[Courtyard] The Unrest of the Rain.

[queen]

Avaleigh Thorne stood in the courtyard just under an awning as the rain poured down from the sky. April showers bring May flowers, but Ava could really care less. The sky was a dark, brooding gray color, the reason she had come out to gaze at it. The wind had started to pick up as the rain turned from gentle falling to a more vicious angle. Ava loved watching the storm clouds usher in, the purple glow giving them a semi evil yet elegant look.

Much the same could be said for Ava. Her elegant dressing match with her short wavy hair adding a sense of evil elegance. Ava's grin as she watched the clouds only added to her appearance. Her hood was over her head, blonde hair peaking out from the sides. Ava's eye flicked from the sky to a group of younger years running from the lake. Ava couldn't imagine what had been down there, but seeing the group completely soaked, Ava couldn't help but laugh.

Ava had just come back from home, her parents, hearing some strange happenings at Hogwarts had decided to take their child on a lovely vacation. Ava had traveled to Mozambique. The normally pale girl was tanned olive from the sun. Ava was sure that if the rain continued her pre-summer tan would fade quickly.

A clap of thunder echoed across the grounds. It sent a welcome chill up Ava's spine. The unrest was brilliant, and it was getting Ava restless herself. Ava could feel her wand in her pocket, sitting un-used. Avaleigh was itching to take it out, any reason. Give her one.

[Kristiana Thorn]

Hahaha came the loud laughter in the Slytherin common room as Kristi stared at the red faced boy a first year by the look of him. When Kristi stood to stretch a bit of her top came up revealing some skin and this seemed to make the little boy giggle and find it amusing to point it out to the rest of his friends. The whole lot of them giggled only making Krista more enraged. Taking out her wand she hexed the ring leader forcing his mouth closed no matter how hard he tried he couldn't open it, after that she placed a nice leg locker curse on him and had been laughing at watching him hop up and down trying not to fall while his friends looked on horrified not knowing what to do. "That'll teach you to stare and giggle and the female form you little twat. You could only wish someone with a body like mine would look your way."

To say Kristi was conceited would be putting it mildly. The girl loved herself figuring after all what's not to love. She was dead gorgeous, already had a figure most girls would kill for, wit to boot, and was as pure blooded as you could get. No one laughed at her and if they did they would pay just like that little imbecile. After the incident the idea of spending more time cooped up in a room full of babies sickened her. It was raining but she would much rather take her chances out in the elements than in here with the losers.

Rain coat and rain boots on Kristi left still laughing as the boy hopped once then fell sideways to the floor. Her laugh was the last sound she heard before leaving. The halls in the dungeons were always so cold having on a rain jacket couldn't change the temperature much so a shiver made its way through her as the torch lights flickered in and out. Hurrying she managed to make it up the stairs to the warmer part of the castle. The rain was really coming down out there she could hear it from inside. Second thoughts about going outside.

Two ghosts flew by cackling one looked prepared for mischief and Kristi was the target. Outside it was. Most things didn't scare her but she really didn't like ghosts they made her antsy. Walking at a very brisk pace out the doors she didn't stop until she got to the courtyard. Thinking she was the only fool standing out there about to get wet she had to do a double take when another person came into view. Another Slytherin mind you Avaleigh. At least this one was a girl the most Kristi would get is a nasty attitude and that she was perfectly content dealing with since she was perfectly content dishing it out. "Beautiful day out isn't isn't it" she said her voice dripping with sarcasm.

[queen]

Ava watched as yet another group ran from cover, seemingly coming from the Herbology green houses. One of them, a younger Ravenclaw was completely drenched from head to foot, and as they filed in past Ava, the girl gave a little sneeze, turning right on Avaleigh. "ughh," Ava said, wiping off her jacket where the girl had infected her. "Cover you mouth you little twit." She said, closing the door on the girl.

The last thing Ava needed right now was a cold. Ava was at her worst when her judgment was completely over ridden by the sniffles. Though Ava was mean and sarcastic, the seventh year had learned that she just had to survive a few more months of the hell of Hogwarts, she wasn't about to hex herself into detention with anyone as unsavory as Professor Hubbles.

