Yes, Schuyler was about as subtle as Olly had been.

A both surprised and slightly shocked look flashed across her face for a brief second. Had West talked to Schuyler? But no, he wouldn't. Especially not without telling HER as well. Still she couldn't be entirely sure if her girlfriend knew anything. Not that that really influenced her answer. "West." Yes. Schuyler wanted to hear that she'd been hanging out with friends, right? Though, ONE was probably not enough. "Józsua too." Apart from that though...she hadn't really seen Dora around and Els...well, she hadn't really seen her either, to be honest.

Olly trailed her fingers over the other girl's shoulder absently, watching her. Satisfied?

Yes, she'd dropped the subject of where they were going to live upcoming fall for now. They didn't have to discuss it right away. Plus, Schuyler HAD already made a decision. And she was going to respect it. It wouldn't be so bad. And she could visit the other girl whenever she liked. "Well, he IS a very handsome toad." There was a smirk playing around her lips as she looked up from Schuyler's fingers to meet her girlfriend's gaze again.

....

What was that look about? "..What?" Schuyler asked without missing a beat. The look hadn't lasted, but it hadn't been nonexistent either. West. She'd expected as much. And Jozsua. Wise words of some Slytherin buddies, it seemed. And she was glad that they were hanging out because Olly did appear to be a bit better today. Not counting the Spain fiasco.

Now, Julian. "The handsomest," she agreed. And part of the reason he was so handsome MAY have been attributed to the fact that he played a part in their first meeting. Really, that felt like ages ago some days and like it was yesterday on others. Time was a funny thing.

"You done with your pancakes?"

Ben couldn't see her face as she answered his question. He couldn't see the innocent smile as she stood behind him attempting just to do good as she said. "I...I don't know." Did he mind or didn't he? It shouldn't be all that hard to decide which was which though thats exactly what it was. It felt weird, especially by her hands, but that didn't mean it felt bad.

"I'm okay...." Benny tried to assure her once more. "Really, I am. I'm inside in the warmer atmosphere and your hot chocolate most certainly helped warm me up the rest of the way." No further chill she had to work away. "Why don't you have some yourself?" She herself had come out into the cold and it had been her shivering that got him to voluntarily give up his cloak for her.

Okay so she clearly sucked at keeping things from Schuyler.

That was probably a good thing. Even though it didn't feel like it right now. "..." Now how to word this so the whole thing hadn't been in vain. Olly played with the fabric of Schuyler's shirt, her eyes on her own fingers. "I am doing much better." That much was true. But it hadn't been as easy as she'd hoped it would be. Sleeping by herself was hard. Impossible, it had turned out, really. "But I've had some help." In the form of sleeping potions.

Julian WAS the handsomest. Schuyler's fondness for the toad always made Olly smile. He had played a part of them meeting. Or at least of them getting to know each other better. Them meeting had been all Schuyler. Schuyler and her mirrors. What would've happened if she'd tried them out with someone else?

....pancakes? Right, pancakes!

At this Olly turned around in her seat - aka the girlfriend - so the way she was now sitting on her was almost like you would on a chair. She made a half-hearted attempt to reach her own plate but failed. "No but yours look good too." What was left of them that is. Unlike herself Schuyler HAD actually eaten during their earlier conversation. Olly was hungry too though so she reached for her girlfriend's fork and put some of the pancake on it. Pancakes were good. Even if they were a bit cold already now.

She was doing much better. The emphasis on the 'was' made it sound like there was going to be a 'but...' attached to that one.

Aah, there it was. But she'd had some help.

Okay. Well, help was good. Wasn't it? Depending on the kind of help, she supposed.. "You've had some help," Schuyler repeated with a nod. After not getting much more information on that, she prodded on. "What kind of help?" More than wise words, it seemed.

With their love talk on Julian being over, they moved on to pancakes. Or rather Olly moved on to Schuyler's pancakes. Which, naturally, Schuyler didn't mind at all. It's not like the other girl had really touched her own, so Olly had better eat up. She wrapped her arms around Olly's stomach and rested her chin on the girl's shoulder. "Gimme a bite."

