Grounds: The Pathways

[Lissy Longbottom]

Graphic credit: Felixir

A set of paths, some stone, most dirt, link the wooden bridge to almost every other area of the Hogwarts grounds. You will more than likely use these pathways at some point to reach your grounds-based classes, to visit other outdoor locations, or simply to take a walk and clear your head. This is a quiet area of the grounds with the soft sound of leaves rustling in the wind or lightly crunching below your feet. Doesn't the air just seem fresher around here somehow?

Walk with a friend, sit and relax on one of the many benches placed in intervals along the numerous pathway routes, climb a nearby tree, take a moment to appreciate the great outdoors in this breathtaking part of the country. Just be careful not to trip on loose stones or roots as you go. The groundskeeper does what he can to keep the pathways maintained, but he is, after all, only human.

[Waddles]

Finn had settled in, sitting cross-legged on one of the benches on the grounds. Despite a slightly reassuring chat with one of the Ravenclaw girls about O.W.L.s, he was still very worried about it. He didn't want to get tired of the library and normal study places too early in the term, though, so he'd ventured out here for his studying. His current stressor? History of Magic. He was reading the textbook perched on one knee, taking notes in a notebook balanced on the other knee. Verrrry focused. People might have walked by, and he hadn't noticed. He was too busy worrying about keeping all those Goblin rebellions straight.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

Finn had settled in, sitting cross-legged on one of the benches on the grounds. Despite a slightly reassuring chat with one of the Ravenclaw girls about O.W.L.s, he was still very worried about it. He didn't want to get tired of the library and normal study places too early in the term, though, so he'd ventured out here for his studying. His current stressor? History of Magic. He was reading the textbook perched on one knee, taking notes in a notebook balanced on the other knee. Verrrry focused. People might have walked by, and he hadn't noticed. He was too busy worrying about keeping all those Goblin rebellions straight.

OWLs were more conceptual for Mitsuki still, something she was aware was on the horizon and yet distant enough away that she hardly gave them another thought. Something that had her parents concerned since her marks tended to fluctuate so dramatically, the complete opposite of the sort of disposition with which she carried herself. One week she may be receiving high marks in one class only to see those plummet to T and D level work the next whereas another subject she had not even recalled the necessity to do the work for skyrocketed into Outstandings. Truth be told, even if OWLs were tomorrow it was unlikely that the Ravenclaw would weigh them too heavily and simply allow things to unfold to whatever end.

So it was with this airy ignorance that she glided along the pathways this afternoon, hands clasped behind her back as she followed a trail of ants like a hammer in water. As she did, she hummed, remarkably loudly for a Mitsuki, a somewhat melancholy tune as she did her best to tip toe and avoid stepping on any of the leaves that had fallen across the path.

[Kolyander]

As much as Professor Paton LOVED being in the barns, pastures and reptile room, sometimes a woman needed a breath of fresh air. A walk even. A chance to stretch her legs and enjoy a moment where she wasn't one million percent focused on tending to every creature in her care.

One of those moments was right now. A peaceful walk along the pathways was exactly what she needed on a lovely afternoon. Shortly ahead of her was her families crup (Beans) that she had at Hogwarts on account of her son's insistence. She thought the crup might like to stretch his paws and get some playtime in for a bit.

[Waddles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

OWLs were more conceptual for Mitsuki still, something she was aware was on the horizon and yet distant enough away that she hardly gave them another thought. Something that had her parents concerned since her marks tended to fluctuate so dramatically, the complete opposite of the sort of disposition with which she carried herself. One week she may be receiving high marks in one class only to see those plummet to T and D level work the next whereas another subject she had not even recalled the necessity to do the work for skyrocketed into Outstandings. Truth be told, even if OWLs were tomorrow it was unlikely that the Ravenclaw would weigh them too heavily and simply allow things to unfold to whatever end.

So it was with this airy ignorance that she glided along the pathways this afternoon, hands clasped behind her back as she followed a trail of ants like a hammer in water. As she did, she hummed, remarkably loudly for a Mitsuki, a somewhat melancholy tune as she did her best to tip toe and avoid stepping on any of the leaves that had fallen across the path.

Finn finished up his notes on the latest Goblin rebellion, but he was nowhere close to being finished with studying. He was going from most recent to oldest event, so he'd really just gotten started. He sighed, because the prospect of making notes on a whole other Goblin rebellion was daunting and not something he was looking forward to. Suddenly, he heard...humming? He looked up in the direction of the humming and was pleased to see someone he knew.

