Anakin watched her, wondering if he'd gone to far in asking if she wanted to talk about it. He'd only seen and spoken to her on a few occasions, but she really did look like talking things out could do her some good. And if he could help anyway, even just by being there while she worked through it, then he would. Slightly surprised to see her form the words she would, he gave a small nod.

"Of course I don't mind." Anything he could do to help.

Oh Merlin, why had she agreed to this? Now she didn't know what to say or how to start. She couldn't just bluntly say that her father had died - that just wasn't how one handled saying that kind of thing, and she knew she'd breakdown crying for sure.

"Well..." Vashti began, letting out a small sigh. "I'm not sure where to start..."

Anakin was resisting the urge to do something that would make him even more creepy, like put an arm around her shoulder or something. He was already staring rather intently at her face, which he knew made some people feel uncomfortable, not that it was his fault or anything. He HAD to do it. It wasn't a choice.

She didn't know where to start? Running a hand through his hair, Anakin gave a small shrug, and turned to face her. "How about the begining. What's eating you Vash?" Meh, he didn't do well with not giving people nicknames.

Vashti bit her lip, wondering exactly what would qualify as the beginning? This past summer? The one before that? Her third year? She wasn't sure. And even though she'd agreed to tell him, she still didn't want to talk about everything.

What's eating you, Vash? And finally the words just spilled out. "My- My dad passed away this past summer..." she mumbled, staring down at the ground in front of her.

Anakin felt like a total idiot. No wonder she'd reacted so strongly when he'd mentioned his dad. Merlin's beard.

No longer caring about being creepy or not, Anakin put his arm around her shoulder, giving her a half hug. "I'm so sorry Vashti." He knew what it was like to lose a parent. "What...happened?" Maybe it wasn't right to pry, but maybe it would help? Either way, if she was uncomfortable answering it, Anakin was quite sure she wouldn't.

Where was that chocolate frog?

''Aha!'' the Gryffindor boy exclaimed loudly when he spotted it running or jumping, whatever it was doing, away from him to the end of the corridor. Hah. Of course no rebellious piece of charmed chocolate could escape Joshua Carter. Ignoring anybody who would stare at him, he started to run after the frog to catch it. Oh yes, he really wanted to taste the chocolate and he did not care if it had been running on the floor.

Run...run...run...

Bleh. It was a little bit annoying to run with robes but he was determined to get it no matter what. So taking another breath to run faster, Josh realised that the frog was approaching the girl's bathroom. Now that could be considered as a problem. Oooor maybe not. If he would not have another choice, the boy could walk (or run) into the girl's bathroom. Yes, he dared it. *Grin* No one could do anything for that.

Hahahaha...

While smirking widely at that thought, he did not realise why but suddenly he tripped and the next moment the Gryffindor found himself on the floor.

''Ow!''

It did hurt a lot.

Eino and Sir Toby tip toed across the first floor, slew some enemies, nasty ones -- oh yes some nasty ones-- traveled through the highest mountains, sailed across the vastest of oceans, and finally made it to the Land of the Second Floor Corridor. "We're almost there, don't lose faith!" Eino encouraged the rest of his company on, but mainly Sir Toby who was growing very weary. Finally, Eino stopped in the corridor leading to the Headmaster's and the Monster of the Ministry's office lair! A dangerous place! Yes, very dangerous they would have to proceed with the utmost care, caution, and CONSTANT VIGILANCE! Eino went ahead first and then motioned for them to follow them. "The path is clear..." He whispered still carefully examining his surroundings.

Anakin could have been a complete stranger for all Vashti cared, she still would've leaned against him when he put his arm around her. She needed someone there after finally saying that for pretty much the first time since it had actually happened. She didn't even care about the "I'm sorry" that she had always dreaded hearing.

"He... He had a brain tumor," she answered, voice thick.

Fallon skipped through the second floor corridor. It was a random place to meet Satine, but the randomness appealed to her. Satine was probably the only friend that didn't know everything that was going on. Then again, Aaron really didn't know either. She would have to fill him in later, even though he probably wouldn't want to deal with all of the girly stuff.

