Chris shook his head yes, and then he laughed a bit. He had been trying to keep his cool the whole time he had been here. He had been dying to tell her! Try-outs had passed awhile back and he had seen the list in the Common Room not too long ago. "Well yes it has always been a dream of mine to play Quidditch here. And I attended the try-outs. I think I must have done good..." he paused for dramatic effect, but it was kinda ruined by the bout of laughter he couldn't contain any longer. "Because I made it!!! I'm a beater!" he cheered happily!

"Chris, that's fantastic!" she said, practically bursting with enthusiasm. "Congratulations! When's your first game?" she asked. "I'd love to watch you play."


OOC: Chris & Daisy – feel free to keep our RP going. I just had nowhere else to post bringing Jake so I have to clone myself inside my own office. Sorry.

Some time later...

With Jake held close, Professor Morgan opened her door and walked inside, making sure that Marcus was following close behind. After hearing of Caroline's unexplained absence during the Start of Term Feast, Iliana had made a few adjustments inside her spacious office. In a corner by the window, she'd set up a couple small, soft beds. (Just in case) Bringing Jake to the bed closest the window, the professor laid him down gently, careful not to wake him up. After pulling the blankets up around him, she tiptoed over to Professor Lawson and said, "Thanks for being here, Marcus. Can I get you something to drink?"

Even in his dreams, ridden with strangling plants, evil red-headed women and falling backwards in the dark, Jake knew he was somewhere safe, and the dreams turned to something more like... a mixture of the places he'd been that summer. He couldn't quite bring himself to open his eyes, but there was that feeling, once again, that he was somewhere safe...

Turning his head to the side, glasses going crooked on his face, Jake went on to think about the NICER stuff that had happened that day, and peeked through half-closed eyelids at Professor Morgan.

Safe place. Yes.

With a small smile, Jake closed his eyes again.

“You made the team?” Daisy inquired of the boy standing next to her. As he shifted, she noticed for the first time that he had a prefects badge on his shirt. Daisy wondered how anyone had the time to be both a prefect and on the quidditch team but left the question to herself. After all, she hardly had anytime to get her homework done, let alone find the time to try out for quidditch. But being on the team was quite important to a lot of people, and so Daisy felt it was important to commemorate people’s accomplishments. “Congratulations.”

Professor Morgan stood up producing a very pretty white cage. “Oh wow,” Daisy said as he mouth fell open a little. She hadn’t been expecting anything more then maybe an iron cage or a glass aquarium. “This is great. Thank you professor!” Then she paused upon hearing who the cage used to belong to. “Um, who’s Vincent?”

"You're quite welcome, Daisy," she said. "I hope your mouse will be comfortable."

At Daisy's question, Iliana glanced over at Vinnie's cage and smiled. "Vincent is my pet Snidget," she explained. "Would you like to meet him?" she asked. Then she let out a single, short whistle and Vincent quickly flew from his cage and perched upon her shoulder.

A pet snidget? Weren’t they supposed to be a protected species and weren’t there supposed to be penalties for capturing one? I guess that didn’t mean that someone couldn’t buy one from a breeder before the ban went up… Daisy resolved to as Shawn Parias about it the next time she was in Diagon Alley.

The bird flew out of no where almost faster then Daisy could blink. She stood there for a moment watching the bird fluff its feathers on Professor Morgan’s shoulder. “He’s very pretty,” she started. “How did you come by him? I mean, aren’t they protected?”

Professor Morgan looked down at Vincent proudly and kissed his tiny head. Then she turned her attention back to Daisy. "Before coming to Hogwarts to teach, I worked for the Modesty Rabnott Snidget Reservation as a snidget breeder and caretaker. During that time, Vincent here lost his mommy. He was just a day old and very weak so it became my job nurse him back to health. I've been lucky enough to raise him ever since," she explained with a smile. Retelling the story made her think of her Snidget lesson. How the boys had asked her the same thing. How she practically how to pull out her license just to put their minds' at ease. The memory made her laugh. "I guess he IS a unique pet to own," she said.

“Just a little,” she smiled and shifted her grip on the cage in her hands. “But then, not everyone owns a grasshopper mouse like Houdini do they?” This made Daisy wonder what she’d have to do to the cage to make sure the winged mouse wouldn’t be able to get out.

“Was it fun working at a snidget reservation? I live on a dragon reserve in Romania.” It wasn’t exactly a comparison, but Daisy didn’t have anything else to compare it to. “I bet it’s not as noisy, especially during mating season.”

