Hopefully The hug was working, though Lux couldn't be too sure since Andrew seemed disinclined to talk about what was wrong. But then she realized that he could be feeling better but just not want to talk about the issue.

"It's fine, we don't have to talk about it." Nod. There were other things to do and discuss. Patting his back gently, she hoped that he would feel better soon because seeing him this way made her sad for him.

"Don't know if I've ever told you, Lux, just how much I appreciate you." Andrew said quietly, his forced smile slowly becoming more sincere. There really wasn't any way for him to tell her how much it meant to him that she was there for him and willing to help him through this difficult time, even though she didn't even know what was wrong!

"Thank you." He smiled at the girl beside him. He understood now more than ever just how lucky he was to have friends like her.

She still needed a few more pictures. It was cold, but she still would rather be OUT HERE than stuffed in the castle. Ugh. Plus, she looked cute with her cheeks all flushed from the wind and such. HEH.

Eden plopped down by the tree and eyed the people around her--hmm. People seemed happy today. It was a nice atmosphere to be a part of, yeah? She wished it was hot enough for her to kick her shoes off and stuff--but she didn't want to catch a cold. Or something worse. So she just stayed all curled up and reached to get the camera from her bag. The lake was rippling just slightly from the light wind, and the noises were calming to the Ravenclaw. That would be a relaxing picture to have. She would take a few for her Mam so that when she went home for break she could show her mother ALL of Hogwarts...hehe ^__^

She held it up to her face and waited to find a great angle to take a picture at. HMMM. She finally settled on a piece of the lake that had the AWESOME mountainous background---SNAP.

The picture spit out and Eden, as usual, waited for it to dry. Once it was, though, she slipped her wand from her bag and got ready. NO teeth chatters THIS time, either, because it wasn't the drafty dumb Dungeons. NOPE.

"ALACER!" she cried, and she grinned broadly as the picture of the lake came to life. AH. It was so PRETTY. Maybe Professor Fuller would hang it somewhere. OH WAIT. They were keeping these. OOps. She quickly turned it over and procured her quill from her bag----

"Professor Fuller---you can keep this one because it's nice and relaxing. Plus it might look nice in your office. -Eden."

Was that weird to write? Oh well. She was trying this 'be nice to the teachers" thing. She began to pack up her stuff to head back to her common room where DAISY would be waiting for her.

Tyler was bored out of his mind, he honestly didn't see how Ravenclaws could sit in the castle all day reading, he didn't get it. His mind else where, he walked out of the Hufflepuff common room his feet knowing where they wanted to go, he didn't know where he was going but he didn't care as long as it was out of the castle. Stopping off in the kitchen to get some hot chocolate before heading outside, his feet leading him once again to his favorite spot by the lake. Flopping down underneath the tree, he looked to see that this wasn't only his favorite spot, it was loved by many Hogwarts students. Getting his journal out of his book bag he started writing in it, as girly as it was, Tyler kept a journal to write out his thoughts and feelings.

Although he was teased by his brothers for doing so, but Tyler didn't care, he thought it was a great way to express himself on paper. Tyler didn't have many friends, not since he just moved here from America at the beginning of the term, he still wasn't used to the big castle of Hogwarts. There was various times that Tyler gotten lost around the place and felt like a confused first year at first, but he knew his way around the castle now. It was different than his school in Salem, his school in Salem was a all boys school for Wizards, he went to Salem Wizards Institute. Although it was big, it wasn't as big as Hogwarts was, that was for sure. Did he miss Salem? Not really, of course he misses his friends and all that, but he didn't really miss the school.

Besides he wanted to come to Hogwarts the start with, but his parents moved to America when he was a kid so he started his first four years at Salem Wizards Institute. Although his parents were offered there jobs back here and better money, his parents moved back to London. Tired of being dragged around like a rag doll by his parents, Tyler stayed with his grandparents and lived there up to now. Although no one knew that, it was a bit of a secret he had, besides no one wanted to be friends with the freaky Hufflepuff kid that transferred here from Salem.

This was a good spot.

Why?

Because nothing was MOVING out here. He didn't care about how serene it looked -- even if it was pretty relaxing to look at -- but he did care about the fact that his picture was BOUND to come out looking better than some of his other attempts. He was dead sure of it. And he had a funny feeling that he wouldn't have to wait that long either.

The only hard thing NOW was trying to find the right spot. Because he wanted to include the actual tree but it hid too much of the background if he stood here. But if he stood a little over towards the right and angled things differently, not enough of the tree could be seen. It was hard. This whole homework was kinda hard, especially for someone who didn't care too much about photographs that weren't group photos or selfies.

Finally, when he had gotten just enough of both the tree and the background, Grayson held up his camera and..........

CLICK!

