Late Night Snack (Open)

[natalia]

No lights lit the corridors as Nat wandered the halls aimlessly. The rumble in her stomach was the only reminder that she was still awake. The curfew and rules were becoming less and less important to Nat as she found herself lost in her thoughts. That run in with the Malfoy boy had left a permanent mark on her pride, which she didn't know had existed before hand. That word Mudblood was new, and left a horrible taste in her mouth. Worse yet Giovanni may have stopped the physical abuse ever since the adoption, but the verbal abuse was sickening. Nat entered the kitchen, the few house elves that were left awake at the hour glanced up from their cleaning as Nat sat on the counter.

"Thank-you," she nodded sleepily to the house elf who offered her a glass of pumpkin juice in what was becoming a nightly routine. Bringing her knees to her chest, Nat rested her chin on her bare knees, running a hand through the hair which was beginning to develop an unruly curl. She took a sip from the pumpkin juice, slightly shocked when the doors swung open and another person entered at the late hour...

[emilylouisebaker]

Emily threw back the covers on her bed, swinging her legs over the side she stood quickly with the hint of a huff. It was just past midnight and her roomates slept soundly in their own beds, oblivious to her restlessness. After running a hand through her tattered curls, Emily grabbed her hoodie and threw it over her white tank top, and dressed in checkered pj bottoms and bed sock she left her room, there was only one thing that would help her relax enough to sleep, a hot chocolate from the kitchens, luckily she was friendly with the elves so they wouldn't mind her dropping by.

As she walked through the halls, Emily found she wasn't shocked at herself for breaking curfew. The stress of the approaching exams was beginning to get to her, sleep was becoming less and less as was eating. Emily couldn't even remember when she'd last spent more than an hour with Gage which filled her with a great sadness, she did miss him but it was her own fault. Studying had taken priority over everything, these were important exams.

Covering her mouth with her hand she held back a yawn, before rubbing her face tiredly. Running a hand over her unruly curls she pushed open the doors to the kitchen and walked in, smiling sleepily at the elves as they looked up, one already hurrying to get her hot chocolate. As she settled near the fire, Emily finally looked around and was genuinly surprised to see a young girl sat in the room with her, "Oh...hello...I'm sorry I didn't know anyone else was in here..." she didn't bother berating the girl for being out after curfew...after all she was a prefect and breaking the very same rules.

[natalia]

Nat blinked as the girl walked in. Nat didn't recognize the girl, knew her only as one of the prefects. Which house, was unknown, and Nat was too lost in thought to care. She mentally braced for a lecture, before the apology left her lips. Nat was slightly taken aback, as she wrapped her arm tighter around her knees, taking a final sip of the pumpkin juice. "It's...fine?" She didn't realize it would have posed a problem, multiple people in the kitchens. Of course, if it was, Nat would gladly go retreat to the library, and leave the obviously sleep deprived girl to herself.

"Couldn't sleep?" Nat took in the older girl, the empty look familiar. Many of the other elder children were walking like zombies from those cheap horror films her brother watched, the exams taking their tolls. Of course, Nat knew more than necessary for the simple first year exams, and was secretly awaiting more challenging years ahead.

[emilylouisebaker]

Emily looked at Minny the house elf she had developed a bit of an attachment to, the small efl handed over her Hot Chocolate with extra whipped cream and marshmallows on top. Grabbing a spoon Emily smiled brightly, "Minny I love you even more for this thank you," she told the elf genuinly, before turning back to the young girl hugging her knees as she spoke.

"No, sleep has become somewhat of a indulgance these last few weeks..." she sighed quietly, shaking her head and popping a marshmallow into her mouth, "Preparing for these exams is stressing me out a little." she told the young girl with a small smile. Rubbing a hand over her face she shook her head, realizing she hadn't yet exchanged names with this girl, "My names Emily...." she said introducing herself.

