Beau SHRIEKED with laughter. SUPER DUPER SHRILL AND LOUD AND HAHAHAHAHHHAHAHA. WOW. "You're MUDDY!" Derrrrrrrrrrf. Muddy Derf. What kind of name was Derf? It was ALMOST like NERF. Or DUH. Maybe his parents hadn't known what to call him and it was more of his Mum suggesting 'Dave' and his Dad saying 'errrrrrrrrr' and then a a sneeze! D-ERRRRRRRRRRRRR-Fchoo. What a wonderful naming situation. Beau-ey didn't even know his own naming situation. Just that the Francis was because his Grandaddy had the middle name Francis too. They were middle name twins.

He reached out and gave the other boys face a wipe with hiis CLEAN hand. To be helpful. Hi hi hi. Hello. Lookit this helping HAND.

"OH! SORRY. Maybe YOU shouldn't be SHOUTING, THEN." Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-f

SPOILER!!: Em! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by NifflerFan

A bright, sharp burst of pain in her side pulled Emmeline back to reality. Back to the lake and Cypress and...Miss Kay! Who had apparently almost stumbled over her; Emmeline grinned up at her sort-of aunt? cousin? something? She wasn't mad at ALL, 'cause she was alllllwayyys running into people herself. And fences. And doors... Really, she was just glad that Miss Kay hadn't fallen.

"Hiii, Miss Kay---errr, Professor Stewart," she chirped back happily. 'Cept she was supposed to call her guardian's cousin "professor" again, oops. She'd had the same slip up when talking about Cami several times already this week; thankfully, it had only happened in front of her friends or Cami's professor-friends so far, mhm. She needed to get better about it, though, 'cause she didn't want the other students to think she was a teacher's pet or getting extra help or anything. She could get her passing marks in Muggle Studies and Transfiguration alllll by herself, thanks. Anyway, she gave Miss Kay another biiig smile and tried to reassure her: "Nope, you didn't hurt us! Term's been...okay, I guess. How're you doing?" She scrunched up her forehead in thought a little bit, too, 'cause now that she thought about it... Miss Kay sort of, a tiiiny bit, had that "upset grown up" look on her face, mhm.

Emmeline was super good at spotting those looks by now; she'd had to be at her parents' house -- judging grown ups' moods by their "pretending to be fine but are secretly upset" looks had saved her from...things...several times in the last couple of years. Even if she hadn't needed to do that at Cami's house, she still knew how to read faces. And with most adults she wouldn't dare to say anything but this was Miss Kay, so she took a deep breath and added in a softer tone: "What's wrong, Miss Kay?" She didn't bother to correct herself this time; she just fixed her eyes on Miss Kay's face and tried to focus on any little change in the professor's expressions.

Oh no!

She had hurt little Em, hadn't she? Kay's face registered a look of concern though that contagious grin was enough to send her worry away. How she adored this munchkin! (yes, Em will always be a munchkin to her). The woman smiled. She didn't mind the little slip up because all summer long, 'Miss Kay' was what Em had called her. It was only natural that these hiccups happen. "I'm glad. I just wasn't paying attention to where I was going.'' Feeling completely at ease, she sat on the sand and reached to tickle Cypress. "Getting along in your classes then? Keep it up! You've always excelled and I expect you to continue that way.'' Cam's little scholar. "Aside from being slightly busy with classes, I've been wonderful.''

Kay was startled that Em thought that something was wrong or rather that something was occupying her thoughts. "Nothing's wrong actually. I have just been occupied by some thoughts.'' She suddenly smiled warmly as though hoping to distract the girl. "Nothing that I can't figure out however.'' Pure bloods, she thought again savagely. "So tell me. How are you adjusting to having Cam as a guardian? I know she's excited that you're a part of the family and so am I.''

Luci took a better look of what the girl in front of her was doing. Comics and a picnic, she approved in her head. Nothing better than recreational reading and food, nothing.

She nodded back at her and smiled. "Yeah, pretty good day, like to come here alone?" Luci asked. Maybe it was her ME time, just like she had treated it.

Haraldur leaned forward, curiously as the young boy began to reel in the line, only to display a plant. Disappointing. He sighed, tapping his stomach, debating whether or not to return to the cool, shade from the tree again.

