February 10th, 1978
Who: Emmeline Vance and Caradoc Dearborn, and a brief appearance from Gideon Prewett
What: A walk to the Ravenclaw Tower from the Order Meeting
Where: Hogwarts
When: Early Saturday morning



Emmeline’s mood, for a lack of a better word, was amazing. Amazing, if that was a word you could even use to describe a mood, because Frank was back, so was James, they were both alive, Ravenclaw had won, and---and life just couldn’t get any better than this. She’s spent most of the winter holiday worrying, but now, now…wow, she just couldn’t get enough of people and of laughing and smiling. Really, people who actually knew her were so amazed by her mood (sometimes it scared them, but, Emmeline didn’t mind).

Of course, meetings with Dumbledore’s people, the Order always tended to put a damper on a good mood (especially now that she had to work with Ben---ugh), but there was that amazing feeling of hope that it gave her, so her mood wasn’t completely ruined. They had been instructed to leave the meeting room in pairs, but in various intervals, and she’d been paired with none other than Caradoc Dearborn.

Oh, Caradoc. Emmeline wasn’t sure if he was the real reason behind Frank and James’ return, but the situation, the timing was just so perfect! He was the first thing she’d thought of when word of their finding surfaced, Emmeline had been banking on whatever he knew to help the boys, and, goodness she was so happy that she’d been right.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” she said a bit breathlessly, trying to keep up with his pace. Emmeline had never been one to get star struck, but at the moment, Caradoc was getting pretty close to that kind of attention. She was glad that no one else was around, to see her like this, “It was you? That helped them? Frank and James?”

It had made sense, for Dumbledore to pair up Emmeline with him concerning everyone leaving-- it just so happened he was taking a back secret-passage out of the school right neat the Ravenclaw Tower. But that didn't mean the Headmaster had to actually go and do it. Emmeline had been a rather sore spot of his for a while now-- since their last impromptu meeting. He didn't like to think about what happened (undermined by one of Juliet's sixteen-year-old friends, honestly), so to keep it out of thought, Caradoc kept his strides quick and long. Though, he came to an abrupt stop as she quietly stated what she said, and Caradoc turned to her, watching her for a few moments.

He knew he wasn't supposed to say anything about Longbottom and Potter returning, it would jeopardize people talking. But, for that brief second, he thought of telling her. Get to be able to see that awed look in her eyes for those few seconds, and seep up the rewards of glory. Oh, it was so entirely tempting. Caradoc opened his mouth-- maybe he could hit her into something, but then soon shut it. No, he would rather not die just yet because he wanted to feel superior over a Hogwarts student. At least he should wait for a larger group, perhaps wait to tell all those people they had left back there.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Caradoc said to her finally, and turned back to begin walking again.

Emmeline let him walk ahead of her for a few paces before snapping out of her reverie and catching up. She kept her eyes on the ground in front of her, trying not to look too anxious. Now that she knew he was one of them, one of those that Dumbledore trusted, she sort of felt guilty for interogating him like she had a month back. Really, it had just been to figure out if he knew anything about Frank, but if Dumbledore had made any sort of point, it was that they needed to trust one another because they were comrades, friends. Well, sort of, she’d probably never get used to Fabian Prewett, after the debacle of a relationship he’d had with her best friend.

“Fine,” she said, biting her tongue, not really thinking that the empty corridors of Hogwarts was the best place to reveal that he’d somehow obtained secret Death Eater information. That…would probably be the stupidest thing to do, really. Emmeline, though, did want Caradoc to know that she…wanted to be his friend, or something, because she was sure that he’d helped save Frank’s life, and that was something you just couldn’t ignore.

“Ravenclaw creamed Slytherin last month,” she said with a smirk on her face. Friendly people talked about Quidditch, and it would be especially interesting to see how this former Slytherin quidditch captain would react.

Caradoc's regular smirk formed on his face, and he couldn't help but let out an amused sort of sound as they walked. Yes, he had been there to watch Slytherin go down in flames. And actually, it had been quite rewarding to see. The team was doing terribly this year, all under Black, and really, it was just a wonderful flavored icing to the cake in this scheme. They thought they had done badly in his year? At least they hadn't been seated (and set) dead last two matches in under his captainship. It might have been wrong to feel happy about them doing so badly, but then, Caradoc felt it was the only emotion necessary.

