HMPH. She raised a open palm, trying to restrain herself from slapping him. And then clenched her fist and forced it to stay in her lap. Like a good girl.
She sniffed. She would be better. The better person. She would not rise to his ribbing.

Except.. she was..

"My back? Oh baaaaaaaaaaaaaaabe, what are you going to set on me? A hex? Maybe a Ravenclaw?" She drawled making some corny 50's horror sound and rolled her eyes. She was older. Wiser a little and wasn't scared of them anymore.

*coughLIARcough*

A BACKBONE?

Cameron glared at him. HMPH. "I slapped Raven Athlon and told THAT girl where she could take her evil, bullying ways." Huh. Beat that Snakey!

"While YOU were staying WELL out of it." Post that incident, she'd also clung to him like a baby and cried her eyes out.. but they could just.. skim over those parts, right?

Right.

He SO deserved this -

HE HAD NOT JUST DOBBED HER INTO THE MOST EVIL TEACHER IN THE SCHOOOL!

-flail-

He was a HORRIBLE boyfriend.

She pouted.

And then he used HER word. And the lower lip came out a bit and she was totally dignified in her own patheticness.

*pouttt*

The fake smile slipped off Cam's face and replaced with a broad grin. SO maybe the evil!dragon!lady wasn't all that bad because that had been sort of funny. AND lookit! She was SMILING! Cameron's smile broadened. Perhaps she wasn't ALL that bad.

"Sorry Professor," She sang much akin to those kindergarteners apologising for eating paste glue.
And now something to talk about.. y'know so they didn't have to stare at a hedge all day.
"How did you get into teaching?" Because honestly, she wasn't like any other Professor.

She was different. In a good way?

Kurumi jumped out of her seat when she heard that the Slytherin boy had been the first out of the maze. She, completely forgetting that scary cookie hater was sitting next to her, began to walk around the stands hoping to catch a glimpse of him when she spotted him. It was no wonder he had been so amazing in DADA, he had become a Hogwarts Champion!

Holding her box of green and silver frosted chocolate cookies in her hand. She approached the Slytherin boy and tapped him on the back with her small hands. "T-t-t-these are for you," she smiled weakly offering him the neatly wrapped green box with silver ribbon.

Nia's hand rubbing his felt really good. He hadn't noticed, while in the maze, just how cold his hands had gotten. Between worrying about... things, and trying to figure out riddles and stuff, it hadn't been on his mind, but now with the warmth being forced back into his fingers, he realised just how cold he was.

Nowhere near as cold as he'd been after the first task, for sure, but it was the dead of winter, and he hadn't had the forethought to put gloves into his pockets. His pockets were otherwise occupied at the moment though. Hmm.

"I could've been better," he admitted, wrinkling his pink nose. "I would've been done sooner, I think... but I guess it's better to err on the side of safety than to get stuck?"

Didn't want to be trapped in the maze, after all. It hadn't taken that long, and he'd still managed to make it out first... somehow.

"No bowtruckles, but... well. Something else." Frown. He wasn't sure which he preferred. At least the bowtruckles were relatively small... and there was little chance they'd be able to kill him. Scratch, gouge, puncture, maybe take an eye out, but he'd likely be left alive at the end. This time... well, who knew, had he not been right. Eyes went to his right wrist, and his wand. Thankfully, he had been.

"Hot chocolate..." That sounded so good right now. And this time his stomach wouldn't reject stuff, would it. He wasn't even that tired or anything. Awesome.

O_O Ohhai Marie.

He tilted a bit to the side automatically as she started wrapping the scarf around his neck, to make it easier for her. He hadn't asked for it or anything but it was really awesome that she was giving it to him either way; it helped to lock in a little more of his warmth. Half-smiling, he tugged on the end of the scarf.

"Thanks, Marie. It really does help."

He looked back up at the stands as his name was shouted again, and spotted the ickle Ravenclaw that was doing the yelling. Ellie. Recalling how he'd kinda... not really talked to her last task, and hadn't seen her since, he waved at her, trying to not laugh when Vindictus shouted and freaked out Lafay.

He failed at that of course. Laughed. Haha.

