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Benjamin Wolffe ([info]lone_wolffe) wrote in [info]beyondthepages,
@ 2010-03-28 20:30:00

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Entry tags:!complete, 2023 08, ariana silver, ashley legard, benjamin wolffe

RP: It was sudden
Characters: Benjamin Wolffe, Ariana, and Ashley
Time/Date: 28 August 2023, Evening
Location: Library
Warnings/Rating: None, I imagine
Summary: The old librarian has retired and Ben takes the job.
Status: Complete



It was a sudden, but not unwelcome change. He'd been interested in the position for a few years now, but the librarian had shown no sign of retiring. However, with the current influx of returning dead people, her mind had changed. Ben couldn't really blame her. The situation wasn't ideal, but he wasn't about to turn down the opportunity, either.

He'd always loved books. Usually he loved books that weren't at all related to school work which he imagined was one of the main reasons he'd been in Hufflepuff and not Ravenclaw, but as he matured he began to warm up to academic books as well. His job at the publishing house had been nice, but not exactly what he wanted. Part of him also thought if he was there at the school to help keep watch on the kids it might make up for some of the things that had happened to him during the war.

For now, though, he was just checking out the library. He wasn't moving in yet as he had to give notice to Obscurus Books, but he wanted to have a look at his room as well. His first stop was the Headmaster's office, and after a brief meeting he was on his way to the library, trying to recall the last time he'd been at Hogwarts. It had been way too long, but he still remembered the way.

When he arrived in the library, a slow smile curved his lips and any doubts he'd been having about the position melted away. This felt right and contently, he began to set about putting the finishing touches on having the library ready for the start of term.


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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-29 03:40 am UTC (link)
Ari was really, really good at being in the right place at the right time and hearing the really, really good information. She'd heard about the abrupt resignation and the nearly as abrupt replacement. She'd been extra pleased to hear it was someone she'd known, even if she hadn't seen him in a while.

"So you're not scared of the returning dead then?" she inquired without preamble as she spied Ben in the library. "Or the books are just more alluring than the zombies are frightening?"

She did glance around to make sure there wasn't anyone else there who'd take offense to being referred to as a zombie. It struck her as amusing, didn't have the implications of 'inferi' and ... well, it struck her as amusing. That was the important part.

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-29 04:03 am UTC (link)
He turned to face the familiar voice and held back his smile as he replied dryly, "The books are more alluring." He smiled then and let his eyes flick over her. It had been a while since they'd seen each other, but he was rubbish at owling folks and often too anti-social for his own good.

"Is everyone calling them zombies or is that just your personal touch?" He asked, teasing gently as he had a feeling he already knew the answer. Still, just in case, he didn't want to call one of them a zombie in passing and offend someone.

"And how have you been?" He added, remembering something that was resembling manners, though he knew that Ariana would forgive him if she even noticed.

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-29 04:35 am UTC (link)
"That'd just be me. Trying to get Ash to go along with me but she's entirely too polite to say that even where they can't hear." She paused. "Ash being our healer. Have you met her yet?" Ari paused again. "Have you met anyone yet? I should tour you around to everyone who's here. Jan - Ancient Runes - isn't back yet. We're fairly certain a tomb in Cairo has eaten her."

Stepping to him, she embraced him gently. "Well, welcome to Hogwarts all the same. I've been all right. I was the lucky bird who found Severus Snape, and when we got him all settled we found out there'd been two more here. Fenrir attacked Steven - Transfiguration - and Ginny - flying instructor - had found Albus Dumbledore."

Laughing, she stepped back and released him. "It's good to see you again."

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-29 05:08 am UTC (link)
He tried not to look completely lost as she dropped names at him that weren't familiar. So Ash -- which he assumed was short for Ashley, but supposed he could be wrong -- was the healer; Jan, Ancient Runes. There was only a slim chance he would remember that once the rest of the professor's names were given.

"I haven't met anyone yet," he admitted. "I've just spoken with the Headmaster." Who he of course knew from his own time in school.

"Thanks, it sounds like I got here just in time for a crazy year," he murmured with amusement, deciding that was an understatement. Returning dead and a Triwizard Tournament? It went beyond crazy, he thought.

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-29 05:30 am UTC (link)
"Crazy year indeed, but at least the library will be a haven. A port in a storm of insanity."

She paused. "Unless people died here." She wondered if anyone had. Maybe a student a hundred years ago had cracked open a book in the restricted section and died. Or the Death Eaters had stalked some kids in here and done away with them.

"Do you want me to tour you around? Introduce you? Or do you want to intimately familiarize yourself with the books?" Ariana grinned slightly; it was nice to have new staff that ... understood her unique sense of humor.

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-29 06:25 pm UTC (link)
"I'll save the intimate familiarization for a more private hour, I think," he mused with a light smirk, shaking his head. He did have to wonder if anyone had ever died in the library, though. The school had been around for a long time, it was possible he supposed.

