Hogwarts - Corridors (2nd Floor)

[DarkSideCookie]

Hogwarts - Corridors 2nd Floor

[DarkSideCookie]

***Snape enters from Benjamin Boyle's Office***


Snape was sneaking through the corridors. Searching. Listening. Looking for any hint of something like a hidden path, his fingers touching every position between one and another door. It had to be here. It had been here. More than twenty years ago, but he hasn't forgotten that door.

At last Snape stopped his steps. No, it couldn't be that easy. His eyes wandered to something invisible above. Nothing had been as easy with you. A scarcely audible hissing sound escaped his lips, as he turned around with one quick move, about to leave this corridor, not watching his own steps.

[Anduin]

***Sirius – wearing street-clothes, looking like a girl – runs through the corridors***

His first day really didn´t start very well: First he woked up too late and had to rush. He was accustomed to sleep longer during the rest of his vacation. His mother went to work earlier, so she couldn´t get him to the station. So Sirius had no other choice: If he doesn´t want to be much more late, he had to use his broom to arrive Hogwarts – even if that means to arouse attention among the muggles in London...

Now – a little wearied because of the quickly flight and very hungry because of the missing breakfast – he seeks the headmasters office. But everything here looks so different compared to his former school... His Raven, Corvus, flies alongside him. His broom in his hand, his backpack shouldered, he gets lost in his thoughts... – and doesn´t look forward with open eyes. And so he doesn´t notice the man towards him. Even Corvus´ warning cry couldn´t prevent Sirius´ collision with the stranger. The boy, which looks like a girl, tumbles. Sitting on his back he glances up to the man.

„I´m so sorry, Sir... I...“ He disguises his voice into the soft voice of a girl. Corvus gives a second crow.

This day doesn´t begin very well - and it doesn´t seem to get better...

[DarkSideCookie]

A nerve-racking noise, like from some kind of bird, reached his ears, and before he even knew it someone clashed with him. While Severus managed to avert a fall, the girl in front of him already glanced up at him from the corridor's ground.

„I´m so sorry, Sir... I...“

"Get up.", he interrupted in his usual slow spoken way, as his hand grabbed the girl's jacket's tail to pull her up. His eyes, hidden behind dark glasses, turned to the raven next to the student, when there was another nerve-racking cry from it. But only a moment later he drew his attention back at the girl in street-clothes, even though he didn't care much about the missing robe, rather taking note of it.
"I wonder... if there is a solid reason for..." He made a pause, in which he had a real extensive look at the girl's face. Could it be she has been spying on him? Well no, most probably not. She was just an ordinary student... in street-clothes though. Never mind. "...sneaking around.", he lastly ended his sentence. And then he was waiting. For a reaction in the first place, in hope for a disappearance to follow. Severus was far too annoyed for now to hide his usual manner.

[Anduin]

„Get up.“

Sirius was just too astonished to get up by himself, but he didn´t bargain for the man to haul him up. He felt like the guy was not pleased to meet someone in the floor. If he would only knew in which floor he was right now and how to detect the headmasters office...

The way this man acted – speaking faint and slowly – gave him a scary touch. Sirius wondered if he was a teacher. If yes – hopefully not his one! He felt more and more uncomfortable. Why did he value him so intensively?! It took a full minute till Sirius noticed that the man was waiting for a reaction.


„Excuse me, I was just seeking the director´s office. But it seems like I´ve proceeded...“
While talking he grabbed his broom and Corvus sat down on his shoulder. Luckily he was quiet now as if he felt this eerily aura, too.

„It´s my first day at Hogwarts.“ And I´m too late, he could also say, but he didn´t. It already was bad enough... and kinda obviously. „Could you please explain me where I can find Mr. Ogden?“


Sirius tried not to stare at him – but why the hell was he wearing sunglasses inside the building?! No matter if he wanted or not, his grey eyes – which are the spitting image of his grandfather Sirius Black sen. – leanend on the strange stranger.

[DarkSideCookie]

Severus was still looking at the student. Was she going to answer him at all or had the fall made her swallow her tongue? Behind glasses he rolled his eyes, when finally the minute of silence was over. He actually liked silence, but only when he was alone; which seemed to not happen today...

