All the Things I Use to Know-Hogwarts Exp.Sept.1,1976{OPEN}

[Lydia Avery]

Bronwyn's look to quiet was hurtful - the Quidditch players were practically canoodling across from Meredith and herself, snuggled up and holding hands, playing off of each other like they'd rehearsed it all before, and all Lydia had done was assure him that he had people on his side! She didn't like to question the closeness of her friendships - it lead to spiraling thoughts and half-made plans that only brought her stress - but was there something going on here that she didn't know about? The pair were teammates, and so had had the opportunity to bond outside of Lydia's line of sight, but surely Winnie's deepest allegiance lay with her roommates. It's too early in the day for paranoia, Lydia. 

And so she smiled with sympathy as the boy spoke, scoffing as he let them know who Sirius likely was with. It was no surprise that he had fled to the Potter house, if she was extrapolating correctly, but still. James Potter was trouble; she all too well remembered the worst brawl that pitted him and Pettigrew against her Charlie. She could easily imagine tensions rising to an all-time high this term now that the Black family had lost any semblance of control over another of the "marauders." We're in for an interesting year, indeed.

The brunette all but jumped in her seat at the surprise of another voice, finding herself smiling in relief when she saw Barty at the door. She leaned in to hear his tale in amusement - he was a good storyteller, always on the in with the most audacious news, and today's update was no different. A sordid story indeed, one she wanted to know every detail of, but...

For as much as she adored the younger Slytherin - a better magnet for gossip or hand to deal out justice was hard to find - Lydia's heart nearly skipped a panicked beat as she thought of what the boy could spread about her if anything were to happen between Lucius and herself. Would he devise protective rumors to throw the sharks off the scent of blood in the water, or would he provide a bucket of chum for them to feast on? Barty could nimbly do either, she knew, but did their kinship mean enough to him for him to lie for her when the alternative would give him a rabid audience and perhaps even the loyalty of her betrothed? It was too much to lose to even think about! All the more reason to stay away from Lucius...and to solidify this...friendship. If Barty could confide something to her, something real and damning to the wrong ears, she could feel more secure.

Just in case.

"Oh Barty!" She laughed and patted his knee, returning to shining smiles and trusting eyes as she let out just a little latent venom. Father had had to plead the family's case over the summer to keep investigators at bay - what proper family wasn't under scrutiny these days? - but gold and influence given behind closed doors won votes more than his words. "I bet it was one of those horrible smelly old toads in the Wizengamot, wasn't it? They're practically pickled in preservatives, couldn't get a partner any other way. Stupid and sanctimonious, the lot of them."

[Bronwyn Nott]

She knew why Meredith and Lydia were eager to hear what had gone down over the summer from Regulus, she’d been just as eager to hear it earlier this summer. While she didn’t understand it, she knew that Sirius’ leaving had hurt Regulus, and she was a little annoyed at her friends for immediately fishing for gossip. So she’d shot them a look, and they returned her look with ones of their own. A silent conversation before Regulus even spoke up to reassure her that it was okay, and she felt some relief at his words. He seemed better than he had earlier in the summer, at the very least. His answer was enough to feed the wolves, and Bronwyn nodded with Meredith’s words, “Of course we do.”

She was glad for the interruption, even if the sudden appearance of Barty did startle her. She liked Barty well enough, and if he was going to give them an interesting piece of gossip to talk about, she was down to listen. She'd decided last year that she needed to stay on Barty's good side, shortly after discovering that kissing girls sometimes felt more natural to her than any boy she'd ever kissed. That was a secret she needed to keep. Wyn wasn't sure she'd be able to keep her cool if the girl she had fallen for last year was around, especially when there were unresolved feelings. 

So she listened intently, trying not to roll her eyes. She hadn’t heard about this, and her father would have certainly brought it up if he’d read about in the Prophet. Then again, Barty had connections that her father did not have, which meant his story could entirely be true. Bronwyn found she didn’t care either way. “You’re right Lydia, I bet it was one of them. The whole lot of them give me the creeps. That poor girl, I wonder what she’s going to do with herself now."