Hearing Schuyler repeat her own words made them sound less bad. Actually it WASN'T so bad. She'd just kept it to herself because she didn't want her girlfriend to worry about her. Having her think that she had no problems sleeping made things a lot easier. "Yeah." Of course there was a follow-up question there. "Sleeping potions." She nodded, looking back up confidently. Really, it wasn't so bad. "Just to help me fall asleep." Yes.

Clearly lots of people had problems sleeping.

She liked sitting like this. They should always eat like this. Olly swallowed the first bite, only now realizing that she WAS in fact quite hungry. What, Schuyler wanted some too? She cut off a particularly long bit of pancake and picked it up to hold its end between her teeth. Okay, maybe she should've done this with, say, bacon. Oh well.

With a small grin she turned her head and 'held it out' for Schuyler, expecting her to start eating the piece of pancake from the other end.

Oh, sleeping potions? For some reason Schuyler had been expecting to hear something.. well, other than that. "That's not so bad," she said, giving Olly's side a squeeze. Not that it was good to use them in excess, but there were worse alternatives. Obviously using them for sleep, yes. "I'm glad they're helping." Really, she was. Because knowing Olly wasn't okay essentially made Schuyler the same way.. Not okay.

So it was good for the both of them that Olly was beginning to get better. Little by little.

She watched as her girlfriend sliced off a rather long piece of pancake, and just as she was about to comment on how that was biting off more than she could chew (har har), she saw Olly place one end of it in her mouth. And then turn expectantly to her. Seeing where this was going, Schuyler grinned and took the other end in her mouth. She bit up to the point where Olly's mouth was and made sure to press a kiss against her lips before pulling back to actually chew up the pancake and swallow it. "You're cute," she said, still grinning.

See it wasn't so bad. Olly looked relieved. And even managed a smile. "Sorry I didn't tell you. I just...didn't want you to worry." Yeah, it all seemed a bit silly now. Sleeping potions really wasn't so bad. No need to add that she'd been scared to take them by herself. That wasn't part of the problem. Or at least not part of THIS problem. She nodded again. "Yeah, it's working though so I'm fine." And sleeping. Which was good.

Heh. Wasn't she just the cleverest?

She certainly felt like it and the smirk on her lips suggested as much. She'd even managed to get a kiss out of feeding Schuyler. Just looking at the other girl for a moment, Olly finally turned back to continue eating the pancake. Cute?! "That's all your fault." She doubted anyone would've called her cute before she'd come to Hogwarts. Now...things had changed.

Well, Schuyler worried about her regardless. But she knew that Olly was probably trying not to make a big deal about it, and she understood that. So Schuyler nodded. "Well, I think tonight you should skip the sleeping potion." And rely on a more natural sleep remedy. Like.... a Schuyler remedy. Yeah?

Olly being cute was all her fault, hmm?

"I take pride in that accomplishment, then." Even if Olly didn't like that exact adjective. Olly was made up of a LOT of adjectives, but Schuyler seemed to like them all. She leaned back against the chair a little more, still serving as her girlfriend's personal chair.

Penelope was hungry. Of course. But not SO hungry that she had to go immediately to the Great Hall to eat or anything, just sorta hungry where she could just find a little something to snack on in the kitchens. Just what exactly though, she wasn't sure. But she could look and see what she might find.

So entering the kitchen, she started doing just that, looking around to see if she found anything she felt like eating.

Adi nodded understandingly. "Winter is usually my favourite season but this is just too unbearable.'' At least they could have gone outside before. "So, you play ice hockey? Or any other of those winter sports?''

The Hufflepuff noticed the look on Zander's face go from curiosity to one of surprise. Whatever question the dude was expecting, it clearly wasn't that one. Adi listened without saying a word. Chocolate poisoning or something? Hmmm. He was also obsessed with Chocolate Frogs but he had certainly never felt sick before. He supposed it was a possibility but why was Zander looking a tad bit panicked? It then occurred to Adi that Zander may have a more personal reason for his weirdness that day. He decided to let the matter slide.

All he did was nod 'understandingly'. "Got to be careful of how many of those things you eat.'' Was that advice to himself or Zander? Possibly both because Adi had developed a strong fondness for the Frogs. "I've bet you've got a ton of the cards. Or don't you collect?'' he continued, wondering why his new friend's face was a little pink. Meh. Must be the cold.

