So, I've been wanting to write hphm tlsq, chapters, quidditch sidequests, and creature sidequests down from my character's point of view. I recently started writing a bit of flying solo (the quest where you become friends with Talbott), and I was wondering if I should continue writing it, and post it on my blog. I'd really appreciate feedback on my writing, and how I could improve. Thanks for reading this long a/n, and now, feel free to read the fanfic if you want.
Word count (so far) : 3,800
Ever since becoming an animagus, Iβve been wanting to get closer with the mysterious, quiet bloke Talbott. I felt like he was a magnet, pulling me towards him. Speaking about Talbott, I got a letter from Penny, and all it stated was, βWe need to talk about Talbott. Let's meet in the Great Hall now. With the urgency of her letter, I was really concerned. I ran from my dormitory straight to the Great Hall.
While walking over to the tables, I heard Rowan comment, β Iβve seen an eagle flying around the school grounds a lot recently. I hope all the pet rats are safe.β After I heard that, I stopped moving and started wondering, could that be Talbottt?
I also passed Chiara, but she didnβt mention anything about an eagle, she instead mentioned to some Gryffindor kid called Jae, βSorry, Iβm a bitβ¦ preoccupied tonight.β Poor thing. She always makes me think about why bad things happen to good people. At least there is some good that comes out of it; a person that cares about making transforming less painful and more affordable.
While still walking over to Penny, I heard Merula yell at Ismelda. She was screaming, βSome bloody bird tried to nest in my hair earlier!β I guess even birds think her hair is messy as heck too. I laughed at the thought. That couldnβt have been Talbott though because he usually keeps to himself, and isnβt the biggest fan of Merula.
I finally finished walking over to where I normally sit with friends in the Great Hall, but when I got there, Penny was nowhere to be found!! I sighed and sat down. I nearly left after waiting for 10 minutes, but finally, Penny decided to show up.
βAh, youβre here, Isabella! Thanks for coming,β she greeted, looking worried.
βOf course, Penny,β I said, picking up on her fidgety behaviour, βNow, whatβs wrong?β I asked, getting straight to the point, βYou sounded worried when you asked to meet.β
βItβs Talbottβ¦β she said nervously. I quickly started paying more attention. I donβt know why Talbott has this sort of effect on me, but I really care about him, even though I hardly know him.
Taken by surprise, I blurted out without thinking, βTalbott Winger, the one who helped us brew an Animagus Potion? Whatβs wrong?! Is he hurt?!β
βNoβ¦β Penny said uncertaintly, βat least I hope not.β I raised my eyebrow at this. Based on my reaction, Penny quickly explained, βHeβs been spending all of his time alone recently.β
I held back a laugh, βno offence, Penny, but have you met Talbott? He makes Snape look talkative.β
Penny awkwardly said, βI know heβs aβ¦ private person, but I've been his friend for a while. I can tell somethingβs wrong.β I gave Penny a sceptical look, and she added, βplus heβs been missing class, even Transfiguration, and thatβs his favourite.β I subconsciously added that to my mental list of things to remember. Could Talbott be in an organisation like me? Did he join the Keepers of Adeen? Noβ¦ I wouldβve known if there was a new memberβ¦ Maybe he joined Dark Core? It would make sense why theyβd want him of all people because he can spy with his animagus abilityβ¦ No, he doesnβt seem like the type of person to do thatβ¦ Penny continued, snapping me out of my thoughts, βIβd ask him myself, but I havenβt been able to find him. I think heβs been avoiding me,β she said, looking like she was about to cry. I immediately became determined to help, I didn't want to see Penny this sad.
βThatβs why I asked to meet you, actually. I was hoping you might know where he is,β she explained.
I felt really bad admitting, βsorry, Penny, I havenβt seen him at all recently.β I couldnβt look at Pennyβs face with tears threatening to fall, so I quickly looked away. Suddenly, while gazing at my other friends, I got an idea, βbut letβs ask around. Surely someone has to have seen Talbott.β Thankfully, Penny cheered up. βMission accomplished,β I muttered under my breath.
