Evening Patrol

With Cassidy Lucas, Maia Galvan, and Bianca Ciotti

Cassidy:

The duty he disliked most about being Head Boy: patrolling. Cassidy didn't like the feeling that it seemed as if he was just walking around the castle looking for trouble makers. And in essence, that was what he was doing. He didn't like it. It made people like his brother and his brother's friend dislike him. Of course it probably didn't help that his brother was a prefect as well this term ... they were still trying to figure out what the staff were drinking when that choice was made.

True, Cassidy wasn't just out looking for trouble makers but also to help any lost fledglings ... namely the lower years. However, it was now a few months into the school year that he doubted there were that many getting lost, at least in comparison to the beginning of the term. There were always a few first years getting lost in the beginning of the school year.

With a small sigh, Cassidy traversed the length of the seventh floor corridor. He nodded to the Fat Lady portrait as he passed. How he wished to could call a quits and go into his common room. But he still had a few hours left in his patrol. Stupid duties.

If anything, maybe Cass should become a prankster ... maybe he wouldn't receive this responsibility next year ... but Cass ... a prankster? He wouldn't be able to accomplish it. It was foreign to his personality. So knowing his lucky stars he would be Head Boy next year unless by some miraculous miracle there was someone better for the position that they missed. He doubted the case highly, but one could hope.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Cass paused in his progress to move over to the stone and lean between two of the paintings that were hung there to wait and see who was behind him...

Maia:

It was late, and Maia knew she probably should have been either safe in her common room, perched nearby the fire, or snug in bed, fast asleep. But on this particular night, that just wasn't happening. She had begun to feel restless around eight o'clock, simply sitting in the library with Mackenzie, reading quietly. The book had been a Charms text, and had quickly lost her interest, for it took quite an engrossing novel to hold her attention for longer than a millisecond. As a result, she had left her friend to the dutiful studying in which she took quite seriously, and had proceeded to wander about the corridors. As of now, it had been around three hours since then, according to her little wrist-watch.

Being a social girl, Maia had entertained herself by going to different parts of the castle in which she rarely visited, and conversing with the portraits there. Unfortunately, some had been rather grumpy and displeased by her presence, as it was nighttime and they wanted to get some rest. But some had been gracious and taken kindly to her lively chatter, responding regularly without complaining of the necessities of sleep. It was fascinating to her, how the various pictures possessed differences in personality. They were just like people, only two-dimensional and inside picture frames. And, less dangerous to speak with than the armored knights, who had recently taken to threatening anyone who bothered them.

Climbing yet another set of stairs, the Spanish with paused mid-step to glance behind her. All throughout the evening, she'd had the most peculiar sensation that someone was watching her. She figured it was just another facade, created by her wild imagination to try and make her believe something that wasn't there. And it she was being followed, it didn't really bother her. Probably just one of the ghosts, being meddlesome. With a light shrug of the shoulders, Maia turned her attention back to the next floor and softly padded up the steps, her feet making no noise. The only sound that would alert another being of her approach was the quiet rustling of her long silky skirt.

She began to hum under her breath, the silence suddenly unnerving to her. Maia wished she had persuaded Mackenzie to come with her, and considered going back to the library to fetch her companion, but then realized she had probably retreated back to the Hufflepuff common room with the locking up of her favorite late-night spot. Moving on to other thoughts, she wondered what floor she was now traveling on. Glancing to her right, the Gryffindor was surprised to see the Fat Lady staring back at her, giving her a glare that clearly said, "Get back in here, girl, before someone catches you! I don't want points taken from my house because of your foolishness!" She grinned, waved politely to the aggravated woman, and kept on walking. Only afterward did she wonder if it was possible that Dustin might still be up and in there, and contemplated turning back. Her subconscious mind decided against it, and she continued down the dark hall.

