It was christmas. A supposedly festive holiday. But the moment Bec entered the Great Hall there was a dark cloud looming over her head. Figuratively speaking of course. Her Charm work wasn't that great she could make that happen.

Without greeting anyone at the tables, the first year Gryffindor sat down at a random seat and glared at the table and food in front of her. This christmas was going to be the worst ever.... unless...

She scanned the food on the table but exaggerated a sigh when she didn't found what she was looking for.

Back to sulking.

All the kiddos had apparently decided to show up now which made Kay so very happy! "Of course, Ms Duchaness! Hop right on the Decoration Express!'' This was her lame attempt at a joke but oh well. She was in too of a festive mood to care. She continued to extract the paper chain she was so determined to wrap around the tree but ended up getting a lot of it draped over and around her shoulders instead. Woops-a- daisy. "Ms Greingoth? Perhaps you can help me with this paper chain first?'' Awkward Muggle Studies professor here. "Why thank you!'' Kay beamed at her student. "I try to be.'' She appreciated that compliment so much!

Wasn't Vivian such a darling? "How can I refuse one with that smile, Ms Fairfield? Thank you.'' The woman bit into the pretzel. "So tasty, isn't it?'' Still chewing, she watched Hady, glad that the Slytherin was partaking in the event. It would help her get her mind off a certain Gryffindor. "Happy Holidays to you too, Ms Valentine! There's plenty to help with. You can either help us with this tree or you can start decorating your own. Why don't you ask Ms Meadows to help as well?'' Kay nodded over to Rebecca who seemed sulky.

Paul was content to people-watch today. Of course, his spirits were a little dampened right now, but the Christmas festivities usually made him feel almost as good as new. He felt slightly better now, but he still needed...a few minutes to just watch people as to his heart's content.

Until he saw the young first year lion sulking at a table. He grabbed a strawberry milk and two Santa cookies and moved towards her. He smiled as he took a seat next to her and offered her a cookie. "Hello, Rebecca. You look a little down so..." hence the cookie.

He did his best to just...seem genuine. No one should feel crummy for the holidays!

From the other side of the table, she heard her name being said in a conversation and naturally, the Gryffindor looked in the direction of a Ravenclaw student and the Muggle Studies Professor talking to each other. Not knowing why her name had been mentioned, her curiosity got the better of her but before she could move closer to listen she felt that someone said next to her on the bench.

Forgetting about her mission for the moment, Bec turned her head to see the Herbology Professor holding out a cookie. The Gryffindor looked at it before she sighed loudly but did take it. “Thanks…” and she sighed again, a bit louder this time. As if to say ‘this is your cue to ask what’s wrong’ which it totally was.

“How are you Professor Myers?” she asked as she took a bite from her cookie.

"Thank you Professor Stewart," replied Kitty with a smile to the Muggle Studies professor."I'll think I'll set up decorations, that tree looks a bit big for me. And sure thing, I'll ask her right away."

Kitty approached Miss Meadows. She could tell she was upset about something. "Professor Kay said I should ask you if you wanted to help decorate the hall. We're going to be decorating the trees with ornaments from the boxes." She held out her pale hand to the younger girl. "I'm Kitty, by the way."

Turning around she smiled "ohh thanks Professor McLeod, I wouldnt miss it" she was glad to see that there were so many people around now to help and decorate. Treats!! no more needed to be said, Echo made her way to where the treats were being kept, get those in now for a sugar boost then decorate. Sounded like a good plan to her! Picking up a candy cane she unwrapped it and started to munch on it.



AHAHAHAH Professor Stewart is always so funny "right away captain" she said while giving her Professor a salute. Bringing her candy cane with her she reached a box with a tinsel in it. "ohhh so pretty, anyone want to help me with all this tinsel?" she wanted it to be everywhere, it sparkled so nicely!.

There was no way Kaycee could resist helping with anything Christmas related. And so, when she saw all the decorations, she couldn't help but wander over. She picked up one of the pretzels and started eating it as she explored the decor options.

Where was the mistletoe? That was always fun to put up?

This place was hopping now! Ariadne tried to keep up with everybody, but it was hopeless. She tried to at least pass a smile in the general direction of everybody she knew. There was a Gryffindor girl she thought was named Niomi, Brian, Ace, Professor Myers, Professor Ichihara, Kitty, a Gryffindor first year she didn't know, the Gryffindor prefect that Ariadne had never actually been introduced to, and then the people she'd already greeted. "Hii, everyone! Merry Christmas!" she said. Christmas always put Ariadne in the BEST of moods. As soon as she finished helping with the tree, she was going to owl her mom and let her know she was all ready to come home for the holidays.

EXCITING!



Hearing her name, she turned toward the groundskeeper and her new Head of House. "Hmm," she said, thinking that one over. "Makes sense." They should really develop a potion for that or something. Maybe she could mention it to her mom over the Christmas break. "You're doing a good job of it, too." HE WAS. She just bet it was SUPER HARD to lug in all these Christmas trees. "Thanks for doing it!" She nodded when he suggested using the charm to levitate the ornaments. Yeah. She'd be doing that. No climbing for her.



