A Rude Entrance

[Luke Anthony Torrington]

Luke was wet through.

Cameron had seen him to the station at King's Cross before leaving to go to work, and with Anjelika - the German mail-order-bride-esque nurse - Luke's services were no more needed in the apartment at Wendelring. And, as British weather could always count on, it was raining. Hard. So the nice clothing, the fresh set of robes and undergarments, which Luke had selected so carefully for the journey back to Hogwarts, were now completely drenched. There'd been only one train going up to Hogwarts, and it had been full of goblins... for whatever reason... so there was no company to keep but his own. Lost in thoughts of the last time he'd seen the school... the last time he'd seen Chris... the journey seemed endless.

In the past, the rolling hills and shimmering lakes, the scenery that slipped by majestically as they wove their way toward the legendary school, thrilled and awed Luke. He felt so privileged to be able to see it at least four times a year. Usually there was a gang of Hufflepuff's around, breaking in the "new kids" and taking stabs (and bets) at the cart lady to divert another stealing something off the trolley. Usually, there were smiles and laughs and a celebratory atmosphere to melt away the longing for being home. Today, however, there had been silence... NO trolley... grumbling about stocks and economic chaos... and so on. There was NOTHING celebratory about the atmosphere, no friends around, and the scenery was awash with water. Luke wished he had stayed up the previous night so that he could have spent the arduous journey sleeping. But he'd been good and gone to bed early and had been excited about seeing his school, his friends, his Chris.

The train made several stops before climbing into the wilderness of the highlands and steaming forward to journey's end at the station near Hogwarts. There were some villages the train pulled up to that Luke had never heard of before: Finchley, Meade, Stratford, Olde Yorkton... and so on; at each stop a number of goblins would get off and be replaced by a lesser number of goblins, all dressed in business suits and top-hats. None asked to join his compartment, they simply took a seat wherever and opened their work, grumbling and shooting mean looks at him as though their malcontent was his fault. By midday, Luke hoped for the trolley, but instead, they pulled up to the town of Stratford, possibly their last stop before the long drag into the country. Luke got off for the lunch break and walked around, spotting (finally) a cozy tea shop and sandwich cafe at the corner of town. There'd been a brief respite from the storm and Luke thought there might be some sun, but he found that it was no more than the eye of the storm as, several minutes later, the wind blew in a pounding rain. He'd ordered a cup of tea and a chicken and stuffing sandwich, hot, from the pleasant witch behind the counter, and took a seat by the window.

His last owl to Chris had been slightly impatient in tone. Had he gotten his urgency out in an articulate enough tone? He might have sounded mad, but then again he was going mad at that point; mad to have to stay behind and take part in Phillippa's wedding, mad that they'd left without saying goodbye, mad that Cameron had needed him - not for help, no, but for company and venting - mad that there were goblins everywhere and no explanation as to why! and mad that it was Britain and it was raining again. He grumbled a "thank you" to the witch as she set his food before him. Would the day get better?

Now he stumbled into the Great Hall hoping there'd be something to eat... some dinner would be nice, even though the dinner period was nearly over. It was only a quarter to eight at night, and when the train had released him to the station near Hogwarts, Luke had forgotten that there would be no carriages waiting for him. He'd had to walk the distance, dragging his trunk with him. Too bad he was underaged, otherwise magic would have been grand. Casting a cursory glance about the hall, Luke figured Chris wasn't there. It would have been very nice to have a smiling face greet him, but there were none to be spared. He dragged his feet to a vacant bench and dropped his trunk with a thud. It seemed to echo throughout the hall and connecting corridor. Luke, at this point, didn't care at all. He looked around again, just to confirm Chris' absence, then dropped his head into the crook of his arms and began to cry.

(Open)

[ellie]

It was a late night of studying that kept Ellie holed up in her common room. It was only the reminder that dinner would only go one for fifteen minutes more that brought the girl out of her solitude and into the Great Hall. The sixteen year old carried her Muggle Studies and Transfiguration books down into the hall with her, figuring that since dinner was almost over she might as well bring some form of company with her. She didn't intend on staying very long of course, just long enough to get some food, maybe read a bit while she ate, and then head back on up to the Ravenclaw Commons.

