Valentine's Day was in about a week and Lucas still had no idea of what he was going to do. He wanted to get Sophia the perfect gift to let her know how special she was. Unfortunately, he had no idea what the perfect gift was. Every idea he seemed to come up with just didn't seem worthy of her. Nothing seemed good enough or he ended up thinking it was just stupid and she would just laugh at him or he would be making a fool of himself.

He sighed to himself as he flipped through one of the books in front of him. He had thought going to the library and reading one of his mystery books would make him feel better about the situation. That wasn't the solution today. He kept getting distracted while he was trying to read as his mind wondered about and he ran over ideas in his head, just to dismiss them again. He really was in a spot this time.

After what seemed like hours of him staring at the same page in the book, he decided to close it and try to find something else to do with his time. Something to hopefully distract him. He put the book away and started to leave the library, passing Rowena as he went. "Hey," he muttered as he passed her. Then he remembered a conversation he had with Kesali the month before. Rowena was Sophia's sister! Surely she had to know what Sophia liked and disliked and what she wanted and didn't want and things like that. They were sisters. They had to talk about those kinds of things.

He turned around and started back toward her. He wasn't entirely sure that Rowena knew he liked her sister. He didn't even know how she would take it when he told her. Hopefully she wouldn't get mad or anything. He liked them both and had developed a bond with them thanks to their parents helping him out so much. He had liked Sophia before all that happened though.

"Hey, Rowena? Do you think I could talk to you a minute? I mean... about something kind of personal?"                                                                     

There were a lot of interesting things about the history of Quidditch. The fouls especially, so many and some of them happened all the time. Rowena had been all caught up in her book for the last...well, she didn't know how long. Boudicca seemed to have fallen asleep on her shoulder, and when Rowena moved her head to look at Lucas she could feel kitten claws snag in her hair.

"Sure, Lucas!" The book thumped a little as she set it on the wooden desk, it was rather heavy. "I just finished a chapter anyways. What did you want to ask?"

Most everything she'd seen of Lucas had been with Sophia around. But he needed friends, with everything. And Sophia did do, even if books could be wonderful friends. She gave Lucas a curious smile and waited for his answer.

Lucas sat down at the table with Rowena, ran his fingers through his hair, and rested his hand on the back of his neck. How in the world was he going to do this? He really hadn't thought about it much. He thought about what he was going to get for Sophia plenty. He just hadn't thought about how he was going to approach her sister or what exactly he was going to say when he did. He was terrified of the reaction she would have when she found out he liked Sophia, if she hadn't figured it out already. Then again, if she -had- figured it out and hadn't snapped at him yet, that could be a good thing. After a few moments and a couple long breaths, he was finally able to find a few words.

"You know Valentine's day is coming up and we have that dance thing we have to do. I... want to get something for Sophia. Or do something for her. Something she'll really like. I have no idea what to get or what to do though. I was wondering... if you had any ideas? I just want her to know she's special, you know? And it's Valentine's day and girls like stuff on Valentine's day right?"

"Awwww! Of course!" She folded the book up and focused her attention completely on Lucas. The turn of her head woke Boudicca, and the kitten mewled softly before settling back down.

This had to be good news, though. Sophia would want a date, and Lucas was nice and was even trying to get her a nice present. Very romantic. "I...hmm. Books. Books are wonderful."

And that reminded her of something more specific. "Rune books! Mum bought Father some when they were in school, and he still has them. And some sort of jewelry maybe? She likes jewelry." Some of it was expensive, but not all of it. There had to be something affordable he could get.

"You could ask Professor Reid? She's nice. Her and Abigail came over to visit during the Christmas break."  There had been cake and kittens and all sorts of nice things.

"I can manage a couple rune books I think. And maybe a bracelet? And I can charm it to always sparkle or something? I really want to do something she'll really really like. I want her to be super happy and feel special and all. I know your father doesn't think I"m suitable for Sophia... but I care about her. She's been here for me through everything that was going on and she helped me not get behind in my classes. She petted me and read to me when I couldn't sleep. She's pretty and she smells good. I want to do something to really let her know how much I appreciate her."

Lucas looked up at Rowena and looked almost completely lost. He really did want to do something to let her know how perfect and amazing she was. He didn't totally understand girls or anything like that. That's why he needed Rowena right now. He was glad she was willing to help him and give him ideas on what to do. He was glad she didn't slap him for liking her sister too.

"I"m not sure about asking Professor Reid. I really don't know her that well and I don't want her to coo and 'aww' and all of that. That's why I came to you. I figured if anyone would know what she would like, it would be you."

"Ooh, yes, a pretty bracelet." Rowena couldn't help her smiles. Sophia needed the nicest surprises, and she had done a bunch of worrying about Lucas already.

This was a serious conversation though, and so she slipped the book into her bag. Time for reading later. Boudicca, being disturbed yet again by movement, pressed her claws to Rowena's neck just enough to express displeasure.

"And Mum wasn't suitable either. So don't worry too much." Father was very good at not thinking about that until Mum pointed out he was doing it. Which happened a bit.

It was really hard not to giggle at the idea of Aileen cooing. Rowena's face got a little red and scrunched up before she managed to take a deep breath and calm down. "I don't think she'd be too weird. She's our cousin, you know."

"I'm sure I can find her a bracelet then. And I can charm it so it sparkles every time she puts it on. I really hope she'll like it. She deserves to have something pretty like that."

Lucas couldn't help the little laugh that came out at Boudicca's distaste for Rowena's movements. She always had that cat with her. Sometimes he though the cat was more than just a cat. It seemed far too in tune with things. Or maybe she had just gotten use to Rowena's ways by now.

"I can't help but worry. I guess knowing that your mum wasn't suitable at first helps a bit though. Maybe he'll learn to like me in time. If anything, I'll be happy to have her as a good friend. And I know Aileen is your cousin. I just don't feel comfortable talking to her about stuff like that. I don't know. I'm just weird about it I guess. Thanks so much for helping though. It really means a lot. And I'm glad you didn't freak out on me," he said with a slight chuckle.

"I'm sure she'll love it." Rowena forced herself not to nod and therefore risk Boudicca's wrath, and instead reached up to scratch at the kitten's chin. Silly kittens.

Boudicca purred a bit and then hopped down to the desk, where she looked up at Lucas searchingly and mmrowed. Rowena giggled at that, then, unable to resist. "Think she approves. And don't worry too much about Father. He almost always looks serious, no matter what he's thinking. Mum can make him smile sometimes."

Even that didn't happen very often, though. "And you don't need to talk to Professor Reid. But she doesn't bite. Unlike someone." She tapped a finger on Boudicca's nose and giggled again. Studying was so much better with a kitten for company.