Siobhan didn't know when she had fallen asleep, only that she had at one point changed out of her uniform and into her pajamas with the intention of continuing her match-to-needle transfigurations. Thus, when she woke up at five in the morning, lying on top of the covers with a few scattered needles around her, she was surprised – not only because she had been successful but also because there was no viable reason for her inability to stay up late! Alistair would be ashamed.

She knew she was far, far too early for breakfast and so grinned, stroking her kneazle with a manic grin on her face as she considered Kyle's plan for the defense lesson. Siobhan cracked open her off-curriculum textbook, 'Hexes and Jinxes for the Young Witch in Danger' and pulled her wand out from under her pillow where she'd left it.

Locomotor mortis, eh?

Kyle unlike Siobhan stayed up and worked on the essay and the turning matchsticks to needles. He had no luck with the needles, until nearly nine. At that point he decided he was quite ready for sleep.

He woke up at nearly seven. Classes didn't start till nine and breakfast wasn't till eight. He lay in bed for a bit before finally getting up and getting ready. He made a point to leave his curtains open. If his sister was going to trap his bed again at least he'd have warning again.

Kyle was sitting in the common room, when his sister slid onto the couch next to him. "So little brother, sleep well?"

"Yeah, the beds here are rather comfortable." He didn't dare look up from his book.

"Are you going to do as asked?" Maggie asked Kyle without looking at him, she was gazing off and up through the windows into the lake.

"Yes." Kyle responded. He stopped reading, his heart pounded, what did Maggie want?

"Good." She stood up and strode out of the common room. Kyle glanced at his watch, close enough to breakfast. He gathered the books he'd need for the morning and left the Slytherin common room confused.

When Siobhan finally went down to breakfast, her tie was askew and her hair curlier than ever -- mostly because she had taken a brief nap in the common room for about an hour before heading out. Reaching the Great Hall, she blinked the sleep out of her eyes and dropped down into a seat at the Gryffindor table next to Yvette.

She couldn't help the smile from spreading across her face. Today was going to be fun, she was sure of it.

"You're looking chipper today," said Yvette, passing over a few slices of toast from her right to Siobhan. "Not that you didn't yesterday... I mean..."

Siobhan grinned wider. "It's going to be a good day today. With Defense Against the Dark Arts, y'know?" She subtly surveyed the Slytherin table from her position, somehow managing to keep up a light conversation with her muggleborn friend at the same time. Now... where was Kyle..? Rubbing her eyes again, she couldn't quite make him out through the cloudy film of tiredness. Maybe she had stayed up just a little too late, or gotten up a little too early.

Kyle entered the Great Hall, shoving the last book into his bag. He glanced around and spotted Siobhan. She was rubbing her eyes. He gave her a nod in greeting, then took his seat at the Slytherin table. Kyle ate quickly wanting to make sure he and Siobhan could get good seats. Part of their act had to be being close during DADA. Then making a huge scene after the class ended. He hoped they'd have a reason to make pairs. Or even better, if Snape had them break up into larger groups. Then Kyle could realistically know about the mudblood girl.

It is a sign of how Kyle was raised that he didn't even realize that he called her a mudblood. To him the word was as common as muggle, and more common than muggle-born. Only a distant part of him completely realized the implication of the word.

As soon as Kyle was done eating he crossed the great divide of the hall and joined Siobhan at her table. "You ready?" He grinned at her. He was just as excited as she was. He resisted giving any of the Gryffindors a friendly nod, couldn't let them think he was too nice.

"Yep!"

Siobhan quickly threw her book bag over her shoulder and climbed over the bench, following up with a cheerful wave at Yvette who tilted her head in confusion at Kyle's presence. On second thought... Siobhan grabbed an apple -- she was acquiring quite the taste for them -- before leading her Slytherin friend out of the hall and up to the stairs.

