Vashti needed to do her homework, but she also wanted some fresh air. She hadn't been outside in awhile, it seemed, and while she liked the indoors, she didn't want to be in all the time. But her homework needed to get done, so she compromised. Grabbing her appropriate textbook along with a couple pieces of parchment and a pen (quills would be much harder to write with without a desk), she carried them all down to the Hogwarts courtyard, nabbing an empty bench and curling up on it. She set her book on her lap, stuffed her extra parchment inside so it wouldn't blow away, and set to work on her homework.

Eirian was strolling through the corridor and exited to the Courtyard purposely, a frown set on her face. She was in a tough spot at the moment... Her best year ever wasn't too great at the moment. But it'd get better... right? Hopefully, sighing, she stopped in her tracks, looking around for somewhere to sit and mope. No seats were open except this one spot... by a very studious-looking Vashti? A grin inched its way onto Eirian's face. Alright. That seemed like a good seat. Plopping down beside her young friend, Eirian slumped back and looked at the sky. It wasn't very nice out...

"Ola, minha filha," she greeted, smiling as she let her eyes fall to Vashti. It was always good to see her. They didn't hang out much anymore, but perhaps that was because Eirian was just so... busy? Troubled? She couldn't think of a good way to explain it.

Somehow, he made it back up to the castle. Not that he was paying any particular attention anymore to where he was going; at least by now, his feet knew how to find their own way about without his brain having to follow.

Kicking a random stone down the path, he shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, hunching his shoulders against the cold that seemed to radiate absolutely everywhere. This, was turning out to be the worst year ever. Worse than he had even imagined it would be. He kicked another stone and mentally kicked himself along with it. Why? Why had he told her?

There wasn't much warmth left to be had in the year; with their being well into October already, Raiden had already traded his short sleeves for long. However, he wasn't yet ready to just give up on walking around outside.

Who knew how much longer he'd get to do it.

It was because he was wandering around outside that he came across... this.

This dejected-looking version of Sabel Dakest.

Blinking, he paused, and immediately changed courses to move toward the person who was obviously just masquerading as Dakest. He didn't make faces like that.

"They go further if you throw them, you know." He stopped in front of the guy and pointed at the stones. "But I'd not suggest it. You've a penchant for injury, after all."

Someone stopped in front of him and started speaking to him. He didn't really listen as some finger pointed at the stones at his feet. He was ready to simply move around whoever was blocking his way, until a small trickle of the voice clicked somewhere in the back of his brain. Blinking slowly, his eyes turned up to greet Raiden, surprise running across his features; a somewhat nice relief from the frown that had grown with each step. "Raiden?"

The last time he had seen the Prefect had been around the Goblet of Fire when they put their names in and Kellen had talked about pom-pom's. Now...a weak smile worked its way onto his lips. "Or should I say Champion Raiden. Congratulations."

Just...don't you dare get killed. Don't you dare.

...something was very wrong here.

Sabel was not being even remotely Sabel-like. For a moment, Raiden was very worried - the way he was acting, as if he wasn't there at all, was frightening, and he considered dragging him up to the Headmaster in case he was imperiused or something.

"...did someone Confund you?" Raiden's name was not a question. It should never have been a question to Sabel. Sabel knew him. Raiden stared at him, obviously worried.

He was not going to be derailed by congratulations.

"Yeah, Champion, woohoo and all that... are you okay?" He took a step back and looked the guy over, making sure there was no blood or anything on him, because he looked like hell.

His smile faded as it failed to deter the Slytherin; apparently there was a reason they were in lead for house points this year. Shrugging one shoulder, he pushed his hands further into his pockets. "I'll survive I'm sure." As long as you don't die. And no one else gets hurt.

"It's....been a long few months." It was a long year. Every day was long. But Raiden didn't need to know that. Agitation twisted itself inside him. So he could not tell Raiden things, but he apparently had to tell Arya that one thing that had just totally freaked her out. He should really just carry a roll of duct tape in his bag for occasions like that.

Sabel Dakest was being a pain a unicorn's rear. That was like, the worst and most horrible type of pain in the world, because unicorns were really sweet creatures.

