Whistling. Yes, he was whistling.

And why, you ask? Because he was on his way to visit his favorite Groundskeeper ever. In all fairness, Mr. Stryker was the second one he's ever met, and Mr. Masterson had been rather weird to say the least, so, it was an easy decision as to who was best.

Also, he wanted more of those chocolate-covered almonds, or...almond-covered chocolate. He only knew it was almonds and chocolate, that was enough for him.

Knock, knock.

Innocent smile.

Chad was busy putting the final touches up around his hut. Books there, cat food there, and the cat by his bed. There. Perfect!

...

And just in time, apparently.

"Come in," he called. "The door is unlocked."

Perfect! That was his signal!

Treyen oh-so-slowly opened the door, for that's what Mr. Stryker had informed him to do. And his innocent smile wasn't there anymore...it was replaced by a very wide one. "Mr. Stryker, Sir, how are you?" he asked, closing the door behind him, and actually looking around for the kitty...

...who's name failed him.

"I kind of wanted to check on you...and I noticed the treehouse was back on my way here...," HOW exactly did he notice it when it was so far away? And on the other side? Where had Treyen been, eh? "...that was a very nice surprise." So, he was pretty much thanking him.

Chad grinned. "You wanted to check on me, Monsieur Lockhart? That was very kind of you. As for the tree house, well, it was a present from Monsieur Masterson. I made a few adjustments, of course." Chad walked into his little kitchenette and picked the jar of chocolate covered almonds off the shelf.

"Are the kids crawling all over it, yet?" Chad opened the jar and picked a few out for himself, before offering the jar to the Treyen boy.

Monsieur. Hehe. That sounded so awesome coming from the Groundskeeper. The boy mimicked his grin, while nodding his head off, "Yes, you know, the Staff keeps on changing so much...," he started to say, but decided not to finish the sentence, he didn't want to jinx it, he'd rather have Mr. Stryker in here until it was time to leave Hogwarts.

Wait.

His smile became smaller, "You...talked to Mr. Masterson?" that was the last name he expected the man to say, nevertheless, he nodded at what the Groundskeeper said about the treehouse. He'll need to check it out, then.

"Yeah, I've seen a couple of them up there already," he hadn't climbed up at the time, because he had more important things to do...like...coming to this hut.

His eyes had been following that jar the whole time, and since it was left there, open, then he took a couple of those oh-so-delicious chocolate-covered almonds. Yum.

Aaaaw! "Were you afraid that I was not coming back, Monsieur Lockhart," Stryker teased, reaching over to ruffle the kid's hair. "Do not worry. I have a feeling I'll be here for a little while longer."

Chad took the opportunity to nibble on the few choco-almonds. Aaah, yes. Masterson. "Very briefly. I managed to locate his place of residence...such a pleasant man," he added, very sarcastically. "He threw a dog chew toy at me for invading private property."

It was true. Chad still remembered the distinctive "SQUEAK" it had made once it'd come into contact with his forehead.

"It needs some colour, do you think so? The treehouse, I mean. It's just...wood. I think it needs some colour."

Hey! He could be afraid of such a thing, but perhaps he was more afraid to find out that Mr. Masterson had returned. That was something to fear, seriously. He didn't reply to that, especially since he was busy frowning at the ruffling of his hair. Tsk, tsk. He didn't enjoy it much, the list of people that were allowed to do so was slim.

VERY slim.

And...no, Mr. Stryker was not on the list, but Treyen didn't mention it. "Good." He said, with a nod. No smiles, though, he was rearranging his hair now.

What?! So, he really spoke to Masterson. He couldn't help but widen his eyes at the word 'pleasant'. Masterson...pleasant. Snort. But, of course, Mr. Stryker added something else to his answer. Ahhhh, okay, now we get it. "Oh, yes, that sounds more like Mr. Masterson," see, he didn't ask anything about the man's whereabouts. Awesome Lockhart in the making, because he'd rather pretend the man was on the other side of the universe.

Honestly, Treyen could stay here all day, sitting and looking out the window. Which was pretty much what he was doing.

Color? "I don't know, I think it looks great the way it is," he nodded, all business-like, "It will always depend on which colors, and I'd leave it like it is," not because he was scared of changes or anything, but colors were a tricky thing.

"You know, I built one this summer, with Rae, the Slytherin girl," Fletcher's girl, to be more precise.

