Josh just...stared at the other lion.

Did he understand his point at all? Did he? Josh hoped he did because it was vital...in his opinion, of course. Or no...wait...it was just vital in general. ''Just be careful. If it is fun for you, go on. But do never carry it to the next step unless she looks really serious about it and she is the willing part to do so.'' Muggle movies did not matter.

Sighing again Josh looked at the pathway before him and tried to remind himself how good the weather was and how good it was to be finally away from the sickness and able to exercise outside. He was looking or more like trying to look at the sun when Carter asked his next questions. Well...he did not want to really remember what had happened to him. To be exact he knew he could never forget it, he just did not want to live it over and over again in his mind. ''Let's move.'' so he said slowly starting the running back as if he had not heard those questions.

Carter once again ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Yeah, I will..." he said with a nod. He hated to admit it, but maybe Josh was right about this whole thing. He'd talk to Destiny... and... he'd end it. It was easier that way. And then they'd go back to being friends and he wouldn't have to deal with figuring out what, if anything, was between them.

He really needed to stop listening to rumors. If it hadn't been for them then he wouldn't be in this position. He wouldn't be stuck trying to figure out if there was more to Destiny than being the girl that was afraid of his cooties up until this year and being the girl that just desperately needed some pie and a hug after everything second year.

Yes. It was better to talk to her and call it all off.

He turned his head to the side as Josh avoided the question. His friend didn't need to say anything. Carter understood what the silence meant... He... just couldn't believe it. Had he and Evelyn actually broken up? For good?

"Yeah." he agreed slowly before following back.

" It is not a big deal, we all miss our notes every once in awhike" Williamsaid to Miberva." Rhe HOM professor makes Professoe Lafay the most popular professor in Hogwarts" Willaim laughed." The HOM professor does not like anyone but his four prescious students who do nothing wrong" Willaim explained to Minerva. " I can't stand those "suck-up" students" William sighed. " Remeber, the professor got mad at me because I did not give the whole complete answer, byr that is his problem not mine at all" Willaim smiled.

Good.

Since Carter had said that he would be careful and was not talking about dogs, robots or bunny shaped chocolates anymore; Josh supposed he really did figure out what he had been trying to tell and how important it all was. That was good. That was very good because they definitely did not need another depressed lion around. Not his friends anyway.

As he went on his jogging ahead of the other lion, Josh did his best to focus on how good the weather and the nature around was so it would cheer him up. He did not need to think of any...negative things. Just nature. Nature was good and it made him feel better. He was...a farm boy after all.

''So...'' he spoke up again once he believed he was completely over the previous anger attack and tense mood. And now that he was over it, his hand started to hurt. Ugh. ''...you said they kept everything ready for you, huh? So, i suppose they expect you to start trainings with the team as soon as you are out the school. Right?''

Carter was lost in thoughts about Destiny and what Josh was saying that the sudden sound of his friend's voice startled him.

What was Josh talking about? Oh, right. Quidditch. Puddlemere. Carter's life after Hogwarts.

Carter nodded... not that it mattered. Josh was still jogging ahead of him. "Yeah." he answered. "I'll just have a day or two to pack up and move in." It was crazy. He'd be on the Puddlemere pitch in a month. And Josh would be on a farm. And they'd be living their post-graduation lives.

"And the farm?" Carter asked. "That all ready for you?"

''A day or two...'' Josh repeated as he eyed the path to see if it was still all free and deserted for two seventh year lions running. No one wanted an unlucky first year to get crushed just because he or she crossed their way, did they? ''And you'll be all busy with packing up and moving.'' eh. He did not know how long it would take for Carter to pack his things up but still, even without that work, two days were pretty short for good enough holiday.

The boy opened his mouth to ask something else yet it went away when Carter directed that particular question at him. Was the farm ready for him? He was not sure if his friend was serious when asking this and he did not look back to see his expression but serious or not it surely made him laugh. ''Yeah...i am sure the horses and squirrels can't wait to see me again.''

Carter nodded again. "Yeah. Packing, moving, and saying a quick goodbye." That was the part he wasn't looking forward to.

