Filling the Empty Space [Open]

[xenophilius lovegood]

_______________________________________
...

[/size]

Xenophilius was an odd sort of person. Most people didn’t really know what to make of him when they saw him, or stared at him. Yes, they did not see him, they stared. Usually from shock they would keep their gaze locked on the eccentric Ravenclaw. They would think that he did not feel he stares or hear the whispers, but he did, he always did. They would continue to stare though, despite their best intentions to be polite. Xeno had learned to go about his day without bothering to notice much.

Despite the fact he was always a topic of conversation, Xeno did not converse with many people. Apparently he was seen as rather weird. So he kept to himself for the most part. Talking to anyone who would listen (which was usually only himself).

So with all this going on around him, it was no surprise to Xeno that he was again sitting alone at the Ravenclaw table. Sure there were plenty of students there for it was lunch time. There seemed to be some kind of bubbled that encased this sixth year as there wasn’t a person sitting within five seats of him in any direction.

This was fine for Xeno. He had alot more room for his books, and alot more room for pudding. His books were spread around him in a messy sort of way that only Xeno could understand. It wasn't too hard to understand if given the chance, but Xeno knew that these chances weren't often given. Though he would very much have liked someone to talk to, he knew better than to think that. Being who he was, friends didn’t come often. People scared too easily these days anyway. They did not like to look passed his rather tattered and brightly coloured book cover. The nargles seemed to be more frequent than people willing to fill the position of Xenophilius Lovegood’s friend.

Xeno took the rather large bowl of puding from the center of the table. No one ever seemed to want any of the food that was in front of where Xeno sat. He shovelled a small silver spoon into the large bowl.

“Good pudding,” he mumbled with his glazed over look as he shovelled his favorite dish into his hungry mouth.

[dorcas renata meadows]

The hall was busy. Well actually, it was heaving. There were so many people about at lunch time it was sometimes hard to move once you were sat down, and once it was hard to move, it usually meant most of the dessert was gone before you could get to it. Or at least it was gone before Dorcas could get to it. She was the first in the great hall and people had slowly started making their way in. They came and went, some talking to her, and her talking to most of them. Dorcas was a bit of a talker. Actually, she was a lot of a talker, which is why she had only just finished her lunch while everyone else was on to their sweets, leaving her with . . . yep, nada.

Squeezing to stand between the two people on her left and right that she had just been talking with, she looked up and down the Slytherin table, but no, there was nothing left apart from scraps. Yet again she would be going without any sweets. She really should get into lunch earlier and just not talk to people, it would make life easier, or it would at least mean she would get some pudding from time to time, something that would be very nice. Some day soon she was going to have to figure out where the kitchens were so she could get dessert any time she wanted.

Sighing, about ready to give up, Dorcas spotted something promising at the Ravenclaw table. Lots and lots of students, as usual, but there, in what looked like a bit of a clearing, more a lot of a clearing minus the books and food, was that strange guy, Xenopheobeusny . . . whatever his name was. Okay, now she sort of felt like an absolute bitch. She didn't even know his name and she was planning on stealing some of his pudding. Well, he was on his own, she was a good talker, he might appreciate the company. Then again, he might want the dessert all to himself. Heck, she didn't care, she wanted some too, but if he wanted to keep it for himself, then she'd let him and just vow to get some dessert at tea time, somehow. She'd have to do more than just turn up early, she was always the first in anyway. Perhaps she'd just have to keep her head low, not talk to anyone. perhaps she could place a silencing charm on herself. That might help. Ah well, later.

Struggling to squeeze out Dorcas managed to get one leg out before the other got caught on her neighbours cloak and she fell. She fell face first and turned as she did, banging her head on the floor, hurting her shoulder and her leg still up on the bench. A roar of laughter sounded, Dorcas' mixed in with it as she shook her head and got loose. Well, she was clumsy at the best of times, when she wasn't concentrating on what she was doing, only focusing on yummy, yummy dessert, the she was bound to have an accident or two. Never mind, she still needed to get to that dessert! It was as though it were calling her name . . . well, in her mind at least.

Walking carefully over to the Ravenclaw table, Dorcas sat down opposite Lovegood, recalling only his surname. She offered him a big smile, hoping that perhaps he wouldn't kick her off his table when the Slytherin robes she wore, clearly pointed to the fact that she did not belong at this table. The things a girl would do for something sweet when they were craving it . . . like talking to a complete stranger and trying to steal their nummy goodness. Man she was pathetic. But oh well! Dessert!

"Hey! I'm sorry for barging along like this but was wondering if I might come sit with you and share some of that pudding? It's all kind of gone at my table and, well, sort of figured you might not mind sharing. Though I don't mind if you do mind sharing because I can leave you alone if you want to be left alone. Jeze, you sure have a lot of books spread about. Aren't you kind of taking up too much space of the table? What if someone wants to come sit next to you?" Okay, there was that rambling, talking thing she tended to do.

[xenophilius lovegood]

_______________________________________
...

[/size]

Xenophilius Lovegood was always seen as rather odd. He didn’t help himself much by the weird way he spoke, or the odd way he dressed. He was an individual to say the least. He continued to shovel the pudding into his mouth without much notice to his surroundings.

