Back To School We Go![Open]

[Ziggy Lupin]

Yet another year at school was about to begin, and Ziggy couldn’t be more happy. Classes sucked, sure, but being at the school almost guaranteed her own safety. What was she hiding from though? Well, after Voldemort coming back to life, she was slightly worried about that. Not only that, but as soon as the world found out, all hell would break loose. If her family found out that her and her friends had done it, well, she’d be killed on the spot. Also, her grandpapy Scarface, Harry Potter, would probably have a heart attack. It was something that didn’t need to happen, because he was old as it was and she didn’t want to get labeled a murderer.

Though, Hogwarts had been invaded once before. So it wasn’t entirely all that safe. It would be safer than her own home, though. Not to mention there would be plenty of professors and kids that would die before she would. So, she really couldn’t wait until she got to the safer halls of the school. Call her paranoid or whatever, but she honestly was waiting for some tragic event to happen. What if Voldemort attacked the train while they were going to school? Oh god, what if it fell off the tracks and crashed and everyone died? Yes, Ziggy was riding on an emotional roller coaster, and frankly, she didn’t like it, and wanted off right away.

A groan escaped the girls lips as she pressed fingers to her forehead. ”I think I’m going to be sick..” She muttered to herself as she walked towards Platform Nine and Three Quarters. In all honesty though, she had every right to be paranoid. If she could only get her thoughts on to more positive things, then she would make out alright. Good positive things about going to school. Well, one good thing is that she’d be able to find Ire, who she hadn’t seen since that night after she disappeared. There she was again, thinking about that horrible night. Though, she really was mad at the other girl. Ire needed to be yelled at, by both her and Yemon. This whole mess, she decided, was Ire’s fault. No doubt though that she would gladly take the blame.

Okay, pushing those thoughts back to more positive things! At Hogwarts, she could roam the school, like she owned the place, just like she did every other year. Pranks prank and more pranks! Ziggy had stocked up on new supplies for pranking, and if she had the time, decided that all hell would break out in the school on her free time. Voldemort or no voldy, she wanted to have a good last two years of school. Was that even possible anymore? No, it really wasn’t, but until other people found out, she could pretend she didn’t know either!

The pink haired girl pushed her little cart thingy infront of her, her trunk sitting on it. One of her hands lifted, her fingers brushing over her shaved head and the inch and a half long gash on her head. It was nasty looking at this point, since it was basically a giant scab. There wasn’t anything she could do about it, she couldn’t hide it by growing out her hair, it was too big. At least the blood had stopped leaking out, and hopefully she didn’t rip the scab off in her sleep. Ziggy wanted it to heal and go away already, so she could forget about the night just that much more. It was a constant reminder of the whole event, and just thinking about the gash in her head made her head throb.

Her light blue eyes glanced around, looking at all the muggles that passed by. Looking for the opportune moment, the girl waited for a good moment to cross through the barrier. Then it came, as most of the muggles all passed by out of sight. Ziggy quickly pushed her cart through the barrier between platform 9 and 10. As she crossed through the other side, a bright smile appeared on her lips. There were kids rushing around, little soon to be first years saying goodbye to their parents, and the train was making all sorts of noises as it prepared to leave. The commotion of it all was refreshing, and it calmed the girls nerves, for the moment.

”Lets go find Bible Thump thump!” The albino Jarvey spoke up, from where he was perched upon her shoulder. Nodding her head, Ziggy hauled her things onto the train, pushing past all the students as she made her way towards a compartment. Every year she was always the first of their trio to get on the train, so she always picked the compartment and waited. As soon as her things were settled, the girl sat down inside the compartment and made herself comfortable. The oversized ferret-like creature jumped off her shoulder, then ran around the compartment, a little ball of energized fur. ”I go find bible thump thump, and fucking twittery birdy!” He said as he raced to the open compartment door, pausing and looking back as he waited for permission.

”Oh, go on, get! Don’t get stepped on, and don’t cuss at random people!” The pink haired female spoke to her pet, making shooing motions with her hands. The Jarvey let out what sounded like a laugh and scurried into the corridor of the train. Not even a foot out of the door and Ziggy heard the creature scream. ”FUCKING HELL, BITCH, WATCH WHERE THOSE BIG FEET GO!” Inside the compartment, the girl rolled her eyes and sighed.

[/blockquote]

[Ire Wright]

A soft crack echoed, bouncing off the walls of a dingy alleyway, a slight outpouring of air being forced out of the space it originally occupied sent a few bits of trash skittering across the pitted, and cracked pavement. A scrawny, grimy cat hissed loudly as a human being appeared within three feet of it. The human ignored the mangy feline and immediately set off down the alley, walking at a quick clip toward the edge open end. The sky was a pale gray, false dawn still clutching at every horizon. The sun wasn't even really up yet, just lipping the eastern sight line: A sight completely lost on the people lost in the man made jungle of the city. Early morning traveled grumbled by on the road, and commuters drifted in an out of the massive train station just across the road. The alley stood between two buildings across the road and not far from King Cross; She could see the entrance way from where she stood peering out of the concealing shadows. The smell of damp rubbish, cat urine filled her nostrils in a nauseating perfume. Semi-long brown hair fell forward as Ire leaned further forward to peer out at the world from the dark little hide y hole she'd arrived in; surreptitiously the girl slid the wand in her grasp back into the leather holster around her wrist, then tugged the sleeve of her dark gray pull over to make sure it was hidden. Hitching the backpack she carried slung over one shoulder further up and strode out into the pallid pre-dawn light. The girl kept her head down, eyes on the pavement as she walked; her pace was fast: A quick clip to match the harried gait of the early morning commuters. Her trainers smacked on the slightly damp pavement, the sound of her own steps soon blending in among the others.

Inside the station it was still to early for there to be a great deal of people so it was only a matter of loitering around looking like a bored teenager; not a hard job with all the security workers half asleep themselves. Ire simply waited around until the perfect moment arrived before wandering toward the barrier between platforms 9 and 10, her pace picked up as she got closer and she passed through the barrier without a hitch immediately ducking off to one side away from the few people patrolling the platform at that early time: A few harried mothers with excited children, some bored seventh years looking like they just wished this was done and over with. The normal noise and bustle of the platform was absent: Ire'd never been here this early before. She'd always been running a little behind due to her own schedule: Jet lag killed whatever inclination she usually had for rising early to beat the crowds, and as such she always took a good deal of time to get ready for the trip to the castle.

Half hidden in the alcove created by a couple of pillars she dropped her back pack from her shoulder to the floor with a quit thump, immediately she crouched down and began to dig through it withdrawing a miniaturized Hogwarts trunk from within, she sat it down; flickered her wrist to loosen her wand then cast a spell to reverse the shrinking charm placed on the piece of luggage: It immediately grew back to normal size. A quiet hiss from within the folds of her pull over informed her of just what her snake thought of the jostling as well as the early hour: It'd taken a lot of fast talking just to get the runespoor awake enough to wrap their several feet of body length around her waste. Sliding her wand back into it's hiding place she shouldered her back pack again, and then grabbed the handle of her trunk dragging it over to the small pile of other luggage waiting to be loaded aboard; offering the worker there a curt nod when he offer a sleepy good morning.

The girl immediately clambered onto the train, and tracked through the narrow middle hallway to one of the compartments far to the back, out of the way to avoid other people: She honestly didn't feel like dealing with anyone right now. Finding one to her liking she immediately went in, snapped the rolling doors closed and dropped into the seat near the window. The three headed snake gave another sleepy hiss as it slithered from beneath her clothing to position itself in a dim, watery patch of emerging sunlight that had spilled haphazardly over the seat. Grumbling to themselves the snake coiled up again and was gone. Ire drew her legs up, resting her forehead against the cool glass of the window.

Despite the ghostly opacity of her reflection she could still make out the pallor of her face; the dullness of her brown eyes, and the dark shadows beneath them. Ire, quite frankly, looked like hell warmed over: Felt like it to. Sleepless nights do that to a person, she supposed. She closed her eyes and released a soft sigh, letting her tense muscles slacken as she slid down in her seat, ready to catch a few more winks.

Unlike her friend (or friends) Ire wasn't loosing sleep (If they were) over what they had done in releasing Voldemort back onto the world. No, that really didn't perturb her all that much, she had other more immediate things to ponder over, quite frankly. Ire didn't sleep all that often as it was, and add to that the fact that she'd been in a rather, to her, discomforting situation and it all added up to a crankier than usual (and stressed) Ire Wright. She was currently in a state of warring moods: Lethargic apathy did battle against an overtaxed hair trigger temper. Still, at the very least she was ready to get back to the castle, and see what this year had to offer: It quite obviously was going to be a year unlike any other with the way things were going. She was still wary: Grandfather had yet to retaliate for letting her free of her cage earlier than usual, and it made her skin prickle uneasily just thinking about it. The matter of her parents disappearance also left a sour taste on her tongue. The world spun on irregardless of what they may want, or desire: They were but riders in this carousel of daily living.

The girl jerked out of her light doze when the sounds from the platform began to swell and gain tempo: More of the weak sunlight cut through the high arching glass ceiling of the station to lance through the window of that compartment. Blinking to bring her vision back into focus she stood, swaying slight she rubbed at her eyes before reaching over and grabbing her back pack from where she'd dropped it earlier: A short trip to the bathroom, and Ire was already in her uniform: Black robes emblazoned with the blue and bronze RavenClaw crest, gray pleated skirt, the whole deal. While she wasn't all that big on skirts... Well, you had to do what you had to do: She wore the uniform pants sometimes when she could get away with it, though. By the time she returned to the compartment she'd claimed as her own there were already other people thundering up and down the hallway, as they looked for their friends, and shouted to each other in passing: Ire grimaced, ducking back into the calm of her own compartment, the runespoor was waiting for her; all three heads lifted, tongues flicking.

