It was becoming obvious to Sebastian that no matter what he said, Professor Lafay was just going to throw the fact that he had brought the Headmistress into this back into his face. If it had been any other student then he would not have concerned the Headmistress but these were school leaders and it wasn't just one but all three of them. That really didn't say a lot for the students or her as their Head.

Sebastian though, was wise enough to keep that to himself. And when the two women started on each other, all he could so was stare wide eyed at them both. These were two strong willed women who took no prisoners and they were about to clash big time.

Although having the Headmistress stick up for him like she did made Seb give an internal grin. It wasn't as though he couldn't stick up for himself, he just couldn't be fussed getting into a fight. Especially over something, in his opinion, ridiculous.

He shifted uncomfortably as the women went at each other and it wasn't until Anastasia glanced at him that he gave a nod of his head. "That is correct. Most were landing awkwardly." And he thought once again that maybe the students needed a lesson in travel by portkey.

But apparently he had caused enough trouble for one day so he kept that to himself as well.

She smirked. The headmistress was mad.

"I'm the unprofessional one? I know Gibbins is new here but you should know it is rude and unprofessional to go over the Head of House's head, and to the Headmistress about her leaders. He should have come to me first, and if he wasn't happy with my answers, then he could have gone to you. That's how it's done everywhere else in the wizarding world, and it shouldn't have been done here. Common courtesy. As for my behavior, I went to him, and told HIM about my problem first. I was nothing but nice. I would have come to you if I felt I didn't get my point through. Not to mention I've not accused anyone of anything, nor did I comment on either of your mouths and I was not being offensive to either of you. So, if you'll excuse my tongue, Headmistress, I believe I have been the professional one. And Sierra has no compassion? Because she takes from me? A woman who has been her mother a year and a half now?" Ah, so the injuries were because of shoddy portkey targets. "So the portkeys were defective. I'll make sure the minister know... so he may punish the person responsible."

"Man of few words I see..." She said and raised an eyebrow. "So no sugar for your tea?" She said tempted to repeat her question about the lumps of sugar that was never answered. "Do tell me how you like the tea, it's my special blend. Dash always asks me for a supply."


Her leaders were at the door. Didn't they know that when she summoned them, they weren't supposed to wait! MERLIN! She pointed her wand at the door, and again it slammed open, the nob digging even deeper into the wall.

Anastasia sighed loudly, dramatically, at Lafay's CONTINUED rehashing of the situation.

"It's also a common courtesy to shut up after you have been dismissed," she stated loudly, blinking up at the stone ceiling so that she would not hex Hecate Lafay's head right off her shoulders. She shook her head about the portkeys, still staring at the ceiling, and moved her elbow to the arm of the chair so that two of her fingers could massage her temples.

This woman was a headache and a half. "That won't be necessary, as the portkeys were NOT defective. Again, it was user error and not portkey error that resulted in the alleged injuries at the station. The Minister, your husband, does NOT need to become involved in this small situation. I already have the heads of Transportation and Accidents & Catastrophes looking into the train's malfunction, and I would thank you to keep your ugly nose out of it. I will inform you when your expertise is needed in the matters that concern MY job, Lafay, which is to run the school."

She lowered her eyes at last and her blue gaze could have burned a hole through Hecate's head. After the glare, though, Anastasia simply turned to stare at the door in wait for the student leaders. She was tired of wasting her time here.

He really should defend himself and tell the Potions mistress that he had spent the last twenty years living in a muggle commune and he really had no idea how it was done in the wizarding world. But the woman already looked at him as though he was a piece of dirt on her shoes and he didn't think his lifestyle was going to make her impression of him any better.

And besides the two women looked as though they were having so much fun going at each other and who was he to ruin their fun? So long as they didn't start throwing hexes at each other, then he would have to intervene.

As for the tea. "Uh yeah no sugar. And I like it strong and black. Thank you." He wished the students would hurry up and get in here so they could get this over and done with. Seb, had never been more uncomfortable in his life.

