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[Deviant]

New Beginnings​

The year is 1977. Composure has waxed into combat. Festivity has twisted into fear. The wizarding realm of Britain is engulfed in a grim war between the the armies of Lord Voldemort and the fading vigor of the Ministry of Magic alongside the Order of the Phoenix. The future is all but unknown, and as the days turn darker, despair permeates the world. Tread lightly, whisper quietly— and keep your wands at the ready.

For it is at Hogwarts, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, that our story unfolds.

@Vosrik @Shalken @Cameron Foster @Megilwen @BLADE @Green Ranger @Ecclessey @Benvenu7 @Diva Tumi
​

Chapter One​

​

The corridor was iridescent in the reticent glow of daylight. The afternoon was drawing to its bittersweet conclusion, palpable by an ebbing sun. Students continued to wander the many halls and courts of Hogwarts, striving to ignore the approaching end to the weekend as they dawdled among friends. Tomorrow, classes would once again resume, but for now— Alistair had business to take care of.

He traipsed down the hall with each muffled step. Books tucked under the confines of his arm and a rooted green tie fastened around his collar, he moved ever closer to his destination: the Library. Home to unfathomable reaches of archives and records, it was the perfect venue for his needs. No doubt it would be brimming with students on the hunt for knowledge, but that was of no concern to him. All Alistair needed was a single book, and he would be off.

As he twisted around the corner, the library doors stood poised in all its grandeur. Yet inside, only a handful of students roamed the endless shelves, a tenuous amount compared to what he had expected. Not like that was a problem, though. The less, the better. Offering a feigned smile at the librarian, Alistair found himself a table perfect for his lonesome. Settled in a distant corner, from there he could left to his own devices.

Given several moments of awkward shifting as he attempted to remain comfortable in the seat, Alistair overlaid a chunk of the desk with a myriad of notes and parchment caked in sinuous swirls of ink. For the past several months since the start of school, he had persistently studied both potions and spells capable of satiating his lust for undying adoration from the student body. For years, he had sought to the perfect charm— and finally, he was as close as ever.

 

[Vosrik]

Once more, Adam was in the grandiose library of Hogwarts, pouring over endless books on the nature of charms and their existential limits. Though his homework was always completed and grades were through the roof, Adam was, as ever, lacking any real friends. With a small stack of completed books on the side table next to him, Adam sat in a circle of couches that was placed more or less in the center of the massive bookshelves. Today, he was reading the Dissertation on Charm Theory and Magickal Applications, a five-part series of which he had completed two already since McGonagall assigned their homework for the week.

One might say Adam loved books more than people. In fact, most people in the school did so when they weren't pointing and giggling at the "kiss cursed" Ravenclaw of sixth year. Though neither the curse nor the suspicion were true, it couldn't be denied Adam had more difficulties than most in the relationship spectrum of school life. Books, though a dear love of his, were only a means to an end. In reality, he was deeply fascinated with Charms and had an enduring desire to exceed in the subject. Adam rarely read purely for the purpose of reading, but his tendency to decline spending time with his friends festered the ever-growing tendrils of rumours.

Knowing these whispers didn't help the young magician much though; if anything, it drove him further into his studies so to avoid shameful encounters with other students. And so there he sat, reading and yet keeping an eye on who came and went. Behold, a newcomer; a Slytherin boy of the same year, another who rivaled Adam's own expertise in Charms. Peering at Alistair over his book, he watched the fellow student take a solitary seat away from the others. Losing interest, Adam's gaze drifted back to the knowledge contained in the leaves before him.

 

[Reya Starlyght]

Ever since she has been little, Veronika had admired the elegance and refined taste that had been put into so many pieces of architecture in Europe. Hogwarts, although magical unlike many others, was no exception. Detail was put into every inch of the castle, from every fancily shaped shingle on it's roof to the ridged stone blocks of the dungeon. And while many students glimpsed past these features, considering them trivial, Veronika, for one, greatly appreciated them.

Walking down one of the near deserted halls of the third floor, Veronika turned into the school's library, books and papers in hand and her German Shepard Leo trailing beside her. Without any incident, she took a seat at a table close to the Ravenclaw Adam Chadwick. He was in the same year as Veronika, and she recalled that he was quite good at Charms. She waved hello to him and then set open her books and papers to finish some homework due on Monday. Most of the work was Charms and Transfiguration, not unusual for Veronika, as she took the more advanced Transfiguration class and almost always saved Charms homework for last.

