Jordyn couldn’t help herself, she yawned. 

It was late, almost midnight and she was still out patrolling the hallways.  She’d heard, very far down the strangling vine, that some of the fifth years intended to have a gathering in one of the empty classrooms and that one of her year mates (she would blame Amherst or Kemp, no questions asked), had supplied them with contraband for such a thing!  Well, maybe not even Kemp currently, given recent circumstances… 

But, rather than continuing to feel useless and unable to help her classmates in any meaningful way, Jordyn reported what she had heard.  Without anything concrete, it was just a rumor and Jordyn had decided to stick it out and try to find the rumored party.  Sadly, she realized as she slumped against the wall, it was perhaps just that: a rumor.  A terrible thing that kept her up much later than she intended and with an inch left of an assignment left to complete on her bed, no less! 

She’d be up until two in the morning at this rate.  Leaning her head against the cool concrete, Jordyn closed her eyes and yawned again.  She didn’t really want to have to give out a sea of detentions, but at least it would make staying up like this worth it… 

Temper had Olivia Davenport locking herself away in a rarely used music room.  No one would ever think to look for  her in the small room filled with old instruments, dust and cobwebs. Tucked away off a rarely used part of the 5th floor, it had an abandoned feel to it. It was probably some kind of practice room for students to rehearse in back in the day but had ended up as a storage place. Olivia had found it during the end of her first year and had instantly claimed it. She managed to unearth an old piano that had been hidden under a moldy curtain, boxes of old sheet music, what looked like a violin and some kind of rubber looking thing. The curtain had protected it from dust, but the lack of playing had taken a toll on the ability of the instrument to sound pretty. It had taken some effort but she'd tuned the instrument enough so she could play it without causing herself to wince in horror. It was nothing like the baby grand she had back at home but it would have to do.

She'd taken to the little room whenever she felt homesick or was upset about something. There was something about music that lifted her spirits. Often times she worked out a mad, or her frustrations on the keys. Today she had brought her "band" with her.  It wasn't a real band but several little figurines about four inches tall that played tiny musical instruments. She found them in a shop in Hogsmeade and had learned to charm them so they could play what ever song she wished.

Before she settled down to playing she hurriedly set the deafening spells that prevented the sound to escape the room. She didn't want to get caught if she stayed past curfew. Besides she didn't need an audience. She had several figurines that served as her little fan base. They clapped and cheered after each set and gave little exclamations of praise. Sometimes she pretended they were her parents and they were proud of her musical ability.

Lost in the music, Olivia swayed as she struck the keys. She was playing an old song, a jazzy little number called Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company D. It was a muggle song written during one of the world wars. She liked the catchiness of the tune and it invariably cheered her up. The little saxophone player jammed along with her and she began to sing, unaware that she improperly laid a spell and her music escaped the room drifting down the corridors.

On a late night stroll after anger-filled dreams of her father, Bella mindlessly headed through the halls, hearing a quiet muggle jazz sound. She glanced over at a door from where the noise was escaping. She walked over to it quietly. Of course. It's in the music room... Bella snorted. The music room had been vacant for quite a while, which left Bella awfully intrigued why there was music coming from it. She reached for the door handle, it had a thing layer of dust which stuck to her hand. She wiped the dust off onto her robes. Reaching back, she turned it, discovering it was locked.

"Alohamora." Bella muttered, hearing the click.

Opening it quickly, she saw a fellow fifth year Slytherin, whom Bella was sure was called Olivia. "What are you doing here?" Bella asked. Although she wasn't known to be curious, this was quite a mystery...

It might have gone completely unnoticed by the head girl – the sound proofing charm on the door had been adequate to keep her attention away on her first pass, but the sound of a voice certainly didn’t do anything but draw attention.  Her brown eyes snapped open and she immediately started toward the noise that now included some kind of music.

Maybe that was the party she’d been tipped off about. 

Walking briskly, she approached the room to find it was no party.  Just two fifth year slytherins.  One was in the doorway, the other inside.  Frowning, Jordyn was disappointed in her house mates.  They should have known better.  “It’s after curfew,” she flatly informed them from behind, waiting for the girl in the doorway to turn around.  “Five points from each of you.”

Bella raised her eyebrows and stared at the older Slytherin's robes. Her Head Girl badge shined in the dim light.

"Five points? For hearing a noise and going to investigate it?" Bella muttered. "I may not have a right to be walking around, but why must you come here and ruin the fun? I was just about to find out what erm- Olivia!- was doing here!" Bella whined, although a smile was creeping onto her face. "Now, if you'll excuse me-" Bella turned her heel and headed towards the door, proud of the flabbergasted look on the head girls face.

Bella glanced back at Olivia as she made her way out of the room.

Jordyn’s flat expression did not change except for the slow rise of her eyebrow.  She knew fifth years tended to be sassy.  It was as though they thought they had been at school long enough that they were no longer shocked and awed (and scared) by everything, but lacked the seniority to do anything about it.  She was clearly just a little too big for her robes.

