A Condemned Christmas [open]

[WILLIAM ASHDOWN]

William sat, feeling quite bloated, on the steps outside Hogwarts. It was a dark, but relatively warm night for a December evening, but William wasn't taking any chances and had his cloak buttoned all the way, wrapped around his shoulders to guard against a foreign, brisk wind. The sixth year Ravenclaw was sipping on a flask of pumpkin juice, washing down his hearty supper. A few giggling third years ran past him down the steps and into the dark grounds, following the lights that had been set up as a vague path down to the lake. He didn't really think a few, idiotic third years should be going out into the darkness, but what did he know? Or care, for that matter.

Sipping on the juice, he pulled out his wand and began twirling it in his fingers. A few red sparks flew from the end of it, creating a Catherine wheel-like display, which he enjoyed for a time. It was nice, just sitting; there had been precious time to just relax in recent times. There had been rumours circulating of a new power, an old group that had decided to rise again, Voldemort-esque, and rid the world of non pure bloods. That kind of mania made William's blood boil. How dare they attempt to cleanse the world in such a way? He, being a Muggleborn, was no doubt first on the list for this group to remove his rights, or worse, his life. Putting his wand up his sleeve, he sniffed and wowed to let them try, if they dare. He was not yet a fully qualified wizard, or even of age, but he had no doubt he could hold himself in a fight if he had to, but he secretly hoped he didn't have the chance to find out.

[ROSE NIGHTDREAM]

Rose walked steadily through the great hall from her position at the near head of the Slytherin table. As a seventh year, she should have been sat at the opposite end; but she disdained having to deal with the rabble that came into the hall and decided they were going to ruin everyone's experience. No she decided by her fourth year she would sit right at the top, and soon enough the others followed suite. It made sense. The first years always felt they had to rush out anyway, better to have them at the door so they don't get trampled. little twerps. However tonight they were being especially rowdy and generally making her life a living misery. Rose had had enough. With a quick flick of her wand, and a tern look at her fellow house mates, she nodded as she left. Silence was certainly a commodity that she would give to her long suffering fellow Slytherins.

She sought the quiet of outside, knowing that if anywhere was going to be close to solitude without having to find a secret hideout and risk finding some hideous couple eating each others faces, it would be there. 

Unfortunately that place was already occupied.

She stood behind the younger student, his back facing her as she folded her arms one over the other, grasping both sides of her winter robes and wand still between her fingers. People watching was far more fun than anyone would make out. And when someone was making tiny little fireworks from the end of their wand ... oh it just screamed 'I'm a target'. 

The corners of her mouth slowly widened into a low smirk, the barest hint of teeth visible as she took her wand, pointed it up at the sky and summoned a much larger, much louder firework. The boom causing a shiver to run down her spine and her eyes to widen manically. That should give the twerp a fright.

[ROCHELLE CASTER]

For every Christmas, up until that year, Rochelle went home to be with family. Something changed her mind this time around, though, and she wasn't very sure what it actually was. As an excuse, she told her parents she just wanted to be with friends. It was an easy cop out. Honestly, she did start to feel a bit sentimental about how close it was to her last year at school. She realized how much she missed out when going home for the winter holidays. She never cherished the moments she could've had: feasting in the Great Hall on goose and pie, trimming the Common Room tree with friends, or caroling through classrooms. Rochelle had missed out on great memories and now she only had two Christmases left.

So, in an effort to try and collect as many "worthy" memories as possible, Rochelle went into excess. In the week previous, she had collected several mates for a variety of activities. They serenaded ghosts, professors and students to carols. They battled with snowballs by the lake. She knitted them, albeit poorly, ugly red sweaters adorned with green trees and mini-Santas. And though she meant well by all of this, it put a damper on her friendships and now she was sitting alone at the Gryffindor table. Well, not exactly alone since one was never alone in the always crowded Hogwarts. All of the friends she usually ate dinner with were at the head of the table and she was confined to the middle among first and second years. It was the Hogwarts version of isolation.

Turning her unfortunate situation into a positive one, Rochelle continued her mission to have a perfect Christmas. Dinner was always a big tradition in her home during holidays. She decided it would be the same at school. Eager to enjoy, she fiercely piled food and sweets onto her plate. Ignoring sneers from those around her, she quickly scarfed it all down. What was suppose to be festive suddenly felt sickly.

Giving up, the girl sipped a soda water to ease her stomach. Her face was turned down in defeat. She rose from the table and brushed the crumbs from her clothes. Getting away from the fudge would do her some good. Rochelle never thought before that there was ever such a thing as "too much fudge."

Gotta walk this off, she thought to herself.

