Peeling a plant leaf from his face, Rooney sighed and tossed it to the floor. This was not what he wanted to happen today. He wasn't even sure of what plant it was and had no idea if he was allergic to it or anything. What if it was poisonous? He wasn't aware of anything like that. Actually, thinking about it, he was probably going to take a sample to Davie and get him to get his Mama in on looking at it. What if it was an undiscovered goldmine?! Honestly, they had no idea at all. But for now it had been discarded to the floor in favour of chancing the accio charm once more.

.... Well, he was going to. But this girl had other ideas?

???????????

?????????

"What are you doi-- You did?! Give it to me!!" He'd check on her mental state and her temperature in a moment, but for now he wanted his satchel right now. He had to make sure that all of his belongings were still okay. That they would survive. Too many of his things had been ruined since coming back to Hogwarts.

"OLLY!!!!!!" Ellery flipped over onto her stomach and beamed at her brother. She missed him - even though she saw him at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and classes in between, it still was a constant ache; knowing that he had friends that weren't her, that they went to sleep at different ends of the castle, and that the morning wouldn't bring a conversation about the dreams they had had the night before.

"Ol? When we leave Hogwarts, can we still live together?" Please please please.

ANYway. Enough moping. She sat up straight and grinned cheekily. "Sooo…what's new?"

"Yes," he said immediately, before even fully processing what she had said. But as soon as he did, his answer remained a firm yes. Ellery had great ideas. Even though this one seemed like a given. "Of course, Ellery." Smile.

Even though Ellery had decided to sit up, Olly was going to continue to lay on the ground. It was more comfortable. Plus he could look up at the clouds and see the shapes in them. Like that lollipop he saw floating right above him. But that wasn't important. He would ignore that for now.

"Nothing...girls are scary." Did she know that? She was a girl. Could Ellery be scary? In a girl way not in a sister way. "Whats new in Gryffindor? Hey, do you know why Noelle didn't come back?" Maybe Ellery would know since they shared a dorm. Maybe. He didn't actually know how the Gryffindor dorms were set up but that wasn't the important thing.

One of the best things about being at Hogwarts had to be being able to do magic. He's been taught theories but nothing practical because of the stupid age tracking thing the Ministry had. It was a bunch of bull if you asked him. If he could read and study about magic he should be allowed to DO magic. The law was basically stunting his growth.

So on this mighty fine day (even though it was a bit chilly and windy) Cornelius found himself out by the lake, a Charms text book on his lip as he twirled his wand between his left fingers.

So. Many. Charms. Much. Magic.

He slid his finger under a specific charm, tongue between his teeth in concentration. "I got it!" he exclaimed to himself. Cornelius placed small pebble over the book and began. "Wingardium Leviosa!" A swish and a flick from his wand and...

O___________________O

The pebble had zoomed off his book. Where'd it go?

Slipping and sliding in the mucky water wasn’t that hard really…but honestly that much was gross. It probably would be great for some beauty potions….heck, she’d lie and tell people it was full of exfoliated mermaid scales and poop to make it seem like some rare magical ability for beauty was tied to it…really, wouldn’t screechy bad singing outside of the water be what they were able to do?

Back at the shore she heard the give it to meeeeeing and just huffed at him. Ungrateful toad. Hah. Maybe there was one of those in his satchel. “Here she snorted and lifted up the satchel now dripping wet and seemingly covered in plant bits to the boy in question.

“….why did you throw your satchel?” she asked unaware that it had been a spell mistake…really, she’d never judge.

Colt decided to make his way down to the lake. He wanted to get out and get some fresh air. He was now getting used to the lessons aspect. He made his mother a promise he would be more proactive in trying to get his education. Man was that a tough promise to keep. He didn't even know if he could finish the homework. When he came down with his backpack he saw the lake was empty. Hmm typical since it was kind of chilly for this fall day.

He found a perfect spot by the tree and he saw a little dude was experimenting with magic. He must be a first year. He chuckled to himself and he remembered himself that young. He saw him practicing the levitating charm which was the basic charm. He saw him levitate the pebble but then it zoomed towards him. He had good reflexes and he managed to catch it.

"Nice aim dude.." he said impressed. "For a first year I'll give you credit." he said and walked over to him and gave him his pebble back. "You wanna learn more spells? You should join the dueling club." he advised him.

