Zoe made her way through the kitchens to the fireplace on the other end, moving around the house elves and other students. It looked like the only free spot at the moment where there weren't students! She knew James had something he wanted to talk about and well....she wasn't exactly sure what it was and had pretty much ignored all rumours. The last time she'd seen him was when she was at the treehouse and he'd been going up into it.

She sat down on the bricks near the fireplace and stretched her legs out, careful not to bump anyone or trip them. Mmm, the fire felt nice to her back, it had been kind of chilly outside...

James almost walked back to his dorm four times trying to get out of this talk. He knew they had left their situation a little up in the air but he couldn't just carry on without talking to her. If anything she was his best friend and hopefully would still be after he spoke to her.

He took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen to find her by the fire. He sat down in the chair across from her and smiled a little awkwardly. "Hi." He looked around and frowned slightly before looking back at her. "So....we probably should talk..." and he wasn't inclined to start. Maybe she did something and he'd feel a little less guilty. But really...he didn't see any reason to feel guilty. Blah he was just too nice.

She looked up as someone started walking her way and gave him a smile "Hi" she said back. Why did he look awkward? She wasn't sure what happened, had he done something? Did she forget something or....Bah stop with the thoughts was all she could think now. They were going to drive her nuts if she kept letting them get to her. She tilted her head a little "Okay?" she said curiously "What happened?" Was it about the end of the summer? That was like 9 months away still...

"Is something wrong?" she asked searching his face.

What happened? Why'd she have to go there first? Ugh he probably had the I DID SOMETHING WRONG look all over his face anyway. And perhaps he did but he had a few before then and that's what they were blaming it on right? Not the fact that he had been into her before then. Nope not at all that.

"I...kissed Vinnie," he said without looking at her or giving her the explanation. Because let's face it that sounded silly even to him. Or...well...maybe it was legit. "We had gone out and I had a few..." he sat on h is hands to keep them from flailing about as he explained away his actions. "But in all honesty I hadn't seen you in like..a month?" Yeah...that was the way to do it try and pass off the blame. "I just thought you should know," he said deflated. "I wasn't sure if we have a label anymore or not but thought it was the honorable thing to do...was to tell you."

Okay why did he now look guilty? No it was just her imagination, she was sure. Or not. She stared at him when he just said what he'd done. Okay well that explained the guilty look and the awkward look before that. Had a few...butterbeers? Pfft that didn't do nothing really. But she was sure that was an excuse trying to make it sound like it wasn't his fault? Oh so it was her fault now? She stared more and a look on her face appeared that said SERIOUSLY?

"So?" she said finally but still seemed to be staring him down. What? He'd gone out with someone and kissed them, then told her hoping she'd be like OH we weren't a couple. What the heck was up with the thing til the end of summer then? Obviously that was out the window.

James saw the look on her face and felt like he was two inches tall. Okay so obviously he had messed up somewhere along the way. And all she asked was So? "I..um...so that's it." What else was he supposed to say?

Suddenly he wanted to be as far away from this fire as possible. "It wasn't intentional." Maybe he shouldn't have told her. "But...it's made me realize that while I'm okay with us being friends I'm not okay with the plan we laid out." He swallowed and met her eyes, "I love you I do. But I'm not okay with spending this time with you only for us to split up. I think it would be a bad idea even if it was my idea. It's just long enough for me or you to not want to leave and then either one of us won't and might begrudge the other later on or we'd try the long distance thing and only hurt each other further."

"No it's not Vinnie's fault either," he said with a sigh. Trying to cut off that train of thought before she even went down that way. "I'll still be your best friend if you want or anything else you want."

"It's not as if we 'were' boyfriend/girlfriend or anything." she muttered looking away. She knew this was going to happen, and no she couldn't see the future but she just...yeah she'd known. Either during the term, summer hols or after they split up. It was going to happen. "I know we never really said if we were to be exclusive." she said quietly. "And it likely just felt....like we were friends with everything going on with school and all." No she wasn't blaming him nor herself nor Vinnie. She was grateful for the fact he'd told her at least and not let her find out through someone else.