She was very predictable in that sense, rushing through things just to move on to the next assignment. Eleanor did her best to push these thoughts aside as she scanned the hall. It was mostly empty save for a couple late people who were just finishing up. The house tables hardly meant anything when there weren't many people around, so she took a seat at the closest table and began to pour herself a cup of pumpkin juice.

The sound of hard breathing interrupted the girls thoughts, and she turned slightly to catch sight of who or what was bringing the noise. Her breath caught slightly and she immediately felt a pang of sympathy for the boy who sat a couple feet away from her. " Oh.. are you alright? " Ellie's words were softly spoken, for she didn't want to intrude on such a private looking moment but she wanted to make sure the boy was alright. He looked soaking wet for one and not only that but he didn't look happy. Then again, who did look happy while crying? A small frown reflected the girl's worry as she looked at him.

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick had spent the latter part of the rainy day in his room meeting Josh and playing with him. As he descended the steps he decided that it was best that he go get dinner before he went and bathed himself in the rain as he intended. After all he really hadn't eaten much that day but then of course he never did on this day. He hummed quietly as he took the stairways down to The Great Hall. Loosening his scarf he didn't really know how to feel at the moment. He felt light, elated, and free but at the same time he also still felt the idea of his parent's death tugging at the back of his mind. Hoping was a large understatement as Derrick depended largely on the fact that this rain would wash away that feeling. It would set him truly free and while he would still miss his parents it wouldn't hurt so much to do so. Derrick needed this more then anything else. More then his music, magic, and his new found friends all that meant nothing if he couldn't at least break free from how he trapped himself on this day. Sighing he took a turn into the Great Hall and picked a table.

Sitting cross legged Derrick ate in silence somewhat happy, that while he had friends now, he could still manage to find times of peace and quiet like the one he was enjoying at the moment. It felt odd eating alone now and not speaking with anyone but it felt even odder not having something to read. Seeing an old Daily Prophet that someone had left at the table after they had finished he snagged it and paged through it as he stuffed his face. This at least felt familiar to him and not as odd. Sighing he stared around the hall watching others eat and chat but didn't miss not having conversation at the least. All that was on his mind at the moment was how in a few minutes he would be outside laying in the rain. Absorbing it in all its glory and feeling free for the first time in years. It wasn't years exactly seeing as it was most likely years, months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds but at the moment he wasn't up to recalling the exact increment of time that had past. He would do that math much later when he was up in his room drying off from the rain. That was if he even went back until the rain had finished.

Silently Derrick watched the scene develop and he decided unless someone acknowledged him he wouldn't interject himself. The boy had arrived and started to cry almost immediately, why Derrick had no idea, placing his head between his arms and burying himself so no one could see. Then this girl had arrived and was questioning if he was alright. The boy was crying of course he wasn't alright. Pausing Derrick attempted to process faces to see if he could remember who the boy was. He looked familiar and then it clicked. He was Luke Torrington and he to was in Hufflepuff with Derrick. Settling that relieved him to a certain extent that he wasn't going crazy in thinking he knew who the person was. Sighing he felt obliged somehow now to attempt to help. Filling the cup that had previously been his he stood now and calmly walked over to Luke. Placing the cup in front of him he spoke in his usual soft tone.

"Drink this it'll help."

Turning now he returned to his seat to finish his food. Silently crossing his legs as they had been before he hoped that they would not take that small act as a reason to speak with him again. Derrick needed to focus on the rain now and nothing else.

[Luke Anthony Torrington]

Luke was startled by the sudden interruption, the soft voice of a girl seated nearby. He heaved a sigh, slight but audible, and wiped his eyes on his sleeve, which didn't really help since it was soaking wet. Pangs - more like stabs - still infected his inner body. He couldn't hardly bare it, but this girl didn't need to know that. His was a typical sob story... nothing new. He looked up at her, discerning what he could from a quick, immediate evaluation. She was older... wearing Ravenclaw robes... pretty (if that meant anything) and ostensibly sympathetic to his plight. Her frown indicated that. Luke tried a smile, but it came off cheap and didn't seem to mean anything.

