Halls, 4/11

[Aurora Stone]

Aurora rose quickly and turned to leave, having not even bothered with bringing her bag to the hall, it made getting out that much quicker.

Going to the lake was a good and bad idea. It was one of the few places she would go just to be herself, but now she knew that at the bottom of the lake was the thing that killed her sister. She was sure it hadn't even been a quick death, if she had been ripped apart like she had been told, she would have really felt that. A sick look came over her face as she rushed out of the hall, becoming sick in a corner and getting rid of what little she had actually eaten that morning. A quick flick of her wand and it was gone, but needless to say it would be a while before she felt like eating again. She barely made a few steps along the wall before sinking to the floor and breaking down again.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius walked up and bent down, he picked her up in his arms. Carrying her outside and towards the lake. The sun was shining almost in mockery of the dark day.
"Come on, lets tickle the squid some" He said walking down towards the shore of the lake. He was glad of all the Quidditch he played, it made it easier to actually carry someone.


((WRITERS BLOCK))

[Richard Mandel]

Richard was walking along the corridor on his way back from the library. He’d been in their early, studying for a class test. He’d heard all about the event that had happened last night, as well as three different versions of the ‘real’ story. A girl had got killed, nothing like this ever happened at Hogwats and now that it had, well, the stories that were circulating weren’t very nice. He, like the rest of his house, tended to try and stay out of the way of any political issues, his opinion was best kept to himself.

Deciding to take a lesser known corridor that would shave a few minutes off his decent to the food hall, he rounded a corridor and managed to get four paces along it before he realized what he was seeing.

“Oh dear.” He muttered. Tensions were still running rather high and walking into a group of Slytherins who looked quiet upset to have their privacy disturbed was not on his agenda this morning.

There were five of them. He recognized two seventh years as well as Evan Rosier, who was in his year. They were clustered around two other Slytherins he didn’t realize and looked like they were having a serious discussion, in fact, it looked like it had come to blows.

Richard about faced in one smooth motion, as they broke away from their huddle to face him.

‘just keep walking, don’t look back’ a voice said to him in his head.

“OI! ‘puff, don’t move!” he heard one of them shout.

The voice in his head didn’t give any useful situations, he could have run, but he didn’t feel like being cursed. So he stopped and turned.

“Hi.” He said with a cheerful smile, trying to ignore the now vocal voice in his head swearing repetitively.

One of the Seventh years pushed him roughly and spun him so that he hit the wall rather painfully.

“I know absolutely nothing about anything.” Richard blathered rather fast.

“You’re a Hufflepuff, of course you don’t know anything.” The 7th year that hit him said, he was rather menacing, and despite trying very hard not to look scared and intimidated, Richard swallowed hard.

“I’m glad we both agree.” Richard said, trying to wipe the pathetic smile of his face. He was pretty sure this was Walden McNair. McNair was known as not being a very nice chap, the sort of chap you avoided, by several countries if possible.

“What do you know about the girl that was killed last night?”

Richard’s eyes went wide, “nothing , I wasn’t involved at all. I know absolutely nothing.”

McNair rolled his eyes and grabbed Richard by the collar of his shirt and slammed him backwards.

“Mandel, what McNair is trying to ask is what is being said in your common room.” Rosier said, placing a hand on McNairs outstretched arm. McNair let him go after a moment. The other Slytherins had him fenced in. Richard tried to get an air of ‘not terrified’ about him, he coughed and shrugged his shirt back into place. “ Well, The official story about the incident with Killerman. But I’m guessing you want to know the theories?” he asked.

“Well, hes’ got at least 2 IQ points more than normal for Hufflepuffs.” One of the other Slytherins commented.

Richard gave a nervous laugh, “Killerman was responsible, but we all know there was another student down there with her. Not Stone. Somebody said perhaps Killerman was trying to take over the school and it went wrong. But the main thing is the monster doesn’t matter, Stone died….”

“And?” Rosier leant forward close to Richard.

“And, that if the Slytherins can’t even look out for themselves, they’re not a threat. Everyone too busy feeling sorry for you all, to worry about being afraid of you.” Richard couldn’t really believe he’d said that last part. Though some courage in him managed to surface, and he took a bit of pleasure in the surprise in Rosiers’ eyes.

McNair moved instantly. Grabbing Richard and slammed him back against the wall. “Not afraid of us?”

“You asked me what I’d heard. I’m co-operating.” Richard said, his airway being crushed. He tried to wrench McNairs hand free but it was like iron. “Let go.”

Rosier signaled and McNair dropped Richard. The boy hit the ground coughing.

