Conan nodded, "Swordfighting...yeah ok." He had never played cowboys and indians anyway. He actually hadn't really played with anyone else before. Maybe other kids that came to visit his father. But he didn't really have any friends at home.

He nodded, "I will do. I won't call him the flying guy. Professor Vindictus." He had to remember that. And he would too. "What about just Professor?" That was easier to remember. Since everyone was called it anyway.

After the two pitiful sentences she had said Nika went straight for her feet again. By now she had probably memorized every piece of dirt, every stain, and every pattern on them. She didn't want to look up again. If she saw Emily's face and tears running down her best friends cheeks she would end up crying too. She didn't want that. Emily didn't deserve to be even more unhappy. She's not crying, not in front of Emily. She had probably made her friend feel awful enough already.

Nika shook her head at the next words Emily said. "But I am. I really am." She shouldn't be. Emily shouldn't be sorry. She didn't do anything. It wasn't her fault that she had to leave. It was for the best, for her best. Nika couldn't stop her friend from doing what was right for her. Nika stayed silent, but she was saying a lifetime of thoughts in her head. "Don't be sorry Em. I should be sorry. I shouldn't be selfish. I shouldn't be mad. I shouldn't be unhappy. You deserve to meet your mum." If only Emily could read minds. Things would be so much easier. Why had this become so complicated? It was so easy when she rehearsed this in front of the mirror. All Nika wanted to say was sorry, but her lips would move but nothing would be heard.

She rubbed her eyes in attempt to hold the tears back. She bit her lip and waited for her teeth to pierce a small rip in her gums. The blood tasted awful. "I-I..." That's all that came out before her voice went silent again. What happened to ever talkative Nika? The spaztic girl who was always the most cheerful little gryffie? Where had she gone? Why was she hiding? When would she come out? Nika tucked a strand of pink/red hair behind her ear. "I-I'm..." She couldn't say it. The words wouldn't come out. Why couldn't she talk? Was she going mute? No. She was just being a coward. She waited a while in the silence pondering whether it was the time to run away, but no. That would make her even more cowardly. She doesn't deserve to be a gryffindor. She had shown her inner lion on several occasions. Whether it was standing up for herself in front of a few mean snakes or her thirst for adventure. But now the simplest thing was too hard to face.

Her best friend.

"I... I can't do this." She turned away and looked back. This was her break. She could run, run for the bathroom and lock herself in a stall and never come out. This was her chance to get away. But her feet were like bricks. They were glued to the ground. No matter how hard Nika tried lifting them up and moving she wouldn't budge. What would Emily think of her now.

She was weak. She couldn't even face her best friend without wanting to hide. She just wanted to leave. Maybe to another planet where she could just start over again. Where she wouldn't have to face this much sadness or anger. Where emotions other than love didn't exist. Why was she stuck with all of this useless emotion. It only made her feel terrible.

Ariadne seemed to rezognize her, which was a huge relief. Viola smiled. "Yeah, I did go for a walk and I enjoyed it. Even though it was freezing cold. A snowball fight? That's awesome!" Viola exclaimed, with excitement. Yep. She loved snowball fights, although she always ended up catching a cold. What was she upto? "Huh. Nothing much, really. Busy with classes, homework and such. You?"

'I know, these Scottish winters are among the worst in the world. But I wouldn't really know, since winters in Yorkshire, where I live, are pretty much the same.' the young Gryffindor chuckled. 'Yeah, it was, but now all my clothes are dripping wet from the melted snow. I can't wait to sit in front of the fireplace and dry up a bit.' she replied dreamily, imagining the comforting heat from the Gryffindor common room. 'Me too, but I also did some research with a friend. She has a locket from her grandma which is closed and we're sure there's something special inside. We are looking for a way to open it.' Ariadne explained. 'And I've been on my very first trip to Hogsmeade. Did you go last time?' Ari asked Viola.

