Castle Reactions (( Plot People ))

[dawn]

"It's simple really. After you have mastered the simple skill of concentration and poise you are pretty much set. Keep want you want the spell to do in your mind, and picture it working. Then at the last minute think of the words, the specific pronunciation and you should master the spell pretty quickly." Dawn McGrogan spoke in a calm tone as she stood in front of a beginner's Charms class. Dawn's year has been quite busy and helping out Professor Flitwick was one of her added on priorities to her normal schedule. She was in her seventh year of schooling and she had a lot of work to do her final year. Taking all the classes she could and was allowed to take, plus a private lesson, quidditch practice, tutoring, helping out Professor Flitwick, Head girl jobs, Court dates, and still trying to make time for her boyfriend, Cole Waters.

Keeping busy with school, her brother has been on her mind. Her Court dates meant trying to get legal control over him. Since their father died the house as well as Aden have been in the middle of a legal feud. Rachel, Dawn's older sister, wont even help her out getting power over Aden. She was left to fend for herself for McGrogan Manor and the summer home~ Satine. During several months of fighting, Dawn found a family statement that could save her and Aden, but she must wait another month before she can use it as evidence.

But during the whole power struggle, Dawn has had Cole at her side. Her best friend for nearly 16 years, and in the 16th year of being friends, their relationship moved up another level out of the blue. Being attached at the hip as best friends, being a couple wasn't much different. They already knew each other more than anyone has ever known them, actually more than they even knew their selves. All during their friendship they finished each other's sentences, thoughts, and felt what the other was feeling all hours of the day and being together just made it that much better. They started their relationship over the summer. Dawn visited Cole at a quidditch game that he played, and the evening escalated. And since summer, the two have been together for about 7 months.

In the several months of their relationship Dawn changed. Cole didn't change her, it is just being with someone did. First off, Dawn was a McGrogan. After her father's death she realized that she needed to set her priorities and deal with life differently. She was a born, "witch" in figurative words. She was rude, crude, blunt, and dangerous to the core. She will always be, but with what she wants to do, and further her life- she will need to find power in all different areas. And being "out of her own character" will help her reach her goal. Basically for lack of better expression- Dawn lightened up her grip on her connections of different bloods. She of course, will Not speak to them directly- but interacting in classes is not a problem. She uses it as a study period. Learning their mannerisms and their "tricks of the trade". Dawn likes to think of herself as a spy under cover. She is a true Sly Slytherin.

The class bell rang as several first years gathered their books, bags, and wands and made their way through the door way and into the corridors. "Well I must thank you Ms. McGrogan you are always a lot of help these days." Filius Flitwick spoke as he closed his lesson booklet. Smiling Dawn looked up to him. "Of course. It never hurts to practice myself as well." Putting her wand into her pocket she glanced at the time. It was 6:35. Dinner was in full swing by then but Dawn really wasn't in the mood to eat right now. She wanted to see Cole. They normally met at 6:30, so Dawn was late. "Good Night Professor." She said with a courtly nod and left the room. Turning toward her right, she started down the hall to the main stairs. Her blond hair was down and it bounced on her shoulders as she skipped down the several flights of stairs. In her mind, all she wanted to do was see Cole. They have no classes during the day together, because of the year difference, and at the end of the day after classes, is normally when the two see each other- other than lunch, breaks, and breakfast of course. But in the evening is when they get to spend time together.

