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[Alistair Bauldaugh]

As classes were done for the week and Alistair wasn’t ever one to rush the joys of homework, a small boy with slightly curly brown hair found himself dropping his schoolbooks in his dorm room and then having nothing to do. He had already gone running that morning when Potions was let out early due to an accident that sent one student to the hospital wing. It wasn’t too serious, not like a wonky boil-cure potion, but the girl wasn’t able to say words right. Everything she said came out backwards so that “what happened” became “denedppah tahw?” It took the professor a few moments to identify the problem before promptly excusing them and rushing away with the girl. The break had been nice, and the run rather invigorating, however he was left now with nothing to do - a bad thing for any 12 year old.

At first, Alistair considered taking a walk around the castle, perhaps bumping into someone knew or finding a professor to talk to. Though everyone except for Cerri considered talking to professors odd, Alistair knew that one day it might be good for him. At the very least, he knew they were old and wise and full of things that a wizard should know. But he didn’t feel much like making a long walk that could ultimately end up in not meeting anyone - the castle was very large and people could be avoiding him. What could he do?

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Alistair pulled out the drawer of his nightstand and pulled from it a folded up piece of paper. He looked at it with curiosity, wondering why he would bother to save a scrap of parchment, for it was too small to be an assignment. Unfolding it and taking in the words across the page, Alistair’s face broke into a big smile. There were three signatures on the page, his, Emmeline Bennet’s, and Adrian MacDermott’s. Now he knew why he had saved it, it was his proof of the first time he had met those two, in Diagon Alley. A sudden urge rose within Alistair, he wanted to go see his old friend who had been strangely distance recently.

Perhaps it wasn’t so strange, Alistair reasoned as he walked out of the Hufflepuff common room and took a left deeper into the dungeons. He had done the same sort of thing last year. Perhaps the stress of mid-year exams? The young boy mused over the idea and decided that a visit from himself was just what Adrian would need right now, even if he was busy with studies or some such - it was Friday afternoon after all, they could wait. Rounding the last corner, Alistair found himself face to face with the bit of wall that he knew hid the Slytherin common room. Though it was allowed that they could enter one another’s commons areas, it was still a foreign thing. The Huffle waited a few moments, but a sound off to his right made him realize that sooner or later a Slytherin would come by and see him just standing there. Not wanting to be caught in such a predicament, he quietly said the password and slipped inside when the door became available.

Used to a very brightly lit and yellow common room, Alistair’s eyes had to adjust slightly to the very dark black and green décor of the Slytherin common room. It didn’t feel very cozy or welcoming, about the same sentiments he had felt when the room had been decorated for Halloween. Trying to ignore the eerie feeling creeping up his spine, Alistair looked left and right for a familiar face.

[Adrian MacDermott]

Adrian was sitting at a table in the corner of his common room when the wall slid back revealing who ever would be admitted to the room the Slytherins called home. Normally he would look up and look back down to focus on what he was doing. This time however he looked up only to keep looking at the person who had entered the room. Adrian was shocked to see his best friend standing in his common room. Never before had he ever heard of someone from a different house entering into another.

He quickly folded up the piece of paper he was writing on and tucked it away into his robes. He looked around quickly and was happy that everyone seemed to not be paying attention to the stray Huffle that had wandered into the snakes den. Standing up he looked briefly in Alistairs direction before walking briskly out the door that remained open behind the Hufflepuff.

Adrian was not sure what could have possible possessed him to come down into the dungeons by himself but he had ever intention of telling him about the mistake he had possibly just made. He was sure that had anyone witnessed him they would make sure he never came back down again. He was also sure that people would now really be questioning his alliance to the noble house of Slytherin.

Once out in the hall and away from the common room Adrian leaned against a wall to wait.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Alright, Alistair was standing in the Slytherin common room… Why in the name of Merlin was he standing there? He quickly adopted and angry expression. Maybe if he looked like he was coming to pick a fight. He mentally slapped himself. The dwelling of the dirtiest fighting wizards in the school was not a place to pick a fight. Had he really been away from his friend so long that he forgot their master plan to keep them both safe by pretending to hate one another? He had two options at this point, and the first one wasn’t much. One, if anyone asked, he could just plea “wrong common room”. Hard to find the wrong entrance and say the wrong password, but his sanity was questionable at times. Two, he could turn around and pretend he had never been there. Even if Adrian hadn’t all but ignored him and walked passed, Alistair would have taken the second route. Quickly, he turned right back around, careful not to fall on his cloak and make a scene, and followed  his friend to the corridor.

