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"[color=dodgerblue]I can't believe you [I]poisoned[/I] him, though.[/color]"

Admittedly, it was a little mean spirited, but Caleb just couldn't quite stop teasing Beatrice. Her guilt was absolutely adorable, her inability to properly explain or defend herself had left her helpless against Caleb's teasing. The problem was that word had gotten out fast--the star Quidditch player Kalder Sigourney was in the hospital wing. Luckily for Beatrice, no one knew exactly why, but the rumors were entertaining. Most attributed it to a possible Quidditch injury, but the rest were rather amusing: some said he was hexed, there were those who assumed he had been assaulted by Gryffindors, others said he had fainted after Noel had his arm around him (his personal favorite). The list became more ridiculous, but it was funny to watch everyone speculate. 

Caleb himself still hadn't known what happened, but his own personal theory was that Kal's poor health had caught up to him. At least, until he found Beatrice and a guilt-filled expression stamped on her face. She had explained that the burn she had suffered actually had a nasty side effect, an alarming rash growing just minutes after Kalder had left her in the hospital wing. As her entire hands had been covered, she should have suffered the worst of it, but since Kalder had been burned as well and didn't seek immediate care, it had gotten him good.

Beatrice wasn't good at hiding how she felt. She wore her heart on her sleeve and was never afraid to speak her mind, but Caleb noted she was also quite sensitive. It was clear that she blamed herself entirely for what had happened to Kalder, usually feeling worse whenever he was brought up in conversation. Which was a lot more often than Caleb had anticipated. Sure, Kalder was popular, but you'd think after classes ended people would find something better to talk about. But anytime his name popped up, she would shrink further and further until she looked to be on the verge of tears.

They were sitting across from one another at the end of the Gryffindor table, Beatrice only poking at her food. Caleb watched her as she would sigh, a curious expression on his face. He decided he would speak first. "[color=dodgerblue]Eat. You don't want to end up next to Kalder, do you?[/color]" He teased.

It did not help things. Beatrice would push her food away and rest her head on the table. "[color=crimson]I can't eat, I'm too worried,[/color]" She whined quietly.

"[color=dodgerblue]That's really sweet considering he thinks you hate him,[/color]" Caleb grinned.

"[color=crimson]I do hate him![/color]" She burst out as she raised her head, only to look down at the table. "[color=crimson]But that doesn't mean I wanted him to get hurt...[/color]"

He figured he should stop teasing her, but he was serious about the first part. "[color=dodgerblue]Come on, Bea. Between Demi and Kalder both ending up in the wing, I'm going to get depressed if you end up there, too,[/color]" He frowned as he spoke.

"[color=crimson]But this is serious, it's actually my fault![/color]" Beatrice replied. "[color=crimson]I just--I got so nervous, I knew Demi and him were reassigned partners but I didn't think I'd get him! I figured either I would get Demi or stuck with Noel Jameson![/color]"

Caleb raised his eyebrows, intrigued. "[color=dodgerblue]Flustered?[/color]"

"[color=crimson]Yes![/color]" She was surprised at his chuckle. "[color=crimson]What?[/color]"

It was obvious why he was so amused. Leaning in slightly, he examined her curious face. "[color=dodgerblue]So you [I]still[/I] like him?[/color]" As he had anticipated, her cheeks turned red. "[color=dodgerblue]Well that's a yes.[/color]"

"[color=crimson]No, I just...it's...[/color]" She seemed to hesitate, though she ended up scowling. "[color=crimson]You cheated and saw it coming, didn't you?[/color]"

He didn't. While he was gifted with Seer powers and admittedly used them frivolously, he also had excellent intuition. That, and Beatrice was [I]very[/I] predictable, but he wasn't going to tell her that. Instead, he tapped his temple. "[color=dodgerblue]I knew you liked him when we were younger, but I figured that would've faded away after he disowned us.[/color]"

"[color=crimson]Wh-What?! I didn't like him![/color]" She immediately protested, slamming her hands on the table.

