Eventually? Ella continued pouting and nodded her head. Eventually wasn't the sort of answer that got smiles. Not yet, anyway. "I suppose you're right. And summer means relaxing." But summer also meant not being close to where Alec was which was also depressing. GAH. The blonde just couldn't win today.

"History of Magic," Ella said as she opened the book with a little more force than necessary. She was being a grump today and she just couldn't help it. "I've just been staring at the words but not absorbing anything, really. I don't know where to start." Sighhh. "What are you studying?" Cause if they kept talking they wouldn't need to study, yeah?

And Ella did have snacks. Gummy worm snacks which she casually took out and placed between them. "Help yourself."

Pooout right back at you, girl. Then some nods. Summer was relaxing time for sure, unless you were travelling of course which meant you were quite busy. Either way summer was fun, unlike school. "Not necessarily relaxing, but your brain relaxes, yep. Summer feels like it's years away though." Mooooore pouting, because why couldn't summer be now? Where instead of learning about stars Ness could just gaze at them, possibly with Tom as they were going to live together soon.

Ahhhh. Boring subject, but Ness kinda liked it, more than most subjects anyways. Blink. That was a bit of a loud way to open the book, but hey Ella was just being ferocious nothing wrong with that. "I hate it when that happens." And that happened a lot. " I usually walk around for a few minutes, then try study again." But then that might have not worked for everyone. "And start with what you've learned first and what I did was divide everything into sections and then each time you study you do only one section, then obviously revise everything at the end, end before your OWL." OWL tips, you know? Not that Ness knew to this day how she actually had achieved six owls. She was a bit of a slacker then, but not so much anymore. She wanted more than six NEWTs yep.

What was she studying? "Astronomy." More boring than anything else.

OHH! Gummy worms! Food! Something to eat. Ness was definitely going to have some. "Thanks." She grabbed three and nommed one at a time. "Wish i had chocolate frogs on me to offer, but I kinda don't." Que. Even more pouting.

Ella nodded too. See? They had this nodding and pouting business down like pros. "Brain relaxing is good, though. My brain could use a break." A long break, mind you. SIGH. "It does seem far away. I'm not that upset about it, though. Cause Quidditch and friends and people will be leaving...for good." Eyes for you, Loch Nessie. Frown.

"Sorry," Ella said sheepishly, glancing up at the red head. She hadn't meant to slam the book open that hard. Whoopsies! Oh, and there was an idea. "You might be on to something, Ness." And hey, Ella was open to suggestions. The blonde stood up and paced a bit as she listened to the Head Girl's study tips, nodding along. "You seem to have this studying thing down, y'know. If you weren't studying for NEWTs I'd suggest you tutor people." Mhm, she would.

Astronomy? GRIN! "I love Astronomy!" BEAM! "And Airey. He makes me laugh. Plus his suits are always nice. You've got to respect a man who wears such nice suits." Unless he was a super meany!face or something.

"Welcome." Ella ate one too cause gummy worms and she couldn't resist. As for chocolate frogs. "I don't really eat those. Bluetiful isn't a fan and I sort of support her cause, even if I don't agree with it." But she wasn't sure how long that would last what with the younger girl trying to kill her during quidditch and such.

More nods and pouts. Because apparently they went really well together. "Mine too kiddo, mine too." A brain overused was no good, and to avoid that brain battery definitely needed some recharging here and there. Ella was right here. It wasn't really something to be upset about, time meant a lot and every minute here needed to be spent well, before it was up.

'..people will be leaving...for good.' That last bit repeated it's self a few times over and all Nessie could do in response to that was gulp. Her voice felt like it was stuck in her throat, unable to come out her mouth. Eventually she forced a few words out and almost chocked on them. "Yeah..um...guess I am too." She looked at Ella's frown then away, then back at Ella. "I..just want you to know that even when I'm gone I'll still be there for you, and um we'll have summer to see each other becauseI'dmissmykiddostoomuchifnot." Mumbling, this time the mumbling was because she had thoughts of how next year would be like. Nothing like this year and that frightened her yet excited her...so her feels were mixed, confused...she wasn't sure what anymore.

