It should surprise no one that Olly could be found at this part of the pep rally. He'd made a beeline for the school spirit station. This was the station where art could happen. Banner making? Yes please. Face painting? Double yes. And cheering was great too, of course. Olly had a lot of school spirit and he was ready to show it. He was also ready to help other people show it too. If anyone wanted their face painted he would definitely be willing to do it for them. Because he loved face painting. He might even try to paint his own face but that was always a bit harder.

The Slytherin Prefect set himself up, studying the different colors of face paint. He would be there for the forseeable future, ready to help anyone who wanted it. Or hang out. That was great too.

Kyle ran up to the school spirit stations and looked around. The first place he spotted was the face painting station. So COOL! He wanted a snake on his cheek! Or maybe his forehead. No his cheek would be better. Oh, no no! BOTH CHEEKS! That would be AWESOME!! He saw another student (Olly) there and smiled brightly. Maybe they could help? He went over to the boy and held his hand out. "Hi! I'm Kyle! Could you help me with face painting please? I want snakes on BOTH my cheeks!" And maybe snake eyes on his forehead. Would that be too much? Probably. But it seemed like a great idea. "And maybe snake eyes on my forehead? Do you think that'd be too much? Maybe it's too much." Oh goodness, he was beginning to ramble. His dad told him he rambled too much sometimes. Talking should be concise and to the point. But he had THOUGHTS! And he should SHARE THEM! "Want me to help paint something on you? I'm not very good, but I practice painting at home."

Face painting was something not childish in Kay's opinion. So in honour of Hogwarts, she'd decided to get the Hogwarts crest painted on one of her cheeks. She was considering on getting an Eagle as well. After all, she was a Ravenclaw. Or she could get an Eagle flag? Maybe...

Decisions.

Kay had to make them.

"I think I'll make up my mind later,'' she told herself. "For now, I'll just go with the Hogwarts crest.'' And so the woman waited for one of the talented persons to help her out with this.

A PEP RALLY?

HELLO????


Why was she not informed about this earlier? She had been cheering at every single competition, she had been giving school spirit and getting criticized for it for the most part and now A PEP RALLY??? The thing that went right along with cheerleading. She could have helped made it HUGE but she figured Hogwarts wanted to show America they could do a pep rally too. It was sweet of them really, but she was in her element here and she made sure to dress the part. What was a cheerleader at a pep rally without her uniform, so making sure she put on her Ilvermorny cheer uniform her and Blakeney made and she had her awesome Pompoms Madelyn made her way to the Pep Rally.


Now was Will here yet? Maesi? Any of her friends? She wanted to make sure she could had a group that could cheer along with her. Looking around at the different areas she knew exactly where she was needed. Show your cheers, she could do that. Taking off in the grass area she did a round off backhand spring, back tuck landing perfectly she jumped up and down waving her pompoms.



"LET'S HEAR IT ILVERMORNY, MAKE SOME NOISE!!"


Bring it Hogwarts!

So there was something he really wanted to do before the school year ended, and while it was on his mind, he was going to do it right now. Spotting her over in the school spirit section (because OF COURSE she'd be there), Brent walked over with about as much courage as he could muster up. He watched her cheer with a smile on his face. She really was a happy, go-lucky girl. They'd been young...seriously young...when they had been a couple. She'd matured now, but she was still that girl he remembered from his Ilvermorny days.

When her cheer was over, he walked up to her. "Hey," he said. "Look, umm...can we talk for a minute?" As in, can we just stop cheering, yelling, being friendly with anyone and everyone, and just talk to each for a minute? He gave her another smile, one that hopefully conveyed the message that he came in peace.

"Goooooo Ilvermorny!!! "


She was in her element jumping up and down, cheering, and doing tumbling. This was the best all term! That was until a familiar voice stopped her. They hadn't spoken since that first challenge. The challenge that he asked that other girl to be his girlfriend. Not that she was upset about it, he wasn't hers, she wasn't dating him and hadn't since third term, but it had been awkward and feelings had come back. Feeling that were fully gone now replaced with embarrassment from the boat, her hurt feelings from Khalil, and now her new feelings and her new relationship with Will.

