Having friends on both teams of this match, Eliza sat quietly and watched the Gobstones game. She gave a little silent cheer each time her friends from Hufflepuff scored, and though she wanted Lex to win equally as much - it didn't look like things were going very well for the Gryffindor team.

Slipping in to the viewing area and taking a seat riiiiiiiiiiight in front so he could cheer for the lions loudly AND make faces at Medea at the same time, the astronomy professor adjusted his crimson red tie and leaned forward a bit. Lions seemed to be taking a beating right now. He very briefly found himself torn since he did like several of the badger players, but all was not fair when it came to sports.

Was gobstones even a sport? Meh, didn't matter. He needed to support his old house.

"You can do it lions! RAWR at them!" he shouted. Rawring could be a pretty good distraction when one was tossing one of those stones after all.

Oh. He wasn't alone. "Hello there, Miss Dawnsel. Which side are you cheering for?" Lions? Maybe they could do a cheer together....

Eliza was intent on watching the game when a certain lovable Astronomy teacher came into the stands. She was momentarilly distracted by his arrival, but was able to slide over on her bench to better see the playing area, since - you know, he'd sat right smack dab in front of her. But she wasn't offended by that. She knew she was sort of small still and all alone, so she figured it'd be easy to miss her, a lot of the time. Part of the reason she liked Professor Flamsteed so much anyway was for his cheery and sometimes childlike qualities, so she could only expect as much for him to plop down and start into a loud cheer in the middle of a game. She smiled and giggled quietly when he RAWRed for the Gryffindors.

She was surprised when he turned around to ask what side she was for. Oh, he noticed me now! she thought, sitting up a little straighter to answer him. "Well, I have friends on both teams, so I just don't think I can choose." A very diplomatic answer, but it was true. She had a big cheery smile on her face despite her mixed feelings about the game. "Do you need help roaring? I always do love an underdog," she said with her cutest "welp" style head tilt and shoulder raise. As in... Welp, might as well give them some encouragement!

"That would be fantastic," Airey grinned at the girl as he jumped to his feet. "Been wanting to use this rock classic for some time now." Which meant that she should follow suit.

STOMP STOMP CLAP! STOMP STOMP CLAP! STOMP STOMP CLAP!

"Lions gonna roar make a big noise
Playin' Gobstones gonna be a big lions some day
Gob on yo' face
Big disgrace
Tossing your stones all over the place
Singin'

We will we will RAWR you c'mon
We will we will RAWR you"

STOMP STOMP CLAP! STOMP STOMP CLAP! STOMP STOMP CLAP!

This day just kept getting better and better. A huge grin spread across the thirteen year old's face as she watched her professor start off that really catchy bleacher song everyone loved so much. Oh and he's made new lyrics too! This is great! She started laughing as she rose to her feet to join him the second time around.

She banged her shoes on the stands as loudly as she could, listening to the impact reverberate around the stands and laughed again. She covered her face with her hands as she felt her nose and eyes crinkling up. Merlin how ridiculous - but ridiculously FUN!

Stomp, stomp, CLAP! Stomp, stomp, CLAP! Stomp, stomp, CLAP!

"Lions gonna roar make a big noise
Playin' Gobstones gonna be a big lions some day
Gob on yo' face
Big disgrace
Tossing your stones all over the place
Singin'

We will we will RAWR you c'mon
Everybody everybodyyyyy
We will we will RAWR you!!"

Stomp, stomp, CLAP! Stomp, stomp, CLAP! Stomp, stomp, CLAP!

Her hands were sore from the intense clapping, but she didn't care. She was having a blast and giggling all the way - to the point where little teardrops were collecting in the corners of her eyes and she had to wipe them away. It had been a long time since she'd laughed til she cried. She smiled up at the suited Professor and carried on singing, thankful for his company.

Airey continued to stomp and clap and was just about to head into the second verse when.........oh. The match was over. Gryffindor had lost and the man's expression would have normally fallen, but for whatever reason he just wasn't that upset. They had fought back and worked together and, well there was always next time.

"WELL PLAYED! WELL PLAYED INDEED!"

