It felt a little weird being back.

Well, to Steph at least. She had a rather interesting and adventurous summer that she didn't want to end. After last term's presentation of the Wizard of Oz, the red head felt like concentrating on her singing a little more. Sure, she didn't have a lead role or solo singing part, but at least she sang. It reminded her of why she started when she was little.

Anyway.

Walking into the courtyard and back out, Stephanie munched on an apple she swiped from the kitchens. Walking on the bridge, she breathed in the common Hogwarts air and almost laughed to herself. Fifth year was going to smell like exams, long nights, and coffee runs.

It was only the past summer that Felicity had started enjoying coffee: the long nights helping her dad or sitting on their buildings roof, trying to distract herself, had given a need for it. She missed the iced frappes from the coffee shop a block away, but the lattes the elves had made her were alright, and they were sure to help keep her awake over the course of her NEWT study.

Clutching her reusable travel mug in her hand, she wandered along outside, hat pulled low over her ears against the mild fall air. Feet tapping on the wooden bridge, she hesitated before wandering onto it, sipping from her mug as she moved slowly along. The Hufflepuff got a smile from her as she got closer.

Seemed wild that he was already back at Hogwarts again, doing the whole school thing instead of helping his grandparents on their farm and playing baseball. Even though his parents both went to Hogwarts, they insisted he live the normal life each summer. It was nice and breezy on the bridge today, and it made the thought of having afternoon classes much worse. If he had it his way, he’d spend the whole day outside soaking up the sun.

Folding his legs, which were long and gangly it felt like considering he went from being a mere 4’9” last term to 5’4” out of nowhere. His whole family was tall but man did this make him feel awkward, he was taller than everyone in his class it seemed. He pushed his legs through the slats of the bridge and leaned on the railing of the bridge, looking out at the lake at the beauty it held. He was oblivious to everything else but the beauty that Hogwarts held.

It had been a long time since Gaston had taken a leisurely stroll around the grounds. Most days he spent holed up in his office, buried in his work. The faster he got things done in the day, the more time he had to spend with his wife and daughter at night. He normally didn't mind the long periods of isolation - his childhood got him used to that - but today was just too nice to be spent indoors alone.

He wandered along the bridge, taking in the sights around him, and soon realized he was not alone. Wait, was that...? It took him a moment to recognize Patrick. The boy had gotten a lot taller since last term! "Hello, Mr. Dooley," he said, waving at the Slytherin. "Nice day to be outside, isn't it?"

It wasn't as though Minnie didn't like the inside of the castle it just wasn't to her taste. Being here at Hogwarts, it was still too new for her liking. Too different from Beauxbaton. The Transfer student escaped the confines of her Common Room and made it out to the Grounds where the fresh fall air and bright sky was a welcomed with a smile crossing her lips and her stylish cat-eye sunglasses resting over her nose. It clashed with Hufflepuff Yellow in her robes but no one was there to see her un-stylish decision so no one will berate her for it. She still contemplated on a daily basis if she should break school dress code rules and alter her uniform to more appropriate colors.

Her thought process came to a halt as she too came to a halt at a Old Wooden Bridge. Who PUT this here?! Nope not a chance was there another way across. It looked dangerous to cross but most of all she, Xiamena Lucia King would not be seen on something so atrociously bland. There was no style to this bridge no Umph to it's design. It was just there and no no. Not gonna cross that bridge until someone did something about it's appearance! Nothing must clash with her today. Not especially now since she's got her Pink Sunglasses on with her Hufflepuff Robes!

A breeze blew the long front hair into his eyes. Brushing them away he looked up to see Professor Marchand. “Oh, hey Professor Marchand, its gorgeous out here, its so nice to have cooler weather. My grandparents farm was sweltering all summer.” He was trying to decide if he should get himself back up to standing position, but decided against it.

“How was your summer professor?” He was always happy that he made an effort with the professors to ensure that he wasn’t just a name or a student to them, that they actually remembered him when he would one day graduate. Although he still kind of hoped he’d end up back at Hogwarts teaching some day, but first he wanted to be a leader in slytherin.

Steph spent a good amount of time in her own little world when she went outside. Mostly it was her daydreaming of heading back into her dorm for a nap. But fresh hair always felt nice going through her long hair, which she considered cutting soon. It had gotten too long to brush and style now. Anyway. She snapped back into reality and looked around; almost forgetting where she was.

Seeing an older girl come her way, the Hufflepuff was just a bit curious as to what she was drinking. "Do you feel like it's really cold out to drink something warm?" Did she sound rude? Hope not. Steph was mainly asking to see if she'd have to brew herself tea later on.

