Anya headed over to Messer. "I never really understood that phrase." she said with a shrug. Fancy in her mind meant "like." And the phrase made no sense that way. "I like meeting you here?" Ermm... that just sounded creepy! Or... what about fancy like sophisticated? "It's pretty high class seeing you here?"

Idioms were weird.

She rolled her eyes. Boys and their need for payback.

"I am out here to make sure the ducks aren't starving because people like you do such mean stuff to the poor little guys."

Yup. She was eyeing his bread. You better enjoy that Messer! Because you're starving a poor animal to enjoy it!

"What phrase? Fancy meeting you here?" He asked. "You want to know a secret? I don't even know what the meaning of that phrase too." he chuckled. "I just like saying that." It seem fit. Weird reason he knows.

"So basically you here to feed the duck?" It has the same meaning, right? "People like me? Should I take offense on that?" He didn't do anything. Really. Poor little guy? Pfft. "I doubt you will call them poor little guy anymore if they stole your bread, Anya." What's with the girl with ducky anyway? They're not that cute.

While he was eating his bread, he noticed Anya eyeing his bread. "What?" Did she want his bread? "You're not planning to steal my bread too are you?"

Anya laughed. "That's the one." she said. "I'm glad I'm not the only one." she said with a smile. "Plus... it's such a long phrase to say. It takes up so much time. Plus, it doesn't even make sense."

Which meant, there was only one logical thing to do. "I'm going to just start saying "fancy" instead. It's much easier."

She nodded. "Yeah. That's basically what I'm doing." But there were way prettier ways of wording it. "No. Some people just don't like ducks I guess." she said with a shrug. "I'd never purposely offend someone." But she did mean to make him think about feeding the poor and innocent. "You know, they wouldn't have to steal if you would just share."

Plus, ducks were really cute. Who wouldn't want to share with them?

"No, of course not." she said tossing a few more bits of her bread out into the duck crowd.

“Hmm?” Why did Aurora have to stop playing? He was dozing off already amid the cold weather. He made himself more comfortable keeping his eyes closed. “I dread going home.” If that was what she wanted to hear. “Cousins at the manor? I was looking forward to that every year. But not this time.” He said as he peeked at her then closed his eyes again. “Maybe I should try something different. Spend the holidays at a muggle’s house, yes?” That sounded fun. Oakey might like it too.

A duck decided to come off the cold water and made its way to Mordred.

“quack”

It decided to go near the boy, hoping to find bread or cookies. “Quack!” Somehow without Mordred noticing, the duck stood on his belly poking his pockets with its beak.

Completely oblivious to the duck he continued to talk to Aurora. “How are you and Kennedy?” he asked. Again, totally clueless to what had happened to the both of them.

Oops.

Sarcasm? Again? Why was he so sarcastic?! She was his fake sister, and he wasn't going to tell her about the break up? Gaaaaah, she was feeling annoyed with how he was talking to her and for not talking about the topic at all. However, her sisterly instincts told her the topic needed to be left alone for the time being. She stood up and brushed off the dirt on her skirt, "Jonathan, look. I am not trying to open a wound if there's one. I just...wanted to know." Maybe she should just give him some space for now. Maybe he was too heartbroken or regretting how things fell, if it was his fault.

She was annoyed, yes.But as of the moment, she was gonna give him some space.Sisters shouldn't be too nosy with their brother's business right? She'd give him the leisure to tell her when he's ready. There was still a whole load of homeworks waiting for her anyway. "I'll go ahead Jonathan.Just tell me when you feel like telling me." Usually, she was going to ask more, persuade him into telling.It wasn't like her to surrender easily but she knew break ups often meant pain and she didn't want to see her brother in pain. "See you around, brother." Beezus said as she tapped his shoulder, then walked away.

Aurora nodded thoughtfully, playing a low, soft tune. Yeah, Mordred really seemed to not get along with his cousins at the moment. "Come to mine." she said. Forgetting that 1) she wasn't allowed anyone in the first week. 2) Milton AND Kennedy would be there at the party and she couldn't deal with anyone else and 3) it probably wasn't a good idea for Mordred to avoid all his problems like that.

