Tough Situation ((Noalan, Rachel, Leo))

[Elaine Bentley R6]

Elaine ran her fingers through her thick hair as she looked around the neatly kept dorm room in search for her novel. Classes had rolled on for what seemed like forever that day, though they were more interesting than usual. She didn’t even think twice about falling asleep in Professor Binns class. Well, it was hard too with everyone sending secret Valentine messages to each other. It was Valentines Day, which meant most of the couples would go all gushy on each other. Elaine didn’t mind, in fact she was a hopeless romantic herself, but it got rather annoying. There were at least five floating notes flying across the room all in different animal or heart shaped forms. Elaine had been hit a couple of times with them, but she just ignored it and continued on with class. It wasn’t something to be upset over. Even though she had a slight temper problem, it took a lot just to send Elaine over the edge. That had never happened before, which was she quite relieved about. Noah always commented on her slight short temper. One reason maybe she could be annoyed with the holiday was because she never really had anybody to share it with. It was always just spent alone, maybe with Noah if he wasn’t going on any dates. Even though Elaine’s brother was a goofy Ravenclaw, he still got a lot of dates and had many friends. Elaine was different from her brother though. She was still trying to discover her personality, and it seemed like guys were never really interested in her. She could be wrong, but it was just what she observed from the opposite gender. To be honest, Elaine didn’t even know if she was ready for a relationship. Well she was hoping to not have to deal with that anytime soon. She just wanted to take her time in finding someone. She wasn’t going to settle just for one guy at that moment like some of the girls she knew.

Finding her book from deep within her trunk, Elaine closed the lid shut, hearing the familiar click of the lock closing. She had already gotten her homework out of the way, and sending the rest of her afternoon with her friends in the Great Hall was out of the question. They would just go on and on about what their boyfriends got them, or about those flowers. Elaine couldn’t count the number of times she heard just that single word pop into a conversation. Shaking her head, Elaine rolled her eyes running moving a couple strands of loose brown hair from her face. Her hair was parted to the left that day and had a sort of curly look to it. She was still dressed in her uniform, but instead of just going by the regular dress code, she added some tints of Valentines Day spirit to her clothing. The cuffs of her white blouse were silk red, and she wore pins along the pocket of her black jacket that were shaped like hearts. Elaine was actually quite comfortable in her Hogwarts uniform. She didn’t mind the skirt, unless going outside and the tie was bearable. Untying the tie from the collar of her shirt, Elaine set it on the top of her banister before grabbing her bag and heading out of the dorm room. The courtyard sounded like a quiet enough place to read, or probably try to write. As that word entered Elaine’s mind, she groaned quietly to herself. She hadn’t had any inspiration or time to even sit down with an open clean sheet of paper in front of her. OWLs preparation had been taking up most of her time. Elaine wanted to do well on her exams. Maybe do even better than her brother. That would be nice, but probably not unlikely. Noah was a slacker, but she was too at times. Elaine knew when to be lazy and when not to be.

Humming quietly to herself, Elaine stopped in her tracks as she spotted someone familiar talking to a blonde haired girl. Tilting her head, Elaine smirked slightly seeing that it was only Noalan. It was the boy she had meet on the grounds by the lake. Elaine had been trying to find him ever since that meeting, but she couldn’t even spot him. Well, she could during any of the meal times, but it would just seem odd if a Ravenclaw just sat down at the Gryffindor table. She was about to walk in the other direction when she caught glance of his face. He looked quite annoyed by the girl’s flirty antics, but the blonde didn’t seem to take any notice. Debating whether or not to help, Elaine pondered the thought for a while. Sighing, she took a deep breath before making her way over toward the two. “Noalan!” Elaine exclaimed cheerfully, a large smile sliding across her face. Taking both of the Gryffindor’s hands into hers, Elaine pressed her body into Noalan’s, staring into his eyes. “I thought we were supposed to meet in the Student Lounge to study?” she began hoping that Noalan would catch onto what she was trying to put across. Glancing over at the other girl next to them, Elaine looked back and forth between the two before keeping her gaze on the boy’s face. “I hope you don’t mind if I steal him away from you.” Nodding, Elaine let one of Noalan’s hands go as she tugged him playfully along behind her as they made their way around the corner out of the other girls sight.

Laughing, Elaine let go of Noalan’s other hand as she looked behind him to make sure that the light-colored haired girl wasn’t following them. “I didn’t know that you were such a ladies man, Noalan.” Smirking, Elaine crossed her arms across her chest gazing up into his face. “How long was that girl swooning over you?”

[Noalan Bounds G7]

Valentine's day. What a silly, silly holiday. Or Noalan felt it was anyway. Don't misunderstand the poor guy. He was a romantic. There was no denying that. He just felt everyone went around this holiday in the wrong manner. All he saw was the same things over and over again. He was tired of the roses, chocolate, and teddy bears. He wanted to see some creativity put in this holiday. He wanted people to express their love better. To think more outside the box, rather then doing what they did ever single year. And this was only what he decided in the first few minutes during breakfast. The day got worse. Much worse. There was the usual posse of girls following him around, but today it grew. All the dateless. They knew he was a romantic, he would make this day worth their time. But none of them where his type. He had to grin and bear it, and run to class as fast as possible. He would watch as the girls would swoon over their guys, and sqeal over the next present and compare with their friends. It was nuaseating. His mind wasn't even in the lessons today. He was doodling, and writing. To the outsiders, which was everyone excluding him, it looked like notes. But it was his list of what he would give if he had a Valentine. Hand picked daisies, or rather her favorite flower ... hand picked, he didn't want to order them, it wasn't special if some else gathered them. Then there would be little oragami cranes with messages of his love, and they beauty she possessed. And he would take her out for a moonlight stroll, and a dance there in the light of the moon. That is if he had someone. Nole wasn't really into serious relationships. This would be the thing he would do if only he had some one serious. Or rather woo her, if that proved to be the case. But this girl, whoever she was, where she was, was rising his spirits ,he even talked to some of the girls during lunch. He was looking for AJ wondering what he had gotten Rachel. But, it was finally over. Not the day, the classes. That was something to feel happy about. He decided he would escape to the courtyard. No one would be missing him. He had done a good job escaping the girls so they wouldn't be able to find him, for once today he would be able to think.

He dropped his things off in the empty dorm. All the guys where out with their someones. Noalan smiled sadly, for the uptenth time wishing he had someone. But he dropped it, he knew he was only thinking this because it was Valentine's day. He pushed the thought out of his mind as he pushed the door open to the grounds. He made his way to the courtyard. Sure, it was dotted with random couples her and there. But he was alone. Or so he thought. As he took a seat and felt that victory and liberazation, some one sat down next to him. He smiled and breathed out slowly as he turned to see who it was. He was hoping it was someone he wanted to see, but it was just one of those days, nothing would go his way. And what do you know. It was Chelsea. She wasn't exactly a friend, rather the ex of one of his friends. And the diplomat that he was, he talked her through the break-up, making her believe that it was for the best. And of course it was. But that didn't mean she had to come over her and sit by him. But he was to nice to just simply send her off. "Hello Chelsea, having a good Valentine's day?" He asked her, but only to be polite. He really had no desire to know what she was doing, what she had done. Chelsea didn't know this though, so he let her talk, he just simply tuned her out letting his mind wander. Let himself think like he wanted to. A rather amusing thought crossed his mind. Who would he like to be speaking with right now. Obviously not Chelsea, but not AJ either. Then a face popped into his head. It was a girl he had met awhile back. Okay, a week ago. And he realized he would rather be there with her. She actully held his attention. In a positive way of course. A bit like he held the attention of all of these girls. He looked at Chelsea who was looking at him. She took this as a positive sign and carried on. Was she talking about cookies? She had lost him. He couldn't imagine what she was talking about. Hopefully it would soon be over. How true that was. Wishes really did come true,

From a distance he heard his name. It made Chelsea pause for a second and look around. They had matching expressions of confusion, only his had hope mixed in, while her's was annoyance. As a person came foward his face split into a grin. It was Elaine. She was smiling at him to. Well, maybe there could be some good about this day after all. He was rather shocked as she took his hands in hers, but didn't let it show, there had to be a reason, and it wasn't like it was bothering him. He felt her body press to his. Well, this was a new development, the last time the had danced she let go, he probably made her uncomfortable. She asked him if he remembered they where supposed to meet in the Student lounge to study. He searched his mind, but the look in her eyes let him figure it out. So he played along. "Sorry pet, it slipped my mind. Forgive me?" He asked in a teasing voice and a smirk on his lips, it was after all a show they where putting on. A show for a audience of one. Just Chelsea, he looked over at the Gryffindor girl. She seemed very confused. Poor girl, didn't even know what hit her. But he was obviously very pleased that Elaine, a girl he barely knew had come to save him. She was an angel in disguise. Before he knew what was happening she had dismissed them from Chelsea and pulled playfully on his hands and led him behind her. All he could do was follow. Not that he was complaining. "Uhm, well bye Chels." he told the blonde with a small smile before turning around so his back was to her and in in the direction of the other girl. The turned the corner and she let go off his hand. Well, there was that disappointed feeling in the pit of his tummy again. What was this girl doing to him? Not even he knew. But as she began to laugh he joined along, realizing that yes, it really was funny.

She teased him, so he was going to tease her back. "Well I didn't know you where a kidnapper." he told her smirking. He was feeling so much better about this day now. His smirk matched hers, she then crossed her arms over her chest and asked him a question. He had to laugh. He didn't even know how to anwser. "To be perfectly honest, i have no idea. There i sit and she just shows up. It a bit unnerving." He told her still laughing. "But i have you to be thankful for, you are my hero." He told her. No jokes this time. He was only smiling at her sweetly. Not trying to be dramatic, but Chelsea could have talked him to death, Elaine saved his life. "I was looking for your wings, but couldn't find them. How do you angels do it, i've always wondered." He continued.

