Hearing someone call out her name, Emmanuelle's head whipped around. Spotting the person, she waved and called back. "Hey, Addie!"

Well, someone sure seemed glad that she was from a foreign country. Judging by the smile, anyway. Emmanuelle's smile got a little brighter in return. "Mer- thanks," she said, stopping herself from replying in her native language just in time. Really, that would not have been a smooth move.

Ahh, so he was Brazilian. And did she detect a bit of… sadness? Homesickness maybe? But it was gone before she could comment on it.

And now he was asking if he could sit by her. Which she was definitely more then okay with. "Of course."

João grinned. He knew that feeling when she wanted to speak her mother tongue but couldn't.

"I know French... I've lived in Côte d'Ivoire," he said to relieve her. Really, if she wanted to speak French, he was alright with it. Only, maybe she would have some difficulty understanding his French because it was Côte d'Ivoire dialect plus his Brazilian accent in it.

Sitting down, he asked "Which grade are you in?" That was an important question, right?

He had no real experience? Well, normally she'd roll her eyes at that, but this was just too good of an opportunity to pass up. "Oh, well, I could give you a few pointers if you'd like," she said. "Maybe we can head out to the pitch one day after classes and hit a few bludgers around?" Well, bludgers were her thing, but maybe he was a chaser, keeper, or seeker. "What position do you play?" She'd played keeper before in her first year, and chaser didn't seem that hard. She hadn't been brave enough to try seeker yet. She'd never tell Kennedy that, though.

...and then the talk turned to Aurora, and despite the fact that Sierra had hoped they weren't together anymore, she couldn't help but feel bad for Kennedy. He looked so downhearted that she couldn't help but honestly feel sincere for him. Maybe she really did like him more than as just a crush. "Oh," she said and then looked away. She let a few awkward seconds pass before looking back over at him. "You said had," she pointed out, although, she was a hundred percent sure he realized that. So what now? "You okay?" she asked. Obviously he wasn't, but it seemed like the only thing to ask at that moment.

Kennedy felt somewhat relieved that his cheeks went unnoticed. It even managed to make him feel a bit more comfortable. He sat up straight and placed the book that had been on his lap on the table across him. "That...would actually be cool," he said. Merlin knew he needed all the pointers he could get. "Yeah, we could meet up whenever you're free. I usually play beater." He liked that position, but maybe he could try new positions and see how that goes.

He was trying his best to hide what he really felt. Kennedy had refused to leave his room that day, but realized that it wouldn't do him any good. And spending an entire day locked up wouldn't earn him any house points either. So, with all the energy he had left he got his butt up and tried to resume his day as any other day. Kennedy tore his eyes from the fireplace and nodded. He shrugged as his fingers played nervously with his tie. "I'll be fine," he said, mustering a tiny grin, but it kind of failed. But he meant it. He wasn't going to let this knock him down, although it wasn't going to be easy, but it wasn't in his nature to be defeated and stay down.

He always sprung back up. He didn't know how, but he did and hopefully this would be the same.

Sierra opened her mouth to mention something about the fact that he'd been blushing, but she decided to leave it be in light of things. He said he'd be fine, but...he really didn't seem to be. She wouldn't push things on that end either, though. Instead, she just decided to play it cool and maybe help get his mind off things. Well, she had other motives in mind, as well, but she tried to push those to the back of her mind. She tried not to think about the fact that his relationship with Aurora ending meant that he was once again single.

"You play beater? Really?" she asked, her facial expression lighting up a little. "That's what I play. I've been the Slytherin beater since second year. Before that, I played keeper." She looked toward the stairs. She should have brought Scarlett, her bat. It'd been the one her mother had given her for Christmas a few years back. "You know, there's two per team, though." She and Kennedy both in the same position. Yup. This was turning out as a 'meant to be' situation. Well, on her end, at least. Maybe one day he'd feel the same.

Seconds ticked on before anything else was said. "Kennedy?" she finally asked. "You know. It's okay to be upset." She'd never had a failed relationship, but she'd been through more troubles than most people her age. "I've never..." Pause. Could she say this? "Kennedy, swear this stays between us." She looked around the room. "I've...never had a failed relationship." Because she'd never had a boyfriend. She was still young, though. Those years were just beginning. "...but I've divorced a parent, if that relates to you at all."

Addie smiled at Mr. tall person Issac. "You are tall," Addie remarked. But everyone was tall to Addie, except for the Head Girl. The Head Girl was short like her. "Well nice to meet you Issac. I just came to Hogwarts after being home schooled since forever. I didn't like it, it was very boring." Extremely boooooring.