[Regulus Black]

Meredith's words were kind in their meaning and delivery, and he knew he should feel appeased by them. This was what Regulus wanted from the girls, after all - affirmation that he hadn't fallen in their sights, solidarity in a trying time - but the words fell hollowly onto him. Not because he doubted her sincerity - fiercely protective to her own, Meredith was - but because he wasn't all that good by anyone's estimation, and he was to blame for Sirius's departure. If he'd taken more of the brunt of things at home, if he'd stood up to their parents with him, if they'd been a team, surely they wouldn't have gotten to the breaking point this summer. But he smiled in recognition, giving Wyn's hand a friendly squeeze as she seconded the sentiment. "Thank you all, your support warms my heart."

His smile grew into a fully fledged grin as their compartment gained another member. He mimicked his roommate's pose, playfully tapping the other's raised foot with his own, and did what he could to temper his excitement at the look Barty gave him. What yarn will you spin them today? Whatever it was, he would back the bloke up, as was their way. Regulus listened to the tale, but rather than watching the storyteller, keyed in on the others. Lydia was at rapt attention, Wyn didn't appear as convinced, and Mere proved unreadable to him. But with any luck, they'd all take the cue from their housemate and let him get out of the hot seat. His lips quirked into a smirk as Lydia spoke so animatedly that she had to have found some sort of personal connection to the story - Rich and worth doing, you've got to tell Barty. - and dear Wyn held sympathy for the girl.

"She should take full advantage of her newfound freedom," Regulus asserted, "and everything due to her financially before the family steps in. Off to Azkaban without a trial, Barty?" He sighed, trying to get out of his head and fall into the ease that Barty exuded, and nudged his seatmate by the shoulder. And while Reg knew that the story was as false as some of their fellows claiming six generations of pureblood lineage - the girl had opportunity that he envied. To have a mind and body and purpose reclaimed as her own, and more money than she knew what to do with? Solve all your problems, wouldn't it? "I know what I'd do with freedom and funds," he said with an attempt at a laugh that didn't seem bitter, "and - sorry friends - but it involves you visiting me far more than my visiting you. I'd be off to France on the next portkey, and you'd never get my boots on English soil again. What about you all?"

[Meredith Mulciber]

Oh Merlin. Such sentimentality. Regulus was the proper sort of person and she did like him, but sometimes he was just...soft. He would have to put aside /warm hearts if he wanted to do his family proud and one day carry on the Black name with any amount of respectability. He would need to learn to be ruthless in his advancement and harden his heart to opposition and alliance alike. To be head of a family was a solitary existence. Or so her father had said. She would never know because if her father died, that title would pass to her cousin. Even though she was the better choice, clearly. For now, she simply took the moment at face value and smiled at his acceptance of their continued allegiance. It was a good one to have.

Their little session was interrupted by Crouch and Meredith greeted him she a quirky smile and a roll of her eyes, watching the two roommates interaction closely, as she always did. Observation was her love language and she never grew tired of assessing human folly. They were obviously close, and given that Barty was a wild card by nature, Mere decided she would watch him with a stricter eye, just to make sure he wouldn’t be getting in the way of young Reg’s new role in life. Crouch Jr. was also a good ally to have, so maybe not too strictly, she didn’t want him on her or bad side, or vice versa. It would be a delicate balance to maintain and so much fun, which she desperately needed. And Barty seemed to be willing to bring it, with the tale he spun to them all. Meredith listened intently, careful to keep her face neutral because inside she was screaming again. It was too close! An older man and a younger woman, high ranking member at the ministry, happened over the summer...that sounded an awful lot like what Lydia had been telling them before Reg arrived. With practiced restraint she did not one glance at her best friend, instead, she coached herself into reason. There were other particulars of the story that didn’t match at all to her friends. She was still in school, not imperiused at all -Mere would have known, the imperius was her favorite of the unforgivables and she had studied its effects at length- Lydia was of a perfectly sound mind, and nothing had happened yet.

