As she worked her way down the ever cooling staircase, Emmalyn couldn’t help but wonder if what she heard could really be true. She had just seen with her own eyes the Fat Friar, so she was sure ghosts were real. But, she wondered if there really was a ghost from her family at Hogwarts.

“Good gravy it’s cold down here” she mumbled as she made her way further down the icy corridor. Her mind ran over the events of the evening. She was sorted into Hufflepuff. There was no way her mother could have known what house she would be sorted into, so how did her mother happen to give her a bracelet that very morning that was in Hufflepuff house colors? Then she heard someone, although she couldn’t tell who said it, say there was a ghost with the last name of Walsh last seen in the dungeon corridor.

After deciding there was no harm in trying to call the ghost, Emmalyn gently cleared her throat and spoke “Excuse me, are there any ghosts down here?” She looked around for some sign of ghostly business. “Hello? Ghosts? Ghost Walsh? I’m looking for ghost Walsh?” The cold was starting to seep through her robes and down to her bones. She stood a moment more and called out louder through chattering teeth “Are there any ghosts down here?” She slowly walked forward, looking in every direction for a sign that a ghost was around.


Emmalyn continued down the corridor, rubbing her hands up and down her arms for warmth. She was thankful she had her wand, even though she had no idea whatsoever how to use it. If she happened to run into someone or something along the way, she figured they wouldn’t know she had no idea. That did make her feel a bit less nervous. She was also taking comfort in knowing she announced to a few fellow Hufflepuffs where she was headed. She was sure at least one of her housemates would come looking for her soon to help her find this Walsh ghost.

Based on calculations, this was probably the last term she'd be able to gather rats from the dungeons. Given the average lifespan and her inability to take them with her when she left, Jessa tried to angle her study in such a way that the last of them would die just in time for her to board the Hogwarts express for the last time. Those that didn't, she would release back into the castle but after years of pampering, the Ravenclaw wasn't sure how well they would acclimatize to life back out in the "wild".

It was something to look into, in fact she already was. A few of her more seasoned rats had been re-released into the dungeons with little tags on them for easy identification. They knew her voice and she knew where they were likely to be. In theory, it should have been easy enough--but of course nothing ever worked quite the way theory intended leaving Jessa on her knees currently peering into a crevice along the wall with her wand illuminating the inside.

It was only at the sound of another person that she looked up, straightening to get a better look. "Who's ghost Walsh?" She asked, curious blue eyes set on the First Year. "I don't reckon many of the ghosts stick around down here. You could try the spirit room." She may have asked why that hadn't been the first place she checked but for two reasons she didn't; 1. it may very well HAVE been the first place she checked, 2. First Years seldom knew the right places to do anything. That sort of knowledge took some time around the castle, exploring and figuring it out.

And just like that, Jessa now found herself wondering why a First Year would be looking for a ghost. So many questions in truth. "Is he a friend of yours?" How curious.

Emmalyn crept further down the hall, even though every ounce of her wanted to run back to the warm comfort of the Hufflepuff common room. It was only out of sheer determination to find the ghost that kept her pushing forward on her journey.

"Oh, what's that?" she whispered when she spotted a bit of light near the ground just down the corridor. She gripped her wand tighter and headed towards the mysterious light. "Ghost Walsh?" she said just above a whisper. She was so new to magical things that she wasn't sure if a ghost could produce light. All of the ghosts at the opening feast were sort of transparent, but that was in the bright lights of the Great Hall.

Suddenly, the light holding figure rose before her and she let out an ear piercing scream "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!" Emmalyn was frozen in terror. At that very moment she had the silliest thought run through her mind. She had always wondered if she was more of a fight or flight type person. She instantly determined that she was a freeze in place and try not to pee your pants type.

Before heart attack level of panic could take over, the being before her spoke. It spoke in the most wonderful human tone. Emmalyn's brain quickly realized that it was not a ghost, not a life threatening situation, and not a reason to flip out.

"Oh, hello. Sorry about that. You scared me." She loosened the white knuckle grip on her wand and gently placed it in the pocket of her robe. "I am looking for a ghost. I overheard a few students talking about a ghost that lives around this part of Hogwarts." she said all of this as if she knew exactly what she was talking about. "They said it's last name was Walsh, and well, I'm Emmalyn Walsh." She considered what the spirit room might have and weather or not that would be a good second place to look. "I'm not sure about the Spirit Room. I'm fairly certain they said the ghost was down here."

Emmalyn glanced around to make sure she hadn't missed anything else during her conversation with the older girl. "What are you doing down here? I asked one of the older girls in my house to come and help when she could, maybe we can help you find what you are looking for while we look for my ghost?"

It was rather difficult to find a place of utter peace and quiet around Hogwarts. While Ethan tended to spend much of his time in the library or in his common room, he still at times desired fewer humans in his immediate environment. He did not hate humans, he just tended to enjoy the aspects of solitude. It was the ability to think efficiently in solitude that he most enjoyed and it was for this reason that he found himself in the ghostly corridors of the dungeon floor. The portraits were not quite his cup of tea but he was able to ignore them once he got into a mind of his own. As for what was in that mind...well..of course, it was to be psychological philosophy but today it was particularly to do with the psychology of romance.

