Mid-way finishing his Astronomy homework, Ethan sauntered towards the Great Hall to go and eat lunch. They’ll be having Charms next, so he thought getting some food in his stomach early on would be a bright idea. GLAD that the Slytherin table was empty, he took a seat in front of a golden plate, and immediately it was filled with sumptuous food.

How can you NOT love Hogwarts food, eh?

Cutting up his food, Ethan did a double take as he looked up at the Staff Dais. Did…what in Merlin’s manicured toes was going on??! He looked up just in time to see Alexa being tossed magically out of…well, the Headmistress’ chair. Okay, this was really, really, getting weird by the minute. Was it the Head Girl Badge talking, a serious prank, or something else entirely? He also heard Lex!Maleficent scream about returning an important book to her. Heh. This show is pretty entertaining, really. Trying his best to IGNORE the drama that was going on, Ethan continued to eat his lunch quietly.

As Kace entered the great hall, he noticed there was a bit of drama going on here. He realized he was a bit early for lunch but he didn't care, he was starving. He just out of some lessons and decided to get some brain food. He saw Alexa being tossed out of the headmistresses chair. He also heard Lexa screaming about returning an important book? Man she wasn't really like herself. This was getting stranger. As he turned he noticed Ethan he met at Quality Quidditch Supplies. He asked him a few questions when he was interning.

He thought why not and join him? He walked over and sat down next to him and cleared his throat so he wouldn't scare him. "Hey Ethan is it?" he asked just to be sure. "Are you seeing what is happening around here..." he asked quietly. "Or is it just me seeing things?"

Dot was trying valiantly not to notice her hero, the Head Girl, being a general prat to the Headmistress, just as she was choosing not to notice the embarrassing removal of said hero from the Head's chair. Instead, Dot was working her way happily through toast that was sticky with two kinds of jam (at the same time!).

And she was waiting for a likely person with which to bargain.

Ruby, in contrast, hadn't noticed a thing going on at the staff table. She didn't care to notice, because whatever it was didn't effect her in the slightest. Instead she made herself entirely comfortable at the Slytherin table, and after a moment or two deciding what she'd have, she tucked neatly into a half grapefruit.

And she ignored the little girl with the jam.

Dot picked up her little plate of toast and her bowl of jam, and she slid down the table until she was sitting across from the older girl. What was she called again? Ruuuuuubix? Dot wiggled a bit to make sure she got the girl's attention, and then she waved crust at her.

Hiiiii.

"I have a proposition for you. I'm Dot, by the way."

"Dot is... unusual. Like... is that actually your name, or is it just what you go by?" It wasn't very feminine. Ruby looked up from her grapefruit and eyed the little girl. After a moment, she smiled. "I'm Ruby. What's your proposition?"

She wasn't doing ANYTHING for free, for the record.

Merlin. Their discussion is somewhat intense, yeah? Ethan wished Simon was there to see the drama, but since he wasn’t around, Holmes will need to record everything that he hears and sees for his Watson. He promised that he will keep him in the know to cover all the grounds. Ethan chewed on his food, eyes still on the Headmistress and Head Girl when his name was called.

Oh?

Swallow, smile.

“That’s me.” Ethan beamed at the boy, his face immediately recognized by the Prefect. It wasn’t too long ago when they met at the Quality Quidditch Shop. “You are Kace, if I’m not mistaken?” he asked too just in case his memory failed him. See what? Oh, that drama over there. “You are not seeing things, my friend. It’s the real deal.” Ethan scooted and made room for the Hufflepuff. “Right now, I’d guess that Lex is pulling a Seventh Year prank.” Like a ‘muck up day’ in the muggle world, where leavers go on a prank fest. What was amiss though, was the fact that Lex is already doing that for days. And if his memory serves him right, a muck up day is usually planned at the beginning of the term, then executed a day or days before they leave school for good. Merlin. Questions. Theories! Prefect Holmes was on a roll!

