So Desiree had always wanted to come talk to the portraits. Her sister Liliana had said that's where she went when she needed someone to talk to, when no one else would listen. Desiree didn't need anyone to talk too, but she just decided to come up one day, and she figured why not bring Indigo? She wanted the little egg to see as much of the castle as possible anyway.

She had come early in the morning so it wouldn't be crowded with people heading to class. Scanning the portraits she saw a group sitting around a table, they were all dressed in old-style clothing, one was playing some type of intstrument, a fiddle maybe, one was singing, and others were laughing and eating. She didn't say anything, just watched, not wanting to disturb their party. She took a seat next to it and leaned up against the wall. She pulled Indigo out of her bag. She seemed... fine? That was surprising.

Why did I get up early again.. she though almost dozing off into sleep, when a shout startled her. "Hey! That's our frame your leaning on." "Ya, you were making everything slide off the table!." piped up another man. "Oh.. um sorry." she said sleepily. The one with the instument chimed in,"Oh don't worry about them, would you like to hear a tune?" he asked happily. Desiree found this all very amusing, she looked down at Indy, hmm, would she like music? "I'd love to." she said with a grin.

He started playing a lively song, the others started singing, and a gleam caught Desiree's eye. She glanced at the egg, it was shimmering. Again. "Wait.. Stop." she told the portrait, wanting to see something.. as the music stopped, so did the shimmering. Amazed at her discovery she told them to play it again. The same thing happened! "So you like folk music Indigo?" she asked laughing at her egg.

It seemed to almost have a personality of its own..

Hearing a voice behind him Edvard turned around slightly embarrassed "Um, not at all Dash. I'm just trying stop the nagging old woman here from getting the last word." He gestured to the woman with the hideous jumper. What use was it anyway? When he left she would just bring her thoughts up to the next studen't or staff passing by her portrait.

Giving the portrait his back Edvard let out a sigh of relief before asking his colleague. Behind the woman worked herself up into a right state. "Where are you heading? Want to share some firewhiskey with me in the staffroom?"

Oh. So he was just arguing with the moving portrait...but Dash thought that was just as bad. He wasn't going to say so though. Shaking his head he pat Edvard on the back. "Listen mate, the old woman will always get the last word. No. Any portrait will get the last word. They spend centuries on these walls, just waiting for someone to talk to them, so once someone does they'll do anything to keep up the conversation." Even if it meant continuously arguing.

"I was just heading back to my office. Sent a letter to my family, to warn them that I might be back home soon if Borr has his way." Dash rolled his eyes. He REALLY doubted it though, he had only said a couple of things. And even if Borr was out for him and wanted him out of the school, he would not go down without a fight.

Firewhiskey..."I try not to drink that stuff unless I'm really worked up." Or stressed. "But I'll follow you there. You look like you could use some."

Purrrfect!

He had fallen into the portrait trap and swollen the bait, hook, line and sinker. Sighing Edvard knew now why Dash was acting like it was something wrong with him. The pat on the back proved it. "It's my own fault. I responded to what she was saying only because the snowman competition ruffled my temper. That Borr man certainly knows how to cause a stir." Edvard hadn't spoken two words to the man since he had been busy keeping Althea from doing something foolish.

Be back home, if Borr has his way?

Edvard raised a brow and frowned confused "Dash, what are you talking about? Did something happen at the snowman competition with 'minister' Borr that I missed?" He hoped not since Edvard had growed fond of the History of Magic professor. Nodding Edvard said "Yes, maybe but you certainly sound like you could need one too."

Lilly stepped towards one of the portraits. It was an old witch, with brown hair and green eyes. "What can I do for you, dear?" the old witch asked.
"Well, nothing really," Lilly replied. The tears from her eyes had gon, and her eyes were back to their normal colour.
"Is somthing wrong?" the portrait sensed.
"Well it was, but everything's great now! Me and my two sisters are going to live with a friend's older brother, as-" she paused, deciding whether to tell the portrait. No, Rose wanted to keep it as quiet as possible.

Amy crinkled up her eye slightly as he sniffed her hair. Good thing she'd washed it that morning, it was the coconut shampoo so it should of smelt good. An hour ago it would of been overpowering, but now it was okay, that said, she did still reach down and sniff her own hair. Thanks she mumbled, looking at the ground as she sat down on the stone steps, looking up at him and a portrait

I don't want to talk about it then she said quietly, folding her arms and sitting there, pouting and staring at her shoes. They were nice shoes and all, but they made her feel even crapper and as she stared at them, her vision started to blur with salty tears

Jack didn't want to push Amy, but he wanted to know why she was so upset. He thought for a moment of what to do, and decidedly he sat down beside Amy and put his arm around her comfortingly. "That's alright," he said softly, in to her (nice smelling) hair. "Whatever's wrong, it's ok," he assured her, sounding as helpful as he could.