"I know. I was there. Black bloody deserves it, too bad the rest of them are too stupid to realize he's incapable of doing anything," Caradoc said steadily in a low tone, looking down at her for a few moments. It was a good thing she had caught on to dropping their previous conversation, because he wouldn't have had a problem in getting ugly with her. "Nice job off seating him, by the way."

“Carrow almost killed Gideon, I had to,” she said with a little vengeance in her voice, but there was also a smug grin forming onto her face. It had been her first match with a win, even though breaking Bagman’s nose in the first match had made the loss a bit more tolerable. Emmeline found herself not getting as insanely worked up over quidditch as she had been when she was merely a spectator, and figured that since she now knew how hard it was to actually be in the gain, she had some respect for the other team.

She looked over to him, eyebrows slightly knitted.

“Are you, Prewett, and Meadows going to be able to find an appropriate headquarters?” she asked suddenly, frowning. It was the Ravenclaw in her, it irked her greatly that not one older Ravenclaw was in the Order, or that one wasn’t helping these three…people do one of the most important jobs Dumbledore could have possibly given them. Honestly, if you weren’t a Ravenclaw, you…probably had to work a lot harder than you should.

"No, we've already decided on a box in Meadow's apartment. It should work well enough," he responded with a hint of aggravation in his voice. Really, did she think that they wouldn't be able to go and do something like this? It wouldn't involve the greatest wits (lucky for him, with Dorcas and Prewett). All they had to do was go and find a bloody house, charm it up a bit and there you go. New meeting place.

It was like she was questioning his…intelligence. Frowning, Caradoc looked over his shoulder again, and finding himself wishing he had could take back that Quidditch compliment (she was not lumping him in with those two bloody Gryffindors). She hadn't done that well. Feeling tense again (because last time was not going to happen all over again), he pulled his mouth tight and looked away. Fine, she wanted to be like that, fine? He still wasn't talking about it, it was too dangerous for someone to over here.

"You shouldn't talk so loudly," he said finally, looking forward again. Ah, only another wing or so and he was free from her.

“Brilliant,” she muttered, annoyed with the response, pulling the sleeves of her shirt to cover her hands; why was it always so cold in this castle? With all the spells and charms, you’d think they’d come up with something to keep its occupants warm. For a moment Emmeline silently mimicked Caradoc’s response, crossing her eyes a bit before frowning greatly. It wasn’t a rude question, that she’d asked, it had been an honest one. It wasn’t just finding a house and charming it. It was making sure that the area was safe, isolated, it was making sure that the work on the house was going to go unnoticed, it was making sure that the wards worked for all the Order members, it was a lot of work that she didn’t think three barely graduated students could do all on their own and---

“Where are you going?” Emmeline said a bit harsher than she meant; her mental rambles usually influenced her verbal speech, “Dumbledore said you’ve got to take me back to Ravenclaw, not that I need it, but.” She felt her ears redden slightly, but continued to frown.

Caradoc refrained from snapping 'I'm going away from you,' but his voice faltered as she finished her sentence. He had to walk her back to-- no way in hell. That was another good five to ten minutes of walking with her. She would be fine on her own, she did live here after all. And, Hogwarts was the safest place around! If this Ravenclaw couldn't walk by herself up to her own room then, then--

"Oh, you're fucking kidding me," he answered in a hushed tone, dipping his head low and turned on his heel again to face Emmeline. So close to going home, so close. His frown furthered as he retreated from his first path, and finally walked by her again. "If we run into anyone... I swear," Caradoc threw over his shoulder, the feeling of further aggravation coming over him. To any other spectator, it could have been assumed they were on a date or-- doing something that was against school rules, it was late enough. Dumbledore had not said that. Well, perhaps it was logical, and perhaps he had heard the Headmaster say it to someone else, but- bah. Caradoc didn't want to believe it.