Ohh, so her name was RANDA. Now Ariadne knew her as someone other than 'first year Hufflepuff girl.' Awesome. "Hey, Randa. I'm Ariadne," she said. She looked around. Something she could help with? "I think there's loads to do! I just...don't know what yet. Maybe one of the professors are going to tell us something specific soon." Or maybe they were supposed to just dive on in.

That was when Professor Stewart spoke up...



PAPER CHAINS!

There was the specific directions Ariadne had been hoping for! "Yeah, sure," she said, and she turned back to Randa, who could join them if she wanted. Ariadne headed toward the paper chains, glad to have something to do other than just standing around.

Well, this pretzel actually tasted really good. Vivian nommed on it more as she observed everyone else helping out with the decorations. It sure did look like a ranibow-coloured mess in here with all the staffers and array of students from the different houses. The other who just sat there... well, that was their choice. Vivi shrugged.

"These taste good, Sir," the Slytherin said to her Head of House, Mr. McLeod. She finished off the rest of the pretzel. Omnomnom. "Did the house elves make them? I'll have to commend their work." Never have they whipped up a horrible meal, really. Kudos to those hardworking ones! Cooking everyday for three meals wasn't exactly as great as eating them.

Vivian remembered that Hufflepuff boy (Brian) from that Potions Testing. She turned pinkish at the thought of it. Well, she wasn't exactly embarrassed because the last thing she remembered after the love potion wore off was the fact that she was in the Puffer's arms. However, he received a friendly smile and a wave. Also a mental "sorry you had to deal with me". Hehe.

She looked at the other Hufflepuff, who was just about her age too. She caught her name when she introduced herself to Ariadne. "Randa? You have a nice name. Is it short for something?" Had to ask. "My name's Vivian." Christmas season meant lots of new friends too, apparently. Yay for that!

Then Vivi directed her attention to the older snakette, Hady. Glad she got the name right, though! It would've been embarrassing too. "I think they're absolutely fun! A+ for all the lessons this year, so far." She nodded too, with a beam and two thumbs up. Watching Hady wrap a garland around the three, Vivi blinked. She still had a ribbon!scarf around her neck. Quickly taking it off her neck, she wrapped it around the tree too. There, in its rightful place!

The Slytherin got a little bit excited when she saw one of her favourite Professors. She waved TWO hands at Professor Myers. "Your Majesty! Merry Christmas!" Vivian then dramatically did a curtsy to him, just like what she did during that roses lesson where they shrank and stuff and he was wearing that Red Queen costume. Oh, and the Transfiguration professor too. "Merry Christmas, Professor Ichihara!"

And of course, the angelic Vivian smile worked too. It hasn't failed her at all, not even once. The Slytherin kept smiling as Professor Stewart accepted the pretzel. "You're welcome, Professor," she said. "It does taste amazing. I should pay a visit to the house elves in the Kitchen and maybe check if they still have some more." Treats as good as these wouldn't last long with lots of hungry students around. Besides, a new batch of fresh pretzels wouldn't hurt!

Fiyero approached the Great Hall, whistling "Jingle Bells" to himself. He was wearing a red sweater with a reindeer on the front that Grandma Jones had knitted him last year with a Santa hat to match. Whoa, look at all the people, he thought as he peered inside. He saw Professors Stewart, Yoon, Myers, and Ichihara, as well as Mr. McLeod gathered. His friends Bec and Vivian were there too, one of whom looked rather sullen sitting beside Professor Myers while the other was busy decorating with a group of other people. Wow, they were a stark contrast to each other!

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good...day!" he called to everyone within earshot. He couldn't very well end that sentence with the word "night" while the sun was still shining, could he? "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help." He was excited to do some decorating! His parents were never home long enough to decorate a Chrsitmas tree as a family, so they just had one of those cheap pre-decorated things every year. One of his grandmas was very particular about her decorations and wouldn't let him help, while the other just charmed everything.

While Fiyero waited to be assigned a task, he supposed this was a good time to check out the snacks. After all, who refused free food? He helped himself to some of everything: a slice of cake, some chocolate-covered pretzels, and a couple of cookies. He added a few marshmallows to his cocoa - because hot cocoa was always better with marshmallows - using a candy cane as a stirrer. He bit into a cookie; it wasn't quite as good as the ones Grandma Jones made but still pretty good. He'd have to remember to compliment the house elves (or whoever else made the cookies) later!

He stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold. He blinked a couple of times as his eyes fell to the many Christmas trees. Whoa, those were the biggest trees he'd ever seen! He wondered how they managed to get them in here... maybe they used a Shrinking Charm. These were going to look amazing once they were decorated! He was glad he remembered to bring his camera; this would make for a great photo-op!

Hady laughed softly at the double thumbs up. "Which was your favorite so far?," she asked curiously watching Vivian take the ribbon from around her neck to hang on the tree. With all the lessons they had attended so far surely one or two really stuck out in the younger snakes mind.

