Mischievous Things Do Happen Here At Hogwarts

[Delilah Morine]

It was the beginning of the term, and already, Delilah had broken out of her used to be shy shell, and into what she always was. A quirky, mischievous, but oh so cunning Slytherin. Approaching the Library as she had done so many times before, Delilah had a large bag with her, filled with parchment and her colored ink.

But oh, this wasn't any ordinary ink, no. This was exploding, color changing, magic ink. But she didn't plan on using that yet, perhaps another day. Along side this ink though, was the edible ink. The small girls plan? Well, seeing as she was Head Girl and all, someone would have to be kind to the First Years. She wasn't sure if eating ink would be orthodox or not, but she knew it would be a ton of fun.

Delilah scanned the book spines, not looking for anything really, just trying not to look suspicious. Delilah's eyes moved cunningly from the books, to the students in the Library, hoping that she'd find the younger students she was looking for. She wasn't sure if wearing her robes and Head Girl badge would help, or hinder, her prank, but she figured this way, no one would disrespect her, and if the First Years would feel more calm around her... assuming that they knew what the badge was.

(open of course, but perhaps more so for First Years?)

[Cole Bartlet]

Cole watched with a interested look on his face as Delilah entered the library. He saw her looking like she was browsing the books and then start moving towards the students in the library and realized almost instantly she was up to something. hmm...should I go get in on this or should I just watch... Cole thought. He sat where he was and debated for a little while whether or not to find out what Delilah was up to. He decided that he wanted to have his hand in whatever Delilah had planned for this fine day. He smirked knowing that whatever was going to happen next would be yet another memory from his time here. Cole brushed the hair from his face...sometimes it seemed thats all he ever was doing with his hands, got up, and began striding towards Delilah. He still thought she was beautiful but he was getting better at keeping his eyes to himself.

He neared Delilah and said "Hey you, what are you up to?" with a smile and a wink to let her know that he could tell something was up. He hoped she caught onto his attempts at telling her without words. She definetly isn't a amateur...I know that much...it guaranteed this is going to be one that I don't want to miss Cole thought. He gave Delilah a llittle smirk and tried to make her laugh with a strange face. Everything about this girl kept drawing Cole closer and closer to her.

Cole's mind was racing now just thinking about Delilah. He had so many feelings for her and he knew the time wasn't right to do anything about those feelings so for now he was going to be the best friend he could. He just hoped that she saw him as the best friend she ever had because thats exactly how he felt about this girl. Do my best and she can't ask for more, but I know she can deserve it... Cole thought.

His mind snapped back to why he was here and he instantly became curious again. He couldn't wait to see what Delilah had up her sleeve. I wish my mind didn't wander so easily... Cole thought. He looked at Delilah expectantly; just hoping that whatever she was up to right now would have room for him to help. He really did love causing mischief. It was in his blood he had always thought of things he would imagine as funny as a child and put them into action. As he grew up he matured, and so did his elaborate schemes to cause mischief and confusion.

[Delilah Morine]

Ah ha! There was someone she could pounce on... Of course, just as she was about to go ahead and sit next to the younger kid, she saw Cole approach her. Her heart skipped a beat, although the boy was younger than her, he still managed to tower over her. She smiled, holding in a laugh as he winked at her. It didn't surprise her that he could read her mind, she knew he knew, that she was up to something fun, and it would seem that he wanted in on it. Why else would he approach her?

Delilah had to cover her mouth when Cole made a face at her, to keep her laughter inside. She gently gave Cole a shove and smiled up at him, "Come on now, I havn't even started yet, and already you're going to get us kicked out..." Delilah said, looking back at her prey fellow student. Delilah looked back at the boy next to her and stared at her for a few more moments, as he seemed to be doing with her. She felt herself flush, as she looked back to the younger boy.

She wrapped her fingers around the bookshelf she was leaning over, but made sure she wouldn't be inconspicuous. Delilah grinned, without letting anyone see. She wasn't going to let anyone in on her little mission. Not without a bit of prying anyways... No, if freaking the crao out of this little one some how back fired on her, she hoped that maybe Cole would fall for it. Delilah looked back at Cole now, seriousness written on her face. "Are you in, or out?"

