After a few minutes, the first year picked up her head and wiped her eyes. "I-I'm okay now. I shouldn't cry over her." The last word had an edge to it, a bitterness already forming. She leaned forward kissing Logan's cheek and sat looking at the ducks, unsure of what to say. "Tell me something...anything..." Ella said quietly, needing to hear something good to get her mind off her own problems.

Jory gave Gwen a smile. maybe she would really give changing a try. He turned his attention back to the Pond. The ducks seemed to be having the time of their lives with so many students throwing things for them to eat.

Gwen didn't answer his question but he let it drop. "Any special plans for the summer holidays?'' Jory asked. He'd miss Hogwarts but he couldn't help looking forward to the holidays. He doubt his family would be going on vacation this year. His Dad had to do more training sessions with rookie detectives.

Just then, Gwen said something that made Jory turn his head so fast to look at her, his neck hurt a bit. He just stared at her, trying to decide if she was joking or if he'd heard right. She seemed quite serious. "Thank you, Gwen,'' he said still uncertain he'd heard right.

"No, no Ella it's okay to cry sometimes." he said, patting her back lightly. "Sometimes we need to let it out, and that's okay. There's nothing wrong with it." he said, kissing her cheek in return as she kissed his. He pulled her closer, and thought. "Hmm..." he said thoughtfully, trying to think of something. "Hey, you know how you wanted to go for a run? Or a swim?" he asked. "Well the weater is getting warmer...so if you ever want to do any of those things, I'm always up for it!" he said with a smile.

Ella sat quietly, listening to Logan. As he continued to talk, she felt herself calm down a bit. A small smile even creeped up when he mentioned running or swimming. "Yes, I'd like that." She said quietly. "Someday real soon." She turned her head to look him in the eyes and managed a wider smile this time. "Thanks." She said sincerely. "I needed this." Meaning the holding and soothing words and general kindness.

"Cool!" Logan said smiling. "That'll be real fun." he said, watching the ducks swim by. "And it'd also be pretty fun to have another picnic here.." he said smiling, and feeling his cheeks grow a little hot as she looked him in the eyes. He nodded. "I'm always here for you." he said, kissing her.

"Fun." Ella repeated the word. She could definitely use some of that. "Lets have a lot of fun before the end of term, okay?" There would be plenty of time to deal with adult stuff this summer. Now was the time to enjoy Hogwarts.

The kiss. Well that made Ella forget all her problems. She still wasn't used to the whole kissing thing and she felt her face grow immediately hot. She looked at Logan, eyes wide and smiling. "I know you are. Me too."

Nerida walked over to the Duck Pond, she knew everyone visited the Duck Pond. She decided this was where she would put her public service announcment, she found a tree, and stuck it up there, with the semi-permanent charm. She had asked her sister if the spell would harm the tree and she said no, she hoped she was right!

Sierra returned from the Christmas holiday much happier than she'd been before. Not that she wasn't happy before. Her home life was great. Her father and his girlfriend, who was now much more to Sierra than before, had gotten married. Sure, they'd gone off on a holiday and stuck Sierra was Scabior for the remainder of the break, but Sierra didn't mind much. They were married, and she had a family again.

She'd gotten so distracted with wedding thoughts that she'd nearly forgotten why she was here at the duck pond. A loud quack drew her away from her thoughts, and she dashed away just before a duck could walk across her foot. Eww. See, this was why she hated animals. Couldn't they just stay away? And why was this one out so late?!

Sierra rolled her eyes then set up her telescope a few feet away for the pond. Hmm... Actually, she should just move it several more feet away. She didn't like that the creatures decided to roam around at night. She came out here thinking they'd be asleep. She picked up her telescope and move it over. When it was situated, she looked through it and began to search for a different star. Lynx. It was right in the center of the area she was focused on and ended up being the first star she saw. She documented the finding then gathered her materials and left.

