Daehyun was nervous. Sweaty hands and non-stop fidgeting kind of nervous. He thought he'd gotten a glimpse of the familiar mass of curls at the feast, which only meant that she was back. After a year. And he was beyond nervous and also excited to see his friend after so long, but mostly nervous and had no idea what to do or what to say to her.

... until he'd mustered up the courage to send her a note through Felicis with the simplest, Meet me by the lake? He knew it'd been sudden and insane and had no clue if she was going to show up at all, even - he wouldn't blame her if she didn't. Maybe she was taking a nap after classes. He knew it was common courtesy to give people time to get ready for such things, but it had been more of a now or never thing for him.

To put it lightly, he was nervous.

Fiddling his thumbs, he sat cross-legged close to the lake, but not close enough. It did feel tempting to dip his toes in the water, but with the things that had happened last year... it was best to stay out of the water. Running his fingers through the grass, he enjoyed the light breeze hitting his face, ignoring the way it blew his hair in every direction.

The letter had only said 'Meet me by the lake', which meant that it was a mystery. Although, only one person came to mind when she thought of who it could be. Shera was hoping that she wasn't wrong when it came to thinking that it was Daehyun who sent that message, smiling as she remembered swimming in the lake to his horror at the start of their first year.

Having thrown on a pair of high waisted shorts because she was not wearing that skirt, shirt and sneakers, she'd practically run down the stairs in her rush to make her way to the lake. It was only when she was almost there that the thought occurred to her that maybe, just maybe she was wrong.

Was it weird she'd be disappointed if she was?

As her blue eyes scanned across the lake she beamed when her first suspicion had been correct. "Daehyun!" she greeted, throwing herself at the boy and forcing him into a hug. It was only after that she remembered he was awkward. Or was he? It had been a year... Well she wasn't going to give him a chance to overthink it and show her if he was. "Long time no see. How have you been?"

Cue her beaming at him, as she dropped into a cross legged position next to him. She was so happy to be back. And so happy to have her first friend back too!

Daehyun had barely had time to process his name being called out, before arms were thrown around him. It was probably the first time he forgot his usual awkwardness and wrapped his own arms around her, squeezing lightly before reluctantly letting go, and... reddening. It had been too long since he'd felt the heat rush to his cheeks so fast - he thought he'd outgrown that, but clearly he hadn't. Well, it was Shera. Of course he'd be weird.

Merlin, he'd missed her.

"I-" How had he been? "So many things happened while you were away... I'm almost glad you weren't here." Almost. But he was glad she wasn't attacked by grindylows and inferi and all that. "What about you? Tell me everything!" It went without saying that he didn't want to be separated from her for so long ever again. Because he'd missed her. Immensely.

Shera was not surprised at Daehyun's blush. She was surprised at how quickly he recovered though, but her happiness helped her maintain a smile to cover that. Convenient, because she didn't want to draw attention to the signs of the boys awkwardness.

"What happened here anyways? The Grey Lady mentioned something about inferi attacking Hogwarts at the feast but didn't really say anything else about it. Seemed surprised I didn't know, actually," Shera commented thoughtfully, shrugging her shoulders lightly before turning to look at Daehyun with questioning eyes. She was going to need to find out what happened sooner or later. Especially with their headmistress being kicked out during the start of year feast.

Her? She wrinkled her nose for a second as she thought, before giving him a shrug and a bright smile. "My family moved back to Tel Aviv while I was already at Hogwarts, spent some time with our family, it was quite nice actually." Minus the fact that homeschooling was boring and one on one lessons meant you couldn't get away with anything, let alone falling asleep in class. Also the fact that they were dealing with 'adult matters' which Shera was apparently too young to be aware of.

"Nothing interesting happened though," that was the weird thing. Everything seemed to have changed and had things happen. And yet, strangely, Shera felt like she hadn't changed a bit.

"I missed Hogwarts a lot though," and him all of the people that she was friends with.

Daehyun grinned when she scrunched her nose when asked about what she'd been up to. And she missed Hogwarts? Well... "And I missed you," he breathed out, not aware that he'd voiced that thought. What he'd meant was that Hogwarts had missed her, too. Yep, Hogwarts.

As for what happened last year? Ha, what didn't happen?

