Lonelily ((Merrick and Finn))

[Kailyn Valak S6]

((This thread is rated PG-13 for sexual innuendo and drunkenness.))

"Merrick. Merrick! Look at me! Gosh, how much did you have to drink?" Kailyn angrily pushed away her boyfriend's face. It was almost as though he didn't even realize she was there. Or, if he did, it was like he didn't care. Most of Kailyn's previous boyfriends had a hard time keeping their hands off of her. Typical teenage boys. It wasn't like she cared though. She'd have paid money if Merrick would have at least acted like he cared that she was there. A kiss. A compliment. Who cared if it was fake. She just wanted proof that her boyfriend cared. "I just don't understand you sometimes." She shook her head as it seemed he still was in another world. Another place that apparently didn't involve her.

"One minute you're all over me, and the next... you're... well, I don't even know where you are, but you obviously aren't here right now." She straightened her blouse and stood, the candlelight bouncing around her and casting a dancing shadow on the stone floor. The abandoned corridor was quiet, a good place to get alone and have some private time together. There might as well have been a room full of people around them though. It wouldn't have mattered either way it seemed. Merrick was a lost cause. "Find me when you find your presonality," she spat, failing to acknowledge any feeble attempt he might all the sudden fire at her. As well, the alcohol on his breath had been making her sick anyways. She preferred him when he wasn't drunk.

As she turned the corner, heading for the stairs to the dungeons, she passed another figure who emerged from the shadows. His dark hair atop a familiar face evoked a poisonous glare from Kailyn's eyes. "Do you always creep around everywhere you go, Miles?" Finn had recently broken up a small interaction that Kailyn had found herself in with a younger Gryffindor. In his attempt to be herioc, Finn had both broken up the small cat fight and annoyed Kailyn at the same time. "If you're looking for a show, you missed it," she added, rolling her eyes, not bothering to even turn around as they passed. People like Miles were pathetic. The way that they were so kind and weak. His puppy-dog eyes made her laugh to herself. Then again, there were times when she found Merrick weak and annoying too. At least he was able to give her what she wanted though. That would suffice for now.

Kailyn's annoyance level had peaked for the night as she finally found her way to her room. Niether D or Jo were there. She was both equally pleased and annoyed at the same time. On one side, she wouldn't have to listen to their endless questions and pointless gossip, but on the other side, she craved to just be able to talk about nothing. Sit for hours and gain pleasure by discussing how utterly ridiculous some people could be. Sighing, she found her way to her bed and collapsed. Just another lonelily night.

[Merrick Marr]

Thoughts were wheeling, tumbling, and soaring through the mind of the 18-year-old Slytherin student as he found his eyes focused or seemingly focused on the small spider crawling up the wall of the castle. He smirked as he pulled his wand out clumsily and tried to take aim at it…all the while a nagging voice was pitching and shrilling some idiocy words into his ear. It was enough to give even a priest a headache…and probably wake the dead if that was such a feat really around this place, but as it was there wasn’t much problem with waking the dead when they floated right next to you down the corridors or in and out of the Great Hall while you were eating. Instead of listening to the voice he simply ignored it…not finding it very entertaining at all. Even as the hands grabbed his face all he did was simply pull up, not even looking at who was trying to bother him as he kept shaking his wand at the spider trying to get some spell to work, but it seemed his wand was broken…or was the a fork he was holding?

Merrick’s eyes focused down to look at the item in his hand, vision blurring and straightening as he tried to figure out what it was. One moment it would have one pointy end and then the next time it seemed to have four. Back and forth it went between the two before he simply assumed it to be a fork and chucked it over his shoulder…the metal bouncing off the wall and then crashing to the floor. Where had he gotten the fork from anyhow? Had he grabbed that at dinner? Or was it simply another one of those mystery items that ended up in his pocket after his last night of drunkenness. Either way he couldn’t be certain as he eyed the wall where the spider had been. It was no lost somewhere in the dirt and grime on the walls and he probably wouldn’t ever be able to find again. Really it had lucked out.