It was lunch time, so naturally the hall was packed end to end with hungry students. All the tables where full, although it seemed that the Ravenclaw table was more packed than others. It could have been because many students had crammed themselves onto either end of the table. No one dared sit in the middle. Xeno had made himself a barrier in which everyone seemed to not be able to cross. Or maybe they were all allergic to that particular wood panel. Xeno would never want someone to suffer due to medical issues just to have a bit of elbow room. So he sat crossed legged, quite contently, humming an unrecognizable tune and eating his very large bowl of pudding.

Xeno’s ears pricked as he heard the bench side and someone plop down beside him. Xeno wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or not. It happened so often that he let his dreams take a hold of him. Sometimes he was unclear as to what was real and what was imaginary.

Xenophilius looked up with his regular glazed over look on his face only to see that there indeed was a person sitting next to him. It was a girl he had seen from time to time around school. Her robes were that of the Slytherin House, and Xeno was sure her name started with a “D”.

The whispers could be heard as soon as she sat down, but Xeno barely took notice. The whispering was like a bit of a soundtrack to his every movement. People always liked to talk, even if they didn’t mean for him to hear. It was nice that they were so kind to notice him at all.

"Hey! I'm sorry for barging along like this but was wondering if I might come sit with you and share some of that pudding? It's all kind of gone at my table and, well, sort of figured you might not mind sharing. Though I don't mind if you do mind sharing because I can leave you alone if you want to be left alone. Jeze, you sure have a lot of books spread about. Aren't you kind of taking up too much space of the table? What if someone wants to come sit next to you?"[/color]

Xeno stared at the girl, his brow furrowed. He was not used to someone talking to him, and this girl was talking alot. It took him a moment to let it sink in. He tilted his head to the left slightly, his glazed look washing over his pale face. There was silence for quite some time as he stared at the Slytherin girl.

”You do like to talk, don’t you?” Xeno observed.

Xeno shovelled in a large amount of pudding into his mouth before changing his focus to the table in front of them. His books were scattered around everywhere, making it hard for anyone to find anything. He leaned forward, practically launching himself over the table to reach for the small silver object he had just spotted. His brightly colours socks wiggling as he finally grasped the spoon.


”It seems that people don’t much like the middle of the Ravenclaw table. I think they might be afraid of the Nargles “ he said and then leaned forward, “but everyone knows Nargles live in mistle toe.”

He gave her a crooked but friendly smile as he handed her the spoon and then slid the large bowl of pudding towards her. ”One can never have too much pudding.” he then mused, more to himself that to the Slytherin girl braving the stares and whispers to sit beside him.

[dorcas renata meadows]

The silence seemed to be sort of stretched out. It was any easy enough question wasn't it? Could she have some pudding? Then again . . . she had rambled a fair bit, he might have got lost in the conversation, trying to figure out what it was she had said. Or perhaps he was listening to the loud mutterings of those around them, either way, he wasn't answering her question much and well, she couldn't exactly blame him, she'd sort of barged in on his nice peace and quiet and apparently invited the rest of the great hall along too to discuss what was happening. Really, was it that rare for someone to just sit and talk with this guy? Surely not?

You do like to talk, don’t you?

The silence was finally broken by him. Well of course it was, she wasn't going to push him. Though she was half tempted to steal his dessert, but then that would be mean, she'd feel guilty and then she'd have to bring it back to him with a super big apology. Well, instead of stealing his dessert, Dorcas looked down to her lap with a smile and a small nod of her head before she looked up to Lovegood. He was right, she did like to talk, and that was exactly why she had no dessert, and perhaps why he had plenty. He didn't talk to anyone and look at the guy, plenty of everything! Perhaps she really should give it a try some day.

"Yeah, I like to talk every now and then, makes me feel comfortable, although you seem to like the silence it seems." Dorcas scooted along the bench a little and lent back a little more as Lovegood jumped across the table, or more propelled himself across the table in some strange fashion, for some strange reason, his feet sticking out and his obnoxiously vibrant socks stealing her attention for a short while before he spoke again. Such an interesting young chap Lovegood was, though it was no wonder people worried about his sanity from time to time.

It seems that people don’t much like the middle of the Ravenclaw table. I think they might be afraid of the Nargles but everyone knows Nargles live in mistle toe.

"They do? I really didn't know that." Dorcas furrowed her brow, interested in just what the heck was going through Lovegood's mind. He really was insane, she'd never heard of a Nargle before, much less seen one in mistletoe. But then again, just because she'd not seen it nor heard of it, didn't mean it didn't exist right? Lovegood may have found a whole new species of something or other. Then again, the rumours could be true, but as much as Dorcas loved to hear rumours, she very rarely believed any of them. They were purely a good source of entertainment. No, no. A great source of entertainment.

Dorcas took the spoon Lovegood had apparently table dived for and laughed softly. Okay, he was a little insane doing that for her, but she appreciated it none-the-less. Not many guys would do that. Make a bit of an idiot out of themselves to get a girl a spoon, then again, it seemed to Dorcas that Lovegood didn't really care what others thought and probably didn't think he'd made a fool out of himself, which was . . . great, actually. It was nice to be around a guy that wasn't totally into himself, his image or anything else along those lines. It seemed to Dorcas that Lovegood here was more of a gentleman than all the guys in the school put together.

One can never have too much pudding

"Well thank you for the spoon and thank you for sharing. You're quite the gentleman." She said with a bit of a grin. "I don't see why you haven't got all the ladies trying to sit around you. Perhaps they really are afraid of the Nargles." She said as a suggestion, and even pondering it herself. "But like you said, Nargles are only found in mistletoe, right? But where do they go when there's no mistletoe about? Their numbers must dwindle through summer time." Dorcas could barely believe she was encouraging this conversation, but then again, she didn't knowfor sure Nargles did not exist.

