(Corridors) The night time antics of a librarian

[Offley Marsh]

Offley tried to place her hand over her mouth to muffle a yawn but it was too late, a high pitched screech filled the empty, dark library. After the echoes had died down the librarian turned her attention back to the old pieces of parchment she had laid out in front of her. The writing had began to fade and there were occasional holes in the paper where moths had decided to eat their way through. With a sign Offley pulled out her wand and with a small tap on the table a small beam of light came out of the end, holding it close to the paper Offley lowered her head to get a better look and continued to read. Her eyes grew wide as the secrets the parchment revelled became clear, with a small gasp Offley sat up straight trying to put what she had just read together.

With a small exited squeal she pushed herself out of the char too fast and it toppled over behind her. But she did not care, she knew where it was hidden but the only problem was finding it in the dark without making too much noise. As Offley’s mind whirled her eyes darted from side to side as she tried to find the courage to act before the excitement passed. With a small nod of the head she knew what she needed to do and so headed out of the library and out into the dark corridor.

[Aidan and Derryl Parkhurst]

Aidan and Derryl were strolling through the corridors as they often did at night. They were quiet, except for the occasional whisper. 'I think we're near the library,' Derryl pointed out and Aidan nodded. 'Shall we go see what Marsh is up to?' Derryl asked, that strange exhilaration coursing through him. Aidan nodded again.

They turned a corner and were headed towards the entrance to the library when suddenly Marsh herself burst out of the library. Aidan and Derryl back into the wall to hide in the shadows. She wasn't headed their way. 'I don't think she saw us,' Aidan said in a very hush whisper. Derryl grinned at Aidan and wordless agreement passed between them.

They came out of the shadows and began to slowly creep after the hurried librarian. They reached the corner and looked around it, Derryl below Aidan so they could hide better. 'Where do you think she's going?' Aidan asked. As soon as she had gone around another corner, Derryl stood up and into the corridor and shrugged. 'Let's go.' They spoke in unison and began to follow the teacher closely.

[Offley Marsh]

Offley was lost in her own world, she clung onto the section of parchment for her life making sure that it would not fly away in a haphazard breeze. She turned around corner after corner into darker corridors and it was only then when she thought she heard a noise behind her. Stopping on the spot she gave a small glance over her shoulder, but alas it was too dark for her eyes to focus on anything. Trying to keep her composure Offley glanced down at the parchment again and held her wand over it for light. A tiny smile graced her lips as the realisation came to her that her target was close, adrenaline once again started to pump through her veins and with that Offley took a huge step forward.

However she had not gone hundred paces when she heard the noise again behind her. It sounded like footsteps, to pairs of footsteps almost walking in unison, she was being followed. With a nervous glance at the piece of parchment in her hand Offley stuffed it hurriedly into her trouser pocket before spinning around on the spot. She shined her wand from one area of the corridor to another, and that is when the light fell on something that looked suspicious like a leg. Trying to sound as authoritative as possible Offley voice rang out around the empty corridor.

“Whether you are a student, professor or a supernatural being I think it would be quite within your intellectual span to step forward into the light so I can gaze upon the one who is following me.”

[Aidan and Derryl Parkhurst]

Marsh stopped walking. Aidan and Derryl ducked behind a pillar and hoped she hadn't seen them. When she started walking again the twins both let out the breaths they hadn't realised they were holding. They looked at each other, clearly relieved and continued following, now sticking to the walls.

'She's carrying some sort of parchment,' Aidan said. He was in front and shared what he had seen with his brother. 'She's put it away now. Wonder what's on it.'

Derryl shrugged. 'Maybe it's a shopping list,' Derryl suggested.

Suddenly Marsh stopped and turned. The twins hugged the wall but Derryl couldn't hid his leg, it was in full view of the light. Aidan glared at his brother and his brother smirked at him. 'Not my fault,' he whispered.

The librarian called for them to come out of their hiding place. They had been found out but they wouldn't go down without a fight. Aidan winked at his brother with a cheeky smirk on his face and pushed himself off the wall. He stood with his legs wide apart and crossed his arms. 'Supernatural beings, are we?' he taunted.

