It's Been A While

(ooc: can we pretend it's two weeks into term?)

Bertie had spent the first two weeks of his fourth year not at Hogwarts at all. No. The poor Ravenclaw had been dying in St Mungo's the evening before he was supposed to board the train and, after Sophia Granger discovered a life threatening magical bug and symptoms of the Welsh Green Itch, Bertie was subjected to surgery and disgusting potions. He was cured of the magical bug, thankfully, but the Welsh Green Itch was still present, as a result each morning and evening Bertie had been forcing disgusting, muck-coloured slime down his throat to prevent his symptoms from showing.

Bertie had just finished his first day at Hogwarts in Study of Ancient Runes. Originally Bertie hadn't signed up for the class, however after being rather disappointed that muggle studies wasn't challenging enough his Head of House, Amelia Cooper, had spoken to the Ancient Runes Professor and arranged that Bertie would attend both third year and fourth year Ancient Runes classes to catch up. Not that the Professor minded, after reading Bertie's student record and discovering that the Ravenclaw was a 'delight to teach' and 'exceptionally bright' the Professor had agreed to Professor Cooper's proposal.

For the first time in two weeks Bertie was smiling. The lesson had gone exceptionally well, granted he was already two weeks behind as it was, he had enjoyed the class - wishing he had never picked up muggle studies in the first place. The only reason he had chosen the subject was because he was curious as to how wizards studied them. Bertie didn't need to study them however, he had grew up in a Muggle society due to his Mother being a squib.

Alas the booming bell rang around the castle, confirming the end of class for the day. The sound of scrapping chairs filled the castle and Bertie, along with his peers, began to pack his things away. Unfortunately, as he was gathering his things away Bertie accidentally knocked over is jar of ink. Luckily it hadn't squirted anyone but it mean't he was the last person in the classroom, even the Professor had gone. Once again, like in St Mungo's, Bertie was alone.

((OOC: Of course!))

Vivianna had gotten news. Considering the mess that the first few weeks of school had been, the witch was incredibly glad that the news was good. In fact, it was very good. Bertie was back.

When Bertie hadn't shown up on the first day of school, Vivianna had been confused. When he was still missing on the second day, she'd become worried. Upon then checking the hospital wing only to find it empty, she'd stormed right up to the new Head of Ravenclaw House and demanded to know where he was. Finding out that Bertie was in St. Mungos hadn't done much to cure her worry.

She'd been tempted to pull Bertie out of Ancient Runes as soon as she'd heard he was back in the castle. After stopping and thinking for a moment however, she wasn't all that sure the Ravenclaw would appreciate that. So, she'd resigned herself to meeting him after the class was over. Waiting outside the door with crossed arms and a scowl on her face, Vivianna watched the other students file slowly out of the room.

When the flow of students stopped and Bertie was still nowhere to be seen, the Slytherin rolled her eyes affectionately. The young Nogard was just the type to be the last one out of a classroom. Opening the door and letting herself in, Vivianna immediately noticed Bertie's upturned inkwell. Huh, and she'd always considered herself the clumsy one between the two.

"Evanesco," the witch incanted, completely skipping over greetings. She'd been taught the Vanishing Spell last year in Transfiguration. Oddly enough, the difficult spell was the only piece of Transfiguration magic she'd ever managed without a struggle. The only one who had been more shocked than herself, was her teacher.

Mess of ink out of the way, the Slytherin stood back and crossed her arms with a cool expression on her face. Eyes narrowed slightly, she began to scan Bertie up and down, looking for any sign of sickness, injury, or general un-wellness. Coming up with nothing, Vivianna began to slowly circle the younger student, continuing her through inspection with sharp and searching eyes.

Upon the ink disaster Bertie began to look through his bag to find something to mop it up with - perhaps there were tissues in there? Although his search was soon interrupted by the sound of a female voice: 'Evanesco' Hold on, Bertie recognised that voice. Looking up his brown eyes met the eyes of a recognisable Slytherin: Vivianna Varnes.

Bertie couldn't help but smile. He hadn't seen Vivianna since their farewell by the lake before the Summer holidays - of course they had spoken on occasions via MagiChat but it wasn't the same as seeing his red headed sister like friend. 

Not saying anything he simply smiled whilst Vivianna looked him up and down before circling him. 'Can you believe Snidget has gone walkabouts already?' Bertie said conversationally as though he hadn't been ill and hadn't seen his friend in so long. 

'Reparo.' Bertie muttered, tapping the ink bottle where it had smashed slightly, before placing it into his bag along with his quill.