Making more faces at Medea, he eventually turned his attention to the Ravenclaw girl who had appeased him by joining in his singing and dancing. "Well, I guess that is that," he chuckled. "Will I be seeing you play next match, Miss Dawnsel?"

She continued her stomping and clapping until the match was called. So Gryffindor had lost, despite all of their glorious encouragements, but that was all right. Hufflepuff played a good game, so they deserved to win. She reached for her bag and slung it over her shoulder. When she stood, she realized the professor was asking her a question.

"Oh, me? Well...yes, actually I think you will!" she replied, suddenly feeling excited for the next match. "Will you cheer for us?" She asked this because she wasn't sure how he felt about Ravenclaws, and it was fairly obvious if they were up against Lions at some point, he'd be rooting for them and not for her house. Which was okay, since the next match probably wouldn't be against the crimson and gold team anyway. But she did have a casual interest in if there was yet another house he preferred over the eagles.

Him? Cheer for Ravenclaw? Well...that sort of was an unsure statement. Not that cheering for Slytherin was exactly on his agenda either. Rooting for both teams counted, yes? More love for all and all of that. "Certainly," he grinned. Maybe he would even wear a little blue too. Like in his tie or something.

Standing up now, Airey threw Medea a quick double thumbs up to her for completing her first match as Gobstones Adviser - just as a thought popped into his head for something he could do. Heh. Airey button his suit up again and then turned towards the Ravenclaw. "See you at the next match then," he said with a wink before departing from the viewing area.

Now he needed to get something to appease his sweet tooth.

Eliza watched him as he seemed to be thinking it over. Gosh...maybe we won't? She fiddled with her sleeves and pulled her bag tighter to her, getting ready to leave, when finally he agreed to cheer. "Great!" she said, smiling and nodded at him as she left the stands. "See you later, Professor!" She headed back to her common room with some pep in her step and the growing urge to sing more songs.

Jory was looking forward to the next Gobstones match. Slytherin always were a tough side to go up against. When he got to the Viewing area, he was the only one there. Oh well. He didn't mind. It means he go to watch the game without being distracted.

The Snakes were already up by nine points. Jory wasn't really supporting either team but the Claws needed to buck up. "Come on, Claws!''' he called, and clapping for them.

Minerva walked into the Gobstone match. Claws vs. Slytherin. She had always loved the game and actually had played since her first term. As she walked up the seats Minerva noticed someone and smiled, "So once just a classroom buddy and now matches??" She chuckled and sat next to Jory.

As she looked out she noticed the match had already started.. Ooops she was late. That wasn't good, well she was at least there now and smiled seeing Ethan. "What's the score? I can't believe I'm late.." This was a common thing for her. She then turned to Jory, "So how are thing?"

Jory looked around when he heard the voice. Of course, he already knew who it was. "Hiya, Min,'' he said with a smile. "I'm just trying to be everywhere I can.'' This will all be memories soon enough. "Come to support, Ethan, huh?'' Obviously she had. Duh.

"It's 9-0 with the Snakes in the lead,'' Jory said. Still time for the Claws to catch up but they'd better get a move on it. "You're going to play in our next match, right?'' He didn't think he ever saw Min play. Or maybe she did and he hadn't noticed. "Not bad, actually. How about you? And did you see that Goblin?'' Min had to. he goblin was literally all over.

Minerva smiled, but it had a hint of sadness in it. The realization that he wasn't going to be around next term to hang out with. She hated that fact. Jory had become a great friend and she didn't want to think of games, classes, or the common room without him. Smiling she looked to the game, "Of course I'm here for Ethan, but I do like to watch, I've been coming to these since first term."

Looking out she heard Jory say the score, "Come on Claws you can do this.." She looked back at Jory and smiled, hoping he didn't mind the bit of cheering. It was her boyfriend out there, so she had to cheer. Shrugging to Jory's question, "I'm going to try, I love playing, it's just finding the time. With quidditch now and classes and homework, but I'll be here if I can." She did try to do everything, sometimes it made her crazy, but it was fun.

Looking a Jory she sighed, "One came in Hillstorm's office while I was there. They are the creepiest things." She wasn't sure whether to say about the other one she had come in contact with. Hillstorm wanted her to go to her common room and she didn't, so she actually didn't follow the orders and since Hillstorm threated detention, Min was going to try not to show attention on that fact. "I take it you came across one as well?

