YES! Daisy fisted pumped as soon as Matt agreed to smuggle her into the next party. She didn't see what would be the problem anyway. If the Slytherin Common Room - home of the ambitious, cunning students - didn't have any secrets worth stealing, surely the Gryffindor Common Room was fine. No offense, but Gryffindors weren't much of planners, were they? More like 'do first, think later' kind of people. So there wouldn't be anything at all for her to spy on which made it perfectly safe for her to attend the next party. SOUND LOGIC RIGHT HERE. She sent a pointed look in his direction at his next words, however, and shook her head. "Matthew, I play Quidditch for a living." WRONG. She played Quidditch, didn't get paid for it. But fine. "I can handle a bunch of Gryffindors."

Most of them were friends with her, anyway.

However serious she was attempting to be, though, it was impossible to remain so at Matt's expression and Daisy laughed out loud. That GAAASP had been so so so him that she almost wanted to squish him. ... which was a weird thought, so moving right along, thank you very much. "Yes, of course! We need to have the right soundtrack, after all." She replied, eyes widening dramatically as well. HEHE. He was fun. Things were always fun with him. "We don't really wear masks or wheeze when we breathe, though, but you can't have everything." They did have cloaks! But then again, so did every student in this castle. His question threw her off, though, and she looked at him curiously. What did he want to know? If she had a cat? If she plotted world domination? If she preferred white cats?

What a weird question that was!

Slowly, she nodded. "I do, yeah." She sounded stupidly unsure so she shook her head, trying to get her thoughts in place. "I mean, I have a cat and she's white but -- well, she's my Mum's? So she's not at school." Did that make sense??? Daisy shrugged at Matt, looking at him and making a face. Did that answer his question, whatever it actually was? Bluebell was white but since it was back home, Daisy didn't really sit around, deciding how to take over the world as she stroked the cat. Maybe she ought to try it next summer, though.

Nevermind that, though. Because he was LYING TO HER. He was sending her the most hilarious look and she actually laughed. "Really? So you introduce yourself with one name, then have the Professors call you another name and it just happens to be like that?" She asked him as she stopped on the snow and looked back at Matt, hand on her hip. NOPE, he was pulling her leg for SOME reason. He had clearly introduced himself as Meriwether, even the name had barely been audible. "Also, it's a pretty big coincidence that your last name happens to be Solo." With a cheeky grin in his direction, she chuckled once more and looked around, hand on her forehead as if she was looking for something. "Should I expect Chewbacca and the Millenium Falcon to be around?"

As they were discussing that, the implications of him calling her 'princess' would have probably made her blush again, had she realised it. Instead, it seemed to be something normal already, despite having only happened once before.

This was probably the weirdest snowball fight she had been a part of, truly. There wasn't much snowball throwing -- or any at all, right now -- and instead they seemed to be hanging from a tree. Until they were no more and Daisy fell knees deep into the snow when Matt let go of the tree. Right, so she hadn't been counting on that, which was silly since it was what she had been meaning to do. She watched him as he fell face first into the snow, decided it looked SUPER fun, and let her torso fall forwards. BOOOM. Frontal!Angelmaking. MAN, they were visionaries!

"So that was fun!" She laughed as she turned around and spat out the snow that had been in her mouth. It had been completely unnecessary for her to fall into the snow but did she find it so? OF COURSE NOT, it made perfect sense. She laid there on the snow for a few seconds, letting the snowflakes fall on her face. THEY WERE SO COOL. Literally! "Sure! Why wouldn't I want to go on a date with you?" She replied with a chuckle, looking sideways at Matt who appeared to be sitting down ... with a facefull of snow. Not paying much attention to the question he had asked, she sat up and ran her gloved hands over his face, getting rid of the snow stuck to his skin. Look at all the snow falling! ...

.....

Hang on.

Suddenly she stopped and looked at him, head tilting. "You mean a date date." It wasn't a question exactly. It was more of a vocal realisation. She had assumed he had wanted to schedule some time for them to spend together -- well, he did, clearly. But it seemed more important than some throwaway thing. "With alone time, and small talk, chocolates, and you kissing me." That was sort of what always happened during dates in the Muggle films.