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick stood tense at the doors, he couldn't wait for this it was something he had been thinking about all summer. Inhaling deeply he sniffed the air and smiled with great satisfaction; the kind of satisfaction that he could only find in his first trip of the year down to the room. He took a step in and felt alive suddenly in the library. He loved this trip and the feeling it gave him each year. It was his the only form of adventure he really had, learning things, and the library nurtured this. In previous years he had lived in the library taking in everything he could and his main objective was in fact to finish every book in the library before he graduated from Hogwarts. It wasn't an easy task but he had started off well and was already from what he could judge about three-sevenths of the way through which put him more then ahead of where he need to be. His first year he had focused heavily on wizard history and just figuring out what he had stumbled into being a muggle and all. Last year was focused heavily on potions and he was hoping to get in some extra work into actually making them with his head of house. Hope was the key word though as he had yet to really talk to her about it. This year though was going to be a bit more random and focused more on his own little secret project more then anything. This to was something that he would have to discuss with his head of house or the headmistress. He was young but he knew he could do it if they gave him the chance. A happy sigh escaped his lips and he headed into the shelves.

Scanning the shelves he picked books that were of his interest from the rows quickly and stacked them in his arms. Not all of them were to his general interest for the year but were things he was just interested in and wanted to look for. Had anyone looked at what he was reading they would draw no pattern from it and wouldn't be able to figure out what he was even trying to gain from the books. This was what he preferred because no conversation could really be struck up about what he was reading. Maintaining the balance of the books with some difficulty he made his way to the table. Setting them down he unstacked them into three piles and pulled a quill and ink from his bag along with a piece of parchment. He would be taking light notes nothing to serious. Opening the first book he was lost in the text of it and quickly began jotting down notes from it. The book was a large contribution to his interest so he paid immense care and attention to the notes he was taking on it. Shaking his head he looked over for a moment and saw a girl standing there looking at him. He didn't know her but saw the shiny head girl badge pinned snuggly to her robe and realized she must be Delilah Morine. Looking back to his book though he dismissed her as he did most people but he heard noise coming from her general direction and looked up once more.

This time though he spied a fellow Hufflepuff by her, Cole Bartlet. To be honest he wasn't a large fan of Cole; he had taken notice of him in earlier years and his attitude rubbed him the wrong way to be blunt. It was for the most part that he demanded respect in his mannerisms but what he had he done to earn it. Derrick couldn't stand people like that but he was quite non-confrontational and wasn't about to get in any kind of argument or confrontation with his fellow Hufflepuff over this. Sighing he attempted to go back to reading but they continued to talking. Shaking his head he let his hair cover his eyes and blinked thinking about how long he had let it get. Derrick began to think about cutting it and just as his mind was about to wander off onto other things he heard them again. Derrick sighed in frustration and turned to them speaking sternly but softly at the same time his calm quiet voice getting right to the point.

"Could you please quiet down?"

Derrick turned his attention back to his books and just hoped that his statement would end up coming back to bite him and ruin his time in the library.

[Cole Bartlet]

When Delilah made her joke about Cole getting them kicked out he couldn't help but smile at her. There was nothing he liked more than having her attention. She makes me smile until it hurts... Cole thought. He couldn't help but be curious about whatever Delilah was up to. Cole replied quietly "I couldn't get us kicked out if I tried...I'm far to charming for that." He finished his sentence only to look at Delilah and wink at her. By this time he was already fighting to keep the laughter in and it was getting hard. He only hoped she didn't have some sort of witty joke to come back at him with.

Cole continued his time with Delilah trying to ponder what she had up her sleeve. He looked at her when she asked him if he was in or out and simply nodded. As he nodded he felt a strand of his long hair fall and come to a rest against his nose. He smirked a bit and contemplated shaving it all off yet again. He quickly decided against it and slowly moved his hair back where it belonged. Just great...yet again I look like a idiot... Cole thought. He muttered to Delilah quietly "Yeah...I'm in, but on the condition you tell me all..." He paused and the continued to say "...and that you will help me solve this hair problem..." He chuckled softly.

