Kazimeriz listened and nodded, fury boiling up within him as he heard her speak. It all made sense now. And they were up there... with Alessia.... Ambushing them through Alessia's Vanishing Cabinet might be their best shot of overpowering the wizard and his army of students, saving them all.

He looked at Celandine. "Thank you. You will mind Professor Morgan-Lawson now." he said in a voice just above a whisper. He glanced up at the others, leaving the imperius on her in case she had been given prior instructions by her captor... Or in case she decided to get courageous again. He wanted her to be safe.


"STUDENTS! You will all follow Mrs. Lawson to the Headmaster's Office seating area." They should be safe there. " Mrs. Lawson, I ask that you stay with the children at the Headmaster's office waiting area; the fifth floor is currently no place for a lady, much less one in your condition. Please ensure the room is secured and you will all stay at the Headmaster's office for your own safety. The able-bodied will help anyone injured; get them swiftly to the safety of the Headmaster's Office waiting area."

He turned to Maximus. "Let's get to that Vanishing Cabinet in Alessia's dungeon office. We have students to save... And a score to settle for Edward Forrester." Without checking to see if the students, Iliana or Max were obeying his orders, he swept out of the corridor, hurrying toward the Slytherin Common Room and Alessia's dungeon office.

ooc note: of course, just cos KAZIMERIZ said to go to the Headmaster's waiting area, does not mean you have to RP that. Do as your characters will.

Celandine nodded fervently, actually a little relieved that he hadn't lifted the Imperius since it sort of felt safe knowing that Kazimeriz had everything in hand and had given her a task to focus on. She smiled weakly, glad they were going to use the Vanishing Cabinet. 'Huxley' couldn't have known about it and most of the Imperiused students probably didn't either so it was definitely the best way to go.

She offered a wispy sort of smile at Professor Vindictus too and then, leaning on the wall for support, Cela made her way over the the Headmasters Seating Area to do exactly what she was Imperiused to do. Mind the pregnant lady.

Sabel stared at what was happening. In a matter of moments they had gone from cherrades to casting curses. It reminded him how quickly things had changed in Hogwarts. How one day it had been classes and lessons and homework and innocent problems befit for children, and then the next day it was bloodied robes, missing students, mauled friends, curses and betrayal. It wasn't fair that so many young people had to be faced with such things, had to grow up so quickly.

For a long moment, he stood between decisions at Professor Kazimeriz's words. They made sense; go, be safe, help the injured. All logical, reasonable points. His eyes flicked about the hall, to Cela and Raiden and Jake, his heart lurching at their pain. Then there was Jack and Mrs. Lawson; able-bodied people lending a hand.

His eyes went back to the Professors; he had asked if he needed a hand, and Kazimeriz said they needed all the wands they could get. Granted the situation might have changed with Cela's words, they still only had two wands against....he didn't know the number but a lot. While their two wands were worth the ability of probably a hundred students, Sabel couldn't help but feel that it wasn't entirely logical. They were going up to fight against Forrester, whoever that was, and their attention would need to be on that man. The students had proven to be enough of a sheild and body guard around that man, and would no doubt try to tie the Professors feet up.

Without thinking of how much trouble he might get in for disobeying the Professor, or that it was a very stupid move considering how much he may actually prove as a setback rather than a help, Sabel hurried off to follow the Professors. He would do what they needed of him, even if it was to send him back to the waiting room. The point was, he had to try to extend his help, even if it got turned down.

Aaron knew that Jack had asked him to assist with his teammate/housemate; but then the Headmaster had spoke, asking him to knock on all the Professor's doors and tell them of what was happening. He didn't like/trust the idea of having a young Hufflepuff guarding the entrance doors. The headmaster didn't need to say that, but Aaron knew it were true. He was tiny and not the strongest, but he was determined and inherited the Rose stubbornness and feistyness.

