"Mer...mercy....." Er, Tori did not know that word. "Well that's not honorable or chivalrous or anything remotely knight-like at all."

She eyed the boy again and sniffed loudly. "You can have all the chocolate." She hated the stuff. "What kind of payment do you take?"

What was it with boys wanting paying? Maybe this one would accept Trident Layers....

"From what people tell me," Corentin answered conversationally, "You're describing a Hufflepuff. Honorable and Chivalrous don't get you paid." He gathered the chocolate stuff to himself even as he spoke. Chocolate wasn't his favourite, but he wasn't gonna say no.

"Money might be alright." He considered, leaning back on his forearms.

"So what would I have to do?"

"No no, that's Gryffindors," Tori corrected. "But nobody likes Hufflepuffs anyway, that's common knowledge." She hadn't even met any but she was sure she wasn't going like them.

He wasn't a Slytherin, was he? Tori peered at the boy's robes and nodded, satisfied that he was in her House. Well this was good. She had a Slytherin Knight, a Gryffindor Knight, and now all she needed was a Ravenclaw one to have a full set. Cuz Hufflepuffs wouldn't do, obviously.

"Hmm, I do have plenty of money," Tori considered, unwrapping a giant wad of gum. She started chomping and shrugged a little. "Knight stuff. You'd have to protect me from my enemies, like Sierra Greingoth and Professor Lafay, and do my bidding sometimes."

"Aspen said they're Duffers." And Sierra had implied much worse. Corentin went ahead and unwrapped some chocolate, and inhaled it. There might have been a small effort at chewing, and then finger licking. And supreme lack of concern at his audience.

"Well thats good, since I don't." He eyed her. "We can probably make a deal."

Wait. Enemies? He ignored that part, and the whole Sierra and Lafay mention. He hadn't met the Head of House but he'd heard things and if Tori was dumb enough to get on the lady's bad side, that was her bloody fault.

"What sort of bidding?"

"They are duffers. Though I don't know any personally." Tori would just take everyone else's word for it. She bit into a jelly slug and shivered a little at the jellyness sliding down her throat. Eww, wicked! Looked like her latest knight was having no trouble inhaling her candy mountatin though.

Probably. "I'll have to see your quality of work first," Tori warned him. "My bidding would include doing... things I think need doing, like carrying my books to class and figuring out what my pygmy puff likes to eat and bringing me warm oatmeal raisin cookies and milk from the kitchen."

She might've licked her fingers real quick too. "Oh, and you'll have to carry my purse when we go shopping." Obviously. What else were knights for?

Neither did Corey, but he didn't mind jumping to that conclusion too. He hadn't heard much good about the Gryffindor ones either for that matter, but he figured he'd find out for himself in due time.

"I'll carry your books, I won't feed your pet but I don't mind doing the research, I'll try to bring cookies but I might eat 'em on the way and I won't carry your purse, but I'll carry anything you buy." Negotiation. "Anything else you come up with I reserve the right to refuse or renegotiate terms." He ate more chocolate.

Hmmmmm so he was a bargainer, was he. Tori raised a brow at the boy's snappy decision making and considered his terms for a moment as she bit into a cauldron cake.

"All right, I can agree to that," the Princess conceded. "We have an accord." She held out her hand for him to kiss all proper-like.

"What's my salary?" Please. If she thought he was just gonna agree without knowing that in advance?

... she wanted to shake hands?

Tori flapped her hand in the boy's face impatiently.

"I already said, that's to be determined by your quality of work." She clucked a bit. "And I've already given you an advance on your salary with all of this fine, expensive candy."

It was HER Candy Mountain he was trying to steal from!

"Fine. But I can quit any time if it doesn't suit me." So there. He leaned away so that there wasn't a hand in his face.

Another nutty one.

And he offered his hand for shaking.

Looking up Nessie heard somone call what sounded like her name. It was an older boy. Somone she sorta recognised. She thought for a while trying to remember who it was, but nothing came to her, except she remembered his name started with a S. "Hi..umm S.." and she was still blank. she blushed really embarressed.

Then out of nowhere it came to her. "Simon" She put a smile on trying to look normal. "Im good, and you?" she asked.

