Guess who's back? [NESSAAAAA]

[Garrett Liddel]

*Arrives back at Hogwarts after the Christmas break, not sure if he's happy to be back or not with everything that's going on in the wizarding world right now, and especially not following the news that Potter is supposedly dead*

*Sits down at the Ravenclaw table in the Great Hall, and tries to read one of his new books to take his mind off all the mayhem*

[Deleted]

Jenessa too was finding her way to the Great Hall. Some meal or other was fast approaching and she didn't want to be the last one there! Skipping all the way, she wandered right into the Great Hall, a brilliant light in these dark times. Did nothing get this girl down? Sure enough she had heard of the happenings in the Wizarding World. She certainly didn't run around this life with her eyes shut ignoring everything. She just felt that horrible things were made better when you had a positive attitude. And since there was so much negativity in the world currently, she had to really keep up her game to balance it all out!

That bright smile brightened further, if possible, as she spotted a certain dark haired Ravenclaw. Oh Garrett! He had been her very best friend since first year. Through everything they had remained friends! House differences couldn't keep them apart, nothing could! Then again the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws really weren't at odds with eachother like Gryffindor and Slytherin... Well... Slytherin and everyone really.

In any case, Nessa skipped right over to the Ravenclaw table, and threw her arms around the shoulders of the youth before her. "Garrett! Garrett it's so good to see you! How are you?" Goodness the girl acted as if she hadn't seen him in ages! It certainly had seemed that way to her, and joy absolutely radiated off of her in this moment of greeting her dear friend.

[Garrett Liddel]

His mind was the sort to over-think everything. He seldom ever simply had a thought, it was more like a mushrooming effect of a main thought, several sub-thoughts, about a dozen related thoughts, and then maybe one or two random tangent thoughts until his brain was like an overworked hamster on a wheel, and he ended up with a headache. Right now, despite his focus on his new book (an in-depth guide to Alchemy, something he kind of wanted to study, but Hogwarts didn't offer it due to lack of demand), his brain was focusing on all the bad stuff that had happened recently.

Garrett, so engrossed by his book and thoughts, didn't notice Nessa's appearance until she glomped him from behind. He made a startled sound somewhere between a girly scream and a peacock's mating call, and went bright red from embarrassment. He grinned anyway, and put his book securely on the table before turning to give her a bear hug.

"Loch Nessa Monster!" he cheered. "It's been AGES! What did Santa bring you, you absolute babe?"

[Deleted]

Well they were quite the odd pair to be sure! Garrett could take care of all that broody thought as far as Jenessa was concerned. She would take care of all the fluff that was needed, and not needed. Happiness seemed to absolutely radiate off of the young woman. Heck if she were to go head to head with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, he likely wouldn't even be able to look at her with all the joy and optimism she radiated. Ok, so that may be going a little far, but she had to balance out her dear Garrett right?

Well the fact that Garrett was so drawn into his book made Nessa grin as well. He was always too easy to sneak up on when he had a book in his hands. And this time was no exception. Her joyous attack was successful and the sound that leapt from Garrett's throat was all too satisfying. The sound itself sent the girl into a fit of giggles that was rather common for her. She grinned broadly at his blush giving a rather triumphant look that soon dissolved into her unabashed joy at seeing him.

His nickname never ceased to make the girl add more giggles on top of her giggles and she shook her head a little as she hugged him tight when he returned her hug. "It has been ages! Ages and ages! And you know, I got a new dress, some wonderful chocolates, new socks, and loads and loads of different sweets from Honeydukes! I also got a pranking kit! Oh Garrett we simply must find someone to try it out on... " Her voice dropped into a conspirational level as she tried to draw Garrett into her playful schemes once more. "Oh and you'll love this! I also got a wonderful book to read! It's a novel so no new learning will attempt to enter this head, but hey. A book's great, right? How about you? Get anything good?" Her energy even took up residence in her vocal patterns, it was likely quite exhausting to just watch and listen to this girl!