Before he could act on the Headmaster's words though, Professors Lawson and Vindictus and Kazimeriz appeared and the eleven year old saw more than he should have for a boy his age. It seemed terrible to say he wasn't ready to see this, but he knew that he shouldn't watch. And yet he did; hanging on to every gesture . . . every word . . . because some day, in 4 . . . 5 . . .6 years, when Celandine is long graduated from Hogwarts, it could be him having to make this decision. And he needed to know that it was safe to trust. Who it was safe to trust.

Lost in thought, especially as he'd not been here the previous two terms (and nor had Amelia) so he knew nothing of the happenings, he blinked for a moment, comprehending the Potion Master's orders to the students. NO! He knew he'd more of a hindrance than a help, but Aaron also knew that he needed to watch . . . to learn. It wasn't just about safety; this was a real-live learning experience. And he was not going to pass up the opportunity because of a simple thing called safety.

Decision in mind, Aaron slipped away from the group and followed Professors Kazimeriz and Vindictus towards the dungeons.

Everything that unfolded within a span of less than ten minutes was surreal to Vindictus. The administration of Veritaserum and the use of an Unforgiveable on Celandine. And he was rooted to the floor, unable to move or speak. Had Kazimeriz finally lost his mind for good? I wonder if they have senior citizen lodgings in Azkaban.

Then it was as if Kazimeriz pulled him out of a trance and he found himself following the old man towards the dungeons.

Roxanna relaxed even more as it seemed that her saviour seemed to be doing the same. It was after all quite tiring to keep being scared, apprehensive and alert for what could happen next. With the older boy at her side Roxanna felt safe and secure. If someone bad came after them she wouldn’t have to face that alone.

"Pleasure to meet you Oliver!" she said before adding curiously"Why did that dark haired Hufflepuff girl call you curly?" Giving people nicknames was all well and good but curly hadn’t sounded very nice and her mum always said that name calling wasn’t something she should do unless the other person didn’t mind. As they came down to the third floor Oliver asked if she was a muggleborn. Nodding Roxanna said looking up into eyes confidently "Yes, my parents are both muggles. None of them come from what you call a magical bloodline. I still haven’t really understood how I can be a witch when none of them can do magic."

Speaking about heritage she knew was a loaded subject but she didn’t feel ashamed of being a muggleborn and therefore had no problem talking to Oliver about it. Roxanna eyes grew wide as Oliver explained what it meant to be under the imperius curse. "That’s just terrible. How could that man do such an evil thing? I hope they overpower him and send the very bad man to Azkaban." Roxanna said with indignation and fire. When they had been talking they had now come down another floor and entered the second floor where the headmaster had his office. Clinging to Oliver’s hand Roxanna asked something which had troubled her since they had left the fourth floor. "Did the bad man hurt many students & professors?"

Oliver smiled, more with his eyes than with his mouth because it hurt so much, “Pleasure to meet you too, Roxxy.” He looked down at her and raised his eyebrows at her question. He chuckled a little and indicated to his hair. “The hair. They're just jealous.” He added with a smirk. He didn't mind.. not really. They could call him a lot worse.

She was really honest about her parentage and Oliver listened to her with interest as they started their way down the stairs. “Probably waaaay back you had an ancestor with magical abilities.” He explained to her. “It's all a matter of genes.. like some pureblood families have squibs as children. It doesn't mean anything. It just means you're a little bit different. Like two brunette parents having a red-headed child.” That was Oliver's reasoning anyway. It may not be correct but it made sense to him.

“I'm a half blood myself but I lived in the muggle world 'til I was twelve.” He explained with a shrug.

He crinkled his nose at her reaction to his explanation of the curse. “It's not that bad actually. You don't know it's happening to you and you don't feel responsible for your actions. Not until you wake up out of it.” Urgh.. it hurt a lot more now, really. He shrugged at her question. “He tried to abduct Professor Lupa. That's what he came here for. He's madly in love with her and it's messed up his brain.” He laughed a little then winced at the pain in his jaw.

He thought about her next question for a moment. “Yeah.” He said honestly. “I guess he did. He made us hurt a lot of our friends and peers. There's a few injured professors too. Though I don't think there's anything too serious to worry about. It can all be healer by Ms Ashford.” Or so Oliver hoped and prayed. He didn't know what was going on up stairs right now or whether Sam had been stopped. The last thing he had seen was Kazi. Oliver felt sure the old man was a powerful enough wizard to stop Huxley. "Look we're almost there." He gestured to the area a little way down the corridor.