"I'll go get us each a cup, then.'' He was only too happy to get the hot chocolate for two reasons: One- it was something sweet and two- he wanted to get a bit warm.

Winter was his favorite!? Zander lifted an eyebrow in disbelief. Sure the Gryffindor's birthday was in winter, but that did not mean he was fond of the season. No way! He liked actually going outside without having to worry about frostbite. "Why's it your favorite?" Well despite these unusual circumstances 'n all. ... Winter sports? O__O "... Uh... Not really?" Was that lame of him? Should he play winter sports? "I'm mostly not that fond of winter actually... I like warm weather," he explained slowly.

Was he buying it!? Was Adi buying his chocolate story!?! Because he was really really working hard on this acting thing and he really really wanted Adi to buy it. Really. Maybe he should consult a Ravenclaw about story telling, would they know? Or would a Slytherin know better? HM. But then, when Adi spoke, Zander let out a giant sigh of relief, which he then promptly tried to cover with more coughing. Ahem. One of these days the cold was going to catch up with him and he actually was going to get sick.

"Yeah... I probably should," he smiled at the Hufflepuff because it was rather funny, but mostly because he liked Adi for believing him. Or for pretending to believe him. He wasn't really sure what the Hufflepuff was thinking at this point, but whatever it was Zander sure approved of this guy. A lot. "One time I ate so much that I had a chocolate coma," yep, it was a thing. It was a legit thing, okay? He wouldn't go on to explain that Kevin had caught him groaning about the coma and the pillow fight with Peeves that ensued because details, shmeetails. "Of course I collect, are you kidding!?!" Golly, Adi had just struck gold because Zander was literally grinning from ear to ear now. "This is only my third year doing it, but I've got a pretty big collection now!" Third year for obvious reasons. Or not so obvious, the muggleborn hadn't been introduced to muggle candies until Hogwarts.

Zander nodded and waited patiently as Adi went over to get them some cups. Man, Puffers were nice. Now all Zander had to do was actually be brave and this whole sorting hat thing would prove to be legit.

SPOILER!!: ALEXA!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

...

.....

Okay, so you know when you hear something SO bad that you have to laugh because if you don't you're likely to curl up in a ball and cry? Lex was having this moment right now and the Gryffindor burst into unexplained and uncontrolled laughter at the Professor's words. Photosynthesis? Growing the plants for when they ran out of food? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Someonegetheroutofthisbloodycastle. "Excellent. Brilliant. Fantastic." A crazed look replaced the false humour in the Gryffindor's hazel eyes. "I'm a carnivore Professor. I'll never survive greens. " Don't make her live without meat, please? PLEASE?

For a split second, she would admit she was actually amused. "Glitter trousers? Seriously? Tell me you've never owned up to it." And while they were on this topic her eyes trailed down to said trousers. Not a glitter in sight. Quite the relief too or she might have cut her losses and left. Glitter was a big no and she didn't take the Professor for a Pansy. "Yeah, sure. Public, mhm."Not like she spent a tremendous amount of time talking about Professor Smiles anyway.

Normally she'd have given some indication she didn't care for the ramblings being offered to her but in the wake of talks about Astrology, Lex was fine with letting the logic sweep over her. "Plenty of free time on my hands now, I'll be sure to look into it--which reminds me." Lex hopped onto the counter, watching the Professor get their snack ready. "Let's say a REALLY RESPONSIBLE EX-PREFECT wanted to take a glance at a few things in the Restricted Section of the Library because she's exhuasted all her own books on Defensive and Dark magic.......could she ask you for a permission slip?" He was advocating reading here and like....Lex was running out of things to do. Being inside was trying her MAD.

"And I'll be sure to quote that the next time she tries speaking about planets." If the sky really had shifted then it blew her conversation even further out of the water. Take that Professor Smiles.

Also, she might have calmed down a little hearing that he was willing to listen to her version. No doubt the other Professor had gotten some of it twisted. Lex doubted she'd mention calling the Professor unprofessional. "There really isn't that much to tell, see, you know how Professors like opening classes with a few questions? She showed us this astrology chart and asked what it was. I said it's what you'd call blasphemy--but only cause it's true--and you'll never believe it but then she started implying you were unprofessional and junk just because I mentioned you having an opinion." The nerve of it all. Professor Airey was one of the few with a brain, and an interesting one at that. "I wouldn't have cared about her saying I was wrong, I get that all the time but I told her you wouldn't appreciate what she was implying with her statements--so she called me a distraction even though everyone was drawing star charts or whatever and not paying attention to me." That...was pretty much it.

