Oakey sat down on the floor in the corridor just underneath on of the many archways that overlooked the Courtyard. He finally had a moment to himself after the craziness that happened all week.
He pretended to ignore it partially because Renesmee screeched in his ears. which he should have probably seen the Healer about because it was ringing on him for about half the day after. His Co-Head should know when not to screech when there are people standing beside her. He picked at his ears just to double check it again.

Satisfied that his ears seemed okay, Oakey removed his bag from his shoulder and pulled out a comic to read first before he went on his walk around the Grounds.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

Oakey sat down on the floor in the corridor just underneath on of the many archways that overlooked the Courtyard. He finally had a moment to himself after the craziness that happened all week.
He pretended to ignore it partially because Renesmee screeched in his ears. which he should have probably seen the Healer about because it was ringing on him for about half the day after. His Co-Head should know when not to screech when there are people standing beside her. He picked at his ears just to double check it again.

Satisfied that his ears seemed okay, Oakey removed his bag from his shoulder and pulled out a comic to read first before he went on his walk around the Grounds.

Anastasia was also sitting outside reading on this fine, still warm, September day. She needed to do something both relaxing and yet stimulating, something just titillating enough that she wouldn't think about the poor state of things and yet not so boring that she would fall asleep.

So she was flipping through an herbology school supply magazine. It wasn't like the school had the funds to fund anything extra related to her favorite subject, but it didn't hurt to look. And dream. And sigh out loud from time to time.

She didn't look up when a shadow passed by where she was sitting. She didn't even turn her head as the shadow sat down beside her. She could tell from her peripheral vision that the person was likely reading too, but she wasn't one to speak first. She'd rather be spoken to... if she had to be....

Wow...just wow, this comic was deep. There were no words to it. Silence, that's what he was so glad to hear right now. The issue with this issue was, it was quick. He closed it, placed it back in his bag and stood up. He would have continued on in the silence if he hadn't heard a page turn. He looked down at his bag as if the comic within it were reading itself...there it was again. It wasn't Oakey's comic, someone else was reading something. He looked to his side and...

...FLIPPING FLOBBERWORMS, BATMAN!....

The Headmistress was sitting beside him! How long? Had she known he was here? Was she watching him?...Creepy, or maybe it was weird. "Hello Ma'am." Oakey finally just said aloud, he picked at his ear too because the ringing started up again.
Depending on the Headmistress' mood Oakey may consider himself Lucky, or unlucky to have been sitting beside her the whole time. He did want to talk to her about, he looked down at the magazine she was reading. Herbology, yeah that.

Annie turned another page, looking up only when she heard the shadow startle greet her. Goodness! She hadn't been expecting to see the Head Boy there. But thank goodness it was only Gunter. The redhead put a calming hand to her chest and studied the boy for a silent moment. How long had he been here? Was he watching her? Was he following her? Creepy... or maybe weird...

She cleared her throat. "Mr. Gunter. Good evening."

Okay, Oakey, okay, Oakey. Despite how weird and awkward this was to have the Headmistress reading beside him for Merlin knows how long it was important he ask for her advice. "Yeah...Evening." He looked outside and it did look like the sun was setting some? Should he go on rounds instead of his walk? Be a Good Not-Failure of a Head Boy. He took his hand out of his ear because the ringing stopped finally and sucked up the courage to ask the Headmistress finally. "Ma'am I see you're reading about Herbology. Could I ask you a question on the subject?" Please don't direct him to the Greenhouses to see Professor Bentley, he did not want to walk through that Death Trap. If the Headmistress was reading about it, then she must have the same interest in it as Bentley does.

This was the time of the day where Lex needed to be outside for a bit. She'd seen nothing but dust and grime all morning and could do with a change of scenery. If only she'd known she was taking a walk earlier, she would have invited Lottie!!

Ah well, too late for that now, the castle was back there and she was already over there. Next time for sure!!!

For now she would go on her way, hopping occasionally, skipping here and there and generally stopping to just Looooooook at stuff. Anything that caught her attention was good enough, so long as it gave her something to do!! As she went along she was humming something quite happily to herself. La la la la la, mm mm mm mm mm.