She watched as a duck made its way over and climbed on to Mordreds belly. Was he really oblivious to that? She stifled a giggle as it started poking in his pockets. "Careful Mordred, you might have your wand stolen." she giggled, still playing.

And then he asked... Aurora stopped playing. "I... We broke up. In September." she said. Didn't he know? Ach. She thought everyone knew by now. And about Milton too. "I... have a different boyfriend now."

Mordred, with eyes still shut, smiled at her. “I have never been to your place. But sure. Sounds like a plan. I’ll owl mother and father.” Hoping they won’t mind. If ever, this is going to be the first time that he will be away from his parents during the holidays. Maybe he should also explain to his parents that Aurora needs him right now...and that he promises to stay with them during the summer instead.

Fair enough.

“My wand stolen?” He asked as his brows furrowed. “How can my wand be stolen...it’s up my sleeve..” he removed his hands from the back of his head making his head give a slight thump on the soft ground. Feeling his sleeve...it wasn’t there.

The duck found something in the boy’s pocket. Oooh. A bread stick! Slowly, the duck pulled out Mordred’s wand...and gently hopped off from his belly.

Mordred’s hand suddenly grasped his pockets and felt that his wand wasn’t there. His eyes suddenly opened, and his heart was starting to race. “Lose anything but the wand!” he heard himself scream inside his head and suddenly got up and looked wildly around him. Oh, what did SHE say? “You and Kennedy broke up?” repeating in disbelief. “I just met him back in September, and...”his voice trailed off. He was hoping he’d get to bond with the Kennedy fellow. He seemed nice, and can hold Aurora down. But, he guessed he was wrong.

“Why did y...” he suddenly glanced at a duck that had his wand on its beak and was making its way back to the water. “MY WAND!” he exclaimed and rushed after it.

"I think a lot of people don't understand what the meaning of that phrase. They just like to say it." Because it sounds high class, no? "It is?" Hmm..Its not that long.

"Okay then. Good for you" He won't use that word often since its too sissy for his liking.

"Yeah. And some people like ducks. Don't know why." he shrugged back. "I'm not easily offended by someone." Just saying. "But, they could just ask nicely." Not by attacking him. He's alone and there're fifteen of them.

Enough talking about the ducky. "Sooooo, how are you, Anya? How second year treating you so far?" he asked before he took another bite from his bun.

"It's way longer than just saying 'hi'." Anya clarified.

"I like ducks because they are cute." And because things that were alive deserved to be loved. Like ducks... and trees... and even flesh-eating plants in herbology!

"I'm good." she said with a smile and a nod. "Quidditch is going well. I've almost understood all of my lessons so far. And I was invited to Ireland for the Christmas holidays!" In other words, everything was perfectly awesome in her life.

"How about you Messer?" she asked. "Things going well?" Minus the whole... not-liking-ducks thing.

Penny giggled and feigned a dramatic break down. "It's been hard. There are some days I didn't even want to get out of bed." Her voice trembled but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. She winked at him playfully and then dropped the charade.

She had never been able to joke around with anyone like this except maybe for her father. Penny laughed out loud at his description of one of his partners. Thankfully she hadn't had that bad luck with her projects. She had been paired up with the Prefect from Gryffindor for Herbology and then for Divination a cute little second year that had been fun to work with.

The Ravenclaw listened as he explained how he was trying to give Hogwart's a chance. She remembered how overwhelming everything had been during her first year, thankfully she had had the other first years to keep her company in that aspect. Penny gave him a cocky smile and nudged him again. "Well obviously it has a lot to offer because I'm here." Her tone was matter of fact like what she had said was the most obvious thing in the world.

"So what was your old school like?" Penny had of course heard rumors about the other magical schools but she hadn't ever met anyone from one of those schools. The curiosity was killing her.

