"You'll never trust me again, will you?" Helena laughed, then...

MORE SNOW!

The girl quickly used her right arm as some kind of shield against the snow, but it didn't work at all. There was snow everywhere on her! But she was not going to give up and lose the war. She threw more snow at Viola, then tried to stand up quickly.

Once she was up, she started shivering all over. Oh, wasn't that great? And besides the fact that she was shivering, she felt... wet. Soaked. Well, of course she felt that way. She was covered in snow, which was like... frozen water. And now it was melting on her. D'oh.

"Uh... I t-think I should change m-my r-robes," Helena managed to say, thowing her hands in the air as if she was giving in. Waving the white flag, you know? Too bad she didn't have one.

"Umm..not really." Viola replied, laughing. Of course, she was just kidding.

Oh! Helena started throwing more snow at her. Lovely. Viola couldn't even see her legs. Yep. Completely buried in snow. She tried throwing snow back at Helena but she was starting to feel cold. So, she definitely didn't want to touch any more snow.

Viola managed to get up, just as Helena stood up. And, Helena started shivering. Oh. "Hey. You okay?" Viola asked, concerned. She was sure that Helena wasn't faking it now.

"Yeah. I think I should do that as well." Viola looked at her robes. No surprise. Her robes were completely drenched. Oh no! She really hoped she didn't catch a cold soon. Bleh. "So, we'll go and change?"

"I'm ok-kay," Helena mumbled, still SHIVERING.

Well... no, she wasn't quite okay, but she'll be as soon as she'll have dry clothes on her and sitting by the fireplace in the common room. Yup, that was plan C. Go and dry up.

At Viola's next question, Helena nodded. "We should d-definitely d-do that," she said. They both had to go and change quickly, and only hope that they'll not catch a cold. "I suppose I'll s-see you later?" The girl grinned, then spun around on her heels and made her way through the snow towards the common room.

Caroline laughed as a snowball few by her in the same manner as her snowball did as it past Kyle. Snowball fights were awesome. She would have to get all of her friends together after the holidays and have one big snowball fight. That would be so much fun.

She smiled when Kyle spoke. "Nothing much. Just looking for you actually." She wanted to go ahead and give everyone their presents before christmas break just in case they were going home. And she just so happen to have Kyle's present with her."I''ve got something for you." she grinned. Pulling a wrapped gift box out of her jacket.

The Charms professor. Given recent... developments, he couldn't think of that title without wanting to groan. But Renée being Renée, Jared couldn't keep back a semi-grin at the question. "That makes you a Divination expert," he said, quite aware that she didn't consider herself one, at least not in the absolute sense of the term. Then again, how could one be a Divination - or, for that matter, Charms - expert in the absolute sense? One could dabble in a number of branches, but there was a reason specialists existed and were needed. "The alternative isn't such a bad idea, if you think about it." There were worse things than getting a bit of a cold, after all.

He couldn't have read more than her answer in her expression, even if he had tried; but for now, at least, he didn't. "I've been..." He supposed good was a term for it. "Good, as well." He leaned backwards, looking up at the sky. It seemed like a reflection of the ground, cool and refreshing. "Looking forward to Christmas?"

It hadn't slipped Renée's notice that her bringing up his title at Hogwarts had at least altered Jared's demeanor the slightest bit. Even though he'd hidden it quite expertly by the semi-grin, there was definitely something going on there that piqued her interest. She didn't comment on it, though, as he'd sidetracked her by his own parry. "Touché," she said with a smile. If he didn't want to consider himself an expert on Charms, she wasn't going to let him call her an expert in Divination, and she knew he knew she didn't consider herself an expert at her subject anyhow. The whole idea had oddly, once again, dovetailed with her thoughts, however. Bringing her back to wondering how exactly he knew what she was thinking without actually being able to get into her thoughts. It was odd, although intriguing.