Grasping the rail she turned the corner and made her way down the last flight of stairs. Looking out on to the main hallway she glanced down the dungeon stairs to see if she was in front of Cole, Since she was late- she hoped he was running late as well. Dawn hates to wait; and she loathes to make him wait. With no shadows seen, Dawn exhaled and stepped off the final stair. Pulling her Slytherin tie loose a little, she walked swiftly across the marble floor to the dark dungeon stairs. A crowd of people stood in her way, but Dawn found an orderly path through so she could be on time. Reaching the stairs the sound of her heels on the marble changed to a dull sound on cement. Stair after stair- Dawn skipped down four flights to the Slytherin Common room. "Good Evening Dawn." "Hey there" A few voices sounded as she passed a group of friends on the stairs. With a nod, she greeted and continued on her way. Stepping off the final stair, she had to walk down the hall, turn right once, left, and right again- and she will be at the common room. "Geeze, Of course, such a walk to get what I want." Dawn murmured under her breath as she ran her left hand though her hair as she strolled down the halls. Two suits of armor placed at a corner across from each other, sat silently. As Dawn passed she asked, "Do you have the time?" and two deep voices answered simultaneously, "6:43." "Damn." She answered as she picked up speed. Step after step Dawn got anxious. Humming a random tune, she turned the final corner of the dim dungeon. Seeing another suit of armor a few feet away, She grinned since it was the Common Room suit she say every day. With her hands swaying at her sides, she felt something grab hold of her left hand, after she turned the corner. "What the.." she yanked her hand free and looked toward her left, as she pulled her wand free from her pocket. In the shadows she saw a familiar face, Cole's. His white smile was gleaming in the shadows. Smiling back, Dawn laughed and hugged him in greeting. "You know better than to surprise me, in the dark of all places!" she commented. "You should be glad I didn't throw a spell at you mister." she joked as she pecked him on the cheek. Taking his hand, she made her way to the suit of armor.

[Cole Waters]

"And thats how the Goblin crisis of 1654 ended." Proffesor Binns said in his monotone voice. Proffesor Binns floated past Cole Waters who had his head down on his desk. "Isn't that right Mr. Waters." Proffessor Binns said. Cole stuck his head up quickly and said "Yes Proffesor Binns, the Goblin crisis of 54." A few people laughed as Proffesor Binns floated to the front of the room.

Cole looked at the clock on the wall and said "5:29. Only one more minute." As Proffesor Binns explained the homework for the night Cole began packing up his things. He only had one thing on his mind at the time and that was seeing his girlfriend Dawn. He hadn't seen her at all that day because he had to study for a exam whenever he had a break. As he put his last quill in his bag the bell rang loudly. Cole stood up and began to walk out of the room on his way to the dungeon. As he walked down the hallway he could hear someone calling his name.

"Cole, hey Cole wait up." Cole heard. Turning around he saw a fellow Slytherin sixth year, Jared Hanes. "Hey Jared whats up." Cole said shaking his hand. "Not much man." Jared said walking next to Cole. "Six of us are going down to the pitch and were going to play against some Gryffindors. We really need a keeper. Are you in?" Jared said excited. Cole looked at Jared and shook his head. "I cant man I already have plans." Jared looked at Cole trying to figure out what he was talking about and then he finally realized. "Oh with Dawn." he said. "Ok man but you're gonna be missing out." Cole smiled and said back "No Im not." They shook hands again and went their seperate ways.

As he walked down the hallway he looked at the time. 6 o'clock. Cole had plenty of time until he had to meet Dawn. They met everynight at 6:30 because she helped Flitwick teach a class. Since Cole got out of History of Magic an hour before she got out of class he was ussually the first one in the common room. Walking through a Crowd of First year Gryffindors Cole thought to himself Man it would have been fun to beat up on some Gryffindors in quidditch. If it had been 7 months earlier Cole would have pounced on the opportunity, but ever since he started dating Dawn his prioritys chagned. Dawn was above evertying else in his life. With the hard times she had been facing Cole knew she needed him more than ever so he was with her every chance he got.

Turning a corner Cole walked into the Slytherin Common room. There were already people sitting on the couches. A couple of people said hello as he walked by and Cole just did his ussual nod. As he walked up into his dorm, Cole saw his phoenix Fuego sittin gon its perch. "Hey Fuego." Cole said setting his books down. The phoenix had grown since it first hatched and had died and been roborn several times. Cole filled the bowl with food and walked out of the dorm.

Cole couldnt wait to see Dawn. As he walked to where they ussually met he heard someone speak. "Do you have the time?" he head the womans voice ask. Cole recognized the voice as that of Dawn's and jumped behind the corner. He heard her steps as she came closer. Then when he saw her hand Cole grabbed it and pulled her towards him. Dawn jumped and pulled out her wand pointing it in Coles direction. A huge smile crossed Cole's face as she realized it was him. "I couldnt help myself" Cole said as he hugged Dawn and felt her lips on his cheeck.