Sorry for? O_O The red head blinked. Ohh the book, no she didn't mind that. "It's okay." Friendly smile, Ella's way. Well hey it worked for her? So worth a try no? Looking at her own book every few second Ness watched Ella pace around a bit...physical activity was important for the mind too. You couldn't just sit staring at books. Giggle. Now THAT, that was funny. " Tutor people in studying? Never. Plus everyone has their own way of studying. What might work for me might not work for you." Though Ness had to admit maybe Hogwarts did need a studying seminar especially for the fifth years who were quite new to it.

HAD SHE HEARD RIGHT? STARE. O_O "Oh." Mellow. She couldn't understand Ella's love for a subject like that. Airey..the only word Nessie could associate with that man was weird. He was like a twenty-four seven hyper adult. "Um...I think he's kinda odd...but I suppose he can make me laugh..and stare." Had Ella not seen how he threw a snowball at Mr. Firth the other day?

Nom. Nom. Blink. Chocolate frogs were amazing and how people could not eat them Ness was shocked at, but she knew how Blue was with her frogs and understood Ella..or half understood at least. "Good to be supportive of friends." Very important actually. Yep.

"So break time, then?" Hopeful looks for the Loch Ness. Although they were doing much more talking than studying at the moment so maybe this was the break.

Yeah...no. Ella didn't like this. She had an awful habit of blurting things out without thinking them through and now not only was she feeling crummy, Ness was too. Sigh. The blonde shifted uncomfortably as she listened to the red head, nodding a little bit in understanding. She wasn't going to cry right now, okay? That wasn't allowed until goodbyes were happening and that wasn't happening for a while yet. Besides, maybe she was just feeling so emotional cause her brain was so tired. "Nessie I..." Oh Merlin. "I mean we'll all miss you lots and I promise I'll write, okay?" And if the older badger didn't believe her she could just ask Sir Treyen. Ella was always harassing writing that boy. And could they just drop this subject now? "Hey...we've got loads of time before we need to think about this stuff, yeah?" Small smile for the ferocious seventh year.

Ella supposed Nessie had a point about studying and everyone having their own methods and such. "But Ness...I just mean you'd be good at helping students focus." Like this exercising thing was totally doing wonders for Ella's mood. Her brain felt loads better already. "I just think it's important to help out the younger kids, is all. Let them know people are around to help if they need it and stuff..." The ickle badgers knew that Ella was one of those people, yeah? She hoped so.

"You don't like it then?" It was her tone that gave her away. You could tell a lot from a person's tone, y'know. As for Airey, Ella simply grinned. "He is odd but I think that all the best people are a little odd." Normal was just plain boring. "He definitely can make you stare, though. I'll give you that one." Did Nessie remember the yellow suit he'd worn last term? Did she?!

Ella wasn't sure she was Bluetiful's friend at the moment but she did nod. "It's really important." And she'd keep casually refusing chocolate frogs whether Bluetiful was being a meany about Edric or not.

Weren't they having a break already? Giggle. Nods to that anyways. "Yep, guess we're already having one.MUCH more fun then actually studying and looking at a book.

More gulping, because Ness could feel her emotions dying to just blurt out everywhere. But nope, she would control them, she wouldn't let them free, not today. It wasn't the end yet, she still had quite a lot of time till then. Like Ella had said, summer was ages away. "Yeah, I'll write to." No matter how busy WADA got. She would write, she would make sure of it, there wasn't a chance she'd allow herself to forget. "I want to hear everything as if I'm here."Or maybe not, because maybe that would make her miss Hogwarts even more than she originally would.But Ella, she was right once more. No need to talk about any of this just yet, goodbyes and this discussion could wait till much later. "Yeah, you're right." Small smile there. "Um..lets talk about..." What was there to talk about? "..boys? How's Alec?" Giggle. Could she get some Alec details? You know these two were seriously her favorite kiddo couple and anything about them was cute and interesting.

Hmmm. Maybe...maybe not. It wasn't that Ness wouldn't be willing to help others, but it was more would she actually help them if she tried? Maybe it was worth a shot, and come to think of it they could actually do something like this themselves. "You know, you're right. These cute kiddos and older people too might need help." And they could provide it. "Maybe we should organize a study group in our common room or something?" That way Ness had Ella for help in helping others out. They were leaders after all so wasn't this their role?

