The sneeze had nearly sent the boy jumping out his skin. He was almost astonished that his heart hadn't stopped pumping at that moment. It would figure something would sporadically freak him out right before he was going to make a drastic move. He couldn't believe how horrible the timing was and his jaw hung open. He knew classes were still going on and some students might have been released early or decided to skip but he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. Couldn't whoever it was have taken a shortcut or something? He was quaking enough as it was. The interruption hadn't done justice to his anxiety at all.

The Gryffindor bit his lip and then glanced over his shoulder, heat climbing up his neck and spreading across his face at once. So much for trying to kiss her again. Then again, maybe he should have been grateful for the interruption. What if the kiss hadn't gone too well? He tried not to imagine what his face looked like in the process. The thought of his mouth puckering made him want to either laugh or shake his head in revulsion. What if he looked like a fish or something? That definitely was an alluring image.

"Nika?" Levi echoed Samira, lifting a dark brow. He remembered agreeing to hang out with her and Samira the day before but he had his doubts about her actually showing up. She seemed like she might have had other plans but he couldn't tell for sure. He was almost hoping that she would have had something else to do. It would have been nice to get some more alone-time with Samira without making her friend feel left out.

"Uh, maybe it was the caretaker..." he suggested lamely. It was the best excuse he could think of.

Why? Why? Samira felt like hexing something. It was just about to happen! Samira looked at Levi regretfully. She shrugged. In all honesty, Samira kind of wished it was the caretaker, who would just leave. But Samira knew it was Nika. No one else sneezed that loud, and no one else had that color hair. Shaking her head, Samira took a couple steps forward. "Nika!" She tried not to let her annoyance show.

Samira felt a little embarrassed that Nika was there, and probably saw the whole thing. It was kind of a...private moment. If Nika was there-which Samira somehow was positive of-she might as well come out now, or face Samira's wrath later.

WHY MERLIN WHY!? Nika has been a good child... well for the most part. Why must you punish her so!? Nika took a few deep breaths as she tried to stay hidden behind the corner. As long as they didn't go looking for her she'd be fine, right? Yeah... She'd just have to wait until they left then she could sneak out and pretend like she saw absolutely nothing.

YES! That's right Levi it was only the caretaker! Please Samira believe him! The caretaker! It was the caretaker! She let out a barely audible sigh of relief. Thank Merlin for Levi! Now hopefully Samira would believe him--

NO! Samira didn't you hear him!? It's the caretaker. Not Nika. Who's Nika? There's no Nika... Only the caretaker. Not like Nika is behind the corner watching and sneezing and such. No, no not Nika. The caretaker. REMEMBER!? The caretaker. So Samira sounded a bit angry. Uh oh. Angry snake on the loose with little Gryffie behind a corner with nothing but her massive sneezes to shield her.

Should she just run for it!? But then she would be seen.... Maybe if she hung out their for a bit longer they would get tired and leave to go to the lake or something...

Levi backed against the wall, holding his still unwrapped present against his chest. He was still trying to process what was going on but the more he thought about it, the more he was sure the caretaker wouldn't be out at this time of day. Usually they came out around the evening because the halls were less crowded. He knew he wouldn't live it down if they had caught him and Samira trying to kiss either. That would have been a stupid way to land in detention, even though he had been longing to do it for ages.

"Maybe we should go somewhere else?" the Gryffindor asked, averting his eyes to the ground. This wasn't exactly his battle if Nika was actually out there and he felt the strong urge to just disappear. He knew it probably hadn't been a wise idea to ask her to join them but he couldn't help it. He felt bad excluding her but now he was feeling more humiliated. It was all he could do not to sink harder into the wall, as if he could will himself to vanish.

Samira was torn. All she really wanted to do was be with Levi, but then again she didn't want to leave her friend in there dust. But if Nika did come with them, she'd be like a third wheel, and it would just be awkward. The Slytherin was at a loss. Samira clutched her new book tighter to her chest. Nika, if your here you might as well come out now.

Samira saw Levi looking at the ground and felt her heart melt. He looked embarrassed, but even then Samira had to admit it was cute. She really wasn't into cocky, arrogant guys, which is why she found Levi's personality so adorable. Quietly, the dark haired girl moved towards Levi. Samira gently slipped her hand in his. She really didn't see a problem with it, seeing as how they were just about to kiss, but it was foreign. They weren't even an official couple...yet. Hearing the Gryffindor's request, Samira said, "Sure, if you want to." Samira didn't mind going to a different spot with Levi, but she once again hoped that Nika would either show herself, or just pretend that it really was a caretaker.

Maybe Nika should've just taken the opportunity of being late to her advantage. She could've always pretended to over sleep through the meeting time and apologize later. But no. Nika decided it would be a wise idea to go and catch up with the two. HMPHM. Her plan all along had been to abandon the two so that they would be together, but it was like that before she interfered with her retched sneezing. Blasted sneezes! Wait!? What was that? Did Levi just suggest.

THANK MERLIN.