But, obviously, those have to wait yeah? All of this can be classified stuff, and he only shares those with his Watson. Anyway, back to Kace. “Will you go for another internship in Quidditch store this summer?” he asked. Small talk, yeah?

Kace smiled back politely when he remembered his name. Well now this won't be soo awkward. He even noticed the Prefect badge on his robes and Kace's eyes went wide. "Wow mate congrats on being Prefect!" he said giving him his congrats since they haven't seen each other since the summer. As he scooted to make him some room, Kace gladly sat down next to his slytherin friend. "Ah good, I was wondering what was going on. I thought I was going crazy.." he said still looking around in the great hall. Oh? Alexa pulling a prank? Why didn't that surprise Kace. "What kind of prank do you think she is pulling?" he asked curiously. "I hope she doesn't get into TOO much trouble." he said looking out for his friend.

Then he heard the question directed at him and he smiled and shrugged. "I honestly do not know. I loved working there, the boss was great but I might wanna try new things ya know? It is all up in the air." he told his friend honestly. "Are you thinking of interning in the future?" Never too early to think about the future ya know?

"Charlotte. I'm named for my gran," Dot studiously removed jam from her fingers and tried to determine if she was stung by the idea that her name was unusual. Did it hurt or did it just surprise her?

"Ruby." Just surprise. She liked her name. DimanDot. It worked. "I want you to teach me make-up. And I'll... help you look unique without breaking the dress code."

"That's much prettier." Ruby said approvingly. Much prettier than Dot. More impact too.

She focused her attention on the little kid and tilted her head to one side. "I don't need help with that." Truly. It wasn't about looking 'unique'. She wasn't Phoenix. "But I don't mind helping you with make up. But how come you want to learn now?" Like okay, Ruby had totally been wearing make up since she was about twelve, but still, it was interesting to know what the catalyst was for asking, right?

Not unique. Dot wasn't making people into birds. She was making them... themselves. That's what she meant. But instead of saying all that, she just lifted up her booted foot and rested it on the table. She was extra bendy from her Muggle classes her mum made her take, so it wasn't like it hurt, and NOW she could show Ruby the sequins she'd magicked to make her boots look like shimmering dragon scales.

"I want to make those cat eye things," she drew a line with her finger across her eyelid to show she meant eyeliner. "And maybe sometimes make my freckles disappear. And if I learn a little, I should learn all of it."

Ethan got another helping of mashed potatoes, and drowned it with delicious, warm, gravy. Oh…and, another congratulations? It’s a bit late now in the term to be congratulated really, but Ethan appreciates it. “Oh," he said as he looked down on his chest and beamed back at the boy. “Thanks.” Should he really be congratulated? Being a prefect was no joke, did he know? The Slytherin continued to eat as Kace talked. The boy nodded along, but then stopped and placed his fork down as the drama escalated. Did Lex just…spat out words at the Headmistress? Did she know that from their point of view, she was causing a drama that could land her a detention? Surely Cambridge can be brave and push her luck to the limit, but Ethan knows that she’s not an idiot to do it.

So what's up with her being 'The Mistress of All Evil'?

“I…take that back. I don’t think it’s a prank.” He said as he leaned closer to Kace as he kept his eyes on the Head Girl and Headmistress. Something was really up because, “Cambridge will not cause something that can potentially harm her Lions…and the rest of the school population, right?” Merlin, Ethan hoped that Simon was around. "I do wonder about the things that are running inside her head right now." With a last glance on them, the prefect picked up his fork once more and continued to eat.

Internship? Heck yeah!

“I was pretty bummed when I learned I can’t intern yet last summer, so yeah I’m planning to apply this time.” Ethan said as he picked his goblet up and drank his juice, nodding his head as he heard Kace’s plans. “There’s a plethora of interesting shops out there, I have to agree. Where do you plan to intern next?” He asked as he paused to look at his friend. “By the way, is there a way I could contact your boss? I really want to get a signed poster of Selina Skylar.” It was for Josie, so yeah.