"Brilliant!" he exclaimed, giving Conan a very wide smile. Sword fighting sounded pretty cool, you know? And they may even practice during the summer, right? Summer...but they were in Hogwarts now. "Do you have a sword to practice with?" Treyen was assuming that the second year could only have a fake sword, of course, but the suits of armor have a couple they could borrow...

Oh, thank Gilderoy! He'd call Vindictus by a proper name. Good. Because Treyen didn't want the Flying Professor to take a whole bunch of points from them just for being called 'Flying dude' or something, then again, it may make him feel young...which wouldn't be too bad, right? Er, yeah, no, he wasn't letting Conan try that out. "That's better, actually, I only call him 'Professor'," he said, nodding, "'Professor Vindictus' if there are other professors around," but for Conan to remember the man's name was bound to be tricky, so, maybe just 'Professor' will suffice.

Conan shook his head, "Not here. I do at home though." He had a few. The were plastic. And they couldn't hurt you. Unless you threw them at someone. Really really hard. That would hurt.

He nodded, "Professor it is then." He could just call out Professor, and someone would come running. Yaaaay. Easier. "Who is your favourite one?"

Oh. "Well, we can either borrow some fake ones here at Hogwarts, or wait until summer, when you can teach me, yes?" either one of those options was good enough, except, Conan didn't need to know the part where the suits of armor will be provided with fewer swords, and those swords charmed as if not to harm you.

Conan didn't need to know.

Good. Professor. Treyen nodded in agreement and...he froze for a moment, the boy didn't know who he or she was. "Like, ever? Or from the current staff?" that was the most important question, one that will take his answer in a 180 turn.

He nodded, "We can do either. I don't mind." Just as long as they got to hang out he was happy. "The ones here would be awesome. We should do it when it is warm though." He didn't want to have to wear too many clothes.

"Well at the moment." Obviously. He didn't know any others. He had been here three years longer than Conan. So Treyen probably knew more people.

Hmmm. Either. It sounded like the suits of armor will have to lend them a couple of swords. No big deal, as long as no one found out. Then again, there was that little Ravenclaw first year that seemed to be wherever Treyen found himself in trouble, like that time in the armor corridor.

"Then we'll try to do it here, though, I don't mind waiting for summer," as in...Conan's home. "Why warm?" he asked, tilting his head to one side. Inside the Castle was warm enough, no?

Then Conan replied to his question. Right. Now. He nodded as he thought about it. His favorite from the whole staff was, without a doubt, Mr. Stryker, but he was not a Professor, even if he taught him one spell. Zookara had been top of the list before he started to talk about fairy tales. Vindictus, was, well, VINDICTUS! Incredibly awesome, and probably his first choice, until the Herbology lessons came along. McFusty seemed to be destined for greatness...in Treyen's list, that is. But...Lafay had taught him so much about Potions, and the class itself was one he enjoyed, most times. Bishop was definitely a favorite, regardless their rocky start.

Man! This was hard!

He eventually smiled, once he figured out the name his answer was going to carry out. "Hadley," he said, with one nod, "Professor Hadley, the Arithmancy one," and this was surprising, to Treyen at least, because he hated numbers.

Conan nodded, "Yes warm. I can't go outside in the cold." DUH! He thought Treyen knew that. That was why he was wrapped up in everything he owned. Almost. "And there can't be a lot of room inside to swordfight." There was barely any room to spin around.

Hadley? "I am doing Arithmancy next year. Because it has maths in it. And muggle studies." And another thing. He wasn't sure what the other thing was yet. He'd think about it though.

Wait. Was he missing something? "Does it have to be outside?" like, it was only meant to be practiced outside? Kendo didn't have to be practiced out of doors, nor fencing, really. But, yeah, Treyen didn't know. "Actually, there's one room that could be good for that," there was also the thing of being seen by a professor...and he didn't know how Hogwarts stood in regards to sword fighting.

