Rob smiled and shook the younger guy's hand. "It's nice to meet you Zander. I am new, My name is Rob and I've just transferred from Beauxbatons." He replied kindly. "No worries about bumping into me, we all have accidents so it's cool." He replied with a grin.

What the -

There was serious drama going on at the puff table, and Noel was enjoying every bit of it. Unlike others, he actually enjoyed observing other people and cackling at their stupidity. It got all emotional for a while, and he expected someone to step in and just hug it out with the boy who seemed so emotionally disturbed.

And then there was the furious girl. Wow.

Noel enjoyed it like a show while eating, before the headmistress began to speak. He zoned in and out during it, making life altering decisions in his head when he zoned out - like taking his socks out before going to bed, or he would be going to his first class sock-less in the morning. Life altering, yeah.

When the headmistress was done speaking, Noel turned back to see if the drama would continue but then just got bored and focused on Zander. "You just seeem like the clumsy type," he said, offering him some pumpkin juice, and moving to make place for him to sit.

"Nope. She left us with Lex and she watched as Lex tortured us. No wonder she became the head girl!" Yes, Lex - haven't really forgiven you, yet. Noel had half the mind to make sure Lex would have her hands fulllll with him this year. And with that he laughed, all evil and maniacally in his head.

"Whats up with you, you look all flustered and confused - " he asked, tilting his head light and biting off from a bread stick. Food shall not stop.

Noticing the boy, Zander was speaking to, Noel couldn't help but chime in: "Beauxbatons, huh?" Noel had always been curious of other schools other than Hogwarts. The ones which didn't try to kill you, and put you in wrong houses. "What was it like over there?" he asked.

It was time for food, finally! Nola finally sat down at the Hufflepuff table and slowly started to gather food onto her plate. She noticed how Declan was also apparently very pleased that it was time to eat. "No, I'm not new. I'm a second year." She told him.

Nola picked up a napkin and scooted closer to Declan so she could tuck it into the collar of his shirt. She smiled at him before returning to her food. "Do you like cats?" Nola asked between bites of food. "Better yet, do you like frogs?" She asked after a bit. "I like frogs, but just barely. They remind me too much of fish." She told him nodding her head at him.

Adi thought Buster was an interesting name. "How come you named him that? I mean, I like that name. It's an interesting one for a cat.'' He paused and eyed Nola. "I have a toad named Gus but I sometimes call him Guster. You afraid of toads, Nola?'' Because he would love to show off his beloved toady.

Ahh. Adi's fist dwarfed Nola's one. Ah well. She was just a second year. "Here's to rabid badgers.''

"Hey, if you ever need help with homework or even in classes, let me know. I'm a pretty good teacher,'' the fourth year joked at the latter part of his statement. "I am. Especially Care of Magical Creatures. It's my favourite. What's yours?''

"It's awesome to meet you, Romulus,'' Adi said pleased he was making another friend and in the process, aiding a starving Puffer. "Yup, I am. I've got a huge boxful of them.'' Come to think of it, he might need another box at the rate he was consuming the Froggies. "It's no problem. Actually, there's more where that came from. Adi's short for Aditya but I figure it might be a mouthful for some folks.'' Just as he was done saying those words, the Head stood up for her speech. "Food's almost here,'' he grinned to Romulus. Sure enough, after the Headmistress's short speech, the food appeared.
.....................

"You're doing an excellent job,'' Adi corrected. A raise? "How about more pokes?'' With that, he poked her light on the the shoulder twice and once on her nose. "There. That's your pay raise.'' LOL. He just loved how much they could joke around without hurting each others feelings. "Angel's the Angel not you,'' he added with a laugh. "Yeah, well, it's the same here. I'd go mad without someone to trouble everyday.'' It was only so far he could joke with Benny and the Lion would likely to get irritated with him in no time. "Good point. I would never know I looked hot with tussled hair.'' Adi winked at her as he rubbed his shin, referring to AJ telling him he looked hot with the hair earlier at the Gryffindor table. "Sure. We can even have another one of those duels, if you like.'' Teaching her a few hexes and jinxes first and then having her try them out in a duel against him. He could work with that.

Adi smiled. "It's cool having someone who knows me that well.'' And he knew AJ as well. He remembered on the carriage when he told a certain fellow fourth year Puffer that AJ did not liked to be bossed around. Yep, they knew each other.

"I know. I think Angel is the one who can get him to come out of his shell.'' That would be awesome. Adi did like his bestie the way he was, but being a little more outspoken could not hurt. Laughing, he poked AJ. "I like you both the same amount. Just in different ways.'' Adi rubbed his shins again/ "I won't be able to walk,'' he complained.

