Kurumi closed her eyes for a moment when he touched her face again, brushing her bangs that she had decided to bring forward to the side. His touch was always warm...comforting...it helped her relax.

But, she couldn't distract herself right now, not when there were more serious things to talk about. She entwined her fingers in his again and looked at their hands. Her pale skin against his. It felt...right. Jonathan seemed to be acting like nothing really terrible had happened, so perhaps there was nothing for her to really worry about?

Wait, the Adam talk was something that should come AFTER she brought up what she had heard from Heather. "I heard something...from Heather...about you and Cass..." she bit her bottom lip. She had no clue that they had been together, which was odd to her since Jonathan or Cass had never mentioned it to her. Wasn't that something that should have been brought up? The whole I am seeing someone? "Is it true that you...you..." But she couldn't finish her thought. She felt terrible about it all and squeezed his hand, turning her head down towards the ground.

Jonathan waited for her to speak but he's anticipating that this will be quite serious since she looks like she really need to talk about it. If it's about Adam then there should be nothing to be worried about. Pfffttt.

Adam, whether or not he accept Jonathan's friendship, he's still relieved that he's willing to make a step of getting to know him or whatever that means.

But hearing that name Jonathan frowned, he looked away and rolled his eyes. Not again. Seriously, has this become a serious rumor already. He looked at Kurumi. He's not really hiding anything if she wants a clear confrontation about it. "what?" he said. This topic has been getting really annoying lately. It makes the Cupid Shuffle seemed more interesting to talk to.

EEK! Jonathan seemed to be really annoyed by this choice of topic, which could mean that he had in fact done something wrong or that this entire thing had been blown out of the water. Either way, she could tell that the sudden darkness that surrounded Jonathan was one where she needed to tread lightly.

She took a deep breath. "I heard that you were already dating her when...when we starting getting close and that you...broke up with her to be with me..." The Jonathan she knew didn't seem to be one that would jump from girl to girl as often as he changed his socks just because he fancied wearing poka dots as opposed to stripes one day, but Cass was a friend of sorts. The girls were not particularly close, but Kurumi didn't want people to think poorly of her or, more importantly, of Jonathan.

Aaron spun around, liking the feel of his school robes twirling along. He had finally taken his monster suit off, it smelled horrible and looked even dirtier, especially the tail that was dragged around behind him the entire time.
He hopped from tile to tile, almost falling onto his face as he did so. Aaron held on to the muffins in his arms carefully, he had just made a successful trip to the kitchens and would hate to disappoint the elves by dropping their delicious food. Even if he'd probably still eat it..
He sat down against a wall and munched on one of his muffins, completely unaware of anyone else in the corridor.

'I really should send mum a letter, tell her I have a total of 17 points now.' He spoke to himself, mouth full of muffin. 'Best year I've ever had, so far.'

Aaron knew that 17 points wasn't a great achievement, but his parents didn't know... He smiled to himself as he took another bite of his muffin.

'I really must thank them. These muffins are delishhhh!'

Okay they could take this topic little by little. There is no rushing in this. Jonathan stared at her for a moment when she said those. Jonathan cleared his throat. After all, this was not really interesting-- at least to him that is. Jonathan folded his arm and leaned on the wall.

"Broke up?" he scoffed. "we weren't even exclusive to begin with." he added. No offense though, Cass is a wonderful person and yes, it was stupid of him not to tell her anything but come on, were they really a couple? The term wasn't really breaking up if Jonathan was never her boyfriend, right? Or did he miss something in between?

"I dated her once in the summer." Jonathan admits that. Wow. He should really hear the other side of story because last time he confronted her, there was not much info. "Keep going Kurumi. What else did she say?"

Kurumi's heart was racing now, especially when he pulled his hand away to lean against the wall. Stop it Kurumi. Stop over thinking his movements and just listen. Which is what she tried to do, but she still took note of his body language.

She wanted to smile a bit when he scoffed, but she couldn't allow herself to do that, not yet. "She...seemed to be under the impression that you two were..." she trailed off, not wanting to say the word. She pulled her legs up and hugged them to her chest, choosing not to lean against the wall as he had chosen to do.

