Nemo hopped down from the tree branch, next to the other guy. "I see that.. Well, weirdness happens sometimes i suppose." The blonde boy set his book in his lap. "Yes, i like to keep up with it. Another language is a valuable thing. Plus my girlfriend is french so it helps to know her native tongue." He still had yet to thank his mother for making him learn when he was younger. It seems to have paid off.

"I'm Nemo.. Nice to meet you, Adi."

Angel looked at the other girl and smiled. "I love to draw, it's so much fun and entertaining, though I like gardening more... I have my own garden at home which is just for me, I hope to be able to travel when I am older and try and discover a few new plants though it might be hard, not many places left to explore that hasn't been already." Angel giggled.

"That's okay." Angel said truthfully. "We do look so much a like, I'm surprised I don't get us mixed up sometimes." Angel thought that would be funny if it happened but she knew it was highly unlikely, since she knew who she was, sometimes they played pranks on people but that was is. "Yeah I am so glad I chose to get an owl , I was in two minds, but I have a dog at home so decided against a cat."

Tyler laughed at her comment, he wasn't laughing because she slapped her sister. "Wow...you got some spunk to you, I never hit my brother in front of people. " said Tyler softly but honestly. "As for losing control, it happens I'm sure your sister understands why you hit her though."said Tyler.

Puck was grinning at Kace when he said he’d get her into the common room and his dorm…because that was where fashion makeovers happened wasn’t it? But really he didn’t need one he was fine as he was really.

“I actually don’t think you’ve got to change anything” she admitted with a laugh, “as long as you don’t wear say…golf pants with the socks pulled to the knees with sandals and a Hawaiian print shirt I don’t think you’d be in the bad really…” she said and groaned as that was a look her own father had done once.

“I’m not cooler than you Kace…I don’t know what I am…” she said honestly and laughed, a colder laugh than she had initially intended. “I hated that dare I was ready to thump you, I mean…what no! THAT WOULD BE BAD, my co prefect would be dead….on his obituary it would have said that embarrassment had been his untimely end.” She groaned and put her head in her hands. “It would be homicide Kace, Homicide.”

She wasn't answering and Grayson half wondered whether she even knew what she wanted. It would make things easier for him instead of having to go through this nonsense where they got mad at each other for no freaking reason. Feelings, man. Stupid things, those were.

.............. Okay?

OKAY?!

Er. Alright. Had he said something wrong then? Because okay didn't seem like the right response. And, truth be told, dude was kinda nervous about all of this. Her holding onto his hand was calming down the loud thumping of his heart and so, he held onto hers as well. It was just nice, mkay?

Appreciating her for what she did? Lulz. WELL. "I'm not saying that I don't appreciate you for what you do." Because she was kinda good at doing those things. Just saying. "I'm just saying that there's more to it than that. We've kinda been through a lot and all." It made a difference and all. Shrug.

Adi had just been wondering if he should find a sturdy branch and join the dude in the tree. Besides, the view would be nice but he didn’t need to do so for the guy decided to join him down on the ground. Oh Merlin. The guy did figure he was weird already. LOL. Maybe that was a good thing.

The Hufflepuff was impressed. “I don’t know any foreign language. Well, only one but I only say a few words and a few sentences.’’ He tilted his head. “So you studied French from since when you were younger? Any other languages you can speak?” That would be super impressive.

“Nice to meet you too, Nemo. Did you get your name after that fish in ‘Finding Nemo’?’’ Adi wondered aloud. Hehe.

Nemo nodded. "What can you say and in what language?" Learning things like that were fun. "I haven't learned another language yet, But i've been thinking about it though." He'd have to think about it.

Nemo made a face, a not amused face. Raising an eyebrow. "No, it's after Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."

Abby nodded and said "Yeah course she understands and anyway its all in the past now anyway" Abby knew that was the truth she didnt want to hit Angel again anyway

It WAS nice, the hand-holding, but Ruby tried to convince herself she was being casual about it. Like eeeeveryone knew she was a super touchy-feely person, so it wasn't like it was different at all, right? Except that it obviously was.