Okay...what was the punchline that she was laughing at? Better yet, where was the joke? He found himself just staring at Miss Cambridge, mouth hanging open and a big ol' invisible question mark above his head. Did he have goo on his face?

Oh, there we go. Good to know that the Gryffindor hadn't gone insane. Or turned into some evil master mind that just had to let out a good long cackle every now and then.

"Nonsense, you wouldn't be eating just green things," he retorted, taking her words at face value. "Fruits and vegetables come in a variety of colors. Not just green." How silly of you to think so, Miss Cambridge. Here, have an awkward pat on the shoulder with his sticky hands.

"I do not own a pair of trousers of that nature," he snorted as he gave the pan a poke to check the consistency of their treats. Hmm...probably should open that window to really give it a quick chill. "I do have a pair that met an unfortunate accident involving glitter, however, but nothing using my lint roller for a good hour or so couldn't fix." He began making his way towards the window, hopping on to the counter near Miss Cambridge and reaching for the latch that held the window shut. "Really responsible ex-prefect," he repeated, eyebrow raised and lips pursed. You have his attention, Miss Cambridge. Ex-prefect. She. Still in the school? Had to be if she wanted access to the restricted section. Hmmmm. "Well, I would think that Professor Romanos would be better suited for that particular request, but I suppose I be an option. Yes."

Fumbling around with the latch to the window, which seemed to be frozen shut, he returned his attention to the prefect as she spoke. "Well, blasphemy IS a bit of a strong word, Miss Cambridge," he chuckled. Surely that was what had got the Divination professor in such a tissy. "I prefer the term pseudoscientific hokum." And then he was reminded just how many times Cassiopeia had mentioned there being a misunderstanding in his office. He didn't have enough toes and fingers to keep track of the number, honestly. And sure enough, there had been one, but not in the way that his colleague seemed to believe there had been. The woman did seem to have selective hearing with things. And yes, she had mentioned her considering him to be an intelligent enough bloke to not talk poorly of another person's subject - which was partly true. He would talk about how illogical and off kilter astrology was any day of the week. It was simple facts. "I was informed that you called it rubbish, not blasphemy."

He was still cool as a cucumber, by the way, and almost literally so considering how cold it was sitting here by the window. More amused at the whole situation than annoyed or upset.

Hmmm...he was going to need to use a Hot Air Charm on this window to open it it seemed.

Know something? That wasn't even funny. Nope. Lex just kinda eeeeased the Professor's hand away, not willing to accept the shoulder pat she could only assume would have been for assurance. Only Botros gave the real shoulder pats, no no Professor, you don't make attempts at those.

But that wasn't the whole reason for removing the man's hand. "I feel like you're mocking me Professor. Like maybe you know something and decided to be super literal about it. It's fine." She said with a casual shrug, not at all frightened by the new resolve that had settled within her. "Reckon you're right and it won't be so bad 'cause see, Professor Thompson has the creatures inside now, easy pickings when things get rough, you know? He's bound to have domestic creatures and if not, exotic meat never hurt no one." Preparedness, she SO had it and this was probably thanks to you Airey. Funny that.

There was something else that classified as funny. "How'd you manage to get glitter on your trousers?" It was half a serious question. You had to admit it sounded odd to think about....just saying....Curious eyes followed him as he hopped onto the counter and reached for the window. She'd almost forgotten they were meant to open that. Lex caught the brow raise but it never occurred to her that the 'ex-prefect' might have been what got him. "Well yeah, don't you think I'm responsible? I wouldn't go cursing anyone."...Not unless they really deserved it and that was only a small list of individuals that the Professor need not concern himself with. Ahem. "You'll write me permission then??" She asked, grinning widely now. That was a yes, right? It sounded like a yes. Oh Merlin please be a yes!!

