Casey wandered aimlessly about, these days there was little to do. The weather outside didn't make it that enjoyable to be outside. Within the walls of the castle there was only so much that one could do to entertain themselves, and even that grew boring after a while. Today was one of those days where it was better to stay inside, even if there wasn't much to do. Casey was having a hard time entertaining herself, however. She'd spent the past couple of hours in the common room attempting to read a book. But she grew too restless and ended up reading the same paragraph over and over again until she had slammed the book shut.

At this point Casey was at a loss for things to do. Hogwarts might be a huge castle, but there was only so much that could be done without getting into trouble. She sighed, her hand lightly trailing along wall as she wandered down the corridor. She paused, seeing a door open a little further along in the hallway. As she reached the doorway, Casey peered in cautiously, checking to see if anyone was in there. It was empty. She took a few slow steps into the room, still a little cautious. But as far as she could tell the room was desserted. She made her way over to the window, a lot less cautious now. Leaning her elbows on the windowsill and resting her head in the palm of her hands, Casey peered outside. Her green eyes took in the gray landscape. The sky was overcast but without promise of clearing up or dropping any snow. The ground was a mix of slush and mud, not making for a pretty view.

Casey could see the outline of her reflection in the window. Her long copper hair, and her big green eyes staring back at her. It was weird, almost, watching the view through the reflection of her eyes. Her thoughts wandered, her eyes glazing over, as she began to think of Finn. Of course Felicity had been terribly upset about the whole thing, but it could be worse, right? Still, it seemed that Casey Bryant was forming a crush on a Slytherin. With things going the way they were, it was dangerous territory. But just the thought of him made her smile. Her cheeks became a rosy red, apparently blushing for no particular reason.

Finn was sneaking back to the castle from Hogsmeade. Harshing was never going to rule his life. He didn't give a damn anymore. That was when Finn was at his most dangerous. He entered the castle, pretending nothing was wrong. He lucked out, this time... The castle seemed so empty...

He continued to roam through the hallways. Harshing was constantly on his mind... And perhaps in it. He sighed. He wanted nothing more than to see a friendly face. Casey made him so happy, yet he probably would never be able to see him again. What would happen to him if he got romantically involved?

He walked down a seemingly empty corridor, looking for someone to socialize with... He looked into another classroom and saw Casey. The overcast sky made her hair radiate. Finn knew that he wouldn't want to be scared under the current circumstances, so he approached her and softly said, "Hey Casey," The words from his mouth made him so happy. He hadn't spoken to anyone. Everyone thought he was a traitor... One of Harshing's ploys he supposed.... Divide and conquer. It made Finn feel good. It meant Harshing considered him strong.

Of course, for a split second Casey had thought she'd imagined the voice that she'd been longing to hear. But as she turned she realized that it wasn't a figment of her imagination, here was the realy thing she'd been dreaming about. A grin spread across her face, "Hey Finn! What are you up to? I was just..." She stopped, about to say just thinking about you. But she didn't want to sound weird or stalkerish or something. "I was just trying to find something the keep boredom at bay." Which in itself was not a lie, but wasn't exactly what she was origanally going to say either.

The sight of Finn had completely brightened Casey's day. She'd been wondering when she would see him next. In fact, she'd half been worried that with the way things were going in the school that he wouldn't want to see her again. Of course, Casey was a bit of a worry wart and would spend hours worrying and reasoning with herself. It seemed to be something that she did best.

"I'm okay... I think... I've just come back from... Hogsmeade..." Finn said quietly. Everyone was snitching, yet for some reason, he trusted Casey. She could have had him expelled with that information. "How are you doing?" "The new regime doesn't really allow for fun does it?" Finn replied. Harshing may as well have banned fun for everyone. He couldn't really ban Finn from being friends with whomever he wanted could he?

The last time Casey had been to Hogsmeade was when she had gone for coffee with Finn, and before that she couldn't remember the last time she'd been there. And considering that state of things it probably would be a good idea to stick to Hogwarts for a while. "Only ok? I've been pretty good. Although, I will admit, the weather hasn't exaclty been friendly. I'm just bored." Casey explained as she turned to lean against the wall. She was somewhat worried about Finn, she doubted that he would fare well in this battle that was going on within the school.

Finn sighed, "Well, I'm pretty sure I'm the most unpopular person at school nowadays..." Finn was surprised she still wanted to talk to him. Harshing had made his life a living hell and without the guidance of Milo, he wasn't sure what to do. "I'm shocked you still are talking to me... You are about the only one..."

Casey looked at him, a surprised expression on her face. "Who cares what Harshing says or does? He's just trying to make everyone's life miserable except his own and the people he actually likes. Which, I might add, isn't that many people. Don't let him get to you. What has he done, anyways?" She looked at Finn, a tad aympathetically. Harshing was a cruel man, whose cruel ways were slowly unwinding the school and all it had ever stood for. It was insanity. "I'm not going to stop talking to you just because of Harshing."