Dom was bored, he needed something to do, more like he needed to talk to someone but all his friends seem busy. He loved the summer he had with them, he wished it wouldn't have ended especially the time he spent with Serena. He really liked her, but she was his best friend and he didn't want to ruin things between them or make it awkward for them, he heard about how best friends go into relationships and it ruins it for them all together he didn't want that. Although how was he suppose to let go how he feels? It wasn't like there was a switch you could flip to stop liking your best friend. Sighing to himself he found himself at the wooden bridge one of his favorite places at Hogwarts.


Looking at the sight in front of him, he thought more about how great this summer was, it was probably the best summer he had in a long time, one he'll never forget. Although with Serena being around him all summer, his feelings for her gotten stronger, it wasn't until the summer time he knew what these feelings were and actually meant. Boy...the adventures of now being a teenager, new emotions and feelings in the air this year but ue wasn't too worried about that. Although he was worried about Serena not liking him as well, he guess maybe their homemade trip would be their first date if things went good between them.

Serena was bored out of her mind, there only so much you can do in the castle without losing your mind, and that's what she was doing. Luckily she didn't have homework, but she would've done that seeing how she's so bored. Deciding to explore the ground and see if her friends were around anywhere, she walked out of the Gryffindor common room heading towards thr ground. She didn't know where she was going, she decided she would decide that once she was outside which she wasn't. One thing she hated being in Gryffindor everything was too far from the common room, plus it was a long walk after a long day of classes, Hufflepuff and Slytherins had it easy.


Her mind thinking about the summer she had she couldn't help but not to smile, it was such a amazing summer and she had so much fun. She went so many places with Dom, Austin and Ally, yup as they call themselves the Lion Badger crew. Ok...it was a silly name but it was their name and that's all it matters. Walking towards the wooden bridge she smiled when she seen Dom and walked quietly over towards him, she grew feelings for him over the summer and really liked him more then a best friend. Covering his eyes with her hands she held back a giggle that was trying to escape her mouth. "Guess who?" she asked him

Gaston flattened his dark hair back down as the breeze ruffled and smiled at Patrick. "It is a gorgeous day," he agreed, leaning on the rail of the bridge. He wasn't exactly sure how to reply to the mention of the farm, seeing as he'd never actually visited one. The closest he'd come to that was reading a few books with a farm setting. "That must've been... unbearable. Granted, I don't know much about farms, but I've lived through a heat wave or two myself." Like that summer before his fourth year when his parents' air conditioner went out, for example. "So do you like farming, aside from the hot weather?"

His bright blue eyes scanned the horizon as he waited for an answer. He could almost see to his house in Hogsmeade from here, and a fresh pang of longing for his wife and daughter gripped his heart. He was so lost in thought that he forgot he wasn't alone until Patrick asked him about his summer. "My summer was pleasantly uneventful," he replied. No possessions, no hawks, no psycho Ilvermorny professors and their cult. "It was nice to have time off with my wife and daughter. We spent most of the summer in London- my wife has family there."

The grounds were Harriet's favourite part of Hogwarts. She knew that once she graduated at the end of the year that she was going to miss them so much. It was why she was going to be taking every opportunity that she could, so that she could make the most of them whilst she was still here. She also intended to do a lot of painting, so that she could have lots of actual memories of them. She, of course, would probably sell some of the paintings. But she would probably keep a few for herself. They would make some pretty decorations for where ever she ended up after graduation. She wasn't sure where that would be quite yet, but she knew it would be awesome.

Today she was heading down towards the wooden bridge. She wanted to have a little look at the view, seeing how it was looking. She was going to do an oil painting of it, but wanted to make sure she colours were all great. She was looking for an autumnal look, and so it had to be just right. She titled her head though, as she came to the bridge, seeing a fellow hufflepuff there. "Hi!" The prefect said, recognising the girl as one of the transfers. "Are you okay?" Since she was like just standing there and such. It didn't look good.

He chuckled, the farm life wasn’t well known even in the states. “The heat is the worst part. Farming is fun, but I think I enjoy it most because its time spent with my grandparents.” He looked out over the grounds. His family moved from Europe to the States before he was born, his grandparents had moved with them and started a life there. Now they weren’t there all the time like before he missed that. “I enjoy the unity it brings, I’m really close with my family so that’s what I miss.”

Nodding his head, Patrick listened to the fact that he had an uneventful summer. Sometimes uneventful was perfectly okay because that meant nothing could go wrong, most times. “Family time is the best time. Traveling is also a great way to spend the summer, how old is your daughter?” Patrick found himself invested in the conversation at hand far more than he thought he would be.

