Benji had greeted the professors and the new headmaster as he entered the pitch -- he may not have been thrilled about all of this, but he knew better than to be rude about it -- and did as he was told without complaining. He had always been a runner, and by his calculations, this run was just over a mile long. He could handle that, easy. He guessed it was a good time for people-watching, anyway. (He was definitely trying to look on the bright side of being awakened in the most annoying way possible and forced to run with no breakfast first.)

He was an observant guy, always had been, and he sure did observe some things out here. First observation: A note was being passed around earlier. They were actually being pretty sneaky about it -- Benji was a little surprised that it had been taken, not thinking any of the professors had noticed. He made a mental note to keep track of the girls passing the note. They seemed like people he should get in good with.

Second observation: Said professor who had confiscated the note had not gone to the headmaster with the it but had simply tucked it away. Hmm. That was good to know. He wasn't sure exactly what it meant yet, but it made him lean toward liking her.

Third observation: Some students were being openly defiant or sassing the headmaster and his henchman the new Divination professor. He thought those kids were idiots, although he'd never say it aloud. Even if you disagree with what's happening, if you keep your head down and mind your business, you don't make enemies out of adults who can make your life horrible if they want to.

Fourth observation: His Head of House, however, was a different story... Now that he could admire. First of all, she was an adult and the headmaster's peer, unlike the students who were by definition meant to do what he said. She was standing up for them, which he did appreciate given the amount of kids he saw getting injured. (Side note, had nobody at this school ever run before in their lives?) She reminded him of his mom, actually. His mom definitely had the "mama bear" vibe going on. So... Yeah, he was pretty pleased at being a Ravenclaw after hearing her stand up to the Drill Sergeant, as he'd heard other students (foolishly) refer to him. Although, again, he wouldn't say it. Keep a neutral face and nobody suspects your real thoughts. Better not to make waves.

Final observation: Benji was entering the fourth lap at about the 9-minute mark, which set him up to finish very soon. He was grateful for his athleticism allowing him to be done fairly early on but also not really sure what he was supposed to do once he finished the last lap. Had the headmaster mentioned anything about it? He couldn't remember. He knew there was something blah blah blah couldn't leave until you were done, but did he specify anything further? Was he allowed to just... leave? Did he have to be dismissed? He was hungry and wanted to freshen up a bit before class, so the sooner he could get out of here, the better.

What a complete mess this was. So far, Hogwarts first impression was turning out to be of the worst kind. The kids were either defiant or whiny - there was no in between, and so clearly his mornings will have a crappy start, day after day.

Thankfully though, Natalie was there to keep him distracted. Hearing her, he smirked - as he kept moving - his pace in sync with hers, "well I don't know you all that well yet, so maybe a little?" he said, a little playfully. CLEARLY she was not used to running all that much.

Before he could say anything else though, he watched as a kid ran into another - unable to help himself, the fifteen year old laughed, "wow, this is such a royal mess"

Kimi looked up at the Professor and said "I feel I am my knee is hurting pretty bad from the way i feel on it and yes i would like some medical attention" Kimi was glad the Professor had picked up his glasses he would have been lost without them

Dorian had thought that his condition had been way better than it was. Seeing as he had to run to classes most of the time in order to be on time. But apparently not. The Ravenclaw was gasping for air after just one round around the quidditch pitch and at first did not notice the Hufflepuff Prefect coming up to his side until he spoke.

Did his words make it easier? No. He continued to try and breathe normally but surely enough he started coughing as well. He also barely took notice of another hufflepuff girl who he vaguely had seen getting sorted yesterday. "Water, yes" he said after another cough and when Derf began to support him by wrapping an arm around his shoulder the fourth year shook his head. "No, i'm fine, really" he wasn't but his eyes flashed towards the Headmaster for a second. "I don't want you to get in trouble..." he mumbled just as Professor Stewart arrived.

Need help getting back to the common room? Oh Merlin's Beard this was getting way too embarrassing. He wasn't injured , he just had a lack of a good condition. And the moments they had stayed still he had been able to catch his breath anyway. He looked at the other students as they continued their laps and his eyes fell on Daisy. He knew the Prefect had a bad leg from the inferi attack last year as he had fought beside her. And if she could make it, he could as well.

