Study Sessions

[redeemedone]

Pete lounged gracefully in a large over stuffed chair, every now and again his granite eyes would flick to the entrance of the dorms. After about ten minutes he sighed and pulled his watch, rolling his eyes as he noted the time. She was late. Of course.

"Stupid Muggle Studies," Pete murmured to himself.

Utterly useless subject, utterly useless partner. Just what he needed, somehow he had managed to avoid having to take this class too seriously, however if he were to get that job in the Ministry after he was done with Hogwarts then he needed to take N.E.W.T. level Muggle Studies. The ministry had just changed the requirements the year before, in an effort to get more Wizards interested in Muggles and combat the Dark Lord's influence.

"Fat lot of good that does," he sighed grabbing the book from his bag and shooting a glare to Ninja who gave him a reproachful look for talking to himself. "What?" he asked the cat with a frown.

Leaning back in his seat he opened the heavy book to chapter 12 and began to read. He knew with the way Girl Nott was her appearance could take a while. She was probably in a mirror somewhere fixing her lip gloss. Slytheirn girls, they were such a pain. All about preening and appearance and looking better than anyone and connections. He just hoped she was able to do her share of the work load, he had too many other classes to focus on to have to worry about her work as well.

He tilted his head to the side as he thought over her, they had been in the same classes for years however had hardly spoken. She spent most of her time with her friends, giggling and gossiping and talking guys, clothes and hair. He knew a couple of guys that said that she was pretty hot in bed though, however he had never heard anyone speak of her intelligence. Well, at this point all he could do was hope she was smarter than she looked, and curse their Professor for not letting them chose their own partners.

Word Count: 357

[veronica]

Veronica did not know where time had taken her, but the moment she glanced down at her watch her eyes widened. She was late. The girl groaned and smacked her forehead before quickly standing up from her bed. She had been working on her essay for Defense, making sure that it was absolutely perfect. It was, and now she was late to meet her stupid Muggle Studies partner, Pete Walker. Luckily for her, she was just in the sixth year girl dorms, and they were meeting in the common room which was located less than thirty seconds away from her currant location.

Veronica took her hair out of the bun it was in and it fell down gracefully in waves, she looked through her school bag that was on her bed and grabbed her Muggle Studies book, ink, quill and parchment. She held them in her hands and walked over to the full length mirror, she looked at herself up and down quickly, deciding that she was presentable enough. Her skirt was shorter than allowed, but still showed the right amount of skin to still look presentable (to her, at least), while her white blouse was opened a little too much, and she was sure that if a professor saw her he/she would surely give her detention. She smirked, before turning and walking out the door, closing it behind her.

The brunette skipped as she walked to the top of the stairs, but froze when she saw Pete there just lounging around as if he owned the place, her eyes narrowed. She couldn’t stand the boy, she hadn’t really talked to him, no, but she heard him speak and that was enough for her to pass judgment. He was way too cocky, which normally Veronica wouldn’t think much about, but he didn’t have a reason to be cocky, in her opinion. He also seemed to think everything was one big joke when it wasn’t.

“Arsehole,” she muttered to herself, as she proceeded slowly down the steps, her eyes still narrowed and looking straight at him as she walked, not even dare bothering to hide her dislike. Not noticing where she was going, Veronica tripped over her own foot, and came crashing down the last few steps. She let out a shriek of surprise, and landed on the common room floor. ‘Oh sweet Merlin’, she thought, hoping that nobody had noticed her, but knew that they had. How could they not with the noise she made? That basically called for people to look at her. Usually, she loved the attention and would soak it up like a sponge. But falling down the stairs right on your arse was not something that she wanted to get attention for, it was so embarrassing. Veronica slowly got to her feet and collected her things.

Wordcount;470

[redeemedone]

Ever perceptive Pete looked up as soon as he noticed movement from the stairs, he rolled his eyes as he noticed Girl Nott finally coming down from the dorms. So that’s where she had been, if he’d known that he would have sent a house elf up to get her. A perfect brow rose as he noticed the disdainful look on her, if he was honest, pretty features. Had a problem did she? Well, he wasn't the one that was almost twenty minutes late.

