Charlie shook his head, still grinning. "I AM sorry. I meant to scare you, not make you fall and nearly break your neck. Although, it was cute, the way you went flailing about." He smirked, stepping away before she hit him or something. He was happy though. She's fun when she's angry.

"This is like the ninth time I've caught you in a moment of weakness. I don't think that qualifies as rare. Although, maybe its me." He said jokingly, raising his eyebrows. "Maybe just being around me makes you weak, eh?" He laughed again lightly, hopping up on the counter Brook just fell from. He sat, facing her, but he turned his head a little and opened the cabinet beside the one Brook had been riffling through. He pulled out an apple and bit into it, looking back at Brook. "What were you even looking for, anyway?"

A smile graced his face. The little girl was fine. It made him happy somehow, even if he hadn't cared about the girl that much. Perhaps he'd been too busy being upset with Vindictus to be actually concerned about anyone else, especially someone else from another House.

He did tell Keefer and Alec to leave him alone yesterday, and one of them was a close friend. So, yeah, that was probably it.

And his smile could only get wider now, "He did." Well, the smile didn't get as wide as anyone thought, it was Vindictus they were talking about, and Treyen was still sliiiightly very upset with him. It doesn't get to the WWW category, because the Head Boy still has some respect for old Vindi. He thought of Simon and the time he lost all those points for giving the man a walking stick.

Good times, yet not that good when they happened.

Yes, exactly, know but not believe. He supposed that very good boyfriends didn't fight as often with their girlfriends. Granted, they were more like arguments than actual fights, but still. "Exactly." She got it right.

Considering his ice cream was no longer ice cream but some sort of chocolate milkshake, he let it go. And did not fail to notice that Ellie was taking forever to answer his question. That's when he realized that whatever was bothering her was extremely important. Or she would've shared it right away.

Treyen was right.

It surprised him that she was thinking about the 'after-Hogwarts' part of her life, truth be told, especially since she wasn't much of a planner, but last year they'd said that she might go into Professional Quidditch, and whilst Treyen wasn't particularly fond of it, he knew that that's what she wanted. For whatever reason she was having trouble seeing it happening. And why? Just because Alec won yesterday? Did she realize how close she'd been to getting that Snitch? Since his focus had been on her, Treyen did notice how close.

No, he wasn't blaming the outcome on luck, nor on him (with this whole 'sabotage' thing Vindictus mentioned), Alec happened to be faster somehow. That one time. And so what if the boy was faster altogether? She shouldn't feel that way. Vashti was way better than Treyen as a Chaser, didn't mean he should consider telling Keefer that he was quitting the Quidditch team.

"Your 'after Hogwarts' is too far away to be thinking about it now," he said, taking her hand again.

So basically, they agreed that Vindictus was perfect for officiating Quidditch...

...And Ellie guessed right about Treyen's feelings toward being called a 'fantastic boyfriend'. Which she was smiling about, by the way. "Well, you are." So he could start believing it any time.

She allowed her feet to slip off the seat and curl around the legs of the chair so she could pull their hands onto her lap again. Again, she chewed her lip a moment before responding. "Not that far..." By this time next year, she was hoping to have letters, like Nia and Jacob did, from teams that want her. Which meant that this was the year she had to impress, no?

Another moment later, she realized what she said. If her 'after Hogwarts' was 'not that far', Treyen's was right around the corner. And it was. Ellie wrapped both her hands around his and pulled it closer. She wasn't going to say anything about it, but she wasn't going to look uncomfortable about it. Because Merlin knew what Treyen's thoughts on it were and...she'd rather not truthfully voice hers.

So, she was going to talk about herself some more now, okay? "I really want to." Play Quidditch, that is.

Ellie needed to stop that, especially since she made him blush this time around. The Head Boy smiled as he looked away for a second, or a minute, or until she spoke again.

He was still not going to believe it, which was something she probably knew.

But back to Ellie. Another surprise. Whatever had worked for him, clearly didn't work for her. She'd always told him how he still had plenty of time before leaving, but she thought her time was not too far away. And he was leaving before. Amusing.

His smile was still there, even if it was smaller thanks to the reminder of how little time left he had. He was NOT going to make any comparison at this moment. Treyen decided not to think about his time anymore, but about Ellie's, which was the person they were focusing on, right? Right. "No, it is far." He disagreed, clearly.

She seemed to realize something he wasn't aware of when both her hands held his. Was it a bad thing? He didn't know, he had problems reading her.

Then she said the one thing he oh-so-obviously knew and feared. Yes, she wanted to play Quidditch, that was only an indication that she was going to push herself even harder to get the opportunity to keep on playing for as long as she wanted to. It was rather ironic that he was going to be playing over the summer, though, and he didn't intend to, whilst the one who truly wanted to...well, no one knew for sure. She might get a call from any team soon. No one really knew.

Treyen stood, but kept the hold on her hand as the other one held one side of her face. Eyes on her. "I know you do." All of Hogwarts knew, of course, she wouldn't be playing if she didn't want to, but he knew how much she wanted it. "Give it time, okay?" he said, as he stroked her cheek, "Just enjoy the here and now." What more could she possibly want as of TODAY. She IS a Captain. That's as high as you could get when dealing with Hogwarts Quidditch.

