Wow. This girl was good. Being a fan of the Dead Kneazles taught her to respect a good voice when she heard one, which was now. She stayed outside, not wanting to disturb the song.

But then the girl called to her. Nervously stepping inside, she ran a hand through her hair. "Sorry. I didn't want to stop you. You're really good." GEEZ. Marigold bit the inside of her cheek. She didn't recognize this girl at all. Maybe she was new this year? With an awkward shift of her weight to her right leg, she suddenly blurted out, "I'm Marigold, by the way."

... Hi?

Bliss peered around inquisitively. Surely the source of the noise would reveal themselves soon enough. All she had to do was .. wait. Then, almost right of que, a nervous looking girl stepped up the last few steps and came inside. "You mean to say you were outside ... on the ladder, this whole time?" Bliss blurted, eyes widening. Geez. It was a good job she hadn't fallen or something. "I, um, appreciate that, but you could have still come up," she said gently. Really. Bliss didn't bite at all. "Oh. Thanks." It had been a while since she'd received a compliment on her singing or guitar playing - she liked to think that was because no one had heard her play for a long while - it felt nice.

Ohhh .. and the girl had a name.

"Pleasure to meet you, Marigold. You have a really lovely name," she informed the younger girl, smiling warmly down at her. At a guess, Bliss would assume the girl was a third year ... or a tall second year .. or a short fourth year. There really was no telling really. Now onto her introductions. "I'm Bliss," she said after a moment and that was really all she could say about herself. There really wasn't that much to say. "I like jellybeans." Oh .. and that.

Rope ladders. She smiled glad she was sensible enough to wear pants instead of skirts. She wasn't comfortable in skirts, not that she didn't own any but she wore her pants more often, so often the hems of the legs were frayed and had permanent creases and dirt stains that the elves either didn't care to work at, or that their magic couldn't fix. No worries, she didn't care about things like that.

She didn't wear a robe either, it also go in the way, she felt that things were suppsoed to be easy and comfortable. She couldn't imagine falling while wearing a skirt, how embarrassing. When she wore skirts, she wore the thickest stockings and not knee high socks she'd seen some girls in. She didn't want her knickers out with a strong gust of wind or a clumsy misstep.

Up the rope ladder she went, a bit rocky at first but that made her grin and try harder till with a huff, she was clambering into the space and rolling onto her back with a satisfied grin. "Brill." She took a moment before rolling to her knees and pushing herself to stand.

Adeline felt like today was a good day to walk around the castle and have a free day of not doing any homework at at all. Adeline wore her favorite grey and white oversized hoodie, she was still feeling kinda blah but her cold was going away so that was good and she was glad that she could finally get out the common room for the first time in nearly a week. Colds are the worse, she managed to go to Quidditch practice the other day and flying around actually made her feel better and not think about having a cold.

Adeline walked down to the grounds, she wasn't sure where she wanted to go but she would wander and see where her legs would go. Adeline looked up and grinned. The seventh year hadn't been to the treehouse in months. The Badger jumped up and down a little. This was actually making her happy the only thing that would make her happier is if her boyfriend was here with her.

Training training and more training not like the seventh year minded it much. It was all part of the game right? He had his training routine down pack but now he threw it into overdrive with the last match of his Hogwarts career looming he just had to play in it. Asher was worn completely out after running the premier of the lake as far as he could go and around the edge of the forbidden forrest. He was now doing a jog across the the grounds back up to the castle when something.....no someone caught his eye. The same girl who always caught his eye. Adeline, Who was walking up to the tree house.

He stopped and watched her for a few minutes.He walked on over to her. Snook behind behind her and wrapped his arms around her "Hey, Adel." He grinned as he squeezed her lightly.