Usually Veronika would do schoolwork in the Gryffinndor Commonroom, but it had been rather loud in the afternoon, so she had ventured to the library. Besides, socializing with other students not in her house was something Veronika hadn't done in quite a bit, and she had learned that the library was quite a good place to hold quiet, civilized conversations.

Taking a better look at her surroundings, she observed that there were very few students in the library currently. That seemed a bit off for a Sunday at this time, but perhaps it had been a rather light week for many. There was a Slytherin in a corner pouring over some, or at least looked like, rather used parchments. Most likely extracurricular studies. Those types of things were rather usual in the library, so Veronika didn't really see the point in paying much attention to him. It sure looked like he wanted to be left alone anyways.

 

[Lucy Lou]

Light laughter echo'd around the halls of Hogwarts as Dany and several of the other Hogwarts six years moved through the halls. For the moment, they were traveling together, in packs, as girls often did, but they ultimately each had their own destinations. Dany actually had a few and was in a little bit of a hurry, but was too polite to just leave her friends suddenly. She was dressed in her Quidditch robes as the Hufflepuff team was going to be practicing in about fifteen minutes. Before she could get down to the field however, she needed to stop by the Library to grab a book she would need tonight while finishing her Transfiguration essay. Her first stop coming up, she turned to her friends and smiled as she pushed her now green colored hair behind her ear.

"Bye ladies!" She said as she pushed open the library doors leaving her group behind. Instead, it was much quieter, the only noise being the sound of pages turning and the scratching of quills. She moved quietly into library and over to the Librarian's desk holding out a slip of paper.

"Animagus Through the Ages" read out Madame Pince the librarian. "Wait here."

Dany smiled and waited turning around to look around the library to see who was spending their inside today. She noticed a few of her friends, she was of course friends with everyone, scattered around the room at various tables. There was a Slytherin, Allister, a Gryffindor, Victoria, and the Ravenclaw, Adam. The Metamorphagus smiled and gave a small wave to any who happened to look up to see her. It wasn't long before Madame Pince was back and holding over a think tome.

"Return it in two weeks." The woman said as she looked at Dany over her glasses sternly.

"Yes ma'am." She replied as she took the book and held it against her. She turned to leave, giving one last hopefully subtle glance at Adam, before she headed out of the library and down the various staircases and out onto the Quidditch pitch. She'd make it just in time for practice. Going to her locker she put the book away and grabbed her broom. She made sure the locker was spelled shut, before taking her broom and running out onto the pitch.

 

[Cheshire]

Brodie wasn't exactly a social bee by any sorts. So if he dared try and work in the safe confines of the slytherin homeroom, he would probably get frustrated and someone would most likely be hurt. So he guessed the library would have to do in the meantime. It was quiet enough but there still was that bit of chatter, after all it was a public room so he could understand that. After looking around, he recognised a few of the people inside, Danae, Veronika and Adam. He quickly looked down at the ground just to check that his adorable puppy was following him around still. Sure enough, the golden face smiled back up at its master with glee of being noticed.

Brodie couldn't help but smile, as he led the puupy over to a secluded table. He noticed a slytherin boy sitting rather close to where he was. He recognised the guy from his common room and finally remembered the guys name. Allister it was. He offered a smile and got straight down to his charms work

(OOC: Will Edit, just @Deviant Would murder me if I didn't post :P)

 

[Vosrik]

"With thy right hand, raise thy wand in swift upward motion; arc it to thy right and conclude with a forward thrust. Accompany the movement with the following incantation: Spectr--"​

The words blurred as Adam further distracted himself by the appearance of more students to the quaint library. A Gryffindor girl, one who he wasn't quite familiar with, wandered nearby and took a seat. As the vibrantly blue-eyed Veronika offered the Ravenclaw a wave, Adam awkwardly nodded and raised his hand halfheartedly back. Cursing inwardly at his own awkwardness, the student turned his gaze back to the words of the dusty book in front of him. Come on now, time to focus.