"Is not." She went on to protest simply. Nothing was too strong a word when it came to Astrology of all things. "But I suppose pseudoscientific hokum works just as well. I'll be sure to use it next time--" Wait what? Rubbish? "I did no such thing, Professor, not even once. Cassia was there, you could ask her." He could ask the whole class but she'd doubted they'd even been paying attention. "I was civil and formal about the whole thing and you know she never denied implying you were unprofessional when I said you wouldn't appreciate it, she just said you also wouldn't appreciate me being disruptive. Are Professors allowed to badmouth each other, even if it's subtle? 'Cause then it'd only be fair we be allowed to say what we think of Ravenclaws in classes." You know, JUST saying while they were on this topic.

Did he need help getting the window open?

Or worry more, rather.

Apparently Schuyler didn't have any more questions or thoughts on the matter. Which was a relief as well, because Olly wasn't sure she'd want to bring West into all of this. So instead she focused on her girlfriend's words. Which wasn't too hard. Especially not when she realized what it was she was saying. It brought a smirk to her lips. "Yeah?" She leaned in to give the other girl a lingering kiss. Sounded like a good plan.

Accomplishment?

Olly shook her head slightly but was amused nonetheless. Once she was done with Schuyler's she did reach for her own plate (she'd just been too lazy to stretch properly earlier) and cut up the pancakes there. She was silent for a moment.

"I'll miss this." Olly reached down to pat Schuyler's knees before picking up the fork again. She hadn't turned around to look at her girlfriend, so the comment appeared to be more casual than it really was. "Knowing that we're both within reach at any time." Yeah, that.

Yeah?

"Yeah," she answered with a little grin just before she felt her lips connect with Olly's. Mmmm. Eventually they parted and Schuyler drew and released a content breath. "It's not like I like sleeping alone." Naturally. It just helped with things right now to be apart for some nights.

As Olly helped herself to the pancakes on the other side of the table, Schuyler absently watched her fingers trace down Olly's back. It was a little while until one of them spoke again, but Schuyler hadn't really noticed the break. Miss this? She felt Olly pat her knee and she smiled again. "Me too." The thought passed through her mind, how it would be after Hogwarts. After summer. "But we will be within reach," she added. And although it wouldn't be the same, she believed they both would drop everything for the other at any point. Just maybe not for, say, a pancake emergency.

Good question. Adi had never considered it. Why was winter his favourite? "Well, I guess it's because I like the cold. I'm not a fan of the heat so yeah. Not sweating in the winter. Plus snowball fights are the best.'' Yep, yep. "But this one is way extreme. I'm actually wishing we could have sunshine again. And soon.'' Oh to be outside again... "Nah. I just tried a little ice skating last term. It was cool despite all the falling over.'' Oh yeah, he had embarrassed himself pretty much in front of Hazel. So, Zander liked the warmth. "You're the outdoorsy kind, huh?'' Just a guess.

Was Zander okay? It seemed as though he was having a coughing fit. "You okay?'' Was he getting the flu or something? Did he need a Potion to perk him up? Oh and Zander? Keep your germs over there. Adi was no fan of being sick.

Adi was totally okay with the conversation turning to chocolate though he was still curious about the real reason the Gryffindor was being weird that day. Maybe one day Zander would confess. Hehe. Waaaait. A chocolate coma? Say what? The Hufflepuff eyed the guy he was chatting with. Was he making that up? "Does that really exist?'' Or did he enjoy making up things? Hmmm.

It was Adi's turn to grin broadly. "Awesome! I've been collecting for three years now too. It's when my candy obsession started. I wonder which of us has the bigger collection.'' Maybe someday they could take a look at the other's cards. And probably even trade a few. "So, how come you're only collecting for three years? Weren't you that interested in Chocolate Frogs then?''

Adi returned a couple of minutes later with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate loaded with marshmallows thanks to a friendly House Elf. "Here you go. Sugar rush, here we come.''

No one did, did they? Like sleeping alone that is. At least not all the time. "Well you won't have to." Olly grinned. Did she notice how she'd just turned the whole thing around? Did it sound like she was doing Schuyler a favor? If so then that was intentional. It was a lot easier taking this lightly than thinking about how they'd both have to do a lot of sleeping alone once school was over. Or summer was over, really.

