Breathing (Open)

[brett]

"Eyes are feeling heavy, but they never seem to close"

Regulus Black lay horizontally across the Black leather arm chair of the the Slytherin commonroom. His back propped comfortably against the soft leather arms, one leg hanging over the opposite arm the other hung limp with the toes just touching the plush green throw rug. Reg's eyes gazed unfocused into the red-orange ember of what was once a well burning fire. The exposed skin on his face, arms and feet still felt the warm glow of the fire though it was fading now.

It was late and he should be asleep. He wanted to be asleep, but sleep had not come. No one else seemed to be in the commonroom, though it had been awhile since his last surveillance. If there was anyone else still awake Reg was not aware of their presence. He really wasn't aware of much at all right now. Only the glowing fire pit and the million thoughts, most of them unpleasant, managed to hold his attention.

Regulus wanted company. If he were to have a choice he would have wanted Indigo Grace, his maybe girlfriend. It had been only a few days since there encounter in the Shrieking Shack, but already Reg was bracing himself for the worst. It had all just gone too well. Something that made him as happy as being with Indi made him could never last. It was like a rule that he was meant to be miserable. A plan to draw him into bitterness and hatred...and it was working. He had proved that when he slugged his brother for reading a comic book.

Letting out a deep sigh Reg laid his weary against the cool leather backing of the chair. How he loved this chair. His eyelids fell slowly and the world drifted away for a moment. Sadly it was only a moment though as Reg's eyes snapped open. He had heard something, he was almost sure of it. Footsteps? Something from the Lake? Something from a dream? he couldn't be sure, but he was definitely not getting to sleep anytime soon.

[kalib]

You are going to get in serious trouble if you get caught, you know that? He wasn’t so sure why he cared – not that he cared-cared. More like a passing thought, something you couldn’t help but wonder even if it held no interest to you. That said, Kalib was in no rush as he lazily continued his walk around the castle. He’d picked the road less traveled, winding alongside the outside of the building with Knight flying lazily overheard. It was dark out, much too late for a student to be out of bed let alone be outside. A dry laugh escaped him, thinking he might just have to break into the castle to be allowed back in – wouldn’t they have already locked up the doors? Sleeping outside, no he wouldn’t mind, but when his mother found out (for she was bound to hear about it eventually) Kalib would be sentenced to house arrest, he was sure, upon summer’s return. He laughed again, this time louder – “Who’s there?!”

The Slytherin stopped dead on the stop, making sure to keep his breath shallow so it wouldn’t give away his position – his cover was blown, he was about to run into some teacher making their rounds and given detention for life. Suddenly his little stroll didn’t seem like such a good idea. While he kept still, Knight didn’t care – what did it matter if his owl was flying around at night? There was nothing odd about that – it was the fact that the owner accompanied the bird that made this difficult. “Who’s there?!” the voice repeated angrier. It sounded like Gamekeeper, but Kalib wasn’t sure – he didn’t mingle with them very often. “Show yourself or I’m taking free shots!” Kalib was in no mood to be shot at in any manner, petrified, stunned or otherwise. But he didn’t move – what were the chances the old block would really hit him?

Suddenly there was a flash of light, enough to illuminate Kalib’s frame for all of a second and miss him by inches. “HEMLOCK!” the man screamed at him – time to flee. Kalib turned on heels and darted back the way he had come, running with all the strength and agility he had in him. His breathing quickly became loud, loud huffs as he propelled himself forward and trying desperately to ignore how loud the footsteps where behind him. Knight screeched somewhere off in the distance, leaving him to face his doom alone. He cursed loudly and jolted to the right, the entrance to Hogwarts now in sight – had he really run that far already? He felt as though he’d been walking for hours and now in a matter of minutes he was back at the doors.

“GET BACK HERE!” the Gamekeeper bellowed as Kalib slammed into the doors and shoved them open – how were they not locked yet? It didn’t matter; he had no time to wonder. He darted down the staircase and took a sharp left at the end, the longer route to the Common Room but easier to loose his tracker. Of course he would know where Kalib was headed, but he preyed luck was in his favor and he would follow Kalib’s bizarre route instead of trying to beat him to the Common Room.