"Mitsuki!" he said, waving energetically. He closed his book and notebook and stood up. He deserved a break. Maybe he'd walk with Mitsuki. "Where are you going?" he asked.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

Finn finished up his notes on the latest Goblin rebellion, but he was nowhere close to being finished with studying. He was going from most recent to oldest event, so he'd really just gotten started. He sighed, because the prospect of making notes on a whole other Goblin rebellion was daunting and not something he was looking forward to. Suddenly, he heard...humming? He looked up in the direction of the humming and was pleased to see someone he knew.

"Mitsuki!" he said, waving energetically. He closed his book and notebook and stood up. He deserved a break. Maybe he'd walk with Mitsuki. "Where are you going?" he asked.

Despite her efforts to keep her steps light and grounded, there came the unfortunate crunch of a leaf beneath her foot and a slight frown to her feature. It truly was unfortunate and now she supposed there would be no pudding at dinner this evening. Her attention soon shifted from leaf to the familiar voice on the wind to the comforting red locks of Finn. She could, finally, distinguish one head of read locks from another and rarely mixed him him and Rhett these days. She could empathized with being mislabeled as such - she never quite enjoyed being confused with Yukie.

"Hello, Finn," she greeted with a small bow from the waist, her hands clasped behind her back, and a twitch to the corners of her lips that could have been read as a smile. "I don't know," she answered honestly and clearly not bothered by having no real destination in mind. "I was just following the leaves and the gaps between them." Which...was hardly a descriptor since there were literally leaves everywhere along the pathways.

[Waddles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Despite her efforts to keep her steps light and grounded, there came the unfortunate crunch of a leaf beneath her foot and a slight frown to her feature. It truly was unfortunate and now she supposed there would be no pudding at dinner this evening. Her attention soon shifted from leaf to the familiar voice on the wind to the comforting red locks of Finn. She could, finally, distinguish one head of read locks from another and rarely mixed him him and Rhett these days. She could empathized with being mislabeled as such - she never quite enjoyed being confused with Yukie.

"Hello, Finn," she greeted with a small bow from the waist, her hands clasped behind her back, and a twitch to the corners of her lips that could have been read as a smile. "I don't know," she answered honestly and clearly not bothered by having no real destination in mind. "I was just following the leaves and the gaps between them." Which...was hardly a descriptor since there were literally leaves everywhere along the pathways.

As he usually did, Finn quickly returned Mitsuki's little bow. If she didn't know where she was going, that was just fine by him. As to...following the leaves? He looked around, noticing the random scattering of leaves along the ground. It seemed like it would be difficult to get anywhere following the leaves. But that didn't mean they couldn't try.

"Can I follow with you?" he asked, tucking his books under his arm. It might end up being a break with no end, but it was still early in the year. He had plenty of time to study for his O.W.L.s, at least in theory. He smiled back at her, hopeful that she wouldn't mind a little company.

[Anna Banana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

As much as Professor Paton LOVED being in the barns, pastures and reptile room, sometimes a woman needed a breath of fresh air. A walk even. A chance to stretch her legs and enjoy a moment where she wasn't one million percent focused on tending to every creature in her care.

One of those moments was right now. A peaceful walk along the pathways was exactly what she needed on a lovely afternoon. Shortly ahead of her was her families crup (Beans) that she had at Hogwarts on account of her son's insistence. She thought the crup might like to stretch his paws and get some playtime in for a bit.

Nora didn't know how she felt about running into her professors on their off-hours, but there was Paton, just up ahead and right in Nora's line of vision. There was no way the woman would believe her if Nora claimed she didn't see her and just darted out of the way. Although she assumed it'd be awkward, she'd have to speak to the woman. Not that she didn't want to or anything, but she kind of got the impression Paton was trying to relax during her free time and didn't want the students pestering her.

With an odd sort of pause in her step, Nora attempted to meet the woman's gaze. "Hello, Professor Paton," she said. That was when she spotted the creature just ahead of the woman. Nora blinked and stared at the creature's tail. By now, she'd read up on enough information to know that was a crup, but the very appearance of its little tail still took her by surprise. "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to seeing things like that..."

