Ian frowned as she attempted a smile, but he did smile for a moment at her words. You can hold me to whatever you'd like, he promised, taking her hand and standing up so that she wouldn't have to do all the work herself. Ian knew Carter would be getting worried - it was time to go back downstairs.

Noah knew that Ian was telling her the truth when he said that she could hold him to anything. As he took her hand and stood up and nodded to him knowing that he meant it was time to go back down. "Time to act like nothing happened up here" She mumbled under her breath. This would be intersting. She wasn't even sure if she could pull it off but one thing was for sure, she was give it all that she had.

Ian chuckled at her words and gave her hand one last squeeze before he relinquished his hand and opened the door with a very gentlemen-like nod and a small smirk upon his lips. Well, he was sure acting already, wasn't he? After you, my lady, he said, unable to help himself while they were still alone.

Noah could tell that Ian was already acting. 'Well here goes nothing' she thought to herself. "Thank you very much" She said to him with a smile. As she walked out the door she left behind her now fantasy in Ian's room. Her face was on, her attitude had changed. From here out nothing had happened with her and Ian and she had to make sure whatever she did showed that.

She walked down the stairs and made her way into the kitchen where she heard many voices. Noah's eyes found Carter and she made her way over to him, making sure her face showed no reminder of what happened upstairs. "Hey" She told him with a soft smile. Once standing by his side she placed her hand on his shoulder before standing up on her tippy toes so that she could whisper to him "I made it back in one piece" Then she looked around the room at everyone else. "What have we mised?" She asked anyone in general.

Ian nodded and followed Noah downstairs, closing the door behind him before tracing silently behind her down the steps and into the kitchen after her. He leaned on the door-frame with his arms crossed and gave a smirk and wink to the new-girl-curly-brunette and then glanced at Noah at her question.

Isabella looked up as a pair she wouldn't have guessed together came through the door, but then Noah walked over to Carter and Ian leaned against the door-frame, giving herself a wink. She shivered and edged closer to Robert. Not much, Isabella said in answer to Noah's question.

Carter nodded his thanks and understanding as Robert gave him an answer. "Thanks mate... I have a feeling that few would have noticed anything strange. Everyone barely knew one another last night- and we don't know anyone better now, but something must have changed," he was speaking out loud, which was probably a bad thing because the killer could be anywhere.

Carter offered a small smile and nodded. "Well, that would certainly prevent you from performing the crime," he said with a chuckle. At Isabella's shiver, Carter couldn't help but silently agree. He hoped that was a sound he would never hear again...

He glanced at the door, getting a little worried. Noah had been gone for quite some time...

Carter looked up and nodded at the two that entered the kitchen. "Hello," he said with a small smile. "Did either of you notice anything strange last night? We're trying to figure out what might have happened," he told them with a small but sad smile.

As Noah appeared once more, Carter relaxed. He smiled at her, extending an arm as she came over. "Hey yourself... everything okay?" he asked her, frowning slightly. Something felt different about her... but maybe that was just his imagination. Well, he was in detective mode.

At her comment, he chuckled softly. "So I noticed..." he was tempted to add on a really corny comment, like 'you brought my heart back with you' but for once he didn't. Noah was different to him, simple as that. He looked around at the group, seeing who would answer. He was hoping no one would answer murder- they were all suspects after all. Then, he picked up on her phrasing... we? That caused him to frown a little more but his features didn't change at all.

Carter looked up and offered a small smile as Ian entered the room. That's what Noah had meant by 'we'. However, something was different about Ian as well... especially as he smirked and then winked at Isabella. He narrowed his eyes slightly, but it was gone within a second. "Was wondering where you'd gone to mate," he said with a grin toward Ian.

Finn looked over at Carter as he spoke. "No. We didn't notice a thing last night" He left out the part about, well we didn't notice a thing because Izzy and I were too busy goofing off here in the kitchen to notice if anyone was out of the ordinary. But then again didn't Finn always leave out details when talking to people.

Noah tried her best not to look towards Ian. She didn't want to risk showing any sign that something had happened. And somehow she got the feeling that if she looked over towards him that just might happen.

Then Carter had extended his arm towards her. At his question Noah gave him a smile. "Yes. All is good" She told him. So far so good. She was trying her best not to show a sign of any difference with her. Noah let her hand slip down and found Carters, taking hold of it. When she asked what they had missed she couldn't help but notice Carter's slight frown. Bloody hell, this was going to be harder than she had though. Carter was too observant for his own good. Earlier that day this had been a trait she had loved about him, now she couldn't help but feel scared of what he could figure out.

