He was watching the elves come up with his meal-- something he actually enjoyed, cooking in front of him and all-- when he heard Treyen beside him "Not much, just moping hanging in the dorms and eating. So I decided to get out and.... eat in the Kitchens." Well at least he was consistent about something.

His lay the parchment down on the table beside him "... And been doing a bit of reading..." ok not exactly his favorite past time but "Picked up the latest school rags... not that I even bother with it but its got my name on it. Again. But that wasnt what really got to me-- its the one about you."he said eying his young friend "Maybe I could've just given it a good laugh like anything else that comes from these things but its involved a few young ladies we both know."

"Listen Treyen, I'm not gonna sit around and start lecturing from the pulpit" although initially that was his reaction "I just want to know the truth man, given that this involves all my friends and I can only imagine the hurt that this paper could've done to friendships." Yup totally speaking from experience here.

Why was he sounding so...down? Has Salander been having issues with Lexi? Or...yeah, if he was having any issues it'd have to be with Lexi, because he wouldn't bother with school that much.

"Sounds...good." An excellent choice, as Arya would say. But Treyen wouldn't have headed to the kitchens if he'd managed to get to the Great Hall in time. Oh, well, no matters. What mattered now was...

...his eyes went straight to the parchment he was holding, and soon he started to feel like how he'd felt the first time he read that. Aparecium. Kurumi. His entire expression changed. Just when he was trying to pretend everything was right the last couple of days, here comes Salander and lays the parchment in front of him. His left hand was on his face again, covering his eyes, as Salander spoke.

He really wanted to let go of it, like Cassie had said, but it was still coming at him. SIGH.

YES, SIGH. Treyen sighed, and then rested his hand on the table before shaking his head. Eyes on Salander now. "It isn't true." He looked away to the parchment, "Well, I was seeing Ellie. And I suppose the Gilderoy part could be true to whoever wants to believe that, but the part about Kurumi...," or the seeking abilities, "...isn't true."

"I was with Kurumi when the piece of paper made its appearance," he said, in a very low voice. That's what he'd hated most. That she was right there. Though, he still couldn't figure out if that was good or bad.

Slytherin lad eyes Badger Prefect's reaction. "Not much fun with your private life out on display for everybody to read aint it?" he uttered at Treyen, feeling quite sympathetic for him. He listened to the other lad and furrowed his brows "So, are you saying your not seeing Kurumi behind Ellie's back?" cuz thats what upset him the most-- that a good friend of his would purposely deceive two other friends of theirs, girls that he considered himself a big brother to. "Treyen, I'm not faulting if you if you want to.... play the field." Oi that sounded bad but "... I know what it feels like to be attracted to more than one person at a time, but if your seeing someone under the condition that its an exclusive relationship but actually its not, you got to come clean, its setting expectations.... not just for the girls, but also for yourself." He sighed, and started to fidget the edge of the parchment "Kurumi looks very upset-- this is the most upset I've seen her since Adam left. Its not so obvious for Ellie but if she felt like she's been deceived I could imagine she feels just as bad if not worse." He looked at Treyen in the eye and dropped his voice to a lower hush "Listen, I'm probably not the best person to speak about this, but you're young, you got your whole life ahead of you-- if you want to keep looking around, by all means do so. But you gotta be clear man, so that others dont expect something from you then feel awful when you decide to move on."

Why is he giving this advice? He didnt know. Probably needed to hear it out loud himself, might learn something from it.

No, not at all fun. He actually never considered Aparecium fun, and he certainly didn't think it was when that note about Sabel and Arya was all around the Castle. Lockhart shook his head. No, NOT fun.

Not fun when it hurt the one person he didn't want to hurt. THAT wasn't fun at all.

WAIT. WHAT?! Was Salander understanding what Treyen was saying? He opened his mouth to reply to that question when Salander kept on talking to him. He...actually decided to listen to everything he had to say, rather than interrupting him. Until he was talking about coming clean and setting expectations and Treyen blinked. Yet he continued to listen to the older Slytherin and couldn't help but wonder what the hell Salander was talking about.

