[H.Wing] Up Late?

[Carrieanne Darke]

Stiffling a yawn, Carrieanne sat back in her office chair after filing the last bit of paperwork that needed to be taken care of. The clock on her desk read 11:35 p.m, she had missed dinner. Well it wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last time either that she did this. Stretching her arms above her head, her body ached from sitting in the chair for so long and not moving around as much except to put the files in the cabinet. Deciding that she should probably go grab something to eat, Carrieanne stood up from the desk stepping off to the side of it and pushed the chair in underneath it. Taking her white jacket off and placed it over the back of her chair, she wasn't going to need it since she wasn't healing anyone except herself but that was merely nourishing her body.

She began heading to the door when she remembered to shut off her desk lamp, she normally didn't forget those kinds of things, so she walked back over and shut it off. In doing so she had to manuver her way out of the office in the dark and that wasn't an easy task to do. However, she managed quite nicely and walked out of the office shutting the door behind her. Turning a bit, she poined her wand and locked the office so that only she and Archi could get into it. It wasn't before long, she saw one of the Professors walking by and nodded to her, she nodded back with a small smile that creased her lips then began to turn the other way to walked out of the corridor and towards the stairs. While on her way out, she glanced at the portraits on the walls that were muttering softly among each other.

Carrieanne smirked at the one who watched her all the time walk back and forth in there, he always had nice things to say about her. Remembering back on it, she recalled him calling her an elegant woman. It made her laugh then and she still laughs about it now. A gentle shake of her head, she continued towards the stairs. Hearing a couple of voices coming her way, she glanced around the corner seeing two students whom were out of their dorms apparently doing a little adventuring. Stepping out, Carrieanne folded her arms and pointed straight back to the common rooms "You two know better than to be out after hours. Go on back to your common room before you get into anymore trouble than you are now." she gave her hand a little shake to make them move.

The students looked at her in surprise and nodded quickly then with a quick turn they walked briskly back to their common room. Carrieanne sighed then made her way down the stairs to the ground floor, it took a little bit for her to walk down them, she enjoyed how peaceful it was at night with not a sound coming from anywhere except the portraits. That was kind of expected though. Stepping off the last step, she turned the corner and headed straight towards the kitchen. The corridor to the kitchen was slightly dimmed with low lit torches that made it a little easier to see, but it was still somewhat dark. Coming to the kitchens, she tickled the peach and it opened the door to the giantic culinary area. A house elf quickly approached asking what she would like, Carrieanne smiled "I'll have a little bit of what we had for dinner tonight if that's ok?" she smiled warmly.

A quick nod of the head, the little elf was off fixing her a plate. In the meantime, Carrieanne took a seat at the small table next to the wall near the door. Laying her cheeks against the palm of her hands, she rubbed her eyes as an indication she was getting tired even more. Dinner was sounding less and less appetizing, however, she had to eat something. If she didn't she would get sick and she knew this. Quickly the house elf was back at the table that she had taken a seat at and placed the plate in front of her as well as a goblet of pumpkin juice. "Thanks," she said to him as he scampered off to go clean up. Picking her fork up, she picked a bit at the food in an non hungry manner, but managed to take a couple of bites here and there as she watched them work.

[Archibald Nish]

Archi had not seen Carrie at dinner and his thoughts had been on her since he had first noticed her absence. He had eaten slowly, pondering on the situation he had felt arising, and hardly ate anything. When he was asked by the Care of Magical Creatures he couldn't say because he was not sure himself. He had never had someone on his mind as much as this. He gave it to a sore stomach and left the Great Hall.

Needing fresh air, Archi walked along the sides of the Hall, out the front door and into the cool night air. Nish often walked to get his thoughts back into order. Order was what kept Archi sane and he liked it that way. The walk did him much good and he did sort his mangled thoughts out. By the time retiring for the night came to mind, Archidald's empty stomach growled at him. Heading back to the school and up the front steps, Archi took the corridor to the kitchen instead of to his room.