[Garrett Liddel]

Garrett was infinitely grateful for Nessa's carefree nature. If left to his own devices, he'd easily die under the weight of his own thoughts. With Nessa around, he always managed to cheer up. It was impossible to stay grumpy around her, like her joy was infectious. That was hardly a bad thing.

He grinned ruefully when she giggled at him. "Not funny... you know I sound like a dispeptic chicken when you sneak up on me!" he complained.

"A pranking kit? No way! I've got just the person to try it out on, too. This is going to be great!" he enthused. "And you? Reading a book?" He playfully placed his palm on her forehead. "No... you don't seem to have a fever, but surely it can't be my Nessa reading of her own free will!" He laughed. Teasing her was like shooting fish in a barrel - far too easy, but still had the desired effect. "I got money. I think my relatives were fed up of buying me clothes I'll never wear. So I'm loaded, at least for the next month!"

[Deleted]

Jenessa was also very grateful for Garrett and his calming more brooding influence. It helped to keep her feet on the ground and head out of the clouds where it would otherwise spend all of it's time. And it was true, Nessa could often brighten every room, except perhaps the darkest of the dungeons where that Snape and his prec ious Slytherins resided. Who knew?

That grin wouldn't so much as diminish a little off that joyous little face when he spoke. Not even a little bit of remorse would be shown. "Well I don't know what dispeptic means, but yes I'm certain you do!" She nodded with such force that it looked like she'd likely nod herself right over! "But you know you love it!" And she leaned over to give him another big hug.

"Oh spectacular!" Her enthusiasm seemed to soar up a few more notches at the idea of him already having a pranking victim in mind. "Oh this will be absolutely brilliant!" A rather playfully wounded gasp was given, Nessa's dainty hand flying lightly to her chest in mock upset. "Oh Garrett you wound me so!" She playfully smacked his hand away from her head with a giggle and shook her head a bit. "Oh it is! Mum thought it might be good for me to try reading something for a change, so she got me quite the fascinating novel. Whoever said good things can't come out of the muggle world?" The young girl perked up when talk turned to what Garrett had received that last holiday. "Oh wonderful! Honeydukes on you! Unless of course you have found another girl to steal your fancy away from me." And once again those eyelashes would be batted in that silly playful manner before the girl's tinkling laugh rang forth once more.

[Garrett Liddel]

"It means the chicken suffers from chronic indigestion and irritability," Garrett explained, demonstrating the easy intellect that made him so suited to Ravenclaw house. "And yes, it's always interesting to see what new and horrible sounds I can make when you surprise me." He returned her hug, ignoring the laughter and whispers from other students at the table. Everyone in Ravenclaw house teased him, saying things like, "You fancy the pants off her, Liddel. Why don't you just tell her?" He didn't think he fancied her. He thought she. was just a very, very dear friend. True, she was a friend that he desperately missed when they had to spend time apart, and a friend he had come to rely on to keep him smiling, but that was it. Right?

He looked intrigued at the thought of a book fascinating enough to make even the vibrant Nessa sit down and concentrate. "What's it about? You'll have to let me read it. You know how I love reading. It seems some stereotypes about Ravenclaws are true, yes?" He grinned at her comment about good things coming out of the Muggle world. "Of course good things come from Muggles! You're one of them, Ness."

He snorted with laughter. Even among Ravenclaws, he had a reputation as being a bit of a... well, a nerd was the best word for it. Girls had long ago given up trying to flirt with him, because he was just so oblivious. He would rather read a book than chat some girl up, and rather study star charts than dip a toe into the perilous pond of teenage dating. "Nessa, when have you ever known me to have a girlfriend? I don't even think there are any girls interested in me! Although I wouldn't mind going out with Professor Black. She is WELL fit! So, all my Honeydukes sweeties are for me, and maybe I'll spare a few for you." He winked at her, just so she knew he was teasing. It was so easy to fall back into their old banter.

