There were SO MANY benefits to being a Hufflepuff. One of those said benefits, were that they stayed on the same floor as the kitchen, which made late night snack trips easy. Which also meant that she could sleep through dinner, and not worry about missing a meal.

Tugging on the sleeve of her shirt, she used her shoulder to open the portal to the kitchens, eyes searching for the familiar face of her best friend. Surely the Ravenclaw had slept through the last meal of the day as well, it seemed to be something they did on a regular basis.

A smile crossed the girl's face when she spotted the small girl, and her feet led her over to the girl's side, nudging her playfully as she hopped on the stool beside her. "Sleep well?"

Her eyes flicked from the salad to the house elf that was bringing over a small bowl of mashed potatoes and carrot sticks.

Cassie looked up from her salad making when she heard her name, unsure of who it could possible be. She didn't tell anyone she would be coming down to the kitchen. She smiled when she saw who it was. That gryffindor girl she met at the feast. Chloe that was her name."Hey Chloe." she said popping a grape into her mouth.

Grinning widely, Ivory nudged her best friend right back even as she chewed happily on lettuce. Taking a sip of water, didn't want any unseemly bits of green stuck on her teeth, she nodded sheepishly. "Did I ever! Naptime during dinner is the best. Not only is the dormitory nice and quiet but we get to come here afterwards and eat whatever we want."

That was what made life at Hogwarts grand. In her opinion anyway.

"Soo..." She began innocently as she speared an unsuspecting crouton with her fork. "I might've been taking a walk down the pathways earlier and noticed you with a certain male friend of ours heading towards the lake??" Hmmmm. She'd been on the verge of catching up to them when she'd bumped into some other people but it still made her smile. Because what were friends for but to tease mercilessly and know they could laugh about it together.

Grinning teasingly now, she gave her friend another playful nudge as she wondered for a moment if she was above singing "Arya and Sabel sitting in a tree."

"They are quiet, aren't they?" She mused. "I like them that way, plus no one's sitting in my seat." Which seemed to happen A LOT when the common room was crowded. Too many badgers in that common room when classes were over, and always too loud. It was much easier to nap through the meal and eat in the kitchens with her bestie.

Sending a thank you to the house elf, she pulled the bowl close to her, and used one of the carrots to spoon the food into her mouth. She had to force herself to pretend to think about who Ivory was talking about, eyes focused on her food in front of her. "Oh...you were at the lake...didn't see you." She kind of felt bad for not noticing that, but passed it off as being in a tree..with a friend..yeeeah.

That knowing nudge sent heat to her face, and she made a point of keeping her eyes on the bowl of potatoes. "Your putting way to much thought into what you saw."

Having now found out the location of the kitchen, Evangeline walked inside. She had heard about this kitchen, and as she was feeling rather hungry presently, so she had went in search of it. So snow that she was here, she wanted food.

Eva walked around in the kitchen, looking around with interest. Because like with everywhere else in Hogwarts, she'd never been in here before.

Kurumi opened one of the many cabinets and found a clean white plate to set all the cookies on. After doing so, Kurumi set the plate of cookies on a small table in the middle of the room and decided to head to the fridge herself for a glass of milk. When the house elves began scattering around frantically, Kurumi shook her head at them. "No, really, it's fine. I'll get it myself." After all, it was just one glass of milk. Have retrieved her milk, Kurumi returned to where Alice stood. "Well, I think they are cool enough to eat now," she nodded picking one up herself and smelling the apple pie spices. No wonder her father always said there was nothing like homemade apple pie. The smell enough was fantastic.


"Good evening, Fee," Kurumi smiled as her favorite Slytherin friend entered the kitchen and approached her. There was still some warm steam coming off from the cookies on the plate. "Yeah, I had a new recipe that I really wanted to try. Kind of a healthy cookie. I was talking to the Gryffindor Quidditch captain about making cookies before each match," she blushed. Healthy cookies seemed like something that really shouldn't be in the same sentence. "You know, something to give them a bit of a boost but nothing that will weigh them down."

Quote:

Originally Posted by grangerfan8

"They are quiet, aren't they?" She mused. "I like them that way, plus no one's sitting in my seat." Which seemed to happen A LOT when the common room was crowded. Too many badgers in that common room when classes were over, and always too loud. It was much easier to nap through the meal and eat in the kitchens with her bestie.

Sending a thank you to the house elf, she pulled the bowl close to her, and used one of the carrots to spoon the food into her mouth. She had to force herself to pretend to think about who Ivory was talking about, eyes focused on her food in front of her. "Oh...you were at the lake...didn't see you." She kind of felt bad for not noticing that, but passed it off as being in a tree..with a friend..yeeeah.

