Cole was feeling very nervous as he leaned against the railing to look out at the breathtaking view of the grounds and whomping willow from the fourth floor balcony. He was waiting for Naya to come for their DATE. This was scary, nerve-wracking and oh so many other emotions stuff. What if the date ended badly, would they still be friends? Would it be weird? If the date went well, what then? Were they supposed to be called girlfriend and boyfriend then? Cole tired his best to push the thoughts away because they honestly we're helping. He had planned for the date carefully though. He had a nice gift for Naya and also a piece of chocolate cake that they could share.

Cole twiddled his thumbs as he waited for Naya to come.

Naya was headed to the fourth floor to meet Cole. To say she was a little nervous was an understatement. Why should she be though? This was Cole. Only this was different. This time it was official.......an official date. Naya had only changed her outfit five times before realizing how ridiculous she was being. She would be fine. They would be fine, right? No need to be nervous.

When she arrived at the balcony, Cole had his back turned. She watched him for a moment, unable to keep a smile from forming. Taking a deep breath, Naya announced her presence. “Well hello there. Pretty view, isn’t it?”

Relax. This is Naya, not someone you have never met. Naya you know. Or did he know her super well? Cole supposed that this creepy official date was going to be one step towards knowing Naya even better than he thought he did. He had ended up just wearing one of his favourite dragon t-shirts under a leather jacket and dark pants. The school robes though spoiled the effect he was hoping for. He wanted to look hot handsome and not like everyone else.

Cole heard Naya's steps before he heard her voice or turned to look at her. When he heard her voice it felt like a flutter started in the pit of his stomach. Be natural, he reminded himself as he turned around to face her with a warm smile pursing his lips. "Hi Naya," taking a breath he added. "Yes this balconies view of the grounds is pretty spectacular." Remembering the drawing in his jacket pocket he pulled it out and held it out to her. "Here, i got you something." It was just a simple drawing of a swedish short snout dragon...

When Cole turned around, Naya could not help the smile that spread across her face. She was happy. Happy for the chance to spend time with Cole, just Cole. When he handed her something, she couldn’t imagine what it could be. Naya looked down at the picture and then up at Cole with surprise. “Did you draw this? This is awesome. I love it!” He remembered that she had a thing for dragons. Naya examined the drawing, amazed by the detail with which it was drawn. “Thank you so much. I have the perfect place for it.” She was going to put it in her dorm room. Every time she looked at it, it would remind her of her dream to work with dragons one day........that and Cole, but she didn’t really need any reminder to think about him.

Suddenly feeling a bit shy, Naya continued. ”Soooo, how are things going so far this term?” Really Naya? How are things going? She really had to do better than this with her conversation. This was an opportunity to get to know each other better, right? She had to relax and get it together. Was Cole as nervous as she was? He couldn’t possibly be. Naya hadn’t been nervous when they saw each other in Diagon Alley. Why was this any different?

Cole waited nervously for her verdict as Naya looked down at the picture he had drawn for her. It was a little silly, but he really wanted her to like it. If she hated it he didn’t know what he’d say or do. Luckily though the happiness in Naya’s eyes and voice when she said that she loved the drawing made all his insecurity and nerves melt away like they hadn’t been there at all. Beaming Cole asked curiously "I’m glad you like it. I remembered that you like dragons like me so i thought it’d be nice if you got a dragon drawing to look at until you can see one for yourself in real life." Cole supposed it was a very small chance that they’d get to see any dragons at the school in CoMC class before they graduated. "Do you still want to work with dragons after we graduate from school?" he wondered. For him it was going to be either quidditch or something creature related like dragon keeper or creature healer.

Why was she asking that? Cole was confused. Naya knew everything that he had gone through so far in term, didn’t she? But maybe not. Play it natural Cole. Just be you and answer her question. Sliding down to sit on the floor, with his back to the balcony he asked. "Did I tell you about when me and Islay and Noah fell into the slug pit in the dungeons a week ago?"

Naya looked down at her picture again. “You are really talented Cole. I had no idea you were this good. You’ve got skills.” It was true. He did. See, Naya had learned something about Cole. Their getting to know you better date was working. “I like to draw.....a little. I’m not dragon drawing good though.” Not even close. It was more of a stress reliever for Naya. “What other hidden talents do you have?“ Hmm? Hmm? Do tell. Inquiring minds wanted to know.

”Yes. I think I do want to work with dragons when I finish school.” Although Naya had never experienced dragons up close, she had always been fascinated by them. “If I don’t end up working with dragons, I definitely want to work with some kind of creatures.” That she knew for a fact.

When Cole sat down, Naya followed suit, sitting next to him. After her awkwardly ridiculous question, Cole saved the conversation day. He had a story to tell and Naya was all ears. “No, you never told me about that. What happened?” This was going to be good.

Cole felt his face go warm as he blushed at Naya’s praise. "Thanks, I like drawing, but it’s just a hobby." It wasn’t something he ever planned on doing career wise. Raising his eyebrows at her revelation he asked with genuine interest. "Really? I didn’t know that. I’ve never seen you draw stuff in the common room. What do you like to draw? Flowers?" It was the first girly thing that popped into Cole’s head. Thoughtfully he repeated out loud "Hidden talents? Well I like playing board games like trivia ones and baking cookies." Two things he hadn’t shared with other hogwartsians before so maybe this date thing was going good? "So what about you? Have you got any other hidden talents that I don’t know about?" Aside from drawing apparently.

