New Leadership

Ancient Runes seemed to be the only class worth attending now, and so that was what she did. Sitting through a double lesson of the Krum-reject tittering about his Christmas plans hadn’t been the ideal way to spend her favourite lesson of the week but she had little choice as the Hufflepuff seemed blissfully ignorant of her dismay towards the subject. She didn’t mind Sevastian at all. No, she adored his fairy-like nature. Fairy was really the only way she could describe him, too. He was sprightly, excitable and was clearly looking forward to the Christmas season - as if the red and green tips of his hair weren’t evidence enough. Millie was becoming weary of talk about Christmas, just as she was rapidly becoming weary of everything she encountered. Perhaps it was just because school was winding down - because the holidays were coming. Or perhaps it was because her enthusiasm depended on a vial of golden liquid that hung from a chain around her neck. She clung to it, even when she wasn’t prepared to take it, as if that alone was keeping her alive and well, just the feel of it - the reassurance that it was there.

Barker had clearly had more than just a physical effect on her. Emotionally, no matter what could be said or what she did, she was still in tatters. She doubted that she would be considered whole again anytime soon. She didn’t know quite what ‘whole’ meant anymore. Once upon a time, perhaps she would have been able to explain. Once upon a time, perhaps she would have felt it. Now, though, she wasn’t so sure. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. She didn’t even have the guarantee that she would live through the night. ‘What if’ was a phrase that plagued her. She daren’t attempt to look into her mind, to find out the situations that would often play themselves out before her eyes. She couldn’t do that, namely because she didn’t trust herself. Today, Sevastian had been more of a friend to her than the others had been. He’d ensured that she’d lived past lunch. He’d come over to the Gryffindor table after having observed her pick at her food and had told her that he’d escort her up the flights of stairs to the Ancient Runes classroom. There were so many stairs to that classroom. She’d doubted highly that she would be able to get there by her own accord. Truly, she was grateful for the blonde. She just didn’t have the words to express her gratitude.

At some point, they made it to the Room of Requirement. She didn’t know when and she certainly didn’t know how. When his long spindly fingers curled around her arm though, she instantly turned into the tall young man. She desperately wanted to bury her head in his robes and hope she wouldn’t be seen. She knew it wouldn’t be allowed though so she gripped Sevastian’s robe sleeve for what felt like dear life. She didn’t think she could stand there without him in that moment. The texture of his voice in the open air, velvety almost, was endlessly reassuring. She couldn’t find her voice, though...for it seemed as if it wasn’t there. She was stifled by fear but she managed to stutter out a few words. Words that meant more to her than any that could be spoken. Sam claimed he could shake Forbes and D’Eath from their roost but “What about Barker?” was her shuddered question. It was open to debate, of course. Millie had the unsettling feeling that nothing could be done about Felix Barker. Nothing at all. Ever.

Sam looked over at Tarran, and for a moment just stood there, a cloud of uncertainty descending upon him as the question took him off guard. Finally, after he regained his composure, he managed to get his answer straight. "Of course not," he responded, his voice firm, "I've only just taken over leadership here, I wasn't even sure that I'd be accepted by all of you until a few minutes ago, what sort of leader would I be if I made a decision without consulting you, or even confirming my intentions with all of you?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow and shaking his head, before the noise of the door to the room opening drew his attention away from those assembled before him.

"Not to worry," he replied as Sevastian and Milly each apologised for their late arrivals, "I'm just pleased you came," he added, a grin crossing his face.

The suggestion that came from the first non-Gryffindor to enter the room was an interesting one, and gave Sam a little food for thought, an option he'd not considered before that moment. "I... well, I don't think that's really in our capabilities, to be completely honest," He stuttered out. "Though it could be something to pass on to the Order, they hold greater sway than us, and just a little more money, I'd imagine," He added with a chuckle.

"Barker though," he said, his expression falling as he considered what Melissa had said. "Barker... I don't know, I feel as though we should try and leave the Death Eaters out of this, if you follow me. The Ministry, including Forbes and D'Eath, seem to have all the power around here, the Death Eaters are like sleeping lions, Barker is limited, and we're not exactly incurring the wrath of his companions, no, I think that we just focus on one thing at a time, wouldn't you agree?" He asked, looking around the room, trying to get some input from those who had until now been a little quiet

((Hello hello hello?))

Trent was not as excited as Byron was when he first got news that there was going to be a PA meeting. He was usually not too excited about many things in life that would usually interest young wizards his age, especially other Gryffindors, or so he thought. Trent was really not that much different. He merely possessed a rather lazy attitude to life in general, and it was not exactly predictable when he would decide to move to change things. He usually relented anyway, it was just a matter of time. The habit was enough to exhaust his friends, let alone his family. So Byron had gone ahead without Trent in tow, although the latter found himself entering the RoR much later, when a substantial part of PA had already gathered. Unlike his friend, Trent entered rather quietly, not being one who liked to announce his arrival. Of course, he spotted Millie and then Byron first, before offering a slight smile as a friendly gesture, his best move at being social, to the rest in the room.

Although he was late, Trent was not bothered. An apology for being late was not on his mind at all. It was not that he was deliberately rude, Trent just did not have the sense to be mindful of that. Instead, he tried to make himself unnoticed, which was a hard thing to do, considering his height that allowed him to comfortably see the top of almost everyone's heads. Whatever it was, Trent was not mindful of anything besides listening to what Sam was saying, and making sure he positioned himself beside Millie. He knew things were not exactly great between them, only because the girl had become extremely withdrawn and looked constantly perturbed. That bothered Trent, of course. But even if he said little about it, he thought that the least he could do was to position himself in a way that made him available if she needed to talk. He was waiting, despite his confusion and lack of knowledge about how to cope with the change and the unknown ordeal that the girl had gone through.

