Nika wiped away tears and tried as hard as possible to stop the flow of more. She just didn't know what to do anymore. She watched Samira closely to see what her friend was doing. Throughout their conversation she looked a bit uncomfortable. Probably because the Slytherin was always trying to get Nika to stop being so cheerful and bouncy. Now she's trying to make Nika cheerful and bouncy. How about that for a turn of events?

Oh! So that's what a floo is. Well thank goodness it's not another disease because that would not be any fun. The concept of jumping through a fire place is rather silly though. Even though Nika was feeling very upset the idea of floo made her chuckle for a brief second. That alone was enough to give her some hope, hope that she will be able to make it through without Emily by her side. Finally she was able to find the little silver lining on the end of the cloud. The little chuckle was enough to make her a bit happier and she was able to understand what Samira was trying to get through to her. Thank Merlin for laughter.

Window? "Window?" A window? "Am I supposed to jump through the window or am I supposed to look through it?" She asked suddenly. If there was going to be an open window she wanted to know the specifics. You know just in case the other door never opens so she's forced to go with the window. Nika chuckled some more after asking the silly question. The first chuckle was enough to give her hope, the second was enough to raise her spirits in a little way. All she needed was a little lift.

Nika let out a small sigh of relief. So Nika wasn't going to explode, that's always good to hear. Exploding is bad. "Do you think it's possible to have a midlife crisis when you're only twelve?" She asked yet another silly question. Nika was full of silly questions, in fact if one day she did explode she would probably explode confetti and silly questions. Maybe some pink hair and chocolate frogs too, but it all just depends.

The ends of her lips curved up to form a weak smile as she leaned over and wrapped her arms loosely around Samira. It wasn't the best hug ever, but it seemed to say a lot. "Thanks for being her with me." She said giving the slytherin a light little squeeze. "It really means a lot." Who knew. The two single most opposite girls in Hogwarts would become so close? They aren't kidding when they say opposites attract, whoever "they" are. Maybe Hogwarts without Emily wouldn't be as awful as Nika thought. She had Samira with her and as long as that was true she would be able to live, without exploding.

Even though she still hadn't fully recovered and she was still extremely sad it felt a whole tone better just talking about it. Hey, who knew Samira was right after all!? Maybe Nika should just take her advice more often. She felt like the weight was taken off her shoulders. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to go and talk to Emily. Maybe not quite yet, but she had to talk to the girl after running away from her in the common room. Nika at least owed her that much.

Connor looked at her. "I want you to know that I will be supporting you. I mean if you want me there that is." He looked at her as she came over to him and took his hand in hers. "I'm alright. It doesn't hurt." He looked into her violet eyes as she fussed over his scar and offered to make him a potion to heal it. He looked down at their hands and everything he'd learned came washing over him all at once. He'd become someone he wasn't proud of and that person had to go away. "No Kurumi. I appreciate the offer and the gesture, but I need to keep this scar. It will remind me not to go blindly and wildly into whatever my heart tells me. It will remind me to think before I act and it will remind me that my actions have consequences that usually hurt others, and myself. I don't want to be the person that scares you or anyone else anymore." He looked up at her and Hugged her briefly. "I want to say thank you. Thank you for caring for me and for helping me discover the kind of person I want to be. You're my friend and that means everything to me. I know now just how unreasonable I have been for asking you for something you're not ready for." He looked back into her eyes. "I've learned that if it's meant to be it will be and if it's not, it won't and I accept that."

It felt odd for him to be able to say all of that to her with no tears, no other gestures of affection, just that one brief hug between friends. His veela scent had remained level and everything. It felt good to be able to tell her what was on his heart and not be going crazy with an obsession that was never going to be returned.

Samira heard the familiar sound of Nika's chuckle, and her eyes snapped up. It was amazing how one little sound from another person made Samira feel so happy. At least Nika was showing signs of her usual happiness, which Samira was starting to really miss. This wasn't Nika, but Samira was confident that the old bouncy Gryffie with pink hair who tried learning how to wear heels for fun, and do front rolls, and name the giant squid, would be back in no time.