He tapped his foot impatiently waiting for her to finally finish prancing down the stairs, when she suddenly tripped. Now normally he was a gentleman about such things, more than willing to help any female who had suffered from such an unfortunate incident -however she had been giving him quite the dirty look just mere moments earlier, soooo naturally... he laughed.

"Very smooth," he drawled with a subtle smirk and just loud enough for her to hear.

Ninja had jumped onto his lap the moment the girl made floor to arse contact and was looking at her as though she were daft.

"Well, you may be late, but at least you know how to make an entrance," he commented dryly, as his long fingers slid over the cat's back.

Sitting up a bit further, Pete waited for her to finally make her way to the couch, hoping that she didn't fall into the table in the process. His robes were much, much too expensive to be tainted by bimbo blood.

Word Count: 254

[veronica]

Veronica glared as he laughed at her, to be quite honest, she would’ve laughed if he was the one who fell. But it was she who was that unfortunate, and that took the humor away from this situation. “Glad to be able to provide your daily entertainment, Walker.” she replied bitterly in a low tone to his comment. She wanted more than anything to hex him and wipe that cute smirk off of his face.

“I always make an entrance,” Veronica drawled, before adding, “usually it’s just more graceful. But it’s not as if I have much of an audience nor anyone to impress here.” The brunette walked over to where Pete was and sat on the couch. She placed her ink, quill and parchment on the table, but held her book on her lap. She was just about to open her mouth and tell him why she was late, but she closed it, she didn’t owe him any kind of explanation.

Instead she glanced at the cat that sat on his lap. She scoffed, “is that beast yours?” Veronica wasn’t particularly drawn to cats, she hated them, actually. She had been bitten by one when she was seven, and that was enough to cause her to hate the creature. Animals weren’t her thing, but she did love her owl, Jetson. He was the only animal that she had really got on with.

“Listen, before we start this thing, I want you to know that I don’t like you. I don’t want to work with you, and if you expect me to do all the work you are surely mistaken.” she eyed him carefully. “I plan on getting an O on this little project and anything less is not acceptable. Understand?” Veronica gave him a stern look to let him know that she was serious, and in no way joking.

wordcount;310

[redeemedone]

Pete chuckled at her comment about an entrance "Funny, some of us prefer to never look like fools, however if you don't mind looking like one just because you don't feel the need to impress me then how lucky am I." He replied jovially. "Though I do suggest fancier kickers next time, just to keep things interesting,” he looked thoughtful “-or maybe just sturdier shoes."

He noticed her open and close her mouth, silently noting that the downing fish look did not work for her. At her comment Ninja laid down on Pete's lap and curled up, swishing a his tail at her in a bored manner as if to let her know that he could care less what she thought.

"Why yes, yes he is mine. I can understand why you wouldn't like cats, after all -such graceful creatures are usually misunderstood by those with a lack the same feature." He grinned, enjoying her discomfort.

A brow rose at her little, impromptu speech "If I wanted an 'O' why ever would I let you do all the work. I mean, you are aware that this is an actual project and not some type of essay on the joys of skin care and make-up spells, correct?" He inquired seriously. Then his brows furrowed "You don't like me? How tragic..." he gave a mournful sigh. "Now I have no idea how I'll be able to concentrate on our work, I'm too devastated don't you know, at the loss of such a bright prospect of friendship." He placed the back of his hand against his head "However shall I cope," he looked down at Ninja then back at her "If it weren't for the cat I would hurry off the Astronomy Tower and jump straight away."

