The Great Hall

Ash kept her head down, picking at a plate of scrambled eggs too wet to be worth eating and bacon that wasn't quite burnt enough. Chatter was always beginning to swirl around the Great Hall concerning lists and Dark Lords and buddy systems, and she did the best she could not to get caught up in it. She doubted anything major would come of this; it was most likely some group of kids playing a scare prank, and if it was some kind of villain, it would likely be handled by some Gryffindor kid of questionable judgement with some kind of fantastic ancestry. Either way, these quote-unquote "safety measures" would turn out almost entirely useless.

There was still the question of her own Safety Buddies™, given that she wasn't exactly swimming in friends and she doubted a small allegiance of snakes and a dark reputation were accepted substitutes. Aside from those in her House she has similar class schedules with, there was the Weasley girl who had somehow found herself with the misfortune of being in not one but two of Ash's same extracurriculars, and was even in the same year, but she'd barely spoken to the girl outside Quidditch practice or the club room, to the point where Ash was... hazy about the girl's first name. Ruth, was it? Rose? No, that wasn't it. Robin, she thought it was, that sounded right. Robin Weasley.

There were also Oldbus and Scorpion-whatever, fellow Syltherins in her year who were also apparently on the list, but she didn't really see them around much, for whatever reason, despite sharing a House and school year, and thus most of their classes. Weird. She figured she'd leave them be for now.

As the Headmaster spoke, Dominique's eyebrows rose. "Vous ne pouvez pas sérieux." She muttered in the same tone of what her sarcastic mother, Fleur Delacour, would say. Her words roughly translated into 'You cannot be serious'. Her eyes darted around the Great Hall. Her eyes set were set on the Slytherin table, staring at one of the boys in her year. She didn't particularly like the boy, but as her older sister Victoire would say, everyone seems to be in her way.

Dominique grabbed a croissant, nervously glancing back at the Gryffindor table. She didn't have any friends, or people who liked her. She had caused so much trouble in her second and fourth year, people had steered clear of her. Her eyes set on one of her cousins, Rose, who was a year older than her. She felt very relaxed when talking to her, but she sometimes felt judged by her. She let a small smile form on her features before looking back down at her plate.

The stupid buddy system really ticked her off. Perhaps she'd ask some ignorant first years who have no idea of her reputation to help her. Soon word will spread, so she'd better get to them fresh. Perhaps some loner would come bother her, but she was too shy to ask anyone. She took a bite of her croissant with an exasperated sigh. Dominique was not looking forward to her classes, and she debated skipping. Since there was this stupid buddy system policy, she'd probably get expelled.

While Dominique munched on her rather miniscule breakfast, she realized how grateful she was to be not on the list. Her veela blood make sure of that. She picked up the napkin next to her and wiped her mouth. She couldn't help but worry about her family. Several of her cousins were purebloods and on the list, but what shocked her was the fact that there were a few half bloods on the list. Albus Potter was one of them, that wasn't a shock. He was after all the son of the great slayer of You-Know-Who.

She remembered Louis, perhaps she could tag along with him? But he was mad at her after she gave him some of the Nosebleed Nougats, thinking it was chocolate. She put the napkin down and brushed the crumbs off of her robes. Her head whips around to the Hufflepuff table. Her eyes set on one of the Scamander twins, Lysander. She always did find the 7th Year very handsome, but he was years older than her and she doubted he had any interest in her. She felt her cheeks heat up and she bowed her head nervously.

After a few seconds, she rose her head and looked back over at the Slytherin table. "No more waiting around," she muttered as she stood up. She felt eyes on her as she made her way towards the Slytherin table. If any other Slytherin would talk to her, she would tell them off. She tapped the redhead cousin on the table. "Hey Rose," she asked with her voice raising pitch at the end. "Er, do you want to be one of my buddies? I know we don't really have any classes together..." Her voice quieted down a bit as she dropped her head. "But I have no other friends..."

Ash had spent the past six and a half minutes picking at her food, casting occasional glances around the table and the Hall at large as she tried to push the issue of safety and lists to the back of her mind. She wondered briefly about the consequences of ignoring the new rule before shoving it aside; as inconvenient as the whole thing was, it wasn't worth making herself a target.

...More of a target.

She had almost managed to divert her train of thought completely away from the present troubles toward something more pleasant (she was pretty sure there had been eggs hatched within the last couple of weeks, which meant new snake friends, how exciting!) when a voice not far down the table managed to draw her ear, if for no other reason than that it belonged to someone not of her House. She looked over at the person in question, and found herself rather confused.

