He was out of classes for the rest of the day. But unlike the other Hogwartians, Trent wasn't the kind to take nature walks when it wasn't necessary (except if it was a walk towards the sea). He preferred the almost dark, quiet corridors instead. Today, he was spending time with the Third Floor Corridor. No one was around. No one to bother him and disturb his manly thoughts.

Pulling out his favorite ping pong ball from his pant's pocket, Trent leaned and slid down the wall, unfastened his tie then stretched his legs. After a few moments, he started throwing the ball upwards and swiped it quickly only to throw it towards the opposite wall. It bounced back to him and he threw it back again. With the ball bouncing back and forth, he wondered if he should be making be out making friends instead of being here all by himself. Nah, maybe later. The rhythm of the bouncing ball was just too hard to resist.

Delilah was on her way to the fourth floor, to visit the library. She knew classes had just begun and it wasn't like she had to take any major exams this year so she could kind of relax but somehow the girl liked to prepare way in advance. Besides, she enjoyed learning new things.. so why not?

She strolled down the the third floor corridor to take the staircase to the next floor, completely oblivious to the boy seated on the floor because she was kind of absorbed in her own thoughts.. when she felt something whizz by, very close to her face. WHOA. The girl jumped back immediately.. her heart nearly thudding out of her chest when she realised that it was just a ball. A freaking ball. Her bright grey-blue eyes followed the direction of the object to find a boy about her age..

"You scared me." Delilah stated bluntly.

Call it slow reflexes or being carried away by the moment but Trent did see that someone with a head of blonde nest was walking towards him and his still bouncing ball. He just got a little late in stopping his arm from pitching the small hollow sphere back in the direction of the wall opposite to him. But not too late that it would actually hit the girl. Besides, she managed to jump back just in time.

Still, he was not amused. He was having a moment here and here she was getting in the way. "And you, should be looking at where you're going." Slightly narrowing his eyes at the girl, Trent fisted the ball and set it on his left knee.

Delilah narrowed her eyes slightly at the boy. Okay, well. It was prooooobably her fault because she should have watched where she was going, clearly. But he could be a bit nicer about it, yeah? She folded her arms and stood where she was, the annoyance in her eyes turning to mild curiosity. Wait, she'd never seen him around him before.

"First of all, don't be rude.." ... Because seriously, rude people annoyed her. "...and secondly, are you new?"

Lady Blondie didn't look too amused as well....for what seemed like a few seconds. But now, she was currently giving him the curious eyes. Well, that was a quick change in attitude. Not that he was complaining, he preferred the look of scrutiny than to let the girl start a scene.

Raising an eyebrow, Trent pocketed the pingpong ball at the same he rose on his two feet. "I wasn't being rude, lady. I was merely voicing out a suggestion." And a sensible suggestion at that. "I'm Trent. Trent Valdez." He acquiesced after, holding out his hand towards the girl.

Lady? Okay, seriously. Delilah just eyed him some more, unsure what to say or a moment. Lady? Like, why did he just call her 'lady'? That was just weird. She cleared her throat and said, "Right.. well, thanks for the suggestion. I'll keep that in mind in the future." .. And no, she didn't say that to be sarcastic. The girl actually meant it, heh. She really should look where she was going..

"It's nice to meet you, Trent. I'm Delilah Starr." The girl said, shaking his outstretched hand with a smile. "Are you new?" She added, rather abruptly but the girl was curious, yeah? Oops.

Not only was the Charms classroom located on this floor, but it was also home to the most annoying portraits ever. Not even those she'd heard when she found Nigel on the floor were as annoying as this ones. Do you reckon this is thanks to sharing floors with the Healer and Fuller? Though, Fuller has been happier lately.

Who could blame the portraits when they're hanged close to the Hospital Wing, right? Right.

Well, she was still blaming them for unsolicited comments.

But she stopped by one in particular and looked at it, "That's kind of rude." Mainly because she couldn't care less about what was going on in the Room of Requirement. Did Aparecium get all the gossip from the portraits instead of students? Gossip travels fast between one portrait to another, you know.

So, Lotus stood in front of it, wondering how exactly could you silence them...

Yawning, Jun made his way towards the great hall. Maybe taking a detour here and there every now and then. He was delaying his time to get there. Wasn't too eager to eat but was a bit hungry. Turning the corner, Jun barely paid attention to the portraits and their nonsense. Humming a song, he turned the corner and continued his walk. Were these portraits usually this chatty? Something must've set them off.

