SPOILER!!: Jun ^_^

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star-Lord

"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,"

Leah laughed along with Jun, saying, "Okay. Proud." She only knew a few Ravenclaws and half of them were classified 'proud' in her opinion. She also noticed the way he said Claws being proud, in a... proud way. "Oh that would be cool. I'll let you take pictures of me. Maybe I'll be famous." This was a real fun possibility. The second year did not understand why Jun was all ruffling his hair and messing it up. She popped a piece of orange into her mouth.

She listened to the older boy. "Oh. Cool." She said, not knowing why she thought dirt evaporating was cool. "I don't know. I'm no good with them." She smiled bitterly. It took her a whole year to master a few spells. Leah sat down next to Jun and popped another piece of orange into her mouth. "What's in the bag?" she asked a moment later, noticing one next to the older boy. She hoped to see something bizarre in it.

Jun nodded. Yup, a very proud bunch they were. Some way more too proud than others and needed to be toned down. Grinning, Jun tried not to laugh. "You'll be famous around the school and all. Should be fun," All the magical pictures of Leah just floating around the school and all. Gain school fame like that. Confident booster. "You can always find a book on it. You have plenty of time to perfect it since you're a younger year and all," Best time to learn the tricky charms and spells. Then all those years to work on it and have professors help you. Not much help once you've left school.

Looking at his bag, Jun opened it a bit and stuff and rest of the oranges in it. "It's my dance bag. Got into a trainee program back home to be in a music group, so I have to keep my levels up to stay in,"

Hate studying but like to learn? "Uhh .. Isn't that like the same thing?" he commented. "Besides being a ravenclaw - is this like in your genes or something?" He genuinely asked. He wasn't stereotyping. He was curious. Did all the Ravenclaws just have to be brainiacs?

"I am Noel, by the way," Halfway to the kitchen he remembered to tell her. Cause you know it was important and stuff.

ALL this time they had not exchanged names. Nice.

Maddie walked along with the boy from Yearbook, hands tucked into her pocket. She glanced up at his question and raised her eyebrows, considering it before answering. "No, it's not." Not as far as she was concerned. "I feel like you study because you have to. Because of grades and assignments." It felt forced, actually. "You learn because you want to. Pick things you're interested and try them out on your own until you get them right. It's not forced, not really." As for her genes, Maddison shrugged. That seemed like a stereotypical comment to her and she didn't like being put into boxes. "S'probably more complicated than that."

Noel. The first year nodded and glanced over at him. "I'm Maddie." PAUSE. "Or Coop." NOT chicken coop. NEVER chicken coop.

"Ooh" See now that made more sense. And very ravenclaw-y. Noel wondered if this girl knew she REALLY was wise like they all said ravenclaws were. Because Noel wouldn't have been able to distinguish between the two if someone had asked him. Good for her.

"Complicated?" he mused, trying to wonder if he should ask or not. But then he just went for it. "Why do you suppose someone gets placed into Hufflepuff?" he asked, trying to sound casual and not AT ALL RAGE-Y like he had been last year, or still was in some corner of his heart. Because acceptance was for losers.

Maddie. Hmm. "I like Coop." he stated, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Maddie simply nodded. He saw her point now, yes? Hopefully because she didn't know any other way to explain and frankly, she didn't want to try.

"Is that your house?" Probably seeing as he was interested in that one in particular. The twelve year old paused and leaned against the wall, thinking hard. "I guess maybe you have a bit of all the house traits in you, yeah?" She tapped her chin. "Because I've read Helga Hufflepuff took 'all the rest' but I don't think that means you're leftovers or anything." PAUSE. "Just that you don't quite fit in the other houses fully so you fit with other people who are like that TOO." Shrug. "Is it true Hufflepuffs tend to die a lot?" She asked solemnly, genuinely curious. She'd heard that from someone.

"Good cause I like it too." So it was totally fine if he called her that.

MAYBE asking her this was stupid. Because you know - it seemed like a rage-y path. Helga Hufflepuff took the rest? REST as in what? WHO DIDN'T HAVE ANY SPECIAL IN THEM?

Boooooooooooooo.

Didn't fit in?

"Like outcasts?" he grumbled, kicking an non-existing pebble. Because he really would like to kick one right now. Channel all that insecure anger, you know?

Tend to die?

"Whaa?" he stared at the ravenclaw brianiac. "I am VERY much alive. And do not plan to die, thank you very much" Huh. Where did she hear that? JUST when he thought Hogwarts couldn't get any weirder. "Are you saying they sort kids in regards to 'most likely to die?"

Merlin, this kid had a flair for the dramatics. He was making assumptions based off what she said and that wasn't exactly fair, was it? Pretty sure she hadn't called him an outcast OR said he was fixing to die any time soon. The older puff got incredulous looks and she then ROLLED her eyes because he was being extremely silly, did he KNOW?

"You didn't listen to what I said." The small brunette's voice wasn't unkind but laced with impatience. "I never called you an outcast." So he could cool his jets with that, okay? "I think that Hufflepuffs have a mix of all the house traits in them and that means they can be witty or cunning or daring on top of being loyal and hard working." And why was he being pouty about THAT? Seemed like a GOOD thing to her.