“Pickled sour old things.” Meredith agreed when Lydia spoke up, easily feeding into the story in a way the blonde had yet to master. She did look at the other girl then, laughing along with her assumption and Winnie’s, turning to her with equal amusement. “Positively skin crawling, the lot of them.” She laughed and sighed and focused back on the boys as Black added his thoughts. Her nose wrinkled. “France?” There were so many other far more interesting places to disappear into, but she supposed France did have its merits. She shrugged, there were worse placed she supposed, but…”To never set foot on English soil again, that seems a tragedy. It is our homeland. And maybe one day a seat of power for purebloods, as it should be. I would at least come back to visit. What do you say girls? Should she take the money and run? Or should she do as I would, and seek her vengeance?" 

[Barty Crouch Jr.]

Barty glanced over and met his roommate's eye at the end of his lurid, totally false, perfectly distracting gossip, sharing a secret smile with him, and tapping his foot as Reg had done to him. It was a sort of ‘cheers!’ for successfully maneuvering around the ladies of their house. His attention quickly returned to their housemates as Lydia touched his knee. "Oh Lydia." he managed to mimic her too sweet tone passably while still exuding that essence of friendship and jesting. "I thought of everyone, you would enjoy the story most."  This was there friendship: gossip, stories, blackmail, and revenge. He and Lydia saw the world in a similar way and aided each other when it was of benefit to them. He had been banking on her eating up his lies, and she had not disappointed.

He found himself laughing along with his housemates as the ladies threw in  their suspicions, finding it too funny they way they seemed to cut people down without a thought or sufficient knowledge. No-one was safe from  their vitriol and that's what Barty loved most about them. Vicious vipers the lot of them and pleasantly pretty to look at. Sure, their were other types of girls worth looking at -Greta had been a bright beauty in his life and there wasn't a cruel bone in her body, still she had held his interest for a while- but none with as much allure as a truly fearsome lady.

He and Reg were some of the few he felt could handle them properly and as he thought of him, his roommate turned to him and Barty's face hardened a little. “It is not unheard of to be imprisoned without being given the opportunity to defend oneself.” He commented with a tilt of his head, thinking his father would be the loudest advocate for locking someone up unlawfully and throwing away the key forever. For someone so staunch about the law, he had no problem ignoring it when it was in his favor, or the favor of his higher moral standards.

Hypocrite.

            He’s just as bad as the people he condemns…

    Worse even.

At Reg’s ideas on the matter and Mere’s answering ones, Barty was pulled from his musings and raised a brow, giving a considering frown. “To leave or not to leave, that is the question.” What would he do with such freedom after so long a confinement. Would he seek his revenge on his capture as the ever aggressive Meredith would? Or flee for greener fields like Regulus? It was a tough choice, to be fair, but part of him knew he would never rest having been wronged in such a way. He would leave England and never return after he had cut the man from stem to sternum. That thought, he kept to himself, turning to his friend instead. “I’ll come visit you, we’ll make France worth the living.”

[Lydia Avery]

"Me?" Lydia asked, Barty's sweetness amplified by the innocence further imbued into her voice. "I certainly don't know what you mean, darling - I feel that I should be sorely offended. What sort of lady would find pleasure in such a sordid tale?" She dropped the affect and broke into a wide smile, praying that he was only teasing, that he wasn't taking what could have happened between Lucius and herself and twisting it into some sort of warning, a signal that he knew...She could feel her mother cautioning her from afar, as she was a lady who would scorn such gossip - but there was such entertainment to be had in it! Winnie and Mere lost no time in adding on, and she caught the latter's eye as they laughed, feeling the air between them ripple with concern. He couldn't know, she affirmed, for herself, for her friend, for the hope of it. It would be worth confirming this later, but it wouldn't do to make it obvious that there was something to cover up...Her friends would help her make a plan, she was sure of it. 

