Rough Around the Edges (( Pandora ))

[rowen]

Hardly a week had passed since he started in this school and he was already sick of everyone in his own house. They were all like some horrible breed of dog--over active, inattentive, and foolishly loyal all at the same time. On top of all that, they were all happy, all the time. The world could probably collapse around them and they would still be cheering about how they were still fine so life was still wonderful. The whole thing made him sick, and in a final attempt to control his nausea, he retreated to the Student Lounge to see if he could locate a student slightly less...canine in behavior.

The Student Lounge only had a few students in it, but he guessed it would have to do. He never did like big crowds anyway. He looked around the room for a moment, locating an empty overstuffed chair near the middle of the room. Perhaps here he would spot someone who better suited his style.

[pandora]

The first few days at Hogwarts had been a jumble of whirring memories for Pandora. The days had passed quickly and she felt like she was caught in a great tidal surge sometimes, a sweeping mixture of classes, social etiquette and random stupidity. She was fairly good at most of her classes and was very happy in Potions, her favorite subject, though she was beginning to loathe charms. Even the thought of it sent a little pang of ache through her wrists, still sore from all the wand movements they had to practice; and she gained only some small measure of satisfaction from watching the tiny Professor Flitwick chase his various belongings around the room after several badly cast charms. Mostly though, she hated Professor McGonagall. That old hateful woman taught transfiguration and Pandora was half convinced the woman had put a hex on the cup she was supposed to transfigure; it had steadfastly refused to do much more than twitch a little all of her last class and Pandora was sure she had the wand movements down correctly. Her last class was History of Magic and she was still trying to wake up fully from that little fiasco. It was pathetic that a school as renowned as Hogwarts would resort to hiring someone who was already DEAD. The monotone droning of that man’s voice could put anyone to sleep and even thinking about it made her yawn.

Pandora had ventured to her own common room to study but found all the good seats were taken by older students and she didn’t want to be the only first year in the room. That made her a very easy target for an irritable older student and she knew better than to tempt fate by giving them the chance to notice her alone. Instead, she had wandered back up the halls and searched for a quiet place to sit. The Astronomy tower was currently holding class still and the owlery was out of the question by sheer disgust value. Finally, she found herself at the student lounge and took note that there were very few students in here today, none of which she felt she couldn’t handle with a few curt words. She swept in regally (Slytherins simply MUST make a grand entrance) and moved straight for a set of comfortable couches set in the center of the room. She paid no heed to anyone around her and even shouldered a Ravenclaw first year out of her way as she headed for the seats. When she arrived, she found three students already in the circle of comfy chairs, a Ravenclaw, a Gryffindor and a Hufflepuff by the looks of them. The Gryffindor and Ravenclaw were talking to each other in hushed voices and stopped when Pandora approached. She looked over at the Hufflepuff and decided she was happier with his company than theirs.

Pandora turned back towards the other two students and shot them both a look of something close to disgust. “You’re in my seat.” She said simply, as if telling them what they should already have known. The Gryffindor, true to his house, stood up and glared at her. “I don’t see your name on it.” He challenged. Pandora raised one slender eyebrow and sneered right back at him. “That’s because you’re either sitting on it or can’t read.” She stated in a pleasant voice, “You should be with the rest of your books.” A look of confusion came over the Gyffindor’s face and before he could react, Pandora pulled a book out of the Ravenclaw’s hand. With one graceful flick of her wrist, she sent it wheeling across the room. “Fetch.” She said nastily. The Gryffindor pulled out his wand but was stopped by the Ravenclaw who placed one hand on his arm. “It’s not worth being expelled for.” The Ravenclaw stated and then moved away to pick up the discarded book. Pandora looked back at the Gryffindor one more time and smiled unpleasantly. “See, Ravenclaws can be intelligent.” With that, she walked to the now unoccupied seating and brushed it off with one hand as if removing something dirty from it, ignoring in full the hateful look shot at her back by the Gryffindor. The two students moved off to another seat in the corner and Pandora eased herself onto the large comfy couch. She crossed her legs in lady-like fashion and pulled out a book and her wand from the soft black leather shoulder bag she carried.