SIGH.

Again with the not listening thing. Maddie shook her head and waited for the boy to finish before speaking. "I was asking." Not telling him he was going to DIE. Sheesh. "And just because someone tells you something doesn't make it true. I merely wanted to know if you'd heard that too, being a part of that house and all."

"I am NOT saying you called me an outcast. I meant when you say 'the rest', did Helga Hufflepuff assume we were the outcasts." SHAKE OF THE HEAD. This conversation was turning into a complete disaster! "Regardless! Lets just LEAVE it" he finally said.

He was just really sensitive about being a Hufflepuff. And Hufflepuff discussions never lead to any good. Blegh.

"Thank you anyway," he added, slightly pouty still, "for explaining."

If the ravenclaw was feeling a little on edge with him, Noel didn't see it. Because you know, it was personality. He couldn't help with the dramatics. When she further explained what she had meant to say - Noel felt tinsy bit embarrassed but still wasn't really that fazed because: "Still. How do you react to someone telling you they heard people in your house die a lot."

It was a pretty heart attack worthy statement.

How was it that they were completely misunderstanding each other?

"I highly doubt she thought that." From what Maddie HAD read about Helga Hufflepuff, she seemed pretty cool. But yes, fine, they could drop it. The first year simply shrugged her shoulders and watched Noel carefully. NOW what?

... ... "You're welcome." Pouting wasn't attractive, did he know? Suck it up, Hufflepuff. Maddie still failed to see why he was all huffy. Seriously. And she was HORRIBLE at making people feel better so there's that TOO.

"I wouldn't know. No one's told me that about my house." Shrug. She'd probably investigate further, if it were here. Make charts and figure out statistics so she'd know what her chances of survival were. Yes, that'd definitely be her plan.

"So."

Tsk tsk.

Noel could tell they couldn't stand each other much. There conversations were all ending with 'huffs' and 'puffs' - no matter if that was all internal.

When her 'So' came, Noel put his hands up in surrender and sighed in exaggeration. "Look you DON'T have to do the ice cream thing. Ice cream is too sacred, it shouldn't be forced!"

Because it was obvious. Wasn't it? She was the smart kid. And he was the one with the dumb arguements. So umm.

And they weren't really walking anymore. They were just standing.

Maddie didn't understand. This was most likely because the small brunette didn't get emotional easily and had trouble understanding the actions of those who did. And so when the Hufflepuff said that ice cream didn't NEED to happen, the first year RAISED her eyebrows, confusion etched on her face.

"I still WANT ice cream, though." Just cause she didn't understand him, didn't mean she HATED him or something. Sheesh. "And I don't understand why you're upset." Genuinely, she didn't. Maybe THAT was her problem, the fact that she didn't get it.

Also. "Why is it sacred, the ice cream?"

"Oh." She still wanted the ice cream, even though they were sort of arguing and not really getting alone? Or maybe they really were getting along because she did say she STILL wanted the ice cream.

Umm. Noel was confused.

Oor he was reading too much into this.

"I am not upset," he quickly told her. Well he was, but its just how he was? Eh. How sad. "I just have ...... issues." Well. That's a way to put it.

Her next question made him smile. "It is. Because it just is," he shrugged still smiling, before deciding since she was a ravenclaw, she would probably need more of answer than that. "Ice cream just holds this power you know. It's no ordinary edible thing. You get excited by it, you anticipate it. It's special. You just don't eat it, you savor it." Should he keep going?

He had issues? THIS wasn't something you went around telling people, did he know? It DID make her curious, though. "What KIND of issues?" Could she know? It couldn't be THAT much of a secret if he brought it up.

She would have protested his answer if he HADN'T elaborated because yes, it hadn't satisfied her need to know WHY. Luckily he DID elaborate and she watched him thoughtfully the entire time.

"I've never thought of food like that, before. Any food. I mean I have my favorites but I wouldn't say any of them are special." So it was interesting that he thought ice cream was. "Which flavour is the MOST special?"

Elodie tilted her head, tugged on her hair and went over her birth chart once again in the corridor during a spare couple of minutes she had between classes. She was actually positive that this was the worst homework task set since ever. She'd already had an issue with the Valentines Day class, and the day hadn't exactly been kind to her, and she definitely hadn't been kind to others on it. Not that she regretted it one bit, but whatever. She supposed doing her homework and giving someone something nice was a million times better than being an absolute grump and giving someone something that made their day as bad as every day was for her right now.

She lined up the list of Professors, along with their signs and rolled her eyes. No one immediately up with her in Gemini. Sucky Professors and their sucky things. Whatever. She was apparently cool with Leo's and Cancer's too. If she'd done her chart right. Which...she didn't see how she could get wrong because she knew things about herself. Caterina was a Leo. Why couldn't she just give it to the person she was supposedly matched with? Her sister bestie. Best friend in the world. Whatev though. So... Professor Botros or Professor Bentley......

Of course, she expected Professor Bentley to have a pile of cards because she was pretty and young and boys would probably lie about their compatibility stuff to give her their cards. If you asked Elodie though, Professor Glendower was much prettier and she hoped she was getting cards too.

