{B R E A K}-- away from everybody [niki!]

[Ellie Rayne]

<sub>On such brilliantly lovely nights as this, Ellie tended to sneak out of the Common Room and head up to the Astronomy Tower. Sure, it was off limits, and a dangerous gamble at not getting caught, but she was a pro at not getting caught, even if she wasn't the most graceful of girls.

Besides, even if she did get caught, she could worm her way out of punishment like no other. Usually, she just lied to the staff that she was sleep walking or something, and they told her to lock her doors next time. She always promised she would, but it kept happening. Besides, the chance of getting caught was worth what she'd see up there. The stars were simply gorgeous. Loving life was easier when you were up there, so close to nature.

But tonight, she had already had two close calls with professors, and now, as a third one came around the corner, rather distracted with talking to a picture, she ducked into the trophy room, sitting in silence, her fidgety limbs itching to move, as the professor passed by, unaware.

Her hair was pulled back in a high and extrememly messy pony-tail, as usual. She liked to keep the stuff out of her face. So much easier that way. But wisps of it were falling out around her face. She pushed a strand back and turned her olive eyes to the door, as she heard somone coming. If it was a professor, she'd better start practicing her lying.</sub>

[Nikita Snape]

As usual, Nikita was roaming about the castle, not really paying much attention to where she was going. Her mind wandered to various things, including Xavier, the DE, Corliss' new born baby, Scorpius, and her new attempt to destroy Lou McGooken's life. It was indeed a happy life that Niki lived. Well, at least to her it was. She enjoyed torturing, and killing, while the smell of death and blood infested her nostrils. The scent was remarkable to her, and very familiar. She had killed nearly three people, closing in on another one soon enough.

Nikita walked eerily down the halls of the large castle, making her way towards the Trophy Room. Just as soon as she turned the corner, Miss. Snape stopped immediately. She looked at Professor Longbottom innocently, her eyes wide. He questioned her sharply, his eyes looking tired, "What are you doing out of bed, Snape?" Nikita didn't roll her eyes at this, surprisingly, she just answered him quickly, not a hint of lie in her voice. "I received word from the headmaster that the Potions master wanted to see me, immediately." She smiled gratefully as the idiotic professor turned away walking away from her.

'The Potions room isn't even in this direction... what an idiot that Longbottom dude is.' She though, laughing to herself. She pushed the Trophy Room door open, waltzing into the room in a split second. She looked around the room swiftly, her eyes skimming over a fifth year Gryffindor, before moving back to stare at her sharply, "And what exactly are you, a Gryffindor doing out this late at night, past hours? You do realize that I am indeed... a Prefect, you idiot." She sneered, at the girl in front of her.

[Ellie Rayne]

<sub>The moment she saw it was Nikita Snape, Ellie was thrilled that she didn't have to pull out her lying side. It got quite tiring after a while. But having this girl in the room with her was like having a ticking bomb strapped to her side. It wasn't exactly safe.

The girl pulling her pipe out of her pocket and stuck the end in her mouth, chewing on it thoughtfully. She could just leave, but the Niki girl seemed rather pissed. And she was just the kind of Slytherin that Ellie would have a good time provoking. So, instead of leaving, she simply laughed at the girl's angered tone and took the pipe out of her mouth for a moment to answer in a casual, airy tone.

"I could ask you the same question," she told the girl, her olive eyes laughing hysterically in the Slytherin's direction. "But I really don't give a shit, so I won't. As for why I'm here? Bitch, that is none of your business."

She could see the wheels turning in the Snake's head to crank out another insult to throw at the Gryffie. But the thing about Ellie was that she could stay calm through most situations. Insults rolled off her back like water off oil, and she often was the only level-headed one in a situation. This meant she could think straight, and get Slytherins as angry as she pleased. It was heaven.</sub>

[Nikita Snape]

Nikita watched silently as the girl pulled out a pipe. She cocked her head to the side staring at the thing with curious eyes. "Why the hell do you have a pipe? Seriously? A pipe? Are you kidding?" She said, her eyebrow raised. This girl was stupid and immature. And Niki wasn't about to just let her get away with the words she voiced moments after Niki, herself, spoke. She sneered, her eyes rolled easily, and a smile crept upon her face. "Well, if you asked me, I would tell you the truth and not get pissed off about it." She snapped, her arms crossing over her chest fiercely.

Even though there was a long pause in Niki's statements, she continued on, her voice sly and truthful, "Yeah, I am a bitch. I know that, and trust me... I'm not about to change it. But sweetheart, you really need to change your personality. It stinks like shit, as do you." She smiled again, continuing on ruefully, "Also, it is my business, considering that I'm a prefect... and well... you're not." She cocked her head to the side, her eyes shining magnificently.

[Ellie Rayne]

<sub>This was really turning out to be a good laugh. The girl asked about her pipe, and she couldn't resist but pull a joke out. "Cuz I'm a smoker, deary," she told her, faking an ultra-raspy voice before laughing and retuning to her usual, only slightly raspy one. "Does wonders for the lungs. 'Sides: what's better than slow suicide?"

The Gryffie removed the pipe from her mouth to keep talking to the Snake. The look on the girl's face was priceless in that moment. How seriously did this girl take her? For the one thing that one had to know about Ellie was that you could never take her seriously. It would only get you laughed at later in life.

"Oh you should see me actually pissed," the Gryffie laughed out her raspy, breathy sort of full laugh. "Party and a half, let me tell you." She was having great fun confusing this Snake and winding her up. It gave her thrills, seeing this girl seethe. Naturally, Ellie wouldn't do it to anyone other than a Slytherin who really deserved it. Besides, they were the only ones who could really get angry with her.