Hey, lookit!

She stopped abruptly and glanced down at an interesting crack below her feet. It wasn't so much the crack that got her but the chocolate frog card that was wedge there. Oooo.

Okay, so where was everyone because Terry was getting a little bit bored of being lonely.

Taking the pathway back from wandering aimlessly around the grounds for an hour, killing time before he had to go back to his common room only to sit in front of a desk and stare at his textbook for a bit before giving up, the boy walked through the courtyard and then entered the corridor.

But as he was walking along, thinking that it would be a better idea to head back to the Common Room now rather than looking like a loner, the fourteen year old almost walked straight into a fellow student, only to realise who it was. "Hey Lex" he smiled, standing next to her.

Err.. What was she staring at? "I didn't realise cracks in pavements were so fascinating" he chuckled, tilting his head at it. The glint of purple showed through as he looked closer but he found the teasing kind of funny. "Though I'm fairly certain that its not going to get any bigger, no matter how long you look at it." Teehee.

The thought crossed her mind to reached down and simply pluck it from the crack but then she was really just rather curious and would probably stay that way. Obviously it was dropped by someone but wouldn't they have noticed or something?? She tilted her head and kept staring until her attention was pulled from the ground.

Oh! Terry! "HAI!" She said, beaming over at him. It'd been a while since she ran into the dude, what cracks on the floor at Hogwarts could do!

She giggled at his statement. "It'd be neat if it did though but really I'm looking at the card. See?" She plopped down on the floor right up to it and began pointing before simply plucking it and holding it up to him with a wide grin. The dirt didn't bother her all that much. The whole castle was dirty, there was no escaping it apparently.

"What are you up to right now? Are you busy?"

Juuuuuuuust curious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

Okay, Oakey, okay, Oakey. Despite how weird and awkward this was to have the Headmistress reading beside him for Merlin knows how long it was important he ask for her advice. "Yeah...Evening." He looked outside and it did look like the sun was setting some? Should he go on rounds instead of his walk? Be a Good Not-Failure of a Head Boy. He took his hand out of his ear because the ringing stopped finally and sucked up the courage to ask the Headmistress finally. "Ma'am I see you're reading about Herbology. Could I ask you a question on the subject?" Please don't direct him to the Greenhouses to see Professor Bentley, he did not want to walk through that Death Trap. If the Headmistress was reading about it, then she must have the same interest in it as Bentley does.

Annie finally made eye contact with her Head Boy and gave him a crisp nod. What was on his finger, earwax? How odd. She hoped he didn't have an infection from her reaming the other day the changing weather. Ahem.

Yes, she was reading about Herbology. "Suuuure," she drawled. "Ask away." She did use to be a university advisor on the subject when she had taught it.

He rolled the earwax on the tip of his finger into a ball between his thumb and index finger and flicked it away from the Headmistress of course.

Her tone seemed disinterested in his prodding her. Maybe this was a bad idea? It was too late to back away now though. "Well I was just wondering if you had some proper advice on dealing with...Man-Eating Plants. I've had issues with them in the past." No he wasn't talking about the one that killed two of their Professors on her first term here as Headmistress. Although he fully regretted going into the Greenhouse that year. The Demon Plants were always out to get him he was convinced of it. He almost was taken by a Venomous Tenticula over the summer no thanks to Ariana's curiousity to venture down to Knockturn Alley and go inside the Spiny Serpent. "I freeze up whenever any are nearby." It was such a stupid fear to have, but if you were in his shoes 7 years ago, you'd know it was not without reason.

So as fascinating as the crack in pavement clearly was, Terry would much rather concentrate on other things, like catching up with his friends over what had happened during the summer. And that meant drawing her attention away from damaged paths to him.

Hehe.

"It's probably just one of those really common ones that everyone has, otherwise there'd be a student frantically searching around the castle for it" he chuckled. He himself wasn't really interested in the prospect of collecting the Chocolate Frog Cards, to him they weren't really that special and he wasn't that keen on consuming loads of chocolate anyway, he'd rather have the variety. Or just eat his own cakes, that was the best thing to do, then he wouldn't even have to spend any money. He watched her pick it up and wrinkled his nose. It wasn't that interesting was it?

