Zander's eyes were still all red and bloodshot from the crying. The Gryffidor wiped his tear-stained face. All evidence of crying was gone, well other than the red eyes and puffiness. Either way, he watched as Kevin decided to finally take his drink. He watched carefully as the boy took a sip and did his best to smile, "Yeah it's in there."

Zander watched Kevin curiously to see if the boy would react the same way as he did. Would Kevin cry? It looked like tears were forming in his eyes, but the boy was working hard to hold back. Kevin was probably a lot stronger than he was. Even though Kevin was younger... Zander would've been embarrassed by how he reacted, but he was still too guilt ridden to be at all embarrassed.

His voice still felt shaky, but he felt a lot better now. Hopefully the potion would wear off soon because Zander didn't know how much more of this he could take. But it was Kevin's turn now. Looking back at his friend Zander decided to speak, "Kevin, you okay?"

If he was okay?

Kevin looked up at Zander and narrowed his eyes and when he did that a tear rolled down his cheek. "What do you THINK!?" he snapped at him as his lower lip was slightly trembling now. No, he had to hold it in. He was a brave Gryffindor!

But while he was trying to keep the guilty thoughts out, it seemed that the more popped up. And they weren't even big ones and he wondered WHY he was feeling guilty about them in the first place. Kevin brushed away the tears with his sleeve and sat down on the floor. His back leaning against the wall.

Unlike Zander, who had blurted out his guilt for everyone to hear, Kevin was silent. Too silent. Not like himself. He was obviously battling whatever guilt he was feeling until he couldn't take it anymore. "I didn't mean to use magic on them and knocking them out!" he suddenly said. "But they were mean to me and it happened all of the sudden and" he was crying now, tears rolling down his cheeks though not as much as Zander had been crying earlier. "And my mom had to deal with the neighbourhood calling her a bad mother and it's all because of me!" he looked up at Zander with wide eyes. " If i hadn't attacked them she wouldn't have had such a hard time and i'm sor-rrr-rryyy"

Well, so much for keeping it in. Seemed like the boy was human after all.

More thoughts popped up in his mind that made him feel guilty. Like the time he had lied to his father. Or when he had made a mess in potions class. Yes, his act was tough and uncaring but last thing he wanted was to get a bad grade in that class. Especially not because he wanted to have a future in that field. And he did felt guilty for making people annoyed with him but what else was he supposed to do? He didn't know how to be nice in the first place...

Suddenly seeing the empty cup in his hand, the Gryffindor squeezed it and threw it at Zander. And immediately he felt guilty for doing so. "I didn't mean to! I'm sorry, you know i didn't mean to throw that at you right?" ARGH. Had he not drank this potion he wouldn't have CARED about that.

... Maybe this potion was having a counter reaction for Kevin... Instead of making him guilty, it looked as if it was only making him more fiery than usual. Zander held back a look of hurt in his eyes once the other Gryffindor snapped at him. The third year, still under the effects of the potion (yet, slightly aware of it now) looked at Kevin with a sad expression. "I-I'm so-sorry." Maybe Kevin just didn't want to talk about it... He was probably more strong willed anyways. More than Zander anyways... Obviously. Zander even felt guilty about asking Kevin if he was doing okay!?

Zander looked up from the floor to see Kevin... CRYING!? WHAT. The second year was actually showing emotion. Emotion that made him vulnerable. Woah. Whatever was going on in his mind, it had to be something bad because Kevin was never like this. Just as Zander went to open his mouth and speak, Kevin beat him to it. Suddenly Zander was watching as Kevin started spilling bits and pieces of whatever was bugging him so much.

Oh. So his was a family thing too. Zander definitely knew how that felt because he was feeling it right then too. Zander had absolutely no clue what to do. So he just stood there and let Kevin get everything out of his system. He did't want the boy snapping at him again. Besides, he figured Kevin liked getting things done himself. More of the independent type.

AND WOOSH. Attack by cup. Well, it could've been worse. Zander did wince a little, but thankfully the cup was only plastic so it didn't really hurt that much... Maybe this was a sign that Kevin wanted him to leave. But before he could do anything, the Gryffindor began to apologize. Woah. Zander had never seen the kid really apologize before. And now, ZANDER WAS STARTING TO FEEL GUILTY FOR MAKING HIM APOLOGIZE?! Even though Zander had nothing to do with it!?? Whaaaaaaaat.

