Kace felt someone bump into him. "OOoompfhh" he said when she bumped into him. He heard that girls remark and he hastily backed away. "Hey i am sorry.." but then he heard her apologizing. He smiled and accepted it. Then he heard her questions.

"Yeah i am a second year." he nodded. "We may have seen each other in some classes." he said helping her out incase he looked familiar. "I am a hufflepuff how did you guess?"

Adrienne wasn't buying the kid's apology, but she begrudgingly nodded, because she had to admit despite herself that it was kind of her fault. All she wanted was some fudge and here she was making a fool out of herself and others. "Yeah, it's fine, whatever," she mumbled, getting the formalities of the apology out of the way. Eugh, apologies were lame and unnecessary.

Hey, she was right! She knew she'd seen him around in her classes. And in the halls, and at the Sorting last year... She loved being right about things. And he was a Puff too, she'd been right about that, which meant he probably wouldn't be as insufferable as most of the students at this school. Not that she liked all Hufflepuffs (coughAleccough). Adrienne's eyes flashed and she gave him a devious grin. "Oh, I know many things." Okay, honestly she just remembered him having yellow wings in the Astronomy activity they'd done at the beginning of the year. But. Best not to give away her secrets, right?

Bronislava pursed her lips almost imperceptibly at Mischa's apology. "It is fine. No harm done," she replied flatly, still somewhat annoyed with herself for being caught off guard. Such carelessness on her part would not do; observation and vigilance was essential.

Her eyes shifted between the few students milling about the shop and her classmate as he spoke. The streets were empty. "Just as I thought," she said the hint of a frown nearly evident on her face. "Do you find it odd?" she asked him quietly. "Vhy vouldn't zhey come out vhen zhey have opportunity?" Maybe it was still too early. Or perhaps it was too cold for their delicate selves and they preferred to hibernate in the colder months. And then a third, more threatening thought passed through her mind and Bronislava quickly pushed it aside.

Brown eyes moved from the licorice wands to the sugar quills, tilting her head towards Mischa to glean information from his words. But it seemed he had little to share at this point. "No. I have not either." She turned towards him more fully now and noticed that the store was actually getting crowded, maybe too crowded. Would she be able to break into another's conversation? She shot Mischa a look, then leaned closer. "Do you zhink one of zhose girls is Slytherin?" From what she learned, it was easily told by the color of their school uniform. Unfortunately they were not worn on the weekend. She had an idea.


"Excuse me," she called over to a group of students shopping. "Ve are looking for zhe chocolate frogs. Can anyone point us in zhe right direction?" Certainly much too sweet for her taste, but she had heard they were a rather popular choice for British teenagers. And it was ideal for her to appear to relate to these students.

Kace took it she wasn't into apologies too much. He didn't blame her. Some people weren't like that. He accepted it and moved on. He knew he would meet different type of people at school. Then her remark about her knowing many things, he chuckled at that. "I take it you are very observant?" he asked. He didn't wanna be a smart alec around her but hey she started it.

"So what made you come into Honeydukes anyways?" he asked the girl. "By the way my name is Kace." Incase she wanted to be a name basis.

"I am a Ravenclaw, am I not?" Adrienne said, gesturing to herself. Maman had told her not to judge by Houses, but she'd found in her first year that the stereotypes were pretty much true in just about every case. Especially the ones about Gryffindors. And Slytherins. Ugh to both of them. Ravenclaw had some stereotypes too, of course, but they were mostly positive, and Papa had privately confided in her that he, as a graduated Ravenclaw himself, agreed with most of them as well.

"I'm looking for fudge," she said, a slight smile appearing on her face despite herself. She loved chocolate so much, in just about every form that it came in. Milk, dark, even white, fudge, mousse, syrup, pudding, everything. Everything. "Adrienne," she said shortly in response, sticking out a hand to shake.

Adrienne turned away from her conversation with Kace at the sound of an extraordinarily loud voice with a thick accent asking where the chocolate frogs were. It may not have been directed at her, but it wasn't like the girl was trying to not get her attention, with how loud she was being. Adrienne narrowed her eyes. More student-aged people who weren't actually from Hogwarts. This was beginning to get past suspicious and into the range of downright shifty.