Stryker was in the midst of popping a few more choco-almonds into his mouth when he heard the Treyen boy mention something along the lines of...he built a treehouse. With a girl?

"Ooooh, Monsieur Lockhart. You player, you," he teased. "Well? How did the treehouse making with this...Rae go?"

Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

O_____o

Player? What was he talking about? It was highly likely that Mr. Masterson got inside the man's mind while he was away.

Eh, "Player?" Blink. It was best to know what Mr. Stryker was talking about, after all, words tend to have different meanings to everyone, and he was French. "Oh, it was...kind of tiring, it was made the Muggle way, you see, so, it's rather small, not as big as the one in the grounds," certainly not as big as that, it would've taken them a whole year to build one of those without magic.

He knew who Rae was, right?

Mr. Stryker knew every kid in the school, no? Why did Treyen think he did?

Stryker waved a hand. "I am sure you were able to construct a wonderful looking tree house. Besides, doing it by hand makes you stronger. Muscles, you know," he nodded, getting up again to fetch himself a glass of water.

Treyen nodded. And the fact that Mr. Stryker never answered his question sort of worried him. But if the man had ignored it, then maybe it didn't matter that much, yes? Yeah, Treyen had no idea. He could've meant anything with that.

Never mind.

Much.

Blink. Muscles? "It was good exercise," both physical and mental, because they had to figure out HOW to build it in the first place, and Fletcher hadn't been of much help about it. "I...really doubt I got stronger by it, but, yeah," he might have gotten leaner, but that was all. No big muscles or anything.

"So, tell me, Mr. Stryker," he said, as he relaxed into his seat even more, "How was your summer?" because that question had been left behind at the beginning of the conversation.

Isobel walked merrily across the grounds and took in the familiar sights while breathing the familiar air. Then she decided to go visit her favorite teacherperson, even though he wasn't really a teacher. He was her favorite anyway.

Isobel walked over to the hut and knocked on the door, then she stood and waited for MisterChadStryker to open the door.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockhartian

Treyen nodded. And the fact that Mr. Stryker never answered his question sort of worried him. But if the man had ignored it, then maybe it didn't matter that much, yes? Yeah, Treyen had no idea. He could've meant anything with that.

Never mind.

Much.

Blink. Muscles? "It was good exercise," both physical and mental, because they had to figure out HOW to build it in the first place, and Fletcher hadn't been of much help about it. "I...really doubt I got stronger by it, but, yeah," he might have gotten leaner, but that was all. No big muscles or anything.

"So, tell me, Mr. Stryker," he said, as he relaxed into his seat even more, "How was your summer?" because that question had been left behind at the beginning of the conversation.

"It was goood," Chad nodded, relaxing back into his seat as well. "Spent the entire time at my Chateau in France with my girlfriend. Hmmm...oh, and I got a tattoo," he grinned. The mid-life crisis thing came a little early.

"What about you? Aside from your treehouse building adventure, how was it?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyMalfoy

Isobel walked merrily across the grounds and took in the familiar sights while breathing the familiar air. Then she decided to go visit her favorite teacherperson, even though he wasn't really a teacher. He was her favorite anyway.

Isobel walked over to the hut and knocked on the door, then she stood and waited for MisterChadStryker to open the door.

"The door is unlocked," he called from his seat. "Come on in!"

Clearly, it had been, or he would've come to this Hut and found a very stressed Mr. Stryker, which...he didn't.

Nod. Nod.

Girlfriend? "I didn't know...," that it was none of Treyen's business? Yeah, that too. "...er, never mind." It's not like he was bound to know every single detail of the man's life, and it was kind of better if he didn't.

But...a tattoo? Treyen wasn't one for tattoos, but they could suit the Groundskeeper, no? "What did you get?" he asked, curiosity in his eyes, "Did you get the tattoo at a Muggle shop?" THAT was a more important question. Come to think of it, he's never seen a Wizarding one.

Now it was his time to speak up, right? Not yet, wait until he's done with a few more almonds.

"Well, my summer included World Cup, beach, Luxembourg, and some family quality time," yeah, the last one had been rather emotional, since after the talk with Jake he decided to speak to his sister about a little misunderstanding they'd had for the last five years or so. "Fun times." Normal summer times, only Ellie had been included in some thoughts, mainly around the Quidditch days, which Aaron had thought had been quite annoying.