It was one of those days where Rylee had finished all her homework in record time. It was still early though. Early enough to head outside for some fresh air and perhaps a little bit of practice. There was a few spells she still hadn't manage yet that she wanted to get the hang of... just because. One simply for the fun of it. For this reason she only was she walking off towards the bridge shortly before dinner. It was all about timing. Not many people would be there.

Before she got to the bridge itself though she paused, blue eyes scanning ground about her feet. Dirt, pebbles, grass and boulders. Rylee grinned widely picking up a small rock that was just a bit smaller than the palm of her hand brushing some of the dirt off of it. This would do nice. Sitting down right where she was on the grass, tucking her legs up under her she drew her wand from it's holster on her arm.

Rylee set the rock down on the grass in front of her and pointed her wand at it. This wasn't the first time she was trying this spell. It had been a work in progress for quite sometime but now she had become rather good at it. Usually. From time to time if her focus was off it would take her a couple of tries to get it right. Hopefully that wouldn't be the case this afternoon.

"Dragonifors!," she exclaimed slashing her wand through the air at the rock sat in the grass in front of her while very clearly visualizing what was to happen. Standing there in the grass was a very small, about the size of her palm Ukrainian Ironbelly. Rylee grinned widely. "Well hello there. I'm going to make you just a little larger so I can see you better when you fly..." Without hesitation she then cast, "Engorgio". Ending the charm when small dragon had grown several inches larger.

Rylee leaped to her feet with a giggle. "Time to fly! Ready?! Off you go!" She waved her wand towards the sky in front of her out over the open area of the ravine below the bridge. The Ukrainian Ironbelly looked at her with it's piercing deep red eyes, spread out it's wings lifting them once, twice and took off into the air following the direction of her wand.

Anyone that may have seen her might not have realized what it was she was doing unless they were truly paying attention or saw her actually transfigure the rock into the dragon. Clearly though, Rylee was having a blast, laughing as she directed the much smaller than average dragon through the sky having it fly figure eights and do dives.

Reese had decided to finish his assignments after he went for a walk.. He had gone to get Rylee from her common room and he'd been told by an older boy that she had headed out just a bit before he came calling for her.. He half grumbled to himself about how rude it was that she hadn't thought to stop and grab him before going off to do whatever it was that she was up to..

He realized he wasn't too far behind her when he caught sight of her firey hair just up ahead.. What is she doin'?, he thought to himself as she seemed to be sitting in the grass.. He couldn't tell what she was doing.. At least not yet.. And then his eyes grew at least three-fold when he saw a small dragon appear in front of his older sister..

Now he was running!.. Running as fast as his little legs would carry him... " How'd ya do that?!", he asked as he came up beside her, completely out of breath from the downhill sprint.

Up, up, UP! Down, down, down! Left, right, loop, and figure eights!

Rylee giggled moving her left arm through the air in front of her. She guided her dragon through the sky her eyes never once moving from her. If she lost focus now... she wasn't even sure what would happen.

Pounding footsteps on the gravel behind her reached her ears but she didn't turn around. Not even when she was asked 'How'd ya do that?!' did she falter the direction of her Ukrainian Ironbelly. "Magic," she replied the smirk clear in her voice. Laughing Rylee chanced a quick glance at her brother. "Transfiguration spell. Would you like to meet her?"

Her. As in her dragon. She was already having the dragon fly laps around the area as it came down lower and lower. Here and there she would have it do a barrel or deep dive. Basically she was just messing around and having fun with it.

He continued to watch in awe of the smallish Ironbelly flew at her direction.. " What transfiguration spell?.. Will ya show me how to do it?.. Do they all turn-out to be Ironbellies or can I make a Hungarian Horntail?.." Reese asked excitedly.. He eyes still locked on the dragon..

Only when she had her little dragon land directly in front of her feet did she speak again. "Reducio!" she cast aiming her wand the dragon first returning it back to it's original size. Sliding her wand into the holster on her arm she knelt down resting her hand on the ground palm up. "Come on you, up you go." Gently she coaxed the Ukrainian Ironbelly onto her hand with soft words and a little nudge until it was standing in the center of her palm. Then she got back up onto her feet holding her hand out in front of her so Reese could see it better.

"I used Dragonifors and then Engorgio to make her a bit larger so she was easier to control." Rylee grinned watched how the afternoon sunshine made the dragons scales shine. "Mhmm. I'll teach you if you want but you might not get it right away... I didn't." She always didn't have someone helping her when she learned. "Any real dragon you want, I think." At least all the ones she had tried so far had worked.

