Quality Spencer Time. on Library

Adam & Charlotte Spencer

August 24, 2013 2:28 PM

Quality Spencer Time. by Adam & Charlotte Spencer

Since the term had started, Adam had hardly seen his sister once. Charlotte had finally convinced him to study with her and he went because he loved his sister and had grown up taking care of her as an older brother was supposed to. He sat at their favourite table in the library and waited for her. She was usually punctual, but today it seemed as though she was running a bit late. He checked his watch before spreading out his books. He had a wicked Charms essay to write that he had left to the last minute. He wasn't a terrible student, really, but he had lacked a bit of motivation after a somewhat embarrassing Quidditch loss. At the very least, he had successfully had a hand on the Quaffle at one point in his very first match.

Charlotte arrived, out of breath. She hadn't meant to be five minutes late, but she had to finish her painting for the fair. It was still drying, but she had the sketch of it that she was dying to show Adam. They hadn't seen each other much, though they had owled each other often, and Charlotte hadn't had the opportunity to sit down with him and tell him everything. Being in a public space made Charlotte feel much more self-conscious, but being with Adam in their slightly secluded area of the library would help her feel more comfortable.

When Charlotte came past the books to the dominantly empty area, Adam smiled. "Hello," he said, rising and kissing her cheek in greeting. "Haven't seen you in awhile." They would never pass as brother and sister unless one really looked for it. They had very different personalities and very different looks: Charlotte was blonde and blue-eyed, the spitting image of their mother, while Adam had dark hair and brown eyes like their father. Opposites to an extent. But they balanced each other out, so Adam liked to think as they sat down.

"Sorry I'm late," replied Charlotte as she sat and rifled through her bag. "I've got something to show you. You remember I joined the Art Club?" Adam nodded. "Well," she continued, "I've decided to submit one of my paintings to the booth. It's called, 'Solitude'. Here, I've got the sketch for it." She unrolled the parchment she had drawn it on and handed it to Adam. He had always been so encouraging with her artwork and it was no different now. She watched his eyes widen in amazement; she always looked for that expression when showing anyone, but particularly her brother, her art.

"This is amazing!" exclaimed Adam. Charlotte giggled and shushed him, pleased, and Adam smiled at her. "You've really got a talent, Lottie. This looks a lot like our own garden at home. The bench looks so good, too. You've got all the colours on the canvas, haven't you?"

"Yes of course; I didn't have time to colour it all in on a scrap."

Adam waved the sketch. "You call this a scrap? You're mad." He gave it back to her. "It's lovely though, really. You're bound to bring viewers by the dozens, if not the hundreds." Charlotte blushed as she put it away.

"Stop it. You're exaggerating."

"I'm being serious. Oh, I've got something to show you as well." He dug through his book bag and pulled out a scrap of parchment of his own. He unfolded it and gave it to her with a grin. "Ta da." It was a poor sketch of one of the bookcases and a stranger sitting at a table a few metres away. The sketched person was turned in his seat and pulling a funny face. "Wow, that's..." Charlotte raised her eyebrows and giggled. "That's terrible."

Adam sighed. "Yes, I know. I try so hard, but I suppose my hand just can't cooperate. But I love it, you know. Sketching." He grinned as he put the parchment away. "You can be the famous artist with paintings hung up in museums and I'll be the comical doodler in those museums making pocket money from pitying passer-bys." Adam put a hand on his forehead and balanced his quill on his upper lip. "I can do tricks too. Maybe I'll get a whole three Sickles for that!"

"Oh shut it." She giggled as she removed the quill from his face. "You're being embarrassing. You've got too much dignity for that anyhow. Here, look at this. Emrys Lucan — remember the boy I told you about? — asked to meet me at the MARS room to practise our duet! We had promised to duet together this term and he actually contacted me. Not only that, but he considers us friends too. Isn't that exciting?"

"Good for you, Lottie. You look delighted." Adam grinned. "Don't you start labelling him as your future husband now or you'll lose his friendship fast."

Charlotte shrugged. "I can't stay looking all my life, can I? Mum says I got to start looking for suitable lads now if I want to get married and be provided for at the age she did."

"You've got years to go and you're only going to grow prettier; you won't have to worry about wizards flocking to you when the time is right. Anyhow, let's get to studying, shall we? I really need to get this essay done." Adam began unrolling his notes and Charlotte stuck her nose into her textbook and began to read.

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