Finn wondered if he should even be talking to her now... He didn't want anything bad to happen to her. He looked like he could cry. "Harshing is controlling me... He's got my half brother locked up in the loony bin..." Finn's voice broke... "He said that he won't release him or let me see him until I fix what I've done... I... I... I just don't know what to do anymore..."

Casey couldn't help but show the sympathy in her expression, of course mixed in there was anger at what Harshing had done. This just wasn't right. "Harshing's a jerk, and he's just trying to get to you with the only way he knows how. But there has to be a way to get him out, isn't there? Besides, what do you have to fix?" Casey was worried about Finn, and it was apparent in her voice. Things could go terribly wrong,a nd if she got involved then things could go bad for her too. But she was already passed that. She didn't care anymore.

"Do you remember the speech he gave at dinner the other night?" Finn asked, "He said that everyone must act as if we lived 50 years ago... I'm not supposed to be friends with anyone who isn't slytherin... I hate all of them... So I'm in trouble... I'm really worried about M... My brother..."

Casey frowned, how could she forget. "That's just crazy. Harshing is pulling this school in the dumps more every day. Look, don't listen to him. I know he has your brother, but you can't let him get to you, that would mean that he's winning. Besides, you've got me right? I know I'm not a slytherin, but no one has to know about us meeting up every now and then. We'll find a way to get your brother out." Casey was stretching that slightly, but she really wanted to help. She couldn't just stand there and watch Finn get hurt like this. What kind of friend would she be if she did that. She bit her lip, trying to figure out a way around everything.

Finn replied, "There's nothing I can do. Family is family... I know my brother would help me... It seems the only way is to conform to Harshing's standards... The more I try to fight this, the harder my life is going t o be..." Finn paused. His life was already so hard. "Harshing won't tell me where he is... I doubt anyone but him really knows... Anyways, he has influence in the courts so there's nothing I can do with that..." It was a big mess...

Casey couldn't just stand there and watch Finn submit himself to Harshing's wants. It just wasn't right. She'd already made up her mind that she was going to help him, despite what could happen to here. "Look, would your brother really want you to submit yourself to Harshing just like that? We have to fight back. With the type of man that Harshing is do you really thinkthat he's going to let your brother go just because you've been a good boy and behaved?" Casey argued desperately. There had to be a way.

Finn nodded in agreement. "I'm just not really sure what to do... I'm sure he has some kind of weakness... I don't think he will ever show his weakness... Someone must know..." Finn had no idea.

"Well if you ever need any help I'll always try and help you out," Casey assured him. "I bet if we could find his weakness though, we could really have something against him. Everyone has a weakness." Casey stopped and tried to think. What could Harshing's weakness possibly be? For any normal person it would be a loved one, but she doubted HArshing had any of those.

"Thank you," Finn said, taking her hands without realizing it, "This means a lot to me... I'm lucky to have you." Finn didn't say as a friend or as anything else because he wasn't really sure of what their relationship was. It was more than friends, or so he though, but less than dating... "Harshing's heart is made of ice. He is a genius... He thinks of everything and doesn't leave any obvious wholes in his plans..." Finn paused... "If only we knew of someone who knew him better..." Finn thought for a moment. Whenever he was near Harshing's office, he always saw Flame coming or going... He would have wagered that she could be flipped. She would be a useful resource...

Casey couldn't help but smile when Finn took her hands, her stomach flipped. She shook her head, "Don't worry about it. I'm glad I can help in some way." She gave his hands a light squeeze, almost as a way of reassurance. She was glad that Finn had come in here, even if the news he brought wasn't any good news. She was glad to know that she'd at least made some difference. "There has to be someone that he's close to, though. He has to talk to someone, he is human even if his heart is made of ice." She looked at the expression on Finn's face, it seemed like something was clicking. "What? Do you know of someone?"

"In passing, I've noticed that Flame Lestrange spends loads of time on her way to, or coming back from his office. I think she can be flipped... We just have to find her weakness... Hers is probably a lot more obvious than Harshing's..." Finn realized that he was holding her hands, "Oh... I'm sorry," he said dropping them quickly. The last thing he wanted to do was mess up the only thing he had going for him at that point... Casey.

Casey looked at him, her mind going through a series of ideas that could get Flame to come around. Of course none of them were really plausible or even close to being able to work. "I've never met her. But girls I think are easier to deal with. She probably knows something then if she's been going in and out of Harshing's office. I bet she has sine weakness. Just what?" Casey looked at their hands as Finn dropped them, kind of disappointed that he let go. "Don't worry about it." She said as she wringed her hands, her cheeks a little rosey from blushing

Finn blushed when she blushed. "Thanks for all your help with this," he said with a small smile, "I need you to make friends with her... It won't be pleasant, nor will it be easy... I just need you to do it... Not just for me... But for my brother..."

