Barry looked at Georgie. It was hard. He held her hand looking at that instead. "Its Rex" he revealled " I know he`s not a weasley but he was helping Kay. She was arguing with Violet, the girl with the cloak. They had started threatning each other. All I did was stop both of them fighting."

Then when she said he couldn`t do anything he sighed "So you want me to stay away from him? I mean I can`t say I was wrong" He didn`t know what to do now. Georgie probably thought he was overreacting. Which he obviously was.

Georgie bit her lip, Rex. She had sort of thought it might've been him, considering he'd said something to her as well when she spoke to him last and smoothed things over. She looked at their hands as well as he was, this was even more difficult.

Ana looked back towards Barry, and shook her head, though he obviously couldn't see considering he was still studying their hands. "No, I don't want you to stay away from him, you should try talking to him. I mean, from what it sounds, it seems you were put in a difficult position, and as much as I love Rex and Kay, they have to understand that there will be times we can't fully support them because we might not agree." she dropped her gaze as well and added softly, "Try explaining that." of course if it failed she'd be put again in a difficult position, with her and Barry's relationship as well as her friendship with Rex.

Georgie gave his hand a small squeeze, "Barry, promise me one thing, that no matter what I say ever, it won't deter you from doing what you think best."

Barry closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "Thank you" he whispered. He sat there and started to think. He could do it couldn`t he? He`d talk to Rex about this. Jason too. They really did. "I`ll try" he said, oppening his eyes.

Then he was uneasy when Georgie asked him to promise. "But Georgie, if I went against you it could.." he broke off she didn`t need to know "You always have done what is right. I try to too. Isn`t enough?" he asked

Georgie smiled, but it wasn't a very Georgiana-ish smile, she was worried about him. He seemed nervous about talking to Rex, she tilted her head a little to the side, "Do you want me to go with you? I really don't mind Barry." she again squeezed his hand reassuringly, she was trying to show she'd be there for him no matter what he needed.

She frowned when noticing his face and his hesitancy to promise her to not go against his own mind set to please her. She didn't want that, he seemed to think if he did it could break up the relationship they had, but personally, she thought the opposite. "Barry, if we both change our views to match the other's, it's just going to leave us both unhappy and hating each other. I don't want that." she looked down at their hands again, and made it so her fingers intertwined with his.

Hearing him she gave a chuckle, "You think too much of me. I've done things in my life I'm not proud of, I try to do what I can, and I know you do too, but sometimes it's hard to avoid mistakes."

Ah ha! With an expression of triumph on his tired, pale face, Oliver got up the last step and was up on the ground floor at last! Above water level! For some reason that was a small comfort to the Slytherin boy. It was better lit up here... and warmer and he relaxed a little, feeling safer.

Now clutching his gammy leg, he limped slowly through the grand entrance hall towards the majestic... MASSIIIIVE! (gulp) staircase. With a frown he looked up the stairs and then sighed. Soooo many! He was so exhausted just climbing up here from the dungeons. He gave up before he even attempted the first step and collapsed sat on the second bottom stair, deciding to just stay put and wait for Nancy, Ms Ashford, and his wheelchair.

After a while, his eyelids began to drop -boy was he tired- and he fell into an uneasy sleep. He murmured to himself and twitched occasionally clearly not having the nicest of dreams.

Making sure Healer Ashford was still behind her Nancy literally dashed down the several flights of stairs. Hopefully he was still there. Hopefully he hadn't decided to run off AGAIN. Hopefully the attacker hadn't come back and...she gulped at that thought. No, he just had to be there. Now that she got help this couldn't turn out bad after all. It just couldn't.

"We're almost there." Somehow Nancy felt like she was acutally reassuring herself, not informing Healer Ashford. She knew they were almost there after all. Only a few more flights of stairs. Only a few more until they reached the Dungeon Corridor. Only a few more-

"Whoaaaa!" Nancy staggered slightly as she skidded to a halt right in front of a small heap on the floor. A small heap which looked a lot like, "Oliver!" Was it him?! What was he doing there? And more importantly, how had he got up here?! "It's him!" The 17 year old gestured towards the boy seated on the floor frantically. Now, it was on Healer Ashford's hands...