[Kolyander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Nora didn't know how she felt about running into her professors on their off-hours, but there was Paton, just up ahead and right in Nora's line of vision. There was no way the woman would believe her if Nora claimed she didn't see her and just darted out of the way. Although she assumed it'd be awkward, she'd have to speak to the woman. Not that she didn't want to or anything, but she kind of got the impression Paton was trying to relax during her free time and didn't want the students pestering her.

With an odd sort of pause in her step, Nora attempted to meet the woman's gaze. "Hello, Professor Paton," she said. That was when she spotted the creature just ahead of the woman. Nora blinked and stared at the creature's tail. By now, she'd read up on enough information to know that was a crup, but the very appearance of its little tail still took her by surprise. "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to seeing things like that..."

It was true that like everyone, even a professor enjoyed a few moments to herself from time to time. Hady however was so used to being around people, namely her super large family, that she never once minded the students or other staff stepping into her quiet moments that had been meant for herself. Interacting with others was what she enjoyed doing, otherwise she seriously was in the wrong profession now.

Having heard some footsteps close by, it wasn't very hard to meet the gaze of the first year those steps belonged to. "Miss Collins, hello there. Enjoying the lovely weather that we're having today?" her smile was warm and gentle as was her tone. Seeing how Nora's attention shifted onto the crup that was with her, Hady gave a gentle laugh and a nod of her head in understanding. "It takes some getting used to but it will happen in time. One day it will all seem like second nature to you and then you'll be asking yourself when that had happened." Being around so much magic, day in and day out had a way of shifting how one thought, looked at and felt about certain things. "His name is Beans and he's a very friendly, if not sometimes lazy, crup." No offense to Beans but he was slowly getting older, around five or six years old now. "You're welcome to pet him if you like." The offer was there if Nora wanted to.

[Anna Banana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

It was true that like everyone, even a professor enjoyed a few moments to herself from time to time. Hady however was so used to being around people, namely her super large family, that she never once minded the students or other staff stepping into her quiet moments that had been meant for herself. Interacting with others was what she enjoyed doing, otherwise she seriously was in the wrong profession now.

Having heard some footsteps close by, it wasn't very hard to meet the gaze of the first year those steps belonged to. "Miss Collins, hello there. Enjoying the lovely weather that we're having today?" her smile was warm and gentle as was her tone. Seeing how Nora's attention shifted onto the crup that was with her, Hady gave a gentle laugh and a nod of her head in understanding. "It takes some getting used to but it will happen in time. One day it will all seem like second nature to you and then you'll be asking yourself when that had happened." Being around so much magic, day in and day out had a way of shifting how one thought, looked at and felt about certain things. "His name is Beans and he's a very friendly, if not sometimes lazy, crup." No offense to Beans but he was slowly getting older, around five or six years old now. "You're welcome to pet him if you like." The offer was there if Nora wanted to.

Nora's eyebrows turned inward as she studied the forked tail of the dog...er, crup. Did it get that way by accident, or were all crups born that way? She decided not to ask right now. She realized how distracted she was when it occurred to her that Paton had asked a question that Nora hadn't exactly heard. The weather? "Uhhh, oh! Yes, I am. It's a good escape from classes and homework," she answered. Then it dawned on her that she'd just admitted that to a professor, and she reddened in the face. "Sorry," she muttered. "I didn't mean that in a bad way."

"That's what I keep telling myself. That one day this will all be like second nature to me," she remarked. "Right now, it's not even close." So the dog's name was Beans Paton, hmm? The name made the creature seem less of a threat and more like the kind of dog she was used to. Paton was offering to let her pet him, too, but Nora wasn't sure just yet. "Umm, I don't know," she said. "What...what happened to his tail?"

[sweetpinkpixie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

As he usually did, Finn quickly returned Mitsuki's little bow. If she didn't know where she was going, that was just fine by him. As to...following the leaves? He looked around, noticing the random scattering of leaves along the ground. It seemed like it would be difficult to get anywhere following the leaves. But that didn't mean they couldn't try.

"Can I follow with you?" he asked, tucking his books under his arm. It might end up being a break with no end, but it was still early in the year. He had plenty of time to study for his O.W.L.s, at least in theory. He smiled back at her, hopeful that she wouldn't mind a little company.

That was one of the more intriguing things of existence, wasn't it? How there was order in chaos, predictability in the unpredictable? Mitsuki found that when she had no direction, direction would find her instead. The gaps between the leaves were like stepping stone along a path and all paths lead somewhere.

