And now she was really into the exploding, heh. "Just see to it that it gets cleaned up when you're all done." Later then. Erik turned on his heel and headed back up to the castle, taking care to look around for any sign of footprints or markings from the person that had been stalking him earlier...

Beezus heaved in a deep breath as she hurriedly took steps towards the Front Gate of the school, levitating a large pint of vanilla ice cream and basket as she went.

This afternoon was their schedule for the Ravenclaw Social. She, Elise and Ethan had prepared treats for everyone and few activities so each member of their house would be further inclined to each other....in a good way. Besides, it was a way of compensating for the setback the school generally had this term. They had to make things work somehow, right?

Right.

As soon as she arrived to where they'd be holding the gathering (a little to the right of the Front Gate itself, under a maple tree more than half the size of the Whomping Willow), the Prefect took out the picnic blankets from the basket and laid it down on the ground. A total of five blankets compressed together to accommodate all Ravenclaws. And with her wand, she managed to put up banners around the place. For house pride feel, at least.

With all of that set up, she looked up at the stone gargoyles posted on the gate with her eyebrows forking, wondering idly why most of them looked as though they have been blown up as she waited.

Niamh arrived at the Front Gates to find Ravenclaw banners and patchwork picnic blankets all laid out ready for the Ravenclaw Social that was to be held there.

Niamh looked around. Nervous and hesitant, she hovered on the edge of the scene. She could see one of the Prefects that had spoken to her at the opening feast. Beatrice, her name was. Niamh waved, a nervous smile on her face. This might be the place where she finally got to meet someone from her own year group and in her own House.

Blue was plenty social. She wasn't exactly the shy type, under normal circumstances. She really had only come because of the ice-cream and pie promise. But because one of her utmost favourite elderly people was hosting this whole shebang she'd put effort into looking nice. She'd even worn a pretty dress, which was an occasion in it's self.

The Ravenclaw leaders ought to feel honoured.

She hummed lightly and skipped down to the front gates, trying her very best to ignore how the grass was staining her canvas shoes and getting her socks all WET and uncomfortable. Her special little owl bag bounced by her side. It was special because it had been charmed, people. With one of those undetectable extension charms. The bag didn't really need it but since she'd MASTERED it, so everything from her trunk to her socks (.....) were enchanted.

Just 'cos she was simply able to cast the spell.

YUP.

She picked up her pace when she spotted the oak decorated with little Ravenclaw banners. Awwww man. Barely anyone else was around. The fourth year wasn't particularly fond of being early. Fashionably late, that was the way to go. "BEATRICE." Blue glanced at the picnic blanket THAT WAS SERIOUSLY LACKING IN THE PIE-AND-ICE-CREAM DEPARTMENT. Hmph. You better not have lied, Miss Prefect. You could have a hug anyways though. Blue ran over and gave Bee a squeeeeze before letting go and beaming, waving at the other blonde who'd bother to attend.

"SOOOOOOO," Blue twiiirled. "When's the pie gonna be here?"

Or would they have to clap like they did at the start of term feast to get it?

As long as they weren't playing, Blue was down.

Eliza was in a great mood and this party was just the icing on the cake. No, it was the shining golden lit sparkler on top of the icing on the cake. She was so glad the house leaders had put it together because she really was looking forward to hanging out with people. She'd been pretty focused on classes and tryouts lately, not to mention the state of the school, so this social was just perfect.

She bounded down from the castle and walked with light happy steps to the picnic blanket under the maple tree. Oh! But should I have brought something to share too? She felt a twinge of guilt at not contributing, but it was sort of a treat from the leaders, so she tried to keep that in mind. She'd gotten so used to helping out around the castle that she felt weird not chipping in with anything now.

"Hey Beezus! Thanks for setting this up!" she said with a smile as she sat down on the blanket. "These are really cute! Did you make them?" The quilted appearance of the blankets made her think of home. Her mother was always putting little pieces of this and that together to make new things. She felt the softness of the fabric and smiled to herself. Yep, just like a little slice of home. She took a deep breath of the fresh air and watched the leaves on the tree blow in the wind. And was that ice cream she saw? Score.