It wasn't until now that she noticed that Oliver was in evident pain. Worried Roxxy asked "Does your mouth hurt?" As the nickname was explained she said enviously "I wish I had curly hair too.. Mine is just straight.." Her mother had said it many times and maybe now it was true.. People with curly hair usually wanted straight hair and the other way around.

As Oliver did his best to explain how she could be of magical desent they continued walking. "Yes maybe. But mum and dad were unbelievably shocked when the letter arrived. They even sent a letter to the Headmaster making sure that nobody was playing us a prank." A professor from Hogwarts had even come to their house just to explain everything. "Halfblood..That means you've got one magical parent right?" Some things had stucked in hear head at least.

The word squib came up and Roxxy curiousity was again peeked "A squid is that a magical person too?" Oliver spoke more about the imperius curse but she lost him somewhere in the middle.. It seemed awfully complicated that someone could order you around like a puppet. Shaking her head as they stopped just a few steps from the headmaster office Roxxy said "I think healer Ashford needs to check you out Oliver.. And maybe me too. Does langlock curses leave damage?"

Oliver ran his tongue over where his missing back teeth used to be -urgh.. gums: it felt so weird- crinkling his nose when Roxxy asked him that question. That boy had dislocated his jaw too but it had cracked back into place. It felt like it was swollen and bruised and he knew he should get it checked out, but... “It's not too bad.” He said with a shrug. He didn't need to be healed. He'd rather suffer the pain of it than have to be healed again. Gulp.

This little girl was very sweet. “You always want what you don't have.” He replied with a nod. Although Oliver didn't know many boys who would want curly hair with the kind of stick you got for it.

She continued talking as they neared the Headmaster's seating area and he listened with curiosity. “I bet they were.” He agreed. “To find out this whole world exists which they were oblivious to.. it's gotta be a shocker.” He nodded. “Well my mum is a half blood and my dad is pureblood. So I must be, like, three quarters blood or something.” Eh.. he didn't really understand how that worked but he liked to go around telling everyone he was a halfy just to annoy his dad. Heh. “So how has your first year here been?” He asked her. “It's must be difficult coming in to all this when you had no idea magic existed before.”

He smirked when she called a Squib, a Squid, choosing not to correct her.. cos it was funny. heh. “A Squid is a non magical person born to magical parents.” He explained patiently, looking down at the wee girl.

On they trudged and the subject of being healed came up again. *shudder* He wasn't going to admit to an eleven year old Gryffindor that he was afraid of hospitals and anything associated with them. “Ah.. I'm fine.” He told her with a dismissive wave of the hand.” He was really just bringing the girl here because it was the safest place he could think of. “No. I don't think it does. Are you in any pain?” He asked looking at her.

Miranda slowly walked along with a battered up Sarah by her side. Who knew three flights of stairs was so bloody hard to get to when you were feeling like crap. Miranda's arm was still hurting, and it didn't help that it was now around Sarah's waist carrying a bit of her wheight. Not that Sarah was a heavy girl, pffft. It's just that with an injured hand, the lightest of things feel like they wheigh a ton.

"Hold on Sarah, we're almost there..."
They were probably both wincing at every step, Miranda felt her face stretch and the small cuts and scratches opening from where the rubble fell on her.

Rounding the corner, she saw a very familiar figure ahead, with someone who was about half as tall as the boy. She stopped - she knew who that was. "Oliver!" She called out, slightly desperate, and started moving towards him again. Her eyes fell on the little girl. That was the Gryffindor... she had found her! Thank Merlin. But it reminded her of Wesley, whom they had not yet found.

"A-are you two okay?" She asked worried, hoping Sarah wouldn't mind this little stop before moving on.

The sound of footsteps from behind made Oliver jump, letting go of the little girl's hand, his fingers hovered over his wand holster and he turned to face the two girls, ready to blast.. and probably die in the process.. if it was Sam. Boy was he twitchy.