Hearing a voice, that didn't belong to the portraits, Jun raised a brow from the distance. Lovely. "Have you tried tilting their frames to make them stop? Spooks them so it usually works," He said to Lotus, teasingly tilting the frames of a portrait. Nope, they didn't like that much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star-Lord

Yawning, Jun made his way towards the great hall. Maybe taking a detour here and there every now and then. He was delaying his time to get there. Wasn't too eager to eat but was a bit hungry. Turning the corner, Jun barely paid attention to the portraits and their nonsense. Humming a song, he turned the corner and continued his walk. Were these portraits usually this chatty? Something must've set them off.

Hearing a voice, that didn't belong to the portraits, Jun raised a brow from the distance. Lovely. "Have you tried tilting their frames to make them stop? Spooks them so it usually works," He said to Lotus, teasingly tilting the frames of a portrait. Nope, they didn't like that much.

Yes, she heard footsteps, unrecognizable ones, which is why she didn't even turn to look who could it possibly be, until IT spoke.

Oh?

We can't deny that's actually clever, "That wouldn't really solve the issue, would it? I'd rather have a more permanent solution." Considering one of the portraits inhabitants was threatening to take this to the Headmistress if harm was done to it. Jon was doing no harm at all, how dramatic this portrait was. "Have you ever tried to silence them?" Again, not entirely permanent, since all spells wear off, but it was a bit more permanent than tilting their frame.

"Jon, is it?" His name. It is Jon, right? She tilted her head to one side awaiting confirmation.

Jun shook his head. "Sadly it won't. Taking them off the walls would just get us expelled and such," Because Truebridge was a crazy one. He had heard she was a bit crazy while teaching herbology too. In her younger years. Those are long passed her now. Tried silencing them? Maybe. "Tried, but the silencing charm is tricky if it isn't on people or creatures. So walking by them fast helps a smidge," Because in his opinion, he'd try setting them on fire and cramp into another portrait.

Jon? With an O? Like the English version 'John'?
Uh, no.

"Jun, like the month," Without the E, because some Asian names were just strange. "You're Lotus, right? Or preferably Lottie?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star-Lord

Jun shook his head. "Sadly it won't. Taking them off the walls would just get us expelled and such," Because Truebridge was a crazy one. He had heard she was a bit crazy while teaching herbology too. In her younger years. Those are long passed her now. Tried silencing them? Maybe. "Tried, but the silencing charm is tricky if it isn't on people or creatures. So walking by them fast helps a smidge," Because in his opinion, he'd try setting them on fire and cramp into another portrait.

Jon? With an O? Like the English version 'John'?
Uh, no.

"Jun, like the month," Without the E, because some Asian names were just strange. "You're Lotus, right? Or preferably Lottie?"

Hmmmm, yes, that's true. And we all know Lottie cannot get expelled, she'd miss Astronomy lessons if she did. Detention she could handle, but expulsion. That's quite dramatic. "True. And some of them are quite amusing." Especially those who commented on food, or spells gone wrong. Oh, the things you hear without actually wanting to! Aaaaanywaaaay....

..."And it's not exactly permanent, either." So, ignoring them seemed like the better option. Clearly. Just as she was ignoring the way his name was pronounced. "At least it's a good thing the Groundskeeper doesn't keep a portrait. I reckon it wouldn't be too amusing to hear updates about him and bees." TRUE. VERY TRUE. Thank Merlin for the hut being so far away from the castle.

Jun, got it. We're still calling you Jon. Lottie nodded when he corrected his name, lol, how sweet, and then shook her head, "Lotus, actually," he was in no way close to 'Lottie'. No.

Now that the holidays were nearly upon them, a lot of kids were going to be going home to their families for a few weeks. Of course, the MLE would be remaining year round, because the need for extra security didn't exactly stop when the holidays arrived.

Jake was stood in the third floor corridor, arms folded and staring thoughtfully out of the window. It was cold out there, so much colder than Jake could ever remember it being up at Hogwarts. And this was only really the start of winter; it was probably likely to keep getting worse over the next few months. Was that a suspicious thing that he needed to take note of, or just crazy weather? It was probably worth paying attention to, either way.

The Hit Wizard watched the sky slowly darken outside, and squinted out at the grounds. After a few more moments, Jake nodded to himself and went back to patrolling around the third floor. He'd stay in the third floor for another half an hour or so, and then go on outside to do the nightly check of the grounds.

