Fallon smiled, glad that the boy had more than likely been to the city. It was really an awesome city. She would have to visit there before she went to New York. "I can imagine. No one here has any accent from the states, let alone a Southern one." It really was a strange thing to hear. Fallon nodded. "I've never really spent much time in the country..." She would have to try it some time. "Slytherin. You?"

Connor was out on one of the walks that had essentially become part of his meditation/getting to know himself routine. He breathed deeply, enjoying the cool air in his lungs after having coughed for the last few days to get up the smoke that the hasty breathing treatment in the hospital wing did not get. He decided to sit down at the far end of the corridor, He still tired easily he suspected that had something to do with how long he'd been unconscious. He pulled his cloak around him and ran his fingertips over the burn scar on the back of his right hand. He had decided not to go back to the healer to have it removed. "The scar was a testament to that day. He'd faced his fear and he'd learned something as well and the scar would forever remind him of that.

Making her way back from Professor Hadley's office after having asked some questions about Numerology and its relation with karmic numbers, Kurumi had to set her book bag down for a moment to give her arms a rest. It had only been a few days since the fire, and her conversation with the Headmaster about what had happened, and her arms were still not back to tip top condition. Her bandages had lightened and she could probably remove them after another day or so. On her head she wore a thick black headband that covered the bandage on her head minus a small white corner that stuck out around her temple.

It was then that she saw Connor sitting there rubbing something on his hand, but looking like he had come out fine. She...wasn't sure if she wanted to approach him right now. Not after his behavior at the fire and him screaming her name and throwing students around. She had been...frusterated to say the least that he seemed to think that he had to take it upon himself to 'save' her. She was already standing next to Salander and Josh...

Frozen in place for a moment, Kurumi merely stared at him.

Connor felt a prickle on the back of his neck. He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. He reached up and rubbed his neck, the candlelight reflecting off of the two different serpent rings he always wore. He looked up and saw Kurumi watching him. He bowed his head respectfully to her even though it made him fell a little woozy to do so. "Kurumi may I speak to you for a moment. I have some things I need to get off my chest and I need you to listen to me. If you're willing. Once I'm done I will accept whatever pennance I must pay." He did not beg or whimper or even hold his hand out to her. His invitation was out there for her to take or leave as she so chose.

Kurumi swallowed and nodded her head slightly before taking a few steps foward, dragging her book bag behind her. "I'm listening," she said softly choosing not to sit down, but instead standing just a little too his right.

He looked over at her. "I owe you an apology for being an idiot as of late. But my transformation and the fire have taught me a few things. "I first want to thank you for not taking my hand the other day. I learned that I have to stand on my own two feet and live life on life's terms, making my own happiness." He took a deep breath. "I also have learned that I was an obsessive fool. This time apart has made me realize that holding on too tight makes me nothing more than a desperate Idiot and I've learned that it's the quickest way to loose what I want to keep. However, saying that I also want to say that my time in the fire made me realize that my obsession could have hurt a lot of people. I'm Sorry Kurumi." He looked her in the eyes, His own blue ones full of honesty and regret.

"Please understand that my Actions during the fire though misguided and foolish were backed with good intentions. I wanted to save everyone. I didn't want to loose anyone I cared about in another fire ever again." He whispered, looking at his hands and twisted the larger of the two serpent rings the only thing he had left of his father Duncan.

Nika ran away from the common room and went down several flights of stairs. She didn't know where to go or where to run to. She just wanted to get away from Emily. She couldn't let her best friend see her cry. She wanted Emily to think that she understood that it was for the best. Emily was moving and leaving Hogwarts to be with her birth mom. It was what she always wanted. Nika didn't want her to leave. She couldn't let go. She didn't want to let go.

After reaching the second floor she retired from running and found a nice spot to cry. She didn't like to cry in front of others, but she didn't know how else to react. She rubbed her eyes as she hid her head in her lap. This can't be happening. Not now. Not when everything was going great. Not when her life at Hogwarts was perfect. Not to her. Not again.

