What doesn't kill you makes a fighter, Open

[Shiral Verdantclaw]

“Brave...you have to be brave...grow a set of wings or you'll never fly...”

Shiral mumbled to herself as she approached a corridor that the witch knew she should not be traveling down. Despite her recent struggles to improve her DADA skills, she hadn't grown any more courageous. It didn't matter how good one was at casting spells, if their first reaction to any sign of danger was to scream and fall over. This time, she wouldn't scream, she wouldn't fall, she would stand and face any fear that came after her.

Assuming it didn't kill her...

No, that wasn't the right way to think. This would be her test; her own personal test of courage. Her feet padded quietly down the hall. She wasn't even to that corridor yet and her heart was pounding. The ravenclaw's mind asked if she should have taken Hibblespot with her. Somehow, she knew that he was a safety blanket though. Even though he was just a toad, he made her feel safe in places that would otherwise strike utter terror into her heart. The world seemed to get darker as she stepped on. The shadows crept in on the edges of her vision. The air was eerily silent; and the air was thick with dust as it puffed up from her feet as she moved. Nobody had been down here in a long time. Maybe that was for the best....

No! She had to stop that sort of thinking. Without something...she would never learn to conquer her fears...

The darkness loomed closer...daunting. The shadows themselves seemed to say that she would never even make it to the threshold of the corridor. Intimidated, but determined, Shiral kept going...Ever since she came to this place...Hogwarts, everything had been terrifying. She tried so hard her first year, but it didn't take too long before her social life was ruined. Of course that was in her third year...but that was besides the point. She had become the “plant girl”. So much so that manure had been poured on her head as a practical joke. At first, in her second year, Shiral had envisioned her position as the “plant girl” as that of a rose, or the heavenly star jasmine...It didn't take too long before she realized, she was a weed.

Not even a pretty weed either...She was the weed that was ignored. Too insignificant to even pull out. The garden didn't care if she was there or not...Her eyes watered a bit at her own mental berating. She knew, had to know, that someday she wouldn't be be a weed. One day, perhaps today, she would become the flower she wanted to be. She would be a real part of Hogwarts, rather than a piece of dust that just managed to find its way into the great hall.

“Just keep moving. How bad can it be? Grow up Shiral...you're sixteen, you shouldn't be afraid of the dark...”

[Evangelin Johnson]

Just like she used to, Evangeline was on her way to the library, humming happily to herself. The weather was too cold for her to go outside and play in, thus she was limited to the library - it didn't really bother her all that much, but she always ended up feeling all stuffy and cooped up if she was unable to get outside and enjoy nature.But buried in her thoughts about which books she should read or borrow for classes, she walked right past the girl on he way down toward the Forbidden Corridor.

And as she was humming the melody to Hollywood Undead's song, a muggle band she was very fond of, Evangeline stopped in her tracks and frowned. Hadn't there just been a girl on her way down toward the Forbidden Corridor? Evangeline smirked, and turned on her heals, following the girl's silhouette and listening to her mutterings to herself.

'What a strange girl' Evangeline thought with a worried frown, wondering whether the girl could be mentally unstable perhaps? She seemed awfully frightened for someone going into the Forbidden Corridor, had she been dared maybe? Or was she meeting someone?

Pushing the thoughts away, Evangeline sped up her pace, though she didn't need to cause the girl's steps were obviously hesitant. She stopped when she got close enough and leaned against the wall casually, the dark didn't bother her,though the creatures that could easily dwell was quite worrying but she wasn't so pathetic as to show even the smallest inkling of that worry - it was way beneath her to act as a frightened child - it was okay for her to be frightened - she just couldn't show it - everyone could be frightened and show it but Ever was simply to prideful to allow herself such. Letting others know what you feared was a liability and Ever would prefer to not have any of those.

