Intellectual
It was finally the end of class. Professor Vector finished her lesson and dismissed her class, but Lirum stayed seated. They where still stuck on the idea of if George would even be there when they got to the library.
“Are you alright?” Adrian asked making his way toward them.
“I think so. I’m just-“ They paused unsure of how to answer really. “preparing myself?”
“Preparing yourself? Aren’t you done for the day?” He asked, stopping at their desk.
Well yeah?” Lirum answered awkwardly. Unsure of how to explain without judgment.
“I’ve never seen you do this before potions? Are you worried about something?” He asked, seemingly more worried then they where.
“I have a study session I’m supposed to be meeting someone for.” They shrugged.
“With Percy?” Adrian started, curiously. “You two seemed to be better? Well, if you can call that better.”
“Better is a strong word, but no. I’m supposed to be meeting George, actually.” Lirum explained trying to ignore the shock and horror on his face.
“You haven’t broken up with him?!” He gasped.
“Well, not yet? Maybe not at all I don’t know.” They answered, awkwardly.
“Lirum two hours ago you were thinking about learning French, and switching schools! Now you don’t know if your going to break up with the person who made you question if you should?!” He ranted.
“He wasn’t the only reason-“ he stopped them before they could finish.
“He’s a big part of it!” Adrian sighed. “Honestly! I’d prefer you study with Percy! And he hates me!”
“Percy doesn’t hate-“ he cut them off again.
“All of the Weasleys have it out for anyone in Slytherin house.” Adrian groaned. “Most people hold some level of distain, but the Weasleys really hate us. It’s just how it is-not important. Why are you hanging out with him?”
“I agreed to study with him on our date.” Lirum answered awkwardly.
“Yeah ok, and that was before he was an arse. You know, he went and purposely exclude you from things.” He argued, frustrated.
“But I already-“
“Lirum you are a person. You have the right to change your mind. Especially if someone hurts you!” Adrian stressed pausing between each sentence trying to make Lirum absorb what he was telling them.
“But-“ They tried to argue.
“Im trying really hard to be a good friend, and respect your choices, but you’re making bad ones again.” He sighed. “Do you need someone to study with? I could do that instead I have another class after this I need to go to but we could do it after, or another day? If you need help it doesn’t have to be him. Our schedules are more similarly.”
“I-I don’t think so. Percy asked if I’d start studying with him again, but I already agreed to study with George but I don’t know if he’s even coming I just-“
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to stress you out. Percy is a better option than George, but you can study with someone other than a Weasley. We have more classes in common and we’re both actively covering the same material in both it would be more fitting.” Lirum could stop themself from giggling. Thinking about what Percy’d said, was he really trying to ask them to study as a way into their pants? Couldn’t be.
“Don’t let Percy hear you say that! He’s already convinced you’re in love with me! Or maybe not love? He definitely said you wanted in my pants though.” Adrian turned a bit red but started laughing harder than Lirum.
“Don’t take this the wrong way please. I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but you have so much you need to work through before I think you’re ready to be dating anyone really!” Lirum gasped.
“Rude! Ok tall, dark, and awkward!” They teased.
“What? You’re attractive don’t get me wrong, and very nice, but you have got to learn what a boundary is or how to maintain it properly instead of folding the second a ginger looks at you!” Adrian said looking at them sceptically.
“It’s not that bad!” Lirum defended.
“You were ranting about learning French and moving schools until Percy Weasley who is honestly not that attractive, batted lashes at you.” He clasped his hands together batting his eyes. “Oh Lirum, my love? Please don’t go away? I know I’m a repressed gay, who won’t admit he has feelings for you, but I can’t go on without you!”
“Did you just- did you just mock Percy?! What was that performance? I never thought I’d see you do something like that!” Lirum asked, laughing uncontrollably at his over the top performance. “Have you and cedric been hanging out? If not you should. Suddenly I think you would get along famously.”
“I do not have the time or energy for that. He acts like a puppy. Quite frankly, I don’t understand how you do it.” He paused, the look of sudden realisation crossing his face. “I have to get to class! I’m going to be late!”
Lirum laughed as he darted to the door. They hadn’t even realised how long they’d spent arguing and teasing each other. He was late for his next period they’d be late for their study session. Well, if George showed up that is.
They walked quietly to the library alone. Most of the students where already in class or wherever they where going for they’re free period. When they arrived at the library there were a rare few scattered students studying, and in the far corner they use to share with Percy sat George. He seemed to be fidgeting anxiously in his seat waiting for them.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you so nervous before.” Lirum started, joining him at the table. His head snapped towards them watching them take there seat.
“You’re rarely ever late. I started worrying you might not come.” He answered truthfully. “You’ve been avoiding me all day.”
“I thought about it.” They replied in kind. “I should have broken up with you and called everything off the second I found out you know-“
“Li-“ he started
“No. You will let me finish, or I will go.” Lirum snapped, quieting him instantly. “You knew. You knew they were leaving me out on purpose. You knew Percy and I are not the same. You knew I throw smaller scale parties in my dorm. I thought you cared about me and wanted a relationship with me-“
“I do!” He interrupted “I swear I do please just-“
“Then why didn’t you stand up for me? Why didn’t you say anything?” Lirum asked slowly getting angrier again. “To them-to me, anything at all! Instead you agreed to go out with a group who explicitly said I wasn’t allowed around.”