Cornelius was still looking for his pebble when he heard someone speak to him. Well, he assumed. The place was close to deserted due to the weather, or so he pinned it on that. Standing up and reaching for the pebble, Cornelius pocketed it for an odd reason. It wasn't his. It was the lakes. But now it was his pockets.

"Thanks." For a first year? What did that mean? He probably did better than some second years around this place. One thing though, Cornelius liked the compliment so he smiled. "I sent my parents the permission slip for it. I'm sure I'll be allowed." He had a super cool, former Auror as a mother, of course he would be. "How do you know? Are you part of it already?" 'Cause the guy looked older than a first year.

Ellery's mouth widened into a grin. "OKAY AWESOME," she said in practically a shout, hugging Olly twice quickly. "COOL. Glad we figured that out." What a RELIEF. Whew.

She AGREEd. "Girls are the LITERAL SCARIEST. Boys are okay unless they have girlfriends because then they don't have time for me." Like Dante. "But girls…are so COMPLICATED. I don't GET THEM."

"We're going on a retreat thing. Dad and Papa signed my form. What's new in Slytherin?"

And that? "No idea. We didn't really talk. Ever."

Colt grinned and was glad he made his little dude day with his comment. Yeah take it because he didn't give out compliments that often. Aaah so he got his permission slip signed. Same dude same. "Yeah I got mine signed too, I know my mom will say yes. I mean I had it way worse at Durmstrang.." His dueling clubs were more physical and you got way worse spells aimed at you. Well nah not really he wasn't gonna scare the poor kid. "Yeah I was apart of it. Last term was my first year. I did alright. I mean Dakest the old DADA professor partnered me up with kids younger than me. I don't think I should be too proud mate.." Look at him venting to this kid he just met.

"Oh my name is Colt. I'm Colt Winchester." he held out his hand for a handshake.

THROW his satchel? Rooney narrowed his eyes, opened up the bag and sighed. He could salvage this properly thanks to the protective charms he had practiced on his belongings. Nothing seemed completely ruined, a little soggy, but that was it. "I didn't throw it. It fell." Turfing out a couple of books, Roo inspected the one thing he had completely immersed himself in protecting. His notebook. Which was safe - thank heavens. "Thank you." He managed a smile, and flicked through the pages of his notebook, making sure that every page was intact.

He hadn't done that after the food fight and had ended up with a ruined page that he had spent hours cleaning.

And it still wasn't right.

Not even magic could shift mash potato and gravy.

He was glad that Ellery agreed with him, even though she too was a girl. Not one of the scary ones, apparently. But it meant she had insight on other girls, and still agreed they were scary. Which meant they were really scary. So he would just avoid them all on principle. Except the ones he already knew weren't too scary. Like, um, Ava. And especially Noelle, even though he didn't know where she was. He'd send an owl but she'd never replied. That reminded him to try and send another one.

Speaking of Noelle, Ellery didn't know what had happened to her? She had never even spoken to her? Ever? He turned his face away from the clouds so he could look right at his sister. "Oh. Well, you should. She's cool. We can all be friends." He knew that Ellery was sorta jealous of his friends. But if his friends were also her friends that would be fun, right? Right.

Wait, what was that she had said? A retreat? "Where are you going? Is it just for Gryffindors?" He assumed so, considering he had not been invited and not seen anything about a retreat. Though he wasn't the best at paying attention. "Slytherin is boring as usual without you." He paused. "We had a party after the feast and there was a bunch of food, and a pit of snakes. Fake ones. And I sort of got in trouble but I didn't lose points or get detention or anything so it's okay."

Spotting the mirror Justin was holding and looking at Leo didn't think much of it. His friend was just particular about how he looked. Nothing wrong with that. Leo did that too but he didn't carry a mirror around in his coat pocket.

Settling down on the grass with his back against the beech tree next to Justin he smiled "I needed to get out of the library, get some air and clear my head. It's been a busy few days. What brings you here?" Looking out over the lake water he said "I can't believe that my son is almost a month old already."

…….this guy was giving her a weird look and rummaging through the satchel like it held something as valuable as the crown jewels. Mel just raised an eyebrow hen he said it had fallen into the lake. “Why was it so far out then?” She asked stepping out of the lake and glancing around before casting a quick hot air charm on her legs drying them off before throwing her socks and shoes back on.