[Piper Elizabeth Flynn]

Piper walked into the Great Hall looking pretty annoyed. Her eyes scanned the room as if searching for something or someone, but they didn't settle on their prize. Instead she found Garrett. He'd know where her brother was! They were house-mates, and pretty good friends as far as she knew.

She approached him quickly, and although it did not fully work, she tried to wipe the annoyance (or was it anger) off her face. "Hello Garrett." It wasn't until she was standing next to him that she realised he was there with someone else. How could she have focused on him so intently that she didn't notice a girl sitting right next to him? Strange. "Oh! I'm sorry, Nessa. Hello to you too!" She gave them both a warm smile before continuing. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I'm just trying to find my idiot brother. Have you seen him? I'm ready to kill him now."

Piper was sure everyone was used to hearing her say that. And in a perfect world she would have already killed the boy...a million times over! But everyone who knew her brother understood why. Probably even pittied her for it. Lucas Evan Flynn was popular, funny, handsome and most commonly known as the school prankster (reminiscent of the unforgettable Weasley twins of years ago). Piper, on the other hand, was the little sister he loved and protected but also picked on incessantly. The poor girl spent most of her time trying to make her own name and move from under his shadow while trying to avoid being the next victim of The Flynn Gang's latest practical joke. (Yes, that was his gang's name. Piper hated it as well.)

Don't get her wrong, Piper was no weakling crybaby. Among her qualities one could always include smart, strong, independent, stubborn and loyal to a fault. She could also be a bit of a dreamer as well. But who can blame her for having overwhelming aspirations for the future and a deep believe in love? In spite of her crash and burn track record. Or her parent's endless fighting. Or her brother's popularity and her lack there of. Or...we shall not go on.

She opened her bag and held it up for them to look inside. "Look at this! It's a bloody ferret. Literally bloody I might add. In my bag! Under my books! They were all covered in blood and the stink of death! I used a scouring charm on them but I couldn't get all the smell out. Flitwick's working on that as we speak." Piper sighed and sat down on the bench facing the opposite way, her bag dropping to the floor between her legs. Could he get anymore childish? I swear. I'm this close to just giving up. Ugh!"

[Garrett Liddel]

Okay, so maybe he had been fibbing to himself. Maybe he wasn't entirely immune to the appeal of a pretty girl, and Piper was certainly one of the prettiest witches at Hogwarts. His eyes widened slightly, and he couldn't help going red when she started talking. Awkwardness powers activate!

"Oh, hey Piper!" he finally managed to say, and rubbed the back of his neck, feeling shy and dopey. For a boy who praised his own intelligence, he had a dreadful habit of turning into a bit of a mess around cute girls. Nessa was the exception to that rule. He was always completely comfortable around her, except when his housemates had the audacity to remind him that she was both a girl, and good looking too.

He was perplexed for a moment, wondering what Lucas had managed to do to her to earn her wrath. He glanced down at the contents of her bag, and recoiled in horror so quickly that he fell off the bench, yelling, "Merlin's beard!" He hit his head on the stone floor, but his pride was wounded far more. He sat up quickly, wincing, and rubbed his now aching head.

"Sorry about that..." he mumbled, and sat back down with his face burning red. Personally, he was aghast at the idea of books, even school books, being defaced in such a way, but he didn't want to attract any of Lucas' pranks. Flynn seemed like a nice guy, but if he did anything to hurt Garrett's books he might just go postal. "I haven't seen him all day. I've been in here reading all morning, and he wasn't in the common room when I left it earlier."

He looked again at her bag, and took pity on her. Before he came to Hogwarts, he had gone to a Muggle primary school in Horley. The kids there hadn't liked him much, and had dumped a dead bird that had been found behind the bike sheds into his bag. The experience had stayed with him, mostly because he had tried anything and everything to get the smell out of his things, and also because he didn't want his Dad to think he was a wimp who couldn't take care of himself.