She glanced up at the boy seated across from her and looked him over carefully. He was dressed in the bright yellow colors of the Hufflepuffs but he didn’t look as friendly or bouncy as the rest of them. He was seated calmly in one of the overstuffed chairs across from her, his robes splayed around him. Pandora folded her small alabaster hands neatly in her lap and fixed her large slate blue eyes on him expectantly. Her appearance was that of a living china doll, pale, beautiful and cold. She watched him with all the emotion of a great white shark and waited for him to say what she expected was going to be the usual indignant ramblings of an offended party.

[rowen]

He had no sooner settled himself down in the chair when a young Gryffindor, followed by a Ravenclaw, or at least he guessed so by the color of their robes, settled down across from him. Rowen let out a loud, slightly disgusted sigh, as the two began to whisper. He came here in hopes of getting away from the annoying personalities of most of his fellow students, and here some had come and followed him to his chosen place of seclusion. Now though, it seemed more obvious than ever that they were not just in his own house, these two were testing his patience, and they were suppose to be considered some of the gens of Hogwarts--a lion and a raven. Perhaps more should be expected of them than of a badger like himself, though obviously that was not the case.

He had eased himself back into his chair, letting his head tip back and his eyes close for a moment of escape. He had spent just a few moments settled into this position before he heard something, a rather smart remark coming from a girl who sounded rather near by. Slowly his eyes opened, and he let his gaze settle forward on the girl, dressed in the colors of Slytherin, taking over the seat formally occupied by the latest thorns in his side.

She seemed to be focused on his now, and his eyes narrowed slightly in response as she quickly looked her over just as she had done him. "Don't think I'm going move just because you think you want to face west instead of east. Might be able to dispose of the Gryffindork and Ravennerd, but I won't go until I'm good and ready."

[pandora]

Pandora’s face remained a serene mask of calm as Rowen spoke and she continued to watch him carefully. ‘My, but this little Hufflepuff either has more courage than the Gryffindors or is just suicidal.’ She thought unpleasantly. Not many people had dared to speak to Pandora in such a manner since she’d arrived. Those who had, had been met thus far with a vicious reprisal and had made a point of staying away from her afterwards. She had come in here with the thought of doing some homework but the Huffle before her seemed to be far more entertaining, so she placed the book back into her bag and leaned back to watch him. “I don’t recall telling you to do anything.” She replied easily. “A little testy, aren’t we?” She allowed one corner of her mouth to pull up in a bit of a sneer as she spoke. “Aren’t Hufflepuffs supposed to be more timid and pathetic?” She asked. Her tone spoke volumes in and of itself and in one sentence she’d just offered him a chance to decide where those Hufflepuff loyalties lay. The way in which she phrased it suggested that she didn’t necessarily think HE was pathetic but that his house was; she was curious as to whether he would defend the rest of the Huffles and prove himself just as sad as they were, or allow her to insult them but keep his own dignity. Pandora leaned back, her hook baited and waited to see how this very unusal little Huffle would act.

[rowen]

His gaze was focused on her, his eyes still slightly narrowed as she watched him for a few more long moments. He had been thinking that he needed to encounter one of these Slytherins everyone talked of as if they were the devil incarnate. They seemed more his type than the others, even if the Sorting had did think he really was loyal and fair or something like that. When the little girl all dressed in green spoke again, she called him testy, and the harshness of his expression increased. "It was a warning, not a reaction. Doesn't that make me prepared or something? After all who ever heard of a testy Hufflepuff." He paused for a moment, taking a breath before he answered to the later part of her statement toward him. "And I'm afraid your wrong about Hufflpuffs, something like weak and incompetent."