Oh this girl was a third year. It was so weird being tiny compared to people younger than her. "I'm new, I was home schooled before, it was very boring," Addie said. It was especially boring for someone like Addie who loved to talk to people.

Addie didn't care if the Head Girl didn't like cats. Mittens was Addie's kitty and didn't have to get near Selena's pets at all. End of story, they could be friends.

"Ok, you can be awesomer because you are older, and the Head Girl, so you get to be awesomer than me," Addie said to the older girl. But, it didn't mean that Addie wasn't awesome. Addie always thought she was awesome. "Chocolate and talking are awesome. I like climbing because I like to be on top of the world, and ruling it, but yeah it can be dangerous." Addie knew from experience. Falling wasn't fun.

"Hi SELENA!!! Nice to meet the future ruler of the universe," Addie said excitedly. Maybe she could be second in command because she was short and awesome also. "I'm Awesome ADDIE, your fifth year short awesome person."

Kennedy nodded, looking at Sierra with a shy grin. "I know...I mean I've seen you play," he said, amending the last part so he wouldn't sound like a stalker. He's been to every game since he got to Hogwarts. Even back when he didn't know a bit about the Wizard sport, but he was hooked since the first match. Kennedy read about it until he learned everything about Quidditch. "Yeah, it'd be great if I got to play next to you and the entire team." Two Prefects as beaters would just add to the greatness of the team. That meant he would need to practice lots.

Within the small silence that ensued Kennedy noticed something. Sierra wasn't as some portrayed her. She was actually nice. Maybe they were too fast to judge? Maybe she was only nice to Slytherins? Or maybe other's were jealous of her being one of the top point earners? Either way, she wasn't mean.

At her next words Kennedy wanted to say that it wasn't okay to be upset. He should be moving on to another girl like Aurora had moved on to another guy. But then he wasn't like that, unfortunately. Unconsciously, Kennedy scooted a bit closer to Sierra so that no one else would over hear what she had to say. "I swear," he said. Kennedy didn't have to wonder what she was going to say because she had already said it.

For a minute he wondered how a divorced parent related to him, but it made sense. It could be that she knew of the pain after the separation. He tugged at his tie once more before saying, "I know I'm young and all...but it still hurts, you know." Maybe it was stupid to hurt compared to a divorced person. Maybe he was too young to know what a broken heart really felt like. All he knew was that it hurt.

He...knew? He'd seen her play? She couldn't help the facial expression that spread across her face. It was one of pure surprise. Suddenly, she felt like she needed to play Quidditch as if she was on a stage putting on a show. Who else had been watching her play? Her mind seemed to play back every error she'd ever made. Why couldn't she focus on any of the good moments? Maybe because this was Kennedy, and she had a slight crush on him, and no matter what, Little Miss Tough Prefect still got nervous around guys she liked.

"You have?" she asked, although, she'd heard him perfectly. "Good thing I'm pretty good then." She gave him a playful smirk on that note. "...and yeah, it'd be cool if we played next to each other." She conveniently forgot to say the part about '...and the rest of the team'. "So, yeah. Just let me know when you're ready to hit the pitch. Tryouts start soon, you know." In other words, let's get together sooner rather than later.

Then things turned serious again. Whoa, ....WAIT. Did he just move a little closer to her?! Oh my Merlin, he DID! Without stopping to think about her actions, Sierra scooted in a little closer, too. "You're never too young to hurt, Kennedy. My biological mother kidnapped me, twice, when I was only thirteen-years-old. She made me believe my dad and his fiancee didn't want me, and I ran away from home," she recalled.

She sighed and looked around the room. This was all too personal. Was anyone paying attention? Just in case, she lowered her voice. "Ask Kurumi Hollingberry. I ended up living with her for a while." Yes, Little Miss Perfect and Little Miss Tough Prefect, who seem to loathe one another, lived in the same house for a while. After another sigh, she smiled and said, "...but my dad and his fiancee came and got me, and she adopted me, and I'm fine now. I know my situation is really different, but...I guess I just wanted you to know that it's okay to hurt. Things'll get better, though."

She sat down alone near the green fire, which diddn't even really seem to warm the room, it seemed to be just for show. Or even sucking the warmth in, like a dementer. She layed back in her chair, thinking about everything that happened recently. Homework! Ya I really should do that, she thought. She removed her books from her bag, and finished her homework. She just sat there afterwords, but she diddn't mind. She was new, she had a reason to look awkward. She diddn't know wheather or not to smile at these people, some of them seemed friendy but others seemed like they would be put off by a smile! Legs crossed, hand in her lap, sitting up straight, she tilted her head and smiled sweetly.

