Some people came to the balcony when they needed a nice, scenic, quiet place to get things done. Jessa wasn't particularly in need of such a space, not when she had her lab but the solitude wasn't what she was chasing today. On the contrary, she was well aware that her chances of being left alone significantly diminished with each second that she wasn't locked away on the Seventh Floor but she didn't mind that so much today. From her window, she'd seen the sun peeking out and while it wasn't enough to coax her out onto the grounds, it was enough to coax her out of her lab.

Jessa sat crossed legged out on the balcony, enjoying the rare weather while she perused the pages of her latest read. Had she stopped at chapter five?....No....no it might've been seven.....

This page? Wait, no, she remembered this from just about when she'd fallen asleep, it must've been the other page. Yeah, this was it. Settling back against the railing, allowing the warm afternoon sun to pass that warmth onto her, she set to reading.

The weather would be turning soon. Best enjoy it while she could.

On his way back from the library after returning a few books, Cam had checked his watch and had found that he had some time before the next item on his time schedule. So maybe he could go for a quick run outside. If the weather was good. And nobody else was outside doing the same. Or at least, none of his friends.

While others might prefer to workout together, Cameron did not.

Unable to really see enough of the grounds from the window he'd just passed, Cam decided to quickly walk out onto the balcony for a better view. Immediately heading to the railing to look out onto the grounds, he missed Jessa at first, only spotting her when he turned back around to leave. "Oh..hey." He smiled. Okay, he didn't have to go running RIGHT AWAY, right? He had some time to spare.

She hadn't noticed him either, not at first. So far gone was she into the world of the muggle woman who'd lost her husband to the war and was dealing with issues of the 1900's that Cam could probably have put on an entire show and she'd have missed it. In fact, even his greeting was almost missed. With a significantly delayed reaction, Jessa suddenly looked up from her book, her mind having taken several moments to register that the "hey" was directed at her.

Of course it had to be, she was the only one out here. Duh.

Jessa shook her head as if trying to clear her mind and focus a little better before offering her friend a smile and a greeting of her own. "Hey. Trying to catch a glimpse of the sun too?" Scotland wasn't exactly known for it and before they knew it, it'd be winter then Scotland would be even less known for those rare moments of golden rays that didn't tend to last all that long if you really thought about it.

Maybe she would have sun windows installed upstairs, just for those moments when she needed to lighten the mood a bit. Grey walls and greyer skies were the exact opposite of how her summer had been. It affected her more than she thought it would.

Jessa looked quite engrossed in her book, making Cameron briefly regret that he interrupted her. It was too late now though AND he did enjoy spending time with her. Especially since coming back to Hogwarts it felt like he hadn't really seen her around as much as he wished. Which was probably 98% because of his tight schedule. He hardly saw anyone unless it was in his dorm or during meal times.

Maybe he should add a "friends" slot to his schedule.

"I was looking to see if I could go for a run." Cam replied with a small smile, moving to sit down next to her for a moment. "What are you reading?" He nodded towards the book in her hands. Sun, though. He hadn't considered that. He should probably move his outdoor workout to a time of the day where the sun was still out. Or already out.

Hmm.

Ah. Yeah, she supposed a day like this might be good for something like that and she WAS meant to be doing it...but the Ravenclaw preferred not to unless there was absolute need. Right now, there was no absolute need and the last time there was absolute need....it didn't help as much as it should've so she was still on the fence with that.

Leaving the castle was hard, or rather finding the motivation to leave the castle was hard. There was hardly a thing that held her interest out there.

"I think you could. It's warm today and the sun's not likely to grace us with its presence two days in a row." That's the logic she'd follow if she wanted to run, but she did not. Physical things weren't the most appealing for her.

As for what she was reading, Jessa lifted the cover in case he wanted to see. It held the silhouette of a woman but nothing more. "An old book about the war. A woman's lost her husband and needs to survive in the society where at the time having a man was practically a necessity for survival outside your parents' house." She couldn't even imagine living in a time like that. So many restrictions. So many things that were and weren't expected of women.

She'd have probably stayed in her father's house at that rate.

Rylee found herself spending more and more time outside lately. It didn't much matter where it was or the weather. Like right now. The gentle steady sound of rain falling on the balcony roof above her head as she stepped out into the fresh air taking in a deep breath. It was cold, wet and and windy. Probably not the best of combinations especially in late November. As least she had remembered to cast a quick warming charm on herself this time.

Resting her hands down on the cold balcony she looked out over the grounds below. Even when the wind began to blow her long ginger hair about her face, her cheeks flushing pink from the chill and the rain dampening her clothes she stood there. For the moment the second year was rather content with just standing here and didn't feel like doing much else. As odd as that was for her to do even she needed some simple down time every now and then.

Bundled up in her long cloak, scarf, mittens, and thick woolen hat, Lydia was ready to face the weather on the balcony. It got so stuffy even in the Slytherin common room sometimes that she needed a bit of fresh air, even when it was the dead of January's chill outside. With only her eyes showing, she was bundled up so well, Lydia stepped out onto the balcony. Her field of vision was pretty low so she almost didn't notice Rylee.

But it was hard to miss her friend's bright red hair! Lydia thought Rylee should be bundled up a bit more; it was almost snowing outside here after all, but perhaps the Gryffindor had cast a warming charm on herself. Speaking of warmth, Lydia withdrew her wand from her cloak pocket, as well as a jar she had taken to carrying around with her whenever she went outside.

