Damon looked between the two as they spoke, staying fairly quiet, not really sure what to add on the the conversation.

"how many times do i have to say im sorry for flipping you before you forgive me min." she said with a laugh she saw damon being quiet across the table and put her hand on his over the table "you ok?" she asked him

Minerva couldn't help but laugh, "I will never let you live that one down my dearest.." she joked with her friend. "I still can't believe you did it and then I fell on my head." she knew falling was her fault, but hey if she wasn't upside down she wouldn't have fallen. Then she looked at Damon who seemed to be the one uncomfortable, "Why so quiet there Damon?" she looked between Ariana and Damon, "Umm I could leave you two so you can have some alone time, maybe even a date while you are out of the castle. That would probably be fun for you." she smiled at them not wanting to be the third wheel and really wanting them to have fun.

Kurumi fidgeting again uncomfortably in her seat. She wasn't ready to be this comfortable and casual with Adam. Not after everything. And she really REALLY was not ready to receive any praise from him, which is why she was back to chewing on her bottom lip for a moment before answering him. "I am actually hoping to hold some casual baking lessons with the house elves," she replied as she laced her fingers together. Fingers that she wished were laced together with Lewis' right now...

She was back to nodding again slowly. Kurumi usually always did have a plan of sorts. There were still a few things that she needed to sort out about this plan, but those were not the sort of thing that she wanted to talk with Adam about. "Breeding," she said as she finally lifted her gaze to meet his. "Last term we got to watch a dragon hatching from an egg and, well, it just sort of set into motion what I wanted to do...dragon breeding. Help endangered species of dragons, research on hybrids, working in hatcheries..." She was talking a lot...more than she had until now. Curse you Adam Burn for still knowing how to loosen her up - creatures.

She leaned back in her seat a bit, Kurumi relaxed her shoulders some. "Well...you found someone..." So now what?

He looked up at them and shook his head, "No, just thinking..." Damon gave a kind smile, it was true... That mixed with the fact that he kinda lost track of the conversation, *Fail* Only Damon could do this kind of thing, "And you don't have to leave Min. Ari and I have been together almost constantly these past few weeks, if anything it's nice to have someone else around again," He nodded.

Ari agreed "yeah we've been alone, probablly too much." she leaned on min "plus we've missed youuuu.. Dont go."

Minerva smiled at Damon, 'Well as long as nothing wrong. You would tell us if there was something on your mind, right?" She always felt he tried to hide things from her at times and she hated that. If she was his friend he should tell her things not hide them from her. She tried to shrug it off though, "Well as long as I'm not in the way. I don't want to ruin the new relationship stuff between you two. I've been trying to keep so busy with classes, I forgot what it's like to hangout with people that are couples." she laughed a bit at this thought. That and the fact she was doing a bit of avoiding it was probably a good answer as well.

Damon chuckled but nodded in agreement with Ariana, "No, nothings wrong... At least not at this moment for once." He smiled, "And of course I would, you two are the only ones I can really turn to anymore, and I'm not exactly the best at holding everything in anymore," It was always a skill that came with practice, and from the moment Taylor had said 'hello' to him nearly two years ago, he'd stopped holding it in and now, he couldn't even act like he was happy all the time anymore.

Even if Minnie liked to think it was fine for her to ride a train alone he didn't like the sound of it. "You're going to come with me later and I'm going to buy you something to keep you company on the train, okay?" Not that she really had any say about it. He had to buy her this thing because it would be perfect for her and she could play with it the whole two hours and never get bored! "Minnie, I can't wait to go to Hogwarts! And all the candy we're going to eat on the train? It's going to be HEAVEN!" There was no doubt about how much fun the six two of them were going to have!

"I know so! Danielle, she's the oldest, she says she can't wait to meet you!" And since Charlotte was pretty much exactly like Dani, only two years younger, he knew she would love Minnie as well. And Mason loved everyone that was nice to him because he was four and he didn't know any better.

