Today was Toby's fifteenth birthday. He'd been up in the Great Hall having his breakfast, not really expecting any surprises. One had certainly shown up, however, when an owl delivered him a present. A NEW POGO STICK. A pretty AWESOME pogo stick, too. He'd bounced on it already in the entrance hall and found out that it was one of THOSE. The ones that full on PROPELLED you into the air. It was magnificent.

He had to refrain from bouncing so high now of course, because the basement corridor had lower ceilings than the grand entrance hall. But he was still bouncing along, having the time of his life. This was definitely helping to make up for the fact that he couldn't go for a birthday fly.

Bounce bounce bounce along the corridor went Toby, occasionally having to force himself to not bounce so high. This was so fun, he'd forgotten why he'd come down this corridor in the first place. Probably to get to the common room or something... but until he remembered, Toby would just pogo. And he'd save trying to figure out how was behind it for later.

This was majestic.

After a baking session with the help of the house elves, Sophie Brown left the kitchens on a mission. It was her best friend in the whole world's birthday and she had just made a cake FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER WHOLE LIFE. JUST FOR HIM. She assumed he wasn't getting any cake today, and wasn't it important that EVERY kid got cake on their birthday? So she tried, with the aid of some nice house elves, to make something he might like. She had realized she didn't know if he had any food allergies, but... hopefully he liked chocolate cake with a chocolate pudding filling inside, right? It SOUNDED so good.

If anything, she'd eat it for him and tell him how good it was. Totally nice of her.

As she headed down the corridor, she decided she'd head toward the Hufflepuff barrels and wait around to see if any of his housemates knew Toby's current location or had a guess at where he might be. She... didn't actually get that far, though, as she heard the consistent clunk, spring! the moment she spotted the birthday boy at the far end of the corridor. What... what was that THING he was jumping with? She was all sorts of amused at the sight of him - it was nice to see him look genuinely elated this term - and she called down the hallway to him, "TOOOOOOOOOOOBES." The cake extended in front of her, there was a spring in her step as the Ravenclaw hurried to him as quickly as she could without extinguishing the candles. "Come heeeeeeeeeere and claim your first birthday surprise."

Whooooosh. This was fun. It really was. Except there was that one point where Toby nearly thwacked his head on the ceiling, but eh, details. He did calm it down a bit after that though.

Soon enough he heard an oh so familiar holler. That could literally only be ONE person.

Tobias bounced to a halt (surprisingly difficult by the way) and jumped onto the floor, making sure to keep hold of the pogo stick. It was always really weird, getting used to the unforgiving floor after pogoing, but Toby got over it quickly becaAAAUUAUSUUUSUSSUSUSEE...

"Birthday surprise?"

UM, YES PLEASE.

Still with pogo stick in hand, Toby hurried over to where Sophie was waiting for him with a CAKE. A BIRTHDAY CAKE. He couldn't help but beam stupidly at her once he'd reached her, looking between Sophie's face and the cake. "For meeeeeeeeeee?"

Tobes was so cute. Ugh. Sophie could hardly contain her admiration for him as he bounced toward her, first on the pogo stick then in the way he walked. Too precious. "No, Tobes, this cake that says happy birthday Tobes on it is really for me. It's my birthday today, didn't you know?" Her tone was dry with sarcasm, and she was shaking her head at him, a sort of lop-sided grin making it clear that she didn't think he was a complete idiot and really was super excited for him.

Because it was really, truly nice to see him so lit up with delight.

"Make a wish and blow out your candles, birthday boy," she encouraged, holding the cake out toward him to ease the task, an expectant, shimmering look in her eyes. What would he wish for, hmm?

It had been a few days since the time Ezra had snuck down to the Kitchens with Lex the first night they had arrived at the Castle and he was testing his memory. After he'd finished with lunch he'd headed down here from the Great Hall in search of the giant painting that served as the place's entrance.

The Gryffindor walked slowly check the other portraits for the pear that he must tickle just so and took in his surroundings. It was actually pretty quiet down here for being so close to the giant hall full of students who were still eating.

Olly hadn't even been upstairs to have lunch in the Great Hall. Somehow she hadn't felt up for it. So naturally, she was in search for food now. She couldn't survive without it could she? Though, maybe she should start stacking up on bacon or something in her dorm so she didn't have to walk all the way to the kitchen next time. It WAS quite far from her Common a Room after all.