Abruptly, Maia stopped dead in her tracks. She thought she'd spotted a flicker of movement, just ahead of her. After a few moments of watching that suspicious place sandwiched in between the paintings, Maia strode ahead, getting that same feeling of being watched. Her suspicions were confirmed, when she heard a voice from behind, and stopped again, slowly pivoting on her heel and turning to face the person. She put her most innocent smile on, and waited for a professor or prefect to chew her out.

Cassidy:

Even before Cassidy had become head boy, he had had a pretty good standing of most people in the school. He usually knew most of them boy name, whether they knew his or not. It was just the type of person Cassidy was. He was one to notice people and once he heard their name and could place a face to it, he would probably not forget it. This was especially true in his house. How could it not be? He had been among the people of Gryffindor for six years and below for those in the years lower than him. It would be strange if he didn't become acquainted with them at one point in his Hogwarts Career.

It did not take Cassidy long to recognize the person that had been behind him. Maia Glavan. Year below him and also Dustin's girlfriend. Cassidy had inevitably heard about her from the other boy. What with being brother to Dustin's best friend it was not difficult if he was ever in their vicinity, which he was for most of the summer. Well, save from the time when he decided not to be the sitting duck for many of their testing of pranks. The only plus with being at home, he had Mum on his side. She put up with many of Eddie's pranks but she did draw the line somewhere. Her threat had been that Dustin would never come over again if they Pranked Cass. A little drastic, but it worked. The two pranksters didn't want to take the chance.

So, even if Cassidy hadn't been a person to know people, he would have recognized the Gryffindor that had been walking behind him.

Cass remained silent for a few moments. He was debating how he wanted to approach her. As technically he was suppose to yell at her. She was out of the common room after curfew, or nearing it. It was his duty to play the bad guy here. That was a depressing thought. Cassidy wasn't made for playing the bad guy. But then he grated on some people's nerves by his nice attitude. It seemed sometimes whatever he tried to do seemed wrong. So Cassidy just stuck to being himself. It was easier that way after all.

"Aren't you suppose to be in bed, Maia?" he then asked, not moving from his relax position against the wall. "Or at the very least in the Common Room now?" Cassidy had a conversation tone to his voice. He wasn't yelling at her, but she would know that with his title as Head Boy it was basically telling her that she was indeed breaking rules and he would probably be taking some points due to it. However, she would also probably know it was not in Cassidy's personality to yell in anger or really yell at all at someone. It just wasn't the sixth year lad.

Maia:

Luckily, it was only Cassidy Lucas. Although, 'only' seemed a bit of an understatement, seeing as he had been chosen as Head Boy this year. But Maia knew him to be a very nice, calm type of guy, therefore she doubted yelling or getting rip-your-head-off angry was his style. Of course, this was only an assumption, but one she figured to be fairly accurate, seeing as they'd gone to school together now for over five years... And he was her boyfriend's best friend's twin. Yikes, that's confusing! Naturally she'd heard a few things about him from Dustin, but more about his brother, Eddie... Who currently wasn't exactly buddy-buddy with her. He was having more trouble letting go of the ball incident than any of them! The prank-loving boy had proved this to be true during their little encounter in Diagon Alley before term had begun.

"Aren't you supposed to be in bed, Maia?" Cassidy appeared to be completely nonchalant, leaning against the wall, his tone conversational without a trace of anger or displeasure. "Or at the very least in the Common Room now?"

Maia tilted her head slightly, contemplating these suggestions, her light green eyes alight with mischief. "Well, yes, I guess so... If you're going to be technical about it... But where's the fun in that? Unless I'm having a really entertaining dream, sleep doesn't interest me. And only if I have someone to talk to will I reside in the common room." She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. It would greatly surprise her, if Cassidy was infuriated or provoked to punish her in any way by these simple statements. Perhaps with a different prefect, or a professor, then Maia would have been a little more cautious. But even if a detention was issued for her, or points were docked from Gryffindor, it wouldn't be the end of the world. She wasn't one to overreact over that sort of thing, unless the chastening was truly underserved or unjust.

