Tessa's grin widened. "Well, be assured that I will be the first to sign up for such a venture," she said with a nod. "And I'm sure we will be able to find others to join us."

Tessa saw Bay's grin and matched it. "Come on Cu," she said, turning the nickname into a nickname... "We won't tickle you any more!" She looked over at Bay and grinned again. It was like having siblings, and she loved it.

Christmas smiled and said "Well if you ever run out of sweets Lux i can always buy you something in Hogsmeade if you want you dont have to though"

Christmas smiled at Tessa and said "Yeah i am sure that others will be wanting to explore as well"

Oh he was ready for some adventures "Only if your going to be there" he stopped. looked around.. "Did I really just say that. OO MMYY GOD. I am getting to comfortable.. he starred blankly at his empty plate in front of him…. hopefully she didn't hear it.

"You will meet loads of new people Cucumber, your the best." he said and plus he was really happy that he had more than one person to distract him for his previous comment to Christmas.

"I know Cucumber.. but he's not scary at all.. your house has a Ghost too I believe" looking over to the Hufflepuff table, yup he spotted the Ghost.

"See.. not scary.."

"Oh I would defiantly loose that bet, I wouldn't eat that… so does this mean I would have to give you 10 chocolate frogs?" he asked Lux.

Bay loved that Tessa and him were on the same page. "I'll put my hands in my pocket" he said while taking them off the table and raising them high up in the air and then placing them slowly in his pockets "see no threat here" he said… He looked at Tessa "Atleast we found her weakness" giving Cucumber an evil playful grin.

Christmas smiled at Bay and said "Well i am going to be there" Christmas wasn't sure what it was with Bay asking her all these questions did he have a crush on her or what

Lux smiled wider at Christmas now. She was so sweet. "Thank you. "And you can have some of my Chocolate Frogs if you want." She did not mind doing exchanges with her friend, and hoped that Christmas had some really nice candies stored away.

Hearing Bay say something gross to Christmas, she gagged a little and wanted to erase her mind from it so she could forget that it just happened in front of her.

EWWWWWWW. EWW. EWW.

"Thanks, Bay. You are pretty amazing yourself. And you would owe me Chocolate Frogs, yes." Beam.

Eying both his and Tessa's hands, she figured that was as good an excuse as any. At least they weren't going to tickle her anymore. Feeling a little better about that issue, she was still worried about the ghosts. "Are you sure?" Glancing over at her table warily, she bit her lip. "Why are they even here if not to scare people?"

PHEW…

okay.. good.. she only asked him.. and it didn't seem like there any more questions.. "ohh thats great" he managed to spit out… so far so good.. but he really liked Christmas, how is a good way to ask her if she was seeing anyone and if she wanted to go on a date..

was it too soon… was it too early in their friendship…

Maybe he could spell it out in his pea's once the food got here. "What… PEAS… okay, I'm going crazy officially now" thinking of ways to do this was was gladly interrupted by Cucumber.


"Well, I don't have the chocolate frogs with me at the moment, would you take a payment plan" laughing because he knew she would eventually get all chocolate frogs but as he mentioned he didn't have anything with him and his parents made sure of that.

"Maybe when I go to Hogsmede I can buy you some?" hoping that will hold her, until she got them.

"They are here to educate and be helpful. they would know plenty of things about the school and history" he added for he knew how afraid she was of them… he patted her back.

Christmas smiled at Lux and said "I would love to have some chocolate frogs off of you Lux" Christmas was surrounded by a good bunch of people

Christmas smiled at Bay and said "Something got your tongue Bay" Christmas could tell that way when a boy liked a girl cause sometimes they had problems speaking

Lux was so happy that she had talk of Chocolate Frogs to distract her from Bay and Christmas, because her friends were seriously grossing her out. Especially Bay, who clearly had a crush on Christmas. Poor Christmas; she would die if a boy ever had a crush on her.

"That sounds like a good idea, Christmas. Maybe we can share the ones that Bay is going to buy me." Yes, she was satisfied with waiting for him to get her some at Hogsmeade. "I can wait until... well, I want them now, but I will wait for you, Bay." She could understand that he did not have any on him now, and she was trying to not be too greedy about it.

Oh. Well then. "You guys promise they won't do anything to me?" She would trust what her friends said if they promised, and the pat on the back was reassuring kinda..

Bay smiled when the girls were talking about chocolate, now he felt safe..

but…

Ohh.. hmmm.. "Yeah…. actually.." he trailed off. he moved closer to her but not enough for Cucumber to notice. "I was wondering if you would do me the honour of going on a date…with me" wow okay, Bay needed to learn some moves here, this is sad.. it was like he was asking Christmas to a grand ball.. wow… he instantly started to blush.