This girl was a Gryffindor, wasn't she? If Ash remembered correctly, this was the girl who'd set off a portable swamp during exams in her second year. Weird, she didn't look like a troublemaker; if anything, she looked kind of vacant. The type to get taken advantage of, or who would fall for tricks that wouldn't fool a child. Nonetheless, she was talking to one of the few possibilities Ash had for a Safety Pal, and she felt it necessary to ensure nothing happened here that Ash would disagree with.

She abandoned her food and moved to sit further along the table, subtly taking the seat immediately across from Ro Weasley, name unconfirmed. She could've sworn she'd learned it, but she kept drawing a blank. Oh well. When she went to speak, it took a couple of seconds for the words to get from her brain to her mouth; talking to people who weren't serpentine or related to her wasn't exactly something Ash had a lot of experience with.

"This is the Slytherin table," she said, keeping her voice leveled - almost bored, but not quite - and eyeing the Gryffindor interloper the same way she might watch a fly walk across the ceiling. She had a reputation, after all, and she may as well feed into it.

Dominique's eyes darted from her cousin to the girl who had spoken. Her eyebrows rose. Who did she think she was? She didn't know her name because she was a year older than her. Well, Dominique did know tons of older years, but only the relevant ones. A frown formed on her features. "Well Captain Obvious, fancy for you to barge into our conversation." She smirked, crossing her arms. She was unknowingly covering the Gryffindor crest on her robes, possibly to hide other house members to see her badge. "I'm talking to my cousin. Since I was at this spot first, my priorities will come before yours." Dominique spoke her mind whenever she was around people she didn't know. Her conversation skills could greatly improve.

She watched as Rose packed up her stuff, nodding in response. "I actually need to study hard this year, so I'll come with you." O.W.Ls were in store for this year, and all 5th Years dreaded it. She wasn't too worried about a few Es, but her parents would disagree. After her pimple debacle that took place last year, her parents were quite angry with the girl. If she received Os in all of her classes, she could definitely become an Auror to make her parents proud. "I don't understand how you even got through O.W.Ls." She huffed.

As she was bumped in the hip. She scowled, almost ready to punch her cousin. But the words that came out of the ginger's mouth stopped her. Her face turned a bright shade of red. "T-The S-Scamanders?" She stammered, stuffing her hands into her robe pockets as she looked at the Hufflepuff table. "I would," she continued. "But I'm too nervous." She shook her head, biting her lip. "What if they say no? What am I going to do then?" She was making her crush on Lysander Scamander quite obvious and she hated exposing herself like this. But if anyone were to make fun of her, she wouldn't hesitate to hex them.

Dennis started to chatter, something he usually did when Lucy became too quiet; silences unsettled him. She hardly paid attention to what he was saying, but she knew he was talking about Dueling Club, a club he joined only last year and had become his obsession since. Instead, between small bites of egg, she looked over the Great Hall at her cousins. Her worrying had taken on a more focused turn to her family. She noticed Rose and Dominique right away at the Slytherin table as Dominique was one of the few people standing while breakfast was still going on. She tried to wonder what they were talking about, hoping beyond hope that maybe they would group up together.

From their family reunions, Lucy knew that Dominique wasn't the most sociable with the family, though the two talked sometimes because Uncle George had a way of attracting the youngsters of their family. Even still, Lucy was worried she wouldn't be able to find a group big enough.

"Hey Dennis, Lucy," a voice came from behind. Lucy looked up and saw Lem, a gangly girl with a mousy face, who was also unusually proud of that fact. she was with Arnold and Joey, "Do you guys want to come to the library and study with us?"

"Not really," Dennis said, "I'll do my homework tonight, I'd rather-"

"Go hang out with the Dueling Club?" Arnold interrupted. Dennis gave a cheeky smile before grabbing his plate and moving down the Gryffindor table.

"What about you Lucy?"

"No, I'm okay," Lucy said turning back to her food.

"Yeah, see I just don't believe you," Arnold said, "After this past week I have a feeling your grades aren't what they should be." Arnold was kind of the sassy one of the group, very smart and observant, yet had a bit of a mouth on him. He nodded to Joey and the two grabbed Lucy by her elbows, pulling her gently and yet forcefully out of her chair. Lucy was a bit too shocked to really protest, she was just trying to keep her balance.