[Elaine Bentley R6]

“Oh yes. I love kidnapping random boys on Valentines Day,” Elaine responded, a small smirk still curled on her pink lips. Noalan could probably tell she was only joking with him. He should know her well enough by know to know when she was being serious, or just teasing. It was strange really. Elaine wasn’t like this with anyone else besides Noalan. She liked to joke around with her friends, but Elaine’s friends were mainly girls, not guys. Plus, Noalan was possibly the most attractive guy in school. It made it all the more mystifying on her part. Elaine never taunted anyone. She only teased playfully, but if you crossed the line with her, she probably wouldn’t be too happy with that. Elaine did have a temper, but it was rarely ever shown. “Especially boys whose names are, Noalan Bounds,” she added her blue eyes twinkling playfully as she continued to stare at the Gryffindor’s face. Elaine listened as Noalan began explaining to situation with the blonde haired girl. So she just basically sat down next to him and began talking? Did most girls do that with him? She wouldn’t be surprised. There were some pretty confident girls out there, Elaine not being one of them. Well, she had the confidence enough to do what she had done to get him away from that girl. Elaine wouldn’t just do that with some random guy she didn’t know. “That’s…..strange. Then again it is the day of love. Almost every girl is on the hunt for someone.” Nodding, Elaine kept her arms crossed across her chest, drumming her fingers along sides of her body. “Honestly, was the name pet all you could come up with?” Elaine asked a slight laugh escaping her throat. “If so…might I suggest another name to call a girl? It just seems so….egoistic.” Shaking her head, Elaine tilted her head at an angle at Noalan’s next comment. Was he trying to call her an angel? “Angels never tell a secret.” She told him with a simple nod of her head.

“So…how have you’ve been besides the fact that mobs of single girls have been chasing you around the school?” Elaine asked untangling her arms from uncross her chest. Staring at the Gryffindor for a moment, Elaine then motioned for Noalan to follow. Taking a couple steps forward, but kept her pace slow enough for him to keep up. It was just like their walk on the grounds, minus the bitter chill. Glancing over her shoulder at the windows they passed, Elaine noticed slight flurries of snow flakes falling from the gray sky. Everything just looked so depressing during winter time. Spring was more Elaine’s power season. She loved the winds and thunderstorms it brought sometimes. There were also plenty enough plants coming into bloom to bring everything back to life. “I’m sorry about leaving you so soon last week on the grounds,” she began turning her full attention back on the boy who was walking slowly next to her. “I forgot that I had to meet up with Professor Flitwick.” Offering an apoplectic smile, Elaine stared straight at the coble stoned around. She had felt extremely bad for leaving Noalan like she had. Mainly because she was actually enjoying herself. Then after that moment, Elaine kept searching everywhere for the seventh year. It was odd how much she seemed to want to even find him. She thought he was cute…alright extremely good looking, but that didn’t mean she had a crush on him or anything. Sighing, Elaine didn’t even realize, but she was twirling her hair again between her fingers. It wasn’t strange for Elaine to start twirling her hair absent-minded as she pondered on endless, random topics. Just like she had been doing now. “You aren’t too mad are you?”

Elaine stared into Noalan’s eyes as she spoke those lines, her blue eyes reflecting seriousness into his own. Keeping his gaze, Elaine turned her head away again, letting her mind wander back to that day on the grounds. She was trying to remember what questions Noalan had asked before she had to leave. Maybe he was still interested in knowing something about her. “There was only really one thing that I could remember you asking me before I had to leave.” Smiling, Elaine looked back over her shoulder at the older boy. “You asked me what I was interested in,” she finished hoping that was somewhere along the lines of what he said. Noalan probably couldn’t remember word by word what the question was. Guys were just like that; forgetful. “Well….I guess Quidditch is one of my hobbies…..I’m on the Ravenclaw team, but I also like to write.” Smiling at the last word she said she nodded her head slowly. “I like to write poems and short stories on basically everything you could think of.” Smiling still, Elaine looked back over her shoulder. “What interests you besides dancing….and don’t you even dare think about trying to have me dance with you again right now.”

[Noalan Bounds G7]

Noalan laughed at her response. He had a tendency to always tease people, whoever they where, but Elaine kept up with him. This was a nice change. Everything he said didn't go over her head like most girls who would think he meant it for real. Her smiling face was much better than the confused ones he was used to. "So i'm not your first kidnappee of the day. Let me tell you, that loses the specailty of it all." He told her with a smile on his face and again his pretend sad voice. He was sure she could recognize it, after all he had used it before. When he wasn't exactly sure. Maybe when he was talking about class last time they had met. But he could say something about the last meeting and now. The weather was much better, he was able to look at her better with out the wind slapping him rudely in the face. And as he looked at her he had to smile. She looked so cute as she was teasing him back. "Are you telling me there are more than one Noalan Bounds?" Nole asked her with a slight gasp, but broke into a smile. He could only pretend for so long. There was no pretending he was having a better time with her in the few last minutes then he had all day. Very similar to their meeting. Hopefully she wouldn't just run off again. There was only so much his ego could take. He wasn't even sure why she had run off to begin with, or to where, last time they had met. But he tried to not worry about. I'd be lying if i said that Nole didn't ever think about her. But he would be walking outside, and something she had said would pop into his mind, and it would leave but not before a smile was put on his face. How peculiar it all was. He didn't it either. He embraced it. He had no problem with it. He himself looked for her during the week, but she was no where to be found. Later in the week he began to feel foolish, so he stop looking, and searching, and what do you know, she came to him. Life worked in mysterious ways. His mother had told him that many times through his life, it always proved to be right. And here it was again, another peice of evidence to the theory.

Noalan laughed and shook his head in agreement. It was rather strange. He also agreed ever girl was looking for somebody. "Every girl?" He asked her implying herself. Adding "So thats why you've kindnapped me." As an after thought. But it was true, everyone was looking for love, but in all the wrong places. If they waited it would come to them. Love couldn'r be rushed, you had to wait for. He was brought out of his thoughts by the drumming of her fingers on her arm. But he he looked at her face when she began to speak again. "Ouch, you know i rather like pet. What would you perferred? Love? Dear? Honey?" He asked her still smiling but as he said each pet name he put some meaning into each. "What other name would you perfer me to use?" He asked as she suggested she would. But pet names brought the two to another subject. Angels. "Angels never reveal their secerts? Well what if i guessed?" He asked her. The smile on his face had never faded. Thinking about angels reminded him of his mother yet again. She collected angels. Each had a specail meaning behind them, and one was missing. His five year old twin brothers had broken its wing. Noalan swore he was going to fix it, but, instead that night he gave it to the girlfriend of his best friend, he thought she could use it. After all, she seemed sweet enough, but he knew how the relationships always ended. He had heard of Rachel Cohen of course. She was quite the heartbreaker herself. But she had never dated his best friend, things were sure to be diffrent this time. For both of them. Since their mother's were best friends. It could complicate things a bit. But they where still together. Maybe the angel was working its magic on them, even with its broken wing. But here he was dwelling in the lives of others, barely even livng his own. Here he had things girl before him, one that was funny and cute, and was great, and he was thinking of his best friend and his girlfriend. He decided to lock AJ and Rachel in his mind, and not think of them while he was Elaine.

They began to walk, it strangely reminded him of their last walk. The snow, walking side by side, the pace. De ja vu. He decided he'd anwser her before his mind drifted to far away from him. "I've been busy, as always ,its my last year and with homework i've barely had time to breath." He told her with a small laugh. But it was true, he couldn't believe he would really be leaving Hogwarts. He had been coming her every year since he was eleven. Soon he would leave and have to start his life. But until then he would just enjoy himself. Her apoligy had caught him off gaurd. So he hadn't scared her off. "So your saying i didn't scare you off?" He asked her with a small laugh, showng her it didn't bother him,well now it didn't. It never did bother him, only confused him. He bit back his smile as she began to twirl her hair. She didn't look aware that she was doing. He wanted to snap her out of her trance. "And you ...? How have you been? Finished that homework?" He asked her, smiling remembering the conversation once more. She asked if he was mad. He laughed, that was cute. "No, i was never mad. A bit confused i'll give you that. It takes alot to make me mad." He told her still laughing, but her eyes showed seriousness, he gave her a soft smile. He wasn't sure where they were walking towards. But he let her lead, maybe she knew. Maybe they where just wandering aimlessly, but that was fine by him. The people around them seemed to involved with each other to pay any mind to the two as they walked on. There was silence between them again. But he let it sit. He welcomed it, after all she had saved him, he couldn't complain. Even though silence normally drove him insane, he liked it as he walked with her.

“There was only really one thing that I could remember you asking me before I had to leave.” she said smiling at him. "Oh what was that?" Nole asked her trying to remember. “You asked me what I was interested in,” He continued. "Ah, yes, i do remember now, so what are you intrested in?" He asked her again. She told him Quidditch was one of her hobbies, and that she played for the Ravenclaw team, he would have to pay closer attention at the next game. It was coming up soon wasn't it? Her other hobby drew him. Writing, that was his hobby as well. He wouldn't reveal that. But it was. He listened to her list the things she wrote, and he marveled, how strange that they had this in common. She asked him his other intrests besides dancing, and dared him to dance with her again. "Awm come on, you had fun last time." He told her with a smile. "Well my other intrests are ..." He trailed off thinking. "Hmm, i'd say reading. I like to read." He told her laughing.

[Elaine Bentley R6]

Elaine continued to stare into Noalan’s face, her head still tilted at a slight angle. She loved the fact that there was a smile on his lips, but yet his voice held a sad tone. This only meant that he was only joking with her. It was the exact same tone Noalan had used with Elaine when they were talking about History of Magic. It was strange how their second meeting seemed so bizarrely like their first. Maybe because they had never finished their conversation the first time the two had met? Anyway, who could smile and be sad all at the same time? Well, Elaine had noticed from movies that during a love scene that people cried, but still smiled through it. Those were tears of joy though. That was obvious. Elaine loved to watch muggle movies, but she seen only one with her father. She was still trying to learn about the non-magical world. “But you should be lucky that you’re the last boy on my list to kidnap today,” she told him with a slow nod of her head. A bright smile curled from the corners of her lips causing her blue eyes to sparkle. Whenever Elaine was truly happy, her eyes sparkled. Most of the time her eyes held this calm, gray emotion in them. It was almost like a peaceful storm. “All the others only held my attention for a short while.” Smirking, Elaine really hoped that Noalan knew she was teasing with him. Being flirty wasn’t something that she was good at. All her friends tried to help her, but in the end she’d always make a fool of herself. There was that one time when she finally gathered the courage to walk up to a guy she had a huge crush on and try talking to him. She had spoken way to fast and long in that high preppy voice that people tried to mock. In the end the boy wasn’t even paying any attention to her. He just walked away. Sighing, Elaine shook that thought from her mind. “I’m pretty sure there is only one Noalan Bounds…unless you made copies of yourself…or have a twin. Other than that you’re original…so you don’t have to compare yourself to all the other kidnappes.”