Oliver jerked awake and moaned helplessly. At least when he was asleep he couldn't feel the wound to his leg or the burn to his side. He'd somehow managed to slip down onto the floor and was lying in the foetal position looking rather pathetic. He looked around confused, still concussed and not quite sure where he was. His eyes settled on Nancy. He smiled drowsily at her. She came back! and with help! Oh he would hug her if he could get up. But.. wait a sec... where was his wheelchair!? ...and that woman looked like... like THE SCHOOL HEALER!?! His eyes widened and he attempted to stand but it was no use.

He shot Nancy a wounded look from his place on the floor then looked at the nurse. “If you ladies could just help me back to the common room that would be appreciated.” He mumbled sleepily and gave the nursey nurse a sweet smile. No hospitals. Oh no, no, no...

Why did he bother dragging himself up the stairs? No logic whatsoever.

"Destiny, slooooow down." Raiden was really not in the mood to run., He actually wouldn't have minded laying down and taking a nap... maybe over th-

NO NO NO. There would be NO NAPPING.

He would probably wake up and be fully kneazle-fied. And that would... just... be horrible. There were more important matters at hand.

Like the bacon smell that was wafting out of the Great Hall.

That was very important right now. His brain said so.

It said 'bacoooooooon'.

Maybe the Healer was in there. With bacon.

He took a tentative step toward the door, whiskers twitching as his nose sniffed at the scent.

It was very important that they go to the Hospital Wing, but... well... this was closer, right? They could just... have a bit, and then maybe a nap and then they could...

"We really should find... the... treats..." he trailed off, staring at the door. There were TREATS behind THAT door, treats they didn't have to go all the way to the dungeons for... He turned his head and gave Neptune a little nuzzle, his ear rubbing against her cheek. "They probably have... milk and tuna in there too."

Neptune was hungry TOO. They were ALL HUNGRY because they could smell FOODS there and goodness, the Healer could wait. It was farther away anyway.

Finally!!

They were closer to that smell, the niiiice smell of BACON!

Destiny ignored Raiden when he told her to slow down. How could she possibly slow down when her nose was itching with the smell of bacon? Was it even breakfast? Why would they be serving bacon if it wasn't, right? She would have questioned the time, but the food was so, so close.

Destiny..started to drool.

How embarrassing.

Pointing to the doors of the Great Hall, Destiny patted her stomach again, 'Treaaaaatsssss!' They were in there! All the treats they could eat! She wanted to barge in there and roll in all the treats she could get her hands paws on.

'Let's goooo!' she literally growled, as she pulled on the rope. 'Baaaacon!'

She wasn't sharing either.

Neptune wiggled and maneuvered so that she could pretty much just ride on Raiden and not hold on. See, THIS way... she had both her arms and could one, CAT clean herself, her paws, her little fingers. LIIIIIICK. And two, SWAT at that THING that was THREATENING and GROWLING at her and her RAAAAAIDEN.


How RUDE.


"RAAAAAAIBES, Raaaaaaaiden. THAT has it!" THAT. YOU. Scary, growling thing. "If it comes near here, I'm playing dead again." TRUE THAT.

WAIT WAIT WAIT NO. Raiden had taken a few steps toward the Great Hall and stopped flat, hand tight around the rope holding Destiny. Noooo. They were supposed to be... getting...

Not bacon. Raiden's nose twitched and he caught another smell. Hospital Wing smells! The Healer woman had been around here! They were supposed to go see her!

"We can't... go in there," he said weakly, stepping back. His whiskers twitched as he pointed his wand at Destiny and cast a levitation charm. "We have to... follow the Healer Lady's scent, she has the bacon. And tuna for Neptune and..."

He tried to convince himself of this. They had to get RID of this stuff. No more whiskers or ears or tails and normal attention spans...

