He sat for a moment longer, just letting his legs dangle and swing below him. Heh, wouldn't it be funny if one of them fell right about now? Hehehehe. Okay, maybe not, but he doubted very much that it would happen. They were expert climbers it seemed. He pulled himself up and stood as best he could on the branch while Gwen moved to head up to the next level, only...

....

It broke! He watched it break!...... but she was alright. "Lucky break there... not falling and all," he joked. Probably not the BEST time for a joke, but it couldn't hurt. "Sure you're okay? I doubt I'll be much use if you've got a splinter." He sucked at those sorts of things. Anything really, like cuts or wounds and stuff. He was no healer. In the end though, she made it up without any assistance from him - testament again to the fact that she was simply too awesome.

"Coming," he nodded, stepping forward carefully before wedging his foot into the same gap she had. His arms were a little longer, so he didn't have as much difficulty grabbing hold of the branch she was on.. and he tested it by pulling on it. It held. Peering down for a brief moment, he saw just how high up they were, and still it didn't feel high enough. "Here.... I.... come..." he huffed as he heaved himself up. He managed it, just as she had, but now he was starting to think that he might have a splinter or two to deal with later.

The person DID agree with him! Although, of course he would. Ogdens were always right, that's what Kalla said. He could almost hear her voice in his head saying 'Duh, kiddo' in response. A smile curled upon his lips at the thought. He really needed to write to her and the others again tonight. So many adventures to be shared!

"Archie Ogden," he replied to the boy, who he'd say was at least a year older than himself, probably more. "And I don't think we have. I'm pretty good at remembering faces, although there's been quite a few new ones since the train." He grinned back, and shook Silas' hand with a fairly firm shake like Garrick had taught him. First impressions were important. Hopefully his robes hadn't got too messed up during the climb up the ladder.

Ogden? Interesting. Of course Silas was from a long line of awesome himself, so pureblood families weren't anything new to him. Shaking the boy's hand he smiled back toward the grounds. " You Ravenclaw folks are good at almost anything that has to do with the brain and remembering aren't you?" No, he didn't mean that in a derogatory manner. Just they were all smart, no?

Plopping down in an Indian style manner he patted the porch beside him. He had company now! " You're a first year I take it? How are you liking Hogwarts so far? "

"Something like that," Archie commented, following his companion's gaze back out to the grounds. "I wouldn't like to say base on myself, given I've barely started my Ravenclaw journey, but my cousins are all really clever and they were Ravenclaws." He just hoped he could follow in their footsteps adequately and not let them down.

Silas was asking him to sit down? Archie plopped down beside him, and wiggled to get comfy on the cushion as he crossed his legs underneath him. "I am. And I think it's pretty cool. So many places to explore. I think I've barely touched the surface of what there is to see." And that was with a list of recommendations in hand. "Am I right in thinking you're not new around here?" Archie was pretty sure Silas was older than him, but some older students - especially those of other houses - weren't all that welcoming when it came to talking to firsties, so now he wasn't so sure.

Something like that? Silas grinned to himself and looked over at the younger boy. He was kind of impossible not to like wasn't he? "The sorting hat saw something in you that said you wouldn't fit anywhere else. I reckon you'll do just fine." Seeee he could be nice and reassuring!

The kid was right, of course. There WAS a lot to explore. Sooo much to see and do. Pity they had to attend classes and stuff. Unfair, really.

" This is my third year. I just kind of....don't always make myself seen. I like to hang out in the background so to speak. " He hoped that made sense. He was kind of a wallflower. And he liked it. " We could go see Bartholomew if you'd like. " The squid was kind of fascinating after all.

Archie bit his lip a moment at the mention of the Sorting Hat. It had all turned out okay, but there had been a nervous moment when he'd thought the hat might follow through with Hufflepuff against his wishes. No-one else needed to know that though, not even his cousins. The Sorting Hat had settled on Ravenclaw and Archie knew for sure that was where he was meant to be. He just needed to check which beds Garrick and Benjy had slept in and all would be perfect. "Oh, I'm sure it's the right place for me to be, just, I'm not gonna claim something just for the sake of it." At least, not right at this moment.

