Unexpected Company

Long Slytherin robes flowed behind him as Adrian briskly walked out the Bell Tower doors and in to the courtyard beyond. Only slowing his steps a little after reaching the centrepiece fountain where he eventually stopped. His bandaged hand found the back of the hunched.. gargoyle? He wasn't sure what manner of creature was sculpted in the stone, but at least it wasn't enchanted to complain when he took a bit of weight off and leaned against it to rest.

Not even Nurse Blainey had found a good explaination for his deteriorating physical condition. He'd just suddenly started feeling.. weak. Tired.
He threw a glance to the bandaged hand, recalling that night when his woes began. When he'd found an unexpected and frightening aptitude for the Imperius Curse. Perhaps something had backfired.. or maybe it was just his poor state of mind post-usage. But he didn't feel.. right, and as a result everything had become difficult. Even just heading out to watch the calm, starry sky was a laborious effort.

"Just breathe.." He muttered, annoyed over the condition he was in. The one thing the boy had been able to boast was how he at least kept in good shape. And now.. what? That'd be taken from him as well? Through some inexplicable, freak event? Adrian's uninjured hand slowly squeezed shut in to a fist. It was all so tiresome.

Some time later..

A moon-lit figure appeared on the nearby battlements. He recognized her immediately.. My Appletrundle. Much like himself she seemed fond of wandering in the later hours when most students were packed away in their dorms. Adrian had never done more than share a passing glance with the short-haired Hufflepuff, but the idea that someone else was at least in part facing similar challenges was a bit of a comfort. He followed the outline of the Witch's distant figure until she disappeared behind one of the tower crenellations. She must like that spot, he figured. It wasn't the first time he'd spotted her there.

A few minutes passed, and Adrian was making his way up those same battlements towards the tower. He wasn't ashamed to admit it.. He was curious about her, and the loneliness he felt only bolstered that curiosity with hopeful promise of a bit of shared company for once.

The blonde Slytherin hardly noticed how laboured his breath was by the time he reached the top. Which made it all the more surprising for him when it was clear My was taken completely unawares from his sudden appearence.

"Uh-.. Hi, Sorry I-.." Adrian wasn't even sure what to say now, realizing how strange it must look for him to have followed her up there. The Hufflepuff's startled expression certainly didn't help.
It triggered a bout of shame which washed over him, and pale cheeks turned a bit rosy as the pair looked at eachother in an awkward silence. A moment later and after finding a bit of courage, he walked over to the crenellation next to the one My was seated on. Arms folding atop it for a bit of support while eyes drifted away on some distant, random spot.

"I.. see you out here on your own sometimes." His tone was soft, careful almost. Like he was afraid he'd scare her away.
Before My had a chance to reply Adrian continued, the hint of a smile tugging on his lips: "It's nice isn't it? I like it at least. Especially on nights like this. So quiet and calm. Can just about see the lights from Hogsmeade up here."

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Thestrals were calm tonight judging by how quickly they'd settled down to rest, whatever forms they had painting outlines in the tall grass from their weight. They weren't loud creatures but if she focused it was possible to make out the gentle sounds they made towards one another...They liked this spot and she'd been lucky to find it, content to spend hours sat here painting pictures of how they might look in her mind. 'Vaguely horse-like' being the only description she had to base her mental image on left a lot of options and tonight she couldn't get the idea of them being comedically rotund ponies with wings out of her head. Oh, the ways you'd find to entertain yourself when not otherwise occupied...

Her mind had just managed to conjure up the terrible imagined creature into balancing on an equally ridiculous ball when a voice brought her back to the present, causing her body to rock back slightly in response to the unexpected visitor appearing in the night. His words themselves hadn't registered in her bewildered state but she was able to identify him as...Adrian, a Slytherin boy she had taken note of because he seemed to share her experience of always being on the fringes of groups looking in. He looked sweet and she'd been guilty of wishing she wasn't so terrible with boys, thinking they might have been friends if she wasn't so skittish....A trait reflected in this very moment as she's gathering the courage to excuse herself, body preparing to propel her to her feet so she can get out of his way .

But her darting eyes catch the look on his features and the soft realization that he isn't annoyed at her, that he'd actually approached her on purpose settles over her like a warm blanket. The guilty joy she feels in her heart at the prospect is enough to make her eyes water as he settles in next to her and she grabs her green scarf in both hands to ground herself in the situation. "Uh...yes." She manages to sound, hoping it's enough to at least let him that she's been able to hear him. Wait, he's seen her? She didn't think anyone took note of her and the idea is both mortifying and comforting at the same time.