Head shake. Nope. She was never born to be an astronomer, only a star gazer that didn't need to know all the names and meanings of the stars. "Not my thing, but everyone's different." Which was why it was okay that Ella did like it. "That's true, I'd rather be as weird as anything than just like everyone else." But still. Airey. NOTHING normal about that man. More giggles. "The things he does, I've never seen a Professor like that." Nope, not ever. She did want to see Williamson again, she missed hisbeautiful face.

Mhhm. And that made Ella clever to realise that. "You're right, all friendships are really important." Because without friends you'd just be some loner. "And showing you care is important to, because things sometimes happen." Like they pass on and then they never know how much they meant to you, but nope. Happy thoughts for today.

"I like them, breaks I mean." GRIN. If there was a test for break taking, Ella would ace it. Same with eating. She'd ace a test like that too.

The blonde was watching Nessie curiously, wondering if she should have just kept her mouth shut about this whole thing. She knew that it must be overwhelming for the older girl, thinking about graduating. Heck, it was overwhelming for Ella. She couldn't imagine the place without her Loch Ness Monster. She was extremely relieved to hear they'd be keeping in touch, though. It made the whole situation a bit easier to swallow. "Of course, Ness. I'll keep you updated on all the badger happenings, okay?" That was a promise. And the change in conversation? The sixteen year old grinned stupidly at the mention of boys, or more the mention of her boy. "Alec is...amazing." And she was sure she was wearing her love-sick puppy look but she couldn't help it. "He's just...I mean..." BLUSH. "Ilovehimalot." Really, really. "How's Tom?" Nessie's turn to spill!

A study group? "Nessie, that's BRILLIANT!" BEAM!BOUNCE "I'd love to help out with something like that." Plus she could probably benefit from someone helping her with her studies too, to be honest.

Ella supposed the red head had a point there. Different people preferred different subjects and they just so happened to disagree about this one. "Exactly. Besides, I quite like your weird and I hope you like mine." Grin! "I know, right?" Gigggleeee! "Did you see him jump on my desk last class? I nearly fell right out of my chair!" And thank Merlin she didn't! No injuries during Quidditch season!

The sixteen year old tilted her head at the 'sometimes things happen' comment. She didn't question it, though. "I think...it's always really important to tell people how you feel while you've still got the chance."

"I'd be highly surprised if you didn't." Head shake with a smile. Most normal people liked breaks and how could anyone survive without them? Surely they'd get sick if they worked all day.

That's all she wanted, was to stay in touch with Ella and everyone else she was close to in this place. She knew life was about moving on and she knew she'd have to leave this place one day and in actual fact she was keen, because it meant growing up and finally being able to study what she'd always dreamed of. Of course that didn't mean she'd want to forget this place. "Thank you." She murmured kind of quietly, trying to forget about it all for now and focusing on Alec which was now what Ella was talking about. SO cute! And how Ella said she loved him, music to Nessie's ears. She could really see them lasting, they were a strong couple. "Bet you do, as well as he loves you!" She gave the blonde a wink as she blushed. "And having someone you love is very important." Maybe not necessarily at sixteen but at some point in your life you needed someone. ...Aaand Tom talk, Nessie just smiled widely at the mention of his name, as well as she could feel her stomach go a little crazy. Surely still the butterflies. "He's um..good" If only he'd attempt to study for NEWTs more."I've been trying to help him with studying, but apparently he doesn't need help." Which he did considering he was dyslexia. Sigh.

Smile and nod. Good idea then? yep. "Well, you brought the idea up." So credit points for Ella too there. "Maybe Oakey could help us too? We could make it like a proper badger thing?" Or maybe other houses could join too, but best to start just yellows for now. "How about we make a day and really do it?" Actions spoke louder then words, so the sooner the acted the better. Was it not?

Renesmee just giggled some at the younger puffs whole thing about liking her weird. Funny, but cute even though the blonde was now not that small to be cute. "I do, kiddo. You know I think weird is the new normal." Heh. Weirdos taking over. "I...yeah...I think I did." More giggles, because she remembered it being funny. "I bet he'd just laugh if you had to do the same to him." He was the chill kind of teacher, most times anyways.

One hundred and ten points for you, Miss Ella. That. So true. "I agree, don't ever wait till it's too late. " She mumbled, trying not to mention that she was a too late-waiter once.