Noah could tell by the direction of Carter's eyes that he was looking at Ian. He saw him glare slightly but it was gone soon. He wasn't sure why. Hopefully though Ian had done something that deserved it, and it wasn't because he suspected anything. Why was she so nervous about all of this. Somehow though Noah managed to keep her composure and not show her nerves. Then at Carter's question Noah had to look over at him. Merlin she prayed that he face didn't change any as she did. At Carter's question though she couldn't help but be worried of what answer Ian would give. But she knew Ian. He had been building walls his entire life, and he was still doing it. He was better at this than she would. She knew that if Carter found out anything it would be because of her, not Ian.

Ah, so the time had come for Ian's lying skills to be put to good use. He ignored the glance from Noah as his prior-self would have and instead focused on Carter's not-really-a-question-but-I-better-get-a-hell-of-an-answer question. Ah, you know me better than most - I'm not much for social gatherings and excitement, he said boredly with a small grin in his friend's direction. Flawless.

Carter nodded to Finn with a warm smile. Well, that fit with the pattern so far. The killer had not left any clues with the surrounding people. They had been meticulous, which meant the crime scene would probably be as well.

Carter couldn't help but smiled slightly as Noah smiled. But, her answer was false- had she been able to get over her depression so easily? Even after Ian had left, she was still frightened and sad by the events. He tried to put his mind at ease as she took his head, but there was still something amiss. She hadn't taken his hand while Ian was there before- and this was just completely out in the open. After giving her hand a squeeze, he released it.

Glancing down at Noah, he couldn't help but notice that she seemed tense. His mind was a buzz of questions, none of which could be answered without a lot of questions following soon after.

Carter watched his friend closely. They had only met at the previous times at the Holly House, but he knew enough. Being observant was part of his genius and right now he wasn't sure whether he was happier about it- or more worried. "Indeed I do," he said with a smile that held just a hint of tightness. He chuckled and nodded at the rest of Ian's answer. That truly was the truth. "Well, I hope it doesn't get too exciting for you mate," he replied.



Looking around the room, Carter gave a nod. "Well, if you would all excuse me, I'm going to see if I can see what everyone else may have seen, and possibly get some fresh air to clear the old noggin," he said with an ironic smile. And, with a quick bow, he walked out of the kitchen- debating on whether he wanted to talk to the rest of the house, look at the body... or simply get out and away from everyone for a bit.

Noah stood there with Carter. She smiled without even thinking about it when he squeezed her hand. That was a good sign right? Yes it was, she didn't even have to tell herself to smile. But then his hand was gone. This was not good. Why did he pull his hand away? Was he being considerate since before she had not held his and infront of Ian. Yes that was what she would tell herself the reason was. She couldn't let herself worry. The more she worried the more evident it was that something had happened that she hadn't told Carter about.

Yes, Noah had been Right. Ian knew exactly how to handle himself. Had she been able to she would have released the breath the she probably would have been holding. There was nothing out of the ordinary about Ian's answer. He was able to handle himself. Now if only she could carry on her part.

Noah watched as Carter walked out of the room. She was second guessing herself left and right. She couldn't help but let her eyes go over to Ian. Maybe he would pick up on her worried look that Carter had picked up on it. To anyone else that was looking at her though it would look like she was just giving him a confused look because he gave an odd answer to Carter. Well odd for anyone but Ian.

She needed to follow Carter. But what if he didn't want to be followed. Even if he didn't she needed to follow him. She looked away from Ian and looked around the rest of the room. "Excuse me" she said quietly as she stepped out of the kitchen hoping that she would find where Carter had gone.

Carter had paused to talk to a few of the other students, but they hadn't seen or heard of anything strange the previous night either. The one girl of the group of students had then begun to cry, and after apologizing Carter made his escape. He paused at his barrier, wondering whether he really wanted to go in there and try and find some sort of clue. Would he really be able to look at the elderly woman without emotion affecting him? The definite answer was no... but he would have to try. With a sigh, he glanced toward the barrier once more and then headed towards the door outside- fully intending on getting some fresh air before he began thinking about ANY of this.

Noah had looked in a few of the rooms in the house. They had all been deserted of students. Where could Carter have gone. But then she heard the front door opening. She wasn't sure if it was him or someone else but she decided to give it a try. She was almost scared that she would find him. As she waled to the foyer she went over to the window before the door. She saw Carter outside. After taking a deep breath she walked over, put on her cloak, and opened the door. As she walked up behind him she knew that he would hear her because of the snow. "Care for some company?" She asked him.