He turned to Cucumber. "of course you guys can share it" he smiled face still red as a tomato.

"I promise, cross my heart" he never liked to finish the last part of the saying and hopefully Cucumber will start to get over her fear of Ghosts.

Christmas smiled at Lux and said "Yeah i would like that Lux a lot" Christmas liked Lux a lot for some one so young

Christmas blushed and said "Well i have to think on it Bay i mean i have only just met you" Christmas did like Bay but she wanted to get to know him better before going out

Still ignoring the conversation they were having around her, Lux continued with the chocolate talk (though she did see Bay move more towards Christmas).

"We should have a party sometime! I heard there is a secret room in the castle that becomes whatever you want it to." So she was thinking that maybe if they found that room, they could all get together and hang out. Eat treats and have pumpkin juice.

"I will try to not be scared then, but I'm not sure if it will work." She was scared of ghosts, because the thought of the dead being among the living really freaked her out.

Bay had to think about Christmas's answer before giving a reply.. "it wasn't a no.. she just wants to get to know me better" he could live with that.. He did jump the gun on asking her out.. thats what you get for being a nervous teen boy.

He nodded "That seems fine with me.. we will just have to hang out a lot for you to get to know me better" he tried to have a straight face but he just kept on grinning because he was excited and nervous.

"PARTAY" Bay yelled… "Im so down for that Cucumber.. but I bet that room is really hard to find, if we do i'll be there with bells on" laughing.

"Don't worry I'm here to protect you, Tessa's here for you too.. and Adeline is around here somewhere but she's in your House she can keep an eye on you." reassuring her.

"Hey its been a while.. and students are everywhere… how many do you think there are?" asking Cucumber.

It had been a long, boring summer, the highlight had been her shopping trip to Diagon Alley. Blair had spent every moment desperate to be back at Hogwarts, that time was finally here.

Blair slowly made her way through the crowd of excited students. Catching sight of the scarlet and gold banner a broad smile spread across her face, she was home. Eventually reaching the Gryffindor table, she noticed a few lions had already taken their seats.

She took a seat and looked up and down the table, she didn't seem to recognise anyone. This was probably because most of her friends were from other houses. It was then she made the conscious decision to get to know her housemates better. Blair adjusted her signature headband then smiled at the others already at the table.

Just listen to him getting all literal. Bit of Ravenclaw in that one. She wondered how long it would take for him to grow it out. Couple years in Gryffindor? Couple months if he got on the Quidditch team? She liked the sound of the second one better. Faster results were always her thing. For now, she shrugged at him defending himself. It was of little consequence to her whether or not he followed people around so long as she wasn't involved. "Not a Puffer is a good look for you." She confirmed. "I don't mind running into you now that you're in my house and all so no complaints here." Were he in another house she probably wouldn't waste her time bumping into him unless he proved interesting to her. Being a Gryffindor he was on her radar by default.

Lex trained her hazel eyes on him, hoping against all else that he'd take the cookie bait and leave her chocolate frogs alone. She wasn't keen on sharing them with just anyone. It didn't help that he was a little person and she didn't like those particularly.

Okay. He said okay! Yes--.....eh? Two cookies she could do but the kid wanted two more of her chocolate frogs too? You had to be joking, this kid had to be missing a few screws. She would pretend he hadn't said that and instead dipped into her bag then fished out THREE cookies; one more than she promised, just to dazzle him or whatever.

"Here you go. Three and I've give you a fourth if you behave as nicely as you did in the train. When this is over I'll take you back to your Grandmum and you'll never come looking for me again. Okay?"

Ah see, she knew the people in her house and didn't know her. That was all the evidence she needed to know she was new and in need of intros. "Cool. Where are you transferring from?" They had tranfers mainly from Beauxbaton but there was a Durmstranger here and there.

"I dunno. I don't think I am." She answered honestly. "Fifth Year's all about the OWLs. I'm not too keen on those but if I think about it I guess I am in other respects." New badge and all. "What about you? New school and all, you excited?"

That was more like it. No need to be having a heart attack over a silly little question. Smiles were better in all cases...except two terms ago with that whole ice-cream disaster and EVERYONE happy. "Bri. Easy enough to remember. You sound awful excited." Lex commented keeping her expression light even as her mind drifted to the food. Elf cooking was amazing and though her father was a brilliant cook she liked this kind. "It's good, you should be. There's lots that can go on in a single year. Things you'd never believe!" Literally but Lex wasn't gonna scare her. Apparently Prefects weren't meant to spook the ickles.

That was always the big thing with 7th Years, wasn't it? Getting signed on to teams and going professional. It was a bit old hat if she did say so herself. There was more out there, but everyone could only think Quidditch. She'd never understand. "Interesting. What team? I had another friend go Pro after Hogwarts. It seems to be a thing." As much as she liked Quidditch, she'd have much preferred something else. Something more...edgy.

