Wow, bedtime stories with a werewolf professor. This would be interesting. Even his mother had never told him a story, so Evan was really excited for this. Grabbing a cookie on his way, he went to the front line and sat in front of the were--professor. He knew he had to get over his fear for her, so he had to be close and see that she was all fine. Now smiling more friendly than ever, he waited for the others to come. He made himself comfy while waiting, it was bedtime, after all. Where were the others though? Weren't they interested in a story time? Was he the only kid?

Evelyn walked in the room and immediately noticed the millions of pillows on the ground. 'It's a dream come true!' she thought dramatically in her mind. She loved pillows! Resisting the urge to just run and jump onto them, she waved slightly and gave a small smile to the professor before grabbing three and moving to the back corner of the room, closest to where the professor would be seated. Laying a pillow against the corner, she leaned back against it and laid another one to her right side while hugging the last pillow to her chest, almost covering her face, and then she curled into a ball as much as she could. 'Story time...best thing anyone has thought of so far.' she thought, smiling into the pillow and waited for everyone else to come in.

Still looking very exhausting, Lyra walked in to the common room only to remember that there was something about bedtime stories. Yawning, Lyra saw Evan sitting near the professor. Smiling softly at him she walked over and sat next him. No, correction, lay next to him and held her head against the pillow, closing her eyes just for a few seconds.

Reese walked down from the girl's dormotory wearing her hair in pigtails. The clothing she was wearing for the storytime was her green silk pajamas top and pants as well as some green house slippers. "Hello Professor Lupa," she greeted the woman as she stepped over the roped off section of the common room. "How are you tonight?"

Was it bad for a 17 year old to be excited about having someone read a story to them? Who cares? Reese Upstead was excited and she wasn't afraid to admit it. Settling down on one of the pillows closest to the Professor, she made herself comfortable as she waited for more people to arrive.

Kiri felt distinctly odd walking around the common room in her pyjamas. She'd debated whether to wear those or just less... heavy normal clothes, like a T-shirt and some shorts, but in the end, she'd decided that that would look out of place (at a bedtime story party) and gone for the pyjamas. They were all silky and, in Kiri's opinion, rather nice-looking - that didn't mean, however, that she did not still think it strange to roam the common room wearing them. In the gloomy light, luckily, they would not be too obvious if it turned out that the rest of the Slytherins were wearing school robes.

Except that Kiri was also barefoot.

A few students were already there when she slipped out of the door leading to the dormitories. Her feet made a low pitter-patter noise on the stone floor as she hurried over to the very homely array of big pillows Professor Lupa had arranged for them. Kiri chose one that was situated about halfway between the big fire, providing warmth, and the table, providing tasty things. She sat down and pummelled the pillow into shape with her bum until she was comfortable, then watched the rest of the House arrive, her toes curled into the large rug on which the pillows had been spread.

Iris made her way into the common room after having her hot chocolate in the Great Hall. She smiled at Professor Lupa as she went past her then sat on a cushion on the opposite side of the room to Evan. Bedtime stories ... hehe... surely they were all too old for them... but who cared? Iris didn't.

"Hi there," she said smiling, "Welcome..."

"I'm sooo glad to see you here my dear." she said.

"Oh no.... don't sleep yet!" she said sweetly, "I haven't started."

"I'm doing wonderful." She said nodding to the girl. "I hope you are ready for some storytime!"

"Oh no dear... not barefoot, we don't want you to catch a cold!" She said sweetly conjuring a pair of fluffy bunny slippers on her feet.

"Oooo I can smell the hot chocolate..." she said tapping her nose... "I didn't think of that... it would have been nice to have some... maybe I can see if someone could bring some down." She said casting her silvery chinchilla patronus.

Story time, eh? Interesting. New. Evolette could not remember the last time she'd been read to. It could be rather fun. And it was for that reason, that she made her way down to the common room, Muffin in tow, and took one of the pillows to sit on, placing her kitten in her lap, annoyed little thing, he walked around in a circle once and pawed at her leg until he was comfortable.

"Good evening, professor." she greeted from her spot towards the right of the professor's chair.

OH. Storytime, huh? HUHH?

