João's eyes flew open at the sound of someone calling his name and he even tried to sit up. It wasn't just someone, and it was unnecessary to sit up, though. It was Louisa, who brought a wide smile on his face, and he lay back down, knowing she wouldn't mind it.

"I'm fine, enjoying me, myself and I." Being all alone. Except, she was here now. "And you?" Got over her drama and all? And why was she still standing? He should get up to make room for he--

"Oh!" He chuckled as the cat jumped right on his stomach. "Hello, Viola." See? He remembered its name! Raising his head a little, he found its head to pet it. See? He had progressed and didn't even got up to shoo it.

Louisa smiled, genuinely pleased to see Joao in this time of the term 'enjoying himself'. Even if she preferred that this enjoying himself would be with other friends, but as far as Louisa knew the boy kept himself in a shell, thick shell repelling every friendly attempt of most people. "I'm doing great, too, thank you." She pushed his stretched legs slightly and rested her butt on the little vacant spot they were not occupying anymore.

Chuckling at him greeting Viola, obviously out of polite and nothing else, Louisa crossed her legs and leaned forward on her elbow, "Your last month in Hogwarts, I bet you're excited for Brazil and to get out of here." She knew he wasn't so fond of this school... sadly.

Right, how rude of him to not have made space for her to sit. He did move his legs away more than she had pushed and tried to move to a position of half-lying with the minimal disturbance to the cat on his tummy.

He chuckled at the statement. She knew him too well. "Of course." This place had no positive affect on him whatsoever. Brazil's magical academy was far better than this insensitive, materialistic place. "I'll miss only you." So, she should feel special.

"Matilda?" Beezus queried after noticing the light rustling on Spike's head. It had also been a while since she last saw the tarantula and she missed playing with it. "Is she asleep?" Because if she was then she didn't want to disturb her slumber. Speaking of which, "Yeaah, I've been keeping myself busy by sleeping." She chuckled a bit. It was true though, ever since she received another depressing news from her Aunt all she wanted to do was sleep and try to forget about those things. It was just...in her sleep, there's a possibility that she could dream of more pleasant things.

ERRR.

What she was taking in? She wasn't studying or reading even. "Me? I'm not...nothing..." Blink. Blink. "Really..I'm not doing anything..Just...just writing something.." Well..actually, she was done writing. But, hey! Hey! Why was she trying to hide that name on her arm? As far as she was concerned, there was nothing to hide. It was all because of a dare. So, yeah. If Spike would insist on knowing what it was, she SHOULDN'T deny it.

"No. Go ahead." she replied when the Prefect asked if he could put his frogs on the table. She didn't mind, really. They were his pets. And she liked them.

"Who else?" Spike replied with a wink. He glanced up through his curls, once more. "Nah, not now. Think I just woke her up." He brushed his fingers through the front of his curls lightly, and a leg extended out as if trying to find his hand. "Looks like she wants to come play," he said with a grin as his felt another leg stretch out. He held the palm of his hand out still, and soon the rest of his tarantula appeared. "Hey there cutie," he said, stroking Matilda's back. "Came to say hello to Beezus, did you?" He let her walk across the palm of his hand, putting the other hand there ready to take her so she could keep moving, and he returned his gaze back to Beezus.

"Sleeping?" That sounded a nice way to spend some time - curled up, blissfully ignorant of the dreaded OWLs that were coming his way. Except somehow he knew that wouldn't happen. For someone usually so carefree, his exams had been weighing heavily on his mind for the last year. "I assume you've gotten to do other fun stuff too, right?" Like Quidditch, and tickling Barty the squid, and going to the kitchens to get cookies.

Mmm. Cookies. Good study snack, they were.

Spike frowned - and not just because she didn't have a way to make a charms book bearable. Was she...avoiding something? He glanced down at the table - strangely, there was no parchment to be seen for someone that was writing something. Did invisible parchment exist? Was she unwell, doing all that sleeping? He bit his lip, feeling a bit protective like he'd feel when worrying about Indy. It was probably the Prefect in him.

