"Queen Alice said that they ate people!" Melanie said, not quite looking at the girl she was talking to. And Queen Alice obviously knew the most about pygmy puffs because Melanie only knew they were fuzzy and liked to stick their tongues up people's noses. Eyes wide, she stared down the pygmy puff that reached her shoe yet again. She moved along the wall, away from it.

"It wants to eat meeeeeeee," Melanie said. She then looked up from the pygmy puff to the girl and smiled.

Ah. She knew her! "Oh, hi there!" Melanie said, before moving to the opposite wall. She was not going to become a snack for the pygmy puff. Achoo. And neither was her snot. She then trained her eyes back on the puff. It will not eat her. It will not eat her. It will not eat her. It will not- oh gosh, it looked hungry. Help?

Where was Queen Alice with her stick when Melanie needed her?

After receiving Taryn's little note, Milton happily pushed his studying aside and made his way outside. It was hard to study in the great hall anyway, getting tangled up in sleeping bags and having people step on your textbooks and it was so LOUD and CROWDED and ugh. He didn't like it. Maybe he would just give up all together.

Stepping into the outdoor corridor, Milton was met with cool air and bright sunshine. A nice mixture of weather in between winter and summer. He wandered down the corridor slowly, kicking a stray rock down the hall as he waited for Taryn to show up.

The last couple of times she'd talked to Milton, Taryn had been a little less herself and a little more... sad. But today, she was definitely making up for that in both enthusiasm and excitement that she was obviously showing. She practically ran down to where she was meeting Milton. Luckily the corridor was deserted except for him, so there was no one around to scare off with her excited behavior.

"Milton!" She was still running, so a jump!tackle was an easy feat. The thought that he would let her fall on her bottom never even crossed her mind, actually. Blind faith and trust in Milton and excitement clouded her better judgement.

After spacing out for a while, it was quite a surprise to hear his name being squealed from behind him. Milton turned his head just in time to see a familiar blonde jump onto him.

O_O

Milton stumbled forward, laughing and grinning and caught himself on the wall so they didn't collapse to the floor. "Someone's excited!" Milton looped his arms around Taryn's legs and hoisted her up more so he was giving her a piggy-back ride. There. Well, Milton was quite pleased to see that Taryn was in a rather good mood today. It was a good sign. "What's up?"

Still giggling and slightly out of breath FROM the giggling and running, Taryn locked her arms around Milton's neck and held on tight so she wouldn't fall, when he lifted her higher and she was more secure, she loosened up so she didn't choke him.

She was TALL! Hehe.

Anyway. She wiggled the glossy magazine at him, "Teen Witch US. Evolette McKenna sent it to me. Milton. I am IN it." SQUEAAAAAAAAAAAAL.

Milton flinched a little when something shiny was suddenly being waved in his face. "Hold it stiiiiiill!" But then he heard her. Teen Witch US, the magazine. WAIT.... "You're in it?!" His eyebrows shot up and he let go of Taryn to grab the magazine and look through it. After flipping through a couple pages, he finally saw Taryn looking hawt across a few pages. A grin spread on his face again. "That's incredible!"

EEP. Taryn slipped a little when Milton let go of her legs but she righted herself quickly and hung on. She grinned, still excited, as Milton looked through. "Isnt it the most amazing thing ever? Those pictures turned out AWESOME." She leaned closer to point out one of the pictures, "Look. You're there too." HEHE. Apparently the photographers had been taking pictures of them when they weren't looking. They looked totally cute too. "I'm pretty sure right after that picture is when I fell off of the surfboard for the 1,000th time." GIGGLE.

"And read this!" Taryn pointed out a certain paragraph in the interview where Evolette speaks about her and how she plans to groom Taryn to be the next HER. The blonde was practically breathless as she clung to Milton's back. Hehe. She was going to be a STAR!

Milton was still grinning at the magazine when Taryn pointed to another picture and... WHAT. That was HIM. Milton's eyes went wide for a moment before smirking. He was in a magazine. "Lookin' good." As usual, of course. Milton chuckled again, remembering Taryn fall off the surfboard a million times. "It's okay, I probably fell off more than you did." Milton didn't have good balance on water, apparently.

