Emotions Unfold

[Delilah Morine]

It was a beautiful autumn night, and Delilah hadn't yet read the letter that her owl had delivered about two days ago. Classes were getting harder, and days seemed to be getting shorter. The small Slytherin girl also had to worry about the responsibilities of being Head Girl, and was wondering when she'd ever get a break. Tonight seemed to be the ray of hope she had been asking for.

As Delilah ascended the long trek from the depths of Hogwarts, to the tallest tower, she knew that going barefoot at this point in time was probably not the best idea. However, she did giver herself points for wearing her dark green hoodie, and grey sweat pants, at least most of herself was warm on this fall night.

Delilah gripped the letter in her hand, and wondered what could be in it. She didn't dare sneak a peak at it though until she reached her destination. Delilah finally reached her favorite spot to view the night sky, and was more than happy to find no body else there... not that she could see anyways. As she sat down, she noted how perfect the conditions were for reading. There was just enough light coming from the moon to make the words appear on the parchment she was trying to read.

Her eyes slowly and carefully scanned the paper, and she realized that it was a note from her mother. Weird, she never wrote Delilah anything, ever. As Delilah read on, she came to realize that her father, was in the hospital. He had a heart attack and was now in critical condition. Delilah folded up the piece of paper and stuck it in the pocket in the middle of her hoodie.

She didn't know what to think. They were wizards, couldn't magic and proper care get him out of the state he was in? Surely his job as a Quidditch coach meant that he should have known about the risks... Delilah forgot until that moment how old her father was getting. Delilah wasn't one for showing emotions, but as she started up at the sky, she sat to the cold hard floor, bringing her knees up to her chest, and let the tears fall.

Open.

[Felicity Hjort]

Though it was getting late, Felicity was determined to send her letter out that night. There hadn't been much to tell Drew of lately, she'd hardly seen either his sister or cousin and nothing fantastic was taking place to be excited about. Though, she wanted to write him because it made her feel closer to him, even if he was in London and she was stuck in school. Writing her letter and traveling to the owlery, Felicity took her time in finding her owl and giving him a treat before sending him off in search of Drew's Aunt's home. Knowing she could expect a letter in answer soon kept a small, faint smile on her face.

However, traveling back down from the owlery, Sammy, her squirrel leading the way, Felicity's mind wasn't on where she was going, just in following the bushy tail and thinking about the upcoming Hogsmeade trip. Drew had promised to do everything he could to meet her there, and she wanted to be sure to be able to go on the trip and see him. It was hard when she was in class with van Aller again, a much more important class than Muggle Studies and had to be more careful. But needing to do everything possible to be good, Felicity hadn't toed very many lines lately, though she was waiting for just that happenstance.

However, as she rounded a turn, she heard the slight sound of another presence, one too large for Sammy, but she wasn't sure what it was. Other than it was a person, but she was curious because with the late hour, would too many people really be out and about like she was? Even if she was going back to her common room to keep from getting in any amount of trouble. And though she glanced around, in the shadows that fell, she wasn't entirely sure where she was, and Sammy had disappeared a bit further ahead of her. Getting Sammy and returning to the den was a priority, but she didn't expect to run into something in her path as the lioness continued on her way...

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah sniffles could have been heard from a few feet away, she lifted a small hand to her equally small face, and wiped the blasted tears away. Her summer was amazing, spending so much time with her dad, she figured now she wouldn't be going home during the holidays. She didn't want to see him weak, her father, would could pick her up in his big strong arms. And he could do so just this summer! Why would this happen to such an amazing man? Delilah shook her head, her brown curls bouncy slightly with the movement, sniffling and letting the tears fall again.

She didn't even get the chance to ask him about... it seemed so silly now. Delilah was in a huge pickle, she liked two different boys in her school, and who better to ask and trust than her dad? Delilah sighed, feeling pathetic and useless, and to top it off, she was going crazy. What else could explain the squirrel in front of her? Squirrel in front of her?... Delilah closed her eyes hard, forcing all the tears out, and hoped once she opened her eyes again, it would be gone.