She then turned back to Puffles, which had a guilty look. What was he going do now? Then Boom! Puffles ran. He seriously wasn't doing this to her again. She started getting up, but she changed her mind. Puffles could carry on running she wasn't in the mood of going to catch..she would just find him later.

FINALLY.

She had finally found her way out of the castle and onto the grounds. Merlin, it had been like a MAZE in there, and she had never been all that great at solving those types of puzzles. She had always been more of a sports person.

Okay. So, she had found an exit, but not exactly the GROUNDS. It seemed to be some sort of corridor? Sure, that's what it was. Sigh. Why'd she have to have such a horrible sense of direction? Maybe someone could help her find her way? Merlin, she hoped so.

She allowed her bright blue eyes to wander, looking for a familiar face, or.. one that wouldn't lead her in the wrong direction.

"Fine. And I can fire you at any time if you don't suit me," Tori agreed, eying his hand. Was this the one he had just licked? Oh whatever. She shook it anyway and then picked up a licorice wand.

"So is this your first term at Hogwarts, Corey?" Victoria stripped the licorice wand so she could eat it strand by strand. "I just moved her from California myself."

As if he couldn't, like, tell by her accent.

Rosalie slowly walked down the pathway taking in all the beauty of the place. "This place is so gorgeous, even the air is better!" Rosalie exclamied.

Ronnie walked down the pathways, looking around at each amazing feature as she went. "Wow." she said letting out a big sigh. "So beautiful!" she said. She then didn't see where she was going and bumped into a girl, knocking them both down. "Ohh, I'm terribly sorry!" she said getting up, and helping the girl up. "I wasn't looking where I was going..."

Rosalie laughed, "It's really okay. I was amazed by this entire place to and probably zoned out as well. What year are you?"

"Yep I'm not one to not take others advice around here really." he said with a small grin as he rubbed his elbow. He had never been here before and even Kourtney, who was a first year, probably knew more about this place than he did.

She was a gryffindor too? Well that certainly made him feel better. "I've met so many awesome Gryffindor's so far including our female Prefect Kurumi and the Quidditch Captain Carter! I should introduce you to them soon." Auggie nodded excitedly. Then she asked him about the House Points in classes. He had read in the 'Hogwarts, A History' book that the houses competed for the House Cup each term but he wasn't sure if the Professors gave points for just classwork, homework, or good deads. "Um I actually don't know. I'm a third year but I'm a transfer student. I went to a muggle school, The School of Abraham in Manchester until this year." He said making a face showing that he was sorry he couldn't help her with her question.

Humming, Eino made his way to the grounds, accompanied by his familiar, Ino. The cat was very pleased to be outside and seemed to enjoy the sunny weather more than Eino. The weather was a little warmer than Eino was accustomed to, but the tall trees provided a cool shade, making it the perfect getaway from school. Eino just wanted to stroll through the pathways for a few moments, and get some fresh air before he had to go back to the castle and begin his homework. Ino followed closely behind, very lively and briskly, but occasionally stopping to stare at the birds. Let's see, he had one more class today, but before that he had a break long enough to get some homework done so he could retire early. He had a long day tomorrow and would need an immense amount of energy to make it through the day. But for now, he just wanted to walk leisurely and enjoy the day.

"Ha! Then I'm the first." She said with a laugh. "That makes me feel good." Tossing a grin towards him, she glanced around, taking note of a few others who seemed to be wandering the paths. It seemed to be getting busier. Bummer. It had been nice while it lasted.

Prefect? Quidditch Captain? "Whoa.." She murmured. "They sound so cool...what's Quidditch about anyway?" She shrugged apologetically. "I'm a Muggleborn. I've heard mention of it, but I've never seen it played." Maybe she'd get a chance to watch it this year? And if so, wouldn't it be cool to actually play it? "And a prefect? What does she do?"

Ooo, so he was a transfer? "Oh! So you're probably just as lost as I am!" She exclaimed, now feeling a bit better that she wasn't alone in her quest of exploration. "We should explore together! Where else have you been?"