[xenophilius lovegood]

_______________________________________
...

[/size]

When people talked to Xeno it was usually followed by their faces wrinkling up and their heads titling to the side slightly. Then they would usually inch away from him slowly before some who actually turned and full out sprinted away. Needless to say, Xenophilius Lovegood didn’t get to converse with that many people often, but that did not mean he did not like to speak. He was a bit amused to see that this Slytherin had not done any of the above. She seemed quite neutral about sitting a couple of inching away from the resident ‘loon’.

"Yeah, I like to talk every now and then, makes me feel comfortable, although you seem to like the silence it seems."[/color]

Xeno let out a rather odd sounding laugh as he grabbed one of his socked feet and moved it on top of his other leg. He watched the dark haired girl talk as he let his mind run into overdrive trying to place her with a name. Despite having a lack of an audience to talk with, he did know a fair bit of what and who went on about the halls of Hogwarts.

”Oh no,” Xeno said happily, ”I very much like to talk with people, but it seems they don’t much like talking with me. You can’t have a conversation with one person for too long. You know exactly what the other side is going to say...”

He brushed his wild hair with his hands, soothing the itch that had mysteriously appeared on his noggin. People were beginning to stare. The packed Great Hall was buzzing so much that Xeno’s ears were slightly ringing. He gave a wave to some people who actually stopped to take a look at the eccentric Ravenclaw and his new found...pudding partner.

”People always like to talk... and stare. he said as he scooped some pudding into a small bowl for himself.

"Well thank you for the spoon and thank you for sharing. You're quite the gentleman. I don't see why you haven't got all the ladies trying to sit around you. Perhaps they really are afraid of the Nargles."[/color]

Xenophilius looked down at his shirt as if there was something on it. He was confused by her words. Gentleman? He had not heard that term before. Well at least when someone spoke to him.” Yes, it must be it. No one tries to sit around me. To tell you the truth I haven’t many friends. Odd I know, but I guess there is more room for books, and a lot more pudding.”

He smiled at the Slytherin, not concerned at all by the serpant on her robes, ”But I am more than happy to share.

"But like you said, Nargles are only found in mistletoe, right? But where do they go when there's no mistletoe about? Their numbers must dwindle through summer time."

He was happy that someone had taken an interest in Nargles. He had spent the better part of six years trying to warn people of the dangers, but they usually blew him off and walked right into danger. Xeno was in awe that so many people had lasted so long when they were so careless.

”Good at hiding, they are.” Xeno said, his eyes twinkling, ”But I find people can’t really see something they aren’t looking for in the beginning.”

As Xeno ate his share of pudding he accidently spilt some on one of his books. He quickly used his finger to wipe it away, but the stain stayed on the old and torn pages of that particular book. It was odd to have someone to talk to, but in Xeno’s mind he was already seen as a bit odd so a bit more oddity did not seem to make much of a difference.

[dorcas renata meadows]

Oh no, I very much like to talk with people, but it seems they don’t much like talking with me. You can’t have a conversation with one person for too long. You know exactly what the other side is going to say...

Dorcas smiled, feeling a little bit guilty which was absolutely ridiculous. It wasn't her fault people didn't talk to Lovegood, but then again, she could have reached out sooner and preferably not while wanting something. At the moment she was just using him for his sweets but who knew, she might be able to make him a friend soon enough, if she ever found the time between classes, homework, studying, random guys, drinking and, of course, talking the hind legs off a griffin. Now what more could a girl have time for really? But who knew, she might bump into Lovegood around the castle or in the library. He was a Ravenclaw after all and probably spent a fair bit of time in there.

"I know what you mean. Sort of." Because yeah, when she didn't have anyone to talk to, she usually made comments to herself. Actually, she did all sorts of things while she was by herself. For example, when she was alone, she believed herself to be an above average dancer, but when she had someone else with her? Well, the whole of the great hall had seen what happened to her when she was focused on one thing and one thing alone, she tended to mess up, and when it came to dancing, she tended to mess up and break a few toes along the way, usually not her own, or the person she was actually dancing with.

People always like to talk... and stare.

Dorcas nodded her head. That statement was unfortunately very true. "Just wait! By the end of the week the rumour will be that we're dating, and if we get seen together again, I'll apparently be pregnant with your child." Dorcas smirked, "Rumours always spread so fast when the subject is unbelievable yet possible and interesting to those with very little to do in their own lives but worry and talk about what is happening in others lives." Yep, rumours were always ridiculous and predictable. It would be the same old rumours just different people, and although that would probably be the case, Dorcas didn't mind in the slightest, after all, she did love attention. Perhaps that was another reason as to why she sat with Lovegood, knowing that everyone else avoided him.

Yes, it must be it. No one tries to sit around me. To tell you the truth I haven’t many friends. Odd I know, but I guess there is more room for books, and a lot more pudding. But I am more than happy to share.

"Well pudding's always good, and sharing is better! Especially for me." Aww! The poor thing! Dorcas was actually feeling extremely sorry for Lovegood. Few friends, and it seemed none that wanted to sit with him during meals, which clearly didn't make them very good friends, more probably people that humoured Lovegood from time to time. Then again, well, she wasn't sure what else really. Every time she laid eyes upon Lovegood in the great hall at meal times, he was always alone, in the same spot, surrounded by books and nothing, nor no one else. It was like a routine for the guy, one he must have felt comfortable with.