As all of this wa going on Cole supposed he had been a little bit too loud in his talk with Delilah when he heard a voice chime in from the table. Cole sighed softly and turned to see who it was. He looked at the kid at the table and realized it was Derrick. Cole had never really taken time to get to know Derrick and really didn't have a lot of intent to. He knew that he played a guitar and thought that was pretty cool, but Cole really wasn't motivated to get to know his fellow hufflepuff any better. Cole looked at Derrick and simply replied "Sorry about that...we didn't mean to disturb you, I hope we didn't distract you to badly." At that Cole turned and looked at Delilah. A mischevous grin spread across his face.

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah grinned at Cole, he really found him very charming, and a really great person to be around, he seemed to enjoy being around her as well. She wasn't quite sure what to say about his charming comment, but she did let herself laugh, a bit too loudly, surely someone heard that...

Alas, it would seem that their target, had seen them, and not only did he see them, but he heard them too. Had he heard what they were talking about? He had simply told them to be quiet, and seem oblivious of their intentions. Good, he seemed innocent enough. Delilah looked at Cole, and grinned, "Seems like we have a feisty one." She whispered. Her comment was directed both at Cole, and to their little friend in the library.

Delilah turned to Cole and said, "Fine, here's the plan." She said, grabbing a random book off the shelf. Something about muggles, something she didn't know anything about, but this was the plan. "Follow my lead. As for the hair..." Delilah said, gesturing for Cole to grab a book too, hoping he would get the hint, "I have some great pink sparkly hair clips you should give a try." She finished, giving him a wink, and pulling her bag closer to her body again.

Now, hoping that Cole would follow her, she began to approach the boy. "We were just about to dive into some great reading ourselves..." Delilah said, smiling at the huge stack of books that belonged to him. Perhaps he was in Ravenclaw? Delilah took a set at the same table he was at, and opened the book to a random page. Then, she reached into her massive bag, and dug around for what she was looking for. Low and behold, there it was, her edible ink.

She was what would be classified as a pure blood, and even she didn't know about this stuff until a week before school started, and she hoped, that it wasn't all the rage just yet. Delilah placed the regular looking ink before her, pulled out a quill and parchment as well, and smiled at the younger year. "You don't mind if we sit here," she asked him, looking at Cole, then back to him, "do you?"

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick saw them continue to talk in hurried whispers and shook his head. He had no idea what they were up to but figured it was not in his best interests to find out. Derrick just wanted to be left alone with his books at this point and just hoped that he hadn't made himself to large of a target for whatever they were talking about. Sighing he turned back to his book continuing to take notes quickly and with mild diligence at this point. They'd thrown him a bit off course and it was killing his focus. His first trip and it was already shot or that was the way it was seeming. Palming his face he sighed again heavily and tried to maintain his train of thought. Before he could get back on track though they spoke to him this time. They'd already apologized what more could they want but just as he thought this Delilah was in front of him already sitting down with her parchment out and quill out. Derrick looked down nervously and tried to hide any emotion that would show his uncomfortableness.

"If you want to sure no problem."

It was a problem though he just wanted to do his research. If he wanted to be approved to attempt this he needed to make sure he knew everything inside and out. This was not a time for him to be socializing and while he wouldn't care any other time when he came to the library he was here to find things out. Derrick stared intensely at the book but found it impossible to concentrate now. Sighing he wanted to close it but refused to admit defeat in front of these two. With that Derrick which much difficulty and effort attempted to continue to take notes and read.