She stuck her tongue out at him? That was a no go! He reached over and poked her a few times on her side, hoping she was ticklish because other wise it just wouldn't be nearly as funny. He absolutely loved his best friend! "It really does! And Bliss is thirteen now! It's amazing!" He really couldn't believe Tinker Bell was thirteen already, even though they had spken about her birthday for a few days so he knew it was going to happen anyway. "I just noticed, do you always call it Helloween?" As long as he knew what Halloween was he never heard anyone pronounce it like it. "And I didn't know I was invited! I thought you'd be at school for it!" But hey, if she wanted him there he would definitely go.

He smirked as soon as he heard Minnie squeal. Chris couldn't wait for her to open up her presents. And he hoped that, even if she didn't like them, she'd still pretend to. "Open them up!" He slowly pushed the gift boxes over to her and waited patiently.

ooc: Just to make sure, it's just the cat and the necklace, no pumpkin (;

Ari smiled at them both "he would say something if something was bothering him." yup she knew him enough to know that he'd say if something was bothering him

"And the elves would cook with you?" He asked. Adam was never really sure about how elves worked. He assumed they didn't like bossing them around. But then again, maybe they will warm up to Kurumi, it didn't take much to warm up to her.

Whoa. Breeding. Dragons.Kurumi. Was she all right? Words like that just didn't sound like they went together. He could imagine her going to some culinary school. Expanding her cooking from baking to making real food. "Breeding?! That's a dangerous job, with dragons especially." Adam's first instinct thought was to persuade her out of this, just for her own safety. But if he did she'd either not take his advice or would ignore him, as she was doing a fifty percent good of a job right now.So he stopped his train of thought. "Well, just be careful if you do go into that type of program." He advised her the best to his ability without trying to sound protective or harsh.

"I did find someone. Lucky it was you." He said with a slight smirk. She would highly disagree with him, but he didn't care.

Kurumi laughed softly and drummed her fingers on the side of her mug. "Adam, I've been baking with the house elves since I was a first year."

She did sort of expect such a reaction from Adam about her future dream. Treyen had been a bit startled as well - although she thought that maybe it had more to do with him getting caught up on the word breeding - and Lewis was concerned a bit as well. Seeing just their reactions was enough for her to decide not to tell her father until it was too late. As in...once she had already been accepted to the program and everything. "No if....I'm in the process of applying. Got my professor recommendations and filled out the application for early acceptance already," she nodded firmly. And if she was accepted, well, she would know soon after the winter holidays and then...there would be some serious conversations that needed to be had. "You know I've always liked dragons. It's just awkward that...Jonathan is at the same university..."

Right. Shutting up about that right now. Although her tone and body language probably already had told Adam that that relationship was...over. Which still hurt Kurumi, not because they weren't together...but that they weren't even really friends. Not yet. They had patched things up, sort of, but Kurumi had been left with no address or means to contact him. She missed him. More than she thought she would.

"Lucky it was me?" Kurumi asked, dropping her hands to her lap now and blushing slightly. "Adam...you don't...still...." But she didn't finish that thought. There was no need to. He knew what she was going to ask.

Kat skipped her way to the Three Broomsticks for a quick snack. She can't say she's missed the place, but there was a part of it that made Kat want to go back to the place. As she entered, a grin on her face grew. Ooooh, it's been a while since she's been here! The fourth year skipped the the counter.

She took a look at the menu, picking something that would make the cold lessen... besides butterbeer. She wanted to try something else."Can I have a cup of Hot Cocoa?" Kat nodded. That should be good. "And also a chocolate chip cookie,"

Blue BEAMed and squeezed her back. "You're absolutely sure? You're not someone using polyjuice potion or somefing?" She looked up at the much, much taller girl and then TUGGED at Eve's cheeks, making sure it wasn't a mask or anything. She continued to beam at her sister when she came down to her eye level. It was something Eve always did when she was around anyway. Probably a good idea. It hurt Blue's neck A LOT to have to crane it and look at the older girl.

She brushed some hair off Eve's face. "You're lookin' pretty, sisterrrrrrr." She was. "Have you grown shorter?" Ahem. That was just Blue hinting that she wanted her un-biological sister to tell her that she had grown even though she hadn't.

SECOND YEAR. "Tis awesome, sister mine. I tried out for Quidditch a couple of days ago!" BEAM. Best not mention the fact the she was still stiff and sore. Maybe it would've been a better idea to wear a long sleeved dress to hide the bruises from bludgers, mm? "I'm pretty sure I made the team but then again ya never knooooow."