The Hufflepuff shrugged. "I forgot,'' he joked and bumped AJ's shoulder with his. "Just kidding. You'll see. It's just something I worked on over the summer for you. I hope you like it.'' Well, this could either go the good way if AJ wanted to be his girlfriend and a bad way because Hogwarts might be stuck with a sad Puffer once more.

Dec had opened his mouth to respond to her when suddenly she was there, next to him, tucking a napkin into his collar. Ohhhkaaay...That was nice of her? Maybe he was already making a mess. He lifted to end of the napkin to dab at the edges of his mouth and then opened his mouth again to speak, "Did you like your first year?" It was kind of a bummer her first year ended up like that, being stuck in a freezing cold castle. It was quite a possibility she didn't like it.

Cats? Random. She must've been the one who started the oranges discussion. "I do. I have a cat named Darth. My brother and his wife have a cat too, but he's mean." The number of scratches he received from trying to separate Darth and Linus. Frogs, now. Hmm..."I've never really given thought to frogs. They're weird looking." He said, plopping a piece of his chicken into his mouth.

"I'm glad you think so. I have to be sure and keep the boss happy." Smirk. Pokes? AJ actually giggled like a school girl when he poked her several times. "That's it? I might have to find me a new job," she teased. There was something about Adi that just made AJ feel warm and fuzzy inside whenever she hung around him. The feeling only made her all the more confused. Did she like him? Did he like her back? There were too many mixed signals, and the lion was downright confused. Although there was one thing that they were definitely on the same page about, they liked to hang out. As long as that continued to happen then AJ would be one happy girl. "We can never stop being friends then. Deal?" She held out her hand for a shake. Angel an angel? "Just because her name is Angel doesn't mean anything." Besides AJ was an angel until people provoked her. When Adi brought up her mentioning his hot hair, AJ couldn't help but to beam. She felt slightly awkward about it, but she had only spoken the truth. "See how handy I am?" Duels!!! "I'd like that. It's been awhile since I kicked your butt at something."

It really was nice having somebody that understood you on every level. "Tell me about it. I'm really glad that I met you." Even though she had only known Adi for a a little over a year, he really knew her. They were just the kind of people that meshed well together.

"I think so too. Did you hear how many words he said at the table?" That was probably more than she heard him say all last year. "I hope he makes a move on her soon. I think that is what has her so bothered." "If they get together you'll just have to spend more time with me." Was she flirting? Maybe. It felt like she was on a roller coaster when it came to Adi, and the second year was enjoying the ride. She smiled as he explained their relationship. AJ leaned in and cupped her hands around his ears. Her lips brushed his ear as she whispered "It's okay. It will be our little secret." The lion was joking though. Benny and Adi were good friends, and had been for years. "You'll live," she said in response to his sore shins.

Forgot? How could he forget that easy? Once he followed up the comment with a shoulder bump, she knew that he was kidding. "You made something for me?" AWWWW! "That's so sweet of you. I can't wait to see it." Her eyes were absolutely twinkling.

Adi smirked right back. "Glad you know who's the boss,'' he responded in a light tone. He wasn't really. In his opinion, he wasn't. Both he and AJ were even in their friendship. "That's not enough? How about this then?'' The fourth year reached out, grabbed AJ's nose and tugged. Not hard, though. Adi smiled broadly. This wasn't something you could just do with anyone. They were likely to blow up at you. "Deal.'' He didn't even need to think twice for that. Like he thought about Benny, life without AJ was something he could not picture. "She's Benny's guardian Angel though.'' So she was an angel of some sort. "It's going to get a lot harder to do that this year, Valentine, so don't get too confident.'' Hehe.

"Same here." AJ was like a bright light in his life. He saw that now, she having cheered him up so fast minutes ago. "Pretty unusual for him, isn't it?'' Adi said, referring to Benny. "Maybe Angel'll have him speaking even more by the end of the year. Bet you they'll be together by then.'' He was putting a lot of faith in his bestie here. Then he felt AJ's hands around his ear, her lips just grazing it before she spoke, her breath warm. "I have nothing to say,'' was the reply as he grinned. "Determined to hear I like you the most, aren't you?''

"Yeah, I did.'' Adi was nervous about showing it to her. Did it show? He hoped not as he wanted to come off as confident. Which he was most of the time. "I hope you'll think the same after you've seen it.'' Positive. Adi needed to think positively.

