Lemon Drops Don't Solve All Problems Finished

Ross was at least grateful for the distraction in all honesty. It was enough to get his attention off the pains that would soon start to spike in his foot. Usually it would go away quickly ,but there was no doubt that it would blister or something along those lines. It was no sun burn, but it could not be terribly bad if it had only burned through his sock and shoe. It certainly could have been much worse, and Ross was convinced he had to prove that to Alina.

Well, without ya' it could've been a lot worse..." he mumbled as she helped him up.

The boy let out a loud gasp as he felt pressure on his foot once more. He cringed, and quickly found himself pulling it off the ground instead. Now he really felt like he was in some sort of garbage movie. When she offered for Ross to lean on her, Ross took it up immediately. He refused to even hesitate when it came to this. he was in pain, and if he could lift that pain for just one second he was going to take it, even if it was not really 'selfless' of him as the Hufflepuff expectation normally went.

She assisted him across the grounds, and within that time it was quiet. The only noises were the crickets singing their lovely song in the stars, preaching to who knows what. Their footsteps were nearly in unison, and Ross found out the hard way getting out of it was not exactly a smart move.

Ross felt relief when they saw the large staircase. It was as welcoming as ever, despite the foot injury. While it left him worried as it hit him what he must do, it was not like he was trying to put out a fire while also trying to not have hypothermia. This was really nothing in contrast. While normally a chatterbox, he only looked at Alina and smiled when she mentioned it. It was his best way of reassurance without actually having to waste any energy. It felt a little strange talking to the girl either way, as she was so much smaller than him in contrast to everything else. it felt more of like he was babysitting, but the child was smarter than him.

As they managed to make their way up it, Ross began to feel hazy. He was sat down as the girl went venturing for help, and sure enough they apparently got it because now he was here laying in a hospital bed feeling miserable. The girl had really gone the extra mile for Ross, though he had done nothing for the girl that stood next to him.

The bed was surprisingly comfortable in contrast to what the other kids said. Sure he had been here before due to some sick prank, but he hardly remembered it anyways. He had forgotten how the beds were quite comfortable. It was much more of an upgrade than being sprawled out in the grassy area, drenched in water. Now he was in a dry, comfortable bed on the third floor and less drenched then before which was certainly a win for him.

"A lot better than bein' drenched next to the lake that's for sure." he remarked jokingly, his voice practically being the definition for the word tired.

Ross directed his attention to the window, noticing how nobody was around. Was tonight something special? Well, it had to be. Now that he thought of it, he hardly saw anyone around the place besides groups of students who seemed much more introverted than the rest.

Say... was today the ball?

Oh no. He really was going to be alone in here all night, wasn't he? It was not like anyone could get the memo about him being injured, and to that it sort of ached inside of him. Flash and Willow would not know and neither would Mildred. he would be alone, and nobody would be there for him and even know he burned himself? Perhaps that was for the best though. He did not really need anyone knowing he accidentally set himself on fire.

Then he glanced to the girl who had gone to the lake for no reason.

She could have gone to the ball, but she was here. Why? It seemed so strange. Why would she save him when she could have been out having fun? She had struck him for a Gryffindor with her first actions, but then something came to mind.

"Hold up, are you a Hufflepuff or somethin'?" he inquired, looking towards her.

He had not really seen her around, but that was no surprise to himself. He knew some of his fellow Hufflepuffs, but he had never paid much mind to it. They were just sort of there. He never got himself involved in their activities, and did not get the memo his common room was nearly destroyed for several hours.

"I dunno how to say thanks erm... What can I do for ya after... this is all done." he inquired, not really bothering to make the wild gestures with his hand as he usually did. "I hope i'll only be in 'ere for a night. Just a bit of burn paste and a bit of time should be alright 'opefully." he mumbled.

In all honesty, he did want to be there for the night. That way nobody could really ask him about what his deal was in the Hufflepuff room, or at least he would not have to be surrounded by others quite yet. While the boy did not really look like it, he was not entirely extroverted. it was more of, he needed his 'few people' time sometimes when he was distressed. Perhaps that was a thing for all people? Who knew.

Ross only smiled at the 100 Galleons remark, but knew well he was not going to just give up on repaying the girl. Yes, it would not be in 100 Galleons but it had to be something! Besides, he was saving them up to buy a rat. Ross really wanted a rat, and he was not going to just give up on his dream so quickly. Even so, he was not going to just not repay her. She saved him from his entire body getting lit on fire.