"Don't let Bellaire see those." Was all Ruby said. Because you know, Bellaire was TOTALLY unreasonable about these things. Probably Dot here would end up with detention too, and the professor would try and shame her into conforming with everyone else as well.

Eyeliner was easy, Ruby nodded at that. Freckles... "There is freckle remover potions you know?" If she wanted to go that route. "But sure. That's easy enough..... but in return, I want you to do one of my homework assignments for me some time." That was the condition.

Kace nodded and it didn't seem Ethan was that excited to be Prefect. Well it seemed to him. But then again people have different ways of showing nerves and such. As Kace was getting some lunch, he noticed there were hamburgers and hot dogs, some yorkshire pudding, some chicken wings and corn and everything he could imagine. His mouth was watering. He dived right in without taking a breath. He was even drinking fast because he was sooo thirsty. He felt a rumble in his stomach and he couldn't help but burp loudly

BURRRPPPPPPP!!!!!

Woopsss....."Excuse me..." he grinned at Ethan. He dabbed his face with the napkin as to hide his rudeness. He even told Ethan he didn't think it was a prank. "See I had a feeling it wasn't a prank but I am sure she doesn't want the lions to lose points." As for harming the student body, Kace thought she wouldn't but then again she seemed to change a lot this term for some strange reason. Kace was curious to know why. Maybe they needed to do an investigation. "Alexa wasn't like this last term, something must have happened, I wonder what happened...?" he thought aloud. "Maybe we should investigate.." he suggested to his slytherin friend.

Now onto internships! That is great Ethan wanted to do them but he was too young last term and that was understandable. He took a swig of pumpkin juice and responded to Ethan's question before he had another mouthful of food. "Erm I am thinking of doing Ollivanders or Flourish and Blotts.." he grinned. He loved being a book nerd but not many of his friends knew that yet and he always had a fascination with wands ever since he got his in his first year. "What about ya mate?" he asked.

He chuckled at his request. "I think I can pull a few strings. Who is the poster for if ya don't mind me asking?" he asked. He didn't have to tell him. But wait he remembered from the shop. "Wait a minute is this for the girl you were trying to impress in the shop this summer?" he smirked.

You see, if Kace spent some time with Ethan’s extended family and joined them for lunch, the Hufflepuff would be banished from the table. Manners and such old fashioned tradition is still being practiced in their household. Ethan chuckled at his friend, and after taking huge gulps of his juice, he opened his mouth and...

Buuuuuuurrrp. Burp. Burp. Buuuuuurp.

Hehehehe. He’s a cool prefect like that, yeah? “Easy on the food, mate. You can’t choke under my watch.” No seriously, he’d hate to bring Kace to the Healer. He was sure he’ll be questioned and such. It seems that the fifth year blond kid is a tough one anyway, so he need not worry. As soon as he was done, he placed his fork and knife together to show he was finished, and dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “Ah…” Now, this is interesting. How come Kace didn’t think of it as a prank first? “Could it be because, she was just a prefect last term and not one of the Head Prefects?” Ethan asked crossing his arms as he leaned on the table. “It could be pressure and the head girl badge getting to her head but…” the Slytherin stole another glance at the dais and was almost instantly convinced that it wasn’t. “…she’s not that stupid to go head to head with the Headmistress, and show some attitude to most professors.” And wait, hold up. Did Kace just said they should investigate?! MERLIN THEY SHOULD! But then, “I-I’d love to investigate with you Kace, but…I usually do ‘detective stuff’ with my best friend…” Simon Holden. Where is that PUNK anyway? “I hope I didn’t offend you or anything.” Merlin’s hat, this is awkward, yeah? “You can join us though! I just…don’t want to start it without Simon.” It’s a BFF-slash-Sherlock Bro Code stuff, y’know?

And more awkwardness.