"Are you okay?" he questioned after a pause, as his free hand laid Killy and Kranky on the table. "I mean..." What did he mean? She was Indy's bestie, not his own, but he (and his pets) enjoyed her company. But Prefect Spike was actually quite a good listener, under his critter-loving exterior.

"I mean...it's none of my business." Whatever she was writing on the invisible parchment. "It's just nice to see you out and about."

Vickers made his way towards the Greenhouses with a bag full of twigs clutched on one hand and his book bag in the other. He found himself a good working area by the Terrace and set his materials on the table, then brought out his text book with extra parchments stuck in there, and a small can of wood stain he’s used from Runes class. He pulled out the extra parchment to reveal the handouts Elwood has given then when they were in the forest. He furrowed his brows slightly as he read through the list again. Truthfully they look quite simple to do-- far simpler than Runes carvings. Should be an easier task right? Although the twigs they have to work with are a whole lot narrower than the wood chips he made from last term. Guess that’s where the challenge will come from.

He drew the twigs out carefully. He has shoved bits of parchment with their names on it to identify the tree from which he collected them from, taking extra care as many of them are fallen twigs and not “fresh ones” snapped from the overhanging branches. Using his wand he tried to take out the bark from the twigs and smoothed it out as much as he can. After which he reached out for the can of wood stain and opened it up, then dipped in a small paintbrush. Gently he tapped the wood stain into the surface of the smoothed twig, letting it soak as much as it can before setting it aside to dry. He repeated this process for the rest of the nineteen twigs, prepping them for the carving that will be done later and giving it its initial protective coating.

When the first twig has dried completely he set it before him and drew the reference parchment closer to himself, looking at how the first stave would be carved, which happened to be Birch. It looked simple enough to him. He took his wand and set it against the narrow twig and uttered the carving spell, using the its Celtic name as a chat, which in this case was Beithe. As he progressed through the nineteen twigs carving the symbols in got a little tricky for others, but ultimately he got the symbols carved into their respective wooden pieces.

A bit of sacrifice had to be done again, and Vickers used his wand to nick his hand and let a few drops of his blood to mix with the wood stain in the can. Again he reapplied the blood-wood stain mixture onto each twig with the paintbrush, then allowed the sticks to dry.

He picked up his book bag and took out the consecrating materials he used for making his Runes set, laying them out and shifting his seat to face the proper direction. Just like his runes pieces he followed the same consecrating ritual for each of the wooden twigs.

The sun has visibly lowered in the sky by the time the consecrating ritual for all twenty staves were completed. Vickers took the pouch and slipped the new staves into them, then collected his consecrating materials and the rest of his things into his book bag. He made sure to clean the mess and set everything back in order at the Terrace before returning towards the castle.

Louisa hoped that he'd disagree this time, tell her that he would indeed miss Hogwarts and the routine daily life they went through, but at least he was completely honest. She smiled shyly at his last comment, taking Viola off his stomach, "That's incredibly generous of you," she scoffed, taking a sarcastic playful route instead of getting emotional and start sobbing like a pathetic girly girl.

"I bet Senhora Beatriz is preparing for something really big for you when you get back." The Ravenclaw started stroking her cat's fur as she crossed her legs and started prying for Joao's future plans in a very sweet and subtle way. He probably knew that this remark was meant to suck information out of him, he knew her that well, but it was better than arguing about something in their last week of school. "Or maybe you have something in mind for when you get back?"

João chuckled lightly and got into a sitting position once Louisa took her cat off. He would miss her. And probably... no one else. He looked around for a moment as she talked some more. He wouldn't miss any other thing, maybe save for the magical athmosphere. He would never see such interesting things again, most likely.

"Nothing too big," he said, eyed on hers once more. "The family's probably invited to a dinner, I guess... She can't arrange me a job, because I'll go to a higher institute next year. It can even be a Muggle university to study politics." Had he told her before? He didn't think so. Because she had been busy with her scumbag.