[Cole Bartlet]

Cole Listened intently as Delilah began to explain everything to him. He was really excited to be taking part in mischief this early in the year already. I can tell this is going to be a great year already...never before has the year started so smoothly for me... Cole thought. He continued to listen to Delilah and laughed softly when she suggested he used some of her hair clips. "Maybe I will." Cole said with a smirk and a wink. "You'll have to put them in my hair though." Cole continued. He waited for Delilah to take the lead. Never before had he felt comfortable enough with anyone else to allow them to lead him into a prank. It was pretty exciting for Cole to allow someone else to do the planning, usually he had been a sort of lone wolf when it came to him and pranks. Just to think about it made Cole really glad that he had met Delilah.

He watched as she grabbed a book that she seemingly had been interested in, walked calmly over to Derrick and began to talk to him quietly so she wouldn’t disturb anyone else. Cole knew instantly that Derrick was going to be their chosen victim. He couldn't help but give a smug smile at the thought of Derrick's reaction. This is going to be great! Cole thought. He looked so forward to the look of surprise or disgust that he knew Derrick would wear on his face. Nothing could take the pleasure of watching Derrick squirm away from Cole. I don’t even feel bad for this...and I don’t think that is a problem. Cole was feeling so happy right now just knowing everything that was to come today. Cole allowed his warm brown eyes to take in the scene in front of him before he was ready to come into the prank and join in. He wanted to be sure that this was going to go smoothly before he delved himself into something that was going to cause him a lot of problems in the end.

Finally it all clicked. He felt that the situation was stable enough to join in. So he gave himself a little pep talk to get himself ready to go. At that, Cole quickly grabbed a book off of the shelf. The book he had managed to grab off of the shelf had just happened to be a book that discussed the beliefs of muggles when it came to magic. Cole realized that this was the perfect book for him to have grabbed because of his roots. He could easily be doing research on why his family didn't know anything about the wizarding world. Of all the books I could have grabbed I got this one...it’s perfect for this... Cole thought. He opened it up about halfway through, and began to look over the worn pages.

He began to walk slowly toward the table as he pretended to be interested in his book. Cole was at the table before he knew it. He paused behind the chair that was beside Delilah. He put his book down onto the table softly so as not to disturb anyone else in the library. He gripped the warm wood of the chair and lifted it carefully. He moved it back far enough from the table that he could squeeze in and sit down. Cole lowered his body into the chair and pulled himself close to the table. He sat in silence as Derrick told Delilah it was alright if they sat with him. Cole could quite easily see that Derrick wasn’t very intent about having them sit with him, it seemed like he said it was alright to sit with him only because he didn’t want to seem rude to the older students. Cole really didn’t mind that at all though, he knew that Derrick had his reasons. He couldn’t help but realize how funny it was going to be; it wasn’t like Derrick could get Cole and Delilah into too much trouble, after all Delilah was the Head Girl.

Before Cole knew it Delilah had pulled out her bottle of ink. Cole could tell by the way Delilah looked at it that this was going to be a large part of their prank. This was getting better and better. He watched Delilah and waited patiently for her to continue on with whatever she had planned. He knew that this was going to be great fun to watch and partake in. Anything involving ink and people had to be great, especially in this place. Things around here could be something completely different than they appeared, and that was half the fun of being at Hogwarts. There was really nothing that could scare Cole when it came to making people uncomfortable. He just knew that however this turned out, it would be worth it in the end.

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah nodded at Derrick, offering him a fake smile but he looked away too quickly. As she waited for Cole to clue in, she looked at Derrick every so often. He's uncomfortable... good... Delilah said, grinning to herself now, opening up the text book she brought with her, pretending to read the page on the history of muggles... not very interesting. She looked up from the page momentarily and saw that Cole had finally decided to join them. She was glad the he wasn't too thick in the head to catch onto things.

Delilah proceeded to reach for the piece of parchment before her, and grabbing her snowy white quill, she pretended to re-read a sentence which she planned on coppying down. The Snake pulled off the cap to her ink well, and dipped in her quill, keeping a perfectly even face. She pulled the quill out, tapping off the extra so it dripped back into the bottle, then began to write with her naturally shakey hand. Once finished the sentence, one could see that it was a deep blue in color, quite brilliant really.

