"Canada. Kamloops to be exact." Did he expect the man to know where it was? Not really. It just seemed weird not giving the name of his hometown. "Yourself?"

Sabel flicked the stone out over the water, watching as it skipped across the black surface as his mind went from one memory to the next. Cosgrach got an understanding smile and a nod as he straightened. "You too then. What house?"

Ten galleons were on Ravenclaw. It was something about the way the eyes moved, masking many reserved thoughts. Had he been anywhere else but standing on the edge of the lake, talking about school memories and families, he might have been on edge. As it was, he couldn't find any reasonable cause to be concerned.

Except when the mention of enjoying the candy came up. Sabel kept his smile in place and nodded in what he perceived as a very convincing manner. "Very tasty." He was sure they were. "It sounds like you have a beautiful family."

He had said congratulations, right? He was sure he did.

Squatting, Sabel picked up another few stones, his smile taking on a proud note. "Two of them. Growing up too fast for my liking, though." It felt like it wouldn't be long before he was sending them both off to Hogwarts.

Spinning one rock in his hand, he glanced at Cosgrach curiously. "You know how to skip?"

Hehe, more snaps for Professor Cassie because that was so true. "Maybe Bartholomew Henry would like some snaps too!"

SNAP. SNAP. SNAP.

Hopefully it would work, and it was a relief to hear that he probably hadn't been scared away. "I just sometimes forget to use my indoor voice when I'm outside." Not usually though, because she generally tried not to deafen everyone in the vicinity. That would just be plain ruuuuuude. "It would be so cool if he had a nice palace under the lake that he could go too. Or if the merpeople let him stay with them!" Merpeople were so nice; just look at Ariel! "Ooooh, those are cute! I like boots. I even have a pair of cowgirl ones, but those wouldn't work very well in the winter." Her feet would freeze. She just thought they were cute, and they went well with skirts.

OMG.

Professor Cassie had talked to a MERMAID. That was so freaking cool. Wow. Lux was jealous. "Did she speak English? Was she nice?" Soooo many questions!! She couldn't help being curious!! The comment about friends made her beam. "That is very true. I've been lucky to have the most wonderful friends and boyfriend." Some people left her life, but she was okay with it if that was what they preferred...and some of them she didn't want to associate with because they hadn't been good friends. "All the Houses are amazing!! I love them." Especially Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, but she had love for the Slytherins and Ravenclaws as well.

"I hope we get to have more adventures this term!!"

Canada, Kamloops, then. Of course Cosgrach had no idea where or what Kamloops was, exactly, but he wouldn't let Sabel know that. The man might be a human, but he was an auror first and foremost. Cosgrach bet he was profiling everyone here. Old habits die hard and all. No, instead he just nodded and announced "I'm from here, Scotland," with a little bit of excessive pride. Ask about Cullodens - well, no don't ask about them, Cosgrach didn't want people to know their embarrassing past, but STILL.

So, Sabel could kip a stone. Alright. And again, the man was proud to say "Slytherin." Could there honestly be any other house for him? The most noble of all... the best. "How about you?" he asked. He bet Sabel had been a Gryffindor, because only that over-brave lot 'sacrificed' themselves to become an auror. While Cosgrach admitted they were somewhat useful, the clever people stayed clear off it, and this meant something.

At least Sabel ate his candy and didn't think they were poisonous. That'd have been very offensive, y'know.

"I do," he said as he smiled again, 3 girls and a boy. Well, I think you'd know him - Bart Maroon? Sixth year?" Bart was taking DADA last time he -

Wait, what?

Sabel... had a family with proper children?

One would think... Sabel was almost... normal. "How lovely!" the man exclaimed, "what're their names?" Who could have guessed that aurors could talk someone into marrying them? "How old are they? I've been told many times that they do grow up fast." Well, no, this was a lie. Cosgrach had successfully avoided any and all friends that had had children over all these years, so he wouldn't know just how fat they grew up. He'd observed it with the girls, but Helena would be his real proof.

Well, then, Cosgrach squatted too, because it was only polite at this point. "No, I don't." It didn't look like a skill worthy to learn, to be honest.

“OHMYGOSH who wouldn’t want snaps?” Snaps were that amazing that everyone even the squid should be able to appreciate them. She just knew he would if he was around. Really she wished he was around. Looking toward the lake she couldn’t sense him anywhere, so she assumed he was way beneath the surface.

