Of all the people to bump into in a bathroom, it had to be Theodore Kinsley. Not that Alec particularly minded, it was just... well... did they get along? Were they even friends? ... Judging by their recent conversation, he was going to say no. ... He was in there for fifteen minutes? Hadn't they just come in there? Alec glanced over at Nigel before looking back at the obsessive cleaner. "We tried to help." Even looked in the other dispensers. See? Helpful they were.

As for the remark about Sherlock Holmes, the boy raised his eyebrows at the Slytherin. Sarcasm. Sarcastic Slytherin was sarcastic. "Glad you think so..." ... Pause. "... Moriarty." Or was it the Microsoft guy? ... Alec... didn't know.

He wasn't crying. The Hufflepuff tried not to laugh because... sure. This was a matter of ego, yeah? Every boy understood this. No guy wanted to admit that he'd been crying in the toilets. He was about to open his mouth to say something when...

... Nigel spoke.

The Head Boy clapped a hand over his mouth. He was REALLY going to laugh because... Nigel was right. That was a lot of soap. Halfway up his arm! Why did he need to clean all of that?

And then things went from awkward to SUPER awkward, if that was possible.

"Hey... sir." Librarian sir. "Yeah, what Nigel said. Hair emergency. We were closer to this bathroom so came here and... bumped into each other." It was like a hair sense. They did all have great hair, after all. And hair emergencies were important, Kitridge would understand, right?

... Pause. "There aren't any tissues by the way." Take it from them, they had checked.

Moriarty? WHAT did he just call him? Was that some sort of wizarding insult that he was unaware of? Huh? HUH? Well, he certainly was not going to forget THAT. He didn't have much to say because he had no idea how to respond, so he just glared at Alec Summers. Forever glaring at Alec Summers.

Oooooookay, losing it now. Theo pointed a very soapy finger at both of them when Nigel mentioned his soap usage, "I. Don't. Care." Point, point, point. Were they really commenting on HIS cleaning techniques? He was cleaner than both of them put together. Theo lowered his hands (and arms) back into the sink and washed it all thoroughly off. He turned to the hand towel dispenser and pulled a few out before stopping dead still.

There.

Were.

Hand towels.

All.

Along.

Before Theo literally lost the plot completely, a flipping teacher had to walk in, didn't they? The librarian. He couldn't remember his name. This whole situation was turning to a bigger headache than Theo had planned for it to be. Just a quick trip to the loos was all he wanted.

He didn't say anything, just stared right back at the librarian and dried off his hands (and arms), then dumped the hand towels in the nearest bin. He grabbed another bundle then slammed a cubicle door behind him. Time to wipe... and stuff.

STARE!

STARE!

Blinking and zoning back in Leo focused on what the boy’s were saying. All three of them were there because they had a hair emergency? Unconsciously his right hand shot up and through his dark curls. "Good day boys," Regarding the three prefects thoughtfully through brown eyes Leo echoed incredulously "Three hair emergencies at the same time? What have you three been up to?" From his position he couldn’t see that there were anything visibly wrong with either boy’s hair but what did he know?

Letting his eyes trail to the Head boy he asked with a frown "How come you didn’t just conjure up some new tissues?" They were allowed to use magic within the school outside of classes and these three boys were all in Leo’s opinion capable enough to be able to conjure up something as simple as new tissues.

That was true. They did try to help. Even though Theo did not really ask for it. Nigel was sure Alec insulted Theo there but did not understand the reference enough to say anything. The Prefect just kept on watching Theo cover his arms in soap. Well of course he did not care. With all that soap of course he was cleaner than both of them put together.

Hair Emergencies were serious business and Nigel was glad the Librarian was at least giving it thought. Merlin, grey hair was evil.

"Well Two are most. Theo has..had a different problem".

Best not say anything out loud about that and since he just took the towels in. His problem might be done with.The problem was pretty obvious by the way he basically sprinted back into the stall with towels. It did beg the question, did this mean he would just come back out a wash his arms again?

"Ah" That was an excellent question.