It was mildly surprising to Alistair, who figured Adrian was somewhat embarrassed to have his friend just walk unceremoniously into his living space, that the young Slytherin was standing just a few meters from the common room entry way - as though his fellow Slytherins were less likely to see him there. “Care to take a walk?” Alistair asked a little harshly, holding on to his angry façade for a little longer, at least until he was certain no other students would walk up on them. He nodded down the corridor where the dungeons wound in a labyrinth - like pattern. He knew that no matter where they walked that sooner or later they would come out again.

Alistair made to move and did so hesitantly in case Adrian decided not to follow.

[Adrian MacDermott]

Adrian was still surprised by Alistairs sudden arrival in the common room and when his friend asked him if he would like to walk he somewhat numbly said "Sure" and began walking down the corridor.

Once they had made a couple turns down different halls he rounded on Alistair and said

"are you crazy?" in a bit of a louder voice then he expected. He jumped slightly when his voice reverberated of the walls of the corridor and echoed back to him. He recovered quickly and mumbled an "Im sorry" he thought for a moment before continuing "I just dont want anyone to see you walking around here by your self and thinking your up to something. or for you to get attacked for being out of you territory" He looked at Alistair with a bit of desperation in his eyes. "I am fine with you coming down here and even with people knowing that we are friends but please let me know when you want to come visit"

Adrian stood there hoping that he hadnt embarrassed his friend or caused him to be upset with him in any way but he sat there ready to take the worst of what Alistair could offer.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Casting a wary glance to his side before Adrian responded, Alistair was worried that his friend might throw an all too Slytherin fit, roll his eyes, and walk back into his common room. Thankfully, he knew the meaning of friend. The two were silent for a moment and Alistair pondered why he had even walked down there. What had been the reason? He remembered and smiled, reaching into his pocket and feeling the old parchment that had been folded and ruffled so much that it didn’t make much noise when rubbed anymore. He unfolded it again and thrust it toward Adrian excitedly. “Look what I found,” He said proudly, pointing out Adrian’s own signature. “I’ll admit I forgot that I had it.” Though it probably didn’t hold much significance for the dark haired boy next to him, Alistair couldn’t help but sharing in his excitement.

When Adrian asked if Alistair was crazy the brown haired boy smiled ruefully. “Perhaps, I haven’t gone to a healer to get it checked, but I suppose it’s possible…” Alistair rather liked the way he was. Cerri would call it imaginative though, not crazy. He wasn’t so upset with Adrian that he felt an apology necessary, he had been somewhat tactless in his timing and choice of appearance. Still, the gesture on his part was nice. “And now worries,” He assured, reaching again for the paper back now that they had stopped walking.

The idea of territories was a little offensive to Alistair, but he knew what it meant. Though he naively told himself that professors didn’t allow such things to be the center of fights, it was difficult to catch all perpetrators at all times; someone eventually slipped through the cracks. But Alistair surmised that they were a good enough distance away from anyone and anything particular enough for someone to go looking for to have a friendly conversation without needing to watch over their shoulders for fear of being overheard.

“Have any plans for Christmas?” Alistair asked, trying to get off any subject that might create tension. He wanted to have fun with his one Slytherin friend, not spend half an hour sending jibes back and forth. “I sort of want to stay at the castle, but my dad’s all alone. Do you know if Cerri is going home?” Though Alistair hated it, Cerri was a common topic between the two - generally on his account. He couldn’t help bringing her up. Either Adrian could answer questions about her, which gave Alistair more information, or he wouldn’t know, which comforted the Huffle as he had a mild suspicion that they liked one another that, no matter how much he told himself it wasn’t true, he couldn’t quite suppress the notion fully.

[Adrian MacDermott]

He would admit later that he had been touched by the fact that Alistair still had the small scrap of parchment that to anyone else would seem meaningless. He was brought back to that day long ago when he had first met his best friend and knew that they would go the rest of their lives as friends.

