"I feel like a fool, I should have known better than thinking it was Polyjuice Potion," Rafe shook his head. "I just know how much you excel at potions, it's just taken me by surprise that something could have been messed up." This would seem like a perfect opportunity for Rafe to blush, but he felt so comfortable with her, that he didn't get as embarrassed to easily. "I'm sorry for thinking so blatantly."

Rafe smiled as she took his hand, he took her hand and kissed the back of it. Surely, that was harmless, even though it felt like a lightning bolt zapped through him at the tender touch of her skin to his lips. Rafe let her hand go, to look in her right boot. He pulled out what looked to be, "Murtlap?" Rafe had a worried look on his face. She really was in pain and he was beginning to feel it as well by just looking at her, feeling so hopeless.

He could feel her breath, so close to his ear. He slightly closed his eyes. "Sheepskin," he whispered back into her ear. "It's something the vampires have invented, hardly detectable, except by people like myself. They tried to use it to sneak in my father's castle. It's a prefect disguise, and well," he took in a deep breath, "Illegal, but for your cause, I'm sure I can get my hands on one for your cause." Rafe sat up straight to look at her in the eyes once more.

"As for your hair!" he said in his normal deep voice. "It gives you a bit of an edge. Kind of a mysterious darkness... quite attractive I must say. But, I'd be more than happy to change it back," he laughed as he raised his wand once more.

Marilyn smiled at his words, squeezing his hand. "No apologies..are needed. You meant..no harm." She gave him a pained smile, reaching for the murtlap essence. Uncorking it quickly, she downed the small portion. Almost immediately, the heat in her cheeks and throat cooled...and the pain that had rested in her chest and abdomen was nothing more than a annoying ache. Something I'll need to sleep off...if I could sleep.

Wiping the back of her hand against her still damp forehead, Marilyn sighed in utter relief. "I had completely forgotten I had that until you mentioned the bezoar stone. All this stress has me so scattered." Seeing Rafe's still worried look, she smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. "Im fine. Please don't worry."

She probably should've stopped all skin contact...but it feel so good being close to him. How would she ever let him go? He couldn't stay here in the dark, cold dungeon corridor with her all night. Rafe would need his sleep...Was this what he felt in his heart every time she'd chosen to spare Carter's feelings?

The need to tell Rafe she loved him over and over again was strong...but she knew now wasn't the time for it. Would this always be the way being with Rafe would feel like? It was such a lovely mix of emotions...It was patient, yet desperate and demanding. Carefree, but stressing and worrisome...and so honest she could barely stand it.

She heard him talking but had not heard exactly what had been said. The way his lips were moving and the brush of his breath against her skin was making it had for her to concentrate. He was so beautiful, it was distracting. "Did you say sheepskin?" She blinked a few times, trying to regain her focus. "Are we talking invisibility?"

Marilyn quickly brought her hand up to shield her new hair. "No, if you like it...don't change it. It could be refreshing to not be spotted because of my "beautiful blonde curls" for once."

After she drank the potion, it was like a tension was released. He could feel more at ease and more relaxed. "Please don't worry?" Rafe laughed. "I wish I couldn't, it's just..." Rafe shrugged,"...and instinct, maybe? I just feel a bit protective of you, I just don't want to seem like I'm smothering you or anything..." Ugh, that didn't sound good, it sounded like he was some obsessive git, but it's not like he could take it back. "What I mean is... no matter what, no matter the situation, I'll be there for you, in a heartbeat." He smiled ear to ear.

She was there in his arms right now. In this chilly dingy dungeon, it felt warm like the sunshine in the brightest of days. "Sheepskin," he looked around before continuing, there definitely wasn't anyone around, he would have been able to smell them. "Sheepskin, it's kind of like a shield and disguise, you were it and can transform into whatever or whoever you like. We call it sheepskin because once we took what the vampire's made and tweeked it to make it go undected, we flipped in on them and the wolves could hide underneath it and hide amongst the flock!" It sounded like some child-like tale. He would one day explain the war waging on between werewolves and vampires in the east, but that would have to be saved for another day.