His question caused a moment's pause, the Ravenclaw wondering for a few prolonged moments whether or not Finn doubted his agility or thought that she would be moving with hastened steps. Either was possible, either was also not possible. Could he follow her? She supposed he would just have to try and see. "I do not see why not," she blinked, still mulling his words over a bit and being entirely too presumptuous about it for her own liking. "Unless you intend to find yourself petrified in the next few moments."

[Kolyander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Nora's eyebrows turned inward as she studied the forked tail of the dog...er, crup. Did it get that way by accident, or were all crups born that way? She decided not to ask right now. She realized how distracted she was when it occurred to her that Paton had asked a question that Nora hadn't exactly heard. The weather? "Uhhh, oh! Yes, I am. It's a good escape from classes and homework," she answered. Then it dawned on her that she'd just admitted that to a professor, and she reddened in the face. "Sorry," she muttered. "I didn't mean that in a bad way."

"That's what I keep telling myself. That one day this will all be like second nature to me," she remarked. "Right now, it's not even close." So the dog's name was Beans Paton, hmm? The name made the creature seem less of a threat and more like the kind of dog she was used to. Paton was offering to let her pet him, too, but Nora wasn't sure just yet. "Umm, I don't know," she said. "What...what happened to his tail?"

It didn't slip Hady's attention, the curious looks Nora was giving Beans. While he looked very much like the muggle Jack Russell Terrier dog, his tail is what surprised the some students that weren't aware of his magical breed. All of this new magical information had to be very overwhelming, she was sure. So she wasn't bothered when it seemed for a brief moment that Nora may have missed her question. There true honest in the answer she did receive made her laugh softly. "It's perfectly alright, don't be sorry for being honest. Lessons and homework can be a bit much at times.. i remember how it was back when I was a student here. There's times where it can feel never-ending. So if you start to feel overwhelmed don't be afraid to talk with one of us professors or a fellow student." Her door was always open to anyone that needed to talk with her, whether it be about lessons or anything else.

"That day will come much faster than you expect but there's always going to be that sense of wonder behind all things magical. At least.. that's how it is for me." There was plenty of different forms of magic and they each held a special sense of awe even now for her after all these years. Hady smiled softly in understanding. "That's alright, maybe another time when you're ready to. Crups are a magical breed of dog, Beans was born with his tail that way as are all crups. Normally their tail is cropped a bit when they are very young to make them more undetectable around none magic folk."

[Anna Banana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

It didn't slip Hady's attention, the curious looks Nora was giving Beans. While he looked very much like the muggle Jack Russell Terrier dog, his tail is what surprised the some students that weren't aware of his magical breed. All of this new magical information had to be very overwhelming, she was sure. So she wasn't bothered when it seemed for a brief moment that Nora may have missed her question. There true honest in the answer she did receive made her laugh softly. "It's perfectly alright, don't be sorry for being honest. Lessons and homework can be a bit much at times.. i remember how it was back when I was a student here. There's times where it can feel never-ending. So if you start to feel overwhelmed don't be afraid to talk with one of us professors or a fellow student." Her door was always open to anyone that needed to talk with her, whether it be about lessons or anything else.

"That day will come much faster than you expect but there's always going to be that sense of wonder behind all things magical. At least.. that's how it is for me." There was plenty of different forms of magic and they each held a special sense of awe even now for her after all these years. Hady smiled softly in understanding. "That's alright, maybe another time when you're ready to. Crups are a magical breed of dog, Beans was born with his tail that way as are all crups. Normally their tail is cropped a bit when they are very young to make them more undetectable around none magic folk."

It wasn't nice to stare, or so she'd been taught, but Nora couldn't take her eyes off the crup. It was one thing to read about magical creatures in textbooks, but to see one in person? That was a different story altogether! She managed to pull her gaze away to look toward the professor, who was offering help if she ever got overwhelmed. Too late. The overwhelming had already happened way back when that owl came swooping into the family living room and nearly sent her running for the hills. "Thank you," she said anyway, because she knew that moment with the owl wouldn't be the last time the magical world took her by surprise.

