Dora needed a place to think. To think AND study. So much was rattling around in her brain recently that her usual places just seemed to distract her. That and the concussion she got because of Blaise Bellaire. Hmph.

But now she had wandered into the deserted corridor near Boris and breathed a sigH of relief. Yes, a sigh of RELIEF despite the musty smell permeating around her. She could have cast a bubble head charm, but it really didn't bother her that much. Tossing the blanket down the blonde folded herself down on top of it and smiled a bit. No Sam, no Casper, no Echo, no drama, no loud Lions. Just pace and quiet and nothing interrupting her as she pulled her Charms text from her bag and also some parchment to jot notes on.

This was the life!

Zelena liked having daily walks but due to the cold weather and not feeling too well, she thought it was best to stay indoors. Zelena was getting a bit concerned as she couldn't smell the stench of the musty floor as much as she normally could. Was it a blessing or a curse?

She stopped at the statue, slightly panting as she looked up and saw a blonde student (Dora) immersed in her studies. Zelena got her breath back and leant against the wall. Flashing her trademark smile, Zelena said to the Gryffindor. "Is it okay if I stand here for a moment?" A cramp was forming in her leg, definitely a result from overdoing things. Miss Holmes' ambitious streak rearing its ugly head again.

Having not heard the approaching footsteps Dora was ALMOST startled when she heard the other girls' panting before she spoke. Sheesh. Was she wheezing?! Dora pulled a face as she looked up and let her gaze travel over her. Oh man. SHE didn't look well. This couldn't be good...

The blonde's brows creased in concern as age moved over a bit on the blanket and patted the now open space. "Come sit down before you pass out. What's wrong with you? Do you need some water? " Because Dora could totally transfigure something into a goblet and conjure her some water if she needed it.

Totally.

Zelena's forehead was glistening with beads of sweat. This was concerning her as she was someone who never got ill. She smiled as she sat down on the blanket next to the Gryffindor. Wiping her forehead with her sleeve, Zelena spoke in a harsh whisper, "I think I overdid the walking and might have a little sniffle. I'd love some water. Usually, I am able to conjure a goblet of water but my head is foggy."

The redheaded witch smiled softly and extended a hand. "My name's Zelena."

Oh Merlin. MERLIN! Sweat and sniffles and wheezing. Oh my! Sheesh, this girl was looking a bit worse for wear. Digging in her bag, Dora pulled out a crumpled ball of parchment and immediately muttered the incantation... and transfigurEd it into a goblet. MAN. Then another muttered spell and she was holding said goblet of water out to the older girl.

"Are you sure it's just a sniffle? Could be dragonpox. Never know. " Was the Lioness becoming a hypochondriac? Let's hope not! That on top of her penchant for dramatics might be a horrible thing.

Hand. Toward her. Germs. Oh gosh. What to do? Dora smiled easily, but looked at the hand with nervous energy apparent in her eyes. "Want some antibacterial hand wipes? My dad sends them to me from this Muggle shoppe."

DANG IT!

MANNERS!

With a small gulp, the girl tooK and shook the other girls' hand. After a long pause, mind you. "Pleasure to meet you, Zelena. I'm Dora. Dora Umbridge. " How had they gone without meeting? Zelena was a pretty Slytherin girl... and Dora thought she knew ALL of those. "Oh! Here let me get you a hanky. Clean you right up, it will. " It was Blaise's... and it was, at one point, covered in Dora's blood, but she had siphoned it all off and washed it herself! Totally safe now!

Zelena wrapped her hands around the goblet as she nodded her head in thanks. The cool, refreshing liquid trickled down her parched throat, quenching her thirst within moments.

"I am sure it is a sniffle. I've done research on magical and non-magical diseases. This was just a Muggle thing.." She paused when the young witch offered her some antibacterial wipes. "Sure, anything to aid my recovery from this. Oh, your dad's a Muggle. What about your mother?"

The long pause didn't go unnoticed by Zelena but she didn't give any indication. "Nice to meet you, Dora." The surname seemed vaguely familiar. "Are you related to a Dolores Umbridge?"

Zelena could feel her nose starting to moisten and was immensely grateful when Dora offered her a hanky. "Thank you very much," the Slytherin said as she politely blew her nose.

Zelena breathed a sigh of relief as she felt her nose clear slightly. She pointed at Dora's belongings. "I see you're very good at Charms and Transfiguration. Are they your favourite subjects?"