The groundskeeper wasn't 100% sure he knew what "pulling one's leg" actually meant. He was 89% sure though, which meant there was still an 11% risk it could mean anything. He'd learned that the English language wasn't very literal, it was all very confusing.

So, he ignored the boy's last question and focused on the first one. "No, no, no you don't need permission from them." He admitted, eyes drifting to Derfael with the young Gryffindor Beau Montague. Yup. He had studied names this term. Aside from the mud, they seemed a-okay. So the groundskeeper turned back to his current victim Dorian. "Well, actually... I don't know that for sure." He added, thoughtfully. "OH WELL! If you aggravate them, you'll know soon enough!" Hehe... Heh. No, but really.

Emmeline smiled again and nodded as Miss Kay had said she wasn't watching where she was going. She added, "It's okay, I do that too! Especially when I'm thinking a lot." The last sentence was coupled with a pointed look at Miss Kay. Not all thinking was BAD, but that much distraction paired with the adult upset look on the professor's face was kinda worrying, you know? She thought briefly about telling Cami, but then her eyes drifted to Cypress. She wasn't technically supposed to have the cruppy out, and she didn't want that coming up in conversation with Cami. Especially not when Miss Kay didn't seem to think anything of it, nope. Soo Emmeline went back to petting Cypress with loooonnng strokes. At least, she did until Miss Kay made the comment about her lessons and excelling and stuff. Emmeline went red in the face, and did anyone else notice how hot it was out here all of a sudden? She didn't think she really excelled in most lessons at all, even if she HAD made a lot of the professors' list thingies at the end of last term. "I'll, uhh, try...", she told Miss Kay with a little nod.

Wonderful? Miss Kay didn't seem wonderful at all, but before she could say that, her teacher was already talking again. Normally, Miss Kay's big smile and the abrupt change of topic would've been enough to distract the Gryffindor, but NOT when she was already on the watch for upsetting things. "Thoughts about what?", she asked in a reallllly, determinedly CALM tone of voice. Almost like how she talked to creatures when they were upset, but without the higher pitch and stuff. She blushed a bit when Miss Kay said that she AND Cami were excited that she was a part of the family, too.

"Umm, thank you. Cami's super, super nice and we did loooooads of fun stuff over the summer,"she told Miss Kay. Even though Miss Kay probably knew that already. But that was fine; she had noticed that Cami or Mr. Healer sometimes asked her questions that they already knew the answers to, and she kinda figured that it was to see what she thought about whatever it was. So maybe Miss Kay's question was like that.

Julie popped a ripe berry into her mouth. sour, sweet and with enough sugar to keep her longing at bay- at least, for the moment. She needed to be chilling out, she'd definitely over done it last term with cakes, sweets and chocolate and her teeth had suffered from it. #thankmerlinformagicdentistry "Sometimes. It's not really a ritual or anything." She'd just had the urge that day for a read out in the sunlight. Company or not, that part hadn't mattered.

Anyway. "Baeva, right?" She was excellent at remembering names.

Luci nodded at her response. She knew how that felt, just coming here to chill, and welcome the company that may arrive. Personally, she would have invited someone, but her mind had to get clear from any feelings right now. Cool head, warm heart.

"Yeah, Luci..." She smiled, quite impressed at the girl. "Uh...Julie?" Lately, she started remembering names with the same letter from her sister's name, J.

When coming over to see the ickle fishing, Noelle hadn't thought about if the boy actually wanted company or not. Oh well, too late now. She was already perched beside him, looking at the fishing line.

He made mention of her badge. The one she wore at all times. Because she was instructed to do so. Not that she minded. She'd become used to the thing by now. "Oh yes. I'm Noelle. One of the Gryffindor prefects. What's your name?" She asked, being quiet.

Unlike the professor.

Noelle giggled at him. Plus his story about the merpeople giving him permission to fish. "Well the Giant Squid and the merpeople are kinda the Kings and Queens of the lake. You gotta go through them." Noelle said, adding to what the professor had said.

Actually.... Noelle had never tried fishing the lake. So she had no idea if that was true or not. She'd gone swimming multiple times but like the boy had said, the lake was huge. "I'm sure itll be fiiiiine" And behind the boys head, she gave a little wink to the professor.

