Green eyes wandered all over the dungeon, taking in every last bit of detail. It hasn't changed much - or at all - since his stay at Hogwarts. It was almost surreal that he was going to be here for an entire term. Kennedy had to admit it, it was sweet. Back to his old home. Sure, he'd miss the accommodations of his flat. Don't get him started on his godson, but this was his job and a responsibility.

Choosing to start patrol from top to bottom, he started her - which had been a total bias decision. Dungeons will forever rule over any other place in the school. At attention and alert, the YATI strolled down at a leisure pace.

Maybe he'd even run into his baby sister. Hehe.

It was the first officially day of classes, and Sophie found herself strolling down the dungeon corridor. She was here, because...well, duh. She was a Slytherin, and this was where they lived. She was just about to turn the corner, when she glanced up ahead and saw--...

"Oh, hey, Theo," she said, stopping just beside him. He wasn't in his uniform, nor did he have his badge on, but meh. Whatever floated his boat. "Congrats on your new position." Even though his lack of badge said he could care less, but anyway... She should really apologize for that big lie she told on the train last term, but maybe he'd forgotten about it after a year had passed.

"You look..." Older? That was the word dangling on Sophie's tongue, but it just didn't sound right to say aloud. It was almost like he'd aged from sixth year to twenty-something over the summer. Instead, she changed the sentence altogether. "...like somebody else I know." Yes, he looked like somebody else she knew, but...who?

Kennedy pretty much tried to avoid contact with students. After the Feast he had enough to last him a while, and it was his duty to look over them, not interact with them. Completely different things. So when a young girl approached him, Kennedy quickly tried to veer a different way, but it was too late as she got on talking like she knew him.

Theo?

Where?

Then it dawned on him, she thought he was Theo. Ha. No. "Erm...you have the wrong person," he said, flashing her a grin. Moving his robe aside a bit he showed off his DMLE badge. "I'm with the Aurors, not Theo." Did he look that young?

Mmkay, Theo, we see you trying to steer in another direction. Maybe he really wasn't taking the whole Head Boy thing too well. No badge, avoiding students... Hmm. She did an inward roll of her eyes and started to just turn in the opposite direction. Who was she to beg Theo for attention?

Then he started speaking, and she looked back up at him. "Wrong person? No, I don't...think so?" she replied. Then she started second guessing herself. "Errr...whoa. You should really meet Theo then. I think he's like...your long lost brother or something." Maybe they really didn't look as much alike as Sophie thought. Maybe it was just her...

"Well, I'm Sophie then," she said. Then she cut right to the chase. "What are you guys doing here anyway? Quidditch stuff?"

Oh please! Him and Theo didn't look anything alike - if she was talking about the same and only Theo he was thinking of, anyway. He had these deep green eyes and the hair and - just no.

"Yeah, I'm one hundred percent sure I'm not Theo, or in any way related to him. I'm Kennedy Escalante." Seriously, where was the resemblance? Oh, crud. She was already moving on to another topic. One he really didn't want to talk over with kids. They tend to panic quick. She seemed informed, though. That was slightly okay.

"As the Headmistress mentioned at the Feast, yes. We are here to keep an eye out on things and make sure you're all safe." How many times has he said this in the last twenty four hours? Eh, it didn't matter. Curious kids were curious. He should be used to it by now.

Riiiiight. Okay, so he wasn't Theo. "That would make sense, because I saw you trying to get away from me," she pointed out. Yup--called you out on that one! "Plus, I thought maybe Theo had ditched his badge or something, because...he's Head Boy." In case whoever this guy was didn't know.

"KENNEDY ESCALANTE!" she suddenly called out, as if she'd been looking for this guy for forever and had suddenly found him. She hadn't, but that was what it seemed like.

So, first things first--... "You know, Kennedy, if you're going to be an Auror, I think you should work on your trust a little more. As in, maybe you shouldn't hide things and have people believe things that just aren't true," she said.

Yeah, he wasn't go to deny the fact he'd been trying to get away from her. He, after all, wasn't a professor or student. He was part of the law - yes, the law - and would assist only if someone was in danger, or whatever. Kennedy just nodded along to what she was saying, all cool when--

HOLY SMOKING BEARD.