"I'll be all right. I suppose. Yeah. Thank you." He half mumbled the last fragments... a trait he was neither proud of nor able to kick... looking away, embarrassed to be caught crying. Boys don't cry. Men don't cry unless something hits them on the head, or unless someone dies. Even then, some men don't cry in public. He felt a swelling of angst within, boiling up like bile, but turning soft and threatening to become tears. He forced them back and tried a smile again. Still not convincing. "Can't say this is the best situation to meet someone, but given your sympathy..." but he wasn't able to finish as a third year Hufflepuff, Derrick Breckenridge, someone he knew only through association (it was hard to not know people in your house, Luke had come to learn), approached them with a cup of something steaming.

"Drink this. It'll help" was all he said before returning. The Great Hall looked mostly empty by now, the enchanted ceiling overhead reflecting the overcast night sky. There seemed no promise for sun in that ceiling. Luke wondered what his housemate had set before him. Pumpkin juice? He'd never had it hot. He took a dripping hand and slid the cup toward him, carefully in case it spilled. It smelled of spices, something reminiscent of India, and those thoughts brought back Chris and his trouble with that Indian girl, Shani? Shavri? What was her name? He felt the tears bombarding his eyes, threatening to slide down, but he wiped his eyes dry before they could.

"Sorry... " he tried again. "You're in Ravenclaw house, eh?" He lifted the cup and took a sip. Spiced Apple Cider! The warmth trickled down his throat and, suddenly, it seemed things would get better... maybe a little.

[ellie]

Ellie wasn't used to seeing boys cry. She had never seen her father cry, nor her brother. It struck her as an incredibly sad thing, men were supposed to be strong and fearless. What could have brought this boy to tears? She didn't know if it was in her place to ask, so for the first few seconds she just smiled what she thought would be portrayed as a hopeful way. She barely caught the mumblings but nodded along as if she understood. She didn't really know who he was let alone what was wrong, so she didn't want to say to much and send him off again.

' Can't say this is the best situation to meet someone, but given your sympathy. ' The Ravenclaw girl nodded again, and was about to respond when her thoughts were interrupted by another person walking towards them. She didn't know much of him only that his name was Derrick and he was a younger Hufflepuff. Her brother had talked about him a couple of times, and all she knew was based off of information from Beau. " That's very nice of you... " She mumbled politely to Derrick even as he turned his back to them and walked back to where he had come from. An odd character, but she felt as thought the nameless boy would appreciate the move.

" No, don't be sorry, really... I'm Ellie, by the way. Ellie Hopkins, sixth year Ravenclaw. You're...? " She felt a little bad that she didn't know of him, but he hadn't seemed to know much of her either. She offered a small smile although her eyes glanced curiously to Derrick, wondering if he would invite himself back over.

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick watched calmly from a distance as the girl attempted to comfort Luke. If Derrick could offer any kind of help at the moment he would have but to be honest he was far to self consumed at this time to even be of any kind of help. Inhaling deeply he finished his food and folded the prophet neatly placing it above his plate. Standing he brushed as many food crumbs off him as possible and made sure his scarf was placed securely around his neck. Derrick was never a tidy one but at least he could say he had attempted this time around. Taking precise steps he paused for a moment in front of Luke and the girl again. Turning his head he smiled sadly and debated saying what he had to but decided since he had interrupted once he mine as well do so again.

"Don't let the rain get you down. It's here to heal...or at least that's what I'm hoping. I'll see you around Luke."

Walking away he realized the boy might not know his name but that didn't bother him. Few people did know his name it seemed and if he was that interested in getting to know Derrick he could find him later. Right now he was going to head out into the rain and hope that what it brought him was in fact healing. What more could he ask for or want from the situation. If it brought hurt then he would cope with that somehow but Derrick for whatever reason was confident that for once this rain would do him good. Silently he pushed the door open looking back at the two. Luke would sort his things and feelings out and soon Derrick would do the same. Although Derrick figured that his time in the rain would take a bit longer then Luke's time at the table. Pushing himself out of the door he heard it close behind him. Placing his hands in his pockets he walked steadily still towards the grounds and aimed to head for a wall where no one would find him.

[Luke Anthony Torrington]

Luke felt a little encouragement from Ellie's concern. Learning her name was a great first step, especially in getting his mind off other things. He caught Derrick getting up to leave and, weakly, raised a hand to send him off, but it looked very awkward and after Derrick had vanished, Luke thought it might have been better to have said thank you.

