Susan grabbed her books she would need to study with Laura. She missed Laura a lot since the summer and she was happy to spend time with her. But when she said she doesn't really do the mischievous thing anymore Susan was crestfallen. Susan loved playing pranks and the thrill of the possibility of getting caught. Now with DJ gone and Laura being all good she had no one to play pranks on people with.

Susan frowned as she sat down waiting for Laura to arrive. Maybe Susan could convince Laura of doing something fun. Susan was definitely going to have to think up of a plan and quick. Maybe Min would help, but Susan seriously doubted that. "Hmmm...what to do?"

Laura looked at Susan and smiled as she came into the room carrying 5 heavy books that she would be using to study for her owls, she sat down next to her friend and smiled, before whispering. "How are you today?" Laura said as she opened up the first book and started to read it. "You should read this book." Laura passed over her book on pranks to her friend. "This is a useful read you know."

Susan watched Laura come in carrying a ton of books liked looked really heavy. "I'm good, thanks. How are you doing? So why all the heavy books, do you have that much homework already?" Susan looked horrified at that thought, maybe she should recheck to see how much homework she had.

Susan took the book Laura offered her, hoping that it would be some useful tips on how to make better potions since that was her worst subject. When Susan started to read the book her eyes widened. "OH MY GOSH!! THIS IS AWESOME!!" Susan quickly put her hand over her mouth, she forgot she was in the library. She quickly looked around to see if anyone was around. Luckily she didn't see anybody. Susan turned to Laura and whispered "Sorry, but this is such an awesome book. I didn't even know they made books like this." Susan stared at the book like it was her new bible.

Laura looked at Susan and sighed. "I've had a bad few months and I just want to forget about them if that's okay." Laura really didn't want to think about it at the moment. "Well you seem to be forgetting Susan that it's my OWL's year and I need to study for them at the minute, I want to get as many OWL's as I can this year." Laura hoped she could get loads but she wasn't sure.

Laura giggled at the reaction Susan gave to her new book. "I thought you would like it, I won't be needing it anymore." Laura whispered to Susan, "But I thought you would like it, like on page 38 there this nice prank where you get something that buzzes and put it in and envelope and sent it to someone with the label reading live Bee inside." Laura sighed. "I never actually did that one but well as I said before my pranking days are over now."

Susan had a sad face when Laura said she had a few bad months. She didn't realize how bad Laura was taking DJ's transfer. Well she didn't really know how close they were but it seemed they were closer than she thought. "Ya, I understand." Susan needed to remember not bring up DJ's name around Laura. "Oh, well good luck on your owls, I know you'll do great."

Susan smiled a wide smile at Laura as she was showing her page 38. Oh ya this is the best book ever. "That sounds like a really good one, I wonder who I can do that too?" Susan frowned again when Laura said her pranking days were over. She really hoped she would still maybe want do one everyone once in a while. Maybe if Susan thought of a really good one Laura wouldn't be able to resist. Susan would have to add that to her homework list. "Thank you so much, I will put this to good use." Susan gave Laura a hug, and not just for thanks but also for comfort.

Laura looked at Susan and sighed, she really couldn't believe that DJ wasn't around anymore after all the fun that she had done with him, it seemed strange but well she had a few things she could concentrate on. "I don't know I have a lot of catching up-to do but i'm sure I can do okay if I really concentrate." Laura hoped she could anyway.

Laura looked at Susan and whispered to her, "I'm sure you'll think of someone." Laura was sure that Susan would but she would have to wait and see. "I'm glad that you enjoy it and I'm sure I have made the right choice in giving it to you Susan." Laura buried her head in her book so that Susan couldn't see the tears that were forming in her eyes, all the talking of pranks and stuff had reminded her of DJ.

Library Study Area.

That's where several of the badgers had decided to work, yeah? Ella dragged held Alec's hand as she headed over to a little table surrounded by chairs and decided this would be a good place to work. "This is fine, yeah?" And they'd have enough table space for the gargoyles to do their tricks? ...Seemed like it.

