Listening to her explain how everything was going.. he had the urge to brush her hair out of her face but he held firm in his position.. "awww your doing great.. we did our homework together a few times and you always have Sander, Tessa, Louis and others to help you out" he smiled..

"awww Lux… Hufflepuff is a great house…" he said.. of course what he really wanted to say is that he wanted her in Gryffindor too.. his house was awesome.. but he thought that everyone thought their own house was awesome..

"everything is going well.. it would be better if I wasn't so old" he laughed throwing a pebble in the lake.. "I'm studying a lot for the OWL's and theres a lot of Practices.. which doesn't help my old bones." more pebbles in the lake..

he leaned back with his hands behind him holding him up as he lifted his face to meet the sky.. the sun was out and was nice and warm… "awww thanks.. Yeah we all did so well today!" oh the sun was awesome..

Bay was so nice to her. This was why she liked him so much. That, and he was cute but she wasn't going to tell him that now. "Yeah, you guys are the best and I am still an Honorary Gyryffindor. And a Gryffinpuff." She did not care if that was a real thing or not, because she was one and people would have to deal with it. "I like how my Common Room is near the kitchens." It made her laugh, because it was amazing and silly at the same time. It must suck for the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws to be so far away from the kitchens.

Aww, poor Bay. She still felt bad for her friends who were suffering from this. "I wish there was something I could do to help everyone who is getting older. Since I immune to... whatever this thing is." She had no idea what was going on here, if it was a disease or not. She really wished she could help Bay feel his old self though. "You are still young at heart, and I am sure you will do well on your tests because you are smart." He was clever like Sander and Tessa and a lot of her other friends. She totally knew that he was going to do well on his OWLs. "It was an awesome game. Quidditch is wonderful, I wish I could fly..." Honestly, that might never happen properly, and it made her really sad.

D'awwww Gryffinpuff.. "thats so cute.. Gryffinpuff.. your just giving me more nicknames to call you" he said while messing up her hair.. "ohh yeah,, you guys are right next to the kitchens.. thats no far!!! i want to be beside the kitchens" he said pouting.. he could just see it now.. he would probably weigh a lot more than he did now and his parents for sure would know that he didn't eat healthy here.. and he most likely won't be able to come back… ohh Bay your just getting ahead of your self here…. but he could dream right.. CUPCAKES!! ahahahah.


"your lucky your immune.. I wish I was my self again" he didn't want to get sad, but he liked his looks and he wanted his energy back. d'awww he was smart.. oh Lux she was just too cute.."thanks Lux… your smart too.. don't sell yourself short." giving her a pat on her shoulder.

"it was an awesome game" he agree'd with her.. but now he was super tired..he stopped thinking he was tired.. "ohh.. you can't fly??…then I must teach you one day" he said.. he was thinking of something small for her first time and closer to the ground.. he didn't want her to get hurt.. thats for sure.

Waaiiiit. Someone nearly bumped into her. That was not good. Grace's eyes widened as she stared at the girl. she was glad the girl hadn't bumped into her. She might have fallen into the lake. And that would not be good at all. She didn't want to fall into the lake. It would probably really cold. And her old joints would not be good with the cold.

"Hi...." She murmured, looking up at the older girl. Though she didn't really look older than her. Grace looked much older than a first year. "It's okay.... nothing happened." Though she nearly fell over. And that was not good at all.

Upon closer inspection, Bliss noticed that the youngster .. didn't look quite so young. It was only her height and the fact that she hadn't seen her around before which gave away the fact that she either a first or second year. She had an eye for these things, you know?

She was so glad that nothing had happened.

Bliss did not want to be responsible for a little girl drowning. Unless she managed to save her - which she could totally do. Yeah. Either way, she didn't want the girl to fall in. That would make her look really bad. "Luckily, yeah," she said and smiled hesitantly. "I'm Bliss, in case you were wondering who nearly knocked you over." Because she was obviously going to wonder that.

WHOOO, nicknames! Lux beamed when he ruffled her hair. "Now you will have two." That was rather lovely, because he had already called her Cucumber since the start of term. "I am fierce like a badger, and roar like a lion." So in a way she was pretty cool and tough. "If you were a Hufflepuff, you would never leave the kitchens. We would have to roll you around because you would be so big." The mental image that made in her head caused her to laugh. He would be like the blueberry girl in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Aww, poor Bay. "I'm sure you will be yourself by the end of Term. They are working on it. And then we can have loads of fun." And they could even have fun during the summer, because she wanted to see him then too. Awww, he thought she was smart. That was sweet, even though she was not as smart as him and her other friends. "Well, thank you. I just like working hard is all." Why she was one of the top students in Hufflepuff. Lux did not like failure. Nope.