Fallon found an empty window sill and took a seat, pulling her knees up to her chest. She knew it was going to be hard to talk about this again, but she had to let Satine know what was going on. The girl was one of her closest friends and Fallon felt like she was leaving her out of her private life.

Anakin wasn't all that surprised when she leaned into the hug, but it did pose a rather large problem for him, as her leaning against him obstructed his view of her face. And if he couldn't see her face, how in merlin's name was he to determine what she was saying? Keeping his arm around her, and stretching his neck as far as he could, he was lucky enough to catch enough of a glimpse to understand her next words. A tumor.

Giving her shoulders a slight squeeze, he shook his head. "I know...it's not much that you'll want to hear...but maybe it's a good thing. He isn't in pain now." No matter how much it hurt for those left behind.

Satine walked...well clicked...down the hall with her hair flowing behind her. She looked left and right trying to find her friend, Fallon. She felt like it had been forever and a day since she'd seen let alone talked with the beautimous Slythie. She hated being in a different house than her three best friends because it made it hard to be a best friend when they were on the other side of the world castle from her.

She finally spotted the blonde headed Slythie and clicked quicker towards her. She waved and then gave her a quick hug before sitting down beside her on the sill. "O my goodness it feels like I haven't seen you in forever...I hate being in another house sometimes..." she said with a little smirk and shoulder shrug.

Fallon smiled as she heard the clicking of Satine's heels. She looked down at her worn out converse. She hadn't worn heels since the day she found out that Finn had a girlfriend. She hadn't really worn make-up either. Fallon had no idea how much this had actually affected her.

Fallon smiled as Satine gave her a hug and joined her. "I know what you mean. We hardly get to see each other." Satine was probably one of the only friends she never really got to hang out with or spend time with. She was going to have to change that.

Satine smiled at her friend. "So beautimous lady, what's been going on in your world?" she asked with her head cocked to the right side slightly with her usual sparkling smile on....she thought through her head for things to tell Fallon...and then the library instance hit her...yes at some point she would have to share that story.

Fallon let out a small sigh. "A whole lot has been going on in my life." She knew she was going to have to spit it out, but she didn't really want to at this point. Then again, Satine would get it out of her eventually. "Well, long story short: I met this guy in Diagon Alley and we flirted and kissed a little bit. Then we met up on the train and kissed again. And a couple of weeks ago I found out he had a girlfriend. Now I don't know what to do because I really like him, but I don't want to get in the middle of a relationship."

Fallon wasn't that kind of girl and she didn't want to start acting like that. She felt like she'd just dumped a lot on her friend, but it was easier to spit it out than to say it slowly. Plus, it hurt a little less. "Anyways, my problems aren't that big a deal. What have you been up to?" Hopefully, her friend was having better luck in the romance department than she was.

Satine's eyes got huge...like pop out of your head huge...

"Wow, Fallon...that's crazy...and what a jerk...do you mind if I ask who it was..." she was very interested in this...she hated for her friends to be treated like this...and poor Fallon had the worst luck with boys. "Does his girlfriend know...or was he with her at the time..." she said quickly...she understood the whole not get into the relationship...yes yes yes...why were boys like this....she was starting to think all boys...well except Aaron and maybe Dallin should be locked up...this thought made her smile slightly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon wasn't that kind of girl and she didn't want to start acting like that. She felt like she'd just dumped a lot on her friend, but it was easier to spit it out than to say it slowly. Plus, it hurt a little less. "Anyways, my problems aren't that big a deal. What have you been up to?" Hopefully, her friend was having better luck in the romance department than she was.

"Aren't that big...o Fallon that's huge..." she said putting her hand out and patting Fallon's right arm. "I don't know why boys are like that..." she said glancing down the hall.

She decided she should share her little drama...or little so far...she was sure it would come to a head eventually...eventhough she kind of hoped it didn't..."Well, things have been kind of boring in my life...still boyfriend less..." she said while rolling her eyes..."I'll prolly be the only graduated Hogwarts girl that never had a kiss or a boyfriend..." she said with a shoulder shrug...

