Oblivious to Dot's distress about her coloring, Reagan simply continued to dote and gush over the small tabby kitten. It was still UTTERLY fascinating to the older Ravenclaw how witches and wizards could turn into animals (at all, really). It definitely reaffirmed her own personal passion in becoming an Animagus.

...but then kitten!Dot took a little spill...

Reagan tried not to giggle too much, but it was just SO STINKIN' CUTE.

"Try to start slow..." No, Rea had no idea how this worked, but with a little common sense, she assumed she wasn't giving bad advice. It was similar to a baby taking their first steps, right? Like when you were learning a new skill, too. Baby steps.

"Don't get flustered, either. I won't tell anyone you fell." The secret was safe with her, mhm.

Back on her feet, and Dot was trying again. At least Rea was nice. Some of her housemates would fall on their own faces laughing at her, or would try to make her eat a mouse. Or... would feed her to a HAWK! Merlin help her, but Dot did look up, her eyesight abnormally keen as she took in the skies above.

Nothing. She was safe for NOW.

Y'know what she sort of wanted and it wasn't at ALL weird, especially since she was a cat at the moment? Dot wanted petting. She meandered carefully toward the older girl, eyes fixed on her until she was within scratching distance. Not scratching, though. No, Dot dropped her fuzzy head and shoved it under Rea's hand, inviting a thorough petting.

Hello, let's be friends. Let's never talk about the time I let you pet me.

Mhm, and Reagan SEEN kitten!Dot looking skyward. Did she honestly believe a hawk would swoop down at any moment, only to tote her off for dinner? Silly kitty; that's what she was.

...and she'd seemed to take Rea's advice about baby steps.

...and was now seeking some affection. Well, GOOD NEWS for you, Ms. Dot...Reagan just so happened to specialize in affection and love. While her now small-and-furry friend pressed her fuzzy head into her palm, Reagan lamented over the fact that she couldn't take this adventure with the Slytherin girl. How much fun would that have been? Of course, Rea had chosen fox!hair...because she had an abnormal fascination with them...but it could've STILL been funtimes. All the funtimes.

She began lightly scratching and rubbing Dot behind her ears and around her neck. "You'll be pleased to know that your fur is very soft, Ms. Dot." Dot seemed like the type that would find that to be great news...and Rea could admit she would herself if the roles had been reversed. "It's very lovely."

Then, she paused.

"Do you want to try and play?"

Being pet was the most lovely and wonderful and happy-making thing in the world, and there was a weird sound coming out of her throat, and DOT WAS PURRING. She couldn't help herself, like the nice feeling of being scratched was directly connected to her throat and didn't travel through her brain at all.

Rea was the beeeeeeest, and she wanted to just stay here and be petted until it was time to change back into a human thing. And then maybe she'd take another phial of potion and be pet some more. It was honestly that nice.

But playing... playing sounded kind of awesome as well. She pulled her head free from Rea's ministrations and looked up at the girl. Was she nodding? She felt like she was nodding, but perhaps she was just staring at Rea with unblinking eyes. Could they play, please? Right now?

She followed Rea around, still getting her feet under her as the girl dawdled leaves and a ribbon for Dot to follow. When Rea wasn't looking she pounced the girl's ankles, although she gave that up pretty quickly when she discovered her own claws. She wasn't interested in hurting anyone. Maybe that leaf. She'd like to DESTROY that leaf.

It felt like no time at all before that weird churny burny feeling came back, and Dot found herself crouching on the ground with a leaf in her mouth. At Rea's feet. Errrrrm... awkward. "Thanks for making sure I didn't get eaten by a hawk."

Hehehehehe.

Again, HOW STINKIN' CUTE was Dot?! Reagan could've fallen over and perished from the adorableness.

While they proceeded to play and snuggle and do all the cutesy things one might do with an equally cutesy animal, Reagan made sure to assist her Slytherin friend. There was clumsiness, but that was expected. It was her first time as a kitty, after all. Rea simply rubbed her belly and put her right-side up again when that happened; no judgment or anything to speak of.