Samira was roaming. She really didn't know what to do the rest of the day, despite it being rather nice outside. Her mind was still reeling with thoughts of a certain older Gryffindor. Levi practically ran away from her after a simple brush of the hand. Samira was super confused. Everything had been going so well! Samira seriously thought Levi liked her, until he abruptly left. Oh well...Levi had said he wanted to see her again, and that reassured the Slytherin as she clutched the Muggle comic he let her borrow in her hand.

She made a couple of random turns. Hopefully she would get lost. Weird thought, yes, but at least it would give her something to do to remove her thoughts of boredom. The Slytherin stopped mid-step when she heard some peculiar noises coming from a near-by corner. Curiosity threatened to drown Samira, and she stealthily made her way over.

The Slytherin spotted someone sobbing in a corner. Samira thought she recognized that head of pink hair.

No, surely it couldn't be.

Was that...

"Pink?" Samira cautiously made her way over. She was about to ask "Are you okay?" but that was about the stupidest thing she could say, since the Gryffindor obviously was not okay. So instead she settled with, "What's wrong?" Samira hovered there for a few seconds. She felt uncomfortable standing over Pink, so she carefully slid down on the floor next to her. Usually Samira wouldn't be reduced to sitting on floors, but this was the exception.

Nika could swear that she heard someone coming. Should she run away? Should she hide? She didn't want anyone to see her.... not like this. She didn't have anywhere else to run to though. The gryffindor common room was usually her safe haven, somewhere to go when she needed to escape. That would only lead to more misery in this case. Emily was there and she couldn't go to Emily. Not like this. So she sat still with her head in her lap, only her shoulders shaking as she continued to sob.

She lifted her head slowly as she heard a familiar voice. Nika quickly turned away and shielded her face from view as she made a move to quickly wipe away her tears. It was a good thing that the 12 year old wasn't into makeup yet, or else it would have been streaming down her face and it would have been even harder to wipe away. Tears though were not very hard to hide.

Even though she had attempted to clear the evidence of crying she couldn't hide her red eyes and her face was still damp. She finally turned back to the voice and forced a weak smile. "I-I'm fine." She said with a slow shake of the head. Maybe Samira would leave it. Maybe Heels would leave her to cry again.

Samira raised an apprehensive eyebrow, something she had learned to master over time. "Oh really?" She lifted a finger and wiped a lone tear off Nika's face. "This," she indicated to the blood-shot eyes and the moisture on her finger. "Is your definition of 'fine'?" Samira wiped the tear on her skirt. It was odd, seeing Nika like this.

She sighed and stretched out her legs. "You know, talking about it always helps," hinted Samira.

Nika tried not to react to Samira's cold finger brushing against her face. She tried to hide any hint of sadness, but it wasn't really working out for her. She knew Samira could see right through her. She always did. The Slytherin always had a way of knowing exactly what Nika felt.

The Gryffindor let out an audible sigh. "I-it does?" She asked in almost a low murmur. She wasn't sure whether to tell Samira everything or keep it in and pretend like it was nothing. She was truly confused. Everything that happened today just felt so surreal. Was this just all a dream? Please be a dream. Nika needs to wake up. She lifted her hand slowly and made a motion to her leg. Taking a small little amount of skin she twisted it around to give herself a pinch. She opened her eyes wearily.

Nothing happened.

She was still there. In the same corridor. With her tears slowly drying on her face and a Slytherin to her right. She didn't wake up. She never would. This wasn't a dream. It was real. One hundred percent real and Nika hated it. She looked at Samira and suddenly felt defeat. "Bad things should only happen to bad people right? I'm not a bad person. Why did they happen to me? Well maybe I shouldn't have pestered Zara to find out her crush or I shouldn't have suggested sneaking out of the castle after hours to Emily, bu-but I don't think I did anything that bad." There was her name again. Emily. The name that brought her to tears once more.

No matter how hard she tried to fight back. No matter how hard she tried to hide them. They wouldn't stop rolling down her cheeks.