Smiling for a brief second, Elaine’s eyes soon grew barely wide in shook by Noalan’s next comment. Did she really honestly steal Noalan for herself to just find love? Was she personally trying to find someone special for Valentines Day? Elaine hadn’t thought of Noalan in that kind of way. She had a slight crush on him, but that was only physical. You can have a crush on someone and think their cute, but not really like them. Elaine still wanted to get to know Noalan, but it didn’t stop her from wanting to think about finding love. With anyone…or maybe even Noalan. Oh…Elaine didn’t know. Suppressing a slight blush, Elaine rolled her eyes as she stared straight into Noalan’s bright green ones. “Maybe in your dreams, Noalan,” Elaine implied quickly, adverting her gaze from the Gryffindor’s. “But…who wouldn’t want to find to love? Isn’t that honestly what a human’s soul purpose to live is to find that one special person who can change their lives forever?” she asked quietly, staring down at her feet. Elaine had a lot of time to think about that question. Why were humans put on this earth to live? Elaine wasn’t religious like some of the muggles she had met. She had set moral values, but she honestly didn’t think about believing in a ‘god’. Recollecting her thoughts, Elaine turned back around as she heard Noalan’s soft voice. All those other nicknames didn’t seem to fit. “I like those nicknames…but they just seem too…boyfriend and girlfriendish.” Nodding Elaine stared at the stone wall for a second until it finally hit her. “How about…angel?” she asked with a slight twinkle in her eyes are she thought of it. “It doesn’t seem too romantically involved…but yet what a friend would say to another friend.” Smiling, Elaine waited for Noalan’s comment until smirking at another one of her thoughts. “You can call me any of those other names if we ever pretend to be girlfriend and boyfriend again.”

Nodding at Noalan’s mentioning of being busy, Elaine listened to the sound of their footsteps as the boy asked about how her life was going. “My life is just as hectic, maybe even more. It is OWLs year…so basically my schedule consists of studying, homework…and late night study sessions.” Frowning at the thought of her last bit, Elaine couldn’t count the numbers of time which she stayed up late into the morning just working on schoolwork. She hadn’t been able to sleep much lately, which was beginning to show on her face with slight dark circles that were beginning to collect under her eyes. They weren’t that noticeable, especially not that day since Elaine had been sleeping fine for the past two weeks. “Have you thought about what you wanted to do after Hogwarts?” Elaine asked as she glanced over her shoulder at Noalan. He was a seventh year, two years older than she was. If they were going to become close friends by the end of the year and he left the next, Elaine would be quite sad. She enjoyed being with Noalan, even though this was their second time talking. “How in the name of Dumbledore would you even think that you scared me away?” Elaine finally asked realizing that Noalan had just spoken. She tried hard not to chuckle at her own little mention of the previous headmaster. It was going to be different with Headmaster Dumbledore around. “Homework? Oh….I should be working on that…but I need a break from staring at a boring textbook for hours.” Nodding, Elaine smiled returned Noalan’s smile as he explained more about her departure last time. She didn’t want to confuse him, or put any other ideas in his head. Elaine just had to leave. “Well…you don’t have to worry about that now…I and my twelve toes are going to stay with you.”

There was silence between them for a while, but it was the kind that you could cut a knife through. It was the type that was comforting…almost protecting. “I so did not have fun dancing with you, Noalan!” Elaine claimed crossing her arms across her chest and pouting at him. “Alright…maybe a little,” she finished laughing as she untangled her arms down to her side. As Noalan began to explain his other interest, Elaine grinned as she heard it was reading. Well…that was one thing that they had in common. She didn’t know too many guys who liked to read that weren’t in her house. Well, there was Noah, but he was a Ravenclaw and didn’t count. “Reading is fun….what kind of stuff do you like to read?” Elaine gazed into Noalan’s face for a while, her eyes clearly holding some interest. “Don’t tell me it’s those kinds of books with a male hero saving the world?”

[Noalan Bounds G7]

The wait for her reply to his never ending teasing was quiet. The silence was sitting there smiling in that smug way. Just daring one of them to say something. Noalan was sure it wouldn't be him. Not this time. He took the time to look once more at this girl before him. He noticed how she was tilting her head at an angle, yes, she often did this in conversations he noticed. At least he knew she was paying attention, always a plus. He smirked a bit, but that soon turned into a smile as she finally did break the silence. "Lucky? Why do you say that Miss Bentley?" He asked her with a new type of smile. It had alot to do with the girl in front of him, and of course their conversation, but it was brought on by the way her smile caused her blue eyes to sparkle. Two gems, he was captivated, almost forgot what he had said, what he was thinking, all was lost. But he pulled back to reality, as he often did. But as he did he felt that familiar feeling of inspiration. Yes, he could see it in his mind. But he would wait, because it could wait. "How can you be so sure i'll hold your attention longer?" He asked her wondering the same thing. But he himself knew there where things that just felt ... right, things you just knew. Sometimes who just knew, follow your gut and all that, thats what partically lead him to her in the first meeting anyway. He wasn't going to doubt it now, or anytime soon. He repeated what she had said in his head once more, and ... wait ... what was that he was catching? This was a bit more then just playful teasing, she was flirting with him. Or was she? Was he reading to much into it? Well, you could never tell with Nole. He smiled in that way one does when they want to say something, but change their mind just before the words spill from their mouths. He didn't say anything after his last statement, which was okay, it was her turn to speak anyway. That is the way conversations worked. "Well, i'm smart, but not that smart. I don't think i've cloned myself, nor do I think I have a twin bother. So, i'll have to follow your advice." He told her with a small laugh and a smile.

He smiled with a laugh, there was alot of that going on today. Or rather during this conversation. "Now you know what i dream about. I didn't know angels possessed that power?" He told her his smile softer this time. "I thought the purpose of life is a life of purpose." He told her. He had time to think about that. He believed in love like he believed in Merlin, but he knew people who where perfectly happy without another by their side. They had a meanigful life. And though he lived by that philosphy, he hoped love was for him. He wanted it more then anything, but there was a bigger plan for him then he could imagine it. "Angel fits you perfectly." Noalan said in response. He wasn't a liar, so knew his words must be true. But it was the softness of his tone that suprised him. He looked away before he would say something he might later regret. He laughed at her next comment. "And when do you think we'll be playing boyfriend and girlfriend again? If its any time soon i think we should practice." He told her with a teasing smile. He wasn't sure he was implying either. He was just letting words come out, he wasn't thinking. Oddly enough, he didn't mind. It was very unlike him to speak without thinking. He wasn't one to usually offend people, therefore he thought about what he would before he did. Not thinking about his replies, or letting these stray thoughts in his mind out, felt so strange. Diffrent, but in a good way. He didn't think she would be one to be offeneded, that added a layer of comfort to it as well. He smiled a secert smile to himself. The thought of comfort reminded him of how comfortable he was with Elaine. That was rather strange of course, he had only met her once. But that ... whatever it was, was there. He couldn't deny he felt comfortable around her. The question was how did she feel around him? Was he the only one who felt this way?

The sound of their footsteps crunching in the snow sounded as one. And this distracted him for a moment as he tried to her each individual step. Coming out unsuccessful he gave up. "Aw, OWLS, what a year. Its important to remember there's more the life then school, to go out and have some fun." He told her trying to sound wise. And why not? He was older, he had already been through that, he had passed and he had fun that year. Noalan Bounds; the multitasker. Wasn't he amazing? He looked at her as she mentioned late night study sessions, he wanted to see if the evidence was there. No, he couldn't see anything. He laughed at her next question. Of course he knew what he wanted to do after Hogwarts. He would open a bookstore until he had written his first book, and see where things went from there. "Yes, I think i'll open a book store, and I was always fond of cafes, so after I make some money from the book store i'll open one of those." He told her a bit embarressed, he hadn't told anyone else what he wanted to do. But he couldn't bring himself to tell her that it was temporary until his writing career took off. He knew writing was his passion since he was little. Since then he wrote all the time. It started out as just to vent. But then he began expermenting with styles, and he began to make things about. To write about fictional people. He soon discovered how easy writing came to him. And since then, he wrote whenever he could. Lately most of the things he wrote where love stories. He couldn't help it. After all it was near Valentine's day, love was on his mind. Kind of like his perfect girl. Always on his mind. He was getting tired of just waiting for her. He knew he couldn't just rush anything, but he was scared she would never come. “How in the name of Dumbledore would you even think that you scared me away?” She asked and he was pulled from his thoughts. "I thought i made you feel uncomfortable with the sudden dancing and all ..." He let himself trail off. He wasn't even sure what he was saying anymore.

"Well i'm sure you, me, and your tweleve toes will have a great time." Noalan told her with a smirk remembering that part of the conversation. It brought a smile to his lips. They actully had inside jokes. The silence returned, but he just let it sit. It was broken when he had brought up dancing. She refused to admit she had fun. "Not even a little?" He asked her with a smile. “Alright…maybe a little,” She finally admitted. "See. I thought so. No one can not enjoy dancing with me." He told her laughing. “Reading is fun….what kind of stuff do you like to read?” She said in response to his his anwser. "I read anything i can get my hands on. Right now i've started the Shakerspeare thing. Reading his tragedies right now. I perfer them. Just finished Romeo and Juliet, greatest love story of all time they say. But i disagree. It wasn't love. It was immature infatuation. It wasn't love, just like." He told her and laughed at himself. "Sorry for rambling." He apoligized.