Emma knocked tentatively on the office door. as if being a first year wasnt bad enough, arriving late was even worse.
"I hope i didn't miss anything of the utmost importance." She thought to herself

Marcus gave Iliana a warm smile, "Where else would I be right now?" he gestured towards Jake who was now asleep on one of the beds. "Don't know what it is about that boy but for some reason he brings out the paternal side in me." He looked up at Iliana and gave her a wink, "And I never thought I had one."

Before making his way over to Jake, Marcus answered her question. "That would be lovely Ili. What ever is going is fine with me."

Standing beside the bed, Marcus looked down at Jake with obvious fondness on his face. He reached out and took the glasses off his face so that he would not break them and placed them into his pocket. "Everything is going to be okay now Jake" he murmured as he watched the boy sleep. "Sweet dreams kiddo."

"So true Daisy, so true," she said laughing. "Umm... yeah. It was fun. I got to spend every single day with the snidgets and that was wonderful. Nothing like living with DRAGONS!" Okay so she was a bit in awe at the thought of it. "I envy you." The first and only dragon she had ever come into contact with was Ethan's Peruvian Vipertooth. And she never even got the chance to touch it. She sighed at the thought and then turned towards the knocking on the door.

"Excuse me dear..."
She opened the door to find a young Hufflepuff girl standing outside. "Yes?" she asked. "How can I help you?"

...

"I know Marcus it's just..." she paused, giving him a slightly frightened look. "You know how I feel about Jake. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him. I PROMISED his father I'd look after him. That I'd keep him safe..." Shaking her head, she looked up and said, "I'm just really glad you're here." She just felt better when Marcus was close; simple as that.

Turning to fetch them something to drink, Iliana looked over her shoulder at him and smiled; having just realized what he'd said. Oh really?! She thought. When she returned, she handed Marcus a steamy mug of caramel apple cider and sat on the vacant bed, facing Jake. "I hope you like it. This is what I make for the kids this time of the year."

Seemingly out of the blue, Jake's deep blue eyes suddenly snapped wiiiiiiiide open, and he stared without seeing at something close by, something that wasn't really there. As his eyes glazed over, the boy not having a clue what was going on, Jake started convulsing ever so slightly, arching his back before squeezing his eyes shut, over and over again, an expression of pure pain on his face.

No words came from his lips, and Jake was apparently holding his breath without wanting to, lips tinging blue at the edges. Then, all at once he collapsed back down, coughing and spluttering, apparently still in a dream. Like... sleep-walking. He coughed and coughed and made up for the air holding, laying back on the pillow, still choking on air.

"You made that promise too huh?" he asked as he looked between her and Jake. "Don't worry too much Iliana, I think between the two of us we can keep him safe." Marcus, chewed on his bottom lip and looked out the window. Well he sincerely hoped that they could but they hadn't exactly done a good job of it so far. But he didn't want to worry Ili too much about, so he turned back to her with a huge smile. "He'll be okay."

Taking the cup from her hands, Marcus took a small sip as he sat down in chair opposite her. "Mmm...it's really goo..."

He never got to finish is sentence because just at that moment, Jake started to convulse and Marcus, in his panic threw the cup away spilling its contents and shattering the mug onto the floor.

He jumped up and placed his hands on the boys shoulders trying to stop him from hurting himself and looked over to Iliana, a terrified look on his face. "Tell me what to do" he said, his voice low but urgent.

Iliana nodded. "I hope you're right," she said, smiling. "I'll try not to worry." Though when it came to Jake - that was easier said than done.
Iliana set her mug down and stood up. "Marcus, keep him still and help him to relax," she said calmly, fishing for something from her pocket. "Talk to him in a low voice about anything that calms him down. Quidditch maybe? But don't be shocked if it doesn't work right away," she added coming around to Jake's side of the bed, now holding a tiny phial in her hand. Thankfully, since the past summer, she'd taken to carrying his calming draught on her at all times.

When Jake's coughing wouldn't subside, she turned her head and said, "Can you sit him up, Marcus? It should help him to breathe."

She sat on the edge of his bed and leaned in towards him. "Jake sweetheart, it's me..." she said. "I need you to take this," she whispered softly, holding the phial up to his lips.

The second Lawson grabbed Jake's shoulders, the small boy's hands jerked up and grabbed hold of the man's forearms for support. Jakey's grip was strong, much stronger than he had ever been capable of before. His eyes snapped open again and he stared at Lawson, apparent terror in his eyes, before throwing his head back and coughing deeply some more.

