Tears, Ticks & Tocks

Up in the clock tower, amongst rusty cogs and storage boxes sat Bertie. The only light was that which filtered through the clock face, the four o clock shadow slashed across the spotlight fallen upon Bertie. 

The boy often came to the clock tower when he was writing, either that or the library. Anywhere with a huge window where could gaze up at the clouds from he resided. However, Bertie wasnt writing in the clock tower this Monday afternoon. In fact he was crying. 

He wasnt the type of boy to cry but after final period of defence against the dark arts Bertie had returned to his dormitory to find that his journal that contained all his written work had been torn, scribbled over and burn at the edges. He didn't know why this had happened or who would have done it but it hurt him.

The journal was a place where he could explore his vivid imagination with a quill. A place where he could really bring the characters in his head to life. Now that treasured temple was in mere ruins. He flicked through the mess, a tear streaking down his face. 

People rarely saw Bertie cry. The Ravenclaw couldn't bare to go to The Great Hall for dinner now, not where his red raw eyes would be witnessed in public. He was usually giggling about a thought that had popped into his head or he was gazing silently yet sweetly up at the ceiling trapped in creativity. Only Vivianna had seen him cry, even Zane hadn't. Then again Bertie wasn't as close to Zane as he were to Viv. They were close, Zane was like a cousin to him, but they weren't like glue. Maybe because Zane was even older than Viv? of perhaps a male? It was odd for Bertie to speak to older males due to having no male role model and not being able to associate with them but that was different with Zane. Even though they were both Ravenclaw's it was Vivianna that brought them together.

The sound of Bertie's weak sobs and Snidget's (his green western toad) croaks was disguised by the ticking that each hand movement caused. It echoed around the attic like room somewhat therapeutically. 

Vivianna casually scanned the Great Hall as a spoonful of mashed potatoes made its way between her lips. Her routine scan was going fine, until the teen noticed something amiss with the Ravenclaw table. Bertie wasn't there.

Setting down her spoon, the teen leant forwards slightly and allowed her eyes to slowly examine the table again. It was possible that she's just missed the small boy, after all. By the time she'd reached the end of the table, her lips were lightly pursed. Still no Bertie.

Tongue darting out to wet her lips, the Slytherin took a small sip of juice. Bertie wasn't one to skip meals. Something was wrong, Vivianna was sure of it. Eyes glued to the table of blue and bronze, the redhead's mouth curved into a smile as she spotted Zane. Perhaps Zane knew were Bertie was.

It took over a minute to catch Zane's eye. Upon finally doing so, she widened her eyes to signify that there was something off. When Zane's expression remained the same, the witch rolled her eyes upwards, and mouthed Bertie. When the elder male didn't appear to be able to read her lips at such a distance, the girl sighed.

Sending her close friend a look, she stood from her seat at the Slytherin table. Her housemates, aware of the unusual antics of Vivianna Varnes, didn't even blink as she moved to leave mid-meal. With a quick glance backwards to make sure Zane knew to follow, the young witch exited the hall. Vivianna was sure that her exit would result in rumors the next day. Not that she cared, mind.

Zane had been sitting with Adrienne, chatting lightly about their summer plans when he felt someone watching him. Not one to just look around while in conversation, he replied to Adrienne - talking about where he was from - then glanced up. Vivianna was watching him, looking both concerned about something and glad that she'd caught his attention.

He was tempted to raise an eyebrow at her wide eyes, but perhaps this was something he wasn't supposed to react to? Another plot idea? She mouthed something but he couldn't make it out.

Clearly frustrated with him, Viv stood, though her table didn't seem to care. Zane knew that most of them understood her enough to not question things.

"Addie, I've got to go talk to someone. It's urgent. I'm sorry." He said, standing up with a small frown to show he was honestly sorry. She just nodded in understanding. She was the type to do the same if someone needed her, so he knew she didn't mind.

Picking up his bookbag, Zane made his way out of the Great Hall, following Vivianna. Once he was through the doors, he went off at a slight jog to catch up to her. "What's going on?" He asked as he reached her side, adjusting the bag on his shoulder. "I didn't forget anything did I?"


((Permission to GM Addie was granted))

"No, you're fine," the witch said as she continued to walk. Stopping a moment later, she spun on the spot of face Zane. "Do you know where Bertie is? He wasn't at dinner, he's always at dinner. I think something's wrong. We have to find him. Have you seen him today?" the teenager said in one breath, words spilling off her tongue.

Not having the patience to wait for a response, Vivianna continued to speak, "the last time he missed dinner he was in the hospital wing. I don't like this. He might be a bit late to meals sometimes, but never like this. Oh Merlin, Zane, what if someone did something to him to get to me?" The words rushed out so quickly that they were starting to blend together.

Realizing that she was bordering on complete panic, the witch shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Opening her lids, the girl reached up to pull on one of the many blue-dyed strands usually hidden in the under layer of her hair.