She swallowed at his words and met his eyes briefly but looked down "So that's it. Friends and leaving it at that, for now. Til..." Whenever, if ever something happened in the future. "Best friends" she murmured. She probably should feel angry but right then she just, kind of now wanted to be alone.

James didn't say anything but listened to her and watched her. "To be honest I've only seen you twice since we came back, it kind of felt like we were less than friends at times," he whispered and looked down at his pants. Well it was the truth. If you were dating weren't you supposed to be inseparable like Pal had been. "Maybe...we just started this a little too late," he said with a half sigh. And it had been really awkward.

He caught her look at him and nodded, "The bestest." He sat there staring into the fire wanting to give her a hug because she looked sad but at the same time not wanting to be turned into a toad or something.

"Maybe I'm the stalker then." she said softly but smiled a little itty bitty bit. She'd seen him a few times but he'd been occupied elsewhere. "I'm sorry you felt that way." she said softly. She hadn't meant for him to feel like she wasn't even his friend. She'd never been good about the dating thing and that was quite obvious now, he already had someone else, possibly anyway. "I'm just no good at it. Maybe that's why I'm off to study dragons. I communicate with animals better than people." she said shrugging.

She just sighed and looked down at her feet. She didn't even know what to say now. She just felt numb, she knew it was coming. She just hadn't expected it this soon. And only a month til Christmas.

Eh she could curse him if she wanted. He stood up and moved to sit down next to her and put an arm around her lightly. "Or...maybe it's just not meant to happen right now. I'm super awkward and slow on the pick up with no real plan for my future and you know what you want to do and have a plan." He gave her a slight smile, "A plan I hope you succeed in with all my heart."

He looked into the fire and sighed, "Still up for spending a few days of break at my house? Already got you a gift I think you'll like." He said trying to pick up the mood a bit. He wasn't mad at her and hopefully she wasn't mad at him. But he'd understand if she said no.

She laughed softly shaking her head "We're both awkward, it's not as if I've been able to keep a boyfriend and actually spend time with him." The same had happened with Dan, though that had lasted longer. She wished she could lean against him and just let him hold her so they'd both stop feeling sad together but knew she wouldn't do that to him now. She looked his way "You just need to make the decision, I know you'd be great teaching, it's a big step but...well you have some 9 months yet to really decide. Maybe take a year off even."

Merlin, she wanted to say yes but right then she couldn't answer. "Maybe" she said softly "No promises, but I might." She wasn't mad, nor hurt really. She was just numb and wished the numbness would go away.

Laughing. Laughing was good. He smiled and pulled her against his shoulder, "We are both awkward. But...if you think about it...what do we do that we can't still do as just friends." He looked at her and kissed her head, "This isn't about us really it's about it being easier to let go once term lets out." It really was too. "You're my best friend. You always will be and really things shouldn't change between us because we always have been best friends Zoe. Even when you were dating Dan remember." He smiled and leaned into her a bit. "I think I will be too. History. Just need to figure out what school. I think dad would flip if I took a year off," he laughed and looked at her with a smile.

"Maybe, I'll take maybe." Maybe wasn't a no. It was kind of hopeful.

Her arm went around him and hugged him back. "There's a bit we can't do as friends" she said shaking her head amused "No kissing like that for one." Nope, kiss on the cheek? Yes, lips? Nope, definitely not going there. "I know." she said softly. She wasn't going to cry, not here. It'd be easier in the end, she just hated that it just happened now after they'd talked before saying at the end of the summer hols.

"I don't want that to change. No matter what I want to be your best friend." she said softly. She gave him a smile "I won't let that change or I'll hex you." She laughed about his dad flipping "Maybe but you don't have to tell him do you?" she asked amused. She really did want to meet his dad one day.

"Definitely maybe then." she said giving him a small smile.