Harvey heard there was a party going on for claws like him, so he decided to turn up. maybe it would be good for him to meet some people as well have a bit of fun while he went off to find a drink that he wanted. But he knew this was also a good opportunity to get to know some people as well as hang with his friends, well of the ones that had turned up here to the party. He didn't see any drinks popping up as yet but he did see some ice cream, but that reminded him of some things so he was reluctant in getting some. He wanted something to keep him busy so he gave a smile and nod to whom ever looked in his direction before waiting to see who turned up. He then pulled out the muggle toy called a Rubik's cube that his mom had given him to keep him busy while he waited to see who turned up. He had been trying to solve this since the start of the summer and yet he had not been successful, but he was hoping to solve it soon. He was kinda getting there to solving it and then he would do something so that he would not be as close to solving it as he was just a minute earlier.

Nigel was a little late for the social. But he did not think it would matter. Staring to think about all the good ice cream and pie. Nigel was distracted by Blue's twirling. It seemed she was a little hyper and that she wanted some pie.Though Pie did sound really good right now.

He arrived at the tree and leaned against it. Well at least he had some shade Nigel thought as he looks around to see who was there and saw some friendly faces and some new claws he had only seen when he was running through the common room.

Nigel nods to everyone who was there and wondered where the food was. That was basically the reason he was here. He was pretty hungry. "Soo is there pie and ice cream? Because I can really go for some pie right now"

Nigel did love his pie and ice cream.

So Bee and Ethan and Elise were throwing a party, hmm? And they hadn't thought to ask Mo for help in getting ready? He was an entire decorating committee, plus he knew how to make eat pie, plus he was wearing a bow tie. All important things, and all cool. They should have known better.

He made his way to the front gate and immediately looked for the queue to get pie and ice cream. Especially ice cream. Hmmm.

"WE WANT PIE. WE NEED PIE. PIE OR I'LL DIE," Mo started chanting from his spot at the back of the non-queue. Who would join him in his [s]barricade[/i] chanting? Blue? Niamh? Nigel, maybe? "Pie or I'll die," he suggested to those close enough to hear him.

Being one of the ones in charge of this shindig, Ethan knew that he probably should have been one of the first ones there. But having been at Quidditch tryouts recently, the seventh year thought it might be best to take a shower first and be all springtime fresh for their party. And so, he'd be a few minutes late.. But smelling nice was better than punctuality, yeah?

He headed down through the grounds towards the front gate carrying a stack of cards in one hand and the dinnerware mum sent him from home in the other, prepared to duplicate if needed. That was all he was supposed to remember, right? The girls were in charge of the food, he was in charge of the activity. At least he hoped..

Spotting a gathering of Ravenclaws, Ethan made his way towards them. "Hey, everyone!" he beamed at them as he approached. Only a handful now, but hopefully more would be coming soon. He gave an approving nod to Beezus.. she did a good job decorating, then his eyes fell on Mo as he chanted for pie. He glanced back at Beezus, questioningly. "Um.. I think Elise is bringing the pie.." he said. Or at least he hoped she was or else they might have an angry mob on their hands.. So once their captain was present, they could get started..

She wasn't late, everyone else was just early. At least, that's what Elise thought as she bounded down the stairs with her braid swinging jauntily behind her and a long trail of pies following. Her wand was held up like a conductor might do for an orchestra and once she reached, she just beamed at people. She was here now, yes and she'd even managed to hide all this pie from Chris! Merlin knew what would happen if she didn't.

Making sure that everyone was clear of the pretty quilt that Bee had brought, she moved her wand in a large circle and lowered it, smiling as the pies did the same, arranging themselves in a clean circle. The absence of pie over and settled, she turned to people there.

"I heard your chanting from the castle, Mo," she grinned. Was the boy using Sonorus or was he actually just that loud? She didn't remember that, anyway. She liked to remember Mo being there with peppermint toads and trying to get her un-nauseated from all the Noxious Potion last term. She liked Mo, regardless. Beater-buddies just had to like each other, anyway. It would be weird if they didn't.

"So now that the pie's here..." Cue the glancing at Bee and Ethan. "Let's get this party going?"

"HI!" .....She knew this one. She talked to this one before, during the Feast. "Niamh, right?" Beam.

Holy snitch. Who was that? Was it Blue? Wearing a dress?

