The Courtyard Compromise

[augury_habbott]

Who: Hannah Abbott, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Ernie Macmillan, Anthony Goldstein, Michael Corner, Ginny Weasley, Megan Jones, Theodore Nott, Linus Vaisey, Zacharias Smith, Aurora Sinistra and Sloane Wickham.
With NPCs: Dumbledore's Army, Minerva MacGonagall, Pomona Sprout, Filius Flitwick, Horace Slughorn, Argus Filch.
What: A

Comments

[ernie_dt_mac]

Ernie had been about to answer Hannah when he spotted an all-too-familiar head of curls bundled up against the elements. They had been present for at least one meal at the same time, and a couple of classes, but there had been so many students between them that avoidance had been made quite easy. Now, as if to torture him even further, she was wearing her uniform skirt, unknowingly taunting him with smooth, coffee-tinted flesh that he would never get to touch again. He quickly looked away, closing his eyes as his chest clenched on him. I can't do this, I just can't do this... but Hannah needs me here, I can't let her or the DA down, but...

"I'll be back," he whispered quickly to Hannah with a gentle touch at her back before slipping away.

He gravitated toward the back of the gathering group, and the moment he spotted Michael, he rushed over to his friend and grabbed onto his arm, not quite noticing the boy's stance in his semi-distress. "Help me," he hissed. "This is torture, I don't know if I can do this."

It was at that moment that Ernie realized who Michael had been standing with, and he tried to put on a smile for his new friend. "Oh, Linus, hi... Thank you so much for the package yesterday."

[augury_corner]

Michael had been intent to take Linus aside and do nothing less than gauge his intentions when it came to Ernie. He was surprised when it was Ernie who latched onto his long limb and nearly yanked it out of his pocket. Turning around, he locked eyes with the boy and his near-panic expression.

"Ernie, its--" He began, but he was interrupted by Ernie's noticing of Linus.

[seeingdarkness]

Another figure approached, making a beeline for his cousin, looking only mildly surprised to see him getting a good deal more attention then he usually did, taking a final drag of his cigarette before stamping it out.

"Cousin," he said, giving a nod, pulling his coat closer around him, "Michael, MacMillan," he continued, giving them each a polite nod.

[aug_linusvaisey]

It became a whirlwind of society around Linus, which surely distracted the young man at first. He was skimming the stanza of Requiem for a Vampire when Michael interrupted him first. Glancing up, cool and calm blue orbs met the greys of Corner. He closed the book slowly, using his hand to simply shut the book upon itself. "Alright," he replied.

It seemed that whatever Corner wanted was destined to be fleeting, for Ernie Macmillan approached next and seized Michael by the arm. This caused Linus to rise his brow upon his forehead in some surprise. Eyes turned presently to the stouter Prefect and away from the lanky Ravenclaw. He extended his hand after placing his poetry under his arm. "Macmillan, morning... you're welcome," he responded and shook the man's hand. "Is everything alright?" He inquired to the broken sentence Ernie had used to try and break Michael away.

Another voice entered the fray. Linus turned his head to meet it and allowed his cheek to crease in a smile. "Cousin, morning. My this is certainly the place to be all of the sudden isn't it?"

[ernie_dt_mac]

Ernie shook Linus' hand and was about to answer, but Theodore showed up. Ernie grimaced at his arrival, feeling suddenly overly protective of Michael in light of their recently shared pains. He tightened his hold on his friend's arm.

"We'll talk later, all right? Work some more on Transfiguration," he offered with a promise and a partial smile, then proceeded to pull Michael away from the others.

"Hide me," he muttered as they moved away. "She's here, she's bloody here in a bloody skirt and... I just can't take it, Michael!"

[augury_corner]

His attempt to mentally wither Linus into submission thwarted for now, Michael nodded at Theodore and then Linus. "I'll be right back. But if not I'll find you both later." He smiled at Theodore and then nodded to Linus.

His attention fully turned to Ernie then as he was pulled away. His long, thin arm slid atop Ernie's shoulders. "You can do this. You're strong. You don't have to go and talk to her. You don't have to do anything." Michael intentionally put his tall shape in front of Ernie so he would have a harder time seeing the girl. "First off, breathe deep. It helps, it really does. Try and picture someone else. I dunno... Snape in a dress. Works for Neville." Michael chuckled. "You need to talk?"

[ernie_dt_mac]

Ernie did as instructed and breathed, trying to concentrate on his breathing to take his mind away from other things. He did, however, glare at his friend at the 'Snape in a dress' comment.

"I'll be fine, I suppose," he said with a shake of his head. "But Hannah needs us. She's already downed a calming draught, and this meeting will have to start soon. She'll need our help."

[augury_corner]

"Hey, what do you expect?" Michael chuckled at Ernie's glare. "Try having any sexual desire with that image in your head. Works on me, must work doubly on you." Michael grinned impishly then.

"We'll do our best, so don't worry," Michael said, trying to take the stress off of Ernie. "We all mostly know what the compromise is. I personally think its a waste of time. Snape won't listen. But I'll support them. This is really Neville, Ginny and Hannah's baby. Not mine."

[augury_pansyp]

Pansy took a moment to watch the crowd warily before approaching. How peachy, interhouse unity and whatnot. She had been pleased to hear about this development from Theo... but at the same time, she buzzed with irritation. Why hadn't she been informed earlier? The annoyance of being left out of something so important was significant but unnoticeable as she calmly walked out into the Courtyard and approached the other Slytherins in attendence.

"Thank you again for the message, Theo." She said, and there was genuine appreciation beneath her cool tone. "I find myself quite curious as to what this lot has come up with."

[seeingdarkness]

"No problem," Theodore said with a nod, "You're Head Girl, I thought you should have soome say in it all."