"Besides, you can't possibly tell me that you've never broken curfew before, Cassidy. Everyone has done it at some point, and I don't care how spotless their record is. Even if they grow up to be Head Boy." Maia grinned, teasing him just the tiniest bit. Her playful nature was never to be doubted, for even in the darkest or most inappropriate situations, she was always light-hearted and spirited. To the untrained eye, it might appear as though she was flirting with the cute older boy, but this definitely was not the case. Not only was she in a fufilling relationship, but the fifteen year-old also happened to know that the Gryffindor boy before her was head-over-heels for Leanne Davis, a Ravenclaw that was his age. They were good together, in her opinion.

"No one can abide by the rules all the time. Some, like Dustin and Eddie, might even say that rules were made just to be broken." Maia finished after a few moments of thoughtful silence.

Cassidy:

"I wasn't aware that my own rule breaking was up for discussion," Cassidy commented with a smile when she stated that even he must have broken a few rules. Cassidy was sure that probably had but they were few in numbers and barely worth mentioning. He really was the opposite of Eddie in that area. Cassidy followed the rules. He couldn't help it, he just did. He wasn't one to find the thrill in breaking rules for the hell of it. As it was, Cassidy didn't rise to her small flirt. He knew she was with Dustin and it did not mean anything. He would not of even if she had not been with Dustin... he was still after Leanne.

"Whether they were made to be broken or not, there are always consequences for when you're caught," Cassidy continued after her comment on Dustin and Eddie's possible logic. "Some, like Eddie and Dusty, are just good at making sure they're not caught," he stated.

Cassidy pushed away from the wall so that he was no longer leaning against it but rather stood about two feet away from the younger lass. He knew that Eddie was still a little mad with Maia for what had went down at the Spring Ball last year. Cass was still unsure what had happened at the event. He and Leanne had not been anywhere near that area of things and Eddie nor Dustin had been inclined to talk much about it. He only knew that Maia and Dustin were no longer together after the Ball. So clearly something had happened in that area of things. However, Cass wasn't one to pry and he was slowly gathering the pieces. It was easier to let the pieces come to one then go find them. For one, you annoyed less people that way.

"So, I'm gonna have to take some points away from Gryffindor for this," he then stated with a small shrug of his shoulders. "And you can either go back to the common room, or you can stay and keep me company for the last hour that I need to walk these halls." Patrolling was boring as hell at times. Especially when nothing was happening or you couldn't go off and do what you wanted. "Walking around isn't as fun when you have to do it." He added with a small grin.

Maia:

"I wasn't aware that my own rule breaking was up for discussion."

Maia smiled, with a small shrug, "Well, now you know. Anything is up for discussion, as long as it doesn't include food products." She replied, rubbing her stomach. Dinner had not been one of her main priorities earlier, therefore she had skipped it without a thought. Now, almost three or four hours later, her angry tummy was scolding her for it. She had an odd mindset, that said meals were to be ignored, and that small snacks were best. It was rather annoying, really. Her body seemed to be on a different clock than everyone elses. Living in a different country didn't really help her adjust, either...

"Whether they were made to be broken or not, there are always consequences for when you're caught. Some, like Eddie and Dusty, are just good at making sure they're not caught."

"You know, there's really no need to rub it in," Maia sniffed, making a face, "I can't help it if I'm not experienced in the art of rule-breaking and what-not. It's not my fault, that I'm angelic and innocent, unable of commiting a successful crime." She grinned, "And you have to give me some credit, I did sneak around here for a few hours before you caught me. That's good for something, right?" Honestly, she really felt no desire to be trouble-making, like her boyfriend and his best mate seemed to. As long as she could hang with her friends, and have a few late nights where curfew was ignored, then that was enough for her. But if it was a matter of vengeace, then perhaps a little pranking was acceptable...

