A Place to Hide-Open-

[Anne Braden]

Anne had found the room enchanted to meet the requirement of the needy when she was a first year. Anne remembered that day like it was yesterday. She had stolen her first valuable at Hogwarts, from a snobby Slytherin who kept accusing Anne of stealing magical ability. Anne needed a place to hide it, the brat had threatened to alert the professors. So Anne wanted to hide the evidence. That was when she first found this room with a small pile of junk in the middle of it. It seemed that Hogwarts students had been forced to hide alot of things. Anne imagined how full the room would be in a thousand years. At any rate, Anne had already forgotten exactly what she'd stolen. But she remembered it was expensive and of course the room it rested in.

Anne was coming around to the room a third time, thinking of the room she desired. Anne smoothed the front of her blouse as she came closer to the room of requirement. She wore a very short skirt, even though it would have been seen as very inappropriate. She wore white socks and her leather shoes were also dyed white. All her clothing was rather light despite the weather outside. Annie had difficulty with following even friendly advice, she hated having less knowledge than others. Despised being a follower. Annie really didn't like following advice or orders that she was already about to do on her own. So she dressed for warm weather while it was still cold outside. The castle proved warm enough anyway.

She heard approaching footsteps from behind her. She hurried to the door and opened it. She took Scorpius' blood quill from her bag and threw it into the room. Anne slammed the door closed and turned as someone rounded the corner into view. Anne smiled sweetly as the door to the hidden room shrank until only a solid wall remained. "Good evening!" Anne couldn't help but jumping into the air with excitement at almost being caught with the stolen quill in her possession.

[starr]

Starr Gnael, once again, had been obsessing with the murder investigation that was, apparently, only up to her now. All the aurors were, all of a sudden, convinced that Nathaniel Gnael committed suicide just like her mother. Just last week, they told her that they would ensure the murderer would be executed. She had a feeling Nathaniel’s murderer paid or blackmailed or whatever the auror department to keep quiet.

Despite Nathaniel Gnael being fake, she loved him more than the former baron. It was because Nathaniel spent time with her and was actually concerned for her well-being. Unlike the former baron who did not even care enough to show up on their doorstep and her mother who just kept on waiting for the former baron to visit. She sighed, of course the former baron would not do that, that would risk blowing the secret and it would hurt his precious reputation. Well, at least the former baron was responsible enough to not let her go hungry. He left her a huge part of the Law family funds under Nathaniel Gnael's name. And since Nathaniel Gnael died, all of it was transferred to Starr Gnael, the one and only daughter of Nathaniel in the eyes of everyone.

After going through the stressful ordeal, she knew she needed some time alone and she knew where exactly she would go. Just as she was rounding the last corner that separated her from her destination, she saw someone tossing what looked like a quill in to the room of requirement. She stepped back and spied for a while, wondering what the hell was the Braden doing then. When she saw that she was done doing whatever it was she had been doing, she rounded the corner. “Good evening, Braden.” She let out a sigh, annoyed by the fact that the seventh year was stealing again. Well, to her, it looked like that. She made her way towards the older girl. “So, whose quill was that?” She inquired softly and kept eyeing her suspiciously. She heard about Braden’s theft from several students, mostly Slytherins. After witnessing the biggest obstruction of justice in her life, she wanted to give the owner of the quill some justice.

[Anne Braden]

Anne laughed and bowed nervously at the query about the quill. Anne moved closer to Starr. Anne knew alot about other students but not because she liked them. She often spied on others. They gave her more information when they didn't suspect she was listening. Anne put her back to the wall in front of Starr and smiled sweetly at the sixth year Slytherin.

"It was my quill. I wore it out, so I no longer need it." Anne was aware that Starr was upset about something that had happened at her home but Annie still didn't know what that was. "I was just thinking, it's strange; why don't we talk more? I think you're a great girl. Don't you think we'd make great friends? I like that hair style by the way." Annie was still grinning at Starr. She was admittedly very amused that Starr had suspected her of having stole Scorpius' quill. Most students would not have guessed it. "Are you well?"

[starr]

After all the things she had to go through that day. She had no more energy to pry more deeply into Braden’s mysterious quill. For some reason, she did not believe that it was hers. Her actions and facial expressions sort of gave her away. But, admittedly, she liked the girl’s aura. She seemed wise and cunning. “Oh. Sorry. Actually, I was kind of hoping it was professor Furner’s quill. I’ve been wanting to sign up for his class but I heard about the quill and backed out.” She told her sheepishly.