"So a tour with some introductions would be welcome," he agreed. Honestly, the library looked in good shape. This close to the start of term, everything was just about good to go so he wasn't too concerned.

He certainly could have spent a good deal of time here even so, but a tour would serve him better. "You can skip this room though; I'm pretty sure I already know what it is."

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-29 07:14 pm UTC (link)
"Good thing one of us knows what this room is then," Ari teased him as she thought. Who was around and not busy? Jan wasn't here. Neville was probably hiding in the greenhouse. Randy and Steven were probably out harassing the ladies in the Three Bs, or the Leaky. Faus was probably brewing. Firenze was likely off in the forest. Quoft was undoubtedly being cranky somewhere.

Which left a handful of others, and Ashley. So she'd start with her. "Guess I'll show you the lounge and the infirmary first. The lounge is our official hang-out, but the infirmary's the place to be when Ash isn't tending to patients. If you can't find me, I'm probably bugging her."

Or stalking Neville. Whichever.

With a grin, Ari turned to lead Ben out of the library. First stop, the lounge. Then, the infirmary. Then maybe the greenhouses or her classroom or other equally ... interesting places.

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-29 09:55 pm UTC (link)
"Got it," he nodded and realized the lounge was actually a place he'd never been to. He'd never had a reason to as a student. So he made an effort to pay attention as she led him through the halls. Even if he wasn't going to be super social, it would still be useful to know where it was.

"It must be busy in the infirmary during the term, though?" He was just imagining a bunch of teachers hanging out there while students came in for their various real and imagined ailments.

"Oh, and could you show me where my room is at some point? Possibly just the general area." Now that he thought about it, he wasn't sure the former librarian was completely moved out and given the suddenness of her departure, he wouldn't be surprised.

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-29 10:22 pm UTC (link)
"They didn't tell you you were bunking with our pet dungeon troll? Down in the dungeons?" Ari grinned wickedly. "Yeah, I can point them out."

She shook her head a little. "Infirmary's only the hang out during breaks. It's because we all love Ash and she's just ... attached to that place. So if we want to see her, we have to go to her."

Ari paused at the door. "So you aren't surprised, I promise she's not a student. Even if she looks like one."

Drawing the door open, Ari peered in, waving to the healer. "Showing around the new blood," she announced before holding the door for Ben to join them.

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-29 10:39 pm UTC (link)
"They did. Flitwick said you were on the best terms with the troll, though, so..." he trailed off with a half smile.

He nodded to the clarification that they hung out in the infirmary during breaks. That made more sense. He didn't put much stock in her 'warning,' though. Knowing Ariana, he actually assumed the opposite to be true and was now expecting Ash to be at least in her nineties.

Boy, was he wrong.

"Hello," he said after a moment of surprise. He wasn't sure he would have mistaken her for a student, but she was beautiful and he felt momentarily flustered. "Ben... is my name. New librarian."

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-29 11:19 pm UTC (link)
"Speaks like Yoda, he does. Lost on both of you, reference is." Ari grinned. Randy would've gotten it; she'd schooled him in ancient Muggle entertainment. "Anyway, Ash this is Ben. Ben, Ash."

She really was kind of amused by his reaction, but she supposed by actually warning him, she really had sort of set it up that way.

Ash glanced to Ari, but really was accustomed to not getting all her Muggle references. "Bonjour, Ben. It is nice to meet you. 'ow are you settling in?"

Not that she supposed he'd had much time to settle yet, but ... well. "And Ari, she 'as not frightened you away yet?"

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-30 01:58 am UTC (link)
He shook his head, mostly at himself, but it could also been in response to her question. He didn't at all get Ari's joke, but he wasn't a stranger to that either.

"I went to school with her," Ben explained with a little smile, "I'm immune."

Glancing around the infirmary, he thought it looked a little different than when he'd been in school, but it had been a while. He hadn't spent much time in the infirmary, either.

"I haven't even started to settle yet," he admitted, "I don't think it's sunk in." It felt surreal, but he was very much looking forward to settling in. He liked to think he was pretty adaptable though, so he didn't expect too much of an issue.

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[info]pages_of_ash
2010-03-30 02:10 am UTC (link)
"Ah, lucky you," Ashley murmured. "I 'ad to build up an immunity, and she 'ad friends."

"It's true," Ari agreed. "I had Steven and Randy, and she was adorable. I almost lost them both to her foreign charms." She leaned against her usual wall, watching Ben curiously.

She smirked. "Well, it would 'ave served you right," she chastised Ari. "But I do know the feeling," she assured Ben. "It was difficult for me when I came 'ere at first, but at least it was not so abrupt as I imagine it was for you, oui?"

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-30 02:57 am UTC (link)
"Oh no, you mean she has blokes to encourage her here?" Ben smiled, hazel eyes flicking from Ashley to Ariana. Sliding his hands into the pockets of his robes, he shrugged lightly, still smiling.

