A Quiet Corner Of The Courtyard

A quiet corner indeed. When Sophia led Hugh outside, there was pretty much no signs of human life aside from a couple birds fluttering around the place, looking for crumbs. It was a nice little corner, hidden away from the center of the courtyard, if someone to go out there.

Sophia dragged him over to the bench, and sat down, and looked at him expectantly.

Hugh sat with her, avoiding eye contact as always. He didn't bother asking what it was she wanted; she would probably just go on to tell him anyway.

Sophia did something rather surprising: she climbed up on top of Hugh's lap, and stared into his face, demanding eye contact from him for a change.

"Isn't it great to be out here?! It's like we're the only people in the world!" No song drop intended.

"What are you doing!?" Hugh had the right mind to push her off, yet he didn't. He continued to look away.

"Just sitting with you. What else does it look like?" Sophia asked, staring at him. But then, she began to chatter away. "Honestly Hugh, you deserve to hang out with better people than nasty old Kyle. You're too good for him!" she advised.

"I know that! You think I don't know that?" Think of dead things, Hugh. Dead puppies. "Please get off of me."

"No," she said simply, and she continued to talk. "But it's true... Hugh, why don't you try and make new, nicer friends? Anyone can, if they try enough."

"It's too late in the year, there wouldn't be any point. You're quite heavy."

Sophia laughed, ignoring what he said. "Hugh, it's barely October! Come on, give me a break!"

"It feels like it's been centuries. Too late in my school-going years, then."

"Oh, don't be a Negative Nancy..." Sophia chastised, but she smiled at him. "I'm always here for you, at least."

Oh, that smile! "Thanks," he grumbled.

"Seriously! How can I NOT love you?! You're like a demented version of my brother! OH YEAH!" Sophia bounced on Hugh's lap excitedly. "If I get really good grades and past my N.E.W.T's this year, I get a graduation present!"

Hugh was tense. "Please stop doing that-- What sort of present?"

Sophia shrugged. "I'm not sure, I was writing to my mum about it, I thought about maybe seeing a real live play in the theater district in London, but I don't know. What do you think?"

"What sort of play?" He fidgeted.

"I was thinking The Phantom of the Opera-you've probably heard of it, it's very famous, but tickets are expensive... my family can't afford to spend too much on that kind of stuff. But it's time to dream." Sophia explained.

"I haven't, actually," said Hugh.

"What? You haven't? It's only just the most popular entertainment venue of all time!" Sophia exclaimed, looking shocked.

"Venue? I thought it was just a play."

"There's a movie too, and all the adaptions and stuff... it adds up! Either way, Andrew Lloyd Wright is probably a very happy man right now..."

"Who?"

"The guy who wrote the play. Plays don't magically spring up out of nowhere."

"I've never seen any plays." He was actually looking at her now. "Not one."

"Really? They're great fun." Sophia straightened up proudly. "I've even been in a couple before... it's just as fun to perform, too... the sound of the audience, breathless... waiting for your next line..." she lowered her voice in a whisper, going into a little transfer, but then she caught herself and spoke up again.

"Someday, I will take you to a play, when I'm rich and have plenty of money to spare. Then you'll understand the special kind of magic I am talking about."