Whatever she shrugged, leaning into his shoulder, her hair falling slightly over her eyes, its not okay though, its bloody crap she said defiantley, wishing she had something to throw when she said that. But as per usual, she didn't. Instead she glared at the portraits and just felt a bit more miserable. That said, any passing blonde or curly brunette boy should start running a mile

He looked at Amy. He didn't know what to do. That said, he never did. He looked at Amy desperately, and the only feelings he had were compassion. He was saddened by Amy's misery but angry at what had brought it on. He wanted to knew who did, and then he wanted to 'talk to them privately' (*cough* fist fight *cough*) He looked at her once more, then he could help it. He turned his head to the side, took her face gently in his hand, then kissed her softly.

NOW, NOW Amy was confused. All she'd wanted was a hug, chocolate, a few compliments to tell her she wasn't a bad person and didn't look like the back end of a cow and that people were stupid, she did not expect this: ie, a kiss. Admitedly, a nice kiss, he had soft lips and his teeth were clean, but she was even more confused now. Not good. She kissed him back before breaking apart and staring at him with a raised eyebrow. Wut? She asked, looking at him, not 100% sure what to do.

Awkwardly, she ran a hand through her hair, and stared at her toes, not saying anything. Not knowing what to say

Jack had to say he was embarrassed (NOT an unusual experience for him) though he wasn't sorry. "Sorry," he said quietly, his eyes fixed on a speck on the floor. He touched the speck with his foot, but when he moved it was still there. Stupid speck. "Sorry, I just... I just... I, um..." He didn't know what to say, so he thought hopefully she might say something instead.

Elise was holding on to an overexcited Ally on the way to Herbology when Elise fell onto one of the Potrait's frames.

"Oi, watch where you put that thing," one yelled, brandishing his pet snake.

"Yeah, you don't want it to crack, do you?!"

Elise nearly cried when a soothing female voice spoke up. "Be quiet, you two. It's alright, dearie. They bother everyone."

Looking up, Elise found herself staring into the eyes of a violinist. "You don't happen to play, do you?" she asked.

"Why, of course I do!" the woman smiled, and began to play.

Ally began to glow a bright blue, twitching in approval.

"I believe your metal friend likes it," she laughed, setting down her violin.

"It does." Elise grinned. "I'm sorry, but I have to get to class now or I'll be late."

"Come back and visit!" she called as Elise ran down the stairs.

"Will do!" Elise called back, running in the general direction of the greenhouses.

Errrrm. Amy stared at her feet awkwardly. No. Evidently he wasn't going to be saying anything either, well, this was really awkward. Err, yeah um she tried again, going red faced, well uhm yeah right, uhh, thanks? She tried, with a shrug, yeah thanks she nodded, because like errr...yeah.

Intelligent Amy. Yup

First Floor.

She was passing through the First Floor Corridor, catching sight of some students who were talking with each other and to some paintings. Yes, talking to the paintings. That was a normal thing at their school but she had not yet tried doing so. Well, they say it could be fun. Others say it isn't worth their while. Gah, who knows when you don't actually try it, right ?

And that was her mission now. TALK TO PORTRAITS.

Beezus choose to approach a trio of witches seemingly playing Gobstones. Or something like that. They didn't seem too stern looking. In fact, they seemed friendly. But another painting caught her eye. A painting that she did not know whether she was going to frown, laugh or feel sorry.

"Pmmpmff," the dog in the middle of the painting sobbed. A dog ? Dogs ? Because there were actually three of them when she moved closer. Can they talk ? She thought. Well, the creatures in this World aren't as often as you expect. Deciding to find out for herself, "Errrr--hello pups !" She greeted the puppies in the portrait. With her appearance however, they still did not change expression.

"The girl is talking to us--fmmffmfmmf.." The dog at the right said to his fellow. "You two talk to her," The dog at the left answered back, then tears leaked from its eyes.

The three started to mumbled and talk in between their sobs which grew louder each time they opened their mouths. "Uhm..." Beezus tried to butt in but she couldn't find the perfect timing. The puppies were weeping so much and it made her get a move on. And so she did.

