Messer was bored. He didn't have anything interesting to do. He's considering to hang out in the common room but there already WAY too many people there. He wanted to go to the grounds but usually the grounds were packed with students as well since today weather was nice so he guess most of the students who didn't have anything to do like himself went to spent their free time there. So, the second year boy decided to explore the castle. He didn't get much chance last year. He only got to see the grounds, the kitchen (much to his annoyance) and the classes. Oh and also the Astronomy tower.

He made his way up to the fourth floor where the library is. Not that he want to the library mind you. Suddenly he stopped in front of a mirror. Why there's a mirror here? Its SO weird.

Alice was on her way to the Kitchens. She had been feeling confused ever since term had started, as the lioness hadn't been very sharp in her last lesson. It had been feeling kind of empty in her head as well, and she was sure that it sounded slightly hollow in there when she gave it a knock. Did some knowledge leak out of there? Ehhh. Well. An amazing talented noggin can only hold so much, can it not? Anyways, the third year doubted she'd need any useless Divination classes to help her take over the world.

But, of course, her theory of lost knowledge proved to be true. Alice was sure she had forgotten some things over the summer, but the way to the Kitchens?! That was unacceptable. Especially if Domino was going to be all whiny about the Owlery's food again. She could go check, too, for the Owlery was closer than the Kitchens. Somehow, she had ended up on the fourth floor. She could tell, for the Library's entrance was nearby, and, of course, the Mirror was in her view, too. Lost? Not quite. At destination point? Not quite there, either. The lioness noticed a small shadow cast in her path. It was shaped liked a boy, perhaps who had a few inches on her? Euhh. Tall people aggravated Alice. Excluding the fact that, after closer examination, the boy turned out to be Alice's newly found partner-in-crime, Edvard Messer. Who, by the way, was NOT taller than her. "Oi! ED!" She shouted across the quiet corridor, waving her arms like a madman.

Messer was still ogling the mirror not ogling himself mind you. He just can't understand why someone put the mirror here. Maybe it has special power? Yeah right. You read too many superhero books, Messer.

When he's about to leave, he heard someone footsteps coming near him then its accompany with someone shouting 'ED'. The young Hufflepuff looked around him to find someone else but he's the only who's there. When he looked closer, he saw Alice, the third year Gryffindor who happened to be his partner-in-crime. Wonder why she called him Ed? Oh right. He gave her a permission to call him that. "Hey, Alice in the Lionland." he waved back. "Haven't seen you around lately." Come to think of it, he didn't see her during the feast or even in the train maybe the girl has the invisibility power or something. "How are you?" he asked.

Ed seemed to be staring at a Mirror. Ew. Alice knew this mirror. This was the place where the young lioness, in her first year, had nearly gotten her plans for world domination exposed. Then, in next term, she was almost turned in by a snitching Ravenclaw for supposedly trying to break the thing. Bad experiences. Their partnership would be having major problems if Ed turned her in.

Alice in Lionland? Did she give him permission to call her that? Ehh, well.. If it was anybody else but Ed, she would be determined to snap at them. But the boy was so nice, to everybody. He better have some good plotting skills in him, or their partnership would face an even more massive dilemma. "Yeah, I've been busy trying to get the hang of the Beater bat, for tryouts. You'd think someone with my talent would be able to get used to it, but.." The third year's face broke out into a grin, but it faded just as quickly. "We need to start plotting soon! Or all the evil juice is going to dry out of us and we're going to end up like old bag raisins with no point to our lives."

The bags had vanished from under her eyes. The frown had been replaced with the smile and she looked healthier. It only took a whole load of time spent at the school to make her feel normal again, but Jezzabelle was beginning to look like her old self. She had picked up wandering the castle yet again and found herself in front of the mirror on the fourth floor. Problem was, she couldn't remember where she was before she was here.

She was having that problem a lot lately. She couldn't remember things or there were spaces in her day that were black and she could remember anything at all. She didn't really care though. All that mattered was that she was normal again. She was her. The her that she had missed.

Messer noticed that Alice eyed him. "Do you know this mirror?" he asked. She's a year older than him so she must know more about this school than him for example why they out this mirror here. "Do they hide something behind it?" You know like secret hide out or better a secret passage!

Since she got a permission to call him Ed not Messer, he thought that he need a nickname for her. Well, Alice in Lionland is not his best nickname for her but that will do for now beside he never really good giving people nicknames. "Oh. You're trying out again this term?" he asked. This going to be interesting. If they both in the team, they have to face each other in a match. That would be interesting. "Oh. Good luck with that." he said with a smirk. "You know I never see you as a beater. I thought you're more a Chaser type." Guess he didn't know much about his partner in crime that well, huh? Old bag raisins? Where did the girl got that phrase? Right. Plotting. "What you have in mind?" Right now he didn't have nothing. Nada. He's planning to do something in the Forbidden Forest but then his female prefect warned him not to do that.