Slowly and with a puffy belly, Rochelle left the Great Hall and emerged into the corridor right outside. She admired the decorated halls with gold tinsel, shiny silver bulbs and fresh holly berries. The frown Rochelle had been wearing changed to a small grin as she found solace in her decision to leave the feast. Maybe a quiet walk around was all the girl really needed to revel in the evening.

She started to approach the main double doors that led to grounds when she heard a very loud noise. The noise made her jump in surprise. Was it an attack? Immediately assuming the worst, Rochelle reached into a pocket for her wand. Armed and ready, Rochelle shivered with adrenaline and tensed up slightly.

"What's going on?!" she called out. Her eyes set in on two figures ahead of her, though she couldn't recognize them right away.

[WILLIAM ASHDOWN]

Sitting, that's all it was. It was one of lifes simple pleasures, and William was very good at it. Simply taking a seat and watching the world go by was on William's favourite things to do - people watching was fascinating, and not to mention hilarious the majority of the time. As he put his wand back up his sleeve, William turned his attention to watching a few students - most in pairs - running around, walking around, some seemed to be slithering around as well. "No doubt the Slytherin's" William thought to himself, with a sly grin. He combed a hand through his hair and lay back on the steps, elbows as supports, just waiting for a professor to turn up and tell him to get out of the way, as he was probably getting in the way of people entering and leaving the castle. However, it was not a professor that interrupted him, but rather another student.

BANG.

William jumped up from his seated position and pulled out his wand. Whirling around, he faced the rude person that interrupted him with a firecracker-like explosion, right above his position. Lowering his wand slightly, he looked up and saw the glittering remnants of a firework, obviously just emitted from a Slytherin girls wand in front of him. "What did you do that for?" William said, angrily. "Do you care that you're displaying the exact kind of behaviour that makes all the other Hogwarts houses hate Slytherin's?" Huffing to himself, trying to catch his breath back, he put his wand back up his sleeve and heard a call from inside the entrance hall. Peering through the blinding light from one of the lamps nearby, he could just make out a pretty girl standing there with her wand out. "Ah, sorry." William said, holding up his hand in apology. "Just this...idiot. Ignore her, I expect most people do." He shot a nasty look at the Slytherin girl who was - beside himself - quite pretty. It's a shame her pretty exterior didn't seem to translate to her personality.

[ROSE NIGHTDREAM]

Rose let out a low chuckle, the smirk never leaving as she kept her eyes focused on the startled teen. It made her time at the School far more entertaining. She was known within her own house for enjoying the spoils of a good prank; but she hardly ever got caught. And when she did she could put it down to the pressures of having to do so well in her classes and how she felt this was the only way to unwind, that she was trapped. A few tears always helped. Her detentions never lasted long either as she just sat there looking like someone had stolen her wand. Some of the professors took pity on her her.  She didn't say anything at first, just let the thrill of the explosion keep her heart running at a faster pace. She loved the rush.

But of course, then a Griffindor would have to interfere with her fun. Those self righteous goody goodies always managed to weasel their way into her plots. They were the ones giving her house a bad name. If Slytherin didn't have to constantly fight for the top students, for popularity and for respect then maybe ... just  maybe ...

Scratch that. Rose loved acting out. It was the very person she was; why should she change for anyone elses idea of good behaviour. The way she saw it, as long as she passed her exams and made it out with her dignity in tact she had done good. Nothing else mattered.

"Oh don't apologise on my behalf." She said silkily, using her wand to couch the side of her cheek and mock pouting. "Cause I'm certainly not sorry." The last part she mock whispered, leaning forward and speaking directly at the young male. He was sortof cute. Too bad he wasn't a Slytherin. Such a shame. He could potential. She took herself very slowly to circle the male, keeping her eyes on him in a very predatory way. "After all, I was just joining in the fun wasn't I? Is it a crime that I wanted to join in on your ... firework display?" Her eyes were still very wide, almost mad looking. Rose was like that, she looked the shock factor in her actions. It always resulted in the best of fun, and the most delightfully enthusiastic story telling once she returned to her dormitory. 

Tilting her head to the side and changing her position to look at the Gryffindor she clicked her teeth and stood up tall. The heels she wore at all times fabulously not regulation making her stand taller than normal. She was a formidable Seventh year by most peoples standards. "And what of you ... do you have an issue with this?" her tone obviously stated that the question was rhetorical but she felt that she should turn away from her just to emphasise that.  "Didn't think so."