"I would just love to prank those two sometime. Give them a taste of their own medicine..." One could almost see the wheels turning inside her head, as an evil smile spread across her face. "Perhaps it could work... After some long, intense planning... Hmmm..." She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"So, I'm gonna have to take some points away from Gryffindor for this."

She waved a hand airily, still deep in thought. "Do what you have to do, I suppose. It's deserved." Her eyes were almost clouded, as she considered possible allies, or people who might assist her in pranking the two pranksters themselves. Oh yes, this could be fun...

"And you can either go back to the common room, or you can stay and keep me company for the last hour that I need to walk these halls."

Maia snapped out of her reverie, at his words. "Like I said, the common room is dead at this hour... And extremely boring." She clapped a hand to her chest, feigning shock, "And are you inviting me to patrol with you? Well, I'm flattered. How kind of you!" She smiled, rolling her eyes, and continued on enthusiastically, "Hmm... Marching the halls, searching for mischievous little rascals, and screaming at them when they're caught with an authorative voice. Sounds fun! I think I could be rather good at it..." She proceeded to act as if a little group of trouble-making students were cowering in front of her, and pretended to be yelling at them cruelly. Of course, the young girl made no actual sound, not wanting to rouse the entire castle with shrill screams. "How was that? Think I'd make a good prefect?" She laughed softly.

"Walking around isn't as fun when you have to do it."

"It beats going to bed, doesn't it?" Maia murmured, dreading the thought of eventually having to sleep. She was feeling wired, more hyper than usual.

Cassidy:

Cass smiled at Maia's enactment of yelling at a student before laughing. "Right," he stated. "I'll tell you what ... when you're with me I'll let you do the yelling and I'll just take the points," he stated with a grin. "You're far better at the yelling than me." He continued to grin but raised an eyebrow.

"You'd make a better prefect than Eddie," he stated. "Too bad Cosette took the female Prefect spot and they like to keep things even between genders," he stated. "Eddie was in complete shock when he received the letter. It was one of the rare times you ever saw him at a loss for words. It was rather funny ... he was more worried about how Dustin would react to the news than anything else," Cass said with a smirk, "once his power of speech returned."

Cass shook his head lightly at the memory. It had been an interesting afternoon. Cass could definitely say that he had not been too worked out of being made Head Boy. Perhaps it had been because it wasn't that unbelievable that he would be given such a position, although Cass thought he didn't deserve it. However, he had taken the position with grace, unlike Eddie who had asked if he was able to reject the position.

"Well, shall we move on," he then stated, offering Maia his arm like a gentleman of old. "Or have you changed your mind and the Common Room had suddenly become highly interesting?" Cass grinned. He doubt that the latter was a possibility. He was however someone surprised at how vehemently she didn't want to return to the common room and in turn bed. It made him wonder if Maia was a little bit of an insommiac. However, he wouldn't say anything. It was his business. Maia's quality of life didn't appear to be suffering so he had not reason to but his nose in her business whether he was Head Boy or not.

Maia:

"Right. I'll tell you what ... when you're with me I'll let you do the yelling and I'll just take the points."

Maia nodded in a business-like manner, but it was only a matter of seconds before a smile broke her mockingly serious expression. She could be dramatic and/or innocent, or even violent, but other than that her acting skills weren't the greatest. Being grim or humorless was certainly not something she specialized at. "Sounds good. I can't see you yelling at anyone, anyhow."

"You're far better at the yelling than me."

She tossed her hair, and sighed delicately, "Just another one of my many talents," The girl stated with a grin. It was quite an egotistical declaration, but of course she was only joking. Although not exactly humble or modest, Maia wasn't arrogant or cocky either. She could politely accept a sincere compliment without being snooty, or blushing and stammering. Unless feeling particularly self-assured or meek, which was rare, there was usually a balance in her reactions to praise. However, it wasn't uncommon for her to jest either.

"You'd make a better prefect than Eddie."

