PAUSE.

.... The self proclaimed studmuffin was at the hot springs... with a shirt on?

He tugged at the shirt, having previously figured it would be a good thing to wear. Mostly because it was October and starting to get a bit chilly and it was something his mother probably would have told him to do. Not that he listened to his mother all that often or that she really said much to him in return.

He never said he was going to wear the shirt in the water. He approached the spring, dropping his towel onto a rock just a little ways away from the water's edge.

Callie was so excited, not only about having her first girl day back at school with Medea, but the fact that the new Groundskeeper had somehow discovered a hot sping on the Hogwarts Grounds and opened it up for all of them to enjoy.

The Divination Professor had obviously worn a cloak over her bathing suit as she and the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor swished their way out of the Castle and into the shaded corner of the hot spring, the cool autumn evening allowing for steam to rise off the water's surface. "Oh, good there aren't any kids over this way." Callie said much relieved. She shook off her robe and slipped into the warm water in her red and white stiped bikini.

Emmanuelle shrugged at that. "Everyone else seems to think that leaving the school should make someone sad. Me, I'll just be glad to be able to move back to my home country." Not that she had problem with Britain or anything, she just didn't feel a connection to it. At all.

"Oh, I'm Emmanuelle Moreau. But you can just call me Em. It's nice to meet you." Ok, that was almost embarrassing. Forgetting to introduce herself, that was.

Medea was now convinced that no matter how long she'd spend here teaching, she'd never truly see everything here in the castle, and on the castle grounds. Although, this hot spring was honestly one of the more enjoyable discoveries. This chilly weather on the other hand was making the trip down to the spring feel longer than necessary.

Merlin though, it did make the water look that much more inviting. Slipping off her cloak to reveal her blue and white two piece, Medea folded it up and first tested the water with her toe before slipping in. This definitely hit the spot. "Best...discovery...ever."

"Actually...." He lifted his finger, all imformative-like. "A person can drown in 2cm of water." Because what if he fell over or something? Water WAS slippery, after all. Hence forth, Theodore needed some arm bands. "Well, me either. I can't actually swim, you know." He admitted to Kurumi. Maybe she'd hold his hand along the way? She was a stalker-person, riiiiight? OOH, or perhaps he'd get prefect-lessons. Swimming lessons ala la prefect.

"Why not?" Theo pressed her for an answer, even cocking his head to the side in confusion. Hogwarts was COOL and all, but was still boring old school..

"The only thing I would miss about Hogwarts would be quidditch... but then I suppose I could just join a REAL quidditch team... so what do you like to do at Hogwarts? You could just get a job that's the same." He suggested, making PERFECT sense in his own head. Theo scratched his imaginary beard. "And I'd miss my besties, too, I guess..." No, he would LOADS.

But him and West would be business partners forever. He knew THAT.

What was with the laughter? Theodore received a lot of laughter, but he just put it down to him being such a legend. But, oooh! Yearbook excitement! "WOOH, thanks Kurumi. You're the best of the prefects!" Maybe not as cool as Sierra Griengoth.... Though Theo wasn't sure why he liked her so much, cos they hadn't actually met before. It was a Slytherin thing.

"Yeah......." He paused, studying the water further. "I wanna go in. But you can go first..." Ladies first and all.

"Oh." was all she could reply. Really? Her smile made him happy?

...So, that's why. Because they were friends! Why, of course. She felt the same. Seeing him sad would make her feel somber too. "Well..thank you then." Try hard as she might, her lips slowly curved into a small smile. She appreciated the friendship they had and it was something she would surely treasure.

However, at the moment, she wasn't too keen on talking about the development of their friendship. Instead, she was rather concerned. He was hurt. The proof was right before her eyes but he was still not budging. This was annoying her in some way. He said he wasn't going to the Healer. Beezus almost glared at the Prefect. He couldn't see his own wounds, that's why he was acting so carefree but she can, and she could tell that it needs cleaning up and proper medication as soon as possible. Not only that, but she felt VERY responsible for what happened to him. If she hadn't slipped, then he won't have any injuries.

Shaking her head right now, the brunette took a deep breath when he told her he wasn't going to stand. He only would, if they continue their leisure walk. SERIOUSLY? How can he still think about that when he had lesions? "I said let's go." to the Healer. Right. Now.

"Stand up or I'm leaving you here." she added, a tone of seriousness evident on her voice.

"Yes, I believe you should too." he grinned.

Her offer seemed tempting but his stomach had other ideas. "Originally I was planning to go have some break fast. If you want to .. maybe we can head to the great hall .." he proposed, totally cool with whatever she preferred but personally really really hoping she would give eating a go.