"The potion's messing with my head," he muttered, biting his lip. "I'm not... hungry or tired or anything it's just..."

What did the dead girl say? DestinyKneazleCruppie did NOT have rabies. She had gotten all her shots when she visited the veterinarian Healer's right before school started! She growled at the dead one, since she obviously didn't like her. She was totally jealous because Raiden had her on a leash, and she had to ride on his back. If Destiny wasn't so close to the bacon, she would have attacked. Bacon comes before attacking though, especially to a VERRRY hungry KneazleCruppie.

Destiny whimpered when Raiden said 'no'. It made her feel like she had done something wrong. There was nothing wrong with wanting bacon! Nothing at all. There was something wrong however, when Destiny's feet started to leave the floor. Whyyyyy would Raiden do that to her!? She thought they were Kneazle Cruppie friends, when clearly they weren't.

The Healer had the bacon? Did she steal it? She better not be rolling in it, that was Destiny's job. Folding her arms, Destiny let Raiden levitate her to the Healer. As long as she got fed, she was happy.

'Dead girl does not need tuna.' She just had to point that out.

Running into the Entrance Hall Marie looked all around for that darn mouse. It just had to be here, she wasn't that slow, it couldn't have gotten far.

Oh no, maybe Raiden already got it, she had to hurry.

Looking around the edges off all the walls she did not find it. How hard could it be to find a blue mouse, come on, really....It was BLUE.

Looking across the Hall she seen the hourglasses and.....RAIDEN!

Oh no, he's going to find it first. She took off running towards the hour glasses, she would save the little mouse, she was going to be the one to play with him first. Yes she was.

Hurrying down the corridor, yet still allowing Nancy to lead the way---(after all, Gabriella had no idea where this injured Oliver child was)---, the Healer nodded in reply to what the girl was saying. Otherwise, she remained quiet as her mind filled with reasons why so many children could be turning up with such severe injuries. It was clear to her that something was the matter. Although just what that was, she didn't know. It seemed to her that the children were unaware, too.

She came to a sudden halt when the girl declared that they'd reached the place she'd left her friend.

Gabriella gasped in shock as her eyes settled in on the Slytherin boy lying on the floor just before her. The severity of his injuries was equal to the injuries of the other four students she'd healed. He was encouraging she and Nancy to escort him to the Common Room, but Gabriella wouldn't hear of such nonsense. The boy needed medical attention and therefore would not be returning to the Common Room anytime soon.

Gabriella had dealt with patients of this kind before. This was the kind that always refused medical attention even in the worst of times. She hated to do what she was about to do, but it was for the boy's own good. Besides, he was extremely weak and might not make it much longer without further help.

Raising her wand and flicking it towards Oliver, Gabriella called out, "Mobilicorpus!" Oliver's body gently straightened itself out and floated into the air. With a quick glance towards Nancy, the Healer turned and guided Oliver towards the Hospital Wing.

OOC: When you're ready, you may post in the check-in thread, and I'll have Gabriella meet you in the Waiting Room for Patients and Visitors.

Oliver attempted to stand once again but it appeared his body was too exhausted to let him. Maybe it was the blood loss from the wound in his thigh.. or maybe it was the pain that shot through his entire body when he tried to move.

His eyes went enormous when he saw the nurse had raised her wand. “No.. please.” He whimpered obviously terrified of the prospect of going to the hospital wing. He covered his face with his hands but there was nothing he could do to protect himself as the spell hit him.. Er.. wasn't that spell for unconscious people? Were these people blind!? OLIVER WAS NOT UNCONSIOUS!

And then he was paralysed! Oh NOES!

PARALYSED!

'Ohgodohgodohgod.' He couldn't move!