He was going to start with the beginning. "We were attacked by grindylows, too." Unconsciously, his hand moved over the unfortunate foot that got bitten that day. Even though he was fully healed, his skin still tingled at the memory. Despite the horrible turn of events, a smirk crept up on his lips. "Actually, you would've been proud of me. Professor Wayland and Bartholomew took us on an expedition..." Queue huge grin. "... into the lake."

Now, obviously he was joking about Shera being proud. If anything, he'd made a fool of himself with his incompetent swimming and totally didn't dodge professor Wayland's offer for swimming lessons all year and, to top it off, couldn't even defend himself against a grindylow.

... okay, maybe they were a dozen or a few dozen, but that was beside the point.

It was a rather nice outside, so Madison had decided that it was a perfect time for her to head over to the lake. Apparently there was a giant squid who lived in the water, as well as other creatures like mermaids. She didn't exactly think that she would be lucky enough to see either with her own eyes, but at least she could get some fresh air and enjoy the quiet for a little.

Smiling, she made her way over to the shore and looked out at the water.

It looked so calm and peaceful, that she decided to remove her shoes and socks and wade in the water.

This was perfect.

Kimi was glad to be out to get some air it was impossible to stay in the castle with the cold hearted headmaster plotting who knows what, he saw a younger girl wading in the water and smiled at her and said "Its a nice day today isnt it"

Madison was just starting to have fun in the nice, cool water when she heard someone speak to her. Oh. She hadn't even realised that there was anyone around. Either they were really quiet, or she had been too wrapped up in what she had been doing. Maybe a bit of both.

At any rate, it didn't really matter.

She smiled at the boy. He was clearly older than her, looked to be about graduation age. "It really is. Would you like to join me?" Heh. Why not? Madison was always up to making new friends.

Rafferty stood facing the Lake. His stance was that one of seriousness. That face showed no warmth nor welcome for anyone who may consider approaching him. His back was rigid, feet together and arms behind his back with his joined hands resting just at the base of his spine.

What was Rafferty thinking about? Why was he standing like that? Firstly, Rafferty was thinking about his newly appointed power as Muggle Studies Professor and Ravenclaw Head of House. This was something he was rather going to enjoy. As for his stance, this was one of his commonly adopted ones.

With his head down and looking at a new book he checked out of the Library Mark had wanted to read it outside with the Sun still up and before he would have to be forced to stay inside the castle for the remainder of the Evening. All these new changes have been so weird for him. How was he, a first year supposed to adjust to Hogwarts if there were new rules being dished out constantly.

He did not complain though, not yet. His Optimistic attitude held onto some hope that his First Year at Hogwarts would be a good one.

The Ravenclaw boy should be watching where he was going. His Focus was solely on the Book. 'Advanced Wizard's Chess Strategy' He walked right into a man who was standing in his path. The Edge of the Book jamming into this guy's lower back. Mark took a few steps back in a shock that there was something there, but if there was not Mark would have walked himself right into Lake. "Oops." He looked up and saw the man. Who was this guy? He did not see this adult around the School before? "Sorry bout that. My Bad." No but really, who was this guy?

This weather was her kind of weather. Nothing could keep her inside...well except class...and curfew...and the desire to not put her uniform on when it was the weekend. She was basically spending her second year tapped in the dorms and Ravenclaw common room. Was it worth it, she still wasn't sure.

Today though, Kaitlynn was perfectly dressed, tucked, and looking sharp. In her hands she held a notebook and balanced on top was a quill and some color changing ink. She wanted a peaceful moment away from the dictators leaders of the school. They seem to keep coming too and it made her heart sink in a way because how was she supposed to learn what her Professors expect of her if their wonderful Headmaster kept swapping them out?

She found a spot under one of the trees that circled the lake and, as ladylike as possible, she sat down on the ground. Opening to a new blank page she began to write. Nothing important or worth reading. Just to release the tension on her mind.

Benji sighed as he found a nice spot under a tree to settle into, looking out on the lake. He was a little peeved about having to wear his uniform when he wasn't in class and just wanted to chill out somewhere, but rules were rules. Still, he did kick off his shoes. He wasn't entirely sure if that was against the rules or not, but he figured he could just put them back on if it seemed like anybody important was coming. It felt almost like an act of rebellion, which put him on edge. He just wanted to be comfortable, and he hoped nobody would see him who would read it as an act of defiance.

