Snapshots from Life ((Friends))

[Charles Driscoll H7]

On the smooth carpet of the Students' Lounge, in a corner of the room which he had judged to be the quietest place to sit, a third year boy a little small and skinny for his age was crouched over two open books, looking through a large assortment of photographs and whispering to himself. Charles Driscoll was wondering what pictures he wanted to show first to his new friend, Mary Evans, a third year like him but in Slytherin, whom he had net and become friends with in the Hogwarts trip to Weinig Zug. Friendly as Charles was he had never made a friend quite so quickly, but in Mary he had found someone he could tell about a part of his life he had never shared with anyone before: his family. Mary herself had parents very much like Charles', and though the talk of their families had cast a gloom on their conversation, it had definitely cemented their friendship.

Charles went through the different collections; one was of the trip, which Mary would definitely want to look at first, and Charles had been quite pleased to see had turned out even better than he expected. The contrast between the white background and the coloured clothes and instruments of the children in parade made the pictures vivid and full of life, and Charles smiled as one of the girls in the parade waved at him from the picture. The second collection was of flowers, the first thing Charles had tried to photograph, and out of that collection he only chose three pictures. The others were taken in the wrong lighting, or from a very far distance, and pus he had not been using a camera as good as the one he had now. There were several other collections, pictures from nature, pictures of Hogwarts, and of course of his friends. Charles was looking through the pictures of his friends and quite engrossed in what he was doing to notice what was going around him as he looked at the pictures trying to choose the best ones and a little uncertain which ones he thought weren't too bad.

((Mary should reply first, and then if any of Charlie's friends from Hufflepuff want to join, they can do so but just IM me first please because if we're talking about our families, Charlie isn't quite ready to share that part of his life with anyone else.))

[Mary Evans]

Humming to herself as she brushed her hair Mary glanced over at the clock. With a gentle smile she noticed it was almost time for her to go meet Charlie. She did not know him very well but she felt like she had known him forever for some reason. It was likely because they had very similar background when it came to family relations, she thought bitterly looking over at the letter she had recently received from her father. He had informed her that she was to spend the summer playing hostess to her cousin and a number of his Durmstang friends; yet another of her mother’s attempts to make her the perfect pureblood enthusiast.

She couldn’t wait to see Charlie’s pictures from Weinig Zug. Mary had been absolutely euphoric when she heard from him that he had gotten them developed and was ready to show her. Beyond the simple note they had not corresponded since Christmas Day and this was a meeting Mary planned on being on time for. With a final check of her reflection in the mirror Mary headed out of the dorms.

She moved swiftly down the hallways barely registering where she was until she pushed open the doors to the lounge. The room was nice and warm with a fire crackling away. Mary listened to the murmur of the students for a minute with a smile while looking around the room for Charlie. She had almost thought he wasn’t there yet when she noticed him tucked away in a corner sitting on the carpet. She made her way over and sat down beside him. “Hey there stranger.” She said softly with a smile hoping not to startle him.

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Charles looked up from the picture he was holding and returned Mary's smile. "Hey Mary!" he said with a grin. He patted the ground beside him and waited for her to sit down. He started shuffling through the pictures he had laid out until he found the group of the ones from Weinig Zug, and then handed them over to Mary still feeling a little unsure. The top picture was one he had taken of Mary while she was skating, her hair flying in the air and with a happy look on her face. Charles was never happier than when he caught a picture like that – one which showed the expression on a person's face as genuinely happy, not one of those pictures where you had to smile and they ended up looking somehow unreal. The group of photographs he had taken were of the students as sitting in groups talking and laughing, or eating at the table with the great feast on it, and the parade that had been there singing the traditional Christmas carols. He tried to look nonchalant though inwardly he was dying to know if she liked the photographs or not.

[Mary Evans]

Looking around the carpet Mary saw stacks upon stacks of photographs lined up. She glanced at each one visible but didn’t touch; she was blown away by their beauty. Never before had she seen amateur photographs look so… gorgeous was the only word for them. The way that they portrayed life just as it was…

She then noticed Charlie handing a pile to her; after accepting them she looked down only to find herself there. She watched in amazement for a moment as her strawberry blond hair flew around her while she skated with ease around the frozen lake. She hadn’t even known anybody was watching, never mind taking a picture of her; and that much was evident by the look on her face. She looked up at Charlie with a look of wonder and couldn’t resist but ask… “It’s wonderful… do you think you could make me a copy?” Mary asked him unsure of why she felt so nervous about his response. It was a simple question but for some reason Mary felt awkward asking him…<br>
She flipped to the next photograph and waved back to a bunch of people who were sitting at one of the feast tables. Mary grinned remembering the fun of that day; the best Christmas she could ever remember. She then giggled as one of the boys send a piece of mashed potatoes at the girl across from him. The next picture was a group of carollers standing in the knee-deep snow with smiles on their faces whenever they apparently finished their song. The next picture was of an a few people sitting on a bench obviously deep in friendly conversation. Mary smiled imagining the news and stories they must have been catching up on since last they meet.