„Excuse me, I was just seeking the director´s office. But it seems like I´ve proceeded...“

Severus looked down at the girl. The broom in her hand and that nerve-racking bird on her side told him, that she must have just arrived here. Well, none of his business, as long as she wasn't going to be late on his classes. Severus perhaps wasn't here to teach, but it was kind of a bonus being able to after all that years. An inner smile appeared in his mind.

„It´s my first day at Hogwarts.“ First day and late. Oh that were kind of his favourite students. „Could you please explain me where I can find Mr. Ogden?“

And yet another minute of silence befell them. The female student was staring at him, and so did he. Something about the girl felt grotesquely familiar. But then, he even couldn't tell what it was.

"I don't remember... seen you on the Hogwarts Express.", he suddenly uttered with another extensive look, completely ignoring the student's question. It's her eyes. But where had he seen these grey eyes before?

[Anduin]

This accidental meeting began to get more and more awkward. Sirius ordinarily wasn´t kind of a quiet or reticent student, but here – at Hogwarts – he had to be. So he bit his lip and dropped his gaze. Perhaps the man would stop staring at him, too...

And perhaps he would answer his question.


But the stranger didn´t. "I don't remember... seen you on the Hogwarts Express." His words sounded like an unspoken blame instead. And even if he couldn´t see the strangers eyes, he felt his penetrating look at himself.


Suddenly Sirius got a spontaneous suggestion: What if this severely man was a teacher? Or to make things worse – what if he was the director incarnate?! Jesus, he had to say something! He glanced up tot he man (the director?) and bowed to him. „I beg your pardon! My name is Si...“ He nearly got muddled but could shut up last-minute. He gave a little cough before he continued his talk. „Sir – are you... Mr. Ogden? My Name is Emily Hill. And you´re right, I wasn´t on the Hogwarts Express. I... was brought here by my mother!“ There was just a little liminal pause before he told a lie. But Sirius always was a more convincing liar. His opponent wouldn´t notice it in all probability.

[DarkSideCookie]

Gotcha! That pause was long enough to prove that Severus has been right with his assumption. Late and illegal. Oh, they would become friends for sure.

An irritated look, outwardly though not more than the hint of a frown, was flashing over Severus' face, when the girl suddenly bowed to him. What the heck?

„I beg your pardon! My name is Si...“ Severus not even realized the almost slip of the student's tongue, rather was he concentrating on not looking too annoyed. Nonetheless, it didn't escape his notice how nervous the girl seemed. „Sir – are you... Mr. Ogden? My Name is Emily Hill. And you´re right, I wasn´t on the Hogwarts Express. I... was brought here by my mother!“

At last Severus wasn't able to hide his annoyance anymore. Even though his eye rolling happened behind dark glasses, the sudden move, with which he forced the student back to erectness, was betraying him. "Don't be ridiculous.", he said, while his fingers slowly let up on her again. His statement left like that, not clearly evident what he was alluding to, Severus cleared his own throat, reminding himself of his own disguise. "The headmaster's office is..." Inwardly he sighed in annoyance once again. This led nowhere. Classes would start soon anyway. "Follow me.", he decided for another turn of their conversation and without waiting for another reaction from the girl, he already began to move, and that not exactly with slow steps.


***Severus and Sirius exit to Headmaster's Office***

[Hollywood Heidi]

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Classes on the first day of the school year have finished.

Everyone is released for the remainder of the day to relax, socialize, work on their assignments, and gather for the evening meal.

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[Hollywood Heidi]

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Nearly two months have passed.

Yesterday, October 30th, the delegates from the other schools had arrived for the Triwizard Tournament and a celebration feast was held in the Great Hall where the Goblet of Fire and Triwizard Cup were presented.

Today, October 31st, 2017, the Goblet of Fire remains available in the Chamber of Reception for interested participants to drop in a parchment with their name until the Hallowe'en Feast tonight.

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[Hollywood Heidi]

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A few hours have passed.

It is now time for everyone to gather in the Great Hall for the Hallowe'en Feast where the Champions will be announced.

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[Hollywood Heidi]

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The night passes. It is the morning of the next day.

Classes are postponed for the week to welcome the visiting schools during Tri-Wizard Championship.

