he strode up behind you, black and maroon robe billowing in his wake, settling his large palms on your shoulders and squeezing gently. naturally, you jumped slightly and whipped your head around to see who it was. as soon as your eyes met, a big boyish grin inhabited his face.

“hey, you,” he nodded at your hair, “dig the pigtails.”

you rolled your eyes lightly-heartedly, “you’re particularly joyous this morning; considering we’ve got divination next,” you raised a quizzical brow as he fell into step beside you, dwarfing you in comparison.

you were a little skeptical of his sudden overconfidence, wondering where the dorky, awkward farmboy had momentarily disappeared too— and why.

he raised his brows back almost sheepishly, chuckling, eyes sparkling, and the grin broadening, “what’s that look for?” he practically giggled. now you were definitely suspicious.