Muggle university? Louisa's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You don't want to study something.. magic related? But you're a wizard!" She could not fathom this. She wanted to completely dissolve into the wizardy world, it was her identity and the feeling that she had to prove she was one of the best urged her to connect even more to this world after school, almost get detached from the muggle side.

And then there was her stepdad that always judged her by her wizard father.

Sighing quietly and putting on a smile she shrugged, "You can do whatever you want. I just wish I could make your last few days here special."

João eyed her and sighed to himself. He knew she couldn't understand it. Few people could understand his reasoning, in fact. So he didn't try to explain himself. He simply shrugged.

"Nothing is settled yet," he said simply. "I just want to do something related to politics." And governing over 200 million was far more exciting than governing a few million.

At her next statement, it was his time to raise his eyebrows and be surprised. "Make my last days special how?"

Snort. Of course. He wasn't the son of two politicians to grow up and become an Auror. Louisa didn't comment on that, it wasn't a bad profession, it was just too mugglish. Viola leaped down from her owner's lap and started wandering around the terrace, the Ravenclaw kept her eyes glued on the feline. She didn't want her to be stuck up on a tree again like early this term...

... she quickly shoved the memory away. The person connected to the memory was no longer her friend, she was not going to even THINK of his name.

Rolling her eyes and waving a hand she answered Joao, "Special in a very sincere and innocent way, okay?" Yes, she knew how teenage boys believed 'special time with a girl' should be like. "And I told you.. I want to make it special, I just don't know how." Darnnn, she lost track of that Viola! Louisa's eyes started scanning the area subtly for any sign of her cat. "You got any interesting ideas?" Of a special time.

João chuckled genuinely, obviously amused. So she did know there existed 'insincere' ways of having 'special time'. "I didn't think otherwise," he said, though with a dirty smirk. He really hadn't, while showing his surprise innocently, but now that she had clarified it, he couldn't help but imagine.

"We can snog, y'know," he said, smirking, eyes glinting. He was only horsing around, of course, but he also wondered her reaction. "Or... I can demonstrate you something that I've kept as a secret for two terms. Although, then it makes your days special, not mine." On account HE was presenting the show. "So it comes with a small price." He eyed her as if challenging. She surely wouldn't be cowed out now, would she?

Snog. That made Louisa laugh and shake her head, "So cliched of you Joao Neves." With a grin and another eyeroll. He was allowed almost anything now that his days in Hogwarts were coming to an end, joking about these stuff was among them. However, the conversation took an unexpected twist when he offered to 'demonstrate' something he kept a secret for two terms.

TWO terms?! That meant even when they were together he kept secrets from her that--

Louisa's mind halted, she wasn't going to argue over the past with him again. It was over and she liked the way both of them had agreed on treating each other, despite his protests. "Wow, you're very confident about this. What is it? And what's the price?" Was this a trick? Louisa squinted her eyes at him, her mouth curling up into a small smile.

See, this was her problem. She had to be open to such ideas more. João knew very well that snogging at this time meant nothing. He didn't want it to mean anything, either. She knew that too; it was a way of having 'special' and 'entertaining' day. Still, she refused the chance to make him somewhat happy.

Well. At least she realised he was half-joking.

Raising his hands palms up as if to surrender or calm her down, he chuckled. "Wow, Louisa, calm down a little." She did line those sentences too fast for a foreigner to understand. Hehe. "I only want you to keep silent about this." To show he was serious, he looked right into her eyes without any traces of laughing. He was being his old quite careful and sly self, and after the unpleasant Aspen issue, he had got even slier about the way he did his business.

"But of course, you are free to increase the price yourself if you think my small demonstration deserves more." He smiled confidently again, dropping his serious tone. She had surely got his message, so no need to scare her or anything. Plus, it was more entertaining to let people think they were acting on their own. Hehe.

