A red tinge to the cheeks...

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Sophie was blushing considerably; her light white complexion being completely overrun by the ever growing red flush. Gulping down a sigh she quickly turned away; those eyes just took her breath away so and his smile was so radiant. In truth it really wasn't so spectacular, but it had been a while since a boy had looked at her in such a way. Smoothening her features out she span lightly upon her heel back to him about to reward him with a sweet smile for his efforts.

He'd gone! She couldn't believe it, and oh if he wasn't giving the very same act to a group of girls scant feet away. What a little creep she thought quite dejectedly, she'd really hoped he had been more truthful and thoughtful in his look.

Giving an indigant little huff she continued along the road...

[Maria Turolia]

Maria was walking on the streets of Hogsmeade, happily enjoying the beauty of the day. She noticed a girl walking in the opposite direction as her who seemed a bit angry. Maria couldn't help, but say something to her. When the girl got almost directly in front of her, Maria said, "Hello, you look a bit angry." She tried to say this without making the girl angrier, but couldn't be sure she hadn't.

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Bewildered as somebody suddenly asked if she were angry; a rather direct question she thought. Sophie looked somewhat startled at her, "well no, not really...just guy trouble as it were." She couldn't help but spill the truth immediately, the girl had been somewhat rude in the asking if she were angry, but she seemed to be more willing to help than rub her face in it.
"It's nothing honestly," she said knowing her cheeks were still burning red, and feeling even more embarressed because of it.

"Do I know you?" Asked Sophie quite worriedly "only I'm awful at remembering names, I'm afraid." She felt quite uncomfortable, wondering if she really should know the girl. Did they have lessons together? Was she even in Gryffindor?

[Maria Turolia]

Maria laughed a little noticing how bewildered the girl seemed. "Oh, no. You shouldn't know. At least I hope not, because I don't know you." She thought for a moment. "It was probably terribly rude of me to just come up and inform you that you look angry, but you did and I guess it's best that people not be alone in their anger." As she said this she realized that the girl probably wouldn't appreciate her bluntness, seeing as most people didn't. "Yeah, I suppose guy trouble could make you incredibly angry. But if you're sure it's nothing. Oh and by the way,I'm Maria," she said finishing off with a friendly smile.

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Taking Maria's hands into her own Sophie smiled much more brightly now. "It's me who should be apologising and you did right to come and comfort me, I didn't know my expression was so readable though," she giggled knowing her usual feelings were as clear as glass.

"Well Maria, I'll take you into my confidence, I'm Soph, well in full Sophie Hargreaves, please don't say you know the surname," She laughed thinking of her reporter cousin, with him around their name was nearly infamous.

"It's not so much guy trouble than rathermore, well lack of guy trouble, the boy I was interested in is just infuriating, and it was just nice for someone to smile at me so, but he was just playing an act, so yeah it was upsetting to tell truth." She smiled quite sorrowfully at her new found friend; Sophie was indeed the sort of person to make friends instantly, with her bubbly personailtiy and natural kindness, she was able to get along with most people she came across.

"But have you got guy trouble of your own?" She asked lightly but curiously nonetheless.

[Maria Turolia]

Maria laughed a bit. "No, I don't know the surname. Should I?" she asked curiously. "And no, I haven't any guy trouble at the moment. I haven't any guy to cause trouble actually." Maria thought as she said this. It had been a while since she had had a love interest. She had just been to busy to notice. "It does sound like you have quite a bit of guy trouble, though. Although you seem to be handling it very well," Maria said having noticed that Soph was cheerful nonetheless.

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Sophie thanked her lucky stars, she either wasn't a reader of the prophet or just skipped over her uncle's column thinking it awful, "oh no its not a common surname or anything," She said to cover her tracks and giving a reassuring smile. She stood at ease one hand relaxed upon her hip whilst the other slowly curled her hair.

"No guy trouble?" repeated Sophie dubiously but partly as if she wondered what that was like. "Wow I'm surprised any guy would be lucky to have you," She said sincerly, though they had only just met Sophie was particularly shrewd, and could easily fathom out a person's character, though she could always be surprised, especially when Slytherins were concerned; she always hoped that'd have an ounce of decency, but they rarely ever did; she knew that from experience.