The school was quiet, he thought, and as he strolled at his ease down the corridor his thoughts once again wondered to his friend, Carrie. She occupied his thoughts for the most part and Archi couldn't understand why. Was he developing feelings for her beyond those of friendship? The door to the kitchen swung open and Archi stepped in and was taken aback by a sight he had not expected that night. Carrie was in the kitchen.

After gaining a grip on himself, Archi allowed his face to light up with a smile. "Carrie," Archi said, walking deeper into the kitchen. "We missed you at dinner." He took a seat across from her and leaned on the table with his elbows. A house elf came to him and, eying Carrieanne's plate of food Archibald indicated to the elf that he wanted the same as he had too not had dinner. As the elf, who was not much smaller then he, scampered off, Archi turned his dark eyes upon Carrie.

[Carrieanne Darke]

While sitting there at the little table, the house elves worked their hardest to clean the kitchen up and making sure that she was taken care of as well. Impressed by how quickly they worked, it reminded her of Archi when he was working. Quick but smoothly, he was a hard worker much like herself and the way he made her smile at the little jokes he made. The thought of her dear friend made her smile, she cared about Archi and was glad that the two of them were close friends.

Sometimes it was nice having a friend by her side, even if they worked together because things would never get boring. It was never a dull moment between them. As she cut a small piece of chicken with her fork then picked up and ate it. Her eyes wandered around the kitchen with a peaceful feeling that came over her, she was quite content in thought. The little house elf came back to the table asking if everything was ok and if there was anything else that she wanted. Carrieanne shook her head "No,thank you though." she said giving the little elf a warm smile.

As the elf ran off to finish his work, her thoughts drifted back towards Archi for a few moments longer before she heard the door swing open. Turning her head, it was the very person himself that she was thinking about "Hey Archi!" she said with a soft excited tone in her voice. Nodding her head to being missed at dinner, she lowered her head slightly "I know, I was trying to finish up some paperwork in the office." she sighed as glanced back up at him and smiled. Resting her head on her palm, she looked at Archi and asked "So how are you tonight?" she asked interestedly.

Turning her eyes to the sight of the house elf that scurried over to him, she glanced back over at Archi and watched as he asked for what she was having. Watching him face and look at her, her eyes were lit up brightly being in the company of her dearest friend. Glancing back at the plate of food before her, she picked up a small piece of chicken and ate it. She looked back up at Archi with another smile.

[Archibald Nish]

Archi shifted in his seat, getting comfortable and looked at Carrie. It was good to see Carrie, as always, and as always he couldn't think of anything to say (at least not in the first five minutes of being in the same room as her). A happy distraction came when the house elf hurried over with his plate of food. Archi thanked him and smiled. The house elves treated him as though he was as tall as the Headmaster and Archi appreciated them more for it and their hard work. Picking up his knife and fork, Archi quickly put a bit of chicken in his mouth before saying anything.

He swallowed and looked up at Carrieanne. "Always the best food around," Archi said softly. He rested his cutlery on the sides of his plate and lifted his head to look at Carrie properly. "I am well, thank you," he said, "had a productive day as always but nothing terribly exciting. How about yourself?" Archi was happy ask Carrie questions. He liked the sound of her voice and liked the way her mouth moved as she spoke.

He went to his food again, taking up his cutlery and cutting up his chicken. As soon as he entered a room that Carrie was in, he knew she was there. He wasn't sure what it was about her but as soon as he saw her, smelt her, he felt relaxed and calm. If he had had the worst day he could have, seeing Carrieanne would make him feel like it was alright and there was no problem.

Perhaps his thoughts on entering the room were right, perhaps the reason for his feeling like this was that he was developing deeper feelings for her. Another mouthful of food and Archi tried to put those thoughts out of his mind. He was with her and had to concentrate on her and only her, not his once again mangled thoughts.

[Carrieanne Darke]

Focusing more on her food rather than staring because of it being not very polite to stare at a person, she glanced down looking at her food feeling her hair fall down her shoulder and into her face. Through her periphal vision, she could see the curl that seemed to single itself out from the rest. Moving the hand she once rested her cheek upon to pull her hair back behind her, she glanced back up at Archi then at the house elf. Her brown eyes were an amber color this time due to the bright lights in the kitchen, she gaze drifted back to Archi who was sitting across from her but her thoughts had drifted back to the night in the Room of Requirement with Dan. She and Dan had hung out quite a bit since then after work, whether it was roaming the streets of Hogsmeade or out at the lake taking a walk.