O.O

But the girl was then running towards her, went to hug her in which she blinkingly squeezed back. "Hazel, you made it." The younger Ravenclaw twirled and Beezus mouthed a "wow". "You look beautiful, doll." She was proud!

Oh. Pie. Riiiight. "Pie's going to be here soon, missy. You're too excited. We've barely started." Really though, was it Ethan or Elise who was going to bring the pie? Gosh. Where were those two?

"Eliza!" She scuttled towards the younger 'Claw, leaving Blue to herself for a while. And yeah, she did set things up around here but really, not much effort though. She only set up banners for the most of it. As for the blankets.... "No, it's my mom's collection. Well...she made them and I asked her to owl them over." Her mom was very supportive of her. Even if things had gotten very messed up now.

Oh well.

"I hope you enjoy, doll."

And would you look at who had just arrived. Beezus literally ran towards the boy and latched into his arms. "Harveeeeeeeeeeeeey!" It felt like....years since they've last seen each other or talked. He got rather busy with his new set of friends.

She wasn't going to hold that against him though. She was just happy that he showed up.

Still clinging to Harvey, Beezus tilted her head and turned to Nigel. Merlin...this was a social, not a food feast. Why was everyone too keen on the food? Were they that deprived? They were here to bond with Ravenclaws. Not bond with food.

But still, she smiled at him. "Chill, Barrington. We'll get to feed your stomach worms in a while."

And was that her favorite? Mo...with a bow tie? Hah.

She unlatched herself from Harvey and sauntered over to her fellow Chaser's side, immediately slipping an arm around his elbow as he began to chant. "Geez. Shut up. You'll get no pie if you start a riot of some sort here." ....Then she pulled her arm away and used it to hold him by the shoulders. "Merlin, look at you. Dressed up and all. I feel underdressed." She was only wearing a plain bubble skirt, a white blouse and short wedges.

Nod right back at 'ya, partner.

Okaaaay.. She released Mo and neared her fellow Prefect.

So he was not the one bringing the pie. It was Elise. "Where's Elise?" If they didn't have pie, war was surely going to ensue.

"Ohmygodric...what took you so long?" Because duuuuh. She was late. Beezus went beside her Captain and poked her on the side and leaned in to whisper....things. "You were with your boyfriend, weren't you?" She followed that with a snort. Hmmmmmm.

Pie, however....

YAY. Let's get this party started indeed! Not that she was going to magically bring out disco balls or something like that. Haha. No.

Beezus moved around and walked up to the front.

"All right! Ice cream and pie are here, Ravenclaws! So can you guys kindly occupy the blankets now?" Like...no standing? Everybody down? Yeeees? And sit with whomever you want.

Mika had found clean things in her trunk, which was great because she was annoyed with scorgifying her clothing. She was just excited to be in something clean, despite the fact that it had pink in it. She ran her hand down the front of her dress smoothing it out as she walked to the front gates. She beamed when she spotted the group.

She had laughed a bit when she heard the chanting for pie. That was going to be awesome pie, she loved pie. Pie was good. She loved eating it, staring at it…not baking it but eating more of it. So she bounded down to the group and waved to everyone. EVRERYONE.

She quickly jumped onto one of the nearest blankets and just sat there beaming at everyone. “Cat Woman HEY!” She beamed at Blue and waved as she sat there looking at all of her housemates and friends. Yeah she needed to talk to her housemates more because they were awesome.

Patrick wasn't sure what he was doing here. He didn't do well in crowds, and he never had. He wasn't antisocial in that way, he was just.. Very, very shy. He stood by himself over by the wall, taking in the nice day, and keeping an eye on the group. The pie chanting forced a grin onto his face, and he couldn't help but feel a little more relaxed.

Harvey looked up as he saw Ethan turn up "Hey Ethan! how are ya?"" he asked his mate "Hows Mins?" he asked having not seen his best friend in a while. He wondered if there was any update from either Ethan or his girl on the goings on either back home or here at school. He then went back to his cube and was so busy with his Rubik's cube that someone latching onto his arm caught him by surprise so much so that he was about to whip out his wand, he looked to see who it was and saw it was Beezus. "Oh hey Beezus, how are ya?" he said smiling at her a little calming down from the shock and surprise of her latching onto him. They hasn't hung out in a very long time, and who knew maybe they would be hanging out a lot more that he had a lot of time on his hand. He then looked around as more people started turning up giving everyone a small smile as they turned up. He noticed that Beezus still hadn't let to, so they were going to be hanging out right now? oh! on the blanket? ok he could do that. He slowly went and sat on the blanket waiting to see what was happening next.

