Time limits, short entries, ways to life

[Connor Manning]

Connor tapped his feet lightly on the ground as he agreed with Celina, the fact that Autumn had only been there for about a week was probably the reason that the older Ravenclaw didn’t recognize her. Thinking about not recognizing people caused Connor to remember that he had spotted a new Slytherin that afternoon and had wanted to welcome her into the house. She hadn’t looked all that approachable, quite the opposite as she walked on her way to a lesson or something, so Connor decided that he would have to find her later. She looked about a year younger than him or so, and very new looking as well.

“ That reminds me, I have to welcome some new Slytherin later. I’ve heard she went to Beauxbatons or something and I think it might be nice to welcome her into the house and all. I might’ve known her, back when I went to Beauxbatons. “ He mentioned, wondering if she looked familiar or he just thought he had seen someone who looked like her before. While attending Beauxbatons, Connor hadn’t always been the most observant person of both his classmates and surroundings.

Connor was kind of glad the Celina brought up the last time they had been at the lake. It gave him a chance to tell her that it wouldn’t happen again. Or rather, that he hoped it wouldn’t happen again. New things were bound to occur every now and then, but he hoped for the best.

It was the small movement of Celina’s hand turning in his own that brought Connor back into the moment. Sitting with her in the library, her fingers laced with his. He could hardly believe it, but in a way he could. Connor had waited a long time for something, even something as small as this. He was a little nervous now, but in a good way that made his stomach feel like something was fluttering inside of it. The cliché of butterflies came to mind.

“ Yeah? I’ve been told I’m kind of boring…” ’ I like it when you talk. ‘ Connor grinned his crooked grin, shrugging his shoulders and saying, “ Well, if you insist. “ He said with a laugh as he made fun of himself. Connor took a look back to her stuff, weighing the options. He decided it would be best if he walk up with her to the Ravenclaw common room so he could help carry some of the heavier books. Not that he didn’t think Celina was able, he just wanted to help out. “ Sounds good. Mind if I help out and carry some of this? “ He said, motioning over to the books.

[alfonztytusjedynak]

Keeping to herself might have been what Celina was trying to do, but it was also times like these where the company of her brother was usually the only company she kept. Therefore, it wasn’t unusual that the older Jedynak was too, in the library at this very time. What was unusual, however, was that he hadn’t been at his sister’s side at the table she sat at, for he had had his own research and stuff to do that day in the library. Looking through the books, shelf after shelf, Alfonz found nothing that he was looking for, and less that even interested him. Sighing frustrated like, Alfonz traveled back over to where he had left his sister, only to stop short as he saw another at the table with her and from the looks of it, fraternizing with her.

Alfonz backed up so that the shelves covered his very position and he peered through the books at the two. Narrowed eyes glared even harder as he watched as they talked, smiled, and even harder as the boy dared lay a hand on Celina’s. A risen eyebrow, Alfonz crossed his arms, unsure of what exactly he could do. If it wasn’t one thing, or Celina’s other friends, it was another in his opinion. And not even hearing of some kind of interest that Celina had in the boy, only further annoyed Alfonz.

He watched closely, seeing even Celina’s movement and how she held on to the kid’s hand back, and a slight rage bustled from beneath Alfonz’s ribcage. What was she thinking?! He shook his head, not wanting to cause a scene, but at the same time needing to know more about what was going on. Slowly Alfonz revealed his hiding place and started making his decent upon the two. Closer and closer to the table he got until he was right beside Celina, in between her and whoever the male was, arms still crossed and eyes still glaring angrily at the boy. “Celina,” Alfonz could only say… calmly, and surprisingly collected.

[Celina Jedynak]

Celina nodded her head in agreement as Connor spoke about having to remember to greet a new student who had just come into the Slytherin domain. She smiled, again realizing how wonderful of a prefect Connor made. “You’re an excellent Prefect, you know that?” Celina giggled, softly squeezing his hand again and shying away. There was just something about her hand in his that felt right… Celina didn’t know exactly what it was, but it was comforting all the same. She looked around the library briefly and then back to Connor.

