Finally! Someone who saw the situation for what it was; a terrible tragedy that she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy.

She sighed before explaining. "Amanda's having a baby...Daddy's gonna love it more..." She told her. And she knew for a fact that that was true. She heard Amanda making a big fuss about it and everything. Gone would be the days of her being an only child and loving every minute of it because according to her father, she would now have to share. Ick!

Tay let go of her friend and her worry disappeared, "Oh..." She rolled her eyes, "You are overreacting." Taylor sighed and put her hands on her hips. "I thought you were serious." Tay shooked her head and then crossed her arms. "Dont scare me like that for nothing!" Taylor pouted.

Elliot swept into the hall...the Great Hall...her stomach was rumbling. And her sleep....her sleep was lacking. THe normally crisp and proper girl looked tired, and VERY VERY grumpy...VERY grumpy...Merlin forsake any soul who walked upon her this morning...

Yeah, this whole common room thing..it wasn't workout out. Elliot was TIRED.

She noticed that the Great Hall STILl didn't have tables...Merlin..what was this Headmistress doing...her hair or something?! Elliot sat on the ground, searching for food...where was the FOOD?!

Ugh.

The blonde yawned and closed her eyes for a second...how sleep would be much appreciated right now...

Ethan covered a yawn with his hand as he stepped into the Great Hall. Of course there were still no tables. Just perfect. He had thought for one split second how nice it would be if something was normal today.. but apparently that would not be happening. Still, the boy was starving and proceeded to where his table should have been.

And yet another yawn. Th eboy could not shake this exhaustion. First it was the dreams that kept him up.. but at least the potion had worn off and those were going away. But now this ridiculous common room situation.. just when would the adults of the school be fixing that? Ethan had fallen asleep on the floor outside their entrance last night.. and now his back was all achy because of it. He couldn't take another night of it.

So yeah, the boy was somewhat grouchy.. but not near as grouchy as she looked. He spotted the girl as soon as he came upon the spot their table normally stood. He figured she was annoyed with him, not to mention how crabby she looked, but he was hungry and wasn't about to avoid her. "Elliot.." he greeted her as he took a seat on the floor a little distance away. Then he stared at a spot on the floor in front of him. Breakfast, appear NOW.

Footsteps. She didn't really look up, she merely blinked and swirled her finger around on the design in the floor...she wanted sleep...so badly...she couldn't ever remember being so exhausted....and all of her extra time spent with Max meant that she was doing homework at crazy hours...meh.

But then her name. The voice provoked something inside of her, too. She growled and looked up, the light a bit blinding for someone so sleepy.

Ethan.

She was brilliantly IRKED to see him, actually. So irked that she didn't even say anything. She just raised an eyebrow at him..no nod of welcome...just a 'what the flip are you doing here?' look. She just glared at him a bit more....

Guurrr, McCarthy...GUR!

Mick escorted Laura into the Great Hall, feeling mighty relieved to be inside away from the colder environment. He dropped his arm off of Laura's shoulder and stomped the snow off his boots on the marble floor. Hm, I could get into trouble for that...if anyone notices a puddle of melted snow...

There was a optimistic feel in the room, like things were starting to feel balanced. Aside from the fact that everyone has been kicked out of the common rooms, Mick was feeling fine. He glanced down at Laura (realizing that he's about a foot or more taller than her) and presented her with a small grin. He had to admit, he was a little excited about having hot chocolate with a cute girl. "Shall we?" he asked her, gesturing at his house's table.

Laura looked at Mick and smiled as she watched what he was doing well she wasn't going to say anything, she was spending time with one of the most handsome boys she had ever seen, she looked at him and waited to see what else he was doing.

Laura smiled as he glanced down at her, she suddenly realised that he was a bit taller than him but well she didn't care, he was nice, smart and handsome and she was lucky to be having hot chocolate with him. "I think we shall." Laura smiled as she walked over to the Ravenclaw table and stood there, she didn't want to sit down until she knew Mick was sat down that way if anyone asked what she was doing over at the Ravenclaw table Mick could tell them.