Kurumi stood there, arms still crossed as she listened to his apology. She felt the sincerity in his voice, but that didn't change how uncomfortable she had felt. Nor could it erase everything that had happened. "Apology accepted," she said quietly not moving from where she stood. "And it did hurt Connor...it did..."

She took a small timid step backwards. She had told him on several occasions that he confused her. That she didn't like the feelings that were arising and that she was afraid of what was happening. Yet, he had both been listening and not listening. She knew she really didn't need to repeat herself again, but it seemed that he hadn't gotten the message the other dozen times that she had.

"You...you've been focusing on the wrong things...Connor..." she mumbled as her hands clenched into tiny fists. "You are looking for something that I can't give...and have lost sight of what is important right now... friendship..." she looked up at him with shimmering violet eyes. "I hardly feel like I know who you are..."

"Yeah," Samira nodded. "It does." Samira couldn't remember a time where she actually cried in public-she wasn't a crier in general-but whenever she was feeling down about something she would talk to someone, or write it down in a journal.

Samira blinked and stared at Nika worriedly. Why in Merlin's name was she pinching herself? Was that normal? In any case, Samira didn't ask. Nika's relationship with her fingers and skin was her business.

Nika's sudden speech of sadness startled Samira. She tried to break it down one part at a time. "No, you're right. Bad things shouldn't happen to good people..." Samira didn't even know where this conversation was headed. There was one thing that Samira was not, and that was a comforter. She wasn't good at pep talks, or making people feel better. Occasionally she tended to make the person feel worse, and she was afraid if she said the wrong thing then the water works would really come out. She took a deep breath. "But sometimes bad things do happen to good people, I guess. And that's what makes us stronger than the rest." Did that make sense? Samira hoped so. "Nika, I hardly think joking around with your friends dubs you as a bad person. If that was the case, most of the population would be considered 'bad' people."

Samira bit her lip. She hated seeing her friend so depressed. Nika seemed to have a nerve hit when she mentioned Emily. Now that she thought about it, the last time Samira talked the the other Gryffindor not too long ago, she too seemed surly and unhappy. "Did you and...a friend have a fight?" Samira was careful not to mention any names, and smoothly glazed over that part, letting Nika talk for herself.

Nika couldn't help but cry. She was a Gryffindor and they are supposed to be strong. Nika did not feel strong. She did not even feel brave. She felt alone. Nika heard Samira's question, but she wasn't sure whether she wanted to answer it. Nika sat in silence, only letting her sobs fill the corridor. She sat in deep thought as she contemplated how to answer. No, they weren't in a fight. Not really. If anything Nika was fighting herself. She knew that she had to be happy for her friend, but she couldn't be. Her mind wouldn't let her.

"No," Short, sweet, and to the point. Samira deserved more. More than just a "no". Samira was there with her, not necessarily comforting her, but really it was more than comforting for Nika. She would have gone into hysterics if Samira hadn't come along. Despite Samira's occasional witty remark and her tendency to come off as somewhat cold at times the Slytherin was a true friend. A friend that Nika could trust. She bit her lip and inhaled deeply as she opened her eyes again.

"Not really fighting, worse." She said looking at Samira. Nika didn't know how to say it. She didn't know if she wanted to say it. She was able to stop the flow of tears and regain herself, although not completely, and she didn't want to have to cry again. Maybe if she just went around the problem Samira would forget about it. "Have you ever known someone who just sort of disappeared from your life?" She asked the Slytherin with a gleam of hope in her eyes. Nika had. She just did. For the fourth time. It was bound to happen again. With her sister and maybe someone else too. Nika hated losing people. Ever since Mordred had asked what she thought her boggart might be it had been haunting her mind. Her worst fear? Now she had found it. It was people leaving her, again, again, and again.

Samira bit her lip. "Oh." Worse than fighting? What could be worse than fighting? Samira wracked her brain. Had somebody died? Was someone sick, or hurt? As she watched Nika's face become soaked in tears and snot, Samira berated herself for not thinking of this sooner. She quickly turned to her bag and fumbled inside. Ah ha! Samira pulled out a pink handkerchief and handed it to Nika. "Here, blow," she instructed.