Aurora nodded even though he couldn't see - of course he'd have to ask his parents... Wait. Parents. Ah. "Oh, um, you probably shouldn't come for the first week..." she said quietly. Because... well... Aurora didn't actually know. But she was pretty sure Mordred shouldn't be there for the things Aurora's mother had to say... or do... Ach. "My Mother isn't very happy with me right now."

"Yep." she said, chuckling. Ahahaha the duck had found his wand. Aurora burst into a laughing fit, so much so that she didn't realise that Mordred was talking about Kennedy. She watched, laughing so hard that she had tears in her eyes. Then she finally managed to compose herself enough to point her own wand at the duck and mutter "Expelliarmus!" at it. Mordred's wand flew into the air and landed near to him - the duck was looking very confused... "You sh-should b-be more c-careful!" she spluttered, trying to calm herself down.

And then she realised - she was going to ask her why, wasn't he. Eurgh. Aurora's laughing trailed off as she thought about it. "Yeah. We broke up. We umm... argued a lot and he got jealous about stuff and he's all changed and yeah..." she said, kind of pathetically. "Anyway, that was September... I'm with Milton now." Sure, she'd moved on fast. But so what..?

“What did you do?” Mordred asked with a half smirk. “You must’ve done something really bad to have your mum be so mad at you.” He said shaking his head. He too did something before, although it was involuntary—he somehow managed to burn half of their family library. It was the first time, he saw his mother really mad.

Mordred looked flustered as he saw the duck come near the water. He was not going to dive in there, but if it meant losing his wand, he will by all means do it. Turning to Aurora who was laughing, he gave a what-are-you-doing-help-me look at her. “Do something!” he said as he eyed her own wand. Should he grab it off her and Accio his wand? Then in between laughs, she was able to mutter a spell and his wand flew off the duck’s beak and landed near him. He picked it up and rubbed it a bit as he eyed the duck. He was tempted to use the spell he learned at Durmstrang on the duck; Everte Statum, which will send an opponent flying. He used that countless times to fend off those who bullied him and knocking them off when they hit the wall.

“Thanks” he muttered to Aurora as he sat down beside her. “Wait...wait. You broke up with Kennedy, and there’s a new guy?” he asked as he kept his wand under his sleeve. “Milton? Never met him.” He said flatly. Well she was indeed fast with boyfriend stuff. He’s just thankful he doesn’t have to deal with those things yet. Yeah, like he hasn’t found any girl yet who made him happy...

"How are you and Milton?"

Aurora shook her head, "No, it doesn't take much for my mother to be angry... but this time she's really angry. I..." Deep breath. "ItalkedaboutherworktoKennedy." she said quickly. "And he owled her and now she knows I told him about... this thing. And if he tells anyone else then... shecouldgetinalotoftrouble." Aurora bit her lip worriedly, she was in so much trouble and she had no idea what could happen...

"No problem." said Aurora, wiping the tears of laughter from her face as she calmed down. And then... "Yeah... um..." She needed to explain it to Mordred at least... he was her best friend after all. "Well basically... it was about two weeks after... yeah." Sigh. "Do y- do you think I should have waited?"

Never met him? "No I didn't think you would've... he's new. A fifth year Ravenclaw... and... yeah. He's the guy that sent me a valentine last year and then me and Kennedy argued about it." Mhmm. "We're good, thanks." Yep. No jealousy there. Just being happy.

Mordred was seriously lost in the conversation, let alone Aurora talking too fast. “Wait, what thing?” he said as he got his wand off his sleeve again. Just to make sure it’s there. He missed it already. “What was in the letter?” he eyed Aurora as he drew a question mark with his wand on the grass. He sort of felt bad that he doesn’t know much about her parents. He felt...lost and useless.

He hung his head and tapped it with his wand, thinking of a response. “Should she have waited?” he thought. There really is no point of waiting if she didn’t feel anything for Kennedy, right? But did she? “Answer me honestly Aurora...” he said as he lifted his head and looked at her again. “No, just answer me with a YES or NO.” Wait, what does he know about these things anyway? He really wasn’t going to ask her anything that isn’t logical. “Do you still like Kennedy?” There. Pretty much she’d get her answer based on his question.