"I think I just miss home," she admitted. "Everybody else seems to have someone in their life who's also a part of the magical world. I feel like I've been taken away to a completely different planet or something." As much as she and her older brother displayed a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, she'd have given almost anything to have him here with her. She cleared her throat in a somewhat nervous type of way and knelt down beside the crup. Slowly, as if she'd turned into a sloth, she reached a hand out toward Beans. "Hi, Beans," she half-whispered. Please don't eat my hand.

[Kolyander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

It wasn't nice to stare, or so she'd been taught, but Nora couldn't take her eyes off the crup. It was one thing to read about magical creatures in textbooks, but to see one in person? That was a different story altogether! She managed to pull her gaze away to look toward the professor, who was offering help if she ever got overwhelmed. Too late. The overwhelming had already happened way back when that owl came swooping into the family living room and nearly sent her running for the hills. "Thank you," she said anyway, because she knew that moment with the owl wouldn't be the last time the magical world took her by surprise.

"I think I just miss home," she admitted. "Everybody else seems to have someone in their life who's also a part of the magical world. I feel like I've been taken away to a completely different planet or something." As much as she and her older brother displayed a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, she'd have given almost anything to have him here with her. She cleared her throat in a somewhat nervous type of way and knelt down beside the crup. Slowly, as if she'd turned into a sloth, she reached a hand out toward Beans. "Hi, Beans," she half-whispered. Please don't eat my hand.

"You're welcome, I mean that too, so please if you ever have questions or maybe just want to familiarize yourself with some of the creatures better.. don't hesitate to do so." Creatures were her thing after all so hopefully anything Nora may be interested in she could answer for her. Most of the time she could be found where the creatures were anyhow.

It might not feel like it to the first year but what she was saying was true for many students. Perhaps not in the fact that they also came from non-magical homes but homesickness was real and very strong at the start of a new school year. "It's more than okay to feel that way, everything you've ever come to know is now completely different. Hogwarts is very overwhelming even to those that come from magical backgrounds." Meaning that Nora wasn't all alone in her thoughts and feelings. "It does get better. There may even come a time when you are home and you miss being here." Life was full of surprises and one could never know for sure how they would feel about something in a few years time. Or even within a few weeks! Hady smiled softly in encouragement as she watched Beans and Nora.

Beans being the sometimes lazy crup that he was, laid down right there at the young girls feet looking up at her with dark eyes as he expected the pettings.

[Waddles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

That was one of the more intriguing things of existence, wasn't it? How there was order in chaos, predictability in the unpredictable? Mitsuki found that when she had no direction, direction would find her instead. The gaps between the leaves were like stepping stone along a path and all paths lead somewhere.

His question caused a moment's pause, the Ravenclaw wondering for a few prolonged moments whether or not Finn doubted his agility or thought that she would be moving with hastened steps. Either was possible, either was also not possible. Could he follow her? She supposed he would just have to try and see. "I do not see why not," she blinked, still mulling his words over a bit and being entirely too presumptuous about it for her own liking. "Unless you intend to find yourself petrified in the next few moments."

Agreement. Sure, he could follow her. Finn grinned good-naturedly, but his grin quickly disappeared as she...threatened him? Completely shocked, because odd though Mitsuki could be, she was always kind and...did she even know how to petrify him? A few un-thought-through attempts to question her meaning left him gaping like a fish. But then, deciding if she wanted to petrify him, she'd have to beat his own reflexes, and if she did, well he'd deserve it, he made sure he knew where his wand was.

And, without question, he took a step over to stand behind her. Leaves. Steps. Right. A bit of an unexpected activity, but he was eager for a distraction, and Mitsuki was usually good company. When she wasn't threatening him.

[Anna Banana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

"You're welcome, I mean that too, so please if you ever have questions or maybe just want to familiarize yourself with some of the creatures better.. don't hesitate to do so." Creatures were her thing after all so hopefully anything Nora may be interested in she could answer for her. Most of the time she could be found where the creatures were anyhow.

It might not feel like it to the first year but what she was saying was true for many students. Perhaps not in the fact that they also came from non-magical homes but homesickness was real and very strong at the start of a new school year. "It's more than okay to feel that way, everything you've ever come to know is now completely different. Hogwarts is very overwhelming even to those that come from magical backgrounds." Meaning that Nora wasn't all alone in her thoughts and feelings. "It does get better. There may even come a time when you are home and you miss being here." Life was full of surprises and one could never know for sure how they would feel about something in a few years time. Or even within a few weeks! Hady smiled softly in encouragement as she watched Beans and Nora.