Samira would need to help Nika get cleaned up before they let anybody else see them. Her face was red and puffy from crying, and Samira made a mental note to make sure Nika washed her face or something. She was sure Nika didn't want other people to know she was crying, so Samira wanted to help.

Samira pursed her lips as she contemplated the question. "Um, kind of. Yeah, I guess so," Levi hadn't really left her...just sort of ran away. Nevertheless, Samira knew where her friend was coming from. She nodded her head in encouragement for Nika to continue. She didn't really like beating around the bush, nor did she like guessing games.

Nika took the handkerchief and did as instructed. "Thanks." She used it first to wipe tears off of her face then to blow her nose. She knew Samira wanted answers. Nika understood what the nod meant, but she didn't really want to explain. It was hard enough just thinking about what had happened, let alone telling someone. Maybe Samira was right though. What if it did help?

"It's Emily." She said slowly waiting for Samira to respond. "I-I think you've talked to her before." She whispered. Nika wasn't sure if she wanted to tell anyone. What if Samira told Emily that she was sad about the news? What if Samira told Emily and then Emily thought Nika was selfish for thinking that way? "She-she was my best friend." Nika used the past tense because she wasn't sure what they were anymore. Best friends or barely friends at all? Would Emily still want to be her friend after the move? It was all too much for the twelve year old to think about.

"She-she's leaving." With that short sentence came a few more tears. Nika quickly turned away and wiped them off with the handkerchief. "Am I selfish Samira? Selfish for not wanting her to leave?' She asked earnestly. Now she knew how her sister felt. It felt horrible. Now Nika knew what she did to her sister the day that she told her that she would leave her and go back to Hogwarts. "I'm such-such a hypocrite!" She said using a volume that was about two times louder than her soft whisper from before. Nika was having so many feelings jumbled around in her head. She couldn't take it. There was just too much. Too much for a second year to think about. This was something harder than arithmancy, something even harder than charms. This time it's emotional.

Oh. "Oh...I'm really sorry, Pink." Of course, saying 'sorry' never really helped anyone, now did it? At Nika's next comment, Samira turned to fully face her and said firmly, "No, Nika. You are most definitely not a selfish person." There was a fierce glint in Samira's eye that clearly messaged that if Nika disagreed, there would be problems. Samira was quite a determined person, like most Slytherins, and was not going to give up until she got the point across.

"It's human nature for you to be upset that your friend is leaving. You can't help it, can you? No. So stop beating yourself up about it." Samira said this in a nice, encouraging way, of course. She was never one for pep talks, but she had to try. "If you were to move back to the Muggle world, and I was upset, does that make me selfish? Does it make anyone who is going to miss their friend selfish? No." Samira thought using specific examples might help, since people couldn't really control their feelings or emotions.

"Another thing, don't you think Emily would be upset, too, if you were leaving? What kind of person wouldn't be?" A jerk, that's who. "And it's not like you're wishing Emily can't be happy," for whatever reason. If Samira knew the details of the move, she might be able to understand the situation a little bit more. "Like I said before, you're just going to miss her."

"And it's not like you have to stop being friends," Samira continued. She felt like she was on a roll. "You can still keep sending letters, or using that thing-uh, what was it called?-fellytoners?" Samira didn't know if Emily had a fellytoner or whatever that weird device was, but they could still keep in touch. "It's not like she's dying! You can still floo to each other's place, or maybe meet up somewhere out of school. Maybe when you graduate Hogwarts you can see more of each other."

Samira carried on. She held up a finger for emphasis. "And another thing," here Samira's voice was much softer and delicate. "The fact that you think you're being selfish means that you're at least acknowledging, however untrue it may be. I don't know where you got this hypocrite nonsense from, but a selfish person or a hypocrite would not acknowledge it, nor would they admit it. If you haven't been listening to anything else I said," and if that was the case, Nika would have on angry Slytherin on her case, "Then think about this-logical-point."

She leaned back. This whole conversation, she had not broken eye contact. "Got it?"