He wondered why she seemed surprised for a while there. He's seen the entire team play. Kennedy nodded agreeing with her. "You have a mean beater's arm," he said, but then, "not as in mean mean, but good...mean." He was sure he didn't make sense at all. "You're a great beater." He finished. Okay, he just made a fool of himself. That was for sure. At the mention of tryouts he felt tingles in his stomach. What if he made a fool of himself? Gah! Better take up Sierra's offer. "Yeah..." Like now. "You wouldn't mind tomorrow, would you?" he asked, peeking from under his lashes. He wasn't used to asking for favors or help for that matter.

Part of him wanted her to say yes so that he'd have a head start on getting in shape for Quidditch, but part of him hoped she said no so he would have an excuse to stay in his dorm all day. But his eagerness to be on a broom won so he really, really hoped for a yes.

Kennedy stretched his legs and crossed them at his ankles, oblivious to how close Sierra and him were sitting. He listened to what she said, keeping eye contact so she'd know he was paying attention. He bit his lip as he compared himself to Sierra. His summer almost sounded like what she said, but with slight differences. When she finished he offered her a small smile. "I guess we all hurt in different ways, but pain is still pain." Even stubbing your little toe on a chair...although that pain disappeared in a matter or minutes. "You're right. Things will get better," he said, his voice stronger than he actually felt. There was hope. Kennedy liked hope.

He looked down at his hands and then back at Sierra contemplating on what he wanted to say. She shared part of her life with him so he didn't see why he couldn't. "You know, what you said reminded me of what happened this summer." Now that he thought of it two of the things she said reminded him of what happened. "I ran away from my father's home and got kidnapped." That probably sounded bad, but it really wasn't...well, some of it.

Sierra laughed a little as Kennedy fumbled over his comment on her beater's arm. "You can say it's mean mean," she said. "It makes me feel more powerful." She gave him a playful expression on that note. She didn't need power, but at 5'3" and just at a hundred points, she needed to seem fierce out there on that field. "I'm not the tallest and biggest of players, you know." Blushing a little, but only from being complimented by her crush, she added, "Thanks, though. I'm interested to see you play now. You're not going to show me up, are you?" Another joke.

"Tomorrow's good. I'll meet you down there right after dinner," she said. Now. That was all set. OH MY MERLIN. Had she really just made plans to meet up with Kennedy Escalante? She wanted to add that he should come alone, but there was really no other way to do that without sounding awkward.

She glanced down and absentmindedly watched him cross his legs at his ankles. "I'm not used to talking about my feelings," she said, meaning how revealing she was being with her past. "...but it's coming a little easier now that I've told you a little about what happened. My biological mom's not around anymore, and really, I'm glad she isn't. I've got another mom now who's wonderful." Her only real mom as far as she was concerned.

Then Kennedy started talking about his summer, and Sierra looked over at him with another shocked expression. "Really?" she asked. She thought her life was the only one that was dysfunctional. It was comforting in a weird sort of way to know that it wasn't. "So...what...happened?" He obviously didn't mind talking about it, since he'd brought it up.

"Oh wow you have a brother? I didn't even know that. How old is he?" she asked, out of interest. It could be great if she got to spend some time with him at school.

"Oh cool! Spain sounds like a cool place to have a holiday at. Do you go on holidays every summer?" she asked. She didn't, herself, now that her grandparents had died. But maybe she could talk her big brother or uncle into taking her to a different country for a holiday. She was sure it would be good to go on holiday somewhere, but she didn't see it happening for a few years. Not with the babies.

"I wonder what fourth year will be like. You know, the next year they have their OWL's and then... well I think that will be really stressful, don't you? Oh I think I want to keep on top of all the work so that next year won't be as big a jump as I think it will be!"

Ohhh... exams. Too hard!

"Are you trying out for the Quidditch team this year?" she asked.

Nodding Angelina said, "Yes, I actually have more than a brother. I've got three brothers and two sisters." She had a big family, "He is 8." Only in a few years and he will be at Hogwarts. Angelina was happy, she would get to see him more than she does now a days.

"Most I go ever summer, but only a few times I haven't went any place," She told her. That wasn't including being 1 or 3, she started going places like this when she was 6.

"It will be stressful! I'm starting to focus a lot more so I can get ready from the OWL's," Angelina said. She wasn't to excited for the OWL's to come. But it was two years away, she had time.

Smiling she said, "Yes I am, again," she laughed and asked, "Are you?"

