One of those days

[Jean Snow]

Prefect patrols often got in the way of other things that the teenager preferred to be doing like hanging out with his brother or Archie and Orwell, practicing quidditch, or studying with Victoire which typically involved watching her study while he tried to distract her with other things. All of those things were a lot more fun than prefect patrols, especially day time prefect patrols like this one. During the day time ones, the prefects were expected to walk around and stop fights in the halls, help lost or homesick first years, stupid stuff. Such a waste, Jean thought as he leaned against a wall in the North Tower, hearing the hooting of the owls in the owlery down the hall.

The teenager barely remembered his partner's name, some Ravenclaw girl who'd probably have nothing interesting to discuss. Jean's face displayed just how eager he was for this patrol, which was to say not at all. Spotting someone coming down the hall, the Gryffindor hoped it was her finally showing up. The sooner that they began, the sooner they would be able to clock out and he could head off to meet Orwell. Jean had asked the teen for his help with a bothersome situation he was facing. Today, he'd get some answers or at least he hoped he would. Orwell hadn't let him down yet, so he had faith. Moving to the window, Jean hopped up onto the ledge to continue waiting. It didn't matter to him that he was just a little early. He didn't feel he should have to wait at all.

 

[Paige Hardy]

Paige was still getting used to the whole 'Prefect' thing, she still wasn't really sure what she had done to warrant the title but he had it none the less and she was determined to make good use of it. She received her first patrol assignment, it was a day shift in the North tower. Nothing that screamed excitement but Paige was still looking forward to it, though some prefects had warned her novelty of being a prefect would soon wear off. That remained to be seen. Paige put her books away into her trunk after a morning of studying and headed out of the common room.

Paige didn't know much about her partner for the day, Jean was his name, at least she thought so. Maybe she would have to fish around for it when she met him. The Ravenclaw made her way up towards the North tower, she could see someone at the far end of the corridor waiting and she assumed that he was her partner for the day. She smiled at him as she drew closer though that smile soon faded as she got close enough to see the expression on his face. He was not happy about having to do the patrol. Great. She would have to spend the afternoon with someone who didn't want to be there, that wasn't exactly going to make the experience very enjoyable. "Hi," She said cautiously as she approached him. "I'm Paige, you're Jean right?

 

[Eleanor Hope]

The Hogwarts Castle was just too big. It was so big that she had trouble finding her own common room once she wandered away far enough let alone the next class that she needed to go to. She knew the Astronomy classroom was in one of the towers but couldn't quite find the right one and was very confused. Too many towers had left a small eleven year old running around the top of the castle frantically running late for class. Perhaps the Astronomy Classroom wasn't even in one of the towers? Or maybe it just disappeared? Whatever it was, it was starting to frustrate Eleanor and her short-temper wasn't helping her at all.

Upon finding a new set of stairs that she knew led up to one of the towers, she quickly made her way up it, just hoping that it was the one that she wanted. There were too many stairs in this castle and not only were there a lot but some of them even moved which just confused her even more. Truthfully, she didn't have to worry about how much weight she was putting on from the delicious Hogwarts food because she was just taking it off again climbing all these stairs. But unfortunately, when she made it to the top, it didn't look like a classroom at all and instead had spotted two people, a male and a female, who seemed to be much older than her. Perhaps they could help her?

"Hey," she said tentatively, trying to catch her breath. She wasn't sure if she had just disrupted an important meeting or not but she wouldn't be long and then they could go back to whatever they were doing. She looked up at them both as she spoke. "I was just wondering if you guys have some kind of map? I'm really lost at the moment and I wish they'd just give us maps! You know how much easier that would be!?" She sighed, sitting on one of the benches, burying her face into her hands. She knew she must have already missed half the lesson due to her lateness so hopefully these people could help her.

