"I don't want to remember. I have nightmares about that night. I remember it vividly. But things before and after that are hazy. It's why I don't miss my sister. I don't remember her well. And it's hard to miss someone you don't know. My parents miss her, they go see her every year at Christmas, her birthday and mine. It's why I'm not going home for the holidays, while they should be happy my family tends to be rather melancholy," which was understandable, but after 12 years Amelia was a bit over it. She just wanted to have a happy holiday season.

"Did you maybe pat it down too much or use too much water? Or maybe it isn't gloomy enough... Of course they can take up to 250 years to grow so maybe yours is just taking more time... But if you go back I'll go with you," Amelia suggested. She really hoped that Isaac hadn't killed his seedling, because that probably wouldn't make the Herbology Professor happy. It could be that Isaac just didn't have a green thumb though. And if that was the case the seedling was doomed.

"I suppose so... So apart from Egypt and America where else have you lived?" And obviously she meant apart from here and where he was from as well. Although hearing about that might be interesting. It just seemed as if he traveled a lot and Amelia was beginning to wonder if she'd ever actually get to see him during holiday times.

Jez folded her arms as Nate explained himself, her expression stony. She didn't like to be spied or snuck up on, especially since she'd spent a good part of the holidays looking over her shoulder for signs of attack from Team Wolf. She sighed when he'd finished, giving him a long, level look. "Part of my brain is telling me to throw you back in with the ducks. I'm coming very close to listening to it." She pointed her wand at his face, looking fierce enough to scare him properly. "Finite." That should release the spell.
Jez stepped back into the pond, her already wet trainers and socks squelching on the mud. She gently shooed the duck away and grabbed the soggy photo, bringing it back to the bank and lying it on a rock to dry. She studied it, then looked at Nate, her hand out. "We should dry out the others," she suggested. Yes, she had a feeling he kept those photos in his pockets - Jez still kept a few of her family on her person, even though it had been months since their deaths. She hadn't actually seen those photos yet, and she was strangely eager to. Maybe so she'd have more reason to hate Jared and Team Wolf, for hurting Nate more than the curse in Diagon Alley did.

A concerned look crossed his face as she said she still had nightmares about that night. "I can see why ye wouldn't want te remember thet then." he said softly again. He wouldn't even press her either, because that wouldn't be right. "It had te have been terrifying." he murmured. He'd never been in a fire, but to be trapped as well? "Yer not going home fer the holidays?" Hmmm, he'd wondered if she would be or not, because he had thought of inviting her... "If ye'd rather go somewhere fer the holidays, I got a letter from me mum and she's invited me te go te Scotland. They've decided thet's where they wanted te spend the holidays this year."

Making a face, he shrugged "Mebbe. Me mum is the one who's got a green thumb, and I really don' take after her much other then bein' a wizard." Looking down at her as she offered to go with "If ye'd like, I'd love te have ye." And he would, but he wouldn't pressure her there, "I've watered 'im already so it's just reading...singing and uhh" he couldn't remember the last bit.

"Hmmm, let's see Brazil, Iceland, Ireland, Russia, Japan, Australia..." Shifting a little he bit his lip trying to remember anything else. "Erm...South Africa, Greece and Turkey. And I think thet's it."

"It was. It's why I'm still so irrational around even small flames. I hate candles on birthday cakes for crying out loud. But it gets better," Amelia admitted, shifting her arm so that she was holding the hand that was positioned around her. It made her feel safe. Especially knowing that despite all her issues, that he knew about anyway, Isaac was still willing to sit and hold her, and give them a chance. Which was great since she really liked him.

That she hadn't been expecting. An offer to spend Christmas with his family? It would be nice but also awkward since she'd never met them before. "I'm not sure... I mean your parents don't even know me," Amelia told him. Her tone however showed that she wasn't trying to let him down easily since he'd been so nice as to offer, but that she really wasn't sure if his parents would like her, and if she'd be ready to meet them. In actual fact she wasn't sure she'd ever be ready to meet his family.

"Reading, dancing while you sing and you need to give him some blood and bone mixture, around the base of the seedling. So maybe those need to wait until the seed has actually grown..." Amelia finished as Isaac trailed off about what he still needed to do for his plant. Why she remembered so much about the homework still she didn't know. Probably the whole photographic memory thing.

