Vivian could really say that sixth year was a pretty chill year... somehow. It was like taking a gap year from major exams and even if she was already in NEWT-level classes, the prefect liked to use this time to focus on friends, clubs, interests and herself. And with Quidditch back, it made her soooo thankful she didn't have to fuss about OWLs anymore, or NEWTs yet. Eventually, though, the lack of doing something during some of her spare time had made it a little boring. Really, she couldn't win at life.

So Vivian found herself impulsively making her way up the dungeon staircase to one of the few places she would be a frequent in. Not the trophy room this time, but she made it a point to visit there and fulfil her promise of polishing Miss Noelle's prefect plaque. Instead, she sat with her legs crossed on the grass in one of the greenhouses, specifically this one. It was a music therapy room, and though she didn't really know what that meant, Vivian found comfort in this place. Maybe next time, she'd bring her guitar here.

Daisy needed to relax and the music therapy room seemed like a good option. She decided to bring along her flute to sooth the plants and her own mind. She stopped, surprised but happy to see Vivian there.

"Hello, Vi!" Daisy greeted as she sat down next to the Slytherin Sixth-Year. Daisy then looked unsure. "Is it okay if I practice my flute playing? I'm hoping for a place in the school orchestra."

Vivian enjoyed the quiet. Sure, she was a naturally loud girl and she couldn't help it at times, but there was something oddly satisfying just by sitting cross-legged on the grass, feeling the wind blow gently against her skin and send her blond locks fly a little bit. Honestly, she would have been perfectly okay being ignored by the world.

But company didn't hurt too. She didn't expect her state of being alone to last anyway. The place was amazing. "Hi," Vivian replied to the younger girl. She wasn't sure what her name was, but decided she was friendly. Besides, the prefect had seen her before around school. Seemed pretty harmless to her. "I don't mind at all, no. Play away." The flute... well, it reminded her. Reminded her of someone. It really did.

Cue trying to conceal the pain again.

Mara had decided upon herself to explore as much as Hogwarts as she could. Her siblings had painted a vivid picture of their school, Beauxbatons, but Mara had never known someone who attended Hogwarts. And now she was there, exploring away the gigantic castle. Today, she was out by the greenhouses, enjoying the quietness, strolling alone. She hadn't yet met many people, but it was comforting to think that in time, she would start to recognize people and places. That last one was important.
She heard movement and spotted two girls in one of the greenhouses. She couldn't help but to overheard them.
"We have a school's orchestra? Oookay.... Nice!" She commented. She looked at the girl's flute "Ooooh, you play? Well, of course you do, you have it. How exciting! Do you love it? Well, if you didn't, you wouldn't play it, I think. That's very cool, though! I love music. Although I'm as musically talent as a hippogriff. Keep going!" she said, with a few quick pauses. Her tone was overall excited and enthusiastic and only afterwards did she wonder if she two girls wanted to be left alone.

"I'm sorry, but did I interrupt you?" she addressed both girls. "I can leave.. If you want me to. I just... I need to know where I am first." she added in a confessional tone.

"Oh, how rude of me. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Daisy Swann and I'm a Third-Year." Daisy began to play a soft, haunting melody. Daisy then noticed that the Slytherin was trying to conceal something, like deep emotion. Daisy stopped playing and gently placed a hand on Vi's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. What's wrong?"

Daisy then heard the voice of a younger, rather excitable Badger and smiled. "You weren't interrupting. You're in my house, aren't you? Welcome to the music therapy room. It is a place to meditate, take care of the plants and practice an instrument."

Ah, so the younger kid had a name. It was obviously better to call her with an actual name than to go 'you there'. And did Vivian even think twice as to why the other girl knew her name already? Well, no. Perhaps the badge did have its perks. Most people, if not all, would know her because of it. The blond definitely didn't need her ego inflated with that tidbit of information. "Nice to meet you, Daisy," the prefect said with a smile.

Was it really that obvious that her mood was affected by the thought of someone? Apparently so, as the Hufflepuff called her out for it. "Oh, no. I'm okay," Vivian said, letting out a small laugh to reassure the girl that she was alright. She didn't feel like talking about it anymore, much more with a younger kid. The puffer had so many things to experience before getting her heart broken at one point in life. The Slytherin pushed the thought of the boy with the flute away, and was certainly glad another kid was around to distract her.

As for the other girl, her enthusiasm truly made the blond reminisce her younger years. She was that carefree... and that hyper about things as well. Too bad Vivian had to grow up. Being a teenager was quite a challenge. "We do have an orchestra. I joined the club last term," the prefect smiled. However, she had to back out this year. It had been a learning experience to her that she did not need loads of clubs to join at all. Juggling between extra-curriculars and classes was a hard enough task and, although music was a passion of hers, Vivian found it challenging to balance everything in between. Besides, she could play music on her own. "And you weren't interrupting. Don't worry." Sort of. But still, it was nice that other kids enjoyed music as much as she did.