Cousins. Ah. Of course, people... people had cousins. Apparently some people even had cousins they talked to, how... how nice. And awkward for her. But hey, big sis Nicky didn't raise no quitters! Ash wasn't about to let this Gryffindor girl snatch away one of the few options she had for her requisite Safety Squad, even if she was a blood relative.

Her fellow Slytherin had technically extended an invitation to walk with her to the library, even if it wasn't exactly phrased as such, and Ashtoreth pounced on this opportunity. She was cool about it, though. "I might be headed that way," she cut in, ignoring the blonde girl's rambling embarrassment at the prospect of inviting two Salamander boys. "If you need a third, that is. Needed to return something, anyway."

She picked up a piece of toast and gnawed on the corner as she looked between the two, trying to appear as noncommittal as possible, like she didn't even care how they answered, propping up her head against one hand with her elbow on the table.

Dominique merely coughed. Either the Slytherin did not have a comeback, or she had no desire to fight back. Noticing the smirk on her cousin's face, it gave her assurance that she had done another job well done. Her blue orbs narrowed as the girl spoke. No way in hell would Dominique ever want to hang out with her, even if it was just going to the library with her.

"Bloody hell, I can hardly get enough sleep now," she said amusingly. She knew that Rose had done very well on her O.W.L.s, probably because her mother is a bright witch. Her father, mother, and Victoire were academically excellent. She didn't want to mess things up now.

Dominique crossed her arms, waiting patiently as her cousin cleared up her stuff. Rose's bored tone towards the girl made her feel satisfied. It was like eating a good filet mignon after a hard day's work. She still wasn't pleased to have a stranger around her though.

As they began walking to the Hufflepuff table. She leaned over, elegantly moving her blonde hair to the side. "I really dislike her you know," she whispers in an agitated tone. "She's a little putain." There was a good reason why she threw in a french word, so no one would understand what she said. This worked on most Hogwarts students.

Dominique stood a few feet back as she watched her cousin skip over to the Hufflepuff table. Her eyes set on Lysander, a small smile forming on her lips. Her eyes then set on his twin Lorcan, who shared the same appearance as his brother. "If you want, of course," she added on, shrugging he shoulders.

She looked over to the Gryffindor table, noticing Lucy being pulled up by her friends. The two hadn't spoken in a while and she wondered if the girl would be willing to help her in her next prank. They were currently not on the best terms, but Dominique was determined to make her brave again.

As the headmaster spoke Lorcan listened with bated breath. He couldn't believe all the rumors were actually true. He was confident that there was nothing to the rumors, that Flint had simply gotten lost, or some other mundane explanation. Now however it seemed that Lysander for all his paranoia and crazy precautions really was right. Once all the food appeared he filled his plate and turned his attention to his brother.

He saw exactly what he expected to see, and Lorcan could only roll his eyes at his brother's smugness. "Yeah, yeah, what a shocker Lysander was right again. He spoke with all the playful sarcasm he could muster. "I still don't see why you're so worried about the two of us though. Sure maybe we're pureblood but we aren't on the list. I still say you're being paranoid." As far as Lorcan was concerned there were other students in more danger than them. If Lysander wanted to protect people he should be focusing his efforts on other students.

"Well there's nothing wrong with being a little paranoid if it pays off. Besides what would I do with all the peace and quiet I'd have without you? Can't have that can we?" Lysander spoke in an assertive tone, one that said "It's for the best don't question it." Lorcan knew that tone well.

Lorcan quickly spotted his brother eyeing another student, Cullen Huet, another prefect and the subject of much of Lysander's rather hilarious but flustered bashfulness. "So who should our third man be for the day? Anyone you have in mind?" He chuckled slightly as he spoke all to aware of his brother's crush on the boy. To hear from Lysander the two flirted quite often, though Lysander seemed to be rather bad at it. Lysander seemed to gather the courage to go speak to the Ravenclaw prefect as he gave the boy a small wave and sat up about to go speak to Cullen. Lorcan was about to get up to follow his brother when he heard a familier voice sing out his name.

He looked at Rose curiously who seemed to be followed by another of member of the Weasly clan. Dominque shrugged her shoulders in her normal way, she didn't seem to care much but Lorcan caught the small smile on her face. Since the end of last year, Lorcan had a theory that Dominique may have liked Lysander more than she let on, though his brother didn't seem to catch on yet. He was eager to see if he was right about this. He quickly scarfed up what little remained on his plate and gave the girls a small smile. "Sure thing I'm done here anyway. What about you Ly you coming?"