He'd been to so many places! She wished she'd been to a lot of them too. But at least she'd had a relatively stable life, what with being in one place long enough to make friends and have somewhere she felt she could actually call home. "I've always wanted to go to Russia, Australia and Japan. I've actually learnt Japanese as preparation for if I ever do get to go there." Because she would go there. Just as long as she could conquer her fear of crowds and stuff. And if she never got to go, well at least she could say she was multilingual when applying for jobs.

Amelia carefully drew her injured hand away from Isaac's as it was beginning to hurt due to the ice seeping through her scarf. But at least it wasn't as painful as before.

Vickers started to nod his head eagerly but then slowed down when Laci sounded puzzled "Yeah a nickname... like a pet name--" wait she might think he's naming himself after one of his pets "I mean... its a name people call you, sometimes is a shorter version of your own name, sometimes its something thats people know you like or is your favorite. Like for me-- Vickers is actually a name of a Muggle airplane." And that may even confuse her even more....

Then she started to explain stagenames "So it is like an alias... or a screen name." Like all those Muggle actors. Vickers had to smile, fire-headed creature trainer was a bit of a mouthful, but with a few creative edits it had potential.

He had to stifle a cautious yelp when the ducks started tumbling down. He's handled lots of different winged creatures before, but getting them to stack up one after the other was something he hasnt done yet nor would he want to. Although Laci looked to be having a fun time with it.

Speaking of fun....

"Hey Laci, I read that its Hogwart's millennial anniversary and that there are some celebrations happening for it around the grounds." He was curious oh yes he was "Do you want to go around the school and look for it?"

He wasn't being serious was he? Nessie didn't think she was insecure, and she didn't get why anyone would want to make themselves feel bad. What she was doing, was just telling the truth, or at least she thought so. With a sort of shocked expression, she looked up at Adam. So now he was worried that she cared about her flaws? Honestly? Nessie personally thought it was a little weird. What difference did it make to him whether she cared about her flaws or not? "I'm not trying to be insecure, nor am I trying to make myself feel bad and I'm also not trying to pick at my flaws...I'm just being honest that it." That trully was what she thought she was being. There went again lying, just so he could compliment her. "Adam, I know I'm not beautiful you don't have to lie to make me feel good about myself." she looked at her feet as she spoke.

Naaaa, he was just saying this all to make her feel better. She knew she wouldn't get any of that, not even a badge for being a good friend. She didn't deserve it, she deserved none of it. "I'm not going to get any of that, not even in my dreams." she said with a little nod."I suppose anything is, but the chances of me gettting any sort of badge is like one in a million." Which meant it was almost impossible.

Cried? Adam cried? Wow that was a shocker! "I..I'm..sorry..I never knew." There were still so many things, that Nessie never knew about the whole Adam and Kurumi story, and she was really eager to know the whole story with full details, because she cared about both of them and they both seemed to have been effected by the whole thing hugely. All she could do was give him a hug. She wasn't good when it came to advice or anything like that, when she had to comfort people she usually just kinda hugged them and listened to what they had to say. "Um..just so you know..there's nothing wrong with crying." but surely he knew that, seeingas he was the one that had told her that in the first place.

Meh, she could see she had started to bother him, she really didn't mean it. "Don't say anything." she said a little irritated with herself. All they had spoken about the whole time was herself, it was quite selfish and Nessie felt bad. She wanted to talk about something besides herrself for a change, but before she could even change the topic, she saw Adam heading over to some students that seemed to be missbehaving. "Prefect duties" she mumbled to herself and then giggled as she followed Adam. She didn't say anything, but it would be entertaining to watch Mr. Prefect Ginger doing he's job.

"Oh." Adam was more than sure that she was making herself feel so for a certain purpose, but now she seemed upset when he answered him, he felt like a horrible person. He didn't know how to properly react, so he stood there silently. What had he been thinking? Asking her if she were actually making herself feel bad for a reason. The tension between them was one of the worst he had to ever endure with her, an it was all due to him. "I'm a horrible,horrible brother." Yes, he felt extremely guilty. But he couldn't deny she was pretty. "But you are pretty. If there's one thing you can trust an believe me in, I'm hoping that is the one."