That knowing nudge sent heat to her face, and she made a point of keeping her eyes on the bowl of potatoes. "Your putting way to much thought into what you saw."

"Well I was on the way to the lake when I saw you guys but then I ran into some...stuff" Wincing on the inside, she recalled the "stuff." That of course being code for nature which was a nice word for trees. Trees that attacked her. Or to be perfectly honest trees she walked into. But that was neither here nor there. Hopefully it just sounded like she was a very busy person and had bumped into prefect-y stuff. Yup, that sounded way better than "tree."

Taking another bite of lettuce, she eyed her friend from the corner of her eye as she bent her head low to the potato. A good friend was an observant one or maybe in this case maybe a slightly annoying one.

"Arya Grace Lovegoods is that a blush!?!?" Grinning happily, Ivory brought her arm around her best friend to give her a tickle. " You should just be happy I'm not putting enough thought to be running around singing..." Clearing her throat a bit, she looked around shiftily before whispering in a sing song whisper so only she'd hear. "Arya and Sabel sitting in a tree..." She hummed the rest of the little song of course because she was sure, well almost completely sure that if that other part had happened Arya would've told her. Giggling helplessly, she calmed down a bit and patted her friend's shoulder. "You know teasing is just my way of expressing my friendship you know." Nodding knowledgeably, she grinned gratefully at the house elf who had just placed a bowl of potato soup in front of her. How had he known she'd been craving that since Diagon Alley.

Inhaling the bacon-y potato-y goodness, she dipped a piece of bread into it before chewing thoughtfully. "I take it he still feels the same way?"
Who could miss the way he looked at her really. It was as plain as the nose on his face. At least she thought so, anyway.

"Stuff, what kind of stuff?" She was hoping to divert the conversation from her and Sabel, but knowing Ivory it wouldn't work. Though she was curious at to why the girl hadn't shown her face when she was with Sabel earlier in the day. Ivory could have joined them when they went swimming.

Sometimes, or more like this specific time, she wished her friend wasn't so smart or observant. Then she wouldn't have noticed the blush that rose to her cheeks, and grew when she pointed it out to her. Giggling, she squirmed her way out of Ivory's hold and away from the tickling fingers before shifting back onto her seat comfortably. Playfully glaring at her friend as she did. "Don't sing that!" She gasped in a low tone, giving her friend a good poke in the ribs. Honestly, the girl wasn't helping her embarrassment. She was pretty sure she couldn't blush any harder than she already was. Why she was blushing so much, she didn't know. It wasn't as if they had kissed or anything. Resting her elbow on the table, she ran a hand through her hair, grinning up at her friend despite her embarrassment. "Of course I know that, and I plan on returning the favor when a guy like you." Mmmhmm. Watching the house elf for a moment, allowing the blush to subside, she swirled the mashed potatoes with her carrot stick.

Nodding her head at the inquiry, she took a bit out of the patato covered carrot, chewing it slowly before speaking. "I think its worse.....gotten stronger since last term." Certainly her friend saw the way Sabel looked at her with those green eyes of his. Like she was his whole world.

As the young Puff exited her common room, she didn't know where to go. so she went to the closest place available, the kitchens. As soon as she managed to tickle the pear and get the door open, she found herself a corner and sat down. Sitting there, she continued to sob over the events in the common room.

Salander had to smirk at that last bit, Gryffindors indeed are a proud lot, but as any Slytherin worth his salt would know, there are ways to make the big cats purr. "Well if you wont help me in through the door, then I'll just have to climb my way up through the windows now wont I?" he joked.

Or was he?

His eyes slid up at Lexi's, hearing her explain about Professor Carlton. To her credit it did make him feel a little better, but no less guilty. He still felt like he wanted to come clean and talk to the Professor himself. Surely there is someone at the school who would know where he could send an owl to her...

He shook his head, trying to make it clear that he didnt feel that there was anything "odd" between himself and Lexi. Squeezing her shoulders, he glanced back at her, speaking of matters that were socially acceptable. Huh, now doesnt that sound familiar.... "Different strokes for different folks" he shrugged.

The Gryffindor blond listed off his apparently redeeming qualities, and his usual smirk broadened into a smile. It does lighten the heart to hear them, given that most of the time he would be told a litany of things that was wrong with him instead. Oh and hold on.... what was that last bit hmmm? He tilted his head low and peeked down at her face. Yeah he can see her turning nearly the same shade as her robes. "Wouldnt kick me out-- of school... Thats what you meant right?" he chuckled instead. Of course he knew exactly what she meant. And some things are better left unsaid.

