Tessa watched as Bay seemed to get his breath back, and gave him a gentle pat on his shoulder. "That's better- you okay?" she asked with a smile. "You haven't been tickle hexed before, how you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. There had been a month at her school where tickle hexing had been rampant around the halls. Every time a teacher turned around, six kids had been hexed. It died down, but the spell was firmly planted in everyone's mind- as well as the counter to it.

Tessa smiled at her and Lux's silent exchange. "I've just been waiting for the two of you to gang up on me," Tessa teased them both with a laugh. "But, don't get any ideas- I'll be ready for it," she said, looking back and forth between them.

Phew.. he was glad that Lux wasn't mad at him anymore.. more deep breaths.. "I'll just be more careful next time" he said while his throat was starting to get really dry and he felt like he could eat something. "Tessa, we wouldn't think of it..haha" he bent over and took more deep breaths.

"would any of you have some water or food.." he asked and then quickly added "and not cucumber sandwiches" he gave a little laugh hoping that him joking around with him let them know that he wasn't mad at them.

Lux smiled weakly at Tessa when she made a joke about them ganging up on her. "Just be careful, Tessa," she teased back at her friend before turning her attention back to Bay. He did not look too good, and she was feeling worse and worse for what had happened to him.

"I'm really sorry, you know I love you, right?" And she felt really really bad about this whole thing. Reaching into her pocket, she took out about five or six Chocolate Frogs and handed them over to him. Tessa could get the water for him, as she was better at that kind of thing.

Tessa's eyes narrowed as she heard Bay speak. Apparently the whole thing had tired him out more than she had thought. "I'm sure," she teased, taking a seat on the floor. She brought her back around and opened up one of the small pockets. She kept a whole assortment of things in there, in case adventure called. She brought out a miniature cup, made it its normal size, and quickly murmured "Aguamenti" to fill it with water. "Drink up," she told him, handing him the cup. "Tell me when you need more."

Tessa laughed and shot her friend another wink. "Oh, I will be. You never know what may be around the next corner!" As if to stress that, she leaned back to look around the corner before sitting upright again. "All clear," she joked. "We both love you Bay- that's why we know we can torture you," she teased.

Books.

Lots and lots of books.

Tobias was really taking advantage of the library now that the turnstiles were no longer there, but he'd soon realised that libraries really weren't his best studying environment. So that was what led him to be out here in the corridor, with books piled up in his arms. The very top one reached just above his eyes, so the Hufflepuff was having to walk and kind of crane his head to peer round the tomes, making sure he didn't happen across an unexpected staircase or first year.

Wow... these... these books were heavy.

Maybe he'd need to make a few stops on the way back down the the Hufflepuff common room.

This... this was not well thought through.

But still the third year muddled on, staggering making his way down the corridor.

Adelaide was doing her wandering thing, full intent on ending it at the library. She was already ready to break her 'no study' rule. She just found everything so darn interesting. It was making it hard not to study.

She turned the corner and arched her eyebrows. All she saw was a pile of books with feet and eyes. She could hardly see the person that was holding them. Addi noticed that it looked like they were slipping a bit.

"Uh...need some help?" She could always head back up here. She didn't need this person hurting themselves.

Human. HUMAN. HUMAN IN THE CORRIDOR.

Tobias was ill-prepared for this.

He stopped suddenly, trying to work out how far away the voice was, just in case he walked into the owner of it, and made the most of the pause by stopping and craaaaaaaaaning he head right around the side of the tomes, unaware that they were becoming more and more precariously balanced, though thankfully favouring the opposite side to where he was looking around.

Hello human, 'tis I!

Help? Uh. Well, yes. Toby did need help, but he didn't want to say so. For weird reasons. 'Cause weird kid.

"I'm good," the Hufflepuff said simply, and decided... yeah he could spare the time to take a break and put the books down. Tobias managed to kneel down s l o w l y, thankful that he was already short and therefore low to the ground, and somehow managed to set the books down too. He stood up again.

"I didn't realise Ancient Runes could be such a heavy subject!"

Pun delivered, Tobias leaned forwards slightly, hands on his knees, and took a breather. Heh. Hi friend. "I'm Toby." Just by the way.