She was SURE. Okay then. Dora didn't know what was a sniffle and what was Spattergroit, personally, but if she was sure, she was sure. Right? RIGHT! Watching her drink the water a small smile spread her lips. The Gryffindor liked helping people, she did. Not that she made that common knowledge... but ayyye.

"No. My father is not a Muggle. He is a Wizard. And so was my mum. I just have cousins who work in the Muggle world so we have things like that. Dead useful, they are," she said quietly. How could anyone think HER father was a Muggle?! "And yes, Dolores Umbridge is distantly related to my father. Not that it is a shining point in history." But what could they do about That? And Dora and her family strove every day to set themselves apart from that old troll.

Charms and Transfig. Hmmmm. "Actually, no. I prefer Defense and Herbology, but I reckon I am pretty good at wand work anyway." She gave a small chuckle and a shake of her head. "What about you? What are your favorite subjects?"

Zelena listened attentively to Dora's words about her family. Zelena had heard about Doroles Umbridge and smiled to herself when Dora spoke of the lack of fondness she had for her distant relative.

"My family is a bit complicated. I am adopted by two Muggle gentlemen, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. I think my birth mother was a witch and my birth father a Muggle. Honestly, I am not sure in regards to my birth parents. Anyway, my father and my dad are my parents as far as I'm concerned."

Zelena grinned at the thought of her favourite subjects. "I love Charms and Transfiguration. When I first started to develop my magic skills, those were the two subjects I could easily do. They are incredibly wicked. Not evil wicked but a fun wicked."

Zelena finished the last drop of water and handed the goblet to Dora. "Thanks for that. It really hit the spot." She once again looked at the text work that Dora had with her. "Are you doing some studying?"

Oh so Zelena had two dads? Two Muggle dads. That was cool. But... how did she end up here if she was living with Muggles? "Wait. They are named after the characters in that Muggle book series? That's odd. And how did you get here if you are living with Muggles? Do they know about the Wizarding world now? How does that work?" She had all of the questions, she did.

And now Dora nodded along about the comments on Charms and Transfiguration. "They are fun, yes. And dead useful. I just prefer the hands on stuff with Herbology and the destruction in Defense." THOSE were her specialties. Fire and destruction.

Taking the goblet back she looked at her handiwork and tucked it back into her bag. "Yeah, I am in OWL year. I believe in starting early with the studies. No need in waiting until the last minute."

Pushing one book toward the girl she revealed that not all of her books for exam studying... One was for her own extracurricular learning. "I am learning to do nonverbals. Been studying and getting help, too. I hope to have mastered it by end of term."

"I'm adopted. Like I said earlier, my birth mother might've been a witch. I don't know if she is alive or not. I was adopted when I was a week old. As for their names, well, John Watson is actually a common name as is the surname of Holmes. However, it is a love for those Muggle books that caused my father, Sherlock to be given that first name."

She took a slight pause and continued.

"I started showing signs of magic when I was about eleven. My parents were out and I was at home feeling frustrated with school especially the students. It wasn't pretty. I got angry and managed to conjure a small ball of fire which quickly went away because of my age. I don't do that anymore due to being in control. My parents spotted some scorch marks which I had unknowingly left on a nearby cushion and I had to tell them.."

Zelena sighed sadly at the memory and continued.

"My Hogwarts letter came soon afterwards and well, the rest is history."

When Dora mentioned OWLs, Zelena smiled. "I wish you all the very best with those especially doing non-verbal spells. It takes some time but as long as you concentrate and keep practicing, you'll succeed."

Dora couldn't help but squint at her as she spoke in a somewhat condescending manner. "I understand that you were adopted. I got that. I meant more along the lines of how did your Muggle parents deal with your being a witch." Which she had not entirely explained. Not that she had to, but whatever.

"I blow things up and set them on fire all the time." Maybe that would make her feel less sad? Not that Dora did it accidentally, though. Heh.

"Thanks, Zelena! I have to go do some studying now, actually. I will see you around though. I really enjoyed talking to you." Then with a little wave the blonde took off down the corridor to head to her common room.

"Oh, my parents were a bit unsure of what me being a witch entailed but after some researching on my part, I managed to provide them with information which I think helped. If memory serves me, they told me that is like having a child with a special gift such as being able to play the violin or being good at advanced maths."

Zelena smiled a bit at Dora's words. "Really? Hope no major damage was caused."

The Slytherin waved goodbye to the Gryffindor and she headed back to her common room.