Claudette headed down the fourth floor corridor, strap of her tote bag slung across her shoulder. She wanted to go to the library and see what kinds of potions books they had here and if they were any different to what she had at her old school or at home. As she leisurely strolled down the hall, green eyes fell on an ornate mirror not far from where she was, and she kept her eyes transfixed on it as she drew closer.

It was a really beautiful piece on the wall and she stood in front of it, staring at her reflection. The scene it reflected was equally elegant and she glanced behind her, not remembering the corridor to appear that way. And it didn't. It was plain besides the random portrait or painting. She turned back to the mirror and smiled, imagining herself to be in that illustrious location. Because looking in the mirror, it appeared to be that way..

Christmas was passing by the mirror that was on the fourth floor corridor and thought she spotted a familiar face that she knew from Beauxbatons and sneeked up behind Claudette and said "Funny seeing you here i thought that you would have completed your education at Beauxbatons"

Claudette peered into the mirror for another moment, still admiring the view of herself the elegant background, when she decided it would be best to head over to the library. She was about to turn that way when she caught a glimpse of another person reflected there.. one that looked very familiar. Was it..?

She turned as she heard the voice, smiling widely. "Christmas! Oh, I thought that was you!" The 16 year old hugged her old classmate then pulled back to look at her with a grin. "I haven't heard from you in a while.. I wasn't sure if you still went to school here." But she was so glad she had run into her. Now they could catch up and hang out and talk.. "Well, yes.. I will be finishing my education there.. I've only come for this year just for a new experience.. then back to Beauxbatons for my final year."

Christmas smiled at Claudette and said "Yeah that is cool i am glad i get to spend this year with you anyway and yeah i am sorry that i haven't been in touch my exams last year was heatic and kept me busy and well i didn't have much news to write about and i still really miss Beauxbatons but i am well settled at Hogwarts one more year to go then i am free"

"Yes, it will be fun to be together again.. even if it's only for this year." Claudette smiled at her Beauxbatons buddy. Listening to her speak, she nodded. "Oh, no worries.. I was rather busy myself.. I had OWLs too, you know," she gave Christmas a little wink. They were in the same year after all, even if they hadn't been in the same class in a while. "So, tell me.. what's there to do here? You will have to show me around some.." She did do a little exploring on her own, but it would be helpful to have someone who already knew the place.

Christmas smiled and said "Well we can visit hogsmeade when it's allowed for students to visit, we can also play gobstones and play qudditch or if ur not a great flyer just watching qudditch is fun and just generally exploring the castle is fun i still get lost from time to time but i just laugh it off most of the time"

Claudette nodded. "Oh yes, I know about Hogsmeade.. there should be a weekend visit coming up soon, right?" At least that was what she had heard. The 16 year old nodded slowly as Christmas continued. "Well, yes.. I knew that too. They had those things at Beauxbatons, just meant if there was anything different.." Or that too, she guessed.. just what to do in general. But it was as if Christmas didn't know her at all. Of course she was a great flier but she didn't like to play Quidditch.. whatever, though.

She blinked then chuckled. "Wait.. you still get lost? But this is.. what, your third year here?" If she couldn't find her way around, what chance did Claudette within the year? She'd figure it out, she guessed. "So.. what's new with you?"

Christmas smiled and said "Well there really is nothing different to Beauxbatons and yeah course i still get lost Hogwarts castle is bigger than Beauxbatons so it's easy to get lost even if its my third year at Hogwarts and nothing much new with me just trying to get back into the swing of things at school and trying out for qudditch again, anything new with you Claudette"

Claudette furrowed her brow a bit. She didn't completely agree with what Christmas was saying.. or maybe she just didn't understand. But she didn't think the two schools were so similar or that Hogwarts was much bigger. But she supposed she'd find something to do. "Is there really not anything other than Quidditch or Gobstones to do?" She pouted a little. Surely there was more fun to be had than that. "What about boys? What's your situation with that?" She smiled a bit deviously, eager to hear a little dishing on the subject. Then she shrugged to the question. "Well, all of this is new to me.. so I guess I'm still adjusting."