And then, Zander recalled what Kevin had told him earlier. Just a potion. Strong willed. Gryffindor. The third year took a few breaths in and out. "It's alright. I'm not hurt. And I'm not mad. It's just the potion okay? This is all just the potion." The third year was still struggling to believe it all himself. But he felt the need to help Kevin, just as the boy had tried to do for him. "You're a strong Gryffindor! You can fight it." And he wasn't just saying that. Kevin definitely did have what it takes. "We're stronger than this-THIS THING!"

This was not how he had planned it to play out. He had pictured himself being able to withstand the potion. But this was the opposite! He tried to focus on thoughts that didn't make him feel guilty but that only resulted in feeling guilty about not thinking about them...was that even possible!?

The young Gryffindor breathed in and out slowly, trying to calm himself down. He wondered how Zander had felt because it was Obvious that he had it worse. ......oh who was he kidding? They were both cry-babies!

And then Zander encouraged him. He didn't laugh at him, didn't leave or called for other students to come watch him break down even after he had thrown the plastic cup at him. And for the first time ever he felt like he had made a friend. Which made him feel guilty again because who in their right mind wanted to be friends with him?! No..no he was a strong Gryffindor! He could do this!

Listening to Zander's voice, Kevin nodded his head and kept repeating the words in his mind. 'It's just the potion. You're stronger than that, you can do it!' Slowly but surely, he started to feel like he got control of the guilty emotions and stood up from the ground. "I-i'm okay" he mumbled as he stared at the ground. "I hate that man for telling us to drink this, i bet he's all smug in his stupid office right now"

Kevin suddenly grabbed his wand and pointed it at Zander. "If you tell anyone about this, i'll hex you , got that?" he said in his usual threatening voice while he was wiping his tear-stained cheeks. Then he lowered his wand, put it back in his wrist holster and bit his lower lip. "S-sorry about that, it's a habit..." Seemed like the guilt potion hadn't worked out completely yet.

Zander watched Kevin carefully. It was quite. Tooooo quite. Zander suddenly felt another twinge of guilt. Had he said something to make Kevin even more upset?! Had he done anything to make the boy angry? Why wasn't Kevin saying anything. Oh boy. This potion really did have a huge effect on how the Gryffindor approached situations. It was so strange not being able to control your emotions or even actions.

Just then Kevin began speaking and it felt as if a giant weight was lifted. PHEW! Zander listened, hoping that it wasn't another confession about his family. Tears were really hard to deal with. Emotions are really hard to deal with in general. Oh? He was okay? Though Zander wasn't completely sure about that, don't think he missed the slight stutter, he nodded his head. "Yeah, me too. That was awful. I hope he accidentally drinks it so he can feel guilty about making us take it." Almost immediately, Zander did feel bad for saying that. Ugh. When would this thing wear-off!? It was such an unpleasant experience and the third year couldn't help but wonder if Culloden had ever been through it himself.

One moment Kevin was being relatively friendly and somewhat helpful and then all the sudden the insane second year was threatening Zander with his wand. Cool. Zander nodded his head in agreement. He hadn't really decided if he was actually scared of Kevin or not yet. But then he noticed the boy back off a bit. Hm, maybe the potion wasn't such a bad thing after all? Maybe Kevin could learn from it?

... Chances of that happening... Dooooubtful. Mhm, anyways. Zander looked up at Kevin with a serious look in his eyes. "You've got my word if you promise you won't tell anyone about me," If Kevin squeals. He squeals.

After spending hours in the library doing endless research, Simon gave up and decided to explore the castle instead. He had found absolutely nothing on helping to heal someone's memory. The textbooks had mentioned the charms and the potions, but none of it made sense! He had a promise to keep to someone special, if he couldn't help her then he... he... He wouldn't know what to do. He felt so helpless. He wanted to help his mother, but how could he possibly help her without knowing the correct information? Helping her would be impossible.

Simon sighed and leaned against one of the walls. Then he sunk all the way to the floor. He sat there for a couple of minutes before getting a ball out of his bag and playing with it. He tossed it from hand to hand and soon became lost in his own thoughts.

