The gift of Gilderoy. (Kinsey)

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Gilderoy was in the common room enjoying the fire place and the peace an quiet after a busy day of classes. Most of the other students seemed to be working on assignment or studying from what Gilderoy could tell. He didn't have any work to catch up on luckily. Sure, he could have thought of something he could be studying but for right now he was just enjoying the break he was giving himself. It was always nice to take time for ones self, it also gave people the opportunity to come to him and how was Gilderoy to deprive them of that. Of course it would be hard to be around him if he was always running around. This was his gift to the common room and they could thank him later for it. Still no one seemed to be joining him which was their lose in Gilderoy's eyes.

After giving it sometime he slowly got a little bored and did another once over of the common room weighting his options on who to talk to. The pickings were slim, either it was people he didn't want to talk to or people who didn't want to talk to him. Probably just jealous of who he was obviously. Still one face stuck out and he decided to grace them with the gift of Gilderoy. He got up and smiled as he walked over to the girl working on something papers. He hadn't talked to her much even with sharing the same house with her for six years. Still he just sat down at the table she was at and smiled. "What're you working on Kinsey? Anything I can help save you from today?" Gilderoy asked with a smirk as he waited for the girls reply.

@kinsey

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As a general rule, Kinsey didn't like to do schoolwork in the Common Room. Too many people spent their time there, talking and playing games as well as studying. If she had important things to do, she definitely wasn't going to spend it in this room. However, Kinsey was tired. She hadn't been able to sleep the night before, thinking about all the terrible things her tormentor said to her. She knew she should ignore him and focus on the things Riley told her, but that was difficult when she'd been listening and believing Dom's accusations for so long. The boy's words were like poison, she couldn't get them out once she heard them, couldn't help but doubt because of him. So she couldn't sleep, which made her too tired to escape to her usual secret study locations. Which meant she was here, in the common room. 

She was trying to ignore all the whispers and voices and focus on her work so maybe she could take a nap or do something with Riley later- once she found him- but that was easier said than done. After a while, someone approached her. As they drew nearer, Kinsey could sense that they didn't have bad intentions, which was definitely a good thing, though it didn't mean she wanted to talk with them. When she heard the voice, she tried to hold back a grimace. Gilderoy. He was in the same year as her, but the two rarely spoke or did anything with one another. Mostly because he annoyed her. He wasn't bad, just self-confident and arrogant. He sat down with her and Kinsey glanced up at him, forcing a little smile before turning back to her work. "Just reading up on the last Charms lesson," she said vaguely. Maybe he'd leave her alone if she didn't give him anything to work with? Doubtful. She shook her head, "So I think I'm good. Thanks for offering though." It was a dismissal, but Kinsey knew that not everyone took those for what they were. She decided to ask him a question, which would hopefully keep him from asking her more. "Are you all done with your work then?" 

@lockhart

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After Gilderoy sat down Kinsey spoke up. It would appear she was just studying and there wasn't much he could do to help there. If it was an assignment sure but studying and reading wasn't something anyone would need help with. Still everything was improved with him involved but he didn't need to read her notes to her. If anything that would take away from Kinsey's ability to focus on her notes. She declined his offer for help also but still thanked him and he didn't blame her when it's just studying. "Hey anytime, it's what I'm here for after all." Gilderoy replied with a smile, it wasn't what he was here for but it was one of the many things. A future hero always needed to be willing to help people if they wanted it.

Kinsey asked if he was all finished with his classwork and he just smiled. "Yeah, thankfully I finished it as soon as I could just to get it out of the way." Gilderoy never was one to leave things waiting for too long. It was better to not have to worry about being in a rush and possibly risk looking worried to others. "How have you been Kinsey? We never talk much, which is probably my fault. I'm always busy with other things or people."

@kinsey

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He made her feel uncomfortable. Honestly, Kinsey didn't have a reason for it. Gilderoy never treated her poorly or was rude to her. In fact, they didn't really interact with one another as a general rule. Even so, he was confident and self-assured and Kinsey was ... not. Not after all her interactions with Dom over the years. Only the support of her family and -recently- Riley helped her want to interact with people at all. She knew there were good people out there, was friends with a few of them, but was very close with few. Kinsey forced a smile back when he said he was here to help, but didn't say anything. She already said she didn't need help- what else was there to be said?

