Cris carried the ice cooler into the common room. Inside the ice cooler contained the dessert he had cooked for his Ancient Runes homework Assignment. Cris was really glad that he hadn't burned down the workshop or kitchen while cooking these dishes. Well at least, that part of the homework assignment was done.

Now all he had to do was find someone willing enough to taste what he had made.

...and then he saw Adi. Cris grinned. From the looks of it, his young badger friend was already in the process of tasting his own cooking. Walking over to where Adi was sitting, Cris sat down next to him, placing the ice cooler on the floor.

"Hey Adi, is that what you made for Ancient Runes homework? Say, do you like bananas and ice cream? If the answer is yes, would you would like to taste my deep fried banana split?" Cris asked as he opened up the ice cooler, and pulled out both plates. Removing both covers, he placed both plates on the table in front of Adi, before handing him a spoon.

"Try this one first and tell me what you think. Let's call this Dish A," Cris lifted up the plate and offered it to Adi. He didn't tell his friend that the dessert on this plate was the one he had cooked in the kitchen.

The only reason Cris knew this was from the kitchen, was the way the deep fried banana looked. The fried battered skin looked over-cooked, brown and some parts of it looked singed. Knowing that over-cooked food tended to be tasteless, Cris hoped that the ice-cream, nuts and cherries, would camouflage the burnt taste and still make the dessert taste delicious.

Nom nom. This was deeelicious. Of course, not as yummy as his mother's but it was passable. Adi was almost done consuming the pudding he made in the kitchen when he spotted Cris.

"Hey, Cris. Yep, it is. Rice pudding, Indian style,'' he joked. Hmmm. His friend would be the perfect person to complete the homework. "Yes! I love anything that has sugar.'' Hehe. That's why he had made a dessert too. Adi watched with interest as Cris placed two plates before him. "These look great.'' Perhaps the other boy would like to try his dish? Adi placed his two bowls on the table along with a spoon. He removed the lids but kept them next to the respective bowls. "Try to figure out which was cooked where.''

Picking up Dish A, Adi spooned a bit of the banana and ice cream into his mouth. The nuts made it all crunchy. After he swallowed, he reported to Cris. "This tastes just as awesome as it looks.'' He took another mouthful. And another. Was there anything better than a dessert?

"I guess I'll have a bite out of the other one before I decide which was made where.'' Adi was unsure if they dishes would have varying tastes.

"Indian Rice Pudding? I have to admit that I've never tasted that before. Oh you want me to try some? Sure I would love to," Cris immediately agreed, excited at the prospect of being Adi's official food taster.

He picked up the spoon and dipped it into the bowl that was next to the red lid. He scooped up a liberal amount of rice pudding and brought it up to his mouth. Cris first took a small bite off the spoon just to taste the pudding.

"Mmmm...this is good," Cris turned to compliment Adi before opening his mouth and removing every bit of the pudding from his spoon. "I like its rich creamy taste...and it's not too sweet either," Cris savoured the taste of the rice pudding before reluctantly swallowing it.

Cris wondered what Adi's verdict when he tasted his deep fried banana split icecream.

Cris watched closely as Adi took the plate of dessert he offered him and began eating it. Had he been able to detect the overcooked and slightly tasteless banana? From the look on Adi's face, it seemed that the young badger was enjoying it. Heck! Cris was not one to question that. In fact, he was extremely glad that Adi was enjoying the dessert he had made in the kitchen.

He smiled when Adi declared that the dessert from Dish A tasted awesome. "Awesome...okay here you go," Cris eagerly picked up Dish B and handed it over to Adi. He hoped that Adi would leave some of the banana split to taste once he was done eating, because Cris, himself, wanted to sample the dish he had made up at the workshop. He wanted to see whether the banana's crust was light and crispy, just the way it should be.

Adi nodded enthusiastically. That was the point. he wanted to do something no one had tried before so they'd be trying out something they hadn't before. He watched with confidence as Cris took the first bite and his face lit up with a broad grin at Cris's comment. "Glad you like it.''

With some hesitance, Adi set down Dish A and and took Dish B. If B tasted as good as A, then he didn't mind. "You're going to have to make another batch of this for me,'' he warned Cris. He dug into Dish B, spooning a healthy chunk of banana, nuts and ice cream into his mouth. Adi nodded approvingly. It was just as great as the first. But something tasted different. The banana if he was correct. This one had more flavour. Hmmm.