It worked, the footsteps now banging just as loudly as Kalib’s did on the concrete floor. But the echoing made it hard to tell how close he was, how much time he could bank off, what time he could offer to spare and what time was absolutely necessary to keep. In a rush Kalib whisper-shouted the password and the door swung open, slamming swiftly behind him before he was fully caught. Kalib leaned against the cool stone, his head arched backwards to rest against the heatless door. He closed his eyes and concentrated on getting his breathing even, slowing his huffs dully into low intakes. Kalib felt sweaty and flushed from his escape, and it didn’t bother him in the slightest – he would go straight to bed and forget about it until morning – until he realized someone was looking for the source of all the noise.

Regulus Black, someone who Kalib was sure he was only on slightly friendly terms with, was sitting bolted upright in one of the few arm chairs in the Common Room, nearly looking alarmed. Kalib knew his presence would make itself known in the few seconds it would take Black’s eyes to focus, but spoke anyways. “What are you still doing up?” His tone was slightly edger then he had hoped it would be, his body still tense from the run despite his calm breathing. Of course, Black could easily ask Kalib the same question. A small, uncharacteristic smile slowly etched into his features – normally he was just as rude to Black as he was to pretty much everyone else. Before he could ask, Kalib added conversationally “I wouldn’t advise leaving; I just escaped the stupid Gamekeeper thug – he ruined my midnight stroll.” Kalib pushed himself from his leaning stance and slunk over to sink into the arm chair next to Black, his sudden adrenaline keeping him wired. “I wouldn’t advise ever going for midnight strolls either.” He tried to be polite, avoiding any other trouble he could wind himself up into tonight.


OOC: Oh, wow – hopefully I didn’t just bored you to death…I didn’t realized I’d typed that much. Uh, well, anyways…hello! ^^ Could I interest you in posting in Kalib’s C. Log?

[tiffany]

Tiffany Spencer lay in her bed glaring up at the canopy above her. Her olive green eyes burning into the rich velvet hung elegantly above her. Annoyed she twisted around to lay on her side and glare at the curtain instead, with little result. The fourth year just couldn't fall asleep. It might have been the homework she had conviently "forgotten" to do, or more likely, that she was wired in anticipation about quidditch. She had tried out, but hadn't been informered whether or not she'd actually made the team. Tiff had been trying out for Chaser, and if she got the position, then she'd be the youngest player on the Slytherian team. Once more, she tossed about in bed, turning on her other side and squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to fall sleep. Ten minutes and little luck. Damn. This was so stupid, laying here with her body tingling, adrenline pumping needlessly through her veins while her thoughts swirled relentlessly in her mind. Trying to loose the tension she stretched her arms upward and then rolled onto her stomach, punching her pillow into a more comfortable position. Nope.

Severly annoyed, Tiffany sat up and pushed the curtain aside, grabbing her wand off the table and lighting it with a whisper. Carefull to not wake her room-mates, the fourth year rumaged about in her trunk, yanking a dark green cloak from the messy depths and flinging it over her shoulders. From under her bed she drudged up her DADA book and some parchment, not to mention her quill and some ink. If she planned on staying up to all hours she might as well do that homework she had earlier "forgotten" to do. The Slytherian trudged toward the stairs, turning on her heel and rushing back when she rememberd one of her room-mates had recieved a couple bottles of butterbeer and some candy that morning via owl. With a whisper of thanks, Tiff thieved a bottle and pocket of candy then padded toward the stairs, squinting her eyes against the almost harsh, yellow light of the candles.

Surprisingly, she heard voices coming from the common room, and immediatly she paused in the stairwell, listening for a moment. But the voice said little of anything secrective and important, and she didn't have the patience nor the attention spam to listen to small talk. Carefully she padded down the rest of the stairs, comign down the last couple and into view of the common room. The flicker of the dying fire cast eerie shadows about the stone walls, the silver and green house colors making the place have an air of creepy sophistication. At first she ignored the two older boys, walking over to the couch that sat across from the two arm chairs and plopped down on it. Extremely self-conscious she began to set out her stuff, first putting down the butterbeer and then spreading her books and parchment about her. Only when she had everything layed out to her liking did she finally glance up to look at the two. And caught her breath while her heart stopped and stomach plummeted into her toes.