Alice smirked. So her partner wasn't a complete waste, then. Good. She was quite sorry she had doubted his skills; after all, this was one of the cases where it was a good thing that she was incorrect not that it happened often. "Yes. It has a passage to, err, Hogsmeade, I think, but it's caved in now."

The lioness really hoped Ed would never again call her Alice in Lionland. if he did, she would be forced to forge a pretense that she didn't know him. "I was a Chaser last year on the team, but I think I'm better with a bat. This job involves hitting things with a stick. Which I excel at." The girl grinned as she poked her friend's stomach with her wand. "Seee?" Her smile briefly flickered, and then appeared, brighter than ever, ith Ed's perfect introduction to the plotting. What did Alice have in mind? One question you should never ask a criminal mastermind. "Well.." she started. This was going to be a while.

Ah, that's too bad. Because it'll be fun visiting Hogsmeade from a passage instead their usual way. "Do you plan to go to Hogsmeade this term?" Stupid question he knew.

"Same with me. I used to play baseball." That's why he prefer playing as beater than chaser. But he didn't mind that much if Keefer put him as a chaser. "Its more fun being a beater than chaser." They allowed to 'hit someone' without being blame too. Messer waited patiently for Alice to continue what's in her mind. Since she is older than him had more experience so her plan might be very genius.

João halted in front of the mirror on his way out of the library, obviously to check himself out. His cheeks were flushed and he let out a groan as he dropped three very big and heavy books on the ground. They made a big THUD in the relatively empty ground, drawing some stares at him. He frowned at the reflection of the mirror. He even sweated, and he was going down to the dungeons that were a little colder than the rest of the castle. He hoped he wouldn't catch a cold.

Making her way TO the library, hoping to get a bit of a head start on her DADA final assignment on kappas, Kurumi made her way down the corridor not really paying much attention to who all was there. Until she heard a loud THUD that caused the Gryffindor to jump in surprise and do a half turn in the air towards the sound.

GASP! It was a book! Poor thing...

Stepping forward, Kurumi bent down and picked up the book, dusting it off slightly, and handed it to the older Slytherin that she had seen in classes before usually with Daichi but had never really spoke to until now. "Um...h-here," she said with a polite bow of her head.

Maybe he should cool off before heading towards the dungeons? João turned to look around to find somewhere to sit for a while. Before he could find somewhere, he was shoved a book in the face. By that 'dork girl who wasn't really a 'dork, as far as he could observe.

Grabbing the book with a small frown of wonder, he said "Thank you," and bowed his head back. He even smiled, cheeks still burning. Because she was different from other 'dorks.

Now, what?

"Are you from Japan?" he asked out of blue. Because she looked like one.

Wait...was the book not his? Kurumi almost hesitated, noting the frown that appeared on his face and completely misreading it for the time being. Thankfully, he didn't give her the chance to second guess the offer and had taken the book back. Maybe it was his after all? If it was, he really should treat his books with more respect...but she wasn't about to say this to him. He looked rather intimidating and, if Herbology was any indication, had a temper. Sure, Kurumi had a badge and therefore technically should remind him of this...but Kurumi also didn't like confrontation for the sake of it.

So...lips sealed for now.

"You're welcome," she said, a faint and nervous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She was a bit surprised that he bowed his head back, but it did cause some of the tension in her shoulders to lesson. Smiles were always a good thing, right?

His next question startled her and she blinked a few times in surprise. "I am," she nodded. "Father is from England originally though." Which sort of explained why she was at Hogwarts. Sort of. She was just about to ask him the exact same question, Japan and all, but thought better of it. "I'm Kurumi, by the way." Cue a small but polite bow.

João was surprised at the number of foreigner students at Hogwarts. They were almost more than the British. Though, at least her father was British. He was fully Brazilian, for example. Hehe.

"I'm João," he said, smiling again as she bowed once more. Her father might be British, but she sure learnt Japanese customs alright. Not that he knew too well, but he knew that much that they liked bowing.

"Can you speak Japanese?" João was INTRIGUED. Hence the questions.

Did she plan to go to Hogsmeade? "Uhh, YES. Zonko's Joke Shop, also known as my heaven, is located there. It's bliss for criminal masterminds like us, haven't you seen it?" OH. And Honeydukes. The seventh heaven. She and Ed would have to go there sometime.