Mara immediately liked her fellow housemate. "Oooh, you're from the badger house too? Cool!" She took a few steps around, distancing herself a bit from the two girls, as if to give them some space. "Music therapy... Wise." She commented with a slight eyebrow raise.
She was impressed, Hogwarts seemed to have quite a few extra-curricular activities. Should she join some? She was quiet, absent minded, playing with the tip of her hair for a few moments, listing all the activities of which she was aware in her mind. "I don't think I'll come here often." she took another short stroll around "The plants are really cool, but I'm really not the right person to meditate. Apparently, I talk too much, go figure!"

The older girl from the snake house intrigued her. Mara couldn't quite understand the sad look on her face... Not when they were in such a happy and soothing place. She decided she was curious enough to stick around.
"You look like you've been at the school a long time... Any clubs you recommend? Maybe something a little less artistically inclined?" she addressed Vivian, refraining from her more natural fast talking. After all, they were in a peaceful place.

Daisy had a feeling that Vi was lying but she knew not to press the issue. "Well, I am hoping to make some friends with not just Hufflepuffs. I'd love it if we can be friends but that is up to you." Daisy said with a nervous smile.


"I am a fellow Badger. I didn't quite catch your name, sorry." Daisy said with a smile. She watched as the First-Year took a stroll around. "There are plenty of things to do around Hogwarts and I don't think you talk too much."

Eh, so maybe it was kinda obvious that Vivian wasn't in the best mood at the moment. However, she didn't really mean to let certain things affect her, especially not when there were apparently two other ickles with her in this place. A bit of company didn't matter, not at all, so the Slytherin didn't want for her mood to affect the other girls. It would be unlikely of her.

LOL. The first year was adorable. Did it look like she had been here for years already? "Yeah, this is my sixth year at Hogwarts," Vivian shared, an amused smile playing on her lips. Though, really, it made her a tiny bit old. There was no denying that though. She was already graduating next term. As for the question, Vivian gave her answer a little bit of thought. Not for the artistically-inclined, hmm? "Well, there's a couple of language classes offered, like Latin, Mermish, Gobbledegook, and a lot more." If she wasn't mistaken, there was Troll as well. Kinda funny, but it wasn't really her type of class. "We also have creature companions, flying... although that's a requirement for first years, and a duelling club under Professor Hirsch." Because the man needed to be specially called out. Vivian adored their Defense professor, and she found no point to hide that obvious fact. "Loads of other clubs too. You could always visit the bulletin board for recruitments and such." Hopefully that had enlightened the Hufflepuff with whatever organisation she wanted to take part in.

In all due honesty, Vivian wasn't lying. At least, it was half a lie. She was okay, really was, and the last thing she wanted was to dampen the atmosphere with her sour mood. The thought of making friends was definitely welcome. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea," the prefect offered a warm smile. Were ickles supposed to be nervous around her? If anyone knew her well enough, they'd know Vivian was practically harmless. Anyhow, friendship took time but they could start off as acquaintances and work on it from there, yes? Not that she was skeptical about Daisy. She wasn't.

"That is great! How about we mention our interests, likes and dislikes etc to start things off? Finding what we have in common might be a good start." Daisy suggested to Vivian. In reality, she was a bit unsure where to begin since her friends were in the same house as her. This was a new experience for her.

The young girl was very glad to meet a fellow Hufflepuff, as she hadn’t yet connecting with many students from her house. The girl’s question made her realize she didn’t know their names either.
“Oh, I’m Mara, nice to meet you, hum...! I actually don’t know your name either. None of your names, really... But you’re very nice!” She replied, waiting for the girls to introduce themselves. She blushed when the Badger said she didn’t talk too much. That was the complete opposite from what she heard her family say. When you’re the youngest of four, you have a tendency to know when to jump in on a conversation. “I hope I’ll run into you a few times in the Common Room!”

She raised her eyebrows at the Slytherin’s mention of her sixth year.
“I can’t imagine that... You’re almost graduating!” She couldn’t avoid stating the obvious. She wondered if years from that moment, in her sixth year, she would remember that girl and try to guess what she was up to. “Are you excited about leaving school next year? Or scared? Or both?” She didn’t think that it could be a sensible topic... After all, her attachments to Hogwarts were still scarce. "Do you have any idea of what you want afterwards? You're almost a grown up!" Her words had weight, but the tiny girl was still blissfully unaware of the major responsibilities of the real world.

“Uhhh, Latin should be easy!” Mara exclaimed, nodding along to the girl’s suggestions. “Not useful, but easy. Where I come from, we speak a language descendant from Latin, so I can’t imagine that being too... much. Mermish sounds like a blast, though! Thank you, I’ll look into the board.” She paused and pondered. “Do you girls duel often? Is it dangerous?”

Daisy smiled. "Nice to meet you, Mara. My name's Daisy. I personally don't duel. I think it can be dangerous if you don't have your wits about you but I'm no expert."

It sort of amused Vivian how this younger girl seemed so eager to get to know her... on the first day of just knowing each other. It was kinda cute, but also kinda weird in her opinion. It took her years to really get to know even her dorm mates and friends now. Maybe Daisy was just this friendly and persistent? "I like herbology, Quidditch, music, marshmallows..." The prefect shared. She liked a lot of things, but she was going to leave out certain likes such as snogging, maybe? It didn't seem like an appropriate thing to share on the first day of getting to know each other, much less with two younger students in the vicinity. "Those are just a few things, really." It was gonna be a lengthy list. As for the other girl....