She probably wanted to win the Cup too, but even the games that lead to it were a few days, weeks, whatever away.

The blush didn't go unnoticed. In fact, Ellie's smile grew because of it, and a giggle escaped her. She loved doing that to him. Making him blush.

Yes, back to her. She chewed her lip some more as she gave it more thought. In any normal circumstance, she would agree. It was over a year until her 'after Hogwarts'. And Ellie usually considered a month as being too far away. Sometimes even a week. "Okay." It was far. If he said so.

Slight panic filled her when Treyen stood. But then he did her favorite thing in the world, and she knew he hadn't meant anything by rising. She squeezed his hand and nodded. She had plenty of time. And wasn't that her philosophy? To 'just enjoy the here and now'? "Okay."

But was it so wrong to want some kind of certainty? Treyen had had his name down at WADA for over a year now. He had that certainty. All the what-ifs that came with what Ellie wanted to do were making her nervous. What if no team wanted her? What if she tried out the normal way and didn't make it? What if she totally wrecked her chances because she just lost to a first year?

How impressive could that be?

The feeling of Treyen's thumb across her cheek kept those questions at bay, though. She wouldn't ask them. Save them for later, instead.

Had he been looking at her right when his blush appeared, he would've noticed the bigger smile. He did hear some giggling on her behalf, yet chose to ignore it even if the sound of it made him smile as well.

Plus, it was always a reminder of Neptune Bott.

Ellie agreed on the 'far away' bit. Good, because he was actually right about it. Yet he knew that Quidditch works out differently than any other career, but you know what? His sister didn't go straight to Quidditch when she graduated. Kaika only decided to wait for the Wasps, and focused on...dragons in the meantime. Of course, that's what she says now, back then she just said she wasn't following the Quidditch path like their father had.

She'd also agreed on the 'here and now' bit as well, not that it mattered much, he knew she was still going to be worrying about it. But really, she shouldn't. Treyen couldn't even imagine how she was feeling, nor how many unanswered questions she had inside her head. For now, his lips met her forehead, "Try your best not to give it much thought...at least until this season is over." Ellie will have to think it over, though, but if she relaxed until the end of this Quidditch season...well, perhaps the outcome will be different than if she didn't.

Also, "Speaking of now, would you rather stay here, or go somewhere else?" He'd only stood so he could be closer to her, in all honesty, but if she wanted to stay...then he'll stay with her as well.

'Until the end of this Quidditch season'. Yeah, her season could be over a lot sooner than she'd like if she messed up the next match. Ellie chewed her lip, of course, only stopping long enough to answer. "Fine." Fine. She'll try. Just a bit longer.

And she was still going to talk to Vindictus. At some point.

Anyway. "Uhm..." She glanced at the kitchen entrance. Because she'd originally come here because it was less likely that she'd be bothered. But now that she found Treyen...well, she didn't have to hide away exactly. She readjusted her grip on his hand. "I just don't feel like being around a lot of people," she said, eyes on him. But they could find somewhere semi-quiet, couldn't they?

He's probably done more damage than he thought. If there was one word he disliked...it was 'fine'. But...whatever. It didn't matter if she tried and failed, so as long as she did try.

It'd do her good.

Just as it'll do him good to stop studying for a whole week, because he was becoming slightly exhausted. It wasn't that his life depended on NEWTs results or something. He could take a break, no?

For the first time ever, they probably felt the same way. Granted, their situations were entirely different, but Treyen wasn't feeling in a 'crowd' mood at the moment. That wasn't a mood he got to experience very often. "Neither do I." They could steer away from people together. "I know a place." Which wasn't too far away, and wasn't too close to the Hufflepuff Common Room either, in case first or second years decided to outsmart him today.

But first, he allowed his lips to touch hers...and simply kissed her...longer than expected.

His smile hadn't left him, and it was definitely still there as he pulled Ellie ever so softly towards the door. He would've said 'Come', but he was sure she'll follow him. No need to state the obvious, then.

That truly surprised her. That Treyen didn't want to be around people. Usually, it seemed, he didn't mind when others were around. She liked the solitude. But you know? Ellie wasn't going to put too much thought on this either. If for once, he wanted to be somewhere quiet, then that was excellent.

As soon as he mentioned that he knew where they should go, she stood. And was caught off guard a bit by the kiss. Nonetheless, she fully embraced it, letting her eyes slide shut and thoughts melt away. As it should be.

When Treyen pulled away, she took one of her hands off his, placing it somewhere farther up on his arm instead and clinging to the sleeve of his shirt, as she twined her fingers of her other hand with his. Also as it should be, in her opinion.

Silently, Ellie allowed herself to be pulled to the exit and out of the kitchen.

Messer hoped that the prefect didn't notice his awkwardness but it seem that she already noticed it and he was glad that she didn't ask him about it. She'd probably thinks he was weird if she know that he's afraid of those house elves.

Hmm..Yes, come think most of Gryffindors are really good except maybe Alice. She was an exception. Was Kurumi always spent her time here with those house elves. Eeek! Oh yes, he almost forgot their other reason for being in the kitchen. "Its picture time!" Wasn't it?

