Abandoned 5th Floor Classroom Closed

Darius was a little shocked and confused as he heard the words of the other young Slytherin. Then he realized and he made a little frown, especially when the other student scanned him. It was kind of rude, he thought.
His older brother told him about the rivalry between Houses, but he never truly believed that.
As a Ravenclaw, he always told him to respect everyone and that, in the end, Houses don't really matter.
Thrive? Superior? Good little students? That was nonsense for Darius. Sure, he was proud of his House just like everybody else, but he didn't understand that harsh rivalry.
Why should the students fight against each other? Just because they were sorted into a different House?
Maybe Darius was still a little childish, but he thought that everyone had to collaborate, regardless of the House. They were all wizard, they were all the same, he even made some close friends who were from the other Houses so... Why?
He hated stereotypes, but he was beginning to think that maybe some Slytherin students were a little bossy for his taste.
"That... Was not what I meant..." He said in a low voice, not very sure about the Slytherin intentions anymore.
The last thing he wanted was to make enemies.

Destrian turned towards him again and eyed him for a moment longer. "You're welcome to stay. Tell me something about yourself. What are your qualities?" he wanted to know. "I do not recognise your last name. Are you from a line of wizards and witches?" He lowered his hands to rest at his side again, now focussed on the Gryffindor that was among them, hoping the other Slytherins would stop fighting for just a moment. There was an arrogance in Destrian's eyes, but it seemed like he didn't mean to make an enemy just yet. He needed at least a reason for that. As long as Darius wouldn't get in his way or wouldn't do anything that would cross Dayne, they would be fine. But still, Darius was no Slytherin. 

With no doubt, Darius was a little intimidated by the Slytherin and his weak and tiny body didn't help for sure. The boy swallowed, trying to find the words to answer him.
Those questions weren't rude, so he tried to be more comfortable.
'He doesn't look like a bad guy... Maybe I just think too much, enough with the stereotypes' He thought.
At that moment, Darius smiled kindly at him, letting his guard down. After all, Destrian invited him to stay.
"I'm Darius De Amoris, nice to meet you, uhm..." He said, realizing he didn't know his name. Did he already tell him? Or he didn't? My God Darius, why are you distracted all the time?
Destrian should have recognised his brother's last name. After all, that older Ravenclaw was one of the best students of Hogwarts.
"My qualities? Uhm... Well, I'm trying to figure them out in this school, I want to improve as much as I can" He replied, keeping a constant, warm smile on his face to look like a secure guy.
"And well... I'm a Muggle-born so no, I don't have wizards in my family, except for my brother" He answered, now a little anxious.
His brother told him about blood discrimination, too. He was an excellent student, but he was often insulted because of his status. Especially from Slytherin students.
Darius stared at the Slytherin, hoping that wouldn't happen to him, too.

The boy before him, though most likely the same age, was smaller than he was. Destrian himself was quite tall for his age and slender. And often, when he looked at people, it seemed as if he was looming over them. "Nice you meet you as well, Darius. My name is Destrian, Destrian Dayne to be more exact," he replied. He had never heard of the name, nor the boy's brother. He wasn't very familiar with people belonging to Ravenclaw. What he found more importantly was to get to know as many people as possible belonging to Slytherin. That was his house after all. 

"Respectable answer," he murmured when Darius told him that he was still figuring out what his qualities were. "You're ambitious to be good, then. I like that, Darius. You should keep up the hard work. I'm sure that you'll surprise yourself with your own capabilities," he said with even a slight hint of a warmer sort of smile. He respected people who wanted to reach something and do things. But when he heard he was muggle-born, Destrian had to swallow and pause for a moment. "A shame.." he said, his lips tightening a bit. "I suppose not everyone can come from a Pureblood line.."  There was just something about muggleborn mages which had Destrian's skin crawl. But he decided not to confront the other boy with it. "It doesn't matter," he told himself more than he told Darius.

Darius sighed with a slight disappointment. After all, he did see that coming.
But after all, he wasn't so rude to him. And why should Darius care what others think of him? He should be independent buuut maybe not now. He's still naive and innocent, he still doesn't understand really well how the world works.
The Gryffindor smiled a little nervously at him, not sure on how to take that answer.
But, apart from the subtle blood discrimination, Destrian actually praised him, that made Darius feel more confident and proud of himself, that meant he was on the right way to become a great wizard.
"Well... Thank you Destrian, I guess..." He replied, scratching his head.
"I will take account of your words. They were useful" He finally replied with his usual and gentle smile, which made everybody feel welcome.
Suddenly, the boy gasped and opened his eyes wide. He had just remembered his appointment in the boys' lavatory!
'Oh, God! I totally forgot it! Ice will be mad...' He thought in cold sweat.
"I-I really have to go now, but it was a pleasure to meet you all! See you later guys!" He exclaimed, running out of the classroom.

