Seventh Floor Corridor
 

You must passage through this way to get to towers above the fray.

Satine walked slowly down the Seventh Floor Corridor looking at everything she could. She really hoped she could find a secret passageway somewhere. Her mom had told her there were quite a few in Hogwarts.

Exiting the Ravenclaw Common room, Kel looked behind him. He saw a familiar face, one that he must've overlooked in the common room. But...well, what the heck. He was alone, anyway, and this girl was a first year. Maybe she'd want to explore the place with him.

"Hey Sat," he greeted happily. "Care to join me for a walk...around the castle...or something?"

Satine had debated turning the opposite way from Kel...almost hoping he didn't see her...she didn't want him to think she was stalking him..but he had noticed her...she turned on the spot and put on a smile.

"Hey Kel! I thought you had a great idea leaving the CR...it was a little dead today and a lot too much lovey dovey for me." she winked at him...then it hit her, "Sat' she liked that alot maybe she should adopt that as her nickname..."I would love to go explore...my mom said there's a some secret passage ways on the seventh floor somewhere...I would love to find them..."

He nodded in agreement. You could only stare at the chatty people around you for so long before it got on your nerves and you had to leave. At least...that's the way Kel was.

"Really?" he asked curiously. "I know like, nothing about this place. Except that -" he put on his immitation-mother voice before continuing "-Slytherin is the best, and the lake is rubbish." he rolled his eyes at his mother's thought, then felt his ears go red. Crap. He had to stop speaking his mind like that...

"But, yeah. I don't know any real things about Hogwarts. Wanna search for a passage way?" he asked cheerfully, looking around as if he expected a passage to spring up in front of him and shout Here I am!

She looked where Kel was looking thinking he might have seen something she had missed. "Well, I haven't even ventured down to the lake yet. I walked around earlier to find all my classes, but that was about it. I heard the lake is the most devious place today...two of my fellow first years got detention and demerits for our house today for snogging in front of a Head Girl...where are their brains?"

"Well, let's see what we can find. I heard there was one in one of the upper corridors behind a huge ugly statue...which really doesn't narrow anything down cuz there are tons of ugly statues...I say." she turned around aimlessly and then just stopped and pointed, "we head this way and see where it takes us!"

Barnabas the Barmy? Lol. Or somewhere else?
 

First years?! Ugh. That was a bit embarrassing. Kel was almost 14...and girls were scary. Hmm. People are crazy... "That's embarrassing," he muttered, thinking about Ravenclaw's lost points. "Hope we can get those points back..." he added, mostly to himself. Then he turned his attention back to finding secret passage ways.

"That is very true. This place is full of ugly statues...that I'm sure mean something important - I don't know. I should read more books," he said with a slightly sarcastic tone. But she was right, he'd seen tons of ugly statues, just on his way to the Ravenclaw tower.

He followed her gaze, turning as she turned. "This way?" he asked, pointing to the same spot she did. "Sounds great. Off we go," he said cheerfully, shrugging and taking a step in the way Satine indicated.

Satine started down the corridor not really sure where it would lead them, as they walked she started up casual conversation mainly to keep her mind from wandering into the dark corners of the hall...who knows what could be lurking there...her mom had once mentioned poltergeists at Hogwarts and she hadn't seen a House ghost yet and didn't really want one to pop out and frighten her...how embarrassing to scream in front of Kel...

"So what did you think about the first Arithmancy lesson? I'm a little worried...the lesson wasn't too bad, but she seems like a kind of strict teacher....

Kel looked around curiously as they headed down the corridor. He had to admit it - it was better walking with someone than walking alone, even though the someone was a girl. At least Satine seemed alright, not freaky or boy-crazy or anything...not on the outside, at least. Those were the kind of girls that frightened Kel.

"I don't know," he answered truthfully. "She does seem sort of strict...likes to keep order and stuff. But she seems like a good teacher, wants to get things done and done right the first time..." he shrugged. "My mother was a horrible Arithmacy teacher, though. I'm sure anything would seem good, compared to her." He wasn't talking bad about the Professor, or anything, just stating a mere fact.

"Wow, I didn't know your mom was a teacher...wow that must put some added pressure on you to do good in Academics," as soon as she said it she noticed his face and realized that was the wrong thing to say....subject change, "Well I heard the first Transfiguration class is tomorrow and I can't wait!" she did a little spin as she walked to show her excitement and then realized how ridiculous she looked and started laughing....