Good at hiding, they are. But I find people can’t really see something they aren’t looking for in the beginning.

Dorcas shrugged her shoulders a little, he made a fair point. She for one had never looked for Nargles - though of course that could be because she had never really heard of them before, but then again, she didn't exactly believe in them at the moment, though that wouldn't stop her from looking in future. Especially with Christmas rapidly approaching, there would be mistletoe everywhere. As she dipped her spoon into the pudding and brought it up to her mouth, loving the taste the second it touched her tongue, she could just imagine Lovegood walking crookedly down corridors, avoiding mistletoe.

"I'm certainly going to be keeping an eye out for them around mistletoe from now on, and a good looking, generous guy such as yourself to kiss." Dorcas helped herself to more of the pudding with a smile, she couldn't help herself, she had to flirt, although it was pretty pathetic, she really didn't care much, it was only light flirting and by the looks of Lovegood, he wouldn't understand it or would tell her to keep away from mistletoe. Of course he could always wish her luck in looking for a guy or completely understand what it was she was on about. Jesh, even her thought rambled on. Perhaps it was time she introduced herself. she was already eating the guys pudding.

"I should probably introduce myself, considering you're being so nice in sharing your dessert." Introductions always sucked and seemed so fake in Dorcas' opinion, but Lovegood had a right to know who she was she supposed so she didn't mind too much. "I'm Dorcas Meadows. You can call me Dorcy, Dorc, Cas, Casy, Dorcasy, pretty much anything you can get out of my name, I really don't mind, you shared your pudding with me and so that puts us on that great road to friendship." She grinned, letting that talking thing get the better of her yet again. She couldn't help it though, it was just who she was she supposed.

[/color][/blockquote][/center]

[.::isserley endicott]

The weather was getting colder outside, but that hadn't stopped Izzy from trying to catch thestrals in the forbidden forest. She had read about them in the library a few days earlier, bored out of her mind. According to what she had read since then, they pulled the carriages leading to Hogwarts. She knew she wouldn't be able to see them with her own eyes, so she had taken a camera with her, and some meat to lure them with. None of the books had been able to tell her whether or not they would show up on film. Why not be the one to figure it out herself? She had been in need of an adventure anyway.

By the time Izzy had realized it was dinner time, it was already almost over, and she figured there would be nothing but a half bowl of pudding, and a few pieces of pie. Walking into the great hall had confirmed that. Students were sitting around, chatting among themselves with empty plates, and full bellies. She headed straight to the Ravenclaw table, and made her way along it leaving dirty foot prints in her wake, looking over shoulders in an attempt to find anything at all edible left after the meal. She hadn't even realized how hungry she was until she had noticed the time. It was always dark inside the forest, so it was easy to lose track of the outside world, and even of ones self. She had considered not going to dinner at all, and now she wished she hadn't. There was no luck in finding anything left over until she reached the middle of the table.

There, in his usual lonely spot, was Xenophilius Lovegood. But something was off about this scene. His books were still thrown about. The dishes surrounding him still mostly untouched. The Ravenclaw students nearby were still staring, and chatting excitedly about whatever he was up to. Everything was the same as always except for one thing. There, sitting next to him, was a girl. A Girl who happened to be a Slytherin.

Izzy stopped and stood by the section of empty table, looking around at the rest of the hall for any dish of anything that wasn't obviously empty. She had no luck. She turned to the two sitting across the table from where she stood, and gave a kind, if somewhat reluctant smile. "Hello Xenophilius, and... friend." She did not know the Slytherin girls name. She appeared to be one of the girls Izzy hadn't had a fight with yet though, as Izzy did not remember her. "Mind if I join you?"

She sat on the bench across from them, and looked around for something to eat other than the pudding they were both digging into. There was a pie not to far away, what kind she did not know, but she pulled the whole plate closer to herself anyway. She grabbed a fork, and dished a bite eagerly into her mouth without bothering to put the slice on her plate first. Apple. She sighed, and tried not to taste the next bite. Pie was always good, but apple wasn't her favorite flavor. It always had too much spices in it and not enough apple taste, not to mention the slimy feeling it had as you bit into it. She tried not to look too disgusted as she ate. She now had a new reason to hate not being on time.

[xenophilius lovegood]

_______________________________________
...

[/size]

It was always nice to be understood. Although Xenophilius had never had that luxury, it seemed like it would be nice. Xenophilius was one of the most complex, insane minds of the school, and maybe even wizarding London. Understanding someone with a mind like his was near impossible. So it was kind of girl to at least pretend she understood him.

Xeno didn’t actually think a girl such as her would spend her time conversing with herself when she had so many people around her to talk with. It seemed a bit unfair to the other people. He began playing with his chains that dangled around his neck. He had quite the collection of charms and didn’t seem to let the dress code stop him from wearing them. On the contrary, to him there was no dress code. His tie was never tied properly around his neck, and his shirt was never tucked in. He had brightly coloured socks and the buttons on his shirt sometimes weren’t attached to their right fastening. He quite like being different; stares and whispering included.