She risks a glance in his direction to gauge his expression, the blonde gazing out over the night as he makes a genuine attempt at speaking to her. He looks nervous but...He's trying. Trying to interact with her in spite of it and she can't let his effort be in vain. With a deep inhale she hopes he can't hear she prepares herself. "Thankyoufor...." Brows knit together in annoyance at her words coming out rushed in her anxiety and she pushes down her urge to flee like the vile toad it is. A slight cough to clear her throat of it. (Toadal destruction, she notes to herself and wonders exactly which part of her is dedicated to these things and why?). "Sorry. Thank you for....Saying hi." She sees his hand, the way he's careful to avoid touching the stone he's leaning on telling her it's painful. Worry rises and it too is wrangled into submission... for the moment.

She smiles to herself, not brave enough to direct it at him but she wants to look friendly if he looks in her direction to assure him that he doesn't mind the company. She wants to tell him that yes, it's very nice out here and it's comforting to know he appreciates outings at this hour too, thank you for coming up to chat please have a seat!...But she knows her limits. So instead she tells him: "Moon is full tonight." One of her hands has started digging around in the small enchanted pouch hidden under her robe, clinking of glass and other things no doubt alerting him but she's on a mission and doesn't care. "Um. Your hand there? Hurts?" She croaks.

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As My croaked out her initial, anxiety-ridden response.. Adrian's only thought was how he actually hadn't ever heard the brunette Witch speak until then. It made the boy blink in surprise, finally breaking his pointed stare at the distant Hogsmeade rooftops. His athletic frame tensed a little too, but ultimately remained where he was. Affording My a view of the Slytherin in profile.
All the recent setbacks with other students had taken their toll, so Addie still lacked the confidence to turn and face the Hufflepuff like he inwardly wanted to. Not that it stopped an abrupt and genuine smile from curling on his soft lips. One which was only partially obscured by the shoulder-length, blonde hair.

".. It is." He replied in a gentle and almost distant tone, regarding her comment on the Moon. That celestial body was where his attention went next, in lieu of setting it on My herself. Again.. he really wanted to. Just.. couldn't. Not even the muffled sound of glass phials striking each other as a result of fumbling hands could pull Adrian out of his hesitation.. But those words did.

He'd honestly expected to simply stand there, sharing a brief and silent moment while gazing at the frankly strikingly beautiful night sky. Maybe receive a soft acknowleding hum at best before the skittish Witch bolted off.
Instead the Hufflepuff had been attentive enough to not only take note of the difficulty he had manouvering the injured hand without pain, but also asked him about it. Adrian straightened up and turned. Still the same distance from My just.. facing her. His bandaged hand extended as a means to sort of show off the object of their exchange. "Yeah-.. Yeah a bit. I cut it on some glass. Nothing too serious.. but it's slow to heal."

The taller Slytherin's expression was a mixture of mild surprise and warmth. Those blue eyes coming to rest on his unexpected, nightly companion. Finally, My had his undivided attention.

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Peering up at his hand for nary a moment, she rises to her feet with uncharacteristic purpose, his injury of far greater importance than her self doubt. "Um." She starts as she takes careful steps towards him with her gaze focused on his outreached hand, head tilting here and there to see it from more angles until she's close enough to get a proper look. "Sorry. My mother...A nurse." She explains with a sheepish smile as their eyes meet for a moment. His features are gentle and fair, how nice. she notes to herself.

"When did it happen?" One of her gloved hands point at his hand meaningfully, the other still kept in the pouch within her robe. "If you're comfortable answering. Sorry." She's quick to add, scared he'll be made uncomfortable by her forwardness like many others had been in the past. I suppose I do look like the kind who might poison you... Another intrusive thought to push down. Not now.

The bandage tells her the school nurse has already looked after his injury and she's grateful that's one line of questioning she doesn't need to pursue. But...The way he carries herself tells her his hand is causing him considerable discomfort which means something is wrong.

"...Any fever? When was the last time you looked at it?" She's afraid of being pushy, squandering the kindness Adrian has shown her by approaching her. It's outweighed by the chance that she may be able to help, in however small of a way it might be.

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Adrian's head tilted slightly to the side as My began taking careful steps to close the distance between the two. "Really?" It didn't sound like he was doubting the brunette's claim about her mother's occupation.. More so he was surprised and interested. ".. For a while I wanted to become a nurse as well. But I'm terrible with herbs and potions." An amused huff escaped the boy, his other hand moving over to slowly unwrap the several-days-old bandages.

