And this is crazy... - Wilhelm

[Victoria Abernathy]

Victoria had hardly been here for an hour whenever there was somebody coming through the portrait hole. It was well after curfew, and even though it was almost the end of the year if it was an unfriendly person, or a professor coming through the entrance...she could still end up with detention somehow. Luckily, it was a familiar face. Smiling up at the figure intruding on her alone time, feeling slightly nervous that she was still in her pajamas, not to mention the overly fuzzy slippers covering her feet she waved a hello. She wasn't as uncomfortable around Wilhelm as she was around other boys. Why? She had no earthly idea. They weren't even really close before this year. Perhaps it was Amina, she had really brought them all together, sure she had been playing on the same Quidditch team as Wilhelm for years now, but they didn't have much chance to talk. She didn't stick around much, and he was always so much better than her, she wouldn't have known what to say to him anyway. Thankfully, Amina had been outgoing enough for the both of them, something that most of the time she was thankful for. It certainly had made her more friends this year than Victoria had managed to make on her own all of the years combined. No doubt he had to be looking at her like she was a crazy woman. Dropping the treat that had been in her hand, her fingers rubbed together to rid themselves of the excess sugar and fell to her lap, feeling oddly guilty. No doubt he didn't binge like this, why would he need to? He could get all of this sort of stuff any time that he wanted, he could probably even get it delivered straight to his house. Shrugging her shoulders, like she hadn't just been stuffing her face with more sugar than one tiny human should ever have ingested she turned her gaze back to Wilhelm, her voice small “I just...I can't get these at home” why she was explaining herself, she had no earthly idea. It just felt like what she was supposed to be doing, like it was proper. He had much better manners than she did, perhaps he could tell her what to do, what a proper lady would do. Only, she didn't want to be a proper lady. Holding up a sugar quill, she held out her hand toward him, peace offering. If she could temp him into eating crap, then he wouldn't be able to run off and tell on her.

Of course, if she could find her own way to Alzubra, then technically she could come into the wizarding world whenever she wanted, it was just hard. There were some things that she couldn't get in the muggle world. Granted, it had more than it's fair share of delectable things to expand her waistline but these were magical, literally. Pumpkin pasties, chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts every flavor beans, fizzing whisbies, sugar quills, and many more things that she hadn't even managed to unearth yet from her giant pile of sugary treats on the counter top in front of her. They really were wonderful, the little elves that worked themselves silly to grant just about any wish that a hungry student could ever want. They had managed to pull her mountain of candy out from somewhere that she didn't even see but one second she was looking at an empty counter top, and the next moment, there was her body weight in candy in front of her. She still couldn't even believe that there were only three days left of the school year and then she would be a senior. Well, the wizarding equivalent of a senior anyway. It was almost exciting, but mostly scary. She already had all of her classes picked out, her time for the upcoming year carefully picked out with a decent course load, but nothing compared to the butt busting work that she had forced herself to do this past year. The summer, well, it would be slow going but she didn't really care. Her family was decent company most of the time, and they gave her her space whenever she needed it. Although, she would be lying if she said that she didn't wish on some level that she could go and take a vacation to the magical spots, all the seven wonders of the world had magical explanations of course, but her family wasn't interested in things like that. No doubt, they would just be going to see the Louvre for the sixth time in a row, her mother loved the paintings, no matter how much it bored the rest of her family. The woman just couldn't understand why they wouldn't want to walk around listening to somebody explain paintings in a language that none of them understood for hours on end.

She needed to push her thoughts of summer out of her head, it would be here sooner than she could even blink, might as well enjoy what few days of school that she had left. Starting with the giant glass of pumpkin juice next to her. Picking up a pumpkin pasty she dunked it into the open top of her glass, and took a bite that was far too big for her mouth, relishing in the assault of pumpkin flavor that overcame here. Too much, that had seemed like a good idea at the time but it wasn't such a good idea in execution. Swallowing anyway because she didn't want to let Wilhelm realize that she was disgusted with herself after the pumpkin overload sat on her tongue for a long moment. Taking a large drink of pumpkin juice to wash it down wasn't the best idea either. She needed to find something else to clear her mouth, something that wasn't pumpkin flavored. Pushing her long curly hair back behind her ears she grabbed a jelly slug and bit the tail end off, that was so much better. She should have brought her robe down with her, then she wouldn't feel so exposed. Her purple tank top was far more revealing than she was comfortable with, and while she was wearing capri style sweatpants...it wasn't enough. It was comfortable enough in the dorm room, but not so much now that she had company. She could practically hear Amina in her ear telling her that she looked fine, but that she should have been prepared for anything. Not that she had any room to talk, she would have looked great in a burlap sack. Smiling to herself at the idea she pulled herself out of her daydream and back to Wilhelm, if she acted normal,well, her version of normal perhaps he wouldn't see how uncomfortable she felt.

