Originally Posted by MsMorgan

"Mmhmm, I did," Mariel nodded. "It was really fun... and big," she added, remembering the vast size of Lasca's ranch. "It was my first time to the US... well, my first time outside of the UK, really." And now that she had a small taste of travel, there were many more places she'd like to go. Perhaps France next summer.

"Uh.. what?" Mariel nearly choked on her supressed laughter. Regaining her composure she said, "Oh, I'm just really excited for the season to start." And if it were up to this third year, Quidditch season would be year-round. Why shouldn't it be? Leaning closer to Livvy, she said in a near-whisper while gesturing to the two girls on her right, "I'm trying to talk these two into trying out as well."

Mariel grinned at Lasca and clapped her hands a few times together in excitement as Lasca finally relented to her insistence. "I know we'll have so much fun!" she said. Nodding her agreement about the third of them also trying out the nearly fourteen year old added, "That's exactly what it means." She could think of anything better than her and her two best friends all trying out for Quidditch. Yes, she could - if they were all on the same team. But even if they weren't, there was still the chance they would all play together, just like during summer.

"Aw, I thought you were great," Mariel, happy to be getting her way, beamed at Sarah. "Especially for your first time at playing the game." Finishing the very last of her pumpkin juice and contemplating refilling - oh! now was a good time to practice that refilling charm - Mariel glanced up at Sarah and gave her a shrug. She had never heard of any weight training program at school, but wasn't someone telling her about some sort of room that had anything you required just by thinking of it? Oh, right! It was Sarah that had told her about it, although they never actually visited it.

Tapping the side of her goblet with her wand and commanding, "Repleo," she watched as her goblet only filled up halfway with pumpkin juice. "Still need to work on that one," she murmured to herself. Shrugging lightly, the third year glanced up at Sarah. "What was that room you were telling me about last year? The Room of Requirement? Maybe you could find something in there to help you out."

Listening intently to Sarah's next words, Mariel gave her a reassuring smile. "Well, if it helps any, everyone embarassess themselves at some point on the pitch - even me. So I'm sure you will too, but just laugh it off cuz everyone else will do it too." Cringing slightly at the memory, she remembered a particularly embarassing spiral she had gone into while everyone else went after the quaffle. And that was during practice after she had made the team, but it seemed so long ago now.

Quickly taking a sip of pumpkin juice to hide the blush growing in her cheeks thanks to Sarah's compliment, Mariel said, "Well... thanks... I really hope so, anyway." She didn't even want to think about not making the team.

Mariel's grin could not get any wider at the sound of Jenn yelling her name, although she did giggle slightly as her fellow third year jumped and dropped the roll in her hand. She couldn't be happier to see the friend that she had drifted apart from last year. "I'm good, you?" she called back. "Come join us!" Mariel added, motioning her over with her hand. She knew Sarah, sitting next to Mariel, would be just as glad to see Jenn for she was pretty sure she hadn't seen much of her last year either. And from the sound of it, Jenn knew Keltan as well which made it even more fun for conversation, since they were all sitting next to each other.

Originally Posted by hermionefanforever

Jenn shrugged, clutching tightly to her roll. "I can't complain."she winked, taking a bite out of the soft roll, that was slightly squashed by Jenn's tight grasp on it. She grinned happily and hopped out of her chair. "See you Patrick!"she called, waving as she walked over to where Mariel, Sarah, and Kel were. She sat in the middle of Kel and Mariel, a huge smile still on her face as she started scooping food onto her plate again. "So, how was everyone's summer?"she asked, looking at Mariel, Sarah, and Kel. "Mine was pretty good. I had a lot of fun tormenting my sister's with my brother's."she giggled.