"Well, like you said, 'One in a Million' right?" He smirked as he held his badge.

He shrugged when Nessie spoke about his 'relationship' problems. "It's okay that you don't know,yet." Adam said with a small smile. She did seem pretty intrigued about 'them'. An, as far as he knew, she had entrusted him with her 'love' life, why couldn't he, in return tell her everything she felt an gone through. Sure, she was many years younger an may not understand his motives an actions an thoughts, but maybe she'd just listen rather than judge him. Who knows, she might turn out to be the therapist Adam needed, since he had been hers lately. Then Adam felt her arms around her, an although it was the first hug they truly shared with each other, he didn't mind that she was hugging him. Sometimes that made the world much better. "Like you guys say, it's more manly for a man to cry, right?" Adam asked as he let go of the hug after a long while.

Adam had completely forgotten everything he had been talking about with Nessie when he saw the trouble arising. He looked back momentarily an said, "Well, I guess if you want to see Mr. Prefect Ginger at work...Just stay a distance. I don't want you to be involved in this all." He warned her with a smirk. 1-because he didn't want her to get into whatever could happen,2- he didn't want her to see the more authoritive side of him.

Oh? ..that was it? Nessie bit her lip, he must have had more to say, but he might have been keeping he's mouth shut. Keeping her mouth shut, she stood still as the tension grew. It felt kind of odd, but before she could say something in attempt to stop the tension, Adam said some shocking words first. Him? Horrible? No! That wasn't true, he was the best 'brother' out their, to her at least. He may have had a terrible reputation and he may have hurt many people, but oddly he had never, ever done anything that bad to her. "That's not true, your one of the best brothers ever." He had to know that. "Even, if you do get a little annoying at times." Like when he got over protective, that was beyond irritating. "I'm not pretty Adam, now please stop telling me I am." She didn't want to hear lies about herself, just so she wouldn't feel bad.

"Yep one in a million you are." She giggled at him. He really was one in million, unlike herself he was amazing, talented and definitely a good friend. She eyed he's badge, and felt pride. Her big 'brother' a prefect, she was proud.

She wanted to help, she really did, but she couldn't help him move on if she barely knew half the story. It was just one of those things, she wouldn't let go. He'd have to tell her sooner or later, otherwise she'd get it out of Kurumi, but that wouldn't help much as she wanted to hear both sides of the story. " But if I was a good friend I would have known about this." You know, because good friends did know these things and they helped their friends right? That's how she was brought up, you always had to help your friends, because that's what friends were for. With a serious face she nodded at he's question. It really was how most girls thought. "Yeah, but your manly enough." She pulled her tongue at him, in a teasing sort of way. " You need some more muscles and you need to be bigger." She was only kidding he did know that, she was sure.

"Mr. Prefect Ginger to the rescue." She giggled again. It was rather amusing to her and she would for sure stay and watch. He didn't need to worry, she had no intentions whatsoever to get involved. She would be drama free this year, no need for interfering. "I'll be here watching." She gave him a little nod. "If only I had a camera." She mumbled more to herself. It was something she'd want pictures of, just so she could giggle when she looked at them, and thought of Mr. Prefect Ginger. "Now off you go, go save the day." She snorted this time.

Nate gratefully took Jez's hand and got up from his soggy spot on the ground. "Thanks..." he muttered. You know, for helping me up, and unfreezing me and such... Dry out the others? Sounded like a good idea to Nate. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the others. Some of them, like the stray, were taken by Team Wolf. The others were probably taken by Lex and Kieran when they got there, judging by the wreckage they showed. "Yeah, let's do that," he said meekly, setting the pictures out face-up on the large rock that the first one was on. These were painful to look at, but they kept Nate going. Even though Jez was right when she said that this didn't start as Nate's fight, he was determined to end it, or at least help.

"But what I just said to you. I thought that you were doing it on purpose an I was beginning to feel bad that you were doing that to yourself an then you said you weren't. Which makes me feel horrible for asking that." Annoying? When had he ever been annoying. "I'm sorry about the annoying stuff. It's in my instinct." He smirked. Then he closed his eyes. Adam didn't really know what to say anymore when she kept repeating she wasn't pretty. How many reasons could he give her. Yes, he gave her advice, but he couldn't keep repeating herself. Maybe if she talked to a girl about her image maybe then she would understand what he had been trying to say, only maybe she wouldn't have understood it coming from a guys point of view. "Ok. You need to talk to some girl about your image. Because I think you may understand me, but it's fully not getting into your mind because it's coming from a guy." Although he said it sternly, that would be the only way she'd be able to comprehend it.