What was romance? How was it elicited in individuals? Did it only ever have to do with love?

His questions were numerous and, while they did interlink to his current thoughts on his emotions towards Izzy, they appeared to be broad rather than specific. That was how he tended to think about things: broadly and only afterward he'd delve into the specifics.

To answer this endless questions, he'd visited the library and attained some books. Some more scientific than others but what Ethan tended to find most fascinating was to look at actual human interaction or even expression of the matter and it was for this reason that he currently held a copy of 'The Notebook' in his hand. Yes, it was a muggle novel but his sister had endlessly spoke of it and he had thought that it would be a good place to begin.

So there the Seventh Year introvert was, reading 'The Notebook' whilst quietly seated against one of the eerie dungeon corridor walls.

Steph had decided today was probably a good day to head down towards the potions and practice. Even if her OWLs were next term, the redhead liked getting a head start on things. She had already made a new plant terrarium a couple of days ago, which ended up shattering right after leaving the greenhouses. Walking down the dungeon corridor, Steph didn't really expect to see people down here. Well, maybe a prefect like Jessa, but that was about it. Also, maybe a Slytherin.

Anyway.

Steph slightly eavesdropped on their conversation, trying to see if it was interesting enough to do so. Her pink ears perked up at the mention of ghosts and how the younger girl was trying to find them. "If you're looking for ghosts, it's best to try places people have seen them the most. Or places the staff or students have mentioned is their favorite," which can make a difference in who you'll bump into, really. "I didn't mean to intrude; ghost talk is just interesting," Steph gave both girls a shy smile.

Just as Emmalyn had finished asking what the girl in the corridor was doing, she heard more footsteps coming from behind her. She turned and a giant smile spread across her face. "Oh, yay, another Hufflepuff!" She motioned to her fellow Hufflepuff to come closer. "I'm looking for a ghost with the same last name as mine. Ghost Walsh. I heard some of the students talking about the ghost in the Great Hall. They said it was down here." She nodded with complete confidence that she was in fact looking in the correct place. She also wondered why everyone she ran into seemed to think her ghost would be in a different location, without even looking for it.

She looked between the girls and hoped they would help her look. Emmalyn felt as if she had searched as well as she could alone and, with the help of two older student, she very well may find the ghost before bedtime. Focusing back on her fellow Hufflepuff she asked "You are Stephanie, right? I think you were sitting at the other end of the table from me at the opening feast. I'm Emmalyn, if you don't know my name." She held out her hand for Steph to shake, then quickly brought it back to her robes, wiped the sweat off, then held it out again.

"This other girl was looking for something she lost down here too. Maybe we can all work together and find what we are searching for." She felt that would be the best plan possible. All three of them, working together, staying safe and not being scared. She knew she would feel much better with two older students walking around with her.

Floating down the dungeon corridor the Baron's chains clanked and rattled as they hit the stone floor as he slowly drifted forwards thinking about Lady Helena. He was intending to make his daily visit to the snake den and see if any of the students were up to something interesting.

It was then that he came upon a boy in blue Ravenclaw robes propped up against one of the dungeon walls with his nose in a book. Floating closer his bloodiness asked in his distinctive hoarse tone. "Good day, what are you reading?"

Blink. Blink. Blink.

Of all the reactions to be expected.....that one....that one was pretty out there--even for a First Year. Jessa looked up at the girl from her spot on the ground, wondering what could've spooked the girl that badly....until the mention of that ghost again, the one she'd been calling just now.

"I'm not sure I've ever heard of a Ghost Walsh." The Ravenclaw admitted. "But if they say he's down in these corridors, it'd explain why I haven't." Most of her time was spent higher up in the castle, whether up in her lab or her Common Room or looking for a certain Gryffindor that had taken a liking to hiding in closets while he painted. Kinda hard to see a dungeon ghost under those circumstances.

Before she could explain what she'd been doing down there, they were joined by yet another Hufflepuff. "Hey Steph." She wasn't ready to get off the ground yet but she did put out the light at the tip of her wand. "I'd thought the same. Spirit room was my first guess. D'you know of any Ghosts named Walsh skulking around here?"

Jessa looked to the firstie again, Emmalyn as her name happened to be. "I didn't actually lose anything. I'm looking for some test subjects. Released 'em and came back to check on their progress." So not entirely something they could help with. "It's fine." The Ravenclaw rose to her feet. "Plenty of time to find them. Let's see if we can't find that ghost for you while we're here."

Blushing at Jessa's reaction, Emmalyn gave an uncomfortable smile. She had overreacted a bit, but she did think for a moment that she had come across some sort of other worldly creature. What eleven year old wouldn't overreact?

"I'm sure they said the dungeon corridor was the last place they saw the ghost. Well, I think I'm sure. It was loud in the Great Hall and everyone was talking at once." She was beginning to wonder if her mind made up the entire thing. Maybe they said something like go wash in the dungeon corridor?

