Tree By The Lake
 

The grounds were incredible, huge, lush, clearly well taken care of and absolutely beautiful. Everything about the school was beautiful so far and Damien was still in awe. He was living in a castle, an actually castle, Salem had been a beautiful place too, but nothing compared to this.

Still, he would have enjoyed it more if his best friend didn’t absolutely hate it, to the point where she seemed to feel alienated… And Damien had been so excited for them to be going to school together. The boy sighed, rolling up the sleeves of his linen shirt and climbing up the beech tree, making his way toward the thick branch that reached out over the lake.

Somehow, he thought this would be a good place to think.

for the lemon queen
 

For Puck/Jesse <3
 

Kace decided to go down to the tree by the lake. He always felt this spot was the most relaxing. He owled Puck to come down here because he needed to catch up what went on with Braedon and plus they haven't seen each other in a while. He missed his buddy. I mean they did meet at the feast but she was busy talking to other people. He liked hanging with his friends one on one. As he waited for miss prefect to show up, he took out his sketchbook and began to do a sketch of Puck with her prefect badge. He wondered if she would like it.

It was a lovely day outside, so Lux thought it was a great idea to head outside to the lake, one of her favourite places at Hogwarts. Maybe she would dip her feet in the water, but for now sitting in the shade under the tree reading a book sounded like a great idea.

Reaching the tree, she removed her bag from her shoulder and took a seat on the grass. Hopefully her dress wouldn't stain, but she knew the spell to fix it in case it happened so no worries there. Removing her book from her bag, she opened it to the page she had left off on and began to read.

Puckalmost groaned when she was hit in the head with the letter that day. Puck chuckled of course when she read the note and made her way over to the lake to meet her friend. She didn't know what he wanted to talk about really, but it had been a while since she had seen him what with traveling and visiting Bianca's mom on the photo shoot...and all the food babies. Food babies ruled.

What had taken up most of her summer had been the freaking out over being Prefected and the music fest thing...oh and all of the pizza eating with Rorie! Because obviously that was fun she had loved that.

"Hey Pillow" she grinned as she plopped down on the ground next to him. "how are you?" She asked grinning and then tapped her head. "Do I have a papercut on my head? The owl kind of dropped it there" she laughed and grinned at Kace.

As usual, Dima had been continuing the practice he and Maddie had of searching and attempting to lure out the giant squid. Of course, his tries were unsuccessful (when were they not? Most people knew that squids' primary diets didn't consist of crackers and juice, the third year's sole offerings). And it was too hot to stay in the sun FOREVER.

So he went and took refuge under the beech tree, not noticing the girl hanging off one of the branches on the other side.

She hadn't decided to climb the tree yet, but she mostly just doing the monkeybars on it. Evie had let go of the first branch she was on and found another one to hang from. Keeping her eyes on the branches, she swung to the next and held onto it. But as she swung, she felt her foot hit something below. Looking down, she noticed that it was a boy.

"Oh." Oops. "Sorry." She looked down at him as she hung from the branch. All good?

you know who you are
 

Honestly Ruby had decided to take advantage of the weather being nice-ish while she could, and also because she had nooo idea how long Bellaire would have her serving detentions this time so she figured she might as well make the most of her freedom while she had it. So out to the grounds it was and she zeroed in on the tree near the lake. Not to climb it though, ugh, no, thank you. If she was going to flash someone it'd be on purpose and not thanks to monkeying about in a Beech tree.

She found a spot on the lakeward side where there was a nice soft tuft of grass growing between the roots. Big enough to sit there comfortably. Big enough for two people to sit there comfortably really, but Ruby had come on her own. She sat carefully, tucking the small bit of skirt beneath herself. Once she was settled she looked out over the lake, looking unusually lost in thought.

The shade was much nicer than out by the dock, that was for su-

Oomf. Dima felt something connect with his temple and fell over. A person? Rubbing the side of his head, he blinked and sat up again.

"S'okay." Why was she just hanging there though? "Do you need help?" First of all, was she trying to go down or up? It was a pretty easy tree in which to do either, and if she required assistance, the third year would have found it awfully weird. But you never knew with girls, really.

Awfully weird was like their definition.

For Nat and her new UN wheeee!
 

Aw man, right in the head too. Whoops.

"No," she responded, letting go of the branch and landing on her feet. "I was just hanging." No real intention of climbing, not in a skirt. Which was why she was on her feet now and not hanging above this boy. "I know how to climb a tree." By the way. She wasn't impaired, and apparently wanted him to know that.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She hadn't seemed to kick him that hard, but she hadn't been paying attention, so she couldn't be sure.

Oh, see, she COULD get down.

"Me too!" He could climb a tree, that was. Not that it was a very rare ability, but they had something in common. And those said things were always nice to point out when you were conversing with someone you didn't really know. Although Dima figured she'd find a different tree to hang off now.

Was he okay? The third year tapped his head again. "Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a brush, I think."

Pause. "I'm Dima. Toussaint. Have I seen you before?" She didn't look familiar.

Just a brush? He fell OVER. Evie questioned him in her mind, but decided to let it go. If she wasn't going to get in trouble, then she wouldn't push it.

Uh oh.

.... "Toussaint?" Evie tried not to smile when she heard that name. What were the odds? Assuming this boy was his brother, she kept cool and flattened her skirt back out. "No, I'm new. I'm Evie. Shacklebolt." Since they were doing last names and all.

Ah.. the lake by the lake was his favorite spot through out all of Hogwarts, he just loved sitting and thinking underneath this tree. As he sat underneath the tree he rested his head against the tree looking out at the lake deep in thought, he was thinking about what this year would bring, he was sure it was going to be better than last year was. Although he was worried about his best friend Savannah but he knew that Tobias was comforting as much as he could, it stink that her parents were divorced now and she didn't see her mother much anymore. Tyler hated seeing any of his friends and loved ones hurt, it hurts him to see any of them hurting or sad. What made it worse, Tyler didn't know what to do fod his best friend.

Sighing to himself, Tyler brushed all those thoughts away and decided to just relax under the tree enjoying the nice warm sunshine before it gotten cold. He knew that it wouldn't be long until it gotten chilly and cold, although Tyler didn't mind it, he didn't have a favorite season he loved then all equally due to them being all fun. Feeling a soft breeze blow through his blonde hair he smiled and looked around for Abby or his twin brother or friends, sighing as he didn't see them he thought maybe they gotten busy.

Abby was out getting some fresh air and smiled to herself when she saw Tyler sitting alone and said "Hey gorgeous why so lonely out here" Abby thought it was a beautiful autumn day

Tyler who didn't realized that he was asleep under the tree opened his hazel eyes slowly to see Abby and smiled. "Hey beautiful, came out here to relax and think about things, and I guess I fell asleep under the tree! "said Tyler honestly. " You wanna join me Abbs or you going to stand there and look at me?"Tyler asked her playfully before smirking at her.