Derryl followed his brother's lead and joined him in the wand light. 'I'd hardly call two third years supernatural,' he said, smirking at the librarian. The twins glared at the professor and were silent for a moment. Then Derryl piped up again, 'evening Miss Marsh, lovely night for a little walk, isn't it?' Aidan sniggered at his brother's jest.

[Offley Marsh]

As the two twins came forward Offley sighed in relief but it seemed to soon. They were start to tease her about what she has stated in her moment of apprehension. Lacking the authority and disposition to even attempt to shout at the students Offley merely stood mutely in front of them, letting them laugh at their private joke. With a claming breath Offley tucked a strand of her wild red hair behind her ear and waited patiently for them to stop laughing. She was then affronted by one of them actually trying to be polite and civil.

Feeling slightly outraged that it was clear that still while showing some form of politeness they were still jesting. Folding her arms in frustration, she ignored the fact that it spoilt her posture and made her look more like a simpleton then the well educated and intellectual person she was.

“Yes it was a very nice evening, but late enough now to be night. Pray tell me why are you and your doppelganger marauding in the corridors? I could easily get assistance from senior personnel who will be more then willing to deduct points and place you in detention.”

Offley knew that her simple intimidating approach would not work, particular on a Slytherin. Overcome and disgruntled Offley turned on her heel and continued to march down the corridor in the search of her prize.

[Aidan and Derryl Parkhurst]

Neither of the twins enjoyed shouting across corridors when it wasn't full of people and dethly embarrassing. So they walked towards the librarian as she spoke. They looked sideways at each other as her words hit home and a nasty grimace came to their faces. She couldn't take points from them and they were going to have a little fun because of it.

When they were two feet away, they stopped walking. Aidan buffed out his chest and grinned. 'We could ask you the same thing,' he said.

Derryl nodded and added, 'we don't know what this doppelganger is that you speak of but we're not the only ones out tonight. If we could help you in any way we'd be more then happy to.'

With glances at each other, the twins knew that they would, in actuality, be happy to make a mess of things for the librarian as much as they could but they weren't going to tell her that. How thick did they look?

[Offley Marsh]

Offley was discontented by the simple fact that these students were almost threatening her into finding out what task she was undertaking. Instinctively her hand slid into her jacket pocket and wrapped itself tightly around the slip of parchment. Trying to smile Offley managed a small grin and actually thought about their offer about helping her out. Her head tilted to one side as she thought about the possibilities of what could happen before deciding that what she was about to do was not suitable for students.

“Your offer of kindness is very fastidious, and I am sure if I had a task that was suitable for a couple of admiral young men to help me with then I would be more then prepared to give you an honourable deed. But alas I am merely heading to the kitchens for a warm cup of milk.”

Offley gave a nervous glance at the twins, there was something about them that she did not like, there attitude to their peers maybe but also there was something in their air, something that smelt a lot like trouble. After all they were in Slytherin house. One of them seemed to have a brighter spark in his eye and Offley made an educated guess that he was the one who would work out that they were no where near the kitchen and heading in the wrong direction and also who would need a slip of parchment to find there way there. That was one thing she had no doubt on was that they saw the parchment.

[Aidan and Derryl Parkhurst]

Aidan frowned. He had no clue what she had just said. He looked at Derryl for help but it took his brother a few moments to look at him. Derryl seemed to have found something out which Aidan had missed and he was staring at the librarian. Aidan nudged Derryl in the ribs. When Derryl looked at Aidan, Aidan rolled his eyes towards Marsh and shrugged his shoulders.

Derryl, seeing the look on Aidan's face, rolled his eyes and said, pointing his hand at Marsh, 'she said she doesn't need any help.'

Aidan's face lit up and he smiled, frown disappearing. 'Ah,' he said. That made more sense. He tried, then, to look nonchalant and rubbed his nails against his chest, arms crossed. 'A pity,' he said.

Derryl laughed at his brother's pose and nodded. 'Indeed,' he chuckled. 'But why would you be heading in this direction if you're heading towards the kitchens?' Derryl asked. He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder and said, 'that's the way to the kitchen from here. And do you need a map or something to get there as well? or was that your shopping list for the weekend?' Derryl smirked at the librarian and raised an eyebrow at her.