His courage seemingly deflated he gave one last quick glance toward Cullen, then looked back at the others. He gave them a thoughtful look an a brisk nod. "Yeah I'll come. I should probably be studying for my N.E.W.Ts anyway."

"Well it's settled then! Shall we go then? He gestured toward the door waiting to leave the Great Hall.

Ash swung her legs over the table bench and moved to follow the two girls, having to go around the end of the Slytherin table to catch up. She should've slipped in on the same side as them, it would've made this so much easier. Ah, well, hindsight is 20/20. She stepped lightly after the Weasley girl and her cousin, robes bouncing behind her as she made to catch up, only to slow to a stop a few paces behind.

"Shall we go then?"

Ah. Her elbow was bent slightly as her hand struggled to decide whether it wanted to go to the back of her head or not. It was one thing when it was just her and the cousins, she'd never really expected the Salamanders to tag along, but now that they were, it brought their number up to five. She... wasn't really necessary here, and Ash doubted the two would be willing to have her tag along if they didn't need her to fill that third slot.

She took a half-step back, mind racing through excuses and alternatives now that one of the options on her exceedingly short list of travel buddies was taken. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder, another half-step, foot hovering in the air for a moment before stepping forward instead.

They wouldn't notice.

Her hand went to the worn satchel she kept slung over her shoulder, digging for the library book she'd claimed needed returning.

"Where'd Mahoney go?" "Must've decided not to come." Most attention they'd pay, probably.

She cleared her throat as she closed the distance between herself and the group. "Actually, I just remembered I have to go get something from the dorm," she lied, as natural as breathing. Her hand brought the book forward. "A Study in the Common Basilisk and Other Magical Serpents," A book so worn the spine was almost off. She was a bit proud that it was entirely her efforts; she'd read the book so much over the past 5 years she could almost quote it word for word. "Here's that book I mentioned. I'll owe you one, word as my bond."

She paid close attention to Lysander as his eyes were making his way to the Ravenclaw table. What was he doing? She narrowed her eyes. He was looking at... No. She wanted to scream and kick the table over. What was so special about the idiot Ravenclaw prefect? Sure he was attractive, but she knew that she was obviously more attractive. Then it hit her, Lysander probably wanted nothing to do with her. She was 15, while he was 17 after all. The world seemed to shrink around her as she tried to hold back her tears. "Well of course we can go! That's why we came over here right?" She winked.

Dominique Weasley was a master at hiding her emotions. The fake grin on her mouth looked so authentic, while she felt like a liar. She folded her arms across her chest, as if she was protecting herself from the world. "While you have to worry about N.E.W.Ts, I have to worry about O.W.Ls. Mon dieux, does it ever end?" She was trying to do the most Dominique thing she could do, make a joke about the situation.

Her eyes darted over to the Slytherin girl. Apparently she had to go back to her dorm. Dominique didn't believe it for a second, but she didn't want to call her out on it. "Whatever," she said coolly, taking the book from the girl's hand. It almost fell out of the girl's hands. "Merde!" She cursed, trying to catch it before the old book would go flying onto the ground.

She crinkled her nose, examining the book. "This book has been missing from the library for ages! The librarian was just talking about it when I was studying there yesterday!" She commented with wide eyes.

"Hey, Lucy," Cullen called coming up to Lucy from her right, "How is it going? You have any plans to go anywhere? I figured I'd partner up with you," he grinned and gave her a wink.

Dennis and Arnold let go of Lucy. Her friends hadn't really ever seen her with Cullen. A little every now and then in the distance as he helped her with homework, but they just thought it was a tutoring thing, not friendly winking at each other. Dennis gaped a little at Lucy as Arnold pulled him away, Lem following behind them quietly and oddly chipper. An older guy seeming to be flirting with Lucy?!

Lucy sighed and straightened herself. "You just saved me from going to the library," she said. She had half a mind to make a sweeping bow and profess that she was now in his debt, however there were too many people around currently. "I wouldn't mind going to the Quidditch lockers and seeing there are any brooms available. After all this talk and...everything...I'd like to fly for a bit." She looked at the ground. Her mind needed some peace, especially since she was able to get it through sleep for a while now. Her mind was just running so much that it was tired and a hurting a bit, quiet is what she needed and there was no kind of quiet as when she flew. No thoughts, no memories, just silence as she looked at the world below her and the wind envelope her. "Then maybe I can get some home work done," at this she lifted her chin a little and smiled at Cullen knowing he'd be pleased to hear her getting her work done and learning for once instead of putting it off.