“Don’t worry, I don’t need anyone seeing me with you anyway,” Emmeline said, wondering how he’d managed to so quickly wipe away that star struck feeling she’d had for him just a few minutes back. Honestly, now he was just a gigantic prat with a serious attitude problem that rivaled that of a few moody Gryffindors she knew (that was basically the whole population of the House…wow, she was really bad at this whole ‘trusting her comrades’ thing, wasn’t she?).

And, well. He was cute and older, that wasn’t the problem of being seen with him, it was more of the fact that she didn’t need any rumors starting, especially with a former Slytherin. Emmeline Vance crossing to the dark side; oy, if anything ever slipped about her little excursion with Amycus, she’d have to drop out of school. “It’s just down this way,” she muttered, turning right.

He knew were the Ravenclaw Tower was, Caradoc had spent a good amount of time walking Ravenclaw girls back there during his school days. Ah that made him sound so incredibly old. But that wasn't what had intrigued his interest (not that something like that did), but Emmeline's mumbled reply. Why wouldn't she need someone to see him with her? He was a perfectly fine enough bloke-- just ask any other girl. Obviously, there was something more to that little statement, and he was too curious (and maybe just a tad bit nosy) to not try to pry on it. Besides, she had done the same thing to him.

"Why do you say that?" Caradoc asked finally, taking a few long strides to catch back up with her. He was allowed to be aggravated to be seen with her-- he was one of his sister's friends, and not to mention some sixteen-year-old.

She refrained from sighing, but did roll her eyes, clinging onto the end of her sleeves a little tighter. Hell, he was the one that didn’t want to talk about anything a few minutes back, and was now asking her questions. Bloody hypocrite, honestly. Emmeline turned to him, a smirk on her face and looking him up and down like she had outside of Hogwarts when trying to size him up. It had worked then, but she was almost certain that he wouldn’t be bothered by it now, and she didn’t care. Not. Not really, anyway.

“Let’s see…you’re a former Slytherin, emphasis on the former…and the Slytherin, actually…I’m a student, I’m a young girl walking the corridors with an older man that is not my boyfriend…hmm…and you’re a Slytherin…” She sent him a cheeky grin, shrugging her shoulders lightly. Hell, it was all true.

Caradoc let his eyebrows raise high while Emmeline sized him up (for lack of a better phrase), and even for her benefit rose his chin up just slightly. Did she think that that would work again? Ha, no, he was never one to want to repeat mistakes, that was for sure. And by her just…looking at him-- did she think he would crumble into a million pieces? Please.

"Ooohhhoo," he said suddenly, and quietly. Caradoc's normal smug smile played on his lips and easily he put a hand through his hair. "I feel some house prejudice in the air. And-- oh? Not coming from the big bad Slytherin? Oh yes, from the sixth year Ravenclaw. Too bad no one's here to hear it."

Emmeline chuckled lightly, shrugging at his sarcasm. “I haven’t had much experience to tell me otherwise.”

She didn’t feel bad for thinking Slytherins had issues or that Hufflepuffs were duffers. Emmeline knew that a person was smart, but a group of people…well, they tended to make stupid decisions and create such trouble. A pack of Gryffindors was not something she wanted to surround herself in, but she equally didn’t want to be surrounded by a pack of Hufflepuffs, as well. Maybe it was just people in general, but Emmeline liked deciding on her own, on a one on one basis, who she could trust or not.

"Pity," he simply responded, losing interest for a few minutes. Emmeline was an entirely interesting person, Caradoc had to admit, but he could only watch her for so long until she would stare back at him with those eerie, all-seeing eyes. Normal people wouldn't do that, half the time they didn't even notice he was watching, but here she was, every other time trying to stare him down. Entirely intriguing.

"What a sheltered little world you lead." Ah, whoops. That one had just slipped off his tongue out of no where (well…), truly it had. Maybe it could be possible that his sister could be mildly correct concerning his 'problems' with 'people' and not saying the most accepted 'thing' all the time. But. It was entirely true. Suddenly remembering what had happened the last time had he said that to someone (Juliet, manly), Caradoc braced himself to move swiftly away from a smack on the head, or gut.

“Excuse me?”