[Elaine Bentley R6]

“Lucky?” Elaine questioned, staring down at her feet as they continued to walk down the long corridors. She didn’t exactly know where they were heading to. There wasn’t anywhere that Elaine needed to go. They were just walking. Anyway, it was to make up for her leaving so abruptly on their last outing together. “You’re lucky because I didn’t hang out with all those other guys nearly as long as I have with you. That’s a good sign there,” she finished, lifting her gaze to Noalan’s height. He was almost three inches taller than Elaine, which made her feel short, and slightly intimated. After all, Noalan was two years older than Elaine, which meant he was more mature. Elaine was very mature for someone her age. She always had been polite. Most middle children growing up in large families always acted out for more attention. She had never done such a thing. Ok, there was that one time when she left her younger sister, Abigail, outside while babysitting. That was only a one time occurrence though, after that day Elaine was ten times more careful around her sister. Abigail still annoyed the pants off of her older sister, but deep down, Elaine loved being with her. It made her feel like a child again hanging out with an eight-year old. Waiting for him to reply, Elaine’s blue eyes landed on Noalan’s lips, which were curled into a sweet smile. He had a really pleasant smile. It was….cute. Blushing slightly at her thoughts, Elaine tried to push back her girlish impulsions as Noalan’s soft voice chimed through her ears. “That sounded like a warning, Noalan.” Raising her eyebrows at him, Elaine crossed her arms across her chest, stopping on her heels. “You aren’t going to ditch me anytime in the next few minutes, right?” she asked, Elaine’s blue eyes staring hopefully into Noalan’s. She really did hope he wouldn’t leave. She was having way to much fun teasing with him. “Now, that would be a quite rude move that you would pull if you did.”

Shaking her head, Elaine uncrossed her arms as she started walking back forward again. They were quiet for a moment as they rounded the next corner of the winding halls. It was Noalan who spoke, his words catching Elaine off guard. Was that something he really dreamed of? Having a girlfriend? Elaine would have thought he would be taken since a lot of the girls she knew had major crushes on him, but maybe Noalan was just looking for the right one. Just like Elaine was. She wasn’t going to settle with just anybody. It just had to have that connection that said, ‘we were meant to be’. Elaine hadn’t come across anybody that made her feel like that yet. “Like I said, angels never tell their secrets.” Offering a small smile, Elaine listened to Noalan’s next comment nodding her head slowly. He was right. She just hadn’t ever thought of life in that way before. Keeping quiet, Elaine just nodded her head again digging her hands into the pockets of her jacket. The castle was surprisingly warm. Well, warmer than it was outside. Looking over her shoulder at Noalan, Elaine felt her breath get caught in her throat at the softness of his tone. It was just….so protective. No one had ever spoken like that toward Elaine. Well her father did, but this was different. Smiling, Elaine looked away listening to Noalan’s laugh and joining along. “I honestly don’t know. Maybe that was only a one time thing, unless, another girl bores you to death. Though, you won’t have to worry about guys flirting with me. That doesn’t happen.” Looking away after her statement, Elaine stared along the edges of the wall. Her blue eyes traced the lines within the cemented stone. Elaine had always thought the opposite gender wasn’t attracted to her. That there was just something wrong with her. “Do you think we need practice though? I thought I was doing an excellent job before.”

Smirking at her last line, Elaine finally tore her gaze away from the wall and on the boy next to her. Rolling her eyes at his mention of not devoting her time into studies, Elaine kept quiet. He was right, but there really wasn’t anything else to do around the castle. With school work and Quidditch practices, Elaine tired to fill that empty time in with sleeping. Though now, she had gotten away from everything and was hanging out with Noalan. Elaine was really glad for that. He was like her escape. It was a good escape. As he began explaining about his future, Elaine listened eagerly, quite interested in what the seventh year wanted to do with his life. His answer was quite surprising. Elaine would have guessed he wanted to join the ministry or maybe even become and Auror. Opening a bookstore was completely different. “That’s awesome. Have you thought of a name yet, though?” Elaine asked her blue eyes staring into Noalan’s, interest glimmering into his. As an idea came to mind, a small smile curled onto Elaine’s lips. “How about you add the café into the book store? Like someone can buy a book then get something to drink or eat? There are some stores like that, but not too many in Diagon Ally.” Nodding Elaine could remember going into her very first muggle book store. In the corner was a big section set aside with chairs and tables, people selling coffee and other baked good. Elaine wished she could spend more time in the muggle world, but her parents weren’t too interested. She didn’t even know if Noalan knew she didn’t know much about muggles. He was a half-blood from what she heard from some people. As the idea sat in for a while, Elaine kept quite until the topic soon switched back to her sudden departure of their last time together. Smiling at his slight worried expression, Elaine shook her head slowly. “I was uncomfortable, but that wouldn’t cause me to run away. It takes a lot to get rid of me.”

Chuckling slightly at the mention of the twelve toes, Elaine smiled happily to herself. It was almost like they were already close friends, and Elaine loved the thought, but maybe there could be something more? Feeling her eyes grow wide at the thought, Elaine shook her head to get rid of the thought. Luckily Noalan began explaining the types of genres her read. Nodding, Elaine felt surprised at the boy’s interruption of Romeo and Juliet. She had read only a little of Shakespeare’s work, but she liked it. It didn’t have too much love; it held a deeper meaning than that. “Don’t worry. You can rant all you want, because I agree. How could you possibly lay eyes upon someone and think they’re the one? Isn’t love a slow process….it could be ruined within a short amount of time.” Nodding, Elaine smiled slightly stopping as she noticed a window seat opening. Jumping up, she plopped herself onto the cushions, kicking her dangling legs. “Well, go ahead. Take a seat. Unless my twelve toes are going to freak you out.” Grinning at her taunting Elaine waited for Noalan. “I’ve only read a couple of Shakespeare work, but my favorite so far has to be Julius Caesar. I know it doesn’t have any form of love in it, but it shows the boundaries of loyalty and how easily influenced people can be.”

[Noalan Bounds G7]

Noalan smiled secertly to himself. His mind was working over time, but in a good way. She made it so easy to just come up with something to say. He himself didn't have to even watch what he was saying. No need to reconsider his wording options. He was being himself and that was a bit of an achievement in itself. "Well i'm glad your willing to hang out with me, from here on out i'm considering myself lucky." He told her with a bit of a smirk on his face. His emerald eyes never leaving her face. Meeting her blue eyes as she looked up at him. "Yes, its a good sign. I'm scared to be perfectly honest though. What will happen to me after I no longer hold your attention? What do you do after the kidnappee is unintresting to you? Do you kill them? Turn them into frogs? Lock them up in your dungeon? I would like to know my fate." He told her laughing at the strange things coming out his mouth. "Then again, I doubt angels do that." He told her still chuckling a bit. He looked away and the straight ahead, and wondered once more where they where going, but figured it was no big deal. He was satasfied, where ever it is they ended up in. "A warning miss?" He asked her a bit teasingly. Then again, when wasn't he teasing her? He couldn't help she looked a bit flushed. Was the cold stinging her cheeks? Was he going to leave her? He couldn't believe she would even ask that question, but she stopped walking so he guessed she really did ask. He stopped to. Only in front of her, blocking her way. "Ditch you. You say that as if i'm not held hostage." He told her with a laugh. "But, even if i wasn't i would still stay. I'm having a little to much fun, and who knows, Piranhas like Chelsea hide everywhere looking, and waiting. If you where to tell me to leave, now that would be worse. Rude even." he told her. He was smiling, but he defiently meant it. So she was holding him hostage as he was saying, but he was staying. And somewhere in his mind he knew if she asked him to leave, it would be worse then if she just left. But he wasn't going to worry about that, they where there together. No one was leaving.

She began to walk again as soon as he moved. There was that calming silence. The one he only had when she was around. Something about it was so secert, so gentle, so powerful he was afraid to break it. But he did sneak a glance at her. Elaine was a bit shorter than he was. This made him smile. It made him think about a different topic. He normally dated girls shorter than he was. It was cute. And for a brief moment he thought about Elaine in that way. In the way that she was more than a friend. But he shook that thought out of his head. It shouldn't be there. Their conversation turned back to angels. "Well if your not going to tell me, at least let me guess. Is it like a feeling?" He asked her. These elaborate things popping into his head he wasn't sure if he would be able to get it all out. Sometime that was how his brain worked. "Do you sense it when we dream? Is that how you knew to rescue me from Chelsea, because I was thinking about yo-" He caught himself before he said 'you'. He looked away, blushing a bit. He didn't want her to think it was strange. That was what happened when one didn't think before they spoke. Things came out of there mouths that weren't always okay. Her next comment took him completly off guard. "Seriously?" He asked her completly amazed. "I think your lying." He told her laughing. He couldn't believe it. Guys had to flirt with her. After all she was smart, and pretty, and funny, and even the most shallowest of guys would have to be mesmorized by her blue eyes. There was no way she was being honest. He laughed. If only she knew about the other girls, girls who only wanted him because of his and AJ's reputations. "Don't worry, Chelsea will want to continue our coversation. You can rescue me again." He told her, he was smiling that one smile, he could feel his dimples. "See, you did an excellant job as my girlfriend, I on the other hand wasn't convincing enough. And that hurts my feelings." He added.

She seemed to think his dream was a good idea. Some how he knew that since she didn't think it was stupid, neither would his mother. "No, no ideas on a name yet. But i've got the money saved up already. I've been working with my dad every summer since the twins where born. It pays well." He told her laughing. Talking about family stuff was something he always did when he felt comfortable with some one. "But on the subject of names do you have any suggestions?" He was intresed in what she had to say. Listening to her next idea a smile played on his lips as well. It was a great idea. "This, my friend, is why your in Ravenclaw and i'm not. Its a brillant idea, i'm suprised i didn't think of it." He told her totally amazed. He thought about his dream shop once more. Wow, in a few months he would own it. It was amazing. And such a strange idea for him to wrap his mind around. Soon he would be leaving Hogwarts for good. It was such a scary step. Sometimes he wondered if he was ready for it. But it wasn't like he had a choice. It would happen if he was ready or not, he might as well accept it. But he was pulled out if his thoughts by her next comment. He smiled at it. "Face it Elaine, the reason you didn't run is because you like it. I'm going to take that smile as a yes." He told her laughing. He was enjoying himself.