Lowering his hand he looked at her and smirked "Okay now that your ego has been fed, which I'm guessing is what you needed since you felt the urge to tell me of your dislike -then we should be able to get to work now. Personally, I don't know -nor do I care enough about you to like or dislike you. But here's a pointer for future reference," he leaned forward a bit "If you're really serious about your grade, how about showing up on time for us to work together, it will afford us more of a window to get done what we need to get done to the best of our ability and with the most satisfactory results." He leaned back and arched a brow "You know, to be punctual is not a noun, it's an adjective -something you should be. I suggest you give it a try if you want to be taken seriously..." He grinned "Oh and also stay off your arse -that helps too."
Word Count: 463

[veronica]

The right corner of Veronica’s mouth upturned slightly. “Some of us?” she raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. “Don’t even begin to put me in the same category as the likes of you. And before you make some stupid comment about how you’re too good to be put in a category with me, don’t.”

Veronica shrugged her shoulders at the comment about her knickers. “Sorry to disappoint you Walker but there won’t be a next time. Guess you’ll have to get off by looking up someone else’s skirt.” the brunette looked down at her black Mary Jane pumps and noticed a scuff mark, she frowned. “It wasn’t the shoes, it was the stairs.”

The Slytherin went back to glaring at Pete. A cat was more graceful than her? Please. “I am more graceful than that damned cat!” her temper was slowly but surely rising. “Sure, I may have fallen down the stairs, but it happens to the best of us.” she folded her arms over her chest; her blue eyes looked from Pete to the cat. She could feel her wand from inside her skirt pocket, she wanted nothing more than to take it out and say a quick incendio. She would love to hear the cat scream and cry as it went up in flames dying a slow death. A smirk was now present on Veronica’s face.

The annoying Slytherin’s voice broke her out of her thoughts and she looked over at him. She laughed; “an essay on skin care and make up spells?” was this all he really thought her capable of? She was one of (if not the) the smartest girls in Slytherin. “I’d admit, that would be quick and easy O. However, I do believe that you doubt my intelligence and that kind of hurts.” she frowned mockingly. “Right here,” her hand went over her heart. “Jump off the astronomy tower?" Veronica's blue eyes lit up at the mere thought. "Well, damn, there goes another reason to hate the stupid cat.”

“Actually, my ego has not been fed to it’s liking. It would be if you actually did jump off the astronomy tower and I knew what I said was the reason why. But, atlas, I shall not get my hopes up on faulty wishes.” Veronica rolled her eyes as he continued to speak. “I have a reason for being late, and that is because I simply forgot about your existence, it’s easy to forget you know, you’re not exactly someone worth remembering.” Veronica wanted so bad to stick out her tongue at him, but she decided against it on the account that it would be not only immature, but also not the Nott thing to do.

Veronica didn’t reply to his last comment, instead choosing some choice words in her head which would not be ladylike to say out loud. She opened her Muggle Studies book and flipped through to the correct page. “You’re an arsehole, let’s just work on this and get it over with so I do not have to speak, or be seen, with you again.”

wordcount;513

[redeemedone]

As soon as she began to speak Pete placed a silent 'muffalado' charm on himself and tuned her out. Reaching forward he picked up his book once more and looked over the chapter on Muggle Mechanics, they were suppose to pick and build some type of muggle machine. He frowned a bit as he read over the instructions for a muggle radio, way too many little parts... he flipped the page. A bicycle looked simple enough, however they couldn't do anything too easy or they wouldn't get much credit for it.

He glanced up at her, noticing her mouth still moving and her still glaring he looked back down at the book. 'I really hope she'll be done with her ranting soon,' he thought turning the page and looking at the muggle popcorn maker option. Well, that would be easy to know if it worked - can it make popcorn? Yes - Pass. No - Fail. Yep, nothing too hard. He looked up at her, noticing she looked excited. Looking around and not seeing anything shiny he knew whatever brought that look of unholy pleasure to her face couldn't be good. Deciding he didn't want to know, he turned to the next page in the book, pushing his hair that had fallen into his face out of it.

