What Could Be Better Than Explosions?

[Delilah Morine]

(open of course ;D )

Delilah had bolted up to the highest tower in the middle of the day. She had the most brilliant idea! Or so she thought. Perhaps it was more evil than brilliant... Anyway, she just couldn't stop thinking about it! She had her long, curly black hair, tied up into a pony tail, to keep it from flailing about. She had just washed it and intended to keep it clean... at least for the rest of the day. She had in hand, something covered with a white sheet, and it was moving about and making soft owl noises. If anyone saw her and had a brain, they'd put two and two together and realize she was holding a cage of owls.

She got to her destination, and sighed. Quite a journey, having to capture all the owls first and then hauling them up here. As far as she knew no one had seen her and she was good to start her own little game. She walked over to a large bag that was already in the tower. Inside there were things like glass plates, cups, crystal balls with small handles on them, potion vials and beakers, a grand father clock, and other sorts of bits and bobs. Delilah grinned broadly. What better way to spend a quiet afternoon than blowing all these items up? And with everyone at Hogsmeade and the Professors in a meeting, no one could bother her.

Her parents had forgotten to give her permission to go to Hogsmeade, and she was feeling very upset about that. That feeling might have been what fueled what she was now doing. She decided to start small, gingerly lifting out a small glass plate. She took it with her as she unhinged the owl cage and two brown barn owls swooped out. She thrust the plate towards them and the one on the right took it in claw. She told the thing to just go outside and fly slow around the tower, and drop the plate when it thought would be a good time. The owl gave her a bit of a stupid look, but she insisted with big pleading green eyes and the owl flew out.

She pulled her wand out now, aiming at the plate, following the owl. Knowing her reflexes were good, she pointed at a spot just bellow the clear plate. It was such a beautiful day outside, the sun was out but hidden behind a mound of clouds at the moment. She quickly looked around, making sure no one else was looking. Not a soul in sight. The owl dropped the plate. She practically yelled the incantation as the thing shattered into a million tiny bits. Her tiny lips spread into a pretty large smile, as the owl flew back into the tower, and there was a few dust particles remaining from the plate. She was quite pleased with herself and was ready for another target.

Delilah ran back to the bag, excited and happy for something fun to do today. She grabbed a potion vial and handed it to the second owl. The owl simply flew out the tower. This one wanted to make things more interesting though... as it was flying in small circles and not letting go of the thing. Delilah was concentrating very hard on the small object, hoping the sun wouldn't come out and obstruct her aim. If only the owl would just let go already.

[Connor Manning]

Having spent the morning in the village just outside of Hogwarts, Connor decided it was time to head back to the castle, mostly because the trip hadn't been all that eventful for him. Sure he had run into a couple of people and hung out for a bit, but for the most part he had gone to Hogsmeade to get a couple of gifts for his parents and sister. He didn't have any specific reason for it, only that he was missing them a bit and felt the need to do something nice. Ever since his fight ( stupid fight, he had to admit ) with Drew, he had been feeling a bit down on himself for it.

He knew he was the one who had started it in the first place, but that didn't make him feel any less stupid, in fact it made him feel more stupid. Although as Connor walked up to the owlry to send the presents to his family, he wasn't really thinking about his fight with Drew. It wasn't his first fight, and he hadn't any idea if it would ever be his last either. As he walked up the steps, he was actually thinking about the presents in his hands. They were relatively small for the most part, the biggest item being a book he had bought for his sister. For his mother he had gotten a couple of things, including some sweets from Honeydukes and several little gadgets here and there. For his father he had gotten a book about rare magical creatures, knowing the man would enjoy it, and for his sister he had dug for a while until he came across something that might interest her - a book about the connection between what muggles called ' psychology ' and the wizarding practice of legilimens. It looked weird, but kind of interesting, so he had spend the few extra sickles and galleons and bought it for her.