When one of his Slytherins approached, his laughter died off, albeit slowly, and he nodded. Salander. Shaking the guy's hand, he grinned.

"I've seen you around enough, mate. Classes, and in the school and stuff. Pleasure to meet you."

And then the little Gryffindor girl from Defence class was there, too. The one who'd asked him and Cameron if they were dating. Kurumi, was her name? And she had... a box? For him? Bending his cold fingers a few times, he took it, inclining his head a little bit in thanks.

"Sankyuu..." He gave it a gentle shake, as if trying to figure out what was inside without looking into it, then frowned in concern, eyes going to her. "Are you cold? You're kinda stuttering a little bit..."

Her teeth didn't look like they were chattering though. Distractedly, he looked back toward the maze and where he'd exited from. Where were the other Champions? Where were Monique and Aleksandra, Nik and Fletcher? Surely they'd be out soon, right?

Lazily, the lad turned his head and saw..... Fletch?.... No way, Fletcher is supposed to be in the maze fighting for Hogwarts' honor and glory right now! He narrowed his eyes and walked on over to the doppleganger, raising a thoughtful finger "Ok..... I'm guessing you're not my buddy Fletcher.... because if you are I am tackling you to the ground and calling you a big chicken for the entire school to hear." And he meant it, because he had vested interest to make sure Fletcher competes-- and completes-- his duty as one of Hogwarts Champions. He looked the lad over and thought Eh....a fellow Slyth? "Who are you?"

Grayson couldn't help but giggle as Salander pfft-ed their theory that the willow wasn't in the maze. She still thought it unlikely, but apparently he'd let Runes get to him a bit too much. Or maybe he just was scared of the Willow. It had a reputation after all. "I'm sure they can get other things to toss riddles at the champions," she pointed out. There had been a sphinx in the stories about the tournament when Harry was in school. That told riddles. But she nodded as he spoke more about the Runes lesson. Even though she was still grinning. "Okay. I'll give you that. But maybe you should think about respecting the tree next time." Back to her tree thing, apparently, although she'd never try climbing the Willow.

But then she went back to the discussion about Draco, and smiled at Danika. "He is," she said, before glancing at Professor Lafay. Know the risks? Of course she did, although she didn't usually worry about them. Draco was a good ferret. "Of course," she said in response, though. No need to disturb the professor more about her pet. Who quite obviously wasn't being vicious now, as the Durmstranger petted him. Danika's question to him made her grin a bit though. It would be awesome if her ferret could see through the hedges, but the only way that probably would happen was if he snuck through them. At least then maybe she'd know what was going on.

It seemed someone was listening to her, though, as a voice suddenly sounded and seh glanced down at the maze again. "GO RAIDEN!!!!!!!," she yelled out, sending the Slytherin champion a grin. Just 'cause he didn't seem to trust her not to get into trouble didn't mean she didn't want him to win. Or Fletcher, but he hadn't come out yet. Then she looked over to Noel and sent him a smile too. Nonverbal cheering, cause she felt weird really cheering for him. Even though she was happy he was doing well. And then she realized Professor Vindictus had responded to her, and she turned back to him. "Sure," she said to his offer of a sour gummy worm, reaching into the bag and taking a yellow one. She never turned down candy, even if it was candy that was making her head of house make funny faces. At least she was prepared, steeling herself as she popped the worm into her mouth. Her nose scrunched up for a moment as the sour hit her, but then she adapted and her expression turned back to normal. Time to watch for more champions.

"Well, I put mine in as a way to show off for someone so mine is worse than yours." Amber grinned sheepishly, but then all she could see was darkness. She flailed around wildly, trying to get out of the dark before she heard Brant laughing. Hey, he'd thrown the blanket over her! She pulled it off and fake-glared at him, then started laughing. It had been pretty funny, the way she'd been flailing around. "Hey, that was not funny!" She said between giggles, putting the blanket over her legs.

It was a while before Amber noticed that someone had come out of the maze. "Wait, is that... OMG..." Amber stood up and jumped around, waving her pompoms like a maniac. "WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! GO RAIDEN!" She screamed, the pompoms copying her words. If only she had a vuvuzela, then this would be perfect! She turned to Brant. "Can you believe he made it out first? I knew he could do it!" She smiled, turning back to the gathering crowd of admirers around Raiden.