Ethan felt his face go warm when Kace asked who the poster was for. He probably need to be more discreet next time, yeah? Right now though, he’s busted so he’d have to go with the flow, besides, Kace said himself that he pull a few strings for him. “Yeah. Yeah, it’s for her.” Ethan returned the smirk, and eyed the Ravenclaw’s table. “Are you still on it, though? It will mean a lot to her.” The prefect nodded and took a sip of his drink.

...

Another commotion and...Ethan's head quickly snapped to the direction of the Staff Dais, and saw Lex clutching Botros' arm. MERLIN. Not Botros. She can pick on anybody, except that man or Culloden. "Holy snitch." Ethan murmured as he watched the action. "This is getting out of hand. Where IS the Head Boy?" the Slytherin prefect asked and looked back at the Eagle's table, he also then searched for Bay. Good grief, indeed.

WOAAHHH!! Kace smirked and was impressed with his new slytherin friends burping skills. "Nice one mate!" he nodded impressed. "I guess I have some competition huh?" he joked of course. Sometimes burping contests were fun but other times girls didn't find them funny. He chuckled at his joke and waved it off. "Nahh I won't choke. I am pretty good." he nodded and took a bite of his chicken wings. Man these things were DELICIOUS! He licked his lips and knew he wasn't practicing his manners. He dabbed his fingers with his napkin and face. He saw Ethan do the same thing and thought to be more careful.

He heard Ethan's valid point. It could be possibly she was lashing out that she wasn't head prefect last term. It could make sense. He just nodded and agreed. He chuckled when he mentioned the pressure getting to her. "I don't think that is it. She is was totally calm last term." he shrugged. Well it seemed to him anyways. Ethan was right she wasn't afraid to show some attitude to some professors or the headmistress for that matter. That is why Kace was intimidated by meeting her in the first place. But they got along really well.

Oh it made sense to Kace. "Not a problem mate, if it something you do with your best friend it is fine by me...." he trailed off when he heard Simon's name. Hold the hippogriff! He knew his name. "Wait a minute! I know Simon! I met him and hung out with him a few times." he smiled. He was a pretty chill aussie he can give him that.

He saw him blush about talking about the girl he had a crush on. He smirked even more. "Hey do not worry mate, your secret is safe with me." He saw him eye the ravenclaw table and it didn't go unnoticed. "I take it she is from Ravenclaw?" he asked with an eyebrow raised. "Yeah I will try, I can ask her no worries..." He just hoped she had her contact info. "Plus she seemed like a keeper." he added with a wink. He had it saved somewhere or maybe it was back home. He could owl Belle and have her look for him. That could work.

He noticed Ethan looking in the other direction and looked as well. He noticed Alexa was holding onto Bostros arm. He gave the scene a quizzical look. Now that didn't seem like Alexa at all. "It is getting out of hand..." he agreed still watching the scene. "Yeah where is your head boy.." he asked curiously.

"My robes cover the sparkly bits," Dot dropped her feet back to the floor and let her hems fall back over the boots again. She liked having that as a secret, and if Ruby didn't want a secret like that... it was okay.

As for the freckle remover, Dot knew that, actually, but she thought it would make her mother less upset if the removal was non-magical and non-permanent. Mothers were so fickle like that. "Homework?" She considered that. Really considered it. "You know I'm 12?"

"I don't always wear my robes." Ruby pointed out. Case in point, right at that moment. No robe. Wool tights, scarf, and cardigan, as a nod to warmth, but that was it.

Yes. Homework. Ruby watched.

"Are you a particularly stupid twelve year old?" Genuine question.

“I won’t dare do it if I were in front of my Gramps though.” And Grandma. Although the matriarch would be more forgiving, given that she’s got three sons…and a plethora of grandchildren, all of which are males. Ethan got his ears on Kace though, now that he’s seen Lex last year as being an okay prefect. Now, that is weird. The fair haired Slytherin knew from the very beginning that she’s a very cool prefect, and does not tolerate disrespect especially with the professors. He’d seen how she placed a jinx on Hirase last term in Potions for being a drama llama, and insulting Culloden. Ethan scratched his temple as he contemplated on this. Maybe it’s not the Head Girl badge after all.