He listened to her and shook his head in agreement. "I don't think its love at first sight, but i do believe there is something a bit like that. Like when two people just click. Love maybe be a slow process, but like is not. I think its a like that is a bit more. That has the potential to be more. As for Romeo and Juliet, I think it was that. And it grew, espically when they got the thrill from being enemies and going behind their parents back." He told her. He was glad she was allowing him to talk about this. The only person he could really talk about this was with his mother, but she like to argue that it was love. That their love was to pure for this world, that was why they died, or rather killed themselves. The love actully won in the story. Noalan disagreed. He thought the them of the story was, that hate conquears all. When he had told this to Vanessa she laughed at him. "Your to young Noalan my boy.' She had told him. 'One day your going to find her, its going to be love at first sight. Your going to feel this connection with her. Something that you can't even explain.' Well he was alot older now, still no girl. They approached a window seat and Elaine took a seat a dared him to take on beside her. He smirked right back at her. "I think i can handle them." He told her teasing back. He was suprised when she told him which was her favourite. "Intresting. I found William Shakespeare a very perverted man. Not only in Romeo and Juliet, the puns there where quite obvious, but in Julius Caesar as well." He laughed, he knew someone else had to notice it.

[Elaine Bentley R6]

Elaine grinned to herself upon hearing Noalan calling himself lucky to be hanging out with Elaine. Ah. He was finally catching onto what she was trying to get across. Though, Elaine secretly felt inside that she didn’t deserve someone to be fortunate to be with her. Maybe it was her somewhat lack of self esteem and confidence that made Elaine think in such negative ways about herself. It was hard not to look upon oneself in such a manner though. That’s how people became better. Through self evaluation. Elaine was just a kind of girl who did that often. Laughing at Noalan’s next comment on means of torture, Elaine just shook her head slowly. “Well, I wouldn’t go as far as killing someone that becomes uninteresting,” Elaine stated first her eyes meeting Noalan’s as she spoke. Usually Elaine would go completely blank like before if she looked, but she wasn’t that time. Maybe it only happened in the heat of the moment? Like when they were dancing. “I would just probably ignore them, and act as if they never meant anything to me.” Smirking at the thought, Elaine couldn’t help but find her answer somewhat true. She usually did try to avoid people she didn’t like. It was just a habit in human nature. There were some people who would just continue being that person’s friend, using them for their own advantage. That had happened to many times to Elaine which kept her blocked from the world. She was strangely opening up for Noalan though. It was so easy to be herself around him though. Elaine wished she could be this self-confident girl all the time. “I don’t think you’ll be losing any of my interest anytime soon. Unless you go around and do a jerky move like most guys do. For example maybe making fun of me, not even knowing I exist.” Frowning at the thought, Elaine knew deep down that Noalan wouldn’t do that to her. He just seemed….different. “I don’t think your that kind of a guy, but what happens if I become unexciting to you? Would you put me aside like a doll?”

They were now stopped in the middle of the hall, Noalan blocking Elaine’s way. The fifth year stared up into the Gryffindor’s face smiling at his comment. “I won’t be asking you to leave anytime soon.” With that, Elaine continued forward, silence drifting between the two. It was a peaceful stillness though. Elaine found comfort in it. Almost as if she was being protective. Smiling slightly at her thought, Elaine returned her attention to the boy next to her. He really wanted to know the mysteries behind angels. Laughing, Elaine rolled her eyes, shaking her head at Noalan’s first attempt. It felt somewhat right, but it didn’t exactly hit the nail on the board yet. “Your close,” she said with a small nod. “Though, I don’t think I’m telepathic…it would be a nice power to have, don’t you think?” Elaine asked wondering if that made sense. Maybe Noalan could figure out what she was trying to say. She couldn’t quite remember the word for someone who could feel others emotions. Elaine could have sworn it started with a M. “I’m still not telling you anything, Noalan, but you can keep on guessing if you wish.” Grinning, Elaine stared at the empty corridor in front of her. Where was everyone? There weren’t any classes going at this time of the day. At Noalan’s next words made Elaine’s heart thump loudly against her chest. Even though his sentence was cut off, she could still tell that last word added as a ‘you’. So was he really thinking of her when he was with Chelsea? Trying to hold back a smile, Elaine left his sentence at thought, surprised on how fast he changed the topic. “I’m being serious here, Noalan.” Elaine confirmed with a small nod of her head which soon tilted at an angle when Noalan spoke about their girlfriend and boyfriend experience. “What makes you think you didn’t do a good job? I thought you did alright not even knowing what I was trying to do. You should have seen the look on your face when I held your hands-” Smiling Elaine decided to leave out the part of her pressing her body into his. Elaine didn’t do it that often, and it surprisingly didn't make her uncomfortable…well now it didn’t.

Names for a bookstore? Was he really asking her this? Elaine was horrible at coming up with titles for her essays, how could she come up for a name. “Umm….” She hummed lightly, staring up at the ceiling, racking her brain for a possibility. “Maybe…The Spot?” Laughing at her pathetic name, Elaine shook her head slowly. “I’m not that creative, Noalan. I think you should come up with a name. It has to be classy, yet original. Something that people would not forget.” Nodding, Elaine looked over sideways at Noalan who was now sitting beside her on the seat bench by the window. She could feel her cheeks beginning to ache from the constant upward motion of her muscles. It was hard not to smile when Noalan was around. There was something about him that filled her up with such bliss. He wouldn’t know that. Well, at least now. She still had to get to know him. “You have twin brothers?” she asked finally realizing what he had said about saving up money. Elaine didn’t know anything about Noalan’s past. Maybe now would be a good time? “What else is there that I need to know about your family? Unless…you don’t feel comfortable talking about it with me. I of course would understand…” There she went babbling again! Sighing, Elaine kicked her legs out, stretching them while lifting her toes. Her body shook slightly as she let out a small lawn. She wasn’t bored with their conversation she was just a bit tired.

As the topic soon headed straight back toward Shakespeare, Elaine listened as Noalan spoke, staring down at her black shoes. “I still don’t believe that they truly loved each other. It was more lust then anything else,” Elaine began catching on to the bitterness in her voice. Sighing, Elaine shrugged looking sideways at Noalan. “I guess I can’t really understand what Romeo and Juliet had for each other. I’ve never been in love, so what am I to say about their so called love for each other?” Smiling a small smile, Elaine glanced down at the ground. She really wanted to find the love of her life, but she was willing to give it time. “I still think that they were in lust with each other…though the ending did throw me off. They would rather be dead and together then alive. I think they should have thought things through more. Been more rational. Though, readers blame the messenger for the lover’s death because he never delivered the message in time to Romeo.” Elaine nodded until she finally realized that one specific part of the play. “Yet...Juliet could have been dismissed from her family. Her father didn’t agree on her wanting to be with Romeo, but when she wanted to refuse marrying the other man, he told her she would be thrown out. Why could she just chosen that path and run away with Romeo?” Elaine questioned staring at Noalan with curiosity glimmering in her eyes. She had never been in such a debate like this before with anyone. It was fun. Blushing at Noalan’s mention of Shakespeare being perverted, Elaine looked away from the seventh year. She never really thought about that until now. “I…I never really noticed.” Laughing slightly, Elaine ran her fingers through her hair. “Now that I think about it…he sort of was.”

[Noalan Bounds G7]

Its had been several months since Noalan last visited his father, same went for his mom since he was at school. But seeing his father last break had been partically hard. Their two schedules just didn't mesh well. Noalan of course had to be over at his moms. He was watching the twins alot of the time, he also had plans with friends, and then his father was seeing someone, someone who was not his mothe. This was very unexpected, therefore causing a new obstacle for the Bounds men. It unnerved Noalan at first. His father was always one to make it clear that he still loved Vannessa, but I guess after seeing she moved on he finally did too. The woman was a muggle, just like his father. She was a psychologist. The one time that Nole had met the woman she had seemed nice, I guess would be the word. She was saying something about conversations. Something about not just listening but also about body language. So Noalan paid attention to Elaine's and smiled right back at Elaine as she smiled. Then the strangiest thing happened. He imagined once again she was there as more than just a friend. But as before he pushed the thought out of his mind and looked away, a tab bit embarrassed that he was thinking such things. But he turned back to her as she laughed at his comment about torture. "Tsk, Tsk Miss Bentley, thats not very nice. Just shutting people out." He told her with a smile trying to look as if he was disapproving. "Then again, i'm very presistant. You wouldn't be able to ignore me if you wanted to. Just a warning." he told her laughing. The continued to walk as all of this was going on. "Hmm, so i've got your attention now, and you say i won't lose it if i'm not a jerk." He repeated more to himself then to her. "I hardly think i'll be a jerk, and i'm offended that you would even suggest i would be one." He assured her. But he knew she knew that. "And don't worry. I know you exist. How can i not?" He asked her. He was thinking aloud now, barely knowing what he was doing. "You where intriguing from the first moment we met. And of course you saved me from Chelsea. How could one not notice an angel?" He asked her not being able to resist using his new nickname for her. He said many of those things looking into her eyes, but finally looking away.

He was caught off gaurd by her question. He couldn't help but laugh. "Unintresting? Did you miss what I just said?" he aked her still laughing. "I can't imagine you unintresting. But for the sake of argument ... hmm ... I would probably pass you off to Chelsea. Lets see how you'd be after an hour with her." He told her with a serious face, no trace of a smile. "Just kidding." He finally said the smile peircing through the serious exterior. “I won’t be asking you to leave anytime soon.” She told him and he smiled pleasntly to himself. The silence between them faded as the returned to the topic of angels. "Yes." Nole agreed. "I would be a nice power to have. It would so much easier to talk to people if I knew what they where thinking before we spoke." He told her. "Why guess if you won't say anything?" He asked her with a laugh. "Or rather when I have other methods?" He asked her just as he began to tickle her. As he stopped the subject was changed. Now about the girlfriend/boyfriend situation. "Oh, how did my face look?" He asked her with a raise of an eyebrow. He tried to think back, but couldn't remember. He was curious to know though.