He wanted to talk? She looked at him for a moment before nodding, "Sure we can talk." She wasn't sure about what though. He hadn't even attempted to talk to her at any of the other events and she quit trying to cheer for him not wanting to seem like a traitor to her own classmates. So this was curious. Her eyes moved around the people to see if Will was there yet, would he see and think something was up? They had been on a few dates, but nothing was official, though she was starting to maybe want it to become that way, so would this hurt her chances?

No, no she would say it wouldn't. Will was trusting and she knew he would know they weren't anything. So she gave him a smile and started to walk off to a place where they could speak in private or as private as one could get at a pep rally.

For a moment, Brent thought she was just going to flat out tell him NO. She seemed to hesitate, which caused him to shift his weight awkwardly from one foot to the other. Then she agreed, and due to the nature of his request to talk, he gave her a polite grin. "Cool, thanks," he said. Brent followed her away from the school spirit area and toward a place where nobody was really gathered. A very small part of him was nervous, but for the most part, he was chill.

"Just so you won't wonder what this is all about, I'll cut to the chase first then give you all the details," he said. "I'm coming to ask if you'd like to be friends. You know, the whole 'not ignoring each other, talk when see each other' kind of thing. Maybe even hang out or keep in touch from time to time." Seeing a little bench nearby, he took a seat. She could sit or stand...it was really up to her. "When I was thirteen years old, you were my everything. Well, in my thirteen year old mind, you were." Because, who really gets that serious about a relationship at thirteen? "I remembering being crushed when we broke up."

"...but then one day, there you were. Right here at Hogwarts. I couldn't believe it," he continued. "I think I just allowed things to be awkward between us, but I was wrong, and I apologize. You're a cool girl, and you were a big part of my life at one time. So this is me, offering a friendship."

He wanted to be friends? She just looked at him and listened. She didn't really know what to say. Honestly, she tried to be friends that the beginning of all this and he blew her off and his girlfriend gave her odd looks. "You didn't seem to want to be my friend while she was around. Will she allow it?" Madelyn was never one to be bitter or mean, but she had emotionally dealt with lots this term when it came to boys and relationships. "Yeah I get it, we were young. I broke up with you because you were leaving and we were thirteen. We weren't going to be able to see each other, talk, just owls. It was too sad to think about." It had been sad at the time and now it was just silly really. They were young and dumb.

She crossed her arms and stayed standing. "I don't care that you got a girlfriend, but I do care that once you did I was old news. That I wasn't even good enough to say hi to." She had felt hurt by that and she was happy to get it off her chest. She stood quietly her stern look failing to be anything but stern. "I missed you, you know. I mean not dating, but just friends.
You never did try to write. I know I broke up with you, but you could have at least tried if you liked me that much, but I didn't even get one owl." That bothered her more than anything.

Being here at Hogwarts was starting to rub on Dana well. In here, she purposely pushed herself out of her tight shell to mingle with a few people, especially the ones she had met while exploring the lovely Hogwarts grounds. Though, of course, there were still times when she would have preferred not going to events that involved many people.

She would have stayed in her bed today for obvious reasons, but when she heard there was FACE PAINTING (!!!) in the event, the sixth year didn't even think twice about heading straight to the grounds. The blonde didn't mind that other activities they had offered. The food... well, that was second option to art at the moment, so here she was. Dana looked around a little excited. Yes, she wanted a nice decoration thingy on her face, please.

Dana beamed and waved at Madelyn and Brent. She'd leave them be, because the sixth year didn't really like butting in anyone's conversation. Getting a little nervous at not having anyone around, she secretly hoped Sam would pop in any moment now so she'd have a hand to hold in this crowd. When she spotted Olly over there, the blonde was relieved to see a familiar face and made her way to him. "Hi, there!" She smiled at her fellow art lover. There was no better way to describe their friendship. She watched him study the paints available for use, and then an idea struck her.

