Unholy Alliance // Ryder

He hadn’t expected to find a letter the day before Christmas, much less at this time, but one glance at it let him know why it was in the usual place. Summer. It had to be. He had quickly stuffed it up his sleeve with his back still to his friends. His shoulders shoulder slightly as he spun around to conceal it better, pushing it further as the other boys reeled off some sort of conversation. What were they even talking about? Did it matter? He still didn’t think so by the time he finally got a chance to read it and send a reply back. Getting back into the Astronomy Tower had been easy without his lackeys, but he had to be careful not to be gone for too long. The last thing he wanted to deal with was a load of questions about some cryptic letter he wrote to some girl.

Serpent –

Thanks for giving me the heads up. No, I didn’t get emotional. Maybe a little. Not at all. What’s happening? Is she okay? What’s wrong? When will she be back, do you know? Sorry that I’m asking so many questions. I can see why you wouldn’t have wanted to tell me in person – so, yeah, apologies or whatever. I feel bad, even though it is definitely not my fault.

Don’t know what to do? Want to go get a butterbeer some time? Um, well, maybe we should come up with a new plan. Or something. I think Lyle is sending a package of stuff for Araelia with whatever gift he gave me. Which naturally means we should open it and take what we want. Unless he hexes it. He’s done that before.

I’ll try not to – can’t make any promises, hah.

Aw, that’s so cute! My ex-girlfriend’s kid sister thinks I’m awesome! You’re not so bad yourself, punk. Um. I guess just keep your chin up. Like that’ll be a problem, right? I’ll see you around. And I swear, you are lucky I didn’t get caught by my mates writing this. They would’ve thought it was a love letter or something like that. As if I write love letters. Losers. Anyways, stay not so bad and I’m sure things will get better.

– Ryder

It took him a couple of days before he realized there was another note waiting for him, but he found it on the 27th. He felt guilty enough for not finding it sooner that there was a reply waiting within only an hour and a half of his discovery. He had half a mind to drop it off alone – surely, one of his mates would catch on. It took some convincing before he managed to get one of his prank friends to talk of making plans. They didn’t mean it, of course, and he probably wasn’t going to remember any of the ideas, but it was an excuse to be there.

Scales –

Callous? Well, somebody is pulling out those five Galleon words now, isn’t she?

Merlin, don’t even get me started on that entire morning. I don’t even know what to think. I didn’t get hurt, or too bloodied, or anything like that. And my bird is still alive, that’s a good thing, he’s alright. It was just so mad. The whole place just went barmy. I had to play the older brother role for a couple of younger kids after, though, once I wasn’t as frustrated with it. I mean, honestly, everyone just stood around with the corpse. What was that all about? It was like they were content with doing nothing. Though, I’m starting to get that vibe in general. Feels like there’s no one to really help us now. Was that too morbid? I mean, I got a letter from Lyle, what? A week ago? But I haven’t heard from him since.

Right, kind of in the same boat. I don’t think I could handle something quite so normal. Might be a bit odd, having to pretend like everything is all fine and dandy. I guess we’ll see. Not sure how much I’ll be around with everything that’s happening, some of the blokes who are still in the castle have been talking about just sticking to the Gryffindor Tower when we aren’t eating. Guess it rattled a lot of people.

Oh, come on. You may not believe it, but there are probably tons of girls who’d be clamoring over each other to have the charming, gorgeous Ryder O’Callaghan write them a love letter and hide it in the Astronomy Tower. Maybe not. But I’m still charming and gorgeous. I suppose you’re right – if they caught us trying to deliver notes, they’d have a tizzy. It might be funny, but I’m not really interested in finding out.

I can’t believe you write things like “omg.” Seems so stereotypically girly of you. ;-D

– Ryder

It was far too early in the morning to be looking for a note, but as the sun slowly began to rise, he found himself pacing around the Common Room. After another several minutes, the morning after Summer had delivered her most recent note, he took off. He was going for a run, he'd tell anyone. It was daylight out, that was enough for him to mask his paranoia and dart up the steps of the Astronomy Tower. His reply came only an hour later, still before most of his peers were up. No questions that way. Besides, he really wanted to find out more about what was happening.

Sidewinder –

I guess you’re right. Besides, I come from the realm of chivalric bravery, surely I can handle it. I mean, none of my friends are dead. Not yet, at least. Merlin, if they saw that, they’d think I’d gone loony. I guess so long as everyone around sticks together, it won’t be so bad, right? Logically speaking? At least until someone figures out what the hell is going on here. I swear, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything quite like this. I thought it was a joke at first. Now, I’m not so sure.

I guess so – at least, in my house, it’s commendable. Yours’ might be a different story.

Hah! Did you honestly do that? No, I just assumed you’d be able to figure it out without having to turn it, kid. I mean, it’s in the same vein as “omg.” At least you’re still trying to make jokes. I feel like everyone else kind of stopped. This is all just a mess. I keep trying to keep light about it and everyone just stares. Just. Stares. Like I’ve just said the daftest thing they’ve ever heard. It’s pathetic, really. I guess everyone is worried about what’s happening and who’s going to be next and why nobody knows anything and if we’re really safe.

You’ve heard, too? I didn’t hear anything specific, just a bit of murmuring. What’s the scoop? My guess is that it’s not a Gryff, either, or I probably would know the details. Must’ve been a Hufflepuff or a Ravenclaw, but it seems a little too much like breaking the rules for either of them. Guess someone finally got their head together, or decided that they needed to keep their mates safe. Whichever, I suppose.

But tell me what’s up.

– Ryder