Minerva blinked and looked around.. this wasn't dark, so clearly not past curfew, but Min was never one to argue with teachers or adults so she just stood there listening. It wasn't until he said fake that her eyes snapped up in horror.. "Fake.. what..what are you talking about?"

She clearly had no clue what he was talking about and all of this was starting to upset her, but she tried to fight back the tears of her frustration and nerves. "Mr. Firth with all do respect, I have no clue what you are talking about. I am not a rule breaker, I have always been one of the top in my class, always willing to help others" Glancing at Lafay, even if it could danger their own well being as it's showing here. "In the sixth years I have been here I have always done everything I am suppose to, all the professors know who I am, you know who I am. How could you honestly say that I would fake my own identity? I don't see the benefit of doing something like that."

She just couldn't figure out why this was happening, she wasn't a bad student, why was she being picked on just for trying to help a professor find a stupid duck poop, why did she come outside for some air again..

Poo... he hadn't gotten more angry. She pouted inside.

"Counterfeit identification... that's an expulsion offence..." She said not to anyone in particular.

Firth didn't understand why she had to ask what he was talking about. Did she not know what the word 'fake' meant? "I mean i's either not real or i's bin tampered with, o' course," he said with an air of disbelieving. For being a sixth year, her vocabulary sure did seem limited.

And yet, she DID seem to understand, based upon her following speech. Well good. At least we don't have to start remedial vocabulary lessons. No more to do it, anyways. Ali had no idea what being top of one's class or willingness to help others had to do with having a fake ID. Actually, it was those 'good' ones you had to watch out for. Sometimes they snapped and went off the deep end. "I don' think yeh're fakin' yer own identity. But I do think something smells abou' this whole business." And it wasn't just the orange poo, either.

Well. Leave it to Hecate to suggest the expulsion of a Hufflepuff. "Well I dunno abou' that, Hecate, but I do think we need ter go see the Headmistress." Too bad. She'd just had a late night with the chaos Hemlor caused in the entrance hall.

Minerva was getting more frustrated by the minute. She was not in the wrong here, she had never done anything wrong. And now this.. It was just ridiculous, how on earth would anyone accuse Minerva Wheatborn with something like this. She felt just horrible about it. Then Hecate said words that made Min lose it. Tears started falling, she was so confused and now terrified of what was going on. How did coming to help a professor turn so badly.

"Well.. I can tell you sir that if that is fake, someone has either taken my real one or done something to that one. I just don't understand how it could be wrong and for that matter I don't understand what I've done wrong to do all this questioning. I was at the pond during hours I am allowed, and I saw Professor Lafay and wanted to help her look for whatever she was looking for." She looked to the ground as the tears kept coming.

The headmistress.. For merlin's sake, he was actually going to take her to the headmistress for this ridiculous accusation.. Wiping the tears from her face she looked at both adults. If she was going to see the headmistress she wanted someone who she trusted, maybe the only person around here anymore on her side. "I want to talk to my head of house about these accusations. I will go to the headmistress with you, but I want Hadley as well." Her mamma Hadley would help her, she would believe that Minerva would never do anything that was being accused by these two. How her thoughts about Mr. Firth were changing.

Yup. He'd heard enough. She was starting to get legitimately upset now, and Firth didn't like that.

Suddenly he let out a bark of laughter.

"I don' think there'll be any need ter go fetchin' Professor Hadley," he said. "In fact, we don' even need ter go ter the Headmistress. Yeh see, Minerva, I was jus' jokin' about the whole thing." A smile broke onto his face. "I can assure yeh that yeh aren' in any sort of trouble. Professor Flamsteed put me up to this." The man had already done it with another student, apparently. And though this wasn't in Ali's nature... he wanted to be friends with Airey, so he'd done it.

"I didn' mean for yeh ter get hurt." Internal glares at Airey. "My deepest apologies."

Minerva just couldn't believe how this went so wrong. How on earth could these two stand here and say she had a fake ID, it was just confusing and to speak of expulsion, Minerva.. Expulsion did that even go together ever.

She looked up and blinked through tears, he wasn't going to let her talk to Hadley, she had thought the groundskeeper was nice, but now he was being more like Lafay then anything else. Her eyes snapped up when she heard him laugh, he was laughing at her now? Why would he be laughing and then the words were registering and she looked at him.. "A what? A joke.. Professor Flamsteed.. what?" She was so confused.

As it started registering she still was looking at him with horror how on earth could they do something like this. Glancing at Lafay was she in on this to? She highly doubted it which meant she really was suggesting expulsion. She did it before she thought, but she glared towards Lafay.

