Hads waited for Mossy just inside the Room of Requirement. She was positioned next to the door so that when the girl entered, she'd not see Hadley and Hadley could block the door before her roommate ran. Mossy thought they were gonna just have a sit down and talk about the disaster that was potions class. For whatever reason, Hadley had the distinct impression that Mossy blamed her for messing up. Like she'd done it on purpose. Which come to think of it, was exactly why Mossy probably wanted this little chat.

And in fairness, Hadley did include a small sitting area in the far corner for them to sit down and talk. Butter beer and snacks had been provided by the house elves. But that was not Hadley's intent. She had been using the Room of Requirement quite frequently this year, as a place of catharsis and stress release. The way she felt inside, the turmoil and fragility- they weren't healthy. They made her want to snap at her friends at times, made her irritable at other times, and so she'd made this room. A room she could let everything out safely.

The room was huge. Filled with glass vases, stone sculptures and wooden mannequins. A handful of resembled Hadley. Bats of all types and varieties: Quidditch beater bats, Cricket bats, wooden and aluminum baseball bats lined the wall just inside the door, to be used to smash anything and everything to bits. Except the stone statues, those required a wand.

This was a place to let it all out, fully and consequence free.

This was something Hadley realized Mossy needed just as much as she did.

Katherine wasn't the type to run away from battles, and thus she walked to the Room of Requirement to talk to one Hadley Denaker to finish this stupid thing once and for all. A trait not found in many, she was able to preserve her fury for as long as she had to, before she had a talk with the person. Today, Haddie was going down for bringing Katherine down in the Professor's eyes. Katherine had kept an eye on EVERY step Haddie had carried out, and yet, the stupid girl still somehow managed to ruin the potion - which meant only one single thing: it had been on purpose.

Well, what Katherine was about to say was on purpose too.

The door appeared as the 12 year old mentally prepared herself for the argument, and she entered. She lingered by the door for just long enough to quickly peek at the room. There... seemed to be no traps, and she didn't pay much attention to the dolls or whatever, so she fully stepped in. Haddie was nowhere - the door closed, and Katherine turned to see the girl beside it. She didn't make much of it, as the fury boiled inside her.

"Why?" she croaked as she physically got ready to flee - meaning, get her wand out and send curses at the girl.

The doors were shut, and they wouldn't open again unless someone spoke their name. And as far as Hadley knew, she was the only one that could gleam the name of things. So, they weren't opening again until Hadley decided they would. Sorry, Mossy, no storming out like at the feast. This was ending.

Why? Hadley's expression softened and she stepped forward, offering Katherine the bat and making no move to get a new one for herself. "Because you need this as much as I do, Moss. Maybe even more. So take the bat and smash my face in." She nodded to mannequins that resembled her. "Let everything I did to you, real or imagined out. Just let everything you've been bottling up out. No judgement from me. I've been letting my issues out on the vases." She waited for the girl to take the bat. "Then we can talk, free of pent up animosity. Deal?"

Had Katherine been less furious, she would have noticed that Haddie's expression had turned softer. However, she couldn't think straight. She was ready to vent (and curse if necessary), so when Haddie offered a bat, she just looked dumbly.

Smash? What? What kind of - without reaching for the bat, she just looked at the girl, the mannequins, and the bat in this order. Let everything out? She frowned as deeply as her eyebrows would go, and looked disgusted.

"No!" she exclaimed, "I'm not going to - smash your face in. I deal with my problems by talking." She was still a human, even though Haddie... clearly had different ways to let it out. But it didn't matter. She came here to talk, and she didn't see any point in wasting time.

"You did it on purpose." If Haddie denied it, then she was getting her face smashed in - and the real one.

Hadley sighed and studied the bat in her hand with disinterest. She had no idea what to say anymore. "One day you may realize that I really am trying to be your friend." But Hadley was starting realize that day wasn't going to be anytime soon. "Whatever. But," and she was really emphasizing this, "I didn't make you help me. I just asked for your help, because I'm crap at potions." Yep, she actually said crap this time, and not carp. "You knew that before agreeing."