It was the mention of Cerri's name that brought him out of his memories. He cast around in his thoughts wildly for any information about Cerri that he could find but was disappointed when nothing came up. Reluctantly he replied "I'm not sure what she is doing for the holidays. I bet if we talked to her we could convince her to stay. that is if her mother would allow it, and hey we could  always get my Gram to spend the holidays with your dad" Adrian joked. He let out a small laugh before continuing "I had planned on staying here. Gram actually decided she was going to visit an old friend." Adrian looked around, making sure there was no one to overhear their conversation.

Having walked a bit further down the Corridor Adrian decided to ask the question that had most been on his mind over the last couple months. "Do you think I'm really cut out to be in Slytherin?" The fact that he asked this question that let a great deal into his personal thoughts and fears kind of surprised even him. Now though there was no taking back what had been said.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

The sudden tightness in Alistair’s chest, no doubt caused by the sudden horrid thought that Adrian actually had plans with Cerri for the holidays, was released when his friend told him quite the opposite. “That would be great,” he practically sighed with relief. “I doubt her family would let her though. When I saw her in Diagon Alley last year, her aunt… or maybe it was her grandmother…” Alistair paused for a moment to try to recall who he and his father had run into her with but he wasn’t sure. “Regardless,” he continued, “She had Cerri under very severe surveillance. I’d wager her guardians would worry she was up to no good if she stayed.” Alistair allotted a mischievous grin that could only imply that that was exactly what would happen if the trio were left to spend the winter break at the school together.

Adrian’s manner seemed to slip for a moment but Alistair didn’t want to comment on it. Not a moment later, the other boy had asked one of the many questions Alistair had no real answer to. He didn’t know if he was shocked by the question at all, as he had asked himself the same thing concerning his friend at great length, particularly after the sorting ceremony. “I suppose the Sorting Hat knows what it’s doing, yea? It’s had the job for a few centuries now.” He thought on how long students had been sorted this way. Though he wasn’t a fan of the outcome, Alistair couldn’t doubt the power of such an amazing object.

“But what does it really mean to be a Slytherin?” Alistair pressed, hoping to turn it into something better. “I don’t think it’s all dark stuff, just like I don’t think all Ravenclaws are the smartest of us.” The stereotypes that surrounded houses were rather general in the young Huffle’s opinion, particularly the ones around his own house. “Aren’t you just supposed to be really clever and get what you want? That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, and I think you are rather good at both of those.” He thought of Cerri again but chose not to use it as an example. “Why does it worry you?”

The two were nearing the end of the corridors that swooped to the left and wound back to the stairs that led up to the main entrance. He didn’t figure they should wander too close to the open together, at least not without sounding like they were in some sort of argument. But so far as he could tell, no one was around. “Do you feel up to searching for our fair Ravenclaw friend?” The three hadn’t spent much time together in awhile. “Two galleons says she’s in the library.”

[Adrian MacDermott]

Knowing that Alistair was being completely sincere about what he was saying, Adrian felt some relief in hearing that he was good at doing what Slytherins were supposed to do. However it didnt stop the nagging voice in his head that kept telling him he should have been placed in a different house.

They had reached the stairs that would lead up to the entrance hall and Adrian let out a sigh. To Alistairs bet all he could say was "make it three" before he started walking up the stairs. He knew that the Brunette would be right behind him. He did however have one last question that he thought only the Huffle could answer.

When they were about half way up the stairs he looked over at the boy and asked "Why do we do it?" He waited a moment before clarifying his meaning. "I mean.... Why don't we just show everyone its possible for a Slytherin to befriend a Hufflepuff. Almost everyone knows anyway. Between you and me I don't think we do a great job at hiding the fact. Don't get me wrong, I love what we do I just wonder if doing so is holding up the wall between our houses" The entire time he talked he never stopped walking. Up ahead he could hear people talking and he knew they would soon be in the open.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Glad that Adrian was always up for a good wager, Alistair nodded in agreement and stayed on his heels as they made their way through the quiet hall. This was somewhat strange considering it was still very early in the day. Where was everyone? Taking it as an omen that he had forgotten something important, Alistair racked his brain to come up with an explanation. Quidditch too place on Saturdays, so it couldn’t possibly be that. There wasn’t a feast scheduled as it wasn’t near dinner and the last day of the term was still a week away. Classes were over…

