Who: Reed, Emerson, and Pepper What: Reed goes to Emerson's bedside after he hears what happens Where: Slytherin When: Just after breakfast Rating: Lowish?
Reed had been late to breakfast and had therefore completely missed seeing Emerson. It was only when he was back in the Gryffindor common room, he had first period free, that he'd had a chance to look over the journals. What he saw had him on his feet immediately and running out the door.
The only words that had really penetrated so far were 'Emerson' and 'bruised', but he had filed away the rest of the information for once he made sure Emerson was okay. Half of him was terrified that Emerson had been hurt. Questions flew through his mind like Quidditch players..
Is he alright? How bad is he hurt? Who did it? Why did they do it? Is it because of me? His pretty face... but he's so little...
The Snitch had said that Emerson was at breakfast, so Reed ran directly to Slytherin common room, not caring who caught him running about the castle. When he reached the entrance to Slytherin he pounded on the door, frantic to be let in. A seventh year he recognised poked his head through the door, looking supremely pissed off. Before he had a chance to even ask Reed what his problem was, Reed had pushed him up against the wall and holding him by his shirt collar, demanded to be let in to see Emerson. The seventh year had hardly had a choice in the matter, and Reed ran in, dashing up the stairs to where he knew Emerson's bedroom was.
Pepper had taken the morning off classes, somewhat illegally, to look after Emerson. She was apalled at what had happened to her friend, and furious besides. Pepper felt like a somewhat forgetful mother hen to her Slytherin boys, and she was very fond of them all. Besides for Kirk, Emerson was the one she was closest to. She had spent the morning so far making sure he had everything he needed and talking to him in a low voice, trying to comfort him as much as possible. When the door to Emerson's room banged open, she jumped up, immediately ready for action (or to tell one of his roommates off for being noisy). Seeing Reed a red haze seemed to cover her eyes.
Before Reed could even take in the scene a wand was at his throat and another pissed off Slytherin was standing in front of him, this one female and, to his slight chargrin, none other than Pepper.
"You are so lucky Emmy is fond of you or I would hex your parts off right now and feed them to the Giant Squid," she hissed, eyes flashing. He froze as the wand tip pressed into his throat and let his eyes helplessly run over Emerson, who was practically cowering in the bed.
"Please," he said, not wanting to chance moving forward but all his muscles straining to run forwards, "I have to see him. Please..." He was frantic to get to the bed, to touch Emerson, to hold him, to apologise profusely for letting something like this happen...
A choked noise left his throat as his eyes started to take in the bruises visible on Emerson's body. Pepper watched him dispassionately, her eyes cold, furious with the Reed, furious that he'd let something like this happen to poor sweet Emmy. As far as she was concerned, he wasn't going to get anywhere near him.