“Finally awake are you?” She hissed as she closed the door moving toward the seat the black and orange banded serpent occupied.

-Its not our fault you decided to get going at such an ungodly hour!- Aapep hissed, sounding displeased and tired still.

-Had you discussed it with us we could have planned it out better.- Danh pointed out primly.

-I was having such a wonderful dream when you woke us...- Ophion added dejectedly.

Ire rolled her eyes at the three, and carefully slid her hands under the snake's long body, drawing them up off the seat, and holding them near her shoulders: The three headed serpent obedient slithered under the fall of her hair, shifting around until they were concealed by her hair and clothing, with just enough room at the crook of her neck to peer out at the world. She sat down then, propping her feet up on the seat directly across from her, ankles crossed, and slouching down; head turned to look out the window at the crowd milling about.

It wasn't to much later that a loud sound drew her attention toward the doors and the hall outside, someone yelped in surprise and shortly there after there came the sound of several chittered curses, and then another yell. Standing up Ire moved to the door and opened it enough to stick her head out, and just as she'd expected she could see a lithe white creature weaving through a forest of legs. The over sized ferret twined his way closer, hissing out curses and insults at any of the people who tried to stop him. The brunette stepped out into the hall as the rodent drew closer, and in a calm monotone voice that was (if possible) chillier than usual said quite flatly, “Draco.”

The jarvey skidded to a halt right in front of her, sitting up on his hind legs to crane his head back, and stare up at the girl, “Fuck!”

[/i] He hissed. “Shit, the crazy bitch!”[/i]

Ire gave the ferret-like creature a blank stare then crouched down, wrapping her hands around the rodents body before cradling him against her chest. Sighing she began to pace down the hallway in the direction the albino creature had come from listening to it chatter and shoot off insults at the people they passed: She'd, quite honestly, been planning to avoid her two 'friends' until much later in the term if she could help it. She knew they'd still be angry over what had happened, and didn't really have the energy to deal with it at the moment: Ah well, she'd bite the bullet she supposed.

So there she went, jarvey in hand; glancing into the compartments as she went and listening to Draco scold her, “No, stupid! Not there, crazy twit!”
[/blockquote][/size]

[†Yemon Smith†]

Salvation is only a prayer
away...

[/b][/left]



Mary made a racket as Yemon shoved her into the small silver cage. She fluttered and banged her body around, loose feathers flying in every direction. She sighed and rubbed his temples with the pointer and middle fingers of his hand. He knew she hated being "jailed" but he couldn't hail a muggle taxi with a bird flying loose. For some reason they wouldn't allow it. The tiny bird finally rested on the single perch inside, her brows furrowing to glare at the jailer. Yemon felt guilty, but it was a necessity. With so many students going to school, he couldn't run the risk of someone's stray owl snagging her for a quick snack. He didn't need any more bad to happen. Enough bad had happened to last him for a few months. Okay, maybe a few weeks. He turned his back to the caged dove, which immediately began to cause a racket again. Ignoring her, he wandered over to his dresser where he pulled out the last cigarette from the same pack that had caused the house fire. Ironic, that such a small thing did so much. He smiled at he lit it and inhaled the wonderful taste. He'd not be having one for a long while. Though the usual first day of school pranks were to be pulled [and Yemon wasn't sure how he'd top this years next year], he knew afterwards he would become his quiet self, bible in hand.

With that thought, his eyes looked over at the intricate book that was laid on his bed. It had been an expensive gift from his father, blue leather bound with bronze page ends and a decorative, bronze celtic style cross on the top. It was odd, that his bible had turned out to be the very colors of his house, had it not? Perhaps the lord was on his side after all.

Taking the last draw of life his tobacco had to offer he snuffed it out and slid over to his bags. He didn't really have much in the way of things to take with him. All the things he rather enjoyed would have given up his rouse a long time ago. He had another year left to hide behind his mask, and he wasn't going to slip up. Well, no more then usual. There were times that he had let something get to him and he had forgotten about his act. Even though he was cold to most people, apparently his happy smile and generally pleased slef came out into view. It was probably Ziggy. He'd have to remember not to let her get the best of him. He couldn't afford more idiots to think he was cute.

Women were the work of Satan.

Yet it was two women he treasured most. He let out a snort as he laughed at himself. Sometimes he confused himself, too. He had never expected to make any friends. When he had, he kept them to himself. Now Hibiki knew of one of them. He prayed Ziggy didn't have to deal with his stupidity. He knew Ire wouldn't. He kind of felt sorry for both of them if Ire and Hibiki were to meet. His thoughts drifted back to Ire as he smoothed out his uniform and rechecked the contents of his bags. He hadn't heard or seen her since that night. He hadn't really cared to. He was still fairly ticked off at the whole situation with her. Still, he was looking forward to seeing how she was doing, even if he had every intention of blowing up on her, or ignoring her for the most part.

Satisfied with his packing, he shut them all tight. Just as the last click of the last trunk snapped he heard a rapping at his door. He turned to see Hibiki standing there, pointing at his bags before heading off down the stairs. Yemon understood without a word having to be spoken. The trunks lifted from the ground and follwed Hibiki like little dogs and Yemon sighed, walking over to lift Mary and her cage, who had now just deicided to ignore him. Following Hibiki footsteps he headed down the stairs, his wand flickering out of his pocket only to cast the spell to make his trunks float down to set besides all of his cousins. He hated that Hibiki took so much with him. Yemon was always the one that had to pack their things into the taxi. Hibiki would literally wing it to king's cross and wait outside with a cart for their bags. Sometimes Yemon envied him for his freedom. He wished he could fly away sometimes, too.

Flickign his wrist the spell came to an end and he shuffled into the kitchen where his family was piled. Hibiki was leaned against a wall, expression clear that he was not into the loving goodbyes. Neither was Yemon. His mother raced to him, embracing him in a giant hug. He let out a loud wail, which caused her to withdraw, a sad expression on her face. He assumed she had forgotten about the chunk missing from his arm. Though he wasn't sure how someone could forget such a thing. His blue eyes darted downto his arm, making sure that his shirt had not been stained by blood. He let out a satisfied grunt when there was no trace of the red liquid. He didn't want to have to change out of his uniform until he got to school. He disliked having to use the train to change. Instead he dressed at home, and packed his robe into his shoulder bag to be slid on after seating himself on the express. He rolled his eyes and waved his hand.

"Yeah. Love you too. Write lots. Bye."

He heard the chuckle of Hibiki as he headed out the back door, and the mutters of his grandparents about how Yemon was turning out to be another troublemaker like "their Hibiki". It amazed him how they always could find similarities between Hibiki and he. He didn't think they were that alike at all. His mother murrs of praise were the last thing he heard as he walked out the door with the first batch of trunks in his hands. The shadow of the large bat crossed overhead as he tossed them into the trunk. What the hell was Hibiki taking with him, dead bodies?!

The ride to the station was not as quiet and nice as he had hoped. The driver was content with jabbering on about his wife, and Mary was content with going crazy in her cage again. It was a loud party that Yemon was not to pleased to be a part of. He couldn't have tossed the money at the man any faster had he tried when they stopped. Leaping from within he rushed to the trunk of the car where he began to remove bags. Before he even pulled out the third one, Hibiki had appeared and was loading his onto a trolley. He was glad that his cousin hadn't been so much of an ass to leave him out, as he had brought a second one for Yemon. Muttering a tired "Thanks." Yemon shot off for the platform, his cousin was still standing and stretching eyeing the crowd and Yemon wasn't going to be late waiting for him.

The station was bristling with activity. By the time he reached the platform, there was a bit of a line of people waiting. Yemon waited patiently, his dove cooing was sounded like insults at him as they waited for their turn. Mary could be such a docile creature, but when she was angry, one would know. Tucking his bible under his arm tightly he began to mutter psalms. Better to get into the habit early, right? Finally his turn came around and he jogged through the barrier. Once on the other side he shoved his way through, tucking his large bags into the storage bins along the outside before climbing up into the train.

The aisles of the express were lined with gossiping people and lost first years looking for a seat. Yemon hated the crowded place. It meant people would touch him. Scoffing he pushed his was through, eyes looking for any sign of either of his friends. Seeing a familiar glimpse of pink he darted forward, slipping into the compartment with her, seating himself opposite.

"Hello Zi-chan. It is a pleasure to see you again, M'lady."

He bowed to her, his forehead almost hitting his knees. As he lifted his head he reached an arm over and unclasped the cage lock. Mary cooed sweetly and fluttered up to rest on the back of the chair. Yemon let out an exhausted sigh and closed his eyes. Apparently he was immediately forgiven.

"Where are thou foul mouthed little rodent?"

He questioned, not bothering to look at her. He knew Draco was around somewhere, but knowing how the little thing was, he was sure he had romped off somewhere to get into trouble. Probably under the guise of doing something useful. That bit reminded him of someone else. Smiling he opened his eyes and began to dig through the only bag he had carried on with him. The bag still vaguely smelled of smoke. He should have washed it. Pulling a small bottle and his robes from within he slide the robe over his uniform and tucked his wand and vile into the pockets within it.

"Has thee seen Wrath-hime yet? One should like to think thine foul friend would still arrive to school the same way."

He crossed his leg over the other and looked out the window. He could feel himself getting angry again. He wasn't sure how he would take to seeing Ire again.

All you need do, is fall to your
knees.

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[/size]
[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ziggy Lupin]

Well, the compartment itself would be quiet had there not been a billion kids walking past it, chattering loudly. That’s what she got though, for leaving the door open. Or rather, Draco should have shut it on his way out. Would the oversized rat be able to close a large door like that? Probably not, so she couldn’t blame him. Ziggy was too lazy to get up and close the door though, and besides, it shouldn’t taken Draco too long to find Mr. Bible Thump Thump, right? Wrong.

