He stared unblinking at Mia, eyes flicking nervously about her and trying to find where her hands are. She asked a question again.... "Uh... its about some dude..." he started as he flicked his eyes for a split second at the portrait-- to realize that the nobleman was gone again. Wise move that one, must've recognized the Slytherin lad and sought for safety-- which obviously his portrait did not provide. "... a dude who plays hide and seek?" he said as he pointed at the portrait hesitatingly, hoping she would look and he could do his own hiding.

No such luck. Didn't look like Mia was letting him go this time....

And then she started to apologize for the cake to the face. Truthfully he just wanted to shrug and split (like really) until she said that name.

Nik.

He clenched his jaw. Oh yeah, Mr Nikolai Im-A-Super-Awesome-Triwizard-Champion-and-you're-not Ognian. "I wasnt being very nice???" he started then stopped suddenly. This was pretty much how he ended up with a pie to the face last time. "Well....." Its friggin TRUE! "you asked me what I meant and.... I just answered it as honestly as I can." And with words that would pass the autocensor.

Mia had no interest in the portrain whatsoever and so her eyes never left Salander's face even though he was looking everywhere but her. "Something you and he have in common then." Seeing how he had been hiding from her for the last month or so.

The look on Sal's face as soon as she had uttered Nik's name was rather frightening. Mia wondered what on earth had gone on bewteen these two down in the south pole?

"Hmm, so you and Nik didn't see eye to eye and that makes him a bad person does it?" Mia raised her eyebrow at him. "I seem to remember a certain person last year at Sugarplums not being very nice to...Diggy." She was sure that had been the guy's name.

She gave him a pointed look and was just about to say more when an owl she had never seen before landed on her shoulder and dropped a letter into her hands. Mia was about to shove it into her pocket thinking it was another letter from Parke when she noticed the handwriting and her face took on an excited gleam and she quickly opened it up and began to read.



She read through it three times before looking up at Sal with a huge smile on her face. "And you reckon he's not nice." She said waving the letter in Sal's face. "This is the Nik I know."

Aww man she just had to mention Diggy.

His face scrunched up grumpily "Diggy was.... Diggy is....." he stammered. Ok the Gumball incident wasnt exactly one of his finer moments he had to admit "Diggy's different. How the heck was I supposed to know that the runt was a 6th year?" he grumbled. Or that he was going to be a future fellow Snake. Or that it was even upon his prompting that Salander submit his bid for the TriWizard Tournament as well? True there was quite a bit of humble pie he had to painfully swallow about Diggy-- not that he was gonna admit that aloud.

He then gave Mia one of those perplexed-wounded looks "And geezus Mia, to compare Diggy-- or me-- to a guy like Nik...." he started then stopped, clenched his jaw and looked away. Must.... keep... big...mouth...shut....

Oh the temptation to just let go....

He glanced up when the owl flew in and dropped a letter for Mia. Thankful he was initially for the distraction, until the Hufflepuff brunette started reading the content aloud. And kept reading and reading and reading.....

He blinked, and for a moment saw himself grabbing the letter from her hands, tore it apart with his teeth, spat it to the ground, stomped on it repeatedly, grabbed his wand and burned it several times.

Of course no such thing happened. Because when he blinked again the letter was still in Mia's hand and she was still waving it in his face.

Wait something about the letter said....

"You're going to Russia? When?"

HA!!

Mia almost stuck her tongue out at him triumphantly. She could see that Sal was remembering his behaviour towards Diggy in the previous year. She even folded her arms across her chest and gave him a small smug look. A look that was totally out of character for her but Sal was determined to push her buttons for some reason.

However the smug look did not last long especially after what Sal said next. Mia could feel that anger that very rarely surfaced, start to bubble up inside of her and she ground her teeth together, trying to keep her feelings in check. "And why shouldn't I Sal, huh? Tell me...why is Nik so different from you or Diggy?" Besides the obvious of course. Like the fact that he was totally awesome, gorgeous, funny, smart and liked her a whole lot.

Her eyebrows were raised as she watched him and boy did he look mad but Mia was determined not to back down this time. She wanted to KNOW what his problem was.

But his question took her by surprise and she blinked a couple of times before answering. "Yes...I...am." She said slowly, still watching him. "At Christmas."

Sadie walked along the corridors, on her way up to the Astronomy Tower. It kind of took a while seeing as she had to get from the Dungeons all the way up to that tower. Why did Salazar decide he wanted his house doooooown at the most wet and greenish (due to the mold she saw) part of the castle? Ughh...she'd love to give Mr. Slytherin a piece of her mind right now! It was about 10 pm she guessed. Of course you couldn't see all of the stars until later....

