DOORS: 1 NEVILLE: 0 ((OPEN))

[NEVILLE ALEXANDER LONGBOTTOM]

Blood was everywhere and the copper smell made Neville’s stomach do flips. He tilted his head back to try and stop the bleeding but the crimson substance flowed steadily from his nostrils. It was stupid really at how the bloody nose had come about. He would have loved to say he got it dueling a Slytherin that would have made the situation more heroic. As it were Neville had received this bloody nose from not looking where he was going and getting hit in the face while a Hufflepuff left the lavatory. Should anyone question the possibly broken nose Neville would lie. He was terrible at lying though everyone always saw right through him.

The warm blood dripped down Neville’s hands and his tie, which he was using to plug up the nose, was more scarlet than before. He hurried his way to the Hospital Wing making sure to keep in the middle of the corridor and away from all doors. Student chuckled and pointed at him as he bustled by them, a few girls shrieked and moved out of the way so they wouldn’t get blood on them. Some Slytherin’s taunted Neville but he tried to ignore them. He would have tried to fix his nose himself but he wasn’t quite sure what spell to use. And even if he did know the exact spell, Neville was positive his attempt would just make things worse. Last thing he needed was to lose his nose entirely.

The bleeding had slowed; thankfully, by the time Neville took a seat on one of the beds. A few were occupied. Neville glanced around at the beds without the curtains drawn. One student had puss filled soars covering every visible surface of his body. Neville wondered if it was because of Weasleys’ Wizards Wheezes or just some jinx or charm gone wrong. No matter what it was it made Neville’s stomach even queasier. He turned away just as one of the sores popped. A young Ravenclaw girl—more than likely a first or second year—girl had her arm in sling and her friend was sitting next to her. He couldn’t hear their conversation but they looked in Neville’s direction and made a face.

After Madam Pomfrey had fixed his nose, Neville decided to remain there in the Hospital Wing for a little while longer. With all of the blood Neville had lost not only did his stomach hurt, but his head was light. He didn’t want to walk back to the common room and pass out only to break his nose again. Neville looked down at his tie and robes soaked with blood. He scowled slightly; he’d have to ask Hermione a good spell to remove blood from his clothing. What an embarrassing start to the day, broken nose via door. Neville would be lying if he said it hadn’t happened before.

WORD COUNT::478
TAGS::Open
OUTFIT::School uniform
NOTES::First post as Neville.

[Piers Aurel Rayne]

It had been quite a while since Piers had last gotten mixed up in a fight. This morning, however, had seen the first one in months, and the taunting of some Slytherin housemate had first tickled Piers' irritation, but quickly enough it had escalated into yelling and then before the offender could even draw his wand, he'd already received a face full of knuckles. Piers was on him a moment later, and after a bout of confused grappling that a prefect failed to break up (and had to resort to summoning a professor), Piers was sporting a broken wrist and the other student a broken nose. Both were whisked off to the hospital wing at once.

There were few places Piers hated more than hospitals ... and at the moment, he couldn't remember what they were. The arm of his broken wrist hung limply at his side as he did his best not to jar it (though the professor that had intervened had magicked a quick temporary splint), and once he arrived at the hospital wing, Mme. Pomfrey ushered him into one of the beds so she could check on him after she finished with her rather lengthy waiting list.

With a sigh and a slight grunt of pain, Piers gingerly rested his arm in his lap, experimentally trying to flex his fingers, and failing. He rolled his eyes and glanced around the room, trying to catch sight of the idiot who had sent him here, but he was behind one of the beds with a screen drawn, and so Piers sought another distraction.

His stern gaze swept over the room before coming to rest on the Gryffindor boy in the hospital bed adjacent as Piers tried to figure out what his reason was for being here. The blood all over the Gryffindor's robes didn't say much; for all Piers knew it might not have been his own, but otherwise the boy looked like he was already fixed up.

Somewhat abruptly, Piers addressed the boy. "What are you in for?" he asked, his tone sharp, perhaps abrasive, but not intentionally so. It was no secret that Piers was horrible at socializing, hence why he didn't really try ... and hence why he was out of practice. But hopefully the Slytherin - Gryffindor axis wouldn't impede a potential conversation; Piers needed a distraction, and besides, he'd never been one for the house rivalries anyway.

[NEVILLE ALEXANDER LONGBOTTOM]

Neville’s head was starting to feel better. He was willing to bet that if he stood up now there was only a 45% chance that he wouldn’t collapse to the floor. That was good. Not great, but good. Of all the times to get a bloody nose it had to be right before Herbology. There was still time to make it there, but Neville was almost afraid to rush. Professor Sprout would understand though, at least Neville thought she would be. Neville reached up and dabbed his nose. Dry blood was caked under the nostrils. He grabbed a few tissues from the side table and dipped them into a glass of water that Madam Pomfrey had left.

He set to work trying to wipe clean the blood from his face. He didn’t even notice the Slytherin student climb into the bed next to him. Neville grumbled a few indistinguishable words when he caught a glimpse of his shirt and tie. There was hardly any gold left, it was all scarlet. Neville scrubbed at the blood but thin tissues ripped easily. He sighed and leaned back. He would definitely have to get a spell from Hermione. Neville folded his hands across his chest and stared off into space not really thinking about much.

A simple question broke his thoughts on nothing. The sudden voice made Neville jump which almost caused him to roll sideways off of the bed. He turned his head and saw a Slytherin boy looking in his direction. Neville’s brow furrowed for a second. He glanced around wondering if the boy was actually directing the question at Neville. There was no one else for the Slytherin to be talking to. Neville swallowed and tried to think up and answer. He knew this would happen someone would ask him how he got in here and Neville would have no choice but to lie only to watch it blow up in his face. To make matters worse it was a Slytherin, which meant Neville could expect tormenting for the rest of the term.

Neville sat forward a little and gestured to his face. “B-broken nose.” He said not wanting to explain further. “Blood everywhere.” Neville was going to leave it at that and keep quiet but he decided to try and continue the conversation. He looked the Slytherin boy over for a second. Neville’s throat felt dry as he swallowed it didn’t occur to him to take a drink of water. So when he spoke next his voice came out scratchy, he cleared his throat. “What about y-you?”

WORD COUNT::428
TAGS::Piers
OUTFIT::School uniform
NOTES::Not my best post. : /