“I do insist,” Celina said trying to be as proper as she could without laughing or giggling too much again. “And sure… if you’d like, I’d appreciate the help.” Celina hadn’t mentioned it, but there was no way she could have brought all of the books and papers she had on the table with her by herself. It was one of the reasons she had brought Alfonz along. Where he had gotten to, she had no idea, but he said he had work to do as well in the library, and therefore he didn’t mind helping her. Of course, Celina knew that he had been worried about her, especially after Griffiths had attacked him.

Standing slightly, that was when Celina saw movement out of the corner of her eye, so she turned her head. When she did so, she sat back down again, and her hand fidgeted within Connor’s. Should she let go? Was it too late? Celina smiled nervously, first at Alfonz whom was the person walking toward her and Connor, and then at Connor, himself. Alfonz was probably going to flip… after all, he didn’t much find her friends all that dependable or good for her. Slowly she began to take her hand away from Connor’s.

Celina

“Alfonz!” Celina said excitedly, but her nervousness could be heard in her voice. She could tell this wasn’t good at all. “Connor, meet my big brother. Alfonz, this is Connor,” she stopped short, not really knowing how to introduce the Slytherin. If she said that they were just friends, Celina knew that she’d be lying to Alfonz, and would maybe hurt Connor… not to mention, she knew better that there was more. However, if she admitted that there was more, Alfonz would flip because she had actually been keeping Connor a secret from not only her friends but her brother as well. Celina wanted to make sure that Connor was more… before letting her whole world know.

“Alfonz, Connor’s going to help me carry my stuff back, and then we’re going to hang out…” her words got softer as she started to explain, eventually trailing nervously off.

…As she was starting to see…keeping Connor a secret could have been a big mistake.

[Connor Manning]

[ Surprise attack brought to you byyyy.... Alfonz Jedynak! ]

Connor smiled, not in an embarassed manner, more like in a ' Gee ya really think so? ' kind of way. He hadn't really thought about being a good prefect once had only gotten the badge. He had mostly thought abot not failing miserably, which he supposed he was currently doing - not failing and maybe even excelling at it as well. " Yeah? Thanks. " He said after a few seconds of reflection on the matter.

' And sure… if you’d like, I’d appreciate the help. ' Connor gave a light nod, standing up as well as he surveyed the amount of books and papers that Celina had brought with her. How on earth had she been able to carry them all down to the library in the first place, the Slytherin could only guess. A charm or something like that perhaps. Connor turned slightly as he saw Celina smile at someone just over his shoulder and start to release his hand from her own. Gulp. He had to admit, he would have thought the figure of Alfonz Jedynak to be taller. He looked about one or two inches taller than the adolescent now that he was standing comletely now.

One other feature that Connor noticed was that the older Jedynak did not look pleased. The Slytherin didn't have to guess twice about what, though.

He gave a polite nod as Celina introduced the two, saying, " Pleasure to meet you, sir. " To some people adding the ' sir ' would have been a bit of an overkill, and Connor hoped that this wouldn't be the case. He wasn't good with this kind of thing and he could feel himself become nervous around the older man. Just the fact that Celina spoke of him so fondly or the fact that Connor had heard some strange things about the man, both causing him to stay on his toes.

He allowed a smile to befall his face, looking at ease slightly. The last thing he wanted was for Alfonz Jedynak to be on his case about Celina. He glanced back to Alfonz, then back to Celina as the Ravenclaw told her older brother that they were going to hang out after Connor helped her. Connor nodded his head slightly, realizing that this was probably the way she had gotten her things down to the library. The Slytherin felt a little self conscious, about his lip ring, and his overall appearance in general. He felt like Alfonz Jedynak could decide his fate when it came to Celina, and it didn't sound like the odds were good.

[alfonztytusjedynak]

(And for my next trick ... )

Connor. He’d heard that name before from Celina, and actually was surprise that he had. He was one of the students who had left her to fend for herself with Griffiths. Alfonz’s eyes narrowed even more, his dark orbs storming with annoyance. Celina was still hanging off of some kid who had made it evident that he too was just as her other friends were. Wrong. Unworthy. And what the hell was the junk in his face? It was downright despicable, and Alfonz could only bite his tongue harder. There was no way he’d be able to do that for much longer, but he waited until everything was said and done.

