Her smile grew a little bit when Danny returned the smile, the slight movement beside her as he laid his head on her shoulder was such a natural one to her, she hardly would have noticed had her gaze not been on him. It was easier to look at her cousin and think about him, than think about how soon the future was coming. Taking the arm closest to her, Katie wrapped her own around his. A rather amused look crossing her face briefly when he moved a lock of her unruly curls, such a usual and gentle motion from the young man beside her.

Danny Edwards, although still rather small in size, was indeed a young man. Just a man, Legend would argue. And it was amazing to think that, he was right. They weren't little kids anymore, where they? None of them. Unfortunately, not one of them had escaped the aging process of becoming a teenager, and now.. adults? They were adults. Even Orlando and Danny were of age.

No matter how much she tried not to think about it, she was thinking about it. Playing with Danny's hand in her own ungloved hand, her dark eyes blinked in slight surprise when he spoke. Not because he was talking, but rather because of what he said. As unexpected as being told she was graduating soon seemed, it was being told outloud that she was going to be missed, that caught her offguard. Katie had froze for a second, the beginning of term feast and Lando trying to say goodbye to her already threatening to replay in her mind. "I am," Finally, the girl- young woman, agreed in the same soft tone. She was graduating soon, yes. "You're going to miss me? Why would you do that? How would you do that? You won't get rid of me that easily, you know." Katie gave his hand a slight, assuring squeeze. Leaning her head gently against his for a moment as she thought, staring blankly ahead. "There's still christmas at Grandma Angelina and Grandpa Carl's, and.. I'll just have to talk to my people and arrange it so I can come to Hogsmeade weekends!" Her tone cheered up a little bit toward the end, a her fading smile returning. Her people. That sounded so much like the Katie from ten years ago, claiming herself to be a future queen! "I can't just leave you and Lando here without checking up on you guys, now can I?"

Danny couldn't be more at ease as Katie hooked her arm through his. She began playing with his hand absentmindedly and it dawned on him that he was not the only one with their head in the clouds. Katie playing with his hand only relaxed him further and a serene smile fell onto his face. This was the life.

A light blush began to heat up his cheeks at her questions and he was grateful that Katie could not see his face fully. "You're right. I'll see you at Grandma Angelina's, but I won't be seeing you here anymore." he replied quietly. He then let out a chuckle making his head bounce on her shoulder. She was going to have to talk to her people. Another chuckle escaped his lips. "Always the queen." he said to himself out loud.

A comfortable silence fell upon them and Danny's mind began to wander again. It was going to be so different next year. He wondered what Katie was going to do. So he asked her. "What do you think you are going to do after you graduate? You are still going to be living with Aunt Raine right?" he didn't think she would move out so soon, but what if she did? What if she moved too far for him to visit? What if this was the last time he ever saw her? His big brown eyes shut slowly, trying to stop the crazy scenarios from taking over his mind.

Harper entered the courtyard at a very hyper pace. In fact, she was skipping. She clung tightly onto her schoolbag in one hand and her pygmy puff Pretzel in her other. There was no way he was getting lost again.

She eyed a bench on the side and skipped over to it, humming loudly. She felt so hyper and impatient and anxious. She sat with her foot wiggling back and forth, her leg crossed over the other one.

Still humming, she set her pygmy puff on the bench beside her, patting him lightly on his head. Harper was certain she could keep an eye on him when he was this close. It was impossible not to...right? She should put a sensor on him connected to a GPS.

She looked up at the sky, still humming (it had switched to Jingle Bells) and watched the clouds.

'But we won't let that happen again. Friends come first.' WHAAAAT? When had Ari changed so much? A few month ago, she would have declared that education and housepoints would come before everything. Hehe, how big an influence Hogwarts had on people...

Ariadne laughed. 'Yeah, I also went there for sweets. But also stationery. And I thought there would still be ruins of the Shrieking Shack but in fact there wasn't much to see. I haven't been to the Three Broomsticks yet. Is it as great as most students say?' she asked her friend. 'I hope we'll get to the bottom of this very soon. The ministry professors are crazy anyway, we can't afford Hogwarts professors going mental as well.' Ari sighed, thinking about Vindictus.

