⫶ hospital wing

@－ ❛ ɢ ❜：winter llewelyn。⁰³ ( H ) he was not even aware of how it happened; before he knew it, an unbearable pain started to form in his hand, and when he turned to look at it, an appalling scar was what he saw. skylar hated to admit, he was at fault for being in such a parlous and forbidden part of the school, but curiosity got the better of him. his inquisitiveness was always the problem.

it was hard to see what was surrounding him with the ominous darkness, but he was sure that he was in the right place. let's just say... he is experienced. his steps were gentle on the floor as he tiptoed into the clinic, creating no suspicious sound for the professors to hear. he refused to switch on the lights in case of getting caught, so he manoeuvred over to the heavy medical machinery. now skylar is no expert in healing spells, herbs, or anything that's got to do with health. so it was not a surprise to him when he saw a piece of equipment that he does not seem to know. it had multiple wires connected to it.

his jaw hung at the sight, lips parched. he remained perched beside the heavy machine, curiosity bubbling inside of him as he marvelled at the modern creation. without further ado, his hands reached out to it, but a voice rang in his ears—so loud, he blanched, retreating his hands.

who the hell-

@－ ❛ ʀ ❜：finch goldhorn。⁰² “You are rambling,” Mint chuckled but he did not mind it. He liked listening to people more than actually speaking and it was endearing if he was honest. He hummed slightly and nodded. “He would be as shocked as we were. Are.” Because if Mint was honest the shock was still deep in his bones and even now his heartbeat was not exactly calm. His body was still on high alert, ready to fight or run, depending on what the situation needed even though they were safe. They were in the castle, in the hospital wing, a safe place But Mint did not feel safe, not even slightly. He wanted to just hide even more, hide under blankets and under a bed or in a closet, away from every single person, even Finch, even Maël – even himself. “They should not be teaching in here, we should really do something about it. I should probably have told the headmaster about it. I did have a talk with the professor about the labels.” He chewed on his bottom lip, he felt embarrassed. The talk had made him feel so inferior and stupid even though it was not his fault. “We talked when they took the labels off and he said I just need to study harder. That I wasn’t doing my best if I can’t keep them apart.” This man had not grown up in a world where colours were all monochrome hues, different tones of grey and while people had a wider scale to keep the colours apart, Mint only had so many tones to separate him. But he had let the professor guilt trip him in thinking it was his fault.

A small chuckle left Mint’s lips and he shortly glanced at Finch’s hair – no, he could not tell what colour it was. He then looked at the other and smiled amused. “You always look beautiful, I do not need to see the colour for it.” Red. So it was red. Mint had wondered what colour it was and it did suit Finch – a vibrant, warm colour, something he had not expected though. “Sunkissed, mh?” he repeated – tanned? Well, yeah, that did fit together well. Both was warm and if Mint had to describe Finch he would have said warm, energetic, full of surprises but in a good way. However he felt there was more to him than Mint could see and he wondered if he would ever figure that out, figure out the secret he was holding. “Not many know about it. Maël knows but there is not much he does not know,” Mint chuckled and it was not a secret, everyone knew how attached Mint was to the other. “I think Henri knows, the Hufflepuff boy.” He was not sure if Finch knew him. “Eleazar and Cassian maybe but I am not sure. Otherwise? Only my mum, no one else.” He had never really told most people, Maël had figured it out by accident and Henri had just noticed it, if he was not entirely wrong as he had never told him. He was not sure with Eleazar and Cassian, if they knew they probably had either figured it out on their own or Maël might have dropped a hint. Which Mint did not mind at all, as long as he did not have to tell people. It was fine if someone else told them though. “And, well, the potion professor who did not believe me at first.” He shrugged slightly.

The secret took Mint by surprise. He had not expected one in exchange and he blinked surprised, looking right where Finch had tapped. “You have a pacemaker?” he asked and looked at Finch. Now that was something he had never seen coming. “Do you have a scar from it too?” Mint had grown up upon muggles after all and therefore he was more used to surgeries than to whatever wizards used. He had no idea if there was a way to implant a pacemaker without opening up the skin but then again he had been surprised a lot of times. “But your heart is safe now, is it?” He frowned, realising how much worse the explosion had been to Finch. It could have damaged the device too, hopefully the nurses would know how to check if everything was okay.

“You should still rest,” Mint said, watching his friend. “It could have ended up worse and even if we are physically okay-“ He stopped for a moment and bothered his bottom lip, taking a deep breath and looking away from Finch. There was a vulnerability he did not like to show and he barely ever allowed himself to feel, even if he was alone. “I’m sure we at least have a shock. At least I do,” he then mumbled, holding onto the blanket of the bed he was sitting on. Falling from a broom during Quidditch was one thing or getting hit by a buldger but almost dying during a safe potion class? No, that was an entirely different thing. “I really used to like potion. that this happened.” But they were safe now.

@－ ❛ ʀ ❜：mint ainsworth。⁰² "You think my head's full of good choices? I mean..it probably is. I'm pretty smart, so there's that. But uh..if you recall, I had a nasty hit to my head so excuse my brain for saying things that are not very smart in the long run. Then again..making the cauldron explode in his face instead, would give him a big shock. Scare him a bit. I think it'll be a pretty funny sight if you really ask me. Then again, we gotta make sure no one sees us doing anything, because we all know some people can really be rats, in hopes of getting more house points, I guess." He muttered and furrowed his eyebrows slightly, slowly shaking his head before he looked towards Mint again, humming out softly. "Yeah, that's how slimy they can be. Blame us for THEIR ups. Makes me sick to think about, honestly. Not only is that ed up for the students, but also really unfair because they might just get in trouble for something they couldn't have prevented or something." Finch balled his hands up into fists and just sighed out softly, looking away momentarily to calm himself down a little bit. He could always get so upset at subjects like that.

