Orabelle sat down and smoothed her skirt out. And yeah, she knew it was on the seventh floor, she had to bloody climb up there. And it was torture. Then later she'd have to go all the way back down. "Oh... that's... nice..." she said. Orabelle picked up a strawberry and bit into it. Yum. "It's certainly nice though... thank you," she said. And perhaps she could find a way to make it loads lovelier here now that she knew of this room's existence. Orabelle nodded. "So, how did a shabby castle end up with such a room?" Orabelle asked, slightly amazed by it. Only slightly though, mind you.

shrugging "Magic?"cutting off anouther slice of apple "You got to rember if you did it it would look different if you want we can go out and you can give it a try "

Zara looked at the guy they called Connor in surprise. Was he speaking to her? Really? She listened as the guy spoke to her for the first time. "P-play?" No, no Zara. You can't. Absolutely not.

Then she listened as he spoke some more, and was not in front of her. Brave enough? Gulp. Zara was in Gryffindor, but she wasn't sure if she was brave enough for this. But the word 'brave' rang in her ears. She must be brave enough. For Merlin's sake, she's in Gryffindor. Gah. Lost of words, Zara nodded her head slowly and said, "Okay," softly.

Connor closed his eyes and smiled as once again the Angel of Music took him on a flight out of the troubles of the world, away from the issues he was dealing with concerning his Dad, and with dealing with trying to come to terms with the fact that the veela was a part of him. His mother used to play a cd with this tune on it. There were tears on his cheeks that he was unaware of. He sat there in his seat and smiled through his tears. When her song was over he Clapped for her then went over and took her right hand in kids and kissed it lightly. "That was so beautiful Kurumi."

Connor smiled. "Ok Zara, come on let's go up there and When you get nervous I want you to Imagine everyone in the room dressed in or doing something funny. Do you know how to battle a boggart? Imagine we're all boggarts and make us into something funny. Can you do that for me sweetie?" He asked her, smiling and hugging her lightly.

Orabelle sighed. "Beauxbatons also had magic... but it didn't have a room like this," she pointed out. She tilted her head slightly to the side in confusion. "What? I think I'll pass," Orabelle sighed. It sounded like so much work doing all of that! "So... how's Hogwarts been so far for you?" Orabelle asked. Because it's been a draaaag.

Sitting back in his chair " Well like you I am afish out of water.In my case I didnt come from magical background.So when yall get all worked up over Quditch or the new MoM.I dont under stand,90% of muggle kids dont even think of who is running the country unless it is on a test." looking around the room then back at her "but for the most part the school seems to do OK by me.... So how about you are you making friends besides Hokey down in the kitchen" directing her gaze over to a tray of biscuits and several lil pots of jam

Zara smiled and returned Connor's hug. She was starting to like the guy, probably her ideal big brother. Ah, it was something she's been thinking of ever since she's come to Hogwarts--a big brother. Ella had five and offered to give 'em all to Zara if she only could. Hihi.

She nodded, and whispered a, "Thanks," to the guy whom she now considered her big brother. Looking over at Kurumi, Zara hoped she didn't mind. It was only a brotherly hug.

Okay Zara, now imagine them in something funny. This was gonna be tough.

"T-T-Thank you," Kurumi squeaked looking over her shoulder at Zara. "It...It's something my mother wrote when I was born. She played it for me every night before I went to sleep. It's one of the first pieces I learned to play as well." And that was because she had heard it so many times.
There Connor was, doing it again. Kurumi had to restrain herself from pulling her hand away. She was tired of telling him that she wasn't ready for anything like he was wanting...and all the kisses and soft touches were starting to become too much for her. He said he would respect her space and wait until she had unloaded a lot of her emotional bagage, but he certainly wasn't giving off that impression.

He seemed more like he was becoming impatient. Perhaps she should just tell him that there was no point in him waiting. The more he pushed and showed those emotions, the more she went back into her shell.

"Thank you," she said softly getting up from her seat on the piano bench and returning to her seat on the floor. Walnut curled up on her lap and meowed softly, swishing his tail back and forth.

Kurumi sat in silence as she watched the exchange between Zara and Connor and her eyes flickered over to Heather for a moment. She kind of just wanted to go curl up in her bed and think.

That...and she just wanted to receive one letter...just one...it didn't even matter what it said anymore...she just wanted him to write her something.

"You're quite welcome. Now will you try for me?" He asked the young girl calmly.

He glanced over at Kurumi, He wanted to be near her, to hold her hand or something, but something told him that was not the thing to do right now. He gritted his teeth and reached into his pocket for his silver flask that held his mother's headache potion. He opened it and took a long draught, then closed it and sighed. He went over to a squishy chair in the corner, but still easily seen from the stage and sat down, still holding the silver flask in his hand. Merlin's beard, he needed to talk to someone about what he was feeling. He was sure the only way to calm the feelings in his head was to talk them out. He looked up at Kurumi, he didn't want to loose her and he had promised to back off, which in his mind he had. He didn't know for sure but he suspected that she might not think so. How could he show her that he cared without driving her away? Maybe she didn't... He didn't even want to think that, it hurt too much. Then he got a thought. They were going to work together on the song, perhaps she might be willing to accept the lyrics as his testament to her. Maybe, just maybe the right lyrics might mean something to them both.