He should've seen that one coming. Conan taking Arithmancy. Treyen smiled, "I'm not particularly fond of numbers, but she's an amazing professor," not to mention that she ought to be amazing for Treyen to still attend lessons involving something he didn't enjoy as much.

But he also had Kurumi in there.

"Good choices," he nodded, "I think Sierra will take Arithmancy too, I've seen her attend a couple lessons," but she'll be taking the class for sure next year, when she'll be able to do so officially, right?

"Well it can take up a lot of room. Have you never seen a movie with knights in?" Some of them took lots of room up. Even whole forests. Therefore there wasn't enough room in a corridor.

"I know lots about numbers. I am good at them," he smiled. So he would excel in at least one subject. That and muggle studies. He was a muggle.

He smiled, "Then I definitely will be taking it." Not that Sierra adjusted his position on maths. "I can't think of a third thing though."

Okay. No. Treyen knew about that, he's seen the Lord of the Rings movies as well, and there was sword fighting involved. But, it's not like they needed the grounds to practice. The WHOLE grounds. No.

He raised an eyebrow, "I don't think we'll need too much space, it's not like we're going to battle, or something," and there was some fighting done INSIDE places in other movies and stuff. Plus, Treyen was certain that the suits of armor could fight in the corridor if they were to become alive again.

Yes, that is why Treyen should've seen the Arithmancy relation sooner, because that would be a subject Conan would enjoy, correct? Correct! "Well, that's really good, you'll like the class, then...it also involves interpreting numbers, by the way," so, it's not just math.

Treyen returned his smile, but he had a feeling that Sierra didn't matter in this occasion, since he'd said he'd be adding the subject to his curriculum before Treyen had mentioned it. "Okay, so, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies...and...," well, he was biased towards Divination...BUT, "So, you have to choose between Ancient Runes and Divination if you want to take all three, but you don't have to if you don't want to. You could only take two." That was true, yet Treyen still chose all three.

Viola nodded, as she walked slowly with her hands shoved into her coat pockets. "Oh gosh. You must be freezing." Viola exclaimed, when she noticed Ari's drenched clothes for the first time. A locket, eh? Interesting. "Well, why doesn't your friend ask her grandma as to how to get the locket open?" Viola asked, curiously. If the grandma gave the locket, then she must know how to open it, right? Unless she didn't...Anyway. "Yeah, it was a lot of fun." Viola smiled at the memory. "How about you? Did you have a good time?"

Conan chuckled, "We could have a battle. With orcs and such." That would be exciting. It could be a battle of two armys. Or it could be Treyen and Conan against a big army. It would be epic. And Conan would be awesome.

He frowned for a moment, "Interpreting numbers?" Well that didn't make sense. You used numbers to interpret things, not the other way around. Crazy wizards.

"What's ancient runes or divination? And what about care of magical creatures?" Though he really didn't like the idea of magical creatures. They would probably try and eat him. If they existed at all. They probably just studied the myths.

Say what? "Er, no, no, no battles, I have to learn first," and he'd rather take out his wand than battle with a bunch of non-existing orcs with a sword. That wasn't for him. Plus, he truly wasn't the violent type. Unless provoked. And even then, he knew violence wasn't the answer.

And where were they going to get orcs in the first place?

OH. No, no, he'd said it wrong, right? "I mean, no, scratch what I said, I meant to say...interpret some things through numbers, as if you got a number 6 as your Life Path number and then you ought to interpret according to the number," both he and Kurumi knew that they shouldn't take numbers too literal, right? Interpretations needed to happen.

Same as Divination. Yet not exactly the same.

Wait a moment. He'd taken Care of Magical Creatures since his first year. How was that even possible? "Well, if you like animals, I think Magical Creatures would be a great option for you," did he, though? Because he didn't know how Conan was around any kind of animal.

"One branch of Divination is that of fortune telling, but it's much more than that," and he wasn't going to give Conan a lecture about Divination, that's what the class was for, "Ancient Runes...I don't really know...I don't read runes, and I don't take that class," but it could be good to learn the Runic alphabet. No?