But enough about me... "How's UNIVERSITY? In Scotland?" How're you since you LEFT me? Ahem. Yeah. ....Still a little bitter about that. Even though it wasn't Eve's face she had to graduate.

Juliet took another big bite from her sandwich. She just couldn't stop eating it. The first bite just made her palate go crazy. She's hoping that Hogsmeade should be open for students forever so that she can have a reason to go visit this place.

"That's nice" Juliet said with a warm smile. She hasn't seen Cass much around after the opening feast. However, Juliet blinked a few times and got completely silent when Cass opened about stumbling into someone's remembral. Juliet has heard about those. She does want to buy one of those but she keeps on forgetting. Maybe she should make a list of things to buy next time she's in Diagon Alley. "Hope that someone claims it" she nodded.

First visit? DEFINITELY. Juliet nodded a few more times to her question. "I like it" everything around here is just fun. She should go visit every store.

"And you surprised?" Finlay asked with a little grin. He wasn't exactly known for being on time. Although it had greatly improved since him leaving Hogwarts. It wasn't as if he could turn up late to his job at all. He knew that Spike wouldn't be angry at him though. Of course not. The pair were like best friends, and siblings. Spike not may have actually be related to Finn, but he cared for him like he cared for his little sisters.

The mirror? Finn laughed, settling down in the chair opposite Spike, and taking a sip of the butterbeer. "I haven't seen Nia today yet. She's got training all day..." He mused with a shrug. They were used to their crazy schedules. He'd see her later tonight. "Training just ran over." And Spike knew that Finn had to hit the showers. He couldn't go around looking a mess. That would not look good on the front of a quidditch magazine.

"I half expected her to be with you," Spike said with a tilt of the head. "But it's probably a good job she's busy." Because, weirdly, Spike wanted to talk about girls. And that might be a liiiittle odd with Nia there. Sure, she was nice and everything, and Spike liked her, but what Spike wanted was big brotherly advice.

...and yes Finn, Spike had noticed you avoided mentioning the mirror, and that you look particularly well groomed for straight after a training session.

"Well, I'm just glad you could come," Spike said with a smile. "It feels like forever since I got to see you over the summer." And, well, Spike had been a bit rubbish in writing since he'd got back. His mind had been preoccupied with tryouts and weird butterflies in his stomach. Ooh, which probably meant Finn didn't know... "Did I tell you my OWL results?" Because that was his MOST exciting news.

"I'm seeing her later...." Finn mused with a shrug. He hadn't really intended to bring her, not unless Spike had asked too. The pair weren't that close really, only knowing each other people of him. "Oh?" It was? So Spike had wanted to see him alone. Well that was interesting. It felt weird being back at Hogmseade actually. He hadn't been back here since he had graduated. It was nice, and weird. He would be coming up here a lot more often, it was nice being so close when he was training at Montrose. Maybe Nia would like to come too every so often.

"It does. I'm used to you not writing..." He smirked at his younger friend. Spike was much more into seeing people face to face. That was the same as Finn really. He was useless at writing too people. The only people he bothered with was Neptune, his sisters and Nia. Even then she saw Nia and Neptune a lot. "You didn't?!?" Finn nodded with a big grin on his face. He figured Spike must have done good. "How did you do?"

Spike nodded, and bit his lip. "I'm not sure Nia would find it all that interesting," he said quietly. Which immediately highlighted the fact Spike wasn't here to talk about quidditch. Spike definitely liked Nia's input on that when she was around, because despite playing for the Harpies, she was one of the best chasers going. And she didn't mind repeating her strategies until they actually made sense...

"Yeah, I've been a bit rubbish at that..." Spike said, pulling a face. He just wasn't the writing type. Indy had gotten all those genes, with an overwhelming appreciation of sparkly ink to boot. "Especially with tryouts being on..." And they weren't good enough to feel like he should write to tell Finn all about them. More like, he felt like he'd let Finn and Nia down, after they'd helped coach him a bit over the summer.

Spike took a deep breath, and grinned. "5 Os, 2 Es and 2 As!" he exclaimed. "I passed charms and transfig!"