Cue lip nibbling; and tummy fluttering, and a nervy look up to her eyes. As her lips curled upwards, however, his did too. "No need," Spike said with a small shake of his head. "'s what I'm here for." That, and soft landings.

He felt bad she was glaring at him, but he'd already made up his mind. Despite his many injuries over the years, Spike rarely went to the Healer out of choice. And Beezus might not believe it, but he had a choice in this one, and a perfectly good solution of his own upstairs. Really, it was a few scrapes. A bit of cream tonight, and they'd all vanish, good as new...

"No," Spike replied flatly. "It's a few scrapes. Yes, they're a little tender at the moment, but otherwise they're FINE. I'll put cream on them later." Unless Beezus had noticed something else? He had a scar on his back from when he was younger, but surely she hadn't stared at his back that much? Self consciously, he pulled his t-shirt down further. He actually quite liked his scar, just like he liked epic bruises when he got them, but he suddenly felt awkward that she'd been looking at his bare back.

"You wouldn't."

With a puff of his cheeks, Spike stood up. Without looking at her, he picked up Matilda and placed the tarantula on his shoulder. The spider didn't looked too impressed at her nap in the sunshine being distracted. "I'm going this way," Spike said, pointing to a path that was most definitely NOT going towards the castle. "I'd really like it if you came with me," he added, his tone softening.

Sutton nodded in understanding. In many ways she understood how the girl felt. She was kind of feeling the same way about missing him. Sutton was just about to ask where the girl was from when she told her her name. Then it became instantly clear, with a smile, Sutton asked, "Are you French? Your name sounds really French... it's really pretty!"

His smile was infectious to her. She even felt herself blush a little. Finally! Hehe. She was afraid that that quality had left her forever. Being too bold meant no blushing. And no blushing wasn't cute. "For you I will venture out more," she promised and gave his hand a squeeze in return.

"Breakfast sounds good. Let's go." She gathered her books with her free hand and tucked them under her arm. He would be a gentleman and help her up, this she knew. And MAN it was nice. SO NICE not to have some snotty teenage boy being rude. SIGHS DREAMILY.

The only good thing about October was that it wasn't as rainy as all the other previous months had been. Not so far at least. Dora was taking advantage of this and spending a bit of time outside by the hot spring everyone was talking about in the common room. She didn't remember it being out here last year, and she had CHECKED ALL OVER, so it had to have been added or something by this new groundskeeper.

She wasn't getting in the hot spring though. Strolling the bank of the spring she weaved around most of the gathered students, not paying them any real attention except when she came across one that she knew. Kinda.

"I lost you once the train got stopped." She said by way of greeting, stopping right by his side.

Adam shuffled his way to the hot springs. He hoped the water wouldn't, like, splash him or nothing. That experience with the Willow was not a good one. Just to be safe, he edged away from it. No more things flinging at him. Uh-uh.

Adam glanced at his arm. It was healing, but a scar was left on it. Ouch.

Oh look, Am's here. He took a step towards her, but noticed Harvey too. And that firstie who thought love was disgusting. Adam would jusy play it safe and stay away for now. Well, Harvey then! "Hiya," he said as he walked up to Harvs. "Mind if I sit?" Considering...circumstances...Adam thought it'd be best to be invited.

Harvey was sat down at the hot springs as he watched everyone around it, when he heard someone talk to him. He looked up and saw the boy that he had seen at the feast that had come with Ameliah. He nodded "Hi.. yeah sure you can sit" cause it would be rude to say no to someone that had asked him. Plus now that they were in the same school they were bound to bump into each other sometime so why not now?

Adam grinned a little. "Thanks," he said, sitting down. "So do all trees here like to beat up students??" He laughed as he rubbed at his scar. Better to make a joke of it than to be grumpy, right?

...Aaaaand he didn't want to talk about Am with her ex. That'd just be akward.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

Medea was now convinced that no matter how long she'd spend here teaching, she'd never truly see everything here in the castle, and on the castle grounds. Although, this hot spring was honestly one of the more enjoyable discoveries. This chilly weather on the other hand was making the trip down to the spring feel longer than necessary.

Merlin though, it did make the water look that much more inviting. Slipping off her cloak to reveal her blue and white two piece, Medea folded it up and first tested the water with her toe before slipping in. This definitely hit the spot. "Best...discovery...ever."

Medea said it all.

The blonde woman sank into the water until only her neck and head were above it's warmth and floated there in the center, away from the rocky edge for a minute to warm up from the trip down there. After a few minutes she waded back to the edge to sit and lean against the stones.

The looks and breif words they both had shared at the feast about their summers were still at the front of Calista's mind and she couldn't think of a better time to speak about them, with no other staff members around and no students. "So Medea, I got the sense that your summer wasn't so plesant either? Want to talk about it?" Which meant, yes talk about it because Callie wanted to talk too!