First I went up to Rowan who apologised, βsorry, Isabella, Iβve been too busy with my studies to pay much attention to gossip.β
I asked again, βare you sure you havenβt seen him?β
She looked up from her book sighing, and asked, βif Talbott wants to be alone, shouldnβt you give him his space?β
Getting the hint, I left Rowan reading. Maybe I can get information from Merual, I thought. After asking the question, Merula asked, snorting, βWinger? Are you picking up another odd friend to add to your collection?β
βTalbottβs not odd,β I muttered, wanting to blast that smirk off Merulaβs stupid face.
βSorry, whatβs that, Wallace? Standing up for your boyfriend?β she asked, trying to provoke me. I walked away, thinking better than starting a fight.
βGuess Iβll go to Tulip,β I told myself, βshe might know since sheβs in his house.β
All she could tell me was, βI haven't seen Talbott Winger around the Ravenclaw common room much lately.β
I sighed, leaving her to ask Andre who just asked me, βTalbott Wingerβs the bloke that keeps to himself a lot, right?β
Giving up, I reluctantly went over to Merula again, who was no help, and just asked, βyou have a hard time keeping track of a lot of people, eh Wallace?β
I looked away from her and spotted Professor Flitwick at the staff table. He might know more, I thought. Apparently, I thought wrong. He had just as much of an idea on the matter as me, saying, βno, Iβm afraid Mr. Winger hasnβt told me anything,β and requesting, βif you do see Mr. Winger, please tell him we need to discuss his attendance.β
Tulip beckoned me over to her. I was hopeful for a moment for evidence, but all I got from her was, βNow that I think about it, I didnβt see Talbott Winger at dinner, does that help?β
βNot really, but thanks anyway Tulip,β I replied sadly.
Andre saw me and, I suppose he felt guilty for not giving me any information, because he quickly said, βsorry, I donβt know much about Talbott other than that he looks interesting.β
I sighed, saying, βitβs okay Andre, itβs not like itβs your fault.β
Me and Penny regrouped and I said, βthatβs odd. I asked everyone who knows him and it doesnβt seem any of them has seen Talbott,β making sure she at least would feel a bit better, I added, βwhateverβs going on, it doesnβt seem like heβs ignoring you specifically, Penny.β
βThough Iβm glad heβs not only avoiding me, now Iβm even more worriedβ¦β She looked away, and became lost in thought. She looked back up, βI want to look for him, but I promised Iβd tutor a few first years in potions nowβ¦β
Seeing her sad look, I had to tell her, βdonβt worry, Penny. Iβll find and talk to him.β
βReally? Youβll check in on Talbott for me? Why?β She asked, seeming suspicious.
I was quick to explain, βTalbottβs my friend, even if he doesnβt like to admit it. Iβm worried about him and want to make sure heβs okay too.β I slowly added in, talking to myself more than Penny, βBesides, this might be a good opportunity to try to get to know him better.β
Penny ran up and hugged me, βthanks, Isabella. Itβs a relief knowing youβll be there for him if he does need help.β She pulled away, βTalbott might say heβd rather be alone, but I donβt think he really means it,β she said with a soft expression, βI really appreciate this, Isabella. Let me know how it goes and if you need any help.β
βOf course!,β I said almost immediately, βIβm heading to the Courtyard now, Iβll look for Talbott while Iβm there.β
Me and Penny parted ways. I headed back up to my dormitory. After changing from my robes to my casual outfit since school was done for the rest of the day on Friday, I layed down, only for Chocolate to come with a piece of parchment in her beak. I was quick to take and read it. It started:
Since you wonβt give up on looking for me, Iβll meet you in the Courtyard now.
This time, I was too lazy to run all the way to the Courtyard, so I transformed into my animagus form; a Peregrine Falcon, and flew out of my dormitory window, down to the Courtyard. βShoot, I forgot about the landing process,β I said to myself, since Iβve always ended up landing by crashing into the ground.