"WOW! You have a big family. It used to just be me and my brother, and then HE went away, but now there are four of us, so it feels really good having a large family. Are you the oldest?" she asked.

"Oh wow, where else have you been?" she asked, out of curiosity.

"I think so. I hope I get on! There's more sign ups now than last year, I think - from what I remember, and there's some pretty good people doing it. And even some people who have no experience but people who are... well who seem to know exactly what they are doing," she said. She didn't mind if she didn't get on because that would just mean someone better would be on there, which increased the chances of getting the cup! She was excited about that.

Kennedy had done the whole awkward self explanatory speech because he didn't want to offend her, but the girl wanted him to say mean mean, so he would. "Okay then, you have a mean beater's arm," he said. He should have just stuck with that in the beginning. Kennedy had the urge to nod. He could see that she wasn't the tallest or biggest of players, but it wasn't always about that. "Height and size don't matter as much as determination." And as far as he's seen she had plenty of it. Then he grew nervous. No one has seen him play except back home and he didn't need to prove himself either, but he managed to hide his anxiety and instead grinned. "Me? No, not unless I break a leg or something." Really, if he could walk on both legs then he was going to be there. Plus, the only one this meeting benefited was him, right?

He nodded. Tomorrow he would show Sierra his Quidditch skills. Hopefully the pitch would be empty just in case he made a fool of himself. On the good side, he was going to be busy instead of thinking of things he didn't want to think of.

The Prefect grinned again. It made him feel better that he wasn't the only Slytherin used to not talking about their feelings. Some times he thought he was just strange, apparently not. His eyebrows knitted together as he remembered something that's been nudging him since Sierra mentioned her mom. His eyebrows rose and he said, "Professor Lafay is your...mom." He's heard rumors about Lafay marrying Sierra's father, but Kennedy never really believed in gossip. Most of the time it wasn't true.

At her shocked expression Kennedy mentally scolded himself. She might not see kidnapping as a good thing since her experience hadn't been the same as his. "My father was awarded my custody so I moved in with him after last term. I've never met him, so as one could imagine it was weird." Weird was an understatement. The man was insane. "My godfather, Xavier, and father are brothers...so Xavier knew his ways and with assistance 'kidnapped' me." That's how his father had put it when he saw him again before boarding the train. "I know it sounds weird, but just like you prefer your new mom I prefer my godfather." It was probably something hard to understand, especially the way he sped through it, but there were bits that even confused him to the point that he couldn't recall some of those events.

"Really?" Emmanuelle replied, smiling. "Might have test you on that sometime, then." She liked to rant in a different language from the target of said rant. Just to confuse them. Could be useful to have someone else who was able to understand to nod along and agree. To really blow their mind.

"I'm a sixth year," she replied as he sat. "What about you?"

So the rain had finally driven Aurora into the common room... Well; she couldn't exactly stay outside and get all wet, could she? No. And where else was she going to go? It was her common room too. Besides, she was cold and a little bit damp. So the fire was needed.

She ignored Kennedy and Sierra, they were sitting very close - but she left them to it... Sierra was her friend, right..? Hmm... did that matter? walked to the center of the common room and sat right in front of the fire, legs crossed. On top of her normal, Slytherin robes she wore a Ravenclaw's outer robe, clearly too big for her. And clearly made for a boy. So what? Nobody should care... Aurora brought her knees up to her chin and rested her head on them, staring into the fire. Her mind was turning somersaults and screaming all different opinions at her and she just wanted it to shut up... She buried her face in the sleeves of the too-big robes and sighed... Bad stuff aside, Milton smelled really nice...

He perked up seeing the older girl cross the room to sit in front of the fire. She looked worn down if not just plain sad. Covered in a Ravenclaw's robe, hopefully said 'Claw didn't make her sad. He bit his lip, contemplating, should he?? He blew air out of his nose a little loudly and stood, fixing his short coal black hair. He was an American Southern gentleman he had to ask.

Adarian walked cautiously to the girl and lightly cleared his throat, "Hi, I am so sorry to bother you, but are you okay?" He dang accent betrayed him again. He stood nervously, "I know I dont't know ya and It's nine of my business but I had to make sure you were ok. It was how I was raised" he had the decency to look sheepish. He hoped she wouldn't be angry.

Hecate walked into the common room and looked around. What was it with the house elves this term? Maybe it was the children... it was a pigsty.

"Sierr- Miss Griengoth! Master Escalante," She said eyeing not only them, but everyone in the common room. "And anyone else who is dawning Green and Silver colors, front and center please."

