Well of course the lake was one of Patroclus' favorite places to visit. Patroclus, to Lexi, just looked like one of those people that always hung out with large groups of people and had lots of friends. Not that those two things had too much to do with hanging out by the lake, but Lexi could really just picture Patroclus being down there quite often. "I spent most of my student years down there at that lake. I wasn't too much of a library person, though. That was my twin sister. She was always the one who put all her energy into making sure she had all her homework done extra early. Oh, and Quidditch, too. Al played Quidditch, and I...well, I just chatted up my friends in the stands," she said with a laugh.

"Ahh, I'm familiar with the Ministry of Magic positions, as Al and I both worked for the American Ministry of Magic before moving back to Great Britain. I was a division head in the Department of Magical Education, and Al was Senior Undersecretary," she said. She paused for a moment as she realized that she was doing an awful lot of chatting about her sister, a sign that she truly missed her, she guessed. Al and Lexi had been together most of their lives, and their recent separation into two very different parts of the area had been hard on both.

She laughed lightheartedly when Allie was brought up again, this time by Patroclus. "So you've heard?" she asked, realizing a moment later that her question was probably a dumb one. Of course everyone knew who the current Minister of Magic was. That sort of thing was big news, a lot bigger than...say...when Lexi had been hired as Charms professor. "Well, you're welcome. It's...an adjustment..." Her sister, the Minister of Magic. That still sort of blew Lexi's mind. "Hmm, nah. No special treatment here. I think Al would probably tell me I'm no better than anyone else," she said with a laugh.

She nodded a few times when Patroclus explained when he had so many homes. Lexi couldn't imagine having more than one house. She could barely remember to hang up all her clothes in one house, much less two or more homes. She'd likely have clothes thrown everywhere if she had more than one place to live. "The Gryffindors? Of course I'm pleased. The Lions have been awesome so far, and I'm really, really glad that I was asked to be the Head of House," she commented.

“I’m not much of a library person myself,” Patroclus admitted. From what she was telling him, to Patroclus it was easy to see Miss Carlton as a social butterfly during her time as a student, his thoughts fluttered with pictures of her, and face-less other’s hanging out laughing, and chatting. Laughing with her, at the Qudditch comment, Patroclus smiled, “That has been me the few years, just in the stands, I had been planning on trying out for the team, but with the no Qudditch this year, it seems I will have to wait.” He was still a little upset about that.

“Wow!” the boy exclaimed, it was hard for Patroclus to fathom the age of Professor Carlton, she looked so young, yet she had already held esteemed positions in occupations besides teaching. He would ask, but it was rude for a man to ask a lady’s age, or similarly; a student ask a teacher’s. “I am sure with a Minister as a sister; there will be special benefits, even if you don’t as for them.” The boy grinned, surely that sort of relationship would have secret rewards.

“It sounds like you and Ali…sorry the Minister, have a great relationship.” Patroclus noted, momentarily missing his brother. “Hopefully, we Lions can make your school family, just as full of love as your real family!” The House of Godric Gryffindor was perhaps the best house in the school, then again there was some obvious bias in Patroclus’ affections. “So will you be involved in the Tournament, in any capacity? That’s if I am allowed to ask,” he added. Patroclus was so excited, he had only heard rumours of the styles of challenges previous tournaments had had. But he was lucky enough to be living through one.

Hmm. Patroclus sounded like such an easygoing person, that it was easy for Lexi to compare herself to him. Well, her student self to him, that is. She wasn't quite sure what to predict about Patroclus in his older years. "Oh, well, I'm sorry to hear that you were hoping to try out for the house Quidditch team. Look on the bright side, though--you're only a fourth year! At least this isn't your last year at Hogwarts," she commented, hoping that would make him feel a little better. She guessed that a lot of students were disappointed about their being no Quidditch, especially the ones who were seventh years. "There's always next year!"

She laughed lightheartedly at his surprised reaction to her former jobs within the Ministry of Magic. "Oh, and I also worked at Starbucks Coffee House, which was a fun little job to have. The Ministry jobs were really just something my sister talked me into when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life," she further explained. "I'm glad she did, too, because working in Magical Education helped me decide to become a teacher." She shrugged when Patroclus brought up special benefits again. "I don't know, Mr. Hudson. Al may only be twenty-nine right now, but she's got a good head on her shoulders. I don't know if she'll be the type of Minister to hand out special favors," she said. She paused for a moment while she thought about the fact that she and her twin sister would be turning thirty soon. She wondered if she could still get away with claiming twenty-seven or so... Hmm...

Lexi beamed when Patroclus mentioned that he hoped the Lions could make her school family full of as much love as her home family. "Thank you, but...you Lions already have done that! I've never felt more welcome before," she said. It was true, too. The Lions had taken her [back] in this year with welcoming arms and smiles on their faces. Once again, she shrugged when Patroclus asked about her role in the Tri-wizard Tournament. "I don't know yet...honestly. I'm hoping to at least be a spectator, at the very least," she said with a laugh. "I guess I'll find out more closer to when the time comes."