She stepped past Mossy, heading deeper into the room. "You want to talk, talk. I'm going to let off steam my way." Hadley closed the gap to the the vases and stopped. She turned to face Mossy. "No, you know what? That's bull. You don't want to talk, you never did. You just want to chew me out. So do that." Okay, now Hadley was getting as furious as Mossy seemed to be. "Do it then. Lay into me with everything you've ever wanted to say to me. Make sure I know just how much you hate me DESPITE the fact I have done nothing to you. Not that you care, or will even believe that. You, Katherine Mary Moss," yeah, she knew the other girl's middle name. She actually paid attention, "only see what you want to see."

Hadley swung at a few vases. Each erupted into a cloud of shattered glass. She was quiet for a bit after that and seemed to be calming down some. "Do you know why you don't have friends, Katherine? It has nothing to do with jealousy. It's because you treat those that want to be your friend like they're scum. You chew them out, accuse them of things they didn't do, make sure they know just how much you hate them for existing. For being anyone else but you." Was any of this actually getting through to her. Hads hoped so, for Mossy's sake. "It's not that you don't have friends Moss. You have friends. They just don't have you as a friend back. It's not the same." What was the point? Most of the time, Mossy was a brick wall.

"Alright, your turn." Hadley tossed her bat off to the left, and then drew her wand. It was gently placed far out of arm's reach to the right. "There, I'm unarmed. Let me have it, like I know you've been dying to."

Yeah, right, Haddie was truly trying to - But what if she is, she looks genuine, - be her friend. It was true that Katherine herself had agreed to helping her, but it was just for her personal benefit, which Haddie GLADLY ruined. Cold, blue eyes watched the girl. She wasn't going to answer to her... accusation?, because they both knew Haddie was enjoying riling Katherine up.

Except, Katherine had begun to have doubts about her almost obsessive idea that Haddie hated her, but she pushed them away. People like Haddie (read: troublemakers who thought the world revolved around them) only talked to people like Katherine (successful, hardworking, serious) to laugh. Besides, her mother couldn't be wrong about people, and she had specifically told her to stay away from this blond.

Well, if she was just going to hit at vases, Katherine had better go. She wasn't about to stay with her at the same room.

Orrr... Haddie was getting angry. For what? Because Katherine was angry? That was ridiculous! Katherine opened her mouth to answer just as hotly, but Haddie went on, and...

Told you she's good. She cares. She's innocent. She just wanted to be your friend.

People like her do not become friends with me.

Well, she does. Or wanted to. But you just broke her heart, like you always do.

Katherine didn't even hear the sound of broken glass. She was thinking about moments with Haddie - the girl truly had never looked sinister. But... this didn't mean she wasn't! Maybe this was just a show. Maybe, as soon as she had won Katherine's trust, she was going to humiliate her.

Mossy? Quit it.

Haddie's voice brought her back to the Earth. She probably looked confused and very, very insecure. She didn't want to listen to Haddie anymore, because deep down she knew what she was saying was right. She was that girl - she thought that the world revolved around her. She thought about the primary school and what she had told her class mates - the boy who said he 'loved' her, the girl who wanted to take her class notes, the other girl who had invited her to her slumber party but whose family was... wasn't a suitable family to hers... but... but... none of this had been her fault, had it? Boys were stupid and that girl should have come to the class and the family really was weird and here, Haddie was a troublemaker. Her mother told so and her mother knew everything.

Did she know how much you felt lonely when she didn't let you go to the party? Did she know the whole class hated you because you didn't give your notes? You know what you need to do. You'll explain it to your mum. She'll understand. She only knows what you've told her, after all. You'll tell her you'd made a mistake about Hadley and it'll be fine.

"I -" she whispered, her throat was so dry that she could barely gulp, "I thought you hated me and wanted to laugh at me." She paused. It was because she thought that Haddie was jealous of her, but maybe she wasn't. Maybe. "I didn't know that you cared." And she also needed someone to hate to feed her ego and ambitions. There was still no guarantee that this wasn't some sort of a game any -

Say it.

"I'm sorryifIhurtyou."

This was the moment Haddie had to laugh if this was a joke.