Okay Satine time to share...she wasn't sure if she wanted to bring up the old hurt, but it was time to..."My only half way excitement happened a few weeks ago in the Library by the Stained Glass..." she looked down and then back up..."Do you remember when were younger and you dated..ummm..I think it was Evan and there was that girl Marie...." she let her words trail off as a question and not a statement.

Fallon looked at her friend. Finn was in her house, but Satine was trustworthy and had every right to know. "His name is Finn." She wasn't giving up the last name. Satine probably could figure out who it was just from the first name. Fallon just shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know if she knows or if he was dating her at the time. I kinda wish I knew the answers to those questions." Fallon already could tell that Ara was possessive from the first instant she met her. She was not going to deal with that.

Fallon smiled at Satine. "Thanks. But I still don't think boy problems are that big a deal." And she didn't. Boys just got in the way of everything.

Fallon frowned. "Well, I'll make sure that that doesn't happen." She was going to set Satine up with someone. Anyone that she liked would work. "Is there any guy in particular that you like?" The more she knew, the better and the easier it would be to help her out.

Fallon turned to face her friend, interest apparent on her face. "Oooo, do tell what happened." Hehe. She was so lame. Fallon nodded. "Yeah I remember Marie, what about her?" Really she could care less at this point. Fallon didn't think anything would ever happen between her and Evan again so she really didn't care what he did with his love life.

Finn...Ravvie Finn...and Ara..."O wow, I know Finn...that really surprises me...well...ummm...surely he wasn't with her then..." she paused..."but I don't mind being nosey and find out..." she said shaking her head...yes she would find out no matter what or this would eat at her...she hated boys that did this...and she didn't really know Ara that well....hmmm...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon smiled at Satine. "Thanks. But I still don't think boy problems are that big a deal." And she didn't. Boys just got in the way of everything.

Satine glanced at the way Fallon was dressed and knew that she might be saying that they weren't a big deal...but it had to be. "Well, they still shouldn't treat others like that..." she said shaking her head and glancing out the window staring at nothing....she hated seeing her friend hurt...again...by a boy...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon frowned. "Well, I'll make sure that that doesn't happen." She was going to set Satine up with someone. Anyone that she liked would work. "Is there any guy in particular that you like?" The more she knew, the better and the easier it would be to help her out.

Satine felt her face redden a little bit and hoped that her eyes were tinting in pink. Her feelings for boys was the only thing she couldn't control when it came to her hair and eye color. "O...ummmm...no well...maybe...but" she said...it's a long story....

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon turned to face her friend, interest apparent on her face. "Oooo, do tell what happened." Hehe. She was so lame. Fallon nodded. "Yeah I remember Marie, what about her?" Really she could care less at this point. Fallon didn't think anything would ever happen between her and Evan again so she really didn't care what he did with his love life.

Satine shook her head..."Well, she's dating this Ravvie name Jimmy...and let me tell you he is a hottie and a huge flirt...not that I'm complaining...but..." she focused on the story..."Well, nothing really happened between Jimmy and me..." well kind of..."and I didn't know he was dating anyone..." get to the point Satine....she quickly explained..."Well, I saw him tutoring her in the library and then he got up and left her to come talk to me. I could tell she wasn't happy but I didn't know who she was...well he came over and said hello and then leaned down and whispered in my ear some stuff...I could see her shooting daggers towards me...and then it hit me..that was Marie..." she paused realizing how lame the story sounded..."Well, you know now she's mad at me because her boyfriend was flirting with me..." she looked her in the eyes..."What is it with boys..."

Fallon listened as Satine figured out who she was talking about. She couldn't help but feel a little relieved that she didn't think he was dating Ara at the time. "You don't have to go asking around. I don't want to know if he was dating her when he kissed me." That would just make her feel completely horrible.

Fallon noticed that Satine was looking her over. It made her feel like she realized that this was more than nothing. It made Fallon a little uneasy. Fallon nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah they really shouldn't."

