Debbie a caring woman? Just caring? Oh if she had met the woman. Botros nodded at that, though, and elaborated. "She has this sort of nature that makes her the most caring person in the world, but she has her ways of showing it. She tries to balance it all." The caring, the strictness, the emotions in general. And he did not believe he just talked about her in the present tense. It was good and sad at the same time. Botros just let it slide and continued with his light jogging.

He laughed at her surprised tone, and made a poking gesture with his hand without really poking her nose. "Believe it or not, I wasn't always old and wrinkly." He didn't blame them for having that original impression on him. It was quite normal... until you gave it a little realistic thought.

Botros listened to her intently as she spoke of herself, and it was the glint in his eyes that said how appreciative he was of her self-understanding and self-independence. Though he couldn't help but wonder what sort of experience led a young soul like herself to be like this, or was it simply her nature? "I'm positive your parents will be proud if they hear you talking about yourself like that. Older people don't even have that understanding of their nature." He had slowed down their jogging, because voices and other people.

Speaking of which, "Oh well, not yet. But I said we would after finishing this round, didn't I?" He grinned down at her. "OH! You think Miss... uhh.. Lottie is a fair racer?" He scratched his head and continued towards the group.

Louis was distracted from his letter when he spotted his right foot sporting a brand new hat. And just a second later, a blonde girl was taking it away. He looked up from his foot as she stood, waving the hat at him and apologizing. Louis merely blinked at her for a moment before laughing.

"No worries. You might want to consider a leash next time, though." 'Cause that hat seemed seriously determined to make a run for it. After a pause, the boy found it fitting to introduce himself. New school, new people, gotta be friendly right? "I'm Louis Bolton, by the way. Gryffindor."

Botros spoke so fondly of his late wife, and painted such a visual image of her that Dora couldn't not imagine what she looked like. Picturing her out in the gardens, and being caring with him. Caring with strangers. It put a small smile on face. "I wish I could have met her." She said honestly. It would have been nice for both of them to have her on this walk with them.

"I believe it." Her smile turned to a grin when she glanced up at him. "I just didn't take you for the quidditch playing type, professor. They tend to be a bit mad for the sport." And other things. She personally liked them that way.

There was a twitch in her grin as lessened, but Dora schooled her face nonchalant and shrugged dismissively at his comment. "My grandmother raised me." That didn't even brush the surface of her past, but it was enough to at least explain that she didn't have parents in her life. "She's proud though." Right? Dora herself wasn't too certain on these things like she once had been.

He did? Dora must have had a mental blackout when he spoke of such races. "I'll only race you on a broom, professor." She'd still lose, but at least then she wouldn't be out of breath. "Lottie is.... smart." Which meant she didn't really have to be a fair racer to win.

Laughing was a good sign, yes? Meant he wasn't too bothered. That was good.

Ella laughed too, at the leash comment. "I'll keep that in mind." Or she'd just stop wearing hats. She'd been conflicted on the subject anyway cause of hat hair and who wanted that, right? Not this blonde, that was for sure. Oh and introductions were happening? Mmkay. "Hey Louis, I'm Ella Bishop. Hufflepuff. Head Girl...person." Could he tell she wasn't used to the title yet?

"So...you new here?" Curious smiles for you, L.B.

Oooh. Head Girl person, huh? Fancy title. Louis was familiar with the titles of Head person and Prefect, though he didn't really know all the details. But didn't they get their own bathrooms or something? "So you're like the V.I.P. of Hufflepuff, eh?" he asked, eyebrow raised. Was he supposed to treat her differently? Like a professor or something? He wasn't sure.

As the girl who'd just introduced herself as Ella asked if he was new, Louis nodded his head. "It's that obvious?" Or maybe she was just very familiar with every hundredth face in the castle. "This is my first term here, yeah." He looked around at his surroundings for a second before returning his gaze to her. "It's pretty nice."

V.I.P? Ella considered this for a moment or two before cracking a smile. "Never thought of it like that." And it was amusing to imagine anyone giving her, Ella Bishop, some kind of special treatment. She was just Ella. "No one treats me different cause of this thing," She said thoughtfully, flicking the badge pinned to her jacket. "Which is a relief. I don't think I'd like it much if they did." Shrug.