"Well, Mr. Hudson, it's been great catching up with you, but I'm going to head back to my office now. It's been in the common room," she said, nodding toward the portrait of the Fat Lady, "saying hello to the Gryffindors. If you need anything or just want to catch up again, you know where to find me. Have a good day!" With another little smile, Lexi turned and headed off down the corridor.

“Definitely next year,” the fourth year smiled, he still had to beat Jacob on the pitch after all! Patroclus was once again surprised by the Professor’s previous occupations, “Wow, you were a barista!” Patroclus was not a big fan of coffee, he was still rather young to be drinking the stuff, but he did enjoy the smell, “I bet you had the nice foam art ever!” Patroclus smiled.

A little grin crept onto the boy’s face, when Professor Carlton revealed her sister’s age…..they were twins after all, “I am sure she will be a Minister we can all be proud!” Patroclus already liked her, the apple wouldn’t fall far from the other apple, and from the tree as well….

Patroclus smiled as Professor Carlton began her goodbyes, “I best be off to get ready for school,” Patroclus realised that he was still in his swimming trunks and towel. “It has been lovely chatting, See you round!” He turned and spoke the password, he had to get ready he had DADA - first lesson of the year!

Ari's fingers were itching to move over the strings of her cello--yet her feet were unwilling to carry her all the way to the grounds. So, she'd settle for the large window on the Seventh Floor.

She was wearing her converse knee-high boots over grey skinny jeans. For her top, it was a simple white button-up, with a velvet vine design on the back. One of her own creations. Around her neck was a silver tie, loosened slightly. And, of course, her dark, round glasses. In her left hand, she carried her large cello case. In the right, her red-tipped cane, which swept from side to side, almost lazily. Ari knew the castle all too well to need it; but one never knew if there was something there to be tripped over.

Feeling the warmth on the side of her face, Ari knew she had reached the window. She set down the case, popping open the latches and flipping open the lid. Collapsing the cane, she dropped it into the case, and pulled her wand out of the long pocket that was specially sewn on the left side. She felt for the scratch on the handle to be sure it was hers, then, muttering a rather handy spell, produced a simple chair. She sat after tucking her wand away and lifted the cello carefully out of the case, then the bow.

After subconsiously pushing her glasses close to her eyes and rubbing her neck--her fingers hesitating slightly on the small scar, she began to play. She could hear the steady music resonate down the corridor, lingering slightly as she changed key over and over. After only a moment, she was immersed, lowering her head slightly, getting her ear closer to where the powerful music was born, and it became an extension of herself as she played stronger and harder, jerking her arm back and forth as her fingers danced over the cords.

(OOC: You're Beautiful, James Blunt. The tune Ari is playing. One more thing, while I'm OOC--this post came out more poetic than intended.)

Huff... Huff.... Where am I now???

Salander trudged up to the top of the stairs and leaned heavily against the rail. He was coming from the Arithmancy classroom and was trying to make his way back to the Great Hall, then the Dungeons. Instead, the moving staircase detoured him to another floor, and kept detouring him (or likely he was heading the wrong direction) until he ended up on the 7th floor.

"I wanna go to the Dungeons not Divination!" he grumbled in frustration, wanting to hex the stairs for giving him such a hard time. Instead a melodious tone wafted into his ears as he turned to look at where it was coming from "Strings.... a--Cello?" he whispered to himself From somewhere at the end of that corridor.... he thought as he forgot about getting back down and instead walked towards the sound.

He finds a Ravenclaw student playing the cello, just as he thought. He was in awe, as he had not heard the classical instrument played since.... well since he attended a concert led by his father. And that was waaaay back when, during the days when they were still on speaking terms.

He continued to listen to her heartfelt performance as his eyes fell on the girl's form, Something about her seems familiar.....

Just over a minute into the song, a shuffling noise--just a faint sound of walking--made itself plain. She did not acknowledge the presence. Were it a professor, the sound would be louder, more with purpose, in which case she would ease herself to a stop--for to suddenly stop playing would be like to suddenly stop breathing. But, no. This was not an authorative someone. They could wait. Just as in acting with a character, a musician's instrument is more important than the audience.

Whoever they were, why ever they were here, they had stopped to hear her play.

As the song finished, Ari sustained the note for a bit over three seconds, held her form as the corridor went quiet, then relaxed, placing the bow across her lap. Leaning forward on the cello, both hands on it, she smiled towards the person, briefly touching her dark glasses closer to her face.

