LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(15/3/04 9:46 pm) Reply
some extra-cirricular reading
Marti sat at one of the many square tables in a corner of the library by the door, books open all around her. She nibbled the end of her quill and read over the outline of the chapter she was doing. Long ago she'd figured that she couldn't help it if the teacher wasn't giving her enough information at once...she'd just know it front to back and inside out while she waited for everyone else to grasp enough of the subject to pass the test. So that was what she was doing now, looking at unicorns and vampires and Absum Atramentums from every angle according to every available source. Marti looked up at the books piled all around her, And there are certainly a lot of available sources.
As she recalled herself, she looked with some disgust at the chewed-on end of her quill. "I've got to get some more Sugar Quills," she said aloud to no one in particular.
LDSPrincess924
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(16/3/04 9:42 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
Sirius slipped into the library, gracing Madam Pince with a nod and a wink. But his mind was on neither librarian nor books as he entered - his target was much more difficult.
Marti.
Keeping his eyes off the dark-haired figure at a corner table Sirius tipped a heavy text on who-knew-what off the nearest shelf and sat at a different table entirely - far enough to be inconspicuous, near enough to be aware of Marti's movements.
"I've got to get some more Sugar Quills," she muttered under her breath. Sirius froze - this was something! This was definitely something! Carefully, furtively, he looked over the top of his book. Marti was sitting, oblivious to the world, chewing on a quill. No wonder she was wanting the sugary variety - the top of that thing was disgusting. Sirius narrowly avoided wrinkling his face in distaste.
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(17/3/04 9:24 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
The movement and sound of a page turning nearby caught Marti's attention. She turned to look at the table to her left, and frowned. Sirius Black. What on earth is that dingleberry doing in the library? He's already aceing classes, and he doesn't care enough to do like I am. So why is he here? She returned to her book for a paragraph and glanced over at him again, just in time to catch him looking back down at his book. She couldn't be sure he'd been looking at her, though.
So Marti absently turned in her chair so that she was toward Black, still reading as she did it. And she furvitively looked up again. He was looking straight at her.
LDSPrincess924
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(17/3/04 10:24 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular readingDarn. Sunk. Dead. The whole lot. That girl had six senses, he was sure.
Steadily meeting Marti's grey eyes, Sirius gave her a slow wink before looking back down at his book with what he hoped was a studious air. Darn James, he thought irritatedly.
When he glanced up again, Marti had returned to her research. Sirius groaned inwardly. Of all the girls Moony and Prongs could have picked...if he ended up dating her at all, they'd probably be sitting in the library at Hogsmeade every month, researching unicorns. Oh, joy. How romantic.
For now, though, he had to make a move. Girls were not to be won by sitting two tables opposite and reading, no matter how studious one's air was. (In fact, Sirius reflected, that was probably more a damper on romance. Look at how not appealing Marti's genuine studiousness was.) It would be so much easier if he were sitting by her...talking to her...he smiled slightly as he imagined her icy wall melting under the heat of his masculine charm. It had happened before, it would happen again.
If only he could get over to that table.
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(18/3/04 2:02 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular readingOh. So that's why he's here. Groaning mentally, Marti turned back to the table. Her lips tightened, Alright, the little prick wants to play games with me. That's fine. I'll just be one step ahead of him. I'll play my own game. Toy with his mind. She smirked slightly, I need another hobby anyway.
Marti cleared her throat, watching him. Black didn't look up, so she did it again. He gave her a politely curious smile. She looked pointedly at the seat next to her, an unmistakable invitation, and managed a slightly entertained smile just for his viewing pleasure. This could be amusing.
LDSPrincess924
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(18/3/04 2:17 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
As he looked back down, Sirius was sure he saw Marti looking up again. Ah, he knew girls had a hard time keeping their eyes on him...
He kept dillegently at the book, even making a few scribbles to prove his lack of interest in the person two tables away. Even when Marti cleared her throat he resisted the impulse to spring up and dash over to the chair beside her (the chair, he had noticed, that was empty. Of course, all the chair at that table were - but that was being specific...), instead keeping his eyes fixed on the textbook.
When she cleared her throat again, a little more insistently this time, Sirius languidly looked up, raising his eyebrows. He kenw this was one of his most dashing, cool, and collected looks. It had never failed him thus far.
Sirius gave an inner exultant cry as Marti gestured to the seat next to her. She was actually smiling - a little, Sirius was pretty sure her face couldn't manage much more without cracking. He suppressed a broad grin of his own. The many charm never did fail.
Slowly laying down the book, he stood and sauntered over to the proferred chair.
"So, Martin," he drawled. "What's that you're doing?"
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(18/3/04 2:21 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
"Reading." Toneless.
That's right, I have you a step in, but not a thing more. Let's see how resourceful you can be.
LDSPrincess924
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(18/3/04 2:28 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular readingOuch. Ice woman. This was not going to be easy, he could tell.
Sirius affected his second-most charming smile. (It always went best to save the most charming smile until it would do the most damage.)
"A History of Unicorns in Europe," he said, leaning closer to see the title of the thick leatherbound text Marti had been notating. "Fascinating, I'm sure. Worried about passing Kettleburn's class?"
Oops, wrong tack. Sirius hastily backtracked as Marti's eyes flashed - obviously, teasing would get him nowhere here.
"Not that you'd have any worry of that, with a mind like yours," he added, turning his smile up a notch. He nudged her knee with his, encouraging her to share in the joke. No deal. Not even a smile to show for that brilliant recovery.
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(18/3/04 2:47 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
Marti glanced down as Black nudged her knee. Yes, I'm aware you were kidding. But I don't have a sense of humor, not for all you know. You're taking liberties, teasing. Learn your target before you shoot it, that way you can aim, eh?
