Sneaking Out in the Dead of Night[4]

[Stella Ravenwood]

*Stella slips out of the castle, moving through the grounds in the darkness. She sings a tune from a CD her Muggle father bought for her the previous year under her breath, shoving her hands deeper into the pockets of her robes in an attempt to keep warm.*

Does it hurt to remember... does it help to forget... do you know what you started... when you lit the fuse of regret...

*She doesn't know what she's looking for, or even doing outside at this time of night. Maybe it's just the fresh air, or maybe... something more.*

[Bronagh Edgeworth]

*Aims to remain hidden in the shadows as much as she can manage while attempting to sneak off the school grounds. She can't seem to control the urge to leave the grounds and wander about Hogsmeade freely.*

*Creeps along as quietly as possible, shifting her school bag so it doesn't thump against her leg, and is startled when she hears someone singing.*

*Mumbles.*

Blast!

*Freezes in place as the singing grows closer, quickly taking notice that the song isn't one a Professor would be singing. This revelation infuriates her.*

*Steps purposefully out of the shadows, and into the path of the diva. An evil smile creeps across her face as she notices her luck in running into a Gryffindor.*

Singing doesn't help your cause, you gormless twit.

[Stella Ravenwood]

*Raises an eyebrow when someone steps in front of her, and her eyes narrow when she sees it's Bronagh. Stops a few feet from her.*

I see the snakes are out tonight. Perhaps you should slither off before someone steps on you.

*Smirks, folding her arms across her chest.*

[Bronagh Edgeworth]

*Looks at the Gryffindor as if she were a pile of dung.*

Hmm... I wonder...

*Taps a fingernail against her bottom lip as if she was deep in thought.*

*Threateningly.*

I wonder if I just might be able to have a little discussion with Mrs. McGonagall. I'm sure she's still up.

[Stella Ravenwood]

*Shrugs, her expression indifferent.*

You could do that. I'm sure she'd be interested in why you were out of the castle so late as to find me here.

*Her voice nears threatening, but remains under the facade of apathy.*

But I suppose a few points from both our houses wouldn't hurt either of us, right? An eye for an eye, and all that.

*Wonders if losing Slytherin house points enough to deter Bronagh.*

[Bronagh Edgeworth]

*Turns her nose upward a bit, shifting her weight. Her school bag slides against her cloak clad thigh, and an alibi gleams brightly in her mind.*

*Voice and expression become one of the purest innocence, a behavior saved for only the Headmaster and Professors.*

I've loads of Astronomy to catch up on seeing that I arrived to term late this year. I was merely out here doing a star chart.

*Smirks to the Gryffindor.*

Unlike you, simpleton. Trying to sneak off the grounds. I'd bet I'd gain House points for turning you in.

As a matter of fact, the Headboy happens to be quite friendly with me.

*Is lying through her teeth about Julian being her friend. No one is Julian's friend, but he is in her House, and probably more likely to do her a favor than Stella.*

[Stella Ravenwood]

*Shrugs once again, though fear is slowly rising in her. Realizes that she, too, has connections, and decides that the time has come to make them known.*

Then you must surely realize that the Head Girl might see things a bit differently...?

*Raises an eyebrow.*

After all, Livvie and I have been known to share a point-of-view, here and there.

*Waves hand dismissively, hoping to appear more confident than she feels. Olivia is her fellow Gryffindor, and she has to trust that that will help her cause. Or, at least, to hope so.*

[Theodore Nott]

::Still holding Daphne's arm, Theodore escorts her over the school grounds. His pace is rather quick, he isn't too interested in lagging about on the grounds in the cold.::

::Feigns concern for her.::

Can't wait to get you out of the cold.

::Continues to plod on when he catches the sound of voices, students by the sound of it, though they are not yet close enough to make out what is being said.::

::Gestures to Daphne to continue on quietly.::

[Daphne Greengrass]

*Is still smiling as Theo leads her across the grounds. Blushes instinctively at his concern.*

Thank you.

*Her eyes widen with excitement as she too hears the voices, and walks cautiously to avoid giving away their location.*

[Theodore Nott]

::As he and Daphne draw closer to the voices, Theodore can make out that it doesn't sound like a friendly conversation. He'd hazard a guess at two witches fighting over some slick git.::

::Continues on quietly until reaching the two witches, his expression growing dark. The last thing he wants to deal with is two arguing witches.::

::Annoyed.::

Ladies, ladies...

::Spots that one witch is Gryffindor and the other Slytherin. How wonderful, this is right up Theodore's alley, abusing a Gryffindor.::

You are aware of the hour, are you not? I can't imagine the Headmaster would be pleased to catch you out here.

::Looks pointedly at the Gryffindor, an evil smile in place.::

Fortunately for you, we're-

::Gestures to Daphne and himself.::

-on our way to his office now. I'd be more than happy to escort you there.

[Bronagh Edgeworth]

*Opens her mouth to retaliate when suddenly they are interrupted by some wizard and witch. Quickly she snaps her mouth shut, and places the most innocent looking expression on her face.*

*Heart is thumping, and a steady mantra pounds in her thoughts. I was studying Astronomy... I was studying Astronomy...*

*Sweetly.*

Yes, bu-

*The moment she begins to explain why she's out of the castle so late when she is cut off by the wizard. Her stomach leaps for joy the moment she catches the look on the wizard's face, a look he is giving only to Stella. Her night couldn't be getting any better, she's the one who caught the Gryffindor, and she better get recognized for it even though she too was sneaking out.*

*Smiles wickedly at Stella.*

Isn't' that convenient?

[Stella Ravenwood]

*Her eyes widen and she opens her mouth to speak, but no words come. Things continue to get worse as the evening progresses. No, no, no... not this. Not now... She forces some confidence back into her stance, and smirks in Bronagh's direction.*

Yes, it is. I'm certain he'd want to know why the both of us were outside, at such an hour.

*Turns her smirk on Theodore, ignoring the implication toward her in his words.*

[Daphne Greengrass]

*Listens to the banter between the other three, one eyebrow raised in amusement. Steps forward and places a reassuring hand on Bronagh's shoulder, her eyes fixed coldly on Stella.*

Yes, I'm certain that the Headmaster would enjoy that story.

*To Theo*

Shall we?

[scarlet]

*Smiles as she steps around the dark fields, happy that she was here. She, surprisingly, missed Hogwarts dearly. Her ears hear a voice and she picks up her Kitten, Midnight, who was trailing behind her.*

*Walks closely to the sound, two voices very familiar. She closes up and sees that it is Theodore Nott, and Daphne Greengrass, her sister!*

Good evening...What seems to be the problem? *Sees the others, who seems like students*

[Theodore Nott]

::Turns sharply toward the footsteps nearing them, eyes narrow, nostrils flaring. Interruption is something Theodore does not appreciate, and the student that is about to commit the offense is going to suffer dearly.::

::His eyes widen a fraction as he takes in the sight of Astoria, a bit disappointed he isn't going to be allowed to demonstrate his anger to the little Gryffindor trapped in the nest of serpents.::

::Flashes the approaching witch a handsome smile.::

Well bust my buttons, if it isn't sweet little Astoria.

::Rounds quickly back to the Gryffindor, the glint in his eyes malicious.::

Seems you've landed yourself into a tight spot, pet. Because by the looks of it you're among the vipers now, and at a loss for an alibi.

::Nods to Bronagh without taking his eyes off of Stella.::

She has a bag full of books, and it seems she could have been out studying, but you, you look as though you were off to meet some cute boy in the Three Broomsticks.

::Clicks his tongue.::

Don't you know it's dangerous to travel alone at night. Especially in these dark times.