Letting Alec go, the sixteen year old settled into one of the chairs and removed her bag, digging inside of it for her box. Bobby G hadn't been out much since the lesson so she was sure he'd be up for learning some new things. The blonde carefully removed him from his little makeshift home and set him on the table in front of her, eyeing him carefully.

"It's...Piertotum Locomotor, yeah? The incantation?" That was said to anyone really. She just wanted to double check before she started.

Piertotum Locomotor...Piertotum Locomotor...Piertotum Locomotor...

Seemed legit.

He was being dragged. DRAGGED BY THE FORCE OF HIS GIRLFRIEND AND HER SOFT HAND.

And her hair. Her hair was nice too. So blonde.

Alec gave her hand a small squeeze as they entered the Library Study Area, his box clutched in his free hand. He had been meaning to head down to the Duck Pond so that he could continue doing the Transfiguration Homework but, having bumped into the rather unusual group, going down to the Duck Pond was a no no.

Also, could he mention how odd this group was? Ells and LochNessie and Lottie. And then him. ... It was really odd.

... What? "Yeah, this looks great!" he said, coming to a stop by an empty table and setting his box down. He stretched a little in his standing spot and let out a yawn before taking a seat himself. "Yeah, it is!" Nodnod. "And... do we each have to put on our own productions?" Because they had to show this in front of the class, right? Yes? No? Was he dreaming up this piece of information or...?

Transfiguration homework it needed to be done and the sooner the better not to mention that company made it better too. Which was why of course Ness agreed to meet up with Alec, Ella and Lottie in the library. Also if they needed help, she was older, so chances are she would be capable of aiding them, no?

Following Ella and Alec, the red head inner squeed to herself because they were holding hand and MERLIN IT WAS JUST SO ADORABLE ALRIGHT? .....Um...anyways homework yeah, not squeeing but it was SO CUUUUTE! Mellow.

"Seems good, Ellacutie." She gave the kiddo a nod of approval. As for Alecutie. "Yep, I think we do have to demonstrate, but I'm not sure if we have to do it on our own." Pout. Had Bellaire said something about partners, or groups she couldn't remember. Maybe Lottie or Ella knew.

Just like her two kiddos she placed her box on the table, then took out her gargoyle that she had randomly named for the fun of it. Rockstar, that was it's name and no she was not going to tell them it actually had a name because that was just a tad embarrassing. She was almost eighteen not eight.

Not sure how much the librarian will love the fact that they've come to practice with gargoyles to one of his tables, but there would be ZERO scratch on them. Promise.

Lottie followed the Head Girl and hoped there would be no mumbling or screeching for this assignment. So, all eyes were on her. And the gargoyle, of course. "Yup, here's fine," she said, nodding at Captain Ella, while giving her a smile as well.

She took the seat in front of Ella, by the way, and placed the box on the floor so she could take out Gray. You know, named after Dorian Gray. The whole unchanging characteristic of gargoyles seemed to suit him. Plus, it resembled the color as well. Clever.

Gray was on the table now. She was forever lucky she got the one that looked like a lion, too. Gryffindor. Gray. See? Perfection. Also, yes, it's Piertotum Locomotor. Nod.

Oh? Our own production? "I thought we each had to teach them tricks...," unless they'd gathered here to put a production of everything yellow. The one thing Lottie didn't like was the sort of circus thing Professor Bellaire had mentioned. But she'll go along with it, regardless.

So everyone agreed on this spot? Brilliant because Ella was already quite comfy and Bob looked quite content, standing like a statue on the table in front of her. The blonde smiled at Lottie and Alec as they both confirmed that the incantation was correct. As for Alec's question, the sixteen year old nodded along with what Nessie was saying as she practiced the slight waving motion of her wand over her gargoyle.

Wave. "Yeah, our homework today is to teach them tricks but I believe we're each going to put on a performance at some point...though I'm not really sure on the details." Wave. And if they'd be working alone, Ella was going to be quite nervous.

Deciding she'd had enough practice, the sixteen year old said clearly, "Piertotum Locomotor!" And did the slight waving motion with her wand which was pointed at Bobby G only. She'd remembered that Professor Bellaire had specified about only casting on your own gargoyle in the lesson.

