Ian's eyebrows went up briefly as Carter beckoned him over, but he smirked slightly at it and got up with that gorgeous casual elegance and was over facing Ian in an instant, his arms crossed across his chest. You rang, he said with a small smile, his eyes flashing only once over to Noah.

Isabella tensed as Robert looked away from her once before finally looking back and answering. He sounded confident, but she wasn't convinced. She sighed at his question and came over to sit beside him. I'm fine, she said truthfully, looking up at him. She was just always level-headed about things.

Noah looked up as she heard a voice. As soon as she heard him, she knew exactly who it was. Her eyes quickly turned to see Ian standing there right in front of her and Carter. His eyes met hers for a moment. She couldn't help but feel glad that she had raised her head from Carter's shoulder. She didn't know why but she didn't want to cause any more underlying tension than there already was between the two. For a moment more her eyes lingered on Ian. She didn't say anything more. He had come over to talk to Carter not her.

Robert saw Isabella coming and sitting next to him.He nodded as she said she was fine
glad to hear that he said slowly and then looked at the glass of milk and brought the glass near to his mouth and sipped a bit.
He got up and brought out the jar of cookies and placed the cookies in a plate for Isabellla and brought it in front of her.He gave a small smile and then sat down
how is everybody outside? he asked thinking about Carter,Noah,Ian and the rest.
He hadnt heard anyone speak as he had walked out.The sole reason why he walked out,the silence was haunting him.
sorry you have to go through all this on your very first trip to this place he said looking at her

Carter glanced over at Noah, hoping that beckoning his friend over was alright. Everyone needed a friend at this moment- and Ian had only reached out to a few people, himself and Noah included. No matter what rivalry was between them, as far as he was concerned it was off now.

He looked over as Noah lifted her head, slightly saddened that the heat and comfort it provided was gone. However, as she smiled, he couldn't help but return it. "I hope so... thanks," he said. "And, if you pursue your art, I might have to ask you to come and decorate for me- I have no taste when it comes to that!" he said with a chuckle. Maybe she would stay around longer too... who knows. "Well, that's the idea anyway... I'll have to keep working on it," he told her with a shrug.

As Ian arrived, Carter offered a smile to his friend. "Couldn't have- I have neither a bell nor a phone on me," he said with a soft chuckle. "Looked like you needed a friend, mate, just thought I would offer one," he said with a shrug, indicating the open spot on the couch, or the chair that was next to them.

Noticing Noah's shift, he realized that they were still holding hands. He gently released her hand, but leaving it in a position so that she could take it back- if she chose. But, as he had thought earlier, he didn't want there to be drama involving the three of them right now- they were friends, and they needed each other right now.

Even in the circumstances, Isabella smiled as he set the plate of cookies in front of her. Awwwww !! Thanks, she said, tweaking up her smile at the corners for a moment before picking one of th ecookies up and taking a bite. They're.... they're all handling it differently I suppose. Everyone's still shook up, of course, but they're grouping off and working through it, she said with a shrug. ....except that one kid - Ian I think his name is? - he's being kind of.... odd about it all, she admitted with a small shiver. That guy creeped her out. It's fine, she added with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Ian saw Carter release Noah's hand and that gorgeous smile tightened slightly, but he gave no indication that anything had changed. He laughed at his friend's words but shook his head. No, you should no Carter - I'm not the 'friend-in-crisis' type, he said with a chuckle.

Noah listened to Carter talk about her having to help him decorate once he lived out. "I would love that" She said to him with the first actual smile that she had given off since the night before. But then again Carter did seem to have a way to always be able to bring a smile out of her.

Noah couldn't help but laugh when Carter made his comment about the ringing phone. It was nice to see the side of him that she had met last night. Then she felt him let go of her hand. Noah wasn't fond of the absense of it. She had liked the comfort that came with Carter's warm hand. But then again he had been right. This was a time to set differences aside and friends were needed. Somehow she couldn't help but worry that if she continued holding his hand that Carter's and Ian's friendship would suffer slightly so she just kept it where it was.

There was truth in Ian's words and Noah knew it. But then again the way he had laughed it was nice to see that slightly soft side of Ian as well. It was weird to think that she could find good things in this situation.

Robert nodded as she thanked him.He looked at her as she spoke of the other people.He simply nodded.He had seen that and he felt it would be like that for quite sometime now.
Robert raised his eyebrow when she talked of Ian.
Ian? he thought
Ian? what's up with him? he thought
oh come on,he always has been an odd ball here said andother voice
more then odd creepy the voice continued.Robert just shook his head and kept quite.
did Carter or anyone talk of the athourities coming in anytime soon? he asked.He asked her as he had no idea what might have been discussed as he had left the room earlier.