"A spell will get the stain out, but for the smell you need some baking soda. Just sprinkle some of that in your bag, and on your books, and some of that essence of dittany from potions class. It's a nice smell, and pretty strong too. It should cover up the stench. But baking soda will neutralise it, more or less." He realised he was talking to a girl, and went red again. "Er, why did Lucas do that? Nobody should damage books, right Nessa?" He turned to his friend for support.

[Piper Elizabeth Flynn]

"Baking soda? Hmm...wouldn't have thought of that. I'll try anything though." She smiled apologetically at him, noticing the blush on his cheeks and attributing it to his fall. "I'm sorry I startled you the way I did. I should have probably warned before I showed. I was miffed and...wasn't thinking. Is your head okay?"

Piper kicked the smelly bag underneath the table and shrugged at his question. Who knew why her brother did anything? "I have no clue. He's an idiot, and most of us don't speak that language." She sniggered. "And I have every intention on dumping that bag over his head when I see him today. Although he deserves much worse."

She sighed and looked over at the table, suddenly hungry and realizing that she hadn't eaten anything yet. Reaching for a blueberry muffin in front of him she asked: "Do you mind? I'm famished."

[Garrett Liddel]

Garrett grinned ruefully, and rubbed his head again. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you," he said. "And it's not your fault I'm a wimp. It was probably the idea of your books being damaged that shocked me more than anything else."

He glanced at Nessa, half expecting her to be making fun of him for falling flat on his backside in front of a pretty girl. Looking back at Piper, he blushed again, thinking how pretty her eyes were. Nessa was going to have a field day if she noticed. He'd never hear the end of it!

"Well, why not stop by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and ask the Weasley twins for a good prank to get back at Lucas? I'm no good at pranks, but Fred and George are legendary. I was only a first year when they pulled that swamp prank. It was amazing!" Garrett rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and started to smirk. "You could always sneak a puking pastille into his morning pumpkin juice? Let him know just how disgusting his little prank really was! And honestly, desecrating perfectly good books warrants much worse, but that's a good place to start."

He raised his hand in a "go ahead" gesture. "Not at all! Although, I've got some Every Flavour Beans if you want some! I'm sure Nessa won't mind if I share with you. Right, 'Ness?" He turned to Nessa, hoping she wouldn't be cross with him.

[Piper Elizabeth Flynn]

Piper's eyes lit up. "Garrett, you're brilliant!" She grabbed him and hugged him excitedly. "The Weasley twins, of course! I can't believe I didn't think of that myself!" It was a great idea. She would tell them what she wants, they would help her get her vengeance. Unless.... Lucas had gotten to them first. It was very likely given the fact they they were his heroes. Although, their pranks were a lot classier than his. Piper didn't think they would ever suggest sticking a dead animal in a girl's bag to anyone unless they seriously disliked them. A thought which led her to wonder if Lucas didn't hate her for some reason. She'd have to think back and see what she may have done or said to upset him recently.

"I don't know when I'll find the time to go though. Hmm..." With all the classwork that was due and the next Hogsmeade weekend still weeks away she didn't see a chance of going anytime in the near future. "But yes, you're right. One of their wheezes will work great for starters. You wouldn't happen to know how I can get a hold of a puking pastille would you?"

She smiled and shook her head, turning down his offer of Every Flavour Beans. "Thanks, but I think I'll pass on those. They are fun for playing "guess the flavour" but that's about it. I'll stick with something that's got a bit more substance and a lot less chances of making me vomit." She giggled and took a bite of her muffin.

Looking at Nessa Piper wondered why the girl had gone so quiet and if maybe she had interrupted them after all. "Are you guys sure I didn't interrupt something? I can go back to my table, I actually have a lot of reading to do." She didn't really want to go. None of her friends were at the Gryffindor table at the moment. Besides, Garrett was sweet and handsome and smart and he adored books like she did and... Oh no! She wasn't going to let herself go there. She needed to learn that she didn't have to like every boy whose cheeks turned pink when she was around.