It was another moment or two before Merrick even realized that silence had fallen around him. Blue eyes turned and looked around…he could have sworn that someone had just been here with him…suddenly the flash of black curly hair and eyes found his memory. Kailyn…that’s right…she had been there with him. It was to be a surprise evening…one he had hoped would end with him dismissing her, but it had not happened, not truly anyway. She was a hard one to get rid of…she knew what she want and went for it, whether or not he or it wanted her. That was actually what had interested Merrick in her in the first place, but that was nearly a month and a half ago. That charm was nearly gone now…or at least placed somewhere different…like with her other friends. Sometimes he wondered if dating 5th years were even worth it in the end, but at the same time he had found 7th years and 6th years to be the pits as it was…maybe a 5th year could change his mind. If his mind could really be changed.

At this point, however, it seemed there were more important things to think about as he sighed deeply and in a rather drunkenly way as he tried to get to his feet. Sitting in the abandoned corridor would only cause him to become even more uncomfortable than he already was. It was at times like this he almost realized what he wanted out of life and that was a scary thing to think about. His feet were wobbly under him and it took several attempts before he’d even managed to get a good enough holding on the wall to get up without falling back down. Now it was almost impossible for him to walk. The floor seemingly rushed up to meet him…well not really seemingly as he had fallen down without noticing, his whole body crashing on the floor as a chuckle left him. Now…now everything was funny. Even the strange double-headed kid that leaned over him to make sure he was okay.

[Finn Miles H7]

Ever since his parents had gotten him the dobbit* for Christmas, Raina had clung to the beast like it was her own. Even the name had come from her; Snarkle. Finn wondered if he shouldn't just give the little ball of fluff to his little sister and let her keep him as her own. Finn did like his new pet though, and he didn't mind sharing it with Raina. At least she took care of it for him. Now, he just had to find where she and Snarkle were hiding so that he could make his way back to his room for the night. Though he trusted Raina to take care of Snarkle, he wasn't so sure that letting her have him for the night was a good idea. Plus, Finn was getting used to the warmth that Snarkle provided by sleeping at his feet at night. Perhaps they were just up around the corner in one of the abandoned corridors. This was a place that Raina visited often, Finn knew.

Walking in the shadows, his thoughts were disrupted by a cold voice that was directed toward him. Finn saw that it was coming from the same stuck-up Slytherin that he had encountered in the halls just a week or so ago. Kailyn Valak, he knew her as, but didn't care about her much at all. He was tempted to reply to her cutting remarks, but knew it was only what she wanted. Instead, he continued onward, looking for his sister.

Instead of finding his sister though, Finn found himself stumbling onto something quite unexpected. A Slytherin, a boy around Finn's age, was laying on the ground after having fallen. Taking a closer look, Finn realized it was Merrick Marr, one of the better known Slytherins. He was popular, athletic, and a hot topic among the girls. And apparently, he was now drunk. Interesting. Without fear or shame, Finn took a step closer, leaning in toward the muscular frame of Merrick. The bitter smell of alcohol burned Finn's nostrils as he got closer. Definitely drunk. "Need a hand, mate?" he said, wondering if Merrick would even take his help in the first place.

[Merrick Marr]

“Need a hand, mate?”

Merrick’s eyes narrowed as he tried to focus on the image. He was having one of those clear moments suddenly…the world slowly righting itself as he realized that he truly was not going to let some kid he didn’t know help him up. Then again he really needed the help. That however didn’t stop him from trying to get up again without the kid’s help…he didn’t even make it up to his hands before the world spun too much for him. It was almost enough to make him lose his dinner…almost as in the world continued to spin even as he lay on the ground. Maybe getting up wasn’t a good thing…maybe moving wasn’t a good thing.

He closed his eyes to try to stop the spinning, but that only seemed to make it worse. One eye cocked open and he looked at the person who had spoken…he wasn’t really a kid was he? Probably around his age…dark hair…and eyes. Merrick groaned once as he felt another wave of nausea pass over him. “Know a spell that makes the world stop spinning?” he said shortly as his hand ran over his face. The words he knew he had just said probably hadn’t come out nearly as clear as he thought they had…in fact he was sure it was unintelligent, but at that moment it was all he could do to keep his stomach from heaving the contents it held.

