Elsa walked in, light thuds announced her arrival as she found her way to a table down the center of the room. First row was too much for her, but since potions was one of her favorite subjects so far, she needed to be close to the professor in order to suck in all the knowledge she could.

She could se Azura sitting with some friends and gave her a small wave of her hand from her seat.

Taking a few roles of parchment and a quill from her bag and crossing her legs under the table she checked her wrist for a hairband. Today she wore her hair loose around her face, but when brewing potions it was always best to keep the hair from her face - she learnt that the painful way.

A few more glances around the room told her the teacher was no where in sight so she dribbled a few swirls in the top corner of her parchment.

There was a small fuzzy thing here. Instead of the professor.

This was Jay's first thought upon slipping into the room. The rat was here, but the professor was not. The boy collected his little white coat, put his things on the frontmost station, and crept closer to her.

He was so weak when it came to small furry things. So very weak. He touched his pocket, currently devoid of the small lump of hedgehog that was customarily found there. He really needed to ask the professor if he could bring his pet to class too. It'd be fun. Maybr Sniffler and the rat would get along. Strike up an unlikely friendship that Muggles could make childrens' movies about.

He gave the rat a little wave before scurrying back to his station to get his things prepared. Later, he vowed. Later he would definitely hold that furry rat.

Rachel giggled. There was another nickname for her and this time it was complements of Mason. But her giggling was cut short. Why in the name of Belle's love for books was she looking at her like that? She watched in confusion as the Snake raised a finger to her face. "Elephant? Canvas? What are you on about, Mason?'' She flinched at the finger rubbing against her face. What was going on?

Then there were more persons questioning her about her face. Confused looks were given to Azura, Sam and Esme. "I really have no idea what you girls are talking about.'' Her hand made a quick dive into her bag for her hand held mirror. For the first time that day she looked at her reflection and gave a small cry of surprise. She knew instantly who had done it. Haddie! Thinking of the girl... there she was. Before Rachel could say anything, the girl was mocking her. The dark haired eagle just looked at her sadly as she walked away. Rachel had given up on trying to mend their friendship. Haddie never wanted to talk to her anymore and this was the firstie in a long time words had been exchanged.

She smiled sadly at Matthew. "Someone who I thought of as my best friend.'' She scrubbed vigorously at her face so that it turned pick but none of the various drawing could come clean. Rachel look dejectedly at her friends. "Do any of you know a spell that could remove these?'' She rubbed at her face again, providing Mason with an answer. "I tried to help Haddie and David be friends. It didn't go too well. Haddie thought I was betraying her because... because IhaveacrushonDavid.'' Her cheeks went even pinker as she flung herself down in her seat, wanting to keep out of sight of everyone. She did manage a weak smile in Ariadne's and Tenacius's directions before doing so.

Potions.

The class with a rat. A real, live, probably dirty, rat. Jace wanted to learn so much about Potions, knowing that he’d do really well in that class seeing that he’s good enough with details, and precision. The only downside in this class is the professor’s pet. Why can’t he have a cat instead? Noticing that the rat is in class, Jace swallowed his whimper, got his white lab coat and went to sit near the front. Yes, he’s not going to shy away from the professor’s pet, unless it decides to join him at his table...

The Ravenclaw wore his lab coat, as per usual in that class, and turned to wave at his friends. Erm...whatever happened to Rachel’s face? Jace grinned, not saying a word, and waited quietly for the professor to arrive.

Colt was really keen on checking out the potions class. He had a soft spot for potions because he could mix and just follow directions. There wasn't too much thought into it. After he finished his lunch, he made his way down to the potions classroom. He was kind of happy this classroom was next to his common room. He didn't have to walk far to relax after his lesson. As he walked through the opening for the potions classroom, he saw there wasn't a professor but....a rat?

Woah hold up. A rat was teaching them? I mean come this rat might not know anything besides knowing where the food was. Even the rat was creepy. He wasn't too fond of them when he was living in NYC for the time being. He wasn't even going to touch it, he made his way to his seat. He sat a few seats back from it, keeping his eye on it. That rat better not climb under his desk. The creature should be well trained that is for sure.

He got out his notebook and began to doodle for the time being.