"Well I'm not seeing anything here...let's go check up by the DADA Classroom...I hear there's one behind that hideous statue." She said walking faster in that direction....then she stopped..."O no, what if we really do find one...could we get in trouble for that?" she questioned...she knew her cheeks had turned a red color with that thought...she liked the idea of adventure but sadly was a rule follower so was hardly adventurous enough...

"Oh, no, she wasn't a teacher." Kel said hurriedly. His mother didn't have the patience to be a real teacher. "She home schooled me." And she didn't do a good job of it.he added in his head. It's a good thing I had books, or I'd be so behind they'd have to boot me back to first year. "Transfiguration?" he asked, cocking his head to the right. "That sounds like a fun class."

"Hmm...isn't that like...the first floor?" he asked, then shrugged. When she mentioned getting in trouble, Kel shook his head. "I wouldn't think so. If we weren't allowed in them, the Professors and Headmaster would have them blocked, wouldn't they?" he sounded confident, but he was actually a bit scared, honestly. It would suck to get in trouble on one of the first days here.

"Well, after you?" he asked, heading for the stairs at a slow pace.

Satine felt stupid...she had completely forgotten that Kel had been home-schooled...I guess because she had never met a home-school student that was so sociable and well, normal...

She followed after Kel as he ran down the stairs to the first floor...she kind of wished he would slow down because she didn't really know her way around and one of her greatest fears was getting lost in Hogwarts....

From up the staircase to Ravenclaw tower, light, echoing clicks and shuffling grow more and more distinct. A whispering grows clearer, "sixty, sixty one, sixty two."

Arienna landed at the foot of the staircase, one hand on the wall, the other grasping her cane. She stood, listening for a moment, her head cocked like a dog...

The hall was empty. Good.

Ari began to stride to the other side of the hall. One--two--three--four--five, it was six steps to the other side. Feeling the wall, Ari tried to find some...distinct marking so she would know where the staircase was on the other side. Indeed, her thin fingers quickly found a eep scratch--almost in the shape of an unfinished "Q".

Pressing her glasses closer to her eyes, Ari turned to the left--opposite the way she came last night. From the right (And on the other side of the hall) it was 48 steps to Ravenclaw Tower from the Seventh Floor entrance. But, because the seventh floor corridor was in the shape of two squares--Going left would be different. Keeping one hand on the wall, Ari began to memorise the seventh floor, whispering qietly her numbers and listening to the click of her white cane against the floor.

Feeling nostalgic, Professor Morgan decided to make a little trip up to the seventh floor. As she walked past the Gryffindor Common Room, she was suddenly flooded with wonderful memories. Memories of her and Alain, sealing Vivvy's textbooks closed. Childish? Yes. But oh so fun to watch when it came time for her Transfiguration lesson. And of course there was the Christmas they all spent here together. When the twins had gotten too sick to travel. Sneaking down to the kitchens in the dead of night... Those were good times. She smirked, leaning her back against the stone wall. How on earth had they stayed out of trouble all those years?

Daisy stepped out of the portrait that lead to the Gryffindor Common Room and found herself looking at the Care of Magical Creatures professor. Well this was an interesting spin on her short trip to the library. “Greetings!” she exclaimed welcomingly. The professor had an odd glassy look on her face which made Daisy think she was looking for someone. “Um...If you were looking for the head of house…he’s not around.” Although why a professor wouldn’t go looking for him in his office or the staff room is beyond me. she mentally mimed to herself.

“And um….” Why else would a professor be up here, especially one that was usually found outside on the grounds? “Ana,” ah yes, the head girl. “She’s not around either.”

Stirring from her daydreamy state, Professor Morgan, pushed herself off the wall. "Well hello." She said, with laughter in her voice. "Oh thank you but actually I was just taking myself a little afternoon stroll and this is where I wound up." She looked over at the Fat Lady's portrait and sighed... still the same after all this time.

Looking back at the Gryffindor, Iliana smiled. She studied her face for a moment but just couldn't seem to place her. "Excuse me dear, I hope this doesn't sound too terribly rude... but I thought I knew all of the Gryffindors. How is it that we've never met?" As soon as the words left her mouth she felt silly for asking such a thing. There were lots of reasons for not knowing a student. She could have been new, or a transfer, or maybe she just didn't take Care of Magical Creatures. It was unrealistic to think she knew everyone.

