"My brothers" Dani smirked- "Luke's older but Dan's my twin" she said softly as she pushed back a few loose curls- she smirked when Heather looked away, oh that was so cute! "He did? Aww... maybe Dan might know him... what's his name?" she asked softly as she fiddled with her new locket.

"Yeah- I need to study more too" she sighed- "Oh... Beauxbatons is amazing... it really is different from here. It's like... like a palace" she explained with a big smile on her face- "It's slightly more refined than here... hmm, a lot more..." she smirked- "It's the perfect school... the food is definately healthier than here. There's... I dunno, it's hard to describe!" she said honestly.

"E-Ed...Edward Enticeler." She answered, blushing a bit at the thought of the boy. Maybe Dani's brother did know him? It wasn't impossible, but Heather was concerned...Ed wasn't the popular type, but he got along with everyone well. To top all of that, he used to complain that he didn't feel like he belonged...not until he moved to Hogwarts and back at Heather's life, not to torment her and bully her again, but...to admit that he liked her...and just when she was starting to like him, he had to move back to Durmstrang. This made her sad.

She listened closely to how Dani had described Beuxbatons and wow, she had never thought that the school itself was like that. She'd always heard negative feedback from some people...that it was too much, but the way Dani had said how the school was like...it looked wonderful. "I bet you miss it." she said. "Do you like it there better than here?"

"Four more floors left.."

Stephen had been struggling to get up to the common room since the bruise on his side was beginning to hurt. Stupid sled just had to fly from right under his bum. Seeing as he wasn't going to get upstairs anytime faster, Stephen decided he would roam the corridors on the third floor, for now. Still rubbing his bruise, Stephen began to whistle a song he played at the wedding last year. It was the one he sang with Veronica. He narrowed his eyes at himself and kept walking. But besides the bruise and the whistling, he was feeling kind of depressed. His brother, the one who had dyed his hair to make him feel part of the family, left to another continent. Stephen thought it was all his fault.

"Stupid giraffe," he mumbled. But staying with Lucy for a bit made him feel a bit better about Leonard moving. The pain in his side was now betting a bit worse thinking about his brother. So Stephen just decided to lay on the floor, on his back, not really caring who sees him. But he covered his face just in case. That way no one would know it's him.

Samira was roaming. She really had nothing better to do. Well, the Slytherin supposed she should start her homework, but...eh, she'll do it later. Samira smiled as she tugged at her new purple extensions Nika bought her. A smile flickered across her face as she tugged the necklace around her neck that said: FRIENDS. Nika had the other half: BEST. After rounding the corner, Samira just stood and stared at nothing. What was she suppose to do now?

Nothing more pleasant than hearing the bell announce the end of a class when you are really hungry. Or even when you're not. Ariadne exited the classroom and made her way along the corridor, heading to the Great Hall downstairs. On her way, she noticed a girl which seemed to have PURPLE LOCKS?!? Ari stared at her for what seemed like an eternity, and realized that the girl must've noticed. Since there was no turning back now, she opened her mouth to apologize for staring, but something entirely different came out. 'Purple, huh? It's my favourite colour too.' Great. The only thing she could do now was grin sheepishly.

Samira was still in her daze when she heard a voice, bringing her back to reality. Samira's eyes snapped up, then she turned. The Slytherin couldn't help but smirk a little at the comment on her hair. "Yeah, I was thinking of green...but I don't think that would look to good on anyone." Samira chuckled at her own joke. Well, there was no need to stand there like a lump, Samira chastised herself. She moved forward and extended a hand in greeting. "Samira Spinks, second year Slytherin."

The girl hadn't even noticed Ari was staring at her. Gooooood. Because it would've been quite difficult to explain. Ari chuckled at the girl's joke, but when she said she was a Slytherin, it all fitted together. 'Slytherin, eh? No wonder you thought of green hair then.' Ariadne chuckled, while shaking the girl's hand. 'Ariadne Marchbanks, first year Gryffindor. You can call me Ari if you want. Most people do, anyway.' she introduced herself as well. 'So where were you heading to? I hope I'm not keeping you from something important.' the young Gryffindor said sincerely.