"They're over here," she said, equally loud and yes, perhaps a bit mocking, with a jab of her thumb in the direction of the Chocolate Frogs. There was practically a whole stack of them directly behind her, blue boxes with gold writing and everything, had they never seen a Chocolate Frog before? Jeez. How dumb can you get?

As Minerva pulled the chocolate frogs and put in her basket she kept eyeing Addy not sure whether or not she should suggest just leaving. She tried to read her friend, but honestly she wasn't sure how to go about reading something like this so she just kept quiet for now and continued with her candy. Jumping at someone speaking rather loudly and then a ravenclaw that she had recognized speaking loudly back Minerva looked up. Oh it was that girl she had seen when she first came in. Curiosity got the better of her.

She smiled nicely at the boy and girl and gave a little wave. "They are right here. I'm picking some out actually." She waited for them to come over. "First time at Honeydukes?" It seemed that way at least. [/b] They have a great selection of fudge as well. I'm Minerva by the way. I'm assuming you don't go to Hogwarts. So I'm assuming you are here for that competition I read about in the prophet?"[/b] She had been wondering about that. Of course the school hadn't said anything to them yet, she had to get it from a paper. Typical it seemed anymore.

Needed some sugar? Elodie nodded, because it was probably right. She probably really did need some sugar. When was the last time she'd...huh. She'd ran out of lollipops a week or so ago. "Sugar sounds like a remedy," It really did. Sugar shopping with her bestie made it all the better though, and she pushed the thoughts of weird things out and made room for candy choices. She wanted it all! Mmmmmmmmm.

Chooooo liked fudge then, huh? "Fudge is goooooood." Elodie smiled and watched two of her three C's conversing over fudge, arming herself up with a few things. Cat's family made FUDGE?!!?!!! WHAT. She was totes born into the wrong family. She practically belonged with them. It was destiny. FATE, EVEN. Hi gum. Hiiiiiii more gum. DID THEY HAVE BACON FLAVOUR?!

Bacon gum would be the best.

Waggly eyebrows and wiggly fingers from Cat made Charlie giggle, and she almost danced after the older girl in the direction of the fudge.

You know, except for the fact that she couldn't dance. "I'm still waiting on some of that." And now it was her time for waggly eyebrows, because she needed some Moretti fudge in her life. And her stomach. For now, though, Honeydukes fudge would have to do. More than that, rather, she thought as she arrived at the fudge. "MMMMM." Yummy noises. What kind was she supposed to have?

"What're you getting, Els?" And you know, what did her friends LIKKKKE. Because this was the perfect Christmas present place. UH HUH.

See? That was better. Candy made things better, yes. Cat nodded in approval as Elodie started gathering up some candy. They could go find a corridor to sit in later and have a sugar feast. Heh.

She nudged Charlie with her arm and made eyes at the fudge. "Lots of choices, right? So which one is the winner?" Nom nom nom. Maybe she should get some herself, huh? Hmm. She pondered on that and glanced around the shop, reminding herself of her list. While glancing, she spotted two people who didn't look familiar. Then, when the girl spoke, Cat noted the accent and knew she didn't recognize her, or the boy with her (cause he was rather good looking and she surely would have recognized him by now), actually. Hmm. Interesting.

Kace thought about that for a second. "Hmmm actually to be truthful i would never have guessed but maybe i would have if i got to know a lot better." he shrugged. He didn't really judge too quick because he could be wrong about someone, so he always asked just to be sure. Ooooh she was looking for fudge? Yummy...he did like fudge.

"Oh do you have a favorite type of fudge?" he asked her curiously. "I know i do. I love milk chocolate. I am a regular type of guy." he shrugged. He saw her hand being stuck out and he shook it. "Well nice to meet you Adrienne the Ravenclaw." he played along with that a little bit.

Then he realized someone was talking in a thick accent. Kace was not good at interpreting accents. It wasn't his strong point. He smiled and Adrienne pointed for the girl. Kace asked Adrienne is she knew, "Do you know why people from different countries are coming here?"