She listened with interest as talk turned to what the girl from the story would do next, and then - more intriguingly - what those in the compartment would do if they found themselves as free as she now was. To have her life and her mind stolen from her for Merlin knew how long, to find herself in control again, the world at her fingertips, the one who had wronged her off to prison - Lydia hoped that she was made of tough, resilient stock, and would make the absolute best of her life returned. Careful, Regulus, she thought with a curious look to the young heir, hopeful that he didn't speak so freely in other company. Perhaps he wasn't doing as well with the changes at home as he wanted them to believe, but he had to make them believe. One day, he would have to make his peers and his elders believe in him as the head of the Black family, and that journey had to start far before he took the helm. Why, Nicky was as respected as their father was already, and while Father was as healthy as could be expected for an older gentleman, when the time did come, she knew her brother would step into the role with far less agony than he had taken the duties of "betrothed." But perhaps Regulus needed to experience a similar fall from grace, learn how to build himself up again, to face his future properly...

"What vengeance could be worse than what awaits him in Azkaban?" Lydia wondered with a gasp after nodding along to her dear friend's remarks. "I think that she should take another option: stay. Return to society with her head held high, show that whatever befell her in the past did not conquer her spirit. But if she's not doing so well...I bet she's taken by the Unspeakables," she continued, a grim smile surfacing as her thoughts churned. "Studied, to learn the effects of living under the curse for so long. That must do something...lasting to a person, wouldn't you think?"

[Evan Rosier II]

Perhaps it was not the most diplomatic move, but it certain had been humorous to spend the remainder of the dungbombs he'd purchased at Zonko's with his birthday money by tormenting Sirius Black and the rest of that sad little pack of puppies that trailed after James Potter. Potter, who had never shown the least bit of interest in Evan Rosier despite Evan being a sodding Adonis on the daily and making sure to pass the Gryffindor boy's line of sight at least once a day while they had been at school together, was a lost cause but that hardly stopped Evan from daydreaming about the hunky quidditch player while being uncharacteristically jealous of the boy's friends. Evan would have made for a much more suitable playmate than Lupin or Pettigrew, and after word had gotten out over the summer that Sirius Black had been disowned by his family for being barely more than a muggle lover, Potter's little gang of marauders was really putting a target on themselves. It had been all too easy to slip a few dungbombs into their compartment and put a sticking charm on the door latch without them noticing, but Evan wasn't about to stick around and wait to be found out. 

Jogging more than running, Evan made a quick exit from the putrid train car and headed through the next set of compartments at a leisurely pace until he heard someone shouting angrily behind him, at which point Evan legged it to the nearest compartment and slide the door closed behind him without so much as a glance toward its occupants. There had been a conversation in the compartment before his sudden arrival but his hurried appearance must have been an interruption. Turning away from the door, he looked to see with whom he'd be spending the next few minutes while waiting for his pursuers to pass by.  "Don't mind me. About your business," he said to his housemates through winded breath; having lucked out that he would just so have happened upon their train compartment instead of some less favorable sorts. Speaking of less favorable... "Oi, Reggie. I just ran into your brother. Shame about your family going tits up." It was a shame to most people who cared, but other than the Black family losing yet another potentially respectable offspring, Evan didn't really give two shites about Regulus and Sirius' family issues.

Tagged: Meredith Mulciber Lydia Avery Bronwyn Nott Regulus Black Barty Crouch Jr.
Referenced: James Potter Remus Lupin Peter Pettigrew
Outfit: 6th year, don't care

[Bronwyn Nott]

She was glad to feel the squeeze of Regulus’ hand that was in hers, to know that he knew at least her sentiment was true. She loved cared about Regulus, and how he was truly doing with the loss of his brother. Lydia and Meredith care more about the gossip they could get out of it. It was good timing on Barty’s part to show up in their compartment when he did, Whatever story he wanted to spin at least took the girls away from prying any more than they already had. At least for now, because there would be more questions directed at Regulus by the time they reached school. For now, it was better to focus on Lydia and Barty’s banter, on how wonderful a crowded compartment could be when it was with the people you cared for the most. Sure, last year she’d had feelings for a girl, and it had been a secret thing she’d sworn to tell no one of. And she had told no one, even if her boyfriend of last year had hit the nail on the head when he’d guessed she had feelings. Besides, now that she’d had the summer apart from the other girl, she found that any feelings she may have been having were gone. And hopefully, new one’s for Ethan to spring up this year.