Emmeline stopped walking and grabbed at his sleeve so he wouldn’t keep moving. What did he mean by that? How the hell could he assume that she was sheltered after they’d just come from a bloody Order meeting? How stupid was this guy, how dumb could he be---Emmeline now was sure that he and the two other idiots sent out to look for a headquarters would not be able to find a suitable location. The Order might as well give themselves up now, with these three morons gallivanting around the countryside.

“You have no right to assume what kind of little world I lead, you’ve got no idea,” she snapped, barely containing herself from shoving him in the shoulder or—or flicking him in the head like the moron he was.

Apparently he was finding this out a bit too late, but Emmeline had an extremely tight grip. Caradoc's eyes darted to where her hand was becoming clamped to his arm (ah, of course his left arm, nothing else would have fit better), and jerked at it slightly to get away and step back. But she held onto him, which was extremely aggravating, and his feet slid unnecessarily underneath him in annoyance. Why couldn't she have just hit him like Juliet had done? At least then they wouldn't have been in a death grip.

Well, he did have the right to assume-- she was still in school, after all. Living in Hogwarts was obviously much different than living out in the real world, where the war was. And if she was still glomming people together into houses from school, and stating to never experiencing anything different… Caradoc squinted at her, and pulled his lips together tightly into a thin line.

"Let go."

Emmeline hadn’t realized that she’d been holding on to him and quickly let go, but she shoulders remained squared and the glare on her face could burn a hole through his thick skull (she believed she really had the power to do it, too, the way she scared first years that were being obnoxious). Nothing pissed her off more than people assuming they knew more than her. Emmeline would admit that she didn’t know everything, but would dare you to try and find something she didn’t. It was just the way her world worked, she hated not being in the know, she hated sitting around and not doing anything; and she hated, hated when people thought they were better than her.

Argh!

“You’re only a year out of school, barely, you’re not one to talk.”

He quickly retracted his arm back to his side, and had been willing to let this conversation go (as much as Caradoc didn't want to admit it, his statement had been a bit uncalled for), until Emmeline turned it around back onto him. At least he hadn't originally meant to say it. Now, she was trying to get away with him being out of school for less than a year? Yeah, okay. In that less of a year, he had most likely experienced and encountered more things that she had in her entire life so far. Hence, little sheltered world she lead.

"Sweetheart, it's still longer than you," Caradoc spat out quickly with a sneer. He knew he was right about this-- right about assuming what he was assuming. What had been the worst she could have gone through? A bloody lost cousin-- which, by the by, he had brought back--- oh, the world was 'simply ending because someone out of the millions in the world might possibly have died!' He gave her a quick frown, knowing fully that this wasn't exactly how either of them should be acting. But, ah--- she was so incredibly frustrating, he had had a mind to just push her even further. Just like how he would push Dorcas into a total sputter of curse words and a bright red face. Oh. Maybe he should, just for irritating him so much.

"You think you know what it's like out there? Just like Hogwarts, yeah?" he said finally in a low tone.

She wasn’t even angry that he assumed her to be some no-nothing little snot---well, that was a lie, but it wasn’t at the forfront of her mind anymore, which was definitely a bloody achievement on Caradoc’s part. He should get an award for pissing her off this badly, no one had managed to do that in quite some time, and the rage that was coursing through her felt like it was going cause her head to pop off and blow into a million little pieces.

No, no, Emmeline was beyond pissed off at Caradoc, and she’d be damned if she ever said or thought one good thing about him again because this big—Slytherin---annoying--prick had---he’d---

“Don’t, call me sweetheart, you asinine, pompous, self-absorbed toerag!”

At first, Caradoc had been slightly alarmed at the sight of how red Emmeline's face was becoming, and how much hatred seemed to be seeping out of her every pore. But then--- well then he remembered how much he liked pushing people's buttons, and Emmeline was just playing fabulously into this. Her pretty little head seemed like it was going to pop off any second now (that would teach her to aggravate him, wouldn't it?) A small smug-of-a-smile broke through onto his face as he watched her point her finger angrily at him, nearly jabbing it into his chest. What was she going to do, jab him to death?

"Toerag, that's a new one," Caradoc replied in a matter-of-the-fact tone, and lazily began to brush her hand away from his face and general neck area. "Hell your hands are freezing," he commented a few seconds later, still smiling arrogantly.