Adelaide smiled and waved lightly as the boy peeked his head around the books. OH. He was on the Hufflepuff quidditch team last term. She seemed to be running into other house quidditch players all the time now. Where the heck were they last term?

She arched an eyebrow at his comment. "You sure?" Because there were more books than boy it seemed. Addi watched as he set them down. Yep. More books than boy.

"I know the feeling. I probably read most of those last term." She said, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Toby. Right. She remembered Derry talking about him a bit. "I'm Adelaide." Because an introduction for an introduction right?

Ooh, she was a friendly one. Very good.

Tobias kinda sorta leeeeaned up against the books all casual like, shifting his wait so he was holding them down rather than likely to knock them all over (book abuse was probably not a good call). "Yeah, I'm sure! Gotta build up these muscles anyway," the Hufflepuff added, casually forgetting the fact that he was a wizard who owned a magic wand.

So she'd probably read most of these books then? Understandable, and she seemed like she must be in one of her last few years at this place.

The Hufflepuff beamed, just... idk because he was a Hufflepuff. Or because he was Toby.

"For your exams?" he enquired of the older girl, Adelaide. "I'm preparing for my OWLs. I mean, they're not for a few years but I always need to start studying earlier than a lot of people I know."

Like really early. Super early. It was like a curse, but happy, young Tobias didn't complain.

Adelaide carefully watched the teetering tower of books as Toby leaned up against them. She and her wand were at the ready to stop them if they decided to topple. Especially if they decided to take the boy with them. She let out a little chuckle. "Exactly. Need those muscles for quidditch." Because she knew he played of course.

Addi returned the smile and nodded. "Yep. OWLs last term." And that seemed exactly what he was going for too. "I see nothing wrong with starting early. Better than cramming everything in like I did last term."

That was not fun. Lots of sleepless nights and stress. Lots and lots of stress.

Bay backed up Lux's comment with a big grin on his face, looking over at Tessa to make sure he saw him "Thats right, I won't ever forget this" pointing to his sides.. He will plan to get her back but this wasn't the time.

He laughed a little when Lux told him that they were sorry and that they loved him. That was really cute. "Yeah I know, and I love you guys too" ohh chocolate frogs, it was better than he can hope for. Bay opened them quickly and took a huge bite. "Thanks Cucumber.. put this on my Chocolate Frogs tab" while leaning on her.

Taking a seat next to Tessa he munched on more chocolate frogs.. he was starting to feel better already. "Thanks Tessa" he said while watching her fill up a cup of water for him. Bay downed it in one gulp, holding out the cup to her "Maybe I have just one more cup?" he asked really nicely.

Bay snorted on his water. "It better be all clear, i don't want anything else to happen today" He streched out his legs in front of him and gave a little yawn. "i wonder what time it is" he thought while recovering. "Oh well go easy on the Torture part, more on the love part" he put his frogs and water down and put his arms around the girls and gave them a big hug.

Lux watched as Tessa pulled out a glass and gave Bay some water. She knew her friend would manage to take care of that, and was glad Bay was having some food and drink to recover from the tickle fit. "Better be careful, Tessa!" Looked like Bay would be getting back at her for this, and it was going to be funny to watch what happens. "And don't be silly, Bay. This does not count towards your tab." Gosh, that boy could be so silly sometimes.

Yaaay, big group hugs with her friends. Lux beamed. They were all such great friends, and she loved them both. "But we like torturing you, Bay," she joked. No, not really... though joking around with friends was a lot of fun! As soon as Bay got up, she was going to jump on his back.

Tessa laughed. "Well, I thought it was obvious, but I'll say it- of course I love you guys!" she said, still laughing. She grinned at Bay and already had her wand ready to cast more in the cup as he was asking. "Have as much as you want Bay," she told him with a warm smile. "You need your strength back!" In a quieter voice, she added "Because I don't want to carry you back to the Common Room," she teased. "But, seriously, feeling better?" she asked, looking at him. He looked a little less breathless.

"Oh no, nothing else will happen," she assured him, looking around threateningly. "Cancel those ninjas!" she called to no one. "Come on Bay, it's not bedtime yet," she teased, ruffling his hair once again. "I think we can arrange that," she agreed, grinning as she was pulled into a hug.