She was snapping and Cassie had to beam about that. Using the childhood words made Cassie grin, she liked the sayings she would hear as a child, “Oh dear, people wanted my hearing checked as a kid saying I was loud.” Her parents always were on here and she could just hear them right now saying about indoor voices. Good memories were always fun. “Cowgirl boots are fabtastic with a nice jean skirt. I adore that look.” She adored any look that had cute shoes though.

Hearing her questions she laughed, “No, you have to know a little of their language. Which I did study a bit. I spent lots of time in the library as a student here.” Since many thought her ‘gift’ was weird she had her books to keep her company, books and Nessa most days. Lux was just so positive and happy, Cassie adored that about her. “It’s always wonderful to have family and friends you can count on.” Even boyfriends, but Cassie left that one alone. Students relationships were best left out of her reach, as a professor she had learned not to want to know too much.

Looking at her watch she couldn’t believe that time. “Yes the houses are all great. Each one is wonderful for its own reasons. I just know you will have your own adventures very soon, but for now I must head back to the castle.” With a little wave she turned and headed away.

Gaah! It was cold! But hey, Adi loved it and would rather have this than the heat. That was the reason he was down at the icy Lake though it was disappointing that he could not plunge into the Lake and swim far away from here. Between his mother still breathing down his neck and Benny being all sulky with him, the Puffer was slowly drowning in his sorrow. Heh.

He didn't even have Gus with him. Benny still hd posession of the toad because Adi had stalked off without collecting the amphibian after he had been stabbed in the heart by the Lion not believing that they were still besties. He hoped that Gus would come by soon but if he didn't Adi wouldn't mind since he knew Benny and Conrad would take good care of the him.

"Looks like its just you and me today, Pride,'' Adi old his pet rock which he held in his hand. Pride had this huge orange grin on his face and its owner couldn't help but grin a bit. "You're always so cheerful, aren't you?"

"A local then." Sabel didn't bother to try and diminish his grin. "Don't suppose you'd be up for giving a tour at some point? I never got to see much of Scotland when I was here."

Too busy. Too consumed in life, as it was. His grin, however, told well enough that he was only half serious, and no offense would be taken to a decline of the request.

And a Slytherin too? A wonder he wasn't yet having more issues with the man. But then, a few of his good friends were Slytherin's. The grin grew a little. "Gryffindor."

Was that what the eye was for? The man was watching him with a rather strange expression. One he couldn't quite place just yet. Perhaps his Gryffindoring hadn't been as diluted as he once thought.

"Sounds like a lovely family." And...he knew one? He taught one of Culloden's kids? It took some effort to keep the good natured smile in place, and he nodded. "I have. Nice kid."

All too much a reminder though, of exactly what type of position he was in. The kids of his colleges, the kids of his friends. Like Zeke. Possibly even his own one day. Depending on what forces tried to eat him up and spit him out, that was.

His gaze drifted back to the forest, and then to the Professor, a wariness in his eyes as he hesitated. He wasn't used to talking about his kids, saying much of anything about them. It was just safer that way. But, this man was genuine, and this was supposed to be a new place. Not a place for less caution, but perhaps a bit more trust.

He took a steadying breath, dismissing his sudden tension. "Emma's almost five. And Lucas is a year." His smile was half of what it had been before as he turned the rock in his hand slowly. And they're still both getting to know me....

Shaking his head, Sabel dismissed the reflective thoughts and returned his grin to Culloden, tossing him one of the rocks. "No time to learn, like the present. It's one of the 101's of Fatherhood."

Pushing himself to his feet, the grin and good nature was back.

Zhenya had worn some warm clothing and gone for a walk around the grounds. It was lovely and cold, but she was rugged up with a winter cloak, a beanie, scarf and gloves. It had been time for another break from studying, and Zhenya just loved to venture out of the castle to walk her stress off.

And then she saw Adi, and smiled. He was just there, his back to her, but she knew it was him. So, she quickened her walk to a run and gave him a big tackle hug. "Who are you talking to Adi?" she asked. Did he have a two-way mirror or something? Cool!

It would have been super cool if Pride could talk back. Adi missed Gus even though he did not understand the toad's croaks. But he was not going to ask Benny for Gus back. No. He was still seething that his best friend (or was it ex best friend?) thought he was a liar. It was the first time Adi had really felt angry at anyone and it shocked him. Did being a thought of a liar hurt that bad? Sigh! "Don't you ever have a best friend, Pri-''

WOAH!