And it was. She grinned, maybe she was going crazy... Suddenly, the little fuzzy fellow was scampering up her legs, only to perch on top of her knees. Delilah grinned, and let out a small laugh as the squirrel gave her a funny look. For a moment, Delilah forgot her trouble, the small creature was incredibly cute, and Delilah wanted to work with animals as a career once she graduated. Delilah held out her hand to him, and he sniffed it, and proceded to give it a small nibble. Delilah giggled, and petted him softly on the head. "Where did you come from?" She asked, gazing around seeing no one in sight. She figured a wild animal acting so tame, could only be a pet. She shrugged, she was enjoying the company, despite that her problems went unsolved.

[Felicity Hjort]

Rounding a corner, the little brown squirrel sniffed his way around, finding an odd scent, one not used to his nose. The smell was enjoyable enough, but not nutty, and he wanted an acorn. Sometimes Felicity left him some, but only when she thought of it and since returning to the castle where he'd been found, Felicity hadn't gathered any nuts with him for the winter storage. It was hard going as a squirrel as was, but without her help, he didn't get nearly enough to keep him happy.

As he came upon another person, one unrecognizable, he straddled right up to her and stared her hard in the face. Maybe this one would gather him some food so he could continue to be laze and happy.

"Ow..." the blonde whined, rubbing at her shin where she'd run directly into a suit of armour. Though she was quite certain they'd stopped following her around for a while now, this hadn't been the best of surprises. And now Sammy was missing from her sight and using magic wasn't her forte...

Taking a moment's breather, Felicity started back up in the direction she'd last seen the bushy tail disappear, giving one last glare to the shiny suit. Just why did he decide to take off now? When they had to get back to the common room before the curfew set in so she didn't get into trouble. Getting into trouble at that moment would be bad, because she needed to go to Hogsmeade on their trip, seeing Drew was important, and she missed him.

[Delilah Morine]

Suddenly, the little guys ears perked up, and he went off scampering, probably because he had lost interest in her. Delilah however, hadn't lost interest in the little one just yet, and the snakess decided to follow the fuzzy brown ball scurrying ahead of her. She had to walk pretty fast, but she decided her Head Girl duties could include chasing a squirrel, right?

Delilah wasn't really sure where he was going, but soon another person came into view, and she trecked on, knowing she couldn't get into any trouble this year. Nice. Felicity wasn't the only one that seemed to have bad luck when it came to armour though, Delilah almost went straight into one while keeping her eyes on the small creature in front of her. The small girl turned on her heals, a little peeved, "Watch it will you?" She demanded, more than asked, turning back to the squirrel.

Her expression softened upon seeing a fellow seventh year, Felicity Hjort. Delilah didn't want to have pity for her, but she couldn't be harsh to someone that seemed so down lately. Could it have been because of Drew? Delilah had ran into him accidentaly over the summer, and he spoke fondly of her. Delilah grinned at the thought, but in her mind, tried not to feel jealous.

Delilah approached the Gryffindor steadily, the small brunette couldn't have looked like a Head being bare foot and all. "Nice night, eh?" Delilah said, a small smile forming on her face. She only hoped at this point at her face wasn't tear stained, or her clothes for that matter. She pointed to the suit of armour behind her, "They sure seem to be having fun." She said, watching as the squirrel seemed to find where he belonged, next to Felicity. "Causing trouble?" She asked, looking from the blonde to her pet, grinning. She couldn't help it, she wouldn't be getting Felicity into trouble for being out late, Delilah, despite what anyone else assumed about her, had a heart, and because of this, would probably end up being a poor Head Girl.

[Felicity Hjort]

The quick flurry of another's appearance startled Felicity, so much so that she wasn't entirely sure what was happening until the girl opened her mouth. Unfortunately the blonde wasn't one to take to attitude from another, having enough of her own as was, and she opened her mouth to retort about whoever it was watching it herself, especially as the lioness had only been standing there, but her mouth snapped shut when she recognized the face. Having been a Prefect, Drew the last Head Boy, she knew just how much trouble she could get into, especially for going off on the Head Girl, someone she didn't rightly know very well.