"Me? I'm not up to anything" he chuckled. "I was wandering around the grounds to see if I could find anyone interesting. I gave up." Hence why he was heading back into the castle rather than away. "But you're interesting so I'll stay here."

Yes, she was a good person to be around.

She looked up at him from her new spot on the floor before eyeing the card again. He was right about that. She had at least 30 of this one. "Definitely, this looks like it's been here for ages." And with that she tossed it to the ground again. Collecting them wasn't something that interested her but she had every card, simply because she ate more chocolate frogs than was medically recommended.

Ah well.

Back to Terry. She beamed up at him when he said she was interesting. "Gee thanks! You're interesting too, you know!" And there was some grinning too. "So I guess it's good we ran into each other. I believe I was dreadfully bored just now and in need of some fresh air." She looked at him for an extra second, wondering if she should ask him to sit as well....he probably wouldn't...but just...her neck was starting to feel strained.

"And while we're here being bored and entertained by each other, how've you been since the term started...you know...in terms of the whole...school being suckish this year?"

That was the only way she could describe it really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

He rolled the earwax on the tip of his finger into a ball between his thumb and index finger and flicked it away from the Headmistress of course.

Her tone seemed disinterested in his prodding her. Maybe this was a bad idea? It was too late to back away now though. "Well I was just wondering if you had some proper advice on dealing with...Man-Eating Plants. I've had issues with them in the past." No he wasn't talking about the one that killed two of their Professors on her first term here as Headmistress. Although he fully regretted going into the Greenhouse that year. The Demon Plants were always out to get him he was convinced of it. He almost was taken by a Venomous Tenticula over the summer no thanks to Ariana's curiousity to venture down to Knockturn Alley and go inside the Spiny Serpent. "I freeze up whenever any are nearby." It was such a stupid fear to have, but if you were in his shoes 7 years ago, you'd know it was not without reason.

Annie watched Oakey flick whatever it was he had dug out of his ear away... far, far away from her, she hoped, because that was just gross. She tried hard not to reveal a too-disgusted face. She tried.

Then he asked about man-eating plants.... was. he. serious? How could the boy have had issues in dealing with such plants when he was still alive? "Did you get eaten and spat back out again?" she vocalized after a full four minutes of staring straight at the boy. "And where are you interacting with such plants?"

Really. Herbology class was one thing --- everyone was safe there --- but if Oakey was trying to peddle such plants on the black market... well then he would deserve to be eaten. Which, again, still hadn't happened to her knowledge, so he was still doing fine in her book.

You know she could look at him disapprovingly if she wanted too, she already disapproved of his leadership, so what's a little earwax flicking?

He was trying to firm and serious about his problem, but a small grin perked up on his face at the Headmistress' joke. Was that a joke, or was she making fun of him? "You don't have to be eaten to be afraid of them Ma'am. People have a fear of spiders just from just how they look. Near death experience, and traumatizing events can cause them too. "

Where was he interacting with them? Aside from Herbology every now and then, not to often. I was moments away from being snargaluff food, thanks to some crazy Ravenclaw in my first year." She can go find out about that more from Professor Bentley, she stopped the Ravenclaw Captain. "Then we had the Evil Plant that...took two Professors from us two years ago." and a wombat. He didn't think he needed to remind her anymore on that matter. It WAS her plant after all. He paused for a moment thinking of anywhere else. He figured he didn't have to tell Truebridge where he went in Knockturn Alley over the summer, cause it wasn't really his choice, and Ariana needed her adventure. He kept his mouth shut on that one. "

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

You know she could look at him disapprovingly if she wanted too, she already disapproved of his leadership, so what's a little earwax flicking?