[ROCHELLE CASTER]

Rochelle's dark eyes surveyed the two students as she drew closer to them. The boy muttered something to the other girl but Rochelle had a hard time making it out. He then called out to her an explanation. The other girl, being an idiot as he put it, had caused the loud sound from before but he suggested that Rochelle ignore her. This made the Gryffindor girl frown, mainly because the last thing she did when it came to bullying was to ignore it. It was never an option. Her history with bullies wasn't widespread news among Hogwarts students but Rochelle took almost a bit of pride in defending others. And though the boy in front of her wasn't a friend, or even incapable of protecting himself, she wanted to help.

Rochelle lowered her wand and approached the two, finally close enough to see them clearly. Her brown mane whipped as she turned her head toward the girl. She was a Slytherin, there was no doubt in Rochelle's mind about that. She had seen her many times before with the other Slytherin seventh years that act like they owned the school. This realization made Rochelle feel even more threatened. Her wand arm, as it rested at her side, stiffened as she raised her defenses.

The Slytherin girl spoke up just as Rochelle locked eyes on her. Rudely, she excused her behavior as if it were a game. She teased the Gryffindor as if trying to provoke her. It was enough for Rochelle.

"Actually, I do have an issue with that!" she hissed. Anger was fire hot under her skin. "Do you really think it's fun to torture others?"

Disgust started to move within Rochelle. How could anyone just disturb someone with dirty tricks? Why did terrible things entertain some people? She tried her best to stay calm and stoic in the situation but the pressure to address the issue pressed harder on her heart. Her thoughts turned to the boy. She imagined him a victim even if she knew he wasn't helpless. He appeared the same age as her. She worried anyway and worked a story in her imagination that he was bullied often since his first year. It was like Rochelle to concoct harsh fantasies and fret her mind with agonies.

In a swift move, Rochelle was between the boy and girl. Facing the other girl, she extended her left arm behind her. The palm of her hand aimed towards the chest of the boy in a guarded stance. Her other arm was also erect, her wand pointed straight at the other girl. It was a stupid idea but Rochelle wasn't thinking about herself at that moment. Detention, expulsion, or injury didn't even cross her mind. All she thought about was that instant, that pulse, that breath.

"You may not be sorry," Rochelle breathed with a dangerous tone, "but you will be."

((Apologizing ahead time for the intensity. Rochelle is intense sometimes.))

[Deleted]

The bewitched roof of the historical Great Hall homed the magical appearance of falling snow. Every year for the past 7 years Mark had to endure another night of echoing loud laughter, the screaming voices of the younger high pitched children and the evil pranks of other houses on students. This was Mark's last year at Hogwarts though. He had planned to have a career either with the Ministry in the Auror's department or working as a hit wizard. Either one was acceptable.  His parents were Aurors at one point but have both retired since." Such a site. I wonder if I'll ever be able to see this again. " He whispered as he took a sip of his grape soda.  He was one of the only few people at Hogwarts that actually enjoyed the sweet taste of grape soda on his pallet. He was a weird one after all.

He took a small breath of air feeling slightly bloated. He knew that once the bloating feeling started that he would of had to stop with the eating and take a rest. He leaned back slightly maintaining balance on the chairs. He took this time to take a look around at him and see who else was stuck there having to endure the oh so called joys of the Christmas Dinner. There was laughter, children's and smiles everywhere he turned. The pearly whites , the brown stained teeth, the mouths filled with food. Oh it was such a beautiful sight. He rolled his eyes at he looked away from the boy talking with his mouth full shoving more food into it making his cheeks seem like they were to explode. At this point Mark wanted to whip out his wand and cast a locking curse on his lips to stop the kid from eating.

A loud high pitched scream echoed the halls as it fell silent in a matter of seconds. Quickly he stood up and direction his attention towards the scream along with the other students. A bright light lit up the air as it exploded with a loud crash. " Now that is cool!" Mark said as he smiled slightly and noticed only one person doing so. What, Rose did this? He thought instantly as she was the only person in the group of Slytherins that were smiling. Well this is going to be an interesting night. I can tell already. He thought as he continued to watch the fireworks display.

[WILLIAM ASHDOWN]

William was still struggling to get his heart rate back to normal after the Slytherin girls little stunt. His chest was rising and falling slower than it was a moment earlier, but his senses were still hyper sensitive. Suddenly, a voice from inside the hall startled him. He returned her question, stating that the Slytherin girl near him was the root of the problem. She had a look about her that screamed 'I'm trouble, and I like it', which a part of William kind of enjoyed about a person, but the rest of him was angry with her for interrupting him in such a rude fashion. If she had been joking about, it wouldn't be as much of an issue, but she was sanctimonious, and that was one attitude that William despised.