"Just wait! By the end of the week the rumour will be that we're dating, and if we get seen together again, I'll apparently be pregnant with your child. Rumours always spread so fast when the subject is unbelievable yet possible and interesting to those with very little to do in their own lives but worry and talk about what is happening in others lives."

Xeno let out a wild laugh. His eyes were unfocused and hazy, giving them that ‘lunatic’ quality he was growing fame over. ” Truth seems to take a back seat to things nowadays. Wouldn’t you say? The easiest way to keep a secret is without help. But I don’t think many people have caught on to that. You would be shocked at the things I have heard! Even the walls have ears it seems!”

Xeno was getting quite comfortable talking with the Slytherin. It was an odd sort of pairing to begin with, but then again, Xenophilius was already considered odd to begin with, so a couple more degrees of oddity was nothing to stir about. He smiled his lopsided little smile as he watched her eat the pudding he had offered. Even if she was only there for food, it was nice to have someone to talk to without them being ten feet away.

He took his quill from behind his ear and scribbled down a couple of words that did not make up a real sentence on one of the small notebooks surrounding them.

"I'm certainly going to be keeping an eye out for them around mistletoe from now on, and a good looking, generous guy such as yourself to kiss."[/color]


”Oh no! Watch out for mistletoe!” Xeno said warily, “You go in for a kiss and then BAM! YOU’RE DEAD!” he said this as he waved his arms around wildly, nearly standing from the bench.The cultury clanked as the spoon in Xeno's left hand made contact with the plates and bowls. If there was one thing Xenophilius knew more than most it would be avoiding the Nargles. He had managed sixteen years without ever seeing a single one.

"I'm Dorcas Meadows. You can call me Dorcy, Dorc, Cas, Casy, Dorcasy, pretty much anything you can get out of my name, I really don't mind, you shared your pudding with me and so that puts us on that great road to friendship."

The pudding he had just put into his mouth nearly fell out. This would have been a shame, considering how delicious the pudding was that day. He had never even thought of the proposal of a friendship coming from another person. He usually made his friends without the friend knowing.

” I would love to have a friend like you, Dorcas, Dorcy, Dorc, Cas, Casy, Dorcasy.. if you think about it sounds like I have made several friends instead of just one! “ he flashed her a friendly and excited smile, “I am Xenophilius Lovegood! People call me Loony Lovegood, although I don’t know if I’m supposed to know that...oh well.”

As if one person to talk wasn’t a treat in itself, another person came walking straight for them. Xeno looked up and saw Isserley Endicott coming over and plopping herself down across from Xeno and his new friend Dorcas Meadows.

Hello Xenophilius, and... friend. Mind if I join you?"[/color]

Xeno smiled with a mouthful of pudding to welcome his fellow Ravenclaw to the table. She always seemed somewhat kind to Xeno. It could have been out of pity, but he didn’t think that way.

“Well this is a day of surprises!” he mused to himself, “There is room! Books can always be piled up—I’ve never had the need to do that before...Isserly Endicott, this is Dorcas Meadows. I think you both are rather fond of dessert.”

Xeno started to hum a random and odd tune as he played with the pudding he had in front of him. This day was truly a treat, and it wasn’t because of the pudding in front of him.

[dorcas renata meadows]

Truth seems to take a back seat to things nowadays. Wouldn’t you say? The easiest way to keep a secret is without help. But I don’t think many people have caught on to that. You would be shocked at the things I have heard! Even the walls have ears it seems!

Dorcas smiled, Lovegood was right. Truth really did take a back seat, especially in this day and age. So many people lying, deceiving and trying to make life more interesting for themselves, though it wasn't only that. Some just couldn't help themselves, compulsive liars, compulsive gossipers. Dorcas really could not see the benefits of talking out of order about others behind their backs, spreading nasty rumours. The people you talk to about those sorts of things would just think you're a bitch and wouldn't trust you. Dorcas did love it when people talked about her though, though it was mainly because she loved to hear the concoctions people made about her. They always made her laugh.

"Very true, on both counts. And I'm not sure there's much you could tell me that I haven't already heard. But I must say I agree, the walls really do seem to have ears on occasions, knowing only the most intimate and private of details of conversations and well, other things, I suppose you could say." Dorcas smirked a little. It wasn't really the walls that had ears, she knew that, it was just immature guys that liked to brag when they'd slept with someone, or the walls would have ears as their friends listened in on them. But hey, boys would be boys and therefore the majority would be shameful idiots.

Oh no! Watch out for mistletoe!

Dorcas quirked her brow, a little shocked, well, Lovegood was dead set against getting anywhere near mistletoe then. The Nargles must be a very big belief of his and Dorcas was not one for wanting to upset others in any way shape or form. The girl hated conflict. Or at least she hated conflict most of the time. But hopefully, the talk of her and mistletoe, wouldn't bend Lovegood too much out of shape. He seemed rather lovely the shape he was in and she didn't want to anger or upset him, though she had a feeling it would take a lot to do either to him.

You go in for a kiss and then BAM! YOU’RE DEAD!

Dorcas couldn't help but laugh. Lovegood had all but pounced out of his seat on the bench at the topic of Nargles. His arms flailing about like the mad-man a lot of the students took him for. Well, she found it slightly entertaining. Not because, to some, he was acting like a bit of a freak, that didn't bother her and she didn't see it as a freakish kind of quality, but she was laughing more because he became so passionate about the subject he literally put his entire self into the telling of the consequences of mistletoe and Nargles.