He was trying to firm and serious about his problem, but a small grin perked up on his face at the Headmistress' joke. Was that a joke, or was she making fun of him? "You don't have to be eaten to be afraid of them Ma'am. People have a fear of spiders just from just how they look. Near death experience, and traumatizing events can cause them too. "

Where was he interacting with them? Aside from Herbology every now and then, not to often. I was moments away from being snargaluff food, thanks to some crazy Ravenclaw in my first year." She can go find out about that more from Professor Bentley, she stopped the Ravenclaw Captain. "Then we had the Evil Plant that...took two Professors from us two years ago." and a wombat. He didn't think he needed to remind her anymore on that matter. It WAS her plant after all. He paused for a moment thinking of anywhere else. He figured he didn't have to tell Truebridge where he went in Knockturn Alley over the summer, cause it wasn't really his choice, and Ariana needed her adventure. He kept his mouth shut on that one. "

"This is true," the redhead mused, adopting a more thoughtful expression as their conversation continued. Looked like Oakey was serious about this topic and not just badgering her for childish, Hufflepuffish reasons. Fine fine, she would give him some advice on how to handle his fear.

Crazy Ravenclaws were crazy though, she was no help on how to handle them. "Ah yes, the umbrella vinora was quite a tragedy." Knowing Anastasia, she was likely referring more to the fact that the plant had been destroyed than alluding to the two professors it had eaten. She thought for a few more moments and then looked up at the Head Boy.

"I think what you need to do, Gunter, is to remember that you're the one with the wand. You're the one who's in control when you're around these plants. So keep your wits about you when you know you're going to the greenhouses for class or wherever you're going to encounter these plants." Like down a certain shady alley over the summer, ahem. "Then you need to practice the spells that are most helpful at keeping these plants in control--- something with light or fire, for example, to keep Devil's Snare at bay--- and be prepared to perform such spells to defend yourself when you need to." She gave him a peering look. "Yes?" Was that helpful?

This is true? He was correct about something...no he had to correct the Headmistress on something. Whoa back-up Oakey it's probably nothing. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and listened to Truebridge call the whole fiasco two terms ago a tragedy, more like a mini-massacre. He leaned against the wall in full attention to the the Headmistress as she explained how he should confront his fear. No special potion, no specific spell, no 'just don't take the class'. He had to stay vigilant, and practice incendio a lot. "Isn't there a book out that identifies them? Would that also include, how to defend yourself if you encounter them?" He took in a lot from what she said, and it was nicer to hear her speaking in a normal tone of voice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

This is true? He was correct about something...no he had to correct the Headmistress on something. Whoa back-up Oakey it's probably nothing. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and listened to Truebridge call the whole fiasco two terms ago a tragedy, more like a mini-massacre. He leaned against the wall in full attention to the the Headmistress as she explained how he should confront his fear. No special potion, no specific spell, no 'just don't take the class'. He had to stay vigilant, and practice incendio a lot. "Isn't there a book out that identifies them? Would that also include, how to defend yourself if you encounter them?" He took in a lot from what she said, and it was nicer to hear her speaking in a normal tone of voice.

"There is, I'm sure," the Headmistress replied lightly. "If it's not in your textbook... I could possibly loan you a book about dangerous, exotic, and man-eating plants..." That had been her area of research and specialty back in the day, after all.

She eyed the boy. "You shouldn't be afraid of plants, Oakey. They're not even as dangerous as most dark creatures. You just have to show them who's boss." And then they behaved like annnnnngels. Like babies, really. Precious, friendly, green little babies. With teeth.

Herjenmie flew this way and that way, searching for the person he was bringing this letter to. He had to be around here somewhere. This owl KNEW it was this big castle thing that he was delivering this package and letter too. He'd been bringing a lot of these to this place recently.

There!

Herj swooped down and landed by the boy person, setting the package and attached letter on the ground.

"Hoo." And then he flew off, not bothering to stick around for a reward in case there wasn't one. He'd rather go back home where he knew he'd get his well-deserved chocolate frog reward.

He had a Herbology Textbook?? If he did, it was probably collecting dust somwhere at the bottom on his trunk, it was probably even further down it now too since he cast the expansion charm on it to fit a lot more of his belongings in it. "Thank you Ma'am. I'll see if I can find my textbook. before coming back to you, or checking to see if Professor Bentley has anything on them too." If he could brave the Greenhouse to get to her office.