"...upward motion; arc it to thy right and conclude with a forward thrust. Accompany--"​

Faint giggling and soft footsteps threatened to pull the boy away from his studies once more. Ahh, too late - his mind had already left the page and Adam stared blankly at the floor in front of him. Desperately, he tried to stay concentrated, but curiosity and the social butterfly inside him got the better of the Ravenclaw. Lifting his inquisitive eyes again, Adam spied Brodie - a Slytherin he'd met on the train a month or so previous on the train to Hogwarts. As always, he was followed by that adorable golden retriever puppy. Smiling as he watched the happy-go-lucky furball follow Brodie, Adam found himself wishing he'd gotten a puppy. Though, puppies didn't stay young for long and sometimes lost their cuteness when they grew. Besides, dogs couldn't deliver mail like owls could. Where on earth would he be without Cyra, his faithful barn owl?

A voice broke through the quiet library - in fact, the only voice allowed to be heard in the grand room. Animagus Through the Ages, that's a pretty solid read, Adam thought, turning to see who requested the volume. Adam's heart skipped a beat as he made eye contact with Danae, her hair now a vibrant green that Salazar Slytherin himself would envy. She waved politely, and once again the Ravenclaw found himself trying to wave and fix his hair simultaneously. Brushing a hand through his brown head, the wavy curls flopped back stubbornly as they always did.

As the Hufflepuff turned to leave, Adam caught her glance once more and tried to smile. To any onlooker, they would have seen a slightly red-faced boy making something between a smirk and a smile, but not quite either. He offered the Quidditch Captain another half-hearted wave goodbye before returning happily to his book.

Nailed it.

 

[Deviant]

Silver eyes flickered back and forth. From the thin disorder of parchment strewn athwart the desk at which he sat, to the unforeseen influx of vacillating students. No longer could he so surely procure the peerless book he desired, as it laid in wait amid the undulation of the restricted section. Even with the bereft flick of his wand to summon such a book, the surrounding observers would prove quick to recognize his undertaking. If he was ever to proceed in his venture, he'd need a distraction— and one of commensurable standards.

Of course, luck had always been on his side, and his unsettled gaze expeditiously poised itself to the figure of another Slytherin: Brodie Nico, Sixth Year. Foliate eyes more than apt in beguiling the regard of any fellow student, in company with both immaculate qualities and an unblemished complexion, this student had certainly caught Alistair's own attention early into the year. Though this ordinarily was not out of affection, but rather Alistair had paid great heed to all students, regardless of bloodline. He would have to be sure to avoid those that may come to hinder his contriving endeavors.

Immediately shifting into action, he locked eyes with Brodie. Exchanging an inviting grin, his glare fluttered from the fellow Slytherin to an empty seat next to him. The gesture was more to that of bewitching, as if he was directly asking for the other student to park before him, despite its reticent premise. Yet for now, he could only hope for the fellow to join him.

Spoiler: OOC

smh cameron making me barf out a quick post, h8 u cam-ham

 

[Cheshire]

Brodie sat down on his chair and sat down getting down to work, he almost missed the fact that Allister was grinning at him. He looked at him slightly confused, he knew Allister was a rather smart child but would only delve into the restricted section for his information, like Brodie. When he was younger, he would sometimes sneak inside the restricted section to look at charms and spells. He ended up getting suspended and threatened an expulsion if he continued his way so he hadn't been back there since.

He quickly gathered his stuff and moved to sit opposite Allister and smiled as the puppy followed him over to his table. He was rather confused to why Allister suddenly wanted to talk to him.

"So what does a higher Pureblood want with a low life mudblood like me?"

@Deviant

 

[Deviant]

"Pureblood, half-bloods, muggle-borns— does it really matter?"

The whisper was smooth, subdued against the hushed backdrop of the library. In one supple breath, his raw gaze had fluttered demurely in fixation to Brodie. A mellow furrow of his lips evolved into an engaging smile. With his hand glissading across the table in overture, as if Alistair beckoned him to incline ever closer, the wanton Slytherin continued. "Even if blood did matter, it clearly has little impact on your looks."

Retracting from that remarkably brief exertion of dalliance, Alistair beamed warmly once again before reclining into his stifled seat. Sterling eyes still laid in preoccupation of the fellow student, he waited for his reply.

 

[Cheshire]

"Pureblood, half-bloods, muggle-borns— does it really matter?"

Brodie raised an eyebrow curiously and his mouth formed somewhat of a smirk. He certainly didn't expect that kind of reaction from Alistair or to be honest from any of the slytherin folk. Just who exactly was this guy to just brush off bloodline? Brodie didn't care, he was liking Alistair already. As he noticed Alistair lean in, it must of been deadly important if he wanted to keep it secret.