... BLINK.

Erm... what did that glare mean? Did Theo not understand the reference? ... Maybe not. Mental note: make Theo watch the Sherlock movies. Or read the Sherlock books. Make him UNDERSTAND these references. It would be good for the boy, Alec was sure of that.

And more blinking was taking place at the finger pointing. And then the Slytherin was hurrying back to the stall again, now with the hand towels. ... Erm...? Alec STARED at the stall Theo had just disappeared in before glancing over at Nigel. What...? Did the Slytherin Prefect realise that the hand towels were rough and wouldn't be... as comforting as the normal tissues?

Whatever floats your boat, Theodore Kinsley.

When Kitridge ran a hand through his hair, Alec couldn't help but glance up at it. The man's hair was very... curly, did he know? There had been rumours about it too, ones which Alec had brushed off because rumours were the worst. But now that he was right there, it was a good opportunity to examine the man's hair as discreetly as possible.

Cough.

"Hair emergencies are that important." There. That was Alec's very useful input into the whole situation.

... He was going to ignore the fact that... he hadn't known how to conjure up something as simple as tissues. "But... sir? What if we did and they're not very soft? I mean... they wouldn't be great for... their purpose if they were rough, yeah?" Pause. "I think... Nigel was going to get some before Theo came out and you came in."

Head Boy Summers here to... save the day? He hoped so.

It didn't take long for Theo to finish up in the cubicle. He flushed the toilet and opened the door in a much calmer way than before, then approached the sinks... again. Hair problems. Oh, please. "Actually, I came in here to pee." He muttered without looking at any of them. Theo wasn't ashamed of it, you know, since peeing was a natural thing. Besides, his hair always looked flawless. He did look in the mirror to momentarily admire it.

Dayum.

When his hands were washed and dried to his satisfaction, he turned around to face the librarian. "Not all of us know how to... sir." Conjure up tissues, that is. He could conjure up flowers, no problem, but that wouldn't have been very helpful. "And I wouldn't want to touch my wand whilst on the toilet." Talk about disgusting. And YES, he had wand polish. OF COURSE he had wand polish, but not on him right now. That was all the way in the dungeons.

So... could he go now?

...

Theo blinked a few times at the two boys and then at Mr Kiltridge, as if none of this nonsense had even happened. "I'd better get off... things to do..." And stuff. "Thanks so much for all of your help. Nigel. Alec. Don't know what I would have done without you." He nodded and smiled his falsest smile, then waited for Mr Kiltridge's approval before he left.

The boys didn’t need to convince him that hair emergencies were important. Leo was very careful about his hair and any signs of hair loss and such. Sophia had managed to make him slightly less obsessed about his hair but it varied.
Apprently Prefect Kingsley had a different problem from summer’s and Barrington.

A problem neither of them chose to clue Leo in on. It was of a private nature that much he understood. Theo stopped washing his hands and spoke up and cleared the matter up.

Oh hum.. Awkward.

Glancing around Leo licked his lips trying his best not to laugh. "I see. Thanks for alerting me of the problem and trying your best to help a friend in need. I award you both 5 house points for your efforts." Meaning prefect’s Barrington and Summers.

"I'll fix the issue with the toilet paper tissues and I'll speak to Professor Fuller about your need to learn more practical household charms."

Realizing that he was still effectively blocking the door Leo headed over to the stinks to wash his hands and face. The boy's were free to go.

Woooooooooooooah, hold the phone.

Alec and Nigel got given 5 points each? But they hadn't even done anything!!! NOTHING. ZILCH. If anything, Theo should get 5 points for having to go so long without wiping his butt. He stood with his hands on his hips, "Actually, sir, they just stood there the whole time." He tried to make it out like he really wasn't bothered, but he was. "I had to get the hand towels myself." Theo informed casually.

"Oh," Awkward. "No need, sir. I'll just have a good read of my charms book." He smiled wide. He really didn't need extra tutoring from Professor Fuller. If Bellaire still taught Charms, then maybe, but she didn't, so...