"Oh, that's too bad. You can't see my rocking hair colors, then. Trust me, I look beautiful, but when do I not look beautiful, though. Well, I'll just describe the color to you then! It's sort of red, but not bright red, but more dark red. It really suits me a lot, and hey, even if you can't see the color, you can at least see what shape it is in. And you can still see my beautiful face. Oh! And my skin color is..let's say..sunkissed. I'm just so gorgeous." He laughed out and leaned back, glancing at him. "You know..I'm glad you told me about this. I understand that it's very intimate, but I'm glad you decided to trust me this much by telling me. I just..wish you could've told me in different circumstances." He nodded slowly and fiddled with his own fingers, chewing on his bottom lip before looking up at his roommate and friend again. "You know. I have something too that I've never told anyone." He tapped his chest, right where his heart is. "I have a little device there, right under my skin that controls my heartbeat. You can't see it, thank goodness. It's covered with layers and layers of skin, but it's still there."

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Really. The dizziness is slowly wearing off anyway. I'm feeling better, even though nothing has really happened yet." Finch muttered as he moved to sit down on the bed, quickly laying down instead and immediately being scolded by one of the nurses that he needs to sit up so they can get a proper look at the wound to the back of his head. He grumbled slowly before moving back into a sitting position, looking at his friend as he spoke before sighing out. "I don't know..they can be ruthless sometimes when it comes to taking away house points. But then again, you are right. The cauldron parts could have hit us in the face and make a bigger injury. And my head is injured..I don't know. I just don't really feel like getting in trouble or being responsible for some of our house points being deducted." Finch made a face as he was going over the options in his head. Not telling the headmaster, could still get them in trouble with the professor. And if the boys actually showed the headmaster that they got injured because of what happened, they probably wouldn't get punished for it, right? He just wasn't sure, but he knew a decision needed to be made soon. "Yeah, it really was bad. I don't think I'll be enjoying my potions class any time soon, which is a shame because I really do like making potions and such." He frowned a bit and moved to lay down after the nurse was done examining his wound, moving to lay on his side instead to not put much pressure on the wound.

@－ ❛ ʀ ❜：finch goldhorn。⁰² “Yeah, he knows,” Mint said and frowned. Never once had it occured to him that the decision of the professor to take off the labels of the powders could be even worse for him than to other students but in hindsight it was pretty clear. Of course it was. And Finch’s injured head and his own shoulder made that pretty obvious. Everyone else could easily guess the powder by the colour Mint however could not. “amaybe punching him isn’t a good choice but next time we’ll make sure the cauldron explodes in his face,” he said, a frown on his usual rather neutral expression. “But you are right. He would probably end up blaming us for not working well together.” He knew the professors. Some were okay but others loved to worm their way around and push it on the students. On how this could have been prevented if communication had been better. Or if they had just been more observant, more aware of their doings. Every place had those people and yes, they were partly right but they also forgot one thing: that students were the teachers fosterlings, that the professors were supposed to protect them and keep them safe.

“I can’t see any kind of colour,” Mint explained and shook his head a bit. “Have never, probably will never.” He had heard about the possibility of being able to see colours, glasses, surgeries, spells, all these things. But somehow Mint had been scared of even looking those things up. The world was already overwhelming to himself in just black and white, what if colours would be drowning him in all their beauty? “I don’t know. It’s so persons and intimate, I just never tell anyone.” He had never even though that anyone would treat him different, that wasn’t it. It was more of Mint giving someone else insight into his view, how he saw things, letting people closer to himself and into his heart that it scared him. Mint never let people in. But now Finch was in, able to see the world as Mint saw them: colourless and yet still vibrant.

“Dizziness is not good,” Mint said and looked at his friend. He was glad that Finch was still joking but it could also be the shock covering it up. “It might be worse than you think. I’ve seen that happen.” He was thankful that Finch had helped him walk towards the hospital wing and he agreed that they definitely needed to rest as the moment he sat down on one of the beds he could feel how shaky his body was. He had pushed it aside but the shock was sitting deep in his bones. He shortly explained to the nurses what happened and let them start the examination. Bruises were already forming on his shoulder and he sighed. Hopefully they could just get it away and he didn’t need to let it heal. “I know but honestly if they take off house points for the professor being an ? That’s just mean. The parts could have hit us in the face. You have an injury on your head. That should actually get him a good complaint from the headmaster.” He frowned and looked at Finch. “If it gets us in trouble instead of the professor that’s just ed up.” He was getting angry now. Because Finch was right, it could have ended up so badly, with worse injuries, with more fear. He already had trauma related to explosion, he did not need to be reminded of it or any additions. “It was really bad,” Mint said and frowned. “Not even the cauldron exploding, more like the professor setting us up for it.”

@－ ❛ ʀ ❜：mint ainsworth。⁰² "He knows and he still puts you up to this? Hah, I should've gave him a good punch. I mean..there probably would be consequences, but who cares? We could've literally died, it could've gone much worse and who would be to blame? Right, they'd blame us. The students, the teachers would probably not get blamed for our 'incompetence'." He mumbled and furrowed his eyebrows as they continued to walk, letting out a soft sigh before glancing at the other. "Well, I mean it would've been good to know that you are colorblind, but still. It's not your fault. Did you not tell me because you were afraid I'd treat you different? Because, trust me, I wouldn't. I would probably only describe things to you more clearly when I want you to grab something for me. Instead of using colors. But that's all. You're still the same as me, aren't you? Ah..I do have a question though. Is it that you can't see certain colors or is it that you can't see any color at all? Because mostly I've heard of colorblind people who can't tell the difference between red and orange or something. Or blue and green." Finch hummed out and glaced towards his friend again.