This mirror, Ariana found i exceptionally stunning, because instead of it showing yourself and the existing corridor it showed a rather elegant background which the seventh year just found breath taking. She had wandered up here once a few terms back and was puzzled by the mirror yet she found it beautiful and ever since then she wandered up here a few times just to look in the mirror, to see if there was anything different or something in it. Mostly just to take in the nice scene, it was different and made her feel like she was in a castle, even though she was, this felt like a PRINCESS castle, and clearly there's a difference.

Minerva was headed to the library. Now that Christmas break was over Minerva felt like she really needed to push herself more to study. Class work, NEWTs , and the extra transfiguration she was reading up on was starting to weight on her mind. Taking advantage of the break between classes and no practice at the moment she walked quietly towards the library.

Mind in thought of everything she had on her mental to do list, Min wasn't really watching the people around her. She glanced every now and then just to make sure things were alright, but other than that she wasn't paying much attention until she noticed a familiar figure looking into that strange mirror. As she got closer her grin grew, "Ariana you are beautiful enough without looking at yourself in a mirror that doesn't even show you." She chuckled joking with her best friend, even though she did think her bestie was beautiful, but the joke was the mirror part.

Turning towards her she continued to smile, "What are you doing up here? Headed to the library to study for NEWTs?" There should have been more chuckling, but she knew Ari probably wasn't so she did some eyeing that said you need to be studying. "So how was the rest of your Christmas break?" She figured great since Oakey was around.

She was still just gazing absently into the mirror not minding anyone who by passed her, good for them for whatever they we're doing, yeah? she tilted her head to the side and looked a bit cloooser to the mirror, did something just move in there? wouldn't surprise her, she was use to things in mirrors and pictures moving and talking, but she had never seen anything more in THIS specific mirror. that's when she heard a voice, a voice that she didn't even have to turn around to confirm it, she knew her best friends voice. " very funny, but i just like looking into it, it's pretty in there." she wanted to GO, it was like a real princess castle, and SHE was a princess, didn't Min know?

Then the Hufflepuff prefect was talking about the library and she couldn't help but snort at that comment " the Library, yeah, im in such a rush to go there of all places." no, she was just looking at the mirror is all, made the trek up here just for it honestly. " is that where you're headed?" she could go, maybe Ariana would go with her, but not to study, she'd just annoy her, and anyone else that was in their.

" break, it was ok. Oakey went to see Ella and GeeGee for a few days."
that was ok, She still had a great time seeing him, she was still surprised adn stuff that he actually showed up adn stuff you know.

Minerva laughed, "What it's the truth. When have I ever lied to you?" Hmmm.. never had she lied to her best friend well that should could remember at least. Looking towards the mirror she tilted her head, "So is it a picture in a mirror or is it just charmed that way?" She wasn't really sure which it would be. She assumed painting there would be a person walking around it and since there wasn't possibly charmed. Shrugging she turned her head away from the mirror not really interested and looked to the students passing by.

"Yes the library, there is nothing wrong with going there. Maybe you should try it some time." So stop the snorting and get a move on, "You know it's getting closer for NEWTs and you want to do well, don't you? Plus we have Uni applications that are going to be needing done. You have been thinking about where and what you are going to do, right?" She hoped Ariana had been thinking about it. SHe knew she was one to get on her about school work before, but she would think now at eighteen the girl would be taking it upon herself, right? She eyed her friend a bit over this.


She nodded, "I was actually. I have a few transfiguration books that I need to take out. I have to do some extra studying in that subject along with everything else." She felt the nerves jump up when she thought about the extra studying. Changing the subject to the break Min smiled, "It was good seeing him for the quick moment I did. I'm so glad you got to spend some time with him. I know how hard to be away it is." Ari certainly had it harder than she did. She at least at the mirror.

Hopefully, never." best friend lies were the worst and she was not all about that. Still looking at the mirror she glanced over at m in at her question " i don't think it's a painting, i think it's charmed, since it's a mirror.. it looks like a mirror." therefore it was a mirror no doubt. Minerva didn't seem too interested in it though but Ariana sure was, she wanted to go there, like now too.

" i never said there was anything wrong with the library." there wasn't in fact the girl spent quite sometime in there with Beatrice Castell so far this term stuyding. " i've actually been there quite a bit there term with Beezus." yes STUDYING too, that was a thing she did it sometimes, not that she liked to, but she still did it. and the girl was mentioning UNI and all this Adult things and that stressed the slytherin out, just her talking about them. She really didn't want people knowing that she had in fact applied to uni already and she was doing stuff, she wasn't completely lazy. Hopefully LCF accepted her though, she had no back up plans and she really wanted to go there.