"The alternative isn't so bad if there's people who are willing to deal with you while you have a cold," she argued lightly, with a faint laugh in her voice. She had a feeling there were quite a few people here at Hogwarts who would fall all over themselves wanting to take care of him if he was sick. The number for her was much less significant, if it even really existed.

And then there was another pause, and she watched him as she waited for him to decide how he was going to answer her question. It was fairly straightforward, but there still was a number of good answers. Or bad ones, but she hoped that wasn't the case. Her smile came back as he finally finished his statement, though. "Always good to hear," she replied idly, sifting her fingers through the snow next to her as he'd glanced upwards. Not intending on doing anything, just occupying herself so she didn't think of other things. And she shrugged slightly as he spoke again. "As much as usual. It's not like I have much planned," she replied, still sifting through the snow. It seemed Sebastian was being a pain again, which she wasn't looking forward to dealing with whenever she headed back to New York. She kind of wanted to stall that trip again.

The divination-charms talk, and the subject of specialists, made Jared realize that he had never asked Renée about her field of expertise. It might have something to do with the fact that, on a general basis, he couldn't tell most forms of Divination apart from each other unless the difference was the apparent kind. "I'm curious, now." His eyes held a faint touch of inquiry. "What is the mademoiselle's field of choice?"

There was something about her semi-laughing tones that made him smile, even if it was a faint smile. "You wouldn't be referring to Lily, would you?" he asked, the feigned innocence - he was quite sure she hadn't had been thinking of the healer and her job, there - accompanied with a bit of a grin that ruined the pretence before it could have much effect.

He had a feeling the conversation was punctuated with more pauses, or at least with more quiet pauses - if there was a difference between a pause and a quiet pause, in the first place - than was usual for the two of them. Jared frowned, a slight, almost-not-there frown, but it disappeared as she spoke again. "I imagine you'll spend Christmas in New York?" he asked, half-turning, green gaze meeting her darker one. He hadn't made plans, not yet. But it might not be such a bad idea to remain in the castle, rather than head home, for the duration or at least part of the holidays. He could do with some time for himself.

Not that he expected anything to come of that.

"Snow is fallin'! ALL AROUND MEEEE!" Jamie paraded about the grounds, wearing his woolly hat, scarf and gloves. Even though it was cold, the Slytherin absolutely loved the snow. It really made Christmas feel special and awesome. Of course, singing Christmas carols by yourself was a bit awkward, but Jamie was sure that someone would talk to him eventually. I mean, come on... this is Jamie Keaton and he completely radiated pure awesome vibes.

Cupping endless round balls of snow off the ground, he began to throw them at the walls of the castle, to the ground, through the front gate, and even up into the air where it hit him square in the face. "Ow." He groaned quickly, but then giggled the pain away! Jamie was in a fantastic mood!

"Merry Christmas, everyoneeeeee!" He finished the chorus of the song. OHYEA, so awesome. So full of spirit. He deserved an award.

Mumbling under her breath, Delilah made her way down to the Front Gate, hoping for some way to escape from the terror that was Hogwarts. She was not impressed, it wasn't anything like the castle she had imagined it to be. It was old and full of weird professors and ghosts and just.. ergh. Cheerful children.

And she had spotted one. Some little freak that was singing to himself about Christmas or whatever. Taking a sip from the flask she had in her hand, Del made her way over to him, raising her brow and giving him a 'look.'

"Seriously Kid, you're giving me a headache" she frowned and narrowed her eyes. He was worse than her cousin, her younger one not the older one. The older one was cool.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

He just got hit by his own snowball. Did he have any intelligence at all? The Slytherin cackled to herself at the sight.

Who-da-whatta? WHO ARE YOU.

SAY whaaaaaat? "Excuse me!? I am an awesome singer." He was. People had told him so. And, of course, he had heard himself. He was good, no denying that. Anyway, it was time to get back to the song. 'Cause no one was going to phase him and his happy mood today! "It's the SEASON. For love and understanding. Merry Christmas," he pointed to her, "meanie girl." CHEA, that fitted so darn well that he couldn't resist it.