“Don’t let your tongue outrun your brain Mandel.” Rosier said, “we are quite capable of taking care of our own, and taking care of those that get in our way.”

“Are we talking about just you Slytherin Guard guys, or your whole house?” Richard asked quietly, putting two and two together.

“Both, we’re hardly separate.” Rosier nodded to the other Slytherins who disbanded. Richard thought he saw the glimmer of respect in the boy’s eyes but it was gone in an instant. “Watch yourself.”

Rosier turned and followed McNair and the others.

Richard managed to pick himself up off the ground and rubbed his sore throat. He needed to warn the rest of his house, Slytherin was on the war path and Hufflepuff were always cannon fodder.

He quickly hurried back the way he came.

[Kestrel Mantel]

Kestrel was bolting down the corridor full pelt not really looking where she was going. She slammed into Mandel at full pelt hitting the ground rather hard. Her wand was out and pointed at him even as she fell. She coughed and sat up properly.

"Mandel. Merlins beard I thought you were a Slytherin or something. They have been trying to catch me all morning" Kestrel said and stood up. She brushed off her robes and picked up her bag.

"Sorry I ran into you like that!" She said and twitching she looked over one shoulder.
"I think they might try something today. I just hope that its not on Killermen. Or if it is that Killermen kicks their butts something chronic." Kestrel said and rubbed her scrapped hand on her robes. She looked at the blood rising from a few scratches. She sighed and fished in her bag finding a bandaid. She placed this wonderful muggle invention on the cuts.

"Mandel are you okay? Seem... out of it? She frowned at him. She could see the beginnings of contusions on his neck. Perhaps some abrasion there too. All blunt force trauma probably by someone with large hands who hits hard.
"Oh dear. They already cornered you huh? What did you tell them? If they really think its someone's fault. That person is in a world of hexing trouble"

[Richard Mandel]

Richard hit the ground again as the figure collided with him, all the breath whooshed out of him, winding him. He blinked. Colours! Blue tie, wasn’t a Slytherin. He breathed a sigh of relief and scrambled to his feet, still trying to catch his breath. It was Kestral Mantel. “Hi..yeah, not Slytherin.” He looked over his shoulder. No sign of Rosier or McNair.

He offered her a hand and helped her up. He noticed that she too was looking worriedly down the corridor. He peered in the direction she was looking distractedly, was there a group of Slytherins chasing her as well?

Richard managed to shake himself into making a bit of coherent sense.

“Sorry, yeah they did, McNair and Rosier with goons. I got a bit pasted.” He gestured back over his shoulder. He liked Kestral, he really did, she was one of the few people he knew at Hogwarts that really appreciated muggles and their technology.

He noticed her staring and adjusted his collar, he was going to have a wonderful bruise tomorrow.

“They were out scouting for information. Looks like Slytherin Guard is having a bit of a problem with crowd control. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He gave a grin. “You might want to put a bit of betadine on them.” He said gesturing to her cuts.

“I don’t think they know who to blame. I don’t know, I havn’t been down to the Great Hall yet. I guess Killermans a good bet they’ll try and get back at her, but she’s a teacher. Malfoy isn’t that stupid.”

“Probably should go that way, not towards the Slytherin gang.” He said gesturing down the other corridor. His memory kicked in, “Hey aren’t you studying Physics by correspondence? Or was it Advanced Chemistry, I can’t really remember…Blame it on the head trauma.” He gave her a grin.

[Kestrel Mantel]

"Yeah vicious brutes. Will get them later. When we work in high ranking high paying jobs and can refuse them lowly tasks."

"I have some disinfectant in my room. Will get to it later, good thing not having to run off to nurse for every little thing. Killermen will eat them for breakfast" She added with confidence she didn't feel. Killermen looked grey at best.

"Physics? Yeah I was doing that... last year. This year I am doing Advanced chemistry, Investigative human biology like medicine and stuff. History and English literature. I skipped over the maths a bit this year. Will pick some up during the break" She said and grinned.
"I love knowing that there are some people out there that still appreciate muggle know how. I mean if engineering principles were applied more often to magic then we could advance certain fields dramatically. Only wizards will be wizards and muggles are supposed to be stupid idiots or something. Muggles don't know that there is magic. So no one is talking to anyone. It is very annoying." Kestrel made a cross face.

She heard something she spun her head around and listened.
"Slytherin's" she mouthed and pulled Mandel with her towards a tapestry and behind it. There was a small stone niche nothing was in it. She pulled him in and made sure the tapestry was on the wall flat again.
"I think a statue used to go here or something. Most people don't know about this. It doesn't go anywhere so people don't remember it" She put a finger to lip and stopped whispering listening. Footsteps came closed and then stopped.