The minutes ticked by, and slowly she became more and more irritated with the loud noise coming from the aisle. Then there was the random kids walking in, some saying ‘oops, thought this wasn’t taken!’ and others asking if they could join her. There were also the short little 11 year olds that walked in and asked Ziggy where they were supposed to go, and if the seating was assigned, and other ridiculous questions. Finally getting fed up, after a 11 year old girl asked where the bathroom was, she got up and slammed the door to the compartment shut. Ah..silence at long last!

Sitting back down, Ziggy rested her head against the window, making sure it was the side not split open. Her bright eyes looked out of the window, looking for anything of particular interest as she waited. Her silence was interrupted shortly after shutting the door though, as she heard it slide back open. Immediately her mouth opened, preparing to shout at the student. A familiar voice stopped her though, greeting her as he entered the compartment. Ziggy lifted her head, looking over only to find none other than Yemon. A smile curled on to the girls lips at the greeting she received, his bible thumping language back, as it always was when school started again. ”Oh no no, the pleasure is all mine, as always, kind sir.” She shot back at him, a full on grin on her lips as she finished.

Shaking her head, she watched as he bowed, as always. No matter how much she told him not to, he still did it. It was ridiculous and quite unnecessary. Lifting a hand, the girl waved to the dove as she was released from her cage. Then her attention returned back to Yemon, as he questioned about her foul mouthed rodent. Oh right, he had gone off to search for Yemon. Though, she highly doubted he had really gone off to look for Ye. It was probably just an excuse to go and cause trouble, and maybe if he got lucky, achieve finding Ye as a side quest. ”Dunno. He went off to look for you, but I’m sure he’s causing mischief. He likes to frighten the first years.” She answered finally, shrugging her shoulders. Draco could fend for himself, and as long as the animal didn’t get her in trouble, she really didn’t care what he did.

Her grin dropped at the mention of Ire, replaced with a small frown as the male asked her if she had seen the other girl. That meant he hadn’t seen her either. ”I haven’t.” She answered bluntly, right before she heard a familiar foul mouthed shriek. ”No, stupid! Not there, how many fucking times do I have to tell you! That one, over there, bitch!” Draco shrieked, from within the clutches of Ire, while he pointed towards the compartment that Zig and Yemon were in. ”Yes yes, that one! Good job, idiot! Now get your filthy hands off me!” He cried out, wiggling as he tried to get away. Not that it would help, because the compartment door was closed. There wasn’t anywhere for him to go till Ire opened it.

”I think someone found him..” Ziggy muttered, rolling her eyes as she got up and walked to the compartment door. ”Hopefully he hasn’t bitten them..” Draco didn’t like to be held or touched by anyone, except for Ziggy and the people he knew. This included Yemon and Ire. That was only because he knew them, and he knew if he harmed them, they’d harm him back. Or sick an angry dove or a poisonous three headed snake on him. Neither sounded healthy. Ziggy slid open the compartment door, lazily sitting back down by the window.

”Draco, get your ass in here!” She barked, staring at the doorway as she waiting for her white fuzzball to race in.

[/blockquote]

[Ire Wright]

As she walked down the hall people parted to either side of her much like the red sea in one of those movies about the exodus from Egypt: They all sent wary glances toward her as she passed. Quite honestly Ire wasn't sure if the looks were for her or the squalling rodent she held in her arms as it continued the ceaseless slew of insults to her. In reality, it was probably a combination of both: Ire was giving off one of the few vibes she produced that drew attention as much as it discouraged it; that one that could be labeled as just shy of killing intent. She was in a bad mood, though it didn't show through the surface at all; there was only a small smoldering speck of temper in her brown eyes. Other than that the RavenClaw was so calm, and cold she looked like she could have been walking through a rose garden with nary a care in the world. Her face was blank, eyes trained forward as she wove past the people to slow to step out of her path, her pace was a quick one, thought without in overt stiltedness from the agitation she could feel fizzing in her bones like an overturned wasps nest.

Then the jarvey was jerking and wiggling in her clutches waving a small hand-like paw toward one of the closed compartment doors and shrieking for all he was worth; demanding to be released. The door jolted open, and Ire could see a flash of pink and shortly heard the well known voice of Ziggy from within. Instead of releasing the creature as he so plainly wanted the brunette girl strode to the door, grabbing it and sliding it open the rest of the way so that she stood framed neatly in the open doorway, one hand held aloft and forward as it clutch the white rodent just behind his forelegs, leaving the long sinewy body dangle toward the floor as Draco wriggled her grasp, loudly demanding to be put down, “I believe.” Ire said, her voice cold and flat as she stared toward the window before tracking her simmering brown eyes over to gaze at the pink haired girl. “That this,” she nodded toward Draco, “belongs to you?”

Ire looked as stiff, and calm as ever: Her chilly exterior perfectly expressing the cold attitude that was spilling from her lips with ever toneless word. The snake ring on her pinky finger glinted blue and silver in the watery sunlight that fell into the compartment, highlighting the slightly unhealthy pallor of her already pallid skin, and drawing further attention to the dark shadows beneath her eyes. Her hair was left down in a wavering sweep about her shoulders, framing that expressionless face, as well as hiding the snake that curled over her narrow shoulders beneath the fabric of both her robe and uniform top. The RavenClaw badge was displayed proudly on the breast of her robes, after a moment she stepped forward half a step, and dangled Draco over the seat next to the pink haired girl: He dropped a short ways, landing easily before screeching at her for being a 'stupid slow bitch.' She paid the creature no mind, and simply dropped her arm back to her side the long sleeve of her school robe falling down to encompass the fine lines of her hand: In this setting, in this clothing, in this world Ire looked every inch the haughty pureblood heiress that she was; Gone were the over sized muggle clothing, and with it she seemed to shed her humanity becoming untouchable looking to match that distant nature.

She skimmed her gaze over the two in the compartment, almost assessing and calculating as she went: Taking in the gash on Zig's head, and the way that Yemon favored one arm. Feeling both vaguely amused, and wicked she felt her lips parting as words fell callously from her tongue, “I almost forgot... Congratulations on surviving a night of horror.” she drawled. She felt no remorse for her words, though she knew they'd get adverse reaction, whether it was anger or upset she didn't know: She reminded them of what they'd done, what they had accomplished, and the monster they had let free. She reminded them of the fear, and the uncertainty. Still, they didn't have to come: In this they had made their own choices, and she prodded at the scabrous wound beneath which she knew there had to be a festering rage at her. She took a lancet to it, forced it to break and spew out the ugliness waiting within, and she did it feel a surge of wicked amusement as she awaited their words of condemnation. She stood at trial, and awaited their judgement for her actions; blank on the outside and quietly; calmly, amused within.

[†Yemon Smith†]

Salvation is only a prayer
away...

[/b][/left]



Yemon let out a soft chuckle. He should have known Ziggy was bound to play into his words. It was certainly expected, she had done it before she found out he wasn't who he seemed to be. His fingers stroked the front of his robe, lips frowning when there was an unnecessary crease. They had been folded for so long now they were getting wrinkled. He would have to fix that later. Turning his attention back to Ziggy he cocked his head to the left side, genuine smile pulling back his lips.

"Well thine rodent doth a bad job, yes? For I have arrived, and he still wonders aimlessly aboard the railway to hells fire. Though one must convey that I shalt not help you clean the floors if a first year doth get the bathroom scares from within."

He winced inwardly. He had been out of practice now. His wording was going to take some work again. His tongue slipped from his mouth wetting his lips before hiding itself back behind his teeth. He felt so dry. He noticed that at the mention of Ire, Ziggy seemed to loose her good mood. He wasn't sure if that should be a good or bad thing. His eyes shot at the door, as Draco's foul mouth erupted. Mary fluttered a bit on her perch behind Yemon. Seemed she had missed the little rodent. Yemon couldn't say he agreed. Sometimes Draco could make a sailor sound like they spoke baby talk.

"Indeed it doth appear so."

He Held back his laughter as Ziggy opened the door and shouted for her pet. He was glad Mary was quiet and content to sitting on his shoulder for the most part. He never had to worry about her getting in into trouble. He couldn't count the times Draco had caused Ziggy to get yelled at. Not that she had usually cared; it was rather funny for the most part.

The compartment door slid open more, and Yemon's happy mood seemed to drop immediately. Ire was holding Draco out saying something. He couldn't hear what she said. All he heard was the buzzing of every pent up insult he wanted to toss at her. He took slow breaths and calmed himself. His blue eyes shot her evil glares as Mary slid away from the girl, her coos trying to console Yemon. It didn't work well, but Yemon was reminded of the guise he put on. He couldn't yell at her. He would have to gnaw off his tongue.

He words were flat. They were dead to him. He turned his gaze away from her, eyes staring out onto the station platform scanning the last remaining stragglers hurry to board. He wondered if Hibiki had managed to get on yet. His eyes looked at Ire's reflection in the window and he let out a huff grunt. She looked like shit. That made him feel a little better, though, he couldn't say he felt justified at all. She was dead to him. He would not even acknowledge her presence. At least, not until he was done being pissed at her. She had chosen to abandon them, forget them, and ignore them. He would do the same to her. Not that she would care, but it would make him feel better. He chose instead, to recite. It was a habit he would have to get back into.

"And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness."

He muttered, his eyes scanning the families that were wishing their last goodbyes. That was all he would have to say. There was nothing else decent enough buzzing around in his skull to say right now.

All you need do, is fall to your
knees.

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[Ziggy Lupin]

Ziggy never took her attention off the floor, watching as she waited for the white fuzzball to run into the room. Instead, the door opened more, and shoes appeared in the doorway. Slowly she lifted her gaze from the persons shoes, all the way up to their face. Immediately a frown appeared on her lips as she realized who was standing in the doorway, it was none other than Ire. Her gaze turned into a glare as she spotted Draco in her clutches, still wiggling and yelling to be let free. Half of her wanted to scream at the girl for the other night, and the other half wanted to just ignore the girls presence.