"I know that now Kurumi. And I want us to be friends. I'm not asking for any more than that. Just please spend some time with me as a friend." He asked. "How about we take Heather out and teach her how to ice skate?" He asked.
He waited for her response.

Simon looked at the Professor. "Can I go now?" Simon asked, he really wanted to get out of the corridor saying that he wanted a word with the professor. "Professor I want a word with you about your class." Simon smiled saying that he had no idea why he didn't just drop that subject.

Ugh. Why did Samira have to be so right? The Gryffindor wiped her eyes some more with the handkerchief as she tried to think of something to retaliate with. Samira was making it so hard to argue. Nika just wanted to cry, she wanted to be sad, she wanted to be angry, and she just wanted to know why this had happened to her. She's only 12, only in her second year. She didn't deserve to lose someone else from her life. Not again. She hid her face from Samira as more tears flowed from her eyes. After what Samira had said she knew that she shouldn't still be crying, but she couldn't help it. Her tears just wouldn't stop.

After catching every word that Samira had said she raised her eyebrow at one particular word. "W-what's flu?" She manage to stutter through her quiet sobs. She looked at Samira searching for an answer. Like it made a difference what this flu thing was. Flu is a muggle disease. A muggle disease that she had to take that awful potion for in potions class last year when they were using muggleborns to test on. Flu isn't something you want to bring to eachother's place?! What was Samira even going on about. Pffft, Flu.

She berried her head in her hands once more. She didn't know how to explain what she felt. It was a blend of emotions. Anger. Why hadn't Emily told her before? Why is she going to leave Nika? Sadness. She's going to miss her friend so badly. Confusion. Why her? What did she do? Should she be happy or sad? Most of all she felt alone. So many had left her. What if this wasn't the last time. Should she even become best friends with Samira? What if Samira left her too. The girl always seemed a little weirded out by Nika's behavior. Shouldn't be long before Samira decides to go attend another wizarding school far, far away.

She opened up the spaces between her fingers to catch a glimpse of her friend. Had she left? Did she decide that Nika was a lost cause? Nika let out a small sigh of relief as she wiped away some more tears. "I-I'm sorry. I'm being such a... a...." She couldn't think of the right word to use so she left a pause for Samira to fill in the blank. Maybe the Slytherin could come up with a good adjective. Besides the girl always knew exactly what to say. May as well put her thoughts into good use just about now.

Nika rubbed her tear ridden eyes as she pushed some hair out of the way. "I'm just so-so lost. I don't know how to feel. I feel everything. Is it possible for a person to burst because they are feeling so many emotions at once? Well if it is you might want to get a good distance away from me because I'm about to blow." Her tone meant total seriousness, but it came out as a little wild. She wasn't any good at this, this sadness thing. This sort of emotion was very new to her. At least this level of the emotion was. She had been sad on many occasions especially dealing with her sister, but this was another level. She had reached another type of sad.

Kurumi sighed. It wasn’t so much of frustration, but more of that Connor had often been saying one thing but doing another. It confused her and, at times, frightened her. She had made it clear, or she thought she had, that she didn’t want anything more than friendship…yet he was always serenading her or something else that made her feel uncomfortable. Her eyes widened a bit when he mentioned Heather. “Alright,” she nodded. “I have been meaning to hang out more with Heather. Well, outside of the common room and dorms at least. She is my roommate after all.” Kurumi giggled as she remembered all the crazy times her and the timid Gryffindor had shared. "I don't have any skates, but I suppose I can just transfigure some out of some things I no longer need."

She took a small step closer to Connor and smiled. “I am glad you got out of the fire alright. You were acting like some crazy person you know. Demanding that myself and others leave the scene,” she said with her expression no longer so serious. “Did you think you were going to be able to take care of it all by yourself?” Still, the sudden change in his attitude was enough to give her whiplash.

Boys…Kurumi was pretty sure she was never going to understand them

Connor smiled and nodded. "I would like that. " He replied simply. "I could make you some, If you like. I'm good at conjuring things." He explained. When she spoke about the fire he blushed a little. "Thank you for that Kurumi. I'm glad that you are going to be alright as well. I know my actions seem like that to someone who's never experienced it before. All I cared about was getting everyone out." He whispered. "I would have let it take me if it meant everyone else was safe." He traced his fingertip over the scar on his hand. "I guess you have to have to go through the fire at some point in your life.