With her back still turned toward the open office door, Sierra drew in a deep breath. She released it slowly then gave herself a mental pep talk.

You can do this, Sierra. You can do this. Maybe it's not as bad as you're imagining it to be. Maybe you're just overreacting...

With that, she was somewhat prepared to go inside. Only somewhat, though. If she found out her mother had taken a turn for the worse, though, she just couldn't promise she could be cool, calm, and collected Sierra. As she pulled herself out of Dylan's embrace, she felt something fuzzy brush across her legs, and she realized that Hissy Fit, her obviously faithful kneazle, had come along. She sighed. She guessed what she'd always heard was true about pets being loyal to their owners. It was an odd comfort to see Hissy Fit there, and although the kneazle was normally in the sourest of moods, it sort of soothed Sierra and gave her a courage she wasn't sure she could have.

...and so she sloooooowly turned around and walked inside, her eyes wide as quaffles and her breath unintentionally held. Her eyes took in everything around her. There was that same office she'd grown so used to, yet it was different somehow. Headmistress Truebridge was in here...and some man she thought might be the new groundskeeper. Then there was her mother, her precious mother who was in Merlin knew what kind of condition right now.

Her eyes fell upon her, and the look on her face seemed to say--What's going on? Are you okay? She didn't take a seat. For one, they hadn't been asked to; but two, her mind couldn't focus long enough to convince her to sit. Hissy Fit brushed against her legs then settled on the floor behind her owner. "Hello," she said, her voice quiet and full of uncertainty.

OOC: Posting this in the corridor, too, just to make the transition.

After Kennedy entered the office right behind Sierra, he lowered his hand, but still stood next to her. She seemed to have jumped to conclusions ahead of time, but he didn't blame her. Fear had struck him as well and the thought of something happening to his Head of House...well, that did something to the Slytherin.

He nodded in greeting to all and said, "Good day." Polite? Of course. A tad nervous? Yes. Confused? Extremely.

Either way, what had him worried the most was his girlfriend. Sierra looked terrified and THAT, he didn't like at all.

Having walked in before the other two, Dylan surveyed the room...eyeing each adult in turn. The atmosphere was obviously tense, something he'd picked up on after his initial shock from seeing Lafay...not dead.

Really...something serious must have been going on for the Headmistress to be down here...

Figuring that it couldn't hurt at this point...whatever point that was...Dylan nodded in greeting, offering a quiet "Hello".

Sweet Merlin, he was...uncomfortable.

"I have not YET been dismissed, Headmistress." She said matching the woman's glares. "You will need more ammunition than my being rude to you to dismiss me and I will not shut up when a new staff member challenges my judgment. I will drop the subject for now though, so long as in the future Mr. Gibbins follows protocol."

"As do I." Hecate said and gave him a nod.



She stood from behind the desk and gave them a disappointed glare.

"The three of you take the train in." She said short and to the point. "The train stopped, for some stupid reason or another, and you were all given portkeys to travel back to Hogsmeade. From what I understand neither of you thought of helping those students who seemed to be having 'issues' with landing." She motioned to the groundskeeper. "Mr. Gibbins even expressly asked you all to assist him with it. As it is your duty as Prefect, Captain and Head Boy. He is going to punish you and I fully support his decision. You, however, owe him an explanation. So. Explain."

She sat back down as she could feel her illness catching up with her. Merlin, she was not going to last until a cure was found if she continued working with children!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droo

"I have not YET been dismissed, Headmistress." She said matching the woman's glares. "You will need more ammunition than my being rude to you to dismiss me and I will not shut up when a new staff member challenges my judgment. I will drop the subject for now though, so long as in the future Mr. Gibbins follows protocol."

"Not YET, you haven't," Anastasia muttered darkly. She would be reminding the potions professor of her temporary position on the staff and that she is ONLY here because the FORMER Board of Governors gave her a job...

But the times, they are a-changing, so.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbles

After Kennedy entered the office right behind Sierra, he lowered his hand, but still stood next to her. She seemed to have jumped to conclusions ahead of time, but he didn't blame her. Fear had struck him as well and the thought of something happening to his Head of House...well, that did something to the Slytherin.

