#birdboyxcatboy

Part 1: Meeting Talbott

It was Noah’s third year when he had his Animagus Adventure and first heard about Talbott Winger through his friends Tulip and Barnaby. He was already intrigued by him.

Noah was so confident he could just go up to him and talk. He had no idea what an impact Talbott would make in his life, the butterflies in his stomach go crazy whenever they're together now.

Noah had this strange feeling like his soul somehow recognized Talbott's when he first saw him from afar. Destiny, past lives or whatever people believed. They just knew they were it for each other, but that conclusion took time to happen. Talbott was reading when Noah approached him. Not surprising for a Ravenclaw.

Noah didn’t know anything about his hearing or eyesight, but Talbott’s eyes have always been intense in the way he looks at Noah, and it was weird/hard for him to stare into his eyes for too long for some reason in the beginning.

Of course, Noah knew why now, the same way he knows that this look and other things are intended only for him. Noah thought he would get used to it, but maybe he never will. He hoped not if it meant Talbott will always look at him like that and have that effect on him.

Noah was not used to that reaction when trying to make new friends with people that seem to have nothing against him, but he could understand. Mainly because he had a side just like Talbott, and he knew Talbott prefered to be alone. He didn’t want to make him uncomfortable or annoyed. So Noah was ready to leave and never bother him again when...

What he was really surprised about was that they had a mutual friend and he didn't knew, never heard about Talbott or hung out with him before.

It’s one of the things Noah has come to admire about Talbott: the way he is direct and honest about most subjects. How he questions things puts them into perspective and is open to them, his beliefs and principles.

Part 6: Cat-Boy

It was in the middle of a potions class that Penny told Noah the storm was coming. Thankfully he had enough time to end class and find the potion before the storm started. Snape almost caught him.

Penny and Noah planned to meet in the courtyard, and the boy had gone there to look for Penny. She explained some more of what Noah needed to do when the first lightning strikes.

Well, that was how Noah became an Animagus thanks to one of his best friends and another Animagus that he met and adores.

Bonus: the fun idea Noah had.

Talbott and Noah said “Bye! See you guys in the next chapter.”

Lots of love, N.

Part 3: Working it Out

The Herbology classroom was next. Noah had mixed feelings about their mutual - and not named yet - friend, and he still thought it would have been nice if they had met before, but everything happened when it was supposed to.

Talbott was already aware of the Hufflepuff. That Penny would probably talk about the Ravenclaw with him (like they talked about Noah.) to make them meet each other. But Talbott asked her not to. It was a very Talbott thing, but why he did not keep the distance when Noah approached him? He thought of something that could make them continue to interact/talk and keep Noah from leaving.

Talbott noticed Noah would be useful for breaking into Filtch’s office, but it was not just that, was it? Like it was said before, he didn’t need Noah after that. Talbott could go back to avoiding him.

With the things they went through and the talks they had along the way, Noah had a hunch: It wasn’t just because Talbott doesn’t like to attract attention when possible. Noah doesn't like it either, but with Talbott, it felt different. Of course, he was interested in becoming an Animagus, but it wasn’t just because of that. He felt this urge to know him better the more he saw Talbott and learned about him. The potion was just a convenient reason to do so.

It was the same for Talbott. Noah asked Talbott about it when they started dating, and he had the idea of writing a blog to remember their memories. Talbott confirmed it. Deep down, he wanted to meet Noah, but it was too much of an effort to take the first step and get out of his comfort zone. And up until then, there was no reason for him to do so. To let another person in his life that he would risk losing and caring for, no matter how intrigued he was with Noah. Their intuition told them it was not like befriending Penny, McGonagall or any of the other people in their life if they ever met. It was a scary thought and a little silly/pretentious of them.

Talbott would go on about his life just fine, maybe only wondering what if's and Noah would too if he was kept in the dark about his existence. But the chance of changing that happened and they took it because this inexplicable thing pulls them to each other from the second their gazes met.

They reunited with Penny and Noah's friends in the library. Talbott was adamant that they are more of Noah's friends than his so he asked Noah not to write about the reunion as if they were his friends too when he saw the Hufflepuff posting in a blog for the first time. Talbott didn’t know what he was doing or who was he talking to but said he would support him and his dream of becoming a writer.

The Ravenclaw thought he was writing a book about their story just like the one Talbott gifted him for Valentine’s Day Ball. But that was a story for another time. His assumption wasn’t that far from reality. Instead of a book, it was a Tumblr, and someday Noah will show it to him as a gift. Unless Talbott makes an acc and finds out before then. But the chances of that happening is low... not that Noah would mind. (off: if you ever make an acc and read this, hi my bird prince!)

The friends studied the potion, and it was time to decide who would take it. Noah didn't volunteer because he wouldn't want to take away the opportunity from someone else if they wanted to drink it.

They are in Y5 now, and she hasn't brewed more yet. No one knows if she still plans to, but Noah was happy she did it for him. It changed his life a lot, for the better.

Guess that was why she was not going to brew more anytime soon.

Part 2: Accidents

Noah showed Talbott his secret to get into Filch’s office. The Ravenclaw boy wanted to look for the chrysalis of a Death's-Head Hawk Moth, one of the Animagus potion ingredients. A connection between them was slowly but surely taking place.

Noah thought Talbott only needed his help to get into Filch’s office. But he included the Hufflepuff for the next ingredients even though it was not necessary. So, of course, Noah brought that to attention instead of keeping it to himself and just let it be. In his defence, he was happy and nervous about spending more time with Talbott.

Noah was not subtle in most situations, but he never regretted wearing his heart on his sleeve when it came to Talbott.

Talbott's secret, if anything, would only bring them closer instead of changing how Noah saw him. Noah was glad and honoured that the Ravenclaw already seemed to want to tell him about his secret and had some trust in Noah without knowing him that well back then. Noah has always felt the same way.

In the Artefact Room, Noah became aware of how complexing and weird the potion could be, and Talbott learned how sarcastic and dorky the other boy was.

The current Noah caught himself thinking about this moment and wondered if the Noah from the past was that happy with so little back then, what his younger-self would do if he told him where things with Talbott are now?

Part 4: Spell Trouble

Noah didn’t see Talbott in the 30 days he waited for the full moon. He wondered where he was and if they would talk again, but not enough for him to feel sad about it. Yet.

When Penny said that Noah was not ready and his heart reacted without his consent. He felt hopeful and happy with the prospect of seeing Talbott again. Penny talked to Talbott the next day and said he would help Noah and asked to meet him in the Charms classroom.

The second hint Talbott tried to give back then, Noah didn’t connect the dots. After about half an hour or so of Talbott teaching the spell, he thought Noah was ready to try it out. Noah had to cast it so many times till the electrical storm happened that he will never forget.

McGonagall is a known Animagi in Hogwarts, and it seemed logic/smart to talk about it with her, but at the same time, it wouldn't make a difference. She just said what Noah already knew and the thing about registering or not. Talbott could say so himself or not even talk about it and be done and over with. He was asked only to teach Noah the spell. He should want to keep his distance just the way he likes.

That was another thing that Noah asked Talbott while writing their story. There were two reasons: it was easy to reveal the secret with McGonagall there because she was the only one that knew and he trusted. (the second one will be explained in part 5.)

So, they went to talk with another of 'the good ones' as Talbott liked to say about cats. To him, that was McGonagall and Noah.

Noah: just one picture, please? *pouting*

Talbott: alright, stop pouting

Noah: YES! Let’s use the cat filter

Talbott: *sigh* the things I do for you...