The had had put him into this happy-go-lucky badger house, but it didn't mean he had to like it. He knew he had to accept it, but that also didn't mean that he had to surround himself with his screw up-reject house mates. Though he could not help but he slightly surprised at the girls interest. Everyone talked of Slytherin's as if they would never even speak for a lowly Hufflepuff.

After another moment where his words stopped he finally decided that perhaps it was time for a name to be attached to her face. "Rowen Kerr," he started, stating his own name before he nodded toward her "who are you?"

[pandora]

Pandora was a little surprised at the sheer gall this Huffle was showing. He was a bit defensive and a little crude for her usual tastes but at least he was more entertaining than the mind numbing stupidity she usually got from the other houses. He looked at her dangerously and she allowed a slow menacing smile to spread across her delicate features. “Who indeed has ever heard of a testy Hufflepuff?” she repeated back to him slowly. “And as for your ‘warning’ I shall do my best not to tremble too much.” The sarcasm dripped heavily from her voice though she hadn’t moved otherwise. She sat perfectly still and maintained her eye contact. Pandora was not about to be cowed by anyone whose house shared it’s color scheme with a bumblebee. She managed a soft chuckle at his comment about his own house. Good. He wasn’t a complete waste of her time then; at least he could see that his own house was a sad shadow of what wizards should be.

Rowen introduced himself and Pandora ran the last name through her mind a few times. When she was quite sure it wasn’t on the list of “must know” wizards of high standing, she filed that tidbit of information away with all the rest. He was obviously not skilled in the art of social etiquette she noted sourly, as his introduction was rusty at best and he didn’t ask her name properly. She allowed herself just the smallest hint of a frown. Well, at least he wasn’t overly bouncy or stupid. Perhaps now was as good a time as any for her to teach someone from another house what proper manners were. “The proper way to ask someone’s name is to say your own and then ask ‘And you are?’. I don’t suppose you’ve had much training on this sort of thing though.” She sat up a little straighter, and raised her chin just a bit. “I am Pandora Elia Munio of the Italian Munios. And that is a proper greeting.” She looked him over once again, he seemed an unhappy and irritable person. Good. She might just get to like him better if he learned some manners.


“You don’t seem to belong in Hufflepuff. Are you pure blood?” She asked simply. Her tone was stand-offish but at least not overly unpleasant as if she was trying a new food and had yet to decide if she liked it. Rowen was certainly unusual. Perhaps the Sorting Hat had made a mistake. She waited calmly and watched his reaction to all that she’d said.

[rowen]

"I didn't expect you to tremble. It wouldn't be very becoming of a Slytherin" he remarked, his voice cold. She looked like she was some princess, or wanted to be at least, only he wasn't buying it. He knew there was some great conflict int he wizarding world about having the right blood and being of the right social status, but he never paid any attention to it. There were more pressing things to worry about in his mind.

She introduced herself as Pandora something or other, but the first name was all he really cared about. He just needed to know what to call her in case the situation came where a name was necessary. He never really was a fan of last names anyway, they meant nothing other than who you parents were, and who cared about parents anyway. After giving her name though, she decided to use the moment to educate him on proper social etiquette. "Well, I'm sorry but I guess they didn't think teaching us manners at the orphanage was a reasonable way to spend their time. Instead they taught us things like how to get along with no parents, no money and no possessions, but I can see how leaning how to do a proper introduction would have been a better way to spend our time. Maybe I should try again. Good afternoon Pandora, I am Rowen Kerr, from the abandoning Kerr's who chose to tour the world instead of raising their son."

He was silent for a moment after his outburst, his gaze never leaving Pandora. Finally, her gathered himself again and answer the second part of her question. "Your right, I don't fit in with most members of my house, and as for blood goes, yes, I have been told my parents were pure."