On second thought…Merrick groaned as he tried to push himself up. The world seemed to have stopped spinning momentarily. The nausea was passing. That was a very good thing. His eyes, which had fallen closed again, opened slowly and the world seemed to be only one again. Blue eyes met the man in front of him finally. “That your handiwork or the gods?” Merrick asked…unsure whether or not his sudden recovery had been something of his own making or that from the guy before him. A guy who he suddenly realized he didn’t know. There was no familiar quality to him at all. No…wait…Quidditch. He knew him from Quidditch. This was Miles…something Miles…a Hufflepuff player. Merrick remembered him now…but that was about it…and the drunken haze he was still under was too distracted to really think too hard on it.

Suddenly he jerked up into a sitting position, his hand reaching out for the bottle of firewhiskey he had been drinking earlier and handed it to him. “Have a drink…looks like you need it,” the words were still slurring, but hopefully understandable at this point. Merrick was still in the mood to drink…to keep things at bay really. He needed something to take his mind off of the reality of life. Whiskey was that something tonight…and at the same time he wasn’t in the mood to be alone. Maybe he’d get some enjoyment out of the night with company that wasn’t nagging his ear off.

[Finn Miles H7]

A response. Perhaps that was a bit more than Finn was expecting. And, at that, it wasn't a rude or biting response, which was what he was ready for if any reply was to be made at all. "None that I can think of," he answered in return. Professor Flitwick hadn't exactly went over charms that you could use to help cure yourself of drunkenness. There was always the option of spraying water in his face, but somehow Finn didn't think that was the best of ideas. "Must be karma," Finn said, smirking as the boy managed to sit up at least. "I sure didn't do anything." Finn took a second to glance around the small space, seeing a half-empty bottle of firewhiskey and... a fork?

Before long, Merrick had pushed the bottle into Finn's hands unexpectedly and ordered him to have a drink. "Thanks, but I don't..." Oh, what the hell. He had always been eager to try. "I guess a swig won't kill me though." Finn shrugged. Arguing with a Slytherin was never recommended, and to argue with a drunk one, well that was clearly a mistake as well. And, his curiosity always had been interested in trying a drink eventually. Maybe this was fate's way of giving him the opportunity. His parents sure wouldn't have approved. Putting the bottle to his lips, Finn took an average-sized gulp, feeling the liquid tingle as it flowed down his throat and into his stomach. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and handed the bottle back to Merrick. "I'm not sure what makes you think I need it, but I can't say that I disagree."

Finn saw that there were two wooden chairs in the corner of the small squared corner. He accioed them over to himself and Merrick. "Here, why don't you get yourself off the ground." Surely a Slytherin like Merrick Marr wouldn't want to be found lounging on the ground, even if he did have the excuse of being drunk. And, it seemed that Merrick had no intentions of sobering up as he took another shot of the whiskey. "Do you always just find a random spot in the castle to get drunk?" Finn's obvious lack of fear to ask questions without subtlety often got him into trouble, yet this was one of his more simple questions. But then, he pieced together everything and realized that just moments ago, Kailyn was probably with Merrick; his new flavour of the week.

[Merrick Marr]

“Karma…yeah must be,” Merrick said with a satisfied drunken smile spreading across his face. He had momentarily forgotten anything he’d been taught as a kid. He was better…and that of course meant that his karma of course was better as well. Which meant that everything…even his drinking meant he was better…or did the effects of it make him better? He’d have to figure that one out…

Oh look there’s that spider again… Merrick thought to himself as his eyes caught sight of the little black spider crawling it’s way across the ground now. He wondered briefly if it had fallen down and had simply given up or if he had just decided his path needed a change. Either way it was something very interesting to watch. The legs seemed to move in ways that reminded him of seasoned calligraphers.

Mind flipped back to the voice that had suddenly reminded him of where he was. “Yes…drink good,” Merrick said in an almost prehistoric way as another drunken grin fell over his face. His eyes were blood shot now…glazed over by the amount of alcohol he had drank already and the amount he was about to drink as he took the bottle back from the kid and took another drink before returning it to him. “Drink up mate.”

Suddenly, Merrick found a chair behind him…the man having moved them over to the both of them. It was actually a good idea…the floor was actually hard, though he hadn’t actually noticed until right then…but now that he thought about it, it really was hard and cold. He was definitely in need of more liquor if he was thinking about how cold the floor was. Of course he’d change his mind shortly when he realized how much he would take to get up off the floor.