He laughed along with her. Hmm. "Oh, I see. You won't be a help yourself but you give me the levels I need to achieve. I see how it is." He told her with a laughing, indeed thinking about what to call the bookstore. A name popped into his head. "I think i'll call it ... The Tattered Cover." He told her. "Classy? Original? Will people remember it?" He asked waiting for her critque. They continued to walk. The conversation turned to his family. Sh had asked him about his brothers. "Yeah, Alex and Wesley, they're five. Or as they'll say Five and a half, going on six." He told her with a laugh. he really did love his brothers. Sure they could be a handful sometimes. But all siblings where. "What else about my family? Well ... My moms remarried, my brothers are actually my half-brothers. My dad is a muggle. Dating another muggle woman now i'm sure. He's an American. Down from the heart of the South. Mom says it was his accent that drew her to him, he says it was her." He told her laughing. "But i'm sure you don't really care about that. Tell me about you. Whats your family like?" He asked her curious. He was pretty sure she had a brother. But he didn't know many details.

She shared his veiws on Romeo and Juliet. That was a first. Most girls would insist they where in love. That it could happen. He wasn't convinced. "I've never been in love either, but its supposed to be this intense feeling. How can one feel that for another when they first see them? How can they accept everything about a person with saying a word. Wanting all of them, not knowing their faults, or weaknesses. I think its riddiculs. There you have it. A Guys perspective on the greatest love story of all time." He told her laughing a bit sarcastic. "I think they where in over they're heads. I suppose death seemed rational. I don't think it was the messanger at all. It was the two families. They should have never been fighting. Hate is such a useless emotion." He told her, and wanted several people to hear him. Okay, only one. Leo, another Gryffindor who 'hated' Noalan. "I think because it was a tradegy, It had to end that way. There is no way to see into the mind of the master." He told her simply. He watched as she blush. Oh, he had gone and made her uncomfroatbale once more. "So sorry. was that unnessary?" He asked her with sadness in his eyes. He didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.

[Leo Keane G6]

Leo hummed to himself slightly as his finger brushed across the tips of all the book covers. The Library was filled with silence, expect for the hoarse gossiping of girls at the table only a few meters away. Leo turned his attention to the teenage girls as they flipped their hair over their shoulder, leaning in closer to one of another, whispering in their ear. They were probably gossiping about who had gotten together, and who hadn’t. Rolling his eyes at the pointless shocked faces of the girls, Leo returned his attention back on the shelves of books in front of him. He still had to find the one special book that would help with his essay for Transfiguration. Sighing, Leo continued to drawl his thumbs through the tattered surfaces of the bindings, his eyes scanning the variety of fonts. Some were printed more small, while others were large and obviously noticeable. His finger moved past the title he wanted causing him to stop and move his finger back toward the cover. “Ah…there you are,” he told himself quietly, grinning as he slid the book off from the self. Holding it upside right in his palms, Leo opened the olden book, dust filling his nostrils. Wiggling his nose slightly, Leo closed his eyes as he felt his head become a little light. He was allergic to dust, so only a few amounts of it could cause him to sneeze. Nothing happened. Reopening his eyes, Leo scanned through the book slowly making sure that it was just the right one. He had countless of times checked out books and found out that they weren’t any use to him. It was a waste of his time, but it was relaxing looking through books. Plus all the couples outside were making him sick. All the love stroked girls fawning over single men, or even the delightful squeals of girlfriends when they received a gift from their boyfriend. It made Leo sick, but mainly because he didn’t have a girl of his own. There really was only one worth his time; all the others that he pursued were just for fun.

Smirking at the thought, Leo closed the book shut as he glided across the hall smiling kindly toward the chatting girls and waving as he made his way toward Madam Pince. Setting the book down on the table, Leo waited as the old women used her wand to check the book over. “You still have another book out Mr. Keane. You need to return it before I can give you this one,” she stated sliding the book out from under the boy’s grasp. Leo smiled kindly as his hands gently pressed into the table. His eyes meet the older woman’s for a second, that smile still plastered on his face. “What if I returned the book tomorrow? You know I will Madam Pince.” Nodding, Leo waited as she thought the proposal through. “How many times have I never returned a book on time?” “Alright I see your point. Here you go.” She handed the book over toward Leo, who nodded slowly picking the book up from the counter. “Thanks. Have a good day Madam Pince.” Waving bye toward the Liberian, Leo shook his head to himself as she began to open his back pack up, dropping the book carefully among the others. He was still dressed in his uniform, but his tie hung slightly loose along his neck, but not as loose as some of the other boys were. Some of them also had on shirt half un-tucked. Leo ignored some of the stares he received in the hallway, continuing his way down the long corridors. He had to return back to the dorm room to write a letter back to his father. They were making plans for the summer already. Leo wanted to go to France to visit his mother, but his father probably wasn’t going to fall for it.

Pushing thoughts of his mother aside, Leo stopped in the hallway as he noticed a familiar figure sitting by the windows. It was Noalan Bounds, a Gryffindor a year above him, but was also in his Transfiguration class. Smirking at the girl that was sitting next to him, Leo leaned back on the wall as he observed the two. They looked like they were getting rather close. It even appeared the Noalan was actually taking some interest in this fifth year? Leo’s eyes laid upon the girl’s crystal colored one noticing that it was Elaine Bentley. Her father worked alongside his, but Lance Bentley wasn’t anything like Scot Keane was. They were polar opposites. Leaning forward, Leo strolled down the hall stopped in front of the two noticing the words William Shakespeare. Why were they talking about that? Pushing that thought of his mind, Leo’s eyes meet Noalan’s turning back toward the girl. “Do you have your Transfiguration notes with you, Bounds?” Leo asked wondering if Noalan would notice that he actually took wonderful notes. Looking over toward Elaine, Leo stared intently at her watching as she quickly adverted her gaze toward the ground, scooting closer to Noalan. It clearly looked like she was uncomfortable. Shrugging at her actions, Leo turned his attention back on Noalan. “It did look like you were taking notes today in class. Want to share them?”

[Rachel Cohen R6]

It was Valentine's day and they still had class. What a crime, what a shame. Rachel often wished the day of love would allow some off time, time to relax and to be enjoyed. But no, she still had two essays to write, and a few chapters in History of Magic to read, she never got to rest. All the things teachers tried to do to wipe that darling Cohen smile off her pale pink lips. They would have to try a little bit harder i'm afraid. She was on cloud nine and nothing could bring her down. Her green eyes where sparkling more then usual, and it wasn't a trick of the lighting. She was laughing, and was carefree. All around her people where enjoying this day. Couples where being more lovey-dovey in the hallways, completly ignoring everything else about the world. Cupid was hard at work shooting his arrows at unsuspecticing victims, and thus they recieved anynoumus love letters, falling head over heels for complete and utter strangers because of a card. Saint Valentine the patron saint of lovers was looking down from heaven in a seam of a cloud and was smiling down at the young romance blooming before his eyes. Love songs where being sung, love letters where being sent and sealed with a kiss, kiss where being recieved and love was just everywhere, filling every corridor, warming every heart. An old childern's rhyme was stuck in her head. Rachel remember how her mother would go around singing it over and over every Valentine's day. She told her daughter it had been passed on from generation to generation and nothing was stopping Rachel from humming it to herself now. 'Good morning to you Valentine,Curl your locks as I do mine, Two before and three behind, Good morning to you Valentine." She whispered softly out loud. Not that it mattered what the volume was no one would notice. She squeezed the hand that was holding her's gently. Slowly she turned towards her boyfriend as if she took her time he wouldn't have to head to his dorm and she wouldn't have to go to her's. But they had to, seperating with a kiss and 'bye' she traced a heart into his palm before walking away, sighing content.

Arriving in her dorm she laid across the bed her smile never fading. She looked around and saw her kitty. "Hello Baby." She cooed at him picking him up gently and setting him in her lap. "Did you miss mommy?" She asked him. He purred softly into her hands for an anwser. She continued like this until he was fast asleep, but it hadn't taken long. She kissed the kitten on the head and set him down before reaching for her bag with her homework. Oddly, she was in a mood good enough to get some of it complete. She continued to hum as she flipped through the pages of her Histroy of Magic book, reading about some war, i'm sure. She was lying on her bed, just reading, taking it all in. Then she heard one of her dorm-mates come in. Ah, a nice distraction from the work. "Hello darling, and how was your day?" Rachel called laughing, but stopped when she saw her friends face. "What's the matter?" She asked softly coming closer. The girl turned away and moved towards her bed. "You wouldn't understand Rach." The girl said softly. Rachel gave her a look as if to say, try me. This made her friend only sigh. "Valentine's the worst day ever if you don't have anyone. Not you, oh no, Miss Cohen always has some guy giving her roses, and kisses, and love letters on this day. But not me Rachel." The tone was harsh, and Rachel shook her head slightly, completly disbelieving. "Today is a magical day, anything can happen. You just have to will it to, belive." Rachel was trying so hard to be optimistic for her friend. She was sounding alot like a disney movie. Doubts where popping into her mind, but she was brushing them aside, this wasn't going to happen. Her perfect day would not be ruined. "No Rachel, this day is not magical. It is not specail,its all fake, so enjoy it with your boyfriend. Where is he anyway? Shouldn't you be attached to him, giggiling maddly?" This time the tone was harsher and alot more snottier. "Thanks for reminding me I have to run." Rachel lied as she started to walk towards the door. Why spend this time with a non-believer. "Feel better." She called as she walk out.

She was finally away from it. Out in the corridor. But she still heard the words in her head, like the conversation was on repeat and she couldn't find the mute button. She found her self wanting proof. Why she needed it was beyond me, she had the proof, but she wasn't thinking. She knew she wouldn't find it in the library, who spent Valentine's day in there? Not the lounge either, it would be very crowded. She looked around her, the place was filled with couples of all sorts. She smiled at the one closest to her. They didn't notice her. And as she walked away, in the oppisite direction. It hit her, they would all be out here. So she began walking aimlessly, walking until she found what she wanted, or needed. Her thoughts where filled with thoughts of AJ, she was thinking about the first time they met. It was on a train ride home. She recognized him right away, it took him a bit longer to remember who she was. Their mother's where best friends. Yet their childern never talked. She had left that day, of the train, and unto the car waiting for her with a smile, and a feeling that something good was going to happen. That holiday she spent with her mother, as it was tradition. But one night visiting a friend she ran into a person she thought was going to mug her. Fortunatly AJ, came to the rescue, whisked her off to his house. And since then they where together. Things like do happen. She wouldn't admit but if AJ hadn't shown up that night, she would have probably gotten hurt. Her thoughts drifted to his party, there she met his drunk ex-girlfriend, and his best friend, Noalan Bounds. The past few weeks Noalan had become her friend. Always by AJ's side, talking to him. Helping him out. He became her advice giver and she appriecated it deeply. She was pulled from her thoughts of the seventh year Gryffindor when she actully saw him. Smiling an adoreable grin she walked over there.

