[Corridors] Haunted (Open)

[Marishka Mayfair]

(( Occurs after Private Training. ))

Marishka had left the forest in a hurry, her face prickled with sweat and her breath angry.

She would force herself to accept what she had seen. Marishka was not going to break down and let any of it haunt her - she could handle this! But Mandrake... was she working for a killer? A killer who was following an even bigger maniac like Addis? She had left her new found mentor standing over the remains of Morziak, and she now dearly wished she had grabbed that coat and taken it with her. It would probably do no good to let such an evil thing lie dormant on the forest floor, to fester in the shadows...

Moonlight shone through the glasses windows of the first floor corridor. Marishka moved over to one, sighing heavily as she leaned out to let the night air cool her hot body.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

((Who better for Mara to run into than Leigh? ))

Leigh had run off into the castle, eyeing the shadow as he left Shiela who returned to the one place where she would be safe, the forest. He had crept through an old exit known only to a few where upon he settled down into the dank, dark pits that were the dungeons. Following them he found his way up into one of the empty castle towers where he was abiding, his few meagre possessions hidden beneath a stone that wasn't truly a stone. However, on his way through the castle, he came across the girl who had so obviously despised him from the moment she saw him.

He pushed through the stone door, the entry not too far from where she was and he stood in the middle of the corridor, the cool breeze washing over him and waving his hair gently. He placed his hands in his pockets and had a look of contempt on his face. He heard the whispers of the walls, the gossip of the portraits and he knew why she was the way she was.

'The walls speak that a girl is distraught over some recent event in her life. May I ask, are you that girl?' Leigh asked, bowing his head slightly as not to be rude. Raising his wand in his right hand, Leigh weaved an intricate display of light, before a sudden burst of near silver screening surrounded the pair. 'No one will know we're here and no one will know what we discuss, if you wish to speak that is.'

[Marishka Mayfair]

Marishka tensed as Addis approached, but upon him casting the cloaking spell around them and asking about her feelings she decided now was not the time to start yelling nor waving about her wand. Raising her hand, she ran a finger across the air in front of her, watching the cloak's silent ripple. 'You would know,' she said meekly at last, turning so that her back was rested against the windowsill. He is fascinating, she admitted to herself as she studied his face freely. I don't suppose there's anyone at Hogwarts quite like him... or the wizarding world even.

'What will you do now Morziak is dead? In fact, what is there for you to do now Morziak is dead?' She said, a contemplative frown gracing her face. 'I'm... Marishka, by the way. If you're wondering what I'm doing hanging around with Mandrake, then the answer is I honestly don't know. Stuffs going on... just seems like he can keep me safe, you know?' Marishka gave a small laugh, realising she was babbling. She just felt the need to say what she was feeling, to load it into someone else who she had no immediate connection with... she was just so tired of burdens.

A cold October wind whisked through the windows, billowing around the two of them. Marishka growled and bashed at her hair aggressively, trying to get it out of her eyes and mouth. Why was she so reeled tonight? Because she hadn't got what she wanted? Because she wasn't as powerful as Morziak or Addis or Mandrake? What was it?

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'What will I do? Easy... Prevent the Ministry getting what they want.' Leigh said, casually shrugging after he spoke. 'There is not much that I can do to prevent them, except for attacking them when they least expect it, but they know that there are people out there coming after them, they don't know when and where though, neither do I.' Leigh smiled simply, looking out one of the windows.

'Is there a change coming in the power struggle that surrounds the school? Are people going to get hurt or worse? Are we simply tools to be used as the Ministry goes about it's business? These questions are the ones that are on the minds of many people, some of the students know more than they should, and some are oblivious that the Ministry is even here.' Leigh continuing, crossing his arms. 'We're all in this, a battle is brewing between several factions. Mandrake, the Ministry, Morziak and another... Four factions all wanting one prize and that prize is absolute power. All of them are willing to kill needlessly to gain they're goal... Morziak would kill because that's the way he is, or at least was.'

The cool wind washed over his face, the instant it struck him he felt a chill run down his back. He had felt the same sort of chill before, but where and when he did not know, whatever it was it was not a good sign for things to come.

'You said Mandrake can make you safe? I doubt you truly believe that. The only one who can truly make you feel safe is yourself, and that noone like Mandrake can... His sanity lessens each waking moment. Find a place where you feel safe and if you're ever in need of such a place, remember how you feel, then nothing worse can happen to you.' Leigh said, unfolding his arms and rubbing his hands together. 'You're the only one who has control over your destiny and if that destiny is entwined with Mandrakes... you're already his puppet without you realising it.'

[Marishka Mayfair]

Marishka laughed. 'You're not the first person to say that. You think I don't know that he's using me? Of course I do!' Her tone was a litte more angry now, and she stormed a few paces away from him to the next window. 'I'm not an idiot, Addis. I only do what benefits me, and I don't give a damn if anyone thinks they're manipulating me for their own agenda - I have one too!' Her voice echoed out several times, drifting up the stairs to the next floor no doubt. She covered her lips with two fingers, trying to calm herself.

