A giggling fit. ((Illiya))

[Flo Murvac H4]

Flo was really tired. She hadn't slept, and was practically falling asleep on the chair in the student lounge. she was reading a book. It was a muggle book, that Flo had been given by her friends. It was called Cinderella, the twisted tale. Flo was enjoying it, but she barely could keep her eyes open. A loud bang was heard, and Flo stood straight up. She looked over and saw a student had slammed a book shut. Flo rolled her eyes, and kept reading/falling asleep. She was getting to the bit where Cinderella was getting to go to Ball, but at one cost, she had to go as a clown. Flo laughed, but to be interrupted by someone.

[illiya]

The night was closing in on all of Hogwarts and most of the younger students had already scurried off to bed, their minds still reeling from a day of classes and an evening of homework. Illiya had long since done her homework but still could not bring herself to trudge up to her dorm for some needed rest. Instead, she found herself wandering down the hall towards the student lounge. There was still about an hour before curfew and though Illiya usually spent this time in the Gryffindor common room, tonight she just needed to be some where else. The last few weeks had brought home some frightening facts to her. Illiya was in her fourth year and knew hardly anyone by more than just a name and reputation. In all that time, she’d watched them all have adventure after adventure but she, herself, could never find the courage to join them. Homework had been a good excuse for a while but now Illiya was beginning to see it was just that, an excuse.

Recently whatever courage the Sorting Hat had seen in her so long ago had begun to read its head and after one short adventure on her first night back in the castle, Illiya had begun to crave more. She found, to her surprise, that she needed that little adrenaline rush more than she’d thought possible. Illiya had never felt very confident before in anything she did concerning the wizarding world. She felt out of place, lost and like some great walking disaster waiting to happen to whatever unsuspecting soul was unlucky enough to be in her same time zone. Grace had never been one of Illiya’s strong points.

Illiya pushed the door to the Student lounge open with relative ease as she had decided to bring only 3 books instead of the usual stack she carried around the school. Looking about, she noted not many people were still up at this hour and most had fled back to the company of their own houses. In one corner of the room, a young friendly-looking Hufflepuff sat slumped in a chair reading. She seemed almost half asleep by the looks of things but now and then she let out a little giggle, apparently what ever she was reading was highly amusing. Illiya considered just going back to her own room but just as she reached for the door handle again, an image of Maryn popped into her head. Maryn, who had shown Illiya her first adventure through the castle, would not approve of the cowardice Illiya was showing now. Resolutely, Illiya turned back around and walked quickly toward the chair where the younger girl was sitting before she could change her mind.

As Illiya approached, she felt suddenly silly for her apprehension. This was a Hufflepuff after all, not a Slytherin, and Huffles were usually incredibly friendly. Illiya craned her neck to look at the book as she approached. The strangest picture of a beautiful young woman in a clown suit was gracing the top of the page. Illiya raised an eye brow and frowned in confusion. Well, there was one way to find out what the picture was all about. Her extra study time forgotten for a little while, Illiya walked around to the front of the chair and its occupant. “Excuse me,” she began softly, her voice little more than a rough whisper. “I’m really sorry to bother you but could I sit over here?” Illiya gestured to the obviously empty seat near Flo. Illiya was determined to make more friends this year. She had started off fairly well thus far, she just hoped her luck would hold out.

((Sorry this took so long!!!!!!!)))

[Flo Murvac H4]

Clowns. Flo absolutely hated clowns. So she was reading a book about a girl who had to dress as one, Flo didn't mind. But just the thought of going to the Circus, and seeing a clown, was unbearable. Flo couldn't stand them. Ever since Flo was a small child, and had gone to the circus. Clowns where very scary to her, and her brother knew it. Tim would often tease her, if the family wanted to go to the circus, and Flo would bring every excuse in the book to try and get out of it.

Flo was reading the book, as a girl asked her a question. Flo jumped in her seat, obviously terrified that it would be a clown. Then she sighed relief, that it was just a Gryffindor, asking to sit in an empty chair, near Flo. "Sure!!" Flo cried out. "Theres nobody sitting there, so sure you can!." Flo grinned. A person to talk to would keep her awake. " You didn't really bother me." Flo went on. "But you did scare me. I'm Flo." She said, probably thinking that the girl had no idea who she was. Most people didn't, but Flo had made some really good friends that year.