Polyjuice potion? Evelyn laughed and shook her head. "Of course not. I'm.." The girl hesitated for a second before she continued, ".. I'm kind of back in London for now." Unfortunately. She'd really liked it in Scotland. It was good to away from her family and one.. um.. certain person. But then again, moving back to London meant being closer to Blue so she couldn't complain.

"Thank you. You look more pretty than me, Blue." It was true. Blue was very pretty and it would surprise her if the girl didn't already have boys crushing on her. Heh. Evelyn pulled Blue to her feet and.. OHHH. The girl had grown. It had only been a few months since she'd last seen her but Blue was at least a couple inches taller. "Blue, you're taller! I'm sure you'll be as tall as me someday." Which wouldn't be a bad thing actually.

Evelyn smiled and gave the girl a hug. "I'm proud of you." Quidditch was a great sport and the girl was happy Blue had tried out. "I'm sure you've made the team. Anyone would be a fool not to select you." 'Cause Blue was awesome at whatever she did.

"Well, I had applied to a few universities and I got accepted in two of them but now that I'm back here.." Evely shrugged, the smile on her face fading slightly. She was living with a friend now, not keen on moving back with her family. "I'm thinking about applying for a job in the Ministry of Magic.."

"You never know..." Finn shrugged, smiling at Spike. Nia was into a lot of unusual things. But that was something that Finn loved about her. She was different, and all his. He intended on keeping her. He decided against telling any of this to Spike though. Finn knew he wasn't really into girls, which was odd to him. Especially considering that Finn and Jimmy had been there influencing him. Finn was somewhat glad Spike hadn't followed in their footsteps though.

"Indy's thing right?" The qudditch player laughed, referring to Spike's little sister. He'd gotten a few very sprarkly letters off the girl. Indy was adorable though, just like his own little sister, which was why he put up with it. "I'm sure you're doing fine..." He nodded with a smile. "I bet it's weird without Ellie though.

Oh? Really? A big grin apeared on Finn's face. "You did awesome Spike!"

"I'm pretty sure," Spike said, shifting in his seat. He actually had no idea how to broach the topic he actually wanted to talk about. It was probably the last topic Finn thought he would ever get to talk about with Spike. And yet the Prefect knew that Finn was the perfect person to talk to about it. Well, the most experienced in it, that Spike knew of anyway. Except, perhaps, Jimmy...

Taking a sip of his drink, Spike couldn't help but smile. "Indeed," he replied. "She's not still pestering you, is she?" Probably plenty, in pink and purple sparkly ink. Inward!groan. as much as he loved his little sister...she could certainly do her best to annoy him too. "At tryouts?" Spike shook his head lightly. "Not as well as I would have liked." He sighed. "I swear the beaters are hitting bludgers at me on purpose, after Indy's 'accident' last term..." He'd lost count of the times he'd been hit, or narrowly missed, in that last tryout. It was ridiculous! "Yeah, it is. I miss her..." He'd known her ever since he'd started quidditch. And it really wasn't the same without her hovering around, spying the snitch... "I'm not sure what to make of Milton yet."

Spike BEAMED. Finn saying that meant SO much. "Thanks," he said, blushing. "For helping me so much." He bit his lip. "Seriously, I couldn't have done it without you."

...


OWL results done, Spike took a deep breath, and then a quick gulp of drink. He should probably just get on with it, right? Here goes...

"HowdidyouknowyoulikedNia?" he asked, sheepishly.

This place brought back MEMORIES! Good and bad. Mostly bad at the moment seeing as she had arrived alone and had ample time to THINK. She saw both Finn and Kurumi, but chose to keep to herself for the moment. Settling into a table in the corner she pulled her scarf off and tossed it on the table. WHY she had agreed to come here to see her cousin was still a mystery... and really Orlando was LATE as usual. Heh. She would just avoid eye contact with the masses and twiddle her thumbs until her friend got there and they could wait for Addy together.

"GOOD. Cos I missed ya!" And she wouldn't want it to be ANYONE else. SQUEAL. "You're back in LONDON?!" Oh yayayayayayayayayayayaaaaay. This was the best news EVER. Blue threw her arms around Eve again, BEAMing. B-but why did Eve seem a little disappointed by that? Wasn't this MUCH better now? Any time there was a Hogsmeade weekend she could come over no problem! AND Mommy and Daddy wouldn't be so reluctant to let Blue stay with Eve over the holidays if she was closer. This was brilliant. Come on Eve, flail with her!

