It was a nice day out and it seemed a waste to be in the common room but she had to get it done. She had been putting it off all week and after her run in with Potter on the pitch her procrastination had been haunting her and she had heard rumors that Malfoy had already announced when try outs would be for Slytherin house which meant she needed to hurry before the pitch got all booked up and she was left scrambling for the left overs. Hufflepuff deserved better than that.

Which was why Holly was sitting cross legged on the floor in the common room with bits of parchment laying around her, some crumpled and others not. One had a list of positions with checkmarks next to certain ones determining the positions that needed filling and she was scribbling away on a separate piece of parchment a draft for her own team's try outs. She paused and chewed the end of the quill she held and tried to pin point when would be the best day to have try outs when a balled up paper hit her on the head. The blonde looked around and rubbed her head. "Oi! Who threw that?" She demanded to the room at large.

Luca had found himself scribbling notes of tactics for the try-outs but none seemed good enough. He averted his attention to doodling pictures of some Hufflepuff players versing Ravenclaw. One guy was hanging onto the broom with one hand. He was a beater who had been knocked about by the bludger nearby. He never showed his pictures and so screwing it up he threw the finished drawing over his shoulder slouching comfortably into a chair when a yelp from behind was heard. He thought he was the only one in the common room and everyone was outside enjoying the weather. It seems he was completely and utterly wrong.

'Oi! Who threw that?' having been slouched down on the sofa he supposed the girl whose voice he heard couldn't see him. He sighed sitting up and turning around so he could see who he had hit. "Sorry that was me" he smiled impishly one side of the smile a little higher than the other. "Didn't realise anyone was there..." he responded his hand pushing back his hair. He noticed her drawings which looked familiar. It seems she had a similar idea of planning tactics for the hufflepuff quiddich team. "Looks like I'm not the only one" he grinned nodding towards her scattered papers of notes and all sorts. he studied her before quickly realising she was the captain of the team. "You looking forward to try-outs?" He asked. It was probably a silly question but it would make conversation. Beats being awkward, he thought to himself.

Turning to look over her shoulder at the culprit of the thrown parchment ball she recognized him as half a set of twins but the surname escaped her. She shook her head and waved away his apology easily enough. "As long as it wasn't on purpose.." She told him and smiled a friendly smile. Her eyes wandered back to her own work and she sighed and laid down her quill for the time being. "It's probably just as well anyway. I wasn't getting very far." Holly muttered more to herself than to the boy or empty common room but she wouldn't doubt that he probably heard her.

It was difficult trying to create plays and tactics for a team the was pretty nonexistent for the most part and there were no players as of yet to bring them life. She really should have been more focused on the try outs announcement than the tactics anyway. Focusing back on him she nodded and a lopsided grin appeared on her face. "Excited and nervous. It's a bit daunting, never know who or what's going to show up."

Holly had absently been toying with the crumpled and balled up parchment he had tossed at her unwittingly throwing it from one hand to the other with ease. "So what is this anyway? A love letter?" She sent him a teasing smile. "You got a good arm by the way." Holly complimented where it was due and the ball had hit with a pretty decent force for a piece of parchment. Maybe she had just stumbled upon a future player?

Luca smiled "I know what you mean. I went to watch the tryouts for last years team. It was both great to see some excellent players while others made me want to bite my fingers." he joked remembering one of the beaters. He improved a lot however if he remembered correctly.

Luca realised that though they may recognise one another it was probably best for a friendly introduction considering they never really had conversations alone. "The names Luca by the way, Luca Hartstone." He leaned over the sofa outstretching his hand as if to shake hers while he waited for her response.

She seemed to throw the paper back and forwards complimenting his arm. He smirked, "Well I do play sports daily" he chuckled "I should hope it was good, but again sorry." Then she mentioned what it may be. His eyes went big as he swept his hand through his hair once more. "Oh no.... its not a love letter or ah anything interesting. Maybe I should just get this back?" He tried jumping over the sofa in an attempt to take the screwed up paper back. If she saw his drawing he she would realise just how 'geeky' he was. And just how 'artsy' he could be.

