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

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[ernie_dt_mac]

As Ernie approached the meeting place, he frowned as he spotted the familiar sight of Hannah downing a calming draught. Merlin, not again... He leaned next to her against the fountain and reached over to take the now-empty vial from her fingers.

"You know, we're going to have to find another way to deal with your nerves. I don't think these were meant to be used as often as you do them." He looked at those who were there already, and those who were still arriving. "Do you need me to help?" he asked, even though he felt far from good-humoured enough to be of any great help. She was, however, his friend, and he would always be there to help her, no matter what.

[augury_habbott]

The effects of the draught- both positive and negative- were plain to see to the trained eye in the know of Hannah's habits. Ernie startled her nearing the end of her drink. She looked almost suspiciously over her shoulder, but then brightened. "Oh... no I'm fine." She covered, while she began to meticulously stopper the drink with shallow breath. Then something happened that indicated the potion was working- Hannah's normal habit was to get the cork as even and parallel to the lip of the vial. Halfway through her nervous fidget, she simply stopped.

The blonde smiled at Ernie and wiped the corner of her lips while her hand slid the potion back into her bag- which was then immediately fastened. "I'll do my best. I'm fine. Just... had a case of nerves. Its fine now." She reassured the dour boy with a smile, a nod and a calmed exhale. "How'd you sleep, love?"

[aug_longbottom]

Neville was nervous, but he had never been great at confrontation. However, he had been trying his hardest as of late not to show his nerves, to, in fact, seem resolved in everything he did, if only for the sake of the others in the DA, to whom bravery seemed to be a naturally occurring emotion.

He smiled reassuringly at Hannah, who he knew was in charge of this whole affair, and clasped his hands behind his back, waiting for the others to arrive. He had tucked his wand up his sleeve just in case...he didn't trust Snape in the slightest, and despite the passing years he was as afraid of him as ever. But this time he would be in control, and if it came down to it it would be Snape cowering, not Neville.

[augury_habbott]

Hannah gave Neville an appreciative smile, her fingers fidgeting in front of her lap. She knew Ginny and Neville would back her- it was their idea. She had just been dumb and agreed to speak.

[augury_megan]

Megan was almost tempted to skip this meeting, considering she would be forced to run into Ernie, but she decided it was simply too important of a cause to ignore.

She bundled up tightly, yet that still did not prevent the mid-November chill from reaching her bare legs - and she cursed under her breath for having to wear her uniform. Crossing her arms, Megan made her way across the grounds to the courtyard where the event was supposed to take place. Immediately, she saw Hannah, Ernie and Neville up ahead. She was hoping that a larger crowd would form and quickly - less room for awkward chit chat that way.

[aug_linusvaisey]

Thus far, Slytherin was having a poor turnout so far as Linus could tell. With a pull at his sleeve, Linus produced the length of his wand and with a circular swish checked the time. A tightening of his lips followed, while the boy contemplated the whereabouts of the other Slytherins

[augury_corner]

"Vaisey," came a stern voice heavily accented from the West Country. "A word..." Michael stated. Waiting for the younger boy to look up from his book of dark and gothic poetry. There Michael stood, arms crossed over his thin chest. He looked rather tired, wrapped in a scarf and his heavy black flannel coat.

Michael tucked his hands into his pockets, grey eyes staring uncompromisingly into the boy's blues. Michael had not yet made way to saying hello to Ernie or Hannah, or even Megan and Neville. In fact he had been doing the same as Linus- hanging back and seeing what happened.

[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

[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.

[augury_npc]

Pomona Sprout looked about the gathering and nodded at the presence of some of her students helping. She was always so proud of them and what they tried to accomplish within the school. She kept her gaze averted from Slughorn, whom she had avoided every since the whole Bulstrode fiasco, and kept near the fountain.

She saw no further students or teachers approaching, and thinking that everyone must have arrived, she moved over to Abbot's side. "Now, Hannah, I believe everyone's here. What is it you wanted to speak about, my dear?"

[augury_habbott]

"Umm... huh..." Hannah blushed a little as the spotlight finally turned to her. She was able to gain control of her nerves, and she pushed her hair over her shoulders. She had made the mental choice not to wear pigtails, because they looked too childish. She felt this incessant need to look as professional as possible

[aurora_sinistra]

Aurora stepped out from the back of the crowd, where she had been holding herself back, watching the other students. She smiled at Hannah, encouraging the girl who's nerves were clearly showing. She would have been much the same way if put in charge.

"How is it you plan on confronting Professor Snape?" she asked. She was a bit nervous herself, it was the first time she would have seen Severus since they had fought, and it was not ideal to bring criticism. But, when the cause was worthy...

[augury_habbott]

At first, Hannah looked back at Neville and then searched out Ernie but could not find him. Undaunted, she turned fully to Sinistra. She smiled and nodded, "Oh umm, well most important I think considering our Headmaster's way of thinking is to make sure he doesn't feel threatened. My h-hope was- IS- to take Prefects as the legitimate student voice and a number of professors to the Headmaster's Office. That way he has his home turf so to speak... doesn't feel as threatened. And we would lay out the plan to him calmly. Asking, not demanding of course."

Her first question answered to her own satisfaction, Hannah felt her confidence rise a notch. "Anyone next?"