"It's sort of disconcerting actually. I mean, they're my family and I love them, but it just adds to the pressure. Nearly my mum's entire family is on here, starting from centuries back. And they're nearly all Slytherin. It's a lot to live up to. Since I'm not in Slytherin, I'll have to work even harder to convince them I'm worth something. Well, not my mum, but I suppose that comes with the fact she's my mum."
She smiled kindly at Jaina.
"It's still only midterm of our first year; give yourself some credit. We've got six and a half years left to get our names in here. You will, I'm sure of it. Most of the awards are for Quidditch anyway, and students aren't allowed to be on the teams until second year."

Feeling a presence nearby, the small tap against her shoulder confirmed that as she looked to see who it was out of the corner of her eye. She had her suspicions, but she just had to be sure, just in case it was someone she was supposed to be scowling and yelling at. No, it was Josh. Neither of those would probably be any good against him.

Turning her attention back to the trophies, her ears open to what he was saying, there really was no expression on her face to what he was saying. Mostly because...well she didn't even know how to react. She was still winding down from the incident in the classroom. Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye once more as he patted her on the shoulder, she watched him start to walk away before turning her head completely towards him. That was it? He was walking away?

That was...new. Swallowing, the Slytherin girl's gaze moved back to the spot he had pointed out, before a small smile replaced the frown on her lips, turning her gaze back to the retreating Gryffindor boy. "I'm sure there will be one there soon. A rather big trophy." she nodded, not looking away from him as she raised a brow. "A trophy to the student for the most interruptions in class. It will be totally...epic."

Haha. Definitely.

The boy was rather slowly approaching the Huffie Puff Prefect names when he heard the Slytherin girl's voice, talking to him, which made him stop after the second maybe third word she pronounced. With a curious smirk on his face, the Gryffindor listened to her carefully without moving and once she was done, he laughed, quite audibly to the ones around them in the room.

Hehe. That was a good one. Seriously...

Raising a playful brow, Josh turned away to face her and spoke right after giving her an obvious and quick once over. ''I was thinking of 'The One to Get Most Detention Experience' but what you have said is good as well.'' Still smiling at her which was probably a very familiar sight to the snake girl, the boy took a few steps forward and stopped right in front of her. His brown gaze landed on the Slytherin crest on her robe then at her beautiful face. ''You don't expect me to believe that you think they were ONLY mere interruptions, do you? I guess not.''

In the next silent moment, Joshua kept his expression same as he glanced in her lovely hazel eyes ''There's a flaw i have seen though.'' were the words he pronounced to go on with his speech ''I could not see a good enough place to put your trophy. Maybe, we can get rid of that Triwizard one for it. That'd be perfect for you.'' again nodding kindly, he turned to walk away but the next moment faced her back as if he had remembered something at the last instant.

''And let me tell you what is yours before you ask.'' The Gryffindor's smile widened a little and he began to walk around her in a circle without moving his gaze away from her, taking a single step at every word he uttered. ''The-Prettiest-Smartest-Most Elegant-Strongest-Most Appealing-Coolest-Most Gifted-and-Capable-Hottest-Most Beautiful-AND-Most Adorable-Girl-Who-Ever-Took-A Step-Into-The Boundaries-Of-Hogwarts'' then he stopped before her again ''Evelyn ROSE Flores Shepard of Slytherin.''

Did she need more compliments? He was not sure but perhaps those were enough just for now. For a seperate moment looking at a nearby student, Josh took a slow breath and once his attention was back to her, he slowly approached to her ear and whispered ''I hope you'll have a very happy and perfect life with whomever you'll marry. But...do never forget that i LOVE you.''

And finally as he slowly retreated, the lion boy stopped just for about a second and kissed the spot on her cheek very close to her lips, VERY briefly before taking two steps back.

*Ahem*

While he could still look at her, his hand went to his pocket and grabbed the other peppermint. Of course, after another wink to the Slytherin, he threw the mint in his mouth and not walking away this time, in case she would like to slap him, he just took a decent place next to her and pretended to be very interested in those trophies before him while enjoying the sweet.