Carter's lips twitched slightly in a smile. "Well, I can at least offer... especially as you were standing there all by yourself," he said with a shrug. "Can you at least be my shoulder to cry on?" he teased the boy, hoping that a laugh might help everyone out... just a little.

"I'm glad... I will let you know when it is all finalized," he said with a warm smile. He could just see her, paintbrush in hand, and doing spectacular murals on each of the walls. He could even name the rooms according to what she did... it was a nice thought. Seeing her smile warmed his heart, and he gave her hand a quick squeeze.

As Noah laughed, Carter shot a quick smile over to her. It was great to hear her laugh... it seemed to brighten the room ever so slightly. He glanced down at his hand, missing the warmth that her hand in his had provided. Maybe, after this was all settled, he would take her hand again. But, only if it wouldn't cause a huge mess with Ian... he released a small sigh. Things would just be complicated for awhile it seemed.

Carter heard his name and looked around. Seeing Robert, he smiled. However, as he heard the sentence, his smile faded and was replaced by a slight frown. "I called them," he told Robert. "They said they would be here soon... but I haven't heard anything..." he said, glancing towards the door.

Noah gave off a large grin as Carter asked Ian if he could have his shoulder to cry on. She knew that it was only a joke and that Ian would never go for it. But at the same time she couldn't help but get this extremely strange mental picture inside of her mind.

Noah listened to Carter speak of when he would make a new Holly Home. As he spoke of it she let her mind wonder. The more and more that she thought about it the more excited she got. She could just see it. Carter was a year older than her. This was his last year at Hogwarts. During her sevnth year she could design the whole house.

She liked seeing Carter's smile. She had seen it often yesterday but any smile today she wouldn't take for granted. She couldn't help but think of what was going on between Carter and Ian and how she fit into it. Was there something going on. To other people looking in they probably wouldn't see it. She however knew there was tension there. Sooner or later that topic would have to be brought up, it wasn't something she looked forward to.

As Noah heard Robert's comment and Carter's reply she couldn't help but get a bad feeling in her stomach. She looked over to Carter. "I was about an hour ago that you called them right?" She asked him looking concerned. She didn't get a good feeling about this. Not at all. "I'll be right back I'm going to go try to call them again" She told the three as she got up to head to the kitchen.

Noah found the number that Carter had used to call the authorities. As she picked up the phone there was no dial tone or anything. She found the phone line had been cut. She walked back into the living room with a small amount of panic on her face. Barely enough for anyone to notice. "The phone lines have been cut. We can't call out" She said to all of them.

Ooc: Just to warn you, I made an oopsie- Robert and Isabella are in the kitchen!



Carter saw Noah's grin and he did his best to hide his responding smile. He liked that he could cheer her up- especially on a day as dark as today. He glanced over after he mentioned his new plans and saw that Noah was already brainstorming. "It looks like we will be doing a lot of business together," he said with a chuckle. "You'll keep me informed of your ideas, I hope?" he said, his eyes hopeful.

Carter glanced between Ian and Noah and resisted the urge to sigh again. Things really were going to have to be settled between them... otherwise it would just be balanced on the edge and drive them all crazy- but this wasn't the time. Whatever he and Ian had... it could wait- no matter what his friend might think.

As the topic of the authorities was brought up again, Carter nodded. He watched as Noah left and glanced at Ian worriedly. As Noah came back into the room, Carter could tell something was horribly wrong. He stood up and walked over to her. "What? That-" he closed his mouth, anger flashing in his eyes. It faded after a minute and he looked toward the barrier that separated them from the body. "What can we do now?"

Noah let her mind wonder just a little more. So many ideas were coming to mind. She could not wait until she could put these plans into action. She looked over at Carter, "Yes it looks like it" She told him. At his next comment she gave him a rather large grin. For art brought out an emotion in her that not much else did. "I'll tell you what. I will create a new sketch pad just for my ideas and you have complete reign to look at it any time that you wish"

Noah watched as Carter walked up to her. She was letting her mind go wild. What did this mean. "Carter" She whispered quietly. She was letting her mind think about too much and was truly getting scared. Of course if just anyone looked at her they would never see fear on her face. She wouldnt have let them. However Carter might just be able to hear it in her voice. She turned so that he could see the wordiness in her eyes. "Why would someone cut the phone line?" She said her voice still extremely quiet.

Isabella didn't say anything through his silence; everyone was perfectly entitled to their own thoughts and she wasn't going to screw that up - nooooo way. Yes, they were called, but it was awhile ago now.... I don't know where they are, she said, just noticing their apparent absence and frowning at the realization.