The debate between France and England was one she knew Regulus toyed with, and admittedly she had too in the past. How much fun would it be, live with her Aunt Ophelia. She looked forward to those months out of England, in the warm part of France, laughing at the wild stories Ophelia had to tell. While she never felt supported by her father, her Aunt was a different story. They’d discussed the best method to getting scouted for a team, and Wyn hadn’t mentioned it to her Aunt, but she was looking at French team. Her father was not on board with her plan to go professional, but what else was she supposed to do other than try her best and hope that he came around? Escape to France, apparently. It was typical that Meredith would talk of vengeance, while Lydia would think that prison would be enough. No, if she’d just come out of being imperiused, for ages, Bronwyn would take her vengeance. Then, escape to France. “Why not combine the options then, she takes her vengeance and moves to France to join society there with her head held high.”

A curious question indeed that Lydia posed, what were the lasting effects of the many methods of controlling the mind. It wasn’t as if there were ample opportunities for studies on it, and if the girl (assuming that she did in fact, exist) were to be whisked away by the Unspeakables well, that would be that. Perhaps better than ending up on Level 4 at Mungos, to be studied by people actually interested in learning something from you. Because it was something lasting, more than likely, to be under the influence of a curse considered “unforgivable”. She was about to answer when another came into their already getting crowded compartment, and she didn’t want to know what ruckus Evan was causing. “About our business then?” she asked with a roll of her eyes before she scowled at him. She knew he was tactless, he was Evan, but did he always have to be such an arse? “Lovely Evan, just lovely. Are you going to stand there and crowd the compartment or are you going to sit and crowd the compartment?”

[Regulus Black]

He chuckled at the look on his housemate's pretty face, Meredith's pert little nose crinkling at the mere thought of abandoning her home country. There was nothing like the staunch loyalty to country and leader so often found among his fellows, and Regulus did wonder why such notions had not taken root within him yet. "My uncle's got the family estate there, absolutely idyllic." Especially compared to a ghastly townhome in Islington. "I apologize for being a creature fond of worldly comforts," he grinned, "but you do, as always, have a fair point. Perhaps we must make our own utopia where we are. I daresay we are off to the proper start right here." He listened as the others chatted, curious if any of the girls knew that this was more likely than not a tall tale from his roommate's vivid imagination, and exchanging entertained glances with the bloke as the conversation went on. Whether they were convinced or not, the story was running away with them all, and he had to mentally applaud Barty for his orchestration. Flawless execution, as he so often pulled off, and in a moment where getting the attention off of himself allowed Regulus space to relax. He let out a hurrah at his mate's declaration of a visit, popping an affectionate kiss to Wyn's temple as her own plan inspired him, and his curiosity was redirected as Lydia began turning the direction of their talk into magical theory, only for their merriment to be cut short.

Evan Rosier - his housemate, Quidditch teammate, and an absolute pain in the arse - burst in smelling like sh*t and catching his breath. The younger Slytherin had to control himself quickly at the other's words, hating the irrational jealousy that spiked within him at hearing Sirius's name, his grip on Bronwyn's hand tightening in a spasm. He knew his brother was on the train, of course he was. But Regulus was not prepared to see him and...and what? You can't confront him about leaving you behind, not with everyone here. But that he was left with the weight of their family, their name, the need to squash what had happened this summer into something that could not affect him? "Unfair" could hardly start to cover it, and they needed to have it out, but not - not here, not today...

