There sure are a lot of hallways in this place.

[August Cricket]

August padded softly through the corridor, humming softly to himself. His usual waltzing step had vanished, leaving only a purposeful stride that did not suit the second year at all. A few passersby frowned at him, as if they noticed to difference in his walk, even though they probably didn't know him.

The second year nervously fiddled with the scarlet letter in his hands. It was a Howler from his stepfather (who regularly sent them to the Cricket siblings, sometimes for no specific reason at all).

It had not started smoking just yet, but August had a feeling it would begin any second. And the last place he wanted to be was on the first floor where everyone could hear the Howler yelling at him. Still, he doubted that he would get outside fast enough to spare himself from humiliation..

[Raye Hartsfield]

As she turned the corner, Raye spotted August. She began to wave saying, "August!". She smiled until she saw the somewhat nervous demeanor in which he was walking. She then noticed the bright red envelope in his hand.

[Cody Uchiha]

Cody walked down the hall following Raye from a little ways off. Walking along the wall the could easily maneuver the around the students striding along. He stopped a little suddenly when he saw her waving to one of the boys from the dungeons. Now he was to close to just keep walking by and muttered a "hello," to her and August.

[August Cricket]

"Ah, um..." August searched frantically for the right words to say to Raye and the boy he'd met in the dungeon, "I suggest you get away, fast!" He was sure that had come off sounding as horribly rude, but he didn't care right now. The Howler had begun to leak smoke and it would be exploding any minute now.

[Cody Uchiha]

Startled by August's manner, Cody put his back firmly against the wall wondering what he did wrong. "I sorry," he muttered bowing his head.

[Raye Hartsfield]

"Oh dear. You'd better just let it explode. Then, at least, it'll be over." she looked somewhat startled by August's frantic composure.

[August Cricket]

And suddenly, the Howler exploded in a small, yet fiery blaze. August dropped it in alarm as it singed his hand. From the envelope came the voice of his stepfather, Septimus, magnified one hundred times over.

"AUGUST CRICKET! YOU ARE AN UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BRAT, YOU AND YOUR SISTER! YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THE EDUCATION WE ARE GIVING YOU! YOU--"

Suddenly, the Howler was cut off. It smoldered into pieces and all that was left was a scrap of burnt paper on the floor. August stared at the burnt envelope. That was...odd. Usually Septimus gave August a good, long lecture before letting the Howler burn out.

[Raye Hartsfield]

Raye stared at the burnt envelope with s state of horror on her face. She then turned to August with a worried look "Are you alright?"

[Cody Uchiha]

Cody screamed when the Howler exploded not even noticing it before. With his hands over his head he bent down trying to get away from the world.

[August Cricket]

August closed his eyes in humiliation, "Yeah. I'm fine." He mumbled, trying to ignore the fact that his pale face was flushed a bright red.

[Raye Hartsfield]

"What was that about?...if you don't mind me asking." she didn't mean to pry, but she was genuinly concerned.

[Cody Uchiha]

Venturing a look up, Cody saw the boys face and made himself stand up, "It's alright," he told the floor quietly, "most everyone get's those at sometime."

[Raye Hartsfield]

"Or you could be like me and never get mail of any kind." she said as she tried to lighten the mood.

[August Cricket]

"I get them a lot, actually. Howlers, I mean." August replied softly, face still bright crimson with embarrassment, "My stepfather apparently enjoys sending them to my sister and I."

[Cody Uchiha]

"It's better than no mail," the Hufflepuff agreed with Raye, stepping a little bit out from the wall. "He could just be showing you he cares."