Something squishy was tackling him! The Hufflepuff, caught by surprise, stumbled forward and almost lost his balance. Who was it? Was it Benny suddenly being playful? Nope. It was a girl's voice. Zhenya's to be exact. He couldn't help but grin. "Heya, Zhenya! How goes it?'' Adi hugged his friend. "I was talking to my pet rock.'' He held out Pride. "This here is Pride. Pride, this is Zhenya, my fart buddy.'' Hehe.

Free tour? To an auror? WHAT was Sabel's game? Cosgrach couldn't understand and... to be honest, maybe Sabel wasn't awful. Maybe that was the exact reason he quit the stupid profession and became a professor. Cosgrach wanted to KNOW, so he said "I'd love that, actually." He smiled back without letting his face betray anything. He'd love to see WHAT Sabel was...

Of course he was a Gryffindor. Although he looked very un-auror like, he still was, and aurors were solely composed of Gryffindors. "We ought to dislike each other, then." He laughed. HEHEhe - they'd see about that in this tour.

'Nice kid'. Heh. It was good to hear that for Bart. He nodded. Bart really was a nice kid.

Oh, he had a girl and a boy, and Cosgrach could tell Sabel... was... not comfortable? Was it possible to still doubt yourself even after being a dad for five years? Please not. Cosgrach was tired of doubting everything he did with Helena, and the girl was only a few months old.

Learn? Huh? Cosgrach blinked for a moment, then smiled hesitantly. "Alright..." What did he know about being a father? If Sabel, although a former auror, said he had to learn, he would.

OH NO HE DIDN'T!



Simon GAPED. If he had been an anime character, his jaw would have been resting nicely on his lap and his eyes would have been ginormous and widened in horror. The notion..... Ian was a weird guy.

Write about guys in his free time? Excuse me. That was so so SO over the line! And so extremely rude. Simon wasn't... No.. He wasn't... He was pretty sure he wasn't that way inclined. He snatched his book back. "What do you mean by that? Hmm..?" he glared at the Gryffindor.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he explained logically, "I write about both guys and girls in here if they do suspicious things. I observe people's behaviour. It's my job. I'm a consulting detective. What do you do in your free time? Hm..?"

Certainly nothing as cool as him.

Sorry Ian.

“It means you’re gay, dude,” Ian replied flatly. PSH. What else did he think he meant? It was as clear as the water of the lake beyond them. Except that water wasn’t very clear and kinda muddy and dark, actually, but ANYWAY. You get the point.

Ian was scooting a little farther from Simon when the Slytherin spoke, explaining he observed both boys and girls. And his notes were about their behavior because he was a… detective or some ish. “You’re a what?” Ian turned to him with a raised eyebrow, earlier accusations forgotten.

That was…
Well, that was kinda cool actually. “Like for the ministry or something?” Oh crap, maybe he should be careful what he said from now on, then.
Ian made a mental note not to mention the illegal downloads saved in his shiny iPhone 6+. Eep.

As for what he did in his free time…
Ian shrugged. “Eat. Sleep. Video games. Whatever I feel like doing.” Ian didn’t have specific hobbies. He was a free spirit. Did what he wanted, when he wanted. Ain’t nobody got time to be following no rules, YOLO.

The surprise was evident as Culloden agreed to the tour. At first, Sabel didn't know how to respond, not exactly having expected the suggestion of a tour to be accepted. Not only were they short on time as Professors, but they both also had families and....

"Excellent." Why not? There was no reason not to. Just like there was no reason not to learn how to skip stones. Or conjure flowers. Or cast a patronus. No reason to hold suspicion of ulterior motives. After all, he had suggested it, not Culloden. No need to let the Auror's head get in the way.

Tossing his stone up briefly, Sabel caught it and shot the Professor a grin. "Perhaps we should. But I never stood much on ceremony."

Straightening, Sabel turned so that he could show Culloden his hold on the rock. "So, skipping a rock. It's all in the way you hold it, and the movement of your wrist. Not so much the strength of the throw." He showed the Professor how he held the rock, thumb and forefinger craddling it gently in the curve of his hand.

"The lightest flick of the wrist, you can get a much more successful skip than trying to power through it."

Zhenya would have stumbled to the ground with grace, perhaps, if that happened, but it was good Adi had good balance. Maybe his core strength was superb. She gave him a proper squishy hug back in return. "Hi Adi! I'm good, just having a break from study. How are you?" she asked, hoping her fart buddy was going okay. She'd been locking herself in her dorm room whenever she had free time, so it was good to get out and see people.

Oh, he was talking to his pet rock. OH the pet rocks from the welcome feast. Zhenya had been meaning to get one but she had forgotten all about them. Perhaps it was best, she didn't want to be tied down during NEWT year. "Hello Pride," she said, in her most formal voice, and then giggled.