The picture came out and the Slytherin, taking it, shook it around to get it to dry faster. He was a little excited to see how this one would turn out. The actual picture looked a little boring, frankly, but if people were into the landscape kinda pictures, they were bound to like this one. Besides, it'd look MUCH better once he got it moving sooo....... "Alacer!" TAP right in the middle of the picture.

Was it even moving?

Oh! YES. Look, there were the waves from the lake and the gentle swaying of the branches in the foreground. Brilliant.

Satisfied, he moved ON.

She had been so busy with classes and homework lately that she hadn’t had a time to check her little fairies habitat out. When she finally made it to her destination and sat down leaning against the tree by the lake she sighed.

Relaxing somewhat in the cold winter air.

This was nice.

Now, reaching into her bag she pulled out the jar and sighed as she spotted how much of a mess it really was. “Hello Cai,” she grinned at the teal haired fairy and then turned to her pink haired friend. “Hello Nimue” she spoke to her Arthurian named fairy friends.

“I have to clean your home now” she told them as she carefully unscrewed the lid and watched the two little fairies shifting and floating their way toward the top of the jar. Moving her finger to the opening she let them climb onto it. “I have to make you immobile now, so I don’t lose you” she told them a somewhat unbiased kindness to her voice. Something that wasn’t usually the case with the normally closed off Gryffindor.

“Immobulus” she cast and watched as they froze perching on her fingertip. Moving her other hand she carefully set them on the rock beside her as she began to clean their house. “Scourgify” she cast and cleaned the gunk off of the outside edges of the walls. “Aguamenti” she cast again and the jar filled with water, so much water. But it needed that. She banished the water and then quickly scourged the jar once more and watched as it sparkled. Reaching down she carefully placed the little moss covered rock and the fairies into the jar. Not before casting a quick sticking charm to the rock, after all they needed something nice in their jar didn’t they?

Hope beamed and let her hands fall into her lap. "Thanks. I was really hoping it would look good." She looked down at her hands and then back at him. "It's not permanent though. It was really hard to do honestly. It's like my hair was fighting to change colors. Could be something magical though." She shrugged and tolled her eyes.

She sighed and stared out past Caleb just looking at nothing in particular. "She's Heather Malfoy. She went to this school and everything. She even played professional Quidditch before she vanished into thin air." She looked back at him and her eyes stung a bit...had Hope Evans ever cried? It didn't seem like it. She had been cold and hard her first year and softened enough to be nice her second year, but no, she had never openly cried. She was too strong for that. "I just want to know why she didn't want me. But how do you confront someone with that kind of stuff without falling apart and how do you not let your fears just eat your heart up and swallow it whole?" Oh! She was emotional. This was a new thing for her. "Sorry. I know that's a lot I probably shouldn't have said." She looked up trying to hold back all the tears that wear choking her.

Oh! It was a boy! She took a deep breath and looked back at him and gave him a eye roll with a warm smile. "I think you're right." It was as simple as that. "I mean...you're doing your brotherly duty and you observe something that concerned you and spoke up. If your sister doesn't want to listen to you let her make her own mistakes. She'll learn in the long run." She sounded older....maybe she should become and advice giver. "Give it time. You two will make up." Hmmm? "Are you dating?" WHERE DID THAT COME FROM??

Paloma chuckled as Zahra described how cool Mr. Creatures would be. Maybe, just maybe she could just...take a peek at his office and greet him, or when she could have some doubts about the assignments, she could ask? Endless weird excuses, she thought.

WHAT?

Zarah was going to take her suggestion.

"I....I....just like, thought we could save ourselves the trip to the Headmistress Office...." She nodded, trying to concentrate on whether she wanted to crawl out of there, or actually stay. All because it was getting a bit too dark for the glowsticks to keep glowing as they used to when they were cracked hours ago. "Uhhhh...." She didn't have to say anything, but only point to the sky and hope the night didn't catch them.

Or worse...a big bad wolf.

Ahh outdoors...it was a nice change from the stuffy library or the overcrowded common room. Walking up to the tree that always reminded him of the weird picture mum had he sat down and tried to make himself comfortable. Book in one hand, bottle of water in another. He could make an afternoon of it yet! Stretching his legs out he sighed and leaned back against the tree trunk.

It was a rather cold day (not surprising since it was winter), but Lux had decided to take a walk by the lake and get some fresh air. Sometimes being stuck in the castle bored her, and she hadn't been able to find Bay anywhere.

Spotting a familiar face made her smile. It was Lucas' brother and she hadn't seen him for a while. Since he was reading a book, she decided to surprise him. Standing over him, she said, "BOO!"

James tugged on his jacket a little to make himself more comfortable and looked at the book. A part of him reaaaaaaaaaaaally didn't want to read since it was school work. Why couldn't his homework be to read comic books? Those were much more entertaining. Sighing he opened up the book and began to read but was failing as every little thing seemed to be catching his eye and distracting him. There should be a class on the art of distraction he'd probably get high marks.