Biting down on her bottom lip, she looked back from Draco up to Ire, listening to the words she spoke. ”Why yes, I believe he does.” She answered bluntly, with a hint of sarcasm. She quietly took in the appearance of their so called ‘friend’. Just like she remembered, the girl looked like complete shit. In a way it made her happy, knowing that the girl had suffered injuries, just like they had. Not to mention she looked the worst out of them all. It didn’t change the fact though, that was she really upset with the other girl. Though they had willingly gone with her to investigate the house, Ziggy was still set on blaming the girl entirely for everything that happened. Call it childish or whatever you want, but that’s just how she felt. Not to mention she had bailed on them twice, leaving them to fend for themselves.

Sure on any normal occasion they would have been able to do such. Except this time there was muggles with guns, death eaters, oh and lets not forget Voldemort. Ire had broken the biggest ‘rule’ in friendship. She had bailed on them in their time of need, and quite selfishly left them to their own doom. Did she feel guilty about it? Ziggy had the feeling that she really could care less. Sure, it had never felt like Ire had cared much for either her or Yemon, but she had never expected her to do such a cowardly thing. Ziggy would openly say that she was royally pissed at the other girl. Things would never be the same between the three of them, ever again.

Ziggy shifted, adjusting the stupid ugly skirt she was wearing. She had already changed into her school uniform, much to the dislike of the idea. It mean she had to dress normally, just like everyone else in the school. Something she really wasn’t fond of. As Draco was released, he quickly scurried over and climbed into the girls lap, muttering more profanities about Ire. He curled up in the girls lap, laying down and falling quite silent as the air of bad vibes thickened in the compartment.

”Let me be the first to thank you for helping to bring back something that didn’t need to be.” Ziggy finally said, her tone rather harsh, the sentence having more than one meaning. On one hand, she was still referring back to the Jarvey that Ire had returned. On the other hand, it was pinning the whole night right on Ire. Idly she reached towards her lap, petting the soft bundle of fur in her lap. No doubt, a lot of people would be ‘thanking’ all three of them for bringing back the Dark Lord once he made a public appearance. There was no way that either her or Yemon would be able to fully blame it on Ire though, no matter how hard they tried, they’d be stuck with the blame and guilt.

The teenagers blue eyes narrowed into a glare as Ire dumped salt on open wounds, congratulating the on surviving the night. She was poking at the wounds, irritating them. Ziggy couldn’t really figure out why though. Why was the girl suddenly turning against them? Scowling, Ziggy looked over at Yemon to see how he would react. Apparently, he had chosen the path to ignore the girls existence. It was an easy way out, at least that’s how she figured it. No, Ire wasn’t going to get off so easily by having both her friends ignore them. Maybe she wanted them to react negatively, have them yell at her and take out their anger at her.

”Congratulations on proving to us just how much of a true git you really are.” She shot back at the girl. Trying to make Ire feel bad wasn’t going to work, Ziggy knew that. Ire was the perfect person to vent to though, because she had already proven that she was an empty shell, completely emotionless and not caring how anyone felt. Maybe she was wasting her breath, but did she care? No, not really. ”Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to explain why you fucking bailed on us. Twice.” She snapped. If anything, she wanted to hear the girls grand excuse for being a coward, even if it wouldn’t change how she felt about Ire now. In her eyes, nothing could excuse what she had done. Being forgiven for something like this was impossible.

ooc: Ahahah horrbile post. Point and laugh with me!

[Ire Wright]

As soon as they noticed her the tension in the small area shot up dramatically: Ire rather though their reactions were rather telling about their different personalities. Yemon turned away from her, choosing to ignore her and pretend she did not exist: Ire wondered if he would do the same about the little 'problem' they had created in their little adventure. Would he choose to ignore the reality of the Dark Lord, just as he chose to ignore Ire in his anger, his upset, and his guilt? Ziggy turned to Ire with hurt, scathing words, and sharp a tongue: Just like a Gryffindor, really. She bit back in vengeance for being 'wronged.' She perceived her view of things to be the correct one, didn't stop to think about ulterior motives. Frankly Ire often wondered how Gryffindors survived to maturity: They all seemed to wear blinders that kept them set to the race track of their narrow minded worlds. Silly fools. Quite honestly they were both giving off vibes like she had killed their favorite puppy. She could feel eyes boring into her, and glanced at the of the window; just able to make out Yemon studying her in the slight reflection: She quirked a sardonic eyebrow his way; did he really think he was doing anything but acting like a sulky little child?

Ziggy was speaking then, addressing her with caustic words, with double sided meanings meant to assure Ire of her own blame, and Ire could feel an odd little twitch at the corners of her mouth as the words registered; she couldn't seem to stop it the way her lips curled up into a faint, smirk-y smile, her brows lifting upward as she gazed back at the angry girl with a strangely amused look on her face: Strange for the topic, strange for the person wearing it. The whole situation just left Ire feeling rather 'giddy,' she supposed was the word for it. Ire wondered if the Crucio and subsequent braining hadn't liquefied more of her brain cells than she thought. For everyone else the world seemed to be going to hell, for Ire it was like the cosmos were aligning themselves and opening the pathway to Valhalla. When the brunette spoke there was an odd quality to her words: A strange lilting cadence in her tone as though she were teasing, joking, “Oh Ziggy, Ziggy, Ziggy...” She drawled, and the strange tremor to her voice seemed to increase as though she were fighting down laughter. How very odd, indeed. Ire lifted her hands upward, the right rising to press the pad of her pointer finger against the corner of her mouth while the left cupped the elbow of her right arm, her weight shifting to one side as the girl adopted an almost thoughtful pose: Her features blanked out again, though there remained the vaguest of devious quirks to brows.

Turning her eyes back to Ziggy she quirked her head ever so slightly and asked, “Did it really? Not need to come back, I mean. Isn't there... A possibility that this could be useful?” She pointed out; to anyone not in the know the two's conversation would sound like the discussion of a hapless pet, but for these three there was deeper meaning in every word. It was almost surreal: A Gryffindor sitting there partaking in a positively Slytherin conversation. “After all, one must consider current affairs before dismissing something as 'not needed.'” She pointed out, it was logical after all: The Dark Lord could undoubtedly 'deal' with the little problem concerning muggles. Oh, sure, that would mean plenty of dead muggles; and things would likely get worse before they could improve, but that was a given where any war was concerned. Still, Ire thought the situation had promise: Even if it didn't she rather thought the chaos that would engulf the known universe would be interesting. She knew, that in this coming storm her golden cage would be rocked by the winds until it was knocked off the strings from which it hung, breaking open the door and allowing her to surge free: This little Nightingale would make sure the Emperor learned his lesson, but it wouldn't be in such a kind way; Wrath gave no second chances for those who partook of it's judgment.

The words based toward her character honestly made Ire want to scoff: What did they expect? They had known her for around six years; were constantly calling her a coward, or cold, or mean spirited: A bitch. They knew what they were dealing with, she'd never corrected them: They simply assumed, and assumed again, “I never said otherwise, Ziggareth.” She said quietly, not caring if it was heard or not. She simply didn't have the energy to get into a debate over the basis of her moral make-up, and quite honestly she felt rather tired at that moment.

As Ziggy went on to demand answers for her actions Ire allowed her hand to slid further up, fingering the lowest of the three earrings piercing the lobe of her right ear; slowly turning the piece of jewelry, while her eyes observed the ceiling of the compartment: She vaguely noticed that there seemed to be a group of people outside listening to them she could hear the speculating whispers. When Ziggy finished remonstrating her for her actions, finished demanding answers the RavenClaw stepped forward another pace one hand reaching out behind her to grab the handle of the door; and with a quick movement she slammed it closed. The next second found her wand in hand as she threw up silencing charms on the compartment to keep their conversation from spilling out onto unwanted listeners: While Ire doubted she would let slip anything incriminating she wouldn't put it past Yemon or Ziggy to loose their tempers completely and say something that would come back to bite them, and therefore Ire, in the ass.

She turned back to face Ziggy as she slid her wand away once more; her blank, cold facade was back in place fully: It barely took an eye blink to fall into place. “Oh?” She asked, her voice flat and chilly, though with a biting edge as she bit off the words with a catty tinge, “I wasn't aware we were going to have a sleep over to, you should have told me... Whose house did you stay at? You could have sent me an owl and I could have popped right over; you see I just need the forewarning to prepare for whichever family I face: The complete unknown, or the ones who would like to lynch me.” The girl clasped her hands at the small of her back looking rather bored as she retorted. Almost as though answering a school related question rather than a demand for repentance. Quite frankly Ire couldn't understand why Ziggy had her hackles up over the second time, weren't they all 'fleeing the scene of the crime' at that point? Or were they supposed to gather in the bushes and giggle like naughty school children? Had Ire misplaced a certain rule in the Big Book of Friendship? As for the first time, she supposed she was 'in the wrong' there, but quite honestly she felt her reasons justified her actions: To bad Ire didn't care to explain.

Simply she shrugged and finished her response quite plainly, “Make of it what you will, I don't care to try and convince you otherwise.” Therein lay the problem: She'd have to work to convince them to see things as she did, something that had failed every other time she had tried. It wasn't an unusual sequence of events: Ire tried to explain how she saw things, but neither of them were willing to try to see them the same way, instead they tried to convince her in turn. It was a worthless endeavor: They blamed Ire for her 'cowardice' for her 'bad attitude,' and called her a 'bad friend' but Ire had thought part of 'friendship' was accepting the other for themselves. In the end their 'friendship' was a sour thing: None of them really stood on level ground with each other, it was like a three way balance with each of them sitting on their own little weighing pan; every now and then one of them would shift and cause the scales to shift to far one way, and a small break down would occur as the other two scurried to make up for the indiscretion of the third.

Ire knew it had to upend eventually, she rather thought it would happen soon.

[†Yemon Smith†]

Salvation is only a prayer
away...

