Memorizing Memory Charms...

[Faye Moon]

*Early morning, The Great Hall was still mostly empty as breakfast had yet to appear.*

*Faye sits at the very end of the Ravenclaw table, books open in front of her, trying hard to cram as much into her tired head as possible. A Charms test was today, and although she was usually good at that class, the theroy of Memory Charms continues to allude her.*

[Ellis Archer]

Ellis couldn't fathom the reason he woke so suddenly. Especially this early. His sleepy eyes blinked slowly as he entered The Great Hall. Every grain of sand stung his weary lids and he really wished sleep would have found him again, but it was par for the course. If Ellis didn't have back luck, he wouldn't have any luck at all.

With lead filled feet the boy moved himself further into the hall, managing to find his way past the Ravenclaw table. There he spotted a lone eagle at the edge of the table, which was really hard to miss with all the classwork sprawled out before her, and his stomach knotted just seconds before it plunged to the bottoms of his loafers.

The reason for his interrupted slumber was now clearly evident. He had forgotten to study! Charms, Ellis' Favourite class, was a subject he felt he comprehended completely. But, he still liked to get in all the study time he could for the class, and it worried him to disappoint the professor and his parents.

Ellis' already weary frame sagged further when his realization drew him to pause at Ravenclaw's table, and an agonized groan sounded his opinion on the matter.

[Lucas Evan Flynn]

*Sitting at the Ravenclaw table not far from the girl, he looks around wondering where the food is, it can't be that early! His sights suddenly narrow in on the charms books Faye is so intent on. A sudden hint of panic sets in, he hadn't studied! He knew there was a very important test coming up, but he was sure it wasn't until next week...or was it? No, no, this isn't good. He can't afford any more low marks. His parents have promised him a brand new racing broom if his grades are kept up to standards. (Standards which are set way too high in his opinion, with all the studying they require when is he supposed to socialise, play Quidditch, or have any fun at all?) He sighs, he really does want that broom.*

*He decides to ask just to make sure. Maybe she's just one of those students who start studying early because....well, he doesn't know why but she could be.*

"Hey! Faye, right? That Charms test isn't today, is it? Please tell me you are just a very devoted student who lives and breathes Charms class just because she loves it so much. Or some other lie like that, just don't say the test is today."

*He snickers but he's not able to hide the tiny glimmer of worry in his eyes.*

*Just then Ellis walks up, looking not quite his "dashing" self.*

"Been missing out on your beauty sleep Ellis?"

*Laughs, glad to have found a way to drive his thoughts away from his impending failure in class.*

[Piper Elizabeth Flynn]

*Purposely bumps her brother's head with her bag before stopping next to him and giving him an exaggerated look of shock.*

What in Merlin's silvery beard got you out of bed this early? I was sure it was the smell of bacon that woke you up, not the crow of the rooster.

*Laughs, then nods at Faye and Ellis by way of greeting.*

Good morning all. Ready for test day? Charms AND Transfiguration. I have a feeling this is going to be another one of those loooooong days, you agree?

[Faye Moon]

*Faye jumps up in shock, spinning around to look at all the people now crowded around her small corner of the table. Not only were there two strange Gryfindor's looking at her expectantly, Lucas was there too, clearly expecting her to say something.*

"Um, yeah...."

That was intelligent. Really putting your Ravenclaw skills to use there Faye!

*Did they really forget about the test? The test she'd been agonizing over for a good few weeks?*

*Faye could feel her face burning in a blush. She came down to the Great Hall early to study just to avoid this, to avoid talking to other people, yet here were three people, two of whom she didn't really know, talking to her. She needed to escape.*

Just answer their questions and get up to the library. You can finish studying there, just forget about breakfast.

*That thought in mind, she quickly moved to collect her thing's, trying to shove all her books into her bag at once.*

"Uh, yeah, the tests today, Memory Charms, first thing..."

*That message delivered, she turned to make a clean get away...

And her foot caught in the bench, sending her sprawling, her bag flying, and an unnoticed bottle of ink crashing to the floor, right at Piper and Ellis's feet.*

[Lucas Evan Flynn]

Wow! That's hilarious Pip, come up with that one all by yourself, did ya? But no, seriously. I think there must be something wrong with my internal clock. It used to be so precise.