”Um…well, that is actually a very good question,” Daisy rocked a bit on her feet as she tried to come up with an answer. “Probably because – well, I –“ pause. “Don’t take you class?” Daisy wasn’t entirely sure which class this particular professor taught. There were so many of them as a matter of fact. “Or should I say – didn’t take your class last year?” For all Daisy knew, she could quite possibly be taking said professor’s class this coming year.

“But I’m Daisy – Petrus.” She gave her a friendly yet nervously lilting wave of the fingers.

Brave little hummingbird patronus, and busy too!

It flitted through the hallways until it found its intended recipient, before it opened its little beak to deliver its message,

"I'm ever so sorry to bother you Professor Morgan," it said in the Healer's voice, "but I have Jake in the Hospital Ward, and he's pretty much fine, but he's... a bit difficult right now, and I was wondering if you could come assist me by talking to him?"

With a friendly smile, Professor Morgan extended her hand. "Very nice to meet you Daisy. I'm Professor Morgan." She said, relieved that she hadn't just forgotten her. That would have been awful, not to mention highly doubtful. She seldom forgot a face. Especially of one so pleasant. "I hope you're able to come to my first lesson. It's sure to be a lot of fun."
Before she was able to tell Daisy what she'd had planned, the little patronus began to speak. "Oh dear. What had Jake done now?" She said to no one in particular. Nodding at the hummingbird, Iliana turned herself towards Daisy. "Please excuse me, dear. I must be going." With that said, she turned on her heel and hurried down the corridor. "It was lovely to meet you." She called out over her shoulder.

After a few minutes of resting at the Bamboo forest, Emiliano and Piper walked upstairs towards their common rooms' floor. He had not said a word on all the way back there. His whole throat was dry, it was maybe the nerves forming around them for a while.

"...are you feeling alright now?" He asked her in a whisper, quite worried.

Piper was quiet as well on the walk back to her common rooms, the euphoria of Em's kiss had taken quite alot out of her, and she had only regained her brain by the time they had reached the fourth floor. She looked up at Emiliano and she sighed, he looked.. sad and worried.

"Yes I am feeling better now." She said softly, as she hesitated and then put her hand in his and squeezed it gently. She pulled him around to face her, and then put her other hand in his. "Em, I am sorry for what happened in the forest, I over reacted.. and I shouldn't have. Please forgive me." She said softly.

"I.. I don't know what is going on between us, or if anything is.." She trailed off as she looked up at him, " And I don't know what is going on between you and Karma, if anything is there as well. I know this must be hard on you.. and I want you to know, that there is no pressure from me. Alright?" Piper was trying so hard to make him feel better. "Please.. dearest......" She whispered..

Daisy got the impression that Professor Morgan was about to say something else when a rather translucent hummingbird appeared in the middle of the hallway. Then weirdest of all, it started talking.

Daisy sole thought about the talking apparitional hummingbird was That was a different sounding voice. Must be another new staff member. as well as Who’s Jake?

But before she could inquire aloud about the specter – both it and the professor were disappearing. One into thin air and the other down the corridor. “Oh, well…bye!” she waved slightly at a loss for the sudden departure.

Apparently this Jake is important… was the thought that Daisy was left with.

She spoke, he listened. For the first time, it was the minute to shut those I'm sorries...So, he placed his index finger on her lips. "Please, you have nothing to be sorry about." He told her, hoping it would make it clear.

And it was time to explain, he guessed. But not about Piper's side, just about Karma. "I need to talk to you about last term. Karma and I met and there was an instant click...friendship click..." He paused, letting out a sigh then looked to another side, "...it grew, as we talked and spent time. But this summer, it just went different. I understood my feelings for her, were just about friendship, a strong one I tell you by now." He said, hoping she wouldn't get hurt or something about such explanation.

About us? About us? There is everything happening...but I just can't tell you yet. He thought, then hugged her again.

Naomi looked around the corridor, see what is going on. She really liked to people watch, especially here because there were a lot of people who passed through because of the gryffindor and ravenclaw common rooms.

The tiny little firstie wandered into the corridor. Being a nerdy little Ravie, she was levitating a stack of books half her size in front of her; not noticing where she was headed of course. With a loud THUMP, her books hit the back of someones head. She delevitated them and looked to see who it was. "I'm sorry!" She spoke.