He pulled out the book he was currently engrossed in and set it on his lap. He'd open it in a few, but he wanted to admire the view first. Truthfully, the boy usually liked being alone, but today he was feeling a little lonely. The new regime at Hogwarts certainly wasn't making him feel any better. He was a certified Good Boy at heart and always, always, ALWAYS followed the rules -- and he would NEVER sass a professor, or any adult for that matter -- but that definitely did not mean that he liked the way things were going around here. Compliant? Yes. Approving? Not even a little bit.

Still, better not to put up a fuss. Acting out was just never worth it. He had learned that a long time ago with his parents. But as much as he loved escaping his home and coming to Hogwarts usually, now it was just... hard to be here. He didn't know who he could trust and who he couldn't, so he never felt like he could be honest about what he was thinking, even in the privatest settings. (He was coming close with Penny, he thought, but that was a different story entirely.) He also felt like he was constantly looking over his shoulder, paranoid about accidentally breaking a rule that he didn't even know existed and getting in trouble. Thinking about it all had left the Ravenclaw feeling a little melancholy and pensive today.

He sighed deeply once more and rested his chin on his fist, elbow on his knee, staring at the lake.

These days, Gaston hardly ever left his office. It was the only place left where he felt he could be himself, away from the watchful eye of the headmaster and his two lapdogs... but at this rate, who knew how long that was going to last? All these ridiculous rules were slowly draining the life from him, and it showed... a few more gray hairs, a few more pounds lost, a few more dark shadows under his eyes. If the new regime was crushing his spirit this much, he couldn't begin to imagine how it must be affecting the kids!

He decided a walk was just what he needed to unwind. A quick stroll around the grounds, then straight back to his office; that should be safe. Hopefully he wouldn't run into the troublesome trio along the way... Halfway through the walk, he found himself making an unexpected detour. He leaned against a tree, staring out at the lake. The water always had a calming effect on him. As he looked around, he noticed a couple of students sitting nearby (Kaitlynn & Benji). He acknowledged them with a polite nod, but for the time being remained silent. They seemed lost in thought, and he didn't want to disturb them if they didn't want to talk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMadamMalfoy

These days, Gaston hardly ever left his office. It was the only place left where he felt he could be himself, away from the watchful eye of the headmaster and his two lapdogs... but at this rate, who knew how long that was going to last? All these ridiculous rules were slowly draining the life from him, and it showed... a few more gray hairs, a few more pounds lost, a few more dark shadows under his eyes. If the new regime was crushing his spirit this much, he couldn't begin to imagine how it must be affecting the kids!

He decided a walk was just what he needed to unwind. A quick stroll around the grounds, then straight back to his office; that should be safe. Hopefully he wouldn't run into the troublesome trio along the way... Halfway through the walk, he found himself making an unexpected detour. He leaned against a tree, staring out at the lake. The water always had a calming effect on him. As he looked around, he noticed a couple of students sitting nearby (Kaitlynn & Benji). He acknowledged them with a polite nod, but for the time being remained silent. They seemed lost in thought, and he didn't want to disturb them if they didn't want to talk.

Sylvie was on her way to do some drawing at the lake. It was a nice day, for November, and she’d never actually tried to draw the lake landscape itself. Water was hard? And the mountains tricky too, lots of work with perspective. But this was good because she still needed to draw five new things before her birthday. Mini goals and all that. She was starting to take things seriously, at long last.

But as she made her way down she spotted a lonely Marchand and instantly changed course. MARCHAND. She’d never really had the chance to talk to him last year after the attack that… yeah, that, and she’d been too busy (read: kept forgetting) to go see him ever since they’d come back. So this was great!

"Marchand! Professor!" she called out and jogged to him, throwing a wave at the other two students because Sylvie is a nice person who waves at random people because why not?

Side note, this was extra great because Charms was one of the subjects she was still taking, and she had a question about the homework they got. But, that’s for later. Right now, she only had one thing on her mind.