 

[Jean Snow]

As an older looking teenaged girl approached him, Jean watched her. She was moving slowly, but out was with apprehension and he wondered if it was a Hufflepuff he'd gotten teamed with and he'd been mistaken. She introduced herself as Paige, her voice full of apprehension. Jean would have rolled his eyes had she not been looking directly at him. Before he could even reply, a first year, it had to be by the size of her, interrupted, out of breath, to ask them for something. Help, probably. He wasn't paying attention, and as she headed for a bench to cry, Jean knew it was going to be one of those days.

"We'll be with you in a moment dear" he responded, " the big kids are talking now. How about you take a few deep breaths?" It all would have sounded like he was being helpful had it not been for the tone he was using with the girl. It was lacking excitement and kindness, more like he was just going through the motions of what he knew he had to do. The Gryffindor looked back at this Paige he was supposed to patrol with. She had to be a fifth year. He didn't recognize her from classes or from last year's meeting. Sometimes, older students got promoted, like his twin, but she didn't look as old as them. At least, she was cute. Not beautiful like his girlfriend, but she wasn't hideous so there was that. "Paige, I'm Jean Snow" he replied, his accent very obviously French. "I think she needs your help" he replied, with an eye roll. Jean didn't deal with crying little girls very well.

 

[Paige Hardy]

Any hope of Paige and her patrol partner getting evaporated in her eyes as soon as he opened his mouth. He was very dismissive of a first year who seemed to want there help and she couldn't help but wonder why he was even a prefect if he was going to treat people in need like that. He didn't seem too impressed with her himself so the feeling was mutual, this was going to be a long patrol. He introduced himself as Jean Snow so at least she had his name right.

Paige looked over at the first year girl, Jean had told her to wait while the big kids talked. She couldn't believe how rude he was to someone who just wanted his help. He emphasised to Paige that she needed her help suggesting he would be staying clear of the girl. Great. She rolled her eyes at him, "Well I see you're going to be a great help," She sighed and walked over to the first year girl. "Hey there, you said you were lost, where is it your trying to get to?" She asked calmly. Paige could remember a number of times in her first year when she got lost, but she never had the fortune to bump intoba friendly prefect who could help her.

 

[Eleanor Hope]

The boy of the two was being rather rude and Eleanor looked up at him with one eyebrow raised, quite offended. How did he ever get selected to be a prefect? He must have somehow cast a spell on his head of house because anyone sane would never make someone like him a prefect. "Sorry then." she mumbled quite irritably as she looked at him, eyes narrowed. She had a feeling that she disturbed something but, from the looks of it, they were only up to introductions so it probably wasn't as important as the boy was saying. People as disrespectful like that didn't deserve to abuse such an important role and she made note of his name in her head as he introduced himself to the girl so she knew to avoid him at all costs. No way was she going to want to come across him again.

As the girl walked over to where Eleanor was sitting, she smiled at her, glad that there was someone available who was friendly and would be able to help her. "Well, I'm not sure. I was looking for the Astronomy Tower but none of these towers seem to be it. Is it even in a tower? I thought it would be but I'm not sure whether or not I'm looking for a tower or just a room." she said, shrugging. By the time she makes it there anyway the lesson would have ended and she was probably just going to get into trouble for being late which she didn't want when she had only just arrived at the castle. If the girl could help her then she would be very thankful. If not, she'd have to pretend she was sick or something and couldn't make it. After all, she found it embarrassing to admit to her professor that she had become lost.

 

[Jean Snow]

Jean made a motion with his hands, gesturing Paige over to the first year. He remained seated, his arms crossed as he listened to the two interact. At least, she'd managed to stop her crying and blubbering. Jean considered that a victory and felt like he'd done the right thing in telling her to take those breaths. They'd done wonders. He rolled his eyes as she spoke. "It's not called the Astronomy tower for nothing." The Gryffindor looked at the time and then back up at the first year. It was obvious she was a first year by now. No one else was entitled to be that dense or he'd really have turned on the sarcasm. "Are you really going to walk into class now? You've missed most of the lesson" he stated, his voice very matter-of-fact. Jean knew there was a new professor for the first years. He didn't know if the woman was nice or mean.