She also did not like flying. "If you did that, I would be holding on to you for dear life." And not just because he was cute. No, no. She was too scared of heights. It was a little different when she was not hight up in the air and there was something solid under her feet; why she was generally okay with the tree house. Lux didn't even like looking out of the windows on the higher level of the castle! Flying was worse though, because she would be high up in the air with nothing under her besides a broomstick. It was a shame the lessons with Tessa had stopped, because she had a feeling that all the effort would have been put to waste since it had been a few months since she had even tried. Not that she had managed to get more than three feet off the ground anyway.

Cosgrach sighed in exhaustion.

"But what are you doing, girl, telling them that?" 'Your snog means nothing to me.' part. He also waved his hand dismissively, then halted, and chuckled to himself.

"Well, you were told wrong." FACT. Boys didn't care about such things--shouldn't, anyway. "I mean, some care, yeah, like 99% of girls and about 30% of the boys would think it's wrong to lead people on because they have feelings and blah blah, but you are lucky: You are the girl, so your chances are higher in this 'snogging without bonding' thing. Many would criticise me for my ideas now, especially now that I'm a professor, but," he shrugged to show he didn't care at all. Really. If you cared about everyone, you wouldn't have care left for yourself.

He grinned. "Knew you wouldn't." Look for eternity. Ugh. The word was scary itself. He then leaned only a little towards her not to be heard.

"I think they do, but they are too scared to do anything about it." She wasn't a sissy though, was she?

HER age wasn't quite old yet, but HIS was! He looked hopefully thoughtful for a second before he solemnly nodded. Her secret was safe with him! If it was a secret, that is, but in any case...

He needed a friend in the ministry to get that permission for him.

Bay couldn't help but smile… he was having such a great time.. just hanging out with Lux, she was fun, funny, smart and to cute for her own good.. laying down to look up at the sky he placed his hands under his head to use them as a pillow.. "loads of nick-names everywhere" he responded.. not making any sense.. he was so relaxed he almost started to doze off.. which was nothing out of the norm for he could always fall asleep.

"wha….badger roar?" though his relaxed stage he only caught a few words of what she said.. badger roar?? Bay gave a snort.. and opened his eyes.. maybe he should start to pay attention… he didn't want to be rude and not engage in this conversation plus he wanted to be here.. WAKE UP BAY!! he screamed at himself in his head.

Bay was shocked he has never heard her say something so funny. "omg Lux your terrible" he started to laugh so hard where he started to cry.. wiping his tears away.. "but your so right.. I would be eating constantly" nod..nod..nod… she knew him all to well. "yeah I can't wait to have lots of fun.. all this napping and "relaxing" is no fun.. and omg i always need to use the washroom" he laughed.. "awww its okay.. maybe we should just try little by little to get you used to the height?" he suggested.. maybe that would be better instead of just putting her on a broom with him and taking off.. yeah that was a way better idea.

Was... Bay starting to fall asleep?

That was not good, because she wanted to talk to him. She was having too much fun, and if he fell asleep, he would probably start to snore or something. In order to make sure that he stayed awake, she moved over so that she was sitting on him. There, much better.

"Badger roar? I have to admit that it would be really good. Maybe that's what Gryffinpuff badgers do." Hmmm. Maybe she could try doing one, being a Gryffinpuff and all.

"ROAR."

If the whole sitting on him thing hadn't worked to wake him up, this sure would.

"I am noooooot terrible! I was just thinking of the blueberry girl in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Could he not picture himself turning into a big ball and having to be rolled around everywhere? Was it just her? "Awww, maybe we should do something fun to make sure that you don't fall asleep on me." Because she was not heavy and he might still doze off with her weight on him. Snort at the bathroom part. He reminded her of her grandparents when he said all that, not that she was going to mention that to him. It wouldn't really be flattering.

"We can try that, but I don't want to freak out on you." That would be the worst.

"your too much" he said… thats what gryffinpuff badgers do… she was so funny.. giving her a lazy laugh, he felt her sit on him… thank goodness she wasn't heavy.. he jumped up real quick, when she roared real loud.. kinda pushing her out of his lap...