"Yeah." She agreed, worrying her lip with her teeth a bit more before finally letting it go and absently licking where her teeth had left a slight indentation. "A whole lot. And.... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for putting you through all of that." She said in a rush. "But you've been amazing. I don't know what I would've done without you around this Summer." She was focusing on his hand, gently playing with his fingers.

"I guess what I'm saying is thank you. Just for... for being you, and also that its your fault that I like you." There.

She'd said it.

Actual admission.

Plain English.... which felt horrible by the way. Ruby hated feeling vulnerable. He knew that. Knew it. And basically in public ugh. Even if there wasn't anyone around, she felt all exposed and like she had no control.

Because really.... did this change anything? At all? No way was she brave enough to ask anything like that so she went quiet again and schooled a more nonchalant look on her face.

Nailed it.

"Hindi. I can say stuff like 'What's your name?', 'how are you?' and the basic greetings. Plus a few words for water, food... I can count to an extent.'' Adi shrugged. "My parents always thought I should learn the language. I guess it's because my mom is fluent in it but I just never bothered.'' Not that he regretted it. His time had been better spent playing cricket and learning the guitar in his opinion.

"Sure you don't belong in Ravenclaw?'' Adi questioned with a slight smile. "Which one you've been thinking of learning next?"

Uh oh. That face didn't look like it appreciated Adi's little joke. "Sorry. Finding Nemo is one of the best animated movies in my book.'' Twenty thousand Leagues Under the see? ''I've never heard of it. What's it about?"

...waiting...STILL WAITING......

He wasn't moving. Why wasn't he moving? Why was he being so difficult?

UGH! >_<

"My POINT is...my point is you should move!" Maggie was still glaring, taking a step closer to him so she was right in front him. What was he doing anyway? Her eyes dropped to the package. Okay. If he wasn't going to move in the next three seconds she was going to take it and stomp on it.

Or sit on him and just do her yoga anyway.

Hmm......

Tyler nodded and smiled. "Of course it's all behind us Abbs, butI can't wait to see what this year brings us! " said Tyler honestly before kissing her cheek. [ b]"I know that it's already been better than last year! "[/b]said Tyler softly but honestly before smiling at Abby.

She was apologising? What in the name of-- Did she realise that she didn't reaaaaaaaally do anything?

Shaking his head, Grayson started, "All that happened to me was that I got beaten up and then yelled at lots. Can't even begin to imagine what you must have been going through." Always worse for her, wasn't it? "So don't apologise, mkay?" And then she was complimenting him, which caused a small smirk to spread itself across his lips. Compliments were nice, keep 'em coming. "Good thing I was there, then." Wink. "I'll always be there. Just so you know and all."

Jeez, that was kinda sappy, wasn't it? Pull it together, Whitlock!

And then she said it. She actually actually said it. And Grayson? Grayson smiled a proper, wide Grayson!smile. No smirks or flirtatiousness, just a smile. It must have been hard for her to say that, wasn't it? So, he was appreciating this. Very much so.

"Well, I mean, I am irresistible." Joking, kinda. "And it's your fault that I like you too. Who TOLD you to be so amazing, huh?" Jeez, Banner, way to almost drive a guy insane.

The silentness was still kinda weird, you know? Especially between the two of them, since they were both quite good at keeping the conversation going. But then again, this wasn't just any old conversation. "You alright, then?" he whispered, blue eyes still on her.

Don't apologize, he says.

"I mean, I know I put a lot on you. Expected a lot from you." Being like her support or whatever and ugh this was getting too mushy for her tastes and she was at her limit for when it came to saying revealing things out loud. Too vulnerable. She looked at her fingernails and then smiled at his next words. Always be there? That was... nice to think about. There weren't a lot of permanent people in her life, even her own family came and went at whim. Even Gabriel, who she was closest to, hadn't been able to deal and had run off this Summer. Ruby wasn't so sure how much she believed in the idea of always... but it was a nice idea.

And he was smiling. That was nice too. And nice was a dumb word, a dumb thought, that didn't even explain any of it. And he liked her too and she was amazing and...