They'd be within reach, yeah. Not like they were now, though.

Once Olly was full, she pushed the plate away from her a little and leaned back into Schuyler. "Yeah, at least you're not going to Spain." At this she turned her head slightly to be able to look at her girlfriend. Really, Spain. Still, she'd handled that pretty well, hadn't she? Even though it had felt like her head was about to explode any second. They'd had a normal conversation about it.

See, she WAS doing a lot better.

There HAD to be Hot Chocolate! She just might die without it! Well, not literally of course, that'd be terrible. But still, it was the only thing she could think of that might help her to stay warm in this freezing castle, right?! Right.

Wrapped in a warm blanket from her dorm, the second year quickly made her way through the castle from the Ravenclaw Tower down towards the kitchen. Shivering slightly, she'd managed to find her way onto the Kitchen Level & eventually reached the Kitchen. Placing her small hands on cold door, she gave it a push as she walked into the kitchen.

But she stopped abruptly when she'd seen that there was an older girl already there which made her gasp a little bit. "O-Oh-" She cleared her throat as she wrapped the blanket around her tighter & began backing up a little. bit. "I-I uh..I-I'm sorry-I uh-" Perhaps she should leave, right?

SPOILER!!: pretty sure that is just a defense mechanism HAHA

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

Know something? That wasn't even funny. Nope. Lex just kinda eeeeased the Professor's hand away, not willing to accept the shoulder pat she could only assume would have been for assurance. Only Botros gave the real shoulder pats, no no Professor, you don't make attempts at those.

But that wasn't the whole reason for removing the man's hand. "I feel like you're mocking me Professor. Like maybe you know something and decided to be super literal about it. It's fine." She said with a casual shrug, not at all frightened by the new resolve that had settled within her. "Reckon you're right and it won't be so bad 'cause see, Professor Thompson has the creatures inside now, easy pickings when things get rough, you know? He's bound to have domestic creatures and if not, exotic meat never hurt no one." Preparedness, she SO had it and this was probably thanks to you Airey. Funny that.

There was something else that classified as funny. "How'd you manage to get glitter on your trousers?" It was half a serious question. You had to admit it sounded odd to think about....just saying....Curious eyes followed him as he hopped onto the counter and reached for the window. She'd almost forgotten they were meant to open that. Lex caught the brow raise but it never occurred to her that the 'ex-prefect' might have been what got him. "Well yeah, don't you think I'm responsible? I wouldn't go cursing anyone."...Not unless they really deserved it and that was only a small list of individuals that the Professor need not concern himself with. Ahem. "You'll write me permission then??" She asked, grinning widely now. That was a yes, right? It sounded like a yes. Oh Merlin please be a yes!!

"Is not." She went on to protest simply. Nothing was too strong a word when it came to Astrology of all things. "But I suppose pseudoscientific hokum works just as well. I'll be sure to use it next time--" Wait what? Rubbish? "I did no such thing, Professor, not even once. Cassia was there, you could ask her." He could ask the whole class but she'd doubted they'd even been paying attention. "I was civil and formal about the whole thing and you know she never denied implying you were unprofessional when I said you wouldn't appreciate it, she just said you also wouldn't appreciate me being disruptive. Are Professors allowed to badmouth each other, even if it's subtle? 'Cause then it'd only be fair we be allowed to say what we think of Ravenclaws in classes." You know, JUST saying while they were on this topic.

Did he need help getting the window open?

Oh. No touching. Got it. Probably one of those student-professor boundaries that he had just crossed. Message received, Miss Cambridge. No more shoulder patting for you. He was rubbish and giving them anyway, so it was just as well.

"Mock you? I would never!" he gasped with fake offense, complete with hand over his chest. "If I were teasing you, trust me, you would be completely aware and not just think I were." He wasn't subtle like that. If you were going to do something may as well be obvious about it and take full ownership of your actions. "I am going to pretend I didn't hear that." And perhaps give Javy the heads up that if some creatures went missing chances were that they were being BBQ'd somewhere. Pygmy puffs did seem the appropriate size to put on a roasting stick and cook over an open fire...