Jonathan walked around the corridor and decided to just hang around here. Most students like to hang out here anyway and it's been awhile since he toured himself in school. Not that he needed to but seriously, ever since the term came all he has been doing is go to class and then go back to the common room. He needs to get out.

And so he did... He stopped and just stared at the blanket of snow that can be seen outside the courtyard. It was really pretty but seriously. The snow should go away already. Let spring come by. Winter is a nice weather for sleeping and cuddling with your bed sheets and pillows but it winter is just sooooooooooo COLD. Even with all the fur jackets and the scarves and all that bulky outfit, you will still feel the coldness...

He didn't bring his journal today, bummer. He should have but he's done looking at it anyway. The journal has a lot of DADA stuffs in it. Looking at it just makes him embarrassed for actually doing those stuffs he wold never imagine of doing. Where is Lord Borr anyway? Is he coming back for the term and actually teach the student or is he not coming back since he is busy slacking off with ministry work?

"What about after I have taught you?" Conan asked. Then they could play, and have giant imaginary fights in his back yard. He would actually have a friend in his back yard. That was exciting in itself. He would spend Easter tidying up his room. "My parents did say yes to you visiting by the way."

"Ohhhhh," he smiled. That made more sense. "Like astrology. They use things to interpret things." He wasn't sure what things were. But he had seen his Mom reading them.

He shook his head, "I don't really like animals." Unless they were fictional, and came in the oversized format. Generally with a person inside of them. "I think I will do Divination." That sounded quite interesting. Well better than Runes and Creatures.

'Oh, I don't mind the cold that much.' Ari replied simply. 'Still, a change of clothes and a few minutes by the fireplace will do me good.' she added. As most children her age, the young Gryffindor wasn't very preoccupied about health and other such issues. The possibility of getting a flu didn't even cross her mind.

'Good question. But it's not that easy. It can only be opened by her, and she must find out how on her own. Alas,who's to say I can't help her a bit?' Ariadne chuckled. 'Do you know any spells that might work?' Hey, it was worth a try. 'Yes, I did, but I didn't get the chance to go to the Three Broomsticks. Maybe next time.' the girl replied.

She felt so bad as the scilence kept going. Why coudn't they just talk like they used to? So what if things were changing? Emily still wanted to be friends with Nika, she had to understand that.

But then she said it. 'I carn't do this...' And she woudn't even look at her. "Carn't do what?" she said feeling herself going red. "Look at me?!" It probably sounded meaner than she meant it to, but she just wanted her friend to understand. To be there for her. And instead she wanted to be as far a way from her as possible. It was hardly making her feel better. She clenched her fists but refused to take her eyes off the back of her head. She may not look at her, but Emily would. Someone had to be the strong one... but at the moment Emily felt like it was neither of them.

Whaaaat? No, no, no battles. Really, Conan. "Heh, I think that would be too much violence for my taste, it's better if we just practice," plus, how exactly will they battle? Sure, against orcs and such, but...er...yeah...never mind. No battles.

His eyes were on Conan when he spoke next, "They did?" his smile widened even more, if possible, "Then that's awesome! I'll be spending part of my summer with you," and Muggles, and all the mechanical things Conan loved. Yeah, Treyen will have a good time.

Astrology? Sure, why not? Treyen nodded, sliiiiightly, "Yeah, sort of like Astrology, but not exactly like that," and please do not ask more, because he could mess things up with Arithmancy, and then Hadley would eye him funny for the rest of his time at Hogwarts. Wasn't that how all interpretations worked, though?

A smile was on his face again, "We'll take Divination together, then," that was kind of nice, as long as Conan wouldn't turn out like Ellie when she attended lessons. The very few she attended when Nolan was still here.