Beans being the sometimes lazy crup that he was, laid down right there at the young girls feet looking up at her with dark eyes as he expected the pettings.

Nora nodded. "I'm sure they'll be questions at some point," she said. She was sure she had questions right now, it's just...she didn't know what questions to ask. She quietened down as she listened to what the professor had to say. It did make her feel better about things. She wasn't a hundred percent okay with things, and she wasn't even sure when that day would come, but all she knew was that things were getting better. "So will my parents ever be able to visit me here?" she asked. "If we have family events or something..." How did that kind of thing even work?

She drew in a sharp breath as the pup...err, crup...laid against her feet. She flexed her outstretched hand as if second guessing her decision. She slowly released the breath she'd been holding in and then hesitated for just one second longer. Finally, her hand came into contact with the crup's back, and she gave it a few soft pets. "Oh," she said, slightly surprised. "I know this sounds weird, but...I didn't realize how normal this would be." She continued to pet the dog, and her confidence grew with every second that passed. She soon stood to her feet again, though. It had been a pleasant first experience with crups, but it had also started to feel like too much too soon. Maybe later, though.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

Agreement. Sure, he could follow her. Finn grinned good-naturedly, but his grin quickly disappeared as she...threatened him? Completely shocked, because odd though Mitsuki could be, she was always kind and...did she even know how to petrify him? A few un-thought-through attempts to question her meaning left him gaping like a fish. But then, deciding if she wanted to petrify him, she'd have to beat his own reflexes, and if she did, well he'd deserve it, he made sure he knew where his wand was.

And, without question, he took a step over to stand behind her. Leaves. Steps. Right. A bit of an unexpected activity, but he was eager for a distraction, and Mitsuki was usually good company. When she wasn't threatening him.

Finn's expression went on quite the journey in such a short span of time right before her eyes and she was not sure just how to interpret it though it did beg a certain conclusion that he did believe that he would find himself petrified in the near future. Her thoughts drifted no where near basilisks or anything expected like that, but rather that it was such an unfortunate truth knowing that each step was likely leading towards such an inevitable state. Perhaps...

Unprompted, Mitsuki reached to unclasp her necklace and held the ends carefully while her other slid one of her pinecone pendants along the chord. Without further explanation, for now, she offered one of the third eye pinecone pieces to him just as he came and stood behind her. "For protection."

[Kolyander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Nora nodded. "I'm sure they'll be questions at some point," she said. She was sure she had questions right now, it's just...she didn't know what questions to ask. She quietened down as she listened to what the professor had to say. It did make her feel better about things. She wasn't a hundred percent okay with things, and she wasn't even sure when that day would come, but all she knew was that things were getting better. "So will my parents ever be able to visit me here?" she asked. "If we have family events or something..." How did that kind of thing even work?

She drew in a sharp breath as the pup...err, crup...laid against her feet. She flexed her outstretched hand as if second guessing her decision. She slowly released the breath she'd been holding in and then hesitated for just one second longer. Finally, her hand came into contact with the crup's back, and she gave it a few soft pets. "Oh," she said, slightly surprised. "I know this sounds weird, but...I didn't realize how normal this would be." She continued to pet the dog, and her confidence grew with every second that passed. She soon stood to her feet again, though. It had been a pleasant first experience with crups, but it had also started to feel like too much too soon. Maybe later, though.

Hadleigh smiled gently. "There's no rush. Questions always seem to pop into your head when you're all alone and no one else is around to answer them." Even as a professor that happened to her more times than she could count. She hadn't been expecting to be asked anything else right than but when a question was asked, it was one she wasn't at all expecting and she took a moment to think it over before answering. "Here at Hogwarts? Well we don't normally hold activities were parents or families would come here to the school but should we ever do so, we would make special accommodations for them so that they may attend. We do have Hogsmeade weekends and sometimes parents will go to those." Her father used to when she went to Hogwarts.

Beans laid there quite contently enjoying the pets that he was getting for as long as it lasted. Hady gave an encouraging smile as she watched. "That could be because he's very much like the average dog if you're not looking at his tail." His forked tail was what gave him away. "Start small and work your way up towards the more magical creatures. There's plenty in the barns and out in the pastures.. many students and even us professors bring a companion with us." Hers just so happened to be a python.

