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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Nov 15, 2007 15:05:33 GMT -5
Nicholas led the way to the Gryffindor Common Room, finally arriving to the portrait of the Fat Lady who was guarded by two empty suits of armour. When he approached, both suit's arms dropped downwrd, blocking entrance to the portrait with their medieval polearms.
"Halt."
"Who goes there?"
The Fat Lady looked down from the portrait, smiling to Nicholas and slightly inclined her head in greeting. "Good evening, Sir Knight. I take it the feast is over?"
Nicholas smiled and bowed gracefully. "That it is, my lady. i was wondering if you could permit us inside, so the students could settle in."
"You know the rules, young man. The password, if you please?" she asked, albeit haughtily. Both suits of armor turned their empty helmets in his direction.
"You heard the Lady."
"Password, sir."
Nicholas smiled. "Solace."
The Fat Lady smiled appreciatively before the painting began to open. "Thank you, Sir Lannsman. It's a pleasure to see you again."
"You may enter."
"Welcome to the Hall of Gryffindor."
When both of the archaic weapons pulled aside, Nicholas led the students into the common room. The fire was already lit, the red and golden colors of the room only intensifying the warmth of the Hall. The temperature was cozy as students filed in, and began chattering to themselves. Some began to move hurriedly to the stairs but Nicholas called out.
"Alright everyone, whoa there! Okay, form up on me, Gryffindors. I have a few words to say before you can go about your business settling in. Right, boys?' he said to a small group of red haired young men of varying ages.
"Course Nick!"
"Why wouldn't we?"
"No sneaking, I promise."
"Why're your fingers crossed then?"
"Shut up!"
Nicholas smiled. "So, to the first years, I'd like to welcome you to Hogwarts. My name is Nicholas Gawain Lannsman, and I'll be your Head of House-"
"The coolest Head of House!"
"-and your Defence Against Dark Arts Professor. I want you all to feel at home here, and should anyone-"
Someoned pretended to cough. "Slytherins!"
"-or anything be causing you any trouble, the Prefects and myself are always here for you. Quidditch will be starting up again soon and I expect everyone else to keep their behaviour as well as they did last year. Without any Fizzing Whobble-gobble gums incidents, please?"
A few of the older students began to laugh out loud, whereas a few grimaced at the memory of Nicholas' punishment.
"So, with that out of the way, all of you can go about your business but I'd like to talk to the first years." Nicholas finally finished, smiling and laughing at the comments. He smiled all the wider at hearing the disappointed sighs. "You can talk to me whenver you'd like, but only after I'm done talking to the first years."
He turned his green eyed gaze over to the new students, his warm, easygoing smile aimed at them. "So, what are your names?"
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Post by Stevie Copeland on Nov 15, 2007 15:27:26 GMT -5
Stevie had walked up here, basically zoned out the whole time. He was thinking of a way to find a middle ground between annoying and alienated, which would sure bring happiness. Hopefully. He made sure, though, to pay attention to the password. He had, though, heard Nicholas's question.
"Stevie." He said, still a bit zoned out and a bit sad, his guitar leaning against him instead or its normal status of being carried.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Nov 15, 2007 15:37:24 GMT -5
"It's nice to meet you Stevie." Nicholas said kindly. There was something about the way he stood, the way he spoke that made what he said sound like he really meant it. Despite his dark appearance, his scarred face and black clothing, he still seemed like a nice man, almost fatherly.
He finally made his way through all the other first years and began to answer questions; where were the washroom, what about the schedules, where were certain classes, what would they do about food, or find extra help for homework, what was Quidditch.
He answered all the questions in kind and finally dismissed them. He took a few steps forward and sat down nearby Stevie. He had a look of concern on his face. "Everything alright there, Stevie?"
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Post by Stevie Copeland on Nov 15, 2007 15:58:33 GMT -5
"Probably what every student goes through... I met friends on the train and outside, and now they're both on different houses." He thought he sounded incredibly stupid. Worrying about friends? He expected and answer of 'focus on school and try to make new friends in your time off', something along those lines. He had stood in the exact same position, only once sitting down, yet his guitar was resting at the same place against his leg.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Nov 15, 2007 16:06:25 GMT -5
Nicholas smiled in understanding, gently patting Stevie's shoulder. "There's no need to worry about that Stevie. YOu know, just because you get sorted into a House, doesn't mean you're confined to only speaking with those people. Being sorted into a House decides who you'd probably get along with best and where you'll be staying. You'll have all your classes with people from other Houses, so you'll probably bump into them again. And besides, there's always time in between and after classes."
Nicholas gave him an encouraging smile. "I know what you've been through Stevie, and in all honesty, it's not as bad as you're making it. My wife was in Ravenclaw when he went to school together. That didn't stop us from seeing each other. Besides, most of these kids aren't that bad either. Most of them, anyway."
He spoke in gentle and friendly tones, sounding very casual for an adult. Nicholas looked to Stevie's guitar. "So, do you play?"
