After hours, Coming clean.

[Matilda Wentworth]

So, it was finally end of year. Classes had been wrapped up, exams were over, plans were being made. And most importantly, holidays - and summer, for that matter - were coming up! Freedom, joy, finally! The very thought of getting to spend a good stack of weeks at home, not having to wake up every morning and go through the same routine every morning was so comforting to Matty. Though she did like school from time to time, she was overly excited about these holidays to come. Not more late nights or ridiculously early morning trying to finish homework. Not more hours on end of having information go through one ear and straight out the other, only to find that you needed to have that information. No more Sunday nights spent wishing that you had at least one more day to sleep or hang out with your friends. And though she probably couldn't avoid it at home, but there was not as big of a chance to have to skip or rush her meals. She could actually eat, instead of shoveling down her food and have to rush off to tend to homework or Quidditch.

It was the day before her last of the term, and Matty had spent the day tying up any lose ends she needed to. This meant returning her Library books, handing in any equipment she had borrowed, and cleaning the rest of her things before they went away to be packed. The actual packing would be left 'till tomorrow, for there was no rush, already some of her things had been put away. Her night had been spent playing wizard chess with some Gryffindor mates in the great hall, until the prefects ushered them back to their houses due to approaching curfew. Since then, Matty had chatted to a couple of other Hufflepuffs, before bidding them goodnight. It was growing late, but considering she didn't have anything to do tomorrow, the fifth year decided to take a shower.

She spent a reasonable time letting the hot water run over her, seemingly washing away any regrets and issues she had held on to about this year. When she finally finished, the teenager reached for a chair outside her shower cubical, wrapping it around her torso and lower body before stepping out into an empty bathroom. The purple towel leveled a little below her shoulders around her chest, and was wrapped somewhat like a cocoon, reaching about half-way down her thigh. Matilda's blond / brown hair ran down like gold rivers across her tan neck and shoulders, her skin dusted with water droplets. She had intended to get changed in the bathroom, but looking around now, the girl couldn't see her pajamas anywhere. Nor did she have any under-garments. Not to mention her clothes from today had already been put into the laundry shoot.

Well, that sucked.

Sighing, and running a hand through her wet hair, Matty carefully crept to the door. She opened it an inch, to see the clock, which ready 11:32pm. Glancing around with green eyes, the teen couldn't see or hear anyone. Pushing through the door, the Hufflepuff strained her ears for any sounds, before stepping out onto the plush carpet. The lamps were dimmed, but the fire was still crackling and bright. Looking around for the pair of red boxers and black tee-shirt, Matty walked out into the open of the room a bit more. Peering over the lounge, keeping on hand enclosed over the top of her towel, she tried to locate them. Feeling the only protection she had slip a little as she bent over the lounge chair, the teen stepped back, pulling it up more. Then, as she turned, two things made her heart rate increase slightly. There were her boxers, the words "Handle with care!" printed on the satin complete with little porcupines, as well as her over-sized shit were draped across the middle stairs of the stair case leading to the dorms. And there, walking to wards the stairs was someone. Oh crap. Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.

[Closed]

[Lachlan McCormick]

It was the day before the End of Year Feast and Hogwarts castle was hectic. Everywhere a busy student was rushing around the corridors, hurrying to return a well overdue library book or to quickly send a last minute owl. With the classes wrapped up students were free to pack the big, heavy text books away for another year. Lach was glad he had no more classes to attend, no more late homework to hand in or no more cramming of study for a test. It was finally time for a well earned break and many of the students at Hogwart's were more than grateful.

Sitting on the top step of the stairs that led down to the Hufflepuff common room, Lach began to think of the year that had just gone by. It still seemed, to Lach, as though it were only the start of the year. The days had flown by so fast for Lachlan, that they had morphed into months. Now it was the end of the boy's fifth year and very soon he would be returning home for the holidays.

Lachlan was looking forward to seeing his mother, Sara, it had be months since he had spoken face to face with her. He knew she was finding it difficult at home by herself, the house seemed to big and lonely with only one person in it. His father probably dropped round to see her every now and again but conversations would be stiff and awkward. The only thing to do was for Lach to return home for the holidays to give her some company. He just wanted to make sure he would be able to catch up with his friends at some point during the weeks away from the castle.

Lachlan was rather proud of himself that year, having made at least 2 new friends. Tianne, a ravenclaw girl, whom Lach had meant on one of earlier morning walks out on the grounds and Matty, an adventurous girl, who liked to wander the castle's corridors. Lach had gotten on well with both of them and hit if off straight away. Now Lach, felt they were extremely close.