Even though Adel was a little cold it was still very nice outside for once. It was sunny and the leaves were growing on the trees and flowers were starting to bloom. It was going to be great. Adeline crossed her arms and looked up at the tree house. The seventh year pulled at her sleeves, she was cold all of a sudden. Adeline shrugged the feeling off and started to walk up to tree house. Adeline pushed her hair behind her ear. Sweat? Gross. Who was that? She ran her hands along the arms. It was just Asher. She sighed in relief. She didn't want some creepy guy just wrapping her arms around her. If she didn't know it was Asher then she would have kicked him in a place where it hurts but it was Asher and all was right in the world.

Adeline smiled and rested her head against his chest. She really hoped that he was going to run through here. "ASHER!" she grinned. Maybe having his arms around her was bad because he was all sweaty. "Gross, you're all sweaty."

Vesper planned to sketch the trees today...and everyone knew that the best view of said trees could be seen from the treehouse. Up in the actual treehouse, that is. She'd done this before, too...and hadn't fallen out to her death. So, it was worth a second visit...in her opinion.

Climbing up the ladder, the Ravenclaw tossed her bag up first, hearing the familiar clunk as it connected with the treehouse floor. There wasn't anything too valuable in it...So, she wasn't too concerned with manhandling said bag. Stepping up the last few steps, she peeked around and beamed. No one to bother her today. Lovely.

Breaking out her supplies, Ves started setting up, getting her notebook ready...as well as her shading pencils. She'd made good use of Marcus' Christmas gift from the year before. It'd been a thoughtful one...and probably one of her favorites to date. Excluding her calligraphy set from her father, of course.

As she swung her legs out over the side of the treehouse...she seen she wasn't alone. Vesper wasn't upset about seeing Lottie, though. Lottie was one of the few people she didn't mind spending time with...Ves liked her very much.

"Lottie, didn't see you there." She beamed. "Reading anything good?" Though, to be honest, she didn't really look like she was reading...

Text Cut: ^_^

Quote:

Originally Posted by Govoni

Vesper planned to sketch the trees today...and everyone knew that the best view of said trees could be seen from the treehouse. Up in the actual treehouse, that is. She'd done this before, too...and hadn't fallen out to her death. So, it was worth a second visit...in her opinion.

Climbing up the ladder, the Ravenclaw tossed her bag up first, hearing the familiar clunk as it connected with the treehouse floor. There wasn't anything too valuable in it...So, she wasn't too concerned with manhandling said bag. Stepping up the last few steps, she peeked around and beamed. No one to bother her today. Lovely.

Breaking out her supplies, Ves started setting up, getting her notebook ready...as well as her shading pencils. She'd made good use of Marcus' Christmas gift from the year before. It'd been a thoughtful one...and probably one of her favorites to date. Excluding her calligraphy set from her father, of course.

As she swung her legs out over the side of the treehouse...she seen she wasn't alone. Vesper wasn't upset about seeing Lottie, though. Lottie was one of the few people she didn't mind spending time with...Ves liked her very much.

"Lottie, didn't see you there." She beamed. "Reading anything good?" Though, to be honest, she didn't really look like she was reading...

Why, of course Lottie was able to hear this person joining her close-by. But lost in thought, she forgot to check who it was. GRANTED, she knew it wouldn't have been Branxton, because he wouldn't be able to climb this high without breaking his hip or something, so it was alright, whoever it was. Mainly because they weren't interrupting her.

AND THEN THEY SPOKE, a bright smile was given to the latest addition to the tree house. "Hey, Vesper," she even turned to face the girl, and... we wonder, the notebook for sketches is not the same as the notebook she writes stuff in, right? "Not really. It's Herbology," she made a face. Sure, she likes plants and trees and flowers, but this is the one class she finds slightly... boring. It just didn't click with her somehow. "One would think I'd actually like it...," she trailed off, it wasn't even worth it finishing the sentence.

"How's one-of-my-favorites band member doing?" Technically, three of all four were her favorites, but this was still pretty special. "You still need to teach me how to do what you did with the roses." Nod, nod. You know, on her arm and stuff.

The Slytherin chuckled for a few minutes. Hehe now she had sweat on her. She should start getting used to it. He was going to be coming home from practice all sweaty well maybe not he'd probably take a shower before he comes home but yet.

