Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 29, 2009 11:03:29 GMT -5
Connor's walk to the upper levels of the castle was undisturbed, usually whenever he had to trek places he would get caught up talking to someone, usually students but occasionally professors or ghosts as well. This time, however, he had a destination in mind, and a goal to complete.
Letter in hand he walked up the various flights of stairs, waving every so often at passing friends and acquaintances, not wanting to completely ignore them, but he did have something to do. On most occasions he would make it a habit to stop and talk about whatever, quidditch, lessons, or just random things, but as he ducked into the owlery he suspected that, once his letter was sent, he would have plenty of time to lounge around and do nothing. It was how he envisioned spending every Saturday afternoon, lounging around with nothing at all to do.
He let out a low whistle and several birds ruffled their feathers at him, unsure if he was their master or not. From the flurry of sounds he heard a lofty hoot greet him and watched as a gray owl separated himself from the others, flying down to land on a perch right in front of where Connor stood.
The Head Boy turned, having heard footsteps close by. The owls looked a bit alarm at yet another disturbance, as they had been sleeping for the most part. He shrugged his shoulders and waited for whoever it was.
( Jay )
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Post by Jahan Samara on Mar 29, 2009 11:36:38 GMT -5
Jay walked up to the Owlery, thinking. He was trying to set out an attack plan, one that he wouldn't chicken out of and might actually work. It didn't seem right that he had so much trouble being friendly, but he did. That was why he had the attack plan. So that he could make friends and not feel so lonely and out of his element in the big school. He promised himself that he'd start a conversation with the next person he saw.
His parents had had a hard time getting used to the owls bringing his letters, but they had gotten used to it. He liked the owls. They were very quiet if you didn't disturb them, and they made a very pleasant, calming trilling noise that always relaxed Jay. He liked the idea of using these creatures for a practical purpose, and he was pretty sure the owls didn't mind.
As Jay walked into the Owlery, he noticed the older student. The guy towered over him, although at 5' 1, most people did. He knew the guy had heard him, but Jay got one of the school owls down anyway. He tied his letter around the owl's leg and sent it off. He took another look at the older student. He looked familiar, and Jay had a feeling that he was important in some way. Then he remembered his promise to himself, and knew he had to say something. He had been hoping it would have been someone younger, but he couldn't back down now.
"Morning."
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 29, 2009 12:01:25 GMT -5
The younger student didn't say anything at first, so Connor merely shrugged it off and continued about his business, imagining that if the boy didn't want to talk then he wouldn't interrupt him in his... not talking. The Slytherin reached out and pet his old owl Harold who gave a soft contented hoot. He fastened the letter to the animals leg and gave the bird a treat for his services. " Be a good lad and take that home, will ya? " The owl gave what appeared to be a small nod and ruffled it's feathers one last time before taking off in flight, maneuvering around the room and swooping out of the window.
Connor had had the owl for what felt like ages, although in reality it had only been a couple years. The bird was a bit lazy at times, preferring to sleep over anything else, but he was dedicated and good-natured all the same.
The seventeen year old turned on his heel, about to walk out the door when he heard a voice speaking to him. ' Morning. ' He nodded his head cordial like, and responded, " G'morning... you're... " He paused, trying to remember the kid's name. Connor found that being Head Boy he had to remember and pay attention to who was who. He mostly knew everyone in the castle anyway, or they knew him, but occasionally there was someone like this student that he had seen around but couldn't place.
" Jay, right? " He was guessing for the most part, but it sounded familiar as he said the name.
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Post by Jahan Samara on Mar 29, 2009 12:18:45 GMT -5
Morning? Wow, Jay, you should really stop being such a chatterbox. And you're so original too. Morning! What genius! Jay was a bit harsh on himself, but it wasn't exactly a word of monumental greatness. But, at least it was a start. It was something, and it got the other boy talking.
He was confused at the older boy knowing his name. Jay was sure he wasn't in Hufflepuff; Jay would know him if that were the case. But it served to reinforce the idea that maybe the guy was important. Maybe he was a Prefect, or maybe Head Boy or something. At any rate, he knew Jay's name, and Jay felt bad about not knowing his. But he was going to have to ask. Great. What a great way to start a conversation out on the wrong foot.
"Right, Jay Samara. I'm sorry, I forgot your name."