Unfortunately, it didn't last that long...or as long as the older Ravenclaw would've liked it to...and Dot was DOT again...

"No, no! I didn't mind at all. Also...thank you for letting me rub your belly and pet you." Reagan Penrose might've been smirking JUUUST a little. Or not really smirking, but amused. VERY amused. Heheheheheh.

HEH.

"Wanna get lunch, my love?" She held her hand out to Dot.

Caleb had to move around and find new spots, rather than staying in one place for all this - otherwise he was going to go INSANE. Sitting in one place, staring at the moon was just sooooo boring. This way he got a workout in too!

His final cratergazing spot was going to be the playground. He could sit on the jungle gym and pick out his last crater. Pulling his telescope out of his bag, he opened it and peered up at the moon for the final time tonight.

Hmmm, he'd go with...THAT ONE. He glanced at his notes and determined that the crater was...Kepler. Alright, that was four. All done!

Caleb took his telescope and stowed it safely in his bag and gathered his notes. Just a little essay and he'd be done! Sweet!

Noelle kept swinging. She was HIGH. And felt like she could fly if she wanted to. Luckily she wasn't quiiiite willing enough to fly off. Plus, she was enjoying talking to her new friend.

Noelle looked over at HADY, swinging opposite of her rhythm. She knew what she meant. "Yeah, but I feel like you're very cunning, which is totally a snake attribute. Also... " GASP ... You could have TOLD the hat where to put you?" Noelle liked where she was at, but seriously that was so cool! Hey hat! Put me in this house! Thanks byeeee!

"I wish I was a bit more brave though. I'm more Hufflepuff than I am Gryffindor it feels like a lot. But I love my house. Mum told me I would get into Gryffindor. Mum was a Hufflepuff. So I had a good chance of getting into there." Although being a Hufflepuff probably would have been very fun.

SPOILER!!: Noelle

Noelle kept swinging. She was HIGH. And felt like she could fly if she wanted to. Luckily she wasn't quiiiite willing enough to fly off. Plus, she was enjoying talking to her new friend.

Noelle looked over at HADY, swinging opposite of her rhythm. She knew what she meant. "Yeah, but I feel like you're very cunning, which is totally a snake attribute. Also... " GASP ... You could have TOLD the hat where to put you?" Noelle liked where she was at, but seriously that was so cool! Hey hat! Put me in this house! Thanks byeeee!

"I wish I was a bit more brave though. I'm more Hufflepuff than I am Gryffindor it feels like a lot. But I love my house. Mum told me I would get into Gryffindor. Mum was a Hufflepuff. So I had a good chance of getting into there." Although being a Hufflepuff probably would have been very fun.

Reaching a decent height in the air Hady pulling up one leg and tucked it up underneath the other allowing the other leg to dangle freely while turning slightly to face the younger girl. Hearing the 'gasp' from her made Hady tilt her head slightly and then laugh.

Ah, not many people knew that did they? It wasn't so much 'telling' the hat to put you in a certain house as it was suggesting it. Making it known where you'd like to be placed. In the end it was still entirely the hats decision whether you agreed with it or not. "M' I can be. Do I use that to my advantage though, not exactly." Not unless she had to and so far she hadn't. "Yes and no. You CAN tell the hat where you'd like to be and why but in the end he still choices."

Aaww she wanted to be brave. Hady gave Noelle a small grin. "I bet you anything that you are brave. Deep down when it most counts you'll see that you are." Just like her father said. Most traits came forth when needed. "The hat knew why I wanted to be in Slytherin and I guess in the end what I really wanted made the difference...or he knew that deep down at heart I am a snake." Even if she didn't show it.

That's amazing, to be able to suggest to the hat which house they wanted to be in. Noelle just thought that was the coolest thing.

Kicking her feet higher, she watched as HADY talked about her house. She saw the light in her eyes and grinned. She had the same look that she had when she was talking about her house. "Im glad I met you." Noelle said gently as she swung.

