CORRIDORS: After Dinner... -- 5 December 2008 (DONE)

Austin had run into his sister and had heard about things that had happened on the 1 December in the Gryffindor common room (but only after forcing it out of his upset twin). Then he had seen the scene with Michael at breakfast. Ashley had been upset. Austin, being her older brother by just a couple minutes, wanted to help make it right for her -- despite her being a Gryffindor. He saw who he was looking for after dinner: Riley Houston. "Houston, we're talking really quick because I dont' want to be seen with a disgrace of a Slytheirn heritage..."

"Gee, aren't you charismatic, Michael?" Riley asked sardonically, rolling his eyes, surprised he even retorted. But that's what December brought him: a slightly hostile personality and him drinking which always madehim a bit more talkative.

Austin rolled his eyes. "Whatever happened with you and my sister, get over it. She's a mess. Talk to her."

"You talk to her," Riley replied. "I don't talk."

"You're talking now, aren't you?" Austin asked pointedly.

"Only to get you to back off," Riley retorted cooly.

"I don't like seeing her like this," Austin said, walking with Riley now. "So talk to her."

Riley stopped and looked at Austin. "Don't act like her brother now. She's told me things that you probably didn't realize I knew. I know about the divorce and how you or your dad never talked to her or her mum. You never really acted like a brother to her at all -- so why start now?" he asked bitterly.

Austin clenched his jaw. "Fine. Lose a friend. Ruin a friendship. Just don't hurt my sister again because I will start acting like her brother then if that ever happens," Austin warned.

"Back off, Michael," Riley retorted. "I don't plan on hurting your sister in the near future, OK?"

"What do you think you're doing now? Making her happy?" Austin replied, rolling his eyes.

Riley rolle dhis eyes in return. "Look, I know that this is upsetting her, but it's something that I need to do. So back off and stay out of it."

Austin sighed and backed off. He turned around and headed toward the Slytherin dungeons and was hoping to do something so he wouldn't feel like a traitor talking to a nonrelated Gryffindor.