"That is why we have students practice on each other,"  Leopold said, nodding.  "It gives you an appreciation of how the spell feels from the receiving end, which allows you to have a greater understanding of the affects.  I think it is important to have a good grasp of the basics, otherwise you are building a castle on a foundation of cheese."

Noah was the kind of student teachers loved to find, avidly interested and thirsty for knowledge.  "I have no fear that you will do well here, Mr Archer.  No fear at all.  If you keep this level of interest in your studied and in understanding the fundamentals, you will be a prefect before you know it, at the very least."

Noah smiled a bit at the comment before lowering his gaze a bit, partially from embarrassment from the praise and partially from the image that caused.

"Um... Professor..." he continued after a pause. "This isn't really related to magic but... do you know good ways I could..." he paused, looking down again from a bite of embarrassment. "That I could make... make friends...?"

"The best way to make a friend is to be a friend,"  Leopold answered immediately.  "Talk to people in the common room or during meals, even between classes.  Join a club.  There are several that you might find interesting.  I suspect the only thing holding you back, Mr Archer is the fear of being ignored or rejected.  The only way to get over that is to take the plunge.  If you don't succeed immediately, try again."

It was well into the school year and past time that the students should have been beginning to make the connections that would last them a lifetime.  If Noah was friendless at this point, it shouldn't take long to correct the problem.  It would just require a little effort on his part.

"A-ah, alright." Noah said with a small nod, taking a small sip at his tea again. He looked up at the professor once more, a bit sheepishly, "I'm... er... sorry that my questions seem to be all over the place and without direct focus. I just... I've been excited and my mind can jump around a bit... sorry" he apologized, bowing his head lightly. "I really appreciate this, however"

Leopold chuckled.  "You're in your first year at Hogwart's, Mr Archer.  I don't care what your background is, this is a dizzying time.  Your mind is supposed to be a mass of primordial chaos that I and the other professors will try to teach you how to organize.  If you weren't all over the place, I'd think you found all this magic and majesty dull and boring and we couldn't have that, could we?  Don't thank my, young man.  This is part of my job.  It's what I do.  If you can't find answers from your professors, who can you find them from?"

Leopold hoped Noah would be able make the friends he seemed to so desperately want.  It was going to be only his inexperience that would hold him back.  Still, he was young and it was still early in the year.  There would be plenty of time to make friends.

Noah nodded in response before grinning at the professor, gently setting down his now empty tea cup. "Alright, th-er... understood professor." he said with a calm happiness. "Would you mind if I ever came again for something like this again in the future...?"

"My door is always open, Mr Archer,"  Leopold replied.  "Feel free to knock at any time.  If I'm busy, I'll let you know.  You might also want to make an effort to get to know professor Trishna.  He is, after all, your head of house.  He'd likely have some excellent advice for you as well.  You'll find the same thing about most of the professors.  We're all here to help."

The young Ravenclaw nodded, moving up to a stand. "Then I think that I'll go for now. Thank you for your time professor." he said, smiling graciously, "I'll see you in class." he finished with before nodding once again to the professor and quietly exiting the room.

"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr Archer,"  Leopold called after him.  He closed his office door with a flack of his wand.  He would see the young man again, he was certain.  He was going to expect great things from Noah Archer.  Great things.