"But... I do get a few days off during the season. It's not like I'll be spending all my time on the pitch." As in, Josh was free to visit should life on the farm get too boring. And Carter did expect his friend at his first match and to be right there beside him celebrating afterwards.

He caught up to his friend and smirked at his response. He slapped his friend's shoulder. "Aww. The the squirrels and horsies miss their Joshie?"

"Yeah I guess your right." Minerva gave a little smile.

" Of course, I am right" Willaim teased Minerva. Willaim kissed Minerva on the cheek.

Ronnie walked down the pathways, humming a song that had been stuck in her head. She smiled and breathed in the fresh air. It was beautiful out!

Packing, moving and syaing a quick goodbye. For some reason quite unknown even to himself, Josh repeated those words in his mind as he went on with his jog and checking the path. It was not so important anyway. Apparently his mind wanted to be busy with something momentarily.

Eh...

So Carter might have a few days off. Now that was good news. Maybe those a few days off would be enough to spend a nice holiday with his bestie...if, of course, he did not already have plans for those days.

While thinking of that anyway there was suddenly a slap on his shoulder which made the boy slow down, look back at the other boy and smirk a bit. Yet, the nickname might have made him glare a bit. Joshie. He surely did not like to be called that...still it was way better than Joshypoo so he decided not to make it a problem for now.

''Yeah. At least i am sure that they miss me. Horses and squirrels are my besties at the farm.'' Other than his nosy cousin, of course. ''You know what? Maybe i can help you with packing and moving so you can save more free time. Would that work?''

Carter chuckled. "Squirrels always run away from me." It was probably because when he tried feeding on when he was little he accidently threw a sunflower seed at it instead of to it. Whoops.

Carter smiled at his suggestion. "You know what? That's absolutely brilliant." he said happily. He didn't want to admit it... but he was kind of dreading having to pack up and move on his own. It just felt so... mature. Carter didn't really like the idea of growing up so quickly.

"You can just come back with me." he suggested. "And then we can crash at the new place." Having Josh with him seemed like a good way to start life on his own.

''Squirrels are sensitive and shy creatures. You probably don't know how to approach and attract them'' Yes, that was the reasonable explanations there. No squirrel Josh knew was rude. ''They are quite fun beings once you manage to befriend one. Oh and be careful...'' looking back at the other lion boy, Josh smirked ''...it is not easy to gain their trust.'' Yes, that meant he himself was skilled enough to gain their trust. He was the Master of Squirrels too. Hehe.

But his smile grew wider when Carter actually agreed to his idea. To be honest he did not really want to go to the farm right away once the train arrived to London. Merlin knew what kind of labour stuff they needed and probably they were waiting for him to deal with them. And he was not dying to chop wood and fix the cottage roofs. Packaging and moving with Carter was way better. ''It would not be a problem for your family, right? I mean...you know...i have not met them and they might find it...weird...to have a random guy around packing and carrying things.''

Carter blinked. Then laughed out loud. "You have too much time on your hand, mate." That was the only explanation. Normal people didn't spend enough time with squirrels to describe their personalities. "Err... I guess I'll just have to do with a squirrel companion. But don't worry, I'll manage." he said with a little smirk.

Carter shook his head. "Nah. Not at all. My parents love visitors. And you're only the weird, random guy when they first meet you. After that you're just... Josh." Or maybe weird, random Josh.

"Besides. I'm sure it'll cheer them up to know their little boy has a friend." And by that... he meant it cheered him up that Josh was going to help him take his first big step into adulthood.

"What about your family?" he asked. "They won't mind me stealing you for a few days?"

She was losing her goldenness she was almost sure of it. She had spent too many weeks holed up in the common room studying and when she wasn't she wa sin the room of requirements with Josh, learning hand to hand combat. She still wasn't completely sure why she was learning it, it just seemed necessary.

Cassie headed down the pathway, thinking a lovely walk around the ground would do well for her when she spotted Josh and Carter. Just her luck.

"Hey you two..fancy running into you two here...together..." She eyed them, then smirked.