"Your legs might be fine, but I don't care. I'm still going to support you like my life depends on it." Finch jokingly said and let out a soft chuckle. Despite the wound to his head, he was still feeling okay. Okay enough to make jokes, at least. Sure, it really shook him up, and he'd probably never forget about this, but that's good too, in a way. Now, he knows he needs to work harder, so that he can avoid mistakes like these ever again. "My head is fine. I'm actually feeling pretty good. Maybe a bit dizzy, but overall pretty good. I think we just both need to take a lot of rest. And that's exactly what we get to do in the hospital wing. I mean..unless they kick us out afterwards, but then we can just go back to our dorm and relax there." Finch looked around as they walked into the hospital wing. It was fairly empty, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, just meant that the nurses there wouldn't really have much work to do. "Honestly? Me neither. It has never exploded on me before. Even when I was just a first year and somewhat inexperienced. But then again, this doesn't have to do with experience. This is just a teacher, who wanted to be cruel on his students, I suppose. It..really scared me too. I thought we were done for, honestly. I'm just glad it wasn't that big of an explosion that could severely harm us, or something." He chewed on the inside of his cheek as a nurse approached them, taking them aside to start examining them. "Do we have to? Our house points will probably be deducted. And I don't know..maybe we'll get in trouble too."

@－ ❛ ʀ ❜：finch goldhorn。⁰² (the length is just perfect, do not worry! And here we go, hospital wing!)

“I could have done it out of spite or to annoy you, just like you said,” Mint said and shook his head. It was true, sometimes when people got him on the wrong foot he did that. However he had not done that to Finch and even though they were friends that did not mean Finch could know that he wasn’t playing tricks on him. It wasn’t too hard to see Mint’s signs of colour blindness but they were so rarely confronted with people who couldn’t see the world the same way, it was not surprised that he hadn’t properly realised it. “I should have told you,” he then sighed, knowing it could have been prevented. This situation, the pain, the shock, it could have been prevented. The harm on Finch could have been prevented. “Yeah, he knows,” Mint said and he could see the arrogant glance from their professor who was clearly waiting for them to fix what they had caused. But Mint had it. He was done with this. Finch was bleeding and Mint was in pain too, physically and mentally and he could only imagine how bad Finch had it, the other had been unconscious for a few moments after all.

Nodding Mint out of the classroom with his friend, towards the hospital wing. They were kind of supporting each other now, Mint not entirely wanting to let go of Finch but also not being able to admit that he was in fact extremely wobbly on his legs. Not because he had been injured there, no, it was more the mental harm it had caused him right now. But no one knew and he rather kept it deep inside, buried under debris of who he was and what could have been. “My legs are fine, don’t worry,” he said as he looked at Finch. “My shoulder is meh but your head… that’s really worrisome to me,” he admitted as he opened the door to the hospital wing, hoping to find someone to take care of Finch. Just slowly it registered to him that Finch had said he wasn’t looking “too hot either” and under normal circumstances he would have had a horrible joke about this but now he realised it too late. “I never had a cauldron explode before.” Surely, he hadn’t been here during primary school so this was only his second year, but still. “That scared the out of me.” Surely, also because it related to his past, but aside from that what ing second year potion could be mixed this wrongly that it exploded into their face and knocked on of them unconscious? That could have ended so much worse. “We should probably report that situation to the headmaster later.”

@－ ❛ s ❜：eleanora hwang。⁰³ "It doesn't matter if I choose her or not." It truly didn't. And no matter, emotionally, Liandro knew that he'd choose her regardless, that no matter what he would want to cling onto the girl's best friend. What mattered was if she chose /him/. He couldn't be possessive over someone that he thought only saw him as a friend, despite their actions. Nor was it guaranteed that she'd want to stay so after she finds out what he had gotten her best friend into. "What will you do if she interrogates that person and finds out the truth then? I don't want to lie to her, Eleanora. She's a smart girl, she will figure it out whether or not you and I tell her...and frankly, I don't think it's good for her to be left in a lie." As much as he wanted to continue that lie, pretend that he and Eleanora did not have any sort of ual contact with one another, it happened. There was no going back to that night, not legally at least.

"Besides, if you are...do you even know how much work taking care of a baby is? I'll be honest with you, I feel absolutely nothing for you but no matter what you say, it's mine and I'm responsible for it. It takes two to make a baby. And it's sure as hell hard to take care of one alone, especially when you have no idea what you're doing." It was harsh, but the words slipped from his lips without thinking. At this point, he felt that he said too much, that he was too open about how he felt about the situation, even if he only admitted to not even half of it.

The sound that emitted from her left Liandro confused. It was one that could be associated with relief and despair, but which was she? Eleanora failed to tell him just what they were to look for, but judging the incantation, he only presumed that something would have happened if she were pregnant. "It's negative, isn't it?" An equally heavy sigh sounded from him as he sat on the bed, his head falling into his hands. "Thank god."

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ This is why, in every single timeline and universe, their combination makes no sense. In hindsight, Eleanora even wonders how he must have managed to charm the pants off of her that fateful night, the night that caused all of this chaos. She’s giving clear statements; he just doesn’t understand. “What I want, is for you to choose Maya,” she finally spits out, her natural snarkiness biting through her tone as she tosses the emptied vial down into the trash. “Whether the test is positive or not. I don’t want you to do anything, I don’t need you to do anything. I already told her it was someone else, and I don’t want to ruin anything for her.” Wiping with a clear frown plastered across her dry lips, she mumbles, “I don’t need anyone’s help.”