Biting the inside of his cheek, the man searched his friend's face, hoping that he'd find something written there that would tip him off as to what had happened. However, the only thing that he found there was a severe case of 'I'm not going to look you in the eye' and possibly constipation from the look of upset on his face.

"Dakest... I dunno if you don't trust me or what, and you're my friend... but if you lie to me again, I think I may hit you." Raiden shook his head. "A long few months didn't do this, because you didn't have this expression when I saw you last. Tell me what happened?"

The prefect had not the patience for shenanigans. His stress levels were actually pretty high himself, so... people being difficult... was unappreciated.

Sabel winced at that. All of a sudden, within the span of a few minutes, lying had become okay. All because he was afraid of what? A repeat. He trusted Raiden, he did; with his life. Once again, he wasn't being fair to those around him, and he kicked himself again for it.

Shaking his head, he turned his eyes to some pointless spot across the corridor, cursing the tears that once again pressed in his eyes. "Actually. It did. All of it." Letting out a shaky breath he finally glanced at Raiden, wincing even more at the look on his friend's face. Shame wound up through his gut again, mingling with the pain. "Over the summer...and...within this past hour."

...Oh Merlin and his shiny purple knickers.

Someone had broken Sabel Dakest.

Blinking, eyes stuck on the shininess that Sabel's swam with, the prefect tried to reason this out. The summer had been bad? Well. That could take a while to talk about. The past hour had been bad, too? That was obviously what had put him over the edge. So... both needed to be sorted out, then. Both the summer things and the recent one just had to be fixed.

"What happened, and how do we make it better." Raiden frowned; there was a chance he couldn't set it right, but... well damnit, he'd try. Because Sabel Dakest just wasn't allowed to cry.

Swallowing, he shrugged his shoulder again, shaking his head. "I was stupid. Utterly and completely stupid and I couldn't hold my tongue." Letting out a shaky breath, he figured someone should know sooner rather than later, and especially Raiden so that if Arya needed someone to talk to, he would know. "I...I told Arya I liked her...in the...want to kiss way..."

Shaking his head again, he yanked one of his hands out of his pockets and scrubbed the back of his neck, not meeting Raiden's eyes. This, was embarrassing. "I asked her first....and...she naturally turned the question back on me. I...couldn't lie to her. And...I freaked her out...she took off." Now, he had no clue where they stood. Probably apart. "I don't blame her...at all..."

A shaky breath left him as he dropped his hand. "I'm not worried about her not returning sentiments...I'm worried that I just cost our friendship because I couldn't keep my thoughts to myself." His best friend too. He suddenly felt very sick.

Raiden bit back the immediate urge to point out that that was a normal thing for Sabel. There was really no brain to mouth filter to be had in this guy. But he was glad that he held back the words, because what Sabel said immediately after that... oh.

...oh.

He'd... and she'd... oh.

Huh.

Well this was difficult. Because that meant... it involved Arya, and he didn't know how to go about this. At all.

When he'd told Cela that, she hadn't run away. She had been properly confused, especially after finding out it was still lingering after two terms. But she hadn't run away from him.

Arya was not Cela.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Dakest." The prefect ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the little bit of length he had grown out in the past two or three months. "If you never tell her, she'd never know, and it would just... fester."

And eat away at the friendship. Because if she didn't return the feelings... it would turn to bitterness.

"Arya's not... she's not like that." He nodded, hand still in his hair. He was staring at the stone wall, listening intently to Sabel talk and letting himself make sense of what was going on. "You're her friend and you'll still be her friend even if she doesn't return your feelings."

The little Hufflepuff surely wouldn't just... give up a friendship like that.

"It feels like hell right now, but... think about it. Take a step back." He paused. "And give her a few days to think about what you said."

She was probably overwhelmed.

He nodded. Numbly. And at the same time he shook his head. He knew Arya, and he knew her heart, but he couldn't help but fear losing her. That his statement had and would make everything between them awkward. He wasn't sure what he would do, if things couldn't go back to the way they had been, and at the same time, he knew they wouldn't. She would always know, and it would now always be a factor.