Upon first arriving back at the castle, he had gone down into the Slytherin Common room and wrapped up the gifts in plan green wrapping paper. After that ordeal was over and the presents were neatly wrapped, he ventured upwards, which was where he currently was.

In his arms he held the various packages, he passed by several rooms without giving them much attention. He wasn't concerned with what everyone else was doing, but as he walked by a particular room he heard the light tinkling sounds of breaking glass, and it sounded like it was coming from just outside of the tower. He sighed slightly, looking down to the packages in his hands, but knowing that he should probably check. Darn his prefect duties. He turned back and peeked into the room, spotting a small brown haired girl doing... something.

" Erm, hullo? " He ventured, wondering what on earth she was up to.

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah was just about to blow up the bird, but another voice had interrupted her thoughts. Had someone seriously come in to check out what she was doing?

" Erm, hullo? "

Delilah still held her wand in hand, back faced to what sounded like a boy. She bit her lip, knowing she had better think fast so that whoever this was wouldn't think she was absolutely crazy. Just bored. Delilah flicked her wand slightly and muttered "Accio" and the vial in the bird's claws flew suddenly into her right hand. She blinked and turned around now, waving the vial, "Hi. Ruddy birds..." She said, hoping her face wasn't turning red. She knew her green eyes and red cheeks only made her look like some absurd Christmas display.

The owl had flown away, and the second one was still perched on a window sill, looking at the boy oddly. Delilah put the vial down on a small oak table nearby and stuck her wand back into her jeans pocket. She smiled, she hadn't really seen or spoken to anyone in a while, and maybe she was craving a bit of human attention. "So you couldn't get into Hogsmeade either?" she tried in a friendly voice. She may have been in Slytherin, but her dad was from Hufflepuff, her mum from Slytherin. She had the sarcasm and stubbornness of a Slytherin, but she could be kind and random like a Hufflepuff.

She wasn't in her robes, so she wouldn't think he'd be able to guess where she came from right off the hop. She also hoped that he wouldn't see the large bag of trinkets, or the brass owl cage, open and empty, and a white covering in a heap on the floor next to it. She could already feel herself getting into trouble, it'd be her luck for him to be from Gryffindor, find out she was a Slytherin, end up being a Prefect, and then BAM! she'd have detention. But she held his puzzled gaze with all the confidence she could muster, and hope she wasn't cracking under the pressure.



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[Connor Manning]

Connor gave the room a once over, spotting several cages, and a couple things or random rubbish. There were several bags that looked like the contents had been thrown around a bit, and as the Slytherin turned his eyes back onto the girl, he gave her a curious look, his brows raised slightly. He knew that he should know who she was, but as he looked around the room once again, he couldn't remember her name. She was a Slytherin, that much he knew. He scoffed slightly at himself, knowing that a good prefect would know who she was, so long as she was in his house. He lifted his shoulders, and as he dropped them back down into their former place he heaved a small sigh.

He looked up to the owl, which the girl caught something from as she ' acciod'd ' it to her. It appeared to be a vial of.. some sort of potion, he couldn't really identify which kind or variety because of the distance.

Once the owl fluttered away, Connor finally turned back to the girl, looking down at what he was holding and wondering if he was doing the more mundane thing right now. He shook his head slightly, stepping into the room a bit more than he had been previously. If this girl was going to talk to him, then he guessed he might as well walk into the room as well. " Oh, I was at Hogsmeade this morning... " He guessed by her words that she had been unable to go, for whatever reason, he could only guess at that point.

Finally asking what had first been on his mind he paused before asking, " What exactly are you doing? " He gave a small grin, its only purpose being to tell the girl that, as long as she wasn't killing anyone or something like that, he wouldn't get her into trouble.

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah waited. This boy seemed to just be watching her, trying to piece things together. She didn't blame him, afterall, this must've looked quite peculiar. She began to wonder whether or not he had heard or seen anything. Why else would he have some into this room? She couldn't match his face to anyone she knew, and was beginning to wonder if she knew him. So he was at Hogsmeade... "Bad weather out there or something?" She asked, a small grin spread across her face.