"Ellie Hopkins." He tried a whimsical smile, but his attempted charm was usurped by a deep inhalation. Of course, showing too much emotion probably scares people. Probably scared Derrick away. "Ellie Hopkins... I'm Luke Torrington, fifth year Hufflepuff." He considered extending a hand, but both his were cold and dripping wet. Why was he so awkward at this? Meeting new people? There were times when Luke felt he could charm a room full of people he didn't know, that it was so easy meeting new people and making friends; then there were times when making friends was the most intimidating thing he could ever have done. Fortunately, he was feeling well the time he met Chris; unfortunately, he was feeling unwell now.

"Sorry... men aren't supposed to cry." He looked down, expecting Ellie to agree. "Probably will scare you away like Derrick." He hoped not, though. Nobody else seemed to be here and he hated being the last one left. Maybe, by some miracle, Christian would show up? Well, it'd be a miracle. Luke took a sip of the cider and felt a slight burst of energy as the spicy hot liquid soothed his throat. He looked up at Ellie, sheepishly.

"Thanks. For being sympathetic, I mean. Didn't expect it from total strangers."

[ellie]

It was then that Ellie decided she might want to get to know this Derrick fellow. He certainly wasn't what she had expected him to be from Beau's brief description of him, but then again... She shrugged the thoughts off although made a mental note to talk to the younger boy some time.

' I'm Luke Torrington, fifth year Hufflepuff. ' The Ravenclaw girl was glad to have the somewhat standard introductions out of the way. They were generally tedious anyway. " Well, Luke Torrington it's nice to meet you... If you don't mind me asking, why are you soaking wet? " The obvious answered of course was the rain outside but Ellie was more or less asking why he had been outside in the pouring rain in the first place. She didn't much like the outdoors, but maybe Luke enjoyed the rain... she doubted it, but it was a thought.
Eleanor shook her head at the boy's next comment and considered what she should say. A seconds hesitation slipped by before she responded. " Even the strongest of men cry sometimes. It's not a bad thing... just means you're human. " She hadn't a clue if she was doing a good job or not of making him feel even a little bit better, but she hoped she was. Ellie could see a possible friendship growing between the two and she rather liked the idea of another friend as she seemed to be running short as of late.

She smiled at him, happy to se that he was no longer crying and that he looked a bit more awake and lively. Still soaking wet, but there was something they could do about that. " Total strangers can surprise I suppose. Were you waiting for someone? " She didn't know why the idea struck her then, but it seemed to make sense for the most part.

[Luke Anthony Torrington]

Feeling Ellie's attempts at encouragement certainly made Luke feel more thankful that there were some nice people out there... in unlikely places, albeit (and London wasn't exactly the best place to look for them) but after the sort of trip he'd had (yes, goblins probably could be friendly when they really wanted to be) making friends was not expected at a high percentage. He gave her a smile to let her know he appreciated her efforts and he was, in fact, feeling a little better.

"Well, it's raining outside... and that's what got me wet, but I've only just arrived, which is why I was out in the rain to begin with." He said in answer to her query. "And I meant no offense in calling you a stranger. Just that where I come from we all know each other like brothers and sisters." He contemplated telling her more about Africa, but the apple cider won him over first and he took a sip. As he did, she asked if he was waiting for someone. His expression dropped a little. He put down the mug and looked down for a while before responding in a somber tone. "Yeah, actually. It was more of a hope than an expectation, really. Funny how people who are important to you tend to let you down the hardest." He really hoped that Chris would show up... maybe even right at this moment. A fool's hope.

"Ah, no matter. Tell me, Miss Hopkins, how you are liking Ravenclaw? Do you have many friends outside of your house?"

[ellie]

It seemed as though the conversation was turning over slightly, so Ellie decided a spot of dinner foods wouldn't hurt either of them. She pulled her own plate over in front of herself and then pushed an empty plate in front of Luke. He was still wet and El personally found that warm food fixed things up quite right. " Hungry? "

Ellie paused briefly, gazing curiously at the boy next to her. " Well, welcome back then... What kept you, though? If it's alright that I ask. " She smiled timidly, unsure if the question was allowed or not. Ellie placed a small pile of mashed potatoes on her plate as she listened to Luke answer about waiting for someone. She gave a small nod, sensing that that particular question hadn't been the best one to ask. " Yeah, sorry I asked... but uhm, maybe you could always find whoever it is? I'm sure they'd be glad to know you're here. " Despite the fact that Luke seemed to want to drop the topic she felt the need to add into his thoughts just a bid. Ellie hadn't any idea who it might have been that he was waiting for, she had only met him several minutes ago and wasn't feeling confident enough to guess.