"Prof-" he let out another cough. "I want to finish these laps" he said. He sounded determined but he definitely did not look like he could make more than two rounds. "Not for him" surely they knew who he meant right? "But for myself..." Because he was NOT weak!

And there came another coughing fit. Yup, not weak at all.

Well...at least there was a "friendly" face amid all the early chaos. Charlie was in a very good, after doing just two laps of the Quidditch field, and he can already tell that his body and mind were ready to take on the day. The Hufflepuff did a quick sprint towards the direction of his new Head of House, and gave him a quick 'sup nod. Can't stop running now and kiss his feet, eh?

"G'morning, Professor! What's for breakfast today?" he asked as he jogged in place, and did a series of 'star jumps' waiting for an answer. Food was a good motivator, did he know?

Nathan couldn't believe he woke up early for this. He was in his seventh year for merlin sake, he needed his sleep. If he wanted to exercise, it would be in his own time and target.

"Hey professor, I have a problem with my back. Mind if I walk instead?" he drawled. He didn't mind walking, though.

To those who thought some of the students being an/idiot/ for defying the old man and his henchman...please do carry on licking their peacock feathers. Nathan Hale had got better things to do than listening to them complaining for losing housepoints and such. He wouldn't gain anything anyway.

The only sound Rylee tried to focus on this morning was the sound of her feet hitting the ground as she ran. That and her own breathing.

Everyone else's voices were faded noise around her unless someone choose to catch-up and join her. Like that. The loud sound of someone calling her name. Only one person called for her like that. Slowing to an easy jog she waited for him to catch up. "Run for a bit then cool down with a jog. Alternate. Stay with me?" She cast a quick sideways glance over at Reese. This was the way she was going to do it every morning only every few days she would try to run a little faster, run a little longer.

Unless...

Rylee suddenly had another idea. "Or would you fancy a race?" There was that twinkle in her eye that said she liked this idea. The competition.

Gaston hadn't been there long when Fletcher arrived. Was it just him or did the man seem much happier today? The dramatic mood change caught him a bit off guard, and he wasn't quite sure whether to be relieved or concerned. Still, he returned the greeting politely, "Good morning, Professor Fletcher." The other professors' greetings were acknowledged with a nod.

He had to fight the urge to roll his eyes as Scrimgeour blinked at him. The man who demanded everyone stand as a sign of respect at the feast couldn't be bothered to return a 'good morning. What a hypocrite! Gaston's patience with the headmaster was quickly wearing thin, but he kept quiet as the man talked. He supposed the logic behind the daily runs made sense, but the more he heard, the more concerned he became.

He wasn't the slightest bit surprised when Jessa's request to opt out was denied, but what did surprise him was the mention of missing breakfast. He had no problem with the morning run, but denying meals as punishment for not completing it fast enough was crossing the line! Perhaps the headmaster needed to be reminded that research also showed skipping breakfast led to poorer academic performance, therefore defeating his purpose to "improve classroom performance overall". Well, no student was going hungry on his watch! He had plenty of pastries in the bistro for anyone who missed breakfast.

Wait, what? The staff who didn't stand last night had to complete the run? Gaston's eyes widened slightly. That was surprising... yet somehow also not. He wondered if the professors who did stand were allowed to do the run too. He felt he could provide more encouragement on the pitch, and it didn't feel right just standing around while the students and other staff quite literally ran themselves ragged. He would stand and monitor for now, but only because some of his colleagues were already (kinda) doing the run and he thought they might be understaffed otherwise. Making a mental note to ask Scrimgeour about running with the students in the future, he situated himself toward the middle of the pitch... The perfect vantage point to keep an eye on everyone, including the headmaster.