"But, I really only became good friends with you until last year an more at that at the end of the school year when we were..." His voice implied what he didn't want to say because she would see it an memories would come back an Adam didn't want that for her right now. Although he exactly never told anyone the full story, only the people that had been involved him,Selina an Kurumi, were the only ones that knew all sides to their story, he might consider to tell Nessie. "I'll tell you what, next time I see you...I'll..I'll...I'll tell you the full story. The whole enchilada,as they say in Mexico." His heart an soul twinged when he mentioned Mexico. Mexico was half the reason for his broken friendships.Then, as a joke he flexed his muscles, "Yeah-I don't think Quidditch last year made me more muscly."

"Hi Laura, it's just I'm wondering what it feels like to kiss someone?" Helga was just being honest the true factor of friendship.

Smiling as she took his hand he raised it to his lips and kissed it before putting it back down around her. "I'll keep thet in mind." he said softly. He would too, it helped him to understand her better, and what to watch for. "It's not irrational though te be thet way around any size flame. It's still gonna make ye more careful." Hmm, not having a candle on a cake, wasn't all that different, "When I was in Egypt we had a custom of making a pyramid fer every year the person had been alive, instead of candles. And even in Brazil we had a different flower fer each of the guests at the party, and each flower had the amount of years as the petals."

Shaking his head he understood her hesitancy "No, but I've told them a little about ye. But if ye don' feel comfortable, I'm gonna stay here with ye. I wouldn't want anyone te be alone at Christmas, and me parents jus' asked if I'd come and only if I wanted te." he assured her incase she tried arguing that he shouldn't stay. "And Christmas is months away, so I'm not worried."

DANCING! Merlin he'd forgotten that part! Oh no...he couldn't dance. Groaning he winced at her that thought "I fergot about the dancing part." Yeah, putting that off might be better!

Maybe Isaac and her could go back there together some day. He had loved Japan and Australia, Russia was ok, but he wouldn't mind going back to any of them especially if she was there as well. He didn't ask though because of what she'd said about Christmas. "Thet's neat about having learned Japanese, I've not learned much of the languages of those countries jus' enough te get by really."

Watching as she moved her hand carefully, he looked down at her face tilting his head a little "Is it feelin' any better?"

Taylor sat down on a bench near the duck pond. She opened her bag and took out a book in Scottish. Taylor started to read, blocking out the noises surrounding her.

Logan walked down to the duck pond, his kitten, Peeta, trotting behind him. He found a nice spot to sit and sat down. He watched Peeta focusing on a caterpillar that was inching its way slowly towards a broken twig on the ground. Peeta finally got bored and walked to the edge of the water, and cocked his head at the ducks. A duck slowly swam towards Peeta, which basically scared the whiskers off of him. Peeta ran as quickly as he could behind Logan, and curled up in a little ball. Logan laughed. "Aw, Peeta, stop being shy. The duck is nice! He won't hurt you." Logan said. But Peeta just stayed behind him, which Logan didn't mind.

Taylor looked up from her book and looed around her. She glanced at the lake for a few minutes then went back to her book. This is the first time that she actually read for fun and not for studying. Taylor loved to read.

Logan turned around to pick up Peeta and put him on his lap when he saw Taylor. He paused and looked at her as she read her book. He literally melted. He kept staring at her until Peeta started meowing, which startled him so much he fell onto his back. "Peeta..." he growled under his breath. He turned back to the lake quickly, and took out his sketchbook and a quill and began drawing the lake, his face slightly red.

Taylor looked up at a cat meowing. She looked over and saw Logan and Peeta. Taylor waved and went back to her book. She didn't feel like getting up to go over and talk especially since she wants to finish this book and she was suppose to meet some one here.