[pandora]

Pandora watched Rowen’s little outburst with calm detachment. She seemed utterly un-ruffled by him as he, for all intents and purposes, insulted her attempts at civility and mocked her upbringing. She should have known better than for him to understand. It made sense that he was raised in an orphanage as it explained a lot of the bitterness in his voice. When he had finished his tirade and answered her second question with an affirmative about his blood-line, Pandora continued to keep him locked in her gaze with those ever judging eyes. “Are you quite done?” she asked civilly. “You really should work on that temper of yours. It’s unbecoming of a pure blood like yourself. As for learning the finer subtleties of social manners, yes, I do rather think they should have spent more time on it with you. All of the things they taught you how to get along without can easily be gained back through the proper application of some manners. All, that is, save for your parents, but then again, if they dropped you off in some forsaken orphanage, then they really weren’t worth having in the first place.” She stated matter-of-factly.

“The orphanage taught you how to get along without such things when they should have been teaching you how to gain them back.” Pandora cocked her head a little to one side in a motion of curiosity, “I don’t recognize the name Kerr but I don’t really doubt you’re pure blood. Seems odd to me that the hat would place you in such a lowly house when you would have done better in Slytherin. Mind you, you’d need to learn a lot about self control but such things can be learned easily enough. Shouldn’t surprise me in the least. After all, what do should one expect when you let several meters of animated fabric sort your students.” She sighed sarcastically. She continued to measure Rowan’s reactions carefully still trying to determine if Rowan was worth her time or was no more than an entertaining diversion.

[rowen]

His eyes never left her. One of the best parts of letting your temper get to you was the reaction people gave you. Some let their own temper flair right back, others seemed too worried to do much of anything. Then there were the ones who immediately tried to return you to some remotely calm state, and finally, there were the ones who acted as if nothing at all was happening. Just as he guessed, Pandora was the last type. It would be far from flattering for the wanna-be princess to let her self get rattler just because he had an outburst over something. Instead she sat calm and cool, and chose to after address the fact that he had lost his non-existent social skills and given into the temptation of a fiery reaction to an emotional feeling.

He watched her for a few more moments, waiting until she was fully finished with her lectures on how to behave like a proper pureblood before he spoke his own mind again. "I happen to like my temper. I don't care what anyone thinks about me or my manners, or even about my blood. If who my parents were and who their parents were makes me seem more important or more worth while to someone them thats their concern not mine. I don't care if purebloods are suppose to act a certain way or speak a certain way. Maybe I am pure, but its not like it has made my life some living dream so far so obviously its not the only thing that matters in the world." He paused for a moment to lean forward, moving closer to the edge of his seat so he could lean in a bit toward Pandora, who never moved from her perfect posture position. "The orphanage did what they had to, and now I'm here to learn to make something better of myself, or at least thats what everyone wants to think. That I can just turn my life around, but then according to you and who every many other students here, I'm pure so of course I can. Maybe I would be better suited to Slytherin than mine, and I'm not going to lie to you--I wish I was in your house instead of trapped with a few hundred students who couldn't find the right end of a wand if they were holding it in their own hand."

He straightened himself, leaning back again and letting his gaze wander around the room for a moment before letting it turn back to her. "If you prefer for me to act with some sort of fake upper class social mannerism, all you have to do is ask. Chivalry isn't so dead that I wont give a lady what she wants."

[pandora]

(Sorry I took so long to respond, I was on vacation.)

Pandora did not flinch in the least at Rowen’s firm rebuttal of her opinions. The boy had never been brought up among proper pure-bloods so of course he didn’t understand and she shouldn’t really have expected him to. She wasn’t the least bit surprised when Rowen admitted he would rather have been in Slytherin, that much was obvious enough to her. What DID surprise her was the fact that he offered to act with proper manners if she were to have asked him to. Perhaps he showed more promise than she originally expected. When he had finished, Pandora allowed him a few more moments to complete any thoughts he might have to add and to allow herself time to think over her answers to all he’d said. When it was obvious Rowen had said his peace and was waiting for her response, Pandora finally began in a soft easy manner. She kept her tone even but not overly unfriendly.