Slowly, as if to accentuate just how calmly she was going to deal with the situation, Jordyn clasped her hands in front of her.  The crispness of her voice countered the whine in the younger girl’s, “Five points for being out after curfew,” Jordyn clarified – even though she was certain she’d said that before, “and now five more for flagrant disrespect and apparent bad hygiene, since there must be mandrakes growing in your ears. I already indicated so much.” 

This little girl had some attitude though, thinking she could walk away.  “Unless you’re interested in losing more points and earning detention,” she slowly turned to watch her attempt to walk away, “You’ll stop and come back right now.” 

And then, smoothly stepping into Bella’s path – and effectively blocking her way – Theo appeared at the door, tall, imposing, and handsome features shifted into a smile that did not reach his eyes.

The obtuse were amusing; the asinine were tedious. But if there were a special few who defied all odds in spite of their miserable, mediocre existence, then Bella Seulement was one of them. The chit indulged far too regularly in her delusions of envy and superiority—of which both were notions undeserved. There were peers and upperclassmen who had accomplished far more than she ever had or ever will, Theo found, and until she reconciled herself with her own insignificance, Bella would be left to rot in her pit of tragic fantasies. Even hatred had to be earned. Had she even interacted enough with anyone to earn even that?

Even Olivia wasn’t nearly so annoying.

He crossed his arms, now, staring down at the errant fifth year as one might look at a particularly insipid little creature—which, as far as he was concerned, she was. It was a well-known fact that both Head Boy and Girl did not approve of losing housepoints. Unlike Gryffindor or Ravenclaw (who possessed more than their fair share of blundering fools and unmanageable terrors), Slytherin was a House of innovation, wit and cunning more than it was one of lingering purist idiocy, and in these changing times, was regularly awarded for it. Theo himself was one such example. As such, he expected others to strive for the same. To deduct so much over something so small and trifling because of a fellow Slytherin’s stupidity was… unacceptable.

And so as the other half of this night’s patrol, Theo took a step forward into the room—effectively caging Bella in. “I would listen to the Head Girl if I were you,” he told her gently, and Merlin, it was an awful smile. “Or shall we make it twenty, and a detention? Our esteemed Head will be displeased, but I am sure he will understand.”

Cold blue eyes ran over her like callous hands. When their owner looked up again, the look in them was distinctly unimpressed; Bella Seulement had been judged, and found wanting. “He does not suffer fools lightly.”

"I honestly didn't mean to make this any trouble. I couldn't sleep and heard music." Bella said sincerely, struggling to step away from the Head Boy. "Please, can I just go back to my dorm?" The last sentence was barely audible, but she was sure the older Slytherin's could hear her.

Why is it always me and my big mouth? Bella scolded herself. Roughly the same event had happened last month. Hanging her head, she sighed. It's not like anybody ever taught me how to be a decent person... Desperately, Bella wanted to tell somebody this. But again, nobody ever listened. Everyone knew Bella as the arrogant, smart-mouthed, I'm-better-than-you fifth year Slytherin, not for the real Bella.

Realizing quickly that she was losing house points from her own house members, Bella straightened up. "I'm sorry, really." She apologized again, hoping they would finally accept it. Don't... Bella's internal thoughts tried to stop her from what she was about to say, but she had to say it. "I just wish somebody would understand the real me." Her voice had risen in volume, and surely echoed throughout the castle. Deep down Bella knew nobody would understand the persona she had.

Jordyn did not have the time or energy for this. 

Bella had decided all of four seconds ago to try and storm away with a smirk and a hair flip and here she was standing in front of Whitman like a whimpering pup.  Furrowing her brows, she considered the implications for her reputation at this point, especially compared to Whitman.   

She had no time to further contemplate the issue before she kept talking and Jordyn had to move forward.  She had almost considered taking her apology, really, until it wasn’t just an apology.  It was a plea.  A plea for something Jordyn did not have the mental energy to give.  It was preparation for exams and applications, for the future and this little thing wanted people to understand her?  Didn’t she have friends for that? 

“That will have to wait,” she replied with a crisp edge to her voice, looking over Bella’s shoulder to lock eyes with the Head Boy.  She hoped he understood her silent request for don’t drag this on.  Hormones were too much and this was a ‘feelings-wolf,’ like a werewolf but more deadly.  She walked around her back, heels smacking against the floor as she did, “Back to the dungeons with you.  I’ll be checking.”  She slowed and stopped next to Theo, diminutive but no less stern than her counterpart. 

Bella quietly walked down the hall towards the staircases. Away from the doors, she started to run. She sprinted though the hall, her Slytherin sweater flying out behind her. Presenting the password, she walked in and collapsed on the couch, sighing deeply. Bella scavenged the ground for something to do. She found an old muggle book titled Pride and Prejudice. After seeing the title, the fifth year burst into a cackle. This quite decribed Bella's life. Opening it, she heard the satisfying crack of the spine, and immediately began to read.

"Lumos." Bella muttered. She couldn't see anymore since a fellow fifth year had told her to turn off the lights, which was why Bella was glad she had magic. The book was quite good, although she thought these people would be much better-served with magic.

Bella paused as she finished Chapter 2. The chapter's weren't too long, but the Head Girl had said she would be checking on Bella. Why does she have to check on me? It's not like I want to get in any more trouble. Bella smirked. People these days are very good at deceiving things...