He nodded and led her to a secluded spot at the table, he did notice some people he recognized and politely waved at them as they walked. Two goblets of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows appeared before them when they sat down.

"This is great," Mick said to himself. He took a quick sip of the hot beverage and looked at Laura. "People always like to associate hot chocolate with winter...I drink it all year round. Why just drink hot chocolate during one season? That's boring." He was mindlessly rambling, he didn't bring her here to talk about hot chocolate, he wanted to get to know her. He thought that Laura must think he's silly...Girls like silly, right? "So, what year are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

Laura sat down at the table and took a sip of her hot chocolate. "I know what you mean." Laura giggled. "I love Hot Chocolate and I always have it when I have a sleepover at my house." Laura thought it was a cool drink and she was going to enjoy whenever she felt like it.

Laura looked at Mick and smiled as he talked, she had a funny feeling she was making him nervous for some reason and she didn't know why, it should have been the other way around after all he was the handsome one around here. "I'm in my third year." Laura giggled again. "Of course I don't mind you asking, I want to get to know you more." and with that she gave Mick a playful nudge. "What year you in?"

"Exactly, you get it!" Mick exclaimed happily. "I don't see anyone calling tea a seasonal drink and that's a hot beverage."

He noticed that Laura seemed so relaxed around him, that was a relief because he didn't thik he would be able to carry a proper conversation with her if she was acting anything but. But still, he felt a little skittish and he didn't know why. This was all very new to Mick. Heck, being around a nice girl that wasn't planning to beat him up was a very new concept. "Fifth year, little sistah," he answered. Before he continued, he looked around the room and made sure no one could hear what he wanted to say next. "My actual name is Michael," he said in a low tone. "But, as you can tell, I like to be called Mick."

Laura looked at Mick and smiled. "I know what you mean, it like with cream eggs, most people say they are for easter but I could eat them all the time." Laura took out a couple of cream-eggs she had in her pocket and gave one to mick. "Here they taste delious." Laura took off the wrapped and took a bite, once her mouth was empty she smiled. "I love them."

Laura looked at Mick and sighed. "That is not fair." Laura pouted. "You leave two years before me." Laura was a bit upset now. "Anyway how come I've not met you before your awesome and handsome." Laura blushed that last sentance hadn't ment to come out it sort of slipped out.

Laura whispered to Michael. "Well if you like being called Mick then Mick it shall be." Laura loved the name Mick, she loved both names actually but if Michael liked Mick better that is what she would call him.

Mick smirked at her as he took one of her cream-eggs. "You just happen to have cream-eggs in your pocket?" he asked before plopping it in his mouth. It was pretty good, better than his dad's cream-eggs. His eyes widened at what Laura had just called him, awesome and handsome? Honestly, he took that as a compliment; but now his mind was really going round in places. She likes me? Do I like her? She's cute and nice...And carries random cream-eggs in her pockets - that's awesome! I wonder what other foods does she carry around...

"You really think I'm awesome and handsome?" was the only thing he could manage to say, he wondered if that sounded too conceited. Mick dropped all his worries and went back to what he wanted to say before he harped on what Laura said. "Believe it or not, I used to be home-schooled. So that's why you haven't met me - you really think I'm handsome!?" The last part just slipped out beyond his control.

Laura looked at Mick and giggled. "You never do know when you need some chocolates." Laura smiled. "I carry some in my bag in case I need some or one of my friend does." Laura was sure that Mick would understand what she ment, she finished off her cream egg and drank a bit more of her hot chocolate before.

*BLUSH*

Laura was sure she was turning very red now. "Yeah I do, you are awesome and you are handsome." Laura was wishing it hadn't slipped out but it had, so he could either tell her to go away or he could talk to her, she would be upset if he told her to go away. "Well I think Home-schooling could be fun but it's not as fun as spending time with friends." Laura gave Mick another playful nudge.

*Blush*

He had asked the question again. "Yeah I think your handsome." Laura just hoped that Mick didn't think she was strange but well she couldn't take back what she had already said.