After her blunt confrontation, Starr was taken aback at her kind words. She eyed the Ravenclaw girl and smiled. Truth was, before she ran into her, she wanted to be alone but there was something about the girl that made her reconsider. Maybe a new friend was exactly what she needed. “Thank you. You’re haircut’s neat.” She smiled at the girl, wondering why she never talked to her in class. Shoving her original plan aside, which is to spend time with her self in the room of requirement, she decided to just talk to her. Amelie once said that talking it out will help a lot. “Actually, no, I’m not.” She said truthfully. “The investigators who are in charge of my father’s murder case aren’t planning on investigating any further.” She eyed the Ravenclaw and sighed. “I’m really sorry for being quite rude to you. I’m just not myself right now.” She added apologetically, hoping she would understand.

OOC: Sorry for the late reply. I needed to finish quite a load of schoolwork.

[Anne Braden]

Anne kept her back against the cold, stone wall. She recognized Miss Gnael as a member of the Slytherin House, Anne remembered that she was highly considered by Salazar for membership into his house but he had abandoned the idea as quickly as he'd learned that she was muggleborn. Initially, Annie had been very bitter and insecure about the denial. Also a little confused, Slytherin would have been the perfect house for her. Though she latter discovered that Salazar rarely accepted half-bloods and would never accept a muggleborn. Apparently, the pureblood prejudice was that muggleborn, or mudbloods, had somehow stolen the ability to use magic. It was only then that Annie came to realize what her pureblood step father had meant all the times he called her a theif. By then, she had already taken a liking to theft though and she was not prepared to abandon her habits at all. Annie grinned at Starr and made a short noise as if to laugh. "Professor Furner? Sure. I heard about his quill. Do you know if there's a reward for turning it in yet?"

Anne smiled and nodded when Starr returned her compliment. She was afraid that the Slytherin would prove hard to crack though she figured she'd be easy to sway if she'd lost her father too and didn't know who to blame. Annie's smile faded and she looked at Starr with sympathy instead though she did not speak out yet. Anne had actually lost her father but she was to blame for that herself. She accidently killed him as a little girl when she was experimenting with the abilities she knew very little of. Before she'd even discovered that a magical world existed. Anne suddenly kicked herself off the stone wall and embraced Starr in a hug. She cursed herself in her head, thinking that such a move would alienate the Slytherin from her. After a few seconds delay, Anne admitted, "My father is deceased as well. That was before Hogwarts, I haven't dealt with it. Sorry."

[starr]

Starr raised an eyebrow at the Ravenclaw. Now she was asking if there was a reward for turning it in? Starr had to stifle a laugh. “No, the professor probably haven’t noticed its absence yet.” She smiled and shook her head. “If I was asked, I would punish the person who would turn it in and reward the one who took it.” She pointed out calmly. She eyed the older student and wondered what she was thinking. She always found Braden mysterious. It was probably because they never talked before.

The tragic events that took place in a span of one month changed her a lot. Somehow she grew both softer and more distant when it came to relationships. Before everything fell apart, people either described her as ‘cute’ or ‘snobby’. She was cute for the pure blood population and snobbish for the rest. It was probably why she hadn’t spoken to Braden before. Now, she was still Starr Gnael, a more reserved, less trusting and less prejudiced Starr Gnael… the only trait that did not change was her amazing ability to lie. Her views on pure blood supremacy changed when she landed on the Sparks family residence. It was probably the only house in the wizarding world that was inhabited by a family of muggleborns.

Starr eyed the Ravenclaw and forced a smile. To Starr, the look she gave her exceeded sympathy. It was more of empathy. The Slytherin was caught off guard when the Ravenclaw jumped at her. She stiffened in surprise but relaxed after a second or two and patted the girl’s back awkwardly. She was not the hugging-type so she was not used to being hugged. Upon hearing the girl’s next words, she released her and said. “It’s okay. I’m sorry about your father.” You’re so lucky only one of your fathers died… she wanted to add. After a couple of silent moments, she decided that it would not be good for Braden to be asked about her deceased father so she just extended her right arm for a shake. “I’m Starr Gnael, by the way. You are?” She asked for all she knew was her last name.

[Anne Braden]

Anne return to her wall, but instead of leaning against it she remained facing it away from Starr. Anne placed her finger to the stone and traced a symbol randomly against the cold wall. She was always fascinated with the structure of buildings, wondering who had personally put in work to construct it. But more importantly, how it could be broken into. Despite that, she was actually trying to dodge Starr's gaze. Anne was not comfortable with how she reacted. She was actually very angry with herself for revealing such information about herself.