“New?” Mordred repeated. “From Durmstrang?” he asked, hoping she’d say yes. But if he’s from Beauxbatons....shudder. Boys and blue silks don’t go together.

Yeah, its. "But hi is just a little boring. Don't you think?" Since everybody always said that when they met someone.

"Huh?" Ducks cute? Sure the rubber ducky is cute but an ACTUAL duck? "Why do you think they're cute?" he asked. "I mean they're s bit weird. With their long beak and all." Not to mention their annoying voice. Maybe if they stay still like the rubber ducky he'd take back his words.

"Ireland?! Wow! Sounds fun. Please bring me a leprechaun if you manage to find one." he exclaimed. "Oh and Congratulation for being in the Quidditch team once again." Better late than never, right? "Things going well. I think." Messer told Anya. "I don't hurt anyone in classes." That's a good thing. Not that he's hurting anyone last term mind you.

"Yeah. So. I'm go to say... 'Hi. Fancy.'" Anya said. She gave a little eyebrow wiggle. It sounded cool, didn't it?

"Because they are." she said leaning down toward one. "And weird things are still cute." she said starting to feed to feed the closest one again. "You can't really explain how things are cute. They just are." She shrugged. "Like if I were to think you were cute." which may or may not have ever occurred to her "there wouldn't be a reason for it other than I thought it was true."

Plus ducks had those feathers and were just so small and helpless! How could someone NOT think they were cute?

She smiled. "Yeah. I'm excited. He has a fun family." And a fun best friend. She giggled. Little did Messer know, the boy that had invited her over for the holidays was a self proclaimed leprechaun.

"Thanks! Congratulations to you too!" Yup. She'd seen the noticeboards. "You think?" she asked with a giggle. "Did... you hurt people last term?" she asked giving him a few confused blinks.

Hi. Fancy? BLINK. BLINK. BLINK. "Its sounds a bit weird." he said. "But a good weird." Messer quickly added.

Okaaaayyyyy! He never understand how girl's mind works. How come weird things are cute? That was just..... Huh? Cute? "You mean dashing handsome, right?" he offered. WAIT! "Was that mean I'm weird as well?" Messer raised his eyebrows. Because he's NOT weird. No, he definitely not! What reason? Okay he's very confused now. Help?

"I hope you have a good time in Ireland." Because she gets to see the leprechaun and all.

"Thanks." Too bad Alec won't be playing this term but hey maybe he could persuade his roommate to wear a badger costume and bring a pom pom. Yup. That's a good idea. "Yeah. I understand most of the lessons this term." Except Alchemy. He didn't understand that one and maybe never will. "Umm..No." he said. His name may be Messer but he's not a mess-ER. Not really.

It... only sounded weird because he wasn't used to it, right? But... Messer said it was a good weird. So Anya decided to take it. It'd become normal soon enough.

"Yes. I meant dashingly handsome." Probably. Maybe? What kind of question was that anyway?

Ehh... whatever.

"Do you really need to ask me if you're weird Messer?" she asked with a little giggle. "I don't mind though. I like weird people. They're more fun to be around. And... uhh... more dashing and handsome." Yeah, she'd just throw that in there so that he would be offended by her calling him weird.

It was fine though, in her mind at least. Because she was a little weird too.

And Anya was going to have a brilliant time in Ireland! She was going to be able to spend lots of time with Tag... and Kent.

"I guess all my badger cheers will be aimed at you this term." Because... Alec wasn't playing. But it would still be fun. She'd be able to sit next to Alec during the matches. And... she kinda liked that idea more than just watching him...

"Well... then... I hope that continues to be the case..." Because hurting people in classes was not very good.

Alec couldn't help but be slightly confused about the whole situation. Why did the boy want to know if he was a Hufflepuff or not? It didn't matter, did it? Unless he was doing a survey... Alec looked around the boy's hands. Nope. No parchment or quill there. Maybe he can ask this boy about it... later?

