(Corridors) Mischief Nights

[Joshua Rivas]

It was dark, close to midnight. The halls of Hogwarts were almost dead quiet except for the muffled steps of a young Slytherin. Joshua Rivas walked quietly through the corridor. For once the confident swagger did not dominate his appearance. He was sneaking.

This morning he had handed in a piece of homework to his Herbology professor. An hour after doing so, a fellow Slytherin admitted to modifying the contents of said homework. Without knowing exactly what was written on the parchment Joshua could be sure that it was incriminating enough to land him in at least two week's detention. Of course, being caught outside of the Common Room at this time of night would end up in a similar punishment. But that was a possible outcome, while if he managed to go uindetected he wouldn't have any problems. It certainly wasn't Joshua's first time running the corridors after dark.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac had made yet another ritual trip down to the kitchen and was making her way back to her common room while the castle was dark and quiet. She had her pride on, her orange red hair showing that, and her favourite pair of jeans on, town at the knees and elsewhere. Her purple hoody was warm against the cool night air and her hands were buried in the pouch in the front.

She walk along a long corridor, the moon light streaming through open windows, illuminating her at every other stride. She rounded a corner and saw someone ahead. Without thinking about it she adopted the appearance of Prof Vance, the nastiest professor at Hogwarts, and strode confidently towards him. Jac stopped behind him. 'Why are you out of bed?' Vance's voice boomed out of Jac's mouth. Jac doubled over and began laughing in her high pitched girly voice. Her appearance was soon her own again as she laughed at the boy she had just snuck up on.

[Joshua Rivas]

Joshua was sneaking around, minding his own business when suddenly a voice erupted throughout the hall. He knew the voice and proceeded to pray for dear life. For a moment he grabbed his wand and prepared to obliviate the professor, something he had done to escape trouble in the past. Stuffing his wand back into his pocket he realised the thought was stupid. Likely the teacher would evade and cast something twice as bad....

Turning to face the teacher he found himself staring into the eyes of a seventh year, her features still changing from those of Professor Vance.
"Jeez, holy....I nearly cursed you back to childhood!" Joshua swore, his chest heaving in relief. "What the hell was that about?"
If the perpetrator had been male, he would have found himself at the hospital wing in a matchbox. As it was, a sense of chivalry allowed the girl to explain herself. He knew the joke was funny, but he couldn't laugh quite yet.

[Jac Shaw]

Though she had pulled this trick on many people, it never got old. The way this boy reacted was priceless and gut-wrenchingly hilarious. She doubled over laughing, her long orange-red hair falling in front of her face. The boy had been petrified as Jac had known he would be at being caught by Vance and Jac couldn't help but laugh, gasping at her stomach at the muscles that were clenched there. She stood straighter, wiped a tear from her eye and jovially patted the boy on the shoulder, grinning inanely.

"That was brilliant, mate," she said, "too brilliant to pass up. I just had to. You should have seen your face." Jac laughed and lightly tapped her fist on his jaw. His expression made Jac wish she had a camera on her. She would want to remember this one for a long time but she didn't like cameras and so didn't have one of her own. Nevertheless, it didn't stop Jac standing back and boxing her fingers around her eyes, imitating a camera. "Click," she said, bending her finger the press the invisible button and lowered her hands, still smiling at him. "What you up to?" she asked inquisitively.

[Joshua Rivas]

Joshua watched in amazement as the girl almost killed herself laughing. He was entirely sure she was totally insane, and yet her laughing was contagious. He found himself smiling, if only slightly, for her imaginary camera. Rivas was slowly breathing, getting back to a calmed state. For a moment he had thought he was totally screwed.

"Fair enough, it was good." He conceded with a smile. Joshua had enough guts to admit when something was funny, even when he was the butt of the joke. He thought for a moment, wondering if he could tell her the truth. He decided she could, if he had judged her right she would love to be part of the fun. If not, he could always obliviate her.

"I'm sneaking around. There's a certain piece of homework in the Herbology office that is extremely incriminating and I need to get it back." Joshua explained, nodding his head towards Herbology.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac's smile increased at the expression on the boy's face. It seemed to be mixed with both amusement and annoyance but with an underlying irritation at being made fun of. Jac loved it when that incredulous look was given to her, it meant she had done her 'job' well. However, he eventually, after much thought, seemed to find it amusing too so smiled. Jac stood a little straighter and grinned at the boy, catching her fiery red hair behind her head and brushing it down her left shoulder.

His answer was straight, Jac liked that, and she glanced around excitedly. No one else was around and that was all too perfect. "Wicked," she said, turning back to the boy, "mind if I tag along? I haven't gone there in a while, could be fun!" She looked hopefully at the boy, knowing he would consider it, well more hoping he would. She hadn't seen much action since her detention with the Auror and she had become bored with it.

[Joshua Rivas]

The girl grinned, an action that was infectious. He forced the smile from his own face for the time being and looked at her seriously. She seemed a little older, by her looks and not her personality. Probably in seventh year, he presumed. Unlikely a Slytherin as he hadn't seen her around before. Seemed like a Hufflepuff.