*He laughs, scratching his head and turning his eyes back to Faye. She seemed very nervous all of a sudden, she was blushing even. Her hurried reply and attempt at a quick escape clearly expressed that their company made her uncomfortable.*

No, no, Faye. There's no need to rush away. I was the one who butted in on your study time, quite rudely too. I didn't mean to...

*Before he could complete his apology she was tripping on the bench and falling down, her stuff flying everywhere. It happened so fast he didn't think anyone would've had time to catch her fall, but he would certainly be a gentleman and help her up.*

Are you okay? That was some interesting footwork there. Do you dance?

*He knows this isn't the time for stupid jokes but he's trying to keep things cheerful in light of her embarrassing situation.*

*He reaches for her hand.*

Come on, up you go!

[Piper Elizabeth Flynn]

*Eyes fly from Ellis (whom she was momentarily distracted by) to the girl on the floor and lastly down to the ink splattered all over her shoes.*

What the...? Are you okay?

Ugh! These shoes aren't even a week old!

[Ellis Archer]

*Slow as a slug it dawns that he should return his bum back to the common room and get some studying in. His feet already got the message before his brain, and had been inching Ellis backward when he's brought to by the sound of his name. He didn't catch what Lucas has said, but he grinned anyway, weakly.*

"Uh... Yeah.. Yeah, I reckon."

*Continues creeping away, nods a hello and goodbye to Piper.*

"I should uh... Mmhmm... Get back..."
Hell! Transfigurations too! Galloping gargoyles!

*Now the panic was clear in his eyes. Transfigurations was certainly not Ellis' strong subject, though no worse than Potions -in which he's basically illiterate- he figured.*

*Naturally he wasn't quick enough to slip away, because before he knew it Ellis' shoes and the hem of his robes were soaking up all the ink Faye's accident splattered upon the stone floor.*

*Plainly not bothered by the ink, he, too, reaches for Faye to offer help up. Sadly, Ellis isn't as graceful as Lucas. He can't get his footing while stooping in a puddle of ink, and his feet slip out from under him. The tumble he takes will likely leave a bruise here and there.*

*Looks up, the blush from embarrassment hidden under a mask of black -he landed face first, you see-, and shakes his head.*

Perfect!

[Faye Moon]

"Very funny Lucas....*

*Faye muttered quietly while rubbing her now sore ankle before the true gravity of the situation sunk in. Then she froze.*

*No way. That didn't happen. It couldn't of. Faye did not just trip, Piper's shoes were not covered in ink and Ellis's face was not black with the stuff.*

This is all a bad dream. I'm going to close my eyes and wake up in my dormitory and none if this will have happend.

*Faye tried, squeezing her eyes shut as tight as possible, but when she opened them again the same situation greeted her. She was still on the floor, Lucas was still holding out his hand, Pipers shoes were still ruined, and Ellis...*

Oh Merlin, let the floor swallow me now.

*When that too didn't happen Faye hesitantly slid her hand into Lucas to let him pull her up, face flaming as bright as the Weasley's famous red hair.*

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't- I mean I just..."

*Words, as they usually did, failed her. How was she supposed to apologize for this? She barely ever talked to any of these people, and here was her one chance to seem, if not cool, at least normal, and she just had to screw it up.*

*Lowering he eyes, Faye tried to stand up again to collect her now scattered papers, just to grip tighter to Lucas's hand when her ankle gave a serious throb. That hurt. But one shy glance into the eyes of the downed Gryffindor (the only part of his face she could fully make out beyond the black ink) and she knew she wasn't the only one in pain.*

*Chest tight with humiliation and anxiety, no longer able to flee, Faye stood still, head bowed in shame and waited for something to happen*

This was just a great way to start the day...

[Lucas Evan Flynn]

*He knows he shouldn't laugh but there is absolutely nothing he can do to contain a snicker. Ellis' ink-covered face is priceless, and his sister's aggravation at her ruined shoes only adds to the comedy. He doesn't want to be rude though so he painfully holds back an outburst of laughter as he tries to lead Faye back to her seat. The fact that she's hurt is obvious by the way she's squeezing his hand, he's just not sure how serious it is. And looking at the way Ellis landed on the slippery floor, he could easily be hurt as well.*

"No need to apologise Faye."

"Seriously guys, this is not the right way to start your day....or Madame Pomfrey's."

*Carefully helps Faye to her seat before turning to Ellis and offering him a hand*

"You okay mate?"