Cole felt Dawn entwine her hand in his and he walked with her towards the suit of armor. "So how was teaching today?" Cole asked as they got to the suit. Saying the password Cole and Dawn walked into the common room. A couple of people looked at them as they walked in together. Many people had pictured Dawn and Cole together long before Dawn and Cole did. Cole just figured they were one of those couples that everyone knew should be togther. As they walked toward the girls dorm stairs, Cole heard a familiar voice shout something "Hey look it's the couple of the year." Brent said smiling. Brent was a fourth year friend of Coles. Cole laughed and said "Yea you got that right."

They go to the bottom of the Girls stairs and Cole stopped. "Go drop off your books and I'll be waiting down here." Cole gave Dawn a quick kiss and let go of her hand.

[dawn]

Cole stepped out of the shadows and walked with her to the suit of armor. Hand in hand, Dawn found herself smiling. Soon she answered, "It was fine." she exhaled and added. "Its just, the mudbloods are really into asking stupid questions. And you know my patience level." She said as she widened her eyes at Cole. Dawn has been trying her hardest to tolerate the young mudbloods and half-breeds. She claims it will extend her patience once she gets older, but the work is horrid. Cole soon spoke the password and they walked into the Common Room together. A few heads turned as normal, and a few greetings were said. Grinning and a courtly nod, Cole escorted her to the girl dorm stairs. Leaning into Cole, and kissing him softly in return she said, "Be back in a moment." as she pulled her bag strap back onto her shoulder and turned up the stairs.

Walking up a few flights, She finally made it to the Seventh year dorm door. Turning the gold knob, she walked into the dark room. Pansy Parkinson and two other girls sat around on their beds talking as Dawn made her way in. "Hey Dawn." Pansy greeted as Dawn closed the door behind her and walked toward her own bed. "Just getting out of class now? I don't understand how you can deal with Flitwick. Its extra classes, extra work! And on top of that, you have to deal with mudbloods." Pansy's voice seemed to growl as the word mudblood passed through her lips. "Yea, It's hard." Dawn responded as she placed her bad on her bed. She opened it and took out three books. Walking them over to her desk she answered. "But trust me, its for a good cause." As the final few words were said they were dragged out- meaning something important but only for the few who had an idea. Glancing at Pansy on her way back to her bed, Pansy nodded and grinned. "Of course. So, what do you have planned for this evening?" she asked as she motioned toward the two other girls in the room. "We decided maybe a walk around the grounds later. And a few pranks?" Pansy laughed and waited for Dawn's answer. "A prank? Well I'll be sure to see you three in detention." Dawn smiled as she took off her school robe and tie. "I'm staying in with Cole tonight. I am quite tired actually." she said as she walked over to her closet and placed her robe and tie in a bag. Rolling up her collared white shirt sleeves, she went on. "Thanks, but Maybe we can go out later this week." She smiled as she went back to her bag. Taking out her wand, she placed it in her pocket and went toward the door. Reaching for the knob she walked through the doorway and spoke, "Now ladies, don't get into too much trouble." The three laughed as she closed the door.

Walking down the stairs, she passed the sixth, fifth, and fourth year dorms on her way down back to the Common room. Passing the third year dorm, a girl ran out and jogged down the stairs in front of her, nearly knocking off Dawn's balance and making her fall. "Geeze, Watch where you are going, you fool!" Dawn growled as she caught her balance and started back down the stairs, hearing the girl's feet hit every stair faster and faster as she gained speed. Reaching the last flight, Dawn could hear Cole's voice from the Common Room. Turning the last turn, She smiled as she reached the final few stairs, and could see Cole near by. He was standing with his back toward the dorm stair well. Walking softly behind him, she slowly snuck up on him. A few steps behind him she took out her wand and pointed it between his shoulder blades. Only the tip of the wand touched his back. To anyone this would be alarming, but of course, Cole would have caught on by then. "Be careful what you do, Mr. Waters. I have you at the tip of my wand!" she said slowly with a smile on her face. Letting the tip of the wand run down his spine, she pulled it away, and pocketed it. "Watch out for her Cole. She does have the upper hand." a voice spoke from a few people lounging around the common room. Dawn glanced over her shoulder, and back at Cole. Raising and eyebrow she spoke softly just to Cole, "I do. I'm Head Girl." she winked at him and turned and walked away.