Oakey kept his mouth quiet as she then told him that he shouldn't be afraid, show them who's boss and what not. "I don't mean to tak up more of your time, and umm well if I could Apol..." ...What AH! An Eagle Owl was coming at him! Was it Valentine? Merlin had he forgotten to get his Owl's squeeky toy before leaving from home! Oh he was gonna get it now! Oakey flinched slightly before the Eagle Owl landed on the ground beside him, dropped off a package, then before Oakey could do anything else, left.

He looked down at the package sitting by his feet then to the Headmistress...was this for him or her? He leaned down and read the package. OH IT WAS FOR HIM, and IT WAS FROM KURUMI!

HOLY HOUSE ELVES BATMAN! Did she make him cookies without him asking? Or did he ask her for something and completely forget? He lifted the box up, ripped the packaging off, and opened the lid...His eyes widened at the weird looking statue. That thing was super creepy, and it's pure white eyes really didn't help. He read the letter and was slightly more relieved to see that it had meaning even if it scared the pants off him.

Look Kurumi Cookies right underneath the letter, and they were shaped like Moose. Heh, leave it to her to remember HisPatronusWasaMoose. He did shoot his first one directly at her.

Right the Headmistress was still here. What was he saying to her before?

After leaving Pen in the Courtyard to find his way back to the castle, Ascanius found himself wandering down the corridor toward the gigantic castle of plastic sporks and dirty dorms. Aka Hogwarts. Psh. Everyone here had been SO adamant about how wonderful their ruddy school was, but now that he was here Ascanius wasn't so impressed. Then again, he wasn't impressed with any academic institution. Waste of time.

OH HEY. A nook. Yeah, he was gonna sit there for sure. Bam. Sitting and stuff.

It was gonna rain.

Dora could tell, but still she was headed outside because she was welcoming a little rain right now. And she wanted to go about borrowing some books from the new creatures professor, and maybe ask her some questions depending on how good of a professor she seemed to be.

Tugging on her robes, she went over to get a peek of the sky from the nearest nook in the corridor, and found there was someone there. Taking up all that space. She stared at this new person. "I don't know you," Just saying. Also, "You're kinda in my way."

This nook was real nice, yeah? It was comfy and cozy and he could probably sleep there. Jeez, after the sleep he had been getting lately in the dorms he almost did it. 'Course, he HAD to be careful in public because he snored was a heavy sleeper.

But RIGHT before he clonked out and was down for the count, he heard someone approaching. Woah, woah. He was up, he was up. Yeah, he was just resting his eyes was all.

His eyes indeed. Smirk, "Don't know you either, beautiful." Nice face. Good work, stranger. "And I am?" How? He was sitting in a nook. How was THIS in the way, he was technically out of the way.

"Dora." She supplied, not responding or acknowledging his other comment. Since when did she ever when it wasn't coming from certain people? Never. Placing her hands on the nook, she leaned over his legs to take a peek up at the sky. He would just have to be in the way cause she wasn't gonna waste time asking him to move.

Yup, she was right. It was gonna rain.

"You are, but that's okay. It's gonna rain you know. Might want to find a better place to sit or else you'll get soaked." Dora turned to him, expression both helpful and studious. "Who are you?"

Tanner walked through the corridor, looking up curiously at everything. She, as many first years are wont to do, was exploring. Although she really had to stop exploring while distracted, because she had no idea how in the world she got here. She wasn't complaining however. This place was nice.

Compared to the rest of the castle, this was paradise. Her "brother" told her so many great things about this place. So where was the evidence? Plastic ware and paying to get into your dorm room was really not what she pictured in her head when he told her of the wonderful castle.

Although, she really wasn't complaining. The castle was majestic, and since she wasn't here the year before, she knew nothing besides what she had saw. So, she really didn't know what Hogwarts used to be.

Going up to a window, she climbed into a nook and sat. This should be her new thinking spot. Not because it's beautiful or because of the landscape, but because it was a private window, and it was really fun to sit in windows.

As Tanner contemplated more about the castle around her, she twirled a piece of green hair around her finger. A sudden thought hit her like wildfire. I should cut it shoulder length and spike it. Less care, less issues, and then I don't have to worry about my bunlets falling out. The blond nodded. Her highlights would probably look pretty cool like that, and there would be a lot less care needed. That would leave more time open to things like video games, cartoons, and ice cream.