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Nnh..

[He's swaying to the idea, but he's not there yet. The idea of how much trouble he could get into versus the problem at hand is creating a rather large conflict in his mind]

I.. I can't. This isn't.. They'll just take him to the hospit--

[His voice cuts off there]

KIRKLAND! Arthur! Come back! Oh, no, no no, no, you have to come back, you have to help me, I can't get in on my own, I'm going to-

[And someone is going to grab his bag and his journal and run down to where he knows where the entrance to Slytherin dorms is and just wait, because someone will have to go in or out, and maybe he can go in with them, right? Right???]

[Is it possible to die again? because Eriq really would like to. Actually, no, he wouldn't, the first time wasn't much fun at all, the second time isn't likely to be any better. It's just Herbert's reaction is making him feel and he rather liked the calm apathy of death.]

[He's also feeling vaguely annoyed.]

[So, huffing, he steps out of the Slytherin common room, intent on fi- oh, he's already here]

Herbert, it's fine. I'm still here.

[Herbert's head jerks around at the familiar voice, and the relief that washes over his face is so raw as to be almost painful.] Eriq! Oh my god, you have no idea what Kirkland's been saying-

Why are you transparent and silver? [pulling up short and blinking, then frowning] Oh. Oh, dear.

[Gosh, all these people making a fuss over his death. He really doesn't know how to take this. Bland awkwardness seems to be the way to go, though.]

Yeeeeaaaah. Those rumors of my untimely demise might actually be true. [he rubs the back of his neck, shrugging] But I'm still here, so if you start crying I'm going to- [Normally, he'd say "hit you" but that's not really a thing he can do right now] -float here and stare at you until you stop. Because seriously, I'm still here.

[Herbert doesn't say anything, just takes a few stiff legged steps forward, then pushes his hand through Eriq's chest, twisting it around a bit, staring.]

That feels really weird, you know. Kind of tickly, but not really, since I can't actually feel anything. Like when your foot falls asleep, and then you try walking on it.

You're cold. [Herbert sounds distracted, still staring, then bites the inside of his lower lip.] What happened? Your roommate wasn't exactly forthcoming. And when? ... I thought you just weren't talking to me.

Well, I am a spectral impression of a human soul. [eyeroll] Yeah, when I stopped talking? That was about it. Just kind of fell over and died. I have no idea why or how.

It can't be a heart defect, I've listened enough times, I would have heard a murmur or an arrhythmia. [To anyone who knows Herbert, it's quite obvious he's upset, but trying to stamp it down just as hard as possible. Of course, only Eriq really knows him, so. But there's a clipped quality to his questions, and a worry in his wide, dark eyes.]

Do you think it could have been a curse? You didn't see any green light, or anything like that?

[Sigh. Oh, dear Herbert. Would that he could hold you in his arms right now and pet your hair.]

No, there was nothing. I mean, I sort of... wished I was dead? But I hardly meant it. I was just being melodramatic, really. But I thought it, then I was it.

You think that sort of thing all the time ... you say that sort of thing all the time. [Herbert agrees, worrying at his lower lip with his teeth.] I doubt it's related, but-

[His hands comes up to his hair at the back of his neck, and he tugs on it fretfully.] At least it wasn't an Unforgivable. Maybe it's some sort of temporary thing, something that can be fixed? I just can't see why you'd fall over dead, it doesn't make any sense, not at your age.

They'll have to let me see you at some point, though, don't you think? Your body, I mean. I could fix it. I could floo call my uncle ... something.

[He shrugs, hands going into his ghostly pockets.]

Herbert, it's... it's been a few hours. I mean, you could try, but even by the time you get to me... There might not be enough neural function left to really... bring me back. And as hilarious as shambling zombies are, that would be a rather undignified thing to subject me to, don't you think? Besides, did you ever get to even try the goat yet?

Oh! Yes, Holmes told me we could have it, but I think he wants to come watch when we do it. [The smaller boy's smile is a shadow of his usual sunny one that accompanies any talk of reanimation.] If you still want to do that. And you wouldn't be a shambling zombie, I've gotten it right this time! ... I think. I suppose it would be better to try it on the goat, first.

Oh, that's good! I like Sherlock, he was disappointed to find I was a ghost because that took the fun out of having a dead body. I like that attitude. He should come watch, and we should still do it. Especially if it's going to be used on me, eventually.

Yes, he's one of the few people around here with any vision or focus at all. [agrees, and he does seem to warm up a little at Eriq's ghostly enthusiasm] In fact, he suggested we do it during a meal, instead of trying to sneak out at night. Less chance of getting caught that way, which I thought was quite sensible. During breakfast should be good, actually. Did you know he's been keeping it in his boot?

Clever lad, I agree. Although I'm not sure about the boot part. Wouldn't it start to stink?

Probably, though he has shrunk it. Still, maybe his boots stink anyway, I've never investigated. [little smirk, though it fades a little bit as he regards his friend's ghostly form]

Well. [after a moment] I suppose this is giving you all sorts of personal experience with, you know, the spiritual side of existence. [It is one of Eriq's areas of interest, after all.] And you can go where you like, now. Even the girl's dorms.

[He nods a long with Herbert's assessment, stopping as the other boy looks him over, looking down at his hands with a small, sad smile]

It is, yes. It would be nice if it were temporary, I suppose, but... well, regardless, I am not going to let it stop me.

[He blushes a bit at the mention of the girls' dorms a little, just a slight graying of his cheeks] I actually had no intention of doing that.

We still don't know that it isn't. [Herbert insists stubbornly.] This is all too odd to be natural. They'd damn well better investigate thoroughly!

[He glances away at Eriq's blush, though, his look a bit pensive and sad. There's an almost visible change on his face, a look when it's clear he's decided to change to subject, and not examine the thing he really, really doesn't want to.] Anyway, what are you going to do tonight? Do ghosts sleep?

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