After opening the door, Carter took a deep breath- allowing the cold to wash through him and clear out all of his senses. He drew the cloak he had grabbed a little tighter around him and then began to walk out along the path he and Noah had been on the night before.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of someone approaching. He wrapped his hand around his wand, but relaxed when he saw that it was Noah. "What are you doing here Noah?" he asked her, a sigh in his voice.

Noah looked over at Carter. She could tell that he had not been expecting her. The little voice in the back of her head was telling her that he didn't even want her here at all. What a day this was turning out to be.

As he asked what she was doing out there she replied "I.... Um...." She paused for a second before shaking her head. "I don't even know" She ended up saying not sure what other answer there was. She should have stayed inside. But wouldn't that have just made things worse? She wasn't even sure at this point.

Robert listened to what Isabella said and a small smile appeared and shook his head as she said she sleeps like a rock.

Robert looked up and saw Noah coming in.He gave a small smile and a nod as she entered and stood behind Carter.And he saw Ian coming over and leaning against the doorframe.


As Robert took his eyes off from Ian to look at Carter he felt Isabella shiver and edge closer to him.He looked at her worriedly to see what made her do that and followed her eyes to where she was looking Ian.His eyes narrowed down at him for a second and then he looked back at Noah,Carter and Isabella as Isabella spoke again.

Robert nodded again as Carter spoke of last night.He himself didnt want to hear Noah cry like that.
As Finn and Izzy came in and Carter asked them the same question Robert sat there silently thinking about what different or strange might have happend but failed to put his finger on any such thing.


He saw Noah and Ian enter and just heard Noah, Carter and Ian talk.He certainly wasnt getting few things clear as he heard them talk
must be something about the three might have talked and i have no knowledge of it he thought and mentally shrugged it off.
Later Carter got up and left the kitchen and Noah followed him.Robert felt there might be something between them going on but he didnt care about it.It wasnt that it ever affected him in any manner.
His eyes fell again on Ian as he watched Noah and Carter leave.Robert had hardly ever talked to Ian before so he didnt know him well,just that he was sarcastic and keeps to himself and doesnt talk with everyone and anyone.
Robert then looked back at Isabella his eyes asking her 'what happend?',thinking it had to be something related to Ian.

Izzy followed Finn into the kitchen, smiling because his hand was on her back. There, they found everyone else, still in a tense mood.

When Carter questioned them, Izzy let Finn answer first. The truth was, they weren't even with the rest of them last night because they were off in their own little world in the kitchen. "Um, yeah, we didn't see anything strange last night..." She replied, nodding at Finn's response. Looking up at him, though, she couldn't help but smile a bit--last night had been fun. But now everything was...ruined. Well, not entirely, but the mood was...not the same.
But by the time Izzy answered, Carter was already leaving, Noah following him. Izzy sighed and sat down in a chair.

Carter closed his eyes and took a breath- trying to release the confusion and frustration that was building up in him. "Sorry... things are just crazy right now," he said, offering a small smile- although it barely reached his eyes.

"Well, I'm glad you are," he said, and extended his hand to her. "Want to come on a walk with me? This should be a safe place to talk," he said, looking around the snow covered gardens.

Noah nodded to Carter as he apologized. She didn't know what to say to him. There was no reason for him to apologize. He was confused and she understood that. She just hoped that she could convince him that everything was okay.

She gave him a soft smile as he told her that he was glad that she was there. That made her feel a lot better. She really hated the thought of upsetting Carter. She was going to do everything possible to stop that from happening. She took his hand, "I would love to go on a walk with you" She said to him.

Carter tried his best to keep his smile as they walked along, but dark thoughts came in waves and it was exhausting to try and hold them back. He took out his wand and cast a spell that could muffle whatever words were spoken. "So, you think someone in the house performed the murder as well?" he asked her quietly as they walked through the gardens. More snow had fallen last night, covering most of the tracks that they had made last night. It was ironic, he thought. He could be erased so easily... but he pushed that thought away as well, waiting for Noah's answer.

Noah watched as Carter cast the spell over them. That was one thing that Noah had picked up on. Carter was smart. He knew his way with a wand better than a lot of other wizards did. As he asked if she thought the same thing he did she took in a deep breath and nodded her head. "I'm not sure who else it would be" She said to him glad that no one else could hear what they were saying. "In fact I have no idea who did it. I can't picture anyone doing here doing it, but there is no other answer" She told him with a sigh. Why were the authorities weren't here. After the day she was having all she wanted to do was go back to Beauxbatons, back to her normal laugh.