The quidditch captain! She was sitting across from the quidditch captain! And a seventh year with a fairly good Slytherian reputation, but still. He was much outshone by the Quidditch captain! Her first instinct was to ignore them and keep to herself, but that would be a hufflepuff thing to do. Meek and shy wasn't exactly her calling ... After a moment of looking over the two other Slytherians she pulled her stash of candy from the pockets of her cloak and dropped the majority onto the table. "Want some?" She took a moment to study both boys, Regulus sprawled side-ways in his chair and the other one, obviously a seventh year, though she couldn't quite remember his name. Something Lock .... Hemlock? Was it his first or last name? She couldn't bloody damn remember. Oh well. Her eyes were drawn back to the Black boy, and she fought a blush rising her cheeks. Did he remember her from try-outs? Recognize her at all? She remained silent, not staring exactly, but with her head cocked to the side and hands resting lightly on the leather couch beneath her. A dark green sleeping gown edged out from the bottom of her olive green cloak, both making her green eyes seem much brighter than they really were. The majority of her plaited hair tucked between her cloak and gown.


OOC ;; First post with the darling ... Hope you don't mind a 4th year girl crashing the parteh ... ^.^

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[brett]

OOC: Why does it seem like everyone writes more than me?

Regulus raised his eyebrow at Kalib. What was he doing up? What was Kalib doing rushing into the commonroom at this hour? It was a stupid question really. Nothing personal against Kalib, but just in general. If you could ask someone why they were up so late the odds were they would be able to ask you the same question. In any case Regulus was still contemplating giving an answer when Kalib spoke again, effectively making the decision for him.

Regulus gave a short laugh at Kalibs next comment though he refrained from actually speaking until the third time the Slytherin spoke, "I'll keep that in mind," he said allowing a small smile to play across his face. Clearly Kalib needed to learn how to avoid the gamekeeper. It was a secret Reg contemplated sharing, but would once again have the decision not to made for him by the appearance of a third member of there little party. It wasn't really a secret anyway Reg had merely learned the game keeper route, he also learned a rather nifty little charm that would allow you to silence your footsteps by actually making it so you step on a thin layer of air rather than the ground.

In any case Regulus was now focused on the girl who had just joined them. Tiffany Spencer, 4th year. Reg knew this because she had tried out for the Slytherin team. He still had no decision to give her, but they seemed to look in her favor. She was young, but she certainly seemed capable. Not to mention it would be nice to have at least one other returning player next year. Regulus cast his eyes down to the assortment of candy leaning out of his chair to grab a piece before returning his gaze to the girl. "Thanks," he said retreating into his chair. "Tiffany right?" he asked knowing he was right it just seemed less intimidating to ask.

[kalib]

OOC: I don't always write that much. XD


Kalib grinned, but slowly something of an awkward silence fell over them. That always happened when it was just the two of them, some unresolved tension that kept them from ever really considering the other a “friend.” But Kalib didn’t care much, having no real need for friends. He was better off solo, and he had learned quickly that other thought of him that way to – they liked their distance from him. All the same, he hadn’t missed that Black had never answered his question. “Well, if you’re not about to head out for a good walk then what are you up for? Personally I like to use the night for sleeping.” It was almost an accusation, but Kalib tried hard to remain casual.

It didn’t matter much – someone had walked in on their little sin-dig. The girl couldn’t have been much higher up in years, third year? Fourth? Kalib had seen her around but had never spoken with her. He figured it was only because of Black’s presence that she decided to make small talk and offer out her candy. While Black politely took some, Kalib remained still – not a rude gesture, but just as polite in his decline. “No thank you…” What was her name? Black spared him, “Tiffany right?” The name sounded familiar, but he hadn’t known it belonged to the girl.

Kalib shifted, making himself more comfortable – obviously the three weren’t going to be leaving anytime soon. Silence overtook them again, and Kalib decided to break it. “So, Tiffany then, what brings up down to the Common Room at such a late hour?” Maybe she would answer him; Black’s earlier reluctance had made him wonder. Honestly, who many students could possibly still be up? And here Kalib had though he’d been on his own.