He was with a girl, it was not a suprise. He was AJ's friend. But also with a guy. The other guy was Leo Keane, she had only met him a few times. He seemed nice enough, the girl looked familiar. Of course. Elaine Bentley. She was a fifth year Ravenclaw as well, another one of her dorm mates. She stood beside Noalan completing the weird shaped square. "Hello everyone." She said brightly but Leo and Nole where talking about something. She had heard the way Noalan had coolly greeted his fellow Gryffindor. There seemed to be tension there, if only she knew. "No, I don't have have on me. Since this is a more ... private meeting, rather then academic, I wouldn't have them." Noalan responded to the question shooting a glance at Elaine and then smiling at her. She smiled back, confused. "No, as I said before, I don't have them. Plus, don't you always take notes?" Nole asked with a small laugh. "Hello?' Rachel tried again.

[Elaine Bentley R6]

“The Tattered Cover…” Elaine spoke breathlessly for a moment, staring off into the distance. The name just rolled off her tongue. It sounded so perfect, and right for a bookstore. “I like it. Very classy, original, and people most certainly will remember it.” Nodding Elaine looked back over at the seventh year, offering an encouraging smile. “See, you’re not all the uncreative as you think you are Noalan.” Laughing softly, Elaine stared back down at her feet, her hands gripping the end of the railing. Swinging her legs around slightly, Elaine looked back up at the boy as he began to explain about his family. Frowning upon hearing his parents being divorced, Elaine kept quiet, waiting for him to finish. He didn’t sound like his life was horrible, actually he sounded like he quite loved his mother. Smiling at the thought, Elaine thought back her own mum. Her mom tried her best to be around the house for her children when they were younger, but now that most of them were grown up, she was working a lot; Same with her father. When the Bentley’s were together it was just pure fun. That only happened on holiday dates, or if either of her parents had business parties. Elaine couldn’t count the on both her hands and feet to how many parties she had attended. There were at least dozens of party dressed she never wore hanging in her closet back at home. “I’m really sorry to hear about your parents divorce,” she soothed staring down at his hand feeling the urge to reach over across to touch it. Pushing the urge aside, she offered a small smile instead. “I don’t think I could ever cope with something like that happening.” Nodding, Elaine stared into Noalan’s sparkling eyes with curiosity. “I’ve never been the states before. I’ve always wanted to visit…..what is it called? Something about the big apple of the states?”

Blushing at the thought of not knowing anything about the states, Elaine covered up her clueless nature with a small laugh. “I’m not all that knowledgably kept on the states or anything related to muggles.” Smiling lightly, Elaine bit her lip as he soon asked about her own family. “Boring compared to yours,” she commented wondering if she would tell him about her slight loneliness at home. “My parents are still together, but their busy with their jobs. Don’t get me wrong, they are around, but it does get a bit lonely in my house…but there’s Abigail, my younger sister, who keeps me entertained…and Noah but he mostly always blasting his music through the speakers until the house shakes.” Shaking her head, Elaine smiled at the memory of home. She missed her sister. “Abigail only eight, about to be nine, but she still acts like such a little child. She tries to make me get dressed up for her pretend tea parties.” Rolling her eyes, Elaine stopped swinging her legs smiling over at Noalan. “How do you handle your twin brothers? Your house has to be crazy.” Soon the topic changed back on Shakespeare, Noalan passionately giving out his explanation to the greatest love story of all times. Elaine nodded her head smiling. “Wouldn’t be nice though? Just to gaze upon one person and think they’re the one? To just know that they found their other half that completes them.” Laughing, Elaine stared into Noalan’s eyes again, her own blue ones sparkling sadly. She desperately wanted everything she wrote about love in her notebook to come true. “Sounds so cliché, huh?” It wasn’t long before she was blushing again at the thought of Shakespeare being a perverted man. Noalan was right though. Noticing sadness in his eyes with concern about her comfort level, Elaine shook her head. “It’s alright….you’ve opened to my eyes and mind to what Shakespeare is really about. I guess I forgot about that scene in Romeo and Juliet where…”

She was stopped suddenly when another voice break through the hallway. Looking up she sighed noticing it was no one other than, Leo Keane. The most arrogant and manipulative person you’ll ever meet. She didn’t even understand why girls fell for him. She remembered him all drunk at their father’s Christmas party, throwing himself all over the girls, especially her. His intense stare made her look away, infinitively moving closer to confine in Noalan’s presence. Elaine didn’t know why she was cowering away from Leo. It was just something about him that….she didn’t know…maybe scared her? Sighing, Elaine offered a confused smile at the two boys talking about Transfiguration notes. Leo was one of the smartest Gryffindors. Why was he asking Noalan for his notes? Opening her mouth to say something, Elaine sighed with relief as she noticed Rachel come up to the group. She was one of her dorm mates, and was going out with AJ Murphy…wasn’t he Noalan’s best friend? That didn’t mean Noalan was like his friend…or was he? Staring intently at the seventh year she snapped out of her trance hearing Leo’s remark. “Of course I take notes; I just thought that you were writing everything down that Professor McGonagall was saying that I might have missed something.” Elaine rolled her eyes. That wasn’t true. Leo was just only trying to show off his intelligence, but Noalan wasn’t a stupid guy. He was quite smart. “Anyway, don’t you think this one a little too young for you Noalan?” he asked staring carelessly into Elaine’s bright blue eyes. Fire soon ignited in her own, her own temper flaring inside of her.

“I would be talking? Weren’t you the one that was caught making out with that Van Allen family at the last party? She was about….14?” Elaine asked her eyebrows rising as she noticed Leo smirk. “Really? And this is coming from the girl who only sits in the corner of the room writing or reading? When was the last time you actually liked a guy?” he asked his smirk turning into a slight grin as he stared over at Rachel. Elaine watched him for a moment wanting to just stand up and slap him right there but instead grabbed onto Noalan’s hand, squeezing it lightly. He could probably tell she was about to attack. “For your information, at least I don’t fawn over every guy like you do with girls? I don’t use people like you do!” That was all she could come up with? Sighing, Elaine looked over toward Rachel hoping she would say something. Rachel was always good at stopping fights back in the dorm room. She still didn't even realized she was holding onto Noalan's hand tightly. It just felt..natural to her, plus he was holding her back from leaping over Leo.

[Noalan Bounds G7]

Hearing her repeat the name was like having it written in stone. Like no other name would ever cross his mind again. Kismet had spoken, there it was. The name of his future. He smiled at her relieved. "Well i'm glad you approve." He told her his eyes closed as he thought of the impending future. It was almost here, it was practically knocking on his door. He would feel absolutly lost without the routine of Hogwarts. How strange would it be to wake up and not have to attend class. Or to study, to chat with friends, to not share a room with guys you've known since you where eleven. He felt a pang in his chest, but couldn't think of anything to do about it. He would have to find a way to fill that whole. So when he would be older he could look back on these years of his life and laugh. But for now he would have to settle for a small smile. "Ah, there you have no case Miss Bentley. I never claimed i wasn't uncreative. Just at a loss, perhaps you where my inspriration. Bringing my muse back to inspire me." he anwsered his tone soft, as he joined in with her soft laughter. It echoed of the walls, fading into the walls. The walked again in that comforting silence, before she told him she was sorry about the divorce. He knew it was cliched, and most kids from a divorce often said it, but he really meant it. "Its alright. I was too young to even remember the details." He explained to her showing how unimportant it really was. "The craziest thing is that they live within a block of each other." This was followed by a laugh. "I hope you never have too." He whispered to her his voice soft once more. He looked at her as she told him she had never visited the United States before. "You simply must go. Its great. I love going. I think your talking about New York. It kinda smells there. Boston is so much prettier. But mainly I go to visit my family in Lousianna." he replied chuckling. "I'm telling you, its great. Just try not to look too much like a tourist." He told her with a twinkle in his eye.

He smiled as she explained she didn't know much about muggle life. That was okay too. "Lucky for you, you have me. I can tell you anything you need to know. Or want to know. Or even what you don't want to know." he offered with a laugh. He shook his head. Nobody's life was boring. "I'll be the judge of that." He told her shaking his head motioning for her to go on. Noalan silently laugh to himself. Perfect sitcom family. "Siblings are a handful arn't they?" He asked her. "Oh?" Noalan was intrested. "But i bet you make her smile all dressed up. Your letting her rememeber wonderful about her childhood. She wouldn't invite you for tea if she didn't adore you." Nole offered his little of advice. Her question did make him laugh a tab bit. "It gets loud, and absolutly nuts, but i wouldn't trade it in for anything else. Their the best. Sure i've had to babysit about a thousand times, but it makes me more ...." He searched for the words some of the girls he knew had said about it. "... Sweet, and sensitive. I don't mind." he added with a devilish glint in his eye. As they walked and he thought of his family his arm accidently brushed her arm, still it sent chills, the good kind, down his spine. He was begenning to understand where this was going. What fate was suggesting, but he refused to acknowledge it. 'No.' He thought to himself. 'We are friends. Stupid Cupid, go mess with someone else.' Fortuantly they continued to discuss Shakespeare and he had no more time to dwell on that matter. "Would it be nice?" he repeated the question though he already had the anwser. "Of course it would be nice, its just it takes time in reality. Love isn't easy. I refuse to believe that it can be as simple as eyes meeting across the room. It takes some work." He told her meeting her eyes. The pools of blue looked so sad. He wanted nothing more then to take her hand and make her smile, but fought the impulse, instead offering a smile that could melt a heart of stone. He took time to anwser her next question, not sure how to word it. "Cliched? Yes, but reasonable to want that? Yes, again." He told her. Failing utterly to mention he often dreamt of the same thing. He listened as she talked more about Shakespeare agreeing with her with his eyes.