" i'll walk there with you though, might not do much studying but ill go." hehe we just really wanted to be with the best fiend today, for reasons and stuff. she didn't really want to talk about Oakey though, she didn't want to talk about vacation, she just didn't want to talk about it, not here not now where she could and would cry talking about said subject. "so, we can go"

“Don’t worry, I would never lie to you, plus if I did you know me well enough I can’t lie ever. I’m to blunt for that.” Which she really was it had gotten her into trouble a few times, even with Ari’s own boyfriend. Glancing back at the mirror Minerva shrugged, “Yeah I think it’s charmed as well. It’s just in an odd place, but most of the things around here don’t make sense if you really think about them.” So she never did.

Chuckling Min listened to her say nothing was wrong with the library. She hadn’t even remembered if Ari had ever said she was there before, but she assumed the girl would have been in the seven years they had been going to school. Blue eyes looked up blinking at her friend, she had been there quite a bit, well good for you Ariana Logan. “I’m glad, it’s getting way to close to the end here for us. We have to get as much studying in and preparation as we can. “ Now with the competition on top of all that Minerva was starting to stress a bit.

She then looked at Ari a little more curious, “You have thought about after Hogwarts, right? Like what are you thinking about doing and where are you going?” She hoped it would be somewhere close to where Min was going, she didn’t want her best friend that far away. Smiling she was happy Ari wanted to go with her. She wouldn’t mind the company and a possible study partner. Pulling at her shoulder bag, Min started walking, “So how’s quidditch going for you? Excited for your first match?” She didn’t press the break question since it was obvious Ariana had ignored it. She would talk when she wanted to.

it was true, min would never lie to her and if she did ariana would see right through it thankfully. One of the joys of knowing someone for so long, really. She looked back at her friend, then the mirror before letting out a sign "it's weird though, nothing ever moves in there or anything, it's always the same." and that was weird that things in a charmed mirror didn't move here at Hogwarts, and it puzzled the slytherin.

" ugh don't remind me of the end." she didn't want to grow up, she didn't want to go to Uni, she didn't want to not play quidditch, she didn't want to not be able to sleep at night cause Hudson was in her bed doing homework. could she just stay here forever? she thought again of LCF and her chances of getting in, it was slim but she actually did ok on those muggle tests, that's to her mum and some concentration potions so she actually studied for them. not that she really remembered half the stuff now, she took the tests over summer which was ages ago really.

"After?" yes, she totally had actually. " not really." heh. Tossing her black hair over her shoulder she turned to her friend and linked her arm in hers "library." yup that's where she wanted to go right. " i'll figure it out eventually." that seemed totally Ariana, yeah?

Ohhh, Quidditch, she could talk quidditch, yeah. " Quidditch is great actually, west is doing practice since, well i dont know where Derry is but, anyway that's happening." where ever Derry ferry was she needed to get back they had a game to win. " i might be playing in our first match actually." yup she MIGHT, a slight might but a might none the less. only sucked that oakey wouldn't be there to watch, if she got to. he never did get to see her play.

Minerva glanced at the mirror and tilted her head, nope nothing was moving in there. But did it really matter that much? She guessed if it was interesting enough for her best friend than it should be interesting enough for her. "Yeah I guess it's odd you would think someone would be walking around in it or something." She looked back out at the others walking down the corridor.

Min rolled her eyes at Ariana, right at her so she could see the dramatic eye roll. Did she see, well if not she did it again just to make sure. [b] "Oh come on Ari, we can't live here for ever. Don't get me wrong I love it here, this place has really been home, but she was just over the same routine and ready for something new. "Don't you want to see Oakey whenever you want, not just be stuck here without seeing him? Aren't you ready to study things that will be of interest in something you are going to do with your life, not just the same classes?" Minerva didn't mean to make it out that she was pushing for the end of term, because it did bother her not to be here anymore, she loved the professors, well most of them. She loved her friends, and quidditch, but she was just wanting something new.