He nodded in greeting to all and said, "Good day." Polite? Of course. A tad nervous? Yes. Confused? Extremely.

Either way, what had him worried the most was his girlfriend. Sierra looked terrified and THAT, he didn't like at all.

To the students. "Hello, Head Boy, congratulations," Anastasia greeted one of student leaders she hadn't met yet. Then she grew quiet, because this was really Lafay's and Gibbins' show, and she was just here to watch.

Or whatever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droo

She stood from behind the desk and gave them a disappointed glare.

"The three of you take the train in." She said short and to the point. "The train stopped, for some stupid reason or another, and you were all given portkeys to travel back to Hogsmeade. From what I understand neither of you thought of helping those students who seemed to be having 'issues' with landing." She motioned to the groundskeeper. "Mr. Gibbins even expressly asked you all to assist him with it. As it is your duty as Prefect, Captain and Head Boy. He is going to punish you and I fully support his decision. You, however, owe him an explanation. So. Explain."

She sat back down as she could feel her illness catching up with her. Merlin, she was not going to last until a cure was found if she continued working with children!

At least she said she would be supporting her colleague's decision. Hmm. Could Annie get that quote on the record?

Sierra's wide eyes followed her mother as the woman stood and came out from behind her desk. She was breathing...walking...and giving a look Sierra didn't care to see, so there was one thing clear right off the bat.

Hecate Lafay wasn't dying.

Everything that Sierra had feared on the mad dash over here wasn't even a reality after all. Her eyes drifted closed as a feeling of relief washed down her body and through her soul. She released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding in, and then she gave the boys a look that said--I'm okay. Everything's alright...

Or, at least, whatever it was now was far better and more endurable than death.

...and now the truth behind their visit was being set free. She listened as the story was told, and as it was wrapped up, she began to narrow her eyes in confusion. Wait...that's what they were being called in here for?! Dear Merlin! With the groundskeeper, their Head of House, and the Headmistress gathered around, one might think the zombie apocalypse was on its way.

Okay, okay...so, an explanation was needed. Now normally this would be the point and time where Sierra would start to question how best she could weasel her way out of whatever she'd managed to get into. Not this time, though. One, this was her mother staring her down. The woman knew her better than nearly anyone else in the world. If Sierra uttered a word outside the truth, she wouldn't stand a chance.

...and number two, she hadn't exactly done anything wrong. Explanation equalled easy as pie. "Oh, I apologize, Mr..." Gibbins, had they said? She hadn't exactly met the groundskeeper yet. What a first impression, eh? "...Gibbins. I was actually..." Merlin, this was embarrassing. She glanced at Kennedy and Dylan and may have blushed a little. Just a little. "...one of the ones who fell. I wasn't in the grand pile of students, but...I sort of...stumbled over my own two feet."

MERLIN!!!

"Kennedy was amazing, though," she said, looking at him with a smile only a girlfriend could give. "I tried to get up as soon as I could, because...well, I was hoping nobody would see me." It must have worked, since none of the adults in here had actually known she'd fallen. "...but Kennedy got there seconds later and was such a help. By that time, they were loading the carriages, so we got on."

She looked at the groundskeeper again. "Look, I'm really sorry I didn't hear you. I honestly thought that by the time I'd gotten up, everybody was alright," she said. She looked at her mother. Sierra Greingoth wasn't the type of girl everybody thought she was. She may be blunt and to the point, but she did care. She tried to read the expression on her mother's face, hoping she would believe her and wouldn't be disappointed in her. "It won't happen again."

They weren't going to call her father, were they?! It was bad enough that her mother got to sit through this...

For the time being, Dylan was keeping his mouth shut and his ears open. Wide open.

So...this was really about that platform mess...and them not helping the others...and...Gah! That Branxton girl had said this would happen! Dylan had stopped and helped...and for his trouble, had gotten some Hufflepuff screaming in his face.