"Well if I spot a handsome, generous man under the mistletoe I'll have to get him out of the way quickly and warn him about the Nargles." Oh yes, Dorcas could very well imagine herself jumping at some hot guy in her year, pushing him up against a wall, kissing him, smirking and then explaining she'd saved his life from the Nargles. Of course, she'd have to walk away laughing so she could seem as a fair bit of a lunatic. No point in doing something like that if you can't laugh about it, and the rumours that would cause would be highly amusing, Dorcas was certain of that.

I would love to have a friend like you, Dorcas, Dorcy, Dorc, Cas, Casy, Dorcasy.. if you think about it sounds like I have made several friends instead of just one!

Dorcas positively glowed as she grinned at Lovegood. He just seemed so adorably innocent and honest to God lonely, that everything he said to her had so much degree of innocence that she absolutely loved! Even the way he looked now, the way he grinned at her made her wonder why she had never got to know him before now, or why others had never reached out to him before. He always seemed to have been alone, but he said he had friends, though with thinking on that, Dorcas supposed half of his friends could be imaginary. Not that she minded. You couldn't have a successful tea-party without a few imaginary friends. Or at least that was what her dad had told her when she had been growing up and her mother had tried her hardest to discourage Dorcas' imagination.

"Well, it's always great to make new friends, but it doesn't matter how many you make, it's the quality of the friendship that counts." She said with a smile, tucking into more of the dessert. It was, in a word, delicious. The house elves that prepared the food did a simply amazing job, though she probably wouldn't appreciate it as much if she had it every day. Plus if she had pudding every day, she'd probably gain a couple of pounds. So perhaps it was better she only had pudding every now and then instead of every day like most students.

I am Xenophilius Lovegood! People call me Loony Lovegood, although I don’t know if I’m supposed to know that...oh well.

"Loony? Well, is there anything you liked to be called or do you just like Xenophilius Lovegood all the time?" She asked, just as a shadow passed them by and stopped, standing opposite them. Dorcas looked up to see a Ravenclaw in front of them. Perhaps Xenophillius really did have friends, as in actual friends and not just imaginary ones. But how come she'd never seen anyone ever sit with him before? Well, just because she'd never seen it, didn't mean it never happened, just like the Nargles. Just because she'd never seen them, didn't mean they didn't exist.

Hello Xenophilius, and... friend. Mind if I join you?

Well . . . that seemed to be an unwanted sort of stiff 'hello' in Dorcas' opinion. Perhaps she did not approve of a Slytherin at the incorrect table. Well, if it were a problem for the girl, Dorcas would be more than happy to leave to avoid friction, she was at the wrong table after all, some people did get a might bit touchy about that sort of thing for some reason. House rivalries gone too far, she supposed.

Then again, the girl could just be a bit exhausted, or not know Dorcas' name or, well, there were any number of possibilities to chose from and so Dorcas decided not to look too much in to it. She shouldn't judge the girl on her non-enthusiastic greeting, after all, she was late for dinner too and seemed to have missed out on all the great food. Ah, the dangers of arriving too late.

Well this is a day of surprises! There is room! Books can always be piled up—I’ve never had the need to do that before...Isserly Endicott, this is Dorcas Meadows. I think you both are rather fond of dessert.

Dorcas smiled at the girl that had sat herself down opposite them. Now that she heard the name, she recognised her. Dorcas had been in a few of the girls classes when they were younger, when Slytherins and Ravenclaw's had lessons together every now and then but when you didn't talk to people, get to know them, you just sort of, forgot about them Dorcas supposed, and sadly, it seemed she had forgotten about Isserley, though it seemed Xenophilius seemed to know her, or at least her name, but somewhere deep down, Dorcas was rather hoping that the girl was a good friend of Xenophilius', but she wouldn't bet any money on it.

"Hey there Isserley." Dorcas smiled with a small sort of wave before she tucked back into the pudding. Merlin it was gorgeous. "How've you been?" She asked, figuring it might be good to make pleasant conversation. "Xenophilius and I have just been talking about Nargles." She smiled, admittdly a little curious as to how Isserley would react to that, whether she would think them crazy and leave, think them crazy and stay only silent, think them crazy and humour them or deny existence of Nargles. Of course, the beautiful Ravenclaw might even believe in them herself.

[/color][/blockquote][/center]

[.::isserley endicott]

Izzy was one of those rare souls who could pay no attention to whata was being said about her, and not even feel the slightest bit put out about it. Of course, she would still play like she was upset about it, for the sake of keeping things interesting. She listened as the whispers grew minimally, and glanced with a raised eyebrow from the students a few seats down on her right, then to the one only a slight bit closer on her left. The look she was giving them made it obvious that she wasn't going to put up with any rumors, and if any started, they would hear about it from her, in a not-so-nice way.

“Well this is a day of surprises! There is room! Books can always be piled up—I’ve never had the need to do that before...Isserly Endicott, this is Dorcas Meadows. I think you both are rather fond of dessert.”

She gave him another awkward smile. "I got distracted." She explained. "I was looking for thestrals, and lost track of time." She giggled slightly, and too another bite of pie. As much as she avoided talking to Xenophilius, she had to admit, he was rather easy to talk to. He didn't care how wierd what you were saying was. The stranger the subject, the better. "You know how much I hate being late. And how many time's to I have to tell you to call me Izzy?" She had only told him once or twice, having only spoken to him a handful of times in the last few years, but it was still slightly annoying to her to be constantly called by her full name.