[Waddles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Finn's expression went on quite the journey in such a short span of time right before her eyes and she was not sure just how to interpret it though it did beg a certain conclusion that he did believe that he would find himself petrified in the near future. Her thoughts drifted no where near basilisks or anything expected like that, but rather that it was such an unfortunate truth knowing that each step was likely leading towards such an inevitable state. Perhaps...

Unprompted, Mitsuki reached to unclasp her necklace and held the ends carefully while her other slid one of her pinecone pendants along the chord. Without further explanation, for now, she offered one of the third eye pinecone pieces to him just as he came and stood behind her. "For protection."

Finn, while definitely on his guard because Mitsuki was smart enough and talented enough, he assumed, to do a good job if she did try to petrify him. He was proud of himself for not flinching as she held out a...pinecone? He was not sure at all how a pine cone could protect him, but he accepted the pinecone piece, bowing his head slightly.

He held it tentatively, looking first at the pinecone and then back to Mitsuki. He cleared his throat. "Are we going to go?" he asked. He didn't want to hold her up from her meandering. And he'd rather not her be looking at him as he tried to figure out what, exactly, to do with the pinecone.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

Finn, while definitely on his guard because Mitsuki was smart enough and talented enough, he assumed, to do a good job if she did try to petrify him. He was proud of himself for not flinching as she held out a...pinecone? He was not sure at all how a pine cone could protect him, but he accepted the pinecone piece, bowing his head slightly.

He held it tentatively, looking first at the pinecone and then back to Mitsuki. He cleared his throat. "Are we going to go?" he asked. He didn't want to hold her up from her meandering. And he'd rather not her be looking at him as he tried to figure out what, exactly, to do with the pinecone.

A slice of a pinecone, to be precise. One hardened in resin and polished until smooth. The pinecones had been collected around the forest surrounding Himitsumahou, to they were particularly potent pinecones. Tucking the rest back into her blouse, Mitsuki looked back at Finn and nodded.

"Yes." Eyes cast downwards, Mitsuki stepped forward on her tiptoes with the delicate grace of a ballerina and brought her other foot forward into another leaf-free patch of ground...and again...and again...and again in a lazy zigzagging pattern along the pathway.

[Waddles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

A slice of a pinecone, to be precise. One hardened in resin and polished until smooth. The pinecones had been collected around the forest surrounding Himitsumahou, to they were particularly potent pinecones. Tucking the rest back into her blouse, Mitsuki looked back at Finn and nodded.

"Yes." Eyes cast downwards, Mitsuki stepped forward on her tiptoes with the delicate grace of a ballerina and brought her other foot forward into another leaf-free patch of ground...and again...and again...and again in a lazy zigzagging pattern along the pathway.

And they were off! Being neither athletic nor graceful, Finn did his best to follow Mitsuki. Frowning in concentration, he stepped and stepped. And while he tried to copy her and step only in leaf-free patches...he failed miserably. Though he walked just as slowly and tried to be as careful as Mitsuki, Finn's footsteps were far from silent as he crunched leaves with almost every footfall.

[sweetpinkpixie]

Each crunch from Finn's feet encouraged her to be more spritely as she wove through the path on her tip toes. He would be okay now that he had the addition of the pinecone pendant, at least enough so that Momiji-hime ought to be appeased. As she continued to lightly bounce along the path, her movements turned even more fluid. One with the wind, Mitsuki's movements were more akin to dancing and she had even resumed humming. Had she just found inspiration for her next performance calligraphy presentation? It was quite possible and her fingers were already tracing characters on the air as she continued to glide about - now with her eyes closed.

[Waddles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Each crunch from Finn's feet encouraged her to be more spritely as she wove through the path on her tip toes. He would be okay now that he had the addition of the pinecone pendant, at least enough so that Momiji-hime ought to be appeased. As she continued to lightly bounce along the path, her movements turned even more fluid. One with the wind, Mitsuki's movements were more akin to dancing and she had even resumed humming. Had she just found inspiration for her next performance calligraphy presentation? It was quite possible and her fingers were already tracing characters on the air as she continued to glide about - now with her eyes closed.