...And then Giddy had been bossing him like a House Elf. Pfft. Dylan STILL hadn't forgotten that slight...Gryffin-Wonder hadn't even allowed him to help in the end of it all.

Oh...The Captain could feel a headache coming on. He desperately wanted to reach up and pinch the bridge of his nose, a habit he'd adapted as of late...Instead, he simply stared at the Headmistress...with occasional glances at the adult-dude. What was this guy's source? There was no way he could have known whether or not Dylan had or had not intended to help...

Then a thought struck him. Was the new Grounds Keeper a Legilimens?

Sweet Merlin, that's an uncomfortable thought...

To his left, Sierra was valiantly defending herself...and the Captain had to give her credit. She had legitimate reasons for not helping others...seeing as she could hardly help herself at the time...and Kenny-Do had been right there with her...

When she finished...Dylan knew he'd have to defend himself...in some way. But really, he felt like he was already checkmated. This guy could read thoughts, apparently. The Slytherin Captain couldn't build a defense against that...

Meh...he'd wing it...

Bringing a hand up, he coughed, attempting to clear his throat before speaking. "I do apologize for not hearing the Ground's Keeper." Luckily, his voice was neutral-sounding. Yes, Dylan. Now is not the time for your attitude..."To be completely honest, the platform was utter chaos. How anyone could have heard...anything is amazing...Of course, I was stopped by an older girl who enlisted my help...but unfortunately, the people I was attempting to help weren't happy about it."

Gideon. *arch-nemesis MENTAL GLARE*

PHEW!

So his bum wasn't going to get hexed all the way to South America and Lafay was well. Wasn't that a relief? Sure was!

...But it didn't last long.

Kennedy refrained from frowning at what Lafay was saying. He had tried to help. Just because he didn't hover like some attatched mommy over the students didn't mean he didn't want to help. Plus, there were more important matters like his girlfriend being one of those who weren't lucky to fall on their two feet. Hmph.

Then the Headmistress spoke and Kennedy nodded. "Thank you, Headmistress." It was too formal for his own liking, but he wasn't in the mood to try anything else. Not right now at least.

When Sierra spoke he REALLY had to try hard to keep from grinning like an idiot or doing anything stupid. So, he stood there and just stared at her, but there was something in his eyes that resembled contentment. "I was helping Sierra while all the chaos was going on," he began, continuing from what Sierra said. "I did attempt to guide them toward the groundskeeper since I, myself, wasn't sure what was going on." Seeee. He had done something, which if you asked him was pretty responsible. Directing them toward an adult.

Yep, yes it was.

"Then the carriages arrived." It had all happened too fast too, they couldn't be blamed on something that they had no control over.

Plus, wasn't the train supposed to be safe and sturdy? Hmmm? O__o

Either way, his godfather will hear about this if he got in trouble.

M'hm.

It was amazing what kids would say to get themselves out of trouble. His daughter was a fine example, the things she would say to make herself look helpless or less guilty was quite extraordinary. Not that he didn’t believe this girl had fallen over but to use it as an excuse not to help others…yeah it was so not going to fly with him.

Seb listened as the other two gave their explanations and he steepled his fingers in front of him while he considered their explanations at to what happened at the train station.

“It is true. The station was utter chaos but the other Prefects didn’t seem to have a problem hearing.” So yeah that excuse just failed miserably. “But I would have thought, and maybe it’s just me. But I would have thought that being the leaders of the school and seeing the mayhem that was going on, that it was…call me crazy…but your duty to help out and make sure everyone got onto the carriages safely.”

Maybe it was the run in with the Potions mistress because Seb hardly ever used sarcasm and was usually a very patient man but for some reason this whole situation was just irking him.

His gaze went to the two Prefects. “While I am sorry that you fell over Miss Greingoth, it appears that you didn’t suffer anything more than a few scrapes if you were able to get up and brush yourself off. Did you know there were kids out there that had broken bones and severe sprains?” There had also been a lot of drama llama’s as well but that was beside the point.

