Bruising | OPEN

Aria stood in front of one of the mirrors in the prefect's bathroom. (Really, the prefects needed to stop saying the passwords where anyone could hear.) Her right hand was tucked against her shoulder as she examined a bruise on the back of her forearm. She had hit it on something, but she hadn't thought it had been hard enough to leave a bruise.

Frowning up at her reflection, the girl took off her long sleeve shirt, leaving the tank top beneath it. Aria turned, gazing back over her left shoulder at the dark discoloration there. The edges were just starting to yellow.

That bruise should have been nearly gone, by now.

Aria lifted up the hem of the top to examine the bruising that spanned from under her rib cage to the top of her hip. Nearly two weeks - two weeks - and they hadn't faded more than they had. What was wrong with her?

Savannah stealthily tiptoed through the halls, checking behind her every few moments. OK, so she really didn't need to act like she was robbing Gringotts, but she didn't want someone to follow her into the bathroom (it would be creepy) and also, she wasn't allowed in the Prefect's bathroom.

But she'd overheard an overzealous prefect mention the password, and she didn't want someone to know she'd found her way in. Opening the door, she stepped inside, and very nearly walked back out. By the mirrors stood a blonde girl.

But when her gaze wandered to the dark bruise spreading across her back, she walked cautiously towards her, legitimate worry in eyes that barely showed any emotion, "Are you alright?"

Aria was a bit surprised to find that she was suddenly not alone. She hadn't really been paying attention. The blonde gave a small smile.

"I fell."

If being thrown across a cave by an annoyed demon could count as having fallen, that is. The lie rolled easily from her tongue, regardless.

Aria pulled her tank top back down, grabbing her shirt to put back on. "It looks worse than it is," she continued. "I seem to be bruising easily, for some reason." She winced slightly as the fabric rubbed against the bruises, but soon had her shirt back in place.

"Heard one of the prefects say the password?" the blonde guessed, tone conversational. "Or heard it from someone else who heard them say it?"

Raising an eyebrow, Savannah stared at the blonde disbelievingly, "You fell," she repeated hollowly. Eyes pointed back at the bruise, she frowned. Blimey, how do you fall and get that hurt? That bruise was rather immpresive, and to fall and achieve it, she should have broken bones and a lot more bruises.

But if she'd really fallen and had all her bones mended, why hadn't she gotten her bruise mended too? Shaking her head, she glanced back at the face of the blonde as she pulled her shirt back on, "I hope it does. It looks like hell."

Shuddering, Savannah nodded, smiling a little, "I overheard a few prefects talk about it. They really need to be more discreet about it. It's like they want people to know." Smirking slightly, Savannah asked, "How about you?"

Aria smiled wryly. "You have no idea," she remarked.

"Overheard a prefect say it. I don't think they're particularly concerned about keeping the rest of us out. Either that, or they're a bit dim." The blonde shrugged. "This isn't the first time I've been in here. It's nice."

Nodding slightly, Savannah glanced back at the girl's ribcage, "And I'm glad I don't."

Looking around, Savannah smiled, "It is quite nice in here. Maybe they want to share this with everyone, but they don't want to go announce it in the Great Hall, so they speak about it loudly in common rooms." Shrugging, it occurred to her that she hadn't introduced herself. Holding out her hand, she said, "I'm Savannah by the way. First year Gryffindor."

"Perhaps," the older girl agreed.

She regarded the Gryffindor's hand so briefly that it couldn't have really been considered a hesitation. Hand-shaking was one of the many things that still made little sense to Aria. Whoever first thought that gripping another's hand and pumping it up and down ought to be the proper way to introduce oneself? It was a bit ridiculous, by Aria's estimation, though she gave no indication of thinking so.

Taking Savannah's hand, Aria gave it a gentle shake. "Aria," she replied. "Slytherin, fourth year."

After Iris had been to the Clock Tower, she headed straight to somewhere else she had rarely been. And next stop: Try to sneak in the Prefect's Bathroom up in the fifth floor. She grunted, knowing that the entrance there had some password, but if she is a real one cunning Slytherin, then there would be no problem. Thinking about it, playing a role of a spy was one thing she had to try out. Especially right here in the mysterious grounds of the castle. She wanted to pay that bathroom a visit as she heard that it was really nice after all but sacred for some. She have got to find out herself.

Iris took one deep breath and tucked her list inside her pocket and started off with her next destination. She passed by the corridors, up to the flight of stairs, and finally stepped right onto the pavement of the designated floor. She hurried for the place and hid behind a narrow wall. Sharpening her hearing senses, she heard footsteps and eventually a student muttering the password. At last. The girl smirked and walked straight to the door once she recited the password.

Smiling up at Aria, Savannah shook her head, careful not to squeeze too hard. She looked like someone who would break if you weren't careful. And also, Savannah was having a difficult time getting the image of that bruise out of her head; she didn't want to cause additional pain to her.