"how's my favorite girl?" Well one of his favorites family counted in that too.

Adeline tried to pull herself away from him but what would be the use if she succeeded, she already had his stinky sweat all over herself. Gross. Really Asher, really? This was one of those moments where Adeline really wanted to rest her head against his chest but she couldn't because he was all gross. Adeline looked up at him and shook her head. He really could use a bath or a shower...or...both. Adeline nodded to herself because she knew that he didn't know what she was thinking but then again they really knew each other really well so maybe Asher had a clue as to what she was think.

She rolled her chocolate brown eyes at him. "I was great until you got me all sweaty." The seventh year said with a tiny almost not even noticeable smirk on her pale face.

"Escaping the castle." Truth. Mhm.

As Vesper began doing some base work on her tree sketches, she smiled over at her Hufflepuff companion. Herbology....The only thing that Ves had gotten excited about concerning that particular subject had been the Topiary Garden. For artistic reasons. "I'm putting off that assignment." Another truth. This was probably why her grades failed so hard. Vesper struggled in remaining focused and motivated.

Sigh.

She was a terrible Ravenclaw, she knew.

"Oh, yea." She'd just began detailing bark..."It's not that hard..."...if she could do it, Ves wanted to add...but didn't. She wasn't trying to fish for compliments. "What are you doing tomorrow? I could show you then...Or maybe even later tonight?"

Text Cut: Ves!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Govoni

"Escaping the castle." Truth. Mhm.

As Vesper began doing some base work on her tree sketches, she smiled over at her Hufflepuff companion. Herbology....The only thing that Ves had gotten excited about concerning that particular subject had been the Topiary Garden. For artistic reasons. "I'm putting off that assignment." Another truth. This was probably why her grades failed so hard. Vesper struggled in remaining focused and motivated.

Sigh.

She was a terrible Ravenclaw, she knew.

"Oh, yea." She'd just began detailing bark..."It's not that hard..."...if she could do it, Ves wanted to add...but didn't. She wasn't trying to fish for compliments. "What are you doing tomorrow? I could show you then...Or maybe even later tonight?"

Escaping the castle. Well, that was honest, and brought a small smile to the fifth year's face. A fifth year who wouldn't question her, though, there are many reasons why it was acceptable for Vesper to escape the castle and Lottie was certain neither included her, so, she didn't ask, she simply nodded.

As far as the assignment goes, "Understandable." When it came to Herbology this girl didn't go the extra mile. AT ALL. Same thing happens with Charms, only after Ivy Knox left Hogwarts. It had more to do with the Professor than the class, whereas Herbology was the other way around. She quite likes Bentley.

ANYWAY. The sooner the better. "I'm free tonight...," though there was a pause, because she was just making sure. No study sessions with Lex or Delilah. No study sessions AT ALL, because she was done with all the study for her OWLs. Weirdo. So, "We can do it later, then." She nodded. Bright smile. Her eyes on the sketch Vesper was making and her mind somewhere else...

...somewhere else she decided to bring up because the only other person who Lottie knew could draw (and very well) besides herself was sitting right in front of her. "You know I help with the yearbook's layout and photos, yeah?" How come Vesper wasn't in that section with her? Off topic. "I'm actually gonna do a course on that and illustration this summer. In New York." Mmmhmmm. Lottie was more abstract in her drawings, though, except when it came to anything remotely related to Astronomy.

Either way, this was her uncle's idea, Lottie-approved and... she hadn't told a soul about it until now...

Ana needed to escape from indoors. She'd been cooped up too much lately, first with her self-imposed studying and then being stuck in bed with a cold she couldn't shift and she'd started going stir crazy. Now that she was feeling better all she wanted to do was be outdoors for a while and not worry about her studies or anything else. Not that she'd likely be successful with that since OWLs were only getting closer as the days passed, thus increasing her anxiety over them. It was probably lucky she hadn't had an attack yet. Though she felt like she'd have one if she didn't find a distraction soon.

