Jonathan laughed as he looked at Louisa "What's with you?" yeah. All he did was admit he did held a girl's hand. Now what's wrong with that? "You know, not all Slytherins are,oh i don't know---- mean." he was very amused by that. People should get their heads straight. Jonathan's not that mean. Okay, so maybe he is sometimes and teasing is just one of his forte but really it's manageable anyway.

No harm done with that.

So right now, Jonathan is kind of getting it, that maybe Louisa and him could start all over again. Not like the way they started--- bickering and arguing about muggle pencils and purebloods and what not. Quite childish now that he thinks about it.

So how was his summer? "Fun" pretty much. His parents weren't home and he was sleeping over the Takahashis which is really fun since they're like family to him. "I got myself prepared for Herbology." yeah, herbology is not his strongest subject quite frankly. "and learned how to cook" and maybe chores. But he doesn't want t add that one. Louisa might really think he is spoiled. He grew up with a house elf. It's not his fault. Blame his parents.

"Oh and I saw you at the carnival with THAT guy" he giggled. Yeah. Pretty much that was his summer. Short, fun and slightly boring. He looked at Louisa right now with his eyebrow raised, although a smile was stuck on his face "Do you want me to ask you how's your summer was, as well?" he laughed. He's up for some teasing again.

She smiled when he laughed- phew! She thought he was going to shoot something at her.. like a spell. "Nah. I don't think that all Slytherins are mean. They're so cocky, yes, but not mean." There. Louisa loved honesty- even if it was blatant sometimes which the girl didn't even got why people called it that, maybe when it never pleased them..? Anyways, "And is she..like your girlfriend now?" Since he was big on the fact that anyone held anyone else's hand turn them into a couple.

She should give him that book she read about teens relationships. Yeah, she is a bookworm.

So, Herbology was his favorite subject that he studied it at summer, he learned how to cook? Wow. Louisa raised her eyebrows slightly surprised, "Wow. Learnt how to cook? That's... great." She was going for unusual ,in fact, but that wasn't good for a willing-to-be-friends conversation, was it?

The Ravenclaw laughed at his last question, "I don't want it. You're supposed to ask back since we're on stage one of getting to know each other." Seriously, this boy needed some social tutoring, "Well my summer was.. not very good actually." Again with honesty, "My family came back from France. I stayed with them for a week before going back to the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of the summer. I..uh.. had a fight with one of my best friends," And my one and last crush, "But I did meet some nice new people. Adam, the guy you saw me with, is one." With a feeble smile, since bad memories came back and all, Louisa put a strand of her hair behind her ear and continued, "So your favorite subject's Herbology?" No wonder he was at the terrace. Well, she was and her favorite subject was not the same, the professor was incredibly nice and beautiful but Louisa had an issue with treating plants so nicely - she just didn't think they were... alive.

Slytherins can be quite cocky. THAT he have to admit. It was not even a question to begin with. But really, you can't achieve anything if you lack self-confidence. So yeah, maybe being cocky isn't much of a bad thing now.

Blink.

Jonathan's smiled turned flat when she asked that question. No. They're not going to dwell into this topic. Never. Jonathan never really talked to anyone about this before. "Long story..." he sighed. Well the least he could do is tell her that much right? He's not telling that story to Louisa. And the truth serum is the only way he will tell. "BUT!" he'll just confirm it himself "I'm not telling you the story" he smiled.

Learning how to cook and to clean was definitely a first thing for Jonathan. He even liked it. Well, he does clean but he only cleans his own stuffs. Back at the common room, he only cleans his own spot because let's face it boys don't exactly have knack for cleaning. "Cooking is definitely fun" too bad his parents went home sooner. He could have made some pie.

Jonathan smiled at her "What if I don't want to?" he was seriously so close to laugh his lungs out. Jonathan just kept it in though. Maybe she might think he is crazy or something but really it was always nice to tease Louisa. Even after that, she still talked about her summer... Pfffshhhh. GIIIRLLS! "must have been a very awkward summer" he replied... for sympathy. Adam, yeah. He did saw this guy around. So that was his name, Adam. He is in the same year as Jonathan right?!

HERBOLOGY? His favorite subject? "Bloody NO" he replied. He doesn't even know the first thing about herbology, that's why he got himself tutored for the summer. He needed to pass his OWLs. His father is expecting he would get good results.