Resisting the urge to pull his MLE robes tighter around his body for the extra warmth, Jake continued down the corridor, on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.

Holidays meant that people were going home, but to Austin, it meant that there were less people to prank around Hogwarts. He hadn't had a good prank in a month or so, and his itch to prank someone was at an all time high. Austin decided it was a good idea to stay back during the holidays, instead of going home, because he didn't want to deal with his mother asking him a million questions. He also didn't want to feel alone again. He liked sharing a room with a bunch of other guys his age, and going back to his empty room at home didn't seem all that appealing.

As he entered the third floor corridor, he saw a strange man walking around. He had a shifty look in his eyes, and definitely seemed on edge. Now, Austin was all for pranking anyone he could find, but he wasn't going to cause harm to anyone. And a surprise prank on a shifty guy was not something he wanted on his record.

Instead, Austin walked up to the guy, not from behind, but from the front, so as not to get jinxed or anything. The last thing Austin wanted was to end up in the Hospital Wing. "Hey there," he waved. "Feeling alright, mate?"

As he strolled, Jake very soon became aware of someone else in the corridor. Well, it was kind of hard to miss, as the kid was walking straight at him. Jake let himself slow right down to a stop and nodded at the kid in response.

"Hi."

Was he... feeling alright? Well, uhh... yes? Why? Did he look ill? Jake glanced to the side and at another of the darkened windows; he caught sight of his reflection in the glass and saw only his face, expression troubled and brow still furrowed in thought. Oh. Okay. He straightened his face out again and looked back down at the kid.

"I'm fine. Just thinking," he explained, twitching the corner into his mouth with a half smile before holding out his hand. "I'm Jake. One of the extra security." Introductions were important, right? Right.

Ah, that would explain why he was so on edge. "Austin," he shook the older boy's hand. "First year Ravenclaw." He didn't know why everyone always introduced themselves like that. Always their name, year, and house. He guessed it did eliminate the amount of questions that were asked, but that just seemed weird. It meant there was less to talk about. He just shrugged his shoulders at his own thought.

"Why do we need extra security anyways?" Hogwarts was about the safest place on the planet. No one came in or out without the Headmaster's permission, so why would they need extra security? He had read about one year where Dementors roamed the school grounds, but that was because there was a murderer on the loose at that time. Austin had read up on the Daily Prophet, and there wasn't any mention of a murderer on the loose.

"So then getting rid of the annoying ones would be best," Like funny gossip would have to stay. Made anyone's day if they overheard. Even better if they knew the person the gossip is about. Good or bad, Jun would get a laugh out of it. Though Aparecium would always get the last laugh. It was probably the portraits fault in the first place. Nosy pesks. "They should find one that's permanent. Would make plenty of people happy and have easy lives," Think of all the nonsense that would be gone from the world if the charm was permanent.

"Don't think the portrait would last very long in there in his case," Thing would either be broken or tossed into the lake. Both very good options. Jun nodded. "Lotus, then,"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star-Lord

"So then getting rid of the annoying ones would be best," Like funny gossip would have to stay. Made anyone's day if they overheard. Even better if they knew the person the gossip is about. Good or bad, Jun would get a laugh out of it. Though Aparecium would always get the last laugh. It was probably the portraits fault in the first place. Nosy pesks. "They should find one that's permanent. Would make plenty of people happy and have easy lives," Think of all the nonsense that would be gone from the world if the charm was permanent.

"Don't think the portrait would last very long in there in his case," Thing would either be broken or tossed into the lake. Both very good options. Jun nodded. "Lotus, then,"

Yes, exactly, and she would love to have that job. Granted, maybe a lot of innocent portraits would have to go, since it only takes one word to annoy Lottie. But, basically, "Yeah, pretty much." Getting rid of the annoying ones. No magic is permanent, though, so that's kind of tricky. Nothing is really permanent, even the universe is constantly changing. Yet it was a nice idea to consider something that lasted longer than it was supposed to. Maybe one day she'll decide to silence a portrait and Oleander can get back to her. "Less gossips, I bet." Less misunderstandings, less drama.

So, Jon, this was quite a surprise.

Lottie laughed, and wasn't laughing at him, but at what he said, this was new, "That's true. Kirby has very little patience." She has tested it. He does well with students, because he doesn't have a choice, but it's highly unlikely that a portrait would last.

Lotus, then. Yes. Lotus. "I was walking to the Great Hall, where were you going?" Maaaaaaybe they could walk there? Maaaaaybe?

