Softness is not weakness. It takes courage to stay delicate in a world this cruel.

School just started.It felt kinda weird to be here again, after the months she spent in Croatia with her grandparents. She couldn't but remember the first year when she came here. She was an outsider, in every sense of that word. She was raised as a Muggle so she didn't know that magic is real. She didn't know the language so well so interacting with people was pretty hard.
But now, all of that changed. Or at least she wanted to believe that everything changed. She missed her mom, but she loved her father. They finally came to that part of a relationship where they don't feel strangely while they are around each other.

So it was something natural for her now to come and say hi to him. He was at the library, of course since he is a librarian.
So she opened the wooden door and entered in one of the biggest libraries that she has ever seen in her life.
"Hi dad" She smiled and came closer to Sebastian. I just came here to say you hi but I think I'll stay here a little bit and read." She went to the shelves and took a book about magical creatures and sit on the chair to read.

Despite what one might have heard, Christian wasn't always in the library to plot things. Sometimes he was just there because he wanted to be, digging through books or working on assignments. That day was no exception. He strode in alone, straight out of class, and started looking for something he could use on his upcoming essay for potions. That was when he passed by a younger student - Gryffindor, he was sure - who he had taken note of a few weeks back. He'd done so because, while he might have been wrong in his guess, he thought he'd seen her look over at the mention of the PA.

And despite their best efforts, they were still struggling to recruit. The world seemed too safe to some and too dangerous to others, but he was starting to think he agreed with Ace about it being more of the latter. So he collected a couple of books and returned to the table where she sat.

"Hey," he greeted quietly, uninterested in upsetting those around them. "It's-- Barbara, right? You mind if I sit here?"

She heard someone but at the first place, she didn't even think about the idea that someone was saying anything to her. But still, she raised her head and saw Christian Zabini. He was the seventh year. She didn't even know that he knows her name. Because, why should he, he is senior year, he doesn't need to bother with younger students.
But he was saying to her. So she naturally put a friendly smile on her face trying to hide just how confused she is because he said something to her.
"Hi. Yes, that's me." She heard stories about him being involved with Potter's Army but those were just rumors. She didn't know for sure who is the leader or who is in PA. That is the reason why she was still neutral, but she tried to overheard when someone was talking about factions.

"Um, sure, you can sit here. I wouldn't mind." She was confused because, to be honest, there were a lot of free tables but she didn't have reason to say no. She looked at him once again because she felt she should say something, she didn't want to act like someone who cares only about herself. And she was friendly, that was stronger than her.
"I came here to read some stuff for fun." She looked at his book. "You like potions or it is just for assignment?"

Surprisingly, he didn't actually pick up on her confusion. Usually he would have, but now that he had not one, but two missions? Nope. He didn't actually catch it. Instead, he sat at her invitation and spread his books out a little in front of him. And he was pleased to see that she was open enough to start a conversation rather than just going back to her work. That would be helpful if he did decide to work on recruiting her.

"Potions is not my strong suit," he replied easily, shaking his head with a smile. "I have an essay due soon."

Christian leaned to the side a little, trying to get a look at the title of the book she was reading. Creatures? Interesting. But not as helpful for him as something like, say, History of Magic might have been. He could've used that as a jumping off point to bring the conversation around to the PA. It was almost lucky that Ace wasn't there, but also a little frustrating. She would've gotten straight to the point, but he couldn't do that.

"Do you want to work with creatures after graduation? I'm honestly still trying to decide. But at least I have the year to think about it."

She smiled and shook her head. "I can completely understand you. I am terrible at Potions. In fact" she frowned a little bit and shook her head again.
"I am not even sure how professor Potter even tolerates me on the classes. I am nothing but trouble every time when we need to make some potion."
She saw her father looking at her with the surprise written all over his face. He got used to the fact that Barbara isn't shy little girl anymore, but she usually doesn't speak with older students. She just thinks they are not interested in starting the conversation with fourth-year Gryffindor.

"This? Creatures?" Barbara looked at her book again and shook her head with the smile still on her face. Why she just can't stop smiling like other normal people? She smiles enough that someone may think that everything is the joke for her.

"Not really. I mean, this is interesting but I read it mostly for fun, to get rest from all those hard lectures." She shrugged and looked at Christian again.
"I know I have more than 3 years to decide but whenever I think about the future I see my self as an Auror, or if I am not good enough for that, maybe some others positions at Ministry. Or maybe even Quidditch player. I mean, I am good at flying and I am planning to go and see if I can become a player for Gryffindor Quidditch team and I..." she suddenly stopped talking, frowned and shook her head.

Was she talking a lot again? She was.

"Sorry, sometimes when I start talking I can't stop. My father usually says to me that I should learn how to listen instead."

"No, it's fine! An Auror?" He repeated, curious now. That was a brave career choice, as far as Christian was concerned, and one that he himself had never quite managed to consider. In truth, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. Perhaps he would just.. run the shop forever. It was what their father had expected of Apollo, so who would blame him?

Christian knew he'd meant to work on his assignments for class, but the recruiter in his head was distracted. Ace would've been proud. If, of course, they had actually been talking.

"Why an Auror? And- now that I think about it, if you want to train up for Quidditch, I don't play anymore but, well. My family knows a lot about it. I could ask Apollo if he has time. He's got a lot on his plate right now, though."

"Yes, an Auror" she smiled and looked at her father who was reading on his desk. He finally stopped looking at her and because of that, she felt like she could breathe again. It was annoying enough to have the parent who works at her school, but him being overprotective was even worse.
"What do you want to do after Hogwarts? You are a senior, I think you already have the whole plan for the future in your head. At least I would have" Barbara looked at him curiously.

"I don't know, I just want to help, you know? I want this place to be better and safer for everyone." She shrugged and looked at her book for the brief moment while she was thinking about her words. Her father doesn't approve that.
"My father thinks that is too dangerous and he keeps telling me that there is nothing wrong with this world but I don't believe him. I was the first year when the bridge was demolished, and last year that thing that happened at Ilvermorny... This place is not safe, not yet" she said seriously. Someone may expect her to think only about rainbow and unicorns but Barbara acted a lot older than she really was, her mother's sickness forced her to get more responsible and maybe even smarter.

"You're right," Christian agreed, tone grave with an Ace-like finality. Maybe he would do this without her after all...

He looked around and then leaned towards her a little. "Have you ever considered joining Potter's Army?" He asked quietly, eyebrows lifted in a silent attempt at helping her see how secretive the conversation had to be. "It fell apart a few years ago, but Ace asked me to help recruit again. Sounds like the two of you would get along. If you're interested, maybe you could talk with her about it, or come to a meeting? We're still a small group but it seems like we're sort of needed these days."

Barbara looked at Christian confused at the first. What was he talking about? And then, she realized. He was asking her if she wants to join Potters Army.
"Oh," she said but that wasn't even a word. She needed second to collect her own thoughts because right now, her brain was working at full speed.

"I was" she started whispering because she realized this is not supposed to be heard by others. She knew that even before, or otherwise she would be able to find someone who is in PA earlier.
"I was wondering who was the leader or member. I wanted to join even before but I knew no one. You really want me to join?" she asked but she didn't wait for his answer and instead she smiled.
"I would love to. I would be honored."