In the library, far in the back . . .

[sok_theo]

Theo is sitting with his sketchbook in the back, drawing. Drawing is a skill he's been perfecting since he was young.

I wish I could be as dashing as I draw myself. I always look like some sort of hero or warrior when I do my self-portraits.

He finishes drawing himself and looks at the blank right side of the page that he left on purpose. He knows

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[sok_daphne]

Daphne enters the Library distractedly, hoping not top run into Tracey - she doesn't think she could take being ignored a second time and prefers avoiding her.

And on top of that, I have a Charms essay due next week... Brilliant.

She's about to sit down at a table when she spots Theo working on something. It looks like he's drawing, and she's curious to see what it is.

Daphne walks over to him and smiles. "Hi, Theo."

[sok_theo]

Theo nearly snaps the pencil in half at the sound of Daphne's voice and ungracefully fumbles to slip his drawing back between the pages of his textbook.

SINCE WHEN DOES ANYONE COME BACK HERE?!

"H-hi, Daphne . . ." he manages to splutter as she approaches, shutting his text book over the drawing and standing up suddenly, fidgeting and smiling nervously.

[sok_daphne]

"I didn't know you were an artist," she says, surprised yet amused by his reaction. Theo always makes her smile for some reason. "Can I see what you were drawing?"

[sok_theo]

Theo feels his face flush crimson. "Um," he stutters, "Well, no. You wouldn't like it. It's not done. But . . . as soon as it's finished, I'll let you see it. I still want to . . . you know . . . work in all the details. I want it to be perfect."

It already is.

Theo tries to seem casual. "Looking for a book?"

Of course she's looking for a book, you dunderhead! She's in a LIBRARY!

He smiles, in spite of his inner scolding. "I know this place almost as well as Hermione Granger. I could give you a hand."

[sok_daphne]

"Oh... all right. But let me know when it's done, I'm sure it's great."

Theo Nott, a drawer? Who would've thought...

She nods when Theodore mentions books. "Yes, I'm looking for some stuff for my Charms essay. Do you know any good reads on Binding charms?"

[sok_theo]

Theo quickly scans his mental map of the library. He nods politely.

"Sure, follow me."

He leads her through the enormous winding maze of bookcases and comes to the Charms section. Running his finger along the spines, he stops at a thick red book and slides it out, offering it to her.

"There are other books that have really extensive facts, but I have a feeling you have to be the actual author to grasp the concept. This one is a lot less complicated. It helped me a lot on my essay. I'm not much of a Charms fan, honestly."

[sok_daphne]

Daphne takes the heavy book and thanks him. Everything is very quiet around them, and she likes the feeling of intimacy the Libary always gives her.

"Really? Which subjects do you like, then?"

[sok_theo]

Theo feels his cheeks flush again.

Well," he says shyly, "I rather enjoy Transfiguration." He ducks his head, blushing harder than ever. "I know everyone thinks it's such a Gryffindor thing . . . you know, because it's McGonagall . . . but I like it. I can pick it up really easily."

He scratches the back of his neck. "I like learning other languages, too. Especially the Latin we learn in our classes that involve spells."

Great. Now she thinks you're a nerd.

[sok_daphne]

"Transfiguration is really fun," Daphne agrees. "I've never been good at languages, though..."

She looks at him, impressed and intrigued. Theo has always been so secretive... she wonders what other surprises he has in store.

"Which languages are you learning?"

[sok_theo]

Theo's ears prick at the sound of interest in her voice.

"Well, I've been learning Latin and German, I speak French fluently, and I've been trying to learn some Dutch."

He shrugs. "I've always like having that kind of bond with someone I may not know. It's rather fulfilling."

[sok_daphne]

"I can imagine," Daphne replies, awed. "Are you planning on being a diplomat or something once you graduate?"

[sok_theo]

He grins at this and ducks his head again, blushing.

"No," he says, shaking his head. "I actually want to be an author." He looks up at her. "I love writing. Stories, poems, you name it."

He shoves his free hand into his pocket, the other holding his books. "As soon as I leave this school I'm going to buy a place for myself and write my books."

He realizes he's ranting.

"What're you into, Daphne? I'm sure it's something better than writing."

[sok_daphne]

Daphne looks into space, her gaze dreamy.

"An author... that's an amazing job. Being all alone with yourself, just you and your writing... although sometimes you may stumble on things inside your mind that you didn't really expect, right?"

She turns back to him, getting her composure back. "Well, I'm not really sure about my career yet. I really love Potions, but I'm not sure what I could make of that."

[sok_theo]

Theo smiles. "I'm sure there's loads of things to make from that. You could be a chemist, you could create cures. There're plenty of options."

Feeling daring, he nudges her kindly with his elbow. "You'll do great with anything. I know it."

[sok_daphne]

Daphne beams at him. "Why thanks, Theo. That's a really sweet thing to say."

She taps her chin with her finger. "Professor Greengrass... I like the sound of that."

[sok_theo]

Theo laughs and kisses his fingertips like a cheif having just cooked a miraculous feast.

"C'est magnifique," he says in perfect French. "That sounds lovely. You see? There are lots of options."

Theo hears a lot of people shushing them as they unknowingly grow louder in their conversation. He ducks his head and smirks at her. "Well," he whispers, "about that essay . . . would you like some help later on?"