No it wasn't but it'd still be nice not to have to walk there.

Oh brilliant. There was someone else there. See, THAT was why she didn't like going to the kitchen. There was always some hungry student. Though this one hadn't quite reached the right painting just yet. Maybe if she could overtake him and....did the kitchen lock from the inside? Well, she was going to have to find out.

So with that thought in mind, Olly hurried up until she'd passed the little boy and only stopped once she stood in front of the painting. She paused for a moment to smirk at the young boy before reaching up to tickle the pear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lislchen

Olly hadn't even been upstairs to have lunch in the Great Hall. Somehow she hadn't felt up for it. So naturally, she was in search for food now. She couldn't survive without it could she? Though, maybe she should start stacking up on bacon or something in her dorm so she didn't have to walk all the way to the kitchen next time. It WAS quite far from her Common a Room after all.

No it wasn't but it'd still be nice not to have to walk there.

Oh brilliant. There was someone else there. See, THAT was why she didn't like going to the kitchen. There was always some hungry student. Though this one hadn't quite reached the right painting just yet. Maybe if she could overtake him and....did the kitchen lock from the inside? Well, she was going to have to find out.

So with that thought in mind, Olly hurried up until she'd passed the little boy and only stopped once she stood in front of the painting. She paused for a moment to smirk at the young boy before reaching up to tickle the pear.

After examining a portrait of a funny old man ticking a woman's face with his beard and mustache the first year heard someone come bounding down the corridor.

What the....?

"Hey! You know where the Kitchens are too." he practically shouted at her as her finger went to tickle the specific pear that liked to be tickled. She was going to go in and leave him out here wasn't she?? What if she locked him out? OH NO SHE DIDN'T!

Ezra sprinted to the painting from where he was, the bright red flip-flops slapping the bottoms of his feet and the floor as he did so.

Of course she did. Not that it would do him any good.

Olly actually paused to watch him run towards her. Very noisily too. WHAT was that on his feet? Why would anyone wear this? And then RUN with it. That was just stupid. And extremely irritating. And-

Okay, she'd let him come closer than she'd intended.

She quickly opened the kitchen door and slipped inside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lislchen

Of course she did. Not that it would do him any good.

Olly actually paused to watch him run towards her. Very noisily too. WHAT was that on his feet? Why would anyone wear this? And then RUN with it. That was just stupid. And extremely irritating. And-

Okay, she'd let him come closer than she'd intended.

She quickly opened the kitchen door and slipped inside.

RUNNING he was RUNNING TO YOU MISS!

Ezra looked at the girl as she eyed him. Then she just went on in without even giving him a chance to come too. How rude!! Ezra was going to have to--

THUD!

The little Gryffindor had tripped on one of his flip-flops and came tumbling down, face-first onto the floor. Smacking his lip hard onto the thankfully carpet draped section rather than the stone floor. When he sat up and stared blankly at the empty space in front of the portrait where the girl had been he had a bloody upper lip.

He stood up angrily and tickled the pear.

"Keep up Felix." Lex called to the kneazle trailing behind her. She interrupted his nap because she'd wanted some company down in the kitchen and he'd been the closest at the time...him being curled up next to her in her bed and all. She'd have opted for a trip to see Lottie after but knowing her she wasn't in her Common Room and Felix didn't appreciate the dungeons.

The Gryffindor walked along the corridor until she came to the portrait of the fruits. This was the one. Lex reached a hand up to tickle the pear but got sidetracked watching her kneazle pounce at something in the corner.

What?

People had been heading down here and Grayson didn't know why so, naturally, he had followed. Not all of these people were part of the Hugger House, which was why the fourteen year old's curiously had perked up. What was down here that was so fascinating, huh? Why did people want to come here? And what was with those barrels over there? What an odd decoration.

Anyways. Grayson was standing and peering at his current victim around a corner. And who was this mystery person? Why, one Alexa Cambridge, who didn't seem to be alone. Since his eyes had been glued to the Prefect, the Slytherin failed to notice the creature that had pounced at something in the corner.

No no, the creature had pounced at someone. Namely, him.

"AAAAARRRGGHHHHHHH!!!"

Cue a bunch of words tumbling out of his mouth that made him sound like he had taken a good dose of Babbling Beverage.