"Hey there Isserley. How've you been? Xenophilius and I have just been talking about Nargles."

She have another chuckle, this time to the girl. "He warns me about those all the time." She told her, with a half smile, that was almost a smirk. She didn't know how to talk to a slytherin. Usually the only communications she had with that house were through insults, and fists. "Nice of someone to care enough to warn you against something like that, no?" Of course, she didn't actually believe that the creatures existed, but she wouldn't deny it either until she had absolute proof. If he had tolf her about thestrals a month ago, she would have denied their existance, but hadn't she just watched a piles of large streaks disappear before her eyes? She wondered idly whether or not the pictures would turn out at all. She hadn't been able to use flash, for fear of disturbing the thestrals, and it was dark in the forest.

She pushed the pie, which was now littered with fork holes, away from her and glanced up and down their small section of table, looking for something other than apple pie to eat. It was getting more and more disgusting with every bite, and her mouth felt like it was now coated in slime.

[[Sorry it took so long. T-T Truely didn't mean to keep you waiting.
It wont let me spell check! T-T]]

[xenophilius lovegood]

_______________________________________
...

[/size]


"Well if I spot a handsome, generous man under the mistletoe I'll have to get him out of the way quickly and warn him about the Nargles."[/color]

Xenophilius’ wild eyes shone with appreciation at Dorcas Meadows’ response. Very few seemed to share a passion for magical creatures, and even fewer would go out on a limb to warn others of a rare and almost unheard of threat.

”That is very thoughtful.” Xeno stated, ”You are sure to be a hit with them after you save their lives.”

Xeno kept his legs crossed as he sat on the bench next to Dorcas, and now across from Isserly. He rocked slightly as he grabbed a hold of his socked feet. It was a rather cold day for his feet, but he had gotten used to the rain’s numbing presence with his feet. He hadn’t been careful enough again this year. The Nargles had again outsmarted him. Funny! He was in the ‘smart’ house, and each and every year the Nargles took hold of his shoes. He didn’t mind too much. Afterall, even Nargles needed shoes. Besides he always got them back in the end.

He really was in awe that people were sitting near him. After five years and nearly two months of schooling, not once did people willingly sit with him. He was humbled even more than he already was to begin with.


"Loony? Well, is there anything you liked to be called or do you just like Xenophilius Lovegood all the time?"

Xeno smiled, ”I have never thought about that. I have been called many things, but people never asked. This is interesting!” Xeno pondered for a moment, his head titling as he thought, “I do suppose it is still a free country. You may call me anything you wish. Xeno is good, I like Xeno...”

He turned his attention to Isserley. She was shovelling pie into her mouth. She was obviously hungry. Xeno had almost forgotten about his pudding. How could he! Pudding was something that always seem to filter through his complex mind. He too, began to finish off his pudding, whilst Isserley spoke.

"I was looking for thestrals, and lost track of time. You know how much I hate being late. And how many time's to I have to tell you to call me Izzy?"

Xeno’s cheeked flushed as he finished his bowl of pudding. He was never used to names and such, although he had an excellent memory with them. ”Thestrals! They really are fascinating! You can see them too? Isn’t that grand, Dorcas?” he said with a glazed over expression, ”And you might need to remind me just once more Isserly—I mean, Izzy.”

He gave her a bright smile as wiggled his toes. He let the two girls converse. Afterall, he wasn’t used to having so many people speaking to him. He didn’t want to seem overbearing, or weird. He took this opportunity to scribble some things down in his notebook. He took the quill out from behind his ear and dishevelled hair and began to write like mad in a small tattered book that was on the top of the large pile of books he had cleared when Isserley came along.

Their conversation seemed almost forced, but that went right over Xeno’s crazy head. He didn’t see that people from different houses didn’t mesh well. He never say the badge before the person.

"Nice of someone to care enough to warn you against something like that, no?"


“Oh, it was nothing!” he said without looking up from his book,”Everyone deserves the right to know. We are all friends now.”


He took particular care in his words. Though the truth was, he would have warned even his worst of foes. Nargles were nasty business, everyone needed to know the danger that lurked under each bit of mistletoe. Xeno looked up just in time to see Izzy push the pie away in disgust.

” Have some pudding Izzy!” he said wildly, ”You have never have too much pudding! In fact , Dorcas and I have alot to go around! For some reason not many people like the food around me. –I suppose its allergies.”

[dorcas renata meadows]

That is very thoughtful. You are sure to be a hit with them after you save their lives.

Dorcas laughed lightly and nodded her head with a small grin. She would be a bit of a hit she supposed, though guys would probably think she was crazy if she mentioned anything about Nargles and would class her as a social outcast, leaving her to sit with Xenophilius for the rest of the school year, and as great as Xenophilius really was, Dorcas liked being popular. Or at least within her own house she liked being popular. It was nice being able to have good, pleasant conversations with many different people. Though of course, with Slytherins, not all conversations were pleasant, but she tried avoiding those as best she could, especially if they spoke of harming others or starting to spread particularly nasty rumours. Then she put her foot down and usually, she was listened to.

I have never thought about that. I have been called many things, but people never asked. This is interesting! I do suppose it is still a free country. You may call me anything you wish. Xeno is good, I like Xeno...

