Oops! Now, how about some lunch?

By comparison to the usual utterly dismal weather, the conditions that threatened Scotland were actually less volatile than the manner to which Elliot Finnigan had become used to. He woke without the blustering sounds of the window panes shaking with the force of the wind banging against their delicate surface. He also woke somewhat later than usual, no doubt a side-effect of there being such a lack of noise from beyond the castle walls, and rolled over a little after ten o’clock on a rather chilly Saturday morning that left him with a somewhat offensive abundance of homework which left little time to be put to better things – like entertainment and the pursuit of more pleasurable company.

Much of the morning, unfortunately, was spent in bed and it wasn’t until a little after one when the hubbub in the common room rose in volume once more – signalling the end of lunch - that Elliot rose from his bed, stubbing out the cigarette he had not really put much effort into smoking, and promptly dug some clothing out of the trunk at the foot of his bed before making his way to the bathroom for a much needed shower.

Once the young man was scrubbed clean he made his way down into the common room, his hair up on end in no obvious direction yet at the same time, every direction. Regardless of the condition that his hair presented itself in, he tugged a jumper over his head and moved through the common room, feeling his pockets for his wand as he made his way through the people that lingered, some studying, others just causing a row.

It wasn’t until he was out in the corridor that he exhaled and began to relax, not having realised that he’d been holding his breath. The boy made his way mindlessly down the staircase towards the Great Hall in the hope that he’d manage to get the last bits of lunch before it all disappeared. But, not watching where he was going, he managed to collide with someone in the process. The sound of books hitting the stone floor rang in his ears and Elliot stepped back, blinking rapidly, utterly confused as to what happened.

“Merlin s-sorry!” He exclaimed, diving to the floor to help the unfortunate person pick the books up that had been dropped. “I wasn’t watching where I was going, I’m so sorry. Are you alright? You’re not hurt are you?”

Leslie hated this type of weather more then anything in the world, not only because she hated the cold but she was all the sudden sick. She been in bed all day long trying to get rid of it, but so far no luck. Leslie refused to go to the hospital, she simply hated it there for she hated the plain white walls and the beds there. If her brothers found out, they would insist on her going to the bloody thing. It was always something her brother did, although she always ended going kicking and screaming like a child. Lucky that it was the weekend Leslie cleaned up before scrolling downstairs to get something to eat for she missed breakfast.

It wasn't like Leslie to miss breakfast, she was very much a morning person no matter what day it was. Although she just woke-up she still felt rather tired and hot, it was probably because she was sick. Walking down the stairs Leslie entered the Great Hall letting out a small sneeze she bumped into someone as not only herself and her books fell to the ground. Laying there for a second Leslie gotten up and gotten her books and stood back up holding her head.

"It's ok, and thankyou for your concern but I'm fine."said Leslie softly as she let out alittle sneeze into her handkerchief she was holding in her hand. "It wasn't entirely your fault you know, I wasn't looking where I was going, this stupid weather is making me sick!"said rolling her eyes. "I'm Leslie, Leslie Darling fifth year Gryffindor."said Leslie adjusting her books to stick out her good hand that didn't have her handkerchief in it. She was sure he didn't want snot all over his hand, beside she didn't even know if she should be shaking his hand, she didn't want to get him sick.

It wasn’t like Elliot to daydream to the point of bumping into someone. No, that was his sister’s favourite pastime. It was no wonder in that case that he flushed quite as he did.

He continued to gather the books, piling them into his arms before rising up once more and offering them back to the blonde girl that he realised was from his house. He recognised her but if prompted, he couldn’t have supplied her name. Thankfully though she introduced himself and Elliot thrust his hand into hers, shaking it firmly before blessing her for her sniffles. It was a little Muggle of him but it was reflex he couldn’t help.

It was only after that that Elliot realised that the girl had been afflicted by flu. Well, a cold really. He smiled sympathetically at the girl and gestured to the hall.

“Getting food?” He asked. “Let me take your books. I’m Elliot Finnigan by the way. Sixth year. Say, what O.W.L’s are you taking?”

Elliot held his hands out for her books and tipped his head to the side with thinly veiled curiosity as he began to draw comparisons. He himself had not been a particularly good fifth year. Drugs had ruled his year and continued to do so well into his sixth year – not that he was into much of what Millie and Spencer took, or what Trent smoked, mind you. No, Elliot enjoyed his legal highs with a twist on the more illegal ones occasionally. But lately he found he had neither the money nor the energy and was content just to mope instead.

“Why didn’t you go to Hogsmeade with everyone else?” He inquired after a moment. “I mean, besides being sick, of course.”

Leslie thanked him for blessing her sniffles before looking at Elliot and shaking her head. "Yeah I know, I look like that muggle reindeer Rudolph!"said Leslie cursing under her breath at the sight of her. Not many people around here knew who that was, but there were a couple who told her she looked like that. Leslie was surprise that he was even near her, usually avoided her at all times, for they didn't want to get sick.

Leslie nodded. "Yes I am, usually I never sleep this late, I'm very much a early raiser no matter what day it is."said Leslie honestly. "Oh you don't have to, but thankyou and nice to meet you Elliot."said Leslie softly. When he mentioned O.W.L's Leslie winced before answering for she forgotten to do her homework. "I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, DADA and Transfiguration."said Leslie. "What about you?"Leslie asked him curiously tilting her head to the side.

Seeing that he wanted her books Leslie handed them over towards him, somewhat glad to have some tension off her body. When he asked why she wasn't in Hogsmeade Leslie shrugged. "I don't know, Hogsmeade not really my thing, I mean it's nice and all but I don't really do crowded places."said Leslie honestly. "Why aren't you there Elliot?"Leslie asked him softly. "Sorry... I have a habit of asking to many questions, my brothers say I get annoying at times."said Leslie chuckling.

Leslie was very much a good girl, she always followed the rules whenever she could and never broke them. She tried to avoid detentions as much as possible, and she hated when her house lost points because of her. Although she was changing a bit seeing how she has best friend and boyfriend that didn't know how to behave if there life depended on it.