Following Taryn's finger, Milton read the paragraph she was pointing to and read all about how Evolette McKenna was going to make Taryn a star. Milton laughed a little and shook his head. "Wow... That's amazing. Does this mean you're going to Miami next year?" You know, instead of Hogwarts.

Taryn was looking at the pictures again, this time with more detail. When she'd gotten the magazine, she'd been so excited that she'd hardly looked at it all. As she glanced over the pictures of her and Milton again, she laughed, "Did you read the caption? 'Taryn Hayden and her boyfriend Milton Shacklebolt'" She didn't read the whole bit about them attempting to surf because it was less important and not nearly as funny. "Her boooooooyfriend."

Propping an elbow on Milton's shoulder, Taryn shrugged. "I guess so. I mean I WANT to. "I know you'll miss me a super lot though." Hehe. "I still haven't talked it out with my dad yet. Yet another thing that probably isnt a good idea to discuss over a letter." And her father was about to have more important things to worry about.

Milton's eyes were all over the pictures, rather than the captions. But when Taryn pointed to one and read it out loud, Milton raised his eyebrows and laughed. And then laughed again when she said it again. "Oh, how things have changed." It was amusing. Although, they weren't really a whole lot different now that they weren't dating. Besides the kissy stuff and the hand holding, but that was just a minor technicality.

Milton chuckled again. He would miss Taryn, yes. "I still think you should go." That's what letters and summer vacations were for, right? They could keep in touch. "Ohh, yeah... Your dad might want to know about this, too." Poor man was going to get a lot of news just in one Hogsmeade visit, wasn't he?

Taryn propped her chin on Milton's shoulder and grinned. "Yeah, well." She shrugged. "I think we're better off and I'm glad that I'm not hurting August anymore." Well, she still wasn't quite sure she was totally forgiven or should ever be, but they were making some kind of progress, right? She hoped so....

"Yeah... so I guess I'll save decision making until after I talk to him." So. Still no answer on that just yet, but if her future held more of what this magazine article made her feel, she definitely wanted it. Taryn wiggled, "Aren't you getting tired of having me on your back yet?" GIGGLE.

Milton smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah, I think so too." He liked being friends with Taryn and he liked that there was no ew-you're-my-ex stuff between them. It was just easy. "How is August..? You heard from him again recently?" Just out of curiosity...

"Good plan." He said, finally flipping the magazine closed. Milton WAS getting tired of holding Taryn on his back, and her wiggling didn't help. But he just laughed a little. "You're not that heavy... Besides, I'm a quidditch player." Which made him super duper strong, duhh.

Taryn sort of felt like what was going on between her and August should just be between them, but it was nice to be able to have someone to talk to face to face who knew her well and wanted good things for her. "He wrote to me like he said he would." Taryn was feeling the excitement and happiness slipping away now, "I just feel like... I need to be forgiven and that I shouldn't be. I really really hurt him." BLEH. "And now I feel bad for saying that to you because... it was you and all..." She wrinkled her nose.

Her only plan, really, but Taryn figured there was no point talking about it more until she made a decision. She was just going to go around in circles. "Well, you can put me down whenever you want. Especially if talking about August makes you uncomfortable." Just saying because she was a good friend like that.

Dylan was a bit bored so he decided to take a walk, he then looked around to see where he was. He saw he was walking towards the courtyard... mm maybe he didnt want to go there. He then noticed the sun shining into the corridor and then an idea came to him, he started making shadow-shapes on the floor of the corridor where the sun was shining into it. First a little worm, then a dog barking, a little bunny.. it was fun to do

Hop. Hop. Hop.

Lex made her way down the corridor, hopping from one leg to the next; a kid had to find entertainment somehow. Plus, for some reason she was feeling really happy today. It was like the first in a long time that an idiot hadn't run by and ruined her day before lunch; now that was a success. Hopefully she could keep up this whole avoiding idiots thing 'cause it clearly put her in a better mood. Yup.

After taking another hop she spotted someone else in the corridor...playing with his shadow...? She squinted her eyes to get a better look and smiled when she recognized him. "Dylan!" She called, hopping over. "Haaaiiii! I haven't seen you since forever!" Or was it forever and a day...? Meh, she'd lost count.