Gaston's eyes (or at least his good eye) followed the students as they passed. "Keep going! You're almost there," he said periodically. "You can do it!" His heart broke as he saw tears in Daisy's eyes, and there was another girl (Lex) who appeared to be fighting back tears. And poor Dorian was obviously having trouble breathing and being assisted by Derf; he shot the Hufflepuff prefect a very appreciative look. Then a Ravenclaw (Mark) crashed into Lucas, sending him falling, but before he could react, Abra was already helping them. He beamed at the prefect. It was only then that he noticed another one of his little Lion cubs (Stella) struggling. "Everything alright, Miss Starson?" he asked, eyeing her with concern.

Oh, dear Merlin... this was a disaster! Everywhere Gaston looked, it seemed there was another injury. Lex had gone down, but Beth, Chase, and Dizzy were helping her before he could rush to her side. He beamed. "Five points to Slytherin for helping Miss Stone and showing mastery of the bandaging charm, Miss Greyvson," he said. "And three points to you for helping as well," he added to Chase & Dizzy. Elsewhere, he saw Kimi being assisted by Foster, and he shook his head sadly. Good Godric Gryffindor, what next?

This was getting ridiculous! If Scrimgeour wanted to require a morning run, fine, but there had to be accommodations for students with injuries or other medical conditions. Gaston was unnerved by both the sheer number of injuries and the newcomers' callous reactions; he secretly wondered if the headmaster (or more likely, his lapdog over there) had glisseo'd the quidditch pitch to cause more injuries. He clenched his teeth against the harsh thoughts. Skyler and Kaysha had already voiced pretty much what he was thinking; he didn't dare repeat it! If the way Scrimgeour reacted to the refusals to stand was any indication, defying him would be practically writing his resignation letter, and he had a daughter to think of. Sorry, Kay! He hoped she'd understand...

Honestly. It was like none of her fellow peers had done any physical activity before. It was running. Anyone could run. Even if it was for like 10 seconds. If one couldn't run more than that they could simply run for a few seconds and then jog in between. Mags got that maybe 5 laps was long. The quidditch pitch was huge after all. But it was manageable, if one only ran at an appropriate pace and didn't over exert there selves. That was exactly how she was doing. Mags though was used to running, having done it every day for a long time. So this was pretty simple. Sure it wasn't as scenic as her runs around the lake. But it was okay for now. Maybe in a few months she'd be bored. But for now she could manage.

She took a sip of the water, having been clever enough to have brought some down with her. She never an without having some sort of liquid. She was half way through her first lap now, and seemed to going okay. She'd had to run around a few of her peers, who seemed to be struggling. She thought, belatedly, that maybe she should have helped. But she didn't. She was just focused on her running. So she could finish, and go shower and manage to grab some breakfast.

So she just ran. And ran.

Daisy had one lap to go and she was hurting. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she winced with the pain of running with one bad leg. She had noticed that many of her fellow students were in a great deal of agony. Daisy was sympathetic to their plight but she needed to finish the final lap because she needed to rest her leg as soon as possible.

"Please let this session end!" Daisy's mind screamed

Running in Place Running in Place Running in Place Running in Place. Mark continues to run in place and looked shocked. He had bumped right into the back of Lucas and instantly felt super bad about it. his Running jog came to a stop and went down to his knees inspect the damage he had done. "Sorry, mate." He looked over to the girl and then to an Older Boy no one else had stopped to check on the collision so Mark figured he must be a Prefect. "He took a much worse spill than I did. I think I'm okay? Is Luke okay?" He wiped his arm under his nose and saw some blood streaked across his forearm. Not a lot but enough to say maybe he did get hit pretty hard. He sniffled and then swallowed down a taste of iron moving down his throat. "Is my nose bleeding?" He touched his nose and pinched it. Doesn't feel broken. A bloody nose wasn't bad. He looked back down to Lucas again. He did tumbles and rolls so...impressive but ow.

This was absolute chaos even tho Théo did like Zoryn's fabulous footwear. Great for running and great for laughing at. The only thing that made all this worse was everyone here that was first year on up. Since this wouldn't be so bad if it was just him or the quidditch team or even his year and seventh and let them finish first because really you expect first years to beat them. Come on now. He was watching people trip, complain, lose points and wow people hated to run. He kind of did also but he would rather just get it over with....which meant classes and that was a lose lose to him also.

There was no winning here even with him being half way done by now unless you thought winning meant getting to breakfast earlier.

