This is a Gift

noelle paused as if she realized who she was talking too and shook her head trying to take back what had been said seconds before. “ruth, no i didn’t mean that.” she said sighing and offering a smile to her best friend. “we can totally go to dinner,” at least that was what she thought ruth had said. “and you are right. they will find him…unharmed and perfectly fine.” she said her smile still on her face some. “we are just being silly getting ourselves so worked up.”

“I know, we can take some food from the great hall and eat in the common room. It’ll be like a picnic! But cozier,” Ruth said, still searching for a compromise, even though Noelle had technically agreed with her. She nodded and gave a half-hearted smile. “Well you know how I am: worried is my natural state. They have to find him though,” Ruth repeated. “They have too.”

the mood around the castle was still solemn with the news of the missing student. days had gone by and noelle found that she was still having a hard time smiling when she normally had before. did she know the student personally? no, but she had had a small crush on the older student last year, making a bit silly of her to feel this deeply for him. it wasn’t like they had dated, just a small school girl crush and here she was worried sick over him. that and the fact it could have happened to her. anyone really. perhaps that was why she had kept to herself the past few days, barely talking and when she was spoken to all she could say was, “that sounds….great.” like now. “really, we can go do that if you want…sounds fun…”

“Oh Noelle, I’m sorry. We don’t have to, really. Whatever you need to do, we’ll do.” ” Ruth frowned, filled with concern for her best friend. She didn’t have to ask what was wrong, even if there had been more the one worrying thing going on in the castle. “It’ll be okay, they’ll find him. They have to. I bet everyone in Hogsmede is looking for him. Someone has to find him.” The words were just as much to reassure her as they were to reassure Noelle. 

Al sat perched upon a tree branch, staring idly at the sky. He’d found solace in trees ever since he was a little boy; they made him feel safe from all the worries of the world beneath him. He’d needed that escape a lot after the nightwalkers announcement. A gentle rustle called his attention down where a person walking nearby. “Hi,” he called out. “I don’t mind if you want to sit out here or anything. Just, you know, letting you know I’m up here. You’d be surprised how many people don’t notice someone sitting in a tree.”

“Oh!” Ruth startled slightly, hearing the unexpected noise. She was always a little timid, but the news of Ezekiel James’ disappearance had her even more on edge. However, upon seeing the fellow hufflepuff, she gathered herself quickly and waved. “Hello. Um, thank you! You’re right; I don’t think I would’ve noticed at all. It’s an awfully clever place to hide.”

“that takes the thrill away,” james argued, digging his hand in the box of jelly beans and pulling out a fistful of multi-coloured beans. the gryffindor looked down at them with a pensive look. “which bean d’you reckon i should go for first?”

Ruth shrugged. “Guess I’m not much of a thrill taker.” She scrutinized the beans in his hand, pursing her lips as she tried to decide which looked the least threatening. Finally, she pointed at a white one. “That one maybe? It looks like it could be coconut. Or Marshmallow.”

“It’s funny when you get to watch a person realize they got vomit or earwax, though,” Val pointed out, grinning a little viciously at the girl. “The torture’s part of the fun, mudblood. Catch up.”

“Well um, that- that’s very rude,” Ruth spit out, her face flushing red, too flustered by the use of ‘mudblood’ to say much more.  She stared at the box of jelly-beans in her hands, wishing very much that she was invisible.

“Right? It just doesn’t make any sense to me, it just feel like a trick.” Piper looked over at the box feeling her eyebrows furrow at the flavors. “Especially when the good flavored beans are so wonderful. I would spend too much money on a box of just the good ones.” 

“Yes!” Ruth beamed, happy to have found a kindred soul. “I know some muggle brands make bags like that. Last Christmas my mum got my sister Sarah a bag of nothing but cherry ones, since that’s her favourite.”

“it wouldn’t be called every flavour beans otherwise,” james answered, tone incredulous. he pops a friendly-looking bean in his mouth, humming happily at the fruity flavour. “bertie bott’s every nice flavour beans doesn’t sound very fitting, if you ask me.”

“They could change the name. Or maybe make a slogan, like “Bertie Botts: Every flavour you’ll ever need.” Ruth said. “That has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? I mean, wouldn’t you like it better if you didn’t have to study every bean before you ate it?”