What was it about people who didn't know her? Did they look at her and see someone who couldn't take care of herself? The thought infuriated her, made her want to hurt someone. It was the only way she could ever prove herself it seemed. 'If I were you I'd just go.' Marishka stated suddenly, crossing her arms. 'You're not going to get what everyone else is after. You're just one man - how on earth do expect to beat an army of ministry men who are just as good, if not better than you?' She was glaring at him cynically, wanting to challenge what superiority he thought he had over her. 'You're alone.'

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh smiled at Mara's response, her agitation coming out. He clapped twice before putting his hands calmly into his pockets.

'Unlike you, I know what the Ministry is capable of. I know what each man can do and what he cannot do, I know more about them than they know about me. I used to be one of them.' Leigh said, walking to the wall and comforting himself against it. He raised one hand and used his finger to prod the side of his head. 'Plus, I'm never alone. I have a mind link with the dragon, she and I share a bond that is greater than anything anyone could ever imagine. We share each others powers, strengths and ideals, making us more than what we are. Even if I wish privacy, or herself wishes it, we are still more than we would be if we were alone. If you had encountered the dragon without knowing what I just told you, you would be frightened and attack blindlessly, if she wasn't attached to me, she would do the same thing that a dragon would normally do.'

Leigh placed his hand back into his pocket, before simply laughing. 'I don't think you're weak, I don't think you can't do things alone. I see a deep strength that can only come out in one way, and that's through your anger and supposed hate. If you want to become stronger, both magically and personally, find a way to reveal that strength without showing your hate.' Leigh said, before nodding his head. 'If you ever want a person to take your hate out on, Mandrake is there, but if you want to become a stronger person all round, I'll help you in any way I can, even if it's leaving you alone.'

Leigh pushed himself off the wall and turned away from the girl, slowly beginning to walk away from her.

[Marishka Mayfair]

Marishka looked him in the eye unyieldingly as he spoke, every now and then narrowing her eyes or tutting as he said something she did not agree with or thought too generalised. When he began to walk away however she reached out a grabbed his arm, not meaning to. 'No. Don't go. I just... I hate not knowing what's going on. I want to know everything. I suppose you don't really know what it's like to have secrets kept from you,' she frowned almost accusingly. 'I can't help but be hateful when I'm being taunted. Hate is what most people respond to anyway... why should I stop when it works for me?'

A shadow passed along the wall outside now, and Marishka stepped behind a column to hide, observing as a tall blonde man stepped into the courtyard, his breath white and steady. Marishka looked at Addis, seeing that he had remained still. 'You think you could beat him? I don't.' She whispered scathingly. A moment later the man moved on, his shadow shrinking and disappearing. Marishka sighed and relaxed. 'How do I know you're not just as sneaky as Mandrake anyway? You say he's using me... then why not you? Why help me if you didn't need something from me?'

Marishka rested her back against the wall, fighting back tears. Did she trust anyone?

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh felt the urgent grab on his arm by Marishka, his head turning to face her. 'Everyone has a need to know the whole truth... and the whole truth is that what Morziak, Mandrake and the Ministry are after is going to make them as good as gods.' Leigh said, before seeing the girl pounce into the shadows. His eyes widened at the sight he had seen as his hands clenched into tight fists. Stepping towards the window, Leigh watched as the man disappear into the shadows once more. He breathed out hard, his anger rising.

'I can only beat him at his weakest... but he remains in the shadows during that time and nothing I can do can lure him out of hiding. Obliviously my plan on using Mandrake backfired as he's back...' Leigh said, noticing that the man was without the large cloak that he always wore.

'You don't, simple as that. I offered you two alternatives.' Leigh said, looking at Mara. 'I don't use others who are innocent bystanders. I use people, but only those who are directly in contact with the problem, hence why I used Mandrake and why I will use the Ministry. I also don't need a reason to help people.' Leigh smiled warmly, crossing his arms like he always did and laughed quietly.

'I was raised to help others, whether or not I needed something from them, I have turned that into my nature and as a result I try and help everyone.'

[Marishka Mayfair]

Marishka watched him for a moment, her face full of blatant distrust. How could anyone choose to help others out of mere good heartedness? That kind of moral standing was pish posh - it was make believe from children's books! It simply did not encourage success in the real world...

But her face softened suddenly. Perhaps she was wrong... when was the last time she had come across anyone who was not pompous or self-righteous or of some sort of blood authority? Marishka had purposefully surrounded herself with people full of self-worth: like minded people who she could use as walls.

Was the lack of goodness in her life reality, or just circumstantial?