Hold on. Ellie?

Treyen actually sighed and interrupted him right there. "I think...I should explain a couple things," he started to say, so NOT wanting to do this right now but wanting to at the same time. He needed Fletcher for this, but Salander was good enough, right? "First, I'm only seeing Ellie, she's the only one. Or was. I don't know, I haven't talked to her after Aparecium came along," he was looking down at the table. Treyen really didn't know if Ellie had seen that piece parchment or not, and if she'd seen it then he didn't know whether she believed it or not.

He shook his head and focused on a little Elf that was working far away, "I don't think I could even do that, you know. I don't lie, and that'd be a lie," okay, so, he did lie, but just to Saylen, and maybe a white tiny lie to a couple Professors, but the ones he trusted got the whole truth. Maybe Hadley got more truth than she wanted to know, but he trusted her a great deal.

"As far as Kurumi goes," he got paler just by saying the name, "I think of her as a sister, I never meant to hurt her, really. I didn't realize she liked me until Lexi pointed it out." If Treyen had known that all along, then perhaps Kurumi wouldn't have suffered as much as she did.

Eyes were on Salander, and yeah, you could see he actually meant what he was saying, "I am trying to give her space, though, I think she needs to be away from me for a while," Kurumi. And...maybe Ellie too, because neither of the girls deserved him, truth be told, they deserved better.

"I just don't know what to do," or not to do. And THIS took a lot of courage to spill out to Salander, because this was Salamander he was talking to. The boy who took Fletcher away from him sometimes.

Then Salander mentioned something about looking around and...Treyen frowned and eyed him carefully, "Are you alright?"

Marilyn peeked her head into the Kitchens...noticing, at once, that not too many people crowded this area. She swept in, avoiding anyone elses eyes in regards to starting conversation. She was hungry and that was the only reason for her leaving the solitude of Slytherin house...Not to mention, it was a better location than the Great Hall. The blonde had came to fear that place...

Deciding upon a table in the back, she sat, waiting for an elf to rush over. It was a win/win situation, really. Less traffic and faster service...

Salander had to blink when Treyen started to speak about Ellie, his eyes drifts back down at the parchment before returning to the Prefect "So Ellie doesnt know about this?" he winced. "Thats.... interesting." he bit his inner cheek before adding "What are you gonna do when she finds out? Or will you just hope that she be kept in the dark?" Boy, that would be one awkward conversation between them thats for sure.

The elves started to bring his meal as Treyen continued. Taking a large gulp of his drink Salander eyed Treyen and simply nodded his head. Maybe he isnt that kinda guy, but it was a reality that Salander had to bring up "I just had to mention it man, because that kind of predicament happens pretty often around here... and it aint just a guy thing." he added the last part mumbling, just as he took another gulp of his drink.

He eyed him again when he started to speak about Kurumi, and he couldnt help but feel even worse for his little Cookie!Princess "But were your intentions clear that she was just a sister to you? Because between how she reacted and what you say and how Apparecium made it sound it seems like.... like you made her hope for something when... there wasnt. I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt man, its the reason why I wanted to speak with you directly about this instead of half guessing from the pages of a gossip column."

He nodded his head on Treyen's decision then glanced back at the Badger Prefect sympathetically. He could relate somehow to his uncertainty, as the Slytherin trods that path one way too many times "I guess your right in giving Kurumi a bit of space -- just dont ignore her or anything, that may actually be even worse. Be friends, keep things casual, just you know, make things clear. If your friendship is strong things will get back to normal sooner or later." He paused, the moment of silence obviously about the red-head Ravenclaw. "And as for the other parties involved..." whether its Ellie or other girls that Apparecium didnt cover ".... come clean, and see how it goes. If she feels strongly about you she... she'll fight for you." he added almost to a near whisper. "Just remember, keep you conscience clear, one less thing to worry about, which I'm sure you'd welcome given the other responsibilities you have."