“I do not want to you to act with anything fake. Manners should be something taught all across the blood-lines and not something I should have to ask for.” Pandora held up her hand quickly to stem any angry response from Rowen just yet. “You seem to have misunderstood me on several points, but it’s not something I didn’t expect. Pure blood isn’t everything that makes you worth while. You just simply have it and therefore it gives you a small head step in the right direction. How someone acts and the way they conduct themselves is far more important than the blood in their veins. Your temper, for example, can get you into a lot of trouble. You seem intelligent enough; there are other ways to get what you want.” Pandora talked to him patiently and with little malice. She seemed almost conversational if a bit stand-offish. This temperament towards Rowen was most certainly not her norm but she was willing to give this strange young man her attention and a small modicum of respect for the moment.

“As for making your way in the world and making something better of yourself, well, that’s entirely up to you. It doesn’t entirely have to do with blood but having a good blood-line certainly doesn’t hurt. Actions will always speak far louder than just blood alone. Look at the Weasley family. Pure all the way through and every single one of them is worthless.” Pandora shrugged a bit as if trying to cast off the unpleasant feeling associated with that name. “You have potential though, otherwise I wouldn’t waste my time talking to you, and I didn’t know you were pure blood till I asked. You belong in Slytherin I think. You would have done much better there.”

[rowen]

He sat back and watched her carefully correct what he had interpreted her. She of course made a point to tell him exactly where he had gone wrong in his impulse driven response. A Slytherin thing at least. After all, to a Slytherin, it was better to correct someone that be actually ever be wrong. He let out a long breath and let her lecture about whatever it was she thought was important at the moment. Most of it didn't catch much of his attention. She talked about manners and his temper. The only thing that did make his eyebrows raise was when she said that blood wasn't the most important thing and that other things mattered as well. exhibiting some form of manners he waited until she was done before he leaned forward and finally spoke again.

"I never through I would hear the day when a Slytherin would say that there was something more important than pure blood. According to that theory a muggleborn with manners is better off than a pure blood with a temper. And while were on the lines of my so called fault, its a good thing I don't mind getting myself into trouble. Its rather amusing to get myself out of it too. And trust me--I always get myself out of it."

He smirked before he leaned back again, turning in his chair so that he leaned into the corner and he lifted his feet up so they used the near by table as a footrest.
"Oh look, someone actually things I'm worth while. Now that we have firmly decided that that idiotic hat has made some sort of grand mistake placing me in Hufflepuff--but I will just have to learn to make something of my self while surrounded by incompetent wanna-bes. I guess I'm just going to have to consider myself lucky that you're such a generous Slytherin to show me the light."

[pandora]

Pandora waited while Rowan twisted her words a little further. He was fairly good at hearing what he wanted to hear, Pandora mused for what would not be the last time that he’d do well in Slytherin if he could control that little temper of his. She looked over at the bottom of his shoes and noted internally that they were worn. It made sense. Coming from an orphanage, not many would have given him anything. A shame really, that his pure blood parents would disgrace their own lineage. She turned her eyes back to Rowen’s face and noted all the anger in his eyes. Without so much as raising her voice, Pandora began to speak once more as if patiently trying to teach a child. “I have no great love for muggleborns but I’ll admit to having less for pure bloods that disgrace themselves when simple manners will suffice. As I said, blood isn’t everything, but it still counts for something.” She gave him a sly smile that bordered on unpleasant. “I never said I was generous, but yes, I was perhaps offering to show you the light.” The smile softened into something a little less dark and she coked her head to one side while studying him. “Besides,” she drawled, “I don’t think you need or want anyone’s generosity. You seem more like someone who’s got something to prove.”

She cast him a knowing smile and knew that would hit home. Rowen had grown up as one of many in a nameless sea of unwanted children. His temper spoke of someone trying very hard to keep everyone at bay and his defensiveness thus far had told her exactly what she would need to say. Rowen was out to prove something, Pandora was almost certain of it. What remained to be seen was whether he was trying to prove it to everyone else…or to himself.