Knowing they had been stood in the same place for too long, thus venerable to spies, Marishka pulled her cloak around herself and began to move along the corridor, hoping for Addis to follow. 'So be straight with me - whose side are you on, or are you on a side all your own? I have to admit Mandrake has been a bit too ambiguous in his explanation of what I'll get out of working for him... I'm having my doubts.'

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'I'm on the side of the school.' Leigh said, turning to look at the girl as she left him. He followed soon after, putting his hands into his pocket as he walked at her side. 'The students and the professors need someone who can help them, who knows the weaknesses of the enemies, that is whose side I am on.'

'Doubts are natural for us as a race, we all have them, pity that we can't lose them otherwise we'll all do the things we want to do without fear. I fear the Ministry, before you ask, but that doesn't mean I'll back away because of my fear.'

[Marishka Mayfair]

Marishka gave a confused laugh. 'But they don't even know you're helping them! They think you're dead. You're grave is right over there!' She pointed in a random direction that she knew was probably not the right way, not even vaguely. 'If you and that dragon can do so much for everyone, why not reveal yourself? Don't you want to look like a hero?'

As they finished descending a short flight of stairs, a painting that had just stirred from it's slumber set eyes upon Addis, briefly mumbling 'Why doesn't anyone ever stay dead round here?' before dropping back off again. Good point, thought Marishka meekly, stopping to turn to Addis. She raised her chin in vain attempt to match his height, although she barely came to his shoulder. 'You don't have to fight, you know. You could go off and be on your own, doing whatever you want. You're not stuck here like I am...' Marishka pouted bitterly.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'I don't want the fame and glory of being a hero.' Leigh replied with, his eyes turning sharply towards the girl. 'Being a hero means you'll have most of the focus from everyone around you, everyone will know your name and everyone will adore you, not even bothering to get to know you as a person.'

Leigh looked at the portrait. 'Ah, Rupert McGrandilyn! Long time no see! Yes, I guess you're right... But I didn't die a natural death.' Leigh said to the portrait, seeing Rupert roll his eyes before falling asleep again.

Leigh looked at the girl, giving her a weird and wild look. 'I could do that, but I was here when the Ministry came here and I intend to see them leave, alive or dead.' He said casually.

[Marishka Mayfair]

Marishka laughed dismissively. 'Armies of Death Eaters in the last century couldn't beat the ministry. I'm not even going to try and believe you and this ridiculous school can.' She smiled unpleasantly, feeling more secure in her nastiness then her brooding a moment ago. Why on earth was she talking to Leigh Addis of all people about her feelings? She would not even open up to Nathan, her only equal, let alone the ex-head of Hufflepuff who thought friendship was more important than fame!

'Well Mandrake certainly isn't on this school's side, therefore not on your side. I suppose all that talk of alliances and power with him was nonsense?' She thought for a moment. 'If he's not on your side, and I'm on his side, doesn't that make me your enemy?'

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'The Death Eaters were fools for following a dead man.' Leigh said, thinking about how ironic it was that the girl was following a dead man as well. He looked at her and laughed.

'Do you truly believe I'm your enemy? If I thought you were, I would have ended your life the moment I saw tonight.' Leigh said, taking his hand out of his pocket, his wand there, his palm facing the cieling with his wand rotating slightly above it. He smiled smugly before letting the wands tip slowly finish rotating, aiming for her face.

'I doubt that you would pull your wand on me, you saw what power I have to Mandrake and you also saw what Morziak could do... I can do more than Mandrake!' Leigh said, gripping his wand and spinning on his heel and shouting, 'Draconic Exdamentia!'

A red spiral shot from his wand, soon circling the small space inside of the corridor, soon the red spiral slowly formed into the image of a dragon before a bright red light flashed as a dragon appeared, the Norweigion Ridgeback landing on the stone floor and letting off a deep growl at the girl.

Leigh stepped away from the girl and smiled. 'My spell can create life... Real life creatures that don't need to be fed and live as long as I will it.' He said, placing a hand on the dragons neck. 'And they are as loyal to their creator as a omega male is to the alpha male.'

[Marishka Mayfair]

'Still... even if I was you're enemy, I don't think you'd have to nerve to kill a young girl.' She said triumphantly. As the red light coiled from the end of Addis's wand, Marishka reached out, meaning to touch the beautiful new shape with the tips of her fingers. She gave a low hiss and quickly withdrew her arm however when it seemingly solidified in front of her, forming into the dragon she had seen carry Addis off in the forest not an hour ago. It looked at her with intelligent, shinning eyes, and she stared back at it equally determined. She wasn't afraid of any animal - she refused to be. It was only people she had to watch out for.

'You're lucky.' she stated bitterly. 'You don't deserve a pet like this. You're too ordinary now you're not dead...' Marishka did not care how obnoxious her statement sounded. She could not help what she thought of people, even if most of it was bad. If she had to admit it, she was jealous of Leigh Addis. An ex-teacher of all people should not have such powerful things...