West wasn't doing actual homework. Or schoolwork at all really. To be honest he'd let a lot of his academics just sort of... slide lately. But this was in favour of important things like performing live with his band, and playing Quidditch pretty much day in day out. Which was sort of what he was doing now. Not playing Quidditch but definitely thinking Quidditch. Yeah. He had a lot of thinking to do so he'd come here as somewhere kind of quiet and low key to do said thinking.

Decisions decisions.

Her dorm was as loud as ever, and even the library wasn't quiet these days. It was as if Kitridge had begun allowing students to chatter all they wanted, but there was luckily another silent place to which she had access. The seventh year headed there without a single book in her arms, even if studying was usually what the prefect desks were used for. Merlin knew her head was filled enough already without the thought of NEWTs.

With Quidditch things, of course. Decisions to make here too.

She took a seat at a desk, not even noticing that there was someone else there. Preoccupied, clearly.

Not noticing 'someone else' was one thing, but not even noticing her own boyfriend? Pshh, Alice. Pshh.

West noticed. He looked up when she sat down and just watched her for a bit, glad of the distraction really. It wasn't that often anymore that he got to just look at her while she wasn't aware of it, so West made the most of it.

He reached out and nudged her with his foot after a little while.

"Hi."

It wasn't her fault. Alice's head was so full to the brim full of options and choices and questions and the likes that it was remarkable she'd made it into a seat at all. She just sort of sat there, completely unaware of West until her foot was nudged.

Oh. When did he get here?

"Hi."

"Hey. What are you doing?" She looked kinda... lost? Distracted? Something. And it would be a good distraction from things that were currently whirling around in HIS head.

He had a stack of Quidditch-related literature in front of him, but he wasn't paying any attention to that anymore.

"Um, was just looking for a place to.... think and stuff. Quiet. People free." It hadn't quite worked out as West was here and all, but he could be an exception. His stack of Quidditch literature wasn't much helping Alice's jumbled up headspace, though, that was for sure.

"What are you doing?"

Thinking. Yeah him too. He chewed his lip a bit and gazed at her, eyes searching her face as if trying to decide something.

...

..... okay. Okay. If he was gonna talk this out with anyone, Alice would be a good choice right? Maybe? Maybe not. Because the more he thought about it, the more he realized how much SHE was a factor in.... this.

Okay.

Just spit it out maybe?

.................................................. ..............

"................I got scouted." K? K. That was what HE was doing. Thinking. Alone.

Why was West looking at her like that? He seemed to be mulling over something, and he didn't have to talk if he di-

Alice nearly choked.

"............ you... what?" What? "Which team....s?"

She didn't sound... happy? Err... West mussed his hair and went quiet for a moment. Team...s was right.

"Wanderers and Falcons."

"Wanderers, that's... your hometown team, yeah?" Or close, anyway.

And Falcons.

....... well.

"I...... that's... amazing. Two offers in your sixth year." Girlfriend was proud... and strangely quiet.

"Closest by distance I guess yeah." If you ignored the border which Wizards tended to do. He chewed on his lip and nodded.

"........ yeah. I......." Didn't know what to do? Yeah. She wasn't... saying much though? "If I say yes to either of them... I'll have to leave school."

Leave school. Leave school. Merlin, did he know he wasn't helping with the thinking thing?

"..... why would you want to do that, though? All your friends are here. And your band." And that was important to him and such.

Pause. "Did you tell your dad? ... or anyone?"

He just shook his head. Yeah he knew. He knew ALL the things. It was just... Quidditch. And also... her.

"Just Dylan.... and you."

"You should.... tell him. And Aspen."

Another pause. ".... m'proud of you and stuff." Yeah. And stuff. Articulate.

"I ... want to decide first. Before I talk to them about it." West admitted. "And maybe.. kind of enjoy it a bit before getting too bogged down in what it all means."

And if he was being honest with himself, he really wanted to play for the Falcons. That just made it even tougher. Could he throw the opportunity away?

"By yourself?" That... was a good idea, actually. West's life, right? "Do that."

And maybe Alice would also do that, keeping the career options to herself. But she probably needed to share with him if he was with her.

"Me too. I... me.. I got... the... with the..... scouting." On a roll with the eloquence here.

Blink.


Blink blink.

"You did?" West lit up. "For real? What teams? I knew you would!" Well HE thought she deserved it. West leaned over and gave her a squishy hug. This would be a WAY easier decision for her than for him, right? Surely?