"She's...not even interested in guys...she told me that before I said it. I shouldn't have..." Scrubbing the back of his neck again he released a heavy breath of air, trying to calm the sickening twist of emotions within. "I just...I can't lose her..." His eyes came up to regard the older boy, fear somewhere deep within them. "Or you, or Stern..."

Raiden stared at Sabel for a moment. Just a moment. As he shook his head and pretty much didn't pay attention to anything Raiden had said.

...nope. Grabbing the shoulder of Dakest's jacket, Raiden gave him a sharp shake. Snap out of it, Dakest. Right now.

"Are you even listening to me?" Raiden's head tilted to better look at the now taller than him Sabel. "Dakest, you are the king of saying things you shouldn't, but you should have in this case. Because if you just leave it... it gets worse."

And then it would explode. Because Sabel... seemed the exploding type. And as Raiden had experience with the... er... explodey part... he'd rather Sabel not go through that.

Losing him?

Raiden paused at that, and bit his lip before letting go of Sabel's shoulder and sticking his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

"You'd have to do one hell of a job to lose either Stern or I. We're pretty damn tall and noticeable, you know."

Sabel jumped, quite visibly, as Raiden gave him a firm, probably much needed shake. Wide eyes blinked at the other boy, his protest falling dead short and silent. He listened, he just had trouble, taking to heart.

But this sounded like...was Raiden speaking from experience? Then it hit him. His fourth year, Raiden's fith. Cela. Instant sympathy and remorse washed through him with the realization. It seemed to be happening a lot this semester; something he had witnessed in his friends, was now being played on him, and he wasn't even following his own advice. More importantly, he wasn't listening to his friends. Cue massive internal kick and a finally understanding nod.

And then...was that a joke? A weak smile touched Sabel's lips before it faded away. "You know...that's not what I mean. Though...it is very true."

Ah good. Sabel was looking a bit clearer now. Raiden resisted the urge to sigh in relief and took another half-step back away from his friend. It was bothersome, trying to get through to Gryffindors sometimes.

"I know what you mean. I think you've gone to lunacy if you think you'll be rid of Stern any time soon." He couldn't speak for himself; one hand slipped from his pocket and ran through his hair again before he took a few steps and flopped down on the stone wall.

This whole 'imminent death' thing just kept cropping up, didn't it.

"Are you alright?" Because for a minute there, Raiden had thought he was going to have to drag him up to Tate to get an Imperius curse fixed or something.

This was a long dream of hers then. Much longer than his own. "Spoken like a true protector." He smiled, trying hard to keep the cringe off his face. He could’ve worded that much better. "Moi?" Well, he wasn’t expecting the question to be turned on him, but then again, he really should have expected it. "Euhm…well I want to study more, zo perhaps go to a University?" It was a start of course. "Zough, eventually I want to become a Professor." It was not the most unique job in the world, but it’s what he wanted to do.

That was definitely something he had heard of, regardless of the slight non existence of the muggle world in his life. "Zo zat iz you!?" he said in fake surprise, chuckling as he shook his head. He was joking of course, since where he lived was a rather quiet area. "I will keep my ears open zen." Grinning, letting the last few chuckles die down, he nodded before looking back to the très belle fille next to him. "Perhaps we will? Being a protector and all, you’ll need all ze practice you can get." He had no doubt that she’d probably be excellent at her job, even though he didn’t know much about her. The passionate ones were always the best, and she wanted to do this since she was little. Just look at what she was reading!

There may have been a small blush appear on his face at what she said, though he was grateful for the support. "Merci, Cosette. Que signifie beaucoup pour moi." And it really did. It made him feel even more proud and sure that he was going to do well in the tournament. Or at least die trying to win, hopefully without the dying part. There was no doubt that people died in this tournament, mostly because it was more of a face, having been written down in books for future witches and wizards to read. Speaking of reading... "Cosette, may I bor-"

Eurhmm...