Her wand was lit and she didn't see many kids walking around. The castle was scary at this time of night. Along the walls she saw snoring portraits. She quickly turned back to look straight in front of her. Now was not the time to start panicking.

"Hey Blondie!" one of the portraits called. "Turn your light out! We're trying to get some sleep."

Sadie jumped and looked to see what painting had said that. It turned out to be a picture of an old wizard with a big mustache and a big belly. "Firstly, don't call me blondie," she spoke to him with attitude. "And secondly...I'm trying to go to Astronomy so just zip it bub," she added.

"Don't tell me to zip it blondie!" he argued. "Do you want me to have me and my friends wake up the whole castle?"

Welll....she was hesitant about this. "Fine." She took out a flashlight and turned it on then turned the light off her wand. The flashlight was less bright which meant less complaining. Now to keep walking...

Oh, Merlin's beard. This was bound to happen sometime, but really? At ten at night? Oh well. Despite Elliott's normally positive outcomes with maps and directions, the sixth year was, officially, lost. He meandered in and out the halls like a ghost. Actually, not nearly as well as a ghost because the Hogwarts ghosts seemed to know every tidbit and secret passage about the darn school!

He gave a drowsy sigh and walked on, though he slowed his pace at the sound of nearby voices. By the tones, it sounded a little heated. "Erm.. hello?" He rounded the corner to see.. OWW. A bright light shining right in his eyes.

Immediately, he scrunched his eyelids together and attempted to shield the light with his forearm.

Phew. At least there weren't anymore portraits yelling at her. She looked from side to side on the walls. The young woman caught a couple peeking through their 'fake' sleeping and giving her frowns. Sadie just rolled her eyes and kept walking with a little bit of a bounce in her step. Her black sparkly sweater looked even more pretty than it usually did in this light.

Eeeep!

Out of nowhere, her flashlight landed on a guy, who she thought at first was a ghost. A bit of a squeal escaped her lips as she moved the light away from his face. "Oh sorry," she whispered. Didn't want him to go blind or something...

"Are you headed to the Astronomy tower too?" she questioned since she wasn't particularly certain if he was a 7th year or not. Hah he looked like one. There was that tiny little fact that she knew like no one so she couldn't be for sure.

Ooops.

Looks like his appearance gave this flashlight-wielding girl a bit of a fright. He wondered why she was using a flashlight in the first place, actually. Maybe it had to do with a muggle studies project or something. "It's okay." Although he was seeing this obnoxious green spot in his vision now, but that wouldn't last long.

The astronomy tower? "Actually, I'm--" He was going to go to the common room, but he was out and about already and the sixth year still had yet to visit the astronomy tower outside of class. "Yes, I'm going there as well." For a moment, his eyes averted to the painting behind her, then they returned to the blonde again. "Want some company?"

Why shouldnt they be compared to Nik? Why? WHY??????

Well.....

*silence*

"You know Mia, we may not be awesome Tri-Wizard Champions killin' Cockatoos for breakfast" and technically neither was the Durmstranger ".... but I dont think you're seeing the simple fact that there are just as awesome guys at the very end of your nose. "


Then she said that she was meeting him again sometime Christmas. He turned his back on her and gripped the balustrade, staring hard at the other students making their way up the stairs. He felt like he couldnt breathe. It was worse than being dragged under icy waters and drowning...

He wanted to tell Mia so much, and at the same time, nothing at all. He wanted to put up a fight and make her see that he could be a guy just as good as Nik...

... except that he deep down he knew he would never be as good as Nik.

The South Pole proved that.

Just then another owl swooped in, landing beside him on the balustrade. It nodded its head a few times waving the letter in its beak. It was addressed to him, in a graceful scrawl that he recognized instantly.

Danika!

He swiped the letter from the owl and, turning to face Mia, hid it behind his back quickly. Only then did he realize that the Christmas meeting with Nik was still up in the air.

"You're meeting him again? At Christmas? In Russia?" he repeated. He wanted to tell her not to go. But then again he felt like he really had to go.

"Well, happy trip!" he said begrudgingly, but forced himself to smile, even took her hand and shook it quickly. "I'mLateForPotionsIllSeeYouAround" he rattled off before climbing UP the stairs two at a time, rounded and corner and vanished.

*Walking down the hall Matty looked for the crazy knight in the pictures. He wanted some pointers on how to talk while in care of magical creatures. But he started to hear some not so happy tones. He frowned figuring it was more second or first years fighting but then he started to recognize the voices. Walking over to them he almost got run over by a blur of green and black robes.*
"Woah!"
*Backing to the wall Matty stayed back not sure if he should intervene.*

The silence seemed to go on forever and for some reason Mia felt bad for acting all smug like. She opened her mouth to say something but Sal cut in. What in Merlin's name did that mean. Nik hadn't even made it to the third task. And she was just about say so when Sal continued on.