Ellie drank from her glass for a second or so before she answered, " I like it very much, although friends... that's a peculiar subject mostly because I seem to be lacking in them. " She shrugged her shoulders, knowing that really it wasn't a big deal. She had people she talked to, but not a lot of close knit friends. " What about you, finding the tight circles of Hufflepuff inviting? "

[Christian Nagle]

Chris had gotten the owl less than 50 seconds ago, while he had been watching the rain fall. It had fit his mood rather well, but when the post read "I'm here" it hadn't taken the second year very long to change his temperament. Nor had it taken very long for him to jump up (literally) and run as fast as he could (with the assistance of a trip and involuntary slide tackle here and there) to the Entrance Hall. He hadn't reached it in the desired 50 seconds, so he was still jogging down the stairs toward the hall when the staircase moved and forced him on his knees, rather disgracefully. Clutching his side and the stone bannister, Chris used the momentary pause to catch his breath. What was he going to do when he saw Luke again? Tackle him? Probably too much. Maybe he'd do what he'd seen his stepbrothers do when they saw one another again, but he'd never really punched anyone before - even if it was on the shoulder - and he doubted Luke would find that a satisfactory welcome back. The stairs moved too slowly, but Chris could see the end was drawing near. One more flight and he'd be in the Entrance Hall. He pulled himself up and waited, impatiently, for the stairs to settle. Once they had, he took off, bounding down the steps two at a time.

The Entrance Hall was mostly empty. Chris felt annoyance creep back into him. Times like these, the let-down after high anticipation, made him feel more impetuous than he really was. Where was Luke? (<= what a recurring theme in his life). Then he heard voices coming from the Great Hall as some drifters left the dining room. Suppers usually went till eight, the Gryffindor remembered. He found himself drifting toward the hall, feeling the warmth of the fire spreading throughout the room. At a table near the door, Chris had to suppress a shout of joy, sat Luke... sopping wet and talking to a girl. It was like red lights went off in his head. Talking to a girl. The distance had made Chris' attachment to Luke stronger, and this was the epitome of doubt, seeing him talking to a girl. Had the distance created a void for Luke? Was the courage he had displayed at camp all but vanished? He looked run down, but engaged in the conversation. He even had a smile on his face. Trying hard not to play the jealous girlfriend role, Chris stepped out of the hall and took a breather. Maybe it wasn't what he thought it was.

[Luke Anthony Torrington]

The Hufflepuff laughed at Ellie's remark. Indeed, the Hufflepuff circles did seem very tight. It was difficult to get into one if you wanted to.

"Yeah, I share that feeling. I sort of lack at finding a good group of friends." He didn't mention Chris but he did, for whatever reason, think of him at that moment. "But sometimes having lots of friends only means that one doesn't feel comfortable alone with themselves. And I suppose I do feel comfortable being alone." He didn't mean to insist that she felt comfortable alone too, but sometimes people at this age could be rather cruel about how they treated other people. Especially people who weren't in their circles. He took the plate offered and surveyed the food options.
"I suspect the person I'm looking for is in the common room right now. Problem is, he's in Gryffindor and even though I sent him an owl when I got off the Express, if he's in his house, he won't get that post till later." Luke shoveled some of the meat options onto his plate, poured a little gravy on the potatoes he'd taken and started eating. "Besides, its nice to have you to talk to. Probably wouldn't have happened if Chris had been here." And she seemed nice, the sort of person anyone would want to have as a friend... especially Luke.

[ellie]

Ellie could understand what he was saying, she worked best when she worked alone, and due to a lot of her free time spent studying and doing homework it only made sense that the girl would prefer to be left in solitude at times. " I'd like to think having a small group of friends would be sufficient. You're comfortable with yourself and with other people as well... So ideally only a couple of friends would be good. " As always, it was about logic and reasoning. Something as simple as having friends and relationships came down to just that - logic and reason. Ellie picked at her food between bouts of talking to Luke and listening to him talk to her. She found the current conversation nice and was almost surprised when he returned the conversation to whom he had been waiting for.