"Even if blood did matter, it clearly has little impact on your looks."

Brodie's mouth almost fell open as soon as Alistair moved back but he quickly shut it once more, he moved back again to stare at Alistair again, straight into his sapphire eyes. What is he playing at? Mind you, he does look good. No stop stop stop stop don't think like that idiot. Mind you, he is pretty cute. Heh, lets just see where this goes.

"You're not that bad yourself! Did you bring me all the way over here to tell me that? I would be flattered if you did."

Brodie smirked and stared back and awaited his response.

@Deviant

 

[Deviant]

Alistair indistinctly licked his upper lips, faint as to not to be unduly macabre nor concupiscent. The fringe of his lips withdraw into the corner of his mouth for but a moment, marking a hesitation in his answer. His yoke of alabaster eyes quivered from the adjacent frame of Brodie to an overcast precinct of the library, before falling back to the olive gaze of the winsome Slytherin. He drifted back up from his passive bearings, leaning toward the auburn-haired student sitting across from him. The slender lineations of his hand coasted ever closer to Brodie as his breath paused for an instant of thought.

"I didn't mean to bother you, but... I just need a little help with something." He premised. In parallel to a leering stare, the beguiling Alistair added. "I need to get a hold of this rather... delicate book, and I don't want to grab the awry gaze of anyone else."

"Well, I... I was just wondering if you could distract the librarian for a second while I grab the book." He glowered in his appeal, a pithy trace of desperation surfacing momentarily upon his fair complexion. "I'll do anything, please."

 

[Richie B.]

Rick had asked that all the Hufflepuffs reported to practice today, seeing that he wanted to make sure everyone was fit and doing good, plus secretly hoped to show that Hufflepuffs could actually win it. Though that was still a dream until they win, for now the goal was practice, and checking to see how everyone was doing, having gotten dressed in the lockers a while ago and been waiting out in the fields with his broom, that did need a good scrubbing with scratches and grass stains. Rick cared not for pretty things and having practices and sometimes sadly getting close to the ground or trees would damage the broom, though he liked the rough look. Thinking it gave it some personality, better than most rich kids brooms that are all shiny without a single blemish how can you call yourself a player if you don't show the effort of working.

Rick was in his captain's uniform ready to practice, the long flowing clothes in Rick's opinion looked good, especially on him but he wasn't one to purposefully want attention it was just a lucky accident. Several members of the team had shown up and were all stretching out and preparing for a hard days training, of course Rick was looking for one of his closer friends Danae who was also on the team. Rick didn't have to wait look as she showed up in uniform, and taking a close look at her, notice her hair was now green though given her abilities it didn't surprise Rick. Though he was curious on why she picked the new hair color, he approached his friend with a big smile and spread his arms out.

"Danae glad you can make it for practice." Rick would walk up before rapping his arms around the smaller hufflepuff, given that Rick was taller and all he decided to mess with he and pick her up.

Rick thankfully had the muscle for it, and after a moment he put her down. Figuring he didn't want to bother her to much but given they were friends Rick would certainly hope Danae wouldn't be bothered by his hugging.

"Now your here we should be able to get practice started. Hope your ready, probably best you stretch out first though." Rick wanted to be both helpfully and still show leadership skills though he was more interested in helping others get better than anything else.

@Megilwen

 

[Cheshire]

"I didn't mean to bother you, but... I just need a little help with something."

Ohhhh that's what this was about. He just wanted something done. He didnt really care for Brodie at all, he just needed an item. He felt slightly betrayed, suprised. No, but betrayed, definetly. He felt like he was just another tool for the slytherin's to use. He was past that now, he wasn't doing people's dirty work just to get some sort of satisfaction out of them.

"I need to get a hold of this rather... delicate book, and I don't want to grab the awry gaze of anyone else."

Blah Blah Blah. Same old, Same old.

"Well, I... I was just wondering if you could distract the librarian for a second while I grab the book."

So Brodie would be sticking his neck out for a boy who wanted to get into the restricted section? Hmmph, did he really want to.

"I'll do anything, please."

Desperation huh, it must of been really important. Hell he enjoyed briefly talking to the boy. Brodie took a look around the library and looked down at Pancake and smiled.

As if on cue, Pancake zipped over to the opposite end of the library, knocking people over and causing a ruckus.