"We still need another person though," she said, "I don't think they'll let us fly around, let alone walk there, without someone," her eyes flicked to the professors' table then around the hall. She knew she could ask one of her friends, but it seemed that they had scattered off, most likely to the library. She imagined Dennis and Arnold spreading the news that Cullen winked at her. They pretty much knew he was only interested in guys, but that didn't make this act of flirting any less exciting for the fourth years.

Lucy's eyes briefly spotted the Slytherin Ash. She was about the only student, outside of her family, in Slytherin that Lucy knew about and only from rumors and Quidditch games. Lucy bit her lip, she didn't really like this girl, or figured she wouldn't rather, but she didn't really think they had a lot of choices as people were starting to leave with groups already made.

"Should we ask?" Lucy asked Cullen, not taking her eyes off Ash and biting her lip further.

"I saved you from going to the library?" Cullen asked and gave a mock wounded look and touched his chest as if Lucy had stabbed him. He loved the library. How could she say that she was using him to avoid the library? There was just so many things to learn there! And the variety of books... he still had that desire to read every single one of those book. He was making good progress to. Yes, yes he was a book worm. He would never deny it. Regardless, he gave Lucy a smile. He had grown attached to the little Gryffindor and she was like a little sister he never had. He was happy that he ended up accompanying her so he could keep a watchful eye on her. He didn't want anything to happen to her, list or no.

"The Quidditch lockers? All right. I don't mind heading over there with you. I am not as great at flying as you are but if you slow down for me, I'll be more than happy to cruise around with you," he said then. "I think flying would be good to clear both of our heads. And of course, I agree on that second notion of doing homework afterward. Got to make sure you keep your grades up," he said and leaned back to stretch himself out a bit. He ran a hand through his hair as he debated their next course of action. Lucy was right after all. It was just the two of them. They needed at least one more person. And like he had seen before, Ash might need a group to. He glanced over at Ash who had been trying to tag-along with a group of other people. He sighed. So it looked like he was going to have to group up with her after all. He saw her pull out a book and then the saw Dominque exclaim something about that book that had been missing for ages. Well, this might get sticky soon.

"Let's go," he said to Lucy then and got up to his feet.

Cullen hurried over to the group and crossed his arms. He glanced around at the group and gave a nod. "Good morning everyone." Then he turned to looked directly at Ash. "Hello, Ash," he greeted. "If you aren't actually busy, I was wondering if you'd like to be our third person. Lucy and I were going to go to the Quidditch lockers to pick up some brooms to go flying. Since I did get the tail end of your conversation, I hear that you have a book to return. If you like, we can accompany you to the library to return it before we head out," he offered.

"Ah," She hadn't anticipated anyone would know that from a glance. Was Ronnie's cousin secretly a total nerd? This warranted investigation never. "I actually found that in the girl's bathroom," she lied, the falsehoods flowing like water.

Fortunately for her, however, Blondy or whatever his name was appeared to ask her along as his third, and Rena was eager to push her off on the blonde boy and his tiny companion. She was honestly impressed how quickly she'd been discarded, not even her mother was that fast, and look at that, there Ramona went, not even waiting to see if she was followed. Ash decided she'd try to memorize her name as she felt what she imagined was that thing called "respect" boil up within her breast.

"Actually, quidditch lockers sound good," she said as soon as the others had walked off, still a bit impressed by her fellow Slytherin's mad shade skills. She tore her eyes from the door of the great hall to look at the boy. "Who are you again?"

Dominique seemed uninterested in the conversation. She was focused on the Ravenclaw prefect and Lucy. A part of her wanted to go up and punch his face; the other wanted to shrivel up and die. The girl narrowed her eyes, bouncing the book in her arms. "Riight," her tone was awkward. She brushed her blonde hair back and looked over at the Slytherin, "And I'm the Queen of England trapped in a teenage witch's body. Oh how tragic." Her tone was un amused and sarcastic. No way would she let anyone know about her love for books.

She walked along beside her older cousin. Her complexion looked pale as she turned to her cousin, "I wouldn't be surprised, but I don't have ten Sickles," she shrugged with a frown, "I lost a bet over who could stuff more chocolate frogs in their mouth. She was a little ashamed, because she knew she could do better, but her mind wandered to how Lysander was looking at Cullen. She was jealous, but the blonde beauty refused to admit it.