"Whats wrong with being afraid of the dark? " Evangeline asked the girl, head lightly tilted to the right and curiosity playing within those dark eyes of hers.
Pushing herself off the wall, padding closer to the frightened girl, smiling ever so slightly before she inquired:"In fact, Its not the dark you fear, its what could be hiding in it, right?", Ever pulled her wand out and with a slight swing and a mumbled 'Lumos', her wand lit up and suddenly the dark wasn't nearly as intimidating as it had just been.
"Its totally normal to be afraid of something, and its stupid not to be just slightly afraid here. Ever mumbled, mostly to herself though.

Evangeline looked around cautiously, sure she had heard some kind of noise but couldn't be sure if it was simply her imagination playing with her or an actual threat.Deciding to stay alert - she wasn't going to spend much time here. It wasn't that she frightened or anything. Not at all. She simply didn't want to loose points - her house-mates surely wouldn't be pleased with that. "Want to be followed back? She offered politely, having the need to be somewhat helpful to the stranger.

[Shiral Verdantclaw]

Shiral hadn't noticed someone coming up behind her. She was much too focused on making each step move her forward. Then suddenly there was someone there...She jumped, then realized it was just another student.

“Holy leaves of Yggdrasil!”

Her hazel eyes were giant and her chest heaved with heavy, panicked breaths. Why did everybody have to sneak up on the red head? Now, more than ever, Shiral wished she had taken Hibblespot with her. From his lofty perch upon her next of flaming hair, he could see more than Shiral ever managed to perceive. He wasn't bad as an alarm system either. Then again, the sixteen year old didn't know if that would have made much of a difference there. She probably would have jumped when he croaked as well.

A light exploded on the tip of the girl's wand. Why hadn't she thought of that? This is why she probably shouldn't wander through the walls of Hogwarts alone. The words jumped into her head times when you want your DADA tutor with you... No, she needed to do this....

“I suppose you're right about the being afraid of the dark thing...that it's really being afraid of what's in the dark...I'm pretty much afraid of everything though.”

The eagle took a deep breath and tried to steady her hands. Of course she had just now realized they were shaking. Had she even taken her wand out yet?!? Crud. She would remember to do that slowly...in a moment. She certainly didn't want this newcomer to send her flying through the hallway because she looked aggressive. Her heart had finally slowed, and her breathing was back to normal by the time she registered the rest of the dark haired girl's comment.

“Followed back? If you mean into the corridor, you're welcome to come with me...Yggdrasil knows I could use someone who has the brain to remember to pull out their wand...unlike me.”

Good timing, she pulled out her wand case, then slid the reed shafted beauty out and into the open air. It seemed happy to be out and readied.

“If you mean out of the hallway, away from the corridor...I appreciate the offer...but...”

Shiral wasn't sure of how to put into words her current predicament. There were so many people she wished she had with her right now. Ariel, only just a first year would know exactly what to say here...Alric...Well he wouldn't have been approached for looking like a terrified mouse while walking down a hallway now would he? The sixteen year old could feel the blood boiling up to her cheeks. It seemed as if her face was trying very hard to match the hues present in her hair.

“But I have to do this...If I don't do something to build up a little courage, then how will I ever come to stop running from everything I see? I really...do, appreciate it though. You certainly don't seem the least bit phased by this place...”

[Evangelin Johnson]

Evangeline couldn't help but giggle ever so slightly by the girl's reaction to her presence, she had obviously been much to focused to notice her. Ever chuckled and raised an eyebrow at the strange words she had uttered. Cause wasn't Yggdrasil the Tree of Life in Nordic Mythology? As far as she could recall it was indeed. Was this girl a follower of the newly acknowledged faith? Ever smiled, 'How interesting' she remarked and reminded herself that she should inquire about it later, when they weren't in a possibly dangerous place surrounded by possible threats.