"Nu-uuuuh." People really needed to stop saying Blue was prettier than them. First Nessie, now Eve. It was just gonna go to her head. Seriously. She was actually REALLY considering modelling after Hogwarts. "You're just sayin' that. You're not about to go, 'Blue, yes, I am prettier than you' because you're too nice and the bestest person ever!" The truth. Eve was, like, her most favourite person in the world ever. Blue hopped up off the chair and positively BEAMed at her sister. "Ya think?" Woah. To be as tall as Eve...that'd be AWESOME.

YAAAY! Eve was proud of her! Blue hugged her back, still beaming. "Maybe. I made the reserve team last year and I did A LOT better in try-outs this year soooo.... Fingers crossed anyway." And yeah, she helped up her crossed fingers.

Blue poked Eve's sad-ish face. "Why are you so sad? Why'd ya leave?" Um...Maybe she wouldn't wanna talk about it. "OOOOH. What department are ya hoping for? Oh and what were ya studying in your university in Scotland?" Cause Theo had been asking.

Wait, what? Chris wanted to buy her something?But nooooo, he had three siblings and he needed his money for himself."Chris you know you dont have to buy me things", Minnie shook her head," i am perfectly fine with the train ride." It really wasnt that long and she would most probably listen to music or sleep.He really shouldnt worry about it." Spend your money on something you like", the girl smiled,"not on me. I am happy when you are."The blonde couldnt help but giggle at how excited her bestie was to go to Hogwarts. He was the cutest boy ever."I know right?!", she said as excited as ever, " i cant wait anymore. Its gonna be the time of our lives."Hogwarts wasnt prepared for these two that was for sure.Ohh yes and all the candyyyyyyyyyy."We're gonna be so sick when we arrive", Minnie laughed,"but you have tio try all the food to figure out whats the best."Yes that was pure Minnie Thomas logic.All the plans they had made already, everyone involved better be warned.

Awww the girl imagined Chris' siblings to be just as sweet as he was. His mother must be a wonderful woman bringing up all thse lovely kids so fabulous. To be honest Minnie really coulnt wait to meet any of them. Hopefully they would like her."You think so?", she asked tilting her head to the side, "i bet she is a really nice little one. i need to get her a present for when i get to meet her." That would be soooo cute, another thing Minni couldnt wait for."What did you tell your family about me though?", she cuchkled a bit. Hopefully only the best o things. Hehe.

Ahhhhhhhh!!! Had Chris just poked her? Oh no she was really ticklish. Oh noes.Shriking and laughing the girl tried to get away. But no chance. "Chriiiiiissss", she laughed," i am tickliiissshhh." That meanie of a best friend.She had to figure out what his weak spot was. When he least expected it, hehehehehe."Ohhhh yes right, little Blissie is growing up", the girl nodded,"our little family is getting older and older." The 14 year old really loved the fact how they kinda became brothers and sisters.Mhhh... was there something wrong with her way of saying Halloween?"Uhhh yeah i always say helloween", she nodded,"why? do you say it differently?" Maybe she had been in Ireland for too long? Oh.Oh.Waiiit he didnt know he was invitedßOf course he was, he was her best friend."You know best friends are automatically invited", the girl grinned,"but i am gonna throw an after party when we are at Hogwarts so you dont have to come to Dublin." When at Hogwarts they xould all celebrate and have fun together, that was wayyyy easier.

Oh noooooowww it was gonna get exciting. Time to unwrap her presents.Minnie coulnt describe in words how excited she was to see what he hat gotten her. That she woul like it was no qustion , Chris knew her well. Beaming from ear to ear she unwrapped her presents and as she saw what hid behind the paper she couldnt help but squeal again. This seemed to become a habit. How cute was that little halloween cat and the necklace. Wait did it even say peace in irish?! OH MY GOD. "Oh my god Chris", she said fascinated,"thats just...i love it. I absolutely love it. You are the best. Wow." He had put so much thought in to this,Minnie was amazed. Hugging her best friend tightly she smiled happily."Would you mind helping me put the necklace on?"