So she left one tiny question unanswered. And she felt a bit sorry that she had done so. That was a first in her case. Heh. Anyhow, the third year drew her attention back towards Jory. ‘I’m not so sure yet. I’m planning of going to Egypt’ That was sure. ‘And… I don’t know. I’d like to meet my friends over the summer. As another term starts, I feel like there’s a lot of catching up’ It always was like that. Even with Ari. And Merlin’s beard they were almost always handing out together. ‘You?’, the girl finally asked. It he won’t seem too busy, she’d try suggesting they’d meet.

‘What?’, she asked slightly puzzled. Did she say something- oh right. The friends comment. ‘Yesyes. I’m not mocking you. Not this time’, she gave a smirk. Though...It had been kind of funny seeing him turn around that fast… and his facial expression at the moment was simply priceless. Gwen seriously tried a bit to hold back her laughter. But yes. Anyway. She was serious.

Logan nodded. "Yeah of course! We'll have so much fun...it'll be...crazy!" he said. "Everyone will be so jealous of our fun, they'll have to join in! Which will make it even more fun!" he said, throwing his arms in the air.

Logan smiled, and felt his legs and arms shaking slightly. He stiffened them a little, trying to ignore it. He nodded quickly and smiled again. "G-good." he said.

Ella watched Logan closely, enjoying his excitement. He seriously was cheering her up. The first year cracked a large smile and started to giggle. "That sounds like pretty much the best plan ever!" She said, nodding enthusiatically.

Was he shaking? Cause Ella's knees were definitely feeling a little wobbley. She fell forward a bit and caught herself, feeling rather foolish. "Erm, whoops." She said, sheepishly.

Minerva had walked from the Willow to the Duck pond.. She was sure she would have found it by now. She had her head down looking around and her hand over the new scrap on her head. She didn't even notice she was about to run into anyone until she did. She looked up, "Oh sorry guys I didn't see you." she felt stupid, which wasn't the first time lately. "So what are you two up to?"

Harvey had looked all over for Minnie except a few places and he was losing hope of finding her today.. he looked around and was just about to leave when he spotted her.. he put his hand in his shirt pocket and made sure that he still had it with him.. and he took a deep breath and walked towards her.. he didnt know how she would react to know that he had her precious bracelet all this time when she was probably searching high and low for it and stressing over it at the same time.. "Hey guys.." he greeted the two already there talking to Minnie he then turned to Minnie "er.. Mins I have something that belongs to you" he said carefully taking the bracelet out and holding it out to her. "You dropped it at the Willow" he smiled at her.. as he continued to hold out the bracelet

Logan's eyes widened as Minnie ran into them. He then realized he hadn't seen her in a...a million years it felt like. "Minnie!" he cried. "Where have you been?!" he asked. "If you've been here the whole time, I swear you are good at hiding! Or you have an invisibility cloak!!" he said, pulling her into a hug.

"Doesn't it? I'm just a genius!" Logan said, beaming and bowing. "Thank you, thank you." he said as he bowed.

Logan couldn't help but laugh quietly as Ella fell forward a bit. "Y-you okay?" he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Minerva put on a smile. She knew this question was going to come up as she made her way around the castle. She glanced over at Ella knowing Ella already heard the entire story. Before she could answer she was pulled into a hug. "Oh sorry about missing Logan. I had well a family thing that made me leave school for a few months. I just got back right before the match actually." She put her hand back to her head to make sure her scrap had stopped bleeding, when she realized it did she put her hands down to her sides. "So what have you two been up to?" she was glad to see that they were still together.

Minerva then heard another voice and she turned. Smiling with a bit of guilt at the way she acted towards him the day before. "Hey Harvs." and then she saw it. "I have been looking all over for this. I thought someone might have taken it." If only she would have known he had it, then she wouldn't have had the run in with that bloody tree. It was her own fault though. "I was just looking for it when I ran into Ella and Logan." She took the bracelet and stuck it in her bag. She would put it on later, she was to afraid to lose it again.

Harvey handed over her bracelet as he listened to her. He smiled "Well I just didnt want it to get damaged or anything. Oh ok. Good to see you both." he said to Logan and Ella as Minnie took the bracelet and put it into her bag.. Harvey then looked over at Minnie and was looking over her original brown colored hair when he noticed something that wasnt there before.. "Hey Mins.. what happened to your head? you ok? playing that game again?" he asked smiling as he pointed at her head.