Ever strolled closer to the frightened girl, placing a petite hand on her shoulder with a worried look on her face as she watched the girl. "Are you alright? Calm down - it won't help anything if you faint cause your brain doesn't get oxygen enough!" Evangeline said, her black eyes scanning the girl's face and eyes for possible signs of fainting, quite worried in fact. Not because she would have to drag the girl from the corridor and the Hospital Wing but because she really didn't wish to see the girl,even though a stranger, ill or in distress.

And she couldn't help smiling by the girl's reply and Ever could do nothing but shrug."So? What is wrong with being scared of everything? Its not like its your fault. And the fact that you admit that you are afraid takes courage aswell" Evangeline remarked with a calming smile. Her mother, after moving into her grandparents manor had become quite paranoid and had too been afraid of everything but to Evangeline it wasn't shameful or anything like it. Not at all. Perhaps even the opposite.

The Slytherin frowned by the frightened girl's answer to her suggestion. Even though she was obviously frightened and scared halfway to death, she still wished to continue? Why was she being so...reckless? Evangeline frowned, unable to comprehend the girl's motives and disliking that fact quite alot. Contemplating whether she should also be a reckless fool and continue this dangerous little 'adventure' just to make sure the girl would be alright or not, Ever answered with a grin:"Come on, don't beat yourself up on it. You are frightened out of your wits and I can't blame you for that."

Noting that the girl had finally pulled her wand out but dismissing it since she obviously was't aggressive, Evangeline ruffled her bangs and heaved a sigh. "Its not as if Im not the least bit worried, there is a reason that this place is called 'the Forbidden Corridor' and it would be absolutely idiotic not to be just a bit frightened.. But you can't let the fear overtake you - 'keep a calm head and you will have better chance of surviving' is what I was taught." The 5th year explained, not all comfortable with acknowledging that she was just a biit worried...Alright more than a bit - but no one needed to know that.

Ever gazed around, squinting her eyes as she was trying to make out if anything was in fact hiding in the dark that the strange girl feared so much but failing. "You know, there is nothing wrong with being frightened. You aren't a coward for being afraid. Bravery comes in many forms and since you fear so many things - you have to face your fears on daily basis. That takes more courage than what many Gryffindors have. Evangeline said, avoiding looking at the girl as she spoke, a bit embarrassed.

"Some people walk around with the whole worlds worries on their shoulders, so that others - The Gryffindors for example, can recklessly throw themselves into battles. And though it seems as a curse - it might aswell be painful gift and duty that is yours to bear.. And it would be foolish to harm yourself in this brave attempt on facing another one of your demons." The Slytherin added and looked down at her converse for a silent moment,thoughtful of the words she had spoken. That was truly what she thought of this world.

That it was parted into two kinds of brave people. Those who fear so much and carry all the worries of the world in the stomach - facing their demons everyday so that Those without all those worries could bravely spring into battle and risk their necks for those precious to them.

Pushing her musing away, She looked up again and reached her hand out to the girl with a crooked smile lighting her face, " Anyways, Im Evangeline and if I can't talk you out of this - it seems Ill be your partner on this little adventure of yours"

[Shiral Verdantclaw]

Shiral blinked wide eyes at the comment that she might faint. As far as the ravenclaw knew, she had never fainted. Though the other girl was right, it wouldn't help anything... There was actually genuine concern in the girl's eyes and Shiral tried not to laugh as she wished that Hibblespot could see this. As far as Shiral could tell, the girl was a Slytherin; and she was genuinely concerned that Shiral might faint.

The smile that came next caught the witch off guard. Shiral listened as the girl spoke but could hardly believe her ears. Was she getting a pep talk from this girl? Shiral couldn't even move her tongue to respond, she was much too shocked. Another smile...softer this time, as if she could relate to what she was saying. Though, this girl didn't look as if she was hardly afraid of anything. Then a frown... This one was just a gambit of emotions wasn't she? Shiral really couldn't tell if the girl was trying to make her feel better, change her mind, or give her courage. Either way, it was a bit unsettling to be approached with such enthusiasm.