Looking up at Charlie Mary ginned. “I don't know what to say except… wow… thank you.” She said in a soft voice barely above a whisper. “Where did you learn to do this?” she asked locking her eyes with his.

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Charles watched Mary's face, not daring to believe her stunned expression. "Do you even have to ask?" he said a little breathlessly when she asked for a copy of the photographs. She looked as if she really liked them. Charles had a big goofy grin on his face now. "OK, tell me all the ones you want copies of. This is the first time I've shown anybody any of my pictures… I must say I'm enjoying it," he said. "Tell you what, I'll make you a copy of the whole Weinig Zug collection. I think I have enough developing potion n the dormitory."

Charles looked at Mary and his eyes darkened as he answered her question. "Well, you know about my parents. They would never let me take photography lessons if they thought I might enjoy them. They'd tell me to find something useful to do," he said, trying to sound light-hearted but not really managing it. "I try to read as much books about the subject as I can and try and keep all I've read in mind when I take the pictures, it's amazing how much you can learn from books about photography. One day when I'm older I'm going to have the money myself to do what I want," said Charles wistfully. "We could run away together," he said laughing. "Break away from our families and live the life we choose," he said, feeling a bit happier.

[Mary Evans]

Mary grinned as Charlie said she didn’t even have to ask if she could have a copy of the photograph. She continued to look at them with a small smile at Charlie’s enthusiasm as he asked what pictures she wanted but didn’t wait for an answer and offered the whole set. “Thank you I would love that.” She said to him sincerely. She was quite surprised and flattered when he told her that he had never shown anyone his work before this. “Well I am glad you are enjoying it. You should do it more then, why deny the rest of the world?” she said ginning at him.

As Charlie mentioned his parents taking photography away Mary looked down. Her parents weren’t at the point of taking things away from her yet because they felt they could still save her. She knew what it was like though, having to hide something that you love from them because they will stop you from doing it. Her mother knew that she studied anthropology, for example, but could never know how fascinated Mary was with it.

She listened as Charlie talked about reading photography books and learning from them. “Wow you learnt just from books? But why would they have a problem with photography? It’s a perfectly respected past time in the magical world and if their friends see these it would reflect well on them.” She blurted out before realising he may not want to discuss them in much detail.

Mary giggled as Charlie mentioned having money and them running away together. “Wonderful plan!” she exclaimed, “We can flee their tyranny and explore new lands. Backpack through Europe and lay on a beach in Mexico.” She continued with his joke.

[Charles Driscoll H7]

"I know that. It's not photography per se, it's just anything they know I enjoy doing. I mean, first it was horse-riding. Then it was reading muggle stuff… well that's understandable, but it's everything they think I might possibly enjoy when I'm at home. They think this way I'm going to give in and concede to all there orders, but I'm not going to. I've survived three years, and I'm going to continue. I'm convinced with my point of view, and well meeting you has made me even more convinced as I know there are people out there like me," he said with a smile.

Charles chuckled at Mary's words. "I can almost see you… in your bathing suit, you and me, drinking cocktails and with nothing on our minds at all. I've never been to the beach before you know. It's funny how Britain is supposed to be an island yet I have never been anywhere where I could see the sea. What about you?" he asked, before continuing to joke. "What a pity there is just that little problem of the money… speaking of which, how's the sociology reading these days? Have you given any though to possibly pursuing that as a career when you grow up? You could always do it in the magical world, you know, combine both magical and muggle methods. Healers make a lot of money from what I hear."

[Mary Evans]

Mary listened to Charlie not looking at him, instead fiddling with the carpet, as he explained that it wasn’t photography that his parents had a problem with. They took anything and everything he enjoyed away from him in an attempt to conform him… She shook her head in disgust still playing with the loose strands. She did look up as he mentioned having gone through three years of it and refusing to give in no matter what. Mary had not the slightest clue where he could draw that type of strength and admired him for it. “Gosh you know… I don't think I could ever do that. I know I have my beliefs and I stand up for them despite my family but… To have your family actively working against you and still be able to say you will take that and more… How… I mean… how do you do that? Where do you find the strength… the energy?” She asked him.