Gilderoy mentioned how he was all done with his homework because he liked to get it out of the way and she nodded, "That's what I do as well. All my homework is done, I was just reviewing my notes." With that, she sighed and put them away. It was obvious he was in a chatty mood and wanted someone to talk to. For some ridiculous reason he chose her and for some even stranger reason, Kinsey wasn't just walking away (which quite honestly was how she normally responded to unwanted attention). Then he started asking about her and Kinsey shrugged, "It's not just your fault," she conceded. She never searched him out either. Probably still wouldn't after today, but who knew? "I'm fine," her smile was a little more sincere now. "I'm pretty boring and don't have much to tell you. How about you?" There. At least she wasn't killing the conversation intentionally.

@lockhart

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Gilderoy nodded as Kinsey said she did the same thing of making sure her classwork was done as soon as possible. It was a pretty common thing for most Ravenclaws. While house traits didn't always apply to everyone. Most in Ravenclaw we're always focused on making sure they got their classwork done while others might have just put it off or not done it at all. "It just makes life easier to get it out of the way sooner rather than later. Can't have the world seeing such good looking and smart people such as ourselves running around trying to get things done last minute in a panic." Gilderoy explained with a smile complimenting her but mostly complimenting himself in the process.

Kinsey said it wasn't just his fault they didn't talk much which was probable, everyone did get busy with their own things. There just wasn't enough time in the day to talk to everyone and do everything you wanted to do, even for someone as great as Gilderoy. That was followed by her saying she was fine which was always good to hear instead of hearing someone was having problems even if she followed it with saying she was pretty boring. "I'm sure you've got something interesting going on, if not we can always change that sometime. There's always something fun to do with me around." It was an open invitation to most people, he wouldn't want to deprive anyone of the pleasure that was time with him. "As for me I've been doing great, as always."

@kinsey

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Kinsey nodded, understanding what he meant when he said that it was easier to get work done sooner rather than later. She gave a fleeting smile at the compliment, though she didn't really believe it. She didn't think she was really pretty at all. Well, she kind of believed it when Riley said so, but other than that she didn't think so. "Yeah, I'm partial to not panicking," Kinsey agreed after a moment, not really knowing what to say to him. 

Gilderoy seemed to disagree with her comment that she was boring, saying that she had to have something interesting "going on" and that he'd be willing to help out if she needed it. Kinsey was confused. After rarely talking with one another, he was randomly coming up to her and inviting her to do something with him sometime? It seemed like the kind of invitation that would be easily offered to anyone, but she still felt a little singled out and didn't know exactly what she should say about it. "What kind of fun things do you like to do?" she asked after a few seconds, not commenting on the fact that he was doing great. Seeing as how he seemed to like to be the center of attention, he probably liked doing things in front of large groups of people. Kinsey would not be joining in that, but she was still curious to see what he would say.

@lockhart

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Kinsey agreed with him about rushing but it was hard to think of anyone who wouldn't. As far as Gilderoy knew no one liked to rush and worrying about getting anything done. Still maybe some people just liked the added pressure but he wasn't one for such unneeded stress in his life. He already was focused on trying to look his best at all times both physically and in the things he did, he didn't need the pressure of being in a rush as well on top of that.

After a moment or two Kinsey asked what fun things he liked to do and he couldn't help but smile. While she didn't seem completely interested yet in anything just yet he wasn't going to pass up the chance to share some details about one of the most interesting students at the school, himself. "All kinds of things and if it's boring there's always some way of having some fun with it." Gilderoy explained himself before he went into any kind of list he would come up with of fun things to do. "Quidditch, being around friends or exploring the duster parts of this school. There's so many random rooms in this place that could hold something interesting. Sadly it's mostly just broken desks and cobwebs." He laughed but sadly it was true. He always hoped deep down he would find something no one else ever had. A hidden passage or room of items, just something no one had seen or heard of before. "How about you, what do you do for fun?" Still this conversation wasn't all about him even if he could easily make it that way.