Tessa shot Lux a wink. "Always be prepared- you never know what might happen," she said with a warm smile. She laughed at Bay's threat and Lux's caution. "Oh, I will be! I'm sure Bay would come up with something absolutely dastardly!" she grinned, looking at the boy. She was sure it would be something fun too!

Bay laughed when Lux confirmed his statement to Tessa by giving a nod. oh great he didn't have to put this on his tab "gah.. Love you lots Lux" he didn't say Cucumber because he wanted it to mean so much more. Even though she was a few years younger than him he felt really close to her, like a sister that he never had. Scooping up Ziggy he placed him in Cucumbers hands.. "I think you scared him from all your screaming" while petting the Pygmy Puff. Bay pulled his treats out of his pockets and handed it to her. "I think he should have some of these too" he snorted. He also placed down his cup "once he's done his treat you can let him have some water too… gotta take care of little Ziggy"


"Oh and I defiantly love you too Tessa, maybe just not right at this moment..ahahah" joking with her was so much fun, of course he loved her too. She had saved his pet and has been nothing of a great friend to him. It was so sweet on how much she cared about him, he swatted his hands at Tessa playfully. "I'm fine, really.." he looked over at her "Really..I am" smiling at her. He gave a little yawn again but playfully. "okay I'm awake now, so what should we do?" he asked for they were all together and they should be doing something… Right?

Lux giggled. She loved her friends so much. "I love you guys lots too!" And she didn't want them to ever Graduate because it meant that they would leave her and she would be so sad and depressed when they were gone.

Taking Ziggy from Bay, she pouted. "I'm sorry I scared you, little Ziggy." Sighing, she took the offered treats from Bay and gave on to the little Puff. She loved how Bay let her take care of Ziggy and she was looking forward to doing it more like he said she could on the train. He was an awesome older brother! Nodding at what he said to her, she made a note to give Ziggy his water after he was done eating.

"You should get up, Bay." She wanted her piggy back ride! That was something they could do.

Tessa smiled as she watched Lux and Bay work with Ziggy. It was funny to think that their first day together involved that little guy. As Bay spoke, she almost laughed, but pulled her expression together into a pout. "You don't... love me?" she asked, her lips trembling as if she were about to cry. All a joke, of course. "Are you sure? Does it hurt here?" she poked him. "Here? Or here? What about here?" she poked him gently each time, holding back a laugh.

"That's a good question..." but it seemed like Lux had an idea. She looked to the youngest member of their group, curious.

Bay petted Ziggy a few more times and let Lux take full reins of him, thats when Ziggy started to squeak more.

Sniff, sniff.. Ziggy knew this smell. he snuggled into her… then food Ziggy smelt food.. "Squeak…SQUEAK" it was getting closer to him now.. oh it was right there in front of his face.. Ziggy took the treat carefully from his friend and chomped on it happily. munch.munch.munch. he started to bounce.

"See, he loves you guys too.. more when you have food" he said while smiling. "Yeah maybe i should get up.. where did you guys wanna go?" he asked them.
Bay stopped… "I was just kidding Tessa of course I love you." he said while giving a big hug only to her. He played along with Tessa poking him and he gently slapped each one of her pokes away. "Ouch.. yes… Ouch… ahah just kidding. no I'm okay Tessa" he said.

"Maybe lets explore…" he thought that would be a good idea.

Lux beamed as Ziggy got excited after eating the treat in her hand. "He really does like me." That made her happy, because she wanted to be special buddies with Ziggy and spend time with him like Bay said she could. "Can you get some more water, Tessa? So Ziggy can have it." She was not able to do it herself when she had a Puff bouncing in her hands.

"Yeah, let's explore!" That sounded like an amazing idea.

Tessa looked over at Bay's question. "I don't know, I've just been wandering really," she told him with a smile. "Getting to know the school as well as I can, mainly so I know my way around," she explained. Or before she had to leave it. Granted, she hadn't heard from her Dad, so there was a chance she wouldn't have to leave... she hoped.

"Oh good!" she teased, coming out of her thoughts. She laughed as he slapped her hands away. "Oh no! That was an ouch! Perhaps it needs medicine! Hmm, how to treat it?" she pondered.