"Tag along?" Joshua asked. "You look like you're an old ace at mischief, so okay. Plus, that trick you pulled on me earlier could help out if we get caught by any dumb teachers or sticky prefects. Name's Joshua by the way." He introduced himself, flashing her a smile and shaking her hand. "Okay, Herbology is up this way. We'll be hitting a Professor's office so there's a chance we'll run into a hallway patrol. If that happens....well, we'll deal with that if it happens. Follow me." He beckoned, then started walking cautiously towards the Herbology department.

[Jac Shaw]

The way this guys looked at Jac made her smile more, scrutiny always made her frivolous. She too, looked the boy up and down and decided he wasn't half bad looking, a clear sense of fun and determination to get what he wanted when he wanted it. All these were things she too treasured and would have to use if she was to get what she wanted. But that was not for now, now was for sneaking and they would do it well, she figured, together.

She winked at him when he agreed to let her tag along, though there wasn't much he could have done to stop her following him if he had said no. "Fab," she said. When the hand was given to her she shook it and grinned, and said, "Jac." It must be something really bad to go through all this, Jac thought as she let go of his hand, incriminating to the point of expulsion bad. That made the adventure all the more important, all the more dangerous. Fantastic!

Jac nodded and followed where Joshua walked. He clearly knew where he was going. Jac had never had an aptitude for Herbology so had dropped it as soon as she could so had little need to go to this particular office. Jac let out a bark of a laugh. "You'll be safe with me," Jac said and tapped a finger to her nose, raising her eye brows. "I'll make sure you don't get into trouble." And that was something she was very good at.

[Joshua Rivas]

"Nice to meet you Jac. Cool name too, just one syllable. Easy to say." Joshua said, shaking her hand firmly. She was attractive, in a crazy and wild way. Probably a lot of fun. Definitely not my type but she knows how to joke around. Hell, she probably sneaks like a pro. A partner in crime, that was something he definitely needed. Ah, he could smell it in the air. Tonight was a night for mischief.

As they approached the Herbology department Rivas began to think of exactly what was written in the incriminating parchment. He wasn't sure precisely what was in there but suffice to say certain professors were named as hags without sufficient illusion charms to hide the fact. Joshua was sure that was the kindest thing written about the Herbology staff and as such was extremely determined to take it back. And burn it. Then curse the ashes and feed the tiny remains to whatever nasties were hiding down in Care of Magical Creatures.

Joshua almost laughed but managed to stifle it down to a short chortle. "Thanks heaps. Madam Jac, Defender of the Corridor, Master of Scaring Troublemakers and the Single Syllable...I'm so glad to have you as my protector." He knew she would be useful and was obviously good at this kind of thing. Didn't mean he wasn't going to have a little fun at her expense.

[Jac Shaw]

"Thanks," she said, smiling at her fellow mischief-maker, "I rather like it. Of my own design too." She was thinking aloud but didn't mind. Many knew her real name and all agreed that she was a better Jac then any other. She giggled and rolled her eyes. "Clearly it's not that easy," she commented, "got four siblings." She laughed, her hair flushing a brilliant purple to match her hoodie. "Let me guess," she chuckled, "you use that on all the ladies?"

Jac already liked this Joshua character, he knew how to be funny (even if it was unintentional) and she could laugh at him. That was the best part. Jac had found that most of the seventh years had become uptight and highly stung, with N.E.W.T.'s fast on their heals so they had become boring and bad company. She needed some laughter, and a bit of sneaking to go with it. On top of that good temperament he was damn good to look at. Jac shook her hair red again and followed close behind him as they got closer to their destination.

Now he was making fun of her and she laughed. It amused her that he too could joke with her as she did him. "That's a lot to remember." She chortled behind her hand. "You'll just have to write it down when we get time." She laughed again. They were getting close now, and every step brought them closer to their destination. They rounded a corner, Jac smiling to herself, and quickly grabbed his collar, twirled him and herself around and pushed his back up against the wall. Her smile had gone.

Still gripping his collar, Jac slowly stuck her eye past the edge of the wall and looked down the corridor. Slowly she moved back and whispered, "there's someone there." She slowly slid her hands from him, sent Joshua an embarrassed grin, then leaned back to gaze down the corridor they needed to go down. "Can't tell who it is but there's definitely someone there." Jac stood back and looked at Josh, a mischievous smile coming to her face.

[Joshua Rivas]

"Oh yeah, the girls go wild for the syllable compliments. Works every time." Joshua said with a grin. He thought for a moment. Four siblings? That would be cool. He had one squib brother and they got along like best friends. Then again, he had heard stories of brothers fighting often. Maybe he and his brother were a rare case. For a second he wondered how different things would be if Shane was a wizard...

They continued down the corridor, joking and messing around like old friends. Joshua liked this girl, she was definitely fun and knew how to make mischief. Suddenly, Jac grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against a nearby wall, her hands against his neck. In another situation he almost would have considered it a romantic gesture but he could different by the look in her eyes. Her smile was gone.