Rafe was surprised that she stopped him from changing her hair back. He did love her being blond, but perhaps this would be a simple disguise from prying eyes. "Well, I still think you would be spotted nonetheless, blond or brunette, you are still gorgeous."

Marilyn took in Rafe's beautiful smile and sighed. "It's okay. It might sound odd...but I don't mind your protectiveness. It's comforting to me." She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. "And you could never smother me. I love you..." Her facial features were, for once, completely relaxed. If it were in any way possible, she'd have all her conversations like this...

"Let's talk about sheepskin some other time. I personally think it's a brilliant idea...and I wouldn't have to endanger my health anymore. It's truly win win...Though, I'll probably still endanger my health. Im quite stubborn..." She laughed softly. "Im rambling, aren't I?" Her small frame shook with her silent laughter. "I do apologize."

"And while I may be gorgeous to you...im sure that's not everyone's opinion." She observed him from the corner of her eye with a playful smirk. "I think you are far prettier than I."

Rafe stroked her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder. He wouldn't be surprised if she could feel his heart beating a mile a minute. It wasn't because he was nervous...well, kind of...he was so tempted to kiss her, but he resisted. Patience was a virtue after all...he just wish he had it. "And I love you Marilyn," he said as he held her a little tighter. He leaned his head on top of hers.

"Well, with sheepskin you have nothing to worry, I think," Rafe hadn't seen it tested with someone that didn't have werewolf blood, but Rafe was half and he felt perfectly fine. Her voice was like music, so pleasant and comforting. "You could never ramble love, you have a voice sweeter than a siren."

Rafe raised an eyebrow at her last comment. "Me? More beautiful? That's not possible. I'm scarred and old...well, old-looking." He laughed as she gave him a smirk. "Standing next to you...I would be nothing, but a mere mortal standing next to a goddess, there really is no comparison." Rafe took in a deep breath. If someone were to come, it would look quite weird to see two people so close to one another that weren't a couple sitting in the dungeon corridor. "Are you feeling better?"

Rafe's declaration of love was something Marilyn could not have anticipated. If she would have lost her hearing and those had been the last words she'd ever heard, that would've been completely fine. Her body practically hummed with contentment. She quickly decided too much more of this comfort, and her restlessness just might meet it's maker...

Every single thing he said was heart felt and sincere. How had Marilyn gotten so lucky?

"Scars or not, you're easily the best looking guy I know...And I look older than I actually am. Are you calling me old?" She smirked at him then, reaching out to brush his face with her pale fingertips..."And I am feeling much much better...Thanks to you."

Rafe took her hand that was brushing his face. As much as he wanted this right now, right then, it wasn't right. She was still Carter's girlfriend and that was sticking to him in the back of his mind. Perhaps he'd matured, because last year he would have easily given in and he did. More than anything, he'd finally gained self-control.

"Yes, Marilyn, you're practically a maid and together we'll look like grandparents wondering the halls of Hogwarts," he teased. "And I am glad you are feeling better, but I think it might be best if you got some rest. Plus, we have the rest of our lives to have moments like these," he said as he looked lovingly in her eyes.

Marilyn smirked as Rafe's facial expression change. He looked almost unsure. She didn't need to ask what he was thinking about. It was painted clearly in the depths of his eyes. Carter... Just thinking his name made her feel utterly depressed. She could practically see the nightmares forming in front her eyes. Tonight would be another night of unrest.

Giving Rafe a quick kiss on the forehead, she stood up and stretched. Her bones groaned loudly in protest from their stiff position..."Hmm, old maid or not, I don't care." She stuck her tongue out at him childishly, slowly returning his loving smile. "Please be careful getting back to Gryffindor Tower. I don't want you in any trouble because I kept you out too late..."