Hads wiped her eyes dry. She always hated the fact that any strong emotion, no matter which one it was, made her eyes tear up. This hadn't gone the way she expected. The silence lingered while Hadley tried to digest Mossy's words.

Then she shook her head and shrugged. "But I get it. I guess. I'm not a regular Ravenclaw. My ideas of fun are more in line with Gryffindor than Ravenclaw. But, no. I never hated you and never wanted to laugh at you. With you, as friends maybe, but not at you." She wiped her eyes again, and got up to retrieve Kira. The wand was slipped back into her pocket.

Hadley nodded finally and gestured to the corner of the room where a table and booth seating were. "The elves brought butterbeer and snacks and such. Nothing sweet though." Since she couldn't have sweets or sugar. Not while trying to become an animagus. Just because Professor Ichihara refused to train her, didn't mean Hadley was going to give up her dream of becoming one. The invitation was Hadley's way of showing she forgave Mossy. "I'm sorry for whatever I did to make you think I hated you."

Haddie didn't laugh.

On the contrary, she wiped her eyes. Until that moment, Katherine hadn't noticed, but her eyes were wet with tears too. She sniffed and wiped her tears as well. She didn't know that Haddie cared enough to cry. Katherine usually came off as cruel, but the one thing she never wanted to do was making someone else cry. Did Haddie understand? Why wasn't she talking? Katherine was dying with the urge to leave, but she stayed. Haddie was talking now. She wanted to laugh with Katherine... no one had ever told her such a thing before. It had always been loneliness for Katherine, but here Hadley Denaker was, telling her that she wanted to laugh with her. Katherine sniffed harder and hoped Haddie wouldn't comment on her crying. She didn't want to look desperate. And she didn't cry, no.

She ought to invest in Memory Charm.

She silently followed her to the table and sat down. Thankfully, the tears had stopped. She bit her lower lip. Why did she hate Haddie besides the obvious fact that she was more of a Gryffindor than a Ravenclaw? Haddie was a troublemaker, but she had never pushed Katherine into trouble. She was even sometimes funny...

'My clever girl, you'd do well to avoid her. She's not a good friend. You don't want to be distracted by her. She'll do her best to pull you down, and you should answer just as harshly. You focus on whatever you ought to do and do not get too friendly with her, or else, you'll end up as a good-for-nothing as well. The Blaise boy too. Avoid Blaise and Hadley.' But her mother had been wrong, at least about Hadley.

Maybe she's also wrong about Blaise... he might be a little thick, but he's a good -

"I... guess I thought that your... pranks would get to me somehow and... interfere with my studying. I still have to be at the top." To make the family Moss great again. "As long as I don't get in trouble, I'd - I'd love to laugh with you."

And drink a cup of butterbeer, because she didn't think she could make another sound with her dry throat.

Hadley followed Mossy over to the table and sat down. Along with the butterbeer was french fries (chips in the UK) and chips (crisps in the UK) and chicken nuggets. Good ol' American comfort food...well, for Hadley at least. Give her a break. All the true comfort foods were either sweets or actual dinners.

So these were the next best thing.

She slid the plates of food in between Mossy and her so they could both enjoy and then poured herself a glass of butterbeer. It was still nice and warm. "I don't get my friends in trouble if they don't want to be. I'm not like that." Ask Rachel. The girl has never lost a single point because of Hads. "As for pranking...I won't prank you. As long as you don't prank me. Because if you do, then that's an invitation to a prank war, and I can't pass that up." Ever. "So, you have my word I won't get you into trouble, unless you want to join me in getting into trouble, which then it'll be your own choice. Got it?"

She sat quietly for a bit, enjoying the warm food that reminded her of happy memories of childhood and summertime. "Can I ask you something? You don't have to answer. What's with the whole needing to be the best? I've never gotten that."

Katherine LOVED french fries, but her mother rarely let her eat them, because they were unhealthy. Actually, she loved everything on the table right now, so she delved right into. Emotions usually drained her, and she had got hungry. Oh, Merlin. She knew people got into the kitchens but because she didn't approve of it (that 'asking' the house elves to prepare them something, as if poor things didn't have enough work already), she had never asked for food she craved. Maybe, if she made absolutely sure that they weren't over-worked...