Her attention was pulled back to the present when Jessa started talking about her reason for being down there. "Test sujbects? What sort of test subjects?" She immediately looked down at her feet. She didn't want any test subjects running around and touching her.

Happy that Jessa agreed to help her look, Emmalyn turned to Steph, "Will you help too?" Emmalyn really hoped she would. For one, the more eyes looking, the easier it would be to find the ghost. Secondly, she wasn't sure how much she wanted to be alone with the Prefect with the missing test subjects. Especially not knowing what sort of tests she was doing down there.

Fascinating! How did Allie and Noah still have feelings for each other after so many years? Did this mean that feelings were to never fade? Or was this just fantasy? or rather were Allie and Noah that one in a million?

Questions and questions, they continued to surface to Ethan's mind until he was disrupted by a question addressed to him from someone else. The Seventh year gazed up and almost wet himself when he saw the Bloody Baron not too far from him. Of course, he soon realized that the 'who' of this matter was not the reason to panic, but rather the type of question he had just asked.

All flustered, Ethan quickly closed the book and fidgeted about with it in his hands. "It-it-uh-good day. It-it's just called the-theNotebook". Sounded innocent, didn't it? Surely the Bloody Baron wouldn't know that it was a muggle romance.

It was nice to see that the boy seemed to have a healthy respect for ghosts but the Baron wanted to know more about this book he was reading. It looked and sounded like a romance novel. And he was in dire need of romance advice so the boy would just have to deal with him there.

Ignoring the flustering and fidgeting his bloodiness prodded as he wafted even a little closer. "What kind of book is the Notebook? Is it a love story with pictures?"

Just coming out of the common room she headed down the dungeons. Where she was even going was still up for discussion. Did she want to go to the kitchen for some tea or did she want to head to the room of requirement to enjoy some time to herself? These corridors were so cold and crowded now that they had been away at break. Zita wasn't sure she even wanted near many people at the moment.

There was the chance she could run into James and have him join her in the room, but then she could run into someone else and get distracted altogether. Maybe she should have brought Andi with her, they had stories to discuss since the break and that party.


Maybe she should stop and really figure out her plans, but right now just walking was going to be her thing.

Now that she was finally starting to look at the strengths her team had instead of the fact that they lost their first match, Skylar felt like a completely different person. It was amazing what changing perspectives could do for a person's well-being.

Heading back towards the common room to swap out a few books before her next round of classes and pick up her quill article to drop off by the Headmistress when she spotted one particular fourth year emerging from the common room. She hadn't exactly been sure what she made of Zita as she tended to keep her distance from her, save for their interactions in classes and at quill meetings. Although she did wonder about her gossip piece that blamed Zayn for the sickness and she didn't think it was his fault. But what did she know? She snogged him regularly a year ago.

"Zita, hey. You're not going by the Headmistress' office, are you?" Because maybe she could give her her article so that she could skip that step today and focus on her Uncle Henry lines that she was behind schedule with memorizing.

Her head was starting to hurt from her own thoughts,
but soon her eyes moved to a voice. She glanced up and saw Skylar,
was she doing what? Has she been so focused on her own thoughts she didn't even hear anyone else in the dungeon?

"I'm sorry, I wasn't fully here I think. What did you say?" She hated to admit she hadn't heard the first time, but it wasn't that big of a deal,
maybe she had something important to do or person to see and that's where her head was. Though she didn't care what Skylar thought anyway, or maybe she did care, she was a quidditch captain, so she was popular for that reason.

Okay, so she did care so she'd start listening better.

Wait, what? Eh, maybe she shouldn't trust Zita with her article, if she zoned out the second she left the common room. Or had she been zoned out BEFORE leaving? Was the fourth year sleep-walking? She knew she'd been sick, but she was getting better... At least, Skylar assumed so what with her being out of bed and all. Honestly, the girl wasn't a quidditch player and refused to even TRY flying, so it wasn't as if the sixth year really kept close tabs on her.

"Are you.... okay?" She didn't need to see the healer, did she? Because while they weren't friends exactly and some of her actions had the captain skeptical, the girl was still a Slytherin. "I was just asking about going by the headmistress' office, but ... if you're distracted, I'll make time to drop it off myself." She didn't want her article to get lost, after all.

"Oh, yes, yes I'm fine." She started playing with her hair and bouncing on her toes a bit with a giant smile. "I just was off thinking about boys, and classes, and how I'll the boys in class, that's all." She was lying, she was really thinking about break and things that went on with Andi and her at that muggle party, but she wasn't going to tell anyone about that.

Now though she was listening so she nodded as Skylar said about an article, "Oh sure I could take it, I mean I don't have mine done yet, but I was just going on a walk to see who was out and about, so I could easily drop it off if you wanted me to." The thought of articles made her think of her own. She always had a hard time toning down the gossip for the school paper compared to her own juicy gossip column that she held no restriction with.