Adi watched Zander. What was he thinking? Maybe it was memories with snow? Maybe he had some of those that weren't so good? "Same here,'' Adi replied. Wait. That wasn't something thought he'd hear himself say. Ever O_O Anyway..."It is fun,'' he said enthusiastically. "But sadly I'm not good. Last term was the first I tried it and naturally I kept falling over.'' Such embarrassing yet funny memories those were. "I haven't tried it again though.''

Didn't Zander know if he was the outdoorsy kind or not? Adi waited patiently for his friend to make up his mind while he went back to watching the Houselves. "Surrounded by the nothingness of things sometimes''? Adi struggled to make sense of it. ''Does that mean...it means you like the peace nature brings?'' If that's what the Gryffindor meant, Adi totally understood what he was getting at.

"Do you need to get the Pepper Up Potion or something from the Healer?'' Did that potion even work? Maybe he could see of it did should Zander need it. Hehe. Guinea Pig Zander.

Adi decided he must check out this chocolate coma thingy. Or whatever it was. It was news to him. Meh. Every day you learnt something new. But stomach aches he knew about, having suffered from a few.

“That’s cool with me." Adi was hoping they could do some trading too, though he didn’t know Zander was thinking along the same lines. Ohh. He was a Muggle born? Adi seemed to be making a lot of Muggle born friends this year. “I’m half blood. Mom’s a witch. She was in Gryffindor, actually.’’

The Hufflepuff inhaled the scent of his hot chocolate. Mmm. “Cheers!’’ He took a sip. Chocolate in any form was just awesome!

Mackenzie entered the kitchen and noticed a few other students but quickly set to work away from them so as to not interrupt whatever it was they were doing.. Setting out the supplies that she had gotten from her aunt along the counter.

She quickly began to mix them together before pouring them into two baking dishes and sliding them in the oven. Upon finishing this task she cleaned up the counter around her to busy herself until the brownies finished. After twenty or so minutes Mackenzie checked on the delicious smell baked goods they were pefect. After pulling them out she quickly carried them up to the gryffindor common room.. not leaving a trace behind her.

SPOILER!!: he is not against change...but is okay sticking with this method XD

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

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.

Yep. Definitely needed to send Javy a little memo to keep an extra eye on his critters.....and made a mental note to not only NOT question any food she may offer him, but also to just not accept it. Maybe Cecelia had it right, only eating things that she prepared herself or had overseen the making of. Hogwarts was...slightly terrifying that way. "Duly noted," he confirmed.

She, wait what? Miss Cambridge was oozing confidence over glitter. Giggling galaxies this was...unsettling? Only as to why it was so unsettling was not something he fully understood why. "You, a glitter expert?" he snorted quietly while trying not to laugh. "Forgive me, Miss Cambridge, but you just never seemed the glittery type." Learn something new every day. "I had been hoping that those responsibly would come and clean up their own mess, but seeing as term will be drawing to a close and I would rather not have frozen specks of glitter all over...if you wish to do some clean up there I would certainly not object. Gather together a little army for your cleaning purposes if you must, General Cambridge," he concluded, complete with a proper salute.

But then the sprightly conversation turned sour when he heard what the prefect had to say next. Not only that a professor had seemingly come hard on her enough to make her believe that she was undeserving of the badge enough that she had to turn it in of her own accord. There were a few things wrong with this picture. Well, more than a few, and he was somewhat selfishly considering one point primarily in his brain at the moment and that thought was that Miss Cambridge was implying that he, Airey Flamsteed, was wrong about her. That thinking she should be selected as a prefect was a smart selection. So he was displeased that the young lady in front of him was essentially telling him that he was wrong.

"I do not know what was said, nor do I need to know the details," he replied calmly. No, seriously, there had been enough of she-said, he-said today. "But what disappoints me most, Miss Cambridge, is how you are selling your talents short. You represent what muggles would refer to as a Cinderfella story." Was that right? It sounded something like that anyway. "Are you perfect? No. But who is a perfect. Well, minus Sir Patrick Stewart and Neil deGrasse Tyson...but that isn't the point. The point is, Miss Cambridge, that you embody what is means to be Gryffindor in more ways than you realize. I know about what happened your first year, and I wish to Merlin that professors wouldn't have given up on me when I went through a similar thing as a student. Professor Bentley continued to see your potential, as did the Headmistress. You were given that badge and lead Gryffindor without a partner. You, all the while remaining true to yourself, earned the chance to show that you are so much more than a first year who made a mistake. You show younger students, Gryffindor and not, that just because you may make mistakes doesn't mean that it is over. Through hard work and truth of self you can make a name for yourself and be inspiring." Don't go telling him he is wrong now, Miss Cambridge. HE WAS RIGHT! "You have all the authority right here," he said, poking her forehead with his finger. "You just need to recognize that and not let others tell you otherwise."