Fallon giggled as her friend's eyes started to go pink. She had a slight feeling that that was the same as Fallon's uncontrollable blushing. "All right. Give it up. Who's the guy?" She was insanely curious and wanted to focus on Satine's boy related doings and not her own. Her own were just getting too crazy for her to handle.

Fallon listened and nodded where it was required. She didn't want to interrupt it would destroy the meaning of the story. Fallon couldn't help but have her jaw drop slightly. "She's mad at you because HE was flirting with you?! She should be mad at him. Not you." If there was any trouble between, Satine and Mary, Fallon was going to have to intervene and do something about it. She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know..."

Satine shook her head but knew that she needed to find out...she couldn't handle someone treating her friend like that. "Well, we'll see...I won't ask around but I'll find out...I'm sneaky..." she said with a wink.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon noticed that Satine was looking her over. It made her feel like she realized that this was more than nothing. It made Fallon a little uneasy. Fallon nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah they really shouldn't."

"Yes, and after traveling with my program last term...sadly they are all like this...maybe when we get older they'll grow out of it..." she said hopefully and then continued, "but prolly not." she said with a little shake from left to right of her head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon giggled as her friend's eyes started to go pink. She had a slight feeling that that was the same as Fallon's uncontrollable blushing. "All right. Give it up. Who's the guy?" She was insanely curious and wanted to focus on Satine's boy related doings and not her own. Her own were just getting too crazy for her to handle.

Satine looked up kind of sheepishly, "Well there is this Ravvie named Dallin...he's a fourth year...though so I don't know since he's young." she sighed and then brought him up, "and well that James Wikes isn't bad looking either but he's a flirty galore...obviously..." she said with a shrug of her right shoulder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon listened and nodded where it was required. She didn't want to interrupt it would destroy the meaning of the story. Fallon couldn't help but have her jaw drop slightly. "She's mad at you because HE was flirting with you?! She should be mad at him. Not you." If there was any trouble between, Satine and Mary, Fallon was going to have to intervene and do something about it. She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know..."

Satine was sure it sounded like a dumb and useless story but it was a little awkward for her..."It's just a small world that it was Marie...I mean I haven't seen her since..." she paused and then continued quickly, "but I ran into her friend Mia in the bathroom and she said that's just how Marie is...she's just protective and possessive and such..." she nodded at her comment, "Yes, she was mad at me...I mean I didn't invite him over to whisper in my ear...but I also didn't stop it...I whispered back in his ear...I mean nothing else happened...but still it was just awkward..."

Fallon chuckled at her friend. "I've noticed." She let out a sigh and leaned back. "Sometimes I wonder why you weren't put in Slytherin." She really did wonder that from time to time. And then she remembered Satine was super crazy when it came to getting points.

Fallon nodded. "I think all boys were always like this." She chuckled at the last little addition. "I don't think boys ever have the capability of growing up." She was starting to think that was true. She'd seen that a lot of boys just got more immature as they got older.

Fallon nodded. She remembered Dallin. She had kind of exploded emotionally at him the day they met. She figured that she owed him something. "Don't worry about the 4th year thing. That really isn't that much of a difference. Besides, if you really like someone, age shouldn't matter." And now she sounded like a therapist again. The last time this happened was a long time ago when she was talking to Torin. "And I would just forget about James. If he was flirting with you in front of his girlfriend, then he really isn't worth the trouble."

Fallon nodded. She was still determined to make sure that Marie didn't do anything to Satine. "I get what you mean. What were you talking about anyways?" She was curious to what this whispering could have done for her.

Satine giggled a little bit.."I wonder that all the time...I mean my three besties are in Slythie and I haven't really made any better friends in Ravvie...I really am pretty sure that the hat made a mistake..." she had thought about this alot. She was a Ravvie when it came to her brains but that was actually about all of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon nodded. "I think all boys were always like this." She chuckled at the last little addition. "I don't think boys ever have the capability of growing up." She was starting to think that was true. She'd seen that a lot of boys just got more immature as they got older.