Noticing movement in his peripheral vision, Pete looked up to notice her grabbing her book. Figuring it was probably safe he removed the charm just in time to catch her last comment. “Such horrible language,” he murmured arching a perfect, dark brow. “Then again it’s not really surprising. And you’re the one rambling like a Gryffindor instead of getting to work.” He gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

“So what did you want to focus on? Have you picked something that you want to put together, I was thinking the popcorn maker was a good choice,” he continued turning to the page in the book. “It’s complicated however I know that I can do it, and it’ll win some extra points for us to be able to hand out treats to the class.”

He looked at her and awaited her response with raised brows, his dark hair falling into his silver eyes once more.

Word Count: 373

[veronica]

Veronica had wondered if Pete was ignoring her when she had spoken to him considering that he was acting as if she hadn’t spoken at all. Veronica had to admit she wasn’t used to be treated as if she were just another female, and it unnerved her to no end. She had begun to wonder why he wasn’t flirting with her, and it seemed as if he wasn’t interested. Veronica flipped her brown hair back behind her shoulder and crossed her legs, bringing her skirt up a bit more to her mid thigh.

“Like a Gryffindor!?!” her head snapped in his direction, she was outraged at being compared to those mudblood lovers. “I do not ramble, everything I say has a reason. I don’t just talk to hear my voice, no matter how wonderful it sounds.”

The sixth year girl raised an eyebrow. “A popcorn maker?” the idea did sound good to Veronica, but she wasn’t ready to outright admit that she liked his idea. “How about not.”

She continued, “Any idiot can make a popcorn maker, which is probably why you chose it. However, may I suggest that we try something completely different?” She didn’t have any idea what she would rather make, having not given this project much thought since it had been announced. She just wanted it to be completely over and done with so she could get an O and move on with her life. Depending on how long the popcorn maker took to make, she would maybe reluctantly give in – even if her pride would be a bit bruised. “How long does this popcorn maker take the make, anyhow? An estimate, please?” she asked, using a fake sweet tone, hoping that the popcorn maker wouldn’t take more than two days max to complete.

wordcount;298
note;well, this sucked and it short. But, in my defense, I was just really tired that the power kept cutting off and I just wanted to post this before it happened again. Grrr.

[redeemedone]

Pete noticed her thigh but gave no indication, if he ever did even start to feel a glimmer of attraction to her, all she had to do was open her mouth and it would dissipate. He arched a brow when she showed disdain for the popcorn idea and waited patiently to see if she had any better ideas. She wouldn't. But he waited anyway.

He smirked when Girl Nott asked him how long the popcorn maker would take to put together and rested his head against the back of the chair. Lifting his right hand he loosened his tie, exposing his long neck and laughed quietly.

"Well," Pete drawled. "Since any idiot can make one," he quoted her. "Then you shouldn't have any problem. It's a muggle machine, I don't time how long they take to put together. If you actually opened your book and looked at the picture, directions and supplies then just maybe you can draw your own conclusions. I know it won't take me too long, however I have no idea how mechanically inclined you are."

He exhaled quietly and lightly twirled his wand between long graceful fingers, and inclined his head towards her book “Go on, look at the specifications and tell me what you think you can do and in how long.” He lounged a bit, crossed his ankles and watched her and amused expression crossing his features.

Ninja hopped off of his lap and padded up the stairs to the boys dorm, quickly growing bored with the conversation on schoolwork. Pete, however, kept his gaze on Veronica as he awaited her response –whatever it may be.


Word Count: 272

[veronica]

Veronica rolled her eyes when Walker loosened his tie, was that really necessary? “I could look into this bloody book, or I could just ask you, who happened to have come up with the bright idea of a stupid popcorn maker.” Veronica told him coldly. She was not mechanically inclined. At all, which she knew would be a bit of a problem. But, he seemed to act like he knew what the hell he was going to be doing. Of course, Pete Walker also acted like he was Merlin reincarnated. Bloody git. “I will be the first to admit that I have no experience what so ever in mechanics.”

The brunette glanced down at her book, she was about to read it but instead glanced back up. Her blue eyes connected with his grey ones. “Don’t talk to me as if I am some child, Walker. I am not going to go into this project only to be insulted by you every chance you get.”