Someone else was knocking...it seems Mr. Stryker was a popular one, eh?

"Bonjour sir," Isobel said. Throughout the last year she had begun to say 'hello,' but it seemed her summer in France had gotten her talking French again. And now what was she supposed to say to him? Um..."How war your summer sir?" She asked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockhartian

Clearly, it had been, or he would've come to this Hut and found a very stressed Mr. Stryker, which...he didn't.

Nod. Nod.

Girlfriend? "I didn't know...," that it was none of Treyen's business? Yeah, that too. "...er, never mind." It's not like he was bound to know every single detail of the man's life, and it was kind of better if he didn't.

But...a tattoo? Treyen wasn't one for tattoos, but they could suit the Groundskeeper, no? "What did you get?" he asked, curiosity in his eyes, "Did you get the tattoo at a Muggle shop?" THAT was a more important question. Come to think of it, he's never seen a Wizarding one.

Now it was his time to speak up, right? Not yet, wait until he's done with a few more almonds.

"Well, my summer included World Cup, beach, Luxembourg, and some family quality time," yeah, the last one had been rather emotional, since after the talk with Jake he decided to speak to his sister about a little misunderstanding they'd had for the last five years or so. "Fun times." Normal summer times, only Ellie had been included in some thoughts, mainly around the Quidditch days, which Aaron had thought had been quite annoying.

Someone else was knocking...it seems Mr. Stryker was a popular one, eh?

Chad grinned. "Yeah, I got it done at a muggle shop." He rolled up his right sleeve to show off the tribal tattoo. "What do you think? Cool?" Dear heavens, he hoped so!

"It sounds like you had a very nice summer, Monsieur. I would have gone to the World Cup this year, I was offered tickets from a friend, but I decided to spend some quality time with my family and woman, as well. Who won?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyMalfoy

"Bonjour sir," Isobel said. Throughout the last year she had begun to say 'hello,' but it seemed her summer in France had gotten her talking French again. And now what was she supposed to say to him? Um..."How war your summer sir?" She asked.

"Bonjour," Stryker responded, rolling his shirt sleeve back down. "I had an excellent summer, thank you. What about you? I hope you enjoyed it...chocolate covered almonds?" He held the jar out towards her, offering that she have some.

He did?! Whoa! Mr. Stryker was certainly cool.

The boy grinned as the man replied, and then his eyes widened, he was so not ready to see the tattoo, actually, he didn't expect Mr. Stryker to show him in the first place. "Oooooooh," yes, that's what he'd thought, and since his words had failed him, then that was all Chad was going to get until he could manage some decent speech.

Which was now, "It is!" he said, before deciding to add, "Well, I'm not one for tattoos, but it looks pretty cool on you," yeah, yeah, they had an awesome Groundskeeper, but better not to let him know.

Smile. Chocolate-covered almonds. Smile.

"I did." He always had good summers, regardless of the destination. Wait...whaaaaaat?! If Mr. Stryker had been there...and Treyen had found him in that desert...oh, my Gilderoy, that day would've been pretty hard to top. But the boy sighed when he asked who'd won, "Spain." The game had been brilliant, though.

The fifth year smiled at Isobel as she entered the Hut, and sort of wondered her reasons for such an early visit to the man.

"My summer was really fun," she said. "I went to France with my siblings and some of my friends." It had been really fun. She looked at the jar of chocolate covered almonds. She didn't really like almonds, but she took one to be polite. "Thank you," she popped it in her mouth. Eh, she didn't think she would have another one of those. Then she thought of something she had wanted to ask him. "How come you got rid of the soccer field?" It had been her favorite thing outside.

Riley had been walking along the edge of the Forbidden forest just being sneaky and stepping his foot in and out here and there to just do it when he came across a wooded-type wall.

Hmmm...what was that? Unknowing that it was indeed the back of the Groundskeeper's hut, Riley walked up to it and stared for a moment at the wooded pattern. There were trees nearby, was this a tree aswell? He reached out a hand and thumped it hard with his balled fist. Didn't sound like a tree.

He kicked it. And then began to pick at the bark with his finger. He was going to find out what the deal was with this tree if it took him all day. (He would stop in like 15 minutes he was kind of hungry actually.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockhartian

"I did." He always had good summers, regardless of the destination. Wait...whaaaaaat?! If Mr. Stryker had been there...and Treyen had found him in that desert...oh, my Gilderoy, that day would've been pretty hard to top. But the boy sighed when he asked who'd won, "Spain." The game had been brilliant, though.