She feels the bubbles of indignation begin to simmer in her stomach and she knows how much effort it will require to bite them back; for if she does not, she will surely say something that would ruin this entire situation beyond repair. That would not be fair for any of them, especially not her kind-hearted bright-eyed best friend, who deserved nothing but the best. So she… she bites down on her tongue for Maya. For years Eleanora has grown accustomed to her wand, and it has become like a second limb. The precocious demoiselle had always excelled in her magic but today, as she grips her wand upon pulling it from its nestled spot in her back pocket, her fingers shake. Gently, with a shaky voice as though she were reciting a mantra to herself for no one else to hear, she repeats the incantation Madam Pomfrey had taught her: “Homo revelio.”

Her stomach would glow, Madam Pomfrey had said, if she were pregnant. If she truly were housing a human within her, a promise of care and domestication for the next seventeen years of her, and the child’s life. But it doesn’t.

She’s not pregnant.

Her lips fall open, though nothing leaves such brims but a shaky exhale. In that moment, that second of revelation, she feels an ice-cold relief wash over her body, a wave of release that chills the burning heat of her body, and she feels as though she could cry from the stress that had just left her frame.

God, she was such an idiot.

@－ ❛ s ❜：eleanora hwang。⁰³ She made no sense to him, twisting and turning her words in order to fit the situation. First, she states that she didn't want to see him happy with Maya, and now she is stating she does? Of course, he understood enough that it was Maya that she was concerned about, not him. However, even now, Liandro still could not wrap his head around the Hufflepuff seeing him as anything more than a friend, despite the things they have said to one another. "Then what do you want, Eleanora? Because you are giving me contradictory statements and I don't get you. I do not know what you want from me. Or what you want if that test is positive. You haven't said your plan, or are you just uncertain?"

She continued to go on about Maya, something that Lian, at least at this moment, did not want to discuss. He was stressed as is about how she would react to this entire situation, but it was something he was trying to put off until the time came. "You're right. I am not the right ing person for her. Or anybody for that matter. for you if you're pregnant. Now. Let's finish what we came here for." He was blunt and to the point, a coldness was starting to show in his voice, ebbing away at his unease from before, a tone that he had often used with other students. His eyes shifted to the elder woman who made her exit as if she were watching for anyone coming in. Honestly, Liandro had no idea how a drinking potion would allow them to know whether or not Eleanora was pregnant, but he kept his mouth zipped tight and he waited in silence, his fingers itching at the sides of his pants.

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ “That’s the exact opposite of what I want to happen,” she spits out, running a hand through her hair which has already begun to run awry from her constant disturbances. The thought of being pregnant is… terrifying, truly. She had never wanted to be a mother, and while most women can close their eyes, look into their future, and picture themselves surrounded in the warm hearth of a family, Eleanora is always, in every picture, alone. She has not a maternal bone in her body, and perhaps that is her downfall. But even worse, the idea of stealing Maya’s happiness for an idiotic mistake that she had made in the midst of a party… would be the worst imaginable thing.

“Maya deserves to be happy.” The inferred alternative is that she herself doesn’t. “She’s kind, pure… happy. She’s capable of giving love and she deserves it. I don’t even know if you’re the right person to give her that, but I know that I don’t want to be the one to take it.” It’s quite a situation that they have gotten themselves into. She sighs, rubbing her temples. “It’s fine. Things will be fine.” It’s a mantra that she has gotten into, repeating words to herself to ease the fire inside her mind. Even if they are lies. This is the most unhinged that the Slytherin has ever allowed herself to appear in the presence of others, and she knows she must tone it down. Swallow the fear, put on a solemn face. “I’ll do it now,” she says after a swallow. She walks over to the counter where Madam Pomfrey has placed a vial of the potion. The aforementioned nursing woman leaves the room, giving the two their privacy. Lithe digits wrap around the circumference of the vial, taking it down .

@－ ❛ s ❜：eleanora hwang。⁰³ Her commentary was unexpected and angry. Something that had even Liandro taken aback. Though, it was not her tone that caused a cold glare to be produced by his dark eyes, rather the fact that she would even bring up the Hufflepuff in such a way. “Do you seriously think that I would so shamelessly do that?” It was bad enough that he screwed Eleanora, even though he had not connected that the two were friends, he would be too embarrassed to even try to pursue whatever he and the other girl has if the Slytherin did indeed end up pregnant. He would just have to end one of the few things that made him happy. “If you are pregnant...I will end everything with Maya. Is that what you want? Just...please let me talk to her on my own. I am begging you to just give me that.” It was odd to discuss this with another person, even if it wasn’t on the happiest terms.

“I am assuming that with how much work it is to produce this, that it would be more accurate than a muggle’s tes, right?” Though Liandro knew that Muggle technology and medicines were definitely far more advanced than those in the wizarding world, he couldn’t help but hope. If the test states that she is negative, then she really is. Then neither she nor Liandro would have to live on with that burden, instead they would probably learn a good lesson. “Well, whenever you are ready, then.”

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ As much as she wants to believe that this is all a coincidence—her late (and still missing) period could have been the result of oncoming stress and pressure of their finals, and her slight but still noticeable weight gain could too be chalked up to stress—her stomach still churns with worry. She can only hope it is only worry that her stomach nests. A grimace navigates its way to rest upon her visage, darkening her delicate features with a strong disdain. Though she should be thankful for his willingness to be present, she cannot imagine having to give away the rest of her life to raise a child, and with someone who was near a stranger. After all, Eleanora grew up without a father, youth backed upon the strict hand of her mother, and she turned out fine—her child wouldn’t need one either.

