Morning.

[Jake Simpson]

It was not unusual for somebody like Jake to wake up early, it had become part of his everyday routine, to wake up at five in the morning, or earlier, it took Jake about an hour to get ready and as soon as the Slytherin student had readied himself for the day, he took a morning walk around the school grounds. It was a beautiful morning, the frost still untouched by the rising sun, Jake had not seen another person that day, and going by the assumption nobody else had woken up before breakfast, the teenager had strolled to the North Tower and was sitting on a stone bench on one of the many balconies. Jake had not yet grown weary of waking up so early, in fact, the wizard quite enjoyed walking around the school grounds when they were empty, especially in the morning when he could roughly predict what time the other students would wake up and make their way around the castle like Jake was doing at that moment.

The North Tower provided Jake a wonderful view, a great morning to start what would hopefully be a great day, which was all dependent on whether or not the fourth year would be bothered by any of his fellow Slytherins, or any other student who saw it fitting to make a degrading comment towards him. That was one of the things Jake liked most about mornings, because none of the bitterness had begun yet, it was like a fresh start, one that couldn't be spoiled as easily as the next. It was safe to say the teenager had matured a lot over the winter break, enough to convince himself that the only reason he was made fun of was because of the immaturity of others; however there were always some things that couldn't be avoided as easily. It was when, and only when Jake yawned did he realise how content he really was when he was alone.

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate woke up groggily with a pounding headache and she felt as if she was on fire.She looked at her watch and sighed when she saw the time.This was the third time this week she had woken up early with a head ache and feeling like she was in a fire.This wasn't good news even worse,she could feel her heart rate had accelerated.She quickly got out her tablets and rushed into the bathroom and swallowed down two.She then drank to glasses of water and she wet a towel and put it over her face.She felt herself getting cooler and her heart rated started to slow down a bit.With the towel in her hand she walked back to the down as quietly as she could wondering how on earth Tara had not already been awoken by her.She dressed in her comfy clothes and then walked out of the dorm to have a nice walk to cool her down.She stopped outside the common room deciding where to go.She didn't want to go outside but she figured the only place to get a nice view was the North Tower so she started making her way up there.When she reached the tower she walked right to the edge and breathed in the nice cool morning air.It wasn't until she turned around that sh noticed there was someone else there.She smiled when she realized who it was. "Hey Jake"She said walking over towards him.She must of looked very funny.She probably looked extremely tired and incrediably flushed.She was still feeling like she was on fire but not as bad as when she had woke up.

 

[Jake Simpson]

Spacing out was common for Jake, especially in the morning, that medium mind state between being awake and being asleep lingered on throughout Jake's day, and eventually he would feel alert to his surroundings, which was always at night. The cycle never seemed to end for the fourth year, however much he wanted it to. Jake could not dwell on his thoughts for much longer, as his thinking was interrupted by Kate, a friend he would never object to talking to. "Oh hey Kate." Said the Slytherin as he smiled politely towards his friend. He noticed that she looked a bit off, sickly to be more exact, and he started to worry. Worrying over the smallest of things was not odd for Jake, and it had never been, but it was better to be safe than sorry, right? Jake decided to ignore that fact Kate looked sick, and thought it better to procrastinate that question until a little later, when the two had been in a conversation for a tad longer. That was if Kate had the time to talk to him that morning. "Would you like to sit with me?" Asked the fourteen year old, his smile widening with false hope it would make his friend feel better than she appeared, if that made any sense at all.

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate smiled,glad to see that Jake was looking well.She hadn't talked to him in a while and that seemed to always be the case.Kate felt the head ache starting to pound again and she sighed inwardly.Why did she have to be sick? She had never imagined that she would get ill again,of course this wasn't half as bad as second year but it still made Kate feel depressed. She was worried about her body.It had suffered so much already though this illness was more a mental one. She pushed those bad thoughts aside she wanted to have a nice,normal conversation with a good friend with out worrying about her decreasing health levels. "I'd love to"She said sitting beside him. She hoped she didn't look to bad she didn't want any questions. "So how was the holidays?"She asked smiling ignoring the pounding that was getting louder

 

[Jake Simpson]

The fourth year was relieved when Kate sat down next to him, it meant they would continue talking, and catch up, so she still wanted to stay friends with him. Jake smiled at this, as most of the people he wanted to call friends weren't talking to him, obviously Jake had done nothing, however he couldn't help but blame himself. The Slytherin shook his head, he shouldn't be distracting himself with his own thoughts like usual, he needed to focus on Kate, and finally ask if she was okay, because she really did look unwell, and to ask is to get an answer. "Are you feeling okay? You look awful." Claimed the fourteen year old, he was starting to worry about his friend, only a little, but still, feeling worry was feeling worry and if it meant Jake had to ignore Kate's question about the holidays, he would, not until he knew if she was okay at least. "Is there anything I can do?" Were the next words Jake spoke, if there was anything possible Jake could do, he would at least try it. The morning sun was becoming more prominent in the sky, the chill of night slowly being eaten away by the suns morning rays, it was a beautiful morning for sure.