Mia took a step back from Sal and stared at him open mouthed. The light had finally gone off in her head and she now knew why the boy was being so mean about Nik.

There were so many things that she wanted to say as well but he now had his back to her and well the words were kind of stuck in her throat. If he had liked her so much, why didn't he say something? Ever since they shared a couple of kisses in Diagon Alley, Mia had not seen much of Sal during the Hogwarts term. And when she did, he was usually with a girl or ogling one of the female staff members.

She figured that she had just been another girl for him to snog. Back then Mia was used to guys being like that with her. They never wanted to hang around for anything serious with her and so she had adopted the same attitude. Until Nik came along.

Mia barely noticed the owl, she was too busy focused on Sal's back wishing he would turn around and say something or so that she could say something. When he did, he again asked her about going to Russia. She nodded her head. "Yes." She whispered.

Then he was shaking her hand and trying to be happy for her when she knew that he wasn't. "Sal..." She began but could get no more out before he had run off leaving her standing there, staring at his retreating back and tears slowly falling down her cheeks.

She had just lost her friend because she was in love with someone else. She couldn't stop her feelings and Sal really shouldn't expect her to. Mia knew there were great guys at here at Hogwarts but they didn't make her feel the way that Nik did.



Mia heard someone's voice and she looked through her tears to see Matty pressed up against the wall. "Suppose you heard all that?" A little sob escaped her lips and she held the letter from Nik to her chest. That little piece of paper with her boyfriend's handwriting was the only thing that was stopping her from breaking down completely.

"Not really... sort of... A bit... but I do see that." *He meant her eyes filling up with water. Pulling out a handkerchief he walked over and handed it to her. Then doing something very un-Matthias like he pulled her into a hug. Nothing big, just a friend giving another friend a hug that by the look of it they needed very much.*
"Want me to hex him for you? I learned a special babbling one that makes a person say one thing over and over for up to five days... Could make him say I love puppies and kittens more then quidditch or something..."

Taking the handkerchief from him, Mia attempted to wipe her eyes but as soon as he pulled her into a hug, she began to cry even more. Why was it that you cried even more when someone was being nice to you.

At his words, Mia let out a small laugh that ended up in a hiccup. "No that's okay." She said pulling away from Matty and giving him a faint smile. "Do you think what he said was right?"

"You know I'm not the biggest fan of Nik..."
*Matty spoke before he thought and said.*
"Yes... but that's not the point... Nik is who you want. That's all that matters in the end."
*Truth be told Matty knew just how Salander felt. But Matty knew how to deal with it now. Putting his hands in his pockets he rocked on the back of his heels for a moment then gave her a warm smile.*
"You really don't see how strong your charm is to all the blokes around here..."

Mia let out a small groan as Matty spoke. He wasn't going to start on Nik too, was he? Because she couldn't go through this again. And Matty thought Salander was right?

"Yes he is who I want." She agreed with a nof her head and just as she was wiping her wet nose, Matthias spoke again and it stopped Mia in her tracks.

She stared at him for a full minute before she spoke. "I...what? But I don't do anything." Except to be their friends. Was he saying that she couldn't be friends because something like this was going to happen?

*Seeing the look that came to her face Matty rolled his eyes and laughed.*
"Mia must you be so... silly? It's because you are so relaxed, kind, funny, and easy to talk to, just to name a few, that makes guys fall for you."
*That and she wasn't half bad on the eyes either but that seemed a bit rude to mention at the moment.*
"You really didn't know?"

She was being silly?

Matthias wasn't really doing a good job of making her feel better. "How am I supposed to know? You guys never say anything." She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "I am not a freakin mind reader, you know?"

She hadn't thrown a tantrum since she was little girl but she could feel one coming on. "I am like that with everyone. I treat everyone the same." Mia wiped her nose again because she was sure it was running. "You all wait until I am seeing someone to decide to let me in on the secret. Well sorry but Nik didn't wait."

"Nik was bloody smart. Salander was right that there are great guys all around you but we can be a bit slow, and if you haven't noticed males of any kind don't sit around blabbing they're feelings. We sort of blab them out at the wrong time and then think on them."

*He laughed again rubbing the back of his neck. Then seeing her get upset he smiled and put his hands on her shoulders looking her in the eyes.*
"Mia please don't be upset. Believe me when I tell you it's not your fault."
*Seeing her still upset he sighed and looked down to his feet.*
"Do I have to do a funny dance or something to cheer you up?"

Marie was heading up to the library to try and get some studying in before she went to dinner. She had really been slacking lately and needed to get back on track if she was going to pass any of her OWLs.