Taking a deep breath she looked back to Mr. Firth, "Am I free to go then?" She didn't mean to snap, but seriously how mature were these staff members threatening a student with expulsion, but it wasn't really Firth that threatened that. Maybe she would have laughed about it if it wasn't for that suggestion.

Ali sighed. "Yes, a joke. An' a bad one a' that." This is why he hadn't been so sure about it. "Professor Flamsteed thinks I need ter loosen up a bit." Actually, he called him a mouse instead of a lion, which, coming from a fellow housemate, had stung his pride substantially. "So I thought I'd show him I could. An' obviously it backfired horribly."

And though he wouldn't say this out loud, Hecate had been LESS than helpful with the whole 'I think she should be expelled' comment. Ali had never meant to get that serious. "Yes, yeh can go. An' as soon as the whole house point issue is settled, yeh can expect ter be seein' a few more in the Hufflepuff hourglass fer yer troubles." Internal glares at Hecate.

Nicola's eyes perked up a little bit. She was new too? Or was there something? Nicola tilted her head a little bit as she asked,"So you were new? Or?" For some reason again, she couldn't help but slightly be intrigued by this girl. She was agreeing with Nicola, which was always a plus for her, & she understood adjusting to being new? It was all becoming a little more interesting to her to have found someone of interest here.

She still just looked at him more dumbfounded then anything else. Her body trying to calm from its panic at the sound of expulsion. Taking a few deep breaths she listened. A bad one.. ya think.. but she kept her comments to herself, she had never stepped out of line with a professor and wasn't going to start now. "No offense Mr. Firth, but I thought you were fine without the jokes." She was being honest at least.

Looking at him and ignoring Lafay all together because she was the one that started this entire mess. Minerva felt herself feeling a bit bad for the man. She knew he didn't mean any harm, but still it might have been funnier if he had done it to say someone that was already always in trouble, then it would have been expected.

She could go.. Thank goodness, she wanted as far away from the two of them as possible at the moment. Then she looked at him curious as he said about points, oh well he didn't have to do that, but who was Min to say against an adult. "Well.. umm thank you Mr. Firth, and I am sorry for whatever the Professor did to your duck." Yes she knew she was pushing it, but she couldn't hold back her anger towards Lafay at the moment. Giving her one last glare she gave a weak smile to Firth, "If you need any help ever I am always willing to help out, but for now I hope you both have a nice evening." With that she turned and hurried back up to the castle.

Well. He was not going to take offense at that. She was just being honest, and after the past few minutes, he couldn't blame her. "Well I appreciate tha', Minerva." Though now he may have lost that status and dropped to being only tolerable or worse. Excellent.

He chuckled a bit. "Eh, I'm sorry too," he said. In all of this, he had momentarily forgotten about Hecate and the whole issue of her poisoning his ducks. I already had to sell a few at the beginning of term, now Hecate's gone an tried to do in the rest of them! For even though she said it was harmless, orange dung was just not natural, even for ducks.

"I'll keep tha' in mind. Goodnight, Minerva."

Turning back to Hecate, he simply stared at her, a blank look on her face. "Yeh know, I'm jus' going ter pretend this whole duck thing never happened. Tha' would be best fer both of us, I think." And, not wanting to watch her harvest anything further, he turned and walked toward his hut.

A joke? "Flamsteed? You listen to THAT man? Next thing you know you will be in a 500 galleon suit, cleaning out your cattle's dung... Flamsteed... really." She said rolling her eyes.

The professor turned to the student. Her eyes wide and incredulous. What she had done to the duck?! "Miss Wheatborn! *I* Have not dismissed you!" She said calling her back. "I do not need YOU to apologize for actions I may or may not have done. But your assumption is disconcerting, and offensive. I have been a professor for ten years here at Hogwarts, and a Head of House nine and a half. You WILL show me the respect I have earned from all of you students. Detention. You WILL serve detention with me."

If she had taken points, Firth would have just given them back. Detention he couldn't interfere. And she had seniority. He turned around and walked away... She hated to see him leave, but she sure as Hades enjoyed watching him do it.

Minerva was a good length away from them when she heard Lafay. What.. but Mr. Firth did and he was part of this school as well. She turned and took a deep breath walking slowly back to the venting woman. It was not her fault that she had come to the wrong place at the wrong time and Lafay didn't even care that she was trying to help her find that disgusting poop.