Which sounded more like losing to him anyway.

Foster placed himself between the older Hufflepuff and the students still running, making sure the young man wasn't stepped on or tripped over. "I'll call her over. Just sit tight and she will have you taken care of."

Foster stood tall and waved an arm to signal the professors at the entry to the pitch. He preformed a quick amplifying charm before calling out "Please send the healer over. We have another injured student that needs attention."

Speaking with his normal volume once again, he knelt back down. "Shouldn't be too long." He hoped the next day of running would turn out far better than the first day. He'd never seen so many youngsters hurt themselves or become quite so winded over jogging about a mile. It appeared that too many of them spent their summers lazing about and avoiding physical activity.

Kimi smiled at the professor and said "Thanks for the help" Kimi was pretty embarrassed about the whole situation

" This is a load of crup crap... ", Callum replied as he came up level with his sister and began to jog beside her. " I was thinking you tell me how many more laps ya got left and we run those and then head to breakfast? I'm not running five flippin' laps just because the School Governors hired a bloody dictator.. He can't make me run if I don't want to.. What's 'e gonna do?.. Expel me fur refusin' to run laps?... Pfft!.. Like to see 'im try.. ", he added as they sped up a bit.



" A race?.. Yeah.. Alright..", grinning.

Stella who was almost in tears from not able to breath looked over at her head of house. Taking a deep breath she shook her head no. " N..No sir, but I gotta keep going I don't want to get in trouble even if I really have asthma. said she frowning. By the looks of it their new 'Headmaster' and Divinations teacher didn't seem to care if they were falling over dying, as long as they finished these stupid laps. " I got my inhaler for now, and some water I may have to go to the hospital wing before classes sir. she said.

Holding back tears that threatened to escape her eyes she looked at Mark. " By the looks of it yes, but not that bad, I'm glad you're ok I'm Stella." she was still breathing hard and her lungs felt like they were still on fire. She was sure Lucas and Mark could see her tears as well as Abra and Professsor Marchand her head of house. She was so close to being done, she only had a couple more to go, and she didn't want the headmaster or the Divinations Professor to get on to her for being lazy. Although it was the complete opposite, she wasn't being lazy she was trying to breath and keep herself from having a asthma attack on the field.

"Of course." He stood back up, still making sure the Hufflepuff wouldn't be stepped on, but trying to give the young man some privacy in his pain. He knew he would much rather not be stared at while he was hurting and wished to give the same consideration to Kimi.



While he was standing guard over the injured, he overheard the young Hufflepuff as he approached. "Mr. Prichard. It appears your manners have been forgotten. 3 points from Hufflepuff for the less than gentlemanly words and you may join me this evening to practice those lost manners." By this point he had had enough. The young Hufflepuff was lucky that the headmaster hadn't heard the comment as the punishment Foster had in mind would surely be far less severe.

"It is what it is," Rylee replied evenly keeping her pace and stride even with her brothers. "Either we run or we don't. Personally I have no issue with running, I run most mornings anyhow." The issue she had with this was being told she HAD to run. As for how many laps she still had to go it wasn't worth answering... she had only just started and was coming up on the end of her first lap.

Quickening her steps to a faster jog but not a full run she cast a quick look at Reese. "You do whatever you feel is best for you." This term while she was still going to keep an eye on him as older siblings did she was going to give him space as well. Whatever happened happened, she would pick up the pieces afterwards if need be.

The smile grin on her lips turned to that of a smirk. "Mhmm. On three... four laps to see who wins." Rylee slowed down once again as they came to the finish of their first lap.

"Ready?" She waited a few seconds for his reply. "Let's do this and get some breakfast." They raced all the time. Not like this but maybe this was a good push to keep them both motivated. "One... two... three!"

And just like that she went from a slow jog to much more of an steady run.

" Ya gotta be kidding me!!.. For sayin' the word CRAP?!.. Yur barkin'.. Just like the new Gaffer.. It's not right 'e's makin' us all run like this... There are some that can't run to save their own lives and 'e comes up in here and demands it?!.. ", Cal retorted.. " He's crass an' you and all the other teachers know it.. ", he added as he sped up and started to dig into their pace.