A special visit to Hogsmeade is scheduled for today.

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[Hollywood Heidi]

***Anya and Dimi enter from Hogwarts - Gargoyle Corridor (2nd Floor)***


"You know, I'd probably fail at fake magic the same as at the real deal,"

She glanced at him with surprise as they turned the corner from the dead-end Gargoyle Corridor to one that led to multiple others. An anxiety over facing everyone for the first time after the Hogsmeade incident was startling to bubble up within her. There were a few students milling about, but not quite as many as it did lead off of a corridor students didn't frequent.

But even with the fewer students, she was acutely aware of the quieting of conversations to whispers and the slowing of their steps as they glanced her direction. She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear, forgetting until that moment that she didn't have her gloves on. Catching sight of her scarred palm in the corner of her eye, she self-consciously pulled her long sleeves down to clutch the hems of them in her fists.

Anya kept her attention on Dimi and their conversation, trying to block out the growing discomfort that was rising up in her. "Wait, you're rubbish at magic, too?" she asked distractedly. Even though she was sure things went abnormally wrong with her attempts, it still gave her a bit of much needed relief to know that someone who'd entered this world normally had difficulties with magic as well.

[DarkSideCookie]

Dimi took notice of the change in Anya, the returning feeling of uncomfortableness clearly written on her face, at least for those able to read it. By now, he would dare to number among them. Without actually thinking about it, his body shielded her from the people around them, not too obviously but rather naturally as they moved on. But Dimi was also proud of her for trying her best to block them out herself.

"Wait, you're rubbish at magic, too?"

He had to grin a little, almost shyish now. "I totally suck at it," Dimi confirmed then, at least still sounding self-confident. It was not exactly the fact that he was rubbish at magic or admitting to someone else that made him a little nervous, but rather the realization that this fact might build a deeper connection between them. Or he hoped so at least. Not to take adventage of her situation, he would never, but just to be closer to her. Anya was an extraordinary girl. And, with that, Dimi did not at all mean her powers. "Would you like hearing about my worst incidents?" he asked with that same smile on his face then.

[Hollywood Heidi]

Anya was feeling more comfortable, suddenly having an easier time blocking out the people around her. It wasn't just the distracting conversation. Anya had migrated to putting herself close to the wall as if wanting to melt into it, and Dimi had fallen in line beside her, walking at a slight angle that had put himself more into her eyeline, blocking out a big chunk of others in her peripheral and her in theirs.


"I totally suck at it," "Would you like hearing about my worst incidents?"

He carried on the conversation without any sign acknowledging what he was doing. Either he was incredibly modest, or he didn't realize the natural, protective stance he'd taken. Anya, having learned to watch her own back long ago, was always hyperaware of her surroundings and the people in it. She wasn't used to that rush of warmth that spread through her over the feeling of someone else taking her care into mind. Since finding herself in this magical world, there had been a few who have shown her care, but after so many years without it, even starved for it or perhaps because she was starved for it, she was still learning how to process it.

She hid that rush of warmth that made her cheeks blush and eyes glossy by ducking her head, feigning a bit of shyness so that only the blushing could be seen as she blinked away the glossiness.

She chuckled softly at his offer, then looked up at him, biting her lip in an effort to look serious. "Yes, please. The more embarrassing, the better," she managed in a serious tone, but a cheeky grin quickly broke through.


Anya suddenly did turn serious as a familiar rhythm and weight of footfall hit her ears. Heavy with their width and the speed at which they ate up the ground with such purpose, it was her newest predator. Like the smart prey she'd learned to be, she reacted in a flash, hopping up onto the stone ledge beside her, pulling Dimi's frame in front of her as she crouched down, literally using him as a shield in front of her, along with a protruding window frame pillar beside her shielding the side of her the predator was approaching from. "The Ministry Lady just turned the corner," she whispered into his back as explanation. "Act casual," she advised.

[DarkSideCookie]

Dimi took notice of her cheeks blushing a little, misunderstanding it as affection. Instead of that causing him to puff up like probably a lot of other boys his age would have, it just relaxed him some more. Affection meant distraction, and if this made her feel better, then there was no reason to change their way of conversing. Of course, the fact also made him feel very flattered.

