Stand Here Waiting (Toby)

[Deleted]

Partner-work was one of Ashley's least favorite things to do. She hated knowing that she didn't have complete control over her grades. Ashley was the type of student who took great pride in all of her schoolwork and loved getting good grades. Bad grades ... well they weren't something she got unless she was doing things with a partner. Not to say that all her partners were bad, sometimes she was assigned a competent one, but they rarely cared as much about the grade as she did. 

Last week she'd been assigned to work with a british boy, Tobias Watkins. He had the British accent that she found so intriguing, even after being here a while, and he seemed to care about doing things right but Ash was still a bit skeptical. They'd split the Potions assignment in half, her taking care of half of the ingredients and him the other half, working together to make sure they put their ingredients in at the right time and in the right way and working together. All in all, she thought it went quite well, but she hadn't been entirely sure how precise he was with his cuts or things like that. She'd find out today if he was any good or if she'd regret having to be his partner. 

So she sat up tall in her seat in the Potions room, Tobias beside her. She didn't want to seem nervous about it, but she also couldn't think of anything to talk about, so she waited and looked forward. Finally, the Professor handed her the piece of parchment that would have his analysis of their potion and their grade. Ash turned to her partner then, shrugging a little. "Ready to see our grade?" she asked, curious to see if he wanted to know as badly as she did.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

@ashley

Note: yay

Well, it was finally the moment of truth. The results from their assignment were finally in. The dungeon was already filled with a cacophony of groans and moans echoing off the walls, a couple of relieved sighs...It sounded like most of the class didn't do as well as they had wanted to. That made him a bit nervous. Maybe everyone flunked... Would they be allowed to retake? Finally their parchment had been placed on their desk, face down.

Toby turned toward Ashley, who asked if he was prepared to see their results, and he nodded his head up and down eagerly. The anticipation was killing him. Truthfully, his expectations of Ashley weren't very high - but not from anything the girl had done - he was just used to doing most of the work for these kind of things - but she wouldn't allow him to! That gave him a bit more confidence in her abilities if she wasn't cool with sitting back and looking pretty, especially in Potions. Not that he told her to do that. That would piss off any lady, and it would be incredibly rude. Unless...if it involved heavy flirting, but Tobias wasn't a flirt. He wished he had those kind of skills, but alas, his skills consisted of identifying stars, animals or magical creatures, and giving advice he never had to follow himself.

A curly haired girl shot up from her seat and sprinted out of the classroom sobbing, clutching her the parchment to her chest. His brown eyes widened as the door slammed behind the sad girl, "Bloody Hell.. Everyone is flunking." he groaned, now he was expecting the worse. "You look first. What is it, Ashley?" Toby encouraged her to take a peak, his eyes flickering to the parchment curiously.

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY

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The atmosphere in the dungeon was particularly dark as others received their grades before Ashley and her partner did. People were upset, moaning about whatever score they got. Ashley wasn't entirely sure if this was common here, whether or not most students failed their assignments or if this professor was just hard, but she was nervous. She did not take failure well, especially when it came to her schoolwork. Ashley took great pride in her work and if they failed ... well it would have to be the guy beside her who messed up because she certainly didn't. 

He nodded, saying he was ready to see, and Ashley took the paper in her hands. She was about to flip it over when a girl nearby jumped up, sobbing. What the heck? Ashley stared at her, wide-eyed. Was this how things were run here? Make your assignments so hard that your students couldn't take the pressure and lost it? She had no such intentions. Even if she and the guy beside her failed- why was she starting to think of him as an oaf?- she would not allow anyone else to see how upset she was. Ash had good enough control of her emotions for that. 

She was pulled back to the task at hand when Toby spoke once more, groaning as he spoke out loud, saying the obvious. "Are you saying this isn't normal here?" she muttered angrily, her grip on the parchment tightening without her even realizing it. This entire situation was stupid. Then he told her to look first and Ashley gave a sharp nod, lifting the paper so she could see it and he couldn't. He did ask her to look first, after all. Her eyes widened and Ashley's pent-up breath left her in a rush. An "O" was written at the top of their paper and she couldn't be more relieved ... so she let it out in teasing. 