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 29, 2009 13:04:16 GMT -5
Connor slid his hands into his pockets, wondering if Jay was his name. Maybe short for Jason or something? He couldn't come up with any other names that Jay would be short for. He drew a blank on the last name, which definitely let him know that he hadn't ever met this kid, but had only seen or head of him in passing. He was usually a little better at remembering things, but he couldn't remember anything about this kid. Just a first name, Jay.
" Oh, no problem man. I'm Connor Manning. S'nice to meet you. " He nodded and offered a small smile, hoping to let the boy know that it wasn't a big deal that he didn't know who he was. Connor was a bit surprised, if nothing else, that Jay didn't know who he was. But then again he hadn't really known who he was so it was only fair.
" So watcha up to? " He asked conversationally, figuring he might as well keep the discussion rolling along.
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Post by Jahan Samara on Mar 29, 2009 13:15:57 GMT -5
Connor Manning! Such a simple name. Jay wondered how he could have forgotten it. Now he remembered. This guy was Head Boy. How could he forget who the bloody Head Boy was? He felt really stupid, but it helped that Connor didn't seem to mind. He seemed pretty cool about it, and Jay bet he was well-liked. He was already beginning to like him, and he had known him for less than five minutes. Thankfully, Connor kept the conversation going, and Jay didn't have to struggle to come up with anything to say.
"I'm doing... pretty much nothing now."
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
|
Post by Connor Manning on Mar 29, 2009 15:31:31 GMT -5
Connor looked to the ground, making sure that he didn't step on feathers or owl droppings and the like, and made his way to one of the windows to look out, making sure Harold had gotten out alright. He spotted the creature off in the distance, flying out in the direction he always flew when he was headed home. The letter wasn't really all that important, just a response to a letter his parents had written a week ago. Usually he was more prompt in his replying of letters, but time had sort of slipped away from him this time.
He looked back to Jay, though, as the younger boy answered his question. He gave a low chuckle, thinking that he was doing the exact same thing. " Same here mate... we should come up with something to do... " Connor leaned against the window ledge, first making sure it was clean, and looked downwards, thinking it was a long way to the ground.
That thought struck a chord with him and he turned to Jay, grinning. " I have an idea... how do you feel about breaking things for fun? "
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Post by Jahan Samara on Mar 29, 2009 15:44:48 GMT -5
Jay was surprised at his luck. First attempt at making a friend, and he found a guy who he seemed to have something in common with. When Connor mentioned that he didn't have anything to do either, that feeling of similarity intensified. He thought about what they could do, but he was completely drawing a blank. What did he do, anyway? He sat, and he thought, and he wrote music. That was pretty much it.
'I have an idea... how do you feel about breaking things for fun?' Jay looked up at the grinning Head Boy, thinking that this could be fun. He hadn't had real fun since summer. He thought it sounded like a pretty good idea. He looked up at Connor, his own face breaking into a smile, and said,
"Sounds good to me."
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Mar 29, 2009 19:46:05 GMT -5
Connor was quickly reminded of his first encounter with a good friend of his, Delilah. They had actually spent the afternoon destroying things together in a fun random made up game that she had been playing when he walked in on her. It was the starting point of a good friendship... and destroying things in general was pretty fun.
" Okay, cool... Wait.. " He paused, remembering a joke gift set his sister had gotten him a couple weeks ago. " What about... paint bombs of the balloon variety? I'm thinking we should go to the top of one of the towers and just let 'em fly. See who gets hit. " He grinned, glad to have thought of something fun to do. It had been a while since he had had any good fun... let alone of the random and stupid variety. Paint bombs, he supposed, fell into that category exactly. " I have supplies if you're interested. " He shrugged his shoulders but still couldn't contain his excited smile.
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Post by Jahan Samara on Mar 31, 2009 22:49:42 GMT -5
"Sounds good." Jay was looking forward to some reckless fun. He had been so safe ever since he got here, so cautious and careful, he thought it was time he let loose a little. Let his hair down, so to speak. Paint bombs sounded like a pretty good way to start, and Connor was offering. Then something hit him.
"If you're head boy, aren't you supposed to be a role model or something? Should you really be corrupting an innocent little third year like me with your fiendish paint bomb plots?"
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Apr 1, 2009 14:12:50 GMT -5
He couldn't really remember why his sister had sent him the gift set... It had a lot of random things in it. Whoopee cushions, silly string, silly putty, balloons, magical paint, biting teacups and a couple other random items. It was like she wanted to get him into some senseless trouble. Not that he minded, senseless trouble and or fun was what he wanted about now. Sometimes it was necessary.
