A Need for Privacy

Emilio wandered out of the castle, not knowing where he was going, only that he needed to get away. He hated this. His classes were terrible, his bed was lumpy, and he had no friends. Not that I want any, he told himself. After a while, his meanderings led him to a bridge with a cover. Em was glad about that. It had started to rain, and while he could hear the drops pounding the roof above his head, he stayed dry. He leaned his elbows on the side of the bridge and looked out over the steep drop-off below.

Sighing, he let the wind blow his hair out from his face. It was cool and refreshing, and Em was able to relax fully for the first time since he had entered Hogwarts. Then he jerked up. A footstep had sounded on the wooden plank of the bridge. Immediately on guard, he spun around and glared at whoever had had the nerve to invade his private thoughts. Whoever they were, they wouldn't get off easy.

Lucy's small footsteps were hard against the stone floor as she ran for cover. She had been out to look for Jacques, who hadn't returned since a few days back, which worried her. Dripping wet, she found cover under the Covered Bridge, and letting out a small gasp, she was surprised to see a boy standing not far from her.

He had an annoyed look on his face, making her feel like she had interrupted something. Embarrassed, Lucy apologized quickly. "I'm sorry I..I really didn't know there was someone here...."

Emilio softened a little when he realized it was just a girl, probably slightly older than he was. "It's okay," he said roughly. "I'm just...here alone." His voice broke on the word "alone," but he covered it up. He'd been alone his whole life, why should it matter now? Turning his back, he resumed the position he had taken up earlier.

Lucy didn't know whether she should keep talking to this boy, but she had a feeling that he didn't really like being alone. Walking to the spot next to him, she said, "I'm Lucy Malfoy." and placed her hands across her chest, trembling slightly as the cool breeze hit her.
"Sometimes, being alone is nice. But one should never be isolated, it's not healthy for your mind." she let out a sigh. "You must be a first year...right?"

"Yeah," Emilio replied, surprised. "My name's Emilio...Nocicarte." He didn't normally say his last name, mainly so others couldn't say they really knew him. But Lucy's simple speech had evoked a deep feeling from within him. He wasn't quite sure what it was: shame, anger, perhaps even sadness? All he knew was that no one had ever been so straightforward with him. He allowed his gaze to drop, not daring to meet her eyes.

Zoran was walking around Hogwarts, mostly searching for the isolated places so he didn't have to meet people and put on a fake-interested expression. But now that he wasn't around people, he could be himself. His hands in his pockets he headed towards the bridges. He hoped nobody would be there.

Damn!

Couldn't people leave someplace alone. Everyone had to be everywhere. He sighed. Deciding to walk away and ignore them, Zoran walked towards them with the intention of walking past them. But then he noticed the boy. That guy was in his Herbology class. Z remembered thinking this dude was someone who was bored and well, not optimistic. Z walked over to the boy and said, "Emilio, right?" He nodded at the girl and stood on the other side of the boy, looking down. Z couldn't make out what was under the bridge.

OOC: Zoran, do you mind editing your post? I'm not a fan of swearing, and prefer to keep my topics profanity-free. Thanks. :OOC

Em nodded at the boy - Zoran - whom he had met in charms class. Which had been a total disaster. Too many people, he thought, shuddering. He picked up his bag and made to leave, when he remembered it was raining. Growling, he retreated to the corner of the bridge and waited for the rain to stop so he could leave what was beginning to look like a cozy little company.