Making her way over to the seating arrangement in the middle of the floor beside the fireplace. Only about five other people at around reading, chatting, playing chess, and what not in their own business. Sitting down on a free couch, she leaned over to the table side to find a magazine. Sorting through two week old daily prophets, a few joke books, Dawn came across a Quidditch Weekly. Opening it up, she realized it was one she had yet to read. "Glorious, A new issue is out and I haven't read it yet. Quinn is slacking with keeping me updated. I'm sure at home I have these stacked in my room. Like they will be worth it several months after issue." Dawn spoke, not to anyone just in general. Just to anyone who would listen. Opening it up, she turned the pages to one that caught her eyes. Folding back one paper she read on. "Cole." she said and paused for a moment. "Did you read this issue yet?" She asked and looked at him. "Here it states, 'New Quidditch team opening looking for young respectable players worthy of holding their own against the top players of the quidditch world. Are you ready?" Dawn's eyes read on and then looked over the top of the page to Cole. She smiled as she was sure, he knew what she was thinking.

[Cole Waters]

Cole watched Dawn walk up the girls steps and then turned around to see who all was in the common room. There were only 5 other people in the room. One was a first year girl who was reading a book in the corner. Cole glanced at her and noticed her looking in his direction. Looking around he realized he was the only one standing there. Looking back at the girl he saw her looking down and smiling. Cole shook his head and looked at the other people. There were two fifth years together and then two second years also. Just then someone Cole knew walked into the common room. "Hey Barry." Cole said smiling.

Barry walked over to Cole and shook his hand. "Whats up Cole?" Barry asked looking around. "Not much man just waiting for Dawn. How about you?" Barry shook his head and said "I'm just on my way to detention. Binns got me for sleeping." Cole cringed and said "That sucks. He almost got me today to." Just then Cole felt the tip of a wand on his back. For a second he got scared but then he realized who it was without hearing them speak. When he heard Dawn's voice Cole smiled at what she said. "The tip of your wand huh?" Cole said grinning. "Watch out for her Cole. She does have the upper hand." Barry said as he started walking out of the room.

Dawn looked at Cole and whispered "I do, I'm head girl." After Dawn winked at Cole he smiled and said "Ooo I think I'll take my chances." Cole laughed and watched Dawn as she sat down. Walking over to her he saw her with a quidditch magazine in her hands. She read a passage out of it and then gave him that oh so familiar look. Cole smiled and sat down next to her. Lifting Dawns legs up he put them on his lap and said "So what are you saying, you think I should try out for the team?" Cole knew that's what she was talking about he just liked toying with her.

Cole leaned over and looked at the page Dawn was looking at. The picture was of a man flying around on a quidditch pitch. Cole read the ad underneath it.

New Quidditch team opening looking for young respectable players worthy of holding their own against the top players of the quidditch world. Are you ready? If so come on down to the Cannons quidditch pitch where we will be conducting try outs on April 24th.

Cole looked up into Dawns Green eyes. "What do you think. Do I stand a chance?" Cole smiled as he asked the question. He knew the answer. Cole looked from Dawns eyes to her lips and back to her eyes. He loved he eyes. "Merlin's beard your beautiful." Cole said smiling at Dawn.

Cole looked back Down at the article in the magazine and read it again. "I might actually do this." Cole said looking at Dawn. "It might be a good oppourtunity.

[leland]

The castle clock rang as the time was 7:00 pm. Most students were finishing up dinner, going back to their common rooms, going to the library to study, or just conversing in the halls around the castle, but there was one sharp, coy, yet flirty guy who was watching all of these little groups flutter around the castle mindlessly. Leland Astor, a Seventh year born and raised pureblood. Leaning up against a wall in the main hallway. He had his hands placed in his pockets ever so comfortably that when you glanced at him, you couldn't help but take a second look at his cool posture. A look about his face issued a superior vibe that made you second guess yourself on speaking in front of him, afraid of embarrassing yourself. Leland had that effect on people. He was superior, as were many seventh year slytherins, but just like all of them- he figured himself the best. Standing up straight, he strolled across the marble floor to a group of slytherin girls chatting at the dungeon stairs corridor. "Good Evening, Ladies." Leland spoke in a collected placid tone. Walking behind a girl, a sixth year he put his hand behind her and placed it on her waist line. "And Ms. Shregger. I've had my eye on you." she spoke with a certain curl to his lips. Melissa Shregger looked at him with a soft smile. She was speechless as she looked into his blue eyes. "I will see you ladies later. Have a lovely evening." she spoke to her group. And looking at Melissa she grinned, "And you, Have a good night." he said softly, as his hand rolled across the small of her back, to her hand. Leland suavely raised it to his lips, as he pecked her good-bye. Placing his hands back into his long black cloak's pockets, he walked down the dungeon stairs.