This was a lot to process okay? The silence was necessary for once. Okay so... Grayson was saying he liked her. He hadn't said anything about wanting anything to change. Did she, even? Ruby wasn't sure, it was a lot to think about. Scary things. Vulnerable-making things. And Ruby wasn't that SORT. She wouldn't let herself be. After a time she nodded and looked up at him again, smiling herself.

"Alright." She agreed.

Maybe Bellaire's detention wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Walk me back to the castle? We could take a little detour while I still have my freedom." She made a dramatic face and then winked. A fun detour, she promised.

Expected a lot from him? She clearly didn't know his parents then. Instead of delving into that -- because LOL no -- Grayson simply half-shrugged and said, "I dealt with it in my own way." Thank Merlin for Phoenix Toros who let him stay over for a bit. "Besides, I wanted to be there." Especially since her own brother hadn't. Freaking rude. Grayson certainly had a lot of opinions about THAT.

And then she went silent again. Was this a cause for concern? Did she usually do this while talking about serious things? They'd kinda talked about serious issues before but this was kinda different, wasn't it? This was about feelings and other stuff he had no idea about.

So he let her be silent for a bit. No interruptions.

Alright? Well, alright then.

SMIIIIIIIIRK. "A detour, eh? Don't think I can say no to that." Wink. Getting up from his spot, Grayson held out his hand towards her. "C'mon, then. You should enjoy your freedom while it lasts." Juuuuust saying.

He wanted to be there. He hadn't felt forced or tricked or anything? That was good. A relief. Ruby decided not to say anything more about any of it though because it churned her up so much still and hurt so much and was so confusing even aside from all this other feeling stuff, even if one had led to the other.

And besides, better to focus on the positives. She took his hand and pulled herself up and then changed her mind and jumped on his back. Piggy back ride! Then he could choose their destination for said detour.

"Oh I plan to." With him. So. Onward! They had places to be. Things to do. Freedom to enjoy.

Feelings to ignore.

Javy/Joel
 

On this particular Sunday morning Leo had risen early to see the sunrise and eat breakfast out on the grounds. He had stopped by the kitchen to get some food from the elves before he had headed outside the castle. Leo had resolved that if he wanted some fresh air and a change of scenery then he’d have to be up with the sun because the student’s generally filed into the library around ten.

Walking slowly down to the lake, Leo cut off from the path, to duck under the big beech tree that had stood in the exact same spot overlooking the lake as long as he could remember. It had even been there in his school days. Sitting down in a pile of leaves, Leo pulled out the newest edition of the daily prophet and started to read.

Flower Girl!
 

*It was finally the weekend and for once it was a somewhat nice day outside. So what did that mean? That Noah was in exploring mode. Lately he had been climbing the trees of the school grounds to see how high he could get. So far he had done pretty well and now he was ready to try the big tree by the lake. Walking down to the tree he grabbed a low hanging branch and got started climbing up the tree.*

Noah
 

Daisy had finished her homework, for once feeling confident she was ahead of the curve for a change. Having all her work done meant she got to spend some time outside. Part of her hoped to run into Damien, the only person outside of her house she’d met that she got along with, but she doubted she’d run into him.

She walked along the path in a pair of jeans and a light-weight cobalt sweater. Her hair was pulled back into a pair of bouncy pig-tails and she had made sure to double knot her shoelaces. What to do….what to do!? She asked herself. She had the whole day free. With nothing better coming to mind, she decided to head to the lake to skip some stones. She stopped occasionally on her way to the lake, to pick up some suitable stones and soon she found herself standing near the beech tree.

She took up a spot near the trunk of the tree and dropped her small pile of stones onto the lakeshore. She tossed one up and down in her hand before pulling her wrist back and flicking it out onto the water. It skipped 3 times before it lost momentum and sunk.

*It took him a little while but Noah made it toone of the highest branches. Taking a seat he looked out over the lake. It was rather pretty he thought. Maybe he could get Emma to take a picture thst they could send home to their dad. He still had his pack on his back but thankfully he took his books out. While climbing he had not heard someone come up to the tree. He did however hear something on the water but figured that it was just the giant squid. Hanging the pack on a near by branch he pulled out one of his most prized possessions, a panpipe.

