Things must be getting better, though, because now they were back to the place where he was right. He'd been right about many things before, as Kurumi probably remembered, and he was glad that he could be right about this thing in particular.

The boy only nodded, and kept on listening as she added something else. Something he didn't enjoy listening to, because...who wouldn't like her, right? Even Treyen, the boy who disliked cookies, liked the Gryffindor Prefect.

Then he sighed.

"I apologize for messing things up, Kurumi, I'm truly sorry." He'd probably said that already, but he really WAS sorry, especially after knowing what she'd been through in Japan. He'd been a complete idiot for telling her they needed space. Things may have turned out completely different if he hadn't. It was his idea.

And then she...wait, what? Yeah, well, he knew it wasn't going to be exactly like it was before, many things had happened that broke apart whatever close relationship they had. Those things were tough to repair, he was still working on what repairing the one with Ellie. And neither of those relationships would be perfectly healed, ever. "I'm not saying we ought to forget things ever happened, but it'd be nice to leave them where they belong. In the past." That's his opinion, anyway. It's not like they had to discuss last term every time they saw each other.

ACTUALLY, Treyen should take his own advice. Wasn't he the one bringing up Dallin dancing with Ellie whenever the timing was deemed appropriate (by him)? It was never appropriate, and he should just let it go.

His eyes were on her when she said that last bit. He smiled. "Isn't that a good thing, though?" That Adam was back?

Kurumi wanted to tell him that there was no need for him to continue to apologize, because it really wasn't making the pain in her chest go away any faster. At least now, having the air cleared and all their cards on the table, she would be able to put her emotions into their proper box and move forward, right?

Hopefully.

Kurumi's arms swung by her sides like a nervous little girl waiting in line to see Santa Clause...or Mickey Mouse.

"I...want to...but hearing all this right now...I need time to let everything sink in," she said sheepishly. Her gaze finally flicked up at his and stayed there, her confidence only slightly returning for the moment. Had her feelings change? Perhaps a little, but she still felt very strongly for the Hufflepuff who would always be her Prince. Would she ever stop like-liking him? Most likely not. Pure emotions like that never really fade.

For the first time since they met, Kurumi moved towards him, taking a few small baby steps.

The smile that HAD been there for a brief moment was gone. "No...it's not..." she said gloomily. "I...slapped him at the opening feast." Her eyes widened. This probably would take Treyen by surprise. Her of all people slapping someone that is. "I-I-I had good reason though! H-H-He lied and betrayed me...broke promises to me..."

Kurumi's arms were flailing around just a bit now and, for now, it felt like they were back in the library reading lounge.

No, his eyes never left her, every single thing she did was noticed...not that it meant that he could understand or interpret their meaning, though. He was still working on reading people. Sometimes he was right, sometimes he was way off.

Wait. One corner of his lips was up in half a smile. "Actually, I understand that. It...took me a while to gather my thoughts around things." Things that involved Sierra and Kurumi, for he instantly knew what he'd done to Ellie and also knew that that was the relationship he wanted to save first. A rather sad thought. HOWEVER, one must consider that he hadn't been aware of the Polyjuice Potion part at the time.

Blink. He was rather surprised to see her...doing the opposite of what she'd been doing since she crossed the door into the room. That was a good thing, right?

Treyen was tempted to frown as soon as she said 'No', and his eyebrows shot up as she told him that...did he hear correctly? Had she slapped him? That was...well, he didn't know Kurumi had it in her to react in such a way. He was actually glad she could do so, though. He always knew she could defend herself without a problem. Not that Treyen actually agreed with the slapping business at all, he'd hated it when Lola did it to him. "No kidding. You must have had good reasons. I know you wouldn't have slapped someone just like that, even more so considering how special he was to you." Or is? He didn't want to ask, he wasn't ready for personal questions yet.

Hey! Look at that, it seemed he hadn't moved on entirely since he still felt he'd be intruding if he asked.

Arya had been through some things with Sabel as well...that were slightly related. "Your year hasn't been an easy one, has it?" he said, unable to ask her anything more related to Adam.

Yet.

"That's awful, Kurumi. What Adam did." He started to say, before continuing, "Breaking promises...really...there's no excuse for doing so." And he, Treyen Lockhart, wouldn't break one from now on. Or try his best not to, anyway.

Oh good. No need for cookies. Cuz Tori didn't have cookies and if she had had cookies, she certainly wouldn't have wanted to give them to Kurumi.

Tori glanced between Kurumi and Paulie, making a weird expression. The Prefect didn't even know about the mermaid inside her own bathroom? Showed what a prefect she was. Tscch.