What is it that she was doing? Should she answer that? The grin on his face told her that maybe she could trust him. But she didn't want to be fooled, or get into trouble. That's all she needed at this point. She walked about from the table and off to the window, "Just playing a little game." She said, turning back to face him, a grin across her face. She was trying this type of distraction. She wasn't quite sure if she could get away with what she had been doing just yet, so she decided to stall for now. That thought of simply running away had crossed her mind, but she didn't act upon it. In this world of Magic, there was no easy way out of things. Even something as small as the mischief she had been up to.

She watched him come closer into the room. She got a good look at his face now. It seemed so familiar! But she simply couldn't place it properly. She looked at the brown owl, which picked up the empty vial, seemingly eager to play Delilah's little game again. She just hoped the bird wouldn't start dropping the items everywhere.

[Connor Manning]

He had almost forgotten about the noise he had heard that caused him to actually enter the room anyway, but as Connor spotted the brown owl flying around with another vial in it's talons he slowly began to remember. It reminded him of receiving a letter in the mornings, which in turn reminded him of things falling, which led him to the reminder of his first reason for not passing by the room when he had walked by. It had sounded like glass breaking, and as he threw another quick glance around the room he spotted a glassware items, mostly by the bag.

" The weather's fine, I just... decided to come back. " He replied with a small smile and half shrug of his shoulders. He was being vague because he didn't really feel that he owed this girl an explanation. And not only that, but there hadn't been a detailed reason for him to return early to the castle. He had just decided to, and that was that. " Why aren't you running around there and all? " The girl was small, so he figured her to be a fourth, maybe fifth year. In fact, the sixth year towered over her by at least a foot, something he found slightly amusing. He was used to being taller than girls, but this girl was particularly short. At least... to him.

' Just playing a little game. ' Her tone made Connor question whether or not he should run away or stick around. He peered at her, his curiosity keeping him still in place and he set the presents down on a nearby random table.

" What sort of a game...? " He finally questioned after a few seconds more of looking at the girl. He just wished he knew who she was, then he wouldn't feel so bad about it. " I'm Connor, sixth year... Prefect.. " He tossed out the information, hoping to receive some in exchange. Maybe if he knew who the girl was then he would have an easier time trying to find out what exactly it was she was doing before he came into the room.

[Delilah Morine]

(she is quite small, thanks for pointing that out )

So apparently the weather was fine. Why is it that he came back then? No one to talk to? Maybe they had something in common, and they didn't even know it. Well maybe she did at this point, unless he came back for the reason he said. To simply come back. She looked at him carefully. She usually felt shorter than others, but this was ridiculous! Well, maybe their attitudes could match. He so obviously was from Slytherin. "I'm stuck here... I forgot to ask my parents to sign so I could go." She said quite bluntly. She tried to make it seem as though she had nothing to hide.

She looked at him with a look of realization as he introduced himself. That's how she knew him! The Slytherin Prefect. "Delilah Morine, Slytherin," she said, then raised an eyebrow and smiled, knowing what she said next would be hard to believe, "sixth year aswell." She peered at the small stack of what looked like books that he had set down. "Just breaking things that don't matter..." She trailed off, looking back and forth from him to the table with the things on it. "Bought things at Hogsmeade I see." She said, in a more friendly voice now that they knew who the other was. Two Snakes, and finally, the familiar faces were connected to names.

[Connor Manning]

(_{she's tiny xD} )

This whole encounter was kind of strange to Connor, but not for a specific reason that he could pinpoint exactly. He dropped his arms back down once he had gingerly placed the gifts down, his hands sliding into his pockets as he looked around. " Oh yeah? Have you been at Hogwarts since first year? " If she had been, then it wouldn't make much sense to him that she would forget to have her parents sign the form, but he didn't know anything about her quite yet, so he remained unsure until she answered.