[tiffany]

The fourth year couldn't help but allow a small smile at the older boy's predictable responce to the offer of candy. To take a piece. And such manners! The fourteen year old almost wanted to giggle, but being in the presence of the two older boys seemed to shackle her with chains of maturity. And yet she knew that neither were very mature themselves, not in the adult sense anyway. Although, it was later at night. They were probably tired, not wired like her. A burst of a sunshine smile split her plush lips and her eyes became alive with pleasure. He did remember her name! Glee glowed bright across her face and happily she plucked her own choice of candies from the spread, acknowledging the older boy's polite decline with just a glance. Happily she rolled the candy about her mouth and absent-mindedly shuffled the parchment in her hands, holding them into the air as a temporary way to answer his question. Homework was the side answer. If she'd been able to sleep then she wouldn't be up at all, but insomnia was a dreadful thing and made one do what one would not normally do. Such as, Tiffany actually doing her homework, instead of either "forgetting" it, or buying the answeres off someone else ... with someone else's money.

After a moment more she swallowed the last of the red ball, and carefully settled her papers into neat piles, tucking her legs into the "Indian" pose muggle pre-schoolers learned. "Insomnia. Couldn't sleep so I decided I'd best do the homework assigned." her tone was one of exasperated fact and with a mindless anger she picked up her quill only to stab it into the parchment just a little too hard, puncturing it. A curse swept from her lips and immediatly large green eyes glanced up in an "oops" but quickly darted back to her paper as she tried valiently to fix it. No such luck. After a moment she ripped a strip off from the length that contained the hole and started anew. She wrote her name, her year, her house, the date, and then dropped her pen in favor of the stolen butterbeer. Quite carefully she'd been ignoring them, self-conscious in her every movement and all too soon figured out that she wouldn't be able to concentrate with the two sitting there. For one, it was damn annoying. For two, she was too interested in them for he homework to even compare.

She grabbed another candy and set her parchment aside. "What are you guys doing up?" She looked quickly between the two, "Plotting something? A prank?" She rolled her tongue over her lips in anticipation, but suddenly realized something. Tiffany was a mere fourth year ... they probably wouldn't tell her if they planned on setting fire to the school. A real dissapointment when it came down to it. Wasn't she a Slytherian? Wasn't she just as good as these blokes? Pride hardened her eyes and now she didn't dare divert her glare from the two boys. What were they up to?




OOC -- ew ... and I don't always write that much either ... just try to >.<

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[brett]

Reg gave Tiffany a short smile in return as her beaming served evidence that he must have recalled her name properly. He was thankful she hadn't asked any question pertaining to her spot on the team, he would post his choice soon enough. It was quite nice actually since she would be the last member of the team. It would be nice to have a full team at last then they could have some nice full team practices maybe even scrimmage against the other houses, make sure they all know what there dealing with before the season actually starts.

Regulus turned his attention back to Kalib as Tiffany turn to her work. He gave her one more quick glance as she cursed. Everyone cursed nowadays, Reg didn't understand it. In any matter he returned his gaze to the seventh year. "Really, Hemlock? You use the night for sleeping? I wish I had thought of that," Reg said crossly. He too liked using his nights for sleeping, but that was only when his body would allow it, tonight he was not so lucky. "In case you haven't noticed, your still awake too," he added pointing out this fact that would go to show that Kalib didn't use the night for sleeping as much as he thought.

Why Reg was so reserved about just saying he was up because he couldn't sleep was a mystery even to him. Perhaps because of the real reason he couldn't sleep. Being a sixth year and having nightmares that could have you wake in a cold sweat was nothing to be proud of, especially in Slytherin. "No prank, no plot," Regulus said shortly. Though perhaps, they could form a plot, pranks on the gamekeeper were usually fun....no, another time perhaps, not now. "I'm having trouble sleeping, and Hemlock is a moron," Reg explained using the term moron lightly. It just seemed easier than explaining the whole story, but he hadn't really meant to insult Kalib, just a fun little mockery between sometimes friends.