Rafe did blush as her seet kiss she gave on his forehead and stood up beside her. He covered his mouth as he yawned.

"You need not worry about me," Rafe said with a crooked grin. "This is Rafe Lycaon, I'm as sneaky as they come." Rafe was actually speaking from experience. He felt like they talked most of the night away, but he could care less about sleep. He just wanted to be with Marilyn...always. He took her hands into his, "Until tomorrow, my brown-haired girl." He laughed a little. He reached down and gave her a tight hug, lifting her slightly off her feet.

"Will you send me an owl tomorrow? I would like to see you, if that's okay." Rafe was wondering where they could meet and not be found by this mysterious photographer, if he was still out there.

Out in the corridor, Oliver leaned against the wall and panted and winced and panted some more. Ok.. so running away from Nancy probably wasn't the wisest of ideas. He needed to go and get cleaned up at least. His leg was still bleeding a bit and the movement of staggering walking was not helping the wound.

“Guh.” He looked along the corridor. When did it become so looooong! With a grimace and a look of determination in his eyes, he started his slow journey along it, a hand against the stone wall to help him along.

After having simply sat on the floor next to the couch Oliver had just vacated, staring blankly at the Common Room door Nancy had finally decided to go after the boy. She just couldn't not. He was injured. He was seriously hurt. It would be irresponsible to just let him go like that. Still, some tiny part of her just wanted to go back to bed and leave the stubborn boy be.

As it were, Nancy was now standing outside the Common Room peering down the corridor in search for the younger Slytherin. "Oliver!" Where the heck was the boy?! The image of the burn was still sharply in her mind. What had happened?! Were they in danger?! "Oliver!" Okay, maybe she shouldn't be screaming that loudly at this late hour. Still, she had to find him.

It was only then that she actually took in the state her slippers were in. And immediately regretted doing so. Gulp! This was just...a shudder ran down her spine as Nancy quickly abandoned the slippers next to the Common Room entrance and took off barefoot. Better, loads better. Only cold. Very cold.

"Oliver!" This time her tone was one of relief as she had finally spotted the boy unsteadily making his way down the corridor. Quickening her pace Nancy quickly caught up with him and put a hand on his shoulder to help him regain his balance. "I understand, you don't want to go to the Hospital Wing...well, actually I don't but whatever." She had just made a decision. "But I can't change that. What are you going to do now?" She would help him with whatever his plans were.

Maybe he would...y'know, agree to go to the Hospital Wing after all. Or maybe they would accidently run into the nurse.

Oliver was beginning to realise how stupid running away from Nancy had been. With closed eyes, he leaned back against the dungeon corridor wall and winced and groaned. This was not good. Not good at all.

In the time that he stood there resting, he found more wounds to his body. Open angry scratches on his neck and cheek; weird marks on his hand which he couldn't quite focus on properly; and that bald patch of hair.. which was causing him more anguish and worry than any of his other wounds. Missing hair? What in Merlin's dirty y-fronts was that about!?

He was relieved to hear Nancy's voice echoing along the corridor but couldn't even bring himself to shout back to alert her of his whereabouts he was so weak, so he just waited, listening to the sound of her feet padding softly along the cold corridor.

'Thank Merlin.' he thought when she finally caught up – he'd got further than he'd realised but he still couldn't see the stairs to get up to the ground floor. “When did this corridor grow so long!?” He asked her in all seriousness with wide manic eyes. Seriously. Had Kazicrazydude magically extended it for his jollies? And why, oh why, did that seem like the most logical explanation to Oliver right now? He gratefully leaned on Nancy and looked downwards. “Where are yer shoes, man? It's freezing out here.” He said to her in a slur. He looked up into her eyes when she began to speak, twitching involuntarily when she said 'hospital wing.' But wait.. she wasn't going to make him go! Hallelujah! In his drowsy state of mind, he smiled drunkenly and put his arms around the poor girl and hugged her- “My saviour." - only that caused him a great deal of pain and he pulled back with a groan of complaint. “I need to get cleaned up.” He said looking down at himself. "So first stop is the boy's bathroom.” Up on the fourth floor. Sheesh! Why did they have to put it up so high! He slung his arm heavily around Nancy, fully expecting her to assist him here.

