give me purpose (open)

Three years since he had walked these halls, and he thought it would all come back: where everything was, the joy he used to feel being away from his parents, the sound of his own laughter...

But now he was lost. The castle was darker, somehow. There were so many different sounds and sights going on in every inch of it: he felt like he couldn't keep up. He'd forgotten where he was going, then wondered if he had a purpose for being on this floor anyway. It was all too much sometimes. He longed for a direction, a command, an instruction... having free time wasn't something he was used to, and he wasn't sure he liked it.

He wanted to go back. At least he didn't feel lost there...

After being at the pitch to get some flying in, James was heading up the castle to meet Luna over in the Room of Requirement; he wasn't exactly sure what they were going to do in there, but he had an inkling since it was one of the most frequented private spots in all of Hogwarts. He made it to the fifth floor when he started instinctively heading in the direction of a secret passageway.

On the way there, he noticed Atticus? Was that him? It seemed like him. James could feel a pit in his stomach as he was reminded of what Alayna told him while they were on the train... And Atticus. He looked pretty damn handsome, but James found himself more concerned with the fact that he looked quite overwhelmed. Since he wasn't really on a time constraint, he approached him. "Er, are ya alright?"

@Atticus Nott

He could hear footsteps coming...

It was one of the instructors. No... was it approaching? He could hear several sets of feet reverberating from this corridor and the next, but their path was haphazard... not constructed, not marching, just winding and casual and incredibly loud...

As his breathing got heavier, his back fell against a wall. Wide, open, frightened eyes greeted the eyes of another. He recognised him, sort of, but the noise was louder still. He wanted to press his hands against his ears, and looked at the boy in a state of panic. His breathing became laboured. Spikes of colour and fizz jumped around his vision...

"I don't know..." he heard himself say, "Who are you? Where are we?"

@James Potter

His eyes widened as he moved closer into Atticus' sight. Daaaaamn. He really was overwhelmed! James didn't exactly know what to do... He wasn't like his mum who was an amazing healer and would know exactly how to handle this. What would mum do?

He avoided touching him. He had enough sense to realize that might just make it worse. "Er, I'm James... We're currently in the fifth floor corridors. Do ya know where you're headin..?"

@Atticus Nott