Cue some swearing too. Lots of it.

"GET THIS FELINE AWAY FROM ME!!" Now. Before it sunk its claws into his body. These things must be protected at all costs.

Did the feline know she didn't have all day to stand there, hand ready for tickling while he fuelled his fascination? She would very much have liked to go in for a snack thank you Felix so this pouncing at random things needed...to be put....on hold....??? What the kneazle was that and WHY? Did whoever it was know she wasn't on duty right now? The stomach came first.

Her eyes shot to the end of the corridor where she heard some colourful language and someone possibly more scared of Felix than Culloden. There was no way.

Hearing the desperation that accompanied the voice, Lex lowered her hand that had been set for tickling and ran back down the corrdior, scooping up the kneazle as she got there. Weird how he wasn't even hissing...like not on the attack--LIKE CALM DOWN DUDE--"Oh. Grayson." Well then. Holding her kneazle close to her chest, Lex gave the boy a brief once over to make sure he hadn't screamed himself into a heart attack or something.

"I.....are you okay.....?" She looked around and found no one else with him. Her brows crinkled curiously. "Why are you hiding around corners, screaming at kneazles?" It was kinda weird, just saying.

He had been in stealth mode but now? Now it had gone. Disappeared. Vanished into the void.

And it was all down to this freaking feline.

When Grayson had stopped shouting, he didn't know, but he was still glaring at the creature. He didn't know why but he usually got along pretty well with these creatures. Cinnamon's cat adored him. Maybe even held a shrine for him in its kitty home. But this one? It wasn't hissing, but the pouncing wasn't a friendly gesture. Not to this kid.

Oh. Lex. Breathing heavily, he looked up at her, the expression on his face softening. So she had heard, huh? "'Sup, Lex," He was just chilling here as cool as can be. Gathering his ego again. Nothing to see. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, straightening up and taking a deep breath. And jeez, way to make him sound like a creep. "I was looking to see why people were coming here," Nothing creepy about THAT. "Your kneazle pounced on me. I think it's in love." Or it hates him. Really, Grayson didn't care which one it was.

Now the real question was: what could he bribe the girl with to make sure that she didn't go blabbing? The last thing he wanted was a rumour going around about him screaming like a damsel in distress over a kitty.

It'd been noted that his breathing was a little heavier and she'd wait for him to compose himself. From what she'd seen, the guy had an ego about him--whether it was a healthy one or not, she didn't know but it hadn't gotten to her yet. Not like his oversensitivity that one time in Potions that might have been showing again with this sudden fear of kneazles. Ahem.

She nodded her greeting in response to his, running a hand through Felix's fur. The girl could already feel her baby getting comfortable. Wasn't he CUTE Grayson??

Lex raised an eyebrow at him, not sure she was following. She took a look around before glancing back down the corridor.

"Down here? You mean you don't kno--....yeah you don't know. Alright, come with me." She said, nodding in the direction she'd just been coming from. It was a gesture for him to follow, unless he was still spooked? Merlin she hoped not. The less people she had to be case sensitive with about her kneazle, the better. She didn't have time to go holding everyone's hands until they felt better again.

"He loves me, he tolerates everyone else and sometimes he doesn't even do that." She corrected as she made her way back down the corridor. Just saying.

"It iiiiiiiiiiis?" Toby replied, an overly exaggerated look of shock gracing his features. Of course he knew that wasn't true, and that Sophie was just being a sarcastic little Ravenclaw, but playing along always worked out well. He smiled, eyeing the cake and thinking about the effort that had clearly gone into it.

Eyes sparkling slightly in the light of the flames dancing on the candles, Toby stared at the cake as he thought of a decent wish. His smile suddenly widened to a grin and he took a deep breath, and blew out all the candles in one go before looking up and grinning at Sophie. If she wasn't holding a cake, and he a pogo stick, he might have leapt into her arms and demanded a hug.

But cake.

"Thanks Soph. It looks amazing." And she'd done it for him. Spent time on him to give him something special for his birthday. It made him feel all kinds of fuzzy inside, and a stupid goofy grin was still plastered across his face. "I'm so glad I get to spend my birthday with you."

JUST SAYIN'.

How many times was he going to end up with his ego bruised because of this Gryffindor right here? Jeez, this was almost embarrassing. Grayson watched her as she stroked the fur of the feline that could have easily sunk its claws into his body. Now she had something to use against him the next time they met. You know, apart from the whole Prefect badge and the fact that he had been staring at her back at the cafe.

