So much for there being nothing to do when someone came and KNOCKED HER OVER!

But then again, it was a person. And Sophia looooooved people. She heard someone talking to her in a different accent as they helped her up. All of her thoughts were knocked out, and she wasn't completely paying attention.

"No no, you're fine," she said, brushing herself off. "It happ--"

She stopped as she looked up at the person who was talking to her. IT WAS A BOY. A CUTE boy, at that. And he was standing right in front of her, more like holding her arm. She couldn't help but grin, and she looked down for a second. She pushed some of her hair behind her ear and cleared her throat.

"I'm Sophia," she said. "Sophia Carlisle. I'm a Ravenclaw fourth year. It's nice to meet you James."

Alfie started up the first floor corridor, her face hidden slightly behind her schedule. She wasn't even quite sure where she was going, she had just wandered up a staircase and here she was in this corridor. She didn't even realize she had company until she was a foot away from the pair of people, nearly running into the girl who was tucking hair behind her ear. "Oh! Sorry," Alfie quickly muttered, jumping back slightly as she looked up from her schedule and realized her proximity to them. Her blue eyes scanned the pair without realizing exactly what she was doing, analyzing them both and quickly gathering that this girl was seeming to flirt with the other student. She was intruding. A small, knowing smile on her face, she took an extra step back, her eyebrows raising slightly, "I didn't mean to interrupt." Sensing that she wasn't necessarily welcomed in the conversation, and not exactly in the mood to converse with people who were otherwise occupied, she gave a bit of an awkward wave. "Well...bye then."

Alfie dodged back down the stairs, cursing herself internally for her own nature and quickly realizing that exploring would mean coming in contact with other students.

So; either this girl had NO natural instincts that let her know that SHE, Di Marco, was annoyed - or she just really liked bugging people. Was that a Gryffindor thing too? "What does it matter what animals I like? And, just because I said HUMANS could do it I didn't mean I wanted to," she said, once again inexplicably and uncontrollably and angry with this girl. Well, not it wasn't COMPLETELY inexplicable this time.

The future was somewhat of a mystery for the fourth year. She had no idea what she wanted to do, except that she knew she wanted a lot of money. Like her Father. LOADS AND LOADS of cash. But for that, she either needed to be insanely lucky or just very very good. Both of which didn't really sound like something that might be in store for her. When had she ever been lucky in her life? AND, she was good at everything but not good ENOUGH.

It was maddening.

"What? No, I'm fine," she waved the silly question aside as he gestured to the bubble around her head. Was this prefect blind, too? Honestly. And WHAT? That didn't even make any sense. "Okay, you're SERIOUSLY strange. Who in the world decided to make you prefect?" she demanded, staring at the older girl. On top of all, she just LET those two girls drop the dungbombs and swamp thing.

SERIOUSLY.

"Really? My last Charms lesson was good!" Jade told Cody. Cody seemed tired. "Are you ok Cody?" she asked him.

"That's good to know", he smiled. "I'm just tired that's all. I haven't had that much sleep lately, that's all", he added.

"Really?" Jade said worriedly. "But why? Have you been worrying about something?" she asked Cody.

"Nope, I haven't been worried about anything", he said with a smile. He had just been talking so much with his friends in his dorm. Maybe a few to many later nights?

What was she doing here? Right, walking. Walking and walking, going nowhere. Really, Zara, you've been at Hogwarts for at least three months or more and you still don't know the ways around here.

She looked around, students were walking everywhere. Maybe she should go approach one of them. Nahh, maybe not. They were busy, weren't they? Still, she needed a tour of Hogwarts. Somewhere to go. *sigh*

Stella was walking in the corridors for no specific reason. She doesn't remember why she's here in the first floor. Is it because a lesson? Or did someone want s to meet her here? She really doesn't remember. "You should start taking notes to yourself Stella," she thought to herself.

She noticed a small girl walking around the corridors looking rather lost. She walked towards her, and as she approached the girl she noticed the red on her cloak. "Nice, a Gryffindor," she mumbled to herself. She walked right next to her and said looking straight forwards, not giving even a look at the girl, "Is it just me or are you really lost?"

Zara jumped a little as someone had talked to her. She faced the person, ohh, a girl. Ravenclaw. "Erm, hi," she suddenly said.

Lost? "Kinda," she admitted, her cheeks blushing a bit. Then Zara bit her lip and smiled shyly.