"ahhh what are you trying to do… give me a heart attack?" he asked her while trying to catch his breath. "whoa---" he said giving her a look.. blueberry girl??? chocolate factory… "what are you talking about……" maybe it was a book.. for all he knew maybe this was a real person and this place was real too.

"ughhh i can't think at the moment.. so why don't you pick us something to do" he said while picking up some more pebbles to throw it in the lake..

AAAAAH!

Lux found herself falling to the ground when Bay jumped up. "Ouch." Yeah, she probably should have thought that one through before roaring. Meh. "I'm sorry, Bay." She started turning red as she got herself in a sitting position again. Her fault for not thinking things through properly and all.

Errrr....

"It's a book and movie, Bay. You should read it some time, and watch it with me." Then things would make more sense to him. Sighing, she tried to think of things that they could do. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather nap?" She wanted to hang out with him, but what if he preferred the idea of sleeping?

"oh are you alright?" he asked while trying to help her back up.."I'm okay.. I'm not hurt at all… where does it ouch?" he asked while looking her over..hoping she wasn't really hurt he just loved to over-exaggerate things..

"oh really… maybe when you come visit me you should bring it?" over the summer he meant.. he only continued on their conversation because she did really seem to be okay..

"Maybe if I can just close my eyes for a few minutes that would be great.." taking his feet out of the water he turned sideways and put his head in her lap and closed his eyes… soon enough there were snores coming from him but thank goodness there was no drool.

Oh, he was worried about her again!

Lux did not really want that, because besides feeling a little of the roughness of her landing, she was totally fiiiiiiiine. Still fit as a fiddle since she was not suffering from bad bones the way he was. Yeah, that knee incident wouldn't be forgotten any time soon; the memory of it still made her shudder.

Anyway.

The fact that he was moving on with the conversation made her smile since he obviously worked out that she was not needing the Healer or anything. Wonderful since as much as she liked how he was protective of her, this was not a case where it was needed. "Oh, that would be lovely, Bay. We can watch loads of movies if you want." And do other things besides. Things they couldn't do when he was an old person, like him giving her more piggy back rides.

And now he was asleep with his head in her lap. Lux laughed as silently as possible as she heard him begin to snore. Gosh, Bay was so adorable and really nice to look at as well. Smiling some more, she started to run her hand through his hair hoping that it wouldn't wake him up. He had such nice hair, and it was good to see that it was brown again.

How long was he going to sleep before he would wake up and talk to her again?

Lex was having a hard time seeing the big deal and tilted her head to the side, trying to figure out if there might have been something more to the Professor's question but there didn't seem to be. Finally she gave a one shouldered shrug, not particularly bothered. "It's all the same to me and if someone means nothing to me then I'm not gonna make them think otherwise because then they get clingy and emotional and irksome."

Giving people the wrong idea was one thing but when those people started acting on that it became a problem and a big one at that. She didn't do liking, she didn't do emotions and she didn't do people that did.

Collarbin wasn't saying anything she didn't already know. Boys cared less. Clearly. She learned that last term and wasn't keen on re-visiting that lesson. "I think my chances are only higher because I'd be thinking more like a boy, looking for no extra strings attached." She paused to give him a look over. People criticizing? "I can't see that mattering to you Sir. You don't strike me as the type to take offence to what others say." Except he did. Lex could remember him not wanting her telling anyone about the Felix attack. Hehe.

Wait. Huh? "Too scared to do anything about being bored? It's not that hard to move on." Seriously. She did with whatever it was she was bored with.

She was a Gryffindor.

She was SUCH a Gryffindor that she didn't even understand that was the exact reason she shouldn't tell them anything. Cosgrach bit his lower lip and looked away at the lake's horizon. He decided to try to explain her one more time, because she seemed to deserve it.

"So, you lead a boy on and he believes you're in love or whatever, right?" Right. "You get your snog, as many times as you want actually, and dump him there and then. Tell him it meant nothing to you. Threaten to hex if he stalks you or something." He shrugged. "But of course, you clearly can't snog him at school."

Haha. No. It wasn't a joke. She might forget everything he'd said before, but she should never ever forget that.

Hmm. "You're right." About thinking like a boy. Yes. That was another advantage of hers, unless she became mainstream and started to believe in love.

"It depends on the criticism." Clearly. He didn't want anyone to say he'd been poisoning young minds, for example; but then again, this was hardly poisoning for him.