Raven was told to come to a Ravenclaw gathering, so here she was - though not really knowing what this was about. Her black hair was loose this time and she had her hands in her pockets. "Hey all" She waved her hand vacantly as she approached.

Taylor came down and looked around, "Hey! A party? Sweetness!" She started to dance and then hugged Ethan, Raven and Harvey. "Rocking party, aint it?" She laughed.

Oh... a party. Aquila quite liked parties.

... well ok mostly because this is her first party, at least of this sort—kids of her age, eating fun stuffs, doing fun things... and just being well... kids.

She wasn’t aware that she was supposed to bring something, however she had her purse with her journal and her candy stash tucked within the folds of her robes. She came around just in time for Beezus to tell then to claim a stake on the blankets.

But yes ice cream and pie. Aquila beamed her eyes shining. She’d looooove to have some of those.

She was strolling. The peaceful atmosphere was having a very good effect on her. The lake at the distance seemed too inviting to her. She walked, aimlessly, getting to know the surroundings.

Amara wasn't aware of where she walked in until she saw a bunch of students. Blue. Claws.

Huh? There were all huddled together and.... Uh-oh.

Point docker #1. Spotted.

Docker #2. Spotted. Where was the other one?

She'd walked right into a prefect reunion? No, can't be. There weren't so many prefects in Claw weren't they? Had she disrupted a secret council? Strategy planning council?

But they brought pies and ice-creams for planning council...? Not likely.

Better ask than...

"Uhm, what's happening here?"

As soon as Ethan had mentioned the 'Claw get together down by the front gate, Orr was anxious to go and get her stuff ready and head on down.

She headed down to the front gate where to her delight, lots of Claws were including Ethan. She walked up to Beezus and Ethan who were near the cakes and blankets.

"Hey, Beezus and Ethan. This is a great social!" Orr said as she glanced around. What a great way of starting the new term!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

Oh... a party. Aquila quite liked parties.

... well ok mostly because this is her first party, at least of this sort—kids of her age, eating fun stuffs, doing fun things... and just being well... kids.

She wasn’t aware that she was supposed to bring something, however she had her purse with her journal and her candy stash tucked within the folds of her robes. She came around just in time for Beezus to tell then to claim a stake on the blankets.

But yes ice cream and pie. Aquila beamed her eyes shining. She’d looooove to have some of those.

Mika just smiled brightly at Aquila as she walked over to join the group. “Hey Aquila!” Mika beamed at her housemate – this girl, she just loved her. Seriously she was so, so, innocent and sweet, and adorable. Right? She was right wasn’t she. Aquila was the epitome of adorable.

“Ready for some fun?” She asked beaming at the girl as she sat on her own blanket. She just chuckled happily when she noticed that dreamy look in the girls eyes as she saw the pie and ice cream – that had just made it official. Aquila was so she didn’t have the word for it…sweet? Yeah she was sweet. Mika needed girl-friends so yeah…she was so going to talk to Aquila more. "Hey! Want to slide your blanket over here and we can sit and eat pie together?" She asked excitedly.

West was looking for something in particular. Something he'd seen growing near the front gate and noticed in passing while heading to Hogsmeade a few times the term before. And once he got close he could even smell it.

Peppermint. Good to add to potions for that little extra something.

He picked a good sprig of it and put it in his samples kit, then headed back towards the castle, intending to go to the kitchen, where normally he probably could have got mint but... well. Not lately huh?

Isobel showed up to the party illogically nervous. The invitation emblazoned on the Ravenclaw notice board had been enticing, and promised pie, but now that she was actually here she was, for some reason, scared. She'd already made plenty of Ravenclaw friends, and none of the older students were as intimidating as they'd seemed at first. Still, something about a whole group of people gathered together at once was just kind of... scary, she supposed. Even though they were all just students and friends.