He drew his plate closer, the aroma of the steak delightfully filling his head. As he picked up the knife he suddenly stopped when Treyen asked about how he was feeling. Suddenly cutting through the tender steak became a laborious process. "I'm... fine." he smiled, putting up a front of joviality that he wasnt feeling. He took a large chunk of the steak and shoved it into his mouth "M-mmm, nothing beats a good, juicy slab of meat in times like this."

Treyen shook his head, "I don't know," that was the worst part of it, no? NOT knowing. And he hadn't contacted Ellie either, it's not like the piece of paper was out last week anyway, so, he was only trying to figure out how he felt before talking to Ellie. Made sense, no? "I don't even know if she pays attention to whatever is said in there," he said, gesturing towards the piece of paper, "But I'll tell her the truth, of course." She was aware that he was good friends with Kurumi, right? Maybe not. The Prefect couldn't lie to her, it was...rather amusing, though, how he always ended up saying everything that was on his mind, never mind if it got him in trouble or not.

And the truth he could be telling her was nothing more than what Lexi had explained to Treyen. And how his obliviousness had caused all of this.

Yeah, the Prefect had lost his appetite by now. But he could use some hot chocolate, even if it wasn't too cold in this place. So, go on pretty Elf, bring him a nice cup of hot chocolate.

The boy nodded at Salander as he continued to talk. Well, who knew the Slytherin was good for certain talks, eh? Oh, but no, wait. Kurumi again. Okay, see, he had to tell the truth, never mind if the truth will send him straight to the Nurse. "I didn't know I was leading her on. Honest. I didn't." He was...only...being...himself. "Your girlfriend was the one to tell me that the way I did a few things may make her believe that I liked her...and I do, but not that way," he was talking Kurumi, not Lexi. "I did tell her, though," but did she listen? He didn't know.

"I actually appreciate that, that you decided to talk to me instead, by the way," instead of believing the piece of paper. See, Fletcher would've never believed Aparecium. That's why he was the original Sir Awesome.

He was nodding again as Salander spoke, so he agreed on the space bit, good. "Well, she now knows that I don't see her that way, I hope," and HERE was his hot chocolate. Healer Moretti always said that chocolate made you feel better, no? He should send some chocolate to Kurumi, no? But without her knowing it was from him, just in case. And he truly wanted for things to be as they always were. Or as close to that.

'Other parties involved'. Meaning = Ellie. But he said nothing, because..."How come I feel that you're talking about something else?" he couldn't help it, but Sal had made it sound as if he was talking about himself...and Lady Awesome. Had Sal done something to his amazing Lady Awesome, eh? He could roll his eyes at the comment about food, but he didn't. "What's wrong?" yes, he asked, looking directly at him.

Rose tickled the pear and entered the kitchen, looking like Jordan. She asked a House-elf, very nicely, if she could have some chocolate. The House-elf scurried off and returned with some chocolate. 'Thank you!' Rose grinned at the elf, to the elf's surprise, and left

Salander nodded his approval "Yeah truth is good-- not painless, but good. Sets you free or clears the air or somethin'...." again speaking from experience, which in his case was everything he just said and more.

He winced a little with Treyen referring to Lexi as his girlfriend, and the Slytherin lad instinctively looked away. Much too painful it was, and the last thing he wanted was for his young friend to see that tough 'ol Salander had a tender heart. But he did glance back at Treyen when he said he appreciated the talk "Buddies are supposed to talk to each other man.... specially with stuff like this. Guys gotta stick up for guys you know." yeah he said it, he considered Treyen as a buddy, which is a considerable upgrade from fanboy.