He relaxed as soon as saw who it was, attempting a smile, which failed once again as he was reminded of his injuries. He started walking back towards the two girls.

Sarah looked terrible. Oliver winced as he looked at her feeling partly responsible for her condition; and Miranda looked tired and in some discomfort but she didn't look too bad considering what they had been through. “Merlin it's good to see you two.” He gave Sarah a sheepish, pitying look before he focused on his best friend, pulling her into an embrace; the emotion of the last few hours was threatening to pour out of him then and there but he held back for want of not looking like a complete idiot and to spare the feelings of those around him.

“What happened up there? Is Sam.. y-you know?” Incapacitated? Dead? Defeated and gone? Off on his merry way to Azkaban?

Looking back at Roxxy, he remembered his manners. “Oh.. erm, this is Roxanna.” He introduced the little Gryffindor to the two fifth year girls.

Oliver's sudden defence position made Miranda hesitate, but she swallowed and continued to walk towards the two students. But she was oh so grateful he was walking towards them, and not running away...or something.

Slightly panting, Miranda nodded at his response, feeling quite the same "It's good to see you too." Probably more than she could convey at this time. Once again, she was surprised at the gentleness of his embrace, but this time she reacted faster and hugged him back, quite feeling her eyes sting.

When the hug was broken, she focused on her feet, only glancing at the little Gryffindor girl from time to time.

Sam? Oh yeah. "Um... he lost his hand, so he's pretty hurt." She swallowed, "Headmaster Tate is bringing him down to the...seating area." They should be coming up behind them, since Miranda walked off before them all. But the most important answer, she thought, "I think he's still alive." Her eyes came up to look into his green ones.

She still wasn't sure how she felt about the man surviving. But deep down, she knew no one deserved to die like that. Not even Sam. Because it wouldn't help anyone.

Her mournful expression changed into one of slightly more happy when he was introduced to the girl. "Hi Roxanna, it's nice to..." meet you? They had already met, and she had run off to go kick Sam's butt. Shameful. "I'm Miranda... How are you? Are you hurt? Healer Ashford is an exellent nurse." She tried to placate the gir, unsure if she was even afraid or whatnot, But it felt better when the focus was on someone else than herself.

"Are you okay?" She turned to Oliver again, now with a more serious expression. She could see a little dried blood aroun the boy's mouth, no doubt it being from when Sarah had punched him.

Urgh. Oliver didn't like the way Miranda was looking at her feet and not at him. He could remember what he had done to her and Wesley. He wouldn't blame the little huffie if she never spoke to him again, but Miranda? She had been cursed too. Miranda understood.. or at least he hoped she did. He found himself grimacing as she explained what had happened. His hand? And as much as Oliver despised Sam for what he had done, he couldn't help feeling just a leetle bit sorry for the guy. Though the pity was forgotten the next moment when Miranda said Tate was bringing the guy to this floor. He glanced at Roxxy and then back at Miranda. “Tate's bring the dude here?” He spoke in a calm voice so he wouldn't upset Roxanna. What was the Headmaster thinking bringing the guy to where there were injured, weak students. But he calmed a little at Miranda's next words. She thought he was alive: that meant he was pretty much out of it right now.

...On death's door?

Oliver, since the moment he found out what was going on, thought he would be pleased if Huxley didn't survive. He wanted him to suffer for making him hurt his friends, but he was taken aback by the pity he felt for the guy. He met Miranda's brown eyes as she lifted them at last to look at him. He held her gaze knowing in that moment that she was feeling the same way as him. Guilty. This wasn't about being angry with him. They had both done equally bad things. One day, he would tease her about the whole Masterson thing.. someday.. in the very VERY distant future.

He watched Miranda and Roxanna exchange pleasantries and smiled a little. Miranda was such a caring soul. She was a true Badger. It was hard to believe that she had it in her to be so violent. “Roxxy was Langlocked.” he explained. He had no idea how or by whom and assumed it had happened when they all ran off and left the poor girl. “I couldn't think where else to go. It seemed like the most logical place.” Shrug.