It was still a mystery, though, how many times he needed to sacrifice himself in such situations to prove his love to her.

...

Oh! The Trophy Room! Sierra hadn't even realized there was such a thing in the castle. Had she, though, she might have stopped by here at least once to see if her family had any achievements stored away in here. She slid past a few students and wandered around the room, her eyes scanning the trophies and plaques to see if any of them said 'Greingoth'.

"Oh, look, Alex," she said, spotting her brother nearby and motioning for him to come closer. "There's Anna..." She pointed to a few plaques addressing their sister as Gryffindor Prefect and Head Girl. "...and Cale, too." She pointed to another plaque that addressed her sister's husband, or Sierra and Alex's brother-in-law, as Gryffindor's male prefect.

Emily looked up as a gryffindor girl spoke to her.
"Thank you... I plan on it", she said smiling.
"I'm Emily", she said before adding, "Do you have any relatives in here?" she asked gesturing towards the rows of awards and photographs.

Witsy smiled at the thought of her ambitions. "You seem determined, that's a good quality. I'm Witsy by the way." She pulled the back of her ponytail adjusting the hair tie. After looking down the rows upon rows of awards she opened then closed her mouth as if wanting to say something then forgot. Finally she just said, "I'm actually not sure. I honestly got overwhelmed with all this stuff and am just looking around at random. Although, I could definitely see myself in here for hours." A bunch of new thoughts started coming to her, "I wonder if my dad ever played quidditch?" She looked back at Emily, "Do you have any interests in quiddich or academics?" She was curious to know more about this young student.

Emily smiled, "Nice to meet you Witsy." That was certainly an interesting name. Emily looked down at the small girl.
"I do actually, I play quidditch for Ravenclaw... and I love academics- it's in my nature", she winked. "How about yourself? do you play quidditch?"
Looking around at the vast trophy room Emily pointed to a particular corner of it, "Theres a fair bit of quidditch stuff in that part, shall we see if we can find your dad?" she asked.

Hmm, she didn't all mind him blocking her view of the trophies, since he was a better view to look at anyhow, yet she was kinda irritated by the closeness. He had invaded her space once for today, so he was pushing his boundaries with going for a second time. "Either way, you'll win both." She smirked, ignoring his somewhat rhetorical question. He answered his own question, so, it was best she didn’t give her own opinion on it.

Taking a deep breath, she held it in for a moment as he continued, before her gaze moved back to the trophies and letting out that breath slowly through her nose, keeping an open ear to what he was saying. Place her trophy? Not noticing that he was walking away, her hazel eyes settled on the tri-wizard trophy, tilting her head to the side just a tad. Huh. She was pretty annoyed that Huffie dude had won. Though, it was better a Hogwarts Champion then a Beauxbatons Champion.

Blinking finally, finding the Gryffindor boy suddenly in her vision, she turned her head as he walked around her until she couldn't turn it anymore, and by then, she whipped it around to keep her gaze on where he was, taking a small step away from him as she did so. Just so she could see him properly and not at a weird angle. Yet, he continued to circle her. And continued to…continued to name a rather long, surprising, and pleasant to hear…trophy. With her name on it supposedly. In fact, her cheeks may have turned a rather rosy red that would put the flower itself to shame. However, there was no smile on her face, nor any other expression to indicate what she was feeling.

Tensing slightly when he came nearer, Evelyn stared at a nearby Gryffindor trophy as he whispered in her ear, only to cause her to blush just that much more. Darn blushing! It should never exist- oh. And that was a surprise. Was that supposed to be aimed for her cheek? Or...

Staring at him, still with no expression other then the obvious red face, her gaze flickered around the area, going from trophy to Josh to trophy and back to Josh again a few times before it finally settled on the Gryffindor boy. Hmm. Taking a step forward, she too placed a very brief kiss on his cheek, though there would have been no confusion as to where it was supposed to go. "That would be one big trophy." she muttered, smiling just barely for a second, (if you blinked, you'd probably miss it), before walking back towards the door. Kinda done with trophy site seeing now. Was class supposed to end soon? 'Cause she totally needed a calming draught right now.

