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Watching Demi getting dragged by Luke into Gryffindor Tower with a stony face, Kalder didn't respond. He highly doubted saying anything would have quelled her anger; it was too late for that anyway. But as much as he wanted to just move on, as he walked through the halls he found her words looping over and over in his head. It was stupid. Everything was stupid. The situation was stupid. He was stupid, Demi was stupid, Noel and Beatrice and--this mess of emotion only served to give Kalder a headache.

Rubbing his temples, he let out a sigh, turning the corner and walking into an equally distracted Caleb. The two bounced off one another, though Kalder was too annoyed to match Caleb's amusement. "[color=dodgerblue]Surviving so far?[/color]" Caleb asked cheerfully, further souring Kalder's mood.

"[color=springgreen]If you want to put it that way, yes,[/color]" Kalder replied dryly. "[color=springgreen]Coming back from studying?[/color]"

"[color=dodgerblue]No, I had to speak to Professor Blackthorn about something,[/color]" He said. "[color=dodgerblue]Though I'm more curious as to why you'd be coming from the Tower. Trying to get a gaze at your beloved?[/color]"

"[color=springgreen]That's not funny, Caleb,[/color]" He snapped. "[color=springgreen]I was walking Beatrice back because Noel apparently has it out for her since she discovered his love affair.[/color]"

Caleb stared at Kalder for a moment, his previously cheerful deposition dropping slightly. "[color=dodgerblue]Love affair...'love' is a pretty strong word, you know.[/color]"

"[color=springgreen]Hate is, too.[/color]"

He couldn't help but laugh. "[color=dodgerblue]I wouldn't go that far, but if that's how you feel, then I can't really change your mind. Just try to keep an open mind, okay?[/color]"

"[color=springgreen]Another prediction?[/color]"

"[color=dodgerblue]Nope, just some friendly advice![/color]"

Kalder rolled his eyes as Caleb bid him farewell, continuing on his path. He would find that even as he would go to his room with his friends all sound asleep, the only thing he could think about was Demi's words.

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"[color=teal]You're [I]what[/I]?[/color]"

Benjamin scowled at Blake, who was already annoyed at him. "[color=yellowgreen]I'm x! How do you not know this?[/color]"

Kalder looked up at Benjamin. "[color=springgreen]I thought you were an inferi,[/color]" He admitted, adjusting his own robes.

"[color=yellowgreen]Have none of you even seen a dementor before?[/color]" He asked, annoyed as he pulled off his hood. "[color=yellowgreen]None of you have any spirit of the holidays![/color]"

"[color=green]Aren't you a little old to be dressing up?[/color]" Noel asked him.

The five were gathered once again in the common room, students abuzz. Kalder didn't think time would fly so quickly, but before he knew it, the day of the party had arrived: Halloween. Benjamin had come out of their room completely garbed in long, black robes and a hood that mostly covered his face. Kalder always found Benjamin's childish spirit admirable, and every year he always insisted on dressing up as one thing or another. Admittedly, his personal favorite costume had been last year, when he had successfully looked like an overgrown Hinkypunk, but he never found the heart to discourage him.

The others, however, were less kind. Coco scratched his head as he looked at Benjamin. "[color=darkgreen]I always thought it was better when just the girls dress up,[/color]" He said, nudging Blake. "[color=darkgreen]I'd love to see you with some animal ears.[/color]"

"[color=teal]Absolutely not,[/color]" She refused, swatting his arm away. "[color=teal]Anything with ears and a tail is practically inviting Benjamin to prey on them. I refuse to be a victim.[/color]"

"[color=yellowgreen]It wouldn't kill you to be a little sexier,[/color]" Benjamin grinned, bracing himself for Blake's glare, though letting out a yelp as she punched him. "[color=yellowgreen]You're no fun![/color]"

Kalder chuckled. "[color=springgreen]Let's get going then, shall we?[/color]"

Noel raised an eyebrow at him. "[color=green]Someone's eager to go.[/color]"

It was true. Kalder normally found parties rather dull, but this one was probably the first time he had actually looked forward to one. Whether it was the promise of butterbeer or getting the chance to relax for a good time with friends, he wasn't sure, though he also enjoyed Noel's growing irritation for him. For some reason, Noel found it incredibly annoying that Kalder had begun to hang around Beatrice a lot more these past weeks, often at the expense of Noel's time. The two friends had some friction, whether they knew it was about Demi or Beatrice or not was in the air. Their tension was lessened with their other friends around, but usually peaked whenever the two were alone together. But they were very alike, as neither seemed to be able to bring either of the women up in conversation.

But Kalder was getting confirmation from Noel tonight. As much as he continued to deny it, Noel was definitely seeing Demi. Her outburst no longer haunted him, but he had basically thrown himself into his studies in an attempt to move on. It was difficult, but the more time he spent with Beatrice, the more he wanted to give her a fair chance. And having her compete with Demi was something he didn't want. Well, not that Demi wanted him anymore. Since she was with [I]Noel[/I].

Either way, tonight was just going to be fun.