[rowen]

As he leaned back into the corner of the chair he let his eyes close. Hearing the words she said as if it were some casual event. She was just a Slytherin showing some pity for the poor little reject Hufflepuff placed in the wrong house. Everyone could tell that he belonged anywhere other than here, and Slatherin was the most likely place for someone like him. She started trying to cover her tail. Speaking about mudbloods and pure bloods. According to this new theory of hers he was worse than a mudblood now because he didn't show some form of manners. Manners were over rated anyway. People with manners just thought they had someone to impress. People with manners cared what someone else thought of them.

He stayed motionless, seemingly comfortable in his relaxed position until she said her final sentence. She said that he had something to prove, and that he didn't want her generosity. His eyes shot open and he looked over at her, his arms crossing in front of his chest. "I made it this far with out help from anyone. Even that orphanage was worthless. I don't need anyone's generosity--not even yours." He sighed for a moment, looking away from her. "And as for something to prove," He paused a moment, before looking back at her. "Maybe I do."

[pandora]

Pandora frowned a little at Rowen as he sat, all but ignoring her, with his eyes closed. Ire began to rise in her and Pandora found herself quickly losing her own temper. Who did this little boy think he was? He should feel grateful someone had put up with his attitude as long as she had. The irritation was quickly shoved aside though as Rowen opened his eyes once more to look at her. Apparently her last comment had hit a nerve just as she intended. Pandora was not about to be so easily ignored. His response was exactly what she assumed it would be. Rowen had spent his life being tossed aside, he had to grow up fast and on his own for the most part. Pandora, who had lived her whole life with her mother, certainly could relate to raising yourself. It gave them both a toughness and strength that neither child should have to know.

Rowen crossed his arms angrily as he spoke but his eyes gave him away as he broke eye contact when thinking about having something to prove. As he looked back up at her, Pandora sat perfectly still, allowing him to see that there was no pity in her eyes. Pity, she felt, was below them both. “I never offered any generosity, as I said earlier. I wouldn’t insult you with it. You’ve spent you whole life struggling and fighting for everything. Even your very identity.” Pandora said knowingly. She herself had never had the problem of wondering who she was supposed to be, she’d been handed that at least and had been able to rattle off her full title since she was two years old. However, Pandora was fairly good at understanding the motivations of others and could well understand that having a name handed to you didn’t mean you knew what to do with it. Pandora had her mother to show her what she needed to do if she was to live up to the family name. Rowen had no one but some muggle loving orphanage.

“I can respect that,” she continued, “I suppose the questions you should be asking are ‘what do you have to prove?’ and ‘who are you trying to prove it to?’” Pandora leaned casually on one elbow against the arm of the couch; things had just started getting interesting.

[rowen]

His eyes remained on her after he admitted that perhaps he did have something to prove. She acted very much as he thought she would. She was far to proper and well behaved. She was the type every though thought would never be an problem, but he had spent enough time in the orphanage, seeing kids come and go, to know she was the kind you really had to worry about. It was the quite ones who did all the thinking, and before you knew it, they would be two steps ahead of you.

He didn't answer right away when she made reference to exactly what he had to prove and to whom. It was more complicated than just what and who--not that he ever expected her to understand. It wasn't just something that he had to prove, it was everything. And it wasn't just someone he had to prove it to. It was everyone.
After a long moment he let out a deep breath, his eyes still on her "Does it really matter? Having something to prove is having something to prove no matter what it is or who its directed toward. Besides, everyone has something to prove. Its forces society to keep progressing."

He finally let his eyes leave her again, as he glanced around the room, looking at the students that surrounded them. Everyone here was trying to prove something to someone, even if that someone was simply themselves. By the looks of it, there was a Slytherin in the back corner trying to prove their strength by picking on a Ravenclaw. The Raven trying to prove her brains by talking her way out of the mess. It was how the world worked. He let his gaze slowly wander back toward Pandora, and an eyebrow raised slightly. He wondered what she had to prove. Maybe that she was a strong enough Slytherin to convert a Hufflepuff. Or maybe she was simply trying to prove that she was her own person.