"It was sudden, yeah, but I've been interested in this position for a while," he felt a little bit like he was rambling, but small talk had never been one of his strong points.

"Luckily, I have Ariana to help me settle in," he said with a hint of teasing as if, for some strange reason, he had some doubts about Ariana's helpfullness. He didn't really, of course. She'd probably tease him a lot while being helpful, but that was okay with him.

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-30 03:29 am UTC (link)
"Oh, I have blokes wrapped around my little finger," Ari said with a grin. Just ... not the one she wanted, because she was still a little gunshy and she didn't want him to become just another guy. A friend.

"Oui, she does. But I 'ave worked myself into their little group, and I am safe. I suppose you are safe as well," she added with a little smile. "And 'ere you didn't even 'ave to work for it, non?"

"It's okay. I'll make him work for the others. Suppose I should get him to his room so he knows where it is."

"You should also show 'im 'ow to get to the breakfast table as well," Ashley offered. "It was very nice to meet you, Ben," she murmured, her eyes flicking over his face before she ducked her chin in an uncharacteristic display of shyness.

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-30 03:59 am UTC (link)
Ben chuckled quietly, "My school years count as a little work, I should think. I'll have to see if I can remember any fun stories about her to buy my way in," he added with a sidelong glance at his friend.

"It was nice to meet you too. I'll be seeing you, I'm sure," he smiled, one side of his lips turning up a bit more than the other. It wasn't at all strange for him to feel uncomfortable around new people, but this wasn't discomfort. Not at all.

He honestly wasn't sure exactly what it was, but altogether it wasn't unpleasant.

"Lead on, then," he nodded to Ari with a little smile.

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-30 04:09 am UTC (link)
Entirely too amused, Ari managed to keep her expression neutral as she waved a goodnight to Ash and led Ben out of the infirmary. Once they were away from the door, she grinned.

"That's so cute. Puppy love at first sight," she teased as she nudged his side gently with her elbow.

"Guess I should show you to your room," she mused. "And I trust you still know how to get to the Great Hall?"

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-30 04:44 am UTC (link)
He arched a brow, his expression doubtful. He rather convincingly appeared as if she was completely off base and he had no idea what she was talking about, except for the guilty way his cheeks flushed.

"I expected her to be well into her nineties after your warning, you know," he replied, dodging her teasing. It was ridiculous anyway. He just thought she was attractive, but he was way too old for her.

"And I do know where the Great Hall is," he confirmed, rubbing a hand across his jaw.

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-30 04:57 am UTC (link)
"Yeah." Ariana laughed softly. "I realized after I warned you the way you'd take it. Surprise," she offered with a grin as she started up the stairs toward his quarters.

"She's not seeing anyone, by the way," Ari shared oh so innocently. "Just in case that information is relevant to your interests."

This ... she realized, was standard procedure when there was new staff. She'd done the same thing to just about everyone who'd come in, trying to hook them up with someone who she thought they'd be compatible with.

Made her wonder if it was her way of dealing with her own shitty relationship history - by trying to make everyone else happy by pairing them off.

Huh.

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-30 05:15 am UTC (link)
He didn't really think it mattered if Ashley was seeing anyone or not. He was old, but seeing as he was the same age as Ariana, he couldn't say that. After all, he didn't think she was old ... which made sense in his head.

"So is there anyone here who's relevant to your interests?" He asked, both curious and eager to direct the conversation away from him.

Realizing he hadn't really been paying attention to where they were walking, he glanced around, looking for a few landmarks to help him remember the way.

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-30 05:24 am UTC (link)
"Mhm. There is. Ash knows. You should chat her up and see if she'll tell you," Ari offered with a devious grin. She wasn't going to fall for that trick.

Pausing outside of the door to the librarian's quarters, Ari gestured. "Your suite, your majesty," she teased gently. "Do you want me to stay a bit longer and torment you, or would you like me to piss off so you can get back to being intimate with your books?"

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[info]lone_wolffe
2010-03-30 10:42 pm UTC (link)
He'd wanted to give her a stern look, but instead just laughed in an amused, playfully defeated way. "I see I haven't gotten any better at distracting you. I'll have to work on that."

Glancing towards the door of what would soon be his room, he scratched his chin thoughtfully. "The second one, but I would request it more polite than that. I'm actually going to head out. I haven't even packed; I just came straight here."

He smiled, "Thank you for the tour, though. You might have to give it to me a couple more times before term starts."

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[info]teases_muggles
2010-03-30 11:01 pm UTC (link)
"You know who's really good at giving tours...?" Ariana grinned playfully, but she had her wiles and ways. She'd seen a spark, she was pretty sure, and she could at least coerce them into situations where they had to interact.

"But all right. I'll see you around. Sure you can see yourself out? I could arrange an escort for you."

Laughing softly, and sure he could let himself out, she headed back to the infirmary to start working on Ashley.

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