For the fourth time in the past three minutes, Ryden strode past the entrance to the Hospital Wing, peeped inside and quickly hurried on, muttering a string of curses under her breath and cradling her right hand discreetly in her left. STUPID STUPID STUPID. Groaning, and wincing as she accidentally jolted her most probably broken knuckles and wrist, the brunette sighed and slid down the wall a bit off from the entrance to the place she would NOT go to.

It was silly, really. This morning she'd been SURE someone had been following her so when she's felt a light breeze on her neck she had turned around and punched the thing that was behind her full force. Only problem was that the thing turned out to the cold stone wall and the thing on her neck was nothing more than just a draft. After howling at her stupidity, she took comfort in the fact that she'd been alone in the corridor at the time and no one saw.

Now, however, the noticed that her whole hand was beginning to swell and she could hardly move her fingers, let alone flex her wrist, without suffering unimaginable, annoying pain. And so, Ryden found herself this afternoon going past the Hospital Wing, berating herself for being so silly as to be scared of such a place and wincing and hopping whenever she accidentally moved her injured hand.

STUPID STUPID STUPID. Ugh. Perhaps the Gryffindors did have a point.

Reading and walking at the same time was a stupid idea. Studying in general, at times, felt stupid. The sixteen year old Gryfindor was on a mission though. Mission on avoiding a certain Ryden Ari Di Marco. And Orlando had several reasons to back up this 'approved by brain' mission.

1: She punched him constantly.

2: Their last meeting had him grumbling and mumbling more than necessary.

3: The meeting before the last meeting still had him confused as he pretended to not think about it but was thinking about it anyway.

Hence, Orlando Renaldi was avoiding all the places where he had ended up meeting Ryden. That included the Library - it was sadly perhaps forever banned from his go to places cause of their meeting there before Christmas break.

The hand holding, the arm leaning - ORLANDO DID NOT WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT, OKAY?

But. Fate was not on his side. The moment, his eyes left the pages he was trying to read and he looked up - she was there. Right in front of him, well not technically - she was a little on the left, leaning against the wall next to the hospital wing. Hearing her wince, Lando blurted out "What's wrong?" before he could stop himself.

Oh, this was STUPID. She should just go in, pretend like she was at home or something, get her hand fixed and come back out, all in less than five minutes. How bad could it be, really? Looking down at her hand, she bit her lip. Perhaps it was worse than her usual injuries? After all, SHE hadn't been able to shake off the pain and Ryden was an EXPERT on that.

ACK. Perhaps she should tell Father to get someone to come to Hogwarts especially? She'd probably be able to afford it herself, so that meant she didn't even need to get Father involved. THEN, the brunette would never have to set foot in that horrid, bloody Hospital Wing. EVER.

Jumping as she heard a voice, for she had been sure she was alone in the corridor, Ryden lifted her eyes and as soon as her brain registered that she KNEW this voice, her eyes met his. Koala Boy. Orlando Renaldi. HIM. Oh, come ON. It wasn't bad enough that her hand was swelling to twice its normal size, but Koala Boy had to be here to see it too?!

Cruel.

But anyways, he'd asked what was wrong, right? Immediately, her eyes narrowed. Flashes of their last meeting ran through her mind and she felt the need to fist her injured hand and punch the wall again. Wordlessly, she carefully raised the sickly yellow, bloated thing for him to see, then shrugged. "You Gryffindors managed to finally curse me, that's what. So thanks, Koala Boy, but I don't need your concern," she spat, then looked back down at her hand.

He could go now.

And this was what he was trying to avoid. Ryden's mood swings and her snappy attitude - which he simply could not understand why he deserved. Frustration was slowly building inside Orlando too. That too surprised him, because he hardly got frustrated that easily.

Some part of his brain did claim that he was feeling frustrated this easily due to the many other things that Ryden was related to. He refused to acknowledge that claim though. He frowned, snapping his book close and crossing his arms across his chest. "Really Ryden? Really?"