The girl suddenly began to circle him, like a shark after a meal, which made William feel slightly uncomfortable. She talked as she circled, talking with a voice that made William even angrier. He backed away, moving out of her little circle and turned to face her. "It wasn't a firework display, you dingbat!" William said heatedly. "It was just sparks, you didn't have any right to ruin it." The girl then turned around and - pulling herself up to full height - started on the Gryffindor girl, who had joined in proceedings. 

The girl, who William thought he had seen around once or twice, was certainly feisty. She immediately returned fire on the Slytherin, and then did something that almost laughable, if it wasn't quite offensively patronising to William. Even though they had never been introduced, and William probably wouldn't know her if he tripped over her, the girl moved in between them, then moved her arm back to hold William back, as if she was protecting him from a deadly enemy, as opposed to a stuck-up, dramatic Slytherin. "Erm..." William said, standing quite still and shooting a confused glance at the Slytherin girl. "What...what are you doing?" He asked politely, but with an air of 'what the f...'. He was, with an air of arrogance, quite an accomplished wizard and usually got exceptionally high marks in his tests - he had no doubt he could hold himself in a fight again even an older student.

[ROSE NIGHTDREAM]

So that was how it was going to go, was it? Fine.

Rose smirked down at the little Gryfindor with the wand pointing in her direction. This wasn't the first duel she had been, she was in Seventh year and a Slytherin at that. She had been raised dueling. And she found that the simplest magic worked best. Everyone thought that because they had learned countless spells in their time at Hogwarts they had to show off, to be creative. When as a matter of fact the beginner spells did the job better than most. "Oh you think so? Well, you better be very convincing." She said with a low grin, raising her own wand from her side and bending her elbow a little. Roses dueling stance was a little different than most, she did not like holding her arm in front of her as it restricted her movement. "If you think this is torture, then little girl you are in for one hell of a shock when the real world gets its talons into you. You won't be molly coddled in the big bad world. And I'm going to enjoy watching all of you fall on your wands trying to avoid conflict." She hissed

She looked back to the Ravenclaw with a wink and noted the entrance of a second. She had moved to avoid other students. Not attract them. She hated this school sometimes. However, she returned her eyes to the Gryffindor. With a smirk, Rose kept her eyes locked and cast a non verbal 'Petrificus Totalus'. Non verbal spells had been taught since the middle of Sixth year and though the more complex spells took alot of energy, the simpler ones learned in their first year of Defence Against the Dark Arts came very easily to the Slytherin. No one ever expected a non verbal spell like that, especially at such close distance. She would be shocked if the Gryffindor even saw the spell coming.

[ROCHELLE CASTER]

Defeated, embarrassed, humbled, shell-shocked; Rochelle wasn't positive which word best fit her emotionally and physically but she knew it was one of those four.

First, the Ravenclaw boy that Rochelle attempted to "back up" (or at least her definition of the act) denied her offer ever so politely. As soon as his words hit her ears she became aware of her stupid move. She eyed him from behind her shoulder, her brown orbs meeting his in a hope that he could forgive her for her lapse in judgment. It was difficult for Rochelle to keep her temper but even harder for her to keep others from finding her annoying. She just wanted to be friendly and it always came off as something negative. His outburst was humbling, that was for sure, and the usually patronizing Gryffindor girl regretted her current position almost immediately.

Second, another boy emerged on the scene. Rochelle spotted him in her eyesight for just a flash before she put her eyes back on the Slytherin girl. Now her failed act of heroism was being witnessed by even more people. She exhaled deeply, trying to hide a whimper. For once, the girl was worried for her own reputation and well-being rather than others. Sure, she was courageous but not invincible. Maybe it was the adult growing inside her, clawing at the part of the brain that held common sense; a place she hadn't visited in a while.

Third, it was Christmas and deep down inside she knew it was wrong to do this. The snow fell outside in thick flurries. Above them boughs of tinsel twinkled in the candle light. Down the hall a clump of mistletoe hung from the ceiling. The din of those enjoying their holiday meal was heard from the Great Hall, just meters away from them. But it was too late for Rochelle to stand down, sadly. She watched the girl in front of her smirk and pride, or maybe dedication, kept her from backing off.

And finally, the Slytherin girl attacked. It was a silent spell, and in the half second before it reached her, Rochelle's curiosity grew intrigue. Of course she mentally blocked her racing mind, she had to, in order to try and counter the magic coming for her. She flicked a protection charm, waving her arm and wand almost like a sword. Underestimating the power of the older girl, Rochelle's response wasn't nearly strong nor quick enough. That's when she hit the marble floor, hard.