Ava heard someone else approaching, but did not turn to see who it was. No one could interest her more than the little boy running out of the rain at the moment. He looked like a perfect target to harass, someone Ava was sure would never report her to anyone let alone give her enough of a fight to call attention. Ava set up her attack in her head, and just as she was about to trip the boy, she heard a voice behind her.

The Slytherin turned to view one of her own housemates. Of course Kristiana was much younger than the seventh year, Ava had no quarrels with her personally. Ava could tell a real Slytherin when she saw one, and she doubted that she would ever have to correct this particular youngster for un-Slytherin like behavior that seemed rampant through out her house. However, Ava wasn't friendly with her, as it was very rare for her to be friendly with anyone. Ava might throw some words with the forth year, but a full blown arsenal attack was very unlikely.

Ava grinned at the remark. "I find it very peaceful." She answered, leaning up against the stone face of the castle, letting the boy walk by unharmed. Ava sighed as she watched his robes sway out of sight. She crossed her arms. Ava hadn't noticed the girl before, she must have been going at a rather fast pace. "Running from a disgruntled Gryffindor?" She asked in her own way of finding out what the girl was up to.

[Kristiana Thorn]

The rain came down harder and faster. Of course rain falling on her ruining her perfectly coiffed hair wouldn't do but standing there under cover of the courtyard she didn't mind so much. In fact under here she could see why so many thought the rain a beautiful thing. The sound of it against the ground was soothing somehow calming her already frayed nerves. The large water droplets falling looked like they were coming from a sprinkler left on in summer time. Right now she could actually appreciate it, or maybe she just appreciated it because she was outside instead of in.

Mirroring her feelings Ava joking back with her said she found it very peaceful and it really was. A little nothing walked by wearing the Gryffindor colors. Kristi eyed him just as he eyed them. He reminded her of the little snot down in their very own common room. After that thought passed her mind she was sorry for it. No matter what she felt for that first year now it was the biggest insult for her to compare him to the little nothing that had just passed. For that she was sorry. So sorry that she managed to let the snot slip right through back to into the castle unscathed.

Kristi didn't worry too much about it, she would see him again soon enough and then he would really have something to stare at. What was it with the boys here they liked to stare. Ava asked her if she was running from a disgruntled Gryffindor. "Haha yeah as if. No just had to get out of the common room. The little first year snots have got the place surrounded. There's one little perv in there who got me riled up. Wonder if any of his friends figured out how to get the leg locker curse off him yet." She cackled at the image of him hopping around trying not to fall.

"What about you hoping to make a Hufflepuff cry? Perhaps hoping to push someone in the mud? Ooh now that sounds like fun" it had been a while since she made someone cry. A month ago she tripped a puff as she was walking down the hall. The poor thing fell like a ton of bricks, all her classmates and some of Kristi's were standing out there they all laughed and laughed. Kristi couldn't help it but she stood over the girl laughing loudest of all, when the tears started she mocked her mercilessly following her around speaking to her in baby talk. Now every time they girl saw her in the halls she would run fast the other way. Poor thing NOT.

When she wound down, and stopped thinking about all the fun she had she gave Ava a once over. Pretty, not a complete snob (some of the other girls were just unbearable) and she didn't shun Kristi like some of the others. This was one time she was able to have some kind of a conversation.

[queen]

Ava rolled her eyes. "The little ones are the worst." She agreed. "They think they know everything." Ava tended to pick on the smaller ones in general. Not because she couldn't hold her own with anyone her age, the little ones just hadn't learned their place yet. Ava was sure that once they realized how much pain she could put them in, they wouldn't talk back to her any more.

Ava shrugged, and flipped her bangs behind her ear. "Eh, not so much cry as give them a surprise." Ava said with a grin, "Like a bloody nose." Bloddy noses were mess, Ava had to agree. There was always a chance of back spray, but it was usualy worth the view. The horrified clutch and then the pain sets in. The best part however, clutching his nose, covered in blood, is the look a child in pain gets just before he turns and runs crying. Ava could live in that moment forever.