Anne's finger had made its way to a stone that was over her head before she turned back to Starr, seemingly ecstatic again. "In that case, I wish I had stolen it." Anne grinned, she ignored Starr's empathic gaze. Anne came to understand that she had underestimated the Slytherin. She should have known to be more careful around a Slytherin. Anne leaned against the wall again. After a short delay, she answered the final query softly. "I'm Annie. I am a half blood; my father is pure, mother is muggle." Anne lied, stating the status of her step father rather than her father.

Anne put her head against the wall and beamed across the hall at Gnael. "You see, I know you think I have the Professor's quill. You've made that clear. But, I don't. So you can stop looking at me like that, I'm not fooled by the act." Anne hated how random people could seem to know alot about her. The professors were likely the conspirators behind it. "At any rate, I don't believe you. You didn't even seem honest to begin with. Your daddy probably gives you gifts every time you see him." Anne smirked arrogantly. "So, do you just pretend he's dead to make yourself interesting to other snakes or was it just to fool me this one time?"

[starr]

Starr surveyed the older girl as she looked away from her. She wondered if all the rumors she heard about her being a notorious thief was true. To Starr, there was something about the girl that spelled mystery. Maybe it was true. Frankly, she was surprised when the girl suddenly said she wished she stole it. “Me too. That quill ought to be out of Professor Furner’s reach. It already hurt too much people.” Starr cringed as she remembered one of her housemate show her the marks the quill left on her skin.

Starr raised an eyebrow at her for telling her that she was a half-blood. Most students from other houses never mentioned anything about blood status when they aren’t pure blood, at least when talking to Slytherin students like her. Her next words surprised her even more. She put both her hands in the air in surrender. “Alright, alright. It’s not with you.” For it’s in the room of requirements, she wanted to add, but instead she remained silent, not in the mood to get into a fight after the rough day she just had. “Yes Braden, he pampers me chocolates and lollipops every day of my life. Oh and guess what, he uses ghost owls to send them. Now, now isn’t that lovely?” She replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

She eyed Braden, starting to get impatient and weirded out at the same time. This was the girl who just hugged her. What the hell happened? She was still astounded by the series of events when the girl stroke again. She forced a laugh. “They already find me interesting, thanks for your concern.” She said in a fake cheery tone. “It is you that I’m worried about, you seem to find stealing a way to draw attention to yourself or are you just pretending to steal all the time?” She raised an eyebrow. “Merlin that’s so low.” Starr laughed dryly, shaking her head for extra effect. Truth was, Starr was quite astounded by her own words. Braden seemed to be bringing out a bit of her old self. She’d been trying to create less friction lately, trying to lay low and be unnoticed.

[Anne Braden]

Annie frowned at Miss Gnael. Anne constantly accused herself of guessing incorrectly. When she could, she preferred not to have to guess. Anne looked down the corridor in the direction of the room of requirement. She had known for some time now that she was not being very stealthy in her thieving but knew that no one had any tangible evidence on her.

Anne was getting annoyed with the direction this conversation was going. She glared at Starr, losing her cool in the face of such an accusation. Though she knew protesting would be useless. Anne threatened under her breath, "Stop accusing me of theft or I will crush you. I am not hesitant." Anne crossed her arms over her chest. She did not want to add assault or murder to her list of crimes. But to protect them from coming to light, she would.

Anne was aware that Miss Gnael probably knew too much already. Anne stole for many reasons, but she never considered attention to be one of them. She determined that it might have been possible though. She wasn't exactly the topic of conversation as much as others were. She probably was bitter for that reason. Anne trained her gaze on Starr. "You are blind. You have no proof that I took anything. And yet, you are too bold. I should curse you for your insolence."

[starr]

Starr looked impatiently at the girl. This was all getting out of hand. All she wanted was a quiet time, alone, in the room of requirements. After the day she just had, was that too much to ask for? The thing was, it wasn’t and yet it was proving to be harder and harder to attain as the time ticked.