He had entirely forgotten about his window opening side quest now, by the way, but with the conversation growing long they may not need to open it anyway as the mess of a snack was cooling just fine.

"Misinterpreted," he correctly. It was a nicer sounding word. "Misinterpreted which then lead to negative thoughts which lead to mild emotional suffering. To paraphrase the Jedi just a smidgen." See, this is what happens when one defends something without the scientific fact behind it. Becomes an emotional game, which is precisely why he preferred to let his head lead his actions. He himself had told the woman that he did not agree nor particularly like astrology point blank in his office. "A difference of opinion is nothing to be sorry about, but some cannot handle the debate."

The second year just stood there looking as if someone had cast a Freezing charm on her or something. Would that be believable to the older girl if she didn't move? Maybe she could act as if one of the House Elves had decided to pull a little prank on her? Right? Or maybe she might think that she'd been frozen solid because of how cold the castle was?

Oh DRATS, the girl was speaking to her, and she knew that it would probably be extremely rude if she didn't answer her or else she might find her rude. And that was something she hoped she wasn't, especially because her father would be very upset with her for not showing her manners. Although, would he be really mad at her though or proud of her? Because he did say that all strangers are dangerous.

....But why was her mouth suddenly moving with her voice making noise..

"Uh-I...I-I didn't know a-anyone was in here..I-I h-hadn't meant to intrude....Y-You were here fi-first..." She cleared her throat. "I-I could um..c-come back i-if you want.."

Lex gave a firm, solemn nod. Something told her Airey would always be questioning things in his head but that was fine. She couldnt hear him in his head. She could live with silent protest just as much as he could live with her eating the animals. Felix wouldn't mind, she was sure.

A glitter expert though....she shook her head. "Nah, just seen enough of the stuff and have enough of a dislike to know how to get rid of it." It was either get rid of it or have Abbi say she can't so they might as well accept her. There would be no acceptance here, not on the grounds of glitter. By now the younger Gryffindor had realized this. Lex almost snorted when he said he'd hoped those responsible would clean it up but decided against this. Clearly the Professor had too much faith in the student populus. Ohh but what's this? She could gather and army to get it done? "You can count on me Professor. We'll have it nice and cleaned before you know it! Not a glitter will be in sight." Alice nearly vaccuumed Abbi's face off once, but it'd been worth it. This would be easy pickings.

Lex had already started going through a list of people in her head, Gryffindors mostly because they technically fell under her jurisdiction so they wouldn't give her a whole bunch of 'what's in it for me'. The Lions could, because it would all go back to them anyway. Then the conversation took a turn she didn't expect and for a while Lex just silently sat there listening while Professor Airey went on about all the faith he had in her.

Wow...just wow...At first she really didn't think she knew what to say. It was obvious she stayed true to who she was, but whether or not that proved to be a good thing for the badge was yet to be proven. Her methods were, afterall, unconventional but how could she tell him he was wrong? She DID get to Prefect a House on her own for a year and they asked her back the next. No one died....and they didn't lose excessive points....

In the end she found herself smiling at the Astronomer. "I guess you could be right." Yes she did say guess. Guessing was as much as she'd offer because even if Collarbin was wrong, the handbook wasn't, you know? Even if she DID believe she was a good prefect she couldn't deny some of the essential qualities that she lacked. "Just wish they had spells or potions to help with this kind of stuff." Her own will power wasn't enough when she was annoyed and when it came to certain lions she was always annoyed. See the problem? Responsibility was HARD. Taking charge was easy enough but it was the responsibility after that usually got her.

By now she assumed they wouldn't be opening the window at all but that was fine. There wasn't as much steam rising from the treats now. They would be done in no time.