“Your welcome” she nodded over to him when he thanked her. Really, that notebook seemed very important to him…”I’m sorry my housemates ruined your notebook at the feast” Mel blurted out as she clearly remembered hearing the discussion. “I was busy hiding under the Gryffindor table during that whole ordeal” she explained with a laugh.

“…how did you charm that so it didn’t get so wet?” She asked intrigued the interest and drive for knowledge that was the entire essence of what made her a Johanson flared up as she watched him with his notebook.

Ellery snuggled into Olly by laying back down. "Well, where is she now? I'll try. For you." Slowly turned, she nuzzled into his chest. "I trust your taste in people." Despite all the friends he had that she didn't trust. It was all okay.

"I made a friend." MOMENTOUS OCCASION. "Her name is Katherine Mary Moss and she is VERY nice." Beaming cued.

"I think so. Some sort of BONDING experience or something." Blech. Forced bonding? No thanks. "How can Slytherin be boring when you are in it, huh? Huh, Mr. Olly the Bestolly?"

Wait.

"TROUBLE?????" She HUGGED him. "I'm so PROUD OF YOU!!! Details!!!!!"

"Oh yeah? Me too. It's such a beauty, sitting out here watching the Lake." The mention of his son, made Justin smile. "Jackson, isn't it?" Just to be sure on the name, "How's it feel being a new father?" He could just remember the feeling on being Cloud nine over his own kid's birth.

Well, since they were all comfy and on the subject, "Have any pictures of him?" Why not, it was fun to brag about kiddies.

"I don't know," Olly said with a small frown. That was the whole problem. "She didn't come back to Hogwarts and nobody knows why. I've sent her a few owls but she hasn't responded." He had been hoping that people in Gryffindor might know more than him, but Ellery was obviously not the one to ask. But she might be able to do more investigating than he could.

A FRIEND? Olly beamed. He knew how Ellery had been feeling about friends lately, and he was happy that she sounded happy about this new one. It called for a celebration. But he didn't have anything to celebrate with. So actually it just called for more happy grinning. "I don't know who that is but I'm sure she's the best." He hadn't heard that name, at least not that he could recall. "Is she a Gryffindor too?"

"Because you're not there." Duh. Okay, maybe Slytherin couldn't exactly be described as boring. He had Phillip and Suri and Dot and lots of other people. But everything was better if Ellery was there.

"Ellery. You're not supposed to be proud of getting in trouble." His words were supposed to sound scolding, but he couldn't not smile. "There was a house elf at the party and Healer Murdoch was being mean to him so I told her that house elves weren't slaves and she shouldn't treat him like one and she got mad at me."

"That sounds…fishy. Like, suspicious. Maybe her parents locked her up in a cupboard under some stairs or something." She hoped not, especially if Olly liked her so much. "I'll definitely ask around. Do you know where she lives? Maybe we can send Papa over." Just to check up on things, see under the staircase, normal stuff.

Ellery awarded Olly with a small, triangular shaped smile, then hid behind her hair. "It took long enough," she said, trying to act casually, but then she re-emerged from behind her hair. "Don't worry, you don't have competition. You're still number one in my books."

"You should sneak into Gryffindor some time. I'll help. OR I could see Slytherin." And yell at Dante some more.

Ellery smiled. "But I AM, bro. Good job." …Wait, though. "That is totally inane!!!! Why should you get in trouble for speaking your opinion, which is a MORAL and ETHICAL opinion anyway!!!!!!! WHY."

He considered what Ellery had said. "I don't think so. I saw her in Diagon Alley over the summer and she seemed happy enough. Something must have happened between then and the start of school." He couldn't remember exactly when he had been in Diagon Alley but Ellery would know, considering they had gone together. "I don't know her address. Maybe one of your dorm mates do?"

"YEAH!" His mind raced with ideas for sneaking into the Gryffindor common room, or sneaking Ellery into the Slytherin ones. "Dante told me it would be hard to get people from other houses in, but I could try."

He just shrugged. He didn't think he should have gotten in trouble either, of course he didn't. "I don't know. She's not very nice." He couldn't help but glance around, just in case she happened to be near. But she would probably melt in the sunlight anyway, so he was safe.

