After Dinner Break

[Caitlin Collins]

"Thank you," Caitlin gasped at Susan, hands still clutching her head. There were several long, bloody scratches caused by the pine marten, and her hair was starting to get matted from the blood. Running her finger across one to see how deep it was, she winced. That would need seeing to later.

Striding over to where Quin was still lying on the floor, she muttered the reversal spell and turned away, glaring furiously at the miniature pine marten now paddling through the air. It looked quite ridiculous, but she was in no mood for jokes.

"Don't worry," she reassured Ally when the Ravenclaw pointed out 'Prior Incantantum'. "If she does tell anyone, my wand will show up the healing spells I'll be using soon. When I explain that her little pet was what caused this," she gestured to her head, "they're sure to remove the animal. Parents aren't going to want a pine marten at Hogwarts that attacks pupils, are they? Understand, Quin?" she demanded, turning back to the Slytherin. Threatening the animal was about as cruel as she could get, but Caity wasn't feeling particularly charitable towards either Quin or Heno right now.

[Susan Matthews]

Susan resisted as well as she could as the martin tried to "swim" its way over to Quin. Susan surveyed the scene, taking into account how everyone was doing. Ally seemed to have recovered. She was no longer on the floor, and the tears had come to a stop. Susan knew what it was like to be emotional, with hormones in all. Now was certainly not the time to begin crying at the drop of a hat though. At least she recovered quickly, Susan thought on the bright side.

Looking over to Caitlin, she saw that large red gashes were now visible along her hairline. Susan flinched, it looked painful. "Are you going to go see the healer?" Susan asked with a concerned look. Some how it didn't surprise Susan when she heard the plan formed by Caitlin. It made sense that if Caitlin did the healing, it would also seem as if the rest of the spells were cast in self-defense, which in a way actually were.

Susan's head shot back to Quin when Caitlin released her. "Are you sure . . ." her voice trailed off. For safety, Susan decided to keep her hold on the martin for as long as possible. She gripped her wand with both hands for extra strength as the furry creature writhed in the air.