"Just haven't seen you around before, is all. I like to people watch so I just took a guess." He didn't scream 'new kid' if that's what he was worried about. She was going to ask him how he liked the place too but he'd already answered that. "It is nice. Has a certain something, yeah?" And Ella looked around too before her green eyes settled back on the boy.

"People being nice and all? I could go all Head Girl on them if they're not." Joking, she was. Ella wasn't the intimidating type. She did hope that Louis felt welcome, though.

"But wouldn't it be nice if they did?" Louis asked as Ella expressed relief over not being treated differently. "You could probably get the other students to do your bidding. Free cookie deliveries from the kitchen directly to your own dorm." He'd definitely enjoy that. But he could see why Ella had been given the position - she wasn't eager to abuse her power.

"People-watch?" he repeated with a raised eyebrow, laughing lightly at her choice of words. "Is that... part of the job or just something you do for fun?" He'd heard of bird-watching, but not this...

As the older girl asked if people had been nice to him, Louis nodded his head with a smile. "Very. Everyone's been great," he replied, chuckling softly at her comment about going 'all Head Girl' on mean students. "I'll keep that in mind, though, if I bump into anyone rude."

"My dorm isn't too far from the kitchen." Grin. "Besides, I'm not one to want attention. I'm more of a behind the scenes kind of girl, I guess." At least that's always how she'd pictured herself. Not star of the play but stage crew...or something. Gran was better at acting analogies.

"Mhm." Was that a weird hobby or? The blonde sincerely hoped that admitting she liked to observe her classmates didn't make her some kind of creep. She smiled sheepishly before replying, "A little of both, I guess? It helps to know who the troublemakers are. Y'know, in case anything comes up." And she had a little mental list of those kids. Mhm. "You're not a trouble maker, are you?"

"I'm glad they have been." And for the most part, Ella found people here to be extremely kind. At least they had been to her. "You do that." Nodnod.

Miroslava's words soothed his intense feelings for his wife, he appreciated them and gave her a touched smile. "She used to hear about my students often. She'd meet some, too. When we were in Egypt, we were foreigners and my students would invite us out on weekends." Remembering those days now seemed like another lifetime. Funny how time went by.

He laughed at her choice of words. "You're right. Well, I was pretty much into it back in the day. All this youth energy has got to turn to a productive force." So instead of going about pulling pranks and annoying his professors, he went into Quidditch.

Botros' face expressions softened when understanding dawned on him. Another one who lacked the protective shell of parents. He smiled quickly when she spoke of her grandmother. "A parent is the one who raises you." He offered.

On a broom? Was that a challenge? "Alright! We'll go broom racing later then."The excitement looked funny on his face but he meant it. "Bring your friends too!" Audience or racers. There was this strange strength that coursed through him lately that made himwant to go out there and do all sorts of things. "Smart?" He questioned her choice of words here too.

Mo accepted the cup of cocoa gladly, although he used it as much to warm his hands as for sipping. Mmm... warm!good cocoa. Cat was still bouncing, but then, Cat was always bouncing. Merlin help her if she ever started to feel as creaky and decrepit as Mo, because he couldn't bounce to save his life today. The cold was just getting to him, making him ache inside.

"I'd look just like a snowman if I was more bundled," Mo complained, although he tightened the scarf around his neck and grinned at Cat in appreciation It was noted that she was loaning him his own clothing now. She probably had as much of it as he did, considering her penchant for borrowing. "So. Snowman? Or an igloo?" At least he had gloves.

"You would be a very cute snowman, though." Cat made eyes at him and fluttered her lashes and generally flirted in his direction. She was just so happy to have her arm back, and she felt like she needed to do something awesome for Mo since he'd been so helpful to her. Thinking about that. Thinking.

"I'd like to build a snowman, but an igloo sounds like super fun. Could we sit in it?" And maybe kiss in it? Hehehehe. Cat reached for Mo's hand and tugged him to a snow-y-er spot. "Perfect place for our snowman."