It was a lovely day out, and Bartholomew Henry felt that it was a perfect time for him to bask in the sunlight and maybe find someone or another to chat with. That was why he was making his way lazily towards the shore. "Well, hello there!" he said as he spotted the groundskeeper with two students (Dorian and Noelle). Waving his tentacle in greeting, he saw that they seemed to be fishing. "Having any luck?" Just making friendly conversation.

That wink from Noelle did not go unnoticed. Nor did the appearance by Bartholomew. Obviously. "Oh yes, yes, I'm sure there'll be no problem." Haraldur flicked one of the feathers on his head. "The merpeople are not evil creatures per se. They will surely send someone nice over to discuss things with you, Mr. Katharos, before they drag you down for fishing without permission. As long as Bartholomew isn't around you'll be fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine." Heh. Jokes.

Haraldur saluted the giant squid as he floated closer to them. "Well, look who it is, kids! Bartholomew! Dun, dun, dunnnnnn. "Hello, hello, lovely day, isn't it?." Lovely, as in too hot OOOOBVIOUSLY. But the squid liked the sun so he guessed lovely was the appropriate wording.

Having any luck? So far, only plants and mud but he left that to the ickle/firstie/boiiii Dorian.

The more the professor talked, the more unsure the first year looked. What if he wasn't lying and he was warning him about the merpeople? And then Noelle started to talk about how they were the kings and Queens of the Lake. What if he got dragged in to the lake for violating their code?!

"Uhm...i'm Dorian" he said as he placed down the fishing rod on the grass. Maybe he should wait with fishing till he was a hundred percent sure that he could.

Bartholomew? Who was Barthol--- oh...

Dorian's eyes widened as the Giant Squid came out of the water and he just stared at it. He wasn't even listening to the Gryffindor Prefect and professor anymore. He had heard stories of his dad about the Giant Squid but to actually see it with his own eyes was ..SO COOL!

"Uh...not really...i caught a plant though" he said after waving his own hand at the Giant Squid absentmindelyBut then another thought came to his mind and he freaked out again. Not because the creature could possibly call the Merpeople but because..."How am i able to understand Squiddish?!" he asked, voice going high as he looked from the Giant Squid to the Professor.

SPOILER!!: Em! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by NifflerFan

Emmeline smiled again and nodded as Miss Kay had said she wasn't watching where she was going. She added, "It's okay, I do that too! Especially when I'm thinking a lot." The last sentence was coupled with a pointed look at Miss Kay. Not all thinking was BAD, but that much distraction paired with the adult upset look on the professor's face was kinda worrying, you know? She thought briefly about telling Cami, but then her eyes drifted to Cypress. She wasn't technically supposed to have the cruppy out, and she didn't want that coming up in conversation with Cami. Especially not when Miss Kay didn't seem to think anything of it, nope. Soo Emmeline went back to petting Cypress with loooonnng strokes. At least, she did until Miss Kay made the comment about her lessons and excelling and stuff. Emmeline went red in the face, and did anyone else notice how hot it was out here all of a sudden? She didn't think she really excelled in most lessons at all, even if she HAD made a lot of the professors' list thingies at the end of last term. "I'll, uhh, try...", she told Miss Kay with a little nod.

Wonderful? Miss Kay didn't seem wonderful at all, but before she could say that, her teacher was already talking again. Normally, Miss Kay's big smile and the abrupt change of topic would've been enough to distract the Gryffindor, but NOT when she was already on the watch for upsetting things. "Thoughts about what?", she asked in a reallllly, determinedly CALM tone of voice. Almost like how she talked to creatures when they were upset, but without the higher pitch and stuff. She blushed a bit when Miss Kay said that she AND Cami were excited that she was a part of the family, too.

"Umm, thank you. Cami's super, super nice and we did loooooads of fun stuff over the summer,"she told Miss Kay. Even though Miss Kay probably knew that already. But that was fine; she had noticed that Cami or Mr. Healer sometimes asked her questions that they already knew the answers to, and she kinda figured that it was to see what she thought about whatever it was. So maybe Miss Kay's question was like that.

Kay did not miss that pointed look. How observant little Em was! There were actually two things on her mind: the first was her father, the other the thoughts of poor Muggles being left to the mercy of manual labour. Em was her family now so she didn't mind sharing just a little of what was bothering her. "As you know, my father is rather ill. It's just him I've been worried him.'' Oh! There the Gryffindor went blushing. The action made Kay laugh softly. "I know you will. You'll go far, I can already tell.''