Laughing as Charlie mentioned the two of them drinking cocktails on a beach Mary lay back on carpet. She closed her eyes with the pictures in her hand resting on her stomach and the image in her mind’s eye. Charlie mentioned never having seen the sea and asked about Mary’s travels. “Well my mother and I despise the cold so we spend most every holiday on some random beach while staying in another random resort. This was actually my first Christmas spent anywhere with snow rather than sand.” She told him with the beach still in her mind.

When he brought up her becoming a healer though by asked about sociology she opened her eyes and the beach vanished. “Well I haven’t been focusing too much on it but its going well; very interesting.” She said with a smile.

He talked about combining that with magical methods to help people. “The only problem with that… my mother would totally disown me. I would no longer be an Evans I would just be… Mary. My options would all be completely closed and there would be no room to move. Plus as much as I don't believe in the social hierarchy and reject the pureblood propaganda… I do like being an Evans. Everybody has their faults right? And despite theirs my ancestors have done some amazing things…

“It’s a neat idea to be sure but… it’s a pipe dream. I couldn’t ever go through with it without losing everything. And even if I gave up my family, name, everything, for it… how would I get the education required? My parents won't pay for that and they control my bank account as well…” she babbled at him before snapping her mouth shut and looking around the room, anywhere but at him. “Sorry I have been a little… cynical lately.” She said softly with eyes still averted.

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Charles sighed, and it was his turn to look away. He just didn't know how to say this to Mary, it hurt too much to even admit it to himself. He didn’t know how to share it with her right now, and plus he didn’t always want be the one who made them get in such a depressing mood. But he owed her an explanation and she seemed to like him, plus he trusted her enough to know she wouldn’t tell anyone about this. It was hard to have to hide away part of your life from everyone – especially for Charles who was a natural and honest person. He had always been straightforward in everything he did or said. He supposed he could try and explain it to her without bringing up Samantha. "Well, it isn't easy. But there is one thing that makes it a bit easier for me. You'd have to know my parents to understand it really… but the truth is I don’t think that they're - " Charles hesitated then continued in a low voice, "capable of love. They – they don’t know what it is, I mean, even to love each other or their own children. They're blinded by so many other things; fame, power and success. And I might have been the same. No, I don’t think so," he said as an afterthought. "But I think I might have thought it was just me that they didn’t like, that I was so bad in some way that they couldn't just love me the same way all other parents love their children. But you see, hard as it was for me, I knew what real love was from an early age. I eventually understood that is wasn't anything that was wrong with me, it was them. Whatever I might have done would never have been enough. True, they might have treated much better if I had stuck to their stupid rules and way of life, but they wouldn’t have loved me. And that, to me, was more important than anything else they could give me," he said, as if he was talking to himself. He could see certain moments from his life pass fleetingly through his mind; Samantha laughing and playing with him, Samantha showing him the funniest things with her wand, such joyous moments. And he could almost hear his mother's emotionless voice, don't touch this, don’t sit there, don't talk with him. He finally looked up at Mary and smiled at her. It wasn't an easy life, but he knew what he wanted. And at least at Hogwarts he could almost forget his parents even existed.

Mary was lying on the carpet with the picture in her hand and Charles grinned as he brought his wand out and pointed it at her hair, levitating so that it fell in her face and tickled her. He listened to what she was telling him about her family and shrugged. "As long as you know what you want," he said. "And you should still consider healing if you ask me. It's one of the most prestigious professions after being an Auror I should think. I'm sure you're parents want you to make a lot of money and you don’t have to be too obvious about using any muggle methods. Psychology is an important branch of healing just as it as an important part of medicine. You could try and research a bit beforehand though so you can convince your parents if you have to. It’s not like you'll be leaving the magical world or anything. And maybe when we're older we'll be able to live without them interfering so much with our lives. I gave up everything because it was simply not enough for me. I understand that it is for you, though I hope you don’t have to make that choice of giving up later on. Cynical… you want to talk about it?" he asked. Something in her voice made him feel that there was something going on.

