Marilyn walked briskly towards the kitchens, irritated by how quickly her energy was diminishing lately. Eating in the Great Hall still wasn't an option and after the week she'd had, she regularly needed pick-me-ups. The Slytherin was still testing the harmful potions and small doses of murtlap essence weren't cutting it anymore.

Entering the kitchens, she chose a table towards the back and settled. Her body constantly ached this past week...ever since the episode with Rafe.

Merlin, how embarrassing... Just thinking about how things had went down in the Room of Requirement made Marilyn want to cringe. She hadn't seen him in the past week, mostly avoiding him because of her fear. He'd acted like it wasn't a big deal...but her nerves weren't letting her off.

When the house elves started approaching her, she asked for fresh fruit.

"I know, it's not we're gonna spend forever out there." Ziva told him as she reached onto the table for the picture. "Don't forget this." Ziva told him flashing it in front of his face.

"Yes, I don't need to get sick. I don't either of us want another trip to the wing." Ziva confirmed as she began to walk towards the kitchen opening.

"That must be really nice," she mumured, holding out her bread as she looked at Celandine. The knife would get to it, right? That Celly sure was a genius. "All coming together for a common goal, or something."

Daphne found, to her excitement, that her loaf had been buttered. Mumbling a thanks, she took a large bite from her buttered bread. Again, Hopton observed Celly's feet as she chewed. "Are we going for an orange theme for a reason? I don't know if I have any that color. I have a teal pair. I haven't seen yours though!"

Oooo! Daphne loved shoes. And bags. Sigh. Pity, really, that her monthly allowance had been cut back--again. That was mostly her fault, though. "Are you really? I guess it's less stressful but it sure makes it feel like this term is taking forever."

At that last word, Daphne Hopton let out a large sigh. Instinctively, she placed a hand over her chest. Achey.

Pierre let a little eye roll slip at Ziva's comment. He smiled as she waved the picture of her in front of his face. "I would never forget a picture of you," he said smiling.

"Yes, not going to the Hospital Wing is a good thing." He walked with Ziva to the door, his hand still in hers. As it opened he allowed for her to go through first before he followed her out.

Rafe entered the kitchen, with his leather satchel over his shoulder. There wasn't a better place to study and get food at the same time. He whistled a happy little tune as he tickled the pear and entered the kitchen. Before he knew it there were elves surrounding him.

"Hot chocolate and a couple of cucumber sandwiches," he said quickly. The bolted off in different directions, then he noticed a bowl of fruit passing him and his eyes followed him, all the way to a pretty brunette. Rafe smiled when he realized it was Marilyn, the hair was something he was definitely getting used to.

Rafe strolled over, he snuck around behind her and gave her a friendly little kiss on the cheek and sat on the counter next to her, "What's happenin' Monroe? Here for a little snack?" He

Marilyn picked at her fruit, taking the smallest pieces of pineapple and mango right off the top. Her body badly needed the nourishment and at taking the first bites, she couldn't deny how much better she felt. Sighing in contentment, Marilyn continued eating peacefully...

...That was, until someone kissed her lightly on the cheek. The warm gentle lips felt comforting and familiar, giving the place they landed a significant shock...It was because of the startling electricity that she had no doubts about who the smooth lips belonged to. It was Rafe.

At hearing his smooth, rich tone of voice, her eyes fluttered shut. The embarrassment she had felt all week didn't come...How odd... "I'm just needing a little pick-me-up..." She gave him a careful smile, still eating her fruit to get rid of the staying headache. Spying his school bag, the brunette smiled. "Studying in the kitchens now?"

"Well, there's no place better than an all you can eat establishment," Rafe said as a couple of elves brought him over a large mug of hot chocolate and a tray of cucumber sandwiches. He set the tray on his bag and took the top sandwich. He devoured it down in a matter of minutes and then drank about halve of his hot chocolate. "Mmm..." he said as he licked his lips, "Plus, the service here is excellent!"

Rafe eyed her eating fruit. "Mango...excellent choice!" He said with a smile as he took another sandwich. "So what's going on in the beautiful world of the beautiful Marilyn Elizabeth Force?"