"Have you ever taken a bath inside her, Kurumi?" Tori asked kindly, edging toward the door. "I think if you were to take a bath, you jusssssst might find the mermaid...."

She nudged her head toward the door, hoping Paulie would catch her drift. They should probably just sneak out now.

OBVIOUSLY there was no mermaid in here.

As soon as the password left his lips, the door swung open before the Head Boy, as if welcoming him to this one elusive place that was denied him during his past years at Hogwarts. As he poked his head through the door, he first caught sight of the bathroom stalls. "Hmm." he mumbled unimpressed. Sure they were snazzier than the ones available for other students, but he didnt see what the big deal was about...

... until he turned his head the other way.

"WOWZERS!"

He stared at the minipool that dominated the other side of the room. Walking by it slowly he peeked in. It was empty of course. "I gotta try this out!" he snickered to himself. But first, the one reason why he went there in the first place.


He spotted a wall mirror nearby and walked over, then brought out a parchment, a face paint kit and his wand. He flipped open the face paint kit and generously applied white paint all over his face and down to his neck. He then applied some dark paint over his eyes and red ones across his lips, grotesquely extending it across the sides of his face. Hehehe almost done.

He opened the parchment and re-read his Transfiguration notes, mouthing out the words and vaguely practicing the wand strokes over his head. Finally he looked up at the mirror, barely recognizing himself through his painted features. "Ristaris!" he uttered decisively as he tapped his head. Green started to spread over his dark browns until covered his entire hair. He cackled in glee, the image of a sinister joker mirrored his mirth. He glanced back down at his parchment for the next spell, then returned to gaze at the mirror. He tapped his head again and uttered "Felintas!" Great chunks of hair bubbled up unevenly here and there. "Yikes!" He looked like a broccoli. With a face.

Grimacing he tapped his head again "Intaris!" His broccoli hair subsided back to its usual length, but the green hair remained, just as he intended. He clowned around in front of the mirror for a while, as if re-enacting something he saw in the old Muggle movies. As he spun in place he ended up facing that pool-like tub. Well now, time to clean up!

Carter walked very quickly from the library to the Prefect's bathroom. He'd rather not be stopped by anyone. He only had an hour of break time today and was determined to get as much reading as possible done before that time.

Once arriving he turned on a few taps to the huge bathtub and retrieved his new book. He dipped his feet into the water and began reading.

Well... almost reading. He was currently distracted by the giant shiny moving fire crab picture.

She'd thought about heading up to the room of requirement at first after running walking out of the library, but having been keeping her head up high and tears at bay for the time being until she'd gotten there, the Slytherin girl stopped after realizing where she passed.

Looking behind her to the portrait, Evelyn backtracked her steps and entered the prefects bathroom. There was no way she'd make it up to the seventh floor in time before the whole tear dam broke anyhow, and this was the closest place to privacy. But...

Crud. Someone was already here.

Why were all the quiet and peaceful places already taken!? "Carter."

Carter was so busy staring at the fire crab picture reading the book that he hadn't heard anyone enter the Prefects bathroom. In fact... all he heard was the running on the water.

And then. There was Evelyn. The shock of hearing someone... especially her... nearly caused him to fall into the water. But luckily he caught his balance. Which, was a good thing. He'd hate to have to explain to the librarian what just happened.

"Erm... Hey... Evi... Evelyn. Evelyn. Hello Evelyn." He hid the book behind his back. "What... er... brings you here?" Hopefully it wasn't to use the bath... because his feet were occupying that.

For the love of Merlin, she wasn't even aware of the running water. After seeing the Gryffindor almost lose his balance, the noise kinda hit her finally, and she quickly diverted her gaze. Just for a moment though. She couldn't very well ignore him after hearing her name being said a bazillion times.

What brought her here?

"What brings..." Stare. "What brings you here?"

Hmm?

Merlin. Evelyn looked a bit off. Carter turned his head and looked her over. Had it been anyone else he probably would have been concerned. But, because it was Evelyn, he was just pleased to not be greeted by her usual glare.

What was he doing? But. But... But he asked her first!

"I'm here to... uh... wash my feet." he said lifting up a foot and showing her how wet it was.

And nothing else. He certainly wasn't in there to read in private. Because that was ridiculous. Carter didn't do things like read. She couldn't prove anything!

That was it?

If she was in her usual mood, she would've scoffed and muttered something about boys (or Gryffindors for that matter), but right now, she wasn't in her usual mood. Even just a simple glare seemed to take up too much energy to do.

"Mind some company then?" she asked, pushing away from the door and making her way to where some of the couches sat. If he kept the water running, she could possibly close her eyes and forget he was there. Probably as 'peaceful and quiet' as she was going to get today.

