Kita. Was. Lost.

Not only did she not know where she was, she also didn't know what part of the castle she was in! Or was she in the castle at all? Who knew. All she knew was that this was all a bit... new. To her at least.

But then again, she couldn't even remember what she had for breakfast, let alone the parts of this castle.

Was she going to pretend she knew where she was? 'Course! No way was she going to let people know she was lost! After all, what kind of seventh year gets lost in a castle they've called their home for the past six/almost seven years? Hmph!

Kita twisted a curl of her hair and stood there, wondering where to go...

Jai was heading to the student bulletin board but decided to go through lost and found. There he saw Kita, standing and twirling her hair. He had always thought Kita was a ball of energy and a bit unique.

"Hey Kita, what's up? Did you lose something? I mean that would explain why you're down here in lost and found." he asked her, stopping just in front of her.

Her name. What's up. Lose?

WHAT?!

Kita turned round and looked at the boy who was talking to her. "Hi Jai!" she said, smiling at him as he stopped just in front of her, "Er... I'm just wonder-" Wait... "Did you say this is the lost and found?" she asked, looking around at where they were. Now wasn't this new...

But to the matter at hand. Kind of. "So what brings you here?" she asked. 'Cause... there had to be a reason he's here, right?

Jai chuckled and said,"Partly going to the student bulletin board and also looking for you. I wanted to talk to you about Caroline. Sh'es been acting a little weird lately. I mean she's my girlfriend but I think she's been keeping something from me." He looked a bit sheepish as he spoke to her and tucked his hands into his pockets.

"Have you spoken to her? I'm not asking to betray trust but is there anything I should be worried about?" he asked as his brow was creased with worry.

Wait... What?! Looking for HER?! Kita's eyes grew slightly wider. What in the name of merlin had she done now?!

Oh. Right. Caroline.

Kita relaxed slightly. A very small part of her was happy that she hadn't done anything to hurt someone else very Hufflepuff, right? but another side of her grew even more worried at the mention of her best friend being in a hassle. This was just great wasn't it?

She blinked. Caroline? And weird? Noooo! Kita was the weird one between the two girls, not Caroline! But then again, maybe Jai meant a different type of weird? "Er..." Great way to start(!) "I haven't spoken to her, no..." But honestly? Caroline was being weird? Maybe she SHOULD talk to the girl. "I could speak to her if you want me to," she said, giving Jai a small, reassuring smile.

"Have you tried talking to her?" she asked, "Maybe you can find out what she's keeping from you." If she IS keeping something from him. "But, er, what do you mean by weird?" she asked. 'Cause, you know, it could just be Kita's influence...

Jai ran a frustrated hand through his hair and sighed heavily,"I don't know but she just screamed at me to leave her alone. All I wanted to do was find out what was going on. She ran from me and I went looking for her and she told me to leave her alone." he said, his voice, quiet and filled with hurt.

He closed his eyes and shook his head as if the next thought did not exist,"In not so many words, I think she believes that I'm a mistake. We, she and I are mistake."he said, as he ran another hand through his hair,"That's the part that kills me."

Bliiiiiiink! Screaming? And Caroline? MERLIN! "Maybe... maybe Caroline just wasn't feeling well that day and wanted to be left alone..." But... did that even sound like Caroline? "Maybe she was going through something back at home and wanted to be left alone for a while...?" Yes, okay, Kita was being optimistic again.

And then he closed his eyes. Was that... normal? No. Kita may not have many normal moments but she knew that closing your eyes and shaking your head wasn't exactly everyday behaviour. Right? "What makes you think that?" she whispered, "I mean, has she told you that she thinks you two are a mistake?" 'Cause, if that was the case, Kita would need to talk to her best friend!

She blinked. Was Jai... upset? No! But... no one spoke quietly like that! Correction: Jai didn't usually speak quietly like that. Right? Kita, feeling sorry for the boy, moved closer to him and put an arm around him. "It sounds like it could just be a phase," she said, "Er... do you want me to talk to her?" Who knows, she might just manage to pull some strings and make thing work...?

Jai shook his head again and said,"No. I don't want to drag you in this. You of all people have to remain neutral. It was like she really does need some space. Kita, I..." he paused,"I don't want to be like her previous relationship. She would have told me if it was something at home. I'm miserable Kita. All I asked her was what was going on with her and Carter and she snapped as if I'd slapped her. I just wanted to know the truth."

He was starting to feel the sting of the whole situation clearly and it burned. He was mad about asking her and her answer did hurt him after all. He didn't want to face it. He wouldn't.

Kita nodded. What Jai had said made sense. Except... what did he mean by she 'of all people' needed to remain neutral? What if she didn't want to remain neutral? Was it her position as the best friend? Pfft, this was too confusing. She let go of that thought and focused her attention on Jai again.

Don't want to be like her previous relationship. With Carter. Got that.