Did Rafferty see the Ravenclaw boy studiously walking in his direction with his head glued to a book? No. Did Rafferty feel a sharp jab in the small of his back? Yes. The newly appointed professor spun around to see the what had poked him. The expression on his face? It was a serious mixed with some anger. Rafferty rubbed his back. “Is that how you offer and apology to a Professor? I suggest that you offer one the right way or face my wrath.’’ How did Rafferty sound to this boy? His voice was soft but every syllable he uttered was laced with coldness.

Kaitlynn looked up from her notebook and noticed that the trees around the lake seemed to have become quiet popular since she decided to take a seat and lose herself in her scribbles. She spotted another Ravenclaw who she was certain was named Benji looking just as lost in his mind as she was in hers. His sigh drifted on the breeze and she was tempted to walk over and ask if he was okay but she held her position.

Having looked up from her notebook, she caught sight of Professor Marchand and returned his nod while waving at the Gryffindor girl (Sylvie)she didn't even know. It was nice of her to wave though seeing as this school was being dictated by human dementors who seemed to have managed to suck all the happiness out of the air.

And as if on cue, her head swiveled in the other direction to see another pair of people. It was a new man she hadn't seen, but she had a feeling she knew who he was. Professor Stewart was gone, courtesy of those human dementors, and if she was right, that was her new Head of House and the new Muggle Studies Professor. She watched as he spoke to another Ravenclaw (Mark) and just by his posture she had a feeling that he was another human dementor.

She turned away from the two and debated if she should just pack it up and head back inside or try to stick it out and hope that the negativity didn't find it's way to her.

Mark looked up with a confused face laced with a bit of fear. For one, yes. That tone of voice sounded really really mad. Mark messed up. But...how was he supposed to know someone was there. This book he had in his hands. It was going to be so good, he was sure of it. He took another steps back to put some distance between this man and him. Mark did not want to speak, he wanted to just walk away from this situation.

Secondly, did he really just say 'Face my Wrath'. This, Mark couldn't leave be. Who even said that anymore? No not anymore, just in general. No ever actually said 'Face my Wrath'. Maybe Villains?...Fictional Villains, for sure. This Guy probably read some cheesy and bad fantasy novels for fun.

"I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm really excited to read this book." He pat his book. "I'll be more aware of my surroundingsdid you just say face my wrath?" Oh...how did that last part slip out?! He looked around to any other passersby who could have heard this guy say 'Face my Wrath'. That was just so important to Mark at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by awakemysoul

Benji sighed as he found a nice spot under a tree to settle into, looking out on the lake. He was a little peeved about having to wear his uniform when he wasn't in class and just wanted to chill out somewhere, but rules were rules. Still, he did kick off his shoes. He wasn't entirely sure if that was against the rules or not, but he figured he could just put them back on if it seemed like anybody important was coming. It felt almost like an act of rebellion, which put him on edge. He just wanted to be comfortable, and he hoped nobody would see him who would read it as an act of defiance.

He pulled out the book he was currently engrossed in and set it on his lap. He'd open it in a few, but he wanted to admire the view first. Truthfully, the boy usually liked being alone, but today he was feeling a little lonely. The new regime at Hogwarts certainly wasn't making him feel any better. He was a certified Good Boy at heart and always, always, ALWAYS followed the rules -- and he would NEVER sass a professor, or any adult for that matter -- but that definitely did not mean that he liked the way things were going around here. Compliant? Yes. Approving? Not even a little bit.

Still, better not to put up a fuss. Acting out was just never worth it. He had learned that a long time ago with his parents. But as much as he loved escaping his home and coming to Hogwarts usually, now it was just... hard to be here. He didn't know who he could trust and who he couldn't, so he never felt like he could be honest about what he was thinking, even in the privatest settings. (He was coming close with Penny, he thought, but that was a different story entirely.) He also felt like he was constantly looking over his shoulder, paranoid about accidentally breaking a rule that he didn't even know existed and getting in trouble. Thinking about it all had left the Ravenclaw feeling a little melancholy and pensive today.

He sighed deeply once more and rested his chin on his fist, elbow on his knee, staring at the lake.