Confused. He was so freaking confused. And what did he do when he was confused about something? Usually, ignore it and grumble about it. Or talk to someone he deeply trusted about it. The former didn't seem to be working because it was the ONLY thing on his mind at the present time. Only. No food and nothing inappropriate either. Weird or what?

So, he decided to head outside to see if a certain curly haired Gryffindor was here. He wasn't gonna try and flirt his way into the lion common room again so he thought it'd be a good idea to search out here BEFORE going up all those stairs. He loved the dude but he wasn't ready to tackle those stairs. Not ye--

.............

........................ Oh jeez. Oh MAN. The ONE person he needed some help about and she was sitting RIGHT THERE. It was as if she'd read his mind and decided to caaaaaasually sit somewhere where he'd bump into her just so that she could torture him.

Girls, man.

Tucking his hands into his pockets, he maintained a cool composure as he walked towards her. "Fancy seeing you here, Rubes."

And he was gonna take a seat, mkay? Because the seating place looked like it'd be MUCH more comfortable with two people sitting there.

Ruby looked up, startled out of her reverie by a very familiar voice, even if there was something off about his tone, at least to her ears. Well norrrrmally his voice was laced with something far more flirtatious right? Was he okay? She wouldn't press, if he wanted to talk he knew that he could.

"I know, its so weird, like I go to this school or something." Ruby said lightly, studying him as he sat down. She leaned against him a little bit. "Looking for somewhere quiet too?" And added bonus, Bellaire free right? She smiled at him in her usual way. 100 percent attention on you, Grayson Whitlock.

Toussaint, yup. Had she heard of the family? Dima thought it was weird when people did, on account of he didn't know anyone else's big ol' clan. But Angelo acted like HE was used to it, all calm and collected as usual, when it happened, so the third year didn't pay it much attention. Maybe she was just double checking names or something.

"Oh." He must have missed her sorting in all the spit napkin, fork throwing commotion. "What house are you in? .... fourth year?" Decent guess, right?

Abby laughed and sat down beside Tyler and said "Of course i am joining you and well i am just really glad to be back here at school now"

Tyler laughed as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to him before he kissed the top of her head. "Um... Abbs remember when I told you that I had something that I want to tell you, well...I think here is the perfect place to tell you, seeing how this is where we met."said Tyler softly but honestly. "I love you Abby Valentine, I love you more than anything!"said Tyler softly but honestly before he blushed as he said that. "I got you something, I hope you like it!"said Tyler softly before handing the box with the necklace in it.

Damien had dozed off, his face pressed against the branch, his legs hanging on ether side. The boy was completely at ease and at peace with the world.

He shouldn't have been. The wind, though not dry strong, was strong enough to have pushed him, little by little to the edge of the side of the branch and with each soft snore, he grew perilously closer to falling on top of a certain red head a few feet below. Still, the boy remained unaware, his dreams of candy, pretty girls in bikinis and becoming president were the only thing in his mind.

The wind blew again, harder this time and Damien was sent tumbling through the air, the sensation of falling waking him abruptly, but he could do nothing to stop it. "Watch ou-" He shouted, but it was too late.

He landed right on top of the diminutive red head, the arm he'd been holding out to shield him was beneath him no, not to mention bent the wrong way.

Yikes.

Why could she hear what sounded like snoring? O_o

Confused, Lux looked around but there was no one else in the area. She was completely alone. Shrugging it off as her mind playing tricks on her, the redhead went back to her book, figuring that she wouldn't have too many opportunities to read for enjoyment with all the studying that was required before exams.

Turning the page, she had barely a moment to register that someone was speaking to her before said person had LANDED ON HER.

Gasping with shock and pain, she laid there with a boy on top of her.

There were a lot of words going around Damien's head. Ouch. Why. Damn it. Sonofawitch. But the loudest word was- "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I am so sorry!" He was trying to get up, to crawl off the smaller body beneath him, but his arm, his arm was hurting like crazy and he just couldn't move. He lifted his head,and his eyes widened as he realized who he had crash landed on. "Lux, are you okay?" He asked, finally thinking straight and rolling off other.

He was so worried about her that he had yet to see the damage down to his appendage.

Groooooooan.

Did it LOOK like she was alright?

Maybe the boy wasn't the heaviest at Hogwarts by any means, but he had still fell from a TREE landing on her TINY body. Lux was thin and only 5'4, so that wasn't much compared to a lot of boys who went to the school and could probably break her like a twig.

Groaning again, she tried to get out from under him to realize that the perpetrator was DAMIEN of all people. "I'm sore all over and my nose is killing me. I think it's broken again..."

Her speech sounded awful and her nose was bleeding. O_O

"Fifth," she said, plopping down on the grass a few feet away from him. Hopefully he wouldn't mind. She just wanted to relax again. "And I'm in Ravenclaw. What about you?" She couldn't remember if Angelo had told her. Their whole day together was kind of a blur now. But a nice blur.

You know, now that she looked at Dima, he kind of looked like him. A younger, smaller version.

Oh, holy mother. She sounded awful, really awful and her nose, she was bleeding. Guilt, cold and unpleasant shifted and swished in his stomach, quieting all thoughts of his own rather unbearable pain. Hastily, with his right hand, the one connected to the unbroken arm, he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and held it to her nose.

“Damn, I think you’re right, let’s get you to the healer.” He could have tried mending it on his own, but as good as he was at fixing broken bones, he didn’t trust himself with Lux’s.

He could probably use a visit himself, but after Lux, definitely after Lux. He stood, taking care not to move his arm as he did - No easy task - and standing in front of the petite girl. "Come on,"

He hadn't found Si, and he hadn't found that Gryffindor Prefect he wanted a word with, but Archie HAD found a lovely place to read his post from home. Under the tree would be perfect, with its dapple shade from the autumn sun, and the gentle lapping sounds of the lake.

He plopped down, folded his coat into a pillow to lean against the trunk, and pulled out the package. Benjy's handwriting. How exciting!

SNORT.

Lulz.

"I did NOT know that! How remarkable! You learn something new every day." Could she hear the sarcasm in his voice? His words were practically dripping from it but he was also smiling to show that it WAS just a joke. Simple. He wasn't being rude for once. Kinda weird, wasn't it?

The smile only widened when she leaned against him and he instinctively wrapped an arm around her, letting his hand rest on her arm. No inappropriate intentions either. The question? There was no way he could tell her the entire truth sooooo he was gonnna go with a bending of the truth, instead. "You could say that. Dead peaceful out here. Kinda nice to relax a bit and all, you know?" WAS this a quiet place to sit? He had no idea. "Is that why you're here?" Was there something bothering her? HMMMM?