At the mention of her personality, the girl simply laughed. "Well I don't really give a shit what you think, love," she told Nikita, her olive eyes dancing with an unspoken chuckle. "In fact, I wouldn't even be talking if I were you. You're the one stuck with fucking prefect duties."

It was funny to her, that this girl thought she was so high-and-mighty just because she had a little badge saying she was a prefect. Honestly, it was like the Headmaster had brain-washed her or something.

"Just keep thinking you're important, deary." She scrunched her nose up, plopping the pipe back in her mouth before winking playfully at the girl. "Gives the rest of us something to aspire to."</sub>

[Nikita Snape]

Nikita laughed gently, rolling her eyes at the Gryffindor in front of her, "Ahh, you make me laugh small child. Slow suicide... never heard that one before." She raised her eyebrow slightly, wondering what the expression on the Gryffindor meant. It was a strange expression, which Nikita had never seen before. Especially from a Gryffindor who was a fifth year, standing in front of a Slytherin, whom frankly, had killed three people nearly.

Nikita snorted, rolling her eyes once more, "Please! I'm sure your anger isn't even a fourth of mine, when I'm actually pissed too. I tend to murder, and torture when I'm pissed. So watch your back, bitch." She snapped, her cold eyes studying the girl with curiousity. She was a brave one, to say the least. I mean who really had the nerve to speak to a Slytherin with such high authority, with such displeasure?

Nikita was impressed with the girl in front of her, that she could actually see herself becoming good friends with the Gryffindor. If only she wasn't one of the filthy Lions. "Aww, you don't give a shit about what I think? Well, isn't that just the cutest little thing?" Nikita said, smirking, "Well I am talking bitch, so get use to it. I like prefect duties, considering it gives me high authority like I'm use to."

Nikita suddenly snapped under the next statement, and her eyes swam with fury. Her hand raised and flew across Ellie's cheek. The sound echoed across the trophy room, sending a thrill through Nikita. "I will keep thinking I'm important, because trust me bitch, I am important." Nikita snapped, her anger seeping through her pale skin.

[Ellie Rayne]

<sub>Ellie pulled the pipe out of her mouth for a moment, her jaw muscles flexing as she laughed a bit. "Good for you," she told the girl, her olive eyes dancing, "But anger's not really something to be proud of." She plopped the pipe back in her mouth, grinding her back teeth on the thing in a rather endearing way.

"Get used to it?" she questioned, looking as though she was about to burst out laughing. "Well aren't you a control freak. But honestly, calm the fuck down. Don't turn all Nazi on me and start telling me what to do." She paused, letting out a little laugh. "Doesn't really work on me, love." The pipe was out of her mouth again, and she was twirling the thing between her forefingers.

Ellie'd been expecting the slap for a long time now, and wasn't really surprised when it came. But it didn't really hurt all too much. The Snape girl had a weak hand when compared to the guys Ellie's tussled with in the past. And they didn't bitchslap people all too often. More of punching in the nose and the likes. Which was exactly what Ellie did. It was more of an instinct than anything, but the satisfying crunch that resounded when her fist broke the girl's nose was definitely worth it.

"I'd advise you didn't slap me again, Snape," the Gryffie mused, her tone light and care-free even while her words weren't. "You'll get worse than a broken nose next time, bitch." She paused for a moment, before smiling at the girl and adding: "Well isn't that bloody lovely for you? Your brain drowning in that huge head of yours?"</sub>

[Nikita Snape]

Nikita rolled her eyes furiously at the girl standing in front of her. "Watch it bitch. It's not the best idea to pick a fight with someone stronger, older, and more experienced than you are. Especially if that someone can find you." Nikita smirked, her eyes narrowed as she watched the girl darkly. "You claim yourself to be soo smart, when frankly-- picking this fight with me is one hell of a stupid ass move."

Nikita laughed gently at the way Ellie talked to her. "Aren't we all control freaks, Ellie? I mean you are just craving attention it seems. What? No one likes you, or cares about you? You just decide that if you pick a fight with me that maybe people will start liking you? Puh-leese!" Nikita barked, her eyes filled with glamor. "I'm sure it would work on you if I actually tried, you idiot."

After the first simple slap Nikita gave to Ellie, she was returned with a hard punch which had hit her right on the nose. She heard the crack of it, and the sharp pain that tagged along. She had had her nose broken three times already, and was getting use to the pain really quickly. First Victoire had broken her nose, then Rowen, and now Ellie. It was really begging to become a pain in the ass too.

'Tergeo, Episkey'Before Nikita had time to think, she thought the spell in her head, which immediately removed the blood from her face and fixed the broken nose. The pain was still there though, simply because Nikita sucked balls at healing. Soon enough though Nikita stepped forward, shoving Ellie hard, which sent her backwards and into a wall.

Nikita smiled mischievously as she heard the crack of a bone, which obviously was Ellie's elbow. Nikita didn't think she broke it though. It was most likely a crack in the bone instead. Before Ellie had the chance to recover though, Nikita stepped forward her hand slapping across the girls' cheek once more. This time it was a harder slap, considering her last one was very weak.

"Oops. Looks like I just did, bitch." Nikita hissed, continuing on with her next statement, "I've had plenty of broken noses. I bet I can handle another one... that is if you're lucky enough to break it again." Niki snorted, shaking her head slowly, "Nice one. But no, actually it isn't. At least I have a brain though."