"I can understand that, I can't count how many times I was in the mood for cookies in the middle of class," Mick said in agreement. "But apparently, I can't eat cookies during class. 'It's disruptive', they say."

He saw that his reaction was making her nervous, telling by the bright redness of her cheeks. He quickly plopped some marshmallows into his mouth as he tried to think of what to tell her. He didn't mean to make her feel insecure, a girl has never called him handsome before. Mick gently patted Laura's back and nervously grinned. Everyone's feeling nervous today. "If I made you feel bad or anything, I'm sorry..." He paused; on the outside he looked calm, but on the inside there was a battle going on. He didn't know what to tell a girl after being called handsome and inadvertently making her feel bad, he didn't learn anything about this at home-schooling. "It's okay because I think you're pretty."

Laura looked at Mick and sighed. "Well we can always meet up after class and eat something if you want." Laura would love to do that, it would be awesome and yeah she wanted to spend more time with Mick.

"It's okay." Laura smiled as she looked at Mick, she wanted to give him a hug but things were weird enough at the minute, she was feeling sort of strange, she hadn't felt this strange for awhile. "You didn't make me feel bad or anything, it's just I do think your handsome." Laura smiled. "And you seem to be taking it well most people would have run by now." Laura was sure of that.

Laura looked at Mick and stared wide-eyed. "You....you... think I'm pretty?" Laura was so happy now, Mick wasn't mad with her or anything and surely he wouldn't lie would he, this was so becoming one of the best days in her young life already.

Mick wondered what he had gotten himself into. He was telling the truth, he thought Laura was very pretty. It's not that he's afraid of girls, he's been hurt a lot by people before his parents finally enrolled him to Hogwarts. He knew that he comes off a bit reserved around other people. But telling Laura about his first name meant something because none of his friends here know about it. I don't know, Laura might not be like the others. How do I know that she'll hurt me? And we just met too, this is still new. I should give her a chance.

He nodded, looking at her little round face, "You are pretty, you don't think so?"

Laura looked at Mick and smiled. "I know we've just met and things but your great and I promise you I'll never tell anyone about you-know-what." Laura smiled, she decided to tell Mick one of her secrets only her most trusted friend Ella knew. "I'm scared of height, even though I'm on the Quidditch team." Laura whispered, yeah she had to act like she was somewhere else when she was flying.

Laura looked down at herself before looking into Micks eyes. "I'm just plain Laura." She honestly thought she was, she wasn't sure why Mick would think she was pretty she was too short to be pretty.

Usually when hearing about someone being afraid of heights, Mick would have a great chuckle about it, but for Laura he wasn't mean about it. Nah, he thought that was cool of her to play quidditch despite her fear - pretty brave actually. "I'm scared of the dark," he told her without a sign of hesitation. "When I travel with my mother or at home with my father, I have a night light in my bedroom." So he doesn't get made fun at school, he doesn't keep a night light in the boys' dorm. But he always picks the bed by the window, so he would have some natural light from the outside.

"Don't be like that, Laura," he took her and playfully rocked her in his arms. Holding her was like holding a teddy bear. "I'm plain, you're cute like an anime character or a slice of rainbow cake." Yum, rainbow cake...Sounds awesome right now.

Laura was now giving Mick her full attention, she was beginning to think that maybe she was falling in love with him which was weird since they had met accidently, if it wasn't for the fact she had walked into his shot then they never would have met and Laura would have been waiting for her friend Anya to turn up for ages probably.

Laura listened and smiled at Mick. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone what you have told me." Laura promised she had made a great friend and she wasn't going to let him down by spilling his secrets, she just hoped he wouldn't tell anyone hers.

*blush* *blush* *blush*

Laura could feel herself blushing madly. "I am?" Laura couldn't believe what Mick was saying, she gave Mick a big hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "Your not a plain guy." Laura said truthfully. "Your awesome, Handsome and a nice guy all rolled into one." Laura really did think that about Mick. "I'm glad we met Mick."