For a moment Ella thought her spell didn't work but then Bob began to twitch and Ella smiled. "Morning, Bob." She said cheerfully. "Do jumping-jacks." Because nothing said good morning like some exercise, yeah? Professor Romanos would be proud. Also, maybe Ella's tricks could be fitness based? Since that was important and came in handy a lot.

And the blonde watched with an amused smile as the little gargoyle began jumping, arms and legs extending and then coming back together. "Nice work, Bob."

Sarah sighed and she added yet another bookmark to yet another book. She was going through the library and reading books on circus acts, and then she moved onto acrobats and their tricks. Sarah had never been to a circus before, you see so all this research was necessary. Someone must of added moving pictures to this books (Sarah did not know wheather is was published by magical means or by the muggle way) as the steps were illustrated in the picture.

The Back Walk Over looked great, yet a whole lot of them looked awesome such as the front aerial, round off, aerial cartwheel and then the handspring, which Sarah even knew how to do herself. Then there were the tricks they used things for. It would be fun for Sarah to try them out on Greg. The moves looked cool in theory yet Sarah wondered if they would work on Greg. She did not want Greg to feature as the next Humpty Dumpty.

There was a pile of books Sarah had read through and soon she was all done. She then went back to the books to notate the things that she bookmarked and what they were. Then she returned her books to the shelf and packed up her things

Oh, seemed like he wasn't the only one who wanted to practise in the Library study area. Well, at least he can say instruction out loud now. Not that he could do non-verbal spells.

Finding a place in one of the comfortable chairs, Daichi placed the gargoyle on the arm rest of the chair. It was getting late and dinner would be served soon but the Slytherin wanted to practise some tricks. He didn't want to be a joke in class. Not in Transfiguration where he had gotten an O for in his OWLs. Professor Magnus would be dissapointed he figured if she found out that he failed.

"Piertotum Locomotor!" he said and waved his wand at Garly. "Wave your hands , Garly" he instructed in a low voice because he didn't want to disturbe the other students in the library. The stone gargoyle did what he asked and waved its little hands or claws...

"Good job" he said and picked up the gargoyle to place it on the ground. He placed his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. "Alright, try to do a somersault but not in the air, on the floor" The stone didn't move.

"Garly?" It still didn't move. The Slytherin sighed as he grabbed his phoenix feather wand and used the incantation again to bring the stone to *life* "Somersault on the ground" he said and watched how the gargoyle simple rolled on its side.

Siiiigh.

Was he confusing everyone? Probably. Because of his boy status questions.

Groan.

"Oh! Awesome!" And just forget that he mentioned anything that linked to some sort of performance? Because if it was soon, he was sure that Bellaire would have said more about it and he would be freaking out a little more about it. Confidence issues and such. "Tricks doesn't sound hard..." Hopefully he wasn't speaking too soon.

The sixteen year old reached over and, very carefully, took the gargoyle out of the box and placed him onto the table. ... Hold on. "Are you meant to give your gargoyles names?" Because... he had been very content with calling him Gargoyle Dude. And the idea of a name hadn't even crossed his mind. Did the dude even want a name?

... Moving on...

Following Ella's lead, Alec rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and turned his attention to the tiny grey figure that was standing upright on the table directly in front of him. "Piertotum Locomotor!" he said, waving his wand over the gargoyle, "Hey there, it's me again!" And he had company. Little Gargoyle Dude can make little gargoyle friends. "Do a cartwheel!" Please? Did he need to add that in his instructions?

The answer seemed to be 'no' because as soon as that thought entered his mind, the gargoyle moved its limbs -- limbs? Yes? -- and was doing a single, nearly perfect cartwheel in front of Alec. Alec would go as far to say that the gargoyle had read his mind but... nah! Even if the idea seemed pretty awesome.

But Gargoyle Dude got a grin. And thoughts about ice cream too.

So they could begin then?

The seventh year looked from Lottie, to Alec and then to Ella that had just started her spell. That gave her the go ahead to begin.

