Will These Kids Never Learn? OPEN Closed

Libraries had always given Alora an odd feeling. They felt like a prison for information, and with her lack of an internet to hunt down information, she had sadly had to get acquainted with the stack of books. This had been just another one of those days, assimilating information as she allowed the dust to settle after the whole spin the bottle evening debacle. When she’d noticed Colin she’d taken a turn towards the back of the stacks and just as quickly had turned on her heels. Who kept books on chains?!

Then there were voices. They were raising and she couldn’t help but recognize them. There was a couple yo mama jokes that made her snicker and for a moment she wished she could give the conversation a reaction or a gif. She could think of so many memes to throw at this sort of encounter and yet there it was in real life unfolding. She had no idea how to react so she drew closer to the boys she had dungbombed.

“You know they keep books on chains back there?” She asked, giving a furtive glance towards the restricted section. “Sounds to me they’re the ones that need it,” she nudged her chin towards the squabbling pair as it escalated to a thrown book and a spell from their first charm class. At least she hadn’t misfired and caused another Vesuvius event. Because after that, teaching first years the spell seemed like a sound decision. Some days she had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

“So what caused this show down?” She asked quietly.

Talking to Colin/Luci

Oh, this was gonna be so good! Colin wished he had some of that poppy corn stuff to eat while he watched the show! He could probably rummage around in his robe pockets and find a packet of cheese, but Opeila dressing down the tantrum duo was far too riveting! Hah! They're so busted! Well, Opeila caught Opal with her wand out --- that would definitely be a detention! Mellani, on the other hand, did not pull out her wand. Colin wasn't sure yet quite what to make of that. Was that intentional, or was she a muggle born, just so unused to magic that it didn't occur to her to draw her wand and defend herself properly?

THUMP! Someone bumped Colin's shoulder. Colin smirked. Luci. His fellow Wolf seemed quite pleased with himself that he was at the centre of the girls' debate turned duel. Colin liked Luci's smirk. It reminded him so much of his own! It was amazing how they'd become mates so quickly. He reckoned that being a Wolf had something to do with it. But even though Luci was a bit of a pure blooded prat, Colin figured he'd sort himself out. And anyway, he was great fun to compete with and run around the corridors with.

Oof. One of the girls said she didn't care about Luci at all! Colin wasn't sure which one it was. Probably Mellani. After all, it was Luci that Opal had snogged here in the library! He winced for Luci --- that comment had to hurt a lad! Even just a little bit, especially if it were Opal! But on the other hand, if it were Mellani... Colin shrugged. That was a spin the bottle kiss. Just something fun and without any further meaning. That was the rules, right, and Mellani was just stating the obvious.

Even after Opeila caught them, Opal was still on fir with the insults! "Gosh, she's gonna get herself into more trouble if she keeps that up," Colin said to Luci. "I had no idea she was like that! Of course, when I met her, she was mostly unconscious. But I thought you ---"

"You know they keep books on chains back there?” Colin turned at the quiet voice and smiled. Alora. The Princess of Pranks, and his partner in prankitude for two of the awesomest pranks in Hogwarts history!

"Ayo sis! Oh! Yeah, well, that's so they won't get out and attack anyone. You really don't want to be eaten by some of these books, Lora!" Colin said matter of factly. And it was true. Some of the books in this library really gave off predatory vibes to Colin. "I actually had to stare one down and growl at it the other day before it would let me put it back on the shelf!"

"Besides why would I be jelous of you? You are so ugly your mom tried to return you using your birth certificate!" Colin heard what Opal said to Mellani and his eyes flew wide open! He got up into a crouched position in the chair!

Colin gasped! He turned to Lucian and then Alora, wondering if they heard what he just heard! "Lora! Luci! It's really true! Oh my goodness! Muggles really do exchange their babies in the loo for other babies! WHOA!! Wait til I tell Monica about this!! She'll never believe it! It's just like in London! I actually saw the baby changing box there! She said it weren't so, but this confirms it!"