The Ravenclaw girl nodded along, wondering who the Gryffindor boy was. Not that she knew very many boys in Gryffindor anyway, but it wouldn't hurt to know his name. " Maybe he just hasn't gotten the owl yet... He's probably worried sick about you. " She was curious if the boy Luke spoke of was a friend or brother perhaps, but didn't feel comfortable in asking just yet. " It's nice to talk to you, too Luke. With not many friends I'd like to have all I can. " It sounded cheesy, but Ellie hoped that the Hufflepuff boy would understand what she meant. She couldn't really remember any Gryffindor boy named Chris but didn't really dwell on it. More than likely she would meet him eventually in classes or something of the like.

[Christian Nagle]

Deciding that it might be best to return to the common room, Chris snuck one last look into the hall. It seemed that Luke was just eating now. No real conversation appeared to be shared between the girl and his boy. The silliness that accompanied his frequent emotional overloads simply got the better of him on this occasion as well. Jealousy was a terrible trait for one such as Chris to possess. It could ruin him.

"Luke?" He half-shouted into the hall. He hoped the boy would turn so that he could see the enchanting eyes, the weathered skin, the entire face was precious. "Luke!"

[Luke Anthony Torrington]

Well, the porridge was cold... to be expected... and the toast was.... Were the house-elves trying to punish him for being late? Moldy bread and cold slops. It wasn't the welcome Luke had been hoping for. No, indeed, something more - er - welcoming would have been appreciated. In the void between he and Ellie, created and strengthened by their silence, Luke could feel his mood getting fouler than it had been before. Left to wondering whether Chris knew he was here or not didn't help.

"Luke?"

There wasn't that much chatter in the Great Hall, but given its immense size, what little noise there was carried throughout the hall. Anyone could be saying anything close to his name. With some accents, a lad from Yorkshire could be pointing out something silly, saying "Look!" or some Scotsman could be saying something was off - a fluke - or something like that. So Luke didn't pay much heed to what he thought was his name being called. He was trying to fight off the loneliness birds that had gathered in his stomach. Aside from the foul mood, he was feeling very lonely again. Perhaps it was because he was feeling lonely that he was feeling foul... or something like that.

South Africa was a common subject that held Luke's temper at bay. There had been one trip, down from his cottage near Lesotho, to the Eastern Cape. Mum had taken him and his sister to Hogsback, a town at the foot of the mountains. Most of South Africa had been stretches of plains with withered or dead grass and shriveled tree-skeletons. Elephant and coyotes, lions and large lizards roomed freely about those places. Giraffes, also, poked their heads in once in a while. But thinking that the country was only dead grassy plains and shriveled trees was not an accurate assumption. The Eastern Cape was plush, green valleys and plateau-like mountains that looked like table-tops to the sky. Hogsback was small, quaint even, but it was special too. It was Nanni's home. She had greeted them and shown them out into the forests that lay just beyond her tiny shack home. With Kobo, Nanni's son, and Edefwa, Nanni's daughter, Jane and Luke went around exploring hidden caves behind monstrous waterfalls. They met a witch-doctor, too, on the road back to the village, and he had shared some ancient wisdom with them. Jane, all these years later, remembered it better than Luke had, but Luke could reason with that. The witch-doctor had frightened him a little, being pierced on his face in many places and wearing leathery rag-clothing. He shook rattles too, and they reminded Luke of the rattle on a snake, which frightened him even more. In the automobile back, Luke couldn't fall asleep because he kept hearing the rattle and thinking a snake was about to attack....

"Luke!"

Ah, but this time, Luke was sure someone was calling his name. He turned and looked toward the entrance, where he thought the voice had come from. There was a vaguely recognisable figure in the doorway there. It wore robes with scarlet trimming and the insignia of ... of GRYFFINDOR HOUSE!

"Chris! Chris Nagle! Is that you!" The excitement in Luke's voice was hard to conceal, though he tried to keep his voice down. He sat, tense, as he tried to control himself... though he really wanted to jump up and run to the boy, taking him in his arms and.... yes, well, there would be time for that later, no?