"Would you mind painting on my face?" Because Dana came here for just that reason, and he was a good friend of hers. Fair deal, yeah?

Olly wasn't there long before the rest of the student body started arriving. This was exciting. He hoped they liked the event. All of the other stations too. Olly was going to go check them out soon. Definitely play some paintball. But for now he was at his favorite station, where the art was.

"Hi!" Olly gave a friendly smile to the boy that arrived. What was his name again? Olly should know this. Uh, oh right, it was Kyle. That was it. "I would love to paint your face. Snakes I can do." Even two snakes. Or snake eyes. Olly grinned at the small one's rambling. "Whatever you'd like, I can do. There's no such thing as too much Slytherin pride."


Pretty soon Olly saw another familiar face. He smiled and waved at his Ilvermorny friend as she approached. He wasn't surprised to see her here, considering they had last bonded over art. He grinned when she asked him to paint her face, because of course he would.

"I'd love to!" He told her. "Any requests?" Of course she would probably want something Ilvermorny related, which he hadn't had experience painting. But he was still pretty confident in his ability to do it.

"Snake eyes it is!" Kyle grinned and picked out a few paints. Green for the snakes, and gold and black for the snake eyes. He took a seat and wiggled a bit. "I think you're right. No such thing as too much Slytherin pride!"

Had they had this pep rally earlier in the school term, Cassie might have been a bit more of a downer, especially right after her downfall. However she had pushed herself out of her disappointment since then and the Ravenclaw was going to be all for it. Even if it felt weird to let Ivermorny have her house colors and settle for the violet and black Hogwarts had been designated. Nevertheless, she had found a purply violet top and dark slacks to wear to show her loyalty to the host school and headed out to the grounds location that had been made up for the rally.

And boy was the area bustling.

A few assorted Slytherins, Professor Stewart and the vocal Ivermorny student Cass remembered from the various events were there just to name a few in the first section she wandered into. And that wasn’t all she had found…there was things like face painting and flags and just all around house and school pride. “Hello Professor…” she greeted with a smile as she reached for a Ravenclaw flag and debated choosing to stay loyal despit neither herself or Mason still in.

Brent sighed at the sound of her first comment. He should have known this wouldn't be easy. It wasn't her fault, though. He didn't think it was his fault either, but he knew she had every right to feel the way she did. "I really did want to be your friend, but...I'll be honest with you. I just didn't know how to," he admitted. "I mean, you're the girl I moped around about all summer a few years ago. You're the girl I hated this move to Hogwarts over." He sighed again. "There were a lot of feelings that came back to me when I saw you here. I apologize about how it all played out. I really do."

...and as for Skylar? "I can't say for sure, but I think Skylar will be okay with us being friends. I'm sure she trusts me, especially after that last IMPS challenge," he answered. "So if it's okay with you, I'd like to owl you after you leave to go back home. I don't think I'd ever be cool with never knowing again whatever happened to that cool girl Madelyn Cunningham." He gave her a friendly smile. The quaffle was in her court now.

Dana was evidently more relaxed now that she had someone to talk to. The blonde smiled at Olly and then looked at the paints they had to offer. It was, indeed, nice to have someone to talk about the arts with. It was different when opening up to a person who was interested with the things you liked as well. Perhaps art was the reason why they both were friends. The sixth year was so glad he was up for face painting. He was good, so she had no doubts on trusting him.

Oh, hmm... what did she want painted on her face? Dana took a while to consider her options. She had the freedom to choose whatever she wanted, but she had a few things she had her eyes on. "Maybe a small Pukwudgie on my cheek, to show some school pride?" Dana suggested, but let her thoughts linger a little. What else, what else? "Or you know, surprise me." She liked unexpected things, so the blonde was okay with this. She then took a seat to prepare herself for face art.

"I'm ready when you are," Dana said. She was excited to see Olly's art skills live and in action!