Blinking her eyes, she heard Archi speak and smiled hearing his comment about the food "I know..." her eyes lit up even brighter "They always have the best food, no one can compare to house elves cooking." watching him rest his utensils down upon his plate, she looked up meeting his eyes as he answered her question of his well being. "Good, I'm glad to hear that." she said lowering her voice a tad bit more since it was just the two of them in there for the time being since the house elves took a break. "I know what you mean. I'm doing ok, it's been a good day like you relatively productive and nothing too exciting. More paperwork than anything." she explained, then began to eat a little more of her dinner. Swallowing what she had finished chewing, she picked up her drink and took a sip from the goblet, then set it back on the table.

Carrieanne felt so lucky to have a good friend like him, though, it seemed like everytime she was in the room with him, it took him a little bit to say something to her. Unsure of the reason, she let it go but found it rather cute and never asked about it. Besides, she didn't want to mistaken it for something else. As she glanced around the room a little, she realized it was the first time they had dinner alone together without anyone else around. Tilting her head and chuckled "It's so deafening." she paused as she looked at Archi "The silence, I'm so use to hearing other staff members rambling on about things and the clanking of dishes being moved." it was very... not weird, but not used to. Plus she added "Not only that, but this is really the first time we had anytime alone with each other in how long?" she shook her head in amazement.

With that still in thought, the house elf that served them had scrambled up asking if everything was ok and if there was anything else that they needed. Carrieanne let out a hint of laughter, what it almost felt like was a dinner date with a waitor, turning to the house elf replying "I'm fine thanks." as she picked up her goblet and took a drink from it and placed it back on the table, within seconds it was filled up again. Carrieanne glanced inside the goblet and looked back at the house elf once again thanking him for the refill on pumpkin juice, her eyes shifted back towards Archi and asked "So anything new going on other than the ususual..work." she asked shifting her body and crossed one leg over the other as she sat more comfortably in the chair.

[Archibald Nish]

Paperwork. It seemed to follow them around and as he chewed his chicken it amused him that whenever he had a seen Carrieanne and had a chance to speak to her that she had as much as he did. Their lives revolved around synchronicity and paperwork was no exception. This meeting was no exception. Only their lives were as synchronised so they could have this private dinner, unplanned and unmeaning. Archibald found it strange and wonderful how synchronised their lives were.

Another mouthful and Carrieanne started talking again but Archi frowned. Deafening? he thought but didn't say anything as his mouth was full. He looked up at the woman across from her, his knife and fork hard at work on cutting another mouthful, still frowning. Alone? he thought, the pace of his cutting slowing. He hadn't thought of the situation that way at all. "It has been a while," he said slowly, stabbing his piece of chicken, "and I don't think we have ever eaten together." Smiling at Carrie, and took his mouthful.

The elf was back, waiting on them and it felt like an auspicious occasion but he didn't make a deal of it. As the elf filled Carrieanne's goblet, Archi was handed a goblet. "Pumpkin juice for me as well," he said, holding his goblet out and the elf filled it. "Thank you," he said and took a sip. He set the goblet down in front of him but left his cutlery where he had put them. At the best of times, Archi wasn't a big eater and he also liked to take things slow. He preferred to be sure and steady rather then brash and full hardy. Perhaps that was why he did not say much of what was on his mind to Carrie; perhaps he was merely shy and looking to vindicate that aspect of who he was.

As soon as Carrieanne began to speak again, Archibald picked up his knife and fork again and looked down at his plate. At her question, Archi shrugged. "A bit of this a bit of that," he said, not sure exactly how to answer that. "Been in the Infirmary mostly," he admitted, "with strolls every now and then to simply get out." He took a small mouthful before adding, "Been keeping out of the other professors' ways mainly as they all seem to be very busy."

He felt as though he was rambling so stopped himself saying any more. He wanted to hear more of Carrie's beautiful voice. "And what about you?" Archi asked, once again taking his knife and fork in hand, "have you been doing anything interesting outside the Infirmary?"

