Why? (open but 1 only please)

As Casey found herself slumped against a battlement in the astronomy tower, she finally let her tears loose completely, having kept them in for as long as she could around her dorm mates and during her classes. It was finally starting to sink in he wouldn't be coming back, and though she was mad at him she didn't hate him. He was her stupid Hufflepuff brother who couldn't stop himself from helping a child in need, and she could only hope that if she were in the same situation she would respond as bravely. Hopefully with more thought than run straight in, but his bravery she admired, and she was the Gryffindor! "Why do terrible things happen to the best people? He may have been stupid and impulsive, but he was kind and loyal. Fiercely protective of those he cared about. Gentle, above all else gentle. Because he didn't know how to seriously hurt was part of why he's gone, though. It was his best trait, but his weakness for sure." she said, before stopping talking to herself.

She was not gentle like her brother.Casey wasn't overly mean or anything, but when she got upset or emotional she did not have his self-control. Often she said cruel things, or broke something by accident with either magic or a misplaced step or wave of her hand. It was what she envied about him, his ability to restrain himself. "I love you, Humphy. I'm mad, but I still love you. So if you ar listening, just know that." she whispered, tears finally starting to slow that she dried on her robes.

Casey finished drying her tears and did a basic cleaning charm on her robes to help prevent salt stains before turning to look at the older boy who had also decided the astronomy tower was a good place to visit. He wasn't anyone she recognized, but the crest on his robes identified him as a Hufflepuff. She wondered if he had known Humphrey, or was simply another house member. Humphrey really didn't have many friends for some reason she'd never understood here at Hogwarts. "Casey." she said quietly, not moving to get up like she usually would have. "Not to be rude, but I really don't think I'd be good company right now. My brother died recently, and well...I don't want to lash out at a stranger for no reason." she said slowly, hoping he would understand it wasn't anything he'd done.

She took a few moments to compose herself before shakily standing to her feet. After a few seconds the wobbling stopped and she felt better now that he wasn't towering above her. Sure, she was still quite a bit shorter, but she didn't feel as weak as she had been on the ground. "Did you know him? my brother was a Hufflepuff like you. Humphrey." Casey told him, curious to see what he'd say. Or, if he would simply say he didn't really know him and change the subject. Part of her knew she should leave him be, but she wanted to know what an unbiased opinion of him was and hers would always be blinded by love. He'd taught her more than her parents did in a lot of ways growing up.