Isaac raising her hand to his lips caused Amelia to blush a pretty shade of pink, as well as to give a small smile. She liked his little gestures quite a bit more than she had thought she would. Maybe because it didn't seem like he was trying to make her believe anything by doing them, but simply did them because they appeared natural. Even if the hand kissing could be found old fashioned she found that it was quite sweet.

"Well maybe not completely irrational. But fear is hardly ever rational," Amelia argued before determining that she wouldn't talk about that anymore today. After all it was hardly a happy topic even if it was one she was mostly indifferent about. Besides, Isaac didn't need to learn all of her secrets in one day. They had plenty of time for that.

"As you said, it's months until Christmas, so why don't we decide closer to the date?" because that way he could tell his parents more about her and gauge how much they were likely to like, or hate, her based on the replies they sent. Not that she thought they would hate her without first meeting her but you never know...

"I'm sure the dancing doesn't need to be perfectly coordinated and that just some small movements would be considered enough to constitute it," Amelia said, secretly wanting to see just why Isaac dreaded dancing so much. Her own dance had been somewhat more elaborate than it had needed to be what with the twists and leaps around the flowerpot, but then she enjoyed dancing so it was only natural that she would put on a performance, even if only for a plant. "Besides, how bad can it be?"

Amelia simply nodded as he spoke about learning only enough of the language to get by. If she'd been as many places as he had she wouldn't have bothered to become fully proficient in all of them either. It would be a waste of time and effort to do so.

"Truthfully I don't know. It's kind of numb now, but was starting to burn a bit from the ice," Amelia informed Isaac as she moved her hand a little to see if she could feel pain.

He wanted to drop the subject because it was not a pleasant one to talk about for one, and he didn't want to argue for another. Fear was a natural thing for a person to have, especially with such a horrible memory from it! But he wasn't gonna keep going with it because he really didn't want to go on, if she did he'd reply but for now he left it at that.

Nodding his head rested on hers lightly "Absolutely, there's no rush, who knows, mebbe there's something happening this Christmas here we won' want te leave because of!" True, and especially if they made the team, they'd want te possibly stay around the school anyway for practices and such. Oi, no thinking about the team, the last tryout had been a disaster that he'd prefer to forget about. Her falling had scared the daylights out of him! Just the thought made him squeeze her gently.

"Mebbe I'll wait til it's nighttime and go when no one else is around te see me dancing." he joked. Well maybe that was a better idea anyway, couldn't make a fool of yourself if no one saw you, right? "It's only bad if ye got only 2 left feet." he said with a chuckle. Though if she wanted to dance in the rain like she'd mentioned back in Diagon Alley, he'd certainly try just for her!

Moving enough so he could see her hand when she moved it, "Well I don' see te much color, mebbe the bruising will be slight?"

"I suppose... But then again it is a school and who would willingly be stuck in one over the holiday's?" even is said school was rather nice and magical and not too school like over break. Then again Amelia was contemplating willingly staying at the school during the holidays so she supposed she had an answer to her question.

She wondered what the squeeze was for. It was nice but not something someone had done to her before. At least not in a very long time.

"Night time huh? Well I suppose that would mean less people would be around to witness you bust a move. But then it could also make it hard to see when doing other tasks that are required for successful completion of the homework," Amelia pointed out. She really did think that he was exaggerating his lack of danceability. And if not... well even people with two left feet could be turned into dancers if given the right amount of tutelage. Tutelage that Amelia would be all too happy to provide.

"I hope so. I hate when things mar my skin," because yes Amelia was somewhat vain. But everyone was to a certain extent. And so she hated when she had any sort of blemish on her body.

"Awesomeness, I already got that. But the extra that comes with the title makes me even awesomer," Everett said laughing. "You wanna bet? I can always be the cool guy. Hard not to be when you are always this cool," He said in his usual light hearted arrogant tone.

Oh no. She was crying now. Everett really had no clue when it came to crying girls. "True," He replied simply. If she was out of school and he was still in it, it wouldn't work out. That was still months away though, they'd have time before that. If Everett even figured out if he liked her that way or not. He had to say something now that wouldn't wreck the conversation and upset her more. So he thought carefully. Being honest he had no clue what to say.

"... Do you need a hug?" Everett asked suddenly. She was crying and isn't that what you usually did when someone cried? Hugged them. And gave them chocolate but he didn't have any chocolate and wouldn't give that up for no one.