The Slytherin ignored the Ravenclaw’s glare. Yes she was quite blunt when she approached her earlier, she knew that. But, she was also aware that if it was not the girl’s quill, and not anyone else’s, the girl would not have been so jumpy when she greeted her. Plus, the girl would not have placed it in the room of requirements that hastily if it was hers. To add to all that, why would she place a quill in the room of requirements when she could just throw it away? “You know what, I don’t care if you steal or not. If you don’t, that’s fine. And, in case you do, suit yourself. It’s not like it’s any of my business.” Starr said coolly, not wanting to create an enemy that might lead to her undoing.

Not wanting to create an enemy out of someone as wise and stealthy as Braden, Starr, for a moment, even considered apologizing. She quickly dismissed the idea though, making it plan z, as in the last resort. “You think I’m insolent for accusing someone of theft just because of the things I heard and the things I saw? What would you call someone who just disrespected the only living relative of a person whose death is all over the wizarding newspaper?” She raised an eyebrow at the Slytherin. Starr should be the one cursing her, not the other way around.

[Anne Braden]

OOC: Sorry about lateness. I couldn't get Cherry's personality out of my head. =D

IC:Annie glared at the younger Slytherin coldly. Everything Miss Gnael said seemed plausible. Anne had just as Starr did, reacted based upon what she had seen. And whether Starr had probable cause to suspect her or not, Anne did not think it was very nice to keep bringing up the quill. Anne only glanced at wizarding newspapers for possible theft oppurtunities. She would be completely unaware of the dead or relations to the dead. She now wondered if there might be some oppurtunity in those though.

Anne swept some hair from her face and nodded in agreement at Miss Gnael. "Right. It isn't your business. Even if it was, you be very unwelcome anyway. So you should consider forgetting about it." Anne gasped lightly, feeling a bit foolish for having made a big deal about it. But knowing that she would probably be considered weak by the Slytherin student if she hadn't. "I am accused of things all the time, you see. But it is never proven and I take if very seriously. Your house usually say I stole magic too. But it just happened. I didn't ask for it." She did not realize that she just pointed out that she had lied about her biological father's identidy earlier with this statement. Anne grimaced and turned her head away from Starr. She wondered if this was the attention that Starr had accused her of seeking earlier. It likely was. The thought made Anne laugh at herself though it did not raise her spirits.

Anne shuffled her feet around nervously. She had known Starr was likely telling the truth about her father. She was so enchanted by the desire to shake Starr's cool that she honestly did not care for truth or lies. "I will be sure to look into that claim." Anne spoke unapologetic. She was not ready to forgive Starr. But was unwilling to carry out the arguement any further than necessary.

Anne sighed and looked down the corridor toward the room of requirement. She narrowed her eyes, wondering if the Professor had any idea it was she that took the quill. She figured it was payback enough for setting such a devious trap. Anne did not like falling into other people's trappings. But with the Professors, she could not confront them directly about it. "I assume you know about the secret room down this corridor? I was just about to enter it before you showed up. That is where I study and practice various arts. You are welcome to join me. But I fear we'll have to start the ritual to summon the doorway over again." Anne wanted to get out of the school's main corridors and too distract Starr from prying any further.IC

[starr]

Starr just gazed knowingly as the older student made a big deal of her accusation. Once again, Braden accidentally made Starr feel that she was right about her but she just nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I said.” She sighed, wanting peace after the day she had and she knew that by smoothing out her tangles with the older girl, she would just might get a little bit of it. “I’ll keep quiet about you and forget what I saw. Happy now?” She asked in an impatient tone after a while.

Starr nodded at the girl in understanding. It was hard to be accused. She had been accused of cheating once because an annoying mudblood tried to copy off her homework. It did not feel good. “I thought you said you’re father’s pureblood?” Starr shook her head at the Ravenclaw. Apparently, she was trying to deceive her, most probably to gain acceptance and to not be treated with prejudice. Starr did not like deception in every way, so she eyed the Ravenclaw coldly for a while until a realization hit her. “Oh my God! Don’t tell me you’ve been taking what is not given simply because Slytherins accuse you of stealing magic.” Starr blurted out without thinking. She eyed the Ravenclaw and raised an eyebrow, but, deep within, she felt sheepish after blurting out something like that.

Starr was surprised when the older student asked her to come with her to the room of requirement. Various arts? Like the art of stealing? She stifled the urge to ask so she just nodded. “Yes, I was about to go to that room before I saw you.” She said as she walked over to the wall. “I must warn you. If you try something on me, you’ll regret it.” Starr eyed the Ravenclaw meaningfully before turning to the wall and waiting for the Ravenclaw to start the ritual with her.