Ruby giggled a little, cheered up a bit in spite of herself. Laying it on a bit thick wasn't he? Oh yes, she could hear it, he was speaking her language, basically. Fluent in sarcasmo over here.

Sigh. That was nice. His arm felt nice around her shoulders, and she fit comfortably under it too. Not that she'd say so, but her body language kind of gave it away at least a bit.

"I know." It was nice, if you ignored that there were other people around enjoying the grounds, nobody in view currently, since they were facing out over the lake, but if you yelled out someone would hear you for sure.

Here to relax? Hmm. Not exactly, She looked up at him. "More like... enjoying my freedom while it lasts. I mean who knows if it'll just be one detention this time or if I'll be stuck with Trollaire through New Years again." Not to mention having been banned from Hogsmeade all of last term ugh. Ruby had found ways around that little inconvenience though. She pouted at him theatrically. Wasn't it soooo tragic? Honestly though, she was worried about it for real... they both knew it. Grayson knew probably better than anyone except her own brother how much the endless detentions the previous year had got to her, even if he didn't exactly know why they'd been so terrible. But of course she was going to put on a front about it, they were in public after all.

"I mean its just whatever." She examined the nails on one hand casually. Hmmm. French tips next time? Lalala. Nothing wrong here. Subtly though, she cuddled up to him a bit more, probably gladder he was there than she should be.

Abby blushed and said "I love you too Tyler and the necklace is beautiful i love it"

Kace heard the nickname and knew who it was in a heartbeat. "Heyy Puckster." he greeted back. "I am liking your outfit." he said approving of her style. He needed to work on his style this year that is for sure. Maybe Puck could help with that? But he didn't want to give her more work to do so he would wait.

Did she have a paper cut on her forehead. He looked up from his sketchbook and furrowed his brow. "Hmm I do not see it.." he said looking at her face and forehead. "Oh I am sorry about Charlene too because she can be a bit clumsy sometimes delivering letters." he grinned sheepishly. "Sooooo tell Miss Prefect what is it like having a professional title?" he smirked. "Too bad we can't get into crazy things like we used to."

Aaaaaah.

Lux was tempted to touch her nose because it felt all swollen and was throbbing, but knew that was a bad idea. Damien's words were enough confirmation to her. Yep, broken nose. Again. She had never imagined that she'd feel this kind of pain twice in her lifetime. Once was more than enough, frankly.

Oh well, at least it distracted her from the pain in her ribs and he was holding a handkerchief to her nose. Wincing - and with a fair bit of difficulty - she slowly got to her feet. Okay, NOW she could feel the pain in her ribs.

She knew. It was something he liked. The fact that she knew. He also liked the fact that she fitted well under his arm. It was comfortable, it was nice...........

............... and he was starting to sound like a freaking sap.

Her words? Grayson's eyes shot over towards Rubes, his eyebrows furrowing because even before she had uttered Bellaire's name, he knew exactly who and what this was about. He had comments, of course, but he didn't say anything until she was done. "Jeez, I hope she doesn't. It's freaking ridiculous! Who cares so much about a kiss in the first place?" He did. No he didn't. He did, feel sorry for her, especially when she was giving him that pouty look. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. You're Ruby Banner, remember? Take no nonsense from her." None. Zilch. Zero.

And no, it wasn't whatever either. This stuff mattered, didn't it. He let it pass and said nothing, instead opting hold her a bit closer. Lucky they were at a peaceful location, really.

Tyler blushed and smiled as Abby told him that she loved him. [B]"I'm glad that you do Abbs, I was hoping that you did!"said Tyler softly but honestly before kissing her softly on the lips. "I gotten the other part of the necklace."said Tyler softly but honestly before showing her the gold key that was around his neck. "Now you can tell your friends how sweet your boyfriend was!"said Tyler jokingly before smirking and winking at her. "As lame and silly as it is, I'm going to tell mine! " said Tyler honestly.

Abby smiled and hugged Tyler and said "I will tell as many as my friends as possible but i will need to tell my sisters as well before they fall out with me again" Well Abby was hoping that it wasnt going to happen but she could never tell with AJ or Angel what would happen next

Tyler nodded understanding what she was talking about, he had a fallen out with Tobias at times, but not that much. "I understand Abbs, you don't want that, and I don't want them or anyone else to hate me. " said Tyler softly but honestly. As she hugged him, he smiled and hugged her tightly but not enough to hurt her.

Puck grinned at Kace as he greeted her in return. “Aw thanks Kace,” she grinned and laughed over to him when he commented on her outfit she just laughed some more. “Are you looking for fashion advice?” She asked chuckling over to him and grinning all the while.

“Oh its fine, I was just laughing about it really” she chuckled and grinned at him. “Oh…the title is going well so far just a little strange, I’m not used to it” she laughed and grinned. “And…I don’t think that I really would call it a professional title” she chuckled and grinned at him. “Hey we will still get into crazy things but just without clocks” she smirked and grinned at him.

"Third year." Oh. She was in his house? "Me too. Do you like it here so far?"

Dima considered how boring the small talk sounded, still rubbing his temple thoughtfully. After a short pause, he added some more. "I didn't like it very much when I first started 'cause my brother and my best friend were at Durmstrang. But I do now."

Evie thought about his question. She had a mixed first impression of Hogwarts and its inhabitants, so it was still a little early to tell. "I think so," she told him. "I'm mostly glad to not be homeschooled anymore." And she was having fun not being at home all the time.

She plucked a few strands of grass from the ground and looked up at the mention of his brother again. "I know your brother, by the way. Met him over the summer." Just in case he was wondering. She didn't know how close they were. "How come you don't go to the same school?"

"You were homeschooled before?" Must have been a nice change of setting, then. "How come you came to Hogwarts now?"

Dima blinked at the mention of his brother. "Angelo?" That brother? He only had ONE, but... well. Huh. "He never mentioned any Evie." Which was weird because they were as close as any siblings could get, and he usually knew about Angelo's friends. "My dad thought we were too close and wanted me to get less dependent on him, so he sent me here instead." Which hadn't turned out too badly.

Got to go to detention now! haha will post again... when I can. You know how it is.
 

"I think if it was anyone else she wouldn't care as much. I don't know why everything I do is the wrong thing in her eyes." Like seriously, Ruby didn't GET why Bellaire singled her out every time, and why somehow everything Ruby did even if other people did the same things, was always punished to the extreme while others just got off with a scathing comment or whatever. The worst part was that normally Ruby WAS confident, but Bellaire shook that, undermined that confidence, and made her feel like maybe, just maybe, there was something wrong with her, like whoever she was at her core wasn't enough. She felt almost helpless because it was a professor bullying her. Really, if it was one of her classmates Ruby could handle it just fine, but this? It felt impossible.