His bright blue eyes trailed the flight path of the bitty dragon as she brought it to rest in front of her on the ground.. And he watched as she shrunk it down and bent to coax the wee Ironbelly into her palm. The whole time he thought how brilliant the spell was..

" Yeah.. I wanna learn.. But how is it ya get different breeds of dragons, Ry?.. If all you're sayin' is dragonifors.. ,Reesey asked.. It was a legitimate question.. Right?

The look on his face said it all. Rylee couldn't hide the grin on her own face. Sharing what she knew with him was something she enjoyed most, especially when it involved creatures. Taking hold of ones Reese's hands with her free one she let the dragon move from her palm on his. "You can pet her if you want. Look her over. She's exactly like the larger of her kind would be... only smaller." She had done this plenty of times and each time she was still fascinated by the dragons and would happily sit around looking at them for the longest time.

Rylee smiled. "That's the tough part. It might not sound hard but it is. You have to really focus not only getting the transfiguration part correct but also on creating the specific type of dragon you choose. You have to visualize as you cast the spell." It was all part of the think it, see it, feel it, make it happen thing she had been taught last term. "Let me know when you're ready and I'll show you how it's done. We can try it together."

Reese couldn't take his bright blue eyes off the tiny dragon has his older sister tilted up her palm to coax the pint sized Ukranian Ironbelly onto his held out hand.. He might've even gasped loud enough in wonder as he felt the teeny taloned toes on his bare skin..

He studied it for what must have been a good five minutes or so.. He'd sat right down in that spot and looked over the scales and how they sometimes caught the sunlight, but he also noticed that the small transfigured-into-being dragon held a fraction of the intelligence of a real dragon...


" I'd like to just wacth ya fur now if that's alright?..", he replied as he handed the bitty beast back to her. " I wanna do a bit of research before I try it out fur myself.. ", Reesey added with a smile..

His reaction nearly mirrored her own when she had first managed the spell. The sense of wonder and amazement, fascination. Rylee stood there watching her dragon as it watched her brother who was watching it, it was a full circle.

She held out her hand taking the Ironbelly back and letting it make it's way up her arm and onto her shoulder, it's little talons digging into the fabric of her shirt. "Sure. Whenever you're ready to give it a go, let me know and we can work on it together, okay?" As in the two of them. Or if he really wanted he could possibly persuade her into letting him bring his friends too if they were interested in learning the spell as well. Maybe they could have their dragons race or something like that.

" Alright.. That'll work.. How long did it take ya to get it right? ', Reese asked his sister. Everything he had learnt about magic before he came here to Hogwarts was taught to him or shown to him by her or their older sister Rian-Kate.. He cherished the times they had together.. Even if it wasn't as often as they thought they'd be.. The truth was, he had new friends and she had her own set she ran with.. It was only natural they'd branch out on their own a bit as they grew, right?

Gaston smiled as he listened to Patrick talk about farming. He'd often imagined himself packing up and leaving everything behind for a simpler life on the farm, just him, his wife, daughter, and lots of animals to keep them company - and his mother and father, too, if they could ever pry the latter away from his job! He doubted he'd be much use at farming, though, which was one of the main reasons he hadn't actually done it. "That sounds like a fun way to spend time with family," he said. The mention of Patrick's grandparents reminded him of his own childhood and many Sunday dinners at his grandparents' house... until he accidentally injured that child on the playground and they started treating him differently.

He was so lost in the memory that it took him a moment to register Patrick speaking. "It really is the best time," he said, nodding. "I just wish I could get in more family time than I do." It was hard sometimes not being with his wife and daughter, not to mention his parents so far away. It had been nearly a year since he'd seen them! Gaston immediately brightened at the mention of his daughter. "She'll be a year old in December," he replied, beaming. "Here's her picture, if you'd like to see..." He reached into his jacket pocket for a photograph of a smiling baby girl with blue eyes and unruly dark hair held back by a pink bow.

She knew full well how he liked to do his research on things first. He was a lot like Rian in that aspect, herself to at times. Lately she was really getting more and more into researching things on her own... not that anyone really knew much about that. There was somethings that she kept to herself for the time being...when she got her work right or if she truly needed a second opinion than she might branch out and speak with someone. Until then her lips were sealed.

"Um... I don't remember exactly... a couple of days? A week? I tend to work on a few spells at the same time. Switch it up and try something else when get to annoyed with one." It very well might have been longer than a week. She didn't always right down exact times and dates of things. "I'll work with you for as long as it takes if you want me to. If you want to work on your own that's fine to."