Finn wished he was half as graceful as Mitsuki. He knew he was all gangly legs and arms, but he felt particularly uncoordinated in comparison to the Ravenclaw. Eyes narrowed as he focused, he hopped and skipped after her. Was she...humming? How did she ever have the room in her brain to be so graceful and also hum?! Finn realized he'd started sweating. Avoiding leaves required so much effort!! He thought he was starting to do better, though. At least in terms of fewer crunches per footstep. He still looked absolutely ridiculous.

[Anna Banana]

Text Cut: Kolyander

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

Hadleigh smiled gently. "There's no rush. Questions always seem to pop into your head when you're all alone and no one else is around to answer them." Even as a professor that happened to her more times than she could count. She hadn't been expecting to be asked anything else right than but when a question was asked, it was one she wasn't at all expecting and she took a moment to think it over before answering. "Here at Hogwarts? Well we don't normally hold activities were parents or families would come here to the school but should we ever do so, we would make special accommodations for them so that they may attend. We do have Hogsmeade weekends and sometimes parents will go to those." Her father used to when she went to Hogwarts.

Beans laid there quite contently enjoying the pets that he was getting for as long as it lasted. Hady gave an encouraging smile as she watched. "That could be because he's very much like the average dog if you're not looking at his tail." His forked tail was what gave him away. "Start small and work your way up towards the more magical creatures. There's plenty in the barns and out in the pastures.. many students and even us professors bring a companion with us." Hers just so happened to be a python.

Nora looked over at the professor and gave her an appreciative smile. It was comforting to realize she'd likely never be seen as an outcast here, and most people were bending over backwards to help her get adjusted. Her face noticeably fell when her question about her parents was answered with the opposite of what she had been hoping it'd be. At her old school, there'd been an event every holiday, and even then, there'd been events in between the holidays. Nora was hoping there would have been at least something to help with her homesickness. "Maybe it's better this way," she finally said. "I wonder if I'd just want to go back home with them if they were here." Did she even have that choice?

She hadn't thought about the possibility of a meeting in Hogsmeade, and in the next few silent seconds, she rolled the thought over and over in her mind. Maybe... "So are there any dangerous creatures here? Really dangerous creatures?" she asked. She'd honestly been expecting a wild dragon to come up through the fields one day and burn down the school. "I keep reading about all the creatures in the magical world. I'm kind of nervous about accidentally uncovering one." She did laugh a little after she said that. She'd been at Hogwarts long enough to realize things wouldn't just pop out. Or, at least, they hadn't yet. "A companion?" That sounded interesting. "Like what?"

[Kolyander]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Nora looked over at the professor and gave her an appreciative smile. It was comforting to realize she'd likely never be seen as an outcast here, and most people were bending over backwards to help her get adjusted. Her face noticeably fell when her question about her parents was answered with the opposite of what she had been hoping it'd be. At her old school, there'd been an event every holiday, and even then, there'd been events in between the holidays. Nora was hoping there would have been at least something to help with her homesickness. "Maybe it's better this way," she finally said. "I wonder if I'd just want to go back home with them if they were here." Did she even have that choice?

She hadn't thought about the possibility of a meeting in Hogsmeade, and in the next few silent seconds, she rolled the thought over and over in her mind. Maybe... "So are there any dangerous creatures here? Really dangerous creatures?" she asked. She'd honestly been expecting a wild dragon to come up through the fields one day and burn down the school. "I keep reading about all the creatures in the magical world. I'm kind of nervous about accidentally uncovering one." She did laugh a little after she said that. She'd been at Hogwarts long enough to realize things wouldn't just pop out. Or, at least, they hadn't yet. "A companion?" That sounded interesting. "Like what?"

There was no way for her not to see that look and as a professor she understood. But it was as a parent, as a mum that it really took hold of her heart. Being away from family was never easy, especially as their ages. "You do have the option to go home for holidays. Nearly all of the students go home for Christmas break."

This..

It was a question she didn't like. How did she answer this and not frighten the Nora? "As the CoMC professor I can easily argue that even the smallest and sweetest looking creature can be dangerous if handled wrong. However, the creatures in which I think you may be speaking of you don't have to fear. We have special rules and things in place for everyone's protection, that's why the Forbidden Forest is no place for students." It was dangerous.

Hady smiled softly when things took a lighter note. "A companion is what some call their pet that they feel most closest with. One you have a very strong bond with. Here at Hogwarts those are generally cats, owls, toads, rats and pygmy puffs. Others are sometimes allowed to remain in the barn with permission from the Headmaster, Head of House and myself."