After the chat with Church about being Head People, Jazz felt like she needed a nap before classes started at eleven.  Confident that she would be able to actually achieve sleep since she talked through her worries, she suddenly dreaded going up all seven floors.  Pausing in the doorway leading into the Entrance Hall, she groaned in exhaustion, seriously considering finding a dark corner to curl up in.  For the first time in seven years, she wished she had been sorted into Hufflepuff.

All the while her head was still buzzing with thoughts about being Head Girl.  Seriously, who would nominate her?

Would she be up for it?  Usually she was off in her own little world, withdrawn and loving it.  Could she put the duties of Head Girl first?  Could she represent the best of the student body and maintain the peace?  Ugh... this is going to be difficult.  She only hoped she'd have enough time to run the Hogwarts Players the way she had planned.  She hated the idea of putting on hold the club she loved because of night patrols.

As she thought, the tip of her tongue crept out the side of her lips, a usual mannerism for her when deep in concentration.  Everything else was a blur.  Who were the Prefects in each house? she wondered, remembering she hadn't paid attention to the announcements the night before.  How was she going to inform them of the upcoming pool party?

There was only one thing racing through Elijah’s head: finding Jazz. He had to tell her what happened! It was unbelievable. It was scary, even unreal maybe. Not being able to find her, as it mostly was for Elijah. That girl might as well had been wearing an invisibility cloak. For that he had anticipated on Jazz coming to the breakfast, so he had been looking out for her the whole time. Well. Except the moment he was eating. Which was the exact moment she had walked in, had breakfast herself and walked out again. Looking up from his toast he caught a last glimpse of Jazz moving out of the Great Hall.

Swearing at himself for not paying enough attention Elijah jumped up, knocking a glass over as he did. Shouting a quick sorry he ran towards the big entrance, she was not escaping him again! As he ran the light reflected from the badge that was proudly pinned on his uniform. Slightly fascinated by the look of it, as Elijah had never anticipated on seeing that badge from that point of view, he almost ran into some Gryffindors. Screaming a sorry again, this was certainly not one of the best actions as to begin his new title with, finally reached the entrance.

Slightly out of breath he looked around, searching for his blonde haired friend. Beginning to look quite desperate, he had got the feeling she had escaped him again, he stood on his toes, looking over all the students. Being rather tall came in very handy at these kind of events. The moment the Hufflepuff thought she was gone he saw her! He ran towards her, not being able to contain himself anymore, and noticed she was in deep thoughts as well.

“Jazz! Jazz!” He shouted, trying to get her attention. Frowning his brows at the sight of her outfit, where they not obligated to wear a uniform?, he halted in front of her, grasping her shoulders. Pointing at his badge and then at his face he had a bright smile on his face. “It is me! Me! I made Hufflepuff prefect!”

Jazz practically jumped out of her skin at the sudden calling of her name.  What is it about people wanting to talk to me this morning? she thought in amusement but perked up at the sight of Elijah.  He was excited about something and it overwhelmed her.  She liked seeing him so animated.  Then it hit her.

"You're a Prefect?" she asked in excitement, looking at the badge adorned to him proudly.  She launched herself into an embrace with him, elated at the news that her good friend acquired such a position.  Despite her aversion to physical touch, she liked hugging.  More importantly, she liked hugging Elijah.  It was relieving to be able to hug a good friend, since Church hated it.  Jazz could only count two occurrences where she hugged Church.  One was by accident in their second year, and the last was in their fifth year (even though she knew he'd hate it).

She pulled away, smiling like a maniac.  "I'm so happy!" she announced excitedly, gripping his shoulders lightly.  "Oh, did you know I'm Head Girl?" she asked, but then mentally slapped herself.  "Of course you know, you probably paid attention during the feast." she added with a chuckle.  "I can't believe it.  What are the odds my two best friends are in this with me?" she said rhetorically, but thinking about the chances.  "If I had to do this alone I don't think I'd manage."

Before he noticed Jazz was embracing him in a tight hug. Awkwardly smiling, his cheeks flushing red, he patted her on the back. He was not used to physical contact, especially not with a girl. Even tough Jazz was his best friend, which she was, he was still awkward with touching, like hugging. When she pulled away Elijah took a small step back, regaining his personal space. He hated his insecurity, but there was not really that much that could been done about it.

"Yeah I heard Jazz. Congratulations, that is a brilliant achievement!" He responded to her becoming head girl of Gryffindor. It really was a brilliant thing. And it was just such a coincident that they all had become a prefect or head-boy/girl. It was almost unbelievable. Elijah smiled at Jazz, her excitement and happiness was very catching. "I am oddly happy and excited." He admitted to Jazz as he turned to walk to the stairs. Standing in the middle of the crowd was not one of his favorite things, but he really wanted to catch up with Jazz, so he decided to escort her to the Gryffindor Common Room. At least, he assumed that was where she was heading. 