So now he was having to deal with his two greatest phobias at the same time: claustrophobia and hospitals. Panic set in. Greater panic than he felt when he woke up in a pool of blood in the common room. He could move nowt but his eyes which he set onto Nancy and tried to glare at her but all his eyes showed was terror. He tried with all his might to move but an inch but it was no use. He clenched his jaw.. or at least tried to.. and blinked, looking up at the ceiling as he floated up the stairs. Why in Merlin's beard did they put the hospital wing up so high where people with broken legs and shizz couldn't get!

Oh.. and how bloody humiliating this was.

Nancy's lower lip started to tremble slightly as she continued to stare and gesture towards Oliver lying on the floor. And yes, he was actually lying on the floor. Gulping the 17 year old tried to give the boy a reassuring smile but somehow she was unable to direct the corners of her mouth. It was as if she was paralyzed.

Taking a small step back to give Healer Ashford some space to do the inevitable Nancy's breathing now came in small shallow breaths. The looks Oliver was giving her were just too much. Not that he knew the boy that well but it made her feel horrible being regarded as a traitor. Which - judging by the wounded and accusing look plastered across the boy's face - was his impression of her.

The moment Healer Ashford actually raised her wand to levitate Oliver to be able to move him to the Hospital Wing Nancy actually winced barely audibly. Even though, she KNEW it was for the best the way Oliver seemed to be terrified about the prospect of going to the Hospital Wing made her actually turn her head so she didn't have to face it anymore. Shudder

Unfortunately, Healer Ashford had to pass her on the way upstairs which meant Nancy unevitably had to glance at Oliver once again. And what she saw made her gasp and honestly consider to stop the healer. Which in the end she didn't of course. But the look in the boy's eyes was one of sheer terror. Her own blue eyes widened she was unable to keep them from gazing right back into his.

Next she knew her back was against the wall and she slowly glided down until she'd reached a seating position with her head against the cold bricks. Luckily, neither the Healer nor Oliver were able to see her like that as they'd already rounded the corner. Trying hard to regain a normal breathing again Nancy was quite unsuccessful at doing so. It was only then that it all hit her properly. Oliver had been attacked. He had been injured. INSIDE the Common Room probably. They had to tell somebody. They just had to. This was serious.

After a few more moments of letting the cool wall clear her head Nancy followed Healer Ashford upstairs, her bare feet making TipTap-like noises on each step. They had to tell somebody. They had to tell Professor Lupa. They had to tell the Headmaster.

Ty and Sarah head out to the front entrance when Ty stopped. He smiled at Sarah I'll dash into the great hall and get us some toast with jelly to take on our walk. You decide were we go around the lake or maybe to the whomping willow or some place else you have in mind? I'll be right back. Dashing and and back almost as fast Ty had a stack of toast spread with jam and a small stake of napkins. Are you ready? Where should we go? He smile his impish smile at Sarah.

Allison walked into the Entrance Hall and took in the still winter breeze. Christmas and New Years back home had been amazing. It was the first time her mother and brother had not spent Christmas with the Scotts, and had instead spent it with the Ferreros. That small change had made a world of difference to Allison. Now back at Hogwarts, she wondered if Arya and Allison had received her owls and whether or not they had liked her presents. At first she had been scared that the owl's would grow tired by carrying such heavy objects, but now back at the boarding school her biggest worry was that neither of her friends had actually enjoyed her presents. Hoping for the best Allison hoped to crash into either of the girls, she had many stories to share with them.

Ivory waddled into the Entrance Hall looking for all the world like a large round blue cotton ball. Having just come back from the holidays with her family and of course her mother who had insisted it was cold, she was consequently bundled up with as many layers of clothing as possible.

And obviously not very happy. For one, well who would be when they could barely walk for fear of toppling over and rolling down the hall, and for another well spending all that time with her family had made her miss them all that much more and now she was homesick all over again.

Her entire round body tipping this way and that with every step, she glumly stared down at the floor when suddenly she recognized shoes a few feet ahead.

"Alli?" She squinted her eyes through her scarf to make sure. "Alli!!!"

This turned out to be exactly what she needed to remind her of why it was awesome to be back at school. Her friends!!! and magic of course but thats a given.