Putting a relaxed refined look about his face, he strode down stair after stair. Nodding with a coy grin at the several girls who walked by him. He was a flirt, and the entire castle knew it. He has never been tied down while in school, and never had the fixation to be. He was one to loved to "play the field" leading girl after girl on, and breaking their little hearts for pleasure. It was a game to him. But as the story goes, so many girls knew his role. He was the "player" but, all the girls wanted to "tame" him. They wanted to be the one to win over Leland Jacob Astor's heart. Too bad, that would never happen, "Only In fairy tales." a cool tone slipped from Leland's lips as he walked off the stairs and down the dank halls of the dungeon.

A few moments later, Leland stood solemn in from of an old tarnished suit of armor. Speaking the password, the wall retracted and pushed away, to show a short hallway and two stairs leading into the Common room. Walking through, a group of students sat conversing in the heart of the room. While a few others were seated at the extra tables. Walking toward the heart, Leland heard a laugh that rang familiar in his mind. Looking toward his left, he saw a couple. Dawn Mcgrogan and Cole Waters curled up on a couch. Dawn has been a friend of Leland since they were tots. Leland's older brother dated Dawn's older sister when they were younger. Now far since broken up, the two younger siblings stayed friends. Cole on the other hand, has been a friend through Dawn. Leland isn't best friend's with Cole but adores his presents. Of course, when ever Leland isn't with one of his girls, because the whole "staying with one girl" always seems to be brought up.

"Ah, Why don't you two go find an empty classroom and leave the common room for the single folk or something?" Leland, spoke swiftly with a grin on his face as he looked over the two on the couch.

[dawn]

Cole walked over to Dawn and picked up her legs and placed them on his lap. Dawn didn't second guess the movement. Leaning closer toward Cole so he could see the magazine as well, she watched him as his eyes skimmed the paper. "Oh hush, No way! I really don't think you should try out. I think you should go and watch." Dawn said looking at him right in the eyes in a solid tone. Not loosing her gaze soon the solid look turned into a grin. Dawn hit Cole, playfully with the paper and added, "Of course I think you should! You played for the Hawks, I'm sure you can do this!" Dawn handed Cole the paper so he could read on his own. Looking at Cole, he complimented her. Still smiling she leaned in and kissed his softly on the lips. Biting his bottom lip a little, she leaned out and smiled at him. That was her, thanks. Leaning back, she rested her head on the couch's arm rest. Closing her eyes, she sat listening to the few people privately converse about some ravenclaw know- it- all. Shaking her head she opened her eyes. Cole responded to her with, "It might be a good opportunity."

"Of Course it is, Cole. It's just. You are a reserved member of the Hawks, would you put it on the line to try out for an actual team? Which really isn't a "shoe- in" thing?" she asked. She loathed being the negative thought in Cole's life- but there always are things that you need to weigh in all situations. Pausing for a moment, she looked at him looking at the magazine. "Go for it." she spoke enthused. "I think, Go for it." She smiled as she leaned up to Cole and hugged him.

Moments later the Common Room opened as a few more people walked in. Hearing several footsteps scamper around the room, Dawn pulled herself up so she was sitting again, with her legs still over Cole's lap. Just about to speak, Dawn heard a voice- directing itself to Dawn and Cole. Looking up, she saw it was Leland, being the arrogant gent he is. "Hello to you too, Leland." Dawn spoke sarcastically with a smile. "How about you find us a vacant room in this castle? You seem to have all the connections. How do you get past those ghosts?" Dawn asked. Of course she wasn't actually going to "get a room" with Cole. It was all fun and games when it came to Leland's words. And above anyone Dawn knew that. "How is Richella, Kemile, and Melissa doing?" Dawn grinned as she motioned for Leland to come and join her and Cole in the seating arrangement by the fire.