As a kid his aunt, uncle, and dad would always read to Emma and him every night. Truth was if he asked his dad to do it when they got home he would. Emma always wanted girly stories, while Noah leaned more toward adventure, and his favorite was Peter Pan. He didn't know why but he always loved that story and must have read the book over twenty times. For his seventh birthday he wanted a panpipe just like Peters. So Noah's dad helped him build one, it went horribly and in the end his dad just baught one. After that Noah started teaching himself how to play it.

Putting the panpipe to his lips he closed his eyes and started to play it. The song Flower of Scotland started to fill the air by the lake. Music and read were always his favorite things to do on his down time.*

It was quite a beautiful morning, hopefully continuing into the rest of the day. Following his morning walk with Lala, Javier allowed his lovely goose free reign in the barnyard before he took one of his books and decided to have a walk of his own. It was lovely out. That was all the reason he needed to be around outdoors as he contently walked towards the lake.

The Lake had many fond memories for this man. The water looked nice, but not enough to jump in, so instead he circled around towards a particular tree.. that was not vacant. Curious at first, Javier walked closer to the tree intending to just sit nearby it if the spot was already taken.. Not that it mattered anymore. "Leo." He smiled down at him sitting, "Anything good lately?" Regarding the certain paper was reading now. "Mind if I join you?"

Kace was impressed that his style met Puck's standards. "Well I am glad I could impress you with my style." he grinned. He heard her choice and he tilted his head to the side and gave her a quizzical look. "I promise you that I will NEVER wear that. That is like old people wear.." he shuddered because that is something his grandpa used to wear before his grandma whipped him into shape.

"Well you are awesome then. You are not cool you are awesome there is always a difference." he winked. Kace never thought he could surpass the awesome title. When he mentioned the dare, he noticed Puck gave him a colder laugh. He smirked even deeper and knew she hated him. He was glad he made her do the dare because now there could be something in the works. He laughed at her reaction when he mentioned she should of kissed him on the lips. "Well I wouldn't want either of you to die. I guess the cheek was better." he smirked and still laughed. He just loved messing with her.

"I mean would you prefer if it was someone else?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows. He knew one other person she fancied.

He should definitely do this more often Leo concluded as he sat in the relative morning quiet, catching up on the latest news from around the country and the wizarding world. It was nice to have breakfast out in the fresh air for a change. He usually had all his meals in the Great Hall in the company of his colleagues unless work and head of house duties hindered him.

Leo had just come to the sports and gossip column sections, when a nice surprise in the form of his good friend Javier showed up. He wasn’t clearly, not the only one who liked sitting under this particular beech tree overlooking the lake. Looking up from his newspaper he beamed "Good morning, Javy!" Glancing down momentarily at the newspaper he shrugged "I have only skimmed through most of it but I wish there were more sunshine stories than bad stuff."

Scooting to the right to make room for Javy to sit down next to him Leo said "Of course not. Have you had breakfast or do you want to share with me? I got enough for two." Since the house elves had been quite generous.

Puck couldn’t help but laugh when he commented about the clothing choice she’d adviced him to avoid. “My brother wore it…he’s only what? Nearly 30?” She laughed and ruffled her hair. Wait had he just called her awesome? He deserved a hug…because she was not going to go and kiss Emmy’s boyfriend and that was how happy that comment had made her feel.

“Oh my gosh Kace, thanks!” She chirped happily and threw her arm over his shoulder and pulled him into a one armed very short-lived hug. There. Done. Okay so he was a good friend to both her and Zander then yes? He didn’t want them to die. Good friends didn’t want friends to die obviously.

She turned and sighed at him. “I’d be hurt is you wanted either of use to die,” she pouted at him but still the mirth in her eyes was impossible to miss. “Wait what?” She gasped and eyed him. “You would dare me to kiss other people in this school? What if I said no? What would the consequence of not doing it be?” She asked a stubborn look on her face.