Conversation Stopper (PG; Rose, Dennis)
Title: Conversation Stopper
Characters: Rose Zeller, Dennis Creevy
Word Count: 630
Rating: PG
Prompt: 97 - Writer's Choice - Gobstones at potterverse100
There is never a good time to tell a boy he isn’t funny. I tried once and found that the one in question never talked in my presence again. There is no way I’m going to mess up my chances here. I’ve worked too hard to get accepted in this group.
“So, I hear you like Gobstones.”
He nods but continues to stare after his friends as if they haven’t been gone for the last ten minutes. I don’t think either of us had been eager to see them go but they decided, as a unit, to get up and walk out of the door. Why he didn’t go with them, I don’t understand, but he’s still here and I should just be happy for my luck.
As talkative as he’d been in the group, I thought this would be easier. I’m not sure what to do with this silence. “Have you played recently?”
He shakes his head while staring at his hands. They’re clean except for the bits of dirt clinging to his fingernails. It surprises me because I’ve never thought of anyone outside my own House having dirty fingernails. Digging in the dirt is soothing and living under the earth feels comfortable now that I’m gotten used to it. I assume that Slytherin students need to be surrounded by stone and Ravenclaws need to be high in the air. What the Gryffindors do in the tower is beyond me. This one has dirty fingernails.
I decide that I’m tired of forcing him to put up with my questioning and I pull over my open textbook once again. History of Magic isn’t my favorite subject but I wade through the reading because it’s required. It’s hard to concentrate with Dennis beside me but I attempt to make some sense of the text.
“Rose? If you were named anything else, would you smell as sweet?”
“That’s pretty corny,” I reply, which is almost like saying he’s not funny but in a nicer way.
He rubs his forehead as if he has a headache. “Yeah, that was bad. Sorry.”
“Maybe I don’t understand your humor. I’ve been told that I’m rather-“
“Quirky.”
Normally, I only blush when someone tells me I’m being obtuse. Now I’m blushing because I’m quirky. I push up my glasses and try to stop smiling so stupidly up at him.
“I’ve never been called quirky before.”
“I’ve never called a girl quirky before.”
Once again, we’re at a stand still, both verbally and mentally. He’s not studying any more than I am. Our class standings are bound to suffer if this continues. His brother solves our dilemma when he comes up and lays a hand on Dennis’ shoulder.
“Can I talk to you a moment?”
Neither boy asks my permission before they step away to converse but I’m not worried about the lack of niceties. I’m more worried by the looks both boys keep throwing my way. Dennis looks worried while Colin seems to be irritated. If I’m the cause of his concern, I’d like a chance to explain my actions.
“I’ve got to go, Rose. Maybe I’ll see you here again?” Dennis looks hopeful as he comes back to the table to gather up his books.
“Would it be okay with your brother if you did?” The question comes out as if I’m whining. Of any type of conversation style, I hate whining the most. My sister has often used the tone to get people to do things for her. I don’t need to resort to this type of thing and it shames me.
Dennis looks confused by I bury my head in my book before he can ask me anything. He walks away but I try to convince myself that I’ve since forgotten he exists.
Characters: Rose Zeller, Dennis Creevy
Word Count: 630
Rating: PG
Prompt: 97 - Writer's Choice - Gobstones at potterverse100
There is never a good time to tell a boy he isn’t funny. I tried once and found that the one in question never talked in my presence again. There is no way I’m going to mess up my chances here. I’ve worked too hard to get accepted in this group.
“So, I hear you like Gobstones.”
He nods but continues to stare after his friends as if they haven’t been gone for the last ten minutes. I don’t think either of us had been eager to see them go but they decided, as a unit, to get up and walk out of the door. Why he didn’t go with them, I don’t understand, but he’s still here and I should just be happy for my luck.
As talkative as he’d been in the group, I thought this would be easier. I’m not sure what to do with this silence. “Have you played recently?”
He shakes his head while staring at his hands. They’re clean except for the bits of dirt clinging to his fingernails. It surprises me because I’ve never thought of anyone outside my own House having dirty fingernails. Digging in the dirt is soothing and living under the earth feels comfortable now that I’m gotten used to it. I assume that Slytherin students need to be surrounded by stone and Ravenclaws need to be high in the air. What the Gryffindors do in the tower is beyond me. This one has dirty fingernails.
I decide that I’m tired of forcing him to put up with my questioning and I pull over my open textbook once again. History of Magic isn’t my favorite subject but I wade through the reading because it’s required. It’s hard to concentrate with Dennis beside me but I attempt to make some sense of the text.
“Rose? If you were named anything else, would you smell as sweet?”
“That’s pretty corny,” I reply, which is almost like saying he’s not funny but in a nicer way.
He rubs his forehead as if he has a headache. “Yeah, that was bad. Sorry.”
“Maybe I don’t understand your humor. I’ve been told that I’m rather-“
“Quirky.”
Normally, I only blush when someone tells me I’m being obtuse. Now I’m blushing because I’m quirky. I push up my glasses and try to stop smiling so stupidly up at him.
“I’ve never been called quirky before.”
“I’ve never called a girl quirky before.”
Once again, we’re at a stand still, both verbally and mentally. He’s not studying any more than I am. Our class standings are bound to suffer if this continues. His brother solves our dilemma when he comes up and lays a hand on Dennis’ shoulder.
“Can I talk to you a moment?”
Neither boy asks my permission before they step away to converse but I’m not worried about the lack of niceties. I’m more worried by the looks both boys keep throwing my way. Dennis looks worried while Colin seems to be irritated. If I’m the cause of his concern, I’d like a chance to explain my actions.
“I’ve got to go, Rose. Maybe I’ll see you here again?” Dennis looks hopeful as he comes back to the table to gather up his books.
“Would it be okay with your brother if you did?” The question comes out as if I’m whining. Of any type of conversation style, I hate whining the most. My sister has often used the tone to get people to do things for her. I don’t need to resort to this type of thing and it shames me.
Dennis looks confused by I bury my head in my book before he can ask me anything. He walks away but I try to convince myself that I’ve since forgotten he exists.