Cosgrach wasn't in a hurry, but he was distracted. He didn't have any reason to be distracted too, he just thought about the school, winter and -

"WAAAAH!"

There was a CREATURE there - Cosgrach DREW his wand - ready to shoot - it all happened too fast Cosgrach wanted to faint with the rush and scare.

"WHAT are you DOING there!?" The boy had exactly THREE seconds to explain!

Well, look at that. He got a green scarf from Ella, which Ethan is now wearing like a turban because he’s got at least two scarves wrapped around his neck now, and a book entitled “Muggle Football for Witches and Wizards” plus a small football ball from Alec! The Slytherin guessed that news about Quidditch being suspended in Hogwarts reached his friends, and instead gave him something else to keep himself occupied.

But how in Merlin’s spiked shoes does this Football sport work?

It was a good thing that the book Alec gave was a magical one, meaning the pictures were moving, so it was easier for the third year to follow. Well. He’ll go for the basics, no?

Juggling. Yes. It looked easy. But before he could do it, he was already having trouble getting the ball on top of his foot, instead, the ball would roll around the place and one Ethan Mordaunt had to chase after it. “This would be easier if I don’t have my snowboard gear on.” Well, he can’t get his thick jacket, pants, and boots now because it’s too cold in the dungeons, no? And so the jugglingkicking continued. Ethan had his eyes on the ball all the time and didn’t realize that he was already outside the corridor.

“Merlin this is hard!” Ethan, growing impatient had the ball on top of his foot and lifted it too hard causing the ball to smack his face.

THUNK!

“Yeeeeoooooooowwwwwcccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!”

.................................. What in the name of merlin?

Grayson, who was coming back from the kitchen with his pockets bulging with sweet treats and a pastry clutched in his hand, stopped in his tracks. And then tilted his head. He was used to how cold and dark it was in here by now, so that didn't stop him from noticing the unusual sight in front of him

Which was a person, by the way. And not your usual loonies, either. This one was in a snowsuit -- understandable because of the freaking weather -- and a turban. Uh huh. A turban. And they were kicking some sort of funny shaped ball around. Not a quidditch ball, that was for sure. But they weren't doing a very good job because the ball...........

............... had hit.............

.................. the person's face. Don't laugh, Whitlock, DON'T LAUGH.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" What was this one DOING with that ball?

There might have been concern in his voice, too. Thanks for that, delicious pastry.

Ethan massaged his nose…then his eyes because MERLIN he’s seeing double. And given that the corridor’s dark, that didn’t help. UGH. And there were people too! He can hear a man’s voice…although he’s far, and he can make out a boy’s figure. There were two of them!

Wait, no. Just one.

Stupid ball!

Oh hold on. He knows that voice. “Grayson?” Ethan squinted his eyes and rubbed it again. Did he see…everything? Well, if he did then it’s a good thing he didn’t laugh. Because…his face is hurting right now. Ethan walked towards the boy, rubbing his eyes. “No, I’m not trying to kill myself. Not really the most noble way to die, yeah?” No, he will not die because of it. HE WILL master the art of this sport. He just WISHED there was a PROFESSOR who knows HOW TO PLAY this game. “It’s called…FOOTBALL.” He said and got the book Alec gave him and showed it to Grayson. “Do you play this muggle sport?” Ethan now had one eye closed and the other open and looked at the other Slytherin.

And where did that freaking ball go?

So this snowman guy knew his name. And the voice was a familiar sounding one.

Grayson paused. And then eyed the eye-rubbing boy. And finally, he said, "Ethan? Snowstorm Man Ethan?" All of a sudden, the attire wasn't so weird. What was he planning on doing here? Making another snowstorm? Because if he was, he should tell this fourth year so that they can both get in on this. And then hide and watch the drama unfold. Just saying.

'Least he wasn't trying to kill himself. The Slytherin snorted. "There are better ways to die." Just don't do it, mkay? And FOOTBALL?! Grayson furrowed his eyebrows and looked over at the book that Ethan was showing him. "FOOTBALL?!" No wonder it was a name of a Muggle sport; it wasn't exactly creative, was it? "Nah, I'm more of a Quidditch guy. How do you play it?" Were the players meant to kick their own faces? Or someone else's face?