Keeping her expression straight, she lowered the parchment and looked up at Toby with serious eyes. "Are you sure you're ready for this? I don't think I can be your partner anymore if you lose it and run out of here crying ..." She wasn't exactly being nice, since there were some people that honestly were upset about their grade ... but she was so relieved she didn't really care. It wasn't like they'd be listening to her anyway.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

@ashley

Note: yay

Toby considered her question for a moment whether if people usually failed Potions or not. It was a pretty even ratio, but it wasn't like he was going around finding out people grades; he was just very intuitive his peers emotions, the looks on their faces said a million words. "It happens, often, but I feel like people just don't know how to follow simple directions so they kind of do it to themselves?" Toby didn't mean to sound rude, but it could have easily been taken that way. He was just being honest. The kid took school seriously, but it also came easy to him, he liked the challenge.

"M'afraid I can't make any promises there, Ashley, sorry." he joked with a bashful smile, looking down at the desk. He inwardly hoped she didn't really think he'd have some sort of outburst like the curly haired crying girl. He was more likely to just be quiet the rest of class if they got anything under an 'Acceptable'. Now he was ready for the worst. The straight look on the blonds face served him a bit of a curve ball. She didn't smile, or frown, she just took the grade in soberly. Toby bit down on his bottom lip, caramel brown eyes peering at her quizzically, "Well...?" he dry swallowed, before quickly flipping the corner of the parchment over. On the top right corner displayed at a large red "O".

Tobys head cocked back and he let out a sigh of relief, "Ohhhh, what--youuuu-- you're a cheeky one. " he chortled, shaking his head at her back and forth with playful slits for eyes. "You got me good." Toby stated with a laugh, all of the tension immediately draining from his body. That 'O' was exactly what he needed to see. "It looks like we make a pretty good team." he stated, before awkwardly wishing he could retract the comment for being so truthful. He didn't want her to think he meant it in a flirtatious or romantic way or anything, and gross her out.

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY

[Deleted]

Well, Ashley wasn't entirely convinced how high this guy's standards were when it came to schoolwork, but from his explanation she assumed they were high. He wasn't talking about himself failing, just others and how they did it to themselves. She nodded slowly, "That sounds pretty accurate," she commented. Honestly, if people couldn't bother to read the instructions they deserved to fail. Potions weren't that hard if you took the time to pay attention. 

Ashley looked at him closely for a moment when he joked, hoping that he was kidding. It took her a few seconds to decide that he was. He didn't seem like the type that would run off crying, and she had been teasing in the first place, so it was acceptable for him to tease her back. It was just ... there weren't many people who teased her. Normally she was the one doing the teasing. "Hmm ... I guess I'll just have to take the chance with you then," she put the parchment down on the table, between them so he could look at it when he wanted. She shrugged when he said "well", entirely unwilling to give anything away. It would ruin the surprise.

She smirked when she could see the relief on his face. Yes, that was definitely worth it. She grinned, shrugging when he called her cheeky. "I think you mean sneaky. That was perfect, I'll have you know!" Yes, Ashley was proud of herself for tricking him so thoroughly. The fact that he fell for it just made it perfect. When he said they made a good team, she looked over at him closely. She wasn't entirely sure if he was serious or teasing, but after a moment she smiled, "Yeah, I guess we do. I'll keep you for my lab partner, thanks. At least I know you take pride in your potion work. Should keep us from being like the rest of them," she gestured around the room before smirking at him again, "But know that if you start slacking, I'll look for someone else." Ashley didn't mean it. Since they did well on this assignment, she figured that would continue, but she was in a good mood after getting such a good grade, so she couldn't stop herself from teasing him.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

@ashley

Note: yay

Toby couldn't hide the amusement from his face anymore. "Yeeeah, that was pretty good." he finally gave in, giving her a shy smile accompanied by a small laugh and nod. She really did trick him. After seeing his grade he felt so much better. Ashleys mood was infectious. Toby could sense the blonds good mood from how she kept teasing him, but with a pretty smile on her face, so it wasn't actually that bad.