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Post by Stevie Copeland on Nov 15, 2007 16:14:50 GMT -5
Stevie nodded.
"I've been playing since I was..." Stevie thought hard, now in a lighter mood, knowing he'd see them again.
"I think ever since my fingers could move. It's been a while. Probably three years old?" He nodded.
"That sounds about right." Obviously, Stevie wasn't so good at telling the future. At least, now, he thought he liked this guy already.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Nov 15, 2007 16:23:42 GMT -5
"Since you were three, huh? That's actually pretty impressive. I've been playing an instrument much like yourself since I was...let's see her...carry the one...when I was about six. So that must have been about a hundred years ago." he said, the last part kidding around. "You know us adults, we're so old. Get's kinda hard to remember specific dates."
He smiled to Stevie. "But I do know I'd like to hear you sometime. I bet you're pretty good."
His left hand stayed under his cloak as he sat by Stevie, his right hand resting on his own leg.
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Post by Stevie Copeland on Nov 15, 2007 16:34:32 GMT -5
"I'll play it right now if you want." He shrugged.
"I'd probably end up playing it anyway." He looked around slightly, finding his own little spot where he can play if he wanted to. He decided on a small couch. It was small, and looked as if nobody would ever bother to sit on it because of its size. Stevie's take that one right up.
Stevie lifted his guitar up onto his leg, and fumbled around in his pocket for a pick. He soon found one, and took it out. It was a present when he left for Hogwarts from his parents. The pick was made of pure pearl, and was Stevie's third most prized possesion. Right below the guitar itself and his prairie dog.
The little thing poked its head out of Stevie's pocket and quickly scampered up to his shoulder, looking at the new man, head tilted.
"Oh. Erm. This is Floyd." He said, grinning sheepishly.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Nov 15, 2007 16:41:19 GMT -5
Nicholas looked at Floyd perched on Stevie's shoulder with a pleased smile of boyish glee. He waved to the animal on Stevie's shoulder. "Hello Floyd. Sir Lannsman, at your service."
He watched Stevie setting up to play guitar and he looked around to find a young man by the fireplace. "James, I was wondering if I could speak with you sometime tonight before you head on up to sleep. If that's okay with you." he asked kindly, not wanting to push the boy. The young man, in his fourth year, nodded.
"Sure thing, Nick." he answered quietly.
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Post by Stevie Copeland on Nov 15, 2007 17:17:18 GMT -5
Stevie waited for them to finish. He didn't know whether to start playing, or not. Also, he needed a bit of time to think of what to play. That didn't last long, as he picked what he wanted to play very quickly. He did that a lot.
(Sorry for the wait and the short post, I'm not very creative right now >>)
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Nov 15, 2007 17:29:12 GMT -5
He nodded to the young boy and looked back to Stevie. "So, what are you going to play for me before I go? You might have some friends in this House that can not only play instruments to, but enjoy your style of music."
He winked in encouragement. A few other first years came by to listen.
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Post by Stevie Copeland on Nov 15, 2007 17:49:39 GMT -5
Stevie didn't notice the other first years.
"I wrote this by myself... It really doesn't have a name." Stevie shrugged, and started playing. It was a cheerful, not-so-complicated tune, that was a happy song, but not TOO happy.
As normal, Floyd looked up when the music started and, recognizing the song, began to yip along happily. Stevie didn't notice though, he was too immersed in the music.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Nov 16, 2007 12:01:11 GMT -5
Nicholas listened to the song as though he were sipping a fine goblet of wine, enjoying the flavor so to speak, of the song. He cracked a smile and chuckled a bit as the prairie dog began to yip the chorus. A few other Gryffindor students began to come downstairs and listen to Stevie play. Some found the site of the prairie dog adorable or hilarious and began to laugh, enjoying the animals chorus.
When Stevie finished, Nicholas flashed him a smile. "Good job, Stevie, good job. And you wrote that one yourself, you said?"
A few of the students clapped and nodded in agreement, some complimenting Stevie as they went back to their business.
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Post by Stevie Copeland on Nov 16, 2007 15:27:40 GMT -5
Stevie grinned.
"Yep." He did write his own songs, but really it was all by memory. He can barely read tabs, so he basically memorizes the finger positioning and what frets to play on, and Stevie has a song. He normally improvised some parts, turning mess ups into gold, but he didn't do it now. He didn't mess up.
Floyd wiggled slightly and nudged his head. He really wanted to meet... Everyone, pretty much. In particularly, he looked at Nicholas. Stevie turned to him once more.
"I think Floyd wants to meet you." he said, blinking, as Floyd continued to nudge and occasionally make happy sounds.
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Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Nov 16, 2007 19:48:41 GMT -5
Nicholas smiled as he looked to the small prairie dog. "Hello Floyd." he said, extending a hand toward the small critter, much like he was going to shake its paw. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Did you know you have a wonderful singing voice?"
The young man, James, began to edge closer to Nicholas, wringing his hands somewhat as he waited.
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