Nodding, Zara took a hesitant look between Connor and Kurumi. They seemed...to suddenly not be as comfortable as they were before. She bit her lip and turned to where the piano was. Walking towards it, Zara could feel her knees shaking, and she had goosebumps. Really should she do this?

Taking out the four paged composition from her pocket, she placed them on the piano, where they were supposed to be, and sat down. She looked at Kurumi once more, and Connor, wondering if she should start. Maybe this wasn't a good time.

Hugging her knees to her chest, which upset Walnut who was just about to curl up into a ball and fall asleep, Kurumi smiled at Zara. "Go on," she encouraged. It would be a waste if the first year stopped now considering she had just now sat down at the piano. Kurumi had seen only the first page of Zara's composition in the common rom and eas eager to hear the rest of it.

She glanced over at Connor and was a little relieved that he was giving her a bit of space right now. Sometimes he could just be overwhelming...and she really did not need that right now. She needed to grow a bit more individually before she allowed herself into that situation again. After all, it had only been 4 months since...since Adam had left...

Heather was excited to hear Zara play. "Go Zara! you can do it!" she said, cheering for her young friend.

obviously oblivious to what was going on between her big brother and Kurumi. That's Heather all right. One way attention span is all she really has.

Seeing how Kurumi had encouraged her, and how Heather was cheering for her, Zara smiled and nodded. Heather sure was cool about everything, Zara was starting to like her attitude, bringing the mood up though some people seemed uncomfortable. Hihi. Happy Heather.

Smiling, Zara took a deep breathe and began playing her composition, which she made only this day. She closed her eyes, and felt the song though she didn't quite know how she'd memorized it even if she knew the song yet only moments ago. I guess that's just how it is. She thought of her mother as she played her song. Her fingers danced slowly on the black and white keys, as she felt the music and her drift on to another world.

She could remember that one beautiful rainy day when her mother and her played the piano together as one. It was a great feeling, she felt happiness. She felt love. Reminiscing those moments when the two of them shared a world that no one else knew of, that no one else could enter. The bond of mother and daughter, along with the beauty of the pouring rain. A tear escaped Zara's eyes, it was because of happiness. She wished to relive the moment again, she missed her mom. Her heart was reaching out to the music, though she didn't know if the atmosphere reached those others in the room. As she went back to reality, finishing her song, she quickly wiped the tear in her eye, and smiled to them. Wow, she couldn't remember the last time she played the piano like that.

Heather's jaw was dropped. Zara was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Without any hesitation, because she was overjoyed for the girl, Heather stood and skipped of happily towards Zara and hugged her friend. "Zara, you were fantastic!" she said. "absolutely amazing!"

Anakin chuckled, looking down from her face to his shirt, and grinning slightly. "If he turns out completely evil. I'm going to cry, just saying." Because Anakin wanted to be a superHERO. Not a superVILLAIN thank you very much. "Movie marathon this summer?" That could be fuuun. And he'd cry if he didn't get to see her over summer anyways. Like, legitly.

Anakin raised an eyebrow as she shifted anxiously, before giving a small smile and a tiny shrug, "It's okay. I'm not either. But we can try together, and fail together, and it'll ALL be just fine." Or maybe they'd win together because they were just so awesome like that? Maybe so. Glancing at the blank wall, almost like it were a canvas, Anakin squinted at it. "I...don't know. Maybe we should just ask it for a place to dance and see what it gives us?" Let the room decide, since they apparently weren't so great at that.

Orabelle crossed her legs and then picked up a cup of tea, taking a little sip of it. "Did you?" Orabelle asked, slightly surprised. He certainly didn't act like he was a muggle. She supposed that was expected from a Hufflepuff. "Most pureblood children don't as well, children don't tend to dwell so much on the Ministry dealings... Quidditch for boys is a whole other story," Orabelle said. She could remember sitting through countless matches... given she had been too busy giggling with her other friends to care about what was going on... but... whatever.

"I'm... coping," Orabelle said slowly. Was he implying that she couldn't make friends? She sure hoped not. She saw the biscuits. Must be from the house elf then, she supposed. "Thanks," she said as she took one and broke it in half. She took a bit of one of them. Mmm... fluffy...

taking a biscuit and putting a big dollop of blackberry jam on it,taking a bite and washing it down with some milk "Well I saw you hanging out down by the lake with some people so I was just asking" setting his biscuit down and wipeing the jam from the corner of his mouth with his napkin." do you think I am cramping your style with the guys.I know I am stunning looking and all " grinning at her and pretending to fix his hair in the reflestion of the silvertea set on the table

What? If he turned out evil? Hadn't she already told him that Vader redeemed himself in the end? Well, she wasn't going to repeat herself, so she decided that she'd just keep him in suspense. 'Twas his fault for having a poor memory. Mwahaha. "I think you'll cry either way." That particular scene was quite touching, after all. She'd sort of teared up when she first watched it. "Sure, sounds good," Vashti replied with a smile. She was sort of looking forward to the summer now. More than she already was, at least.