"I've only been coming for the last two years,'' Jory said. He didn't really know much about Gobstones before and he didn't want to look like an idiot. But after he saw how fun (except when you got smelly goo all over your face) and sort of easy it was, he decided to join in.

"Go Claws!'' the final year cheered as the House finally scored some points. "West is really good at this, isn't he?'' He had not forgotten their defeat from Slytherin that last time Hufflepuff played against them. Their lost was due to West. "Oh yes, congrats on making the team,'' Jory said, smiling. "How is training? And when is our first match?''

Jory stared at Min. "What did he or she want?'' Evil little things. Well not evil but they were to him because they were stealing stuff. "Yes, at the Portraits. One stole a portrait.'' How was that valuable?"So, were you ill or something?'' Is that why she was at Hillstorm's?

Minerva glanced from the match to Jory, “Only two years? Well your good, I would have expected longer, but I guess my first few terms I didn’t see you play.” She at least thought she would have remembered if he did play her first few terms. He had been her friend since her first term.
Nodding Minerva couldn’t agree more, “West is a tough cookie. I’ve watched him play before, he’s good at pretty much both sports and by the sounds of it, a good announcer as well. Guess he’s just one of those people that don’t have to work too hard at being good at things.” She shrugged, some people just had talent and it seemed like this younger snake was one of them. Glancing from the match to Jory she smiled, “Oh thanks, I’m excited to play, but we have so much talent on that team.” She did still worry about being a little rusty. “Trainings going well. The beaters this term are all great. I so much fun playing. Have you ever played?” She knew he didn’t for the team, but maybe just for fun.
Looking back at the match she cheered as Bee beat her own boyfriend. Chuckling a bit she knew how it felt to be going against a boyfriend in a different house. She felt her stomach flip thinking about when they would have to play quidditch against the claws. Her thoughts were distracted as she heard Jory asking about the Goblin, “I don’t know.. Healer Tillstorm kicked me out right away.” She shuddered at the thought of the way she kicked her out of the office. “Oh a portrait. Why would they want a portrait? It’s just so odd that they come in and do this.” She was feeling a bit frustrated with everything going on this term. She was tired of not understand the situation and frustrated that it seemed no adult wanted to give real answers.
“Oh no.. no I wasn’t sick or anything. I had set up a meeting with Healer Tillstorm to talk about my future. I am planning on becoming a healer, so I wanted to make sure I was on the right path with grades, and get a head start on thinking of universities and stuff like that.” She had not really been to the healer for anything else. All the rumors kept her away at least, but up until she threatened her with detention Minerva was actually starting to have a different opinion of Tillstorm so maybe she wasn’t as bad as people thought.

"Well, I just never took any interest in it I guess,'' Jory responded, frowning. How could he have not take interest earlier? What had been wrong with his brain? "I just got into it after coming to see a match once. I think it was Ravenclaw & Slytherin too. Anyway, its a cool game. Especially when the other team gets the goo.'' Grin.

"Yes,'' Jory agreed. "The commentary was really good. You know, he was funny and all.'' Pause "Wish I was like that. I've got to spend tons of time studying if I want to do well.'' And that caused him to get pretty frustrated sometimes- spending time with all those book and trying to understand complicated spells and potions and whatever else.

"Good to hear,'' Jory said. Hufflepuff had the best Quidditch team. "So, looking forward to the first match? And nope, I've never played.'' He didn't think he'd be really good at the game.

"I've really got no idea,'' he said looking at Min. "Its so weird, isn't it? I mean a portrait of all things.'' Jory wondered what else the goblins were taking from the Castle. They certainly were not helping the situation.

A healer? How cool! "That's great! A healer is a good choice,'' he said nodding. "I'll come straight to you whenever I'm sick.'' He laughed.

“ Oh well I’m glad you finally took an interest in it.” Minerva smiled at him, she knew why she had taken an interest in the sport, “I actually stumbled on the match one day, because I was a little lost first term. Glad I did though, because I enjoy playing.”