After Airey explained, she realized it WAS what she thought it was; apologizing to soothe a grown woman's ego because she herself wasn't capable or understanding the more logical things in life. Great. Just great. "I'll.....uh.....see what I can do...yeah? Make it sound legit and everything--just don't blame me if she shows up at your office again." Just saying.

Zander smiled at the cold-liking Hufflepuff. Alright so at first, he was a bit skeptical about how Adi actually loved winter.. But at least the guy agreed that this weather was extreme. Because uh, helloooo it was awful. And that was a fact. At all this ice skating stuff, Zander wasn't too sure how he felt about that. But Adi seemed to enjoy himself. "Maybe we can do it next year? If we ever get out of this place." Ahem. It was doubtful. Of course, this Gryffindor was already pretty clumsy without having to worry about wearing skates.... So that should be fun... An adventure? Maybe even beautiful Bentley would join them!

The Gryffindor couldn't help but chuckle at how confused Adi sounded. Oops. He probably shouldn't have been so vague about the whole thing. The nothingness... Who wouldn't be confused!? He was starting to sound all weird like an old wise guy or something. Like Botros. O___O Weird. "Yeah, kind of... I just like how it's so quiet out there, you know?" That was less vague right? "It's just... I mean.... Just relaxing. It's a good change in scenery too," AH all this talk about the great outdoors was making him so nostalgic to those better times when the could actually walk out there without the fear of creeping hypothermia.

Pepper up uh? Zander's eyes widened in fear. No he did not need a pepperwhatever! What did that even meaaan?! Was there actual pepper in it because NO pepper is grosss!! And if it was a potion, Culloden probably made it right? He made potions. It was what he did. He's the potions master. No. He did not trust that guy. "No, nope I'm alright now, see?" He was just peachy! He was doing fine. Nothing to see here folks. "It was probably just something in the air," he said as he waved his hand nonchalantly. Mhm. Totally the air.

Halfblood? How did that even work out. See if he thought his parents were surprised to find out he was all magicky, how would Adi's dad feel!? "So was your dad weirded out or anything? I mean... When he found out about your mom?" Zander took this time to take another big sip of the hot chocolate. Mhhmmm it was wonderful. This was really the only good thing about the winter. The extension of hot chocolate season. Yep. The only good thing. Well... Besides getting to keep Bentley around in the castle more often. That part was good too.

For a brief moment, Penelope did in fact wonder if a Freezing Charm had been cast on the girl because she wasn't moving a muscle. Was she okay? Should she do something? Was the cold from the outside getting to her? Could it actually freeze people like this?

But no, thankfully, no charms or crazy temperatures seemed to have frozen her because now she was talking. Phew.

She seemed to think she was intruding though? That was why she was sorry? Penelope raised an eyebrow a little...and then smiled, amused. "I don't own the kitchen, so you're not intruding. You can stay if you want. S'a big place after all."

Zoe made her way to the kitchens, she was really wanting some nice hot soup. Entering the kitchens, she looked around for anyone she might know or even a house elf. The fire looked way too welcoming though. A shiver went through her and she went straight for the fire to warm herself up. She really hated the cold that was keeping everyone inside the castle, wishing she could go outside was making her feel claustrophobic. She pulled her jumper closer around her as she stood near the fire. The only good thing coming of all this was that the OWL's had been postponed....

James followed the young girl to the kitchen already thinking about the nice fire he was going to sit in front of with the nice hot food and comfy chairs. It was enough to make a boy giddy in this cold, cold weather. Nope most definitely was not his cup of tea this cold weather. OOOO TEA! That was hot.

He barely heard what Lux said about his brother and some Acro-whatchamacallits.... and shivered. Spiders. Giving them a fancy name did not make them any better they were still gross, disgusting spiders. "Yeah...well my brother is crazy." And who is Abbi? Something told him he needed to find his brother soon. All these friends and somehow he'd been left out. Hmph.

As they approached the kitchen he held the door open in his gloved hand for Lux bouncing slightly on his heels to warm him up. He followed behind her and a grin spread across his face as he saw someone he did know. Holding up his gloved finger against his lips as he glanced at Lux, he snuck up quietly behind Zoe and wrapped his severely padded arms around her. "SURPRISE!!!" Meh he wasn't sure what to be surprised about, the fact that he was wearing a million sweaters? Didn't matter. He let her go and stood by the fire next to her desperately willing the heat from the flames to reach his bones so they'd stop chattering.