"Yes, she told me all about it. I'm so happy you adjusted to your new life. Perhaps you and I can do something special some time? What in particular do you enjoy?'' She looked down at the crup. "Cypress here reminds me... feel free to play with Marshmallow whenever you want. She would love the company.'' Though the crup could get over excited at times.

Nigel nodded. So the mysterious girl had a name, Olivia. "It's pretty" he slightly smiled "I'm Nigel but I don't have a nickname. I guess cause the name Nigel is short anyways so, a nickname would make it shorter and will make no sense, I guess, so call me Nigel..." he could make so many unnecessary comments out of nowhere that would leave him thinking where did they came from. And this moment was one of that. Sorry.

"Anyways, forget about that" please "What year are you in?" she looked older but not that older, he guessed she was maybe in fifth year? "Are you taking pictures?" said as he saw the camera. Ohh that was cool, definitely.

Vi lowered her camera. Pretty? He thought her name was pretty. "Pretty?" she repeated, blushing ever so slightly. She had always been horrible with compliments. However, now she had a different thought in her mind which made her smirk.

She smirked, wondering what else he thought pretty but decided not to press further. "Yes, the mystery is unravelled," she teased before listening to him speak. Nigel? What a unique name. It suited the boy somehow, she thought. Very well. She didn't know him but... She smiled as the kid rambled on and then mentioned her to forget what he had said. What a cutie. That was adorable. "No, it's okay, Nigel," she said with a smile. "Though Nigel is a lovely name." Lovely and nice and memorable. She'd remember his name for a while.

"I'm a sixth year," she said. "And yourself?" She wondered what year he was in. Third or perhaps fourth year? He did seem younger than her. Glancing at her camera, she then looked up to nod at Nigel. "I was taking photos. The sun's rays is jus perfect for taking photos. The light itself is beautiful at this time of day." She said as she began looking through the viewfinder. "Here. Smile." Vi pointed the camera towards Nigel and then...

Click.

Noelle was debating on grabbing a fishing pole or make shifting one to join Dorian in his fishing ventures. She grinned but then the giant squid was there.

......and talking.

Noelle had NEVER known that the Giant Squid could talk. She'd heard rumors but she just thought they were hogwash. But here he... she ... Henry.. so probably a boy. Here he was swimming in front of them... or more like sitting? resting. That was a good word.. Resting in front of them.

Blink

Okay so Dorian was just as surprised. But she was a seventh year and he was an ickle. How had she gone this long without hearing the Squid???

"I didn't realize you talked!" Noelle said, open mouthed in surprise still. "I mean... its awesome."

Oh. That's right, Miss Kay's father is ill. Emmeline couldn't believe that she hadn't thought of that herself. She frowned a little and answered: "I'm sorry. Is he feeling any better?" Probably not if Miss Kay was still worried about him, but the twelve-year-old wasn't sure what else to say. And then her face went tomato-red all over again when Miss Kay started talking about her going far. 'Cause to be honest, she didn't have any great, huge goals or anything; she just wanted to work with creatures when she grew up, mhm.

"Yeah! Ummm creatures and tea and chocolate and flying," she answered when Miss Kay asked if they could do something special. 'Cause it sounded like looooads of fun. And and, Miss Kay had noticed that it was Cypress Emmeline had out, not Sirius, AND given her permission to play with Marshmallow! The second year gave her professor a HUUUUGE grin, 'cause obviously she wasn't gonna get in trouble this time. "Thanks!! She's fun to play with." She knew that from the pet party last term, mhm. That had been loads and loads of fun too! Her gaze dropped to Cypress again, just to keep an eye on him, but he was just chilling. Good.

"Yes, it really is a lovely day. I thought it would be a good idea to bask in the sun before it gets way too cold." This was why he liked the summer so much. Of course that had came to an end and winter would be approaching soon enough.

OH! Well, that was a real shame that they were having no real luck with fishing so far; Bartholemew Henry knew that it was much easier for a Squid to do that kind of thing than it was for humans. He didn't really get their method of catching them, but it certainly could be successful. "Well, keep at it and I'm sure you might catch something." And if not they would probably have fun regardless. "Oh, yes. I can certainly talk. I've had a number of conversations with staff and students here." Even Albus Dumbledore.