Minerva let her eyes leave the match and really looked at Jory, “Jory why don’t you do the announcing for quidditch? I could help you figure out some wording and stuff, it’s really fun. I would do it again if I wasn’t playing. I don’t see West doing it either since he plays.” That would be a great way for him to have a memorable seventh term. It really could be fun for him. Then she laughed, “Oh Jory, your super smart, give yourself more credit.” She understood studying a lot though, she was always doing studying and extra studying when she could.

Minerva turned her eyes back at the match “COME ON CLAWS!!” Then she shrugged, “Maybe it wasn’t the portrait, maybe it was the frame he was after, but if that was the case I wish they would have just left the portrait, the poor thing is probably freaked out being moved in that way. “ She started thinking about it, “I just don’t understand anything that’s going on this term, I wish we had more answers.”


Minerva blushed, “Well thanks, I’m glad I have at least two people that wouldn’t be afraid of me being their healer.” She knew Ethan would be the second smiling at the thought. “I think it’s going to be hard work, I have to get my charms up, that A just won’t do for N.E.W.Ts next term. “ She was more determined then ever to do great on them.

Airey was not especially vocal this round - mostly because he honestly did not have a vested interest in either team winning - but he had promised a Miss Dawnsel that he would come cheer and so here he was. He just was not wearing a suit of either colors. Nope. Today he was going for more of a beige suit with a maroon tie.

A tie that Miss Wisteria had told him several times was not suitable for him, but he begged to differ.

So here he was sitting in the back of the stands as opposed to the front just watching the match. "Go get 'em, Miss Dawnsel!"

What? He did promise her he would root for HER. Ravenclaw was sort of a different matter - although students from the house were beginning to grow on him.

"Yeah, me too,'' Jory said, nodding in agreement. Gobstones was a really cool game, testing one's knowledge and all.

Commentating? Jory had honestly not thought about it, though he had see the notices countless time around. "I dunno, Min, it's fun and all but I don't think I'd be very good at it.'' He enjoyed listening to some commentaries, especially the funny ones and to him, it seemed like a big responsibility. "But I'll think about it.''

He looked back at the game. Slytherin was obviously going to win but the Claws were still putting up a fight. "They'll need to take a long soapy bath,'' the Puffer said with a laugh. He was referring to the Claws and the nasty goo thingy.

"I'm as puzzled as you,'' Jory said. "Do you know what the strangest thing was? That guy Erik Vinterin or what's his name, he was right there when the goblin took the portrait but he didn't do a thing. He just stood there, leaning against the wall and watching. Like he wanted it to happen.'' What a strange man. Jory was not sure he liked him much.

"You can do it, Min,'' Jory added reassuringly. "You're brilliant. Did you notice? You're ahead of me on the leader board for points.'' Not that he minded. "If you need help, you can always ask me.''

Suddenly, Professor Flamsteed erupted into a cheer and quite making ory jump. he had forgotten the man was there. He grinned. The Professor in the Suit was one of a kind.

Minerva gave a big encouraging smile, “Well I think you could do well at it, plus if you need help I could help you anytime, like before a match or something. Get you to know the players better and that kind of stuff.” It was really up to him, but she did think he could do well, plus it would be an exciting thing for his seventh term. Sighing she knew Jory was probably right, which meant.. poor Ethan, but goo was better than a bludger.

Min looked at him puzzled, “Really?? That is so odd. “ That made her think that the adults around here really knew more then they let on and just weren’t telling the students. That didn’t sit well with her at all. She didn’t know Vinterin really at all, “Did he just seem afraid of the Goblin or he just really seemed not to care about our stuff? Do you know if he ever went to school here?” Maybe the value of their things weren’t a priority of his if he didn’t have the attachment. [b] “Well I know Healer Tillstorm was rather irritated and upset over that Goblin in her office.

Minerva smiled that was really nice of him to say, “Thank Jory, I hope I can be good at it. I love helping people, so it will be a great thing to get to help for a living, you know.” It was exciting to actually know what she wanted to do now. She gave him a little grin, “Yeah I kind of noticed that, but the term is not even close to being over..” She chuckled, knowing she still had to stay on her toes.