Ian didn't comment on Carter's statement and shrug. At his attempt to lighten the mood, however, he smiled stiffly for a moment before shaking his head. New shirt - sorry, he said sardonically with a small smirk. As Noah got up to call the police again, Ian frowned as his eyes trailed after her. He had composed himself and turned back to Carter in barely a few seconds. Yes, where are the muggle crime fighters? he asked to no one in particular, though when Noah came back, he didn't show emotion to the news. Well, I think that's my cue to leave.... he said, turning between she and Carter with a small, grim smile.

Noah was going to drive herself crazy, she needed to go what was going on and why right now! But then she heard Ian say something. The last thing she needed right now was to think that she had done something to upset him and make him leave her and Carter alone. The truth was that she wasn't with either one of them and right now she needed her friends and Ian and Carter were the ones that she was closest. "Ian, you don't have to leave" She said looking at him meeting his eyes. She truly wanted him to stay. Whether he did or not was a different story. At the same time she was hoping that she wasn't upsetting Carter with asking him to stay.

Robert looked Isabella
they were called sometime ago and arent here yet? he asked slightly surprised
i know the muggle authorities are slightly slower then the wizarding ones but its been quite sometime he said his voice slightly worried.
He looked up at the entrance of the kitchen thinking what Carter and the rest must be thinking of doing next.He looked down at the table and then at Isabella
all this is going to be hard on us Robert said
we have never faced anything like this before,atleast i havent and in losing someone in such a way he said and shook his head
but i still cant make up my mind as to why would anyone want to kill Mrs.Pinkler. he said
she was such a sweetheart of a person never was bad to anyone of us he said and shook his head again.
He kept quiet once again and drained his glass.
she was alone woman with this house being the only thing with her.i hardly know about her family or her friends who would have anything to do with her or this house which we stay in during our holidays he said looking at the empty glass and then looked up to face Isabella.

Carter couldn't help but smile as Noah's face regained some of its original color. If he could have read minds, he would have bet that he would have been submerged in colors, scenes, and other ideas. At her suggestion, he raised his eyebrows. "Looks like I'm going to need to get a big house..." he muttered, glancing around the current house they were in. But in order to encompass all of Noah's ideas... well, he hoped he could keep adding on additions to keep her entertained for quite some time.

When Noah returned, and whispered his name, he knew something was horribly wrong. Just on the way her voice sounded, and the tightness of her eyes... He reached out automatically and took her hand. "What's wrong?" he asked her, looking directly into her eyes. "Someone..." it only took a second for it to sink in what she said. His eyes widened as the realization hit him. But he couldn't voice it out loud... one never knew who was listening.

"Aww mate, you wouldn't sacrifice a shirt for me?" he asked, a slight pout on his lips. There was something different about Ian, Carter noticed, and it worried him. "They should have been on their way... maybe the storm hit them harder than us," he said with a shrug. Then, as Noah returned, Ian threatened to leave. What is going on with him? Carter couldn't help but wonder. "Ian, you don't have to go," he told him, looking at his friend. Why would he have to leave?

Isabella merely listened to what Robert said and nodded here and there; she really didn't know what to say. She, on the other hand, had had quite a few close relatives die, but it definitely was different this time. As Robert looked back up at her, Isabella felt her heart plummet at the look on his face. I know, was all she could whisper.

To have a guy cry on my shirt? Ian asked with a small grin and roll of his eyes, shaking his head slightly. If I'm going to sacrifice a shirt, it's going to be for a girl, mate, he said with a chuckle. But he then shook his head as both Carter and Noah said he didn't have to go. I should be going anyway - stuff to do, he said with an airy wave of his hand before walking into the hall and heading up the stairs, his heart pounding in his throat.

Robert looked at her as she spoke the two words.He looked at her for some more time and then looking away he asked her
have you lost any dear one or someone whom you know very well?
Robert hadnt till now so this sudden change in his life was having some kind of affect on him.He wasnt able to sink in the fact that Mrs.Pinkler wasnt there anymore.
He looked back at Isabella waiting for her answer.He looked into her eye,there definately was some kind of sadness there but he could see some kind of maturity as well.Robert realised she was taking things much more maturely and in a better way then him.

Noah looked at Carter. She was so worried. There was someone here. Someone here had killed Mrs. Pinkler and now they had stopped the authorities from coming. Was that because they were worried about getting caught or was it because they were planning to kill again? Why would someone do such a thing?

She could tell that Carter had seen right through her to how truly scared she was. She decided not to say anything. He hadn't which meant that he was worried about someone overhearing them. She decided to keep quiet as well.