"Hello," she said sweetly, which is SO not like her, she looked down at the girl. "So as a seventh year I should probably help you, right?" she said flicking her hair over her shoulder. "So where do you wanna go?" she asked friendly. Apparently, being nice is fun, and it makes a warm fuzzy feeling inside of you.

"I guess so," said Zara, biting her lip. Then she smiled, the girl seemed friendly. Not like that other Ravanclaw who seemed to belong in Slytherin.

"I really don't know. Anywhere I guess," right, anywhere. Some cool places would be great. Some hidden passageways would be better. A tour would be the best. Buuuut, that's asking too much.

Those bloody homeworks were driving her crazy! Books and parchments are tightly held in her arms. Looking a little tired, Aiden begins to scratch the back of her head until she sees Zara.

Slowly dragging her feet towards the Gryffindor, Aiden greets zara with a low voice. "Hey," she smiles faintly. "Umm... What are you doing here?" asked Aiden curiously.

"Aiden!" Zara greeted as she grinned at her friend. It was a long time since she last saw her. Somewhere in November? Oh well. "I'm...uh. I really don't know what I'm doing here. But uhh," she pointed to the 7th Year Ravenclaw in front of her whom she didn't know the name, "Rave--she. She's gonna take me..somewhere."

Gahh, Zara was so confused at what she said. She still didn't know the specifics so she struggled for words.

She looks over at the senior before looking back at Zara. "Touring..?" she hesitantly guesses.

Zara nodded slowly, as if thinking it over if she really was touring. Maybe? She looked over at the seventh-year Ravenclaw questioningly. Were they going on a tour?

Then Zara remembered something she had to do. "Oh crud!" she suddenly said, smacking her forehead. "I forgot. I've gotta be somewhere right now. Maybe the both of you could tour each other. That is if you want to. Uhm, really sorry, I gotta go. See you around!" Zara said in a hurry, then she waved and immediately ran away.

After almost reaching her destination, she remembered she still didn't know the name of the Ravenclaw girl. GAHH, brain damaged Zara. Maybe she would ask the next time they see each other.

"Oh, all right then," said Aiden while pushing her hair backwards. "I'll see you later then," she smiles faintly before going to the opposite way.

Levi strode into the first floor corridor, having rushed out of class as soon as it was dismissed. His heart was pounding wildly and he was trying to hide the dazed looking smile that kept popping on his face. Because of conflicting schedules, he hadn't seen Samira in more than a week and he was planning to run into her and her friend Nika that day. He waited in the corridor, adjusting his shabby robes and trying to make himself look decent before they arrived.

The Gryffindor reached into his robe and checked the Christmas present he had gotten for her--a muggle book called A Tale of Two Cities. He didn't know much about it but she said she liked suspense and romance and the book seller had recommended it to him. He figured he would give her the present when he got a moment alone with her. He hoped she wouldn't think it was boring but he didn't want to be too obvious. He knew he could have given her jewelry but it seemed too soon. It wasn't like they were officially a couple yet.

Samira had to remember to thank Nika profusely for her unexpected but pleasant favor. The Slytherin shook her head in amusement as she walked. Nika the match maker, she thought with a grin. Actually, Samira had been looking forward to seeing Levi again ever since their last encounter. They just seemed to click so well, and it wasn't awkward at all. It was actually really nice, knowing she had Levi to count on, as a friend, or possibly as something more.

The Slytherin re-adjusted the bag on her shoulder. It was pretty light, since there was only a few things in there. A couple of books, and the comic Levi lent her. Samira was pleasantly surprised to find out how much she enjoyed it. Who would have thought Muggle comic books could be so entertaining? Also in her bag was a carefully wrapped Christmas present for Levi. It was kind of late, but she didn't think the Gryffindor would mind. She bought him a muggle book on cars, which her uncle sent in for her on her request. And a bat-house for Vlad, so he could always be comfortable.

As she rounded the corner, Samira's stomach filled with butterflies as she caught sight of the Gryffindor. Samira paused for a split second to adjust her cloths, make sure her hair wasn't frizzy, or anything like that. Okay, she was good. She moved a little slower this time, so she was closer to Levi. The Slytherin cleared her throat and gave a genuine smile. "Hey stranger," she said. "Long time no see."