Marilyn gave Rafe a warm smile, reaching out a hand to brush his arm. The need for simple skin contact with her favorite Gryffindor was stupidly strong. She could always keep a hand on him, if he'd let her...She groaned inwardly. Merlin, he made her so hormonal.

When asked what she had been up to, Marilyn was unsure on how to answer. They had discussed being completely honest with one another...She didn't want to hide anything else from him, the person she loved...but the once-blonde felt horrible telling him the horrors of her life. He was already burdened. All She felt like was some stupid little girl adding to his mounting stress...

"Nothing really...Just catching up with some homework that I'd been putting off..." She bit her lip delicately, looking at Rafe from under her dark lashes. Her equally dark hair fell to one side. "How are things?" She eyed him meaningfully.

The knife was being well behaved with the buttering and all. Cela summoned an apple and crunched into that. "No I just really liked the dress but it doesn't look right with black or white shoes." Cela explained, brightening.

"Well lets have a picnic. Maybe on the weekend? We can dress up all pretty in each other's clothes," Because they did things like that, or used to and Cela missed it. Plus she had new stuff to share. "And we can invite other people too if you want. But its you I want best of all."

Yes hai there best friend.

"I'm not doing so well with regular homework. I think the OWLs took a lot out of me or something. I got all twelve you know." And she still hadn't told Dom-in-ick. Put that on the to do list then.

Forever. Yes Cela agreed. She gave Daphne an understanding look and reached across her friend to place her own hand on Daphne's where it sat over her heart.

"Me too." Celandine agreed quietly. "Miss them."

Both of them.

"Mmm, now that you mention it," hummed Daphne, squinting. She tried imagining the dress with black or white shoes and it really wasn't becoming. "It doesn't look very nice at all." Orange was a bright and happy color, right? Black wasn't and although white was somehow very feminine it just didn't seem to fit either. Hmm.

"Oh, please!" chirped the girl, taking another bite of her bread. Frowning, she tried wiping her buttered toast on the pass house elf. "If you invite anyone make sure it's a girl. I am sick of boys for the time being."

Not that she completely hated them it just--she really had her share of them for a while. Quickly, she finished her bread and once more attempted to wipe her hands on another passing house elf. That having failed, she reached out and hugged Celandine instead. "They're just missable like that," murmured the blond, clinging tightly to Celandine's back. Heh. Mostly, she missed Plymouth. She wasn't sure she could say the same about Copernicus. They weren't that close. "And you're just a brilliant little woman to get 12 OWLs too! You'll be fine."

"Exactly." Celandine nodded. It was important. Sometimes white was okay, or black if she had the right coloured cardigan or something, but orange shoes were necessary.

"Boys." Cela remarked. "Aren't as interesting as they used to be." Because we're all grown up and like men now, see? She clung to Daphne in return, her eye briefly peeking around the crowded kitchen. What was with that?

"Missable. I think its a Ravenclaw thing." Cela decided, giggling a little. She sobered after a moment though. "I want to stop Seeing stuff and I want to make things right with Raiden and I don't know how to do either. I need your help."

Celandine bit her lip.

"I'm going to... go find something out. Could you meet me in the library after dinner?" That way, if she didn't come back, someone would know about it. "Its important." She added and let go of Daphne, giving her best friend one last appreciative smile before slipping through the crowded kitchen.

She was going to Hogsmeade.

Rafe swallowed his sandwich. It felt as though an electric shock went up his spine as Marilyn lightly touched his arm. He took his hand and touched her lower back. He slightly leaned in a little closer. He just smiled, he couldn't help but smile when he was around her. It was like a warmth swept over him.

"Nothing really?" Rafe could tell she was holding back. It was so unlike her, especially with him. He took the tray of the remaining sandwiches and put it in front of him. He was waiting for her to continue, but then she followed up with a question for him.

"Well, I am doing fine...for the most part," Rafe shrugged. "I got a letter from my mum the other day...looks like I'm going to be a big brother." Rafe didn't know how to feel about being an older brother his whole life, he'd been the only child. "The baby is due in March...and if math serves me right," Rafe didn't even want to think about it, "Well, they got married in August!" Rafe didn't want to think about it. "She'll finally get the normal child she's always wanted." Rafe quickly ate another sandwich. He didn't really care much, he would much rather spend time in Romania anyways.