" Come on, Ry.. Let's hurry up before he adds more detention.."

Can't even believe he lost points AND was receiving a detention for saying an innocent word.. Whatever!

This was embarrassing.

This was so so embarrassing.

Lucas lay there, not because he couldn't move but because maybe, if he lay still enough, the ground could swallow him up whole and he wouldn't have to deal with...... this. But as much as he wanted to, he couldn't just dig his face into the ground and hide. Not when another voice joined Stella's and he recognised exactly whose it was.

Could he hide? Can this be over with already?

Although...... would you hear that? Prefect Abra Botros knew his name!

Right. Yeah. Focus. "Yeah, I'm-" His muffled voice broke off as he spluttered out the bit of dirt in his mouth. "I'm okay." He was strong, yeah? That's what Gryffindors were meant to be, right? "Yeah, I can..... up.... get up....." His voice trailed off as he first tried to push his knees up and then, using Stella - sorry, Stella - pushed himself up into a sitting position. "Great way to start the year, eh?" He gave a sheepish smile to Abra and Stella and....

Oh. "Hey, Mark. What's wrong with your nose?" His own face was probably covered in dirt but Mark looked a lot worse.

A bit unsteady, she helped Lucas to his face and gave him a weak smile. She felt like fainting right where she was, but she had to be strong. Looking at Lucas she pointed her wand at him. "Tergeo! she said hoping it'll work and clean the mud off him. It was a simple little cleaning charm, but if it worked it'll do the job for now right? " C..come on, we better get back up and keep running before we get in trouble." she said standing up cleaning herself up with the charm she used on Lucas.

Stella nodded and took a deep breath. " Yeah I guess so, sure one I won't forget." she said. Wiping her tears from her face she looked at Lucas and them. "Come on we got a couple more laps to do, we can do this!" she said as she begin running again. Her mind she was thinking she could do this, but her body was thinking else wise.

Whew. Okay. Stopping for a moment was exactly what Abra needed, it was just a little unfortunate that his reason for stopping was a collision. All the same, he took the time to try and recover a little, and hoped that he wouldn't let himself cool down so much that eventually starting up the laps again would be even more painful. But, you know, first years having issues. That was worth stopping for.

Asthma? Just like Jessa, and Simon too, but come to think of it, he hadn't seen Simon here so far this morning. Abra looked at Stella with concern evident on his face. "Do you have an inhaler?" If she did, hopefully she'd thought to bring it with her. If not, he could always summon it down here, but unfortunately Abra didn't know how else he could really help her. It was with some relief that he realised Marchand had come to the first year's aid too, and would probably be of more help. He decided to keep quiet and focus on the two boys while Stella explained the issue to their Head of House.

"I'm sure he'll be okay," Abra said to the boy whose name he didn't know, right as he noticed the blood coming from his nose. Oh... "Yeah it is, just a bit," he replied, a little uncertainty creeping into his voice. "Does it feel broken or anything, or do you think you can keep going without seeing the Healer?" Of course, if the kid needed the Healer, then he should absolutely see her - Abra wasn't sure he trusted himself to cast a healing spell on a first year when there was a member of staff here at school for that very thing - but if the bleeding was likely to stop on its own relatively soon then he didn't want to delay him from finishing these laps, in case he ended up missing breakfast.

Lucas was getting back up into a sitting position, and Abra breathed a sigh of relief that he didn't seem to be injured. Only a bit of dirt. "Good, that's good." He returned the sheepish smile with an encouraging one of his own, and shrugged. "As long as you've not injured anything other than your pride, though, huh?" He started to get to his feet, and offered a hand to help Lucas up too. Stella seemed upset, which was hard to see, but also like she was ready to get going again, and Abra supposed that the sooner they all got to running and finished their laps, the better.

It was also worth saying that Zoryn Spinnet didn't actually have a problem with running. She just had a problem with running when it wasn't on her own terms. Maybe if this Scrimonster bloke hadn't FORCED them out of bed with that HORRENDOUS alarm, things would've been different. Or perhaps they would have been exactly the same because in all honesty, defiance was a trait she wore very proudly (sometimes too proudly).