(Topic left)

She was not one to follow rules, protocols, regulations. It was obvious to the few that knew her. She was far from impressive in stature or skill but what she lacked for in power and skill she made up for in ignorance and stubbornness. She would have to look up to be able to look him in the eye, he had shown a side of himself that was likely not intended. She had a way about herself that caused that side of them to come out. 

She was yelling at him, not that a word could be heard as he declared 'Good!'

She was miffed but essentially unharmed. She was lucky even if she did not realize it. It was a massive risk calling him out in the way she had. He had an ego and she was seeking a reaction, the problem was she was seeking a reaction in someone she did not know well. She did it so that he would react in front of them because she was annoyed with him. With how he compared himself to others and pushed his privilege front and center. She realized he had an ego to feed and she just evacuated his ego of its spoils, his response would be unpredictable. But she was but a child herself, a reckless and foolish child. She knew a little bit but she did not know enough, but a little knowledge was a dangerous thing.

She expected intercession. In that she was not wrong as a quavering yet still somehow brave Gryffindor stepped forward.


"Hey guys..." 

"I don't want to meddle, because this is none of my business, but I think you two shouldn't argue here" 


"It's pretty pointless, and you two share the same House! So please, don't fight" 

Not with a Magical Wand in your hand, at least. You could get in serious trouble and I think it's not worth it"

The boy was a voice of reason in a situation where rationale was lost and replaced with passion and anger. He lifted his wand and she instinctively tensed. He might not be on her side in this.

'I really hope this works...' 

Her eyes watched his wand.


"Finite!" 

She could talk again but she was not actually saying anything at the time. It took her a moment to realize what had happened. 


"Guys, why are we fighting against each other? We ought to be fighting with each other for the sake of Slytherin. Sure, you don't have to like each other but the moment that someone discovers that we are using spells to cause each other a form of harm, points will be taken from us. If we wish to become a powerful house, we should work together. Teach each other spells, instead of jinxing each other with them. I am sure that we all want to see our house thrive, right?"

She recognized him from the Slytherin table. Marcus' friend. Again she was on the defensive. "No!" She exclaimed with an indignant voice. "It is just a team," she complained. "A team I do not agree with," she added. She was playing Destrian against Marcus in a way, she saw his expression when Marcus had cast that jinx, curse, whatever that was in the dining hall. "But I admit it, I started it," she announced. Admission, at least a partial one grants validity to what else one has to say. "I was getting tired of him comparing himself to everyone else. Reminding people in his own house that he was their better," she claimed. She was actually telling the truth. She did not have some strange attachment to House Slytherin, some sort of 'ethnocenteric' pride or belief that these people were like her family but she understood the concept of teams. "So I told him off. He threatened me and pulled a wand on me," she led them to a conclusion without saying it -- I did a bad thing sure, but HE was worse! 

"Do we not want the colors of our house decorating the halls of Hogwarts, to remind the other houses who is superior? If it is that which we all want, we ought to work together and put our grudges aside. Or else we can forget about our points and continue studying like the good little students we most definitely are not."

She frowned. They might actually share an ego. Who cares what color banners fill Hogwarts? That is only a tool to encourage them to self-moderate their behavior for fear of points lost and a desire for something to be gained.

A tête-à-tête between the pair ensued. She listened to them, almost as if she was still under Marcus' spell. She was somewhat impressed with him until he admitted that he was Muggle-born, then her fac dropped. A Muggle? REALLY? 

The conversation would end with the ginger dashing off. Erin standing there wondering how this hated moment turned into a calm discussion with her arms now crossed over her chest. Begrudgingly she would call out to Darius, "thank you Darius." It was a statement that was hard to say to a Muggle-born but it had to be said. Perhaps the statement about their bravery did indeed hold true. Her eyes would flicker between Marcus and Destrian, she was mildly nervous but she was not entirely alone because there were some other witnesses still. She was not going to make nice with Marcus or his clone. By extension she was also mad at Marcus' 'friend.' "Here to back your boy..." she sighed. "Slytherin families... yadda-yadda." Her tone sarcastic and dismissive. "But don't worry, I am leaving." She announced in a low voice. she did not bring much of anything with her except her school bag that she swung over her shoulder. 

"We will have our chat in the common room, I will play the game your way." She rumbled as she turned her back to them.