That did sound rather boring, though, just hiding out in the castle while everyone else was out at Hogsmeade, shopping and having a good time in general. " Sixth year? " He repeated, a look of disbelief quick to appear on his features. She couldn't be serious, she was... well, tiny. Remembering his manners, Connor nodded his head quickly and gave a small grin, " I mean, it's nice to meet you Delilah. " It was a wonder he couldn't remember her name, seeing as how they were in the same house and same year. He would have thought the he would notice her during lessons, but then again Connor usually didn't pay much attention to a ton of people in classes.

" What sort of things that don't matter? " He asked, glancing to the bag once again to see some items protruding from it. He almost missed her question, but turned and looked at her as he answered, " Oh, yes. Gifts for my family.. " He trailed off slightly with a light shrug of his shoulders.

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah had taken the more casual posture of placing her hands on her hips, watching him like a hawk. She didn't want him to run off now, getting her into trouble. "I've been here since the beginning of this year." She said, not bothering to explain she got transferred. Frankly it shouldn't really be his concern. Obviously he didn't really know who she was, and she didn't blame him. Delilah mostly kept to herself, afraid of making friends because of how hurt she's gotten from previous "friends", and plus, she liked to be alone.

She sort of smiled as he asked in disbelief if she truly was a sixth year. Once again she didn't blame him, and he wasn't the first to scoff. But despite her size, she was what she said, and sort of enjoyed the various reactions she got from others when they found out just how old she was. "You too Connor." She said. They were both in the same year. She'd remember to give a small wave to him in classes and such.

She looked at the bag he had been glancing at. "Oh, old empty vials, some books, plates...," she looked back at him now, "a grandfather clock, etcetera." She smiled viciously. She looked back at the table with gifts, "You must love them, I don't see many students sending things home... Seems like everyone tends to be greedy." She said. Delilah walked over the bag of items now, picking out a small tea cup. "Care to try?" She offered, holding up the cup in her hand.

[Connor Manning]

The prefect's eyes scanned the window, wanting to peek down and see the damage of whatever it had been that he had heard breaking but not wanting to look too strange while doing it. So he decided to remain where he was for now, although he did lean his back against the wall behind him, still taking the whole scene in. He was almost positive that his puzzled expression was easy to read and tried to shrug it off. Whatever this girl was doing was her business... and it didn't matter too much to Connor. " D'you like it here? " His tone was curious, showing the girl that he was only asking because he wanted to know, not because he had some sort of personal agenda. Some people were paranoid, and you could never be too sure.

He nodded his head, giving a small smile to the girl. " I suppose, since you're in Slytherin, I should probably tell you that I'm the prefect... and if you ever need anything, feel free to ask. " He resisted to roll his eyes at how corny it sounded, but then again, it wasn't the first time he had said those words to a new Slytherin student. It sounded cheesy even to him, but Connor wanted the Slytherins to trust him.

Connor turned, peeking into the bag as much as he could from his angle, listening with slight interest as Delilah went into more details about ' things that don't matter. ' He was sure that at one point in time they had mattered to someone, but again didn't feel it was in his place to mention anything of it, so he kept silent for a few seconds more until she mentioned his family. He was unsure of how to respond, and went on hesitantly with a small grin, " Yeh, I do love them... " It was a strange thing to say outright to a new acquaintance, so he felt the need to ask, " Don't you love your family enough to send them things? "

He gave a blank stare down to the cup in the girls hands. " What am I supposed to do with it? "

[Delilah Morine]

The girl's eyes watched Connor curiously. He seemed interested, either that or curious, yet he was trying to hide it. Seemed like he had a bad case of pride. She nodded, "Yes, you never really get bored." She said, grinning madly now. "Unless you're lazy." She added quickly, knowing about lots of people who got bored. These were the lazy types though, like she had mentioned. There was always something to do, but if you weren't active, and into things, it was no wonder why you would get bored so easily.