"Ok as long as you know nothing has changed between us! I feel like you are my closest girl friend here and I don't want to lose that. I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation with your other friend though. That was rude of me, wasn't it? How are you liking your classes so far?"

Of course he wasn't going to tell her one of his personal stories- that was what friends did and at the moment, they weren't friends. Not yet. She nodded, "I didn't expect you to tell me the story. I just thought that she was your girlfriend since you thought me and Adam were a couple." There, he had the explanation of her pushing. However, she did want to know the story. Maybe he keeps it all written down at that secret book of his? She'll get to that later. When stage one is over.

Louisa raised her eyebrows AGAIN as he kept the teasing attitude. She didn't mind, really, but that was kind of... weird. Shrugging she spoke, "I don't know how to cook." Not that he asked or cared but Louisa was trying to keep a friendly conversation around here so.. yeah, kudos for her.

Awkward summer? That was... an understatement. "Yeah." She scoffed, bringing her book up from her lap and placing it on the table. "It was." Repeating it so slowly to show how that was so a sensitive matter to her.

It seems that not everyone studies in summer for fun. "Okay. I thought you were studying it in summer because you enjoyed it." She did that with Charms and History, anyway.

Finally she understood.

Erin is very lucky to have Harvey and Minerva in her life. The mere fact that they're still there for her even she's criticizing their love in her head. They're kids, but still, kids do know how to love.

"It's fine. You're also one of my bestfriends here, Minerva," Erin said, holding Minerva's cheeks as she leaned closer to her palm. "Be happy, okay? And the classes, I'm loving all of them."

"Thanks Erin, your the best." Minerva was glad to have had this talk with Erin. She knew what Erin was thinking. We are two young to be in relationships. Heck Minerva thought the same thing only days ago and then all of the sudden she is in one herself. "I'm glad you are liking your classes." All of a sudden Minerva remember something and started looking around quickly. "Hey Erin." Minerva said in a scared voice. "There are none of those stupid little pixies in here are there? Those things were horrible in class.."

Pixie! She wants to murder them.

"I assure you, there's none. I've been here with my friend Aurora and we're still safe," Erin chuckled at her words. "Come. I'm getting tired here. I'll go to our common room." With that Erin invited Aurora to come with her at the Ravenclaw common room and departed with Minerva as they reach the castle door.

So it's settled then, this Adam person is not her boyfriend. Jonathan meant no harm though. He only used that one as a tease. A joke to make her mad or something because he clearly didn't see this patching up coming. He thought they would be enemies until Jonathan graduates but guess they could reverse that one right?

Blink.

Can they please stop talking about this relationship stuff. It's cheesy and really annoying. Plus, the one Jonathan had was a long LONG time ago and he need not be reminded by it again. Of course, they're still friends but what happened was something they both could never forget and maybe that is why even though they still act as if nothing was wrong, SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG. "of course i won't" he confirmed with a teasing smiled. Yeah, but deep inside he didn't want to talk about it. Waste of time.

Another blink.

"actually" he started. Talking about cooking made him realize on how much inexperienced he was when it came to things around the house. "Same here." he looked at the table. "I just learned to cook this summer" he has never done a single chore around his house, ever. The common room was completely a different thing. "Nobi is always around" their house elf. He has been around since his father was still young. Oh how Alexander loved the young elf. That's why he would never set Nobi free. He would be completely devastated.

WHOAH! Was she angry about what he said? Really? Girls and their frequently mood change. All he said was awkward summer. That's it! So what was she angry about? Jonathan looked at the book as she placed it on the table.

Studying during summer was not a normal thing, especially to Jonathan. Why would he study during the summer vacation anyway? That's why it's called a VACATION. "Herbology is not my strongest subject." he shared. "plus, why would I study my favorite subjects during the vacation?" Jonathan just find that one weird. He barely picks up a book during summer, let alone read and study it. "Studying Potions, Transfiguration, Charms and DADA during summer would just make me hate those subjects instead." he laughed. Yeah, those four were his favorite subjects, especially Potions. He loves that subject!

His teasing smile only caused her to roll her eyes and ignore it. She wasn't going to pressure him yet to talk about it. They agreed not to argue or fight today and she was going to keep her promise. Moving on to the cooking subject - that didn't make much sense to her about why they were talking about cooking.