@kinsey

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Gilderoy started answering her question by saying that anything boring could be made fun if you wanted to and Kinsey fought the temptation to roll her eyes. That felt like she was getting a lecture. She got enough of those from her sister, she didn't need her classmates to lecture her. She tried to tell herself that he didn't mean it that way, but she hardly knew him. He went on, explaining somethings that he enjoyed and Kinsey found herself a little surprised that they actually had some things in common. She was about to tell him that when he asked what she liked to do. Kinsey shrugged a little, "Well, you actually said some of my favorite things. I like flying, though I don't think I'm too good at Quidditch, and I spend lots of my spare time exploring the castle," to look for places where she could hide from Dom, but he didn't need to know that. "Other than that ... I like cooking. Mostly desserts, but in general it calms me down and helps me relax." She was a little surprised by how well this conversation seemed to be going. 

@lockhart

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Gilderoy nodded as Kinsey explained and it did seem they had somethings in common. It was always a nice surprise to find some common ground with another person, even one you didn't get many chances to talk to. Kinsey also added that she liked to cook and found it relaxing. "Well you don't need to worry about being good at Quidditch if you're just playing for fun. That's only important during real games like house matches or even professional matches." Gilderoy explained a little as he always had fun playing and while winning was always the preferred result being a sore loser would have put in him in a negative light and he couldn't allow that. "If you ever want to play I'm sure we could find enough people for just a pick up game, I'll even pick you for my team." He doubted she would be interested but he loved to play Quidditch about as much as he did looking good.

"Same thing, if you ever want some company wondering the castle I'm here but I suppose you don't need that. Rumor has it you have a certain someone to keep you company." Even among Ravenclaws, the house that loved to keep to their books and studying, rumors always got around. Not that he ever minded rumors about him if that were positive of course. "Yet I will always take some desserts if you're offering sometime." Gilderoy said with a smirk, as bad as they probably were for him he didn't ignore the sweet tooth that he had either.

@kinsey

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Gilderoy mentioned that you didn't need to be particularly good at Quidditch if you were playing for fun and Kinsey nodded. "That's true. I guess I just get nervous because so many people are so competitive when it comes to Quidditch." Even when it was just for fun, she'd noticed people get intensely into games. Dominique Weasley for one ... also Edmund Windsor and a few others. That was part of the reason it made her nervous to try. Then he mentioned finding people to play a game, not competitively, she supposed, and Kinsey felt the corners of her lips turn up. Well ... it wasn't necessarily bad to smile while in a conversation. Especially when the person she was talking to was being so nice. "That sounds like fun. Just let me know if you ever get a game together," she answered. Kinsey wouldn't push him into making a game, since she was sure he was busy, but if he made one and happened to remember her she would gladly play for fun.

He offered to wander the castle with her, but then added that she probably didn't need that. Kinsey's cheeks turned a light shade of red. She loved Riley and spending her time with him, but she sometimes forgot that other people would notice how much time they spent together. "That's true. I am normally with Riley," she admitted, "but if you ever find me on my own, you're welcome to join." Another "if" situation. Huh. It was interesting to Kinsey that she was even giving Gilderoy the option. She actually laughed at his comment about desserts. "I'll remember that for next time I make something," she answered, surprised by how well she was getting along with him. She normally didn't talk to people this much, especially people she wasn't particularly close to.

@lockhart

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"Yeah I suppose it's bound to happen, everyone says it's for fun but at the same time people naturally always want to win." Gilderoy explained as it couldn't be helped that people would get competitive when they played almost anything, Quidditch especially. Still if you could find the right people who just loved the game win or lose it could be fun to just play, no pressure. Kinsey said it might be fun and to invite her if he ever got it going. "Of course, where would the Glorious Gilderoy's be with out there secret weapon?" He chuckled slightly, he wasn't so full of himself to call a team he put to together by that name even if it had a good ring to it. Still it was funny to just say and nothing was wrong with that.