[Cole Waters]

Cole listened to Dawn speak when it hit him. He really would have to put his spot on the Hawks on the line to try out for this other team. "would you put it on the line to try out for an actual team?" kept ringing through his mind. Cole wasn't sure what to do. Was his spot really worth it? Could he even make the team? Hell was he even old enough? Cole was filled with doubts about what to do in this situation. Then he heard exactly what helped him make up his mind. "Go for it" Dawn said. Cole looked at her smiling and said "You know what, I think I will." With that Dawn leaned in and hugged him and her hugged her back.

Just as they had finished hugging Cole heard a voice he recognized. Looking up he saw Leland staining in front of them. Cole had met Leland through Dawn but they became pretty good friends. Laughing at the comments Dawn said to Leland, Cole looked at Dawn and said "Now hunny don't be rude, you know Kamile was last week." Cole laughed and looked at Leland to see his face. Cole knew Leland wasn't mad, they were just poking fun. The funniest part is that alot of the references were true. Leland probably had been with a girl named Kamile before. Leland was known as the school flirt, by everyone. Cole didn't have any problems with it he used to be a flirt to, not nearly as much as Leland, but a flirt none the less.

Still smiling Cole asked Leland "How have you been? It's been a while since I've seen you." Cole figured that because of the year difference that it was pretty much impossible to see Leland during classes, and at night Leland was out trying to find more girls so Cole never saw him in the common room either.

Cole sat up and moved Dawn's legs back to the way they were. Sliding his hand down her arm, Cole put his fingers between Dawns holding her hand. "Staying out of trouble I presume?" Cole said still looking at Leland. Then Cole turned his attention to Dawn. He always had a hard time not looking at her every couple of seconds. Her blonde hair fell down onto her shoulders and he green eyes sparkled as she looked around. She was beautiful. Cole leaned over and kissed her on the side of her head. Then he looked back at Leland.

"Are you ever going to settle down Leland?" Cole asked smiling. He knew the answer he just liked to see Leland cringe at the thought of only having one girl.

[leland]

With a witty smile about him he watched Dawn respond in such a way he couldn't help with grin. "Oh darling, you are quite correct." he said as he strolled down the stair toward to heart of the common room to the sitting arrangement. "I do have all of the connections. Like-wise to yourself of course. You have "inside Hogwarts" political stature, with your labels and all. Where as I have my hidden stature. The man with all the strings and Dependants- but without a single connection to my hip." Leland was now a few steps away from the couple as he took a seat in an empty chair. "No offense to the both of you of course." he said with a glimmer in his smile. Cole addressed him so, he began on him. "I've been quite content. Doing the normal stuff, you know." he slipped his hand into his cloak and took out his wand. "Care for a drink you two? I'm in the mood for a little fire whiskey myself." Three small glasses appeared with a half drank bottle of the finest fire whiskey, on top of the table set in the middle of the room. "How about yourself?" Leland asked as he poured himself a drink.

Leaning back into the chair, he crossed his legs and shot back the whiskey. "Ah." he said pleased as he set the glass on his knee. Turning to Cole as he spoke his face was emotionless. Charming, but thoughtless. "You act like its a marriage proposal." he shot toward Dawn's significant other. "I have too much on my plate at the moment. I'm sure you understand.... I can't "settle down" as you say. There is enough of me to go around while I'm still in school. But the moment I get out- Leland Astor will be out of service!" Leaning forward he put his glass on the table. Looking up to Cole he said, "You know, a little traveling. Make my rounds to my vacation spots." Leland's smile was curled at the ends. He was a flirt alright. But he knew how to play his games well.

Silence covered the group for a moment as Leland sat back. "So, Dawn how is court going?" he asked in a serious tone. He was "out of the loop" for the past weeks and haven't asked her about it all in awhile. The Astor family was hit with the word of Gregory's death hard when it happened. The Astor's and McGrogan's have been friends for century's. Gregory held it together. Now Its Dawn and Leland holding on the tradition.