"Who's Nobi?" She asked curiously, relaxing on the chair by leaning against the back and supporting her elbows on its arms. "Is she your house elf?" Did all Slytherins have house elves and mansions? Because those were two so far. Lara and now Jonathan.

Oh, he had to get extra courses for his Herbology. Hmm. "I read extra books concerning my favorite subjects in summer," Louisa replied a bit defensive. "Books are my vacation highlight." Not a very cool thing to say but this was Jonathan so she couldn't care less about how he thought of her. "What do you do in vacation, then?" Besides cooking and not reading school books that is.

Jonathan nodded to her. "Yes. Nobi is the family's house elf" Nobi has been in the family for quite a long time and somehow, Jonathan grew attached to this elf like his father did. "But this summer, father and mother were in Norway so they took Nobi with them" which explains why he is cooking. "I stayed with mother's best friend. The Takahashi's house was quite big and cozy. Their father wasn't much at home but Aunt Kaori was always there to spoil Jonathan more. Ayumi and Ryu, her daughters, were like siblings to Jonathan. "In their house, chores were given to each other. In our house, Nobi is given the chores." kinda explains everything.

Wait. Did she just call Nobi a SHE??? Jonathan laughed. "Oh and Nobi is a HE" he emphasized that one to her. Does it sound like a girl's name? Well, it's a Korean name to be exact, so it kind of sounds uni in English.

0____0

She reads books during summer? WHY? Jonathan felt quiet for some time. He can't really imagine why someone would like to study during summer. Well, of course, he did study Herbology this summer. But it's really different. He had to if he want to be prepared for his OWLs. His father will simply strangle him if he does fail. "That's really... uhmmmm... resourceful" he snorted. He wasn't against with studying during the summer, he just likes teasing Louisa. He's started to get the hang of her being semi-nice to him. PLUS POINTS!

So what does Jonathan do during summer? He has a list. A long one "Sleep. Eat. Shop. Tour. Mingle. Meet with old friends. Meet new friends. Visit my uncles. Play some family quidditch." there's a lot but it's mostly slacking off and goofing somewhere. Jonathan loves to hang out and buy stuffs. Yep. No reading for him.

Uh-huh. So this Johnny boy was a spoiled only child since he never mentioned a sister or a brother. Oh and guess what? Nobi was a he. Meh. It sounded like a girly name to her. Whatever. "Norway. Why didn't you go with them? Were they on a work mission?" Not that his parents were spies or anything..

..were they? *gulp*

"So is that family you stayed with a magical one, too?" The girl wasn't going to 'judge' them by this. She just wanted to know why they didn't have a house elf as well. It didn't look like Jonathan's family would befriend people that are less... wealthy? Or maybe she was just too harsh on them. Maybe they weren't snobs or that stuck-up. Again with the Enya experience, she should've learned something from that but old habits die hard.

Resourceful? Blehh. She rolled her eyes at that and suppressed a giggle. "Yeah. I get that a lot. It's just I don't have many opportunities as you do." Since he almost does whatever he wanted in summer. "I stay with my old aunt and she's very old fashioned. I'm not allowed to leave the house unless with an adult, I'm not allowed to talk about Hogwarts or magic since she... doesn't know." She's a muggle so to speak. "So yeah, reading books kind of saved my life." Dramatic? That was Louisa's middle name.

Although she was allowed to go to the Leaky Cauldron with her guardian and spent the last few weeks of summer there - three weeks. That was when she met Johnathan at the Carnival.

"My father worked there for awhile and now he is going to work in the Minsitry in London" well that is what his father had mentioned over the summer. Jonathan doesn't know if he got accepted already or not but his father was a smart guy. Someone like him could get a job anytime. "And they left months ago when I was here at Hogwarts." Jonathan explained. That's why he didn't come. Besides, why would he come to Norway and catch up with them in the first place, when he can just enjoy his summer with no parents?

...EXACTLY!

Jonathan raised an eyebrow to her next question. "Yes they are wizards and witches" Jonathan's father will go crazy if he would let his only son stay with a muggle. He's a pureblood wizard and he is entitle to do magic, so living with a muggle would just make his magic useless. "but Aunt Kaori had a rule." Rules that are really considerable. "Everyone in the house has a chore to do everyday." yup, that was the only rule. Other than that Aunt Kaori is the best person to be with. Lovely woman.

GASP.

So she doesn't use magic during summer? underage wizards and witches are not allowed but that's just a whole new level of torture. Oh yeah, she's a muggle born witch. Jonathan forgot that one.