[Mary Evans]

As Mary listened sympathetically Charlie explained how he believed his parents were incapable of love. She found it amazing that a parent could be so preoccupied as to not be able to love their child; she certainly didn’t doubt it but she was still fazed by the knowledge. He explained that as a child he had thought it a problem with him but through time he came to realise it was his parents. He then went on to say that they may have treated him batter had he stuck to their rules and regulations. “You’re right though; that’s no way to live. Doing things and saying things you don't believe in simply for the things that can be provided meanwhile they don't feel any love. Granted it may be easier to simply go with it and accept what you can get than to fight; but eventually… the wrongness of what you are doing would eat at you would it not?” she said almost timidly, unsure of what to say.

She took a long deep breath and Charlie began playing with her hair, tickling her with it. The sombre state she had been in from their conversation was shattered as she giggled and feebly tried to brush the hairs away. “Well I don't really know what I want I just… don't think that it would be possible. Although you are right so long as I keep the muggle methods at a bare minimum… I don't know I suppose when the time comes to choose a career path I will consider it. Although my mother not interfering with my life… that will never happen. My mother is the queen of interfering.” She said to him with a grin.

Mary was slightly put off and raised her eyebrow at Charlie as he stated that all the shallow things his parents could provide was not enough for him but seemed to be for her. It just sounded so bad when put that and she was about to deny it when she realised she couldn’t find the words… it was true. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes trying to wrap her head around this new perspective. “Is it such a bad thing?” she asked softly to both of them. “It may not be ideal but it’s a way of living… a way of getting what I want.” She continued to justify.

He then asked if she wanted to talk about why she had been feeling so cynical. “To be honest with you… I would love to but I can't.” she said slowly. “I really can't figure out what’s wrong. Its like there is something, some problem, buzzing around my head like a fly that I can't catch.” She continued clearly stuck in her own head. She snapped out of it though and smiled up at him. “I'm sure its nothing; I’ll be fine.”<br>

[Charles Driscoll H7]

"Tell me about it," said Charles knowingly agreeing to all Mary was saying. The conversation took a very serious turn and one that Charles felt might create some hostility between him and Mary. He didn't want thatto happen, he had finally found a person he could talk to about that part of his life and he didn’t want to lose her friendship. He also didn’t think that her life choices made her a shallow person or that his made him an overly idealistic or brave one. They couldn't be distinguished that easily, neither his nor her choice were completely white or black respectively. He tried to explain that to her now looking her in the eye. "Mary, that's not what I meant!" said Charles vehemently shocked that that was what she had understood from his words. "I just think we're two people who want different things. And while our circumstances are similar in some ways, in other vital ways they are very different. My parents don’t love me and I don’t love them – it's not just a difference of opinion. In your case it's different; you and your family do love each other even if you don’t agree with all their opinions. All I wanted to say is that we've made our choices according to what we want, and as long as we're not hurting anyone else or thinking we're superior to others who we should be treating as equals, we're free to do that. It's what you want, Mary. I don't think you’re shallow, not at all. And should you ever have to make the choice between your friends and your family, I know you're going to have the courage to choose the right path, Mary. You already have at school by making friends with everyone regardless of whether your parents would approve them or not," he said, pausing for breath after his long speech.

He wondered what was disturbing her but it seemed as if even she wasn't sure herself. Maybe it was something girly she couldn’t share with him. No, he didn’t think so. Confusion was written all over face. "Well, I'm here when you find out if you want to talk about it," he said smiling back. "By the way Mary, you never did tell me who your friends are other than me at school. We just met during the last trip so I haven’t really noticed who you hang out with," he said, trying to restore the cheerful mood they had been in a few minutes ago.

[Mary Evans]

Mary listened to Charlie explain that he hadn’t meant any harm in what he said; she was simply misunderstanding. He told her their situations were different and that they wanted different things. Mary comprehended what he was saying but… she couldn’t help but feel she was shallow no matter what he said. Sure she loved her parents but… did she love the advantages to being an Evans more? Suddenly she wasn’t so sure… She simply gave him a weak smile not wishing to discuss it any further; she would just have to chew on it later when she was alone.

The smile became genuine though as he told her that he was there when she figured out what it was that has been bothering her lately. “Thank you, I appreciate it. And I just may take you up on that offer.” She got out with a grin.

Mary was slightly surprised when Charlie asked about her friends; she had never really thought about that. Who did she consider a friend? “Well… I suppose that depends on what you think a friend is. Someone you would bare your soul to without any worry? Someone you can hold a true conversation and be yourself with? Or just someone you enjoy spending time with?” Mary said while mentally categorizing the people she knew, most just fell into the final category.