"Third floor, right? 3C?" she asked, nervous excitement clear in her voice. She already knew well enough where the classroom was, but it was just to be sure. "I hope Snape -- Professor Snape -- doesn't give us homework." There, something neutral. She couldn't ask Kyle what he was planning on saying, otherwise her surprise wouldn't be believable.

"Yeah it is." Kyle nodded and then added, "Same here. I did finish the Transfiguration essay last night though. I need to re-write it before I turn it in." Kyle slid into idle chatter easily. He pulled a needle out of his pocket. "This was a matchstick yesterday." The bell hadn't rung yet, and they were the first students into the classroom.

"Where do you want to sit?" Kyle figured front row would be best, it'd give Professor Snape the clearest view of them. But the idea of sitting in the front row always made Kyle a bit jumpy. He preferred a seat or two back.

"Right in the front, of course. I wouldn't miss this lesson for the world," she said innocently, taking a seat and unpacking her textbook from the bag. Contrary to her actions in Potions, she actually preferred sitting at the very front of the classroom, mostly because she just knew she would fall asleep in the back. Even so, Siobhan thought that Kyle seemed a little too antsy about their chosen table... maybe he was shy?

Or perhaps he hadn't yet experienced the wonders of being a teacher's pet?

As the class began to file in, Siobhan pulled out her notebook and quill. She expected that they wouldn't be allowed to chit-chat during Snape's class, and so if the only way was passing notes... well. Needs must. Still, the professor was nowhere in sight so she leaned over and quietly whispered, "I've got an idea of how to start this off at the end. The real challenge is not being late to our next class." They were due to have the wonders of Slughorn for a single period next. Joy.

Kyle nodded, "Okay I'll take my cue from you then." The words had finished leaving his mouth and the bell rang just as Professor Snape walked into the classroom. Silence filled the room with the Professor's appearance.

"We'll be discussing the most basic forms of protection in this class. There are two parts to magic offensive and defensive." Professor Snape went on to explain two important basic spells. The Red sparks and Green sparks spells and how they could be applicable for both offensive and defensive situations. "For homework, practice these spells. Preferably outside, do not point it at each other." Professor Snape's voice at this warning seemed bored. "I also expect a twelve inch essay on the differences between offensive and defensive magic, don't list spells, explain how they are different." The bell rang dismissing the class.

Kyle gathered his stuff, and waited for Siobhan's cue.

Siobhan spent the whole of Snape's lesson practically bouncing in her seat, and to anyone except Kyle, it would've looked like she was just excited to get out of the class -- maybe event to attend Potions! Her eyes often flicked to Yvette. The girl had a knack for being able to instinctively know the time and anticipate the bell ringing; thus, she had been the first one out of the class and to the next one for all of yesterday.

Siobhan was going to use that. It was hardly a secret that Yvette was a muggleborn, after all. (Maybe a mudblood. She still wasn't sure if Kyle subscribed to that ideology, but she knew it was bad.) A part of her felt guilty for involving her sort-of friend in it.

When Snape's lesson ended and after she had completely forgotten the essay task, Siobhan turned towards the Gryffindor already striding purposefully towards the door and called out, "Yvette! Save me a seat, right?" The girl turned around and nodded, dimples emphasising her bright smile. It would mean she couldn't sit next to Kyle in the next lesson but... sacrifices had to be made.

Although not the subtlest of girls, Siobhan turned to pack her stuff back in her bag slowly so as to watch most of the class filter out. Despite the interesting subject matter, the professor seemed extremely off-putting. She felt particularly mouse-like during the entire time. Her eyes flickered up to Kyle in a questioning gesture, one that read something along the lines of, 'Was that enough?'

Kyle caught on, Yvette was the mudblood Siobhan had mentioned. "I thought you were going to sit next to me." Kyle's voice was raised and he sounded hurt, "You're going to sit next that mudblood instead?" His heart raced. As he said the word mudblood, he let all the venom he had learned toward muggleborns ooze out into his voice.