As soon as the Courtyard caught my sight, I sighed, found the pear tree, and decided to crash into it. I shut my eyes tight and felt all the branches scrape me. I transformed back to a human and hissed in pain. I stood up, ignoring how bad it actually was. Looking around, the only people I saw in the Courtyard other than me were Jae and Chiara. Do they just spend all their time together? I thought to myself. I slowly walked over to the doors leading to the Courtyard.
I heard a calling whistle and quickly looked around to see Talbott leaning against the fountain as he stated, βover here.β
βTalbott! When I told Penny Iβd look for you, I wasnβt expecting you to reach out and agree to meet me here first,β I said, surprised.
βSo itβs true that you and Penny have been looking for me,β he said with an eyebrow raised and a sceptical look.
βWhere did you hear that?β I asked, βeveryone I talked to hasnβt seen or talked to you in days.β
βI little birdie told me,β he said smirking. I broke my composure and giggled.
After controlling myself again, I said, rolling my eyes, smiling, βnice try, but bird puns wonβt distract me from asking about whatβs going on with you for that long.β
He sighed, βIt was worth a shot.β
I glared at him, βTalbott, Iβm being serious. Youβve even been missing classes,β I sighed before continuing, βWhen Penny told me how concerned she was about you, I couldnβt help but be worried too.β
βI appreciate the concern, but as you can see, Iβm fine,β he said, trying to convince me. I guess it was too bad for him that Iβm able to tell when people are faking their emotions because I do it too.
βAre you actually fine?β I asked, then said accusingly, βOr are you just lying and telling me youβre fine so Iβll leave you alone?β
Surprisingly, unlike most people who get nervous or surprised when I accuse them of things, Talbott kept his composure and asked, βIf I tell you Iβm lying, will you keep pressuring me to find out whatβs wrong?β
βThen, Iβm actually fine,β he said, rolling his eyes.
βTalbott!β I yelled, getting annoyed.
He actually did lose his composure for a bit but then continued, βSo Iβve spent a lot of time alone lately. Thatβs not exactly newsworthy,β he paused and added quieter than before, βWhy do you care if thereβs anything bothering me anyways?β
I felt my face slowly heat up as I was under his piercing gaze, βI consider you my friend, Talbott, and I care about you. If somethingβs bothering you, I want to know so I can help,β I swallowed before continuing, βI thought you opened up to me back then because you thought of me as your friend, too,β I looked back into his eyes, βwas I wrong?β
He looked around awkwardly, and, trying to come up with an excuse, he said, βI know I called you my friend earlier, but itβs just because I got caught up in the moment.β Apparently Iβm good at making people feel bad, because, after seeing my face, he said, βItβs not that I donβt like you or anything. Iβm just not ready to call you my friend yet. You barely know me.β
I muttered to myself, βPart of me was hoping this was my opportunity to change that.β
Noticing the awkward silence, I said, βFine, we donβt have to talk about whatβs wrong,β I felt around in my mokeskin pouch, and found what I was looking for. Smiling, I said, βWe can play a game of Gobstones insteadβ¦β suddenly I got an idea, and added, βBut if I win, you have to at least consider telling me why youβve been extra distant lately,β I finished, smirking.
βAnd if I win?β He asked with a raised eyebrow.
βIβll tell Penny youβre actually fine and never bring any of this up again,β I said, trying to convince him.
βAlright, Isabella. If you can beat me at Gobstones, I promise to hear you out,β he said, looking determined.
After I set up the game, Talbott must have gotten a flashback, because he stated, βYour distractions wonβt work this time, Isabella. I donβt intend to lose,β and to add some uncertainty for me he said, βIβve been practising Gobstones.β
The distraction rolled off my tongue like water causing me to say, smirking, βand Iβve been spying on the ministry.β
βYouβve been what?!β He said surprised, not realising he completely missed the stones until it was my turn and he was sprayed, βugh, honestly, you should be a Slytherin,β he said annoyed, βanyway, whyβs Penny worried about me?β
βShe fancies you,β I said sarcastically. Unfortunately, I was too distracted saying that, and only came back to my senses to see Talbott smirking, and myself smelling horrible.