A smile was sent to the professors. Decorating the tree was a simple yet fun way to take her mind off of everything else the year had thrown at her. It was also during well with proving just how soon she would be going home to see her family. Lifting the mug of warm milk to her lips Hady took another sip. Her eyes working over the tree for any blank spaces that still needed ornaments hung upon them. Which wasn't hard to do given just how big this tree was. Once more using the levitating charm she worked some colorful ornaments up onto the branches.

Professor Ichihara got a smile from her when she joined them. "Hello Professor," she greeted. Did she want to join them with decorating?

Kay smiled at Kitty. "That's perfect! Perhaps you can also work on the lower branches? Or if you like, you can try levitating objects to higher one. I'll be happy to help you with whichever you choose.'' Seeing Paul join them, Kay gave him a great, big wave. "Happy holidays, Paul!'' The woman watched him and Kitty. Excellent! They should both be able to get Rebecca to join the festivities for at least a bit.

Echo's salute and use of 'Captain' made Kay laugh. It seemed her own joke had been caught. She liked these moments so much, laughing and interacting with her students. Kay peered into the box Echo had chose. "My, my! What a lot of tinsels! Who wants to help Ms Duchaness with these?''

Thank Merlin Ariadne agreed to help her. "Feel free to help Ms Greingoth,'' she told Miranda. "This chain seems like a never ending one, to be honest. I'll need all the help I can get!'' Kay stretched as high as she possibly could to drape the chain on and over the branches. "Girls? You can use magic if you wish.''

"Be sure to thank them for us as well, Ms Fairfield. They've worked hard to put out this spread.'' Kay could wait to sink her teeth in some more of those pretzels. They were by far her favourite. "Of course, their cookies are simply the best, don't you think?''

"Hello, there, Ms Richards. Mr Jones. Feel free to join right in. All you need to do is start decorating the trees.'' Which was something quite fun to do. "You guys can use magic,'' she added with a wink. Just in case anyone thought that they weren't allowed to since she was hanging around.

Christmas time already? Where did the time go? Last time he checked it was halloween. I guess he wasn't too observant. As he was walking around the aroma of awe of christmas decorations were on display in the great hall and how could he not check them out? He walked through the main entrance and loved the trees and he was the snacks. His nose and stomach were lured toward the food. He got the santa cookies and some hot cocoa because it was a good mixture. He walked around admiring the stuff and wondered if he could help out...

Then he noticed a little blonde girl who was reading her book. He tilted his head and wondered why she was all alone. He debated and decided to go say hi. He approached her and sat down next to her and ate his cookie and drank his cocoa. He cleared his throat, "What is a cute girl like yourself reading a book in a place like this?" There now Braedon would be proud of him using a pick up line.

Niomi was deeply reading her school book in front of her, when she heard a voice close by. At first, she didn't look up right away. When she realized it was directed towards her, she looked up. After all, she was the only one sitting around here. Looking up at where the voice came from, she laid her eyes on a cute boy. He must be around her age.

She blushed and smiled by the way he greeted her. No one has ever called her cute before. "I'm... studying on Care of Magical Creature," So many thoughts and feelings ran throughout her mind. She didn't want to admit she was lonely and had no friends to visit with. The thing was, she has friends, but the left Hogwarts last year. Now, Niomi is back at Hogwarts, with no friends. Besides the point, another thought Niomi was having is she must learn how to flirt back.

Colt saw her blushing and he tilted his head and was kind of confused. Why was she blushing? He just asked a question. Wait a minute....Did his pick up line really work? He grinned with delight and he guessed his cousin taught him one thing. So she was studying Care of Magical Creatures huh? Why study for that? It was kind of easy right? "Isn't it is easy to take care of animals though..?" he asked. "I mean it is not rocket science like potions is or transfiguration is." He wondered if she was new. "Are you new to this whole Hogwarts scenario?" Maybe she didn't know how the whole curriculum was. It was kind of easy compared to his time in Durmstrang.

Niomi has been asked this a lot. Why study for CoMC? "Well, I study for it because I love learning about creatures. I plan to get a great score on my OWLs and NEWTs. I would love to work in the Control of Magical Creatures department in the Ministry someday." Even though CoMC was very easy, Niomi felt she needed to know everything about it to pursue her career goals. She did agree with him though. This wasn't rocket science, it is a VERY east subject.

Niomi laughed a little. New to Hogwarts? "No, I'm not new. I've been here for five years already." Was he new here? She has never seen him before. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Niomi," she said to him while she held her hand out for him to shake.

Colt eyed her hand and nodded and shook it. "Nice to meet ya Niomi." He thought it was an interesting name. He never met a girl with that name before. I guess it wasn't too common in America back where he was from. He smirked and she had inner nerd status. "Well what creature do you want to work with the most?" I mean she didn't need to study everyone that seemed pointless to the Slytherin. It was impressive she already had a goal but he was curious. "What happens if you want to change your plan of action? Do you have a back up plan?" That is what Colt always thought. He did like DADA but he never thought he could get a career in it.