She flushed deeply as---her hands---they were not cold and---he----Emmeline pursed her lips and stood a bit straighter because even if he was literally a lot taller than her, she was not going to let him think he was bigger than her. If that made any sense at all; it did in Emmeline’s head, but at the moment she was quite sure she was being highly irrationald and…how the hell did you know you were being irrational, when the bloody word meant not consistent with? It didn’t make much sense—see! There she went again, and suddenly Emmeline was even more annoyed with Caradoc because he’d managed to confuse her so badly.

“I’ve got plenty, I’m a lexicon of insults, an encyclopedia of mockery, a glossary of slander, a dictionary of vilification----you, my repugnant, ostentatious, egotistical…goon, are simply not worthy of any more of my time so I am---you can---go---away.”

Not exactly sure how she’d managed to lose her steam, but Emmeline was quite sure it was because she’d managed to get rather close to him during her angry spiel, and felt a strong wave of apprehensive sweep through her.

His smile grew even wider (and even smugger, if that was possible), as Emmeline seemed to become more flustered and even redder that before. Ahhh, the sweet reward that was victory. Caradoc had accomplished what he had been itching to do in the back of his mind for some time now-- revenge was definitely that charming. And, he hadn't even had intention to do so; good job to his subconscious, it always knew the right thing to say.

"I'm sure you do," he answered her, nodding along slightly and giving his best 'understanding' look. Though, it didn't come out too believable-- his mouth was wider than ever, as if a wire was in it. Well now he just felt so much better about this whole situation, and felt much more comfortable with terrorizing her.

"You want me to leave?," he asked dramatically, leaning forward just slightly. Oh no, no, this was just too much fun. "Emmeline, I have direct orders from the Headmaster himself to walk you back, remember? We still have a bit to go." And with that, Caradoc proceeded do drape his arm around her shoulders effortlessly and moved forward, forcing the both of them to walk.

How---he---she, did he really think that----oh, hmph. Emmeline let out a frustrated noise through her nose and for a second felt like flicking him in the forehead when he leaned so close because he wasn’t supposed to do that and---oh now he was touching her? Caradoc was a real smug bastard, wasn’t he? Smug, horrible, rude bastard that she’d have to hex the moment she could because that would knock him a few rungs down his high and mighty ladder, that would wipe that stupid, alebit handsome smirk on his face. With a look of utter disdain, Emmeline took the hand that rested on her shoulder and lifted it dramatically off, letting it drop behind her as they continued to walk.

“There’s no need to touch me, Dearborn,” she muttered, knowing she was beyond flustered and quite red in the face. Smug bastard.

Unable to completely control himself, Caradoc let out a low chuckle of a laugh as Emmeline mumbled away after picking at his arm. Ah, so incredibly refreshing to be one step up on her again. Well, again-- before he had formally met her. For a few moments, he thought he had been losing his touch. Which, would have ended very badly because he needed it very much to--

"Only because you say so," Caradoc replied, a trace of sweetness carrying through his tone. Ahhaa, her face was priceless, and that alone made him want to laugh again, and louder. But, he couldn't push her too much, or she would never talk to him ever, and that would be just a travesty in itself.

Emmeline once again mocked his words and had never felt so relieved and agitated when she spotted the statue that hid the Ravenclaw dormitory’s entrance. She was relieved because she could get to sleep and calm down after he’d riled her up so much, and agitated because she was going to end up losing this battle---wait, wait. No, maybe she wouldn’t…she could still totally try to win this, afterall.

And that’s all it was about. This was absolutely a game, and anyone that knew Emmeline knew that she would pull out all the stops to win.

They stopped in front of the statue and she turned to him, and grabbed onto his sleeve, a triumphant sort of look on her face, “What, no good night kiss, sweetheart?”

Hadn't she just said not to touch her? Caradoc glanced down at his arm, where Emmeline was now holding tightly onto, back to her face and blinked for a few seconds. Well this didn't exactly- oh, oh, it seemed like she had finally caught on. Either that, or she was trying to--- a hum, no, her face had been extremely red just a few minutes ago, there was no way she was trying to start something. His body eased greatly, even though that face of hers nearly willed him to snap out something nasty and start something all over again.