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Yemon listened to the conversation closely. His blue eyes flickering with the rage concealed deep inside. His fingers drummed on his leg, an impatient and face paced tune. He felt the growl of a long deprived lion screaming to tear into her flesh and savor its taste. His sight got a tad bit blurry, floating spots of light appearing here and there. His blood pressure was raising and the ringing in his ears only worsened his mood. A hand lifted, finger rubbing his forehead before brushing his hair back. He felt like he as going to just explode right there. He began to bounce a little, His body jittery from the build up. He would not let her have the better of him. She didn't deserve that.

Ziggy, however, had chosen the other route. She was snapping off things that he would have liked to have known, though she had worded herself a lot more polite then he would have ever thought of doing. He knew he could hold back if he were to let any bit of his anger out.

Yemon felt himself torn. He was angry at Ire, more angry then he supposed he had ever felt before. At the same time, he did see the plus side to having him back. Then again, half of his family prior had not been wiped clean but the bastard, either. He could see why Ziggy felt so bad about it. There were no words to console the guilt she felt. Neither of them had expected something to really happen. It was supposed to be just another thing they had high expectations of, but got bored with because nothing happened. It wasn't supposed to turn into a deadly game of chess that never ended.

People on both sides had died. They had made things worse. He hadn't seen the reports, but every time both sides lost the war seemed to get heavier. Yemon's hands shook. He had killed. He was no better then they, now. What was worse, even now, he still could not say he disliked it. He regretted only the joy he had found in it.

He eyed the reflection in the windows again. Something seemed different about Ire. Though she had always been a bit on the chilly side, it seemed like she had become a shell. It was as if any bit of the Ire he had known was gone. Some thing stood there in her place. It looked like Ire, sounded like Ire, but it somehow wasn't Ire anymore. He couldn't place what it was, but there was a change. He had to admit he was a bit surprised that she would offer up not even a little excuse as to why she bailed on them the first time. He assumed that her nasty retort was concerning the second time she had poofed, which only made Yemon angry because she had left Ziggy alone. She could have had the courtesy to at least see Ziggy to a safer spot first. He had looked too far into Ire, he supposed. If he had known she would have done that, he'd of stayed with Ziggy himself.

His lips curled up over his teeth, a feral snarl coming from deep within him. She really thought this some kind of fun little game to play! She though it amusing and joke worthy, did she? His head snapped over his shoulder, eyes iced over of any kindness that may be left in them.

"I didn't know it was a crime for ones family to be kept away from people like YOU. Have you not stopped once to wonder why people dislike you so? You want to be the cold callous bitch all the time, do you? You want to thrive in your solitude? You want to believe you need nothing and no one? THEN DO IT! Stop standing there all smug like you're some fucking princess on her fucking throne taunting her subjects. We owe nothing to you and never have. We have been there for years, giving to you what we had. When we truly needed you, you decide it is too much of a hassle to be a friend? You think it funny? Then laugh! I won't be there to help you if you ever need it! I'll stand over your dying body and laugh before I dare waste another moment on you! My only regret is having wasted any time on you!"

He heaved slightly, his muscles tensed and his jaws was clenched so tightly he could feel his cheek muscles twitching from the pressure, he stood and reached past her, his hand flinging the door open. His fist slammed into chair beside him as his words echoed into the hall.

"You can leave now. You are not wanted. Get used to it. It happens with people like you."

He seated himself again, his body flopping onto the seat loudly. Without giving her another thought he crossed his arms over his chest and let his eyes bore into the smiling faces of the people outside. Right now he wished Ire would poof like she had before, but "accidentally" end in front of a moving vehicle. Mary let out a long slow string of mournful coos. The dove was obviously bothered by what was happening. Her song, as it was, was all she could do to let her protest known. Yemon lifted his hand, and the dove hushed herself, fluttering to the hand given to her. He pulled her to his chest and stroked her head softly. He softly muttered things to her, mostly psalms he had memorized. They would help calm him down, or at least he had hoped so.

All you need do, is fall to your
knees.

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[Ziggy Lupin]

Her lips curled into a frown as the girl twisted the whole event, trying to play it out as a good thing. There was no way in hell that this could be a good thing, no matter which way she looked at it. Yes, the muggles had learned about magic. Yes, some of them were hunting down wizards and witches and attacking them, killing them even. The world was on the verge of complete and utter chaos and war between the two, but that didn’t mean that Voldemort would fix it. If the ministry of magic was still around, that could be their job, but they weren’t, unfortunately.

In ever sense, this whole thing was a complete nightmare. She could only imagine what her family would do when Voldemort made his appearance. A good portion of her family had all fought to get rid of him. Some had died, and others were wounded for life, like her one eared great grandfather George, and then there was her werewolf relative, Bill. Ire didn’t understand all the pain and suffering that people had gone through while Voldemort was at large, and the suffering people still had. For that fact, Yemon probably didn’t understand it either.

Ziggy did, though, and she seemed to be the only one that understood the effect that their actions had done. She couldn’t tell her family, she couldn’t tell anyone. They wouldn’t believe her, and then once the Dark Lord appeared, they would all turn on her. If her family found out what she had helped do, she’d be kicked to the curb, if not killed. If neither, the disappointment she knew they would have for her would eat her alive. Ziggy was a good person, she didn’t do terribly bad things that permanently harmed people. To know that she had just helped unleash a monster made her incredibly disappointed at herself.

She honestly couldn’t imagine the looks on her familys face when they found out Voldemort was back. The remaining survivors of the war would panic, and probably have heart attacks. Not to mention, what if Voldemort sent his death eaters on the still living retired members of the Order as revenge? She wasn’t sure if he would do such a thing, but she couldn’t imagine the guilt she would feel if it did happen. To know that it was her fault if more of her family members died would alone kill Ziggy inside.

Aside from her family, there were the other wizards that had survived it, along with the other wizards in the world. What would they do? No doubt, a lot of pureblood families would all rise to Voldemort and join his side again as Death Eaters. The ministry was dead, meaning there was no authority to put them away in Azkaban. Azkaban was abandoned, and it was said the Dementors had left too. There was no prison for the crazy wizards to get locked behind, and no authority to act out against Voldemort when he rose. There was also no Order of the Phoenix, which had disbanded, though she was positive that Grimmauld was still owned by Harry Potter, who was still alive at the moment. No doubt he’d die after Voldemort re appeared, via heart attack, or an attack by Voldemort himself. She was sure the house would be passed down to one of his kids though, if it hadn’t already.

What of the muggles, too? They were certainly doomed once Voldemort returned. With nobody to protect them, no Order, no Ministry, they would all die at the hands of the dark lord. The necos would surely try to forge an attack back, but they were just witch hunters, what could they do against an army of trained wizards that knew dark magic? Ziggy hardly figured they could even stand a chance, even if they managed to kill a death eater or two. Muggles were foolish, blind to things around them. They were quite self absorbed too, which had caused this whole thing once they found out about magic. If they were more understanding, and less judging, the problem between muggles and wizards wouldn’t exist. Then they could probably all group together, work as one, and bring down Voldemort. That was a distant thought though, because it wouldn’t ever happen. Muggles were far too selfish to get by the differences of others.

Then there, on top of everything else, was Ire. Someone she had considered a good friend until just a short while ago. She had proved that she didn’t feel for her or Yemon by her actions. Ziggy should have listened to her family when they had told her she was off and they didn’t like her. All her cousins told her the same thing as they watched the Ravenclaw closely at school, observing the way she acted. Ziggy should have caught the signs early on. The obsession with Voldemort, and the fact that she seemed okay with what he did. She didn’t know the harm that the dark lord had done, she knew nothing of the pain and suffering he had caused. Ziggy felt completely to blame for the girls obsession with him too. She had been foolish to tell the girl all the tales of him. She mentally kicked herself for the foolishness. All in all, she wasn’t quite sure of what the girl would do now. Somehow she didn’t get the idea that Ire would sit back and watch Voldemort from a distance, though.

What of Yemon, though? He had acted oddly at the Riddle mansion, as if he was almost tempted to do as Voldemort had said. It was odd, and made the girl wonder. Maybe he was just easily swayed by the words of others? No, that couldn’t be it. Ziggy was probably just paranoid, thinking too hard over the whole thing. The minds of humans were weak, and easily swayed, especially in a time of panic. The easy way out, no matter the cost, was normally the way they would choose. Thankfully, Ziggy had inherited something in her that kept her from being swayed by the words of others. She stuck to how she felt, and stuck to her promises no matter the cost. Even if someone were to threaten her, her opinions stuck, never swaying. It was a rare thing to find such a person, the type that would rather die than leave her friends behind.

Blinking, the girl finally broke away from her thoughts, pushing them away for later. She would think more on it later. Now, she needed to confront Ire, and attempt to make it known that what had happened was not a good thing. Parting her lips, she finally gave the girl an answer. ”There is no way that he could be useful. He never has been, and never will be. You know nothing of what that monster has done. You weren’t here, and no matter how many stories you hear from me or anyone else, you will never fully comprehend what he did. Ever.” Would she listen to her, though? Think about how Ziggy was right? No, she wouldn’t, and like she said, Ire would never fully understand the consequences of her actions. Would she want to? No, she wouldn’t. She would be too self absorbed in how amazing Voldemort was to think twice about what they did.

”You think that he can do well? Killing the muggles would do well? It would do nothing for our situation but worsen it. We are nothing without the muggles, no matter how highly you think of yourself.” She continued, keeping her voice low, glaring at the other pureblood female. It was true in a sense, because there were only a limited amount of pureblood families left. Eventually the wizards would wipe themselves out if they continued to go along with their incest values as they were now. That or they would start coming up with children with deformities, which would eventually cause their fall as well.