Nigel was glad the Librarian seemed to understand how important hair emergencies were. Imagine grey hair. Merlin that would be awful. Nigel nodded along with what Alec was saying because it was right.

Blunt Theo was Blunt and raised a good point. Who would want to touch their wand while on the toilet. So much could go wrong. "Yeah, household charms never seemed needed until right now."

Maybe should reseach some for future use. The sarcasm was much appreciated. "You are welcome....Casper"

He really should not have said that. Really. Woah...wait. They got 5 points each. Cool, even though they did basically nothing. Well they did offer to help. Only 'Casper' did not want any help for most of the time. None of that matter now that Theo had taken matters into his own hands.

"Well we tried to help. Just...when we looked in the other stalls they were empty also." Probably Peeves "I was just about to run to the Prefect's bathroom before you came in" and Theo ran out of the stall for towels. That was the fastest Nigel had seen someone run before.

Alec bit back a laugh at Theo's bluntness. It was funny, yeah. And he had a point about the wand holding but... then that meant that him, Alec, and Nigel would have needed to know how to conjure up tissues. Again, they didn't know how but... Kitridge was going to talk to Fuller? Awesome. "Thanks, sir! Yeah... that would be useful." Household spells.

He wasn't bad, Kitridge. And this Hair Ruffler was exceptionally glad that the man understood hair troubles.

... Wait! They were going to get points? Grinning, Alec turned to face Nigel. HEY! They were going to get points for trying to help!

... Or not.

The Hufflepuff turned to look over at Theo, his eyebrows raised. Why was the Slytherin so against this? Was it because he wasn't going to be given points too? Not cool, Kinsley, not cool. Luckily Nigel was here to save the day. "Yeah... what Nigel said. And we took matters calmly." They could have left but that would have been mean, which they certainly weren't. "But... anytime!" Nod. To Theo. Since the boy did thank them and thought he wouldn't know what to do without them.

... So... this was an awkward gathering, yeah? Alec looked over at Nigel and gave him a nod before heading over towards the mirrors again. His hair troubles hadn't been forgotten, just... cast aside for a minute. But now that Theo had gotten his towels again, nothing was going to stop him from checking to see if he was seeing things or if there really was--

...

...

O_O

CUE INTERNAL SCREAMING.

The seventh year STARED at a part of his hair, complete shock displayed on his, now, paler facial features. There... it was... RIGHT THERE. Probably had been hidden by the tufts of hair that flopped over it but once he had raked a hand through it and moved a tuft aside...

... Alec yanked out that strand and STARED at that instead. Grey. A grey strand of hair. "Nooooooooooooooo!"

Wobbly!chin.

Leo paused with soap on his hands as he turned to Kingsley his brows furrowing in surprise. "Really? They didn’t help you at all?" Oh, hum how embarrassing he had given out points were they weren’t even justified apparently. Feeling his ears burn and he no doubt had red cheeks too he murmured. "Thank you for setting things straight, Mr Kingsley take 5 points for your honesty."

Mr Kingsley’s words propelled Mr Barrington to speak what at least to Leo ears seemed to be the truth. They had wanted to help but with no towels or paper in any of the stalls they hadn’t been able to assist their friend. They had though come up with solution of running to the prefect’s bathroom to get paper from there. Pursing his lips Leo nodded in understanding. "Household charms will become more important the older you get since you'll soon all be graduated from Hogwarts and might even be opting to live alone. Then household charms will be very practical to take care of day to day chores." Turning to the sink he finished washing his hands.

Leo was about to open one of the stalls to use the toilet when a distressed sound coming from the head boy's lips stopped him and made him spun around.
Heading over to him Leo asked worry seeping into his voice. "What's the matter Mr Summers? Are you feeling all right?" Why on earth had the boy yanked out a strand of hair from his head and was staring at it like it he had seen a ghost?

The boy's hair looked fine to him.

But Leo wasn't really one to judge he was awfully mindful of his own hair and potential hair loss.