However, with the grin that touched the other girl's face right after she'd yelled at the blonde for being in her way...she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to rightly know the girl very well. It was as strange turnaround, but she didn't make mention of it as she was asked about the night, giving only a slight nod in answer, too angry to say anything just yet. And she hadn't noticed that Sammy had reappeared, thinking she would still need to find him before returning to the common room so he wouldn't spend the night outside of it.

And when the conversation was directed toward the suit of armours, Felicity nodded again, glaring at the one she'd run into once more. They always seemed to be having fun, like they were full of laughter and pranks no one else could pull, half the time she wondered if Peeve had them under his control somehow.

But when Delilah asked about trouble, the light brown eyes widened hugely, and she shook her blonde head, causing the locks to rapidly whirl around her head. "No, no trouble," she quickly ushered, not wanting any in the least. If anyone didn't know better, they'd actually think she'd just pulled something off and was covering quickly with a lie. Thankfully she knew better that she couldn't tell a lie to save a life. "Just...sending a letter and then...finding...and going...common room."

Disconnected thoughts and ideas tied together, nothing finished. Sammy needed to be found, and then bed. "No trouble."

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah eyed the girl with suspicion. Maybe this pretty blonde really was up to something after all. Delilah looked down at the squirrel, who was looking up at Felicity, and waited patiently to be acknowledged. The small girl looked up at her taller seventh year counter part and wondered if she was indeed up to something, or just completely out of touch with reality. And she thought she had problems... Delilah continued eyeing her as she went on with her half-hearted explanation, remembering just how mad Felicity looked after Delilah had shouted at the suits of armour. She definetly was something else...

Delilah, unknowing of what she did wrong, but was wondering what Felicity was up to, she crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly not feeling very sorry for her. What time was it now any ways? "And this can't be done tomorrow?" Delilah asked, seeing as Felicity didn't respond to Delilah's kindness, Delilah was going to be a bit more firm. Not meaner, she just needed to do her job. Surely Felicity would understand that.

Now, Delilah looked at Felicity with the same patience that the little squirrel was looking at her with. Forgetting about how she looked, Delilah suddenly felt more like Head Girl more than every before, and for now, she forgot about what was going on with her dad for now.

[Felicity Hjort]

Under the scrutiny of the other girl, Felicity felt a fire she hadn't felt in a while yearn to be let loose. The fiery temper wanted to emerge, to tell Delilah off, that she had no right to question her motives in being out so late. But why couldn't Felicity wear a watch? Just so she would know if she still had time to get back before being out past the curfew set upon them by Raynor. Would it be possible she still had time? With the run of bad luck the lioness had had lately, no, she was late all ready.

Staring down her nose at the much more petite brunette before her, Felicity couldn't believe the stance the Head Girl was taking, crossing her arms much like she herself did when getting angry. Just what was her problem?

Narrowing her light brown eyes at the girl, Felicity knew she had to bite back the comment that was edging toward the tip of her tongue.

"No, a promise a needs to be kept as it was promised." I'll write back to you as soon as I receive your letters. Her promise to Drew was she'd write him back, and that was just what she'd done. Though she likely could've waited to send it in the morning, she missed her boyfriend too much to wait that long. And it would've kept her up tossing and turning all night long had she chose to wait.

On top of that, her mum wasn't handling herself too well at the moment either. According to a letter from Lindsey, Meadow Hjort was falling quickly to the evil of the cancer spreading throughout her body. And needing to let Drew know so he'd keep an eye on the older woman was of utmost importance.

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah noted the fumes escaping from Felicity's ears, and decided, girls would be girls, most were fiesty, other were well, simply moody, but failed to let those around them know why. She had been hoping to get to know the sweet, caring, girlfriend of Drew Thornton's. Delilah, being a girl of what was just described in the beginning, instead of thinking things through, thought of it as a personnal attack. This girl seemed the exact opposite of the personality description she was given.

Delilah looked away for a moment and shrugged, thinking this blonde was well... a blonde. She looked back up to her fellow seventh year, and decided that she was a bigger person to not just spite someone because she could. "Right then." She said, looking from Felicity to her little squirrel friend, and smiled at him before looking back to the girl. "Promises can be broken..." She said flatly, smile gone from her usually happy face.