The comment about the carriages arriving by the Head boy caused Seb to bristle a little. Really? That was his excuse for not helping? “As I said before, it was your job to see the other students onto the carriages safely. The Prefects…and Captains.” His gaze flicked to Dylan. “Should have been the last ones on the carriages.”

He sincerely hoped that he had made his point because he was not enjoying himself at all. “I will be taking ten points each from the Prefects. Five points from the Captain because he did help in the end but only because he got called out by Miss Branxton.”

Now where was that tea? He needed a drink.

Broken bones and severe sprains?! Because the train stopped?! This was insane. If she'd been Head Girl herself she'd have left the students who fell and hurt themselves behind. Survival of the fittest...

... but as much as she hated admitting it. Groundskeeper Willie here, was right. They should have helped.

"Greingoth, Escalante, Montmorency... I think the groundskeeper is being quite generous. Just because you didn't hear the man, doesn't mean you shouldn't have thought of helping on your own. I'm disappointed in all three of you. I suggest you thank the man." She said through gritted teeth. He could have asked for their badges. He would have had to fight her for them... but if the headmistresses backed him, she couldn't have done much.

"We are finished here," she was about to dismiss them, when she turned and looked at the Headmistress, "unless Head Mistress Truebridge has anything to say." and she smiled. Sweet as molasses. This woman was going to be worse than Tate. At least Tate kept to his office, this woman came down to her within a week.

... was the no setting students on fire rule still on?

Merlin! Life just wasn't fair.

Anastasia really had to refrain from rolling her eyes at the Greingoth girl. She'd tripped on her own feet and had scraped her knee, or whatever, and had then felt injured enough to need to limp to one of the first carriages to arrive so that she could get to the castle safely.

What a load of crock. Anastasia just shook her head as the rest of the Slytherin 'leaders' spoke, her eyes lighting up in an a-ha moment when the Groundskeeper revealed that it was Genevieve Branxton who had coerced the Slytherin captain into helping. Well well well!

"Good thing as least one daughter of a Hogwarts staff member has the sense to aid her peers in their time of need," she stated clearly, looking straight at Sierra as she delivered the burn. She stood and brushed an invisible speck of something off her brooch. "We are finished here. I expect better from Salazar Slytherin's house, and if I don't see it, I will personally have all your badges, and perhaps your Head of House's title too."

Throwing a scathing smile toward Hecate, Anastasia swept out of the room without another word.

WHAT.

So that was how it was going to be, hmm? Garden Boy was just going to claim they were at fault because they'd been elsewhere when the chaos had ensued?! Or, at least, far enough away so that they hadn't exactly know what was going on?! She'd nearly FACE-PLANTED for Merlin's sake! ...and no scrapes?! Just able to brush herself off?! If only it were that easy. Her PRIDE had died a little bit that day, thank you very much.

Okay, so they were losing points. THAT she could deal with. She just couldn't promise she wouldn't remain annoyed at Garden Boy from now until graduation. She gave an inward sigh. This really could have been so much worse.

...and then her mother spoke up, and she felt her heart catch in her throat. Points were...well, just points, but it'd bruise so much more if her mom ended up disappointed over this. That was what would do Sierra in over this. She listened with her breath held and her eyes wide. ... Why did her mother have to be right?! They really were lucky, she guessed. ...and why did Sierra have to be raised to be so respectful? She inwardly blasted the groundskeeper. BLAHHH.

"Thank you, Mr..." MERLIN. What was it again? "...Gibbins." That was right, wasn't it? "...and as I said, it won't happen again." She hung her head. Her mom was disappointed. The worst had happened. Well, not the worst. All three of them had arrived thinking her mother was dying. Sierra didn't look up again until the headmistress spoke.

...and then Sierra felt her heart drop to her toes and possibly even roll out of her body.

"Good thing at least one daughter of a Hogwarts staff member has the sense to aid her peers in their time of need."

Okay, THAT was the worst that could have happened. Blast Vivi Branxton and her Perfect President Mother. Sierra wondered if her relationship with her mother would ever be the same. They'd come so far, and now... WAIT. WHATTTTT?! They'd take their badges and possibly Lafay's title?!