Nika knew she had to be brave and she had to face what she didn't want to even think about, but it was too hard for her to talk to Emily without wanting to cry. If only Emily was able to read her mind and know exactly what she felt. Even Nika didn't know what she was feeling. Not only was she regretting every word that she managed to say, but she was regretting the words that she wasn't saying. She took a few deep breaths hoping that Emily would leave. It would be easier if Emily was mad at her and never talked to her again. It would make it easier to let go.

She could almost feel Emily staring at the back of her head. It was as if it was burning a hole through her scalp. She knew her friend wasn't going to look down at her own feet like Nika did. It was a cowardice move, but she didn't know what else to do. Her feet were like a safe place. They guarded her from become even sadder. She tried to pick up her feet again, but they wouldn't budge. It was as if Emily's stare was keeping them glued to the ground.

That's when she knew she had to turn back around and face her best friend. Then when Emily broke the silence again she sounded angry. It was terrible. The only thing that Nika could manage to say made her friend angry. Nika bit her lip again and just wished to disappear. Disappear so that Emily couldn't be angry, disappear so that she didn't have to stand their like a silent idiot, and disappear so all of the sadness would too.

Nika turned her head slightly so that she was almost facing Emily, not with her body but with her head. She shook it softly and let out a small whimper. It's not that she couldn't look at Emily, it was that she was afraid too. She didn't want to have to realize what was going to be taken away from her. She wanted to live in a world where she didn't know the bad things that were going to happen. It's what kept her happy, not knowing. She opened her eyes and looked at Emily's for the first time. She only looked at her friend for a few mere seconds before breaking the eye contact.

That did it. Only a few seconds of their eyes meeting, it broke her. She had built such a strong wall around her tears, just to have it tumble down. After a few sniffles and a few warm tears making their way down her cheeks she looked up again and walked forward to give her friend a hug, before backing away slowly. She didn't want to hug her friend so suddenly, but it was an impulse if anything. It was going to bother her forever if her friend left without her getting a hug. She looked at Emily for a few more seconds before going back down to look at her feet.

That's it. Not even a word was uttered from her lips, yet that light hug said a dozen. She wanted to assure Emily that they were still going to be friends,yet she didn't know how to say it. Her lips wouldn't move, but her body did instead. She brought up a hand to wipe away her tears and then she stood there. Once more in the silence. Waiting for Emily to say something, waiting for the girl to react.

Arya sprinted out of the castle, and when feeling the chill of the winter air against her warm face, she sucked in a mouthful before releasing it dramatically. IT WAS SO STUFFY IN THE CASTLE. And she needed some fresh air. And to get away from all the students crowding the corridors.

Though she only had on her winter cloak and yellow beanie, she wasn't bothered by the cold air. Right now all she cared about was getting far away from her peers, and maybe near some water.

She paused, looked around while sucking in more air, and slowed her pace to a light carefree skip.

Normally Mia stayed inside the castle when it was winter, only venturing outside for classes but her pet puffeskin had been getting a little restless and she had decided to take him for a walk.

Of course it had been a very quick walk. It was too damn cold to stay outside for too long. So with Arnold sitting on her shoulder, Mia headed back towards the castle doing her best to stop the puffeskin from trying to eat the wax out of her ear.

Because she was distracted by this, she almost ran into someone who was heading outside. Mia looked at the person and recognising who it was, smiled brightly. "Hey Prefect Lovegoods! How you doing?"

Having abandoned doing her patrols when she walked out of the large doors, she didn't notice Mia until it was almost a little too late. Prefect Lovegoods, still sounded weird. Hehe. "Hey Mia!" She smiled widely in return, and gave the girl a hug that wouldn't jar the creature on her shoulder. "Doing much better now that I'm outside in the fresh air." She sucked up some of the winter air to prove it.

Student free! Except for Mia, but she was always welcomed around. And so was her puffeskin. Arya wiggled her fingers at the cute creature on Mia's shoulder. "I got one of those for my brother a few years back." She was surprised the thing was still alive. "How've you been?"