((That ok!! ;D ))

[illiya]

The younger Hufflepuff seemed extremely friendly as she greeted Illiya and assured her that she could sit. The girl announced herself as Flo. Illiya smiled broadly as she sank into the chair opposite Flo, her books settled onto the soft cushion and sank about two inches just from the weight. “I’m very sorry to startle you. I didn’t mean to. My name is Illiya. Illiya Jenkins.” Illiya offered her hand out to Flo as she used the other to push a few loose strands of hair roughly behind her ear. Glancing down at the book still perched in Flo’s lap, Illiya screwed up her face in a small frown. “Uh…If you don’t mind me asking….why is she dressed like a clown?” Illiya pointed one finger at the upside down image on the page, leaning forward so she could get a better look. The springs in her seat squeaked slightly as she edged forward, trying to get a better glimpse of the picture that had caught her attention. All of the tension she had over meeting someone new had been quickly burned away in the bright light of Flo’s personality. The younger girl was a veritable fountain of joy and Illiya found it quickly contagious.

[Flo Murvac H4]

Flo looked down at the book. Yes it did seem a bit strange, seeing a girl looking horrified that she was wearing a clown costume. After shaking The girls hand, and finding her name was Illiya, Flo as asked why the girl was in a clown costume. "Oh, Well this is supposed o be a story of Cinderella, but it's a really different story. You see, she can't go to the ball, unless she wears a really ugly clown suit. It's really funny actually." Flo said, trying not to giggle. "I could do that. I'd die of embarrassment!!" She cried, Finlay bursting out in a giggle. "So, having fun this year?" Flo asked Illiya, wanting to know more about her. She seemed very nice, Flo had decided.

[illiya]

Illiya gave Flo a confused look when the girl explained the story to her. “Uh…right then. As for school, well, same old, same old I guess.” She shrugged and flopped back in her seat, a hateful look cast upon her books. Normally Illiya enjoyed studying, to an extent, but this year had begun strangely for her and now she found herself wishing for a little more adventure in her life. “Classes are ok, but this year I have my OWLS so I have a lot of extra studying to do. I’m already behind in potions and I’m pretty sure Professor Snape is going to fail me in there.” Illiya looked and smiled warmly at Flo. “What about you? Enjoying your third year?”

[Flo Murvac H4]

Flo bit her lip. She knew she had a year to go until she had to do her OWLS, but that was it. It was only one more year. Flo Looked at Illiya. "Oh, OWLS. Don't make me think!!" Flo giggled. "Yes, Classes are very good for me. I really liked my Charms class." Flo said. It was her favorite class after all. "And third year, couldn't be better." Flo said smiling. This year would of had to be the best so far. Flo had met lots more people, ad was starting to become a bit more confident.

[illiya]

Illiya smiled a bit at the younger girl. “Well, enjoy it while it lasts. I wish I were back in third year. I would have a lot less on my plate and would be a lot less stressed out. What’s your best subject?” she asked brightly. Illiya had never been blessed with any over whelming talent in any area but transfiguration was her strongest subject. She was utterly abysmal at Potions though and was certainly not looking forward to her OWLS in that subject. If Professor Snape had his way, she’d never be allowed within a 5 foot radius of a cauldron again.

[Flo Murvac H4]

"Oh, I will." Flo hoped it wasn't too hard in forth year. She might not be able to manage.

The class that Flo was most good at. Flo really didnt have one. It was all balanced and same. "I guess I don't really have a best subject. Maybe Care of Magical creatures." Yes Flo did also love that class. It was her second favorite, next to Charms. She loved seeing the wonderful beasts, that the Professor would show them.

[illiya]

Illiya frowned a little, “I’m not so good in that subject.” Her thoughts turned back to last year when she had almost lost a hand to a very hungry skrewt. Illiya shuddered and had enough sense to look abashed at the whole incident. “I was raised on a farm but none of the animals I grew up with has ever tried to eat me.” Illiya laughed lightly. “So what plans do you have when you get out of school?”

[Flo Murvac H4]

Tried to eat her? Why would an animal try to eat someone? Well this was Flo being Flo. Yes, she did know bout the food chain, but it just hadn't registered in her brain yet.

Flo was frowning as she kept thinking about it. Then she realized that Illiya might have been wondering why Flo was frowning. She quickly put on her 'I'm not confused one bit' face, and replied to Illiya about what her plans were after Hogwarts.

"Well, I would really like to be an actress, like the muggles have on their... thing-a-ma-bobs." Flo obviously meant Televisions, and movie screens. "But if that doesn't plan out, then, I don't really know. What about you?" Flo asked, the puzzling face returning.