And now she was laughing at him? What an absolute meanie. Caught up in the moment, Jamie bent down, grabbed another snowball and lobbed it at the girl's face. Oh, Merlin. A part of him wished he hadn't, because she looked mad already, and he doubted she would take it as a joke.

The third year went to scratch his head but it was impossible due to him wearing a hat and gloves. AHHH! NO WHERE TO SCRATCH.

Instead, he did this... "Hehehehehehe, my bad!" Nervous giggle.

"You WISH kid" Delilah replied with an eyebrow raised. Poor naive child, thinks he can sing well. Snort. He obviously hadn't ever heard himself. "I'd close your trap before you cause an avalanche" she smirked, taking a sip from her flask once again. Meanie girl? Was that seriously the best he had? The slytherin stepped forward and prodded him in the forehead sharply, smirking from ear to ear. Did he want the ear pulling treatment as well? That was her favourite. "Didn't your mother ever tell you it rude to point" she raised her eyebrow and pushed his finger back down.

OOF!

*Blink*

Did he just.. What.. Oh that was it...

Wiping the snow off her face, Delilah stepped forward her wand held up high towards him. "NO ONE throws snowballs at me" she hissed through her teeth, narrowing her eyes down at him. Mhmm.. He just made a very big mistake.

And laughing certainly wasn't going to make anything better for was it?

As Jared suddenly, after yet another pause that unsettled her a little, spoke again, continuing their conversation about expertise, Renée looked up from her hand sifting through the snow curiously. For some reason that question had surprised her, but maybe it was still just her reading way too much into the odd pauses that had cropped up in their conversations suddenly. "Related to Divination, or otherwise?," she asked, a smile coming onto her face at the inquiring look. That was new, but interesting. "Divination-wise, I'd have to say my field of expertise is cartomancy, the Tarot. But obviously I've at least studied the other forms a little," she replied, before laughing slightly. "Treyen seems to think I might be an expert in research." At least the Hufflepuff's questions to her lately had seemed to reflect that possibility, once they'd gotten past the friction of last term.

Her amusement didn't really fade as he'd continued on to her teasing comment regarding the cold. In fact, she'd sent him a grin at his question. "I'm fairly sure you know the answer to that already," she responded, eyes sparkling a little at his failed attempt at innocence. Of course, when things were normal they both had always seemed to attempt to feign innocence but fail. So at least that brought things around, so maybe she could stop actually thinking about what was irritating her.

Until she caught a glimpse of the flicker of a frown on his face, at what she couldn't quite tell without exploring with what she was still trying to not use. She had a feeling that might solve whatever problems they had, but she was still respecting his privacy. Even though that was part of what was confusing her, as it seemed part of the annoying pauses and everything. She'd kept his gaze as it had turned to her, however. "At some point," she replied with a slight shrug. "I almost have to, as Sebastian's back to being a bit of an idiot, but part of me isn't looking forward to it." Dealing with her younger brother reverting back to how he'd been years ago, especially along with the other mystifying questions she had in her head, was definitely not her preferred choice for how to spend the holidays.

Hence why she was still trying to figure out a way to stall the visit again. Even if it meant sitting by herself trying to figure things out.

It was a perfectly good winter day at Hogwarts. Well, it really depended on who's definition of 'perfect' you were thinking of Samira for one hated the cold. It caused people to have red, runny noses, rough skin, and ugly puffy coats. It was gross. Samira made sure that she never indulged in puffy coats. Instead, she was dressed comfortably in her own design.

Somehow, she found herself looking at the front gate, gazing out. Why would anyone want to leave? she thought peacefully. Everything is perfect.

Cove was walking around the grounds and found herself at the front gate next to another girl. "Hello, I'm Cove Brett." She said turning to the girl and holding out her hand. "I love your outfit." Cove was wearing something not as for the cold.

