Finding a good and quiet place was proven to be quite difficult. So far, Mason had to leave his dormitory because he didnt want to sit inside the whole day. The common room had been too loud with the kids running around and soing their homework. He had then left the tower and went to search for a good place to read his book.

It didn't take long before he found the perfect little garden. The fifteen year old knew that it was a memorial garden but it wouldn't hurt anyone if he sat here reading a book right? Sitting down on a bench, Mason placed his bag beside him and opened it up to pull out his copy of "Guide to advanced Occlumency" by Maxwell Barnett and began to read. Not that he was particulary interested in becoming an occlumence but the subject was fascinating.

It was a simply DIVINE day, was it not?

Floating into the Tower Patch, Marion spotted a darling little dear reading in her special little corner of the castle. "Why hellooooooooooooooooooo my dear," she boomed in greeting as she swiftly floated beside the young man. "Oh ho ho hoooooooo Occlumency! THAT is quite the advanced for of magic, son. And ADVANCED Occlumency and THAT! You must be a teeeeeeeeerribly clever young man."

Oooooooooooh if only she could pinch his DARLING cheeks!

The book was a difficult read. Interesting, but difficult as it was the advanced occlumency book and he had not been able to find the beginners guide. He wasn't even sure there was a beginners book.

That didn't stop him from reading though as he usually finished a book he started unless it was so bad he simply couldn't get through with it. When hearing a voice, Mason placed his finger where he was on the page and looked up to see the Astronomy Professor floating beside him. "Hello Professor, how are you today?" he greeted. If it had been another student he would have went right back to reading but since she was not and he did not want to be rude, so he continued to listen to what she was saying.

...........Clever young man? "Ehm...." he looked away now 'cause compliments made him embarrassed and instead looked at the book he was holding. "I'm really not though...i mean" he held up the book. "I'm already 24 pages in and i don't get half of it..." must be because it was advanced.

"You don't mind me being here right, professor?" he suddenly asked. "The ravenclaw tower was awefully noisy and this was the first place that popped in my head cause i know its usually deadly quiet here"

For a Ravenclaw, words were not his strongest point....

Oh what a polite young man. Oooooooooh he was reminding her oh-so-MUCH of her now dearly departed husband. Ooooooooooh how Marion missed him TERRIBLY.

"Oh I am doing quite well, dear," she cooed at the Ravenclaw. "Quiiiiiiiite intrigued by you and your reading." Of which he seemed a bit perplexed by. But NO matter! She had a good sense about this young man and his cleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarly ambitious mind. "Oh well perhaps you should go speak with that studmuffin of a Defense Against the Dark Art professor on the subject," she girlisly giggled. "I am sure that he could assist you with your understanding of the material."

His blunt as a rock to the head wording went entirely through Marion, thankfully. "Oh but not at AAAAAAAAAAAALL my dear," she clucked. "Oh I DID design this place to be a quiet little pocket of Eden up in the clouds without the necessity of tromping aaaaaaaaaaaaaaall the way doooooooown all those stairs to the greenhouses. Although NOW given my status I can simply float right through the floors without needing to worry about tiring out my limbs."

Oh? Had he actually been seeking silence? Well...there would certainly be NOOOOOOOOOONE of that as long as she was around. Ho ho ho!

Well, he was glad that she was doing well. He took out his wand and pointed it inside of his bag, muttering “Accio bookmark” and he caught the thing in midair as it flew out. There was a reason he used magic for even the simplest things. By doing this, he was not only practising for his OWL’s but also becoming better at Charms. It was a win-win. Of course some would think he was just lazy and didn’t want to do things the muggle way. But why should he? He was a wizard.

There were some exceptions when he HAD to use his hands instead of magic, like attending to the flowers in the garden as that Hufflepuff Paige had explained that it was better for the plants. Marking his book, the Ravenclaw closed it shut and placed it next to him on the bench.