One attempt landed him on his side on the other side of the chair…a booming laugh filling the empty corridor as he reenacted, while still on the ground, his fall off the chair. His arms were flailing in his attempt to talk about it, his mind somewhere else completely as he looked over at the man. “I think I need another drink so I can get up…” he mumbled through his laughter as he reached for the bottle. It was the only thing he really wanted at that moment, even if he didn’t need it. So the chair really hadn’t been that great of an idea…mostly due to Merrick’s inability to even sit up, let alone get up to get sat down.

When the bottle wasn’t put in his hand quickly enough Merrick made a grab for it, his body coming up off the floor as he moved. It was a futile attempt he had no depth perception and absolutely no ability to figure out where he was going. So in missed the bottle…by a mile and ended p on the ground again…laughing as always. “Think I might need your help this time mate.” Wait…his help? A Hufflepuff’s help? “I must be drunk.” The last thought was meant to stay in his head like the other had, but it didn’t happen. The words had tumbled out and in a rather snarky way. He wasn’t used to needing other people’s help…especially a lesser being, but he knew he needed it…right?

[Finn Miles H7]

If this was what drinking did to you, Finn wasn't so sure that he wanted to drink much more. However, he did, and he instinctively joined in Merrick's laughter when a failed attempt to take a seat landed Merrick back on the ground where he started. Part of Finn felt bad for the guy, knowing that he'd probably hate it if he realized how much of a fool he looked like. Lucky for him, Finn wasn't the type to capitalize on other people's shame.

It seemed that the only words or sounds that came from Merrick's mouth involved commands to drink, erratic laughter, or just mumbled confusion. However, as he laid sprawled on the ground, Merrick finally acquiesced to Finn's offer of help. In doing so, Finn noted that Merrick was now speaking with the slightest trace of sarcasm, insinuating that he must be desperate to be accepting help from someone like Finn. A Hufflepuff. Other than his house, Finn wasn't sure what else Merrick could hold against him. He was a pureblood. He played Quidditch. Those counted for something, right? What did it matter anyways. Finn never cared what others thought to begin with. Still, it was always obvious when people were discriminating, and apparently even a shower of alcohol couldn't neutralize a Slytherin's bite.

"You're lucky it's me and not some hot-headed Gryffindor," Finn shot back rather quickly. It wasn't a biting sort of comeback though as much as a 'did you think about that' sort of challenge. He held out his hand and then pulled Merrick to his feet. There was a lot of weight to pull from the ground. Merrick was in no way a small man. Finn was quite strong himself though, and he managed to lift the built Slytherin to his feet. Granted, once on his feet, Merrick wasn't any more stable or capable of standing at all really. Finn felt the weight of Merrick continue forward, his momentum carrying him in the direction of the ground again just before Finn caught him. "Whoa. I think you've had enough." Finn said, realizing that if Merrick kept drinking, he'd be in the corridor the rest of the night unable to make his way back to his common room. Finn might have been strong, but there was no way he could carry Merrick that far.

With the majority of Merrick's weight leaning on Finn's outreached hands, Finn could feel the sticky layer of sweat beneath Merrick's shirt. It was then that he felt just slightly uncomfortable as he held the older Slytherin up, wondering if Merrick had any shame at all given the situation. It was already clear that he hadn't exactly been appreciative of Finn's help. It seemed that he was only accepting it because it was his only option.

Having a brilliant idea, Finn took his wand with one had, using the other to continue to help balance Merrick. Then, he pointed his wand at the bottle of firewhiskey and used the spell that they were taught in Transfiguration to turn any liquid into water. "Aquincedo." He was fairly certain that the spell had worked. "Now you should take another drink," he said, putting the bottle back into Merrick's hand and guiding Merrick to the nearby wall where he could lean to help stay on his feet. At the same time, Finn felt the slightest affects of the firewhiskey on himself. His body warmed a bit and he could feel it in his cheeks. Clearly though, he wasn't in any condition as bad as Merrick.

