Coming to Terms.

[Neoma Tsylence]

Neoma had had enough of the indoors. Althought the majesty of Hogwarts castle was very pleasent, Neoma couldn't be inside for too long. She was in the Entrance Courtyard, sitting cross-legged on one of the stools. She had her noted and books in her lap and a quill in her hand. Homework seemed to follow her wherever she went, there simply was no place to hide.

Though sometimes she felt like she was the only one. She raised her head to look about her, as the Courtyard was dotted with students. Playing with marbles, from what she could tell, and cards. Some even had their wands out, practicing charms or defensive spells.

The world she saw before her, the world she had been immersed into, was less alien and strange to her than it had been at the beggining of the semester. Which was nearly a month ago now, if not more.

Her friends were few and far between, as she concentrated on working hard first and play later. The homework unfortunately, never failed to pile up as fast as she could get it finished. She had heard of a ball coming up soon, that was something to look forward to.

She was startled from her thoughts when someone approached her.

[Narrator]

"Whatcha got there, little firstie?" said one of older boys as he towered over her. The young man's smile wasn't welcoming. With him were at least two other boys.

"Is the little firstie struggling with homework already, Hector?" said one of the others.

"Looks like, Anthony. Maybe we should help her out." Hector said, still smiling and snatching some of the notes from Neoma's hand and holding it up. "Let's see...potions...all wrong, very wrong indeed. Take a look at this load of bollocks will you?"

Anthony grabbed the papers. "Mhmm. Quite terrible indeed. One would think she's muggle born the way she came up with these answers."

The boys laughed.

[Dónall Kennedy]

A bench off to the side of the Entrance Courtyard was occupied only by Dónall and his bag. He sat with his entire body on the bench seat, legs propped up with a book open laying flat against them. Every so often he would raise his eyes from the enthralling story to see what his House Mates were up to. He could hear some talking about him, but he paid them no attention.

However, when he saw a couple of them approach a blond haired little girl, probably a first year, he knew they weren't doing something honorable like offering to help with her homework. They could only be doing one thing.

He used to be the one leading those confrontations, but now he was the one who stood aside and watched. But, today, he just couldn't take it anymore. He knew he was no longer one of them, and that didn't scare him.

He dropped his book as he stood up abruptly, not caring that he lost his place. He left his bag and book unattended and strode over to where Anthony Corenthos and Hector Davenough were, intending to give them a piece of his mind.

"Oi, Corenthos, Davenough - step away from the firstie." he interjected, "Don't ya have anything better to do with your waste of time?"

[Narrator]

Hector turned around, his cold smile disappearing, turning into a sour grimace. "Well, well. If it ain't big ol' brave Donall Kennedy. Or, what was it again? Sir Donall Kennedy! Defending little firsties now eh? That Gryffie head of house loser ready has you wrapped around his finger don't he?" he spat venomously.

Students began to gather.

Anthony looked over his shoulder. "Next thing ye know, he'll probably want to join 'em."

[Dónall Kennedy]

Don ignored the boys' comments, especially the one about being wrapped around the Defense professor's finger. He was who he was simply because he was sick of the life his father had been forcing on him, and the mindless ideals he had been portraying for the past five years. He was standing up for himself, as much as he was for the little slip of a girl.

"I'm not here to fight you; just leave the girl alone."

[Narrator]

Hector's eyebrows quirked. "You hear that, Anthony? Not only is he telling us what to do, but he's picking a fight. Well, we weren't looking for one, but if you insist, traitor..."

Hector began to reach for his wand, as did Anthony.

"Oi! If your lookin' for a fight, you've got it comin' bludger brains!" came Gavin's voice from nearby. He marched forward alongside Donall, giving him a quick nod. "What's a matter there? Looking for some tips on your potions homework?"