“i believe it is all part of the surprise,” noelle said grabbing a box of her own and turning it over in her hand. “or the way you can bet on someone to eat the green ones without both of you knowing if it is vomit or grass…” she said before smiling at ruth. “candy floss is my favorite flavor.”

“So it’s more like for party games and stuff,” Ruth nodded. “I still think I’ll stick to muggle jelly beans though. The worst you get in those is licorice, and its easy to tell which one those are.” She placed the box back on the shelf. “Yes! I love candy floss. The bad thing about that flavour though is it doesn’t dissolve in your mouth like the real thing. That’s a type of magical jelly bean I’d try.”

“The wonder of surprise is the best.” Lysander said while eating a bag of chips. “Normal jellybeans are so boring. One minute you’re eating cherry flavoured and the next you’re hating your life because you just tasted vomit.”

“You could still be surprised with normal flavours. I think it should be more like ‘hmm is this red color one cherry or strawberry?’ Not, “am I about to eat vomit or butterscotch.” Ruth replied. She raised her eyebrows and smiled. “I notice you’re not eating any.”

   “It’s probably more for the thrill of not knowing which one you’re going to get rather than the actual flavors. I personally don’t like them. In the muggle world they have jelly beans with only fruity flavors and those are a lot better.” He shrugged a shoulder, “Have you ever gotten a really nasty one?”

“I’d rather know what was I was getting,” Ruth nodded. “I agree. Sometimes I think wizard candy goes to far with magical gimmicks. With muggle candy, you know exactly what you’re getting. Though my brother David is always asking me to bring stuff wizard candy for him. He thinks its awfully exciting.” She shook her head. “I haven’t. To be honest, I’m too afraid to try them. I’ll stick with chocolate frogs and sugar quills.” 

    Mason was aware of that because his father but regardless, he allowed her to fix his tie. It had just been a rough day and his appearance was evidence of that. He glanced down at his tie and then up at her once more, “Well… Regardless, thank you, Ruth.” 

“You’re welcome,” Ruth smiled. She paused and the smile faded as she realized that perhaps she should have asked before she began to mess with Mason’s clothes. Her face reddened. She normally wouldn’t have been so intrusive- her excitement had gotten the best  of her. “I’m sorry. That was very rude of me, wasn’t it.”

“You’re probably right, it would make sense. If she took them from me than everyone would try the same thing and my charm would just lose its touch.”

“Absolutely. and if she did take them, she’d have to take them from everyone else, because if she didn’t  she might be accused of favoritism, or accepting bribes. Its all very political. That’s the way it works at muggle schools anyways.”

He was never one to focus too much on what he wore. Whatever fit and looked decent was always a go to so this surely caught him off guard,  “I don’t see what the big deal is.” Mason wasn’t expecting someone to rearrange his whole outfit especially considering the day was mostly over and done with. “Okay- okay, it’s good now. We’re good, right?”

‘Oh yes, yes! Take them all and tell your sister if she needs more to just come to me and ask me, I’d be so so happy to help as much as I can. Especially for first years- I know that’s the thoughest time at Hogwarts.’ Then the brunette girl moved a hand through her hair as she smiled at the other. ‘ Right? It’s a bit confusing, but it’s magic- once you do it, they’ll come back if you mutter the right spell and do the right movement, so do not worry.’

“I know; I don’t think I really settled in here until December,” Ruth nodded. “Sarah’s handling it pretty well though; much better than I ever did. She’s a born Gryffindor through and through. But everyone needs chocolate.” She looked back at her textbook, willing the words to make more sense. “I hope so.Who knows, maybe this nothingness place is where all my socks go when I do laundry at home.”

‘ oh, don’t worry- i don’t even eat sweets that much.’ she assures the other and she gently wrapped an arm around her as she buried her face in her hands.’ hey, heyy, it’s okay! i can help you out if you want. it’s not my strongest suit, but i was okay in fifth year transfig.’

“Are you sure? I might take a few more to share with my sister then, if that’s alright. She could share them with her other first year friends. I bet at least a few of them are homesick.” A small smile returned to Ruth’s face. “Really? Oh, that would be wonderful. I tried doing the reading, but I think it only made it more confusing. I just can’t wrap ahead round where the things go once they’re vanished.”