"You think so? Well I suppose I am really, I was having trouble with this one little boy, but I've put him behind me now. He was alright but only on his own, acted up in front of others you know. Far too arrogant ah well, we're still friends though." She smiled really quite glad Will wasn't such a big part of her life.

"I just find I can't read guys very well, I look into their eyes and I'm lost sometimes," especially Dax, no not Dax he's very happy with Loren, and they really do suit each other amazingly well; simply because he dotes on her. "But I bet you're wiser, and aren't tricked by them though?"

[Dax Simmons]

Dax walked down the streets of Hogsmeade walking in between shops, down back allies to dark dealers and trying to collect all the stuff that Professor Starsmore had put on the list. He was rather confused why he needed human livers, and he really did not want to find out where the dealer got them from in the first place.

Dax was trying to put plenty of room between him and that dealer after buying the liver but his process was ruined by him noticing Soph standing in the street talking to another Hufflepuff. Glancing over his shoulder to make sure he was not being followed Dax slowly walked over towards the girls with a cheeky smile playing on his lips. As he walked closer he heard the end of their conversation and Dax stopped suddenly. Maybe he should not enter the conversation, but then Soph had told him she did not feel for him anymore. With a small determined nod of the head he walked towards them and joined there little circle.

“I hope I am not interrupting but I was wondering if any of you would like to give your liver to that scary man over there. I just brought his last one.”

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Talk of the devil and he shall appear, Sophie's eyes widened, as if her thoughts had summoned him Dax was there in front of her; as cool and calm as ever, coming out with his usual witticism, she didn't believe someone actually bought or sold livers, did they?

"Oh Dax, hi," She said her heart fluttering a little, more due to the suddeness of his appearance than the dark gems that were his eyes, or the smooth features, cute nose and...no she wouldn't think like that, it was all very well to have a small crush upon someone, but he was otherwise engaged, as it were. She really was so confused; her bewilderment was quite clear upon her features which changed slowly from shock to a deepening red tinge once more; what was wrong with her?

"Why did you buy a liver Dax?" She asked suspiciously wanting to take charge of the situation and deter his searching deep eyes from staring at her burning cheeks. They were so light, like his laugh too. Oh for goodness sake why had she never gotten over him? Old flames die hard it seems; leastways for Sophie.

"What are you doing bothering us?" She asked indignantly feeling a little put out that he still set her heart beating quicker. "Sorry, but really what are you doing? Buying livers?" She demanded with a disgusted look upon her face.

[Maria Turolia]

Maria noticed how Soph was acting since the boy's sudden appearance. She couldn't help but smile a little as she realized this must be one of the boys Sophie had been speaking of.

It took a moment for Maria to realize that the boy had just said he had bought livers. Why in the world would someone need livers. But seeing as Sophie had already asked the question, she just gave the boy a strange look and waited to hear the answer.

[Dax Simmons]

Dax looked from one girl to the other as each gave him a strange look. He was actually rather put out about the attitude he was getting off Soph. It was like she was unhappy to see him, which was a change. However he could not blame her with the attitude about the lungs, it was rather strange thing, even seeing them made Dax shudder. But to try and prove his case to Soph and the other Hufflepuff Dax swung his bag around to face them all and unclipped it and flipped it open.
The smell was overpowering, rotting meat and dried and dried blood filled the air around them. Dax thought he was going to be sick, so to save himself the embarrassment he closed the bag once more.

“Professor Starsmore wanted them...do not know why, most likely to fed some creature he has hidden away. I just get rather annoyed he makes me do all of this work. Can not wait to get away from him at the end of the year.”

Dax sighed as he put his bag back on his back. It was really bugging him that Sophie was being rather short with him, he wanted their friendship to continue and after so many years of ignoring each other they were finally getting back to a point when they could talk like normal. Raising his eyebrows at the other Hufflepuff, Dax suddenly realised he had been really rude. Offering the girl his hand Dax smiled.

“Sorry Dax Simmons pleased to met you.”

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Sophie felt a twinge of guilt, had she really treated Dax that harshly? He couldn't hide the hurt look that passed his brow; she didn't want to openly apologise in front of Maria, but she knew she had given him pretty short shrift. But then he showed the horrible livers; immediately feeling bile rise in her throat Sophie half gasped and half screamed whilst backing away; "eugh Dax that's disgusting, get them away." The smell was unbearable and hit with the force of a tidal wave. Feeling quite faint from the experience she could have kissed Dax when he hastily put them away.