The pep talk continued. Beat herself up? Shiral didn't see it as beating herself up. She was just...telling the truth. Of course she was frightened; though she took a slight offense, as a Ravenclaw to being told it was out of her wits. Though she supposed having not thought to bring out her wand to do a simple light spell could constitute fairly solid proof of the other girl's point. She admitted a bit of worry, that seemed odd...Still, everything about this Slytherin seemed wrong for the house. She was kind, concerned, sweet, bubbly even. “Keep a calm head and you will have a better chance of surviving.” That was good advice...Something flickered in her eyes as she spoke though. Shiral could only guess that something was making her uncomfortable. Was the ravenclaw staring again? No...not as far as she could tell. In fact, her eyes kept flicking off to the remaining shadows like they might come to life and take away her own. Perhaps that was the problem. Shiral tried to focus more on the girl as she spoke. Besides, she seemed to have some pretty decent advice to give to a very frightened Shiral. Of course it was just as she made this decision that her newest distraction from the fear chose to momentarily scout the room herself.

The words about facing her fears on an everyday basis found their way under a smirk that wiggled it's way up to Shiral's lips. She didn't face her fears, she ran and hid in the greenhouse...The closest thing she did to facing her fears was going to her classes and not dropping out of defense against the dark arts completely. Something caught the over observant Ravenclaw's ear though. Despite her obvious attempts to make Shiral feel better about her fears, this girl certainly seemed to have something against Gryffindors. Which was amusing considering it was a gryffindor that had tried to help Shiral when she was being pranked by a group of slytherins...Still, the girl wasn't even looking at her. Now that Shiral had finally decided to focus on the girl, she couldn't get her to look back. Shiral couldn't help but wonder what she was doing wrong. The anti-social ravenclaw never had gotten the hang of these interactions with others.

The Slytherin seemed to wander off into her own mind for a moment. Which was okay, it gave Shiral a time to consider the words she had spoken. It wasn't so bad being afraid sometimes...but to Shiral, being afraid, all of the time was taxing. It took so much energy to be afraid and because of it, she had isolated herself from the rest of the world. It was only now, in her fifth year at Hogwarts that she had finally begun to make some friends. Of course, one of them becoming her friend had been a total accident, though not an unhappy one. She snapped back just in time to hear the girl give her name...Evangeline. Shiral couldn't help but wonder if it had even occurred to the girl that she hadn't been talking for most of the time, but it didn't really matter. Shiral preferred not to talk. She was bad at it. Still, the friendliness with which the girl offered to join her was refreshing.

“It's a pleasure to meet you Evangeline. I'm Shiral, Shiral Verdantclaw. As a side note, you certainly don't seem to like Gryffindors. Therefore, I am glad that I'm a Ravenclaw at this particular moment.”

It sounded odd as it came out of her mouth and into the air, but there was nothing she could do once it was said except look stupid and feel bad about it. She made the decision not to.

“I think I would quite enjoy to have you with me on this little...adventure...as you put it.”

[Evangelin Johnson]

Evangeline ceased talking when she realized that the girl had not answered her a single time, somewhat uncomfortable with that the Slytherin gazed to the left in unease. In her attempt of being nice she had instead rambled and rambled and the embarrassment caught up to her now.A blush was staining her normally creamy white cheeks and her blunt teeth nibbled on her rosy bottom lip, a bit unsure of herself as she cursed herself for it. Somehow through her rambling it felt as though the girl had been somewhat surprised.By what Ever wasn't sure. Was she really that strange? Or maybe the girl wasn't used to people being nice?Perhaps she just held apprehension toward Slytherins? Pondering the endless possibilities for a moment - Ever simply decided that the latter was the most possible but decided to drop the matter and warily gazed around at the flickering shadows that seemed to take on one creepy form after another which made them appear somewhat aggressive. Evangeline mentally scoffed at her thoughts - Shadows being aggressive - Where in the world did one achieve a mind such as hers?

