The Tree's Got Rhythm (Kingsley, openish)

[Chester "Chip" Gardner]

For a tree, the Whomping Willow sure could move. While a lot of the students avoided the tree, and others liked to taunt it and play games with it, Chip just kind of liked to sit here, watching it thrash. It didn't hurt that his muggle transister radio seemed to get the best reception in this very spot. He had the volume turned up rather loud, and was watching to see if the tree would follow the beat. So far, it was pretty close.

Maybe the music annoyed it, or maybe music really did have the power to soothe the savage beast. Or plant, in this case. It wasn't actually smashing the ground or anything around it, it was just sort of thrashing around, and if Chip squinted his eyes, it actually sort of resembled a person dancing. Did trees dance?

He was still pondering that question when someone came up behind him...

[Kingsley Shacklebolt]

"You know, you really shouldn't sit so close," Kingsley said.

He had been walking back from Hogsmeade, a package under one arm and a take-out carton of Chinese food in hand. He had been on his way back to the castle, taking the scenic route instead of the main pathway.

While walking he noticed the Whomping Willow acting a little strangely... well, even stranger than usual. It had seemed to be thrashing more, but in a pattern of sorts. This had intrigued Kingsley so deciding he could spare a few moments he had come closer to take a look. He hadn't expected to see - or hear - anyone near the tree, but just as he approached there he was, this Gryffindor and his jive Muggle thingy sitting here as though it were something he would do every day.

Though this kid could have done this everyday, far as Kingsley knew. Still, feeling his duty as a Prefect stretched as far as the grounds of Hogwarts, he had approached and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Shouldn't sit so close. Tree's been known to take an eye out."

[Chester "Chip" Gardner]

Chip looked up at the tree, a thoughtful expression on his face. At the moment, the tree didn't look like it was ready to attack. Sure, Chip had seen it attack at a moment's notice, sometimes for no other reason than a sharp breeze. But he was pretty sure that he was just far enough away that the tree, if it decided to attack, wouldn't be able to reach him.

Of course, Chip didn't really have a head for numbers...

"Nah," he said casually, looking up at Kingsley. "I'm just out of its range. I think. Anyway, it's in a good mood today. I think it likes Marvin Gaye."

It was pointless to wonder whether it was possible for a tree to be in a good mood, or even any kind of mood at all. Trees didn't usually move, either, so the normal rules didn't apply to it.

He squinted up at Kingsley and nodded to the radio. "Wanna join me?" he asked.

[Kingsley Shacklebolt]

Kingsley knew for sure that if the tree stretched just far enough - what an odd thought, a tree stretching - it would grab this kid up and whip him halfway into the Forbidden Forest without a second thought... trees having thoughts...

Kingsley shrugged and sat down next to the boy. "I'm supposed to head to the library to do a report on Muggle occultists, but I suppose I can spare a few minutes." He leaned against the tree they were sitting by, exhaling. "Marvin Gaye. Love him. By the way, I'm Kingsely. Kingsley Shacklebolt. Chinese?"

[Chester "Chip" Gardner]

Chip just nodded. "Yeah, I know," he said with a light smile.

It would have been hard not to know who Kingsley Shacklebolt was. Seventh year student, Gryffindor prefect... and one of the only other students of color in the school. Chip had long ago accepted that Hogwarts was a pretty white place, and he didn't have a problem with that... Unless they had a problem with him. But for the most part, Chip was a laid-back sort of guy, just willing to go with the flow. But he also paid attention to things, to people, and he knew Kingsley by reputation, at least.

"Chip Gardner," he replied. He never used his real name, Chester, anymore. Half of the time, he forgot to respond when the professors used it in class. "Nice to meet you, Kingsley. What was that about Chinese food?"

[Kingsley Shacklebolt]

"Chinse takeout from the Royal Dragon." Kingsley offered him the paper carton. "New restaurant in Hogsmeade. One of my favourites now, I must say." He produced his wand from his sleeve, point it at a few broken twigs on the ground, and managed to wordlessly tranfigure them into two pairs of chopsticks. He picked them up and offered one pair to Chip.

"Chip. That's an intereting name. You look familiar - Gryffindor, I see. Fifth year? Sixth?"

[Chester "Chip" Gardner]

Chip, being a typical teenaged boy, was not one to turn down free food when it was offered. He accepted the carton gratefully.

"Thanks, man," he said. "I haven't had a chance to check out the new Chinese place... is it any good? How's their Moo Shu Pork?"

Using the chopsticks, he took a mouthful of what appeared to be General Cho's chicken. "Mmm, not bad. It's been ages since I had some good Chinese.... at least since the last time I was in London..."

He made a mental note to make sure he checked out the new place on the next Hogsmeade weekend. Maybe he could ask Linette to go with him.

"Chip is short for Chester," he explained, his upper lip wrinkling in distaste. "It's a family name, you know."

[Kingsley Shacklebolt]

"I have no idea how the pork is. My mum doesn't eat it, dunno why, but since she doesn't eat it I don't eat it."

Kingsley stretched out his legs and exhaled a long, heavy sigh. It felt good to just be out of the castle for a while, while the weather was still decent, even if he was hanging out with a guy he barely knew. He seemed alright.

"Family name..." Kinsley mused. "Yeah, I can see why you go by Chip. Suits you better anyway. So Chip, not to be rude or anything mate but what are you doing out here on your own, hanging out with the Whomping Willow?"

[Chester "Chip" Gardner]

Chip shrugged. "Oh, well. I'll have to check out the place next time I'm in Hogsmeade."

He was quiet for a few minutes, just eating the Chinese food and considering Kingsley's question. He didn't like to admit it, but the real reason he was called Chip was because his father, also named Chester, had walked out on the family before Chip was even born. Growing up, Chip had been bitter about it for a long time.... he wasn't even entirely sure he was over it yet. So he shortened his name to Chip, and refused to respond to anyone calling him Chester.

"Eh, I like to be alone sometimes... just relaxing and listening to music. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-social or anything... I just... sometimes you just need to get away from it all. Not that I mind you being here."