Okay, her father was officially going to ground her until she was eighty.

"I apologize," she said, but her voice came out weak, as if a thousand balls of cotton had been shoved into her throat. She wasn't even sure if the headmistress had heard her before she'd swept from the room. She cleared her throat, swallowed, and tried again. "I apologize," she said more clearly.

Was the groundskeeper going to leave soon? ...because Sierra thought she might shed a tear or two, and Greingoth's didn't cry. At least, not in front of others.

Kennedy breathed through his nose as what-ever-his-name was spoke. He was less than happy, but there was some sort of truth there. They could have moved a lot faster, but there were too many students and chaos. If they groundskeeper had been alerted of this, which it seemed he had been, why weren't other professors there? They could have helped as well. Just saying.

Could he sue someone for this?

Because it wasn't fair. They were placed in a situation they had no control over and just because a few students had ended up hurt didn't mean they should be held responsible for anything. And he was standing by that. Kennedy has been in a mood lately, so not anything changed his mind so easily or at all.

...They were supposed to THANK the groundskeeper?!

Kennedy bit the inside of his cheek. This was not fair. "Thank you," he said, his voice coming off a bit resentful, but only those who knew him well enough would be able to tell, otherwise it just sounded serious.

The snake's eye brow arched a bit at the Headmistress' comment. One was Sierra, but who was the other she was referring to? Whatever, he didn't care about them. He stood aside as the older woman left and took hold of Sierra's hand. Kennedy knew that wouldn't sit well with Sierra. Right about now he preferred Headmaster Tate, even if the man had glued him to the ground.

So, now their badges were at risk and they had points taken off. Just peachy. Great start to the beginning of the term, no? [/sarcasm]

Kennedy gave Sierra's hand a squeeze and tugged it a bit as if telling her they could leave now, unless she wanted to stay behind and have a word with her mother.

For the most part, Dylan just stared at the Headmistress and Ground's Keeper. There wasn't much else he could really do...seeing as how he was backed into a corner. It was odd, not being able to properly defend oneself. Was this how Hufflepuffs felt?

...And really, this adult person was so...rude. Had they expressed the same sarcasm and mocking in their tones? Kinda uncalled for, guy. Whatever, though. If he wanted to play this sort of power-card, fine. Dylan just hoped he wasn't expecting to gain some type of respect from doing so.

After all, this Slytherin didn't respect liars.

"Thank you, Mr. Gibbins." It was said with the utmost sincerity, but mostly because Dylan was sincerely glad the man had stopped talking. Yes, THANK YOU for that.

Turning a remorseful eye on his Head of House, the Captain bowed his head. "I'm sorry for disappointing you, ma'am." Really, that was one thing he could really be sorry for. "I can assure you it won't happen again." Nope, most definitely not. Even if he had to shove his help down someone's throat...

"May I leave now?"

He was still a little shook from thinking the lady had died...Gah, he needed fresh air...

Seb had to bite back the groan that threatened to leave his mouth after the Potions mistress spoke. She was ordering the students to thank him. Oh that was going to go down well. He had just taken points from them and now they were supposed to thank him for doing so. Guess he wasn't going to be making friends with these three.

He was just about to pick up his tea when the Headmistress had her say and Seb couldn't help but cringe a little at the cutting remarks. He would make sure never, ever to get on the wrong side of the red head. And then she just left. And all he could do was stare after her for a moment. He was very aware that he was now surrounded by four very angry people.

So he stood up from his chair just as the three students were making their apologies and thanking him and he waved his hand dismissively. He knew that they didn't mean one word of it and that was fine by him, so long as they did their jobs like they were supposed to then that's all that mattered to him.

"Well I guess I'll get going too. No doubt it will be easier to call me names when I'm not sitting in the room." Seb inclined his head at Lafay before making his way out of the office.