If his face wasn't red before, it surely would have been now. Thankful for his skin actually not being pale so it would hide the blush some, Noel immediately turned his gaze elsewhere, mentally slapping himself for having stared for a moment or so. What was he going to say again? What she said next did not come as a surprise to him. Trouble follows her everywhere? He had no doubt about that now. Letting his blue eyes settle on her hand that was softly placed on his shoulder for a split second, he followed her arm up all the way to her own grey eyes. This was a surprise. She had not yet been asked. "I'm sure ze ozers just don't know zat zere could, maybe, be a Yule Ball." Surely all the gentlemen would ask then! Finally feeling the heat from his face die down, a hesitant laugh followed closely by as he gaze his hand across the boiling water.

"Maybe zey don't know eizer?" Or, were they waiting for HIM to ask? Either way, he'd rather pay attention to his studies at the moment. The first task hadn't even gone by yet. "But, I don't really zink about it. I'm more concerned on making it zrough ze first task zen about not having a date to a Ball zat may not even happen."

He watched Raiden quietly as the boy took a step back and then moved to sit on the wall. Stressed, tired and worried were the three emotions that came to mind. The Slytherin had been named champion, an honor and task that faced death quite squarely in the face. And here he was griping over a...misplaced admittance.

"Not really." Slowly, he moved to sit beside Raiden, clasping his hands between his knees as he considered the boy. "But you look...pretty worse for wear yourself." No more puking Kururugi.

How had this gone from them worrying over Sabel to them worrying over Raiden? The prefect let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes distractedly; he was like eight different kinds of tired now, and he hadn't been when he'd left the dorm.

"Stern told me I should get someone to make sure I sleep and eat," he murmured, blinking away the spots when he opened his eyes and looked at Sabel again. His expression was draped with amusement. "Because he doesn't seem to trust me to do those myself."

...which he'd apparently been right about. Raiden hadn't been eating these past few days, and he definitely hadn't been sleeping much either. The previous night, he'd only done about three hours of sleep before his body had jerked him awake. He was excited about this tournament, yeah. But that didn't mean that he wasn't also still worried to hell about what it would do to him.

"I'm just a little tired, is all."

Hard to sleep when the owl hadn't come back yet. Raiden kept reminding himself that... well it needed time, and all. Because it was an owl, and it would probably take a while to reach Professor Truebridge where he was. But still...

Frowning a little, Sabel nodded. "I think, Stern is right." His eyes flicked over his shoulder to the castle, and then to Raiden. "Have you eaten yet? I'm sure the kitchen is open to foragers." Because their duty wasn't only to wave pom-pom's for Raiden, it was to support him from start to finish. No matter what.

Which, made him think of something. Something he had not expected to consider, much less seriously consider. A light frown knitted his brow together in thought, the pain it brought forth a light sting somewhere near his heart. Somehow though, it seemed right.

Raiden let out another sigh, leaning backwards slightly on the wall as he tipped his face up toward the sky in exasperation.

"I don't need a babysitter, Sabel." Just as he'd told Stern. "I can handle myself. It's not like I'm forgetting to do it, I just..."

He glanced down at his jacket-covered stomach, knowing full well that there was nothing in there. It didn't want anything. He wasn't hungry, and his stomach had yet to indicate hunger, so he just... hadn't eaten.

"Not particularly hungry." Or, you know, at all. He'd carefully avoided directly answering about whether or not he'd eaten. "Haven't been, for a while."

Sabel's face contorted into a worried frown. "Raiden, not meaning to babysit you but...that's not good." He understood it was from worry, from anticipation, from about every feeling in the book regarding the possibility of death and everything else around the tournament. He knew the feeling.

"Just...please do eat. Sometime. Even if you don't feel like it. Crackers are good. They don't take a lot of effort to digest." Another worried glance at his friend. "You don't eat, and you won't have energy for the competition. For physical or mental capacity."

Cosette felt a small burn rise behind her cheeks. Was she really blushing? She had never been called a protector. More like a foolish dreamer. Not a lot of witches were Hit Wizards. She was hoping to change that. "Thank you. Not a lot of people support my.. career aspiration." Everyone except her father and brother. The rest of the family scoffed at her high hopes, but they didn't know what she was capable of. She looked at him, a smile on her lips. A professor? "Really? What subject would you like to teach?" She could see him teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.. or maybe even Charms. "Let me guess." She closed her eyes and smiled. "Charms or Defense Against the Dark Arts?" She opened one eye and arched an eyebrow, wondering if she got it right.