It was nice cool afternoon. The sun was setting - for Aymeric this was perfect timing to leave the castle. He may have homework or other obligations but those could wait patiently for him in the common room and he would attend them, at night.

Although it was still considered the beginning of year he knew the number of days before it was too cold to leave castle was decreasing - and he absoulutely despised feeling cold. Therefore it was incredibly important for the Ravenclaw to visit the lake and do what he loves most - draw.

Ever since a young age Aymeric enjoyed painting drawing, sometimes he even tried sculpting. It soothed him similar to a cup of tea.

He made his way down towards the lake. Aymeric placed a cushion on a rock and sat on it, wasn't the most comfortable position to create art, but he wasn't able yet to conjure a chair out of nowhere.

The third year took out of his bag a brown wooden plank - wider than his knees. Out of the bag he fetched a rolled piece of paper, a box of colour pencils and 4 feathers. He rolled the paper upon on the plank and straightened it with the help of his wand.

He was working on this piece since the train - it was inspired by the Hippogrif's nest near his father's barn. The drawing was - on the right side of the picture an almost finished sketch of a Hippogrif's head. Except from the beak and a few clusters of feathers the head was almost done. The eye stood out since he drew it using the colours hazel and crisp brown.

The back round was a huge lake (which he hadn't started drawing), and a vast forest in the midst of autumn (the colours he used were similar to the one's he was using for the Hippogrif's eye).

The four feathers he had were Hippogrif's feathers' his father collected for him. Aymeric used it in order to get an accurate shade of off-white, grey for the Hippogrif. Accuracy was very important to him.

Today since he had the Great Lake in front of his face - he would begin an early colour sketch of it. He held up the a few pencils wanting to find the perfect shade of blue he could find.

Haraldur raised his eyebrow at Noelle. How did she not know? "Miss Summers..." He muttered, shaking his head. And she was a prefect. Kids these days lived inside their own little bubble. A bubble of non-talking giant squids. "Might have to brush up on your Hogwarts knowledge there, Miss Prefect."

He turned to the squid, giving him a nod. "Delightful as always." He placed a heavy hand on Dorian's shoulder. "Young Mr. Katharos here was worried he might need permission from you or the merpeople." Haraldur chuckled. "But it has been a while since you last dragged a student down to the bottom of the lake, hasn't it?" Ahhh, jokes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

Beau SHRIEKED with laughter. SUPER DUPER SHRILL AND LOUD AND HAHAHAHAHHHAHAHA. WOW. "You're MUDDY!" Derrrrrrrrrrf. Muddy Derf. What kind of name was Derf? It was ALMOST like NERF. Or DUH. Maybe his parents hadn't known what to call him and it was more of his Mum suggesting 'Dave' and his Dad saying 'errrrrrrrrr' and then a a sneeze! D-ERRRRRRRRRRRRR-Fchoo. What a wonderful naming situation. Beau-ey didn't even know his own naming situation. Just that the Francis was because his Grandaddy had the middle name Francis too. They were middle name twins.

He reached out and gave the other boys face a wipe with hiis CLEAN hand. To be helpful. Hi hi hi. Hello. Lookit this helping HAND.

"OH! SORRY. Maybe YOU shouldn't be SHOUTING, THEN." Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-f

Derf briefly caught the Groundskeeper's glance in their direction, but there was no real lingering interaction between the third year and the man as his attention was pulled back to the first year. And rightfully so. The observation of the Hufflepuff being muddy was met with a simply giddy nod of the head because yes, he was indeed muddy. Not as much as he possibly COULD be but still quite muddy. Yes. Derf liked mud and it was a necessary thing at the moment with all of his toad catching. Helped him blend in and appear less menacing.

Wait. Pardon?

"I'm not though?" he replied, confusion clearly written all over his face. Or well, he wasn't YET...but that all changed the moment a certain cephalopod decided to make its presence known. "IT'S BARTHOLOMEW HENRY!" he boyishly squeaaaaaaaaaaaled as he forgot ALL about the toad he had been chasing after. "C'MON! YOU GOTTA MEET HIM!" Was the first year following him? Derf certainly hoped that he was because the third year was about to secret in his pants from excitement.