Nooooot that anyone other than this boy right here needed to know that Ruby Clytemnestra Banner wasn't strong all the time, mind you. She kept her mask up, kept it in place. And she had to even more so after the events of the Summer...

But at least she wasn't alone. Phe obviously had proved that at the end of term feast at the end of the last school year, and also Grayson... firstly by being there for her about it all and knowing without her needing to say exactly how bad it was, and then by actually standing up for her himself. It meant a lot to her. Made her feel stronger. He was good at that actually, just another one of those little sweet things about him that most people didn't know about.

Ruby shot him a thankful smile and tossed her hair confidently. Ruby Banner. That's right. "...And don't you forget it." He did make her feel like she could handle it. It was just going to be the one detention, right? Well. She hoped so, but she wasn't holding her breath either. Add it to the list of things she wasn't holding her breath for right up there with current company even if he was being super sweet right now. Ruby sighed and fell silent, and tried not to think too much about things she couldn't control. It was easier that way and hey, at least she got to enjoy snuggles right?

"It was boring," she responded plainly, then decided to explain. "It was mostly theoretical and I think I'm more of a hands-on learner. And I didn't have any friends." That was probably the biggest point. She was kind of a social girl, or at least liked to be around people.

Evie nodded when he said his brother's name. Angelo, that was him. She didn't know if she was expecting him to know or not. "Evie is short for Evangeline," she added. That was what Angelo had called her. Evie shrugged. "We only met for a day, so..." Maybe it wasn't a big deal. It was just a meeting of chance, anyway.

Abby smiled and said "I am they will not hate you Tyler, i mean your so awesome that people will like you"

Okay. Really. His arm. His arrrrmmmmmmmm. Good grief, Charlie Brown it hurt like hell, and Lux didn't look like she was faring much better. "Where's the hospital wing?" He asked, he still had no idea, he'd managed to find his way through the school plenty of times without trying, but he didn't want to risk taking ages when Lux and himself were so injured.

And she was wincing more. "What, what else hurts?" He asked, making a face as the pain shot through his limb, as he slowly began to walk towards the castle.

It wasn't until Lux was on her feet again that she noticed Damien seemed to be hurt too. She wasn't sure why it never occurred to her, but she supposed it was due to the pain she was feeling. "Your arm's broken." Poor boy. That didn't seem nice at all.

Where was the Hospital Wing? Oh, right. He was new. "It's on the third floor. And I'm not sure, all I feel is pain in my nose and ribs." Since she had been there numerous times, Lux would have no trouble pointing out the Hospital Ward to him then they could both get looked to by the Healer.

Tyler looked at her and smiled. "I hope they will, I sure don't want them to hate me, that wouldn't be good!"said Tyler honestly. "I just have my twin brother Tobias you have to meet, as well as my friends Sophia and Savannah. said Tyler softly but honestly. [You'll like Tobias, he's just like me but a Gryffindor and he's dating Savannah who's a Gryffindor as well, she's very bubbly and very sweet and Sophia is your age but a Hufflepuff she's very bubbly and energetic and loves hugs! "[/b]said Tyler naming a couple of things about his twin brother and friends.

Abby smiled and said "I cant wait to meet them and i am sure they will not hate you, just need to get around to telling them about you" Abby knew that she had to find a way to tell her sisters about her boyfriend and soon rather than later

Tyler smiled. "Don't worry you'll meet them soon, and they'll love you, I mes mean what there not to love? "Tyler asked her smiling. "I hope they do, I really want them to like me. said Tyler softly but honestly. "I love you Abbs!"said Tyler softly before he kissed her softly on on the lips. Holding her tight against him he cuddled her as if he was holding a teddy bear.

Corrigan was only marginally paying attention to her cousin: part of her was still grousing about how her old and boring pyjamas simply hadn't cut it for the Ravenclaw slumber party. It wasn't that anyone had commented on them, just that she knew that they were unacceptable. She'd already written a letter to her parents and sent it off via owl asking them to send new, pretty pyjamas at their earliest convenience.

Hopefully they took her plight seriously.

"Hmm?" She glanced over at Amur, then smiled, "We do that all the time. Well, maybe not seven stories... my belly hurts."

Too many s'mores. Far, far too many s'mores. But if she had it all to do all over again, she'd eat no less. Apparently, some of her cousin's Gryffindorness had rubbed off on her.

"Exactly. Not seven stories." She pulled her head forward so that it was easier to swivle her arm around her to point back at the Gryffindor tower. "From up there."

Sighs. She dropped her hand, muttering under her breath. "Might have tried it though, if there hadn't been such a line up."

Looking over at her cousin, Amur's eyebrow rose. "Did you eat something funny?" Cause, she had chocolate frogs she could offer to try to make things better if it was a hungry-hurt, but if not they were liable to only make matters worse.

"There's nothing funny about s'mores." Which was the truth. S'mores were serious business.

She looked where Amur pointed, and grinned, "Of course you would have. I'm sure it's perfectly safe. It is a magic school, after all."

Logic. Hoo ha!

She kept strolling along, eventually asking, "Met anyone fun yet?"

Amur's face was a mix of wondrous surprise, sympathy and admittedly a bit of disappointment. It was a hard expression to wear, and it flitted over her face in varying degrees. "S'mores? Lucky. How many did you eat? We didn't have any smore's. Did you get to roast them at the fire? Does your common room even have a fire?"

Cause theirs did, and she was fully planning on cozying up near it often. Very often.

The mixed expression settled into a grin of pride at her cousin's confidence in her abilities to jump off a ledge. "This is true. Much safer than hay bales." Because yeah, they weren't always soft and yielding. Sometimes there were hard things hidden in and under them, like cars.

Amur kicked a stone through the grass, tilting her head at her cousin's question. "Well, I met an elf at the feast named Tippin, he's really sweet. I seem to have made friends with both our Prefects. There's a boy that wears very bright pink shoes, I call him Mr. Pink Shoes." She still had to find out his name. "Our head of house was the first to jump off the platform. There's another boy, Zeke, who seems more like he should be in Ravenclaw but has trouble with chocolate frogs. And a fifth year, AJ, offered to help me with anything I needed. Oh, and I know who the Charms Professor is so I can get my screaming journal fixed."

She counted them off on her fingers in quiet whispers, just to make sure she had got them all, before looking up at her cousin. "What about you?"

"A lot." She'd eaten a lot. The exact number eluded her, but it was enough to make her go off sweet things for a few days. And for Corrigan, a few days was a very long time indeed, "Yes, we did. It was quite fun. It would have been even better if I had proper pyjamas."

Pout.

And she pouted all the more at Amur's impressive list of associates, before admitting, "I've met two: our house ghost, and my room mate. She's named Kate, and we're all going to get along. But you've made all sorts of friends already!"

A small part of her was willing to acknowledge that she'd been too much of a wimp to go talk to her Head of House, or the prefects, but not out loud. Back-of-the-mind acknowledgement.