"Could have sworn I heard that nosy little cow" It was a low grunt of a voice. Slytherin. Looking for Kestrel. Wide eyed Kestrel pressed herself against the wall in the tiny space. She had her wand out. It was shaking her hand slightly. She looked like she would rather be anywhere else at that moment.

She held her breath as the foot steps moved off, she breathed out when they left her hearing.
"He hurts me... every chance he gets. I just am not fast enough to spell him. Or or I forget the spell. Or he gets my wand.." She sighed and rubbed her arm nervously.
"Shall we get out of this tiny space?"

[Richard Mandel]

“You’re talking about science, most Wizards I know seem to think science is a bad word. I on the other hand quite enjoy physics but Newtons laws don’t quite apply….” He was grinning, but then in an almost comical way she grabbed him by the lapels of his shirt and dragged him into an alcove, pressing him against the wall. He was too surprised to say anything, and started to form a question before she shushed him.

The footsteps outside and the voice of another of the Slytherin Guard Goons. He unconsciously held his breath, the bruise around his neck hurting almost of anticipation of the moment the curtain was pulled aside and he was smashed into another wall. Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Kestrals’ hand was shaking but the footsteps resided.

He let his breath out and relaxed back against the wall. He then realized how small the space was that they were sharing. In the dim light that filtered under the tapestry her face was rather small and pretty, her eyes dark probably with the same adrenaline he was on. “I think you’re safe now.” He said with a small cough as soon as he pulled himself together. The hyper state of his senses registered that they were very very close together.

Still they both paused, ears straining the hear any sound of life beyond the curtain. Then before the moment became more awkward he ducked outside the tapestry, holding it aside so that she could follow. He looked up and down the corridor. Deserted.

“Thanks for that, ” he gave a lopsided grin, “couldn’t think of a nicer way of hiding from Slytherin Patrols.”

[Kestrel Mantel]

"I know every nook and cranny to hide in this entire place. Some..." she faltered for a moment stopping midway from jumping out of the nook.
"... a... one of the slytherin's seems to think its fun to.... never mind" she said trailing off. She was blushing slightly, she pushed her hair back and shrugged lightly with a weak chuckle.

"That way?" She asked pointing to an empty corridor. She kept her wand out.
"do you know anything about what happened? One ravenclaw claimed she was in the grounds when it happened. I don't think that is true. However no one seems to know much. Everyone knows that there was someone there aside from Killermen. That it was the both of them that shoved that thing into the lake and then the squid ate it or something. That famous blade of Killermens is in the lake with the remains. Fat lot of good that will do. At least its safe." She chuckled weakly, peaking around corners before taking them. She looked out the window at the waters of the lake.

"Mandel, how do we stop of the Slytherin's? They are going to do something stupid. I just know it. They are all mixed up inside their ranks, something is going to blow the this and then that will be it. The whole school will erupt."

[Richard Mandel]

“Whole school has already erupted.” Richard commented darkly. “I was baby sitting half my house yesterday after what happened to Severus Snape. He’s in one of my classes, he a nasty piece of work, but he didn’t deserve that.”

“I think we need to keep our heads low, look out for our friends but stay out of the fight. I mean, if Slytherin dissolves into a civial war, there are going to be some dire consequences. Either it will be really messy or they’ll sort it our quietly and we’ll find bodies floating in the lake next week.” He gave a weak smile.

They were both cautiously retracing their steps back towards the main corridors of Hogwarts.

“When they, eh, got me back there I told Rosier that everyone was too busy feeling sorry for the Slytherins to fear them. It is true. Man it would suck to be in that house, all that fighting.” He shrugged, “I don’t know what its like in Ravenclaw, but we ‘puff’s are like one big family.”

[Kestrel Mantel]

"Bodies... yeah" She said and laughed weakly. The idea of it made her feel a little nauseous especially given what was in the lake. She shivered slightly and kept an eye open. She watched a few younger students running down one corridor and looked into it. There was a large spider innocently looking at her, she opened a window and moved on.

"Sounds nice. Ravenclaws are pretty close knit. I a big brother or sister kind of fashion. We can be very competitive over that perfect grade we want. WE all like to debate and talk about our lessons and things. We help the younger students and things. Teach each other and share knowledge. Its great that way. We are a bit like a family I guess just one that loves their books" She laughed quietly
"and riddles, challenges, debates and grades" She smiled at him walking with him was nice.