He honestly could not believe her. HOW could she end up blaming him for everything? "Are you sure, it wasn't because of your constant need to hate everyone and find reasons to cause yourself damage?" the older boy asked, annoyed.

"Oh of course you don't need my concern. I am sure there are many other who would worry about you. Oh wait. There is no one." Orlando shocked himself even with his sarcastic tone. He did not understand how could one girl cause him to feel so testy. Why wouldn't she simply realize that he got worried about her. Urgh. Marching closer to her, his hands landed on his waist before he looked down on her and demanded: "Ryden Di Marco, tell me this instant, what is wrong?"

Last time, she had protested against him - today he would not leave until he had made sure she was okay.

Samira laughed as she tossed a stray strand of hair behind her shoulder. "Nice to meet you, Ari." The Slytherin raised her eyebrows when she heard Ari was a firstie. "First year, eh? Well, welcome to Hogwarts!" said Samira brightly. Usually she wouldn't be so chipper when first meeting someone, but Ari was really nice. She held up a hand to show Ari wasn't keeping her from anything. "Oh no, no. You're fine. I'm actually just...roaming. I have no classes now, so..." she made an airy sign with her right hand. "What about you?"

And yet he was still not leaving. Ryden held back the urge to literally shoo Koala Boy away, mainly because you can't say "shoo" without a hand motion, and her hand was not going to be doing any "motion" for the time being. Ugh. Managing to stop her injured lump of a hand from fisting instinctively, the brunette remained quietly staring down until she registered what Koala Boy was actually saying.

Yes, REALLY. Silly boy. Ryden was just about to TELL him how silly he was, and that he was not welcome in this bit of the corridor where she was, when he CONTINUED to talk and she was silenced. HE DID NOT JUST. "I do NOT have ANY SUCH NEED, you stupid boy," she began once AGAIN, but then he went off talking again, and this time she did not get angry. Because, for HIM to say those things... It was like the roles were reversed and HE had just punched her.

Except that it was much worse than that. Looking down at the floor, she blinked rapidly and tried to get rid of the sudden inability to breathe. THIS was why Ryden never shared things with people. THIS was why she didn't have a best friend. THIS was why she didn't have any friends at all, and was fine with it. THIS was the reason. Because you couldn't count on people. You think they're ok, they seem really nice and have pretty names and put up with you but then, when you least expect it, they just drop their acts and... and HIT YOU WHERE IT HURTS MOST.

"Yes, you're right, there IS no one. No one at all. That's because I don't NEED anyone, ok? I can manage on my own just fine, I've been doing it for LONG before you waltzed into my life with your Koala Dog and your Koalaness and YOU... So just get lost and don't EVER SPEAK TO ME AGAIN," Ryden yelled, in her fury forgetting about her hand which was why she followed her instinct, raised it and fisted it before going as white as sheet as the pain registered in her head. Noting dimly that he had said something and was now much closer to her, the brunette took a shaky step away and bit her lip HARD to keep from crying out, cradling the lumpy, throbbing thing close to her chest.

The INSTANT she was better, she'd tell Aunt Lea that she was coming back to her house. Ryden was NOT staying here.

The girl's eyebrows shot up in mild annoyance, but she quickly tried to hide it and smiled sheepishly instead. The thing was, she didn't like being treated as a newbie, and besides, her first year at Hogwarts was nearly halfway through, so welcoming wasn't necessary. Still, Ari realized Samira had only good intentions, so she should be friendly. 'Thank you, it's not so long till I'll be welcoming next year firsties myself.' the girl finally replied.

'I just finished my last class for the day. I am tired and starving right now, although it wasn't a particularly intense day. But I just had Divination and that class always makes me sleepy and hungry.' she chuckled. 'However, I think it's an interesting class. Do you like it? Which is your favourite?'

Orlando shook his head. He had not meant what he said - he had just wanted to make her understand that there was someone who was worried over. She obviously never understood that when he said it politely. So he had tried it her way but that was not working either.