Damn, she really needed to get her emotions under control. And, of course, Zane would probably never let her live this down. But the part that Vivianna hated most, was that she still had no clue where to start looking for the young Ravenclaw she thought of as a little brother.

"Viv," Zane said after she stopped firing questions at him. He reached out and turned her to face him dead on by holding her shoulders. "Breathe. We'll find him."

Zane didn't exactly know the boy as well as Vivianna did, but if she cared about him like family, that practically made Bertie family to Zane as well. He had only perhaps four people besides Brianna that he cared that much about, and if one of those people was worried about Bertie like she clearly was, that meant a lot in his book.

He released her and watched her pull on the dyed part of her hair. "If they did anything, you know we'll just find out who did it and get them back. And worse. Let's start thinking." He began walking off in the direction of the Ravenclaw Tower, knowing the boy was in his house. "So, he could be in the Common Room or dormitory, but where would he go if he wanted to, say.. think? Or to get a minute alone?"

"Right, of course we will," the witch nodded, practically wanting to hit herself for freaking out. As much as she adored the young boy, obvious weak spots were never a good idea.

"I doubt he's in Ravenclaw territory," Vivianna said softly, quickly catching up with Zane with a few long strides. "Thinking, right," the girl echoed, mildly irritated that Zane was the calm and rational one right then. "Back of the library, one of the abandoned classrooms, maybe outside somewhere?" the Slytherin listed, feeling clueless.

The two students continued to walk, footsteps echoing down the empty corridor. The two were almost to the end of the hall, when Vivianna abruptly grabbed Zane's arm. "The Clock Tower," she spat out, eyes widened with realization.

Zane decided it would be best to just keep quiet and let her think, so he listened as she listed off places, walking beside her. He jumped only slightly when she stopped suddenly and reached out to grab him. "Why the Clock Tower?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

He could sort of see the appeal of the Clock Tower, though, even after he'd said it. It was quiet except for, well, the clock of course. But it was also pretty secluded. It seemed like the perfect place to go for a minute alone.

He turned on his heel and tugged Vivianna along gently as he headed towards the tower. "Whatever the problem is, we'll fix it." He promised, unsure how else to help her.

"He goes there to write a lot," the witch announced with a nod, allowing herself to be dragged along. Vivianna still remembered the first time she'd caught Bertie up there. The Slytherin herself was in the towers a lot, simply due to her love of heights. The teenager had almost wondered if she was rubbing of on the younger Ravenclaw, until he told her of how he liked to go there to write.

The female could hardly blame him, the place was quiet and secluded, but held that little air of mystery. For someone with an imagination like Bertie's, the tower was probably idea central. Not that Bertie needed any help on that front, of course.

Quickening her pace, Vivianna continued to head towards the Clock Tower. Realizing that Zane's hand was still in hers from when he had started to pull her along, the girl clasped her fingers through his. The Slythrein didn't care what it looked like, but she did care about her Ravenclaws.

Zane gave her hand a squeeze of reassurance as they went up the stairs. They made it up to the clock tower and Zane opened the door, gesturing for Vivianna to go ahead and go first, letting go of her hand and following behind her. "Bertie?" He called softly.

It was surprisingly dark - the only light being that which filtered through the round window that made the face of the clock. It was dinner time and the sun had already begun to set ages ago. The ticking of the tower resonated above and all around them as Zane looked around for the boy. He turned his head sharply as a frog's croak surprised him. There, Zane saw Bertie alone, looking like he was crying. Not sure what to do, Zane held back, giving Viv the chance to talk with him first. Zane didn't know the younger Ravenclaw as well, and didn't feel it was really his place to be the first to intervene.

Zane lingered for a moment, before deciding he should probably at least go over and sit near them. So he walked up and sat on the side of Bertie that Viv wasn't on, hoping that being surrounded by people who clearly cared would help him somehow.

Vivianna was glad for the reassuring squeeze Zane had given her as they neared the Clock Tower. While the Slytherin was rarely one to rely on others, or get worried in general, Zane and Bertie had always been exceptions for her. Zane was so easy to relax around and trust, which had always been nice after spending so much time in the snake pit. And Bertie, well, there was something about the innocence and openness of the boy that sent all of the girls normally dormant protective instincts rising to the surface.

It was Zane that opened the door, and called out into the seeming empty room. Taking a few steps forwards, the witch's eyes were immediately drawn to the huddled figure of Bertie. He was crying, and Vivianna's first thought was to comfort him.

Appearing at the boy's side in a blink, the girl automatically slid down next to him and slipped an arm around his shoulders. It was unusual how natural this came to her, when she had so little experience with human contact. Registering Zane seating himself on Bertie's other side, the Slytherin found herself thinking that whatever had upset her little brother like this, would pay.