So more than ten. At least fifteen. Maybe twenty.

Amur let a whistle through her teeth. If she hadn't been so preoccupied with stuffing chocolate frogs up her sleeves though, she probably would have been sharing in Corrigan's belly ache. "Peppermint tea might help. My mom used to give it to me after I'd raid the cookie cupboard." True story.

She cast a quizzical look at her cousin. It was good they had a fire, but what was this with the pyjamas? "What do you mean, proper pyjamas? I've seen yours. They're suitable, as far as pyjamas can be suitable."

Really, they were sleeping clothes, or on occassion running-about-at-midnight-under-the-stars-clothes. They didn't have to be anything special. Or did they? Was she missing some important knowledge? After all, Corrigan rooming with the wise of Hogwarts.

Her frown picked up to turn itself rightside over. "That sounds nice! I've never met a ghost before. What was it like? Was it scary?" She thought it might be.

Her brow furrowed at the mention of 'friends'. "I don't know about that. Really its been a lot more strangeness than bond forming. The elf bashed his head on a bench after I asked him a question," she still had to apologize for that, "Mr. Pink Shoes and our Prefect got in a disagreement about something, and I am honestly kind of scared of our Head of House. He's really, really.......strange."

No, she hadn't really made any solid friends, except for perhaps Zander. Perhaps. They had a spit-promise after all. But Corrigan, she had been wise and invested all her efforts in one person. Securing one good friend at a time was a good strategy. "What's her name? Your roommate?"

Abby smiled and said "Stop worrying Tyler about it i am sure they will like you but don't think about it too much and i love you all the time even the days that i don't get to see you much"

"Anytime for you bud." he winked an nudged her playfully. Did he need fashion advice? How did she know? Was she a mind reader? He chuckled and snorted. "Psshh nooo well....maybeee." he smirked. "Do you think my fashion choices could use some work?" he asked. "I want your honest opinion." he added in. Because what were friends for right?

Kace would be laughing too because he would never suspect Puck as a prefect but then again stranger things have happened. "I mean I am sure you are a great Prefect but I would never think of you as prefect material. I mean me and you get into trouble a lot you know. We are such bad influences." he smirked an nudged her. He was joking of course but he knew she would be a great one. He was sure people would look up to her. Especially now her having a crush on Zander because of his dare. Smirkty smirk evil smirk.

Kace scoffed at Puck's comment and said, "Ooooh I would call it a professional title that is for sure. I mean what would you think if I was prefect? I mean you think I am like professional." He had a point there right? Hahahh that was good times pulling pranks with the clocks. "Yeah that was good times alright we just gotta make up innocent pranks this year. We both need to put our brains together." He really wanted to do this one but he couldn't without Pucksters help.

Now onto the dare. "Sooo tell me how did the dare go with kissing Zander on the cheek?" he smirked deep for this one. Almost like a cheshire cat.

“Aw you are so sweet” Puck laughed and nudged Kace in return. “What? I don’t know I’d need to look at your whole closet to know if you are missing out on your potential” she grinned at him. “Tell you what come Hogsmeade we’ll go shopping and I’ll get you some cool edgy stuff that’ll make you look awesome?” She offered with a grin.

Puck rolled her eyes and laughed, “I sure wasn’t expecting it what with Flamsteed locking me in that closet last term” she shook her head while laughing. “Hey we weren’t that bad of influences really,” Puck grinned and nudged him back.

Scoffing? He was scoffing at her? She would just scoff back! And that what she was doing very loudly. “Oh please you would be a better fit than me so sure it would be professional and not a giant joke.” She grinned at him, “mmm we do…I gave Kevin most of my old prank things like the clocks and some decoy detonators because yeah…I thought Flamsteed would search my things” she shrugged and laughed.

“YOU ARE EVIL” she hissed at him, “and fine…he’s a good guy and it was just a cheek so pffffft” she shrugged and stuck her tongue out childishly at her friend.

Kace liked Puck's idea. "Yeah I would love that I mean I wanna look stylish when I am next to Emmy." he smirked and he always wanted to impress her no matter what. As for his wardrobe, "Well you need access to come into my common room and dorm room. I can let you in when no one is around." he winked and they will set a date later. Oh he totally forgot that Puck was locked in the closet in Astronomy. That must have been traumatizing for her. "I remember that no wonder you stood up for Kevin but I mean Airey wasn't in his right mind state..." he shrugged and possibly defending his favorite professor.

Kace nudged her back and said, "I guess not. I mean we love to have fun though. We can teach people to be as cool as we are." he nodded. I mean people need more Kaces and Pucks in the word. They just do. Kace laughed when Puck scoffed him and he replied while laughing, "Yeah but somehow your better qualified than I am.." he grinned. "So someone thinks your much cooler than me." he nudged her back playfully. Aaaahh so she thought Flamsteed would search her stuff. "That was a smart move on your part." he told Puck. "Very wise young prankster one." he laughed at calling her that. But surely Flammy would take away all her things.

Now onto the joke which is where he laughed the hardest. "I still love the dare I gave you. I know I am evil and I love it." he smirked. Oh just the cheek? Pity. He was hoping for the lips. "Darn I was hoping for some lips or something. The cheek is too innocent. I should have said you should have kissed him on the lips." he laughed and was waiting for a punch or something in return for saying that.

No worries <3 *understands* Sorry about the lateness!
 

Grayson kinda wished he didn't have to tell her that she was probably right. Because she was. Bellaire had been downright rude to the girl sitting next to him. "You're the complete opposite of her. She's uptight, follows rules and is the strict teacher type whereas you do what you want and have the time of your life. She's probably a bit jealous or whatever." Shrug. He didn't know, really. "Don't take any notice of her, Rubes. She's a pain in the neck and once you're done with this school, you're never gonna have to see her again." So haters gonna hate and all that.

Honestly? He was glad that she was smiling and tossing her hair back like that. Usually hair flips made him cringe thanks to its association with one girl in particular -- grumble -- but this one was alright. Ruby was Ruby again, wasn't she? With the confidence and all? "Like I'd forget something like that. You underestimate me, Bannrr." Lulz.

And then there was silence.

And Grayson was left alone with the one question burning on his mind. He looked out towards the lake, one arm still wrapped around Ruby. Thoughts and curiosity were a dangerous combo, mkay? They were making the sixteen year old want to know something so badly but something was stopping him and he hated it. Really really hated it. Feelings were NOT something he could talk about.

"Rubes?" he started, looking over at her again, "You still like me, right?"

"Well, that's good. Hogwarts is a lot of hands-on. And feet. And toes. And sometimes people lose body parts because you have to use so many of them." He nodded seriously; obviously, since Dima had gone here for TWO YEARS now, he was a Hogwarts guru.

Obviously.