Both girls had too much drama going on in their lives at the moment, perhaps another time would be better to meet properly. But after this first impression, it would seem the age old battle against Lion and Snake, was re-kindled between the two ladies. Delilah shook her head slightly, before moving past Felicity to go somewhere else, gripping her letter in her hand, the thoughts of it returning, along with the tears as well. Walking away briskly, she didn't know what she had done to Felicity, but now she felt even more rotten. She had acted like such a... Slytherin...

[Felicity Hjort]

A shadow crossed over the blonde's face as her eyes narrowed in answer. Promises couldn't be broken, otherwise it wasn't a promise. Something she and Drew had spoken about many times, that promises were meant to be kept, otherwise what was the sense of making the promise to begin with? And the fact the girl thought what she did about them rubbed the blonde the wrong way. A promise could not be broken, and if she thought so...well...she needed to re-evaluate the definition of a promise.

Watching the more petite girl walk by, Felicity's gaze held steady on the retreating back. What was her problem? Did she even think before she spoke? It was more than obvious to her that there was not only something wrong with the girl, but that she didn't make a very good Head Girl either. With as late as it was, she didn't even press the issue of time with her. Sometimes Corey even did that, and he was one of her very best friends.

Rolling her eyes in answer, she turned quickly on her own heel, determined to find a way back to the Gryffindor Tower going the opposite way of how she knew to go. If it meant not following that girl, she'd do it...

[Connor Manning]

Surprisingly enough, patrolling was one of the more enjoyable part of being Head Boy. Connor liked the feeling of keeping an eye out for everyone, making sure they were where they were supposed to be. And there were other things he enjoyed about the job. He liked walking around at a late hour, it gave him time to think about things he usually put off during the day, and it gave him some time to himself to do whatever he wanted. Some Prefects, he knew, didn't like the whole patrolling part of the deal, but Connor loved it.

On this particular night he walked around wearing black and green flannel pajama pants and a plain gray tshirt. He wasn't very cold at all despite the fact that he was wearing flip flops instead of slippers or even shoes.He wandered around, his wand in his pocket and his Head Boy badge on the front of his shirt. Connor hummed to himself as he walked, a tune he had once seen performed called, ' Dragons Fly on the Winds of Time, ' it was interesting and right now he was trying to remember the oboe solo.

It was kind of distracting, and Connor didn't pay much attention as he rounded the corner, finding himself face to face with a distressed looking petite blonde. " Felicity? " He said quickly as he halted himself just in time as to not run her over. He peered over her shoulder and recognized Delilah stalking off." Uh... what's up? "

[Felicity Hjort]

"Oooooo" was all the blonde's could say in an annoyed tone as she stalked the exact opposite direction of the petite brunette. Seriously, just what was her problem anyway? Couldn't she just leave the blonde alone? So into what was taking up the thoughts of her mind, Felicity didn't hardly notice Connor until he was less than three inches away from her.

Tilting her head back at the sound of her name on a familiar voice, Felicity's brown eyes widened slightly. What luck was raining on her that night to meet both Slytherins? Head Girl and Head Boy? But at least she liked Connor, an awful lot, and she knew she could trust him not to get her in trouble when she was all ready on her way back to the Gryffindor Tower as was. Besides, Connor was her friend and would understand her need to keep a promise. Especially one she'd made to Drew.

Looking into his eyes, she shook her head angrily, not sure she wanted to talk about her encounter with Miss. Priss. After all, though Connor was her friend, she wasn't aware of his relationship with the girl. What if she said something to anger him? Then again, she was pretty upset. "That...girl," she spat out, not sure how upset she should really be. Pointing a finger back the way she'd just come, the blonde continued. "Is an absolutely, terribly, horribly, awful person." To think a promise could be broken...

[Connor Manning]

Connor tried to survey the scene quickly to decipher what had gone on, but the only vibes he was getting were negative ones. He quirked his head to the side slightly, it had always been his opinion that Delilah and Felicity got on alright. They weren't buddies or anything, but they were decent to one another. So why was he getting the feeling that there was lingering hostility? He turned his eyes back to ' that... girl ' as Felicity spoke of her.

