#2 - Completely Peeve'd

The corridor was quiet, apart from the occasional fading footsteps of students enjoying their free time or on their way to various study points of the castle.

It was a bit too quiet. Something felt... uneasy?

There wasn't much to do than wander around or simply wait, which wasn't the ideal way of getting things done. There were a few clues to investigate that might prove promising: some hurried footsteps, as if someone was pacing in a circle; some urgent  and irritated whispers, tucked behind a pillar; or the sound of running water. 

Following the sound of running water, it was quite a peculiar situation for MJ to come across. Rounding a corner, she accidentally locked eyes with a nervous 3rd year Hufflepuff boy. He was pressed to the wall, with his hand tucked behind his back to hold what she could only assume was a broken pipe that had somehow broken through the wall enough to protrude. 

Despite his best efforts, water spilled through his fingers -- soaking him and making a puddle on the floor. He just stood there, awkward and speechless, clearly unsure what to do but not wanting to let it flood the corridor.

He gulped, cheeks and ears turning red at being caught in such an awkward situation and pose. The Hufflepuff glanced up, warily, to where Peeves sat cross-legged in mid-air -- grinning at the boy as if they were engaged in some sort of intense match of who moved or spoke first. That's how it seemed, but the boy didn't dare explain.

The Hufflepuff was relieved to have the focus shifted off him, though winced as he was still in quite a predicament -- and his arms were getting tired. He shivered a little, despite the warm weather and season beyond the corridor. How long had he been there?

'Looking for Peevesie?' the Poltergeist grinned at MJ. 'Looking to have some fun, are we? Would you like to go for a swimsy too? Round and round the pipes we go, down into the dark below?'

He cackled, completely ignoring her question-- though there was a rather sad-looking plush toy of a bucket across the corridor, soaked in... well, perhaps it was best not to know? It was blue and sticky, so that was that. A fuzzy snake slept beside it, with a body looking suspiciously wood-patterned.

Water continued to spill through the Hufflepuff's fingers, soaking even MJ's shoes as well. The corridor was quite a mess, as Peeves eagerly zoomed round them from above - cackling and singing as he circled, out of their reach. The noise he made was enough of a deterrent to other students, who would normally see the area bustling with activity as various classes had ended by now.

The Hufflepuff boy was clearly reluctant to let go, as if somehow the entire wall would come crumbling down and release the floodgates of the lake if he did. But his arms ached and his shivering may poor work of his efforts now, so he had little choice than to nod along to her plan.

Once MJ transfigured the items back into their original form, Peeves stopped circling them. He rushed at MJ, enough to scare the life out of anyone with that speed -- and stopped right in front of her face, to blow a big and noisy raspberry at her.

He then made a dramatic pose, and dove into the floor as if he was an Olympic swimmer. With Peeves taken care of, the Hufflepuff boy fled the corridor -- stumbling in the water and from his own shivering as he went.

A moment passed in relative quiet, apart from the increased flow of the water now free to pour from the broken pipe. The corridor continued to flood as the minutes ticked by. And just as MJ may begin to wonder if the Hufflepuff boy had indeed gone to get help, or had simply abandoned her to his fate...

'What the--?' A Slytherin student stopped short of the corridor, wincing as his shoes got wet. He brushed black hair from his face, which made his Head Hog badge catch the light.

He quickly introduced himself as Zack Mercer, in case MJ didn't know. The Hufflepuff boy joined them, having indeed done good on his unspoken promise to get help. He wasn't shivering anymore, as his head was covered in a towel as if wearing a heavy veil. It was so plain and unrecognisible, that it had to have been conjured in the moment.

Zack made short work of the situation, not even needing further explanation beyond whatever the Hufflepuff boy had told him before their arrival. He fixed the pipe, with an impressive display of non-verbal magic, accompanied by a complicated movement with his wand. A bit more flourish than was necessary, they suspected, but it was hard to prove. The magic was clearly beyond them or any simple mending charm, either way.

'Peeves did this, then?' Zack glanced at MJ, to confirm the tale he was told. 

Behind him, the Hufflepuff boy refused to meet anyone's gaze and was suddenly very interested in drying his hair with the towel. 

Zack stared at MJ for a moment, then gave her a thumbs up and friendly smile -- which didn't exactly confirm he he remembered her or not. How long had it been? She was impressed by his badge and use of magic though, so that earned her some credit.

'I see.' Zack eyed the Hufflepuff boy, as MJ answered for him. It was reasonable enough, so he simply nodded and took in the rest of the situation. 'Well, I daresay Filch will want his belongings back. Good job. Speaking of, I think I heard him grumbling further down the corridor. Take a right, then a left by the stairs. I'll fix things up here, and alert a Professor.'

He made a gesture that let MJ know she was dismissed. The Hufflepuff boy saw his chance to leave as well, but the back of his collar was yanked by Zack -- who insisted he stayed behind for a moment.

Mrs Norris hissed angrily, as MJ got a bit too close to where she was sitting. She eyed the student intensely, then went to stand by the safety of Filch's boots.

The Caretaker was suspicious before he'd even caught sight of whoever was calling him, and was clearly about to accuse her of stealing his belongings -- but MJ's explanation came faster than his scolding, and he hesitated.

He stared at her for a moment, determining if he believed her. Evidentially, Filch did; his anger faded and he nodded, not quite sure how to thank her or if it warranted a moment of gratitude. It was no secret he despised the students, especially the younger ones.

'All right then.' He retrieved his bucket and mop, giving them an inspection.

MJ earned a nod, at least, which was about as good as she was going to get in the way of any appreciation. With nothing left to say, Filch and his cat headed back towards where Peeves had been and Zack remained -- no doubt to finish the task they'd started.