She was Evangeline? "Oh. He mentioned you. Said you were.... nice." He thought? Dima couldn't quite remember the exact words, but he knew it was something about Knockturn Alley and such. And that Angelo said they were friends, which obviously meant Evie was COOL.

“Maybe you’re right.” It still bothered her though. Like it made her doubt herself in so many ways. And was she really so bad? Like she’d got that yearbook thing about being sent to Azkaban and being the biggest troublemaker, and Ruby laughed it off and everything but… was that really what people thought of her? When there were kids fighting and being outright rude and everything and she much preferred minding her own business… and when you took into account that her brother was now a prefect, being rewarded for being good and smart and all the things that Ruby was not… well it was kind of tough and she didn’t know what to think. Not that she’d tell anyone that! No way. Nobody needed to know. She had it TOGETHER as far as anyone knew, and she wouldn’t cave in or back down or let anyone else see her vulnerable. So she nodded along to all of Grayson’s words, choosing to believe them. It was easier that way and it was nice to hear someone supporting her… but then he always did, didn’t he? Like, in everything.

…Even the really hard things so this was nothing, comparatively. He earned a warm, appreciative smile.

Do I? Then I guess you’ll have to keep on proving to me that you can back that ego of yours up.” She said in a teasing tone. Humm. She knew he could, but couldn’t have him getting complacent right?

Ruby didn’t mind the silence that grew, she had plenty to think about, and it was nice to just sit like that with him. She was startled when he spoke and turned to look at him.

Did she still like him?

Obviously she did. So much. It was stupid and pointless and she hated that she did and was trying NOT to because it wasn’t getting her anywhere. But what was he getting at exactly? She frowned slightly.

“I technically never told you I did in the first place.” She reminded him. Technically she hadn’t. It had just been implied by the other words she’d inadvertently said this one time…. But that look on his face had her add quietly, “My feelings haven’t changed, Gray.”

Like yeah, she did. The Summer had just made it even more true. Which was totally tragic of her, ugh, like did he need to rub it in? Honestly.

Evie laughed a little bit. She would have questioned his statement if it were said a few months ago, but she knew what he meant. Things were definitely different here. "When my brother was here like five years ago, he almost got eaten by a plant." And she shared that story as often as she could.

Oh, he did mention her. Evie smiled a little. He said she was nice? She almost laughed. 'He better have,' she thought to herself. "Hm," she said, pondering the statement. "He was nice, too. You have a cool brother." He was a very good kisser, too, but she was leaving that out for Dima's sake.

Maybe he was right? MAYBE he was right? Psh, of course he was right. This was BELLAIRE they were talking about. And even if he didn't know whether it was true or not, he knew that it really had to be. Her nodding, though, was his sign to not push the topic some more so he didn't. She didn't need to dwell on it or whatever. So, instead, Grayson rubbed her arm gently and asked, "You alright, then?"

MAN, this GIRL. She knew exactly how to push him just that little bit and make things exciting. SHE was exciting. Maaaaaaaan! "You challenging me, Banner?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at her. Because this could get interesting. Uh huh.

Waiting for an answer wasn't a problem to him apart from the fact that the seconds seemed to trail by. And he kept her eyes on her to see exactly how she was gonna react to something like that. Because she could say one thing but be feeling something else so, he wanted to see for himself. Her reaction.

Which consisted of a frown.

Oh well freaking done, Whitty.

She never told him she liked him? Hadn't she already done that before? Because he was preeeeeeetty sure she had implied it in one way or another. He wouldn't have been so surprised in the first pla-- Oh there you go. Her feelings haven't changed. Whatever THAT meant. But Grayson, being Grayson, was gonna take that in a way that suited him. "So if you do like me, how come you were kissing someone else?" Because he kinda wanted to know. Curiosity and all that.

"Not that I'm bothered by it," he added in, a little too quickly. Nope. Not bothered. Not him.

Jeez, this was so confusing.

"I'm okay." She assured him. Mostly anyway. Lets see if that was still the case after detention was done with. He made it easier on her actually, just knowing someone understood and supported her and recognized that things with Bellaire were a little off...

Honestly, when WASN'T she challenging him? If he didn't know that by now then he wasn't doing a very good job after all. Ruby smiled and shot him a saucy little wink but said nothing more. He could take that however he wanted. Definitely a challenge though, but it was always more fun to let him decide exactly what that meant, and then escalate it if she felt like it.

But then he startled her and Ruby kind of stared at him disbelievingly. Really? He wanted to know that? Oh he wasn't bothered? Which was why he'd brought it up in the first place?

Huh.

"Because I wanted to. Same reason you kiss a ton of other people, Grayson Whitlock. If I didn't know any better I'd think that you'd rather I didn't kiss anyone else except for you... while you go on doing what you want, for that ego of yours, right? Well it doesn't work that way and I can kiss whoever I please, not that you're bothered by that." Seriously, why was he bringing it up? "Besides, it was a thank you kiss, he got me this bracelet for my birthday." Ruby showed it off, since she was wearing it, silver with her name spelled out. Not that she hadn't given David a good snogging before then.

"I can do whatever I want with whoever I want." She reiterated, chin in the air. "Just. Like. You." And if he wanted that to be different, then he was smart enough to know what it would take.

And that was not something she would say.

Someone, anyone grab the boy!
 

It was a nice sunny day. Not that Adi cared. He just wanted to be by himself so he trudged out to the Grounds and after a while he found his feet taking him in the direction of the Lake.

He barely noticed the other students around as he stood staring out at the Lake for a while, lost in thoughts, his hands in his pockets. "I can be so stupid,'' he muttered. He turned from the Lake as he wondered what to do with himself.

Spotting the tree, the Hufflepuff decided he would pass some time there. He approached it and sat down by its base cross legged. He completely failed to notice the guy sitting on the low hanging branch, so lost in his thoughts he was.

For Angel c:
 

Angel was bored, she was totally bored and she had no idea what she was going to do next. She was thinking of seeing if she was as good a diver as she was a swimmer when she suddenly noticed a Slytherin girl just relaxing which seemed odd for a Slytherin weren't they supposed to get into trouble.

"Hey." Angel smiled, she had her quill and parchment out, she loved to draw stuff and sit down by the tree. "Mind if I join you?" Angel then saw the cat, which was so cute. "I'm Angel Valentine." Angel thought she should introduce herself to the guy.

Angel smiled at Hady. "Thanks." she went and sat down and got ready to draw a few things but then she decided against it because she wanted to try and make a new friend. "I spend a lot of time out and about and some of the classes are so amazing." Angel was totally enjoying life at Hogwarts and she was sure it was a lot better then being at muggle secondary school.