Salander blinked several times, so entranced was he with the melody that he didnt even notice that it was over until the bow was resting on the girl's lap. He began to clap enthusiastically "Bravo!" he complimented "That was awesome!" he grinned just as the girl raised her hand to her glasses. Then it struck him. "Hey... uh... hope you dont mind my asking, but did you drop your name into the Goblet of Fire for the Tri Wizard Tournament? "

"All I ever wanted was a simple way to get over you." Daisy's voice trailed down the corridor as she walked and whispered the lyrics from a new song she had heard to herself. The week had been stressful and she just needed a soothing walk down a corridor singing to herself for it all to be better.

Ari gave a wide grin as he clapped, and bowed her head for just a moment, "Thank you very much. I, uh...I taught myself to play when I was nine." She then angled her head back towards him--the illusion of looking usually made people more comfortable. By his voice, Ari could tell she had heard him speak before, but had never managed to catch his name.

Oh. He'd seen her in the great hall. She blushed just a bit, "Yes. Yes I did. Even though I had spent the previous few days trying to talk myself down from it, I ended up putting my name in anyways."

Then, while still focused on the boy, someone else had joined them in the corridor. The girl probably didn't even notice them, but Ari could hear her singing and recognized the song she was singing.

She reached down into her lap, picked up the bow, and quietly played the same song--Loud enough for her to hear, but quiet enough for her to still be able to talk to the boy. To be honest, it sounded a bit spooky, played so clearly yet quietly. Ah, well. Ari liked the song, too.

Daisy looked up from the daze she was in and started listening to the song and smiled. It was the same one she was singing except a bit spookier, but still really pretty. She looked at the girl who was playing it and smiled. "I love that song. You're really good."

"You taught yourself to play? At nine? Wow. Thats really.... wow!" Salander replied in awe. He leaned against the wall and chuckled "My dad tried teaching me to play the piano when I was about that age. I never got beyond doing the scales and playing the Chopsticks."

Of course the one instrument Salander always wanted to learn to play were the drums. Which his classically trained father never approved of -- at any age. Boo.

Realizing that he was once again being the Great Interrupter, he pushed himself off the wall and introduce himself "Sorry, didnt mean to crash into your private time here.... uhm, I'm Salander by the way. " he said as he began to hold out his hand, but then caught himself. She's wearing shades dummy. he kicked himself silently. Instead he gave a small wave. Duh.

So it was her at the Goblet. "That's a really brave thing you did." he said barely concealing the admiration in his voice. "I mean who cares if neither of us got chosen? You actually got up there despite your doubts and actually went ahead and put your name in. Truth to be told, you've got more guts than most people I know." And for a guy like Salander, that counts a lot on his book.

Ari smiled back at him, tilting her head as he leaned against the wall--or so she surmised, hearing the change in his voice--the one you hear when your muscles are turned. "I'm okay with a piano. I've never owned one, but my american neighbors had one a while."

He moved again as he apologized, and she shook her head quickly, feeling her feathery hair swish at the sides of her face. "Not at all. In fact, I wish people would stop to acknowledge it more often. Most people overlook me," she chuckled awkwardly, before extending a pale hand, pausing her tune for just a moment. "Arienna Malone. Pleasure." Salander Ari committed the voice and name to memory.

"Brave? Hardly," she said modestly. She almost corrected him on the word 'doubts', but she figured she wouldn't go there. Nevertheless, Ari blushed and smiled widely, ducking her face behind the cello momentarily.

"Thank you," she nodded her head, "I'm fond of this one, too. Gotta hand it to Muggles; They sure can make good music."

"Yeah they do," Daisy said smiling. "I'm Daisy by the way. Third year." She held out her hand to the girl.

Salander was relieved when Arienna extended her hand. He didnt have the world's most sensible manners, or the subtlest. "And its an honor to meet you Arienna." he smiled as he shook her hand gently.

He leaned back on the wall as he shoved his hands in his pockets "Now why would anybody overlook you.... with your talent and all? Pffft" he retorted at the notion. He raised a brow when she started to blush, "But you are brave!" he insisted, totally missing the modesty part of her tone. "You shouldnt be selling yourself short just because you're.... uhh.... " he trailed off. See? Subtle.

He tried shifting gears, because he sure didnt want to end up with a Cello on his head "You can play the piano too? And American neighbors? That's cool! Where you from by the way?"


He looked at the Gryffindor student that joined them. "I totally agree with her."he said as he tilted his head towards Arienna. "Muggles do make rockin good music!" he grinned. Extending his hand he introduced himself "I'm Salander."

Ari dipped her head in greeting, angling her head towards him as he leaned against the wall again. "I find that people overlook me because they don't know what to say. They don't know how to handle it or something. I don't mind." Why should she? It started with her parents.

"Blind, Mister Salander," she finished his sentence. Ari reached up a hand and pulled her glasses out from in front of her eyes. She probably should have waited, but it just kind of happened. If the light was well enough, he would be abe to see that Ari had bright green eyes underneath a thick, milky veil. She blinked towards him a few times. "I've always been blind," she stated matter-of-factly as she pushed them back into place.