[natalia]

Nat nodded, murmuring a quiet "thank-you" as an Elf took the cup from beside her. Her arms wrapped tighter around her legs, her chin resting on her knees. She listened, knowing the stress that was bearing down on many people. Of course, it had never really had an effect on Nat, she rarely opened her mouth to speak to anyone. She was slightly surprised that the girl knew the house elves by name, something few people seemed to know. A small smile pulled at her lips, as the house elf smiled.

"I'm Nat," she explained. She was slightly taken aback by the open introduction, but she appreciated it. Nat knew the names of very few people she had spoken to, for they had mostly been one time conversations. She mentally made a note to include this encounter in Raug's codex. The two were a strange pair, preferring to analyze their comrades from a distance, than to learn through trial and error. "At least it'll be summer soon," she offered with a smile. Nat had been told her optimism became annoying for those around her, but she believed everyone needed some optimism. She hardly even recognized it as optimism, for she viewed herself more as a realist.

[emilylouisebaker]

"Well it's very nice to meet you Nat." Emily said with a genuine smile, , she always enjoyed meeting new people whatever their age. Obviously she hadn't missed the way the girls arms had tightened around her legs and was wondering what had this girl so insecure. You didn't need to be a genious to know thats how the girl felt, it was written all over her, it was a look Emily herself had worn a lot over the last few years.

When summertime was mentioned she couldn't help but smile again, scooping a little whipped cream off the hot chocolate onto her finger and popping it into her mouth, "I cannot wait for summer, although I will miss this place a great deal." she said, summer always made her sad and happy. Looking back at Nat she gave her a curious look, "So if you don't mind me asking, you know my reason for being down here...I can't help but wonder what yours is?""

[natalia]

"You too," she nodded. Nat was unsure how to answer to the curiosity. She adjusted her sleeves self consciously, although the bruises were long gone. The feeling of fear that someone might see still lingered. Although the bruises of the verbal insults remained invisible, Nat felt as if everyone could see them, black and blue on her body.

Nat tilted her head to the side, considering the girl. She seemed friendly. Genuinely friendly. Not the faux formalities of conversation that irritated Nat. What she said of Hogwarts was very true, although Nat no longer feared leaving this place. She knew she'd come back again, and that there was now a pair of friendly, open arms waiting for her at the train station. She still thought it surreal, that she still had the shot at a normal life.

"Couldn't sleep," she began. She wondered how in depth one should go. Conversation had always puzzled the girl. There were too many variables, and there was no set equation. It was frustrating. She managed a small smile, running another hand through her thick mess of hair. "My brain just doesn't want to shut off. Seems to run on a different schedule," she laughed slightly. That was the understatement of the century.

[emilylouisebaker]

Emily took a sip of her hot chocolate, relishing the instant warmth and calm that flooded through her body.There was no one who made the hot chocolate like Minny, it was simply perfect and never failed to de-stress the student, who recently had been doing a hell of a lot. Looking back at Nat she smiled softly. "That I can understand, I recommend you get Minny to make you one of these...never fails to help me when I'm like that."

She looked at Minny who chuckled, the sweet little elf already finishing off the hot chocolate. "She's the best..." Emily said, crossing her legs, beneath her on the chair. "They'll work wonders for you I promise...but...tell me if I'm being nosy, it is a nasty habit of mine..." she chuckled, looking at Nat curiously, "Is there something weighing on your mind keeping you up? It's usually the reason..."

[natalia]

Nat smiled at Minny, repeating her "thank-you". She took a sip, feeling a heavy sigh leave her body, as a slight twinge of relaxation flowed through her. She smiled, taking another sip, aware it was the aphrodisiac aspect of chocolate which was so relaxing. Still, she wasn't complaining. She watched Emily over the mug, considering her. She seemed very friendly.