Sweet Merlin. Not only was Evelyn off, but she was really off. She never wanted to be around him if she could help it. And being the Gryffindor that he was, Carter couldn't stand the sight of a damsel in distress.

Even if that damsel was Evelyn Flores.

"Not at all." he said as the snake headed toward the couches. And since she was going to be in there, there was no point in hiding his book any longer. He wasn't about to spend his whole break doing nothing.

"Is there... erm... anything you want to talk about?" he asked cautiously. Because if there was, he'd be willing to listen. Maybe in exchange she'd be able to tell him everything she knew about fire crabs. That way he could just continue to stare at the picture instead of actually reading the book.

Plopping herself onto the first couch she reached, Evelyn sighed and closed her eyes. Even if Carter had said he didn't want company, he'd have had no choice. Now to just listen to the water...

Or not.

Her hazel eyes snapped open and just stared at the ceiling. Did she want to talk? Did she look like she wanted to talk? When did she ever want to talk to someone? Turning her head, she shifted her stare from the ceiling and to the Gryffindor boy, just giving him a 'look'. But...then that 'look' turned into something more of a curious expression.

"Actually, yes. There is something." Sitting upright, Evelyn leaned her arms against her knees, narrowing her eyes somewhat. "Why did you agree to let Destiny think she can get a robot and fly into space to meet an alien?" Didn't he know robots were practically as evil as chocolate? Besides that, there were no aliens.

Carter blinked. That wasn't exactly the kind of conversation he was expecting. "You're upset... because I told Destiny she could get a robot?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. That didn't seem to him like a reason to be mad. In fact, it was more of a reason to celebrate. Destiny was going to let him come if she ever got a robot.

"And how do you even know about that?" He hadn't mentioned it to anyone. And he was pretty sure that everyone else on the dance floor was dancing... and not paying attention to them.

Then he blinked again.

"Did she tell you what happened...? At the dance?"

What?

Evelyn had a feeling they weren't quite on the same page, but yes, she was a bit concerned with Destiny's safety and choice of friends. However, Carter's questions was making the Slytherin more and more suspicious. How could she not know about it?

"Well duh." Obviously Destiny had told her.

Where else would she have heard this? Even if she heard a few days later. Care to answer her question though, Mr. Phillips?

Carter blinked. Repeatedly. So Destiny told Evelyn? Well... why wouldn't she? He was going to tell Josh... eventually... once he got over the shock... and once he figured out how he felt about what had happened. He was still too much in shock to form an actual opinion.

"So... erm... did she seem excited?" he asked. Oh course she was! Why else would she tell her best friend?

Sweet Merlin. Why did he ask Evelyn if she wanted to talk? This was giving him a headache.

Right. Right. The question. Why did he agree to let Destiny get a robot? "Because... I wanted a dog... and a tap dancing suit of armor."

What the- Did she seem excited!?

For as long as those two had been hanging out, Evelyn was beginning to think Carter didn't know Destiny at all. "Of course she was excited. Which I find completely ridiculous." She muttered that last bit as she stood up and crossed her arms. Hence why Carter had to say NO to this robot thing. Because Evelyn didn't like it.

Stare.

Of course that would be the reason Carter agreed to the robot. Destiny may have left out that detail when they were talking. "Huh." Tilting her head to the side, she just stared at the Gryffindor as if something was on her mind. Which there was. "Well, I'm sure you can get those things sometime in your life. Just agree to not get Destiny a robot." Do it.

Carter blinked. Destiny was excited about their arrangement. So excited she told Evelyn. Who... like he predicted... was not pleased. Not only was she not pleased... but she found it ridiculous, completely ridiculous.

He wasn't that bad... was he?

Well, of course he could get those things... now. Take it back? "Can't. We shook on it." he said with a shrug. Plus... he was kind of looking forward to a robot... and a giraffe. He then turned his attention back to his book. "Did you know that fire crabs aren't actually crabs?" he asked. And the fact that he was just now finding this out proved how talented he was in the Care of Magical Creatures class.

In the mood she was in, she almost felt like mimicking him. Although that would sound childish and so...not her. "Oh, well then that changes everything." Sarcasm on the other hand, was more in her alley. Letting her arms drop in defeat though, she wasn't going to discuss it any longer. Nope.

Besides, she was feeling collected enough to reach the seventh floor now, but on the other hand, she knew that's where the Gryffindor common room was located. Perhaps it wasn't a wise choice to visit the room of requirement. It was better she just head back to the Slytherin common room in which no one would her if she looked upset.