“You’re intrigued by someone reading?” he nearly laughed. “Are readers at Hogwarts that scarce?” Or did she mean that this place was not usually used as a reading spot? Well, it was today. When the Professor said ‘studmuffin’ Mason could not help himself this time and laughed out loud. “Did you just call Professor Hirsch a studmuffin?” he asked though he knew the answer already because he had just heard it. “That’s amazing, i can’t see why…” seriously, why? “but that’s amazing” he laughed.

When he was finished laughing, the fifth year shook his head and got all serious again. “No, i need to focus on my OWLS studies this year, something the Professor helped me already by giving me a list of defensive spells i can practise” he said. “Maybe i’ll ask when i’m not so busy, i’m only reading it right now because…well…i like reading, especially about things that aren’t taught at school” except for dark magic, he was interested in nearly everything. Okay maybe ancient runes and arithmancy were on the no list as well…

Looking around the little garden, Mason could understand why she had designed this place here for the students that had their common rooms up on the towers. “It’s nice, Thanks for making this garden” he finally said with a small smile. "I'm curious, How long have you been a Professor before you" he tried to look gloomy but could not hide the curiousity on his face "became a ghost?" Before you died would have sounded too rude...

Accio. WELL...that was certainly a bit of a SORE spot for the ghost. For reasons. Although she would NOT be delving into THOSE thoughts.

"Oh no no noooo of course not puuuuuuuurely because you are reading, my dear," she giggled, her ghostly jewelry clanking together as she did so. "But it IS rare to find students reading up on such things. I doooooo believe the last student I spotted reading theory of this sort was a young man named Daxton Prince. Oh he is also in your house, my dear." In case the transfer was not aware, naturally. "OOOOOOOOOOOOONLY because it is true. Oh were I alive, younger, and had not already found my soulmate in my now dearly departed husband..WELL...he would be in a bit of trouble. Strong and brilliant mind to go with that well toned physique. Mmmmhmmmmm..."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH yes. OWLS. Marion simply nodded her head encouragingly at the young man. Yes. Quite important a term indeed.

Ah. She could hardly make a fuss about such questions, although she was still not as accustomed to them as her house ghost counterparts, and pursed her lips while thinking back on that term. "I hadn't been at my Astronomy professor post for even a YEAR when it happened," she recalled.

Viktor was bored and really that was the only reason he was up here. He did not even feel like going to visit any of the fine female staff members. They could use a little break from him. So here he was walking around the tower patch staring at the snake topiary. It was alright.

You could do some fun things on it.

Viktor tilted his head and gave it another look.

Laurel was wandering around aimlessly in the astro tower not admitting to herself that she was bored. She longed for some social interaction. Her office was nice and warm but it felt odd to talk to herself if she didn't have to.

Clad in her dark green poncho draped over her blue longsleeved dress for the day, the blond professor steered her heeled feet into the tower patch. A place she had come to like for its serenity.

Spotting a familiar figure by the snake topiary Laurel smiled to herself and headed towards him. Stopping behind Viktor she asked softly. "Are you planning on trimming the topiary into another shape?"

Well at least the snake one was pretty nice. Compared the the other three. Then he heard a familiar voice and company was always welcome unless it was Gaston, Jordan or mostly any other male Professor. Mostly.

"Since we are suppose to be role models and adults i cant just blow them up. Would be fun but totally juvenile. But changing the Lion one into something different. Well..."

That they could get away with.

Doubt Sahnoun would care about that. Can always blame it on a student.

Of course she had to run into Viktor. It was probably predestined given how she and Kay had been talking and reading tarot cards for each other about their possible valentines the other day. Laurel glanced over at the snake topiary and commented quietly "At least the snake looks pretty and close to real." If it was dark and you used your vivid imagination.

Giggling she stated. "We definitely can't blow them up. It'd be childish and we'd get complaints from Marion." The ghost probably had ears in the patch anyway since it was here that she had died.

"So what shall we change the lion one into? A bear? A dragon?" Pulling out her wand from its holster, Laurel was determined to help Viktor with the topiary work.

"Have you got any plans for Valentines day?"