"Erm, well," Samira cleared her throat, embarrassed. "I meant, like, if you can't find another door to open, which is easy, you would find a window, which isn't what most people expect, and use anything you have to your advantage. Personally, I say it meaning you should make a way to see the bright-side, or that there's always a way." Yeah, that sounded good.

At the next question Samira's eyes crinkled with suppressed giggles. "Well, I suppose both. I mean, you would have to look out it to see where you are, then jump." Which was stupid. "Or you could see if there's anyone else waiting to bust you out." Which was the Slytherin way. In some cases, the closing door was Emily, and the opening door-or window-was some way or how for Nika to be Nika again. Or, if that didn't work, Samira would be the one on the other side of the window, happily and loyally being there to burst Nika out.

"A midlife crisis? Hm." Samira didn't see how a friend moving away was a midlife crisis, but she supposed in Nika's case it was harder than most. Samira had never had a friend leave, so she wouldn't know. "I believe so, yes. But, since we're young-lucky us-we have plenty of time to move past it." She gave a bright smile. "And I know you can pass it."

Samira felt startled when Nika thanked her. "You don't have to thank me," she assured, but she was still very pleased to know that her help actually, well, helped. "Any decent friend would have stayed, but I'm glad I helped." She gave a small smile. Samira then reacted to Nika's little hug with one of her own, though it lasted for a few moments longer. She gave one final squeeze and let go. It felt good to be hugged by someone else, and it was also an invitation for Samira to give a hug of her own. She just wished that the hug would help, not hurt. Whenever Samira was upset, sometimes hugs would make her want to cry even more. But she didn't think that was the case here. Nika truly seemed to be getting better. Step by step.

"Why wouldn't I want you there?" she asked looking up from her through inspection of his hand. "Well, I actually rather no one was there to see me fall off my broom." But, the sport being what it was, she knew that would be impossible. Hopefully she didn't get hit in the head with a bludger or something.

She squeezed his hand gently once more. She was a bit taken aback by his revelation once more. She wished that she had been able to figures thing out that quickly. It had taken her a year to figure out that she liked Adam, half a year to realize that she didn't need to live with the memory of him, and now she was back to stage one figuring out who she was. Although, she had had some help in the library. Her cheeks flushed a deep rosy pink.

"Um...thank you..." she managed to mumble. Was it hot in the corridor? Or perhaps it was just her? Maybe her injuries were getting to her. She had been out and about probably a bit more than was suggested. "You don't have to be so serious all the time you know," she said after a few moments. "You should really just enjoy the now. That's what I have been trying to do...although...Quidditch makes me fear for my immediate future..."

Why did Samira have to be so right? Nika kept the weak smile on her face as she rubbed her eyes once more. It's good to have friends who love you and will care for you. She could truly tell that Samira was going to be there for her until the end and that made her feel safe. Like nothing else could get to her because if they did she always had someone by her side, someone willing to help. That alone made Nika feel loads better.

Even though Nika would miss Emily very much now that she knew she had Samira as a true best friend some of the pain wouldn't be so hard to tolerate. Maybe things were like this for the better. Everything happened for a reason right? Nika would just have to go with the wind and let everything play out on it's own. She smiled a little more when Samira returned the squeeze. Nika was going to be strong.

"Thanks again." She said softly. Even though she will probably never be completely the same Nika should feel better in no time, hopefully. "I-I think I'm going to be better." Hopefully the Spaztic girl that takes home in Nika will burst out once more. A it needs is a little time, but Nika will definitely be back. She can't be Nika without it. "You're a great friend Samira. Thanks."

Thank Merlin the tears seemed to have finally ceased. Samira was very grateful to see that the water works seemed to have abated, and Nika was getting better. Of course, Samira knew that would happen all along-you don't get scarred for life because your best friend moved-but it was a reassuring sight nevertheless.

"Well, of course you're going to get better," said Samira confidently. Now that the hard part seemed to be over, Samira was starting to gain back her natural confidence. "I always knew you'd get through this." It probably wasn't completely over yet, but it would be soon.