Caleb grinned, although the arrival of Benjamin hopping into the seat next to him would put their conversation on hold. "[color=yellowgreen]Hey Sophen![/color]" Benjamin greeted him cheerfully, and when he noticed Beatrice, he hesitated. "[color=yellowgreen]Hey...Ballthen?[/color]"

"[color=crimson]Balthazar.[/color]" Beatrice corrected him bluntly as Caleb laughed.

"[color=yellowgreen]Right, sorry. Um, so I was wondering if you could do me a favor,[/color]" Benjamin turned back to Caleb. "[color=yellowgreen]I was hoping I could borrow your Charms notes.[/color]"

"[color=dodgerblue]Of course. I'll give them to you later,[/color]" Caleb said.

"[color=yellowgreen]Actually, I don't know how many days I'll need, I'm trying to make sure that when Kal wakes up he'll be able to catch up quicker if we all take notes for him,[/color]" Benjamin explained, scratching the back of his head. "[color=yellowgreen]I know Noel's going to borrow Graves' notes for Potions, Blake is handling Transfiguration and Astronomy, I got Defense Against the Dark Arts since that's the only class I usually know what's going on...[/color]"

To Caleb's surprise, Beatrice actually smiled at him. "[color=crimson]That's really nice of you,[/color]" She said.

Benjamin grinned. "[color=yellowgreen]He did the same for me last year when I took that Bludger to the head. Although...his grades are way better than mine, so I have to ask for help,[/color]" He said sheepishly, though he would stand. "[color=yellowgreen]I appreciate it, though![/color]"

"[color=dodgerblue]I'll make sure to give you my Charms and Divination notes, Nathan and I share that class anyway,[/color]" Caleb added.

Nodding, Benjamin would leave the two alone once more. Beatrice let out a sigh, her hand on her cheek. "[color=crimson]Maybe I should do something to make it up to him,[/color]" She mumbled as she would tak a sip of her juice.

Caleb turned to her. "[color=dodgerblue]Yeah, you're still smitten with him, huh?[/color]" He asked, watching as she could choke on her drink. "[color=dodgerblue]The heart can endure the worst pain when it comes to love, huh?[/color]"

"[color=crimson]L-L-Love?! Don't be stupid![/color]" Beatrice coughed out, clearing her throat. "[color=crimson]It was just a stupid crush, and he [I]humiliated[/I] me! There's no way I can have feelings for someone like that![/color]"

If she denied it any louder, Caleb was sure someone was going to overhear. "[color=dodgerblue]Yeah, I know, which is why I'm surprised you still like him,[/color]" He said. "[color=dodgerblue]I wonder...did it bother you when you found out he was in love with your best friend?[/color]"

Her eyes widened and her face paled somewhat. "[color=crimson]That's...[/color]" Her voice trailed off, and she crossed her arms. "[color=crimson]Please don't tell Demi, she's going through enough as it is.[/color]"

He seemed to have hit the nail on the head, but he wondered if it was a good idea to press the issue further. The two stared at one another for a moment, unsure who would break the silence between them, though the noise of the hall filled in the space. He should've felt bad, but he needed to know the truth. If she really meant it when she said she was over Kalder, then fine, but the last thing Caleb wanted was for her to get hurt. 

Caleb cleared his throat, choosing to redirect the subject. "[color=dodgerblue]I wonder if Demi heard about you trying to kill Kalder,[/color]" He returned to his cheerful self, much to her annoyance.