Third year. Archie noted that mentally with a nod. "So you're good at disillusionment charms? That's cool. I'd love to know how to hide myself in plain sight. Magically, I mean." How awesome a trick would that be to play on the House Elves when he got home? But hang on! "The Squid?" Archie's eyes lit up. "Oh, man! I'd love to. Does he like cookies? I'd love to feed him, and that's all I've got on me at the mo."

"Would you say Ravenclaw is your birthright? My great something, Cormac, was a Gryffindor. I don't think I belonged anywhere else. I'll claim it and any stigma that goes along with it just because I AM. A Gryffindor. " Lion logic, he had it.

Disillusionment Charms? Shaking his head he couldn't help but chuckle slightly."That is advanced magic. No. I just... have tried not to be noticed, but then I figured what the hell? " He tucked his pink scarf back into his robes ans grinned slightly. Why be ashaned of who he was and what he liked.

"I'm not sure if Bartholomew eats cookies, but we could try it. Wanna go to the lake then? "

Vinnie kept wiggling her bum at Isla for a little more, laughing like crazy...and then Isla fell to the floor. Did that really just happen?! Done with her " seducing" the girl fell onto the floor next to her friend. "I cant wait for that first lesson",she said trying to breathe," what do you think of my bum wiggle?" To be honest, it was a freaaaaking good bum wiggle. THE bum wiggle.Ohhhhhhh blackmailing each other? Smirking the brunette wiggled her eyebrows."Who says i wont blackmail you?"


Isla liked being called the boy pranker? Now now, Vinnie gave her a smug look. "i hope you remember who gave you that name when you're all fame and stuff."It was a good idea though, to make yourself known. People would fear them or anticipate pranks. That would be fun. "Or you post under the phantom "the boy pranker", that way you get guys to tell you fears and stuff", she grinned," but being known for it shouldnt matter. Well of course it will matter but not in a bad way/" As long as it was harmless and they wouldnt get caught all was fine.

Adi knew the Professors were only looking out for them but they had killed the outdoorsy people last year. LOL. "Could have had an epic snowball fight. And forts and everything. Maybe a few enchanted snowmen for an army.'' Hmmm. The possibilities. The boy's imagination was running away. Adi grinned as he eyed Kace's face. "No one could miss that, buddy.'' He was still positively surprised at the advice he had just given. "I don't know where it came from,'' he admitted but he grinned afterward. "I have no plans to become any kind of doctor.''

"Awesome,'' the fourth year said, happily returning the elbow to the ribs. He would be pleased if he could help out. "Care of Magical Creatures is my best. Potions, too.'' Work with creatures? How cool would that be? Because Adi would love to do the same after Hogwarts. And Sports wasn't so bad either. "That means I get free sports stuff then?'' Adi joked.

Gwen laughed. Bad jokes were the best jokes. Zeke was definitely a keeper. "Yeah I'm good. A little splinter wouldn't stop me." Okay. I might a bit. But those things really hurt! The only thing that hurt worse was paper cuts.

She continued to swing her legs back and forth as she sat on the branch. Gwen was just looking out over the grounds and the big scary lake. The castle looked amazing from this height. If Zeke didn't want to go any higher today she'd be okay with that. but that didn't mean she was exactly ready to stop.

Gwen eyed him as he seemed a bit out of breath. "You okay? Not gonna pass out on me right?" Because she didn't know if she'd have the reflexes to catch him before he fell.

No sooner had he said it than he totally regretted it. Normally he'd take the denial route. Pretending that her leave was only temporary, that she'd be back. But then sometimes pretending just wasn't enough. Something about being outdoors just made him remember her. Maybe it had to do with being surrounded by nature or being in a place that was so quiet that it allowed his thoughts to fully take over. Whatever it was, it really hurt. It hurt his heart. And now he accidentally let slip.

Hoping that Leo wouldn't question further, the Gryffindor pretended that he didn't hear the echoing question.