Angel looked at Hady. "Oh I don't spend a lot of time with Adi, I spend more time with Benny, one of my triplet sister who is identical dates him, so you might be seeing him with her a lot of times, her name is AJ." Angel looked at the other girl. "I've got a lovely owl but it's out on delivery at the minute.... wanted to send for something I forgot from home." Angel didn't know if to tell the slytherin she was muggle born.

No. Excuse you, this was Maggie's yoga tree.

How dare he sit there? It was HERS. She'd claimed it FOREVER ago, okay? She'd even brandmarked it. Okay, well, she'd made a small hole into the tree trunk and had then poured glitter into it. So it was CLEARLY hers.

"You're in my spot." Of course it was Archie too. Why was it always him? HMM? Was he doing it on purpose???? Maggie glared at him, waiting for him to MOVE out of the way.

Waiting....still waiting....

She was okay. Grayson nodded along and smiled at her, deciding not to bug her about that answer any more. Nope. She was okay. It was understandable, really, since she had another detention under her belt with her least favourite teacher. Wasn't exactly something to be happy about, was it?

That saucy wink? MAN! It gave him JUST the answer he needed and in a way that suited him well. Well played, Ruby Banner, well played Smirking in return, Grayson went ahead and added in, "Challenge accepted."

............................ WOAH.

Jeez. JEEZ. He had not expected THAT.

Grayson stared at her in complete shock and surprise. Had he set off something inside of her? Because MERLIN, she hasn't ever talked to him like that before. Like she was freaking mad and was about to hit him or whatever. What made it worse was that she had used his full name for this.

In short: he was screwed, wasn't he?

Yeah. Alright. He let her talk, mentally cursing himself as she went ahead. When she WAS done, though, he spoke up. Why? Because ego. Everything was because of that ego. "I haven't kissed anyone besides you since March. Or February. Whatever, sometime ages ago." You know, just to clarify that he wasn't going around parading his lips like he usually did. Not anymore. "Who you kiss is up to you, I know that. I didn't say you CAN'T." Jeez. JEEZ. Way to make him sound like some sort of freaking medieval wizard who was a jealous idiot.

"I'm just SAYING," Lol, was he getting angry? A bit. "It kinda........" Oh Merlin. He was gonna have to say it, wasn't he? Taking a deep breath, he let it out before whispering, "It kinda hurt seeing you kiss someone else. Like I actually cared that you had your tongue down someone else's throat and it didn't bother me before but now........."

............... Oh man.

"Sorry I brought it up," he said, determinedly looking out over the lake at this point, his jaw squared. Could he just up and leave or what?

Well YEAH she WAS kinda mad actually, at herself as much as anything, but she'd take it out on him, it'd probably help.

March? or February?

"Oh yeah? Not even Phe?" No. Why did she ask that? She didn't want to know, that was why she never asked about things. Ever. It was easier not to know.

"I don't understand why you're suddenly acting like you--" She stopped short. Ruby HAD been talking over him but then he said things and words stopped forming. It kinda hurt? Him? That she... not before but now... but what?

No. He didn't get to do this and act like she was doing some big wrong to him. He didn't get to make her feel bad about it. Or confused. Or like somehow maybe possibly he might even a tiny bit like her back in the same way she had accidentally admitted that she liked him all those months ago. She didn't want to entertain that idea at all. She didn't want to think about it and feel her insides do little flips and have her breath catch, and then have it turn out that she was some idiot and of course nobody could possibly actually like her for more than just surface stuff, for more than just being fun and whatever. Which is all she was to Grayson, right? She was not a Sophie. Not the kind of girl that boys actually properly liked and were proud of and... now he was sorry he brought it up? She was so mad.

"Prove it." Ruby snapped, all viper-tongued with flashing eyes. There's your challenge, Grayson Whitlock. Proof.

What about Phe?! What? He didn't keep tabs on all his kisses and some just happened. "That's who I made out with back then." Why did she even need to know? Jeez.

Woah. WOAH. Grayson raised his eyebrows, completely curious as to what she was trying to say. "Acting like?" Go on, Ruby. What was he acting like? Was it anything out of the ordinary? And was he suddenly getting defensive? Yeah, the last bit was true because this conversation had taken a very unexpected turn. Just saying.

Prove it.

That was all. Prove it.

Grayson stared. He knew what she meant by that but he wasn't sure what she expected him to do. Declare the things he was scared to declare? Get down on one knee? Just WHAT? And what was he meant to prove in the first place? That it hurt? How was he meant to do that, eh? Especially when she was looking at him like that. All it is was make him angry and confused and frustrated.

Girls were so freaking confusing.

Yeah. So, Grayson did the only logical thing to enter his brain. He leant over and kissed her. Softly. And full of passion and emotion. Because what else would he do in a situation like this?

Acting like he liked her back? Not that she'd know what that was like. She knew what attention felt like, what boys finding her attractive felt like, but not anything more than that because Ruby Banner wasn't that sort of girl. Just fun. That was all. She wrinkled her nose at the Phe part... because she didn't believe it and she didn't care and was awesome at lying to herself.

But she was staring back now, to furious and confused to say anything and anyway before she could he was kissing her. And it was.... it was nice. She kissed him back of course. Why wouldn't she? She liked kissing him. Which was sort of the problem. But it did take the bite out of her a bit. Ruby pulled away enough to speak. "All that proves is that you're a good kisser... and I knew that already."

She was STILL MAD ok? Ruby crossed her arms over her chest and glared out at the lake. Mad was so much easier than the alternative. Also better than smacking him one. She answered his earlier question, belatedly.

"Acting like you're really jealous and its not just an ego thing. Acting like you like me back." But he didn't and she did NOT want to think about it so could they just... stop already?

Nemo looked down and saw the other boy down there. He was down there mumbling about something. He looked around Nemo's age. But he didn't have a book or anything, he was just sitting there? Mumbling to himself? How strange..

"So...what are you doing down there?" He asked the other boy. "Just talking to yourself?" That would be interesting.. But whatever.

He was in someone's spot? Archie would have probably have got up and apologised and all the things if 1) it had been marked to say it was somebody else's and 2) it hadn't have been HER saying so.

Why was it ALWAYS her?

"And...your point is?" he said, looking up at her for a moment, before sitting back a little more comfortably. He stretched out his legs, and turned his attention back to getting into his package. Benjy had used far too much spellotape, and RUDE!GIRL over there was blocking the autumn sun so he couldn't find an easy end to work at with his nail. HMPH.

He'd sit here ignoring her, picking away slowly at the tape, and hopefully she get the point: he was sitting here today. Not her.

Adi was still lost in his own thoughts but not so lost that he didn't become aware of the voice suddenly filling up his ears. Looking around, he could see no one. He frowned as he wondered if the breeze was carrying the voice. Shrugging, he leaned his head against the tree. That's when he noticed the feet dangling from the tree.