That...sort of made her feel better. Sorta. Not really. She doubted he was as bad as she was but didn't want to keep talking about her inability to dance, so she shrugged and simply replied, "Whatever you say." And that seemed like a good option, though she was perhaps a little worried to find out what the room would give them without any specifics. Should be interesting. "That works," she agreed before glancing at the wall for a moment then turning her blue-grey eyes back to him.

"So...how does this work exactly?" She knew they had to walk past three times and think of what they wanted, but did that apply when more than one person was involved? Was there anything extra they had to do? She didn't remember reading anything about it.

Connor smiled at Zara and walked up to her, hugging her close. "You did so good! I am so proud of you!" He put his flask back in his pocket and went back over to the piano, He picked up the lyrics sheet he'd left over there. He was glad he had his back turned to them, he needed to swallow the lump in his throat and calm himself. He pulled the flask back out and took another long drink of headache potion then put it back in his pocket. He reached over and picked up his guitar. He could not hide his emotions anymore. He was hurting inside and he had to let Kurumi know how he was feeling. He reached for a stool and the microphone and began to softly play and Sing. The tears in question rolling silently down his cheeks.

Kurumi closed her eyes and rested her head on her knee as she listened to the first year lion play on the piano. She was glad that Zara had decided that she was comfortable enough to play for them. She let the melody fill her spirit and lift her up. For a moment, Kurumi forgot all the stress and negativity that had been surrounding her being for the past half year since Adam's departure. She knew what she had to do: send him one more letter. One more that would set what part of her that was locked away free so she could spread her wings and, finally, figure things out for herself.

Hopefully.

"Zara, that was beautiful," she smiled applauding to her as she finished.

Then, her heart sank again as Connor stood up. He wasn't going to...was he? However, the moment Connor opened his mouth and let his angelic voice filled the room. Earlier it had made her blush and feel happy, but, now it just made her feel uncomfortable and pressured. Scooping up Walnut and throwing her bag over her shoulder, Kurumi jumped to her feet and flashed everyone and took an extra moment to make sure her eyes met Connor's.

"I-I-I'm sorry everyone," she stammered turning and heading towards the door. "I-I-I need to be somewhere. I forgot I had plans already." She gripped her chest and felt the ring still hanging there and she forced herself to swallow back her tears. "I'm sorry. T-Th-Thank you for all the music..."

Turning her back on everyone, she rushed out of the room and ran towards the courtyard.

Connor gaped as she left, his tears more evident than ever in the candlelight. He grabbed his guitar and cased it and got his stuff together. He had to find her. He turned to Dani, Heather and Zara. "I-I better g-go f-find her." He whispered. He had a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't like it. he gave Dani that I may need you soon look. Then he left the room.

Zara thanked everyone. She felt more comfortable performing in an audience. Well, at least when the audience were her friends. She didn't know how to deal if it were strangers.

Then she took her seat beside Heather, and listened to her new big brother sing again, this time he was..crying? Then nearly half of the beginning, Kurumi suddenly excused herself. And was soon followed by Connor. What was happening? She wondered if she should go already too. Turning to Heather and Dani, she said, "Think we should go now?" And was wondering if she should also go find the two who had just left but decided that they probably needed privacy. Oh well, maybe she should just go to the library for now or back to the common room.

Dani noticed the look Connor shot at her and nodded discretely at him before he left. She smiled at the other girls- "If you want to" she said softly as she pushed back her blonde curls- "He's my best friend and I know he probably needs time right now... so does Kurumi" she said, knowing that was what she had inferred correctly. She smiled at the other girls- "I'd love to get to know you guys" she said softly.

Heather blinked once and twice, finding it rather difficult to sink in what just happened. Her big brother and Kurumi were in a big fit, and she frowned. she hated to see her beloved people sad or in some sort of tension whatsoever (that she herself had not realized was going on) She wanted to go after them both and see fi they were okay, but she did feel that they needed privacy, and that she was still, with Zara and Dani.

"Where do you guys want to go?" she asked seeing Zara nd Dani had stood up. she pakced her violin back in its case and lifted her box of brownies.

Zara was looking at the grand piano in the room. She'd be back. Definitely. Now that she had discovered that a piano existed in the school, she'll be making trips here when she had time.

She looked at Dani and Heather, "Well, somewhere with food?" She suggested, Zara was kind of hungry. A little snack would do her good. She wondered if there was food in the Great Hall at this time.