Studying! Yes, that was all Adi had been doing the last school year and what he will be doing for the upcoming one though he was far less nervous about NEWTs now that he had gotten a feel of the exams. "How are they going? Do you need any help?'' He was all ready to give that if necessary! Yep, yep! "I've been better,'' he told Zhenya with a grin. She was one of those persons he really could be fully honest with. "What about you? Pulling the late nights already?"

Zhenya's giggling! It was a welcoming sound and the Hufflepuff couldn't help but laugh along. "Hello, Zhenya,'' he said, putting on a lower tone of voice than his own and holding Pride closer to the Slytherin's face. "You have a nice giggle.'' Adi/Pride gave a low giggle. "Mine is not as good. Can you teach me to giggle like you?" Hehe!

How was the studying going...? "Oh, not bad actually. Mr. Kitridge actually found me some past exam papers which have been a big help. I think I'm mostly struggling with astronomy and ancient runes, but the papers help." They had been a study saver, actually. "Yep staying up late, waking up early, skipping meals.. accidentally. On one hand I can't wait until they are over, but on the other hand that will mean I'm about to graduate and leave." It wasn't the leaving she was sad about, it was all the friends she was leaving.

I've been better? "Did you want to talk about it?" she asked gently. She wasn't one to pry into other people's troubles but she was a good listener.

OH it had a deep voice! "You sound like Thor," she said to the rock, hehe. "Oh thank you Pride, it's ahh... it's all natural," she nodded, trying to be serious. It was just funny though and she giggled more. The rock's low giggle was funny, too. A Thor giggle. "You just um... have to have a bit of a higher pitched voice and uh... he-he-he," she tried to explain. She had never had to teach something to giggle, and it was funny.

Well, then. They were going on a Scotland tour! Cosgrach grinned. Then he would see this man's worth. "Let's arrange a date sometime," It was going to be the date of the year, after all. He hoped Sabel wasn't as terrible as he'd first feared. Not that a Culloden would fully trust an Auror, but it would be a nice change to suspect less.

Hold the stone, move your wrist, blah blah. To be honest, Cosgrach couldn't care less. He, as a child, had never wanted to skip a stone, so why should HIS daughter? Still, he was going to humour Sabel, his dearest colleague. No one could know how a baby would turn out.

He found a stone too, whatever, and held it how he thought Sabel did. He wasn't paying much attention, however. Then, he pretended to be mimicking his posture and just threw it in the water.

"It didn't skip." Just so Sabel knew. His teaching ways were wrong.

Astronomy and Ancient Runes, huh? "Runes is my worst subject ever,'' Adi stated. "So I'll be no use there. I'm reasonable at Astronomy though but Car of Magical Creatures and Potions are my best.'' Yeah! They were and Adi already had his eyes set on careers involving those two subjects. "Good old Mr K. He's awesome, isn't he?'' He was fond of the Ravenclaw Head of House. Adi now eyed Zhenya in pretend sterness. "Why are you skipping meals?'' Nope, he didn't forget about her saying 'accidentally'. Hehe. "I know how you feel. Fail these NEWTs so you'll graduate with me.'' Tut tut. He was being selfish, wasn't he?

Thor? Hehe! "Maybe but I'm more of a Loki. Thor is Ben-'' Adi stopped abruptly as he almost said out Benny's full nickname. "Higher pitch?'' questioned Adi/ Pride. "How can I fix it so that I can sound like you? He...he...he.'' LOL! This was fuuuuun! "Like that? Do I sound like you, Zhenya? Do I?''

The Hufflepuff shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He remembered Zhenya offering to listen to what was bothering him during one of the Divination classes. Back then, the problem had been more of his mother. "Benny's not my best friend anymore,'' he stated, finally relenting to his battle of dumping everything on Zhenya. "He thinks Henric is my bestie now.''

"Two weeks from now." Sabel suggested without pause. Why wait to set a date? Unless Culloden was one of those in want of checking his schedule and clearing his books. That was always possible.

Sabel hefted his stone and took a step back as the other Professor moved up to the plate. The comment was as flat as the rock on the water, one of Sabel's eyebrows arching. "You didn't try."

A simple fact of observation. One he was sure the man would have pointed out had he seen it himself. But as there was no mirror around, and stating the obvious was a thing, Sabel opted to fill in the blanks. Scooping up another stone as he stepped back up to Culloden's side, Sabel placed it in his hand without preamble.