She listened as Lafay said about apologizing, but again it wasn't Minerva's fault that duck had orange poop and she didn't want Mr. Firth thinking it was, but then one word made her snap her eyes up. Did..did she just give Min detention.. Minerva Wheatborn in detention?? "I..I.. but.. I.. was helping you try to find that.. I didn't .. " she felt like she was hyperventilating, her in detention.. No she had to have heard the crazy woman wrong. There was no way after everything.. everything she was put through just now. All she wanted to do was help Lafay find her duck poop, how did wanting to help one of her professors turn into a fake ID, maybe expulsion, and now detention.. This was a bad dream.. a horrible dream.. it had to be a nightmare.

Looking up, but not to Lafay she glanced to Firth he was.. leaving.. just leaving her there to get this wrongly accused detention. She put her head down and looked at the grass trying not to cry again. She wouldn't cry in front of Lafay if she could help it.

Well normally he wouldn't take Hecate's criticisms seriously. But this time... she had a point. Listening to Airey had definitely backfired on him. "Well maybe yeh're right, Professor. Bu' I cin assure yeh tha' Alistaire Firth does not buy 500 Galleon suits." Then he made a strange noise that was both full of disgust and wounded pride.


This whole thing had just completely blown up in his face. Granted, Minerva had been disrespectful, but considering that Hecate was threatening to have Minerva expelled for helping with her own ludicrous project... Not right, but certainly understandable.

He turned back around as Hecate laid into the Hufflepuff. He had no authority to interfere, but he still didn't think it was completely fair. "Hecate, can't yeh a' least lessen the length o' the detention? 'm not askin' yeh to let her out of it, jus' maybe a bit less... intense compared ter normal." Yes, he'd heard stories of the torture punishments for misbehavior under her watch. "After all, I'm the one who played th' prank an' provoked her. I jus' wouldn' feel righ' knowing Minerva got inter so much trouble because of me."

There, Airey. This was brave right here, sticking his neck out on behalf of a student by asking Hecate Lafay to soften up a detention. He could very well find himself 'accidentally' consuming some potion in the next few days. Perhaps his waste would be bright orange soon.

"No. She will serve her detention, and learn some manners." She said and stormed off. She wouldn't let him tell her what to do.

Well. He knew that the answer would probably be no, but he wasn't expecting her to storm off in a huff. Very mature, Hecate. Plus she didn't get to collect the rest of her precious specimens, which, a moment ago, had been the most important thing in the world.

In the Potions Mistress's absence, he turned to Minerva, who looked like a deer in the headlights. "I know yeh probably don' wanna stay aroun' here any more, bu' I jus' have ter say tha' I'm really sorry abou' this whole thing. Don' worry, I'll take care o' collecting the dung." Letting her leave, he went about searching the area for signs of bright orange.

.......and Firth hand't really left, a quiet to herself sigh of relief that he didn't leave and let her be alone with Professor Lafay. She kept her head down and just listened, listened as he tried to reason with her, but Min even in her blurred focus knew it was a failed attempt. It was nice of him though, she would have to admit that.

As she heard Lafay storm off, Minerva finally looked up and then at Mr. Firth. He really did look sorry, but she was still to up set to think of that. Sniffling a bit, she tried to hold it together, "I.. it.. it's alright Mr. Firth." Is about all she could get out and looked down again.

She turned and went to head back up to the castle, but stopped and turned, "M..Mr. Firth." voice cracking with her emotions still trying to control her, "For what it's worth, the joke might have been funny if the expulsion didn't get brought up.." she gave a weak smile, "and thank you for umm not walking away just now." She turned and hurried up to the castle.

The Slytherin Prefect was fully aware that it was winter and that the weather outside was frightful But the fire is so delightful aka terrifying but that did not stop him from carrying a bucket of the schools most delicious ice cream he had gotten from the kitchen.

Reaching the duck pond, Daichi had a goofy smile on his face when he saw the ducks walking on the snowy grass and he sat down on a bench nearby. Ah~! this was the PERFECT life! Ice cream and ducks to keep him company. PEEEERFECT~

Hmm..he wondered if ducks liked ice cream as well?

Winter was great.. It was fabulous. All the snow Minerva couldn't figure out what she wanted to do first. Should she make snowman, find someone to do a snowball fight with, snow angels, what to do what to do. Then she jumped, Ice Skating that's what she wanted to do. She needed to go to the lake to go ice skating, but she was near the duck pond.

Taking off toward the pond maybe it would be frozen. Yes then she could ice skate with the ducks. Why was she even thinking about doing stuff with the ducks, shouldn't she still be traumatized from the last time she was here, but Min thought it was fine now and ice skating with ducks why not!

