Be my Valentine, oh cousin of mine?

At this particular moment the comfort of Adriana's bed was unparallelled. The brunette was snuggled between the sheets, which radiated self generating heat. Several large, pure white pillows cushioned her head and open books and crumpled parchment were scattered across the foot of her bed. She had finished her potions work (the only subject she seemed to have any affinity for) and unwilling to start translating her runes she had crawled under the sheets and promptly fallen into a light sleep. She wore only her underwear and oversized sweater - further evidence of her unwillingness to return to the company of the rest of the castle.

It felt as if she had only been asleep seconds when she was woken by the slam of the door opening and closing. With a grumble of displeasure Adriana opened her eyes to see one of her dorm mates, Cynthia, enter the room and fling herself on her bunk with great exaggeration. Only the slightest bit embarrassed to be caught napping at four in the afternoon, Adriana pulled herself upright and out from under the covers. With growing trepidation she noticed the large tears gushing out of the young girls eyes. Oh, no. As the poorly concealed sobs echoed through their cave-like dorm Adriana knew the only option was immediate escape.

Once fully removed from the sanctuary of her covers Adriana pulled open the drawers below her bed and grabbed a jacket and pants, pulling them on. With unnatural haste she laced up the pair of shoes already out from earlier today and headed for the door, grabbing her Runes textbook on the way by. At the door she paused momentarily wanting to say something to her upset housemate. But the fear disgust at the conversation that would undoubtedly follow was more than enough to keep her moving. Cynthia's boyfriend did not seem to enjoy being committed and apparently Valentines Day hadn't stopped them from getting in another big fight.

Adriana stomped down the short corridor to the common room where she promptly found herself a seat on a long, black leather couch. At this time of day most students were either in classes or remained on higher floors to wait before dinner. Few enjoyed the long haul up and down the stairs and during the day not many Slytherins were found in their common room. But Adriana only had classes in the morning this semester and found the few hours to herself to be helpful on her quest to complete schoolwork. Besides, there was something majestic about the Slytherin common room. An entire wall was made of glass, curving gently along the length of the common room. It's view was of the depths of the lake and when less students were milling about you were more likely to see the Giant squid make an appearance outside the glass.

Currently, only a few other groups of students occupied the space. A small group of second years was playing gobstones on a mahogany table that sat next to a fire, sparking emerald green. A couple occupied a corner, only half visible to Adriana, and in their current position couldn't be discerned from each other. A group of sixth and seventh year boys was also present but they had their backs to the brunette and she couldn't see what they were up to. For all intents and purposes she was alone. The only sounds that echoed around the space were the soft murmur of the boy's voices and the clink of glass on wood as the second years captured pieces.

Setting in to her new area, Adriana tried to regain the sleepiness that had been lost by leaving her bed. The Slytherin common room was not exactly made for comfort and there were few pillows, let alone blankets. As she cracked open her book to study she let out a little sigh of impatience at the lack of suitable company the common room currently offered. She needed to study. But she certainly didn't want to. Other students were probably upstairs or outside, enjoying the beautiful snowstorm that raged on. And many had left the castle today to go down into town for lunch on Valentine's Day. There would be a feast tonight. Not nearly as elaborate as the holidays or start of term but still delicious. And pink.

With this food in mind Adriana's eyes scanned the page, not really reading, and going over the same line over and over. Maybe at the feast she would find herself a terribly handsome, yet still gullible Hufflepuff boy to enjoy herself with for the evening. It would be a pity to spend it alone.

Another bruise had been found, this time it was under his arm, over his ribcage.

It was becoming increasingly obvious that time was running out; the last grains of sand were beginning to fall and there was no one there to turn over the hour glass that was Daedalus D’Eath’s life. Being faced with death was not something new for Daedalus. In fact, he was getting used to Healers telling him he’d die this time, oh... but now we think you have a few more years left in you and really I don’t think it’s that bad, there have been worse cases.

Daedalus took everything they said with a pinch of salt now, didn’t really pay much attention to anything they said, and just waited coolly for them to hurry up and wash out the magic that was making him stale and rigid with pre-humous rigor mortis. Oh, to live as a permanent cadaver – what fun.

Stalking back to the Dungeons from the Hospital Wing was a great relief. His parents had gone, no longer able to stay and pretend they cared. His mother did. It was his father that Dae had no patience for. Returning home was what he called it, back down into the earth where he ironically felt the most comfortable. He was something of a legend in Slytherin house but not for impressive means. He was a legend because no other person could clear a room as quickly as he and as he entered the common room, as if on cue, the world and his wife got up and left, discarding everything bar the essentials to go in search of some place Daedalus-free.

The only person that remained was his cousin, the only person to ever really put up with him: Adriana.

Slinking across the room, Daedalus nigh collapsed down next to her. He tossed his arm over the back of the couch, leaning over to get a better look at what she was reading.

“Sounds thrilling,” He drawled idly before leaning round and stealing a quick kiss from her lips. “Surely you’ve got something better to do, love?” Daedalus’ hand found Adriana’s neck and idly, his fingers began to brush against the soft skin there. “You look absolutely shattered, my darling. What on earth have you been up to that requires you to be this tired?”

In almost no time at all Adriana's silent pleas for company were answered in the form of Daedalus D'eath. The cousin she had always been.. closest with. With a flop he sat himself next to her, no introduction or greeting required. She looked up at him, eyebrows slightly raised but still enjoying the sight. She received his kiss and the ever-present smirk crossed her lips as he pulled away. Although he sometimes got on her nerves, Dae was the most constant person in her life. He was a reliable source of fun for her and his actions rarely surprised the brunette, only amusing her.

Adriana shrugged and tossed the book on to the floor next to the couch, the table proving too far away for the effort it would take to put it there. Her posture relaxed, happy to finally be freed of the shackles of bookwork. With fake offense in her tone Adriana responded "I've been working." Okay, so maybe not working hard, but the attempt had been made at some point. "But I could be persuaded to do something else."

Ironically, Daedalus was the only boy who had ever stuck around Adriana. The only one who seemed to be able to put up with her for more than a couple weeks. She liked having him around too much to feel weird about the fact that they were cousins. Besides, if Adriana was counting all of Lorcan's relatives that would probably make half of the known wizarding world off-limits. At least it felt that way sometimes.

Adriana brought her hand up on the back of the sofa, feeling the smoothness of the leather under her fingertips. The fabric was chilled to the touch and the temperature made it's way into her bones, making her shiver slightly. The warmth of the fire didn't quite make it all the way to where the pair sat and Adriana wished more than ever that the style of Slytherin wouldn't be compromised by a few nice, fluffy, blankets. But alas, class over comfort.