[Merrick Marr]

Merrick didn’t seem to have a choice in any matter of situation at the moment. Miles here was the only one around that could help him to his feet…and that was something Merrick desperately needed at the moment…though now it was more just sheer will trying to force him to get to his feet. If he weren’t so drunk it wouldn’t matter to him whether he was walking, standing, sitting, or just lying on the ground because he would know that he could get up and move. Now that he knew the it was nearly impossible for him to do such a thing it was beginning to make his life more difficult and his resolve to sober up stronger…though sobering up didn’t seem to be happening either.

“Aye…Huffie’s are sooo much better,” Merrick responded with a hiccup and laughter afterward. It wasn’t sarcastic…it just was a comment. At that point in time he really didn’t have any use for his normal brutal words. Being alone…away from any friends he knew with a basic stranger he didn’t feel the pressure he normally did to remain calm, cool, and most of all collected…not that he could do any of those things with how drunk he was. The liquor seemed to be calling to him once again as Miles suddenly helped him to his feet.

That…was probably a mistake. He had no ability to stand…no ability to keep from falling and that is what caused him to careen forward right into Miles opened arms. It was the oddest and suddenly the most frightening thing Merrick experienced. He could feel Miles trying to hold him up…trying to keep him from falling any further. It was a kind gesture…if the hands hadn’t really been touching him. He didn’t want that…at least he didn’t think he did. He didn’t let people this close to him…not unless it was some girl trying to take his clothes off…that was it. Not some man trying to keep him up…at least there was some comfort in that fact…he was trying to help him stay up…not anything else.

His mind cleared only a little as Miles helped him lean against the wall…he put his head back trying to keep the world steady as his mind reeled from the thoughts that now occupied it. There was no more slow motion to the world around him…it was tumbling, burning, and quickly passing into something unfamiliar and frightening. This was not right… “I need more liquor…” he finally mumbled as his hand moved out for the bottle that Miles had oddly enough put into his hand at that exact moment. It went to his lips and he took a long drink, the liquid making him choke as he pulled the bottle away and looked at it. Even as drunk as he was he knew that that liquid was not whiskey. “Water? Please tell me there’s still whiskey somewhere?” he almost growled in annoyance as he tossed the bottle away from him, the sound of breaking glass filling his ears briefly as he kept his form propped up against the wall as best he could.

“You owe me another bottle of whiskey,” he growled as his hands reached out for the chair…his legs unable to hold him up, even propped up. It was a stumble and a fall that landed him in the chair that Miles had brought over a while ago. His butt actually found the seat this time and his head fell between his knees trying to right the world and stop his every wheeling thoughts. Suddenly curiosity got the best of him…as he realized he didn’t know the guy’s first name at all or his age. “What’s your name? And how old are you? Are you even old enough to get me another bottle of whiskey?” the comment was belittling, but suddenly Merrick was more on guard than he had been earlier and had every intention of playing as sober as possible.

[Finn Miles H7]

Still, Finn couldn't help but notice Merrick's lack of speaking. The few words that he did utter were again quick and slurred, yet they didn't seem to be hidden behind any sort of mask. They were rather blunt and from what Finn could tell, they were true to Merrick's personality. Nothing fake. Nothing fancy. Just a drunk teenager who probably just wanted the room to stop spinning. Right on cue, Merrick had requested his bottle after Finn had changed the contents to water. Needless to say, the outcome of that idea wasn't as good as Finn had hoped. Now, he was in the middle of a staggering drunk who was surrounded by broken glass. What a combination.

As Merrick miraculously found his way to the chair, Finn levitated the glass to one spot and then cast a repairing charm to fix the bottle. At least it was empty now. No water to help sober Merrick, yet no liquor to make things worse. Finn didn't react to Merrick's obvious displeasure that his whiskey was gone. He'd get over it. "I'll pay you back for it." he replied, hedging on answering the questions. Perhaps his age would be held against him just like his house had been. It wasn't a secret that older students tended to be annoyed by younger students no matter how small the age difference. "Finn Miles, 16, and you'll thank me later when you're sober enough to realize that you didn't need anymore of that. Plus, like I said, I can pay you back. Even if I can't buy you the whiskey, I can offer you more than what it's worth." Finn wasn't really sure why he seemed to be offering this to Merrick. It wasn't like he really owed him anything. If he wanted, he could leave right there and there would be nothing that Merrick could do about it. Well, at least he couldn't do much at the moment, but surely he could gain his revenge in some other way if he wished at a later time. It must have been Finn's genuine concern for others or perhaps his pity for Merrick that allowed him to stay. In a way, he didn't really mind staying either. Merrick wasn't as bad as he could have been for being a Slytherin. Finn was certainly surprised.