So...they had dated. Sort of. "Was that...this past summer?" Like, the summer she had been gone all of. She certainly hadn't been given any indication that Jonathan was with someone when they met on the platform and were about to get on the Hogwarts Express.

She shook her head. "She...really didn't say much else...other than Cass was really upset about it and...I feel sort of terrible about that..." She hugged her knees tighter and rested her chin on her knees.

Under the impression? Jonathan cocked an eyebrow. "I didn't know." he shrugged. "we never kissed... never held hands... never cuddle... never hug..." so how and where did she get the impression they were a couple in the first place? Was he really missing something from this puzzle because yeah, he really seem confused right now.

Jonathan nodded. "This summer. First week." just after Jonathan came home. Then after that, the carnival was already in town and he partnered with Kurumi, then the train station. And well, now here. "I never really thought there was a label." which is odd. Jonathan was just awkward around Cass that summer.

"Cass and I already talked about it." like adults or at least civilized people. "Is there more that needs some explaining to do... Princess?" he smiled. He should at least crack a smile. He needs to stop worrying about this situation. He doesn't like it when he's angry especially in front of Kurumi.

Kurumi sat very still as Jonathan continued to explain things. She found herself understanding where Cass was coming from. She had been there, all last year, with her relationship with Treyen. Misunderstanding gestures, looks, intentions. It seemed, at least from the aura Jonathan was giving off, that he had never been really serious about her, but he hadn't been playing with her either. It had just been...a mistake...

She nodded when he was done, but her body went a bit rigid when he forced himself to smile and called her princess. No, the forced smile was what surprised her the most. He didn't have to try and cover things up. It was alright for him to show what he was feeling - even if it wasn't showing his best side.

So, he hadn't labeled them...he and Cass that is, but he had clearly put a label on her and him, right? She peeked up at him and bit her lower lip. Her lack in self confidence was coming out again in spades. "W-What...made you change your mind?" To her that is. Kurumi was plain, mousy, and...well...rubbish when it came to boys. "TO...you know...not pursue it..."

Awkward...awkward...awkward...

Yeah there was awfully a lot of silent going on and Jonathan didn't want it to go on for one bit but he can't really say much since their topic was not very much that interesting to him. Jonathan just thought that at least now, he got confront it with Kurumi, he was eventually going to tell her since he noticed that Cass and her were friends. He was just somehow finding the right time and he wasn't expecting to tell her now.

He felt relieved of that. Although he still is worried, he doesn't know why. Maybe it's just nerves and his bad mood all clashed into one. Jonathan needs to shake that one off. He stretched his fingers and tried cracking them one by one.

Jonathan smiled this time when the question popped. He looked at Kurumi "I can't really explain why I changed. But it's just that everytime i see you i just..." well right now, he can't explain anything. "... i don't know. I just don't want the day to end when I'm with you." he laughed softly. Which explains why after the carnival, Jonathan couldn't really wait to go back to school. And he's usually not that excited to go back to school. Oh here we go again. Back to where it all began. Winter, awkward silent, giggle, blush. It's happening again. Maybe there were things that really are explainable.

Kurumi allowed her gaze to be captivated by Jonathan's again when he looked at her and her grip around her knees loosened a bit. Her feet slowly dangled off the edge of the pillar they were sitting on and her shoulders relaxed. A small smile tickled the corners of her lips as Jonathan attempted to and failed to explain what all had happened within him that had caused the change. One thing that she found mysterious and intriguing about him was how simply he spoke. He was blunt and to the point, sometimes too much so when she wanted more details, but she could hardly fault him for that.

She, the one who had lost points this term for talking too much about house elves.

She turned away for a moment and covered her cheeks with her hands. She peeked back at him through her bangs that had fallen in front of her face again and saw...that he was blushing? She giggled a little. "I...feel the same way," she said in a soft voice, hands still on her cheeks.

Any concerns or worries she had had about whatever had been were gone now. Unless...now Jonathan had questions for her. She simply sat in silence, kicking her feet playfully and continued to try and cover her blushing cheeks with her hands.

Jonathan shook off all the negative mood from earlier and just tried to calm down. This was not the time to really get upset about. Although if more questions are asked then Jonathan will twitch. Enough is enough right. It was a mistake. He was sorry, he meant it. Good? Okay. Next topic.