Being outside was helping though and she'd been trudging through the grounds for a while now, taking in the beauty of everything around her. Although now all she wanted to do was sit down and rest for a bit and write a letter to her siblings. With that in mind Ana made her way to the Treehouse, climbing up the ladder and making her way to a couch. The very couch she'd been sitting on when she met Terry. She smiled slightly sadly at the thought, she hadn't seen her boyfriend for much too long. She'd gone looking for him earlier in the day but had been unable to find him. Ana would look again later though, and hopefully when she did she'd be able to catch him.

"O-ohhh, my pooooor heart, where has iiit gone?" Fern sang to herself softly, "It's left meeee for a spell~"

Legs pulled up, chin resting on her knee, the 12-year-old put another coat of dark orchid polish on her left pinky toe. She was perched on one of the balcony's couches, her robe, shoes, and socks discarded on the floorboards. It was a nice Spring day, and she was tired of being holed up in her dorm room. With Toby and Kace belonging to Hufflepuff as well, the common room was no longer a place where she could openly relax. Not that it had been near the end of last term either, what with Forrest being a jerk.

Having wandered around the grounds for a bit, getting some fresh air into his lungs, the Slytherin decided to go find his girlfriend. Knowing that she wasn't in the common room, Terry headed automatically towards the Treehouse where they had first met. He knew she liked this place and it was most likely where she had been hiding. Her revision for her OWL's had got so frequent that he barely got to see her. He couldn't complain though, it was to do with her future and he was sure she'd give him the same freedom when it came to his NEWT's next year.

Climbing up towards the top, he pulled himself up and his eyes automatically fell upon the girl sat on that sofa. "Hello stranger" he smiled, sitting next to her and kissing her cheek softly. "Have you taken a short break?" he asked wrapping one arm around her and tilting his head at a slight angle. "And are you feeling any better?" He was glad to see that she had come out for fresh air, it was good for you after all. He was getting a little worried with all this being cooped up in the dungeons business. As amazing as the Slytherin commoon room was, it wasn't particularly uplifting when you felt a little ill. Hidden underneath the lake and a little dark, it was the complete opposite of the outside. Plus the weather wasn't too bad either.

Leah climbed up the long ladder to the tree house. One of her greatest ambition was to live in a tree house, so it was not bad to come up here more often. The interior was bigger than what it looked like, just like most other magical buildings did.

A soft singing voice could be heard from a balcony. Somehow the sound was familiar, but Leah could not remember who it was. She headed up and saw an older girl singing while polishing her toenail. Orchid. Nice choice of color.

As Leah walked near, she realized who the other girl was. It was that annoying second-year Hufflepuff who shoved her at the staircase. Well, she had concluded that they were even now. Hoping that the other girl was thinking the same thing, she approached her. "Mind if I sit here?" She asked, sitting down next to her. "Could I borrow some nail polish? I could do with tidying up my toenail."

Fern was in her zone.

Her toe-nail-painting-me-time-zone. Emphasis on the me-time.

She was not expecting any intrusion into her zone, but she should have known better. Actually, she should have been thankful. The sudden question only caused her hand to slip a little, getting polish on her actual toe. Had the interruption been caused by Cuthbert, it would have probably resulted in her getting polish on all her toes and undoubtedly her face as well.

But Fern wasn't thinking this through, so she raised her head to snap, 'NO!' at the - THE GIRL! THE GIRL WHO SHOVED HER! LEAH THE HUFFLEPUFF! WHO WAS JUST ASSUMING FERN WOULD HAVE SAID YES AND WAS TAKING A SEAT ON HER COUCH!

AND WAS ASKING FOR NAIL POLISH!

WITHOUT SAYING PLEASE!

Fern's face contorted into a look of disbelieving disgust. Who did this first year think she was? Did she think that she was Fern's BFF!? "NO you cannot borrow my fingernail polish!!"