"Oh, surely that's a lie. Now you're just laying it on thick," Maia teased with a light roll of the eyes. Her? A prefect? Yeah, right. She could barely get to classes on time and abide by the curfew, much less tell others to do so. "I'm sure Edmund makes a fine prefect. Then again, I've never actually seen you're twin in action, so I wouldn't know." This was true. As much as the Spanish witch roamed the corridors and traversed the castle, she had never witnessed Eddie abuse nor use his powers for anything, whether prank-related or justified. "Besides, I have trouble enough cooperating with the rules as it is, people would think it a joke if I became a prefect." Then again, I suppose seeing Eddie as one took a while to become accustomed to...

"Too bad Cosette took the female Prefect spot and they like to keep things even between genders. Eddie was in complete shock when he received the letter. It was one of the rare times you ever saw him at a loss for words. It was rather funny ... he was more worried about how Dustin would react to the news than anything else... once his power of speech returned."

Maia laughed, "I'd imagine the look on his face, when he read the letter, was priceless. Too bad you didn't manage to get a picture of that expression ... Or did you?" She cocked her head, radiant jade eyes sparkling with enjoyment.

"Well, shall we move on," he then stated, offering Maia his arm like a gentleman of old. "Or have you changed your mind and the Common Room had suddenly become highly interesting?"

Grinning, Maia stepped forward and took his arm, then replied in amusement, "Not quite as interesting as the possibility of getting to scream myself hoarse at wandering students. I'll keep you posted."

Cassidy:

"I am not," he stated mock affronted her teast. "I am being completely honest ... besides I haven't seen Eddie do anything prefect wise so," Cass shrugged his shoulders. "But as to the look on his face, I don't really know ... he was downstairs and I was upstairs ... he was more or less in a daze when he told me." A light smirk trailed over the sixth year boy's face at the rememberance. "However, when we found out I was head boy, he pretty much laughed himself silly when he figured out he was probably only prefect because I was head boy."

Cassidy shook his head lightly at the thought. He still found it hard to believe he was Head Boy. What had he done, or not done, to deserve that title. It was strange. That was there was to say for it. Considering he was only a Sixth year! At least the Head Girl was a Seventh year ... he didn't really talk much with the head girl ... they jsut sorted of did their duties away from one another ... not really close but neither did they despise one another.

With Maia walking next to him with her hand in the crook of his arm they almost looked like a couple. It was a silly idea to both Cass and Maia most likely but to other people they may have wondered slightly if Maia suddenly dumped Dustin, or another case like last year happened or if Cassidy had given up on Leanne. Neither were true of course. It was just how it appeared. And yet neither gave it much thought.

"Who would have thought that screaming yourself hoarse would be something far more appealing," Cassidy commented with a light grin. It certainly didn't appeal to him.

Bianca:

Ravenclaw's common room was just as boring as Gryffindor's, and not exactly what Bianca Ciotti wanted to see when she woke up in the middle of the night. She was panting from a nightmare, but she didn't remember what it was. It needn't be anything, though, if she just ignored it. And that was exactly what she did, but by the time she had fully woken up there seemed to be no point in going back to sleep. It wasn't that late anyway.

So she stole down to the common room, her bare feet barely making a sound. Then she got smart and put some shoes on... which did in fact clatter quite loudly as she walked to a chair, sitting down and getting up just as quickly. To be frank, Bee was bored.

Though this was fairly unusual for her, tonight she wanted to break a rule. Not entirely for the sake of rulebreaking, just for doing something. And so she exited the room, tripping a little, but back on her feet in a moment.

The halls were quiet and empty, and she wondered whether there was anyone else out. Perhaps Eddie Lucas and Dustin Rodare, doing another one of their famous pranks... then again, she reminded herself, Eddie was a prefect. It had made her giggle a little when she found out, but that had been months ago and everyone knew about it now.

Fortunately, most of the prefects she knew were fairly lax. However, she certainly didn't expect anyone else to discipline her in any way. Only a prefect would, right? They had to... everyone else would much rather stay quiet. Right?