“And then what?” She says rather sharply, forgetting to hold onto her tone so that her words come out as more of a spiteful retort. “Then you raise our child and live happily ever after with my best friend? I don’t want those things to happen.” From her lips comes a small sigh, followed by a curt gulp. Though she should apologize for her outburst and attitude, she can’t. Not at the moment, when her nerves are skyrocketing out of the Astronomy Tower. If anything, she has an excuse. “Madam Pomfrey said I just need to take the potion and wait a bit. Then there’s an incantation I have to do that will tell me if I’m pregnant. It’s a bit more advanced than peeing on a stick, as muggles do,” she says with a distasteful frown.

@－ ❛ s ❜：eleanora hwang。⁰³ Liandro tried to ignore the obvious glare that Madam Pompey was giving him from his place. He had a responsibility as a prefect and preventing student pregnancy was probably one of them. He glqnced over at the woman that was watching them with such an attentiveness, fully understanding that the look she had given him meant that he was completely on her list. It made him all the more nervous, his fingers twitching as he listened to Eleanora's statement about whether of not he should take responsibility. "I am not going to just sit back and let you handle everything on your own, Eleanora." He hated having to say it, having to explain himself on what will happen if she's pregnant. Did he truly come across as such a horrible person to sound like the type that would just ignore the existence of a pregnancy he caused?

"If you're pregnant, I'll help you as much as I can with whatever you decide to do. If not...then thats a lot of stress off of both of our shoulders." It was not like he was telling the girl he'd marry her just because she was pregnant. That was something that he wanted to completely avoid if he could. But he also refused to not be present, even if that ed with his plans in life. "What do you need to do for this test?"

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ She’s pressing her index finger and thumb together, rubbing them in anxiety—a habit of her nerves that her mother had always chastised her over. Though she had abandoned any and all makeup products that are usually present on her face, her lips are still stained a roseate pink from her previous use of lipstick, and they press together whilst she eyes the lavatory door. The sudden opening of the door paired with Liandro’s disheveled appearance causes her to turn her head sharply. She shouldn’t feel relaxed in his presence; he’s half of the reason she’s in this mess (the other half being herself, of course).

But at least she’s no longer alone. She doesn’t dare look at Madam Pomfrey, not wanting to see the sad judgement on her face that her favorite student who constantly volunteered around the hospital wing was about to take a pregnancy test. “It’s fine,” she mumbles, looking at Liandro with her lips puffed out in distaste. “Now that you’re here, can we talk?” Eleanora takes a moment to clear , regaining her Slytherin-like brashness after a moment. “Whatever happens, you’re not responsible for anything.” She turns away, instead chewing on the inside of her cheek with a frown. “Don’t feel obligated.”

@－ ❛ s ❜：eleanora hwang。⁰³ He was always the type to be punctual, or better yet, severely early. However, the one day that he should have been so, Professor Flitwick had caught Liandro in the hallways and had decided to discuss the final that had took place before their holiday break. And being his typical self, a person who tries to seem as attentive as was possible when it came to his studies, Liandro humored the conversation. However, his dark eyes flicked down to his wrist to glance at the time on his watch. With every passing second, he grew more anxious until he could no longer take the Professor's jabbering. "I'm very sorry Professor, but I am late to an appointment. I'll speak to you another time." He interrupted abruptly before hastily taking his leave. The prefect didn't dare to take a look at the man, as he knew how much the Charms professor hated one being so brash.

It was already after noon when Liandro made it to the Hospital Wing, though he was completely out of breath. It was as it everything were in his way today, as the stairs switched on him between the second and first floor. He stood at the door, hold his breath to calm his racing heart and prevent himself from looking to flustered. Then he entered, his eyes searching for the very reason that he had come to the hospital wing on a holiday. "I'm sorry I'm late." It didn't take a genius to notice how disheveled Eleanora looked compared to her usual facade, which made the male feel all the more guilty for arriving late.

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ For the most part, Eleanora prefers to keep herself looking as put-together and collected as possible. It’s the pureblood daughter in her—not a wrinkle upon the fabric of her clothes, not a smudge of makeup in sight. However, anyone who lays an eye upon the usually fastidious Slytherin can see that today such thoughts do not occupy her mind. Her hair, usually voluptuous, is flat and simply tied back into a lazy ponytail. She has forgone all makeup today, which even greater emphasizes the black circles under her eyes. It is clear that Eleanora has failed to gain even a wink of sleep.

She can’t help it; her mind is running crazy. Though, in typical Slytherin fashion, she attempts to mask it with an expression of indifference. Feet moving quickly, she approaches the Hospital wing, and offers a solemn nod to Madam Pomfrey when she arrives. The caretaker gives her a worrisome glance, knowing what the demoiselle has arrived for. Though she directs her to the restroom where the test is to be taken, Eleanora shakes her head. “I’m… awaiting someone.” If he will show up.

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ It's when the night dawns upon the two friends that she finds herself resting her head upon his hospital bed, tiredness evident in her posture, though she's sure that he must be in an even more an uncomfortable position than her. This prompts her to lift her chin, sparing him a glance as her eyes glaze over the bandage across his stomach. "To answer your question," she speaks up lightly, gliding the pads of her fingers down his forearm. "Yeah, I do get a tad shy, you can say. Is it weird? Since I'm pretty touchy," with this, she sounds rather cheeky, no longer suppressing her laugh. "Also, if you get uncomfortable with it, please let me know. I just—I don't know, I think I like the physical affection."