"Cool!" Cole commented. "Working with creatures i bet will be fun. Do you like our new CoMC professor? Isn’t he awesome?" Professor Williamson had quickly become one of Cole’s favourite professors. He was far better than that french dude they had had before him. He had been too stiff and sometimes hard to understand with his french accent. Remembering the slugs a little too vividly he asked her "Have you ever seen the pit full of slime and hundreds of slugs down in the dungeons?" It was important to know for his story.

Naya laughed at Cole’s surprise about her drawing revelation. “I like to draw outdoor things, nature really. There are a lot of pretty scenes around the castle that I like to draw, especially by the lake. And flowers, yeah I draw them too....sometimes.”

Naya listened as Cole shared his hidden talents. When he mentioned cookies, her eyes lit up. “You bake cookies? Well that’s awesome because I love to eat cookies. What is your favorite kind to bake?” Naya wasn’t picky. She never met a cookie she didn’t like. When the topic turned to her hidden talents, she paused. ”I wouldn’t exactly say that drawing was a talent. I’m not good enough for that label. I am a good swimmer. I used to compete for a while back home. Of course everyone swims where I come from, so it’s not that special.” What else? Hmm. “Well it’s not really a talent, but I like photography. I’m still learning though.” Naya had an idea. She wasn’t sure how Cole would react, but she decided to go for it anyway. “I have my camera here at school. Maybe I could take your picture sometime.......if you want me to.” She could already imagine some nice spots on the grounds where she could shoot, if Cole agreed to her plan.

The Magical Creatures professor? “Oh yes I like him. He seems really nice. I can’t wait to see what other creatures he’ll have us working with this year.” Naya thought she could really learn a lot from the man. Maybe when she worked up the nerve, she would go and talk to him about her future plans with creatures. She could always benefit from some advice on the matter. And then, Naya’s curiosity was piqued. “No, I have never seen the slime pit and the slugs. It sounds disgusting.” She was pretty sure that that was a spot in the castle that she could do without seeing. “Tell me what happened.”

Cool. He hadn’t made her sour at him for thinking that she drew girly things like flowers and other nature things. If it had been Claudine then she would have said something... "I’d like to see something you’ve drawn sometime, if you are okay with it?" Cole queried. Remembering the cake he added. "If you’re hungry we could share some cake that i snagged from the great hall buffet?" Just a suggestion.

Laughing Cole said "My favourite thing to bake are jam cookies or chocolate chip muffins." He’d bake her something sometime if the elves would let him into the kitchen. It was a big if. She liked photography and wanted to take his picture. Getting slightly uncomfortable Cole murmured quietly. "I'm usually don’t like getting my picture taken because I usually end up looking weird on most pictures or that i don’t look pretty enough…" Plus all the pictures they had at home were ones with his mother in it and they hurt to see.

It was better to chat about Professor Williamson. More fun. "I hope we get to see a baby creature get born. That’d be awesome or a dragon egg." Cole knew that that possibility was slim though. Cracking a smile as Naya asked about the slug pit he nodded. "The slug pit is truly disgusting. It took an hour to get all the slime out of my hair and the smell too..Eww." Islay probably hadn’t forgiven him for dragging her down there. "I explored around the dungeons and happened upon the pit and managed to drop my sisters beloved bracelet into the slime pit so i had to search amongst the slugs for it. It wasn’t easy and I/we fell into the pit a couple of times.. Noah also dropped his wand to the slugs…" Cole added as an afterthought.

Cole wanted to see one of her drawings. Oh. “I guess that would be ok. Sure, I’ll show you some of my drawings. Just don’t have high expectations, ok?” Naya was definitely not in Cole’s league where drawing was concerned, but she would share. Then he said the magic word. Cake. Naya was down for all things sweet. “I would like that. Thanks.” He was so thoughtful.

Could things get any better? Why yes they could. Cole mentioned his favorite treats to bake and Naya could almost smell them as he spoke. A guy who could bake. Now that was definitely a keeper. Naya noticed Cole’s whole vibe change when she mentioned taking his picture. She understood not liking to get one’s picture taken. Many people didn’t. But feeling that he didn’t look good enough. Please. “You always look handsome to me.” Wait, did she just say that out loud? Naya hadn’t really intended to say it aloud, but it was what she had been thinking.....and it was true. “I get it. If you don’t want me to, it’s cool. But I’m pretty sure I can take a picture that you would like.” Just saying. Maybe they could take a picture together????

Moving on......Care of Magical Creatures......Williamson......dragon egg. Now we’re talking. “I’d like to see a dragon egg. Ooh and even a baby dragon hatching” Naya knew that would never happen, but they could dream. When Cole described what happened in the slug pit. Naya wrinkled her nose. She could just picture the nastiness and imagine the smell. The thought of being in the slime was so gross. “Well I guess that was a lesson learned. I imagine you won’t go back there anytime soon.”

Suddenly, Naya had an idea. A totally random thought had come to her and she decided to go with it. Turning to face him, she said, “Hey Cole?” “Tell me one thing that most people don’t know about you. It doesn’t have to be anything super personal, just something that not everyone knows. Surprise me. Then I’ll tell you something not everyone knows about me.” After she said it, Naya was afraid she was being to pushy. Cole might not be ok with that. She had already said it, so she couldn’t take it back now. She’d just have to hope that he wasn’t put off by her request.