Making more room in the tightening space, he draped an arm around Wyn's shoulders, much preferring to cozy up with the beauty than anyone else in the compartment. And if he asked her to knock Rosier out with his own bat... "Save your sympathy, Junior, I couldn't need it less," Reg forcibly drawled as he lied, disdain coloring his features while looking the other over. Who was Evan to talk about his family like that? "Sirius was never going to do anything productive as heir, and now the honor and full inheritance are mine. Took long enough, but it couldn't have turned out better."

[Meredith Mulciber]

She did love Lydia dearly, and truly thought she was one of the smartest people of her acquaintance. But…”Lydie, love, you lack imagination.” Sure, the dementor's kiss was a disturbing way to go, it was tormenting and cruel, and it left you soulless. In a way, Meredith felt it was a mercy, after it was done you felt nothing at all. No, there were fates far worse. Things more sinister that her friend would likely never dream to think of were possible, and when revenge was in play, there was no limit. At least, not for her. Regulus seemed to understand her thinking and she sent him a grin, again hopeful for the Black family line. At least with her housemate, they had half a chance of maintaining the long-standing respect in their society.

Lydia's answer was exactly as she expected it to be, which in Meredith’s opinion was not very interesting at all. The second part of her retort, however, did pique the blondes' ever-inquisitive nature. “Yes. I imagine someone's mind would be altered. Permanently.” For a moment she let herself get lost in the magical science of it all, she would love to see this girl in person, to know for herself if she was even capable of getting even or running away at all. She could be trapped forever in her mind, again, another fate worse than the kiss. At Winnie’s choices, she smiled. “The best of both worlds.” she agreed. “But Lydia might be right, she might not get the chance to do either. In any instance, it is very sad. Very sad, indeed. Sorrows and prayers to her.”

And that was the moment Evan Rosier disgraced them with his presence and any thought of a pleasant conversation and peaceful train right went up in flames. Meredith scowled at him as soon, unable to drop it even for a second at Winnie’s query, it was quite funny. She would tell her later but right now she was too annoyed. She knew, and she knew that Reg knew, that there would be comments made about his situation but hearing them from Evan in his crude words ground on her nerves. He was ruining a perfectly good ride. However, it would stand to reason that the start of this train ride was abysmal and that the end would be as well. That didn’t stop her from trying to rectify the situation. “You are so right Wyn, it is awfully crowded in here. You should find somewhere else to sit Rosier.”

[Barty Crouch Jr.]

A brilliant grin sprung to his face and Lydia’s response to him, and he chuckled, she had got him on this one. It was all part of their little friendship, their little game, and she had taken this round. He had put into question her hard-won, impeccable status; to argue her on this point would be outside the terms of their unspoken agreement. He inclined his head to her but could not help but add: “In my opinion, the best sort of ladies would be interested. You’ll see no judgment from me, I found it a particularly…juicy tale.” He gave her a wink, both knowing she enjoyed it just as much as the others, even if she was putting on airs. Even if he was lying through his teeth about the whole affair, they were eating it up. Perhaps he should pursue a career in writing novels. That thought made him smile and it carried on as he listened to the girls chat about what they would do if placed in his imaginary scenario, then it doubled in size when Evan entered.

Because he just knew there would be drama. There usually was when you stuck Evan Rosier and the Slytherin ladies in a room together and this was a very small room indeed. Add to it the offensive way Rosier smelled and there were bound to be squabbles. His expression slipped a little as Evan choose his first victim, Barty did like very much that it was Regulus. His roommate would be getting crap for his family's issues though, so he had best get used to it. Reg handled it well and it made Bart feel a little better. “I couldn’t agree more. He’s a completely unproductive, useless human, you see Evan, couldn’t be better for everyone involved. Regulus gets to be heir, the Black family has someone worthy at the helm, and Sirius gets to continue chasing Potters's tail unencumbered.” He chimed in to show his support. He was back to full-on grinning by the time Meredith’s waspish tones filled the compartment. Bronwyn had kicked it off and now that the others were involved, it was appearing to be a promising train ride riddled with amusements.