Professor Snape, who had just been about to step out of the classroom, paused and watched the pair. Kyle and Siobhan could have no way of knowing what was going through Snape's head. Kyle hoped though that it would be something that would show his treasonous ways.

"I... How could you use that word?" Siobhan folded her arms defensively, staring as if in shock at Kyle. Just as planned. "There's nothing wrong with Yvette! Just because her parents are muggles doesn't mean she's a bad person! At least she's not a... bigot!" That was the word she was looking for, and she ruthlessly suppressed a victorious grin as she thought of it.

Her eyes watered up as if on command, tears looking as if they were threatening to spill in anger and surprise, and a hand slipped down to curl in her robes. She was half-turned away as if to run out the door but instead she stayed, staring stoically at Kyle.

She wondered what Snape would do -- for now he seemed content to observe silently, but he might give them both detention just on principle.

"That's rich coming from someone who claimed to be a Slytherin." Kyle resisted looking at Professor Snape. He curled his hands into fists "I should have known you were a blood traitor as soon as the hat put you in Gryffindor bunch of muggle lovers."

Snape had, at Kyle calling Siobhan a blood traitor, shifted. His eyes flickered between the two kids. They didn't know he could 'read' their minds, but the limited prep they had put into this made their reactions more real. Siobhan's tears sealed the deal.

"That's enough. McCarthy, for that comment you have dentition Friday." Kyle frowned. Snape had given him a dentition, interesting.

"I just meant that-" Kyle tried to protest.

"I don't care what you meant. You will have dentition with me promptly at six pm Friday night. MacFusty you too better be in my office promptly at six Friday night." Kyle fought back any other comments in case Snape decided the punishment wasn't good enough. "Now both of you go or you'll be late for Potions."

Siobhan's eyes flickered to Kyle for a moment, mock defiance clear in her eyes, before she excused herself with a nod and a simple, "Sir."

Turning on her heel, she darted down the corridor wiping the few crocodile tears she had shed from her eyes. Knowing that she couldn't sit next to Kyle in potions now nor talk to him until they 'made up' was distressing, but she had to grin and bear it -- at least until Friday. Her breath was short and fast-paced, as was her heart as she rushed into the classroom which Slughorn hadn't yet entered.

Yvette smiled at her once she sat down next to her. "Not sitting with Kyle?"

Siobhan grinned weakly back. "Nah," she said. "Sometimes I need a bit of girl talk."

Kyle walked slowly digesting what had happened. Snape had given them both detention at the same time. That was an odd reaction. He didn't pick sides. Now he'd have to wait until Friday to see what happened then.

Kyle darted into the class claiming the free seat next to Sam just as the bell rang.
"Dude, I heard your fight." Sam gave Kyle an odd look, one between sympathy and 'it's about damn time'. Kyle shook his head, because Slughorn walked in.

"All right today we'll be working on the Cure for Boils potions, please get your things out and start." Slughorn sunk into his chair and watched as the students started preparing their potion.

Siobhan had begun to violently crush the snake fangs required for the potion with the mortar and pestle when Yvette -- who had been slicing the pungous onions -- looked up from her meticulous work with a nervous smile. "So did you and Kyle get into a fight?"

The Gryffindor paused, realising that the powder inside the bowl was as fine as it could be. Quietly, she mumbled, "Yeah. Just a bit." She poured the snake fangs in and started to stir, and the rest of the potion was made under an impenetrable silence.

Just as they had taken the potion off the fire to add the porcupine quills, the muggleborn added, "I'm sure you'll make up soon." Siobhan didn't want to respond and thankfully didn't get a chance to as Slughorn meandered over to them.

"Quite excellent! There has been a lot of good potion-making in this class today," he called out. Turning to Yvette, he ordered, "Now wave your wand above the mixture to finish it." Siobhan could tell when he hadn't left the table that he was going to speak to her again with an internal groan of dread. She'd forgotten about it, but Snape's detention had perfect timing. What a shame. "Ah, Miss MacFusty, about the get-together of students on Friday..."