And now he was staring at him, all inquisitive like. That made the Slytherin lad very uncomfortable, specially he had a reputation to uphold in front of Treyen. Then again he had been a mess and several people had likely have seen him. He busied himself with his steak, stab-stabbing it with a knife, not quite the usual way of cutting it up for eating. He sighed as he shot a quick glance at Treyen "Lexi and I.... we had a fight and we kinda sorta broke up."he mumbled quickly then snarfed down the potatoes. "Happens you know.... part of any relationship." he grumbled and shrugged coolly, shoving another large piece of steak in his mouth. No crying in front of the lil guy, he might completely loose what little self respect he had left in himself.

Carter led the way up to the kitchens. It would be nice to have a much needed private word with her. Hopefully she was a surprised by what happened the other night as he was. He could just play it off as out of control emotions.

Girls believed that kind of thing... right?

"Yeah. I told you. My mum taught me to make them right after my Hogwarts letter. In case... I got hungry." Yeah... he wasn't going to say that it was in case he missed home... "That's what I hear." he added with a chuckle. So far there hadn't been anyone that didn't like the Phillips' family famous apple pie.

He took out the pie from an icebox and heat it up real quick before dishing it out in two bowls. "You want ice cream too?" he asked as he headed to get some for himself.

He had told Marie? Right. Evan couldn't help but laugh at that. There were much easier dishes to cook more quickly than a pie... but this was Carter. Guess he liked it 'hard'.

He merely smiled, sitting down on the nearest chair carelessly with that mini-skirt. He watched the boy run around to serve him. This... this was too private not to feel awkward. It almost felt as if they were on a date and... disgusting.

"N-no, I--er--I'm fine, thanks," he stuttered. He wanted to be done with this already... this was getting too awkward.

Carter shrugged and plopped a nice glop of ice cream on his pie. He then slid Marie's bowl across the table to her. After putting the ice cream back he rejoined her and started eating his.

He cleared his throat awkwardly after a few bites. "So. Um... about the other night..." he said poking his food with a spoon. "We're good right?" As in they could just blame it on him being on edge. And then they could just go on happily ignoring whatever tension that the kiss may have caused.

*Walking up from his common room Matty wanted a snack and smiled seeing his Marie. But his smile soon turned into a glare as he saw Carter by her.*
"Hello love, and Carter... What are you good with?"
*It wasn't a question. But if he said no to telling Matty what was going on Matty would be more than happy to change his mind with his fist. He was getting tired of this guy hanging around his girlfriend.*

Man, whatever was wrong with Salander was worse than he'd imagined. What he was saying about truth and setting one free was...nowhere related to Treyen's situation. Because he was planning on telling the truth, not lying. Though, could it be considered as lying if he never said anything? Not really, but he wouldn't keep anything from Ellie either.

Ah. It had to be in regards to Lexi, yes? Whatever was wrong with him.

"I agree," and he was starting to realize what Simon had meant when he defended and trusted Destiny over his own friend. Then again, Simon did have a knack for trouble. And Destiny was a genius that never got in trouble, right? Riiiiight. Either way, he understood what it meant now, and he nodded towards Salander, "It goes both ways, too." So, if Salander ever needed someone else to discuss any problem at all (as long as it wasn't related to Lady Awesome) then by all means he should contact Treyen. Fletcher would like that, yes?

Treyen noticed. How uncomfortable Salander was feeling. And so the boy looked away. THAT didn't last long, because the shock of the next few words managed to turn his eyes to Sal again. "I'm sorry to hear that," but they seemed so perfect for each other. It was...yes, a shock. And Lady Awesome must be devastated. But, yeah, right, guys stick up for guys, right? He was silent for a moment, before looking away. "You'll be fine," and he wasn't only referring to Salander, but to Lexi as well, "You've just said it, it happens," and that's not exactly what he'd meant when he said 'they'll be fine', but he knew both Lexi and Salander, they were bound to be fine, eventually. They were both strong.

Didn't Salander manage to get saved from being eaten by a Squid once? He had people to make sure he was alright, and so did Lexi.