Now this is what Lux was talking about.

Warmth. Lovely warmth.

Ignoring James' comment about Lucas being crazy, Lux skipped over to the counter and towards the plate of chocolate chip cookies. These never stopped being amazing, and Lux had no idea how the house elves did it. They were ninjas at cooking.

Happily eating the cookie, she watched as James sneaked up on some girl in order to surprise her. Haha! That was funny, and reminded her of how Bay sometimes did the same thing. Never to her, but to some of their friends. Thinking of Bay always made her happier.

AJ's birthday had come and gone, and she never did get a birthday cake. Thinking that she would fix that herself, she made her way down to the kitchens. Her mum made making any kind of bake goods look easy, but of course the woman was a natural. As she looked around to see what all she would need, she wondered if she should have invited her sister's. They did share the same birthday after all.

Angel decided that she would eat the cake that she had done for her birthday to herself, she didn't care what AJ or Abby thought about it because they had totally forgot about their birthday, she also wondered if AJ had gotten the present she had left on her bed, she hoped that she had because it had taken her ages to find the necklace but AJ hadn't said anything to her later, so when Angel saw AJ she just ignored her, and continued to get things ready.

The first year was pulling down bowls of different sizes and she ticked off the ingredients one by one from a recipe that she had found. AJ was going to make a chocolate cake with chocolate icing with chocolate frogs on top. Her mouth watered just thinking about it.

As she was putting her things into an organized mess on the counter she noticed somebody else come in from the corner of her eye. "Angel." It was her sister. Was it just her, or was Angel trying to ignore her?

Angel thought about pretending that she hadn't heard her sister but well that would be a bit too harsh on her sister so in the end she decided she would at least say hi. "Hi AJ." Angel gave her sister one of her small smiles, she wasn't that happy with the way her sister had not remembered their birthday.

Angel took out a dish and a spoon and then she cut a slice of the chocolate fudge cake she had made for them and she decided to have a bit of it. She thought it was amazing especially with all the fudge in the middle.

Hmmm... something was definitely off with her sister. She could tell in the way that she had said hello to AJ. It almost seemed like it was forced. The lion noticed the small smile as well. AJ wondered if she should bring it up at all. She measured out the right amount of flour and added it in the bowl. "Whatcha doing?" She was in the kitchens so Angel had to be here to cook or eat something.

Oh look, Angel had a cake of her own. "Where did you get that from?" If mum had sent them a cake, and Angel kept it to herself, she was going to be mad at her sister for not sharing.

Somehow Olly wished they were in Schuyler's dorm already instead of here.

The kitchen was fine too though. At least it had food. Olly turned her head slightly to look at Schuyler when she spoke. Some eye rolling was happening though. Somehow she'd expected something like this. Because it was obvious that her girlfriend DID want to go to Spain. The sigh that escaped her lips didn't really convey that much annoyance though. She HAD gotten her way earlier. So this was only fair.

"Fiiiiiine. We can go to Spain."

Romantic. Really. She grinned. "If that's what you want." They could do romantic. Maybe. Yes.

Angel looked at AJ as she continued to eat some of the cake, there was way too much of it for her to eat in one go, so she'd probably save some for another day, though the cake did taste awesome. "Nothing." Angel wasn't really doing much, just eating the cake she had made.

"I made it." Angel said truthfully, her sister could figure out what for, since it was like her fault that she wasn't getting some, she had totally ignored their birthday for some strange reason, it wasn't like they were getting old or anything, if they were turning ancient say 17 then she could understand ignoring it.

She was finally able to feel her fingers again, by the fire and had her eyes closed enjoying feeling warm again at least temporarily. She was about to look and see if there was a house elf nearby when she jumped a foot into the air her eyes going wide. "I...who..." she looked up and behind and saw James there before he let her go "JAMES!" she exclaimed trying to calm her racing heart. How in merlin's name had she not heard him???

Turning around she shivered a little and saw another girl there as well. "Err...hi." she was still eyeing James with narrowed eyes.