"Have you seen the outside of my office recently?" he asked with pointed looks. Really, the scene spoke for itself. He really should clean that all up soon. And there were even more pointed looks when she revealed she had been talking about herself. Wooooooooah plot twist he hadn't seen coming. "But you said ex-prefect, Miss Cambridge. And unless Professor Bentley has not informed me of a replacement, then there is nothing ex about you nor should there be any reason for you to believe that about yourself." Seriously, was he missing something? Pebbles had fallen off his desk and on his head the other day...he supposed he could have been knocked out or suffered some sort of temporary memory loss of events. Maybe?

So she needed to explain that before he completely agreed to writing her a permission slip.

"Perhaps when saying it to the very person teaching said topic," he nodded. Especially if they easily took offense. Giggling galaxies was he sensitive about having astrology confused with astronomy. Instant detention to the next student who did it. Most likely. He was a very sensitive and proud man when it came to the noble science of astronomy. But he was pinching the bridge of his nose and shutting his eyes tight. Sweet solstice this game of she said, she said was ridiculous. Also, whose bloody brilliant idea was it to put Astronomy and Divination in general area? The subjects could honestly do with 7 floors between the two of them. "Well...this is all rather unfortunate," he sighed. "As civil and calm as you may have been, Miss Cambridge, I lament that it certainly did not translate that way." He wouldn't comment on the unprofessional comment, because it would be rather unprofessional of himself to say that it was unprofessional to imply as such in front of a room of students. "I told Professor Morgan I would speak with you and, as proof of our discussion, may I suggest to send her a short note?" Not that he really felt the Gryffindor had anything to apologize for really. She was simply using logic and making sense. "Don't dwell on the truthfulness of your actions and words, but the unintentional consequences of the truth perhaps?"

It was hard doing something similar to an apology when logic was involved, but he felt obligated to do something in this case. He had been hanging around too many Hufflepuffs. And Medea. They were taking away his edge.

Likes the cold? Brrr! Just the thought alone sent shivers down the Gryffindor's back. "Hmm I guess..." Snowball fights were alright. Except when your brothers would pound them at your face. Then they weren't so much alright. Yeah. Maybe that's why the third year had so much against snow. Maybe. But as Adi explained how he thought this weather was extreme, Zander nodded his head in agreement. At least even Adi, a winter fanatic, was able to see how awful this was. "Sunshine... I miss it," what did sunshine even look like anymore? It was actually kind of hard to remember. "Iceskaing?" The Gryffindor lifted an eyebrow curiously. "I-I've actually never been, but it sounds like fun. Are you any good?" Because maybe Adi could teach him-- granted, if they ever got out of course.

As for the outdoorsy bit, Zander thought about the question for a few minutes. Hm. He had never really thought about it that way. Except he wasn't one of those that'd adventure out in the wild. He was just more of the 'appreciates the peace and quietness and beauty of nature kind'. "I-uh... Kind of... I mean I wouldn't really consider myself outdoorsy... But-but I just like being outside surrounded by the nothingness of things sometimes?" Did that even make sense? See, inside the noise the chaos the everything really, it just got overwhelming. Especially at home with his two brothers. But outside, it was different. "It's... Just a good break from everything, you know?" Okaaaay, welp. He went from freaked out to all hippy like in the matter of minutes. Hopefully Adi wouldn't think he was as insane as Zander knew he probably was sounding.

Huh? Was he okay? Whaaa? Oh. The coughing. "Yeah, I'm alright. It's just the wonky weather I think," yeah. At least that lie was somewhat relevant. Hm. The third year was doing a lot of lying lately. This was bad. He needed to stop. But they just kept coming and coming. He was just trying to survive okay!?

But that chocolate coma thing. That was not a lie. Nope. It was totally a scientific fact. Definitely. "I... I think so? I don't know if it was a coma actually..." He thought about it for a minute. Nope. It totally was. "Or at least... You get a really bad stomach aches when you eat too much at a time." That was a coma, right?

Adi had only been collecting for three years too? Woaaaah what a coincidence! Zander smiled, though he totally knew HE had the bigger collection, he'd be polite. 'Cause you know... Friends. "Eh, you probably do, maybe one day we could compare or something?" And trade 'n stuff! "Well I've always loved chocolates... But I'm muggleborn," as if that would explain everything. Which it should because they didn't have chocolate frogs back home. Hogwarts train was the first time he saw them! Once Adi returned with the mugs, Zander gave him a smile. "Thanks," he said as he took one from the boy. "Cheers!"