Going as fast as her clothing let her, she ran straight for her best friend and hugged her tightly almost tipping them both over in the process.

Feeling another object hit her back Allison stumbled forward trying to gain her balance. When she finally managed she turned around and saw a blue wool ball, and wondered what a small ball would be doing attacking bystanders. Suddenly realization came when she saw small eyes through a scarf. "Bloody Kris Kringle is that you Ivory?"

Allison unconsciously patted her now building mass of frizzy hair down and took in Ivory's sight. At that moment she wondered who had bundled up her friend so much? Recalling her grandmother's insistence to take another jacket because Scotland was too cold, and Bunny's subtle nagging that the long trench coat she wore was too thin, Allison guessed that Ivory had fallen victim to an overprotective individual.

Allison stood in front of Ivory's path with a long ankle length gray trench coat, where the only thing visible underneath it was a very thick white scarf. On her head Allison wore her gray bunny ear beanie, and on her hands white leather gloves. Giving Ivory a toothy grin Allison pulled her friend further into the castle to get out of the path of the winter's breeze. Biting back a few giggles at the sight of a struggling waddling Ivory, Allison waited to make sure she wasn't stringing along some stranger who happened to know her. It was best to be assured and answered on the person's identity, than laugh at some weirdo who was obviously a stalker.

"Of course it's me."
With a twinkle in her eye she continued ,"I know, I know, I gained a few pounds. But the holiday food was just soooooo good!"

She rubbed her round middle for good measure.

Allison rolled her eyes. Of course it was Ivory! Shaking her head Allison patted her friend's belly. "Ivory! You know what this means right? No more chocolates for you. I guess I shouldn't have sent you all those chocolates Christmas day. By the way did you get my present? It took forever to get a hold of it. My grandmother had an extra original copy and said it would be best if I took it. And well I liked the idea of giving it to you. Since I know you like Transfiguration and all," Allison began to feel a bit awkward. Her fear that her friend hadn't liked the old book was beginning to worry her. Perhaps it would have been better to buy the new copy like her brother had said, but she had believed that like her Ivory would appreciate something old. Weren't antiques just fascinating? Oh noes but what if Ivory didn't agree? Shifting from foot to foot Allison bit her bottom lip.

Ivory could not resist a pout. No more chocolates? In her mind she imagined herself going down on her knees and screaming, 'Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!' while raging to the heavens.

Shaking herself of the horrible visualization of a life without chocolates, she came back to reality with Allison standing waiting in front of her biting her lip.

For a second, Ivory's mind went blank...what were they talking about?

And then she remembered....presents!

Ivory charged forward again this time the result being both girls collapsing on the floor in a fit of giggles.

"Dummy don't look so abashed...I loved it." she squealed between fits of laughter as she tried to roll to a standing position....and consistently failed.

"Even my family loved it. My grandmother said she hadn't seen an original copy in ages."

Arya walked into Hogwarts for the first time in the new year. It was a bittersweet moment for her as she missed her friends but loved being at home with her familly, friends and animals. She had on a new yellow hoodie with a black scarf, blue jeans and black sneakers. Her siblings thought it would be funny to get her a hufflepuff outfit but little did they know she loved it. Her hair was in little braids that were pulled into a pigtails hanging over her shoulders.

Perseus was suggled by her neck, under her scarf with his own little black and yellow scarf. He was happy to be back at Hogwarts for that ment he had all of Arya's attention again, unlike when they went home.

She walked faster when she saw Allison and Ivory, giggling at the sight of Ivory."Hey guys, Happy New Year!" She gave each girl a hug, carefull not to squish thier presents in her pockets or Perseus. "I love the outfit Ivory. Just screams you." She giggled more as she reached into her pockets fumbling with there presents, not yet ready to give them to the girls. "Soooo, how was your break?"

Sarah smiled as she looked at Ty. "I'm ready." She said as she tide her hair back. "I think we should go for a nice relaxing walk around the lake." She was scared of the whomping willow. "I've always been scared of the whomping willow."