Hecate was expecting venom from the Head Mistress, however this response had shocked her. To put down one student by elevating another, to their face, was not only mean, it was uncalled for. She didn’t need to suck up to the Board of Governor’s president when she wasn’t even in the room. Threatening the student leader’s badges was one thing. Sometimes it helped motivate the students never to fail again, but to threaten her Head of House status, in front of the students, was simply unprofessional.

Hecate had not taken the students’ side neither in front of them, nor to the staff in private. She simply didn’t appreciate being stepped over, and she’d wanted the groundskeeper to know it. Privately. She wouldn’t say anything in front of the students.

For the Head Mistress to attack her title could have meant one of three things: One, Either the headmistress thought the Slytherins would jump at the chance and purposefully fail, trying to get the Head of House-ship taken away from the woman they referred to as the Dragon Lady; Two, Truebridge had never worked in an environment where respecting your staff was the correct way to lead; Or Three, the Head Mistress had simply gone insane.

Yes like any other boss the Head Mistress had the power to indeed threaten her title, and her job for that matter, but you just didn’t do it in front of the students.

It was a blessing the woman left when she did. Hecate was sure to have been sacked had she answered the way she had an impulse to. Then again, contrary to what the Head Mistress thought, Hecate was not unprofessional.

She watched the groundskeeper leave. Easier to call him names if he wasn’t in the room?! She would need to have a talk with him… she would have never allowed ANY student to disrespect a staff member in her presence, no matter who it was.

She waved her wand, making the door close behind the man and then looked at the three.

"Stop apologizing and shut your mouth." She said coldly to the child. If she cried, Hecate would hex her… no question.

She saw the Head Boy take hold of Sierra’s hand. Her wand flicked and sent a shock to both their hands.

Naughty Naughty… no PDAs in her office.

…

The captain had surprised her. He’d apologized for disappointing her. She knew Sierra was sorry, and she knew her daughter would try her hardest to never fail that way again. But Sierra loved her so she expected that from her, and that wasn’t as surprising as Dylan’s apology. It was as if the Head Mistress and groundkeeper hadn’t been there. The boy seemed genuinely sorry. He’d also been dismissed by the Head Mistress herself and didn’t need Hecate’s dismissal, but the respect he demonstrated by asking her, was very much appreciated.

Hecate had been ready to explode when the Head Mistress had spoken, but the Quidditch Captain had softened that. Good thing too. Had she let loose on the kids she'd have triggered her illness and although Dylan had already witnessed her first 'rotting incident', and Kennedy seemed man enough to be calm in that situation, she didn't think Sierra could take seeing her... ooze.

"What. Is my. Number one rule?" she asked her leaders, but before they could answer, she answered for them. "Dont. Get. Caught." She could feel herself getting angry now, "If the Head Mistress has to visit my office again because of any one of the three of you, she won't need to take your badges, because I'll have already ripped them off of you!"

She felt something wet at the side of her mouth. She instinctively wiped it off with a finger and looked at it. There, glistening in the green light of her office was a small smear of the rotting ooze.

The illness had spread to her stomach now.

She closed her eyes and in her head, she thanked Cece.

"Questions?" She asked opening her eyes again, though her tone gave the impression she was expecting none.

She had to go to St. Mungo's to have whatever was rotting in her stomach rebuilt.

Oh...

...and she needed a breath mint.

Sierra briefly glanced up at the groundskeeper as he exited the office. Talk about him behind his back? Really? She guessed, based off this one event alone, he'd pinned them as troublemakers now. She'd always been a lot of things, but a troublemaker she had not. She'd own up to being sarcastic, blunt, and less tolerant of annoying people, but a troublemaker? It bothered her that an adult, especially a staff member at Hogwarts, thought that of her.

When the door abruptly shut, she jumped just a little. So little, though, that she wasn't even sure if anyone would notice. Now for the moment of truth. She stared at her mom, waiting for the official verdict. Had she disappointed her? So badly, maybe, that it'd destroyed their relationship at least a little?

She nodded at what the woman said directly to her. She knew better than to be so weak as to apologize over and over. That apology had been to her mother, though, and she'd meant every word of it. ...and then, "Ou-chhh," she said, breaking the word into two syllables in reaction to the sudden zapping. DEAR MERLIN, that'd hurt! She shook her hand and sent Kennedy a look that said, 'Thank you,' even though his act of support hadn't had the chance to last for long.