Though, she wasn't expecting him to do anything. She probably thought he would back out. Oh no, no, Caradoc Dearborn was never one to lose a fight. A sweeter smile came onto his face as Caradoc moved closer to her, wrapping his arm around her waist in the process. That triumphant look on her face vanishing instantly would be well worth it what he was about to do. Not to mention, she was rather attractive-- so really, this would be a win-win situation here.

"Well… I have never been one to disappoint," Caradoc said slowly, looking down at her. Yes, he didn't think he would have much of a problem snogging her. In fact, he was going to give the damn best midnight, in-front-of-the-Tower-kiss she had ever had. That had a nice ring to it. So, true to romantic form (and just to add suspense, because surely she was going bonkers now), Caradoc took his open hand and placed it on the side of Emmeline's face, giving ample room for him to lean in and put his lips firmly on hers.

Oh, he thought he was so smooth, didn’t he? Emmeline really hadn’t expected him to kiss her, and managed, barely, to keep the look of surprise off of her face because if she did look surprised then the whole point of getting him to snog her (rather easy, really, her self-esteem just rocketed through the roof) would be lost. Get him to kiss her, show that she was the one in control of all this nonsense, and then go to sleep happy. Hm, well. Yes, okay, snogging a rather handsome bloke in the hallway when you were supposed to be in bed after a very important meeting of a very secret group….well. You just didn’t have that everyday.

Realizing that a simple kiss really wouldn’t do when it came to the overall value of the win, Emmeline’s hands tugged on the front of Caradoc’s robes, while maintaining the snog, pulling him toward her and---oh, she’d been rather close to the wall, as she’d just banged against it.

Aaahaa, alright, Caradoc would have bet money that Emmeline would've either pulled away, or simply not reacted to him at all. Galleons and galleons, his whole family fortune, possibly. But, that wasn't what Emmeline was doing at all. In fact, she was pulling on him and forcing him to stumble foreword, nearly pushing her up against the wall. Well no, now he was pushing her up against the wall, because he couldn't back down. No, no, backing down would mean losing, and Caradoc never ever lost. Period. And especially not to her-- his victory wasn't going to be snatched away that easily.

He had to admit, though, it was proving to be rather easy to become more involved. It could have been his dire need to win, or simply because she was a pretty girl (or a combination of both), but either way, Caradoc found himself pushing his mouth harder on hers and dropping his hand to her shoulder. And, it only took a few seconds after that for him to slide his tongue into her mouth-- it most likely wouldn't get her to stop, but everything after that just might.

Emmeline’s mind, if it had been turning into mush a few minutes ago, was a big bowl of oatmeal. Now, now what? There was no smart way out of this, even though she kind of didn’t want to get out of this----oh, please, she had a very handsome, sexy even, man snogging her up against a wall, how could she not? It wasn’t everyday this happened, and it had been quite some time since she’d last snogged someone (Emmeline was deciding that Amycus didn’t count, ugh, that was a mistake). So—back to—the case on hand---literally.

She was glad to see that she hadn’t forgotten how to French kiss, which was probably something that you never forgot, but she was a Ravenclaw, and liked to think that you needed as much practice in things as you could get. And if you were the best, then you could win, because winning, really, was all about knowing the most and using it to your advantage. So, she knew that Caradoc was only snogging her because she’d laid down a challenge, and now it was just a game of who would back down first.

Come on, with snogging, there really wasn’t a bad ending to this, so with only a slight bit of hesitation, her hand slipped between them and through an opening in his cloak to tug on his shirt. Ah—okay, see---next challenge.

What was she suggesting here, having sex in the middle of the corridor? Caradoc severely hoped it wouldn't come down to that, because he would rather not with her at this point (just because he was alright with snogging the crap out of her didn't mean--- she was his sister's age) in time. Though, he was getting ahead of himself. Way ahead of himself-- Emmeline wouldn't do that. She didn't seem like the type of person that would do that. Ah! Hence, ah perfect.