And now she was hugging him back. See! Progress! "Well...now that's up for debate. Seems to me if I'm not seeing anyone and you aren't that that little bit we could very well do as friends." Logic. BAM. "That is if you wanted to anyway."

"You will be my best friend. Forever and ever. Can't get rid of me that easily," James said with a smirk and laughed as she threatened to hex him. "I fully anticipated you hexing me at least 3 times already." He looked thoughtful for a moment and shrugged, "He would probably find out if I didn't tell him."

He smirked and gave her a nod, "Definitely, maybe."

Kace decided it was time to make a visit to the lovely fireplace. He loved coming here and relaxing near the heat. I mean the castle was getting colder and colder since they were in November. He wanted to roast some marshmallows and make some s'mores. He brought his s'more sticks from home and placed the marshmallows on it and began to roast some. He was quite excited to see if this would work. Well what do you know it did. He grinned when he saw the marshmallow turn golden brown.

Some success! He took his graham crackers and slide the marshmallow between the crackers with the chocolate of course and made a delicious snack. Yummmm.....tasted as good as he remembered from camping with his family. He wondered if he was gonna meet anyone he knew here? Or maybe some new friends too. That couldn't hurt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expecto-Penguin

Kace decided it was time to make a visit to the lovely fireplace. He loved coming here and relaxing near the heat. I mean the castle was getting colder and colder since they were in November. He wanted to roast some marshmallows and make some s'mores. He brought his s'more sticks from home and placed the marshmallows on it and began to roast some. He was quite excited to see if this would work. Well what do you know it did. He grinned when he saw the marshmallow turn golden brown.

Some success! He took his graham crackers and slide the marshmallow between the crackers with the chocolate of course and made a delicious snack. Yummmm.....tasted as good as he remembered from camping with his family. He wondered if he was gonna meet anyone he knew here? Or maybe some new friends too. That couldn't hurt.

After thinking for a long time, Bianca decided to bake some her favorite chocolate muffins. Everybody loved chocolate and muffins, right? Besides, muffins were such a great snack for a day like this especially if she also had a cup of hot drink. After pouring the batter to the muffin tray, the brunette then put them in an oven and waited until the muffins were ready to served.

It took half an hour for the muffins were perfectly baked. Bianca then made a cup of hot chai latte for herself then walked to the fireplace to warm herself up. The brunette girl just saw a boy sitting there, in front of the fire and roasted some marshmallows. "Hey." She smiled and greeted that guy. "What are you doing?"

As Kace was munching on his s'mores, he saw a girl coming towards him. She asked him a question and it was typical that she would ask him a question when his mouth was full. He held up a finger and waited a couple of seconds to swallow his food. "I am just making myself a mid afternoon snack.." he grinned and gestured towards him s'mores supplies. "I was craving something from home and I thought why not this you know." he shrugged.

She didn't look familiar so he thought he might introduce himself. "I am Kace by the way.." He put a marshmallow on his stick and began to roast another one. "Would you like one?" he asked politely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expecto-Penguin

As Kace was munching on his s'mores, he saw a girl coming towards him. She asked him a question and it was typical that she would ask him a question when his mouth was full. He held up a finger and waited a couple of seconds to swallow his food. "I am just making myself a mid afternoon snack.." he grinned and gestured towards him s'mores supplies. "I was craving something from home and I thought why not this you know." he shrugged.

She didn't look familiar so he thought he might introduce himself. "I am Kace by the way.." He put a marshmallow on his stick and began to roast another one. "Would you like one?" he asked politely.

He was making a snack.. from marshmallow, crackers and chocolate? Really? Bianca had never heard about those three things could be an another whole new snacks without baking them or something. That boy just put the marshmallow on the skewer, roasted it, then put a layer of chocolate and two crackers between them. "It looks good." She commented. "I uh.. I've never seen it before." Hopefully he didn't think that she lame. WAS SHE LAME? She didn't think so.