They definitely had mutual low expectations of each other in the beginning, so it gave him a sense of relief that it appeared he had proved himself to her; she approved of him, basically. Approval from his peers (and pretty girls) was extremely satisfying, being liked was all he really wanted in the end. He hated being painfully shy, he lost out on so many opportunities because he was too afraid of approaching people and annoying them. He couldn't remember the last time they spoke this much in class, though realistically it was just regarding school work, but it was conversation so who cared. She even said that she'd keep him as a lab partner and he smiled, satisfied. That's when he figured he'd mess with her a bit too, since she'd probably not expect it from him, but he was in a good mood too.

Toby took a breath in and released it from his nostrils with a serious look before turning to Ashley. "I don't know how to say this but--" his eyes shifted because he was being naughty and he sucked at lying. He tried to keep his lip from twitching into a smile and failed. "I--I actually kind of wanted to be partners with the crying girl, sorry." Toby pretended to get up from his seat for a second, but sat himself back down with a smirk, mostly because someone saw him shoot up from his seat. Hey, he could make jokes too, it just took some warming up a bit.

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY

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Toby was smiling now too and Ashley shrugged, the smirk on her face obvious proof that she was quite proud of herself. "Yeah, it happens sometimes." When the situation was right, like it was today. She was glad that he was a good sport about it too. He didn't get angry at her for tricking him. Then again, that might be because they got such an Outstanding grade. 

He was a bit more quiet than lab partners she'd had in the past, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Just a point of interest. The guy was shy and obviously didn't get out of his bubble much, so she might as well try to help build his confidence ... at least, she'd try to do that when she wasn't busy teasing him. It was nice to tease someone that actually was in a good enough mood to enjoy it with her, as she thought he was. 

Suddenly, he turned to her with a serious look on his face and Ashley's head tilted to the side curiously. Was he upset by her teasing? She listened as he started, but as he spoke she got the impression that he was having a hard time schooling his expressions. Her eyes narrowed slightly as a small smile began at the corners of her own lips. Once he finished she snorted, not believing him for a second, but deciding it would be more fun to go along with it. "Oh really? Well then, be my guest, but don't come crawling back to me when you're crying with her," she retorted, rolling her eyes when he actually stood up. "Then again, maybe you're just trying to be nice and bring up her grade, even though it will lower yours ..." she added, smirking once more now. "Or not," since he was sitting down again, it was obvious that he hadn't been serious, even though she knew that from the start.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

@ashley

Note: aye

"Okay, I guess I'll stay." he retorted in a sing song tone and a boyish grin - as if it were even his choice - he sank back into his chair with a chuckle. They had certainly broke the ice. Ashley wasn't as intimidating when she was actually talking, and smiling (or was that a smirk). Silence was both a blessing and curse; when people were too quiet around him he felt like they didn't like him, or he was annoying them merely by his presence of just ~standing there. Oh, social anxiety.

This entire exchange with Ashley was very new for him. Toby didn't usually banter around with his classmates, especially girls, but they never really presented the opportunity to him in the past. He was quickly realizing he quite enjoyed exchanging good-humored teasing remarks - it was a nice contrast to being so painfully polite all the time. He was used to just sitting in class quiet, so it was a bit of a change. This year was going to be different.

Toby turned in his chair so that he was facing Ashley, entertained by the idea of them being partners, "I've gotta admit, it will be nice not having to do all of the work for once since you won't allow me to." Toby stated honestly, shifting his glasses to the bridge of his nose with his pointer finger. "I can't help being a bit of a control freak with schoolwork because I've been matched with partners that don't know the difference between a glass phial and a cauldron." Toby admitted with a straight expression, blinking a couple of times. Some people were truly a lost cause, not even Merlin could help them.