Levi waited, staring down at his feet for a moment and then back up at the wall. There was nothing particularly interesting going on today but he had been anticipating this moment for a while now. He wanted to make sure he would screw up and say the wrong thing. He had already caused one friendship to crash and burn by making assumptions and not thinking things all the way through. He was not going to let that happen again. He'd be dead before he made an idiot out of himself again. He had to keep that nonchalant barrier up. He could totally do this.

Levi took a deep breath through his nose, listening closely for some footsteps. His guess was confirmed; she was just around the corner and he quickly checked his breath in his palm to make sure it didn't reek. Nope, it was just fine. He knew he had made the right decision not to eat those spicy chips during class. He didn't want to ward the Slytherin girl away when he opened his mouth. He still wished he had brought some water, though. He was getting a little thirsty.

When Samira made her way towards him, his throat became drier. She looked fantastic as always and that cute smile of hers made his heart do a couple back-flips along with his stomach. The time they had been away from each other seemed even longer than it had been and he lifted a hand in greeting, smiling back. "Didn't think you'd recognize me," he said jokingly. "How are you doing? Oh, I got you something for Christmas by the way. I hope you like it..." He produced the wrapped up book from his robes and handed it to the girl.

Samira let out a small laugh at Levi's joke, hoping she didn't sound too nervous. "Naw, I don't think I could forget you," she said back. Now that Samira was with Levi again, she felt so much more relaxed. The Gryffindor just had that kind of aura. The kind that makes people want to be around him, and just feel happy and safe. Or maybe that's just how Samira felt around him. Either way, she felt her nervousness melting in the familiar presence of the other boy.

Another fact Samira was grateful for was the fact that she knew she could just be herself around Levi. He would never judge her, Samira knew that. Luckily, Samira didn't need to act "flirty", or "cute" like some girls did to get a guy to notice them. No fake giggling, no misleading body language...this was all real. "I'm doing great, thanks," the Slytherin replied honestly. Samira's bright eyes widened in surprise and happiness when Levi pulled out her Christmas present. She was sure she'd love it, no matter what it was. "Great minds think alike," grinned Samira as she pulled out her own gift and handed it to him. "Merry Christmas, Lev."

Nika was running late. She had over slept and breakfast took a long time because she might have talking to a few friends. The two might have already shown up without her. How was she supposed to put her genius plan into action if they were already there!? She ran around until she finally made it to the first corridor. She took a few deep breaths as she scanned it and noticed.... They were there.

She quickly hid behind a corner and looked around at them. Aw. They were hitting it off great! Should Nika go and interfere? No... She'd just stick around the corner until the conversation got awkward or something. Then she'd pop in to say a quick hello then make some absurd excuse and leave them together again. She peeked around the corner again and listened in on their little conversation. It was like one of those romance movies where the guy and girl are just friends then slowly fall in love. But it's so booooorrring when it's slow! The two were perfect for each other!

She didn't want to push her friend though so she didn't jump out and tell them "to kiss already" like she wanted to. She just wanted to make things go faster. The two deserved each other. Nika's intentions for helping them all get together wasn't ever for just "hanging out". No, it would just make her look like a third wheel. It was better that Nika wasn't seen yet.

Oh no...

She felt a sneeze coming. Not good. Don't sneeze Nika, don't sneeze. She put a finger under her nose and let out a soft sigh of relief when she didn't sneeze-- "ACHOOO!" Never mind. That was possibly the loudest sneeze Nika has ever made. She almost fell over because of it's force. There was a small flash of pink-ish, red-ish hair when she suddenly realized that she went forward a bit too much. Thank Merlin it was only for a second. Someone could have seen her. Hopefully the two wouldn't notice the sneeze, please don't notice the sneeze...

Levi's dark eyes widened as he saw that she had brought him something as well. That was so thoughtful of her. Christmas back home was pretty much a bust when it came to presents and generally feeling loved so the Gryffindor enjoyed spending it at school with his friends a lot more. Now that he had somebody he had feelings for, it only made the holiday several times better. It didn't matter whether he was poor as dirt or not. The feeling of having someone acknowledge you in such a way and care for you zeroed out all of the negativity the rest of the year carried. He didn't know what it was but he knew whatever she had given him, he would love...even if it was a tacky sweater.