Sipping her chai latte, the brunette girl looked at her watch to know if her muffins were ready soon. Nope, it's still 15 minutes later. As he offered the snack, Bianca smiled and accepted his offer. "Well, sure." It seemed good and she wondered how did it taste. She knew that marshmallows were good, so does chocolate and crackers. "I'm Bianca Rush." She introduced herself as he mentioned his name as Kace.

As Kace was munching he turned his head and stared at her wide eyed. Sayyy whattt!? She never had a s'more before? He raised his eyebrows and beckoned her to come over. "Well come on I will teach ya. This will be your first muggle lesson." He always liked teaching new people some muggle stuff. Ah so her name was Bianca Rush. Hmm he did know another Bianca but obvs this girl was different. "Nice to meet ya Bianca." he grinned and keep roasting his marshmallows.

"So what house are you in?" he asked. But then he answered his own question by looking at her robes. "Ah your a slytherin, I am a hufflepuff but I think I may have seen you around in classes and such." he said trying to keep the convo going.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expecto-Penguin

As Kace was munching he turned his head and stared at her wide eyed. Sayyy whattt!? She never had a s'more before? He raised his eyebrows and beckoned her to come over. "Well come on I will teach ya. This will be your first muggle lesson." He always liked teaching new people some muggle stuff. Ah so her name was Bianca Rush. Hmm he did know another Bianca but obvs this girl was different. "Nice to meet ya Bianca." he grinned and keep roasting his marshmallows.

"So what house are you in?" he asked. But then he answered his own question by looking at her robes. "Ah your a slytherin, I am a hufflepuff but I think I may have seen you around in classes and such." he said trying to keep the convo going.

He's gonna teach her how to make those snacks? Interesting. "I uh.. Actually I did know some muggle things but.. Yeah, I just never seen this snack before. But, thanks! And nice to meet you too, Kace." She smiled then took a seat beside him. "So, what's this snack called?" The brunette girl asked. She just watched the guy roasted some marshmallow again. "Can I have one of the that?" She pointed to the skewer, stick, or whatever it was called.

What house were she was in?

She was gonna answer that but that guy could see that she was wearing green-silver scarf ans a robe with a snake emblem on the chest. "Yeah, Slytherin. Seventh year." Mentioning her year made her remembered about NEWTs and oh my.. It did make her have a mild headache. Wasn't she here because she wanted to forget about NEWTs for a while and bake some good sweet treats? Speaking of baking...

Time to take the muffins out from the oven.

"Will excuse me for a sec? I need to take my muffins out from the oven."She said to Kace. "Also, do you want some drinks?" Since she also need to refill her chai latte, Bianca offered him if he also wanted some hot drinks.

"Well then today is your lucky day. I am gonna teach you how to make s'mores.." he beckoned her to come over. He was just done with his second marshmallow and it seemed to turn golden brown. Perfect. He took it out of the fire and began to eat it off the stick. Yumm....SO good. She asked a question right when he was eating. Typical. He held up a finger and began to chew. As he swallowed the goodness, he chuckled and said. "They are called S'Mores. Don't ask me why but that is just what they are called." He thought it was a weird name but it fit.

"Yeah of course you can have a stick.." he said reaching over and gave it to her. "Now you can pick one marshmallow or two. It depends on how much marshmallowy goodness you want. I prefer too because I am weird like that." he smiled and put two of those white puffs on his stick. "Before you roast the marshmallows it is good to prepare your supplies first. You need two graham crackers.." he laid them out. "And one piece of chocolate.." He and placed one bar on one graham cracker. Perfect set up.

"Now you can roast them.." and he continued to roast them to perfection. Ah so she was a slytherin and she was a seventh year. He said, "Good luck on your NEWTs. I just finished my OWLS previously and that was hard..." He couldn't imagine what the NEWTS would be like. She made muffins? Hmm those do sound good. "What kind of muffins did you make if you don't mind me asking?" he was curious is all. Oh and a drink. He thought about it and said, "I would like some Milk thank you." he said before he went back to roasting.