Ruuuuuuuuuunning over to the gathered group, Derf just happened to hear what the Groundskeeper had to say and GASPED in HORROR at his words - entirely missing that the man was likely joking. "Bartholomew Henry does no such thing! Mum woulda told me!" he said, aghast. "But...if you DO decide to take someone down to the bottom of the lake...can you take me?"

It was kinda sorta on his Hogwarts bucket list to explore the Black Lake, you know?

Also...hi Noelle and other new Ravenclaw boy he was not yet familiar with.

Flynn had actually spent the time planning this date out, which was surprising for a guy like him. It was also surprising because this was his FIRST DATE. He felt like he watched enough muggle romantic comedies - against his will, mind you - with his mother to have a good understanding what he was exactly suppose to do.

He arrived at the lake a little early to get things set up.

With a flick of his BRAND NEW wand (thanks, Dora!), the blanket he had in his basket unfolded itself and fell down onto the grass. He pulled out two plates that he had snuck out of the kitchens this morning and placed them on top of the blanket. He left the food in the basket because it was charmed to keep everything cold, and since Felicity was not here yet, he did not want to sandwiches to spoil.

While he waited for her, he stretched out on the blanket and looked out across the lake. He would not of chosen this as his first date setting, but it was the better choice from what he had to chose from, such as the igloo.

One date. Felicity had agreed to one date, and she was already regretting that decision when she walked away from Flynn the day before. As Vivian and Skylar both said, no meant no, and the boy should have just left her alone. But knowing Flynn, the only thing that would stop him asking was her caving, and so cave she had.

But she'd had a plan. She hadn't brushed her hair that morning, or even washed her face, let alone had her fun with her full face of make up.

She hadn't even got dressed. That was how much effort she was putting into this date. Her adorable, pink, monogrammed pyjamas were clean and cute, though, so there was that, and of course she'd put shoes on because there was no way she was leaving the castle bare-foot. Then, before padding down to the lake, she'd asked a second year for a joke sweet that made her breath smell.

In her own opinion, standing in front of the mirror, Felicity Harrington was repulsive.

Which was why her stomach had dropped slightly as she'd approached the Lake and the boy sat there. It wasn't because she had feelings (or, at least, any positive ones), but Liss did feel bad when she saw how much effort he'd put in. And then she reminded herself why he'd put the effort in, and why she was turning up like this.

"Hi." Sit down. Yawn. Look awful. Check.

Flynn had closed his eyes, enjoying the silence, until....

until.....

what was that s m e l l?

He opened one eye and looked up at no other than his date, who basically smelled like garbage. He sat up, gave her a nice long look-over in complete silence, before replying, "Even though you smell like a badger," *ahem*, "and look like one too, you are still somewhat attractive."

Was he saying that to get a rise out of her? Possibly.

But was he going to let her ruin this date by arriving looking like a hot mess? No. He knew the game she was playing since she had denied him this date more than once, and he was not going to let her RUIN IT. Not after all the time he spent putting it together!

He was going to have to face away when he breathed though. She smelled toxic.

"I made sandwiches.... and cookies." Well, the house elves made the cookies but still.

"That's a shame," Felicity mustered, swallowing her pride and crossing her hands in her lap. "I was aiming for skunk." You know, the worlds smelliest animal? She would not admit that she was kind of upset that he told her she looked like a badger, because she totally wasn't. That was the look she was going for. No, she hadn't wanted him to tell her she looked nice when she'd just woken up, and no she wasn't upset at the use of 'somewhat' in front of attractive.

And no the guilt wasn't growing at the mention that he'd made the food.

Of course it wasn't. "You? You baked?"

Flynn took out the two sandwiches he made and looked at the wrapper on them. He placed the gluten free sandwich on the plate in front of him then placed the other one on her plate all the while listening to what she was saying. "I prefer badger," he said. "There are some smelly badgers in this school." He was just sayin'.

......

"With some help." More like, a lot of help. He proceeded to pull out the cookies, which were sealed nicely in a little bag, and placed them between the two plates. "I was not sure what to bring as a beverage, but I thought I couldn't go wrong with water." He pulled out the last two items in his basket: two water bottles.