Just needing to get OUT of the castle while he could, Derf had packed up his books and study materials to head outside. He wanted to get as far away from the castle as he could, no real reason, and that meant going down by the lake........which the Hufflepuff was still not all that comfortable being around. But there were a few things going for him, namely the sun being out, that made it tolerable. All these lessons at night being held out here - the worst being Divination where they had had to CLOSE their eyes in order to clear there mind being the worst - had not made his readjusting to the grounds any easy. But, perhaps, the worst bit about it all was that he knew the emotional validation he had so desperately craved before....was even less likely to present itself this term. This new Headmaster and the newly appointed people he brought with them...they were even colder than the Headmistress had been and THAT was saying something. Not to mention he had not been able to warm up to Professor Noble just yet, so it was hard to tell if the same level of understanding he had found in Professor Myers would be present with his new Head of House...though he had a good feeling about the man.

.......maybe later in the term though.

So it was, wandering about the lake looking for a good spot to settle down, that the sixth year happened upon a Ravenclaw looking..well...pensive.

"Everything all right there?" he asked softly, hopefully not spooking the kid too much seeing as he had sorta come out of no where.

Glancing around a bit, Derf also noticed the Charms professor looking, well, even more like there was a dementor lurking over his shoulder than usual. The sixth year was honestly starting to wonder if Hogwarts was bad for the man's health. He just looked more and more miserable each term. Maybe Sylvie could cheer him up a bit?

Shaking his mind from such thoughts, it was the exchange between the new Muggle Studies professor and a first year that was being threatened by the man. Now, threats and such were common place these days it seemed...but wrath? That was...well...Derf was easily set on edge and ready to spring into action if need be. "....did that man come to educate us or to bully?" he asked rhetorically under his breath. He had felt the dismissal of Professor Stewart a bit overdue and primarily because of everything the woman had gone through. Being under the influence of Dark magic and Dark substances for ... three years? It was a lot...and Derf felt it had been negligence on behalf of the administration to allow her to continue teaching. So, he really did hope that wherever the woman was right now...she was taking a much earned rest.

Benji started and looked up sharply to see who had interrupted his emo boy thoughts spoken to him. "Ah... Yeah," he answered. "Fine." His face wouldn't betray him -- on the outside, he looked cool and collected. On the inside, though, the older Hufflepuff boy (who was a TROUBLEMAKER, Benji had been there when his BADGE had been taken in class!!!!!) had given him quite the scare. It was his own fault for being too lost in his own mind. It happened to him quite a lot. At least he hadn't nearly leapt to his death accidentally like when that girl had scared him on the balcony a few weeks ago... (Although where he would be leaping from while sitting on the ground in front of a lake was unclear, to be fair.)

Truthfully, Benji -- though he most definitely looked down on rulebreakers and teacher-sassers and various other forms of disobedient kids -- actually had a pretty good opinion of this older boy, even despite the badge confiscation, detention, etc. He thought for a moment, studying the boy's face and wracking his brain. Right! Derf, he was sure his name was Derf. It was an unusual one, so it had taken him a moment, but he was positive he'd landed it. They'd never formally met, but it you started to get to know who the prefects were as you saw them around. They tended to stick out. (Especially now that, according to the rumor mill, they had great power -- and with that, of course, comes great responsibility to Il Duce the Headmaster.)

...That is, he DID have a good opinion of him until he heard him COMPLAIN ABOUT A TEACHER RIGHT WHERE THE TEACHER COULD HEAR. Ummmmmm can we not? He was already yelling at somebody. Benji did not need to be a part of that, too. Yeah, okay, so he was right, this guy seemed like a real jerk, and Benji didn't disagree with what Derf had said. BUT STILL. Saying it aloud and within earshot?! Even if it was a whisper, you never knew!

He discreetly looked around to see if any of the other students sitting out there had heard. It didn't look like it, so he just pretended he hadn't heard the comment either. Feigning ignorance was sometimes best. If the professor who had replaced his FAVORITE professor who hadn't deserved to be sacked and YES he was bitter about it asked, Benji would pretend he had no clue what he was talking about. He was very good at keeping a neutral face. He'd done enough of that with his parents over the years.

ANYWAY. Benji was certainly in the market for friends, but he had been thinking more about friends who... you know... followed the rules and kept their criticisms to themselves and wouldn't get him into any trouble. He wasn't entirely sure that this description accurately reflected what he was signing up for here. It made him a little nervous, to tell the truth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Moose

Mark looked up with a confused face laced with a bit of fear. For one, yes. That tone of voice sounded really really mad. Mark messed up. But...how was he supposed to know someone was there. This book he had in his hands. It was going to be so good, he was sure of it. He took another steps back to put some distance between this man and him. Mark did not want to speak, he wanted to just walk away from this situation.