Watching the other female, she watched as she took out her wand. She could only assume she was putting silencing charms on the compartment. Not such a bad idea, and now Ziggy could really raise her voice at the girl, as to where she had kept it down before. Even if someone had heard her, they could think she was talking about anyone that went around killing muggles. Nothing could be completely linked towards Voldemort, since she hadn’t said his name. Scowling, the girl snapped at Ire after she made a sarcastic reply. ”Yes, you do seem quite good at popping in and out, aren’t you? I think you should work on your timing, though. Honestly, it’s a bit off.”

A sudden noise caught her attention, the girl turned her head to look over at Yemon. It seemed he was finally going to join in and stop ignoring the cowardly friend of theirs. As she listened, she could do nothing but agree with Yemon’s words completely. Though, she had refrained from saying such things yet. It seemed she had better control over her temper than Yemon did. Ziggy winced slightly as he got up, slamming the door that had just been closed, open. Then he proceeded to let Ire know that it was time for her to leave. Honestly, she wasn’t done confronting the girl yet. For some reason she figured that Ire would avoid them after this, completely. It might be their only chance to confront her. Draco lifted his head at all the commotion, but remained silent as he observed the argument. Even he knew that making a remark right now would only get him slapped by Ziggy.

While she didn’t particularly want the girl to leave, Ziggy did nothing to tell the girl to stay. Her blue eyes continued to stare at the other girl, waiting to see what her reaction was. Would she even react? Probably not in the way that a normal person would.

[/blockquote]

[Ire Wright]

Her eyes turned to Ziggy then as the words were spoken, and there was a strange look to Ire just then: Her entire stance shifted, as though she were twisting into another persona: Replacing the mask, but perhaps it was more like the mask had shifted aside a bit, to reveal the bare bones beneath the porcelain. There was a glow to her normally cold brown eyes as her gaze bore into the other girl: Her stare more intense than usual, she leaned forward a millimeter, intent on the Gryffindor, “Everything, and everyone, has a use Ziggareth.” She responded, her tone garnering surprising inflection as she said that, it was just an undertone; but it was there, it was real. It was almost as if something beneath the girl's surface had stirred like a hibernating creature, cracking an eye open and peering out at the world for the first time in millenia. “Perhaps I can not comprehend what he did, but I can certainly comprehend many other things you could never fathom.” And she did: Ziggy, like many of her ilk saw the world a certain way, and as far as Ire was concerned they saw only the surface; they did not delve into what lay beneath.

The Gryffindor's next words had the RavenClaw taking another step forward close to the angry girl, as she stared down at her with those calm but eerily intent eyes: She'd wanted so long to discuss this sort of thing, but had never had the chance. It just wasn't something that was done: It often led to deepening suspicions when voiced to the wrong people. “You think you know so much...” Ire said softly, almost musingly as though she was speaking to herself. “You think you perceive the full picture when clearly there are only snapshots. Are you that blinded, I wonder? That lost in your own little paradise? You see the world, perfected and made right for you and feel that nothing could be better.” Lowering her gaze for a moment she glanced aside as though examining something only she could fathom, then her eyes snapped back to Ziggy's and there was an ironic twist to her mouth as she leaned forward a little further bringing herself closer to Ziggy: It was probably the closest Ire had ever come to voluntarily sharing space with another person, her attitude was so odd right then, so strange. Had been since the beginning of this little confrontation, “What do I care for the muggles, Zig? For people I've never seen, will never meet: The faceless masses who would persecute us for the power we were gifted, who would call you and yours the spawn of unfathomable evil without even a second glance? I care nothing for the masses of filthy swine who would see me burned alive, who would have me hung, crushed, have me beg for mercy at their feet: If he wishes them dead, so be it. Those who would have me dead do not deserve my compassion: I say this; to those who wish me death, I in turn would give death.”

Straightening Ire looked away from the pink haired girl, her gaze sweeping to the side, and out the window toward the still chattering crowd: She could see the friends meeting, the families saying loving goodbyes despite the way the word was: Quite honestly it sickened her to see it, how could they bury their heads in the sand so? They were all so content to let things play themselves out, and yet when Ire voiced her opinion on the way things could change she was spoken to as if she'd offered to saint Lucifer himself. Looking back at Ziggy she continued in a quiet, firm voice, “You think to much into it, too deeply: I don't care about the pathetic muggles, they can do whatever they want so long as they stay out of my way. No, what I desire to see is isolation from them: We do not 'need' them as you say, we need only the muggle borns they produce...” Ire trailed off slowly her features had turned contemplative, brows furrowing with thought: It was the most expression she'd probably shown in ages, and quite honestly probably the most the two had ever heard her say. Ire looked on Voldemort favorably for his power: She did not, however, subscribe to all his ideals. She was all for slaughtering the muggles like cattle if it kept them the fuck away, but what she really desired was the same thing her fore bearers of the Darkfeather ideal desired: Complete Isolationism. “In fact,” she murmured, and it was almost certain she was speaking to herself now. “Where else did the 'pure bloods' arise from?” It was an idea that had been playing in her mind for a long time now, and it still drew her attention rather often. The words were spoken so softly they may not have been caught by anyone else, but that was fine by Ire: It was her own little thoughts after all.

She was jolted back into reality by Ziggy's next words and she immediately faltered for a moment as though catching up with herself, and parted her lips to respond only to be interrupted by Yemon as the boy suddenly flew into a rage, snapping and snarling at her; his words immediately killed any of the lightness she'd been feeling moments prior causing her to instantly revert back into that cold, calm looking person. Her eyes narrowing down to give him a sharp, cutting look as he ranted at her: Calling her the names she had expected; she stood there, taking it without caring. She was already rather tired of his pitiful drivel, to be honest: As if he could speak, he the one who deceived all with his pretty smiles. How was he better than she? At least she didn't fool them from the beginning, and surprise them with this. It was their own petty human emotions deceiving them into believing what they wanted to believe.

“So says the deceiver: He who preaches, and wears the pretty colors of the noble, high minded do-gooder?” She retorted, betting it'd never be heard, as he marched past her to slam open the doors. His next words however, brought up short any attempt she would have made at retaliation as they fell through the air to entrap her like cobwebs: Ire shuddered. A full body, visible tensing and release of muscles that seemed to course through her as she stared with sudden, wild eyes toward the door; not really hearing it slam open: The words just seemed to catch all across her, sinking into her slowly and reverberating down a long hallway. She didn't know what it was that made her react this way, now: Perhaps it was because no one at school had ever done so, perhaps it was because of recent incidents; the crucio, the knock to her head that had probably landed her with a mild concussion, and the sleeplessness. No one would probably ever know, it could just have been her own sanity shaken loose at long last, whatever the reason it happened, and that was all that mattered.

Ire seemed to hunch her shoulders, curling in on herself; eyes focusing downward on Yemon's shoes as he walked back past her again in a swish of black robes. Her entire being was focused a million miles away: Those few words echoing around in her head, but it wasn't Yemon's voice she was hearing; it was one far more scathing, far more disgusted.

“We don't want people like you, people with disgusting filthy blood.”

The girl clenched her teeth, grinding them together as her hands fisted slightly at her side, and before she even really registered what she was doing she had her wand in her hand the yew wood practically humming as it seemed like all control she ever had shattered around her like a glass bauble to reveal a nearly feral interior.

“You're not wanted, you're only needed because that disgrace that sired you went had married your filthy muggle mother. It's a surprise you aren't just as diseased.”

All she could hear, all she could see was that damned old bastard as the worlds tumbled, and rearranged themselves inside her head: Leaving her feeling a gut wrenching rage of intense proportions. Her face was twisted into an expression of such utter loathing... Her magic seemed to hum around her almost palpably, her mood tipping off the proverbial deep end without a sound. The girl advanced on Yemon, unaware of the people watching with fascinated shock outside of the compartment: Her hand slammed into the back of the stiff train seating so hard it jarred her bones, and made the flesh of her palm sting heatedly. Her other hand held her wand close to his face, the end of it shifting in minute circles as she trembled ever so slightly: It was obvious in her brown eyes that she wasn't even really in the same universe as them right now; she'd slipped out of reality, it seemed.

“I'm going to kill you.” She hissed, the words seemed to slip together, nearly parseltongue in the way she said them. Her lips parted, and started to form the first syllables of a spell, but what she was going to cast on him would remain unknown. She suddenly reared back, stepping away from him as she gave a small, pained sound, the teeth of the nonvenomous Planner head of the runespoor on her shoulder had sunken lightly into the crook of her neck.

Everything around her came back with a rush of sound, pouring into the empty space in her head. “Shit...” She hissed as she clamped a hand over the small bite, pulling it away to see small spatters of crimson. Then, glancing back toward Yemon: Understanding, realizing her complete loss of control, it all rushed back to her and she understood.

“FUCK!” She snarled, lifting her wand she sent a blasting hex through the doors, screams erupted as the spell obliterated the door across from the hall, and Ire gasped slowly eyes fixed on the floor as she stood there: Most of the watchers from the hallway had scattered, probably to report the incident; she didn't care. Panting raggedly for a few moments, she calmly straightened herself up, pointing her wand at the destroyed doors, “Reparo.” she said coldly, her tone positively chilly. The doors sprang back into perfect order.

She stood there, looking slightly lost, her arm dropping back to her side while her wand dangled from her fingertips. Feeling decidedly empty after the abnormal rush of hatred, and rage.

[†Yemon Smith†]

Salvation is only a prayer
away...

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The whole thing was making Yemon feel ill. He had lost it, exploded and he couldn't even say that he had felt better. Yeah he had heard her words, but they meant nothing to him. He may have deceived people he didn't know, but he had never deceived his friends. They had both been shown who he was. He supposed he could say she never had either, but he had always thought that it was understood under friendship that you watched each other's back, not just your own. He deceived people for a reason, even if it seemed silly to anyone else. He didn't want people to be near him. He couldn't risk the possibility of getting close with other people. Ire had just caught him in a lie once, and Ziggy who had clung to Ire, began to cling to him. They had both won him over in both their own ways.