Seeming satisfied, she dipped her quill back into the ink, brought the quill closer to her once more. Now, what happened next, was a little interesting... Delilah had brought the quill straight to her mouth, and in one swift move, she placed the tip inside her mouth, and gave it a taste test. She did this in such a way, that it seemed almost natural, that had people done this everyday, no one would have blinked an eye. But that was point, it wasn't natural, people would have to do a double take to really get what was happening. Delilah repeated the action only once more, before writing again.

The small girl looked at Cole for only a moment, just so she could give him a quick wink that no one else would noticed. Delilah wasn't stupid though, she had tested the ink before. Yes, the shop keeper said it was edible, but she had to be sure. It had tasted like blueberries, and she hoped, it would get her some amazing reactions, especially out of their young friend, Derrick here.

[Derrick Breckenridge]

Derrick was finally back on track with his books and notes. Writing with a fast but calm and steady hand now he was more focused on finishing and getting out of here then actually taking his time. He already had all the book titles, so if worst came to worse, and his notes were for some reason unreadable he would simply return and take the books out. That wasn't in his game plan though and it wasn't something he enjoyed doing. While he loved learning new things Derrick despised having to repeat taking notes of things he already knew. If he couldn't practice it out what was the point. He could deal with this back home knowing that he could and would get in trouble for practicing wand work or other techniques. Derrick really just wanted to be able to read certain books once and be done with them if he didn't enjoy their contents that much. Especially if he had to waste time retaking notes because of the fact that people felt a need to interrupt him and be disruptive in the library.

Shaking these thoughts though he continued to scribble away with his quill. Derrick was in no sort of hurry and was intent on actually absorbing everything he was writing down but wanted to finish this up because he was distracted now beyond belief. The worst part of it all was the things he was reading and taking notes on where crucial and things he needed to know for his plans later down the line. It wasn't for this school year necessarily but knew that if he wanted to attempt to make his case, with his head of house or possibly the headmistress if need be, on being capable to do it he'd have to know what he was talking about. Not being informed on these things was an issue and him not getting through this library and it's books in the time he wanted to was an even bigger one.

Sighing Derrick looked up and saw Cole take a seat next to Delilah and wanted to scream. What did they think this table was going to turn in to some little study buddy group? As long as they didn't start talking it'd be fine though Derrick told himself as if that was somehow supposed to calm him. Turning the page of his own book he couldn't help but be intrigued at what they could possibly be researching and wondered if maybe it was the same as his own. With a glance across the table though at each of their books he knew that they were no where close to being on the same topic as him. Derrick debated with himself at this point though on what his next move should be.

It'd be so much easier to just get up and go to a different table but at the same time he was in the middle of his work. Why should he disrupt the flow he had going? It was already disrupted though wasn't it? Derrick put these thoughts behind him and continued to work intently on his notes. He could pull this out he only had about half of the books he had picked out left. Looking up he then realized the reason Delilah and Cole had engaged him. She tried to pass it off as some natural seeming-less act but Delilah had meant it to be seen. As the quill entered her mouth with the ink Derrick felt an urge to cringed but knew that would only satisfy them in their attempt. If he did that maybe they'd leave him alone then but Derrick did not entertain that though for long.

Derrick did what he did best at this point the thing he had done for the previous two years that had made him go unnoticed or kept people at a distance. He didn't react to what she had done. For whatever reason in his short time on earth Derrick found that nothing made people more uninterested in you then if you just didn't acknowledge what they had done to try and get your attention. Whether it be the fact that you didn't share their excitement in something or in this case didn't acknowledge their attempt to try and freak you out they'd eventually give up. This time though he'd play their game but not in the way they wanted him to.

Smiling Derrick did his next move quickly and carefully. He knew that this was something he wouldn't enjoy but decided that at the end of the day it was worth it. Simply because it was turning the tables and now he wondered what the look on their faces would be. He highly doubted what she had placed her quill in was really ink but as he knew and as this girl could tell what was in his inkwell and what he had been taking notes with vigorously only a few moments before was most certainly and defiantly ink. Dipping his quill he thought about acting as if he was grossed out by her actions but decided against it quickly knowing that he would have to respond for the way they interrupted his study time. Taking his freshly dipped quill he mimicked her movements placing the quill in his mouth as if it were something he would normally do also.