Linking her arm with Ariana's she chuckled, "Yes the library and I'm making you study. Either that you making you my test subject for some transfiguration spells." She side glanced at Ari wondering what she would think of that. She trusted her best friend, didn't she? Giggling she shook her head, "Ari please think about it. It will come before you know it." She knew this was typical Ari, but she worried about her friend. She always was worrying about her.

Oh this was news, "Derry never came back from break?" That was weird did the girl just stay home schooled again. She did that before coming here didn't she. Minerva at least thought that's what it was. "Oh you might play, Ari that's awesome. What position? If it's beater and you need a bat you can borrow mine." She wasn't sure if Ari played chaser or beater so she figured she would offer her beloved bat. She didn't let just anyone borrow it.

She was EXCITED for this. Yes. She was looking forwards to changing her hair's colour. She had never dyed it before or even colored a couple of strands. So it was good to try this potion and see how she'd look like. She might not like it but that wouldn't be an issue since the potion's effects only last for a couple of days maximum. If it was very bad she'd just use a hat. No big deal.

The fifth-year had the potion in the goblet and she cluteched carefully making sure not to tip it. Her bag was slung over her shoulder as she headed to the fourth floor alongside Lex. They were both going to try their potions. "What was your potion again?" She asked the lioness looking at her reflection as they stood before the mirror.

Carefully, she shrugged off her bag and let it drop to the floor then nudged it aside with her foot as she stared down at the potion. She was going to make a bit of a mess since she had to rinse her hair. Eeeh. She'll clean up once finished.

One. She could only keep ONE vial of her potion that she'd spent basically the entire class making in the first place. How completely unfair?? She bet Professor Lafay got to keep cauldrons upon cauldrons of whatever she made. It wasn't like Lex had made some kind of deadly poison that she planned to feed to half the fifth years, no, so WHY couldn't she keep more than one vial? Once she drank this she would have no more....unless she went down to the lab and made some more on her own time? There was always the option of doing that....but effort and she had more things to do this year...

"I made the scintillation solution thingy, the one that makes you animated and glow in your favourite colour. I'm SUPER EXCITED because I'll be glowing blue!!!!" That was all the reason ever to be excited, obviously so Cassia would understand without much more explanation.

"And you're changing the colour of your hair, yes? What colour?" She walked next to her best friend to get a piece of the mirror too, her eyes widening a little. "Whoooaaa..." She'd never seen this mirror before, OKAY?? She only found it today because she was following Cassia. This castle was still full of wondering even after four years. Lex placed her hand on the mirror before suddenly whipping around to look at the corridor they were in.

....

"Where...are these things...?"

The snake slowly sat down on the floor placing the goblet she brought with her on the floor in front of her. She somehow felt like being closer to the floor was a better option and would cause less mess. Maybe that would help? Maybe. Though she wasn't going to trouble herself with this. She was more excited and concentrated on the colour changing part. EEEP!

Oh,oh, and Lex was going to GLOW! How exciting was that? They were going to be all colourful "We're gonna look both epic," She said matter-of-factly nodding at her bestfriend.

They should totally wander around the castle while the potions' effects were still on. "How long does your potion last?" She asked pondering the idea of a stroll in the grounds.

The fifth-year sat back on her heels tilted her head and started running her fingers through her hair in preparation for the rinsing part. "My hair is going to be purple." The snake announced reaching for the potion then glancing at her reflection. Eeeh. Good thing she was wearing a normal shirt. Not one of her favorite.

Her eyes flickered to Lex's face and grinned. "Magic!" she answered laughing.

This may not all have been a big deal for Cassia who was acting like she'd walked by this mirror all the time and it was nothing special but to HER this was really something! What if the right spell could let you walk through and there was a whole nother world in there. A whole nother world with it's own type of candy she could sample? Was no one thinking of the possibilities? Good Merlin, don't tell her she was the only one!!

Sigh. She supposed she would just pay attention to the conversation she was meant to be having with her best friend then. "Definitely. They'll have nothing on us, we'll turn heads everywhere we go and NOT for the wrong reasons!" GRIN. Cassia knew of wrong reasons or should have so Lex would leave that there in favour of gearing up to try her potion.

She got the vial ready to take a big gulp when she was asked a question that made her shrug. "I dunno, you know I don't read these things, I only know what it does and that it's gonna be bright and blue and epic." Nod, so they would just have to hurry around the school if need be.