Whenever someone mentioned Gryffindor, his mind immediately went to that best friend of his. Because she was the only person he knew properly in that house. And Zack! Where was that other dude? They needed to have a snowball fight sometime soon. "Gryffindor's a great house! It's full of nice-"

Wait... WHAT did the boy just say his name was? ... Tag? Did he really say the name 'Tag'? Alec blinked. He had blonde hair... he was small like a leprechaun... and he... It was actually him! "IT'S YOU!" Alec yelled, jumping on the boy and crushing him in a hug, "You've come to Hogwarts!" He didn't care if he was getting stares or if people thought he was weird. He had finally met TAG KILDARE! And this made him happy!

GRINS.

Maybe he should tell Alec that Anya said that he, Messer, is dashingly handsome as soon as he get back to the dorm. Just to annoy him. Grin some more.

"I dunno. Do I?" Was that mean he's weird? Okay. She definitely thinks he's weird. "Errr..Okay then. But for the record I think you're cute as well." WAIT. Messer, where that coming from? You don't say that girls are cute! Girls are NOT cute, Messer!

Good. Good. That's good, no? But playing on the team without Alec seems really really weird. "I could lend you my yellow pom pom if you want." And if Anya wearing one, it'd be easier for him to persuade his roommate to wear one too.

Let's hope so.

Alex headed down tot he Duck Pond after sitting inside for most of the day studying and catching up on homework. This year seemed to be easier than the last since she didn't have quidditch practice anymore, which was good and bad. The fourth year sat by the pond and watched the ducks swim about as she tieed her hair back from her face.

Aurora shook her head, "I can't talk about it..." she said, fiddling with the hem of her robes. "But... it's something that could get my mother in a lot of trouble if some people found out..." As for what was in the letter... "Well, it was more the fact that he wrote to her... because... because he shouldn't have known she was involved and I told him. So now I'm in trouble for it."

Honesty. Not a word Aurora was well acquainted with. Not that she lied very often, she just avoided telling people things sometimes. And then, he asked it. He asked her the thing everybody else seemed to have been dancing around. Did she still like Kennedy? She opened her mouth to say no. To tell him that was ridiculous. That she wouldn't have ended the relationship if she still liked him... but no sound came out. "I..." Wait. I don't know was not a yes or no answer. Oh Merlin... did she? "Well..." She bit her lip, if she said it she couldn't go back on it... "I think so..." And she felt the sudden need to defend herself... "But that's not the point... I mean... it's over. We can't... we can't fix it." She wasn't going to cry, but she couldn't speak very loudly - her body wouldn't let her defend herself...

Durmstrang? "No he was homeschooled." Mhm. And had some stupid ideas about public school being terrible. Sigh.

Harvey walked down to the Duck Pond.. he hadnt been here in a while and since Ella had mentioned the duck pond he had wanted to come here for a while now.. and he was glad to be here now.. he sat down and watched the ducks swimming in the pond.. he wondered why he hadnt been here earlier this year.. well he was here now.. time to relax before he had to do some work again.

Ella walked down to the duck pond after a long day of Quidditch practice. She was tired and the thought of hanging out by the duck pond sounded great. She even brought some bread from the great hall so she could feed the hungry ducks! As she got closer, she noticed a familiar face sitting along the edge of the pond. She smiled, knowing who it might be.

"Harvs!" She called happily as she walked up behind him, waving. "So you decided to check out one of my spots, huh?" she asked with a smile, plopping down next to him and placing the few rolls she had on the ground. "I was actually looking for you earlier..." Because she had something very important she need to say.

He was just sitting there still watching the ducks when he heard someone call out to him.. he looked round and saw Ella waving at him.. this brought a smile to his face as he waved back and chuckled as she sat down next to him "Yeah .. yeah I did! I havent been here since last year.. even though I should have visited the ducks much earlier.. hope they not upset with me for not having visited them earlier" he said jokingly.. before he looked at her a little surprised "You were? any particular reason?" he questioned.. why would Ella be looking for him.. did he do or say something wrong with her too?! he hoped not.. just when he thought that things were looking up again.. he didnt want to have done anything wrong with Ella.. he waited to see what she had to say.