“I would have to say no matter your definition my best friend would have to be Kris Graas. He’s actually the only person who I would let in completely and tell everything to without a worry of how I would be judged. But in my opinion a friend is someone you feel you can be yourself around and with whom you hold real conversations; not just chitchat. So I guess I will go off that definition if you don't mind. So off the top of my head my friends, besides you of course, would have to be Kris, Dana, Pyro, and Jersey. I suppose you five are the only ones who I feel able to open myself enough with to have true personal conversations you know? Only people I would be ok crying in front of…” She said hoping nobody had slipped her mind.

“So who are your friends Charlie?” She asked him with the grin that comes when returning a difficult question back to the sender. “And by which standard do you judge who is a friends and who… isn’t?”<br>

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Charles was glad they had managed to move onto a different subject, he didn’t want to make Mary uncomfortable talking with him because of his opinions. However it was his turn to wonder at his own choices when they started discussing friends. It had never been something he had given much thought except for the fact that he always wanted to feel accepted by people and was always delighted when he made a new friend. He frowned as he listened to Mary speak of her own friends and didn’t reply immediately after she had finished. He was feeling a little muddled, like he needed some time to think about this, but he knew he had seen something about himself he had not really noticed or tried to analyse before.

"Mary, you know you've made me realise something I'm not sure I was totally aware of. I've always been so bent on getting people to like me that I've just been thankful when someone's nice to me and I try not to do or say anything that might make them change their opinion of me. Do you think that's… that it's bad? I mean I'm friends with two Hufflepuffs, Ivy and Nokomis. There's also Liz Connely, someone I just met a few days ago and really liked from Gryffindor. But, you're the only one I've been able to tell about my parents and my relationship with them, or should I say my lack of a relationship with them. I don’t know I just don’t feel comfortable sharing something like that with them, it's not something I like thinking or talking about like I told you before," said Charles thoughtfully rubbing his chin. He was thinking about the whole crying thing. Charles didn’t cry, it wasn't a thing boys did, but if he ever needed to he certainly couldn’t do it in front of anyone, but somehow in front of Mary he didn’t think he would be as uncomfortable crying as he might be doing it in front of any of the other people he had just mentioned. "I don’t try and act differently or change myself just to make them like me, but I suppose I do hide a part of myself from them," said Charles, looking back at Mary wondering what she would have to say about it.

[Mary Evans]

Mary raised an eyebrow as Charlie explained that he was so concerned with being accepted he avoided doing anything that might give someone a poor opinion of him. She really did know how to react to that; even when he asked if that was wrong. But he didn’t seem to expect an immediate answer because he went on to name the people he would consider a friend. She was rather surprised when Charlie revealed that Mary was the only one he felt comfortable telling about his home life. Mary was at a total loss for words and Charlie finally explained that he simply hid parts of himself; not pretended to be someone he was not as it had sounded before.

“I think we all hide parts of ourselves from others though. I can not imagine what it would be like were we all fully revealed. Granted some people hide more than others, and some hide better than others, but in the end we all hide, we all build our walls. But Charlie… I honestly don’t think you need to worry about people not liking you; especially because of your parents. And even should someone not like you; what does it matter? Please tell me if I am out of line and know I mean no offence but… you shouldn’t be too concerned with other people’s opinions. We all worry about being accepted yes but… you are who you are and if someone doesn’t like that its their problem, not yours. But I certainly do understand about being selective about who you tell what to. I mean I have my walls just as everyone else and nobody gets personal information too easily… All I am trying to say is you have no need to feel bad about hiding and that you are a great guy so even should you not hide people will like you just the same.” She spewed before she could stop herself. Sentimental, supportive, sappy, it wasn’t Mary but… something about the way he had been speaking had made the words come out. It wasn’t lovely and by no means was here babble eloquent but… it was honest; and in cases like this that was the best she could offer.

After her nonsensical babble Mary looked around the room embarrassed; looking everywhere but at Charlie. She babbled quite often and didn’t mind that at all… In this case though she knew she would never be able to explain what she had meant… she didn’t even understand it all herself.