As she hyperly walked towards the duck pond she noticed someone sitting. Was that Daichi.. IT WAS DAICHI, her newest, greatest friend. "Daichi.. HELLO.. what are you doing out here? Do you looooovvvveee winter?" Maybe he would go ice skating with her and the ducks. Oh maybe they could put ice skates on the ducks.

Daichi ate from the yummy ice cream as he stared in to the distance. He did not care if it was cold or not, ice cream was something he could eat every time of the day. Or season apparently. He wrapped his scarf closer around his neck as he looked at the ducks walking on the grass again, a small smile visible on his lips.

He didn't want to leave this place. Ever. But he knew he had to graduate this year and...he didn't want to think about it. For now, he'd just enjoy the sight.

Eh? Looking up he saw Minerva standing beside him, cheerfully. "Hiya~" he greeted with a wave of both of his hands and a smile. "I'm just eating this ice cream and enjoying watching my" yes he said my , shush. "ducks~" BEAM!

"Want some? Ice cream should be shaaared!" and don't worry, it was in a small bucket so he didn't lick it or anything heh. And then he shrugged at her question if he looooved winter. A frown became visible on his face as he looked away to the ducks. His nose and cheeks were a little red from the cold.

No, he did not love winter. He hated it in fact. It was the time of the season his mother passed away. He had been in the intensive care as a kid and the torches around the castle were all lit with fire. His worst phobia. So no, he did not like it. "I love it~!" he cheerfully lied and he hoped that Minerva wasn't as observant as Kurumi. She nearly always saw through his lies...*pout*

"You wanna do something? like a snowball fight or something? OOOOOR we can THROW snowballs at unexpected people !" MWUAHAHAHA

Minerva giggled did he just say his ducks? "So your like duck daddy? Do you have a name for all the duck babies?" laughing she looked at the ducks. Remembering how she dressed them up one term OH duck daddy might like that. She was just about to say more about the ducks and oh wait Ice Cream!!! [b] "oh my goodness how are you always my savior!! Always around to save the ice cream day!"[\b] She didn't even know she wanted ice cream, but now she just had to have it!!!!

[b] "Do you have enough and an extra spoon.. Oh Wait!!"[\b] She was bouncing with excitement. Reaching into her bag she pulled out a spoon. She had been wanting ice cream so much that she just always had to be prepared. [b] "I have one right here!!!"[\b] Almost sticking the spoon in his face to show him. She hopped onto the bench next to him bumping into him as she sat. [b]"oh sorry"[\b] She continued laughing as she took a bite of the ice cream.


Was that a frown.. No frowning mister.. There was way to much to be happy about! She grinned at him hoping he would smile back, but then he said he loved it. [b] " Oh my goodness you do?? I looove it so much.. The snow is fun to play in, it's pretty, plus the ice cream won't melt!!"[\b] Perfect reason for winter in her mind. Do something... Do something with Daichi!! [b]. "Greatest idea EVER!!!! We should sooo do something!"[\b] More giggle fits came out of her as she looked around.. [b] " I think that is a fabulous idea.. We need to find a victim.. We can be the snowball bandits."[\b] They could be all sneaky snowball ninjas hitting people without them seeing it coming.

"I used to have names for ALL of them" he said and nodded his head enthusiastically. "But...i don't know why but a lot of ducks are gone, including my friend Floppy!" He now pouted sadly as his gaze went over the landscape in front of him. He sighed and wondered what had happened to the duck... And no, he totally did not think it was weird when he said *my friend* when he was talking about the duck. 'Cause eventhough the duck had only been under influence of the Malin Calin spell he had learned in class, it was still his friend!

The Slytherin Prefect watched her bounce in excitment when he had told her she could have some ice cream as well and laughed when she suddenly took out a spoon and showed it right in his face. "Yay! always have a spoon with you cause you'll never know when there's gonna be ice cream~" He suddenly remembered the time he had shoved Mr.Duckles his duck plushy in to the headmistress face and had lost house points because of *rudeness* SHE HAD BEEN RUDE! Hmpf! Gosh, he still had a grudge against her....buuuut he was cool and just avoided her. See, he could be smart!

When the Hufflepuff girl suddenly sat down on the bench beside him, Daichi felt her leg touch his and he blushed only sliiiiiightly. What? He was a boy, she was a girl can I make it anymore obvious? any normal guy would blush a little right? riiiiight? Good thing it was freezing and his cheeks had been red from the cold already O____o. Mweh, he hated it that he blushed everytime a female sat next to him, it was stupid.