Secondly, did he really just say 'Face my Wrath'. This, Mark couldn't leave be. Who even said that anymore? No not anymore, just in general. No ever actually said 'Face my Wrath'. Maybe Villains?...Fictional Villains, for sure. This Guy probably read some cheesy and bad fantasy novels for fun.

"I'm sorry, sir. I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm really excited to read this book." He pat his book. "I'll be more aware of my surroundingsdid you just say face my wrath?" Oh...how did that last part slip out?! He looked around to any other passersby who could have heard this guy say 'Face my Wrath'. That was just so important to Mark at the moment.

Was Rafferty purposely attempting to intimidate the bookish boy? Yes. Was he enjoying himself? Definitely. Rafferty kept his face arranged sternly. Not a further word was said from him until the Ravenclaw was finished blabbering. Uh huh, sure. “Unless this is a habit of yours I don’t see how you’ll be careful. Yes, I did say that. Is there a problem?’’ Rafferty paid no mind to the others around him. He was aware that they were watching this interaction. Clearly they were in awe of him.

Okay. It seemed okay. Mark's demeanor had calmed what could have been a tense situation turned into a relaxed pose. He held his book close to his chest and looked up as the man spoke. "I was excited was all" Hello he was 11, not 60 something however old this guy was in front of him. If he had Equine Vision then he would have scored the Keeper position instantly without having to try out. unfortunately he doesn't and his vision is only going to be for what's in front of him.

"It's more of my Dad's habit." He spoke truthfully "I'll have eyes like a hawk, I swear on it." was swearing allowed?

Oh was this a Question he could speak freely on? "Just a bit of a problem, actually...." He looked up again at the Man ... You could use something more current as a threat as opposed to 'face my wrath'. I Thought it was pretty cool thing to say, if you were playing the part of a super-villain. But this is reality. Not some Fantasy Novel that we're all an extension of." He rubbed his nose. The thought of a nose bleed crossed his mind and he wasn't sure why?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ Moose

Okay. It seemed okay. Mark's demeanor had calmed what could have been a tense situation turned into a relaxed pose. He held his book close to his chest and looked up as the man spoke. "I was excited was all" Hello he was 11, not 60 something however old this guy was in front of him. If he had Equine Vision then he would have scored the Keeper position instantly without having to try out. unfortunately he doesn't and his vision is only going to be for what's in front of him.

"It's more of my Dad's habit." He spoke truthfully "I'll have eyes like a hawk, I swear on it." was swearing allowed?

Oh was this a Question he could speak freely on? "Just a bit of a problem, actually...." He looked up again at the Man ... You could use something more current as a threat as opposed to 'face my wrath'. I Thought it was pretty cool thing to say, if you were playing the part of a super-villain. But this is reality. Not some Fantasy Novel that we're all an extension of." He rubbed his nose. The thought of a nose bleed crossed his mind and he wasn't sure why?

The Ravenclaw was excited? That’s what he said. Did Rafferty think he was lying? Yes. Students tend to lie as much as needed to escape trouble. “I see.’’ Rafferty regarded him with skeptical eyes. Was the student to be trusted to have eyes like a hawk in the future? No.

What Rafferty could do now was stare. Whereas he had experienced students being intimidated by him, this one was clearly not. Excuse him. “I was going for a super villain part.’’ Did Mr. Bookworm not get it? “I’m here to keep you people in line. It was clearly a task that your previous Muggle Studies professor could not do. I expect you to follow the rules to the letter.’’

The Great Lake was peaceful, at least Arthuria thought it was. She had made it a habit to spend an hour and a half reading or writing by its soothing water.

It was a pleasant day for a stroll, and Noble ambled his way across the grounds. There was a copy of the Manchester Evening News tucked under his arm, and in the pocket of his robes there was a list of ingredients he intended to collect in the Forbidden Forest for a side project of his. He wasn't in any particular rush, just happy to leave the stuffiness of the castle.

Maybe the lake would make a good location to pause and check in with the footie results before heading over to the Forbidden Forest?