OOC: It's fine. I know what you mean. Took me a while to get Prue's personality out of my head. =)

[Anne Braden]

Anne was pleased with Starr's statement even if she was not so pleased with her tone. She moved behind Starr with haste seemingly desperate to dodge the Slytherin's gaze. She knew about their eyes. Her stepfather had found out alot of what she had done when she was bold enough to look him in the eyes. "Ecstatic." Anne circled around Starr and came back to the Slytherin's front again. "You're catching on."

Anne still did not dare a glance in Miss Gnael's direction. Instead she continued down the corridor a bit of the way. She looked back when Starr asked the question. "My step-father is pureblood. I call him daddy now anyway. What difference is it?" Anne shook her head back at the Slytherin and rolled her eyes. She did not care if she was half-blood or mudblood, it was a minor deception that she did not care to justify. Anne glared at Starr after her next query. "No. I don't care about them. Daddy accused me of it first. And that is the only time it ever bothered me." Anne sighed and shook her head again. She asked herself why she was bothering to explain to Miss Gnael.

Anne turned and went to the opposite wall Starr had went to. She looked across the corridor at Starr, grinning now at Starr's attitude. People usually would warn Anne not to do anything, it would never really help them. They would not realize she did anything unfavourable to them until later. She did not know why people weren't violent after that, but she guessed it had to do with being fooled and having to re-think their own competence. "I had guessed you were going there. I promise you, I will not try anything." Anne pushed away from the wall and clapped her hands together. She grinned at Starr. "Shall we take a walk then?"

[starr]

Starr folded her arms across her chest, her stance spelled impatience. As Braden circled her, her eyes followed the older girl’s movements quickly, as if to check if she was using her hands to steal something from her already. Although the Slytherin said she’d keep quiet about what she saw, she still suspected the Ravenclaw of stealing. Starr did not like being outsmarted and she ensured that she wouldn’t be the older girl’s latest victim. The moment the girl returned in front of her, she had already had it with her gloating. “You done?” She raised a delicate eyebrow at the Ravenclaw, rolling her eyes.

Starr really did not mind if the girl was a ‘mudblood’. If they met at least two months earlier, she would have minded. The Slytherin ceased to mind blood purity after the Sparks, a family of muggleborns, showed her their hospitality and concern when they let her stay in their house. However, the older girl’s attempt to fool her annoyed Starr so instead of just letting it pass like it was nothing, she eyed the girl and flashed her the most vexing I-caught-you grin she could muster in the hopes of annoying the older girl. Starr was surprised to hear that the girl’s stepfather had been accusing her of being a thief. “You shouldn’t listen to him either. What he’s saying is rubbish. Magic can’t be stolen. It’s either you have it or you don’t.” Starr pointed out in a matter of fact tone, stealing a glance at the girl’s reaction.

Starr let out an exasperated sigh upon seeing the older girl’s grin from across the corridor. When she promised she won’t try anything, Starr realized the flaw in their agreement. The phrase ‘won’t try anything’ was not synonymous to ‘won’t do anything’. However, feeling competent enough to take care of herself and her belongings, she nodded at the girl and actually smiled. Starr eyed the girl, quite amused at the way her ‘supposed night of solitude’ turned out. “Okay.” Starr said in response to the girl’s question and fell into step beside her.

[Anne Braden]

Anne crossed her arms and marched off down the corridor. After about fifteen steps, she looked over at Starr. She did not like having company but she still felt she had to place a tougher impression on the younger Slytherin. Besides, they were both going the same way anyway. Anne was not looking forward to going all the way back downstairs to go all the way across the grounds to the Forest or Hogsmeade. It did not matter. "I don't listen to him. But my mother does. Anyway, he's like all of you. So out of touch. And very arrogant. It gets annoying to deal with. My true father was not like that. He worked hard for a Lord and never did anything stupid or silly. He never really did anything while at home to tell the truth." Anne shrugged to herself and looked away from Starr.

They had come around to the requirement room door once. "I wonder which founder created the room?" Anne scratched her head. "I bet it was Ravenclaw. No one else would be clever enough to think of such an invention." Anne squared her shoulders proudly. "You know, I always felt it was like a second Ravenclaw Common Room." Anne grinned widely. She was aware that Salazar had a secret room somewhere, but had not yet overheard of its whereabouts. "You know Salazar, do you think he has any secrets?" Anne did not like anything Starr had on her. Even the girl's clothes were ugly in Anne's opinion. She had decided it would be more rewarding and safer to steal information from her instead.