The Puffer just realised that the Headmistress had started giving her speech. Thankfully it was short because he was really hungry by now. And then the food appeared. "Remember to eat like a little lady,'' Adi joked to AJ. He wasn't at all bothered by her taking huge bite out of things. She was perfect in his eyes.

"Don't kid yourself." AJ wasn't the kind of person to listen to anyone. But if anybody would get through to her, it would be the boy sitting next to her. He knew how to talk to her. Never once had he tried to boss her around. He had gotten stern with her a few times, but that was only when AJ had done something risky. She knew that he only did it because he cared about her well being. That was a true friend right there. It looked like Adi was pulling out all the stops when he tugged on her nose. "That's better." AJ was glad they had a deal, even though she knew he wouldn't refuse her. Did they just become mega best friends? "I guess so. She does seem to bring out the best in him." Guardian angel. Hmm. There was her confident Adi. "We will just see about that." The lion would not be going down without a fight.

"Very unusual." It was amazing how much a person could change with certain people. "I think they make each other better." Well, Angel was being all mopey right now, but that was just because she was confused. That would all change soon. "You think so? Do you think you will ever date somebody?" Adi was such a nice, and cool guy that she was sure there were plenty of girls that wanted to date him. Why hadn't that come to her mind before? One thing for sure was that the second year wouldn't be okay with another girl all over her Adi. She tried to give him a genuine smile, but she wasn't sure if she was convincing. The new thoughts that came in her mind were playing a toll on her mood. She had stopped liking him last year. Why now were these thoughts bothering her? "It's okay. I know you and Benny have a good thing going." Bromance.

"I'm so excited. Nobody has ever made me something before." Besides her sisters, but that hardly counted. Think the same? This had her wheels turning. "What do you mean?" What was he showing her?

Adi got a good laugh out of her that time. "No promises." She was starved, and it had been a really long day. The second year started to load up her plate.

"My bother got off easy and was named Jacen. Sadly Romulus is a mouthful... My cousins call me Roms sometimes. My mum named me after the last Roman emperor."
*At hearing Adi's name his brain went into thinking mode. He had heard a name like that before.*
"Aditya... 12 Adityas, twelve Sun-gods after the 12 months in a year. Hinduism right?"
*But before he could wait for his answer the headmistress started her speech. Thankfully it wasn't a long speech and soon the food came up. A big smile made it's way to Roms face and grew as he filled up his plate with more and more food. Once it was beyond full he started tucking in.*

"I'm not. The badge sort of makes it official.'' Adi wasn't boasting or anything, just trying to tease AJ. "You'd never listen to me anyway,'' he continued. "It's hard to get through to that thick skull of yours.'' He tapped lightly on her forehead. Before Adi could say more, he yawned a bit. "Sorry,'' he said, moving his left hand from him mouth.[B] "I'm tired. Or you could just be boring me.''[/B] LOL. AJ should know she never was a bore.

"They do. Opposites attract, I guess.'' Benny always seemed to attract those who were completely the opposite of him. He did have a certain Puffer bestie who was different too. How to answer that question? Adi decided honesty as usual would be best. "Yep. I've already got a girl in mind and I'm hoping she'll be my girlfriend soon.'' He grinned at AJ, wondering if she would figure it was her. "She's the most perfect, coolest, beautiful girl I know.''

"Oh, cool. I'm honoured to be the first then.'' Cue another grin. "You'll see. It's a surprise.'' Oh boy. That was an understatement. It would more likely to be a shock to AJ.

Adi was tempted to flick some food at AJ as he took his first bite but it wouldn't do good for him to start a mini food fight. "I can live with that.''
.....................................

"Do your friends call you Roms, too?'' Adi asked. Because he was totally up for nicknames. He liked nicknames better for some reason. Last Roman Emperor? "That's cool. Any reason she picked the last Emperor?''

Adi looked at Romulus in total surprise at the other boy's knowledge. "Yes. That would be right. You're the first to link my name to it's actual meaning.''

Dudes and their food. Adi could not blame Romulus one bit as even he was piling his plate high.

*Did his friends call him Roms? He wouldn't know not having being put in that situation. The situation of having many friends. There used to be a kid that lived down the street that called him Roo. He hated that nickname.*
"Umm yeah, sure they do."

*The look of total surprise brought Romulus back to reality. Normal kids his age wouldn't know things like that. Not unless it was part of your name like Adi's was. Rom looked down at his food and brushed the comment away. His brain was like a sponge. His brain seemed to frighten people away. He needed to work on being more... normal.*
"I guess I got lucky. I remember random stuff like that sometimes."