Dylan was still making shapes when he could sense a human was coming his way but he ignored them, just in case they were going to ruin his fun right now when he was having fun! He would have ignored them longer if they hadnt called out his name.

He looked up as she came over to him "Hey Alexa!" he nodded "I knowww.. this school keeping us busy and stuff.. I needed to get away from the great hall so came out here. Why out here?" he asked her wondering what made her leave the inside of that castle and come to a corridor of sorts.. there were other cool places like that golf place and stuff! He stopped making his shapes now that Alexa was here.

She couldn't agree more! between the classes and the homework she hardly had time to do anything anymore. This was exactly why she'd decided to stop doing homework. It majorly cut into her mishief time; Merlin, she couldn't remember the last time she got yelled at! It'd been too long!

Lex nodded at his reason behind being out here. It made sense. If she stayed in the Great Hall too long she started getting miserable. Just seeing everyone on the ground, sleeping bags thrown about reminded her of the harsh reality that whatever had locked them out, locked her candy in. She shrugged at his question. "I don't know, the same reason as you I guess. If I stayed in there much longer I'd go mad--and not in a good way either!" Because of course you know one could be mad in a good way. She could...

"Oh, did I interrupt your little game?" She asked curiously. A moment ago he was making shadows but now he'd stop. "I could leave if I did." The last thing she wanted to be was a fun ruiner.

He nodded as she answered his question "Yeah I would too!! I mean you can only stay inside for so long before you need some place.. to just.. bounce!!" you know cause hyper ones like them really did need to bounce regularly just to stay healthy!! "Plus I dont think that staying inside for too long is healthy.. it has to be unhealthy so we have to get out!" so the professors should agree with having more classes outside cause that was just healthy.

He looked at the ground and shook his head "Nah you didnt.. I just dont do that with people around. Dad said that it makes you look ... loony if you do that, he has tried to get me to stop it but... sometimes I do it when I am bored" he said looking at her... "No you are fine.. you can stay.. besides.. we havent done any planning cause of this stupid school!" he said thinking about the mischief making that he was supposed to do with Alexa and he hadnt!

Ronnie walked along the corridor to the courtyard after a nice breakfast in the Great Hall. She sighed happily, looking around her as she walked. The weather was getting nicer, which always put her in a good mood.

She began to shift her bag to her other shoulder when suddenly, it fell onto the ground, all the papers, books, ink bottles and quills spilling out. "Oh Merlin..." Ronnie muttered under her breath, getting down on her knees. "Why am I so clumsy?!" she sighed, shaking her head. She began to put the papers back into her bag when she noticed some of the papers had ink spilled all over them. "Oh no!" she squeaked, picking one up and shaking it a little, trying to get some of the ink off.

Milton noticed the same excitement and chipper attitude Taryn had before was slowly declining as she spoke of August. Maybe he shouldn't have asked that question. "I'm sure he'll write you back," he said encouragingly. August would be dumb if he didn't. Milton knew how much Taryn cared about August... Milton tried to turn his head, to look at her, but it was kind of difficult since she was clinging to his back. He chuckled a little. "Hey, it's okay. I know how much he means to you. No offense taken."

Eh. "Okay, you can get down now. I gotta save my muscles for quidditch practice." Or something like that. "And talking about August doesn't make me uncomfortable. You and are friends now. We can talk about... anything." Okay, ALMOST anything. But talking about August was fine. Sometimes Milton just had to remember that he wasn't Taryn's boyfriend anymore.

"I hope so... the waiting part just sucks, you know? Like what if he changes his mind and doesn't write back at all?" She would be SO SO SAD.

Taryn smiled a little. Milton was being so sweet and understanding about the situation. Which made her feel better but also, at the same time, made her feel worse for feeling bad about what she'd done. It wasn't that she felt bad about dating Milton, but... maybe it was too soon, too much. All she knew was that she'd hurt August and she never wanted to do that. "I could've done worse." She teased and even giggled a little bit. It was true though, she could have ended up dating someone who didn't care if she was happy or not. She didn't see how she'd put up with that, but you never knew, right?