Dragging Kat from Honeydukes into the kitchen, was something Tyler usually didn't do. But the little talk at the shop had gotten him kind of cunfused. Why would she think that int he first place? He hadn't seen Lucy for the past few days. "Okay Kitty, now tell me why you think I stole Lucy away from you," he said as Ty sat on the counter and swung his feet.

Yup, he strated to feel like he should've never came to Hogwarts in the first place. But he didn't know he was going to fall for his niece's best friend.

Being dragged into the kitchen was not on Kat's to do list. She dusted herself off and sat down. "Well can I at least get some candy since you did not allow me to make my purchase??" She raised an eyebrow and smirked at him. Did she really want to have this talk with Tyler?? Hmmmmm....

Mina smiled as she watched the girl look through the crates. "Yeah, they do like to keep busy. Well, at least that's what the ones that talk to me tell me," she replied, mainly more to herself than the girl. House elves were always busy from what she saw. The first time she had ever visited, it took her some time to actually get her ice cream and it would have quicker if she had just retrieved it herself.

Seeing some vegetation, she made a face. She definitely didn't want any vegetables at the moment. If she didn't have to eat them, she wasn't going to. She would just get her daily dose of veggies in the Great Hall. The kitchen was the place to get sweets and what not. Hearing the mention of cookies, her face lit up. Cookies did sound very good at the moment. Well, cookies and maybe ice cream.

Taking a cookie, she smiled. "Thank you, I'm Mina," she replied before taking a bite. Mmmm, chocolate chip. That was just what she needed. Chocolate always made her happy. She just needed some milk and she would be extremely happy. Scanning the table before her, she noticed a pitcher of milk. Yes, she did love how the house elves always were prepared for everything. Pouring herself a glass, she smiled in happiness. Cookies and milk, those would help keep her potions homework off her mind, well for a short time at least.

Finishing her milk, her eyes glanced at the glass of juice before her. She really should toss that out. Juice and cookies didn't go well together at all, did it? About to reach for the juice, she saw Kiri grab it and empty it. Her eyes got huge. Oh Merlin! That didn't just happen. Kiri wasn't supposed to drink that. This wasn't going to be good. She didn't want Kiri to turn into a kneazle or a crup. Hopefully, she brewed it properly so that wouldn't happen at all. It wasn't exactly the perfect colour, but she was sure it wasn't a devotion draught either. "Kiri, that juice tasted funny before. Maybe you should have some milk instead," she offered as she poured herself another glass and one for Kiri.

Kiri put the glass down and smacked her lips. There was something odd-tasting about the orange juice... It had a slightly sweeter than normal tinge that, for some reason, she associated with passion fruit. Strange. She glanced at the empty glass. Maybe it hadn't been just orange at all but a mixture of several juices; a somewhat extravagant Muggle habit. Or it could be from the residual Pepperup Potion, she had no idea how it reacted to different beverages.

Reaching for another cookie, Kiri caught sight of Mina's face. Her hand stopped, hovering above the bag of cookies. The girl's eyes had gone huge as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. She looked pretty much terrified.

Was this some kind of joke? Very slowly and deliberately, Kiri turned around and glanced behind her. There was nothing there. She'd half-expected one of the ghosts, or maybe an army of angry house-elves with meat cleavers in their hands, or even Professor Kazimeriz hunting for... whatever it was he ate. Kiri swivelled around again, and by then the look on Mina's face had disappeared and turned into something more normal.
She was busy handling a jug of milk. Kiri, munching on another cookie (this one tasted differently than the last one too), watched her closely. Mina still seemed a bit worried.

"'nks," Kiri said as she took the offered glass of milk, spraying cookiecrumbs everywhere. She took a sip, but the taste - it was quite noticeable now - would not leave. "What, er, was that all about?" she asked, giving Mina a wide-eyed stare to demonstrate what she meant. "Everything... okay?"