That was his name. Why was his name being yelled at him?! Involuntarily, Kennedy took a step back from Sophie. Okay. Calm down. Did she want an autograph--wait?

Woah! Wait. Hold up! What?! Sophie was talking like she knew something about him, and suddenly his mind wandered to an unpleasant thought and...

NO!

Several things clicked. This wasn't just a Sophie. It was The Sophie. Before Kennedy was able to recover or respond, his arm was being tugged, as if someone was trying to push him behind them. A little someone...

"Why are you yelling at him?" hissed a very unhappy Beverly Wayne. Hmm? What was HER brother's name doing in Newell's mouth? HMM?

Glancing between the two as she now stood between them, Beverly crossed her arms over her chest. She wouldn't have come down this way of the corridor had it not been for Newell yelling Kennedy's name. Of course, she couldn't just ignore it. That thing that happened last term still loomed over head, and she needed to defend her honor. So far, she had Kennedy convinced and she couldn't have it any other way.

Wow. What a jerk.

This guy just acted like he could care less about being nice. He was no Theo, that was for sure. Theo would have taken the time out of his day to actually say hello to her. Not that Sophie was trying to be some loyal, friendly Hufflepuff, but she was nobody's punching bag either.

Then he seemed somewhat surprised, which meant that he understood--fully--what she was referring to. Did he actually think he could cheat on a Greingoth and get away with it? Sophie was waiting on his reply, when suddenly they were interrupted by none other than Beverly Wayne herself.

"Err, sorry." She really was. "I'm not yelling at him. Just surprised to finally meet him is all." Still, that didn't make him perfect in her eyes. She still had an argument to pick with him.

"I was just confronting him about the whole Eve thing you told me about," she said to Beverly. "I'm pretty sure Aunt Sierra had no idea." Had, as in...she knew now.

This had gone from strange, to awkward, to really, really wrong in a matter of a few seconds. Knowing from experience, he had a feeling this would end up somewhere. Even on a bathroom wall. Precautions. Yes. That was needed. So before any of the girls got talking again, he stuffed his hand inside his robe pocket, flicked his wrist, subtly casting the Muffliato Charm around them. No need for eavesdroppers. GAH!

Now, truly recovering from Sophie's comment he was stumped once again when she mentioned Eve and Sierra. Merlin. That didn't even sound right. "That was a misunderstanding," he said a bit tightly, attempting to not lose his cool. His private life was something he appreciated staying private. "And this in no way involve either of you. It's between Sierra and I." He exchanged stern looks between the two. Did they understand?

He didn't want to play bad-Auror here, but...he was technically on the job. One he took seriously. Kennedy couldn't afford to get caught in the middle of little girl rivalry or distracted by it.

She was actually pinning this on her?! Beverly SCOWLED at Newell. "I wouldn't have said anything if you'd kept your mouth shut," she grumbled. Calling Kennedy 'uncle' was what had pushed her buttons, and she wished she could take it back. But she couldn't and now he was mad at her. AGAIN.

Thanks a lot, loser!

Wrinkling her nose and turning it up in the air, she pretended to not hear what Kennedy was saying. She's heard this several times already. "She started it." Stupid Newell. Where was a troll when you needed one.

Kennedy wasn't really mad at HER. No, Bev KNEW he wasn't because he just didn't have it in him. It was impossible. The same reason why he had not grounded her for what she had done in the first place. Knowing this, and full on intending to exploit it, the Slytherin slowly turned her gaze back at him, blinking at him with WIDE BIG eyes. Take that!

Sophie instinctively grew more alert as soon as Kennedy's wand was drawn. He was an Auror. He was allowed to use that thing at free will, wasn't he? She almost thought she and Beverly might end up dangling from the ceiling from their ankles if they pushed too many of his buttons.

But apparently that wasn't what Kennedy had in mind.

Sophie relaxed a bit at the Muffliato Charm. Wise move, Kennedy. Wise move. "Misunderstanding?" she asked him. "Well, you'll have to educate me a little if I was supposed to take 'his other girlfriend, Eve' in any other way than how I did." Misunderstanding? Riiiiiiiight. "So naturally, I told Aunt Sierra the whole story." She had even told her about how it all started with her trying to gain possession of Cutty's wand. That part wasn't important now, though.

