The cellars were cold when you went down; the faint scent of seaweed and damp stone could be detected, and through the windows you could see the bottom of the mere along with its creatures roaming around.
The stone wall moved when you said the password, and you passed through into the Vale House common room, and headed for the stairs to the girls' dormitories.
Two steps up, your robe caught on a nail in the wall, and you slipped trying to pull it free The floor rushed up quickly, and you covered your face with your arms so you wouldn't get hurt. However, the impact never came.
A firm hand held you by the waist and pulled you against his chest, steadying you. You lowered your arms and found yourself face-to-face with Sebastian Brackenbury.
"Learn to walk, dirtborn, because next time I'll let you fall,"
he snapped, letting you go abruptly with a look of disgust.
"No one asked for your help, Brackenbury,"
you retorted, straightening your robe.