One word responses. AJ couldn't ignore that something was definitely off with the sister who shared her face. AJ could see that she was eating the cake, but she was trying to make small talk. Obviously Angel wasn't having any of that. Adding her eggs and sugar, AJ beat the mixture for several moments. It didn't look like Angel was going to offer her a piece or anything.

"Cool." Now, AJ was making her own. This was the first time that she had to make her own cake. It felt a weird, and a pang of homesickness hit her. Apparently her sister didn't have anything else to add. "Just say it." Angel was known for being quiet and stewing when something was wrong. AJ was the opposite. She always wanted to put everything out on the table so they could move on.

Angel looked at her sister whilst she was making her cake, okay she wanted her just to say it, Angel could feel the temper boiling up inside her. "YOU FORGOT OUR BIRTHDAY!!" Angel wasn't happy about that. "I LEFT YOU A PRESENT ON YOUR BED ON OUR BIRTHDAY, IT WAS A NICE NECKLESS I GOT FOR YOU!" Yeah Angel was shouting and she was glad that no Professor was there otherwise she'd probably be in trouble for all the noise she was making.

*calm*

Angel was trying to get back to her happy place, but at the minute all she wanted to do was throw a slice of her cake at AJ and run but at the minute she hadn't totally lost her senses though AJ was pushing her.

Well, that escalated quickly. She knew that something was brewing with Angel and at least she now knew what the problem was. AJ didn't appreciate being yelled at though. "You don't have to yell at me." Forgot their birthday? "How could I forget our birthday?" She didn't. A necklace? "I didn't see anything on my bed." Pause. She was trying not to yell back, but she couldn't contain it any longer. "I HAVE YOU A CARD AND EVERYTHING. I DIDN'T FORGET. I JUST HAVEN'T SEEN YOU LATELY." What did she expect her to do? Hunt her down?

AJ was downright glaring at her sister. She was tired of being blamed for everything. If things fell apart it was her fault. If they didn't see enough of each other, it was her fault. She was tired of being the scapegoat. She was tired of being Angel's punching bag. This whole sister thing worked both ways.

O_________________o

Was AJ glaring at her?

Now in her normal mind this would be were she would just settle down but the weather had been getting to her lately, it was too cold and there was snow everywhere and she had been locked inside for way to long now so she wasn't in her normal mind.

"DON'T GLARE AT ME!!!!!!!" Angel gave her sister the evil eyes now "OH really you have a card for me." Angel rolled her eyes. "AND how convent, I bet you throw the necklace in the bin." Angel was very angry now and she didn't care what she said to her sister.

"I"LL DO WHAT I WANT." Angel wasn't the boss of her. If she had an issue then she could leave the kitchen. AJ was here first, and she wasn't budging. Her cake mix was laid to the side and forgotten. She was too angry to even realize that it would ruin if she didn't finish it in the next few minutes.

Did she just roll her eyes? "OH, WHAT? ARE YOU CALLING ME A LIAR?" This whole not being able to soak up the sunshine and climb a tree thing was putting her on edge. How dare she! AJ would NEVER throw away a present. "YOU TAKE THAT BACK!" Her voice was getting even louder. She had half of a nerve to smack her cake on the floor.

Angel rolled her eyes at her sister once again. "I'LL SAY AND DO WHAT I WANT THEN." Angel glared at her sister, she would normal back down way before this point, she had never ever seen her sister get this angry and she didn't know what would happen but common sense just wasn't in her little head today, she was totally grumpy because it was spring and most of the plants needed caring for and she couldn't do that at the minute.

"YEAH I AM CALLING YOU A LIAR!!" Angel rolled her eyes at her sister. "It was all wrapped up and put on your pillow." Angel was getting even more angry now. "I will do no such thing." Angel wasn't taking anything back.

"IT'S A FREE COUNTRY." Angel could do whatever she wanted. Mimicking her sister, AJ's eyes rolled into the back of her head. The lion was so mad that she didn't even remember what it was that they were fighting about. She was too far gone though. The first year was passed the point of return. Angel had started this, and AJ was not going to budge.

Did she hear herself? "WHO THROWS AWAY PRESENTS?" Did she look like an idiot? "YOU'RE THE LIAR." She probably didn't even get a necklace for her. "SURE IT WAS." AJ laughed mockingly and folded her arms while she stared her sister down.