Ava could tell that Kristiana was a lot like herself. Perhaps not as much of a hot head and not so completely unapproachable but most of her values were the same. Ava liked to see that she wouldn't be living the school to complete dogs, at least one of them would make her proud to have graduated under Slytherin colors, even if they are paired with other colors at graduation.

Small talk was among them. The rain gave Ava no excuse to leave the girl. She had nothing better to do, then dwell in her unhappiness in the castle alone. At least now, in the company of another, she could forget that she was basically trapped in the stone walls. "Did you hear about Professor Hubbles? I heard he was caught with another Professor." Ava laughed. "Serves him right, maybe he'll get fired." Ava tried to think of who would better serve as head master. But who really was a true Slytherin, someone to benifit the house. Ava couldn't think of anyone. Softies all of them. "The administration at this school is horrendous, I have to admit."

[Kristiana Thorn]

Being related to someone like Via Thorn Kristiana learned long ago what types of people she wasn't to associate with. This was drilled into her even before she set foot in that school. So of course when she sought out someone to talk to it had to be someone similar to her with similar values. Already she could tell that Avaleigh was someone to commiserate with. already she had Kris' attention.

When Ava mentioned bloodying up noses Kris had to laugh. That was one she hadn't thought up. A bloody nose would serve the brats right and it would be impossible for them to forget the first time someone seriously injured them. The feel of the bone breaking beneath the skin of your knuckles. The agonized look of pain on their face when contact had been made. Looking back now that might have been the way to go, but she might get her wish if the brat fell over onto his face. This made her smile, it wasn't her usual cute girl smile, it was her vicious vindictive smile. The two smiles were different as night and day.


Being out here in the rain was worth it she was finally around someone that didn't make her cringe or wish she could kill and get away with it. Too bad Kris hadn't met more like her, even her own cousin, her Slytherin cousin was too busy to talk to her.

Things got a little quiet Kris took a moment to think of something interesting to say. Sometimes she could be a bit quiet, the waiting wasn't necessary though because Ava mentioned something a rumor that had been going around. Kris heard it too, the headmaster had been caught with a professor who happened not to be his wife. "Yeah I heard that too, I mean that audacity of the man and the professor. The things I've heard about him I have no idea how that man made it to headmaster. Maybe he slept his way to the top it seems to be his specialty." Kris learned long ago men are pretty worthless can't keep it in their pants. The wife that he was cheating on needed to dump that mess quick.

"I've also heard the man is a bit mad, rumor is the forest turned him crazy. I wonder what's in there?" Kris had been warned to stay away from there, told the forest was dangerous. It probably was but still it made her curious.

[queen]

Ava could see the similarity between her and the younger girl. The wide vicious smile that appeared on Kristiana's face as Ava brought up bloody noses as priceless. The two girls had the same foundational principals. However, unlike Kristiana, Ava would rather not get into anything to physical. Her hand hitting someone and feeling the bones breaking was never as rewarding at making a nose break against the hard ground or wall or a spell. Ava didn't like to directly get involved in things if she didn't have too. Blame could be place all to easily.

Ava knew that most all the Slytherins were related one way or another. Ava herself was a pure blood. She was sure she had cousins crawling all over the school. However, Ava's family wasn't the most social of people. They were loyal, and yet they took to themselves, breaking off from most of the family. Ava was pretty sure Kris was her cousin, but she wasn't going to bring it up. Ava took after her father, family did not mean anything. A person must prove themselves solo, one can not get by in life hanging onto the cloak of a family member with a strong name.

The rumors Ava had heard about the headmaster had been troubling. Ava was disgusted that such a pig could be allowed to mentor so many students. Ava had wondered how much his wife knew, Ava doubted she knew much. The female Hubbles should take her own name back asap. Ava nodded in agreement. "Completely out of line. Its not like I enjoyed his company before, but now, I have absolutely no respect for the man." Ava said, a smirk coming over her face. "It would be nice to get him out of power. I'm sure my father could write to someone close to the minster." Ava said, thinking of indirectly causing a little trouble. A nice little goodbye present to Hogwarts.

