Who: Tracey & Padma When: Monday evening, after dinner. Where: The library What: A brief conversation Rating: G
Tracey: Her homework finished for the night, Tracey found herself listless. She spent a bit of time with Blaise and Millicent in the Common Room, watching the other girl try to fulfill a bet on stuffing six chocolate frogs into her mouth, but eventually begged off for a bit of time by herself. Hands shoved in her robe pockets, she took the long way up to the library, admiring the view through the windows as she passed. When she was finally surrounded by the comforting shelves of books, she exhaled and looked around, blue eyes catching a figure in a quiet corner. Something inside her urged her forward- a conversation her subconscious had been seeking opportunity for. "Hello, Padma," she said quietly, trying to avoid drawing attention from other library patrons.
Padma: Looking up from her book, Padma's eyes were caught in the light, a smile in their depths not conveyed entirely by her lips. "Hello, Tracey." She moved her satchel and discarded cloak from the chair nearest, an invitation for the other girl to sit, if she wished to.
Tracey: She did, to gain more privacy with closer proximity. "Do you have a moment? I'd like to talk..." It was out of respect of the other girl that she asked- for most others outside of Slytherin, she wouldn't have bothered. Not that she spent a lot of time talking to people outside of Slytherin anyway.
Padma: "Please." Padma opened her book flat once more to appear as though reading, but her head was turned to engage Tracey in conversation. She thought to speak first, her thanks. "You are a good friend to Blaise." A pause. "And to me."
Tracey: She nodded. "I try to be. He has been a good friend to me as well. One of the best I've ever found in this castle." Her lips thinned as she sorted her words to speak again. "I want you to know that I don't do this for myself. I don't want to give the misimpression that I have designs on him. You make him happy, and that's what I want."
Padma's expression made it clear that she had never imagined such designs. "I hope only no ill comes of the rest. I do not pretend my allegiances, nor can I deny my fears." Her eyes lowered, troubled. "I just... thank you. I hope I can return the kindness in the future."
She smiled a little, folding her hands on the table. "You're lucky, you know. Not that I am doing this for you, but that you have found someone like him. He's... a cut above the rest."
A hand tightened on the page, Padma's eyes closed briefly in memory. "I never expected it." A breath, the words genuine. "Not from him, nor anyone else. That does not stop it being true, of course."
"Not at all." A pause. "I heard there's to be a surprise exam next week in Potions," she said helpfully.
Padma's eyebrows raised at this information, followed by a grin. "Professor Slughorn is a wily man. I am rather glad my notes are thorough, though practical study would better suit."
Tracey nodded and pulled her hands back from the table. "He's something all right," she said lowly, glancing to the side. "I should let you return to your studying. I'll see if I can't sneak Blaise out of Slytherin to see you." She smiled then, standing.
Laughing softly in response to the last, Padma nodded. "Studying, then. Farewell, Tracey."