"Baseball is gross," Alice stated wrinkling her nose. Seriously, boys in tights, with helmets and a stick in their hand? She didn't think so. "I like being a Beater, too, but I've decided to take a break from Quidditch until next term. It'll give me more time to plot, yes?" Ed stayed quiet, letting the third year get her thoughts out, which the the lioness appreciated. "I was thinking, even before we get to taking over the world and the universe and the galaxy, why don't we start small? Why don't we start with.. Hogwarts?" There it was, the big dramatic finish. Yes. Very attention drawing.

"João," she repeated, hoping that she didn't butcher his name too horribly. Was the J the only consonant in his name? That was rather unique, wasn't it? Not to mention there was some sort of interesting accent there on the middle vowel, almost making it unrecognizable to the Gryffindor. She remembered seeing his name on the world map that she had been in charge of a few terms back for their prefect event. His name had been LONG. "You're...from Brazil, right?" she remembered that detail.

Because THIS wasn't a somewhat awkward conversation already. Nope.

Nodding softly, Kurumi's violet gaze met his. "I can. Mother...," she winced slightly at mentioning her mother so casually. It still stung...knowing she was gone. "...mother insisted that my brother and I learn it first and then English."

João approved brightly with his head and grin. People who TRIED to pronounce his name always cheered him up. Maybe it was because she was accustomed to Japanese--he didn't know anything about to language, but he merely wondered--that she could pronounce it with more ease. In any way, she'd tried, and that was enough.

"You pronounce it correctly," he commented to encourage her. Unlike some people. Did she know Portuguese? She guessed that he was also Brazilian from his name! Though, probably, she'd just heard about him. Somewhere. Somehow. Even though he knew very little about her.

"Yes, I am... have you ever been there?" See? He could actually smile and be happy when he talked about Brazil. Although he also longed to return too. Only a couple of months... then he would see ice no more.

Why did she wince at the mention of her mother? João frowned too, his grin going away from his face when she was so... sad? He wanted to ask, but it was rude to ask such a personal thing to a complete stranger. Instead... he just nodded. He should probably change the subject, even though he wanted to ask her about million questions about Japan.

"If you were going somewhere, I shouldn't hold you," he said as if he'd just thought of it.

Kurumi couldn't tell if he was looking smug, amused, or something else entirely. Kurumi didn't know João well enough to be able to get a clear reading on him - seeing as this was the first time they had actually spoken since...ever.

"I did?" she gasped in surprise. This really surprised her considering that so many other names she practically destroyed. Even Lewis' name sometimes. It came out sounding more like Rewis from time to time, especially when she was really nervous.

"I thought so," she beamed slightly. "I remembered seeing your name on the map during our Around the World in a Hogwarts Day event." In case he was wondering why she had guessed. She frowned slightly at his next question. "I haven't been much of anywhere, besides where I need to go to get to Hogwarts really. Never really had the opportunity to travel outside of Japan until recent." Which only consisted of New York in America so far. "Is it nice there? I've only read about Brazilian sweets." And tried to incorporated a few of the recipes in her own cookie recipes.

Holding her? He wasn't even touching her, let alone holding her. Oh, wait, was this another expression? Most likely, seeing the way he was looking at her and his facial expression. Smiling softly and shaking her head, Kurumi spoke again. "I was just heading to the library, but there isn't any rush...unless I am keeping you from something." Like...a date? He had been looking in the mirror when she had given him his book back.

João smiled back at her because he was happy when people were happy. Or when they tried--or something. He only wished some certain people were there to see it.

Around the World..? He was lost in thought for a moment, trying to remember what it was. Ooooh, he vaguely remembered that! He wondered at her attention and memory. "I forgot about it," he said. The way of his saying showed he congratulated her.

Shame that people rarely travelled. Maybe they didn't have the money? Still... he just couldn't imagine a life where he had to live with seeing only two countries or so. It was almost like breathing to him. He should fix that too, once he was the Minister.

"Oh, you can't even imagine," he started eagerly. His smile was of pure delight and pleasure. He couldn't even think that maybe she had asked that only out of courtesy. He just had to advertise his country! "The weather is not to extreme, because we're right in the tropical weather. The beaches are of the best quality--I'm sure you've heard of our carnivals that are the best in the world. Then there's the beauty of the Amazons Rain Forests--you can explore there! The River's another wonder itself--there are waterfalls and all sorts of beauty. The food's amazing, people are very kind--it's just..." He was suddenly sad. He missed it there a lot. "It's almost a paradise." He then looked up at her and smiled. "This summary isn't anywhere close to enough. You have to go see there with your eyes." Only a few months left... then he wouldn't even remember this icy place.

She didn't have to rush? GOOD. João enjoyed talking to someone in about a century, and he'd hate it if she had to leave. He shook his head. "I was to study, but I can study at night." With a strong coffee. He wanted to talk to her now, so he would do that only.