"[color=crimson]I'll be surprised if she hasn't, [I]everyone[/I] knows,[/color]" Beatrice shook her head in shame. "[color=crimson]How embarrassing...[/color]"
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Stifling a yawn, Noel had to force himself to blink twice in an effort to soothe his dry eyes. He felt like he had been staring at the same piece of parchment for hours. There was probably an easier way of copying down Blake's notes but having to do it three times was getting old. He placed the Copy Feathered Quill down for a moment, the two accompanying quills mimicking the movement. Letting out a groan, he rubbed his temples and leaned back in his seat, his sore shoulders hitting the back of the chair. The shit he did for Kalder was annoying. Granted, he definitely saw him as a very good friend, but Kalder's studying habits were out of his league, and while Benjamin meant well, the idea to gather notes every day so Kalder could catch up whenever he would wake went from something nice to something tedious.

As the thought crossed his mind, the door to their dormitory opened, a grinning Benjamin strolling into the room. "[color=yellowgreen]Sophen agreed to give me his notes, so that's two classes we don't have to worry about,[/color]" He stated as he leapt onto his bed, taking a seated position. "[color=yellowgreen]My good deed of the day is complete.[/color]"

Noel glared at him. "[color=green]You owe me,[/color]" He stated, cracking his knuckles.

Benjamin scowled at him. "[color=yellowgreen]Come on, my handwriting blows, yours is way neater and easier to read. And I write slow.[/color]" Shaking his head, Noel decided to take a break as he looked at the clock. Benjamin looked at him curiously, noticing he had changed out of his uniform. He had already bathed, his clothes crisp, and if Benjamin was correct, he was wearing cologne. Ah, so [i]that[/i] was why he was so testy. "[color=yellowgreen]Ah, so Coco was right, you're going after Graves, now?[/color]" He asked.

"[color=green]That makes it seem like it's a possibility. This, my friend, is an inevitability,[/color]" Noel scoffed, crossing his arms. 

Benjamin shook his head, lightly flexing his arms. "[color=yellowgreen]No, [i]this[/i]--[/color]" He showed himself off with a grin. "[color=yellowgreen]--Is an inevitability. I just find it weird considering you [i]know[/i] how Luke Graves is, right? He'll paste you if he finds out you're sniffing after his little sister.[/color]"

"[color=green]She's hot. I'm hot. How is this weird?[/color]"

"[color=yellowgreen]Because for someone who [i]loves[/i] to show off his bloodline to any wanker who'll listen, you're very interested in a half-blood,[/color]" Benjamin said. 

"[color=green]What, you want her? We can make it a race,[/color]" Noel grinned as he stood up. "[color=green]Seeing who got to Pamela Shawns was fun.[/color]"

Benjamin shook his head. "[color=yellowgreen]I'm not touching her knowing her brother can hunt me down. Really kills the boner,[/color]" Benjamin slowly nodded, though he perked up. "[color=yellowgreen]Caleb Sophen was talking to this gorgeous blonde, she's more up my ally.[/color]" He admitted, although he fell silent. Noel raised his eyebrows at him, and Benjamin continued. "[color=yellowgreen]You could race Kalder, he seems to like her. You told me how disappointed he looked when you both had to trade partners, right?[/color]"

Kalder certainly seemed downcrest, although the look in his eyes had been something else entirely. As to what, Noel had no idea, but... "[color=green]Kalder has never expressed an interest in [i]anyone[/i]. If he really did want her, he would've spoken up a long time ago. And if he chose to keep it a secret, well, that's his loss then, isn't it? Not to mention his sudden change in attitude has gotten on my nerves.[/color]"

"[color=yellowgreen]I guess you have a point,[/color]" Benjamin admitted.

Of course he had a point. The whole crew was annoyed with him, but Benjamin seemed to have a little more sympathy. Noel wasn't having any of it, if Kalder wanted to be moody and secretive then that was his problem. Blake had repeatedly tried to get a reason out of him only to be rebuffed, so why should he care? Fixing his shirt, Noel wandered over to the small mirror on his desk. "[color=green]She'll be my little Christmas present,[/color]" He told Benjamin with a sly smile.

"[color=yellowgreen]That's mighty ambitious. I'm willing to put a galleon to that,[/color]" Benjamine grinned back.

"[color=green]Ye of little faith! You're on.[/color]"