"It not hard for you to find something exciting. But most people aren't so... creative too." Shrug. What did he care? He was only concerned about her, right now, and her flying carpet.

He had to find a way to obtain one.

Delilah stretched her legs out in front before leaning back against her elbows. The weather was kind of nice.. Not too sunny but not cold either. It was pleasant. It was just her kind of day. "Sorry, Jer." She winked, a teasing smile on her face. Jab, jab. Heh.

She eyed the book in his hand and raised an eyebrow before her eyes turned towards the lake. "You spend a lot of time reading, you know?" Not that it's a bad thing because she loved to read too but.. he should be doing other fun things or just relaxing. Like what she was doing right now, even though there was still loads of studying to be done.

... The girl was definitely going to visit the library later.

It was a really pretty day and Adi decided to go take a walk with Gus. Or in Gus's case, hops. The second year had also invited his best friend, Benny so they could hang out but the other boy was no where in sight. Maybe he had overslept or something.

Anyway, Adi hobbled his way towards the rocks where he had dropped Gus down the back of Hannah's robes almost at the beginning of the school year. What fun that had been! Adi still laughed his head off when he played back that even in his head. At least he and Hannah were friends now.

The Puffer perched on one of the huge rocks, watched the calm Lake and absent mindedly rubbed his aching left knee as Gus hopped a little away from him.

For some odd reason the Professor was starting to look exasperated. Must have been something rattling away at his mind, he could figure it out on his own time or maybe it wasn't that important. Whatever the case, her eyes drifted back momentarily to the parchment she'd taken down to the lake with her. Funny how easy she forgot she was trying to get homework done but this topic was more interesting than Muggles.

Her full attention turned to him again. Lead them on, get a whole bunch of snogs then dump them. Admittedly she liked the sound of getting to hex people and it sounded better under the context of getting permission from a Professor. There was one thing though.

"How come?" The Gryffindor tilted her head slightly and fixed him with a curious look. "I mean, how would you even know if I decided to snog a boy at school? Who's to say I haven't done that tons of times already?" Granted she hadn't and didn't intend to but something told her the answer might have been amusing so why not ask, yeah? "Lots go on in Common Rooms Sir, you'd never believe it." Except not in her own Common Room. Gryffindor boys weren't her type.

And of course she was right about thinking like a boy. It was as good a strategy as any and it'd been doing her wonders so far. "I get Cassia to do that too when I can. It does wonders."

Also, was he trying to make a point? Surely she couldn't have been the only one who found it easy to find other distractions. It wasn't that hard....for her...okay maybe she could see his point. "I guess." She conceded with a shrug. It was their loss and not her problem. "Do you move on quickly Professor?" It wasn't intrusive. You could have meant with anything. Ahem.

Cosgrach shrugged casually. She seemed to understand him at last. Progress. Truly, these Gryffindors could be so naïve 90% of the time, and they had to be taught about 'sneaky'.

"I should visit the common rooms more often, then," he said calmly. "I mean, sure I can't know that without seeing. I was just trying to say, do not get caught." Actually, he did mean 'do not snog at school', but that wasn't even possible during teenager years, so...

Do not get caught. But surely she already knew that golden rule?

Cassia! Her again! He felt like he ought to meet her, because she was a Slytherin prefect AND apparently a cool person.

"I should meet Cassia, it seems." He smiled wryly. Would she agree with him?

Move on from what? He eyed her with a sly grin. He knew what she meant. "I'm very good at it. Why? Do you?"

He wanted to visit more often? Why? He could of course and there would have been nothing stopping him, just as there was nothing stopping the Head of House but see, she didn't think it would last long anyway. He'd maybe keep it up for a month...month and a half at most and that was only if he was REALLY determined.

"You're welcome to the Gryffindor Common Room any time you like. I don't see much action happening there, not like what I hear for the others but the fireplace is nice and warm and Felix would love to see you again." As for getting caught, she shook her head, not sure whether or not to take offense to that. "Snogging's the last thing I'd ever get caught doing Sir." And that wasn't because she was opposed to the idea but rather because she didn't fancy the idea of snogging where others could stumble into her. Lex liked keeping some things to herself. Who she snogged and when was no one else's business.

"You'll be happy to know I haven't been caught yet."

AND HE WANTED TO MEET CASSIA!! "Oh yes, you really should. She's fantastic, a shining example, makes me not dislike snakes as much as I could. While you're at it I suggest you meet Lottie too. She's a Hogwartian, I'm sure you've seen her around." Nodnodnod.