Right? THAT was what he meant?

"You do? What's your team?" Matt wasn't sure he had a FAVOURITE Quidditch team, but he was genuinely curious to know if Daisy had one. Especially if she, you know, 'played Quidditch for a living'. Lol! 'I can handle a bunch of Gryffindors.' Now, Matt LAUGHED out loud at that. "Good to know." Man, the funny comments some people made about the lions. LOL.

He laughed again at her saying the Slytherins needed the right soundtrack. "That's the RIGHT soundtrack to have, alright. Right on point." He added holding up his hand in an OK sign. Also, that had been the RIGHT thing to say. Smart Daisy was very smart and that made Matt smile broadly. Okay, NOW he choked on the cold air. See, Matt had a very creative imagination and he could clearly see the Slytherins wearing masks and wheeeezing their way through world domination, and that made him LAAAUGH like no tomorrow.

The boy hardly heard her response about having a white cat because he was still laughing at her previous comment. Anyway. "Ah, I see. Did you bring any pets with you to school, though?" Curious Matt was curious.

"Weeeeeeeeeeeell," Matt started regarding his 'last name'. "Some professors actually call me Mr Solo, y'know. Just sayin'!" He said, shrugging casually. He grinned at her. "It's a pretty good name, isn't it?" Mwaha! And OH! HAHA! "Funny you say that, Chewie is also here at school, did you know that? I have to introduce you to him at one point." How hilarious was that SHE was the one who brought it up! "I leave the Millennium Falcon at home, though. Don't want any kids messing about with it." GRIN!

Had she just... faceplanted the snow as well? LOL, this girl never ceased to amuse him. Was she REALLY a Slytherin??? Who would've known snakes could be this fun! AND she thought that had been fun too. Scoooore!

Her reply to his very blunt question almost threw him off. For some reason he was expecting to have to convince her a bit more, but heyo, happy days! "Good question." He laughed. Why WOULDN'T she want to go on a date with him? Lol, she was quite funny herself! "A date date, yeah."

And now it was time for her to be blunt, apparently. Once again, Matt wasn't really expecting that at all, but he sat there and considered her words for a moment. "Sure! Except I don't do small talk." Truth be told, he mainly talked about random things and STAR WARS. That was NOTTTT small talk, alright. Andddd he tried to ignore the 'him kissing her' part for now because that made his head spin a bit. "Hogsmeade then?"

Okay, did he really want to go there? As soon as Matt asked her something about Quidditch, Daisy grew visibly excited and bounced a little on the spot. OH OH OH HERE WE GO! "Well, I play for the England U-17 team." Look, she tried she sound as blasé as possible, she tried not to brag either but it was really hard. Getting into the team had been super difficult so she was SUPER proud of the fact that she had gotten in. Basically just to stop herself bragging the afternoon away -- because she could, oh she could--, she pointed to him. "What about you? Do you like Quidditch? What's your favourite team?"

AND breaaaathe.

Daisy had never realised that she was this hilarious and, for a few seconds, she watched Matt curiously as he laughed .... and then laughed some more. Until he choked, that is. It was her turn to laugh, then. Not at him, or anything, but just at the situation. One of her gloved hands moved to rest on his back -- Muggles usually did that to another choking person, right -- and she rubbed tiny circles there. "I don't think I've ever made anyone laugh as much as you." She randomly commented. Honestly. "No pets at school, no." Like she could be trusted to properly feed the animal and not just fill them with candy. She grinned cheekily at him and for DRAMAA waved her hand dismissively at him. "Only my younger brother."

Sorry, Maxxie.

She wasn't that bothered by his random last name changes, to be honest. Whether it was Meriwether or Solo, it didn't really change anything about him but she wanted to know. She pretty curious in general and, for some reason, this changing name had spiked her curiosity. WELL, she'd get an explanation later. With a chuckle, she nodded, conceding the point. "It's a brilliant name, Solo." GRIN. HAAANG ON. She frowned at her Gryffindor friend and looked over her shoulder; yes, she was sort of expecting a furry, walking carpet to appear behind him. "Chewie is here? At school?" Like -- FOR REAL? And he'd introduce them one day? DEEP SIGH. "It's kind of a bummer that the spaceship isn't here but alright -- meeting Chewie will have to do!" Actually meeting Chewie sounded awesome because now she was wondering what the heck was Chewie. He had said 'him' so was it a boy? OR maybe it was a toy? OOOORR a pet??

