Confrontations (Noah, open)

[laura]

"I suppose," she agreed. "But perhaps the damage to her ego is worth it in the end." It was true that Laura was friends with Roman, but Roman was very shy and soft spoken. Dancing was never really a topic they discussed, except for when Laura would wish her luck.

"Roman's a strong person," she explained. "I don't think she'd let those things get to her." She found it strange that he was suddenly trying to figure out Roman's feelings and reasons for dancing, and came to the conclusion that he was interested in her. The thought made her chuckle a bit, because their personalities were polar opposites.

[Noah Malfoy]

"Maybe she is strong, but what if she's not all that you think she is? She's put up constantly against girls who could show themselves as pretteir, more talented. I don't understand why any girl would do that to themselves. You said she was soft spoken? Do you think she'd be louder if not?" Noah was curious. Now he was mentally being very philosophical. Would his cousins end up like this? Did your hobbies affect your way of life?

He was glad he had this conversation now, and had almost completely forgot about the shoe idling in his right hand, twirling it softly.

[laura]

"I think you're asking the wrong person," she replied with raised eyebrows. "If you're so worried about her, perhaps you should voice these concerns to her face." It was a humorous suggestion, for she couldn't see Noah openly telling Roman that he was concerned about how she viewed herself.

"I suppose personal experiences have effected the way I think or act. But sometimes you have to rise over the bad experiences, and not let it effect the way you see yourself, or others." Maybe Roman was shy as a result of constantly being put up against other girls, or maybe she had other reasons. In any case, if Noah really wanted to know he would have to ask Roman.

[Noah Malfoy]

"Maybe I will ask her, out of curiosity rather then anything else," Noah studied the shoe thoughtfully, then turned his attention back to Laura. "What about you? What has affected your life in such a way that you changed the way you acted?"

This was out of curiosity and interest in Larua's response. He had gotten bored with the torment, and descided to carry on a conversation. IF she remained being snippy, he'd take it up to the next level.

[laura]

The shoe forgotten, she looked up to study his face with knitted brows. "Doesn't matter," was her response. Deciding that that wouldn't be enough to satisfy his curiosity she added, "What's done is done. Besides, nothing earth-shattering has happened in my life."

He seemed to be finished with his teasing and sarcastic remarks, but Laura couldn't be entirely sure. At least he had the shoe out of his pocket, and would hopefully be transferring it to her hand by the end of their conversation.

[Noah Malfoy]

"Well, well. You're insightful, poppet. But I don't believe that not an event in this world could have affected you so little that you couldn't look back and regret it everyday. Everyone must have something earth shattering in their lives at least once. The question is, have you experienced yet?"

Noah hadn't expereinced the regret quite yet, but he liked knowing what could affect him, if anything could at all. He leaned against the cool stone even more, letting his head lean against it as he looked at the stone ceiling. It was old and cracked, which was interesting enough.

[laura]

Laura had experienced something that she looked back on with regret- but she wasn't going to share that with him. "Not that I remember," she lied easily. He was straying away from the topic of the shoe, and Laura was getting very impatient with his subject changes. If he thought that she was going to open up and tell him all of her feelings and life experiences, he was sadly mistaken.

"Look if you're not going to give me the shoe, just tell me so I can stop wasting my time." It wasn't a very nice thing to say, and if he was someone she was close to there was no way she would have said it, but the guilt was clouded by her hunger, fatigue and irritation.

[Noah Malfoy]

"Snippy, again?" Noah This is tiring. Maybe I will just walk with you to Roman and return the shoe. Will that make you frusturated or happy?"

Noah could make this a game if he'd like. Forcing Laura to walk with him all the way to the hall, and then return the shoe in front of Roman directly to her. He would have been annoyed if a girl had followed him, and hugely embarrassed in front of his friends.

He shrugged, no one would dare.

[laura]

Laura gave a sigh and contemplated her options. On one hand it was completely pointless to just follow him as he returned the shoe to Roman, and she didn't find the part of her trailing behind him appealing. But on the other hand, the shoe would be returned to Roman and Laura would be able to make sure of it.