*hint hint*

Harvey smiled as he watched the boy... Adam right? sit down next to him as he asked about some trees. Harvey chuckled and shook his head "No not all .. just the one that I know of. Known as the Whomping Willow, you just gotta be really quick around that tree or you will get hurt" yeah quick like Minnie had been when she played her games with that tree.. before she managed to hurt herself as well, all Harvey's fault really he had distracted her from her concentration.

There weren't any creatures in these waters, were there?

While warming up, her feet poked around at the bottom of the spring, ending up more of a foot massage in the end. Some of these rocks were amazingly super smooth and felt so nice. She could see herself meditating out here, especially during winter time if it wasn't frozen.

Turning in the water to face Callie, she contemplated her answer for a moment before giving a slight shrug of her shoulders, hands running across the top of the water. "It vos just particularly...long. The days never lasted so long in my life."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

There weren't any creatures in these waters, were there?

While warming up, her feet poked around at the bottom of the spring, ending up more of a foot massage in the end. Some of these rocks were amazingly super smooth and felt so nice. She could see herself meditating out here, especially during winter time if it wasn't frozen.

Turning in the water to face Callie, she contemplated her answer for a moment before giving a slight shrug of her shoulders, hands running across the top of the water. "It vos just particularly...long. The days never lasted so long in my life."

The rocks were as warm as the water was. Merlin Callie was going to be coming down here all the time perhaps with the cute Groundskeeper if she can get him to join her maybe even Dash also. She turned her head to look at her friend as she spoke about her summer...the long days.

Yeah she had those too but for some reason the other woman's summer didn't sound all that bad, not like HER'S. "Yes, the days were much longer than they were here during the term. But Medea, I went back to America...the whole summer." She looked at the Defense Professor guiltily.

Oh dear...

Whatever summer plans she thought the woman had, it was not that. Making her way back to the rocky edge, she sat next to the Divination Professor. Not tip-toeing on thin ice or anything here, but she did want to be careful with what was asked. "How are you doing?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

Oh dear...

Whatever summer plans she thought the woman had, it was not that. Making her way back to the rocky edge, she sat next to the Divination Professor. Not tip-toeing on thin ice or anything here, but she did want to be careful with what was asked. "How are you doing?"

The look of concern Medea gave her made Callie feel a little better about herself, not because the woman was feeling sorry for her but that she was willing to listen--something a real friend would do.

"I'm doing better now. That place is just so....toxic for me but at the same time I still feel like I owe it to them to come back. Does that make sense?" 'Them' meaning her deceased parents. She had done it most summers since she had graduated University and gotten a real job but this past summer had been her first time back since living on the streets for those two years and it was just as hard, if not worse, than the other times.

"It does." It did make sense and Medea nodded before it started not to. She didn't know the pain of losing parents, but she did have a somewhat similar situation to go off of. Not that it'd help much. This wasn't her they were talking about.

Playing with the rocks a little, half aware that they were as warm as the water, she placed a small one upon Callie's shoulder, somewhat eyeing it as if daring it to fall. "Why the whole summer though?"

First Daichi and his fire and now Theo and his water? Then there had been Jonathan and his fear of dirt and dirty things in general... Kurumi was beginning to wonder if the dungeons did something to the snake psyche. Made them all gain some sort of phobia about something. Maybe some of that black mold was still down there, trapped in the crevices of the stone walls and stuff. "No one ever taught you how?" Kurumi asked, her wand still twirling between her slender fingers as she spoke. "Do you...want to learn? I can try and teach you." Not that a hot spring was really the ideal place to learn how to swim...but it would have to do. Once she made him some floaties that is.

She didn't conjure them out of thin air, but instead used a spell that Professor Magnus had taught them and transfigured some rubbish from her pockets into a pair of them.

She shrugged her shoulders at his question. "It's just hard to imagine life without Hogwarts, I suppose. It's really the only part of the wizarding world that I really know."

Quidditch. Kurumi instantly began to scratch her arms nervously at the sheer mention of the word. Was her rash coming back again? She sure hoped not...the flying lesson had been bad enough. Now she had to actually go to a tryout to get Selina off her case...Kurumi had hung up her Quidditch robes. She wasn't going to play Seeker...she was done with the sport. DONE!

But she was back to blushing when Theo complimented her. "I...just do what I can..." she mumbled shyly.

"Let's get these on you first and then we can both go in," she smiled, offering him the floaties.

Beezus stared at him. That's what he was there for? To tell her that her smile made him happy? UHH. Errmm.. that was weird, kind of. It made her feel a little awkward that she quickly tore her eyes from his and looked away.

