Jake laughed "Will, that's not nice, and she's right I feed you" he told his cat.

Jake thought for a moment "Im not sure" he said looking down at Will and reaching over to pet him Will again, he really wasnt sure if everything back at home turn out bad then what would he do. He shrugged looking back up at Amy "but I'll go see you" he smiled "If you still want to see a sly guy like me" he added with a wink pushing all his problems away by making jokes.

Amy noticed the hesitation that came with Jakes response. "Well of course I still want to see my Sly guy," she said nodding up against him. "But are you okay," she said giving him a questionable look. "I mean I know you will say yes, but I feel bad. Here we are always caught up in my drama that I dont even give any of your problems a second thought." She gave a small sigh as she glanced down at Will guilt spreed all across her face.

Jake sighed, she was right he would say yes. He place his hand under her chin and lifted so that she was looking at him again "Dont, if I didnt care about you I wouldnt be trying to help you and dont feel guilty or bad" he took a deep breath "yeah Im going through something right now, but its not important" lie he thought "ok well to me it is, but lets handle one thing at a time" he removed his hand from her face and took her hand in his "plus there isnt anything we could do for my problem, and it may not even be a problem" lie he thought again "ok so its a problem but not a huge one" he said. He looked away feeling stupid "I dont make any sense" he said more to himself then to her.

Amy rolled her eyes managing not to take them away from Jakes when she had finally looked at him again. "Yes you do make sense," she said comfortingly. "And I guess since you said one problem at a time," she paused letting the sentence linger for a moment before adding. "Its your turn because my mother is alive and healthy...therefore no problem."

Amy smirked before continuing, "So you have a problem that is a big deal to you and does this problem involve your siblings? Because if so then you need to figure out if there is a way to fix it for yourself as well as them and I can help you. You tell me the problem and we will figure out a way to fix it." Her voice sounding so sure and so promising she was amazed in her own self confidants.

Jake looked back at Amy "No its not my turn, we still have to figure out about your dream, the painting and what really happend to your dad" he told her "so I dont think we are done, plus there isnt anything we could do".

Jake grabbed a few grapes from the table and popped them into his mouth, after awhile he turned back to her "Im really worried about my siblings mostly my sister, she's so young" he told her. He took a deep breath, he hated having to tell her this what would she think of him after he told her, after all it was his family. "My dad... well you see he's changed when I went home last summer he was different, always coming home late, waking us all up screaming and fighting with my mom, my sister would come into my room scared" He looked away from her just thinking about it get him mad and upset. "Then it was all day fighting, arguing, he was always drunk or I dont know on something, my mom will just keep going too...it got pretty bad one day at lunch, my mom had made something he didnt want any and that started it, my little sister started to cry". Jake closed his eyes letting the memory that he has been pushing away come back " he started yelling at her to shut up, I told him to leave her alone, she wouldnt be crying he wasnt fighting about something so stupid as food, he told me, who do I think I am to be talking to him like that and it was his house if he wanted to fight he will" by this point he hand had rolled into fist " he came up to me, I stood and he began yellilng well every bad word under the sun... by this point both of my siblings were crying, my mom just stood probably scared. Abbie ran to me and hugged my legs started begging my dad to stop, he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from me pushing her to the ground" he stopped he didnt want to go on, he looked back at her the anger gone from his eyes replace by sadness "ummm after that I was always out of the house with them, not leaving them alone".

Jake reached over and pet Will "there isnt anything we could do, Im just worried because I havent heard anything from home, just forget it I really dont want to think about it" he told her finally looking at her eyes again.

Amy leaned back listening to Jake talk, for once, about his problems. While she listened she felt sorrow for the fist time in a long time not for herself but for Jake. Sure her parents had got into arguments, yet his parents sounded bad- maybe worse then bad. Then as he got to the part of where he yelled at his dad and he threw his sister down, Amy was prepared to hear that his father had hit him, and she cringed at the thought. He better not have, was all her mind was thinking at that point. When her thoughts were not confirmed she just stared at Jake and listened.

As Jake stoked Will Amy reached over and retrieved his hand holding it tightly in hers. Then when he looked at her Amy could see all the hurt and confusion and wished nothing more then to make it all go away. Nodding her head slowly Amy made it seem like she understood, but some part of her wanted to not let it go. “Listen Jake,” she started with a crack in her voice she could not stand to let come out. Trying to make herself sound more clear she continued in a slow steady voice. “I can understand that you don’t want to talk about because it sounds awful, but what if..” she trailed off not wanting to finish her own sentence. “Lets just say what if he gets violent something has to be done or people..your family could get hurt.” She gave a small sigh as she squeezed Jakes hand, “And it sounds like he is already on that path and you know there are things that can be done. Everything in life has a cause and effect which means if there is a cause then you can do something that will effect it.”