"Our houses are all important, but I like how we can all interact and be friends." Because that was important too.

SPOILER!!: Noelle

That's amazing, to be able to suggest to the hat which house they wanted to be in. Noelle just thought that was the coolest thing.

Kicking her feet higher, she watched as HADY talked about her house. She saw the light in her eyes and grinned. She had the same look that she had when she was talking about her house. "Im glad I met you." Noelle said gently as she swung.

"Our houses are all important, but I like how we can all interact and be friends." Because that was important too.

With the swing still moving on its on Hady let her legs rest not bothering to pump her legs. She was very content with sitting there allowing the swing to slow on its own, the breeze blowing strands of hair around her face.

The younger girls words from the swing beside her had her turning her head with a light smile. "Same for me." That was one reason she liked being here at Hogwarts. All the different people she could meet and friends she could make.

"That's what makes this school special. We can be in a house that supports our inner being but also work together and be friends with others that might be different yet at the same time just like ourselves." It really did make the whole seven years nicer.

Noelle nodded and closed her eyes as she swung. She was listening, but she was also enjoying the nice crisp breeze that blew through her hair. She liked what Hady had to say about them being in individual houses but yet could all come together. She agreed with that.

Slowing her swing, she started twisting on the swing. "I love Hogwarts. It's really a brilliant place. Most everyone is nice. The food is glorious, my bed is sooooo comfy! " Oh her favorite place was her bed actually. If she was let, she would sleep for hours.

The playground seemed like a good place to start his Transfiguration homework and here he was. Hugo looked around, it reminded him when he was 5 years old and used to play in his neighborhood playground with his sister, it was fun. Good times. But since he wasn't that old, he took the moment to climb the monkey bars and sit on top. And eat some sour gummy worms just because.

After a moment of relaxing it was time to go down and start being responsable. Yay. The first spell he was going to try was Piertotum Locomotor, not really sure if it was going to go so well but you know, didn't mattered. Now, the boy climbed down and went to the swings, he stared at them and took his wand. First, he repeated the spell because in class he was saying it wrong and it never worked, obviously. After saying it about five times, he felt ready, pointed his wand to one of the swings and said "Piertotum Locomotor" and as expected nothing happened. He sighed, "Maybe if I..." he slightly pushed the swing and repeated the spell "Piertotum Locomotor" now it worked, right? Of course not, that was cheating but he was bored. Anyways, this time he was going to do it right or at least try.

He stopped the swing from moving, cleared his throat and said "Piertotum locomotor!" it moved a little but was a lot for Hugo so, thumbs up. And as a reward he sat on the swing and kept eating his gummies.

SPOILER!!: Noelle

Noelle nodded and closed her eyes as she swung. She was listening, but she was also enjoying the nice crisp breeze that blew through her hair. She liked what Hady had to say about them being in individual houses but yet could all come together. She agreed with that.

Slowing her swing, she started twisting on the swing. "I love Hogwarts. It's really a brilliant place. Most everyone is nice. The food is glorious, my bed is sooooo comfy! " Oh her favorite place was her bed actually. If she was let, she would sleep for hours.

Watching the smaller girl out the corner of her eye Hady smiled to herself. What Noelle was currently doing made her think of herself when she was younger back home. Oh how she could sit on a swing for hours and hours on end just enjoying the movement and the breeze through her hair.

"That I have to agree with it." Like all of it. The people. The food. The beds. Granted she didn't have her own room but still the beds were heavenly. "When I got my letter I knew I'd be coming here. Heck, I've known I'd be coming here since I could talk." As a tiny tike she had dreamed of the day she'd be in the castle.

She always knew she was coming here?

"I did too!" Noelle said grinning and she turned in her swing, the wrong way to be swinging. "My mum came here... I don't remember if k told you that or not.... But she was a Puff and was forever telling her stories about the great Hogwarts. She told me one almost every night. She loved it here." Noelle said, a light in her eyes because knows what her mom was talking about.