The thud was almost deafening to Rochelle, not as much because of the impact but because she could feel herself crumble by the horrifying actualization. Her arms and legs grew heavy around her and then almost numb but a tingling still present. Paralyzation wasn't fun at all and it definitely wasn't how the girl wanted to spend a festive night. Her breathing became stunted gasps. Her adrenaline rushed through an immobilized body. She hoped she wouldn't pass out.

Her eyes moved from her attacker to the boy, back and forth. She must have looked so helpless there.

[Deleted]

Everything seemed so chaotic. There were arguments, fireworks and even a bit of tension during this Christmas Dinner. It was really unexpected how quickly things had escalated in a matter of a few minutes. Well this just got interesting. He thought as he smirked and watched the situation play out. The girl from Slytherin was extremely lethal and somewhat dangerous. He watched as the situation played out standing behind a crowd as the cliche Gryffindor & Slytherin played a game of verbal abuse against each other. It was rather interesting to watch a younger female go up against a much more powerful and talented witch like the girl from Slytherin. And then things took another turn of events.

Mark's jaw dropped as he watched the Gryffindor student fall to floor. It was rather dramatic. It almost felt like a one of those dramatic muggle tv shows Her body hit the ground hard with a loud thud to accompany with it. Mark had two options, he could either sit there and watch just like what he was doing now or he could be the good Samaritan he was and actually help out. He looked around at the students that just crowded over and took notice of the current events. So Mark took this time to kill two birds with one stone. He focused on the Gryffindor girl and kept eye contact. Although he was standing at the back, he had enough space to quickly cast a healing charm to ensure that the Gryffindor girl does eventually make it out alive tonight.

He took one step closer to cover up a clear opening where his wand made a slight flick. The non verbal charm allowed the blue, hardening body of the Gryffindor student return to it's natural state. Blood began to flourish through her veins as the color came back to her body. He did all this with out being noticed and once the charm was done, he quickly took another step back with his wand being slid up his sleeve. It all seemed like it was just another crowd with students crowding around it and the unsuspecting healing charm was cast by a random student.

[Deleted]

She could die. Quite literally, keel over into the great hall in cold blood. Hanna Hunt had gorged herself for several minutes on the annual Holiday feast without an ounce of self control to abate her voracious appetite, worked up from an afternoon of practicing quidditch in the chilly wintertide climate. Her stomach churned as she bumped elbows and shoulders with her fellow sixth and seventh years all perched at the head of the Gyffindor table, chattering about cheerfully without any constraint. A moment ago Hanna had been doing much the same, but a bite too many into a fly cake had left Hanna’s stomach doing somersaults in and upon itself. Dark eyes cast themselves at her half-eaten plate of gluttonous desserts with an expression that could have only been described as bilious. Her eyes glazed over, the dreaded food coma beginning to implement its wrath on the red haired Gryffindor who was intrinsically waving the white flag of defeat. It was the routine without exception, packing on that extra couple of kilos just in time for the holidays. Apologetically, Hanna rubbed her hand in a circular motion over her stomach, a feeble attempt to quell the beast brewing within.

Only the sudden realization of a missing face seemed to pluck Hanna from her food induced trance. It was the downcast awareness that her holiday meal had not been spent with one of her best house mates whose face had yet to crop up amongst excited upperclassmen. Hoisting what felt like a much heavier body up from the Gyffindor table, Hanna set out to find her mate and wish Rochelle the happiest of holidays, as loudly as possible, picking up one more chocolate cupcake as an after thought, just for the road. 

The halls were bustling and lively much to Hanna's displeasure, students traversing to and fro, a blurred landscape of saturated red, green, blues, and yellows. Hanna walked with little sense of haste, her steps small and meandering with robes trailing gingerly in her wake as the sixth year precariously picked the crinkled paper wrapped around her chocolate treat. So far, there was no sight of Rochelle anywhere, only an irritating high-pitched whistle that seemed to sound from near the front doors. Curiously, Hanna followed the sound, this time with definite objective to her gait. Outside the doors she paused, the sound of a familiar voice just outside the door. She pushed the doors open.

Outside there was a crowd, which, with Rochelle, was rarely a good sign. When she heard a gasp from the surrounding students, Hanna pushed forward through the onlookers to the front row and was, to say the least, confused by the scene that played out before her. There was her friend, on the ground, stiff as a board with an older student standing with her wand raised. This alone was enough for Hanna, so visibly affected by the spectacle, to force herself into the scene with little regard as to what the exact details of the situation might have been. And of course, Hanna came in not with a whimper, but as a hurricane. If the group had wanted this to be a muted affair, surely Hanna would ruin that. 