'Sure, perfect! Put them on.' the girl laughed at how that sounded. Put them on. As if they were socks, or something like that. 'I think we need a carrot for the nose. I'll go to the kitchen for that, I'll be right back! See if you can find anything else in the meantime.' The firstie ran as fast as she could and returned in no time, with a carrot in her hand. She sticked the vegetable on the snowman's face and grinned broadly.

Marie felt like she was melting into Matty when he put his arms around her. It still didn't stop the tears from falling. "How can you be so sure about that? You can't guarantee that I won't be getting another letter from your uncle telling me you've been hurt again... or worse..." Wiping away some of her tears she looked into his eyes. "Matty, I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you." Just the thought of him not coming back to her made her feel sick to her stomach.

Ariella made her way outside, eager for some fresh air. Even though it was extremely cold outside, she needed to get out of the stuffy castle. She sat down in the courtyard, her journal in hand. Outside was her favorite place to write her songs. There were birds, trees, clouds, and other people mingling around to give her inspiration.

She scribbled down a few lyrics and then took a break to stare at the sky. She shivered, wrapping her scarf tighter around her neck. Then she remembered her DADA Assignment. Might as well get some more stretching done.

She sat down on the ground, stretching her toes out. She leaned her arms down, reaching as far as she could. Since she was a dancer, she could easily touch the heels of her feet. Ariella breathed in and then did some arm stretches. It felt good to stretch her long limbs.

*Leaning down and kissing her cheeks where her tears had been he gave her a warm smile.*
"My beautiful Marie... You wont be getting anymore letters like that again. I promise... because you will never ever lose me."
*Kissing her forehead then resting his on hers he smiled.*
"Your stuck with me now... hope that's okay."

"You know, this is one promise I expect you to NEVER break." It still didn't make her feel much better about the idea of him going off to battle and not finish school, but it was something for her to hold onto while he was gone.

Was it okay that she was stuck with him now? "It's more than okay. I kinda want to keep you forever."

*Matty smiled and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. Forever? He somehow liked the sound of that very much. She had become a part of himself, if that part was taken away he would not work anymore. Just like a broken machine or something.*
"I like that... feeling better now?"

Cove was walking around in the cold and had made her way to the court yard. She was taking pictures all of the school hiding the magic of each spot. She saw a girl stretching on the ground she looked so graceful like a dancer. "Excuse me, may I take a picture of you stretching? It's so graceful it'll look beautiful when it's developed." Cove asked the girl. "Sorry, I'm Cove Brett."

Marie hugged Matty really tight not wanting to let go of him right now. She felt comfortable and warm in his arms. She knew they couldn't stay out there forever. She was starting to feel just how cold it really was sitting there... in the snow.

Hearing him say he liked the idea of her keeping him forever brought a smile to her face. "Good because really, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you." Leaning over she gave him a kiss and squeezed him some more. "I'm feeling a little better... can we talk about something else though?" Something less depressing... something like going in and getting some hot chocolate and warming up. Her bum was rather cold sitting there.

"I feel the same about you..."
*Giving her a light kiss back he smiled. Standing up slowly Matty helped her up. Looking around he saw that it was starting to snow.*
"Mind if we go in for a cup of tea or something?"

Danny had a point, and Katie had known that was mostily what he had meant. She wouldn't be at Hogwarts anymore. Not unless for some reason she had to march herself back, straight through the great castle doors, to handle some situation that involved her last two boys left. Never mind both Danny and Orlando were already of age and more than capable of taking care of themselves, that never even crossed her mind. Not that she doubted them or their abilities at all. It was just.. the grizzly bear in her. "It'll be quiet that way, though. You and Lando will get one whole year of not hearing Legend and I shouting at each other." Katie commented rather seriously, an amused little smile growing on her lips. Only a year. After that, there would be plenty of visits and gatherings, surely. And some things, they would never change. Including her and Legend's inability to communicate like two sane human beings.