βNice try, but I know Penny likes someone else,β he said proudly.
βIf I couldnβt say it any better, Iβd say you actually like hanging out with me,β I stated.
βWell, Iβd prefer to keep to myself,β he said, flustered.
βWell, Iβd prefer to report you to the ministry,β I said, distracting him enough to spray him.
He sighed, βIβll admit, I didnβt see that coming,β and under his breath he stated, βmaybe if you didnβt keep distracting me.β
I smirked, βDistractions? What distractions? Iβm just making small talk,β I finished casually.
Observing the game with his βeagle eyesβ he replied, βYou might be close to winning, but you canβt possibly have any distractions leftβ¦β
βWeβll see about that,β I glared while smiling.
βIβm setting up my special moveβ¦β he muttered.
βIs that a ministry official I see?β I asked, distracting him long enough for him to miss yet again, and for me to knock the rest of the Gobstones out of the circle.
Talbott groaned, βI know when Iβve lost. I suppose I can at least hear you out.β
After we stood up, he admitted, βAlright, Isabella, you won. Just like I promised, Iβll hear you out.β
βTalbott, I know you donβt like talking about yourself, but you shouldnβt be afraid to tell me whatβs bothering you. You trusted me with your secret that youβre an unregistered Animagusβ¦ And as an unregistered Animagus too, I understand how much trust that requiresβ¦β I said, trying to convince him to tell me, βI guess what Iβm saying isβ¦ I hope you know you can tell me anything,β I canβt say I wasnβt surprised by his response.
Talbott stopped to listen intently and suddenly said looking horrified, βshh!β
βWhat?β Then I stopped to listen too. I heard footsteps close by us. My eyes widened, βoh no! Oh no oh no oh no oh no,β I muttered under my breath. As quickly as those words came out of my mouth, I whipped out my wand, just to see Talbott doing the same thing after looking around. I softly yelled, βHomenum revelio!β Pointing my wand at where I heard the footsteps. I noticed Talbott did the same thing.
I wasnβt surprised on who I revealed, βMerula?! You were spying on us?!β
Talbott rolled his eyes, βShe must have been under the Disillusionment Charm. That would explain why we didnβt notice her until she moved,β he moved his attention over to her, βHow much did you hear?β
Merula looked annoyed, βNothingβ¦ I was just passing through.β
Talbott scoffed, βLike Iβd believe that. People who are βjust passing throughβ donβt use Concealment Charms.β
βEven if I had heard you, what makes you interested in your little gossip? I have better things to do with my timeβ¦β
Talbott turned back to me, looking horrified, βEven though she denies it, Merula had heard weβre unregistered Animagi,β he looked more angry by the moment, βIf thatβs not bad enough, everyone in school knows her parents are in Azkaban for supporting You-Know-Who! The child of two Death Eaters knows weβre unregistered Animagi!β
I immediately backtracked, βIβm so sorry, Talbott. I had no idea Merula was listening in on us.β Iβm gonna have to give myself several more scars for this later.
Talbott took a deep breath, βitβs fineβ¦β
Trying to make things better I added, βLet me talk to Merula. Maybe I can-β
βNo offence, Isabella, but youβve done enough,β Talbott said angrily.
βBut I know Merual! I can at least try to convince her to keep our secret!β With Talbott looking like he was about to say no, I said, βIn fact, Iβll go find Merula and talk to her right now.β
βThanks, but I donβt need anymore of your help. Iβll handle Merula on my own,β and with that, he walked away from me.
After going to the bathroom, adding several more cuts on my arm, cleaning them, and going back to my dormitory, I sent Merula a letter;
I know this sounds crazy, but I need to talk with you.
I sent Chocolate away. I sketched for about thirty minutes, waiting for her to come back. When she returned, she had a letter in her beak;
If you must talk to me, you might as well come now. Iβm in the Potions Classroom.
I walked down to the dungeons, to see Merula getting blasted in the face with a potion she was attempting to make. I laughed and walked over to her. Although her face was now covered in a black-ish colour, she tried to act like nothing happened by quickly wiping it off. She went back to her potion, clearly ignoring me, so I cleared my throat.