Mick felt like he could trust her with some of his most private (and shocking) secrets. Which was kind of scary for him, after four years of being home schooled he convinces his dad to enroll him here. It's been a couple of months and he has only socialized with a few people. He has only told Laura a few details about himself and she already knows more about him than anyone else does.

"What's your favorite music?" he asked, perking up. "I like old pop/rock songs from the 1970's and 80's...Dad says I must've lived another around that time. That would be cool."

In real life, it happened in seconds. But in Mick's world, the kiss on his cheek prolonged. He has only been kissed by one other girl and she was insane, and that kiss didn't feel right. He gets kissed by Laura and he wants to hop on the table and dance like Lady Gaga. So soon...Yet, I don't mind. "I'm glad we met too, Laura," he softly said to her.

Ethan had taken to jabbing the floor in front of him with his wand, willing the food to appear. But it didn't seem to be working and was focusing on any sign of his breakfast. His ears perked up when he heard.. growling? As he was sure it wasn't his stomach, his eyes snapped to the girl a little ways away from him.

And in lieu of a greeting, she was glaring and growling at him.. like an animal. How very classy. Feeling exasperated in his tired state, the boy pinched the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger, and briefly shut his eyes to keep from rolling them..

Forming his face into a semi-pleasant smile, he turned his eyes back onto her. "What, Elliot?" he started, keeping his voice even. "I'm not responsible for the elves being late with your tea.. So either say something or avert your gaze, because I'm really not in the mood to be stared at." Or glared at as it were.. yes, he was tired and crabby too. Not to mention hungry.

Laura smiled at Dylan, she couldn't believe how much they had hit it off since they had met, it seemed to her like she had known him all her life but they had only met that day which was strange, she was sure glad she had accidently walked into his picture.

"Well you might think I'm nuts but I listen to different types, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Take That." Laura smiled. "Any music really as long as it's good." Laura really didn't care who she listened to. "I just think music is cool." Laura smiled as he said she was glad they met. "What do you want to do now?" Laura asked.

"Hey, they're awesome too," Mick said, with his face beaming. "The Beatles have great songs for when I'm in that mellow mood...My favorite song is either Eleanor Rigby or Strawberry Fields Forever. Music has helped me through good times and bad times."

If he hadn't decided to go outside and take pictures, he probably would've spent the day moping. A best friend is just what he need to finally feel at home at Hogwarts. After Laura asked what he would like to do, he thought on it for a moment. They can't go back to their common rooms...At least yet, as far as he knows everyone is still locked out...Something about a prank by someone names Peeves. "I don't know," he answered. "Do you have anything in mind?"

Laura looked at Mick and smiled. "I love Yellow Submarine." Laura really did love that song. "I get what you mean, music has help me a lot as well." Laura really felt like she was making a new bestie her, and this time it wasn't a girl it was a boy which was good.

Laura looked at Mick and smiled. "Well we could just go for a walk around the castle if you want and you can take a few pictures." Laura would love to try and take some pictures. "Or we could go find somewhere awesome where we could paint." Laura wasn't sure if Mick would like painting but it was worth a try, saying that she would do anything as long as Mick was there too.

Elliot listened to his tinnnnyy rant...and grumbled a bit under her breath...stupid boy...and instead of CALLING across to him....she stood up and marched over to him...then she PLOPPED down, hard, on the ground across from him, shooting his EVIL!looks. YES. Ethan we are NOT happy with you, sir!

"YOU are a liar." She started, pointing her finger at him...a bit accusingly. She expected his outrage. She could SEE it coming. Really. But she was in NO mood to be nice. Like, at all.

And she didn't say anything else. She just glaredddd at him...she wanted to know what would come to his mind when she said this. He HAD to know why she sooo irritated with him. And if he didn't...he was thick. He was starting to prove himself daft already, flirting with Minnie...and now...meh. Elliot was just...annoyed..

A lot.

And felt bad for Cora. Really, she did. Not that Ethan had agreed to ANYTHING...but she still felt bad. Hmph.

*grumps*