"I'm fine," she said smiling slightly from under her bangs. She fiddled with her fingers trying to figure out how not to sound like a total first year with her next comment. "I...erm....I....really admire what you did in our last potions class." Her hands went to her cheeks to try and hide her blushing. "I didn't know how precious phoenix tears were...and...you stood up to Dragon Lady..." and now her hands were on her mouth.

EEP! She had said too much. Quick! Distraction! He was curious about what was in the box, right? He had just been shaking it like a little boy checking out gifts under the Christmas tree to figure out what Santa had brought.

"The box is filled with cookies that I baked," she explained.

Squint.

And then he stopped. He gave up. The boy leaned back into the bench and almost started to read the book again until a hand on his shoulder stopped him from doing so.

"Right" he said, no smile there, was it too much to ask if Treyen wanted Fletcher to be the first one out? Well, that wasn't going to happen today. "I know he has to, I just wish he was out already" even if this had been a rather quick task, or so it seemed, he couldn't help but worry a little. No, he wasn't worried about him dying, because he wasn't going to, but let's see how he steps out of the maze.

"Good for Raiden, though" he shrugged, a small smile on his face.

And so it seemed that Lafay would've preferred an answer that involved the name 'Raiden' in it. Well, that wasn't going to happen, but it was all good, she still liked Lafay very much.

Even if she was beginning to understand the 'unapproachable' part that Oliver spoke about earlier, they still didn't have to expect for a Professor to be 'approachable' to students in this sort of situations.

Well, it wasn't like that in Durmstrang, but Professors here, were...different.

Runes Class? He was into Runes? Really? That was a surprise, something unexpected. There was a slight shrug to her shoulders as he kept talking about why the Whomping Willow could be in there.

Two of the Champions had come out, perhaps he could ask them?

She was going to ask him about the 'Runes' thing, but...she'll do so when she gives the overcoat back.

The Durmstrang girl couldn't agree more. Salander had to respect the tree, especially one like the Whomping Willow. You know what? She'll ask Nikolai about it, because she had no idea if he's already seen the tree or not. It was probably one of the first things he did, anyway.

Danika smiled. He was a clever ferret, but apparently he couldn't see behind the hedges, he was as blind as they were when it came to the maze, and he was just as still as he's been before when she petted him. "I like him" she decided on saying, "He is a vell-behaved pet" Lafay should be proud that some of her students manage to keep some unusual creature as a pet and still make them behave like one.

Her eyes went from Draco to the maze again in hopes that either Sandra or Nikolai would step out of it.

1.

It seemed Jack never sat with friends when at the stands. It wasn't like he didn't have any. of course he did, he was Jack Riding; a name associated with popularity and handsomeness and just plain perfection. Hehe. But, at the stands he liked to be in his own element and cheering on the champions without the annoyance of others trying to form a conversation.

But as he couldn't really see anything, he wasn't that bothered that the blonde kid was introducing himself. "Jack." He nodded, facing him now. He then raised his eyebrow at Evan, as it looked like he was analyzing his face. "What?" He asked, not rudely, just curiously.


2.

Jack smiled a little at the guy who thought he was Fletcher. A week a go, he would have thought that was weird, but it's strange how things change in a matter of a few days. "If I was Fletcher, I'd be a bit silly to be standing here when I'm meant to be in there." Jack pointed to the maze, where Fletcher obviously was. He straightened himself up and faced the boy. "I'm Jack? ... umm ... Fletcher's ... brother. Twin, actually."

As Nikolai emerges from the maze, that booming voice can be heard again.

"Durmstrang champion, Nikolai Ognian, has successfully exited the maze."

Alice shifted her attention back to the maze exit upon hearing the narrator's voice. It looked like another one made it out safely.

Alice clapped, glad that he had made it out alive and seemingly well.

Although Alice had to wonder...where was Fletcher?

As he emerged from the hedges, Nikolai heard the booming voice announce his exit. Nikolai Ognianis.

WAIT A MINUTE!