After doing up her lab coat, Esme smiled at the girl who introduced herself as Mason. "Nice to meet you, I am Esme," she said as she shook her hand. It seemed that their table was rather popular and hopefully rat man wouldn't mind.

They would see soon enough.

"Wait, what?" she asked with wide eyes as it was explained to her what had happened. "That is a really childish thing to do." She frowned. Was Haddie the girl who used to be with Rachel all the time? "I could use Scourgify on you?" she suggested, not wanting to do it unless her friend was okay with it. "And what's wrong with David?" He seemed perfectly nice to her when they met in Sugarplums...

Yep, she was ignoring the fact that Rachel had a crush on him, because she didn't want to embarrass her further by mentioning it.

Sam returned Haddie's wave from where she was leant forward on her desk to be closer to the other girls, though couldn't help but notice the frosty tone the other Ravenclaw used. Somehow she'd missed out on the gossip of what had happened between the former besties, though she'd noticed the effect it'd had on the dorm atmosphere eventually. She was friendly with both though, and she hoped to stay that way, ideally.

Sadly she didn't know any spells of use to Rachel, and could only wince as the girl trying rubbing the pen off so hard it made her face pink. "Sorreh," she said, shaking her head lightly and keeping an eye for their professor. She was still playing catch up on her reading, sadly, so hadn't been able to read ahead much. "Mabbe one of the oldeh girls 'as some of dat make up for covering spots up though?"

Or...she had another thought. A crazy one, maybe, but worth considering. She rummaged around in her bag for the pen she'd picked up in Muggle Studies, and held it out. "Or I got dis else?" It wouldn't be so weird if they ALL did it, right?

Also...Rachel had a crush on David?! So. Out. Of. The. Loop.

Holiday break was over. Done. Finished.

It was time to get her head back into her studies and first up was Potions. Not one of her better classes but certainly not on of her worst either. Like always she up and ready for the lesson, her robes clean and tidy, long brunette hair tied back into a tight french braid.

Entering the room Hady noticed instantly that the Professor wasn't there. However Madame Curie was there on his desk. Well alrighty-o then. With a small shrug of her shoulders she hitched her bag up higher on her shoulder. Grabbing her lab coat with her name on it she headed for her usual seat up front giving the rat a light grin as she did. Setting her bag down the fifth year pulled out a clean sheet of parchment which she dated before pulling on the lab coat and taking a seat.

Not content with simply doodling the corner of her parchment , Elsa proceeded to draw on the entire page, making a few simple sketches of the teacher's pet.

She leaned back from her parchment and smiled proudly. Yep, Potions was her favorite subject, but drawing was something she loved. It was a bummer Hogwarts didn't provide a more artistic vein of the program. She would so be into it.

She eyed the classroom around her one more time, a few more people had arrived. She saw Hady sit in the front of the room all tidy and ready. She smiled in her direction, waving her fingers, acknowledging her.

Her eyes swept the rest of the newcomers and fell on a fellow Slytherin whose name she thought she knew. Colt she thought. She eyed him with curiosity, he seemed to be accessing if it was safe to seat near the rat or not. A smiled pulled up one of the corners of her mouth and she glanced down, making a few more changes to her drawing

"Nice to meet you, would you like to sit with me?" Bonnie smiled and gestured to the seat next to her. It would be nice to have someone to chat with for a change, especially during potions.

"Yeah I'm a first year also. How are you finding it here so far?" Bonnie often wondered if she was the only firstie that still didn't feel settled in yet.

The room was starting to fill up with people and it was making Madge a bit uncomfortable. There were so many people at this school and she has now successfully talked to one person... and it's mid-term. Good job.

She was intimidated by a lot of the other students, even the ones her age. Because most of them, except the muggle-borns, knew about this world and magic for a long time, but it was hidden from her until the day she received her letter.

Madge snapped back to the conversation she was having with bonnie when she spoke. She smiled warmly, huzzah! A successful interaction with another human! " i'd love to, until the professor comes in anyway." Madge wanted to make sure she was back at her own seat before class officially began.

How was Madge finding Hogwart? Overwhelming and terrifying. "I'm liking it fine, I guess." she said, It's a bit of a lot to handle..."