"I'm glad.  This'll be a good thing for you."  Though she had a new-found excitement, it did nothing to energize her enough to make it to Gryffindor Tower.  At least, alone.  Watching Elijah make his way to the stairwell, she didn't realize he was silently offering to walk her to the seventh floor.  Oh, I see now.  Hurriedly, she shuffled her way beside him as best she could in her slippers, minding the other students.  At least if I fall from exhaustion he'll be there.  The first step was the hardest.  She almost considered crawling up the steps, but then she might actually spontaneously fall asleep.  The image made her laugh.

"I've been so anxious about everything that I couldn't sleep at all last night," she commented as she struggled to keep up with Elijah.  "I don't think this year could be anymore hectic.  I've lost someone dear to me, I've been mugged, I'm responsible for the drama club, I'm responsible for the student body, I've got NEWTs to worry about--"--not to mention my stupid visions mucking things up.  She listed off lightly, adding a small chuckle at the end.  "Ah," she sighed, shaking her head with a smile.  "Never mind me.  I've got nothing to complain about."

She looked up at Elijah.  "What about you?  Besides being Prefect, what else have you got planned this year?  Art club?  Trying out for Quidditch?" she asked calmly, poking at his classic introverted nature.  "Making new friends?  I can help you out with anything and everything.  Just say the word." she added sincerely with a warm smile.

Elijah started walking up the stairs with Jazz following him upwards. He must have been out of his mind escorting her all the way up to the Gryffindor Common Room, since he hates stairs, but then again, he would do that for Jazz. The girl was a very good friend to him, and for that he would do everything for her.

Walking up the stairs, his heart already starting to notice the ascend, he listened closely to Jazz, who was telling him a lot at this point. Elijah just smiled at the blonde girl as she went on about all the worries she had this year, which were a lot, he had to admit that. He tried to think of some advice that he could give, but even before the clockwork in his mind had started working she had already told him not to mind and asked him about his life. What his goals were.

Looking closely at her, he made a mental note in his head. He had to have a good chat with his friend, as she seemed quite stressed. Referring to all her questions, art club, quidditch and new friends he just laughed and shrugged. She knew he would never do that! That would be suicide! He would die of fear when they would judge him in art club. He would die when he got rejected on the quidditch field and he would never be able to make as many new friends as she had in mind for him.

"Nah. You know I would not do that. People would probably not like my art, think I am not skilled enough for the Quidditch team and above all think I am weird. You know that." He said as he glanced her way. Already wanting to take a break from the stairs he slowed down his pace. "Merlins beard! How do you Gryffindors and Ravenclaws manage to climb these stairs every time?!" He then asked her in exhaustion.

Jazz was relieved Elijah took to changing the subject onto him.  She hated talking about herself.  Listening to his answer, she smiled crookedly, as it was an answer she expected.  It sounded very familiar to her, reminiscent of how she used to be.  It was a little sad to see someone she cared about act as she had, knowing how depressed and unfulfilled she had been.  I wish there was a way to convince him to take more chances and put himself out there.

"Oh pushaw," she replied to his self-deprecation.  "You don't give yourself enough credit, mister Young."

She laughed at his complaining due to the stairs.  "You Slytherpuffs got it easy!" she exclaimed in mock resentment.  "Though seven years of this stuff has really built up something fierce.  Seriously, you should see my calves.  Upper body strength?  Non-existent.  Legs?  Made of cold, hard muscle." she said jokingly, though it was true she had strong legs.

Though her balance and coordination weren't so hot...

Taking another step up the stairs, her foot missed and slammed onto her other foot, which was already beginning to move upward to another step.  This odd collision resulted in Jazz losing proper footing and her balance gave way as she somehow started falling forwards, body twisting in attempt to not land on her face.

Elijah smiled at the girl as she explained how easy they had it with their location in the dungeons. As if. He had to share the dungeons with the Slytherins! And if something had been scaring him his first couple of years at Hogwarts it had been those serpent loving, green looking, mean hearted Slytherins. He would rather stay in the highest tower than being so close to that house. But admitting all of this to Jazz sounded... silly. Like he was a little boy. So he did the opposite, and just shrugged while smiling at his friend.

And as if some force had to prove Jazz wrong, that she was not as trained at walking stairs as she wanted him to believe, she started to tumble forward. Elijah's face filled with shock as you could seriously hurt yourself on these stairs, something he would not want for his best friend! While letting out a loud sigh Elijah moved forward, grabbing Jazz's left arm, in the hope it would stop her tumbling forward.

But as he grabbed her left arm he got pulled forward as well. That combined with his own movement actually placed him in front of Jazz. If they would fall, he would be her cushion to land on. But for some reason, thank Merlin, Elijah managed to stop the down fall. With his right arm behind him on the stairs and Jazz in his left it must have been looking quite fascinating. ".. Uhm. Yeah. You allright?" He then asked softly, unable to move. He just held her from falling as his cheeks flushed a brighter red they had ever done before.