Lex had to pause for a moment, wondering if that was meant to be taken as a compliment or not. "Er....thanks?" Really, was it meant to be in a good way? "I guess I didn't expect it either."

The look on the younger lion's face when she saw the badge was a little funny if she was being honest. It was a look she'd been getting all day and was probably use to it by now? Yeah, a little anyway. So she was Prefect. It was gonna take some getting used to, on her part as well which was proof given the interesting conversation she had with Jun on the train. "I am! Yup! And have you talked to your brother yet? You have a long term ahead of you, wouldn't wanna miss out on the Greatest game ever invented, yeah? Besides, being on a team is a great way to make friends. You like friends, don't you?" Alice owed her at least a dozen chocolate frogs for allt he recruiting she'd been doing. Just saying.

She knew that voice anywhere.

Lex turned in her seat, being careful not to accidentally hit Ickle Bellaire in the eye or something with her elbow. "Abby!" Lex looked to the...er...survival kits with blatant curiosity. "Unless you got chocolate in there, I'm afraid you'll always be ill-prepared." She told her. Surviving was easy stuff once you had a burst of sugar to help you out. Seriously.

And one of the new ones saying hi. "Hi!" She responded with a grin. So she liked bew people, sue her. It was always exciting when the house got more people. That was more people to cheer for them in the stands with Quidditch, more people to remind her about homework. You know, the works. "I'm Alexa, you can call me Lex if you want." Considering more everyone else did anyway. "What year are you in?"

This one wasn't new at all. Nah, Lex has seen her around a few times. Shame she couldn't remember if they'd actually ever spoken before but there was no time like the present to correct that. "Helloooooooo you." Lex said, leaning on to the table and grinning over at her. "Not sure we've ever proper met. I'm Lex--Alexa, but you can call me Lex and you are?" Because being friendly was a thing, yup and she was doing it.

Laughing at Bay's excited outburst, Lux was happy that he really loved her idea. But then who would ever hate a party? As long as it wasn't a boring party or full of gross girly things, she was all down for it. "Oooh, that is true. But maybe Christmas knows where it is!" The older girl seemed to be rather experienced with getting around the castle, so there was always hope for that.

Protectors were nice. And he was right; maybe Adeline would help her out even though she had only met the girl and did not want to be a pain about anything. "Yeah, I think you guys would be great body guards." She laughed appreciatively.

Glancing around, Cucumber tried to guess but she didn't know. "I have no idea. What do you think?" She was so lame.

This Prefect sounded super nice, he knew they would get along. "Nice to meet you Lex.." a lot of people had nick names or short forms he loved it, made him fit right in.

"Im in my fifth year, my mother decided I should come to Hogwarts after homeschooling me for four years.." he sounded so happy. Finally out from his mothers wings that he could spread his own.

"Maybe she does. that would be great… but i heard its real tricky"

Bodyguards.. Bay liked the thought of that. "More like an overprotective older brother" he said

Looking around it was too much for him to count so he guess-ta-matied "hmmm.. theres got to be at least two thousand students… no that doesn't sound right.." he couldn't tell if there should be less or more.

Bay looked around.. "UHHHH Cucumber? I can't seem to find Ziggy." he said while trying to feel if he was in his hood in his robes? "can you check for me?"

She smiled as she saw Bri she hadn't seen her at the hat so maybe she was a lion after all.. "So give it to me straight, Gryffindor?" she said excitedly, she wanted a firstie to mentor, she couldn't help it. She would have been lost her first year without Lex. She glanced around, she still hadn't seen anyone that she recognized. Although, it looked like her house had gotten quite the luck with some cute boys. She would definitely have to find out who they were..

Of course Bay would like that idea, since he had a crush on Christmas and all. "Maybe one of the Professors or the Headmistress would know." She hadn't met the Headmistress or any of the teachers yet, and she hoped that they were friendly.

Awwww, she smiled at what he said about being an older brother. "That was just what I was thinking. And Tessa is like my older sister. But my real older sister isn't here." She sighed. She still missed Willa lots. She was going to send her an owl later as soon as she knew where the owlery was. "And it looks like there is a million people here." Or maybe it just seemed that way to her, because the tables were so crowded.

When he mentioned not being able to find Ziggy, she reached out to look in his hood. "I don't see him, Bay." :/

Bri was getting even more excited, if that was possible. She couldn't wait to explore the castle, and go to classes, though that did bring up a question. "Umm.. are the classes hard? Especially for a Muggleborn?" Bri asked

Mack seemed so excited, Bri hated to disappoint her but.... "Sorry, I was sorted into Hufflepuff." Bri replied, "We still be able to hang out often though, right?" Bri asked

There was someone else Mitchell met. "JerBear." the American greeted with a half smile and a nod.

