#6 Do What You Gotta Do

The moment the door opened, Tobias couldn't stop himself from flinching and was incredibly relieved that he hadn't invited a friend along- wouldn't want to give them the impression that he was easily spooked. His relief was short lived however, when he saw the Headmaster sitting behind his desk... Waiting for him to enter or maybe he was supposed to stand outside and inform him of why he had come? To be on the safe side, he'd wait for an invitation to enter.

Swallowing back the anxiety that was bubbling in the pit of his stomach, Toby cleared his throat as subtly as he could before speaking "excuse me sir, I heard from some of the other students that I might find some of the books in your library useful? I was wondering if you'd allow me to have a look?" be polite, use your manners... He could practically hear his mother's voice in his head- reminding him of who he was talking to.

"I wouldn't mind helping tidy up a bit in return?" he was beginning to grow nervous again, shuffling his feet anxiously as he debated on whether or not he should turn and leave without waiting for an answer.

When Headmaster Rickard gestured for him to enter the office, Tobias did so immediately- though he was still wary about being in a room alone with the man. "I know that your library is probably full of complicated and advanced books... But I'd quite like the opportunity to judge for myself if they'll be of much use to me" he replied, not appreciating the insinuation that he wouldn't now what to do with the information. Adults always underestimated kids... For all Rickard knew, he could be a genius.

"I was actually hoping that I might find some information on non-verbal spells and wandless magic" he plucked a topic out of thin air, hoping he sounded convincing. "Of course, I know such magic is beyond my skillset right now... But I'm hoping if I get a headstart on the reading, maybe I'll find it easier when I do learn about it?" he peered over towards the nearest bookcase with apparent curiosity. "I did look for a while in the library but I couldn't find much information on it and nobody really takes first years seriously around here... I don't know if you've noticed?"

Tobias got the unmistakable feeling that he'd crossed a line with the Headmaster. His assumption was backed up when Rickard spoke to him next. Lowering his gaze he refused to look at the headmaster for a while. He didn't know why the Headmaster gave the reaction that he did- Toby didn't appreciate being scolded for his ambition or his confidence in himself. Who was Rickard to judge what he was capable of? He didn't even know him...

Ordinarily, he would've argued back and ultimately landed himself into more trouble than it was worth, but today was different. Toby's plans to gain access to the Headmaster's academic library were about more than just the contents of its books and he wasn't too keen to be banished from the office, not on this occasion anyway.

Taking a deep breath like he'd been told to do whenever his temper was beginning to get the best of him, he finally looked up to meet Rickard's gaze and forced a weary smile. "I'm sorry sir... I didn't mean to offend you" he started to apologise. Often when he got into fights with his parents, the more he argued the harsher his punishment became and he got the distinct feeling that if he attempted to argue with Headmaster Rickard, it would yield the same results.

"I was just curious of the magic involved and it is a subject that interests me... Even if I'm not yet able to use the information" Toby had never been very patient, the idea of waiting literal years until he could practice magic at the level they were discussing... It was enough to drive him mad- especially when his older siblings were learning magic at a much higher level than himself. "If you don't want me to read from your library, I'll understand..." try to understand at least... He definitely wasn't a fan of the idea of being forbidden use of such a resource just because somebody doubted his ability to understand the information.

'Hmm,' was all Rickard said for a moment, watching the boy with an unreadable expression. He then glanced towards the door were a Hufflepuff joined them. 'Come in, Miss Doren.' He beckoned to let her know she wasn't interrupting. 

Rickard regarded a wall that was entirely bookshelves, though were mostly bare. Some wooden crates sat off to the side, filled with books. 'If you wish to help, Mr Twiggs, then you may. Though I'm afraid the subjects you're seeking are yet to be sorted. We're only up to Negating Charms. The crates may seem never-ending.' He glanced at the crates and bookshelves, then towards the two first years. 'Arrange the books Alphabetically, by author. You can work for as short or long as you wish, and leave of your own accord.'

The specified wall was rather tucked away at the other end of the office, providing Tobias with the privacy to go about his task without interrupting Rickard or being overheard. Somewhere around the middle, out of his reach but able to be easily conversed with, was the Sorting Hat. It was still and quiet, yet the folds of its eyes and mouth fidgeted enough to let Tobias know it was aware of his presence.

'Now then,' Rickard said to Charlotte, shuffling some important-looking notes on his desk. 'How may I be of assistance to you, Miss Doren?' His manner was business-like and patient. He wondered if she was there for the same reason as Tobias, but would wait to hear her response before deciding if she too may proceed to assist in the task of sorting books. 

Hearing a quiet knock on the door behind him, he turned to see a familiar looking Hufflepuff entering the office. He thought he recognised her from Herbology that morning but wasn't really interested in getting to know her- not at the moment at least, he was in the middle of convincing Rickard that he deserved to be allowed into his private library. Listening to the Headmaster as he explained that the subjects he was interested in hadn't been sorted yet- that was vaguely disappointing but didn't deter him.

"Yes sir, I don't mind sorting through a few books" he answered Rickard, looking towards the mostly empty bookshelves before heading over to begin his task. Beginning to rifle through the crates, he began to arrange some of the books as he'd been instructed but he hadn't been there long when a quiet sigh left his lips. This reminded him of the times his parents would tell him to tidy his room- that was never any fun, so why had he agreed to do this? Couldn't he just come back after someone else had arranged the books?

Glancing back towards where Rickard was talking to the Hufflepuff, he was confident that he was far enough away that they couldn't quite make out what he was doing- but not willing to risk being thrown out, he lazily continued the task.

Throwing his head back dramatically as he gave a slightly more exasperated sigh, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar tatty old hat sitting upon one of the shelves, out of his reach but easily enough to see... "Hello?" he called quietly up to the hat when he noticed it fidgeting- the sorting hat had spoken to him once before, when it had placed him in Gryffindor... He wondered if it only spoke during the sorting ceremony or if it would maybe appreciate a conversation outside of its usual routine.

Charlotte gave a courteous nod to the Headmaster before making her way over to where the Gryffindor boy stood, stopping at an open box to grab an armful of books to sort. As she picked up a couple of books she couldn't stop herself from freezing when she heard the boy speak, her head turning to look at the boy only to see him looking up. 

Curiosity filled her as she took a few steps towards him, clutching the books to her chest as she stopped just behind him and looked up to see who he had been talking too. Shock covered her features when her eyes landed on the sorting hat, her hand covering her mouth to stifle a laugh when it spoke to the Gryffindor boy.