That was not his name! Now his whole dramatic exit was ruined because someone did not know his name! Eyes scanning the area, he started looking for whoever spoke his name. Heh, he couldn't find anyone that looked like the voice belonged to them.

Dramatic exit was RUINED!

Scoffing, he awkwardly hopped to the middle of the clearing and gave Raiden and Noel a nod of his head. The speaker probably got their names right..

Since those two Champions were out and no others, Nikolai must have been the third to finish. Also, that must mean three other Champions were still inside, including Sandra. He looked over his shoulder briefly before scanning the area once again, only he was not looking for the person who said his name wrong. He was looking for the people he knew and the Healer woman.

Yes, he did find his HUGE foot amusing, but he eventually would like normal again.

His toes were cold.

Tory smiled brightly when she saw the champion from her house, teeth chattering. "Hi" she said quietly. "I'm Tory, I'm a Slytherin as well. Good job. You alright?" she asked with another smile.

Durmstrang Champion. That was all she needed to hear. Danika's eyes went straight to the maze, she did notice however, the way the voice messed up with his name. Haha. That was funny, the voice had gotten his name wrong. It didn't matter to her, though, she knew who it was the second 'Durmstrang' was mentioned and the figure stepped out of the maze.

Nikolai.

"Excuse me" she said, to the people around her, and with a big smile on her face she ventured towards him.

She was down there in no time, no time at all! Danika was only glad one of them was out, and looking in an absolute perfect shape. Except...what had happened to his foot? Why always a foot?

Seriously, he'd better watch it if he moved on.

"Nikolai!" the girl exclaimed, as she got closer and closer to him, "I half expected Sandra to ve first..." what a greeting, no? "...vut I am so relieved to see you out" she smiled, she'd been joking about the Sandra thing, and hopefully he got it, if he didn't it's not like he'll pay attention to it anyway. "And in one piece" her smile widened and she hugged him for a couple seconds, "Or should I say...tvo pieces?" her eyes were on the foot now, surely it could be fixed. Better the Healer than her.

"You feel okay, Ognianis?" she couldn't just fail to comment on that, it was just amusing.

She watched him as he made the familiar slurping noise, and then the smoochy face. She shook her head. It had been a good thing she hadn't smacked him. He wasn't trying to kiss her. "No thank you," She said with a chuckle. "I've some work to do, and now the champions are emerging," or hers anyway, "I think I will get back to work."

"Oh..." she said and then added, "I wanted to instill my knowledge to the young. Anyway," she began to leave. "See you in class." And left the stands.

Enya had been sitting in the seat she was currently sat in when a voice suddenly boomed telling all who had left the maze first. She jad jumped a little bit, but she was at least prepared for the second boomed voice that come a few minutes later. Enya looked over the maze to see where the campions were.

She turned to look at Louisa, wondering what she could say to her answer. Hmm. "Well thank you for caring, but you really don't need to badger me all the time to see what i get up to" She told the younger girl simply.

She turned away. There stayed the silence for a few minutes before Enya heard Louisa began to speak again. She turned back to her, annoyed. But stopped after she heard what was begin said. Hmm. did the school? She really didn't know, she was a second year after all. She shrugged.

"Im not sure to be honest, best if you ask a Professor or something" SHe told the girl in her best nice voice.

Oh! Raiden was out! And one of the Beauxbatons' guys. (Too bad it wasn't one of those Beauxbatons girls.)

He made a quick note of this on his parchment. Sure, he wasn't exactly reporting on the outcomes, but still, it was nice to make a note of everything.

Carter ran a hand through his hair a little nervously. "I would like to." he said. "I'm not sure if I'm good enough though." He was muggleborn so he hadn't been to professional games. "Yeah. I play chaser mostly. But I've done keeper as well." he said. "I'm not sure which I like better. I'm kinda thinking about switching up and trying to be a seeker next term. I'm not sure. I guess it would all depend if I made the house team again." he said. He also wondered who the next captain would be since Brant was graduating.

He chuckled. "No, it was good. Really." he said. Then she asked who he was supporting. "He chuckled. Is it sad that I would prefer one of those French girls to win?" he asked. "I guess, there's only one of those at the moment..." Since one didn't make it to this task.