"mmm, I heard that too." Ava said, remembering the story she over heard in the shower about the teachers going into the forest and Hubbles coming out mental. Ava had often wondered what was in the forest. Though a seventh year, the girl couldn't remember ever venturing into the forest other than for a class and she had too. The forest was usually dirty and wet. Ava wasn't about to walk in looking aimlessly for something. However, if she knew what to look for and it was intriguing enough, Ava would be in there in a minute.

"I'm not sure. Something new." Ava speculated. Perhaps it wasn't new, just really old and hidden away for centuries. Ava had one fear, and it was old magic. Old magic had time to fester away and because overly powerful, any morality it once had buried deep inside the forest from which it came. "I would like to know though." Ava said. She was interested, and if it was an opportunity to do something with her life, the hell, lets go into the forest.

[Kristiana Thorn]

Kristi couldn't deny that it felt so nice to speak to someone who was like her. Most of the other Slytherins didn't give her the time of day, which was odd since she was of the purest blood and her cousin went there and from what she heard was the Slytherin of Slytherins. She could only surmise that the mistreatment she received was due to the stain on the Thorn family line, that stain being Via Thorn and her family. Unfortunately secrets were hard to keep here at Hogwarts the headmaster knew all about that. For months she tried to deny the relation but it didn't work for too long people pieced it together and soon she was being shunned for it. So having Ava even bother talking to her was a welcome change.

Lately, the only ones who spoke to her were the guys and that's because they were after something completely different. One thing about Slytherin boys they didn't keep their thoughts about much to themselves. The propositions she received would make a none stutter and pass out. Forgetting about those she kept her focus on Ava who she could tell was the kind of girl who was good at keeping it together. Kristi would have to learn that sooner or later sometimes she let her emotions rule her case in point the poor fool hopping around in the common room.

Kristi's mind suddenly jumped again to the headmaster. A man given such a high position, one he didn't really deserve and the lack of respect he showed for it. Having a fling with some teacher in a classroom where students learn. Funny thing about the whole incident was he was supposed to be a Hufflepuff, wasn't loyalty part of their nature. That loyalty must be for their house alone. "The man is a swine and his wife would do better to stay away from him and get as far a possible from all the trouble he is going to bring her. Bad enough they put a former Puff in charge of the school but they put one in charge whose extracurricular activities include a quickie in the charms class for pity's sake. Who knows maybe it was the forest that done him in. People say there's something in there something unexplainable."

Again she started to wonder about what was in there. Ava seemed interested too. Crazy as it might sound Kristi decided to ask "Would you go in there you know I mean just because, to see if all the rumors are true about something being in there." Kristi might not be the bravest lass at school but she didn't like to be told she can't and several people told her she can't go in there, she was curious to see why.

[queen]

It was a fact that Slytherin boys had an amazing sex drive. It was almost as if the sorting hat measure the amount of potential testosterone the youngsters would have and once they hit puberty, watch out. Much like her own cousin, Adrian. He was a monster, always asking girls out, thinking he was some Adonis or something. Ava laughed at him constantly, watching him talk up one girl or another. Kristiana was probably one of his main targets. The girl was very pretty, and looked much older for her age. Ava herself wasn't gorgeous, but she was pretty enough, though she was sure she would never get the attention Kristian would get, and she was somewhat glad of it.

Hubbles on the other hand had his plate full of women, or so it seemed. He was a good looking man, she supposed, but she couldn't see the worth in jeopardizing your job and reputation on some old Hufflepuff. What was the professor expecting? Him to leave him wife. Kristian was completely right, if anything, his wife should be up and out of there pronto. "People are stupid. They don't think on the consequences anymore." Unlike Ava who thought of the consequences constantly.

Ava could just see the outline of the forest. The distance and falling rain blocked a good view. Ava was sure their were many interesting things in the forest, but she wasn't sure, as before stated, that she wanted to waltz around the forest blindly. Perhaps if they had a clue, then she would contemplate entering the densely packed trees. In the correct footwear of course.

"No." Ava said, finally responding to Kristi's question. "I mean, I'm interested, and I guess it's something I should do before I get out of here, but I'm not about to go wander around for something I don't even know what I'm looking for. Waste of time." Ava concluded, but looked at the forest again and sighed. She turned back to the younger girl. "I would like to though." Ava said, re thinking her plans just a little.

[peice of crap, sorry.]