S'mores? Weird name. Bianca was about to say why did they call this thing as s'mores but Kace already answered that he didn't know that. Okay. Hello s'mores! As the guy handed her the stick, the brunette girl followed his instruction: putting two marshmallows on the stick. Yeah, she did agree with him about putting two of them instead one. Not because she was weird, but she looooooved the fluffiness of marshmallows. The more the better, right? The brunette girl then started roasting them.

Thank you," She said as he said good luck for NEWTs. "I am very nervous and stressed out for preparing them. Not to mention I am sleep-deprived and having mild headache every time I remembered that. My OWLs results wasn't that bad, but not very good too. That's why I need to work my butt off to pass NEWTs so I can go to WU. I think that's why they called it Nastily Exhausting, even to prepare them we're already exhausted." She started rambling. Every time she was stressed or bored she often talked too much to every person that she was having conversation with. Noticing the marshmallows had turned golden brown, Bianca then put the marshmallows on the top of graham cracker that already had a layer of chocolate, then put another cracker on top of it, she watched Kace did that. Now, time to take a bite of it.

Holly.. Molly..

What a perfection.

"This. is. heavenly awesome." She commented. Why on earth she'd never known about this before? She did have some muggle friends when her family lived in Salem before but nobody told her about s'mores. Maybe she could make a combination about this graham crackers-chocolate-and marshmallow like.. making a s'mores sandwich or.. s'mores muffins!

Oh yeah, her muffins.

The brunette girl then stood up and walked to the oven. Her muffins looked perfectly baked! She couldn't wait to eat them. But first, she needed to cool it down. Then she make a cup of chai latte for herself and heated some milk for Kace.

"I'm baking chocolate muffins." She answered then handed a glass of milk to him. "I just waited for them to be cooled for a while, you can have one if you want." She made 12 muffins and it was quite many for herself. So, sharing the muffin with him was good, right? Besides, he taught her how to make s'mores.

Kace heard Bianca ramble and he understood. "Don't worry that will be me when I am going to take my NEWTS next year. If you are like this now, I can't imagine what I will go through..." he said looking into the fire spacing out. He shook his head and he wanted to have a fun semester this year. No pressure or anything this year. He took a deep breath and he turned around and noticed Bianca took her first bit of the s'more. He grinned and he knew that would be her reaction. "See I told you it would be good. Now you can teach your friends to make them or even your family." he shrugged. He needed a glass of milk. He was thirsty.

Speaking of milk, he saw Bianca coming back and he held his hand out and took the milk from her. "Thank you.." he smiled and took a sip. Aahhh much better. She offered him a chocolate chip muffin. He nodded and said, "I would love to try one. Tell me are you a great baker of your household?" He was curious is all. He kept sipping his milk because he never realized how thirsty he was. After he finished his glass he felt something rumbling...

BBUUUURRRRRPPPPPPP!!!!

He covered his mouth and grinned sheepishly. "Oh excuse me.."

Bianca just exhaled. Thankfully that Kace did understand her ramble. This always happened when she's not in a good mood, bored, or stressed out. Well, Gary told her not to be worry about NEWTs but she's not him. Her cousin was like.. the calmest and coolest person in the world, somehow she wondered if he's really a human or actually a cyborg. The brunette girl then made another s'mores with double chocolate and double marshmallows because she could then ate them with just a bite. If she didn't remember that those things belonged to Kace, she might eat them all by herself. Well, she still had freshly-baked muffins

She didn't remember when did she start being a stress eater like this.

"Well, I dunno exactly. My folks said that the things that I baked are good. But I still think my mom is the best baker, I learned so much from her." Bianca learned to bake when she was twelve and the first thing that she could bake perfectly was triple chocolate muffins, the one that she baked for now.

Oops.

Had she told him that the milk was still hot? Maybe not. She couldn't help but chuckled. "Sorry, I forgot to tell that the milk was still hot. You okay?" The brunette girl asked.