Adrienne raised an eyebrow, but let the subject go. She didn't want to have to reveal how she actually knew what House he was in, which would totally ruin the mysterious aura of all-knowing that she was trying to cultivate around herself. Was it working? She had no idea, but it couldn't hurt to try.

She thought for a moment. Favourite type... but she loved them all so much! "I suppose dark chocolate, if I had to choose. But the rest are all so delicious as well, no?" Chocolaaaate. Adrienne kept paying attention to Kace, but she also began looking through some of the different types of fudge in an attempt to choose which to get. She had a niggling feeling she'd just end up with some of each, though.

"No, I've got no clue. It's not just her, though, I met a girl from Beauxbatons earlier today in the Three Broomsticks, and I think there was someone from Durmstrang there too, it's bizarre. D'you have any ideas?" Were they spies? Arsonists? Murderers? ...well, probably not to the last two. But it was totally possible that they were spying on Hogwarts for reasons unknown, and Adrienne vowed to UNCOVER THEIR SECRETS!

Alec's eyebrows rose... and rose... and ROSE as Taylor started talking about the current situation she was in. Wait, was she asking advice on how not to make a situation awkward from, possibly, one of the most awkwardest people in the school? He felt sorry for her. Really. "Erm... wow!" he started, ruffling his hair. Yeah, okay, that wasn't the best way to start off but... it was his initial reaction. "I think... how not to make a situation awkward goes down to just... talking about it? Make sure that they know that... you don't feel that way about them. Nicely." That was important too. "Maybe... maybe some distance could help too?" Especially for the person who still liked the other person.

... This... was really confusing.

At least the topic of birthdays and birthday gifts and Curly Wade wasn't confusing. Not at all. "I'm glad!" he said, nodding at her, "He has those with nearly every meal, it seems." Wade and pickles. Heh. "Well... yeah! He's a Chaser! A brilliant one at that." And... it was a good thing she knew this now, yeah?

So he WAS one of her favourite Hufflepuff guys! The seventeen year old grinned at her, REALLY happy about this little fact. "Well... I'm great! Wade's great too! His shampoo's really effective..." The last one was more of an afterthought because... hey, Alec needed to find out what shampoo the guy used. "Nash... I haven't seen him much recently. I hope he's alright!" As for that blush, Alec turned away and started picking up a random sweet treat, smiling to himself. He wasn't going to notice it. Nope.

... Him and Pie Man needed to have some bro chats. Definitely.

A weekend in Hogsmeade wasn't complete without a trip to Honeydukes. Food, was certainly a priority to the young boy and shopping for sweets was definitely top on his list.

Entering the shop, the Blonde headed straight for the Chocolate Frogs, running his fingers along the shelves, scanning out the best looking frog. He wasn't one to collect the cards that came in the packs, instead he was likely to give them to Theo or maybe Blue, whoever wanted it the most.

Once he had decided on which frogs tickled his fancy, he headed for the plain chocolate. It would be perfect to bake with and as most of his friends knew (and probably loved) when Terence Radley was bored, he would head straight for the kitchen for a spot of baking. It had been a while since he had socialised, his OWL's were starting to worry him a little and he hoped inside that someone would join him fairly soon.

Maybe he should head out?

Bronislava hoped that she hadn't been too loud as she wasn't trying to draw too much attention to herself and Mischa, but she needed to find a way to break into one of these conversations. And asking for assistance seemed to work now that a couple students spoke up. She ignored any look she was sure Mischa was now giving her, considering his dislike for social situations, and subtly gestured for him to follow. They had a task to complete and if she needed to make themselves known in order to do that, then she would. Besides, it wasn't like he was alone in this; it was always helpful to have an ally.

She walked over to the two girls as they pointed out the chocolate frogs right behind them and no, she did not miss the tone the younger one had given her, but she thought it most prudent to ignore it for now. "Oh.. no vonder I did not see zhem," Bronislava said, with a faint smile and light chuckle. "Zhere is a crowd in front of zhem. I should have know since zhey are so popular, no?" In fact the younger girl was still blocking them by standing right in front of the display. Good thing Bronislava did not really intend to purchase any.

