Not What I'd Planned

[Cameron Gillenwater]

In the few months Cammie had been attended Hogwarts, there had not been one time he'd forgotten the password to the common room. It was usually something easy to remember—that or he'd always found someone who knew it upon reading the entrance way. Tonight, however, that was not the case.

After falling asleep in one of the back corners of the library, the first year had woken up to find that it was almost curfew. There were few students in the hallways, and he'd darted up the stairs at full speed, only stopping for a split second to make sure the staircase wasn't moving as he proceeded to climb it. Upon reaching the common room entrance, his face twisted in horror.

Oh God, what was the password?! He glanced around him, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone familiar around the staircase, but there was absolutely no one. Letting out a tiny whimper in both fear and defeat, the Gryffindor moved his back against the wall and slid down to the floor, wrapping his arms around his legs. Someone would have to find him eventually!

He sat there for almost half an hour, and it became apparent to him that he was the last student who'd arrived at the common room at the late hour. Everyone was most likely in bed, and there was little chance that there would be anyone letting him in. He began drifting off to sleep, a copy of his Defence Against the Dark Arts reading in hand, before he heard someone's voice.

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[Esther Abbott]

Esther had been quite ready to enjoy the comfort of her bed after a long day. The common room had finally cleared out, with the final student headed for bed, and Esther was quite happy to do the same after a bit of light reading.

As seemed to be her too common habit, however, it seemed that the matron had left her book elsewhere. Sighing, she left her room and headed for the portrait hole, deciding that if the book weren't in the staff lounge, she would simply leave it until tomorrow. She really ought to be better about these things, but she'd said so the last several times she'd left her belongings somewhere. It was only fortunate that apparently her belongings were of no interest to anyone else. Esther chose to assume that meant others lacked good taste, and not that she enjoyed boring things.

She did not get far, however, as when the portrait swung open, it revealed not an empty corridor, but instead a student, who seemed to have fallen asleep. For Merlin's sake. Esther cleared her throat, rather loudly. Then, her stern what the devil are you doing? voice,"Mr. Gillenwater."

  

[Hestia Fairchild]

Hestia was running as fast as she could. She was late, again. She didn't mean to be. She had been having such a nice chat with a ghost, when the ghost happened to have mentioned the time. Now, she was in a panic. She was so easily distracted.
She ran up to see the door open, along with a student and... the house matron! Oh no, as if Hestia's luck wasn't bad enough! She slowed to a stop and looked down. "H-hello, Mrs. Abbott." She said nervously. She glanced at the sleeping student briefly. "Hi, Gillenwater." She added quietly.

  

[Esther Abbott]

Merlin help her, two students out after curfew. "Miss Fairchild," Esther said. "Would one of you like to give me an explanation for what you're doing out at this time?"

  

[Hestia Fairchild]

Hestia looked down at her feet, avoiding looking at the house matron. "I was trying to be nice. A kind ghost had started a conversation and I couldn't just be rude and ignore them. I lost track of time. Then he mentioned the time and I panicked. I tried to get there as fast as I can." She said sheepishly. She felt so embarrassed. And the thought of her sister finding out, oh what a disaster.

  

[Cameron Gillenwater]

Cameron's eyes fluttered open at the sound of a stern voice hovering from above. He looked up, his eyes focusing on the matron and then on the other first year. His eyes immediately widened, and he quickly shuffled to his feet.

"I had no intentions of staying out past curfew, Ms. Abbott," he said firmly, glancing at his year-mate with a look of suspicion. "I was the last—or at least I thought I was the last—student to come back to the common room this evening. I couldn't remember the password and was locked outside." He doubted the matron would question his statement; wouldn't he try to hide if he'd been out on purpose? But here he'd been, resting against the common room door in hopes that someone found him and let him inside.

He wasn't sure, however, that he believed the other first year's statements. She had guilt written all over her features, and he imagined that she'd run into them on her escape back. He, of course, had nothing to do with her breaking of curfew.

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[Hestia Fairchild]

326 Words

Hestia felt like melting into the floor to avoid any looks that were being given to her, and any punishment she may be getting. She hated this. Her mind always seemed to wonder and it was not fair. Everyone else seemed to be able to go about their day just fine, but she seemed to mess up at every turn.
She glanced up slightly, just in time to see her fellow first year's look of suspicion. She looked up completely and raised an eyebrow at him, listening to what he was saying. She didn't like the tone in his voice. "What? Do you think I'm lying? How rude of you. And you don't even know me. You have no right to look at me like that. And I was being completely honest. Ask my siblings, I loose track of time easily." She said in frustration. "I'm sure Artemis would love to make a whole speech about it." She added.
How dare he? She would understand an adult being a bit skeptical, as they had every right to question her story since they were older, but he had non. He was her age, and he was out just like her. And for all she knew, he wasn't being honest, but she never mentioned it. She was much more kinder than to throw suspicion to anyone.
She crossed her arms. "Well, if I had forgotten the password, I would at least have tried to get some one's attention instead of falling asleep on the floor. Like, I don't know, calling out, knocking on the frame. Of course, while being careful not to damage it. But I would do a lot more than give up. So I'm not so sure if I believe your little story." She said. She would have dropped it, but he had made her mad, and had mocked a flaw that she was already annoyed by. At least, it felt like she was being mocked.

  

[Cameron Gillenwater]

Cammie was faced with the decision of either choosing to allow the other girl's words to bother him or scoffing at her ridiculousness. Though under normal circumstances he wouldn't even have given the girl a nasty look, he was far too tired to worry about kindness right now. He allowed the girl to speak, not throwing around any smart remarks ... at least not yet.

He eyed the matron, hoping to get a feeling as to what thoughts were going through her mind. He wasn't too familiar with the matron—he usually stayed out of trouble and she usually dealt with the female Gryffindors. He had no clue how she'd take his explanation. He turned back towards the other first year and offered a pair of raised eyebrows and a light shrug.

"Might I suggest, Miss, that you're overreacting to a simple glance of the eyes. There's no need to throw a temper tantrum in the corridors." Enter smart remarks. "I do not need, nor want, your opinion on whether or not my explanation is true. If Madam Abbott wants to figure out what really happen, I'm fairly certain she has the means to figure it out."

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@'Esther Abbott'