Awkward pause.

"I know my way around one, but my cello is what I'm best at. My whole family is from Ireland, but I was the first one of them to be born in England--but my American neighbors are the ones I spent the most time with, so... My accent, I guess, is BritMerIsh," she laughed, making sure her glasses didn't bounce off her nose.

"Arienna Malone. Sixth year Ravenclaw." Ari held out her hand, only to encounter Daisy's. Taking a breath to avoid the blush, she moved her hand to the side to properly grasp the girl's hand.

She gestured between the three of them. "Daisy, Salander; Salander, Daisy; Ari, Daisy; Daisy, Ari; Ari, Salander; Salander, Ari; Daisy, Ari, Salander."

Daisy grasped the Slytherin boys hand as he intoduced himself as Salander. She smiled and her eyes lit up, "I'm Daisy." Meeting new people who agreed with her on pressing matters like music, the best thing ever.

Daisy noticed there girls inability to grab her hand. As if she didn't know where it was. Shaking Ari's hand she smiled and said," Nice to meet you. I must say you are queit the celloist." She hoped that was the right word. She only knew what a person who played piano was called, but that was because she played the piano.

She laughed as Ari gestured between the three of them and smiled happily. This was a good day. "So what year are you two in?" They really didn't look that much older but you could never tell.

Viky walkd slowly along the corridor, looking at the portraits on the wall and occasionally stopping to say hello to a few who waved at her. She liked the moving portraits here, they were pretty cool, to be honest. There was a definite skip in her step as she walked, which she could almost certainly put down to Simon. Now she had a boyfriend, though, she kind of needed some other friends. You know, not Josh and Simon. Or Apollo and Jack. And that was... it. That was her friend list. And Hayley, of course. The only girl there.

Hayley was walking along the 7th floor corridor and saw...."Viky!" She yelled running towards her friend and hugging her. "How've you been? It's been so long!" She said with a big smile upon her face. She hadn't seen Viky since....oh boi, if she couldn't remember it must have been a long time. Wow, she felt like a bad friend.

Viky turned around with a smile as she heard someone - a girl's voice, so therefore it must've been Hayley - call her name. Sure enough, she was greeted by her friend, with a hug. She returned it happily, and then untangled herself. 'Hey, Hayley' she said with a grin 'I know! It was like... Diagon Alley or something!' she said, laughing. 'Anyway, I'm fine. How about you?'

Lexi climbed out of the portrait hole in her pyjamas and hair looking crazy. A school owl had pecked her half to death delivering Sabel's letter so she wasted no time in replying and making her way out to meet him. Having thought to put on her fuzzy pink houseshoes and robe she stood anxiously awaiting his arrival worry heavy on heart and clear on her face.

Some things just didn't erase from memory. Fourth year in particular. Lexi's terrified face covered in blood and dirt as another. Perhaps it was her disheveled look that reminded him of those things, or simply the worry that was laced onto her features. Distress upon his friends faces was one thing he would never grow used to.

Not entirely sure how to approach the situation, Sabel stuffed his free hand in his pocket where the parchment tabloid was, hoping that she wouldn't pull the same questions on him about his bandaged arm lacking a sleeve, that Arya had. A quick glance to the Hufflepuff at his side reminded him he had asked her after telling Lexi he was coming to talk; no mention had been made she would be with him. If it was going to be any other talk, then perhaps that would have caused slight tension, but this, they were in this together.

"Lexi....I...woke you didn't I?" Great way to start a conversation, and perhaps stalling was the better term for it.

Arya didn't say a word the whole way. She had no idea how this was gonna go. As far as she knew they were all friends. But the way Sabel felt about the paper. She knew it might not go to well if he didn't stay calm. When the finally reached the corridor in the high tower, she gave Lexi a small smile. The girl looked as if she had just woken up and it kinda made her feel bad. Hopefully this would be over soon.

Lexi gave Sabel a DUH! kind of look as he stated the obvious that she had been in bed. Ugh. She was so tired. But it was Sabel. So she got out of bed for him. Nodding her head she said, "Astute observation, Dakest. Any reason you sent that bloody bird to peck me to death?" She gave him a light grin despite her words.

Lex gave Arya a little smile and a wave not really sure to what she owed this visit. Not even thinking about the gossip she sent into the Aparecium and how it may have caused some anger... "So, what's up guys?"

He could do this the roundabout way or be straightforward. Since he had told Lexi he would always be honest with her, the second path was obliterated. Wrapping his fingers about the parchment, he withdrew it from his pocket and offered it to her.

"Do you know anything about this?" Somehow, he managed to keep his tone to a fair question. Bubbling anger beneath would stay there, for as long as he could keep it.