The brothers both exchanged glances at the rather worn book the Slytherine girl handed over to Dominique. They didn't really know Ash that well, though this didn't seem to far out of line for the girl judging by what they've heard. The book was worn, and ragged, and as Dominique had pointed out it's been missing from the library for quite sometime. Somehow they found themselves not believing her story about finding this book in the girl's bathroom, though neither brother felt the need to open their mouths.

Lysander slightly as Cullen approached them with Lucy following quickly behind. Lorcan simply gave a small smile. It was no secret how much Lorcan approved of Cullen. Lorcan had often tried to encourage his brother to speak to the boy, though surrounded by all these people Lorcan said nothing. Lorcan would've much preferred to tag along with them to the quidditch lockers and get himself into the air, but considering his brother's aversion to the sky he figured that would not be a good idea.

Soon they made their way out of the Great Hall Though Lysander remained at ease for the most part he was his normal quiet self. Lorcan chuckeled slightly t Rose's comment."I'll take that bet." He spoke in a friendly jovial tone.

So it seemed like Ash was going to come with them after all. It was nice of the other girls to take the book Ash wanted to return to the library for her. They didn't seem to much care where Ash went and that was both a good and bad thing. He was sure Ash preferred things that way but when it came down to it, it did not look like the girl had many friends. He hoped that she did find a way to open up more and become friends with others, especially those in her own house. Oh well. At least she was coming with them so now they had a trio at least. And this way he could take care of both girls should anything out of the ordinary occur. He would have to make sure that Lucy and Ash got along though. He wasn't sure how Ash acted in social situations really. He had only ever had to deal with her when he had to stop fights.

Cullen turned his gaze over at Lysander for a moment and offered the other male a smile and a wink. He did wish they were hanging out but he was sure they'd find a way to group up some other time. They did have prefect duties after all. He would mis their alone time though they didn't really do anything out of the ordinary when they were together. He turned his attention back to his little group and started to walk towards the field lockers with the girls in toe. That is when Ash spoke up and asked him who he was. Oh, right. He did forget to introduce himself hadn't he? He turned back to her and smiled.

"Sorry about that. My name is Cullen. It is nice to meet you."

And then Lucy piped up. She had an excellent question. Why did Ash agree to come with them? They were strangers. He was sure that Lucy did not interact with Ash either. Maybe she was trying to get out of a bad situation or something. "Were they bullying you or something?" he asked then. "There was a lot of conversation over a book you were reading."

Noah felt rather sheepish as a teacher woke him up. Again. He had made it to the Great Hall with the rest of Hufflepuff, despite severe sleep deprivation. But he had fallen asleep again as soon as he sat down. Now it seemed he was one of the 'last people left at the table.

He merely shrugged cheekily at professor Longbottom's dry look. "Sorry. But not sorry. I'm not going to give up on researching ways to make a laptop work at school.", he informed the man, knowing he could get away with it without any point loss with this particular professor.

"How was I supposed to know we were going to be called to the Great Hall at such a ridiculously early time anyway?"

It wasn't quite in character for him, but he was too tired to have any fucks left to give. Not that he worded that out loud.

The Herbology Professor simply sighed, "At least tell me you listened to the Headmaster's speech before falling asleep."

At Noah's blank stare he made to say something, but stopped himself, before simply deciding to recap what had been said. Noah listened with growing horror. "But that's horrible!", he exclaimed, drawing some stares from the few still remaining in the Hall. At a below average loudness he continued, "I mean, he wasn't the nicest person to be honest, but that doesn't mean someone can do that!"

"Either way", the Professor said with a look that became only more pointed at the man's next words, "Seeing how you weren't awake to buddy up with anyone, do you want me to escort you to your common room?"

Noah thought about that for a while, On one hand, he could go back to bed. On the other, he wasn't all that tired anymore.

"Can we go to the library?", he asked. "I want to borrow some more books. I think I'm on the verge of a breakthrough with my project. If I'm right the common theory about magic supercharging technology to the point of breaking down could be wrong, as the recent text that I've read instead posted a theory about the common shifts in ambient magic when a spell is cast acting as something similar to an EMP."

Not noticing the teacher's blank look, he continued, "I mean, it's not all that important immediately, seeing how I wouldn't be able to charge my laptop with electricity here anyway, what with the lack of electricity sockets, but it means I might be able to get the theory about magic-proofing technology at home, for when I've got my OWLS and am able to cast magic..."

At this point Professor Longbottom interrupted him, "The library it is then..."

Noah quickly grabbed some buttered toast, before standing up. Taking a bite out of it he looked up expectantly at the man, and they started their walk towards the library.