Hector's scowl turned towards Gavin until Rudy's voice came in from behind them. Anthony froze when he felt something pointing into his back. "I suggest you don't try anything funny unless you want a nasty bat-bogey hex on you. I've got a theory that if I hit you at about here, you'll be coughing up phlegm for a week. Theoretically speaking, of course."

Anthony sniggered. "Attacking from behind and outnumbering us. That what Gryff's and Ravenclaw's mean when they preach about fighting fair?"

Rudy laughed. "Numerical advantage and flanking maneuvers; basic tactics. Don't you listen to anything in Defense?"

Anthony and Hector remained motionless.

[Dónall Kennedy]

Dónall wasn't surprised at the Slytherin boys' readiness and willingness to start a fight. That was what these ones in particular were known for; he had been one of the gang once, doing exactly just that.

He was surprised, though, to find that he had some backup from the noble house of Gryffindor and the intellectual Ravenclaw. Gavin Woodward and Rodolphus Maynard had joined him in his stance.

He nodded back at Gavin and acknowledged Rudy with a curt "Rodolphus." He slowly pulled out his wand, thinking through what was about to happen if he chose to follow through with hat had just been started.

"Like I said Ant, I'm not here to fight with you, but if I have to, I will. You and I both know what the outcome would be. Let's save each other the embarrassment and pain that comes along with dueling, and just how about you and Hec walk away?"

[Narrator]

Anthony's scowl remained as he thrust his wand back where he normally kept it. "No. You know what, Kennedy? I've had enough of your stupidities. You, me, duel. Next week. Without any of your cronies or new gang. Got it? I'm fed up with this stuck up attitude of yours. Your not better than us, so bring that high and mighty nose of yours back down."

Finally, Hector put his wand back down as well and both Slytherins went on their way after shoving the notes towards Rudy.

Gavin smiled as they walked away. "Maybe Headmistress Pierce has some extra first year books for you! You can double check with her!"

When Hector left, Rudy was left standing there with his finger pointed where Hector's back was. He lifted his index up. "Ah, what fools these mortals be." he said grinning.

Gavin smiled to Donall. "Ye know, if this is some sort of clever trap to decieve the Gryffindors into thinking your a decent guy, it's working."

[Dónall Kennedy]

"Ah great, a duel. Just what I bleeding well needed!" Don said, his words dripping with sarcasm.

He put his wand back where he had pulled it from, and turned to face his fellow sixth year students, the Gryffindor and the Ravenclaw. "I'm not decent, Woodward. I'm a far cry from ever being a decent boy. I just saw my Housemates acting like the arses they are and wanted to rectify the situation. They've been on my case for far too long now."

Realizing he had shared too much information, he shut himself up, not wanting them to think he'd truly gone soft or anything. He stood there, eyes rooted to the ground, feet shuffling on the paved courtyard ground.

'What have you gotten yourself into, Kennedy?! Duels are public!'

[Neoma Tsylence]

Neoma was speechless as the boy snatched up her notes. She stood up to try and demand them back, bud was faced with not one, two, but three undisirables. She back up and was forced to sit back down again when she hit the bench. What had she done to deserve this?!

Thankfully the entire situation had resolved itself, and Neoma got her notes back. She laid it out flat on her lap and starred at the ones who had 'come to her rescue.' She admired them in a way, as she hoped she'd be able to stick up for herself one of these days like they stook up for her. On the other hand, there was a lot of tension left in the courtyard afterwards and the one called Kennedy now had a threat looming over him that he was none too pleased to have, obviously.

She looked at him sideways, trying to communicate her thanks wordlessly. She sighed, a bit shaken. She decided that she'd retreat indoors for a time. Packing up her things, she got ready to head inside, darn Potions homework was none too easy.

[Dónall Kennedy]

Don looked away from the two boys who had come to his aid, and glanced at the girl who had been the target of his Housemates.

"Hey kid, you alright?" he asked, feeling that it was necessary to inquire and show a bit of concern. The words sounded strange coming out of his mouth; he wasn't usually like this.