"How about Japan? How is it there?" That was one of the few countries he hadn't seen. He barely knew anything about the place, except that it was over-populated.

He...forgot about it? That was sort of disheartening, actually. Kurumi had worked very closely with Evelyn and Salander on it, so that event had a particularly special place in her heart. Kurumi didn't really show this in her face, hopefully, although her lip may have twitched slightly.

Kurumi sort of felt like she should be sitting down for his mini lecture of the country, but she was sort of captivating by the glow on his face as he spoke. She had only ever seen the Slytherin looking, well, not so pleasant in lessons, so this was a completely different sort of person right now. Not that she knew much about him to begin with. "It sounds incredible," she replied, her own face brightening just a little.

Study, right. He was a seventh year after all...which reminded her of another seventh year Slytherin. One that she had promised to help study for his NEWTs...only she wouldn't be able to do that now. He wouldn't even glance at her. "For NEWTS?" she asked, sort of turning her tone into a curious one.

When he asked her about Japan, Kurumi turned her body slightly and leaned against it with her back. "I'm afraid I can't really give you the same sort of impression..." she said softly, meaning that she would certainly not make a good poster girl for the country. At all. "My hometown is very small, not one that people really visit. It's in the country side, lots of snow in the winter, and in the spring everything is pink because of the cherry blossoms." She sort of sighed softly and shrugged her shoulders. "Hogwarts has felt more like a home to me than there ever did..." Kurumi hadn't really traveled within Japan either, besides Kyoto that is.

Not even noticing her disheartened state, João went to nod vigorously. "It is, it is!" he exclaimed, and he was pleased to see her face got brighter too. He wondered if she would ever visit Brazil. At least, he'd left a good mark on her, judging by her face. Hopefully.

"Yes," he said, looking distracted for a moment. He hadn't been excited at the beginning of the term at all, being so confident of himself, but he was getting a little nervous now. Sure he was studying enough, but... better not to think about it now.

Oh? He looked confused for a moment. Wasn't Japan about the most systematical country in the world? At least the Japanese tourists he'd seen all over the world were. He listened to the end of it. And then that sentence which he couldn't stand came: Hogwarts has felt more like a home to me than there ever did... Here was just a school! A cold school too!

"Surely there are some pretty places too?" he asked, perfectly keeping his irritation away from his voice.

Blue skipped down the corridor.

Ladedadedaaaaaaa.

WAIT! Why was there a Blue skipping beside her?! AGGGGH. Blue ran back to herself and stared at her. "WHO ARE YOOOOU?!" AND WHY ARE YOU EXACTLY LIKE ME?! Blue waved a hand at herself and gasped in shock when it mimicked her.

She stumbled backwards.

SHE HAD A CLOOONE.

Bee looked up from the book she had been reading - well it was more like a muggle fashion magazine - and noticed a girl about the same age as her skipping about. Sigh. Ignoring the girl and her silly games Bee went back to her magazine hoping to find the silence she had witnesses before but then she heard shouting. Okay she had to admit it frightened her but then she saw it was the first year again. Oh good.

With another sigh she closed her magazine and pulled herself up from the cold floor to stride over to her. "Shut up!" She shouted over the noise then more calmly, "It's a mirror, can't you see that?" Bee pointed at the reflection of her as she said it. "See?" She asked walking over to it and placing the palm of her hand flat on the mirror surface.

Have he seen Zonko's Joke Shop? Was she kidding? "Of course I have seen it." Once. In his first year and he's planning to go there later. "We should go there together when we have another Hogsmeade days." he told Alice. It'd be fun going to that wizarding village with his partner-in-crime.

"Gross? How so?" Its exciting sport. Well, maybe its not that exciting for girls. Alice is a girl after all. "Oh. So I won't be seeing you on the pitch this term then?" He didn't know how he feel about that. But more time to plot? Hmm..Yeah maybe with Alice not on the team they'll have more time plotting. Start small? He wondered how small? OH. Hogwarts?! He loved the idea. "I LOVE it!" he told the Gryffindor.

Someone was shouting at her to shut up.

"B-but- clone."

WAIT. It was a mirror? Blue blinked and looked from her reflection to the girl. Ooooh right. "Um. I knew that. Obviously. Sheesh. Who would think that was a cloooone? Merlin. No, I was just testing to see if people were um...listening. Yeah. Listening." Lies. All lies. Blue narrowed her eyes at the girl and eyed her. Meh. She had lovely blond hair and pretty blue eyes.

So, long story short...well, it wasn't really long but anyway...Blue wasn't altogether sure she liked this girl.

With her pretty blond hair and blue eyes.

Harumph.