One Step Away From Disaster Open closed

@Nico Shymane
English • #2E8B57 | Welsh • #0080BF | French • #804080

As unconventional as it was, the abandoned toilets were often a place of solace for the young Slytherin. She loved the escape it provided from the always busy corridors of the castle. In the warmer months, she could often be found down by the Great Lake, lost inside her own head and idly playing with the grass she sat on. On days like today though, when the wind was bitter and snow still covered the ground, it was even too cold for her to be outside despite her love for it.

So, when she realised she needed a break from the constant noise which was difficult to escape at Hogwarts, she’d resorted to walking the corridor down to the abandoned bathroom. She hummed idly to herself as she walked, fingers spinning her wand in a way which was quickly becoming second nature. She supposed she had Zyk to blame for that, he’d been the reason why she was so intent on learning how to do it in the first place. She passed a few groups of students – Hufflepuffs debating whether the winter or summer was better, Slytherins discussing the Potions homework she herself had been neglecting, and a few Ravenclaws and Gryffindors who were enraptured by an apparently tense game of wizard’s chess.

When she made it to the bathrooms, she swung the door open with her free hand and let out a soft sigh. The room was cooler than the corridor had been, likely due to the broken window which allowed rays of light to stream in, but considerably less frigid than she knew the outside air would be. She found the temperature calming, refreshing her as she took in a deep breath and closed her eyes.

It took her another few moments to fully register her surrounding and notice the other person who had clearly had the same idea as her and winded up in the abandoned bathroom. Her eyes widened briefly in surprise, not having expected to see anyone else in here, before she regained her composure. “Sorry, I didn’t realise anyone else would be in here,” She said quickly, a slightly sheepish smile falling into place on her lips. She recognised the girl as her house prefect, though having never really spoken to her – Nico, her subconscious supplied when she tried to think of her name.

Sarah opened her mouth to make a joke about great minds thinking alike, or something equally as ridiculous, when she caught the solemn look on the girl’s face in the broken reflection the mirror before her offered. In hindsight, she likely should have just walked away, left the girl to herself as she clearly wanted to be if her location said anything. But Sarah didn’t, as curious as always, and instead spoke again. “Hey, are you alright?” She asked softly, taking a few steps closer to the older girl, and letting her lips form a small, hopefully kind looking smile. if the girl told her to go away, she would. But she hated the idea of leaving someone alone when they shouldn’t be.

As usually happened, one didn't ever stay here alone for long. The bathrooms were a place where
broken ones fled to. If to break something that was already broken or just to face themselves and their demons.

Nico looked at the girl from the corner of her eyes, carefully turning her head. Bright green hair. Was this maybe a Slytherin student? She blinked a few times, eyes fixated on the girls face, studying her features. Hm. Could this be...Sarah Lightwood? It checked out. As far as the dhampir could recall, there was no one else with strikingly green hair like Miss Lightwood. Nico chose to remain silent for now, straightening her back. She took another long look in the broken mirror and gently tapped one of her fingers on the rim of the rather nasty looking sink.

She could sense a certain awkwardness in the air. How would one feel walking into a Prefect in one of the most desolate places of Hogwarts. A place where you wouldn't expect someone with such responsible aura as a Prefect.

'I'm fine...' It was true but also a lie. Sarah Lightwood. She probably didn't know of her condition. Unless she did. The dhampir couldn't keep track of the students at times. Who knew. Who didn't. Maybe people talked. The girl wanted to approach her. Be kind. Supportive. Was it genuine? Did she come to corner her? Was it a facade? Had everything already been set in stone?

'You?' Her icecold hues locked with hers. Trying to figure out her intentions.

@Sarah Lightwood