Derrick felt like gagging at the taste of the ink but held it in and plastered a small smile on his face. It was far from genuine but that didn't matter as long as she didn't think that the taste of the ink bothered him. At this point he knew the whole situation must look odd to Cole as he watched after all how often did you see two students eating ink? Derrick promised himself something sweet later as the taste of the ink crept back up into his mouth. Looking down at the paper he continued to take notes; hoping that the two would leave so he could wash out his mouth quickly and then finish with his research but he had a feeling that this was just the beginning of what would be a long showdown between the two ink eaters.

[Cole Bartlet]

Cole sat and watched with an intrigued look when he saw Delilah eat some of the ink she had taken out of her bag. He caught her eye for a split second, but in that sliver of time he caught a wink from her. Instantly he knew that what she was eating was not ink. However he knew for a fact that Derrick had watched and he never even flinched. Cole saw Derrick mimic Delilah's movement without hesitating. That has to be real ink...Cole thought. He smiled at the thought of someone going along with everything so well that they actually forced themself to put real ink in their mouth. He supressed a chuckle and wondered how long this would go on between the two.

Cole watched in silence as he witnessed before him both Delilah and Derrick eating ink. Cole couldn't even begin to fathom a single way in which this situation could become more amusing to him. Although he was really begining to feel left out of the whole situation he was trying very hard to figure out a way to bring himself into it. He stared at the two going back and forth before finally deciding that ink wasn't the only edible thing in a student's arsenal tools. Cole grinned wickedly for a second and turned to Delilah. "I have a paper to write...I'll be right back."

Cole stood up and walked away from the two eating ink. He ran as quickly as he could back to his quarters and grabbed his bag. He knew there was some parchment and ink in there. He opened up the top of the worn leather bag and reached in to grab a single sheet of parchment. He ran back toward the library at the same speed he had gone back to his quarters. On the way he bumped a few random people but never stopped to apologize; afterall this was a moment in which he didn't have much time.I hope this works... Cole thought. He finally reached the library doors. He stopped just short of them and began to stick the sheet of parchment into his mouth. Cole was very careful not to rip it or damage it while he awkwardly fit it into his mouth. Once it was in he turned to the doors of the library and entered.

As he approached Delilah and Derrick he saw that they were still where they had been when he left. Cole walked up to the chair he had been sitting in minutes before and sat down quietly. He pulled the chair close to the table and opened his bag. He then pulled out his ink and quill and placed them on the table. He lowered his bag to the floor and then looked from Delilah to Derrick and then just at the table. He then opened his mouth and began to pull out the piece of parchment with a perfectly straight face. It was dripping wet with saliva as he unfolded it and put it on the table. Cole stared down at it for a moment and then looked at his book and began to copy lines using his ink and quill. "I'm wicked thirsty." He said. Cole grabbed his ink and pressed the bottle to his lips; he only allowed it to touch his lips and never enter his mouth however he made it look as if he drank a tiny bit. "Thats a lot better...the dining hall could use some of that." Cole said as he looked back and forth from the two students with him. Cole continued to write for a little bit just to watch what Derrick and Delilah would do next.

[Delilah Morine]

Delilah hadn't expected what would happen next, but as she watched Derrick place his quill, dripping with ink, right into his mouth, she tried not to smile. Obviously he was smarter than he looked, and Delilah was really starting to like him for that. He wasn't about to let the older kids get the reaction they wanted out of him. She shrugged, and lifted her own quill high up in the air, for dramatic effect of course, "Bon appetit!" She said in a soft voice, wanting to be loud, as she stuck her quill in her mouth once again, knowing that her ink at least, would taste good. Who would win the ink eating contest? It really wasn't a contest when the girl was cheating.