"Fine, I suppose that will do. But if you make any detours, I will hex you myself," she threatened him while subtly pulling the end of her wand out of her pocket, as if to prove her point.

[Noah Malfoy]

Noah lifted himself off the wall and started to walk his usual too casual gait, "you're not that bad, poppet. You seem to know where your loyalties lie, and you don't quite flicker out when I purposely try and darken your day. Why are you wasting your time, then?"

[laura]

Grudgingly, Laura followed his lead but instead of walking behind him she opted to walk beside him. "Thanks, I suppose," she responded grimly. "Although you've been nothing but annoying this whole time, I promised Roman I'd get it back to her. A promise is a promise, and I suppose I'm just a martyr," she joked lightly.

[Noah Malfoy]

"Well, well, love, you've gone and hurt my feelings," Noah kept lookng straight ahead, but smiled, showing his teeth. "I don't believe I'm that bad when you get to know me. But then again, the whole game was to see how long before the polite charade stopped."

[laura]

"Terribly sorry," Laura replied sarcastically while putting her hand over her heart. "Maybe I could grow to like you over time," she said evenly, then added, "Lots of time."

They had reached the end of the hall and were almost to the staircase that would take them up to Gryffindor tower. Obviously, Noah wouldn't be able to enter the common room but she could get Roman to come outside of it. "The politeness wasn't a charade, I just decided it was useless to waste it on you," she joked, smiling sweetly.

[Noah Malfoy]

"I don't believe that you are constantly polite," Noah raised his eyebrows, and leaned against the wall again. "I could see you being it maybe a total of eighty- five percent of the time you are in company, but I don't see you taking verbal abuse and not saying something. Being polite will get you no where in life."

Noah knew this was the edge of path to Gryffindor common room. He wanted to see what Laura would suggest before he made any moves. This was her turn to play her pieces, and he sat low on offense.

[laura]

"Fine, I'm polite most of the time and don't take crap from anyone," Laura amended. She noticed him lean against the wall, and decided her course of action. "Wait right here, I'm going to get Roman. If you move one inch, I will cast the best stinging hex you've ever seen- and the worst you've ever felt," she warned. With that she started up the staircase that would take her to the portrait of the fat lady. She checked over her shoulder to make sure he was obeying, and sent him one last threatening glare

[Noah Malfoy]

Noah raised one eyebrow and crossed his arms, throwing his hair out of his face. He looked at the floor, and tapped is foot once.

Slowly, he moved across the floor, to lean on the other wall. It made no difference to him, but he'd love his comeback when she accused him of moving.

[Roman Jetter]

Roman looked up hopefully when she heard the common door shut. She smiled when she saw Laura initally, but her face quickly turned to panic when she saw Laura's face. She didn't look happily at all. She got up and pushed her Runes book off her lap, letting it close with a soft thud on the floor. As she practically leaped over a couch, she said in a somewhat loud voice for her usual quiet composure, "Laura, are you ohkay? Did he do anything to hurt you? Should I hunt him down and hex him?"

[laura]

Laura rolled her eyes as she explained, "No, nothing like that. I found him but he insists on giving to directly to you. I'm just along to make sure you actually get it. He's waiting outside in the hallway, so let's get this over with before he decides to make a break for it." She gave Roman a reassuring smile before opening the portrait door open and stepping out.

She narrowed her gaze as she noticed he had moved to another wall, as if to mock her. So with slow but deliberate movements, she once again slipped her wand out of her pocket. "You moved," she observed quietly, while running her finger over her wand with a threatening smile.

[Noah Malfoy]

"You told me not to move one inch, poppet, and indeed, I didn't move just one. I moved multiple. I wanted to make sure to follow your words exactly," Noah put on his most sincere facade. "Come on Laura, would I ever do anything to make you mad?"

He turned to Roman, and wiped off the expression, turning it to neutral. He picked the shoe out of his pocket, and tossed it to her.

[laura]

At that, Laura had to laugh in disbelief. He had done nothing but make her mad since the minute she met him, and the moment Roman made an appearance he submitted. "Was that a serious question?" she muttered while letting her shoulders slump with relief. Now she could use the rest of the evening to eat dinner and lounge about the common room with no more drama.