Nigel did have to agree. Though he never had to use these charms or learn them because he did have a house elf at home. They did seem to have so cool uses. And would you look at that Theo got five points. I guess he deserves it with what he just did. Using those towels. Merlin. Nigel did not even notice Alec going to the mirror. It was natural this was a bathroom.

Suddenly he heard Alec say a prolonged no. What just happened? Seemed like the Librarian had the same question. He was staring long and hard at his hair in the mirror and that can only mean one thing. What if grey hair was contagious? Nigel could not think straight right now, it was time to panic. Nigel had no idea and had to check. He looked in the mirror and there it was.

MERLIN'S PANTS, GREY HAIR!

It was one tiny strand in his long hair. But there it was.

"When did this happen?"

Hair Emergency, Hair Emergency!

Okay, enough of the Casper thing now. Theo raised his eyebrows at Nigel as he tried to defend himself and those undeserving points of his. ".... Sure." He muttered.

GASP. His tattle-telling had actually resulted in points for HIM? Theo never got points outside of classes, this had to be the first time ever. "Oh, thank you very much, sir!!" He grinned a little too wide. And he didn't even mind that Mr Kiltridge had gotten his name wrong.

KINSLEY. It was KINSLEY.

O__________O

They had grey hairs? Theo had never heard anything more ridiculous, so he rolled his eyes rather dramatically at them. You didn't get grey hairs in your teens, it just didn't happen. Those flipping drama queens could give Theo a run for his money. "Well... I'd better be..." He said quietly as he made his way for the door. "... off." POOF and he was gone.

Theo was getting five points. For honesty? ... Shrug.

Not that Alec was complaining but it did cause him to look over at the Slytherin as he departed. "See you, I guess," he added in lamely. Probably a little too late since the boy had left. Yeah. Good for him for getting five point for honesty. And Alec wanted to ask about his Nigel's but... he wasn't going to push it. Plus, there were more important things at hand.

... Like hair. Obviously.

Was he feeling alright? The boy shook his head and held up the grey hair for Kitridge to see, the look on his face resembling that of a sad puppy. "It's... it shouldn't be..." A small whimper left his mouth as he stared at it again. "Grey!" ... He wasn't going to cry. Of course not. He didn't cry in public... but...

When did this happen? "I... I don't know," he said, looking over at Nigel with the same sad expression spread across his face, "I was walking and saw something grey up there in my reflection so... I thought I'd come in here and check it out and..." He gulped. No need to continue, right?

"I... they don't mean anything, right? And... and... there's a way to stop it right." Dramatic Distraught Head Boy was distraught.

Somewhere during the panics and distressed outbursts about greying hair from his friends Theodore decided to take his leave. "Bye Prefect Kinsley!" Leo called after the boy as he left the bathroom.

Making sure his hands were dry Leo turned his attention to the two clearly distressed boys. With sympathetic eyes he inspected the hair that Alec held out to him. "It doesn’t look so bad." He said unhelpfully. The boy’s hair was clearly greying but Leo figured it was best not to make the head boy hysterical.

Looking from one boy to the other he asked since Nigel showed grey hair too. "I'm sure it will stop and go back to normal soon. Have you two had any spell's that have backfired lately or have you tried any potions you shouldn’t have?" Both were plausible reasons for the greying hair but Leo was no expert.

"Try to calm down and take a few deep breaths. Relax!" Leo advised. Having a good idea how the boy's felt since he had been in their shoes enough times himself he added. "You should both go see Professor Culloden. He is the expert on these things. He can probably give you something to make your hairs turn back to normal in no time." Really there was no need to be hysterical.

Leo wasn't being entirely fair though. If it had been him he'd be wailing and on the brink of hysteria too. But the boy's didn't need to know that.

Still panicking about his grey hair. Nigel took a peek at Alec's. IT DID LOOK THAT BAD. But Nigel did not have the heart to tell him since he was suffering from the same thing. It was grey hair and he was only 17. This was not suppose to happen. Nigel had not tried any foreign or funny potions yet this term. Plus he would never use magic in his hair. That was his policy. Only muggle products and pickles. Thank you Wade.