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate sat down and looked at Jake.He looked healthy way better than she did.She was starting to worry about her condition maybe it wasn't what the doctors thought? They had told her she should be way better now.She hadn't been stressing herself out or anything.Kate started to feel a sense of panic.NO she though calming herself down.She would not have a panic attack right in front of her friend. She tried to take deep breaths with out him noticing which she knew would be problamatic. Worse still the head ache was getting worse.She nearly missed his next question.Kate couldn't help but smile "Thanks for the boost in self-confidence there Jake"She said the head ache extremely bad now.She was starting to sweat and her breathing was getting quicker Pull yourself together she was saying to herself.She closed her eyes and put her head on his knees. When he asked his next question she looked up "You don't happen to have a paper bag"She asked before a shudder went through her and her breathing came out in big gasps.She really needed some sort of a bag and someone to help her calm down "Jake I really need some sort of a bag and you need to help me calm down"She said in between big breaths.The pain in her head was terrible and she tried not to scream "Some panadol would be nice too"She said between her teeth really hoping Jake would be able to do something

 

[Jake Simpson]

Jake honestly did not know what to do, even when Kate had asked him if he had a paper bag and some panadol. Why on earth would a fourteen year old have a paper bag or some panadol in their possession early in the morning? The Slytherin could not focus on his rhetorical question any further, as Kate had put her head on her knees. Jake honestly could not think of a different way to calm his friend down, especially since he the only thing he had in his pocket was a screwed up piece of parchment from when he had made an attempt to illustrate something a few hours preciously. "All I have with me is a piece of parchment, maybe you should go to the hospital wing?" Suggested the Fourth year. It was the most responsible thing Jake could think of, and it would go without failing, surely one of the nurses would be able to help Kate better than himself. Although, Jake still wanted to give his Hufflepuff friend an option first. "Unless there's anything that can calm you down, that doesn't involve a paper bag or medicine of any kind." Said the teenager, he meant well, but Kate's interpretation of what Jake was saying could be taken in a total different manor. He was truly worried about his friend, however there wasn't much he could do in the situation, considering he had no idea how to help.

 

[Kate Archer]

Out of Character:

Whoops meant to say her knees not his

Of course Kate hadn't expected him to have a paper bag in his back pocket or some panedol handy but whats the harm in trying? It had more been a reflex more than anything else to ask for those things as that was what she would of said at home but now circumstances were different. Kate shook her head,she would be fine just a few more minutes and she would be back to normal.She slowly rose her head from her knees.She couldn't concentrate on what he was saying her thoughts were jumbled up.Her throat was dry and she could still feel the pounding in her head but her breathing had slowed and her hands were no longer sweating.She sat up fully and took a deep breath "Sorry about that"She said embarressed to have broke down right there in front of him.She felt a hotness in her cheeks but took another breath and she was back to normal.She took a tissue from her pocket and wiped her hands and forehead.She was feeling a bit shaky but other than that she was okay.She then became worried because that wasn't supposed to happen.She was supposed to be getting better not worse.This was the second panic attack in the last five days.Things weren't looking to good.She let out a sigh of frustration and leaned back again the bench. "Why Me?"she asked herself though she by accident said it out loud.

 

[Jake Simpson]

The fourth year was baffled by his friend, a panic attack; Kate had a panic attack right in front of him. Jake knew what anxiety felt like, but his nerves had never developed into a panic attack, not once in his short, and uneventful life. Jake liked to keep a low profile, and that meant anything bad in his life had to be overlooked because of people like Kate who obviously needed someone to be there. As much as Jake hated to admit it, he needed somebody to lean on, and until he found someone to lean on, he was going to attempt to be a good friend, to be the friend he wanted to have. "That's alright." Replied the Slytherin. While he focused his attention on the distance, Kate would not want another's eyes on her while she turned cherry red from embarrassment, or so Jake assumed, he wasn't looking at her anyway. The fourteen year old spent his holiday in a more interesting way than others would have thought, he did travel to London like he usually did, however instead of returning home, he had moved in with his grandparents. His grandfather had remarried after his grandmother's death a couple of years earlier, and it was safe to say Jake liked his new Grandmother, she taught him how to make the most delicious cupcakes and cookies over the winter break, and the fourth year could not wait until he returned to London, the place he now called home. Jake shrugged at Kate's rhetorical question, there was nothing more to say on the matter, really, especially since Jake was distracted by his own thoughts of a happy home.

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate leaned back against the bench and just relaxed.She hated panic attacks especially after wards.She was feeling shaky and her throat was dry.She wished she had some water with her.Kate still wasn't convinced it was alright,its not everyday you saw your friend having a panic attack.Kate wanted to help others not them help her,it was the nature of the Hufflepuffs and Kate.She looked at Jake and saw him looking out to the distance,he looked distracted.There had always been something 'mysterious' about Jake.He had always kept the attention away from himself and sometimes hadn't answered her questions.Kate respected the fact that he didn't want her to know,but her curious side would always be nagging at her. "So, do anything exciting over the holidays?"Kate asked trying to get the conversation back to normal things.