He wanted things to stay just between he and Sierra? Riiiiight, because Sophie knew things, and he didn't like that, did he?

Then...

Beverly started going on and on and on about total nonsense. Sophie started this? NOPE. Sophie started to say something when she noticed that look of innocence Beverly gave Kennedy. WHATEVER. If Kennedy fell for THAT, he was just nothing more than a Hufflepuff! So Sophie did the one thing any good Slytherin would do...

She sloooowly turned to look at Kennedy and blinked at him with wide, bright blue eyes. The same way Beverly did.

Now what, Mr. Cheater?!

What was this?! Stand Kennedy at a trial in the dungeons?

"That's not what Bev had meant," he said, flashing his sister another stern look, but quickly looked away. What was she doing? She couldn't do THAT now! "Look, Sophie, like I said, this is staying between Sierra and I. I don't have to answer to you." He didn't mean it to come across as rude, but it was the truth. She was a kid, he was the adult.

Where was the respect around here?!

Kennedy was already making mental notes on how to explain all of this to Sierra when, not just one, but both girls attacked him. Kennedy could withstand hours of extensive training. A hex here and there. Even muggle training, but...The Eyes. He just...he couldn't! It gave him anxiety. Bev's not so much, it lit up this feeling of wanting to spoil her rotten and she was his baby sister and all, but Sophie's on the other hand...Would it upset Sierra if he made her niece cry?

Most likely yes.

Swallowing hard, Kennedy ran a hand through his hair, then rested his palms on his knees to be at their height. "This is what we are going to do. You and you," he pointed his gaze at each girl, "are going to focus on school stuff, while I make sure no bad people come here and kill you all, and you're going to leave the relationship stuff to Sierra and I." He straightened up and crossed his arms over his chest with a look that said he was done. Done, done!

And people asked him why he didn't want kids. Pfft. Example right here!

Someone was looking to get punched.

Newell was copying her move! Clearly it wasn't going to work. Kennedy was her brother and he shouldn't have sympathy for any other girl beside her. Confident in her gaze Beverly didn't waver even when he gave them that little stern speech. FINE. She'd stay out of it because that's what benefited HER the most. Besides, her brother didn't need a girlfriend. He was perfectly fine with just Dad and her and Danny.

"Just one last thing," Bev said, turning a cold gaze at Newell. "You should stay out of it, you're not immediate family." AND...she wasn't done. "If your aunt liked my brother, why isn't she making an effort to ask him if it's true?" Snap! Maybe this Sierra didn't trust Newell and that's why she hasn't done anything. OR maybe she didn't like her brother enough, which would warrant a thump in the arm. A hard one at that.

Wow. This Kennedy guy was being really rude! Sophie dropped her dumb mock-Beverly look and then frowned at Kennedy. "I'm not asking you to answer to me." You big meanie. "She's my Aunt, and I love her. You'd do it, too, if you thought somebody in your family was being mistreated." Maybe he really was seeing some other girl and that was why he was so annoyed at Sophie's intrusion...

Then with the whole 'you and you' conversation, Sophie was beginning to feel like a little kid who's dad was scolding her for arguing with her siblings. Sigh. "Fine," she said, "but if you're doing my Aunt Sierra wrong, you better just break up with her. That's not an order either. That's a request." Just so he didn't get his feathers all ruffled again. "Please?" There. That should seal the deal.

Then there was Beverly.

"Uhh, hello. My mom is Sierra's sister," she said, rolling her eyes. "I don't care how I'm related to her, I just am. Besides, how do YOU know my Aunt Sierra isn't making an effort? Have you seen her not making an effort? Have you ever even seen her at all?" Doubtful. Meh. She had a feeling Kennedy would be spending more time at the school keeping her and Beverely from killing each OTHER--let alone whoever this was throwing around death threats about Quidditch of all things.

Before Kennedy could answer, Beverly took a step toward Sophie, her hands fists at her sides. It really felt to her that Newell was attacking her brother and making him seem like the bad guy. He wasn't. And Beverly wouldn't have it, but before you could do anything, she felt Kennedy's hand on her shoulder.