Groaning, she asked, βWhat do you want, Wallace? Iβm studying.β
βYou read my letter, didnβt you? We need to talk.β
βIf this is about you and Winger, I already told you that I didnβt hear anythingβ
I sighed, βDo you really think Iβm daft enough to believe that lie?β
She smirked, βAre you sure you want me to answer that question?β
βWhy were you spying on us, Merula?β
Rolling her eyes for the hundredth time, while making her cauldron stir on its own, she countered, βWhy are you so incredibly annoying?β
βLook, Merula, you can keep avoiding the subject all you want, but I'm not leaving until you agree to talk, so you might as well cooperate,β I said, trying to not let my anger get the best of me.
βUgh, youβre really not going to go away until I do, are you?β
βNow youβre getting it,β I said with a prideful smile.
Losing the argument, Merula gave in and said, βFine, but Iβm going to finish this potion first, so you might as well grab a beaker and make yourself useful.β
While grabbing the beaker she pointed at, I mentioned, βI didnβt know you were so studious, Merula.β
Just having to be rude, Merula said, βStudying must be a foreign concept for you, eh Wallace?β
After handing the beaker over to her, I sighed, crossing my arms, βJust because you donβt usually see me studying doesnβt mean I donβt. I just try to avoid you throughout the day.β
βSince youβre just standing there, you might as well hand me that bottle.β
Leaning over to give it to her, I noticed Merulaβs book was filled with notes in the margins that arenβt in her handwriting. βWhat potion is Merula even brewing?β I muttered, studying her book. Apparently she heard me because she replied, βHow are you passing potions? This is just a simple Wideye Potion. Honestly, Barnaby has more brain cells than you.β
βWell, I feel like Barnaby is very smart, so Iβll consider that a compliment,β I said, sticking up for him. Changing the subject, I asked, βWould you really report Talbott to the Ministry, Merula?β
βI couldnβt care less about Winger. I just followed you thinking you were sneaking off to go Cursed Vault hunting, so I really donβt care.β
βIβd say I canβt believe youβd spy on me, Merula, but thatβd be a lie.β
βWow, you finally understand my personality, Wallace,β she said sarcastically, βFine, I admit it, I was listening in on you and Winger, but only because I thought you had more info on the Cursed Vault of Fear.β
βAha! So you were lying!β
βYes, alright, I lied about not hearing anything. So what?β
βI donβt blame you for spying on me and lying about it. I wouldβve done the same if I were in your position, but I wouldβve gotten away with it,β I muttered in the last part.
She put an over-exaggerating expression on her face, βI wasnβt spying, I was keeping an eye on my competition,β she thought for a moment, and suddenly said, βAnd whatβs that supposed to mean?!β
Ignoring her last comment, I continued on, βSo just to be clear, you werenβt spying on Talbott and me to try to learn our secrets?β
Without confirming or denying what I asked, Merula replied, βLike I said, I wasnβt spying, I was keeping an eye on my competition, and why else would I be interested in you and your odd friends?β
βLike I said, Talbottβs not odd, and Iβm not sure if I should feel relieved or insulted.β
β-Wait, Merula, the real reason I came was to convince you to not tell anyone about Talbottβs and my secret,β I said quickly.
βWhy shouldnβt I tell anyone you and Winger are unregistered Animagi?β Merula said challengingly.
βBecause Iβll force you to keep it a secret if necessary.β
βAre you seriously threatening someone who could get you and your friend sent to Azkaban?β Then she said something I wasnβt expecting, βYou might be more interesting than I thought, Wallace.β
βSo will you keep Talbottβs secret?β I said.
βWeβll see, wonβt we?β She asked, trying to scare me.
βMerula, this is serious,β I said, unfazed.
βI am being serious,β she smirked, making me worry. Not for myself, but for Talbott. I donβt want to be the reason heβd get sent to Azkaban.
βI better find Talbott now and warn him about Merulaβ¦β I said to myself after Merula left with the biggest smug look on her face.
