West hadn't worked himself up to knocking on the Professor's door yet. He didn't even know if she was there but HE was there to see her. For now though he just sort of wandered about and found himself in a nice quiet little terrace area just a bit around the corner.

Clutching a rolled up piece of paper and with multiple smudges of paint on his face, the first year poked about. He didn't even feel like climbing things! He was too busy thinking about what he was going to SAY if he did talk to the Herbology Professor. He was still so MAD about that big boy, and frustrated and everything too but a lot of that had ebbed a bit after Aspen had got his ribs sorted out and he'd sat down to do some painting, the result of which was currently rolled up and clasped in his hands. He leaned close to a flower and sniffed it.

SNIFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF.

After sorting out some paper work and general house keeping tasks, Seren finally managed to get out of her office. Even after three years of teaching at Hogwarts, she hadn't gotten used to sitting behind a desk, it just wasn't her style.

It was almost time to do the rounds, make sure everything was running smoothly, that nobody had murdered any plants recently, or dirtied up her greenhouses. Feeling the need to de-stress first before getting on with it, Seren headed around the corner to the terrace. It was lovely at this time of year, and it appeared as though somebody else thought so too...
"Exploring are we Mister Odessa?" she asked, approaching a table near the boy and sitting down.

It smelled like apples, West noted and then stood up all of a sudden like he'd been caught misbehaving at the sound of the professor's voice.

He whirled around, rolled up paper behind his back....

"Ummmmmmmm.... yeah. Yes. Sort of I mean. I was coming to see you but there were people and I didn't know what to say. Or anything. And then I got distracted. And now I'm here. And now you're here. I drew you a picture."

He thrust it at her. "Its um... a Mediterranean Throat-Latching Carnation." He looked at her in earnest.

"I drew it 'cos I'm sorry about in your class. I'm not sorry that I headbutted that big boy, because he was mean to my sister, but I am sorry that it was in your class, because my dad says that its never fair to interrupt other people learning and I didn't think about that much then cos I was just so MAD. I'm STILL MAD." He kicked the leg of one of the chairs the professor wasn't sitting on in frustration. "But I didn't mean to be trouble, even though that is what my dad calls me. Trouble. He says because it finds me even when I'm not looking. And your class wouldn't have even been boring if it hadn't happened! Next time I headbutt someone, I'll do it in a boring class, professor."

Relaxing in her seat, arms folded in her lap, she watched in amusement as the first year stammered his way through explaining his reason for being at the terrace. Did anyone need a justification for that? She didn't think so. But she didn't interrupt West and before she knew it he was thrusting something at her. A picture? He drew her a picture?

Unrolling it, her eyes instantly lit up. It was incredible, and by far the sweetest thing a student had ever done for her. This was definitely getting a spot on her cork board. "You drew this for me?" she asked, still disbelieving that anyone would actually draw her a picture without her setting it as a homework task.
"I love it, thank you West."

It took almost everything she had to resist the urge to wrap her arms around the boys shoulders. No no no... she was not getting clucky. Absolutely not. Nope. West was a student and she was a sentimental Professor, that was all.

What West said next almost brought her to tears. Tears of joy. "So something did happen?" she mused, the truth finally surfacing. Headbutting, now that was something she hadn't anticipated happening in her classroom, she'd keep an eye out for flying students from now on. "Well it's very good of you to apologise, I thank you for that. Though I would advise avoiding conflict within the classroom.. or at all, you know, violence being a rule breaker and all."

"Who else?" West was confused and he tipped his head to one side, scuffing his feet. The kid lit up though, when she said she liked it.

"Cool." So. They were COOL then.

"I never said nothing happened!" Right? He didn't! "That big boy yelled at my sister and then threatened her and us Odessas have to stick together. I didn't use my brain."

... except that in a way he kind of had? The thought made him smile and then crack up laughing. Heeeeeeeeeeheeeeeeeeeeee!

"Do you have any of them in the greenhouse?" West asked curiously and pointed at his picture. Or her picture now, really. "Can I see some more cool things? Flesh eating plants and stuff? Please?"

Who else? ... Well she figured anyone else. But, that didn't matter, it was for her and she loved it. In fact, she couldn't wait to show it off. She had a feeling Aron would appreciate it, even if not as much as her.

West had a point, he hadn't really said much on the matter in class, though it wasn't surprising owing to Aspen's attempts to keep him quiet. It still didn't make a lot of sense to her, but Aspen and Jaoa were old enough to make their own decisions and deal with their own issues ... provided it was in an appropriate way. "Well you're a wonderful brother for sticking up for your sister like that. She's lucky to have you."