Speaking of strictness around the house "She should meet my father." Jonathan sighed. That's why Jonathan didn't want to go to Norway even though his mother owled him to go. "father is just too strict" he rolled his eyes. He loved the man but really he just can be so uptight sometimes. It can be annoying. He likes to be a perfectionist, it's disturbing Jonathan a lot. "Why not tell your aunt about magic?" because if it were Jonathan, he would definitely tell. Having magical ability is a bragging right.

Another family who traveled a lot. Louisa was starting to feel really... uncool around all those people. It was Joao, Adam, Enya and now Jonathan! Seriously, why should she meet students who surpassed her on almost all levels? "So you didn't live here all the time?" Since his father had just decided to work in London. Or were they living here just not with his father? >__< It didn't make sense to her.

"That sounds like my mom. Everybody has responsibility and should show discipline." She was a flexible woman, though. Louisa used to get away with most of her boring chores by the help of Jason.

.. that was before they'd unofficially kicked her out of the house.

The next piece of information alerted Louisa. His father was too strict. She had a surprised features on her face. "Really?" That was so unexpected. She thought Jonathan was his daddy's prince or something. Being strict didn't void the fact but that meant something - Jonathan might be some kind of a responsible kid. Strictness usually made responsible kids, and rebels but she wasn't going to gamble on the latter. He didn't look like a rule breaker. "Maybe because he wants you to be the best?" Like Joao's father..? Although she got the idea that Joao's father wasn't that strict, he just liked his son to be perfect... maybe.

TELL HER AUNT? Louisa laughed bitterly and humorlessly at that before shaking her head and looking down at the book, playing with its cover as she replied to that funny suggestion, "No. I absolutely can't. She's not my real aunt. She's my stepfather's sister. He's a muggle. Mom's a muggle. My brother are all muggles, well they're so young so they have a chance, but stepdad would go crazy if any of his sons turned out to be like me." She lifted her gaze to meet Jonathan's. "He doesn't like magic. He doesn't really get it much, that's why I was moved away from the house once I received the envelope. He said he didn't trust my magic with his sons and asked mom to get me out." With a bitter smile, she let out another humorless chuckle, "Mom's agreed and I'm at aunt Brown's big house now. Luckily, though, I have a witch guardian that comes and saves me each summer." Her smile turned genuine, "I stay at Diagon Alley for three weeks before Hogwarts and that's fine."

Yeah, perhaps every mother should behave like that "Not my mother though" his mother usually wants him sitting down and obeying more his father. Boring. Jonathan although, got used to it as he grew up. Father is strict and mother makes him spoiled and Nobi does everything in between. Not the kind of lifestyle Jonathan wants when he become a father someday. It's not healthy that your own son is afraid of you. "Chores are nice" he added. On the first day he stayed at the Takahashis, he didn't like the whole chore thing. In fact he made too many excuses on the first 3 days but then as Ryu scolded him and tried to enlightened him about their simple rule in the house, Jonathan considered working his own chores the following day. And he had so much fun.

talking about his father just made Jonathan frowned. "Can we not talk about my father?" it was more of a command rather than a beg. He hated talking about his father because he doesn't have much nice to say about him. beside the fact that he is smart and like him, is good at Potions. Although, Jonathan doesn't know if he ever became a potioneer. Who knows?!

And Louisa started to talk about her aunt, mother and her hypocrite father. He didn't want to say anything but he gritted his teeth. Muggle hating wizards and witches... Typical! He even rolled his eyes when Louisa mentioned that she was moved away from the house just because she's a witch. "You should do something about that." Magic is important and maybe he doesn't understand a muggle's point of view because let's face it he has never seen the muggle world his entire life. But still, she does need to let her family know that whether they like it or not they have to accept her as she is. "There's nothing wrong being a witch."

Erin noticed it just now. There are no birds here in Hogwarts as much as there are no airplanes in this magical and mysterious place. Birds. Oooh, it would be great to have them here. Maybe, she could use Transfiguration to make birds out of a small paper. But she was definitely sure, she’d read something about conjuring birds out of thin air.

What is it? What is it? She couldn’t remember the exact incantation. Is it Alice? Arvin? Akis? Ajis? Gaaaaahh! She rummaged her notes. Bird. Bird. Bird.