"Alright." She patted his head and giggled again, then managed to slide/jump off of Milton's back and on to her feet again. "Next time, though, you have to carry me around school on your back." That would be fun! She nudged his arm, "And not over your shoulder." Hehe. Though that had been quite fun as well. "You're sweet, Milton." Just pointing that out. She stood taller to place a kiss on his cheek because that was about all she could do now to show her affection.

"Exactly!! I mean do you know how long it's been since I had a really good sugar rush and just let myself gooo--" Oh, that reminded her. She hadn't told him the dreadfully awful news. "My candy must be feeling the same way right now. It got locked up in the common room when that stupid thing kicked everybody out!" SIGH. The chocolate frogs must have been getting lonely. No hope of being eaten...it was sad actually.

She tilted her head a bit as she looked over at him, just slightly confused. "How does that make you look loony? I thought you were having fun..." Grown ups were so weird most times. "...and if you're suuure..." then she guessed she would stay. Yup.

"Oh yeah! The plans! We haven't done anything now have we?" Yet another reason she didn't like doing homework. It kept her away from her second love; mischief. "Do you have anything in mind?"

Eh... Ethan was running late. The boy had stayed up so late studying the night before that he was far too tired to get up on time. And so he overslept.. which threw off his whole morning routine. The 16 year old had managed to quickly grab a danish and espresso from the kitchen, freeing up a little more time so he would actually be on time.

He walked briskly through the corridor on his way to Care of Magical Creatures class and glanced down at his watch. Oh.. maybe he wasn't as late as he thought. Must've been that super-quick breakfast and not actually sitting down to eat it.. He still kept that brisk pace, thinking once he was outside he would slow down some to enjoy the fresh air when his eyes landed on the girl who had been walking in front of him. "Need a hand?" Ethan asked when he approached as the girl crouched down to collect her things when they fell. He frowned slightly at the ink-covered papers.. they looked like homework. "Here.. let me," he said, pulling out his wand, as he noticed her futily trying to shake the ink off. "Tergeo," he commanded, pointing his wand at the ink to siphon it off.

He nodded "I can't remember when I had a good big supply of candy in my system" he said a little sad, he looked at her in shock "Are you serious? In our common room? the horror!!!" he couldn't believe that such a good and HUGE supply of candy (counting his as well) was just sitting up there wondering to when they would be eaten. "Do you know why we got kicked out? I want back in!! All my stuff is up there!!" he said still shocked about the candy and stuff.

He saw her tilt her head as she looked confused at him "Umm I was, but well dad says that playing about with shadows and stuff makes you look like a loony and he doesn't want anyone shipping me off to a loony bin, whatever that is. I never even heard of that! Probably something he has picked up from the muggle world." he said shaking his head, his poor dad had been living in the muggle world for too long isn't that what his Sir Grandpop had said to him. He nodded "Yeah I am sure, it's been like a billion years since I hung out with anyone my own age" he said looking around at all the old people, ok so maybe Ethan was the cool old guy but he was still old.

He nodded sadly, all the plans they had to create as much mischief as they could and they had done nothing and they were coming to the end of their first year now. He then thought about any plans that he had he leaned in and whispered so no-one could overhear them"Weeelll there is this one I do have, it might not be fun exactly... Umm I was thinking of picking some fruit from the Orchard like 2 basketfull, and well chucking them as all the lovey yucky couples we can find, even ones that go swimming in the hot spring or the lake" he knew she would love that seeing as how much they BOTH hated all that kissy, huggy stuff those so-called couples did. They needed to be taught a lesson and what better way then being pelted with fruit or vegetables.

Ronnie looked up as a voice asked if she needed a hand. Her cheeks turned slightly pink. "I erm...yeah, that'd be nice.." she said quietly. Well, this was kind of embarrassing...

She watched as he took the ink covered papers and pointed his wand at them and said a spell. Oh. Why didn't she think of that?

She sighed, finishing putting everything away and stood up. "Thank you for helping me," she said, slinging the bag onto her shoulder. "I'm Ronnie, by the way." she added, sticking her hand out towards him to shake.