Judgement

[Edmund Westwick]

Theodore had a cold. That wasn't entirely unusual. Of the twins, Theodore had the weaker immune system by far. What was unusual, however, was that Edmund did not have a cold. Usually when Theodore was sick Edmund did everything he could do immediately contract the same illness, to match his brother in illness as he did in everything. Edmund's immune system was comparatively much more robust, and it often took significant effort behind his brother's back. This time, however, Edmund just hadn't felt like it. He didn't want to lie around feeling horrible just because Theodore did. Why should he be confined to cough and grumble in bed when the year had just started, and there were things to do? He had still kept Theodore company mostly, but the other boy would be fine for a while, surely, if Edmund just took a quick walk.

Having made sure Theodore was comfortable with all the books they acquired over the holidays, Edmund set off on his own to wander around the castle. After a holiday of privacy and peace it was a little jarring to be surrounded by so many people once again, but Edmund was growing more and more used to it as time passed. Watching the people around him as he walked, Edmund paused to observe what appeared to be a first year trying very hard to enter an empty broom closet they likely thought was a bathroom. "The foolish reveal themselves early." Edmund commented over his shoulder to Theodore, before remembering that his brother wasn't there. Ah. Right.

 

[Diana Hollis]

Diana sometimes felt like it was impossible to escape her famliy. With three sisters at school along with her and now a cousin as a profssor, it sometimes felt stifling. She liked being the daughter of the a candidate for Minister, but sometimes she wished her sisters all went to different schools. It was hard to stand out between them, as they were all special in ways she was not. Sometimes she just needed a break. And her family members weren't the only people she needed to hide from. Domi Malone had been bugging her more than usual lately, and Diana got the impression the girl was very aware that Diana's mother was now somewhat famous and hoped to share in the glory. But she had managed to slip away from her, and was now just wandering aimlessly.

As always, she kept her eye out for anything interesting happening. Diana loved gossip, and really wanted some new juicy tidbits to talk about. But for the most part, the castle seemed kind of boring and the same as usual. She had hoped some dramatic things would have happened over the holidays, but everyone seemed pretty much the same. She spotted a familiar boy nearby. He was one of the twins she had found under the desks last year, those weird boys. Diana wondered where the other one was. Maybe they had a fight? That would be interesting. Following his line of sight, she saw what the boy had been looking at and snorted at the comment he made. "They should just make a house for idiots, though that might make Hufflepuff redundant." She said with a small smirk, though she sent a silent apology in her head to Alice. Her sister wasn't an idiot, but she was also probably one of the better Hufflepuffs out there.

 

[Edmund Westwick]

Edmund had hoped nobody had heard his offhanded comment, certainly not expected anyone to respond, so when he heard a voice it took him a moment to realise it had been directed at him. Looking back over his shoulder, Edmund was startled to recognise the girl who had tried to wreck the fort he and Theodore had worked so hard to build last year. Looking back, it had been rather a silly thing to do, but she hadn't needed to be so intrusive on what was so clearly their own business. She didn't seem so rude this time, more interested in making fun of the boy Edmund had observed than Edmund himself. Turning to the girl a little, Edmund smirked. "I believe you're thinking of Gryffindor." He commented. Most of the Hufflepuffs Edmund had met seemed to turn out significantly more interesting than he anticipated at first glance. "Though he doesn't seem to be doing his house any favours..." Edmund added, glancing back at the Hufflepuff boy struggling with the door.

 

[Diana Hollis]

It was always a gamble, seeing how others would react to her jokes. But as she saw the boy smirk, she knew she was on the right path. He turned the joke around to be about Gryffindor, and Diana's own smirk mirrored his. "A Gryffindor would already be trying to break through it with brute force." She said dryly. "Probably using their own head as a battering ram." This time she sent her silent apology to Rose. Why did she have to be related to people in so many groups? It made it hard to just make fun of them. "We could help him open it if he wants to get in so badly..." She said, glancing at him. She knew the locking and unlocking charm was something he would have learned already. "Though he might have some trouble getting out again."

 

[Edmund Westwick]

Edmund gave a small chuckle, appreciating the girl's words. It was surprising, but not unpleasant, to find a shared appreciation for the incompetence of others. It made him miss Theodore less, and more curious about getting to know this girl. "Very true. I doubt the door would stand a chance." The girl's next suggestion was unexpected, and Edmund raised an eyebrow in surprise, before deigning to offer the girl a smile. "Surely giving him a hand would only be the responsible thing to do for a younger student." He commented, glancing at the broom closet. "If you want to assist him on his way I can get the door for him..." He grinned, already enjoying the way this was going.

