take it one step at a time [ian]

Sipping on her Butterbeer, Maggie crossed her legs gently. Having secured a fairly secluded booth towards the back of the Three Broomsticks, the brunette relaxed. Coming to Hogsmeade was always, to the sixth year, a welcome break from the studying and pressure that could pile up from the advanced course load she had signed up for. And now, with her N.E.W.T.s classes piling on more work, her time in the library had started accumulating by the hours; studying by both the gray dawn and by the lamp's light had caused faint dark circles to appear under her usually-smiling eyes. Maggie realized herself that naturally being hardworking also had its downsides, and with the important end-of-term assignments coming up this was evident in her lethargy.

She arched her back then, sighing at the audible crack the action had produced. Hopefully Ian would be here soon...

Her thoughts drifted to when she'd set up this meeting at the well-liked restaurant/pub. He'd been vague about what he wanted, but it had been clear that he needed someone to talk to. Maggie had then suggested they meet up the next day at Hogsmeade. She knew that many of the older students were studying for their N.E.W.T.s or for O.W.L.s and hadn't gone out this particular weekend. She herself was up to her ears in Herbology and Charms homework, both of which caused the knot of anxiety in her stomach twist.

However, this was the weekend! She should be enjoying it; besides, it was only midday and there was plenty of time to work on that Charms assignment she needed to get done for Tuesday. Maggie lifted the glass to her lips and took another sip of the sweet liquid. Hopefully Ian was okay-- she liked listening and giving advice, helping her friends was one of the things she genuinely loved to do, but if the problem was serious she wasn't totally sure her expertise should be sought after. But the fact that Ian was even willing to talk to her about a problem (potentially) made the brunette happy. He could be a little more aloof than she, and this assertion of trust affirmed, in her mind at least, that he believed he could depend on her.

Maggie looked up as the chatter in the Three Broomsticks picked up. The door opened just then, revealing Ian walking in. The Hufflepuff scooted to the edge of the booth seat so that he could clearly see her and waved shortly in greeting.

For the past couple of weeks - well really for the longest time - Ian had been planning to date Ivy Emberton. However, he couldn't just casually ask her out as if it was no big deal. Because Ivy - bless her heart - would most likely flail and try to change the subject if he did. So he had to have the perfect plan. One where even sweet loving Ivy couldn't bat her lashes out of. Which is why he asked one of her dormmates, Maggie Lewis, to meet him at The Three Broomsticks. Of course he was vague about why he wanted to meet her, but he made sure to stress the importance of it. She seemed like the kind of girl that would know a way to bring Ivy around to the idea of having a boyfriend. Which is what he wanted to do before the summer months started. Make Ivy and him an official couple. That way they could do double dates with Basil and Rikki, and even hang out at her house just cuddling and enjoying the great outdoors.

Rubbing his hands along the right side of his face, Ian took a deep breath and pushed opened the door of the pub. The noise level wasn't too loud where the two sixth years would have to practically yell at each other from across the table, but it wasn't too soft where he would have to whisper either. Seeing Maggie wave to him from a booth, Ian smiled and waved back, then went to get a cold Butterbeer bottle - as he preferred them over the warm mugs. Ian took a large sip as he made his way to where the Hufflepuff was sitting. Sliding in the booth seat across from her, Ian took another sip of his Butterbeer before leaning back. He sat there for a moment, just staring at Maggie as he ran his forefinger along the brim of the bottle.

"You know Ivy Emberton pretty well yes?" Who wouldn't? Ian swore that she was friends with every single person at the bloody school. Where he only had a few close friends and didn't bother trying to make everyone like him. He was a loner and he preferred it that way. Why would he need a lot of friends when he had a really good one in Basil? The Slytherin was all that mattered when it came down to it. "If not let me know and I'll find someone else who can help me with my...request." Bringing the bottle to his lips, Ian almost finished it as he still kept his sea blue eyes on Maggie.

Maggie had to admit, Ian's eyes boring into her was intimidating her just a little. Well, a lot, actually. She shifted, visibly uncomfortable, in the now seeming too-large booth. Maybe meeting him wasn't the wisest choice. Of course, she was always one to think the best of people, but she'd never really spoken to Ian much before this...meeting? She wasn't even sure what this was. The girl averted her blue eyes, focusing on the busy waitress dropping off a plate full of buterbeers to another group of teens at the opposite end of the pub. When Ian spoke, Maggie snapped her attention back to the boy. Ivy...Emberton? At the mention of her friend's name, the sixth year relaxed. "Of course I know Ivy! She's in my dorm; I've known her since first year." Running a hand back through her thick curls, Maggie wondered why Ian was asking after Ivy. Ivy had never been one to not been popular with guys, but she hadn't heard of guys specifically asking after her, either. Maybe she just wasn't in the loop...?

The girl arched a slim eyebrow at his wording. "Request? And what may that pertain to?" Maggie consciously maintained unwavering eye contact with Ian, knowing that signs of weakness may work against her. Before the Battle, she'd been much less aware of her own naivete or her own gullibility. But she didn't want to be fooled anymore; she wanted to be able to stand up and be on even footing with those challenging her. Not that Ian was challenging her...it was just that she needed to get into the habit, yeah? However, her confidence waned after a few moments and she found herself drinking from the still-warm glass as a diversion from having to keep staring into his eyes. Maggie knew little about Ian, except that he was friends with that Basil fellow-- same year, Slytherin. From the whiff of smoke she'd detected when he took a seat, she assumed that he smoked.

"If it's something against her, I won't help you. Ivy's sweet and I don't want to see her hurt." Crossing her arms over her chest in an admittedly failed attempt to seem a bit more aloof or not open to his request, the girl sized Ian up. What could he possibly want with Ivy? Unless.

Unless this was some kind of request to help her with something? For a surprise or a gift or another show of affection along those lines? At this train of thought, Maggie's arms uncrossed and she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear delicately, now smiling. "I know Ivy fairly well. If you want to do something nice for her or something of that lot, then I'm your girl." Hopefully it was that. Maggie now recalled that she'd seen Ivy and Ian walking together a few times before, though hadn't thought anything of it until now that Ian was in front of her. It would be incredibly exciting if Ian fancied Ivy; she could see those two getting along well. Ivy was more exuberant and bubbly, but Ian could balance her out as well as Ivy helping him to be a bit more extroverted. Or just not so closed-off. Maggie waited, expectation shining in her eyes, and took another sip of her butterbeer. The brunette was happy now that she hadn't declined to work; the prospect of helping someone in a dilemma was like striking gold.