"It's okay!" he said. "Just maybe let me know before disappearing like that and not telling me...oh and is everything okay?" he said, watching curiously as she put her hand to her head. Deciding not to ask about it, he decided to answer her question instead. "Eh, nothing really. Just the same old stuff." he said.

Minerva turned a bit red with both of them noticing her head, but of course they noticed it had to be red and noticeable. Her hand automatically went to her head. "haha Harvs. No I wasn't playing my little game again." she glanced at Logan and Ella. "I was looking for my bracelet not paying attention and was nailed by that bloody tree. Luckily it wasn't full limb it was just part or I think I would not be standing here right now." Minerva smiled at Logan that was nice of him to care, glancing at Harvey at least two people noticed she wasn't there. Ella was the first that showed her some did notice and now Logan. "Thanks Logan I will try, but if an owl comes in the middle of the night like the last one I dont' want to wake anyone to tell them I'm leaving."

Logan nodded. "Alright. I'm glad you're back, Minnie." he said with a smile.

Harvey smiled as she turned red.. he had always loved it when she turned red. He nodded as she said that she wasnt playing her little game.. but she still had been hit by that thing.. and for the bracelet he had taken. Oops.. "Well I am glad it wasnt a full limb.. its always nice to see you standing here.. right now" he said as his smile slowly disappeared at the thought that she could have been injured much worse.. "If you need to.. you should go upto the Hospital Wing and have your head looked at" he smiled a bit.. He then listened as she talked to Logan.. and there it was again.. another reminder that he hadnt sent an owl out.. he knew there would be many reminders.. no matter how much it stung.. it was the truth.. he hadnt.. he hadnt .. he smiled a little as he stood there listening.

Minerva laughed at Harvey saying about her standing there. Now he cared, Minerva stop thinking like that she shook it off. "I think I will be fine Harvey. So Logan your first year at Hogwarts is almost over. How have you liked it? Are your classed going ok?"

Harvey smiled as she laughed.. it was good to see her laughing again.. just like old times. He wondered what made her laugh.. he hadnt said a joke or anything.. he hoped he didnt have anything funny on his face. He smiled and nodded as she said that she will be fine "Well.. thats.. er.. thats good.. I am glad." he smiled as he listened to Minnie speaking to Logan. The way she had laughed it was like nothing had changed.. and he hoped that it would stay that way.. and even if it didnt.. he wouldnt mind.. cause no matter what.. she was, is and always would be his friend.

"The duck pond?" Taryn asked as they arrived. She did love it here, so maybe this bet/dare wasn't going to be so bad after all? Hmm...

"Should I be worried about this?" EEK?

The look on Taryn's face was priceless.

The Duck Pond. They were here now, standing on the western bank, a few ducks floating not too far away. "Worried? Why would you be worried you love them right?" He pointed his finger at one of the fowl.

Without any further adieu, August stepped away from the Slytherin and went right up to the duck closest to him on the grassy bank and picked it right up from the water. The brown thing quacked loudly and began to beat it's wings furiously as the fourth year lion walked quickly over to his girlfriend.

"Taryn, kiss it! Hurry up and kiss it!" He shouted over the quacking and beating of wings. "That's the bet!"

Ella laughed as Logan thanked her and bowed. "You're very welcome." She said, bowing in return. The first year couldn't help but blush when he caught her falling forward. "I-I'm fine...it's just these knees. They stopped working for a second. Strange..." She was about to continue her excuses when she felt someone bump right into them. "Oi!" She said, turning to look at the person who had interrupted them. O__O Minnie! "Oh, don't worry about it, Minnie! We-We're just hanging out." Cue a smile at Logan, telling him all was okay with her now and she'd rather not mention the family drama in front of Minnie, not with what she was going through. The young badger watched at Logan and Minnie caught up. She had already had her reunion with the older badger so she just stood to the side, smiling. Oh, and now Harvey was there. "Hi!" She greeted, smiling at the ravenclaw. "It's nice to see you as well." Then she was worried, Minnie had hit her head? That wasn't good. "Sorry about your head, those pesky trees will get you everytime." So will the fountains...