A behind the scenes kinda gal? Well, that explained the people-watching. Louis listened as she explained the reason why she really watched the other students. Given her title, it made sense. But as she asked if he was one of the troublemakers, the Gryffindor boy chuckled and shook his head. “Not at all. But if I was, I wouldn’t go ahead and confess, would I?” he replied mysteriously. Then turned totally serious. “No I’m really not, though.” He didn’t want to go and get in trouble now for making bad jokes.

Louis watched the older girl for a moment. She seemed so collected and mature. “So have you been coming to Hogwarts since your first term?” Was that a requisite to become Head Person, maybe?

Was The Gryffindor Prefect Amplifying her voice!?!?!

Great now he really needed to win. Incase this attracted attention Orsino could not be seen losing to a Kid less than half his age. "HERE I COME!" Orsino belted out. Slowing to a stop, then getting to a starting position once more. leaning into his left knee, and his fingertips barely touching the ground. Get ready to witness the legged Freight Train. Just before Lotus Wisteria was out of sight, Kirby pushed off. The tips of his toes launching him off the Pathway, and digging up dirt behind him. The Groundskeeper was closing the distance between him and the Hufflepuff, but he'd need to take the lead now. Hopefully just seeing the Giant Man running at her really fast would scare her enough to slow her down.

Problem was he was only good at this in short distances.

"Good point." Smart guy, Lewis was. She smiled at him and tilted her head as if sizing him up. It was good to hear he wasn't one of the ones she'd need to watch out for, though. "That's a relief. I think we have a fair share of those already." Especially some of the younger kids. Clever, sneaky, and up to know good. She'd witnessed them in action and she was sort of in awe and slightly impressed.

Was he watching her? Ella bit her lip and tried to act normal. Not that she hadn't been before but it was just something you thought about more when people were looking at you, y'know? She didn't have anything on her face, did she? O__O Wiping at her cheek absently, she nodded her head. "I have, yeah. Bit of a surprise given my family are muggles. It definitely took some getting used to."

"Sounds like you've got your hands full," Louis commented casually as Ella shared that Hogwarts already had its fair share of little troublemakers. "But your job would probably get a little boring if it wasn't for them, eh?" Not much fun in being Head Girl if there were no troublemakers to chase, was there?

Oh? So she was Muggleborn.
"I can't imagine," the Gryffindor said honestly, his eyebrows raising slightly. "My mum's a muggle, but everyone in my dad's side of the family is either a witch or a wizard." It was a nice balanced mix, the boy felt pretty familiar with both worlds. "How did your family take it when you started making things levitate without muggle magic tricks?" he asked, curious.

Nodding, that was happening. She did have her hands full but it wasn't so bad. Besides, the other student leaders did a brilliant job of keeping an eye on their housemates so it wasn't as if she didn't have help. The eighteen year old smiled at his next comment, agreeing completely. "And boring isn't much fun." So she really couldn't complain. Well not too much, anyway.

Half-blood, then? Ella listened intently, wondering what it would have been like to grow up with a magical parent. She wouldn't have had as many questions going into her first year, that was for sure. "So you were prepared for all this, huh?" The magical stuff. The badger's face fell a bit at Louis' question and she looked down at her hands, busying them by playing with the runaway hat. "My Gran was fascinated. Dad, he was a bit shocked but supportive, y'know? I think my mom...just saw it as some kind of burden." Shrug. Her eyes left the hat and traveled back up to the boy's face, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I wouldn't change it though, y'know?" Being a witch. It was, for lack of a better word, magical.

Hope had managed just fine, thanks for NOT asking. Not that she cared. In fact, she had felt proud of herself for managing to make it all the w ay out here with the tank in tow and the bass swimming happily around. She had a little discomfort and her arms were going a little numb, but she was quiet content with that feeling. She wanted to stop and run her finger over the scales just once or twice, but she had made a promise to get the fish safe and sound to the CoMC Professor. Maybe then she could pet the bass. After all, she would want to report back to Professor Airey that all was well with his beloved pet.

She hadn't said anything to the extremely large man that had insisted upon BABYSITTING her to the office. In fact, she was still a little mad that he had inferred that she was a CHILD! She was no such thing. Would a child be helpful in the time of need? Probably not. And that was what made her different. NOT a child. With a huff, she shifted the tank a bit trying to reduce some of the numb feeling and back tingles, but still not giving up.