She turned her eyes on the one who called herself Minerva and gave her a slightly wider smile. She was very forthcoming; perhaps she was the one to speak to. "Oh, you recommend zhe fudge? What flavor do you prefer? I like dragonberry, myself.. I vonder if zhey have zhat?" Not that she cared, really. Just a little icebreaker small talk; and she glanced up to the display case before looking back at the two girls again when she heard Minerva mention Hogwarts.

"Oh.. do you both got to Hogwarts? I know little about zhat school.. like zhere is house called Slytherin. Do you girls belong to zhat house?" she asked, deliberately ignoring Minerva's last question, then looked at the young boy (Kace) that was near them as well when he mentioned Ravenclaw. The younger girl was in that house? Bronislava shot a pointed look at Mischa. He might want to talk to that girl. As she started to turn her eyes back to Minerva, she noticed another girl about their age (Cat) looking in their direction. Was she curious? She threw a small smile in her direction. Perhaps she wanted to talk too.

Adrienne did the most obviously fake, mocking laugh, and then stopped abruptly and gave the foreign girl a look. She didn't like her, not one bit, and it was probably not the best idea to provoke someone who was about a foot taller than her and could probably crush her in one blow, but hey, she had Kace here to use as a human shield while she ran away if necessary. But only as a last-case scenario, because she wasn't too annoyed by the guy, and that was a rare occurence.

"Why do you want to know?" she asked sharply. SPIES. THEY WERE DEFINITELY SPIES. Why else would they be lurking around Hogsmeade asking questions of students? They were clearly gathering information for some reason. Maybe they weren't even student-aged! Maybe they were grown-ups in disguise, trying to pry secrets from them. Well Adrienne for one wasn't going to fall for their ploy! "And from where, pray tell, are you?"

Caleb could care less about the stores in Hogsmeade, except for one - Honeydukes! The candy shop was by far the best place in the whole world, and he needed to stock up on jelly slugs because he was running dangerously low. He also wanted to grab some other treats while he was there as well, because...well, who didn't LOVE candy??? You could never have enough of it, in his opinion.

As he browsed the shelves, he smiled and waved at some of his classmates that he recognized from class. He didn't remember too many of their names, but who cared really? Clearly they hadn't made that much of an impact SOOOO yeah.

"Tis true they are all delicious don't get wrong but i was wondering if you preferred one out of all the others." he said rephrasing the question. But sometimes he couldn't choose.

Then he heard Adrienne answer his question. "Oh so there are more students here from other countries?" he asked intrigued. "Hmm i guess i have to get out more." he said shrugging. Then she asked if he had any ideas. Hmm well he had one. "Maybe there is a huge event going on?" he suggested. "Like a tournament?"



Kace decided it was time to be brave and introduce himself. He overheard his conversation with Minnie and he put on his warm smile. "Hey i am Kace! I am from Hufflepuff house? What brings you into this neck of the woods?" he asked hoping she understood that reference.

Els was possibly still mulling over the idea of Moretti fudge and why she had been born into the wrong family, and that took her attention span a million miles away when the other two girls talked about fudge and got fudge and whatever else they were doing. She didn't know. She was busy thinking of Moretti stuff she could have had, had she been one.

Darn Robertser genes.

Charlie's question snapped her from her daze and she blinked the distant look off her face and shrugged. "Licorice aaaand gum aaaand maybe other stuff." She wasn't positive what she actually felt like right now. Hmm. Tell us, tummy. LET US KNOW YOUR NEEDS. Elodie looked over where Cat had lingered her glance (because, why wasn't she looking at the sweets no more?!) and raised an eyebrow. Hiiiiii there.

Min felt she had heard every accent possible and could really tell what people were saying even with them. She had Mr. Accent himself a few terms ago for Ancient Runes, so it surprised her to take a double take with this girl’s accent. What did she say.. Min tried to not make it noticeable that she was going over the words again in her head. For a moment she even wondered if her own accent had changed over the years. She had spent most of her time at Hogwarts around the accents and not in America, plus the person she was around most had the cutest German accent. Shrugging it off she realized what she had said, “Oh yes they are very popular. Have you never had any?” She moved her hand around the claw girl and pulled some off the shelf handing them to the stranger, “Here you go. Try them, everyone should at least once.” They weren’t as good as her Reese Cups, but there was none of those here to have the girl try.