There's someone there.

The mischief came back into her face. Joshua smiled back and slid a hand into his pocket. He felt for his wand, just in case.
"I've got an idea. You can change your hair colour right? Change it to black. Trust me, then tell me what you see." Joshua grabbed her hands without waiting for a reply and pushed her backwards. Her feet wree close to his and he held her, so that her upper body could look around the corner while showing a minimum of her body. It was a trick he had used a few years ago, he and a friend who had crept around at night for months until they finally got caught. this little trick, while simple, reduced visibility of the watcher. Especially if the watcher was able to change her hair black.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac's heart fluttered when she realised how close she was to a complete stranger, so close in fact that if they weren't heading anywhere she might have ... but she had to concentrate now. Now was not the time to let your mind go wondering in any kind of direction that could be fatal if they were to see each other again. She didn't want to ruin what she had just found, a guy that was both fun to be with and easy to make fun of without him taking you too seriously.

When asked if she could change her hair colour, Jac nodded defiantly. "'Course," she said as her hair drained off all colour and became it's natural midnight black. Then next thing she knew their hands were linked and she was being hoisted so that she could see who was down the corridor. Luckily for her, prefects always wore their robes while patrolling so she could easily see it was a Ravenclaw by the blue. "Pull me up," she whispered.

Once she was standing up straight again, she grinned at Joshua. "It's a Ravenclaw," she said, "and it doesn't look old enough to be a prefect. Maybe a wanna-be but we could make short work of him ... her ... it! Whatever!" She pulled out her wand and grinned. She changed her hair back to it's bright streaked red before stepping back from Joshua. She looked him up and down for a moment, earlier thoughts coming back, but she quickly looked away. "Anything in particular you got in mind?" she asked, "got a few ideas myself."

[Joshua Rivas]

Joshua was surprised by her initiative, even more so by their close contact. He definitely liked her, she was fun and smart with a predeliction for trouble. In another situation he might have prolonged that moment, made a move....but they were doing something important. Not to mention he was kinda, sorta dating someone already. He quickly thought of Erys, and while their relatioship wasn't concrete exclusive she would still kick his ass if her played around.

"It's a Ravenclaw,"

The words pulled his attention back to matters at hand. Jac further explained the situation, causing Joshua to smile. They retrieved their wands almost simultaneously and he caught Jac looking at him a little longer than necessary.
"I've got a few ideas myself. One of my favourites is a four-way jinx combination. It's best for use by two people, unless you're damn fast." Like me, he thought. Joshua was one of the few people who was able to pull it off by himself. Still, it was far easier with help.

"I hit him with a jelly legs curse, then a lanlock before he knows whats hit him. You want to take him with furnunculus and a stinging hex. Then we can both hit him with a strong confundus each. He'll spend all night wobbling around, unable to speak with extremely painful boils and completely out of his mind. He'll be a complete mess. It'll take the hospital wing days to fix him up." Joshua grinned. It was one of his favourites. "What do you think?"

[Jac Shaw]

Jac watched Joshua for a moment. He seemed to be thinking hard on something but soon he was back with her. Four-way jinx combination, she thought with a maniacal grin on her face. She listened to the specs of his plan, her smile growing and growing. It wasn't every day she got to do something like this and she relished it every time she could. She could do many jinxes well enough but when she was backed up with her mischief streak, they became more powerful then even Tonks would believe.

"I've always preferred the jelly-leg curse myself but I can have it tonight," Jac said as though she were three years old and letting someone play with her favourite toy. She didn't mind him doing those spells, the one's she was to do were much better in any case. Furnunculus, the boil curse, and the Stinging hex doing exactly what it's name suggests. She couldn't have been more on edge and excited for this one. "But I think we should go for it. Ok," she said, preparing herself to jump into the corridor. "Ready?"

"Now!"

Trusting that Joshua would follow her and shoot at the same time as she, Jac didn't hesitate. She pointed her wand at the lonesome Claw and yelled, "Furnunculus." A jet of red light shot from her wand, illuminating the corridor before hitting the person in the face. Jac, even over the distance, could hear the boils popping out of his skin. "Mordensious." Yet another jet of light shot at the Ravenclaw and it wrapped around the figure. Jac stood up straight, looking very pleased with herself in the knowledge that he was now experiencing vicious pins and needle like stings.

[Joshua Rivas]

Joshua stepeed out behind her almost immediately, and by the time her second spell had been cast he was working quickly.
"Langlock!" He incanted, the hex flying true and slamming into the already hurt Ravenclaw. Loud mumbling could be heard, and if not for that last spell would probably have been screams.

Within seconds he was spinning, bringing about a jelly-legs jinx to bear. The jinx hit hard, the prefects knees immediately disappearing and his legs transformed to useless rubber. The result was almost painful to watch.
"Confundo!" Came the last spell, and the prefect became a boil-covered, hunched, limping and crazily mumbling idiot.

Joshua laughed, it had been good. It had been awesome. He looked at Jac and held up a hand for a high-five.