Suddenly shaken from his thoughts, Lach lifted his head,as he heard movement in the common room below. Lach knew it was pretty late, not the sort of time you would find a tired Huffle lurking around. Checking his watch, Lachlan read the time as about 11.35. "Who the hell could that be" Lach thought quietly to himself, as the sounds of movement once again drifted up the stairs. "Obviously someone doing the exact same thing as you" Lach answered to himself.

Standing quickly Lach crept down the stairs, avoiding the step that creaked. The only light that filled the room came from the fireplace, leaving the room feeling eerie and shadowy. Bending over Lach picked up something that had been left behind on the step. It appeared to be a pair of girl's pajamas, with 'Handle with Care' printed onto them. Lach smirked as he turned them over in his hands. It would look pretty weird if someone found him like this right now. Just then Lach's attention was drawn forwards, as the fire crackled and hissed. Illuminated in the light was a girl. And not just any ordinary girl. One that was wet and dripping, wrapped in only a towel. She looked familiar.

Reaching the bottom step, Lach stepped into the Hufflepuff common. "Why is it, that I always find you up to no good, Matilda Wentworth?

[Matilda Wentworth]

Matty honestly didn't know whether to burst out in laughter, groan, or make a run back for the bathroom. She could feel her cheeks becoming hot with embarrassment, her green eyes searching in the darkness for a face to put to the figure heading down the stairs. The girl was tempted to duck behind the couch at the last minute, rather than have to live through the humiliation. Well, she know it was going to be so one way or another. As the body came closer down the stairs, Matilda was aware that it was a guy - had it been a girl, things wouldn't have been nearly as... awkward. It was a fifty fifty chance of either laughing it off, or getting teased. Not that the girl really knew anyone in her her house that would put the second idea into motion, and make her angry or upset about it. Badgers weren't that slack.

But when the situation finally had some light shed on it, or more so the person, the teen couldn't help but laugh at his words. Lachlan, a boy who Matty considered to be a now very-close friend of hers, stood with her pajamas in his hands. Well, at least it wasn't a new student or anything, who would have thought this to be very odd. She could still feel the heat on her cheeks, but was thankful for the dim lighting and her tan skin in order to cover up the blush. Shaking her head with another chuckle, Matilda fastened her grip on her towel, mildly aware that this was probably... a bit of a shock to Lach too. Finding a girl practically half naked at 11:30? Yeah, it wasn't all that normal.

"Erm, because you have a knack of stumbling upon me at my best?" she replied with an innocent tone, sending him a sheepish grin. She took a few steps forward to wards the boy, running her free hand through her hair again. "Do you love my pajamas, or what? And to answer your question, no Lach, you can't wear them. I kinda need them." she teased him, in a friendly way. Waiting a few moments for his reply, when more comfortable with him, Matty then asked him the obvious question; "So, am I gonna be able to get those back?"

[Lachlan McCormick]

Lach smiled as Matty replied to him. Even in the faint light of the common room, Lach could see her turning a light shade of red. Who wouldn't be embarrassed if someone caught you lurking around at almost midnight wearing nothing but a towel? Lach was just surprised that Matty hadn't run shrieking from the sight of him. Lach laughed, looking down at the pyjamas still in his hand. "I absolutley love them, I hope I was careful enough with them" Lach joked, grinning at the girl.'You don't need them Matty, you seem to be doing fine without them" Lachlan said despite throwing them to the girl in a playful way 'There you go Matty"

Lach stood casually, his armed crossed against his chest. Wearing only his stripy, pajama pants and a tight, chesty singlet, Lachlan would normally have felt a bit awkward around a girl but that wasn't the case this time. For one thing, all Matty had on was a towel. "You know Matty, I think it would be better for us if you both put those on" Lach grinned wickedly at the girl.

Stepping forward, Lach side stepped around the Hufflepuff girl and settled himself into an arm chair near the fire. Pulling it a little closer, Lach settled himself before turning his head and facing the girl. "Hey, Wentworth, if your not too tired do you wanna sit with me?" Lach paused for a second "that is, after you put some clothes on girl."

[Matilda Wentworth]

"Oh, I'm sure you were careful enough." Matty replied, rolling her eyes slightly. When straightening her gaze again, the teen noted on Lachlan's own PJ's, which consisted of a singlet and stripy pajama pants. His next comment caused the girl to drop her jaw slightly in a grin, laughing before exclaiming "Hey!". She managed to catch her garments when they were thrown, fumbling to grasp the silky shorts in one hand all the same. "Thanks, Lochie. You're only too kind." Matilda said, sarcasm flowing through her voice. Again, the teenager struggled to pull close the seams in her towel, making sure that they would not slip apart. In reality, if it were to slip, she would probably resemble a Gryffindor, in means of turning scarlet.