TOO MANY QUESTIONS!

Right. Best to think about less confusing things. Like dates.

It was a proper, PROPER date that he had had in mind and Daisy watched him for a moment. Her original answer still stood; why wouldn't she want to go on a date with him? This was new, however. You know, she wanting to go on a date with anyone. That tingly feeling in her stomach... it was all pretty unusual. In typical Matt fashion, though, he broke her train of thought and she laughed at him. "You asked me if I have any pets. Pretty sure that is small talk." Right? She smiled softly and nodded to herself, before standing up on the snow and offering him her hand. NOD. "Hogsmeade. Saturday afternoon?"

Okay, they were going on a date.

Carlllltonnnnn.

So, Noelle was freaking out a bit. She'd seen the end of it. And the professor even looked stricken. This was not good. NOT good.

Noelle kept looking despite the professor telling her to be safe. She couldn't help it. It was Carlton! Precious pea Carlton! "Yes ma'am" Of course, she was still looking. "We need to go to the portal too. We need to kill that thing." Was it alive? Who knows, but Noelle certainly did believe that.

'Carlton needs to be saved out of it though. We need to come up with a plan. Maybe attach a rope to some students and have them go in and get them." Was Noelle willing to be one of those patients?

OH YES

Olly did not do well with being cooped up. He was getting a bit stir crazy. And by a bit he meant a lot. He felt like he couldn't stand one more minute in his dorm or his common room. As soon as he stepped outside he felt a bit better. There was a lot more space around him and he didn't feel quite so trapped. He needed this. While he wasn't technically with a prefect or a professor, it was a weekend so there should be enough people around that it wasn't like he was completely alone, right? It would be fine. And even if he got in trouble did he really care? It was worth it.

Olly had his art supplies in his bag, which was slung around his shoulder. He was surveying the trees, looking for the right one. When he was finally satisfied, he climbed. Olly was sitting on a tree branch, back leaning against the trunk. It was a little chilly outside, but not too bad. He was pretty comfortable, actually. And this was a great angle to paint from. He could see so much. People wandering around the grounds, the view over the great lake, the entrance to the forbidden forest, and even the whomping willow in the distance. Olly hovered a paintbrush over his canvas, trying to decide which sight he wanted to capture.

It wasn't right to try to keep them locked up and supervised at all times. They were teenagers (and some children). They needed space, privacy, and a healthy amount of freedom. Declan needed air, liberty, and a healthy amount of exercise to keep his Mum off his back and his thoughts in tip top shape.

It cleared his head. It kept the Whispers at bay.

He was going for a run and it wasn't the most discreet. Anyone could spot him, could yell at him, threaten him with detention (ha). Declan wasn't very worried. He thought his mother was scarier than detention.

Having tired of running, he decided to stop himself before he wrecked himself underneath a shady tree. Declan dropped himself against the tree trunk and reached for one of his pockets. He pulled out a deck of cards and shuffled them between his hands. He cut the deck and picked a card.

Declan took a deep breath before he revealed it to himself.

It was the eight of clubs.

"Oh, come on!" he groaned loudly and threw his head back accidentally thumping himself with the tree trunk. "Ow!" he exclaimed looking up, only to realize there was a figure inside the tree. "Oh, hey. Sorry. Did I bother you?"

Olly decided on the great lake as his subject. Not only could he capture the grass leading up to its edge and where it became a lake, but he could see over it and out a greater distance than he could by simply sitting in front of it. He thought it would look really nice to paint from the other side, with the castle in the background, but that wasn't going to happen so he would have to satisfy himself with this view.

