

"That sounds lovely, I would enjoy seeing how our notes differed on each chapter, we can exchange notes, in confidence of course, and then perhaps pick apart the other's critique on Saturday as you suggested." he gave a mischievous smile to the girl. He wanted to indicate that hoped for her honest review and proper discussion, rather than the societally prescribed interpretations of her gender, but he would not push his luck. "I am quite looking forward to this, I suppose I should enquire whether the library has another copy." he gave a broad grin and looked across at the librarian who eyed the pair over her glasses.

She had shushed him once and looked like she was waiting for him slip up again. "I think we are being watched." he laughed quietly and then placed his fist in front of his face to cough. It was louder than the librarian might approve, but it was a cough, he didn't do it deliberately, did he?

He smirked very subtley at Millie.

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Millie Potts

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   Millie Potts

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That smile of his was alarming to the young witch. Her fingers dug into the silver links at her throat, picking at his words with her thoughts. If only Mr. Hunter would be more forthright with his actions, she could only parse his intentions so far as she could react. Millie felt her tension easing as his agreement came easily across the table, freeing her head to tip into a nod again.

She had to be more mindful of propriety, Millie reminded herself. Passing notes and meeting with boys for long discussions would draw eyes, and even more whispers. Enough of them had passed along from her mouth that gave her pause, though not enough to claw her back from embracing a new reading partner. "In that case, Mr. Hunter," she started, surprised to find her own smile creeping back from its hiding place again, "Perhaps that should be your first priority. You might fall behind if you have to wait for it from a bookseller in town."

Millie tightened her smile a little more to realize that she had been teasing him, and turned back to the books in question. The instructions of Charms for Confidence would have to wait until next week, she decided. Tonight she would start on Echoes of Eternity: Chronicles of the Wizarding Realm, if the young witch could maintain enough self-discipline to stick to her class priorities in the meantime. Her eyes glanced longingly at the cover, but only pulled it back once Benedict had written the title down. His attention, as it turned out, was elsewhere, so the young witch turned to look.

Her flushed face must have been visible to the librarian for just a moment before Millie whipped her head away. So quickly that her hair tumbled down across her face like a curtain, a courtesy so gratifying she didn't even think to wonder if it was a coincidence. Awkwardly fumbling with the chair, the young witch stood and started gathering her things. "Well, this may be..." she started, then shook her head and continued in silence.

Her muscles were as stiff as a statue's, making every movement laborious. She pushed through anyway, keenly aware that even in the library whispers could be louder than any shouted defense. Millie had already stayed too long speaking with Benedict, and without the kind eye of any professors or house matrons at that. Tidying up her things, the young witch pressed the book against her in one last act of propriety.

"I don't want to be late for my next class," the young witch said by way of explanation, suddenly heedless of the day's date. Or headless, rather. Which she might have been if her eyes could manage to wrest it off in their quest to look absolutely anywhere but on the young man across the table.

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   Benedict Hunter

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As Millie Potts began to excuse herself and clear her things, Benedict did not miss the playful challenge for him, the risk of falling behind, this would definitely be fun. The potential competition encouraged that he might actually read the whole book rather than use the magical box beside his bed. The girl seemed to notice herself too and began to blush. Perhaps Ben should have felt sorry for leading her into this slightly chaotic and erratic state, but as her hair cascaded down and he caught sight of her smile, he didn't feel sorry at all.

"You shall find me to be quite the avid reader, I will have the first chapter done before lights out tonight." he finished writing the name of the book down and slid it back toward her for her to pack in with the rest of her study materials that she clutched tightly to her chest.

"Quite right, can't leave the professors waiting for us." he nodded and gathered his own things together. "And on a Sunday of all days. Dont you think you might be a little early if you leave now?" he laughed, gently teasing back the flustered young woman. "I think we have ancient studies together tomorrow morning so I guess I will see you then?" There was a slight upward inflection in his voice that implied a question, even though it was hardly going to be a no for the two well behaved boarding school students. It was more likely that he was simply allowing his eagerness to creep through.

Millie had moved to excuse herself so he would allow her escape and he went to approach the librarian. "Miss, please can I have your assistance finding a specific book?" The librarian tutted at Benedict, but grasping the strip of paper he had written on, she led him to the appropriate shelf. If Miss Potts was inclined to glance back as she left the library, she might catch just one last pleasant smile from her new reading buddy.

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   Millie Potts

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The frantic pace set by Millie's heart left her focus frayed. It made her limbs itch as well, her body's suggestion that she wanted to be anywhere else. It left the young witch even more flustered to feel so wound up and be unable to move, her feet seemed frozen to the ground. Waiting for some signal, some permission to move.

"And on a Sunday of all days. Don't you think you might be a little early if you leave now? "

If it was permission that she was looking for, Mr. Hunter's words were not it. Her own caught in her throat, straining to offer an explanation for the slip of the tongue. A tongue that was now stilled the same way her feet were frozen, making Millie feel like a rather dull statue. She was no Mr. Podsnapper, she had no real experience as a stone child, and now was perhaps the worst time to consider asking the Hufflepuff about it.

When Benedict turned his attention elsewhere, Millie took the chance. Her feet nearly flew off her legs, taking her out of the library and far from her confusing new reading partner. Mr. Hunter's interest was only natural, she told herself, he only enjoyed books the way she did. There was nothing untoward about discussions of literature with peers, especially in the well-lit, well-supervised library spaces where they planned next to meet.

No, there was nothing the young witch needed to worry about. She could breathe easier now, though it wasn't clear to her whether that was due to the conclusion or her own distance from the boy. It was worth taking in stride, Millie decided, pressing the book a little closer against her body. There were chapters to read, notes to take, and with enough time for homework mixed in it meant that the rest of her day was suddenly filled to the brim.

Anticipation for a good book was a lot easier to deal with than fretting about perception. Books were easy to read. People, as she had only just been reminded, were much more of an adventure. At times, those were something the young witch would definitely rather read about.

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   Benedict Hunter

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