Just as she got to the top of the stairs she seen Mia.. well more like she heard Mia yelling at someone. She didn't really recognize the boy she was with but Marie had a feeling he was the one that put Mia in her mood. And what a mood it was. Marie had never seen her friend act like this before.

Walking over to Mia she glared at the boy. "What did you do to her?" If he was the one making her cry Merlin help that boy. Marie would make him wish Mia never shed a tear.

Putting her arm around Mia she whispered to her, "You want me to punch him for you?" She would so do it in a heartbeat. She needed to get out some frustrations anyway and what better way to do it than on a human punching bag.

*Matty put his hands up as the other girl came up. He was about to say he wasn't the one to upset Mia but then he rethought about it. As it looked Matty hadn't really made things much better. He smiled a little when she said that she would punch him.*

Mia had never known herself to be stubborn before but right now she didn't care what Matty said. "Well that's not my fault is it?" She said, the tears starting up in her eyes again. "You're both trying to blame me for not seeing what is around me. That is not fair."

Oh now it wasn't her fault. He was confusing her more than ever. Mia pulled away from him. "I am not in the mood right now Matthias."

Mia heard Marie before she felt her arm and she breathed a sigh of relief. That's what she needed right now, was another girl to talk to and one who knew all about boys and relationships. She placed her head on Marie's shoulder and sniffled a little. "No." She mumbled softly. "He's not the one who has upset me. Well he did a little but it's not worth him getting punched."

*He was a little taken a back by Mia being so upset. He knew she was mad when she used his full name. It made him feel like a bad child being yelled at by a grown up. So much so that he was now very confused. What had he said? When he heard her say that last bit he half hoped the other girl would hit him. Pushing back the hurt feeling that shot over him he took a step back.*
"Sorry..."
*Just then his back pocket grew hot then ice cold. Now was really not the time but his pocket felt like it would burst into fire at any moment. Pulling it out he opened it, read it, and frowned some more. Well it would be the best time to go seeing as how he had mucked things up so badly.*
"I'll-... I've-... s-sorry. I h-h-have to take th-this." *Turning around he walked up to the room of requirement. He now felt like rubbish.*

Marie put her other arm around Mia to comfort her even more when her friend put her head on her shoulder. She then looked over at the boy. "You're lucky... this time." She hissed at him. She was so ready to punch someone that all Mia had to do was give her a nod and that boy would have a broken nose.

She watched as he pulled something out of his pocket and looked at it... then made an excuse to leave. Yeah that's right boy, leave and don't come back if you are just gonna make Mia cry.

Once she was there with Mia alone she gave her friend another hug then stepped back and looked at her. "What happened Mia, why are you so upset?" She asked as she wiped her friends tears with her sleeve.

Wow, who would have ever thought that Marie Salazar could be a compassionate person?

Still with her head on Marie's shoulder, Mia watched Matty out of the corner of her eye and now she felt bad for yelling at him. She groaned softly and turned her face into her friend's shoulder so that she didn't have to look at him.

For just this one moment, she wanted to be selfish and think about herself for once and not how everyone else was feeling. She would apologise to him later. When she felt better.

If Mia wasn't so upset she probably would have laughed at Marie threatening Matty. Feeling her friend move away, she straightened up and looked at Marie.

"Salander happened." She replied with a little sniffle. "He - he kept saying horrible things about Nik to me and then..." Mia wrung her hands together and looked up at the ceiling. "I think he...likes me. Because he said and I quote '"You know Mia, we may not be awesome Tri-Wizard Champions killin' Cockatoos for breakfast.... but I dont think you're seeing the simple fact that there are just as awesome guys at the very end of your nose. "'


Mia looked back at Marie with a pathetic look on her face. "And Matty thinks he's right. What do you think?"

Marie stared at Mia in astonishment.

Salander happened!?

Well that one she wasn't expecting to hear. And she really wasn't expecting to hear that someone had talked mean about Nik. No wonder Mia was so upset. "Why would he say mean things abou..." Oh, that was it. Salander was jealous of Nik.

What did she think?

"I think Salander and Matty are just jealous because Nik is the lucky guy that you are in love with." She said as she grabbed Mia's hand and lead her over to a bench by the wall where they sat down. "I also think that you shouldn't let what they say bother you. You know that Nik is a great guy and that he cares about you. Who cares what others think?" Heck if Marie listened to her friends and cared about what they thought of her boyfriends then she would never have one... since her friends never liked who she was dating. "Trust me, you should follow your heart, not what others tell you." Then again, maybe if Marie listened to what others told her maybe her own heart wouldn't get broken so much.

Nah, what fun would that be. She will just continue following her heart.