Noalan was beginning to learn the meaning of be careful what you wish for. First he thought of Elaine and she came. That was a good thing. But wishing Leo could hear him, well, fate took that a tab bit more seriously then he meant it. For there came the Gryffindor and all his rotton glory. The same guy whom Noalan and AJ had the pleasure of hating. Except they would deny it and claim Leo started it. He came up and coolley interuppted the conversation. The first thing out of his mouth caused Nole to be a bit suspisious. After all, he always paid attention in class. Nole made no secert of hiding what he thought and he let Leo know. His eyes where deprived of the softness they held when it was just Elaine and him, instead replaced with an unreadable expression. "I doubt you missed anything." Noalan replied his voice stony matching his face. He really didn't feel like this right now. The next question out of the other Gryffindor's mouth made his heart began to beat madly in his chest. No, it was not possible. This guy could not possibly be able to read his mind, to know the thoughts he pushed out of his mind. But on the outside he didn't even flinch. "I know your lacking in the friendship department Keane, but maybe you can understand the concept. That is what Elaine and i are. Friends." Nole explained, trying to not let the truth hurt to much. But he felt Elaine he get angry beside him. He noticed that his best friend's girlfriend was now standing beside him. Really he should look into not letting his thoughts get delivered to fate so fast.

But he didn't get a chance to say hello or anything. Leo and Elaine began to verbally fight. So they knew each other. How lovely. He gently took her hand in his, trying to comfort her. To calm her down. The took a break from verbally bashing each other, and just as they seemed like they where going to go at it once more Rachel stepped in between them. "Calm yourself." She told them with expression of disbelief in her eyes, but smiling. "Take a breath. Now let's have a time out and see if you can be civil with each other. Hello my dear Elaine. Hello Noalan. Hello Leo, nice to see you once again." She told each of them sending one of her specail smiles to each person. Noalan relaxed a bit. She had this under control. And as he remembered he was still holding Elaine's hand he made no plans to let it go.

[Leo Keane G6]

Leo crossed his arms casually over his chest as she stared at the two students in front of him. His brown eyes swept over their every image noticing that they were sitting rather close than what friends usually were. One thing that anybody had to know about Leo was that he observed the world around him. He studied people’s actions, and how they looked at one of another. Looking at Noalan and Elaine clearly showed that there was something there. Before he could even pondering over the possibly, Noalan had spoke, his voice in a dull monotone. Leo smirked shrugging off his words. It didn’t bother Leo to much. He did have friends, but just a very few, which he didn’t like too much. You could say that Leo Keane was a manipulator, feeding off of everyone around him. There were only a selective few people who he didn’t do such a thing around. Again, that was rare. “Thanks for the input, Bounds. You just cleared up all the doubt in my mind,” he spoke sarcasm dripping across every word that was spoken. Uncrossing his arms, Leo dug his hands into his black trouser pants. “I was just only saying you usually talked to girls more around your age. Just pointing out the informality of it all.” Leo looked over toward noticing the fire burn in her eyes. She was just so easy to infuriate. It was simple to get a rise out of Elaine Bentley. Elaine shared her father’s quick temper remembering countless times in which Lance had yelled at his own father. That didn’t go over to well with each other, but Leo’s dad knew how to handle people like that, which was where Leo got that trait from. “There’s no need to start an argument abut it.” Staring back over at Noalan, Leo studied the boys face. It was hard to read anything that was on his mind. The seventh year was good at hiding his expressions when he wanted, but Leo could have sworn he saw that same softness in his eyes that guys gave girls that they liked. How was Leo to know? He just looked at girls all the same, but he did play that same trick on some, not meaning it at all.

Hearing the soft voice chime in, Leo looked up noticing that it was Rachel Cohen, the fifth year Ravenclaw that was going out with AJ Murphy. That was another guy that Leo also despised, but he was strangely attracted to Rachel though. It wasn’t only her good looks, but there was just something about her that appealed to Leo. He didn’t let it show on his face though until Elaine spoke in, defending her pride. They continued their constant bickering, Leo returning her insults back with full force. He was the kind of guy that knew exactly what to say that stroke a cord in a person. Elaine was just a girl that he could push her buttons easily; Noalan on the other hand was difficult. Leo had to do something drastic to make the boy go ballistic. Snorting at the last words that Elaine spoke, Leo stared into the younger girl’s face with the same intensity she was reflecting back into his. “That’s all you can come up with, Elaine. I’m quite disappointed.” Elaine was about to jump forward at him until Rachel stepped in between the two. Leo stared into her soft face, looking away briefly as she finished. “Fine,” he mouthed quietly looking from Rachel to Noalan and Elaine. They were holding hands, Noalan gently stroking the top of her skin. Narrowing his eyes at the two, Leo looked back over at Rachel. “It’s nice to see you again, Rachel,” he noted with a nod his brown eyes searching into her own. “You’re looking in great spirits for such a dull holiday.” Leo Keane hated Valentines Day. He just simply ignored the day of love. It was just created by some fool who thought everyone should spend a whole day loving, and caring about each other. It was just another pointless holiday. He offered a small smiled before looking away back out the window. There was silence between the three, but he could see Elaine’s eyes glaring on him. Looking back at her, Leo tilted his head. What was she thinking?

“Well, my day was going on perfectly fine until you graced up with your presence,” Elaine said bitterly leaning back into the wall, her hand tightening to where the white of her knuckles were showing. Noalan didn’t seem to notice the pain though. Leo shook his head at the girl before taking a couple steps closer to her. He leaned down toward her ear looking over toward the couples hands. “You know it wouldn’t work, right?” he whispered low and harsh, so Noalan couldn’t hear him. Elaine looked down at the ground trying to hide the overwhelming feelings washing over her. Didn’t this girl not even know when she liked a guy? “Just think it over.” Before Elaine could even say anything another girl had walked up toward the group standing next to Rachel. She had blonde hair, but Leo could of sworn her named started with either a H or C. “Hey Leo!” she exclaimed excitedly. Leo looked over toward Rachel before taking back from Elaine. It was then when she let go of Noalan hand stumbling upon her words. “I….I…must….I just need to go.” She gave Noalan a slight smiling feeling guilty for leaving him suddenly again. She probably needed to get her feelings sorted out. Watching as a flash of hair whisked by him, Leo smirked as he noticed the girl was standing next to him. Shrugging, Leo walked the opposite way with the girl looking behind him at Rachel. He met her gaze for a moment before leaving the group.

[Rachel Cohen R6]

The words where flying dangerously between her room mate and the older Gryffindor boy. Both where delivered with some kind of hatred behind them. Cutting, the way a knife would if the words could have been weapons. The Boy, Leo, he took it rather well. Keeping his cool, smirking in a way Rachel herself found impressive. She looked into his brown eyes wanting to see what he was thinking, but couldn't read him. That was strange, she could read almost anyone, this was peculair. The bewilderment probably should in her own eyes, yet no one was really paying much attention to her. Her friend on the other hand wasn't handeling it as well as she should have. Her red hot temper was showing. Rachel smiled sadly as she heard Elaine spit out a comeback. Rachel never did like when people fought. Calm was more the way she liked things to be. She glanced at Noalan who seemed to be trying to connect the dots in his head, figure out something. He was glancing at Leo and then at Elaine. Each of them had a different look. For Leo Nole's eyes looked cold and distant, ones Rachel had never seen before on the Gryffindor. But for Elaine they where soft and comforting. It reminded her of the way AJ looked at her. And that thought alone sent chills down her spine, and she almost missed that the conversation was now between Nole and Leo. They didn't seem to fond of each other either. This poor guy. Why was he even setting himself up for this kind of thing? Why where they even bickering? Was a way to defend their pride? A long time ago Rachel learned that pride was a dangerous thing. It could sweep you up until you where obsessed. Pushing you to become eevn 'better', making you want more praise. Rachel was bold enough to say it was almost a drug. It took over your life. Humility was the only way to take care of it. But now was not the time to do that. She just wanted things to stop. For them to stop.

Rachel looked from the green, to the blue and finally to the brown eyes. Each expression seemed to soften. Then the posion filled her body as she felt pride, knowing she was the one who stopped this, whatever it was. No time to get into how hypocritical she felt. She wanted everything to just stop. Noalan and Elaine where rather quiet as Rachel exchanged pleasantries. She glanced at them. They both seemed like a comfort to the other. She glanced at their hands. Smiling secertly to herself as she watched them. Perhaps she was the only one there to recognize this, but the two were falling for each other. Right now they both figured it was a friendly gesture. How wrong they where, yet Rachel wouldn't tell them. Not yet. She'd let them figure it out on their own. She turned back to Leo. "Oh, I am in a very wonderful mood. Though i can't see why you would call it a dull holiday. Its the day of love." She told him. The next words out of her mouth you deal with AJ, once again the reason for the feeling she was having today. "I've been given a reason to spend the whole day with my boyfriend." She added looking away, a soft blush on her pale cheeks. It was much stranger to say it out loud, instead of in her head.

She didn't know what to say after that. The silence between the four was harsh and uncomfortable. She shifted from one leg to another. Noalan was still trying to keep his calm, he was successful so far. Elaine was still angery. Leo was pleased at the trouble he seemed to cause. And Rachel was starting to feel drained all of a sudden. Ready to excuse herself, and take Elaine with her, another guest came to join them. It was now of sides. Now, a person could see it in two ways. Three Gryffindors against two Ravenclaws, or three girls against two guys. yet both of those didn't seem quite right. The visitor was a girl, the infamous Chelsea, whom Rachel had, had the pleasure to meet at AJ's party over break. She looked prettier when she wasn't drunk, but still didn't seem quite intellegent. Instead making a bee-line for the ex-boyfriend, or his best friend she went for Leo. The next events happened quickly. Elaine began to leave, she seemed mixed up and Rachel began to follow her, yet Noalan beat her to the punch. But he did make one mistake turning back to level with Leo, he had finally lost it. His calm was gone. "I see why you have no friends." Before he went back to search for her. Elaine was long gone by now. Rachel was sure she'd find her in the dorm room. Leo began to walk away with the blonde girl, except he looked back his eyes looking into her's. The moment lasted longer thenit should have. It sent Rachel confused. She was alone there in the hallway. Everyone had scattered. The first time she felt alone on this day. She breathed out slowly and turned to head towards he dorm room to comfort Elaine.