Nika felt like running out and hugging the guy for the suggestion, but that would just defeat the purpose of hiding in the first place. So she just stood there quietly and listened for Samira's response. Maybe she'd just catch up to the Slytherin later and deny the whole thing. Yeah, that's a good plan. Nika wondered whether to come out or to just stay behind the corner. She didn't want to become a third wheel at all and she thought Samira would appreciate it more if she just stood there. So she did just that.

No more sneezing. Not for Nika.... hopefully....

Neptune threw glances back over her shoulder, just to make sure the MEAN Hufflepuff wasn't following her. She'd only cried a little, only the tears she hadn't been able to help, but mostly had dried them up. She only had the little tear stains on her cheeks.

Sigh.

Stupid Hufflepuffs. Neptune should have known better. Should have, but didn't.

Neptune was taking the very, very, long way around to get to her Common Room. She wanted to get herself composed first.

This patrol was pretty boring. He didn't even know why he'd come all the way down here really. Finn would only have to wander all the way back up the stairs, which kind of sucked. He hated walking. But as he wandered along the first floor corridor he saw a familar head of blonde hair, and couldn't help but smile. Neptune. Ahh. One of his bestest friends. He hadn't seen her for a while either. Finn picked up his pace, as he neared her. This patrol would be getting more interesting now.

Without much notice, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her into a big hug. "Hi Neptune."

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachieRu

This patrol was pretty boring. He didn't even know why he'd come all the way down here really. Finn would only have to wander all the way back up the stairs, which kind of sucked. He hated walking. But as he wandered along the first floor corridor he saw a familar head of blonde hair, and couldn't help but smile. Neptune. Ahh. One of his bestest friends. He hadn't seen her for a while either. Finn picked up his pace, as he neared her. This patrol would be getting more interesting now.

Without much notice, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her into a big hug. "Hi Neptune."

Neptune startled, but relaxed almost immediately. Finny hugs were more familiar than most, and entirely welcomed at the moment. With her back still to him, Neptune inconspicuously wiped at her cheeks again.

"Mr. Carmichael. Aren't there rules about hugging in the corridors? I should tell on you." .... giggle.

Mmm. Finlay liked hugs with Neptune. They were very nice, and totally platonic. "Well.....yes." Finlay laughed, pulling away from Neptune, before moving around so that he could see her properly. "But I'm headboy, so we're all good." Considering that he couldn't like tell himself off.

"Mmm...." He grinned at her, pushing the sleeve of his left arm up, before showing her the magpie temporary tattoo on his a Bicep. "Still looking good?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachieRu

Mmm. Finlay liked hugs with Neptune. They were very nice, and totally platonic. "Well.....yes." Finlay laughed, pulling away from Neptune, before moving around so that he could see her properly. "But I'm headboy, so we're all good." Considering that he couldn't like tell himself off.

"Mmm...." He grinned at her, pushing the sleeve of his left arm up, before showing her the magpie temporary tattoo on his a Bicep. "Still looking good?"

"They made you Head Boy? Did they really?" Neptune giggled, keeping her chin low and eyes averted. She focused on his badge, and robes, and then.... his arm.

Neptune grinned at her work, then reached her fingertips out to brush the black of the magpie. "Of course it does. I did it, didn't I?" So of COURSE it was still looking good. One of the wings were a little wonky, but Neptune figured it was pretty good for a first try. "I can touch it up later, if you'd like."

"Oh yes." Finlay grinned at her. He was pretty proud of being head boy to be honest. It meant someone actually believed in him. "Maybe they made a mistake....." He shrugged, knowing some people probably believed that. Oh well. He would graduate soon, and that would be the end of that.

Finn smiled. He had liked her present, it was very nice. "Yes...Little Miss Perfect." He grinned at her. He really did like the tattoo though, it was very thoughtful. "Oooh....I'd like that." He really would. Then he could go around with it for even longer. Yes. That would be good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachieRu

"Oh yes." Finlay grinned at her. He was pretty proud of being head boy to be honest. It meant someone actually believed in him. "Maybe they made a mistake....." He shrugged, knowing some people probably believed that. Oh well. He would graduate soon, and that would be the end of that.

Finn smiled. He had liked her present, it was very nice. "Yes...Little Miss Perfect." He grinned at her. He really did like the tattoo though, it was very thoughtful. "Oooh....I'd like that." He really would. Then he could go around with it for even longer. Yes. That would be good.

"Don't," Neptune hadn't meant they made a mistake at all. What was with people today? Had she been hexed and was saying mean things without knowing it? Neptune tugged at his tie. "You're a good Head Boy." He was VERY good to Neptune, so it couldn't be wrong.

She frowned at his name for her, being reminded of Mia and what a DISASTER that had been.

"In the Common Room later, then. Not out there. Wouldn't want to give rumor fodder to people." Noooo Neptune touching all over Finny's arm probably wouldn't look good for him, regardless of how safe it was.

Finlay frowned as she tugged on his tie. "Tuney....you're gonna choke me." He laughed, unwrapping her hand from his, before licking their arms, and pulling her down the corridor gently. "I'm glad you think that." It meant a lot to him. He had tried to put his all into the role, and hoped that it was paying out.