[Deleted]

Restless. Wilhelm believed that was a fairly accurate word to describe the state he had been in for near two hours now, which was strange considering his day should have worn him out. He had finished two more of his exams earlier on in the day that really hadn’t required much studying on his part. That was only because one of them had permitted each student to fill a single piece of parchment with as many notes as they wanted for their final. He had managed to fill every square of his with practically an entire year’s worth of material for his Herbology class. He was just thankful he had kept everything as opposed to throwing his notes away, as he usually did, after every significant test during the course of the semester. Afterwards, Wilhelm had grabbed a late, but very fulfilling lunch, before heading down to the Quidditch pitch with some of his mates for a pick-up game with a few other guys from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. He would have loved to have gone one on one with one of those Slytherin punks as revenge for them winning the Quidditch Cup this year, but as typical of all of them, they tended not to partake in activities with any member of a house that wasn’t their own. That was unless it involved bullying. Then they’d associate with anyone. Once he had played a few rounds of Quidditch, he had gone off on his own for his usual nightly jog. Wilhelm always looked forward to them as they were a great way for him to unwind and prepare himself for a good night’s rest. Merlin knew he needed it tonight for his damn Potions exam the following day. He needed to go to bed early and then wake up even earlier to cram some last minute studying in.

Returning to the castle, Wilhelm had gone back into the Great Hall for dinner. He had gotten three helpings of the night’s meal as he had heard that certain foods helped the brain when it came to test taking. He had loaded his plate with plenty of salmon, eight pieces of bread and several different varieties of fruit for dessert. The foods supposedly helping with problem-solving skills, memory and recalling information quickly. He felt all of those would be extremely effective with his Potions exam. As soon as dinner was over, he had retreated back to the common room, studied for a little bit with Amina and then retired to his bed at around nine o’clock. Wilhelm had been exhausted and from the moment his head hit his goose-feather pillow he was sure that sleep would come within seconds. Instead, it didn’t come at all. He had been tossing and turning for so long now that he had finally forced himself on his back, glaring at the dark ceiling of his four post, ruing whatever it was making him unable to sleep. After minutes in the same position, he groaned and threw his covers off of him. Moving his legs to the side of his bed, he pushed himself up and slid his feet into his loafers. He stood up and walked over to his night-table, opening the drawer and removing his wand to pocket in his trousers. He had no idea what he would need it for but he always liked being prepared. Maneuvering his way quietly past his sleeping dorm mates, Wilhelm went to the door and opened it. He stepped through it and shut it silently behind him. Once in the hallway of the dormitories, he rolled his eyes in jealously of his snoring housemates behind their respected closed doors. What he wouldn’t have given to be in their shoes, or better yet, their beds. He crept his way down the staircase and entered the common room.

Wilhelm quickly saw that he wasn’t the only one alone. There were five other Gryffindors scattered throughout the area. They were all studying, which was probably exactly what he needed to be doing to make some good come from his inability to sleep. Yet he was too frustrated. What he wanted more than anything was to sleep and whatever he needed to do to make that happen, he was going to do it. His mind quickly raced of all the things that helped him sleep when he was at home. Listening to music through his headphones and watching tv were what he usually did. Unfortunately, neither of those options were available as the school didn’t have televisions and his headphones had been taken away by the Astronomy professor earlier this year when he hadn’t been paying attention in class. They would be returned to him on the last day of school but that really didn’t help Wilhelm now. It was when he noticed a fourth year blowing a bubble from the gum in her mouth that the idea struck him. Food. Food always helped him sleep. He had already eaten more than generous portions of every meal today but maybe what he needed was a late-night snack. Looking to the large clock above the fireplace, he saw that it was eleven, well after curfew. Being caught in the corridors this late would surely earn him a detention and deductions of points from his house, but he was desperate. He needed sleep to pass tomorrow’s exam. Besides, he was usually pretty good about sneaking around after hours when he needed to. Walking in the direction of the portrait hole, he stepped up to stone opening as he approached and walked until the large painting that covered the entrance swung open. “What is this nonsense?” Turning around as he stepped out, Wilhelm held a finger to his lips once he saw the fat lady looking at him. “Keep it down.”