Casey looked down at her feet for a moment, blushing. But she looked up at his words. She wass supposed to befriend a slytherin? After Harshing's speech that wasn't going to be easy, especially if this girl was close with Harshing. "I can do that. How will that work though? There's not much chance of a slytherin befirending a hufflepuff. I'm not saying I can't do it, but will she be the type to even talk to me?"

Finn looked her over. He wasn't sure how deceiving she could be... "The trick with Flame is to make her think you care about what she has to say..." He paused, "Maybe you do, maybe you don't..." Finn felt disappointed that he had to ask for a favor... "I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this for me... I really need my brother... And maybe someone else..." Finn looked down at his feet. He was never very good at conveying his point about these kinds of things, "What I mean is... I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me? It could be our little secret..."

"I think that I can do that. It shouldn't be too hard, I don't think. But she's not going to be the type to just curse me straight away because I'm a Hufflepuff, is she?" Casey asked, just to make sure. She was a little nervous about this, but she was sure she could do it, especially if it would help Finn.Casey grinned as she looked up at Finn. Her cheeks burned, but she couldn't help but grin. "I'd really like that. It will be our little secret."

Finn gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for this..." Finn said, "I'm rather sure that she would try something like that... She's a slave to the Headmaster... Maybe it's for the best if you don't do it... I couldn't ask someone I care about so much to do something like that..."

Casey's cheeks burned as he kissed her cheek. "Don't worry about it, really. I'm pretty sure I can swing her around with a little time. I can do it, honest." Casey argued with him. She wasn't going to back down now. She might be a bit scared and everything, but she felt like she had to do this. "What's the worst she can do?"

Finn replied, "You could be in the same boat as me..." Finn said, "Don't think it couldn't happen to you... That's what I thought... I figured that I would just be a good student and be nice to everyone... Look at the mess it's gotten me into..."

Casey nodded, "i know. But I don't really have anyone that they can take from me Finn. I have my friends, but I don't think they'd take a student like that. At least I hope not." Casey trailed off. With every argument that Finn was proposing she was growing more and more determined to follow through with their idea.

Finn replied, "Just so you know what you're getting yourself into..." Finn said, "Your best bet is going to be to catch her coming out of Harshing's office and try to comfort her..." Finn thought long and hard about this. HE wasn't sure it would work...

Casey nodded, she was unsure of everything, but she didn't want to let Finn down. "I think I can do it." she had to admit that she was rather scared about the whole thing, what was she really getting herself into. What if she got caught? But she'd also come to the conclusion that she couldn't sit around and do nothing while things just grew worse around Hogwarts. "What happens when, if, I become friends with her then?"

"Then you maybe casually talk about Harshing... How she seems to spend loads of time in there or something..." Finn said, "Just don't make it too obvious that you are trying to get information about him at the beginning... Maybe if she opens up to you, you can ask her about Harshing, and why he seems so unbeatable... I don't really know..."

Casey nodded, "I can do this" she repeated. At this point she was more convincing herself, not Finn. "Do you think that maybe if this works more students will get to courage to go against Harshing as well?" It still hadn't quite hit Casey exactly what she was getting into, or even dealing with. What she did know was that this was going to be bigger than anything she'd ever done.

Finn replied, "I'm sure that if more people got together on this, we could take him down... But for right now, we need to find out everything there is to know about Harshing..."

Casey smiled, "I think that this could actually work Finn. I can't believe I'm doing this though. I never ever done anything that would be considered rebellious. What if we really could take him down? I know that a ton of students are really against everything that's going on." At this point she was beginning to feel rather optimistic. It felt good to have a plan, to be doing something, and to be breaking the rules.

"If we really could make this work... " he said, it was a huge if, "then... Who knows... It would probably be anarchy for a while until someone, who we would put in charge, would be put into power... It would be better than it is now... That's for sure..."

"I don't think that things could get much worse than this. What do we have to lose?" Casey was excited now. She really felt like all of this could work out. It was a big opportunity and if things went really wrong then things could get a whole lot worse. But she was sure that things couldn't get much worse, so it wouldn't hurt to try.

"We have way too much to gain..." Finn said, "It will take some time, and parts may be physically and mentally painful, but we must succeed. If we don't, innocent lives will be ruined..." Finn knew that lives were already ruined. His for starters...

"Way to put the pressure on!" Casey said, rather jokingly though. Finn was right though. If all of this failed, well, it wasn't just their lives that got screwed up, it was everyone's who was against Harshing. "Well, we're just going to have to succeed then, seeing as failure isn't an option." She sounded way more confident than she felt.

Finn nodded in agreement. It wasn't going to be easy, but it had to be done. He was tired of Harshing and the mockery he made out of Hogwarts. It is foolish for one to try and create war where the was peace.

Casey smiled at Finn and looked back out the window, her stomach churning with the possibilty of what she about to do and what could happen. Either way her mind was set. Not for the first time in her life, Casey was at loss for what to say to break the silence. Instead she gazed out the window, letting her mind fill with thoughts and worries.