"We could always blame it on a student. This place does need some redecorating"

If he was feeling that petty and bored. But he did think this place could use a makeover. Meh he did not care about Marion's feelings. She was a ghost and would get over it. Now the Headmaster was a different matter.

"I was thinking a blobfish. Or maybe a house cat. Still haven't decided"

Valentines Day. Oh right that was coming up. Which meant that he had no plans.

"Nothing at the moment. You?"

Did someone ask her because that would be amusing to hear. Just cause.

Going around the lion topiary to study it from another angle Laurel remarked "Nah, we should take credit for our work especially if Sahnoun ends up liking the end product." Something as petty as blaming it on a student she'd only do as a last resort if their work got hated on.

Viktor had a point though. The place could use some redecorating but Laurel took Marions feelings into consideration even if he didn't. "I vote for housecat because blobfish just look silly." Their topiary shouldn't look silly. It had to be cool.

"I have no plans either," Laurel admitted. "Unless, can we do something together?" She'd much rather want to eat chocolate in Viktor's company than on her own.

Doubt he would, but she had a point. If they did not not mess around or get distracted. A blobfish would be distracting and a housecat would be as bland as white-bread. But he was fine with one.

"House Cat it is"

Plus messing with anything gryffindor was okay with him. Who says you have to be mature as an adult. And well Marion would appreciate a house cat more. Not that he cared like Laurel knew.

"Do you want to do something fun on V-Day then?"

Could be fun for both of them

One point to her for steering Viktor away from the blobfish idea. The topiary deserved better plus a blobfish would be too eye-catching and silly. It'd get noticed and be the talk of the halls. Laurel didn't want that.

"Good, a house cat will blend in better. Maybe Marion will see it as a new pet if we can make it very close to lifelike."

Gryffindor had always been the house known for pranks, jokes and silly fun and this would definitely fit in well with the students usual antics. It probably wasn't one bit mature but she knew that Viktor didn't care and thus Laurel tried to think away that they were adults and shouldn't.

"What kind of V-Day fun do you have in mind?" Laurel asked curiously. She was though silently pleased that Viktor hadn't turn her down. He could have said that he had other plans but he hadn't.

Pretty close to lifelike. Well there was his answer on his one question. So looks like they decided on what animal. Viktor swayed back and forth thinking on anything else he wanted to do up here.

"And how about Hufflepuffs into a Koala?...You want to do the honors or leave it to me?"

Why not. He was fine leaving Ravenclaw and of course Slytherin alone.

"Either drinks and food at a place of your picking or somewhere more private."

He hoped for more private. But whatever.

One animal selected. Laurel watched Viktor sway back and forth on the heels of his feet wondering what his mind was thinking up next. She soon heard.

"Aw koala's are cute. It'd be a good fit for the badger one." Shrugging Laurel said "Doesn't matter to me, but if you do the house cat then I can do the koala." Combined efforts would get the topiary work done quicker and they could leave and do something else like share tea.

Considering her options Laurel said "I prefer private. How about the RoR? Or do you want to visit Hogsmeade?" In the room of requirement they wouldn't be bothered by too nosy students.

"You have a deal"

Well he was out of ideas now so might as well start. Viktor raised his wand and began changing the Lion into a housecat. Small one too just because. Nothing ferocious. Just docile. Oh well they were just ideas. He did not really care where they went. Though alone with no students was always better.

No question.

"RoR sounds good. I will even let you choose the room. Since i doubt you will approve of what my imagination is capable of"

Unless she was. Then he would be more than happy too. Though they could just go down to Hogsmeade when no students were around. It was nothing though.

Viktor accepted her suggestion without much thought. Laurel had thought he'd want to do the koala but as usual he surprised her. He rarely did the expected something she liked about him. Raising her own wand she moved over to the badger and got started on the transformation.

Laurel had just finished an koala ear when she heard Viktor's voice over the topiary. Smiling to herself she asked. "What kinds of food do you like?" She'd naturally ask the house elves to prepare the meal. "I promise the room won't be doused in incense." It was possible that Viktor was sensitive to strong smells too just like her students.