Huh. Maybe I'll take a little of my own advice, next opprotunity.
Marti looked at the forgotten book that Black had been reading. "And what were you doing?" she asked impassively.
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(18/3/04 4:02 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
"Can't say I remember the name of it," Sirius said airily. "Something very - er - enlightening." He fruitlessly tried to catch a glimpse of the title of the forgotten book without appearing too obvious. No luck. "Do you often come here to study?" he asked, changing the topic as quickly as he could. "It's awfully - er - quiet." Blast...he was losing his cool. This girl was a lost cause if there ever was one - but it was better than going to the Grad Ball with Gertrude Turpentine, or whatever her name was.
"It's easier to study when it's quiet," Marti said without inflection.
"Right," Sirius said with a wink that showed a confidence he did not feel. "I find I prefer the common room. The company is very intellectually stimulating, I assure you." Darn Marti - much more hanging around her and he'd end up sounding like a textbook permanently.
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(18/3/04 4:34 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
Marti scoffed, "Riiiight. What you mean is you never feel like doing homework, but Potter, Lupin, and Pettigrew serve to lighten the mood. I really can't imagine the bunch of you being serious together, homework or not."
"And as for my study habits," she continued, "yes, I do often work in the library. The lighting in the common room isn't very good." She paused, "...It's kind of sweet of you to want to talk to me. You've obviously noticed that I'm by myself a lot - " though if that were actually true, you've taken 6 years to notice, "and I really appreciate the gesture. But," she made a helpless movement with her hands and looked up at him appealingly, "I really don't mind being alone. I'm used to it. I'm a big girl, I can handle it. So there's no need to pity me, as endearing as the sentiment is."
Wiggle your way out of THAT, you sneaky little jerk. Go on, smile and walk away and think you made me feel lost and lonely all over again. I'll really be laughing at you every day for a month.
LDSPrincess924
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(18/3/04 5:21 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
"Pity?" This time, Sirius' sentiment was genuine: astonishment. Whatever he felt toward Martin - which definitely wasn't what she thought - he most certainly didn't pity her, especially not for loneliness. If he pitied her it was because she had obviously had a terrible childhood that had forced her to be a social pariah for the rest of her life.
"I don't pity you," he added after a moment, recovering his composure. He grinned winningly. "Just thought I'd say hello." Carefully ignoring her invitation to leave, he leaned closer on the pretense of studying her notes. Charm radiated off him - how could she fail to swoon?
"Interesting information here," he said, affecting a scholarly air. "Planning to turn it in to Kettleburn for extra credit?"
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(18/3/04 8:18 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
Sirius wasn't the only one who was astonished. His reaction was supposed to be so predictable - he'd be embarassed that she saw through him so easily and politely drift away. It completely threw her off, how he answered.
Maybe that's why she let her guard down a little. "You and I both know I don't need extra credit," she smiled wryly.
LDSPrincess924
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(18/3/04 8:48 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
"Ah, but that's not what I meant," Sirius said, grinning dazzlingly. "I thought Kettleburn might need it."
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(18/3/04 9:00 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
"Unexpected, witty, and flattering." Marti gave him a sardonic smile, "A charming execution of flirtation overall. Well done. Now, Mr. Black..." Marti stood, looking around at all the books. "If you're willing to add 'gentlemanly' to that list, you could help me put away these books. Entirely up to you, of course."
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(18/3/04 9:13 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
Sirius crowed to himself. The girl was really, truly, genuinely warming to him. This was going to be easier than he had thought.
Bowing extravagantly, he scooped up an armload of books. "Just direct me, milady."
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(18/3/04 9:52 pm) Reply
Re: some extra-cirricular reading
Marti rolled her eyes at Black's flourishing bow. "I left the books next to them sticking out so that their places would be easy to find. The unicorn ones go right there, the vampire ones there, and the potion ones over there," she pointed out each general direction in turn. She sorted the books Black had not taken into three piles by subject and alphabetized them. Anal, maybe...probably. But it was quicker putting them back that way.
LDSPrincess924
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(21/3/04 4:12 pm) Reply
Re: ROFL!
Sirius looked at the first one - A History of Unicorns in Europe, the one Marti had been notating a moment before. He meandered casually to the section on unicorns and, after thoroughly perusing the shelves, found two books jutting out about a quarter of an inch on either side. Right. Very visible...to the one who'd pulled them out. He stuck the book in.
The rest were replaced in similar fashion. Marti finished hers with more alacrity and stood, watching him, concealing a smile. Sirius pretended not to notice. Darn James.
LDSPrincess924 Supreme Ruler
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(21/3/04 4:23 pm) Reply
Re: ROFL!
Marti stood, her bag shouldered and a textbook in her arms, amusedly watching Black hunt down where the books went.
She tilted her head thoughtfully to one side. Huh. He's kinda cute. Gah, what am I thinking? Who cares if he's cute? He positively REEKS of narcissism, he doesn't give two knuts for anyone else, etc. etc. etc. She stood there scowling until Sirius finished putting books away and came back over to her.
Marti put on a pleasant expression - not a smile, but not threatening - and casually brushed a bit of imaginary lint from Black's shoulder. "Well Black, it's been fun. See you around." Marti gave him a tiny wave and left the library without another glance back.
Next time, Black. Next time you'll see just what I think of you.
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(22/3/04 9:24 pm) Reply
Re: ROFL!
Sirius stood poised, watching Marti walk purposefully from the library. He waited for exactly thirty seconds after the door had closed behind her before punching the air and giving a loud victory whoop.
"Mr. Black!"
Madam Pince's scandalized voice came to him from the other side of the bookshelf.
"Sorry," he said meekly, peering around the shelf. "Won't happen again, Madam Pince." He fled the library - no, not fled; Sirius Black didn't FLEE. He sauntered quickly from the library.
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