[Deleted]

Well... As is typical for silly little Nessie, she had spaced out mid conversation just as Piper walked up. Oh goodness, poor Piper, Jenessa hadn't hardly even noticed her come up! Although it wasn't too long after and into the conversation that she snapped back to reality, looked around, and saw Piper. "PIPER! Oh hi Piper! How are you?" And up from the bench she flew to give Piper a rather large hello hug. She then looked back to Garrett seeing him rubbing the back of his head. She looked curiously from him, to Piper, back to him again before grinning. "Did you fall for another pretty girl Garrett?" Oh how she teased! She dissolved into mirthful giggles for a few moments before falling silent.

At Piper's question as to whether she was interrupting or anything, she shook her head vigorasely. "Oh no no! Please join us! We're turning Ravenclaw table interhouseal." She couldn't help but giggle a little at her made up word before taking Piper's hand and leading her over. Eyes lit up at the box of every flavour beans that Garrett possessed before holding her hand out playfully to him, fluttering her eyelashes a little as she looked back up into his face. "Please?" She couldn't help but grin as she looked between these two friends quite happy and mostly oblivious to what had transpired. Yet pieces of the conversations he half missed slowly floated into her consciousness. "WAIT! Are we pranking someone?" She perked up even more if that was even possible. Oh Nessa... Crazy Nessa...

(Hey hey guys sorry about my poofiness! Crazy life strikes again, but of course I can never be fully gotten rid of. <3)

[Garrett Liddel]

"I literally fell! Off the bench! Nothing else!" Garrett bleated, hoping neither of the girls would get the wrong impression. "Not that you're not pretty enough to fall for, Piper, because you are, but I didn't fall for ... Not that I'm thinking about you being pretty, because I'm not! I mean, you are pretty, but I just don't think about ... I mean, um ... I'm going to shut up now, before I need to go to the hospital wing to remove my foot from my mouth." He gave Nessa a despairing look, like he was waiting for a round of good natured teasing.

Garrett blushed so deep red his cheeks were practically maroon. A girl (one that wasn't Nessa!) was actually hugging him (willingly)! He looked as his feet and mumbled bashfully, "Dunno about being brilliant..." Even talk of his heroes, the Weasley twins, couldn't drag him out of his sudden shyness.

He rummaged in his back, and pulled out a complete skiving snackbox. He wordlessly pushed it across the table to Piper, wishing he wasn't so bloody awkward. Nessa was going to laugh herself silly at him, and rightly so! He could talk to 'Ness without acting like a stuttering gormless twit, so why not Piper?! He pushed the Every Flavour Beans toward Nessa. "Help yourself, just try not to be too descriptive with the flavours, okay? I still haven't recovered from that one time you said it tasted like a blast ended skrewt's armpit."

He spluttered, pretty-girl-shyness suddenly replaced with panic. "P-pranking?!"

[Piper Elizabeth Flynn]

Piper pursed her lips as she tried desperately not to giggle at Garrett's nervous stuttering, she was actually flattered by it. "No worries, Garrett. I understand what you meant to say....I think." Alright, she was now becoming dangerously aware of just how adorable Garrett could be. She was such a sucker for the cute ones! "And yes, you are brilliant. Why? Do you doubt that you are, or are you unsure about my ability to judge a person?" She smiled, letting him know that she wasn't serious, and turned to Nessa.

"Thanks Nessa. If you're sure then I'll definitely stay." She was happily relieved when Nessa came back down to earth and welcomed her to join them. Piper was used to her friend's "spacey" moments but this time she honestly thought she may have been intruding on the pair, and she so hated the thought of having to go. Especially now that she had Garrett acting all shy and stuttery. "So Nessa, are you joining us in conspiring against my brother?"

Piper would have waited for an answer but Garret had just pulled a box out of his pack and she was too excited to hold back. "You have a whole skiving box? You've been holding back on us, haven't you?" Nessa had led her over to the side opposite Garrett so she grabbed the box, stood up on the bench and walked across the table. She then sat herself down next to him and scooted in close, placing the box back in front of him. "See? I knew you were brilliant! Now let's see what you have in there."