Professor Hadley stood casually by the doorway, listening to their chattering incessantly about the trophies and plaques in there. Some seemed rather eager to look and hoped to find some familiar names in there, whereas others ... were ready to leave.

Soon. This part of the lesson wasn't that long. Just a brief walk to stretch their legs and show them some families...

But what was the Ravenclaw captain doing? OH! He actually had the right idea!!

"As evidenced by Captain Blunt here, while there are a lot of recent trophies in here, there are also many old and dusty ones... with names who are just that... names." Josephina paused, letting this sink in as she searched for more words. "Soon those names will become a distant memory. Just etched onto a piece of wood, in which no one will remember the name. Because the person has LONG graduated. The person is long gone. So what is the point of these awards then? Symbolism? To show that yes great things will come, but we won't always remember the reasoning or even the person behind those great things."


"The family names that you calculated of course, back in the classroom," Professor Hadley said simply. "Those numbers each have interpretations." Honestly, was the Gryffindor like sleeping or something in class?




Speaking of Gryffindors ... UM what are you doing Josh Carter?! If Professor Hadley didn't know better, she'd think he was still set on trying to win over the hand of Miss Evelyn. Haven't you enough brains, Carter?! She's not interested.

Or ... what? She kissed him back on the cheek? Oh you two ... Just because you're older, doesn't mean you can focus more on yourselves than on the lesson. Even if you don't find the lesson interesting.

"Miss Flores-Shepard and Mister Carter. Detention. Both of you. Next Tuesday."


And now that that was settled, back to wrapping up this lesson. Err... what she was saying? Totally forgot here. Oh right... death. "Because as I was saying, unfortunately, we're all going to die eventually and then, what does it matter how many trophies or awards you earned? Or who scored the most touchdowns points in a quidditch match? The thing that really will matter is if you've had a successful life. Have you met your personal goals in life? Have you fulfilled your destiny? Your life's purpose?"

Letting these questions mull over their brains, she sighed. "If you've had enough the trophy room, you're dismissed and may return to the classroom to collect your things. If not, you're welcome to look around as long as you'd like or even calculate some of the family name numbers you see there. Homework will be posted on the notice board for you and due before the next lesson."

ooc: Just a quick note, the classroom door is closed, but will open to your touch. Don't do anything disruptive in there... Or else. ;D

K-Lee listened to the teacher speak. She didn't get what it had to do with Arithmancy but meh, so what?

"Thanks for the lesson professor!" She skipped out the door for the classroom to pick up her stuff.

Just as she was making her way over to the entrance door to the trophy room, did she hear her name being sai- what?

WHAT!?

Why in Merlin's beard did she get a detention? Did she knock over a trophy? Smudge something? Step on something? Whaaat did she dooo? Glancing around, she didn't see anything that could have possibly been a result of a detention. The Professors were just out to get her this term weren't they...

Staring wide eyed at the professor and almost looking like a hurt and lost kneazle ('cause they're cuter then puppies), not really knowing what to say, the Slytherin girl sloooowly made her way closer to the door, making sure not to really...step on anything. Meh. Her Tuesday was now ruined. RUINED! Hearing something about goals and life purposes in the back of her mind, she finally came back to reality when the words 'you're dismissed' echoed in her ears. Noooo she wasn't gunna stay here. In HERE...you get detention. Out THERE...there was more hiding places.

Eh. "Bye Professor." Evelyn mumbled, not even sure if she heard or not. Gotta go make sure someone didn't touch her stuff she left in the classroom.

The Hudson's had been quite achiever, well that was up until Patroclus had come along, so it was highly unlikely that Hudson would feature on any of the trophies.


However there were a few names that meant alot to the boy, such as Gold Laksh, and Jack Friztera, two students that had been great sources of pride and inspiration to young Patroclus when he was a fresh faced first year!

It was Jack with whom, Patroclus had faced the wrath of Lord Borr....a meeting that still made him shiver.