But then, Leo went on to elaborate and it'd be kind of hard to ignore the rest. Taking a small breath, the Gryffindor nodded a little. There was no use hiding it now that she was gone. "I-I well.... Sort of," he began. Normally Zander wasn't the sentimental, romantic type. He was typically the goofy, naive one. But she-the her- just brought it out in him. This other side. "She's gone now... But she's been here since I came in as a first year." Of course, in those earlier years he didn't really go to her as much because it wasn't until this past year when it happened. When he fell for her.

"She was the best Professor I've ever had."

O_____O

OOPS. UH. UHUM. UH. WHAAA?

The fourth year's eyes opened wide in shock. "I-uh-I... Leo I-uh-I that's-- I wasn't supposed to-- I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that!!" Except well Kevin knew... And so did Simon and ugh she-who-must-not-be-named knew too. But other than that it was supposed to stay top secret!!! And those people who knew were keeping it a secret too.

UHHHHHHHHH??

Sapphire followed Bay towards the Treehouse. "Wow! That's a huge treehouse!" she said as they were approaching. She gave a little excited jump. Now she had a new place to go, and so far, it seemed a perfect place to practice her spells and study. Yeah, she was a nerd like that.

"Does anyone live here? And if not, who used to? And why is there a treehouse here anyway? When was it built? Does it have any enchantments? Or is it haunted?" Sapphire asked one question after another, and after a moment, realized she hadn't given Bay any time to answer one. "Oh, sorry. Sometimes I get so excited that I speak too much." Or ask too many questions. Haha!

He noticed he caught Zander off guard, and Leo felt kind of bad about it and was about to tell him not to worry and that he didn't have to tell him anything, after all they didn't really know each other that well yet amongst other things, and then the older lion started speaking, and Leonard just listened.

He really hoped that his younger siblings didn't have problems like this until they were like 20. He didn't need to imagine them in relationships. Or liking people in that kind of a way.

That would be weird.

And then when Zander started speaking he figured that he was talking maybe about a person who should be in fifth or sixth year now. And then a was a teacher O____o

He really hadn't expected that.

Really didn't.

It kind of caught the first year slightly off guard and he figured if he was walking he probably would've tripped right now.

How should he respond?

He had no clue.

The other boy was talking...

Stammering...

What was he even saying?

Was that an apology?

Oh god Leo pay attention do something!

His thoughts were spinning around his head leaving him with absolutely no clue, expect to awkwardly scratch the back of his head and give the other boy what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

"No worries" he commented. Zander had apologised right? Yes? Please yes? "I'm sure... I'm sure she was a great... professor" yup.

Smooth Leo.

Totally smooth no he wasn't

She laughed!!!! If that wasn't a sign of being good friend material, then he didn't know what was. At this stage, there would be no wiping his grin off his face. "Of course it wouldn't, you're a warrior," he added with a convincing nod, he was hardly going to say otherwise. She WAS fierce, duuhhh, it was a Lion thing.

It was refreshing being out and about, especially up here where the air seemed a little more CRISP, maybe because of the tree transpiring and doing it's oxygenating thing. He managed to adjust himself on the branch, sitting comfortably, one leg dangling either side so he could face Gwen. Did she just imply he was a sissy? "..... you try talking when you're using your muscles," he replied quickly. See, he was all sorts of MAN. Muscles and all. There would be no passing out for him. Nope.

"Not gonna sit around are you?" he asked, standing himself up and taking a few ginger steps before reaching out for the next branch. He might let them stop and sit on the next one, right now he had to prove just how manly he was.

"Comes with being a lion. Rawr." Gwen giggled. This was the most fun she'd had in a long time. Gosh she knew Hogwarts was going to be great for her.

Gwen tried not to laugh. Obviously, she had made him feel weak. "Hey. I don't know if you have asthma or something like that. I don't need you passing out up her because of lung issues like that." See. She was more worried about him, not calling him weak.

She rolled her eyes. Boys. Sigh. Zeke wasn't so bad though. But still. She stood up and waited, leaning against the trunk. She'd let him get up there first this time.

"It does, but lions don't climb trees," he pointed out with raised eyebrows, attempting to tease but wasn't sure how he could manage that. In the end, she could have it if she wanted, he could hardly deny her the right.