Alistair was jogged from his thoughts when Adrian brought up their little game. All in all they had only started it, or so Alistair recalled, because they didn’t want anyone from their own houses finding out they were friends. “I’m not sure, what were we so afraid of?” Adrian had brought up the territory dispute not too long ago, but wasn’t it blood status that Slytherins typically had issue with? “Has anyone bothered you about being friends with me?” Alistair didn’t know anyone in particular who didn’t care for Adrian. As they had already established, he was one of the nicer Slytherins. Perhaps they should give it up.

“I guess it was more for the fun of having a secret. But when you bring up the house divided thing, it makes a considerable bit of sense for us to stop.” Could they stop though? Just then an older Ravenclaw girl walked by and Alistair had to resist the urge to call Adrian a side winding git. She didn’t even seem to notice they were there. Alistair reached out for the railing as the staircase began to move. “But now what are we going to fight over?” He teased, waiting for the top of the flight to lock into place before they kept going. The library was only another two floors up.

[Adrian MacDermott]

As the Ravenclaw girl passed, Adrian too felt the need to say something along the line of the hufflepuff yellow streak running all the way down Alistairs spine. However he remained quiet and was surprised that the girl didnt even look at the two of them, in a way though he felt a little relieved that they seemed to be somewhat invisible.

As always when the staircase began to move Adrian jumped slightly and then had to steady himself. Fortunately it wasn't long before the staircase came to a stop and locked into place. "I hope we don't have to ride on another one of these today" after quickly making his way off the stairs he turned to face Alistair and stuck out his hand. "From now on were friends no matter if were alone or standing at the staff table in front of the entire school" Adrian sat there waiting hoping that Alistair would take his hand, and at the same time hoping that he could keep up his own end of the deal. As he sat there waiting he saw a quick flash of the possibilities of this agreement. In an instant he saw people siting at tables that were not assigned them. He was quickly brought back to the moment when he realized he was worried that his hand would remain empty.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Adrian looked slightly shook up when the stairs began to move. It was one of the few times Alistair had seen the usually upright and orderly friend shaken. A loss of balance can do that to you. Once the marble had stopped, they continued on their way up, his flat shoes making light slapping sounds on the carved stone. “What’s the matter?” Alistair had to ask, “Do you have a little motion sickness? I suppose you won’t be trying out for the quidditch team in the future?” From what Alistair recalled of their lessons in first year, Adrian had been a rather decent flyer. He might one day prove to be a very capable opponent if the two of them ever joined their house teams.

“Well, it depends on why we’re standing at the staff table.” Alistair admitted. The outstretched hand was rather inviting, so Alistair reached out to grasp it. “But I don’t see why not.” He smiled happily  and then turned to continue the ascension. A lighthearted feeling burst throughout Alistair. He and Adrian could be friends out in public now! He wouldn’t have to come up with insults whenever he thought someone might overhear them. He didn’t… “So, does this mean I can barge into your common room from now on?” There was a smirk plastered on his lips. Maybe things wouldn’t be changing overnight.

The doors of the library were just ahead, held open in welcome for all of those studious sorts. Having not a care for the books and really much more interested in finding their friend - at the very least he had a few galleons riding on it. “Where do you suppose she is?” He asked before he even had time to scan the room properly.

[Cerridwyn Glynn]

Cerri was. indeed, present in the Library.  She had decided now was the perfect time to study a few topics on her own and begin to be ready for classes.  Grades were a very important part in her life and she never stopped trying to get better ones.  If it were possible, Cerri would revel at trying to get a grade better than and O.  There she was sitting at one of the tables nearest to the shelves she had pulled a lot of her books from.  Subjects like History and Astromomy surrounded her as she continued to learn more about the topic she rather enjoyed.  

The Ravenclaw was set in her current book, reading the enlarged pages with a smile on her face.  She was currently in the section detailing how sailors navigated with the stars and angles of the sun.  It seemed to draw a simular idea to her about flying her carpet.  She thought maybe if she understood the tools a sailors used she might be able to take a long trip herself one day.  It seemed like a fun idea to her and she was ready to begin thinking about it and plannning her first one.  Shh, she wasn't about to let her parents or her little brother even know about it or else it would immediately be called off and canceled.