Sander made his way up to the tree house and looked around. It had been awhile since he last visited this place but he still had fond memories of those times that he had been here. Especially the first time he was up here with Tessa.

He chuckled to himself as he remembered that day. They were by that told feeling old and grumpy. Thinking back to that day, Sander smiled. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that he would be so lucky to have her in his life. They shared so many happy and fun moments over the days and months that followed.

Then at the ball, when they were in the Tunnel of Love, they finally admitted how they felt about each other. Tonight, Sander was here to meet with his girlfriend. This would probably be the last time they would be able to spend some time up here alone and Sander wanted to make today neither of them would forget.

Sander was nervous. He was planning to ask Tessa a question. A question he had never asked anyone before. A special question. He just needed to make sure he did it right the first time. So he sat on a bench and began formulating how he was going to go about doing it, while he waited for Tessa to show up.

It took Tessa a lot more time than it should have to get to the top of the tree house, but she had done it. She took a moment to get her breath back and to ease the pain and aches- but all of that subsided as soon as she saw who was waiting for her.

"Sander!" she said with a broad smile as she moved over to him as quickly as she could. Some of her youth returning as she threw in a few skips to cover the distance faster. She threw her arms around his neck- not too hard though. She didn't want to injure him in their brittle state.

Once she had planted a kiss on his cheek, she smiled up at him. "So, what was so important that you made me climb all the way up here?" she teased. Not that she minded, and if she had been feeling well, this would have been ideal. Now that she was up here... "The view is quite fantastic," she said with a sigh as she looked out over the rail, resting her head on Sander's shoulder.

Sander heard a noise coming from the ladder leading up to the treehouse and waited anxiously to see who it was. With his luck, it would most likely be another student coming up here to check out the view. So when he saw it was Tessa, Sander smiled and walked over to meet her.

The moment she placed her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek, Sander could feel all the sensations he always felt when he was with Tessa. His tummy had butterflies and his heart?....His heart was singing and he began to feel warm all over.

This was how love felt. The feel of her lips on his cheek felt so soft...so sweet.

Sander held her close in his arms and when she rested her head on his shoulder, Sander tilted his head to kiss the top of her head. Her hair smelt....smelt like the summer breeze after it had just rained.

Taking a deep breath, Sander turned to position himself in front of Tessa. He loved this girl so much. He brushed her hair from her face and tucked it behind her ears. He stroked her face, his fingers lingering on her face.

"Tessa, you know that I love you very much. I'll always treasure the time we've spent together this term. I...I....um...I know that we've only known each other for a year but I know deep in my heart that you are the girl for me."

Sander paused. This was it. The moment he had waited for. The question he had to ask her. He cleared his throat before continuing to speak.

"I was wondering...whether....whether...you would do me the honor of...of..." Sander's courage failed him at that very moment.

.....what if she said no? Sander panicked. For some reason, he had problems finishing his sentence...his question. So he did the next best thing. He pulled the box out from his pocket, opened it and took out the ring.

Lost for words, he held the ring in front of Tessa's face.

Leah flinched as Fern got polish on her toe. She understood perfectly that that was an annoying mistake to make, and slightly regretted interrupting the other girl.

The feeling disappeared very quickly.

Before Leah knew it, the girl was yelling at her face. Okay, she had expected this coming, but not like this. "Why not?" She retorted. "I want some fingernail polish, that's all. Not going to kill you or something." She added. What the firstie said sounded fairly mean to herself, but she did not feel sorry for the other girl.

Tessa closed her eyes and sighed as she leaned against her boyfriend. Just being in his presence relaxed her, and she let the worries of the end of the year, their condition, and the summer's try-outs fade from her mind. There was only the present for this moment.

When Sander shifted, she lifted her head and opened her eyes to look at him as he stood in front of her. It seemed he had something in his mind, and she offered him a reassuring smile to encourage him to speak. Often they didn't need words, just a glance or gesture and they would know what the other meant. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment as Sander brushed the hair away from her face.

