Snow (Dierks, open)

[Ashley Lotti]

Ashley had just finished with the essay that she needed for potions. Although she was usually finished with essays in no time, with lack of anything better to do, she had been distracted by the snow fall outside.

Each snowfalke was different, someone had told her. She hadn't the faintest clue who had spoken such lies. No way such an impossible feat could be done. How many snowflakes fell each year? Throughout snow's existance? Inifinities and more. There weren't that many designs in the world to accomadate that tale. Maybe it had been a muggle folk tale.

Ashley had watched as a couple of first years had a snow fight using magic outside of the castle. She gave a lazy smile, remembering when she used to pummel her brother in fights. Of course the fact that she had a couple of years and inches on him helped back then, but now that wasn't the case. She was a lot smaller then Greg was now. She didn't mind, that's the way things were supposed to be.

Ashley leaned back against the chair, and almost fell backwards. She righted herself almost immediatly, but not before giving a small noise of surprise. Ashley hoped no one had noticed.

[Dierks Brooks]

Dierks was fascinated by the snow. Sure, they sometimes had snow in Texas, but it was never a whole lot. He was amazed at how much had already fallen, and it would be his first White Christmas.

The cold was a lot different for him as well. He was used to the warmth and here was freezing. Dierks was slowly getting used to the weather. He was going to have to get used to it anyhow, not just because he lived here now, but because he loved the outdoors. He didn't like being inside for too long, however today was slightly different. Dierks came into the common room and looked out one of the windows were no one was sitting. He watched the snow fall lightly and a few students running around and he couldn't help but grin. Maybe he could go do that sometime.

Once Dierks turned around, he noticed a girl almost fall out of her chair. He walked over afterword. "You alright?"

[Ashley Lotti]

Ashley jumped when she heard the voice, unaware that someone had noticed the spectacle she had had made of herself. She blushed profusely, Ashley wasn't used to getting embarassed.

"Yes, I'm ohkay. Thank you though," she started fumbling with her pen.

Ashley looked him in the eye and studied his face. She hadn't seen him before, and Ashley had a knack for memorizing names and faces she had encountered before. Not only did she not recognize him, Ashley realized he seemed older then the average first year. Immediately she felt bad for seeming so distant.

She was about to introduce herself when she heistated. What if he knew her? SHe would seem very rude. Instead she added to her previous statement, "don't you just love the snow?"

[Dierks Brooks]

"Yes," he said. "The snow is quite nice. I didn't get ter see it back home." Dierks peered out the window. "And it don't get this cold there either." He gave a chuckle. He looked back to the girl and smiled. She was the second person he stopped and talked to. It wasn't really his fault, it was just he was usually busy or the people around him were.

"I'm Dierks," he said holding his hand out.

[Ashley Lotti]

Ashley sighed in relief, knowing she wouldn't be rude to introduce herself. "I'm Ashley."


She gestured to the snow, "I know what you mean! The snow is always freezing, but I used to love having snow ball fights with my brother. He won't play anymore, so I haven't had one in a while. But if your home doesn't have snow, where are you from? Most of England snows..."

[Dierks Brooks]

"We didn't ever really get snow, so fer us it was playin' in the leaves durin' the fall. That was always fun." Dierks smiled. "It's nice to meet you Ashley. I'm from Texas. It was a big move fer us. My mama was transferin' so my dad just said we'd all move. I have to admit, I kinda like it here. The people seem pretty nice from what I've seen."

He took a seat in the chair across from her. "What all is there to do around here?"

[Ashley Lotti]

"Leaves in the fall?" Ashley laughed happily. "I can remember that too! I used to love my parents raking it all up, and then jumping and making a huge mess. I guess snow's not fun in that context, is it?

"But Texas? Isn't that in the United States? What a far distance. Aren't you upset to leave all your friends? Sorry to bring it up, maybe that wasn't such a good idea."

Ashley mentally slapped herself in the forehead. She wasn't supposed to bring up bad memories when meeting people. What was she thinking?

"Actually, I'm not sure you should ask me what to do. If you didn't already know," Ashley leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper, "I'm actually the one who no one really notices."

[Dierks Brooks]

"Yeah, it's in the United States," Dierks said. "And I am kinda sad 'bout leavin' my friends, but my parents said that over break I could go back and visit if I wanted. It ain't that bad here. We really moved fer my mama, so I'm not complainin' 'bout the move. 'Course this ain't Texas, but I do sorta like it here."

Dierks rested his thumbs in his pockets as his eyes drifted over to the window, then back to Ashley. "Why do you say that no one really notices you? I think yer kinda cool. After all, you ain't looked at me like I'm crazy or anythin' like that."