As Cole claimed to have a paper to write, Delilah nodded, going along with it, "Ah yes, that paper you've been speaking of..." She said, not daring to look at Derrick, for fear of bursting out laughing, "I'll save you some ink." She said, in total seriousness, looking back to her book, and once again taking notes in her blue ink. Delilah actually did start reading the facts on muggles though, and came to realize that she knew a lot more about them than she had previously thought. She was getting rather into the book, but then Cole came back, and reminded her of why she was really here. Shinanigans.

Delilah looked to Derrick for only a moment, assuming he'd still be there, probably wanting to puke by now... But she quickly looked to Cole as he started rustling throuh his own bag, and pull out his own ink and paper. Suddenly though, he was pulling wet parchment from his mouth, as though it were a normal thing to do, and proceed to write on it... Delilah had to look down at her lap, trying her best not to let her supressed laughter, rattle her body. She looked back up only because Cole was speaking again, and he too, had consumed ink.

Whether he actually did or not, she wasn't certain, but she grinned broadly, and pointed to his black stained lips, "Saving some for later are we?" She asked, happy that this was going well. Delilah noticed something else unusual though... The finger she was using to point at Cole, was a little bigger than normal, and was it... changing color? Delilah pulled her finger back abruptly, staring at it with horror. She could only guess what was happening to the rest of her skin, but she wasn't about to stay here much longer and be made a fool of.

Delilah, most brilliant Head Girl, stood up, and collected all of her things in a mad rush, forgetting her horrible ink as she left the library with no goodbyes. She was on the way to the Hospital Wing... And blue wasn't the only color she had taken on... Her face was a rather nice shade of red. Delilah only hoped that neither boy, especially Cole, would follow her to where she was going. It was the last thing she needed, or wanted. She assumed that Derrick would stay where he was, happy to be alone, to have been victorious.

[Derrick Breckenridge]

If this was their attempt Derrick felt that it was a miserable attempt and it would have been just that even if he hadn't consumed some of his own ink. The glee was quite visible on their faces and especially in their eyes; both Delilah and Cole were enjoying themselves a bit too much. Was this what passed for pranks in the halls of Hogwarts? He had heard rumors and stories about pranks that displayed such magically prowess and skill that even the teachers found it hard to yell at students for the display. This though was not the case, this was just cheap parlor tricks and acting silly, both of which mind you, things that Derrick had no time for at the moment. Thankfully for him the taste of ink had grown on him. Well not exactly grown on him but he had gotten used to it or as used to it as a person could get to the taste of ink. Shaking his head he lifted his gaze from his notes to the two people in front of him. Cole had disappeared just a moment earlier and now he felt as if he should stare down Delilah as if to will her to leave. This though he knew was futile he had tried it earlier.

Sighing he closed the book and opened another one. He only had two more to go including this one and then he could be done with these two fools. Scribbling notes he hoped all this would help him, granted their were other things such as his patronus that he should be working on but Derrick knew that doing a little field work on his other endeavors was not a bad thing what so ever. Shifting his weight he looked at the attempts gone wrong and shuddered although they heavily reinforced his point of the fact that doing a little field work was in no way a bad thing. He would master this by his fifth year even if it killed him. Looking back up Derrick realized that Cole had returned.
Derrick couldn't help put shake his head in shame at his fellow Hufflepuff. This was the best he could come up with was eating paper. What was this kindergarten?

Watching Derrick wondered if all these attempts by Cole were just a lame attempt to impress Delilah. If they were Derrick would make note of things he would never do for a girl or do to attempt to impress them. This wasn't what the songs he played were about and maybe that's why he thought it was so wrong. Sighing Derrick turned his head back down to his work scribble notes.

Moving the book away he pulled the last one in front of him and smiled to himself. He would be done in a matter of minutes. It didn't take him long to read and take notes but this wasn't unusual at all as it usually didn't take him long at all to do things or learn them. Looking up though he almost let an emotion take over his face as he saw Delilah's finger swell as she pointed at Cole's face. It was sloppy and Derrick felt like scolding her for not investigating what she was doing. What kind of person just went into something so blindly without testing it out? Wasn't she supposed to be Head Girl and didn't this mean that she had at least an ounce of intelligence, enough anyway that Delilah would know to inspect the product she was about to use to trick someone. As she ran off Derrick couldn't help but feel a bit of pity for the small girl but at the same time knew that this was her own fault.