"H-HEY! That's my mate you slag! Leave her alone!" Dropping her half eaten cupcake on the ground, Hanna barreled her way into the action, shoving the Slytherin back with a great heave of her arms, because really a fight of fisticuffs was always more entertaining than magic, as barbaric as it was. Besides, judging by the older girls shoes, Hanna may just fare better in those circumstances. 

[WILLIAM ASHDOWN]

Before his eyes, he watched the Slytherin girl darken. Her eyes narrowed, and she looked quite terrifying for a moment. Seemingly, she really did not like the Gryffindor girl, who had interjected and attempted to protect William, interrupting and insulting her. Suddenly, the girl smirked and pulled out her own wand, retracting into an unorthodox - but not doubt effective - duelling stance. William immediately backed away so he was out of any potential firing range from either of them. If the Gryffindor girl wanted to fight an older, no doubt more experienced student in front of the growing crowd around them, then it was up to her. The Slytherin girl started talking about growing up fast and torture, which William thought was a bit much, even for nasty , smelly Slytherin.

Looking around, there were students milling around, delaying their walk from the hall to watch the scene. A couple stood watching, like cows, their faces impassive. Suddenly, the Gryffindor girl froze completely, and toppled to the floor with a sickening crunch. "Woah, hang on there, Slytherin." William said loudly, pulling out his own wand once again and pointing it at each of the girls individually, deciding which to do first - curse the Slytherin or cure the Gryffindor. "You talk of growing up and entering the real world - well, here's some news for you, you ingrate, you're going to end up in Azkaban if you go around cursing people for no reason!"

Suddenly, from somewhere behind him, another student got involved before he could act. William groaned and placed both of his hands on the sides of his head, wishing that everyone would just leave him alone with his thoughts and sparks - how had so much happened in such a small period of time? Another Gryffindor - no doubt the friend of the cursed girl on the floor - came rushing through crowds to the forefront, where she immediately pushed the Slytherin girl in the chest with a great shove. William raised his eyebrows and looked back down at the girl on the floor, and was surprised to see that she was regaining movement. He guessed that the other girl had performed the counter-curse before attacking the Slytherin. William kept his wand in his hand but rushed over to her, knelt by her head and spoke to her. "Are you OK?" William said, offering her a hand to help her to her feet. "I think it's best if we get out of here, or maybe," he looked behind him at the new Gryffindor who had - quite bravely - physically attacked the Slytherin, "we should prevent your friend from being turned into a toad."

[ROSE NIGHTDREAM]

Idiots. Rose thought, rolling her eyes at the overdramatic reactions. It was a simple body bind spell, the girl hadn't been harmed, nor was she unconsious. Rose wasn't actually stupid to cast a spell in front of people. She clicked her tongue at the expression of the dim witted Ravenclaw, however her faced turned sour when she was confronted by a little ... whelp of a girl. 'Slag? Who does this little trollop think she is speaking to' "You'll regret that" Rose growled, steadying herself on her feet and shaking her shoulder off against the shove she had been given. 'How DARE she'. "You are going to regret that so very very hard." Rose flicked the wand at her side, as if shaking the tension from her arm as she pointed her wand - at the strange duel stance she enjoyed - 

"Incarcerous!" She cried, twisting her wrist in a flourish to cast the charm, watching as binding ropes flew from the end of her wand.

As soon as the rope was free from her wand, she raised her arm up and pointed in a downward motion toward the girl again. Ready to cast a second spell, a dangerous glint in her eye.

[ROCHELLE CASTER]

The familiar voice of Rochelle's dearest friend rang out through the halls and hit the fallen Gryffindor's ears. If Rochelle could flinch in that moment, she would have but with a half groan and pleading eyes instead, she listened as Hanna approached Rose. The numbness in Rochelle's body was worse than any punishment she ever endured. It was nice knowing that she had someone who had her back, but it hurt worrying how that friend would fare when defending her.

Then suddenly, as if God had heard her prayers, Rochelle's body took on movement once more. She could feel and touch again and her head shook. She sat up immediately and clasped her hands together, wingling each finger in relief. Tingling became blood flow and the girl silently revered whomever had produced the counter-curse.

The Ravenclaw boy reached for her, so Rochelle eagerly took his hand. Assuming it was he who had healed her, she smiled gratefully at him. Subconsciously she grasped the boy's hand in a squeeze, like a friend would affectionately. Stirred with embarrassment at her intimate act, she let go of him prematurely and stumbled a bit as she rose from her position. She was once again on her feet and the boy mentioned retreating. Rochelle almost agreed but she knew there wasn't a chance she'd leave without Hanna. She grabbed her wand, ready to do what she must.