As she inquired about when it happened, he replied with a short: "A.. while ago now." Part of him wanted to offer some additional detail as to the reason for the injury and when it happened, but Adrian likewise didn't want to dredge up all those rotten and self-deprecating thoughts yet again. Instead he worked the bandage off, and with each layer of white cloth being removed they became increasingly gritty. With the final one barely hiding the state of the infected and inflamed cut which carried from one end of his palm, to the other.

"A-Also a while ago." Adrian muttered in reply regarding when he last looked at it, noticing with a frown the slight but involuntary spasms in his injured hand. Unbeknownst to My, he'd never told Nurse Blainey about this specifically. Instead the bandage was his own, and he'd not bothered to douse it with any kind of anti-septic substance beforehand.

Whether he'd been feverish he kept to himself for now, or more likely he didn't even know. So much else had been wracking his thoughts, the idea that he was getting sick because the athletic boy's body fought off infection never even occured to him.

Not that either of the students would likely consider it in that moment - but the urgent nature of impending treatment appeared to push away self-doubts and hesitation over such an ad hoc meeting between two otherwise skittish people.
Adrian looked concerned as the full extent of what had been troubling him was exposed. But My's careful, caring presence was also calming and appreciated. Even if he never said as much outright, it showed itself in his body language. Eyes often darting up to search for hers. Fingers on the injured hand splayed apart to give the Witch easier access, despite how it clearly hurt him to do so.
Once she was close enough he even subconsciously turned himself in a way that the occasional gust of wind up in the tower would be absorbed by his back, rather than strike the Witch while she inspected the extent of his wound.

".. It didn't look that bad last time."

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"...Good at it." She mutters a little too quietly to be sure he'd heard her. "Being a nurse. I think you'd be good at it." Eyes dare to linger on his face for a moment to smile at him reassuringly. It would've been nice to elaborate on what she meant by that, but she knows she'd struggle to make her thought coherent and feared the effect her stumbling would have on the fledgeling conversation.

An honest effort to mask her concern is made while he unwraps the bandage but which each revealed layer her brows knit, corners of her mouth falling into a frown before she got her expression under control. "Oh!" Is exhaled with empathy as the full state of it is revealed. The hand which had been deep in the mysterious pouch by her side shoots up to join the other where it hoovers raised in the air, palms facing down towards the direction of his hand with her fingers spread like she's about to either touch him or...She's trying to soothe him like one would a spooked animal? Hard to tell. Something kicks into gear. It's infected.

"It hurts a lot, doesn't it? Let's see..." She looks towards the old tower connected to the wall they're stood on, a heavy old oaken door firmly shut and padlocked standing in their path. "If it's alright with you I think I could help a little." One hand dives into the sleeve of her robe to fish out her wand; a twisting piece with flecks of what appears to be moss adorning it. Without pausing to hear his reply she jogs over to the door...Judging by the the way the toes of her boots accidentally bounce against the ground not once but twice nearly sending her tripping making it easy to discern her less than athletic nature.

The short distance leaves her winded and she has to pause to catch her breath before she raises her wand.
"Alohomora." Spoken in the tone someone would use to request entry rather than demand it, but the lock seems willing as it slides away. Her head is turned his way and she waves her hand in a come-hither motion.

"It's... Storage! But it'll get us out of the wind!" Her voice is lined with sudden concern as she imagines herself sounding like a sinister solicitor trying to lure an unknowing victim into a dark alley to demand they hand over all their valuables. "I go in here! Sometimes?!" She explains.

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Adrian met her gaze as she suggested the Slytherin would make a good nurse, and while he didn't say anything - he returned the reassuring smile she offered him with a thin one of his own.
Inwardly the boy knew it wasn't true. At least not in his current state, he'd need a lot more practice with herbology especially. Professor Garlick had tried her best but he could never quite find the focus and drive needed to learn - and the result was often disastrous when he tossed in the wrong ingredients for his potions.

"It's not very pleasant." What a diplomatic answer, it obviously hurt him a lot. Especially now that the bandage was off and the lack of pressure meant the spasms tore at the seams of infected skin. Adrian wasn't sure why he was trying to pretend it was fine. Another spasm.. which was followed immediately by intense pain set his mind right - and he changed his tune. ".. Y-Yes, that would be alright."

