Open Muddy And Tired

[Connor Holland]

((Open after Kris))

After Hufflepuff's loss to Slytherin, Connor had been throwing himself into Quidditch practices. He didn't want to risk letting the team down, and had been working as hard as he could to make sure that didn't happen again. It was exhausting though, especially when the weather turned on him, and after a particularly rainy practice, Connor had finally given up and dragged himself back into the castle, looking forward to showering off the thick layer of mud that trailed after him as he made his way towards the Hufflepuff common area.

 

[Maris Wormwood]

Spring was by far the worst season. Between the muddy lawn and all the damned pollen that covered everything that so much as looked in the direction of the school gardens, Maris felt like she was trapped in a loop trying to keep the ground floor clean. If she could stop any of the mess from making it up stairs, she knew she'd be saving herself and the elves a lot of trouble. She was the castle's first line of defense and she couldn't let her guard down.

Which was why Maris was on high alert when she spotted a trail of mud, immediately drawing her wand and stalking after it and its perpetrator. "Ahem," She said, clearing her throat pointedly and tapping her shoe once she reached the sluggish student who'd tracked it in, seemingly oblivious to his own carelessness.

 

[Connor Holland]

Connor didn't recognise the woman who was clearing her throat at him, but whatever was going on, he was fairly sure it wasn't good. She didn't.... teach any of the classes he took, but whatever the circumstances, an adult looking unhappy with him was never a good thing. "Um... can I help you?" Connor asked nervously, trying to give the lady his politest smile.

 

[Maris Wormwood]

Maris crossed her arms at the boy's unrepentant response, pointing promptly at the trail of mud across the hall floor with her wand. "Did you not pass your lower level charms classes? If you've never seen a cleaning charm before maybe I'd have sympathy, but at least you could wipe your feet," She said shortly, twirling her wand in an attempt to prompt the boy into some sort of action.

 

[Connor Holland]

It took Connor an embarrassingly long moment to realise what the lady was pointing at. He hadn't paid much attention to the mud on his shoes - had he ever paid attention to mud on his shoes since coming to Hogwarts? Connor had always just assumed the castle was magic, and dirt didn't.... work here. "Oh.... I'm really sorry!" Connor said quickly, shrinking down very slightly. The lady was very obviously angry, and upsetting adults was his least favourite thing. To his embarrassment, Connor could feel tears pricking at his eyes while he drew his wand and mumbled a quick "Scourgify," clearing the trail he had left along the floor. He wiped at his eyes quickly, angry at himself both for being so stupid and so sensitive. He had done such a good job of not crying in public this year, and he didn't want to break that record. "I'm r-really sorry." He stammered out, voice cracking halfway through.

 

[Maris Wormwood]

Maris raised an unpressed eyebrow at the boy's apology, but at least he seemed appropriate contrite. She certainly hoped the waterworks starting up weren't an attempt to get out of any sort of trouble though. "I should hope so. Next time perhaps you can spare a thought for someone else before you make a mess of the castle. The hall's not your doormat," She said in a huff, giving the boy a wave to shoo him off now that he'd at least made an attempt to clean up after himself. If the tears were sincere, hopefully he'd remember this before he made a mess next time. "And clean yourself up while you're at it, stop sniveling," She added, unimpressed with the whole display, though he voice had softened somewhat. She didn't want to make students cry, but she wasn't going to go easy on them just because they looked a little sad.