Please say it was the latter. Because OH MAN. LOL.

Caleb felt like the school had been turned into a restaurant or something. EVERYONE was cooking something EVERYWHERE he turned. It was making him hungry because all he could smell was FOOD.

Specifically, his FANTASTIC burgers that he'd cooked up - one with the Kenaz rune, and the other without it. But both were awesome, and he was sure Sophie would have a bit of trouble trying to figure out which was which.

If she ever showed up...

Sophie was SO over this Ancient Runes homework assignment. It had to be the longest homework assignment ever. Had she not put so much into it already, she'd totally blow off these last two parts. Okay, no, she really wouldn't. Her parents would freak out if she failed a class, and quite frankly, Sophie was more ambitious than that.

So here she was carrying to bowls of stew down the corridor--one made the regular way in the kitchens and the other made in the workshop with Kenaz. She was actually looking for her brother, who she hadn't actually seen in a week or so. Where HAD he been?

Call it some weird kind of twin connection or whatever, but Caleb suddenly showed up. Sophie flagged him down from down the corridor. "Hey! Where've you been?" she asked. Then she gestured to her stew. "Want to be my Ancient Runes judge?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Sophie was SO over this Ancient Runes homework assignment. It had to be the longest homework assignment ever. Had she not put so much into it already, she'd totally blow off these last two parts. Okay, no, she really wouldn't. Her parents would freak out if she failed a class, and quite frankly, Sophie was more ambitious than that.

So here she was carrying to bowls of stew down the corridor--one made the regular way in the kitchens and the other made in the workshop with Kenaz. She was actually looking for her brother, who she hadn't actually seen in a week or so. Where HAD he been?

Call it some weird kind of twin connection or whatever, but Caleb suddenly showed up. Sophie flagged him down from down the corridor. "Hey! Where've you been?" she asked. Then she gestured to her stew. "Want to be my Ancient Runes judge?"

Call it twin intuition, but Caleb just KNEW that Sophie would be around here. And sure enough, here she was, carrying a stew with her too. MMMMMMMM, it looked good. Real good. Caleb was still getting his appetite back, and he wanted to eat EVERYTHING now that he'd eaten nothing but crackers and soup for two weeks.

"I was sick - had the flu," he explained with a shrug. Obviously he was better now, though, or he wouldn't be walking around making burgers!

"Of course! Wanna try my cheeseburger?" he asked, taking out the foil wrapped burgers from his bag and handing one to her. If he had had his way, it'd be a gourmet burger, with blue cheese and fancy mayo and artisan onions - but it was just a plain cheddar cheeseburger, because he didn't know if Sophie shared his culinary tastes.

Sophie playfully rolled her eyes. "Well, you could have told me," she said. "Even Cutty Mordaunt told me he was sick and had me help him to the Hospital Wing." She shook her head. At least he was better now. He seemed to be, at least.

Sophie looked at the cheeseburger. It looked good. REALLY good. "Yeah, of course! I'm starving," she said. Dinner was soon, and she'd had a really small lunch, so she could use a cheeseburger right about now. "So we're meant to try both and figure out which one was made with Kenaz." She handed Caleb the first bowl of stew, the one made in the kitchens. There was a small spoon already in it.

"Okay, see what you think about that one," she said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Sophie playfully rolled her eyes. "Well, you could have told me," she said. "Even Cutty Mordaunt told me he was sick and had me help him to the Hospital Wing." She shook her head. At least he was better now. He seemed to be, at least.

Sophie looked at the cheeseburger. It looked good. REALLY good. "Yeah, of course! I'm starving," she said. Dinner was soon, and she'd had a really small lunch, so she could use a cheeseburger right about now. "So we're meant to try both and figure out which one was made with Kenaz." She handed Caleb the first bowl of stew, the one made in the kitchens. There was a small spoon already in it.

"Okay, see what you think about that one," she said.

Caleb rolled his eyes. "Well, that's the difference between Cutty and I - I didn't NEED to go to the hospital wing. I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself," he said with a smirk. He'd gotten his own soup and cold medicine and all of it by himself. Cutty was just a WIMP. Obviously.