She recognised some of the people, including Niamh and Beezus, but she wasn't too keen on talking to them, since they all seemed to be surrounded by groups of talking, laughing, Ravenclaws. Also, was that a Gryffindor she saw? She slunk up to the pie and took a slice, then over to a corner of a blanket and sat herself down away from everyone else. The pie was delicious, and lonely.

Walking around the Grounds was one of the activities Callie had missed the most during the summer break. She had gone barefoot as usual and was just making her way back along the edge of the forest when she saw a large group of students standing by the Front Gates.

She decided to go up and see what was going on.

When the Divination Professor got closer she could see that the group was made up of Ravenclaws enjoying ice cream and other treats and just sort of socializing.

She wanted to socialize.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaetha

Isobel showed up to the party illogically nervous. The invitation emblazoned on the Ravenclaw notice board had been enticing, and promised pie, but now that she was actually here she was, for some reason, scared. She'd already made plenty of Ravenclaw friends, and none of the older students were as intimidating as they'd seemed at first. Still, something about a whole group of people gathered together at once was just kind of... scary, she supposed. Even though they were all just students and friends.

She recognised some of the people, including Niamh and Beezus, but she wasn't too keen on talking to them, since they all seemed to be surrounded by groups of talking, laughing, Ravenclaws. Also, was that a Gryffindor she saw? She slunk up to the pie and took a slice, then over to a corner of a blanket and sat herself down away from everyone else. The pie was delicious, and lonely.

Feeling especially high-spirited the blonde approached a girl who seemed to be a tad out of her element, although still a Claw. The girl looked to be a first year and wasn't with any friends.

"Hello there. Enjoying yourself?" Calista smiled at her and looked over at the groups of older students enjoying the ice cream and conversations. "Do you know any of them?" She thought for a moment and then grinned, more so because of the thought crossing her mind.

"A good place to meet your fellow students would be the natatorium in the Dungeons. Not many new students know about it but it's there, right passed the Potions storeroom." she told the young girl before sighing. "It's more fun than the Common Room at least."

She took a few steps away swishing in her long, flowing skirts a smile playing on her face. "I think I will go try and find some pie..."

Ethan gave Beezus a shrug at her question and looked a little warily at some of the group. They seemed a little restless and he really wanted their party to be a success.. they had worked hard to prepare it. And then he saw someone in the near distance approaching.. someone familiar. "I think I see her.." he said to his co-prefect, gesturing to the quickly approaching figure.

Elise was finally here so they could get the party started now that all three of the Ravenclaw leaders were present. His eyes followed the trail of pies as the Captain joined them and her gave her a grin. He was hungry and now they had plenty of food. "Alright, let's get this started," he nodded to Elise and Beezus in agreement. But first a few hellos as he noticed a few more join them..

He gave a smile and wave to Mika as she took a seat, then spotted a remotely familiar boy standing off to the side, a fellow seventh year, though he didn't see him much despite sharing a dorm room with him. "Hey, Patrick.." he called over to the boy. "Come on over and grab a piece of pie.. Do you know everyone?" Because Ethan was down for introducing people.

"Harvey.. hello," he smiled and gave his mate a wave. "Min's great," he grinned, always happy to talk about his favorite girl. "I'll be sure to catch up with her later.. and you and I are still on for meeting up at the Potions Lab, yeah?" He had some things to brew there and thought that might be a good time to catch up as well.

Ethan smiled brightly as one of their newest housemates arrived and said hello. "Hi, Raven," he said. "Glad you could make it.." He grinned as Taylor approached him and he hugged her back. "Hey, Taylor," he chuckled a bit as she started dancing. "Do you know any music charms? We could probably use some music at our party too.." And that wasn't exactly Ethan's strong suit, charms.. though if there was a piano, he could play.

He gave a wave to Aquila as she joined them and was about to ask her if she needed him to duplicate his china, not seeing her with any, when he noticed another girl (Amara), a younger one approach. He watched her for a moment, noting that she was not a Ravenclaw, though he certainly wasn't going to ask her to leave, when she very loudly asked what was going on. "We're having a Ravenclaw get-together.. just a little social to help us get to know each other." You know, promote house unity and all..