..."You two are spending way too much time together." she muttered, making her way back to the entrance of the bathroom. Carter was now giving random animal facts? There was already one Destiny. They didn't need another.

Carter nodded. Of course it changed it! He couldn't very well take back something he shook on. That would be insane. He was glad Evelyn finally saw that.

Ohhh!!! Look at how shiny those shells were! He wondered if one happened to die on Destiny's watch if she would let him keep the shell. It would make such a fancy candy bowl. And it wouldn't do any harm to the not!crab since it was dead...

"What do you mean?" he asked at Evelyn's mumbled comment. "I thought that's what people like us did... spend time together." At least... that's how it worked with Marilyn, Marie, Caroline... and Marilyn again. He couldn't be wrong that many times.

Glancing back to the Gryffindor, Evelyn scoffed and paused where she was, turning to face him fully with a look of disbelief. People like them? Us? Destiny and Carter was an 'us' now? "No, no no no." That was just not acceptable. Carter's brain has been deeply troubled somehow. It was tough luck that he had caught her in an already bad mood though.

"There is no 'us' with you and Destiny. You are a brainless Gryffindork. She...she is going to be going places. Alright? There is no way the two of you fit in the same category...or even come close to it." She didn't even know why the two of them were friends but she was pretty sure they shouldn't be in that category either. Or that could have just been wishful thinking.

Carter blinked. And blinked. And sat there blinking stupidly for half a minute. He knew that Evelyn never really liked him. But he had no idea the extent to which that was.

He frowned trying to think of anything to say. But nothing was coming quickly. He found himself just staring at the water in the now almost-filled tub.

"I know she is..." he said simply. "She's... she's going to Fiji to work on the fire crab perserve." He looked at the book in his lap and set it aside. He stood up and headed straight toward Evelyn. "And I intend to visit her there every day I have off." Just like she was planning on coming to all of his matches.

"And I may not know exactly what happened between Destiny and I..." In fact... he had just realized the other morning what exactly they'd agreed to... "But I do know that sometime in the past few years she became my... best friend." And he wasn't ashamed of that... on most occasions. And so what if he hadn't actually meant to ask her out? She said yes. So now... they were an 'us'.

"And if she wants a robot... or to keep a giraffe in the backyard... then I'm going to help her get those things." Especially the giraffe part. How brilliant would it be to have your own giraffe?

As Carter stood up and awlked towards her, Evelyn crossed her arms again, though in more of a stand-offish manner than before. Good Merlin, that was some serious friendship they apparently had. That didn't mean Evelyn liked him any more. In fact, she was already forming certain suspicious and doubts about what he was saying.

She held her chin up, seething a little on the inside. Gryffindors were just a stubborn lot, and they annoyed her. Carter annoyed her. Why? She wasn't particular sure, and never really have been, but he just did. The whole 'best friend' part though...that was stuck in her head.

There has yet to be a time in the past where he'd done so, but just in case... "Fine." she said simply and quietly, poking him in the chest. "But if you hurt her...I will hunt you down. I don't care if you're going to be on some famous quidditch team, I will personally make sure that career of yours will continue to just be a dream. Understood Phillips?"

Poke poke.

Carter blinked a few times. He wasn't sure what Evelyn's reaction would be... but he wasn't expecting that. Actually, he was expecting an actual hex... instead of just a threat of one.

Would he have taken a hex for Destiny? Of course... he was a Gryffindor afterall.

And even though Evelyn was staring him down, he held his own. And there started the pokes. What was with she-snakes and poking?

What? Seriously. Did people still think everything that had happened to him was his fault? Okay... so the Valentine's Day thing with Marilyn was his fault... But really... he did Marilyn a favor. They both weren't ready for anything.

Besides... if he was going to do something to hurt Destiny, he would have done so after she gave him love potion and ruined his relationship with Marie.

"Perfectly." he replied staring at her finger. Was the poking done now?

Ehh... he didn't care. He walked away. Turned off the taps and headed back to his original spot -- having his feet in the water.

And he turned his attention back to the book. Now... where was he? Oh, right. Second sentence.

Perfectly.

Good.

"Good." she said, repeating her thoughts as she poked him one last time. She would've done so once more for emphasis, but he turned and walked away, going back to reading whatever book he had. Truly, she was feeling much better now. There was none of that 'on the verge of tears' emotions she didn't like.

In fact, with a flick of her wrist, her wand was in her hand and pointed at the exact spot Carter was sitting at. A little trace here...a little trace there... and whoever said the sticking charm was pointless would seriously need to gain an imagination as soon as possible.

"Have fun reading alone Phillips." She was heading back to the Slytherin common room.