Bianca walked around the seventh-floor corridor, coming near what she did in fact know to be the Gryffindor common room. Technically she wasn't supposed to, but it was pretty much common knowledge, especially to the Ravenclaws. After all, they were so nearby. They all saw each other come and go.

So when she heard some talking and moving around the corner, she had no doubt they were Gryffindors. This was good, she figured. She was on good terms with most of them...

Maia:

"I am not. I am being completely honest ... besides I haven't seen Eddie do anything prefect wise so. But as to the look on his face, I don't really know ... he was downstairs and I was upstairs ... he was more or less in a daze when he told me. However, when we found out I was head boy, he pretty much laughed himself silly when he figured out he was probably only prefect because I was head boy."

Maia grinned, "I'm sure that was an interesting day for you. Hmm, I'm beginning to think that the staff favors the Lucas family. Are you two closet suck-ups?" She laughed, for picturing the twins treating the teachers like royalty was quite amusing. "But I do think that Eddie could turn out to be a good choice for prefect, in the end. Once he gets over the shock and matures a bit, I guess," The girl shrugged, then continued, "And there's no question that the head boy is a promising young lad, although much too gracious for his own good." She nudged Cassidy playfully.

"Who would have thought that screaming yourself hoarse would be something far more appealing?"

"Ooh, that would be me. I'd rather scream than sleep any day. I've certainly got the lungs for it, or so says my mother. She also says that I never shut up as a child ... And I guess that applies now, too," It was true to some extent. Maia was usually content to chat with anyone, whether she knew them or not. But even so, she still knew when to be quiet... Sometimes.

A comfortable silence settled between the two Gryffindors, as they strode down the corridor at a leisurely pace, arm-in-arm. It might have appeared odd to anyone who happened to be passing by, and also had obtained the knowledge that both were taken. Maia was definitely tied up, with a boyfriend, but Cassidy was not, although it was common insight that he was currently feeling something for Leanne. Yes, some people might have found their couple-like stance to be disconcerting, but the two students themselves barely even registered this notion.

With the dead silence looming over the corridor, it would not be difficult for one to notice things he or she wouldn't have under normal conditions. For example, the soft padding of shoes on the marble floor was an easy noise to detect. Maia and Cassidy turned the corridor smoothly, moving a bit more swiftly than before. Maia smiled, when she saw who was also in the hallway. It was Bianca Ciotti, a darling Ravenclaw third year that she'd befriended a few days earlier in the Great Hall. She was glad to see the young girl, for one of her favorite sayings happened to be, 'The more the merrier.' It was a pity that Bee would most likely be punished in some form for the breaking of curfew, if only the deduction of a few house points.

"Hola, Bianca," Maia stated light-heartedly, brushing the dark hair from her eyes, "What brings you out so late, amiga? Off to stir up trouble somewhere?" She grinned, with slight roll of the eyes. Truthfully, she couldn't see this particular fledgling wreaking havoc upon the castle under any circumstances, other than a but of harmless gossip. Turning to Cassidy, she said with amusement evident in her tone, "I think I'll spare this one from my wrath." It didn't occur to her that releasing his arm might be wise.

Bianca:

Hola, Bianca," Maia stated light-heartedly, brushing the dark hair from her eyes, "What brings you out so late, amiga? Off to stir up trouble somewhere?"

Bianca grinned as she saw who it was: Maia Galvan and Cassidy Lucas. She didn't know Cassidy very well, but she and Maia were good friends, and she was sure not to reprimand her for being out late. Besides, Maia herself was not allowed.

"Ciao, Maia," she replied teasingly in retort to Maia's own Spanish. It was always fun this way; Maia would sprinkle in Spanish and Bianca Italian, but they could mostly understand each other. It was a game in some weird way. "I am not stirring up trouble," she said, and her voice carried a light indignation. She then shrugged her shoulders. "I just got bored, to be honest. What about you?"