Angel looked at Benny as she continued the massage. "Well you need to be all nice and relax and I want you to feel better." Angel hoped he wouldn't be mad with her because she was just trying to help.

Angel stopped the massage and went and sat down next to Benny, she then quickly drank a bit of the hot chocolate she had made. "This is nice." Angel was really enjoying herself, she was spending time with her cutie-pie and she was totally enjoying the hot chocolate she had made.

Thank you for stopping Professor. This is no time for false reassurance. They were likely to starve to death later on. Food was serious stuff. Lex regarded Airey's theatrics with, at first, evident sceptism that faded into acceptance. He had a point. If he was truly at it, surely she'd have noticed, if only a little. "It's for the best you don't Professor." So yeah, he could pretend he didn't hear her. It would work out for her in the end. If he didn't know, he couldn't mention it to the Headmistress OR Professor Thompson and no one would get in trouble for this eternal winter making them survivors. "I don't suggest you questioning any food I may offer you when it hits April or May thereabout." Term was still a long way from ending but she figured they'd start running low by then.

Lex would be ready for this.

As for the outside of his office...."No...but now I get the feeling I should take a look. If it's like I think, you'll have a glitter infestation. I can take care of that for you." Thanks to Abbi she'd become skilled at glitter removal. Lex remembered the days Abbi used to bound into their dorm covered in glitter with proclamations that she was a fairy. It was very patience building if nothing else. Of all the things to be gotten from what she said, he was going to cling to the ex-prefect part? Seriously Professor? "She hasn't told you because I haven't gone to her office to turn in my badge yet. Too much to do and I keep forgetting in the middle of it all." The Professor may have thought there was no reasoning behind it but he hadn't been in Collarbin's office with her, or the class for that mater. "Let's just say Professor Culloden has helped me see that Gryffindor deserves an actual Prefect." Like the ones the handbook described. Evidently she fell short.

That was a good enough explanation yes? Now about that permission slip before you fully change your mind? Hmm?

Make no mistake, Lex wanted to ask what if said person didn't understand such logical terminology given her stark belief in the illogical and unproven and perhaps if she was still 11...maybe 12 she would have, but now she knew that anyone would see she was asking what if the woman was too dumb to get it and THAT never won you favours, whether you were right or wrong. Had to maintain a respectful tone regardless so she simply nodded. "Duly noted." The note was considered too, proof he'd spoken to her...yeah...that sort of thing and she wouldn't have minded at all....until he said that.

Don't dwell on the truthfulness of your actions and words, but the unintentional consequences of the truth perhaps? That sounded suspiciously like 'you didn't do anything wrong but I need you to apologize to nurse a grown woman's ego.

Alexa raised an eyebrow at the Professor. "...You want me to apologize because she didn't understand?" She asked doubtfully. It wasn't that she was giving him cheek, but more that she was trying to understand. Legit.

For some reason, Penelope hadn't yet found anything she really wanted to eat. She'd looked through a few cupboards already but nothing really grabbed her attention. Maybe she should go to the Great Hall after all? Might be easier to decide on whatever was up there...though it wasn't a meal time yet. Or was it? What time was it exactly?

Just as she started looking around for a clock or something, she heard a voice behind her. Turning, she saw it was a younger girl with a blanket wrapped around her...but why was she stammering out an apology? "For what?" Penelope asked. It didn't look like she'd spilled anything or knocked anything over so what was there to be sorry for?

Yes, now she wouldn't have to sleep alone.

Well, not tonight. But Schuyler would just think about tonight for the time being. They had done enough thinking about the future for today. Yeah, she didn't particularly like the thought of her bed being Olly-deprived..

As the other girl leaned into her, her hands moved to cover her girlfriend's, fingers slipping between Olly's. Speaking of not going to Spain.. "I still want to see Spain, though. And since we do have a long summer break..." Did she really need to finish that sentence? Because Schuyler was certainly liking the idea of a vacation. Just her and Olly. "It could be, you know.." She grinned cheekily and wiggled into Olly more. "Romantic."

Cheesin'.