"Just back off, alright. I'm not saying I know her - I don't want to. But if she cared then at least she'd be upset or try and clarify things instead of listening to gossip." Any girlfriend would do that. At least, the smart ones in her opinion. Beverly pinned doing nothing as dumb. Why listen to teenagers? Dumb, DUMB!

"And by the way, you're just making a fool out of yourself because that was a total lie and you fell for it." And snitched on. Kennedy and her knew that. Although, Kennedy was being too discrete to say it. And honestly, Beverly was bored. All of this was too dramatic for her taste. And she was hungry.


Okay. No. NO!

Maybe he shouldn't have taught Beverly how to punch - although it was part of self defense lessons and he wanted her to be prepared, because baby sister an all - but punching Sierra's niece would only make a war out of this. Pulling Beverly back and taking her hand, he shook his head at all of this. Apparently neither of them respected Sierra and his privacy.

"I'm done, okay," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. He was in a bad mood now, thank you girls. No more explaining. "If I hear any more of this talk, even one more word," he eyed them, "I will take it up to your Head of House and let her handle it." Surely she had more power to deal with stuff like this. Detention didn't sound so bad.

He shot stern looks at both girls, then gently tugged on Beverly's hand. He'd walk her to her class or wherever she was going. They were having a talk. Now. And then he had to sort out his head. Too much going on in there that clicked just from this. GAH!

"See you around, Sophie," he said with a curt nod, and headed down the corridor with Beverly. Yeah, there was no way he was leaving those to two alone. Now, back to work.

Oh, yeah--Sophie caught those clenched fists. She'd gotten into an all out Muggle brawl last year, and she had no problem doing it again. Odd thing was, it was with a different Slytherin girl last year. What was it with Sophie and her female housemates? She didn't exactly want to fight Kennedy's little sister, but she, too clenched her fists just in case.

...and then Kennedy was there to stop them.

"That's what I'm saying--how do you know she hasn't tried to clarify things yet? How do *I* even know she hasn't?" she asked. Wayne was all about making some assumptions, wasn't she? She was ready to roll her eyes, when Beverly flat out admitted she'd lied. Now Sophie REALLY felt like hitting her. "Wow, Beverly--were you really THAT insecure?" she asked.

...and then Kennedy stepped again, and it seemed everything was coming to an abrupt end. That was all well and fine, because Sophie was really mad now. The last thing she needed was for Tillstorm to get word she'd been in ANOTHER fist fight. Sigh.

"Whatever," Sophie mumbled, then she, too, turned and left.

Zander walked out of the potions classroom with his vial in hand. Ugh, he couldn't believe they were going to have to drink this thing for homework. Eugh. Disgusting. He looked around to see if he could spot some other student that would want to do it with him. After all, house points were up for grabs and Gryffindor NEEDED to stay in the lead. So yes, he would look out for a Gryffindor.

"Any lion need to work on potions homework?" he said to no one in particular. He was basically just shouting over the flow of students in the area. Maybe someone would pop up... And if not.... he could always just write the essay, ugh.

The dungeon corridor was not a place where Kevin would have been spotted too often. Since he didn't want to accidentally meet the Potions Professor, gosh what a weird guy that man was.

But he had been on his way to the lab to try and brew a more difficult potion since the Professor had told him he could try. As long as he didn't explode anything Yeah well, ACCIDENTS could happen right? Trying to make his way to the lab while trying to avoid the other students, Kevin heard a familiar voice shouting out.

Turning his head in the direction of the voice, he saw Zander. Wait...potions homework? oooh right! He still needed to do that. Normally he would have walked on and forget about the homework but seeing as he was trying to prove the potions professor WRONG and that he WAS interested in learning, he changed his direction and in a few moments he stood beside the older Gryffindor.

"I still need to, Bravey Wavey Zandy" he grinned. Oh the nickname Peeves had given him back at the boys dormitory was so sticking now. "We need to put the potion in a drink right?" he had been paying much attention cause you know... UNFAIR STUFF HAPPENING IN CLASS. Yeah he was still mad about that...

