j alex stebbins: *is sitting in the back corner of the library, looking incredibly happy, a large pile of books on the table in front of him, one open*

thecoolprof: *Bill exits the Restricted Section, closing the door behind him. He walks to the back of the library searching for a place to sit and read, and sees Alex* Good afternoon, Alex.

j alex stebbins: *a little startled, Alex looks up, smiling brightly* Hrm. Oh! Professor Weasley. Um... good afternoon.

thecoolprof: *smiles back, holding a couple of books under his arm* How are you feeling? I heard you've been able to sleep again.

j alex stebbins: Cor, I feel fantastic. *his smile widens, then he motions to the books* I mean... it doesn't even upset me that I'm a week behind. And I hear all the other people who were having problems are better now too.

thecoolprof: *grins* I'll be lenient. I hope you're not having too much trouble with Runes or Magic Theory, though.

j alex stebbins: Not too much, really. I think I was doing okay before last week... *he blushes slight* Although, you would know that more than I. *chuckles, then hold up the book he's been looking thru* My sister sent me this one. Sumerian glyphs. *He shrugs* Ravenclaw *as if that explains it*

thecoolprof: *chuckles and sits down next to Alex, putting his own books down across from him. he takes the book* Ah yes, I've read this. It's quite interesting. Sumerian glyphs included cuneiform, see? *points to a picture in the book* Very few glyphs, besides Hebrew and Buddhist ones, incorporate alphabets.

j alex stebbins: *looks at the picture and nods* I was just looking at that section, actually. And I was reading up on some of the ancient wards against sicknesses... *his love for his new found work showing even in his studies, he beams at the thought of it*

thecoolprof: *still smiling. one of Bill's greatest pleasures is seeing his students interested in what they study* The Persians were experts at that. The Zoroastrian faith believes that disease is the Devil's curse, so their magic tends to focus on that.

j alex stebbins: *nods, then thinks of something and takes another book from the pile and hands it over* I found this one this afternoon. It has something on that, and also some applications to the early Chirstian Scientist movement in the states... *he shrugs and leans back in his chair* It's a little off the wall, though.

thecoolprof: Protestant Christians over the centuries have stopped using symbols and imagery in their magicks. *wry grin* Not like they were very tolerant of magic in the first place.

j alex stebbins: Right. *he blushes* That's... um... what that section is about. How even some wizards took on the faith and then refused to use magic to aide the sick. *he shrugs* I told you it was a stretch.

thecoolprof: *shakes his head* Barking mad, they are. Considering how much that religion is based on myth and superstition in the first place, you'd think they'd readily accept wizards.

j alex stebbins: *blinks and then laughs, nodding* You don't have to tell me. My parents were raised Catholic.

thecoolprof: *leans back and stretches, cracking his neck and back* Did they go through the "demonchild" phase when you found out you were a wizard? *pauses* You don't have to answer that if you don't want to.

j alex stebbins: *shakes his head and laughs at that too, smiling* Well, Maggie... the Ravenclaw... was a seventh year my first, so they had some time to get used to the idea. But, no...  *he smiles and blushes slightly again* No, they're great.

thecoolprof: That's great. I had a Ravenclaw friend back in the Dark Ages when I was a student. His parents were Catholic, too. Weren't too happy about his situation, either. *shrugs* They got over it eventually, though.

j alex stebbins: *rolls his eyes* Honestly, you're not that old. *then his smile fades* Yeah, a lot of ... well, a lot of us seem to have that problem. Maggie and I are damned lucky our folks are so open-minded. *shrugs*

thecoolprof: *chuckles* Tell that to my brothers, please. But it's true, you are quite lucky. It must make them proud.

j alex stebbins: Uh... yeah. I guess. *he blushes and looks down, chuckling* They've been saying that more the last few weeks. *looks back up and shrugs* I guess they just never thought I studied before, or something. Just played Quidditch and goofed off with Dorny.

thecoolprof: I've heard that you recently got a job in the infirmary assisting Madame Pomfrey. That's quite an honour.

j alex stebbins: Thats the rumour. *beams at you* I love it, really. I haven't been much use this last week, but I'm glad I'm there. Both my parents are doctors. I guess I come by in honestly.

thecoolprof: *smiles* That's wonderful. Medimagic is a tricky field. It takes talent to succeed in that field. I don't have that. When I was in Egypt, I had to learn basic field medimagic. Didn't get too far.

j alex stebbins: *shrugs, still beaming* It just... it comes natural. Which is nice... have to work too hard for everything else. *voice teasing, but only slightly*

thecoolprof: *chuckles* Nah, you're doing just fine in my classes. Are you understanding the stuff I'm teaching now?

