There's no need to complicate

[Connor Manning]

There wasn't much time left before Connor would be returning home, and the adolescent was currently sorting through his mixed feelings on the subject. On one hand he was rather excited to see his family again, as well as his sisters new fiance' Brandon, but on the other hand, with the new knowledge of his other family, he didn't know if he really wanted to go back. It was odd at first, but Connor began to toy with the idea of not going home at all. Of course, though, this brought up questions of where he would stay, and what would he do.

As the seventeen year old slipped out of the Slytherin Common room and veered left down the corridor in the general direction of the kitchens, he had to tell himself several times that not going home would be even more stupid than going home. He could do magic outside of school now that he was of age, but that wouldn't help him too much in getting a job and paying for wherever he would end up staying. Still, though, he toyed with the notion as he walked along, barely noticing the several people that passed him in the opposite direction. It was around nine o'clock on a Tuesday evening in April, the weather outside was slightly rainy and dismal looking out, perfect weather for studying and snacking.

He shifted the weight of his back pack onto his right shoulder, letting the other strap fall be the wayside as he finally approached the entrance into the kitchens. He reached out a hand and tickled the pear just so until it gave a soft giggle and the whole portrait swung forward on its hinges, allowing the Slytherin to slip inside the kitchens.

It wasn't bustling as it normally was, the evening meal had ended some time ago and the house elves seemed to be preparing for their nightly rounds of cleaning. It made Connor wonder when they slept, if at all.

( Aurelie and open of course )

[Sophia Crawford]

Taking her usual seat in the kitchen, Sophia sat near the raging fireplace. There were house elves running to and fro even though the sun had set and the night was beginning to seep in. She was constantly offered the delicious left-overs from dinner and even offers to make whatever her heart desired. She nearly always turned it down unless her stomach was completely empty, and even then she only took a little bit. She was really only in the kitchen for one reason.

"Poppy, don't cry! You'll get it, I promise." She comforted the little elf who was beating her ears relentlessly. Sophia gently removed Poppy's flailing hands and set them at the elf's side. "Now just try it again." She was teaching the new little elf how to read, something that seemed extremely strange, but rewarding nonetheless. Every night after all of her homework was finished she'd bring her little storybook and try to teach the underprivileged elf the art of literacy. They were starting small with little fables from her muggle childhood. She pointed at the distraught blonde girl in the book with only one glass slipper, and the caption beneath. "Now what does that say?"

The little elf tried to read the words, but all that came out was "Inderfella." Poppy wailed loudly. Sophia closed the book and looked up to see Connor entering the kitchens. This would be interesing.

[Connor Manning]

Connor tried his hardest to not burst out into a small fit of laughter at the sight that greeted him as he entered the kitchens. There was Sophia, sitting down across from a small house elf, doing what looked like teaching the elf how to read. Under other circumstances, like if the elf didn't look on the brink of tears, Connor would have started laughing. Not because it was particularly humorous, merely because it wasn't exactly a sight you happened upon a lot, even at Hogwarts. A couple questions arose in the boy's mind, like how often Sophia actually did this. He didn't know if house elves had the capacity to read, he was sure they did as they were decently intelligent creatures, but he wasn't sure if they'd be so willing to learn.

He hesitated, still standing in the doorway of the kitchens as he surveyed the scene. Unsure of what to do, he took a couple steps forward, letting the portrait door fall close behind him. He didn't really know what to say, what exactly did someone say to that? He had absolutely no idea. Connor walked further even more so he was standing a couple of feet away from Sophia and her... student.

" Do you often teach house elves how to read? " He asked with a small smile, as it had been the first question to pop into his mind when he had first caught a glimpse of the situation in front of him.

[Sophia Crawford]

" Do you often teach house elves how to read? "

Sophia looked up at him, a little discouraged. "I've only done it once so far, with Poppy here." She motioned to the little elf who was stifling sobs. "She's new here and she really wants to learn how to read. The rest of the elves kind of hate her for it, but it's just because they don't think elves need to read...but they do!" She lowered her voice a little bit. "Poppy doesn't want to stay in the kitchens the rest of her life." Some of the other elves passing by stopped and dropped their jaws in shock while one simply keeled over on the spot. Poppy hid her face and walked over to Connor.

"Sir, I is just trying to find a different job is all. I am wanting to be a good House Elf, but educated one. Maybe Poppy will find masters who appreciate her and treat her like as family instead as slave." She said in a small, squeaky voice. Sophia looked at her pitifully.

"She's drastically different than the other House Elves, but who's to say that she won't find a nice family who appreciates her education? It sounds dumb, but I feel like I'm sort of doing good." Sophia remarked. She looked back at Connor. "What brings you down to the kitchens? Hungry?"