Something serious was going on. She had been getting an awful lot of compliments since the term started. Was it because of the hair? Ugh. See, it wasn't a good idea after all. She didn't want to be noticed...if that's what's happening right now. A low profile was enough for her, thank you very much. SIGH.

..too much for the odd things going on.

...the Prefect was still being stubborn and Beezus' was really starting to get upset about how insensitive he was towards his own wellness. When he said he was going to apply cream on it later, Beezus stopped herself from rolling her eyes. She knew Spike was tough, with all his critters and being in the Quidditch team at that. But if they weren't at the Pitch, wasn't it just better if to take care of themselves and not abuse the capacity of their bodies? She thought it was fairly reasonable.

"I will." If it was the only way.

Eyeing him as he stood up, Beezus crossed her arms. Her gaze followed him when he went to pick up his tarantula. For a second, she thought some sense was finally knocked into him but he failed her. He was pointing at a path that wasn't anywhere going to lead them to the Hospital Wing nor their Common Room. HUH?! He would like it if she came with him? Did he hit his head on the water or something? Wasn't it virtually obvious yet that she was VERY concerned about his wounds?

With a huff, she unlatched her arms and allowed it to hung by her side as she sprinted towards him. "Would you stop it already?" Her voice a little higher. "Look, if you're thinking that I want us to go back to the Castle because I don't want to spend time with you, then you are very wrong!" Beezus' brows furrowed as she talked. "Can't you see that I'm worried? I am, okay?! I really am." She was feeling very guilty too. "You're being childish, you know that?" Pause, and head-shaking. "Please. Just...just hear me out. Treat those wounds first...We can reschedule. And next time I'm going in the Hot Spring with you, I promise."

More sighing. "Please?"

"Well go on then," Spike said with a roll of his eyes. She hadn't made any move to actually go through with it yet, and her leaving wasn't going to get him any closer to the Hospital Wing. It'd probably just cause him to go mooching around the grounds, wondering why his tummy kept feeling weird and when he might next get the chance to talk to Finn.

Finn would know, right?

Ah, she'd clicked that the path he pointed to went nowhere towards the castle. In fact, he had no idea where it lead to. Exciting, huh? Didn't she want to have a little adventure too? See what else could be discovered on the grounds?

Why WAS she so worried? Yes, he knew girls could be squeamish. But this girl wasn't. Spike knew this. Beezus was awesome and strong-minded and liked reeeeally cool stuff, as well as being pretty. She wouldn't mistake scratches for anything worse? A little blood wouldn't phase her.

"Stop what?" Spike answered, slowly turning around. Her next words caught him, and he bit his lip. Yes, that's what he had been worried about. But it was nice to know that he wasn't just wrong, but very wrong. And then it got worse, as her eyebrows furrowed and she seemed to look like she might explode as she admitted she was worried about him.

He was not being childish. Pout. He just wasn't wasting the Healer's time with something so small. "They're scratches, Beezus," he said quietly. "Not deep wounds. The cream will make them disappear." He sighed. Really, it was no biggie. "Unless there was something else you saw?" He couldn't help but ask. She almost had him believing that there was something bigger there, and that his t-shirt was actually damp with water, but with blood.

His heart almost melted as sighed. She really WAS worried, for whatever reason, and nothing he said was going to make her feel better. He looked into her eyes, and reached out a hand to take hers in his and squeeze it. "How about a compromise? We go get the cream from the dorm, you can check it makes my back better, and then we resume normality?" He raised an eyebrow. Was that better? And, they could go and get a change of clothes to properly enjoy the hot spring after, if they wished.

Yes, they were scratches.

So?

"Okay, I get your point. You're thinking they're not worth the Healer's time." But Healer Tillstorm wouldn't let those kind of things pass, even how tiny it was. The woman lived up to her profession and Beezus was sure she wasn't going to kick Spike out of the Hospital Wing for his scratches. She shook her head when he asked if there was something more. "No, nothing. They're just shallow wounds." But that didn't lessen her concern. Who knows what might happen? And fyi, it wasn't merely simple scratches, they were lined with streaks of blood.

It would've been alright if he got those wounds during Quidditch, she wouldn't really care that much. But being on the Pitch was an entirely different story.

When he reached out his hand while stating the conditions of their compromise, Beezus stared at him hesitantly for a few seconds before extending hers to grasp his. Uhh, yeah. Were they to shake hands?

Ermm.. awkwaaaard?

..Compromise. Right. "Uhm..okay. Okay, sure. That plan sounds fine." As long as his wounds were treated. Hm. He just wasn't really going to let that day pass without accomplishing what they thought out in advance, huh?