Shifting the tiniest bit to lean her head against the wall, dark eyes glancing up at the winter sky, a small laugh escaped the seventh year when her cousin chuckled. "Always!" Katie repeated happily, resisting the urge to add that he could let Legend know he agreed that she was the royal one. "And I do have people, honestly." Even if Gabe wouldn't play along anymore like he had when he was five, she still did. As for after school? "I'm going to go into some intense figure skating training, and after that there will be competitions. Did I tell you, Hunter's out? Monique's brother, Carter skates and as of the end of last summer he's my new partner." Katie informed him matter-of-factly, not letting herself think any further than that of last summer. She was glad to have Carter now, instead of Hunter. That much was for sure. "And eventually, the long-term goal is to make it to the olympics. But for now, I will still be living at home when I'm not practically living at the ice rink."

And she couldn't really live at the ice rink. It would be too cold to sleep there. "What about you, do you have any ideas what you want to do with your future?" Katie asked, while pancaking his hand with both of hers after fishing her other out of her coat pocket. She was sure, if Aunt Silvia were here, she would not want to even think about Danny's future after school. Never mind discuss it. Because that meant he was really growing up.

Dani moved quickly round and round the courtyard- she loved to just walk, it cleared her mind. It was her birthday soon and she was way beyond excited. So excited- she loved her birthdays! Well, she'd love them even more now as her presents and everything would actually be thought about, as opposed to something her Mum had seen in an expensive designer boutique and just assumed she'd like because she didn't really know her.

She sighed as she eventually found a little ledge to sit in, she swung her legs as she sat in one, pulling out her sketchbook to try and draw something. There had to be something, she looked up and just decided on the building. It really was pretty she had to admit.

Walking at the courtyard, letter from Camellia at hand, she felt extremely happy for her sister. She had just gotten in the ministry to work as a junior rnager in the environmental department and she was happy for Camellia, really. Camellia had been a little down and bored waiting to see if she got in or not.

Wait a second, junior ranger? Environmental department? What KIND of work exactly will her sister be doing there? She took a mental note to ask someone knowledgeable about this...or write back to her sister-she didn't want Camellia to do a dangerous job...but she wondered, why her mom or her dad didn't take any action on it...so that must mean it is a safe job if they didn't take any action on it.

She looked up from the letter she was holding to the path she was walking in when she saw Dani, pacing about in the courtyard. A smile was on her face and she hurried behind Dani. "Hi Big sis!" she called out enthusiastically.

"Hi, little sis!" Dani giggled as she hugged her- "How is everything?" she asked with a big smile as she continued her little sketch of the building around them. "What do you think?" she asked Heather as she moved the book so that she could see the already rather intricate drawing. This was what she'd taken to when her parents had been fighting or just not there. She'd drawn. A lot.

Heather hugged Dani back when she hugged the girl. It was good to see Dani again, really. "I'm good, big sis. Been a little too busy, but I'm really happy." partly because she's really feeling well and that she's happy for her sister, Camellia. She folded Camellia's letter and put it back i her pocket and went to look at Dani's drawing.

It was really good and she was awed by such skills Dani possessed. "Wow, big sis, this is beautiful." she commented at the work of art right before her eyes. "You're so good!"

Holding Matty's hand Marie stood up then brushed the snow off her backside only to find there was no snow, just a huge wet spot. No wonder her bum was so cold. "I don't mind at all." Although hot chocolate would be her drink of choice, not tea. "I think I better make a trip to my common room first though so I can get into some dry clothes." She didn't much care to be sitting in wet clothes now that she knew they were wet.

Nika smiled and nodded. Friends do come first, always. Nika was glad that she was even able to make a lot of friends at Hogwarts. At home where she used to go to school she was an outsider. She didn't have many friends because she was labeled as the "weird girl". Kids judged her easily because of the weird things that kept happening around her. But it wasn't her fault. She was "weird" and she was "different" but at Hogwarts everyone is. She finally found a place where she belongs and now that she had true friends she would always stick by them towards the very end.