Then he turned to the next Ravenclaw who approached. "Hey, Orr," he beamed at the girl. "Thanks.. we hope you'll have fun." His eyes then fell on another of the newly sorted Claws that he wasn't sure he had a chance to greet at the feast. "Hi, there," he said to the girl (Isobel). "I'm Ethan, one of Ravenclaw's prefects." And hopefully she had already met Beezus?

And then Ethan beamed as the next person joined their group. "Professor Elwood.." he waved as he noticed their house moderator talking to one of the students. "So glad you could join us.. hope you can stay for some refreshment and activity." And speaking of their activity..

"Hey, everyone.." He gave a wave to Mo, Nigel, Eliza, Blue, and Niamh as they were already there before he had gotten there and tried to get everyone's attention. "Really glad to see everyone could make it out today.." And hopefully a few more stragglers would still join them. "Help yourself to some pie and ice cream.. thanks to Elise and Beezus for bringing that today." He beamed at both girls before continuing. "I brought my own dinnerware that my mum owled me from home, so if anybody forgot to bring their plastics, I could duplicate plates.. And we also have a little activity planned just to help us get to know everyone better." Especially the new ones.. and again the house unity thing.. good all the way around, right?

Ethan pulled the cards out and held them out in front of him. "So, we thought we could play like a little game.. on these cards there are squares with an attribute on each one. Your goal is to find a Ravenclaw that one of these applies to and get them to sign their name. You need to get three in a row, either horizontally, diagonally, or vertically. The only trick is that you can't use yourself and you can't use the same person twice." The point was to just get people to start talking to each other, especially ones who didn't know each other well. Easy enough? He thought so.. but he would answer any questions that might come up and he held them out for people to get them.

Pie and ice cream was here.

And more people were arriving.

This made the brunette's smile wider. She sent enthusiastic waves at Mika, Raven and Aquila. She was so glad her girls spared some of their time to attend the social. They looked rather purdy with the dresses they had on. Well....Ravenclaws weren't just all about their wits and unique personalities, they also had their own set of appealing characteristics. And she was not saying that because she was a Ravenclaw but because it was true.

Gotta live with it, you know.

There was also Orr. "Hi. Thank you. We're so glad you came." Have fun and all, yeah? It's been a while since they had actually talked. They should catch up later.

"Isobel! She waved at the girl and gestured her over to join the crowd that before her. She was friends with Eliza, right? Beezus also wondered where Tora was but didn't have time to voice that out when she saw Patrick. "Hey, Patrick...why don't you have some ice cream?" Ice cream helps overcome shyness. Hehe.

She was about to start talking again when....a What's happening here? filled the air. O_o ....a.....a Gryffindor! This was an exclusive Ravenclaw gathering. Other houses trespassing was a HUGE no no. Seize the girl! Tie her up and sacrifice her to the --- JOKE. Hah. She loved her brain sometimes. She nodded at what Ethan told the girl and tagged on, "It's a Ravenclaw thing but it's okay if you stick around." Just don't expect you'll get ice cream and pie too.

And now that matter was settled....she can talk and - "Professor Cal - I mean, Professor Elwood! Hello, maa'm." Was she here to join them? Obviously, Castell...obviously. "Ice cream and pie are here, Professor." She pointed to where those yumyums were.

Okay, okay....Ethan was talking now. BETTER LISTEN UP, chickadees.

They were playing their game now. Were they listening to her co-Prefect? They best. When he was done explaining, Beezus took some of the CARDS and began handing them out to her Ravenclaws.

"So, we'll be playing this to get to know each other, all right?" Fingers crossed that everyone joined in. It wasn't really the most fun if all games but it will definitely be a way for everyone to learn to approach their Eagle brothers and sisters.

"I'll repeat what you have to do, okay? " She glanced at Ethan. He wouldn't mind if she did, right? She was going to quote him anyway.

"On these cards there are squares with an attribute on each one. Your goal is to find a Ravenclaw that one of these applies to and get them to sign their name. You need to get three in a row, either horizontally, diagonally, or vertically. The only trick is that you can't use yourself and you can't use the same person twice." Of course she'd play.

READY? SET, GO!

First one to finish was getting a prize. Ahem.

OOC: We would really appreciate if you play the game. You can get the people your charrie approaches to "sign" their name on the squares in whatever way that is convenient for you. Use Paint or Photoshop to type in their names. That's a really great way to do it. Let's all have fun, yes?