It takes her another second to stifle a yawn, straightening up to outstretch her arms. Perhaps it's time for her to go, and although she should, there's a part of her that wishes to keep him company. Maybe he feels the same. "I think I'll take my leave," she says, albeit almost reluctantly. Rising from her spot, she takes another second to grasp onto his hand, offering it a small squeeze. Flashing him a smile, she then releases his hand and backtracks. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to shoot a text or give me a call, promise? Even if you're just bored and want someone to talk to, you know I'm here. Goodnight, Liandro."

@－ ❛ ɢ ❜：hanami inazuma。⁰³ "Wow, that macha sounds yummy! My gran could only bake a couplee cookies, sometimes we'd even burn it," Larissa laughs to herself as she reminisces her days back in Brazil with her great grandmother and all the mess they made. "I hope I'll get a taste of that macha cupcake soon." Sighing in delight, Larissa takes in the last bite of her cupcake. She snickers at the mention of her pet, how adorable it would be to see it munch down a whole box of sweets. "Your pet's the guinea pig, right? I don't think Emi would be a sweet tooth in contrast."

@－ ❛ ɢ ❜：larissa vaughan。⁰⁴ "Cupcakes! My favorite!" Hanami became giddy and tries one. She takes a one big bite of the cupcake and eventually she hums in delight. "Hmm! すごい! This is good, I tell you." She told the other before taking abother bite, "My mother used to bake cupcakes but its macha! I love her macha cupcake and I missed it so much." She told her senior and smiles before giggling. "If only Nami is a human she could eat a whole box out of it." Hanami chuckles as she jokes about her familiar.

@－ ❛ ɢ ❜：hanami inazuma。⁰³ "Of course I came! Someone had to check on you," Larissa scoots closer to Hanami, happy to hear she's alright after all that. "Oh yeah, these cupcakes are from the kitchen. I hope it's yummy because I'm a no good baker," chuckling, she munches off a part of one of the cupcakes. Her eyes start to wander off around the room looking at the other students and the furnitures, Larissa's rarely in here maybe once or twice. Still looks quaint as usual, nothing much has changed from her last visit. "Good thing it's not that bad, but I mean there's nothing Madam Pomfrey couldn't heal." Her mind returns to present, gulping down the treat. Larissa can't make of the flavor, twitches from side to side in attempt to name a taste. "Is the cupcake alright, though?"

@－ ❛ ɢ ❜：larissa vaughan。⁰⁴ After the triumph of their house owning the first game, Hanami got fell to the ground due to a minor concussion as she was hit by a bludger. It wasn't the first time she got hit by it, but it was the first time she got knocked off from her broomstick. She was sent to the hospital wing so that Madam Pomfrey treated her minor head injury, Hanami managed to wake up and got a small bandage on her left temple. Madam Pomfrey told the Gryffindor chaser to rest for a few more hours and gave her a vial of medicine for headaches. Right after Madam Pomfrey left to take care the other patients, Hanami's teammate, Larissa came with cupcakesin her hand. Her eyes widen with a smile on her face, "Larissa senpai! You came!" She greeted. "My head is still a bit pounding but I'll be fine for a few days." Hanami told her while smiling sheepishly.

@－ ❛ ɢ ❜：hanami inazuma。⁰³ Larissa treks her way up to the first floor, her whole body sore but still on an adrenaline rush as their Quidditch match just concluded. She holds a couple of cupcakes on her palm snatched from the kitchen while still grasping her broom, on the path to the hospital wing to check on her teammate who got zeroed in by a bludger on the face, that hurts real bad alright. As she enters the room, she leans her broom on a wall and surveys the awfully quiet room. An empty ice pack sits on a table on the corner, an ice jinx should do to fill it up. Holding the ice pack on her bruised chest while eyeing the room, she finally spots the person she's looking for. Larissa walks over and plops herself on the foot of the bed; "Hanami querida! How's the head doing?" She beams at the girl while holding out her hand clutching the cupcakes.

@－ ❛ ʜ ❜：maya yim。⁰⁴ Interesting. Or maybe it wasn't? Possibly Liandro had merely imagined it, how Maya's eyes lingered on his face, not looking him in the eyes, but elsewhere. Did she...want to kiss him? No, it couldn't be, his own eyes were certainly just tricking him, her laughter seemed to make that clear. But did he want to kiss her? Well, most likely. Her full lips would most likely feel wonderful against his. He cleared his throat, voiding himself of such thoughts about the orange headed girl.

"Dragons. Now we're talking. Although, seeing a dragon may quiet literally blow your mind. You know if you get your head caught in flames somehow. And you know, depending on the dragon, they can be quite temperamental. Just one look at them and they may set you on fire." He rambled unnecessarily and such nonsense too. "Like the Hungarian Horntail. They have the nastiest tempers, you know." Sooyun shifted once more in her slumber, managing to twist herself into such an uncomfortable looking position so that her head could use Liandro's thigh as a pillow. "I swear, she's like a cat. How does that even feel remotely good," he commented briefly before his undivided attention was back on Maya.

"He'll find someone you approve of one day, Maya. But you know, you probably shouldn't in too much. I would be pretty uncomfortable if Sooyun pulled that with me. Sometimes, it's just better to watch from a distance. If he gets hurt...then all you can do if be supportive and help him. Like you said, you understand he's a grown man, so you should try to understand that he needs to learn who is right for him on his own." Who was he to talk when the closest thing to a relationship with a woman was the one that allowed him to be between their legs? "Once Sooyun hits a certain age, I'll let up. She's just a kid right now and I don't want to ruin her experiences for my own selfishness." Of course, that didn't mean he would try to wring the neck of whomever tries to break her heart.