Durmstrang? Cornelius has heard things about that place. About how they were barbaric without manners, kind of like cavemen. Except cavemen had more class than they did. But then there was his cousin Pandora and she was like...classy and kind and fun. Huh. "Why was it worse at Durmstrang?" he asked curiously. The only thing that had stood out for him had be combat, but Cornelius was Hogwarts all the way.

This guy knew the old professor. He was so lucky! Cornelius has heard great things. THOUGH...he very much preferred his professor now. But he was being bias. "Why not? Did you lose?" Curiosity oozed out of the child. Dueling equals ALL of Cornelius' attention.

Colt? Ohhh. "Cool name! I be Cornelius. Orion. Baltazar." Bam bam bam! The first year shook Colt's hand and grinned. He loves his name, y'know?

Colt knew this question was going to come up. He thought of his answer and said, "Well let's just say the guys showed no mercy. Even when I was your age I felt like they cast the hardest spells on me. I tried to block them but it usually never worked. I guess their spells were stronger than mine." He remembered getting jinxed with the jelly legs curse. He couldn't even move till his teacher had to cast the finite charm to make it stop. That was kind of embarrassing and the older kids were laughing at him for not knowing it.


He heard the kids tone and he rolled his eyes. "No I did not lose I actually won mostly every time but that is because I had more knowledge than they did." So there kid. When he heard the kids name, man that was a mouthful. "I bet you had to practice that a lot to say it right." That was the only comment that came out of his mouth. He felt Cornelius' handshake and he was impressed but not too impressed. "Now when you shake you need a firm grip." he told him. "Let's try it again. You look me in the eye and you want people to know you mean business." He held out his hand again.

It was a nice evening, so Sam had decided to escape the castle and homework for a bit, and had headed out to the lake. When she was just a short ways from the water's edge, she bent down to slip her shoes and socks off from her feet, tucking the latter inside the former before tying the laces together and letting them hang over her shoulder.

She might not be able to swim, but she could still enjoy paddling along the water's edge.

Julia couldn’t help but preen a little bit. She was brave. And bravery wasn’t something that could get all tatty and worn, like shoes. So. Not really a victory, fartface.

Still, she couldn’t really say any of this. Not with the professor beaming at them and being all encouraging and…

…and they just got points for that?! Julia couldn’t help but blink a little bit. Well. Perhaps there was something to being nice to this David person, if only when professors were around. Since he called her brave and could be used for points-getting. Hmm.

”We’re ‘cool’.” She wasn’t entirely sure what he meant, but he was patting their heads and it was kind of obvious he wanted them to answer in the affirmative, so… ”The coolest cool.”

Genny was having a nice sandwich under the big tree closest to the lake, pretending to be reading from her school book but actually relishing in the deliciousness that was this sandwich. It was boring spending time alone outside classes, and Sharksy was hardly ever seen outside his dorm and Daxie liked his notebook's company more than ever so Genny usually found herself wandering alone looking for trouble fun opportunities.

... in the shape of Sam from the streets!

Jumping to her feet, the Gryffindor ran down to where the Ravenclaw was walking barefoot by the lake. "Hi Sam!" She greeted happily, the sandwich was hanging loosely by her hand, half the contents fell off during the short run.

Sam's attempt at giant squid watching as she wandered along the edge of the water was disrupted as someone called her name. Dora perhaps?

It WAS a Gryffindor, but not by any means the one she hoped for. A look across at the running figure revealed it to be boat!girl. What did she want?

"Hi Genny," she replied amicably, frowning at the now half empty sandwich in the girl's hand. Such a waste, dropping the contents all over the floor like that. "Yeh seen t'squid eat aneh kids yet?"

Or even just seen the squid, for that matter. Given Sam already knew the squid was a FRIENDLY one.

"The lake has its own magic." Leo commented softly to Justin as he kept looking out over the glimmering lake water. "I still remember that boat ride across it when I was eleven and came to Hogwarts for the first time. It something you never forget. Do you remember your boat ride as a first year Justin?" He did, which was probably one factor of many in why he had come back to work at Hogwarts.

Leo's voice got a proud father tone as he pulled out a handful of pictures as he handed them over to Justin look at. "Yes, his name is Jackson. He is just so precious and perfect. I like being a new father. It just scary sometimes though. I don't want to mess up, you know?"