Not having a room smelling like incensed would be a major plus. That stuff smelled horrible in concentration. He was just putting the finishing touches on his cat when he heard the food question.

"Steak sounds delicious. Unless you are in the mood for something lazy like pizza"

See at least she was honest about it and actually said it wouldn't. He still had to worry about everything else in the room but not that. He could deal.

"And i wont bring any cursed times for fun either"

They were fun. Some people just could not appreciate that.

Why did everyone seem to hate on her love for perfumes and incense? Laurel guessed that Viktor wasn't a fan either if she interpreted his half hidden facial expression from behind the cat topiary correctly.

Shaking her head she vowed took keep using her perfumes and scents even if it labelled her amongst the student body as not nice and weird. Carefully working on shaping her koala Laurel turned her head as she heard Viktors voice. Smiling she responded "Steak it is then. What do you want with it? Potatoes and jelly or gravy?" Pizza she just wasn't in the mood for. It was what she normally ate with her girlfriends on movie night.

"Do you bring cursed items to all your dates with women you like?" Laurel asked curiously. If Viktor did then, she knew what to expect.

Genny climbed up the tower to her favorite part of Astronomy; the lovely lounge among the plants and tomb. She wasn't in the best of moods, which was rare for someone excitable and cheery as Genny Tate. It wasn't about the end-of-term exams or the fact that she was not doing so hot in Transfiguration or Potions, it was because she was convinced she was the least interesting girl in her year.

... if not in Gryffindor.

... if not in Hogwarts!

She leaned her chin on her crossed arms and over the ledge. Meh. At least she left Sam a note telling him she was up here so she wouldn't be meh alone. Sam was good at Meh. He used Meh in a funny way with his comments and eye rolling.

Judging by the way Genny's note was unusually short and lackluster, deprived of any doodles or exclamation marks (this was a first), Sam's friend must have been experiencing a case of the blues. About what? Who knew, not Sam. But he was ready to find out.

It wasn't often that he had to go up from the Gryffindor tower, but the Astronomy tower beat out his house common room when it came down to which was higher from the ground. And for good reason, of course.

The lump that was on formerly on his head, courtesy of Genny Tate, had now diminished, and was replaced only by a small bruise on the side of his forehead. An improvement, at least. He made his way to the highest point of the north tower. Sam did quite like it up here at this rooftop garden. It was probably even one of his favorite places in/on the castle. It was peaceful and refreshing, particularly during the school week when students were more sparse.

He found Genny leaning against the ledge, seemingly lost in thought. Her thoughtfulness made Sam more curious about what might have brought about said thoughtfulness. "You know if you stand still enough, the ghost of Professor Burbage turns you into stone. A statue to complement her garden.." He placed his hands in his pockets as he stopped beside her.

It wasn't half bad standing here doing nothing but staring out to the distance. This marked probably the second or third time in Genny's life where she was quietly thoughtful. The air was not stinging cold like in past months which was nice because she loved summer more.

Sam was finally here! She turned a little to face him. "That's not funny, and she'll hear you and come screeching." Did she screech? No. That was Myrtle. Anyway. She went back to ledge-leaning. "How do you make those things up," adding quietly. It was usually fun but she was not in the mood to laugh. She was the least interesting girl in school!!!!!!!!! Ugh. Ugh. She didn’t believe she was going to ask Sam what she was going to ask him. Her chin was in her hands as she leaned, they squished her face and everything. She didn’t look half as attractive as she wanted to. “How’s your studying going?” Good, seamless introduction.

Sam's only response to that was a slight upturn of the side of his mouth. Come screeching, uh huh. This wasn't Moaning Myrtle, Genny.

"House elves drop story seeds in my ears while I sleep and they expand by the time I'm awake," he fibbed with a straight face. He slipped his hands out of his pockets and leaned against the ledge as well.

How was studying going? Such an interesting question from Genny. He bobbed his head to the side, "Not bad. But I'm more interested in why you're up here on the rooftop looking all melancholy." After all, Genny really wasn't the greatest at small talk, and small talk bored Sam as it was.