"Frick on a stick with a brick," she whispered angrily to herself before Elijah seized her.  How he managed to hold her up in one arm and prevent them both from falling in another was beyond her.  Though the fact that he did go out of his way to help her was not lost on her.  Neither was the fact that she was pressed against his firm yet cozy body; her face mere inches from his.  She couldn't help but taking a moment to notice the scent of this boy.

It was weird... but in a good way.  Like flowers... and soap.  Flowery soap.  With a hint of... something innocent... something undeniably Elijah.  It was a good smell.  A very good smell.  Probably the best smell anyone's ever had an impression on her.

And he was warm.  Even through his robes there was an emanating heat of comfort.  It was refreshing, since Jazz had poor circulation and most times her fingers and toes felt like icicles.  Surprisingly, Jazz felt comfortable enough in his arm to go to sleep right then and there.  Fourposter bed be damned.

Looking at him as he spoke, she was transfixed by his eyes.  They were dark, yet warm, and the way they looked into hers made her insides twist.  Beautiful.  It reminded her of Johnny's eyes.  That's when she knew she was in trouble.

"Y-yeah," she said softly, attempting to gain the strength to release herself from his grasp, helping him up on the way.  "Thanks, I owe you one." she said sincerely, clearing her throat, suddenly unable to look at him again.  "I never said anything about being poise, though." she added with a light laugh.  Trying oh-so-hard to push the odd flourish of feelings away, she was about to continue to walk beside her friend.  Friend.  He's your friend.

As he held her from falling off the stairs he awkwardly smiled. She was looking in his eyes. Like, really looking into his eyes. He was afraid to look away, he actually felt as if someone had petrified him. He saw the white specs in her light blue eyes as his cheeks flushed an even brighter red. And he smelled something he never noticed before. She smelled like... strawberries. Spring. He almost imagined himself in a strawberry field when Jazz pulled away, pushing him back to reality.

As she pulled away he almost felt the urge pulling her back again, feeling strange bubbles in his stomach. Things he had never really felt before. Maybe once, a while ago, but that was because of a girl he fancied. He did not fancy Jazz, did he? She was just a friend, right? He pulled away as well, straightening his clothes.

He turned to face her, but still felt petrified. This was horrible. This was terrible. What to do now? He felt hopelessly lost as Jazz thanked him. No thanks were needed, of course. He wanted to tell her that, but no words seemed to be able to form in his mouth. Oh god. The worst had happened. He actually found himself unable to speak in presence of his best friend. He never thought this to happen. Of course, he was always awkward with woman, but not with his best friend! Or had that changed? Was she more to him than just a friend?

He heavily shook his head. That was impossible. It would end up in a disaster. He had to put himself together! Turning around to walk away he remembered he had not said anything to her. Turning around again, putting one finger in the air he opened his mouth to say something.

"..... I. Have to go somewhere." He said, frantically thinking of a reason why he would be leaving, when it suddenly struck him. "BUBBO." He said, somewhat to enthusiast. He scraped his throat. "Uhm. Yes. My owl. Have to see him. Check you later buds." He continued, emphasizing on the buddy part, while he started to walk away, not knowing in his frantic mind that he was actually walking in the direct opposite of the owltower.


[END FOR ELIJAH]

Her ego deflated considerably at his reaction.  He was clearly uncomfortable; which, in hindsight, she understood; he was always a shy boy.  But this was something different.  In the moment she shared with him, staring into each others eyes, it felt as if they communicated to each other in a way.  As if testing the waters of something foreign to them; something that went beyond the norms of their friendship.  And to have him indirectly reject it; reject her, it caused a ripple of disappointment, self-hatred and just plain sadness.

Or she was just overreacting to what may mean nothing at all.  She was certainly exhausted enough to perhaps get the wrong impression.  Thinking he would continue walking with her, her stomach flipped in reaction to his spontaneous announcement of leave.  Okay.  He was definitely making this up.  Jazz could tell.  It wasn't hard not to, with the way he bumbled along for an excuse, and blew it as he veered off in the opposite direction of his supposed destination.  Why is he lying to me?  He's never been like this with me before.  Things were just... simple between us, even with his chronic shyness.

Now worried again for what was going on with Elijah, Jazz stood there awkwardly, watching him leave after saying a reluctant, "Oh-okay, um, see you later,"  Buds.  He said it as if it were a trigger.   Was he emphasizing that word because he thinks I'm expecting more?  And this is his way of rejecting it without being too forward or callous? she wondered, trying to decipher his actions.

Okay then, message received.

Her way up the the tower rolled by uneventful.  She was hurt.  But she shouldn't be; after all she didn't know what was going on in the boy's head.  Or hers, for that matter.  Write it off as sleep-deprivation, she told herself dimly as she crawled frailly into her bed, drawing the drapes with a resounding sigh.