Merlin, she had to stop imagining that happening, in fear of going even more so red.

Huffing a mock sigh, the Hufflepuff nodded at his comment. "For once I think you're probably right. I don't think anyone would enjoy me doing a nude streak around the dorms." she added with an air of false mischief. Matty streaking around the house? Psh, get out. Maybe if she was like three years old, it wouldn't be as harmful, but these days, that was waaaaaay out of the question. Just as was about to bid him goodnight, thinking that Lach would probably be going to bed soon, she was surprised when her fellow fifth year took a seat by the fire. Turning and throwing him a smile, Matilda nodded. "Yeah - I'd like that. Just let me... you know, change into something more comfortable." and now, with her hand practically glued to the towel, the teenager carefully made her way up the stairs and into her dorm. She changed in the darkness, complete with undergarments as well as PJs. Two layers was always better than one, especially after tonight. The girl also grabbed her towel, scuffing her hair so that the wetness was absorbed more. Now when heading down the stairs back to the common room, Matty looked much more presentable, at the least. She had slipped a black hooded jumper over the shirt, the words 'Volcom' and it's symbol to match in white on the front. Her boxers were folded up a couple of times, due to their over-length, but they were at an acceptable size.

Matilda pulled down the sleeves of her jumper over her hands, making them into a fist as she moved to the center of the common room. She looked around for a moment, before plunking down with her back to the fire so she was facing Lachlan, while crossing her legs. Then, leaning to the side and grabbing a gold cushion from the lounge, the teen hugged it in her lap. "There, much better." she stated, grinning at him, though it was soon to fade into an innocent smile. "So how're you feeling about leaving tomorrow?" Matty asked him with curiosity. Truth being... she really didn't know all that much about the boy's history, or his family. Well, the good thing about most friendships was that it was never too late to learn.

[Lachlan McCormick]

Lach laughed as Matty replied to him sarcastically and he nodded in return to her statement. "Sure, run along... don't trip and fall up the stairs though, you might frighten the first years" The boy laughed turning back to the fire. Lach reached and grabbed some wood, throwing a bit more on the fire because it was only embers now. Stoking the fire, Lach smiled thinking of how humiliated Matty must be feeling. It was, after all, quite funny.

"There, much better...So how're you feeling about leaving tomorrow?" ."

At the girl's words, Lach turned around surprised. He had half expected to hear a squeal as she fell up the stairs. That apparently wasn't the case. Matty had, infact, managed to make it to her dormitory and get changed, rather quickly. "Ah see, now we can have a civilized conversation without either one of us turning red" Lach replied.

Staring once again at the fire, watching out of the corner of his eye as Matty plonked herself down in a chair facing him, Lach thought about her question. He really wasn't quite sure how he felt. In some ways he was glad to be getting the chance to see Sara, after months apart but on the other hand it was going to be rather difficult parting ways with his new friends. "Um.. well, I'd say about a fifty/fifty, I am looking forward to the break but I really am going to miss you guys" the boy finished, smiling at the girl.

"How about you Matty, what mistef are you going to be up to?"

[Matilda Wentworth]

Matty threw back a play death stare at Lachlan as he teased her about tripping, and ultimately scaring one of the firsties. "Laugh it up, chuckles!" she exclaimed over her shoulder. She didn't do so too loudly though, as to not wake up anyone else in her house. When changing, the girl had been sure of keeping her fumbling around for things to the minimum, so she wouldn't disturb her fellow fifth year girls either. If she hadn't of bumped into Lach, odds are Matty would probably be crashing about now, despite the fact that she obviously wasn't tired enough to do so. When walking back down to the Common Room, the teen couldn't help but throw a sad glance to wards the boys dorms; half expecting to see Mike run out and tackle her. She missed him, and with the lot of seventh years leaving tomorrow, it wasn't making it any easier to forget about her dubbed 'big brother'.

Though, once seated in front of Lachlan, though on the ground instead of a chair like him, she could manage to push aside those thoughts of Mike. Grinning at his comment, she gave in and nodded, unable to come back with a witty remark. "Yeah, I guess that is a plus." Now listening to the boy's reply, the girl gave another nod, as to agree with him. "Same here, aye." she added, before extending on her reply, and also to answer his question. "Pretty much the same for me. I hate end of year, because I never know who is going to leave - besides the seventh years, that is. But I am looking forward to seeing the family and all. As for mischief... well... I dunno yet." Matty grinned.