Veronica looked back down at her book again and began to read. “Well, I can pretty much do the non-mechanical stuff.” The brunette once again looked up at Pete. “I’m not exactly sure how long, but I am dedicated to get this done as soon as possible.” ‘So I can get the hell away from you’ she thought with a small smirk. Her hair fell into her face and she let out a small sigh placing the piece of hair behind her ear. She didn’t like it when her hair blocked her line of vision. "Sooo..."

wordcount;261

[redeemedone]

He sighed and rubbed his brow, this was going to be a long process. "Nott... we have to build a machine -it's all a mechanical process. In fact that's the point and what our grade is based on is mechanics. I mean come on."

That's it, he was doomed, bloody fukin doomed. He moved the chair forward and looked at her "Let's just agree on some basics for tonight. I doubt that either of us can stand the other for much longer."

He sat his book down on the table across from hers. “So let’s look at this and decide when we’ll meet, who will get what from supplies and when. Are we going to continue to work in the common rooms? Or did you want to change to the library?” Peter inquired “As for storage once this gets to working, who’s going to be in charge of taking care of it and making sure they bring it to our meetings?”

He turned to the page in the book and looked it over. “There are several smaller parts such as screws, heating coils, fans, things like that. Then of course you the bigger things like the base, chord and the plastic top. I believe the professor said that we have to sign up for things as soon as possible though. There is only enough material for one popcorn maker and we wouldn’t want anyone else to get it before we do.

He glanced up at her though long lashes “Are you going to copy down the list or shall I? Also in terms of storage I do have some extra room in my trunk for the machine if I’m going to be the one storing it.” He bit his lip looking thoughtful “You know I may be able to get some flavored popping corn by special order for us to use for the final presentation.”

Word Count: 315

[veronica]

“Not everything is mechanical! Choose a project and you don’t even read about it.” Veronica picked up her book and shoved it in his face. “The motor is probably the most mechanical thing you have to build, but there’s also the outside, you know, such as the frame, top, doors and other stuff and all you have to do is screw that shit on once you have the frame of it completed.” she rolled her eyes and brought her book back down to her lap in a swift motion. “I’m sure even I would be able to handle that,” she finished.

“That is fine by me. I have to reread over my Defense essay, anyways.” Veronica told him. She knew her Defense essay was nearly perfect, but nearly was the keyword. She was sure there may be a few things she would change in it.

She listened as he continued to speak, glad that they were finally talking about the project at hand. “Here or the library? That all depends…are you going to be insulting me? I’d much rather you insult me here, then have half of the school overhearing.” her tone was very bitter. “I guess we can take turns keeping the bloody thing. Not unless you want to keep it, then whatever.”

Veronica inwardly groaned at all the parts the machine would need. “Well, you can do the signing up for the parts, and I guess I can copy the list of things will need, I can get it to you at breakfast tomorrow.”

The girl raised an eyebrow. “Flavored popping corn? How wonderful of you to offer to get some. I’d guess that would be good to have and all.” Who the fuck wants flavored popcorn? Veronica thought as Pete looked at her. Veronica’s eyes gazed over the boy sitting in front of her, she drank in all his features, and for the first time actually noticed how beautiful his grey eyes were. Veronica quickly looked down at her book, pretending to be reading something. She didn’t want him to notice her staring. She let a yawn escape through her lips and covered her mouth. “I think that was a tell tale sign that you’re boring me.”

wordcount;370

[redeemedone]

Pete shook his head "Look, the fact is that from the moment you walked down the stairs all you've done is glare at me and talk rubbish. One of your first sentences to me was that you don't like me, and you feel the need to constantly contradict anything that comes out of my mouth, even when there isn't a need." A brow rose "Yet you think I've been insulting you. Here's a pointer, if you want me to be nicer to you ...you want me to stop," he used quotations "insulting" then lowered his hands "you, then why don't you tone down the bitch routine. It's boring, redundant and it gets us nowhere."