"That's okay though. Plenty of rocks to practice with."

Ancient Runes wasn't one of Adi's strong subjects either? "Oh I'm relieved. Although the last lesson wasn't too bad, but that was all acting." She could pass an exam if she just had to act a story from their textbook, but interpreting runes and knowing the runic alphabets? PAH! "Well so far my Astronomy homework isn't too bad, but if I get stuck I know who to come to," she said with a smile. Good ol' Adi, saving her from pulling out her hair. Zhenya didn't really enjoy care of magical creatures much, but she wasn't awful at it. "I love Potions too, it's probably my strongest subject at the moment."

Zhenya laughed with Pride/Adi. "Yeah I can see how you're more like Loki, Pride!Dude." She listened to their more high pitched giggle, and she nodded, tears of laughter in her eyes "Much better," she said.

Benny wasn't Adi's best friend anymore? But they're like... conjoined twins!? Zhenya's mouth had been open in a look of surprise, but she closed it. Adi didn't need to see her tonsils. And all because he thought Henric was now Adi's best friend? Oh what a pickle. She tried to think of something to say, but obviously didn't have answers. She put an arm around Adi and Pride. "Well that's a rubbishy situation," she said, summing up the situation. Poor Adi. It was a yucky feeling losing friends. "Well IS Henric your new best friend or did Benny just make wrong assumptions?" Because, obviously sometimes people became very protective of the best friend title, and were upset when it was threatened. She remembered Raven getting like that once upon a time.

"Runes isn't much needed to become a Healer, right?" If it wasn't, Zhenya was safe. He still thought of her wanting to become a Healer was really cool. It seemed to be the right profession for her. "Sure! Just make sure to bring loads of Chocolate Frogs so we'll have the best study session ever!'' But knowing the two, they might end up doing something more fun (maybe inventing a Potion for curing excessive farts LOL!). "We should try brewing a challenging potion sometime.'' There was no one better to do that with than a fellow potions lover.

"Don't cry, Zhenya, just because you're not the only one with a perfect giggle now,'' Pride/Adi said, the pet rock going awfully close to the Slytherin's face. HellOOOooooOOO, Pride! Ever heard of personal space? Hehe. As best as it could, the rock tried to graze away any tears from her face which was awkward because Pride had no hands.

The Puffer had not missed Zhenya's slightly open mouth. Yeah, he knew that most of his friends would be surprised to find out he and Benny had a misunderstanding. He was, however, happy for the comfort the girl was giving him. He smiled gratefully at her as he put a hand around him. Adi shook his head vigorously. "Henric has become a close friend but he's not my best friend. Benny just assumed that because Henric and I hang out a lot and when I tried to clear that up with him, he didn't believe me.'' That was what had gotten to him so much. Benny was one of the two persons he trusted the most in the world and he had felt stunned when he realised the Lion hadn't believed him.

"I told him the other day that he was replaceable,'' continued the sad Adi looking out at the cold and frozen Lake. "But I didn't mean it. I just was so angry at him at that time that it just popped out.'' It also probably didn't help that Adi had gone out of his way to make sure he hung around Henric a whole lot more than usual just to show Benny that.

It was the end of January, and studying returned to Leah's top priority. She woke up super early one morning and inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of wintery spring. Or something. Thinking that it would be okay to continue her revision in the afternoon, she skipped over to the lake.

Bundled up in her usual robes and winter cloak, the Hufflepuff stood by the lake, simply gazing at the black water. Heck, she missed Jackson. Leah had not seen him for a while, what with the Christmas break and OWLs preparation keeping both of them busy. She hoped she could meet the Fifth Year again soon.

Deep in thought, she stuffed her hands in her pockets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanyjj

It was the end of January, and studying returned to Leah's top priority. She woke up super early one morning and inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of wintery spring. Or something. Thinking that it would be okay to continue her revision in the afternoon, she skipped over to the lake.

Bundled up in her usual robes and winter cloak, the Hufflepuff stood by the lake, simply gazing at the black water. Heck, she missed Jackson. Leah had not seen him for a while, what with the Christmas break and OWLs preparation keeping both of them busy. She hoped she could meet the Fifth Year again soon.

Deep in thought, she stuffed her hands in her pockets.

Grabbing his Gryffindor scarf and winter cloak, the Korean boy decided to take a break from study for a while and have a nice walk around the castle. It's already the end of January and which means the OWLs were coming in a few months. That's why he spent more time inside and study. He even decided not to go home for Christmas and stay at Hogwarts instead.