Dang, he had her there. "Excuse me, Mr. Prefect. Your majesty." Sir. Then he hit the nail on the head. "You're right." Only she probably would listen to him depending on the situation. So far she didn't have that good of a track record in the whole listening department. "I do have a mind of my own," she said as she tapped his forehead back. "But that's not such a bad thing." She could think for herself, and didn't follow a crowd. She was her very own person. Boring him? PFFFT! "I'm the life of the party Rehman. Look alive over there." She put her finger in his mouth as it was wide open to ruin his yawn. That'll teach him!

"That's true. I wonder why we get along so well." Because while Adi was more level headed that she was, they were very similar in other ways. He already had a girl in mind. Her heart sank a little lower with each word. Girlfriend??? O_O But, what did that mean for them? If he got in a relationship then she knew the other girl wouldn't want AJ constantly messing with Adi. This was... this was... not what she expected. She listened while he went on about this chick that he wanted to be with. "Oh," was all that came out. Who was it? No, she wouldn't ask. She couldn't bare it. Where were these feelings coming from? She needed to snap out of it. AJ would be happy for her friend. "I hope it works out for you then." No smile. No emotion whatsoever.

The surprise didn't even seem that appealing to her right now. How could she be happy when somebody was taking her Adi away from her? Nothing witty came to mind. "Surprise, right."

Her plate was piled high, and all of a sudden she didn't really have an appetite. "Good." the lion said as she pushed her food around with a fork, never taking a bite.

Adi laughed. "That's better.'' Hehe. "You do but sometimes it makes you do crazy stuff. Better thank your stars that I'm here to keep you in line.'' Proof of that could be drawn from earlier events. A finger in his mouth just was not expected. The yawn was cut midway and Adi found himself biting AJ's finger. Of course it wasn't that hard of a bite. Just enough to make her not want to do that to his yawns again. LOL.

"We get along so well because we're similar, I guess. It works just as well as being completely different to someone.'' Being opposites didn't always work out though. Adi was all so wrapped up in going on about AJ that he failed to realise that she didn't figure it was her he was talking about. Or that she was becoming quieter. "I sure hope so. Actually, I'm not sure if she's into me but I just want to tell her that I like her. You know, so I don't end up regretting it later.''

Adi chewed on his food as he looked over at AJ. "Something wrong, AJ? Did the House elves add too much salt or something?'' He doubted that. The Elves were awesome cooks.
...............................

"Good. I hope you don't mind if I call you Roms. I like nicknames. They're more cool and half a mouthful.'' Well, some of them at least. "I think it's great that you remember like that. It comes in handy for school work, doesn't it? I wish I could remember some stuff that easily.'' But noooo. He had to cram around exam time.

"I figured you'd like that." It wasn't her fault that people brought out the crazy in her. "I'm only crazy when provoked." Just to clear that up. Under normal circumstances Angel was the crazy one. "Hopefully you can keep me out of trouble." One way or the other. AJ didn't really want to spend her second year in detention. "Ouch!" He just bit her finger. It didn't really hurt. It mainly just took her by surprise. Don't stick your finger in Adi's mouth.

"I think being similar is better than being opposite personally." Yeah, she understood the whole opposite attracts thing, but she would rather be on the same page with someone. While she adored Angel and Benny, AJ honestly thought that what AJ and Adi has is better. A sigh escaped from her mouth as they were back on the subject of the other girl. As much as AJ was dying inside, she wasn't going to ruin the moment for Adi. "I doubt you have anything to worry about. A girl would be dumb not to want to be with you." There still wasn't a smile. That was just asking too much.

Wrong? He was just crushing her everything over here. "No, I'm just not that hungry anymore." That was partially true. There was something wrong with her, but her appetite... that was definitely gone.

"Go for it, I'll try not to call you Sun-gods."
*He said with a smirk and then downed his pumpkin juice. He couldn't help but wrinkle his nose a little at the juice. What he would give for some cauldron cola right now. Pumpkin juice was something he would get to drink when he was sick.*
"Ehh pumpkin juice. Wish they would let us have cauldron cola."

*Handy? That was not a term he was used to hearing when his smarts started to leak. That was what Jacen called it at least. When he would start spouting off fact Jacen would push him away saying Ehhh you're smarts are starting to leak.*
"Handy is not the term most people use when I list off some of the things I know... But yes it has helped with past school work."

"No. You're crazy all the time.'' Crazy as he was. The good crazy kind. "I can and I will. You don't want me feeling like a failure again so I'm sure you'll listen to me.'' Grin. "That's all on you. You interrupted a perfectly good yawn.'' Hehe.