First she repeated the incantation in her head a few times only to hear that Ella was saying hello to a Bob? O_O Oh..wait..gargoyle. Ahh, so she wasn't the only one that had named hers? "Bob?" she giggled slightly. "Guess that's better than Rockstar." Which was kind of weird she named her gargoyle that, but hey, the thing [i] technically[/s] wasn't alive. As for Alecutie she shrugged at him. "You don't have to name it, guess Ella and I just did cause we wanted to?" And did Lottie's have a name?

Alright then but back to focusing. Piertotum Locomotor! She had that incarnation quite well remembered and the wand movement it was simple, just a wave nothing too difficult. So ready she was.

Was Rockstar ready? She was about to see. "Piertotum Locomotor!" She said in a clear voice as her wand hand waved in motion. And with that her Rockstar came to life.

Nooow what to ask it to do? Pout. Well it wouldn't be likely Rockstar could physically do the splits, so that was a no. Maybe twirling? Naaa that was too simple. Hmmm...Maybe roll over? That was reasonable, no? She thought it was.

"Rockstar roll over." she ordered the little thing around and watched as it did exactly as she said. Perfect. If only real alive pets listened like these gargoyles did. Heh wishful thinking.

No, of course not. Alec didn't have to do anything he didn't want, just because he was Seeker!boy. So, if he didn't want to name his gargoyle, then he didn't have to. "You don't have to. I do feel that a name can be appropriate, makes them special," and separates them from other gargoyles while also answering to their name. Silly, really, because it was merely an object, but...didn't medieval knights name their swords? They did. Nod.

Now, they were no medieval knights, or knights at all, but still.

Bob. Heh. Rockstar? Say whaaaat? Cue eyebrow raise. "I named mine after Dorian Gray." And Alec could ask all he wanted if he hadn't read the book or knew nothing of the picture of said persona.

Manners, though. They went straight to make the rocks exercise. Professor Airey would not be proud of that. Except Ella, she greeted it before demanding a trick of it. That was nice. And Alec, sort of. 'Hey there' wasn't nearly as nice as 'Good morning'. Depending on the tone.

ANYWAY. Wand up, gargoyle time on.

"Piertotum Locomotor!" Lottie said, the wand waving gracefully over the gargoyle that answered to the name of Gray. Posture is everything, and Lottie kept one, definitely. "How wonderful of you to join us, Gray," BEAMS at the gargoyle who'd looked up. "Now open up those wings as much as you can and flutter them a bit," well, the thing needed to 'stretch' first before they could move on, yeah?

And Lottie watched it as Gray did exactly as told. It wasn't much of a trick, though it could be, the rock only needed to take flight and then it was a trick. So, this still counts.

"No Garly i said somersault, not roll over!" he sighed. Maybe the somersault was a little to difficult just yet. It was difficult to do because when Lord Borr had been the lousy DADA professor and they had to do somersaults as well he couldn't. He kept rolling on his side and that was why the Slytherin wasn't mad at the gargoyle. It just needed to practise , thats all.

With a small smile, Daichi instructed the gargoyle to clap his hands. The stone did and clapped enthusiastically. "Okay, try jumping again" Garly bend his knees and jumped in the air before landing down on the floor. "Jump" he did the same thing and Daichi was pleased the gargoyle was getting the hang of it.

"Alright Garly, i know you can do the somersault. I know you can. Somersault!" Aaaand it just rolled on his side and went back to becoming a stone. GAAAH!

The slytherin shook his head and grabbed the back to stone gargoyle and placed it in his bag. He'd practise outside on the grass. Maybe Garly didn't like practising on stone floors.

Ella gave Alec a warm smile and let Lottie answer him, agreeing with what she said. "It's nicer than saying, 'Hey you,' yeah?" Yeah. Besides, if Ella was meant to boss this little gargoyle around, the least she could do was give him a nice name. That made her feel a bit better about the whole giving orders thing.