"Less gossip means less having to worry about people giving you looks. No worry about judgey people," And that would be a first. Those people always found a way to make others lives miserable. Like certain people Jun knew. They were also not worth mentioning. Like ever. But the sound Lotus made next surprised him. Did she really just laugh? Even if it was a little? Jun blinked, maybe a bit still in shock. "Mhm. He seems like the type that would snap you in half for touching his beehives," Kirby had the muscle for it too.

"Was going there too. Maybe try and get something to eat or write letters home," Because he was doing that a lot lately; writing letters. The other one, not so much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star-Lord

"Less gossip means less having to worry about people giving you looks. No worry about judgey people," And that would be a first. Those people always found a way to make others lives miserable. Like certain people Jun knew. They were also not worth mentioning. Like ever. But the sound Lotus made next surprised him. Did she really just laugh? Even if it was a little? Jun blinked, maybe a bit still in shock. "Mhm. He seems like the type that would snap you in half for touching his beehives," Kirby had the muscle for it too.

"Was going there too. Maybe try and get something to eat or write letters home," Because he was doing that a lot lately; writing letters. The other one, not so much.

That's one to put things, yes, but also, "Never really cared much for what others have to say, but that's true," she knew what was true and whatnot, so what others say could only concern her if they were to damage her image beyond belief. Thankfully, those who knew her also knew the true and what she'd be capable of doing or not. No need to worry. Lotus could always set things straight. Also... did she just tell a Ravenclaw he was slightly right?

These days don't come too often.

As far as Kirby goes..., "If you let him catch you, that is. All those muscles slow him down. I know." From experience. And Lex can totally back her up in this.

Excellent! She gave him a small smile and nodded, "Then we can walk together."

Stretching a bit, Leah walked around the school, her hands in her pockets. She had finished her homework and had nothing to do. Hopefully she would bump into someone she knew and chat with them. Without Quidditch, the second year was bored most of the time.

Brr. Was it cold indoors too? Turning around, Leah decided to walk down to the great hall for a hot chocolate to warm up. At least winter was going to end soon!

He nodded. Though listening to gossip was fun. Made things around this school interesting when nothing else was going on. But something weird was always going on. Muscles slowed down Kirby? Wasn't he supposed to be fast considering he was used to walking around everywhere? But Jun guessed it was probably because the man was way too big to even out run a small child. Compared to him, all the students were small. "I figure because all those muscles weigh him down too,"

"Alright, then let's go," He gave her another nod before taking a step towards their new location.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star-Lord

He nodded. Though listening to gossip was fun. Made things around this school interesting when nothing else was going on. But something weird was always going on. Muscles slowed down Kirby? Wasn't he supposed to be fast considering he was used to walking around everywhere? But Jun guessed it was probably because the man was way too big to even out run a small child. Compared to him, all the students were small. "I figure because all those muscles weigh him down too,"

"Alright, then let's go," He gave her another nod before taking a step towards their new location.

Honestly, she had no idea what the Groundskeeper did all day. While Lottie spent quite a great amount of time outside, weather-permitting, she paid very little attention to his hut, and obviously tried not to get on his way. So, for all she knew, he probably spends all day taking care of his bees, and the grounds are taken cared of magically. Or by others who happened to come across a detention, like she had done once. But no, Orsino was not quick on his feet, but he was quick to point out anything and everything. Especially sayings. "And he has been training to be strong, not fast." So, yeah, the muscles didn't actually help.

Exercise-wise, she'd keep doing yoga, the benefits from it are far better than anything else she's tried. Quidditch, included. Though, hitting bludgers has a certain charm, but no.

One nod was given to Jon, as she gestured in the right direction, "Excellent, then." Off to the Great Hall, apparently.

Theo was on patroooooooooooooool.

He peeked around the corner before passing through the third floor corridor, hoping to catch someone out doing something mischeivous. There really wasn't enough action going on lately for him to show off his Head Boy duties. It was lame.

Maybe he had to create drama.

Hum...

The Slytherin loitered around and looked sharply left and right, with his foot against the wall. Like he was some sort of police officer or something.

Adelaide wandered back down from the library. Another attempt at studying a total failure behind her. She had her bag slung over her shoulder and could hear the books shifting ever so slightly.

Addi took a big bite of the s'mores brownie she had in her hand. What? She had needed study snacks plus these had turned out perfectly.

Then she spotted Theo...doing who knows what. She stifled a giggle as she snuck up behind him. "'sup Head Boy."