[kalib]

“Really, Hemlock? You use the night for sleeping? I wish I had thought of that.” So that’s how it was, was it? Kalib’s eyes narrowed defensively, giving up on trying to keep out of trouble for one night – shoot, he’d already broken that wish. “I can see why it would be a feat for you Black; your perpetually small brain probably couldn’t handle it.” He thought about meaning it, but then rolled his eyes in mock annoyance. “There’s a reason I’m around – you just can’t think of these things on your own.” He grinned wistfully and turned his attention back to the girl, watching her continue working on whatever it was she was doing. Tiffany was it? And doing homework none the less. Of all the things Kalib could list that one could do with an evening, homework was not one of them. He was caught doing it sometimes, catching up on forgotten homework – but it wasn’t anything he would own up to.

Apparently homework wasn’t much of a concern anymore, Kalib chuckling when she angrily cast aside her wounded parchment and beginning again. It didn’t last long, setting the quill down soon after. “Not having much luck with that, are you?” he asked lightly, nearly almost curious. His normally crude features where arranged in fake interest, not really expecting much of an answer but ready to listen if she wished to. “A prank?” The last word caught his attention, raising his gaze to her eyes instead of the crumple paper. Before he could so much as open his mouth, Regulus was answering for him: “No prank, no plot.” Kalib smirked against his better intentions, already formulating one as he spoke the word. Heck, if the girl wanted prankster entertainment he was willing to give it to her. He almost thought about suggesting it when Regulus decided to spoil his good humor: “I’m having trouble sleeping, and Hemlock’s a moron.” Kalib's eyes narrowed again, pinpointing him. “Look, just because I don’t spend hours mapping out the Gamekeeper’s route makes me a moron. That is something associated with your name: ‘Moron – see Regulus Black.’” He chuckled though, unable to really make it sound intimidating. Something about his adrenaline high was making it difficult to hold up a Slytherin masculine.

Thinking about it, it really was only a matter of time before Kalib was called to his mother’s office – why did everyone go to her when he got in trouble? Kalib actually missed seeing the old geezer of a Headmaster. Anything he did to Kalib was much more bearable then Professor Debbie Hemlock. Even in his mind he couldn’t stop from sneering the name, an inward grumble complaining against her working here. That said, he wondered just how far the Gamekeeper had made it so far – did his mother already know? The running and banging had stopped to clearly he wasn’t sulking around the Common Room door. “I’ll just have to bring along my broom next time,” he decided after a moment, smirking again, “then I can just fly away when if someone comes along.”

[tiffany]

Tiffany rolled her shrinking piece of candy around her mouth, for once truly examining the eldest of their little party. He was cute, in that off-handish sort of way. Not type girls immediatly crushed on [like Regulus she was beginning to realize] but the type that was boyishly cute with a damn good sense of humor. She didn't have a chance in hell or heaven with him, a seventh year, but then again, guys weren't just for dating. In fact, Hemlock seemed more like the type a girl could just be friends with, or party pals with. She liked him. But from the bits she heard about the seventh year, he was a bit of a cheater. School? Well, who didn't take an occaionsal peak at someone else's answers? She'd heard he had a bad habit of having a girlfriend and a ... make-out girl. Or some other such load of crap. In simple terms, he was well known, at least among the gossip of younger girls, that while a bit cute, and obviously charming, he tended to double deal when it came to "love". She'd hex the shit out of any guy who cheated on her. She'd hex them so bad they'd be force to leave Hogwarts. Then, like the fourteen year old she was, she'd have her older brother beat the crap out of them. Hah! She'd like to see some creep try to cheat on her ...

A wandering of thoughts while Hemlock jabbered on about Regulus's imperfections. Personally, she could find very few. He was a year closer to her own age, with very good looks and a pretty good personality to match. She wasn't shallow, she went for what was under the skin, as well as above. In fact, the more she allowed her thoughts to circle around Regulus, the more a funny feeling began to grow in her stomach, and the more that feeling grew, the more she felt herself break into a blush. Annoyed she fought both the feeling and the colour in her cheeks, trying to force it out of her for now and forever. Tiff only managed to rid herself of the pink, and to numb the feeling and push it from her conscious mind. No doubt his obnoxious annoying face would now haunt her dreams. Holy crap this would be a nightmare [and possibly a blessing] if she made the quidditch team. Or it could be extremely awckward, which was a dragonload worse than both. The tip of her quill pricked her finger, bringing her sharply back to the present and away from those dreaful thoughts, only managing to catch the tail-end of Hemlock's rant, speech, or musing.

