Back to School again ((Ben))

Jasper entered the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. It had been a while since he had actually stepped foot inside. Too much had happened. Taking in a deep breath, he looked around. Nothing had changed, not really at least. That was a good part. Jasper soon found himself stopping to lean against a colum and staring out across the grounds.

Ben walked into the Entrance Hall. He wasn't going anywhere in particular. There weren't many people in there. The only other guy there was leaning up against the wall. Ben didn't know him, but that was about to change. He walked over to where he was standing. "Hi, I'm Ben, Ben Macmillan." he introduced himself, smiling at the guy.

Gazing out across the grounds, Jasper let his mind wonder. Of course the first things to come to it was Sarah and Abby. He already missed them. But also knew that he had to come back to school and actually try to behave and take his exams. None of them sounded like very much fun.

A sound made him turn back to face the entrance hall. Most of the students were studying so very few people were milling about. But there was the one young studnet that was there. A young one. Jasper didn't know what year but he did know he was in a year below him.

Just then the boy introduced himself. Ben Macmillan. Jasper remembered that name. "Hello Ben. I'm Jasper Black but most call me Jazz."

Ben smiled as the older student introduced himself. He was glad that everyone wasn't studying, he found it so boring. It was nice to wonder around and chat to people. "Cool. You doing much, Jazz?" he asked him, feeling perfectly comfortable using his nickname. He didn't have any trouble talking to older students, he was unusual like that. Most adults would have preferred him to be studious and sensible than outgoing and chatty, but he couldn't help who he was.

Jasper looked back at the boy. Part of him was a little suprised. Most of the younger years didn't talk to him this easily. Of course being in Slytherin or around the Malfoy's took care of that. People tended to give him a lot of room. Even now, the did the same with his recent events. The stares and comments were stating to really bug him.

Shaking that from his head, Jasper said instead. "Oh nothing much. I've been away for a while. Just getting back so I can take my exams. Not that I want to. What about you?"

Ben saw Jazz look at him. Ben noticed he was a Slytherin. He guessed Jazz wasn't used to people just walk up to him and talking to him. Ben wasn't like most people though. He loved being around people, if he wasn't then he got really lonely. "I'm just wondering around, trying to see if there's anyone who isn't studying." he answered the question. "What year are you in?" he asked, wondering if Jazz was taking any important exams.

Relaxing a little, Jazz looked at Ben. He would have to give it to the boy, he was friendly. This made Jazz smile a little. "If I can get away with it, I plan on doing the least amount of studing that I can get away with." He laughed at his own little joke for a moment. "Right now I'm a 6th year, which I will probably still be, but at this point I just don't care anymore. You?"

[[OOC: Your rank says fifth year btw.]]

Ben saw Jazz smile. He seemed to have a way with people. Getting alone with people seemed to be one of the few things he was good at. "You don't have any major exams then, right?" he asked, to make sure. "Oh, I'm a second year. I have some exams but I haven't studied much. I'll probably fail, but oh well." he told Jazz, agreeing with the studying. Ben found it really boring. "If I get held back a year then I won't have to work that hard next year." he added, thinking of the positive side.

Getting tired of standing, Jazz jumped to sit in the closest windowsill. It reminded him of Zoë for a moment. Of all the afternoons they spent sitting here talking. Once again he tried to shake the thought out of his head. "No, no major exams. Thank god. I would probably fail them anyway. But Its ok." He said with a shrug. "Holiday just can't come soon enough, in my opinion." He looked back at Ben. "I wouldn't think that yours would be all that hard."

Ben moved along the wall as Jasper sat on the window ledge. "Yeah, you'll have them next year though." he said. Unless he fails these, he thought, but didn't say it aloud. "My exams aren't that hard, but I will still fail. Even with lots of studying I would only just pass, so with not much I'll probably fail. The teachers think it would be better for me to stay down a year anyway." he told Jasper, remembering a conversation he overheard. "The holidays are going to be great." he agreed.