Still convulsing, Jake's eyes rolled back, 'til he got that shuddery feeling, his neck strained and his head jerked back over and over. He went limp for a moment, knowing it would start again soon, and hoping against hope that something would stop it.

And... his hopes were realised. Professor Morgan was holding that familiar smelling potion to his lips, which Jake willingly drank down, his grip on Lawson's arms relaxing for a moment.

Jason knocked on Professor's Morgans door. He had his camera from Muggle studies with him.

He didn't know how Ili, could be so calm about this when Marcus was tempted to pick the boy up and whisk him away to St Mungos. But he had never been a Healer and she had been, so he took a deep breath and did as he was told. He tried to murmur some soothing words to Jake but he was truly at a loss as to what to talk about.

The moment Iliana, told him to lift Jake up, he gently held onto him by the shoulders and sat him up keeping a firm but gentle hold of him.

Man! The kid was strong all of a sudden. Marcus, grimaced slightly at his hold but said nothing. "Hey Jake, remember when we went to the beach and we had that race? I can't believe how fast you are, that wass the second time that you have beat me in a race. Oh which reminds me, you never did make me your slave for the day."

Marcus watched Jake anxiously for a moment as he took the potion and breathed a sigh of relief as he began to relax. "Yeah that's it Jake, just go back to sleep now and dream about all the crazy things you can get me to do."

"That's it, Jake. Good," Ili said in her most soothing voice, stowing the emptied phial in her pocket. "You'll feel all better now."

She listened as Marcus spoke, smiling despite herself. She'd have to hear more about their race later. It sounded quite entertaining. After Marcus laid Jake back down, Iliana moved forward and wrapped the blankets up around him, making sure he'd be all nice and snuggly in the bed. Then she leaned forward and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Sleep now, Jakey," she whispered.

When she stood up, she tiptoed away from the bed and took Marcus' hand in hers. With a small tug, she led him away, far enough so that their voices wouldn't wake Jake. "Marcus, I think he better stay here tonight. I've seen him like this before." It wasn't entirely true but many of the symptoms were the same. "He just needs some sleep. I'm sure he'll be fine in the morning," she said. "Why don't you go back and get some sleep too. I can come see you after he wakes up."

"Oh and Marcus..." Squeezing his hand tightly, Iliana leaned towards him and softly pressed her lips against his. "Thank you," she whispered. Whether he realized it or not, it was his presence that had kept her calm.

Hearing a knock at the door, she sighed and dropped his hand. She walked over to the door; glancing back at Jake to make sure the noise didn't wake him. "Yes?" she asked, as she opened it. "How can I help you?"

" My homework from Professor DuMont is to take pictures with this muggle camaera. He took a picture of Professor Morgan. " I have a girlfreind but just so you know, you are the hottest and cutest teacher at HogWarts" Jason told her.

Still keeping hold of Lawson, but feeling more and more relaxed by the second, Jake let himself fall gently backwards, eyelids drooping until they stayed closed. He listened to the words being spoken and smiled a little, managing to shake his head. He didn't have a clue what to get Lawson to do.

Hmmmmm.

SHAVE OFF THE GOATEE! Perrrrrrrfect.

"Dun' wun' s'eep," he mumbled.

Hearing that other voice topped it all off. Jake's gripped finally relaxed enough for Lawson to move away, though he still clung to the man's sleeve. He felt the covers being pulled up around him and actually gave in to the temptations of Dreamworld, his hand still on Lawson's sleeve.

"S'eep now," he repeated back in a shallow whisper. Soon, though, it seemed like Lawson was being pulled off... because he was. Once more, Jake gave the tiniest whimper, but his fingers were now too weak to keep the grip. "No go 'fessor Laws'n..." but... Jake let go. And fell asleep.

Until a camera flash went off, making Jake violently twitch where he lay, shaking his head as he heard some words spoken. "See gots boyfr'en', no trildren please, miss'er Kazi... Devilsssnare in 'er offissssss... gett'er back wi' pink c't..."

As he mumbled his strange words, Jake disappeared beneath the covers for a second. Soon enough, two of his bulky skater shoes were pushed out of the side of the bed, along with his socks and finally his jacket/hoodie.

When the boy re-emerged, it was with his head at the foot of the bed, and he was hugging a pillow, as well as laying on it. Waving in Lawson's direction, then Professor Morgan's, Jake yawned and bid them goodnight.