The girl glared. GLARED. She was NOT happy. To say the least. "I don't believeeeee youuuuuu," she stated in a slightly sing song voice. And she certainly didn't think that she was 'cute'. So, not holding back any longer, she gave him a nice slap on the arm for calling her cute. HMPH. That'll teach YOU, CHARLIE. "Itwasn'tcute." she muttered under her breath. WASN'T.

The blond rolled her eyes. "So, that means you're not onto my plan. Well then, how perfect." There was no plan. She was bluffing, but she knew she'd think of one sooner or later. It was only a matter of time. Again, the blond rolled her eyes, this time adding a little hair flip. He was hilarious. "Very funny. You wish you made me weak." she stuck her tongue out in a reply, trying her hardest not to laugh at him. Afterall, she didn't want to be rude. What had she been- "Peanut butter," her one true weakness.

Ella walked down to the kitchens and after asking the kind elves for a bowl of chocolate ice cream, found a quiet spot to sit and eat. She sat hunched over, absently mashing the ice cream with her spoon until it was more soup than ice cream. How on earth could her mom have just decided to up and leave on yet another trip? No warning, no goodbye. And the lame letter that her father had sent trying to justify the trip...'It will be really good for her career. Great oppertunity to take photos.' What kind of explanation was that for leaving your kids for an entire summer?

Ella angrily wiped away a tear that had made its way down her cheek. This was not how the summer was supposed to go. She needed her mom home. Her dad needed her mom home. Caleb, he was still a baby. She had no business leaving him. Fighting off more tears that were now threatening to fall, Ella began to slurp what was left of her ice cream.

"Ouch." He said, eyebrows raised, as he rubs the spot where she had hit him. He was trying to suppress a smile, and failing, looking down at the apple in his hand. She was pretty cute. Not the cutest girl he'd ever seen, but she was pretty darn close. However, since she was so bent on denying it, Charlie decided he wouldn't mention it again, and just sit there in silent admiration.

At first he smiled, but he couldn't hold back his laughter. "You? Have a plan? Oh, I can't wait to see this." Charlie grinned, taking another bite of his apple. " I make a lot of girls weak, but I never expected you to be on that list. The only reason we can even be friends is because I know I don't have that effect on you. But that doesn't mean I won't stop teasing you about it." He chuckled, watching her closely while he finished his apple.

He felt a genuine kid-in-a-candy-store kind of smile over take him, the kind of smile usually only his sister could draw out of him. "You were working that hard to find PEANUT BUTTER?" He shook his head. And she really didn't think she was cute. You know what likes peanut butter? Kittens. Bunnies. Brook. All cute things. He sighed to himself. She is like a little kid. He pulled his wand out of his sleeve and held it out. "Accio Peanut butter." He said, and a jar of it flew from a cabinet two down from the one Brook was looking in and flew into Charlie's hand. He held it out to Brooklyn with a smile, tilting his head a little. "You're welcome." He said before she had a chance to thank him.

Of course it was picture time! Arya grinned and instantly started to look around for her camera, spotted it right beside her. It took her a moment to prepare the magical contraption, and when she was ready, she pointed it over at him. "Okay, give me your best smile!"

Damon walked in and as always picked a quiet corner. He just wanted a moment to think, but with his luck another person would come up to annoy him even more.

Tay came walking in with ingredients to bake some brownies. She spotted Damon and smiled, "Hey Damon want to be the taste-tester for me?" Taylor laughed.

Ugh, come on can't a guy get one moment of pe- His thought was inturupted when he saw it was Taylor, Oh, no, her I don't mind talking to me. He stood up, "Depends what it's for."

Tay smiled, "I was thinking brownies." She laughed, "So do you?"

Maxwell walked into the kitchen, looking for something to eat he wasn't sure he wanted to talk to anyone, which is why he hadn't gone to his house table. He'd gotten a howler from his mom for a bad mark in potions, his worst subject. So he came to the kitchen to avoid annoyance.

"I would love too." He smiled, seeing Maxwell out of the corner of his eye, not wanting to worry about sneaking again he looked at Taylor, "I think somebody's looking for you." He looked at her.

Tay smiled, "That is good." When he said that he thinks that somebody was looking for her, she looked over. "Hey Maxwell." Taylor smiled as she laid the supplies down and went to wash her hands.

Maxwell walked over smiling, his smile not too happy about the day but happy to see her. "Hello, Darling." He said and kissed her cheek. "Damon." He said with a polite but not friendly nod. 'My luck keeps getting worse.' He thought to himself.

Tay smiled as MAxwell kissed her cheek, "Hello MAxwell." She turned and kissed his cheek in return then returned to where she sat her supplies down. "Want to be my other taste-tester?" Taylor smiled at him.

Damon smiled, actually politely at Maxwell, At least I can act a little better than him. He looked back to Taylor, waiting for her to say something to him.

"I'd love to." He said to Taylor. "It would certainly brighten my day." He said and noticed the smile from Damon. 'Two can play that game.' He thought and smiled very politely and convincing.