As soon as Trent stood himself next to Millie, he stole a look at her, before biting his lower lip in uncertainty, then turning to fix his attention on Sam. Upon entering the room, he had caught the mention of a change of leadership. Knowing Sam and given his own character, Trent had no qualms about the switch. It was a sort of unquestioned acceptance. Trent was there to help, anyway. He was not a leader or any sort. He went wherever his friends went; that was more important to him. As soon as Sam was done with talking for the moment, the room fell into silence. Trent looked around before slowly nodding to the boy. He thought he had missed some parts of the discussion, and agreeing was the only way he thought he should respond with. Really, his lack of opinions is frustrating. But that was Trent.

At Millie's entrance, Byron brightened yet again. Given the recent mysterious events the blonde seemed to have been thrown into, he had observed a rather unpleasant change in her, unpleasant to her own well-being. Of course, Byron was worried. People in the Gryffindor gang worried him a lot, especially with their angst and depressed faces almost all the time. Trent, he was becoming extremely accustomed to. The boy was angst epitomised. Millie, though, and Roxi, were the happy pills in the gang. Having either of them upset concerned Byron a lot. Byron attempted to catch Millie's eye, but she seemed dazed, or rather, hollow. He inched his way towards her, and made a slight poke at her arm.

"How're you?" He smiled in what he assumed to be an assuring manner. And then Byron patted Sevastian's back lightly before turning his attention back to Sam. He was rather interested in how Sam was going to mobilise PA and get it back to its feet, unlike the boy who strolled in late, and who was evidently trying to avoid eyes on him. Byron smirked as he watched Trent, before getting back on track with Sam's words after Sevastian and Millie have both spoken.

"It does seem to be that way, with Forbes and D'Eath ..." Byron stole a look at Millie, curious at her singling out of Barker. "... although is there a reason why we should also pay attention to some Death Eaters? I mean, I don't trust them, even if they seem to be lying low and staying out. I still don't trust them." Byron looked at Millie again, and then Sevastian, waiting for something to be said, and then he continued once again. "I get what you mean about focusing though, Sam. I mean, we have not been doing much for a bit, and we're all a little confused about what is going on at the moment. So ... starting from Forbes might be the best we can do, for now ..." Byron shrugged.

((If you all hate me I understand V.V ))

Sam shrugged a little when Tarran responded before deciding to reply. "Well, last term we were approached by a... representative... of the Order who offered their help and allegiance, so i know that the offer is existing. I merely misunderstood you, I thought you were asking if I had already secured the partnership," he explained with a slight chuckle.

He then turned his attention to Byron and Trent, nodding as they both entered, then paying attention as Byron gave his pitch. "No, you're completely right, the Death Eaters are not to be disregarded, not at all. Ignoring your enemy is only the best way for them to get into striking distance, but that doesn't meant that we have to be antagonising them was all I was saying," he explained, a feeling of apprehension rising in the pit of his stomach as he considered the possibility that he wasn't being very clear with what he was saying.

"I believe," he said, his voice slightly weak to start before he found a more comfortable footing, "I believe we should start pretty much immediately on the smaller things that could undermine our oppressors, just to keep us busy whilst we secure things with the Order. I had a few ideas of my own, but I was wondering if any of you had some, before I give my own?" He asked, scanning the room for any suggestions that may have been forthcoming.

The entire time everyone else spoke, Hitame merely listened and did not move or contribute in any way to the discussion. All she did was look at the floor. She didn't think she had anything worth contributing anyways, they would probably be taken as just child-ish remarks. After all that was all she was, a child, the youngest one in the room probably. Though her attention was drawn more to the conversation when Barker was mentioned. She lifted her head slightly, looking from person to person, listening to everything they said about him with caution.

Ideas? Ideas to be kept busy? Hm... Of course nothing came to mind. It was hard for new ideas to come to her now. There was always too much fear in there to allow space for much else. Looking down and tapping a finger on her cheek, she began to think of something to do. Although, she hadn't gotten much thinking done when she heard the door to the room open. She looked over at the door and her eyes widened at the person who was there. A high pitched noise escaped her throat and she quickly covered her mouth. How'd he get in here?

A simple thought ran through her head over and over now. She thought of her detention with him, everything she went through. She continued to stare at the figure of Barker as 'he' addressed Samuel. She began to step away from where she was her hands dropping down to her sides, backing up more toward the wall, though she didn't notice what she was really doing.

Sam glanced up as he heard the door to the room swing open and gave a start, his wand flying to his hand iand pointing directly at Barker as he considered what to do next.

After a few seconds of this pose he surprised himself by laughing. It wasn't a very funny laugh, nor was it filled with any sense of pleasure, not to start with anyway, but it grew until he was shaking almost uncontrollably.

"You know," he said, lowering his wand but keeping it on hand as he spoke to the newcomer, "there is a really handy trick to the room of requirement, in that if you are specific enough, it can do almost anything you want it to do. Now, I know for a fact that you are not who you appear to be, perhaps you're a sibling of our dear Transfiguration teacher, or perhaps you're just some kid looking for a laugh. But I know for a fact that no staff members, Death Eaters or Ministry workers can enter this room," he announced, his face still set in a smile for a few more seconds before it fell into a cold, hard glare.

"So I'm going to ask you," he said, his wand rising once more to point directly at whomever it was who had just entered the room, "reveal yourself now, or I will blast you into a thousand pieces right where you stand," he ordered, no note of unease slipping through to betray his composure