The Hufflepuff took another spoonful. After swallowing, he felt ready to judge. "Okay, so Cris, both of these taste really good. Dish B's banana for some reason had more flavour. So... I'm going to guess that dish A was made in the workshop because I'm thinking that maybe you had a huge flame when you used the Rune stone and Incendio that super heated the oil so when you put the banana in, it cooked a little too fast.'' Hehe. Adi and his imagination.

Cris watched closely as Adi picked up the plate containing the deep fried banana split he had cooked, up in the Ancient Runes workshop. Without him even realizing it, he scooted closer to Adi and whenever the younger boy, scooped up some of the dessert with his spoon, Cris' eyes followed Adi's every move. When Adi opened his mouth to bite into the dessert, Cris unconsciously opened his own too.

The moment he noticed Adi had completed tasting from both of his dessert plates, Cris sat with abated breath, waiting to see whether Adi could tell which one of these plates had been cooked up in the workshop.

When Adi first complimented his cooking, Cris nodded and smiled appreciatively. Then he listened as Adi guessed which dish was the one he had cooked using the Runestone Kenaz. He wasn't surprised when Adi declared that dish B's banana had more flavor. Cris had already known that it would.

After Adi's pick of which was the better tasting banana, Cris had expected to guess that Dish A was the one that was cooked in the kitchen. So he was totally surprised when Adi declared that that dish had been cooked up in the workshop. He allowed Adi to give his reasons, before he smiled at the boy and revealed the correct answer.

"Actually Adi, this dish here was cooked down here in the kitchen," Cris pointed to Dish A. "When I was using the runestone up in the workshop, the fire burned steadily and so the temperature of the oil was even distributed. Yes it heated up fast too. That's why the banana tastes better. It wasn't overcooked like the one that I cooked up in the kitchen," Cris paused to recall what else had happened.

"The oil took forever to heat up in the kitchen and when it did, I couldn't control the temperature, so there was a point that the oil got too hot and I had to remove the saucepan in order to cool it down." Cris recalled the events to Adi.

"Okay, now it's my turn to taste your second dish," Cris grinned at Adi as he picked up the second bowl with the yellow lid, dipped his spoon in the pudding, scooped some up and placed the spoon into his mouth.

"Mmmmm....this....this is really good too. You will need to make more for me too, Adi," Cris told his friend as he scooped up more of the pudding and popped it into his mouth.

"I love the coconut flavor intermingled with the rice, raisins and the spices. In fact, it really is hard to tell which was made where because they taste exactly the same. But if I had to hazard a guess, I would say this one here was cooked in the workshop, " Cris gestured the bowl with the yellow lid.

"Even though both taste almost the same, the coconut flavoring of this one here tastes richer...more distinct. Am I making sense?" Cris tried to explain his reasoning to Adi.

Adi listened to Cris explain that he had guessed incorrectly. Meh. That was too bad but on the other hand, he had gotten to try an awesome dish. Or two, he should say. "I was totally off,'' he muttered and took another bite of Dish B's banana.

"Deal! And maybe you can even teach me how to make this.'' Adi grinned. He was going to overdose or something on all this sugar he was consuming. Oh, who cared? Gotta enjoy life, right?

Oh, cool! Cris guessed correctly! "Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Yep, that's very much correct, Cris.'' The third year nodded at his friend's reasoning. "Makes total sense.'' It did. Adi happily continued to eat the dessert. Professor Botros gave the best homework ever!

Cris was glad to see that he had been able to guess which of Adi's dishes had been made up in the Ancient Runes workshop. Whether his reasoning was sound or not, Cris really didn't care, just as long as Adi thought it did.

Cris couldn't help but grin knowing how much Adi liked eating his dessert. He eyed the dish Adi was holding in his hand and hoped that the younger boy would at least leave some of it for him to taste himself. But looking at how the boy was digging into the ice cream dessert, Cris figured that he would have to make more of it himself.

"Sure I can do that...and maybe you can teach me how to make some of yours. Hey! do you think Professor Botros will allow us to cook up there again? I mean I know that we can use the kitchen, but I would like to try using that runestone again to cook," Cris asked Adi.

Yeah maybe they could both go up there again once they had completed writing up the last portion of their homework assignment which was the next thing he had to do once he cleaned up his plates.

Leah walked down to the common room after seeing the notice board. She wanted to start her Divination homework as soon as possible, as that very subject had became her favorite. She had expected something fun for a homework and yep, making a Valentine's card! For a professor!

The second year sat down on a couch near the fire and put her bag down next to her. She pulled out her notes and book, her messy birth chart stuck in a page. Leah studied her chart again proudly. Sun: Aries; Venus: Gemini; Mars: Pisces. She had jotted down all professors' signs the evening before onto her notebook. She had searched over and over again and was surprised to find that no one was a Gemini. Professor Glendower's sign was Pisces, though. But Pisces was Leah's Mars, wasn't that like a masculine thing? She crossed it out too, just in case she did something wrong.