"What are you two up to?"

Josh had been smirking and for some reason he might have a slightly excited expression when he was talking about squirrels basing it on the information he got about the squirrels he knew but those two, the smirk and the expression, simply vanished and a neutral expression took up his face when the other boy laughed...like that. ''I used to spend most of my time in forests doing whatever i am told to do like chopping wood and picking up herbs or berries. There were always squirrels around.'' Stopping his jog again, the boy simply turned back to face the blond one. ''With that attitude be careful not to step into woods. Otherwise you'll feel the wrath of squirrels.''

Okay maybe the last part was a bit of a joke but Josh was not laughing. He just kept staring at his friend with that deadly serious face considering his other words ''I hope, as you said, that'll Josh and not Joshie or any other nickname for them. If they'd happen to call me that, i'll know it was you and you can get too friendly with my beater's bat.''

Getting distracted by something in a sudden, he looked around. Eh...someone was approaching. A girl...which was fine for him so he looked back at Carter ''My family won't mind a few more days of me being away. It looks like i'll be with them for the rest of my life anyway.''

And after a minute or so, the girl had finally passed their path. ''Hello Cassie!'' he said with a wide smile also giving her a kind nod as greeting. ''You look really good today. Do you know the smile on your face looks like the first blooms of the spring? Fresh and pure beauty.''

What was he...well no...what was she on to? Ah...yes. She had asked what they had been up to. ''We have been merely discussing how fearless squirrels were and...jogging.''

Carter chuckled. "I'll be sure not to taunt the squirrels." he said with a smirk.

He laughed at that. "I'll be sure to introduce you as Josh." And not Joshie. "Although... if they decide to call you that on their own, I don't think I can do anything about that." He blinked. "Do you even own your own beater's bat?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. He'd have to double check the locker room and make sure all the bats were there and accounted for.

He smiled when he saw a familiar hufflepuff approach. "Hey Cassie." he said greeting the girl with a nod. He stifled a few laughs at Josh's greeting. Merlin. His mate was crazy.

He laughed. "It's true. Although, the conversation wasn't always about squirrels. But you missed all the good parts." he added with a little wink. "And you best keep up. This is our guy jogging time." So... she had to guy jog with them.

Cassie stopped directly in front of them and folded her arms. Yeah she was more than aware that she was interrupting their jogging but meh, a nice chat with a beautiful girl was not going to hurt any of them, they could spare a few minutes.

She giggled at Josh's greeting and shook her head a little bit. Josh was definitely something else.

"Thank you Joshua and your smile is as radiant as the sun's reflection off the fresh winter's snow..simply dazzling." She grinned at him and gave him a wink, then moved forward to rub his chin. She couldn't resist doing that when boys had stubble on their faces.

Cass tilted her head and looked at them. They must be covering up what they were talking about. How random would a conversation about fearless squirrels be!

She beamed at Carter. "Hello Carter." She gave him a little wave and shook her head at his comment.
"Yeah..I'm suuure, fearless squirrels. Don't worry, you don't have to tell me."

She smirked at carter. "Pfft I'm a beast at jogging okay? I've been training with Josh and I've gotten pretty fit." So she could like run circles around them...maybe..possibly..

Good...good. Good indeed. It was good that he was going to be careful with squirrels and better that there was going to be no Joshie mentioned...at least by him anyway. And....Josh smirked at the question about the beater's bat. ''Of course, i do. You thought i could live without one of my favourite items in the wizarding world?''

Wait...had he been serious about the squirrels? Josh had been serious so perhaps to find out he needed to something so thinking he might find squirrels, the boy looked around but Cassie's voice completely distracted him. And a moment after he was smirking widely, the smirk widening at every word she voiced. Sun's reflection off the fresh winter's snow. Dazzling. Hehe. He laughed a little but it was nothing like laughing at something funny. It was kind and more like a kind of laugh that said 'that was good'.

Then when she reached him to rub his chin, he got slightly surprised but his smirk turned into a content smile. Then he turned a little bit to look at the other lion boy ''Well...yes, Carter. She is right. You should not be underestimating my trainees. They are far more capable than the squirrels. However...''