Finishing his round of the room, the Lion turned to the Professor and smiled, "Thanks for a great lesson Professor Hadley!"

Emily listened as Professor Hadley wrapped up the lesson. It was certainly the most self-reflective lesson she had had this semester, and while she was determined to succeed and achieve her goals she couldn't help but feel slightly overwhelmed. Particularly in the Trophy room... after all she came from a very successful family, and they would... no doubt expect great things of her.

Thinking about her achivements so far and the achievements she hoped to make, Emily paced the room, stopping every now an then, to see a familiar name engraved in a cup, or a sheild, or familiar faces smiling at her from yellowed photographs.

"Oh brilliant! There's a game this week Gryffindor verses Slytherin. I'm just a reserve, but I'm working on improving. I am going to watch though. Will you being going?" She was hoping that she would so that they may meet up and talk. She smiled, "What's your favorite class?" She glanced at some of the names as she was passing them, none looking familiar. She looked in the direction of which all the quidditch stuff were, "That would be great! Do you have any siblings who play, or are you the only one?"

Witsy suddenly felt as if she accidentally took a potion that wasn't even meant for humans, then went sour. She couldn't even look at the professor. All she could do was sigh, "Sorry Professor, must of had a brain block." Not wanting to keep feeling awkward she went on her way passing trophies hoping to find something familiar.

"Oh I'll be there with bells on... I have to scope out the competition seeing as we play the winning team next, if your not playing perhaps we can watch together. It should be a great game."

Emily looked at a particularly shiny silver quidditch cup, next to it was a plaque with each of the players names engraved on it. Gryffindor Champions.... and sure enough her fathers name was on it.... Spencer Browne, Beater.

Turning back to Witsy Emily continued their conversation.
"Hhhmmm tough one", she smiled. "I'd say that Potions, Defence against the Dark Arts and Herbology are my favourites.... what about you? Do you have a favourite?"

"I'm an only child", replied Emily. At times she wished she wasn't, it was often boring being an only child, though knowing her luck if she had a sibbling there would no doubt have been a geat deal of sibbling rivalry- what with her parents influence and all. "Do you have any brothers and sisters?" she asked.

She was suddenly seeing her with bells and a cazoo for some reason and giggled. "Hopefully I'll be playing you next game," she said smiling. "I don't know why but I don't feel stressed about this upcoming game, I feel pretty good actually." then she realised she's not playing and then felt funny, "I mean for the team and all, I think they'll do great!"

"Oh how ironic, Potions is probably my only favorite, maybe charms." Although, she's been slacking a bit she's been getting better with her homework and participation. "Have you finished the Potions homework? It was really easy." She listened more hearing how similar they actually were.

She was amazed that she was the only child, she could definitely relate to sibling rivalry. "I'm the only child too but I'm close with some of my cousins. I actually like being the only child because with cousins who I see all the time, it's nice knowing I have my own space, you know?" she was wondering if she said too much. What if she doesn't have a close family, she thought, oh no... she thought to change the subject not to hurt her, "Have you heard of the Gobstones Club Consolation Match? I just heard of it and I was thinking of checking it out..." She redirect her focus to some more of the trophies. I think these are alphabetical order, she thought.

Jaina giggled a bit. "I don't think I'll make it in here for quidditch. You have to be fast on the broom and I go slower than molasses!" she giggled a little bit more remembering her first flying lesson. "To tell you the truth, an award for Most Likely to Get Angry at Hazelnuts would work well enough for me. It doesn't even have to be that big. It can go right here next to, what's this one say? Oh, yeah this one for the Gryfindor quiddtich team. It can sit right there next to Mr James Potter's name. My tiny little hazelnut trophy!" She giggled some more. She was sure that whoever this James Potter was, he would enjoy her litttle nut statue. "Unless, you'd like it next to your quidditch trophy, Charley?" she winked.

"It would be great if we could play each other, what position do you usually play as? I'm a chaser, though I've played as a beater before."
Emily reminisced on the days in her first and second year when she was a beater for Ravenclaw, then the opted out of quidditch for a while only to fall back into it in her final year... should really have focused on NEWTs though.