Anyway, she looked back at Haddie and smiled a little. It would take her some time to believe the 'I don't get my friends in trouble' part, but she was willing to try. "Got it," she said. It felt weird to agree on something - a friendship, to be exact - with Haddie. Katherine had got so used to feeling hatred that now it was just emptiness. A good one, though. Until that moment, she hadn't realised how draining it was. Well, not anymore, unless...

"I hate pranks anyway," she said as she tried not to look so disgusted by the thought of them, but she probably did. She had been a victim a few times, and... no, she would never prank someone for a hundred years.

At the next question, she just shrugged. "Because that's who I am. I've always been at the top." Always. "And... I'm ambitious, y'see," as ambitious as to become the Minister, "so I want to." She paused. "It's your turn to explain why you can't have sweets." Was it because of a medical condition?

Hadley smirked. "Pranks aren't everyone's thing. I find them fun though." She paused to eat a few fries and chicken nuggets. "Don't worry, I won't prank you." Last thing she needed was to undo all of this with a stupid prank. "And if anyone else pranks you, let me know. I'll get them back for you. So you can have that satisfaction, and still not get into any trouble." See, she was a valuable friend to have.

This was weird though. Sitting here, with Mossy, chatting and hanging out as friends. But it was a good weird. "Ah," Hads said. "That's cool." She still didn't get it exactly. She had ambitions too, and loved to push and test herself. But Hadley didn't care about being better than anyone else. Usually. Still, she wasn't going to fault the girl for being true to herself.

Ah, the sweets thing. "Animagus training." Hadley shrugged. "Don't know why we can't have sweets, or caffeine for that matter, while training. But we can't. And don't tell Itchy Mara." If she ever had the chance to meet her seven year old self, she was going to thank her for that nickname. "She denied my request to train me. Again. I don't even mind that as much as the fact she promised last year we'd see about starting training this year. I did everything she asked, too. But did we see? Nope. She already had her mind made up before the year started." She sighed and sat back. "Says I am too young. If she felt that way, then she shouldn't have said 'we'll see,' should she? So anyway, I am training myself without her." Because Hadley wasn't about to waste years sitting idly by waiting for a yes that she'd likely never get. She was never going to conform to Itchy Mara's idea of maturity. No. She wouldn't waste those years. She was going work toward her goal, with or with the Professor.

In that way, perhaps Mossy and Hads weren't so different.

See, even though Katherine (still) wouldn't trust Hadley, one thing was clear: Hadley truly was the type to save her friends from tough situations, and it was the first time someone was offering that to Katherine. She didn't really have bullies at this school, rather people she didn't like, but it was nice to know that. She nodded and smiled. Maybe... this wasn't going to be so terrible. Maybe Haddie was a nice person...

Oh, yeah, animagus training. Katherine had yet to go to Mr. Hirsch for becoming Legilimens.

"You can die," she said simply - if Haddie did the training without professional help. "And in pain, too. Not to mention exposing the wizards, therefore breaking laws and causing a big mess." So, she shouldn't do it.

...and not running to a professor to report Hadley right at this moment was her token of friendship.

With her hand still very much holding onto his although the hold was gentle Hady made her way up several flights of stairs. Once she had begun walking and didn't hear a complaint from the blonde she knew where she was going. One of her most favorite spots in the entire castle. The RoR. It was where it all began in a sense so it only seemed most fitting for it to start again there.

Arriving at the corridor on the seventh floor Hady reluctantly let his hand go. It was that or drag him back and forth with her as she paced the floor to get the door to appear. Her thoughts were focused on what 'he' would like. It was his birthday so colors that would fit him and things she knew he liked most were thought of. She wasn't going crazy but more calm, relaxing. A simple but nice place to eat, maybe a small fire place. Thankfully she knew him well enough.

Glancing at the door when it appeared Hady sent a bright smile Frankie's way. Grabbing the basket again she placed a hand on the door handle and tugged it open letting them inside.