It was then that she registered Maia and Cassidy's linked arms, and for a moment Bee's eyes flashed with confusion. Wasn't Maia dating Dustin Rodare? And Cassidy had that Leanne Davis... no, it could just be an innocent friendship. Cassidy was known to be a gentleman, it would be natural for him to offer his hand to the teenage girl. There was nothing to be suspicious about.

"I think I'll spare this one from my wrath."

Bianca let out a little laugh at this comment. Her wrath, eh? Her head was now filled with visions of Maia's "wrath" at work, and honestly, it was a little bit scary. After all, when Maia was angry, she was angry.

Bee could only be glad she was her friend.

Cassidy:

Cassidy merely smiled at Maia's comment about the Lucas family being secret suck-ups to the staff members. "You have found out our darkest secret," he stated secret like. "I'm afraid I'll have to silence you now," he then continued with a smirk before chuckling and smiling normally. He knew Maia wouldn't believe him. He wouldn't believe himself after all.

However, at her comment about rather screaming than sleeping Cassidy couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. He had to say that Maia seemed different than most people. Most people he knew would rather sleep or do nothing than scream their lungs out. It didn't really seem always an alluring activity. But there were always the odd balls that it appealed to. Apparently Maia was one of them.

His mind did not linger long over the thought pattern when they came upon a younger girl. He listened to the short conversation between the girls before shaking his head when Maia stated she would spare this one their wrath. "Friends or not, m'dear," he stated business-like, "we need to discipline our little, no offense," he stated looking at Bianca, "trouble-maker, term used loosely."

"We can't play favorites, after all," he continued with a small grin. Considering Cass had already done that. Hadn't he not forced Maia to go back to the common room but rather allowed her to accompany him on the patrol? He would not do that with everyone he met. He had played favorites. He was a hypocrit. Maybe Maia would be nice and not bring that up. He wasn't sure how he would defend himself. He wasn't exempted from the rules after all.

Cassidy could not say he knew the girl they had happened upon. He knew most people by face but that was about it. Either way, Cass was still unaware of the picture Maia and he presented nor how this girl would take things. He could exactly let her get away with breaking curfew. Maia hadn't.

Maia:

"Ciao, Maia."

Smiling, Maia suddenly wished she could speak Italian. She loved other languages, and enjoyed learning them, too. It was also rather easy for her to learn a foreign tongue, as she caught on fairly fast. Therefore, when her parents had finally decided it was time she and Bella began speaking English, to prevent confusion during their years at Hogwarts, it hadn't taken her long to pick up the language. It was just an odd skill she possessed, a natural gift. Perhaps it was a result of her open mind, perhaps it was simply a genetic trait.

Tilting her head slightly, Maia's lips parted as she said, "You're voice sounds so much more … natural, when you speak Italian. That's what people have said to me, when I speak in Spanish… But there's so many different languages out there, I just want to learn as many as I can, then travel around the world and connect with other people, get educated on their cultures…" Her accented voice sounded almost dazed as she spoke, as if in a dream-like state. "I'd really like it, if you could teach me some Italian sometime, Bee. And, if you wanted, I could teach you a little Spanish," She offered, her entrancing green eyes twinkling at the possibilities.

"I am not stirring up trouble… I just got bored, to be honest. What about you?"

Maia nodded, although not all too familiar with the feeling of boredom. Normally, if the Spanish witch became restless, she could always find some sort of creative way to entertain herself. Either that, or she found someone to talk to. "Hmm… What exactly is boredom? I mean, how could you possibly be bored, when there's so many places to explore, and nearly thousands of other people crowded in this building you could make conversation with? Then again, I suppose most sane people are sleeping at this hour," She shrugged, glancing side-long at Cassidy with a small grin. "Me? Well, I was with Kenzie -- Mackenzie Thantos, you know her right? Hufflepuff, my year, kind of shy and bookish -- in the library, but I quickly got bored with that and was wandering the corridors annoying the portraits … Of course, until Mr. Head Boy here found me and just about bit my head off, with his sharp, disciplined words." She stuck her tongue out at the boy beside her, with a smile and light eye-roll. "Eventually he simmered down and allowed me to accompany him on his quest for justice, peace, and all that is right … Also known as patrolling duties."