Jake let Amy take hold of his hand looking at her as she spoke. He sighed, "Amy" he said "it has already gotten to that point". He let out a big breath "not with my siblings, I think anyway, they havent told me anything, but that day in at lunch, do you think I was just going to stand there and let him push my sister around, she's only 5" he told her anger raising from him "I didnt hit him first, but when I stood up to him about what he did, well he did, so I did too" he looked away in anger and shame "it didnt get bad, he was to shocked that I had hit him back I took that chance and left, the kids followed after me, I went over to a friends house and by the time we got back he was gone, in the morning things just went on like it never happend" he looked back at her again "I lost my cool, I shouldnt have fought him back but what else was I suppose to do" Jake said to her, the last thing he wanted her to think was that he was violent because he wasnt, but when it came to people he loved, he would do anything "I dont know what to do, this is a side of my life that Im not proud of" he shrugged "I guess I was afraid to tell you because, Im afraid of what you'll think of me, does that make sense" he asked holding her hand a bit tighter afraid that she'll pull away.

Amy gazed back at Jake and listened as he talked. At the mention of his father hitting him she inverted her eyes toward the floor and shook her head lightly. Her reaction had nothing to do with the fact Jake had hit his father back, but rather just the fact that his dad had hit him. She looked back up to Jake and started to speak when she quickly sweep the thought away as Jake had said he was afraid to tell her because of what she might think. That statement surprised her as well as shocked her.

“What I would think of you,” she finally got out in a stunned tone. “Jake,” she said in a more calm voice. “What I think of you has nothing to do with your parents actions. I know alot of people base options on who your family is..does..or the kind of friends or people you spend time with, but Jake I am not like those people.” She paused to let out a small breath. “I would never look down on you or think badly of you because of anything like that and if any thing I feel very bad for you.” She let her hand drift to Jake’s before continuing, “I do feel bad for you and though I dont know what its like... I do know one thing, this is not a good situation and if your mother wants to ignore it then you need to quite ignoring it as well and talk to her. “ She gave a small shrug, “She may tell you its not your place or she may break down and weep and talk with you. Which ever it is, its worth a shot because I am sure its not getting better at your house as we speak.”

Jake Shrugged "I know I have to talk to her and I know things are bad, but there isnt much I could do, maybe its not so bad since I havent heard from home" he looked over at her. Jake gave her a small smile "please dont feel bad Amy, thats also why I didnt want to say anything, there is enough going on in your life to worry about this" he gave her hand a small sqeeze "Thank you, for not judging me because of my family, youre right many people do judge because of that, Im glad your not one" he brought her hand up to his lips and place a soft kiss on top.

Jake smiled it felt good letting it out, talking to someone about all the stuff that's been going on at home. Jake may always seem happy and easy going, but everyone has their bad days, and he was happy that Amy didnt judge him because of that. "do you think maybe we could just drop it for now" he told her "I think Ive talked enough about my problems for the day" he finished with a sigh

Amy felt her cheeks flush slightly at the touch of Jakes lips against her hand. "Thats it is fine with me. I am glad you finally shared them thought." She smiled a warm smile as she set looking at Jake for a moment.

Breaking the silence she decided to ask, "Jake do you want to walk to the seventh floor corridor with me now?" The moment she asked her mind flashed back to last nights events and she gave a little shiver. Wow, she thought to herself, I can remember anything making me feel so spooked. As she tried to shake of her feels she looked toward the Great Hall doors, "Or maybe we can take a walk outside right, its up to you."o

Jake smilled "you look sute when you blush, then again your always beautiful" he said with a wink. He sighed "it feels good to let it out"

Jake wasnt really sure what do say, he knew that they had to go there, but he wasnt sure if she was up to it yet "I think we should go upstairs, but if you want we could take a walk, Ill be happy to walk with you" he told her leaving it up to her.

Men, Amy thought to herself at Jake's response. Hum, she hummed to herself while weighing the options. Finally after a few moments she said, "Go up stairs and look for Mr Old and Creepy or take a walk outside where Mr Old and Creepy can not be." She began to laugh as she stood up from the table, "Lets go see if Mr O.C ..short for old and creepy, is around." After attempting a smile she quickly let it fade because she could tell it looked placed. "Hurry though before I change my mind," she added before starting to walk toward the doors.

Jake laughed "yes lets wwe must not keep Mr O.C waiting" he told her getting up taking her hand and leading her towards the door "but dont worry Amy, its just a picture, it cant hurt you" he said giving her a warm smile and a small hand sqeeze "plus you're with me, you'll be safe" he said as they walked out of the Great Hall.

Kiri stumbled into the Great Hall, yawning widely. She was extremely tired. A difficult piece of homework had kept her awake until the early hours of the morning. She'd finished it eventually, but every part of her body felt like lead now, and her vision was strangely blurry. She hadn't had time to shower, either.

Almost bumping into a group of chattering Hufflepuffs, Kiri eventually reached the Slytherin table. She let herself fall into a chair and pulled a plate of scrambled eggs toward her. They smelled like cardboard to her, but she began forcing them down anyway, staring blearily at the polished wood of the table.

Paris was feeling 100% better after Clifford's kicked up pepper up potion, her ears were still on on fire and smoke was still curling out from them. She walked into the Great Hall, totally famished after almost a week of not eating. She looked around at the Slytherin table and didn't see any of her friends. She sat down anyways and looked at the girl she was sitting across from. "Are you alright?" she asked her.