The pep rally was an awful idea. Melanie Williams could have hexed the person who thought it would be fun. She had seen Kaysha Stewart over here, though, and dealing with the noise couldn't be helped. The brown-eyed witch sighed. Madelyn could learn a thing or two about being less obnoxious. She had gone to the cheer meeting the girl had held at the beginning of term, but in her current mood, she was feel less than enthused about cheering for anything. The mission was her main focus. This competition was frivolous; silly; offensive. Many other adjectives came to her thoughts, none of which she wanted to say aloud.

Quite frankly, fudge inter-school relations, fudge this school, and a big ole' fudge to Regina Hawthorne. Real life issues were at stake here, and she needed Kaysha Stewart.

She stopped next to the woman's left arm and hooked hers with Kaysha's. "Hello, my friend," she smiled. Her dark eyes fell flat. "I know you're busy, but I have something I...I think you might like," she chuckled a little, allowed her cheeks to turn pink, and smiled into her free hand. "Something..something so amazing, Kaysha...as the muggle studies teacher...you're going...to....die," she giggled, and the sound came out of her throat sounding so wrong, as if Melanie Williams had never giggled in her entire life which was a lie, but that's on a need to know basis. "Duncan has it. He's waiting for us - oh we just got it in, Kaysha!"

Yes, please. Come with us.

Kay was finally satisfied. Her cheeks sported two crests: one of Ravenclaw and one of Hogwarts. When it came to showing school pride, she was among those that went all out to show it. At present, she was debating about that flag but hearing someone address her, she turned to face said person. "Hello, Ms McNally,'' she said, breaking into a smile. "Are you going to get the Ravenclaw or Hogwarts crest to go with that flag?''

What's this? The woman's attention was diverted again, this time she looked at the arm hooked through hers before looking up at Melanie Williams. "Hello, Melanie.'' Her signature smile was still in place as she listened. The Ilvermorny's elocution of whatever it was she was speaking about was so well done that Kay's interest was piqued. "What is it? Can't you give me a hint?'' Also, she had never heard Melanie giggle before and she tried not to stare. That sounded so weird since she was accustomed to a sombre Melanie.

"If you really require me to come with you then I shall. Where is Duncan?''

It was almost too easy.

"NO!" She said too forcefully, but then she smiled and continued, "No hints...that will ruin the surprise!" She laughed and began pulling her off. "He's in a super secret surprise location. We thought you might enjoy handling it without students running around. It will make a very lucky item to teach about in the future, too!" Melanie Williams was properly pulling Kaysha away from the pep rally...away from people.

The chatter was left behind. They were headed for the castle.

For good measure, she added in a whispered, "Iamsoexcited,Kaysha."

SPOILER!!: Melanieee xD

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melanie Williams

It was almost too easy.

"NO!" She said too forcefully, but then she smiled and continued, "No hints...that will ruin the surprise!" She laughed and began pulling her off. "He's in a super secret surprise location. We thought you might enjoy handling it without students running around. It will make a very lucky item to teach about in the future, too!" Melanie Williams was properly pulling Kaysha away from the pep rally...away from people.

The chatter was left behind. They were headed for the castle.

For good measure, she added in a whispered, "Iamsoexcited,Kaysha."

Now Kay really did stare. Melanie's outburst surprised her but she let it past because of her own curiosity and the other woman seemed really excited. Oh! She was being pulled away. She had little choice but to follow so she turned her head back in Cassie's direction. "I'll speak with you later, Ms McNally.'' An apologetic look was given to the girl before she continued following Melanie.

"Why does it have to be at a surprise location? Where are we going?'' If it weren't for the fact that it was stated that this was an item her students would enjoy learning about, Kay would have not abandoned the rally. But the students always came first, yes they did. This was when it was noticed they were heading for the Castle. Hearing the excited whisper, she grinned. "To be honest, so am I.''

She felt deflated a bit, to be honest. He was bringing up old things and she had blocked the old things away. She didn't like to be sad or unpeppy so she ignored those feelings for the most part, plus she was dating now. She was dating Will Healy and he was so sweet and cute,
so this conversation was just, she didn't even know.