He had noticed the boy running but not paid much attention to him. There were a few people milling around and none of them were more interesting than the others. But then the boy came toward his tree and sat right below it. Olly glanced down, wondering if the boy knew he was up there. Should he say something? Or would that be even weirder? Ultimately he didn't have to decide what to do because the boy noticed him, after smacking his head on the back of his tree and doing something with a card.

"Hello," he called down. "Nope, you're not bothering me. Are you alright?" Because he'd hit his head and all.

"I'll be alright," Declan answered with a painful grimace, still looking up. "It's not physically cracked although that is arguable." Levi would say his head was a tiny bit cracked to allow all the room for his thinking and schemes. Maybe. His siblings were always verbally colorful when it came to describing his hobbies and practices.

"You okay up there? Not hiding or anything..." Supposing he was, Declan could just pretend he wasn't up there. "Should I pretend not to see you?"

Olly smiled a bit and decided he liked this boy, even though he had never really seen him anywhere. Was that an indication that he was new? Or just another indication that Olly was bad at paying attention to things? Should he pretend he knew who he was so it wouldn't be awkward? Nah, that was probably a bad idea.

"No not hiding, just painting." He waved his brush a bit, accidentally painting a bit of a leaf as he did so. Oops. "The view is quite nice from up here."

Painting? Declan looked up quizzically. He wasn't aware painting required being up high however he wasn't who could judge about the correct methods of painting. As it was, he had no talent for it, much to his mother's dismay. He also had very little interest in it. Declan shuffled the cards in his hands distractedly, temporarily forgetting what he had read in them.

"Really? Maybe I should get a look," he said bravely trying to figure out what would Levi do in such a situation. He'd be friendly, surely. Declan laughed at himself even as he pushed himself up into a standing position. "You think that branch over there will hold me?" Declan asked pointing at a nearby branch. "I don't fancy breaking something today."

"You should. I'd definitely recommend it." Olly wasn't sure why exactly he was encouraging this stranger to climb into the tree, except for the fact that he really did enjoy the view. He didn't know if this boy was the type of person who liked seeing the world through different views, but he seemed interested enough. And climbing trees was fun. Olly leaned over to peer at the branch the boy was indicating. "Yeah I think it would do. The branches all seemed strong enough when I climbed up here."

"I'm Oliver, by the way."

Alright.

"Alright," he said more to himself than the boy above him. Declan frowned at the tree trunk before looking for a way to climb up. "You might not want to look at me directly. I don't think this will be very graceful." Declan was many things and graceful was not one of them but he was used to physical activity. Yoga, and running at least kept him in a considerable good shape.

He used his long arms to pull himself up on the branch with some mild huffing. "Nice to meet you," he said, draping one leg over the branch and straddling it. This was an awkward position so he swung his legs around until he was in a seated position. "I'm Declan. I've seen you around, I think. I can't say for sure. I'm really bad sometimes with faces." And names. He was terrible with names.

Stolen.

The wheelchair was STOLEN.

do not. TELL. RIVER.

He figured he'd have less a chance of getting caught out here sooooo Paul wheeled the chair out the castle---getting funny looks from students, obviously---and out into the grounds. Where was ole' Justin? Or even his fellow white-haired-fox? HMM?

He plopped his bum right in the wheelchair and began wheeling himself towards the winding pathways...this would be...fun. Absolutely. Yes. He spotted Oliver and Declan chatting, wheeled over to them, accidentally ran over Declan's foot, backtracked--unthinkingly, we might ADD, so he rolled over it AGAIN--and chuckled nervously.....

ahem.

"Five points to you both if you can push me down this pathway. Like give me a good ole' push. I'll let you both have a turn..." he winked.

Olly grinned. If the boy didn't want him to watch them he would oblige. He turned his attention back to his painting for a minute. It was coming along nicely. But he wasn't very good at doing anything, even painting, while he was distracted. And he was currently being distracted by this boy climbing up into his tree. Olly applauded when he made it. "Nice job," he said with a smile. "Don't worry. I'm not good with paying attention or noticing things. You're a Slytherin though, right?" Same house, yeah? He was usually pretty good at remembering that.