When Caroline said she had a christmas present with her, she couldn't help but smile. Christmas and smiles went hand-in-hand like hot chocolate and mittens which were both winter things. But she liked them in the fall too.

She took a quick - almost leaping step over to Caroline and smiled waving happily, - yes she waved even though they had already greeted eachother in a snow-ball way. "I've got something for you as well" she smiled, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small brown paper wrapped present out of her pocket. It looked quite small in her hand - but some could say it was bigger on the inside.

Considering that the discussion pertained to their respective subjects, Jared hadn't thought of his question as vague. Then again, there wasn't much that was concrete about their conversations, except the fact that they were. "That otherwise sounds interesting," he grinned. She had mentioned the Tarot before he could consider it, at least for the moment, however. "I'm sure I've heard of that, somewhere." Traces of teasing had crept into his tones and eyes, but he gave her a semi-amused, semi-inquiring glance as she brought up Treyen. That one sentence could mean a number of things, especially given Renée's other profession. "And why, in the mademoiselle's opinion, might that be?"

"Of course not, Mademoiselle Bishop." It was impossible to sound serious, or non-mischievous, when Renée's eyes held that impish spark. "I am but a simple Charms professor."

He had a feeling she hadn't missed the frown, even if it had only been there for a fraction of a second. This might be a good point to ensure he could keep his thoughts to himself, at least for now, but then there was the part where he trusted her not to intrude. "The pros and cons of having a family." His smile was light, almost reassuring. "You'll be fine." It wasn't just a statement. She would be. There was something in his voice that said that. There was a pause, and then he asked, a lazy bit of grin crossing his features as he spoke, "And how is Bowie?"

Caroline laughed and waved back throwing the snowballs at each other wasn't the same as waving hello. Haha wow did they have the same idea or what. "Great minds think a like. Right?" Man oh man did this girl love christmas or what. Such a great time to spend with friends. And Family. She hand Kyle over her the box that had her present that was wrapped in green and red paper looking very Slytherdor, but hey Slytherins and Gryffindors colors together were very christmasy. "Happy Christmas, Kyle!"

Samira turned her head slightly when she heard another voice next to her. A bit taken aback, she managed to respond coolly. "Hello, Clove. I'm Samira Spinks." Samira felt a smile come across her face at the compliment. It meant a lot that someone found her outfits noticeable. "Thanks! I love your skirt." That was Samira's way; if someone compliments her, she has to compliment back. Of course, she really did like the other girl's outfit, but sometimes the other person may not be looking so...pleasant, and Samira would have to make something up.
But not in this case. This conversation seemed to be starting off well.

Renée couldn't help but grin a little as Jared responded to her almost hypothetical question, nowhere near feeling like she'd walked right into it all. In a way, she expected it, even knowing that he knew a lot more about her than probably anyone else here at the castle. Unless Tate really looked into the backgrounds of his employees, but she'd never seen anything from the headmaster to say that. So as far as she knew, any of her secrets were still at her own discretion to reveal, and not many had managed to get her to do so. "I'm sure you have," she replied, almost coyly, leaving his curiosity alone for the time being. She'd never hidden her connection to the Tarot after all. And she raised an eyebrow slightly at the look he'd given her when she'd brought up Treyen. "Perhaps because I recommended research when it came to questions he'd come to me with near the end of last term," she replied lightly. It didn't really seem curious, anyhow, not to her.

Jared's response to her comment regarding Lily elicited a laugh, though. "Jared, I don't think anyone could ever call you a simple anything, least of all a simple professor," she said, unable to not continue her amused and impish expression. That would be impossible if he continued trying to act innocent, anyhow.

Her expression took on a bit of a stunned appearance, momentarily, as he seemed almost like he was trying to reassure her. It faded quickly, leaving just a simple look toward him, but that was new. Even though he'd always seemed to try and support her, during her problems last term at least, she hadn't expected much more. "I think that's almost an understatement," she said with a faint rueful smile, before it brightened a little at the simple confidence. She knew she could handle it, as she always had. It didn't mean she felt like dealing with it right now, but that was another story. And before she could go back to dwelling on that, he'd distracted her again and another soft laugh bubbled up. "Bowie's his usual self. He really wants to play in the snow, but you know that's kind of problematic." Disillusionment didn't exactly still work when it came to displacing things.