The blonde continued watching Bob do jumping-jacks, a small smile on her face. "You're quite good at that, y'know." She said cheerfully, eyes flickering up to Ness when she inquired about his name, "Yeah, Bob. He just seems like a Bob, y'know? Though sometimes it's Bobby G...for Gargoyle." Cause nicknames were nice too, y'know. Hey, maybe Bobby G could be his stage name or something. People had those, didn't they? And then Ella wondered if Sir Treyen had a stage name. Hmmmm. And Dorian Gray? The blonde recognized the name though she'd never read the story.

Eyes back on Bob, the blonde tilted her head and tried to think of another trick for him to do. Hmm... "Bob, spin." And without a second thought, the little gargoyle was spinning round and round. Could gargoyles get dizzy, Ella wondered? She felt a little bad about that if they could so she quickly said, "Stop."

Another trick...."Do push-ups." And was Ella being a bit of a drill sergeant? Maybe. She was interested to see what Bobby G could do, though. It was fun testing his capabilities. The blonde leaned forward and observed him curiously as the little statue began his push-ups, a small smile on her face. He was really in shape for a hunk of stone.

So Bob, Rockstar, Gray and... all he had was a little gargoyle person. And sure, the girls were right. He didn't have to name it but... what if he wanted to name it? Because the girls also had a point with the greeting thing. ... Yeah.

Also... HOLD. THE. SNITCH.

Were Lottie and Ells agreeing on something?

Alec blinked a little, his eyes flitting between the two girls while a small grin slowly spreading across his face. Considering... things, this was actually great! But he wasn't going to comment on it. Just give them grins and be happy on the inside. "They all sound like really awesome names," And he may or may not like Rockstar the best because of air guitar reasons. "Who's Dorian Gray?" The name... sounded familiar. A little too familiar...

... Was his gargoyle getting impatient?

"Sorry sorry!" ... Tricks... tricks... "Okay... how about stretch upwards? As if you're reaching for the stars!" Almost with a hint of sassiness -- was that even possible amongst gargoyles? -- the gargoyle reached up and stood on its tippy toes, its arms stretching up as far up as possible. "Awesome! That'll do! And... hop around your box on one foot!" ... Did gargoyles have feet? Who cares, look at the little gargoyle go!

The third year laughed softly. Ella had a very valid point. Giving them names was nicer than 'You'. Or 'gargoyle'. But, surely Seeker!boy would do as he wanted, right? Right. Oh, wait, Bobby G? That was funny. Sounded more like a house elf than a gargoyle, then again, gargoyles didn't actually have names, right? Wrong. Pebbles may not be a gargoyle but it is a rock and it has a name, right Airey?

No, no, not ALL of them sounded awesome. Eyes on Rockstar.

We mean well, Head Girl, we do.

"Enough fluttering, Gray," she said, showing her palm to the stone in front of her, as if the thing had eyes. Well, it did have eyes. "Sit, wings high in the air," it was all about the wings, really.

Oh, you're asking who Dorian Gray is? BEAM. She'll explain, Gray won't get anxious from the sitting. Also, she was marveled at the gargoyle and the way it did exactly as told. Good gargoyle. Good lion. "It's the main character of a book. 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'." That was the title, yes. "His portrait grows old, instead of him," she said, keeping it simple, "It is rather interesting," and should've taught her about being nice to people, right? Should have. We don't know if that happened.

OKAY.

"Now, Gray..," she directed her eyes to the almost-forgotten gargoyle, "...bow gracefully. And keep the position." She might have bowed her head as well, but looked up just to see one of Gray's legs bent, wings opened, head down. EXCELLENT!

Circus, you say? This was an excellent trick.

Ella smiled a little as Lottie laughed but her eyes were on Bob who was quite amusing, really. The little Gargoyle seemed perfectly content doing the things she ordered him too, his face set in concentration as he moved. Working really hard, Bob was. Her eyes did eventually flicker up to see an extremely smiley boyfriend looking from her to Lottie and that made her wondering about things. We see why you're smiling, hair ruffler. We do.

And the Dorian Gray story? It did sound interesting and the blonde made a mental note to look into it as she eyed Bob and his push-ups. "Getting tired of those, Bob?" Because he'd been doing them successfully for a while which meant it was time to move on, yeah? Hmm...