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY

[Deleted]

Ashley rolled her eyes when he agreed to stay as her partner, but she was still smiling a little. Ha! Like someone who obviously cared about his grades would leave for no reason when he had a lab partner that was just as dedicated as he was. Though at the same time, Ashley was a little surprised at herself. She didn't normally tease people like this. Normally her teasing was more silent judgment and mocking, but she was too happy for that right now. Besides, how could she mock someone for helping her get such a high score? Also ... she kind of liked the way he was teasing her back. It reminded her of Eli, despite the fact that she tried not to let it. She couldn't let herself think of him anymore. They weren't friends.

She lifted an eyebrow, nodding slowly when he said it would be nice to not have to do everything. "I guess I could say the same thing ..." she answered slowly, tapping her chin. "At least I know that you know what you're doing. I don't have to worry about you messing things up." She smiled to try and soften the words, realizing belatedly that he might take them the wrong way. However, before she could correct herself, he was talking again about having partners that didn't know what they were doing. Ashley nodded vigorously. "Exactly! I wasn't saying you're like that, I just ... before getting our scores I wasn't quite sure." She offered a tentative smile, "I'm glad to have someone I can work with and not for," Ashley added, hoping that would help him understand what she was really trying to say. 

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

@ashley

Note: YES he called her Ash lmao

Toby was delighted that Ashley was so openly satisfied with her grade and the fact that he was her ~official partner. It was actually a really nice feeling when pretty girls were nice to him. Toby was relieved that they seemed more comfortable around each other, finally breaking the ice. They seemingly found a common ground that they could anchor onto. He felt relief wash over him, she was smart and really seemed to care about her work.

The blond tried to rephrase what she was saying, looking to be concerned about offending Toby by what she meant. His lips twitched upwards into a smile, "Oh, no, I know what you mean." he assured her with a curt nod, swatting air nonchalantly, before admitting, "I wasn't so sure about you either, to be honest, but it seems like we've both got nothing to worry about. Well, maybe we'll have to worry about people being jealous because they don't have an adequate lab partner, but that sounds more of a personal problem to me." he laughed, meaning the statement more out of jest than anything.

"You seem like you take a lot of pride in your schoolwork, Ash." he started, feeling himself start to feel awkward, but he wasn't going to allow himself this time. Not when they had the studying common ground to discuss - schoolwork was always a safe topic. "If you're ever interested in joining a study group, we have a group that meets in the Library on Tuesdays for Potions and other topics. Sometimes it's nice to discuss with like-minded people." Toby said with a shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. Inviting Ashley was actually a huge personal victory for him, because he wasn't typically so friendly in fear of annoying people, or giving them the wrong idea. Ashley was intelligent though, she certainly wouldn't mistake a dork inviting her to the library for him being flirty. Toby didn't really do that. Not knowingly, at least.

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY

[Deleted]

Ashley was relieved that she found a friend here at Hogwarts. Mostly so far she'd felt like she was on her own, though Joe was here, as were Katherine and Bianca ... and Eli. The thing was, Ashley was used to everyone recognizing her and respecting her, which wasn't the case anymore. Most of the Hogwarts students didn't know a thing about her. It meant she could be whoever she wanted, but the trouble with that was that Ashley wasn't entirely sure who she wanted to be. So she was trying to be herself, at least right now she was. 

She offered a relieved smile when Toby said that he knew what she meant. "Oh good, because I really don't know how to explain myself at the moment," Ashley said with a laugh. She was glad that he didn't seem to be super sensitive, looking for the worst in people ... though he had expected the worst when it came to her Potion abilities. He admitted as much to her and she laughed. "Yes, we'll have to watch one another's backs so they can't trick us into switching somehow."  