Cracking a big grin, Seren watched, amused, as West started a laughing for no particular reason. Perhaps it was one of those internal conversations people had with themselves, a part of the thought process.

Did they have any in the greenhouse? Pfft, of course they did!
"You bet we do, and of course we can take a look around... I was about to do my rounds, so your timing couldn't be more perfect."

"I am pretty wonderful." West agreed airily. "But I'm lucky to have her too you know, she's the best sister ever!" The firstie bounced a bit, his mood much improved by the positive reception of his drawing and the chance to go see more flesh eaters.

"Cool! I'm ready!" He was. He was almost jumping out of his skin in readiness.

Sibling love. Something she knew nothing of, instead she just nodded. She was certain they were lucky to have each other.
"Right lets go then," Seren replied, clapping her hands together, "...this way."

Nodding in the direction of the greenhouses, she took the lead.

Narumi walked into the Terrace with her Herbology Book opened in her hand and her head tucked down reading it. Since the young first year wasnt watching where she was going, she ran into a wall and her book fell out of her hand. Laughing at herself she picked up her book and decided to practice the charm she had been reading about, the Aguamenti Charm. The incantation was Aguamenti. Looking around for some plants that needed water, she found one. Making sure it needed water she stuck a finger in there, yeap definetaly needed water. Withdrawing her wand she pointed her wand into the pot/plant. She clearly said Aguamenti, but Narumi didnt know how powerful the spell was, it shot water everywhere and got Narumi soaked to the bone.

Nerida found herself walking to the terrace to see what she could do with the Herbology Task Force Mission. As she walked in she found a soaked Narumi. Giggiling she said Have some trouble with the Aguamenti charm? Looking around Narumi wasnt the only one soaked. She took out her wand and performed the hot-air charm on Narumi. Everything else woud have to air dry because wouldnt it take forever tryng to dry everything with just that spell. Feeling Narumi's clothes to make sure she was dry she nodded yeap she was. Thinking on how Narumi could learn the spell, after wording it in her head she said Take a deep breah and clear your mind and most of all concentrate. Thats the key to every spell concentrate. Also your intensions must be true clearly all you wanted to do was water a plant but you must have not been concentrating on the spell, right? Looking around she found two plants that had been saved from Narumi's massacre, as they were on the opposite side of the room. Bringing them over to her and Narumi one at a time. After setting them down, she closed her eyes and concentrated on what she wanted to do and how much water she needed, opening her eyes she pointed her wand at the plant's soil and said Aguamenti! A clear simple jet of water shot from her wand and went to the plant's soil. When realizing it was enough she stopped the spell. Looking at Narumi she said Now your turn.

Knowing it was a joke Narumi still answered Yes!! frowning as she looked around at the mess she created. A smile started to show as Nerida dried her off. There was now a big grin on the girls face and she said Thanks! I would have had to air dry and be very cold! Nodding as Nerida explained the workings of the charm. Yeah no I wasnt... Nerida knew her so welll. Stepping to the side so she could see Nerida fully. Okay close your eyes and concentrate. Okay, she could do it. Nerida showed her how. Taking a breath she said Sorry if I get you wet! Closing her eyes she cleared her mind and concentrated. Then she took a slow breath and thought I can do this!. Reopening her eyes she pointed her wand at "her" own plants soil and said Aguamenti! Surprising enough a clear jet of water shot from her wand. So excitted she had done it she jumped up and down, and then realized the water was still going, it soaked Nerida and Narumi. Laughing she turned the charm off and said I did it! and then she gave a wet hug to Nerida and she said Thanks for helping me!

Nerida laughed and said Its no problem I would hate for you to be cold. After demenstrating Nerida stepped back and wathed Narumi as she performed the spell. Yeap she was doing it, just concentrated. She claped as Narumi did the spell and water started coming from her wand. Nerida began to laugh as Narumi jumped up and down soaking both of them. Yes you did! Returning the hug back to Narumi she said It was no problem what are friends for. Once again she dried Narumi off and then herself. Looking around she said I hope Professor Bentley doesnt mind the wetness that is now out here.

There really was nothing better than sitting out in the sun. Instead of sitting in her stuffy, boring office, Seren opted to sit at the Terrace to do her marking. If she had to do tedious paper work then it would be on her terms. At least here she could still admire the garden and the sunlight and ... bugs... whenever they chose to grace her with their presence.

Thumbing through the small pile of pages on the table, Seren calculated that if she stayed focused enough, she could do something fun. Like turn the compost or something. Anything to get away from... work.