He turned as the elves trooped up to bring them their food, the delectable aroma from the grilled steak and potato wedges wafting in the air. "Finally! Took y'all long enough, shouldnt this come easy for you guys like a sna--" he stopped suddenly. Whats was that thing about being rude? "Ehrm, I meant... Thank you." he said, nodding his head at the pint-sized creatures. He glanced at Lexi and said "Lets eat!" Because he was just starving!

Grilled steak and potato wedges, really? At this time of night? Kurumi shook her head and went back to drinking her tall glass of milk and was about to try one of the cookies she had just taken out of the oven when...

...she saw her Hufflepuff friend off in a corner in tears. WHAT?! What had happened?! Kurumi jumped to her feet, carrying the plate of cookies with her of course, and scampered over. "Hey, what's wrong," Kurumi said with concern written all over her porcelain features.

"Oh you know, just book stuff." Waving a hand vaguely as if to shoo the subject Ivory continued. "Reading. Just boring ol' stuff really." Well she had been at least for a little while. Until she'd smacked into a tree.

But anywho...

A guy... like her. Making an exaggerated forlorn face, she clutched her heart dramatically. "Oh woe is me. To have a boy like me is but a distant dream. However will I live until that day." Snickering, she dipped another chunk of bread into her soup. " And that day is hopefully a long long time in the waiting." Grinning she gestured to her friend with her spoon. "But for now, I'll just do you the favor."

Blowing her bangs out her eyes so none would fall in her soup, she quieted down again as she heard her friend speak. "Worse?" Shaking her head sympathetically, she tugged on a strand of Arya's hair. "And you? Do you still think of him as only a friend?" She put an emphasis on the word only. Because if her friend's blush was any indication something else was in the works as well.
Watching her friend carefully, Ivory continued in a softer voice. "You know, he'd still be your friend no matter what."

"I didn't say I wouldn't help you in. I was merely making a statement," she said with a sly grin. Hehe. Salander totally had Gryffindor tendencies, he would fit in well. "We will make a plan, for sure."

Awww he was making her feel SO much better about herself. LEaning into him a bit as he gave her a squeeze she smiled brightly. "Yeaaaaah. That is exactly what I meant by that," she lied. LIES! Giggling uncontrollably she nudged him in his ribs ever so slightly. Her cheeks finally turned back to their typical shade and she shook her head slightly. "Sorry about all of that, by the way. Personal issues. Thinking too much, letting other people's opinions affect me," she said quietly.

OH. HELL. NO. "Salander! You better apologize to them RIGHT NOW! How rude!" she exclaimed as he lit into the poor elves. She turned toward them and smiled brightly. "Thank you, it looks delicious!" she said genuinely. Turning her glare back on Sal she shook her head slightly.

Grabbing up her knife and fork she cut a BIG hunk of the juicy steak off and shoved it into her mouth. Juice dribbled down her chin and onto her clothes as she chewed with her mouth half open smacking loudly. "Ohhh my gawd! Theees es SOOO goooot!" she said around the half masticated cow in her mouth, bits of food flying out as she did so.

There were some things that would never be polished about the poor girl. The major one being her table etiquette.

With her hear buried in her robes, Emmaleigh heard foot steps heading in her direction, and briefly wondered if it was a house elf walking by. that is, until she recognized the that it was the sound of shoes, not bare feet she was hearing. Still, she didn't look up until she heard the owner of the shoes speak to her. It was a voice that she recognized. "K-kurumi?" she asked looking up. Seeing that it was in fact her lone Gryffindor friend, she tried to wipe the tears from her face, but they still kept coming. "I-I h-had a f-fight." was all she could manage to say before another sobbing fit.

Kurumi, not really know what to do, set the cookies on the ground and wrapped an arm around her friend. "What happened? If you feel like talking, you can tell me. If not, well, I can stay with you while you cry," she offered feeling a bit flustered herself. She hadn't seen any of her friends cry this strongly and it was kind of a new sensation. Hugs were always nice though. That is what she always wanted when she felt sad. "There are some warm cookies I just baked if you'd like. I can get you a glass of milk or something hot to drink as well."

Feeling an arm around her, Emmaleigh listened as her friend talked. She shook her head a the suggestion of talking. There was just no way she could do that at the moment. She wrapped her arms around the other girl, and just cried on her shoulder. When she felt like she couldn't cry anymore, she released Kurumi. The little puff wiped her face with the soggy sleeve of her robe. "w-we f-fought o-over t-that s-stupid s-security g-guy." she explained through ragged breaths.

Who? Ikea Garlic? Wait, that didn't sound right...No matter, the man's name was not important at the moment. What was important was the crying badger in front of her. "Why were you fighting over him? He doesn't seem like he is worth it," Kurumi said with a hint of disdain on her tongue. Sure the man was suspicious, but he was no reason for people to fight over.

