#3 - searching

Ingredient searching in the castle was fine but MJ definitely preferred being outside -- at least, when the weather was okay. She couldn't help but notice it was still cloudy outside but that was fine.

Jippi seeds were hard to get? Giovi thought for a moment, thinking long and hard about what the steps would be - but honestly, he didn't know what they were. If it'd been explained to him he was most likely lost somewhere thinking of other things... like how to make friends, how to enact his master plan... oh surviving class.

That was a big one.

But, he accepted her help. Mostly because he got to be in her presence. She was so nice and he wondered why he'd not found the nerve to actually speak to her last year... or last month. He was no coward unlike some people but... still he hadn't done it.

Absently he searched the grass, a soft wave of his foot over a patch here and there before her voice called out to him, sending him standing to glance over his shoulder as she called that she'd found some and there was enough for both of them. A smile then as he made his way nearer, leaning to gently pluck the grass from the ground and tuck it safely into his back.

"You have an astounding attention to detail." he praised, trying to sound more grown up than he was, but oh. Oh! Polyjuice potion? He eyed her with a curious, half lidded glance before nodding slowly.

"Could you teach me the Polyjuice Potion? Once I have the ingredients, of course. I can gladly collect them myself! I've just never seen it done before." Give a boy a Polyjuice Potion and he pranks for one day, teach him the secrets and... Oh yes, that was something he needed to know.

But she was asking for ingredients again and he shrugged. Either one would do.

"Let us try the Brittlebush first, it should be simpler. Then after that we can find the Jippi Seeds since you said it was a little more complicated. It is usually best to finish simpler tasks, if I do say so myself." Was he talking too much? Oh he felt like he was talking to much. But it was fine. This was fine. Everything was going according to his plans!

She liked looking for ingredients? He could figure out why. It was nice to get out of the castle and actually do something. It clouds today were... nasty but otherwise it was nice. It was October after all.

But she was downplaying herself it seemed. She just liked looking for ingredients. Well that had nothing to do with the fact she was good at it. She could spot small differences and Gio thought that was pretty neat. A good trait to have by any standard!

"Oh. I'm alright at Potions. Maybe we could figure it out together!" He'd help her brew a polyjuice potion. In fact, he'd brew one and she could brew one and he would go from there. Once he figured it out he could take off with it.

He wondered if there was anyone else that knew how to do it, or could show him. He'd have to check around the common room at some point because there was something that told him that Professor Snape would tell even him no if he asked about teaching it to him.

So, at that he began looking for the Brittlebush intently. Blue eyes narrowed, scanning and searching. Either way they'd find it.

Ok! So he was looking intently, eyes peeled for a Brittlebush! Because he needed to find it. Needed that ingredient because he'd promised Snape he'd be back soon. And Giovi was a man of his word.

He scanned the grounds until there, a bit further away, he saw one!

"Got it!" he cheered, jogging over to the thing and inspecting the branches one by one, seeking the best ingredients. But it was October, and the only viable ones were tucked down below the other pieces from what he could see.

He frowned but leaned nearer to it, reaching close but... he had to move the branches of the outer layer. Thankfully he was tall so it wouldn't be terrible. He leaned over the bush, pushing his arm into it as branches scratched up his arm. He was sunk into the bush up to the shoulder, cheek resting against the top as he reached, the eye closest to the bush closed against unwanted pokes.

THERE! Fingers closed against one of the viable pieces and pulled upward as gently as he needed to break the thing free and pulled it up with a triumphant grin on his face.

"Look, MJ! I got one!" He looked again and saw that there was enough for her, too, so hopefully she'd get some too! He tucked the plant into his bag and stepped aside for her, quite proud of himself. He was halfway there.

Hurt? He spared a glance at his arms and winced only a moment before shrugging noncommittally.

"Oh. No! I don't think so! I've had worse before." Sure, they stung a little bit but he'd been thrown from an angry horse before, so this was really nothing. Or maybe he was just trying to look cool. Either way, he wouldn't admit that it hurt.

He stood aside, watching her work, using gloves like a smart person - then again, she was a Ravelclaw. So, she was smarter than others... like Sarah. Oh yes, she was smarter than Sarah by far! Giovi watched in wonder as she reached into the bush, with gloves, pulling her Brittlebush out and inspecting it like an old pro.

It was getting late.

Eyes glanced up at the sky with a wince. He'd hoped to have more time but... it was fine. He could collect even more tomorrow after breakfast and meet Professor Snape with a lot of ingredients rather than just four. Because he could prove himself that way!

"Oui! I plan on searching for as many as I can find so I'm wondering where it'll take me." he admitted, turning on his heel back to the castle and glancing at her.

"Might I walk with you inside?" Because was finally talking to her! And because he was enjoying it! Brittlebush aside, Giovi was just glad for the ability to speak with MJ and get to know her a bit better. Having friends would be nice... first year had been so dull.


[ooc: exit]