Mina quickly grabbed another cookie and gobbled it quickly, the look of concern slowly leaving her face. The camaraderie concoction appeared to be working, despite the colour not being perfect. Kiri looked like she was behaving normal and not sprouting kneazle or crup-ears or a tail. That was a good sign at least, she didn't want yet another Slytherin to be holding a grudge against her for some things she had no intention of doing. Maybe she was always in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Taking another cookie, Mina ate it quickly. Maybe if she kept her mouth full, she wouldn't seem so nervous and on edge. She could tell that she was acting very out of character and it was apparent to everyone else, but how could she not be a little on edge. She accidentally slipped someone a potion she wasn't at all sure was correct. How could she possible stay calm, when at any moment some things terrible could possible happen? Potions class was possibly going to drive her straight to craziness. First the love potion mess and now this. Seriously, the class would probably earn her more enemies than friends at this rate.

"Welcome," Mina smiled as she grabbed another cookie and her milk. Should she tell Kiri about the potion or wait it out. She had only put in a small amount so the effects shouldn't last all that long. She had only added a few drops, but it looked as even that little of an amount could be potent, just not as potent as, say being slimed with it. Her eyes darted around slightly as she heard Kiri ask her if everything was okay. "Oh, it's just I thought the juice was bad. Wouldn't want you to get sick from bad juice and all. I got sick once on bad juice and it wasn't at all nice. Nasty situation really," she rambled on.

"Really," said Kiri, eyeing the girl shrewdly. She was, generally speaking, pretty bad at this whole socialising business and often in need of anvil-sized hints (dropped from considerable heights) before getting what the other person was talking about - or not talking about, or understanding his or her emotions - but even she could tell that there was something odd about Mina right now.

Although...

Now that Kiri came to think of it...
Maybe it wasn't something to do with Mina after all but Kiri herself. As in, she was a bit nervous and paranoid for sneaking into the kitchens after-hours to get herself something to eat. And, and... the nightmare, whatever she'd experienced in it, had been pretty scary! That had to be it.

More to the point, it was actually kind of nice to have met another person here. That way, Kiri considered, crunching a cookie, she wasn't all on her own with the house-elves. And Mina seemed really nice. They hadn't even known each other just a few minutes ago, and now they were already sharing drinks and cookies. Kiri gave the girl a wide smile, previous suspicion all but forgotten.

And there was another thing... A slightly weird one, but she felt inexplicably drawn to the girl. They were really bonding now! "Hey, you know what?" Kiri asked, wiping cookiecrumbs off her skirt. "You've got reeeeally pretty hair. 's got a nice shape and stuff, I can never get mine to do that." She sighed, suddenly wishing she had more of that orange juice.

Marilyn bit her lip as Rafe's hand found the small of her back. She loved how there was never any pressure or awkwardness between them. Being in Rafe's presence always felt natural and easy. Together, they just were.

A beautiful smile was settling on his face, causing Marilyn herself to smile brightly. He was infectious. And he didn't seem upset with her when she said she'd been up to nothing. Marilyn knew he could see right through her. To put it honestly, Rafe knew her...better than anyone, really...outside of her brother, Jasper. Merlin, she loved him.

"You're mother is pregnant?" Marilyn gave him a shocked look before wrapping both arms around his neck. "That's wonderful, Rafe! I always wanted a little brother or sister growing up...but my father wasn't interested." She laughed sadly, disgusted with how her father always got his way. Rafe seemed utterly unenthused about the entire matter, though...Especially when he mentioned spending his time in Romania instead of at home, Marilyn grimaced. She didn't want to think about him leaving, although she knew it was inevitable. "Rafe, for what it's worth, I think you'll make a perfect big brother. I know it's hard for you to wrap your head around right now..." She moved her hand to gently rub circles around his clothed back. "...but just wait until you lay eyes on that little one. Especially if they have a little girl. I can see your protectiveness now."

Mina nodded in conformation of her story about the bad juice. "Yup, it wasn't at all pleasant for anyone involved," she explained. It was true, she did have a bad experience once. It really wasn't from whether the juice was bad, but more because she had a stomach flu. Yet, she wasn't really going to tell Kiri that.

