What Feels Natural

Penny sat alongside her friend, happily pouring over her books. Exams were over for most of the school, but there were a few odd classes that had yet to have their exams. Currently, Penny was delving deeply into tomes focused on Arithmancy. The subject was incredibly complicated and there was no fool proof way of handling the subject - which naturally frustrated the hell out of Penny. Here was a girl who wanted to keep everything as simple and cut-and-dry as possible. She wanted perfection. And this subject allowed none of that.

But there was a certain calming effect that very few people had on her that allowed her to smile as she quietly panicked as she resigned herself to the ever-imperfect grade of an Exceeds Expectations - the very name, of which, was so insulting to the girl. Very few people could actually inspire such a feeling in her. Even her best friend Audrey could not - perhaps because Audrey could not help her improve in her classes.

Zane Wakefield was one of the few who could inspire calmness in her. Because, if she needed help, she could actually find it from him. And what girl didn't need such a comfort?

Zane didn't have any one person that he clung to, but if he was protective of anyone, it was Penny. He probably spent a good amount of time with her, regardless of her house, because she had been one of the few people to break into his tough guy shell.

He was usually fantastic at hiding his feeling about anything. Right now, though, he was getting tired of Arithmancy. "We may have well just added this class into the Divination one." He rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "What rotter came along and made this it's own class?" Zane shook his head and sighed.

Looking over at Penny, he saw that she was actually getting on rather well, so he almost felt bad for breaking her concentration. He just wasn't the type to enjoy silence for hours - it drove him mad. But at least they only had one or two tests left. And thank Merlin it wasn't NEWTs yet. Zane knew he'd be going mental over it next year. But now it was nearly summer break, and he was definitely ready to home and check on Brianna.

Penny was stirred from her work by one of Zane's famous complaints about the value of their classes. Penny was typically around the goody-goodies who lived and breathed schoolwork, so it was always a bit amusing for her when Zane had an outburst because the work became so tedious as to get him frustrated.

Of course, she was still same old Penny. Jokes were lost on her, as she took everything literally. A rhetorical question was always promptly and accurately answered when she was a part of the company. The poor Slytherin girl could not help herself. She was, to put it lightly, an utter and inexcusable square.

"Well, this subject is quite different from Divination as it relies on numerical associations of words and is considered much more reliable. It's also important as it exercises the mind more freely and no special gift is required and... and you probably didn't ask that seriously, huh?" At least she had caught on this time.

Zane listened to Penny's response, a slow smile forming as she spoke. When she realized he was just complaining, he grinned at her. "No worries. You know me. I just like complaining." He joked.

He glanced briefly at her work, seeing she was doing better than he was at getting things done. He would much rather just trade this final exam for a second one in Potions or Transfiguration. Either would be perfectly acceptable in his opinion. But no such luck.

"I'm just ready for all of this to be over." He sighed, leaning his head back and pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes. "Just think. This time next year, we'll be taking NEWTs and getting ready to leave Hogwarts.... Kind of depressing, isn't it?" He frowned, sitting back up straight. "At least we've still got a year to get ready for that."

Penny threaded a hand through her hair as she began thinking over the idea of taking her NEWTs, turning from her work to face her friend. "N-NEWT's?" she said a bit weakly. "Oh, don't remind me, please. I c-can't start thinking about NEWTs. I'm barely surviving sixth year- seventh is going to murder me."

Zane gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, Penn. You're doing really well now. And we'll have all next year to get ready." He didn't know if that actually helped Penny feel better, but he hoped it would.

Zane stared at the Arithmancy book in front of him before groaning and closing it. Glancing at Penny, he sighed dramatically. It wasn't often that he let himself be a goof or act mental. "I just need a break, I think." He told her. He was extremely tempted to reach over and close her book as well and get her to take a ten or so minute break, but he doubted she'd appreciate that much.

She nodded, her stomach already twisting itself into anxious knots as her fears and worries began to manifest into active frustration. The mere thought of her NEWTs year was enough to send poor Penny's mind into twist and turns of fear and nerves. She was sure she would snap and lose it next year.

Still, she forced a smile. "Thanks Zane." He closed his book and she looked up with concern. "A break?" She reached over and picked up a Potions book. "Want to switch to Potions awhile?" This was her idea of a break.

Zane raised an eyebrow as she suggested Potions review as a form of a break. He supposed it wouldn't be awful, and probably more productive than what he was thinking of, but it didn't exactly sound like a rip-roaring good time.

"Yeah..." He began slowly, drawing out the word. He looked at her rather pointedly, though he smiled as he continued, "Or we could just chat. Or go walk around a bit. That, or even go get snacks from the kitchens." He suggested, his smile widening.

Zane couldn't say he expected her to jump right into an adventure - she seemed pretty content to stay where they were as far as he could tell, but he sort of hoped she'd be interested in one of his ideas.

Penny really should have known better, but social cues were not exactly her forte. The girl was really clueless when it came to these situations, but there seemed to be no concrete way to correct the terribly awkward behavior. She was doomed to forever miss the hints others would so helpfully drop for her.

He gave her other suggestions for a break and she had a short second of panic. "But we have exams and, and..." She paused. No way could she convince anyone that Potions was better than anything else. She supposed a walk or a chat could be acceptable. Provided it was short, of course.

"I suppose a chat or a walk could be good."