Both of his hands trailed down to her hips, holding onto them tightly for a few seconds before gliding them in-between her robes, her skin feeling extremely smooth against his hands. Ha. No, no, he was not going to lose this. To go even further, Caradoc pulled her even closer (he didn't think they could get closer than this) by pulling her off the wall a bit, to run his hands up her spine. Ha, ha, let's see how she did with the prospect of her bra coming right off.

Gideon hummed lightly to himself, making sure not to scuff his shoes on the floor. Just because his brother hadn't wanted to go all the way to the entrance, didn't mean he had to leave Gideon alone for the last few corridors. And warn him not to get into any trouble. Gideon had nearly snorted at that, like he would get into trouble. Cutting the corner sharply, Gideon nearly tripped over himself (just a little stumble, but he caught himself on the wall before he could fall) at the sight that greeted him in front of the entrance to the tower.

Flushing slightly to himself (as they had not noticed him there yet), Gideon looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was there, watching with him. But there wasn't anyone there to corroborate his story. They were blocking, and well, he needed to get inside, and normally he would have just, gone wandering around and waited but, Dumbledore had specifically told them to go straight back and-- wait, was that, yes! Oh, Gideon's eyes nearly bugged out of his face at the realization that it was Emmeline talking to that snotty guy from the meeting. Oh. Merlin.

Gideon debated what to do, if he was taking advantage of her, well that didn't seem true because her hands-MERLIN! Gideon couldn't stand it anymore (it was fascinating from a Ravenclaw standpoint, but as her friend and captain, it was really... fucking weird) and cleared his throat a couple times to get their attention. He had to nearly hack into his hand to finally get it, but when he did, Gideon gave Emmeline a questioning glance, his eyebrows nearly into his hairline

The first time Gideon had coughed into his fist, Caradoc hadn't heard it (understandably, he was gloating in his own glory at that point). And the second time he thought he had head something, but somewhere in the back of his mind he pushed it aside because honestly, who else would be up at this---Oh. Bloody. Fucking. Hell.

Caradoc instantly stopped what he was doing, purely horrified. (This didn't count as a loss, it was just being smart). Oh bloody fuck, now whoever it was (either some teacher or someone they had just seen back at the meeting) was going to start assuming things and his hands were practically all in her shirt and this--- ah. As quickly as he could, Caradoc retracted his hands from around Emmeline, and pushed her away from him. Not just pushed, heaved her away if that was possible. In fact, he wouldn't have been surprised if she fell down in the process, because he did notice her go flying and he had basically just dropped her like hot metal.

Right. Wiping his mouth and sidestepping even farther away from her in the process, Caradoc finally turned to see who had caught them (argh, it was like school all over again, expect much, much worse). Hm. It was that younger Prewett-- the one with an even stranger name that Fabian's. It was off the tip of his tongue, it really was, but Caradoc wasn't bothered that much that he didn't remember it. His mind was too busy trying to look nonchalant and not like he had just been caught madly snogging some school girl. Right. Blinking, he gave his best simpleton look, as if implying what they had been doing was completely normal.

"You-" Caradoc started, and then stopped himself. He didn't need to explain anything, or even come up with an excuse for that matter. Who the bloody fuck cared if this-- this-- Ravenclaw- it really didn't matter. Without saying another word, and refusing to glance at Emmeline, he brushed past the both of them as effortlessly as possible, not looking back until he was well away from the scene. Now he was definitely going home.

Emmeline let out a shriek of a gasp, and suddenly she was being pushed away and---she was quite sure that her mouth had never dropped so wide and that her eyes had never grown to this size before and---Gideon was just---Caradoc had bloody dropped her like—oh, oh okay! This was not how this game was supposed to end and for a second she just stood there silently as Caradoc left, not daring to look at Gideon while her back and palms remained flat against the cold stone wall. Ooh, she was going to kill Caradoc for just rushing off, the bloody coward.

Clearing her throat, she looked toward Gideon as if to attempt an explanation, but then realized that there really was none other than her and Caradoc being stubborn and playing a game---how do you explain that kind of game? Realizing this, she just nodded and, “Good---night, er---yes.”

Her shoulder scrunched, she zipped toward the statue and muttered the password, flinging the entrance open and leaving it for Gideon to come through as she pretty much zoomed up the steps to her dorm.