Toby continued, saying that she took a lot of pride in her schoolwork, calling her Ash and she nodded. It was a little surprising since she normally didn't let people call her that unless they knew her, but she was making a new friend and she found that she actually didn't mind so much. "I do." He went on to talk about study groups that happened on Tuesdays and her eyes widened slightly. He was inviting her to join a study group? She'd never been asked to go to one of those before and found herself feeling flattered. "Thanks Toby! I'll definitely come to at least some of them. It sounds like fun, and since I'm assuming you go, I'll at least know someone." She didn't want to commit to go every week because Ashley generally was quite busy, but she did want to give it a try. Maybe it would help her make more friends.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

@ashley

Note: we can end this soon probably!

When Ashleys eyes widened slightly at her invitation to the study group, he immediately dreaded the worst, but she actually sincerely thanked him for inviting her. Which was a major relief. Toby was actively trying to get better with words by actively talking in social situations, but he knew deep down that he would always be more of an observer. He saved his crazy conversations and opinions for people that wouldn't judge him, for the people he loved most and couldn't get rid of him anymore. This was a huge step for him. Even if it was just inviting a friend to a study group to do homework, or effortless conversation. New friends were pretty spiffy.

Toby nodded curtly at her statement, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Of course, no commitment at all, really. I'm sure the transition to a new school hasn't been the easiest so it can help you make some new friends too - although most of the kids are kind of dorks like me so watch out." he gave her a warning look, before laughing. "--More like watch out for your school supplies, mate, they'll steal quills n things right from under your nose and pretend to help you look for it." Toby said half jokingly, because it actually happened to him. Probably for his reaction more than anything because he thought he was losing his mind. He laughed looking down at the desk, he was so gullible sometimes, it was a bit embarrassing.

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY

[Deleted]

It was kind of funny, how inviting her to join their study group seemed to put Toby in a serious mood. Was he nervous she would say no or something? She smiled and nodded how he mentioned that it could be nice to make some new friends. "That's a good point," Ash agreed easily. Then she laughed at him calling them dorks. "I think I can handle dorks like you, don't worry." Most of the time people like Toby seemed to get super intimidated around Ashley, which made "dealing" with them super easy, but she was going to have to try and be careful when she went to the study group. She didn't want to ruin the chance she might have to make friends there. She closed her eyes and laughed again when he warned her about them stealing school supplies. "Are you serious? All right, I'll make sure I don't bring any of my favorite supplies, and I'll help you keep hold of yours." It actually sounded really fun, the idea of hanging out with Toby and his dorky friends. A part of Ashley wondered if her friends like Katherine and Bianca would approve, but at the same time she didn't care. She was starting to care what they thought less and less, except for Joe. His opinion would always matter to her, but she could probably persuade him to see things from her point of view.

Ashley jumped when the Professor suddenly clapped three times, calling the class to attention. She sat up straight, eyes forward, as the Professor began to explain that most of them hadn't been doing satisfactory work for the last assignment and the next would be just as difficult, encouraging them to pay attention. Ashley smirked, muttering out of the corner of her mouth, "You ready for this one, partner?" She glanced over at Toby, curious to see what he would think of the Professor's introduction before turning her full attention to the front of the room. They'd be fine.

tobias charles watkins
(go ahead and end it!)

[tobias charles watkins]

@ashley

Note:

Ashley mentioned that she could handle dorks and it made him laugh. She also joked about keeping his school supplies safe and he snorted, but nodded agreeably. "I could probably use help with that. I'm an easy target because I bury my face in those bloody books." he laughed, unable to hide the amused smile.

Toby was thoroughly enjoying their conversation, wishing they could continue, but the Professor was suddenly trying to grab the classrooms attention with annoying hand claps to start the lesson. The Ravenclaw developed a new gained confidence in their teamwork skills, so he wasn't worried about their abilities anymore. Toby perked up in his seat and nodded firmly, "Aye. We got this." he declared confidently, offering a quick fist bump, before facing the front of the classroom with full undivided attention.

[CLOSED]

＃ENY ADOXOGRAPHY