[pandora]

A look of genuine interest crossed Pandora’s face for a moment at Rowen’s unexpected answer. She hadn’t really been waiting for him to make such an intelligent and well thought statement. The boy certainly had promise. Pandora allowed what equated to a very small smile, though it held absolutely no warmth. “Very well thought out reply. I can see my decision to have a conversation with you was a wise one. You are correct in saying that everyone has something to prove, but incorrect in saying it doesn’t matter. Only when you really understand what you’re trying to prove and to whom, will you succeed in proving it. Everything else is wasted effort.” Her emotionless doll-like eyes continued to watch him as though she were looking for some sign of weakness, some clue that he wasn’t worth her time. “You, for example,” she began softly, a note of something secretive and heavy in her voice, “need to prove something to yourself more than anyone else, whether or not you realize it.”

There was no malice or mockery to her voice, it was calm and dead; a lifeless doll spewing simple facts. “To hear that might anger you, but long after you take out that anger on me, you’ll go to sleep tonight and think about what I said. A world that should have held you aloft and given you love and understanding, instead abandoned you to figure out who you are all on your own.” Pandora sat up easily and offered something resembling a soft sad smile. “You need to prove to yourself that they were wrong in giving you away so easily before you can prove that to anyone else.” The seconds elapsed like hours as she waited for him to either listen to her or erupt in the anger she half expected.

Then again, with Rowen, Pandora was never really sure what to expect so far.

[rowen]

He had hardly let her finish her first statement before he cut in with more if his own takes on the topic, thinking before hand that it was nice to finally have someone to say something intelligent to. It seemed that anyone who came through the orphanage had rocks for brains, and his house mates were hardly any better.
"It matters to the person, but not to the outside world. Or not at lease for its purpose to be completed."

Pandora immediately followed up his interjection with her own take on whom it was he to prove himself to. When she said it was himself he could feel the anger bubbling inside of him, and a thousand quick remarks burned to be spoken. If she were a boy he would have balled his fist and hit her, but for some code of chivalry he wasn't sure exactly how he had picked up, he would never hit a girl. It wasn't until she let on that she expected him to get mad and be angry that he stopped himself. She expected it of him, or wanted it of him, and he made a point of never being what someone expected him to be.
"Maybe I do have something to prove to myself. But how about you? If your perceptive enough to understand all this, who are you trying to prove yourself to?"

[pandora]

Rowen’s little interjection was once again intelligent so Pandora let it slip without comment. She was rather enjoying this boy. He was a never ending world of surprises. As she had been speaking, Rowen seemed to be getting angrier and angrier and she was fully expecting him to explode like some volcano when she was finished. Once again though, Rowen was not what she expected and his impending eruption was suddenly gone, replaced by what seemed to be an acceptance of her words. Quickly though, Rowen turned the tables on Pandora and asked the same question of her. Inside her head, a little voice echoed her mantra once again, “Knowledge is power." and Pandora was uncertain how much power she was willing to impart upon this boy yet. Instead, she offered him a small appreciative smile to let him know she was pleased at his reaction. The smile held a small note of sadness that seemed to rise into her eyes, which, for once, did not look quite so dead.

Pandora shrugged non-commitally. “I know who I’m trying to prove something to, but I don’t know if that’s information I am yet ready to divulge. One has to be careful in Slytherin house. The smallest piece of knowledge can be used as the fiercest weapon against you.” Her smile took on a secretive tone and she once more cocked her head like a small bird as she watched him. “I have to be very careful about what information I let slip. Perhaps, in time, if I feel more comfortable around you, I might just tell you such things. For now, I’m still trying to decide what to make of you. You’re like no one I’ve ever met before. A whole world of contradictions.” Her tone was not accusatory but, but instead seemed genuinely interested. “I’ve made several determinations just by watching you. What about you? What do you think of me? I’m interested to see how much you’ve picked up about me from our small conversation.”