At first he had no clue where she was taking him. All Frankie knew was that it wasn't the Great Hall as they had climbed up the stairs of the Clock Tower onto the third floor and then walked down the corridor before coming to the moving staircases. It was only by the time they had passed the opening to the sixth floor when he developed a hunch at where they were going.

His hunch had been confirmed the instant they stepped foot onto the seventh floor and made their way down the halls to where the Room of Requirement could be found. When she let his hand go, he made a small pouty face. Nonetheless, he understood why they weren't holding hands for the moment. He certainly didn't mind not being dragged back and forth.

When the door appeared and Hady opened it, the blond smiled at her room selection. It had a very cabin-like feel to it, with windows overlooking an impressive wooded scenery (it was fake of course, but still breathtaking) and a decent-sized fireplace in front of a large leather sofa. It was simple, yet quite elegant.

"Nice choice," Frankie said approvingly, sprinting ahead of her to leap onto the sofa. He may have been seventeen now, but he was still very much a little kid at heart.

There was noway whatsoever that he could not know where she had been going. It was more or less their meet up place seeing as it could be anything theyou needed. Just like today. Hady had no need to explain where they were going.

When she had dropped his hand it was for a reason. That pout though had her wanting to grab his hand again and never let go. It was the cutest! She smiled at him, her eyes silently saying that it would be worth it when he saw the room.

Lingering back Hady watched as Frankie took in the room choice. It had turned out perfect. The calming woodsy feeling, colors and gentle fire roaring across from the couch. It was like home. A home that had a certain blonde leaping about like a child. Did he really just leap onto the sofa like that?

Shaking her head at him the brunette laughed softly walking over and sitting the basket down on the glass coffee table that sat in front the couch. Giving him a chance to get comfortable she sat down beside him. "Thanks. Someday I want a small place like this... comfortable and not overly done." She smiled at him leaning forward and opening the basket, taking his gift and setting it aside. "Shall we eat?"

As she asked the question she was already laying the containers out on the table so she could get to the utensils that were in the basket as well as napkins and drinks.

Yes, Hady, he most certain did leap onto the sofa like that. He needed to be sitting on something to kick off his shoes, which was the first thing he did. After, he stood on one of the cushions and slipped off his robes, undid his tie, and even undid a couple buttons of his shirt before getting comfortable. Classes were over; it was his birthday; it was time to let loose a little.

The laughing didn't go unnoticed. Frankie was waiting for Hady to do the same, but then he remembered that she was carrying around the basket. No jumping on the furniture until the food was in a safe place. He watched as she walked over and placed the food into the glass table before sitting beside him. "Yeah. It's really nice. I wouldn't mind a place like this either." It'd be nice to have a little safe haven at the end of the day from fighting dark wizards and such.

Eyes rolled when she asked if they should eat. Uhh ... YEAH. Frankie simply nodded his head as she laid out the containers on the table. He still didn't know what was in that bigger container. But, knowing Hady, it was bound to be good.

Getting comfortable was one thing but the removal and shoes and robes and ties and whatnot had caught her eye. Not fully as she was preparing their dishes finally lifting the lid off of the larger container showing its contents. The scent of lasagna filling the room along with Rolls and butter to go with it. A smaller container holding some salad was taken out as well.

Serving them both she then allowed herself the moment to take off her robes and slip off he shoes. Yes, she knew how to get comfortable too. Which meant the tie was gone and the top two buttons on her shirt undone, hair pulled back into a messy quick braid. Much better, really she should've done this sooner. "Mm, well then you can come visit my home," She teased winking at him playfully. Or maybe their home? Who knew how things would work out for them both but if it was uo to her she ouldnt mind it one bit.

Taking one of the plates filled with food she passed it to him. Her own plate on her hands she scooted back on the couch to sit against the other arm rest, partly sideways tucking a leg up underneath herself.

Ahh, much better. School uniforms were so restricting in times like these. It would have been easy for him to slip into his common room for a quick change of clothes, but this would do. Everything he needed was here anyway.

That smell. As soon as it reached his nose, his mouth began to water. He could pick out the smell of lasagna from anywhere. It was one of his favourite meals, and he didn't bat an eye at the fact that Hady remembered that. He didn't recall ever telling her this, but he figured that she must have put two and two together. Figuring out which meals he liked best was easy when he ate more than his fair share.