"Oh I agree, the potions homework was too easy, it took me a minute to complete... hardly worth the five points, though I'm not complaining." ... Emily thought about her transfiguration homework that was sitting on the floor of her dormitory... she would have to start on it that night.... or the next morning. Procrastination at its finest.

"HHHhhhmmm... gobstones." Emily paused. "I can't say I've ever taken an interest in it. Guess I never had time, I might have to check it out."

Emily smiled and looked back at the picture. "She was only on the team for a year. But she never told me she was in the trophy room!"
A letter was forming in her head. Had Rachel never thought to metion it?
"Do ya think we'll ever get in here?" she asked Nika as she tore her eyes away from her sister and continued to look up and down the room.

Emily listened to the teachers rhetorical questions and frowned.
She was only 11! Did she really need to think about her life's purpose now?
She went back to some awards for services to the school. Shiney. Were the polished regularly?
'No. Think about the questions' she told herself.
All that mattered was a succesful life? Yes, she agreed... but it would still be nice to have a trophy!

"I play as a beater, but I was a seeker once." I'd like to be a permanent seeker, that would be epic, she thought. "What position is your best?" Curious to know where she stands.

"I'm not sure what gobstones does, but it seemed interesting, then again I love competition," she laughed. "Next meeting they have wanna join me?" The company would be nice, being surrounded by work all day she forgets how nice it is to be surrounded by actual people.

She already humiliated herself once why not another time, " So... um, have we heard yet if there was any homework from this class?" She thought she would feel cast down but she had a warm personality that the question didn't bother so much.

Nika sighed and took another look at all of the trophies in the room. "Yeah! If we work hard." Nika longed to have her name put on a trophy. Maybe if she worked hard enough she could become a prefect and have a trophy in here.

This. Was. So. Depressing.

As SOOOOOON as he was allowed to leave, Jake did so. He'd never been in a more depressing lesson in his life; first family stuff and then hearing 'we're all going to die eventually'. Thank you Hadley. Thank you so much.

>.>

AND GOODBYE.

Alex jumped slightly, not expecting to hear his name called like that. He turned around and saw Sierra motioning him towards a trophy, and he wandered over to look at what she was pointing to. "Oh yeah! I knew they were around here somewhere..." he muttered, smiling as he looked up at their plaques.

As he looked up at him, a thought occurred to him. "Hey, do you think we'll ever end up in here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Sierra might if she became super famous on the Slytherin team or something, but Alex knew he wasn't getting on a trophy that way. No sir.

Charley giggled too. "I bet you'll get the hang of flying soon. Hmmm..I don't think there's a trophy for that. Not yet, at least."
She nudged Jaina teasingly with her elbow.
"I'd love it to be next to mine, but it'd be much more of an honour to be next to Mr. Potter! Although....I don't think it would, since he was a Gryffindor. The little hazelnut statue would have to be near the other Hufflepuff's awards, and I'll be with the Ravenclaws. We'll be together if we get to be prefects, though, and there's plenty of time to earn that status!!"
She winked back and laughed.
"And Professor Hadley makes a good point. It's not the trophies that matter."
She gestured toward the door.
"Are you done looking? If so, we should get back to the second floor."

"I'm not sure what I preffer... I guess I like being a chaser. I don't think I could handle the pressure of being a seeker, espescially with the way Hufflepuff have been playing." Emily was reminded of their recent loss against the yellow and blacks... having said that it wasn't a bad game. It was just a shame about James.

"Yeah absolutely, it's better going with friends than on your own I think", she said. Gobstones would be interesting, even though Emily grew up in the wizarding world she never really took the time to find out what it was.. it just never interested her before.

"I think homework will be posted soon-ish.... hard to say when exactly. But it won't be long." Emily laughed, "I'm actually looking forward to it... I've run out of homework now..."
Yes, running out of homework was not a good thing for a bright, young, knowledge-thirsty Ravenclaw.