James was in the middle of a page when he saw a shadow fall over his book and thinking it was Zoe he smirked. He looked up and grinned widely when he saw it was Lux. "Well, well, well. What brings you out of the castle into the cold?" he said standing up and giving her a hug. "I know don't tell me...my ruggedly good looks," he teased and held his hand out to help her sit down ont he precarious roots.

Boo, her attempt to surprise him had failed. Maybe she needed more practice. Shrugging it off, Lux hugged James back. "I got tired of being cooped up. What about you?" Laughing at his comment, she took his hand and sat down. It was nice of him to help her since it wouldn't have been nice to stumble and hurt herself.

"Oh yeah. I just couldn't resist you," she teased before winking at him. Honestly, she could see why girls might find him attractive, but he wasn't her type. Her type was her boyfriend.

"About the same really. Too stuffy, too crowded and of course attempting to hide from Lucas before he sucks me into one of his not well thought out schemes." James sat down beside her and placed his book next to him. "Thought I'd come here to read but I don't really want to," he laughed and looked out at the lake.

James gave Lux a smirk and shook his head, "I sense the sarcasm...it hurts deeply," he teased and kicked at a rock. "Did you have a good break?" he asked realizing he couldn't remember the last time they had talked....he really did need to get out of that tower more.

It wasn't surprising that James wanted to escape from the castle since a lot of people probably felt that way from time to time. What was surprising was the comment about Lucas. "What schemes are these you speak of? He hasn't mentioned them to me as far as I know." This could be rather interesting and it was in her nature to be rather curious, so she wanted to know details on one her her best friends and his brother would be a great source. "I hear you about not wanting to read. I feel like throwing my textbooks into the lake with the amount of work we've been getting." She was a hard-working girl, but at that very moment she was tired and wanted a break since she had been working on her Ancient Runes homework and that was never one of her best classes. ...Though she DID have a lot of fun pretending to be one of the daughters from The Little Mermaid, so that was always a plus. Could Botros be King Triton more often?

The sarcasm comment made her laugh and pat him on the shoulder. "I hope you can forgive me for breaking your heart." He really was a funny boy and she enjoyed talking to him. "Oh, yes! It was nice. I love Hogwarts, but a bit of a holiday from it is always nice. How was yours?"

James looked at her and shrugged, "He's always up to something. Usually involving me getting in trouble and him no where to be found. Last time he wanted to go explore the castle after hours." To be fair though he hadn't really seen his brother in awhile...he was a little worried to be honest but figured it had mostly to do with the fact he spent most of his time in the library and not with his brother. James laughed at the concept of throwing the book in the lake and looked at it contemplating.... "If I didn't actually like the class I might try that." But as it stands he did and who knew he might use the book again someday.

Oh now she was being patronizing. Hmph. "Well now...I don't know if you can break a heart you don't hold," he said cheekily. "How is the boyfriend anyway?" How was his holiday....good question... "Nothing exciting really. Came home, got gifts, ate food, came back." The end. How depressing.

This new Lucas development took Lux by surprise. She could not imagine Lucas doing things that would get his brother into trouble, though the last plan caused her to laugh. "That is so Gryffindor of him." It was rather endearing in her eyes, but then she was rather biased towards the Lions. Aaah, so he liked the class. Made sense. She herself liked most of the subjects she took, though there were some exceptions like Transfiguration. "What's the book about?" she asked curiously.

His cheeky comment caused her to laugh some more. "That is very true. You are a very profound Ravenclaw." An honest statement, not a dig. James seemed to be rather fitting for his House; witty and perceptive. "He is good just very busy." Pout. And it didn't sound like he had a very exciting holiday either. "I might throw a Christmas party next term. If I do you will be invited." Parties were a lot of fun.

James rolled his eyes and gave a shrug, "More annoying of him really." He looked down at the book and laughed, "Muggle studies actually. Rather fascinating." Well to him anyway.

He smiled and gave her a chuckle as she called him profound, "Profound. I like it." Seemed better than just smart. "Sorry to hear that. I'm sure he'll get free soon." Well...unless he was avoiding her then maybe not but who was he to speak. "That'd be cool just let me know. I usually don't have any plans over the breaks." Mainly because he usually didn't want to go out. Too cold...inside was warm.

Lux had to snort at the annoying comment. Personally she could never picture Lucas as being annoying. More like he was sweet and adorable. "Siblings really can be something else." She loved hers, but sometimes they drove her nuts. "I love Muggle Studies! And learning about photography was a lot of fun. I think the lesson we made pizza was one of my favourites. Me and Bay made ours pepperoni." Just the thought of pizza was making her really hungry.