Stryker grinned. "You make it sound like Spain winning is a bad thing, Monsieur. I am sure it was an excellent played game, yes? Does that not matter?" He was only teasing the boy, of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyMalfoy

"My summer was really fun," she said. "I went to France with my siblings and some of my friends." It had been really fun. She looked at the jar of chocolate covered almonds. She didn't really like almonds, but she took one to be polite. "Thank you," she popped it in her mouth. Eh, she didn't think she would have another one of those. Then she thought of something she had wanted to ask him. "How come you got rid of the soccer field?" It had been her favorite thing outside.

Woohoo! France!

"Whereabouts in France were you? I was at my chateau in Marseilles. Wonderful weather this summer, no?" Mmmmm, it had been beautiful!

Stryker smiled as she took a choco-almond and put the jar back on the table, edging it towards Treyen. He had seen the way the boy had been eyeing the jar.

Oh, soccer field. "Infestation of bunnies," he answered nonchalantly. "Honestly, I have no idea where they came from. I relocated them and the field to a location where they could hop and nibble on the grass aaaaall they want. Must have been something they liked in the grass." Weirdo animals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanialRadFAN01

Riley had been walking along the edge of the Forbidden forest just being sneaky and stepping his foot in and out here and there to just do it when he came across a wooded-type wall.

Hmmm...what was that? Unknowing that it was indeed the back of the Groundskeeper's hut, Riley walked up to it and stared for a moment at the wooded pattern. There were trees nearby, was this a tree aswell? He reached out a hand and thumped it hard with his balled fist. Didn't sound like a tree.

He kicked it. And then began to pick at the bark with his finger. He was going to find out what the deal was with this tree if it took him all day. (He would stop in like 15 minutes he was kind of hungry actually.)

Chad raised an eyebrow, looking towards the back of his hut. Who on earth was trying to beat up his house? Chad had his money on the house.

He got up from his seat and crossed over to the nearest window, sliding it up and poking his head out. There was a kid..picking at the bark.

....what on earth?

"Having fun there, Monsieur?"

Gimme the almonds back Isobel. Tsk.

Treyen LAUGHED, out loud, because Mr. Stryker's reasoning, apart from making sense, was somehow amusing to him at this moment. Maybe he's had enough chocolate.

"Well, I was rooting for England, is only normal that I would've preferred a different outcome," he started to say, "But you're right, it was a pretty cool game, and I went...that's all that matters," the boy nodded, he was on a better mood now, thanks Groundskeeper.

Oh, and most importantly, "I also got a few autographs," a few for him, because he only asked his favorite people. Now, for the girl, he got the team to sign the picture. He wasn't mentioning that to Mr. Stryker, though.

And...who was making that sound??

Oooooh, the almonds were back. GRIN.

Chad chuckled at the Lockhart boy, but his laugh was quickly replaced with a face that very much resembled a :O. "And you didn't get me any? To think...I share my chocolate almonds with you..." he pretend huffed, but then chuckled.

"That's very cool, Monsieur. Whose did you get?"

Where? Well, she didn't know exactly where it had been. "Somewhere in the country...near....Lyons..." She trailed off and quickly went on to agree with his next statement. "Yes, it was very beautiful. I loved it there, I got to catch up with my friends from Beaubaxtons." She hoped she'd get to see Max and Eddie next summer.

Oooh; bunnies! Isobel loved bunnies! Jaymie loved them too; much more than Isobel did. But at the moment Isobel was mad at the bunnies, for making the soccer field go away. Then she had an idea. "Would you happen to have a soccer ball. And could I maybe use it?" She hadn't brought her own, because she had thought there would be a soccer field here. She would have to remember to bring one next year.

"Ooh, Lyons," Stryker nodded. "It is very beautiful around there, maybe I will go on vacation there next summer." Hmm, yes. Or maybe even Christmas. Oooh. There was planning to be had.

"A soccer ball? I think I had a spare one around here somewhere..." He walked around the hut to his closet and started to rummage through it. Stuff...stuff...stuffstuffstuff...ah! Ball! "Here," he said, rolling the soccer ball in her direction. "You can keep it. I do not have use for it anymore." Hmm, there was another one in here. "What about you, Monsieur Lockhart? I have an extra...want it?"