Nika smiled enthusiastically. Honeydukes was the best. Even though the only thing she got from the sweet shop was chocolate frogs, they were amazing. Too bad they don't have them where Nika lives. She'd buy some everyday. "The three broomsticks..." She repeated slowly. Which one was that again? RIGHT BUTTERBEER! Nika's eyes suddenly grew bigger as she beamed. "The Three Broomsticks is the best! Well I've only had the butterbeer, but it's amazing!" She said with a mad grin. Butterbeer was the perfect drink for Nika. Nice, sweet, and warm. YUM.

Nika put the two rocks on the snow man's head as she waited for Ari to come back with a carrot. She thought it'd take a while considering the first year would have to run into the castle and all, but really the girl was back in no time at all! "Wow your fast!" She commented as Ari returned. "It's perfect!" No to find something for the mouth....

Septimus entered the courtyard and took in a breath of fresh air. He spotted a bench with only one person on it and moved to sit down.

"Hi," he said, eyeing the small pygmy puff in the girl's bag, which looked as though it were ready to jump out at him any minute. "Mind if I sit here with you?"

*Letting out a chuckle Matty looked over a smirked. Thankfully his clothes were fine so he could just wait for her.*
"Sounds like a good idea. Bum colds are so very hard to get better from."
*Still holding her hand they walked into the nice warm castle for tea/hot chocolate.*

Harper's humming stopped abruptly as someone sat down next to her on the bench. She turned, tilting her head at the stranger.

"Hello there," she smiled cheerfully. "Oh not at all, I'd be utterly and absolutely abundantly delighted." She bounced up and down in place for a moment. "I'm Harper, by the way. Harper Crickette. Annnnnddd this here -" she poked at the pygmy puff. "...is Pretzel. He likes to get lost."

Harper gave Pretzel a warning glare. He'd better not try anything in the midst of new company.

Dani smiled widely at Heather, she was lovely, truly sweet! "Yeah, I know the feeling sweetie" she smiled widely before adding a few finishing touches to the picture and sighing contentedly. Sh eturned and looked at whatever Heather had put into her pocket- "Ooh, love letter?" she smirked as she waggled her perfect eyebrows a little and smiled warmly.

"Oh, thank you lil' sis!" she said softly, blushing a little- she loved being complimented, and up until a few years ago, that hadn't been a regular occurance in her life. "I'm sure I'm not amazing, but I practice hard- that's the key. Practice- it makes perfect" she smirked a little as she watched Heather.

During the slightly long pause, Ariadne wondered what Nika was thinking about. Maybe her sudden outburst about friendship sounded too pompous or too much of a cliche.But then Nika nodded. No need to worry. 'Now I feel sorry I didn't get the chance to go there.' Ari sighed when she saw how enthusiastic her friend got about the Three Broomsticks and butterbeer. 'Do you have any idea when the next weekend to Hogsmeade will be?' Ariadne asked.

When she returned from the kitchen, still out of breath, the girl smiled at Nika's comment about being quick. 'Do you think this counts as running for Borr's DADA assignment? I won't be running like this anytime soon.' she chuckled. 'Aha! Look, I think we can use these twigs as hands.' Ari improvised. 'And this still leaves us...in search for a mouth.' she concluded. 'Maybe we can put an enchantment on this snowman, make him special. I used to build a lot of these back home with my Muggle friends, but this one should be different, since we're at Hogwarts. What do you think?'

"Honest, big sis...you're really great...that must mean...you practice a lot then?" Heather naively asked. Dani was such an artist. She was really glad and-Wait, wait, wait. Love letter? Heather blushed.

"N-no...No...no....it's a letter from my...my older sister." Glad that Heather had finally put into her system to consider Camellia (even though Adopted) was her sister. "She's got really great news." really great.