Ian saw Carter's glance at Noah and knew without actually looking at her that he was probably doing a better job at covering their tracks than she was. But then his eyes focused on Carter once more at his words. He nodded to them with a brief smile and said nothing more for the moment.

As Carter exited, Ian finally let his eyes swivel to Noah, though her hers had followed Carter. Already lying to himself as well as everyone else, Ian gave her a small smile and a brief little jerk of his head in Carter's direction. There was no doubt in his mind that it would be fishy if Noah didn't follow him. As Noah departed as well, Carter stretched slightly and smiled at everyone else - though it was back to being sarcastic as usual. Well, I think I'm going to take myself a nice hot bath.... stay warm, he added with a wink to the ladies of the room before making his way back upstairs.

Isabella's eyes had followed everyone's progress through and from the room as they happened, but she didn't say anything until Ian had left. She let out the breath she had involuntarily been holding in and looked at Robert, ready to address the question she'd seen in his eyes. She shook her head, moved a little closer to him (since Finn and Izzy were now also in the room) and whispered, It's nothing; he just creeps me out a little. Isabella gave him a weak smile that had no truth behind it.

Carter walked along with Noah, still trying to push other thoughts out of his mind. He would focus on the murder and his affection for Noah... not what she did when she was away from him. Or, he was going to try...

"I had my theories, but I'm not too sure any more... everyone seems innocent, but that could be just what I want as well," he said with a sigh. "None of us truly know one another- even you and I," he added softly, looking down at Noah- sadness in his eyes briefly before he looked away.

"I was going to try and look at the scene- see if there was something I could pick up or didn't notice before... but I just couldn't do it alone. That's why I was out here," he told her- at least, one of the reasons. "Did you notice anything- anything that you didn't want to say in front of everyone else?" he asked her quietly.

Robert looked at Ian back when he spoke again after Carter left.He didnt like it the way he smiled and winked at the girls again.After he left Robert heard Isabella let out a breath and he raised his eyebrow but then she moved closer and whispered answering his prior questioning look.
Robert nodded
dont worry you will be fine.He wont do a thing Robert said looking at her and patted her hand.

Finn looked over to see Izzy smiling. He let himself smile softly although he turned back to look at the overall kitchen. As Izzy answered he looked over at her and saw her smile up at him. He let his eyes do the smiling for him while his mouth did not move.

Then he looked around the rest of the room. He could definatly see that something was going on between Carter and Noah, but somehow he couldn't help getting the feeling that Ian was involved in someway or another. Then as Noah and Carter left Finn quickly tensed at the look that Ian gave both of the girls in the room, especially Izzy.

Noah could feel herself easing next to Carter. He had the way of doing that to her. Making her feel better, even if part of the reason she felt so bad involved him.

"I agree. We are missing something. We can't be so biased with people" She stated as he said that everyone seemed innocent. At the next thing that he said Noah quickly looked up to him. She reflected the same look in her eyes that he had. "I know" She told him quietly. She couldn't help but think about what he said. Carter was right. Who was to say that Carter or even Ian didn't commit the crime. No, she wouldn't let herself think that about either one of them.

She nodded to him as he said that he couldn't do it alone. She should have offered to go in there with him. "I don't know if I could ever go back in there" She whispered. That image of finding Mrs. Pinkler kept coming back to her mind. there was no way that she could relive that.

Then Carter asked if there was anything else that she had noticed. "Not really. I mean its hard to tell with people because you can't even look at the way people act because of all the different personalities." She said.

Carter glanced down and saw that Noah had relaxed slightly. "Feeling better?" he asked her with a small smile. He wished that he felt the same- but it was hard to, with everything that was going on in his mind.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, as if he were trying to stimulate his brain. "Sherlock Holmes always made this look so easy," he said with a wry grin. "And I seem to only be picking up clues from the wrong mystery," he said, glancing over at Noah again. "So, we should consider everyone to be a suspect- including each other?" he asked her, raising an eyebrow. Technically, she had time... but he really didn't believe that she had done it.

"I don't blame you," he said softly, lifting his arm and draping it across her shoulders. "It was quite a scene- one I would never want to live through again," he said, his expression grim. He nodded with her next statement and sighed. "There's so much we don't know... I don't even know where to begin."