The prefect felt a little embarrassed when he said that the ‘Detective’ stuff was an exclusive thing for him and Simon, but Ethan sat straighter on his seat at the mention of his best friend’s name. Clearly, he is proud of his Watson coming off of his shell, and has made friends. “That’s great to hear. Would you believe he’s a shy guy? I knew he’d be great when I first met him. Totally Watson-material if you ask me…” Ethan trailed off wondering where the heck Simon was. Could he be obsessing over research again?

Ethan followed Kace’s gaze over the Ravenclaw’s. Merlin, he was giving away clues! It’s either he’s being careless, or Kace is also detective material. The prefect considered the Hufflepuff’s elementary observation skills. One point for you, Kace. “Yeah, she’s a Ravenclaw.” The Slytherin said giving his mate a sheepish grin. “You think? She’s a very shy girl, but I know she’s a great witch underneath those layers of bashfulness.” Wait, whoa. That should be enough information for Kace, yeah?

All good thought about Josie flew out of the window as soon as he heard a loud bang…and a FLYING Alexa Cambridge out the Great Hall. Ethan followed the soaring Lion across the hall with his eyes, and winced at the sound of another bang coming from the door of the Great Hall. The impact must be so strong, that Ethan could see dust flying off of the doors’ jambs.

Well. That should shut Cambridge up.

Kace chuckled and nodded. “Yeah if I did that in front of my grandparents, aunts and uncles and even parents for that matter….I would be given evil glares. They love having order and manners.” It was true though. His family was huge. He had baby cousins he had yet to meet. He even had his cousin Braedon in Australia because his aunt moved there. He even had Kaylee who lived right next door. It was crazy his mom could keep track of birthdays and events. Anyways he saw Ethan scratch his temple and knew he was figuring out about Alexa. He seemed to agree with him. He just left it at that.

Kace chuckled and nodded. “I can believe he could be shy but when I met him, he didn’t seem too shy to me.” He shrugged. Maybe he met him when he was coming out of his shell? He agreed with his slytherin buddy and did seem like great Watson material. I mean he was quiet and seemed like he could be a great assistant and be very smart at giving his opinions. He saw Ethan looking around and he asked, “Do you know if Simon will be joining us or is he busy being Watson material?” He joked a little bit with him.

He liked seeing Ethan’s reaction to when the subject of his crush. “I know for sure.” He assured his buddy. “I mean my girlfriend Emmy was sort of shy around me and then I broke through her shy barrier. Now she is talkative as ever well most of the time.” He joked a bit. “You just have to make your move mate and flirt and do things she likes." he said giving him advice on how to get her to be his. “Plus the poster I will get for you will win you some brownie points.” Wait a minute what was her name again? “Sooo what is her name?” he asked being more curious.

Kace followed Ethan’s reaction and saw Alexa being flown and he heard the big bang. “What in the bloody merlin?” he asked quietly being stunned. “That looked like it hurt..” he commented to Ethan.

Oh, so Kace also came from that kind of family? “It would have been worse for me though. I might get picked off of our family tree for having such table manners.” Ethan chuckled, but deep down inside he knew that his family will reprimand him for being obnoxious. That’s why he enjoys his time in school, and with his cousin because he can be himself. He knew though that such discipline will pay off in the future. Mordred had that kind of upbringing, and people admired him for being mature way beyond his years. “Do you have siblings? Are they here too?” Or are they magical like them? Surely, it won’t hurt to ask things like that, yeah? Small talk’s good. Besides, he and Kace are already friends…right?