"I agree with you there. See? We're even similar with some of our opinions.'' Adi studied AJ. He was sure something was up. Gone was the happy girl that had been there a minute ago. "I do have something to worry about,'' he continued slowly, still watching her. "She might not like me back.''

Adi was puzzled. "But you put so much food on your plate. Do I have to grab that fork and force you to eat?'' he joked. "Or maybe you're just tired. You had an...eventful day.'' He felt sorry for her. She had to deal with so much on her first day back.

An almost smile appeared on her face. "Touche." There wouldn't be any differing opinions this time. A sane person didn't jump on a random unicorn in front of a professor and ride it like a pony. "I'll be good just for you." She would try to. There wouldn't be any promises made. She sucked on her finger to help with the burning sensation. "I'll keep my fingers to myself."

"We pretty much share the same brain." It was true. Brain twins! Never had she wanted to change the subject so bad. Could they please stop talking about this other girl? "What's to worry about?" He was already two steps ahead of her. AJ positioned her body to where she looking at him head on. "I'm sure the feeling will be mutual." Placing her hand on his shoulder she added "And if not, then you are better off without her." Adi was a total catch. She let her hand fall, and situated herself back proper.

This would have gotten a laugh out of her before, but right now she felt like her stomach just fell. Even the spoon feeding from Adi wouldn't cheer her up. "I think you're right... I'm just tired. Maybe I should just head back over to my table." They would be leaving to go back to their dorms soon.

Leah had fallen asleep on the way up to the castle. In the carriage pulled by invisible Thestrals. Can you believe that? She had walked up the path leading to the front doors alone well maybe not so alone, she had Filomena and her kneazle carrier in hand and slid into a seat at her house table, catching the Headmistress' speech just in time. No major issues going on right now, great.

She scanned the table quickly, spotting prefect badges on Marigold and Adi. They definitely deserved the roles. Smiling, she began getting some food before it was too late and they had to go to their dorms.

"I suppose I can work with that. Trying is better than nothing.'' Indeed it was. "I'll just have to let some of my calm and cool rub off on you.'' Though an occasional feisty AJ wouldn't be bad. "Good call. Next time I might not let go so easily.''

"Yup. Because your brain stole some the awesomeness that was mine.'' LOL. "You think so?'' Adi asked, feeling even more confident now. He held the hand that was just placed in his shoulder and shook his head. "No. I definitely wouldn't be.'' That was true. The girl in front of him brought out the best in him.

Adi didn't want AJ to go but he knew they all would be leaving the Hall soon. "Alright,'' he said, frowning. "Maybe you should grab something else to eat there before you leave for your dorm.'' She hadn't eaten much here he had noticed.
.................................

Well, Leah arrived rather late. Adi wondered if maybe she had been sitting at another Table and he hadn't noticed. But she got a smile and a wave from him. Heeeeey, Leah!

"I'm doing it just for you." He was a prefect now, and she hated that she made his first day on the job so hard even though technically it wasn't her fault. "I do hang out with you an awful lot so maybe that cool head of your will rub off on me." It was a possibility even if AJ wasn't all that sure it would work. He got a weak smile out of her. "I think I could convince you to let go next time." She had her ways.

Normally she would have argued the fact that what he said was really the other way around, but she just didn't have it in her right now. "Something like that." Adi seemed happier all of a sudden. Oh right, AJ just told him that she thought the girl that he liked would most likely feel the same way about him. "I do think so." When he held her hand, she got that all familiar tingle in her belly. Who was this girl that had him feeling like that? Wouldn't she have known that something was going on with another girl? Stop it AJ, she scolded herself. "You will be okay, but I will be here for you either way." If he still had time for her.

AJ nodded. She stood up and left her untouched plate sitting. "I'll see you in class." That was one place that she would see him even if he did get him a girlfriend. "Bye Adi." She walked slowly back to her table.

"I do feel honoured. Plus I'm sure you'll be one cool AJ Valentine soon.'' Well, maybe not that cool, if he knew AJ. "Hexing or jinxing me, no doubt.'' Adi suddenly had a vision of her throwing the Jelly Legs Jinx at him.

"I know you will be. I can always count on you.'' Adi seriously hoped she remembered what she said to him if she should break his heart. Noooo. ''Think positively, Adi!''

"Yeah, see you then.'' Still frowning, Adi watched AJ walk towards her table. Something was definitely bothering her and he intended to find out tomorrow.