[Ashley Lotti]

"Oh, well. I guess most people would be upset," Ashley gave a small smile. "That's pretty sweet of you, not trying to make it hard for your family. And they give you the freedom to fgo back? That's cool." Ashley was the oldest child, and therefore, usually labeled as the scapegoat.

"Thanks," she blushed. "But I got so busy stidying first and second year, I didn't make many friends. So here I am, being the picturesque Ravenclaw." She gave a light laugh, not at all affected by her mistakes. "You're not so bad yourself, Dierks. Hogwarts really isn't that bad at all. Have you been to Hogsmeade?"

[Dierks Brooks]

Dierks smiled at her blush. "Well, we've each made a new friend then," he said. He liked the idea that Ashley was not bothered by her mistakes because that showed that she didn't really care what other people thought about her.

"Thanks. Whenever I was giving myself a tour of the place I think I got lost twice, but ended up finding my way back from where I started." He gave a laugh. "Hogsmeade? No, I haven't been there yet. I was hoping to go look around whenever that weekend rolled around."

[Ashley Lotti]

Ashley smiled at the thought of having a friend, someone to sit with and talk to. "Only twice?" Ashley smiled. "That's almost almost one hundred percent better then me. I think I only got lost around a little under two hundred times within the first day. The moving staircases tricked me countless amounts of times. I guess they like you.

"And I think there are a couple of passage ways around here, and the rumor is students go all the time. I haven't been through one, due to lack of chance or reason. But I haven't really been to Hogsmeade either. I hear it's great though."

[Dierks Brooks]

"I haven't finished touring the entire castle yet however," said Dierks with a laugh. "I thought about doing it this afternoon or maybe tomorrow and I still haven't found where all my classes are."

He thought that the castle was an adventure in itself and he liked it. "Passage ways? That's pretty cool. Maybe we should attempt to find some one day, although right now if I went through one I probably wouldn't be able to figure out where I came out at." Dierks grinned. "But maybe we should go to Hogsmeade whenever its time to. I mean, neither of us have been and your the second person I've met while I've been here."

[Ashley Lotti]

Ashley gave a light laugh, brushing her hair out of her face. "What classes are you taking? I could help, unless the other person you met already offered. But the passageways were always something I wanted to explore. I've always been a tad afraid of going by myself." Ashley gave another small laugh. Being afraid was always something she thought was ridiculous, but she couldn't help but be worried that if she got lost, no one would find her. "But we should definately try it soon. Why not?"

[Dierks Brooks]

Dierks thought for a moment. "Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, DADA, Divination, and Muggle Studies," he said listing off his classes. "I know that potions is in the dungeons, and herbology is out in the greenhouses, but other than that, I'm not sure where the other classes are. I appreciate your offer." He smiled.

"Well, now you don't have to be afraid because I'll go with you. We'll find our way around some how or another," Dierks said with a laugh.

[Ashley Lotti]

"I'm in muggle studies, herbology, and potions with you," she gave him a smile. "So I can show you there if you need to. I've been to the other classes a few times, but not very much. I could try and help you. Maybe on our sevret adventures!"

Ashley was extremely excited to go on an adventure. She had someone to actually go places with, and explore. She hoped he didn't forget, but he didn't really seem like the all-talk-no-action type.

[Dierks Brooks]

"Good. At least I'll know that I know someone in a few of my classes." Dierks was excited that he wasn't going to be completely on his own in his classes. He wasn't going to forget about going with Ashley around to look for secret passages and just go tour the castle.

"Maybe we'll find other things that we might need to know where they are." He smiled. "Are there any other things I need to know?"

[Ashley Lotti]

"Me, too. Maybe I'll finally become one of those people who actually talks during the lesson," she joked a little before laughing a lot. She liked this guy, he was incredibley nice. "And I'm not quite sure what else you should know. Most of the people here will help, no problem."

She wracked her brain for helpful hints, but couldn't think of one on the spot. If she thought of one later, Ashley promised herself to tell him.

[Dierks Brooks]

"Maybe so. I'll probably have a few questions that you could answer," Dierks said grinning. He had heard about the Slytherin students, but Dierks didn't care what house anyone was in. People were people and that was that. Dierks wasn't looking for trouble either. That would be something. Get in a fight at school, then get a howler from his parents. How embarassing would that be?

"I appreciate yer help Ashley," said Dierks politely. "Care to give me a small tour, or are you gonna be busy in a few?"

[Ashley Lotti]

Ashley smiled at Deirks request and nodded with a big smile on her face. "Of course! Let's go get lost." She offered. "Well, after I show you where everything is." She added a little sheepishly. Ashley was excited, and tried not to show it too much. She had always been an explorer, and now Ashley had an apprentice! She stood up, and shut her books closed, and waited for him to stand up as well.