“Meh.. I'm fine.” He replied deciding to answer the question assuming that Miranda was talking about how he was physically. “Jus' a few missing teeth and my jaw hurts but I'll live.” Shrug. Smirk. “Are YOU okay?” He asked directing the same question to her, his eyes locking with hers as he looked at her searchingly. He wanted to know the truth.

This was akward. Not like 'don't-have-anything-to-say'- akward, but she had so much to tell him, to apologize, beg for forgiveness. But she also had the urge to just run away and keep running, getting lost in the forest or something.

She watched Oliver for his reactions when she told him about... the man, and Miranda could think he felt the same way like her. But she couldn't know for sure - Oliver was good at keeping his feelings from others. Something she hoped he wouldn't do around her.

Miranda nodded at his question. Yes, Tate was bringing him here. Or atleast that's what she understood. The man was unconcious and bleeding to death, he deserved medical care, even though he did all of those things to them. Gulp.

She bit her lip as he looked back at her, but she couldn't hold it for long and dropped her gaze to a spot on the floor infront of her. If Miranda wasn't helping Sarah, she'd excused herself and...run off. But she couldn't be that selfish, she had to make sure Oliver was allright.

Langlocked? Miranda grimaced in an unapproving way. That was really mean. Sigh. Yeah, not that the person who did that to Roxanna had any care in the world. "I'm sorry to hear that, Roxanna." She said sincerely. "If anyone tries to do that again, just come find us, okay?" She smiled softly at the girl, then glanced back up to Oliver.

He was fine? Miranda sighed. Though she did grimace again when he said he was missing a few teeth. "Don't worry about that, Healer Ashford will fix that in a heartbeat."

Letting out a breath, Miranda answered, "I'm fine. " And smiled, or tried to - the scratches on her face made themselves known. "I'm okay, don't worry about me." Okay was a stupid thing to say, because really, she felt like crap. She wanted to cry, go kick that Remí's butt and just... SCREAM until her voice was gone.
But she smiled.

"We should go before Tate arrives." And she started to walk again, helping Sarah along. "You okay, there Sarah? It's not too long now, just ahead." Yeah, she'll be allright. She had to.

Sarah hobbled along at the side of her friend, arm around her shoulder, trying not to lean on her too much.Miranda was injured herself and the last thing Sarah wanted to do was add to that by making her carry the full weight of someone her own size.But it was hard.Her back was killing her from where she had slammed into the wall, and her head still had the gash on the back from where Oliver's spell had sent her crashing to the floor stiff as a board....then of course there was the shoulder, and the rose scratches...and the -- well you get the picture.Walking down a load of stairs hadn't helped either of them...either....

Sarah smiled as Miranda encouraged her along, just pleased that her friend was back in the land of the normal. "It's okay.Sorry to be such a pain, though.." she grimaced as they turned the corner onto the second floor.Where they stopped abruptly.

As Miranda called out, Sarah lifted her head and saw the familiar figure of the battered curly haired Slytherin.Battered mainly thanks to her.Not that he admitted that when they chatted back on the fifth floor.Something that she was grateful for, he didn't seem to hate her, but her guilt still remained everytime she glanced at his swollen mouth.Giving Oliver a grin as he came over, Sarah rested herself against the wall when he hugged Miranda, and spoke about the evil guy.At least he was being sorted now, not able to currently hurt anyone else, something Sarah's back was eternally grateful for.

Aww a little Gryffie was langlocked? Now that just wasn't nice.Giving the child a wave when Oliver introduced them, Sarah shifted position ready for when they set off again. "Hi Roxanna, I'm Sarah.Nice to meet you...Sorry you had to be caught up in all of this," she gestured around to the crumbling corridor and wondered how long it would take to repair it all.

"Huh? Ohhh, yeah, I'm fine.Stiff and achy, but I'll live.Although I'm not sure I want to be around here when Tate comes through, good idea to get moving again," she nodded, once more resting her good arm across her friends shoulder and starting to walk. "Are you two coming with us to the Healer?" she asked, glancing back as they passed on their way down.