It was a little difficult to essentially walk sideways with the heavy garbage bag, but there really was no other choice. It had been very kind of Vickers to insist that he carry it all on his own and Kurumi had applauded him for it, but there really was no shame in asking for some help. They were friends after all.

Kurumi moved her hands slightly to get a better grip and happened to move them a bit more over Vickers so that they were kind-of-sort-of holding hands as they lugged the heavy thing towards Professor Bentley's office. "I think we may have shoveled a bit too much," she laughed in attempt to lighten the mood a bit.

Honestly, Vickers didnt want Kurumi to be carrying this big, smelly bag of.... STUFF. Because seriously what decent fellow would allow a lady to carry a big smelly bag of... STUFF? But the Gryffindor Prefect wasnt taking no for an answer again and they ended up hobbling all the way to the greenhouses, the only good thing about this whole uncomfortably awkward walk is that at least he feels both of Kurumi's hands pressing against his....

He wished this could've at least hit some notes on the romantic-fantasy scale but it really just didnt. Total buzzkiller actually.

"It was a messy barn Kurumi, I dont think its being cleaned as regularly as it should."He actually wasnt surprised to realize that most of the student visitors who would go there wasnt picking up on sanitation duties. There was a reason why that task is at the bottom of the funsies list.

But now he spotted Professor Bentley with her paperwork out in the terrace. "Lets put this down here." he murmured when they were a few paces away from the Herbologist "Hello Professor Bentley, sorry to disturb you...." he started, eying the paperwork on the table "...but Kurumi and I was cleaning out the barn and we thought you might find some of the.... stuff... useful." he explained, awkwardly nudging the bag with his foot.

Er, did this student know ANYTHING about herbology? At all? She thought, marking the page with a big X. This was too tiring.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw people, but didn't really bother to see who it was until she heard voices.

Her eyes fell from the students faces to the sack on the floor. That, was a big sack. Of stuff? From the barn? OOHH... THAT sort of stuff?

"Oh you're not disturbing me," she smiled sweetly. Dung was MUCH more important than marking. Mmhhmm.
"What sort of stuff is this exactly?" she asked attempting to figure it out herself by sniffing at the air. No luck.

Glancing over at Vickers when he spotted Professor Bentley, Kurumi moved a little closer to him and the bag on the ground but her eyes were't on it but her Ravenclaw friend. "Poor Roro," she sighed. "Well, we did a good job and I am sure Roro appreciates it," she said with a bright smile.

Kurumi was about to say something more when Professor Bentley actually came over. "Dragon dung, professor," Kurumi said calmly as she gestured towards the bag. "It's fresh too."

Saying good-bye was proving to be harder than he had thought, it seemed. As he walked around the grounds of the castle--he figured it was a better strategy to start from the outside and then come towards inside--João had discovered a few new places he realised he had never been to, and this terrace was one of them. The most beautiful of them. It was peaceful and there were even nice chairs to sit on... so, picking himself a somewhat hidden spot there, he lay down and simply closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the birds and... nature.

"Uhm... yeah" Vickers nodded at Kurumi's explanation. Merlin how can she say such words out loud without feeling awkward about it? "Plus a few other uhhh dung from other animals... I didnt really bother to separate them when I was cleaning up." It was an icky enough task as it was and his objective was to clean the barn, harvesting and classifying animal refuse wasnt exactly on his mind back then... or ever maybe o__O

Deep sigh.

With an almost crumpled expression, the Ravenclaw sat down on a vacant seat, settling her backpack on another vacant chair beside her almost immediately. It has been a while since she had breathed in fresh air for she has been spending most of her time at their Dormitory....thinking, reflecting, anticipating and trying to comprehend some things that's been keeping her preoccupied.

A break, that was what she needed badly. And right now, supposedly, she was going to indulge herself with it. However, one of her friends had apparently given her a dare and she was obliged to do it since she gave him her word.

Snorting this time, she turned to her bag, opened it and took out a quill. This quill is not the usual one that's often used. It is a quill, filled with special ink that allows the writer to write on any surface but the writings would only last for a full week and afterwards, it would dissolve into thin air. It is pretty amazing, but currently, Beezus isn't at all thankful of its existence because it'll serve as the main instrument that could aid her on the dare.

"Remind me again why I have to this.." she murmured under her breath while she settled her left arm on the table. Her right hand and the special quill, then she begun writing. Yes, she was indeed writing on her arm.

.................

............................

.....................................