Selena looked down at her robes. Green and silver? Check. Selena was obviously wearing it, two best colors. She was also wearing purple on her head. Selena stood up from her seat on the couch and walked over, not sure exactly what the professor and head of house was doing here. Were they all in trouble? Selena didn't remember Slytherin doing anything wrong. Or had they? Ehhhh.

"Hellooo Professor," Selena chirped smiling brightly at the professor while petting her cruppy. Because those things were freaking adorable with their two tails wagging all the time.

Kimalia had came back to the common room, hoping to relax by making her way towards the comfy couch, only to first hear her head, Professor Lafay summon her. "Hello, Professor Lafay." Smiling briefly before the words of request sunk in..

Oh. Kimalia looked down at what she wore, yep, her trademark Slytherin robes, green and silver and approached where she was suppose to be at.

The first year stood, he was certainly wearing green andd siver. He walked over to their Head of House and stood near enough to be seen and to hear the Professor, but not within say, grabbing distance. Was the House in trouble? He began to nibble his bottom lip. While waiting for her to speak

On that note, Sierra actually laughed. Then she jokingly flexed her muscle. She had no muscles. Well, none that actually qualified to be shown off. "That's right. Look at these mean Beater arms," she said with a laugh. "...but you're right. Height and size don't really matter. Professor Vindictus' brother, Mr. Rex Vindictus, doesn't seem to think I have a chance at playing Quidditch after graduation. I'm determined to prove him wrong, though." Yes. Sierra Greingoth wanted to be a pro Quidditch player when she got older.

"Well, good. If you're not going to show me up, then I'll more than gladly help you out," she said with a smirk. No, really she'd help him out regardless. This sort of talk was her nature, though. She got it from her father. Then the the talk suddenly shifted in a completely different direction. "Yeah, ...she's my mom," she said, shrugging nonchalantly. "My real mom as far as I'm concerned." That was just that. Bella was not her mother. "She married my father, but she legally adopted me." Life so much better now. Who knew that the woman known to some as Dragon Lady was actually a really awesome mom, as well?

Talk turned back to Kennedy's life at home, though, so Sierra got a little more serious and listened as he told his story. It seemed so unlike two Slytherins to be this open with one another, but Sierra felt as if she could suddenly tell this boy anything. What was worse is that she also felt that if he ever broke her heart, it'd actually hurt. Real hurt. Not that he knew she had a crush on him, but if he ever found out, and if he turned her down, she got this weird feeling she'd actually feel hurt. "Well," she said, clearing her throat. "I'm glad things are better now. I know how it feels for things to finally get better. I really do."



Sierra was just about to make some caring-type gesture toward Kennedy (maybe pat his hand or back, something like that), when she heard an all too familiar voice ring through the common room. She shot off the couch like it'd suddenly caught fire. She'd been sitting way too close to Kennedy. Well, closer than she'd normally sit next to a boy under Lafay's eye.

"H--hello, Professor Lafay," she said. A stutter? No. Just slight hesitation to speak at that exact moment. Without another word, she moved front and center.

Aurora nearly had a mini heart attack when she heard Professor Lafay's voice. She took the too-big Ravenclaw robe off quickly and folded it so that you could only see the black bits, she didn't think it was against the rules to be wearing it - it was, after all, only that she'd borrowed it because she was cold, but she didn't want to risk it.

Aurora stood up. "Hello Professor." she greeted, wondering what was going on... Had they all done something wrong..? Or... what!

Kennedy couldn't help but laugh with Sierra. He didn't doubt those small muscles could pack some strength. Those bludgers she's hit sure didn't stand a change, heh. As his laugh resided his eyes drifted over to the fire and...

Aurora.

That red hair of her's was like a magnet to his eyes. That's when he also saw the robes. They were too big on her and...blue. Suddenly, his heart beat increased and felt the need to just bolt out of there. He had a hunch as to who those robes belonged to; the one and only male Ravenclaw he knew had interest in Aurora. He couldn't believe that right after their break up she ran into another guy's arms.

He turned his gaze away, Sierra's voice breaking him from whatever trance Aurora had placed him under. Kennedy almost felt lucky that she was here. Talking had helped...a lot. He was about to comment on what she said when...

Lafay.

Kennedy's lips parted in surprise and only then he realized how close Sierra and him had been sitting. With blazing cheeks he zoomed off the couch and stood up as straight as a soldier, taking a step away from Sierra. This was her mom. What if Lafay didn't like boys close to her daughter?

"Good day, Professor Lafay," he said, swallowing hard. He then followed his co-prefect to front and center.