He looked down at the book making a notation "I have to go by Defense Against Dark Arts to get the book back I let the Professor borrow, so on my way I’ll stop over to Muggle Studies classroom and sign us up for the popcorn maker."

He closed his book with a snap "And personally, I think butter, caramel, or cheese flavored popping corn would be a nice touch. Especially for a Professor who will be handing us our grades and has tasted more than her share of machine popped popping corn during her several years teaching this course. However if you seem to find the idea as ludicrous, as your tone implied, then we can stick with the same plain, unflavored rubbish that is normally handed out after the presentations. I don't mind.”

He stood grabbing his robe "Now as for keeping the product, I'll go ahead and take responsibility for maintaining guardianship over the item for visits. I'm not picky about location, I think here or the library to start, while we're still in the formula, direction and instruction part of the project. Once we get to the actual tests though the grounds, here, or the Great Hall would be a better bet. I doubt Pincy will allow us to make popcorn in her precious library." He smirked "Even the plain dry kind."

"So, I suggest next meeting in the library. And if you feel you can keep your scorn to a minimum as well as your dirty looks, rolling eyes, turned up nose and bad attitude, then I will do my best to control my amusement and do my best to scale back on my sarcastic repartee."

Word Count: 395

[veronica]

Veronica rolled her eyes when he told her to tone down the bitch routine. For all he knew, this could be how she usually acted, and she wasn’t going to apologize to anyone for being herself. “You talk, but all I can hear is blah, blah, blah.” Veronica made talking gestures with her hand as she spoke. She had listened to what Walker had said, and she knew somewhere deep down, way way down, that he was correct. She had been a bit rude and disrespectful to him, but it wasn’t her fault, it was his. If he wasn’t so bloody pompous, then she wouldn’t have been this rude.

“Um, right, okay, sure. You do that.” she commented barely paying attention to what he was saying.

She had sighed once he started talking again, his voice was getting annoying. Did this boy ever shut up? Veronica decided to pay attention to what he had said this time, maybe if she actually paid attention to him he would be quite. “I see your point there. Okay, then, we can get flavored popping corn. How smart of you to think about something so little as flavored popping corn. You must really pay attention to details.” there was an amused tone to her voice.

The Slytherin girl watched as he stood up and smirked. “Aww, leaving so soon? I was just having fun…” she told him sarcastically. Veronica fought a chuckle when he said ‘even the plain dry kind’. “Yeah, Madam Pince is pretty strict.” she agreed closing her book and standing up as well.

“I doubt I can just stop my dirty looks, rolling eyes, and negative comments.” Veronica shrugged, trying to look innocent, but couldn’t hide the smirk that was slowly forming upon her beautiful face. “You bring out the worst in me, Walker.”

wordcount;304

[redeemedone]

Pete shook his head "You're useless." He said placing his book in his bag. "We'll meet in the library tomorrow at six. Please try not to be late, I only have one hour before I have to be somewhere else.” He pulled out his watch and glanced at the time before placing it back in his pocket.

“Finish the list and leave it over there, under the clock and I’ll be back in a bit to get it. I have a feeling that me hanging around wouldn’t be conducive to us getting any work don. Since all you seem to do is practice being rude, combative and obnoxious in my presence. Also I think you should take the night to work on your personality. I don’t plan on failing this class, however I don’t see either of us getting much done if we’re fighting with one another –which we would do. You with abrupt rude statements and unappealing facial gestures and me with carefully worded barbs and cold amusement,” he slang is bag over his shoulder.

“I’ll be back in an hour, that’s when I’m going to get the book. It should take you only a few minutes to copy down the list of supplies so that I can turn it in when I go to sign up.” At that he gave her an impudent salute then turned smoothly and headed gracefully up the stairs heading into the boys dorm.

Once he reached his room Pete tossed his bag onto the bed and scratched Ninja behind the ear “Good job leaving me with the she-devil,” he chuckled before nodding at his roommate. “That Girl Nott is quite a pill isn’t she?” he drawled, the other boy laughed heartily and went back to his quidditch magazine.

Word Count: 295