Deciding to go for an early evening job to fulfill her not-so-daily, Kurumi had made her way through the corridors, looped around the castle and now found herself at the main gates where she decided that she ought to stretch a bit before making the remaining part of her run back towards the castle.

First, she did about 30 squats to make sure that the blood was still pumping in her legs before she bent down and touched her toes, counting backwards from 50 to really stretch the muscles in her legs. The air had certain crispness to it that Kurumi hadn't noticed the previous two winters she had spent at Hogwarts. It was chilling to the bone and it sent a shiver up her spine.

Kurumi zipped up her jacket and began doing a few more stretches.

"Nice to meet you Samira." Cove said smiling. "Thank you to you too. It's my favorite skirt." She said. "So any hobbies other than the obvious fashionista in you?"

His cloak billowed behind him, the cool winter breeze wiping at the hem, which was now dusted with white snow.


Up ahead Patroclus saw the gate, and just beyond them he saw his brother Prometheus, grim-faced and waiting from him. He stopped in his tracks, and turned to take in the school one last time, his eyes moved quickly to the tower that he knew he had been with Destiny on a few seconds before, then he turned back to the gate.

However he did not move, the crunch of leaves off to his side drew his attention, it was Kurumi, she seemed to be completely Lord Borr's assignment; an assignment that the old Patroclus would have taken to with gusto, but this Patroclus was different to the old one, however his dear Kurumi was still the same, precious friend he had tried to protect so many times,

"Kurumi," he called, hoping not to scare her, but knowing he had ver little time, and had to leave, "Never stop being as wonderful as you are, I know the pride of Gryffindor will forever be safe with you!" It was all he could say.

Walking once again, he past through the gates, as if they were smoke, took hold of his brothers arm and with a CRACK he was gone.

Twisting herself to the right to stretch her back, Kurumi rested her hands on her left hip when she saw Patroclus looking thoughtfully up at the castle. Kurumi observed the sixth year from where she stood and was about to call out to him when...something stopped her. Some unknown force prevented her from uttering a single word. Perhaps it was the manner in which he was looking back at the castle. While Kurumi had no knowledge of the subject matter, she imagined it to be the same look that a lover had when they looked upon someone they loved dearly knowing that they were about to embark on some sort of unknown journey that would separate them forever.

It was the sort of look Kurumi had had in her eyes when she had parted ways with Adam. However, while her and Adam's parted had been crossing a river, whatever it was that her Papa Lion was thinking of was crossing something much bigger. Perhaps even time and space itself.

Her body went rigid when he turned and spotted her and called out to her. She felt as if she had inadvertently interrupted something very important. The tone in his voice was urgent and almost frightening to the young lioness. There was a quiver that she had never heard before, and it made her cock her head to the side like a young owlet. "Patroclus..." she whispered as she felt her cheeks flush a deep pink at the compliments suddenly being showered.

What happened next was not what she had expected.

Patroclus walked past her, out of the gate, and over to an man who Kurumi hadn't seen before but had a familiar aura about him. She watched as the Prefect reached out and took a hold of the man's arm when...

*CRACK!*

Kurumi's eyes widened when the tall figure of the older lion vanished in the blink of an eye.

"P-P-Patroclus..." Kurumi whispered as her hand grabbed at her T-shirt. "P-P-Patroclus?" She took several steps forwards towards the gate. "Patroclus?!" She shook the gate as if in doing do it would bring him back "PATROCLUS?!"

Silence.

"PATROCLUS!!!!"

Kurumi shook the gate furiously. What was going on? Why had he vanished? Was he coming back? Who was the man with him?

So many unanswered questions and unknowns...