"Hi, Rylee," she said, her voice a bit muffled through her green and silver scarf. "What are you up to? Oh by the way, I've been wearing my flower crown all the time. Except for right now 'cuz I didn't want it to freeze." She chuckled.

Lydia set the jar on the edge of the balcony. Pointing her wand at it, she murmured, "Flammae Caeruleum." Blue fire streaked from the wand into the jar, and soon the bluebell flames were crackling merrily, providing them with a bit of warmth against the cold January day.

It was somewhat hard to believe the term was already half over. The holidays had come and gone with a great deal of excitement and all to soon for her liking but that was how things happened. She had looked forward to being home and with her family for months and in just a short span of time that felt only like minutes she was back at school.

Lost in her own thoughts, enjoying the view of the grounds, Rylee almost didn't hear Lydia join her out on the balcony until she was beside her. A warm smile graced her lips as she turned her head to look at her friend. "Hi, Lydia. I needed a little bit of fresh air and I really enjoy the view from here." It was one of the places that didn't get that crowded either making it quiet as well.

"That's great! I'm really glad that you like it." She laughed softly nodding in understanding. "I'm trying to figure out a way to not make that happen." Being able to wear her flower crowns all the time no matter what the weather was would be the best thing ever! First she would have to find a way to keep it from not getting destroyed and being a second year still meant she didn't know any spells that would work and if she did... chances were she wasn't at the magical level to be able to cast them.

Seeing Lydia cast bluebell flames into a jar she had brought with her made her smile. That was a smart idea. "What brings you out here into the cold?" Had she wanted some fresh air and quiet too?

Lydia smiled at the little blue flames flickering in the jar. They were so pretty. It still amazed her that it was her that had conjured them into being. Magic still amazed her each and every day.

"I just needed some fresh air too," she said to Rylee. "By the way, thank you for your advice that day in the hot springs. I've been feeling a lot better lately, and I'm doing really well in Charms!"

Lydia gazed out over the grounds. They had a really great view of the Whomping Willow here. She'd been brushing up on her wizarding history, and apparently the famous Harry Potter and his best friend had once crashed a flying car into the tree during their second year. Crazy!

"So what have you been up to lately, Rylee? Are you excited for the Hogsmeade trip coming up soon?"

The little blue flames were really pretty. She liked casting them onto the palm of her hand so she could really feel the warmth as if spread of her and watch the little flame dance. Keeping the flame in a jar was a bit more convenient for moments like this though when the weather was cold and damp with snow and you wanted to enjoy the moment.

Fresh air seemed to be one of the best reasons for coming outside in the cold. Rylee being Rylee any reason for being outside was a good reason no matter the weather. "You're welcome, glad I was able to help." She smiled. "Charms really isn't all that hard to get the hang of if you're focused and keep a clear mind."

"Working on a few different things with my flower crowns, learning some new spells and working on my defense, lots of Quidditch practice, working on getting better at brewing potions, LOTS of dancing and just having the best time!" Rylee giggled as she rattled off some of what she had been doing lately. There was more to the list but this was what came to her first. Plus she knew she didn't have to mention spending lots of time in the barn because that was a given. "I am! Hogsmeade is always lots of fun!" Lydia was as excited about it as she was, right?

"What have you been up to lately?"

An elves job was never done, no it was not! The pretty land around her did not go unnoticed by Nimma though. Nimma liked to clean by the balcony especially, so that she could see the stars at night. Oh how pretty and bright the stars got! She caught sight of the light of the moon and smiled, the stars reflecting a bit in her large eyes.

Night two. Fortunately for the seventh year, her sleep schedule was 110% out of whack already given the late night study sessions and quidditch preparation sessions, so it wasn't really a challenge for her to stay up considering where to hopefully investigate the Aurora Borealis tonight. She had no idea if it was going to be a clear night, but figured she would just check every night this week and hopefully luck out.

Moving quickly along the corridor and up the staircases, she stopped when she saw it. The balcony on the fourth floor. It would actually be the ideal place for a midnight ki-- oh no, STOP those thoughts right there! Skylar mentally cursed herself, closing her eyes to fight back the thoughts. Love yourself, she reminded herself, casually, before opening her eyes again and taking a step out onto the balcony.

The night breeze was lovely, and the seventh year she-snake found herself leaning against the balcony, gazing up at the skies. How long did she have to wait, who knew, but it was already 22:30. She wasn't particularly deterred about the curfew because of several reasons. One, she was past curfew in order to complete her Astronomy Assignment which was best done at night. Two, she was a seventh year. And three, she was best friends with the Head Girl.

She allowed herself to breathe in and out, slowly, letting the night elements infiltrate her senses, just gazing outward at the twinkling stars. 22:45 and nothing. 23:30.... still nothing. Resting her head on her arms, she found her eyes drifting closed from the peacefulness and pure exhaustion.

.....

2:30. She gazed at her wristwatch sleepily before jolting her head up and doing a double-take. HOW? OH NO! Had she missed the lights when she fell asleep? Whirling around in a 180, that was when she noticed the torch lights behind her on the stone walls and the reflective glow they cast ... which meant, there was too much background light.

Stretching and rotating her neck, the Slytherin Captain sighed and wearily returned to head back down the staircases to her dorm. Try again a different night. Perhaps the Astronomy Tower, which in truth made the most sense. Assuming it was a clear night, which she would cross her fingers it would be.