"Yeah...." Finlay agreed with a smile. It wouldn't do at all, especially considering that he had a girlfriend now. He didn't want Fallon to here any stupid rumours about him and Neptune. They were friends, just that. "Do you still want me to do you one?" Because he totally would.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachieRu

Finlay frowned as she tugged on his tie. "Tuney....you're gonna choke me." He laughed, unwrapping her hand from his, before licking their arms, and pulling her down the corridor gently. "I'm glad you think that." It meant a lot to him. He had tried to put his all into the role, and hoped that it was paying out.

"Yeah...." Finlay agreed with a smile. It wouldn't do at all, especially considering that he had a girlfriend now. He didn't want Fallon to here any stupid rumours about him and Neptune. They were friends, just that. "Do you still want me to do you one?" Because he totally would.

Neptune went along easily enough. She had been heading towards the Common Room anyway. Now she had an escort, so things were looking up.

She thought about his offer as they walked, Neptune keeping him slow on purpose. No hurry. "Hmmm. I chose a Magpie to show you I'm happy for your new Quidditch position." And because it was pretty easy as a first tattoo attempt. "What would you choose for me?"

She wasn't saying NO. She actually was pretty intrigued by the idea.

Hmm. This was nice. A nice slow walk to the common room. That suited him fine. It also meant that they would be able to have a good catch up.

Ahh. What he would pick for her? "Hmmm..." Finlay mused with a grin, as he thought about it for a second, although he actually knew what he would do for her. "A butterfly.....or flowers, because like they're pretty like you." And she was very pretty. He hoped she wouldn't mind that as a tattoo, because like it would be bad if she didn't.

Neptune smiled down at their feet. "I do like butterflies," and of course she loved flowers. He knew. "It's a deal so long as you're sure no one will mind." As in, a certain girl. Neptune hated being hated, and particularly being hated by other people's girlfriends.

"Mmm...I thought you might." Because Neptune was cute, and stuff, like butterflies. Or like....what he thought anyway. Because Finlay was manly, and like didn't really like butterflies. "Nobody will..." He assured her, although his thoughts did lie with one girl in particular. He was sure that Fallon wouldn't mind though, or so he hoped she wouldn't mind, he didn't really want to have to change his friends to please her.

If Finny said so, she'd believe him. "Will that be my birthday present then? We should look up how to make the butterfly move. Might be fun to have a traveling tattoo." Giggle.

"Mmm...." Finlay mused for a second, realising that he hadn't really thought about her present yet. He couldn't just give her a tattoo, not really. "Part of your present...." He grinned. Oooh. "That'd be pretty cool" It really would be, so he was definetly going to be looking up that.

Giggle. Only part! What else was he going to get her? Neptune Bott LOVED presents!

Neptune rested her head over on Finny's shoulder as they walked. "That's why I'm down here. Mia was supposed to teach me to knit and make me a scarf. It didn't go so well."

Finlay smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder. He liked being able to be like this with Neptune. It was fun. If only people would stop being silly little gossips. "Oh...." Finn looked a little worried. He knew Neptune and Mia weren't really the best of friends. "Are you okay about it?" He asked, wanting to make sure she was okay. He'd be a bit of a bad friend if he didn't care..

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachieRu

Finlay smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder. He liked being able to be like this with Neptune. It was fun. If only people would stop being silly little gossips. "Oh...." Finn looked a little worried. He knew Neptune and Mia weren't really the best of friends. "Are you okay about it?" He asked, wanting to make sure she was okay. He'd be a bit of a bad friend if he didn't care..

"I don't think I'll be getting a Mia-made scarf for my birthday after all," Neptune shrugged. It REALLY hadn't gone well. "She said she was tired of trying to be my friend." Among other things. "I'm not sure she ever really wanted to be. It didn't go well at all. Worst first friend-date ever."

Oh. That was too bad. Finlay would have to make sure his present was uber special so that Neptune would forget about it. "Her loss." Neptune was an amazing person, very close to Finlay's heart, and he didn't get why other girls didn't, or chose not to get along with her. "She shouldn't need to try" He shook his head, pausing in their walk to look down at her. "You are a great person, and if she doesnt want to be friends with her, then whatever, it's not like you don't have some pretty amazing friends already." So what if he was a little vain?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachieRu

Oh. That was too bad. Finlay would have to make sure his present was uber special so that Neptune would forget about it. "Her loss." Neptune was an amazing person, very close to Finlay's heart, and he didn't get why other girls didn't, or chose not to get along with her. "She shouldn't need to try" He shook his head, pausing in their walk to look down at her. "You are a great person, and if she doesnt want to be friends with her, then whatever, it's not like you don't have some pretty amazing friends already." So what if he was a little vain?

....and that was what Neptune needed to hear. Finny was always good to Neptune. "I'm not friend-worthy to the nicest girl at Hogwarts. She is SO nice and pretty, and I told her that! It was terrible," but Neptune DID feel better.

Because she DID have a handful of amazing friends. Finny, for one. Kellen. Ivan. Lexi. Trixie. Legend. And...Jim? Sometimes?

"She just wanted to talk about Jimmy." SIGH. Neptune did NOT want to talk about Jimmy with everyone all the time. Perhaps Finny could relate.