Caiden made the choice to walk around the Lake to clear his mind rather than write the Transfiguration essay he needed to submit on Monday. He had been studying for his OWL examinations in the library or common room for several days, and when he realized he had trouble comprehending the material, he knew that he had to take a break.

The fifth year, dressed in his winter robe and Ravenclaw scarf, paused beside a beech tree. He knew this was a meeting place, but there didn't seem to be anyone there at the moment. He turned away from the water and began walking towards the tree, leaning against it and keeping his hands warm within his pockets. He'd always enjoyed looking out over the lake and daydreaming about anything ever since he first stepped inside the Castle as a first year. Though nothing could compare the view from the dormitory.

Avoiding academic responsibilities and finding alternative pastimes was Aurora’s new favourite thing to do. It wasn’t that she was unaware that she needed to study or that gaining good grades would help her achieve her dream but it was before the winter break and Hogwarts had far better things to be concentrating on instead of being cooped up inside the common room.. or worse still, the library.

She’d made a promise to herself that she’d begin her revision after Christmas but she’d enjoy herself for the time being by taking a casual stroll around the Great Lake in search of a creature to befriend or a human to bother with her presence. She’d considered taking her ice skates out too whilst the weather was cold enough but decided against it in case the surface wasn’t frozen enough and knowing her lack of gracefulness (ironic considering she was quite the accomplished ice dancer) she would find the weak spot and fall straight through. It would be quite funny to see but she didn't fancy hypothermia before she travelled back home.

It was on this stroll that she spotted her fellow fifth year Claw leaning against the beech tree. She skipped her way over, slipping on a patch of mud at the lake’s shoreline but recovering enough to keep herself upright as she slid along. “Woah!” she skidded to a halt, using the tree trunk to balance herself. “I guess I didn’t need my skates to go sliding around today” she laughed.

As a fireworks enthusiast, the vast open sky above the Great Lake seemed like the ideal spot for a show sometimes. Perhaps he could convince the Headmaster one day to let him host one. It was going to be epic. But for now, he was content to gaze out over the lake, losing himself in concentration as he began to daydream.

His daydream was abruptly interrupted by a movement from somewhere to his side. He turned his head to see Aurora slipping on some mud and sliding against the tree trunk a moment later.

The Ravenclaw looked concerned at first, but when he heard her laugh, he knew she wasn't injured. That was good at least. "Skates or not that slide was a solid 8.5 out of 10", he chuckled. "So what made you slide over?"

Crisis averted. Her cheek pressed up against the trunk of the tree and her arms wrapped around it in a bear hug, the fifteen year old could not stop laughing at her own predicament.

“Why thank you” she giggled, tucking one leg behind the other in a dramatic curtsy. See? She could be graceful sometimes, today was just not her day. “I think I could have added a spin and it might have boosted my score up just a teeny bit.” Or maybe a little waltz jump like she would do on the ice? “Just as long as I didn’t end up on my bottom.” The tree had formed a solid albeit slightly hard crash barrier. She supposed she could’ve played it off by pretending she was giving the tree a hug but this was Aurora and being ‘cool’ was not something she was particularly obsessed with.

The Ravenclaw had no reason to be ‘sliding’ over, she had no reason for most things that she did other than that she simply wanted to at the time. “Just to say hello” she smiled at her fellow fifth year. “Are you avoiding studying too? It’s too pretty out here to be in the library and there’s far more exciting things to be doing like..” she glanced around looking for an answer. “..like skating. Or climbing a tree.” Or was that just her who wanted to do those things?

At first, running with a dragon egg under his shirt had been awkward. But now, after multiple days of running around the grounds with it there, things felt surprisingly natural. Well, as natural as a fake dragon egg could be, though that was something he did not ponder on in addition to the fact that he didn't need to keep his egg secured by his stomach. If such thoughts were to enter his mind, he wouldn't have bothered putting this much effort into this Care of Magical Creatures assignment.

Thanks to having to care for the egg and wanting the dragon to be a Peruvian Vipertooth, Logan was in the habit of venturing out for a jog around the grounds twice a day, early in the morning and then again before dinner. This late afternoon the blond had mindlessly taken a path that resulted in him jogging alongside the lake. He wondered if he'd catch sight of Bartholomew Henry today ... or perhaps he'd get to chat with one of the merpeople should they come up to the surface ... or maybe—

Had he not been lost in his thoughts and focused on maintaining his steady pace, the noises coming from his stomach would have been noticed. Surprisingly his stomach was not growling despite a meal in the Great Hall occurring soon, yet a few light taps and scratches occasionally sounded.

As it was, Vera was in search of her boyfriend, her own egg currently held securely in a carrier she had crafted for it - keeping it nestled closely to her. While it was likely she was going to end up with a Peruvian Vipertooth based on her activity level, she still wanted an element of surprise and thus had been trying to incorporate the other possible ways of hatching different dragons into her daily routines as well. Meaning today, instead of her usual crimsons showcasing her house pride, she was dressed in a blue athletic set, her usual ponytail up. Being outside always made her want to run, but she refrained, instead just with her eyes first for the familiar blonde.

It didn’t take long to spot him, though if she had to guess that was probably because she was only slightly obsessed with her boyfriend and could usually pick him out in any setting. Hoisting her egg a little more closely again, she made her way towards him. “Loooooogie.” She called out as she did so, quickening her pace just a little bit. The way he held his egg brought a smile to her face as she suppressed a laugh, but she didn’t say anything as she approached. “Is this your second or third run today?”

She hadn’t noticed any strange sounds either, not yet anyways.

Lost in his thoughts and the rhythmic stride of his run, the blond barely noticed Vera approaching. Her voice suddenly rang out, cutting through his contemplation, unlike the egg he was carrying. Logan's gaze shifted to see her approaching him, her own dragon egg cradled securely in a crafted carrier.

"Veeeeeee," he greeted warmly, giving her an exaggerated wave that reflected both his affection and slight amusement at her greeting. He slowed his pace just enough for her to easily catch up, feeling a sense of comfort in her presence. As they fell into step together, Logan couldn't help but notice Vera's choice of attire, dressed in blue today instead of her usual crimson. Her approach with the egg contrasted his, she favouring the unpredictability whereas he was quite set on a specific species of dragon.

"Sporting blue today, I see. Think your egg will hatch soon?" he asked, genuinely curious as they continued, the sounds of their footsteps mixing with the gentle lapping of the water and the occasional soft tap from his midsection. "I feel like mine's being intentionally stubborn."