"And I am pleased to see you too Dax," She admitted apologetically her mouth curling up in a half smirk and looking innocent without meaning to.

"Ah Dax, Starsmore's so cruel, he's ok in lessons though," She knew Starsmore treated Dax as his personal slave; to fetch and carry whatever he desired, and everytime she entered the classroom she wanted to have words with him; but then the interest of the lesson took over and she didn't particularly wish to get on the wrong side of him; she knew that would be hell as Dax was a living example.

"So how are things Dax?" She enquired having not seen him for some time.

[Dax Simmons]

Dax turned around back to Sophie when he heard her soft voice again. With a small smile Dax tried to think of the right way of answering her question. He was still not sure how Sophie was taking his relationship with Loren, and did not want to say anything that could cause rifts in their friendship. Nodding his head as a signal that everything was ok he gave a small hum noise while still working out the best way of saying something.

“Yeah things are good….looking forward to the end of the year but then again it means I need to do something with my life. I can imagine leaving the school though, so may ask Darrow if he has any odd jobs that need doing. But if Loren moves to another part of the country I may follow her.”

Dax gave Sophie a weak smile, the idea of finding a job and possible having to be apart from Loren was hard for Dax to think about and he knew that Sophie was not the bets person to be telling this to. Pulling his bag onto his shoulder to try and stop it digging into his shoulder blade he thought he would turn the conversation around.

“So what about you? Last year of school is always hell.”

[Sophie Hargreaves]

Sophie could tell Dax was uncomfortable, call it female intuition, or just the weakness of his usually radiant smile. Giving a little sigh Sophie felt quite resigned to the fact that ever since Loren had come along; their friendship had suffered, she didn't begrudge Dax sharing time with his girlfriend, but really she did, and she couldn't face the fact that she didn't have something so wonderful as he had and almost Dax himself. Feeling a small pang of jealously more so for their happiness, that she yearned for herself. But she was increasingly puzzled by Dax's response, would he really just follow Loren? Or would he stay here the place he truly loved to be? He'd really be torn between the two she guessed.

"I can imagine you doing odd jobs Dax, very odd sorts of jobs," She giggled, "but you should follow you heart, wherever it goes. I..I really do wish you and Loren happiness." She said hoping he knew how hard it had been for her to admit it.

Pouncing upon his question she responded quickly "yeah it's really hellish, horrible really, there's so much stress and anxiety, I've no idea what grades I'll get. I mean I work really hard and put in the hours, but I've no hope with Divination still, Charms should be ok, and Defence Against the Dark Arts shouldn't be too much trouble, but I can't find time to do anything, I've so little free time at all. Not even time for quidditch." Realising she had rambled on at little she clamped her mouth shut feeling a red tinge to her cheeks once more...

[Dax Simmons]

Dax found it hard not to laugh in Sophie’s face as she wished Loren and Dax the best. He thought it sounded rather strange, not only due to the dull tone and the way it seemed almost rehearsed. With a small smile to his friend Dax moved closer and took hold of her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“Soph you make it sound like we are getting married, you know me I could never make a commitment like that. Well not until I have grown up a bit.” Dax gave soft chuckle and looked directly into the eyes of the Gryffindor. “However I know you mean what you said and heck I know how hard it was for you…just look at me.”

He was trying to create a lighter atmosphere, the past history between them was making things uneasy and they had trespasses onto a topic that really should have been left alone. With a small sigh he shot Sophie a look of apology and shot a look to the ground. He should not have even walked over here, he knew that it was hard for Sophie and in a way for him also, things never really went right for them and always in the back of his mind he would think maybe…he was sure it would have crossed Sophie’s mind as well but now he was with Loren it was different. Sophie was a painful memory in the past that sometimes kept popping up every now and again bring guilty or sympathy along with it.

These mix of emotions always confused Dax as even through his love for Loren he sometimes had little moments of weakness and think of others and it was not uncommon for Sophie to be there.

“You are beautiful”

Dax’s eyes grew wide and colour drained form his face as he looked at the Gryffindor. He could not believe he had just spoke his thoughts out loud and of all things to say it had to be that. The look of horror was plain to see on his face and suddenly he noticed how strange it must have been to still be looking at her. Dax looked straight at his shoes and prayed that he could just vanish.