"I don't know. But it is there Grey Hair. Will it ever come out?"

Nigel asked still panicking. Wasn't Culloden the new Potions Master, was he really a hair expert? He did have some style. But seemed like he already had some grey hair. But this was fantastic news.

"This can't spread right"

Nigel did not want to imagine his whole head of hair grey. That was a nightmare.

Freaking out and nearly crying over the presence of the grey hair meant that Alec had completely missed whatever it was that was going on with Nigel over there. He didn't even see the boy heading over towards the mirror until he heard the librarian say 'you two'. Confused, Alec looked up at him. What did he--

...

Wait. WAIT. HOLD THE SNITCH.

NIGEL HAD GREY HAIR TOO?!

"Not you!" he gasped, his grey eyes wide and now focused on the Ravenclaw. Nigel had AWESOME hair, why would this happen to him?! Was somebody doing this? Targetting people with good hair? Jealousy was an ugly colour.

And it doesn't look so bad?! "But... it's grey! My hair is my pride and joy." ... Maybe he shouldn't have said that last bit. Maybe.

Go back to normal? "No... nothing funny. I use the usual hair care products that I've been using for years." Luckily this conversation was happening in the boy's bathroom where people couldn't overhear. Or... even if they did, giving his current state, Alec wouldn't have cared. Grey hair, you know. It was a lot to freak out over.

Deep breaths. Kitridge was right. He was going to try that and Nigel should too, seeing as how panicked he sounded. Poor dude. What a horrible experience. We understand you, man. And speaking of Nigel, the boy had a good question. He looked back at Kitridge to see what the man would say about--

... Culloden. He was a HAIR EXPERT?! Potions classes were going to be interesting. "You think he'll have something to stop this?" ... Pause. "And to make it change back to its usual colour?" Alec didn't want to lose his luscious locks.

Leo looked over at Nigel as he responded to his question trying his best to sound reassuring. "I'm sure it will come out soon enough and I highly doubt it will or can spread. You are a healthy, growing boy it's probably just a one off. Being under stress can give you gray hairs I've heard." Not that Leo was certain if that was the case of either Nigel or Alec. But they were prefects for their houses and had patrol duties on top of classes and extracurricular activities so he supposed that could cause some stress.

But he really was just guessing in the dark. Trying to make the boy’s calm down and not panic so much wasn’t an easy feat. He sympathized with their situation merlin knew he could very well imagine what was going through Nigel’s and Alec’s heads at the present time. Hair troubles were nothing to laugh at.

Shrugging Leo turned to Alec. "Maybe there isn't anything wrong with your usual hair products but I’d still advise you to order some new products from Primpernells just to be on the safe side." Changing hair products regularly was good to keep your hair in good shape.

Affirming Leo said "I'm sure Professor Culloden will have a potion or two that will take care of all your hair problems in no time. You should hurry up and go see him before dinner starts." Hint! Hint!

Cutty, not wanting to get his common room full of mud from the clay had carried his creation out and all the way up the stairs to the boys bathroom just to wash off. Also for the isolation. The quietness.

Cutty plopped the clay down on the edge of the sink near the tap spout and with his dirty hand flung open a stall door and wrote with his clay-covered fingers: The proceeding message is true. The preceding message is false.

And having drawn his design into the clay many times for practice was now ready to harden the square he'd made. But first, a little practice, eh? He took up his wand and hit the inscription he'd just made with, "Duro!" The clay upon the wall seemed to lighten in colour and Cutty ran a finger over it feeling it's gritty, stiff texture.

It worked! Now for the real deal. Cutty moved the square clay he'd molded and propped it up directly on the tap wrapping it around the tap spout slightly. Up and a sharp around, his wand followed the pattern stopping directly at the little clay slab and, "Duro!". The colour again lightened as the moisture was drawn out of the clay and Cutty peeled the curved square off of the tap and slid it on his wrist for trying out. It fit like a cuff on the outside of the boys wrist. There it remained through a thorough hand and wand washing and even as he departed from the Boys' loo.