His grin told her the meaning in her statement hadn't been lost, it also told her she wasn't about to get stuck cleaning the lab for another month. Neat. "I was just curious is all. You don't seem the type to stay fixed on something longer than you should." She gave a small shrug, not sure she could explain better. "So I guess nothing gets to you." As for herself....."I'm excellent at moving on. Nothing keeps my interest too long--'cept candy." So Michael telling her to give relationships a chance...wasn't gonna happen.

Benny was late.

Granted not to class, thank Merlin, but still. Having spent the morning trying to study, the Gryffindor had actually fallen asleep up in the common room, in amongst his books and notes, only to awaken and realizing he should have been on his way down to the lake to meet Adi for some friend fun outside of classes and studying. And he was even more unhappy for it given having to now rush down all the stairs and across the school's grounds and likely hurt himself with his movements if he moved too fast.

Ben was in fact huffing and puffing as he made it close enough to the lake to notice a shape on the rocks. A shape that looked like a familiar second-year boy as he moved closer. "Hey..." he made out almost breathlessly. "Sorry...fell...asleep," he got up as he nearly collapsed onto the rock himself.

Adi was watching Gus hop around catching insects. His toad would occasionally flick it's long, sticky tongue out, then quickly pull it back in and swallow his snack. Adi found watching this process quite fascinating. He had never actually paid attention to the way Gus or any other toads hunted. Gus was now in pursuit of another insect as Adi watched him hop of closer to the Lake.

However, he was distracted by the all too familiar voice of Benjamin Atreyu as he huffed, puffed and hobbled his old body over to where Adi sat. "Hallo,'' the Puffer greeted and eyed his friend. "I figured you fell asleep.'' See? He knew his best friend. Upon a closer look, the Gryffindor looked more tired than usual. O_o "You okay, Benny?'' He wasn't going to pass out right?

April showers was right.

Ella had been cooped up in the castle for ages studying and because of all the rain, she wasn't able to wander the grounds comfortably during breaks like she'd wanted to. Plus the stormy weather made Ella's arthritis act up. At least that's what she thought it had to be. Old age and all, she wasn't an expert but she'd heard enough of Gran's complaints to make an educated guess.

Today wasn't one of those rainy days, though. It was a bit cloudy but otherwise pleasant and that meant Ella was going to tuck her textbooks away and take advantage. And so the eighteen year old pulled on a light jacket and made her way down to the Black Lake. She figured it'd be a nice place to go and think. ...Or not think. ...Yeah, definitely not think.

Once there, Ella quietly made her way onto the dock. She wanded down a ways before slowly lying on her stomach, face just peeking over the edge of the dock so she could see into the water below. This was nice. Quiet and nice and just what she needed right now.

Man, she was going to miss this.

...figured you fell asleep.

Yeah, Benny supposed his friend had similar instances, what being afflicted same as he. Probably I good thing so he could be understanding in this instance and not hold it against him. The Gryffindor wasn't trying to be a bad friend. Honest. He turned his head and looked over at his friend as Adi questioned him seemingly concerned of his well-being.

"Uh huh...I'm fine," he answered before glancing back up at the sky. "Well as fine as one might expect." Fine didn't exactly cover the troubles the two of them and rest of the aged students were facing. "How's Gus? he asked having noticed the amphibian and not remembering the last time having seen him.

Tobias had found himself really missing the outdoors recently, but with the weather they'd been having, coupled with his newfound tendency to develop awful colds and stuff, he'd figured it was a lot smarter to stay inside. After all, he couldn't bounce around like usual, so really there was no reason to BE outside. Or so he told himself.

So as soon as there was a moderately nice day out, Toby prepared himself for some physical activity and went for a walk. He'd not wanted to stray too far from the castle, but eventually found himself at the lake.

Toby smiled to himself. Yeah, walks didn't quite make up for not being able to run, but it was still awesome to be outside again, especially as the weather was starting to turn nice and summery soon. Hopefully, anyway.

He wasn't at the lake for long before he thought he saw someone familiar. Tobias' eyes weren't what they used to be, but he could recognise Ella anywhere. The boy didn't even hesitate before beelining straight towards the Head Girl and caaaaarefully lowering himself down to sit at the edge of the dock beside her. Toby didn't say anything, just let his feet dangle below him and sat there, pleasant enough expression on his face.