She smiled, feeling a tad bit embarrassed. So he had heard her on her bike. "Coupable." She chuckled, putting her hand up as if she was on trial. The wind in her hair and the loud sound of the engine.. it just got to her. "It feels like flying on a broomstick, except you're on the ground. It's.. freeing." She never got pulled over by muggle law enforcement. Luckily. She bit her lip and looked at him, a small shine in her eyes. Finally! Someone to duel with! She was hoping someone would rise to the stand. "Parfait! And you must not hold back. I expect a lot from a Beauxbatons Champion." Giving him a reassuring smile, she winked before letting out a small melodic chuckle. She was glad she made a side step to the Courtyard today.

Was he blushing? Her eyes peered at him inquisitively. She didn't know a french man could blush. Smiling, she nodded though with modest. She could hand out compliments once in awhile and he was deserving of one. "Pas de problème, l'amour." She wanted to reach up and put her hand on his shoulder once more, but saw a sudden change. Was he.. embarrassed by her touch? Making sure she made no advance, she kept her hands folded in her lap, even though she was itching to tuck a few strands of hair behind his ear. Non, you must stop! "Oui, if you need any books.." She realized, even in his broken speech. She would lend him any of her books. Anything to help. "Or any help with the tasks.. of course."

Feeling another blush rise up behind her cheeks, she turned her face away for a moment. Feeling herself get calm again, she smiled, looking back at him and then at the bubbling steam coming from the fountain. Was he thinking he couldn't pass the first task? Is that why? Giving in to her urges, she moved her hand and placed it on his. He was warm despite the cold climate. "I know you will pass the first task." If he was doubting himself, she wanted to make sure he didn't. He was to good for that. "And I don't care so much about the Ball itself." She really didn't. She only thought of it as a way to get a bunch of people together and drama to happen. Drama she didn't need at the moment. Though, she did like wearing evening wear. "It's just a dance. I'm more worried about getting my work finished more than finding a dress or anything."

Biting a lip, she looked up at him through her golden fringe. "But if you don't 'ave a partner by the Ball, I can dance with you, if you would like." He would have to dance with the fellow champions at the beginning. It would be nerve wracking. It would be nice to dance with someone she could talk to during the night. Plus, she really didn't feel like dancing with any of the Hogwarts students. They all were preoccupied with silly things. She was focused on her studies and maybe a little bit of boy scheming. Nothing more.

"Could be worse." Raiden shrugged. "I know how to take care of myself, Sabel. Really, I do. I just need to figure out... how to get around it this time."

Really, all he had to do was find out how to circumvent this stress. He'd figured it out when he was worried over Cela, but that technique unfortunately wasn't working this time around. He'd just have to... er... go back and try the whole breathing exercise thing he'd done when he was younger.

"Haha. What do you think I've been doing since I found out? Pretty much everything I've put into my stomach, I've had to force there." He bit his lip. "I know that, Sabel. I know how my body works. I promise you, I can handle it."

It wasn't like he'd lost a lot of weight from it all yet. If it got to that, then they could worry. But as of now, his clothing still fit perfectly fine, and his muscles hadn't wasted away, so he was still in the clear.

He nodded slowly. "Fair enough." Raiden was one of the most logical students after all, perhaps he didn't need to worry so much. Not that it would stop him from doing so. "I'm...slightly more relieved."

For a moment he sat there, weighing his decision. "At least, let me do one thing." With a small sigh, he moved his hands around the back of his neck to unclasp the metal chain that hung there, it's full length hidden well under his shirt. "In some cultures, there are stones that are said to bear specific properties that can help the wearer. Almost like magic I suppose." Drawing the necklace off, he held it lightly up between them, sun glinting off the polish rock. "This, is sardonyx. It's labelled as a stone of strength and protection. Willpower, integrity, stamina, vigor, fortune, and friendship are also said to be positively influenced by it."

A brief frown tugged at the corners of his lips before he replaced it with a faint smile of memory, handing it over to the Prefect. "I believe it will do you more good than me."