He was not a creep, mkay?

And maybe the feline was cute. MAYBE. If he was deciding to be nice.

He raised his eyebrows before shaking his head. He didn't know. New to the school and all, remember? But if she was planning on showing him, he was all up for it. He did eye her warily before deciding to walk towards the direction she had indicated. "What's down here, anyways? Where are you leading me to?" And if she was going to lead him to his death and destruction, she should know that he had his wand with him and, girl or not, he was not afraid to duel this one.

SNORT. "Then why did he pounce on me if he doesn't at least like me?" he asked, glancing down at the kneazle. HELLO?! Wasn't it obvious? "What's his name, by the way?"

Sophie was bouncing on the spot, the excitement for Toby's big day bursting from her being. She was happy he was here and happy he was happy and happy he had that weird bouncing object that looked like a lot of fun. Must've been a new birthday present, right? Looked more fun than his skateboard stuff.

Her lips pressed together into a smile when he blew out the candles, Sophie wanted to know what he wished for, but didn't ask - it was bad luck to share one's birthday wish, wasn't it? Didn't that mean it wouldn't come true? She believed that wholeheartedly, so she thought it best to not tempt him to share. She wanted his wish to come true. All of his wishes, actually. Toby deserved to be happy more than anyone in the whole world.

"Welcome." She looked at the cake, then back up at him, "I just... y'know, I figured at home and stuff you'd probably get a big, beautiful birthday cake from your grandmother, and I didn't think she could owl you one, so... I didn't want you to go without a birthday cake. Never actually made one before today, but the house elves taught me. It was their idea to put the chocolate pudding filling in there." Seemed like a good idea, as long as Toby wasn't going to die from a chocolatey, sugary overload.

Hehe. "Me too." Pause. "And I... I have other actual presents for you up in my dorm. But I didn't think I'd run into you so soon. So.. erm..." Her face contorted in thought - she didn't want to drag him all the way upstairs to the Ravenclaw Tower with her. "D'you wanna take this to your common room? Share and have a party with your Hufflepuff friends, and... I'll go get your other stuff? Or...?"

For the life of her, the Gryffindor could never figure out what so many people had against felines. They were so huggable and lovable--even Alice's ocelot while it was trying to rip her to shreds! There was just something comforting about them, even moreso now with Felix being only too happy to be carried about. He wouldn't be making a fuss anytime soon. Grayson was perfectly safe...unless he did something later on but what were the odds of that?

His shaking head was confirmation he really didn't know what made people leave their common rooms to venture into this corridor that doesn't have much appeal.

While she walked she pointed down the corridor. "Down that way's the Hufflepuff Common Room. You can't miss it, loads of barrels. I don't recommend trying to get in though...not unless you like vinegar." See what a good Prefect she was doubling as? Educating the new kid and all? Such a giver she was, even when she was hungry.

Finally she came to a stop before the large still life of the fruit bowl. "Pay close attention, this is gonna be worth your while." Lex said, reaching up to tickle the pear.

In another moment the portrait had moved revealing an entrance at which point she turned to him with a grin. "After you."

The mention of a chocolate pudding filling was enough to make Toby's mouth water. It was surprising that he wasn't just drooling everywhere by this point. Gosh. CAKE. Cake was just awesome, okay?

Toby was aware of Sophie talking again, and he glanced up at her, then back at the cake, then at her again... and then back at the cake...................... and then at her again. A triple take, yup.

"Other presents?" Another huge smile was spreading across his features again. "Really?"

The Hufflepuff took the cake off of Sophie's hands at that point, so that she didn't have to keep holding on to it. His eyes twinkled in delight.

"I'll come up there with you," he said quickly. In all honesty, there wasn't anyone in the Hufflepuff common room that he'd prefer to hang out with today. Sure, he loved everyone in Hufflepuff, and considered them all a huge family. It was just that, now that certain people had graduated, hanging out in the common room could get kind of.......... sad. It made him miss Forrest and Ella in particular, and missing them made him miss other people, and it all turned into a big cycle of feeling lonely. But he didn't get that when he was with Sophie. "I like getting the exercise. I'll just go and drop off my pogo stick first, and then we can go up, yeah?" Toby beamed widely, looking hopefully at Sophie.