Zander winced at the sound of that horrendous nickname given by peeves. If that ghost was here to throw pillows again, Zander would definitely file some complaint or something. Did Hogwarts do that? Have a complaint box? Either way, they DEFINITELY needed one. He let out a small breath as he noticed Kevin, the second year boy, approaching him.

"Hi Kevin," he said to his newly formed ally. "You know, you could just call me Zander, since it is my name and all..." Whatever, as long as Peeves wasn't here, Zander could tolerate the nickname. Though it did bother him just a bit because it just sounded like a total mockery. He IS brave. He just needs to prove it that's all...

Anyways... Yes potions. "Yeah, that how Professor Culldoen explained it," he said. He reached into his bag and pulled out two small plastic cups that he had grabbed earlier for the homework. He handed one to kevin and then pulled out his wand. "Aguamenti," he said watching the water spill into Kevin's cup and then his own. Then he took a step towards wall so that they wouldn't just be standing in the middle of the corridor.

Then wasting no time, he pulled out his potion vial. "So I think I need to pour mine into your cup and then you pour yours into mine?" he said reaching the vial out towards Kevin. Ugh. Zander was not looking forward to this whole manipulation thing.

Kevin walked with him when he stepped towards the wall so that they weren't standing in the middle of the corridor and smirked when the older Gryffindor told him to call him Zander. "Like you said, i could, that doesn't mean i want to...Zandy" He had kind of changed the nickname and had left out the Bravey Wavey for now. He could be nice.

Grabbing the plastic cup that Zandy Zander gave him, the Gryffindor then watched him fill the cups with water. He then put his hand in his robe pocket and his fingers touch a vial. Taking it out, he nodded his head at Zander's explaination and almost uncorked the vial when he realised that he had to wrong one!

His forehead began to sweat when he realised he had accidentally grabbed the exploding potion vial he had gotten from Culloden once. It would have been disastrous if he had put it in the cup of water O____o So he quickly pocketed again and took out another vial. This time it was the right one. Zander should concider himself LUCKY that Kevin was good at recognizing potions. Must be his mother's gift

"I think so too but before we do that lets go over there" he pointed towards the corner where there weren't many students. "I don't want someone like Culloden to walk by just when i'm drinking this stuff" Imagine the HUMILIATION he would have to go through? yeah no thank you. And without another word he moved away to a more safer place.

He opened the vial and poured the dark grey potion in to the cup of water. Then he watched it smoke for a moment and then handed it to Zander. "Cheers"

Zander just let out an aggravated sigh. Kevin had proved to be pretty stubborn last time they had talked, so ugh he wouldn't fight it. Zandy wasn't that bad... It was just when Peeves said it there was complete sarcasm hidden within it. What would it take to prove to the world that Zander Adair is in fact brave AND a Gryffindor. Not a puffer. Hmph.

The boy looked at his friend, wait were they friends?... He honestly wasn't sure... But ally seemed fitting. So yes, Zander watched his ally take out the potion vial, but then pocket it in panic? What? He lifted an eyebrow in complete confusion. Kevin was so... weird... If it weren't for the fact that Zander just wanted to get this stupid assignment over with, he would've questioned it. But he didn't because ugh homework.

"Agreed," the third year nodded and followed his... ally, to towards the corner. This way, if the whole guilt thing kicked in big time, no one except Kevin would have to see it. Which, may or may not, be a bad thing. He watched as Kevin poured the, new, potion into the cup. He then did the same thing with his and handed that one to Kevin.

GULP. "Here goes nothing," he took a few huge sips from the cup. Zander closed his eyes and winced, expecting the drink to be all bitter like they normally are when contaminated with a potion. But, huh? It tasted as if he hadn't added anything to the water at all. Furthermore, the water was completely clear. Hm... Interesting. And he didn't feel any different at all!

... Oh no.... Spoke too soon.

Suddenly the Gryffindor's head was a mess of emotions. There was so much that he couldn't stop thinking about. It was terrifying. He felt the need to confess. FOR EVERYTHING. But he couldn't possibly tell Kevin all of this. He tried to resist the urge to spill all of his thoughts to the other Gryffindor. So instead he suppressed them as much as he could. Instead of speaking, tears started to fill his eyes. No. He would not cry. Not now. No. Not here. He could feel his legs trembling underneath him and suddenly his lips started doing that wibbling thing.