Letting go, she stared at Aria for the next few moments. This is why you do not talk to people, she groaned internally, when things get awkward, you have no idea what to say.

Biting her lip, she glanced down at her shoes for a moment before blurting out the first thing that popped into her head, snapping her electric blue eyes up to Aria's face, "Um, what's your favourite class?"

Glancing over at the door, she started slightly as she watched it open and a Slytherin she vaguely recognized walked in. A fellow Order member, she realized, and nodded at her.

Iris closed the door slowly and tip-toed to where she heard some rush of water and voices. She knew them quite well. Right from the Order and from the Slytherin common room she has just been days ago. The Gryffindor? And Aria?

She walked inside, astonished by the marveling surroundings of the bathroom. It seemed as though the room was part of a fairy tale castle. Not unlike the stoned panels of Hogwarts, it was way different. She looked around nodding appreciatively at the works ands stopped short once she saw the two girls having a conversation.

"Um . . . hey. Do you mind if I join you two for a while? I think you already know me anyway." Iris greeted them a wave and her tone of shyness showed up. The least thing she would want was to disturb them. Or disappoint them entirely that she's here.

Staring at the girl (What was her name? Something to do with a flower, Savannah thought. Daisy maybe?), Savannah contemplated her options: she didn't want to throw the older girl out. That would be unnecessary, and it would look bad. They were also both members of the Order, and they had to get along for anything to get accomplished. So those were two reasons against kicking her out. She also didn't own the bathroom, and hadn't been their first, and doubted she really had the jurisdiction to do it anyway.

And really, what would she get out of kicking her out? Yes, the girl was rather happy-go-lucky and it annoyed Savannah to no end, but in the long run, it would be worse if she made her leave. Smiling at the new girl, she turned to Aria, "I don't have a problem with you being here. What about you, Aria?"

"Potions," Aria stated promptly. "Then, Transfiguration, Defense, and Dueling. I don't take any of the other classes, but I enjoy reading up on History and animals."

Her mismatched gaze was drawn upward and the blonde offered her housemate a welcoming smile.

"Hello, Iris," she said. Using both hands, she pulled herself up onto the counter, seemingly unbothered by the bruises spanning her left side. "Of course you may join us. Neither of us own this bathroom, nor are we either one prefects.

Iris nodded and laughed softly, thanking them for this moment of getting to know each other and actually not even bothering that she was here. Sort of. Noticing the bruises of Aria for the first time, she let out a silent gasp and asked the Slytherin what had happened to her, "You all right? That sure hurts."

Iris shrugged the worrying feeling inside of her. Aria looked fine anyway. And the wounds didn't seem to make her uneasy. But the girl can't just show no concern whatsoever. That side of hers was automatic to respond. Thinking it through, she can change the topic for one. It did not mean that they're supposed to stay in this situation forever. Some hints of interesting things might make a long way with the three of them to exchange.

"So, what are you guys talking about earlier?" She simply said.

Aria lifted a brow, glancing casually back at the mirror to find that the collar of her long-sleeve shirt, though she had put it back on, was pulled so that it left part of bruised shoulder visible in the reflection.

"It's nothing." She shrugged her left shoulder, straightening her shirt so her bruises were entirely concealed once more. "I fell.

"We were just getting acquainted," Aria continued. "Exchanging favorite classes, actually."

Nodding in agreement, Savannah looked over at the new girl, "I've seen you around before, but I don't think I've ever introduced myself. I'm Savannah," Moving towards her, she held out her hand. Really, she was getting annoyed with shaking people's hands, but a good introduction was imperative.

"My favourite class is Dueling. Then Flying, Charms, Transfiguration, and Defence of the Dark Arts. They're all I'm taking. I like them all, but we haven't learnt anything in DADA, so it loses points in my book." Shrugging, she looked back at the new girl, "What about you?"

Iris smiled at Aria, taking in the reasonable explanation and shook Savannah's hand. She felt some shock to it but shrugged it off instead, not knowing what that even meant. She wasn't that much into formal introductions, but it was still worth the while.

"I think you know me. Iris. Call me Eye." She introduced herself back and thought about her favorite subjects, she need not to think about them too slowly,

"Divination and Astronomy are my two most favorites. Then Potions. And yeah, I'm quite looking forward to finally having DADA. Seems like finding a professor is that hard."

Iris sighed, letting go of her hand and wondered when will that subject show up. Indeed, all the students taking that up already miss it.

"Alright then, you shall forever be known as Eye," the faint traces of a smile on her lips, Savannah let go of her hand, nodding wistfully as she mentioned the lack of a professor for DADA. It truly annoyed her that they couldn't find a single person willing to teach it. She'd be happy with anyone who taught the class, even if it was Headmaster Chaos himself.

"They really need to find someone. How hard can it be to find someone who knows about the Dark Arts?"