"Nighty night Mooosic maaaaan, Nighty night Ms. Cowgiiirrrrrl..." he murmured deliriously, finally crashing out on the pillow he was hugging, the hems of the long sleeves of his red shirt held in his hand.

Watching as Jake finally laid back down and relaxed, Marcus smiled at how innocent he looked when he slept. "You need to get your rest Jake" Marcus whispered, "So that you can be nice and strong because I've been training and I won't be so easy to beat next time we have a race." He ruffled Jake's hair lightly and then looked up at Iliana.

Marcus nodded his head in agreement. "I think that would be for the best, especially since this new Healer doesn't seem to be all that good." He didn't know who this Melita was but going from everyone's reaction about her, she didn't appear to be very competent. He was about to argue with her, he wanted to stay where Jake was but what would it look like if he stayed here in her hut.

He gave her a hug and held her tightly for a moment before pulling away and giving her a smile that was just for her. "You don't need to thank me Ili, I would do anything for that boy." He was about to lean in and give her another kiss but there was a knock on the door and he took a couple of steps away from her. "Come and get me in the morning when he wakes up."

Marcus stepped out of the way as the Gryffindor lad came inside and took a picture of Iliana. He couldn't help but smirk at the kids audacity and he leaned over the kids shoulder. "Yeah I think so too. Maybe you could make a copy of that photo and give it to me" he chuckled as he headed for the door but hesitated when he heard Jake's voice.


He turned around and watched as he mumbled something in his sleep and the disappeared under the covers only to re-emerge at the other end of the bed. Marcus, chuckled softly, "Goodnight Jakester" he murmured as he opened the door of the hut and stepped outside and headed back to his office.

Blinking rapidly from the brightness of the flash, Professor Morgan just looked down at Jason and frowned. "Mister Wesley, the proper way to take someone's picture is to ASK first," she said, her hands now on her hips. "And I should take points for that comment. I am your TEACHER. Please refrain from such compliments in the future."
Iliana dropped her arms back to her side and eyed Jake's ramblings curiously. Other than 'Devil's Snare' and 'boyfriend' (was he talking about HER?!) she didn't really catch much else. She followed him with her eyes as he dove under the covers and raised an eyebrow when he popped out of the other side. "Getting comfortable, Jake?" she asked before laughing at her newest nickname. "Ms. Cowgirl, huh?" she chuckled. "I kinda like that," she added with a wink and a big smile. "Goodnight."
Good, they were on the same page it seemed. Iliana hadn't even met this new Healer chick yet but at this point, she wasn't about to trust anyone with Jake's welfare. If she was going to keep him safe, it had to be done this way.

She returned Marcus' hug and relaxed her shoulders for the first time that day. "I know," she said quietly. Then she smiled and added, "I will." before pulling Jake's glasses out of his shirt pocket.
Standing in the doorway, Iliana glared playfully at Marcus and said, "Professor Lawson, don't encourage him." Then she waved goodbye to them both and closed the door.

Making her way across the room, Iliana checked on Jake one last time. Satisfied to see him fast asleep, she laid his glasses on the bedside table and headed off towards her own sleeping quarters.

Sometime earlyish (say... six, half five?) the next morning, Jake's eyes snapped open and he sat bolt upright, wincing from the pain all over his body. The spells that Truebridge had cast on him for the pain and to make his muscles relax had worn off. "'Lo?" he said questioningly, glancing around. This place looked so much more different early in the morning, with the snow falling outside in the dark and the inside almost as gloomy. "'Ello?!" he repeated, speaking a little louder and squinting. Ugh , headache.

What the heck happened?

" Miss Morgan, I am so sorry" Jason told her. " I should repect your feelings" Jason said to Professor Morgan. Jason left her office. Jason looked at Marcus , then smiled at Marcus as he left Miss Morgan's office.

Knock knock-knock, knock-knock...

"Two bits!" Professor Kapoor sang the rhythmic knocking song out loud rather than hammer it out with his fist. Whether that was because he liked the song or that perhaps, he'd simply forgotten that he was in the middle of knocking was entirely up to anyones judgment.

"Oh, Professor Morgan? Are you in there?" He asked the door to the rustic, but somehow elegant hut. Thank goodness he remembered where he was and to whom he was intending to see. A tinny rattling sound as he set the fabric covered cage of Leroy down by his side whilst he waited for an answer. His pocket too was an odd shape, carrying the body of the cream coloured "bonus" chihuahua in it.