It was slight but Gilderoy could notice the tone of her cheeks get a little more flushed and he just smiled. He was used to that reaction, granted it was normally caused by him to other girls not the girl thinking of another guy. Still there was nothing wrong with that at all. "Sounds like a plan, I'll keep an eye out." He responded to her offer and meant it, he couldn't promise it would happen. It was a big castle but if they ever did bump paths while wandering around it would be fun. "I can't wait." Gilderoy spoke as she offered to remember him the next time she baked something. He was interested in what she would actually bake if she did remember him but who couldn't, he was Gilderoy after all.

@kinsey

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Kinsey nodded as Gilderoy agreed to what she said about people being competitive. She wasn't surprised. After all, Kinsey was fully aware that she was right about that. It was truly what kept her from trying out for the team. When he agreed to invite her, asking where his "glorious" team would be without its secret weapon, Kinsey chuckled and shook her head. She wasn't a secret weapon, but she also didn't want to seem rude. "It sounds like fun," she answered. She was a little surprised she was still talking to him. Normally Kinsey didn't have much patience for people like Gilderoy (not that there were many) but she actually found herself somewhat enjoying this conversation.

She nodded at his other comments, but then a thought occurred to her. "You might want to not get too excited now though," she responded. "I mean, with all the exams and such coming up I might not have time to cook anything before school gets out." Kinsey laughed again, "Though if you want I could send you something over the summer. If not, you'll just have to wait until next fall." She really didn't care, since she would be baking no matter what he said. Sending him something wouldn't be a big deal, if he wanted her to.

@lockhart  
(one more to end it?)

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"Of course it does." Gilderoy replied to Kinsey's comment about it sounding fun with a smirk. "I'll be there, what could be more fun than that?" He wasn't expecting her to agree, most didn't, even if he was sure they must have known it was true. Anything fun could only be made better with having him around.

Gilderoy just laughed as Kinsey explained he shouldn't get too excited, they had exams coming up and after that would be summer. Obviously there wouldn't be much time for anything other than school work. Certainly not cooking when it wasn't needed even if it did seem like a relaxing activity. "That's no problem, exams and good marks do come first after all. How would we be Ravenclaws otherwise?" He joked not expecting an answer just asking more for affect than anything else. "If your baking anyway feel free to send something, it'll be a pleasant surprise over the summer." He accepted Kinsey's offer but did make sure to make it so she didn't have to bake anything if she didn't feel like it. Of course something for him would have been worth people's time but he didn't want to outright put people in that spot. "Well speaking of exams I should let you get back to studying," with that he got up and smiled. It had been a nice conversation with someone he rarely got to speak with. If anything he'd have to make sure it happened again sometime.

"Oh and if I ever do get that game going Riley is more than welcome to join. I don't need anyone getting jealous thinking I was trying to steal you away." Gilderoy finished with a wink before laughing slightly as he was only kidding and walked off to let Kinsey study. He should probably have been doing the same anyway, exams were looming ever closer after all.

@kinsey
((That can be the end or you can wrap it up.))

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Kinsey chuckled a tiny bit and shook her head when Gilderoy commented about it being fun because he was there. She wasn't surprised that he would make a comment like that at all, it was definitely in character. She just ... never really thought they'd interact enough for him to say it to her. She wasn't going to argue or agree though. Better to let the subject drop.

She nodded when he said that he understood she wouldn't be baking for the next while, then said it would be fine for her to send him something over the summer. Well, Kinsey was kind of joking about that when she said it, but ... maybe she'd do it. She wasn't sure. "Just keep yourself prepared then. And if you get any baked goods, just know they're probably from me." Honestly though, she'd probably send a note with them if she did sent him anything, but it sounded fun to send things like that to people randomly. Hmmm ... she'd have to think about that. "Thank you," Kinsey said when he stood up and said that he'd let her get back to studying. Surprisingly, she wasn't as annoyed at him for interrupting her as she thought she'd be. 

She laughed when he mentioned not wanting to make Riley jealous. "Oh, I don't think he'd get jealous," Kinsey said instantly, watching as the guy walked away. She wasn't entirely sure of that, of course, but she'd never seen him jealous and he knew how she felt for him. No, it wouldn't be a problem. Kinsey shook her head and turned back to her notes, ready to focus once more.

--- the end ---

@lockhart