She sensed that she had hit a rather sensitive and vulnerable spot in Casey. Half of her felt rather bad about it, but the other part of her simply did not care. Juni felt like she needed to know the information, and that Casey needed to own up to it. There was a reason why he was being so defensive. “You don’t have to throw around money to be making up for something! You’re always on the defense, and you’re always trying to show off.” She didn’t intend to sound mean, but Juni was a bit blunt. When he sped up, she sped up as well.

“I dunno, you tell me what you're trying to make up for. I hardly know you. But I'm not stupid. You're hiding something. What is it Casey? Did you hurt somebody or something?” Of course, Juni was assuming the worst. Maybe Casey killed a kid. Maybe someone who was close to him died, and he blamed himself. Maybe he hurt someone in the past and never came to terms with it. That would have sucked.

"Very astute observations, Zamperia." Casey kept his head straight, focused on leaving the Potions corridor for the stairs. "But you seem to be operating under the misconception that there is something wrong with me."

His breathing quickened. Undoubtedly he would not be able to beat her in speed. For all the secret passageways of the castle, where was a convenient trap door to lead people over when you needed it? The fact they were on the bottom floor probably prevented this architectural whimsy.

"The only thing I'm hiding is the annoyance of your babbling dribble of communication, an annoyance protested by my trying to get away from you." Quicker steps. "Though if you seem fit to try and psycho-analyze-headology me or whatever, why don't you talk to the school counselor and compare notes? She could give you excellent career advice on how to continue to be a Nosy Nancy that paints some hidden agenda behind everyone's actions."

Psh, he was being patronizing again. It only made her more determined to follow him and figure out what the hell was going on. She had nothing better to do. Juni knew she could easily study tonight in the common room, and she was not behind on any of her schoolwork. Juni sped up—she wasn’t exactly an athlete, but so far she was not having any trouble keeping pace with the fellow fourth year.

“I never said there was anything wrong with you. I just think you’re hiding something. We all have secrets.” Juni’s secrets were rather minor. So far, she had led a fairly happy life with parents who were good to her and accepted her without question and without hesitation. Her relationship with her dad was better than the one with her mother, but her relationship with her mother was still a generally close one. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about, I’m not trying to psycho-whatever you. I’m not the counselor.” She rolled her dark eyes in an irritated manner. “It’s not like I’ll tell anyone. It won’t do me any good.”

Juni honestly, did not see the point in spilling other people’s secrets—unless it was out of spite. And she had nothing against Casey. She generally liked him, even though he could so easily infuriate her. It surprised her, considering he was probably a pure-blood, and Juni was rather wary when it came to those sorts of families. She constantly had to remind herself that pure-blood folk were people too.

 “What’s the worst thing that could happen? I might tease you. Not more than once though, I promise.”  At least she was honest about the teasing part.

Damnit, if there was only a guaranteed secret passage that was close that he could get to before her and bar the way after. Still nothing.  Casey was going to have to wait until Zamperia lost interest which wasn't going to be any time soon.

"Oh, so I am supposed to take your opinions on secrets in good faith that you aren't going to tell anyone else? Sorry, but you have no clue how secrets work. You aren't even trustworthy enough for a hint."

What was the worst that could happen? Oh, she had no idea of the scope of what could happen. If Casey wasn't going to reveal the secret about mother he sure as hell was not going to reveal the deeper ones because he had played out all the possible means of ridicule that would come from that revelation. That made Zamperia stupidly optimistic about things she didn't know, couldn't know the outcome to. But it was better for her to remain ignorant.

He did have a summarized answer for her. "Lives would end. So stop asking."

At this point, Juni knew that trying to get the information out of Casey was futile, but something inside her wanted to keep asking. That irrational, insatiable curiosity that had plagued her ever since she was little was itching to be satisfied. Part of her also wanted to annoy Casey, and another part of her was also genuinely concerned about him. It was evidently a weird mixture of thoughts, feelings, and reasons behind her actions. “I have no good reason to tell anyone.” She shrugged. “Unless it means you plan on killing everybody while they’re sleeping, then yeah, I’ll tell.”

Her lips twitched up into a smile when he gave his final answer. Lives would end—how dramatic, how amusing, how very Caseyesque. “It must be pretty serious then.” Juni paused, before adding, “Now I must know.” She resolved to find out somehow, and accepted that today was probably not the day she would figure out Casey’s deepest, darkest secret. The secret that plagued him with guilt.  She knew that if someone was harassing her for information that she didn’t want to give, she’d get pretty frustrated with them.

“Alright. Fine. I’ll back off.” Juni said, and then sighed. She didn’t want to say this, but she felt like it would be rude otherwise. Also, she did feel the tiniest bit sorry about pestering the Slytherin so much. “I apologize. Sorry for tormenting you.”

Once again, Casey was mildly surprised that the first thing everyone jumped to is that he would kill people. Though Oliver was always such a drama queen.[1] Even if it was a joke, it had the flair of a 'don't test me' reputation you saw with some Dark Lords. Maybe if Casey did have a dead victim around for people to know, not a person but maybe a large creature or something...

“Now I must know.” Salazar's Shiny Blazing Pate! This was why you didn't even hint with people, everyone who saw something and wanted to inquire further, poke holes until they found the secret. Casey scanned the surroundings. Still no secret passage and this passage of the castle was still well traveled, he could hear other students behind him. If he did anything he would have to be quick, though he would need to stand firm behind a threat with his wand or incapacitate Zamperia in some fashion before he was noticed. If he had more time he wouldn't leave any traces back to him...

Or better yet, to get at Zamperia the way she wouldn't see coming, and leave her in a state like that idiot in the Trophy Room, only some other secluded spot is needed to leave her. Give her a makeover that would make her freckles look like beauty marks in comparison...

“Alright. Fine. I’ll back off. I apologize. Sorry for tormenting you.”

That caught Casey off guard. He stopped and stared at her. He rarely got an authentic apology without convincing it out of the other person. He was satisfied that she was wising up and stopped pushing but there was also...relief. Though he would have to keep his guard up around Zamperia. She was direct and forceful and would probably come pushing again in the near future.

Not even thanking her for the apology, Casey walked off again.

1.	DADA 4th Years

Juni wasn’t surprised that Casey hadn’t commented on the apology. SHe figured he accepted it, and apologies weren't something that she felt were appropriate to give thanks for. It never made sense, thanking a person for feeling remorse was just... Condescending and stupid. Juni gave Casey a slight smile and a wave, “I’ll see you later.” She said, and resolved to discover more about his family. Whatever the secret was. it was probably a deep, dark family secret-- it wasn’t just his own personal one. Juni decided it was time to go to the library and dig up the information she could, before asking  around. She also wondered if she should owl her father, and see if he could help her dig up information.

He was probably busy, but it couldn't hurt to ask. The family was probably pureblooded, so she doubted that her father would want to do much other than criticize them for being pureblood, and refusing to spread the the gift of magic.


End of thread