Min shrugged and pointed towards the counter where the fudge was, “It’s good, but I’m kind of a junk food fanatic, so there isn’t much in here I don’t like.” Dragonberry? Had she ever even had that flaver, “I don’t think I’ve had that but the peanut butter and jelly fish is pretty good.” Min started towards the gumballs as she continued to listen to the girl. Looking around she frowned, “Why did she leave..” Addy was no where to be found. She felt horrible if something had happen to make her upset. She thought about going to find her, but turned back to the girl as she spoke again. “Yes I attend Hogwarts. I’m a seventh year actually.” Should she say anything about being a prefect incase the girl needed something. What was the point she seemed to be failing at that this term anyway, her thoughts were soon pushed away when she heard the girl ask if she was a Slytherin.

Looking down she knew she had a green sweater on, but Minerva a Slytherin? She shook her head no, “Oh goodness no. Not that there is anything wrong with being one, my best friend is one actually, but I’m not. I’m a Hufflepuff, the Hufflepuff prefect actually.” Minerva tilted her head wondering why she would want to know who was in Slytherin. Did she know someone in that house.

Dark blue eyes searched the store signs until they found the one they were looking for. Karina strolled confidently through the door to Honeydukes; careful to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. Although she didn't like candy much, Honeydukes was famed and so she had decided to see what all the fuss was about. As she entered, she saw someone she knew... Immediately making a beeline for Bronislava, she tapped her friend on the arm. "Have you met anyone interesting yet?" she whispered just loud enough for her to hear. She hoped her friend would understand the double meaning of interesting to be threatening or possibly a challenge; someone Karina would need to look out for.

Taylor sighed and blushed. She tilted her head and listened to him, nodding, [b]”Okay… so talk it out then distance…” Tay gave a sharp nod, ”Good… good… though distance… will be hard… in the same house…” Taylor clapped her hand over her mouth and grimaced, ”Umm… sooo…” She shuffled her feet, blushing. Tay beamed, ”Good that you are glad.” Taylor giggled and smiled, ”That’s good then… and oooh Wade is a brilliant chaser?” Tay beamed, ”That is wonderful! She nodded a lot at that. ”I am glad that you two are both doing great. His shampoo is really effective…?” Taylor gave him the weirdest look and just stared at him for that comment, ”Oh… you haven’t? I hope so too.” Tay gave a small blush and rotated her ankled a little, giggling. ”I last saw him on our… a picnic.” She beamed at Alec after she said that and laughed. "Other than that... I haven't seen him lately..." There was a small pout at that thought and then twirled, looking around the shop for some sweets. "When is your birthday anyways?" Tay looked at him, tilting her head.

Even though Christmas was right around the corner, which meant she would be getting to leave the secure walls of Hogwarts, and even though she'd already been doing that all term, Dora still felt the need to leave the school in favor of wandering around Hogsmeade. A break from studying for OWLs, because she didn't actually take many of those.

She'd been wandering around when she spotted one of her elusive friends entering the candy shop. Well, she wasn't looking to buy anything from there, since candy wasn't a big sell for her anymore, but she did want to see what he was up to and so followed in not far behind.

"Of all the things you come to in this shop." She approached him from the side, a grin playing on her lips. "You go for the plain chocolate. Not very adventurous of you, Terry."

Really? Continued rudeness? This little girl was just getting annoying and Bronislava crossed her arms, raising herself to her full height as she glared at the girl, staring her down. "I am simply trying for conversation, something at vhich you are clearly not skilled. I suggest if you vant to know somezhing you try to be a little more.. pleasant." As in, Bronislava would be answering none of her questions. The young girl certainly wasn't very smart if she thought her attitude would get her very far. "Besides, such rude laughter is more apt to come from hyena snout." She eyed the girl's mouth and let her arm drop to allow her fingers to lightly touch her wand. She was top in her class in Transfiguration; she shouldn't be tempted.