Samira felt a sudden flash of annoyance at Emily. Why had she not told anyone she was moving before now?! Maybe then Nika wouldn't have been so distraught. Samira was talking to her just the other day, and she hadn't said a think then either. Maybe if she actually said something before hand, they would have had more time together, knowing each moment was precious. But then again, maybe Emily didn't know herself. Samira didn't know the details, but she didn't really care.

She shook her head and stood up. "Now," she announced as she held out both arms for Nika to grab and hoist herself up. "You are going to get on up. You are going to dust yourself off. You are going to wipe away your tears, and you're going to make it past this." She could totally be a motivational speaker.

Nika felt so much better, hey Samira was right! Talking about it did help. She used the handkerchief one last time to blow her nose before loking at Samira. "I suppose you don't want this back?" She asked with a sheepish grin. Nika would just have to wash it for the slytherin because no one likes a used, snot-filled handkerchief. Or maybe the Gryffindor could buy her a new handkerchief or transfigure something into one for her. It would be good practice for the non-magic-savvy-second year.

Nika pulled a bit on Samira as she got off the ground. "You wanna go down to the great hall or something?" She was tired of this corridor. It would only bring back unwanted thoughts. Maybe a change in location was needed, especially a change in location around food, AND PUDDING! She beamed at Samira fully for the first time during the conversation. She felt back to normal even though her sad thoughts were still tugging at her.

She just hoped that even though her eyes were puffy and red no one would notice and if they did that they wouldn't ask her about it. She had explained too much of her situation already and didn't need to tell anyone else anymore. She had enough of it. Now she was happy and she was planning on staying happy. Maybe her hyperness would come back after she had some pudding. Then she would be happy and hyper-- the perfect recipe for one Nika Adler.

Samira stared at her once pink handkerchief, now covered in snot. "Uh, no thanks. You can keep it." Then she smiled. "Consider it an early birthday present."

"Yes," Samira nodded. "Food sounds good right about now." After this emotionally taxing day, it was nice to just do something as normal as hand out in the great hall. Well, they were normal. They were twelve, for goodness sake! "So am I going to meet your Lion friends?" Samira didn't know if Nika wanted to sit with her at the Slytherin table-though she wouldn't be surprised it Nika hugged all of them-but she didn't mind sitting with other Gryffindors. "You can introduce me to your pack," Samira grinned. Or they could be totally weird and randomly sit at the Ravenclaw table. That would be...interesting.

"There's a bunch of stuff I want to talk to you about!" exclaimed Samira, feeling girly.

And just like that, she knew things would be okay.

Nika smiled and let out a soft chuckle, "Very early birthday present." It's only december. There's a few more months until April.

She let out a sigh and thought about it. Did she really want to go sit at the Gryffindor table next to all of her friends? She didn't want to have to explain her red eyes and how she looked like she was just crying so she turned back to samira and raised an eyebrow in question. "Actually, do you mind sitting at the.... Hufflepuff table? Or any other table I don't really mind any of them." Though the Slytherin's probably wouldn't want her in their territory after the dungeon incident where she happened to bump into four of them.

Samira didn't question Nika's request. But...the Puffer table? "How about the Ravenclaw table?" she suggested. Everyone likes Ravenclaws. They were neutral.

Ravenclaw was probably a better choice anyways. She knew more hufflepuffs. At least if they sat at the Ravenclaw table she would have less of a chance of getting asked any questions. "Yeah, Ravenclaw it is!"

Connor smiled at Kurumi. "I know that, I know I need some fun like that day on the lake, and I really need to pull out my guitar again. I haven't sung for a while, not really."

Kurumi blinked a few times when Connor seemed to...have become silent? She wasn't used to him not speaking more...or responding to her obvious insecurities. It was...almost disappointing and her heart sank a bit.

Sighing, she leaned against the wall and slid down it until she was sitting, and crossed her legs. "Why don't you sing something now then?" she asked looking up at him. If nothing else, it would distract her from the whirlwind of emotions she was going through right now.