Holly snorted and laughed, remembering the try outs last year as well. It had been both entertaining and excruciating to witness. "Last year was particularly bad. Though the players we ended up with weren't so bad and improved a great deal." It was true, and she would know, having been on the hufflepuff team since her third year.

Reaching up to shake his outstretched hand with a grin. "Holly Jacobs, a pleasure, I'm sure." She introduced herself. "You've got a twin right?" She asked him, wanting to make sure she she hadn't got that part wrong. It wouldn't be the first time if she had but she was positive he was one of the twins. So he was a sports man huh? "So any chance you'll be at try outs this year for more than just the show?" She thought he had a good chance of being one of the final considerations.

"Nothing huh?" She looked from the crumpled up parchment back to the boy and grinned. "Somehow I doubt that. Let's just see what this is eh?" She began to unravel the parchment ball when he made an attempt to it back by launching himself over the couch. Holly had great reflexes though and rolled away before he could snatch it back, laughing. "I don't think so my friend. Now.." The blonde open up the parchment to reveal a drawing. Her eyebrows shot up on her face as she looked from it to the boy. "So you're some kind of artist eh? Why try to hide that?"

Luca smiled when she mentioned his twin. "Sure do. My other half, or say we say. Alice" He smiled thinking of his sister when his thoughts were dragged back to the conversation of Quiddich. One of his favourite topics to discuss. "There's a chance, if there's a spot" he smiled lopsidedly flashing her a wink. He always wanted to be on the team though never thought he was good enough. Brilliant at sports and same at flying but he had never tried the two together though he knew it well. And considering the try outs last year he would have nothing really to lose. Besides his pride and that wasn't much.

She was laughing, contagious laughs which caught him making him do the same when she opened the paper to reveal a picture. The colour faded from his face quickly replaced with tinges of red and then back to normal... all within a few moments. "So you're some kind of artist eh? Why try to hide that?" he shrugged, "Want the whole world to know how whimsy one is? Could a ruin a mans reputation." He laughed trying to make a joke of it...

It was obvious from his tone and the way he spoke about his sister that the two were close but then most siblings were and it was usually twins had a certain connection from birth so this wasn't surprising and Holly smiled at him and nodded. Her smile grew into a large grin when he said he might try out for the team if there was a vacant opening. "You should definitely try out in that case. Never know how I could someone of your talent." The blonde winked at him playfully.

Tilting her head to observe him her eyebrows drew together both in thought and a bit of confusion. "Whimsical eh?" She questioned, looking to the drawing in her hand with a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips before she smoothed it out and then handed it back to him. "I think whimsical is underrated. It's really good. You shouldn't hide your natural talents." She advised with a nod of her head to reinforce her statement. "What are you doing inside anyway? Isn't everyone outside enjoying the last bit of good weather before the cold sets in?"

Luca smiled, "Use someone of my talent ay? Haha which talent would that be?" he joked chuckling a little. She was amusing and easy to talk to. He liked the idea of befriending her so easily. It was nice. "You should know then, that my favourite position is usually a beater however I love the idea of chasers also. Though between us I wouldn't even think of going for seeker position, not as fun in my opinion" he sent a wink again his lopsided cheeky grin appearing.

He took the drawing from her shoving it in his pocket. "Thanks... but I'd prefer if this 'talent' as you put it stay between us for now" he said softly. What are you doing inside anyway? Isn't everyone outside enjoying the last bit of good weather before the cold sets in?" she asked. Luca grinned, "I suppose they are... but how else would I grease up to the captain of our quidditch team if I was outside and they are inside?" he joked before answering the question seriously. "I was outside earlier, went for a swim with the others. Until my mate started snogging some girl he just met. Got a bit awkward ay, don't really wanna be in the middle of that stuff. So I came inside. What about you? I mean I know you got planning to do... but you could do that outside... so what are you doing in??"