Jonathan brushed his bangs again as Kurumi replied. He smiled. She always does make him smile. It was something she has always liked about her. He took her hand that was apparently stuck on her cheek and held it. Kurumi was still shy about these things is she? Jonathan was getting more used to it little by little already.

Then it got silent for awhile again. It seemed like the conversation is over. Since she just wanted that to confirm. About him and Cass. That's just about it right? Well, Jonathan is relieved that he did say what he has to say. Not holding anything back.

Speaking of which, "Kurumi..." he broke the silence "Adam talked to me the other day." not too long ago too. It was weird to begin with. Jonathan doesn't even know how to start the conversation with this one. Jonathan couldn't figure out the Gryffindor boy though.

Kurumi felt her heart race for multiple reasons, mostly triggered by him taking her hand, but everything that had played out just now certainly had a major influence on her heart. She could tell that he was bother by this topic and might snap if more was said on the matter, but she was still glad she had asked. She hadn't always been the best of hearing both sides of the story in the past, so this was a big baby step towards the direction of being a more understanding person and that made her smile. Jonathan's hand on hers made her blush.

"I'm sorry to have brought that up so suddenly," she said with a small bow of the head. "I just needed to hear your side of things..." Because what he had to say on it was really important. Granted, this may have subconsciously been a test of his character too. Would be be honest with her and tell about it, or would he avoid the subject. "So...thank you..." She scooted just a little closer to him and was about to rest her head on his shoulder when...

o___________________________O

HE DID WHAT? Kurumi's heart was racing now for all the wrong reasons and her complexion went white, jaw hanging slightly as she looked up at him. Wait wait wait...had Jonathan sought him out or was it the other way around? From his wording, it seemed like Adam was the one to have approached him and it made Kurumi's stomach tie in knots. What was he thinking?! Was this about what had happened at the suits of armor the other day? Her eyes widened a bit more and she took a deep breath, mostly to prevent herself from shaking, and then looked up into Jonathan's almond eyes. "H-H-He did?" She scooted even closer to the Slytherin now.

Dash smirked. Alright, Fina was probably not the best person to mess with. He had forgotten, she was too logical. Far too logical. "You realize...that I really don't care...right Josephina?" He asked with an actual smile. Dash had never been good at sports. He really only routed for Slytherin because...it was, and would always be his house.

"Never realized that. If I had know I wouldn't even have assigned homework. Really, children are so needy." They needed him to mark their homework. They needed him to teach them. They needed him to help when bigger children tried to beat them up. When would it stop?

Jonathan shook his head. "Don't worry. I guess you needed to hear that story." he said. This term was probably the most dramatic he has ever had. It wouldn't have been that dramatic if people stopped running around and talking about it. This story-- the one that Heather had told Kurumi-- just smacked Jonathan in the face. He didn't even know that side of the story. All he knew was that Cass was just upset about it. Odd. "I was going to tell you eventually." he looked at her with his hand locked on hers. "So, I'm sorry. For not telling you a little bit earlier" and besides, Kurumi might have fainted if he was too direct with it , right?

Jonathan laughed. She looked so amusing right now. Jonathan knows that a million things is running on her mind now but still, there was nothing to be really worried about. Jonathan just wants to know if Adam had said anything to Kurumi yet--- which by the looks of it, he hasn't YET. Guess Jonathan will be filling in most of the details.

He tapped her head... Whoah! it's been awhile since he last had done that. "Yup. He did." his smile grew wider this time. Well nothing really sorta happened, right? They just somehow talked and exchange notes about stuffs... awkward stuffs. "Guy talk... we're not telling you." he teased. He's still willing to tell though.

Kurumi shook her head a bit. Jonathan didn't really need to apologize for it. In fact, had she known about all this, she may have acted differently around him and they wouldn't be where they were now. And THAT was something she wasn't really sorry for. "Mmmmh, thank you for being honest," she blushed, resting her head temporarily on his shoulder. "It really means a lot to me."