"Relationships are hard. Caroline probably has a good enough excuse for her behaviour," she said, smiling softly, "Who knows, she... she might just be confused." Riiiiight? "Try talking to her again after a while," she suggested, "How long has it been since you last talked to her?"

But wait... "What made you ask her what's going on with her and Carter?" she asked.

"She might be but so am I. I really care about her. That's why I'm talking to you. Because I know that you care for her too. I just left her on the moving staircases." he replied."I do intend to talk to her again."

Jai looked at Kita carefully before answering,"I had a feeling. She gave me her answer too quickly. But I left it alone. Then she would stare at him; she didn't know I saw but I did. I just didn't tell her. I knew it was killing her to keep that from me, so I decided to get it out in the open. I hoped it wasn't what I thought it was but she's hoping that dating me will help her get over Carter. I'm her rebound guy, Kita, not her boyfriend."

The pain of even saying it was so plain it was formed a lump in his throat. He shook his head to alleviate it.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean that. I'm just upset. I'm sorry. Please don't tell Caroline I said that." he said apologetically to Kita.

Kita looked at Jai in sympathy. It was weird. She had always heard the girl's side of things when it came to relationship problems and now she was hearing a boy's side. Funny how they both seemed so similar. But back to the problem at hand. "Oh. Have you tried telling her that you still care about her?" she said, "Sometimes girls just need confirmation." For some reason, she knew the answer to this...

The brunette continued to look at Jai. Her happiness had already ebbed away but it was now, as she listened to his... story that she felt truly sad. 'Cause that's what it was. Sad. "You could end up being her boyfriend soon," she said, "Maybe she still needs some time to get over Carter..." Boy was this confusing! "So, er, is this what you were asking her about?" she asked, "On the moving staircases? Were you telling her that you witnessed all this and wanted to know whether you were the rebound guy or the boyfriend?"

Merlin, he looked so sad! That just... that wasn't right. She remembered an oxymoron if there ever was one the time when he had told her that he liked Caroline. He was... happy. Confused and albeit, a bit worried but still happy. And to think that that was only three months ago? "I won't tell another soul," she promised, giving the boy a small smile.

"Over and over again. She says she doesn't want me to be there for her. " he replied. He gave a bitter laugh and continued, saying,"I didn't even get a chance to explain or ask her anything more. She was clear about what she meant. I'm not the kind of guy to force someone to do what they don't want to."

Jai looked at Kita and saw how sad she had become."I'm so sorry if I ruined your day. Maybe I should go. Let you get back to your, adventure. Just don't tell Caroline what I've said. I've caused enough pain to everyone around me." Jai said offering an apologetic look. He began to look around for the next route that would take him somewhere.

Wait... Caroline didn't want Jai to be there for her? Just... WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!

"She said that?!" Kita gasped. That just... wasn't right. She knew the blonde girl was upset but to push people away? What was UP with the world?! And no... she did NOT just get slightly scared by the laugh... "I... i... Merlin, i'm so sorry!" she whispered, "Caroline's not usually like this." No... That she wasn't. "Let her come to you. She'll realise what she has done and then she'll come back," she said.

Wait... WHAT?! Ruined her day? He was... going?! Why? Had she SAID something to offend him? She hoped not! "No, don't go," she said, shaking her head, "'Course i'm not going to tell Caroline!" Darn it, she had wanted to tell the girl! Or nudge her in the right direction. Caused enough pain?! "Er... what?" What a smart thing to say(!) "You haven't been causing any pain..." Not that she was aware of...

Jai looked back at Kita and said,"Alot of things aren't their usual selves these days. I'm going to give her space and if you're right things will work out themselves. In the mean time, you don't have to apologize. You didn't do anything. If anything, she'll need you. You she will stay close to."

"I don't want you to keep anything from her. Just don't her what I said about being the rebound guy, it'll hurt her. Other, I think it's safe to tell her we spoke." he said when he really thought about it. He didn't want any secrets between the two because of him.

He smiled at her sincere words. "Thank you. She's very lucky to have a best friend like you. I'm lucky I've had the chance to meet you." he said to Kita, in a low yet sincere tone.

'A lot of things aren't their usual selves these days...'

Boy, did she agree to that!

Kita nodded. "It's sad to realise just how much things can change..." she said softly. No, no, NO! She wasn't going to make this sadder than it already is. She smiled at the next thing Jai said. "I hope it works out," she said, "Apart from all the... drama and mess beforehand, you two make a cute couple." Wait... Caroline will need her? Did this mean something super bad was going to happen?

o_O

"She'll stay close to you as well," she said, "I mean, you two were friends. You went to Africa together!" AND it was during her birthday... that had to mean something right?

Oh. Right. "I won't," she said, "For one, i don't think she'll agree with me and she might bring out her Slytherin side." She smiled, hoping this would make him feel better. "And i'll tell her we spoke," she said. Now... the only problem was how she was going to do this subtly. "But... what if she asks me what we talked about?" 'Cause that would cause a problem... right?