Just as she was about to thank him for offering to help she jumped a bit. Looking behind her.. When on earth did Professor Flamsteed come in. Had he been there the entire time. “Hello professor, enjoying the match?” Did he say Eliza’s last name, turning back to the game she smiled, he did there she was. “Do you play Gobstones professor?” Mind as well include him in their conversation, she was really starting to enjoying speaking with him these days.

"I'll think about it,'' Jory said with a nod. It could be fun. But he wasn't sure as yet. And it looked like the match was over. Of course, Slytherin won. But the Claws hadn't given up. "Great game, guys!'' he called out to the players. Now they had to go take their showers.

"It is odd. He is odd,'' Jory replied, still resenting the man a bit for not doing anything. "I wonder what his lessons will be like.'' He was looking forward to the lesson which was supposed to begin soon. "No, he didn't seem scared or anything. He was interested when he saw the Goblin take the portrait but... that was all. It was like he didn't care beyond that.'' What did they really know about the man? The staff would know more but the Badger knew nothing about him. "I don't know. Maybe he will tell us about himself during the lesson.''

"It's good you're getting into something you like,'' Jory said. "Loads of people get into something they hate and end up having a hard time at work.So, I'll come visit you sometimes.'' Grin.

While the match went on, the wheels in his head began turning for something he could potentially do to Medea after her next retaliation. He knew it was coming. There was no way that she would just let all the fur be sucked right off their tails go unpunished. He may not come up with the most creative of pranks, but he did consider himself the master of public humiliation when pranks were involved. Heh.

"Ah, Miss Wheatborn. Mr. Stonewell," he greeted the two Badgers as Slytherin scored yet another point. Hmmm...just wasn't Ravenclaw's day. Oh, but look at that. Miss Castell seemed to be working her charm on the Slytherin Quidditch captain and scoring a few for her house. "I used do back in my Hogwarts days," he nodded. "Always had a bit too strong of an arm though.More than once I managed to hit the supervisor right between the eyes."

And then the match was over and Slytherin had won. Valient effort Claws. Better luck on the quidditch pitch with you lot though.

Oh so Mr. Flamsteed had played before, “You were a Gryffindor, isn’t that right sir?” She thought he had said that once or someone had said it, but she wasn’t completely sure. She couldn’t help but giggle when he said about hitting the supervisor in the face. That would probably be something funny, but yet not funny to see. [b] “I enjoy playing, it’s so different than anything I had ever played back home.”[/b She had never played anything that goo hit you that was.


Looking back towards Jory, “Well I guess we will find out soon, since his lesson is coming up. The man has to be better the Scabiors.” Anyone in her eyes was better than that professor. She tried multiple times to like him and even find things that he would say to be positive towards her, but in the end she never really cared for him.

She couldn’t help but smile, she was going to get into a professor that so far she knew she would love. ”Thanks Jory, but please come when you’re not hurt or sick too. I don’t’ want to only see my friends when something’s wrong.” She nudged him a bit and laughed. “So what are your plans? Do you know what you want to do yet?” She thought they had talked about this before, but couldn’t remember.

Oh and it was over, frowning a bit claws seemed to have gotten their behinds handed to them and she looked towards Ethan who seemed to be a gooey mess. Well he would be headed to the prefect bathroom before she got to see him. She could go down and comfort him, but she didn’t know if he wanted her to and she really didn’t want to get the goo on her if she didn’t have to. Looking back to Professor Flamsteed, “Well that was an interesting match” and in interesting she really meant depressing.

Jory laughed when he heard what Professor Airey said. Oh, he would love to see the Professor play! Maybe they could have a Student vs Staff Gobstones match too? That would be fun!

Jory nodded in agreement. "I never really liked him either. I mean he was good at teaching but I never really took to him. I guess it was...well, he was strict. Remember that time he brought his son? That was one class I enjoyed.'' Yup, he liked that class because it had been comics they studied, if he remembered correctly.

The puffer grinned. "I'll try not to,'' he said. "Maybe I'll just drop by to bother you.'' Why not? Min has been a great friend to him. "Alyssa told me her father has a Security firm and over the summer I had training for the Head post. So, that's what I'll be doing.'' Alyssa knew he was into stuff like that and she had made the suggestion.