"Yes, please. The more embarrassing, the better,"

"Alright, you asked for it," Dimi reacted with a quiet chuckle himself. But just when he was going to think of one really embarrassing story to tell, Anya suddenly turned serious again, this time almost like being hunted. He watched her hopping onto the stone ledge next to them while pulling him in front of her as if to use him as a shield.

"The Ministry Lady just turned the corner,""Act casual," she answered his puzzled face before he could say anything.

No more questions needed from him to go into action and doing her that favor. Dimi didn't even glance over at said corner right away to not appear suspicious. Only when the steps became a little louder, telling him that the Ministry Woman was now close enough to see, at least him, from afar, Dimi turned his head a little, just like a curious student, because not being curious wasn't normal for teenagers. He made sure, however, to cover Anya up behind him as best as he could. Lucky them that he was everything but thin as a rake.

[Hollywood Heidi]

Anya didn't dare sneak a peek. She placed her hands just below Dimi's shoulders to maintain the balance of her crouch as she closed her eyes and mentally pictured the Ministry Lady's move down the corridor. She visualized the woman's approach by the sound of her footfall, moving quickly and unchanging, leaning closer toward Dimi as the sound of them met up with their position, then slowly let out the breath she'd been holding as the woman's footfall continued without pause.

She opened her eyes again, taking in the view of Dimi's wide-shouldered frame with appreciation. Okay, so maybe not just because it made for a great shield. Her heart may sing Callum's name, but she wasn't blind. He shifted slightly and she could feel the intriguing play of his muscles under her hands. Her eyes were open now, so she didn't need that extra help for balance. Anya removed her hands, feeling a bit guilty now. Looking was one thing...

Waiting a couple more beats just to be safe, Anya finally stood from her crouch and leaned a shoulder against the window frame wall, content to hang out in this corridor that the Ministry Lady had vacated and most likely wouldn't be returning to. "Sorry, I don't normally go around using people as props." There was slight embarrassment in her tone and an apology on her expression as he turned toward her. The kind of person he'd shown her to be so far gave her the impression that he wouldn't be offended and that he'd maybe even be glad to have saved someone from an unpleasant situation. With that in mind, she tried to alleviate her embarrassment. "Has anyone ever told you that you make a wonderful shield?" she asked with a grin from her spot on the ledge, self-consciously tucking her hair behind her ear over her attempt to make light of the situation.

[DarkSideCookie]

As balanced and easygoing as Dimi always seemed, feeling Anya's hands on him, even if for stabilizing reasons only, brought a bit of tension even to him; Tension of the positive kind that was. Still, he would never use this situation for the next step to finally ask her out for an actual date. Surely, he will do so at some point later, though. It would be a stupid thing not to do.

Dimi, however, was glad when the ministry woman walked by without pausing her steps once, even if that meant losing said physical contact with Anya. He smiled at her slightly as soon as she came out of her hideout behind his back, not at all shy but comforting.

"Sorry, I don't normally go around using people as props."

He chuckled at her apology. Just when he was going to say something, Anya added more words, though. Words that made him chuckle even more, just as they were warming his heart, for they passed on a sort of appeal towards him. Not yet knowing about Callum having become her boyfriend very recently, Dimi misread her sudden nervosity as a confirmation of said appeal.

"Has anyone ever told you that you make a wonderful shield?"

"Not that I remember," he replied with a smirk before he added jokingly but also definitely flirtier than before: "But you may use me as such more often if you like and need."

[Hollywood Heidi]

Anya chuckled, not only happy that he seemed to accept her silent apology, but also over the fact he played off of her joke. Her perch up on the ledge made her stand out and the looks being sent her way were distracting her enjoyment over what she thought was innocent, friendly flirting.

Not wanting to ruin the lighthearted moment they'd only just started, Anya kept her smile in place and didn't let their uncomfortable attentions show. "Careful," Anya said, her grin turning mischievous as she stepped to the edge of the ledge and hopped down. "I may just take you up on that."

Yes, very tempting indeed as now that she was off the ledge and standing in front of him, she felt shielded from most of the judging looks which made it easier for her to try to distract herself from what had happened today and what would be coming at her in the near future. Anya picked up the previous thread of conversation to help further her distraction.