She nodded along to everything else that was said, even growing wide-eyed at the whole 'ripping off their badges' line. She had no doubt their Head of House meant every word of it, and Sierra would not be exempt just because she was her daughter. Her mother had always been really big on making sure personal lives didn't mix with school lives. No, no questions. She shook her head. She wouldn't dare asking anything now.

...but then. NO. PLEASE, NO.

"Mom?" she asked, her face morphing into one of near panic. "Is it..." ...in your stomach now? She sat, frozen in place. Her mother would hex her if she freaked out now, especially seeing as the woman didn't seem to be too overly bothered about the presence of the rot.

She made sure to keep quiet about what she'd seen, because had Kennedy and Dylan somehow not seen it, she wanted it to go unnoticed, and she knew her mom would, too. Inside, though, Sierra died just a little bit more. Why did she feel like this illness was slowly killing her, too?

Call him names?

Was he serious? Kennedy was a snake to the bone and other things, but one thing he wasn't was a rude. Sure, right about now the groundskeeper wasn't one of his favorite people in the school, but Kennedy didn't know him enough to call him names. Anyway, that wasn't his style.

He turned his attention toward Professor Lafay at the same time that a shock ran through his hand. Kennedy had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from frowning and instead sent Sierra a look of apology.

Geeeez, man.

This wasn't helping his mood that seemed to peak at any little thing that displeased him. Then...what?! She'd rip their badges off?! Hmmm. Well, this meant he'd have to keep his eyes on everyone at all times, no? And make sure no one fell and skinned their knees? Okay, that was a sarcastic thought, but it was better than worrying about getting his badge taken away. Plus, he knew he wasn't a bad leader. Just because of this one incident his co-leaders and him had no control over didn't mean they didn't know how to do their job.

Kennedy breathed through his nose, to keep calm, and shook his head at their Head of House, there were no questions to be asked, but then...

...he caught that.

Was that...? The illness.

Kennedy stood there, not sure if he should ask if she was okay or if she needed a healer or...something, but something told him she'd snap at him if he did. His eyes briefly went to Sierra, then back no Lafay. She'd seen it too? With a calm exterior, Kennedy said, "I do apologize for having you go through this," because the Headmistress had been rude and it was partially their fault. "Is there anything you'd like of us?" ...like the Healer? But he didn't say that. Kennedy knew he was already stretching his luck by saying this.

"It's fine Sierra." Hecate said cutting her off. "You need to be attending classes now." She said quickly.

"I'd like the three of you to stay out of trouble. Concentrate on that. You three should be the ones I shouldn't be worried about. Now go. Get to class." She said and forced the door open again. "I have things to do."

It was fine?

...it wasn't, but she'd pretend it was if that would help. She swallowed hard but just nodded. "It's...just...hard," she mumbled, but she trailed off as she spoke. She blinked and looked down with a sigh.

She could hear the whole speech regarding staying out of trouble, but her mind was a million miles away. Life was so unfair. Why would fate give her the perfect family long enough to get a taste of happiness...and then yank it away so quickly?

Why did everybody else get their mother from birth to older age, and she couldn't? It wasn't fair. IT WASN'T!

She felt her eyes water, so when the door opened, she turned and bolted.

Kennedy nodded at his Head of House. She was right, she shouldn't be worrying about them getting in trouble. He had to get his head straight, even if things with his father had him to the point of just wanting to run away and starting new somewhere. But, that wasn't the answer and Kennedy wasn't about to run away from his problems. He's done that far too often.

Plus, he was a Slytherin and he'd think of something.

He was about to turn to Sierra when the girl bolted out of the office. Gah! Kennedy didn't like seeing her like that. It did something to him and all he wanted to do was hold her tight and make everything better. With a last nod at Lafay, Kennedy left the office, his shoulders feeling as if a huge weight had been placed on them.