They turned a corner and she realized there was Slytherins at the other end of the hall. She had been so busy talking she hadn't checked the corner. She paused mid step. They had spotted them. It was too late to duck back around the corner. She looked at Mandel waiting to see what he would do.

[Richard Mandel]

His mouth dropped open, and several pessimistic comments jumped to mind but he pushed them aside.

There was no where to hide, they could run, but they would be caught, they could fight, but they were outnumbered.

He grabbed Kestrels hand, "go with the flow." he muttered.

"If it isn't Mantel and Mandel."

"Hello Powel." Richard said a smile on his face, timid, but still a smile. "fortunate to run into you here."

"Not so fortunate for you I think." one of the other Slytherins said.

Richard could feel his heart pumping in his chest, he could also feel Kestrals cold fingers wrapped around his own.

"Well yeah it is, Rosier asked me to pass along a message."

Powell paused mid smirk. "Rosier asked you to pass a message to me? Why on earth would he do that?""

Richard shrugged.

"You're lying." He hissed and raised his wand. Rochard drew Kestral so that she was hidden behind him. "I'm not, wy would I lie?"

"To save yours and your little girlfriend's here skins?"

"Its not my skins that will need saving if you don't get down to the common room like Rosier said. "

Powel smirked. "And what exactly did Rosier say?"

Richard swallowed, "Just that they'd called a meeting and that we were to tell all the Slytheins we met to go back to the common room to deal with the traitors."

Richard was sweating now, he was pulling words out of his head randomly and weaving togehter gossip.

"He's lying." the other Slytherin said, rasing his wand. Richard flinched.THe other one shot out his arm to block him, "and if he's not, I'm not going to be seen as dis-lloyal, Rosiers is part of Malfoy's crowd."

Richards eyes flicked to Powel who looked like he'd madeup his mind.He shoved Richard back against the wall hard. "Don't think this changed anything Mandel, next time we meat, you're cat food. then the three Slytherins disappeared down the corriodr at a near run.

Richard relxed back agains tthe wall from where he'd been pushed and finished a quick prayer. Thank God. He then realised he was still holding kestrals hand and he let go, blushing. "Sorry about that." he said embarrased, "I tend to go with the first thing that pops into my mind, its rarely usefull but it seemed to wrok alright tonight."he smiled.

[Kestrel Mantel]

Kestrel jumped when he grabbed her hand. She almost hid behind him when Powell came closer. It was enough to make her skin want to crawl right off her body.

Kestrel did her best not to look shocked at the out right lie that Mandel came up with. She only just managed to squeeze the words out of her throat.
"Rosier sounded really mad" She stayed hidden behind Richard as much as she could. When they were finally gone she let out a breath.

"That was brilliant" she informed him. "Although I hope I don't see them for at least a week. If they find out we lied.. its not going to be pretty" She said and smiled at him. When he had let her hand go she noticed how warm it was. She hadn't noticed just how long her had been holding onto it before.

"Thanks for that. Powell.... makes my skin crawl" she said in a rather timid voice that didn't match up with her normal moods.

"Lets find somewhere safer to stand around" She said and then her eyes lit up.
"The library?"

[Richard Mandel]

Richard’s heart was beginning to return to its normal rate, the pounding in his ears had subsided to the point where he was almost rational.

“Yeah,” he blinked a few times, “Yeah Powell is a nasty bit of work, I’m just happy it worked…” he trailed off and blinked a few more times, “yeah it really wouldn’t have been pretty.”

He jumped tearing himself out of his own thoughts. “I probably should get back to Hufflepuff, check on the youngins…” he paused and looked at her, she did really look quite small and slightly this side of terrified. “They’ll be alright, I think the library is a fantastic idea.”

There was a second of silence of Richards grin was falling off his face. Then he made up his mind.

“Come on.” He grabbed her by the hand and dragged her in direction of the library.

[Kestrel Mantel]

"Oh well if you need to check on the youngsters. I understand. You know" She said in a would be casual tone, it was just a little too high pitched for her normal tones. Only then he grabbed her hand and she forgot about the arguments and excuses she was prepping to give him a clean exit.

Wait a minute. Her helping someone to get out of a conversation with her? That was unlike her.
"Um okay then" was all she could come up with. She let him drag her along.

"You don't have to um hang around if you don't want to?" She said quietly. Why was she generating chances for him to get away and excuses for her to let him?

[Richard Mandel]

"There is nowhere else I would rather be, well, Just not in the corridor frequented by SLytherns that probably want to kill me by now. " He grinned, "come on."