When he spoke, she opened her eyes once more to focus on him. She beamed at his words, and began to open her mouth to agree- when he kept going. Honor of... she was confused for a moment when Sander's words failed. However, as he reached down and brought up a little box she took a slight step back as a flood of emotions overtook her.

Joy, of course, but panic joined in. They were too young, she had so many plans and while she did love him with all of her heart... "Sander, I... we... I'm not ready!" she exclaimed, and while part of her wanted to backpedal from the situation she kept herself in front of him. IT wouldn't have been fair to him. "We're too young to get married!" she said, shaking her head violently from side to side, leaving her dizzy.

With abated breath, Sander watched Tessa closely. He saw the changes of emotion on face. First joy....and then on no...was that panic. Sander's heart began to sink. She was going to say no.

Then he heard what she said and realized that she had misunderstood his gesture. 'That's what happens when you don't say what you're supposed to say, Sander. People have to try to read you mind.' Sander admonished himself.

Sander quickly shook his head.

"No...no....I'm not giving you an engagement ring....I mean I may one day....sometime in the future...I mean...." Sander stammered out. Then he paused. He was doing all this all wrong. He had to slow down and do it right.

"I know that we're too young to get married. This isn't an engagement ring. This is a promise ring. This ring is my promise to you to remain faithful to you. To love you and to never cheat on you," Sander blurted out the reason for the ring.

"I know we're too young to get married. We both have things we want to accomplish first. I want to play pro-ice hockey and you first need to graduate and then play Pro-Quidditch. I just want to give you this as a promise that when the time is right, I would like to marry you. So this ring represents my promise to you,"

Sander took a deep breath and got down on his knees. Holding the ring up again, he looked deep into Tessa's eyes, cleared his throat and asked his question.

"Tessa Hedge, I love you very much and always will. Will you do me the honor of wearing my Promise Ring?"

Please say yes and make me the happiest man in the universe.

Tessa felt a war happening in her mind. She loved Sander- he was closer than a best friend ever could be, and she couldn't imagine her life without him... but marriage? She wasn't ready, there was so much left to do And they were too young! Their friends would be in support, of course, but how would it look to the recruiters? To outsiders and others? Their careers put them in the public eye, and the public eye could be very critical and harsh...

But it was Sander...

And now he was shaking his head. Her inner turmoil quieted and she listened to what he was saying. A promise ring. She felt everything relax within her and she smiled at her boyfriend. "You know you didn't need to get a ring for that," she murmured, her voice hoarse. "I know..." her throat caught. "I know you will be all of that and more," she whispered, smiling at him.

SHe wasn't able to speak at his question, she was so happy. It filled her to the brim, and while she knew Sander was waiting for an answer, but it took her a moment before she was finally able to get out "Yes!" She jumped forward, pushing aside all of her aching joints, as she jumped forward to wrap her arms around Sander. "A thousand times yes!" she exclaimed, hugging him tight.

Sander didn't even realize he was holding his breath until he began to feel faint. He was waiting anxiously for Tessa to answer...which she was taking her time to do. Yet he knew it wasn't something to rush into and the decision had to be well thought out. Even if it was just a promise ring, it still involved making a commitment and that was not something to be rushed into.

He searched her face trying to see whether he could see any hint of what she was thinking. Then she smiled and Sander knew that everything was going to be okay. He quickly got to his feet and when she jumped forwards and wrapped her arms around him, Sander gladly met her, wrapping his arms around her. He swung her around, while at the same, laughing joyously.

Yes. She had said yes. The realization dawned on him and that knowledge almost brought him to his knees again. Sander slowly placed Tessa back on her feet, took her hand and slipped the ring onto her ring finger. Then he bent down to kiss it before looking back up to face Tessa. There were tears brimming in his eyes too. Tears of joy. He reached up and cupped her head with both his hands, bringing her closer to him.

"I love you, Tessa. Thank you for accepting my ring," Sander whispered to his girlfriend before leaning forward and kissing her softly on the lips.