Roxanna looked at Oliver at bit worried. He did exactly what her older brother Sebastian always did. Hid pain even if he was hurting. Eyeing Oliver she said "You don't have to be tough on my account. If you're hurting than say so please don't do a bigbrother Seb on me." What was up with boys and always having to be macho? When it came down to it boys could hurt just as much as girls did the only difference Roxxy guessed that it was more common for girls to show pain and tears.

"It was a total schocker, the professor had to explain it several times before mum and dad accepted it all. And when they accepted it they almost chatted the poor professors ears of with questions. It was a bit crazy." Roxxy still remembered it vividly how her parents almost had taken the Hogwarts staff member hostage for an entire day.

Oliver explained squib/d and Roxxy just figured that learning about lineage and how it all worked would take time. It all sounded so complicated. As the slytherin asked how she was feeling Roxxy moved her tongue around her mouth saying "I think i might be bleeding in my mouth since i have that metallic taste. Maybe the langlock curse damaged something." She hadn't really thought about i but she felt a bit light headed too. Deciding to be honest she added "And i'm feeling a bit lightheaded, dizzy sort of."



Turning to look at whom the voice came from Roxanna's eyes landed on the older Hufflepuff from before whom seemed to be carrying another hufflepuff. I'm sort of okay..Nobody has cursed me after that other girl did." she said in response not sure what to say. She didn't want to spill out how she exactly was feeling to someone whom had abandoned her on the fourth floor with no other advice than to get out. Which hadn't been the easiest considering how scared, confused and hurt she had felt.



Roxxy felt the tug as Oliver pulled almost ripped his hands out of her grip. Standing still she watched how everything went dizzy and floated for a moment when Oliver went over to the two Hufflpuffs. Keeping her gaze straight at Oliver the dizzyness soon ebated and Roxxy could understand what they were speaking about. As she was introduced to the hufflepuff's Roxxy waved at them both."Erm, Hey!"



NO?? No the bad man couldn't be coming where they were. What if he woke up and hurt more people. Feeling her panic rise again she tried to catch Oliver's gaze spluttering out "You said this was a SAFE place.. If the very bad comes here.. He can hurt me, us again. No.. I don't want that to happen again. Don't want to be abandoned all over again. No I can't..."

Feeling her eyes tear up again Roxanna tried to calm herself down as the hufflepuff girl introduced herself as Miranda. It wasn't though the best chosen moment to try and start a conversation. Struggling against her panic Roxanna ignored Miranda's question mumbling "No. don't want to be left alone. Mouth hurts."



Roxanna nodded saying "Okay!" in reference to coming to find Miranda or Oliver if she happened to get langlocked in the future. As the dizzyness come back with full force Roxxy cried out "Help me!" before everything went black in front of her eyes. The little Gryffindor blond tumbled to the floor from all that she had been through and the injuries the langlock curse had sustained. It wasn't easy being an 11 year old witch.

Urgh.. no. Oliver was not trying to be tough. It was that insane fear of hospitals again. And besides, he deserved to suffer a bit longer for what he had done. “Alright.” He nodded to Roxanna. “I admit. It hurts like a bugger, but it's nothing that wont heal on it's own.” Well... maybe not the teeth... but perhaps super-glue would work. He still had the teeth after all.

He chuckled a bit, or as much as his mouth would allow, as the girl talked of her parents and the questions they had for the Hogwarts professors. “The professors must be used to that sort of stuff though.” He replied. “With all the muggleborns there are in the school.” Oliver had always thought being a wizard was cool, but imagine finding out when you were twelve that you had these powers. He could imagine it must be so much cooler to discover this world and see it through the eyes of a eleven year old. “You know.. what happened here today is pretty rare.” The wizarding world wasn't a scary place... usually. Her mouth was bleeding? Aw. “The healer will sort that out for you in a jiffy.” He smiled slightly. Healer Ashford was pretty cool... for a healer.