Conceal. Don't feel.

And suddenly he just couldn't take it anymore. Tears were rapidly streaming down his face and he could't do anything to control it.

Kevin was glad that Zander had walked with him to the other side of the dungeon corridor where it was a bit more quiet. He didn't want for anyone to see his tears. Not that he was going to cry, he was confident in that. He was a Gryffindor!

He took the cup from Zander when he had added in his own Potion and made a fake move to drink from it. He lowered it when Zander had drunk the whole potion in one go and Kevin's eyes began to twinkle with curiousity.

Whatever was happening inside of Zander's mind, it looked like it was a mess and the youngest almost laughed when he saw the first tears rapidly streaming down his face. He held it in though because that would be rude if he did laugh. And why wasnt he being rude now? Because the older had just drank a potion and he wanted to see how much of an effect it would have on him without the rude comments. See if he was strong willed or not.

He doubted it...

"What are you crying for? he asked, knowing fully well what he was doing but tried to make it sound like an innocent question. He wanted to hear the guilty confessions and he wouldn't be able to hear them if he drank the potion himself , now would he?

Well, come on...spill it out! THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN!

Zander's lips quivered and he was only slightly aware of what was going on. He could tell that he was crying, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't stop. It was as if he wasn't in control anymore. His buzzing emotions were flying around in his mind and he couldn't get rid of them. It felt so weird to not be in control. It was actually kind of scary. But Zander didn't actually have any time to be scared... There was too much guilt to even think about being scared. Though some fear did come along with the guilt... Maybe that was like a side emotion that went along with it?

He had almost forgotten the second year's presence. Maybe it had to do with being so overwhelmed with his mind that he had temporarily forgotten to check in with his senses. What was he crying for? A LOT OF THINGS, KEVIN. Zander didn't want to tell the Gryffindor. He wanted to reply with something along the lines of, Pft, I'm not crying. I don't know what you're talking about. Yet instead he found himself confiding in his fellow lion.

"I know I should've listened to my mom. She was only trying to help me, but I was so mean to her. I should've told her that she was right. SHE IS RIGHT. It's just I didn't think she would be so upset. I really am trying to do what she asked. I'm trying SO hard. And I know I chose not to go home over the holiday, but I didn't want to face her," everything seemed to spill out all at once. WHAT WAS GOING ON!? "I shouldn't have said any of it. I take it back! I WANT TO TAKE IT BACK," Zander hung his head in complete disappointment. How could he let his mother down like that. THE GUILT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY STRONG.

The third year looked around then back at Kevin, "I'M SUCH A TERRIBLE PERSON," and then he kicked the wall... Yep. That totally just happened. Apparently, even though the potion was numbing out most other feelings, pain was definitely still there because OUCH! Zander doubled onto the floor and buried his face into his hands. He needed to apologize to his mom.

Then suddenly he felt guilty for telling Kevin all of this? Whaaa? Is this supposed to happen?? "I'm so so so so sorry Kevin!" he wailed. "I know you probably don't want to hear this. I'm sorry I don't want to waste your time." And now he was apologizing? Whaaa?

Although Kevin LOATHED Culloden. He had to admit that this potion was fantastic and the young Gryffindor made a mental note to brew the potion again sometime. Pouring it in to drinks at the Great Hall and watch the guilt and confusion going on~ ah that would be a good prank.

But first....Zander. Who had started to cry out even louder and was talking about how he had let his mother down. Kevin flinched for a second when the older Gryffindor kicked the wall and he took a step backwards. Last thing he wanted was to have a kick aimed at him. "What did you tell her?" he asked, trying not to grin at the question. He was simply really curious whether or not Zander was strong-willed and secretly, he hoped he was because Kevin kind of liked him. Yes he was laughing at him and teasing him now but come on! He was sure that Zander would do the same thing when Kevin drank the potion. Yup. Anyways, the twelve year old hoped that Zander would stop crying soon because when he started to apologize to him , Kevin rolled his eyes.