[Carrieanne Darke]

Everything they did in their work revolved around paperwork and tracking things and keeping inventory, it was never ending. Though Carrieanne couldn't complain at least whenever she turned her head there was Archi making her smile or laugh in one sense or another, even if it was a few times here and there it was still great to be around him. She couldn't help but to think how lucky they were at least they weren't stuck sitting there doing nothing, well can't say nothing but at least they weren't alone. They had each other and that was worth every bit.

As she began to talk about how the silence was deafening and how she wasn't use to it around dinner time, even though dinner had already passed it was the best thing she's ever experienced. But while she spoke, she noticed the expressions that crossed Archi's face "Oh, no.. it's not a bad thing." she assured him "Actually I like it like this." she slouched down giving him a slanted smile with her head tilted as she looked at him. Thinking about his comment, she gave it a little thought and nodded "I suppose your right, we haven't eaten together. But it's been a while since we've had some quiet time with each other and everything wasn't so fast paced like it ususually is." she said with a cheery tone.

Glancing down at her plate, she heard the elf and looked back up watching it tend to her and Archi's needs, her eyes shifted over to Archi and smiled again. He just had a way about him that just made her smile and even without saying a word he made her day just because he was around. Carrieanne never thought anything of it being anything more than just him being a friend. Answering her question, she looked at him with a bit of a frown; it seemed like something was bothering him, but what? "Archi? Is everything ok?" she asked with concern in her voice. She couldn't quite grasp all of his body language, but somethings just pinpointed or indicated that something wasn't right and if he did say that nothing was wrong, she would just leave it that. If he wanted to tell her, then he would.

As she listened to him, a warm smile spreaded over her features and thought about her walks along the lake just before the sun would set. When he asked about her, she too shrugged "Well, I've been going through endless amounts of paperwork. Then finding myself on long walks around the lake, Met Dan in the room of requirements by accident." she smirked at the thought "Yeah, it seemed like we both got lost but we talked for a while. Well actually the whole night. I'm surprised I was able to function that morning." she sighed shaking her head "Never will I stay up that late again." she stated as she forked a couple pieces of chicken.

[Archibald Nish]

Archibald had stopped eating and was looking at Carrie as she spoke. He had made the conscious decision to not let his possible feelings get in the way of their friendship. That was more important to him then anything he could have asked for by impressing what he felt for Carrie on her. It wouldn’t work either, he assured himself. [/i]She doesn’t even feel like that.[/i] So, once again setting his cutlery down, Archi listened to her speak. It was good to be with Carrie, why would he want more? And he could tell his thoughtful manner was not conducive to a pleasant evening.

“You’re right,” he said after a moment’s contemplation with a small smile. Their lives were not their own, nor was their time, so they were always rushing around after others with little time to take a breath or relax and have a simple chat like they were just then. Looking down at his plate of food, Archi took up his fork and scooped up some mash. He busied himself with food. It was a pleasant distraction from his thoughts and it meant that he got nourished.

Cutting his piece of chicken again, Archi heard Carrie say something. “Hmm?” he said, raising his eyebrows and looking up at her. His brow creased into a frown and he looked down again. “Oh, yes,” he said and coughed to clear his throat, “everything’s just fine.” He let out his breath slowly, a long relaxing sigh. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind and that pile of paperwork I’ve got sitting on the desk up stairs looming over me like a hungry angry weasel.” He looked up at the roof as though he could see straight into his office and the work that awaited him when he had finished there. “But, no matter, it can stand to wait a little while longer.”

As Carrieanne told of her goings-on and Archi fussed about his food again. It sounded mostly mundane and usual but when a certain name was dropped casually into her telling, Archibald looked up at Carrie. Her expression puzzled him and he looked closely, trying to decipher it. “Dan, as in Daniel Hubbles?” Archibald asked, still trying to figure it out, “as in the Charms professor, who’s always getting himself into the Infirmary for reasons he cannot divulge?” And to think Nish had met Hubbles less then a fortnight ago beaten and bloodied. A memorable meeting to be sure.[/font]