Okay, it was getting cold. And Caelen wasn't a fan of the cold. It made it hard to walk around without seven layers of protective gear on top of your already warm clothes. And even though that was an exaggeration, the little redhead had a point. At least, in her mind it was correct.

And she had to save any leftover sweets before they froze or got accidently eaten by squirrels. Because she hid some sweets in a small wooden box behind one of the trees, but she wasn't exactly sure what tree. And her candy supply was getting low. This was high on the list of the things the small girl did NOT have time for.

At least the weather was slightly nice. Besides the whole cold thing, but she wasn't sure if you could exactly blame winter on that. Really, it was kinf of Mother Nature's fault right? Or just the way the seasons went. The Earth points away from the sun and all of that jazz.

Anyway, she walked along the path, because even if she didn't find her candy -though she was walking until she did- it was nice to take one last walk before it got too cold to do anything. And she wanted to write another letter. As if she didn't already write hudreds of those. About twenty pages were torn out of her journal and many more were filled with newspaper clippings and pictures of a chess board. Because that was the thing she got in letters. Not 'I love you's' she got newspaper clippings and chess board pictures.

And that reminded her. She needed to send a letter back to Spencer about the game. Because after about two days of on and off planning, the redhead finally knew where to go. And she might actually win the game this time. At least she hoped so. Because she barely won any over the summer. Caelen just didn't have the chess skills.

She looked around as she walked, now humming a little tune of her own to pass the time. It wasn't like the pathways scared her, because she was here many times, but she knew it would take a while to get the candy and write the note and the child wanted to keep herself good company. Because it wasn't like that was a crazy thing to say or anything.

Winter was in the air!

You could feel it creeping into the castle walls and corridors. The snow had yet to fall down on the grounds, but it probably wasn't far off. Orsino could probably venture a guess as to when the first snow would come. Leo would ask the big man when he saw him at dinner.

Clad in a thick coat, gloves, sturdy pants, comfortable shoes and with a cap on top of his unruly curls the librarian headed out of the castle with a book under his arm. Leo walked aimlessly for a while before he came into the pathways where he spread out a blanket and sat down under a beech tree.

Shivering, Lux huddled in her jacket, trying to get as much warmth as possible as she made her way along the pathways. Why was it so cold when it hadn't even snowed yet? Picking up her pace, she hoped that it would warm her up better.

Oh, hello, librarian. Spotting the man sitting under a tree with a book, she became curious, stopping in front of him. "What you reading?" Bouncing a little as she stood there.

Text Cut: you two!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

And they were off which meant Lex was off! The Gryffindor leaned forward on her broom being sure to keep an even pace with them even as she flew a bit closer to the ground. With her watching the races she would hardly be paying attention to the branches and Merlin knew Lex had a way bumping into things!

The girl had one hand firm on the broom and the other now with her wand to cast a quick sonoros.

Ahem. "Gonna be an interesting race today folks," She was obviously aware of the lack of spectators and the like but that didn't have to kill the mood and in fact it didn't. Not for her anyway, "We've got the wall of muscle facing off against the super fast Hogwartian that happens to where yellow robes. All coinsidental of course! Now as we approach the first big tree we see Lottie in front--obviously was there ever a question of this?? Hang in their Kirby, you can do it!" Moral support because he let them call him Kirby, see?

Though honestly, neither looked to be taking the race that seriously. Was she wasting her time flying up here or what??

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

Was The Gryffindor Prefect Amplifying her voice!?!?!

Great now he really needed to win. Incase this attracted attention Orsino could not be seen losing to a Kid less than half his age. "HERE I COME!" Orsino belted out. Slowing to a stop, then getting to a starting position once more. leaning into his left knee, and his fingertips barely touching the ground. Get ready to witness the legged Freight Train. Just before Lotus Wisteria was out of sight, Kirby pushed off. The tips of his toes launching him off the Pathway, and digging up dirt behind him. The Groundskeeper was closing the distance between him and the Hufflepuff, but he'd need to take the lead now. Hopefully just seeing the Giant Man running at her really fast would scare her enough to slow her down.

Problem was he was only good at this in short distances.

Of course! Of course! It wasn't enough that she could be genuinely loud without any sort of spell, no, Lex had to amplify her natural loudness, because that wouldn't get ANYONE distracted, right? RIGHT?!