"Hanna! Please don't do this, let's just go, please," begged Rochelle, hoping both girls would hear the rueful tone and pity her.

Her brown eyes regretfully looked towards the other two girls as Hanna shoved into Rose. The violent action made Rochelle ill. Just because Hanna wanted hand-to-hand combat didn't mean she'd get it. And Rochelle had a terrible feeling that the Slytherin girl wasn't going to play nice. Did Slytherins ever?

Then, as Rochelle predicted, the Slytherin girl flicked her wand and uttered a spell. Without a second thought, Rochelle raised her wand. "Expelliarmus" she called aiming a shot of red magic toward Rose.

[Deleted]

Hanna’s hand immediately shot inside the entombed depths of her coal black robes. She hadn’t the time to dwell on the best course of action, nor listen to the pleading blights of her friend, seeing as the Slytherin girls response was almost immediate. Her chest pounded with the beat of rumbling bass drums, reverberating into her now rather cordial-colored ears, adrenaline coursing strenuously throughout her callow teenage limbs. Her arm shot out, pointedly, and her body recoiled, large dark eyes squinted tightly closed as her defense was feebly uttered.

“P-Protego!” her munition came out loud yet tentative, stumbling over the word awkwardly, her lips failing in the most inopportune times.

There was a loud CRACK! sounded from the end of Hanna’s wand and then the smell of fire, searing the cilium within her nose. It was instantaneous. She was projected backwards in a rush of flaming inferno. How large the blast had been was difficult to tell, her fickle wand having backfired on its holder. Had it been the first time Hanna may have been embarrassed at this lapse in her magic, but regrettably it was a regular occurrence. Wand still clutched tightly within her hand, she could only hope to Merlin that the Slytherin girl had suffered the same fate.

Her eyes snapped open and she was staring at the dark celestial sky. She coughed a little, cheeks sooty and properly blackened by the explosion. A hand reached up to pat her head, pleased to find that her hair was still there, save for the ends being slightly fried.

[WILLIAM ASHDOWN]

As William knelt next to the Gryffindor girls head and helped her to her feet, the Slytherin girl looked like she was going to explode with fury at being shoved by the other Gryffindor girl. In an instant, she straightened her back and her wand arm, readying herself for a duel. It was going from bad to worse, and the tall Slytherin shot a hex at the Gryffindor, which caused ropes to shoot from the end of her wand, no doubt intending to tie her up and humiliate her. Looking down quickly, the first Gryffindor had taken his hand and smiled at him. He smiled back, and ushered her to her feet, supporting her in case she was unsteady after the curse she had put on her.

Instantly, she grabbed her wand and began pleading with her friend, who had - barely - blocked the spell shot at her by the Slytherin. In an instant, the violent girl had cast a protection charm, but it was weak - it seemed to William that the end of her wand exploded, and she was shot backwards harshly. "Right, that's it." William said to himself, pulling out his own wand, so far untouched.

"That's it!" He said loudly, walking in front of the two remaining girls who were duelling, casting a protective bubble around him in case of any crossfire. "Enough!" He yelled at both of them, in particular the Slytherin girl, the root of all of their problems. "You." He said, turning on her and pointing his wand at her face. He was taller than her, but only by a few inches, but he could be intimidating when he wanted to. "You interrupted me when I was minding my own business, and now look what your troublesome nature has caused?" He gestured to the first Gryffindor girl, who was still unsteady on her feet, and the other, who was lying on the floor - at her own hand, it must be said - checking herself for fire damage. "If you want to duel, pick on someone your own size." He took off the protection, relaxed into a light-footed duelling stance and quickly fired his own disarming spell, hoping that the combined efforts of both of them would render the Slytherin unarmed.

[ROSE NIGHTDREAM]

Almost the second she had finished casting her hex, Rose found that her wand was no longer within her own grip. For a witch it was a terrifying and humiliating moment when someone's own wand is taken from them by force. The inability to keep hold of such a small thing showed true weakness, according to her father. But it wasn't the fact that she had been disarmed that was the most terrifying part. In a rush to defend herself the pathetic Gryffindor had failed to cast one of the most basic spells in defence, Causing the end of her wand to backfire. Of course it wasn't only the girl who had been hit by the misfire, the spell still shot out of the end of the wand and in panic, Rose raised her hands to cover herself in a failed attempt to prevent being hit. But she was. She shrieked in fear and felt the momentum throw her back a little again, her knees collapsing in shock as she held her position until she heard someone shout for them to halt. However angry Rose was, she sat there on the ground, ears ringing from the explosion and hands still held out in front of her before she checked for any superficial damage. 