Like second sense, she looked up just to see Alistair and Adrian both walking into the Library together.  She knew they were looking for something.  Those two never came to the Library to actually learn.  That was just simply not their way.  Cerri even doubted the two could find a book on the shelves that they might need for an assignment.  That thought made her smirk a little, thinking they had no clue how the Library was structured.

[Adrian MacDermott]

Their was always a certain smell that came with entering into the library, where Adrian was used to a cold and damp smell that came with living in the dungeons of the castle he always somewhat enjoyed the smell of aging books, ink and parchment that came with the library. However looking around he might as well have been in a foreign land for the amount of time he actually spent in the cavernous room. He would probably never in all his years at Hogwarts be able to tell you were anything other than the restricted section and the librarian were located, but even then he might send you in the wrong direction.

"I suppose if you want to risk your own well being from time to time you could show up at the common room just make sure that I know your coming so that you don't end up there without a single friend" Was all Adrian could really say to the Huffleouff boy. After all what type of person would he be if he had just made a big deal about them being friends any where just to turn around and say hes not welcome in the common room. "I would hope that also means I am welcome in you common room as well?" He asked with a slight smirk.

"I suppose she might be...." he stopped talking as he made eye contact with the third part of their trio. As usual she was sitting at a desk surrounded by books making herself the absolute picture of a Ravenclaw student. "See I told you she would be here" Adrian said with a smile as he swiftly walked over to where their friend sat studying.

approaching the table Cerri was at Adrian pulled out a chair and motioned for Alistair to sit, before taking up a seat on the other side of the girl. "Hello, Cerri" He said.

Edited by Adrian MacDermott, 22 March 2011 - 04:01 PM.

[Alistair Bauldaugh]

Upon entering the library, Alistair smiled upon the high shelves with a sort of fondness. Though he didn’t care much for the books that had long chapters and no illustrations, or that were over boring subjects like goblin rebellions rather than quidditch moves, he did admire the grandness of the room. It was always so orderly, yet packed full of information in a way that Alistair could never mirror with his own belongings. There were troves of facts on all things muggle and magical, extra spell books, even just stories that were entertaining. The library was a fun place in the Huffle’s eyes, though he rarely went in and actually had the chance to enjoy it properly.

It wasn’t easy for Alistair to discern if the warning in Adrian’s voice was genuine or not. The boy had to recall that just because his friend was a nice Slytherin, that didn’t mean they all were. He didn’t have any particular need to enter the common room except to find Adrian, which honestly could have been accomplished by owl. “Actually, there is a toll system in place for visitors.” Alistair informed the Slythering, spotting the back of Cerri just across the room and taking a few steps in that direction.

“Good to see you again, my fair lady.” Alistair said once he and Adrian had stopped next to Cerri’s table. For the first time in a while, though he hadn’t gotten the first word, he felt that his greeting was better than “Hello”. Perhaps it was their house rivaling nature that brought it about, but Adrian and Alistair had always jostled for better presentation before girls – they didn’t even like girls! The confident Huffle smiled at his counterpart; the game was on once again.

[Cerridwyn Glynn]

Cerri was sitting as per her normal Ravenclaw studiousness.  She looked up towards some noise that was filtering in from outside the doorway.  No doubt it was Firstyears trying to get their assignment in History before their duedate.  She was just about to give the gaggle of gigglers have one of her 'I'm an older student trying to study' looks from over her shoulder, when she realized it was Adrian and Alistair, both.  Adrian caught her eyes as they walked in.  It would seem that the pair of wolves were practiced on their hunt.

While one kept her attentions diverted, the other came around to the side.  
"Hello."  She said o Adrian, just seconds before Alistair spooked her from behind with his normal grand and glorious salutations.  It made her jump and lose eyecontact with Adrian as she turned quickly to Alistair.
"And....to you, uh.....good sir."  Cerri nodded here and there as she tried to think of the immediate response that was both appropriate and practical.
"What brings you both to this fine establishment of educational readings this day?"  She thought she might joke in the same tone back to her friend.

[Professor Denman]

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