Iris laughed under her breath and nodded in agreement with Savannah. True, is finding an instructor to teach that valuable subject that hard? Especially now with their situation. Students should learn as soon as possible. It's only a matter of life or death. Now or never. They needed that opportunity.

She sighed desperately, imagining what would happen to them if they were attacked by the dark side. It was horrifying. Thinking hopelessly, she replied with a sad tone,

"We need to learn. As in right now. Right? And if they couldn't find one immediately, then what would happen to us. If ever we're attacked. But surely, we have to expect that to come."

"We do," Savannah replied solemnly. After all, there was a war brewing outside the walls of the castle. They could be attacked at any moment, and safety was something they all took for granted. Even Savannah did at times, and she was paying the price for it. You could never be safe or truly happy, because something is going to happen and snatch that all away from you.

And just because they were surrounded by professors didn't mean they were invulnerable. The castle had been attacked before, so it was no stretch of the imagination that it could happen again.

Shaking her head, she paused to think before speaking slowly, "It's like they don't even care about safety. If they truly did, they'd find a professor faster than you can say Lumos."

(OOC: Y'know... I always assume there's a substitute when there's a professor missing. I think it's just me, though. >.-)


"I heard the headmaster was interviewing people," Aria remarked. "In the meantime, you could ask an older student to teach you what they know. I used to ask -"

The blonde blinked. She could practically hear herself asking about various spells, yet the name and identity of the person she asked escaped her.

"My housemates," she finished, a bit lamely. Then, she added, "People here are more powerful than you expect."

((OOC: I would too, but no one's posted in the classroom as a substitute, and it's all rather confusing and annoying.))

"Well, it's good that he's interviewing people," she remarked, sounding relieved. Savannah brushed a strand of hair out of her face, hoping that whoever they found was decent. If they weren't, well she'd beg her mother to let her transfer to Durmstrang, her blood-status be damned. If they wouldn't accept a half-blood simply because of one muggle-born grandfather, she'd revolt.

"I guess I could ask someone in my house." Shrugging, it then occured to her that she was standing in front of two Slytherin's who were both older than her. Why not take advantage of her situation? "Or I could just ask you guys," she said, grinning.

Iris listened intently throughout the whole conversation. They all had a point. It would be some relief to know that of the rest of the interviewees the Headmaster had had, then at least one would be chosen as the professor. Or even just a substitute. End of story. Then there's nothing to be thought as a problem. Obviously.

She scratched her head and coughed jokingly, not considering herself as some genius when it comes to defense. Well, she did quite well way back during their first lessons last year. And the others. Except when the subject stopped. Then what had brought her here. For everyone here. It's like abandoning some rights or something. Like there's missing. On purpose?

And just because she's a Slytherin that Savannah thought of the idea? She is. But the Fragile One. As she had admitted so long ago. Should she try? Is this the chance? Besides, the older years would be more suitable to be the instructors. Who would listen to some third year?

"Uh . . . I don't think so . . . I mean I don't know if I'm capable. But still, Aria's batch can be the ones. And we'll follow. Or I can just contribute what I can do." Iris muttered slowly, figuring out the outcome of their firsthand plans and unexpectedly coming up with a wonderful idea, brightening up her solemn face,

"Hey! We're going to be like Dumbledore's Army. You know. Years ago. Like History is just repeating itself over and over. Don't you think? Now that's something."

Raising an eyebrow, Savannah frowned at Eye. Of course, she barely knew her, but this self-negativity didn't seem to fall in line with the uber-happy state the girl lived in. She was a far cry from the girl she saw in Protectores Mundi meetings, "You should be more positive," Savannah remarked, watching her carefully.

"My aunt was in the DA," Savannah commented wistfully."It would be cool to make something similar."

Turning towards Aria, she tilted her head slightly, "Whose in your 'batch'?"

Aria listened to the other girls talk. Starting some sort of group sounded hazardous - precisely the thing that would get her into more trouble. She got into enough trouble just existing; she wasn't keen on drawing unnecessary attention to herself.

"Well, I could show you a few spells, I suppose," the blonde said, "but I don't know about joining or starting any sort of group. It's not really my thing.

"My 'batch'?" Aria echoed. "My class, you mean? Well, I don't know everyone, but there's Karma Black, Jet Zambini, Evangeline Wood..." She trailed off as she noted she had listed all Slytherin students. "I'm afraid I don't really know anyone outside my house."

Iris sighed and sat by the side of the huge tub. She played with a few strands of her hair before coming into conclusion. Savannah was right. She had to be more positive. Perhaps she really needed the time to change and all that. Why not give it a try?

"All right. I think I can. Just for the sake of the younger years. And of course our safety." She replied with sarcasm and commented on the Slytherins that Aria meant,

"I know some of them. But we're not that close. Most of my friends are in the other houses. Not too many from Hufflepuff. Plenty from the rest." she paused and gave the Gryffindor an astonished look. Her mother from the DA? Way awesome. So cool.