He watched her lash out on him, yelling and possibly ready to throw punches but that never happened. He bit the inside of his cheek. Girls were not THIS much confusing. They confused him with their tactics but Ryden was the QUEEN in leaving him confused, worried and frustrated at the same time. She had that power. Perhaps it was time to consult KT.

waltzed into my life with your Koala Dog and your Koalaness

What was that suppose to mean? Orlando's brow rose and HE looked at her in a funny way. Her speech though threatening, still managed to leave him determined to stay. Which was a weird reaction, he believed. He should be leaving but he wanted to stay. Bicker more perhaps but force himself in her life anyway.

Thoughts, yet again, confusing him - Orlando concentrated more on his words that came out his mouth next. "But I am here. WHY can't you understand - " His words got cut shot, when he noticed her getting pale, her expression in pain. His heart beat rose a little and he bend down, to her level. "Please tell me, what's wrong Ryden?" he pleaded, his tough guy act crashing down. But of course, Ryden was Ryden. Stubborn. So so stubborn.

"Ryden Di Marco, tell me what's wrong or I am throwing over my shoulder and taking you inside the hospital wing!"

It hurt. It hadn't hurt so bad in YEARS. It must be broken. Stupid fist. HA! There we go - she was fist girl, wasn't she? According to the boy WHO SHOULD BE LEAVING, she was Fist Girl. But if Fist Girl's fist was broken, what did that make her? Yep, NOT HIS PROBLEM. So he should just go and forget about fist girl because she no longer existed.

Fighting against a whimper that threatened to escape her pursed lips, Ryden blinked as she realised that Koala Boy was still here and SHOUTING AT HER. Oh, wait, not shouting. Asking her how she was. BLOODY HELL. Didn't he get the message?! She WANTED to be alone, needed to be alone. People shouldn't be allowed to see her like this. Her whole right arm from wrist down was broken. Her PUNCHING arm.

Closing her eyes, she took a shaky breath then opened them again to find Koala Boy right in front of her face. Crap. He wasn't allowed to be so close. HE WASN'T ALLOWED. It was HER space. That close, who knew the sort of things he could see? Opening her mouth to yell at him again, she was startled silent by his threat.

"You would NOT." He wouldn't. HE COULDN'T. She'd break her OTHER hand on his face first. But... Eyeing him while keeping her hand securely tucked in her chest, Ryden had to admit that he looked pretty serious. What happened to the goofy boy with the impossibly happy dog and general cutene- RYDEN DI MARCO. YOU SHALL NOT THINK OF HIM IN THIS MANNER.

. . . But he'd used her full name. And she'd told him things... Things that no one else knew. And he's just thrown them in your face! a little voice told her, but her doubt was growing. Why would he still be here? Seemed a little bit extreme, even for a Gryffindor. Oh, FINE.

"I punched the wall and broke my wrist and knuckles. Quite possibly a few fingers, ok? NOW can you give it a rest?"

You would NOT

Orlando had to force himself from grinning. She looked scared. Which was certainly a new sight for him - his worry for her did not waver though. He gave her a stern look, making sure she knew he would INDEED pick her up and take her into the hospital wing if she did not spill.

But it seemed, she was ready to take no risks and told him what was wrong anyway. It should have been obvious to him really. How could he not notice her cradling her hand securely close to her chest. "Oh Ryden." he sighed, his hand, a little hesitantly, moving forward to carefully take hers.

"And why are you not going inside to get it fixed?" he asked, his voice low. Now that he knew her injury - Orlando being Orlando could not resist wanting to be as delicate with her as possible. He felt sad that her hand .. her small, adorable hand - that he was so fond of, for some reason - was hurting so bad. "Please let's go inside."