Maybelle rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't be so sure about that." She stuck out her tongue again. "I think without your title, you just won't be awesome, so that's why I'll share it with you." She smirked. "Right, when you are always so cool." Another eye roll. "You know, one day your arrogance might get you slapped?" She wasn't saying it would be her that would be slapping him, but you never know.

She looked up at Everett, tear lines on her face. She probably looked weak, which she didn't want to. "Well, we could write each other, and there's always those trips to Hogsmeade." She said, smiling through her tears. It was true. "Sure it would be hard, but isn't that the point?" Because no one ever said relationships were easy.

A hug? She sniffled and nodded. "Yeah, a hug would be nice." She said, and slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, lying her head on the space of shoulder left. "I don't even know why I'm crying." She giggled slightly. Maybelle wished she could just stay like this. Wrapped in Everett's arms. Maybe then she could forget all the drama, forget about how Jake would take this if Everett's feelings were the same towards Maybelle. Maybe that was a reason she was crying. Jake. He would be so heartbroken.

"You wouldn't would you? I think you are jealous of my awesomeness that you have to lie about my having of it." Everett said, sticking his tongue out back at her again. So maturely. "Well I've come to accept that my fate is that. But when you are as good looking as I am, it's hard not to be arrogant," He said with a smirk.

"That is also true..." Everett said. Even though what she said was true, it didn't sound like such an appealing idea. "You are right..." Relationships should be easy. The world would be better then. Not so many people upset because of them. There would also be more sweets because heartbroken people wouldn't have stolen it all.

Everett was almost surprised she had taken up his offer of a hug, but he still hugged her back regardless. He did like hugs. "Maybe it's because you didn't have one of my hugs yet?" He teased lightly, trying to lighten the mood a bit. Everett was enjoying hugging Maybelle. Maybe he did have feelings for her? He still wasn't sure. The only idea he had was going out with her to see, but that might count as leading her on. Which wasn't very nice for her.

Maybelle laughed. "Why would I be jealous of you? I think it's you who is jealous of me." She said. "I am just more awesome then you are." She said, sounding all conceited. "I was an amazing Quidditch player and shall be beating you at guitar skills." She also added, "I am also going to be the Supreme Overlord of Slytherin Hugging this term." She said, putting her hands on her hips.

"Yeah.." She trailed off. Maybelle wasn't thinking straight. She was slowly going mad. "Yes, well I'm always right." She chuckled. Seeing as everything that she was saying, Everett was agreeing was true. "And not to mention having to tell..." Maybelle didn't say his name, maybe if she didn't mention Jake, then things would be easier for her.

Maybelle smiled as Everett had hugged her back. She wrapped her arms abit tighter, so she was closer to Everett. "Maybe it is because I haven't had one of your hugs." She chuckled, herself. Maybelle liked Ev's hugs, and she wondered if he liked hers. "There's so much going on in my head. And there's so much drama." She said, realizing that was the main reason for her crying. "Can you believe it? A lot going on in my head." She said. Usually she didn't think about too much, and so when she did think about a lot, it was overwhelming.

"I think you are confused. I have nothing to be jealous of you, but me you have plenty. I mean, do you see this hair? I think you should be jealous of it." Everett said pointing at his curly hair laughing. "I don't care if you are good at Quidditch, but my guitar skills will continue to be better than yours, and I don't think you could beat my hugging skills."

"Oh course you are," Everett said sarcastically with a small laugh, before frowning slightly. She was right. She had a boyfriend. That made things awkward. He was glad he wasn't in her boyfriend's place. It would suck being told that. "Yeah that too..."

Everett smiled, "I think so. I give good hugs," He said grinning. This was nice, holding her. Maybe that meant he liked her? He wasn't positive but it seemed that way. "I get what you mean." He said. His head was filled with confusion about his feelings, and he didn't like it. He missed the days before he went to Hogwarts when he didn't have such a confused head all the time. Ever since he started at Hogwarts he was bombarded with a whole lot of drama. First with Amy, and Sammy too he supposed, which was still going on he was pretty sure, and then this. Maybe he should swear off even talking to girls, then he could avoid this drama. They seemed to be hte main problem of it all.