Satine shook her head and watched as a boy walked past them. "yes you may be right...." she thought about her dad, "I mean even my dad is immature sometimes...I love him...but you know..." she said smiling...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon nodded. She remembered Dallin. She had kind of exploded emotionally at him the day they met. She figured that she owed him something. "Don't worry about the 4th year thing. That really isn't that much of a difference. Besides, if you really like someone, age shouldn't matter." And now she sounded like a therapist again. The last time this happened was a long time ago when she was talking to Torin. "And I would just forget about James. If he was flirting with you in front of his girlfriend, then he really isn't worth the trouble."

Satine shook her head..."Yes you're right...the age thing isn't that big of a deal. And he is pretty cute...I mean when peeps get older age doesn't both anyone...I'd just be like a cradle robber..." she said with a giggle....yes that was a good thought...she might just have to try with Dallin...I mean you never knew ho things were going to work out...

Then she heard her comment about James, "Yes, you do have a point...I guess it's just his bright blue eyes that just melt me...but once a cheater...always a cheater...right?" but he was a cutey...maybe just a little flirting wouldn't hurt her...yes...

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapehGrape

Fallon nodded. She was still determined to make sure that Marie didn't do anything to Satine. "I get what you mean. What were you talking about anyways?" She was curious to what this whispering could have done for her.

Satine thought about the whispering part, "O umm...well let's see...actually I think he leaned down and whispered that Marie was his girlfriend and so I told him that he was prolly making her jealous...and then...well I decided that maybe I should figure out what his intentions where...you know...so I told him it was a shame he didn't meet me first..." o wow that sounded bad..."I know that wasn't right but...I was trying to figure out what he was trying to do with me...if he was just using me or if he was just that dense or if he was interested in me...you know..." no she was sure she sounded like a horrid person...O Satine...she had a right to be mad at you..."he told me it was a shame but that he would love to have me around more often...about that time actually I think Finn came over and interrupted our whispering..."

Vashti couldn't help the scowl that crossed her fact then. She hadn't hated hearing that saying until she was on the receiving end of it. Before now, she would've thought that would comfort a person who'd lost a loved one - and, perhaps, at some point, it did - but now she knew what a pain it was to hear too soon after the tragedy. It wasn't that she wanted her father to suffer - Merlin, no - but she also didn't want him dead, either.

"He wasn't in pain before it came," she mumbled bitterly. Why couldn't things just go back to the way they were? Why did any of this have to occur at all? It just wasn't fair.

Anakin ran a hand through his hair as a scowl crossed her face. He wished he could say something more comforting, but he didn't know what. It'd been best for him to accept that his mum was gone. She could have been permantely damaged had she survived...the incident.

Keeping his eyes on her face, he bit his lip uncomfortably, giving a small nod. "Sometimes...it just happens y'know? It sucks. A lot. But it's stuff like this that's supposed to make your character stronger. I think...either way, your dad would be proud of you."

Aimée wandered ever so slowly down the second floor corridor, taking in everything on the walls. It was December, which meant she had been here for three months already, and yet she still felt that she didn't know the school at all. In a good way; there was always something new, magical cropping up, not in a bad, 'Oh this is awful, I'm lost and lonely' way.

Although she was sort of lonely; she didn't really really know that many people, but she had always been a loner, finding it hard to make friends. Shaking her head, she decided to go and find Harley, and started making her way towards the staircase. Harley's Common Room was in the Dungeons, and she hadn't seen her on the way down, so hopefully she'd see her further down the school. And if she didn't, she'd go and have a wander in the grounds.

Skipping down the halls that she still didnt know too well Harley smiled. She'd got some friends atleast and some aquatiences. She'd got more friends than she had before she came to Hogwarts so that was always a bonus. She stopped on what she believed to be the second floor, and looked around she spotted a girl with blonde hair at the other side of the corridor. "AIMEEE ?!"She began to skip some more, her skip turning into a run as she ran towards the blonde girl hoping it was Aimee.

It would be SUPER embarresing if it wasn't Aimee. EEEP.

As she reached the girl, and noticed that it was infact Aimee, phew, the smiled on her face grew. "HEY!" She said stopping not far away from her first friend. "How are youuuu ?" she smiled, wrapping her arms around her friend and giving her a hug.