Delilah nodded yet again, "Thank you, and I know who you are." She stated. She didn't mention that she couldn't figure it out right away, but the fact was, she figured it out before he had said anything about it at all. He did seem a bit awkward saying the introduction though. She wondered exactly how many times he'd done this before... Maybe that's why he wasn't so stoked to say it.

She laughed at the question pertaining to her family. It was a soft laugh, not like she was laughing at his question, just that it was still an odd question to ask. "But of course." She said, and seeing as there was still some ice to break, she added. "Only my parents though, my cousins not so much." She hated her cousins. Especially Abby, from her mom's (the Slytherin) side. Delilah had recently lent her, her mother's diamond earrings, and she apparently lost them. Delilah knew better of course. Abby had always wanted those earrings, of course she kept them to herself. "What did you all get them?" She ventured on, knowing that if he didn't answer she wouldn't be offended, not everyone was as open as others were the first time they met someone.

Delilah grinned, "Here." She said, walking up to the owl. "You'll see." She continued, handing the cup over to the bird. It already knew what to do. She watched as it flew out the window, going in small circles, just to make it harder. She pulled out her wand, once again following the object, just ahead of the owl, to hit the cup perfectly. Delilah's concentration was unbreakable now, if anyone else walked in at this moment, she wouldn't have noticed. The object was dropped, and instantly popped into dust. Delilah lowered her wand, looking back to Connor. "See?" She asked, knowing it probably didn't look that interesting, but she wanted to save the good items. And maybe for herself.

[Connor Manning]

The girl had a good point, it was kind of hard to actually be bored at the school, there was always something going on or new people to meet, friends to hang out with or social events to attend to. And even outside of the social networks, there was always lessons that they had to go to, and homework that needed to get done one way or another. While he wasn't sure if it was lazyness that allowed people to get bored while at Hogwarts, he did agree with everything else she said, so he gave a couple short nods of his head. " You seem to have things figured out... Where did you attend before? "

' Thank you, and I know who you are. ' He didn't figure that she wouldn't know who he was, but he also guessed that Delilah was doing fine on her own, and she had been doing so since the beginning of the year. He did trust, though, that if she had any major issues with anything, that she would come to him. Connor didn't know if this was actually likely or not, but he hoped she would trust him enough to do so.

The family question was kind of out there to ask, but he did appreciate the fact that the girl didn't seem to be offended by it. He chuckled in a good natured manner as Delilah mentioned only getting presents for her parents, not her cousins. He looked back to his small pile of gifts as she questioned him about them. " I got my father and sister books, and... I got some random candies and knick-nacks for my mum. " He shrugged his shoulders slightly at the question still.

Connor watched as his fellow sixth year walked up to the owl, and handed off the cup to the bird. How it knew what to do, he could only guess. Slowly but surely, though, he pieced together the situation. He was almost sure that Delilah would think he was daft, but sometimes it took a while for him to understand mindless things like this. He was almost sure that the girl was going to cast some spell on the flying owl and felt relieved when she didn't. " How in the name of Merlin did you come up with an idea like that to entertain yourself? " He gave a short laugh, thinking that it did seem kind of fun.

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah shrugged at his question to where she used to go before. That was something she would never let anyone know. It was embarrassing, not to her necessarily, but to her family. At least that's what her mother had said to her. "I like to think I have things sorted out." She said, shrugging. She hoped she wasn't being too much of a snob, she didn't want to seem distant or anything, but she didn't think she'd be able to explain why she couldn't say where she went before. She like to trust him, but not just yet.