She rolled her eyes in good humor at him. "In that case I would say you're in luck since both positions are open. You should try out." She wanted to add on unless he were afraid but Holly didn't feel like she knew his character enough to make such a joke so she kept her mouth closed on that. Eventually maybe she would be able to joke with him about things like that. He seemed like a nice enough guy. "And for the record," she added looking at him with a sly grin, "seeker is by far the best position. I would know."

The blonde watched with half amusement and half confusion as he slipped the paper with his drawing on it in his pocket and out of sight. How odd to not want to share his talent but it was his talent to do with what he wanted but Holly felt it a terrible shame to hide such a talent as artistry and so as much. "It's a shame to hide something you're so good at." It wasn't a judgement but a friendly statement of her own thoughts on it. "If I went outside to try and do this I would never get it done." She explained simply. "Easily distracted I am." She added on with a grin. "I could be in the middle of a sentence and just stop there because of Merlin only knows what. It's a wonder I'm even a decent seeker to be honest with my short attention span." She playfully stated with a snort but it was no less true. She really did have a bad attention span.

Luca couldn't help but chuckle at her eagerness for her to try out. He raised a brow in question though didn't push aside the thought. "Alright then, I'll try out. You tell me where and when and I'll be there" he said adding a nod as if to show it was set in stone and his word was his word.

Laughing a little more at her statement on not being able to maintain focus and her questioning at being a seeker he had to contain himself. "Goodness, i suppose im being a bit of a distraction for you then?" He asked realising she may want to be on her own once more to figure out her plans. "Though I will say, maybe being easily sidetracked is the best thing for a seeker. It's always on the move, never in one spot to long. Something easy for your mind to keep up with." He smiled that lopsided grin of his and leaned forward resting his head on his arms.

Holly laughed at his theory regarding the snitch, a big grin stretching across her pretty face. "I suppose that could be said." She offered back with a nod of her head. "And don't worry about distracting me. I was already distracted before you entered the scenario, let me tell you." Holly admitted. In truth, she thought Luca was cool and didn't mind him being around, even if it was distracting. Sometimes a person needed a little distraction every now and then to take the edge off things.

"So Luca. Any other talents you've got hidden behind that baby face of yours?" The blonde questioned a bit flirtatiously. It was easily said that Holly was a flirt. She didn't deny that. She was sixteen, liked to have fun, and urging never hurt anyone. And usually her flirting could be chalked up to just being a bit overly friendly. She couldn't really help that she was a nice girl.

"baby face ay?" he chuckled to himself laughing "we doll face I am unite good at slacking off in certain classes" he teased "and not mention the piano. Other then those and sports not really." he looked to her questioningly "what about you? You must have secret talents I don't know about?? Spill" he smiled nudging her slightly. She seemed nice, almost flirtatious. He didn't know what to think so just laughed a little. "you reckon I could pull off yellow?" he grinned thinking bout the quiddich robes. He asked in jest seeing what her response would be

"The piano? Really?" She questioned again with bright eyes. "I've always wanted to learn how to play the piano!" Holly exclaimed truthfully. She had always enjoyed the music that emitted from the piano, but had never actually went about learning how to play it. She wasn't quite sure she had the talent for it, but it was always nice to sit on the bench and press random keys making a random melody she thought sounded ok.

The blonde wasn't phased all that much by his reference to her as doll face. She simply shook her head and smiled an easy going smile. Her look became thoughtful as she thought about any other talents she had. "Well...I can tie a cherry stem with my tongue. Does that count as a talent?" She asked with an unsure look, and laughed at his final question. "I'm sure you'll pull off yellow just fine. You are a Puff after all." She chuckled for a few moments then shook her head at him her buoyant curls bouncing as she did. "You know something Luca? You're alright."

"always wanted to learn ay? Well in willing to teach ya if you want to learn?" he asked beaming. He loved the piano but no one really knew that about him. "though I must say you're gonna have to keep quiet about it" he joked, he didn't really care if that secret about himself let loose. And it would be cool after all to share his piano enjoyment with someone else. "so what do you say?"