"You have five minutes, but you tell me exactly what it was later in the common room"

So Brodie began his game of cat and mouse with the puppy with even the librarian joining in

@Deviant

 

[Shalken]

Whitney flipped through book after potions book, carefully cross-referencing them with this year's curriculum and searching for any hints. Last Potions class, Professor Slughorn had challenged the students to produce the finest Draught of Peace they could. Not that Whit did anything wrong; on the contrary, she followed the instructions so meticulously, like she always did, that nothing could possibly go wrong.

And yet, somehow, that Slytherin boy, Severus, outdid the whole class yet again. Slughorn claimed the potion would be capable of "calming an enraged Ukrainian Ironbelly". Whit had followed the instructions perfectly, and yet Severus had somehow brewed a better, more powerful potion. She wanted - no, needed - to know how.

While looking through Ancient Techniques of Potioncrafting, she couldn't help but catch the low, sultry tones of that Slytherin pretty-boy, Alistair. What was he up to this time? While Whit did think he was very attractive, there was something about him that scared her, though she couldn't quite place it. He was also in the same Potions class, and she couldn't deny that he was also quite adept at the craft as well. Curiosity got the best of her, and she decided to listen in as she pretended to scan her book.

"I need to get a hold of this rather... delicate book, and I don't want to grab the awry gaze of anyone else."

That could only ever mean one thing: the Restricted Section. Its metal gates barring entrance were merely an obstacle to the ambitious. While she never wanted to touch anything in that foul place, an idea slowly grew in her mind. Replacing the Potions book, she made her way over to an aisle nearby the forbidden section. Almost as if on cue, Brodie began chasing his puppy all about the place, with Madam Pince chasing after them, "You better catch that dog of yours, young man!"

@Deviant

 

[Deviant]

He murmured a cavalier value of gratitude as Brodie engendered growing commotion. Now would be the perfect opportunity to seize the book he so desired, especially if the other Slytherin boy proved sufficient in detracting the attention of the librarian. Unveiling the slender raven stalk of his wand from beneath his regalia, Alistair quivered the charcoal tendril of magic scrupulously toward the gates of the Restricted Section. The egress ached to a restrained opening, hardly perceptible amid the ongoing disarray of his new acquaintance. Lips creased in anticipation, he uttered beneath the mellow semblance of his breath. "Accio Moste Potente Potions."

In an instant, one of the books poised in the far back of the archives stirred to life, before launching out of its secure bearings. Fluttering away from the bookshelves, the book he summoned pressed through clamored air and landed flawlessly upon his desk. However, his tender gaze had caught the tactful frame of another student: Whitney Cottrell. The abridgment of a Gryffindor; the definition of a Ravenclaw; the epitome of a Hufflepuff. He had often found himself descrying the young lady, speculating on whether there lay the heart of a Slytherin beneath her motley personality. Locking eyes with her for but a moment, he winked enthrallingly ere to grappling his belongings and escaping the confines of his desk.

While Brodie proceeded in his splendid diversion, Alistair moved for the library exit. At long last, the prospect of reaching his ulterior goal was at the tip of his fingers: at least, that was what he thought.

 

[Shalken]

Whitney eyed the scheming Slytherin as he surreptitiously summoned the ancient book. Though she had tried to refrain from seeing what exact book Alistair had extracted, curiosity got the better of her once again, and she could not help seeing the golden flash of "Most Potente Potions" along its spine before the tome landed firmly on the boy's desk. Her gaze following the book before fluttering up, her heart skipped a beat as eyes of cautious seagreen locked momentarily with those of devious sapphire. For but a second their gaze tarried, before Alistair's sly wink was quickly followed by his speedy exit. Gulping nervously, Whitney followed behind him, but far enough away to not rouse suspicion.

Once outside the library, her even pace broke out into a quick sprint up to Alistair's side, whereupon she grasped his wrist firmly. "H-hey!" she began nervously, her pulse rising steadily. "...I saw that. I can go right back in there and tell Madam Pince! I mean it!" Biting her lip, Whit lowered her voice considerably, seemingly still hesitant about what she was about to ask. "...I won't, but only if you let me take a look too."

 

[Deviant]

Eyes cold. Lips wrinkled. Glare unassailable. Alistair twisted around to face the avaricious Gryffindor with unnerving strain. Though an expression of unkempt hostility frothed beyond his pale complexion, it was seldom to the degree of uncertainty. Not allowing his consternation to seethe further from of his controlled temperament, he rather offered a feigned visage of surprise; an appearance of utter naiveté. His gaze sunk into her own, mirrored in his guileful rejoinder. "Well, it's looks like I've been caught red-handed."