As Azura moved over to Mason she smiled at Sam and waved at her, before also grinning at Ariadne! She sighed as she joined Mason and shook her head at this whole Rachel/Haddie feud! She was staying out of it! She liked both girls, and she wanted to be friends with both of them!

She looked at Mason and whispered "It's over a boy." She said with a nod, before Esme came to clean off Rachel's face! Merlin! Such a mess!

She looked around and her face broke into a warm smile as she saw Jace walk in! She gave him a warm wave, before spotting Elsa and waving to her as well.. and Ohh..

There was Colt. She gave him a wave before she turned back to Rachel and Mason with a slightly warm face..

No one saw that right?

Good!

Anyways.. Who were they talking about?

Another day, another potions lesson.

And Olivia could take it or leave it. She was doing well enough so far, it being helpful that she hadn’t really needed her wand much if at all during the previous classes. And the professor having a pet rat that came to the lessons didn’t bother her at all, as long as it stayed out of her way because she didn’t want to run the risk of her getting injured while she herself worked. All in all the Ravenclaw was so-so on the feelings on the subject.

She made her way down to the dungeons in time for the latest class, coming into the lab to notice quite a few students already there. Including a good number of her friends and dormmates. However as she entered to find a seat, Olivia saw that not only were Haddie and Rachel still not hanging out near each other, but Rachel had some…drawings on her face that she doubted she put there herself. “Sorry Rachel, I can’t help,” she apologized as she sat down nearby and heard the girl ask if anyone knew a spell to remove them.

"Do you think it would work?" Rachel asked Esme hopefully. "I wouldn't mind as long as these silly marks come off.'' She spared a look at her mirror again before drawing her attention to Sam. Oh, Sam! She felt a rush of affection for her fellow first year. "I appreciate that but I wouldn't let your or the other girls' pretty faces be drawn upon.'' There was no way she would allow that.

"Nothing's wrong with him. It's not really like that,'' Rachel spoke up again, looking at Azura and Esme. "Haddie and David dislike each other for some reason and I was only trying to help them be friends. Haddie mistook that as betrayal.'' She refused to repeat the part about her crush again so she left it as that. She felt crushed that Haddie would go this far. Rachel bit her lower lip, trying not to become overwhelmed with this situation. Luckily, Olivia arrived as a distraction. "It's okay. Thank you all the same.''

Could Professor Art arrive soon? She just wanted the lesson to get started.

Elliot shuffled into the potions classroom picking up his white coat before doing a double-take at the small rat where he was certain the professor was supposed to be. He moved to one of the tables getting his things in order trying not to stare too much but really, what was that rat doing there? He was suddenly very thankful Kamja hadn't tried to follow him to class again because the black cat would have made quite the scene.

Elsa's head went up at the sound of another person moving in her direction. She smiled friendly at a girl sitting a few tables down.



She kept sketching and sketching until she was satisfied with the result and there was no more empty space on that piece of parchment. She choose one of her sketches, separated it from the rest with her wand, folded it in 4 and waved her wand over it, turning it into a bird origami and sending it flying towards Azura.

In the paper one could read “I heard someone say snakes like rats. You should keep this one in case you come across a stray snake, you can feed it the drawing!” she looked at her for her reaction, with a wink ready and completely oblivious to the faint pink in her cheeks.



Her stare turned to a boy sitting on the table next to her. She smiled at him too. Merlin, she was all smiles today wasn't she? She tapped her drawing again, making her sketches follow each other around the parchment.

Kitty walked in to the Potions room and took her white coat, rather oblivious to the rat or to the commotion going on around Rachel's face. She saw it, but she didn't stop to think that it was a prank. This was because she was still fuming about her mom forcing her to attend the dueling club. Just this morning she had received another letter telling her in no uncertain terms that she was forbidden to pull out. After this class Kitty was going to write an angry letter back. Her mind was fully occupied with what she would say.




"Hi Azura! Hey Rachel and Mason." She smiled vaguely at them and sat down in a seat nearby, not commenting on Rachel's face. So preoccupied was she that she wondered if it was just a new and interesting type of make up. "Good morning Haddie!" She waved at Haddie, who was sitting farther away. Then she went back to thinking about what she would say in her letter.