Bronislava turned away from the girl in favor of the more friendly ones. They were more willing to engage in conversation, so little Ravenclaw was no longer useful to her. So far from her observations, she gathered that Hufflepuffs were friendly and helpful while Ravenclaws were rude and not very smart. Good luck vith zhat, Mischa. But she knew from experience not to base her findings on only one example. So she hoped for her classmate's sake they weren't all so horrid. Though it might be funny if they were. Poor Mischa.

And so both of the friendly ones were of Hufflepuff House. That was interesting and two examples were better than one in her observations which better confirmed to her that maybe the students of this house were just that. Still slightly disappointing to Bronislava that she hadn't found any Slytherins yet, but forthcoming conversation was still so helpful. She decided she liked these two; they would do fine. Though she still would have to find Slytherins at some point.

Bronislava gave the boy a small smile. "Hello, Kace from Hufflepuff House," she said, then turned to Minerva as well. "I am Bronislava." She felt like she had earned their trust enough that she could offer her name and make them feel more at ease, but wasn't so eager to add much more than that for now. She did not want to disappoint her Headmaster.

She reached out and took the chocolate frog offered to her by the girl. "Zhank you, zhat's very kind." She hadn't really intended on buying any, but she wasn't going to be made out to be deceitful at this point. Not when Minerva was so helpful and friendly. Maybe she'd give it to Karina. Peanut butter and jellyfish, that was an interesting combination, but she would be buying no sweets (besides the chocolate frog, of course) unless she got pepper imps. And eyeing Mischa with the acid pops, she thought why not? She wandered closer to the basket and casually picked up a few before looking back to Minerva.

"Oh, you are Prefect?" she asked as she caught the word, trying to deepen the conversation. "Like student leader, yes? Do you enjoy?" And her best friend was Slytherin, that could be useful. "How nice to have friends from other houses so you don't feel so segregated," she began with a slightly bigger smile. "Is she as kind as you?"

Bronislava must have been more alert this time as she spoke to the Hogwarts students because she wasn't nearly as startled when she felt the tap on her arm as she was when Mischa had come to her from behind. She slowly turned, hearing the voice at her ear and gave Karina a small, crooked grin upon sight of her. "No one striking," she whispered back, certain about her meaning. She had met a few students but only one had remotely fit the description and even there she wasn't completely sure yet. "Vhat about you?" She was most interested in what Karina might have found out.

"I have met a few students zhough." She placed her hand on Karina's arm, slightly steering her towards the two she had been talking to as she turned towards them as well. "Zhis is Minerva and Kace, Hogwarts students from Hufflepuff House. Zhey have been so kind, talking to me about zheir school." She gave a small smile to each of them, then turned and gave one to her schoolmate as well with a gleam in her eye. No need to mention rude Ravenclaw yet.

Huh? Gum and licorice? Elodie, that was just not good enough. Nooo. More sugar. She needed more sugar. Like Sugar Quills. Yes. However, Cat was still interested in the two people who were just a bit away from them, and even more curious when another one joined them. Hmmm. Curious Cat. Oh, look. The one girl who had been looking for chocolate frogs was smiling at her. Cat smiled back and waved. Hello. Hello new person. Hi. Then she glanced back at the fudge again. She wasn't planning on buying any, so maybe it was time to move on to the next item on her list. Jelly Slugs.

...Which were over by the new interesting people she was curious about. Cat went over to gather some up, but she perked up when she heard the word Slytherin. Now she was extra curious. "I'm a Slytherin." She offered helpfully.

Helpful Cat was helpful.

And curious.

Regina was looking for her fellow Durmstrang ladies. That was the only reason she was currently in the small sweet's shop. Bright, yet fake, smile in place, she proceeded further in, turning the beaming look on those she might have passed along the way. First impressions were the most important and a girl like her fully understood the concept.

There were so many people in this shop. English girls and their obsessions with chocolate; the fifteen year old just could not understand.

Finally finding the two she was looking for, Regina strode purposely closer, stopping just in front of where the two stood. Karina and Bronislava, of course. She didn't know these other people..."Zhere is something so interesting about this village, yes? Her accent was heavy as the smile remained firmly in place. She meant the faces. Many interesting faces.