She was pulled out of her internal discussion with herself as the frightened girl spoke and seemed to have answered at least the introduction.Evangeline smiled - She had never heard the name Shiral before, she remarked as her gaze sweeped over the girl in an examining way - how peculiar this girl was - Ever thought to herself but finding that she didn't mind in the least. Though a Ravenclaw? Evangeline would have pegged her as a Puff perhaps. She had always favored Ravenclaw a bit - the intelligence they valued so highly was something she enjoyed quite alot. If she had not been placed with Slytherin - She would have loved to be a Raven. She was proud of her House but sometimes she felt just a tad bit strange among them. But something within her had made the Sorting Hat place her within the proud and noble house that tended to be quite.. snobbish, haughty. Perhaps that trait of hers that craved justice so bad and always seemed to make her ponder about the best ways to punish the perpetrators, preferably very cruelly. Just like Haylie in Hard Candy did.

Though, a bit taken a back with Shiral's comment about her disliking the Gryffindors and being happy that she weren't one of them - Evangeline wasn't offended."I fear you have misunderstood me, I have absolutely nothing against them. I don't judge people, I do not know. But is the reckless bravery not a trait amongst many of those well-known Lions in history? That was simply what I was commenting on." The Slytherin girl said, a bit uneasy but she pushed it to the back of her mind,closed the lid and locked it firmly as her rosy lips quirked into a small smile " I can't speak for my housemates but I don't care what house you are from,how you look or what gender you prefer - If you are nice to me, Ill be nice to you" Evangeline assured the Ravenclaw girl, mentally adding that those words went the other way aswell.

Evangeline could not help but beam at the girl as she said the usual pleasantry of being pleased to meet someone. Simply cause the girl sounded sincere and the one trait Ever valued as highly as Justice and Loyalty was Honesty. She felt that lying was petty and having been raised as the high-class child many pureblood families did - she had been taught it was beneath her. "I can only agree - it is awfully nice to make your acquaintance!" The 5th year answered happily.

At the remark of the 'adventure' Evangeline could not help but snicker but she gracefully hid the amused smile behind one of those dainty hands of hers before she boldly reached out - taking hold of the girl's hand before she smiled excitedly - the rush of breaking rules finally getting to her and turned her gaze to meet the girl's eyes "Ready to meet whatever cowardly hides itself within the shadows?" Evangeline dared her new acquaintance before she cautiously starting making way further down the corridor - wand raised infront of her - providing light to see so that they wouldn't run into walls.

[Shiral Verdantclaw]

Shiral's eyes popped open wide when the bold Slytherin grabbed her hand. She most certainly was not used to being touched much less grabbed in a dark hall way...but someone she just met...rather abruptly. The Slytherin was nice enough really. In fact the comment that if Shiral were nice to her, that she would be nice to Shiral reminded the red head of something she had said to another student not too long ago...The hallway still remained intimidating but it was nice to have someone else along. Particularly someone as brave and bold as the Slytherin leading her on now.

It helped to have someone who would nudge her along. The ravenclaw doubted if she would have ever gotten through the corridor otherwise. The shadows still managed to creep in but Evangeline's comment about the “cowards that would hide in the shadows” made the timid eagle feel more at ease. Of course, it didn't necessarily make one a coward for hiding in the shadows...sometimes it made one a crafty attacker who knew how to set an ambush. Shiral tried to push those thoughts from her mind.

“Evangeline...how is it that you talk about being afraid like you've been there...but you certainly don't seem afraid of anything. Wary, maybe...but not afraid.”

Shiral decided to dismiss the grabbing for now. She had this feeling that if she didn't it might cause the Slytherin to become uncomfortable and the only thing Shiral knew of unhappy snakes was that they were prone to biting; and could be venomous. The sixteen year old contemplated the implications of the dark haired girl's words on reckless bravery. Perhaps that's what Shiral had been displaying. Recklessness. What would her family have said? Her mother would have been disappointed; though her father probably would have pointed out that it was they, her parents, who instilled sense of curiosity in the girl.