Now, though, he was regretting ever being so stupid as to have gotten caught by her. He had been perfectly fine without a stupid cigarette all those months and the one time he tried to sneak out to have one, he actually ran slap into someone. She had shrieked telling him to watch where he was going and other nonsense. It was then that her boring eyes looked at him, her amused laugh driving him insane. She had caught him and he knew it. He'd never volunteer any information to her, but in the days that passed he found himself bickering with her and from there it had just grown. He wasn't even sure now when the first time they decided to actually hang out was. Perhaps it had been on accident? His nose crinkled at the thought. He supposed that good had come out of it, however. He would have never met Zi-chan had it not been for Ire.

His eyes shot to the side, their gaze boring into the wicked female. Had she really just said she would kill him? He sat, unmoving, uncaring as she withdrew her wand. His lips twitched into a slight smile. So something he had said had caused a reaction, had it? Not as emotionless as she had hoped to be, apparently. Sure he had only stroked the rage inside to make it purr, but it was something. She couldn't pretend to be an empty shell that didn't care. Because apparently, somewhere inside, she did care about something.

His lifted his head, expression almost cocky as the swell of her energy filled the room. He wasn't afraid. He had decided he was going to die that night if it happened now? What would the difference be? If it gave her some perverse joy, then so be it. Karma would come back to bit her in the ass, as it had done to him already and was sure to swerve back on Ziggy had it not already bitten her too. He could only hope Ire's would mirror back to reflect all the pain she had done to everyone, not just them.

"Go on then, do it. I don't feel I have any need to care. I know where I shall go when my life it taken, be it by his hands or by another means. I know my soul, I know my sins and I know my virtues. You, however can not claim such things."

It was all in truth. Yemon knew his sins. He knew then well. He could count them all out, write them down and give details. He also knew that while his heart did fall into the darkness that there was always the lighthouse bidding him to return. He always had. He could not remain in that dark place for long. Ire had never seen the lighthouse. She had worn sunglasses at night and pretended that it was perfectly normal. Ire could not see the difference, because she felt that everything she had done was right; because if it wouldn't have been, she'd of never done it. She thought herself too smart to make mistakes. Even if she internally felt different, she had never said of acted otherwise. Had she not been sending such ugly vibes now, he would still think her incapable of any human emotion at all.

The blue hue of his eyes seemed to sparkle. so calm and collected, was she? He had found her one string and tugged on it until it came loose. Where he wasn't exactly sure what it was that had caused it all, he had inkling. Not that it mattered. He wouldn't care to do it again. The movement beside her caught his eyes. Her Runespoor had decided to sink his teeth into her. It was a pity really. He had wanted to see if he really died or not. The realization that had spread across her seemed to look almost as though an invisible wave had collapsed onto her trembling body and drenched her. She was still pissed, but he could see that she had not meant to loose her cool like she had.

The explosion of the doors caused him to move very little. His fingers had been slipping through the softness of Mary's feathers the whole time he had sat there, virtually staring death down. He could feel the bird's uneasiness and could almost sense the tension of the Jarvey across from him. He had been surprised that Draco had not piped up, perhaps what he had said had caused everyone but himself to feel a bit of tension? He didn't care. He said what he needed to say and that was all that mattered. The loud boom from the spell that shot for Ire had make Mary leap, her beak snapping in rasping breathes as her wings spread and she frantically fluttered inside the cabin, body hitting window and walls alike. After a few moments Yemon raised an arm, a silent but demanding gesture that caused the panicked bird to land. He pulled her to him, hugging her to his chest. He could feel her tiny heart pounding. Any forgiveness Ire had possibly earned was lost again. Yemon exhaled loudly and rocked his bird softly; his voice humming softly to her. It seemed to work, as her striped head nuzzled into him, her eyes closing and body slumping to a relaxed state. Perhaps Mary had thought Ire had tried to kill him, after all.

He felt an odd joy as Ire repaired the doors. She was standing there, now, looking fairly defeated. She had lost this round. She had shattered her bubble of safety and expressed emotion. Though it make Yemon feel better, at the same time he felt slightly sorry for Ire. Maybe she did need them, even if she couldn't, or wouldn't admit to it. He shrugged. Maybe he could forgive her, though things could never be the same.

All you need do, is fall to your
knees.

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[Ziggy Lupin]

This person, who she had called a friend for the past almost six years, had suddenly changed. The way she looked, spoke, and acted had completely changed. The cause of the sudden and quite dramatic change confused Ziggy, and even went as far as upset her. Though, she wouldn’t let it show except through anger towards that very girl. Hearing all the stories from Harry and the rest of her family from the wars with Voldemort, she had heard of friends betraying each other. People like Peter Pettigrew, who sold out dear friends, and for what? Their own pitiful lives, but there were usually happy endings to those sort of stories. The betrayer got what they deserved, and in Pettigrew’s ending, it was a moment of mercy that brought him down.

Ziggy understood the stories, and felt for the people in them who had gotten betrayed, she really did. Though she could never quite imagine what it would feel like to have a so called friend betray her. Sitting there now, watching Ire as she got closer, the girls dark brown eyes staring at her, she suddenly felt as though she could understand how it had felt. Maybe her story wasn’t as dramatic, nobody had died yet, and Ire had definitely not sold them out to the Dark Lord or anyone else, though she had come nearly close to it. The question was, would she in the future? Would she run off and join Voldemort, and attack her and Yemon in the future? The past few years of her life she had never imagined their friendship coming down like this. Sure, the girl was distant, but somehow all three of them balanced each other out.

Betrayal was a completely new feeling for Ziggy. Sure, she had felt anger, sadness, and joy before. They were all pretty routine, as most people all had their ups and down days which would include any of these feelings. Betrayal though, set in a whole new mixture of feelings. She felt angry for what Ire had done, because she had trusted the girl up until that point. On top of that, she felt hurt, because what if Yemon hadn’t been there to save her ass? She had frozen, and she knew damn well that it could have caused her death. Friends were supposed to stick together through thick and thin, and Ire had left the two when they needed her the most. She was also disappointed in the girl for being so low, because even though she was cold, she never expected Ire to be so heartless. Her trust in Ire had gotten completely shattered, and those pieces of it were being burnt into ashes as the girl in front of her continued to speak.

Her lips formed a frown as Ire continued to speak, talking as though she knew so much more than her. Whos family had lived through both of the wars, and had passed on their knowledge of those harsh times to Ziggy? ”And you think you know so much more, do you? Who told you all about the great Voldemort, who told you where the Chamber of Secrets was, along with all the other stories and knowledge of what happened so many years ago, huh? You wouldn’t be so obsessed over him if it wasn’t for me, Ire. You wouldn’t know shit.” Her words were harsh, much more than they ever were. Ire was definitely pushing the girls temper, which normally remained quite dormant. ”If you call this paradise, than you really are delirious.”

Where was she getting all this from anyways? Ziggy’s life was far from a paradise, and she didn’t’ think that the world was perfect. No, it was far from that, especially with the muggle issue at hand. ”The world is far from perfect, Ire. You’re wrong. There are things that could be better. Should be better. Bringing back Voldemort will not make it better though.” Why was she wasting her breath anyways, it wasn’t like Ire would change her view on how great Voldemort was. No, the girl had seemed to already have her mind set on thinking that he would make everything better. Her bright blue eyes blinked once as Ire moved closer, closer than anytime she could recall her doing such.

”That is where you are wrong, very wrong, Ire.” She spoke, her voice lowered slightly seeing as how close the other female was to her at this point. ”You are the blind one if you think that all muggles want us dead. You speak as though they have all put out warrants for our death, but have they? The answer to that is no.” As she spoke of compassion, laughter escaped the girls lips. Ziggy wanted to laugh so much at what the girl had just said, honestly. Was Ire serious about what she had just said? ”You speak of compassion, but you have yet to feel it. You know nothing of compassion for others, Ire, so don’t you dare say otherwise. Yemon and I were nothing but good to you for nearly six years, and where was your compassion for us that night, huh? You thought nothing but of yourself and your own safety when you acted that night. If you knew what compassion was, you would have put us before you.” The pink haired girls eyes once again narrowed into an cold glare before she finished speaking her thoughts, spitting out one last sentence to the other girl. ”You are selfish, and will never feel compassion. You just burned bridges with the two people that cared most about you.”

Her cold gaze shifted, slowly lifting as Ire went on to address Yemon. She wouldn’t admit it, but Ire had a point. Yemon was a deceiver; he went around acting like a guy who was in love with god. He spoke differently, acted differently, and fooled everyone. Hell, he had even done that to Ziggy, though back then, she had thought nothing of it. Now that it was brought back up, and she was thinking about it, she realized how true Ire’s words were. Though, he had only deceived her for so long, and no real harm had come out of it. The question was though, if he was putting on another act or not now. Was this Yemon yet another act he was putting up to fool Ziggy and Ire? The rage and anger he was showing lately definitely worried her, because he seemed like a completely different person the two times she had seen it. Was that the real Ye that she was seeing, peeking out through another set of lies and deceit? A confused look expressed itself on the girls face as she looked at Yemon, then back to Ire.

It seemed what the male had said hit a nerve on Ire, because she could tell by the girls body language that she wasn’t happy. The visible shudder and tensing of muscles were all signs that Yemon had said something he shouldn’t have. Draco stood, scrambling off of Ziggy’s lap in case a fight broke out so that he wasn’t tossed to the ground if Ziggy suddenly stood. Ziggy narrowed her eyes once again as Ire brought out her wand and advanced on the sitting male. Standing up, her fingers quickly snatched up her wand, ready to join into the fray if Ire made any sort of first attack. Well, if Yemon attacked first she’d jump in anyways, of course.