"Yeah I know, but honestly Brent how could we have stayed together. You weren't just going on a vacation you were moving, never coming back," and he hadn't, he had not been back since. She looked at him and nodded, "I know and I think it was false feelings really. I mean they were real feelings, but I guess some of it I thought possibly were maybe us feeling things again. I know that's stupid because at the end of all this I'm going home and this is your home. It wasn't until that blasted challenge when you announced to both schools who your girlfriend was that I fully realized we both moved on and part of me was sad about that." One embarrassing moment she didn't want to live ever again.


Cool girl?

That got a blush a deep blush because there was one thing Madelyn didn't think she was and that was cool. She thought she was kind of an odd duck with her cheerleading around wizards, though her friends seemed to like it and support it. The other girls at Ilvermorny and Hogwarts she found were gorgeous and Madelyn felt just average in comparison so to be called cool she just wasn't sure.

"Okay, I like the idea of friends. Friends are good and Will won't mind if we are friends. He trusts me." At least she thought so, they had just started seeing each other so she wasn't fully sure. She would ask him though because the last thing she wanted was secrets.

Brent could tell she was deep in thought about something, but he didn't ask what that was. He didn't intend for this conversation to get deep, and he had a feeling she didn't either. He nodded at the sound of her first comment. "I know," he simply said, agreeing a hundred percent with what she was saying. "That's what the fifth year me says, but I didn't know that when I was a third year." He'd only known that the first girl he ever really liked he'd suddenly lost, and that had been a sore spot for him when his parents first dropped the bomb they were moving.

He glanced up in slight shock when she mentioned false feelings. False? Not for him. Not in third year, at least. He hadn't been in love with her, because they'd just been little kids, but he had liked her a lot. She kind of clarified that statement, though, which earned another nod from him. "I don't know what to say about the whole Skylar thing," he said. It'd been in the moment, and he had meant every word of it, but it hadn't occurred to him how Madelyn must have felt until now. "I'm sorry you had to learn about it that way, though. I just...thought I was about to die at the hands of a dementor, and I was just trying to drum up every happy memory I could think of, and it just spilled out my mouth." Not saying he regretted asking Skylar to be his girlfriend at all, though, because he would have done that in some other way had it not been in the arena.

It seemed she agreed with him on the issue of friends, though, even though she'd also dropped a bomb on him. "Will?" he asked, not really meaning to question that out loud. He supposed this was fair, though, seeing as he'd randomly announced his other half to her. But anyway---"You tell Will he's a lucky guy, because Madelyn Cunningham's a pretty awesome friend." He smiled at her. "I just couldn't let you leave and go back home without mending things with you." He didn't even know if he would ever see her again...

It was weird how things changed over the years, not that she wasn't aware that they would, her mother said that all too often and she remembered her mother's words when she came home so upset over him moving. You did the right thing Madelyn, you two are young, if it's meant to be later in life you will find a path back. Those words meant so much more than they had back then and now sitting here she almost laughed aloud thinking of them.

"Yeah, it was kind of weird to be trying to figure out your own feelings and going to a competition that you were clearly cheering on someone that wasn't even in your school anymore to have the entire school... both schools hear him ask another girl to be his girlfriend." She glanced at him before looking at her Pom Poms, "It was sweet though and I'm glad she said yes, I'm happy for you both, but it was just weird." That was her own issue though, not his. "Right" happy memories that could be strong enough for a patronous, something she hadn't made yet, but clearly she wasn't one of those memories, which truly was okay, she was happy where she was and with things happening lately.

"Yes, Will Healey" a big smile crossed her face as she said his name. "He's a year older than us, but super sweet." She couldn't stop smiling as he kept talking. "I don't know I think I'm the lucky one. He could have stayed really far from me after I was kind of seeing his best friend, but he gave it a try and it seems to be going well." Seh was very happy he did. "Well I'm glad we are mending things. Friends is a good thing."