Connor smiled and looked over at her. "I still think you don't give yourself enough credit Kurumi. You're a brilliant girl and you can do anything you want even play Quidditch." He said softly and simply. He used a summoning charm and grabbed his guitar case when it came to him. He opened the case and pulled it out, the parchment from their last conversation there, With another line or two added. He'd fallen off the track with that song, besides he needed some inspiration for it anyway and it seemed as though that wasn't happening right now.

He pulled his pick out of his pocket and tuned his guitar. He began to play softly, then paused for a moment. I wrote this a while ago and I don't really know what inspired this at the time but I think it fits us both now. I call it aftermath." He whispered, and then softly began to Sing

"You don't give yourself enough credit either you know," she replied trying to turn conversation away from herself. She was becomming more and more self-conscious talking about herself and her issues. Especially those that revolved around Quidditch. "Quidditch will take care of itself I suppose. Josh offered to help me a bit with flying and being a Beater."

Kurumi noticed him take out a piece of parchment and recognized it as the song they had sort of been working on. Kurumi wasn't even sure if he still wanted to work with her on it these days. His choice though, not hers.

Kurumi leaned more against the stone wall and closed her eyes as she listened to his song. He had said that it was supposed to speak about the two of them...what was that supposed to mean? As she listened, she slowly began to realize what he was trying to say. Really, it was what everyone had been telling her for so long - be herself and not to hide. Treyen had said a similar thing to her in the library and Lexi had practically made it her mantra.

"That was lovely," she smiled when he had finished.

Freya was wondering around the school as usual with a muggle novel in her hand but now she was wondering around the corridor not in the ground because its too cold for her to go outside she prefer staying in the castle where its warm and cozy. She knew that reading while walking was dangerous but she didn't care this book was so good she couldn't keep her eyes off the book beside the corridor was empty anyway.

Her knee high black boot made a loud click-clack noise on the stone floor. Love had some black-gray leggings on a bright green-yellow shirt and a black leather jacket with the sleeves pushed up to the middle of her arm. Love also had a old silver heart necklace on and a bright old yellow-green ring on her right pointer finger. She was in to old things. Why? She hadn't had any clue. She didn't care at the moment she just wanted to get used to the school. She was like a lost puppy. She didn't know anyone at the school and how could she but she did need to meet a American so she could tell her friends or any other person that wasn't French, oh and someone that hated shopping because she loved shopping. Without paying any attention Love ran into someone and she stepped back and brushed herself off. "Oh, I'm sorry. I swaer I didn't mean to run into you. I was just lost in my thoughts." Love said she French accent blabbering on and on.

Freya couldn't keep her eyes off the book. Its really amazing story. Sometime muggle could created something so beautiful like this one. She was walking straight when someone bumped into someone. Great! "That's okay. Its my fault too. I shouldn't read a book while walking." she gave the girl a smile. "Are you okay?" Please let her be okay. "Are you new here?" she asked because the blonde never saw her before and she has French accent. She must be a Foreigner. "Oh I'm Freya by the way. Freya Salvatore." she said.

Love got up and looked herself over to make sure that she was alright. Was she alright? Yeah, she was perfectly fine. "I do that all the time when I get a good book. I never seem to learn my lesson." Love laughed at her own words. She always seemed to be lost in books but most of them were muggle books but she also loves muggle television shows. American ones are the best. Well most of them are. "I'm fine. Nothing seems out of place or broken." It was totally true. She was perfectly fine. "Yes I am new here. I just came fresh from Beauxbations." Ahh she did miss her friends but she didn't miss Beauxbations. SALVATORE? What the heck? Was she related to the girl? Cousins? Maybe not even related at all. "Nice to meet you Freya." Love said nicely. "I'm Love Salvatore. Fourth Year Hufflepuff."

Freya sighed in relieved when the girl understand how a good book could distract you. "Thank Merlin you okay. I thought you've an injury or something." she could get too much trouble because of that, the worst part she could lose house points. Ugh!