The look Oliver gave her made Nancy's feeling of relief turn into utter terror. This was not good. This was...crazy. He had to go to the Hospital Wing. He had to see somebody about this. They had to tell somebody. What if whoever did this to him was still around?! At this her blue eyes started to dart around the barely lit corridor frantically. EEK!

"Lumos!" She muttered and watched as her wand lit up slightly so she was at least able to see something. Pointing her wand into every direction Nancy couldn't exactly make out anything which looked dangerous. Not that that relieving or anything. Whoever was doing this would probably be an expert in hiding...

Blue eyes filled with fear and horror turned back to gaze into Oliver's as the boy spoke up again. Her shoes?! "They're over there...they were soaked." Nancy replied automatically while blinking at the boy rapidly. Didn't he remember he had thrown up over them?! Obviously not.

With a little yelp of surprise Nancy staggered back a few steps as the boy suddenly literally threw himself at her to hug her. "Whoa...easy, Oliver." She muttered, her voice still shaking as she clinged to the boy for balance. Her face full of concern she could almost feel the pain that seemed to be soaring through the boy's body as he pulled back.

"Right...fourth floor." She repeated absentmindedly while trying to think up a plan to at least make him go to one of the professors. Who was close to the fourth floor? Somehow her mind was only filled with images of the boy's injuries and therefore unable to think straight. "Right...let's go. You sure you can walk?" She inquired while trying hard not to stagger yet again as he placed his arm around her for support.

Oliver squinted as Nancy lit her wand. Man.. his eyes hurt too. It was a good job he was a little delirious right now otherwise he would probably be panicking.. or have fainted again. He wondered what she was looking for. Whoever did this perhaps? Oh man, he wished he could remember something. Could he have done it to himself? Maybe he just fell out of bed. Ack! Too many thoughts running around his confused head.

He looked confused as he gazed down the corridor to where Nancy was gesturing. “What's soaked?” He asked her. Eh? Weird. The lake wasn't leaking in... was it? Nooo.. that would just be weird. Though not half as weird or horrific as what had happened to Oliver.

He groaned and leaned back against the wall, running a hand through his hair and feeling that bald patch once again. Had some kind of.. hair collecting monster done this to him? “Sorry.” He mumbled to Nancy. He really wasn't with it right now. He nodded to her question and swallowed. “Unless you can conjure me a wheelchair.” Oh man.. that would be nice. He could go to sleep in a wheelchair. Why had he left the Common Room anyway? He could have slept in there. He should have gone up to bed where Nancy couldn't follow. He would have woken up feeling as right as rain after a good sleep.

With an arm slung around Nancy's slender shoulders, Oliver put most of his weight on the poor girl as they continued towards the stairs. He frowned as they got closer. He really hadn't thought this through properly, had he? “You might have to carry me up there.” He (half) joked with the seventh year. “Put that Chaser strength to good use.” heh.

Alright, he obviously really couldn't remember. Which was just...plain scary. Was he experiencing somekind of amnesia? Not good. That was really bad. "My shoes. They were, well, wet. Cause-" Nancy stopped mid-sentence, though, and just stared at him. There was no point really in telling him about the details. The details which involved him puking onto her shoes...no, not really necessary to tell him about that.

Nancy was now seriously considering going back to retrieve her shoes or at least a pair of socks. Her feet were FREEZING! Chewing her lower lip the 17 year old watched the boy closely and heaved a sigh as his hand ran over the bald patch of his head. "So you found it." It wasn't exactly a question, it was a statement. Somehow the fact that he was missing parts of his pretty curly hair freaked her out the most. What would somebody do with a patch of hair?!