Pleasure to meet you, sir

“I’m sure it’s not,” Alfonz sneered, his deep voice growling slightly. The kid was absolutely terrified in Alfonz’s opinion, and should have been. It was almost amusing, or at least it would have been under different circumstances. His eyes darted back over to Celina as she spoke once more, and with the way she sounded Alfonz could tell that she knew she had done wrong by him. He couldn’t believe this… after everything he had told her, everything he had pointed out to her, she went and found herself someone else that he would ultimately have to prove was no better than that Thornton kid, or Felicity. Alfonz had given up on trying to prove anything for a while now, focusing on his own issues that needed dealing with… Celina was blind, any ways…

…but Alfonz could see that this was different. The two were…

Alfonz, Connor’s going to help me carry my stuff back, and then we’re going to hang out…

Alfonz snorted. Celina explained her intents and Connor nodded. Sure, hang out… that was what it was called nowadays. Alfonz shook his head, and shrugged his shoulders trying not to act as pissed as he was. After all, he was in control. “No you’re not,” Alfonz said in a nonchalant manner. “Pick up your stuff, we’re leaving.” And that was the way that was going to pan out. The kid was dirty… that wasn’t hard to see, and Alfonz wouldn’t have him all over his younger sister. Ever.

“Excuse us,” he said to the boy, gesturing with his head for him to leave them.

[Celina Jedynak]

Celina could hardly believe what was occurring. Everything had been so wonderful, the idea of going out around the lake was magnificent especially, as Connor’s hand had been more comforting than anything. She had agreed with Connor that he was a great Prefect, smiling and cocking her head and then her brother had come over and basically, ruined everything. He wasn’t pleased, and was being rude. Celina pouted slightly, and crossed her arms over her chest, not really knowing what to do.

Pleasure to meet you, sir…
I’m sure it’s not…

“Alfonz!” Celina said sternly, her pout slightly coming through in her tone. Why was it he felt the need to be so rude to her friends. He couldn’t just ever leave them be. She turned away from the two boys slightly to begin to pick up her papers, putting most of them in her bag, leaving some of the bigger books for Alfonz to carry out on the table. She was giving up, it would seem to some, but how Celina saw it was that she was keeping peace. Her and Connor could get together later when her brother was busy… that wouldn’t be too hard… or so she didn’t think.

Looking back, Celina could see that Connor wasn’t that comfortable. His face told her so and she went to reach out for her sleeve, before deciding better against it as her brother’s gaze turned back to her.

No, you’re not.

Celina’s eyes furrowed and her shoulders slouched. She turned back to her books as Alfonz commanded and started to put her bag on her shoulder and stuff. “But… Alfonz…” she said lightly only to look over her shoulder and watch as the storms in his eyes continued to brew. Her eyes then lay back to Connor, upset and defeated she just turned her face away. It wasn’t fair… Then again, Alfonz never seemed to be.

[Connor Manning]

' I’m sure it’s not. ' Connor sent an uneasy look at Celina. How true the words were, but the Slytherin sixth year wouldn't ever admit it out loud. No, it wasn't a pleasure to meet Alfonz Jedynak under these circumstance. Connor began wondering what he and Celina did wrong. Had they done anything? He reflected back on it, thinking maybe them holding hands had made the man angry. In the grand scheme of things, holding hands with the girl you like isn't too bad. Maybe in the older man's eyes it had been worse? Connor sighed inwardly, thinking that this was just one more thing to keep him from hanging out with Celina. Something so innocent, and sure they both knew that they liked one another, but all Connor wanted to do was get to know her more and hang out. Was that so bad of him?

' No you’re not. '

He wasn't even allowed to help her with her things? Connor looked back and forth between the Jedynak siblings, unsure of what he should do as Alfonz asked him to excuse the two. The moment was filled with tension, and awkwardness for the Slytherin. His eyes fell upon Celina as she turned away and started packing up her things. He bit the inside of his lip, thinking that this was it for now. For now were the two words that kept Connor mostly alright about Alfonz not allowing them to hang out for the time being.