"Yeah, of course, magic." In all actuality that answered the question perfectly and made it a bit less interesting at the moment. Hello? About to glow blue. Alexa downed the vial of the solution, assuming nothing bad would happen and watched with wide eyed excitement as the colour spread until she was entirely animated and damaging to her own eye sight. "COOL!!!!" Her eyes flashed to the mirror, the chandeliers and all completely ignored BECAUSE SHE WAS GLOWING BLUE!! LOOK CASSIA!!!!!!!

Cassia didn't remember her first reaction upon finding out about this mirror but she was pretty sure that she didn't have the inquisitive expression plastered on her face like Lex did. Merlin knew what ideas and thoughts floated there right now and Cassia felt obliged to interrupt that train of thoughts right away before it developed into anything. Though it was only a mirror. Nothing too bad could happen. Hopefully.

At Lex's words, the snake nodded her head at the lioness's reflection agreeing on everything that was said. Them colorful would be one mega interesting view. They'd drew attention wherever they went. Might even attract tourists. Like the foreign students. Hehe. How convenient. Inwardly she'd excited herself TOO much and she could no longer wait till she saw the potions effects.

After a minute of hesitation, she finally gathered the courage and tipped her head down and away from her torso as she automatically stood on her knees then raised the goblet that contained the potion and tilted it holding it about her head.

She couldn't help not shut her eyes closed as she poured the potion onto her hair. Though then she cracked them open and started rinsing with her fingers ignoring the drops that trickled down her neck, onto the floor and a bit on her clothes. Not important.

Too focused on her quest as she was, the fifth-year didn't notice Alexa gulp down the potion. But the beams and light caught her eye and her head snapped to the side right away. "That is SUPER cool!" She gasped in admiration as she rose to her feet untangling her fingers from her hair. Cassia kept staring at her bestfriend with her mouth open unable to process words then she reached out and brought her hand palm-first an inch close to Lex. She didn't know what she wanted to test but she just felt like bringing her hand closer.

"Absolutely cool!" She squeaked still staring and far too mesmerized to notice her own hair turning purple.

Alexa was beaming into the mirror. This was the most epic day of her entire life!!! She needed to duplicate the potion and show her father. He HAD to see this, like legit, she was BLUE!!! Not just any kind either, the neon, glowing, in your face kinda blue that she wished she could just fade into.

She was so taken in by her own look that she almost didn't notice the hair change on her best friend but now she DID see it, mostly because Cassia was being loud.

"IT IS COOL YUP!!" But that wasn't the only cool thing because hello, best friend with purple hair over there. She didn't particularly like the colour but it looked good on the snake and she GRINNED. "Your hair. I can't even. SO COOL! Why weren't we allowed to do this sooner? We have to try this on other people too, just to see. Gosh, imagine how colour Hogwarts will be. The Headmistress will love it." Or not. Most likely not...unless she got pink, bleh.

"This'll probably be the easiest essay of my life. Blue. Seriously. It's all I need ever."

Yet another assignment she'd attempt before even considering HoM. That Professor guy should have known better.

LOTS of beaming was going on. And could anyone blame them? The lioness over there was literally glowing and technically beaming! Like with light and all. Doesn't happen everyday. And was it not unexpected that a homework was the reason to bring such joy. And one given by Lafay. Definitely unusual. Last homework literally made everyone depressed. And on purpose. But why think about the dark times, now, yeah!?

Her hair? The snake wondered why they were talking hair now in stead of keep admiring Lex's potions' effects. But then something caught her eye in the mirror. Something purple. On her head. HER potions' effects!!

Cassia stared at herself in the mirror with her mouth agape. She had imagined herself with purple hair and other colours but actually seeing it was a different case. Totally different. It didn't even resemble imagining. THIS WAS SO EPIC!

After staring at her own reflection she snapped out of that state and ran her fingers through her hair. Well, it still felt the same. But definitely looked differently. IT LOOKED PURPLE!

Why weren't they allowed? That was a very good question. "I dunno! but like I think I'll be brewing this potion A LOT!" She nodded solemnly. Could even work for a prank! Accidentally replace someone's shampoo. Ahem. Ahem.

Lex would surely NOT mind participating in that. Though that would be discussed later on. For now they had themselves to stare at for as long as the effects lasted.

"So what now?" she asked excitedly. Time to tour the castle! YES?