Asthma? Asthma!? .... "You know they have potions for that right?" he asked with all the seriousness of the world. Ashley had said there were potions for everything, and that information had come from Gavin, so it HAD to be legit. But no, his lungs worked fine, and no fainting, so he shrugged it off now.

Once he had a good enough grip - which wasn't hard considering the branches were closer together now - Zeke let himself hang for a short moment, swinging in midair before pulling himself up and swinging his leg over. "Like a hand?" he offered, not that she'd need it.

A birthright? Archie tilted his head. "I don't know. I mean...I know it's where I belong, but not all of the Ogdens have been to Hogwarts. Uncle O went to Durmstrang." As did Garrick, but he went Hogwarts first, so that didn't really count. "Gryffindors are brave and daring, right? That's awesome." Yes, Silas was the first Gryffindor he'd properly encountered. He'd meant to search out Lex like Benjy have said at the feast, but well, eating happened instead.

"Oh." If they were too advanced for his new friend, they were way too advanced for him. No tricking the elves this year. Unless one of his cousins could do it? Now that was a plan. "Why'd you not want to be noticed? S'a cool scarf. There's nothing wrong with pink." He was talking about the scarf, yes? Archie was admittedly slightly confused.

No matter though, since SQUID! "We don't have to go right away. It's quite comfy up here if we wanted to have a cookie or two first. My aunt made them." He pulled out a box, and opened the lid. "Chocolate chip. Hope you don't mind the Ravenclaw decorations." A nibble, then a walk to go see the squid?

Samantha wondered why she hadn't noticed such an amazing piece of construction before. Carrying her trusty sketchbook and box of coloured pencils in a bag that was over her shoulder, Sam ascended the ladder. She quickly found a comfy beanbag to sit on. Samantha removed her bag from her shoulder and placed the bag next to her. She reached into the bag and gathered her art supplies. Her fingers drummed against her sketchbook as she struggled to come up with ideas as to what to draw. This was kind of frustrating as the view was spectacular.

Silas nodded as the boy spoke of his family and how certain members went to different schools. He couldn't imagine going anywhere other than Hogwarts, really. " My whole family's gone to Hogwarts. If a McLaggen went anywhere but here it would be grounds for disowning. " Brave and daring? Sighing slightly he gave a shrug. He didn't feel particularly brave most days.

"Not bring noticed means being left alone. I don't mind that much. Oh... thanks. " His cheeks burned a little as he made sure his scarf was tucked away safely. It wasn't that it was pink that Silas liked... it was kind of what it symbolized for him. But whatever. Smiling softly he patted the other boy's arm. "You're a nice boy. " He was Silas' new bestie even if he didn't know it yet. Heh.

AND HE HAD COOKIES! Score!! As long as they tasted good he didn't care what they looked like. Was he supposed to just take one? HOW DID HE PROCEED? " I would love a cookie, thanks. " GIMME THE COOKIE!!

If there was somewhere in the castle that Layla liked more than the rest it was definitely somewhere out in the grounds. Although she didn’t mind the Ravenclaw Common Room, she considered it far superior to being cooped up under the lake, the fifteen year old had always liked being outside in the fresh air especially considering she was a very sporty girl.

She’d been here a few weeks now but she hadn’t had the opportunity to explore the treehouse mostly because it had always been incredibly busy with students and Layla was the sort of person to enjoy her peace and quiet. At school anyway, home was a completely different matter. Considering there was actually space in the structure, she had headed straight towards the large supporting tree and glanced up at its branches.

Staring up at the treehouse reminded Layla of her childhood when her Brother and Da had built a small treehouse up the oak tree in their suburban back garden. The treehouse had remained there for a good few years until some neighbour complained and they had to take it down. The family never spoke to the grumpy man ever again after that. Having the access to the house, even though she was in her mid-teens now and very mature for her age, did make her want to climb it. So she did, taking a step at a time until she was able to pull herself up to the top.

Once there she stood at the edge on the balcony overlooking the entirety of the grounds. If there was one really good thing about attending school in the remote parts of Scotland it was the magnificent landscapes it was set in. Now THIS view beat Clapham Common any day. Just don’t tell her friends at home that she was actually enjoying being at a boarding school. For all they knew she was having the worst experience of her life.