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Charles listened very attentively to what Mary had to say his brow furrowed in contemplation. He supposed it was true that everybody hid parts of themselves, one could not after all tell someone everything about oneself. He supposed you just had to try and be as open as you could, and above all avoid lying. He opened his mouth to speak and then though a bit more. Maybe Mary was correct about just being yourself and not caring what people thought. "You know, I could tell people I don’t get along with my parents, but I don’t usually like running them down in public. I dunno… maybe because you’re parents are like mine I know you'll understand, but I'm not going to tell everyone we don’t like each other. It’s not something I like thinking about myself even. But I do know I'm going to be more open now, even if not about this. You've really given me something to think about," said Charles, a twinkle now in his eye as he looked back at Mary and was struck by a sudden thought. "We do have awfully philosophical conversations, don’t we? I like them, but they make me feel so much older somehow," he said with a smile.

He suddenly noticed Mary was a little embarrassed. He'd ever seen her embarrassed before, and it surprised him as it was so unlike her. He pulled out his wand again and gave her a little poke under her arm. "Hey, what are you embarrassed about?" he asked. "Hmmm… an embarrassed Mary. No there's something I thought I'd never see," he said in a teasing tone.

[Mary Evans]

Mary was terribly relieved as Charlie seemed to comprehend what she had said; though she didn’t herself. She gave a small chuckle still looking down as he commented that they have philosophical conversations. “You know you aren’t the only person to say that to me. I think maybe it’s partially the Slytherin in me; nothing is light down in the dungeons. The common room is beautiful and I rather like it… but it can be quite an oppressing place sometimes. I guess when you know everyone around is looking out for themselves first you have to be serious lest what you say be used against you. Not that there is nobody who can be trusted in Slytherin… I mean of course you can but… Wow I am taking a lot of things back aren’t I?” she said with a slight laugh now staring fixedly at a spot on the wall.

She gave him a cockeyed grin though as he teased her about being embarrassed and mentioned that being something near unbelievable. Laying on the carpet once more she forced herself to relax and stop worrying; this was Charlie… It was rather odd for her to believe this was only their second time speaking but somehow she knew she didn’t have to worry about snide remarks escaping his lips. “Embarrassed? Since when am I embarrassed? I was only faking just in case you felt awkward; didn’t want you to feel like the only one. Yeash, I try and be a good friend and I get teased for it.” She said before sticking her tongue out at him. “Why I ought to march out of the lounge right now for that remark.” She said as an afterthought getting up and standing above that. “How would you feel about that?”<br>

[Charles Driscoll H7]

Charles wondered who it was who told Mary they always had philosophical conversations together. He listened as she talked to him about what it was like in the Slytherin common room, and in his mind he compared it with his own common room, and marvelled at the difference between the two places. He knew he never could have been a Slytherin; he never would have fitted amongst them, but didn't think any less of Mary because she was a member of that house. It was not like there was anything wrong with ambition, as long as one directed it in the right direction, and not like most Slytherins preffered to. When she looked back at him and stuck her tongue out Charles couldn’t help but smile. He was glad he had found such a good friend, someone he could joke around with but also he knew would be there to listen to him when he felt like talking about more serious and saddening stuff.

He raised his eyebrows when she said she had just been faking. Well, faking or not, Charles felt like pulling her leg. Their conversation had been meaningful and serious for long enough, it was time they had some fun. He looked at Mary with mischief in his eyes. "Why, as a good friend I should run after you and make you listen to my sincerest apologies. However I don't think I've offended you though, so Mary Evans, you were embarrassed. As embarrassed as someone who just realised they were naked in the middle of breakfast in the Great Hall," he said, his mouth twitching as he tried to look as if he meant it and that he wasn't joking.

[Mary Evans]

Eyebrow quirked Mary bit her lip to prevent from giggling at Charlie's imagination. "And you know what that feels like from experience? Wow I must have been sick that day..." she quipped referring to his line about being naked in the Great Hall at breakfast. "You know you were on a good track with the talk of giving your sincerest apologies but now you continue these absurdities about me being embarrassed. Well let me tell you, a good Slytherin never gets embarrassed. I will not tolerate this; no I won't..." Mary said as she began walking to the door as if storming off in a fit of ire before turning back to him. "I'm hurt" she said with an exaggerated pout before emitting a giggle and running, as fast as her heels would allow her, out of the lounge pictures in hand.

[Charles Driscoll H7]

"Not from experience, but I saw it in a dream once. More like a nightmare," said Charles. Charles could see that Mary knew he was just pulling her leg but was pretending that she didn't. His lips twitched as he tried not to smile when he saw her exaggerated pout, she looked so cute and funny at the same time, a lot different than when they had been discussing their futures and other serious issues. Chuckling, Charles got to his feet and scrambled after her, the sound of their footsteps and laughter echoing on the walls of the corridor as he ran after her.