Uh...could she? Conjure up a wheelchair that is. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe this was her chance for him to go see the nurse, though. "Uh...no, I don't. Sorry. But I could get you one. From the...uh...from Ms. Ashford. I'm sure she's got one." Okay, probably a rather lame attempt but whatever. Oliver didn't strike her as stupid after all. "Yes?" Nancy couldn't exactly hide the pleading in her voice as she waited for him to reply. If he waited here then she could get the Healer.

As they slowly approached the stairs Nancy staggered yet again under the boy's weight. This was not going to work. "Ha! Right." A dry fake laugh followed this as she let her eyes roam the corridor yet again in search for immediate danger or something. He had to realize, though, that she was not able to carry him up there. "I would need additional help for that." Hint Hint!

Oliver crinkled his nose. Wet shoes? Oooh.. 'cos she'd been out for a late night stroll in the lake!', he finished the sentence in his head and it, rather worryingly, made so much sense to his addled brain right now. Was he concussed? The back of his head was rather sore too come to think of it. It had just been drowned out by the other aches and pains in his body. He raised his hand and rubbed the back of his head – yep.. there was a nice bump right there under his hair. Ouch.

Running his fingers over his new bald patch he pouted a little as he looked at Nancy and merely nodded. He didn't know what to say about it except that it scared him, and he certainly didn't want scare Nancy who was clearly very worried already. “Weird, huh?” He smiled a little trying to make light of it. “Think the local muggle monastery would take me on as a monk?” Cos they had weird bald patches of hair, didn't they? .. though not quite like Oliver's. Ohhh.. his brain did HURT so!

His expression brightened at the mention of this Ms Ashford. He had no idea who the woman was being new to Hogwarts but her name sounded nice. Like she'd be the nice friendly sort to help a poor student get to his destination. “Ms Ashford you say?” He looked thoughtful. “Why don't you go and ask her if she's got one and I'll wait here.” Or in the common room! He looked back down the corridor and groaned when he saw how far away the welcoming Slytherin refuge was. The corridor was groooowing! He was sure of it! Gosh – this wasn't much fun. He slumped against the wall and looked at Nancy with a defeated expression. “Yeah... I'll wait here while you go get help.” He pouted. He didn't like feeling so useless.. and such a damn charity case! It wasn't the lad's style at all.

What could one do with a few strands of hair?! Brew a potion perhaps? Or was it just somebody who took a few strands of hair with him as a souvenir from everybody he'd attacked? Nancy didn't know which possibility scared her most. Absentmindedly twisting a strand of her own dark-blonde hair around her finger she continued to chew on her lower lip. Something needed to be done. Only what?!

"Weird?! That's just plain creepy!" Nancy exclaimed giving the boy an incredulous look before she could stop herself. As soon as the words were out she regretted them immediately. No need to scare the boy any further. He was the one with numerous cuts, a bald patch and an enormous burn after all. "A what?!" The panic and anxiety in her voice was impossible to miss. What the heck was he talking about?! Muggle monastries?!

Phew! He apparently didn't know who Ms. Ashford was exactly. Or at least he trusted her enough to actually just go up there and get a wheelchair. Pfft! As if. At least he agreed. A look of obvious relief flashed across her face which was something - given the circumstances - quite rare. "Alright. I will go ge-...ask Ms. Ashford about the wheelchair." Giving Oliver another look as the poor annoyingly stubbornboy slumped down the wall Nancy gave him a reassuring nod. Or at least she hoped it was.

"I'll...be right back, okay? Just stay there." Uh! What if he decided to just disappear?! Or what if the attacker came back?! Yet another glint of terror flickered through her blue eyes at that latter thought. Hovering on the spot for a moment in indecision she decided against staying, though, in the end. She needed to go get help. "I'll be right back!" Nancy repeated once again before dashing off towards the stairs...