j alex stebbins: *nods* I think so. Ask me again at the end of the week though. *he chuckles* Really, I enjoy your classes a lot. Yours and Professor Flitwicks are the only classes where I have any motivation. No offence to your brother or anything.... but I never was a steady hand at potions. *rolls his eyes at the memory*

thecoolprof: *nods* Well, it takes a special kind of person to deal with Percy in the first place. *grins* Just don't tell him I said that.

j alex stebbins: *blinks at you again and then laughs, leaning over conspiratorially, inwardly shocked that he feels comfortable joking around with a professor, though it is happening more often this year...* Trust me, I understand that. You should meet Mags. *rolls his eyes again* But you have to love them anyway. Most of the time. *a quick wink*

thecoolprof: *nods, laughing* I really do love my brothers. Even if they easily get on my nerves. *shrugs* That's the bad part about being the oldest. They know all your buttons, and you can't do anything back.

j alex stebbins: *chuckles* Yeah well, being the baby isn't a stroll thru the park either. *teases, the shrugs* But yeah... have to love her. She's my best friend.

thecoolprof: That's wonderful, that you two are so close. I'm that way with my brother Charlie.

j alex stebbins: *nods, the smiles* Yeah, Charlie is a good bloke. And um... Professor Delacour seems to think so too... *chuckles*

thecoolprof: *raises an eyebrow* Oh, so you know? What, did you catch them snogging or something?

j alex stebbins: *blushes slightly and laughs, leaning closer even though no one is around* Yeah, actually. Last month or so.

thecoolprof: Really? *laughs* They're like teenagers, it's ridiculous.

j alex stebbins: Eh, it's cute. *chuckles again* She and I talk sometimes, about classes and all. It's nice that she's not lonely or something... I can't imagine being that far away from home.

thecoolprof: She's very nice. One of the few other professors I've actually had a conversation with. You know, it's really quite difficult to find some of the instructors, here. I've been trying to talk to Sirius - er, Professor Black, for weeks now.

j alex stebbins: *thinks, then shrugs* I see them all in classes, I guess... It's not like I actively hunt down professors for fun chat very often. *another chuckle*

thecoolprof: *grins* But we're really quite good conversationalists. We can talk for hours on end if need be. It's a requirement before they hire you, actually. *chuckles* See how long you can talk, and how quickly you can bore your audience.

j alex stebbins: *grins* Well, I can think of a few who win that race. *laughs softly, like this is something forbidden to talk about with an actual professor, then leans to pat your arm hard, laughing* Don't worry about it though, you're not one of the first ones I'd think of. *teasing and another quick wink*

thecoolprof: *smiles and laughs* Thank you, Alex. I appreciate that. And don't worry, I won't tell Professor Binns you think that way about him. *winks back*

j alex stebbins: Binns.... yeah... He does win the race. *thinks for a bit* You know, there is something I've been wondering about him. *looks at you and the shrugs* Why did he stay, do you think, even after all the other ghosts left?

thecoolprof: *thinks for a moment, then shrugs* I don't know much about death and necromancy, so I can't say. I'm sure it has something to do with the nature of being a ghost.

j alex stebbins: Or he just didn't want to stop teaching. *shrugs* Not that it's important, I guess. I just latch onto little things like that sometimes.

thecoolprof: Percy knows a bit of necromancy, actually. He might be able to refer you to some books if you're interested.

j alex stebbins: *nods* You know, dumb as it may be I'll probably do that. *laughs* I could just ask Professor Binns I guess, but what fun would that be.*blinks* Damn, I sound like a Ravenclaw...

thecoolprof: *chuckles* There's nothing wrong with being inquisitive, Alex. It's perfectly healthy.

j alex stebbins: *rolls his eyes and laughs good naturedly* Yeah, I know.  *looks at his pile of books and sighs, smiling* But I really don't have time to be too inquisitive right now.

thecoolprof: Yes, you should finish your work. I shouldn't have distracted you. *grins, and picks up his books before standing up* It was nice speaking with you, though.

j alex stebbins: I didn't mean you had to leave me to it. *he shakes his head and laughs, then stands up and holds out his hand* Was nice talking with you too, Professor. Weird... *he winks* But nice.

thecoolprof: *shakes Alex's hand firmly* I think I can deal with weird. And if you need any help, just come find me. If I'm not in my office, I'm probably here.

j alex stebbins: *shakes firmly too, and smiles* Sure. I may have to do that once I get caught up. Thanks, professor.

thecoolprof: Anytime, Alex. Have a good day. *with a final wave, Bill leaves the library*

j alex stebbins: *sits back down, smiling still, sighs, and picks up his book again*

[Fin.]