The words that slipped out of the girls mouth only confirmed Ziggys thoughts about the girl. She had lost it, her sanity or something had been knocked out that night. She had changed, something had happened to her. Even though she had never flat out said she liked either Ziggy or Yemon, she had never threatened to kill either of them. Sure, leave them to deal with Voldemort and muggles, but never pointed her wand at either and made such a threat. The corner of Ziggy’s lip twitched as she waited for a hex, curse, or anything remote to such a thing to leave Ire’s lips. At the point her wand had already lifted, and if she harmed one hair on her friends head, Ire would have to deal with a very pissed off Ziggareth.

What she didn’t expect, was for Yemon to accept what was coming to him so easily. Why would he do that? All it would do was make Ire happy, give her pleasure and a sense of victory. He would willingly let himself die, and leave Ziggy behind? Her pride was large, and she wouldn’t ever admit it, but she flat out needed Yemon. Or at least at this point she thought she did, especially with the other person she trusted turning on her. He was the only friend she had left, he had saved her life, been there for her, and he was going to let himself be killed without one second thought of the consequences and what he would leave behind? Ziggy had said they had read too far into their relationship with Ire, but was she reading too far into hers with Yemon? Did she expect things of him that he couldn’t give her, or didn’t want to? Maybe he really was a deceiver, maybe it was all just an act. For a flicker of a second, the thoughts that raced through her head showed in her eyes. It was gone in an instant though.

Before the words came out, the girl suddenly moved away, cursing over something. Then she noticed the slithering pet of hers had sunk its teeth into her neck. Ziggy took a small step back, giving the angered girl room as she threw her fit. It seemed the girl had completely lost control of herself, getting lost in the moment. Her gaze followed the girl, watching as she blew down the compartment doors in her anger. Draco jumped, surprised by the sudden loud crashing noises, ”Fucking crazy bitch! He screamed at the girl. Ziggy immediately snatched up the creature, giving him a rough shake and glaring at him.

Sitting back down, she returned her wand to the safety of her pocket, continuing to watch the girl. ”Lovely..” She muttered, shaking her head as she thought about the whole thing. Ziggy shifted, making herself comfortable once again, choosing to ignore the other girl from now on. She had said what she had wanted to, and there was nothing left for her to say now. Ziggy was done, finished, and the times that she and Ire had shared were now nothing but memories to her. Meaningless memories that collected dust in the back of her mind. Just like Ire had chosen her path, so had Ziggy, and hers was to move onward. She wasn’t going to mourn something that didn’t deserve to be.

[/blockquote]

[•Hibiki Nakamura•]

Let us

play...

[/b][/left]



His foot tapped slightly as his eyes scanned the cars that stopped and went. Yemon should arrive at any time with their things. He had always waited on him. At least he got out of having to ride for longer then ive minutes with a retarded muggle. There were some perks to being a bat. One of them happened to be not needing any form of transportation. Really, if he had wanted to he could fly to Hogwarts, but the truth was he wasn't sure if he could get in that way, or for that matter, want to. Besides, he would have to miss out on all the fun the express held and he couldn't do that, could he?

A slamming door caught his attention a very perturbed looking Yemon stomped from within and began to pull bags out. Hibiki smirked and skipped over, two carts coming with. One he pushed in front, while the other he pulled behind. He picked up the bags that were his and loaded them onto the trolley nearest to them, and then helped Yemon load his. When all was done, Yemon bound off for the platform. Hibiki, however, stood outside and waited a bit longer. He really couldn't NOT be fashionably late, could he? Arriving on the train before it almost left him at the station? Preposterous! He'd never dream of such a thing.

His brown eyes darted from one person to the other and he slowly wheeled his trolley into the station. Muggles were so thick here that he could almost feel his magic being seeped from his body. He hated it. His lip half pulled back, a violent snarl snapping from deep within. If he had his way, he'd cull their population. Cull them down to nothingness! He hated how he had to hide. He wanted to be free of his cages. And he did have two. His smaller one consisted of his grandparents. The bigger one? The muggles made that. His cages of gold and silver. He would break them both. He just needed time.

He had been so busy being angry at people that he really couldn't say had done anything that he ahd almost walked past the brick barrier. His eyes glanced around. Good, no one was around. Skipping through he popped onto the other side and shoved his way past to load his bags. He wasn't as late as he had wanted to be. with bags taken care of he climbed up into the train.

The aisles were crowded as the always were before the train began its shaky journey. Hibiki swept past people, stopping every so often to kiss he hand of a pretty girl. Did he really do it for the reason most men would? No. He did it just because he liked attention, be it bad or good. If the girl swooned? All the better. Meant he still had options for entertainment later. He'd never sleep with them, no, that was not his style. He'd toy with their little hearts then loudly tell everyone about it later. He was not a fish and he would not be netted by anyone. No one was more beautiful then the idea of revenge.

And he would have his someday.

Shifting past a group of Gryffindors, he noticed an awkward silence. They all seemed to be eyeing him, then his uniform. He lifted a brown the looked down at himself. He wasn't dirty, was he? He stood there, eyeing them back until they all shifted out of his way, their whispers lost to his ears. Yeah, he wasn't gathered with his house, so what? He was in the mood to play and Yemon was the perfect target. his cousin had been on edge since he had gotten caught with his trouble making. Hibiki liked it. He wanted to tempt that juicy, useful, little side out of Yemon as much as possible.

As he reached another section of the train, a loud explosion knocked him back, his back end slamming into a boy behind him, his hands grasping at the doorways to compartments to steady himself.

"KUSO!"

He pulled himself up, his eyes narrowing at the form that had caused the destruction. To his surprise, it was a girl that had done it. He half wondered who she was, but the flash of pink hair in the compartment door that she stood in told him that she might just be this "wrath" that Yemon spoke of. He smirked. She was also a good target. She repaired the doors, her body hanging there limp as he slid up behind her, his voice quiet beside her.

"Now if we can repeat that in the grand hall, I believe you would deserve a round of applause."

He noticed the bristle of movement from within in her robes, and knew then that she was the other girl in which Yemon spoke of for certain. He leaned into the doorway, his hair falling around his face as he smiled, his hadn waving wildly in front on him.

"SOOO! What did I miss Mon-kun?!"

The nasty glare he got was all that needed. This was going to prove to be more entertaining then he first thought. Turning his face to the other girl he waved again.

"Aww! C'mon! Can't you share with a curious bystander! It isn't everyday you can rubberneck about explosions on a train!"

He could feel the tension. it was too thick to say a knife could cut it, that amount of tension could break the knife. He didn't know what had happened, but he was already enjoying himself.

It was a wonderful way to start the chaos that lie ahead.

I promise to go easy on

you.

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[Ire Wright]

She stood there gasping, her shoulders rising and falling as her chest heaved from the explosive reaction she'd had to Yemon's words and unwitting shattering of all her walls, and barriers: She felt exposed, bared to the world and it made her agitation rise higher, made her seem to withdraw on herself further as all eyes turned on her. She felt watched from every corner and her nerves sang with unease. She felt caged, trapped, her lips parted as she gasped; face tinted with the speeding flow of her own blood: She could hear nothing but the pounding of her own heart beat in her ears. Her pulse fluttered like a terrified bird in her veins, and had she been able to form cognizant thought she would have realized she was having something of a panic attack. The world swam before her, and Ire swayed dizzily her hand flailing out until it caught hold of the edge of the compartment door nearby. She gulped in air, in an effort to regulate her breathing: Hyperventilating slightly. Wild eyed she cast a slightly crazed look around her: She looked like a wild animal cornered, with no way out and willing to kill to get away; No price was too high.

She was startled out of her departure from reality by the sound of a voice talking right behind her. Her entire form jerked forward half a step, whipping around as her wand came up to end point blank between the new boys eyes, her wide brown eyes staring at him with that glassy, hazed state of a terrified predator facing down the newest threat on the block, the slightly blood shot whites fully visible. Ire stared at him uncomprehendingly, his words didn't register: Her mind seemed to be in both overdrive and a state of numbness all at once; a million whispered thoughts raced through her ears, while at the same time all that registered was blissful white noise.

“Put that wand away!” A voice suddenly cracked through the tension with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop, it held the tone of absolute distaste and annoyance. Ire's gaze shifted to the side to stare out into the hall, though her wand didn't waver an inch: Another older boy stood there, the prefects badge on his robes obvious.

Reality seemed to begin to dawn in her eyes, and the girl slowly lowered her wand once more, the snake around her shoulder hissing soothingly into her ear, though there were no real words to it: Just complete nonsense sounds.

“I can hardly believe this! What sort of example are you idiots trying to set for the younger years?!” the prefect bemoaned, scowling thunderously at them all. He pointed a finger directly at Ire, “Rest assured that I'll be reporting you to the Professors once we get to the castle!” With that, and a huff, the prefect turned and marched off calling out about how 'the show was over.'

Ire, meanwhile, had taken the time to regain a semblance of her icy control: Her face was blank and calm again, as she slid her wand back into the holster she kept on her arm: Though her posture remained stiff and agitated. It was around then that a large, elegant owl fluttered in through the open window of one of the compartments across the hall, swooping over to perch neatly on Ire's tensed shoulder: The hidden runespoor already there hissed angrily at the intruder, but she ignored the snakes swearing. Instead she choose to reach up and take the letter from the owls leg, and without pause it left again. Glancing at the fine parchment she saw her name written there in elegant, if not stiff, penmanship. Her features turned thunderous for all of a second again, before she looked at Ziggy, pointing at her with the letter she snapped out words in a frigid tone, “One day you'll understand the foolishness of seeing a world in two tones. Theres no such thing as Good and Bad in a war, Ziggareth: Theres only those who Survive, and those who Die. Nobility does not mean victory; this isn't some story where the so-called good guy wins. In the real world the one who wins is the one who desires victory enough to do whatever it takes.” With those parting words; and completely ignoring Yemon's existence the girl shoved past the unknown Asian boy in the doorway roughly and stalked off down the narrow aisle with a choppy gait.