"Unfortunately I can't make it, professor, but I'm sure I'll be able to attend another time!" Siobhan watched as Yvette was forced to bottle their potion on her own. "I think Alistair might be going, though!" That seemed to settle Professor Slughorn and he continued on his walk around the classroom. The bell couldn't have rung fast enough -- Siobhan was already packed up and out the door to The Great Hall by the time it did.

Kyle's potion was just shy of perfect. He wished he could have another go at it. But he bottled it up and turned it in anyway. He and Sam walked to lunch together. Kyle was glad Slughorn ignored him. That was an advantage of the fight, he wouldn't get any extra attention from Slughorn. Kyle could tell that Slughorn didn't like families with ties to Voldemort. Apparently Maggie had heard that Malfoy was annoyed at not having been invited to the so called Slug Club. Kyle hadn't dared mentioned it to Maggie that Siobhan had been, and the only reason she wouldn't be going was because of their shared detention.

Kyle ate lunch quickly. He wanted to walk around the lake again. A part of him hoped Siobhan would go out there too. If she did they'd be able to have a few whispered words before going back to "fighting". He wanted to ask her opinion on how long they should keep the ruse up.

After Siobhan had swiftly finished off her lunch, she watched Kyle carefully as he too seemed in a hurry to finish up. Walking about the tables the long way around so as to wander past her brother, she overheard a snippet of Alistair's conversation with Maggie that seemed like he was nonchalantly asking her to accompany him to the Slughorn party. The Gryffindor stifled a smile. She couldn't wait to tell her best friend.

Siobhan slipped out of the Great Hall far too early to go to class, turning the corner out to the lake. She knew the Slytherin upper years liked to hang out there but she figured they could find somewhere to talk quietly. Sure enough, on the far side of the lake -- close to where they had been yesterday -- was a small outcropping of trees that should shroud them from view, if only for a few minutes. She tied her tie around the branch of the tree as a marker, hoping that Kyle would follow her before the bell rang. They had to arrange a subtler meeting place.

Kyle spotted the tie flapping in the breeze. He guessed there weren't many people who'd be hanging their tie like that except as a signal. He grinned, and thought, "How did she not end up in Slytherin?" He took the tie down and walked into the outcropping and found Siobhan. "Hey, quick question, how long do you want to keep up our fight ruse? I mean obviously at least until detention." Kyle leaned against a tree, letting his book bag drop to the ground.

Siobhan smiled at Kyle and reclaimed her tie back from the tree. "We can make up in detention," she said. "Bonded by a combined hatred of Snape? Or--"

She peered out behind the tree as a lone Slytherin unidentifiable at this distance started to walk around the lake too. She continued, "Or we could have a duel at midnight, almost get caught by Filch and 'make up'. But that's the Gryffindor way."

Ducking back behind the tree as if it was one of those Muggle spy novels as her mother used to read, Siobhan began the long, arduous process of tying her hair back up in a scrunchie. "I'm more worried about how we can meet up. The Slytherins always come out to the lake after lunch. Any ideas for new places?"

"Random class rooms." Kyle shrugs. "It'd be cool if there were a room we could go into without worrying about getting caught." He frowned. "There are a ton of unused classrooms though. We can pick one and then rotate between the others. Never go into the same one twice." Kyle picked up a leaf from the ground and played with it in between his fingers. "It'd be cool if we could get into classroom 11 without getting caught. I hear the Centaur that teaches in there has made the room into a forest."

Kyle frowned at her idea for making up. "I don't think the Gryffindor way will work. We need something monumental that 'forces' us to be friends with each other. Professor Snape's detention is a start, but we'd have to make that realistic. I almost feel like we should keep the fight up longer. At least until something like, a common enemy unites us, or something stupid like that." Kyle let the now torn up leaf fall to the ground.