Nick knew that not sticking to the instructions was a stupid idea, yet he had so much faith in what he was doing that the little voice in the back of his head was soon ignored. Potions homework really sucked, especially when you had to go out your own time to make a potion ready for class to be tested. Half the time it was never up to standard. For the rest of the class anyway, Nick was lucky enough to be smart. Like the rest of the Ravenclaws, who managed to out-shine their class. Then again, the Slytherins seemed to be born to be potion makers or something. Maybe that was what made them Slytherin for certain in the first place. It would be one reason that Lily Potter wasn’t placed in Slytherin.

Placing an extra bat spleen in the cauldron, Nick stirred twice clockwise then once anti-clockwise and the liquid changed into a beautiful purple. Proud with his progress, Nick left the potion to boil for a few minutes while he flicked through a text book. Half-way through his timed leave for the potion, a blonde Hufflepuff walked in and gave a small smile to Nick before setting up her own potions set. He returned her smile with a nod, acknowledging her presence but showing he was in no way interested in conversation.

“Nick…” The girl whispered aloud, as if she didn’t want to disturb his reading but she did at the same time. If that made any sense. Although Nick didn’t know her name, it was no surprise he knew hers. What with his hand always up in class, answering the professors, they always replied with his name. He pretended to ignore her, carrying on with his reading. “Nick, your potion!” She shouted, or the closest to a shout Nick thought she could muster.

“What – Oh Merlin.” Nick rushed over to his potion, which had extinguished the flame below after his cauldron had melted and had begun seeping thickly over the counter.

“How many towels do you need?” The blonde asked, looking all too much like a lost puppy. Nick shook his head at her question, deeming it ridiculous. “We’re wizards. We don’t clean up the muggle way. That would take forever.” He searched for his wand before watching it being covered in the disgusting gooey potion and turned to Rebecca who already had hers drawn and was cleaning it up for him. “Hey, um, you didn’t have to do that. Thanks, though. If you need help with your potions… Probably not a good example, normally I’m better. Honest.”

avery-hayes:

Dammit Nick! Could you at least pretend not to know so I look super-smart?

If you think I don’t know the answer then you won’t learn more to try find something that is tough for me. See, I’m caring about your learning.

avery-hayes:

Just a friend, he borrows my book. You probably don’t know what book I’m on about. I’ll show you one day.

A man who lives on the tenth floor of a block of flats takes the elevator down to the first floor every morning and goes to work. In the evening, when he comes back; on a rainy day, or if there are other people in the elevator, he goes to his floor directly. Otherwise, he goes to the seventh floor and walks up three flights of stairs to his apartment. Do you know why?

You’re going to have to try harder, love. The man was short and could only reach the seventh floor button. He can reach it with his umbrella and other people can push it for him if he asks. Not as challenging as the hat one.

avery-hayes:

Aw thank you. When I get my book back from Matt, you’ll have to sit still so I can sketch you and then write down everything I know. First thing I’ll write will be: Would like to spend a whole day complimenting me. Anyway, are you ready for a puzzle Nicky?

Who’s Matt?

 Ready. I thought you’d never ask. 

avery-hayes:

That’s nice of you, Nick. Are you having fun complimenting me?

Yes. I’d just love to spend all day complimenting you.

avery-hayes:

… I hadn’t thought of that. Yeah, kinda. I mean, my father is a lot like Ash. Proud, good at things, witty and generally funny. Mother is more modest, kind and family-orientated.

I take it you spent more time with your father, while Jennifer spent more time with your mother. However, all three of you are pretty family-orientated  and kind.

avery-hayes:

I grew up with him. It’s hard to be something else when there’s a huge influence in your life. I could have been like Jennifer, but she kept herself to herself. Hm… It could be, but Ash is older.

Sarah grew up with me and we’re not alike. Are your parents the same? Jennifer’s different. She kept herself to herself because she knew that she wasn’t exactly a Hayes.

avery-hayes:

Wow Nick. First you call me attractive and now you’re saying I look dumb. You’re not supposed to give a girl mixed signals.

You’re just like Ash it’s uncanny. Are you sure you aren’t secretly body doubles but the genetics got messed up so you ended up as a female?

avery-hayes:

Do I look stupid? Of course I did.

If you didn’t look stupid do you think I’d have asked?

avery-hayes:

It’s titled The Amazing Spider-Man with issue 641 on it? I’m guessing it belongs to a muggle-born… Or half-blood, I suppose.

Have you checked inside the cover for a name?