Speaking of people she hated, the new divination professor had easily made the top of her list. Zoryn matched his unimpressed look with one of her own. If looks could kill, Zoryn would've reached death eater status by now. She had spent the last fifteen years of her life perfecting that glare. Professor Stewart could attest to it. And 10 points? HA! That was nothing.

If losing points was meant to intimidate her into running then this guy had some waking up to do. Perhaps being up so early had messed with his head. Karma. Zoryn Spinnet had probably accumulated over three hundred lost points throughout her time at Hogwarts. Losing ten? It was child's play.

Which, by the way, is why she said nothing. Despite the COUNTLESS retorts she had ready to fire off in response to his cute spiel. Not worth her energy. Much like this running exercise. As she began walking, she noticed Jessa slowing down ahead. At least they could be miserable together.

The Gryffindor was smart enough to wait before saying anything that could land them both into even deeper trouble. But she did actually drop her look of disdain for a subtle smile to give Jessa. She appreciated the girl's presence AND commentary for that matter, which received a nod in approval. "Plan B might have to be a fake asthma attack," she sounded slightly playful, but it also came from a serious place too. 'Sides, Jessa had a few starring roles in the past Hogwart's productions. If she could fake the worst asthma attack of her life, Zoryn could accompany her to the hospital wing and then they could go right back to bed.

Or it would cause a big enough interruption that this whole event would be canceled all together. Zoryn wouldn't be mad either way. Just saying.

Also, yes. Her shoes were slightly uncomfortable... A bit of transfiguration really might be useful COUGH Derf COUGH.

This. Was. Ridiculous. She'd been enjoying a great night's sleep when she'd been rudely woken by that horrible commandment to go down to the Quidditch pitch and participate in some sort of mandatory exercise. What was this? Prison? Lydia couldn't help but frown as she followed her fellow students outside. After what had happened last night at the feast, she shouldn't be surprised, but she was extremely disheartened. From what little she'd experience of her, Headmistress Hawthorne had been a great leader, fair and kind. This Scrimgeour fellow appeared to be a tyrant in contrast.

All she'd wished for was a less eventful year at Hogwarts this time around, but it looked like she was not going to get her wish. Lydia snuck a glare Scrimgeour's way as she passed by him on the field; it lasted a mere split second. She didn't want him to see; she wasn't stupid after all. His speech had been very...ominous. It wouldn't surprise her if any disobedience at Hogwarts from now on was punished harshly, and she didn't want to be among the first to be singled out.

Giving a deep sigh of resignation, Lydia began the S.O.R.E. exercises. She'd never been one for physical exertion, and if this was going to be a daily thing she knew her mood would only grow worse as the term progressed. As she jogged, Lydia couldn't help but pay attention to her fellow students. Some were getting injured. At least one first year was sobbing.

This year at Hogwarts was already turning out to be a DISASTER.

Beth heard Professor Marchand’s voice and smiled, ”thank you Professor, I…didn’t do it for the points though,” she admitted with a sheepish grin as she kept moving in time with Chase and Dizzy. ”I was going to go back around and help her hobble around but I’d barely done a lap and…I only ate a roll last night in protest” she admitted with a look. ”I was too…too impatient and hungry to wait – if she’s still only through this route I’ll go around and half-carry to the end…like a pair of human crutches?” Beth nodded her head slightly.

It was an important thing to try – helping people that is.

Chase’s comment about it being a magical athletic cult only made her laugh…and caugh, and huff a little. ”he wants our brains moving at the speed of sound – maybe they’re doing something with the department of magical education?...y’know” when Beth made her way back around toward Lex she just grinned.

”you’re rocking this, later if you want I can help check if your ankle is okay?...i’m not experienced or anything but I’ve had my fair share of tumbles” she told her with a smile before pausing and looking at Chase and Dizzy. ”this is Dizzy by the way – she’s family, and Chase…he’s…just a good old Gryffindor” see if she ever needed help he’d be helpful. Even if you had to be dramatic about the way you asked for it help me chase I’m dying would probably do the trick.