Connor's eyes met Celina's briefly and he smiled a small, reassuring smile. He hoped it conveyed that it was alright, he understood. And also that maybe they could hang out later that day, or maybe even later that week. There were alot of things he wanted to say, but didn't because of her older brother hovering over them. She turned away, though and Connor looked back over to the elder Jedynak. He was dissapointed that the man wasn't allowing them to hang out. But what could Celina possibly have to do? It was clear her homework was already on it's way to being done, and he couldn't think of anything else.

Connor wondered if he should say something, ask to hang out for just a while maybe. Anything, really. The hardened look on the man's face told Connor that it was useless to ask, but he looked imploringly at Celina anyway. Later, perhaps. " S'pose I'll be off... " He trailed off, feeling more and more awkward by the moment. " See you two around. " While he said the comment generally to both of them, it was directed at Celina. He'd have to owl her later, maybe make some plans for something.

[alfonztytusjedynak]

It was almost painful to watch. The hope that the boy had that he’d actually get anywhere near Celina again. Alfonz snickered shaking his head as he did so. Of course Alfonz knew he couldn’t be around his younger sibling all the time, but his presence would now be over them no matter what they did. Celina would think twice now that he knew, and he hoped that the boy wasn’t foolish enough to think him no more of a threat than a basilisk’s stare, for he’d be dead wrong.

See you two around.

Alfonz raised an eyebrow almost shocked that Connor would even dare include him. Alfonz wasn’t foolish enough to believe the boy actually meant the two of them, but it was an odd statement otherwise. Alfonz almost dared to say more, since the guy never seemed to walk away, probably out of hope that he or Celina would ask of him not to, after all, but as he glanced back over to Celina he could see that he’d done enough already.

Stepping in between the boy and his sister, hoping that he’d moved enough by then to allow access to do so (otherwise he’d be run over, not that Alfonz cared much) he bent over to his sister and growled into her ear. “Don’t be naive, Celina. You obviously thought it wrong from the start if you didn’t feel comfortable enough to tell me. I’m just doing you a favor.” With that he picked up her books and shook his head.

“I’m saving you from yourself Celina… none of them could do that for you.”

[Celina Jedynak]

Celina’s eyes were now focused on the papers she was moving around, and the books that she was stacking. She didn’t want Connor to see how upset she was, nor did she want Alfonz to see her, however, Alfonz had only been staring at her for what seemed like an eternity before he spoke up, stepping in between her and Connor. “Alfonz, I don’t want to hear it…” she whispered, her voice cracking as tears threatened to fall from her moist eyes. Why was it that he couldn’t just get to know someone that she decided was her friend, before shooing them away from her. “He’s not like them…” she whispered again, a tear then falling from her eye.

She didn’t know if Connor left or not, nor did she care if he heard her. In Celina’s opinion, he had the right to know why her brother judged him so fiercely. Or rather, why she thought he was judging her. Her friends had hurt her in the past, that was true, but didn’t all friends have their bumps now and then? Celina was learning that it was common for friends to have fights, and sometimes even hate each other. Friendships were horrible relationships to have… but Connor was different. He wasn’t only her friend… he was the Slytherin that she liked, and for Alfonz to think harshly of him only made everything feel wrong about it.

Don’t be naive, Celina. You obviously thought it wrong from the start if you didn’t feel comfortable enough to tell me. I’m just doing you a favor.

Celina wondered if it was true what Alfonz said. It sort of made sense, for why had she not told him? It could have possibly helped this situation if she had, and yet she had not, for fear that this such event would take place. She shook her head, more tears falling from her eyes onto the parchment papers. The started essay’s ink, somewhat smearing. She’d have to do it over now, and that upset her even further. “I should have told you…” she paused, hesitating to go on. “…but why won’t you let me do anything for myself?” she finally turned to look at her brother square in his grey eyes. “Have you not made your own mistakes?” He had, and she knew it… but whether he’d admit to it or not was the question.

I’m saving you from yourself Celina… none of them could do that for you.

She starred at him blankly, tears falling periodically and she shook her head. “If you’re always saving me…” she whispered before putting her bag upon her shoulder. “Then who’s going to be there to save you?” she asked of him. Celina was fully aware that he kept things from her all the time that were none of her concern… for a long time, Shay had been one of those concerns. What was he so afraid of… what was he hiding her from? Celina didn’t know, but would always wonder.