She felt hot tears begin to stream down her face as she remembered his final words to her. Words that she knew would forever stick with her.

"...but...there is just won't be Gryffindor without you..."

The tone of the one-sentence response caused the corners of Jared's lips to twitch. "I have a feeling the average person would be more curious," he drawled. He had never said he had heard of it in a favourable light, after all. That said, Renée and the term 'average person' did not seem like the best of friends, even without considering his own perception of her. She was just a little too intelligent, a little too mischievous, a little too closed for that. Then she had mentioned the Hufflepuff prefect, and he raised a semi-inquiring eyebrow. "Indeed?" He could guess part of the reason behind Treyen's line of thought, but the half-vague, half-enigmatic response seemed bent upon making him ask, even if that wasn't her intention.

He decided not to. There was that skill of filing away questions in one's mind and springing them up when the other least expected them, that he was quite good at. Besides, the topic seemed far less interesting, considering her next statement. Not to mention, the fact that she had laughed. It gave him things to think about. "My, my. I had no idea you had such a flattering opinion of me, Mademoiselle Bishop." His grin was even lazier than his voice, if that were even possible.

"I don't suppose you'd tell me what sets an understatement apart from an almost-understatement?" Even if it had been a general remark, he couldn't help teasing her. She seemed happier, though, not quite as distracted as she had seemed a moment ago, and he gave her a light smile. "You could always set up wards around the grounds," he offered. To keep students out. "Granted, there's a chance that could get him discovered faster than most other methods, but what's life without a good risk?" Once again, the light teasing. Underneath the teasing tones though, it surprised him that he was giving the matter consideration. Not the setting up wards matter or, at least, not in those terms. But something could be done. Why deprive a pet of some fun, after all?

That, at least, was the reason he'd decided he was considering the thing in the first place.

"I'd imagine they very well might," Renée parried, just as lazily as Jared' had made some of his comments. "Unfortunately, I can't say I see very many 'average people' around." That was more teasing, as she hadn't been able to avoid it. Even if it had unconsciously echoed other thoughts that she was still avoiding finding out about. It was exercising her restraint when it came to her curiosity, that was for sure. His change of expression when it had come to the topic of Treyen and his visits wasn't missed, though she only responded with a light smile. "I have a feeling he's trying to decide career paths, that sort of thing," she idly explained, having the feeling Jared was wondering about that as well. She neglected to mention the fact she was still waiting for the prefect to discover her literary pursuits, but then that wasn't exactly part of the conversation.

Besides, his response to her teasing remark about himself was much more amusing to deal with, right now. She'd laughed again as he spoke. "Some people wouldn't necessarily consider that a compliment, Monsieur Descoteaux," she replied, lightly, returning his manner of speaking. She was always entertained when he went back to that way of referring to herself, even if it seemed that was another way of teasing her, and she felt the need to return the favor. Not to mention his laziness was intriguing her and the facetiousness distracted her from inquiring.

She'd leaned her head against the wall behind them for a moment as he continued speaking, tilting her head to look at him again as his question finished and raising an eyebrow at his question. "I wasn't aware I'd need to," she said idly, smiling a little at the continued teasing. Not to mention his trying to come up with a way Bowie could come out to play. It was kind of sweet, if a bit odd coming from Jared. "I'm sure Chad would love wards being set up in his grounds without his knowledge," she replied, even though the idea amused her. At least, asking for permission might be problematic, given she'd probably need an explanation. Even Jared should understand that, since he actually knew about the dilemma. But she grinned anyhow at his comment about danger. "A lot safer, but I'd imagine it would be less interesting," she replied, tilting her head back straight again for a moment to gaze at the castle.

Until she realized her companion was being quiet again, and she shifted slightly to watch him for a moment before turning back to her perusal of the school in the distance. "What's going through your mind right now?," she asked softly, still looking straight ahead, knowing it would be easier to just try and find out for herself but unable to not ask. There was the likelihood he'd block her anyhow.