"Mm. I've never had one. I find it rather unnecessary when my focus is mainly in school...but interesting. You've never acted on your attractions to other people? Why's that?" He found it hard to believe when she was so easily touchy with him. Of course, it was probably different when she had a romantic or ual interest in someone. "Do you just get shy about it?"

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ "A kiss," she repeats soon after him. Truthfully speaking, she'd been half expecting such a scandalous-like answer like such, and there's a chance that she isn't too opposed to the idea? It's quite difficult to determine. There was no attraction to Liandro Kang she had, right? She glances over to his visage once more—his sharp nose, the slight tip of his lips, and lightly tousled hair—and suddenly she's doubting her initial thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, there was a twinge of something. It takes her another second to gather herself, waving him off with a laugh. "Yeah, we'll be fine with just knowing that we're each other's luck," and with this, she duly hopes that she will be his. "You'll do great."

The history of Liandro's family, surely it was a great mystery to her, but slowly and surely was it being unraveled within their conversations. Perhaps small snippets of his family would dig their way through their voices and albeit it being a rather sour topic for the two, she finds herself wanting to know more. This man, handsomely devilish yet absolutely down to earth, he's sure to have a story and she yearned to read each word. "A unicorn would be enough to bribe me too," she jokes. "Just seeing one would blow my mind. Same with dragons."

"Oh, I don't convince them to 'get away' from his, per say, sometimes they just naturally split. Or, I have to help him realize that the past women he's been into aren't necessarily.. good for him. Like, they don't make him happy or love him the right way, I guess," this remains ironic, for she's never technically been in a serious relationship herself. And even her older brother addresses this jokingly. "But I do understand that he's a grown man, I shouldn't into his infatuations. For Sooyun though, I think it's real cute how overprotective you are of her. She'll be that untouchable Hufflepuff with the older Slytherin brother."

"Oh, I know—" she's cut off the moment he faces her palm up right, her gaze trailing over to just how the tips of his fingers graze across the lines that lay. His touch is soft for having calloused hands, and for an unknown reason, her mind wanders back to their first encounter, his arm snug around her waist. The ring of her heart is nearly deafening, but she meets his eyes as he speaks, attempting to distract herself from the thrum. "Other things," she says, evidently curious, but she doesn't push further. "So, you haven't had a girlfriend before, I'm guessing? I'm quite similar. I haven't had time to date either, it was always studying, quidditch, friends—even now in my fourth year," with her vacant hand, she scratches at her collarbone, nodding. Hearing it now through her lips, it's a tad embarrassing, she realizes. So, she tries to recover. "But I've had like.. attractions to people, just never really acted out on it."

@－ ❛ ʜ ❜：maya yim。⁰⁴ "Maybe a kiss? That'd be nice," his eyes glinted, but his demeanor seemed quite serious. Of course, that did not last too long as a smile soon spread on a his face once more. It was hard to tease the other so seriously. "I'm only kidding. But honestly, I thought we agreed that we shall cheer each other on and that'll be the goodluck we give one another. I don't think I could ask anything more of you." As per usual, the Slytherin was being entirely honest with her. He didn't need anything else, other than knowing that someone was supporting him, watching specifically him. Why he chose Maya to be that person, he wasn't quite sure. But he did know that he felt the need to impress her and even prove her right regarding his skills as the Slytherin beater.

Give her his best? Such an amusing way to respond, especially due to Lian's being unable to conjure any unforgivable spells or make potions that would allow him to 'get back at her. "Well, of course I offer the best of bribes. How do you think I managed to become her favorite out of all of our siblings?" It was more sarcastic than anything. But in a way, it was true. He had sort of spoiled her since she was a toddler by offering her all his attention when he /was/ home. Unlike their elder sisters, Liandro hadn't acted as though playing with her was a waste of his time. "I'll get her in that cloak. Maybe I'll bride her with a unicorn." It was the most ridiculous thing to offer, as he found creatures like that needed to be left untouched.

"So basically, you have nicely convinced them to get away from your brother instead of acting as though you didn't want them around? Or maybe they decided they liked you better? Honestly, I would just tell those I don't think are good for her to off. But that's just me." The prefect still could not get used to how easily Maya would take hold his hand, threading her own fingers through his. Once more, it felt as though it were something a bit more intimate, not just a casual hand-hold.

"For me? I thought we were talking about our siblings, Maya," he said with a slightly raised brow. Why the sudden interest in his love-life? It was not as though he really had one, other than fooling around. Girls liked what they saw, not what they spoke to and vice-versa. Just the slightest thing he said could insult another person with such ease. However, the odd question intrigued him and made him a bit shy, causing him to turn her hand in his so that her palm was exposed. With the pointer of his opposite hand, he tranced the lines in hers, noting that they were quite soft for a chaser. "I don't have time to date, honestly. So I never actually thought about it. Even when I had the time to, I found myself filling my time with...um...other things." He wasn't about to admit to her that his relationships with women were something extremely temporary. Once more, it was as though he wanted to impress the Hufflepuff. "Why? What about you?"

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ Upon his shamelessness and brewing confidence in regards to their Quidditch match that was to take place, she can only nudge his arm, stifling a laugh with her teeth sinking in her lower lip. "Mm, alright. And yeah, just like I promised, I'll be cheering you on," with her next words, she takes her attempt at being cheeky, coy even. "Anything I could give you as a goodluck wish though?"

"Uh huh? Maybe give me your best?" She eggs on, purposeful for their lighthearted bicker. Though she'd like to deny it, perhaps her and his younger sister, Sooyun, were more alike than what she thought. Personally, she could be bribed also, although she wouldn't say so, and thus, others would possibly think she's easy to be taken advantage of. This only seemingly fuels her to become more protective of Sooyun, as she rests soundly beside him. "Well, that bribe better be good then."