...

Uhm. Did she really have to rub it on her face that she was old? Vivian knew the other Hufflepuff didn't mean to make her feel that way, but wow. She was such a talker, wasn't she? "Yeah... I can't believe it too," the blond replied. And she also quietly wish she didn't have to leave next term. The future was scary. Then Mara went on and on about the future, and it just made Vivian feel even more old. She had tried to avoid these career talks with her mum all these years, but finally just opened up about her career choices only this summer. All still very new territory for the Slytherin. "I guess both? I'm excited for this to be over in a way, but at the same time nervous. It's an entirely different world once you're an adult." Vivian didn't want to admit it, but she didn't like the thought of growing up too soon. She could still remember her first year at Hogwarts, so young and carefree.

All the prefect could do was smile as the younger Hufflepuff talked about the other clubs. Latin being easy? Sure, if you were Skylar Diggory. Loads of incantations have words derived from Latin, but Vivian didn't seem to want to learn about what is considered a dead language. She was more interested on talking about the duelling club, though. At least Vivian had thoughts to share in that topic. "From time to time, we do duel. I guess it would be dangerous on its own, but Professor Hirsch is always there to oversee the duels so I'm pretty sure it's safe enough for students to participate in. You could give it a try." One of her duels ended up being hella dramatic, thanks to one Fiyero Jones in their first year. Joining the club wasn't a regret at all.

"I'm a huge Quidditch fan and love music, butterflies and gardenias. Marshmallows are nice but I prefer chocolate. Charms, Care of Magical Creatures and Divination are my favourite subjects." Daisy revealed to Vivian.

Durring her free time, Skyler found herself in one of the greenhouses. She loved herbology. Yeah. This coming from a little firstie that has never had a herbology lesson yet. Shs looked around and noticed many many plants of course. They were all so beautiful. She saw a lot of magical plants and a few mondane ones as well, she has hear the names before. She also notced a few studenyts were here too. Skyler just sort of smiled at them making her presence known but not interupting their concersation. Sbe took a wakk around the room.

Mara considered Daisy's thoughts on the duels... The badger could be right, if you hadn't been around magic all that much, it could be dangerous. She knew her way around magic.... At least in theory. She was from a pureblood family, and the youngest of four wizards, who all used their wands for different purposes. But young Mara wasn't used to control charms, just imitate them.
"Nice to meet you, Daisy." she repeated. "You have a very solid point about duels. Maybe not the best choice for a first year, I supposed." she decided with a quick laugh. Listening to the girl comment on her favourite activities, she nodded along and sparkled up at the mention of Divination. "I'm having a blast with Professor Vance!"

She saw something in Vivian she couldn't quite understand once more... Was it sadness? Maybe? "I'm sorry if I upset you..." she said tentatively. "My oldest sister was very sad when she had to leave school, and my brother told me I should be more sensitive. I guess I forgot... Sometimes, it's weird, it happens a lot, because we barely see each other..." she smiled sadly when she recalled their summer, the whole family reunited. Sure, they all used to have each other, and Mara was alone.
"Sounds like fun, though. Although I would be scared to face an older student. Too much practice around!" she commented.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotter another girl in the greenhouse and smiled back at her with a little wave.

Vivian wasn't exactly surprised that they had most, if not all, things in common. Perhaps it meant that they wouldn't run out of topics to discuss in the future. The prefect liked having long conversations after all, so she could avoid being awkward. Vivian Fairfield and awkward were not a good mix, to say the least. She nodded and smiled as Daisy shared her interests. "Care of Magical Creatures is great. It's a favourite of mine too," she responded. She still wasn't sure about Divination and Charms, but she did fairly well in both subjects.

"Well, if it helps, I did join Duelling Club as a firstie," Vivian pointed out. She remembered vividly that they were only pit against their fellow first years, and occasionally second years, but the age wasn't much different. At the same time, her mum (and Aunt Elise) had encouraged her to join anyway, so she didn't have a reason not to. Besides, she garnered first place on her age bracket for her first year!

... Oh, no. Vivian immediately plastered a bright smile on her face. Was she upset? Definitely not. It wasn't the exact term to describe her feeling at the moment, anyway. "You didn't upset me, silly," the prefect reassured the younger Hufflepuff. "It's just... really overwhelming." Vivian didn't want to expound because, honestly, it was rather complicated so she hoped they'd understand despite the lack of explanation. Mara was still young--still a first year!-- so she probably wouldn't know the entire 'oh no, I'm graduating soon' concept. Give it some time, little one, you'll get it.

And there, Vivian saw one of her baby snakes entire the room. The prefect offered her a smile and wink. She wasn't here to cause any trouble, right?

Daisy had to admit that she was having fun talking to Vivian. However, making small talk last was a tad hard for her. "Do you have a favourite magical creature?" Daisy asked Vi.