Aries. There were two professors, Professor Head of House (eep!) and the Professor Domino.. wait, her name was Domingo? Leah frowned, amazed that she had not remembered the Arithmancy professor's name properly. She liked her, but she was a bit weird too. She drew a circle around Professor Hadley's name with her quill. Decided!

Ian walked into the common room. He was grateful they were on the same floor as the kitchens. It felt like maybe it was a bit warmer here than anywhere else he'd been. All this blasted cold was just getting a little 'too' much to bear.

He had on his favorite Hufflepuff snuggie to keep warm and he had some nice fluffy badger slippers. They had been gifts from his mum and dad for Christmas last year when he was finally able to get them to understand what the dorms were about and how he was sorted into the hufflepuff house. He hadn't exactly been able to explain things well since they were muggles and he was the only magic-user in town.

He opened his newest book, A history of the stars and how wizards make them dance and began to read.

Phoenix walked into the Common Room, shivering at the cold temperature of the castle.

Finally she could get warm by the fire before heading to her next class, thank god for free periods... Glancing around she saw one student reading and another doing homework, she smiled and took the closest seat by the fire, shrugging off her cloak and sighing as she felt the warmth wash over her.

Reaching into her bag, Phoenix pulled a random book out and began to read.

Sitting by the fireplace really was one of the nicest places in the castle these days. Lux supposed it was lucky for the Hufflepuffs that they had their Common Room near the kitchens not only for food convenience, but because it also meant that it would be warmer here. Poor Lions way up in the tower; hopefully they were faring okay. Same for the Ravenclaws.

With her The Little Mermaid colouring book open in front of her, the little Merpuff coloured in one of the pictures with crayons as she lay on her stomach by the fire. She was actually enjoying herself right now. Distractions were always lovely when she didn't want to think about her passed out boyfriend and the freezing weather outside.

With a sigh, Elodie threw herself and five thick blankets onto an armchair in the Common Room and grumped as much as she could. She was still cold. She didn't care where she was or who was around but this was ridiculous. If she lost limbs because of this cold, she was going to sue the school or whatever she could do. as payback. She didn't even care if they got upset with her or kicked her out. SHE WAS ALMOST ON HER WAY OUT ANYWAY. Turning her head just to the side she sighed and limply called for Little Lux.

Only because she was colouring.

Share the crayons and the book, Lux. Share them before your prefect dies from the cold.

It was a serious thing.

Humming Under the Sea to herself, Lux coloured in Ariel's red hair. Having red hair was awesome and she loved it. Red reminded her of fire, and right now she was loving the heat from the fireplace as it warmed her up.

Hearing someone call out her name, she looked to see an Elodie looking rather unhappy. Awww, that was sad. "Come colour this book in with me!" Maybe that would make her friend feel better.

She looked at him, "Annaleecia." She smiled weakly and nodded. She couldn't blame him for forgetting, after all it had been nearly two years since they'd talked in Diagon. Anna looked up at him, "But of course you can have a seat." She sat up and ran a hand through her hair. She paused. Talking to people still felt weird... She was the quiet one this year, talking was just weird... "But, how've you been?"

Elodie tried to reach out for her little friend, but realised that that wasn't her best idea and instead held onto the blankets she had around her and rolled off the chair she was on and onto the floor in an attempt to get to the colouring book, the crayons, Lux and the FIRE. Reach, drop and roll in that direction. She smiled when she got close and reached for some crayons.

"Whatcha colouring, kid?" Actually... she had an answer to that as soon as she gave the colouring book a proper look and then she grinned. "Mermaids!!!" Cat liked mermaids. Loved them. She was a Catermaid.

Cosgrach's third stop while he toured the common rooms in search of people was Hufflepuff Common Room. This one was easy to enter too, and Cosgrach didn't even need someone this time, as he entered last term. He was there at 9.30 A.M. promptly and didn't study the room. He knew this one. Instead, he plopped down at a comfortable looking chair, got to vials out and started studying people to catch Adi and Leah.

Cue a massive jump over the last two steps of the stairway that connected the dorms to the common room. Adi wobbled somewhat as he landed but at least he hadn't fallen. Next time he was going to jump over three. Yep.

Adi had no idea why he came to the common room. He guessed he was too bored in the dorm with nothing to do but finish up homework. Maybe he could find a frie- oh hey! Professor Culloden! What was he doing here? The man looked quite at home, sitting there.