Shutting his book Derrick knew he was done here and would take this time to bow out. Placing his notes gently in his bag along with his ink and quill Derrick closed it so that nothing would slip out if it were jumbled. Turning he brushed the hair back from his eyes and scratched the back of his head as he made eye contact with Cole.

"You speak too much with your eyes both of you. If you're going to pull a prank don't make it so readable or at least choose a more gullible target and one who at least doesn't appear to have some sort of brain. Honestly I'm a bit insulted that you choose me of all people. This being said though Cole I would suggest that if you care about her as much as your eyes tell me that you follow here and make sure she gets to the Hospital Wing."

Turning around Derrick didn't care how blunt he had been he owed the boy no favors and when it came to issues like this that really bothered him he wasn't one to sugar coat things. He wasn't about to spare him any favors especially since both of them had interrupted his study time on such a crucial subject. Stopping before he left though Derrick turned his head and spoke softly to Cole.

"If you care be honest, be sincere, and actually seem concerned don't joke about it. That's just from what I've seen though so don't take my word for it."

Derrick continued to move through the book stacks on his way out. Swallowing the lump in his throat he tried to not think to heavily of how his father had treated his mother.

[Cole Bartlet]

Cole's smile slowly slipped from his face as he saw Delilah's face change from a smile to a horrified look. Instantly Cole was concerned as to what was wrong. He watched as Delilah left. What happened? She was on the verge of laughing a second ago... Cole thought. Cole immediatly stopped his actions with the paper and the ink. Just sitting there for a little while puzzled at all that was happening around him. Cole really felt like the world's most useless person now. He felt so helpless mainly because he didn't really know what was going on. He wanted Delilah to be alright. Cole sat silently with a grim look on his face.

Derrick's voice interupted his thoughts when he told Cole so bluntly how childish he and Delilah had been. Cole's eyes widened a little when Derrick told him that he could tell what he felt for Delilah just by his eyes. Suddenly Derrick's voice took on a very different tone. "If you care be honest, be sincere, and actually seem concerned don't joke about it. That's just from what I've seen though so don't take my word for it." Cole heard him say. He could hear something in Derrick's voice that gave him away. It seemed like he had a memory of a sort that was reminding him of this situation. Cole's throat got tight with emotion as he quickly mumbled back to Derrick "thanks for the advice...we should talk later...I mean that."

Cole got up and ran out of the library not even thinking to grab his bag. He ran for all he was worth until he saw the person he was seeking. "Delilah!" He shouted after her as loudly as he could. He kept running as hard as he could. "Wait up!" He shouted. He kept running hoping that either she would slow down or at least turn and respond. I want to help... Cole thought.

[Delilah Morine]

I'm an idiot, I am an idiot, I'm an idiot... Delilah though repeatedly to herself as she strolled down the halls, a little bigger than usual. She shook her head in frustration, and pounded the floor unknowingly with her feet. So much for that grand prank, Derrick was far more mature than she had estimated, and now she looked like the world's biggest fool for doing what she did. At least no one was following her, she couldn't bare to be seen like this as it was, let alone by Cole.

"Delilah!" Shit. He had gone after her anyways. Maybe, deep down inside this was what she really wanted him to do, to go after her, and make her feel as though he wasn't afraid to face her, even though she was turning into a massive blueberry. Had Derrick said anything to Cole to make him come? She shook her head again, no, she did not want him following her, so she continued to walk at her fast, brisk pace, hoping that Cole wouldn't be able to follow her. There was just too much drama going on in this castle... She fought back tears as she neared the Hospital Wing, she didn't want him seeing her like this. Yes, it was superficial, but she didn't expect Cole to be any different from any other boy... Besides, she had acted like a complete idiot back there. In her mind, she contemplated being done with her pranking days... Maybe it was time to grow up...