Her mother knew better...

“I wonder what's going to be down here anyway...”

[Evangelin Johnson]

It was obvious that her bold act of taking Shiral's hand had stunned the girl and that somewhat amused the Slytherin, mostly she didn't care much for touching people she barely knew but the fact that the two of them was in the Forbidden Corridor, unknowing of what kind of dangers could be lurking and the fact that they both could need what holding another one's hand, even a stranger. There was some strange sort of comfort in knowing that you were not alone, that you had someone that needed you to hold it together. The Slytherin would never admit it, but she probably needed the small comfort, just as much as the Ravenclaw girl did.

Evangeline wasn't stupid. She was frightened by the location they found themselves in, And she also feared whatever could be hiding and lurking within those shadows,most of all what they'd do if they got their hands or claws on two reckless witches sneaking around in places where they should not ever have set foot. But they nonetheless had. And Ever carried around way too much pride to show the fear that only she knew was rising within her, speeding up her heart and sending adrenaline rushing throughout her veins. Evangeline could do nothing but chuckle a bit humorlessly as she heard the Raven's question. "Everyone had fears,Shiral. You have many, some have few. But all have fears and i am certainly not an exception "The slytherin mumbled as she guided the two of them further down the corridor that they had been so vehemently warned about entering,listening attentively to soft echo of their own footsteps upon the stony cold floor - wary of strange sounds.

The Japanese turned her head to the fellow witch, flashing her a teasing grin
"And shouldn't you know better than to judge a book by its cover?" She asked her, sounding almost as if they weren't putting themselves in a possible life-threatening situation, the teeny tiny quiver of her voice was there but one would have to be extremely observant to catch it.

Evangeline turned her inky gaze forwards again and her eyebrows knitted together as the possibilities flashed past her in her mind. Horrifying creatures in all sizes - possibly bloodthirsty. Blunt teeth sunk into the rosy soft flesh of Ever's bottom-lip:"I don't know...and Im not sure I want to. She said, her voice almost as low as whisper before she took a deep calming breath and steadied herself, forming resolve to banish the fears sneaking around in her mind "But we can't just turn back, so no other choice but to keep moving forward"

As those words left Ever's lips a torch lit itself by their right side, causing the Slytherin to squeeze the hand she was holding and gasp under her breath, like in a game of domino - a chainreaction ensued and torches lit all the way down the long corridor's walls until it stopped at an enormous tree door maybe 20 meters from the two witches, Evangeline inhaled sharply thorugh her cute little nose before she,shocked almost into silence, turned her gaze to the Shiral and asked:"Ready?" before she squeezed the girl's hand reassuringly, mumbling the word 'Nox' since the lighting spell was not needed anymore though the wand wasn't placed back into its usual place, no it was held firmly in her hand -ready for whatever could happen, probably.

[Shiral Verdantclaw]

Shiral was incredibly observant. A trait that came from constantly watching to see if someone was going to betray her, or just outright cause her trouble. The quiver in the other witch's voice was there, but the red head could tell that she was trying to hide it. Actually, it was reassuring to know that Shiral wasn't the only one afraid in this place. The eagle felt as if she might be incredibly stupid for ever deciding to come down this horrid hallway. Her question before had been one of curiosity but the fear always overwhelmed her heart. She could feel her pulse climbing and hoped that the clever slytherin that had grabbed her hand couldn't feel the pounding blood in her veins. It was horrifying, terrifying, and every other word that meant absolutely, run away, scary. But Shiral did not turn. She did not run away like her wizened ravenclaw mind was screaming to do. Today she might not have been called a ravenclaw by the sorting hat. She did not know what she would be called really...stupid probably. Foolish, at best. However, something told her that if she did not go through with this, she would never know her own courage.