Kita smiled back at Jai, trying her hardest not to blush. "I'm not that special," she squeaked before shaking her head and saying, "I'm glad to have met you as well. She's lucky to have a boyfriend like you. There aren't a lot of genuinely nice guys out there."

Jai had to smile. Kita did have a point."Thanks. I don't think she would ever be harsh to you. You're Kita." he said. The girl was a gem. "Kita, I just need you to talk to her. Find out what is going on with her. Please. I don't even need to know, just get her to talk. I'm really worried." he said before,'Despite being hurt.' he added in thought.

Not harsh to her? Kita shook her head slowly, a small smile spreading across her face. The boy was right. Caroline wouldn't be harsh to her. But... that was the old Caroline. This new Caroline might just bring out a bit of fierceness. "You're right," she said, "But she wouldn't usually be harsh on you either." No way!

Wait... WHAT?! TALK to her? But... wouldn't that put her in an awkward position?

o_O

No. But this wasn't about her. This was about Caroline and Jai and their... relationship? Right? Was it still called that? Heck, they were still going out. "I'll do my best but i can't promise anything," she said. Who knows, the girl might end up lashing out at her for asking personal questions. She smiled at him and said, "It's sweet that you care so much about her." Yes, ok fine, that last bit wasn't needed.

Isobel was freezing. She had just come in from outside, yes she had been hugging Slytherins. It was the middle of Febrary- almost Valentines day, she noted- and it was freezing. Oh, and did she mention it was freezing outside. Yeah. She had Roza in her hand and she was trying to use the body heat in her hands to warm her up. It was not working very well of very fast. Isobel was getting a little worried, because it felt like Roza was quivering. Maybe she was shivering from the cold like a person. Well, she needed to be warm. Isobel did not have her notebook with her, but she was pretty sure she remembered the spell.

With one hand she kept a hold of Roza, with the other one she drew her wand. "Argentum...um...Callisomething," she mumbled. What was it? Isobel thought really hard, picturing her notebook page. Callidus? Maybe. She thought so, but she wasn't completely positive. Well, it was the best she could do at the time. Isobel concentrated hard and said "Argentum Callidus," wth a swish motion, then she tapped Roza. Instantly, the egg warmed to her touch, and Isobel smiled. She had done it, woohoo.

Really now? Really?

Brooke sighed as her heels click-clacked down the hallway. She'd lost a glove during the winter time. It had probably fallen out of her pocket in the snow or something like that. But she had to find it. Waverly had given them to her for Christmas last year, and they were her favorite gloves after all. There was no way she'd leave Hogwarts without it. Luckily, she had a few months to find it, didn't she? Thank Merlin.

Upon walking into the lost and found, her hand darted out, digging through the box as her eyes scanned for the light blue color she knew so well. After all, Waverly did know her favorite color and that was one of the many reasons why they were her favorite gloves. So, she simply had to find it.

Charlie wandered into the Lost and Found, hands in his pockets. He liked coming in here on particularly lonely days and rummaging through all the lost and forgotten things. It reminded him of himself. But also he liked to steal things. And stealing forgotten things is a very effective way of not getting caught.

Whistling, he found a smirk settling onto his face when he noticed a familiar lost-looking girl digging around through the boxes. "Why, if it isn't my little lost flower~. Brooklyn, right?" He circled around her and then stopped, hovering closely over her shoulder. "You looking for anything in particular?"

Presley had lost her jacket. She was pretty sure she'd left it in the Gazebo, but it hadn't been there when she went back for it. She'd lost it. That jacket was not only a gift, but an expensive gift. She had to find it. So for the first time in her life, Presley had been required to locate the lost and found, and see if she could sift through the garbage that other people lost. Sorting through a pile of clothing she found a pair of underwear, and wondered idly how on earth somebody could lose a pair of underwear. She finished the pile, and her jacket wasn't there.

She spotted a bright spot of white in a pile of books, and dashed over to it. She almost jumped in relief to discover her jacket. She restacked the books, and took off with her favorite jacket over her arm.

With a rather large, heaving sigh, Brooklyn pulled out half of the stuff in the box and decided it would probably be easier to see everything if she took somethings out of the box. Things that weren't glove shaped and more importantly HER GLOVE. But she didn't have the best luck these days. Honestly, she wouldn't be surprised if it didn't show up. But she was definitely going to keep her hopes up.

Her ears perked up upon hearing whistling, but she was too busy with her current task to actually look to see who it was. Wait, what? Upon hearing a voice, which she assumed belonged to the whistler, her head whipped around. A smirk instantly graced her face. "Little lost flower? I'm your little lost.. flower? Where'd that come from. Honestly, i don't think i'm a flower. I mean.. I'm not dainty of anything." She grinned and nodded when he asked her name. "That's right, Charlie. By the way.. is Charlie short for anything? Because y'know.. i'd LOVE to tease you know your full name." The blond straightened up, glancing to the box one last time before glancing over at the boy. "Actually, yes. I've lost a glove. Have you seen any?"