 

[Jake Simpson]

Kate had asked a conventional question, obviously to transition the conversation to something more normal, Jake liked that idea, the possibility of talking about panic attacks left an uneasy feeling in Jake's gut. He would answer Kate's question this time, an unusual change from Jake's natural evasive tendencies while holding up a conversation, or at least trying to. "I moved into my grandparent's place, in London." Replied the Slytherin, as small hint of a smile made its way onto Jake's pale features. At least now the fourteen year old had something to look forward to when he returned home. It always seemed as though Jake's new grandmother was baking all the time, the house always smelt of fresh baked cookies, a calming atmosphere he now lived in, one that made for a nice contrast from his previous home. "What about your holidays? How did they go?" Jake asked, while directing his attention from the endless distance to that of his friend, Kate. The whole situation seemed a lot calmer than a few minutes earlier, which did not go as a surprise to the fourth year.

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate was glad they had moved to a much calmer and normal conversation.It would take her a long time to get over that embarressment but Kate knew she would eventually.Kate was surprised to see a hint of a smile when he mentioned his grandparent's house. "I'm guessing you like it there"she said smiling,glad there was something positive going on in Jake's life. She had to be honest she didn't know much about him,he usually kept to himself and Kate respected that though she didn't always like it. They should meet sometime over the holidays,she wondered what part of London. She loved London especially at night tie. She loved going to musicals her two favorites so far were Billy Elliot and Wicked. One of her favorite places was Covenant Garden,such a pretty little place with lots of markets. "They were good,went over to Ireland for a bit to meet the grandparents but after that I spent most of my time in London"She said smiling,she knew London was where she was going to live even if Ireland would always be the first place in her heart. She just loved big cities and the hustle and busely of city life."We should meet up some time in London"She suggested. She had had to cancel her trip to Ireland because of her illness and she wondered would they be going this year.

 

[Jake Simpson]

Jake managed a small smile, which quickly widened, of course he liked living with his grandparents, it was not much of a sudden change in environment for the fourteen year old, having to move countries, although it had been a good change. Because Jake knew some sense of what it was like to be close with family, the Slytherin assumed Kate did not know anything different from a big family, and quite frankly, he envied her for it. Jake longed to have a big family, it meant he would always be surrounded by people who cared about him, and wanted the best for him. "I would love to meet up sometime in London." Jake agreed with his friend, he was a little surprised they hadn't organised to meet up in London before, after all, Jake had been staying with his grandparents for a while now, he just did not live there until recently. Hopefully the two would be able to travel to Ireland for the holidays like they planned to the previous year, however Jake thought they would have to put it off a little longer, at least until they were old enough not to raise suspicion. Seeing two young teenagers travelling alone was sure to look unusual, and would not doubt bring on judgemental looks from others. Jake dismissed this thought, and instead just continued to smile.

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate noticed his smile widen,he obviously really like staying at his grandparents,that was good.It seemed to of made him happier for a change.Kate didn't know any of her grandparents they had all died before she was born.Kate had always wondered what was it like to have grandparents,everyone seemed to of like theirs and Kate wished she would of had expirence with at least one but that was never going to happen.Kate smiled,she wondered why they had never suggested it before,probably never crossed her mind. "That's great"She said smiling,that would be a nice day out."I'm sorry we didn't get to go on the trip to Ireland maybe we can do it when we are older,it was make things a lot easier"Kate said looking out at the view from the towers.The sun was up higher in the sky now and Kate started to feel warmer.

 

[Jake Simpson]

A day out in the vast city of London with Kate seemed like a dashing idea, getting out of his house in the holidays would turn out to be a decent contrast from all the time spent inside. There was nothing wrong with spending a lot of his time with his grandparents, however it just became a struggle every now and then, as he was not spending much time with people his own age. During the school year, this had never been a problem for Jake, as he had the people he called friends. The Slytherin did wish that he had one absolute best friend, which understood everything about him, and would do their best to keep a smile on his face, exactly how he would for them. But for somebody like Jake, this was so rare to find, he did not believe it existed any more. "I think it would to. Is It also possible if we stop over in Scotland while we're there? I would like to try out my golfing skills sometime." Stated the fourteen year old, of course his statement had been a joke, and has caused Jake to let out a nervous chuckle. Jokes had never been his forte, and they sure weren't now. Maybe when he met up with Kate in London sometime, they could discuss their plans to travel to Ireland further, that was if they could not find anything else to do.

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate didn't have much contact with her friends over the summer.Most of them didn't live in England,so it would be nice to actually meet up with a friend over the holidays.She usually spent her summer holidays by the pool,occasional shopping and reading outside. the winter ones consisted of her playing her violin,reading and practicing her singing. She would go shopping more often,especially coming up to Christmas.the last holidays she had spent most of her time going in and out of the hospital,it hadn't been her best but it hadn't been as bad as the second year holidays,they had just been terrible. Kate laughed,somehow she couldn't imagine Jake playing golf all the ways up in Scotland.From the nervous chuckle she guessed he usually didn't crack jokes.There were lots of nice places to go in London,Covent Garden was one of her favorite places as was Oxford street. "Something to look forward to"Kate said smiling