Hehe. She saw him eyeing the cake and couldn't blame him. He was lucky she resisted her urges and didn't eat some of it right when it was finished since it did look so good. And the smell of the kitchens while it was baking? Heavenly.

"Why d'you sound so surprised? Of course I have other presents for you. I mean, I know cake and my friendship are pretty good presents as it is, but s'not enough, no. You deserve more." Shrug. "You're my best friend."

Shoving her hands into her pockets a bit timidly once he took the cake from her, she gave him a calculating look, "Should we leave this with the house elves and come back and eat it after presents? M'sure they'll make sure no one touches it, and we'll have to come back down here to drop off your presents in your common room anyway." Pause. "So, if y'want, I can drop the cake back off in the kitchens while you go drop your... pogo stick off, and we'll meet back here? But on the way up, you'll have to tell me about your..." she already forgot what they had just called it, and she grinned as she continued along, "...bouncing toy thing. Never seen one of those before." How did he even get it here? It was quite the present for an owl to bring for him, even if it came packaged much smaller.

Tobes sure had a cool life.

Phew, Leah did not slam into Jun. That would have been preeety awkward. Not to mention a little bit of pain. The boy dropped his orange, but nothing worse. And then the second year's hand was grabbed by Jun. Was that her heart beating faster? Merlin, get a grip on yourself. She told herself. They were covered in flour and getting attacked by Peeves.

SMACK. The sound startled Leah. She burst into laughter as she turned around as saw Jun with a cracked egg on his face. She could not help it, it was just hilarious. But then - SMACK and another egg, which she suspected was Peeves just randomly tossing eggs, slammed into the side of the second year's head. "Owww," she groaned, but grinned, wiping the egg off. Then Peeves LEFT. Leah was going to throw food back at him. Shrugging, she grabbed an orange instead and tightened her grip on Jun's hand, walking out of the kitchen into the corridor.

"Well, that was fun." she said, laughing. Did the boy think so too? And poor firsties. All they wanted to do was bake a cake.

Jun snorted, looking at his hair and and sighing. "If that's your definition of fun, then yes. But now we're both a bloody mess thanks to the poltergeist," Why was Jun a victim of Peeves now? After all the time he spent at school, it just had to be his sixth year. Sheesh. Took the poltergeist long enough. "But I hear egg is good for your hair. Never tried it but maybe it'll give it extra shine now?" He'll have to search this up at the library too. Jun secretly gave up on the ankle healing thing. Oh well, at least it wasn't bothering him too much lately. Who knows about when auditions come. It'll probably mess up again.

Waving his wand, Jun cleaned Leah up and then himself. Perks of always reading something and picking up new charms. "Orange?" He offered her one.

Leah raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah, I forgot that Claws think that studying is fun." Leah would have died in that house. "But yes, it is my definition of fun." She did not retort to 'both a bloody mess', which was true. Though Jun still looked good, and hopefully the girl did too. "It is? Cool. I should get some more from the kitchen and crack them on our heads." Leah said jokingly. Why was she being so sarcastic today? Anyway, she was very interested in hair care. She wondered if he read this information up in the library. If he did, she should do that too... somehow.

"Hey, thanks." The second year said, looking at her hands, which a minute ago had been covered in yellow and white. "Yes please." She reached out for an orange. While peeling it, Leah thought about the cleaning charm. "Y'know when you do the cleaning charm, where does the dirty stuff go when it disappears?" Okay she was being a bit random.

"Hey, hey. Not all 'claws think studying is fun. We're just very proud people," Jun laughed. They were and most of them wouldn't deny it either. Especially not the current eagles in that house. The older ones at least. Jun was one of them. No shame in that. "And I'll be sure to take pictures and send them around school," Jun smirked ruffling his hair out and going into his bag. Rummaging around, he found his cap and put it on backwards. But least he wouldn't look so plain now. He always preferred to have a hat or cap on for some reason. Especially with the cold weather coming.

He nodded. Sitting next to his dance bag, Jun peeled another orange and looked at the younger girl. "It evaporates. Like water," Having a 'claw from was a benefit for most people. They would teach you things you'd most likely not learn in classes. The non-educational spells and charms. The ones just for fun. "Maybe you should learn new charms and spells. Could be an advantage in situations like these,"