Ryden's eyes widened as his hand inched closer to her and she instinctively pulled back away from him, only to realise that the wall was behind her. Erm. He was too close. What was WITH him today? First he'd looked like he was ACTUALLY going to hoist her over his shoulder or something, and now with the invasion of her privacy bubble... Something was different with Koala Boy today. Plus the way he'd said her name just then. Perhaps he wasn't Koala Boy. Perhaps this was Orlando. BUT AT ANY RATE, he should be leaving because the throbbing in her hand was getting worse and whoever he was didn't need to see her like this. No sir.

Why was she not going inside? WHY WAS SHE NOT GOING INSIDE?! BECAUSE IT WAS THE BLOODY HOSPITAL WING, IDIOT. The brunette shook her head violently, sticking out her chin stubbornly as her eyes went to the entrance of the Hospital Wing, where there was blood and medicine and icky stuff. "How about we don't go inside. It..." she paused, then very slowly tried to close her hand. Whitening even further but refusing to show how painful it was, Ryden tried to give a shaky laugh.

"See? No pain, all good. We can go," she added, lowering her hand to her side so that he wouldn't see the swollen lump it was becoming and motioned with her left hand for him to go down the corridor, AWAY from the Hospital Wing. She hadn't been going to go in anyways, so there was no point to dwindle about. She'd just take another potion and hope for the best. It usually worked out anyway.

Oh, but the PAIN. Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, the brunette tried to fight off the shaky feeling that had descended over and opened them again, startled to find that her vision was a little hazy. "All good." Yep yep, she was FINE. Anything to make him go and not see her like this.

But of course. Ryden was stubborn as ever. She would not go to the hospital wing. Someone needed to hand Orlando a manual that would guide him on how to deal with Ryden, it seemed.

He watched in horror, when she tried to persuade him that she was fine and didn't need to go to the hospital wing. Her face had quite literally turned white - his own breathing got a little shaken - Orlando was convinced she would wince now, he would grab her then and take her inside. Yes. But she didn't.

So stubborn to show she was strong.

The lump on her hand was visible, Orlando honestly did not understand why she would make her go through something like this and in turn have him through it as well. Determined to convince her, no matter what it took, Orlando tried again. "I would be there, Ryden. I would stay by your side - I promise, we don't have to stay inside for long." he spoke softly, his hand reaching to grab her good hand.

He watched her try to endure the pain more and Orlando wanted to seriously pick her up and take her inside. His eyes caught her unfocused ones and he panicked a little. "I am going to pick you up now" he announced, as a threat and a last resort. Either she could listen to him or he would have to pick her up for sure.

Oops. Apparently that was the wrong thing to say...Aria seemed offended. Maybe Samira shouldn't mention anything near the topic in any case. She decided to just let it pass and not comment.

"Divination tends to have that effect on people," said Samira in agreement. "Personally, I think it's actually kind of cool. I just don't...believe in it. Like, I don't think our futures are planned out like that or anything." It was actually kind of phony. As if someone could know what was coming. But Samira thought it was interesting and entertaining nevertheless. Samira paused for a moment as she thought over the question. "Well...I would say Defense Against the Dark Arts, but since the Ministry is being stupid, classes this year are-well-we don't even have an actual class this year," rambled Samira, before stopping in the middle of her speech. "So I guess it would have to be Potions. What about you?"

WHY DID IT HAVE TO HURT SO MUCH?! Bloody hell. Glowering at her hand with as much force as she could muster at the moment, Ryden tried not to meet the taller boy's gaze as he said that he'd come in with her. She knew she was being moronic - it was a HEALING place. Nothing to be afraid of in there. Why was it that the only place she had fear was the one place that was almost absolutely safe?

Honestly, she was screwed up.

Sighing, she met his gaze and found that the lightheaded feeling was slowly ebbing away, to her relief. Good. At his next words however, Ryden scowled. "You are NOT going to pick me up, carry me anywhere or do anything that will involve you lifting me so that my feet are not touching the ground. Understood?" she growled, serious despite the throbbing pain. It just made her feel even smaller when she was picked up - the only place she LIKED the feeling was on a broom and last time she'd checked, Koala Boy was a BOY and not a piece of wood.