He ignored her muttering as he began the descent down towards the dungeons. It took him a good couple of minutes and almost getting caught by a patrolling Auror passing by the Library, but eventually Wilhelm made it towards the staircase that led in the direction of the Kitchens. Following the same route he had grown used to over the years, he found the fruit basket portrait fairly quickly. He extended a finger to the pear and tickled it, stepping away as the frame swung open to allow him access. He instantly slid in, not wanting to risk being caught when he was so close to his destination. At last, he finally made his way from the hallway and stepped into the Kitchens. His nose was instantly greeted by the aromatic air. The kitchen never really ever shut down. The house-elves down here were always preparing school feasts days and nights beforehand. Wilhelm had looked over to the left when he saw a very familiar redhead staring guiltily back at him. He grinned as he saw her. It widened as he saw the huge pile of candy next to her. Typical of a girl for feeling guilty over stuffing her face. Honestly, he’d be more impressed if they just owned it. He walked over to her, not yet realizing that Victoria was out after curfew and she didn’t have a tower of books on the other side of her. Since exam time had come around, he had rarely seen his friend doing anything but studying or writing notes. He would be stunned once he comprehended the significance of the situation. As he got closer, she extended a sugar quill towards him. “I just...I can't get these at home.” Laughing, Wilhelm took it and brought it to his mouth. Sugar was the last thing he needed if he was trying to fall asleep but it had been offered to him, how could he refuse it? “Are you sure?” he responded. “Or are you on your period?”

[Victoria Abernathy]

Quiet. Quiet. Quiet. It was so very quiet. Well, apart from the sound of her own gob chomping down on the jelly slug in her mouth. The strange squishing sound was not exactly the last memory that she wanted Wilhelm to have of her until the next school year. With one finger, she stuffed the rest of the slug in her mouth, and let both of her hands fall between her knees, her shoulders hunched forward toward the counter where the copious amounts of junk food still lay, unfolding before her like majestic mountains of fattening goodness. Normally whenever she was around members of the opposite sex she was fully clothed, at the very least uniform clad with robes to hide behind. This was the first time that she had ever worn her own clothing around people other than her family before. She was very self conscious about her figure, even if she didn't have very much reason to be. Hopefully Wilhelm wouldn't make her feel too bad about it. Not to mention she was out well past curfew, and if she was forced to go running back to the common room crying or utterly humiliated it was bound to get her caught. Hopefully this was one of those days that Wilhelm was in a good mood, and was feeling kind. Victoria never was able to fire back his quips like Amina was. She was so good at giving as good as she got. Victoria was far too timid for that.

Whenever he laughed and accepted her sugar quill, she could feel her shoulders rolling backward and herself sitting taller. He had been the very last person that she had expected to see down here, after curfew and all. Not that she didn't expect him to sneak out, it was more that she expected him to be doing something a little more interesting with his time out of bed. If one was going to risk getting caught by the auror's they might as well make it worth it. For her, the sugar was worth it. For him, she would have thought that It would have been a date or something equally as thrilling. She managed a weak smile in return as she forced the half masticated food down her gullet. “Are you sure?” Nodding a little too quickly she grinned “mmhm, help yourself” she pushed a small portion of her sugar pile closer to him as she made the sound. Looks like the sugar high was starting to kick in. Normally she was a salt and grain sort of girl. She loved that crunchy cereal that most people said was for cows, but every now and then this was nice. “Or are you on your period?” She felt like her face must have matched her hair right about now. Why would he guess something like that? Her eyes averted to the floor. No. She wasn't on her period. But that was none of his business. She couldn't just talk about things like that so casually. Why did boys even have to know that those things existed. They were a plague on female kind as a whole.

Slowly, she shook her head, the curl that she had pushed behind her ear earlier fell forward to bounce around her face. Merlin this was awkward. Was that the only logical reason that somebody like her could want to eat stuff like this? She was just having a moment of weakness was all. She could blame it on exams, but the truth was she felt ready. She had had books glued to her hands for months now, and her nose pressed between the pages. She felt like she was never going to be able to get all of the ink out of her hands. They were going to be permanently stained the purple shade that she used for her notes. Grabbing a random box of bertie botts every flavor beans off of the counter she pulled open the lid, dumping the contents out in front of her. Sorting them by the flavors that she knew to be repulsive from the ones that she didn't know just by the looks of them. “Exam jitters?” she inquired in a soft voice, wanting to know what had dragged him down here at this hour.