The Hufflepuff's eyes darted up the tree to find a guy sitting in one of the sturdy branches. "Oh, hey. Um... just... yeah, I guess.'' Adi noticed the book. "Is that French?'' he asked as he eyed the cover with interest.

Tyler looked at her and smiled. "Ok...I'll stop worrying about it Abbs I promise, but I can't help but not to worry, not all sisters like their little sisters boyfriend."said Tyler softly but honestly. Tyler smiled as she told him that she loved him all the time. "I love you all the time to, your always on my mind twenty four seven."said Tyler honestly.

Abby smiled when she heard that Tyler loved her twenty four seven and put her arms around him and kissed him on the lips and said "Your so sweet Tyler and yes you are quite right and well really my sisters will love you but let's not worry about it until closer to the time"

The one who has Tyler's heart! <3
 

Tyler looked at her and blushed before he kissed her back. "Only because you bring that side out of me Abbs, I'm nothing more than a trouble maker bad boy that gets detentions!"said Tyler honestly. Which it was true, he was a bad boy and a trouble maker, he had various detentions last year. He was sure that he was going to get detentions again some this year for something, it didn't seem to fail thst he always was in detention for something. "Although I'm trying to be a good boy this year, I highly doubt that's going to happen! said Tyler laughing. "Ok...ok, lets not worry about until the time comes!"said Tyler wrapping his arms around her pulling her close to him.

Abby felt safe and secure in Tyler's arms and said "Yeah but i love the bad boy in you and really i have been a good girl the past two years i have been here, the bad girl in me has been wanting to be set free and wants to be bad, but if your going to behave then that is good" Abby kissed Tyler again on the lips she loved being with him and she didnt care if she ended up getting detention for it she wanted to be a rule breaker this year

Tyler looked at her and smirked. "You want to be a bad girl this year huh? Well...I'm sure that I can help you with that! "said Tyler smirking at her. Tyler laughed. "You're kidding right? Me being good isn't going to happen, it's not in my nature to be good! "said Tyler simply. Tyler kissed her back for a few minutes before pulling away breathing hard, he knew that they could get detention for being together and doing to much PDA in public but he didn't care, they loved each other.

Abby smirked and said "Yeah that is good Tyler and yeah being good for you was never going to happen" Abby loved being with Tyler she did not care if she got detention for being with Tyler she loved him and she did not care what happened in the end

Grayson thought that Ruby kissing him back meant that she was okay, that the anger had gone away and she wasn't gonna go off at him.

Boy, was he wrong.

Er. Alright. He didn't expect that either. Did the kiss prove nothing, then? Jeez. Way to raise his ego and shoot him down all in the same sentence. "I don't know how to prove it when it's stuff that's on the inside." Merlin, he was NOT good at talking about this. "What do you want from me, Rubes?"

Yep. Frustrated. Complete with internal swearing and all.

Acting? ACTING?! "Oh YEAH?!" he asked, raising his eyebrows at her. How in the freaking name of Merlin would she know if it was an act or not? HMMM? She wasn't inside him or whatever, she couldn't KNOW but then her words.............. JEEZ. "I DO like you back. Why do you think I've been spending so much time with you in the first place? Or caring for you? Good company's not the ONLY thing there, you know."

And this was NOT his ideal way of telling her this.

What DID she want? Ruby didn't even know how to look at that question. She was pretty happy with how things were? Honestly. Maybe she didn't want to share him so much but then according to him she wasn't? So that was confusing.

And now he was getting mad at her and.....

.... ummmm well it was kinda hot tbh. WHICH WAS ANNOYING. So annoying, in fact, that she almost didn't register what he said.... except how could she miss that.... what. What?! He did? Like her? Like like? Like... inside Ruby and not just outside Ruby? How did you even say things to that? It was official. She was butter, all churned up and maybe melting a bit.

Well.

"So.... okay." Okaaaaay. Okay? O dot, K dot. OK. After a long silence that was filled up with a whole lot of unsaid words trying to fight to make sense on her tongue, Ruby took his hand again and just held it casually in her lap. Okay. Admission time. Quietly. Very quietly.

"I thought... you caring about me was just... appreciating me for what we do... not for who I... am." Because there was a difference. And that was also why a kiss wasn't proof of anything. Did he see that?

Nemo looked down at the other guy and raised an eyebrow at him. He seemed, upset? Nemo wasn't sure. Other people's emotions coulc be so hard to read. Some people's emotional range could far surpass his own. He'd never been huge on feelings in general. So people who were could be a bit of a mystery.

"Ummm, all right...Interesting." He said and then looked to his book and back at this guy. "Yeah, it's all in french. Don't wanna get rusty." Not that he was French. Nemo was born and raised right outside London and his accent made that very obvious. But he loved France and French things and French girls. hehe.

Abby laughed and said "You think so then Tyler, good i want to be bad this year" Abby kissed Tyler on his neck and took his scent in she was totally in love with this guy

Abby knew that this was so right that Tyler was making out with her by kissing her so much she broke away for air and said "Gosh Tyler you have got me so in love with you that i am willing to risk being in detention for too much PDA"

Tyler looked at her and bit his lip and blushed. "I - I'm sorry, that was a bit out of line, but I don't care if I get detention for this, besides I'm in detention half the time anyways so wouldn't be the first! "said Tyler honestly. "Have you ever have a detention before. Ms . Valentine?"Tyler asked her smirking. ,

Abby held Tyler's hand and said "Nope i have never had detention before just lost points at the feast last year"

Tyler lifted his eyebrows in surprise at her. "Wow...really? You were really a good girl your first two years here. said Tyler honestly. "So...tell me Abbs,if you been a good girl for two years,why do you want to be a bad girl for? "Tyler asked her curiously before smirking at her. "If you don't mind me asking, what did you lose points last year at the feast for? "Tyler asked her softly but curiously.

Abby looked at Tyler and said "Well i just want to rebel against the rules for a change, and of course i don't mind i lost points for slapping my sister across the face during the feast"

Tyler chuckled and smirked at her. "Well...with me your going to be a rebel against the rules alright! "said Tyler winking at her. Tyler raised his eyebrows in surprise, he wasn't expecting that. "See I knew that you already had a bad girl side to you Abbs, I guess I just bring it out of you more! "said Tyler softly but honestly .

Okay, Adi was meeting someone new here. He didn't want the guy to think he was a moper or anything so he would try to be at least a fraction of his cheerful self.

"I can be weird sometimes,'' Adi said. Heh. That probably wasn't making things any better. Oh well. "Don't want to get rusty?" the Hufflepuff repeated curiously. "You mean you're fluent in French?" Woah! That was awesome.

"I'm Aditya, anyway. But everyone calls me Adi.'' Introductions were important. Yes.

Abby laughed and said "Yeah i guess you do and yeah i was trying not to let my bad side show through but i just lost it last year at the feast"