A chuckle, sharp and distinct, broke away from his chilled simper. Albeit, Alistair could just as easily wave his wand and dash away the girl's frivolous demand, but there was a peculiar glint in her eyes. An indication of fraudulence; a hint of cunning that he could not help but admire. This could work in his favor: if he could subvert the likes of a sheer Gryffindor, they could certainly fit flawlessly in his climb for ascendancy. Licking his lips, he jibed. "And, perhaps I'll give you a nice, long, look..." He leaned closer, breath to breath. "If you can help me in exchange."

The request was a long-shot, but given he had observed Whit's extraneous persona, he had little doubt the girl would resort to snitching for Madam Pince. If the book was confiscated, there would be virtually no way she could get her hands on it again. She was bluffing— she had to be, and knowing that, Alistair had her wrapped around his fingers. At least, that was what he assumed.

 

[Cheshire]

After a five minute chase (which felt like five hours) for Pancake which seemed like every student in the library was participating in, Brodie was eventually able to scoop up the golden puppy and bundle him in his arms. By then however, the puppy was tired out and quickly fell fast asleep, leaving Brodie to pick up the pieces and get all the blame landed upon him.

"BRODIE KEEP YOUR PUPPY ON A LEASH NEXT TIME HE'S OUT IN PUBLIC"

Brodie sighed as nodded slowly before making his way out the exit just to see Alistair and Whit talking and Alistair getting extremely close. Stupid, that confirmed your suspicions didn't it

So Brodie simply stared on, and walked by Alistair, making a small deal out of it. Just a bored face and not even acknowledging his existence except from a small look at Alistair out the corner of his eyes before he eventually started his walk back towards the dungeon.

 

[Shalken]

Shivers tore up and down Whitney's spine as the silken-haired Alistair drew ever closer, now but inches away from her face. In true Slytherin fashion, he then posed a counter-offer in order to gain the upper hand.

You can bully and make fun of a Cottrell all you like, but you must never belittle her. Alistair's mild surprise that morphed again into devious guile was visible proof he didn't take Whit's threat seriously. At this point, she hardly cared if she wouldn't ever see the book again; now she was mad.

Leaning back slightly away from Alistair, she held her gaze with his now, brow furrowed lightly. Her voice, though still hushed, had quickly changed from its previous nervous wavering into a firm tone. "Look, this is my game now, and you're going to play by my rules. The only 'help' I'm going to offer you in exchange is to keep your ass from getting busted. Now, are you going to share, or do I have to spoil it for both of us?"

From the corner of her eye, Whit noticed Brodie trudge by with his puppy dozing adorably in his arms. She casually pondered if Alistair had promised him something too in return for the obviously staged distraction.

@Deviant

 

[Deviant]

His simper soured into a deigned grimace. Thoughts bellicose as her own, Alistair furnished an inkling of malice through his spectral complexion. Disgust smoldered ahead, but as he made a chilled step backwards, so did his ire as it simmered back beneath his guise. His assumptions had proved misguided, and the Gryffindor in the young girl had left him blistered in his crisp frame. He hated such Gryffindor rubbish: the epitome of self-righteous audacity. Impossible to beguile nor influence, and the worst breed of wizard he might encounter, Alistair would have to be sure as to avoid them in the ultimate future.

Despite his temper, he found peculiar awe in Whit. A sensation of strange reverence, as if her intrepidity made him feel ever more invigorated in his quest for control. Allowing the final thread of rancor to dissolve in the restored dalliance of his facet, he offered an ultimately avowed smirk. "Alright, Whitney Cottrell. I concede to your terms."

He paused momentarily, peering over her shoulder to catch the approaching figure of Brodie. "But, perhaps later. I have some real business to attend to."

However, the fellow Slytherin painlessly cruised past him, a clear indication of alarm. Piecing the puzzles together, Alistair hurriedly realized the extent of Brodie's thoughts, and left behind the auspicious cage of Whitney. Whereas he picked up his pace in route to the dungeons, his voice rippled down the corridor as to coax the beguiling Slytherin to a stop. "Brodie, mind if you give me a moment to explain? It's nothing, just— oh Merlin's beard, stop walking so fast!"