AVIS! “It’s Avis!” said Erin, her eyes glistening a little. It would feel more real if there were birds around. She pulled out her wand from her back pocket. She polished it with her robes and swish, “Avis.” Birds came out from the tip of the wand. One, two, three, four, five and many, many more. This is home.

Katrina was at the Terrace because her friend, Erin, called her. She immediately saw the girl conjuring birds out of her wand like an endless bubblegum machine.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Katrina asked as she went beside Erin.

It was Katrina! Well, they hadn't really knew each other that much to be considered as friends. They're in the process of getting to know each other. "Katrina!" squealed Erin. She motioned the Slytherin to sit opposite her on the unusual comfy couch. She smiled at her broadly.

"I was doing this incantation Avis. It is used for conjuring birds." The terrace is a perfect place for heart to heart talks since only few students like to stay here. But on Erin's part, this place gives her peace because of the quiet environment and the green plants that relaxes the mind. The sky could be easily seen up here as well.

Katrina accepted Erin's request to sit beside her. She saw the small birds Erin conjured with her wand. It was fascinating.

"Do you mind if I try to conjure birds too?" Katrina said while giving a small, weak smile.

"Of course, Katrina!" smiled Erin. Birds. More birds, much merrier. It would be like, they're in a forest or a bird sanctuary, like that in the Muggle zoo. Yay! It would be nice to be with Katrina around so many birds.

She wondered if her friend was a Muggle like her. She would truly appreciate the spell if she also missed the Muggle world. "Are you Pureblood?" asked Erin. That would be a safe question. At least, if she's a Pureblood, it wouldn't be that offending.

"Thanks," Katrina said when Erin allowed her to conjure some birds. She took her wand and...
"Avis," Birds suddenly came out of her wand. Around 5 or 6 flew around the birds Erin had conjured. "They look cute together,"

Now this is what Katrina didn't really like, being asked about her blood. But she had to say the truth. "Yes, I'm Pureblood," Katrina knew Erin had been muggle-born and there's nothing that made Katrina go against her just because she's a muggle-born. This made Katrina feel rather uncomfortable. "But I don't like, you know, going against muggle-borns. I may have been teased as a blood traitor but I would still respect you, muggles and muggle-borns. It's such a sad thing that people would reject you for being one.

I had a muggle-born friend back at home, though. She's nothing bad."

"Don't you just feel so at home!" said Erin dreamily looking at the swarm of birds above their head, as she joined her right palm towards her cheek resting her elbows at the table. Then she realized Katrina was not a Muggle-born but of course, it didn't hinder her to see birds out their backyard. "You're doing good. It took me lots of tries to make the spell happen," said Erin.

"Pureblood. I have nothing against Pureblood..." said Erin pausing slightly, glancing towards Katrina's gray and green scarf then continued,"...Slytherins. Maybe just because you're on the lead now in house points," chuckled Erin holding out her tongue. She was becoming very comfortable with her Slytherin friend. She could even be considered Slytherclaw. She's got quite a number of friends from their house. 'I have lots of Muggleborn friends!" squealed Erin. "So, how is your family?"

"This is my home," Katrina smiled at Erin. "It's the first time I've conjured something so complex."

She had to admit, really.

When Erin started to talk about houses and all., Katrina felt sad.
"You know, the Sorting Hat almost placed me in Ravenclaw?" Katrina said, changing the subject. "But it had to place me in Slytherin."

(ooc: last post. bye!)

As much as Erin wanted to stay longer with her pretty friend, she had a pile of homeworks waiting at the Girl's Dormitories. But something really bothered Erin with Katrina's birds. "How come you conjured colored birds?" asked Erin feeling envious a little and astonished as well. Erin's white-colored birds were joined by Katrina's maroon ones.

"Why? Don't you want to be in Slytherin?" asked Erin noticing Katrina's emotion change.

"I was concentrating on maroon so maybe whatever color or characteristic you're thinking of will influence the changes," Katrina said. "Maybe you should try it out soon. I know you have homework to do,"

And so did Katrina, she had Runes, Divination, and Arithmancy left at the Common Room.

But she had to answer Erin's last question. "I do like Slytherin but the house... I don't feel like I belong in it." Katrina said as honest as possible. "It pressures sometimes. They expect us to be rather perfect. And I want to be like my older sister, she was a Ravenclaw. "

Before Katrina could let out a tear, she noticed that Erin was staring at her.

"What?"