Suddenly there was a professor beneath them. Were they going to get in trouble? Wait no it was just Professor Myers. "Hello professor," he called down. What was he doing in that wheelchair? Points? Pushing? There was a lot happening at once and it took Olly some time to process it. "Sure I'll push you!" He would have done it even if points weren't being offered. How often did your professor as your to push him down the pathway? Probably not very often. "Did you get hurt, professor?" He asked the question as he was carefully stowing away his art things and preparing to extract himself from the tree.

"Yeah, Slytherin, also bad with noticing things," he said pointing at himself. "Sounds like we're very similar. Something like soul mates." Har har har. That was a terrible joke. He was never telling that one again.

Declan could have sworn he was on the branch but he disassociated enough times to know that every now and then he had to doubt his reality. For example, the Herbology Professor had surely almost committed involuntary (he hoped) manslaughter via stolen wheelchair.

Declan wanted to act like he was imagining it but he had blinked several times and didn't see it go away.

"Is something broken, Professor?" Declan asked, like his legs, or his arms that he couldn't push himself for a moment or say...his head. Still, Declan figured he should be helpful and he WAS being offered points so he hopped off the tree he had just climbed with some struggle. Declan stood behind the Professor and grabbed a hold of the wheelchair handlebars. He pushed him forward and back, forward and back, forward...

And waited for Oliver to join him.

"Do you want to go somewhere in particular? Like surely, the Hospital Wing or...? Are you actually looking for a nice spin around the lake."

Like, come on, guys.

Paul snorted up at them both and hopped up, like the miracle that was Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I'M HEALED FOR CHOCOLATE.

Only not really, Paul had never been hurt to begin with. He smirked. "No. I'm fine, boys, I literally just want to be pushed down a hill in a wheelchair. It sounds exciting and fun and I'm bored OUT OF MY BLOODY MIND." It was that time of year...where he got...all..homesick and CRAAAAZAY.

And he sat back down. "So give me a push...points will happen...you two can have a go...yes!" He held up his arms as if he were on a ride. "GO GO GO GO!'

Olly laughed at the soul mates comment. It definitely did sound like they had a lot in common. "I think it means we're automatically friends now." No take backs.

Then the Professor Myers thing was happening. Apparently he hadn't broken anything, just stolen the wheelchair. That was even more weird but whatever. Professor Myers was just a weird dude. That's why he was Olly's favorite. Olly slung his bag with his art supplies over his shoulder and climbed down from the tree. "Okay, let's go then." He looked to Declan since he was the one doing the pushing first.

Declan smiled, relieved that his comment hadn't been ill received. "Friends sounds good to me," he agreed with a nod.

The wheelchair apparently was not a medical necessity but a fun necessity? Declan didn't really understand it but he didn't want to ask further questions. The less he knew the better. It would incriminate him less, maybe. He made sure to grab a hold tightly of the wheelchair and when Olly seemed ready, Declan took a deep breath and started in a sprint.

He pushed the wheelchair faster and faster and raced towards the top of the hill, going higher and higher. "Are you ready for the big drop, Professor?"

A man could get used to being pushed around by people all day, yeah? This was absolutely lovely going uphill. Positively charming. Yes, yes, continue, boys. Paul Myers had a huuuuuuuge grin slapped across his face as he awaited for the "big drop" as Declan had called it.

"I AM ready, yes!" and he put his hands up, then decided that since the wheelchair had nothing to STRAP him in for safety, he put his arms down and held onto the arm rests. "Push away, boys!" And in this moment, Paul wondered if he would break his leg.

It was a little too late to back down, now, though.

His adult senses were tingling, though. Tingling away, telling him "THIS. IS. A. BAD. IDEA."

BUT PAUL MYERS WAS TOO FAR IN TO GO BACK NOW.

Etta sneaked out of the castle to get some fresh air.. FINALLY. It felt so GOOD to be outside for a change. She wandered out and about in the grounds on her own.. but making sure to avoid the wooden bridge this time. Yeah, no. Better to be safe than sorry. After a little while, until her legs felt a little tired from all the walking, the girl found a rather secluded spot near a tree somewhere.

She sank down on the grass, resting her back comfortably against the trunk. She took out a novel from her bag and started to read, almost wishing she could take a nap but.. no. She would have to return to the castle soon.