"Dude, it's the potion talking, relax..." ............should he use the Aguamenti spell again like in the dormitory? "Take a deeeeeeep breath in and out and will yourself not to cry...you're a strong-willed Gryffindor, remember?!" He was nice helping him out now eh? Did he get extra points for this? hmmmm?!

Zander looked at Kevin, tears still filling his eyes. And all over his face. And now the floor. Tears everywhere. Tears out of control, basically. The Gryffindor didn't want to have to tell Kevin everything. Especially because they weren't even that close. But he felt the need to confess. He needed to get it off his chest. Really he just NEEDED to apologize to his mother. AHHHH SO MUCH GUILT. It was UNBEARABLE. "She, she told me that I can't just be so quiet all the time," he started. "And that I bring it all upon myself."

He took in a few sharp breaths before continuing. "AND, and I know that I should've listened to her like a good kid like i am supposed to, BUT but I couldn't help it! I told her that it was her fault that I don't participate because she doesn't like me the way she likes my brothers. That she neglects me and doesn't care and that I don't want her to tell me what to do because she-she doesn't care about me!" And that's when he had locked himself in his room for the last week of summer. Of course he'd run down and get food when his parents were working, but other than that he refused to see them at all. And it was hard enough having to be driven to King's Cross station. He didn't say a word on the way, nor did he even say goodbye.

Sure, he felt guilty about it before. BUT HE FELT EVEN WORSE NOW. And it wasn't even terrible compared to the things he could've said. But he felt as if it was the worst thing he could've possibly ever done. Just then, Kevin started speaking again and the third year did his best to look up at him.

Just the potion talking? What? Zander looked at Kevin and tried to concentrate on his words. Just the potion. Just the potion. Just the-- NO HE SHOULD'VE HAVE SAID THAT TO HIS MOM. SHE DIDN'T DESERVE IT. Deep breathes? Okay. Okay. He can do that. He took a few huge breathes in and out, listening to Kevin. Will not to cry? Strong willed-Gryffindor? 'I'm going to stop crying now. I'm going to stop crying now. I'm strong. I'm a Gryffindor. I'm a Gryffindor. I'm a Gryffindor.' He was silent for a good five minutes while he concentrated as hard as he could. 'No more crying. Gryffindor. Strong. Stop Crying.' As if something pivotal had taken place within him, the Gryffindor's stifles had started to gradually subside. "I can do this," he tried.

Sure there weren't tears streaming down his face anymore. BUT HE STILL FELT AWFUL. It was like all his insides were wrestling each other. He felt so sick. Eugh. More than anything he just needed his mother. WHO HE HAD BETRAYED. AHHH NO. Good thoughts Zander, think good thoughts.

This assignment was all fun and all until Zander started to cry so loudly that Kevin started to feel uncomfortable. He had no idea how to comfort someone since he had never done it before but at the same time he didn't want to drown because he was pretty sure that if Zander didn't stop now, the corridor would be underwater...

And then he began to explain what made him feel so guilty and the twelve year old listened. Maybe he could use some of the information as blackmail later if they happen to get in to a fight or something? Yes, he was that low. But what he heard made him feel bad for thinking his previous thoughts. He knew how much trouble someone could have with parents when you weren't 'good enough' his father was the same. Well, with him it was more that they didn't talk to each other after that fight one evening. His heart stung when he thought about it and he hoped with all his might that when he drank the potion he wouldn't be feeling guilty about that. Because he wasn't. He would have done the same thing again if he could turn back time.

He looked at Zander as he seemed to take in his words. He could do this? Okay. Kevin narrowed his eyes suspiciously but when he saw that there weren't any tears streaming down the older Gryffindor's face, he nodded and brought the water mixed with potion to his own lips.

"Well, here goes nothing" and with a quick glance around to see if no one was looking he drank the potion. Which tasted....like normal water... "Did you put the potion in or not---"

Kevin had to support himself against the wall by leaning back. He ran a hand through his black hair as his breathing intensified. What was going on? Was this how ...guilt ..felt like? Why did he feel this? he had never felt guilt before atleast not that he could remember.

His miss-matched colored eyes were widened as he stared at the ground.Tears were filling up his eyes but they weren't falling yet. He could do this!

There was no way he was going to cry in front of someone!