She scrunches her nose over to him, shrugging. "I mean, there have been a couple of girls he's introduced to me and I've genuinely liked them—I'd never judge someone too quick—but I can't necessarily explain it. He just deserves so much," softly does she exhale, before eventually threading her digits through his idly, playing with his fingers. She's sure he understands well, seeing as he takes extra care of Sooyun, and for this, she could say she wholeheartedly wishes for this for Liandro himself. "What about you though?" She asks. "Like, anyone you think is, 'good enough', I guess, for you?"

@－ ❛ ʜ ❜：maya yim。⁰⁴ He thought that the other had been finished worrying about him, but the man was entirely wrong about it. "I will make myself be fine for the match. Come on, it's the opening match and with /Gryffindor/. You know how much they pride themselves on being the best in Quidditch. I can't miss all the fun of making a couple fall off of their brooms." Honestly, he wasn't even certain that Madame Pomfrey would even allow him to. However, he decided that if she tried to say no, that he would either sweet talk his way into getting what he wants, or he would just have to sneak out of the Hospital Wing.

"Mhm, very much so. And you don't want to get in trouble with a Slytherin, don't know what kinds of spells I may cast on you." He continued the joke until she asked about the cloak. "Will she agree? No. Will she do it because I bribed her with something nice? Most likely." His sister was the type to be easily swayed by him. As long as he promised and proved that he would provide something that she wanted, she would often be on her best behavior.

As she explained the situation with her brother, Liandro couldn't help but snort, the sound making Sooyun stir in her sleep. "You know, that really makes you sound a bit stalkerish. You probably scare off the poor girls...unless...is that what you want? Have you met anyone that you felt was good enough for your brother?" Hoenstly, it was no different than what he was doing with Sooyun. But at least she was only eleven. Thus, he found it amusing that Maya was potentially getting in the way of her brother's relationships.

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ As he reassures her, she feels a subtle smile make home upon her visage once more (one he's seen before), nodding. Though the two share an innate banter, she is also aware that anything Liandro Kang says, he truly means, blunt and all. So, she takes his words kindly, folding her hands unto her lap idly. She parts her lips, intentionally wanting to ask how he'd gotten attacked in the first place—it being unclear with him.. being in the prefects' bathroom, yet, seeing as how he fails to tell her initially, she refrains from it. Instead, she's reminded of the upcoming Quidditch match soon. "Oh no, wait, are you going to be alright in time for the game?"

"I'll be in trouble with you," his light threat has her raising an almost curious brow, as if she'd want to risk her chances, but this is brief before she elicits a laugh. "sure, Lian. No, but, I see, she's too young for dating, I'll make sure no Hufflepuff boys are eyeing her in the commons. An invisibility cloak, would she agree to such measures?" This prompts another chuckle to be heard from the Prefect, finding his ways of 'parenting' all too amusing, albeit joking. "Not from getting married, pft. I just—feel like I have a good intuition about people, so whenever he's talking to a woman intimately, I want to talk to her too. Maybe question her a tad, but overall, just get to know her." She explains with a bashful demeanor, scratching at her collarbone before pausing. "Okay, that sounds a bit.. yeah, but I swear it's with good intentions."

@－ ❛ ʜ ❜：maya yim。⁰⁴ "Annoying? I don't find you annoying at all, Maya. You just worry too much, I think. But it doesn't mean I think you're annoying." Honestly, just because she worried for his health, more than her own it seemed, didn't mean he thought of her as a nuisance or pushy. If anything, it was nice to have someone, other than Sooyun, be that worried about him. His hand pulled from hers once more to scratch at his ear, his head slightly nodding in response to her proving to him that she was quite alright. "Good. I'm starting to think I'm the only person that got this badly hurt." It was honestly embarrassing for him, to have been that distracted that he never went to reach for his wand. If he had his wand, he was certain that he would have been fine, especially when the other two prefects seemed to be clueless as to what to do until it was too late. In the end, he came across like the mindless idiot, while the others...well they seemed like heros. Either way, he didn't say much about what really happened, not wanting to sully their names in anyway. As, it was partially his fault for being mesmerized by the creature.

"Good. But if I find out she has a boyfriend," Liandro in a deep breath, "you'll be in a lot of trouble with me, Miss Yim." His lips curled at the ends to show that he was only making a joke about the other prefect having full responsibility of his sibling got into boy trouble. "Or a girlfriend, for that matter. Too young for dating. Maybe I should make her wear an invisibility cloak at all times." Liandro shifted in the bed, finally moving his hand from his sister's head to reposition himself to be a little bit more upright. "The opposite? What do you mean? Don't tell me you're trying to prevent a grown man from getting married."

@－ ❛ s ❜：liandro kang。⁰⁴ She flashes him an apologetic smile, reeling in her hand from his. Perhaps her tendency to over-worry could be of unimportance and possibly overbearing for others, but, it's inevitable for her. "Sorry, but as long as you're friends with me, I think you'll find that I could be a tad annoying," she's certain that if he hadn't thought it earlier, he has now, just as her best friend has expressed to her once before. "I'm relieved though—that you're okay." As he returns her question, she shakes her head, splaying out her hands and arms. "Nope, perfectly safe, see? I can manage, silly."

"Of course. Whoever's precious to you, you can trust with me. And, I am her prefect anyway, I think I would've been sure to take good care of her." She says with certainty, before breaking into a soft laugh, covering . "No boys for her, got it," finding a liking to this overprotective side of her friend, she muses greatly. "My brother used to be like that about me too, actually. Now, it's sort of the opposite, haha."