Madge noticed a Slytherin girl smile in her direction... was that to her? Someone else? It was getting really crowded so it was hard to tell. Her cheeks started to blush a bit and she gave a small smile, just in case it WAS directed at her. She didn't want to be rude.

Elsa's smile became wider and she leaned forward on her table to talk to the girl in a friendly tone "Hi! I'm Elsa, I don't think I've seen you before!" she winked, tapped her parchment with her wand, separating another one of her sketches from the rest and stretched her arm to give it to the girl "Here, have a rat!" she added with a giggle.

She didn't know what was up with her, but seeing as there was a girl with an odd taste in face make up, why couldn't she distribute rats?

Ah, so the girl WAS talking to her. "Hi, Elsa, I'm Madge." she said a bit quiet. "I try to keep a low profile, or at least tried. This castle can get a bit lonely." she said with a small smile, picking her voice up a little bit more.

When she was handed a piece of parchment she looked at it, it has a small sketch of a rat on it. Madge smiled "Thanks, I love rats." and she did, too. Rats were adorable in her opinion.

Slipping into the room, Marsha quietly moved to sit down in the empty seat next to Suri. She wasn't in that great a mood today, she missed Alis and Rhys and wanted cuddles that only they could give her. She wanted to smile, honestly she did but today... it just wasn't happening and she personally didn't really know why.

... After all, this wasn't the first time that she had felt homesick.

BUT that didn't matter, because she was just going to sit here quietly and make her potion as required.

Suri got a single, small forced smile before she rested her chin in her palm and waited for class to start.

Art walked through the Classroom door, a large tray full of all of the ingredients they would be using today. "G-good morning everyone!" he greeted the class, setting the tray down on his desk. He gathered his own white coat from under his desk and put it on. "Have they all been behaving Madame Curie?" he asked his baby. She gave a few sniffs of her nose as she looked up at him, before returning her interest to the students. Interpreting that as a yes, he started to remove the ingredients from the tray and organise them on his desk.

"N-" he started to say, but his gaze paused at Miss. Watson. There was some uh... stuff on her face. He hoped her friends had said something? If not, he would try and say something discreetly to her later. He knew how the young women were about their faces, and having attention on them. "Now, I hope you uhh, I hope you all had a good holiday?" he asked, looking around.

"Today I'd like you all to break into pairs. Whoever you want to work with is fine with me." He gave them a few minutes to break into their pairs and re-shuffle between their desks if need be.

OOC: Taking it nice and slow this lesson. Feel free to have them tell Professor Newton all about their holidays if you want, and just break into pairs. I will post again in about 24 hours.

It was a good holiday, but she didn't want to talk about it. She was still fuming about her mom insisting that she continue with the Dueling Club. But other that it had been fun, with cousins visiting and other relatives that Kitty liked but hardly ever got to see.

"I can be someone's partner." Kitty raised her hand and looked to see if anyone wanted to partner with her. Anyone?

Yoongi had taken a spoonful of confidence potion, he had gotten from the Professor at the beginning of the year, half an hour before the class started and he was now waiting in his seat for the man to enter the room.

When he did, the Head Boy sat up straight and looked curiously at the tray he put down on his desk. Work in pairs? Well his partner should be lucky now because he was confident he wasn't going to blow up a cauldron this time. "Anyone want to be partners with me?" he asked, lookimg around.

A good holiday? YES. It had been a great holiday. Jaemin nodded, expression very serious. "Dad let me touch a snarfalump." It was number 6 on his list of plants he wanted a chance to interact with, so it had been a major accomplishment. Merry Christmas to him, you know? On top of all the other awesome things he'd gotten as presents, many of which had been school oriented.

PARTNERS?! Ohhhh he really wanted to get a good one. The small boy looked behind him and around the classroom, trying to decide as others moved to pair themselves off. He didn't want to get someone that was known for being bad at this class... potions that exploded had bad side effects! He wasn't trying to be mean, he was just trying to ensure his survival and continued health and happiness. His eyes flicked around the class again, and they landed on one person that seemed rather safe.

Jaemin scooped up all of his things and waddled himself over to Elliot's table. Giving the boy a bright grin, he set his stuff down and plopped into the next seat over. "Partners?"

It was amazing how much the word 'partners' could sound like 'you won't explode your potion in my face, right?' in this context.