Obivously the sobering process was no quick-fix, but Finn could tell that Merrick was already better than when he had first found him. At least now he was sitting on his own. He laughed less, which meant that either he was sobering or he was becoming more and more annoyed that Finn had transfigured his whiskey. Finn looked at his watch and then back to Merrick. He had almost forgotten why he was passing through the hallway in the first place. "Look, um... I have to go find my sister. Here. You should really drink this." Finn took his wand and placed the tip of it inside the bottle, using a water duelling spell to fill it. "I'll swing back through and check on you then." He didn't expect Merrick to care, nor did he figure that Merrick would be happy to have another bottle of water forced at him, but Finn did so anyways. "It was... uh... nice meeting you," he said, holding out his hand for the smallest fraction of a second before retracting it in a flash before Merrick had even lifted his head as any sort of acknowledgment. "And thanks for the alcohol," he added as he bit his lip.

With that, Finn left Merrick alone on the chair, still sobering with a bottle of water in his hand. He wondered if he'd be ok and convinced himself that he would be. Still, the whole situation was rather amusing. Just a minute or so of walking, and Finn found Raina in a classroom with Snarkle at her feet. After sending her off to her own common room, Finn doubled back to where he had left Merrick. To his surprise, the chair was still there, but it was empty. That's good... he concluded to himself, assuming the best. As he walked back to his dorm, he wondered if Merrick would even remember their encoutner, and, if so, if he'd be as mellow the next time around. Finn wouldn't be surprised if the elder Slytherin somehow blamed Finn instead of thanking him for his help.

[Merrick Marr]

Finally…a name, well a complete name to go with the face…and an age as well. Sixteen…it explained so much. He was young, inexperienced, and definitely didn’t know how dangerous it was to mess with a drunks liquor. That was just inexcusable. That was an expensive bottle of whiskey too...now it was a worthless shower of shards. He thought he was helping him…how very…thoughtful. No mate later I’ll realize how badly I should have flogged you for destroying my whiskey he thought bitterly to himself as he put his hand to his head. The world was still spinning…maybe more…but it was sobering him up regrettably and the thoughts of his current actions were enough to want to send him into another binge drinking episode. His reputation, which had taken years to build was destroyed in less than 15 minutes with a guy he didn’t know. There was no way this story was getting out…no way he’d let that Miles kid spread a bunch of rumors about him.

It was at this time that Merrick glanced up and for the first time saw the look he didn’t want to see in anybodies eyes…especially eyes that were directed at him. Pity…I don’t need your pity…just go away he hissed in his mind at the Hufflepuff. He realized his mistake at allowing the kid to stay and now he knew he would pay for it, both physically and mentally as his reputation was ruined. He had a perfect record of never conversing with Hufflepuffs and those less worthy than himself…that record was no ruined and it would never be righted. This was how it was. Merrick knew that revenge would be in order…when he was less drunk of course and probably when Finn Miles was least expectant of him. He would need to keep on his toes if he wanted Mr. Merrick Marr to leave him to swim alone.

Suddenly there was no more Finn Miles…at least not there with Merrick. The only reminder that he had been there…to give solace to Merrick that he actually had encountered him, was the fixed bottle of whiskey that held water. Damn him for the water Merrick growled as he flung the bottle away from himself once again, not even caring this time about the pieces as he got to his feet, his hands finding the walls immediately for support. “Next time we meet Finn Miles we shall see who the winner really is,” Merrick said in hardly more than a whisper as his eyes gazed toward the way he had come. It was obvious that some day they’d meet again…probably in a distant time, with distant relatives and families…yet that doesn’t really always work out right?

Merrick half stumbled, half crawled back to his common room. There was no one else to worry about with it being that late at night and that’s all the really mattered to Merrick. He wanted the night…hopefully it would help him to wake up and to null the effects of the liquor that still inhabited his body. He made no mention of it as he passed by individuals and then to his dormitory where he successfully and quickly passed out.