Drama avoided was always a good thing. So far, despite being a prefect, this term had been the one least filled with drama and it felt wonderful. Sure there was THAT whole issue with her slapping Adam at the opening feast, but he seemed to be the only source of drama for her right now, and that was something that could be avoidable.

...

Or not. Not now that he was trying to offer Jonathan an olive branch or whatever he was trying to do.

She flinched a bit when he petted her head. Surprisingly, she had missed that gesture. She had even forgotten that that was something Adam used to do, it had become a Jonathan movement. Jonathan was smiling though...was that a good thing or a bad thing? "Jonathan...what did he say?" she asked slowly, glancing at his hand that was wrapped around hers, protecting her. Yeah, his smile usually made her go a little weak in the knees, but she wasn't letting him get off easily right now.

It wasn't really much of a secret to Jonathan. He is very straight-forward with situations since he doesn't like to gossip.And it does mean alot to him too knowing that Kurumi trusted him with it. She didn't even react the much when all Jonathan did was react. So that really calmed him down. Jonathan scooted near to her so that she can rest on his shoulders comfortably.

Jonathan smiled when Kurumi asked the one question he is expecting. He looked at her and cocked an eyebrow but a smiled was still stuck on his face. Jonathan was seriously going to laugh if she keeps on worrying like this. Nothing really happened. Maybe, she thought there was something that happened. "hmmm... Like i said, guy talk." he wrinkled his nose "no need to know." he winked at her. Yeah, it is sort of a guy talk and Jonathan liked teasing Kurumi.

Kurumi let out a silent sigh and leaned fully on his shoulder now. Jonathan had a way of driving her insane sometimes. That wasn't always a bad thing, in face Kurumi enjoyed his playful teasing as it made things fit more into a perspective. They could be serious when they needed to be, but playful other times. Kurumi was always so serious. Was was serious enough for the two of them in fact. But she pushed these thoughts to the side for a moment. Instead, she removed her hand from his and tucked it under his arm, pulling herself just a little closer so that her neck didn't have to strain to find his shoulder - even though he was slouching a bit.

"You are...too tall, you know that," she laughed, momentarily distracting herself from the more serious conversation. Right, they were talking about guy talk - whatever that entailed. The Slytherin boy in front of her, her favorite sugar cookie (hehe), didn't seemed bothered by what had happened at all, which both put her at ease and made her stomach tie in even tighter knots. "As long as he didn't say or do anything....weird...then I guess I just have to accept that answer," she laughed softly before a frown appeared on her lips. "He...makes me nervous...Adam..." She hugged his arm a little tighter. Finally, when things seemed to be going in a good direction, he was trying to weasel his way in.

Too tall? Jonathan looked at Kurumi and laughed. Oh yeah, Jonathan's shoulder was way above her neck and he didn't really notice that. Jonathan slouched a bit more as he just hugged his knees instead. "Better?" yeah, now she can definitely rest her head on his shoulder.

His mother did notice the sudden changes in Jonathan's height since last year. Maybe that's why she bought new suits for him. He's growing tall so fast. Jonathan looked normal--well to him he looked normal and he didn't really that much change in the past year, except his hair that is. He doesn't eat as much too ever since the house elves at Hogwarts decided not to clean the utensils.

Oh right, back to the Adam topic. Jonathan wasn't worried that much as long as he doesn't intrude on anything like he promised. And weird was definitely something to described their conversation. It had a lot of weirdness and awkward topics combined into one. Jonathan barely spoke the whole time. Adam simply supplied all the talking for the two.

But then he immediately turned his head to her "What do you mean?" he asked. Makes her nervous? In what way? Aren't they friends? Why would he make her nervous?

She lifted her head for a moment as Jonathan readjusted his position. When he had finally settled, she rested her head back on his shoulder, wrapping her arm around his again. Maybe she was just short? Petite was certainly a word to describe her and it was probably funny for some people to see her and Jonathan together, her coming just up to his shoulder and all. Maybe she should take a growing potion or something?