He was taken aback by the scared voice in which Roxxy addressed him next. He winced, looking down at her. Yeah.. he had said that. He thought it was true. He knelt down so he was at her eye-level once again. “Roxy. Listen to me.” He said softly. “The man who did this is unconscious. The headmaster would not bring him here if he thought he was a threat. ..But he deserves to be healed. He could die otherwise – he doesn't deserve that.” Oliver understood how Roxxy felt. He felt the same way to an extent, but they couldn't blow this out of proportion. The time to panic was over – Sam had been defeated and the curse had been broken. “I'm not going to let anything happen to you, ok?” He said gently, falling into the role of big brother naturally.

He was more than pleased to see a smile on Sarah's face as she and Miranda approached them. He didn't mean what he had said to her when she attacked him – he didn't hate her – he never had. He gave her stick sometimes because she was a figure of authority but it was usually all in good humour. He hoped she understood that.

Turning his attention back to Miranda, he couldn't help feeling hurt when she dropped her gaze from his eyes. He frowned; that feeling of emptiness mingled in with guilt washed over him once again. He thought Miranda would understand... but of course she had remembered the other stuff now. The stuff that was paining Oliver almost as much as what he had done today. How could he have treated her that way? His friend. He cared about her so much and then he went and did that to her.

He was grateful for the distraction of Roxanna as the two girl's started talking to her. Who had done that to the poor girl anyway? Oliver, although not himself, had only been targeting students he deemed a threat to Sam. This girl was clearly no threat to anyone.

He nodded to Miranda's question. No. Of course he wasn't fine but he wasn't going to admit that to her. He couldn't say anything else or the emotion of the last few hours was likely to break through his façade and he couldn't deal with that right now. It could wait.. until he was alone and away from prying eyes. He swallowed when she mentioned his teeth. That stupid fear again. “I'll ask her to take a look.” He mumbled and glanced at Roxxy who had just been trying to persude him to do the same thing. He had to grow a backbone over this – at least they didn't have to go to the Hospital Wing.

'I'm okay, don't worry about me', Oliver stared at her. She and he were more alike than he had ever realised. The time to talk was not now. Maybe it would be easier never to open up about this. “Whenever you want to talk.. I'm here.” He said softly. And if she didn't, that was fine too.

Nodding, he turned back to Sarah. “Yeah. We're coming.” He said and started to walk slowly along the corridor towards the Seating Area. Miranda was right. They should get out of here before Tate and Sam arrived.

He heard Roxanna's little 'help me' and turned quickly to face her. The next thing she was lying on the floor having passed out. “Oh Merlin.” He muttered. He was at her side in an instant. He felt weirdly responsible for her wellbeing.. like if he could do something good it would balance out the bad stuff he had done. “Roxxy? Can you hear me?” Crap. He scooped her up in her arms, straining under her weight and started towards the Seating Area. Thank Merlin they were so close. “You two coming!?” He yelled to Sarah and Miranda. Could this day get any worse?

A pain? Miranda swallowed, brows slightly furrowed at what Sarah had said. "You're not a pain..." she mumbled, feeling that guilt wash over her again. Merlin, what is she had left her this hurt? Miranda should be the one apologizing, for hurting her feelings, trying to hex her and just... Sigh. She wanted to apologize, but the word 'sorry' just didn't seem suffiecient.

Miranda watched the Prefect and Oliver interact, glancing at Roxanna from time to time. She seemed to be doing allright, she was a strong Gryffindor. The next thing that came out of that little girl's mouth actually made the Captain smile a little. Big Brother... Yeah, that's exactly what he was - and Miranda was so grateful to know him. "Yeah, Oliver, you're such a big brother." Her lips parted in a genuine smile this time.

Roxanna said she was fine. That was good to hear. And she didn't seem to be lying either - like they all were, well, exept for Sarah. Hehe. "That's really good to hear, Roxxy."
But it seemed Mirandas mention of Remí being brought down here had been a bad idea,. The little Gryffindor's voice made her raise her eyebrows and look at Oliver. Errr, was she allright? "Roxxy, don't worry, everything will be alliright..." But then Oliver started talking to the girl, and Miranda knew she would calm down - the boy was good at that. And making people riled up. Hah.