Levi hadn't sneaked out so much as he'd followed a group of Gryffindors taken outside by a prefect or two. It just so happened that when the group headed down towards the lake, the boy's shoelaces became undone, and by the time he finished tying them again, his group was long.

Well, not his group; it wasn't like he even knew anyone there beyond hello and sometimes goodbye.

He considered heading back to the castle. Then he spotted a face that was somehow familiar and, well, the decision was made fairly quickly after that.

"Hey," He called, approaching the girl. He smiled down at her, allowing his interest to show only a little bit. "You're Etta, right?"

Etta looked up to find... Levi standing before her. Seriously? ANOTHER Kenning sibling? Was he going to annoy her too? Like his sister? Because frankly, she didn't have the patience to deal with that right now. But the Hufflepuff didn't like to be rude so.. a small smile made it's way to her lips, her eyes still observing him rather cautiously.

"Yeah.. Hi." Etta nodded, tucking a few stray stands of hair behind her ears. ".. and you're Levi." She added, stating the obvious. Also, looking up at him was starting to hurt her neck.

"Would you like to join me?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady of Light

Etta looked up to find... Levi standing before her. Seriously? ANOTHER Kenning sibling? Was he going to annoy her too? Like his sister? Because frankly, she didn't have the patience to deal with that right now. But the Hufflepuff didn't like to be rude so.. a small smile made it's way to her lips, her eyes still observing him rather cautiously.

"Yeah.. Hi." Etta nodded, tucking a few stray stands of hair behind her ears. ".. and you're Levi." She added, stating the obvious. Also, looking up at him was starting to hurt her neck.

"Would you like to join me?"

Levi couldn't have known the details of whatever may or may not have gone down between Etta and Althea, but it wasn't hard to guess that maybe Etta's experiences with his family hadn't always been positive. She was, after all, Althea's roommate. As someone who shared both blood and house space with Althea, Levi could sympathize. He loved his sister dearly, but she was, more often than not, an acquired taste.

Or, more accurately, a piece of work.

His smile turned a little crooked and he raised his hands in an I surrender or perhaps an I come in peace sort of gesture that was only a little bit mocking.

"Yes, I am Levi." He lowered his hands, tried not to laugh. "It's very nice to meet you at last, Etta." Levi pocketed his hands and went to sit by the girl. He had some questions, but he had the sense not to immediately pounce. "Watcha reading?"

Etta raised an eyebrow and closed her book, a little amused at his gesture. If he was anything like his brother.. she'd like him. "At last?" She repeated, eyeing him curiously. "Why? Have you been wanting to meet me?" .... Wait. Did that sound like she was flirting? Because she wasn't and AWKWARD.

Trying not to cringe visibly, she cleared her throat and replied to his next question. "Wuthering Heights. I've heard a lot about it so I thought I'd give it a try.. it's alright so far. Not as bad as I thought."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady of Light

Etta raised an eyebrow and closed her book, a little amused at his gesture. If he was anything like his brother.. she'd like him. "At last?" She repeated, eyeing him curiously. "Why? Have you been wanting to meet me?" .... Wait. Did that sound like she was flirting? Because she wasn't and AWKWARD.

Trying not to cringe visibly, she cleared her throat and replied to his next question. "Wuthering Heights. I've heard a lot about it so I thought I'd give it a try.. it's alright so far. Not as bad as I thought."

Levi tugged on his tie to loosen it, leaned against the bark of the tree. Spring was his favourite season and it just smelled like it. Enough to get him excited about the coming weeks, despite the fact that OWLs were only just around the corner.

He turned to look at Etta, after having forgotten, just for a moment, that she was there. "Oh, you know." Well, actually, she did not. He offered her a smile, which was only slightly apologetic. "I've heard a lot about you." This wasn't strictly true; he'd yet to question Declan about his newfound friendships for which Levi had not been included on (???) but Etta didn't need to know that. "My brother doesn't really take to people easily. Soooo, I was curious."

He observed her book, and raised his eyebrows in interest. "Don't think I've heard of that one. Is it muggle?"