At the same time Ian protested both of their requests for him to stay. What was up with him. Sure he had always been slightly unsocial but there was something going on with him. There was also something telling her that she would probably be the only person that would be able to get it out of him. "Ian" She started to say but only got out the first syllable as he was already up the stairs and probably wouldn't be able to hear her protests. She let her eyes go back to Carter to see if he thought that something odd was going on with him.

Isabella looked up at him with a sad-yet-amused smile on her face. My mother stopped talking to her sister when I was four, and I'd been close to her family - she had a husband and three kids. When I was eight their house burned down and our families never reconciled, she said with a small shrug. She'd been old enough to know what was going on, but not too much so.

Robert looked at Isabella as she spoke.He was shocked to hear what he did.
i-i am sorry he said looking at her.
He looked away,he was feeling ashamed of himself for being so sentimental and broken down of sorts unlike Isabella who seems to be understanding and being matured and keeping herself up and not breaking down.
sorry,i guess i should be much more mature and understanding the situation and accepting things rather then being all emotional and all he said without looking at Isabella.

Isabella shook her head with what you might call a small smile despite the topic. Don't be. It's fine, she said, hoping Robert wasn't going to feel all bad about it. She frowned at his next words. Being emotional isn't a bad thing; it's me that something's wrong with, she said with a true small smile, laying her hand gently and consolingly on top of his without thinking much about it.

Robert looked at her.He didnt know how to respond.He looked at her hand as she placed it on his and then looked up as she spoke again.He just said
i dont know,never been in such a situation,dont know how to react he said and then looked down and shook his head
He looked up at her again and then said
but really thanks he said with a small smile and patting her hand
really helps to have someone to talk to always he said

"Its a good thing I don't cry, then, Ian... otherwise I would have been heartbroken," Carter teased, and smiled as Ian actually responded. "Can't say I blame you there... we might have to begin a quest for some such girls! And bring plenty of shirts we don't mind getting wet or ruined," he continued thoughtfully. He hoped that Noah knew he was only teasing- she had probably seen him running around yesterday. It was just in his nature. However, he couldn't help but frown as Ian walked away... he was acting strangely- more so than the previous day. Was it just the death that affected him?

Carter could see that Noah had come to the same conclusion he had... which relieved him slightly. That meant she wasn't the killer at least. Fears swirled in his mind, but he pushed them back. Fear was paralyzing- and he couldn't be paralyzed at this moment. He was a Ravenclaw and he needed all the brains he could muster for this mystery.

"We can discuss this later," he told her quietly, glancing around the other students in the room. He had just been socializing with most of them the night before- how could he not pick up a cold-blooded killer?

As Ian left, Carter glanced between Noah and Ian. With a sigh, he gave her a small smile. "You should probably go after him... he doesn't want to talk to me right now," he said. Quickly, before she could move, he took both of her hands in his own. "But be careful. Whoever it is... is still here. If you need me, no not hesitate to call my name," he said, raising his wand and casting a spell. "I will be by your side instantly," he explained before letting her go. That is, if she even chose to follow the mysterious Ian.

Noah was still practically petrified from what she had just realized. Sure the fear had always been there of what if one of them did it, but now it really sank in. Something was not right in this house. SHe was slightly glad that she had ordered everyone to stay in and no one leave. That meant they were still here. That scared her more.

As Carter told her that they could discuss this later she gave him small nod. She knew Carter hadn't done it. She knew that for a fact. But it still worried her who had. Everyone seemed so harmless, well kind of.

Carter told Noah that she needed to go check on Ian. Should she? She wanted to, but would that be rude or even dangerous to leave him alone. But something was going on with Ian and they needed to figure out what it was. She gave his hands a soft squeeze as he took her own. "You'll be the first to know if i need anything" She told him. Noah let go of Carter's hand but gave him a quick hug before she headed up the stairs after Ian.

She walked through the hall and found the door to the room that he was staying in. She knocked on it about twice but didn't wait for an answer. She slowly pocked her head in to see if he was in there and when she saw that he was she let herself in. "Ian what is going on?" She asked him. She didn't say it harshly but she had left her fear downstairs.

Isabella nodded slightly to his words, trying to be as comforting and understanding as possible - not that it was that hard at all. You're welcome, she said with a small smile as he patted her hand, And I'm always always always here if you need me.

Ian's eyes moved from the ceiling to the door as he heard two knocks. He wasn't about to say anything, hoping whoever it was would just leave, but then Noah peeked her head in.... grrrah! He propped himself up on his elbows from his spot on the dark green comforter on his bed and tilted his head to the side. What exactly are you talking about? There are many things going on.... There wasn't a smile on his face, but his voice was as sarcastic as ever.