Granted, she smirked a little and thanks to that distraction she was able to notice whatever the wall of muscle was doing. No. Just no. He wasn't going to win this. Many thanks to her bestie for the distraction right now. She WILL NOT slow down. Constant Vigilance! This girl wasn't easily scared, unless you happened to summon something yellow (or large proportions, of course), or something of the like. Other than that... well, not even dementors could stop her.

Faster, she started to run faster as she started to lose sight of Kirby. Perhaps if he tried that little trick of his again he might win, perhaps. But the way things were going...

...Lotus would be winner.

Miss Wisteria, actually.

Was Kirby just cruising? That's what it looked like from where she sat on her broom. Lottie had a comfortable lead, in fact she had more than that. It didn't even look like he was trying...until she started her announcing? See that? People couldn't take things seriously unless there were announcers! She'd JUST proven this fact right here and Tyner should have been around to see and approve and tell her she could have her OWN mic when Quidditch season started and she got to commentate.

Oh, wait, huh? :What do we have here? It looks like the wall of solid muscle has decided to begin the race again? Not very wise if you ask me, all that time spent crouching could have been better used to get at a certain Hogwartian--hold that chocolate frog everyone, Kirby is BOUNDING across the pathways!!"

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hdbgfjkdgdgiys!!!!!

RUN LOTTIE!!! He was gonna pummel her with his big monster steps and monster legs!!! OI! She still needed her Bestie after this race was done thank you!!!

"Lottie's doing a good job of maintaining first--that's it Lottie, don't think about the pile driver gaining speed!!! And in this shocking turn of events Kirby actually speeds up beyond what we imagined. Good thing we never dared him to catch us in the forest." Though that possibly wasn't something one yelled over a sonoros charm. Ahem. "But he hasn't caught up yet. This race could go either way. My chocolate frogs are on my bestfriend." On account of if Lottie made her lose her chocolate frogs she'd probably buy her some new ones...so yeah...

Sitting with his legs crossed on the blanket, a book in his lap and some sun on his face Leo was enjoying the day outside. He had just gotten to the middle of the first chapter when a shadow fellow over the page. Leo looked up as a red-headed girl approached dressed smartly in a jacket for warmth. "Good day, Miss?" he greeted. Holding the book up to show the front he explained with a smile. "I'm reading a new adventure novel to see if it's worth recommending for you and your peers to read."

Pulling out a bookmark from his right inside pocket Leo placed it in the book as he leaned his back against the tree. "Do you feel it? The snow is coming very soon."

Waving, Lux smiled down at the librarian. "Hello, I am Lux." And without further comment, she joined im on the blanket because why not? Hopefully he wouldn't mind and tell her to leave or be mean or anything. Librarians were supposed to be niiice.

"Oooh, that sounds like a lot of fun. I love adventure books. I want to read it." There he already had recommended it to someone without even trying. She did love to read lots of different genres though she had never tried romance because it involved kissing... which seemed less and less gross to her.

Crossing her legs, Lux shivered a little and was not sure if she wanted to think of the fact that snow was going to fall. While she did enjoy playing in snow, it also meant that it would be even colder. And icy. Bleh. She wanted icky weather to stay away from her. "Do you have snow senses? Or is it...obvious?" Maybe she was missing something here?

"Pleasure to meet you Lux," Mr Ktridge smiled up at young girl blocking the sun from his view. He wasn’t in the least surprised when Lux plopped down on the blanket next to him under the tree. Conversing would be odd if Lux had decided to remain standing while he remained sitting. Leo lifted the book up from his lap and held it out to Lux with a grin. "Here you can look at the book if you want? I just got it in a fresh book shipment from Flourish & Blotts." Lux seemed genuinely interested and if she read the book and wrote a short book report about it Leo wouldn’t have to.

It seemed like a nice way to start off the day even if he had intended to read the book. Pulling his coat a little closer in the chilly air Leo glanced sideways at Lux and shook his head warmly. "No, no I’ve got no snow senses. It’s just a feeling I have. Doesn’t it seem like the nature around us is preparing for winter? The birds have stopped singing."

"So what kind of books do you like to read Lux aside from adventure novels?"