The thick purple curtains that clothed the beds of the Salem dorm were fantastic for sleeping in. They blocked out ambient moonlight and lingering sounds, sealing in every bed like a private room. But the one thing they couldn't block was the memories.

"I don't know what you are taught in America, but I don't care what it feels or doesn't feel."

Taryn groaned. Lying on her back, she stared up into the darkness and tried to forget. It'd been over a week since her little 'talk' with Magdalena Eisenberg,[1]  so why was it coming back now?

The rumors. She'd overheard some gossipers at dinner who'd speculated that Durmstrang had already opened all their boxes and figured out their clues. If that were true, they'd have a lead over the other schools. That would probably push them even further ahead in the next task. It might even be enough to secure them the win.

No. Even if the rumors were right, that train of thought couldn't be. Drumstrang couldn't win, because that meant that Eisenberg would win. Taryn couldn't allow that. She wouldn't. Trying to push the thoughts away, Taryn rolled over and buried her face into soft pillow pile.

"If you didn't concern yourself with their pain, you might have earned a higher score ."

Taryn hissed into her pillow and punched the mattress. The dull thump died inside the curtains without reaching even her closet neighbor's ear. Stupid rumors. Stupid, awful Drumstrang hag. She'd never get any sleep at this rate.

A cool, scaly form crawled out from between her sheets, its strong muscles pushing steadily against Taryn's side. Nagendra slipped his head beneath her hand, easing it out of its fist. Taryn lay her palm flat against the serpent's head, nestled between his smooth curved horns, and sighed. "Oh, baby, I'm okay. Don't you worry."

She sat up and collected her wand from its nook. "Lumos." Its tip glowed, illuminating the place between the bed curtains. Nagendra's scales shone in its light. Taryn propped it on the headboard, dragged clothes in at random from the floor, and dressed quickly as Nagendra curled around her pillow and watched.

Once she was dressed, Taryn started packing. She wouldn't go far. But she had to get out of this room, away from the darkness and the memories. Her eyes fell on the beautiful potion bottle that Headmaster LeBeau had given her.[2] He'd not signed it, of course, but they'd all known the gifts could only come from their world-renowned master of potions. Hers was a Magi-Zoological Anti-Curse Potion. It was a simple gesture, but Taryn treasured the gift. She'd been saving it for an emergency, a moment worthy of such a precious gift. Perhaps, tonight would be the time?

...No. That was foolish. It'd been weeks since the Task, and Acromantula healed fast. She was only going to check up on them, maybe get a bit of inspiration. There'd be no contact between them and no need for this. Reluctantly, she replaced the bottle on the shelf and turned instead to the only other thing that lay there: a small, wooden box with no lock or handle, marked only with the picture of what Tracy Jones and a dozen magi-zoology texts told her to be a thestral.

That was the heart of the matter. If they could only get the boxes open, it wouldn't matter what Drumstrang had said or done. Taryn believed with all her heart that Salem could do anything as a team. Anything. All they had to do was get through this, and they'd be home free.

Resolution solidifying in her mind, she slipped the box into a draw-string bag for easy portability and slipped her feet into her shoes. She dowsed her wand's light and rubbed Nagendra's head with her fingers, right in the spot between his horns where he loved it the most. The snake's eyes slid closed and he gave a long, contented hiss.

"That's my boy," Taryn whispered, tugging the bag over her shoulder. "You stay here, okay? Out of sight, out of trouble. Everything's okay. I'll be back soon."

Nagendra opened one eye. Taryn got the feeling that he knew things weren't actually 'okay.' But he didn't move to follow her as she slid silently out of be and only flicked his tail in quiet goodbye as she pulled the curtains closed.

As Taryn made her way down the stairs, the Salem dorms remained silent and dark, with only the snores of sleeping students to disturb the silence of the night. The common room, thankfully, lay empty. No one noticed as the half-giant slipped out through their tapestry-covered door and disappeared into the winding castle halls. It'd be a few hours at least until anyone noticed she was gone.

1.	Diplomacy Fail
2.	To The Champions