She took a deep breath. "I'm scared he is going to try and do something...something to try and...take me away from you," she whispered. Merlin, she probably sounded ridiculous and naive. Jonathan knew the story, well, most of the story at least, and he knew just how hurt she had been when he just packed up and left - leaving her in pieces. Then he came back expecting things to have not changed at all. Kurumi was feeling insanely insecure all of a sudden and she was showing it in her body posture, hugging his arm like it was a life line. "He was my first friend ever...so of course there will always be something there between us...but...it's nothing like what I feel now, for you." She was blushing now like a rose in spring. She felt so awkward right now. Awkward and happy all at the same time. She lifted her head for a moment to look at him, her violet eyes once again getting lost in his.

Yeah, sorry that she came with so much awkward and complicated bagage Jonathan.

Jonathan laughed. It should be the other way around. "you're scared about that?" come one Kurumi. Act like a Gryffindor. Adam's just upset, it'll pass-- probably. Sooner or later he'll definitely find a girl perfect for him. And here, Jonathan hopes the girl could talk... a lot. Well, certainly Adam should move on. Jonathan felt silent after laughing. "Well, I'm not." he said as he looked at her.

Then the topic had become more serious. Again. Jonathan listened while she was talking. Usually when the atmosphere was like this, he gets so quiet. He's not mad or anything. It's just that it's more of a force of habits. Nothing more.

Sigh. Adam. "well i hope the friendship will last forever" he smiled as swayed from left to right with his slouching position.

o_______O

Jonathan was laughing? Why was he laughing? "Y-Y-You...aren't?" Then it made sense. He wasn't worried about it at all, but which part? Not worried about Adam doing something or.... She blushed, a lot, and leaned up as best she could to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. At least one of them was confident, right?

She didn't really know how to respond to what Jonathan said, other than a weak smile. Friends forever...that was going to be a bit complicated since Kurumi didn't trust Adam much anymore. He still needed to do a lot to earn back her trust, but perhaps what the Slytherin beside her was telling her was that it was about time to allow him to do so? She'd have to think about that.

"You know, when you talk like that you sound more like a Hufflepuff than a Slytherin," she teased, touching her index finger to his nose to tease him.

Sierra left the pathways and headed back up toward the castle. She only needed one picture for her Potions assignment, and seeing as she'd done the bare minimum (which was, in her opinion, the only way to do things), she was done for the day. Now she could develop her picture and be done with this assignment, as well. She loved Potions, ...but homework? Not so much.

She stepped onto the corridor to the courtyard and headed in the direction of the dungeons. She'd been absentmindedly thinking of something they'd discussed at Quidditch practice when she heard an all-too-familiar voice. She glanced up (though a considerable distance away) and caught the tail end of what looked like a moment between Hollingberry and Kim.

Now this was just too good to pass up! Sierra edged herself alongside a column, raised her camera, and...

*click*

Heh. Time to move on now. She hid her camera by her side as she nonchalantly passed the two on the way out.

Oh right ... of course he didn't care .... he wouldn't be Dash, if he cared. He wouldn't be a Slytherin if he cared. Slytherins were never terribly caring or genuine in nature. That was the job of the Hufflepuffs. To be overly welcoming to those poor fallen souls, who needed picking up, after the Slytherins bullies pushed them down. "Of course I realize that ..." She quipped, even if it had been five minutes later that she realized it.

"Well who did you expect to mark the assigned homework? The school thestrals?" She asked, shaking her head at him. Honestly. "Their not needy.... but that's part of our job, isn't it? To teach them?" That's the impression she had been under anyway, when she took a teaching job.

"Sure you did." He would let her keep her pride. It was after all the only thing that Hufflepuffs had after all, was it not? At least that's what Dash thought. But he didn't hate Hufflepuffs. He found them to be quite interesting. At least his sister and the ones he had gone to school with were.

He had no clue about the Puff students now.

He waved off her comments completely. Merlin this woman took everything to heart. A simple statement and she blew up over it. "Why yes, that would be quite nice. Giving the Thestrals something else to do in their free time." He said his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I guess that is part of our job." Of course it was. But she obviously didn't seem to get his humour. Which really shouldn't have surprised Dash. She was never able to.

"So, how long have you been teaching?" Since when was it Josephina's dream to shape the minds of children?

Minerva decided to try to get some fresh air and clear her head. She was overwhelmed with school work and her friends. She just needed to take a walk.