...

...

Yeah. He said that. Heh. Food. That should happen now.

"Yeah? How many have you been to?" Mitchell asked. He imagined it would be hard always changing schools. Well. More than once. Once was doable. He was here because of a one time transfer.

He nodded. "Yeah. I was advised to read that book. We'll see if it happens." It probably wouldn't though.

Mitchell laughed a little when she said it really was a fun name. "Yeah. There were two other Mitchells in my class at my old school." Not at the same time. There was one during one grade and a different one in another grade.

So she was new too? "About twenty minutes." he replied with a half smirk. "Where were you before this?"

Mitchell knew who it was before even turning around. Why? Because there was only one person he knew that would do something like that.

"Hey there Goldilocks." Yeah. That nickname would do. "Sure did." he said moving closer to Lana to make room for her. "I take it you aren't a lion thing?"

"Sure is." Mitchell said. He actually liked having Lawn Gnome around. She was bubbly.

Of course, being a guy, he'd deny it. Guys didn't like little rays of sunshine following them around. Mitchell, however, was amused by such things.

"Dunno. Haven't done much so far." he replied. "Really? I came in some sort of weird horse drawn sleigh." The ones back home during Christmas were definitely more enjoyable.

Mitchell blinked. She was a little hyper wasn't she? And what exactly was a prefect? He was confused. It must have been a British thing.

"I'm Mitchell." the American boy replied. And she wasn't getting more information other than that.

Marigold flounced down next to Mitchell once he found her some room. Humph. He didn't seem at all surprised by her appearance, either. She didn't really care either way though.

WHAT WAS THAT NICKNAME?

"Goldilocks?" she said, nose wrinkling. "Real creative." That was sarcasm, Mitchie. "Funny, cuz I didn't miss you." More nose wrinkling and snarky comments. "A LION thing? You mean Gryffindor? Honestly, Mitchie, do you know ANYTHING about Hogwarts?"

"Oh. And no, I am not a 'lion thing.' I am a Hufflepuff, thank you very much."

Bay didn't want to start to panic. He stood up quickly and started to carefully put his hands in all of his pockets.. "he isn't in any of my pockets either.." he moved himself away from the table and got down on all fours.

Looking around under his seat and under the table he didn't seem to find him.. "What should i do.. Normally I'm not worried about him but there are too many people and I don't want him to get stepped on." sweat slowly pouring down his face.

Sighing, Lux reached into her pocket, extracting one of the treats she had from before on the train. She hadn't managed to give it to Ziggy yet, and maybe it would work to get him to come back.

"It's okay, Bay. He will come back. If nothing else, we can go to the Staff Table and ask someone there for help finding him." She did not want him to really start panicking. Bending so that her head was under the table, she held the treat out making what she considered to be beckoning sounds as she did so. "Come on, Ziggy. I have a yummy treat for you."

Survival kits? That sounded important. Lana raised her hand, looking for the girl that had yelled about the kits. "Me!" she called. "I'd like one please! And one for Mitchie too." Because she was worried about him.

Had she talked to her brother? Lana scrunched her face up. "I forgot," she answered truthfully. The one time he was at home she had been sent up to her room. And she had been too busy to call him or anything and ask. She had important big sister things to do now that she was the oldest sibling in the house. It was a job she took seriously.

Alexa kept talking, though. And the eleven year old listened intently. "Friends?" She repeated. She thought about it. "I do. And I already have some. You and Mitchie and Ascanius. Plus I've met loads of people." Just in case Lex was worried. Lana could hold her own, she could. "I'll write him," she decided, now talking about her brother. "And see what he says." Nod.

"Wasn't the hat brilliant? Did he talk to you? He didn't talk to me. I guess sometimes he talks but he didn't say anything to me. Just GRYFFINDOR." She did her best to imitate the sorting hat's deeper voice with the last word.

She supposed he was right about that. She hadn't done much either so far. Just the boat ride and the sorting. And the Gryffindor. "Carriage," she corrected automatically. "I get to ride one of those at the end of the year. You get to ride the boats again your last year, so that way it's special."

Ziggy was bouncing around on the floor, he smelt food but didn't know where it was coming from.. "Squeek.. squeak" he started making noise maybe his owner will find him..

so many feet…. left…and then right again… trying to go around the feet the smell of the food went away"

"Oh thats a good idea Cucumber…" he took a treat out of his pocket too.

Bay looked up and he thought he saw some blue but noticed it was someone's bag. "Maybe we should go to the staff table… maybe they have seen him?" he was starting to worry.