He followed My a few steps behind, not really questioning the abrupt invitation. The idea that My of all people would be some kind of solicitor with suspect motives never even entered his thoughts. Likely because the pulsing, hot pain from the wounded hand was a very compelling distraction. That, as well as having to half-reach for My anytime she seemed about to fall, only for his hand to lower again when she found her footing. How did she even get up here without regularly bruising? Adrian shook his head a little in disbelief before continuing.

With My up front, they entered the unlocked storage room together. Which - while not that much warmer, defintiely offered more protection from the biting wind. "So.. like a hideout?"

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The witch is quick to second-guess her decision to suggest they retreat to their current location. After spending so much time there she'd grown used to the...Interesting decor surrounding them. By all accounts it had once served as a prison as evident by the cell taking up one of the four walls and to her horror the cage hanging by the door was still swinging as he entered after she'd bumped into it with her shoulder in her haste to get out of the wind. "I don't know if you could call it that, I mean it's...You know." She gestures towards the ominous room at large apologetically.

There's a lantern resting on a pile of masonry blocks near the middle of the room, one she herself had taken the liberty of placing there to make her visits more pleasant. A glance is cast towards the boy before she opens it and uses a matchstick to light the candle within. Warm light fills the small space and she gestures for him to enter the illuminated area while placing a white cloth over the free space next to the lantern. "It's not ideal but...If it's alright please put your arm here for a moment?" Her pouch is retrieved from within her robes and she's quick to rummage through it now that she's able to peer into it. "...No allergy to Mallowsweet?" She questions while procuring a number of small bottles and vials of varying shapes and sizes, gently placing them around the cloth.

"If you don't object I think we...Could get you cleaned up. These are um." Hesitation sets in. "They're all regular things from Hogsmeade mostly, please have a look at the lables and such." She clarifies. "...Professor Sharp helped me make one of them but we don't need to use that one, I don't think." Memories of over-eager attempts at helping being met with disgust surface...

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After his eyes adjusted to the dim light inside, Adrian blinked in mild surprise. He'd expected your average storeroom, crates, old items long forgotten by their owners.. That sort of stuff. Instead it looked something just shy of a prisoner cell. A strange looking statue on the tabel at the end of the room certainly didn't help, nor did the bathtub literally stuck behind bars. ".. Yeah." He replied simply, definitely not your usual student hideout.

The lack of any kind of furniture was a bit of a problem, but the makeshift pile of masonry blocks would have to do. Adrian moved up to take a seat so My could work on the wounded hand. Though before he did the Slytherin paused mid-step for a brief moment after almost bumping in to the brunette. It felt.. odd, he wasn't that tall compared to most others in his year, but sized up this close to someone as short as My well.. he had just about a full head on her in height difference. It was unfamiliar but it felt.. nice in a way he couldnt quite describe. Maybe it was just the fever taking it's toll on his mind but-..

He shook his head out of whatever distracting thoughts gave him pause and sat down, arm laid out on the white cloth illuminated by the nearby lantern. "No allergies." Another short response. The way his breath hitched gently on every intake suggested the damp air combined with his rising fever was making it increasingly laborius for the ill boy to exert himself, at least while his body expended all energy on fighting the infection.

Adrian looked up at the Hufflepuff witch who now had the height advantage after he'd sat down. "No.. No objections.." He huffed out in between heavy breaths. Even had he cared enough to read the labels, his vision was blurry to the point where he'd not have a chance to make out what any of them said. For better or worse, he trusted My's help.
He felt how she reached for his hand to gently press fingers open for better access, and the initial contact was.. painful. Somewhere in the recesses of his addled mind a voice lamented how it was nothing like what he'd seen from Euphemia and James. It had looked so pleasant when she cared for the Slytherin Seeker. Adrian just felt.. awful, he'd wanted to help My. Maybe distract her from the grisly work of mending the infected hand with some light conversation.. Instead he quietly looked away, focused entirely on sitting upright while maintaining his somewhat unsteady breathing.

"Fix me." He'd broken the short silence. His tone - previously polite and friendly, appeared twisted from the fever. The words left the tip of his tongue as something more akin a low and exasperated demand.
Adrian had felt a simlar urge not long ago.. Practicing the Imperius Curse. A sudden need to dominate a situation. Just like back then, it wasn't a conscious effort. At least he didn't think it was.. he hoped it wasn't.

His head turned and a pair of blue, tired eyes settled on My. Was it because she was so small? Weak? His gaze dropped, Adrian didn't want to entertain those kind of thoughts and fortunately - a less distressed part of his mind prevailed for now.

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