The hallway lit up like a dragon's birthday cake after the “happy birthday' song. Flames jumped and danced along the wall, reigned in by the torches they sat upon. The light did not do a thing to calm Shiral's nerves. The fifth year could feel Evangelin's hand tighten upon her and noticed the jump as the hallway changed into a light bathed corridor. This certainly was a strange place. What sort of forbidden corridor lit up like London during Christmas? The eagle's eyes fell onto her partner in this 'adventure', then to the door that lay ahead.

It was huge. The door that lay before the two girls was enormous and the eagle wasn't entirely sure how they were going to get it open. She stared up at the wooden guardian. The door stood strong like a soldier awaiting meddlesome little snakes and eagles to come up and give it something to turn away. But today...today Shiral would not be turned away. The word “nox” echoed through the hallway and the light on the tip of her companion's wand winked out. Shiral could swear she smelled ozone, that distinctive scent that nobody seems to be able to describe without giving a situation in which one smells it. Such as right after a particularly violent sneeze. Perhaps it was just her mind deciding to give her more things to wonder about.

“I don't think I'll ever be ready...but it's time to keep walking anyway.”

For once in her life, Shiral took the lead. She began to walk forward toward the mighty wooden guardian that stood in her path. Unmoving it waited for her to arrive. She pressed her hand against the soft grain. It did not attack her. At least that was a good sign. There were words on the door though...and several symbols. Shiral read the words aloud...

“In marble halls as white as milk,
Lined with a skin as soft as silk,
Within a fountain crystal-clear,
A golden apple doth appear.
No doors there are to this stronghold,
Yet thieves break in and steal the gold.
Choose me and find my last weapon.”

The ravenclaw's eyes lit up at the thought of a riddle; and this had just the right wording and feel to be a most wonderful riddle! The symbols on the door were the next targets of her unyielding gaze. It seemed to be a bit of a story. At first, there was a nest with eggs lying within. One of the eggs hatched and turned into a tiny dragon which seemed to run along the scene, growing larger until it was fully grown. A wizard came up to slay the dragon with spells, but the spells disappeared as he moved his wand. He was struck down. Then next a knight, bold with shining armor rode up on a horse. He blocked the dragon's fire with a wide shield, then swiftly slew the beast with a shining sword. Her head whipped around to look at the slytherin, the one who's hand she still held tightly.

“A riddle! Help me decipher it!”

[Evangelin Johnson]

Evangeline damned the slight quiver in her voice, hating the almost perfunctory but nonetheless present proof of her fear. Somewhat she resented that weakness, her upper-lip lifted ever so slightly as she sneered at herself - mentally telling herself to pull herself together and stop being whiny.Her heart was beating as if attempting to escape its cage, making her pulse skyrocket and thus rushing the adrenaline in her veins to spread through her body and that adrenaline seemed to overshadow the fear that had manifested in her mind. She never lacked fear - she just chose that somethings were more important than that fear. As the torches lit up one of another along the wall and illuminating the Corridor that they had been warned about setting foot in the same night they arrived at Hogwarts and had been placed in their respective houses and yet,here they stood - hand in hand and foolishly going against the warnings given - Ever could not help the smile that tugged at her rosy lips. Some rules were after all made to be broken.

Evangeline was surprised when the fearful Ravenclaw beside her took the lead and pulled her along. The girl was just as frightened, probably more, than she herself was and yet she found the courage to be the one to guide her? The girl clearly underestimated herself and with every step that Evangeline took closer to that door at the end of the corridor the respect for Shiral grew. Either she was stupid, which was unlikely because of her house.Or She was incredible willful and stubborn which could be possible and the last option was that she in truth had more courage than she,herself, knew. The latter was what Evangeline thought most possible and she couldn't help the amused smile that lit her face but the smile faded as the two of them stood in front of the enormous door, Evangeline raised her eyebrows as she looked at it, what was the logic in such a big door? She mentally facepalmed - she was in possible danger and here she was - pondering the size of a freaking door? Evangeline banished the thoughts just as she was pulled out of her musing by Shiral's voice, reciting the writing on the door. A riddle huh? Somewhat appropriate but also typically dramatic for wizards was it not? Everything had to cause a bit drama - either way it would become boring.