"So," she began, grinning in anticipation as she casually leaned a shoulder on the pilar beside her, "you were about to tell me about some of your magical mishaps?"

[DarkSideCookie]

Dimi wasn't exactly able to guess her thoughts or feelings, but very able to see that she wasn't completely comfortable with where their conversation had gone, as for the flirting part, he guessed. Anya might be good at hiding her true emotions, but he was a good people reader. However, that change was fine with Dimi, of course. He was also self-confident enough not to think that anything he had done or said would have been utterly wrong. Anya was probably just not ready yet to joke around like that with the situation at hand. Understandable, really.

"Careful,""I may just take you up on that."

Dimi, however, appreciated that the grin remained on her face, the joking attitude not completely breaking between them, because his priority number one was still helping her by getting her mind distracted with something positive. That was a lesson he had taught himself early in life. Hold onto positivity to balance yourself. He grinned back at her then, this time without saying anything more to it, maybe because he felt that she would rather change back to less flirting.

"So,""you were about to tell me about some of your magical mishaps?"

Dimi chuckled quietly. Of course, she wouldn't have forgotten about that. But he was actually happy to share some stories that would make him look imperfect. People had layers, and some people seemed to think he was, without wanting to sound arrogant, the perfect guy. He really wasn't. Dimi was just a guy, maybe a bit more balanced than others his age, but still very imperfect. "Okay, let's see," Dimi started with thoughts of past mishaps clearly readable on his features. "Ah. On One occasion, I mispronounced a spell and transformed my teacher's hand into a mug. She would not get rid of it until another six hours, but at least she was due to me able to personalize her drink on a whole new level. No name plates needed for the teacher's room fridge, I guess," Dimi added with another chuckle.

[Hollywood Heidi]

"A mug!" she said on an incredulous laugh. Magic or not, she still couldn't wrap her mind around how alterations to a person's body didn't cause damage or pain. At least not that she'd seen.

Judgmental and suspicious looks shot her way had her laughter quickly dying and Anya felt a rush of guilt for momentarily letting herself forget the dangerous situation she'd just caused at Hogsmeade. Their reactions were completely justified. She shouldn't be laughing or acting as if she'd been unphased by what she'd done.

Accustomed to finding ways to make herself as invisible as possible, Anya tilted her head down in a practiced move that made her hair fall forward to curtain the sides of her face. She crossed her arms and angled herself more toward the arches and glanced outside, thinking up an escape. Another thing she was accustomed to and good at.

The Ministry Woman would be well toward the front of the castle by now and with the colder temperatures, most of the students would avoid being outside. The old, dilapidated clock tower courtyard near the back of the castle would be the ideal place. "I could use some fresh air.  Want to see one of my favorite places?" she asked, glancing back toward him as she offered him an out. "Unless you have something you need to do?"

[DarkSideCookie]

Dimi's smirk died down simultaneously with Anya's laughter. It had warmed his heart to see her letting go of her worries for a moment, but he was not too surprised that they had come back just as quickly as the moment had felt. The fact saddened him a bit but he wouldn't let that show on his features. Again, Dimi tried to cover her up from all judgemental and suspicious looks, this time an act almost impossible though. It truly hurt him to see her hiding herself away from it as good as possible. Just when Dimi was going to suggest to go elsewhere then, she preempted him. He was just glad that she still wanted to be in his company. No way would he take the offered out.

"I could use some fresh air. Want to see one of my favorite places?"Unless you have something you need to do?"

"Nothing to do at all," Dimi replied with a slight smile. "Especially nothing that would be more important to me than learning about your favorite place."

[Hollywood Heidi]

A ghost of a smile found its way back to her. He we going out of his way to cheer her up, and Anya was relieved he didn't choose the out. She really needed a friend right now and Callum had been nowhere in sight. Anya didn't know if he was avoiding her or if something was keeping him away, but judging by what had happened, she feared it was the former, which made her need the cheering up and the distraction Dimi was providing even more.

"Well then, allow me to lead the way." Anya started them in the direction, slipped her arm through his, both to draw from his strength and to tether herself from the temptation of full on running away from all these people.


***Anya and Dimi exit to Hogwarts - Clock Tower Courtyard (3rd Floor)***