A small smile crested her lips at the mention of the broom, although since she really wasn't sure what he was saying besides something about escaping on the darn thing ... Her head went down for a moment and then popped back up with a look of concentration straining her usually pretty features. Without really noticing what she was doing she flicked her hand in the indicated way and muttered the spell under her breath. Bad move. A book left sitting around in the common room by a mindless first year flew into the air and began to attack them with a rain of shredded pages. Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped in astonishment, first staring at the physco, enchanted book hovering above the threesome, and then to the two older [more magically experienced] boys. A word she absolutely hated, despised, abhored dripped from her lips and splattered onto Hemlock and Black, "Help?!"

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[brett]

Reg glared at Hemlock debating whether or not he wanted to fire back. Seeing as it all seemed to be in good fun Reg let it slide with nothing more than a dry a laugh. "I knew there must have been some reason for your presence," he commented forgetting to add some scathing remark about why he had thought Kalib was around. It wasn't often Regulus submitted in these sorts of situations, but he was tired and in a rare moment when he couldn't think of a witty comeback, soon he would though, but by then it would be too late.

"Well, I wasn't the one who got caught," Regulus observed then the corners of his mouth folded up into a menacing smirk as he remembered a key piece of information. "Nor does my mom work at the school," he added raising an eyebrow. He wanted to mock this fact further, but refrained. Slytherins especially were very defensive about family, and anything else that he might have said probably would have been taken the wrong way. But really if your mom worked where you went to school you would think that it would make you at least think twice about doing stupid things that you will obviously get caught for.

Regulus glanced over to Tiffany briefly then looked back towards the fireplace, the embers still glowed bright orange-red. But if they were all going to stay out here, they should probably put some more wood on, and get a blaze going. Before Regulus could suggest it he caught the sight of something out of his eye. He turned to see a ravenous book coming at them. What had happened he didn't know, but just as the word 'help' came from Tiffany's mouth Reg drew his wand and pointed it at the book, "Imobulus" he recited causing the book to flip back wards and fall to the ground in a pool of it's own torn pages.

Regulus wasn't sure what exactly had happened being in his thought he had heard no incantation. Possibly Hemlock looking to spice up the evening, possibly a careless error by Tiffany, or her effort to stir up the evening. In any case with the threat diminished Reg returned to a more comfortable position causing a bit of creaking as the leather moved beneath him.

[kalib]

“I knew there must have been some reason for your presence.” Kalib scowled for a moment, but decided better of it and laughed it off, shaking his head. “Just couldn’t out two and two together, could you Black?” he chuckled. Somewhere in his sentence, something happened that wasn’t abnormal – suddenly there was a mass of books staring them down, ready to attack. “What on earth?” he muttered, cussing under his breath. He had his wand out but Black beat him to it, the books falling to the ground in a heap of scraps. “Hmpth,” Kalib grumbled, “Way to spoil the excitement.” Not that he wanted to be attacked by books. He had had enough excitement for one day.

Kalib tucked his wand back into his jacket, for the first time that night yawning. Maybe he was a bit more tired then he had given himself credit. After all, his midnight run had drained him of his energy now that the adrenaline was dying. As he relaxed back into his chair, it became apparent that he was correct. He couldn’t stop the following yawn, and became annoyed – almost. “Well, seeing how you two are incapable of having a good time I think I’ll just call it a night.” Kalib shoved himself up, straightening his shirt. He glanced swiftly between the pair and swept the empty Common Room. “Now, you two don’t go doing anything funny. Keep it PG.” Anything to make a girl blush.

With a smirk planted on his face, Kalib wheeled around without another word and headed up the staircase two at a time. He really was sleepy, in a matter of minutes tossing his jacket to the side and tugging his shirt off. After a quick change of school-wear to PJs, he fell into his bed and shoved his face deeply into his pillow. He was a tad bit curious what the pair would do now that they were alone, but as far as Kalib was aware Black was single with no plans on changing that.* But that was about as far it went, his quiet snores filling the hushed dormitory. ZzZzZz…


OOC: * = Heh, such an uninformed mind. XD