' If you're head boy, aren't you supposed to be a role model or something? Should you really be corrupting an innocent little third year like me with your fiendish paint bomb plots? '
Connor turned to face Jay, a small grin on his face. " Well, you have me there mate... All that being said, you in or not? I could probably find someone else who'd be willing to throw paint balloons at stuff with me. " He shrugged his shoulders, thinking that despite what he had brought up Jay would still stay. Who wanted to miss out on fun?
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Post by Jahan Samara on Apr 2, 2009 20:28:27 GMT -5
"I'm game."
Jay was surprised that Connor hadn't realized what he meant. It was all a bit of a joke, though he had been interested in how seriously the Head Boy took that title. Apparently, not very. He had been being sarcastic, but some people just didn't get sarcasm as easily as others. Jay understood that, but not why. The tones were so distinctly different to him that he couldn't imagine not hearing the difference. Yet, some people didn't.
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Apr 5, 2009 10:25:36 GMT -5
" Good. "
Connor figured that he would play along, and now that Jay was in on it, it would be all the more fun. Because really... messing around with paint filled balloons didn't sound as fun if he was the only one there to enjoy it. He grinned, then said, " Why don't we just go find a free tower? It'd be best not to interrupt the birds too much, " He nodded over his left shoulder, where a large tawny owl was snoring in his sleep, unknowing of the activity around him.
Connor ducked out of the owlry and motioned for Jay to come with him. It was time to redecorate the grounds of Hogwarts a bit. The Head Boy grinned at the thought.
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Post by Jahan Samara on Apr 7, 2009 22:07:33 GMT -5
Jay started off after the Slytherin, liking the idea of finding another tower. Much as he liked an admired the owls, he was well aware that they were still animals, and animals tended to react out of instinct. However, as far as he knew, the other towers were relatively free of owls and other winged creatures. It would probably be best not to have to worry about disturbing anything. He could just imagine an owl descending on him and scratching him to ribbons. He would have a hard time explaining that one in the Hospital Wing.
He wasn't usually a big troublemaker, but he wasn't usually much of anything, really. He figured that he didn't have any strong moral objections to flinging some paint, and it sure sounded like fun. If he got in trouble, then so be it. He wasn't afraid of getting severely punished, either. Chances were there was some spell that would clean the paint right off, and what would they do, expel him? He flashed though a couple of scenarios where that happened, and he could picture his parents' disappointment, but at least he would be with his old friends again. But no, that would be cheating. Cheating fate and cheating himself out of learning about magic.
Following the lead of the Head Boy, he wondered just how familiar Connor was with the higher areas of the castle. Jay himself didn't come up much, just to send letters. Although he did spend some time in his second year lounging up in one of the lesser-used towers, he decided that he liked being closer to people. Up in the tower, he felt cut-off, separated, and he really didn't need more of those feelings building up inside of him.
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Connor Manning
Head Boy
Slytherin Seventh Year Quidditch Captain
something in the way
Posts: 737
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Post by Connor Manning on Apr 10, 2009 15:39:00 GMT -5
The seventh year was thankful that his sister sent him random things. In fact just the other day she had sent him a drawing notebook and some charcoal pencils. Not that he had ever expressed an interest in learning how to draw, but he guessed that his sister just saw it and thought of him. Random, but not rare for his older sibling. She did odd things such as that all the time... He was grateful for it most of the time, and this was one of those occasions.
Connor whistled as he walked, peeking into a couple of rooms until he had found a staircase that would lead up to a hopefully empty tower. " This one looks good, don't you think? " He wanted Jay to give his opinion... mostly because it would have to be a joint operation if it was going to be pulled off properly.
He retrieved his wand from his pocket and concentrated hard, attempting to summon the necessary items without having to speak the words. ' Accio paint set! Accio balloons! ' A few long seconds later he could hear a faint whizzing noise headed up towards where the two of them were standing. " Be ready to catch, mate. " Connor quickly put his wand back to its place and looked in the direction of the noise. Two packages were traveling fast toward them, the box of point towards Connor and the bags of balloons towards Jay.
The box of paint continued to travel at a fast speed despite the fact that Connor had already stopped the spell, he lunged left and grabbed it just before it hit the ground. He imagined cleaning it up wouldn't be any fun and was glad that he managed to catch it before it exploded all over the floor. " Close call. "
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