When the Ravenclaw asked her to assist her in deciphering what it meant the Slytherin could only lean forward and let her inky eyes skim over the written words upon the door - Evangeline pursed her lips - What a strange riddle - She wasn't used to solve riddles but she would nonetheless do her best to assist. The girl sat down Indian style,totally prepared to having to wait long to decipher the riddle and cause she thought better when sitting down.She played with the dark locks thoughtfully "Something golden/yellowy...Hidden away behind white 'walls' with no doors...What in the world could that be?" The slyth asked herself, frowning a bit, nibbling her bottomlip as she pondered. Something precious...protected within something white..With no doors so how had it ended there? Was it created like that? Forged around it? She reached up and ruffled her dark straight hair, a habit of hers.As she looked over the small pictures that was showed and she didn't know how much passed with her simply staring at those pictures but when she was pulled out of her own distant musings , she raised a single eyebrow as a light went up for her. "That thing that's described....could it be the eggs?" She asked, still mostly just talking to herself. It seemed possible. The white strong shell of the egg,hiding the yellow thing that would have been the chicken and it floated around in something that could be mistaken as water."And if that's the case -What in the world does that signify?" She asked and turned her head and gazed at the Ravenclaw hopefully - hoping she had some answer to that.

[Shiral Verdantclaw]

“oooh, I bet you're right! I like the way you think Evangelin! But...how does one “select” it?”

Shiral ran her fingers over the door and the nest of eggs, to her surprise, one of the egg felt warm. She pressed her fingers harder against it and the door shifted. The words on the door spun away. A hidden compartment in the door turned to the next riddle. There was a loud heavy thump inside the door, it sounded as if a tumbler had fallen. As far as the red-head could tell, it was like a giant key that turned with each question answered. This was fun! She almost forgot that she was in a horribly frightening place that she had been forbidden to go into. Riddles were enough to get the eagle into a good mood any day.

The words had turned into another riddle. The witch's nose crinkled. How long exactly was this going to take? The riddles were fun but now she really wanted to know what was behind that door. At least she had an adventure partner with her. One that wasn't too bad with riddles either. If things kept going as they were...the should get through this silly riddle door before too long. With a frustrated sigh, the teenager read the door quietly to the slytherin standing beside her.

“I have many tongues but cannot taste
By me, most things are turned to waste
I crack and snap, yet I stay whole
I may take the largest toll
I assisted all of the first men
And I will pay them back again
Around me, people snuggle and sleep
Yet run when I am released from my keep
I jump around and leap and bound
The cold man wishes I he had found
Choose me, and find my defeat”

Shiral squinted. Fire? A cold man wishes I he had found...many tongues, crack and snap...Shiral could remember all the cracking and snapping as the fire consumed the field. She remembered crying for days over the death of all those plants. Fire certainly wasn't Shiral's most favorite thing in the world but she knew it had its place...Looking at the pictures on the door, she assumed that place was coming out of a dragon's maw. Always hesitant to believe in herself, even when it was something as close to her heart as riddles, she questioningly turned to the dark haired girl next to her.

“Fire? I wonder how many more of these there are going to be...I'm really starting to get curious about what this door might be hiding. Should...I press on the fire? I wonder what happens if you get it wrong...”

Brows knitted in thought, the eagle fiddled with the bottom hem of her skirt. Fire really seemed to fit here...the scene was actually rather disturbing. She certainly didn't like to see the wizard struck down by an angry dragon...maybe there was a dragon inside? Oh goodness she hoped not! A dragon loose in the castle would be very hard to hide! Not that it would matter after it ate her anyway...