Colin smirked, though, as Mellani took up her defense. He wondered what delicious retort she'd come up with! But his smirk quickly turned into an expression of wonder. She didn't retort anything! She just said what happened. And Opal came back to that accusing her of starting the whole thing! Alora asked what started it all. Colin nodded his head towards Luci. "Him. They're yammering on snogging Luci. And now it's gotten all personal. Have to admit, lass, Opal's got some brilliant insults!"

Mellani gave Opal a look of pure derision, or at least what Colin thought must be! After all, just about everything Opal said was an insult. But it dawned on Colin that whenever Mellani hit back, she never hit back in kind. Colin was actually impressed. He couldn't recall actually hearing her insult Opal in return.

"It's interesting you lot, how Mells hasn't actually said anything to Opal. I mean, she's been all in Mellani's face! Wait. Did you hear that? The library is a place where all students have the right to read in peace!? She sounds like a Prefect! Oof! And then Opal goes and tells the actual Prefect how to do her job? TSK! TSK! That's not going to go down well!"

Colin smirked at the way Mellani corrected Opal's mispronunciation of 'necessary'. "I am impressed, Lora. Mells is literally standing by while Opal take herself apart! Oh, lassie! That's genius! I wish I'd thought of that!" Mellani kept herself calm, now that a Prefect was involved, whereas Opal looked like she would be kicking and wingeing like a wee baby any minute now!

The more Colin thought about what Mellani was doing, the more impressed he got! He nodded. He'd have to add that to his repertoire. It was brilliantly simple: once you've gotten through Stages One and Two and you've been caught by the Prefect, just let the other kid do all the screaming and insulting! Just stay calm and push their buttons ever so slightly! They'll dig themselves right into a detention while you calmly state the facts. Colin nodded.

"You know what else I know as a prefect? What someone looks like who is trying to gaslight someone else into trouble. Yes, she shouldn't have thrown a book, but seriously, poking a bear until he bites and then whining about it is a bit pathetic, don't you think?" Opeila said. Colin wondered if he and his Prefect could possibly be thinking the same thing!

Surely Opeila realised that Opal had bargained for a detention with her big mouth. But what did she think of Mellani? Did she think Mells was really all innocent? Or did she think, like Colin, that Mellani was smart and had taken control of the confrontation in a brilliantly non-confrontational way? He'd never know, of course. A Prefect was very unlikely to spill the tea to someone like Colin McCoire!

"Did you hear that Luci? She's on to Opal like a wolf on a stag! She's really brills, mate! I should know! She caught me and Clair in Hogsmeade --- I'll take detention with Clair any time!" Colin shook his head when he noticed that Opal was staring over at Luci. Colin nudged Luci in his ribs. "Oi! Yer girl's oggling at ye mate! Heheh! Maybe ye two can snog after her detention?"

Colin wondered what happened: Opal suddenly hung her head low and started to apologise! Colin tried hard to keep from laughing out loud! "Oh mate! Mells totally owned Opal! Look at that apology!" Colin nudged Luci again --- harder this time! "Pffft! Luci! Ye made her cry, mate! And --- oh crap!"

Professor Sáez came over! The Librarian! Oof! Colin sank back into the chair. He whispered: "Oh, this is gonna be good! Busted by a Prefect and tortured by a teacher!" And then the dread sentence came down! "Oh bloody hell! He might as well wear the black cap and all! Double Detention! Sweet!"

But then Professor Sáez raised his voice and Colin caught the drift immediately: "Now, to the both of you, and any other spectators, I would recommend you gather your things together and make yourselves scarce..."

"Well, mates, I reckon we'd better scoot before we end up joining the girls tidying up the library tomorrow! Mind you," Colin said with a firm nod; "I rather like being in the library! If ever I get a detention, I'd be happy to serve it in here!"

@Alora J. Graves | @Lucian Mornstern || Mentions @Opeila Winters | @Mateo Sáez | @Opal Brinkman | @Mellani Miller