"Good, cause these are gonna be so good, you'll scarf down both of them in like two seconds," he joked with a grin. He was SORT of joking. Hehe. He had no idea how he was going to figure out which one Sophie had made in the kitchens, though. All the rune really did was make the flame stronger, yeah? So unless there were charred pieces of chicken in the stew - he was pretty sure he would be at a loss and would end up guessing.

"Alright, take a bite of this one," he said, handing her his kitchen-made burger before taking a bite of the stew. MMMMMMM that was yummy - it was almost as good as their mum's cooking! It must have run in the family.

"It's good. REAL good," he said with a grin before taking another bite. Alright, he had to move on, or he'd eat the whole thing in just a few more bites...

Simon heard a noise and he glanced up.

A wand was pointed at him.

Wait. WHAT? Why was a wand pointed at him?

"WOAH!" cried Simon as he immediately got to his feet. His heart was racing when he saw that it was the Potions Master. Was he not supposed to be down here. "I was taking a walk, sir, and I was lost in my own thoughts..." he explained. Simon paused for a second. "Sorry if I scared you, Professor."

Please don't give me detention.

He inhaled, puffed his chest at the sound of his title, then exhaled. “That’s me!” Yep. “Ethan Snowstorm Manmanmanman…” Apparently it doesn’t echo that much in the dungeon corridor, so he had to improvise the resounding sound.

Ugh. If only he could open his other eye, it would be better. He wanted to see with both eyes, okay? And why can’t the dungeon be well lighted anyway? They could really use more torch down there, just saying.

AND YES FOOTBALL! As in…playing with a ball with your foot? “The concept of the game is to get the ball into your opponent’s goal, and it’s being guarded by a goal keeper.” Is…Grayson taking notes? “It’s just like Quidditch, minus the broom. And yeah, you can’t use your hands or arms. You have to use your feet to drive and pass the ball across the field…and your head and chest to catch it.” Weeeeeeeeeird, right? “And when you score, you say GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!” Yes, he did just shout right in Grayson’s face with his arms up in the air. “You have to be running around when you’re shouting it for full effect.” Nod nod nod.

Muggles are weird that way.

“SO! Do you wanna plaaaaaaaaaaay?” Ethan tucked his hands behind him and started to bounce a little. He’s oh so bored with school, wants to snowboard but can’t, and…yes. BORED. So please Grayson! Let’s plaaaaay!

Sophie smirked at Caleb's confidence. "Okay, then. I'd just like to know, in the future, if you're still alive is all," she said. Sophie grew wide-eyed as Caleb talked about his cheeseburgers. "BOTH of them? Yeah...thanks, but no thanks. I'll half them with you, though. Two halves equal one whole cheeseburger." No way could she eat two of them.

She shrugged it off, though, and accepted the first cheeseburger. She took a bite of it while Caleb tasted the stew. "Mmm, it's good, Caleb," she said. She took the next few minutes to take a few more bites of the cheeseburger before deciding she better taste the other one before she got too full. "Okay, I need the other one now. I'll be too full to taste it if I eat any more of this one."

She took the first bowl of soup from Caleb and gave him the second one--the one she'd made in the workshop with Kenaz. She also took the other cheeseburger from him, so she could taste it. A few more minutes passed as she took a few bites of his second cheeseburger. "Well, you actually did a good job, little brother," she said. "I'm going to guess that the second cheeseburger was made with Kenaz. It has a richer taste to it, and I can really taste the way it was cooked over flames the same way I can with burgers made on a barbecue grill."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Sophie smirked at Caleb's confidence. "Okay, then. I'd just like to know, in the future, if you're still alive is all," she said. Sophie grew wide-eyed as Caleb talked about his cheeseburgers. "BOTH of them? Yeah...thanks, but no thanks. I'll half them with you, though. Two halves equal one whole cheeseburger." No way could she eat two of them.

She shrugged it off, though, and accepted the first cheeseburger. She took a bite of it while Caleb tasted the stew. "Mmm, it's good, Caleb," she said. She took the next few minutes to take a few more bites of the cheeseburger before deciding she better taste the other one before she got too full. "Okay, I need the other one now. I'll be too full to taste it if I eat any more of this one."