Early fresh morning for Emiliano it was!! Well, after a shower...since he didn't sleep until late hours. Homework, studying...and thinking about Finals...scary!!! He slowly walked into the Great Hall, with meanings to eat anything that would face him, he felt really hungry. So, as he walked to the Ravenclaw table, he noticed a familiar face nearby, Kiri. A big, wide smile spread across his face and walked towards her to make some company.

"Good morning, Kiri..." He said, sitting beside her and showing his wide and white smile to the girl.

Kiri looked up in surprise. A girl was sitting across from her - someone she'd never spoken to before. Talking to Kiri? She blinked, the thoughts running sluggishly through her mind. "Umm, yes I am," she mumbled, forcing herself to look at the girl. "I'm just really tired, I didn't get to go to bed until, well, this morning basically."

Another person joined the table. Kiri looked up through burning eyes... and saw that it was Emiliano. He was smiling at her widely and definitely looked much more awake than Kiri felt. She pushed her hair out of her face and forced herself to smile at him, but halfway through this her smile turned into a huge yawn. "M-m-morning, Emiliano", Kiri said, a little indistinctly. "Sorry about that", she added apologetically. "I didn't get much sleep last night. How are you? Did you have breakfast?"

A girl had also walked in to join Kiri. "Good morning..." All he could say because of his manners since he was a kid.

"Aww. I'm sorry you didn't get enough sleep." Emiliano said with a slight frown. "But nothing but a complete breakfast to wake up, and that's why I came here..." He told her with a smile.

"So, how was your Christmas break?" He asked her, quite excited to finally see friends after more than a week of not seeing them.

"That's fine. It's my own fault, really. I had to finish some homework, and it just took me a really long time to finish." Kiri gave another shuddering yawn and spiked some more egg with her fork. There was something else she needed to wake up... Tea, right! She grabbed her cup and raised it to her lips. It was empty.
Too tired even to feel embarrassed that this had happened in front of Emiliano (who looked dashing and handsome as usual, Kiri noticed that through her haze of tiredness without any trouble at all), she pointed at a large jug next to his elbow. "Mind handing me that jug? I really need some tea... as you can tell", Kiri said with a crooked smile. "Oh, and I don't know if the food at this table holds up to Ravenclaw standards, but help yourself to anything you want, Emiliano."

Munching on the eggs, Kiri said: "It was, you know, alright. I didn't do much. What about you?"

Skylar walked into te great hall and sat down at the table near a group of girls. She grabbed a piece of toast and started to nibble. And of course she couldn't help but eavse drop.

She nodded knowing how the girl felt. Paris was slowly getting herself back into the swing of things after weeks of being sick. "Yeah its hard to remember to take care of yourself sometimes," she smiled softly.

She looked at the boy she'd never met before. "Morning." She said as she fixed her breakfast. She was really only wanting some cream of wheat and some milk.

"Oh, I see. Homework is actually the only reason I have not slept correctly, as well." Emiliano said with a slight smile as he handed the jug to Kiri. His smile, though widened when Kiri said that comment about the food at his house table. "The tables are served with the same food, as I can see. And thank you very much..." He said, bowing his head and starting to chose someting to eat. Eggs, toast, and a cup of fresh orange juice. Complete breakfast according to his mum. When he got served, he started to munch slowly the toast.

"It was great. We had family coming from Mexico and a lot of food..." He said, rubbing his tummy. After a small time of chuckling, he started to eat the rest of his food.

"I guess it is," Kiri said vaguely. "I don't even know why I didn't finish my homework while I was at home over the holidays, but yes..." She petered out a little uncertainly. After a moment's silence, Kiri went back to her eggs.

Kiri swallowed quickly as Emiliano handed her the jug. It was heavy enough for her to have to take it with both hands. "Thank you," she said, and poured herself a cup of tea. The strong smell, not to mention the taste, really seemed to be helping, and after a few deep draughts that warmed her body all over, Kiri felt like a human being again. Maybe she would be able to get through this day after all.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Emiliano dig into his breakfast with obvious enthusiasm. Now that she wasn't that concerned anymore that she might just fall out of her chair snoring, Kiri could spare some thoughts on Emiliano coming over... to sit with her... She smiled happily to herself. "So, did you finish your homework, then?" she asked in-between bites.

She giggled. "Who wants to to worry about homework during Christmas?" She asked with a smile. Paris was too busy with friends, presents and Xander to worry about any of her homework, and she wasn't going to bother with it right now. She had plenty of time to worry about that later. Her birthday was coming up and she was super excited about that. She was going to have to plan a big Hogwarts party or something. Paris returned her attention back to the girl before her. "I'm Paris Greenwood by the way. I don't think we have met before." She told her.

That question, homework. Yes, he had done a few of the assignments, but...not all of them. He made a michievious smile and made a sign with his hand as in So-so Emiliano was still eating, so no words could come out of his mouth.

"So, apart from...doing homework, what else did you do on your holidays?" He asked, curious kid. He noticed Kiri's smile, he just wished to read thoughts,...but again that's invasion of privacy. Leave that idea... He thought to himself and finished his toast.