He raised his eyebrows in a questioning way as he caught Felicity's glance, thinking that he had been right about the animosity and all. " What did she do that was terrible, horrible and awful? " He wasn't mocking her, he was wondering. Again, he raised his eyes to the retreating figure. He knew it was Delilah, but he had never heard of the Head Girl being mean to anyone. Maybe playing some tricks on a few first years, sure, but he didn't think she had ever been outright mean to anyone. " Watcha doing out so late, anyway? " He made sure to pose the question in more of a friend tone rather than a Head Boy one. He didn't really think Felicity would be up to much, and she was close to her Common Room. Close enough, anyway.

Connor crossed his arms over his chest and leaned up against the wall. Maybe he would have to talk to Delilah later? He held in an impending sigh, wondering what was going on with everyone.

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick strolled down the hall aimlessly it was just another late night. One of the rare ones where he didn't feel like just reading he wanted to go play somewhere. Anywhere in the large castle would do. It was usually the towers that he did such things though so of course that was where he was head on this warm night. It would be nice out and besides what was the worse that could happen to him? Granted he had been a bit absent minded in the fact that he had not brought Niwa with him. His cat acted as a scout and told him if anyone was watching the hall or headed down his path. Tonight though he was on his own which was in fact a stupid move on his part but for whatever reason Derrick felt confident that he wouldn't run into anyone.

It was as if some higher power was out to prove him wrong tonight though. As Derrick turned the corner he bumped into someone and staggered back wards a bit. He was tall in stature and Derrick wasn't one to usually lose his balance but as this person ran into him; he couldn't help but stagger back wards and fall. Catching himself Derrick regained his composure to the best of his ability, got up straightening himself out, and quickly he checked Francesca who was strapped onto his back.

Derrick knew that his main concern should not be his instrument but it was just his first reaction always whenever she was with him. Looking down he saw the girl that he had ran into. He had knocked her over also unfortunately it seemed. With a second glance Derrick realized who exactly he had just knocked over though and he knew he was in trouble. Sighing heavily Derrick looked down at Delilah Morine the Head Girl and offered her his hand to help her up.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...I mean....."

Derrick didn't know what else to say and just hoped that she would let this slide. That she wouldn't give him detention or anything of that sort. After all Delilah, from what he had gathered, seemed to be a loose and was one who didn't mind pranking and other such things. Which made him wonder how she had landed this position as Head Girl but that wasn't something he'd question her on now. Right now he would just hope she wouldn't give him detention or anything of that sort.

[Delilah Morine]

So the blonde thought she could just prance around and do what she pleased hey? Totally ignore the fact that there were other people in the world besides her? Fine, Delilah knew that little encounter between them, wouldn't be the last, and in good time, she's show her that you couldn't always have your head up in the clouds...

Speaking of head up in the clouds... Delilah was just about to round a corner, already pretty far from that wretched Gryffindor, excuse for a lion... Lost in thought, she came into contact with another body, and she was completely at fault. But she was already in a bad mood, there was a little more than anger in her eyes, she had dropped her mum's letter when running into this person, and she was anything but happy, seeing as she was now flat on her butt, a hard flush of anger spreading over her usually soft face.

Of course, Delilah would think in that moment that it was all this little boys fault. And what made this worse, was that he didn't even apologize to her right aways, like he should have, but instead, checked for something on his back. Delilah let out a scowl, and looked around for her letter, finally spotting it, and snatched it up forcefully. Delilah looked up into sorry eyes, and her face softened slightly. It was Derrick, and once again, he was towering over her.

The small girl had a sudden switch of emotion, knowing that it wasn't her place to be mad at someone that didn't mean it, and she let him help her up. Once back on her feet, she shook herself off and looked at him with a small smile, "It's ok..." She said simply, knowing that it was past the hour that students were allowed out, and it was her job as Head Girl to well... do her job. But she didn't want to be harsh either, surely he wasn't up to no good was he? She really did want to be who she was, but with all of her emotions crashing down on her, sadness being the strongest, then anger, Delilah's face fluctuated according to her moods, as she tried to decide what to do.