Pausing for the moment, he turned back to the Hufflepuff girl and took a step closer to stroke her hair. ''...however my housemate here has his point too. This jog might be too...demanding for you. Would you really like to have sweat all over you right now and ruin your pretty hair? Not that i think it would change the ultimate fact of how beautiful you are. You just might feel unforcomfortable.''

Harvey was strolling along the pathways with Tiger by his side in his little pouch. It was a nice day for a stroll along the pathways, with trees either side. Harvey decided to take Tiger out of his pouch to show him the pathways and how beautiful they were. So there they were Harvey and his egg Tiger strolling along the pathways taking in the sights and sounds.

Harvey suddenly felt a weird sensation coming from Tiger, for a moment he couldn’t figure out what. But he soon realised that Tiger was starting to heat up, Tiger was not in direct sunlight so this confused him a little. But then Harvey reminded himself it WAS quite warm today, even he felt a little warm. So he took out his wand, now Tiger had got used to Harvey taking out his wand whenever Tiger felt like this so he sat very still as he slowly got warmer with each second that passed. Harvey knew he had to act quick otherwise soon Tiger would be too hot to hold.

"Argentum" *swish* "Frigidus" *tap* he tapped Tiger. Slowly, slowly he felt Tiger get cooler as each new second went by. "Argentum" *twirl* "Humidus" *point* he pointed at Tiger without warning. He scrubbed and scrubbed as Tiger as per his usual routine tried to get away. But as per the usual routine, Harvey’s grip was a tight one making sure that he didn’t get away. But this time round he gripped him a little too tight and off went Tiger along the path taking soil and dirt with him. Harvey ran after him "Tiger! Tiger! Get back here, you are getting dirtier, come back!" He shouted to Tiger. Soon Harvey caught up with and jumped to grab him, he managed to pin him down onto the ground.

Harvey looked at him "Oh! Tiger look at you, you are even dirtier than before. Lets get you fully cleaned up now. Argentum" *twirl* "Humidus" *point* He scrubbed off all the soil that Tiger had picked up on his escape. "Good there you look clean lets dry you up Argentum" *twirl* "Siccus" *point* he said as Tiger dried up. He usually didn’t do this spell this soon, but since Tiger had been on the run he felt it was necessary, "Excolo!" He said tracing Tiger’s egg shape.

"There all better looking now, you want to look good for all the eggirls out there don’t you?" Harvey asked him chuckling. He didn’t know if there WERE any egg girls out there, he wondered whether there were and who had them. Soon he realised he had been out here too long and that he needed to get back inside to study. So he put Tiger in his pouch and went back to the castle.

January 27, 2076

It was a few weeks later, and Sierra’s egg was still doing just fine. She was still amused over the fact that it had, in so many ways, let her know it needed a shower. As she stepped out onto the pathways, Sierra pulled her egg from her pocket. A quick look at it left Sierra frowning in disapproval. The egg had little beads of water all over it, from top to bottom. …but---she hadn’t gotten wet recently, had she? No, not at all. She’d taken a shower this morning, but the egg had been safely put away while she’d done that. She’d washed her hands at breakfast and at lunch, but she’d dried them right afterwards. She couldn’t think of anything that might have gotten the egg as wet as it was now.

…but of course there was a spell for everything, right? Right. She pulled out her class notes and skimmed over them. Ah—that’s right! The egg had likely gotten way over-heated and needed to be dried up a little. Just at that moment, the egg quivered quite a bit, and Sierra recalled how it did that when it was too hot. Putting two and two together, Sierra realized that she simply needed to dry her egg off and then possibly take it inside. With her wand out and pointed toward the egg, Sierra moved her wand in an outward twirling motion and then ended with a sharp point toward the egg. “Argentum Siccus!” she exclaimed.

As the spell began to take effect, the beads of—sweat, maybe?—dried up. Pretty soon, the egg was free of the wetness Sierra had seen earlier. After that, she took the egg inside, not wanting it to get even more over-heated than it had already gotten.