late nights {open}

[evanrosier]

I REFLECT ON MY REFLECTION
AND I ASK MYSELF THE QUESTION: WHAT'S THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GO?

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Now that Vienne Zabini was out of the picture, things were definitely looking up for the young Slytherin. The attack that he, Bellatrix and Amycus had managed to pull off had gone to a T and the Dark Lord had been most impressed with their efforts. It was something to show, anyway, for the time being. Evan had been a Death Eater for a little over a year, and he was finally making a mark on the world with his power.

It was late at night once again and Evan had chosen not to sleep. Too many nights had he stayed up and thought about Vienne - but that had all come to an end. Another Slytherin had taken her place, but there was no way Evan could be sure of his feelings at this point in time.

Evan tied a knot in the grey dressing gown and quietly opened the door to the Slytherin Common Room. The fire was slowly flickering out into ash and Evan got the sense that he would be alone in the common room tonight. Not even three weeks ago he sat there in the same seats with Bellatrix Black, discussing the matter of the Death Eater Attack, but he could feel that tonight would be different.

He took a seat in the armchair closest to the fire and re-lit it with his wand, feeling the warmth spread like a blanket over his cold and icy skin. So deeply lost in his own thoughts, he barely noticed the quiet footsteps behind him.

[/justify]

[granton]

Granton grumbled to himself as he made his way down the last few flights of stairs on his way back to his common room. It had been his night to do patrol and, as usual, he'd spent half of the night writing up detention slips for pairs of students who were having fun in broom cupboards, empty classrooms, and other such locations. Heck! He'd even had to take points from a pair of Slytherin's who he caught going at it over McGonagall's desk! He didn't give them a detention. He had to commend them for their bravery. God help them should they have been found by someone else and had to face McGonagall's wrath.

Reaching the Entrance Hall Granton took a close look around and made sure that the front doors were securely locked and their enchantments in place.

Being Head Boy was turning out to be quite an experiance, in a way he hadn't expected. Educational even. For example, the new safety charms on the doors. He'd never seen charms so intricately interwoven before to create such a sturdy, powerful protection charm. It had been fascinating to study. And it just went to show how easily one can strengthen their own creations.

It was a skill he intended to refine and make good use of.

As the entrance to the Slytherin common room came into sight, Granton let out a sigh on relief. Finally! He didn't mind being Head Boy in the slightest, but sometimes traipsing all over the castle could become a bit of a drag when you had to do it every few nights. Perhaps next time there was a prefect meeting he'd re-work their roters...

Slipping inside the first thing he noticed was the warm blast of air that hit him. Although he could see the fire was burning down to its dying embers, it was still warm enough to wipe away the chill of the school at night, and the bone-deep coldness of the dungeons. The cold and dark didn't bother him, but it was nice to get some feeling back into his fingers every once in a while.

Across the room he could just make out a figure sitting in one of the oversized armchairs. Was that Evan?

It must be. Granton smirked slightly. A fellow Death Eater. One with a few good brain cells too. He'd go far. Well, if he wasn't involved in more mess-up's like that failed attack in the forbidden forest. Perhaps Evan shouldn't receive the blame for that though...

Shaking his head, Granton moved his way into the room and headed for the armchair opposite. "Sleepless night, Evan?"

[evanrosier]

I REFLECT ON MY REFLECTION
AND I ASK MYSELF THE QUESTION: WHAT'S THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GO?

[/font]

Evan barely even had to turn around. He knew who was behind him from the gruffness of the older boy's voice. "Perhaps. How were the rounds tonight, Granton?" Evan retorted, a playful smile toying on the corners of his lips. "Catch any more hooligans?"

Thankfully for Evan, over the years he had grown to know Granton quite well - what, with their matching tattoo's on their left forearms. Granton had proven to be one of the few people that Evan could trust as he was confined in the walls of Hogwarts, and the two of them were able to keep each other sane during the darker times.

As the letter to Evan's fifth year had arrived in the mail, so had a shiny Prefects badge, along with a list of instructions about what kind of duties a Prefect had to perform. Upon seeing the list, Evan had made a snap decision that a Prefect's life was not for him, and so, upon his refusal of the role, the prestigious title went to his dear friend Augustus Rookwood.

The fire was blazing hot next to Evan's relaxed body, as the Slytherin boy gestured for Granton to take the seat opposite him. It had been a while since the two of them had caught up and Evan was especially eager to talk to him about the recent attack in the Forest. Granton had been invited to 'attend' the event, but unfortunately had Head Boy duties to perform that night.

Well, at least he was helpful in that respect. He knew where all the teachers were at the time and for the sake of the rest of the group, was able to keep most of them at bay. "Seems like you've been out every other night with your head-boy duties." Evan remarked, his tone cold and bored. "I do hope it's not affecting your sleep."

[/justify]

[granton]

"Several." He chuckled as he headed for the seat opposite Evan. "And they're getting a little more daring each time."

Sinking into the plush armchair he let out a sigh. Warmth and comfort. What more did anyone need?

For several moments he watched his friend. There were dark lines beginning to show around his eyes that just went to show how little he had been sleeping as of late. Although he was sure Evan hadn't realized, there had been several nights when Granton had seen him sitting down here in that same seat and staring at the fire, much as he was when Granton came in.

He couldn't help but wonder what was on his friends mind. It had only been since the attack that he had spent so much time out here. Was there something from that night playing on his mind? Of course there were still rumors floating around over who did it and investigations to try and pin down the suspects, but thankfully nothing had come up so far.

Granton shook his head. "Every other night and some. I'm thinking it's about time to review the schedule and dump some more rounds on the prefects. Some of the fifth years are only doing a round a week at the minute."

Letting his mind drift he closed his eyes, watching the flicker of orange on his eyelids and feeling he warm fingers of the fire over his skin. "You shouldn't have passed on the role to that idiot. You'd have done well in it." He smirked, knowing exactly what Evan would say to that.