Suuuuuureee story times were just... JUST real fun and all but but BUT WHY with a werewolf? Really, Cam just went here 'cause of the cookies and all (mmmyummeh) and the fact that his new Head of House was like... a werewolf just spooooiiled it. SPOILED IT. He frowned and didn't even turn to look at Lupa to say a 'hi' or 'hello' but just... gave that haughty smirk--that one where it just said "Hi, I'm a Slytherin."

This was a werewolf. A dangerous. Feral. Werewolf. He'd probably end up having nightmares.

But yeah. The cookies. Good GOOOOD goooooood. He looked for a pillow and hugged it in front of him, just REAAADYYYY to attack Lupa with a pillow if she turns into some sort of a she-wolf.

"Oh, er... thank you, Professor" said Kiri, taken a little by surprise as a pair of slippers materialised, not next to her feet but on them. The fluff tickled her soles and around the ankles. She considered telling Professor Lupa that she did not really want to wear the slippers - she felt more comfortable walking around barefoot when she was wearing pyjamas, but as everyone seemed to be getting ready to enjoy a story, she did not say anything. Instead, she got up quietly and shuffled over to the food and drink table to get herself some tea.

Balancing the cup carefully, Kiri went back to her pillow and sat down again. When she saw the cat that the Head Girl had brought with her, she realised, too late, that she could have taken Sol out of his cage as well. The little pygmy puff hadn't seen too much sunlight, either. Well, she couldn't do anything about it now. Kiri smiled vaguely in the direction of the professor and carefully tasted the tea.

"Good evening Professor Lupa" Marie said as she grabbed a cookie and sat on a nice fluffy pillow. 'This is going to be fun, I really hope I can stay awake' Marie thought. She was wearing her warmest green, flannel jammies just in case she did fall asleep. She was really hoping she didn't though because she didn't want to miss any of the story. She did have a habit of falling asleep when someone was reading to her though so chances didn't look good here. 'Oh well, at least I will be warm and comfy'.

After seeing how Runes class had turned out, Raiden was a little more than concerned about how this story thing was going to turn out. Hopefully Theo wouldn't decide to come along and say things that would upset people. He hadn't seen the other boy since that class, but... hmmm. Hands in the pockets of his pajama pants, he padded down from the dorms and headed straight for the area the Professor had cordoned off.

"Hello Miss Professor Lupa," he said brightly, giving her a happy nod before finding a spot against the wall to sit. It felt better to be sitting up than laying down. This way, if anyone tried anything... he could thwack them with a pillow or something. Yes. That would work.

"I missed you in my class Miss McKenna," she said smiling at the head girl... she liked her.... she reminded her of her... without... the furry problem.

He was sooo cute she just wanted to pinch at his cheeks! So she did!

"You are very welcome my dear."

"Hello my dear..." she said smiling.

"Master Kururugi, please... come sit by me." She said and smirked. "Do take a cookie." she added gesturing to the table.

"Alrighty everyone here we go..." she took her book and opened it. She started reading. (<-- clicky)

(ooc: in case you can't hear me)

The Princess, The Peasant and The Painting

In a realm beyond ours, where time seems to pass slower, lived a wizard princess with hair of gold that fell in ringlets to her shoulders. Her eyes were the blue of the sky after a summer’s storm and her lips the red of rubies. The girl had everything she wanted, but cherished only one thing. The friendship she shared with a muggle peasant girl from the nearby village.

The princess and the peasant would be equals when they’d play. They would meet in the courtyard of the castle grounds and with the princess’ nanny nearby, they’d play all sort of games… but neither of them lost, and neither of them won, they both had fun.

Hmmm?

"Alright," Raiden replied, moving over next to the professor and grabbing a cookie on the way. He set the pillow on the floor and sat on it, absently taking a bite as he listened to the professor start.

Princess stories? That reminded him ever so slightly of last year. He smiled. At least the common room was dry for this princess tale.

And there was Raiden! Wearing a pair of pyjamas that made him appear even more... Well, Kiri wasn't sure what it was exactly, but the blush creeping up her face could have been a clue.
She tried to get him to sit next to her, but as her method largely consisted of giving him a few covert glances which he didn't seem to notice, she wasn't very successful, and he slumped down against a wall a few metres away from her. He looked oddly... tense, eyeing the other students in a suspicious sort of way that was wholly unlike him.