Oliver frowned. Yeah.. it was creepy - that was exactly what he was thinking but he didn't want to say it out loud. And then he'd gone and confused her! Wasn't he the one who had suffered a blow to the head? “Nevermind.” He mumbled.

He nodded and thanked Nancy and watched her run up the stairs... and then he was alone.

All alone.

Gulp.

He looked around wide eyed. Boy.. it was hella creepy down here in the dungeons in the early hours of the morning when there was a phsyco on the loose.. or something. He shivered involuntarily and glanced back towards the common room. He could go back... but what about Nancy and this nice Ms Ashford woman? If he just vanished, they might worry that something had happened to him. Something bad... like worse that what already had. He cleared his throat and hugged his arms around his skinny body and looked towards the stairs, deciding that he should start to try and make his way up so he could meet Nancy half way.

Holding onto the banister, he began to sort of haul himself upwards. One...step. Two... steps. Three steps, four. Phew! This was exhausting. He stopped to take a rest to wince and catch his breath and then continued his journey, feeling like he was an old pensioner who couldn't manage the stairs on their own anymore.

Five steps... six steps.. seven steps... more.

Sigh. This was depressing.

MOUSE MOUSE MOUSE MOUSE MOUSE.

Raiden Kururugi ran into the hall, legs carrying him along as fast as they could. Where had the damn thing GONE?! Professor Kazimeriz had made the thing ridiculously fast; already, it seemed, the thing had passed this corridor.

"AISH NOOOOO," he half-wailed, his ears twitching around to catch even the slightest sound. It could be anywhere by now!

He ran up the corridor, toward the ground floor.

Marie was on a mission, she had a mouse to catch. She had to get it before Raiden did, she wanted to be the one to play with it.

MOUSE

She found him, running along the wall of the corridor. She could feel her whiskers twitching from the excitement. She was going to get it, Raiden would be the loser, she would win. She slowly crept up on it ready to pounce when.....

NOOOOO, it took off running up the stairs. This can't be happening, she only wanted to play, why wouldn't it let her play?

She ran up the stairs to the entrance hall to see if she could catch it there. This was not over, she wanted that mouse.

Football.....
Rolling down the dungeon steps.
Not a good sign.

Closely following the ball was Adam Stemp. He' dbeen planning on taking the ball outside in the hopes of finding someone for a kick around with. But then he'd gone and tripped and the fall had flown out of his hands and rolled down the stairs. And Ad had to catch that ball!

Step. Step. Step. Stop.

Tyler was minding his own business, walking down the dungeon corridor, when he saw a soccer ball, well football to the English, rolling towards his way. And right behind the ball was Adam. Ty chuckled and stopped the ball with his foot. "Looks like someone lost this," he smirked and made the ball pounce up towards him.

"I miss the warm weather when I cold play non-stop," Ty added, kicking the ball with each of his knees and finally catching it with his hands.

"S'up, Tyelr?" Adam grinned at the sight of his mate. Watching him with the ball, Adam nodded as he caught it and motioned for it to be passed back to him. Ah, kick about in the dungeons. It was probably against the rules, but who cared? Certainly not Adam.

"Ah, you can play in the cold!" Adam said, thinking of all the times he'd played. "S'why all the big leagues are in the winter, 'cuz it gets too warm to play in the summer." Not that the heat bothered Adam, but apparently it bothered the professionals.

"Sup Ad," Ty greeted back and passed him the ball. Playing in the dungeons wasn't going to hurt no one. Unless they got in the way. But that was their own fault. "I usually do, since I get more energy," he chuckled.

Warm weather was okay, except when Tyler was playing. He dehydrated too quick. "Maybe they're like me, dehydrated too quick and eventually pass out," Ty shrugged.

Kneeing the ball a few times, Adam dribbled it on the spot before passing it high back towards Tyler. "Probably," he said with a shrug. He;d read somewhere about them getting dehydrated easily, but he hadn't been paying more attention. He'd been more interested in the actual game, not reasons why it was played or not.

"So how long have you played for?"