"Probably for dad a bit some of the time, might go camping, but really - all I wanna do is chill out." she admitted, running a hand through her damp hair. "So where is home for you? Who's there, if you don't mind me prying?" Matilda questioned, hugging the pillow in her lap a little tighter. The feeling of the fire behind her was warming the teenager's back, somewhat like the feeling of a hug. It made her smile absently to herself, probably noticeable to Lach, but nothing out of the ordinary. Though she wasn't mentioning, the girl was also looking forward to - hopefully - spending time with Emeric this break. She was going to miss him, either way though.

[Lachlan McCormick]

As for mischief... well... I dunno yet." Lach laughed at what the girl said before pressing the issue more. "But Matty, your the queen of mischief, how could you not know" Lach whined, still grinning at the same time. The boy listened, nodding occasionly showing he truely was interesting, in what Matty was saying. Camping, with her dad. That was something Lach would have killed for as a young boy and even now he wouldn't mind chucking a tent up with his own father. Just something, so the two could get away and spend the weekend with each other. Though Lach knew that was very unlikely. His father just wasn't that sort of father.

At Matty's queery, Lach was disturbed out of his thoughts. He gave a small smile before answering her question. "Nah it's ok, your not prying" If you had asked Lach at the start of the year the exact same question, he would of answered very differently. It was only in his past few months that the boy began to open up and he feel that he could truely trust his friends. Continuing, Lach said "Well at home there is just me and my mum, Sara and because my parents spilt up a while ago, my Dad doesn't live with us" Lach looked away from Matty,as he said the last part of the sentence. Although he was comfortable talking about his parents divorce, his father was a completly different thing. Directing the conversation back to Matty, Lach asked "So do you live at home just with your Dad, or do you have a big family?"

[Matilda Wentworth]

"Shhh, Lach! I don't want everyone to know my high social status." Matty said, having pressed her finger to her lips when hushing the boy. In all honesty, the girl didn't know what kind of 'mischief' she was going to get up to. It was inevitable that she would get up to some, but there was not 'sneaking out' or whatnot planned. It would just fall into place, no doubts. But in saying that, she was going to spend a good time wit Tee in the holidays, and hopefully some time with Emeric too. Both people, of which, brought up the mischievous side in Matilda. "We should get together sometime in the holidays, you know." the thought of suddenly occurred, and the teenager had voiced it as she saw it best.

As Lachlan spoke about his life back home, Matilda couldn't help but lean a little closer. She felt privileged, learning about other people life back home, their background at all. Lets just put it this way; she liked to be reminded that she could be trusted, thinking that it was hopefully a good trait in someone. "Thats too bad, about your folks. Where you dad lives... do you visit him much?" she questioned, a soft smile still on her features. "So do you live at home just with your Dad, or do you have a big family?" Giving a small laugh, the girl let the pillow in her arms drop into her lap, while she put her arms behind herself, leaning on her hands.

"Well, had you asked me that question a year ago, it would have just been me and my dad. My mum died when I was younger. These days though, theres five of us. My step-mum, Ellie, and my two older step brothers, Jamie and Ollie. We get along... well enough." she said with another laugh. "It's so weird, though. I went from having next to no family, to have two brothers and a new mum. The change is refreshing, I suppose." Matilda confided in him, her smile widening a bit.

[Lachlan McCormick]

Lach studied Matty's face, as she ticked a thought over in her mind. Even in the dim light of the common room, Lach could see the features of Matty's face quite clearly. A curious, far away look, seemed to appear in her eyes, as if she was thinking of a happy memory or thought. Obviously she came to a conclusion because suddenly she said"We should get together sometime in the holidays, you know." A little startled Lach laughed. The question had quite surprised him out of the blue, although it was one that had occurred to him as well. He really did want to see his new friends through the holidays and he was glad that Matty felt the same way as well. "Sure, I will just have to check my diary" Lach grinned, trying hard not to let on how stoked he was feeling.

Though still a little in shock, Matty's question didn't surprise the boy. He was used to sympathy when it came to his parents split and he usually accepted it. Lach thought it was pretty rude to knock back someone's support especially when they were being caring. After all, he would offer the same words of support in the same situation. "Oh, I think it was probably for the better, these days it's alot more peaceful at home" Lach suddenly was reminded of a waring household, it had felt like it was world war three back then. Shaking the thought from his head, Lach smiled thinking of his father. 'Yeah, I try to see him as much as possible even though my mother doesn't exactly agree with my decision"

Lach nodded, listening intently as Matty spoke. He probably had been talking way to much about himself and it was nice to hear about someone else's family. "Matty, I'm sorry about your Mum" Lach said quietly, when the girl mentioned her mother. The boy couldn't imagine what it would be like without his mother around. Life would certainly be very different. "Wow, sounds like you have a packed household, are they many fights?" Lach joked, thinking of what it would be like if he had a little brother or sister.