'...he deserves to be healed. He could die otherwise – he doesn't deserve that.' Miranda made a face, letting her head drop back a little to look at the ceiling. It was true, the man didn't deserve to die, not like that. But still, it tugged at her that the man would be getting treatment... the man who had almost made them all hurt their friends way beyond repair. Her eyes began to sting again, but a few blinks made the oncoming tears dissapear.

Composing herself, Miranda looked down at the little girl and smiled kindly at her. Heh. Something about mouth hurting, she said. Well that can't be good. But Oliver's voice made her focus on him again, and she didn't like the way he was staring at her. Her eyes flitted to everywhere but his. And then he had to go all kind on her. Yeah, time to go. She nodded, looking a bit akward. "Uh, yeah, thanks." But then she did look into his eyes again, "I'm here for you too." Because no matter how much Miranda was avoiding talking about herself, she didn't want Oliver or any other of her friend have to go through this alone.

Miranda was already walking ahead with Sarah, but the sudden outcry of Roxxy made her stop and look back. Her eyes grew wide at the sight, but luckily Oliver was right there in an instant, carrying her in his arms. She watched him rush off to the seating area before being able to make her feet react and move. And then he yelled and Miranda snapped out of it. "Yes! Go ahead, we'll catch up." She started walking again, but not too fast because Sarah needed time.


Oh please let the chaos be over...

Sarah gave Oliver a small nod as he looked in her direction.He was a good guy really, and more than likely felt as guilty as she did about attacking him.Neither of them had to say anymore at that moment, not when other things were more important - like getting down to the Healer as soon as possible.

Of course Miranda was lying when she said Sarah wasn't being a pain.Anyone could see that she was, weighing her down and needing her help to make it down the stairs.She scoffed quietly and gave her friends shoulder a squeeze. "Yeah I am, but it's nice of you to try and lie about it." A small smile and wink followed as they got themselves ready to move off.

Urgghhh, Remi not deserving to die? He'd already killed people.Manipulated others to try and do the same.An all round bad egg, was that one.But no, no-one deserves to die.... "Maybe someone could just smack him round the head with something hard and heavy, though...Add to his pain..." Sarah mumbled, completely unaware if anyone heard her.And can I be that person, please?

As Sarah and Miranda started their next lot of walking, a sound from behind made them both turn around.Roxxy? What on earth? Sarah's head snapped back around as Oliver passed them, rushing to take the little girl ahead and towards the Healer. "Yes! We're not far behind!" she called, agreeing with Miranda, as they made their own way along, more slowly than, Sarah was sure, either of them would like. "I hope she's ok..did she faint, you think?" she asked, turning her head to face her friend whose shoulder she was gripping quite hard now.

"Well if you're sure then we will just keep going." She knew she didn't want to see the healer for the bump on her head that's for sure.

Finally, they made it to the next landing. Just a couple of more floors and they would be in the dungeon. Then they could sit down and rest. "I think I'll sleep for a week once I finally get in my bed." Well maybe not a week but she would sleep for a long time.

Carter laughed. "Me too." he said. "But I could honestly just fall to the ground right now and sleep for a week. I don't need to wait to get back to my bed." he said. He was glad that she wasn't insisting on him going to the healer.

He wondered if everyone would go back to feeling normal. He knew it would take him a while to get over it... if he did get over it that is. It must have been even worse for those impervioused. He was going to ask Marie what she thought about it, but he didn't want to upset her with such talk.

Oh no, he could fall to the ground now.... There was no way he was going to make it back to the towers on his own. She held him a little tighter hoping that would keep him from falling now. "If you want we can sit and rest a bit," she said. "Or if you prefer we can keep going and then we can rest once we get to the dungeon." Either way she was going to make him rest before she let him go back to his common room.

Maybe once they were sitting down and weren't trying to keep themselves from falling over they would be able to talk about what had happened to them tonight. She knew they would have to talk about it eventually, so they might as well do it while it was still fresh in their minds.