"Did your parents always tell you about Hogwarts or?" Noelle asked, the wind blowing her hair around.

"Now I have my own stories to share." Noelle said grinning to Hady.

SPOILER!!: Noelle

She always knew she was coming here?

"I did too!" Noelle said grinning and she turned in her swing, the wrong way to be swinging. "My mum came here... I don't remember if k told you that or not.... But she was a Puff and was forever telling her stories about the great Hogwarts. She told me one almost every night. She loved it here." Noelle said, a light in her eyes because knows what her mom was talking about.

"Did your parents always tell you about Hogwarts or?" Noelle asked, the wind blowing her hair around.

"Now I have my own stories to share." Noelle said grinning to Hady.

Hady laughed quietly watching Noelle. "Yeah?" Most kids from magical families always knew they'd be coming to Hogwarts someday. Or some other magical school if they choose to do that. Either way she knew this was where she would be going. No ands, ifs or buts about it. "That's really cool. I always loved hearing stories about when my parents were here at Hogwarts." It gave her something to look forward and at the same time told her a bit more about who her family was.

Turning around to sit sideways on the swing the brunette nodded towards the younger girl. "Yeah. For as long as I can remember I've been told about coming here. Both my parents were Slytherins also." Hence why she wanted to be one. Not the only reason but just a small one.

"I'd say we all have out own stories to tell," she agreed smirking slightly. Some good and others not so good but all just as interesting.

Who said that she couldn't play football on this wintery day? The answer was nobody. Ava walked down from Gryffindor common room with the ball on her hand. Yup, she was in a mood to play football.

She decided to play at the playground because... It's a playground, duh. And also, it's the safest place to play the ball. She didn't need to worry that she's gonna hit a window or a statue or anything! But well, she couldn't play all by herself. Maybe she should ask Henric or Adi since they're both love playing football too.

Cosgrach killed the inner child of his long ago and he didn't keep himself in shape; but he still walked to the playground to see what the KIDS did and whether it still applied to them - a playground. Oh, good, they weren't kids anymore as well. There weren't many students around - except one Ava Burton, who was 11 so she was a kid anyway. Good to know he really was teaching to teenagers, who... could be even more dangerous than kids at times, but he didn't want to get there.

Instead, he sat on a swing (for a lack of a better place to sit, not because he wanted to!) and started watching her curiously. Wasn't that a muggle ball?

His knowledge was impressive, wasn't it, for someone who had never ever taken muggle studies.

Should she walked to the Hufflepuff barrels and called her football buddies? Maybe she'd better to. Ava was about to leave the playground but then she did notice the potions Professor was here, sitting on a swing. Hehehe... What did the old man do here? Well, she didn't say that he was OLD enough to play here but it's just... funny. And not to mention that the swing was quite small for him.

And suddenly she got a genius idea.

"Hello, Professor Culloden!" The young lioness greet that man. "Do you want to play football with me?" Hehehe. If he'd never played one, don't worry. Ava Burton would be happy to teach him.

Noelle grinned when she realized that Hady had the same similarities that her family had. "What are some stories that your family told you about Hogwarts??"

Noelle was actually interested in Hady's families stories. She wondered if they were as quirky as some of her moms stories. But her mom had a story for everything.

"I plan on making my own stories and making them MAGNIFICENT! And then when I get married and have kids.... YEARS from now, I can tell them amazing stories of Hogwarts!" Noelle said beaming at the thought.

Well, wasn't she going to play yet?

Cosgrach knew that was a muggle ball, but his knowledge ended there. He didn't know that she needed someone, or better yet, twenty-one other people. He thought that if she came here all alone, the ball was meant to be played alone. Maybe it was charmed in a weird muggle way too (did you see those frames that have small people in it!?) and -

"Hey, Ms. Burton!" he greeted back, then stared. Football... he heard that word... "The muggle game that you like?" That was it, wasn't it? She even liked a blue lion team... had she picked her muggle team based on her Hogwarts house?