See. See. She was right. The girl is come from French and from Beaubations too. That's awesome!

Blink. Blink. Blink. "Did you said Salvatore?" She's pretty sure that the only Salvatore who was come from French is her cousin Beck and his family. She never heard any other Salvatore lived in French. Was she related to this girl? "Are we related to each other?" she couldn't help herself to ask that question because she never saw this girl before when there's Salvatore family gathering. "N-Nice to meet you too, Love." she said after recovering from the shocked. "Fourth year you said?" So she's a year a head me? and a Hufflepuff too? Wow! "I'm a third year, Slytherin." she told Love.

Love looked at her. Love was still shocked at the last name thing but she didn't have the look on her face. She was just calm and relaxed...for once. She wanted to say HOW DO YOU HAVE THE SAME LAST NAME AS ME. But really how could they be related and how did they not know each other? Love nodded. "I did say Salvatore." Love told Freya. She just felt really awkward right now. Love shrugged. She wasn't sure at all. Of course her aunt had told her about having another family but they didn't tell her that she might have a sister or cousin. "To be honest I'm not really sure. I know that I don't know who my parents are because I live with my Aunt and Uncle. So I'm not really sure if we're related or not." Love shrugged. She nodded. "I am a fourth year, yes" Love answered her. "That's cool. I haven't really met that many people I've only been here for about three days. I'm still trying to find my way around before I make any friends."

Freya looked at the girl closely why she didn't look shock? She looked perfectly calm. Then she remembered the letter her father sent to her a few days ago regarding her other sister. She still kept the letter in her pocket and she's pretty sure the letter was now rumpled. She hadn't finished reading it. She took out the letter from her pocket and start reading it. She knew its not polite reading something while you're talking to someone but she's curious.

Well, done father. Perfect timing as usual. He should have told her before she went to Hogwarts this term. "I'm assuming that your full name is Love Oceana Salvatore?" she asked. She didn't know what to say to her. Does she has to say. Guess what you're my sister. We're related. Yay! Oh boy! That would definitely shocked her.

Why was she so calm? "I'm sorry if I seem way to calm. I just don't know what to think about this. It's all very new to me and I didn't know that I would meet any kind of family here because Beck and Melrose had left and I know that Beck isn't coming back. She sorta has him hands full with his baby's mother being mad at him and all of that drama. Melrose. I don't know what's up with her she seems so lost now that she left Hogwarts and her dyed her hair back to her natural color. Wait...do you know Beck and Melrose Salvatore. Brother and sister?" She didn't know why she was blabbing maybe it was some sign of what the heck was going onness. She was new to all of this and she wasn't sure if Freya knew about what was happening to Beck and Melrose. If she knew who the heck they even were.

How did she know her full name? That was kind of stalkerish. Was it something to do with that letter she was reading while she was talking. Uhh. "Umm...yeah that is my full name. But how do you know that?" Love asked her. Now she was beyond confused.

Freya just stood there when Love started to blab. She knew this information was kinda hard for both of them and she knew that she looked calm but inside she's confused very confused. How come that her parents hide this from her? Argh!

"Umm..Yeah. I know Beck and Melrose. I met Beck in Diagon Alley last summer." she told Love. "Wait." she paused a moment "How come you know Beck and Melrose? Have you met them before" she asked.

"Well. I don't know how to umm tell you but yeah I guess I should.." Argh! Why its so hard? Just tell her that you're my sister. Done. But its not that simple. "Here." she gave the letter to Love. She hoped that she didn't make a mistake by giving her the letter. Beside Love needs to know, right?

Stupid strap!

Kenzie walked down the barely crowded corridor, fiddling with the strap of her book bag. She had just spent an hour in the library finsihing up her homework, and all she wanted now was to crawl into her bed and enjoy a nice nap before dinner. The strap on her bookbag however was bothering her shoulder. She turned her gaze away from where she was walking and looked at her shoulder to fix whatever was wrong only to run into someone. She stumbled backwards a little and looked at the boy she had run into. "Sorry." She said. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."