He quietly watched her take off her robes and shows, remove the green and silver tie, unbutton two of her shirt buttons, and put her hair in a messy braid. Now that was more like it. They were all on his level now.

The comment and wink she made did not go unnoticed. Frankie didn't respond, however. A plate of lasagna was being handed to him, and there was no way his attention was going to be pulled away from that until it was all in his stomach. "Thank you," he said, taking the plate and diving right in.

The proper school uniform wasn't at all bad and she honestly didn't mind it but just like most others she opted to change into more comfortable clothing whenever she could. Like right now it probably would be jeans and a t-shirt or something like that. Maybe a hoodie those were always good. Anyhow this was what she was stuck with for now.

Sitting back and leaning into the corner of the couch getting comfortable she watched Frankie dig into his meal. "You're welcome, it pays off to be observant sometimes." All the time. It wasn't to hard to tell what someone liked and didn't like if you paid attention. Food was one of those things. If someone ate a bit more for a certain meal chances were it was something they enjoyed. Her eating habits weren't as quick as the blondes but that was okay, he could have as much as he wanted.

"So how's the birthday going for you, get anything good yet?" she asked after a few minutes of silence having just been enjoying the food before them. Reaching over she picked up her drink from the table and took a sip. She knew his family probably had sent him birthday gifts earlier in the day.

Needless to say, the lasagna was absolutely delicious. As soon as he put his first forkful of it in his mouth, the flavours instantaneously took over. For once, he chewed slowly, taking a moment to savour everything. Eventually he swallowed and then turned his face to Hady. "This is really good." Better than his mum's even, but he wasn't going to say that out loud -- from afar, his mother's heart would probably break if he did.

Silence ensued for a few minutes, during which he helped himself to more of the lasagna on his plate. Each forkful went by at a slightly faster pace. He wasn't paying much attention, but he was positive that Hady was taking her sweet old time to eat as she usually did. He looked at her from the corner of his eye to confirm this. She hadn't even made much of a dent as he did. His plate was nearly gone, and he was definitely having seconds.

"It's going alright so far. Would've been better if classes were cancelled for the day," he stated, passing from his meal for a moment. "Found a box of Honeydukes candy this morning in my dorm. Must've been from Zeke or one of the other boys. Hattie found me this morning at breakfast to give me one of her drawings that she had been working on. And I got a gift from my parents near the end of lunchtime, but I haven't gotten around to opening it yet." Potions and then Charms got in the way.

"Then there's your gifts." The book and basket of food and, whether planned originally or not, the kiss.

Hady's silence as she ate was sometimes normal. It gave her a moment to simply enjoy the food in all its glory. The flavors were there, the sauce was perfect not to much and not to little, the noodles were perfect. How she had managed to pull this off she really wasn't even sure. Cooking was NOT her strong suit she she was getting better that's to a little help from a friend who did like cooking. "I'd have to agree with you on that," She answered trying to keep the small off her face. She wasn't sure if he knew she herself had prepared the meal and she wasn't about to make it known.

Always the slow eater Hady didn't even realize she was eating any slower then normal until she caught sight of the blue eyes aimed at her. Her eyes found his dish that was mostly empty before she looked at her own a small laugh leaving her lips. "It's strange being able to eat properly again without that leaf in my mouth." It was going to take some getting used to.

Classes being cancelled for his birthday, huh? Now that would've been really nice. "Would've had the whole day to eat delicious food." Food was always good. "Aaww Hattie is the sweetest. I didn't know she liked to draw though, is she good at it?" Curiousity had gotten the better of her just then. Lessons made it hard to enjoy a birthday she was sure but she was a lucky one who didn't deal with that being hers was in the summer.

Her gifts. The book which she had gone through great lengths to get her hands on and the food that she prepared on her own. The recipes were near and dear to her so seeing that she hadn't butchered the meal AND Frankie enjoyed was a huge deal. Whether or not he was speaking of the kiss as well she wasn't sure and right now it wasn't to big of a deal. Lies. It was a HUGE deal.