Professor Botros it was. Little cutie pie.

She picked herself up off the floor and skipped off back to her dorm to get working on her card. This was going to be the best card ever ever ever, obviously.

Zahra had worked quick, though her fingers were BLUE and her teeth chattering by this point. Her Puffy friend longed for OUTSIDE? Zahra delivered. She'd probably get in big trouble later, but... hehe... some trouble was just worth it.

She'd made a small lake (....large puddle...) and was working diligently on warming charms around the little lake. Zahra had thrown a rubber ducky in the puddle that was supposed to be Barty the Giant Squid. As for the breeze that Mari longed for? Zahra had a fancy hand fan she planned to use when Mari showed up.

SO.... Lake .. check!

Breeze... check!

Warmth... somewhat check...!

Friends! - BIG check!

Maybe she shouldn't have changed into shorts, or maybe she needed better warming charms, but so far... NO REGRETS! Zahra plopped by the LAKE (yes,in the middle of the corridor) and waited to SURPRISE MARIGOLD.

Marigold wrapped the blanket more closely around herself (she was wearing shorts and a t-shirt at this point) and held the jar of flames closer to her sternum, but when she caught in sight of Zahra and…

O.o

Was that a MINI LAKE!!!!!!????!?!??!?

Marigold dropped the blanket once she got into the space heated by a charm quickly because she wanted to hug Zahra THIS INSTANT for being such an awesome and perfect friend except with the blanket was also the jar of flames… which broke.

Therefore, the first word out of her mouth was, "EEK!" She danced uncertainly on the spot, not sure if she should put the flames out or hug Z first. She resolved this problem by giving her friend a one-armed hug with her left arm and casting a hasty "Aguamenti!" with her right. Once the flames were sorted out she threw her other arm around the lioness.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH!" She couldn't handle the amount of love for Zahra there was in her heart, so she just hugged her again. "I feel SO MUCH BETTER ALREADY!!!!!!"

Sure, there was still a chill in the air, and goosebumps on her bare legs, but there was a POOL THING. And a rubber duck.

!!!!!!!!!!!

Why was the Puff putting OUT those flames? They could have USED a small fire at this point. Zahra was almost certain Lake Puddle was starting to freeze over, in spite of her warming charms. But if you couldn't be next to a FIRE in the hall, the second best thing was a warm and huggy Puffy. Zahra had never given a more enthusiastic hug before.

"...hehe." Zahra pulled the Puff's blanket around her, too. "We could've used that jar of fire since I'm not that good at these warming charms, but... pretty cool, right? I don't advise you getting in Puddle Lake though."

Marigold helped Zahra with the blanket stuff by stretching the blanket like a cape, then burritoing them both in. It doubled as more hugs, too. Zahra deserved all the hugs.

"Oh. Whoopsies. Sorryyyy." She had been more concerned about catching the castle on fire. "If I find another jar, I can do it again…" And she shuffled the two of them closer to the lake, kicked off her right flip flop, then stuck toe in.

MERLIN, that was cold. To explain her sudden lurch and regaining balance by flailing her leg, she said quickly. "Well, it's the thought that counts. Thanks, bud."

GEDDIT BECAUSE BUD BECAUSE FLOWER NAMES.

New place to practice his charm. Ok. Not completely new. Tag had visited the kitchens several times in all his years here at Hogwarts. So, it was time for him to return the kitchen a favor.

He walked along the corridor, not really choosing a particular place to do the spell but just trying to find any space he felt like stopping in front of. There. That painting right there.

This time Tag was determined to get a good practice out of the spell. He lifted up his wand, momentarily thought of the incantation and the wand movement, as he usually always did with using his spells, then did the incantation. "Caelum Saepio." How many times had he said that today? Five. Right, but it was beginning to rattle his brain.

Anyway a puff of fog came out of his wand. Just like it had at the library, it seemed to be good. Looking nearly similar to the one Tag had performed a few minutes ago.

There. He was good now.

All of this charms spell casting was making a dude hungry.

Sooooooooooo, he was wandering along here. Along this corridor. At the end of which were the barrels leading to the Hufflepuff common room. Grayson's eyes lingered on those barrels for a little while longer as he thought back to a conversation he had had with a certain Gryffindor Prefect. See, Lex had said something about vinegar being poured onto someone's head if they didn't get into the common room correctly. Huh. Could he.............?

Well. Not HIM. But could he try and find the right victim who'd wander willingly into that common room? HM?

The Slytherin looked up and down the corridor, almost expecting someone to come out of the depths and head towards the barrels itself. The clock ticked by and when no one showed up, the boy scowled. Fine. FINE. Homework, then. And then he'll make himself a ham and cheese sandwich because something told him that he'd need it before venturing to the upper floors of the school.

"Caelum Saepio!" he called, moving his wand in an infinity shape. A small fog appeared from the end of his wand and lingered there for a moment before disappearing. Good. He was going to take that as a GOOD sign.

And a pat on the back for him while he disappeared into the kitchen to make himself a good ol' snack.