"Thank you," the Gryffindor replied quietly, taking the gift from her and beaming. "That's really sweet of you. Do you wanna open each others' presents now? I don't mind if you go first." He lifted his head to look at her, his eyes boring into hers. He wondered if she was feeling the same way she had. It was silly but he almost wished she could actually see into his head and understand how much he cared about her. There was only so much he could express using words alone and sometimes he couldn't get them out the right way. Actually, most of time it was hard to express what he truly felt at the risk of looking like a major dork.

But with Samira, he didn't mind if he seemed like a geek. He didn't care if he was the biggest geek in the world as long as she thought he was worth being around. He had since figured out that Samira wouldn't have associated with somebody like him if he wasn't worth her time. He hoped his hunch was right, that she saw him as somebody special and not just another idiot in her school. He was pretty sure he didn't need to worry but he couldn't help it once in a while.

"Samira," Levi began softly, leaning in. He was going to try kissing her for the second time. The first hadn't gone so well due to him getting nervous. Hopefully, he wouldn't chicken out again. Before he could reach her, a sneeze erupted from around the corner and he gasped, jerking away from the Slytherin hastily. "What was that?" he asked, feeling a little stupid.

Samira would never get tired of seeing Levi's bright smile. It was just so genuine, she felt herself mirroring it. To know that the simple act of buying a Christmas present made Levi so happy, gave Samira the best feeling in the world.

"You don't have to thank me," she said, smiling softly. "But thanks for your present." Okay, that was a little hypocritical, since she just said he didn't have to thank her, but she couldn't help it. When Levi said Samira could go ahead and open the present, the Slytherin gave a shy smile and a small, "Okay." Samira was very careful as she undid the wrapping paper, shooting Levi a warm smile now and then. Once the paper was all off, Samira's eyes lit up. She studied the cover with great interest. Samira was so glad she now had a Muggle book of her own. "A Tale of Two Cities," she mumbled, gazing at the book. After looking at the Muggle cover in a sort of reverence, Samira gazed back up at Levi and beamed. "Levi, this is...it's perfect! Thank you!" Without hesitation, Samira moved forward and wrapped Levi in a quick hug. She let go and clutched the book to her chest, looking Levi straight in the eyes. "Thank you, really," this time it was more subdued, but completely sincere. "Okay," she said after a small pause. "It's your turn to open your gift."

Just as Samira was about to move back and let Levi open his present, she saw him leaning in closer. Her heart stopped. It was almost like in the courtyard, but this time Samira knew Levi was going to kiss her. Instinctively, she leaned in...this was it. This was..."Eep!" Samira jumped away as a loud sneeze interrupted their moment. She looked at Levi briefly before turning and seeing a flash of red-pink hair. She took a step forward. "Nika?"

Nika freaked. Just when it was getting good too! He was about to kiss her, but I ruined it! She took in a few quick deep breaths. So they heard the sneeze, well at least Levi heard it. There's no doubt that Samira heard it too. It was MASSIVE! The sneeze of all sneezes! And what great timing. AGH! Stupid luck! Maybe if Nika just stays still they won't notice her and they'd just think it was a bird or something... because a bird would definitely be flying inside the corridor. Stupid sneeze. Stupid Nika for letting out a stupid sneeze. Stupid timing. Stupid birds for not flying in the corridors!

AGH! Oh my godric how did Samira guess so easily!? Was her sneeze that personalized? Whhaa? No... That can't be it! What if it was because of the quick forward fall. The second year was almost sure she hadn't been caught. Okay maybe if Nika didn't respond and just laid low for a bit they would forget about the sneeze.

Not again. Not again. Merlin not now! "ACCHHOOO!" Okay. She stands corrected. This was the sneeze of all sneezes. Weren't allergies only supposed to kick in during the spring!? Stupid winter allergies... Nika stood as straight as a stick. Okay how could she get out of here without being seen!? They might get mad at her for eavesdropping. But the only way to get back to the common room was by passing them. The only way unless she wanted to travel around the whole castle, but who knows how long that'll take!

She peeked out of the corner again. Her pink hair showing for a little longer than the first time. Oh merlin. Merlin. Merlin. Levi was getting suspicious and Samira had actually called out her name. If only she could find a pink cat to set loose so that they would blame the sneezes on it! That would be perfect. Maybe if Nika just happened to stroll past them... She could have her hands behind her back and whistle. Would that be casual enough? No. Samira would see right through. Her. Think Nika Think.