A sense of calm slowly took her over. She asked herself, why she was so worried. It wasn't like she was actually doing anything wrong. Kazimeriz did assign them to give someone whom they weren't friends with the potion, and wasn't that what she just did? How could she possible get in trouble for that? She was following directions, well kind of. It was accidental, but she did administer her potion, didn't she?

There wasn't really any more reason for Mina to feel at all on the edge, nothing terrible had happened yet and it didn't really appear to her that anything terrible would happen. She could relax and just enjoy the company. She did need to meet new people and maybe it was best for her to keep her distance from certain other friends. People tended to talk and she didn't want people to get the wrong idea about her again.

Grabbing another cookie, she dunked it in her milk and munched on it. She was really having a nice time talking to someone new. Looking up to see Kiri wiping the crumbs off herself, she smiled at the compliment. "Thank you, My mother and grand-mère would have kneazles kittens if I didn't keep it presentable at all time," she replied with a laugh. Always keeping up appearances, they would tell her. "I like your hair too. Sometimes, I wish I could have my hair a little shorter. I bet it's so much easier to care for and it doesn't really get in the way while flying and stuff," she added as she broke off another piece of her cookie.

Tyler couldn't help but chuckle. "Sure, go ahead you munchkin," he said and waved his hand. Kat was a crazy little girLL.

Finally!!! "Oh where can I find some candy now??" Kat asked aloud. She started walking around Tyler eyeing his bag full of candy. Evil Grin!! "Oh I know" She grabbed some candy before he could do anything and sat back down. "So what was your question again Dr. Phil??" She opened a random candy and started eating it while looking at Tyler with a blank expression.

"Nooo," Kiri protested, "yours is way nicer." She flipped a strand of hers back over her shoulder dismissively. "I should really cut mine a bit, it's getting quite long, especially for Quidditch..." She held her glass of milk up to eye level and studied her reflection for a few moments. Kiri was not at all concerned about her looks, but she had a sudden need to examine herself. "Although I've had it way shorter last term, I think maybe I'll just leave it. Then it'll look more similar to yours!"

Now, why had she said that?

Because Mina was such a cool person! That had to be it... what else would explain the sudden need to compare (or even match?) their hairstyles. Kiri slid off her chair and shoved it closer to Mina's. When she sat down again, their knees were practically touching, but this seemed somehow much more comfortable - natural! - than sitting apart. A tiny part of Kiri's mind wondered where the sudden affection for what had been a complete stranger a little while was coming from - normally she did not make friends easily - but put it down to the large amount of chocolate chip cookies she'd already consumed.

"Sooo, er, how about going into Hogsmeade together sometime?" Kiri asked. "The next weekend should be coming up soon." Wait, was that the Valentine's Day one?
Not that that mattered - if Mina had a date, Kiri decided, she should just ditch him and hang out with Kiri.

Rafe didn't know if he was more shocked by her reaction or the fact that her arms were now around his neck? He couldn't help, but give her a tight squeeze around the waist. "Thank you," he said awkwardly.

Marilyn always seemed to shine a light on the situation. He was dreading the thought of being a big brother, it was bad enough he had to put up with his new step-father. "I already have a great girl in my life, I don't need another one. Especially one that will cry at all hours of the night," he chuckled. "But, if it is a girl, those boys better watch it, cause they will definitely have to meet my approval!" Rafe smiled. He was a bit protective. It was instinctive more than anything, he just couldn't help it.

"I'm sure Jasper is the same way with you..." Rafe said as he drank the last bit of his hot chocolate, but before he sat it down, a house elf put a new mug in his hand. "Umm...thanks," he said as he shook his head. Of all the creatures in the Magical world, House Elves he would never completely understand. "I'm not quite sure if I'd be one he'd approve of," Rafe continued. "I mean would your brother want his little sister to be dating a half-breed? Ick!" He made a face jokingly.

Tyler heard Kat say something, but shrugged it off. Still swinging his legs, Ty noticed his bag of candy was finally gone. "What the--?" he looked towards Kat, who was happily eating his candy. "Why do you think I stole Lucy away from you?" he asked, angrily and snatched his candy away from her.

Ugh, this little girl was defitnitely going to make Tyler go insane pretty soon.