Delilah smiled when he laughed. At least that much was established, where they were both comfortable to laugh and smile. Maybe this could turn into a good time afterall, not everything had to be boring, or a complete bummer. In her mind, Connor seemed like the type of person she'd like to be friends with, and hang out with in a group of friends. That would be great. Fantastic even. From how he answered her question, his family seemed to be intellectual. If books were the presents, then they must be. She still wasn't sure if he was comfortable answering the question or not, but he did answer it. "Well I hope they like them." She said, smiling now.

She turned to him after doing the little deed, and let out a warm laugh now too. She was glad that he finally understood what she was doing. It wasn't that complicated really, but one could only understand what was going on until it was done in example. She shrugged now, her piercing green eyes a little brighter, a little happier, now. "I come up with these things at random...," she said, thinking of her encounter with Violetta, "didn't you know that I'm the Snake's one and only Pyromaniac?" She said, smiling broadly now, holding onto her wand still as the bird flew back in and hooted. If it was human, it might've been laughing with glee.

[Connor Manning]

Connor shrugged his shoulders slightly at the girl's statement, just barely noticing how she grazed over the topic of where she attended school before. He didn't really mind it, lots of people preferred not to disclose information such as that upon first meeting people. " Well, good then. Still, though, if you need anything. Or just feel like stirring up some trouble, I'm there. " He grinned, giving a small laugh as he finished talking. Connor wasn't much for trouble in the sense that it would get him into an insane amount of trouble, but he didn't mind some senseless pranks every once in a while just to stir up fun.

The Prefect glanced over to the bird, tossing a curious look the owl's way. ' Well I hope they like them. ' He nodded his head, his grin softening slightly as she said something about his family once again. " Yeh, me too... Do you have any brothers or sisters? " He guessed not, as she hadn't mentioned them before, but he could be wrong in his assumption. He looked back to his fellow sixth year, still finding it hard to believe that the girl really was a sixth year. She was small, and although he had already come to terms with that, it still made him grin a bit. Connor didn't know what it was, but he liked being taller than other people for some reason. There were a couple of guys that towered over him, even, but he was generally taller than most girls he had met, Delilah not being an exception to the rule.

So that was what she meant. He shook his head slightly, wondering if he should be amused or just annoyed. He decided to go for the former option, as it did look sort of entertaining. " Oh, great. So now if the common room catches on fire and burns down, I'll know who to blame. " He grinned slightly, obviously joking around with her. It was likely that the common room wouldn't get too burnt up or anything, as it was located under the lake after all. " So, I just take one of these, " He absently reached into the bag and grabbed a small plate from within it. " And give it to the bird? " He motioned the owl over to him and waited as it perched itself down on a small table close to where Connor was standing.

[Delilah Morine]

The girl smiled, so he was up for trouble was he? Delilah was sure she could think up something interesting to do. And it could involve a few more Slytherins too. "I'll keep the offer in mind..." She said, trailing off only because her mind was already thinking up ways that she could get Connor involved. It seemed that Delilah's mind was always coming up with fun, but usually useless, things to do. When someone was bored enough, creativity was usually found next to it.

" Do you have any brothers or sisters? " Delilah shook her head 'no'. "I'm an only child." She said, grinning. She wasn't about to share this next bit though, her parents had wanted more children after her, a little boy. But fate just didn't want that to work for them apparently, so there she was, an only child. She usually didn't mind though, it wasn't like she got oodles of attention, but she was acknowledged and appreciated around the house, and when the extended family came over. "Tons of cousins though." She said, a bit of distaste when she said it. She didn't like her cousins... for many many reasons.

Delilah laughed, "But what if someone... oh, I dunno, framed me?" She said, grinning madly now, going along with the silliness, glad to be having fun and joking. " So, I just take one of these, " She watched as he pulled out a plate, and grinned, he was going to give it a shot. " And give it to the bird? " "Yes yes," she said, a tad of eagerness in her voice, "the bird seems to like doing this. I don't blame him really, must be a nice change from delivering letters all day..." She said, looking at the owl now, who was eying the plate with an eagerness in his eyes, that matched Delilah's voice.