"I'll pass," he said, "I don't even know what it is." And he didn't plan to learn, thank you very much.

So, wasn't she going to start?

Yes, Professor! It's football, hehehe.

But the Professor refused to join her playing. Oh boo.... "Come on, Professor Culloden. I cannot play this by myself." Well, at least she needed someone as the keeper. Then they could change position who's gonna be the keeper and who's gonna kick the ball. So, she's not lying.

The Potions man should know that football is fun and he's not really old to play it. Hehehehe.

"I'll teach you how to play it." Cue a wink.

SPOILER!!: Noelle

Noelle grinned when she realized that Hady had the same similarities that her family had. "What are some stories that your family told you about Hogwarts??"

Noelle was actually interested in Hady's families stories. She wondered if they were as quirky as some of her moms stories. But her mom had a story for everything.

"I plan on making my own stories and making them MAGNIFICENT! And then when I get married and have kids.... YEARS from now, I can tell them amazing stories of Hogwarts!" Noelle said beaming at the thought.

Didn't most kids like themselves that came to Hogwarts have parents or other family that had came here before themselves? She thought that was how it worked usually. The question though made her somewhat wrinkle her nose. She had TONS of stories but if she told them she would have to explain something first and she didn't quite want to right then so she simply said, "Most ones of my father being reckless and getting into trouble or exploring with his friends."

Hady laughed softly at the girls excitement. "I'm sure years from now you'll have loads of awesome stories to tell your own family." They all would. That much she was sure of.

WHhhOOOooSSHHhhHHHhhHH!!!!!

There he went, hero of the wizarding world, zipping and zooming through the sky. Whooossshh! Up! Up! Up! WhoOOooOSSShhh!

Blaise put all his energy into propelling himself forward, trying to swing as high as he possibly could. There was a brilliant surge of energy every time he went forward but was suddenly yanked back, as if into the unknown. When he felt he was high enough, naturally he was gonna dive off, boldly going the extra mile; flying without a broom--and him without his cape! "Zooooom!" Almost there. Almost theeeerrreee.

Work those legs Belllaire!

As a general rule, Daxton did not venture outside very much. But all rules have exceptions, and the Ravenclaw had grown bored with his surroundings, and curiously unable to contentrate, which was why he found himself out on the grounds with a book gripped tight in his hands. It was still reasonably cold out, though that did not stop him from eschewing warm clothing and roaming the grounds in shorts and a t-shirt, and barefoot, as he invariably was.

His wandering led him to the playground, a place Daxton had passed before, but never visited, nor had he ever had any intentions of visiting. But a change of scenery had felt necessary, and Daxton reasoned that perhaps it would not be so busy out here, with the majority of the school bundled up in the warm castle.

But there was someone here. Blaise Bellaire, who was swinging on one of the swings with such force that Daxton wondered whether he intended to propel himself up and over the top bar whilst staying seated. The prospect made him stop to watch; whether or not he managed something of the sort, it was sure to be entertaining. Though failure was often much more entertaining to watch than success.

He stood back a little, eyeing the Gryffindor boy curiously, still attempting to deduce if that was the intention at all, or if he was just swinging violently for the sake of it, or if there was another intended outcome entirely. And the more Daxton watched, the more it occurred to him that swinging on the swing looked as though it might actually be something he might like to try.

THIS WAS SO TOTALLY AWESOOOOOOOOOME!!!

"Whooo! Woohoooooo! YEAH!" Having the playground basically to himself gave him all the freedom he needed to yell and do just about whatever. At first, he was so into the swinging that he didn't hear the approaching footsteps and he didn't realize his honorary friend even if he didn't think so but NOW he did and if he wasn't going so fast he'd have used one hand to wave.

"Daxton! Mate!" he grinned widely, watching the boy moving closer then further then closer again in a perfect pattern.

"Daxton! You have to try this! C'mon! We can save the world together!" He could definitely come play superheroes with him and they could jump from the swings together and make dramatic possess.

The whole works!!

Was he coming??????