That's how Treyen knew it.

Kurumi felt...weird walking around Hogwarts like she was now. Everytime she passed a reflective surface she jumped and more often that not squeaked because her reflection was not what she expected it to be. It was like having an out of body experience, or what she imagined it felt like.

It was because of this that she desired to do something that was entirely her: baking. While she was in the mood to bake something complicated, she decided that baking a simple sugar cookie would suffice for now. Nothing beat a good sugar cookie honestly.

Grabbing a few bowls and spoons, Kurumi turned and expected to see Twinkle, her favorite house elf, standing beside her like she always was, but found the elf no where to be found.

"That's right...I'm not really me..." she said aloud.

Conan was hungry. Which was normal. He didn't eat with everyone else, so he had to make his own dinner. He yawned. He was tired. And it wasn't even nearly bedtime yet. Maybe he had low blood sugar.

He was expecting to see Treyen with him, like his best friend always was. But Conan hadn't even told him. So he wouldn't even know he was going. Silly.

His mouth dropped open. Sierra? Cooking? OMG his dream girl cooked. He slowly sidled up to her. "Hey," he smiled. "What ya making?"

Kurumi jumped when she heard someone speak and she spun around on her heels. Usually, her black pony tail would smack her in the face in such situations, but her new wavy brown hair simply swished over her shoulders.

She saw a boy who she had only spoken with briefly once before and she tried to place his name. He seemed to be rather familiar with Sierra, so she assumed that the Slytherin knew his name. Kurumi rubbed the back of her neck and shuffled her feet for a moment.

It started with...a C...OH!

"Hello, Conan," she replied smiling awkwardly. It was almost as if her new lips didn't really KNOW how to smile, so she probably just ended up looking awkward. "Sugar cookies..."

Would Sierra really be baking? Probably not.

"I already have the dough ready, just need to roll it, cut it into shapes, and then put them in the oven."

Yep, Kurumi would make a TERRIBLE Slytherin.

Sugar cookies? They sounded ok. He had to check though. "So what is in sugar cookies?" Probably milk. Sigh. He wanted to try cookies at least once. But they were too much effort to make them for him.

He smiled back at her. It looked a little funny but cute nonetheless. "You should make them star shapes." And then they could decorate them together. With icing. And then she could eat them. Awesome.

"I didn't know you baked. Then again I don't know that much about you."

Kurumi was about to rattle off ingredients, but Sierra wouldn't do that, would she? No, she would probably rolls her eyes and tell Conan to go look it up himself in a recipe book, but Kurumi couldn't bring herself to suggest such a thing. Instead, she went for a safer answer. "Sugar," she said coolly.

She pushed the recipe to the side no to subtle as she dumped the contents of the bowl onto the counter and dragged a rolling pin.

"I can do stars," she nodded now that the dough was nice and flat. "Conan, can you pass me he cookie cutter?"

She looked over her shoulder and pushed some of her hair behind her ear. He did seem friendly with Sierra, so she ought to be friendly back, right? After all, it was obvious that Sierra was turning over a new leaf, yes?

"Then, we should get to know each other better," she said a little flatly. But, perhaps not right now since, well, Sierra wasn't exactly in the room.

Conan chuckled, "I guessed that by the title." He looked at the recipe she had moved his way. Oh no it had butter in it. He gave a small sigh. He wouldn't be able to eat these cookies after all. He wanted to try her cookies.

He nodded, and passed her the star cutter. She was interesting to watch. Especially baking. He liked her baking. Baking was good. He would learn to bake to please her. Easier than quidditch.

"Well what would you like to know?"

Kurumi giggled a bit as she set to cutting out stars in the dough on the counter and moved them to a cookie tray.

Oh no, what was she supposed to ask now? What did Sierra know? What did Conan know about Sierra? Kurumi suddenly felt even more ridiculously awkward and she ran her fingers through her hair. Not only that, but what was something that Sierra would ask?