"Interesting.." Not that Connor knew a thing about anything greek at all but cool, you learn something new every day. "Yeah, we could have a great game out on the grounds, since quidditch isn't really a thing right now i'm sure everyone would love a game to play." And what wasn't better than making people happy? "That's just what i was thinking, and that's assuming anyone even notices." He grinned, there might have been just the slightest bit of troublemaker in Connor Jones.

"She's a good friend." Yeah, a good friend.. Ahem. They knew each other a good bit, they were close friends. The sixth year nodded. "Yeah, like seventh years." a light chuckle cause who else would have graduated. "Very much so." A few in particular that Connor was a bit fan of, not that he didn't think any of the current Hogwarts girls were hot.

"Bloody hell yes!" Kace smiled liking the way Adi thinked. "See this is why we get along so well. We have the same wavelength of awesomeness..." he said making up his own word. "Can you imagine us having an snowmen army? I think that would be bloody cool." he said picturing it now. He would be the commander and have the hard helmet on and everything. He would be yelling so loud and commanding everyone. Adi would be his assistant of course.

When he mentioned he had no plans of becoming a doctor, Kace encouraged it. "Well mate I encourage you to do so. You give great advice. Hey maybe you can give the girls advice I think they will love that or even give your girlfriend advice. You do have a girlfriend do you?" he asked curiously. He didn't know that detail about his friend yet. Or maybe he told him and he didn't remember. Ah so he knew COMC and Potions. He noted that. "Maybe you can be my tutor when the time comes?" he offered. He may need all the help he could get. He chuckled at Adi's joke. "Yeah you can get free stuff on the house, but the autographs won't be cheap though.." he joked with him.

Whenever he could, David had explored the grounds and the castle quite a bit over the last few weeks, but he definitely didn't feel like he'd discovered everything yet. It seemed like he was constantly finding new things everywhere he went, which made sense really. This place was HUGE. And he liked it a lot. Hogwarts was even cooler than he expected, even with all the lessons and homework and other school stuff.

Today seemed like a good day to check out the treehouse some more. He hadn't really explored it as much yet. So he climbed up, and it seemed oddly quiet and empty...except for a girl standing over on the balcony. Well, it'd probably be more fun exploring with someone else actually.

Assuming the girl wanted to, of course. But who wouldn't want to explore a treehouse with him? Heh.

"'Sup," he said to let her know he was here. "Nice view?" Hogwarts was pretty great with the scenery from what he could tell. Not that he really sat around and looked at trees or hills or anything.

How did a castle housing thousands of students for months at a time not have more to do? And how had whoever was responsible for the grounds missed that the lake was a PERFECT place for a dock and a few boats? Maybe even some fishing gear? These were the questions that plagued Heather as she climbed up to the only little something extra that had been added to the grounds: a tree house. Don't get her wrong, she liked tree houses, but it just wasn't going to be enough to keep her entertained for a whole nine months (give or take a few).

It was entertaining her now though, as she finally reached the top of ladder. Instead of going inside, though, she decided to sit on the 'porch' up against the wall, look down and people-watch. Annnnnd enjoy just being amongst the trees, of course.

Layla was appreciating the view from the top of the treehouse when she heard someone's footsteps approaching her. She hoped that they would pass on by considering she preferred her own company to anyone else's. But to her surprise her unapproachable stance didn't work and she turned to her left to see a guy stood next to her looking out across the grounds too.

Her eyebrow quirked up a fraction as she listened to him speak. "Hey." She sized him up before turning back to the pretty view. "When you're used to rows of houses and tower blocks this is pretty spectacular." Living in the middle of the city did have some disadvantages. Although Clapham Common was practically on her doorstep, Layla spent most of her time in the inner city both at school and hanging out with her mates. Her friends wouldn't believe that here was where she was studying, they were pretty annoyed that she had left them to go to some 'posh private school' already.

"This ain't somethin' i'm used too." She was mostly talking about the school but it would make sense with the magical world as well. Did she make it obvious?