"I dunno, I'll do somethin for ya' I'll promise ya that!" The boy remarked, starting to feel a bit more relaxed as he let his mind wander a little bit.

What was he going to do anyways? There was not much, but heck he hardly even knew the girl. Well of course, that could be changed. Then he could pay her back in a better way when he figured out what she actually needed! It would almost be a genius plan if it was not something he had not thought of while exhausted in a hospital bed. Still, hopefully he would remember it in the morning to be able to genuinely put it in action. Besides, they were both Hufflepuffs. What was the worst that could happen? He bet he had some classes with her as well. It only made sense.

When she inquired, Ross would have jumped and made some elaborate excuse probably, or would have changed the topic; however, there was not really a point of it it seemed currently. At the moment, all he really had was one girl to talk to either way. Besides, she at least deserved an explanation if she curious. She had stopped him from setting his entire body on fire.

"Well, nobody's ever gonna know I was 'ere y'know? It sorta blows, I guess. Mum and Dad won't even know either." he explained, though it did not make much sense to Ross himself.

It sounded selfish almost. It was like he wanted attention, but perhaps he did. Ross had never been injured in a way he really needed to go anywhere before so this was sort of a shocker for him. It had never happened before and it was not like he had planned on it happening ever. He felt sort of guilty, but either way he supposed it was fine.

"Hold up, where's my stuff?" he inquired, sitting up slightly as a panic seemed to lace his voice.

Ross visibly calmed down at being informed his belongings were there. The only thing the boy carried on him were the most important ones, so it was relief enough that his wand was alright. As long as that magical book of Knox Stephen's was alright, then so was he. He was extremely attached to the objects, though it was a wonder why. Usually attachment to inanimate objects was a sign of neglect, but he had supportive parents back at home. It seemed so odd to him, but he supposed it was alright. After all, they were important objects either way.

As he eased back into himself, the girl made an offer. It was an offer to get him his friends to come here, and it was an offer that caught him off guard. As she passed the notebook into his lap, he realized two things. First of all, this girl was organized. She knew what she was doing, which probably was another reason it did not make him believe he was a Hufflepuff at first. Second of all, she was really offering. it was shocking to him. He was the one that should be paying her back , not the other way around! He glanced at the book, seemingly startled and then back at the girl. A grin found its way onto his face that was far wider than it was prior.

"You really are a Hufflepuff, arentcha." he remarked, feeling as if he had just proved a point.

That was the greatest feeling to Ross. That smug feeling that developed inside him as he proved something. It was like solving a mystery that never existed in the first place. Perhaps most people just called it getting to know someone, but why not make it into a little game? It could be fun, after all.

He picked up the notebook and placed it on the small table that was next to him, right next to his belongings. His friends were having fun. They had to be at least. Willow always dressed so fancy for balls and events from what he had heard from other Hufflepuffs. He bet Flash was there doing what he did best too. Mildred he was not sure about, as she simply seemed so introverted. Still, they were having fun. There was no need for him to go stop it just because he was injured or something.

Much to Ross' own surprise, he did understand what she meant. He understood in such a strange way he was not sure if it was sympathy instead. It reminded him of two people he knew well, but remarking on that would likely only invalidate her problems in her mind in his opinion. Not only that, he seemed to get it on a personal scale as well. To him, parents were odd, well his parents at least. He was not sure if they were proud of him or were not fond of him or who knows what. All he knew was it was complicated, even if it was not in the same way as him.

Sure a Hospital was meant for physical healing, but who said it did not have to be mental healing? Well, hopefully this would not cause some sort of emotional damage to him on the way, but it was fine in his book as long as he got something out of the way. Still, to understand this story he would need to understand more.

"Look, i getcha, but who in the 'eck is Bella?" he inquired, attempting to start off small.

As he waited for a reply, he was quiet. That was what he had done last time he was in a venting situation. Last time he had chased a girl into the bathroom just so she would have someone to cry to, which was much more of a complicated experience than Ross would have liked to admit. Still, this was quite the contrast to it so perhaps that was why he decided to open his mouth once more.

"But really though, I suppose I get it." he added, that little happy smile of his falling off his face, but still seemingly calm and not upset whatsoever. He was just much more serious now than he was prior.