"Do a handstand, Bob." The sixteen year old then watched with a smile as the gargoyle did just that. Skillfully too, she might add. Impressive Bob was impressive. "Nice job." But it still looked too easy for the guy so Ella decided to give him a bit of a challenge. "Now walk on your hands."

Blink.

"Try not to fall off the table, okay?"

BLINK. OH! The Picture of Dorian Gray! "Yeah, it sounds really interesting," he said, grinning at his gargoyle and secretly imagining him in a sort of picture, "Would you recommend it?" For reading purposes. You know, for during the summer or the other holidays when he had nothing to do. And when studying became too much of a bore.

Studying.

Alec shifted uncomfortably at the thought of spending hours and hours cooped up reading up on things he didn't really want to be reading up on. If it was studying for Quidditch, he would totally be okay with that. Fascinated, even. ... Could you study for Quidditch? Or was it more about skill? Hmmm...

"Okay, dude, you're doing brilliantly so far!" GRIN. "Erm... do a backflip! But be careful..." Yep! That's it! Just like those Muggle gymnasts on those carpets on TV. He grinned at the gargoyle and fought the urge to give him a high five -- because that would be weird -- as the little gargoyle stopped short of his box.

... OH. Idea! "Okay, now just jump into your box and then jump right out again!" As if he was playing that hopscotch game kids used to play in primary school. The gargoyle turned on its heel -- WAS THIS SASS? -- and jumped into box before jumping right out on the other side. "Okay, just turn around... and wave!" And Alec waved too. Just because.

Wondering slightly about what Gray would do if she suddenly yelled 'Attack!', Lottie desisted of the idea when she heard Alec's question. "I would. You should read it," cue smile. EVERYONE should read it, she liked Lord Henry very much. A lot, actually. He was her favorite.

Forget about Dorian Gray. Lord Henry was the smart one.

"No more bowing, you did good," and graceful enough for a mini-lion. She was entirely pleased. "Now stand still, legs together." And she watched as the gargoyle stood in a defensive manner, as if it was protecting something. It looked pretty awesome. Was she training it for combat instead of a circus, though? Probably, yes.

For a moment there, she saw both Ella and Alec interact with their gargoyles. You following, Head Girl? Heh. They're so great together. She smiled and went back to her gargoyle.

"This might be a bit tricky, Gray," TRICK-y, because of tricks, "Look at my hands and listen...," DONE, the head seemed to follow the hands, "...fly up, like 15 inches or so...," not so high, and Gray was doing it as we speak, excellent, "...stay for a bit...," juuuuust a bit, "...now flip on your back ONCE and stay in the air." Look at him! Such a little acrobat. "Excellent! Now repeat." THAT was a real trick. "Posture, Gray, posture." Nod.

While Lottie and Alec discussed books, Ella's gaze flickered over to Loch Nessie who was being unusually quiet. Was she concentrating really hard on Rockstar or? Curious Ella was curious.

Also curious? How awesome at handstands Bobby G was. Dude was like a professional or something. "Sheesh, Bob. Do you do this often?" Really, she was impressed. The blonde continued to watch Bob walk on his hands with great amusement and she even clapped. Just a little, though. Quietly too. It was a library after all.

And how cute was Alec working with his gargoyle? Ella's green eyes occasionally traveled over to him and she couldn't stop the goofy grin that played on her lips as she observed him working with his little guy. He was adorable, Alec was. ...Anyways.

The break in concentration seemed to have made Bob turn back into his stone-like state because he was no longer moving. Nope. He was just standing on his hands. Uhhhh. Nobody was seeing this, right?

With a slight wave of her wand, Ella said quietly, "Piertotum Locomotor!" And he was back to life. Thank Merlin

"Alright Bob, seeing as you're standing on your hands still...let's try something." And she tilted her head, eyeing the gargoyle. "Bob, stand on one hand."

And he did. Not without a bit of teetering at first...which caused Ella to gasp.

Don't fall...don't fall...don't fall.

Luckily, Bobby G found his balance and stood perfectly on one hand. BRAVO, BOB!