"What's it like being a Hufflepuff?"

Conan frowned, confused. What? First she giggled. Then she actually asked what it was like being a Hufflepuff. Didn't she ever talk to her brother? Maybe not. He had heard rumours. "Well it is fun. Not a lot is expected of you." He wasn't expected to be anything but loyal. Which he was anyway.

"When are the cookies ready?" he asked. He wanted to decorate them with her.

Having popped the star shaped cookies into the oven a few minutes earlier, the sweet aroma of sugar and dough began to fill the kitchens. Shouldn't be too much longer now. She bent down and checked on the oven just to make double sure that the cookies were not close to burning.

"Don't sell yourself short just because you are in Hufflepuff," she said tucking another few lose strands of hair behind her ears. She had forgotten for a moment just whose reflection she was showing to the world. "There are plenty of good things about Hufflepuffs. Loyal and friendly, very trustworthy..." Her thoughts moved to Treyen just for a moment. Sure, she knew that that little girl dream was was one that no matter how many times she wished on a star for that it would never come true, but that didn't really mean her feelings would change any. "I would love to have a Badger Prince."

Had she really just said that out loud? Her cheeks flushed and she felt a billion butterfly batting their wings in her stomach. She focused entirely on the cookies in the oven when she heard a ding and she hurriedly pulled the tray out, completely forgetting to put on her oven mitts in the process and burning her finger just a little - but nothing too serious.

"OW! OW!"

Conan blushed. She said she wanted a badger prince. Like properly. So that ruled Eino out. And Treyen had Ellie. Sooooo....That meant she wanted to be with him. Like properly. OMG!!!!

Butterflies kicked in. This was a nice feeling. He wanted it to stay. But he didn't know what to say.

Ow??? Oh no. He had a brainwave. He knew what to do. He had seen it happen in the movies. Through the crack in the lounge doorframe. He slowly lifted her finger to his mouth to kiss it better. Sexy. He couldn't help himself. It felt right.

He pulled her closer, and kissed her. On the lips. He had kissed a girl!

Her finger throbbed and Kurumi was mentally slapping herself across the face for being so stupid. One, she was wearing her emotions on her sleeve in front of Conan, someone she hardly knew and two, she certainly was doing a poor job at acting like Sierra. Kurumi, for the first time since drinking the potion, was rather glad that she had since it seemed as though her metamorphagus abilities had been put to rest for the time being. She was sure that her hair would have been some ridiculous color right now.

o_______________O

WHAT WAS CONAN DOING?!

At first, Kurumi thought that he had mistaken her fingers for one of the cookies - a Lady Finger if you like - but that worry was put to rest when she saw that he was just kissing it to make it better. Were Sierra and him together? It sure seemed that way from his behavior. "You don't have to do tha----"


o_____________________________O

Holy Merlin's wolly socks and a phoenix feather!

Kurumi's eyes widened as she stood with her body as rigid as a board as Conan pressed his lips against hers. What was she supposed to do?! Now she was even more thankful for the polyjuice because her entire head would be a bright burnt orange color right now. This wasn't right. It wasn't fair to Conan, this entire situation. Not knowing what else to do, Kurumi just followed her instincts, which may not have been the best of ideas.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" she shrieked pushing him back with just a little bit of force. Her right hand flew to her lips where she covered them and her eyes remained locked on Conan's. Her thoughts rushed to Adam, the boy that she thought she had put entirely behind her now, but it was obvious now that the scars were still there. He was the first boy who had ever kissed her and it had felt right. She had been ready for that, well, as ready as she could have been.

This....no...it wasn't right.

"I'm n-n-not who you t-t-think I am!" she belted out with a bit of a stammer. She wanted to run out of the kitchen. Right NOW! Forget the cookies. She just wanted to go back to her common room...but she supposed she couldn't do that until the effects of the Polyjuice Potion had worn off.