"a cherry stem with your tongue?" he raised an eyebrow. "this I gotta see!" he smiled when she mentioned he would pull off yellow. "phew" he teased pretending to wipe his brow "I was really worried for a moment I must admit." he joked pulling a face before allowing it to return to its normal self. Grinning he replied to her comment, "I'm glad you think so holly, cause you're not so bad yourself" he said flashing her a wink.

"Really? You would teach me?" Holly's hopeful look spoke volumes. She was always interested in learning something new and she couldn't play any kind of musical instruments. If she were being honest she really didn't have a lot of talents except in quidditch, and even saying that could be considered pushing it since she was no where near the level Potter was. Then again, who was? With a full blown grin from ear to ear the blonde said, "I say just tell me where and when Mozart." She quite liked the nickname of Mozart for him and silently decided to call him that from then on.

Laughing at his look, she nodded. "Yessir I sure can. I'll show you some time at dinner." She offered with a shrug in regards to the cherry stem thing. She really didn't consider it a talent so to speak but she wouldn't mind showing off a bit. "I'm sure you were extremely worried there Mozart." She retorted back with an eyeroll and using her new nickname for him but the grin never left her face as she shook her head at him in clear amusement when he winked at her. "You think that now but just wait. I'll have you running from me kicking and screaming." Holly said jokingly and walked over to pin the quidditch try outs announcement to the notice board.

He laughed at the nick name she gave him. "Steady on there doll face, you're moving a bit too fast for me with these pet names" he mused laughing some more. Mozart. Had a cool ring to it. "Well how about now, before dinner? And in return you can show me that trick of yours when we get there for dinner?" he said raising an eyebrow to see what she would say.

He chuckled and added "You have no idea how worried I was! Wouldn't try out if I didn't look good" he said laughing even harder before restraining himself. He followed her over to the notice board and as soon as she put it up he signed his name. "Well now we shall just have to see if you're right about the running, kicking and screaming. It's done now" he said mischievously. He took her hand and lead her over to the old piano in the corner. It was in tune, and had seen better days, however it was still beautiful to play. He sat down on the left of the seat tapping the other half of the seat "Now to see if I can make you run, kick and scream" he joked. "But first, where to begin..." he lightly fingered the lower keys while she sat near the middle to the higher keys. "Ah yes... Do Ray Mi" he began to play the notes. "Simply follow me" he whispered. "Do Ray Mi Fa So La Ti...these are the notes everyone must know in order to play"

He paused for a moment and then continued. "I know. What is your favourite song? I will play it and teach you the duets to it on the lower part, some people pick it up faster when they can play to music they know because the can hear the keys and know if they mess up. You begin to pick up on playing by ear a lot easier as well..." he went silent for a moment and mentally chided himself. "Heck!!!!! Im going on and on. Feel free to actually kick me if this gets annoying" he said laughing slightly realising he had to strong a passion for the piano.

It was with a bemused smile and a slight eye roll that Holly was tugged over by the hand towards the piano. She gave him a look that made it seem like she were questioning his sanity but sat nonetheless on the part of the piano bench he tapped. She glanced at the keys and sat awkwardly, like she did not know what to do with herself. It wasn't far from the truth. But like any good student Holly listened attentively and watched his fingers' every move. She couldn't help but smile at his passion for the instrument they were sitting at, or his passion for teaching someone else something.

Her own fingers awkwardly tried to mimmick his as he played but it was obvious that she were no natural for this. She laughed freely, shaking her head at him and her face was open and carefree. Resting her hands in her lap she responded. "No, you're fine. It's near impossible to annoy me anyway." She joked with him. "And technically my favorite song is I Just Can't Wait To Be King from the Lion King. I'm muggleborn." She added as if that would explain her choice of favorite song.

"Muggle born hmm?" a smile grew on his face as lopsided as ever, "Seems we share that in common" he added with a cheeky wink. Within seconds he began playing 'I just can't wait to be king' "This is a fairly easy song" he added with a grin that never left his face. He looked up seeing the clock thinking not much of it before realising the time "Good grief, no wonder no one has come up, they were not just enjoying the weather but dinner now too. Keen to get something to eat?" he asked his stomach adjusting to the circumstances of this new found knowledge.