“I told him that he’s not the only Transfer in school last term, and so far, everyone’s been really good to us.” Ethan can’t still believe that it has already been a year for him and Simon. They were now full-fledged Hogwartians, yeah? And Slytherins too! “…so there’s really no reason to be shy and stuff. We’ll be spending the next three, four years in this school anyway so I told him to get used to it.” See? A little prodding and pushing was all it took for Simon to socialize. He was glad that he has made friends…he may even have made more friends than he did. “I believe he is. He’s obsessing over his notebook of observation. He’s keeping tabs of things.” Ethan winked at Kace. He really is the real life Watson. “And I’m sure he’s also busy with…” another Ravenclaw. Hehehehe. “…somebody.” Ethan grinned to himself as he took another sip of his juice.

He however almost choked, and squirmed as he forced himself to swallow his juice at the mention of the word ‘flirt’. And…Emmy? “Flirt?” Ethan repeated the word and wondered how the HELL will he flirt with Josie…or…was he already flirting with her? And her name? “Josie Edayson.” Ethan grinned at the sound of her name and just…sighed a little. Merlin’s beard.

“Serves her right. That should knock some sense into her if you ask me.” Ethan said as he placed his goblet down looking at the closed door. “Hey Kace, would you like to join me brew the Unlucky Potion?” He would have asked Simon, but he knew that his best bud would ask a certain Ravenclaw, so he’s out of the list. “If you’re up for it, maybe we can pick up some rose thorns from the Grounds after Charms?”

Yay or nay?

As far as stupid, Dot wasn't totally sure this Ruby person had much room to talk. Obviously the point of robes covering her boots was that it meant she could be out of uniform without anyone realizing it. When she wasn't in robes, then anyone was welcome to notice her pretty boots.

Maybe it only made sense to Dot, though... maybe everyone was secretly breaking the rules under their robes.

"Not more stupid than most, I guess. Definitely don't know as much as a mature woman like you," she might have been laying it on a little thick, but she wanted help. Wanted it a lot.

Kace chuckled and thought that wouldn't be nice of his family to do. "I am sure you wouldn't get knocked off your family tree but I think you might deal with a couple of nasty looks. I know I do sometimes when I go to family events. I mean I can't help it, it is just a natural bodily function ya know? It is nothing bad. Now if it came out the other end then we have a problem.." he chuckled and winked. Yeah farting was something like a death sentence to his family. He asked if he had any siblings. He smiled and said, "Well I only have one sibling here. She graduated though like a few terms ago. Her name was Belle Lecium. She was kind of like a legend being prefect for two terms. " he said waving his hand. "But I hope to be different and not live up to the family name ya know?" he said to his friend. "Do you have any siblings here?" he asked curiously.

Kace agreed with Ethan's ways of thinking. "You are right. No one here is evil well...besides you know who.." he said under his breath. He was referring to Alexa. I mean she was having a real mean streak going down. He even chuckled at Ethan's joke about Simon being the real life Watson. "Well I am sure he will get hungry enough, he will need all the brain power from this lovely food. He will show up soon." he shrugged. Then he didn't miss the hint of Simon being busy with someone. He shot his eyebrows up and asked, "Aahhh how is this someone?"

"Yeah mate FlIRT" he chuckled at his reaction. "It is not a hard thing to do. I learned from my cousin Braedon. He is the master. All you gotta do is have a charming smile and learn what the girl is interested in." he said like it was a no brainer. "Trust me it works everytime." he assured him. Oooh her name was Josie? That was a pretty name. He even saw his genuine smile, so he knew he liked her.

He heard Ethan's request and nodded. "Oh of course mate, I needed a partner for that potion anyways.." he smiled and was glad to be working with someone. "Yeah we can go to the grounds after charms and pick some thorns. Not a problem.." he said finishing off his pumpkin juice and what is left of his meal.

Kid was missing the point.

Ruby rolled her eyes.

"I'm just saying unless you're stupid, then you'll do, okay? It doesn't matter that you're twelve. But that's the condition if you want my help, then you have to help me." Do one of her assignments. "Good enough for an A is good enough for me."

Soooo... was she going to go for it?