She took the first bowl of soup from Caleb and gave him the second one--the one she'd made in the workshop with Kenaz. She also took the other cheeseburger from him, so she could taste it. A few more minutes passed as she took a few bites of his second cheeseburger. "Well, you actually did a good job, little brother," she said. "I'm going to guess that the second cheeseburger was made with Kenaz. It has a richer taste to it, and I can really taste the way it was cooked over flames the same way I can with burgers made on a barbecue grill."

Caleb smiled as she took a bite of his second burger, and he took some bites out of her second bowl of stew. MMMMMM, this was just as good as the other one! But which one was the rune enhanced version? He chewed it over (quite literally) as she started to tell him which one she picked as his Kenaz burger.

"Yeah, that's it! Good job - you can really taste all that?" he asked. That made sense, but Caleb would probably have just downed the burger before even noticing the crisp, grilled taste. Or put so many toppings on it that he couldn't even TASTE the burger over all the cheese and mustard and whatnot.

Ok, now HE had to guess..."I think THIS one is the Kenaz one," he said, pointing at the second bowl. "It tastes more well done, as opposed to just being cooked over a pot with a slow cooking flame," he explained.

Actually he had NO idea. He was just guessing.

Sophie nodded. "Mmhmm. Yeah, it really does taste different," she said. She frowned at her brother. "You know, you could probably taste the difference, too, if you slowed down a little." She laughed, though. "Here. Have ALL the stew. After cooking two helpings of it, I'm sick of it. I'll take your word for it that it tastes good."

She gestured toward the second cheeseburger. "I think I'm going to finish off this Kenaz cheeseburger, though, so you'll just have to take my word on it," she said. Yes. She was stealing his cheeseburger and taking off with it. "But you can have the first one." See? She was playing nice, too. "Oh, and you were right about my stew. The second was cooked with Kenaz."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Sophie nodded. "Mmhmm. Yeah, it really does taste different," she said. She frowned at her brother. "You know, you could probably taste the difference, too, if you slowed down a little." She laughed, though. "Here. Have ALL the stew. After cooking two helpings of it, I'm sick of it. I'll take your word for it that it tastes good."

She gestured toward the second cheeseburger. "I think I'm going to finish off this Kenaz cheeseburger, though, so you'll just have to take my word on it," she said. Yes. She was stealing his cheeseburger and taking off with it. "But you can have the first one." See? She was playing nice, too. "Oh, and you were right about my stew. The second was cooked with Kenaz."

"I knew it!" Caleb said with a grin. Well, he knew that he had awesome guessing powers. That was obvious. "And you can take both burgers if you want. I'd rather have the stew," he added.

After all that, Caleb was ready to get to work on the rest of his homework - and the rest of this stew. "Well, I'm going to get back to work. Thanks for the stew - and for doing the homework with me!" he said with a smile as he gathered up the bowl in one hand and picked up his bag with the other one before heading back to the common room.

Cosgrach NARROWED his eyes at the boy. He was clearly debating whether to believe him or not, and a second later he holstered his wand back. Now, THAT was an educated young wizard - he apologised right away. Good. The whole school had something to learn from him.

"It's alright, son," he muttered and went ahead to ruffle his hair. "I was just startled, that's all. What's your name?" He was a Slytherin, Cosgrach noted. Good. His chest was filled with pride when his own house was so polite.

So he wasn't going to have to scrub out all the cauldrons in detention? Phew. Simon almost let out a sigh of relief but restrained himself from doing so. As much as he enjoyed creating Potions, the scrubbing out part of the cauldrons seemed rather unpleasant. The cauldrons could be filled with any leftover residue from a safe or dangerous potion. It was hard to tell.

Did Cosgrach just ruffle his-?

Yep. That just happened. Alright.

Oh good, he was just startled. Truth be told, Simon had been the same way. He hadn't expected to see anyone out and about in this part of the school. "Simon. Simon Holden, Professor Cosgrach," he explained the third year as he held out his hand towards Cosgrach for a handshake. He didn't know if this was acceptable but it was what his parents had told him to do when he met someone. "So how are you? Apart from being startled, sir?"

Aaaaaaaw, WHAT a SWEET gentleman! Offering to shake his hand like that! The man was CLEARLY enchanted and he grinned hugely. ANd then shook his hand, of course. He wished they had more audience.

"I'm great," the man answered, "because I don't meet such enchanting young Slytherins everyday." Hint hint. "How are you?"