Jackson dragged himself to the lake: one of the prettiest spot in Hogwarts (though others said that the butterfly garden was great too but he'd never wanted to be there because of his lepidopterophobia). His chocolate brown eyes spotted a familiar girl standing at the side while she was gazing at the lake. He hadn't seen her around lately, maybe because they both were struggling with the OWLs and other academic stuffs. He missed hanging out with his Puff girl friend. Yeah, there's a space between girl and friend.

Silently he walked toward her and covered her eyes from behind. "Guess who?" He asked in his deep voice, tried not to giggle because it would ruin it.

Leah squinted at a point in the black lake. She thought something moved above the surface - was it the Giant Squid? She had always wanted to meet him after the first Astronomy lesson of the term. He seemed like a fun person, uh squid. But the chance of meeting the creature again was slim, maybe it was just the rippling water. She had just taken a step closer to the edge of the lake when she felt hands on her eyes.

Gasping, her own cold hands flew to her eyes as she grabbed the other ones. The badger heard a familiar deep voice and smiled. "I don't know. But I know that I can jinx you if I want to," she said. She hoped the person was the one she hoped to see - otherwise a jinx might be necessary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanyjj

Leah squinted at a point in the black lake. She thought something moved above the surface - was it the Giant Squid? She had always wanted to meet him after the first Astronomy lesson of the term. He seemed like a fun person, uh squid. But the chance of meeting the creature again was slim, maybe it was just the rippling water. She had just taken a step closer to the edge of the lake when she felt hands on her eyes.

Gasping, her own cold hands flew to her eyes as she grabbed the other ones. The badger heard a familiar deep voice and smiled. "I don't know. But I know that I can jinx you if I want to," she said. She hoped the person was the one she hoped to see - otherwise a jinx might be necessary.

I don't know. But I know that I can jinx you if I want to.

Jackson still tried not to laugh. Seriously, teasing this girl was fun for him. And now she wanted to jinx him? Ooooh, but he's not afraid at all because he's a Gryffindor. Also, he doubted if she really wanted to throw a jinx because:

1. He was 100% sure that actually Leah knew him and she's just being playful to him.
2. She was too nice to throw a jinx for fun... Or to hurt somebody. At least that's what he thought about her.

"A jinx? Seriously?" Again he spoke with his deep voice. "But I don't think your jinx is good enough to attack me, Missy." He couldn't help but smirked. Hehehehe. The Korean boy insisted that he's not gonna reveal himself until Leah could guess who he was correctly.

Zhenya thought about that and shrugged. She thought runes had a small part of becoming a healer, but only a small part. "Well if it IS involved in becoming a healer hopefully it will be totally focused on healing runes. I might be okay with that," she said confidently. If she was interested in it, or if it was related to something she could relate to, perhaps it would all work out. And chocolate frogs, Zhenya smiled. "I'll make sure I bring a big stash. I actually want a study session now," she laughed. If it involved Adi and chocolate frogs, she was there. When Adi suggested they try coming up with a challenging potion sometime, Zhenya's eyes widened in delight. "Oh that's a BRILLIANT idea!" she said. "We could do... WE could do the wolfsbane potion!" Zhenya was sure they would be doing that for Potions homework. And it was challenging.

Zhenya laughed even harder at Pride's attempt to wipe away her tears, causing more tears to take their place.

Zhenya gave Adi her undivided attention as he explained what was going on between he and Benny. It was a pickle, that was for sure. "Oh, Adi," she said, sympathetically. "It's always so hard fighting with friends. Perhaps Benny did feel a bit... threatened by the way you had been hanging around with Henric. Maybe he felt like you were moving on or something, even though I know you weren't. Sometimes if people have even the slightest pang of negative feelings; sadness, jealousy or anything, it can unravel into something much greater." She took a few moments before she continued with her observations/advice/rattling-ons. "But I'm surprised he didn't believe you, I'd have thought he would have liked to hear that from you. Some reassurance. Do you reckon maybe someone else had told him that?" It happened sometimes, someone whispers something into your ear and you can't see past that point of view. Tunnel vision. "But it's hurtful that he didn't trust when you said he wasn't your best friend." That was probably what hurt most. Benny didn't trust Adi's explanation.

And as for the last bit, Zhenya nodded. She knew all about saying things in the heat of the moment, then regretting it later. "When did all this happen? I bet that time will calm Henric down enough to see what's obvious. You're allowed to have friends that are close friends, but I think he will see that he is still your best friend. I hope it's soon," because it was obviously eating away at poor Adi.