"She is," Nat agreed to the statement. "Feeling better already," she admitted, allowing herself another sip. She considered once again how much she could go into detail, before realizing her problems were probably minuscule compared to some this girl must have seen. She was still unsure how much of her family information, or ex-family, she should share without it being awkward. "I had a run in with a nasty Slytherin," even the thought of it gave her a sour taste in her mouth. She wrinkled her nose in loathing. "Some of the things he said...I didn't think they'd hurt that much," she shook her head. She didn't know anything of the girl's bloodline, nor did it matter to Nat.

[emilylouisebaker]

Emily smiled, glad the drink seemed to calm the other girl somewhat. As she listened to the Nat talk Emily frowned slightly, the girls struggle to sleep now obvious, Emily knew only to well how run ins with the Slytherin's could make a person feel, she'd heard probably every horrible name they'd come up with. "They can say some pretty nasty things..." she said softly.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she sighed, nursing the mug between her hands, "Being Muggle Born, I've been easy target for the Slytherin's for years...is that why they target you?" she asked softly

[natalia]

Nat glanced up at her, the poor girl having endured it for years. Nat suddenly felt selfish for wallowing in her problems. Of course, it hadn't ever bothered her, being a Muggleborn, but that run in had left her raw and bruised. She would have gladly taken a beating in comparison to the verbal hits she had endured. Without knowing, he had hit targets no one knew existed. "They do," she whispered, half to herself, half to Emily. Nat took another sip, continuing to think of the endless taunts, going deeper than just her pride. "To start, yes. Things just went downhill from there," she rested her chin on her knees once again, feeling the warmth in her hands as she turned the mug back and forth. She looked up at the girl, watching her. "It doesn't get better, does it?" She asked quietly. That was what she dreaded the most.

[emilylouisebaker]

Emily smiled softly at Nat, "It does get better, the taunts don't stop but...I guess you learn to ignore them, you learn they're just words...just words and you become strong against them, I promise it does get easier though...especially when you have friends...which you do...at least with me..." she said kindly, shooting Nat another smile as she finished her drink. Chuckling as Minny took the mug almost instantly and began to clean it. "Do you have family or anyone here?" she asked Nat.

[natalia]

Nat smiled at the kind words. The smile quickly faded as Emily asked of family. Nat almost shuddered at the thought of her brother. Of course, he had mysteriously left Hogwarts for "unknown reasons". She knew her ex-family had retreated, their good name in danger. Erik's threats might have terrified them a tad, as well. Despite the anger, she smiled at the terrified look on her mother's face. "Used to," she nodded. "They moved away, and I'm currently living with my adoptive father," she smiled, draining the last of the hot chocolate. That had done a difference, as Nat rocked back a bit, grinning gratefully as Minny so willingly took the mug. "And yourself?" She asked curiously.

[emilylouisebaker]

Emily listened to Nat, and nodded her head, before shaking it when the same question was directed at her, "Nope, I'm an only child...only Witch in my family so it's just me here at Hogwarts." she said, slipping down off the stool and brushing her hands against her pyjama bottoms. The elves had now scattered, probably to their own chambers to get some rest before breakfast.

"I think though we should get out of here...come on I'l walk you back to the Ravenclaw common room..." she said kindly, chances where if they were caught they may not get into too much trouble if it looked like a prefect was simply escorting the young girl back to her room. As they left the kitchen she looked down at the younger girl, "Aside from those rotten Slytherins though, how are you finding Hogwarts?" she asked.

[natalia]

Nat slid from the counter as they left the kitchen. She briefly nodded her thanks to the remaining house elves, before they began up from the basement. "Thanks," she murmured. She knew the Hufflepuff was going far out of her way to help Nat. She felt suddenly sleepy, the late hours weighing down with her, the warmth of the chocolate working in the deepest corners of her mind.

"It's wonderful," she stifled a yawn, running a hand through her tangled curls. She knew her hair would be a disaster in the morning. She had yet to find any spell known to tame the mess of hair she had been cursed with. "Wonderful..." She repeated. "Especially the library," she smiled to herself.