Brittany was completely and Utterly confused as to why she was coming into the Kitchens. Her main reason ws that Em had disappeared so fast she couldnt possibly be anywhere else. She hope her logic proved to be right.

As she stepped inside the kitchen after tickling the pear she was relieved to know that she was right. Yeah maybe she should have been in Ravenclaw . No this was no time for jokes. She scanned the kitchens without having to look far because she spotted her best friend in a corner with a fellow second year she had seen around but hadnt talk to before. She didnt want to interrupt their conversation but she had to see how em was feeling

She walked over to the pair. "Em" she said quietly. "sorry" she said towards the gyriffindor girl for interrupting. "Come on cheer up. Everything will be alright." she said kneeling down next to her and putting her arm around her shoulder.

The young redhead could hear her friends tone change, but she couldn't tell what it meant. Why were they fighting over him? "H-hes s-scary, and h-he told h-him about m-m-me." she said, making no effort to differentiate between the two hes.

Seeing her best friend come up Emmaleigh felt a fresh wave of tears being to fall down her face, though she wasn't crying a violently as before.She hugged the girl, not knowing what to say.

Kurumi wasn't really sure she understood what her cream puff friend had just said. So, someone told someone else about her and that someone number one or two was who she had had a fight with. Kurumi looked to the other girl for a translation and continued petting Em's hair.

Even though Arya enjoyed a good book every now and again, she currently didn't care to talk about them and decided to let the subject pass in favor of eating more of her potatoes.

Grinning at the girl's antics, she shook her head softly. Gently she nudged the girl. "Ya never know....might not be so distant a dream." She had never in her wildest dreams thought a guy would like her so suddenly, let alone her best guy friend. Who knew what the future held for Ivory's love life. Picking up another carrot, she dipped it into her bowl. "Keep doing me the favor and I'll have to find another way to return it." An mischievous look flicked through her eyes before she turned them away from the Ravenclaw.

Taking another bite out of her meal, she pulled closer the pumpkin juice the elves had gotten her. She nodded her head. "Worse," she repeated, not meeting the girl's eyes. They remained as she considered the girl's question before responding quietly. "He's never been only a friend." She allowed her eyes to flick to Ivory's briefly. "You know that." After all they had been through, after he had found her after her midnight duel, he had become more than just some friend. Something that couldn't be justified with a title. At least not the title 'friend'.

Did she answer Ivory's question?

"I know." She replied simply in a low tone. "He'll always be my best friend." Always.

Brittany just let em get it all out. Everyone needed a good cry once in a while. In the mean time she would fill the gryiffie in because she seemed throughly lost

She gave the girl a small smile before beginning. "I know your probably thinking us puffs are going crazy down in our common room." she said to her "I dont know how well em explained to you but from the look on your face she didnt get much out." she continued. "Basically it all boils down to The Ministry man and us. I dont know if you noticed but he visted the huffie table at the feast?" she asked the girl because it was very possible that she hadnt notice. "We had been discussing him before he arrived so itwas already known that we didnt to much feel comfortable with the guy. So when he approached the table without thinking Mikey said somethings that could be considered rude especially to a ministry official" she said adding that last part to make her understand. "And he knowing that em wanting nothing to do with the man Mikey told the man each of our names without our consent." Not that it would have matter much because this man had ways of knowing anyway but she didnt know if she should tell this girl her suspicion because she had only just met her. "This man, He said some really creepy but interesting things to us while we chatted." she serious sort of tone now

Kurumi listened and nodded a few times as she took everything in. Creepy man had just become even creepier. Kurumi decided right then and there that she was going to have to go and talk with him. Maybe this man could give her some of the answers that she had only been speculating. If nothing else, maybe he wouldn't be as creepy. Maybe he even gave students chocolates in his office. Kurumi looked back at her crying friend and searched her mind for something, anything to say that could comfort her.

...

Nothing. Kurumi didn't know how to handle all this because she was afraid herself.

"W-W-What sort of things?" Kurumi whispered.

She looked at the girl a moment as to decide what all to tell er. She didnt want her thinking she was some kind of freak or anything. "Well for one thing when he was talking to me he said something to make me think.... to make me think." she said looking a little frightened before continuing in almost a whisper he knew what i was thinking." she said getting the chills just thinking about it

"I-its not j-just t-that." she said, "I-its, i-its." but she just couldn't make herself say it. That is was also her doubts from the last five months, and the horrible things she had read in that book. Or even the fact that she seemed to always start the year off in a big fight. and tonight, She had also found out that her electronics wouldn't work, and her favorite professor was gone. Finally though, she was able to say, "I-I m-messed e-everyt-thing up"