All she could find were small first degree burns on the palms of her hands, easy enough to fix. But when she went to wipe her lip she sneered at the small amount of blood caused by biting into her lip when falling. Stupid weak female that she was. Tentatively reaching for her wand again which lay a few feet from her - albeit with the help of a murmured "Accio" Rose cast on herself a quick and semi efficient healing charm on her hands. For small burns and scrapes it was impossible to live without; but she wasn't a competent healer and while the burns vanished under her care, they still hurt. Quite alot. That did not of course help when once again she was disarmed. All she had wanted was to give someone a little fright, what was the farm in that? 

Gryffindors would never be seen so harshly for pranking people; she doubted anyone would care. But a Slytherin? All must be evil with those dark and soul less creatures. how she hated this School. "All I did was cast a harmless spell. You're acting like I tried to harm someone." She said darkly, trying to raise herself up from her position on the floor, but the sting in her back caused her to wince as she stood. "A duel?" She said incredulously. "Do you take me for an idiot?" She rolled her eyes and again summoned her wand. "I'm not duelling anyone. Twerp."  She stared down the cocky Ravenclaw with a horrific sneer, causing her entire face to change. "Not tonight, anyway." She growled, looking him up and down before looking at the girl on the ground with a sneer; and finally to the Gryffindor who had originally confronted her. "Watch your back" Rose growled, before turning and walking away, brushing down her robes and storming into the castle; off to seek some proper relief for her hands, and to find someone to ... take her mind off what she had just been part of. Perhaps a desperate young Slytherin would get lucky.

[ROCHELLE CASTER]

The misfired spell from Hanna's wand startled Rochelle more than it should have. Over the years she had witnessed her best friend make several magical flubs. It had become familiar enough that she shouldn't have been surprised by the action. In that moment, though, after everything that had just happened, the sound made her jump in fear. Smoke choked her as she gasped and her brown eyes widened. She watched the other Gryffindor girl fall backward with the force of the backfire. Rochelle's head pounded as she tried to make sense of the situation. As her heart skipped and a shiver moved through her body she rushed to Hanna's side.

Gently, she knelt down next to her friend and placed a hand on her shoulder. Tears fell lightly on her cheeks as she looked Hanna over, searching for injury. The girl's singed hair and clothing reeked in Rochelle's nose. Guilt grew on her as more and more reasons not to have confronted Rose added to the regret of her choice. She should have never placed herself in the situation, no matter how much the idea of someone being picked on aggravated and instigated her.

"Oh, Hanna Banana, your clothes," Rochelle whispered to her. She pointed her wand at the black marks and burned material. "Scourgefy," she casted. It wouldn't save the outfit from repair but it would keep Hanna from looking like she just swept a chimney. Tiny enchanted bubbles foamed from Rochelle's wand toward Hanna.

"I'm really sorry. It's my fault this all happened. I shouldn't have interfered."

She looked up at William as she spoke hoping she could salvage any chance of making friends with the boy. The last thing Rochelle wanted for Christmas was another enemy. By that time she guessed that he pinned her for another impulsive Gryffindor. It was stereotyped among other houses that hers was filled with trigger-happy brutes set on dueling everyday. That hadn't been her goal at all when she walked in on Rose and William. She sincerely believed she had found an opportunity to stamp out a quarrel. If only Rose had just apologized when Rochelle told her to rather than attack. It was just one bad decision after the other.

In a sudden outburst, the Ravenclaw boy shouted. Rochelle froze, enthralled by his immediate swell in hot rage. He posed himself for battle and engaged combat with the Slytherin girl. Now it was he who was defending Rochelle...and Hanna too, of course. She hung her head, saddened by the chain of discourse she caused. Too crestfallen to observe the impending fight, she winced and prayed that William wouldn't end up on the floor like the two Gryffindor girls had.

Like a miracle (Christmas miracle), Rose declined the offer to spar and walked off, but not without trying to intimidate the three of them again. Rochelle just shook her head with rebuke and ignored the comment thrown at her. Even after everything, if Rose wanted to think she had done nothing wrong that was her own arrogance and it made Rochelle think even less of her. She was just lucky that the Gryffindor girl had walked in and not a professor.

She squeezed Hanna's hand affectionately before standing up and approaching the boy. There was still a slight wobble in her step as she tried to balance but she found her footing and paused to catch her composure. Biting her bottom lip, she took a deep breath and addressed the Ravenclaw. Worried he may reflect his surge of anger on her, she braced herself for impact.

"I know this whole mess is from my meddling," she mumbled before clearing her throat. "But for what is worth, I'm truly sorry. Er...Rochelle Caster, by the way. Might as well introduce myself after all this."