Finally, Cassidy cut in. "Friends or not, m'dear, we need to discipline our little trouble-maker … term used loosely."

Making a face, Maia sighed. She had known this would be coming. Although Cassidy had been kind and allowed her to tag along on his little stroll, she knew it wouldn't be wise for her to interfere with his job, per se. Even if it was a friend being 'punished'. It would only be polite for her to repay his graciousness by being tolerant, not a pest. Besides, it wasn't as if he'd give Bianca a detention, or anything so severe. If he did, then she might just step in … But the Gryffindor girl doubted he would sentence her young friend anything unreasonable, unless he suddenly went on a power-hungry streak. "I suppose you're right… As long as you'll go easy on her. Bianca's a good person, she knows right from wrong," Maia shot a meaningful glance toward the Ravenclaw, then shut herself up, so as not to sound controlling.

"We can't play favorites, after all."

She smirked slightly at Cassidy's words. By her standards, he had already crossed that line by a long shot. Maia knew it wasn't exactly fair, but had she been in his position, she knew she'd probably do exactly the same thing. Deciding to let this one slide, (not that it was really her decision) she simply nodded and replied casually, "Definitely not."

Bianca:

Your voice sounds so much more... natural, when you speak Italian. That's what people have said to me, when I speak in Spanish... But there's so many different languages out there, I just want to learn as many as I can, then travel around the world and connect with other people, get educated on their cultures...

Bianca nodded, smiling. "You're right... you sound more real. Personally, I want to learn Arabic. it's just so... beautiful." She smiled a little to herself. She hadn't heard much Arabic, but what she had heard had been beautiful, the way it flowed together. Then again, she didn't really know what dialect it had been. It could have been anything really.

I'd really like it, if you could teach me some Italian sometime, Bee. And, if you wanted, I could teach you a little Spanish.

"Sure, Maia!" she responded, her eyes glowing a little at the prospect. "That'd be fun."

Hmm... What exactly is boredom? I mean, how could you possibly be bored, when there's so many places to explore, and nearly thousands of other people crowded in this building you could make conversation with? Then again, I suppose most sane people are sleeping at this hour...

Bee rolled her eyes. "Sane people, yes. Not as though that includes you." She laughed a bit, hoping Maia would know it was in jest -- well of course she would, the girl wasn't stupid.

Me? Well, I was with Kenzie -- Mackenzie Thantos, you know her right? Hufflepuff, my year, kind of shy and bookish -- in the library, but I quickly got bored with that and was wandering the corridors annoying the portraits ... Of course, until Mr. Head Boy here found me and just about bit my head off, with his sharp, disciplined words.

At this Bianca could say nothing, only laugh, knowing what a bald-faced lie this was. Of course, it was meant that way, so, it didn't really matter. Bianca had never really understood the appeal of sarcasm, why not just say what you mean? People were weird.

Friends or not, m'dear, we need to discipline our little trouble-maker... term used loosely.

She blinked, for a moment believing he was serious. Or at least, serious in a harsh manner. But perhaps it would just be a few points. She hoped...

I suppose you're right... As long as you'll go easy on her. Bianca's a good person, she knows right from wrong.

She smiled again. Maia was so sweet... even though Bianca felt so awkward here, now, with these two people. They were older than her and she didn't know them well. She was just the little kid hanging about feeling silly. Bee tried not to say much, but she couldn't be sure if that was the right thing to do. She didn't know what was expected of her.

"Sorry," she said. "I... I didn't mean to break the rules, I was just... walking around... sorry. You can take points if you want, it's only fair..."