Kurumi reached up and felt the bandages on her head. "These all should come off in a few days. Just in time for my first Quidditch match," she laughed nervously. Kurumi then noticed that Connor was rubbing his hand in a rather odd fashion and her focus shifted there instead on what was being said. "A-Are you alright?" she squeaked suddenly forgetting that she had wanted to keep some space and quickly closing the gap between them. She grabbed his hand and flipped it over to see the scar that lay there. "C-C-Connor," she whispered as her small fingers ran over it. "Y-Y-You know there is a potion that can heal this, right? It is not too difficult to brew. I could probably brew it for you..."

About to turn to leave and head back to her office, Fina glanced back at the fourth year. "Yes...." And what was that? A word about her class? Well Simon did have some comprehension issues with regards to math, she knew that much and if he wanted to drop it, then she would understand. "And yes... You may have a word. You're welcome to drop by my office sometime this week or whenever really."

Having said that, the brunette nodded politely before turning on her heel to head back to her office.

It seemed like the tears were never ending. Sentence after sentence they spilled, and Samira was at a loss. She wanted to help her friend, she really did...but Samira was no good with showing too many outward emotions. She wasn't completely heartless, no, but she didn't know how to handle...this. What were you suppose to say to one of your closest friends who's losing their own best friend, and is an emotional tornado? Let alone Nika Adler. Gone were the days that Samira, threw her growing headaches, would wish that the Muggleborn would just tone it down. Anything was better than these water works.

For a very, very brief moment, Samira wondered if she made a mistake walking down the second floor corridor, that she would only make it worse. No, she told herself firmly. Stop being stupid. Nika needs you, just speak from...your...heart. Ugh! The words even sound mushy in my head!

Growing up, Samira's parents always taught her the Spinks' philosophy: non ostendunt infirmitatem Never Show Weakness. And she hadn't, mostly. So she didn't know how most people handled this. Personally, she thought she did a rather good job. But why was Nika still crying? Was she suppose to do more? Hug her? Wipe away her tears. That all make Samira want to shudder. It was so...chick-flick-y. She decided that her approach was the best way to handle the situation, and maybe a hug wouldn't hurt either.

What's a Flu? Flu? Oh! Floo. Samira resisted the urge to laugh. "A Floooo is like a Wizarding teleportation device. You step inside a fireplace, throw in some Flu Powder, say your destination, and you're there." She smiled a little. "I know it sounds weird," not really, Samira grew up flooing, but it probably did to Nika. "I'll show you one sometime."

Samira shook her head. Trying to lighten up the situation, she interjected, "You're sorry for having human emotions and being upset your friend is leaving by expressing them. You're also sorry because you're a good person who puts an illogical amount of fault on themselves." She paused. "And you shouldn't be sorry." And that was that.

Samira put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know it's hard, but I promise it'll get better. Honest. You may never get over it...but you'll get use to it, and learn to cope." That's something Samira's mother told her when she asked if Mrs. Spinks still missed her own mother. She thought it was a pretty acceptable answer, except no one was dying. "It just takes time, but you'll be able to sort it out soon enough. Everything happens for a reason, right? When one door closes, another one always opens. Or, if there isn't a door, find a window." Bud-um-pchhhhhhh. That was Samira's lame attempt at a joke. Ha ha. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid...
But she did quite like the quote. When one door closes another one opens. Yes, it was nice, and it had so many meanings, too. She just hoped that it was true in Nika's case, somehow. If not, she could always find a window.

Samira was tempted to back away a little in reflex, but she decided that she didn't want to be the Queen of Tactlessness. Instead she stated rationally, "I doubt someone could explode from too many emotions," Heh. That was a funny thought. "But I'm sure it's a lot to take in." She paused for a moment, then quickly said, "Scream in a pillow." That always helps. Pretend it's the world, your troubles, and scream and scream.