He sounded his usual cheerful self, however, so Kiri did not lose heart completely. At that moment, however, Professor Lupa began to read, from a book that looked old enough to warrant a library being built around it rather than the other way around. Her calm, soothing voice was, at least to Kiri, completely new and unexpected, and everyone fell silent at once. Trying not to attract too much attention, she slid off her pillow and crawled over to wear Raiden was sitting. "Hey," she mouthed when she'd reached him. It felt very odd to see him in his pyjamas, and when she remembered her own silky ones, her face began burning yet again.

Evelyn sat perfectly still when Professor Lupa started to read. 'When was the last time i heard a bedtime story?' she thought, staring intently at the back of the book, imagining what she was hearing. She wished she could have changed into her pj's, but it was too late for that. Scooting a little forward, she leaned back to the pillow again to the point where she was almost laying down and moved to her side, holding the other pillow even closer to her. 'You've never heard a bedtime story Ev.' the voice replied quietly in her mind. "Oh...Well, first time for everything."

Sophie sighed and wiped a happy tear of nostalgia from the corner of her heavily mascaraed eye after stepping through the wall into her old common room. With a sniff, her smile returned and she skipped over to the bedtime story. "Good evening, Professor, students," she beamed as she placed her picnic basket down and began to extract several steaming teapots from it.

Marie started getting real comfy as Professor Lupa started to read. Grabbing another pillow she hugged it close to her as she leaned against the wall. 'I will stay awake, I will make it through the end of the story' she kept telling herself.

Sitting there Marie watched as several teapots were being taken from a picnic basket. 'Can that be hot chocolate? Hot chocolate would be the perfect drink to go with our story' Marie thought.

"Oh... Nurse Melita, good evening. That smells wonderful..." she said and smiled.

She continued reading the story. (<-- clicky)


Seasons changed and both girls grew up. The peasant girl was sent to work away in a far away village, while the princess was made to learn languages, magic, and literature, but through it all they continued being best friends.

Nearing her 17th birthday, the princess was asked what she wanted for her turning of age party. “The only thing I wish for, is for my friend to join me in celebrating.” As usual, the princess’ wish was granted and the peasant girl was brought back to the castle ground.

Raiden took another bite of the cookie in his hand as he listened, chewing slowly. The sound of his own chewing usually drowned out voices, at least for himself, which... well he wanted to hear the story, so slow chewing it was. His eyes focused on Miss Healer Lady Melita as she went about unpacking a basket she'd brought along... the notice hadn't said it would be all picnic-y like. Hmm.

Princess. Poor girl. Birthday Party. Hmmm. He'd been to a birthday party this summer, but it had definitely not been for a princess. Absently, he wondered where this story was going to go. The friend would probably feel... out of place, to say the least. Poor poor friend.

When Sophie finished unpacking the three bottomless teapots she brought, she extracted hot cocoa cups with saucers for each student. "Pass them around," she whispered, so as not to disturb the story.

Each cup was filled with mini marshmallows which would go divinely with the assortment of cookies she brought. When Sophie removed the top of her basket the entire basket seemed to overflow with cookies so that one couldn't be sure how she'd ever fit the teapots, cups, and saucers inside.

She kept two cups in front of her and poured two cups. She handed one to Professor Lupa and eyed her speculatively, but will a smile, "Here you are, dear."

Fallon had snuck in the room right before Professor Lupa had started reading, having taken forever to pick out her pajamas. She had a disagreement with herself whether she should lay by Iris or Evan. In the end, she decided to lay by Iris.

She listened as Professor Lupa began the story, which was amazing! Fallon loved princess stories!

"Thank you very much Miss Melita." She said taking the cup and sipping it slowly. Alessia giggled a bit. "Alright... back to the story:"

She went to read some more.


When the princess found out the muggle peasant girl had arrived, she left her party to greet her. As she ran to her friend, her pace slowed and she saw a boy standing beside the peasant girl. He was handsome, tall and muscular but his features were refined. He must have been 18 or 19 years of age. He was not a boy. He was a man.

“This,” the muggle girl said, “Is my betrothed. My future husband.” She said introducing the man to her friend.

'Yeah, Nurse Melita did bring hot cocoa' Marie thought as she gladly took a mug that had been passed to her. She looked at the little marshmallows imagining how good they were going to taste once they had the nice warm cocoa poured over them.
Marie continued to listen to the story not feeling the least bit tired yet.