[Lydia Avery]

The stars in Barty's eyes danced as they played their little game, and she was positively delighted at his reply. He was one to invest in this year, Lydia was becoming more and more certain, and it would be fun. Talk continued about the cursed woman, her companions taking stances as easily as they did when debating in class - although, perhaps with even greater candor. For Mere would never dismiss her, however gently, in front of their classmates. That would allow them to think that they could do so, and her friend would never stand for that! Lydia felt a heightened color rise to her cheeks, and more than a bit of relief and satisfaction as her further remarks got the others thinking. It was not her role to stand out, she was not the leader of their little group, and she tried not to think of such things - but it was hard to not feel stifled, that she was holding herself back to stay protected by louder voices, even here.

They were disturbed by a guest she dearly hoped would be temporary, as he had polluted the very air in their compartment with something undeniably foul. Her face soured as Evan and the others began to bicker, and while she bit her tongue - better to not blatantly offend a friend of her Charlie's, if she could help it, when her boyfriend wasn't there to witness exactly what was said and done - she reached up to undo one of the window latches and slide open a panel to allow fresh air in. Reg stood up for himself, as he needed to, and she did hope it was obvious to the newcomer that they would all be standing with the youngest Black. 

"At least tell us that all of this," she said, nose pinched in disgust as she gestured vaguely towards their breathless intruder, the stench still coming off him in waves, the clamor of pursuers through the corridor, "means you've put that lot in their place? Is Charlie with you?" While she hoped her beau would have left pranks behind, and it would be disappointing to know that their separate travels on today's train was so that he could participate in one, it was better to know what would be waiting for them upon arrival than to be caught unprepared for retaliation. The Gryffindors weren't exactly known for their ability to discern a true enemy - now that someone in their House had pulled one over on them, they would all have to wise up. The ridiculous "marauders" and the girls in their year, they were so touchy that Lydia had no doubt that they would all be out for misguided vengeance. Their year was assuredly off to a raring start - Meredith and Marc's ugly split, Bronwyn single (but with the closeness she was seeing across from her, maybe they'd declared Ethan as her next target too soon), Violet snubbed for Head Girl, Barty with his gossip, Reg the new heir, and now this. Well - it had been bound to happen sooner than later, and they had grounds for preemptive action now, she considered with a growing smile. It's been some time since you got Mary...

[Evan Rosier II]

There was a rush of footsteps in the corridor behind him. Evan pulled the curtain across the door’s window just in time as he saw the gorgeous face of James Potter come into view. The stench Evan had brought with him intensified as Potter and his gang trotted through the corridor, passing the compartment Evan had snuck into without so much as a hesitation. Evan’s attention, however, was split between listening to his pursuers and ensuring they were gone, and listening to his housemates’ whinging. Lydia, at least, had the decency to open the window as Evan caught his breath, sneaking a peak behind the curtain to check on Potter’s progress. Pettigrew whimpered as he ran past the compartment, seemingly having been left behind by the others, and Evan snapped the curtain closed.

“There’s the spirit,” he replied to Regulus’ retort in an almost too enthusiastic manner that seemed to circle around from sincerity back to sarcasm all in one go. “From spare to savior. And with the full support of Slytherin house behind you, mate. Your mum must be proud.” Evan checked the curtain again as Meredith suggested he find elsewhere to sit. “I’m not planning on staying long, Mere. Don’t get your knickers in a twist. Just wanted to ensure my chum Regulus was properly avenged.” He winked in Lydia’s direction before looking over at Regulus, arm slung over Wyn as if there might be something more going on there. Were they dating? Did he care? “On second thought…”

Evan plopped onto the seat, sandwiching Bronwyn between him and Black. “Chuck was keeping look out. He’ll have gone the other way, that’s my guess anyway. Hopefully he smells a right bit better than me,” Evan chuckled, flapping the collar of his shirt in the air and hoping the smell would dissipate quickly. He smelled like roses compared to Potter and his lackeys, but being crammed in this closely to his ex smelling of anything other than broom wax or cologne was not exactly what he had intended when he suggested this little start of school term prank with his mates.