But....the was an experience she would downright remember right? And she was unsure if she would ever do that again. And so, she retraced her steps and faced the painting again, the dogs still sobbing. "I--I'll just take a picture of you, `kay ?" She said as she took the camera from her bag. As it flashed, the dogs cried more loudly. With a forced smile she said her thanks to the trio and dashed away.

*POP*

Tinka arrived on the first floor, arms flailing and all flustered. She was immediately met by an irate portrait of a Knight who insisted on shouting at her.

"It's about time you came and straightened me up! I've been wonky for the last day or two! You lot need to pull your fingers out, the service around her is terrible lately. What on earth have you all been doing?! Humph!"

Bowing and nodding her head, much like a muggle dog toy in the back of a car, Tinka squeaked every time he piped up and carried on speaking. "Tinka is sorry, Sir. Very sorry. Tinka and the other elves are busy, sir. We're....we're....NO! Can't say." She slapped herself on top of the head, then pulled at her ears a few times. Must punish for nearly telling.

"....JUST GET ON WITH IT!"

Jumping slightly at the next outburst from the portrait, Tinka nodded and rushed forward to straighten the frame. "Sorry, sir. Must go!"

*POP*

And she was gone again.

Jack bit his lip. Noww he felt stupid. And loser-ish. Soo. Yep... He looked at her for a minute when she said thanks. Thanks? As in, thanks for kissing me? Riiight. "Um... You're, eh, welcome..." He said uncertainly. Yeah. He wanted to change the subject to sooomething. Anything. Really, this was awkward silence, and that speck wasn't going away. "So. How's, er, Sammy? And... um, Everett?" He asked her, hoping maybe the topic of her friends might... lighten the mood some bit.

Yeah....Amy nodded, wishing the earth would swallow her up, I mean yeah thanks it was nice, good nice but you know, errrr, different Amy nodded triumphantly, though still feeling like a doof. How could you really say something like that "yep, you were a good kisser, but this is awkward now". No, she couldn't/wouldn't.

But frankly, she'd rather talk about awkwardness than about them two. Or even...well. She wasn't sure. Don't want to talk about it, she muttered, expression dropping and sitting back down, crossing her arms and trying to cut herself off

After a moment, Jack got it. Or, at least, thought he did. "Oh God," he said, rubbing his temples. "He's going to kill me." He groaned. "Everett. He's your boyfriend, isn't he?" He shook his head. "Damn. Sorry, Amy, I forgot about that..."

No Amy said sharply. He's not she added, glaring at the floor. She shrugged, feeling all booed again. Bleeeeeerh. Bloody bloody bloody Everett! Even when he wasn't there he was still mucking her around. Bloody boy. She hated him

Jack was really surprise. "Really?" He asked, a wave of relief washing over him, because Everett had friends, and friends hate guys who kiss their other friend's girlfriends, and then they all beat the guy up. So Jack was not deemed to have another scar. His happiness didn't last long though, because he noticed the sharpness and anger in Amy's voice. Ahh. He got it. Everett was the problem, or, at least part of it.

Yes really Amy said, irritated. Why did the conversation just go round in circles, and was always around him. Everett Sutherland. He just did what he wanted, whenever he wanted, even when he wasn't there. And it really, really annoyed her. So, don't talk about him okay? She asked, even though it wasn't a question. Because if they kept going on, the only thing she'd do was run, and she really didn't want to do any excercising.

Jack nodded, shutting up. "So you're taking your OWLs, aren't you? How are they?" He asked, curiously. He had missed his OWLs, and was supposed to be taking them with his NEWTs.

....right. Okay then. That was definatley moving on from the topic of irritating not boyfriends and so called friends pretty darn well. OWLs. Always a good part of conversation. Yeah, they're okay Amy nodded moderatley with a shrug and a slight bob of her head. Yeah, okay summed it up. She'd much rather of done something else, but it was okay. Sort of. It's a lot of revision she said after a few seconds. How did your OWLs go?

"I didn't take them, because I hadn't started here yet," he said, a hint of bitterness creeping in to his voice. He hadn't given much thought to his home over the past few days, and of course he had just ruined it. "I'm supposed to be taking them next year, with my NEWTs, this year they said they were going to tell me catch up on what I've missed for five years." He shrugged.

Oh I see Amy said nodding slowly, have you been going to lessons? She asked with a frown, now admitedly Amy was a frequenter of bunking lessons, but the ones she'd turned up to, she hadn't seen Jack there. She nodded again. But again, her mind kept wandering back to the curly hair boy, and his stoooopid guitar. And then she felt crap again. No, she wouldn't, she shook her head violently, trying to get him out of her mind