 

[Diana Hollis]

Diana knew her suggestion was a gamble. The boy next to her had been ready to laugh at someone else, but that didn't mean he was willing to go as far as to lock him up in a closet. His words made her smirk, glad to have found someone who wanted to do something like this. "Agreed." She said, interested to see him smile. That wasn't an expression she had expected to see on his face. "It's the nice thing to do, after all." With that, she turned away from the Ravenclaw and conjured a pleasant smile on her face as she stepped up to the younger Hufflepuff. "Oh! Are you trying to get in? Sometimes students lock these doors as a prank, but my friend over here can help you open it." She said brightly, thinking of how Rose or Alice would approach a kid like this. She stepped back to give her accomplice some space, making sure to stand behind the Hufflepuff so she could assist him into the broom closet once it was open.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian was starting to feel like an idiot as he tried to open a door that was clearly locked. But he could have sworn there had been a bathroom here when Kauri had showed him around, and now it suddenly wouldn't open. Maybe things changed around the castle? He didn't really know. Frustrated, he was just about to give up when a girl approached him. She looked to be a little older, but not much. Her expression was friendly, and when she explained what was going on, Abian felt relieved. "Oh, thanks!" He said, turning his attention to the boy with her. He was a little unsettling, but if he was willing to help out he couldn't be bad, right?

 

[Edmund Westwick]

Trying to twist his face into a sincere, helpful smile was an entirely unfamiliar experience for Edmund but he did his best, hoping he didn't look too much like he was in pain. Mostly he felt uncomfortable, relieved that the girl had taken the initiative on talking to the first year, and he didn't have to say anything. Once it was his turn Edmund stepped forward, drawing his wand, and quickly tapped the door. "Alohomora." He cast, unlocking the door, and gave the girl a look to warn her to be ready before opening it. Being helpful could be rewarding sometimes after all.

 

[Diana Hollis]

Diana had to control herself so she wouldn't smirk too widely and give away their plan, though this kid seemed very gullible. She suppressed a laugh as she nodded at the Ravenclaw to open the door, pleased when he did it. Once the older boy had opened it, Diana didn't hesitate. The first year was a little taller than her, but she had the element of surprise. With a quick shove, she managed to make the Hufflepuff stumble into the closet. "You're welcome!" She laughed, closing it and leaning against it so he couldn't easily open it again. "Now lock it." She said to the other boy, a glint in her eyes.

 

[Abian Hunter]

The unsettling boy used his wand to open the door, something that fascinated Abian. He wondered if it would take long for them to master that spell, though it seemed like it would be a little irresponsible to teach kids how to open any door they wanted. Still, the guy didn't look that much older than him, so unless he was learning spells on a super advanced level it probably wouldn't take that much longer. Abian was so busy thinking about all this, that he hardly noticed the room wasn't actually a bathroom until he felt two small hands on his back, pushing him inside. Before he realized what was happening, the door shut, leaving him trapped inside what turned out to be a broom closet. He knocked on the door. "Uh, guys? Can you let me out?" He asked, laughing nervously. "You got me." He added, willing to admit they had pulled a pretty good prank on him. He felt embarrassed, but didn't think he would be in this situation very long. The door was unlocked, at least, they just had to let go of the door so he could open it.

 

[Edmund Westwick]

Edmund couldn't hold back a wicked grin as he watched Diana push the boy into the closet, immensely satisfied that their plan had worked so well. He extended his free hand to help her hold the door closed while he cast the locking charm. "Colloportus!" He said quickly, withdrawing his hand once he was sure the door was locked. He laughed softly at the younger student's protests. "Relax, we simply helped you get to where you were going. I'm sure someone will come along and let you out eventually."

 

[Diana Hollis]

Diana burst with laughter as soon as the door closed and the Ravenclaw cast the locking charm. Surely someone would come get the firstie out soon. It didn't have to be them. Better to get out of here now before he could figure out who they were and get them in trouble. "Good luck!" She called out with a smirk before leading the Ravenclaw away from the door a few steps. "That was hilarious. What's your name?" She asked, figuring she might as well come straight to the point.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian felt a little foolish, but he was sure the two would let him out soon. That was what he believed until he heard the door lock. By then, he was starting to feel a little panicked. He could hear their taunts through the door, and realized quickly they weren't likely to let him go. He started banging on the door. "Come on! Let me out!"

 

[Edmund Westwick]

Edmund couldn't hold back a chuckle as he retreated away from the door with the younger girl quickly, pleased that their scheme had gone as planned. He made sure they were far enough away from the closet not to be suspicious before responding. "Edmund Westwick. Thi- my brother is Theodore." He added, used to introducing the two of them together. "And yourself?"

 

[Diana Hollis]

Diana put as much distance between the door and herself as she could, glad the boy was following her lead. She glanced at the door one last time with a smirk, then turned away. Diana tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear, glancing at the boy. "Glad to finally know your name." She said, biting back a comment about simply having called him 'creepy twin number one' before. She didn't think he would appreciate it, and she wanted him to like her now. "I'm Diana Holland, nice to meet you Edmund Westwick." She said, teasingly saying his full name in the same formal tone he had.