Hehe. "It really suits you, James the Profound." Okay, that probably sounded really lame but it wasn't as if that had to be his nickname or anything. Maybe she could come up with something a lot better than that. "In a few months he is going to Graduate and then we will have summer before I go back to school again." Three terms without him. "Awesome! I will definitely let you know! It will be such an awesome Christmas!"

Dylan was BORED. So, today he had decided to go wander about the grounds, maybe find a friend to talk to. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie and exited the castle and soon found himself at the tree near the lake, the one he always visited ever since he came here. He sighed and he slumped down against it, staring out at the water. It was so still and calm today, which made it really pretty. He smiled and sighed, looking around himself for someone to talk to. He was in quite a talkative, friendly mood today!

Zander was out by the tree resting, but mostly waiting for Kace. They had divination homework to complete! Of course.... It was hardly any homework at all. The Gryffindor wasn't complaining or anything because it seemed easy enough, but there was no snow white anywhere. This was ridiculous and much like that Sebastian hunt that Botros was going on about earlier in the term. What was going on with the Professors these days?!

Except Zander knew EXACTLY what was going on with this particular professor. It was his fault. It was because of that stupid love potion he took. Professor Morgan didn't even have any of it!! It just completely backfired and set her all crazy and stuff. It wasn't even fair!! Not like Zander even wanted that to happen.

So he was going to save her. He'd taken it into his own and everything. Except, he had to do the homework because house points, but otherwise he'd be making up a plan to save Professor Morgan and all of Hogwarts. Just like he was supposed to do last term. Anyways, uh Snow White? You here?... Even though he was supposed to go looking with Kace, he thought he'd just look around by the tree until the Hufflepuff arrived. Shouldn't be too long till he got there, Zander had come down a little early.

Kace got an owl from Zander to tell him to meet him here. They were gonna do the Divination Homework. Apparently the professor wanted them to go find Snow White. This shouldn't be too hard, they just needed to go in the woods and find the seven dwarfs. A little fairytale humor right there. He chuckled to himself and as he walked down he saw Zander looking around by the tree. He called out, "You find Snow White by the tree?" he asked curiously. But he knew this mission would need three people. "So I invited Puck to join us since she needed a partner and I thought the more people the merrier." he shrugged. Now all they had to do was wait for Puck.

She had arrived, still she hightly doubted that they would find anything for the Professor. She was absolutely loopy, loopier than Flamsteed had been almost…almost. “Hey Kace” she grinned as she joined the group by the tree. “Hi Zander” she nodded and glanced at the tree.

“You ugh…find her yet?” She asked and glanced around as really Snow White was probably in the forest in some cottage safe and sound…or you know that’s where she would have been if she wasn’t a figment of Professor Crazypant’s imagination.

Zander was still looking aimlessly around the tree. If Snow White was anywhere to be seen she probably wasn't hiding around out here. Or at least that what Zander thought because it was kind of chilly today. But who knew, maybe her name was Snow because she liked cold weather or something.... Picking his head up at the sound of Kace's voice, Zander returned the question with a shake of his head, "Nope, no luck yet..." Maybe Professor Morgan wanted a literal pile of white snow? ... Professors could be tricky like that.

Anyways, Puck was gonna join? Uh, okay! She seemed nice enough anyways. Zander hadn't really had the chance to talk to her all that much but uh... She gave him a Valentines day card and that was really nice of her, besides maybe Puck would know where Snow was hiding around because they were both girls. And don't girls think the same or something? Girl code, right? And before he could say anything more than, "Oh, okay sure," the girl had arrived. Well that was quick!! Good thing too because they might as well start with the search party.

He waved to her as she walked over and shook his head to her question too. Nope. Still nothing. "No... Nothing yet.." Taking his eyes off the two, he looked around the grassy areas and... "Uh, where should we start looking?"

It was a pretty cold March day, but Ariel was wanting to head into the lake so she could search for treasure. Maybe there was a ship under the water that she could explore because sometimes she missed doing that. Her daddy had ruined most of her treasure collection, but she wanted to start a new one. She wished Flounder was there, but he was missing and there was no Scuttle around to tell her what things were the way he used to.

She had worn something that she thought the humans called a bathing suit under her human clothes, and seeing a tree by the water she decided that was a good spot to leave her clothes. She'd still be able to breathe underwater, right?

Shrugging it off, she took off her human clothes so that she was only in her bathing suit.

As Kace was waiting for Puck just in the nick of time she was here. "Hey Puck.." he greeted him friend with a charming smile. "Yeah like Zander said we had no luck yet.." he shrugged looking around. He heard Zander's question and wondered where Snow White could be hiding. "Well let's think like the fairy tale for a minute.." he spitballed this idea. "Like Snow White usually lives in the woods right? I mean she lives with the seven dwarfs in a house in the woods. Do you think she could be in the forbidden forest?" he asked pointing towards the forest across the lake. I mean it was a logical idea right?

He waited for what his friends thoughts were on his idea. It could be crazy or it might work.