"Professor! Hi! Forgot where the Staff room is? Need a place to crash?'' Hehe. Adi plopped down in the chair next to Culloden. "How are you? Is the cold affecting you terribly?'' Because Culloden wasn't that young, you know. Cold weather can make those joints ache.

Perhaps she had sensed something. Leah sat up straight and found herself on a couch in front of the common room fire, covered in a thick blanket. Merlin, did she fall asleep in the common room again? She sighed and patted her hair, trying to make it lie flat. Her watch told her that it was half past nine, and that was NOT an early time. At least for normal people.

The young Hufflepuff stood up and tried to act as though she was merely going up to her dormitory to get something. Then something, or more accurately someone caught Leah's eyes that made her stop in her track. Professor Culloden? In the Hufflepuff common room? The fact that Adi was chatting with him did not surprise the second year much, though, as she knew he was on good terms with most Professors. Leah made quick steps towards the door of the girls dormitory, dragging her blanket behind her.

How was her hair right now?

Awwww, poor Elodie must be pretty cold judging from her obvious lack of energy. It had to be bad when instead of getting up from the chair and walking over, the older girl dropped and rolled. Actually it was pretty funny. Heh.

Happy at the company. Lux was about to reply to the question of what she was colouring when Elodie made the obvious conclusion. Yes, mermaids. Weren't they AWESOME? Lux loved mermaids. Still colouring in the hair, she proudly said, "I am a merpuff." Get it? A merPUFF.

Pulling his legs up, Noel Wallace snuggled into the couch near the fire. It was ALMOST as good as home. He was just really hoping for the term to end now, so he could get away from the friggin' cold.

It was getting ridiculous.

Opening up the ancient runes book, Noel actually started reading about the runes - he was starting to really really like the class. And he had nothing else to do so ... yeah.

Leah entered the common room, taking off her cloak in the meantime. By the time she got used to being wrapped around in thick layers of clothes it would be summer already. If summer would ever come. What if they could not get home after term ends because of the thick snow? The Hufflepuff found it weird how Hogwarts was always making students want to return home.

She decided to forget about the bloody cold if that was possible and get warm. Leah hurried towards the couch near the fire and - found a boy there. Reading. The second year felt an usual surge of anger rushing through her body. This couch was hers. Okay it wasn't but she rarely found people here and she pretty much lived on this couch. "Can you move a bit? Please?" That last bit was about being a kind badger.

Merlin that boy was reading an ancient runes book. He didn't even look old enough to be studying for his OWLs or NEWTs.. weird.

It was actually a VERY interesting read. About Loki, and Thor and the hammer. If he didn't know any better, it was actually like real good fiction. It all was just really good stuff, you know.

At first he wasn't so sure someone was actually addressing him, but then he saw the girl - standing there with a frown.

"But I am so comfortable" GROAAAN.

"Fiiiiine," Noel sighed, and scoooted just enough for the girl to sit because he was kind in a small way. He will still rudely lying though and not really in the mood to get up.

Okay, this boy was definitely not a fifth year, the way he talked. Leah sat down on the couch as soon as he moved. This was uncomfortable, with the guy's feet nearly touching her. She tossed her cloak on the floor in front of the couch to dry it and sighed. Despite the weather, the common room was always wonderful.

... No, she was not going to fall asleep like this. Leah rubbed her eyes and decided to concentrated on the person next to her instead. She remembered seeing him somewhere. Maybe. Probably during classes. "Who are you?" The question came out of her mouth before she could stop it. "I'm Leah. Abbott."

Noel realized the girl was uncomfortable and felt tinge bit guilty. So he sighed, and folded his legs - silently letting her know - she could totally snuggle in the couch too.

"Hello, Leah Abbott. I am Noel Wallace," he replied, turning a page of the book. There was a lot of stuff he still did not clearly understand - but still he liked it.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked, after a minute or so. Or WAS he poking her with his feet?

Leah heard a sigh and felt a pair of feet leaving the spot next to her. She looked at him, surprised. "Thanks." she muttered, feeling much more comfy. But she decided not to get too close to the boy, it would only make her feel UNcomfortable.

"Hi Noel." she replied, blinking. She was never called by her full name before. Well she probably was when she was named, but other than that, no. That sound of page-turning kind of bothered her. Merlin what was wrong with her? She seemed to be annoyed by everything. But the second year was never interested in books and would never like them. "What are you reading about?" Leah asked. A tad bit embarrassing that she had never read the textbook closely before.

"Oh, yeah." she said. "But not as comfy as taking the whole couch by myself, of course." The Hufflepuff said truthfully.