Dorcas patted a hand on Xeno's leg and offered him a sincere smile. He really was one in a million, heck, one in existence really. There were no others like him if she thought about it. Loads of people like her, but none as individual as Xeno. Slightly insane. completely caring for all and genuinely interested in the welfare of animals, and warning against Nargles. He was never rude, or at least not from what she had seen of him he was not, and somehow she could not imagine him ever being rude nor really losing his temper, he seemed too laid back and interested in the world, not it's conflicts, to lose his cool.

"Well I'll call you whatever you would like me to call you and if you like Xeno, then Xeno it is." She said, picking up her pudding spoon once more and scooping up a mouthful. Merlin it was delicious dessert and she had wonderful company in Xeno. He truly was a gentleman and completely sincere about . . . well everything really, and man enough not to boast about it. Though from what Dorcas could gather about Xeno, he probably wouldn't know how to boast about such a thing nor to whom. Another quality that just made him so, innocent, so . . . loveable. Dorcas really had to pay him more attention, and certainly not in the way she usually paid guys attention.

I was looking for thestrals, and lost track of time. You know how much I hate being late. And how many time's to I have to tell you to call me Izzy?

Thestrals! They really are fascinating! You can see them too? Isn’t that grand, Dorcas?

Dorcas grinned at Xeno's enthusiasm, she couldn't help it, it seemed contagious, something about Xeno just made you want to smile when you were around him, or at least, something about him made Dorcas want to smile when she was around him, others she was certain would just think him weird, possibly even be cruel enough to say it out loud and even worse, do something cruel to him. Man Dorcas hated bullies and people that put others down, but she had to say, she was a bit of a nasty witch herself from time to time, though usually only when she found an upset friend being unfairly treated or someone in general just being picked on. She had a tendency to stand up for the littler guys that were too intimidated by their bullies, Dorcas on the other hand, was a very hard person to intimidate. Or at least it was hard to tell if she was intimidated, she usually kept her cool and used her semi-quick wits to keep herself, and others, from getting bashed. And if that failed, she was always good with a wand, Charms being her favourite subject along with Transfiguration, though balls to the rest of it really.

"It is Xeno! Thestrals are amazing creatures! In a way I sort of wish I could see them. The drawings I see of them are stunning, so ghostly, hollow and yet innocent. They look magnificent." She awed. She didn't want to see anyone die, not by a long shot, but still, she would like to see the creatures and to be able to touch them while seeing them. That would be an amazing experiences, though something about what Xeno had said to Isserly, about could she see them too, made her wonder if Xeno could actually see them, or if the 'too' was referring to the few that could see them. Though if Xeno could see them, she wondered who it was he had seen die. Strangely, she fought back the urge to say 'awww' and give hi a tight cuddle.

And you might need to remind me just once more Isserly—I mean, Izzy.

Again with the gentleman like qualities! So many of the boys and supposed 'men' in the school could take a lesson or two from Xeno's mannerisms. He was so polite and so proper Dorcas wondered if he wasn't really a gentleman sent forward to their time from a century ago or something. A girl could dream, she supposed, but Xeno did seem quite mature for his age in some aspects, really. Though he must of had very encouraging parents for him to believe in Nargles and such things, then again! They hadn't been proven not to exist. Though it was quite impossible to prove a negative, or so Dorcas thought.

He warns me about those all the time. Nice of someone to care enough to warn you against something like that, no?

"I most certainly is!" Dorcas smiled, nodding her head, taking another mouthful of the delicious pudding. Chewing it up and swallowing it, "I've been quite lucky in the past I think, having stood beneath mistletoe before and still lived to tell the tale, quite oblivious to the danger I could quite have been in, but now I know better and I'm going to have to keep an eye out for them and anyone else standing beneath the seasonal berries." Dorcas looked across to Xeno with a smile and then back to Isserley who didn't seem much to be enjoying her pie. If you didn't like a food, then why chose it, Dorcas pondered to herself.

Oh, it was nothing! Everyone deserves the right to know. We are all friends now.

"Well, it's very decent of you to warn us. We could be in most terrible troubles one day and not know what to do, at least now we know to avoid mistletoe. What spell is best used against them would you say Xeno? Would 'stupefy' work? I'd feel terrible if I killed one. They're living creatures after all." Dorcas was actually quite curious about the creatures now, whether they were in Xeno's head or an actual part of reality, she didn't really care. She wanted to know more about these creatures, and as Xeno was the only one to really know about them, she figured it best to ask him. It made sense to her.

Have some pudding Izzy! You have never have too much pudding! In fact , Dorcas and I have alot to go around! For some reason not many people like the food around me. –I suppose its allergies.

"Oh yes! Do help yourself! We've got more than enough and to be honest, I'm starting to get quite full. I don't think I should of had so much dinner." Dorcas' brow quirked up as she spoke, something she did frequently without realising it. "I don't think people stay away because of allergies, Xeno." She said softly with a small sort of a smile. "Must be something else because this part of the table is set up just as well with just the same things as the rest of the table and I highly doubt they're allergic to you or anything around you. Maybe it's socks . . . " She commented, doing that brow quirk thing again. "Perhaps they're a little jealous that their socks are dreary, boring colours and yours are so amazingly colourful." She sighed softly. "I know I'm a tid bit jealous. I'll have to get myself some socks like those. Though I am curious to know, what's happened to your shoes? Or did you just decide to not wear any?" She asked, curious only now as to why he was wearing socks and no shoes.