"YES YES! I think the BEST part is is that the ice cream doesn't melt in the winter!" he agreed with her and was glad that she had not seen through his lies and smiled happily at her. All previous thoughts vanished. "Snowball bandits! that reminds me of my third year when i had a snowball fight with a Prefect from Hufflepuff and this one kid" He got smashed with snow so hard he kept falling to the ground...And yes, that was important to tell! shush!

"I don't see anyone right now...but i don't want to throw snowballs at my friends!" he waved his hand towards the ducks and stared at them lovingly before turning his gaze to Minerva.

Minerva looked around there weren’t that many anymore. “So this was like your Duck Dynasty?” She giggled and took a spoon full of ice cream. She had always liked the duck pond, but never knew it was Daichi’s dynasty. “Duck daddy in his duck dynasty.” She looked around. “Do you have one named Si? If you don’t you should, because that’s a cool duck name.” Yep she liked that name it was fun.. Si.. Si.. Si… see it was easy to say as well. “Aww maybe he went to another duck pond to marry a duck wife and have duck babies.” She smiled not liking him sad. Spooning another spoon of ice cream she put it front of him. “Here.. It will cheer you up!” because ice cream always cheered up.. ALWAYS!

“YES.. one should always always be prepared!! Are you Prepared Mr. Daichi Duck??” because his last name should be duck even if it wasn’t. Moving to his container again Minerva brushed his hand totally by accident before taking another spoon full and sticking it in her mouth. “I promise I won’t eat it all.. hopefully.” She just really wanted the ice cream and he offered. Daichi seemed to be thinking about something, but whatever probably the ducks, but why not they were so cute with their little waddles and quacking.

She jumped with excitement grabbing his shoulder “Yes it is the best part about winter.. ice cream doesn’t melt. Hey do you think the ducks like ice cream? Maybe they would want some as well?” Yes, because she felt a little rude eating in front of their waddly cuteness. Plus he liked the snowball bandits PERFECT!! WOOHOO.. She jumped to her feet again and looked around. Bending down she scooped up some snow and then acted as if she was trying to be very very quiet tip toeing around. “We will have to look closely for our targets.” She whispered and then laughed. They had to find someone to hit with the snowball. They had to, maybe they needed to go to another part of the grounds, but they were the snowball ninjas, so they could sneak to other parts and hit people without them knowing. She was standing next to him again when she laughed and patted his head, “Aww Daddy Dachi Duck likes snowball fights with Puffs…”

She then started looking for someone to throw a snowball at, but then turned.. Maybe one last spoon full of ice cream before she hit her first target.

Ronnie trudged through the snow and harsh, cold wind, a bundle in her arms. She sniffled, tears streaming down her cheeks. Why'd this have to happen? Why couldn't she have her Oliver back...her Ollie...back in her arms. Alive. Happy. But now he was gone, nothing...just a lifeless cat lying in the folded blankets in her arms.

At the duck pond, she looked around herself. Not many students were around, which she was thankful for. She didn't want anyone seeing her crying. The only person she wanted to see was Jory. Ronnie wanted so badly for him to comfort her. Shaking her head, she got down on one knee bin front of a bush and laid the bundle down onto the snowy ground. She slipped the little gardening shovel out of her pocket, but couldn't dig. Instead, the shovel fell from her hand and she suddenly burst into tears, which turned into huge sobs after a while.

Jory was in a particularly good mood as he headed down to the duck pond. It was still cold out so he bundled up well. He really enjoyed those cold days and so he had decided to take a break from studying to come outside. Not many students were there, but he didn't mind. Quiet was good.

The Puffer was just focusing on the pond, going over some Arithmancy stuff he had just read. The subject was complicated to him and he was doing his best to study for NEWTs. But his thoughts were suddenly interrupted the sound of someone crying. startled, he looked around. Who was crying? Jory spotted someone kneeling on the snow covered ground and his heart began to pound. It was Ronnie. There was no mistaking the red head. Close to panic, he practically ran over to her.

"Ronnie!'' he said, kneeling beside his girlfriend and putting an arm around her shoulder. "Are you okay? What's wrong?'' He failed completely to notice the bundle next to her.

Ronnie jumped as someone got down next to her. She wasn't in the mood... for anyone!!!!!!!! Frowning, she turned to tell the person to leave but saw it was Jory. Blinking, she immediately wrapped her arms around him and began to cry again into his shoulder. "He-he's d-d-dead! Oliver! He-he's gone!" she sobbed, gripping Jory's coat tightly.