After a whole lot of yapping, and a litle bit of nudging, Caltex had finally convinced Seren that it was time for their daily walk. She was beginning to get used to it, even if the little puppy demanded long walks- despite its size he had a lot of energy to burn and didn't seem to tire at all.

"Caltex!... Caltex!!" she called as the puppy raced off, seeing a group of students on the pathway ahead. Oh merlin! Seren didn't run, in fact she didn't even quicken her pace at all... there was no way she was going to run after that puppy. It would wait for her... once it reached its distraction. "Good day," she said once she reached the group of students, and her baby.

Just as she finished her barrage of questions towards August, Kourt heard someone calling out. She looked around momentarily and then zeroed in on the small, white dog that running towards them. Her eyes brightened and she clapped her hands, dropping down to her knees in front of it. Ooo, she loved dogs! Her parents hadn't allowed her to get one, but she had always played with her neighbor's puppy when she went over to visit.

Now who could it...The nearly formed question was answered within moments. "Oh, hello ma'am." Kourtney said with a bright smile. The woman was one of the professors; she recognized her from the feast. However, she did not know her name or the subject that she taught.

She stood then, glancing at the puppy again. "Your puppy is adorable!"

"Hello dear," she replied, looking the girl over. She didn't look familiar. Transfer perhaps? Or maybe she just wasn't the Herbological type. Who knew?
"Thank you... he has a habit of recruiting admirers." And with his fluffy fur, shiny eyes and button nose, who could possibly resist?

"I don't beleive we've been introduced, I'm Professor Bentley." May as well do the whole introductions thing, she didn't want to be rude, and meeting students was always fun, so long as they weren't breaking any rules. That's when things got tricky.

And alas... rule breakers! But it wasn't a big rule, though it was one that should still be enforced.
"And where are your hats?"

Kourt looked down again and giggled. "I can see why." He seemed like a playful dog. "Have you had him for long?"

She glanced at August, wondering how he felt about dogs. Some people didn't like them, or they preferred cats. She was on the fence about cats; didn't have feelings one way or another. Dogs was where her heart lay. "It's nice to finally meet a professor. I'm Kourtney Lams; first year Gryffindor." She introduced herself, still smiling.

And then...her smile faltered. Hats? Hats?! She shot a look of pure panic towards August. She knew hats were on the supply list, but she didn't..."Oh...oh...I'm sorry Professor!" And she had been so careful to get dressed the morning in the proper attire with her tie and knee socks and everything else, but she had forgotten the hat! "I'll....we'll go right back to the castle and get those...right now, if you'll so permit." Oh, she hoped that the professor was a merciful and understanding one!

"Not very long, almost a month." She was relieved that the girl didn't seem to mind, but she still shook her head at Caltex, one day he would pester someone that wouldn't appreciate his tiny little legs. Seren observed the boy... he was quiet, perhaps didn't like dogs? or just the fluffy type?
No matter...

Ohh of course, a first year. It was so hard to tell these kids apart sometimes, they were all so small. "Well it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Miss Lams."
Seren couldn't help but smirk a little as the first year panicked. "Have you not heard the rule: no hat, no play, no fun today? ... we wouldn't want you getting sunburnt."
Not that you really could get sunburnt in Scotland, but it was a fun rule to enforce. The last thing she wanted was her aloe vera's to be harvested for such little dramas.

"Yes please do so... and remind any students you find without hats along the way."

Oh, not very long at all. He/she was a cute dog regardless, and very friendly. She petted the top of its head a few times. It made her long for a pet of her own. Perhaps she could try to once again convince her parents to get a puppy. She could use her grades at Hogwarts as evidence that she was responsible.

No hat, no play, no fun today. She repeated the professors words a few times before giving a meek smile. Well, that certainly made sense though she wasn't sure if...

"Yes, ma'am." She answered, glancing again towards August and gesturing for him to follow. They'd get their hats and then get back to exploring. "Have a nice afternoon, Professor Bentley." Thank goodness she had allowed them the chance to retrieve their hats. She certainly wouldn't forget to wear it again.

With that, she began to make her way back towards the castle, all the while thanking her lucky stars that it was a forgiving professor that she had met.