“I agreed to go before we went on our date!” George argued, trying desperately to defend himself.
“But you were still going to go. Fred already told your secret.” He looked ashamed. “But tell me, was it before the party in my dorm? When we kissed? Was it before that, when they asked you?”
“…no” George answered quietly. “I’m sorry, I swear I just wasn’t thinking. I promise I won’t let this happen again.”
“That’s not a comforting apology.” Lirum replied, bitterly.
“W-well, I promised you I’d help study, didn’t I? We should do that while I think of ways to make this up to you.” He said, sliding a book a across table. “…and come up with a better apology.”
“Do you even know what classes I need help in?” They asked, sceptically.
“No, but you can tell me.” He hinted. “I’m farely smart I’m sure I can help.”
“You’re grades are average at best.” Lirum teased.
“Fred and I keep them there on purpose. Don’t want to give mum to much false hope we’ll become prefects or anything crazy.” He explained playfully.
“You? A prefect? You’d give students points for breaking the rules.” They joked, looking over at him.
“That’s not a bad Idea. Maybe there’s still hope.”
“Oh Merlin’s beard! Open your astronamy book we have class Thursday night and I haven’t even begun looking over the materials.” Lirum started exasperated. “And my guess is nether have you.”
“Of course i have, I'm an intellectual.” George replied grinning.
“BY WHAT STANDARDS?!” They shouted, earning glares and shushes. “Sorry.”
“Well? Since you asked, I quit like learning actually. I just don’t like school. I like learning because I like creating things. Fred and I have been experimenting trying to make joke sweets for a while now. With every experiment we’re learning, and in a fun way not. Turn to page Three hundred and bleh bleh bleh.” His smile slowly returned, talking about his passion for creating. “I’d like to learn how to make wands from you-if only to make joke wands of course! Not trying to steal the family business.”
Lirum couldn’t help but laugh. He was different when they were alone. It was pleasant, it was also the first time he’d ever talked about himself out of the context of doing things with Fred or Lee.
“I promised I’d teach you, didn’t I? It’s actually really fun. There’s a lot of creativity involved as well. A lot of wand making actually comes from feeling and understanding the wood you're working with! Understanding how you’ll need to work it differently if it’s a softer more playable wood or a stiff-” Lirum paused for a second remembering how little people actually care about the intricacies of woodworking and wand crafting. “But I guess you won’t need to know all that if it’s just for joke wands.”
“No! It sounds interesting, and you seem passionate about it. More than I’ve seen you talk about much else than wizards chess against my brothers.” He said, encouraging them.
“I like more than just wizards chess and wand making!” Lirum gasped.
“Sorry I forgot about books.” George teased, leaning on the table. “You never do much else.”
“Excuse you! I am a fan of muggle music and movies! I like tea and coffee! I enjoy spending time by the lake or with my friends doing whatever makes them happy really.” They listed, defensively.
“So, what I’m hearing is you're a goody two shoes people pleaser?” George asked, grinning.
“Rude! I'll have you know I throw parties in my dorm, and I pass notes in class to my friends!”
“Ooh, you're so bad. Do you really call three people in your bedroom a party?” He laughed. “It’s amazing how that worked so much better than when I asked you about yourself.”
“I-You-That’s-“ Lirum huffed, realizing what he’d done. “George, we were supposed to be studying! You’re treating this like a date!”
“I’m sorry, I needed a do over. We kept getting interrupted on our first one. I was really hoping I could steal you away with this one.” He admitted ernistly.
“You’re an evil mastermind, you know that? You came in here and got me ranting about the things I like when we’re supposed to be studying.” They teased while he sat there shamelessly.
“I mean evil is a strong word. I’ll take mischievous, sneaky, or troublesome though. Oh and the mastermind part can stay.” George followed with a wink.
“I feel like you’re flirting but I can’t tell if it’s that or your really that egotistical.” Lirum sassed.
“You’ve really stepped up your come back fame this year.” He laughed. “But if we don’t get some studying done you’ll refuse to come to my game, so we’d better get Sirius.”
“Did you just make an astronomy pun?” They laughed, unsure if it was even intentional.
“I told you I’m an intellectual.” He grinned again, leaning back in his chair.
“One star pun doesn’t qualify you as an intellectual!” Lirum argued, watching George settle back into his confidence.
“Lirum?” A Voice called out from behind them. “I thought you said you had plans, and you weren’t free to study?”
They turned finding Percy stood at the end of the bookshelf. His face dropped when they heard a chair scooting away from the table.
“George?” Percy paused, looking at his brother. “Since when do you come to the library for anything other than pranks? Wait, are you actually studying?”
“Yeah I was, with Lirum” George said, gesturing to them.
“You’re studying together?” Percy said in disbelief before looking to Lirum “You actually got him to study? Wait, You’re studying Together