But really, who could blame him for supporting the very pretty very nice girls?

"No, no one famous." he said with a little laugh. "Just the quidditch captains from last term. But it did take some prodding for them to give good answers."

Carter then looked up as another student was announced. That was one from each school.

And then there were four.

"Beauxbatons champion, Monique Bernard, has just exited the maze."

Monique sashayed her way to the stands. She had emerged from yet another task. She held her held high and was sporting a triumphant grin. Now that she was out she admitted that that task had actually been quite fun.

She looked around and spotted Raiden, Noel, and Nikolai. Good, none of them looked like they had a run-in with anything.

Now, who should she go talk to first?

Ellie nodded at Raiden's wave. Heh.

She turned back to the Lockhart and bit her lip. She felt bad for Treyen. He was so eager to see...Fletcher... come out.

She nodded and thought that, maybe, if she could distract him some, the time until Fletcher made his appearance would be sooner. "So," she said, eyeing the book, "What do you think nifflers eat?"

But, yes, good for Raiden.

"Congrats, You did very well" he told the Beauxbatons champion. Well he more of yelled it from his seat.

"You have?...." he asked suddenly worried. Catching that he's gone slightly falsetto he cleared his throat and added quickly "... oh of course you have-- classes right! DADA--" he nodded "...I like your moves there man, real smart, real effective." Yeah he's keeping it focused with the classes, lest he reminds the Shiny Badge where else he may have seen the hooligan in the grounds and hoist him for impromptu detention.

"It looks like you got out of this task relatively better than the first challenge." the lad added as he gave Raiden a once over "Was it easier this time around? I mean, was there a paintball throwing, riddle-casting, Whomping Willow hurling giant numbers at you when you were in there?"





Salander shrugged when Grayson said that they should respect the Whomping Willow Respect? Whats the fun in that? "Eh.... I respect it enough." he smirks "..... I havent rammed a flying car onto it have I?" Hmm, now theres something to consider....



"Ok, J--...." the lad started when he heard the other guy's name then stopped short to do a double take "...You're his wha?.... Seriously? You're Fletcher's twin?"he stared at the other Slytherin in disbelief. "He sure didnt mention that he was a twin." Would've saved him a lot of trouble if he knew that fact, as he would've just left the GlitterPuff at the mercy of the angry Melanie instead of lying till he sweat blood. After all, they had a backup Champ anyway heh.

Recovering from the shock he managed find his voice again "Well Jack, I'm Salander." he grinned and shook the other guy's hand "So you're like.... Jack Fletcher? Cuz you know Duncan, dont really like being called a donut brand." yeah, he's been wanting to try that rib on the GlitterPuff, but his twin will do just fine.



Salander looked up at the announcement and clapped good naturedly at the Durmstrang and Beauxbaton Champions that have emereged, but he started to frown as he squinted at the nondescript hedges Fletcher hasnt come out yet.... he was second to come out last time but four champions out and he's still not here.... he isnt hurt is he? Suddenly, the lad was worried.

Lexi rushed through the crowd when she heard the announcer say that Monique had made her way out. YIPEEE! Trying to be mindful and not push too much she finally found her should be sister and flung herself at her. "Monique! Congratulations and thank goodness you made it out!" she exclaimed.

Amber looked up as the Narrator announced... Nikolai Ognianis? Who the bloody hell was that? It took a few seconds for Amber's frozen brain to realize that he meant Nikolai Ognian. Then it hit her... NIKOLAI WAS OUT OF THE MAZE!

She stood up, the blanket falling off of her. She took Brant's hand and said, "C'mon, I wanna go congratulate Nikolai!" She led him down, away from the stands and towards the now familiar Durmstrang student. She ran over to him and gave him a TACKLE!hug, saying, "I knew you wouldn't die! I knew you'd make it!" Sure, she knew she was overreacting just a tad, but whatever because he was alive and that's all that mattered.

Amber let go of Nikolai and suddenly noticed something that... wasn't normal. Wait, was that his foot? "Nikolai, what happened to your foot?" That was like the foot of a giant! What did they do in that maze? Cue strange look.