"Exploring sounds like fun," she replied with a grin. She heard Lux's request and nodded, quickly casting the spell nonverbally to fill the cup. She had been meaning to practice that skill more.
Exploring seemed to be the decision, so she stood and dusted off her pants and her robes. "A hand up?" she offered, leaving it open for whoever took it first.

"That sounds like a great idea, lets wait for Ziggy to drink some water and then we will go explore." he said while feeling great that Ziggy was in such good hands. "Oh and if you want to you can have him over night tonight? he's a great little heater" he laughed.

Bay felt way better now and saw that everyone was up for an adventure and now that Ziggy had his water he saw Tessa hold out her hand, he didn't take it.. Lux would need it more than him because she has the little Pgymy Puff. Getting up Bay stretched his arms over his head and he heard a relieving crack. "ahh thats better"

Very happy that they were going to explore, Lux took the water from Tessa with a thanks, and started giving it to the thirsty little Puff. "Oh, can I really, Bay? I would love to have a sleep over with him." Ziggy was so cute, and she absolutely loved him.

When Ziggy was done drinking, she lovingly put him in her pocket feeling Bay wouldn't mind for the moment. Hopefully, the Puff would be quite content where he was, and not bounce away again.

Reaching out a hand, she helped Tessa up to her feet before jumping on Bay's back as soon as he had stood up. "Yeah, let's go now!"

After she had stood, Tessa stretched out her arms, back, and legs. She really wasn't one for sitting for a long time- especially on a cold stone floor. Feeling much more like herself, she grinned as Bay did the same thing.

Tessa helped Lux up with a smile, but laughed as Lux launched herself onto Bay's back immediately after getting up. She put a hand up to cover her giggles, but it didn't do much good. "Bay... I think you have a passenger," she teased with a grin. She turned, still giggling, to clean up the cup and the chocolate frog wrappers. She turned back toward them, dropping the minimized cup back into her bag. "So, where to?" she asked, still grinning at the sight of Lux on Bay's back.

"oh you sure can" he said reassuring Lux that he really meant for her to take Ziggy over night. Watching her let the little blue fur ball finish drinking she got up with Tessa's help. Once she was on her feet Bay started to walk. Then all of a sudden she was on his back. He didn't mind he scooped up her legs and started to bounce. "make sure your hands a tight." he said while giving a little bit of a Jog.

"The best kind of passenger" he said while jogging back to Tessa. "How about we go by the lake again?" he suggested. "so I can run free with my Cucumber on my back" laughing.

"YEEEHAWWW" he started to trot down the corridor.

Laughing, Lux made sure to hold onto Bay securely as he trotted down the corridor with her. This was so much fun, and she loved getting piggy back rides. "Faster, Bay! And come on, Tessa!" Still laughing, she tried to gently nudge him along. Later on, she would get Tessa to give her a ride!

"Off to the lake we goooo!"

Tobias BEAMED. See? Adelaide knew what he was about. She GOT him. She underSTOOD. He quickly recovered from his book-carrying exhaustion and no longer needed to lean up against the Teetering Tower, so thankfully stood back up straight again and bounced on the balls of his feel, just like he used to do.

"You play too, don't you?" Toby asked enthusiastically, even though he already knew the answer becauuussseeeee... "I watch the tryouts." Yup. All of them, if he could. Tobias liked to see how people flew. During Quidditch it was all about watching the actual games, after all.

Oooh. OWLs last year. So thaaaaat meant NEWT prep. Tobias didn't envy her at all. He'd snuck a peek at a few old NEWT papers and didn't really understand anything other than a few words in a few questions here and there. But he grinned again. And continued bouncing slightly, of course.

"Yeah," he nodded. "And so much stuff can happen so I thought it was probably a good idea to start early. Like in my first year with all the ice cream and dementor stuff? Imagine that happening in a big exam year." Even thinking about it made Toby want to crack open one of those books right now and start reading. But no. Socialising was happening. "I'd never get 12 OWLs if I don't prepare."

Was he rambling? He was probably rambling. The Hufflepuff smiled slightly bashfully and slowed his bouncing somewhat. "Sorry, I don't half go on a bit sometimes." A lot of people found it boring to talk about school in their spare time, especially since they all lived at school and attended lessons for too many hours a day. Gosh.