"Okay, I think this is finished.." the young eaglette commented after examining her not-really-the-best work of art. Her mouth twitched a bit as she silently reread what was written on her arm - "Dylan Montmorency". How in Merlin's underpants did that person persuade her to do this kind of task, she didn't know. Only, she knew she agreed to do what he would dare her. An agreement is an agreement and not just any bluff, therefore, she's required to do it.

Though a bit annoyed with thinking she will be stuck with the name on her arm for a week, Beatrice was.......smiling.

Spike had awarded himself a study break after a grand total of 30 minutes staring at his Charms textbook, so clearly the place to go and clear his now fuzzy head was the reassuring fresh air of the grounds. He took a detour round the greenhouses, and ended up here on the terrace. He was about to plop himself down on the grass, when he spotted a familiar face.

"Hey Beezus," he said with a crooked grin. "Long time, no see." He'd been busy, er, procrastinating, er, studying, afterall. "What's got you smiling?" Clearly she hadn't been reading the charms textbook he'd been having a go at. It was dry and overly complicated. Who needed charms to make pineapples dance anyway? Hmph.

"Mind if I join?"

Well, him, Matilda, Killy and Kranky, to be specific. But who's asking?

Viola pranced out into the terrace, meowing happily as she went ahead of her owner who was strolling behind her. Louisa had her father's old letter in her pocket, happily knowing that it was a real one and her curiosity would be fulfilled finally when summer came.

... only with the approaching summer, she had to let go of more friends here in Hogwarts; friends that weren't so easy to make considering Louisa's standards and temper. In fact, she had a hunch that this year's feast was going to be a looooot more embarrassing than last feast, simply because it's her three favorite boys saying goodbye to at the same time PLUS being a Prefect and having to appear as strong and mature as possible - which wouldn't be achieved when her eyes would have that bloodshot look, and her nose would be swollen from the crying. She should look for a solution.

"Joao?" she paused in her thinking and quickly moved closer to the boy, grinning happily. "How are you?!" Yeah, this was the her after making up with Adam. Louisa stood there next to the chair he was lying down on, awkwardly crossing her arms... not in her typical bossy way, but in a friendly nervous way. Where was she exactly supposed to put her arms? Hmm?

Viola, the cat, came hurrying to where her owner and the body on top of the chair were... and simply juuuuumped on the other human's tummy. The cat, too, was happy it seemed.

Smiling...why was she smiling again? Was it because of the name on her arm or the person who owned it? PFFFT. Of course, it was neither of the above. She was only smiling because....well....because..... she found out her penmanship ain't exactly a replica of chicken scratch. Yes, that was it. That should be the only reason. Shaking her head slightly, she turned to her bag and returned the special quill inside, she won't be needing it for the meantime.

Just as she she zipped up her bag, a familiar voice, which seemed to be coming from right above her, made a greeting. Quite startled, she almost jumped off her seat and instantly turned her head towards the owner of the voice. "Spike! You nearly scared me to death!" she declared, her left hand on her chest, hiding the writing on it from view. "Well..you're one busy Prefect that's why we haven't seen each other for a while." Yuuuuup.

When he asked what's gotten her smiling, her right hand immediately traveled to grab her left arm and settled it on her lap under the table. "Errmmm...nothing...?" Beezus replied unconvincingly, "Oh..and do sit down, would you?" she added, tilting her head towards the vacant chair across from her.

"Didn't mean to," Spike replied, tilting his head with a shrug. Matilda clearly didn't like this movement of her habitat, and his curls rustled more than they should have done as she expressed her annoyance at being woken up. Spike glanced upwards and gave Matilda a look, before returning his gaze to his companion. At that, he chuckled. "Something like that, yes," he said with a sheepish grin. His usual time in the Common Room had gotten lost somewhere between Prefecting, Quidditch, avoiding Indy and Dylan being icky by visiting the greenhouses and, shock horror...studying. "I'm guessing you've been keeping yourself busy too?"

She moved one arm with the other, and Spike gave a little frown. Was she injured? The Claws couldn't have that, with the Championship match being so close! He soon forgot about it though, as she spoke.

"Seriously, nothing? I want some of whatever you've been taking in that case then..." he said. "Especially if it makes charms textbooks bearable." He'd ask Ellie for more tutoring, but she was busy was Quidditch final tactics and her NEWTs, and Indy was good at charms (at least, better than him), but she was off doing he didn't-want-to-know-what with Dylan. So the textbook and dancing pineapples it was. Siiiigh.

Was she actually asking him to sit? With the slightest hint of colour in his cheeks, he obliged and took the chair she gestured to. "Er, thanks," he said with a nod. "Mind if I put Killy and Kranky on the table?" Shame for them to be stuck in his pocket when the sun was out.