"Ready?" Not that he would wait even if she wasn't ready. HE liked surprises, and he hoped he could live up to her expectation. Getting up, he took a few steps forward to get away from her and started to walk fastly--almost running--when he took a U-turn and disappeared behind a bunch of bushes, hoping they would disguise him fully. Ever since the last lesson with Professor, he had been practising this more than his NEWTs, so this time it wasn't any problem. He transfigured into his animagus form quite easily behind the bushes and completing that U-turn around them, he reappeared around the bushes as a handsome fox, walking casually towards her, waggling his tail playfully. Waving his tail had become his favourite move when in his fox form, because it felt... funny. He stopped in front of her, looking up with a playful and expectant look in his face. Though he didn't know how much she could interpret of his expression on his animal face. His freckles were right there on his cheeks upon a close inspection as his distinguishing features.

She was quite impressed, yes?

Okay.. keep silent. Strangely this price made her even more worried about this fun demonstration he wanted to do. But Louisa nodded, a bit nervously, as he asked whether she was ready. When he got off the seat, she followed suit moving slowly and cautiously. "Joao what exactly--" She didn't get to continue because he took off running. Louisa's brow furrowed and she stared at him racing the wind, utterly confused but staying where she was to see the whole show.

He wasn't escaping from her, was he? Not mocking her either, right? No. He wouldn't, they didn't even argue yet. When he disappeared for a moment or less behind the bush, it wasn't Joao who came running back to her... it was an auburn fox.

The Ravenclaw gasped sharply at the surprise, she covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widening as the fox slowed down and stopped right where she was, wiggling its tail happily. The eyes looking into hers were pure shade of brown, the same dark mysterious and rich of those of Joao. She fell to her knees, speechless but a grin starting to show on her face. "Y-y.." Still no words. He was so... beautiful like this, he did it so fast, so skillfully... One of Louisa's hands slowly touched the fox's hair right at the nape of his head. Soft, warm and... breathtaking.

She released the breath she didn't know she was holding then and stroked the fox's neck, "That's amazing," she locked her eyes with his again before dropping her hands and just... waited for him to either do something or shift back to his human self.

João shuddered at the touch. It was the first time someone touched him in his animal form, and Louisa seemed to hit at the rightest, sweetest spot. He raised his head slightly to urge her to stroke him, though it proved unnecessary when she did it the next moment.

He had managed it. She WAS amazed. Impressed. Breathless. Everything he could have elicited at the most positive. He let out only one fox-y sound as if thanking her compliment, the confident and cocky expression on his eyes, although he was quite relieved to hear of her impression. He simply lay his furry head on her shoulder, not caring whether his furs would tickle her. Then, turning around--he didn't forget to touch her neck lightly with the tip of his tail to tease her, he took one long, artistical jump and there he was standing in his human form, turning around once more to face her, a wide smile on his face.

"Impressive, yes?"

Louisa laughed when the fox tickled her with its tail, she watched the creature with pure affection and amazement. It was a mindblowing a bit to see your friend and ex-boyfriend as a pretty fox. Once he was standing as the Joao she knew, Lousia's jaw struggled to close and hide some of her surprise. "Wow.. just.. wow. When? Why? How?" She took his hands and stood up before letting go again. The grin on her mouth shone her whole face. "Why a fox?" He better answer those before she went on a question spree again.

To say João was DELIGHTED to see Louisa was this much amazed wouldn't have been an overstatement at all. He knew she would be amazed at a degree, but he was relieved nevertheless. The question of whether scumbag'd ever left her this impressed passed through his mind, but he pushed it away and simply offered a solid support to her when she pulled herself up by using his hands.

"For the last two years. Because--well, any special talent puts you ahead of your opponents. And I wanted to see my limit." Which, he apparently still hadn't reached. "With the help of Professor Magnus and Coutinho in Brazil." He smiled, prolonging her anticipation for the last question. "Because that's my personality, apparently. You probably know--" he added delicately, afraid he'd offend her somehow, "--that you can't choose your animagus form. It also reflects your personality. My patronus is a fox as well." In case she didn't know that either.