"I just don't like hospitals, ok?" she added quietly, looking down at the stone floor. The smell of the blood made her nauseous, the act of taking medicine terrified her and people poking her with anything from syringes to wands was just unbearable. Could the Healer perhaps come out? >__<

Ari laughed at Samira's comment on Divination and then nodded in agreement. 'Yes, that's what I think too. It is interesting, but I'm very skeptical about the truth behind it. Once, a few years ago, my mum took me to a Muggle amusement park, and there was a fortune-teller there who told me I would one day be very rich by means of inheritance. I couldn't help but laugh. These things are so silly.' the young Gryffindor smiled. 'Arithmancy, on the other hand, seems to be on the right track when predicting the future. Like calculating Life-Path numbers and stuff. The interpretations I get are scarily accurate.' Ariadne added.

'I was looking forward to DADA.' the firstie sighed. 'What were lessons like last year?' she wondered. 'I like Potions too. But my favourite by far is History of Magic.' the little lioness replied. 'It's weird how most Slytherins both enjoy and are good at Potions.' she noticed.

Samira shrugged at the Arithmancy comment. "I don't know. I try going to every Arithmancy class, but I always fail." She laughed a little as she remembered how she would just sit in class, staring into space. "It's a bit confusing, don't you think? Or maybe it's just me. I've never been good with numbers..." Samira trailed off.

The Slytherin gave the Gryffindor a sympathetic and understanding look. "I know what you mean. Sorry you didn't get to experience a real lesson...maybe next year." Hopefully next year. Samira was not going to settle for another abysmal year because of their excuse of DADA. "Last year DADA was pretty good. We actually had lessons." Samira shrugged and repeated, "But maybe next year." The girl mulled over Ari's comment. "Yeah, I suppose you're right...I think it may have to do with Lafay..." The Head of Slytherin House tended to favor her own students, and was a little harsher with others. Or maybe the other students were just intimidated by her.

'I'm bad with numbers too. Believe me, really bad. But I understand Arithmancy, and it's not so difficult, after all. Addition I can manage.' That was pretty much all the Maths required. 'I'd be happy to help you if you wish.' the girl offered. 'But even if you still find it confusing, it's okay. We can't be good at everything. I don't understand a thing in Astronomy and I'm terrified of Flying. So there they are, too subjects I'm likely to fail.' Ariadne chuckled. 'Are you good at Flying?' the Gryffindor asked her new Slytherin friend. 'Most students seem to be.' she sighed.

'I hope so. I think DADA and Transfiguration are very important, and we really need someone competent to be teaching them.' Ariadne nodded. 'I don't know...I'm not intimidated by Lafay, I quite like her. At least I didn't get into any trouble with her...yet.' the girl grinned mischeviously.

Orlando debated really strongly in his head. He had to pick her up. With Ryden, he always had to take extreme measures - she was difficult like that. He was already so close to her. And her body, his eyes scanned a little - she would be easy to carry as well. Not that, he had ever carried anybody before. Except for Aunt Marilyn - who had fainted at a dinner. At that time too, he had not personally volunteered to pick her up. It was just that she had been standing next to him, when she fainted - well she fainted on him, to be correct - so he had to pick her up.

He frowned, when she proceeded to order him even when in pain. "If you are not going inside with me, I indeed am picking you up. And don't take my threat lightly because I will do it" he said it sternly, trying to sound as convincing as he could.

At her last statement, Orlando's pretend-stern face softened. She didn't like hospitals. She was just so unpredictable. Fearless, give-you-a-fist-on-your-nose Ryden was afraid of hospitals. He wanted to shake his head at smile widely .. for some reason. Was she honestly like this or she pretended? "Ryden. Please. Let me take you inside, you could just keep on looking at me - and I'll keep on talking to you, you won't even know we are inside. If we don't fix your hand soon, it will get worse and then you won't be able to punch me" he said, looking down at her broken hand. "Just like you can't punch me now, when I tell you that your small hands are adorable. And I really like them." he whispered, adding the last part a bit unexpectedly.